Summary: Katie Blair grew up trying to be the perfect daughter. She always struggled to be the prim and proper little girl her parents wanted. Big personality as a kid, but now at 25, she's the shy admiral's daughter who just keeps her head down and tries to get through law school. So what happens when she's had enough and with help from a certain Lieutenant, she gets out.
As we got closer to the porch I saw a very tall well built man leaning against the porch railing. “Hank! Come say hi.” She said as we got closer, he stepped off the porch and walked over. Jake sped up and got ahead as he quickly hugged his dad. “Happy you’re home son.” His dad said as they separated. “Dad, this is Katie.” Jake said as he smiled at me. Hank also gave a small smile. “Ah, the girl you just won’t shut up about.” He said and laughed as Jake shrugged. “Nice to meet ya, Katie. I’m Hank.” He held out his hand and I shook it. “For a little thing you got quite the grip.” I smiled at him. “Thank you?” I asked and he laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetie.” Audrey said. “Around here that’s a compliment.” She added and tugged me towards the door. “Oh, shouldn’t Jake and I get our bags?” I asked and she laughed. “Of course not! You have to meet everyone first, then we’ll fill you with good food and then we will send the boys out here to get everything.” She all but yanked me inside. The living room was very large with multiple windows making it very bright. I was startled as someone screamed and a dark haired girl blew past me and launched herself at Jake. “JAKEY!” I raised my brows in surprise as he laughed. “Missed you too, Han.” He said before letting her go. “Good to see you, brother.” A man built like Hank hugged Jake and I figured it was Tyler. Looking at them standing together I realized they really did look a lot alike as far as looks, but stature was definitely different. Tall, well built, and Jake was more like his mom. He was still well built but a little shorter than Tyler. “Chelsea.” Jake said as he walked past to the blonde woman sitting on the couch, a pile of blankets in her arms. Jake leaned down and hugged her before moving the blankets and I realized it was a baby. “This is Elsie.” Chelsea said and all but tossed her to Jake who picked her up and held her close. “Hi, Elsie. I’m your uncle Jake.” He turned and walked closer to me before turning so I could see her little face. “Say ‘Hi Katie’.” He waved her little arm for her and I smiled.
“She’s perfect.” He said as he handed the baby back to Chelsea. “So… you gonna introduce us?” Tyler asked, nodding towards me. “Kelly right?” Hannah asked from her spot on the couch. My heart dropped slightly at the name. “Hannah.” Audrey chastised and she threw out her arms. “What?” She asked. “This is Katie. My girlfriend.” Jake said, pulling me into his side. “See, they both start with a K. How was I supposed to know?” Hannah asked. I had a feeling we weren’t going to get on too well. “Now that you’ve been introduced, let’s get you two fed!” Audrey said as she dragged Jake and I both towards the dining room. A very long table sat in the center with windows covering almost every space with one giant stained glass window in the center of the back wall. “Oh wow.” I whispered as I stared at it. Pieces of green and red and yellow glass allowing the sun to create a beautiful design on the table, the glass water pitcher in the center allowing it to splay out and create a rainbow around almost the entire room. I felt a hand on my lower back and I looked at Jake as he guided me around the table. He pulled out the seat next to the head of the table and pushed me to sit. I did as Audrey brought out the food, Tyler not far behind with additional plates. They sat everything down before Hank sat on my left at the head of the table, Audrey directly across from me with Lucas in her lap, Hadley sat next to her, on her left was Chelsea, Tyler next to her at the opposite head of the table with Elsie in his arms, Hannah sat next to him as she spoke animatedly with Jake who was on my other side. I furrowed my brows as I watched Audrey juggle the kids while Hannah all but pretended they weren’t there. I peeked across to Hannah and as she caught my eye Jake turned to me. “You okay?” He asked and I nodded. “Yeah. Think I’m just tired.” I said and he smiled, leaning over and kissing my temple. “I wouldn’t be surprised. We could go take a nap after this.”
“Hadley and Lucas will need a nap after this. They’d love to lay down and watch a movie with their uncle Jake.” Hannah said as she scooped food onto her plate. Jake furrowed his brows and opened his mouth when Audrey cut him off. “They need to rest on their own. The kids are more than welcome to watch a movie in our room if they want. We’ll get Jake and Katie’s stuff up to his old room after lunch.” She said as she helped Hadley with her plate. “Jake’s old room?” Hannah practically gasped. “That’s where the kids sleep.” Audrey nodded. “Yes. And tonight they will sleep in their own beds, at your house.” Hannah reeled back in her chair. “You know I hate being in that house alone!” She cried. “You live five minutes from us, Hannah. If you need me all you gotta do is call.” Tyler said as he eyed her. “See, Hannah. Your brother will take care of you when you need him. Now let’s eat! Katie,” My eyebrows raised as she called my name and I looked at her. “Yes, ma’am?” I asked. “Did you and Jake ever come up with names for those kittens? I have plenty of pictures from Jake.” She said with a grin. I looked to Jake who just had his head down as he ate, his neck just a little red. “The black one is Smudge and the white one is Alaska.” I said. “Smudge? Alaska?” Hannah spoke up. “Who the hell came up with those names?” Jake turned towards her. “I did.” He snapped and she turned back to her food without another word.
