@nilesfreeman’s Writing Blog

writing side blog. mainly sambucky, thorbruce, valcarol, spideychelle, finnpoe, and maybank

[nilesfreeman]

chapter 4 of After Thoughts is up!

[asgardiansofthegalaxyvol3]

Bucky looking through Sam’s phone for something and seeing a text from Sarah pop up that says “Happy Birthday” and absolutely losing it.

“When we’re you going to tell me it’s your birthday, Sam?”

“I wasn’t.”

“Why not!”

And then Sam says it’s not a big deal and they’re on a mission and it’s only a Birthday, he’ll probably have another next year. And Sam laughs about that little ‘joke’ but Bucky is mortified. Anyways he goes out to buy a little cupcake (it’s all he can find) with a candle and a tiny bird keychain that he wraps in a piece of newspaper and sneaks back in to set it up for Sam.

And before Sam can even say anything Bucky is like “I know it’s not much, but you didn’t really give me a lot of prep time, so...”

And Sam just smiles and says it’s great. He blows out his candle, won’t tell Bucky his wish, then cuts the cupcake in half to share. He laughs at the keychain, but carries it around everywhere after that.

[siancore]

Shush the eff up this is so stinkin’ cute and I am crying. 

[nilesfreeman]

chapter two of Dog Days is up!

Tags: @obxtalk @afropogue @pluto-the-planet1 @the-pogues @pope-mayward

[nilesfreeman]

Chapter 3 of After Thoughts is up!

[nilesfreeman]

In A Previous Life Sequel

Title: Sincerely, Yours

Rating: Teen and up

Word Count: About 30,000

Release date: Sunday, July 12

Chapter release schedule: One chapter a week for approximately nine weeks

Summary: Steve, now an old man, has left to live the rest of his life out on a quiet farm, leaving Sam and Bucky to deal with the aftermath of the “blip”. While Sam shoulders the duty of Captain America, a burden that weighs heavy on them both, Bucky continues learning how to live in the new world as he finds himself again after being released from Hydra’s control. Together, they do their best to protect their fragile world from further attack while also navigating the tricky waters of their relationship.

[nilesfreeman]

The first chapter is up now!

tags: @coffeebucko @siancore @rosadiazhoe @countingpaths @gayoccultism @rickandthegang @lesbians-love-samwilson

and anyone can be added to the taglist anytime! just put your name on my survey and you’ll be tagged when I update!

[nilesfreeman]

In A Previous Life Sequel

Title: Sincerely, Yours (subject to change)

Rating: Teen and up

Word Count: About 30,000 (subject to change after editing)

Release date: Sunday, July 12 (hopefully, if I stay on track with editing)

Chapter release schedule: One chapter a week for approximately nine weeks

Summary: Steve, now an old man, has left to live the rest of his life out on a quiet farm, leaving Sam and Bucky to deal with the aftermath of the “blip”. While Sam shoulders the duty of Captain America, a burden that weighs heavy on them both, Bucky continues learning how to live in the new world as he finds himself again after being released from Hydra’s control. Together, they do their best to protect their fragile world from further attack while also navigating the tricky waters of their relationship.

[nilesfreeman]

should i write the jjpope fic thats been in my head for days for the only two other people who ship them

[nilesfreeman]

so quite a few people actually replied to this post and I had a burst of motivation, so here it is! (link below) also I want to tag the people who reblogged and replied, thank you for doing so and I hope you enjoy!

@loveop5500 @thepogues @ooiseau 

@socialfailure @maybankiara @lemon-patches

@brakish20babe @okaypancake  @ziggy-v

@everythings-a-scam @princessofthepeachh 

@riddleandpottersittinginatree @unicornpussc 

@chkemo @lesbiankie @starcitysounds 

@caramel-kaspbrak @maybank-s

@thatlesbianshit @tinkeeskam 

@lil-italian-disappointment

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[chronicowboy]

because i'm interested: writers reblog with your zodiac sign and your favourite emotion to write about

[marasfics]

since tumblr isn’t letting me post links, here’s the full fic

The Jacket

Finn sat against the wall of the ship, one of his hands clinging to the jacket he wore. It was Poe’s. It was stupid to wear it, Poe was dead after all, but Finn couldn’t find it in him to take it off. The Resistance pilot had helped him escape the Order, that meant everything to Finn. He held the jacket a little closer and drifted off to sleep.

