#nano drabble

[ausaplenty]

When Captain America needs you, you don’t say no

Kiara Scuro. Ryan Cooper. Jake Williams. Captain America AU

Confess

SHIELD was Hydra.

The idea was both infuriating and relief.

The whole idea of handling problems before they happened. It was Hydra. It had corrupted Will's legacy. But it meant that she had a reason for the hollow feeling she had when she was on missions. SHIELD wasn't right.

But Hydra was alive.

She died with the knowledge that it died with her. Schmidt was gone. Evaporated into the cosmos in a way that she had questioned until she saw the portal open in the sky above New York City. Alien invasions made her believe that nothing was impossible.

She had crashed into the arctic thinking that Zola was going to pay for his crimes, for what he did to Alexa. Instead, the government and SHIELD gave him permission to spread his evil in a new environment. To create a new weapon.

Kiara wished she could be surprised that the government had caved so easy. But Alexa had taught her that absolute power – the type the government provided – corrupted absolutely. The Eismans were the perfect example of that.

She tossed the towel in the laundry basket and shrugged her hoodie on.

The blonde wondered if the punch she'd dealt the computer screen was enough to stop Hydra from seeing Ryan and her escape in the darkness as the bunker crumbled around them.

Even if they didn't think she was dead, they would still be alert. They hadn't survived over seven decades by not being cautious.

She opened the door and met Ryan's gaze as he sat on the bed.

"How are you doing?" She asked, zipping her hoodie up.  

"Physically fine, mentally pissed," the spy informed her wanly. He smiled, a sharp gleam in his eye. "I thought I was a good guy. Instead, I've just been helping another type of evil spread."

"It's not so bad – At least you managed to do some good in the world," Kiara said, sitting down next to him. "More than I have."

"Bullshit," Ryan spat. "Even if Hydra survived, you still crippled it for years. You beat them once, we'll do it again."

Kiara laughed bitterly. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to do it so soon."

"So what do we do?" He questioned.

"We figure out who Hydra is," she replied. "Let's start with the obvious. Eisman is the bastard in charge."

"It makes sense that Hydra would want the Secretary of State in their pocket," Ryan nodded. "He has the ability to launch a missile strike with nobody questioning it, plus his diplomatic power."

"I doubt Hydra waited until he was Secretary of State to recruit him," Kiara said sharply. "I knew his grandfather. The whole family is a bunch of assholes. The strike team is also Hydra. They attacked me after I met with him. Who else?"

"Sitwell," the brunette provided. "Fury suspected the Lumerian Star was a cover. You said so yourself. Why would a covert sea craft have a SHIELD officer onboard unless he was trying to get something?"

"Plus, the program with Zola was onboard. He was working directly with Zola," she commented. "He's our way to get more information."

"I think we're a little too recognizable to try to kidnap a SHIELD agent," Ryan said. "We couldn't get close enough."

"I could," Jake interrupted, stepping into the room and handing her a folder.

"What's this?" She asked, flipping it open to see a picture of him and another man in combat fatigues.

"Consider it a resume," the soldier replied.

"I can't ask you to risk it," Kiara protested. "There's a chance we might not come back alive."

"You need my help," Jake reasoned. "When Captain America needs you, you don't say no."

[ausaplenty]

The poison in your brain isn’t real

Alexa Myers. Kiara Moros. Captain America AU. The rescue from Alexa’s POV

Delirious

Alexa hurt.

She could hear a ruckus outside, could feel the panic and satisfaction warring with each other inside her mind as the Allied soldiers were freed and rose against the Hydra soldiers. It was nothing compared to the way her blood burned in her veins and poisoned her muscles.

There was a familiar mind nearby. One that was determined to find Alexa. It felt like Kiara, but she was safe. Safe in the United States, where Eisman couldn't get her.

Whatever Zola had poisoned her with was brutal, altering her mind with delusions and lies.

Alexa knew what lies were. She was a spy. They thought she was Athena, but Athena didn't get captured – she was too cunning. Ava got caught. Ava was innocent.

She moaned in pain, struggling against the restraints. She had to get out.

"Lexie!" Kiara cried excitedly. Loudly.

The telepath winced. Thank god this was a hallucination or Kiara would have gotten her killed.

"Lexie, come on, wake up," Kiara insisted.

"Not Lexie," she protested weakly, shaking her head. "My name is Ava."

Ava was innocent. Alexa was useless. Athena was a spy.