The tension at the table faded away pretty quickly and we were all talking and it was nice. I had never been at a table with such lively and mostly kind conversations. Audrey stood, plates in hand and I immediately jumped up. “Oh, Katie honey you sit down.” I shook my head. “No, I can help.” I grabbed my plate and Jake’s and followed her into the kitchen. I scraped them off and started washing the dishes when Audrey dropped her hand to my shoulder causing me to jump. “Katie, honey.” She shut the water off and pushed me to look at her. “You can rest. You don’t need to do anything here you don’t want to.” She stared at me for a minute before sighing. “Jake filled me in on everything your mom has done. Katie, that’s not a real mother. They’re supposed to love unconditionally and I’m sorry you didn’t get that.” I couldn’t help as my bottom lip wobbled and my eyes watered. She pulled me into her tightly and the dam broke.
I held everything in as tears fell but I wanted to scream, I wanted to let it all out as loud as I could because I have never truly had the chance. After a few minutes I pulled back. “I’m sorry.” I said as I wiped my eyes. “Don’t be. Now, why don’t you go out there and sit with everyone. I’ll get Hannah in here to help me.” I nodded and made sure it wasn’t obvious I’d been crying and walked back out, Audrey not far behind. “Hannah.” Hannah looked up at her as I sat back down next to Jake. “Come in here and help me clean up.” She huffed. “But mom-” “Now Hannah.” She huffed again and got up, following her mother into the kitchen. “Why were you crying?” Jake asked quietly as everyone else talked. “Is it that obvious?” I asked. “No. I just know. Why don’t we get the bags and take a nap?” I nodded. “We’ll go get them.” Hank stood and motioned Tyler to stand as well. “Come on.” Jake took my hand and pulled me up and out of the dining room. He led me back through the living room and up the staircase. “Our room is all the way down at the end of the hallway.” He said, leading me to the open door.
I walked in behind him. There was a four poster bed set between two windows and there was a third window on the wall facing the front of the house. It has definitely been changed from when Jake lived here I'm sure. “I kinda expected sports posters and lots of CD’s.” I remarked and he laughed. “Mom was quick to turn it into a guest room when I left.” I sat at the foot of the bed and slipped my boots off, my toes flexing on the soft gray carpet. “Here ya go!” Hank said, his voice booming as he swung my suitcase and backpack to set it over in the corner near the closet. “Thank you.” I said as Tyler sat Jake’s bags down. They left and we quickly shut the door and changed. I slid into one of his t-shirts, forgoing shorts and he put on some gray sweatpants. I dove onto the bed and Jake pulled a quilt out of the closet and came over, tossing it over me before climbing in next to me. Once he got settled and was facing me, he smiled. “So… what do you think of my family?” He asked, almost hesitant. “Well, automatically they’re a thousand times better than my parents.” I told him, sliding forward and wrapping my arms around him. “And my siblings?” He asked. I bit my lip, wondering how to go about this. “Your brother is great and so is Chelsea.” I said and he raised a brow at me. “And Hannah?” I sighed. “She shouldn’t bother me.” I started. “Just because she’s my sister doesn’t mean you have to like her. Hopefully mom said something to her in the kitchen but I’ll say something to her too.” I pursed my lips. “I just don’t want her mad at me, feeling like I said something to you.” He shook his head. “No. We’ve all seen it. I was just hoping she’d be better this time.” I just nodded as he pulled me closer. “I love you and I’m so glad you came with me.” He kissed my head. “I’m glad I came too.” We laid like that for a while before he spoke up. "Can I ask you something?" He asked and I hummed, nodding against his chest. "Havr you ever thought about having kids?" He asked.
I laid there, head resting against his chest as I thought. It took me a few minutes before I spoke up. "I didn't have good parents." I said. "I know." He whispered in response. "I barely have patience for myself. I don't have the patience a child needs." I told him and he didn't respond. "I've never really been around kids. I don't know how to handle them. I don't think I'm fot to be a mother." I told him and he tightened his holds on me. "I don't want children. Not because I don't like them. Because I couldn't be what they needed." I told him, a few tears lining my eyes. He sighed, burying his face in my hair. "Do you want kids?" I asked him. "Yeah." He whispered after a moment. "But I want you more." I took a deep breath, squishing myself against him. "I won't try to change your mind." He started. "But I think you'd be an amazing mom." He said. "Why?" I asked as he intertwined his legs with mine. "Because you had the perfect example of how not to parent a child. You have a big heart and a lot of love to give. I think if a baby did come into the mix, I think you'd be an amazing mother." I sighed and pressed a kiss to his chest. "Thank you." I whispered.
