Chapter 1: Prologue
Summary:
The night conceals many secrets in the forest.
Notes:
Here's the prologue, ch 1 will have to wait until I've completed my Aug fics.
Chapter Text
Mythical Forest Universe;
In modern day New York, there is a magical forest filled with many kinds of trees from fruit to flowering trees. There are herbal and fruit shrubs. The forest is home to many brooks and ponds. Wild mushrooms grow on the forest floor. The forest was also home to many kinds of animals, magical and the normal forest animals like deer and birds.
Dragon shifter Bucky made his home with his mate, a demigod named Steve. The magical side of the forest held five magical villages hidden deep in the forest. They all lived in harmony, working together and building a safe environment. However, they have taken on greedy developers, rogue villagers, and murderers to protect the peace and safety of their communities.
a local Italian restaurant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. The couple got a back booth at an Italian four course restaurant. hey had the pappa al pomodoro, a thick soup with an arugula and lemon salad. The pasta was served in a rich wine sauce with perfectly cooked veal cutlets. They both ordered non-alcoholic lemon cocktails. The meal was finished with a crostata, a fruit tart with a jammy filling.
The couple kissed and cuddled up together once they made it home. The moon was high in the sky, and their smiles were soft and content. This was the life they always hoped to live together.
a secret location somewhere on the outer edges of the forest;
Elsewhere, mystery persons met in darkness. The argument grew loud, but it was drowned out by the sounds of insects and nocturnal wildlife. They pushed, shoved, punched, and lunged at each other. Their bodies angrily writhed on teh ground, trying to choke each other.
However, one person overpowered the other, their hands firmly around their friends throat The life drained out of them, but they kept kicking and fighting. There was nothing left for them to do however, as the oxygen became impossible to breath in. They were dead after another five minutes.
Chapter 2: Sharing
Summary:
The forest residents have their annual meeting.
Notes:
Here's Ch 1, sorry for the delay, the muses fed me a plot bunny or two for a new series. And I've been compiling notes for it. I have up to 5 world/series now. So I finally wrestled the muses in submission and am going through my backlog now.
Chapter Text
the back patio, Bucky and Steve's cottage;
Bucky and Steve started their day with a run. They returned from their run and took a shower together, washing each other's backs. They were dressed and eating their prepped breakfast burritos on their patio. The backyard door opened to reveal Pietro, Wanda, and Vision.
"Oh! Who is...this?" Steve asked.
"I am Wanda's partner, Vision. Nice to make your acquaintance." Vision replied.
"Likewise. What can we do for you?" Bucky asked.
"We were close by and not many people knew Vision," Pietro explained. The couple invited them to sit and chat it up. They caught up and just spent time together.
a local restaurant-butcher shop, a neighborhood, center of the forest;
Bucky and Steve went on a date. The couple stepped out for a night on the town. They found themselves at a butcher shop that also had a restaurant. There was fresh veal, so they enjoyed veal parmigiana with creamy risotto made from foraged mushrooms.
The evening was romantic, beautiful, and filled with love. They were happy, falling in love with every moment they spent together.
the family room, Loki's den, east section of the forest;
Loki bonded with his kids. The kids were growing up fast, and Loki wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. He made sure to include them in creative activities, errands, and the small things.
Loki loved them dearly and wanted nothing but to take good care of them. He appreciated these small moments. Tonight, they would read books together and enjoy a night of pure peace.
the community center, the center of the forest;
The forest denizens held their annual meeting. Once a year, they came together to review the community events and plan a larger celebration. This year, they were all insistent on the potluck dinner.
"The crops were plentiful," the village secretary stated. "Along with preserving some of the crop, we have enough to celebrate!"
The residents clapped and cheered. They were excited to share in the plentiful harvest and spend time with their community. So, planning for the annual potluck commenced.
Chapter 3: Playing Around
Summary:
The kids enjoy time at the playground.
Notes:
Here's Ch 2, Ch 3-6 will be posted next.
Chapter Text
a playground, the north section of the forest;
The parents took their kids to a playground in the north section. The playground blended in with the forest theme. A tree held a treehouse fort with rope ladder, a slide, a lookout loft balcony, a climbing wall, a log tunnel and many more attractions. There was a natural sandbox pit, a swing set, There was a toddler swing set for the younger kids, and normal swings for the older kids.
