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panda-noosh · 3 years ago

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taste test {kaz brekker x reader}

there are guests today.

little information was given to you, but you don’t mind; you’re not here to entertain anyone. you’re here to do your job and move on. who the king associates with is honestly none of your concern.

you’ll leave the assassins to the royal guards.

you wake on the day to witness the palace in hysterics. chefs bustle around like headless chickens, maids and butlers ironing uniforms that have not had a crinkle in them since the war. the scent of food - a cacophany of it - rises to the surface, making you crinkle your nose at the onslaught of different options. all you want is a slice of toast to prepare you for the day, but the thought of walking into that kitchen has you cuddling up in bed for a few minutes longer.

you’ll have to eat that food pretty soon. just a small bite, just enough to get a taste. a hint.

you close your eyes.

the peace doesn’t last long, because it never does. a knock sounds at your door, startling you from your reverie. you roll over, not even bothering to cover yourself when you call out, “come in!”

a palace guard - rico - peaks his bald head round the door and raises a brow. “still sleeping?”

“clearly not.”

“good. you need to be up and at your post in thirty minutes; we have guests today.”

you pull the quilt over your head. “don’t remind me.” you peak an eye over the top, raising a brow. “who are the guests?”

rico narrows his eyes. “you haven’t been told?”

“well, no. i never really asked.”

“then i’ll leave it as a surprise.” he claps his hands, like you’re some kind of dog. “get ready. i don’t want to come back up here again.”

“then don’t,” you reply, but he’s already disappeared.

you drag yourself from bed to do as he ordered. there’s no point arguing with the palace guards - they seem to think they own the place, even though they live basically under the thumb of every other individual walking the grounds. even you, the lowest of the low, can manipulate them into doing what you want if you just try hard enough. a few sweet words and a confident tone, and they’re like putty in your hands.

but the truth is, you don’t care enough about todays events to put on that confident tone. you pull your clothes on, fiddle with your bow tie, and head downstairs to see what the day has in store for you.

breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

a risky day ahead.

you’re required to be at the kings side long before the guests arrive. you’ve never questioned it. the rules of the palace have never made any sense to you, but you go along with them, because you don’t want to get into any more trouble than you already have. that’s why you find yourself stood by the kings side in silence, hands clasped in front of you, trays of delicious breakfast foods being delivered by hasty, sweaty porters.

the dining room is swathed in beautiful decor. banners hang from the ceiling, red and gold colours matching the grand wallpaper all around. the fancy carpet has been rolled out, tucked beneath the long, mahogany dining table and stretching all the way to the double doors ready to greet the guests.

even the king is dressed well for the occasion, which is another surprise. though the king hardly looks like a peasant, he makes a point to put in as little effort with his appearance as possible, just to show people that he can get anyone to fear him from personality alone. his riches and fancy fabrics have nothing to do with his power.

but today he wears his finest silk coat, the buttons straining against his round stomach. his beard has been freshly trimmed, and you watch his hand rock back and forth amongst the hairs. a few stray ones float from his chin to the table, and you quickly swipe them away. the king doesn’t even notice; he continues staring at the doors, one dark skinned knuckle tight around the arms of his throne-like chair.

finally, after what feels like forever, the double doors up ahead are pushed open. two palace guards dressed in red hold them in place, and a man is ushered in.

a man you recognise immediately.

he’s got a cane now, which is different. there’s those gloves on his hands, the sides of his head still shaved, with that shaggy, dark mess still perched on top, a school boys haircut that looks most out of place on someone with blood on his hands. he’s frowning, because that’s what kaz brekker does - the king shows his power through his booming voice and cruel choices. kaz brekker shows his power through his expressions.

you don’t meet his eyes, though you don’t look away. kaz has his gaze on the king, not even noticing you standing at his side, and for that you are thankful; you don’t think you want to look into those blue eyes again. you promised yourself you wouldn’t, not before the nightmares disappear.

the king slowly stands. he rubs his beard one final time for good measure before saying, “you’re late, kaz.”

“call me mr brekker,” kaz replies, before gesturing to an empty seat at the end of the table - the seat farthest from the king. “shall we sit?”

you swallow; you’re familiar with this attitude from him, but you’ve been in the kings presence too long now to pretend kaz isn’t on thin ice.

the king, however, is clearly in a docile mood, as he nods and sits down. the food in the centre of the table goes unnoticed for a while as the two stare at each other, waiting for the other to crack and begin the conversation. you fiddle with your fingers, uncertain whether kaz has seen you, whether he recognises you, whether he’s just keeping a straight face because he’s kaz, and he’s a professional.

finally, the king clicks his fingers at you. “stack my plate. you know the drill.”

you burst into action, bustling round the table, scooping up different assortments of breakfast foods you know the king enjoys; he’s got his bacon, and his eggs, and the bread, pancakes on the side. you slather beans along the rim of his plate and place a single hash brown in the residue, just as he likes it.

and then you sit down, and pick apart the entire thing.

you can feel kaz’s eyes burning into you as you work, but you pay him no attention. you have to focus, because this is kind of a life or death situation. you sniff the food first, though this very rarely shows you anything you might need to worry about. it’s too fresh, still warm in your fingers when you lift it to your nose. you can smell only the warmth of it all, but you take the precaution anyway, just to show the king you know what you’re doing.

and then you nibble the edges, heart thumping with nerves rather than poison entering your body. that’s what you’re looking for - poison, an assassination attempt. even in his own palace, the king is paranoid. his own staff have turned against him before. you’re not entirely surprised.

you chew, swallow, pause, repeat.

“all clear.”

you hand the plate back, tuck your hands in your lap and look down at the table at kaz. he’s staring at you, an eyebrow raised, and you understand immediately that he recognises you, probably knew you worked here before he even entered the premise.

was he here for you?

you banish the thought and look away. you wait until the king has started digging in before excusing yourself and exiting, your job for the morning complete. at lunch, you will have to repeat the process, and again at dinner, but until then, you have the morning to yourself.

you walk through the gardens, because fresh air is all you need right now. your heart is hammering, and you curse yourself for it - kaz brekker has not been in your life for months. he shouldn’t have a grip on you. he shouldn’t even know you are here, and yet he does, because of course he does. kaz doesn’t step foot anywhere until he knows the ins-and-outs of the entire place. he keeps his ducks all in a neat row, and you were a fool to believe you had escaped it.

it’s not like kaz is a bad man. he’s evil, certainly, with horrible actions under his belt, but you can understand his reasoning. he kills a man, and maybe that’s an overexaggeration, but the man was also seconds away from traumatising a poor woman walking home from work. kaz takes a life, saving the day in the process. it’s how he works, how he’s always worked for as long as you’ve known him.

and you’ve known him for a while.

you haven’t been by his side in months, but someone like kaz brekker is someone you never forget. once you know kaz, you never stop knowing him, which is a curse more than anything else. oh, how you wish you could wipe the slate clean, pretend you never got involved with him and his gang in the first place. but that was your decision - your stupid, careless decision - and you need to face the consequences.

having him here, at your place of work, was a consequence.

you sit down by the stream just outside the palace grounds. a duckling struts past, paying you no attention whatsoever. a stray lilipad floats gently through the water, spurred on by the tiny breeze ketterdam has for you today.

you like to come here sometimes, just to clear your head a little bit. nobody else bothers with the nice scenery and the nature; they think it’s a waste of time. if it wasn’t for the gardener, this place would be a wasteland, left to shrivel and disappear into shadow. you’re thankful it’s been kept pleasant, though - it’s a good place for someone who wants to have no thoughts for a little while.

you lean down and run your fingertips along the water. it’s cold, and a weed gets tangled between your fingers. you lift it from the water with a wince, flicking your wrist to get it off-

a cane clamps down on your fingers, shoving your hand into the grass.

you inhale sharply, straightening up but not turning around.

“so easy to startle,” kaz hums. “you’re losing your touch, y/n.”

you twist your hand and catch the bottom of his cane, using it to pull yourself to your feet. kaz doesn’t stumble, but you never expected him to; kaz doesn’t stumble. he’s much too stubborn for that.

you whirl around, and there he is, that frown on his face, his head tilted like he’s analysing you even before you’ve said two words. a heat festers in your belly. you don’t know if you want to hug him or slam your fist into his nose.

“so this is where you ended up, is it?” he glances at the grand gardens, the glistening lake, the ducklings swimming past. “you’ve surprised me, i gotta say. i never thought you’d be into such grandeur.”

you fold your arms over your chest, cheeks heating up. you will admit, the palace is certainly not the place you thought to find yourself, either; after living in the barrel your entire life, you had grown used to dirt stained clothes, weeks without washing, hunger pains. this was different. this was a different type of hell, a hell in fancy clothes.

“cat got your tongue?” kaz continues, swinging that stupid cane back and forth. “shame. i think we have a lot to talk about.”

“why are you here?”

“ah, asking the right questions now!”

“just tell me, kaz. tell me, and then we can go our separate ways - just like you wanted.”

his expression falters for a moment, so quick that it’s clear he doesn’t want you noticing the power you still have over him, even just a little.

“fine,” he says. “let’s walk.”

you do just that, hands tucked into pockets, head tilted down. it’s easier to talk to him when you’re not subject to his facial expressions, too - handling both of them is too much.

“you want to know why i’m here,” he begins. “i’m here looking for you.”

your stomach drops, even though that was kind of what you were expecting.

he pauses, giving you a chance to fill in the silence with your own thoughts, but you don’t even look up.

he barrels on. “we had a tip-off from someone that you were working here now. no one else believed it, but me? i know you a little better than them. i was surprised, but i could picture it. you’ve always been irrational when you’re desperate.”

you wince. “you don’t know me at all, kaz.”

he smiled at the sky in response, like you had walked into his trap.

“i hope you didn’t come here thinking you can coax me back to the barrel,” you continue. “that’s not going to happen.”

his jaw clenches, head still tilted towards the sun. his skin is a little darker now, a little more tan. he’s probably been out and about, you think, causing havok in the sunshine, ruining people’s holidays because he can.

“i thought you would say that,” he says. “so i’m bringing the problem to you.”

you nearly stumble. “what?” freezing in the middle of the path, you grab his arm and whirl him around, forcing him to look at you. “what have you done, kaz? what problem?”

“she asked for you.”

“kaz-”

“inej is sick.”

your breath falters. those words, so simple, yet so . . . unexpected. inej ghafa - the wraith, your best friend, the girl designed to be indestructible. that’s why kaz picked her. that’s why she worked alongside you. that’s what made you the best damn crew in ketterdam.

“sick.”

kaz nods, shrugging his arm from your grip. “sick. ill. not well. poorly. whatever you want to call it. she’s not doing good, and the only person she’s asking for is you.”

“so where is she?” you whirl around. “is she here?”

“not walking alongside us, no.”

you scowl. “i mean at the palace, kaz. is she at the palace?”

“she will be.” kaz pulls a golden watch from his pocket. “in about three hours. that should give your employer plenty of time to set my room up and make some space in the hospital wing, don’t you think?”

you close your eyes, trying desperately to steady the thumping of your heart. he could be lying, and you know that, but what if he isn’t? what is inej really is on her death bed, and you never even got to say goodbye?

the thought terrifies you to the point your hands begin to tremble. when you open your eyes, kaz is staring at them, and you’re almost certain there is something close to pity sparking there.

you quickly snap your arms behind your back and nod. “fine. okay. i’ll see her. but once i’ve done what i can, you leave. both of you.”

kaz studies your face. the fire in your stomach burns even brighter, forcing you to look away and keep walking.

kaz follows, all soft footsteps. “i’m not here to bring up the past, y/n. i hope you know that.”

“you can understand why i find that hard to believe.”

“well, yes. but i’m serious. what we had, it means nothing now. you’re a different person, and so am i. we can let it go.”

you swallow the lump in your throat, trying to pretend those words are exactly what you wanted to hear. but a knot twists in your heart, almost to the point of pain.

you take a deep breath and glance at him over your shoulder. he’s only a few steps behind, but his presence is so large, so there that you nearly trip.

and then you say, “we never had anything, kaz. remember that.”

----

it’s like you’re trying to hurt each other.

that’s how it’s always been between you and kaz, but at one point, it felt natural. it was a bit of fun. a few snide remarks here and there, followed by kaz confessing he thinks your eyes are a very pretty colour. a bit of sparring, followed by you telling kaz he’s the most important person in your life.

this time, however, the mere sight of him is a torment, one you don’t find fun in the slightest.

the king tasks you with leading kaz through the palace. this was a job you fully expected to be given, but it doesn’t make it any easier. kaz stops to examine every little thing, tracing his fingers along artefacts you would be murdered for touching.

you swat his hand away when he reaches for a bust of the kings father. “stop it. if you knock that over, he’ll have you hanged.”

kaz raises a brow before touching a gloved fingertip to the stone. you groan and march off, trying to ignore the butterflies at the sound of his soft, hidden chuckle echoing behind you.

you show him his room, a beautifully decorated space much grander than any room the king has ever given you. kaz whistles when he walks in, looking at the wine bucket on his chest of drawers, and the freshly made bed with the thick linens, and a view to die for.

“spoiled,” he says.

you roll your eyes. “i’ll leave you to get comfortable.”

“or.” he whirls, catching your arm. his fingers slot in the crook of your elbow, the leather of his gloves sparking unwanted familiarity within you. “you can stay, and we can talk some more.”

“i have things to do, kaz.” you rip your arm from his grip. “the king will be having lunch soon, and i need to be there.”

kaz scoffs, slowly sliding the knot out of his tie and slipping it from beneath his collar, like undressing in front of you is no big deal. “so you can do what? potentially die? you know, y/n, i once thought you were a tough son of a bitch, but the longer i’m here, the more i’m realising just how weak you are.”

ouch.

“we’ve all got to make a living somehow,” you reply. “you murder people, i keep the king safe.”

“the same king you wanted to assassinate a few months ago?” he tilts his head, pursing his lips. “what a drastic change of heart.”

“go to hell, kaz.”

he raises a hand. “wait for me outside; i’ll come to lunch with you and your king.”

you pause. “has he invited you?”

“i don’t need an invite.”

“you’re not permitted to be there-”

“i’ll be there.” he starts unbuttoning his shirt. “i want to watch you in action. you’ve always been very good in action.” he smirks, and you know he’s just teasing you, trying to get a reaction. your cheeks heat up, but you quickly turn on your heel and scurry out before he can notice.

you don’t wait on him outside. instead, you hurry to the dining hall, where the king is already seated. he looks up when you enter, fingers already tangled in his beard. his wife sits beside him, grand and tall and everything a queen should be. she scowls when you enter, but you ignore her, immediately taking your seat by the king and fanning a napkin over your lap.

“sorry,” you say. “kaz brekker kept me.”

“it’s mr brekker,” the queen snaps. “have some respect for our guests.”

“y/n can call me kaz.”

you close your eyes, listening to the thump of his feet and cane against the carpet.

“y/n can call me kaz,” he repeats, lowering himself in the chair at the head of the table. “mr brekker is a little too formal for them.”

“mr brekker,” the queen exclaims, fanning her reddening face. “i wasn’t aware you would be joining us for lunch!”

you nearly roll your eyes at her flustered state - okay, so kaz is attractive. he’s also half her age.

kaz leans back in his seat, tapping his fingertips together. “oh, no, i’m not eating. i’m just here to observe.” at the confused silence, he shrugs. “i have nothing better to do, and i’ve always been fascinated with the hobbies y/n takes on. such a talented soul they are.”

you’ve never heard kaz speak so formal before, and you have half a mind to laugh. instead, you glance over to see his own lips trembling in his attempts to keep a straight face - he finds this just as amusing as you do. messing with the royals, it’s all a game to him. they are the fools.

“do you two know each other?” the king asks, handing you his stacked plate.

“no,” you snap. kaz grins behind his glove, staring at you over his fingers as you hasten to add, “no, we don’t. i just met him today.”

the king nods slowly, not quite sure whether to believe you or not. you don’t give him a chance to doubt any further before picking up your knife and fork and cutting a small chunk from a slice of tofu. you go through the usual routine with everything on his plate, but all the while, kaz stares. you feel his eyes like a fire sinking into the side of your face, putting you off from paying proper attention. you pop the cut-off’s in your mouth and chew, turning to meet his gaze, as if making eye contact with him is some kind of power move. however, he actually looks a bit. . . worried? concerned? you’ve never seen that expression on his face before, and it makes your stomach flip as you swallow the food.

you give a final nod, handing the plate back to the king. you repeat the process with the queen before standing, straightening your trousers and excusing yourself.

kaz’s chair screeches as he stands.

“mr brekker, would you not care for some lunch?” the queen asks.

“no.” he turns and follows you out the dining room, catching your arm when you try and run. “what the hell?”

you spin, snatching your arm away. “can you stop grabbing me?”

“what happens if their food actually has been poisoned?”

“then i get poisoned.”

he raises a brow, skin paling. “and do they have someone on hand for if that happens?”

“on hand to do what?”

“don’t play stupid, y/n. on hand to save your fucking life.”

you scowl; it’s been a long time since you’ve heard kaz curse, and it shames you to feel the same thrill run over you.

“i get sent to the infirmary,” you reply. “but it’s never happened before.”

“never happened-” he shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. “this is the kind of life you want to live? you left the barrel for this?”

“no life is as bad as the barrel.”

kaz’s lips tighten, eyes fluttering closed for the briefest moment before he opens them again and says, “you left the place where people loved you, cared about you, and you came here. to this shit hole. you’re risking your life for them, and you have the nerve to tell me this life isn’t as bad as the barrel?”

even to you it sounds ridiculous, but you refuse to give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

“the barrel wasn’t a life,” you say. “the barrel was a beginning for me, but i’ve moved on.”

“you don’t move on from that.”