When we woke up from our nap we got dressed and slowly made our way back downstairs. "Jake. Come help your brother and I get wood for the fire pit." Hank said. "Be right there, dad." Jake said as I sat next to Chelsea on the couch. "I'll be back, darlin'." He said as he slipped away. They went out the back door and I sat on the couch as Chelsea fed Elsie. I watched as she held her gently, as if she would break with one wrong move. A small smile grew on my face. She'll get to grow up with loving parents, a big family. "Wanna hold her?" Chelsea asked. "Oh, no I-" "Here." Chelsea stood and instantly handed the baby to me. "Oh, oh god." I muttered as she placed the tiny baby in my arms. "You're fine." She said as she adjusted pillows under my arms. Chelsea sat next to me and smiled. "See! You're a natural!" She said. "I'm stiff as a board and afraid to move." She laughed as she observed me, arms locked in place, back straight as a rod. "Relax." She pushed my shoulder till I was leaned back into the couch. "Oh how sweet!" Audrey said as she came down the stairs. "She's perfect, isn't she?" She asked as she came closer. I took a moment to observe the baby in my arms. Her nose was tiny. Her eyelashes fluttered even though her eyes were closed. Her little hands were curled up near her face. No one could sit here and say she wasn't adorable. "Chelsea!" Hannah gasped as she walked in from the kitchen. "How can you let her hold Elsie?!" I looked at Hannah in confusion. "What?" I asked. "She hates kids, Chelsea! Especially babies!" Hannah said. "What?! No I don't!" I said. Chelsea's head whipped aorund to me. "Yes you do! I heard you tell Jake you can't stand kids! That you would rather go the rest of your life without them around!"
She heard Jake and I's conversation about how I didn't want children? "No! No that's not what I said at all!" I exclaimed and Hannah stormed over, snatching Elsie out of my arms. "We can't even guarantee she wouldn't hurt the kids! Mama, how could you let someone like this into your house?!" She asked. "Now Hannah-" "No! I don't want her around my kids! She needs to leave!" Hannah exclaimed. "No! I would never!" I said as I stood. "I may not want kids of my own, but I'd certainly never hurt anyone else's!" I exclaimed as I tried to defend myself. "How do we know that?! You're unpredictable! People who grow up grow up with shitty parents are usually shitty people! Not to mention your autism makes you dangerous!" "HANNAH!" She froze at Jake's voice, we all did. "I've had it." He said, storming over. "Grow the fuck up, Hannah." He said as he took Elsie, handing her to Chelsea. "You want the spotlight so bad? Now you got it!" I could tell he was angry. "Jake-" "No mom! You're done defending her!" He snapped. "She has wrecked so many relationships for Tyler and I because god forbid there be another woman in this family! She tried so hard to tear Chelsea and Tyler apart and now that she knows Chelsea isn't going anywhere she's had to find a new victim!" He snapped.
"I have not!" "You have too!" Jake yelled as Hank and Tyler came back in. "You really sat here and tried to convince mom and Chelsea that Katie was dangerous and that she'd hurt the kids!" He said. "You did what?!" Hank asked. "Yeah, Katie didn't have the worlds greatest parents, but that doesn't make her a shitty person and her ADHD, not autism, does not make her dangerous, or unpredictable. You know nothing about what she deals with on a day to day basis as she tries to navigate everything that's been thrown at her!" Jake snapped and she cowered away from him. "You've had it easy, Hannah!" He yelled. "You've never had to fight for anything!" I flinched as his voice grew louder. Without saying a word I slowly made my way to the front door and slid out. The tears hit on the porch and I tried to hold back as I started walking down the driveway, just needing to walk and clear my head. The wind blew past me, making goosebumps rise on my arms. My boots shuffled in the dirt as I walked and I just stared ahead, not sure how long I was walking and not sure how far I had gone.
I jumped as a loud bellow broke me from my focus and I sighed, turning to look out into the field. Eli was trotting over from the other cows, bellowing loudly to catch my attention. I coudn't help the small smile that graced my face as he stopped at the fence. I scratched behind his ear and he grunted, leaning into my hand. "Yeah, you just wanted a simple life, huh?" I said quietly. I stood there petting Eli for a while before I heard boots on the ground getting closer. I looked over to see Tyler and I sighed. "Tyler, I need you to know I would never ever hurt Elsie." I said as I leaned on the fence. "I know that." He said, putting his hand up. "Chelsea knows that too. Hannah just stunned her with how she acted." He added as he stopped next to me. "Chelsea and mom feel really bad about this." He said and I shook my head. "They shouldn't. It's not their fault." He hummed and leaned on the fence next to me. "Jake really cares about you." He said and I fought back a smile. "He loves me." I responded and he chuckled. "He loves you, a lot." I stopped fighting and let the smile cross my face. "And I can see why." I raised a brow at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked. "You're kind, caring, and you push him to be his best self. He's never had someone like that besides mom." He said. "Plus, you seem to keep his life interesting, you little spit fire." We both laughed. "Come back to the house?" He asked, nodding up the driveway towards the house. I stood in silence for a minute as I pet Eli. "Sure." I said.
