MyCapt-OhCapt-Writes

⭐️MASTERLIST MOBILE MASTERLIST This page is for all original fics and works by @mycapt-ohcapt ⭐️Comments & Reblogs are appreciated ⭐️❤️ 18+ Please & some works NSFW

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Mini-Escape: The other "D" Day

Written as a response to a reader who asked what Nicole's reaction was on the day Chris leaked the D pic to Insta

Finally, a much needed quiet moment to sit down and relax.  Nicole popped a caramel square into her mouth from a secret stash she kept.  Before she could truly get to enjoy it, her phone rang, displaying the name “Thundertwat.”  

She swiped to answer her best friend, Dani. 

“Hey, wha—”

In an excited, loud rush, Dani blurted out “You lucky, lucky bitch and that poor, poor bastard!”  

Nicole struggled to pry the sticky candy off the roof of her mouth with her tongue.  She tried to ask a question but it sounded more like, “Whatchutawkabutt.” 

After a short scream, Dani shouted.  “Ooooh shit!!! Ohmygod, ohmygod, OH MY FUCKING GOD!!  YOU DON’T KNOW?!  Oh my poor, dear friend. I hate to break it to ya but shits about to hit the proverbial fan in your house.  I mean, social media’s drooling, panties around the world are dropping – probably some boxer briefs, too, and –”

Candy situation finally under control, Nicole interrupted her rant.  “Dani, I don’t understand, what the hell are you talking about? What happened?”

Text messages alerts were starting to pop up one after the other.  

“Nicole.  Your man is out there for the world to see in all of his lengthy glory!  He released a dick pic on Insta.”

“HE DID WHAAAATTT!?!!”

Just then, Chris’s name appeared as a call waiting.  

“Give me a min, Chris is calling on the other line.”

“Trust me, it's gonna be a lot LONGER than a minute.  Good luck, call me later.”

Picking up the other call, Nicole was greeted by the sound of Chris and another person yelling back and forth, clearly freaking out. 

“Chris?  Chris?!”

“Nic.. I, fuck! I fuckin’ posted a dick pic to insta! I didn’t mean to, I didn’t realize.. FAACK!!  It’s taken down now but it’s out there. Damage is done. , I took it down but the damage is done. This is a fuckin’ nightmare!”

She let him vent and get it out of his system. There was a lot of anger at himself, panic, and humiliation  to his voice and she had to work hard to keep her tone even and not add to it. 

When the words started to slow she spoke softly and calmly. “Chris, let’s take a breath together, okay?” 

After a minute or so of deep breathing she asked him to explain how it happened. She was furious and embarrassed for him, and for herself, but she couldn’t let it show.  

“I’m still confused, like, , were you looking at a photo of your junk and thought ‘let’s share this work of art?’l   After a brief pause she added “it was yours, right?”

“Of course it was!!  And no, nothing like that. I was bored in my trailer. You know we can’t hang around set unless you’re in the scene now because of all the damn social distancing shit, and I was clearing out my photos.”

“Okay…”

“And, you know how I’ve been photo and video dumping on insta lately? The fans and the public have really been enjoying it.  I wanted to share something else I found.”

“And that thing was your dick?”

“No! It was a video,  but I didn’t realize at the end it showed a screenshot of a bunch of old photos and one of them happened to be…my Johnson.”

Nicole dropped her head into her hand, exasperated. “This is why we don’t let you do shit on your own with the phone Chris!”

“How was I supposed to know that would happen?”

“You didn’t. You just suck at technology. My god,  Joanna must be losing her damn mind.”

“Oh she is, we already had a zoom call about it, hence the yelling when you called.” 

“When was the pic from?”  Even after all these years, the fact that he had a past was still not an easy thing to swallow (unlike him the wicked little voice in your head teased)

“Actually, it was a bunch of pics you and I were sending each other last year when I was away filming. The ones where you were writing funny shit on some old corny headshots where I was trying to hard to look cool, remember? And I said I had a better headshot to show you.” 

“Ohhh, the black and white one?”

“Yep.”

Now the comments from Dani made sense.  Lucky girl indeed. Now everyone knew it.

“Shit, Nic, sorry I gotta run. Jo is calling, I’ll call you later. Love you. I’m so sorry.”

She said her goodbye and let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. She was so thankful that their son, who was down for a nap, was too young to know what was going on. Nicole decided to ignore the texts and calls coming in to her. It wasn’t as if she had a good answer to give anyone anyway. 

Truly, what would she say? She ran down some responses out loud. 

“Yep, that’s his dick.” 

“Now you know why he’s so cocky!”

“Tacky right? Ugh, gag me with a … spoon.”

“Why yes, I do enjoy riding it like a pogo stick. Wouldn’t you?” 

“Well, he did play a supersized superhero. Maybe fiction became reality?” 

“So glad you all got to see my man’s Boston beef whistle!” 

She hung her head in her hands and gave herself a moment to breath deeply. It was going to be a long day and night and she was already feeling exhausted.  

Only one thing to do.  She got up and waddled over to the cabinet with the caramel stash, taking one more to satisfy the demanding cravings generated by the daughter growing inside of her. 

She chewed on the way to the couch, hoping to get her feet up and take a little snooze while she could.   As far as she was concerned, the gossip seekers could suck it. 

Pun intended. 

tagging per request:

@shoegal73 @itsscottiesstark. @astheskycries @firephotogrl74. @raven-blue3000  @sarahdonald87 @storiesbyhails @fridamoss

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Escape mini - after Africa

This is a continuation of the time after Chris returns from 10 weeks way. No beta, typed off the top of head with some moments I've been saving for years. Hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for the support and for continuing to read their story!

Chris was exhausted and jet lagged after the incredibly long flight home after wrapping up Red Sea Diving Resort.  After leaving the gathering at his mom’s house he managed to stay awake long enough for a shower and a short snuggle time with you and Dodger, but not much else.  It was totally okay, though.  Just being able to sleep beside him was all you needed.  

Friday was spent catching up with friends in the area and doing laundry, getting used to being back home and adjusting to the time change.  You did get to have some quality love time in the morning before seeing everyone else, but it was just a taste.  The real magic would happen once you and he were secluded in your family’s home in the Catskills region of upstate New York.  No distractions, demands, or time constraints.  Just the two of you and Dodger from Saturday through Thursday.  After that it was another four hour drive back to his house to say goodbye yet again.  He had a couple of weeks left of work in Atlanta to wrap up the latest Avengers movie, but he’d be back for Thanksgiving and no more work until January.  