Rey asks him about it, and he just brushes her off. “What’s with that jacket of yours?” Rey asks. “You never take it off.” Finn tugs at his sleeve self consciously. “Belonged to someone important.” She noticed the sadness in Finn’s eyes and didn’t press him further.

Finn sees him across the way. He wonders if his eyes are deceiving him, if he’s just hoping it’s real. But when Poe wraps him in a hug, all his doubts disappear. “That's my jacket.” The statement catches Finn by surprise. “oh, s-oh.” He begins taking it off but Poe stops him. “Keep it. It suits you.” Eh hits Finn on the arm. "You're a good man, Finn." Finn feels his cheeks begin to warm. “Man, you have no idea how happy I am that you’re alive. I thought you were gone.” Poe smiles and hugs him again. “I’m here, buddy.” He pulls away and holds Finn by the shoulders. “You gotta tell me all the crazy shit that happened.” Finn nods his head eagerly. “There’s a lot to tell.” Poe claps his shoulder. “I’m glad you made it, Finn.” Finn sighs as he lets himself relax. “Yeah, me too.”

Finn finally takes the jacket off that night. He carefully drapes it over a chair in his living quarters before sitting down on his bed to take his boots off. A knock from the door makes him look up. Poe is leaning against the door frame, an easy smile on his lips. “Hey,” Finn says. “Hey,” Poe replies. “Just wanted to check on you. You doing ok?” “Better now that I know you’re alive,” Finn answers honestly. Poe smiles teasingly. “You were worried about me?” “I was,” Finn says as he takes off his second boot and sets it aside. He looks up at Poe. “You were my symbol of hope. That’s why I wore the jacket, it reminded me to have hope.” Poe’s smile turns genuine. “I never woulda got out of there without you.” Finn smiles. “You’re a cunning guy, you would’ve figured it out.” “I don't know about that. Give yourself some credit.” “Either way, I’m glad we both made it out alive.” Poe pushes off the door and moves to sit beside Finn on the bed. “How’re you adjusting to life in the Resistance?” “Probably a hundred times better than living under The First Order.” Poe smiles ruefully and pulls something from his pocket. It’s a nutrient bar. He breaks it in half and hands one half to FInn. “They’re strict on rations around here, but I snuck this. Kind of a celebratory nutrient bar.” Finn laughs and takes a bite of the bar. It was almost tasteless, but Finn couldn’t complain. He was sitting in his own bedroom with a man he admired, having just narrowly escaped death. “Thanks.” Poe raises his half and gently bumps it against Finn’s. Finn laughs quietly before noticing Poe’s troubled expression. “You’re worried about Rey, aren’t you?” Poe nods his head. “Yeah.” Finn looks straight ahead. “Yeah, me too.” “I mean, I never even met her, but I think she’s more important to the Resistance than we think.” Finn takes another bite and swallows the dry nutrient bar. “She’s strong. She’ll be back, I know it.” “So you two got pretty close, huh?” Finn looks down at the floor. “I suppose so.” “You got a girl back home?” “Stormtroopers don’t have families.” Poe nods solemnly. “Maybe you should go for it with Rey. The First Order doesn’t control you anymore, so what’s stopping you?” “Nothing, I guess,” Finn answers. “I just don’t know if I see Rey that way.” “Oh.” Poe isn’t sure what else to say. “I’ve never loved anyone,” Finn says after a moment. “I’m not sure how it feels.” He looks at Poe. “Have you ever loved someone?” Poe’s face grows white in color as he looks towards the door. “Yeah, a long time ago. He was a pilot like me, died fighting the Order.” Finn’s shoulders slump. “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be,” Poe says with a shrug. “It was a long time ago.” He smiles at Finn. “If you love someone, you’ll know it.” “How do you know?” Poe sighs as he tries to think about how to explain it. “You just...know.” “What if you’ve never loved or been loved? How do you measure love if