#fandombingo

The late afternoon sun was high in the sky by the time Henry finally locked the doors and headed home. He had spent the entire day rearranging exhibits, giving lectures, and fielding endless questions, but all the while, his thoughts drifted back to you. His wife. His very pregnant, stubbornly independent wife.

He worried constantly. He’d built his life on bones and theories, but you were something he could never study or measure, only cherish...and protect.

When he let himself into the house, he expected to find you resting on the sofa, curled beneath the quilt he always left ready for you. Maybe with a mug of tea he’d brewed that morning before leaving.

But the silence was strange.

He set his satchel down slowly, listening. A soft clatter drifted down the hallway, and his stomach dropped.

“Sweetheart?” His voice was careful and worried all at once.

No answer.

Henry strode quickly toward the nursery. The door stood half-open, and when he pushed it wider, the sight made his eyes soften marginally.

There you were. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, a screwdriver in hand, cheeks flushed, your rounded belly obvious under your dress. A half-assembled crib sprawled around you like the scattered remains of some primitive beast, bolts and wooden slats everywhere.

His breath caught in his chest.

“What,” he said softly, the word edged with disbelief, “do you think you're doing?”

You froze, eyes darting guiltily to his. “I...I just wanted to help. The baby will be here soon and I thought-”

“Help?” His voice sharpened, though the heat in it was born of the need to keep you safe. He stepped fully into the room, throat working as he crouched down in front of you. “You are nine months pregnant. You should be resting, my love, not on the floor.”

His hand trembled slightly as he brushed it over your cheek, down your arm, and then to your belly, cupping the swell with care. “You could have told me you wanted the crib built. I'd have come home early if you'd only called me.”

You pouted softly, defensive. “Henry, I just wanted to do something. You never let me-”

“Never let you?” His eyes flared, a mixture of exasperation and desperate love. He kissed your forehead, quick and firm, before pulling back to meet your gaze. “Darling, you are already doing everything. You’re carrying our child. You’re building our family with every breath you take. Do you think there is any task, any museum exhibit, or crib or fossil, that matters more than that?”

Your throat tightened, tears threatening. He looked so undone, kneeling there with his tie loose and his hands spread protectively over your body.

Henry exhaled shakily, then sighed. “You will drive me to an early grave.” And with surprising ease, he slid his arms beneath you, lifting you off the floor despite how pregnant you were..

“Henry!” you squeaked, clutching his shoulders.

“Shh,” he murmured, carrying you over to the rocking chair in the corner of the nursery. He set you down carefully, smoothing your dress, tucking a stray hair behind your ear. His hands lingered at your belly again, palms broad and steady. “You sit. You tell me what you want for dinner. You tell me if you need water, tea, or, hell, ten pillows. And I will finish this crib.”

Your lips curved, tender despite your embarrassment. “You’re really not going to let me help at all, are you?”

“Not even if you beg,” he said firmly, though his voice softened when he leaned down to kiss you again. “My job is to keep you safe. Both of you.”

Henry’s shoulders flexed beneath his shirt as he crouched by the crib, steady and meticulous, tightening each bolt with the same focus he gave to mounting priceless fossils in the museum. Every so often, he glanced at you in the rocking chair to make sure you were okay.

When the crib finally stood whole, polished and sturdy, he wiped his brow and then knelt beside it. Large hands smoothed over the railing, testing it, before one spread over your belly again.

“There,” he murmured, leaning close, lowering his voice as he kissed the swell of your belly. “Safe and strong. Just like your momma.” His hands brushed your stomach tenderly. “And when you’re finally home, little one, you’ll sleep here. Surrounded by every comfort we can give you.”

Your throat tightened, watching him, this brilliant, serious man made softer than you’d ever seen.

He stayed that way for a while, one palm against your belly, talking to your baby. That he’d teach them about bones and the history of the world, that he’d keep both of you safe. His voice grew husky at the end, and he pressed one more kiss against you before standing to tuck a blanket neatly into the crib.

Over the next few days, he grew almost feverish with preparation.

When you suggested hiring someone to help, Henry refused. “No one else,” he’d said lowly, before softening when he saw your look. “No one else is worthy of building this for you both.”

He came home from the museum each evening with bags tucked under his arms, rolls of wallpaper patterned with tiny, multicolored dinosaurs, stacks of children’s books with fossil illustrations, plushies shaped like triceratops, stegosaurs, and even a plush T. Rex whose grin made you giggle.

Henry didn’t laugh. He smoothed the toy’s head with surprising tenderness. “He’ll guard the baby,” he said firmly, setting the plush at the corner of the crib like a sentinel.

The wallpaper went up under his steady hands, painstakingly aligned while he refused to let you so much as stand on a stepstool. He would stop every few minutes, checking on you in the rocking chair, pressing a glass of water into your hand or brushing a kiss across your temple.

By the time the nursery was finished, it was a pale green sanctuary filled with prehistoric wonder, tiny fossils painted along the trim, shelves lined with books and plush dinosaurs, and a mobile of pterodactyls hung gently over the crib.

You sat back in awe, tears filling your eyes. “Henry…it’s beautiful.”

He stood in the doorway, tie loosened, hands still dusty from his work, and looked at you like you were the only thing that mattered in the world. “And you...,” he murmured, crossing to kneel at your side. His hand spread over your belly, his forehead brushing yours. “You’re beautiful. You and our precious baby, and I can't wait to spoil you both even after they're born.”

Later that night, you lay in bed, shifting again, sighing when another little kick jabbed at your ribs. The sheets felt too hot, your body too heavy, and sleep wouldn’t come. You didn’t want to disturb Henry, he’d worked himself ragged between the museum and fussing over you all day, so you carefully slipped out from under the covers and padded softly into the living room.

The couch welcomed you, cushions arranged into a nest you’d perfected over the last few weeks. You curled up as best you could, rubbing a hand over your restless belly. “Alright, little one,” you whispered, “I know you’re excited, but your mama’s tired.”

You’d only just closed your eyes when you heard the bedroom door creak.

“Sweetheart?” Henry’s voice was low, but tight with worry. Moments later, his tall frame filled the doorway, hair mussed from sleep, his shirt unbuttoned halfway. His eyes swept the room until they landed on you, and he let out a relieved breath. “Thank God.”

He crossed to you immediately, crouching by the couch. “Why didn’t you wake me?” His hand brushed over your arm, then to your belly, checking you over.

“I didn’t want to bother you,” you admitted softly. “I just…I can’t get comfortable. And the baby’s been kicking nonstop.”

For a moment, his expression flickered, exasperation that you’d suffered in silence, fear that you’d slipped away without him knowing. But when he exhaled again, it was with pure tenderness. “Bother me? Darling, you are my every joy.”

He guided you gently, adjusting pillows with almost comical precision until you were supported on every side, your legs stretched, your back eased. Then, instead of returning to bed, Henry slid onto the couch beside you, one arm curling around your shoulders, the other resting over your belly.

“There now,” he murmured. “Both of you are exactly where you belong.”

When the baby kicked again, he smiled, lowering his head. He pressed a soft kiss against the curve of your stomach. Then another. And another, as if dotting the kicks themselves with affection.

“You’re keeping your momma awake, sweetheart,” he whispered, his lips brushing your skin between words. “She needs her rest, and so do you. You’ll have all the time in the world to wriggle and kick once you’re here. But for now…be still. Be gentle with her.”

His voice was low, soothing, almost hypnotic. He spoke to the baby about fossils and stars, about how fiercely he loved them already, about how he dreamed of carrying them through the museum one day and showing off the bones of creatures long gone. His hand rubbed slow circles over your belly, grounding you, easing the tension from your body.

Your eyelids grew heavy, the sound of his murmurs and the steady warmth of his hand lulling you. The last thing you felt was his lips pressing one final kiss against your bump, and his whispered vow:

“I will love you both until the end of time.”

Sunlight swept slowly into the living room, slipping between the curtains and warming the space in soft golden beams. You stirred, half-waking, your body still heavy with the best sleep you’d had in days.

For a moment you didn’t quite understand why, until you realized the weight against your side, the warmth of a hand still splayed protectively across your belly.

Henry.

He was slumped awkwardly on the couch beside you, his long frame bent at an angle. One arm pillowed his head, the other had never left you, fingers curled gently against the swell of your stomach as if even in sleep he refused to let go. His glasses were set neatly on the side table, you hadn’t even noticed him take them off last night.

You smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

Almost instantly, his eyes blinked open, sharp with worry before he saw you awake beside him. Relief softened his features. “Good morning, sweetheart,” he rasped, voice thick with sleep. He shifted upright quickly, checking you over with his hands. “How do you feel? Any pain? Any discomfort?”

You shook your head, still smiling. “Actually… better than I’ve slept in weeks.”

At that, his whole body seemed to exhale. He leaned forward to press a kiss to your forehead, lingering there. “Then this is where we’ll sleep from now on. The couch, the floor, a chair, it doesn’t matter. If you rest, I’ll rest.”

“Henry…” you laughed softly. “You can’t mean that.”

“I do,” he said firmly, straightening. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair tousled, but his eyes shone with unshakable devotion. “I’ll build you a nest of pillows right here every night if I must. I’ll fetch tea, warm milk, or anything else you desire. The bed is nothing compared to your comfort.”

Your heart squeezed. You reached for his hand, guiding it back to your belly. “You’re going to spoil us both.”

“Good,” he murmured, kissing your temple, then leaning down to press another kiss to the curve of your stomach. “You deserve nothing less.”

The baby kicked beneath his palm as if answering him, and Henry chuckled low in his throat, the sound rumbling against your skin. “See? Even they agree with me.”

Later that afternoon, Henry decided you needed air. So, he took you to the museum.