You arrived at the empty house in the early afternoon on Saturday.  Your parents had gone up to the house earlier in the week to prepare it for your visit.  The fridge was stocked, bed changed, wood for the fireplace stacked, fresh towels in the bathroom ready for use.  Everything was clean and cozy and required no effort, just relaxation as if going away on vacation.  

It was the first time in your life that you had been up here on your own with a man.  The only time you’d even been at the cabin without your family was with Dani and Jade for a long weekend, but that was obviously quite different.  It wasn’t like either of them had a dick you wanted to ride like a pogo stick in every room of the house.  

Once unpacked you finally had a chance to relax with one another.  What followed was some of the most intimate, delicate, and emotional love making of your life.  It was as if you were rediscovering each other.  It had been months apart and so much trauma and pain endured during that time.  Rather than a “rip your clothes off” experience most people would have expected, this was more of a healing, soft, “let’s reconnect” session.  

Not wanting to go out and be around people that evening, you pulled out a container of sauce that your mom had made and set a pot of water to boil for pasta.  Chris was playing music and checking out the DVD and record collection in the living room.  

“Every Breath You Take” by The Police began to play.  Chris started singing along to it.  His voice got closer as he walked into the kitchen.  

Arms encircled your waist and his soft beard tickled your neck as he nuzzled it and sang to you.  

“Oh can’t you see, you belong to me.  How my poor heart aches, with every step you take.”  As he kissed his way down your throat your body began to tense.  You’d been holding back so many emotions for so long, putting on a show for everyone that you weren’t wrecked on the inside.  You’d been raised by a strong woman who always instilled in you a sense of independence.  How could you admit to anyone that being apart from Chris felt like a knife to the gut.  That you missed him so much it physically hurt in the center of your chest.  Perhaps if the distance and time hadn’t coincided with the world scrutinizing, judging, and placing you under a microscope it wouldn’t have been as intense, but there was no way to know. 

He felt the change in your body and asked what was wrong.  As corny as it was in hindsight, you used the song to explain it as the bridge started to play at that moment.  

Turning into his arms, you looked Chris in the eyes and sang the words you couldn’t have written better yourself. 

“Since you’ve gone, I’ve been lost without a trace. 

I dream at night, I can only see your face.  

I look around, but it’s you I can’t replace.  

I feel so cold, and I long for your embrace.  

I keep crying, baby, baby please.”

By the end you’d collapsed into his arms, sobbing so hard his long sleeved shirt was drenched in tears.  He held you tight, kissing the top of your head while stroking your back, soothing sounds coming from his lips as he let you get it all out. 

He stayed with you and finished the pasta while you sat on a stool at the island sipping on a glass of wine to relax your nerves.  It was the beginning of an evening of long, deep conversation that moved from the dinner table to the floor in front of the couch.  The fireplace provided the backdrop needed, Dodger’s belly was willing and eager for attention as he stretched out between his humans.   

After an hour or so, the tender touches he gave you started to feel different.  He pushed a piece of hair behind your ear and stroked your cheek after.  You curled your face into the palm of his hand, turning to place a kiss into it.  It was the invitation he needed to lean in and give you one on the lips.   If you thought the sex in the afternoon had been intense, then you had no words to describe what happened on the floor of that living room in front of the roaring fire.  There were no longer any boundaries or hiding emotions, everything had been laid out wide open, souls bared.   For the rest of the evening your bodies were entwined and the only tears you released were from an orgasm so strong it made you cry in ecstasy.  

That was quite possibly one of the most relaxing “vacations” you’d ever taken.  No work for either of you.  Plans made spur of the moment.  With his long hair and thick beard he was truly unrecognizable and going out to eat or shop in town was totally stress free.   No feelings of being in a relationship with a “celebrity” to worry about.  If only it could be this simple all the time. 

There was a morning where Dodger wanted to go out early, and you let him out.  Chris came out to the porch where you were waiting and wrapped you in a blanket.  He was covered in one too and you sat together watching the sunrise over the mountain tops before going back to bed.   

Long drives through the windy roads of the countryside were a favorite way to pass some time.  The weather was pleasant enough to bring lunch and do some short hikes with Dodger when an area looked interesting.  

One not so fun day was when Dodger was out wandering the property while you and Chris were messing around taking photos.  A loud yelp was heard and then he came running towards the house like a bat out of hell.  The stench that wafted off of him was unmistakable.  He’d been sprayed by a skunk!  Utter chaos ensued as Chris googled what to do and you ran inside to grab the ingredients needed to wash him.   

“Straight to the bathtub,” you screamed at Chris and Dodger when they entered the house.  “He’s not going anywhere else!  OH MY GOD does he STINK!  HOLY FUCK!!”  You had always been sensitive to smells and this one was turning your stomach.   The dog kept trying to jump out of the tub and battle Chris but he wasn’t going to win.  You came in right after them and closed the door to make sure he didn’t escape.  There was a small sliding window on the wall and you opened it to get some air circulating.  Hydrogen Peroxide was under the sink and you brought the bottle of dish soap and box of baking soda that Chris said were needed to bath him.  He got multiple baths before he could get dried off and let out.   It was an adventure to remember.  

On the final night, you learned that Chris needed to shave his beard off.  The scenes he was going to start filming were now going to require him to go back to the traditional look of short hair, clean shaven Steve Rogers.  It was a look you loved in the movies, but this shaggy, mountain man look was definitely doing things for you.  Seeing him in the Cap outfit with the hair and beard was going to cause a lot of theater seats to be ruined.  

He was in the bathroom, checking out his face when you entered and asked, “Can I shave it? Do you trust me to get that close to your throat with a razor?”

“If you can do it without slicing me to pieces, maybe.”

“I’ll do my best, you can always take over.  Deal?”

After a pause, he handed you a pair of scissors from his shaving kit.  “You’ll need to trim it with these first.”

Gleefully, you hopped up on the counter and got to work, tossing the hair into a small trash can he had moved to the top of the toilet seat.  When it was close enough to his face to more easily shave the moment of trust finally came. 

Chris wet his face and you applied the shaving cream to it, lathering it up to cover the beard fully.  He wanted the smoother shave that a razor could give, versus the electric one. 