you have no prior scale for it?” The question rattles Poe to his core. The thought that no one had ever loved Finn was jarring. A man so deserving of love had never been shown it. It seemed cruel. “You let people love you,” Poe answers after a minute. “And then you learn to return that love.” “I don’t think anyone on this base even likes me.” Poe shakes his head. “That’s not true.” Finn looks at him. “I like you,” Poe says. “That’s gotta count for something.” Finn surges forward, closing the distance between them. Poe’s eyes open wide in surprise momentarily before he lets himself melt into Finn. He wraps a hand around the back of Finn’s neck, pulling him closer. When they part, they stare at each other for a few seconds. Poe speaks first. “I didn’t expect you to do that.” Finn’s cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Me neither.” His heart drops as he realizes that might not have been what Poe wanted. “I’m sorry,” he apologizes quickly. “I wasn’t thinking, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Poe smiles softly and takes Finn’s chin in his hand, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. Finn exhales in relief. “So you’re not mad?” Poe laughs quietly and shakes his head. “Of course not. I’ve been waiting for that to happen since we met.” Finn smiles. “Really?” “Yeah.” Finn kisses him again, because he really can’t get enough of Poe. He manages to get Poe onto his back, and the two are soon a panting mess. Poe breaks out laughing in the middle of it, and Finn pulls away self consciously. “What’s funny? Am I doing something wrong?” Poe shakes his head and holds Finn’s face in his hands. “No, you’re doing great. I’m just blown away.” Finn runs his hand down Poe’s arm. “Why?” “Because you’re amazing.” Finn kisses Poe’s temple. “So are you. You’re the most amazing person I’ve met.” “You did grow up under the First Order, so you bar’s probably pretty low.” Finn shakes his head. “I mean it.” Poe gives a small smile and reaches up, gently rubbing up and down Finn’s bicep. He kisses Finn, if only so he doesn’t have to respond. “I should get back to my quarters,” Poe mumbles. “I’ll never hear the end of it from Leia if she catches wind of this.” Finn nods in understanding. Poe grunts as he rolls off of Finn and sits on the edge of the bed. “Hey, we’re good right? I mean, I don’t want things to be weird between us.” Finn smiles. “Yeah, we’re good.” Poe returns the smile and leans down to kiss Finn one more time. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” And with that, he leaves without another word. Finn watches as he goes, holding a hand over his heart.

Finn slips on the jacket the next morning and breathes in the faint smell of Poe that had lingered on it. He pulls on his boots and goes to find Poe. They should gather the council and agree on how to get Rey back. He finds Poe in the hanger, working on his plane. “Didn’t know you were a mechanic, too.” Poe lifts his head to look at Finn. “I don’t trust anyone else to touch her.” Finn smiles. “You’d let me, right?” Poe averts his eyes and Finn laughs. “You wouldn’t let me fix your plane?” “You could try,” Poe says as he shuts the panel he was working on. “But she’s feisty, only certain people can handle her.” Finn laughs again. “I’ll take your word for it.” Poe throws his gloves aside and walks to Finn, gripping the lapels of the jacket to pull him in and kiss him. There weren't many people in the hanger this early in the morning, but Poe decided he’d still kiss Finn if the room was full. He gets a hand under Finn’s plain black tee, relishing in his warmth. Finn can’t help but smile into the kiss. He’d never been so ecstatic in his life. He knew they had so much to figure out, and they still had to find Rey, but Finn thought he might be getting that feeling Poe was talking about last night. “You just...know.” Poe had said. Finn finally knew what he meant by that.

[marasfics]

A little Finnpoe fic (my first one!)