“maybe not mentally, but i can damn well get away physically.” you lean in, lowering your voice. “i just wish you’d let me.”

his eyes scan your face, drawing attention to just how close you are to him. his breath fans your cheeks. you can make out every line on his lips, every crease in his face. you could lean forward if you wanted to, close that distance.

you step back, once again straightening your trousers. “tell me when inej arrives and i’ll come meet her in the infirmary.”

kaz doesn’t say anything. he watches you leave, and part of you - a retched, traitorous part - is disappointed he doesn’t follow.

----

inej really is sick.

“so it’s true,” you say, sauntering into the infirmary. “the wraith has been beaten.”

you’re trying to jest, but there’s little humour to be felt when she looks like that. her dark skin is pale and sickly, warm drops of sweat clinging to her forehead and rolling down her neck. she’s dressed in only a thin night gown, revealing collar bones and stretched skin where her muscles once were.

she looks up, bloodshot eyes meeting your own, and even in sickness, she manages a smile when she sees you. that’s enough to have you breaking. you rush to her bedside and bundle her in your arms, nearly sobbing with relief at the feel of her pressed against you, her hands in your hair, her mouth inches from your ear.

she whispers, “it’s you.”

you pull away, nodding. “yes. it’s me.”

“what are you doing here?”

you pull a chair over and sit down. “that’s not important.”

“yes, it is.”

“i’ll explain later.” you lean forward, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. “you talk first; what’s going on?”

inej coughs into her elbow; something rattles in your throat, and you try desperately to hide your wince. “i just got sick. i fell in the brig a few days ago, and i don’t think the water was very healthy.”

“of course it wasn’t,” you grumble. “it’s the barrel, you stupid girl. what did you expect?”

“i cleaned myself pretty well afterwards,” she defends.

“clearly not well enough.” you place a hand to her cheek. “has anyone come to see you?”

“some man in a coat,” she replies, nuzzling down in the pillows. “he checked my temperature and my blood pressure and all that stuff. said he’d be back soon.”

“and he didn’t seem . . . concerned?”

inej shrugs. “i didn’t look him in the eye. men like him don’t sit right with me, y/n. i let him do his job, but i’m not looking at him. i’m not giving him ideas.”

you nod. there is a silence, but those are okay between you and inej.

finally, you reach over and take her hand. her palms are clammy, cold, but her grip is strong.

“i’m sorry i wasn’t there to help you.”

her head snaps around, eyes widening. “y/n-”

“i know you always say you understand why i left, but it’s just. . . i don’t know. i feel guilty about it. i feel selfish sometimes, and you’ve had to travel all the way here whilst you’re in this state all because i wasn’t there to-”

“has kaz been making you feel guilty?”

your mouth snaps closed. “i don’t. . . i don’t think so?”

inej sighs, head dropping back into the pillows. “don’t listen to him. i understand why you left; i always have. kaz just. . . i don’t think he ever got over it when you disappeared. it was like a part of him went with you.” she shrugs. “a part of him did go - you.”

silence again, because you have no idea how to respond to that. kaz was hurt when you left, and you know that, but he’s kaz. he’s tough. he’s been through everything a person should never have to go through. the thought of his final straw being you is almost laughable to think about.

“he loved you,” inej continues, even though you don’t want her to. “he really, really loved you.”

“past tense,” you whisper. “not any more.”

inej smiles sadly, and that’s all you need to see to understand you’re right - he’s moved on. he’s here with you now, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. he’s here on business. he doesn’t care about you, and he said it himself - whatever the two of you had is gone, non-existent. you thought you had come to terms with that, but seeing the confirmation on inej’s face makes you feel suddenly exhausted.

“well this isn’t about kaz and i,” you say, pulling your shoulders back. “come on. tell me what’s been going on since i left.”

---

you’re trying to sleep when you hear the bang.

trying being the key word. always. every night, you put your best efforts into drifting to sleep, but it never seems to work how you want it to. you toss and turn for hours on end, drifting in and out of your associative state, but not really falling asleep. time just passes, and then it’s day time, and you’re working again.

tonight is no different.

the bang is loud, just next door to your room. your ears immediately prick - the palace guards aren’t moving towards it. you’re already awake, so you may as well see to it yourself.

you swing your legs out of bed, grab your dressing gown and walk into the hallway. glancing back and forth, you see nothing out of the ordinary.

the bang sounds again.

you narrow your eyes, walking further down the hallway. turning a corner, the bang sounds one final time before a pair of shoes flies at the wall and crashes to the floor in a heap.

you rush forward, eyes wide. “what the-”

kaz spins, another pair of expensive shoes already in his hand. “oh. did i wake you?”

dazed, you snatch the shoes into your possession and toss them to the floor. “what the fuck are you doing, kaz? people are trying to sleep!”

“i was also trying to sleep,” kaz replies. “i am one of those people, so why are you yelling at me?”

you rub your eyes in frustration - sometimes talking to him is like pulling teeth.

“oh, come on,” kaz says. “i was just doing a bit of late night cleaning. this room is a fucking shit hole.”

you raise a brow, sighing. “what are you on about? this room was pristine when you came.”

“yeah, well, i thought so too. and then i found this.” he motions for you to enter the room, and though you know it’s a bad idea, you do so. he hooks his foot around something beneath his bed, and pulls out a box overflowing with expensive shoes.

you narrow your eyes. “what’s the problem?”

“rich men shoes,” he says, like that explains everything. after knowing kaz as deeply as you do, it kind of does make sense.

you sigh again, kicking the box back beneath the bed. “go to sleep, kaz.”

“i can’t.”

“try.”

“you know i can’t.”

you pause, overcome with a sudden chill. you wrap the dressing gown tighter around your body, trying to refrain from looking at him - he’s still dressed in the fancy clothes he wore this morning, but the top button is pulled loose, and his hair is a mess. his eyes droop a little, evidence that he really wants to sleep, but genuinely just can’t.

and you know why.

“i’m not asking you to stay with me,” he continues, grabbing a pair of socks from the floor. “i’m just saying - you have no right telling me to sleep when you know what it’s like.”

“are they bad again?”

kaz purses his lips. “they’ve been bad for a while.”

a while. that’s how he always phrases it. when he says it’s been a while, he means it’s been a while since you left the crows, left him.

you swallow, looking to the ceiling like the intricate design will give you clarity. “i can get you tea or something. a fresh blanket. whiskey.”

“trying to get me drunk?”

“kaz, i’m serious.” you meet his eyes. “you look terrible.”

he laughs, a sly sound that reeks more of danger than amusement. “thank you.”

“let me get you something.” you turn, but he catches your elbow. you glance back just as he drops his hand like your flesh has burned him, an uncharacteristic redness adorning his cheeks.

“didn’t mean to touch you,” he mumbles, scratching the back of his neck. “but i’m serious; i don’t need anything. it’s useless anyway.”

everything is useless. every remedy he’s ever been given has never worked. the only remedy for insomnia that has worked for kaz brekker is you.

but you can’t do that to him. you can’t do that to yourself.

“okay,” you mumble. “just. . . stop making so much noise, alright?”

“did i really wake you?”

“i couldn’t sleep either.”

you stare at each other. it’s like you’re waiting for the other to break. you hate that you kind of want him to break.

his adams apple bobs. “make yourself some tea, then. i’ll be a bit quieter.”

you nod. “thanks.”

“how’s inej, by the way? did you see her?”

“i did. she seems. . . okay.” you shrug. “the doctors are going to do everything they can to help her get back to normal. then you can go back to the barrel.”

kaz nods, though his movements are slower this time around, shoulders a little more slumped. neither of you say anything else as you walk out, tugging your dressing gown a little tighter around your body.

you don’t take his advice. you don’t need tea, or whiskey, or a fresh blanket; with kaz’s words and his expressions and him, you know there is no way you’re getting to sleep any time soon, no matter what remedy you use.

----

“good morning, royalty.”

the king looks up from his breakfast, the very breakfast you have just tested for poison. it sits weirdly in your stomach this morning; after a sleepless night, your appetite has deserted you, but you have no choice besides eating.

kaz strolls into the room, dressed in a suit. his white shirt sits against his chest, and his sleeves are rolled up to reveal the crow tattoo on his arm. you awkwardly rub your own crow tattoo, suddenly very aware of how permanent it is.

“good morning, mr brekker,” the king says. “again, you surprise me with your presence. we weren’t expecting you for breakfast.”

“i am just full of surprises.” he sits down in his usual seat and meets your eyes. “how are you this morning, y/n?”

“y/n was just about to leave,” the king replies, as you knew he would; he likes hearing your voice as little as possible.

kaz, however, keeps his eyes on you. “i asked y/n. not you.”

you stare straight at him, a silent warning. “i’m good, mr brekker. well-rested.”

“you can call me kaz.” he leans back, grinning. “i’m glad to hear it. maybe you and i can take a walk amongst the duck pond again later on.”

there he goes, putting on that god awful formal accent that he thinks is so funny.

you scowl. “i’m a bit busy today, mr brekker.”

“kaz.”

“he asked you to call him kaz, y/n,” the king snaps.

kaz nods. “i asked you to call me kaz, y/n.”

you bite your lip, pushing back the retort that so desperately wants to rise. he’s just sat there, grinning with no shame. the king is looking straight at him, and he doesn’t even care.

“any duties you’ve been given today can be postponed until later,” the king says. “mr brekker is our guest, and if he wants your company, your company he shall receive.”

kaz’s grin gets wider, and oh, you want so desperately to punch him square in the face. instead, you force a smile, turning to the king to tell him just how honoured you would be to give kaz brekker your company on this fine morning.

and that’s how you find yourself strolling through the gardens with kaz, yet again.

“you’re unbelieable,” you mumble, arms folded over your chest like a school kid having a tantrum.

“i’m good,” he replies. “you know i’m good, y/n. i don’t know why you act surprised.”

“he’s the king, kaz,” you hiss. “can you not tone it down a little?”

“tone what down?”

“the-” you gesture vaguely, though the only word you can conjure is flirting, and there’s no way in hell you’re letting that slip into the conversation. “the shit. tone down the shit!”

“i’m not scared of him. i know you want me to be, but i’m not.”

“oh yes. how could i forget? kaz brekker isn’t scared of anything.”

kaz scoffs. “kaz brekker is scared of plenty of things - men aren’t one of them.”

such a kaz thing to say. the most frustrating bit about it was that he was telling the truth.

“i told inej what your job is here,” he continues after a moment of tense silence.

“oh?”

“she understands. says you’ve always been one to do anything to survive.”

you shrug. she’s right.

“that worries me, you know.”

“nothing worries you, kaz.”

“the thought of you in danger does.”

you shake your head. “don’t start this now. you said it yourself; what we had was nothing.”

“why can’t i worry about you without it having to mean something bigger?”

“because everything you say means something bigger.”

kaz falls silent. he knows it’s true, and so do you. kaz has never been able to speak his full extent, always letting people think less of him so he can take them by surprise when the time is right. you have learned first hand how frustrating that can be, but it was also a part of him you grew to love. it was what made him so intelligent, so cunning. it was what made him kaz.

“are you not ever worried you’re going to get unlucky one day?”

you glance over. he keeps his head ducked down, one hand curled around the head of his cane, the other tucked into his pocket. “i know what i signed up for. getting poisoned was kind of part of the risk.”

“since when did you even know how to identify poisons?”

your lips twitch. “jesper taught me.”

kaz rolls his eyes skyward, running a hand through his hair; the sun glows against his tan skin. “of course he did. honestly, the shit you two got up to when i wasn’t around-”

“we had fun,” you say. “we could only do that when you weren’t hovering over our shoulders.”

kaz glares.

you look to the floor, afraid to smile at him, afraid to open this conversation into something even mildly pleasant; if you can get through this entire visit without thinking of kaz fondly, maybe it will make all of it a bit easier. maybe you’ll be able to trick yourself into thinking you’ve moved on, grown stronger since your time in the barrel.

“how is jesper?” you ask, because you suddenly feel like you can’t help it.

kaz shrugs. “how jesper always is.”

“worse?”

“for a while. he didn’t take you leaving very well, but he straightened himself out.” kaz tugs on his lapels. “he always does.”

“yeah. he does.”

you wonder about jesper sometimes. it hurts to know he took your leave badly, though you should have known; jesper has never been one to handle his feelings well. that was your job on his behalf. you would often sit with him at night, just to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. you once handcuffed him to his bed post to stop him heading out into the gambling hall of the hotel you were staying in.

he was the only one you could ever really properly speak to about what was going on between you and kaz. inej understood kaz, but jesper was kaz’s right-hand man. he was the one kaz would go to about things like that.

“does jesper know how to make your brew?”

there is no moment of confusion, like he was expecting the question. “i’m sure he does. i never ask him to make it, though.”

your nostrils flare. “kaz-”

“listen, the nightmares aren’t going to disappear,” he says, raising a silencing hand that you swat away before he can think it works. “i don’t need some special brew helping me sleep.”

“no, you’ll just stay awake until you drop dead.”

kaz grins, sharp as knives. “that’ll be the way to go, won’t it?”

you shove his shoulder, suddenly furious. he looks over, still grinning, because kaz has always found your frustration amusing. he used to say you looked like a chipmunk who just got their nuts stolen.

“for someone so smart,” you hiss, “you’re pretty stupid.”

“because i won’t indulge in your famous sleep remedy?”

“because you’ll let yourself suffer before asking for help.”

his smile fades. “i only ask certain people for help, y/n. it’s not my fault those people keep leaving.”

your heart drops; there he goes again with the impersonal little jabs, knowing he’s cutting you so, so deep. you don’t even humour him with a response, instead quickening your pace until you begin to feel like he isn’t even there.

but that’s impossible, because he’s kaz brekker. he’s yours. even when he truly isn’t there, it’s like he’s walking right beside you, and you’re beginning to get very annoyed by the attachment. it’s not fair on you, and it’s not fair on kaz, but neither of you seem able to help it.

you continue walking until the cold gets a little too much. then you head back to the palace in silence.

----

final meal of the day. you will make sure it’s not poisoned, and then you will go to bed.

kaz is there, as per usual. the king and queen don’t even act shocked any more, simply welcoming him into the dining hall. oftentimes, he’ll stroll in by your side, his cane clicking against the marble and that smug little smile playing on his face. you always ignore him, even though the king says it’s disrespectful to do so.

tonight, you do just that. you take your seat beside the king, gather up his food and start the process. the beef is smothered in gravy, making the scent test a little difficult, but you give it a go anyway, because it’s protocol by now.

kaz watches from afar, one finger pressed to his lips. he’s lounging back like he’s comfortable, like sitting in a palace is what he does every day. his eyes are narrowed, focused.

you pop the beef into your mouth and chew; nothing.

you move onto the potatoes. nothing.

finally, you dip your fork into the sweetcorn and raise it to your lips.

kaz slaps the fork from your hand. he makes no noise. one minute he is sat at the head of the table, and the next he is by your side, grabbing your shoulders and pulling you from your seat.

the queen shrieks as the fork flies directly at her, sweetcorn and all. a glass of wine tips over when kaz pulls you to your feet, your knee slamming against the underside of the table. palace guards run inside, but none of them know what to do - nobody in the room shouldn’t be there, and so they stand by the door, glancing at each other.

your eyes, however, are trained on kaz.

“what. the. fuck?” you hiss under your breath as the king tends to his startled wife.

kaz meets your eyes dead on. “you really need to get better at your job.” he grabs your arm and starts for the door. the king hollers after him, demanding to know what is going on, but kaz pays him no attention, and you have no idea why you’re not fighting any of this. your heart is hammering in your chest at a million miles per hour, and you have so many questions, but it’s just reflex by now to trust kaz.

he drags you through the halls until reaching his room, where he pushes open the door and leads you inside. it is only then, when it is just the two of you, that you come to your senses, replaying that scene over and over in your head.

you whirl around, yanking your arm from his grip so harshly that you stumble back. “what the hell was that, kaz?”

“how much training did they actually give you before throwing you in to risk your life everyday?”

“why do you care?”

he starts pulling his tie loose, not even looking at you. “just tell me.”

you fold your arms over your chest, trying desperately to keep your attention away from the way his gloved fingers tug and pull at the knot on his tie. “i did a course at the start where i could identify all the different types of poisons.”

he quirks an eyebrow. “that all?”

“it was enough.”

“if it was enough, y/n, you would have noticed the soft spots in the sweetcorn.”

your head snaps up. soft spots?

he hums, despite you saying nothing in response. “wilde yolk makes food go soft in certain places. it also kills people in about ten seconds if consumed in even the tiniest amount.” he looks up, flicking his tie off completely. “did you not learn that in your course?”

you bite your lip and look away. you were so distracted at that dinner table these days, focusing mostly on kaz brekker at the end of the table. you had no idea he was examining your food just as much as you should have been. you had no idea he was keeping an eye out for you.

“so is this experience enough to get you to move back to the barrel?”

your eyes snap up. he’s staring right at you. he doesn’t even look fazed by his question.

and that makes you so, so angry. in seconds, you have gone from grateful to furious; only kaz can elicit that response from you.

you step back, glaring. “so that’s what this is then? you came all the way here to drag me back to the barrel?”

“well, no. i came here to get inej help, but she seems to be healing up pretty well with all the goods your people are giving her.” he shrugs, bottom lip protruding. “so i thought i’d try my hand at this.”

“you are unbelievable.”

kaz raises a brow. “are you getting mad at me?”

“you are unbelievable!” you want to throw something at him. you want to break down and cry. you kind of want to go with him. “it’s like you haven’t listened to a word i’ve said. are you that self-centred, kaz?”

“you know i am.”

you close your eyes, trying to steady your breathing. maybe you’re overreacting. maybe you really are better off in the barrel, where you were born and raised, where you learned everything you ever knew. but here, with kaz being the one to drag you back - it reminds you so harshly that you’re his. you are his, and that is all anyone will ever see you as, and that thought. . . you don’t know how to feel about that thought.

“this isn’t the life for you, y/n,” he continues. “you know it isn’t. once the barrel has you, it doesn’t let you go. we’ve all learned that the hard way.”

“is that what you are?” you spit. “the hard way?”

he shrugs. “you should be grateful it’s me and not someone worse.”