Carefully, you unveiled the baby face you hadn’t seen since June or July.  There were a couple of small nicks but nothing more than he would have done to himself, or so he said.  Strangely, the act of shaving him was a bit erotic.  You found yourself getting highly turned on as it went along.  Maybe it was seeing him the way he’d looked on your first date, or a throwback to your lust for this Steve Rogers look, but it was definitely doing it for you.   When the job was done and he washed his face again, you watched him checking out his face in the mirror and said in as sultry a voice as possible, “Welcome back Captain Rogers.”  

The hair was still long, but the jawline was on display and so were the broad shoulders and bare chest.   There were no words needed, he picked up what you wanted immediately.   Within seconds your legs were wrapped around his hips and he was carrying you to bed where you got to enjoy another role play session with the Captain.   

Life was good.  Life didn’t suck – but you sure did. 

tags: @shoegal73 @itsscottiesstark @astheskycries

@firephotogrl74 @raven-blue3000.  @sarahdonald87

@storiesbyhails @fridamoss

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Hi! Your Escape series is still one of my favorites. I just wanted to know how Chris and Nicole's reunion was after he came back. 10 weeks is a looooong time, specially with everything that happened in between.

Hi Nonnie, thank you so much for the question and the interest! So I'm doing this as a multipart. One for a short overview of the night he returned. The others will be posted once ready as their time and some scenes from a week together after. I apologize for any errors, these aren't being beta read and I'm just flying by the seat of my pants on them.

Chris arrived in Boston on a late Thursday afternoon in early November, heading straight to Lisa’s house where the family was gathered for a much anticipated welcome home.  

You’d come to his mom’s home a few hours earlier and immediately took a spot in the kitchen preparing the food for the celebration.  Keeping your hands busy helped you focus and settle your nerves. The constant conversations helped keep your mind occupied to prevent it from spiraling. So much had transpired in the 10 weeks since Chris had left for Africa.  What would it be like to see him in the flesh again after all of it?  Already it felt surreal. 

During the chaos and turmoil you made a decision to take a break from him.  It was suggested by your therapist — and your mom— in order to allow you to process the madness that had become your life. Was being with Chris worth it? Did you truly feel it would be a long term relationship that would merit the scrutiny and harassment that would inevitably continue for you?  What could your future hold? How could it go? Could you see one without him in it?  

While Chris understood your reasons for the break, he didn’t exactly agree with you about it.  Those six days felt like forever, but the depths of discussions after proved it was the right thing to do.  Both of you did some soul searching and the old saying held true: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.  

When Chris came through the door every human in the room knew instinctively to step back and wait their turn because Dodger was going to be the first to greet him.  Humans understood why he was gone and when he’d be returning. To Dodger it must have felt like years.  

Chris was practically knocked down  as the dog leaped into the air straight for his chest.  The proud papa caught him as best he could with a backpack still in his hand, and promptly dropped down to the floor, rolling around with the dog as he sniffed, barked, and kissed Chris all over and you caught it all on video with your phone.  

Rather than be next in line, you moved behind everyone and let Chris’s mom and then sisters and the kids go ahead.  Your body was shaking, your breath was, too. Tears threatened to run down at any moment, making you blink rapidly.  He was hugging everyone but constantly looking at you every chance he got while making his way through the group. 

When he finally reached you there was a pause as you assessed each other and time felt like it stood still. Just as quickly as it happened it ended and he wrapped you into his big, strong arms and hugged you so tight to his chest that it took your breath away.  The tears finally came pouring down your face and you could feel the hot droplets on your shoulder letting you know that he was also crying.  Over and over came whispered words of love to each other.   The sound of footsteps retreating to the other room let you know that the family had left to give you both some privacy. 

Anticipating this moment for so long  made it feel like a dream once it finally happened. Also imagining all of the moments that would come later in the evening once you went back home to his house kept you going through the rest of dinner.  

Remembering that you only had him for another week before he had to, once again, leave for work was enough to make fresh tears spring to your eyes.  Tomorrow you had to share him with his friends and family again, but from Saturday to next Thursday he belonged only to you and Dodger. You were whisking them both away with you to your family’s home in upstate New York where you could finally decompress and be alone.  You couldn’t fucking wait. 

tagging per request and who I think would like it: @shoegal73. @itsscottiesstark. @astheskycries @firephotogrl74. @raven-blue3000. @sarahdonald87

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Attention Escapees

I'm still working on some scenes/walk throughs/mini escapes from questions that have come in. If you'd like to be tagged just reply to this and feel free to keep sending in your questions to me or the characters and any scenarios you'd like to know about. Hoping it will allow me to pull together enough content to create a wrap up to the story on ao3 at some point. Thank you all for reading (and in some cases re-reading, re-reading) you are amazing!

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Escape question from a reader #1 of ?

A reader send a message and asked: How would it go with them while he was doing the play in NY?

Love this question. I have so much in my head for this timeframe. Let's break it down. Now, if memory serves correct, he began rehearsals for the show at the very end of January. He moves into the rental apartment right after the new year. 2018 was a particularly harsh Winter in New York. Snowstorms and blizzards happened almost weekly. Nicole ended up working remotely from his apartment on multiple occasions due to the weather and train service from the city to Long Island being cancelled.

By the end of the month, Chris asked if she'd be willing and able to do it for a couple of months so that they could spend time together as much as possible before his performances began in March. Once the show begins he will be in every one of them, sometimes two performances in a day. His only days off would be Tuesday and Thursdays, and that schedule would continue until mid May. She agrees and they essentially live together as a couple full time, getting to know each other truly for the first time as they usually only get to spend a few days at a clip together since they began dating.

Nicole goes with him to the cast party in February and meets everyone. She enters through a side door so that she can avoid the paparazzi that is outside taking photos, but can't help but cling to him once inside because of how incredible he look. No one can wear a sweater like this man.

In NY they can blend in and go relatively unnoticed. They enjoy evenings out at plays, movies, dinners, walking with Dodger when it wasn't too freezing outside. After he finishes rehearsals on Friday afternoons they'll take a drive to spend the weekend with his family or hers.

They have lots of fun and sexy times, too. He eagerly agrees to fulfill one of her fantasies of fucking to Led Zepplin's IV album. He comes home from rehearsal one day dressed in his police uniform and proceeds to bring out the handcuffs for an incredible night of role playing.