Takes place after tfa when Finn wakes up in the Resistance base

Finn wakes up, head cloudy and aching. He reaches up, rubbing at his temple and letting out a low groan. He hears something shift beside him and his eyes fly open. A smile tugs at his lips as he sees Poe in a chair beside his bed.

Poe’s face lights up.

“You’re awake!”

Finn gives a gentle smile. “Yeah.” He shifts and sits up against the pillows, wincing in pain. “How long was I out?”

“Too damn long,” Poe answers.

Finn rubs his head. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

Poe can’t help his smile. “Really? Thought you’d be disappointed I wasn’t someone else.” He hopes Finn can’t note the jealousy in his voice.

Finn’s face twists in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“Just thought you’d want to wake up with Rey at your side.”

Oh…

Finn clears his throat. “You’re not too bad, I guess,” he jokes. Poe smiles.

“I should tell you, Rey left.”

Finn’s heart drops. “Where’d she go? Is she ok?”

“We found the rest of the map to Luke Skywalker, she went to find him.”

“Why didn’t you go, too? You risked your life to get that map to the Resistance.”

“Wasn’t my place to go,” Poe answers with a shrug. “She was meant to.”

Finn nods in agreement. “I am glad you’re here, Poe.”

The pilot lowers his head to hide his smile.

“C’mon, I couldn’t just leave you here on your own.”

Finn closes his eyes for a second. He was still tired, but he wanted to stay awake, if for no other reason than to be with Poe.

“Thanks for that,” Finn says quietly. “Not a lot of people would stick with me.”

“Why do you think that?”

Finn shrugs. “I’m a traitor, and I get the feeling that a lot of people around here don’t trust me not to go back to the First Order.”

Poe sits forward and places his hand atop Finn’s.

“You’re not a traitor, you’re the bravest man I know. You knew that what the Order was doing was wrong, that they would kill you if you turned against them, yet you still risked your life to save me.” Poe squeezes Finn’s hand. “I don’t know a lot of people who would’ve done the same.”

Finn turns his face down. “I think I’d do anything for you.” He looks up in jaded horror at the realization of what he’d just said.

Poe just smiles and slowly stands from his seat, their hands still intertwined. He leans down and kisses Finn softly. It’s chaste and it’s over soon, but it leaves Finn’s head spinning and his heart pounding inside his chest. He stares up at Poe, eyes blown wide.

“You just kissed me,” he says, dumbfounded. Poe laughs, the lines under his eyes wrinkling.

“I did. Is that ok?”

Finn swallows and sits up further, tugging at Poe’s hand to drag him down close enough to kiss him.

“Totally ok,” Finn answers.

[marasfics]

Sambucky week: Day 2: Domesticity

Sam rolls over in bed, burying himself deeper under his duvet. He wraps an arm around Bucky's waist, hugging him closer.

“Hey.”

Bucky groans as he begins to wake up.

“Do you smell that?”

“Hmm?’ Sam mumbles. Bucky rolls onto his back, sniffing the air.

“Something's burning.” His eyes go wide. “Where’s Ava?”

Sam sits up, his eyebrows furrowing. “Shit!” He and Bucky scramble from their bed, sprinting down the stairs. They find their daughter in the kitchen in front of the stove.

“Ava!” Bucky rushes to the stove, scooping Ava up in his arms. “What are you doing?”

Ava giggles and wraps her arms around her father's neck.

“I was making pamcakes.”

Bucky has to smile, even though he should be scolding her. Behind them, Sam sighs.

“Aves, you know you're not supposed to touch the stove.”

Ava pouts. ‘I wanted to surprise you for Fathers day.”

Sams expression softens. “Baby, you didn't have to do that.”

Ava frowns, her eyes beginning to get glassy.

“Hey,” Bucky says softly as he sets her down on the floor, crouching to her eye level. “How about we all make pancakes together, ok?”

Ava’s face lights up. “Really?”

Sam smiles and picks her up.

“Yeah, c’mon.” He sets her down on the counter. “What’d you put in them?” he asks, picking up the stiff pancake from the stove.