“there is no one worse, kaz.”

his lips twitch, the only sign that your words have actually struck a nerve. “you mean that, do you?”

“don’t act like you’re the good guy. you know you’re evil. you’re proud of it! that’s why i had to leave. that’s why i’m in here risking my life every single fucking day! i wanted to get away from you!”

and oh, saints, this isn’t going how you wanted it to go. the words are spilling from your mouth before you can stop them, mind racing too quick for your mouth to catch up. his face continues falling with every word, but you don’t stop.

“saints, kaz, when are you ever going to grow the fuck up? you walk around pretending you have everything under control, that you own the place, but you’re nothing - nothing - without the rest of us. you would be dead twenty times over if it wasn’t for that little crew of yours, the people you have under your god damn thumb.” you step forward, teeth gritted. “kaz dirtyhands brekker can’t even take his own fucking gloves off.”

“is that what you want?” he steps closer, so close your chests are almost touching. his face is red, a line of sweat glittering upon his upper lip that only ever shows itself when he’s furious, out of his mind with anger. “you want the gloves to come off? fine.”

and then he plucks the gloves from his hands and throws them on the floor.

his hands. the hands you have seen only twice in the years you have known him, the hands that have never touched your bare skin. suddenly they are in full view, free reign to do whatever you want with them, but all you can do is step back, one hand covering your mouth as you try and process what you’ve said, what kaz has done, how the situation could have taken such a harsh, grim turn.

but kaz isn’t finished. kaz is never finished.

“is this what you want, y/n?” he demands. “you need me to bear myself completely for you to believe i’m in love with you? or is this not enough?”

“kaz-”

“what else is it going to take, huh? tell me.”

“kaz, i’m-”

“what about this?”

he’s crazy. he’s crazy, and making mistakes, and you know this because he reaches forward and cups your face in his bare hands, flesh against flesh. shock ricochets through you, eyes widening as kaz lets out an anguished groan, his own eyes slipping closed. you feel his fingers trembling upon your skin.

you wrench away from him, gasping.

he immediately spins around, clutching his hands to his chest. he groans low in his throat, pressing his head against the wall. sweat trickles down the back of his neck, disappearing beneath his collar. you catch a single tear run down his cheek that he can’t wipe away because then his fingers will be touching his skin, and he hates that. it kills him. you know it does.

you rush forward, placing a hand safely on his jacket-covered shoulder. his breathing is ragged and shaky.

“kaz,” you pant. “oh god, kaz, i’m so sorry. i’m so, so sorry. why did you do that?” you whirl around frantically. “your gloves. where are your gloves?”

he doesn’t reply. you’re talking to yourself at this point. you spot his gloves on the floor and grab them, immediately handing them back without so much as a brush of your fingertips against his. he’s hurried and distressed when he tugs them back on, clenching his fist over and over again, as if to ensure his hands are safely hidden beneath the leather.

he doesn’t turn around. you stand behind him, one hand pressed to your chest, eyes swimming in tears you didn’t even feel rising to the surface.

“kaz,” you whisper. “i’m. . . i didn’t mean. . .”

“you got what you wanted, didn’t you?” he mumbles, straightening up. “i’m not asking you to return to the barrel with me so you can serve me, or whatever you think this is. i’m asking you to return so i can have you there. so we can be together again.” he glances over his shoulder. “as it should be.”

you stare at him, wanting to respond, wanting to tell him to go to hell, but you can’t lie. never before have you been able to look kaz in the eye and lie, and maybe that’s why you say nothing. he’s right in every sense - you and him are meant to be by each other’s side, no matter what. barrel born and raised, nobody understands you quite like he does.

but admitting that, throwing away every barrier you have worked so hard to put up . . . you can’t do it.

kaz waits a moment longer before laughing half-heartedly, sounding more exhausted than anything else. he lowers his head, black hair falling in his face before he swipes it out of the way, looks at you and says, “get out.”

“kaz-”

“stop saying my name.” he turns, tossing his tie onto the bed. “get. out. inej and i will be gone tomorrow.”

you swallow thickly, pushing away the tears. and then you do as he said, because standing in his presence for much longer is going to send you into a spiral you don’t think you’ll be able to crawl out of again. you’ve been down that road before, and it took everything in you not to be consumed.

----

“why do you look like you’ve been crying?” inej asks. she’s sat up now, a tray of soup perched on her lap. the colouring has come back to her skin, and she stands up whenever she wants to. whatever the palace medics did for her is working wonders, which you suppose is one thing you should be grateful for.

you lean over and dip a slice of bread in her soup.

“are you checking if it’s been poisoned?” inej jokes, and when you don’t respond, she sighs. “you and kaz have a fight?”

you wince, which is answer enough.

“what about this time?”

“he wants me to go back to the barrel with you.”

inej pauses, eyes still cast to her soup. you look at her, stomach curling in sudden realisation.

“wait,” you say. “did you know that was his plan this entire time?”

“no,” she replies, though she looks sheepish. “i genuinely was sick. kaz just. . . came along for the ride when he heard you were here.” she looks up and groans. “you can’t act surprised, y/n. what were you expecting? for him to just walk out and leave you here?”

“that would have been the right thing to do, yes.”

“well, you know kaz better than that. use your brain.” she waves a hand in your direction. “pass me another slice of bread and tell me about this argument.”

you don’t want to. all day you have been thinking about the feel of his hands on your face, his flesh against your own, the anguished groan ripped from his throat. he put himself through that to prove - what? that he loves you? that’s what he said, but it was only a few days prior he was claiming what you and him had was nothing. it was forgotten, and you were happy about that for the briefest moment. if kaz moved on, you could too.

but then he took the gloves off, and it was just. . . messed up again. you were left confused and guilty and pining, and you hated yourself for it. it was as if all that hard work you had put in to forget about kaz had been thrown out the window - trust kaz to come in and ruin everything.

“i can see what you’re thinking, you know,” says inej suddenly.

“can you?”

“take it from me,” she says. “kaz is never going to get over you. he’s never going to let you go. he’s never going to stop trying for you. he’s a stubborn bastard, and a stubborn bastard is even worse when they’re in love - which kaz is. disastrously, madly in love.”

“he said we were nothing.”

“he’s a stubborn and prideful bastard.”

you close your eyes, heart thumping. “i don’t know what to do, inej.”

“well, do you love him back?”

your eyes fly open. “what kind of question is that?”

she shrugs. “an obvious one, but i want to know the answer.”

you know the answer. your brain screams it at you. you have felt the answer in your bones every day since you left the barrel, and yet speaking it aloud feels like a betrayal of yourself from yourself.

so you look away, and as inej always claims, she can see exactly what you’re thinking.

a soft chuckle slips past her lips. “the barrel never leaves a person, y/n. and apparently, neither does kaz brekker.”

“what are you suggesting?”

inej shrugs. “kaz and i are leaving for ketterdam in the morning. there’s definitely room for a third person.”

----

you don’t sleep that night. neither does kaz.

you can hear him pacing back and forth in his room, no doubt replaying the days events over and over in his mind in the same way you are. his hands against your skin, his eyes piercing your own, those words he spoke that left you tingling all over.

even now, laying in bed, you can’t get over what he said. i love you. that was the jidst of it, and though you had heard that confession from him a few times in the past, it was different this time around. it was kaz trying to prove himself, which he never did before. if someone didn’t take kaz at face value, he wouldn’t bother.

and you have to admit, hearing him say those words was like a shot to the chest. they are the very words that have been on the tip of your tongue for months now, spoken only in dreams when you finally allow yourself to sleep. you can say them to no one else - just kaz. always, always just kaz.

and maybe this realisation is the reason you find yourself getting dressed at six in the morning. maybe this realisation is the reason you pack all your things into the ruck sack you came to the palace with. maybe this realisation is the reason you tip-toe to the courtyard, avoiding the eyes of the staff who all look at you like you’re some kind of prisoner escaping your cell.

it’s still dark. the grass is wet beneath your thin shoes, the jacket you have pulled on doing little to protect you from the icy winds coming from the ocean just feet away from the palace’s front door. hovering on the banks is a boat, a boat you recognise as The Mast, one of the many boats kaz has won from different people around ketterdam.

you nearly cry at the sight of it.

you don’t waste time waiting on kaz and inej - you don’t want to have this discussion with either of them until you’re safely on the water, until you can’t change your mind.

you clamber onto the boat, giving a sheepish smile to the stunned crew member - Daryl, you think he’s called - as he stares at you approaching. he offers you a hand when you finally reach the deck, his eyes never leaving your own.

“morning,” you say. “i’m y/n.”

“i know,” daryl replies, before tipping his hat. “it’s wonderful to have you back on board.”

you smile awkwardly, unsure how to respond; how much do the crew actually know about what happened between you and the crows? how many people bore witness to that god awful aftermath?

you decide not to wait around to hear the answer. instead, you tell daryl you’re going down to the cabins, and he doesn’t argue. you disappear beneath the deck, finding the first room with a bed and immediately claiming it as your own; despite the lack of sleep, you are not tired in the slightest. you can’t get kaz out of your head, how he is going to react when the boat eventually docks and he sees you strolling off of it, greeted by that rancid ketterdam air. back in the barrel.

you lay down on the bed and stare at the ceiling. you will fall asleep eventually. you’ll trick yourself into it.

and then the door opens.

your eyes snap open with it; you must have fallen asleep eventually. groggily, you lift your head and look at the intruder - and your heart immediately falls.

“kaz.”

he looks crazed, hair stuck up, eyes wild. behind him stands inej, grinning from ear to ear, though the minute kaz steps into the room, she disappears into the shadows, leaving you and dirtyhands alone.

his eyes never leave yours as he approaches. he marches to your bedside, grabs your hand and pulls you up.

“kaz-”

he shoves you against the wall, gun pressed to your temple. you inhale sharply, though you can’t claim to be surprised or scared. you stare into his eyes, watching his own trace your features, looking for any sign that you are here in bad company.

“kaz,” you whisper, because it’s always his name that fights past your lips. “it’s me. i’m going home.”

his grip slackens. the gun crashes to the floor, and before you can say anything, he wraps his arms around your waist and pulls you into him. you are careful to rest your head upon his shoulder, not touching his flesh, but feeling him nonetheless. tears spring to your eyes, dribbling down the bridge of your nose and soaking the shoulder of his fancy suede jacket - one he stole from the kings wardrobe, you notice.

but you don’t pull away, afraid to go without his touch for another second.

“is this what you want?” he asks, voice muffled by your hair. “is this really what you’ve decided?”

“yes.” you pull away, hands sliding down his arms. “you’re right, kaz. the barrel is . . . it’s a shit hole, but it’s where i belong. it’s all i know. and you and me. . . we have to do this thing together.”

he narrows his eyes. “what thing?”

“everything.”

the corners of his mouth twitch. you can imagine kissing those lips, drawing him close and embracing in that way lovers often do. however, you’re content, happy even, with the way things are. you hold his gloved hands, and he says he loves you. you confide in him, and he confides in you, and sometimes you fight like children, but in the end, he will have your back no matter what.

“everything,” he repeats. “yeah.” he slips his gloved hands into the sleeve of your jacket, tracing his fingers along your crow tattoo, the one he matched, the one everyone matched when they decided to let the barrel take them over. you shiver, biting your lower lip. “you still have it.”

“i could hardly get rid of it,” you reply. kaz looks up, and you sigh. “i would never get rid of it, kaz. no matter what.”

he nods, rolling your sleeve back down. he pulls it over your wrist, covering your fingers before leaning down and pressing a kiss to the soft, rain soaked fabric.

he looks up at you again. “yes. no matter what.”

#kaz brekker #kaz brekker fanfic #soc #soc fanfic #kaz brekker fic #kaz brekker fanfiction #soc fanfiction #soc fic #six of crows #six of crows fanfic #six of crows fanfiction #six of crows fic

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alias-b · 4 years ago

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sins of my youth. 006

Billy Hargrove x OC! Evie Fenny~ Also posted to my AO3

Summary: It was common knowledge that Billy Hargrove hated Hawkins. Hated Cherry Lane. Even loathed the strange girl next door. Evie Fenny wasn’t too fond of the chaotic Cali transfer either. An awful high school tradition sparks a chain of events that changes everything, ultimately bringing two frayed souls together.

A/N: Aftermath of the dance! We learned about the rest of Billy’s night. Both babies struggling before school starts up again. TW: Pica and self loathing. Mentions of guys pursuing underage girls. Taglist open!!!

Chapter 6: Hard Candy

“Anyone up?”

“No, everyone is hungover.” Evie looked around. Everything frosted this morning like a peaceful snow globe. Eternal winter. Gorgeous and destructive. She didn’t kiss Fredrick goodbye. “Thank you.”

“We’ll talk again when school starts up. Don’t call, it’s too risky."

"But-"

"I’m just...risking everything to be with you, do you know that?”

He snatched her wrist when he said that. Pressed down on the pulse there. It sped.

“Yes...I’ll be careful. Do you still love me this morning?” Unsure of what answer would scare her more.

He smiled, grip loosening.

"Yes."

That sufficed. Evie slid out in her dress from yesterday. Watched some dead leaves whirl through the forest before she got onto the sidewalk. Cherry Lane awaited. Bowers turned his car on to slip away unnoticed so she could walk to her house. Mona's car was gone which meant errands.

And whoever her mother brought home to celebrate the New Year with hadn’t stayed.

Evie had the displeasure of running into a few at breakfast. These men who never lasted. Who froze like a deer in headlights to offer sheepish smiles as if she was stupid about why they were there. Who thought they'd be back. Ha ha. Thankfully, Mona mostly slept with guys not from Hawkins.

Billy’s Camaro was nowhere in sight either. Evie went into her house. Greeted Bourbon and crossed to the bedroom. The mess there replayed all of last night again. Dresses strewn all over her bed. Makeup spread on the vanity.

Evidence of a girl excited to have a great night. With a striking boy. Where she felt beautiful. She pictured herself holding dresses against her body at the mirror. Spinning. Happy.

Wishes.

Evie sucked in some air. Tied her hair back. Hung each dress up again. Pulled her own garment off and tossed it in the trash.

“Maroon is stupid.” She mused in her bra and underwear. “You should have worn blue.” Sighing to sit at the vanity, fingers rubbed her eyes pink. She organized makeup. Tried and failed to avoid the reflection in the mirror.

Her mother wouldn’t want to hear of this. So, Evie tried to look on the bright side. Pressed her palms flat. Looked at the mirror.

“I danced with a boy. A pretty boy and he made me feel…”

Isn’t it funny? Pretty funny. The words caught. Piled up and went back down her throat. Perched like they could become a scream but never returned with a vengeance.

She looked at her skin. Excess flesh. It didn't always bother her. Evie knew what she looked like and how the world preferred to see her.

A fist banged into her collar. Growling, she beat at herself. Unable to stop. Weak little bashes against herself.

“Why?" She clenched. "Why do you look like this!”

Fists rubbed her eyes again raw so no tears could flow. Nothingness. Just her soul spinning out of control all sweet and silent. She always did the world and her mother that courtesy. No use crying over spilled milk, just appreciate what you have. Depression and anger, those were ungrateful little phases and pushing them aside was ingrained into her synapses.

Mona made it look so easy.

Evie knocked into the side table, sending her needle felting project to the floor.

“Fuck.” Snatching items up, a sharp edge plucked her finger.

Blood beaded against the skin. A single prick like Sleeping Beauty. Evie calmed at the grim sight. Brought the finger to her lips. Sucked.

Slowly picked up everything else and saw a shiny button there. The same color as her dress from last night. Two fingers held it up so light could stream into the holes. Tiny heavens opening.

Her mouth watered. She no longer heard the laughter. Fredrick’s heavy breathing in her ear. Her mother chided her to smile through pain. Take bitter life pills with a spoonful of sugar. More noise fluttered away. Thunder while she hid in a dark closet. A hand on her leg.

Evie ran the big, acrylic button across her lip. Clicked it on her teeth and liked the sounds. Wind chimes in the fall glimmering.

Hard candy.

It slipped along her tongue. Shifted around saliva. Evie tipped her head back. Eased it down her throat as if it were another bitter pill.

Why do this? Just to see if she could. To see what would happen. To silence all the chaos she choked down.

Dead silence when it was done. Evie sat there tracing her lips with curious fingers. Pictured the pretty button decorating her insides. She could make art inside herself. Snapping her heart back together.

The exact sensations drained.

Tired and sore, Evie crawled under her bed covers. Decided to sleep and dream as deep as she could.

** ** **

Billy’s night before wasn’t much better.

“What the fuck?” He had blazed back into that shitty bar. Found Brock laughing around his friends and grasped his shirt. “You-”

“Billy, I think you want to let me go, my dad has too much influence. He’s friends with your mayor, you know.” Brock had his hands up to wave his boys off. Billy growled low at him, inches away.

“You think I give a shit that you’re rich?”

“I”m just saying I can make shit difficult on your family. I’m sure your daddy won’t like that, I hear you guys make a lot of noise on Cherry Lane. Could make Fenny’s life harder too, if you care.”

Billy’s grip loosened and Brock smiled. Tommy saw Billy's eyes change and hadn't even chuckled when the boy returned.

“Aw, Hargrove’s gotta little crush. That’s cute.” More laughter.

That did it.

A fist smashed into his cheek.

Brock was sent flying back out of his chair at the same time Billy raced out. Didn't care to watch and enjoy the sight of that boy nearly doing a back flip.

Money tore from his pocket and shoved into Bubble’s hand.

“Take this.” Billy didn’t count how much he’d given her. Picking up the pace before Brock and his goons could pursue him.

“Billy!” Tommy had called after him, but the boy was out into the cold and headed toward his car.

Evie was long gone. He still scanned the city in his Camaro trying to spot those brown curls and that maroon dress. Felt like an hour passed. She looked empty when she’d left.

Billy almost wished she’d cried or hit him. Something. Anything.

