𝖛𝖎𝖔𝖑𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖉𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙𝖘

– He’d w o k e n in the night suddenly, the dreams that he wanted to have evading him, and the nightmares that he wished to avoid finding him. Lawrence knew that he’d have to act quickly; otherwise, he would remain beneath his blankets for hours, frozen in his fear and unable to sleep. Throwing a robe on his quaking body, and a slipper on each foot– one prosthetic, one flesh– Lawrence traveled to the lobby of his apartment building. His first instinct was to have some tea, and it seemed that another shared his idea. “Can’t sleep either?” he asked the other softly, hoping that his wish to chat would be reciprocated. 

siobhan had never been one to sleep a lot, but since arriving in dc, she’d become a true insomniac. it wasn’t that she couldn’t sleep, it was that she worked very hard not to sleep. she only had nightmares. about her sisters, mostly – the night they died. about the fact that despite everything, marlene had died anyway, and so had the potters. the war ended but had taken too many with it. her lack of sleep became a well-kept secret from her siblings. they had enough to worry about without adding her to the mix. 

which is why siobhan was taken so much by surprise at the presence of a stranger in the lobby area. at this time of night, she was used to being alone, except for the occasional drunk stumbling in. they hardly noticed her anyway, and if they did, they forgot her by the next morning. she folded her arms over her chest, wishing she was wearing something other than her pyjamas. not to say her pyjamas weren’t attractive in their won right – fashion didn’t cease just because it was time to go to bed.

“hardly ever,” siobhan answered, surprised by her own honesty. “do you stroll down here often after midnight?” she smirked, blue eyes glancing down at the floor. “i’m surprised we haven’t crossed paths before.”

beth remembered it. she remembered dying. she remembered the scissors, how she had been intending to do it. intending to make sure that noah got home, even if that had meant she wouldn’t. she remembered the look on dawn’s face. and then nothing. nothing. and then… there was light. then she woke up, blue eyes searching the place around her. no walkers, no blood, no decimation of the city. nothing. it looked… normal. beth’s eyes darted around and she raised her eyes to meet someone else. “where– where am i?” she asked, her voice small.

nina was getting quite good at spotting the newcomers. they didn’t make any more sense to her now than they ever did before, but at least she’d come to expect them. understanding them wasn’t really necessary. she approached the blonde carefully, observing her ragged appearance with some reserve. “hey, kid,” she greeted, kneeling down to meet her eyes. she looked sweet. sweeter than nina, anyway. she smiled gently. “washington dc. welcome to the capital. don’t worry, you’re not the only one who’s popped up in this city confused and possibly previously dead. i’ve heard it all. my shop’s around the corner – do you want tea? i can answer questions and it’s my special mix. calms you down. guaranteed.”

“sorry, peanut,” scott said, smiling at his daughter. never much of a morning person himself, but with cassie back in his life – even grown, even so adult – had him all but giddy. he was up late and up early, ready at all times to be wherever he needed to be for his little girl. “bad news is that the sun is up. but i do have good news.” his smile slowly spread into a grin, and he booped her nose. “there’s waffles.”

kitty has never really believed much in new years or fresh starts or any of the excuses people used to get trashed and not feel guilty about it. and new years resolutions? forget about it. kitty didn’t need an excuse to drink, and no excuse would ever stop her feeling guilty about it the next morning – especially when she had a splitting headache and could barely drag herself through her own apartment to get an alka-seltzer from the kitchen. she missed the mansion. the walk of shame wasn’t any more dignified, but at least it felt more like home than this place.

it didn’t help that a stranger in the living room scared the shit out of her when she walked in. “HELLO?!” kitty screamed, practically jumping out of her skin. her hand flew to her chest and she stared at the girl with wide eyes. she immediately took a position of self defense, hands raised in fists, and she wished more than anything that lockheed would wake up and come out.

with fists still raised, kitty sighed. “is there really a dick on my face?”

“coffee?” mera repeated, eyebrow raised. “last time you gave me your bean water i was coughing for five minutes.” there were a few land-things that she had not yet grown accustomed to or overly fond of. coffee was one of them. she didn’t like tea much, either. “how about…” she paused for a moment, thinking – and then smirked, glancing sideways at the amazonian. “hot chocolate?”

what was it with this town? she still couldn’t figure out why she had so many people claiming that they knew her but she had no clue of who any one of them was. it was actually perplexing to the brunette. how was it that so many different people had approached her claiming to know who she was? yet she had already agreed to attending the ball with the male that had first claimed to have known her.

and yet as the other male was now approaching her, she hadn’t a clue of who he was either. and it was confirmed more when he called her by her name. another that knew her despite the fact that the face speaking to her was not one she had remembered ever seeing in her lifetime. 

