the river styx.

𝙳𝙴𝙿𝙴𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙼𝚄𝙼𝚄 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝙳𝙴𝙲𝙸𝙼𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽, 𝙿𝚁𝙰𝙸𝚂𝙴𝙳 𝙱𝚈 𝙼.

BRUCE WAYNE 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

JAMES BUCHANAN BARNES 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

JIM HAMMOND 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

LEIA ORGANA 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

ROBB STARK 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

TOMMY SHEPHERD 「 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎. 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒. 」

Namor has always been a serious man. Not one that is easily amused by things, but Jim seems to be very good at breaking all of Namor’s rules in the right way. Jim’s always brought out the best in him. Namor laughs, it’s as warm as it is fond. “Yes, exactly our hatred of surprises is surely the only reason we’re getting married.” Namor was sure he’d never find anyone who’d complete him again. Set in his ways, far too stubborn for anyone to enjoy being around him. He knows the type of man he is and he won’t go changing it for anyone. Expect Namor never had to change for Jim, he liked him just as he was in all his harsh edges and rough exterior. Not many people would even tolerate that much less love him for it but here stands Jim proud of his love with Namor, just as Namor is proud in his love for Jim. “Perhaps you should, anyone who knows me knows that is quite the feat. You should be thoroughly impressed with yourself.” Namor means it too. He’s a hard man to be around at times Namor is self aware enough to know that but his fiancé takes it in stride. The man’s face breaks out in a smile at the idea of bringing Niels into the shop. “I think that would be a wonderful idea. He’d have a field day, and it would be nice for the fish to begin to get accustomed to other types of pets.” Namor had never thought of himself as a cat person until he had met Niels. The cat is well behaved and enjoys the fish just as much as he does. The cat is content to watch the fish for hours, lounging as if it was his own personal television show. So he has no qualms with bringing the cat in. 

“Rizzo’s sounds good to me. I have to lock up a few things but would you like to order it on your phone so that we can just pick it up on the way home? No need to wait. Maybe stop and pick up a bottle of wine from the store. It would be a nice treat.” 

“I think that was what really made you fall in love with me.” Jim’s lips quirk into an amused grin for the moment, but after hearing Namor laugh? His expression is quickly replaced by the fondness he feels for his fiancé. There are many reasons for why they just work so well together. Opposites in so many ways and yet similar in others, meaning they just fit so perfectly. Love has been something that the blond never thought would come into his life, at least in the romantic sense. For many years it was only Jim and his son, Thomas. He tries to keep in touch with his father through phone calls but they’re both busy men and sometimes their careers get in the way of making time for each other. Jim really needs to get better at that and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to invite his father out to Decimation sometime if he ever retires. However, meeting Namor was an interesting encounter. How could the memory ever be forgotten? The way the other man stormed into his office demanding answers. He spent so many hours searching for a fish. Now they’re getting married and Jim will always proudly declare his love for Namor. “It would be good for all of them then … and maybe you can bring Niels in with you sometimes when I don’t take him into work with me.” He’s so well behaved that who would dare to complain? The feline might just snooze when not looking at some of the fish. Nothing makes Jim happier than knowing the love of his life gets along with his companion.

She narrowed her eyes at the phone display in the window in front of her. “Brilliant,” she breathed, tilting her head to look at it better. “I swear, technology is absolutely amazing, progressing each and every day. And it flips! How incredible is that?” she beamed

“What will they think of next?” The redhead inquires while looking into the window for a glimpse at what the stranger is talking about. He can’t believe society is reverting back to flip phones. “I’m curious how the touch screen will hold up over time after being open and closed so often.” Maybe Robb is just thinking out loud but something tells him that the stranger might not mind.

Closed Starter || For Bucky Barnes @solsticetm

Sam was working late again. Everything else and everyone in the businesses around him were closed and gone home for the night. Only Clubs and other late night stores were really opening at this time and some of them would be closing soon. But Gloria’s would still be open, always open. Even when Sam would leave in a few hours it would still be open with his next shift leader coming in. He’s looking forward to some well deserved rest and will be back in the diner around one o’clock to work again. He’s at the front of the diner after helping clean off some tables when he here’s the door open and he goes to greet the new patron with a smile but as quick as it came a frown appears. “No.” He says very decisively. “Is Steve with you? No? Then no out.” It seemed harsh on the surface but this was just how he and Bucky were, most times he and Bucky could be far more friendly appearing and have a humorous atmosphere about them but they did bicker to each other a lot. Some would question who the real married couple was. If Bucky was here this late then that meant he worked late and he was looking for a pick me up. It happened often enough. He gave a deep suffering sigh, over dramatic and fake of course. “The usual? Or you wanna branch out on the menu?”