“Shit.” He pulled up to a little blonde waiting in the chill. Holding an oversized jacket close and craning to see down the street. “Hey, weren’t you Brock’s date?” Her face was pinched in discomfort. Shifting steps before she gave a nod. Seemed smaller there alone as drunks rushed about in celebration. “What are you doing?”

“Mm...waiting for the taxi.” She had a paper towel pinched between her fingers, trying to get a wet stain out of her dress collar. Billy’s gut twisted because he knew what it was.

“Get in, I’ll drive you home.” Billy sat back and waited. Reluctantly, she crossed over to join him. Face splotchy like she might have teared up earlier. Pulling pins out of her hairstyle. Billy figured Brock must have ruined it getting his blowy.

“Thank you.”

He revved to go in response after getting the address. Stony and intent on the road for once.

“It’s this one.” Was all she said once they’d gotten close to her building. Run down and dilapidated. Reminded Billy of the shitty apartment complex he’d lived in with his dad after mom walked out.

“How old are you?” Billy turned to see her and she cringed.

“I’m...fourteen.”

Fourteen. Barely a year older than Max.

And he’d only been fourteen when...

Nausea swept up his throat. Billy hitched to breathe and dug into his pocket for whatever was left of the cash Brock gave him. Felt like a true piece of shit.

“That guy, don’t go near him again. He asks you to come out or do things for him. Like sexual things... Don’t do it. Just stay away from him. Got it?” Billy reached out and dropped the wad of crumpled cash into her palms. “And don’t get into anymore cars with older boys. They’re gonna hurt you.”

“You’re not gonna hurt me.”

“No, kid, I’m not gonna hurt you.” Billy gestured. “Go inside, it's cold.”

She listened, getting out to disappear into the building. Billy rubbed his eyes because they watered. Music turned up to drown the world out before he skidded off. Made it back into Hawkins and parked at Lover’s Lake.

Decided sleeping in his Camaro was the better idea than going home. Not wanting to face Evie’s bedroom window or her old, scrutinizing cat. She wanted nothing to do with him.

Reclined in the back seat, Billy touched his lips and fell into an uneasy rest.

Woke with his head pounding and birds calling out. A truly grey day. He huffed to get out, pissed near a tree, and made it home to park in the driveway next to Neil’s car. Hadn’t left for work yet.

A groan as Billy climbed the steps to go in, felt like he might vomit at the scent of a warm breakfast. Susan playing housewife. Setting plates at the table between Neil and Max.

“Billy, are you hungry?” She caught him. Billy eyed his father reading the paper.

“No.”

“Come, sit down. Eat the nice breakfast Susan made.” Neil’s snap had Billy turning to plop down. He looked like hammered shit. Susan settled a plate of fluffy eggs and bacon down in front of him. Max was staring so Billy shot her a look to stop. “What do you say?”

“Thank you, Susan.” Billy rasped, picking up a fork.

“What’d you do last night?” Neil asked without looking up from his paper.

“Just some party.” A shrug followed. Susan had sat down with her own plate when the doorbell rang.

“Answer that.” Neil pointed her off so she left her plate to get cold and went into the next room. Billy wondered if Susan's ever eaten a warm meal after getting with his dad.

“Susan!” Mona’s chirpy voice piped up.

Billy dropped a bit of eggs in his lap. Had Evie told her?

“I’m so sorry to bug you early. Can I trouble you for a cup of flour? My poor Evie’s taken ill, I wanted to make her something nice for breakfast. Forgot to pick some up, I didn’t know we ran out. For pancakes. I’ll owe ya.”

Billy’s eyes were darting all over the table.

“No problem, come in.” Susan came back in with a measuring cup. “Sorry to hear about Evie.”

“Just an upset stomach, a couple of my fluffiest pancakes should do the trick.” Mona had followed. “Morning all. Happy New Year. I hope Hawkins made good on the festivities.”

Billy couldn’t look at her. Just shifted scrambled eggs around aimlessly.

Neil peered at Mona’s tight clad legs in her little shift dress. Already looking her best this morning after running quick daylight errands.

“Now, Max, I’d love to see you at my salon with your mama.” Mona clasped her hands and Max snickered because she hinted at that every time she saw the younger girl.

“We’ll be sure to visit before school starts up again. Won’t we, Max?” Susan filled the cup.

“Be sure to bring, Billy, I love doing boy’s hair too.”

“You might convince him to cut this all off.” Neil remarked plainly when Billy’s tired eyes lifted. Mona just smiled.

“The boys love to look like rock stars these days, sir. It's the in thing.” She took the flour. “I’ll leave you to your meal. Say, how about I make you your first dinner of the new year? I know it’s been such a change.”

Susan opened her mouth and shut it, peered at Neil for his answer.

“That’s a wonderful offer,” he replied, “only if we can bring the dessert.”

There he was. The charming family man.

Mona gave a cute giggle.

“I’ll take you up on that. Is six alright?”

“We’ll be there, Mona, thank you. I hope Evie feels better by then.” Susan wiped her hands on a towel and showed her friend out.

“Oh, she’ll be fine. My girl's strong.”

Billy grew bright pink. Fuck.

Susan came back to sit down. Got a few bite in before Neil stood and kissed her cheek. Dug a few bills out of his wallet.

“Make what you like, have it ready.”

“Thank you, honey.” She jumped when Neil unceremoniously smacked the back of Billy’s head.

“What!” He cringed away in his chair, dropping the fork with a clatter.

“You see the kind of attention you get when you look like a fucking fa-”

“She was just being nice.” Billy shot back.

Neil sneered and was already making his way out. Max wordlessly reached to pick up the fork and settled it next to his plate. She eyed him again once the door slammed and Neil made his way to work. Susan stared at her cold eggs.

“We should go.” Max sighed. Something happened between him and Evie. Something ugly. “To the salon.”

“You hate that shit.” Billy lost his appetite and sat back. Pushing up out of his chair.

“We’ll need a ride anyways. Neil always has the car and it’s better than the bus.”

“Do I look like I’m your damn taxi?” Billy snapped. Noted Susan flinching, but she didn’t get between them. Max sat straighter. Too calm and observant.

“No, you look sad.”

“Fuck off.” Billy shoved up and left his plate there.

“Maxine.” Susan stood. “Billy-”

A door slammed. Max debated it and went after him.

“Don’t, he’s upset.” Susan snatched her daughter’s wrist.

“Yeah and he’s not Neil.” Max slipped off, leaving Susan to frown at her plate and pull her sleeves down a little lower.

Summoning more courage, Max knocked.

“Go away.” Came the muffled reply she ignored. Pushing in. “Just fucking go away.”

Billy was under the covers. Having tossed his jeans and shoes aside. He didn’t raise his voice, it only got raspier.

“Didn’t you take Evie to that party? What happened?” Max shut the door. Crossed toward the bed.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“She came home before you. This orange car passed when I was sitting in the open garage fixing my wheel. I saw Evie come out at the end of the street and go home. She looked upset.”

“An orange car?”

“Yeah, like a rusty orange. Old car too, a Plymouth like my dad used to drive. I saw a man in the front seat. He looked like a dad too. Evie was in the car with him.”

Billy’s head lifted to see her. Max didn't often see this look on her brother's face. Horror.

“A dad?”

“I don’t know, it was weird. He didn’t drop her off at her house. He passed it and she walked back.” Max shrugged, dared to sit on the bed when Billy pushed up.

“Did you see his face?”

“I think I’ve seen him before, I don’t know where. I was too far away. He kinda looked like Neil. Lighter hair.”

“Mustache. Blond.” Billy’s eyes searched. He got up. “Gotta shower.”

“Billy, what’s going on?”

“Nothing, Max." A dismissive hand waved. "Just stay out of it.”

“You messed up, didn’t you?” She paused when he whirled around. Thought he’d get upset. But, he only exhaled and turned to go. Stopping again when his thought was too much.

“Max, you know not to get into cars with older guys. Right? Even if they’re pretty? Even if they call you pretty too.” Billy found her eyes and looked defeated. Something else rare for him to show.

“Duh.” Max shrugged. A beat. “You haven’t told Neil about Lucas.”

“You haven’t knocked my dick in the dirt with a fucking nail bat. Don't care that you see boys as long as they don't... Just don't let Neil know you hang out with them.” He opened the door. “Out.”

Max beamed a little.

“Apologize to Evie.” She passed with an obvious huff.

As if it was that easy.

** ** **

“Mom, I really don’t feel good.” Evie mopped around in a robe after taking a long shower. Mona was touching her forehead. A barely there graze before she went to sort some items in the cupboard.

“You feel fine. It’s just dinner. Socializing is good for the soul.”

“Mom, I really don’t-”

“Evie, just smile for a few hours. Please, I want them to feel welcome. You can do that.” Mona waved her hand about.

Evie shut her mouth. Flashed teeth beyond twitching lips. Moved to go off into her room where Bourbon sat sleeping. His eyes cracked before he gave a purr and resumed slumber.

"Least one of us had a good New Years." Evie organized some empty decorative boxes and dishes on one of her bookshelves. Hummed in thought at another shelf full of collectibles. Felt the cool metal of an antique key no bigger than her pinkie.

It tasted vaguely bloody. Clanked around in her mouth. Harsher than the button. Such a forbidden thing. That much was almost thrilling. Evie tried once to push it down. Choked. Coughed it up onto her desk with a small clatter.

Just grin and bear it. You can suck it up, Mona said in her head. Encouragement. Always necessary. Evie picked up the key, spit trails came from it. Forced it to the back of her tongue. Swallowed once. Twice.

It seeped awkwardly down. Dropped into her stomach with the few buttons she’d eaten too.

Evie wondered if they’d dance with her as she navigated the world. Falling back into bed. Debating the musical clicking sounds underscored by growing flowers inside her.

She thought of Fredrick winding around her frame. Kissing her jaw. Teaching her things. There was a soft boy before him, but he’d moved out of state. Mr. Bowers plucked her off the floor after her father left. Talked about how it was forbidden too, but it never stopped him from kissing her.

This is so wrong. Kiss. But, you're irresistible. Kiss. The world just doesn't understand. Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.

It was funny how you could be so desired by a person who also constantly tells you it's wrong.

But, that won't stop them. Excess skin. Age. What would bother people more if they knew?

She’d sit on his bed and he’d join her. Put his hand up her leg and…

“Evie!” Mona called. “Can you help me here? I won’t let you stay in that room all day for New Years.”

Evie sprang up to gulp air. Held it. Felt in total control of her existence.

“Coming.”

** ** **

Evie hung back when the knocks rang. Stuck her head in the freezer and swallowed an ice cube whole. Wondered if this new habit would ruin her appetite. Wondered why she wasn’t horrified and ashamed of herself. It was just so quiet when it happened. Soothing. None of the ugly white noise in her daily life clustered.

Nobody needed to know. It was wrong, that wouldn't stop her.

“Honey! Come in and say hello.”

Another ice cube slid down her throat. Felt like good practice.

Wiping cold, wet fingers on her denim skirt, Evie appeared around the corner to see the Hargroves standing in her living room. Billy tried to catch her eyes.

“Hi,” a shy wave followed, “Happy New Year.”

“Evie, you look so pretty today.” Susan crossed to greet her with a dish. “I made cherry cheesecake for dessert.”

“Looks good, thank you, I’ll put it in the kitchen.” Evie pulled it from her hands. Candied and red on top of fluffy filling.

“Mona, I insist on helping.” Susan had gone on.

“You’re my guest, Susan.” Mona looked up from Neil’s hand. Pressed in a nice polo and blue slacks. He offered a little bouquet of snapdragons tied together with tissue paper and twine. Also had a bottle of white wine. “It’s almost ready, please sit at the table. Evie just set it.”

Evie snuck out of the kitchen again and saw Billy there staring pointed at her with an expression she couldn’t read. Averted her eyes to the little redhead next to him.

“Hey, Max, enjoying break?”

“While it lasts,” she glanced up at her brother as Evie shuffled away. Mona handed her the flowers to put in a vase. “That bad?” Max addressed Billy quietly.

“Yeah.”

Evie looked at him like he was nothing to her. No anger, no sadness. Just a big, gaping nothing.

Somehow that was worse.

“The flowers are lovely, Mr. Hargrove. Thank you.” Evie came out to settle the vase on a side table in the dining room as he pulled out a chair for Susan.

“We’re neighbors. Neil and Susan are fine, Evie.” He was all sweetness. The doting husband. Billy crept around the corner with Max.

“I should help my mom.” Evie made herself disappear.

“It smells good.” Max crossed to sit down as well across from Billy.

“I made something special from home. Jambalaya. Tried to go easy on the spice for your stomachs.” Mona brought a dish in after Evie sent some fresh rolls at the table. Her cheeks flush because her mother sat down too quick. The only free spot was the opposite head of the table between Max and Billy.

She suppressed a groan and crossed to take it. Offered sodas to Billy and Max wordlessly.

“Would you like to join me in the prayer?” Mona offered her hands out to Neil and Max.

“Of course.” Neil only smiled. Evie shifted in her seat. Felt Billy’s eyes burn. Took Max’s hand and stared at Billy’s open palm. Was this a game to him?

She took it. Squeezed it maybe a little too tight. Stared ruefully at her empty plate. Max noticed Billy’s knuckles pale and smirked at his tense expression.

“Bless us, Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ. Bless the Hargroves, we are truly grateful to have them join us tonight. Please guide our children through a successful year, we pray. Amen.” Mona smiled. “Please dig in. I always make so much.”

“Allow me.” Neil plucked up the wine and poured three glasses for the adults.

“First Christmas and New years in our town. I have to ask if it was a memorable one?” Mona started conversation. The rolls and dishes were passed around.

“First white Christmas we’ve ever seen, it was beautiful.” Susan radiated.

As the adults chattered about boring Christmas gifts, Max turned to Evie.

“Mom got me some of that felting stuff, you can teach me how to do it now.” She flashed a smile. “Can you show me after dinner?”

“Sure.” Evie was tearing her roll into two pieces. Eyed the butter next to Billy and decided to eat it without. “Eager to stab something a million times into a cute shape?”

“Duh.” Max kicked Billy’s ankle. Tried to get him to speak, but he shoved a huge bite of rice into his mouth. “Maybe I can show, El.”

“El?” Evie sipped her soda.

“This new girl I’m hanging out with. Chief Hopper’s kid, he wants her to have more girl friends.” Max chuckled, twirling her fork around. “We didn’t...get along at first, but it’s better now. We found things in common.”

Another kick at Billy’s shin. He glared. Nudged her foot back.

“Easier when you’re younger.” Evie remarked.

“We’re gonna find Evie a talent agent this summer,” Mona had spoken across the way, “she won all these competitions these last few summers. Sung for the governor himself at an event when she was only thirteen.”

“Mom…” Evie blushed. She loved this food and today, it looked ghastly somehow.

“Being a singer is difficult work.” Neil spoke. “How are you going to make money in the meantime?”

“She’s good,” Billy found his voice, “real good. She can make money singing.” A cold stare penetrated. “Miss Mona, weren’t you a pageant queen?”

That turned the adult conversation for the rest of the dinner. Mona and Susan prattled with Neil stuck between them. Miserable and having to hide it. Billy turned to Evie. Smirked.

“Can you pass the butter?” She blinked at him. Reached for another roll.

Billy cocked his head and handed it over. Evie didn’t want to fall into those pretty eyes again. Listened to her mother and Susan chatter eagerly with Neil chewing and nodding every so often.

Evie saw him fill his glass of wine three times.

“Let me help you clear this for dessert.” Susan was stacking plates so Evie got up to help. Neil drank his last glass down as he sat back. Clearly extremely relaxed.

“Neither of you are going to offer extra hands?” He’d barked under the sound of dishes in the sink and the TV in the next room.

“It’s fine, we have it.” Evie came to set the pie down at the center of the table. Neil snatched her wrist to observe her expression. Eyebrows lifting.

“You’re a very kind, young girl, Evie. You should sing us something.” Alcohol on his breath welled hot. He was drunk and hiding it better than most. Barely ate any dinner because the spices weren’t for him.

Max’s fists clenched on the table and Billy moved like he might stand up.

“Oh, I couldn’t.” Evie replied, another bout of strawberries crept up her cheeks.

“Can’t be a singer if you’re shy.” He chuckled.

“She was sick this morning, she probably shouldn’t.” Billy came out of his chair carefully. Eyes direct on his dad clutching Evie’s wrist.

The fingers loosened so she crossed behind Billy. Paused there so Neil could see who her shield was. Got back into a chair.

Billy slowly sat back down.

Neil would deal with him later.

“Susan, this looks delightful. I hope you’re willing to share the recipe. I haven’t mastered the cheesecake yet.” Mona ushered her friend back in. Neither felt the tension as Neil and Billy stared at each other. Not stopping when the cake was cut and passed around.

“I’ll write it down for you.” Susan offered Billy a piece, caught Neil’s eyes. “Neil says that’s what made him fall for me. Way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”

Neil pressed this tight smile and laughed with the two ladies. None of the kids followed.

“Better if you just go through his chest.” Max had mumbled. Stabbing a bright red cherry with her fork. Evie suppressed the urge to snicker. Swallowed the sweet treat and excused herself when the meal ended. Max trailed after.

“Want to show me? No plans tonight.”

“Sure.” Evie twitched a smile.

Mona was pulling Susan out onto the back deck while Evie grabbed a basket she kept her craft items in. A body blocked her in the hallway.

“Evie, can I see you outside?” Neil wasn’t particularly tall, but he certainly had a presence.

Her eyes went steady on Billy at the end of the hallway behind him.

“Yes, sir.” She glanced again and Billy disappeared. “Max, want to use my desk? You've seen my room, I can show you this. Don't mind Bourbon snoring, he's been extra tired today.”

“Yeah, sure.” Max took it after an uneasy beat so Evie followed Neil out front.

“It was a lovely dinner, I don’t go much for exotic food.”

“From New Orleans, Louisiana.” Evie replied flatly. “I guess.” Neil was all pleasantries. Shifting on his feet and breath smelling of wine.