The kids all found a spot in the playground to play, joke around, or even read. There was something special for all of them at the playground. It was important they got the much needed fresh air.
a shop, western section;
Thor and Jane went on a date. The couple went out for fish and chips. There was a shop they found not far from where they all lived. They got a pit of beer each and enjoyed the delicious meal.
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the center section of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. So they locked the door of their cottage and went upstairs to their bedroom. They stripped and got on the bed with the slick. Bucky trailed kisses down his husband's body. Steve moaned as he melted into the bed. Things gradually got heated and Bucky coated his fingers. He prepped Steve with care.
When he deemed Steve ready, he slicked himself up and pushed inside. He slowed down and dragged it out for as long as possible. A long time later, he took pity on his mate and sped up the pace, while wrapping his fingers around Steve's cock. A few minutes later, Steve spilled his seed across their chests. Bucky held out for a few minutes more before falling over the edge and spilling his seed deep inside Steve. As they came down from their highs, they shared a sweet kiss and smiled.
a local pizzeria;
That evening, Bucky and Steve met their friends for dinner. They all went out for pasta and pizza. They served up the delicious meal of different pastas, pizza toppings, and drinks. They enjoyed it all with beers, jokes, and a fun night out.
Chapter 4: Through the Night
Summary:
The village discuss the killer.
Notes:
Here's Ch 3, Ch 4-6 will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the dining room, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the section of the forest;
Bucky and Steve hosted a brunch for their friends. The menu consisted of blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, sausage, spinach quiche, fruit salad, bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon, red onion, cucumber, and tomato slices, hash browns, cinnamon rolls, and biscuits. They had milk, coffee, water, and orange juice to drink. Dessert menu consisted of fudge, funfetti cupcakes, and coffee cake. They were laughing and talking over their dessert when brunch was disrupted by bad news.
One of the neighbors came by, carrying the daily report. Her face was grim and the rowdy crowd quieted to listen to her speak.
"A body was found in the woods near our main trail," she spoke. "Investigators are working, but they have ruled it a homicide. Please, exercise caution through the woods."
When she took leave, the friends were noticeably less joyful. Someone killed another in their forest, and now, they had to wait for answers.
main path, the eastern section;
Daniel and Peggy met at a new crime scene. Peggy was there first, looking over the covered body before her. Daniel handed her a new notepad and she nodded.
"Another body already? We just reported on the other one," Daniel sighed. "Same MO?"
"Yes," Peggy said. "We won't know the full cause of death until later, but the wounds match our previous victim's injuries." The detectives continued to work on the case with a close eye to evidence. One piece of evidence here could blow their other case wide open.
the living room, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the center section of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. They cuddled up as they talked. The emergency meeting was called for later in the night. Steve prepared the runes to surround their home, but he was exhausted from using so much of his power.
"I can keep them active, but if they are broken through, I can't do anything," Steve stated. Bucky held him close, making sure he felt safe within his arms. He would do anything to protect his love.
the community center, the center section;
The forest residents had an emergency meeting. The topic was the murder. Everyone was terrified of getting caught or attacked by the killer. Many people worked in the dead of night, putting them at major risk. In response, they made safety plans and groups to escorted people around at night.
It wasn't a perfect fix, but it would protect them from being singled out and attacked.
a secret location somewhere in the forest;
Elsewhere, a mystery person was following a certain person. They kept a careful distance as they tracked said person. They had a shot at this especially with others at the meeting. If they could take them out now, they could sneak away before that fruitless meeting was adjourned.
Under the cover of darkness, they moved through the night.
Chapter 5: Threatening
Summary:
Two residents are targeted by a harrassing letter.
Notes:
Here's Ch 4, Ch 5-6 will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the Johnson residence, the western section;
Kora and Skye were at their shared home when their doorbell rang. A note was slipped through the mail slot at the bottom of their front door. Skye retrieved it and read it.
"Kora, what does this mean?" Skye asked.
"What? What are you reading?" Kora asked, looking over her shoulder.
"They are watching. They are waiting. Be aware and be afraid," Skye read off. Kora froze.
"Is this a threat? Is someone watching us?" Skye stammered.
"I-I don't know. Do you think someone wants to hurt us?!"