He insisted on driving you himself, fussing with your coat and scarf even though the day was mild. When you tried to argue that you could manage, he only fixed you with a look that ended the discussion instantly.

Inside, the museum was quiet, closed to the public that day. The familiar scent of polished wood and old stone wrapped around you like an embrace.

Henry guided you slowly through each hall, his hand never leaving yours until he stopped at an exhibit. Then, with ritualistic care, he would step behind you, sliding one arm low across your belly. His palm spread beneath the swell, lifting just enough to take the weight off your aching back. You melted into the relief, sighing, and he pressed a kiss to your temple.

“There we go,” he murmured. “Better?”

“Much,” you whispered.

And then he began to talk, not to you, but to the baby.

At the fossilized Triceratops skull, his voice softened. “This one roamed the earth sixty-eight million years ago, little one. A herbivore. Strong, protective. Much like your mother.” He squeezed you gently, his lips grazing your ear.

At the towering skeleton of a sauropod, he chuckled, smoothing his hand over your belly. “See this giant? One of the largest creatures to ever walk the earth. Someday, I’ll teach you their names. I’ll show you every bone, every secret.”

Through each hall he spoke, patient and passionate, as if the baby could already understand every word. You leaned back against his chest, eyes half-closed, letting the cadence of his voice wash over you, the pressure on your spine easing under his careful support.

Finally, he led you out into the museum gardens. The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, dappling the gravel paths and flowerbeds. You stopped before a quiet bench, and Henry guided you down carefully, his hand still steady at your back until you were settled.

He knelt in front of you, broad hands cupping your belly. His forehead rested against it for a moment, his shoulders trembling as if overwhelmed.

“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice rough. He lifted his gaze to yours, eyes shining with emotion. “For this. For our baby. For giving me everything I never knew I needed. You and our little miracle...you are my whole world.”

Your throat tightened, tears gathering in your eyes as you stroked his hair.

He kissed your belly again, then your hands, then finally your lips, slow, gentle, filled with unspoken promises.

From the moment you discovered your pregnancy, your world has turned upside down in the best way. Though the first few months weren’t the easiest with how bad your morning sickness was, the rest of them were a breeze with the help and support of both Tony and your British shorthair, Oliver, and now your due date is rapidly approaching. In fact, the due date your OBGYN has given you is today - February 14th, 2025, and the nerves have definitely settled in with you both. Despite this, you still sent Tony to the bakery to help with the massive list of orders him and his team have gotten.

“Tony, I promise you that me, Oliver and our little Cupcake will be completely fine today. They really need your help at the bakery, so you should help them. And I’ll call you as soon as anything happens,” you tell your protective boyfriend as he’s in front of the door, slightly hesitant about leaving you on your due date.

“But what if you go into labour today?” he asks, his brows furrowed in worry.

“If that happens, you’ll be the first to know. Oliver will be with me the entire time so I won’t be alone, and we’re not that far away from the hospital if we need to head over there today,” you tell him, and he smiles at you before bending down and capturing your lips in a loving kiss, his hand on your large belly as he gently rubs it with his thumb.

“Okay. But I need you to call me as soon as anything happens. I love you,” he tells you before kissing you a few more times, and then kneeling in front of you to kiss your belly, too. Today, you opted to wear a dress that highlights your belly beautifully, with little hearts all over it in honor of Valentine’s Day.

“I love you too, Little Cupcake. And you better stay in there until I’m back!” he says with a smile, making you laugh as he kisses your belly, too. Talking to your baby and kissing your belly has become part of your daily routine throughout your pregnancy, and he can’t get enough of it each time, lingering a little longer than he should now that he’s going out the door and to the bakery.

“Meow,” you hear from behind you, followed by little footsteps on the wooden floor as Oliver makes his way to the hallway where you and Tony are standing.

“It looks like someone else would like a kiss, too,” you joke, and Tony happily says goodbye with a kiss to his chubby, happy-go-lucky cat Oliver before getting up and kissing you a few more times and finally heading out the door, though the thought of you possibly going into labour today isn’t leaving his brain for a single moment the entire time.

“Are you hungry, Oliver? Mommy surely is, so I’ll make you something for breakfast, too,” you tell Oliver as you walk into the kitchen, one hand on your stomach as you grab some of the foods you’re craving to make a delicious breakfast with, and the little feline happily trots behind you as he meows, making you smile. As you’re making your breakfast, you feel an odd sensation in your lower abdomen, similar to the period cramps you had before your pregnancy.

“Oh, fuck-” you curse as you try to breathe through the feeling of the cramp, your fingers clenching the kitchen counter as you try to locate your phone, and thankfully it isn’t that far away from where you’re standing. While you try to get through it, the realization of this possibly being labour settling in with every wave of cramps. Thankfully, it soon subsides and you call Tony to tell him something’s going on.

“Peach, is everything okay?” he asks after picking up on the second ring, worried as he walks out the back door of his bakery for a little privacy. Though all of his employees know you’re pregnant, he still likes to have some privacy on his phone calls, and with how busy it is in the bakery today, he doesn’t want to risk anyone overhearing anything they shouldn’t.

“I- I’m not sure, Tony. Can you- oh god!- come home, please? I think I need to- to go to the hospital,” you say between deep breaths, and he lets you know he’s on his way right now. Within seconds of hanging up he has ripped off his apron to head home, and he quickly instructs everyone who’s still working about what’s happening, before jumping in his car and going home as soon as possible.

As soon as he’s in the car he calls you back, and you gladly pick up after sitting down, the cramps now gone, though Oliver is still glued to your side as you’re on the couch waiting for Tony.

“I’m on my way, my sweet Peach. I’m in the car, so I should be home soon,” he says, and the entire time he talks to you, soothing you and reassuring you that everything will be okay. If it wasn’t for Tony, you’re not sure you would have been able to get through the agonizing minutes you’re now experiencing, but with his soothing voice in your ear, it is a lot more bearable.

The entire drive home, Tony’s nerves are growing with the knowledge that his baby is finally arriving, and he still can’t really believe it’s finally happening. Simultaneously, he’s enjoying every part of the process - from the moment your son was conceived, to doting on your every need when you were taking care of the growing human inside your belly, until now - he wouldn’t want to miss it for the world.

“I’m here, Peach. I’m going to hang up for a moment and run upstairs to grab everything I need, okay?” he asks, and you hum in response, the last contraction you had slowly subsiding. While they’re not too bad yet, you’re definitely noticing that they’re intensifying quickly, and it’s making you increasingly anxious for everything that’s still to come.

Tony quickly unlocks the front door before running in to find you on the couch where you have been waiting with Oliver since calling him, and you’ve rarely been happier to see your sweet baker’s face.

“How’re you feeling?” he asks as he kneels by your side, his hand on your belly as he looks you over. Oliver bumps his head against Tony’s large hand, and he looks over at the feline before scratching him behind the ears just like he loves.

“As good as can be expected while in early labour,” you joke with a half-smile, and your boyfriend chuckles before nodding and placing a quick kiss on your forehead. Then, he runs into the large bedroom to grab the hospital bag that has been prepared two weeks ago, waiting for this very moment.

“Let’s go have a baby!” Tony says enthusiastically as he walks back into the living room, his happy demeanor making you smile before getting up, which is easier said than done. Thankfully, you have Tony’s help, and after a last goodbye to Oliver - who will be taken care of by your best friend and coworker Wanda in your absence - you’re finally heading to the hospital.

That night, at 9:33 PM on Valentine’s Day, you’re officially meeting the little human you’ve been growing for the past nine months. From the moment he was lying in your arms, you felt complete, and it has been worth every excruciating minute of labour to see the baby you have made with the love of your life.

“So, do you two have a name for him yet?” the nurse asks, and you and Tony immediately look at each other, knowing you’re thinking the exact same thing.

“Liam,” you say at the same time, and Tony’s trying his hardest not to cry.

“We decided his name will be Liam Alexander Stark,” Tony says as he gently kisses your forehead, not caring about the hair sticking to it. He thought he had known true love before, but it isn’t until this moment that he realizes the true meaning of it. As you’re holding baby Liam, he’s overwhelmed with happiness as he lets his tears flow. He’s not a man of many tears, but he really cannot help himself.

“I love you both so much,” he whispers as he looks at Liam, and you nod in agreement.

“I love you both so much as well,” you say as you gently rub Liam’s rosy, chubby cheek with your thumb. He’s the perfect copy of his dad, and you couldn’t be prouder as you can’t stop staring at him. You’re officially a family of four, and you’re looking forward to everything life will have in store for you from this moment on.

The birth of your son has taken a big toll on you, and when you’re taking a well-deserved nap - Liam being asleep right next to you - Tony is working on a surprise. After some talking with the nurse, he has gotten permission to decorate your hospital room for Valentine’s Day, since you couldn’t have the relaxing night at home that you expected. Wanda quickly dropped off some decorations, as well as a large bouquet of your favorite flowers and your favorite coffee that you’ve been craving your entire pregnancy.

The flowers are beautifully displayed in a vase Wanda brought as well, and just as Tony is hanging up the last heart-shaped garlands you’re slowly waking up. For a moment, you’re not sure what you’re looking at as you’re looking all around you, the room being transformed completely.

“Tony, what have you done to the room?” you ask sleepily, and he turns around with a broad smile as he hears your soft, sleepy voice.

“Well, since we didn’t get the Valentine’s Day we planned, I thought I’d bring the celebration here instead. I know it’s already past midnight for us, but it’s still Valentine’s Day somewhere! I asked Wanda to bring some decorations, your favorite flowers-” gesturing towards the large bouquet on the side of your bed, “and the coffee you’ve been wanting for months now.”

“I- But- Oh my god…” is all you can say as tears cloud your vision, your hormones still in overdrive after giving birth. In an instant, Tony is by your side, pulling you against his side as he’s seated on the edge of your hospital bed.