“All the right ingredients.” Ava shrugs. “Flour and water and bakin’ soda.”

Sam laughs. “That’s all you put in them?”

Ava pouts her lips. “That’s all I knew how to read from the book.”

Bucky picks up the cookbook and looks over the recipe. He smiles, leaning down to gently kiss Ava’s forehead.

“You did great, sweetie.”

Ava smiles up at Bucky. “I did?”

He ruffles her hair and smiles down at her. “Yeah, Of course you did.”

[marasfics]

Sambucky day one: Hurt/comfort

Sam woke in a cold sweat, heart racing as he sat up and ran a hand over his face. He slid off the bed and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Bucky woke a minute later, noticing Sam’s absence. He sees the light on under the bathroom door and decides to check on Sam.

“Sam?” he asks with a quiet knock on the door. “Babe, are you ok?”

Sam shuts off the facut and sighs.

“I’m fine. Just give me a sec.”

Bucky waits by the door till it cracks open.

“Sorry if I woke you up,” Sam says with a grimace. Bucky shurgs his shoulders.

“Don’t worry about it.” He examines Sam carefully. “Wanna talk?”

Sam runs a hand over his face and shuffles back towards the bed. Bucky follows him, sitting cross-legged on his side of the bed.

“Sorry,” Sam says again.

“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.” Bucky places a gentle hand on Sam’s knee. “I know it’s been hard since everything happened.”

“I’m just scared I’m gonna fuck everything up. Steve left me with with this monumental task, and the world’s eyes are on me. I can’t mess this up.”

“You won’t.” Bucky tells him. “You have everything in you that you need to be Captain America.”

Sam gives a small smile. “Thank you. Sorry for being weird.”

Bucky leans across the space between them and presses a kiss to Sam’s temple. “You weren't being weird, you were just worried.”

“I really don’t know if I can do this.”

Bucky holds Sam’s face in his hands and looks in his eyes. “Baby, you can do anything. You’re Captain America, after all,”

Sam smiles and kisses Bucky. “I love you.”

[marasfics]

Title: Room for two

Square filled: Bed sharing

Warnings: None

Summary: Sam and Bucky are on the road after a mission, and are forced to crash in a motel

The motel receptionist slid the single key card across the counter.

“Sorry about the inconvenience,” he apologizes halfheartedly. Sam smiles politely.

“Don’t worry about it.” He swipes the card up and heads back to the car where Bucky is waiting.

“You look annoyed,” Bucky says as he pulls their duffle bags from the trunk, handing Sam his.

“They’re out of two twin rooms.”

“What’d you get?” Bucky asks, following Sam across the parking lot to their room. Sam swipes the key and unlocks the door, opening it wide enough to let Bucky see.

“One double.” He pauses, unsure. “I don’t sleep much anyways. Take it.”

Bucky says nothing and pushes past Sam into the room, tossing his duffle on the bed.

“You sleep. I know you do.”

“Not much.” Sam shrugs as he closes and locks the door behind him.

“You want the first shower?”

“Too tired. I’ll shower in the morning.”

Bucky shrugs and heads to the bathroom without another word. Sam takes the left side of the bed and clicks on the tv. He falls asleep with a nature documentary playing.

Bucky comes out of the bathroom ten minutes later, a white towel wrapped around his waist. He moves quietly, making sure not to wake Sam. Once he’s changed into pajamas, he climbs into the bed and under the covers, turning off the tv, leaving the room silent besides the buzz of the air conditioner.

Sam exhales loudly and rolls into his stomach, his arm tossing over Buckys abdomen. Bucky holds his breath until he knows for sure Sam’s really asleep. After a minute he lets himself relax, and finds he doesn’t mind the weight on his stomach. His eyes drift shut as he falls into sleep.

Bucky wakes at 2:43 am. That was almost a record. Sam’s limbs are tangled in his. Bucky carefully untangles himself and walks to the bathroom. He shuts the door and splashes cold water on his face, exhaling heavily. The harsh fluorescent light makes his eyes ache.