"Alexa, it's me," the hallucination said, quieter this time. "It's Kiara."

The restraints broke, worn down from Alexa's hours of struggles and the brunette struggled to sit up.

The poison was toying with her memories, transforming them into things the telepath barely recognized.  

It was Kiara's face in front of her, but it lacked the blonde's softness and sickly pallor. And it was taller.

"Kiara?" Alexa murmured, forgetting she was Ava.

"I'm here, Lexie. I'm going to get you out."

Kiara couldn't help her. Kiara was safe.  

Alexa felt disconnected from her body as she moved, stumbling out of the lab. Her mind ached as it tried to stave off the poisonous injections, but there was something real about this hallucination. Like it was real.

"Kiara?" She mumbled, trying to fight through the blackness. "No. You're not supposed to be here. He – he promised that you'd safe."

"Just calm down," the hallucination insisted, feeling solid beside her.

"You are supposed to be safe. He swore you'd be safe." Alexa told herself aloud. Eisman wouldn't break his promise. Not when it meant losing A. And he needed A. So Kiara would be safe. This was just the chemicals.  

Noises started to blend together, making it impossible to distinguish between what was in her mind and what was in her ears. The Allied prisoners were winning, their triumph surging as Hydra soldiers panicked.

Alexa collapsed against a tree, the sounds of the battle faint but still present. She peered around at the woods surrounding them, confused as to how she had made it outside the compound.

Not-Kiara examined her worriedly.

"What happened?" Alexa asked herself, her words slurred. Her brain felt as if it was about to explode. Lights invaded her vision.

"I joined the army," the hallucination answered.  

Alexa relaxed. It wasn't real. Kiara was safe in the United States.

The army would never have taken Kiara.

[ausaplenty]

What she needed

Kiara Croft. Gilbert Mead

Kiara clutched the letter in her hand as she emerged from the shadows outside Gilly's hotel. He was the last person she had forced herself to see today, intent on delivering Lilian's letters.    

She didn't know how Gilbert Mead dealt with grief. He'd been quiet when Kiara had called to tell him, but neither of them had said much.

Skye was inconsolable, hugging Kiara as they cried together. The technopath had her own family to tell, an entirely different support system than Kiara's. Aunt Lily was not the same as Aunt LiLi.

Ren had struggled to remain composed, tears escaping, as she mumbled something about at least Lilian wasn't suffering anymore. Morpheus had squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

Ryan could get his letter in the mail.  Kiara didn't care enough to track him down and deliver it in person. She doubted he'd be able to read it well through the black eye that she wanted to give him.  

Lilian was a better person that Kiara.  

Hesitantly, the shadow walker raised her fist and rapped on the door.

She could hear him shuffle to the door and forced herself to stay on this side of it. It wasn't the time to just barge into places, no matter how much she wanted this to be done so she could go home and collapse.

Gilbert opened the door, his eyes red and puffy behind his glasses. His hair was disheveled and sticking up at odd angles. For a second, Kiara was reminded of the awkward tech guy who'd been too enamored with Lilian to form a cohesive sentence.

"I understand if you want to, you know, be alone right now, but …" She offered him the letter. "LiLi wrote this for you."

He took it, staring down at the plain white envelope. "Thank you, Kiara. I -"

Kiara had hastily scrawled his name on the envelope in the corner, only as a way to identify them. She'd tried to leave as little of a mark as she could, between folding them and sliding them into an envelope.

"When – when is the funeral?" He asked quietly.

"Three days," Kiara said, dreading the thought of it.

Lilian had made all the arrangements, from the funeral home to the cremation. Markus had set it in motion, tears in his eyes, when Kiara had seen it this morning.

As much as she had fought against it at the end, Lilian Moros was prepared to die. And for once, Kiara was ready to let her.

It lingered in the back of her mind, wondering just how long Lilian had this prepared. Were the decisions made months ago, when the telepath found out about the tumor, or years?  

"Markus said she wanted a wake with an open bar," the shadow walker told him with a weak smile. "Because LiLi loved her alcohol."

"If there's anything I can do to help, let me know," Gilly offered.  

She met his hazel eyes, recognizing how genuine those words were – Not an empty offer in a time of sorrow, but Gilbert Mead just wanted to help.

"Thank you, Gilly," she said, her voice shaky. "For everything. I r-really appreciate it and I know LiLi did as well."

"I-I'm sorry that I couldn't do more," he replied, wiping his eyes.