“Happy Valentine’s Day, my beautiful Peach. And thank you for making it the best Valentine’s Day ever,” he says as you wipe your tears, sniffles filling the room while he presses soft kisses on top of your head.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” you whisper before tipping your head to capture his lips in a soft, loving kiss. Your heart swells with love as you look into his eyes, love and adoration shining through as he looks at you.

“I want to thank you for the most beautiful gift sleeping so peacefully over there,” Tony says after you’ve basked in the closeness for a few minutes, breaking the silence with one of the most heartfelt words he’s ever said.

“You don’t have to thank me, Tony. He’s the best gift we have ever gifted each other. He’s the result of our love, and he’s going to make our lives so much richer.”

As if he knows you’re talking about him, he starts to stir awake, causing Tony to get up and give him to you, as it’s the perfect time to give him a feeding. You’ll be on bed rest for the first week, which means you can take care of his every need whenever possible, and you’re looking forward to every minute you get to spend with your son in your arms. While you breastfeed Liam, Tony is finishing the decorating of the room, and then it’s finally time for the coffee date Tony has arranged.

“I’ve missed this so much,” you say after your first sip of coffee and the first bite of the most delicious cinnamon roll you’ve had in a long time. Near the end of your pregnancy, your OBGYN advised against drinking coffee, so now that you’ve given birth, it feels like a gold medal at the end of a long race, the warm liquid filling you from the inside out. A hum of appreciation fills the air as you take another sip, your son now happily sleeping in your arms.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying your coffee, Peach. You’ve earned it,” Tony says before bending towards you and placing a soft kiss on your cheek, making you chuckle as the facial hair tickles your cheek. The rest of the night is spent bringing up memories, but also FaceTiming your parents as they don’t live close to New York. While your mom burst out in happy tears at the sight of Liam, your dad couldn’t stop saying how proud he is of you, and how much he looks like Tony.

During your week of bed rest, Tony divides his time between the hospital with you and Liam, and at home to take care of Oliver as well as shower and change clothes, but each time he comes back with a small gift for you as a token of his love and appreciation. From flowers to a beautiful necklace with your son’s initials on it, and a teddy bear that has recorded his voice as he sings a lullaby, it all brings you to happy tears in the best way possible.

But now, after a week of lying in bed in the hospital, you’re finally allowed to go home and live your life as the family of four that you’ve dreamt of becoming for the past nine months.

“Welcome home,” Tony says as he opens the door for you, Liam happily sleeping in the carrier your boyfriend is holding. Though you’re still walking a bit uncomfortable, you’re happy to be home again. The house smells like Tony, and you can’t help but smile when he swats your butt playfully on your way in. Then, as soon as the door falls into the lock, you hear the meows you’ve been missing; Oliver is trotting over quickly to welcome you home, too.

“Hi, sweet baby! Have you missed your mama the past week?” you ask as he jumps against your leg to get some attention, his meows making you smile as you give him the attention he’s looking for.

“He has missed you, Peach - every time I walked in the door he went to check if you were walking through the door as well, and I swear he looked a little disappointed each time you weren’t with me,” Tony tells you as he gently puts the carrier down with Liam in it. Then, after checking if he’s still sleeping, he turns around to pick up Oliver as you’re not allowed to lift anything heavier than Liam.

“I missed you too, Bubba, it was not as fun without you there. But I’m sure you’re very excited to meet your little brother, aren’t you?” Oliver meows enthusiastically at the idea, making both you and Tony smile widely. You give the chubby feline a few kisses and extra scratches under his chin before getting comfortable on the couch, where you can hold Liam in order for Oliver to meet him.

The timing is perfect, as he just woke up again, and excitement runs through your veins as Tony grabs him from the carrier. He’s dressed in the cutest blue onesie with cats all over it, and a matching hat to finish his outfit. As soon as he’s in your arms, Oliver jumps onto the couch to inspect the little human in your arms, making you smile uncontrollably. What you don’t know is that Tony is taking plenty of pictures for you to look back on later, and to put together a photo album as well.

“This is your little brother, Liam!” you tell Oliver as he sniffs his head, being mindful to not hurt him in any way as he climbs onto your lap to get an even better look. Then, a soft meow finishes it off to let you know he approves of his little brother, his head bumping against the baby’s little fist. Then, Tony joins the three of you on the couch, gently stroking Liam’s cheek as he looks at the scene unfolding in your lap. This will be the first moment of many they’ll share together over the years, and you’re looking forward to seeing them grow up together, side by side and best friends from day one.

“Would you like for me to draw you a bath or turn on the shower? You can take as long as you need to freshen up in there and have some alone time,” Tony says as he tucks some loose hair behind your ear, making you smile and flush at the soft touch on your skin.

“I- I would love to take a shower, but-”

“But you don’t know if you can leave Liam for that long?” Tony finishes your sentence, and you nod as a feeling of shame washes over you for not wanting to be away from him. It’s not that you don’t trust Tony, because you trust him with your heart, soul and life, but it’s going to be difficult to not have him with you every second like in the hospital.

“Can you look at me, Peach?” he asks gently, and you do as he asks, meeting his dark brown, adoring eyes.

“I know it’s very difficult for you to be away from him, but I promise to take amazing care of him. If you want, I’m happy to sit in the bathroom with you as I feed him his bottle so you’re not away from him for too long, or we can postpone your shower a few more hours until you’re feeling ready. Right now, I want nothing more than for you to be comfortable with everything that’s going on, and I’m willing to do everything it takes to achieve that,” he tells you, which causes tears to gather in the corners of your eyes.

“I’ll be okay, Tony. It’s difficult, but I know he’s going to be in the best hands with you,” you tell him, and Tony answers with a small kiss on the tip of your nose. Tony then gives you one more kiss before getting up and running a shower for you, and putting out all the needed supplies and the comfiest pair of pajamas you own to change into after you’ve taken care of yourself in the shower. Tony takes Liam from you, and they both wave goodbye to you as you walk to the bathroom, making you smile widely.

“We love you, Mama! Have a good shower!” Tony says in a baby voice, as if he’s giving Liam his voice. You laugh out loud as you shake your head, your heart swelling with pride and love for the man you love. He’s the best father and most loving person you’ve ever met, and you’re constantly thankful to have given him the gift of a son. The entire time you’re in the shower, using every last product Tony has set out of your in your favorite scent - peaches - you can’t stop thinking about your boys, eager to get back to them as soon as you can.

As you step out of the shower, you hear Tony’s voice over the baby monitor, though you never would have expected to hear what you’re hearing now.

“You have an amazing mama, do you know that? She’s been very strong throughout the entire process of growing you, she’s loving, kind, sweet, and beautiful, too,” he says, an admiring tone in his words.

“And meeting her has been the best thing to have happened to me in a long time, too. Before your mama, I didn’t ever think I’d find love in this lifetime, and I had made peace with that, but she changed everything for me. She made me believe in true love, and I’ve met my soulmate in her, too. We’re all very lucky that we get to love her in our lifetime. And you, too. I’m lucky to be able to love you as well, my little Cupcake,” Tony says, making you tear up a little bit.

Your feet carry you through the hallway and to the nursery, where you find Tony - thick, broad, beefy, giant as he is - with Liam on his bare chest, doing some much-needed skin-to-skin contact. His eyes are closed as he hums a lullaby while rocking back and forth in the rocking chair, and you can tell Liam is completely in heaven as Tony’s heartbeat has calmed him down a lot. As you’re standing in the opening of the door, you decide to snap a few photos to look back on later.

Then, you can’t help but take a moment to admire your boyfriend’s amazing physique. From every ridge and muscle that’s on display, to the veins running all along his thick biceps and the small happy trail of dark hair leading into his pants, it’s a true sight for sore eyes. Suddenly, you’re snapped out of the rather dirty daydream you’re having about your boyfriend as your nickname rolls off his tongue in a sweet tone, giving you full-body goosebumps and cheeks that are on fire as you know you’ve been caught ogling.

“Would you like to stay there and stare at me holding Liam, or did you want to come in?” he asks, which intensifies the burn from your cheeks all the way down your neck, too, making him smile more and more with every step you take into the nursery where he’s sitting.

“What’s on your mind, Beautiful?” he asks as you’re seated on the windowsill, which has a few pillows on it to make it more comfortable.

“You and Liam,” you answer him honestly, and he smiles at the mention of the sleeping baby in his arms.

“I overheard you on the baby monitor that’s next to the bed, and I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being my best friend, the man I love and the best dad both Oliver and Liam could possibly have. I’m happy to have found you in this life, too, as it wouldn’t be nearly as fun without you in it. I love you, Tony,” you say before leaning in and capturing his lips in a kiss, one that has the butterflies in your stomach going wild as your heart beats faster with pure love.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the birth of your son, Liam, and Tony’s working hard on a do-over of the Valentine’s Day plans you two had. They've changed drastically when you went into labour, but now that things are finally settling into a comfortable routine, it’s finally time to make it a night to remember, though nothing will ever top the night Liam was born.

Tony has been busy in the kitchen for most of the afternoon while you’re taking care of Liam, preparing your favorite dish and dessert, as it will be all about you for the night. Oliver has been spending time wandering between the kitchen and the living room, trying to divide his attention, though he ultimately stayed with Tony as you were sure that he was feeding him little bits while cooking.

“I’m going to put Liam down for the night, so if you need me I’ll be in the nursery. He’s very sleepy and can barely keep his eyes open,” you say as you hold him close, his head lying on your chest and his eyelids falling shut constantly. Tony agrees before saying goodnight to Liam, and then you’re off, leaving Tony to finish dinner for the two of you. Seeing how tired he already is, he goes down without a struggle, sleeping nearly right away, though you still finish the singing of the lullaby you sing to him every night.