"I think we need to call the police. Just in case they are targeting us," Kora suggested, taking a deep breath.
the playroom, Loki's den, the eastern section;
Thor, Jane, and Loki bonded with the kids. The adults sat on the floor with the kids, playing card games or teaching them new board games. They laughed, enjoying the playtime with the kids. It was important to them that they spent as much time as possible with them, growing their bond with the kids every day.
the family room, the Johnson household;
At the same time, Trip and Skye had some alone time. They cuddled up as they discussed the child Robin they had adopted. they were excited about Robin's arrival and couldn't wait to meet her.
"The room is ready, and we got a list of her favorite toys!" Skye beamed. Trip was vibrating. He was so excited to be a father after experiencing the preparations of parenthood. He was excited to grow and care for their family.
a local bowling alley;
Bucky and Steve got together with their friends. They met up at a bowling alley. They got their shoes and bowling balls ready. They filled in their screen names and bowled together. The group of friends had fun, trying to get strikes and barely keeping the balls out of the gutter. The group laughed at each other but also cheered each other on. A bowling night was always a fun way to relieve stress and enjoy some time with friends.
Chapter 6: On the Edge
Summary:
The residents are terrified by the threatening letters.
Notes:
Here's Ch 5, Ch 6 will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the community center, the center of the forest;
A week later, the forest residents gathered for a meeting. The residents were informed of the threatening letters the young women received. It set them even further on the edge. It was one thing for adults to be targeted, but awful letters to two teens was a hard line crossed.
"We cannot let these monsters target our children!" the mayor stated. "From now on, we are setting a hard curfew. Unless you have your work permit or identification, you are not allowed after dark. Patrols will resume in groups."
Once again, the residents were left feeling like they were caught between a rock and hard place. It was like they couldn't get a win.
the Johnson household, the western section of the forest;
Bucky, Steve, Pietro, and Wanda visited Trip and Skye. Kora was at a lesson for the day, Trip and Skye introduced them to two year old Robin. The toddler was curious, walking around and pointing at different things in the house. When she toddled over to Steve, she played with his necklace, a amulet for his patron.
"She is too precious," Bucky cooed. Steve made her giggle and Wanda used her magic to amuse the baby. They were wrapped right around her finger and adored her.
a local diner;
Sarah, AJ, Cass, Sam, Bucky, and Steve went to a local diner for dinner. The group placed their orders and started off with their milkshakes. They kept track of the time and made sure things didn't go over.
"I just can't believe we are under lockdown again. I mean, when will this all end?' Cass questioned. Sarah patted his back and Sam hugged him.
"We'll just stay safe. These bad people will be caught soon enough," Sam said, but they all knew he couldn't promise that. There was no telling when and where the killer would strike next. They were left wondering if there would be any answers anytime soon.
Chapter 7: Routine
Summary:
The villagers adjust to the new curfew.
Notes:
Here's Ch 6, Ch 7 will have to wait a bit. I'm switching to UA next.
Chapter Text
the local orchard, the forest;
Bucky, Steve, the Barton family, Sam, AJ, and Cass met up at the local orchard for apple picking. They were each given a basket that would be weighed after picking for pricing. They walked around the orchard, choosing from different varieties. They had lots of fun and picked enough for pies, cakes, jams, and cider. They were excited to get home and try them all.
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the center of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time in their bedroom. They were on the bed nude and kissing. Things gradually got heated and Buckygot thn slick. He covered his fingers and prepped Steve thoroughly. Steve moaned as he melted into the bed. When Bucky was satisfied that Steve was ready, he slicked himself up and pushed inside. He slowed down and drew the pace out for as long as possible.
A long time later, they were close to their climaxes, so Bucky sped up the pace, while wrapping his fingers around Steve. A few minutes later, Steve screamed as he spilled his seed across their chests. Bucky held out for a few minutes more before falling over the edge and spilling his seed deep inside the younger man. As they came down from their highs, they shared a sweet kiss and smiled.
the nursery, the Johnson residence, the west side of the forest;
Trip and Skye bonded with Robin. Today, they were looking for something calmer to do. Trip sat Robin up in his lap while Skye was pressed to his side. The parents both held one side of weathered copy of Goodnight, Moon. The book was passed through Trip's family since his father was a child.