"You did more than enough," Kiara said, hugging him tightly as she started to cry.  "You made her so ha-happy and comfortable, and that was what she needed."

He returned the embrace and she could feel his tears on her shoulders.

With a sniff, Kiara pulled away and readjusted her scarf. "I have to go, because Will has been dealing with the kids by himself all day, but if you need to talk or want some company – I'm here."

For now, she had no more letters to deliver. Cam, Allison and Lilian's parents would get theirs at the service. But she had to make sure her children had somebody to sooth their cries.

[ausaplenty]

Wouldn’t risk a soul

Kiara Scuro. Alexa Myers.

Afterworld - Immortal AU

Kiara lifted Allegra in her arms, her beloved's body limp and cold in her embrace. She slipped into the shadows, leaving the tomb behind.

Allegra did not belong hidden among the dishonored and nameless.

She carried the brunette's corpse up Palatine Hill through the darkness, emerging from its depths. The shadows clung to her, keening plaintively to give a voice to her pain.

The blonde set her beloved down tenderly on the funeral pyre.  

The telepath looked so peaceful, a tranquility on her face that Kiara had never seen while she was alive.

"Cara mia," Kiara murmured, brushing a gentle kiss on Allegra's cold forehead. She looked up at the moon, hanging overhead.

Rome did not deserve Allegra, but her beloved had loved the empire. If Kiara had her way, she would carry the brunette far away. But there was no better place for her remains to rest than in the mountains she loved.

Kiara set the two gold coins on the woman's eyes, going through rites she hadn't performed for centuries. Her lips moved, reciting a prayer to ask Charon for safe passage. The rituals were burned into her memory, as unforgettable as Allegra was.

The vampire would never see the Afterworld, much less know if it existed, but she would not risk Allegra's soul.

[ausaplenty]

If it wasn’t for her, I’d choose you

Alexa Myers. Kiara Scuro. Reed Scuro. Captain America AU.

Leave - Captain America AU

Reed pulled Kiara into a bear hug, squeezing her tight as she buried her face against his chest.

"We're not at war, kid," he soothed. "I'm not going overseas or anything – just down to Texas for training."

"Texas might as well be across the ocean," the 18-year-old muttered petulantly. "It's too far away. And it's too hot."

"Just because one of us doesn't like sunlight, doesn't mean it won't be good to actually get a tan," Reed teased, setting her down.  

The young woman barely reached his chest and was so thin that it'd probably only take a week of a workout regimen before he could snap her in half like a twig.

Alexa hung back, watching the family as Tabitha busied herself with straightening his insignia. Quinton immediately made him disheveled by pulling him into a one-armed hug.

"If you need anything, son, just write us. Your mother and I have a few months before we go to London, but even after we've gone abroad, you should be able to send a graph," the patriarch informed him, obviously proud.

Reed frowned "Are you sure you have to go at all? It's not getting any better over there."

"You're worrying too much – London's as safe as you can get, next to New York," Quinton scoffed. "You'll probably be in more danger, with all the snakes down there in Texas."

"Just promise me you'll stay home if it gets too bad?" His son requested. "No matter what happens."

~*~  

Alexa closed the door to Kiara's room gently, avoiding the squeaky floorboards outside the bedroom. She met Reed's gaze before she crept down the stairs to join him.

Wordlessly, he handed her a glass of whiskey.

"How is she?" He asked tiredly.

Kiara was her usual stubborn self, working against what every instinct told her to do.  

"She's trying to prove we don't have to take care of her," Alexa told him, pulling him into the study. Away from Kiara. "That she can be just as strong as we are."

"What gave her the impression that she wasn't?" Reed growled as he sat down and pulled his tie loose.

The telepath sat next to him. "It hasn't been easy here in New York, Reed. Even if we aren't in the war yet, emotions are high – People think the U.S. should keep their nose out of it and keep this war in Europe, especially after the Great War."

"And Kiara isn't one of those people."

"Never," Alexa said with a small, tired smile. "She doesn't want America go to war – partially because of you – but she can't sit by silently at the thought of people being killed and imprisoned because of one man's genocidal idealogy."

Reed laughed "So when somebody says otherwise …"

"Kiara has to set them straight," the brunette told him, shaking her head. "Or at least get them on the ropes until I step in."

"So she's been getting in fights," the soldier groaned, taking a sip of his drink.

"You caught her in a good week," Alexa explained. "Normally, she's got a lot more bruises."