“You just seem nervous around Billy. My boy has a history.” He gestured. “Not a very nice history with girls like you.”

“Girls like me?” Evie’s nervous hands rubbed together in front of her. Shoulder’s lifting.

“Girls who are just a little…” Bigger. Darker. Stranger. Exotic. “Different.”

“Billy and I...Well, we don’t really talk.”

It was clear Neil wanted some admission out of her. Just for the sake of it.

“I just mean, if my boy has been unkind to you. I’d like to know about it. Billy gets into trouble and it’s my job to keep him out of it.” Neil stepped in. “You’re a very nice girl, boys take advantage. That's all I'm saying.”

“We…” Evie’s lip wobbled. “We don’t talk, sorry. Billy hasn’t…”

“If my boy steps out of line, Evie, I’d like to know about it.” Neil smiled again. “Tell your mother I said thank you for dinner. No doubt, she’ll keep Susan busy another hour.”

“Sure.” Evie watched him step down the porch. Stumbled and recovered quick. “Goodnight.”

The moment Neil went into his house, no doubt for another bottle, Billy slid out of the front door.

“You didn’t say anything. To your mom or anyone.” He observed plainer. Unreadable. "Why?"

“Your dad’s gone, Billy, we don’t have to pretend anymore.” Evie replied without a tone. Stepping around him. Sparing him a beating maybe. No emotion to give him.

He wasn’t worth it.

That replayed over and over again. No tears, no anger. Just ice. Cool and sleek.

Evie went back into her house.

Billy decided another night in his car away from Cherry Lane was better.

** ** ** **

“You can glue the eyes in now.” Evie applied some from a tube and pushed two tiny eyes into Max’s project.

“Looks like a monster.” Max snickered at the hideous yellow blob. “It was supposed to be a baby chick.”

“Ah, takes practice. Just keep stabbing. Give it to your mom, she’ll display and love it forever because you made it.” They sat at her desk under a little lamp. Max looked at Evie twisting wool around to make a shape, plucked up the project she’d made. “Kinda strange, you stab something a million times until it’s pretty. Keeps my hands busy though.”

“Trying to stay distracted?” Max piped in. Bourbon lifted his head behind them and wandered over for pets.

“When you get older, all you want is distractions.” Evie shrugged her shoulders and sat back. Let her cat sweep their legs.

“What happened with you and Billy?”

“Huh? Nothing.” Evie managed to smile.

“I know he took you to a party and...he came home without you looking trashed like he crawled out of a dumpster.” Max paused. “Someone else took you home.”

“I just got a ride from another friend. I don’t rage like Billy does.” Lie.

“You’re mad at him.”

“I’m not mad. I don’t…” I don’t want to feel anything. Sadness and fury. They weren’t to be processed or discussed. They made you ungrateful.

“Did you have a bad time? Did he get mad? He gets mad and does stupid stuff.” Mad Max was too sharp for this entire bland town. Evie sucked in her cheeks.

“No, I had a great time actually. That was the problem.” A wave crashed into her. Covered in metallic confetti. Magical. Crushing.

“What happened?” Max pressed.

“It’s not for me to say, I don’t want to-” Evie sprang up and the door opened.

“Sorry girls, Susan was headed out.” Mona dipped in without knocking. “Having fun?”

“Yeah.” Max stood up. “Thanks, Evie, I’ll keep practicing. As long as it takes.” Felt like she was hinting at something else.

“Night, Max.” Evie watched her mother show the younger girl out. Quickly swept her craft supplies back into a basket and plucked up her old cat. Listened to him purr. Decided another long night of sleep and late morning was better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading! Chat with me if you have time :))

Tagged:: @80sbxtch @nottherightseason @orxhidshavana @alagalaska @alongcamedolly @kellyk-chan @billy--hargroves

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snowdice · 4 years ago

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Goblin Brain Study Session Fic 1 [Day 20]

Because I don’t want to just have walls of text for my Goblin Brain Study Session posts, I’m separating them by days. If you want to read the previous chapters, click the links below. What’s done of chapter 8 is under the cut.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

See this post for more details and feel free to send me asks to keep me going! It’s been a lot of fun so far! I will reblog this post with the story as I write them today.

I feel pumped today to study and write this so hopefully I get a lot done. Hopefully I’ll get to the end of chapter 8. 🤞

“What the fuck do you mean Virgil is missing?!” Remy asked.

“That’s the second thing Logan said to me!” Emile said. “When he heard you died, he sent an agent over to check on Virgil, but there’d been a sign of a break in and Virgil was gone. They don’t think he actually got kidnapped though because the car of whoever broke in was still there.”

“Well then where the hell is my kid?!!” Remy yelled.

Emile flinched at his suddenly loud voice. “Leaping lizards Remy, I don’t know. I thought you did since you’re not actually dead.”

“Well I don’t!”

“Yeah, I’m getting that, calm down for a second.”

“Okay, right now is not a good time to tell me to calm down,” Remy said. “My kid is missing.”

“I know Remy,” Emile said in his professionally soothing voice, “but we have to think in order to do something about that.” Oh, he was thinking. He was thinking really hard right about now. He was thinking about how the person who sent someone to kidnap his son was 100% the woman who’d just tried to have him fucking executed. God, Remy hadn’t even wanted her around his fucking kid when she’d just been a bitch and not an enemy spy out for his blood.

“We should call Logan back,” Emile suggested. “He might have more information.”

“No,” Remy said. “It’s still too risky.”

“Remy.”

“I said no, Emile,” Remy snapped. “What if she has him and intercepts the phone call. She doesn’t have any reason to hurt him right now,” other than the fact that he had quite the mouth on him and would probably piss her off by being a little shit especially if she wouldn’t tell him where Remy was, “but if she knows I’m alive she might.”

“Would she really…?”

“The woman just tried to shoot me with poisoned bullets. I wouldn’t put it past her.”

“Poison bull-? It’s not important,” Emile said. “If we’re not going to get information from Logan then how are we supposed to even start with finding Virgil?”

“Easy,” Remy said. “The tracker I put on him.”

“I’m sorry you put what on Virgil?” Emile asked.

“A tracker,” Remy said. “It’s in that bracelet he always wears. I don’t really want to go back to the house, but I think I left one of the devices to find it in here in case of emergencies.” He started digging through Emile’s glove box.

“Jiminy Crickets, you can’t just put a tracker on your teenage son Remy!”

“Why not?” Remy asked, still digging through the papers. Did Emile ever get rid of old insurance cards and also how many drive-through napkins did he need to keep?

“It’s an invasion of privacy,” Emile sputtered.

Remy waved him off. “Oh, please. I’m a spy, an off duty one, but still a spy. Sometimes I need to know where my kid’s at. Like now. Besides I told him what it was when I gave it to him, and it lights up when activated. He can just chuck it out a window if he doesn’t want me knowing where he is.”

“Oh, well that’s okay then,” Emile said.

Remy hummed as his hand closed around the phone sized device hidden at the back of the glove box. “Ah, here it is.”

“When exactly did you put that in here.”

“Like two years ago,” Remy said. “Clean your car every once in a while.”

“Remington, I have seen your garage.”

“Maybe, but I never claim to be responsible.”

The thing was out of charge, so he plugged it into the car and it booted up pretty quickly.” Emile leaned over to look at the map that popped up. Remy pushed a couple of buttons to activate the tracker.

A red dot appeared on the map and Remy blinked at it. “Where the fuck?” he asked. He pushed another button and the device beeped, finding Remy’s current location on the map and putting a green dot there. The map had to zoom out quite a bit to fit both dots on the screen. A number appeared at the top of the screen. “Shit.”

“Please tell me that’s feet,” Emile groaned.

“How the hell did he manage to get 50 miles away? I’ve been ‘dead’ for less than an hour and a half!”

“Did one of Barbara’s people get to him?”

“I’m not… he’s moving in the wrong direction if that’s the case,” Remy said. “Her house is in town and the secret base I know of is north of here. He’s going south east on the interstate.”

“Well then where is he going and how is he going there?” Emile asked.

“I’m not sure, but you need to start driving.” Emile hesitated for a moment. “Now.”

He nodded and put the car in reverse before pulling out of the parking lot and turning toward the interstate.

“Hey, Emile,” Remy said pleasantly after about 2 minutes. “Remember how mother said to not speed unless it was absolutely necessary?” Emile glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. “It’s absolutely necessary today.”

#study break stories #emile picani #remy sanders #virgil sanders #remus sanders #roman sanders #janus sanders #creativitwins #patton sanders #logan sanders #platonic moxiety #knives #kidnapping #carjacking #murder mentioned #guns mentioned

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stickybluebirdwombat · 4 years ago

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Wicked Woohoo Mod Sims 4 Download Mac

Thanks to the massive community of the sims 4, there are thousands of mods available that will let you experience the sims life, like never before. Among these are one particular mod, that got everyone’s attention ‘Sims 4 woohoo mod‘.

What is Sims 4 Woohoo?

Official site for MC Command Center for The Sims 4. MC Command Center adds some NPC story progression options and greater control to your Sims 4 gaming experience.

Sims 4 Teen Pregnancy Mod. In the sims 4 games, woohoo option is only available for adult and elder sims, teen sims can’t get woohoo and try for baby interaction. The sims 4 teen pregnancy mod bypass this restriction. Now you can have a teen marriage, pregnancy, and have a romance with all ages.

It allows you to woohoo, try for baby, take birth control, have a menstrual cycle, and many of the other cool features in the initial mod. 40 FUNCTIONAL CC OBJECTS DOWNLOAD LIST – THE SIMS 4. THE SIMS 4 WICKED WHIMS MOD. A mod collection of functional drugs for The Sims 4. Basemental Shop. Head over to the shop and get yourself some fresh merchandise! Basemental Gangs. Basemental Gangs is an extensive add-on to Basemental Drugs. Basemental Alcohol. Turns The Sims 4 juices into functional alcohol. Do not install this if you have Basemental Drugs installed.

Woohoo is an expression of love between two sims. It is available for all sims starting from the age of Adults and up. You can do woohoo with other sims when your relationship (friendship and romance) exceeds a certain limit.

Epson wf 7620 printer driver mac download. Mostly, these options appear when your friendship bar is at 60% and romance at 40%. You can do woohoo by selecting your desire sim, and then select ‘Woohoo’ under the romance pop-up.

Optifine 1.14 4 download mac minecraft. More so, Minecraft Shaders 1.14 is sufficient enough to choose the best one.Moreover, getting a Minecraft is easy, but you need to download the one that works best for the version of your Minecraft. This implies that Minecraft shaders change and improve the game and its graphical fidelity.

If you have the base game, you can do woohoo in a double bed, rocket ship, and observatory. However, the sims 4 DLC owners can enjoy this feature on various parts of the game.

How to Download Woohoo mod?

There are different woohoo mod available on this page. To download these, just click the blue ‘Download’ button. The file will automatically download on your PC.

Note: All the files available on our site are scanned with antivirus software, and we never use a third-party linker, to generate revenue.

How to Install Woohoo Mod?

All the files available on our site are encrypted and require an Archive Manager to extract them. You can use this free software to extract these files.

Windows – Winrar https://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0

MAC – Winrar or Entropy https://apps.apple.com/us/app/entropy/id437151949

Extract the file with the extraction tool

Locate the folder: Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods

Copy the mod files to the mod folder

Open The Sims 4 game

Go to the ‘Game Options’

On the left side, click on ‘Other’

Tick the option ‘Enable Custom Content and Mods’ and ‘Script Mods Allowed’

Relaunch the game

Why need a Woohoo Mod?

The sims 4 base game mod has certain restrictions when it comes to ‘freedom’. For example, the base game owners can never woohoo on a sofa, on a single bed, on the floor, or even in the washroom. The sims 4 mods, remove such restrictions and allows us to do whatever we want in the game.

The sims 4 woohoo mod is such an example. In this post, we’ve mentioned some of the best woohoo mod, that you can download and install on your PC.

Sims 4 Woohoo Places

Here’s a list of all woohoo places in the sims 4.

Bed

Rocket Ship

Observatory

Hot Tub – Perfect Patio Stuff

Tent – Outdoor Retreat

Closet – Get Together

Sauna – Spa Day

Bush – Get Together and Jungle Adventure

Anywhere as Bats

Coffin – Vampire

Lighthouse – Cats and Dogs

Shower – Discover University

Waterfall – Island Living

Sleeping Pod – Get Famous

Money Vault – Get Famous

Sims 4 Risky Woohoo Mod

This mod increases the chance of your sims to get pregnant. Normally when you woohoo, there’s less chance that your sim will get pregnant. The mod also allows you to do woohoo once your female sims are pregnant, which is not possible in the base game.

All female sims (Teens and Elders) can have woohoo and take a pregnancy test, however, teen sims will get a negative result. Another best feature of this mod is that it allows the same gender woohoo. The chances of gettings pregnant depend on the percentage you choose in the game.

Sims 4 Wicked Woohoo Mod

The wicked woohoo mod adds animation in the woohoo interaction. This mod offers nudity, relationship enhancements, exhibitionism, and gameplay improvements. This mod completely removes the 16+ version of the game, and replaces it with 18+ Adult mod. You can also pair this mod with other wicked woohoo mod that belongs to the same genre

Sims 4 MC Woohoo

The MC woohoo mod is useful if you want realistic gameplay. It’s an extension of MC Command center mod, that allows you to do different things using UI. MC woohoo mod, however, is an extension of risky woohoo mod. You can do woohoo with anyone in the game, and increase the chances of pregnancy. The mod includes Woohoo actions, Woohoo Pregnancy, Woohoo Reaction, Sim Nudity, and other settings. Each option then includes further action in the game.

Sims 4 Babies for Everyone Mod

Using this mod lets you pregnant everyone in the game, whether they are elder, teens, or even male sims. Try for baby interaction is open for everyone in the sims universe.

Sims 4 Simda Dating App Mod

This mod resembles the features of the tinder app. The simda dating app adds a whole lot of fun to the game. Using your mobile phone, you can set up a specific date, one-night stand, strings attached, blind date, or even a hookup. You can also invite other NPCs in the game, to have a little bit of extra fun.

Although there are a lot of great features in the game, pregnancy is something that the developers have done with extra care. Here we’ve mentioned some of the best Pregnancy mods in the game.

The sims 4 provide tons of great and realistic features but when it comes to pregnancy, they make things under 18. The players of the sims 4 asked a lot of time, to change the game pregnancy system with something that provides more realism in the game. There still a complete silence from the developer’s side, however, the modding community can provide everything that you can ask of.

From teen to elder, from male to female, everything has made possible by this community. This is why we’ve gathered some of the best sims 4 pregnancy mods, that you can use to add something extra in your gameplay.

A little History of the Sims 4 Pregnancy

In the sims 4, you can have babies from using the interaction ‘Try for Baby’. This option is available under the Romance tab when you click a female sim. This option is not available, for newly met couples. You have to increase your sim relationship bar in order to access this option.

To do this, increase your friendship and romance relationship bar up to 60%. When completed, just click on your sim female character and select the ‘Try for baby’ interaction. After woohoo, go to the washroom to check either you’re pregnant or not. You can do this by using a pregnancy test on the toilet.

Why need Sims 4 Pregnancy mod?

You can use pregnancy mod to just add a little bit of fun in the game like male pregnancy, teen pregnancy, or increase number of childbirth.

How to Download Pregnancy Mod?

To download the mod on your PC, just click the download button mentioned below.

How to Install Pregnancy Mod?

Each file is encrypted, so you’ve to extract them first. The mod installation instructions are:

Extract mod files

Copy the file content to Mod folder

Default directory, My Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods

Open the game

Go to the game option and enable ‘Custom Content’ and ‘Script Mod’

Close and restart the game

Sims 4 Mega Pregnancy Mod

As the name suggests, this is an all-in-one mod for sims pregnancy. Sims 4 mega pregnancy mod comes with a lot of features like same-sex pregnancy, change pregnancy events, choose the gender, Control Pregnancy length and have quadruplets, quintuplets, and sextuples babies.

Sims 4 Woohoo Places Mod

You can also have a miscarriage, and terminate pregnancy anytime. This is a script mod, meaning it will conflict with other same genre mod.

Wicked Woohoo Mod Sims 4 Download Mac Pc

Sims 4 Teen Pregnancy Mod

In the sims 4 games, woohoo option is only available for adult and elder sims, teen sims can’t get woohoo and try for baby interaction. The sims 4 teen pregnancy mod bypass this restriction.

Now you can have a teen marriage, pregnancy, and have a romance with all ages. Teen sims can also marry and impregnate young adults, adults, elders and vice versa.

Sims 4 Ultrasound Mod

Pregnant sims don’t go anywhere or visit the doctor for a regular checkup. This mod adds a little bit of realism in the game. In this mod, you’ll be able to go to the doctors that will perform Gynecologist, which is essential for female pregnant sims. Your sim will go from your household for 60-90 minutes and will learn either they are having twins or triplets, or what is the gender of the baby.

Sims 4 Pregnancy Duration Mod

Sims 4 pregnancy is for a specified amount of time. This mod changes the pregnancy duration to a specified custom longer or shorter duration. If you can’t wait for your baby, then select a shorter time, and if you like seeing your pregnant sim, then select a longer time.

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capricornus-rex · 4 years ago

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Two Sides of the Coin (12)

Chapter 12: Facing Thine Demons | Jidné Sheedra x Cal Kestis

Summary: Hell-bent on exacting revenge and retrieving the Holocron, the dreaded Darth Vader is now on the hunt for the young Jedi Knight, Cal Kestis. Under the assumption that he still possessed the artifact, while fueled by the intrigue of the boy’s strength and skill with the Force, the dark lord hires the bounty hunter, Jidné Sheedra, to track him down and have him delivered alive. However, the task becomes a trial for young Jidné, as she faces a conflict that tests her beliefs of a scarred past she had hidden for so long.

A/N: There was a tiny technical error on my end. Was about to save the draft with the new touches until it ended up posting it (surprised pikachu meme here) and so I put it on private first. But now it’s ready! ^^ Sorry if I have confused those of you who opened the shortcut link from Chapter 11 and got a blank webpage or that it was simply gone... Don’t worry, it’s here now!