“eighty years?” she looks at the other appalled. “and how old do you think i am young man?”

oh. shit.

bucky could tell, even before she spoke, that something was wrong, and immediately he knew that she didn’t remember. he’d hated what it was like, with his memory gone. in the beginning it was fine. good, even. his arm had just been an accident, there had been no war, no winter soldier. but in the end, it had gotten worse... the nightmares, the memories... until he remembered, he’d thought he was losing his mind. in a way his memories had saved him. not so much in others.

peggy didn’t seem to have the same problem. at least not the memories. when he came across steve, when he first saw sam – he’d seen them in his dreams, his nightmares, they felt familiar. he was on the brink of his memories, then. peggy must have still been very far gone.

“i, uh – i am so sorry, ma’am. i, uh... i had a couple drinks and i think i’m saying things that don’t make a lot of sense,” bucky said quickly, an awkward and unsuccessful cover-up. “i think we met once, and... it feels like it’s been eighty years?” fuck. that was just as stupid. he let out a breath and shook his head, half-laughing at himself. “i’m sorry. my name is james buchanan barnes, but i go by bucky.”

(¸.• ♛ → She didn’t want to be passive agressive but sometimes she couldn’t help to say what she thinks and what she thought about that kid, well, it was horrible. That shows her the way that maybe Cersei taught him how to be, in her mind maybe she actually did something wrong there but she didn’t know her life, she just knows what her former husband did to her and her family and how they were enemies because she wanted to be the queen of the seven kigndoms to break the wheel of power and being able to better.

She didn’t step back when the woman raised her hand like she was about to slap her or something, Dany wasn’t afraid of her, she will never be, but she knew this Lannister was someone to be careful, all the time “I do, actually” She spoke this time, her voice was a bit cold but also calm, like she wanted to make that clear “I can’t have children but those dragons, they are my children, I raised them, loved them and I saw one of them being killed by the night walkers and I couldn’t do anything about it, my child might not be human but that’s still mine” And either way, she knew how that loss was, it was the loss like any mother’s.

She nodded when she asked about her children and then just heard her talking, the girl looked away for a second and once again, her gaze was on the other one “I’m not you” She says looking at her “I still have two dragons, two children. I failed one but I’m not planning to fail another one, I’m going to be queen but not failing my children, like I said, I’m not you and never will be. I’ve learned how to be better” 

"You know how I keep standing here after everything?” Dany asked the same way that Cersei did, because they maybe were a bit the same in some aspects, but maybe Dany was more compassionate at some point because she also wasn’t afraid to kill her enesmies “They failed when they tried to kill me when I was a child, I stayed with my brother who was not a nice person, he sold me like a broodmare. I’ve been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled. So many men tried to kill me, I can’t remember their names and all of them failed. But what kept me standing and not giving up, that was me, faith in myself, not someone else, no, I did everything by myself. I was born to rule the Seven Kingdoms, and I will when the war is over. You are not the only one that went through a lot”

I SAW ONE OF THEM BEING KILLED.

cersei couldn’t hide the shock that washed over her features at daenerys’ words. news of a dragon’s death hadn’t yet reached her – and it wasn’t any wonder, considering it had happened beyond the wall if she was understanding it all correctly. most of her felt joy. relief. one dragon down. but the other part of her – the part that recognized the tragedy in daenerys’ eyes – felt sadness. she didn’t believe it was possible for anyone to love a dragon the way she loved her children – but if it was true, then the loss was still fresh. still hurting. 

she made note of it as a wound she could take advantage of, if she needed to. she was not known for her sparring of wits for nothing.

daenerys, dare she say it, reminded cersei of herself in many ways. bold. undeterred by her sex and the fact that every man in power thought lesser of her for it. “that’s a terribly sad story,” cersei said, sympathy unapparent in her voice. “every little girl in the world has a terribly sad story. everywhere in the world they hurt little girls. if you plan to win this war, if you plan to take the throne, you need to stop being so naive, mother of dragons. you think you can be better? every king, every queen who has sat on that throne thought they could be better. robert baratheon, the drunken pig that he was, took the throne thinking he would be better than your father. my eldest son followed him thinking he could be better. and then my youngest. and now me. it’s the same story time and time again and yours won’t be different.”

cersei swallowed, clenching her teeth. she hadn’t realized how young daenerys was, how naive. too young to understand war, real war, and the consequences of queendom. she almost felt sorry for her. “you think you can keep your children alive by simply willing it so? everything i’ve done has been for my children. everything. do you understand that? i never cared for power. i never desired the throne. i loved my children, and they died anyway. yours will, too. that’s not a threat. that’s a warning. you can fight for them until your last breath but war, the game of thrones doesn’t have room for kindness or gentle endings, no matter how hard you try.”