After drying his face, he goes back to the room only to find Sam laying awake.

“Sorry,” Bucky whispers. Sam sits up on the headboard.

“You ok?” Sam asks.

“Fine.” Bucky crawls back into bed. “You’re a cuddly sleeper.”

Sam chuckles and rubs the sleep from his eyes. “I told you I didn’t need the bed.”

Bucky shrugs and turns his head to look at Sam. “I didn’t mind,” he says quietly. Sams lips pull at the corners. He looks at Bucky for a second more before quickly leaning across the bed to kiss him. Bucky inhales deeply and reaches up, holding either side of Sam’s face in his hands. He lets himself relax as Sam kisses him, a strange warmth flowing through his body.

When they part, they both look nervously at each other.

“Hey,” Sam whispers. Bucky smiles and kisses Sam again, leaning into him. He smiles against Sam’s lips.

“Hey,” he whispers in reply.

[nilesfreeman]

I Missed You

Inspired by @tazatouille’s first Sambucky piece. Please feel free to follow them and support their art (because both it and they are amazing)

They hadn’t talked much in the moments before Bucky went into cryo sleep. Neither sure what the other wanted to say, and neither willing to say what they wanted. So when Steve left to give them a minute alone, Sam shifted nervously on his feet, standing in the doorway. Bucky gives a crooked smile.

There hadn’t been many encounters between the two, just a few secret looks from one another and two or three kisses in the dark of night, but for some reason, saying an indefinite goodbye was harder than they’d both expected.

“You’re gonna be ok,” Sam finally says. Bucky looks at him with adoration. Sam pushes off the doorframe and approaches Bucky. “Shuri’s a genius, she’s gonna make sure you get the best possible care. And when you wake up, Steve, Nat, and I will all be here—” Sam is abruptly cut off when Bucky leans forward and kisses him.

“Shut up,” Bucky says fondly when they part. Sam can’t help the smile that tugs at the corners of his lips. “I hate you.”

Bucky laughs quietly. “Yeah, I hate you, too.”

Sam hesitates before pulling away from Bucky, letting his hands drop.

“See you on the other side.”

Bucky smiles ruefully. “Yeah. See ya.”

It’s months before Bucky comes out of cryo freeze, and another month before he’s cleared for visitors. Steve offers to let Sam see him first, but Sam politely declines, claiming that Steve should catch up with Bucky. The truth was, Sam was afraid to see Bucky. They’d left so many things unsaid between them, and Sam wasn’t sure quite where they stood. So, he avoided going to see Bucky for three weeks till Nat cornered him.

“Go see Barnes.”

Sam looks down at her menacing eyes.

“What?”

“Everytime we go to see him he asks about you. Steve always makes up a half assed excuse as to why you’re not there, but Bucky can obviously see through him.”

Sam swallows his guilt. “He wants to see me?” he asks, dumbfounded. Nat slaps him in the chest.

“Of course he wants to see you, dumbass!” Nat rolls her eyes. “You’re fucking clueless.”

“I just wanted to give him space, let him heal.”

“He’s not as broken as you think,” Nat says softly. “And he’s capable of making his own decisions. Just go see him.”

Sam is about to agree when Steve rushes in. “We need to go, now!”

The trio rushes to Endinburgh to aid Wanda and Vision. The Black Order escapes, but everyone leaves alive. These days, Sam counted that as a win.

After flying to the compound and meeting up with Rhodey and Bruce, they decide to backtrack to Wakanda to let Shuri examine Vision’s stone. They land and exit the quinjet together. Bucky is there to greet them when they step off the ship. He hugs Steve first, smiling into Steve’s neck. They exchange niceties before Steve is dragged away to discuss a strategy with T’challa. Sam smiles nervously as he approaches bucky.

“Hey, how are you?” he asks softly. Bucky smiles in return.

“I’m good.” He looks at Sam for a moment.

“You look good,” Sam says in an attempt to make conversation. ‘I like the new arm.”