We silently walked back to the house where Jake was sitting on the porch with his mom. "Hey." Jake said, standing and wlaking down the steps towards me. "You okay?" He asked, gently holding my arms. "I'll be fine." I said and he pulled me into him. I immediately relaxed as his arms went around me. "I made Hannah leave." I raised my brows in shock as I pulled away. "Oh, Audrey, you hsouldn't have." I said and she held up her hand to me. "No. It's time I put my foot down with her." She crossed her arms over her chest as she said it. "Hank and I are in agreement. If she can't act right, she can stay at her house." I looked up at Jake feeling uneasy about being the reason she made Hannah leave. "Don't feel bad. It's been a long time comin'." Jake reassured me. "He's right, sweetie. Now come on. Hank should have the fire pit going by now." Audrey said, motioning us to follow. We followed her through the house and out the back door to see Chelsea and Hank around the fire pit. I quietly walked next to Jake as we approached. Audrey went and stood next to Hank while Tyler sat next to Chelsea, but she ignored him as she stood and walked over to Jake and I. "Here." Chelsea all but tossed Elsie into my arms and once again I went stiff as a board. "Relax." Jake said as he laughed at me. "Admit it, she's adorable." Chelsea teased. "I never said she wasn't!" I retorted.
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Plot:
It's Alex's first Christmas in her new reality, and with Sam gone, she's stuck at the Avengers Compound alone.
Based on the @sam-a-palooza prompt "I'll Be Home For Christmas" for Have Yourself A Merry Little Sam-mas.
Rating: M (Mature Themes)
Word Count: 1707
Pairing:
Sam Wilson/Alex Jordan (OC)
Warnings:
Sam & Alex...miss each other a lot, lol
No sex, but you know that's where they're heading
ADHD OC
Mentions of bad familial behaviour (past)
Mentions of loss (past)
Read on AO3
@marvel-oc-hub
Please comment and reblog!
Thank you to @stellar-solar-flare for the beta read! And @indigo-jungle for the help unsticking my brain!
Alex bent to connect the lights on the Christmas tree in the Avengers Compound common area, smiling when she stood and saw how beautifully the tree lit the room with a rainbow of colours. It wasn't organized, it wasn't colour coordinated, it wasn't pretty - not in the traditional sense, anyway; terminally online moms around the world would clutch their pearls at the sight. Honestly, it looked like Christmas had vomited everywhere because it had been made with love, and in Alex's opinion that made it more beautiful than anything she'd seen on Fifth Avenue. Some of the families from the town hall had been invited to help decorate as a reward for how the kids had helped out after the Snap. And the kids had done an amazing job decorating! Small hand-painted decorations all over the tree, tinsel on every surface, garland in every colour, all glittering in the tree lights, and topped with a beautiful silver star.
Someone haughtier would hate the mess and splotches of colour, but Alex loved it. A Christmas tree had to feel like home, in her opinion, and this one did.
One of the decorations caught her eye and brought a sad smile to her face. It was a round ceramic piece, decorated with the colours of Sam's Captain America suit in the unsteady hand of a six year old. The back of the ornament had a thank you to Sam from one of the kids. During one of their trips to the town hall, Sam had found the little boy sitting alone and reading. The boy had been brought with a family friend who didn't seem to understand the kid at all, running off to do more 'fun' things with their own child while the boy sat alone and read as he occasionally glanced up at the families around him with a sad look. Sam had gotten the kid to open up and decorate the town hall tree with him, and by the end the kid had been all smiles. A few days later, he'd come by the town hall with his mom to give Captain America the ornament. It was her favourite decoration on the entire tree.
Unfortunately, it also reminded her that it was Christmas Eve - her first in this reality - and Sam was away. Saving the world, as always. And while she was so incredibly proud of him and all he'd done since taking up the shield, she couldn't help being a little sad he wasn't there.
Hell, nobody was. Not really.
Mikey and Quill had left for Missouri the week before.
Nat and Bucky had gone to some cabin in northern Europe.
Even Jack had gone to see his family for Christmas.
It was just her, a handful of guards and soldiers, Nebula and Rocket in the control room, and Bruce Banner down in the labs.
Wrapping her arms around her middle, she stared at Sam's ornament and blinked back a few tears. If she was going to be stuck alone, she might as well make the most of it.
Shaking off her sadness, she crossed the room to the kitchenette and put some water in the kettle to make hot chocolate. When the water had boiled, she quickly stirred in the chocolate, added cinnamon, and threw an extra large dollop of whipped cream on the top for good measure, then went back to the couch.
The last time she'd watched White Christmas while drinking hot chocolate had been the year before losing Maya. If anything, being alone in the MCU seemed like as good a reason as any to continue it in her foster sister's name. It would be interesting to see if there were any differences in the movie or not, and she could have a good chuckle at them in Maya's honour. Maybe some references to Captain America during the war? Maya would have absolutely loved that.
Almost as soon as the opening credits finished and the movie started, she noticed the posters featuring Steve Rogers in the background and her mind wandered to her sister. If this reality had a version of Maya, Alex hadn't been able to find her. Not that she was sure MCU Maya would even be remotely the same person. But at least in her memories, the Maya she'd known would live on and continue to bring a smile to her face. Like now, as she watched their favourite Christmas movie.