Also tagging: @silver-is-in-too-many-fandoms @berenilion @stellar-trinity @justtinfoley @peterwandaparker @cal-jestis @superwarsofthrones @queen-destenie @fallenjedii @sweeetteaa @ayamenimthiriel @calgasm @calsponchoemporium

Also in AO3

Tags: Fem OC, Jidné Sheedra, Force-Sensitive! Fem OC, Bounty Hunter! Fem OC, Jedi! Fem OC | Special tags: Nomara Anesh, Jedi Master! Fem OC, Togruta, Force Vision, Dark Force Vision

Chapters: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 | Previous: Part 11 | Next: Part 13 | Masterlist

12 of ?

Jidné fixed herself a cup while staring intently at the Holocron shard. She recalled Cal’s words from yesterday, and right after that, Darth Vader’s specifications of the contract followed. It frustrated her that it was the thing that kept her awake way into the wee hours until it had mentally exhausted her to sleep.

Her mind concocted an endless list of assumptions, theories, and scenarios that she forgot to take a sip from her cup to slow herself down. The images replayed to no end, some of them were interjections of her own memories from the day of the Jedi Purge; her breath shuddered, for no matter how many times she blinked them away, the memories and the moments that are yet to be—from her meditation before and the premonitions now—flashed behind her eyes. The sounds she imagined were starting to sound too surreal, covering her ears to shut them out proved futile.

Jidné’s head shot up, interrupted by her droid barging in with a series of panicking chirps.

“Who is it, ID-3?”

“Bee… Beep, trill,” the droid answered rather nervously, the tone of his chirps caused Jidné’s eyebrows to pull together.

Jidné jogged away from the galley and headed to the lounge—she asks ID-3 to relay the transmission to the holotable’s receiver and the droid promptly obeyed, twisting his connector in the port left and right until the transfer became successful.

The projection of Darth Vader from the waist up crackled into existence at the center of the holoprojector. Jidné approached the holotable, the projection towered a few feet above her that she kept her head tilted up and stood at a distance away from the table.

“Lord Vader,” she greeted with the same steely tone of voice she used on the dark lord. “How untimely of you to drop by.”

“I require a report of your progress, Sheedra,”

Jidné clenched her jaw.

“Did you find the boy?”

Her shoulders heaved, “Yes. I’ve found him in hiding… though he’s not aware of me yet.”

“And what of the Holocron?”

Jidné played dumb—a risky move for a young Jedi who’s also in hiding—and pulled her eyebrows together.

“Is that the vital thing you seek of him?”

“Yes. Does he still have it?”

The bounty hunter shakes her head in earnest, “I haven’t… seen him hold it yet. Obviously, he’s kept it in his ship for safekeeping.”

The longer this conversation went, the more cemented her assumptions became.

“My Inquisitors have already failed in recovering that Holocron from the Jedi,” he raised his finger in her face, regardless if it was via hologram. “Do not fail me like they did, Sheedra.”

He hissed at the utterance of her surname, Jidné could visualize the clenching of Vader’s teeth through that mask’s mouthpiece when he did. The hint wasn’t easy to miss, especially with that steady yet foreboding tone; she could’ve sworn she felt the interior of her ship rattle upon the intensity of the dark lord’s words.

Jidné stood her ground and steeled her voice, not tolerating being told what to do in her own turf and on her own expertise. She almost raised her voice back in an attempt to dominate his volume.

“With all due respect, m’lord, don’t ever tell me how to do my job.”

Taken aback by the child’s words, Darth Vader’s broad shoulders evidently eased, as the resolution of the hologram blurred and cracked with static in synch with his breathing. He leaned forward, closer to the lens of his holoprojector, he raised his finger at her again.

“You are fortunate it is I who employed you. Consider this your warning, child. The Emperor would not have forgiven this as I did.”

Without needing a response from her, Vader ended the transmission on his end and the projection of the girl dissolved into nothingness. He returned into the silent solitude of his meditation chamber, a black shell that hid him away and concealed his true self from everyone else.

A long exhale wafted through the mouthpiece of his mask as he leaned back against the seat of his chamber. His calm mechanical breathing ricocheted in the organic walls of his sanctum. He recalled the conversation with the bounty hunter, he sensed something within the girl and the delivery of her words—he gave himself the benefit of the doubt and deduced it was the usual anxiety one would have when reporting to him, afraid that they might step into the wrong foot and have to elaborate themselves.

“I sense a disturbance in the Force… and in that child.” He purred, his leather between his gloved fingers squeaked as he gripped on the armrests of his sanctuary’s throne.

Robotic limbs from the ceiling whirred and lowered towards his head, its pincers gingerly clamped at the hem of his helmet, with a single click of the inner mechanism the limbs carefully took off the layers of his mask one by one. With the final layer was removed, light is shed upon the true face of Vader: sickly, calloused skin that aged as it healed from fatal burns, a wrinkled bag of skin that crumpled whenever he blinked his sunken, sorrowful eyes, and a rupture on the top of his head ran from one point to the other.

Another set of robot limbs appeared, vials of Bacta and syringes were fixed on where their pincers ought to be. In his first few years of getting used to this armor—now his new body—the medical procedure was a form of self-pity and pain, though it fueled his connection with the Dark Side, making him stronger and more powerful the way the Emperor intended him to be.

Vader afforded a moment to breathe before commanding the robotic claws to fit his helmet back on. The chipped, coarse leather glove ran across his creased forehead. He yearned for a moment of peace, a moment to meditate, but the demons of his past intruded his sanctum as they please, ravaging his supposedly rock-solid conscience as sturdy as the armor where his life clings onto constantly. When he deemed the activity pointless, he slammed a button—he waited for a few minutes and heard the main door of his room hiss open. Another press of a button and his meditation chamber parted open.

“What is thy bidding, my master?” a female Twi’lek Inquisitor, with skin as crimson as blood and her blade, inquired upon her entrance, kneeling in front of Vader with the greatest reverence.

——————————————————–

Jidné caught her breath after the transmission, clutching her chest did little to relax her wild heart. She fumbled her way towards the booth seat in the lounge, she attempted to relax—she clapped her hand against her forehead, slouched her back against the sofa while trying to realign her thoughts.

The beeping of the homing beacon caught her attention, it sat idly atop the center table. Using the Force, Jidné reached for it, she gawked at it resting at the center of her palm and she was reminded of her duty, but the feelings that has been forged by her connection with Cal conflicted her greatly.

“Trill…?”

“I don’t want him to get hurt, ID-3,”

Jidné closed her fist with the beacon still in her hand, she and ID-3 looked at one another for a brief moment—as if wordlessly coming to an agreement—the girl’s fist tightened, inhaled deeply that it puffed her chest, she turned her hand sideways and opened her fingers to let the blue circular device fall to the floor…

The sole of her boot stopped the beacon from rolling away, then with all her strength, Jidné crushed the device beneath her feet—reducing it into shards of glass and metal.

She’s seen enough. She’s understood enough.

“I won’t let them hurt him,”

The other end of the beacon is still attached to the Mantis, but she made it a point to get it and destroy it the same way before Cal finds out. She donned a maroon jacket and a black cowl before heading out of the Scarab, she beckoned ID-3 to come along and the droid hovered towards her shoulders to perch himself there.

Jidné found a herd of Q’aval in the desert not far from the water hole, imitating the same approach as Cal did yesterday, she tamed one and mounted it. The animal reared as Jidné spurred the side of its belly with a gentle kick of her boot, clouds of smoke fluttered behind its heels as it stamped through the badlands and towards the forest, foam frothed at the rim of its mouth. She dismounted the Q’aval before it even came to a full stop, she sprinted towards the Mantis; she recomposed herself until Cere greeted her at the door.

“Jidné? What a pleasant surprise for you to come by,”

“Hi Cere, is Cal here?”

“No, actually he went to Diitana with Greez—he finally got to tour the captain at the marketplace—but I bet they’re just about finished with those errands,”

“Oh? How nice of him,”

“You can wait for him inside,” invited Cere.

“Sure, just let me… catch my breath,”

Cere excused herself and went back inside, Jidné ran to the stern of the Mantis where she had shot the homing beacon during their chase. The device ceased to blink or beep, it died out the same time Jidné destroyers hers. She tore it off clean from the exterior and stamped her boot on it numerous times, she dug the soil with her shoe and buried the shards in the tiny crater she made.

It was peaceful in the clearing—nothing but wind and chirping songbirds hidden amongst the trees. Jidné situated herself atop a boulder a few meters away from the ship, in an attempt to meditate while waiting for Cal. It has been a while since she did so and she wanted to see how she fared lately.

Finding solace in the clearing, she meditated and relearned her master’s lessons at the same time; recalling the words of Master Anesh from the vision she had a couple of days ago. Little by little, the girl afforded to be proud of herself as the meditations become more tranquil and resonant.

What was initially experimental, and then turned out to be quite effective: she dared to reach out to the Force and allowed to let whatever thoughts flow within her—there was laughter and warmth, comfort and compassion, images of Master Anesh smiling, and the gleam of Cal’s clear, green eyes that’s burned into her mind all too well.

“That actually felt nice…” she murmured upon opening her eyes. She gazed at her hands, then wiggled her fingers as she examined them as if the sensations touched her in reality.

She thought hours have passed, when in fact it has only been minutes. However, the good feelings were immediately washed away when her Q’aval suddenly began to neigh nervously and clopped its hooves in place.

“Hey, what’s wrong, old timer? You smell something?”

The animal neighed again, then she heard the rustling of the bushes that lined the clearing. Jidné’s instincts went on high alert, she cautiously hopped down from the boulder as she peered through the dim denseness of the forest beyond.

“Who’s there?”

A cacophony of insects hissing and chirping replied her, she didn’t take that for an answer. She senses something else than just insects and birds.

Her hand subtly wandered to her saber; with her rifle still out of commission, she had been leaning into her saber more, and she actually preferred it to the ballistic weapon. She unclipped the hilt from her belt as quietly and slowly as she can. A narrow path connected the Mantis’s spot to another open space of the forest, something about it lured Jidné in, but she had sensed a trap—for Force’s sake, she’s a bounty hunter! She knew this strategy all too well; whoever the enemy was, they wanted to her stray from the Mantis, they wanted to single her out.

Something’s definitely not right. She thought while she prowled, saber in hand and ready to ignite.

Her attempt to use Force Shroud on herself was hindered when her ears pricked up at the sound of a pin clinking. A flashbomb hissed upon the removal of the pin and rolled to Jidné’s feet. Luckily, she had the sharp reflex to kick it back to the thrower.

She shielded her eyes with her arm but was jumped by the bounty hunter who wielded a rifle with a vibroblade bayonet, she was able to deflect the attack with her saber; upon closer look, she recognized the enemy—it was the same bounty hunter who chased Cal in Diitana, the goon named Fazer.

“Where’s your boyfriend, girlie!?” the male hunter spat through his cloth mask.

“Where’s yours, scum?!”

If there’s one thing Jidné could never go wrong about the Haxion Brood—it’s that they always travel in pairs.

“Look at that, she’s got a laser sword too!” the HURID droid stomped his way into the picture, outnumbering Jidné two to one.

“So glad you could join us!” Jidné blurted and pushed the hunter away to stance herself.

She deflected the HURID droid’s barrage of blasts from its gauntlet gun in a fluid, spiraling motion of her saber. A third one had appeared from the trees, another male human hunter with a jetpack. He jumped on her, she evaded it too little too late thus she staggered for a brief second before using the Force to push her assailant away.

All three enemies circled her in the center of the clearing, like vultures to a carrion.

“We got you outnumbered, ye cunt! Sorc is gonna pay us a shitton of money for yer head!” Jetpack barked.

Sorc!?

“That son of a bitch!!”

Jidné’s hard feelings didn’t root from the fact that she once worked for Sorc—despite their stale work dynamic—and discovered now that he’s put a price on her head; what enraged her is that she had become a target herself in her own organization—though it’s highly likely that he had bribed someone, with Baz being a probable candidate, or had a mole in the Guild. Sorc had actively broken a law in the Guild and whoever else was in connivance. Whatever the reason, she needed to finish these three goons.

The skirmish got intense pretty quickly. It was just Jidné alone against three; her first target was the hunter with the jetpack—she immediately put him out of work when she deflected a blast and redirected it to the exhaust hatch of the jetpack, instantly setting it on fire. All eyes—both Haxion and Jidné—were glued to the poor sod who’s spinning out of control, perfectly incapable of escaping his jetpack until he blew up with it upon impact of a tree trunk.

“Alright, your attention here!” Jidné beckoned, spinning her saber and positioning herself in a beginning stance.

The HURID was the most aggressive attacker among the two remaining. Both of them were troublesome in their own special way—Fazer kept himself at a safe distance while loading his gun, to ruin his strategy, Jidné moved a lot: taking advantage of the trees, scaling them and perching on their branches, and finally utilizing her Force Shroud in battle. She masked herself using the Force; to the weak-minded eye, it would appear that she disappeared out of plain sight and into thin air.

“Where’s the little cunt!?” Fazer roared.

The hulking droid and the human hunter spun around in place, in search of their nimble target.

“If you’re such a brave lil’ girl, why don’t ye come out!?” Fazer taunted.

Jidné saw that the HURID droid standing directly below the branch she’s perched on, she ignited her saber and descended upon the walking block of metal from the heavens, driving her saber into its central processing core with her purple lightsaber.

“Now, it’s just you and me, Fazer,”

“You know me, don’tcha, little birdie?”

“You’re one of Sorc’s favorites, I figured he’d send you. Shall we put that to the test?”

“Don’t make me laugh, kid!”

In a deadpan snark, the girl clapped back, “I’ve always had a dry sense of humor.”

Jidné had taunted Fazer into laying down his shield, telling him to face her like a true fighter with the remaining ounce of a crook’s honor in him; the enemy hunter humored the girl and relinquished his foldable shield, leaving himself with only his bayonet rifle.

Tiny, blue cracks of electricity coursed along the blade of the bayonet and instantaneously died out as soon as it came into contact with the saber’s beam. Jidné held fast, the soles of her boots were practically buried into the dirt as she kept her stance, her unwavering grip secured her hilt as she shifted all her weight in blocking Fazer’s blade.

“You can’t win, girl!! I’ll have your head rolling over Sorc’s table!” grunted Fazer.

Collecting all her might and transferring it all on her deflection, she took a big, deep breath as the purple gleam shone over the gloss of her dark, willful eyes.

“Not if I have anything to say about it!”

She pushed Fazer away, kicked him the hardest in the abdomen to stagger him and afford a window of opportunity to cut him down. With the strength fueled by adrenaline, she struck down the bounty hunter and silence returned to the forest…

Or so she thought.

More rustling among the bushes alarmed her, she brandished her saber securely, prepared for a stance if necessary. The noises persisted and prompted her to follow it, instead of waiting for it to jump on her. Blinded by the anger that she mistook for the thrill of the action, she dashed mindlessly through the forest, following the sound.

Meanwhile, Cal had returned to the Mantis’s clearing and spotted a Q’aval. He approached it and started bobbing its head to its forward direction while neighing fervently.

“Whoa, whoa, it’s okay! What’s wrong?”

Cal held the animal’s muzzle, petting it with his one hand while the other cupped its large cheek. The Q’aval kept nodding at the direction of the clearing despite being calmed down, the redheaded Jedi finally got the hint as he turned his head to the path.

He withdrew from the animal, tugged his saber off of his belt, and cautiously prowled into the neighboring clearing with peeled eyes. When the boy sensed nothing, he investigated the area and discovered the bodies of the three Haxion Brood hunters sprawled across the clearing; he got closer and found lightsaber cuts across their bodies—except for the third one who had majority of his body charred from the explosion of his jetpack, nonetheless, Cal recognized the handiwork.

“Beee…!” BD-1 chirped and pointed at something with his entire body.

Lying just a few inches away from Fazer’s body were bright, turquoise beads threaded into two separate strands. Cal knelt down and examined it, he hesitated to take it at first but eventually scooped it up with one hand, he’s seen this trinket more than once and didn’t need to guess who the owner is.

“Jidné…” uttered Cal.

The fingers of Cal’s free hand gingerly touched the trinket—one finger for each bead—and a tunnel of light violently clouded his vision, the sharp sensation was reminiscent to being punched hard in the gut. Cal’s knees buckled as the echoes of the Force kick in. Sounds and voices that he knew all too well screeched and bounced along the walls of his skull.

“Execute Order 66…”

“Keep up with me, Jidné!”

“I’m trying, Master!”

“The Jedi and the little girl are here! Don’t let them escape!!!”

The barrage of blaster fire nearly deafened Cal, he finally melted to the forest floor; his hand gripped around the beads, his consciousness battled with its own demon—a part of him wanted to let go, but the other kept his fist shut, as if gripping it tightly to stop him from opening his hand, and so the waking nightmares persisted in his mind.

“This way, child! Come on!”

“Coming, Master!”

“Get behind me, little one!”

“Blast her!!”

“NOOOOOOOO….!!!!”

“Jidné… RUN…!”

——————————————————–

Jidné sprang out of the woods and into a lone waterfall’s clearing, different from the one where she once bathed and smaller in comparison. She panted and arched her back, her hands holding onto her knees as she gasped for air, finally allowing her body to relax. Jidné scanned the place and realized that she has no memory of the place, it was an entirely new area that she has gotten herself lost in.

Strange, she thought as she stepped further into this unfamiliar spot in the forest; she gawked quizzically at the sky as she walked, the trees’ canopy didn’t cover up the sun and yet the weather appeared to be overcast, as if a storm is brewing above—even though it was significantly sunny when she came here.

“Jidné…”

The girl’s head jerked to the direction of the voice. At first she found nobody around, but her eyes continued to survey the area with great eagerness and curiosity. The call of her name brought her closer to the pool, oddly enough, the rippling of the water was louder than the end of the waterfall meeting the basin.