Valentine's Day was on a Wednesday and they kept it romantic but quiet. She made dinner for him and had it set out by candle light when he came home from rehearsal. She bought him a beautiful art print of one of his favorite places in Massachusetts, Walden Pond. He bought her tickets to Hamilton and a bottle of perfume that she had been eyeing.

Come March, the play begins and the day before his first show he comes home from a hair appointment with a terrible haircut. Nicole doesn't quite know how to tell him how bad it looks and tries to figure out the wording while he's in the bathroom. Once he emerges her jaw drops. As if the hair wasn't bad enough, he shaved off his beard and gave himself a mustache that made him look like some kind of knockoff 1980's guido wannabe porn star.

Nicole didn't think it was possible to be turned off when looking at Chris but she was wrong. The look dried her up like she was sitting in quicksand. It definitely took some getting used to. Eventually she came around and she accepted and began to even appreciate the look, or at least his commitment to a role, but she couldn't wait for May when he was done with the show so he could return to normal.

Chris let her do the honors of shaving the damn mustache off after the final show. God bless him.

Thank you @shoegal73. I'm happy to answer anything i may have missed for this time

[mycapt-ohcapt]

So glad to have you back! I always wanted to know what Nicole's reaction was when her identity was revealed. How did she deal with that? Was Chris helpful?

Hi Nonny! Thank you for the question! I have written and rewritten the chapter dealing with this so many times and it was the last thing that I worked on but never completed. In summary, this is the time between. The chapter was going to be called “The Space Between” (inspired by the song by Dave Matthew’s Band)

She didn’t handle it well. How could anyone in her situation, though, really? The bomb went off the same day that Chris left for Africa to film for 2 months. She was on her own without him, but thankfully his team was ready to help her through it. They gave her advice, making sure to remind her to respond “No comment” and that she had an NDA. It took some practice to not let them get under her skin and become reactive. There was at least one scolding from his publicist when she learned Nicole had told one in particular to get fucked in quite a colorful way.

Calls began coming into her office line and after a few “reporters” were able to slip through to her line as being clients there had to be rules put into place to challenge every person who called looking to speak with her. No case info, no direct transfer.

Co-workers were a bit of a challenge. There was some jealousy involved, either that Nicole was getting special treatment (she really wasn’t) or that she landed a celebrity and how could someone like her do that? Some were offended that she had kept it a secret. Nicole could expect to walk into the kitchen or walk past some desks where people were gathered and hear sudden silence. Lunches alone in her office became a thing. Valentina is the only person she can trust there, other than a few of the attorneys who do their best to guide and protect her.

Family that isn’t immediate reach out to see that she’s okay. Some pump for info that can’t be given, some take offense to that, but she has to be careful. Between the nda and people willing to do anything for a buck she can’t help but be cautious. There was a small circle of trust.

Therapy helped her manage the rising anxiety. She took to working from home some days to avoid the additional stress at the office. She missed Chris so much. Because of time zones he was 7 hours ahead of her but they made it work to talk and video call frequently. He was in the majority of the scenes being shot, as he was the lead in Red Sea Diving Resort, but there was plenty of downtime when setting up shots, etc.

Nicole enjoyed the video calls most of all, mostly due to how amazing he looked with his shaggy hair and beard that was uncharacteristic for him but sexy as fuck. They gave him a fake tan that, combined with the look, made her weak in the knees and wet everywhere else. She couldn’t wait until he got home and she could get her hands on him.

Chris’s family really stepped up and it helped to grow some relationships and bonds. Shanna came to stay with her for a weekend and Nicole was frequently on the phone with Lisa, Scott, and Carly with calls and texts. They’d all lived through the chaos and commotion that comes with being in Chris’s orbit and shared in her growing pains with it.

There were a lot of nights spent crying herself to sleep, especially at first. For her own mental wellbeing she shut down all of her social media and deleted the apps. It was the only way to stop herself from reading comments that infuriated or hurt her. Even though there were plenty of well wishers, the negative ones always seemed to be the ones that stood out and stayed in her head.

Nicole didn’t have a large circle of friends, but rather a small circle of ride or dies. That made knowing very clearly that “friends” who hadn’t reached out in years —and suddenly remembered she was alive — easily ignored.

Out of frustration and boredom one night she went out for a walk. A long one. It became a daily habit. A way to clear her head and the movement in her body helped control her stress levels. Exercise had never been a part of her life but it became a way to escape the world and lose herself in music or a podcast and bring her some much needed sanity.

Having so much phone sex that she nearly got carpal tunnel. Dani’s box turned out to be a godsend.

Chris proving he could be her rock even thousands of miles away. The separation mixed with the scrutiny and stress forced their relationship to a place way beyond the few months they had known each other. It forged a strong bond between them and deepened their love and appreciation at having found one another. They were unbreakable now.

[mycapt-ohcapt-writes]

Escape to Christmas Morning - mini escape

Written for a reader who asked what Chris and Nicole's first Christmas would be like. What sort of gifts they exchanged, etc. Catch up on Escape with Chris Evans here. No warnings, just fluff.

12-25-2017

Christmas Morning.  The first one for Chris and Nicole as a couple and the magic of that knowledge wasn’t lost on them for a second. 

Christmas Eve was a whirlwind.  The late afternoon was spent visiting Chris’s dad and his half siblings before going to his mom’s house for a huge Italian feast.  Aunts and Uncles, cousins, tons of kids of all ages, all with full bellies and even fuller smiles.  Music played nonstop by the classics; Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole.  It was well past midnight when they finally returned to Chris’s home to go to bed.  

Dodger woke them up around seven in the morning because he had to go outside. They decided to both follow him into the living room to avoid falling back to sleep.    

They excitedly realized it was snowing outside, a true white Christmas. 

Nicole brewed some coffee while Chris finished taking care of his boy and got the fireplace going.  

They were wearing Christmas themed pajama pants and comfy shirts.  Nicole placed a pair of reindeer antlers on Dodger, although they stayed on only long enough for her to snap a photo before he shook them off and snatched them up to chew them apart. 

Chris put the television on and found the channel that was playing a Christmas movie marathon.  One of his favorites, Christmas Vacation, was just starting.  Nicole brought the cups of coffee over to the sofa and they settled in together,  cuddling and waking up slowly, enjoying the views of snow, the flames, and The Griswalds.  It's still early in the morning but they wanted to have time together before heading over to Lisa's house for the big family gathering and presents there.