After checking if the baby monitor is on, you leave the nursery to spend some much-needed time with your boyfriend over the delicious dinner he has created. The past few weeks have been challenging as everyone has been adjusting to the new life, but the dust is finally settling and you couldn’t be happier.

“There she is, my beautiful, juicy Peach,” Tony says as he pulls you into a hug, your head lying against his chest as you let out a deep sigh. Your own arms snake around his waist as you take in the moment and the closeness, your heart settling in a slower rhythm right along Tony’s. You’re not sure how long you two stand there, but what you do know is that you missed these moments where it’s just the two of you, and you’re looking forward to a nice dinner together.

“I love you,” Tony whispers before tilting your head and capturing your lips in a kiss that’s filled with love and unspoken promises. The promise to grow old together, and to love each other through thick and thin. The promise to be by your side for the rest of your lives, and the promise to be there for one another no matter what curveball life throws at you. Then, it’s finally time for dinner, and your stomach growls with hunger as you’re sitting down, the smell of the food filling your nostrils.

During the dinner, you and Tony are reflecting on everything that’s happened the past few weeks, as well as bringing up memories from your pregnancy and the bakery. Oliver - who’s now wearing a bandana that proudly displays the words “Proud Big Brother” - meows every now and again to hopefully get some food, and you’ve never been able to say no to his cute, chubby little face and the sweet meows and purrs.

Once you’ve gotten through your starter and main course, it’s time for the dessert, which is one of Tony’s favorite recipes: brownies that have a thick, gooey caramel sauce in the middle and on top. They’re rich, decadent and extremely sweet, but extremely delicious.

“Shall we enjoy this on the couch while we watch a movie?” Tony suggests as he’s clearing the table, after telling you to stay seated so he can take care of every single thing tonight. You hum in approval before getting up and getting comfortable on the couch with a warm blanket and a cup of tea, your boyfriend soon following with the sweet dessert.

“I hope you’ll enjoy it,” he says as he hands you your piece, together with a fork to make it easier. As soon as he’s on the ouch, too, you get to pick a movie, and the dessert has never been better. While the movie continues in the background, you two have more talks about Liam when he’s grown up, and there’s one thought Tony can’t get out of his head.

“When he’s old enough, I would love to do a ‘take your kid to work day’, so he can see what we get up to all day in the bakery, as well as help with making some of the sweet treats that the bakery offers. Maybe he’ll wear a baker’s outfit, too, making him look adorable,” Tony says, and you can’t help but melt at the thought of him getting dressed as a baker together with Tony.

“I can’t wait for that day to be here-” is all you can say, but before you can finish your thought, your attention is pulled to the baby monitor on the table. Liam has woken up and is fussing a bit, so you decide to take a peek into the nursery to see if everything’s okay. Tony’s gaze is focused solely on the small monitor as you’re in there with your son, his smile not moving an inch as he sees you in your element.

“Shall we go and see how Dada’s doing, huh? Maybe get a few cuddles before sleepy time?” you ask him before walking towards the living room again, where Oliver is now happily purring away on Tony’s lap as he’s getting scratches.

“I think he wants to spend a little more time with us tonight,” you say as you walk over to the couch before settling into Tony’s side and getting ready to give Liam a breastfeeding, too. He’s all too happy to be eating again, and falls asleep during the nursing, making you smile immensely.

“He’s so precious, isn’t he?” you ask Tony, who nods in agreement.

“Just like his Mama,” Tony says, making you blush deeply again. The rest of the night is spent with many kisses, cuddles and words of love. Three weeks ago your lives changed in the best way possible, and today you’re sharing these moments with your son and cat, making you a loving family of four. One more dream can be crossed off your list, and you’re looking forward to everything life has to bring from here on out.

And one thing is for sure: you’ll be able to get through anything with Tony, Liam and Oliver by your side.

Well, Jack Howl and Ruggie Bucchi were about to die on Spiral Hill. Not by their Housewarden or some other disaster at Night Raven College, but by an ancient fae about to destroy them for several reasons that include letting the Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington, get away, mentioning Skully J. Graves, and insulting said powerful fae right in his face.

"This is all because you had to say something unnecessary and now Swing's totally lost it, hasn't he?!" Ruggie glared at his kouhai while dodging lightning and cosmic magic. 

Jack Howl rubbed the back of his head, still sore, along with Ruggie as they both ducked. "Honestly, even I didn’t expect him to get this angry!”

"Oh, ya think insulting him with the King of Halloween’s name wouldn't do anything?!" 

"Who are you calling pathetic?" Swing spoke as he stomped towards the two boys, causing them to back away with each step. "Who are you calling a loser? WHO SAID I COULDN'T DEFEAT SKULLY J. GRAVES?! Skully isn't even worth mentioning. The truth is, I was the one who won! And he ran away from me to a place I can never steal from!"

Both beastmen gulped, knowing full well that the fairy meant the afterlife, and they did not know how to feel about that. 

"I want Halloween no matter what." Swing continued seriously before his greed took over, and he grinned. "No, that's not all. I'll take Halloween, Christmas, everything, every last holiday! Mr. Swing will claim them all! Then, it will FINALLY be Mr. Swing's victory, won't it? Isn't that right?!" 

"... So, from the very start, you planned to hog every holiday for yourself? You WERE planning to use Oogie Boogie too, weren't you?!" Jack Howl growled. 

"Of course I was. That's what it means to be King of Desire, isn't it? EVERYTHING belongs to Mr. Swing! ALL OF IT!" Swing stretched out his arms wide as his centipede tattoo stretched out from his neck, clicking its mandibles together hungrily while Swing laughed maniacally. Before anyone could make a move, however, someone else spoke up. 

"I heard that just now... So THAT'S your true nature!" 

"Huh?!" Swing, Jack, and Ruggie turned to see Oogie Boogie coming out of nowhere, charging at the dark fairy.

"Oogie Boogie, why are you here?" Swing asked, genuinely surprised to see the Boogeyman out of his lair. He was so shocked that he did not notice a shadow pulling Jack and Ruggie away from him. 

"Jack! Ruggie-senpai! Are you okay?!" Deuce exclaimed as he rushed towards the students along with the rest of the group and Jack Skellington. 

"Deuce and everyone else, too." Howl grinned before wincing in pain, causing the shadow to retract its hand from his cheek. 

"You and Ruggie are completely beaten up," Silver noted in worry.

Lilia smiled at Ruggie, who huffed in annoyance. "Looks like Jack's voice managed to reach Ruggie after all."

"Well, this is annoying." The dark fairy deadpanned. "Why are you in a place like this? And with that Jack Skellington, you hate so much, no less. What about Santa? Christmas? What in the world is going on?!” 

Oogie crossed his arms, leaning towards Swing as he glared at the other. "I heard everything from these guys that you tricked me! Taking all the holidays for yourself, huh? Blowing me away and that I ain't fit to rule, right?!" 

"What? Tricked you? I would never do that to you, Mr. Oogie Boogie! You don't trust Mr. Swing?" Swing gasped and frowned, his ears drooping as his eyes watered in a creepy-cute way. All he earned was a dismissive stub. 

"SAVE IT! A little Spade and Shadow convinced me otherwise. I can't believe this. What a joke!" 

Cater chuckled along with Rook and Lilia when they watched the heated exchange take place, "There's no way he'd believe you now~!" 

"In the end, it seems you couldn't gain anyone's trust," Lilia added smugly. 

"Quietly admit your crimes and surrender!" Silver demanded, taking out a sword that he had borrowed from a giant Nutcracker in Christmas Town.  

"If you do it now, I'll forgive you by just giving you a tiiiiight squeeze~!" Floyd grinned while cracking his neck. As every human, beastman, monster, and other beings closed in on the fairy, Swing had a delayed reaction to a previous comment. 

"Wait... Little Shadow?" 

“Not anymore~!" Oogie cooed, stepping back as the shadow from before marched to Swing and poked Swing's chest. 

“How dare you...?” The shadow lifted its head, revealing a glaring Yuu from beneath the hood. “How dare you treat my friends so shamefully? Do you know who you are dealing with?!” 

“What’s this all of a sudden? Since when did you grow a backbone? Did Mr. Swing miss something?!"

Yuu pulled off the shadow jacket from their shoulders and threw it into the air, letting it disperse into bats. They wore a dark brown zoot suit with white pinstripes, a black buttoned shirt, a yellow and black striped tie, burlap patches all over the suit, a matching fedora with white trim, a long black and red skirt that resembled a roulette wheel, a bracelet on each wrist with spikes poking out that reminded Yuu of buzzsaws, and a familiar purple spider sitting right on top of their fedora. Their curly brown hair flowed with the movement. 

“I am Yuu Imamura of Ramshackle House,” Yuu stated with confidence as they pulled out a mage pen from their pocket and let Grim, who was wearing a black and white fedora, hop onto their shoulder. The NRC students smirked, Skellington clapped his hands, Oogie felt his ego grow instantly, and Swing’s face fell into an eye-twitching wall of envious disbelief. “Our dormitory is founded on the Creativity of the Boogeyman. We live our lives to the fullest and strive for the best experiences. It does not matter how odd we are. We come together to play games, eat feasts, and defeat any opponent. I do not need to be called great. I know we are the best by luck and skill alone.”

“Yer in trouble now, Swing! With my Hench-Human and the Boogeyman on our side, you’re gonna taste defeat by Grim the Great!” Grim boasted with a grin as he pointed to the fae. Yuu patted his head, then frowned as they hugged themselves, knowing their previous actions. 

“Jack Skellington, please tell Santa I’m sorry.” 

Skellington blinked, surprised. “Whatever for, Yuu?”