It wouldn’t be the first time that James is met with that reaction when walking in the room. He’s known to be misbehave sometimes but it all depends upon the circumstances for how far he’ll take his teasing and pranks. Often people will feel intimidated but that’s no surprise since there’s certain grumpiness to him. The Russian wonders if this has anything to do with where he’s from but tries not to overthink it. His dynamic with Sam  helps provide an outlet for Bucky to loosen up despite the fact they’re always bickering, but he tries not to take it too far since they’re friends. It doesn’t take long for the welcoming smile to be replaced by the disapproving frown. “Must be a new record for how quickly you told me to leave.” His words playful but doesn’t move toward the door just yet. “It’s just me. I just clocked out for the night and I’m starving.” He normally wouldn’t dine out so late otherwise, never enjoying being that person who shows up as people are cleaning. Bucky moves to take a seat at one of the nearby tables, not even needing to look at the menu to know what they offer here due to being a regular.

“Depends. Do you have any recommendations before I decide?” He might still end up ordering the usual but contemplating some other options is never a bad decision. He isn’t a picky eater so it’s very likely anything could capture his interest.

( @solsticetm​ ) 🌘 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕 - ( tommy shepherd )

“okay i’m here, sorry was at the museum trying to annoy elena into doing something for me,“ bonnie scooted past her boss and tied her hair up before throwing on her apron. “you know, you’re lucky i like serving people here - it’s not everyone that i would come in on my day off for,” she teased, smiling over at tommy as she reached around him to clock in at the register before addressing the line of drinks that needed to be made. “i got the bar, you grab the register - i can get these out in no time, also who called out?” she was, after all his manager and she knew she needed to keep a mental record of everyone that came and went - pulling a smile at a regular, she glanced back to tommy. “wait - were you here by yourself all morning?”

*

The fact that there was still a good deal of space between and around them by the time Cassandra settled down at the table was reassuring. She didn’t feel so much like she was invading a stranger’s personal space. Noting that he had put his paper down she felt an obligation to engage him in conversation. It was not something that came naturally. “I so rarely see people read the physical paper.” She nodded to the item in question. “Even with a phone I do not stay as informed as I should.”

His main intention with putting the paper away is due to how much space it took up while open on the table. Bruce doesn’t care much for reading the sport section so he felt compelled to put it away at that point. He looks from the folded up paper and back over to the stranger. “Maybe I’m just old fashioned with how I stay informed on local news.” His words are paired with soft laughter, knowing that he’s making himself sound older than he actually is. “Some news websites have too many ads.”

Laughing, Hope turned, grabbing a glass, starting to mix a drink for herself that she’d pay for on the way out. Hope hasn’t really gotten to speak to anyone else but it was fun to laugh at her other worker’s fire.

❝ You’ve got fire, I can see you’re full of snarky quips. ❞ 

Forgetting the drink for a minute to offer her hand out. Amusingly pushing her lips together and bobbed her head upwards then to the side, looking at nothing in particular.

“I can promise you’ll hear plenty of my quips workin’ here. I like to keep things interesting.” Maybe there’s some charm to having a little fire, Leia has never been the type of person to be a pushover.  She’s sweet to everyone unless given a reason not to be.

quill nodded enthusiastically as the other started to list off recommendations. everything literally sounded amazing and he wasn’t sure which to start with. between him and rocky, they could probably put away the whole menu - but honestly, someone would complain and, well, he was pretty sure a toddler shouldn’t be raging out on caffeine. “oh man that cookie frappe sounds amazing, i’d probably get that for myself but let’s uh go with a small for rocky here.” as he mentioned his name, rocky leaned over and tried to peer behind the counter at the many wonders of coffee and tea making. “and butterscotch? dude, you are like a mind reader - the largest you got with whip cream and whatever else you wanna throw at me.”

( @decimationstarters​ ) 🦇 𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆 𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆

“of course not!“ alexander’s tone was heightened with authority and definition. the other, standing within the cafe across from him - daringly challenging him but learning soon that the professor would not back down so easily. when the other left, alexander relaxed his shoulders and steadied himself before turning to retreat back to his table, pausing only so when he realized someone else had come up during the commotion. “my apologies - sometimes my love for debate tends to get ahead of myself, or ahead of those wishing to engage in the conversation.” he paused, taking his new conversational companion in, “and i am not without my shame of turning an establishment into a mockery, so would you mind if i bought you something? a drink? pastry? anything to show an apology for my crass interruption.”

someone that instantly claims to be an expert does raise a little suspicion when paul hears it, but then again, maybe this guy just really enjoys what he’s doing. which is rare nowadays, and also honorable in some way, so he decides not to question it. once he catches words like milligrams and decaf roast, though, he knows that this choice might as well have been the right one. “ right, ” there is a short moment of hesitation, wondering if he should try to look for more options or just go with the one offered to him. “ i hope it won’t because i really can’t afford to get knocked on my ass right now. ” a nervous chuckle, even though just a small ounce of caffeine tends to do just that — it’s been hard to grow up surrounded by people that practically inhaled coffee on a daily basis only to find out it does not bring the desired effect to him. “ sure, why not. does it taste like normal coffee? because i wouldn’t even mind if it doesn’t. my father’s always been into ridiculously expensive coffee while to me it all tasted kind of muddy. maybe add some cream in it, unless that’s like, a coffee crime, then i’m willing to suffer through the taste. ”