Dean rolled his eyes when Balthazar told him he died for him. He did remember Cass mentioning he killed Balthazar but considering he could give two shits, he didn’t really ask for specifics, though he could appreciate the full tell it like it is attitude, he was also a diva that felt he could just fuck anything up whenever he wanted and expect it to be okay. Like the time he un sank the Titanic for reason of ‘he hated the movie’ or the time him and Sam found themselves in the middle of that TV show based off those horrible ‘Supernatural’ books with Jensen and Padaleski and some guy named Misha. Balthazar loved to fuck with them so there isn’t a single bit in the back of his mind that believed he’d ever die for him unless it just happened that way and wasn’t intentional. “Died for me?” He smirked, “Wow, Is that what you’re telling yourself now? Whatever you think you did, Balthazar I am sure it was just as much in your best interests as it was mine.” He stated still not looking at him as he took another sip of his drink. He even resented the fact he was giving him credit for being in his best interests. He probably didn’t even do it knowingly and the way Cass was so far gone back then, for all he knew he betrayed Cass by even breathing in their direction, “Nope.” He remarked snarkily with a shake of his head, “Not a single bell so why don’t you go bother someone that actually gives a rat’s ass. That is if you can find one.” He stated smugly, taking another sip of his drink as if he was proud and content with himself but nearly spitting it out at what Balthazar wanted next. He actually had the nerve to think Dean owed him some kind of favor? So typical of angels, always thinking everyone owes them everything. He stared at him in amusement, “A favor? I don’t owe you anything, dickbag.” Though there was a part of him that was curious to what it is he wanted in the back of his mind. What could he possibly do for him? They were usually the ones asking for the favors. “What could you possibly want from me? The only reason I care is because I am amused at the idea of you being at my mercy but this better be good.” Quickly looking down at his watch, “You’ve got five seconds … before I banish your ass.”

the longer dean talked the more balthazar remembered why he felt the way he did about the winchesters. annoying fucking bastards, but he was kind of happy they were around. by far the least boring humans he’d ever met, and they kept his life interesting when it wasn’t being ended. 

“no, what i did,” balthazar said, annoyed, “is betray my brother, the most powerful being since god himself, to help you. i could’ve made out like a bloody bandit in castiel’s new world but instead i chose the winchesters. next thing you know, my brother, my dearest brother, the only one i ever cared about, your pet, is stabbing me through the heart. but he still let you live. funny old world, isn’t it? so, yes, dean winchester, i did die for you. next time i’ll make sure i save my own skin instead of trying to save yours and, right, yes, all of humanity’s.”

for the most part balthazar kept himself together as he recounted the events of his death, the final moments with castiel. it stung more than dean would ever know. castiel hadn’t just been a brother, a best friend  – he was... cass. they had always been a team. since the beginning of time. for millions and millions of years – long before the winchesters could even comprehend. what happened was personal.

“you really think that nothing you do has consequences?” balthazar asked, shaking his head in disbelief. “you think that just because you’ve saved some human lives that every other thing you fuck up doesn’t matter?” balthazar took a step closer, head cocked to the side, a half amused smirk on his face. “how boldly stupid of you. let me guess – you still think i temporarily un-sunk the titanic because i hate celine dion?”

Luna was busy giving out relief packages, warm blankets, jackets, undergarments, and tolietries for females.  Winters were hard enough on the homeless population, after the attack on the whitehouse, she felt like giving back was more then necessary to help those around her.  Putting forth more good energy to counter act the bad, “Hey! are you here to volunteer?” Luna questioned when she noted someone who stood out of place among her usual guest in the center.  “Or are you here for something? No judgements either way.” Luna offered with a warm smile.

padmé watched the young woman move through the crowd, handing out necessities to those in need. it warmed her heart to see such a gentle act of kindness – something she felt so rare in the universe, and so beautiful. in her time of adjustment she felt like she was crawling out of her own skin unable to act on the instincts that she formed her life around. helping people. the woman seemed to notice her, and padmé straightened. “volunteer,” she answered, smiling. she knew how many had suffered from what happened at the winter ball. the trauma was enough – the sight of anakin again, mustafar, the galaxy, her children in... in unspeakable, unthinkable situations... and her own inaction at the root of it. to add that with the need that so many felt already – those without homes, without food – was it not her responsibility to step up? “i’m sorry that i don’t know much about the organization, but... i’m here to help. i hope you can use the extra set of hands.”