“I’m on the Naughty List and Boogie List. Not only for my desires and flaws, but for what I did and about to do. When Swing first did Switch the Doom, I noticed something familiar within me and remembered something. Before we opened the book, a friend of mine used his unique magic to keep an eye out for Grim and me. A part of that magic had traveled with us. Because of this, I found out that I have swapped my unique magic with him. Since you’d thought I would never have powerful magic like you or my peers, you overlooked me to the point that you didn’t notice I held onto the spell when you recast your magic.”

"You cheated?!" Swing frowned, recalling an itch that he had in Halloween Town when he recast his magic, but he thought nothing of it at the time. 

Yuu gave a somewhat tired grin, “It’s called a hustle, Sweetheart. Granted, it got me tired and woozy, but it'll be worth it. It took a spirit of Halloween to give me the tools to your weakness."

“And that would be?” 

Sensing what was about to happen, but somewhat unsure, Ruggie took out a pair of sparkling red dice from his pocket and threw them to Yuu while whistling. Yuu caught the dice, cupped them with both hands, and closed their eyes, concentrating their energy while praying for a holiday miracle. When they opened their eyes, the pupils were brown with a hint of green among them, while the rest were hollow.

“On the roll of the dice," Yuu and Oogie spoke out loud as Yuu shook the dice with both hands, and the full moon above them shone as bright as the sun. "Let’s live life and kick things up a notch! HIVE JIVE!" 

With a strong throw, the pair of dice flew a few feet away, landing just below Spiral Hill with the moon shining on it like a spotlight that Oogie’s shadow helped project. 

The dice’s silhouette on the moon showed twelve as a result. 

The Housewarden smirked, cracking their neck in anticipation. Perfect. They called out to their friends, “Are you guys all for being a swarm?”

Remembering his promise, Howl handed Ruggie a ladybug pin, which the hyena accepted with some hesitation. Ruggie then grabbed a few items from behind him: three masks. Ruggie gave Howl a brown mask with eyes, threw a blue mask to Deuce, and then donned his ladybug mask. He did not know why, but it felt right to wear. Everyone then glanced and nodded, expecting to go along with it to help with their plan. 

“Ready, Mx. Housewarden!”

Oh well, at least it was the thought and solidarity that counted—it worked. 

Twelve shadow bugs went from Yuu’s feet to the twelve mages, each of them feeling the shadows tap their bodies. All pairs of eyes turned hollow, and the pins glowed brightly. The eyes widened before they narrowed with fiendish and determined glee. 

“Ramshackle, represent!” Thirteen voices exclaimed in unison. 

Swing scowled, crossing his arms. "Tch... is that all? It's just a glorified spell to make you bugs more of a hive than you are. Either way, it seems the stitches on my mouth loosened up a bit too much. Fine then. I'll just take all your lives along with everything else in an All or Nothing brawl! Now then, who should I dispose of first~?"

Everyone glared at the smug Swing, taking a step back. Yuu made sure to put the dice in their pocket. 

"Times like this call for a coin." Swing reached into one of his pockets for his lucky coin... only to freeze when he felt nothing. "Hm? It's not here." Panicking, he and his centipede checked through every pocket, coming up with nothing. He pressed both his hands on his head, beginning to hyperventilate. "It's not here... no, no, NO, IT'S NOT HERE!" 

"What's he looking for?" Grim asked among the hivemind.

"He seems extremely flustered," Ortho noted. 

It was then that Ruggie laughed. "Shehehehehe! Is this what you're looking for~?" He pulled out a familiar coin that glittered in his hand. 

"That's Swing's coin?!" Jack Howl shouted in shock. "When did you--!" 

"You were guarding it so carefully, I figured it had to be something really valuable. So, I couldn't help myself. I just had to take it when I got to you!" 

Swing growled, remembering how Ruggie turned into a hyena and bit him hard. That must have been when he got the coin without detecting anything.

"Way to go, Ladybug! That's the Ruggie we know!" Yuu squealed in delight, hopping a little and clapping their hands. 

The hyena nodded to Yuu, then glared at Swing. "But it turns out it's just a toy. Totally worthless..."

"GIVE IT BACK!" Swing suddenly roared, pouncing on the beastman, but Ruggie dodged him and took off quickly.

"WHOA?!" 

"Swing's shaken. Now's our chance!" Lilia exclaimed. 

"Combining everyone's strength," Deuce snarled as everyone got ready to work together. He held hands with Yuu as they both stood with Oogie Boogie, who grinned with anticipation. "This time, we settle it once and for ALL!" 

Yuu smiled. "And I got a few ideas that would make this interesting~!" 

Meanwhile, Ruggie was, once again, running for his life across the graveyard with the nocturnal fairy hot on his trail. He tripped on a rock and landed on a gravestone, keeping the coin in his hand as he struggled to get up. From a distance, he spotted the others, specifically Yuu, Grim, and Oogie, as his hollow eyes sparkled and a strange feeling came over him. His eyes darted back to the opponent, the Funeral's March playing in his mind as the message was clear:

Felix's third and final favor for Ruggie? DEFEAT MR. SWING.

"Well, we're doomed." Ruggie deadpanned, bracing himself for the charging Swing, only to stop with the fairy when they heard something in the background that caused the grounds to glow an iridescent color. 

"Huh, music?!" 

Swing decided to ignore it as he snarled at Ruggie and charged again, "Return it. That belongs to Mr. Swing!" 

Ruggie dodged again, "We didn't think you'd get this worked up!" 

"Skully did mention it. That Swing will never let go of anything he's gotten his hands on!" Jack Howl exclaimed as he rushed in to help his senpai. As the others got into different positions, Oogie Boogie seemed to take center stage as he stepped forward with his arms crossed. 

"Well, well, well... ya came at a bad time!" He drawled with amusement, feeling as if he had a whole crew of henchmen at his beck and call, not noticing Skellington's intrigued stares as the boogeyman taunted Swing directly. "But you just crossed the line. Ya wanna get wild?" 

With a wave of his stub, the hivemind who called themselves Ramshackle got into motion, crying out, "Okay, WE'LL SHOW YOU WILD!" 

Ruggie summoned his Jack-in-the-Box along with Howl and Deuce as he paced with quick feet, getting into the rhythm of the music as he sang.

"Better come right, better luck tryin' gettin' to our level. 'Cause you might die, never the time, tryna start a battle!" He flipped the coin a little before passing it to Deuce as Swing jumped towards him. "Here, catch!" 

"C-Catch?!" Deuce stammered, trying not to drop the coin as he hid it from Swing’s line of sight. 

Yuu nodded at the strategy. "Good idea, Ladybug! Let's play keep away with Swing's coin until we can beat him. Just because he lost his focus doesn't mean he lost his power. Be careful!" 

"Yes, Housewarden!" The mages responded through the hive as Jack Howl stepped up to the plate, catching Swing a little off guard by throwing punches towards him while he was distracted. 

"Bleeding isn't in our blood. You'll be crying when we're done. Beating you is what we do, do, do, yeah!" 

Deuce tossed the coin to Howl when Swing got too close before taking out his pen and dodging each of Swing's punches in some sort of battle dance. He then waved his finger before pulling back. "Body on body. We're naughty! Not even sorry, and when you pull up, we'll pull up a little late to the party!" 

"Locked and loaded, we were born for this," sang Yuu as they pulled the trio into a huddle, protecting them with their body like an older sibling would. When Swing came from behind to attack, Ruggie growled and grabbed Yuu by the shoulders, twirling with them away. "There ain't no point in avoiding it. Annoyed? A bit. We're gonna beat ya. Where's the clock? Our time is ticking!" 

"Knocking you out like a lullaby," Deuce sang as he cracked his knuckles, fire forming from within his floating box and fists. 

"Hear that sound ringing in your mind." Howl snarled, summoning vines on his limbs and flora magic in his box. 

Remembering his promise, Ruggie twirled Yuu towards Oogie, patting the prefect on the head as he snatched the coin as if to tell Yuu to leave the magic to the professionals. Both Ruggie and Yuu exchanged hollow glares before Ruggie rushed off with water spheres, and his box crackled with ice. 

"Better sit down for the show 'cause we're gonna show you how it's done, done, done!"

In a rhythmic beat, the three jack-in-the-boxes burst open with magic, hitting Swing right in the face and sides. The trio then threw spells at the fairy, keeping him in the middle as they tossed the coin amongst themselves. While this was going on, Yuu pushed their concern away for now and decided to strategize as they always did. Too bad they did not have their stim toy at the moment, and they did not want to risk losing the dice. 

With encouragement from a nearby Floyd, Yuu reached for Oogie's stub, rubbing their fingers against the burlap as they relaxed their body and activated their brain. They then spoke through the hivemind:

“Swing has probably a thousand years of experience and is driven by desire alone. He can take a lot of hits, is unpredictable, knows every physical and magical element known to most mages, and makes everything a game before annihilating his prey. Once something of his gets taken, however, Swing's focus only targets getting the item back. His greed can be his downfall, but we can't underestimate him now either. He still has tremendous power." 

“Like a horror monster in a film or a cockroach? He can’t go down easily.” 

“Exactly, Carrion Beetle! We're evenly matched for now if we play our cards right. We chip away at his health until he passes out, or we find a better plan. If he gets that coin back, we’re done!"

With a new goal in mind, the other mages got their pens, weapons, and present boxes ready, throwing spells at the fae just as he held the coin in his hands. 

"Ramshackle don't miss, how it's done, done done!" 

The coin flew into the air towards the full moon. Howl, Ruggie, and Deuce raced to retrieve it on Spiral Hill. Once they had reached the top, they turned to find Yuu following them with three full cups of liquid. 

"Hey, Ramshackle, don't quit! How it's done, done one! Run, run, we run the town. The whole world playin' our sound, Turnin' up, it's goin' down..."

"Thank you, Housewarden!" Deuce smiled as he took his cup along with his two friends. 