( @solsticetm​ ) 🍍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓 - ( bucky barnes )

“oh hey you’re that guy that watches that bar about the plants and the fruits and the snake and i think i’m totally but not entirely sure, i might be able to sort of, be banned from.“ shawn rattled off, sliding into the seat next to the other at the diner. no regards towards personal space and after a moment of uncomfortable silence he got up and switch to the seat across from bucky. “banned only because i might have overstayed my welcome and i might have tried to eat the very convincing decorative fruit…” he tilted his head and eyed the guy carefully before grinning at him. “i’m shawn spencer by the way, psychic detective.”

“Good, because I’m not sure what more I can do, mingling wise.” It’s one tenth a joke and nine tenth sheer relief. It’s easy to talk to Bucky, and he’s more than happy to stand here in the corner and hold up the wall with him all night. They think on the same wavelengths. Silence between them - awkward in any other conversation, is comfortable.

“Thank you,” he replies - it’s short but sincere, and he thinks Bucky gets that. His friend will take the words at face value, no need for gushing or over the top displays of emotion. At least, that’s what Cas has always assumed happens between them. “You should come by the hospital some time. I’d be happy to have a look. Dean says I have terrible bedside manners though, fair warning.” 

That’s the other thing. People can get so complicated when offers of help are on the table. Sometimes it’s ok, sometimes it’s insulting, and Cas has never really figured out what the rules of this game. “… That is, if you want to,” he amends, a little sheepishly.

“There’s only so many times I can introduce myself to someone new before I need to take a break.” It’s a relief that his friend understands the feeling, like a validation in his own behavior. Silence is comfortable between them and James is always thankful for that in their friendship. He doesn’t have much to say sometimes, which can cause difficulty with conversation with someone he might have only met recently. Castiel has known him long enough to know what he means with fewer words.

It was late into the night at Night Moves Bar & Grill. Though, Hope was pretty new to this job, she did enjoy serving drinks and mingle with incoming customers. One hand rubbing a towel over the bar counter, she picked it up, about to finish up prior to seeing someone sit down in front of her.

❝ My shift ends in ten minutes. Do you need anything? ❞

Tilting her head, hoping the comment didn’t come out more bitchy than intended.

@decimationstarters​

The night is winding down and Leia is looking forward to going home. She does love her job here at Night Moves though, being a server here provides the opportunity to interact with her favorite regulars and meet new people too. Unlike most, she was born and raised here in Decimation. She never fancied the idea of moving to one of the larger cities because there’s something special about this small town. In her opinion, anyway.

@decimationstarters | open

The fast-food restaurant was unexpectedly crowded for late lunch on a weekday, the odd hour usually guaranteeing Cassandra a place to sit and relative quiet. Both were in short supply today. Habit and her growling stomach were the only things that kept her from leaving altogether, and she reasoned that by the time she had waited in line and received her food a spot would open up for her. Fifteen minutes later, tray in hand, luck was not on her side. Every table was occupied by at least one person. Grimacing at her only last course of action she approached someone at one of the larger tables. “Truly I hate to ask, but may I sit here? There are no vacant tables.”

Normally Bruce tries eating out at restaurants when they aren’t busy but that’s never his luck, nor can it be helped. He was reading through the newspaper and sipping on what’s left of the coffee in his cup when someone approaches the table. He folds it up and places it aside before giving the stranger his undivided attention. Obviously not a waitress since there’s a tray. “Go ahead, I’m not using the other side. I always forget how busy they are around this time. You would think it wouldn’t be but I shouldn’t be surprised with how good their food is.” He was dining alone so it wouldn’t be fair to take up the entire table since it’s one of the larger ones in this establishment. 

he feels his waking dreams creeping through his subconscious. a distraction to his actual life. his real life. not whatever his nightmares want to tell him. because he’s not that guy, he never will be, he never could be.. rj pulled himself back to reality, standing before the man he can’t help but feel safe yet guarded around. he’s surprised when he gets the same response back but it means he’s on to something. well now he’s gotta keep digging. rj thinks hard, he never really paid much attention when the guys would go out to what clubs he was going to. it was possible he’s been here before. “yeah, yeah probably. i mean the guys always pick the places to go i just follow. I’m more of a kickback at my place kind of guy.” he answered, his hands raising from his pockets to rest comfortably over his chest. a more relaxed stance. “you always worked here?”