Bucky looks down at his golden arm, smiling crookedly. “Thanks.” He looks back at Sam, eyes growing soft as he realizes how much he’s missed this. Missed Sam. He smiles as he takes a step forward and reaches up to hold Sam’s face in his hands. Sam unconsciously leans into the gentle touch, his body relaxing against the warmth of Bucky’s hands.

Bucky leans in, letting his eyes flutter shut as he presses a soft kiss to Sam’s forehead.

“I missed you,” he whispers. Sam breathes out all the tension he’d been holding inside. He smiles faintly and holds onto Bucky’s waist.

“Yeah, I missed you, too.”

[marasfics]

Sambucky wip

Sam lightly thumps the back of his head against the wall, staring at the ceiling. He’s bored out of his mind. At this point he’d rather The Soldier try and kill him, maybe add some excitement to being stranded.

Sam picks up a pebble and tosses it at The Soldier. It hits his artificial arm, making a clink sound before dropping to the ground. The Soldier doesn’t even glance up. No matter how much Sam taunts him, The Soldier is unfazed.

“So, what’s with the arm?” Sam asks. “Did they try and make you into some kind of brainless cyborg?”

The Soldier doesn’t answer. Sam rolls his eyes and uses his good leg to kick the man. “Seriously, do you think you’re the good guys?” He kicks The Soldier again. “You’re not. All of HYDRA are fucking nazis.”

[marasfics]

Nothing a Knife Can’t Solve

“He called you what?” Nebula asks through gritted teeth. Mantis shrinks away, holding her knees to her chest and looking down at her blanket.

“I-It doesn’t matter, Nebula.”

“It does.” Nebula lifts Mantis’s chin with her index finger. “You are no one's pet, and you deserve to be treated with respect.”

“I appreciate you saying that, but it’s not the truth.”

Nebulas eyes grow hard with anger. “Who taught you that?”

Mantis swallows. “Ego did.”

“Ego is dead now,” Nebula says firmly. “He holds no power over you. No one does. You are your own person, and you deserve so much better than to be told by men that you’re not enough.”

Mantis smiles softly and presses her forehead to Nebula’s, letting her eyes flutter shut. “It is admirable that you want to protect me, but I can do that myself.”

Nebula loosely laces their fingers together. “I know you can.”

Nebula sits with her feet propped on the control panel, playing with one of her knives.

“Nebula, where’s Mantis?” Gamora asks. Nebula doesn’t even look up.

“I’m not her keeper, sister.”

“You may as well be,” Drax says. Nebula looks up, her eyes glaring daggers at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Everyone stops to watch how this will play out.

“It means she follows you around like a pet.”

Nebulas hand tightens around the hilt of her knife. She stands, towering over Drax. “Say that again,” she growls.

“She’s your pet.”

Nebula lunges forward, planting a knee on Drax’s chest and burying her knife into his right pec. He yells out in pain, forcefully pushing Nebula away.

“Nebula!” Gamora screams as she rushes to Drax’s side.

“What the hell are you thinking?” Quill asks. Nebula resheethes her knife and quickly leaves the room. She makes her way to Mantis’s room, closing herself inside. Mantis is sitting cross legged on her bed.

“I heard screaming, what happened?”

“I stabbed Drax.”

Mantis’s eyes go wide. “Why would you do that?”

“He said something about you,” Nebula says as she paces in front of the bed. “I couldn’t just sit there and listen to him talk about you like that.”

Mantis crawls across the bed, reaching out for Nebula’s hand. “Nebula…” she says softly. Nebula stops pacing and takes ahold of Mantis’s hand.

“I’m sorry,” she says stiffly. She sighs, running a finger across Mantis’s palm. “I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know how to show you I care about you, so I did the one thing I do know how to do.”

Mantis laughs quietly.

“That is very sweet, Nebula.”

Nebula gives the smallest of smiles.

“I just want you to be treated right.”

“You treat me right.” Mantis stands from the bed and kisses Nebula. “What they think of me doesn’t matter, as long as I have you.”