When they were finally unable to hold back any longer, they moved over to sit on the floor beside the lit tree.  They'd placed the gifts there the night before, several for each of them.  Nervous anticipation of having chosen the right gifts had them both fidgety.   

Chris made Nicole open one first.  A framed “Custom Sky Map.”  As she examined it, he explained that it was a map of the stars exactly as they appeared on the day and location above the escape room where they first met.  There was a message below it that read “The way the stars were aligned when my heart knew it had found its beat.”

Already Nicole had tears in her eyes.  She could only hope that her choices would hit as hard.  It’s not easy to shop for a man who can afford anything he wants when he wants it.  Not that he was the kind to flash money around or indulge, but it was still intimidating. 

She chose the one to give him from the pile and waited, nervous butterflies flapping about in her belly.  It was a custom leather bound journal. On the cover she had a Rumi quote engraved.  Nicole watched as Chris read the inscription, mouthing it along with him. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you love.  It will not lead you astray.”  

His blue eyes met hers and she knew he loved it.  “I was thinking it would be a good place for you to write down your dreams and ambitions.  The Marvel years are about to end. I know how nervous you are about what comes next.  Let those worries spill out here and conquer them.  Random thoughts, quotes, motivations.  Whatever you need to make you centered.”

Chris’s next gift to Nicole was a bit sexier than a framed constellation.  She looked forward to wearing it to bed later that night.  She had gotten him a pair of cute/funny reindeer boxer briefs and some “Mister Heatmiser” lounge pants.  On the pants she made a tag that read “For Mr. Splooshmiser.”  They didn’t need to be sexy, his body naked was all she needed anyway. 

Dodger got his gifts next and began playing with everything before choosing a favorite new toy to go and attempt to disembowel on his dog bed. 

Chris opened up his next gifts.  A candle that read “I LOVE YOU MORE.  THE END.  I WIN.”   Nicole received an impossibly soft and plush sweater in her favorite shade of blue that likely cost more than she made in a week.  There was no complaining, though.  She wanted to LIVE in that fabric.  As if that was spoiling her enough, she also received gorgeous diamond stud earrings. 

The exchanging continued, smiles and laughter erupting after each.  Nicole got him piano sheet music to the song “Someone Like You” by Van Morrison.  It wasn’t the first song they danced together during, but it was the one that she felt was the moment she fell in love with him.  It felt written just for them. 

One gift truly surprised her.  A cheesy “I LOVE NY” keychain with a key attached.  She looked at him with a raised brow, waiting for the answer to the unasked question.  

“It’s to the apartment I’m renting while I’m doing the play.  I know we’ve talked about you coming out on the weekends, but I want you to come anytime.  You have the key, it’s your apartment too.  Would you consider working remote for at least a little while? Maybe during the rehearsals when I’m home at night?”

Moving in with him?  Nicole’s brain was working overtime, trying to come to terms with what an important moment this was for them, and for her.  It was a huge step, but it would also be a good test.  

They’d spent a full week alone together in November at her family’s country house and it had gone incredibly well.  Still, that was pretty much a vacation, this would be living together while both working.  If things were heading the way she felt they were, it was worth taking the shot. 

Chris was watching her, his fingers thrumming on the floor as he tried to figure out what was going through her mind. 

Nicole picked up the hand that was nervously moving and held it up to her lips, placing a kiss upon his knuckles.  

She looked into his eyes, her decision clear, and said “I’ll put in my request to work from home on Monday.”

[theplottery]

How to write kiss scenes with examples

Want to know how to write perfect kiss scenes? Personally, I adore writing these intimate moments between characters, especially during a slow-burn. My best advice? Less is more. I know how tempting it might be to get to that kiss scene, and to then have your favorite couple kiss every other page, but truly the longer you can postpone and the less of these intimate moments you show, the more your readers will latch onto the couple and anticipate their next MOMENT. And when that next moment comes, you can really give it your all and feel the impact on your audience.

1. Allow buildup

You don’t always have to go straight into a kiss! The nerves of anticipation when you know it’s going to happen can really emphasise your character's feelings.

Stephen Chbosky - Perks of being a wallflower

2. Don’t shy away from metaphors

Lord Byron - Don Juan

3. Emotions, emotions emotions

Charles Dickens - Great expectations

4. What other senses and details can your character notice?

Jeffrey Eugenides - Middlesex

5. Don’t overthink it

Feeling, repetition, and simplicity can work really well, especially from 1st POV. Sometimes we lose all our thoughts and ability to speak in emotional moments, and that’s just as beautiful.

Benjamin Alire-Saenz - Aristotle & Dante discover the secrets of the universe

6. Be wary of detailed descriptions!

One thing I will advise to stay aware of is that you don’t need detailed descriptions of the mouths or tongues or bodies. Especially if your moment is meant to be sweet and emotional - having tongues wrestle for dominance can take your reader out of it very quickly.

Remember to save this post for kiss quote inspiration!

[mycapt-ohcapt-writes]

Welcome Home Bucky Barnes

This is a story related to The Assistant series, but it can be read standalone by anyone. No warnings other than your sweet tooth may ache after. Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, ofc Julia (the assistant)

December, 2011 (Before Avengers and events of The Winter Soldier)

====

Julia was in the cafeteria grabbing a snack when she received a text from Steve asking her to come to his office. After checking if he wanted anything from the vending machine, which he declined, she purchased her chocolatey treat and made her way upstairs.

Steve’s door was open, but she still gave a quick knock on the glass wall to announce her arrival and check that it was okay to enter.   As she walked in she took a piece of candy out of the bag and popped it into her mouth.  The expression on Steve’s face as he stared at the wrapper made her curious and she quietly slid into a chair across from his desk.  

Cautiously, she asked “You okay there, Rogers?”

His eyes were wide and she could tell his mind was moving in rapid fire with memories. He swallowed hard and composed himself. 

He ran a hand through the front of his hair, pushing it to the side and smoothing it, even though it was already perfect.  He took a deep breath, back straightening and chest puffing out.  Afterwards he tried to say he was fine, but she knew better.  

She’d worked with him for just a short time but it was long enough to know his tells.  One was that hair swipe when he was agitated.  The motions after were another.  Something had upset him and she was going to make him talk, for his own sake.  Keeping things bottled up was the last thing he needed.

Cocking her head to the side, she asserted, “Pardon my French, Sir, but I declare bullshit.”  

He looked up quickly, his eyes softening and a small smile emerging. 