“God,” Gwen hissed out as they glanced down at their wireless headphones. The flickering red light confirming that the headphones, were indeed, dead. “Do you happen to have a charger, not one of those iPhone ones, but one of those other ones?” Gwen leans their head back, not caring if the city grime against the building would stain their white hoodie. “Please, it’ll take a few minutes. I’ll take you out for pizza if you do, granted, not as good as New York, but pizza? Always an answer.” 

the sight of the young blonde stopped harry osborn in his tracks, and he openly stared. a chill went through his body and he felt as though he couldn’t move – memories of his father, the green goblin, the news of their brutal death. their snapped neck. peter after. harry wasn’t even able to look at his father afterward – barely even able to stomach being in the same house as him. but what could the boy do? norman osborn terrified harry. his death had been welcomed.

                      “you have got to be kidding me,” pietro groaned to himself, frustration clearly evident in his heavily accented voice as he looked down at the tire of his car which was now clamped in a boot to keep it from going anywhere. he had never been one to drive much, but when he did he certainly had a knack for racking up speeding tickets that were ultimately never going to be paid. he didn’t think the day would ever come that they would catch up to him, but it seemed they finally did and it infuriated him. “hey–” he called out to a nearby stranger who caught his eye once he looked up, “do you know any way to get one of these off of here?” he kicked the heavy metal clamp as he asked, “there has to be some way to do it, right?”

"you could start by paying for whatever tickets you’re probably stashing in the glove compartment,” matt said, a smile in his voice. it wasn’t usually his thing to butt into someone else’s business, but in all fairness to him, pietro called out to matt first. it took him a minute or so to realize that he’d been referring to a tire clamp. “no offense, but you have terrible luck. i’m a lawyer.” he laughed, then, knowing that if their positions had been swapped he’d be ready to throw a tantrum in the middle of the street by now. “listen, if i help you, you can’t tell anyone. is it one of the plastic boots or metal ones?”

“i am beginning to think if my special talent is a time traveler” landon said out loud to himself as he stared at the news paper in his hand. the year at the top did not make any sense, because it was not the year he remember. when he glanced up he saw a person walk past him & he quickly jumped up from the bench, waving with his hand as he rushed over to them “hey there, could i ask you a question? or maybe a few questions actually” he needed answer on how he could be in new orleans a few days ago & now in washington dc. 

camille was taken aback by the stranger’s question to the point where she almost laughed. she tried to stifle it and let out, instead, just a snicker. she’d spent the better part of her afternoon at the bar following a phone call with her mom back in missouri, and she could still feel the tequila in her system, making her mind a little fuzzy. it was the main reason she didn’t pretend not to notice him; camille has never been a fan of interacting with strangers. better things to be doing. too much small talk. “sorry,” she said, and shoved her hands in her pockets. “for laughing, i mean. usually i’m the one asking that question. journalist,” she explained, and ran her fingers through her hair. “but, uh... sure. shoot.”

after doe, it had all sort of become real. the war had been cruel to them all. it didn’t help that they were spitfires, of course – that they fought tooth and nail till the very end. maybe it was bound to go the way it did. one death after another. mary died knowing that she wouldn’t be the last. that her name would just be one in a list, amongst people she called her friends and her family. the idea that after her would follow marlene mckinnon – though her name would’ve been before mary’s. alphabetical order and all that.

mary’s stomach twisted and she pinched the skin of her left forearm between her thumb and forefinger. the skin started to turn red between her fingers and she clenched her teeth. the war is over, she reminded herself, and found little comfort.

looking at her small friend now, mary wondered how she even managed a day after voldemort killed dorcas meadowes. she never wanted anyone to die but if someone had to, mary always wanted it to be herself. if her death meant everyone else could live, it was a small enough price to pay. but when it was DOE, the earth fell off its axis, and mary had not yet recovered.

mary couldn’t really speak at first – really didn’t know what she would say. it was different with lily, who, as far as mary knew, had survived. different with lily because lily had still been a living, breathing witch with a husband and a son when she died. doe was... ash. mary reached out, fingers touching doe’s hand gently, warm skin on warm skin. she resisted the urge to snatch her hand back, overwhelmed by the reality of the moment. she raised her eyes to meet doe’s and pressed her lips together. 

“hey,” mary said, her voice quiet. she fought the urge to cry. doe looked so young, so full of life. “don’t suppose my favorite hobbit’s in the mood for a piggy-back ride?”