Skye smiled, looking at her child and husband. This family was filled with so much love and warmth. Sharing something that was passed through the generations was out of her wildest dreams. She felt safe, warm, and loved when she was home with them at the end of a busy day.
master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the center of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. The couple settled into their bed with their bedside lamps on book in hand. With the curfew, they had little options besides TV or books to pass the late hours. So, they took up reading books and winding down from long day.
a secret location somewhere in the forest;
Elsewhere a secret meeting was taking place under the cover of darkness. Both persons were on edge. The argument kept escalating until their voices bounced off of trees. Finally, the first stab came down, it tore at their body and they tried to fight back.
However, only the killer was left standing, with a body cooling beneath them.
Chapter 8: Under Wraps
Summary:
Peggy and Howard respond to a new crime scene.
Notes:
Here's Ch 7, Ch 8-the epi will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the forest;
Peggy and Howard met up at the new crime scene. The pair arrived one after the other. However, they were surprised to see only three patrol cops and a single medical examiner employee.
"What is going on here? Where is everyone else?" Peggy asked the patrol cop.
"Orders of the police chief. We are the only people that will be at this crime scene, so if you need help, you can only ask us," one officer, his badge read Dooley, answered her. He lifted the yellow tape and escorted them in. He didn't say anything else, leaving them to speak with the junior examiner.
"Do you know anything, Matthews?" Howard asked. The examiner sighed.
Matthews replied, "The victim was discovered by a young woman with her infant. It is brutal, and after the public nature of your last case, the police chief wants this under lock and key until we tell the family."
"Any identification?" Peggy asked. Another patrol cop brought over a plastic bag. Inside was the identification card of a young woman named Hilary Giovanni.
"Jesus, Peg, the girl is barely eighteen," Howard whispered. "How bad is it, Doc?"
"Blood is all over the place. I had to clean her face off in order to match her with the identification card. Her face was blocked by all the blood," Matthews answered. He stood up and nodded to the patrol cop.
"I will take her back to the office and clean her up. In the meantime, the chief is calling her family. You will want to be there."
the kitchen, Barton farm, the southern section of the forest;
Clint and Laura baked apple pies with their children. The kids were excited as pies were their favorite desserts. Every time they heard stories about Clint's mother back in America, they heard about the delicious pies. Now, they would finally make one themselves.
"Don't eat too many apples. We won't have enough for the pie," Laura warned. After peeling the apples, Clint cut them into the right size to fit the pie crust. The crust, in the meantime, was made by Laura and their kids. It was buttery and laminated like a croissant.
"Ready to make the filling?" Clint smiled, and the kids rushed over. They watched him measure out vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, white sugar, and a bit of lemon. They mixed it up until the apples were covered with the sweet syrup.
After filling the crust and baking, they enjoyed the dessert after dinner with some delicious ice cream. Just like Clint's mother would serve it.
Matthews residence, outside the forest;
That evening, Bucky and Steve met their friends for dinner. They went to a fellow officer's home where his wife served a cottage pie. The couple were careful about showing their abilities in public. However, Officer Matthews was welcoming, and his wife was kind. They had dinner often with even the couple joining them, Peggy and Daniel.
"I should be back on my usual beat tomorrow," Matthews said. Bucky perked up, but he calmed himself. He knew Matthews was with Peggy and Howard, but like Steve said, secrecy was important for Peggy's reputation.
"Great, I'll be sure to bring around some coffee during your next patrol," Bucky offered. They all chatted, enjoying the delicious meal and friendship.
Chapter 9: Connections
Summary:
The background check and examination brings more questions.
Chapter Text
SHIELD headquarters, Brooklyn, New York City, New York;
A week later, Howard, Peggy, and Daniel had a meeting. The ME report on the latest victim had come back. Like the junior examiner thought, the victim was killed by exsanguination due to multiple stab wounds. In addition, they ran a background check on the victim and found a major offense connected to the case.
"Victim was taken into custody for kidnapping a child. She was released on bail before taking off. The special crimes unit was looking for her," Daniel stated. Peggy and Howard read through the entire file. There was some speculation she was not working alone, but it was labeled as 'unsubstantiated.'
"Maybe a possible conspirator could have killed her," Howard suggested. The detectives would have to dig deeper into the information.
the living room, Bucky and Steve's cottage, the center of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. After seeing Sam's nephews off to school, they went home and settled in. Bucky was given the day off, allowing him and Steve to settle in for the day. With the radio on, playing their favorite music, they made some lunch.