Two hours later, Alex found herself curled up on the couch under a blanket, fighting sleep. Somehow she'd managed to stay awake through the whole movie, despite sleep starting to call loudly after hearing Bing Crosby singing Counting Your Blessings. As much as she loved the movie and loved the song, it was the perfect song - sung in gentle, dulcet tones - to make her realize just how little sleep she'd managed to get without Sam’s comforting presence next to her. And now that the movie was over, she had nothing to focus on and the pull was even harder to resist.
So she snuggled tighter in her blanket and adjusted the cushion under her cheek to a more comfortable angle. Would her bed have been more comfortable? Sure. But she wasn't convinced she'd make it that far. A quick cat nap to recharge would do the trick, though, she was sure.
While it normally took a while to relax, Alex found that as soon as her eyes drifted shut, her whole body felt heavy and sleep didn't just call, it screamed. Loudly.
Her eyes had barely shut when music penetrated the fog of sleep. Blinking her eyes open, she glanced at the clock.
Past midnight, longer than she'd thought. Slowly, something penetrated the fog of sleep in her brain.
I'll be home for ChristmasYou can plan on mePlease have snow and mistletoeAnd presents on the tree
If you asked Alex, you couldn't beat some classic Christmas music for the holidays. A little Bing Crosby or Ella Fitzgerald never failed to make her smile during the holidays. Memories of baking Christmas cookies, watching Christmas movies, and having fun with Maya flooded her sleep-addled mind as her eyes drifted shut again.
Christmas Eve will find meWhere the lovelight gleamsI'll be home for ChristmasIf only in my dreams
It was funny, she didn't remember putting music on before falling asleep, but she wouldn't put it past her to have something like that slip her mind.
"Lexie."
She barely registered Sam's soothing baritone, though on some level she imagined he was calling her to get some damn sleep. Just like she'd told him that first night in the common room oh so long ago. A soft grin pulled at the corner of her lips and she nestled closer to the pillow, imagining she could smell his cologne.
Something tickled the side of her cheek and, instinctively, she leaned into it with a sigh.
"Must be really tired, huh, baby," Sam chuckled.
For a minute she didn't even register the words, but when she did her eyes snapped open to see Sam smiling down at her, his fingers stroking softly along her cheek. Even in the dim light of the Christmas tree and the TV, he looked incredibly handsome in his Captain America uniform as he knelt next to the couch.
Biting down on her grin, she sat up and launched herself into his arms with an excited laugh. Every last speck of exhaustion had been chased away by the pure joy of seeing him. "You're back," she muttered, burying her grin in the crook of his neck.
"Miss me?" he teased, one hand tangling itself in her hair as he held her close.
"Maybe," she chuckled as she pulled back to smile up at him. Those golden brown flecks in Sam's eyes were even richer in the light from the tree, twinkling with every colour of the rainbow. She hadn't meant to fall asleep with the tree on, but she had to admit she was kind of glad she had if this was her reward. One hand slipped from around his neck to toy with the short hairs of his beard as she bit down on her grin. The uniform was a little worse for wear, patches of dirt dotted his skin, along with a few cuts and bruises. But he was home. "You look like shit."
Sam's rich laughter brought warmth to her chest, and when his darkened eyes lit on hers that warmth travelled further south; the closeness, the days without seeing him, it all compounded into a deep-seated need in the pit of her stomach. "Long mission. You wanna help me get cleaned up?" he asked, fingers tracing light patterns at the small of her back. His other hand cupped her cheek, thumb running along her lower lip.
That lack of impulse control crept up on her without warning as she feigned scandal as dramatically as possible. "Captain America propositioning a strange woman in the middle of the night? Think of the optics!"
Though the corner of his mouth quirked up in obvious amusement, Sam cocked his head and gave her the look she'd come to associate with him trying his best to look bothered. "Lexie."
"What? It's shocking that Captain America would-."
Sam cut her off with a kiss.
One she gladly melted into as he pulled her flush against his body. Even fresh from a mission, she still tasted cinnamon and coffee on his lips, and couldn't stop the soft moan that escaped her; nothing tasted better than Sam's kisses. Though there was barely any space between them, she pressed closer with a lofty sigh. Her body felt weightless, any remnants of her exhaustion gone as her need for him increased with every press of his lips and every swipe of his tongue. Between them, she felt the evidence of Sam's growing desire pressing against her.
"Bedroom," she groaned.
In one graceful movement, Sam dropped an arm behind her knees, swept her into his arms, and stood while she laughed into his kisses. "Merry Christmas, Lexie."
Alex leaned forward and rubbed the tip of her nose softly against his as he carried her back to their room. "Merry Christmas, Captain."
For the @marvel-oc-hub Pride event, based on the prompt "Expand the rainbow". Katie's sexuality is heteroflexible.
Summary: Katie's having a bad day - ADHD overwhelm, General Ross snapping at her, drop, forget, one thing after the other. Can Sam cheer her up?
Rating: General
Warnings: Swearing, ADHD overwhelm, ADHD meltdown, mentions of PTSD
Word count: 1448
Notes: Neurodivergent OC. Also, Speed is a classic and I will hear no slander.
Thanks to @azriona for reading through before I posted :)
Tagging @taciturntraveller because it's Katie, lol.