Nebula kisses Mantis softly, her lips lingering on Mantis’s after the kiss ends. “I love you,” she whispers. Mantis smiles and wraps her arms around Nebulas waist, resting her head on Nebulas shoulder.

“I love you, too.”

Nebula places a hand on the back of Mantis’s head, holding her close to her chest. “I’m sorry,” she says quietly. “I’m trying not to be the monster my father made me into.”

Mantis lifts her head and looks up at Nebula. “I have seen monsters, Nebula, and you are not one.” She gently holds Nebulas face in both her hands, looking at her with loving eyes. “You are simply...misguided.” Mantis places a hand over Nebulas heart. “But I know that your heart is in the right place. It always is.”

Nebula lowers her head and shuts her eyes as Mantis caresses her cheek. “There is not a single evil thing about you.” She presses their foreheads together, letting her calmness flow into Nebula.

“You didn’t know me before,” Nebula argues, no fire behind her words as a warm feeling fills her stomach. “I did horrible things, and what I did today made me realize how easy it is to go back to that.”

Mantis lightly shakes her head. “Listen to me,” she says, voice gentle but firm as she reaches down and takes Nebula’s cybernetic hand. “You are the kindest person I’ve met, and you are not the actions of your father.”

Nebula swallows and nods. She lowers her head, capturing Mantis’s lips in a slow kiss. Mantis wraps her arms around Nebula’s neck, walking backwards towards the bed, giggling when her back hits it.

Nebula slips from Mantis’s room later that night. She goes to the bridge where the other guardians are. Drax has a blood stained bandage on his chest. Nebula stands in the doorway, her arms crossed. Everyone turns to look at her.

“I want you all to listen to me, because I’ll only say this one time as a warning,” she says coldly. “If I hear any more offhand comments or digs directed towards Mantis, I will not hesitate to repeat what happened earlier.” She looks pointedly at Drax. “You will all start treating her with respect, because she’s no one’s pet, or a game to make you feel better. I don’t care how broken you are, she’s not your entertainment, understand?”

Everyone nods their head, not daring to say a word. Nebula swiftly turns on her heel and begins down the hallway.

“Nebula!” Gamora calls after her. Nebula doesn’t stop. “Nebula, wait.” Gamora catches up to her places a hand on her shoulder. Nebula quickly turns, tightly grabbing Gamora’s hand and glaring at her.

“Do you have something to say, sister?”

Gamora’s expression softens. “I’m glad you’re letting yourself be happy.”

Nebula drops her sisters hand, surprised at Gamora’s words. She clenches her jaw, trying to regain her icy composure. “Thank you,” she finally says. Her eyes drift up to meet Gamora’s. “I am happy.”

Gamora smiles softly. “I’m glad. You deserve it.”

[marasfics]

Excerpt from my unnamed “In a Previous Life” sequel

Bucky finally looks towards Sam, eyes heavy, dark circles below them.

“Sam, do you love me?”

Sam’s eyebrows draw together.

“Of course I do. What kind of a question is that?”

Bucky’s gaze falls again to the stairs.

“And I care about your well being.” Sam plucks the cigarette from Bucky’s hand. “So stop smoking these. I shouldn’t even have them in the house.”

“You should get back to bed.”

“You coming?” Sam asks. Bucky looks up, catching the pleading look in Sam’s eyes. He hands Sam the pack of cigarettes and stands up.

“Yeah. C’mon, let’s go.” He takes hold of Sam’s hand and helps him up. Once Sam’s on his feet, Bucky wraps an arm around his waist and kisses him.

“I’m sorry if I worried you. I’m just…” Bucky sighs and closes his eyes

“I know,” Sam says softly. “It’s ok that we don’t have everything figured out yet, but we will. I promise.”

Bucky grimaces.

“I love you.” The words nearly get caught in his throat. They still feel foreign to him.

Sam kisses Bucky’s forehead gently, holding him close to his chest.

“I love you, too.” He exhales deeply. “Now let’s go back to bed, ok?”