"Um, Yuu? What is this?" Howl stared at the questionable glowing and squirming liquid that seemed to hiss and chitter.

"We grabbed some cups of stew before we left in case you boys need some!" 

Ruggie groaned and rolled his eyes. "Great. Our last meals are snakes and spiders. And why does it look like lava?" 

"Boys, who's trackin' the coin?!" Oogie reminded the teenagers, motioning to the falling coin as it fell beneath thorns and brambles that covered a large patch of the cemetery before them. The three boys, Yuu and Swing from nearby, also stared in the direction where the coin went. 

"Ramshackle, show this, how it's done, done, done." 

"What meaning does that coin even have?" Deuce asked incredulously.

"There is no meaning." Swing muttered before he roared and rushed towards the brambles like a train. "It's just that Mr. Swing hates having what belongs to Mr. Swing stolen!" 

"Is that guy's greed bottomless?!" Howl exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yeeeaaaaaah, this cemetery's gonna be trashed." Ruggie droned before he, Jack Howl, and Deuce chugged their stew, smacking their lips in satisfaction. "Hmm, surprisingly not bad." 

With determination, Deuce smirked and cast a water spell with his Jack-in-the-Box, "Okay, let's do this. You're up, Grim and Yuu!" 

"Right! Let's go, Hench-human!" Grim hopped off a gravestone and rushed towards the thorns. Yuu called out to the water Deuce had created. 

"Friend, help Grim keep the coin away from Swing!" The water shaped into ribbons, then, with the aid of Yuu's flowing arm movements, the ribbons pulled away at the vines while giving Grim cover. Yuu laughed, "Yeah, something about when you come for the crown. That's so humbling, huh?"

"All of a sudden, you're running away from a fight you've started, like what?" Grim sang tauntingly as he swept the coin away with his tail. Zero ran with Grim to help toss the coin around. Swing attempted fire spells to evaporate the water ribbons, but Victor's flying spider webs stopped the magic.  

"Nothing to us. Run up, you're done up, we come up from sunup to sundown, so come out to play!" Victor and Yuu sang as a water tendril tripped Swing straight into the thorns. 

Grim cheered as he grabbed the coin in his paws, Zero barking happily… until Swing brushed away the webs and thorns, then snatched the coin from Grim. "We won either way, we're one in a million! We kill 'em, like, really? You want it? Okay!"

“Ya think taking my coin away would stop Mr. Swing?” Swing panted a little, having a moment of triumph when he grasped the coin, only for the last of the water to flick the coin away from his fingers. 

"Wanna bet?" Ace challenged Swing with a smirk as he and his team began their next attack while passing along the coin amongst themselves. 

"Heels!" Ortho kicked Swing’s shins with all the power he could muster. Swing barely dodged it.

"Nails!" Ace threw a punch that Swing caught, but Ace elbowed him with his free arm before pushing himself back. 

"Blade..." Silver thrust his sword towards Swing, but the fairy dodged, then almost fell when Floyd came to pounce and squeeze him.

"Mascara~!" Floyd pushed Swing towards a mausoleum where Rook was leaning against a wall, using a pocket mirror to check himself.

"Fit check for my Napalm Era." Rook put away the mirror and pushed Swing into a clearing using a frosty wind spell. 

"Need to beat my face," Kalim sang, putting an arm around Swing's shoulders as best he could. Lilia joined in, popping from behind while upside down.

"Make it cute and savage~!"

Cater jumped in to do a surprise selfie with the Pop Culture Club members and Swing, the three members winking while Swing looked confused. "Mira, Mira on my phone, who's the baddest?”

"Us, Hello~?!" Kalim and Lilia laughed, pushing the fae back. Swing glanced around, trying to track his coin again. 

"I'm not finished with you yet!" Jack Howl exclaimed as he rushed to Swing with Zero joining in on the chase. 

"Knocking you out like a lullaby," Jack Skellington plucked the coin out from behind Yuu’s ear with a grin. Oogie tried to bump his enemy out of the spotlight, causing the former to drop the coin near Spiral Hill. "Hear that sound ringing in your mind. Better sit down for the show 'cause we're gonna show you!" 

"We're gonna show you!" Howl, Deuce, and Ruggie readied their ice magic while their peers summoned barriers. "We're gonna show you how it's done, done, done!" 

"GIMME MY COIN!" Swing demanded, tired of the shields and barrages of magic, having lost sight of the coin. He was promptly ignored. 

“We don't talk, but we bite, full of venom.” Rook smiled as he made sure Yuu looked presentable. 

Floyd added while pushing Yuu towards the spotlight, “Spittin' facts, you know that's how it's done, done, done!”

"Okay, like I know I ramble, but when shootin' my words, I go rando! Took blood, sweat, and tears to look natural!" Cater and Lilia stood back-to-back, sharing lyrics in syncopated rhythm. 

"That's how it's done, done, done!" Everyone then lined up in a row, extending their arms towards their approaching Housewarden. 

“Hear our voice unwavering," Yuu stepped forward, singing with determination as the moon shone brightly on them and a burst of magical energy released throughout the cemetery, causing Swing to stumble back, "Till our song defeats the night. Makin' fear afraid to breathe 'til the dark becomes the light!" 

Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie watched the dreary atmosphere come back to life with magic as the visitors from Twisted Wonderland chanted with excitement, "How it's done, done, done! Run, run, we run the town. The whole world playin' our sound. Turnin' up, it's goin' down. Ramshackle, show this, how it's done, done, done!”

Deuce and Yuu exchanged subtle looks, nodding to each other before Yuu took off. 

“We hunt you down!”

"Down, down, down!" 

"We got you now!" 

"Now, now, now!" 

"We show you how!" 

"How, how, how!" 

"Ramshackle don't miss, how it's done, done, done!" 

Swing, who had just recovered from an onslaught of magic and physical activity, slumped onto the floor in front of the posing mages.

“Great job, everyone! The magic of Twisted Wonderland is so spectacular!” Jack Skellington cheered, ever encouraging, whereas Oogie pressed his stubs against his forehead in frustration, lamenting that he had once been associated with the Pumpkin King. 

Floyd laughed in relief. "Wow, that was easy. Devil Stinger got all tuckered out!" 

"Now we could make sure he never gets that coin again. Yuu’s going to get rid of it right now. We’re saved!" Ace grinned triumphantly. 

There was a pause, then Ortho spoke up. “… do you think he’s finished?” 

“Nope!” Suddenly, Swing appeared behind the twelve students, glaring at them with a manic smile. “But you are~!” With his centipede and cosmic magic, he barreled over the teenagers in hot pursuit.  

Yuu was about to reach the Hinterlands when a voice startled them. "SHADOW!" 

Yuu yelped and dashed towards the trees, only to trip when Swing's centipede flew towards their ankles and wrapped its body around them. Spits crawled underneath their fedora.

"You dare to challenge me?" Swing hissed as Yuu fell to the ground, and the centipede pulled. They gripped the ground with their fingers, but their nails dragged as they were getting pulled. "Attempt to defeat me? Try to take something away from me, the King of Desire?!" 

The centipede loosened itself from Yuu’s ankles, only for Swing to grab their ankles and tug them harshly, sending Yuu crashing into a gravestone that crumbled on impact. He then marched his way over to the groaning Housewarden, the latter making sure they held onto his coin tightly. "I, who have spared you and taken you under my wing. I, who knows all your secret desires, accept them. After all I've done for you, ya betray me?!" 

Swing narrowed his eyes, focusing on the prefect’s neck, which was bruised a little with a recognizable handprint. His emerald eyes widened.

"Don't tell me. You took the pain with that wolf bug. Why? For them?!" Swing grabbed Yuu by the neck and presented them like a ragdoll, forcing them to look at their peers: the students of Night Raven College. Grim. Skellington. Zero. Oogie. "The ones who ignore you? Who takes you for granted every day for their own gain? For being weak?!" 

Ruggie and Jack Howl snarled, about to intervene when Deuce and Lilia held out their arms. 

With his free hand, the King of Desire forcefully opened Yuu’s fingers one by one to release his coin, Yuu crying out with each tug. "They're doing this to pity you! To make you feel special. You don't need that pity. Can’t you see that none of them will ever understand you as I can? For we are of the same cloth whose desires blend to one source.” When the coin got free, it fell into Swing’s hand. He dropped Yuu unceremoniously, sucking his teeth as he glared down at the human and placed his boot on their chest as if to crush them underfoot. 

“Don’t make Mr. Swing your enemy and destroy you. For we are smarter, we are stronger, we are invincible, we have the power, we are superior to them, AND WE SHALL RULE!" 

Yuu choked a sob, their right hand still extended as it shook with pain. Swing lifted his foot off and kneeled to Yuu, gently taking their hand and raising them back to their feet. He spoke calmly with an enticing smile. 

“All we have to do is work together. Little Shadow—Yuu—join me."

It was then that Yuu realized the key difference between Swing and Felix: Felix would never hurt them on purpose. They hung their head low, which Swing accepted as a defeat, walking with them hand in hand.

"That's better. See? Was that so hard? All you have to do is listen to Mr. Swing—" 

With a snarl, Yuu suddenly pulled at Swing's arm at the wrist, opened wide, and bit the arm hard, drawing green blood. Swing screamed, letting go of the coin. Yuu caught it and held it behind their back.

"No, you listen!" Yuu snarled in an Oogie-like sneer, their fangs bared as green blood dripped a little. "We've dealt with you for too long, and we'd never join you. That's because..." 

"We are stronger," Floyd and Yuu giggled, their eyes sparkling with sadistic glee as Yuu hid the coin in their pocket. 

"We are tres magnifique," Rook and Yuu flipped their hair majestically with a wink. 

"We are invincible," Deuce and Yuu cracked their knuckles, the latter silently reminding Deuce that they needed his rebel side fully out. 