Almost the second the door closed behind her, Katie's shoulders sagged in relief. The apartment in Avengers Tower was her sanctuary, the one place that stress and worry couldn't penetrate. In the time they'd been together, she and Sam had made it home, from the bright paintings hanging on the wall that tickled her ADHD to the engineering and mechanics texts that lined the bookshelves. Even the bedroom was a testament to their personalities: on her side, an end table scattered with jewellery, paper, a knife, one bullet for some reason she'd long forgotten, and an open drawer filled with clutter; on Sam's side, cleanliness, closed drawers, clean surfaces, and a clock set to the right time.
Katie smiled half-heartedly.
Sometimes she wondered how Sam put up with her chaos.
Kicking off her shoes, she padded her way to the kitchen and pulled out all the ingredients she'd need to make a quick and easy pesto pasta, then turned on the stove. As she poured the pasta into the pot and started stirring, more of the stress from the day melted away.
Ross had stopped by the tower and gone apeshit over their latest mission in the Alps. Especially over Katie's little side quest to the Nexus.
Reckless.
Stupid.
All kinds of blah blah blah had spewed from Ross's mouth.
It wasn't the tirade itself that necessarily bothered her. At least not on the surface. It was more the straw that broke the camel's back.
Katie'd never understood that expression. Was it supposed to be why some camels had two humps? Did camels carry straw often? Why would one tiny piece of straw break its back?
The water boiling over brought her back to the present.
"Shit!"
She pulled the pot away from the heat, cleaned what she could, and started over on a new burner at a much lower heat.
Ross always acted like a self-righteous annoying shithead, lording shit over everyone on the team in one way or another. For all Katie cared, he could spend the whole damn day belittling her and she wouldn't bat an eyelash.
On top of that, she'd gone out earlier with Nat and it had been Pride flags everywhere to celebrate Pride Month. While people were busy picking through the merch, joyously pulling flags from across the rainbow and displaying them proudly, not a single place had carried the heteroflexible flag. It was invalidating and heavy in a way she couldn't even begin to describe, just a nagging voice in the back of her mind telling her her feelings weren't just or right. People she'd never met somehow judging her without ever holding a conversation.
It built throughout the day. Little things mostly - a dropped straw, fumbling with her keys, forgetting her cellphone. Each one pushing her temperature higher, just edging the danger zone.
Then Ross had jumped down her throat.
And she snapped.
The arrogant prick had no idea what she'd needed at the Nexus, he just liked to complain. Especially when it came to her, every little ADHD quirk she had seemed to piss him off.
And to make things worse, Sam was off in New Orleans visiting his sister and nephews. If Sam had been there, she was sure he would've caught it before she went off and calmed her down in some subtle way. Maybe. There was a slim chance he would've been just as pissed at Ross.
Katie pushed out an angry breath, willing herself not to get worked up again as she stared at the dancing pasta noodles in her pot. Little bubbles pushed them up to the surface, and they'd float back down, only to be picked up again. The movement was almost soothing and Katie tried her breathing exercises as she watched the pot.
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she realised that normal people counted sheep to relax, and there she was counting tiny pieces of rigatoni.
When the noodles were nearly done, she put the colander in the sink.
Another minute passed, and when she was satisfied with the state of the noodles - al dente was not her thing, she preferred a much softer noodle - she brought the pot to the sink and tipped it over the colander. Without thinking she reached up to help a stuck noodle and burnt her finger on the metal, dropping the pot into the sink with a loud clang. Noodles flew everywhere.
"Son of a fucking bitch!"
Tears pricked her eyes at the sight of the mess, but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath through her nose. Sam had shown her the technique ages ago, part of PTSD relaxation exercises he'd learned, and it seemed like it worked for her emotional dysregulation as well. She held the breath for four seconds, then slowly released. And repeated the exercise until she wasn't on the verge of angry tears.
After a quick clean, she put the surviving noodles in a bowl, mixed in some cheese, pesto, and veg, then made her way to the couch for a night of shitty action movies until Sam's nightly call.
An hour later the number thirty-three bus was speeding down the freeway. The acting was terrible, the plot was loose at best, but you couldn't beat a young Keanu Reeves in 90s grunge clothing trying to save a busload of people from evil Dennis Hopper. As the LAPD pulled up alongside the bus, she heard the apartment door open and fought against rolling her eyes. It had to be Nat, coming to check on her now that Ross had left. Who else would just walk right in like that, with Sam out of town?
"I'm fine, Nat." The woman was a damn ninja, no wonder she knew the apartment door code. Either that or she had JARVIS to blame. "Seriously, just let me eat my carbs in peace."
There was no reply from the entry, nor did the sound of footsteps reach Katie's ears. But that didn't mean Nat had left.
Katie opened her mouth and started to turn around, when a teddy bear appeared in her field of vision. It was a light brown bear, only a few inches tall, and in its hand was a heart with the heteroflexible flag on it. Attached to the bear was a familiar hand, then an arm, finally a smiling Sam.
"Hey, baby."
All her worries melted away into her first genuine smile all day. "You're home early."