The day was free for them. Now, they just took advantage of the calm.
the kitchen, Lang residence, west section of the forest;;
Scott and Hope bonded with Cassie. The family had their paint supplies read and laid out over the dinner table. Since starting an art class, Cassie was now more and more interested in creating art. Not wanting to stifle her creativity, Scott went to a small craft shop and bought supplies.
"This seems like a lot, Scott," Hope said, seeing the multiple bottles of paint, pack of brushes, and a dozen small easels.
"It's not just for her," Scott reasoned. "Help me lay out some newspaper. I don't want to stain the table."
The family painted different things, but they had a lot of fun. Hope painted a picture of the beach where her and Scott went on their honeymoon. Cassie painted a picture of them, and Scott painted a picture of their home. As the paintings dried, they made space for it on their office wall.
a seafood restaurant;
Scott and Hope went on a date. The couple went out to their favorite family restaurant. Cassie had a sleepover with a family friend. It was just them for the night, so they enjoyed fresh seafood and wine. The walk to the restaurant was not far from their home, so they were able to take the fun home after dessert was served.
the dining room, Bucky and Steve's place, the center of the forest;
The Barnes family and Morrigan got together for dinner. They enjoyed a delicious family dinner of roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, and fresh dinner rolls. The family had a wonderful time together. The meal was everything they remembered from their childhoods, giving them extra comfort as they ate. It was perfect, and the night ended with a delicious apple pie.
Chapter 10: In Broad Daylight
Summary:
A peaceful day is ruined by a kidnapping.
Notes:
Here's Ch 9, Ch 10-the epi will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the forest;
Things grew quiet as time moved on. Almost two weeks later, and things were back to normal. However, they all knew the truth. Bucky, Steve, and their friends were uneasy. Nobody hellbent on causing trouble just goes silent. They were plotting something. They would need to prepare and brace for impact.
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's place, the center of the forest;
The next day, Bucky and Steve had some alone time. They went to their bedroom and locked the door. Then they took off each other's clothes. When they were naked, Bucky picked Steve up and placed him on the bed. Bucky soon joined Steve with the slick. He covered his fingers and prepped Steve thoroughly.
When Bucky was satisfied that Steve was ready, he slicked himself up and pushed inside. He went slow as he dragged the pace out. A long time later, he took pity on Steve and wrapped his fingers around his cock while speeding up the pace. A few minutes later, Steve screamed as he spilled his seed across their chests. Bucky held out for a few minutes more before falling over the edge. As they came down from their highs, they shared a sweet kiss and smiled.
a playground, the western section of the forest;
Kora took Robin to the local playground to stretch their legs and play. They met with Hela and her brothers. Their babysitter; Mary Jane Watson had brought them out to play as well. The kids ran off to play together, their guardians watching them carefully. The atmosphere was ruined by an attack. Adults rushed in and kidnapped the kids. When Kora and Mary Jane rushed in, they were hit on the head and dragged away. A note was dropped on a bench, leaving it for someone to find.
the dining area, the kitchen, Bucky and Steve's cottage;
A few hours later, Bucky and Steve were finishing up their dinner when they heard banging at their front door.
"Who could that be? I'll go get it," Bucky stated. He opened the door and spotted Wanda. She was panting hard, sweating and scared. He immediately brought her into the house.
"There has been a kidnapping! They are reporting it all over the forest." Wanda exclaimed. Steve dropped the dishes and rushed over.
"Where?!" he exclaimed.
"Kora, Robin, Mary Jane, and Loki's children! All kidnapped from the park in the east side!" came the frantic reply. Bucky and Steve gasped.. They took children! They needed to help and fast! Steve put the dishes back in the sink before rushing out after Wanda and Bucky.
an abandoned home, outside the forest;
Ten minutes later, the group drove ten minutes out of the forest and found a well lit, abandoned home. It must be the hideout. They split up. One team went looking for the kids and the adults while others would take on the kidnappers. The group taking on the kidnappers kicked in the door. They stormed their way in and faced them head on.
"You are surrounded!" Bucky yelled, ready to storm up to the kidnappers.
Chapter 11: The Fire
Summary:
The culprits are unmasked when the kidnappers are surrounded.