“That’s not French,” he informed her playfully.

“Fine. I declare merde. Is that better?”  She quipped, returning his humor.   

It was believed by those in the building, and by her initially, that the good Cap had a distaste for bad language.  It was a total misconception.  This was a Brooklyn boy, a World War 2 soldier, and he had a mouth that could make a sailor blush when he let loose.  She witnessed it first hand when Steve and her husband, Malcolm, watched sports together.

Julia stood up and closed the door to the office for privacy.  She returned to the chair and spoke in a tone that showed she wasn’t going anywhere until he gave an answer.  “Spill it, Steve.”

He sighed, knowing it was no use to evade her. Nor did he want to.  She understood him.  She’d become one of his closest friends, not just his assistant.  

“Fine, okay.  It’s the candy,” he said, pointing to the bag, “I haven’t seen those since the war. I didn’t realize they still made them.”

“M&M’s? Really?” she asked, before holding up the brown bag and pointing it towards him with a signal to hold out his hand.  When he did she let several pieces fall into his palm.

Stevee took one out of his palm and examined the orange candy in his hand as he explained, “These were created specifically for the soldier’s meal kits during World War II. The candy shell kept the chocolate from melting. I didn't think they’d still be around — forgot all about them, actually.”

Julia watched as he popped it into his mouth and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. 

“I never knew that,” she said, genuinely intrigued. 

He opened his eyes and, slowly, a wide childlike smile spread across his cheeks.  Wide enough for his dimples to appear.  

“These are sweeter than I remember them being,” he noted, eating a few more.  When he finished the ones he’d been given he looked so sad that Julia handed him the bag itself, joking, ““Here, you can have the rest.  It’ll save me the calories.” 

Steve happily accepted, looking directly into her eyes to show his sincerity as he stated, “You don’t have to worry about calories, Julia.”

Not buying it, she waved it off and replied, “No, it’s you who doesn’t have to.  If I had your metabolism I wouldn’t give it a second thought.”

“I’m not going to win this argument, am I?” he questioned, with a raise of his brow.

“Nope.  Eat your candy, Cap.”

With a shrug of his shoulders he proclaimed, “Don’t mind if I do!”  Julia  nearly fell out of her chair from joyous laughter when he began to toss them in the air and catch them in his mouth.  This man out of time both surprised and delighted her every single day.

After a few minutes he began to reminisce. “You know who used to love these things?  My friend Bucky.  God, he was a fiend for them.”

His entire demeanor changed and she remembered his file that Bucky Barnes was his best friend since childhood.  He was the only member of Steve’s team of men, The Howling Commandos, to perish and it had happened right in front of him.  From what she understood, Steve had never quite been the same after that incident, always blaming himself for not being able to save him.

Julia wasn’t about to let him wallow.  She considered it part of her job to assist him with whatever made his life easier and right now that was not letting him fall victim to a guilt spiral.  Instead of asking him to rehash the bad parts of his past, she tried a different tactic that still allowed him to talk about Bucky, but in a way where it was happy memories.

“Did he have a favorite candy color?”

“What?” he asked, missing the question because he was lost in his world.

“Bucky.  Did he have a favorite color M&M? Or did he trade stuff to get more packages of them?  You said he was quite the fiend for them?”

Becoming animated again, he turned in his chair, slightly spinning it from side to side.  “Actually, he did once.  He would also use them when we played cards.  Like this one time….”

Steve proceeded to tell stories about his oldest and closest friend, James “Bucky” Buchanan Barnes, that very likely no one had heard before.  The wonderful thing was that the sadness in his eyes was replaced with amusement as he confessed to some of the antics they’d had gotten into.  

When he finished, Steve thanked Julia for helping him remember the good moments they’d had together and for giving him a space to share them. Talking like this made Bucky seem like he was still alive and present in his world again. 

===========================

July, 2014: (Several months after the events of The Winter Soldier.  In this story, Bucky is found and brought the Avengers Tower to help him recover and deprogram)

Things hadn’t been easy for Steve Rogers these last couple of years.  He discovered that Shield had been compromised Hydra.  Also that his  childhood best friend wasn’t dead,  but had been saved, brainwashed, and was now an assassin on a mission to kill him.  Steve was relieved to find that his assistant, Julia, was on the right side of things and had no idea about the Hydra infiltration.  He was able to keep her and her family safe and they all moved to New York City following the collapse of Shield.  Julia was living in a small apartment with her husband and daughter, Sophie.  Steve accepted an offer from Tony Stark to move into the Avengers Tower. 

Following the fall of Shield you’d needed some time to pull your own life back into place.  Suddenly finding yourself unemployed, in shock that you never saw the signs of Hydra’s deceit, and suspicious of everyone but Steve, it had taken its toll on you. You were thankful beyond measure for the support you received from your husband, as well as from your “work husband,” Steve. 

It wasn’t even a question, when Steve moved to New York, you and your husband — who had also become a close friend of his — relocated.   You were kept on as his right hand girl after being checked out and hired by Tony Stark himself. 

During the battle that ended Shield and revealed Hydra’s infiltration, Steve learned that Bucky was still alive and had been brainwashed and a feared assassin known as “The Winter Soldier” for the last seventy years. The knowledge weighed heavily on him, and he’s made it his own personal mission to find Bucky and bring his friend back.

It had taken a while, but with the help of his fellow Avengers, Steve was able to fulfill that goal.  Bucky Barnes was now at the Avengers Tower and was working hard with Tony’s people to reverse the programming and take back control of his mind and life.

Steve Rogers was an expert at putting on a brave face. He trusted Julia enough to let that guard down. He didn’t have to pretend to be anything but himself with her and he felt free to express his hidden fears, and his deepest hopes. 

It pained him greatly to see the darkness in his childhood friend.  When Bucky would attempt a smile it always fell short of touching his eyes. There was so much haunting in them.  

Steve had gotten through to him a few times, usually when he would bring up something from their youth and tell it the wrong way.  Bucky would perk up and correct him, finishing the story.  It wasn’t much, but it was progress. 

Julia was sitting on the sofa watching television when a commercial came on that sparked a memory. A silly moment with Steve that led to sharing candy and being treated to some rare stories. 

With a grin on her face, she grabbed her laptop and placed an order for a gift made especially for Bucky Barnes.