"And you are uncharacteristically still," he replied, walking around the couch as she put her pasta down on the coffee table. He dropped down next to her and pulled her sideways into his arms. "Natasha told me what happened."
"Did she also tell you I made a mess in the kitchen?" she sighed, tucking in against his chest. She draped a lazy arm around his waist and closed her eyes, drinking in the smell of Old Spice and coffee; the distinctly 'Sam' scent calmed her further. "I cleaned it. I mean, hopefully I got it all. I just...."
Sam dropped a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "Don't worry about it," he murmured into her hair. "You okay?"
She nodded against his chest. "Better now." From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the bear where Sam had dropped it on the couch cushion, and reached for it. The fur was softer than she'd expected, and for a moment she lost herself in the feeling of her fingers rubbing into it. Of Sam's breath tickling the hairs on the top of her head. Somehow every feeling that she was less than, that she wasn't valid was pushed away by the bear. If she was valid and worthy in Sam's eyes, did it really matter what faceless strangers thought? "Where did you even find this?"
"Trade secret," he chuckled. "You like it?"
Katie bit down on her grin. "I don't know how you do it, Sam, but it's perfect." Angling her head up, she met his gaze. "Thank you."
Sam's fingers caressed her cheek, pulling a sigh that carried all her remaining troubles away. "You know I got you, Katie." With a soft kiss - or two or three - he laid back down on the sofa and pulled her with him.
As she tucked in against his side, she tried to focus on the movie, but with the weight of the day's emotions finally lifted, sleep didn't just call, it screamed. Her eyelids drooped lower and lower, not even the action on the TV could override the way Sam's gentle murmurings lulled her further under.
Also available on A03 under the same name. First time posting a story so please don't be too harsh.
I will try to post fortnightly.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/63692560
Chapter 1:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
I love storms. Love watching huge, ominous clouds roll in off the ocean. Love the feel of rain on my skin. Love the rumbling of thunder like the beating drums of great big giants in the sky. Love the striking patterns lightning leaves as it arches across the clouds. Most of all I love the wind. Ever since I was a child I've loved the wind. I love the howling, like the song of wild animals. I love watching twirlie devils scooping up leaves and ruffling hair. And most of all, when it's at its peak, feeling like one of those leaves as it blows you off your feet.
I have fond memories of walking home with my mum and being swept up in a gust, her hand strong and steady as I flap like a weird ass flag, giggling my head off, feeling like if I let go of her hand I would just fly away.
I smile to myself as I look out into the ocean, watching the sun set, boats silhouetted on the horizon with their tiny shimmering lights, and where the horizon meets the sea huge, black, clouds like the Nothing from the Neverending Story roll towards me.
The ocean is churning, roaring waves crashing loudly as rain comes down steadily, a rhythmic tempo as it hits someone's tin roof. Though not strong, gusts of wind swirl around me, trees swaying like they're dancing. And I join in, half humming half singing the lyrics to dancing in the rain as I do just that.
The sun dips below the clouds and dusk becomes night, the rain starts pouring down in buckets. The wind is stronger, feeling like hands pulling me out into the inky black ocean. I make the executive decision to go home.
Trudging back through the storm is more taxing than I expected, the side paths have gone slippery with mud so I opt to walk on the road in an attempt to avoid going ass up. The rain is coming down so heavily it feels like pins falling from the sky, made worse by the biting gusts of wind, tearing at me from all directions, the temperature dropping fast.
“Jesus fuck , why is it so cold all of a sudden!? I live in the tropics! What I wouldn't kill for a warm fire and hot chocolate right now..”
I'm about a block away from my house when a strong gust hits my back knocking me back off my feet, my head cracking hard against the curb.
I’m a dumbass… but that storm was gorgeous coming in..
Everything goes dark.
I feel like I'm underwater, I just float, my thoughts slow and sluggish, and I open my eyes. I see nothing but dark around me except light above me, looking like a glistening gem. I just float, watching the light above be, Idly thinking if I'm meant to go towards it or what.
When a shadow passes overhead my brain catches up, I exhale in shock, I'm actually underwater and need to breathe, need to breathe,needtobreath!
I desperately swim up, gasping and wheezing as I break through.
I just float there for a moment, catching my breath.
“What the actual fuck just happened” I mutter to myself, I look around seeing small boat and endless ocean. Too open it just keeps going on forever!
toomuchsky!toomuchsea!toomuchemptyspace
“Hey you ok?” A boyish voice calls out, pulling me out of my panic.
I look over to see a guy wearing a worn red vest and straw hat, looking at me with a mix of concern and confusion.
“Honestly I don't know, is it ok if I hitch a ride?”
“Sure thing!” He grins sunnily at me, then he reaches out and his arm stretches unnaturally, hoisting me up and out of the water and into the boat. My mouth hangs open in sheer shock at that.
I must have hit my head pretty hard.. I rub the back of my head feeling a decent lump.