Notes:
Here's Ch 10, Ch 11-the epi will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the front room, the hideout;
Bucky's group was able to surround the kidnappers. They caught them completely off guard, and they were unable to arm themselves. The plan was to have a clear cut escape, but that plan was ruined by the speed in which they got to the site.
"Seems like you took the bait!" a man sneered, his face scarred. The scar was easily identifiable because Bucky put it there. HYDRA.
"Rumlow, of course it would be you!" Bucky yelled.
"I want my pound of flesh, Barnes. And I am taking it from you and that pretty blond of yours." came the retort. Rumlow then went on a rant.
"I lost everything when you came and ruined our plan!" he exploded.
"Wait while I play the world's tiniest violin," Rumlow." Bucky wasn't impressed.
"That's it! I'm going to kill you Barnes!" Crossbones cursed.
the front yard;
Rumlow rushed Bucky and the fighting finally began. They swung at each other trying to do as much damage as possible. Crossbones had a skull motif, but Bucky was a dragon shifter. As the fight was taken outside, they both shifted. While Crossbones was nothing small, the fiery dragon was massive. The grunts all looked up at the massive form and yelled.
"You didn't say he was a dragon! I'm out of here!" there was a rush as they fought to get out of there. Some even went as far to wet their pants, forming a puddle of urine below them. They fled, leaving the fight to continue. Rumlow only had a few experienced agents remaining. He was overwhelmed but kept fighting. Bucky had to give him that. He was persistent.
the front yard;
The fight kept raging, but SHIELD and Howard were hot on their heels. They figured out the same lead and came with reinforcements. Howard was in the lead.The group and SHIELD teamed up and turned the tide. Rumlow couldn't stop them all and was easily defeated. Rumlow was injured and taken into custody.
Chapter 12: Offshoot
Summary:
SHIELD speculates as they take in HYDRA agents.
Notes:
Here's Ch 11, Ch 12-the epi will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the Raft, a secure location;
SHIELD agents brought the HYDRA agents in. The transport was carefully timed in case of further attacks. However, it became clear to Coulson and others in the organization that this was a small scale operation compared to the rest of HYDRA.
"How much do you want to bet that Rumlow did not run this by his superiors?" Melinda suggested when the agents left. It was now their line of investigation, and while this could have been just a small offshoot, they could not risk ignoring a serious threat.
"I hope you like your new place," an agent stated. "You will all be here for a very long time."
the family room, Johnson residence;
Trip and Skye reunited with Robin and Kora. Cal and Jiaying hugged their granddaughter and daughters. After so many days in hiding, they were happy to have them back home. It was a large change not seeing them regularly.
"Mama, can we go with them?" Robin asked. Skye smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Mom, Dad, are you okay with handling two young kids?" Skye asked. Before she could even finish speaking, Cal picked up both of his grandkids. Jiaying laughed and kissed Trip and Skye's cheeks.
"You go get some rest. We will keep them safe and comfortable," she promised. The parents knew she meant it. Nothing mattered to Jiaying more than her family. especially her grandchildren.
the family room, Loki's den;
Thor, Jane, and Loki reunited with Hela and her brothers. Loki sobbed as his kids covered him and fell into his arms. The fear left his body in the form of hard sobs and firm hugs. Thor and Jane helped them up and hugged them.
Jane spoke, "I am so glad you are all safe. I am so sorry that happened."
"My babies are home. That's all I can ask for," Loki said. His face was grim, showing that he wasn't exactly being fully honest. However, Thor knew his brother didn't want to show his anger in front of his children.
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's place, the center of the forest;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time after they got back home. After cleaning up the dishes, they showered and fell into bed. The couple was exhausted but relieved. The whole investigation took a lot out of them. They were going to host their friends and their children later that week. They would need their rest and to start their preparations, so they immediately went to bed.
the dining room, Bucky and Steve's cottage;
Two days later, Bucky and Steve had Sam, his sister Sarah, her kids, AJ and Cass, Thor, Jane, Loki and his kids, Pietro, Wanda, and Vision over for dinner. Steve and Bucky spent their day cooking a large pot of stew. It was venison and beef cooked down with spices, alloums, and potatoes. They also made soda bread, salad, and sweet cakes.
"Thank you inviting us," Sarah smiled. The boys ate happily and Steve smiled.
"Of course. You are always welcome in this house."
 |
|
Chapter 13: You and I
Summary:
Friends and lovers enjoy their time together.