A couple of days later she stopped by Steve’s office before heading home for the night.  Julia knew he would be bringing dinner to Bucky that evening, a Tuesday ritual, and had a little something they could share for dessert. 

“What’s this?” Steve asked, a curious look on his face as he smiled at the unexpected gift bag before him.  

“A little something for Bucky.  I’m hoping that maybe it will help him find a smile.  I know it brought a smile to your face the first time you had them again.”

Curious, he lifted the tissue paper and looked inside.  The wide smile that came across his face told her that she’s made a good choice.  The bear hug he jumped up and gave her, which left her barely able to breathe, made her even  more confident about it.   

A short while later, Julia received a video from Steve. .  In it was Bucky Barnes, laughing so hard he sounded almost giddy, as he tossed M&M’s in the air and caught them in his mouth.  A couple flew at the camera as he tossed them at Steve.  His blue eyes were alive, his giggle precious, the thanks they both gave her when Steve turned the camera around so they could both be in the shot, priceless. 

In front of them on the table was the large bag filled with personalized red, white, and blue candies printed with pictures of stars and the words:  “Welcome”     “Home”     “Bucky”     “Barnes”

[mycapt-ohcapt-writes]

The Eyes Have It - Chris Evans x You

Inspo: You're at a holiday party and find yourself the object of Chris's attention. Warnings: None, just some curse words Words: 738

Thank you @sarahdonald87 for the read through! This was written for a prompt I received from @itsscottiesstark

You know that feeling?  When you can sense eyes on you but you’re not sure where it’s coming from?  You gave a furtive glance around, wanting to avoid seeming rude as you were engaged in conversation with the hostess.  She was a coworker that you’d become quite close to during the year and you gratefully accepted her invite to a holiday mix and mingle.  Her home was filled with lively holiday music, beautiful decorations and lots of friends, food, drinks, and merriment.  There was a comfortable, cozy vibe that had everyone in a great mood.   

She turned away from you for a moment to welcome a new guest and you took the opportunity to survey the room.  There, on the other side, sitting in a chair in a cream colored sweater and looking like a snack and a half, was the owner of the eyes you’d felt on you.  Briefly you locked gazes, before you looked away, sure that you’d been wrong.  You couldn’t help but look back just as quickly and found him still watching you.  A smile danced upon his closed, full lips.   It was impossible to control the sides of your mouth from rising a little, too. 

Your friend returned her attention to you and another couple of guests gathered around to hear her tell an amusing story about her husband and his fight with the rooftop Reindeer decorations and Christmas lights.  With more people as cover, you were able to check out Mr. Holiday Hotness again.  You weren’t expecting him to be looking your way, but luckily you were wrong.  The expression on his face made you look around, certain there was someone behind you that had intrigued him, but there was no one. 

Why the heck had the temperature gone up in this place?  And why were your cheeks on fire?  You excused yourself for a moment and went over to the drink table, hoping something cool and refreshing would help.  

As you sipped you glanced between party goers towards him, finally able to watch without hiding as he was now speaking with a few people.  God was he good looking!  Perfect beard, beautiful face, dark hair, twinkly blue eyes and a body begging for sin. 

You were now in a different spot and you noticed him looking towards your friend and creasing his brows before scanning the room and locating you.  He gave another one of those subtle, sexy smiles, his long lashes making his eyes flirty as fuck.  

You rejoined your group, but stood on the outskirts.  From here you could continue the silent banter and figure out who the heck this man was and if he was available.  First, though, you wanted to make sure you were the actual target of his attention and if he had a sense of humor worth making an effort for. 

Standing behind the ladies, you half listened and half plotted.  When you caught him looking at you again you raised a brow and your drink.  He smiled wider and cocked a bottle of beer and you were certain you could see a bit of a blush upon his cheeks which made him somehow even more adorable. 

The next time you caught each other you quickly scrunched up your face and stuck your tongue out, going back to normal as if nothing happened almost immediately.  From across the room came a loud laugh and you knew you’d broken the ice and had found someone you could get along with.   You saw him grinning and engaged in distanced but shared quiet laughter. 

When the group broke up and you had the hostess to herself once more, you asked about the gentlemen across the room. 

“Oh Chris?”  Surprised, she added, “You don’t know who that is?”

“No, should I?

“A lot of people do.  He’s an actor.  Old friend of my husbands from the neighborhood.  Haven’t you ever seen any of the Avengers movies?”

“Not really.  Superhero stuff isn’t really my thing.  I mean, I’ve seen them on tv when I’m scrolling but I’ve never stopped to watch.”

She smiled widely and nodded, a glint in her eyes as she leaned in and said, “Well, maybe you haven’t seen his films, but it looks like he’s seen you.”  

With her chin, she motioned behind you and made the introductions between you and Chris before excusing herself, although not before a small squeeze to your arm and wink. 

[luvinchris]

ET uploaded this video and it's soo adorable. His " MA"

[weheartchrisevans]

via Chris' Instagram story.

[mycapt-ohcapt]

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and contemplation on what I want to focus on and spend my time doing. What feeds my soul, so to speak. As much as I love to get lost in the heads of some of the characters I’ve created for various stories I’m just not feeling the pull to continue pouring hours into writing fanfic anymore. I want to write something original and see if I can create something fresh and new that I could actually share with my world outside of fandom.

That being said, the stories and characters and all these stupid, silly, sexy and crazy moments I have in my head and in notes for them are still running wild inside of my head. So…

If you have anything you want to know about, any character, questions, scenarios, plot points, etc for any character from any story I’ve written send them to me in an ask and I will fire away. Some things may be a bullet point response. Some could inspire a short one shot. All depends on the muse and the notes.

I want to thank you all for reading and supporting me over these last 5 years of writing and unleashing the scenes in my head. I am forever grateful to you

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Little Black Dress - Colin Shea x reader

Phone call between Colin Shea x reader as she's packing for a weekend getaway. No warnings, just sexy fluff. No beta, all errors are my own. Word Count 437. Written for a prompt from @dusted-souls

“Hey, babe,” Colin said as soon as you answered your phone, “My bag is packed and I’m ready to get the hell outta here for the weekend.  Are you finished yet?  Wanna come over?” 

With a sigh, you looked around at the messy piles scattered around your room and shook your head, even though he couldn’t see it. 

“I wish I could, but I’m not even close.”

“How?” he asked in disbelief.  “One of the great mysteries of life is how long it takes a woman to pack versus a guy.”