Jidné stood at the fine line between land and water. A silhouette—standing tall and regal in stride—materialized, she squinted her eyes to peer through the curtain of water. The shadow became more opaque bit by bit: the tips of the montrals parted the water but not a single droplet lingered, the hem of the long robe swept the surface of the water as if it was a plane of glass flooring, and the apparition seemed almost too real.

Nomara Anesh, her master… or perhaps the shell of what she used to be.

Jidné’s knees were reduced to jelly, so much so that she staggered back in surprise upon laying eyes on the waking vision of her mentor.

“Master Anesh…” a wide-eyed Jidné shuddered.

Silence. Only a smile replied to her, but it was no smile of compassion. There was something ominous that traced the line of that smirk. Wind howled amongst the towering trees as the two women faced one another.

The apparition stepped closer until she stood at the center of the pool, ripples orbited her even though Nomara stood like a statue; Jidné was able to get a closer look—she was impressed with the apparition, for it mimicked the sage aura that her master emitted, despite being a mere manifestation borne from the nether of the Force.

The young girl shakes her head and grips onto her saber.

“No,” she snarled, attempting to harden herself in the midst of this delusion. Her thumb crunches the switch of her saber. “You’re not her.”

The ghost of Nomara Anesh rebuked the girl’s claim in the form of igniting her own saber. An indigo blade emitted out of the elegant silver hilt. The Togruta slowly walked up to her as they spoke.

“What makes you so sure? Have you allowed your doubts to cloud your feelings?”

Jidné detected the difference of this apparition’s tone of voice compared to the real thing; this one sounded emotionless and strict altogether. The apprentice couldn’t find the same warmth the original has within this ghost. The compassion and kindness that the real Nomara Anesh had, the traits that the girl missed sorely and dearly, was completely non-existent.

“No, I haven’t…”

“Well then, we won’t find much outcome in words, will we?”

That compassion Jidné desperately searched in that walking manifestation of Nomara was replaced with a demanding, arrogant façade—it’s as if she’s facing a different person with the perfect identical copy of her late master’s body.

Jidné itched to swing her saber at this ghost so much that she didn’t realize she had stepped onto the water, she paused and looked down on her feet. The water’s surface remained solid to stand on but retained its liquid aspects like the ripples and droplets. Now in the same arena as this spirit, she circled along the edge while her eyes fixated on the otherworldly entity. She can’t put her reason into words, it was more of a feeling.

“You have allowed so much of the darkness to take you… that you can’t even see who you truly are,” Nomara lectured coldly.

The walking vision had provoked the child, Jidné had lost the remaining ounces of control she had within her and came charging at the Togruta. Two blades of nearly the same shade clashed and growled against one another. Nomara retained her erect, poised posture while the young Jidné had her back arched as she put all of her strength on the strike.

“Is this the resolve you’ve settled with? Is this how you honor my teachings!?” Nomara hissed, truly sounding like an unsatisfied mentor. “You have truly forgotten the ways of the Force!”

“That’s not true! You don’t know that! You are not her!!”

The young Jedi continued to send a flurry of attacks against this sentient delusion, but for every move she knew and used against the ghost, it always had a way to deny her of a strike; her anger bestowed her a false and hollow strength that bore no blows. Jidné’s body flared with a recklessness that was determined to strike down that spirit. But the next thing she knew, Nomara’s ghost stopped the Jedi girl in her tracks.

“You can’t save him—the same way you can’t save yourself from the past, the present, and even in the future. You will always run away from your fate like the weak coward that you are!”

“NO!!!”

Another clash of blades, a sphere of light formed at the center of the intercrossed beams. Something between the lines of Nomara’s words struck something within Jidné, and then she sought for the strength inside her again… but found nothing. The Togruta bore all her weight on her attack, gradually bringing down the former apprentice until she’d fumble.

“You are not the Padawan I trained!!”

Jidné struggled to push away Nomara—even for a few paces at least—to regain her composure. This time, it was the Togruta who went into the offensive. With the distance shrinking between them, Jidné paced her breathing and timed the right moment to counter.

A shockwave of the Force sourced from the collision of their sabers, it was a wave so strong that it threw Jidné meters away from their arena. The girl couldn’t pinpoint where the phenomenon originated—though it didn’t matter. She found herself tumbling back into the clearing where she had singlehandedly eradicated the Haxion Brood hunters, her head jerked in all directions to survey her bearings.

“Jidné!”

The girl jolted upon another call of her name, Cal ran up to her and slowly lifted her up.

“Are you okay?”

“I… I don’t know…”

Cal felt the immense tremor across Jidné’s entire body; puzzled, he looked at the direction of the forest where Jidné came out of and had an inkling of what just happened. He escorted her into the Mantis and offered her to a place to rest there.

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cosmictulips · 4 years ago

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Hi there! I'd love a free reading from you but I can't find any pinned post with rules so I hope that I'll include everything that you need. My initials are MK(aquarius sun) and I'm really good friends with NA (virgo sun) but sometimes I feel like we're meant to be something more. Can you give me some insight of what might be going through his mind? We're both over 18. Thank you🌿

It’s different for everyone, but I guess the “pinned post” is just the first post everyone sees when they click on my blog xD Either way, you’re good lol

Aww as a Taurus, I had this thing for an Aquarius once. he said I was too clingy and then ghosted me. Jokes on him because I’m distant af to people once we establish a good communication line lmaoooo --- not that... this has to do with your reading xD ...anyway I drew for you 3 of swords, The Magician, Ace of Cups. with the 7 of wands as the overall energy.

so my vibe is that this virgo is kind of all over the place at the moment. because like poop the 2 of cups flew out at one point but I also saw the Fool, the Devil, the Lovers likeee the Ace of Pentacles lol. talk about a wind of emotions lol

so it seems like the virgo here is going through something. did they just get out of a relationship? maybe they lost someone, they seem to be grieving over someone or something. this could be another person, they could just have depression but the three of swords is telling me they had to let something go and it hurt them.

They do have, what I would call, budding feelings for you. so there’s a spark ;))) I think they just need some time for healing. they really feel like they manifested you into their lives lol with that Magician card. I think this virgo is the type to day dream a bit because the ace of cups here, with the Magician is like, Like let me take you out on all these cute dates, plan our life together and be cute as buttons.

even the 7 of wands is a very protective energy. they want to protect you, and that’s probably how they show their love. Having a virgo moon, us virgos lolol we tend to nit pick and be so like... protective of people we care about xD have you heard them say anything like “I think this would be good for you if you...” insert something weird probably. or like do they stare at you a lot? xD Like I would FIGHT someone lmao that’s the kind of energy I’m getting here too. like they don’t mean to kind of just nitpick at you it’s just they want to make sure that you are taken care of lolol.

so yea, with all the other cards, like the Fool and the Devil especially. they might be like, taking a risk with you. not in a bad way I think that’s just what they’re feeling like. ooohhh we’re doing the devils tango. like xD there’s something about you to them that is so new, that they feel like it’s risky ;))) like a little spice in their life basically lol. you might make them a bit more impulsive and make them get out of their comfort zone lol and they might try to fight that but I feel like this virgo is just down to do whatever lol even if it’s a little... spicy ;)) if you catch my drift lmao

they might be battling themselves on what to do. which is to be expected because of the three of swords. give them time to heal whatever it is they are going through. they definitely have their eye on you ;)))

I hope this helps LOL If you ever need anything, feel free to stop on by =D

#free tarot reading #tarot reading

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irwinkitten · 6 years ago

Text

trouble | c.h

notes: soooooo there was a conversation in writersos gc and ya gal got lowkey inspired and wrote a small snippet and nearly murdered the entire chat. sO with that in mind, this was born and i’m not even sorry. warnings: smut lmao word count: 4k!

---

It felt like her day was never going to end.

By the time her shift had finished, she knew that the evening was going to take its toll on her. Knowing that the next day needed to be a stress free as possible, she knew that she was going to be planning her outfit and getting everything ready for the Calum's work party.

Part of her was proud of the organisation. More often than not, she left it last minute and was often found scrambling to get her stuff together. But Calum had pleaded with her, eyes wide and peppered kisses across her cheek and jaw.

She couldn't say no.

Before she could even sit down once she was through her doors, she headed upstairs to here her dress was. She'd hidden it from Calum, begging with him to let it be a surprise for him to enjoy and in turn, he'd agreed and had given in, allowing her to keep her dress a secret.

It hadn't taken much to double check that there was nothing wrong with the dress. She still couldn't believe that she had it. Calum had handed her his card and almost begged her to let him spoil her. And part of her hoped that the dress would be put to use again, so with that in mind, she'd taken his card and made the purchase.

Part of her still felt guilty, but Calum had quietened her worries and promised that there would be no big gifts from him if that made her uncomfortable.

He knew the anxiety that surrounded her when it came to money, knowing that she budgeted for everything that she did in her life, including going out with Calum and his friends.

The evening was spent relaxing in the bath, glass of wine and a soft playlist going. She exchanged a few texts with Calum, but she knew that he was doing his own last minute prep for the next day, so she didn't try to demand his attention.

It was an early night for her, everything entirely relaxed. It hadn't been often she could feel this relaxed, and often, the only way she got this kind of relaxation was when she was wrapped around Calum. Not that he minded, or at least, he never indicated otherwise, but it was nice to be able to relax without another warm body next to her.

The next morning, her phone had exploded in notifications.

The first set of notifications had confused her. Her friends had sent texts, asking if Calum was okay. Then she saw the instagram notification and she clicked it, her eyes studying the newest photo he'd posted.

"What the fuck Cal." She murmured to herself as she studied the photo, her lips curving into a small grin at the boomerang.

'Looking handsome there.' She couldn't resist the comment on the photo, a laugh escaping as his name popped up in her messages.

'Always handsome for you, angel. You like? Figured I'd try something new for the event tonight.'

As she began to type out her reply, she deleted it as an idea crossed her mind.

Switching to her camera, clicking the video option, she hit the record button and quietly climbed out of bed, making her way to where she'd lain her underwear out the previous night.

Her fingers trailed over the satin bra, a soft giggle escaping knowing how much he loved seeing her in that bra. Taking the matching pants that were with it, she moved over to her underwear drawers, putting the item back into the draw.

"That's how much I like it, baby. See you later." She clicked stop and sent the video to him.

His reply came through within minutes.

'You're in so much trouble later, sweetheart.'

That one sentence sent the butterflies off in her stomach. She wouldn't back down on this and he knew it. And it was partly why she enjoyed this game.

'Am I really in trouble or are you just pouting because you can't get off yet?' She knew it was a risky text to send him. It was certainly set the tone of the night.

His reply was instant.

'Trust me princess, you're in big trouble. See you later, love.' A delicious shiver went down her spine in excitement at the prospect of the rest of the evening and then realised that her mind was running away with fantasies of her boyfriend.

"Fuck."

—

The day seemed torturously slow for both of them.

She’d sent him photos of her process, knowing that teasing him like so would only mean payback later, but it was payback she wanted him to dish out.

And he knew this.

When he finally arrived to pick her up, the company having provided cars for the evening, he was lost for words when she descended the stairs after he’d called up to her.

His throat had grown dry as he watched her, the coy smirk sending unbidden fantasies rushing through his mind as she finally reached him. Her hand gently traced his jaw before she pushed it up, closing his lips that he hasn’t realised had fallen open.

“It’s not often I can leave you that speechless.” She murmured and he chuckled, breathless and amazed.

“You look stunning.” He finally got out and her fingers moved to his hair, her fingers running through the short strands.

“Nothing compared to how you look tonight, handsome. We mere mortals should recognise when we’re blessed with the presence of a god.” The tease was light, making his lips curve into a smile.

“Aphrodite has nothing on your beauty.” Was all he could come back with, making her giggle as her lips finally met his.

“We have a party to attend my good sir, how about we get going?” He grinned, offering his arm out to her and she took it.

It was only in the car did he appreciate the dress, the slit in it running up to her mid thigh and he had to stop his fingers from wandering like he so desperately wanted. He knew there was nothing underneath, knowing that she would keep to that promise of leaving that underwear piece in the draws.

But he knew his restraint wouldn’t last the night. And she was playing on that.

He held back a groan. She would be the death of him, he was certain.

When the car reached the event, of course there would be journalists, photographers and a red carpet. He could see the other three with their dates and held back a sigh.

“You’ve got work to do, stop being so miserable. You get me for the rest of the night.” It was like she’d read his mind, and the smirk she wore told him no different.

He exited the car first, holding his hand out to her, helping her out from his side and she flashed him and appreciative smile as flashes began to go off, his name being called over and over.

Ignoring the yells of his name, his arm slid around her, hand resting on her lower back as they headed to where the others were waiting.

“Good you’re all here.” The runner eyed each of the boys speculatively.

“How are we going to do this?” Calum finally prompted, irked by the lingering eyes. It was like it’d been forgotten they each had dates.

“Right, yes.” The runner flushed in embarrassment. “It’ll be group shots first and then your dates can join you. Luke then Michael, then Ashton and finally Calum.” Calum’s eyes met Ashton’s who rolled his own and Calum tried not to smirk at his friends annoyance.

They moved forward for the group shots, briefly blinded by the camera flashes and their names being called out.

It was easy for him to block it out.

When he finally pulled away with Michael and Ashton, watching as Sierra made her way over to Luke, his arms moved around her, lips pressing to her cheek in a soft moment.

“You can skip on this part if you want.” His words were whispered and she turned to face him, a grin on her lips.

“I think I’m going to allow myself to be a little bit petty tonight and outshine you in those photos tomorrow.” He could see her nerves, the way her teeth caught the corner of her lips.

Lifting his hand, he brushed his thumb over, pulling the skin free from her teeth.

“You outshine me six ways to Sunday, love. One of those talents being restricted to the bedroom, but they don’t need to know that.” Her body relaxed and he was grinning at the pout she wore.

“Only one? I mean, I can never compare to you eating me out, but I have more than one talent in the bedroom.” She barely moved her lips, voice quiet and Calum laughed as his lips moved to her ear.

“Trust me sweetheart, I know you do. But like I said, they don’t need to know that, or know how you like to play with fire,” his hand slid over the curve of her ass, “or how you enjoy potentially being caught.”

The softest moan escaped her, and had he not been so close, he would’ve missed it.

“You can’t leave a girl hanging, Hood.”

“Trust me baby, you’re going to be desperate when we get back into that car.”

His name was finally called and he had to think of something other than her, beneath or above him. He did not need journalists being vulgar about his hard on or those kind of photos floating around, making people aware of what he did within his relationship.

He stepped forward with her, keeping his face neutral until she quietly asked him for one photo with a smile. His gaze turned down to her and she met it evenly, and he couldn’t stop his lips from curving upwards.

Her lips matched his, and the shouting increased as he dipped his head, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Anything for you, love.”

—

She knew that he was keeping a tight hold of his control and will power, especially with his hand resting so high up, the slit on the dress at first being a good idea, but now her mind had conjured images which made the idea get moved to great instead of good.

There was one of the executives up on the stage, prattling on about the success of the company, mostly attributed to the success of the artists. But her mind couldn’t hear his words, not when she felt Calum’s fingers slide higher and dipping under the fabric of her dress.

She knew her heart was pounding loudly, and an errant thought crossed her mind, wondering if anyone else could hear the thundering heart that felt like it was trying to claw its way out from her chest.

And then she felt his scruff on her earlobe and cheek, his lips do dangerously close to her ear.

“Not a sound, princess.” Her lips pressed together, a slow inhale and exhale before she forced herself to relax as she tried not to let out a noise as two fingers slid into her.

She tried to laugh at the stupid jokes, the sound disjointed from the group. This earned a few looks from the rest of the band as she took a swig of water.

“You alright?” Ashton whispered across the table and she forced a smile onto her lips as a thumb was added to her clit.

“Yeah, just a dry throat is all.” He nodded before his eyes returned to the stage and she let out a slow breath of relief as she felt the familiar tightening in her abdomen.

Leaning on his shoulder, making it look like she was simply leaning to kiss his cheek or talk, she let her lips graze his earlobe.

“Please sir, I’m so close.” She had to swallow the whine. He didn’t look at her, but he nodded and she felt her whole body tense before she came, her forehead resting on Calum’s shoulder, lips parted in a soft ‘oh’ sound as he slowly worked her through her orgasm.

Teeth pressing into her bottom lip to stop the noise escaping as he pulled his fingers from her, she watched as ducked his head, as if he were going to tie his shoes up and she could feel that shiver rolling down her spine as he cleaned his fingers.

“You’re going to be the death of me.” She finally grumbled as he sat back up, throwing his arm over the back of her chair.

She shifted closer, allowing her head to rest against his chest and he chuckled quietly.

“The feeling is entirely mutual, sweetheart.” He hummed as they returned their attentions to the stage, watching as the the band was mentioned along with their success.

She watched in mild amusement as they asked the four of them to come up to say a few words and after good natured ribbing from the other artists that were attending, they all trouped up to the stage.

Each of them saying a few words was enough to hold the attention of the audience, and she couldn’t stop her wide grin as Calum spoke, his eyes searching the room before they found her. And as his lips curved up into a smirk around his words, she couldn’t help but think how handsome and powerful he looked up on that stage.

—

Once the speeches were out of the way and people were free to mingle and dance, Calum had kept his arm around her waist, his fingers keeping a firm grip on her hip as he spoke with other artists and executives.

He ignored her hidden looks that she gave him when others attentions were away from him.

It was getting increasingly difficult to keep his attention on the figures that were being rattled off when she pressed herself closer to him, her feather light touches setting his stomach alight with butterflies as he laughed along the others, having missed the joke completely, but didn’t want to be caught out.

“Cal, please.” She finally breathed in his ear and he glanced at the clock before pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Ten more minutes angel, then we can ditch. And I can promise you that I’m going to get you back.” He watched in amusement as her lips pulled down into a pout, but she didn’t argue with his words.