“I think I probably have a concussion,tsitsitsi, I swear your arm just stretched like a bungee cord…” I chuckle awkwardly
“Shishishi. Yeah it did, cause I’m a rubber man!” I feel my eyes bulge as he pulls on his cheek and it streaches, and streaches, and streaches. What the fuck! How!? I pause, properly taking in the guy in front of me. He's so unassuming, messy black hair, tanned skin, dark brown eyes with a scar under his left eye. His clothes are pretty commonplace for coastal areas, but it's straight out of the pages of the manga, scuffed sandals, old jean shorts, faded red vest and worn straw hat.
“No way, w-what?” I mutter, what the fuck, what the actual living fuck!? No fucking way this is real, am I having a lucid dream? Yeah lets go with that, this is just a disturbingly vivid dream. No fucking way is Monkey D fucking Luffy sitting infront of me right now! I'm legitimately freaking out. Am I having a panic attack? Maybe? Almost? Probably
“Shishishi, you're really weird!” He says laughing “I’m Monkey D Luffy! Who’re you?”
“Y-yeah a-a lot o-of people th-think I'm w-weird. I-I’m Tahere Dy-Dynasty ” Between my anxiety and the chill from the storm I start stuttering and stumbling over my words.
“Nice to meetcha Tahere D Dynasty!” I'm sort of on auto pilot at this point.
Wait no thats not-
“Heey do you wanna join my pirate crew?” His grin widening.
I slump tiredly “Yeah s-sure, why n-not” I obviously have no control over whatever the fuck dream I'm having right now, might as well go along with it
“Yes! I got my first crew mate!” He yells, pumping his fist in the air. “What a great day!”
Wait first? How early in the series am I? I then notice the boat we're in is moving on its own. Looking around, please no… There it is, a great big fuck off whirlpooI sucking us in faster and faster!
“U-um captain..”
“Shishishi, you called me captain!”
“We're ah.. being sucked into a whirlpool”
“Hmm oh, whoops… I guess I was a little careless..” He laughs “Oh well, can't be helped, down we go.”
“Wait what!? nonononono!” I grip the sides of the boat screaming as we're sucked down into the vortex of swirling water, Luffy laughing the whole way down.
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Silent'Voice, The Maiden of Grace Without a Voice.
Silent'Voice, of the ToH AU.
(Talons Of Hope)
(I smacked the "Not Yours" up there to discourage theft of my oc and the artist's art. ^ ^)
Timeline: Alive through time of "Darkstalker Rising" all the way to the modern times of "The Council" rp.
Silent'Voice,
(Art in the pic is by Endy)
Lesbian
Mute
Poor Vision
ADHD, Autistic, OCD, Depression. (I have all of these mental disabilities myself, and I support others who have these, too,)
Enhanced Futuresight, fire resistant (Bloodred egg).
Nightwing/Mudwing/Rainwing
Silent'Voice hatched on a night of full moons, not enough to give her thrice-moonborn powers, but enough for enhanced foresight. The moons shone above her nest, out in the canopy, on the very border of the Rainwing and Mudwing Kingdoms, her egg turning a light pink color instead of the blood red it once was. She didn't hatch with her mother there, her mother was busy attending royal matters.
Silent'Voice was named after her mother got back, and found the dragonet sitting quietly in some ferns beside the nest. And it eventually hit Sepia, that her dragonet was actually mute. And couldn't squeak, chirp, gawk, or garble at her.
Silent'Voice is the daughter of her mother, Sepia, and her father who left, Caimen.
Sepia is the daughter of a Nightwing princess, who ran, and had a dragonet with a Rainwing, however Sepia still came to royal matters of the Nightwings, and helped her niece, Queen Vigilance, with royal matters.
Over time Silent'Voice learned to use her talons to sign to other dragons, or she would point, nod, shake her head, tilt her head at what she was trying to say or signal at, or she would draw, or write it out on scrolls and slates, and eventually, books.
Silent'Voice's childhood was pretty calm, and sure she got picked on in school for being mute, or for her vision, or for her being from three tribes, but that didn't bother her at all, she just kind of minded her own business, and kept to herself, and doing well in school.
A lot of her classmates didn't even pass school when Silent'Voice did, and were mad when Silent'Voice graduated first, and not them.
Silent'Voice took to writing mostly, after graduating from her school, like writing stories, and also mostly artwork as well, drawing, painting, and she also writes poetry.
Silent'Voice grew up in a time, during the King's takeover, King Darkstalker, and she grew up in a society, where he ruled Pyrrhia, however due to her being mute, and her poor eyesight, the King saw her as defective.
She was only spared as a royal, due to her foresight and her being a Nightwing.
Eventually Silent'Voice had found some friends, like a Seawing around her age, who was of royal blood, and an animus, named Azure. Azure gave Silent'Voice a gift, that would keep her alive even after Darkstalker's time, the reason this gift was the way it was, is unknown. What exactly all it does, is unknown to all but Azure and Silent'Voice.
Silent'Voice keeps the gift well hidden, and reveals it's secrets to no one.
Silent'Voice has never really had a lover or anything, but she wonders if it will happen eventually, she'd love to try that out, having someone to love and care for, for once, maybe.
Gonna post my DMC fanfic on here in a bit. Yes, it takes place in the anime and yes, my OC is Black/BIPOC, Neurodivergent, and Queer. So if that's something of your interest, your in luck 👀