“Excuse me?  Who do you think is going to have all the little things you forgot to pack? Huh?  Like last time when you didn’t bring anything but a toothbrush?

Adorably cocky – you could practically see his smirk – he replied, “Forgot, or just knew I didn’t have to bother because you’d have everything in your bag?”

“Oh really, is that how the game works?  I may have to rethink my strategy here and “forget” a few things myself.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“Isn’t that what hotel concierge is for?  Hopefully they’ll have what we need in case I ‘accidently’ leave my toiletries behind.”

“You could leave everything behind and we could skip the wedding and just stay naked in the hotel room all weekend.”

“Mmm, that does sound tempting…”

“Are you planning to wear that little black dress I love so much?”

An idea popped into your head and you asked, coyly, “Which one?”  

“Which one?  The one you wore to that Christmas party.  Remember, when we had to sneak off the coat room because you just looked so fuckin’ delicious in it?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget that party.  Are you wearing the suit you wore to that one or something a little more formal?”

“Should I go more formal?  Is there a second dress option if I do?”

“It’s possible you could walk in on a French Maid dressed in her short black dress, high black heels, stockings and feather duster if you do.  She does love to come out to play when things will get extra dirty and there’s a tie involved.”

There was silence for a moment, then you heard Colin swallow and say, “I gotta go.  Looks like I have some repacking to do.”

You had him right where you wanted him.  As you pulled the costume out of a box in your closet, you said goodnight with a french accent. 

“Oui, oui, Monsieur.  Sweet dreams.”

Two little black dresses packed, now if only you could find a way to stop procrastinating and finish packing the rest of what you needed. 

[mycapt-ohcapt]

Imagine Chris

while filming The Gray Man, out at a bar with Ryan and Anna. He’s had quite a few, feeling silly, and loses a bet/game to one of them. The payment - he has to borrow a cowboy hat and shirt from a stranger and take to the dance floor alone (sound up)

Iamcrazybitchprobs on Instagram: "He understood the assignment 🔥👏🏼😂 @eggs.tyrone . Follow @crazybitchprobs ✨ for more @crazybitchprobs ✨"

Iamcrazybitchprobs shared a post on Instagram: "He understood the assignment 🔥👏🏼😂 @eggs.tyrone . Follow @crazybitchprobs ✨ for more @crazybi

[wordsnstuff]

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[mycapt-ohcapt-writes]

Game On - Chris Evans x Reader

No warnings needed. Word Count: 873 Summary: A weekend away at a lakeside cabin with the Evans family brings up an old trauma from the past. Non Beta'd, all errors are my own. Written from a prompt for @scorpionchild81

The first day of the weekend retreat at the lakeside cabin went better than anticipated.  It was rainy that Saturday and that meant only one thing to the Evans family: games, games, and more games.   You’d been dating Chris for just a short time and had met them once before but had been a little on the reserved and shy side around the close knit family.  They had been polite and kind in return and you’d been thrilled to be invited along for the trip.  

One thing you knew for sure was that Chris and his entire family were super competitive.  That knowledge gave you the upper hand because they had no idea you were the type to throw down and take no prisoners.  It was an incredible bonding experience and by the end of the evening you were fully embraced by every member of the family and practically tackled by Chris when you got into the bedroom.  Competition was apparently quite the aphrodisiac and it carried over between the sheets.

By Sunday the storm had passed and brilliant sunshine made the water of the lake sparkle and dance.  There were kayaks, paddle boats, and tons of people happily splashing away.  However, for the first time since arriving your nerves kicked in.  

While Chris and his siblings began slipping into the water, you found a spot along the shore and set up the children’s beach toys, beginning to prep the base of a castle.  You waved to your boyfriend and then waved him off, telling him you were fine where you were when he called you to join him in the lake.  

The little ones came by and joined you, working alongside to build and design the castle while the adults swam and horsed around in the clear water. 

After a while you’d gotten up to use the bathroom inside the cabin and, as you neared the shore, Chris came running up from hiding and swept you off of your feet, carrying you into the water with him.  You shrieked in surprise and then shrieked in fear as you clung to him while he tried to toss you in. 

By not letting go and holding him tightly with both arms, he lost his balance and you’d both splashed down hard into the lake.  You came up sputtering and gasping, shaking as you practically climbed him like a tree to get above the water line.  

“Are you okay?” his sister asked, swimming over and helping you out.  She pulled you towards herself and helped you get to a spot close by where you could stand and keep your upper body out of the water.  

A bit out of breath from fear and shock, you needed a moment to gain composure before you could speak.  You were terribly embarrassed and found yourself apologizing for making such a scene.  “No, I’m sorry, I …. I don’t know how to swim.  A big wave nearly drowned at the beach as a kid and I never really got over it. I’ve been afraid of the water ever since.  I don’t go into any water deeper than my knees.“

By this time, Chris had come to stand beside you and held you in his arms, rubbing a soothing hand along your back as he made soft sounds and apologies to you.  

“I had no idea, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me before we came?”

“I was going to but then I chickened out.  It’s not something I’m proud of.  Usually I can avoid the situation by just sunbathing or volunteering to stay on the sand with the kids.” Giving a punch to his well toned abs, you joked, “I certainly didn’t expect a sneak attack from you.”

Sheepishly, he scrunched up his nose and said, “Yeah, that was my bad.”

He was too adorable to stay mad at, and you forgave him on the spot, even though you were still quivering a bit.  “There are other ways to sweep me off my feet, y’know.”

With a series of quick, gentle kisses to your forehead, nose and then lips, he said, “And I promise to do my best to find every one of those ways.”  

Warmth filled you from the inside out and you smiled at him, feeling renewed strength as you stood by his side. 

Cautiously, Chris asked, “Any chance you would let me help you learn to swim?  I’m practically a fish in the water and I’m an excellent teacher.”

The family was gathered around the two of you, making sure you were okay and they all began nodding in agreement and backing him up. Even the children were swimming around now, completely at ease and chasing one another under Grandma’s watchful eye.  

His sister, still close by your side, added, “The lake isn’t very deep over here, no waves, clear water.  It’s the perfect place to try.”

You trusted Chris. How could you not when he was looking so eagerly and lovingly into your eyes?  It was time to bring the competitive spirit you had to the forefront and pull from that bravery.  You were ready to face your fear and take on the challenge.  Today, the water wouldn’t win. 

“Game on.  Let’s do this.”