"I've got to go back," Reed sighed, pushing his hair back from his face. "The training is done and I got my orders. I'm to be stationed in Hawaii, at Pearl Harbor."

"At least it's got nice weather," the telepath said dryly, downing some of her whiskey.

"I'm going to request a discharge," he informed her, his eyes covered. "I'm the head of my house and they can't deny that I'm needed here."

"How likely do you think it is that you'll get it? If we're as close as we think we are to the second War to End all Worlds, then nobody is getting out unless they are disabled."  

"It can't hurt to at least try it," the soldier commented, stretching out and deciding that the best clothes could stand for some proper care, instead of his haste to fill his luggage. "How are you? I know this isn't easy, but we couldn't do it without you. But if you need to get away."

"Reed, I'm okay," she promised, before taking a long pull of her whiskey. "I'm okay."

"Once more and I'll believe you," he told her lightly.

She smiled "I'm okay, Reed, truly."

"You're amazing," the man said, letting his head fall against the back of the sofa. He sounded exhausted. "If Kiara ever gets to be too much, though – Neither of us would blame you if you said you needed time and space to clear your head. Kiara knows how to do everything."

"Reed?" She questioned quietly after she downed the rest of her glass. "We didn't get to talk after you shipped out, but I wanted to apologize for -"

"You don't have to," he interrupted. "I know how you look at Kiara. It's a stronger version of when we were kids and Kiara dragged you into our lives. You chose her then, as well."

"If it wasn't for her," Alexa promised. "But I need you back here, to keep her from doing stupid things without us."

[ausaplenty]

Ready to illuminate lives

Kiara Scuro. Moon Goddess AU

Amulet - Moon Goddess AU

Kiara tried to keep her chin up and her back straight as she entered the temple, the crowd parting to let her pass between them. They peered at her, trying to get a glimpse through the veil.

The marble floor was cold beneath her bare feet and her silk robe trailed along the ground behind her. But she ignored it, counting the steps between her and the reflection pool.

25. 24. 23.

Her parents were at the front of the crowd, barely visible through the veil. It was a symbolic barrier. The people were not worthy to know the identity of the Deity Incarnate until she deemed them so and, to the public, that included her parents.

In this temple, she was "Goddess." Kiara ceased to exist to everybody but her.

18. 17. 16. 15.

Selene waited for her at the edge of the reflection pool, the sacred amulet in her hands.

8. 7. 6. 5.

Her father held her mother against him, his arms tight around her as if he was preventing her from reaching out to Kiara.  

The darkness that trailed her, that marked her as the Deity Incarnate, stretched slightly toward her parents. A small shift that went unnoticed by all. Except Selene.

The priestess fixed a stern gaze on the youth.

3. 2. 1.

Kiara stopped in front of Selene, who knelt and offered up the amulet.

"Your people await your arrival, Goddess, and pray that you will shed your sacred light upon us," the woman intoned, her voice echoing despite the throngs of people that were packed inside the temple. "We hope that you find favor in our offerings."

The blonde cradled the necklace in her grasp, lifting it up to the sky before she slid it under the veil and fastening it around her neck.  

"May your guidance illuminate our lives," Selene recited.

Kiara hesitated as she stepped onto the ledge of the reflection pool, staring at her image in the sapphire depths.

Not one sound escaped the crowd behind her as they watched her glide across the water, her robes fanning out behind her. The soaked fabric ends dragged the vestments down as she stepped onto the island and sat in the silver throne.

She inhaled shakily before lifting the veil up to reveal her face to the masses.  

"I accept your offerings," she declared, struggling to keep her voice from cracking. "I am ready to impart my wisdom."

[ausaplenty]

Trying to change the outcome is sentimental. The future is for revenge

Vance Elliot. Alexa Myers. Charlotte Elliot. Main verse.

Sentimental – Liance

Vance closed his hand around the locket, the chain threaded through his fingers, before slowly dropping it into the jewelry box.

"Are you finally coming to my bed?" He asked, not bothering to look back at the telepath who lurked in the door way. The jewelry box snapped shut with a muted click. "Valerie and I had planned to use it, but she could be persuaded to wait. Or we could all share it."

"I'm not used to wondering things," Alexa responded. "I haven't had to do so since I was 12. But I realized that you slipped out today, without a single member of your harem, and that seemed unusual. Nikka and Jesse assured me that it wasn't though."