Notes:
Here's Ch 12, the epi will be posted next.
Chapter Text
the forest;
The forest residents got up in the morning to go through their usual routine. Things were finally back to normal. The curfew was lifted and residents were out more often. Things felt lighter and calmer. Instead of the heavy weight of fear, everyone was happy and free. They were safe again.
central library, the center of the forest;
Loki took his children to the library. The main library was in the center section of the forest. It was large, holding vast knowledge. The building was four stories high. The top floor was for study rooms, offices, electronic rooms, and other multi use areas. The rest were for books.
Office security and book drop off was on the first floor. The young adult books section was there. On the third floor, there were nonfiction and adult books. Manga were sorted according to its age level and placed at their respective floors. The second floor was home to the children' section and the periodicals were in the lobby. The children's section also had its own non fiction and movie section. There was a reading corner and a play area for children with puzzles and toys. The kids were so excited to explore.
a local cafe;
Vision and Wanda went on a date. The couple went out into the town for a calm coffee date. Vision was not a big fan of coffee, so he ordered a London Fog and two pan au chocolat for them both. They sat thte table, watching the leaves fall from nearby trees and the people that walked around them.
"I can get used to this," Wanda said. "Being out in the world with nothing to fear. Just... you and I."
Vision kissed her hand and smiled. "You and I."
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's cottage;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. They were in their bedroom on the bed naked and kissing. Things rapidly heated up and Bucky got the lube and slicked up his fingers. He prepped Steve with care going up to three fingers and stretching Steve out. When Steve was deemed ready, Bucky slicked himself up and pushed inside. He slowed down and dragged the pace out.
A long time later, Bucky took pity on his love and sped up the pace, while wrapping his fingers around Steve. A few minutes later, Steve spilled his seed all over both of their chests. Bucky held out for a few more minutes before falling over the edge, and spilling his seed deep inside the younger man. As they came down from their highs, they shared a sweet kiss.
Chapter 14: Epilogue
Summary:
The forest celebrates with a potluck.
Notes:
Here's the epi, SitW will have to wait a bit. I'm switching to IntO next.
Chapter Text
SHIELD headquarters, Brooklyn, New York City, New York;
At SHIELD, Howard, Daniel, and Peggy went about their usual routine. They all came in early, going straight to the meeting room. Since they took HYDRA agents into custody, they started to talk. When they realized that none of their superiors were going to save them, the weaker of the group flipped.
"They are singing like canaries," Daniel said. "Of course, we need to get the Research and Development Department on half of this before I fully believe it."
Howard nodded, "Everything we have is taken with a grain of salt until further notice. But we pursue it. Good work, everyone."
the living room, Loki's den, eastern section of the forest;
Loki read with his kids. His kids clung to him as he read from another book. They were slowly working through the stack of library books they borrowed. There were even more books sitting on the shelves that they owned.
Loki didn't mind laying there with the kids. He couldn't imagine doing anything without involving his kids. Now, he just wanted to spend more and more time with them. It could be a response to the kidnapping, but he did not care. He just wanted them to be happy, and reading with him made them happy.
a pottery studio;
Scott and Hope went on a group date with Lance, Bobbi, Vision, Wanda, Thor, Jane, Trip, and Skye. The couples went to a pottery class during the midday. The class served wine, speciality non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and provided all painting supplies. They were instructed on the process and supplies before being allowed to go wild with the designs. It was a lot of fun and a great time.
a forest clearing;
That evening, the forest residents got together for a potluck dinner. Citizens from the north & south sections brought side dishes, while citizens from the west and east sections brought a dessert each. The center section served the main course. There was plenty of food to feed everyone, fueling their singing and dancing throughout the night.
Families, friends, and lovers smiled bright and looked at the moon as it took the place of the sun. It was beautiful.
the master bedroom, Bucky and Steve's place;
Bucky and Steve had some alone time. They came home, slightly tipsy but very happy. The dancing was everything they needed after the busy and tense investigation. However, what they also need was a nice long sleep.
After drinking more water and bathing, they crawled into bed and held each other close.
No one had expected HYDRA to strike out. They should have thorough, but now they were in prison and unable to hurt anyone else. There was more to it, but for now, they were content.
(Previous comment deleted.)
Shinigami24 on Chapter 1 Wed 17 Sep 2025 11:36PM UTC
Comment Actions