"We are persistent," Silver and Yuu took a determined stance against the fae. 

"We know about our desires and get them ourselves!" Howl and Yuu crossed their arms with confidence. 

"We have the power," Cater and Yuu proclaimed with a flourish. 

"We have to protect them from you!" Yuu then pushed Swing back before he could protest. As they advanced towards the fairy, they did not notice that a few of their allies had run off somewhere. 

"It's you who is to be feared!" Lilia and Yuu glared at Swing, elbowing him roughly.

"'Cause you are a monster!" Grim and Yuu exclaimed, clawing Swing’s face. 

"You are scary!" Kalim and Yuu shoved Swing, who doubled over. 

"You are greedy!" Ruggie and Yuu barked, a sweeping kick sending Swing falling backwards to the ground. 

"You are dangerous!" Ortho and Yuu stomped on Swing's chest. 

"You are the unlucky one!" Ace and Yuu sneered, clutching Swing's collar and pulling him close as if going to punch him. 

"And you're... not… him!" Yuu shouted, a new baritone voice blended in as they sobbed tears of blot from their widened eyes, letting go of Swing. Then their lips quirked upwards, shaking their head in disbelief as Swing got back up to his feet. "... which makes you fair game." 

"Angler-Shrimpy!" Floyd cried out with a grin as he rushed back into the cemetery with Skellington, Rook, Howl, and Silver following close behind. "Oogie's shadow and Skellington took us to a lake this town has that apparently dried up. Who knew? Don't worry. We got the water back and expanded it so it could reach this spot! Try it; the skeleton fishies are so cool~!" 

Shit, Swing cursed in thought. After all that trouble of drying up the lake so that the Butterfly of Ramshackle did not get any ideas. Green translucent water seeped from the ground, covering the graveyard with half a foot of water. Swing instinctively hopped to the surface, thankful that he was a bug fae. 

A large wave formed from the lake water, the tip of it extending like a head as it lowered to press against Yuu's awaiting palm. Yuu smiled, patting the water like a close friend. One glance around, and the lake understood who the foe was. 

Yuu took off their shoes to become barefoot and briefly took off their fedora to wrap their hair in a bun before placing the fedora back in place. Despite their sore body, Yuu gave Swing a manic grin as they tilted their head up and sang in a menacing whisper while holding out their pen,

"When Mr. Oogie Boogie says there's trouble close at hand, ya better pay attention now 'cause we're the boogeyman." 

The pen glittered in their grip, and Yuu threw the pen in the air towards the moon. Under the moonlight, the pen magically grew and shifted into a cane with a microphone attached to it, the main microphone piece consisting of the same violet magestone Grim usually wore. The moonlight also shifted slightly into blacklight. The mages' clothes and pupils glowed bright, Oogie's brown burlap changed to green, and Yuu's outfit changed to a neon green, blue, and purple. 

Their friends stood in alarm at first, recognizing the song as a silly melody that Felix would sing to himself sometimes. With devious grins, the mages joined in. "And if you aren't shaking, there's somethin' very wrong!" 

"'Cause this might be the last time you hear the Boogie Song." Oogie chuckled with delight. 

Yuu crooned to their microphone with their friends responding to their call. The water rippled, changing itself to different shapes such as spikes, tendrils, and buzzsaws to attack Swing. Yuu then sang while keeping the coin away, "We're the Ramshackle dorm!" 

“Ha! I spent a month in Oogie’s lair. This is child’s play!” Swing boasted as he dodged the water shapes with a sarcastic laugh. “Finally, you’re getting interesting, Shadow! I’d be glad if it weren’t for my coin being stolen!”

"Did you know that some butterflies are parasitic?" Yuu asked out of the blue, poking at their fangs. "And did you know that in Ramshackle, we can hunt someone down by blood and targets?"

Swing's eyes darted to the fresh blood still on his arm, then to the mages and the rippling water by his feet. Echolocation came to mind. 

"And did you know that while you were so busy looking down at us bugs, you forgot that we're connected to your biggest threat~?!" 

Swing blinked and stopped, getting splashed by water spikes in the process. Wait. The bugs were connected due to powerful magic. One of the bugs was the Spade Beetle. When Swing beat up Yuu, he had also beaten up Spade Beetle, who would give the pain back. Double shit. Now, Swing had to avoid Deuce at all costs. 

Oogie and the young mages laughed at Swing’s face. "It's funny! We're laughing! Ya really are too much!" 

With a smooth motion, Yuu smirked and slid over to Swing, glancing up at him menacingly despite their head probably reaching Swing’s chin. "And now, with your permission, I'm going to do my stuff!" 

"... what are you going to do?" 

"I'm gonna do the best I can~" Yuu promised before throwing the coin over to the hyena nearby. "HIT IT, LADYBUG!" 

He can't forgive even a single coin being stolen, Ruggie thought as he caught the coin and flipped it a few times. Yeah, I totally get how that feels. He then spoke aloud, "If this is that precious to you, then you should've kept it somewhere safe."

Sensing something was wrong, Swing’s face fell. "Hey, wait a second. What are you planning? Don't tell me...!" 

"Something that's yours... We'll do this to it!" After giving Oogie a look and the two nodding, Ruggie threw the coin straight to the other, letting it flip in the air. Swing reached to nab it, but Oogie inhaled deeply like a vacuum, pulling it closer to him as he opened wide and caught the coin in his mouth. 

"Noooooooooo!" Swing cried out in agony as Oogie swallowed the coin whole. "STOP IT! What do you think you're doing?!" 

As Swing held his head with both his hands in panic, Ruggie and Oogie smirked and crossed their arms with the former laughing, "Ya really thought no one could ever take anything from you, huh? That's pretty naive!" 

"Swing is flustered, and his magic is unstable, which means..." Lilia mused in pensive thought when a familiar sensation returned to his being as he exclaimed, "Our original magic has returned! Everyone, now's the time! Give it everything you've got!" 

"YEAH!" The Ramshackle hivemind cheered at the news, devious smiles on their faces. 

Swing’s eye twitched. "Excuse me...?" 

Chains and shackles made of water wrapped around the nocturnal fairy’s wrists. 

“Ya ain’t excused!” Everyone droned as Swing yelped and got pulled into a thick wall of lake water. 

The NRC students got prepared. Grim spat out fire. Kalim summoned a pillar of water. Cater created a clone. Everyone tested out their original spells happily. "Whoa, the sound of rolling dice to us is music in the air!" 

"'Cause I'm a gambling Boogeyman, although I don't play fair~!" Oogie and Yuu exclaimed in exuberant harmony, the red dice rolling in between Yuu's fingers.

Swing spat out water, annoyed as he emerged from the wall. Welp. It was time to rip apart a sack of bugs for his coin. He had done more unusual actions in centuries. He charged at Oogie, only for ice, water, lightning, fire, leaves, and cosmic magic to hit him relentlessly. It did not help when multiple arrows came flying at him, a few of them landing on his body. Rook had his bow and arrow at the ready, joined by Phobos from the shadows. 

"It's much more fun, we must confess!" The assassins grinned, fist-bumping each other in an opportunistic truce. 

Floyd used the nearby water to partially transform, forming webbed hands and eel features as he slid over Swing’s feet while singing, "With lives on the line!" 

"Not ours, of course, but yours, old boy. Now that'll be just fine!" Oogie's grin grew when Swing got hit by Floyd, then got pounced on by a large white wolf. 

"Ugh, stop it! Let go! Hey, you're being too persistent!" Swing winced, struggling to break free from the tight grip, but Howl shifted back to his humanoid form and kept Swing at bay. 

"The power of those you looked down on so much... feel it for yourself!" 

When the timing felt right and the mages of Night Raven exchanged looks, Lilia politely tapped Yuu's shoulder. "Mx. Yuu, if you're up for it, we want to give you the second half of your Christmas present." 

"We want you to perform the finishing blow!" Cater winked while Ace and Floyd smiled mischievously. The Housewarden of Ramshackle gasped at such an honor. They did not deserve such friends or gifts. And Swing's previous words did not help matters. Their face fell as they tied their microphone to their back, their confidence melting into insecurity as they backed up. 

“I’m not sure," Yuu hugged themselves, biting their lip as they glanced at the floor warily. "I'm not magical or powerful like you guys. I don't even know how to dance that well. I might mess up or slow you all down."

“We don’t care.” Everyone replied. “You deserve this. We’ll help you!”

Deuce went up to Yuu, grasping their hands into his. "You think Oogie cares if he messes up?" 

Yuu's eyes darted to Oogie for a second, then they shook their head. Deuce smirked. 

"Then let's give it our all! For one special night, you are the strongest mage of Twisted Wonderland. Don't think about it. Just do what feels right!"

Yuu thought for a moment, daydreaming about what they wanted to do as Victor popped out from their fedora and whispered in their ear, helping create a clear image of what they desired. They smiled brightly. 

“I got something, but I’ll need a head start!” They cheered as they ran to the main gates of the cemetery that led to Halloween Town, with Deuce following close behind. 

“A HEADSTART?!” Swing exclaimed, having a feeling that this final blow would involve the Spade Beetle's signature spell. Triple shit! He struggled to get out of Jack Howl’s grip. “Hell no! Get off me! Release Mr. Swing right now!” 

"Oh brother, you're somethin'! You put us in a spin~!" Oogie spun around with sadistic glee. 

The rest of the mages sang as they surrounded Swing menacingly, "Ya aren't comprehending the position that you're in!"

"It's hopeless!" scoffed Ruggie. 

"You're finished!" Howl snarled. 

Grim crossed his arms smugly, "Ya haven't got a prayer!" 

"'Cause we're Ramshackle dorm," Oogie motioned to the group dedicated to him, accepting them full-heartedly as he sang proudly. "And you ain't going NOWHERE~!" 