"You missed me, then" the man replied glibly, turning to meet her sapphire gaze. "Are you sure you're not ready to share my bed, Alexa? Or even a bed. I am not limited by preference."

"I doubt you would be," Alexa retorted dryly. She nodded toward the jewelry box. "Morpheus told us about her."

"Thomas doesn't deserve to speak her name, let alone blather on about how it was a necessary thing to do," Vance informed her coolly, rage building up inside him.

His former friend was not worthy to breathe the same air as Charlotte, especially since he saw himself as the just one in her story.

"I'm sure you understand, Alexa – Given your relationship with your younger brother and sister," he said, shifting the conversation away from his past.

Nothing could be gained from dwelling on his past, not until everything was finished and he finally had his revenge.

"You did your research," Alexa commented, nonplussed. "It doesn't surprise me. What does intrigue me is the fact that you've managed to keep her tucked away so well that not even SPSRA knows where is."

The blonde man let out a bark like laugh. "Half the things I do are right underneath their idiotic noses, sweetling – SPSRA is practically blind in comparison."

"How is she?" The telepath asked, seemingly genuinely interested.

"The same as always, Alexa," he assured her bitterly. "The same way she's been since they deemed her a threat to security and fucked with her brain. Trying to reverse it is sentimental bullshit – I've moved beyond that."

[ausaplenty]

It’s not a secret

Reed Scuro. Alexa Myers. Captain America AU

I am slightly sleep deprived. So if there are any out of place reference to banks, I was possibly drifting off to dreamland.

Whispers - ReedLi

"Is it true what they say?" Reed asked as he did a slow turn in his uniform. "Don't lie to me, Lexie – Do women love a fellow in uniform?"

The telepath laughed as he posed, his hat tipped roguishly over his forehead. "You're an idiot."

The tall man smiled as he sat down beside her, one arm draped over the back of her chair – a nonchalant signal, but one that marked Alexa off limits to any soldier in his right mind. And Reed looked like the type to put others in their place.  

"I can't believe you joined the Navy," Alexa said, slowly shaking her head as she sipped from the margarita. "I'm too used to you arguing with everything to actually see you following orders."

He had two days before he shipped off to training. Neither of them could deny Kiara's plea for one last entire day together, but they could squeeze in one last jaunt to the bar.

The blonde was busy pouting that she couldn't join them. Their joint was lax, but not enough to let a kid get inside after curfew. Especially not when everybody around here knew Kiara well enough to know that she was underage.

"I just plan on following enough to keep me from getting a dishonorable discharge," Reed explained with a shrug. He pitched forward and Alexa reached out to steady him, laughing at his lack of balance. "I don't wanna get too orderly."

"It's been a while since you got this drunk," the telepath laughed, pushing him upright. "You sure you're a sailor? I thought they could hold their liquor."

"This is nothing – You should have seen me in college," Reed slurred, catching her hands. He entwined their fingers together. He giggled slightly, the noise unusual for the more serious Scuro sibling. "I was really bad, Lexie. Don't tell anyone."

"I hate to break it to you, sailor, but that ship has sailed," Alexa informed him, her sapphire eyes twinkling with fun and tequila over the rim of her glass. "You went to your father's alma mater for college, and you didn't think he'd catch wind of the parties? He just didn't care, as long as you weren't doing anything stupid."

"You think you know everything, don't you? But you don't. Because I've got a secret," he informed her loudly. He leaned forward conspiratorially and lowered his voice to just above a jazz partner, so if you ever want a lesson. "I think I love you, Alexa Myers, and I don't mean in a brotherly way."

The telepath pulled him down so that she could whisper in his ear. "I know, Reed. I have for a little while."

"But – But … how?" Reed stammered, meeting her eyes. "I only just found out myself."

"I know. But you've been dealing with it for a bit, not just at a level you were ready to admit to yourself," the woman explained. She smiled, the gesture bittersweet. "But we can't do anything about it."

"Why not?" The man asked, disappointed. He itched to reach out and embrace the brunette. "We're not even related by blood.'

Alexa refused to answer, choosing instead to finish her drink. "I can't do that, because I don't love you."

"D-do you love Kiara? He asked, her words caught in his throat.

The telepath halted for a moment, then ordered another round, including a shot glass of tequila for herself. She downed it, setting the empty glass of tequila on his kids up for a while.

"I don't know how I feel about Kiara," Alexa explained with a sigh. "It's something that I need to work through."

"Well, if you ever change your mind," Reed suggested hopefully. "You know who to call."