Powerful magic coursed through Yuu’s veins as they grinned at Deuce with a flourished bow. "Wanna play a game, blue beetle?" 

"Let's dance until we're dead, Mx. Yuu!" Deuce called back, alerting Yuu to run to Spiral Hill. 

The dance began like this: 

The Flea blew fire to trap the centipede. 

“FNAH!” Grim blew his blue fire to surround Swing in a ring, then shouted to Yuu. “Do us proud, Hench-Boss!” 

The Fly gave the Butterfly a breeze. 

“Knock ‘em out of the park with some wind, Yuu!” Ace smirked, adding some of his wind magic to surround Yuu’s body and feet. 

The Blue Beetle joined the Butterfly's dance. 

"Mind if I join in on the fun?" Deuce laughed as he joined Yuu in racing to the top of Spiral Hill, holding hands as if they were both dance partners. Deuce's unique magic flowed through his and Yuu's limbs, gathering their stored energy. 

The Ants gave support, however they could.

“Yaas, King!” Both Caters cheered as they took their phones and snapped pictures of Yuu and Deuce. “Slay, literally~! We’ll hold him down for you!” They then joined Howl by holding Swing’s legs in place.

The Ladybug brought luck and stilled the foe. 

"Fly, bugs, fly! Laugh With Me!" Ruggie threw his remaining ladybug luck to the duo, then activated his signature spell to trap Swing further. 

The Wolf Spider snarled and held his prey back. 

Jack Howl still held Swing in a vice grip as he snarled and closed his eyes, using the hivemind to apply part of his Unique Magic to the runners. “Faster, sharper, stronger!” Yuu and Deuce ran faster to Spiral Hill as they felt stronger and their eyes glowed with sharp intensity. 

The Millipede provided a shield. 

“Just like we taught ya, Angler-Shrimpy! Bind The Heart!” Floyd also applied his Unique Magic to the duo, blocking any frazzled spells from Swing and his centipede. 

The Scarab gave the partners water. 

“You can do anything, Yuu! Oasis Maker!” Kalim summoned extra water that hovered close to Yuu and Deuce's bodies, forming wings.

The Mosquito focused on his mark. 

"Spade-Trickster, aim for the base of the jaw or the jugular! Roi du desir is open for your attack!" Rook instructed, using magic to indicate Swing's weak spots. 

The Carrion Beetle checked their vitals.

"Usage of blot within the hivemind is 25%." Ortho analyzed the magestones, then cheered, "You are clear for impact!"

The Bedbug stayed with the rest to wait for prey. 

Silver stayed in the background for defense, waiting with the rest so they could capture Swing while also praying for Yuu and Deuce to succeed. 

The Bat blessed the dance. 

"I bless that your aim be true, and that your endeavours with Swing will be met with success!" Lilia clasped his hands, adding fae magic to the duo.

Swing struggled against the grip of the teenagers, barraged a second time by spells as he gritted his teeth. "You... you lot...! YOU MISERABLE LITTLE BUGS!"

And the Butterfly fed its hive.

Yuu and Deuce got to the top of Spiral Hill, red sparkles appearing on their bodies as they leapt into the air. Their bodies covered the full moon as they raised their fists, resembling a flying butterfly and beetle about to attack. The Boogeyman and the hive sang once more. 

"Whoa, I'm the Oogie Boogie Man!" 

"The Ramshackle Dorm!" 

"The Oogie Boogie Man~!" 

"Bet The Limit: Midnight Special!" Deuce and Yuu exclaimed, socking Swing right in the jugular and jaw respectively. 

The Unique Magic and two fists collided with Swing so hard that a fang flew out of his mouth, and he flew twenty feet away to the side, his body tumbling in a spin as he dropped to the ground. Deuce and Yuu almost collapsed in a heap, but Oogie caught them in time. 

"Whoa, that was a mean right hook!" Ace whistled, impressed. 

"Get 'im before he gets up!" Grim shouted. As everyone pounced on Swing, Deuce, Yuu, and Oogie stood back on their feet, panting heavily with proud smiles on their faces. Yuu's eyes sparkled with tears, their hands trembling with adrenaline and magic. They turned to hear Swing shouting with everyone's hands and paws on his body. 

"No, let go of me, you rotten little bugs! IT'S MINE, I TELL YOU! MINE! GET AWAY FROM ME!" The fae then glared at Oogie. "You can't do this to me! I thought we were brothers!" 

Oogie scowled and crossed his arms. "Fool me once, shame on you. But fool me twice? No dice! Now, for the final coin toss…"    Suddenly, Yuu's eyes glowed a soft gold color. It surprised them that it took a while for their perception to shift. In their mind, they saw a man in a blue zoot suit and fedora, butterfly wings on his back as he took out Swing's former coin from his pocket. The man grinned at Yuu, placing a finger to his lips to keep the human quiet before he flipped the coin and caught it in the air. He smirked, showing Heads while mouthing, Mine now. Then, he nodded to Oogie. 

“Ramshackle? He’s all yours~!” Oogie nodded knowingly. The mages proceed to beat Swing up with fists and tie him up with anything they got their hands on. 

Victor emerged from Yuu's hat, calling out while showing his webbing. “May I join? I got threads!” 

“The more, the merrier~!” The Ramshackle Hive cheered. 

“Perfect! I may be biased when I say this, but I like you twisted fellas~!” Spits hopped off, then shifted to his humanoid form as he joined Deuce in adding to the swarming heap, holding his webs like a rope. Yuu stayed with Oogie, their twisted perception shared with Oogie and Swing as they all watched the scene change. 

Swing was in a torn, black burlap sack with several bugs all over his sore body, the creepy crawlies nibbling on his skin. A large millipede hugged his waist in a tight squeeze. A bat bit his shoulder and drank his blood. A large wolf spider wrapped around his throat while Victor worked tirelessly to wrap Swing's body with webbing in a sewing motion. A ladybug and a blue beetle scittered on his face as he attempted to drag himself out of the swarm and sack. In the altered state of reality, the bugs were eating him alive. 

Yuu stayed at their spot, golden eyes widened as they occasionally winced at some of the injuries being inflicted. 

"You rotten bugs! Let go!" Swing rasped, desperate to escape and tear everyone apart as he thrashed. The human shook their head, creating a water barrier between them and Swing, tears trickling down their cheeks. Swing glared at his former friend and shadow, raising a weak arm to them. 

"IMAMURA!" He roared, reaching once more to an item he would never get back, before he was consumed by the darkness and living beings he looked down upon.

In all honesty, you love saving the world and the people walking around, but a relaxing trip to a cabin in the woods with your closest friends and colleagues has to be a close second. The atmosphere is relaxed as everyone sits around a large, crackling fire as funny stories are exchanged about one another, laughter being the best medicine to the problematic time everyone has battled through the past few months.

You’ve always been looking for the feeling of family, and now that you’ve found it within the Avengers, you’re more than grateful than ever to have gone down this path in life. Though your childhood hasn’t always been easy, with you needing to hide your assassin abilities, you’re making up for it every day by spending as much time as possible with your chosen family.

Tony, who’s taken on the role of the Dad you never had from the day you met, smiles at you as you gaze into the fire, a sense of calm lying over you that makes him feel more proud than ever. Without him, you wouldn’t be where you are today, and when you meet his gaze, you immediately smile back at him, appreciation visible on your features.

“Who wants to roast some marshmallows?” he suddenly asks, and you immediately perk up at Tony, mentioning your favorite treat. You’ve always enjoyed roasted marshmallows, whether by themselves or in the form of s’mores, but you’ve never been able to get enough of them. As everyone enthusiastically agrees, you can’t help but notice that one person is less enthusiastic about the idea than the rest: Steve.

There’s no one sitting beside him on the log he’s occupying, as Bucky has moved to sit next to Natasha to make their conversation easier, so you get up to be able to plop down on the log next to your best friend. From the moment you and Steve met, there’s been an unexplainable connection, and it has only grown over the years, making the two of you nearly inseparable now.

“A penny for your thoughts?” you ask. You look up at Steve, the flames forming a golden-orange hue over his handsome features. A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth as he tries to hide the embarrassment that’s threatening to show all over his face, his mind battling if he should tell you the truth or not. Though it’s relatively insignificant, he doesn’t enjoy admitting that he’s never done something.

“I- uhm… well,” he starts, his hand rubbing his neck as he’s trying to find the words to say he’s never done something as simple as roasting a marshmallow. You show him a kind smile as he looks at you, and that’s when he decides to go for it.

“I’ve never roasted a marshmallow before…” he says shyly, his cheeks turning bright red at the confession. A nervous chuckle is audible as he looks away, a bit anxious about your reaction. You surprise him with your response because you’re giving him one he didn’t dare to expect after everything he’s been through.

“Really? Well, in that case, I think it’s about damn time we change that, don’t you think?” you tell him with a broad smile, your hand lying on his arm in support. The simple touch is precisely what he needed to feel to know you mean it, and now he can’t stop himself from smiling, too. And that’s exactly how you explain to Steve how roasting marshmallows works.

With the first one, he held it too close to the fire, making it catch on fire in the process, which resulted in a burst of good-hearted laughter all around, but the second try is already a lot better. It’s still a bit more burned than he would have liked, but his pride in doing this makes him not mind the burnt taste.

“Thank you for explaining; I deeply appreciate it,” Steve says before eating the third one. A satisfied hum leaves his lips as the gooey marshmallow is now nearing perfection. He has rarely felt safer and more comfortable in his life, and he’s happy to share this moment with you, Bucky, and the other Avengers, as they’re his found family, too.

Navigation ~ Steve Rogers Library

GIF: Source ~ All the other graphics you see on this post are made by @vintagebuckybarnes.