He did the rounds once more, his eyes watching the clock before making his excuses and ducking from the conversation with various members of the different managers that were apart of the team.

His eyes caught Ashton’s, earning a smirk from the red head. Calum shrugged in return at the smirk before he took his girls hand and the two of them ducked from the room. They headed to where the valet was, both breathless and giggly.

He could feel the exhilaration through his veins as he felt his phone vibrate.

“Hood.” He told the amused personnel who radioed through with his name.

A car pulled up and as his phone began to vibrate a second time, he ushered her into the car, both of them laughing as the car peeled away. He pulled out his phone to see texts from his bandmates and two missed calls from his manager.

He answered the third call.

“Calum, where the fuck have you gone?”

“Not feeling well, heading home.” He responded, feeling her press her face into his chest to muffle her giggles.

“You know you can’t just ditch something-”

“Luke, Ashton and Michael are still there. I stayed long enough that it wouldn’t be considered rude. Now, I’m gonna go be sick.” He hung up the call and the two of them collapsed into giggles, his arm wrapped around her as the car weaved through the late night streets with ease.

“Yours then?” She asked quietly once she recognised the roads.

“Apparently. You’ve got enough stuff at mine so don’t fret.” He smirked at her and she could feel her breath catch.

“Not what I meant, but I’ll take what I can get.” She fired back and he groaned, feeling his earlier thoughts return full force and she noticed almost immediately.

The music suddenly got louder and he vaguely reminded himself to tip the driver as her hand palmed him, his lips by her ear as he let out a soft groan.

“You’re killing me.” He finally got out, his fingers wrapping around her wrist to stop the movements. She grinned at him, the smirk on his lips showing she knew exactly what she was doing.

The car jolted to a stop and Calum wasn’t sure if he was more annoyed or grateful as she slid from her side first. He chucked a couple of bills into the front seat, since the music was still going full blast and he had to adjust himself slightly so he could follow her to his front door.

He pinned her to the door before he unlocked it, his lips on her neck a her fingers scraped along his scalp, a half strangled noise escaping her lips as his fingers slipped through the split in her dress and this time her fingers moved from his hair to his wrist.

“I might enjoy potentially getting caught but you are not doing this in full view of you neighbour, even if they are asleep.” She gasped out and he smirked, fishing his keys from his pocket.

The door opened, and they stumbled in, together, her giggles breathless as she toed off her heels whilst he locked the door.

He switched on the hallway light and under the light, he saw the fresh marks he’d left on her neck, a smirk growing on his lips as he trailed his fingers across the reddened skin, listening as her breathing hitched slightly.

“You’re so beautiful.” He murmured, fingers moving to curve under her chin. Tilting her head back, his lips met hers, and they parted so easily under his touch. Her own hands were wrapped around his waist, her hands having slid under his jacket, scratching gently at his clothed back and he could feel the last vestiges of his will power disappear.

“Upstairs, sweetheart.” He breathed once he pulled his lips away and she took a few steadying breaths before heading upstairs.

—

She knew that he was seeing to Duke, making sure the dog wouldn’t interrupt their time. It had happened once and they’d both lost any interest, especially with her laughter echoing around because the small dog would not let her near Calum.

However over time he lost his possessiveness over Calum and had accepted her eventually. Calum had been amused when they’d once returned home and Duke had greeted her first, ignoring Calum completely.

Leaving the dress on, she sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the footfalls as Calum finally followed her up the stairs. When he pushed the door open, she found most of her thoughts disappearing at the sight of him in his slacks and white button down, the top three buttons undone.

“Look at you, lookin’ all pretty.” He slowly undid his belt, chucking it to the side as she reached out, hooking her fingers through the loops on the trousers.

“Same could be said about you.” She murmured as he bent down, his lips capturing hers briefly.

“Nothing on you, sweet girl.” He got onto his knees, his fingers pushing the dress up with ease. He pressed open mouthed kisses to her thighs as he worked his way up, her fingers running through his hair before switching to his shoulders, her fingers gripping him as he crept closer to where she desperately wanted him.

“Cal please.” The opened mouthed kisses turned into bites and she moaned.

Seconds later, he shifted her legs over his shoulders, his tongue licking up her folds before pushing in, moaning softly which triggered her own moan off her fingers finding purchase on the sheets beneath her as he ate her out.

He switched around a few times, his thumb moving to her clit and she knew she was so close to the edge, her whimpers only increasing as he pulled away, his thumb still circling around.

“Look at you dirty girl, still in your dress and making a mess. Tell me sweetheart, is this what you like? When I have you begging? When you’re so needy?”

“Please, please let me cum.” Her words were breathless and he hummed in assent.

“Cum for me pretty girl, tell me how I make you feel.”

“So good-oh fuck, Cal.” His lips had returned to their previous position and she fell over the edge, her legs trembling as he continued to lick her clean, pulling away when her hips jolted and he chuckled as her fingers moved from the bed to under his chin.

He didn’t expect her to dip her head and lick the remnants off his face before her lips met his and he groaned.

“What do you want, princess?”

“You to fuck me.” Came the bold response and he chuckled against her lips as he pulled away fully, reaching to pull his shirt off.

Once he was on two feet, he unbuttoned his slacks before pushing them down, boxers and all. He helped her stand, spinning her so that her back was pressed against his chest.

His hands rested on her waist for a moment before he allowed them to slide between them, taking ahold of the zipper. As he pulled it down, his lips found her neck and a soft moan escaped as he began to work on the skin available to him until her dress had dropped to the floor.

He wasted no time in unhooking her bra. Any other time, she would’ve been annoyed, but she could feel how hard he was, and she knew that as much as it was his favourite, there was a level of patience and he’d surpassed his.

At first his fingers were on her clit, working her up before he finally spoke.

“Hands and knees, princess.”

She didn’t argue as she got on her on her hands and knees on the bed. He teased only a moment, his cock teasing her folds before pushing into her roughly, earning a loud moan as his pace had her arms shaking. She knew that she wouldn’t last long, and when his fingers slipped around her waist, sliding to her clit as he kept up his pace, she could only moan his name in response.

“Cum on my cock, baby.” She was gone, her arms shaking as he kept his pace. She knew her arms were going to give out, her whimpers loud and echoing as he gently grabbed her shoulder, pulling her up so that her back was against his chest once more.

“Choke me, Cal.”

He didn’t need to be told twice, his fingers wrapping around her throat and the pleasure that was buzzing through her veins increased tenfold as he applied a small amount of pressure, the bite of his rings sending her into overdrive as she felt the tears gather in the corner of her eyes.

“Baby, please.” Her whine was met with his grunts, hips stuttering before he came, her own orgasm following after and she could feel her body sag forward slightly.

His grip shifted almost immediately, his arms wrapping around her body as he pulled out, their bodies falling to the bed.

He pulled her tightly to his body as she let her head rest on his chest, a soft groan escape her.

“If this is what I get for that stunt of putting my underwear back, I need to do it more often.” She finally muttered and Calum could only laugh as he helped her off the bed and helped clean her up.

“C’mon then princess, let’s get ourselves cleaned up and in the morning I’m definitely treating you to breakfast.”

---

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emeraldtawny · 5 years ago

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Drug Dealer!AU Blanc & Oliver: Mitigation

...hey, it’s been a while ghrodktergrdg. I’ve been sitting on this idea for a bit wondering how to bring it to life and...I may have...accidentally planned out the entire direction I want this story to go?? WOO!

As always, the rundown of this AU can be found here if you’re unfamiliar or need a quick recap. Otherwise, enjoy~

There were few things that could rattle the esteemed heir to the Lapin family name - their history of unshakable tenacity dating back to its earliest records. But none of them had ever faced an obstacle of this magnitude, thus the sole successor allowed himself some self-pity in these moments of dread.

“Mr Lapin! Mr Lapin!! The drug cartel in this city has gotten even more out of hand. Some people are suggesting that the dealers for Magic Crystals have doubled this month alone! How are you planning to fix this?”

He flashes a grin that would pacify most, his rose-gold eyes narrowing amiably - just shy of irritation - as he turns back to the reporter hot on his heels.

“There has been no such confirmation, so they are baseless rumours made to stir up trouble as far as that goes. The police are working day and night to hunt down the smaller dealers as well as the one behind all of this. I’m afraid all I can ask of you is to wait patiently.”

“But there has been talk of corruption among authorities, many being bribed to stay silent or taking Crystals themselves. And those aren’t just ‘baseless rumours’, Mr Lapin.”

(I have to give this young man credit for his dedication to the job. I only wish his attack was not directed at me.)

He walks briskly as the sun creeps eerily behind the surrounding buildings, lamp posts bursting to life to provide illumination for the rabbit being chased by his news-hungry predator.

“That I am aware of. We are making preparations with the police - with officers we are certain are clean - to begin dealing with those corrupt officers. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much power as you think I do, so my reach can only go so far.”

“As the man in charge here, don’t you think it’s callous of you to deter blame for this? The Clemences are under suspicion for dealing Crystals to the high-class public, the Godspeeds are remaining neutral in this entire fiasco, and no one has trusted the Kingsleys in years. You’re the only pillar of stability we have left in this city, so how about you start standing on it and helping us out?!”

“You--!”

(You don’t think I’m trying to do that?!)

The unbecoming retort on the tip of his tongue is cut short by another voice, harsh and cutting like a winter’s gale, especially in contrast to Blanc’s warm and honeyed tone.

“Don’t you think you’re being unfair to the only man in this city actually trying to combat this? And don’t you dare try to say you’re helping this city out by ‘doing your job’. A reporter is about as useful as a lead balloon.”

Dressed down in a casual white long-sleeved button-up shirt and black pants, yet still sporting his recognisable silk hat, he steps out from the shadows of a nearby building, the lamp post’s light cutting through him and shining its light on only half of his frame.

“A-and who are you?” The reporter retorts, the shakiness in his voice unable to be quelled.

“Just someone who also wants this city to be free of pests. But believe me when I say that antagonising the only viable option left is the worst possible thing you can do. Go back to the papers and scream about the ‘youth ruining the economy’ or whatever the hell has your knickers in a twist this month.”

The venom laced in his words is potent - far from subtle - and makes the young man quiver as he turns to run with his tail between his legs. Blanc lets out a soft sigh of relief before he feels those metallic eyes turn their daggers onto him.

“I thought I said to be back before dusk to avoid this very issue, you mangy rabbit.”

He lets a laugh escape him, though he doesn’t try to mask the clear fatigue in the gesture; he was comfortable enough letting his long-time friend see him weak when the public couldn’t, for the sake of his image as a figurehead for the city.

“My apologies, Oliver. It won’t happen again. Although, I honestly can’t deny how pertinent this chance meeting with that reporter was.”

Oliver raises a brow, his intrigue disguised by aggravation to all except Blanc. “And just what do you mean by that?”

The click of Blanc’s oxfords seems to reverberate through the empty street as he steps past Oliver.

“Perhaps this information will be better relayed in private?”

With a throaty grumble through pursed lips, Oliver catches up to Blanc in a few long strides, the two men walking in silence. Yet somehow, they fail to notice the hooded figure lurking a few buildings back, the Crystal’s potent effect letting him hear every word of their conversation, eyes of blood and gold resolved to deliver this information.

---

Behind the closed doors of the Lapin estate, the two retreat even further into the house’s infrastructure to enter through a simple wooden door that’s so remarkably out of place amidst the ornate decor. Flicking on the light, Blanc sighs as he removes his coat and places it neatly over the back of a chair, Oliver following in behind and shutting the door to their ‘workshop’.

Paper is scattered loosely across the table’s surface, the oak brown replaced by sheer white. On the far wall is a pinboard, various faces stuck onto its surface alongside meticulously detailed notes of each profile. It’s a scene ripped straight from a buddy cop scenario, the only missing element being the comedy.

Blanc and Oliver stand before the table littered with sheets of paper, both sets of eyes roaming over their sporadic evidence, notes scribbled down with the sole purpose of documentation over organisation. Oliver pulls free a cigarette and a lighter from his pants pocket. He coaxes the stick of nicotine to life and inhales a long drag, his expulsion of the smoke seeming to linger around him. Eyes unmoving from the table, he passes the cigarette to Blanc, himself taking a puff whilst Oliver sorts through the papers to attain some semblance of order.

“So? Why was that kid so important when all it seemed like he was doing was trying to drive you up the wall?”

Letting the smoke rise naturally from his lips, its distinctive scent burning his nostrils, Blanc taps the ashes at the tip of the cigarette into the ashtray - the only non-paper object on the table - with skilled fingers.

“It only made me realise that our risky decision is the right course of action to take.”

“Explain.”

Inhaling another drag of smoke into his lungs, Blanc breathes it out through puckered lips, admiring the thin, wispy trail it makes before elaborating.

“That young man from earlier did bring up an interesting point that only reaffirmed our plan. No one has trusted the Kingsley family in this city in years...which means that even without a sound lead, focusing the public’s attention on a single source will give us more time to discover the truth. Who knows? Maybe they’re the ones who have been behind this all along.”

A bitter laugh, “That, I don’t doubt. If Lancelot admitted to the whole thing, I don’t think a single soul in this city would be surprised.”

“That is exactly my point,” Blanc pushes the cigarette into the ashtray to extinguish its light, the heavy clawing scent of nicotine permeating the small room, “In these trying times, a common enemy to scapegoat our frustrations onto is dutifully needed. Especially if that scapegoat has a high chance of being as guilty as we expect him to be.”

As Blanc grabs a blank piece of paper and pulls a pen from his waistcoat pocket to write out a note, Oliver looks over at him from stacking the papers.

“You sure this will give us enough time to actually get a proper lead? All we’ve been able to find is that the Godspeed kid is in on this, but everyone with a functioning brain knows that. We’ve got leads and plenty of them; we’re just lacking evidence and proof.”

Finishing his note with a satisfying tap of pen to paper, Blanc draws his eyes up to Oliver and flashes him a smile, “Relax, my old friend. You underestimate how up-in-arms the public can get over issues like this. This will cause enough of a stir to mitigate our immediate problems.”

“If you say so.”

Oliver huffs, fishing around for another cigarette as Blanc promptly grabs his coat and exits the workshop. And in his hand, a neatly written letter:

[ To the tabloids desperate for a news story,

Here’s a headline for you:

The Beautiful Beast Embezzles Government Money, But For What Cause? ]

#ikerev #ikerev fanfic #drug dealer AU #blanc lapin #oliver knight #hmmm I wonder who else made a tiny guest appearance???? :3 #I'm so excited to share what I've got cooking up with this AU #it's nice to have a project that I can keep coming back to and that I'm this invested in #feels good uwu

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ericsonclan · 4 years ago

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The Floor is Lava

Summary: Minnie joins Sophie, Marlon and Renata in a game of The Floor is Lava.

Notes: Happy Pansexual Visibility Day! We thought it’d be a good time to post something with one of our OCs, Renata, since she’s pan. Enjoy!

Read on A03:

Minnie reached her hand to the back of her neck. Her neck always got stiff whenever she had worked for too long on something. She figured the best thing to do was to take a break. Getting up from her seat she made her way to the stairs. Slowly descending them, she heard a soft crash that came from the back living room followed by her sister’s voice.

“Oh no, Renata! To have died so young!” Sophie’s voice was overly dramatic before switching in tone. “Looks like me and Marlon won once again!”

“That’s not fair. It’s two against one!” Renata pouted.

Curious what was happening back there, Minnie walked through the house stopping when she got to the scene placed before her. All across the floor were pillows thrown haphazardly along with

Renata who looked over at the sound of Minnie’s footsteps.

“Minnie!” Renata’s face immediately brightened up. “Just the person I want in my hour of need!”

Renata scrambled up to her feet.

“What’s going on back here? I heard something fall.” Minnie looked over at her twin who was standing on top of one of the couches by her boyfriend.

“That was Renata. We were in a fierce round of The Floor is Lava.” Sophie replied with a carefree expression.

“We’ve been kicking her ass.” Marlon added, a proud smile on his face.

“Only because you two have your special alliance,” Renata huffed. “But now that Minnie’s here you two don’t stand a chance!”

It took Minnie a moment to put it together. “You want me to join you and defeat Sophie and Marlon?”

“Exactly.”

Minnie looked around at the three of them, all excited for a potential fourth player in the game. She did need a break from her work.

“Alright, I’m in.” Minnie’s smile grew when she saw how excited Renata was at her words.

With that the next round began. Sophie and Marlon stood on one couch while Minnie and Renata on the other. The rules were pretty straightforward: each person would take a turn to move. If they stepped on the floor they were out. If they survived that move then the next person would go. The team that got either both members onto the other team’s couch first or survived while the other team’s members got out won the round.

Marlon made the first move, making a cautious jump to one of the pillows on the floor. He was able to land safely with ease. Next was Renata who made a very different move from Marlon and jumped to a far away pillow, barely landing on it. She did a little victory cheer when she landed. Sophie looked around at her option before going with one that may not have been the smartest, jumping towards the one that Marlon was on. She landed safely, but it only lasted for a moment. Marlon was quickly losing his balance. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she pulled him forward. He let out a small sigh of relief before smiling at her.

Renata’s slow clap drew their attention towards her. “Well played,” She had a smile on her face that made it hard to tell if she was genuinely impressed or just amused. “Minnie, you’re up!”

Minnie nodded, jumping towards one of the easier pillows to reach. Marlon shifted his weight, gently jumping over to the next pillow and making life easier on both him and Sophie. Renata was next, jumping daringly at the couch that the other pair had started out on. She rolled onto it before pumping her fists in the air. Sophie clapped at her move, impressed by the payoff of Renata’s risky moves. Sophie tried to play it a bit smarter this time and just went for a pillow in front of her. Minnie made a bigger jump this round, getting closer to the couch.

“I think we should go for it, Sophie.” Marlon declared with a playful smile. Sophie’s eyes lit up at his words.

“I couldn’t agree more!”

With the approval confirmed, he made a risky jump onto the couch, barely landing. He gave a thumbs up to Sophie who returned it with a smile. Renata started to feel the pressure of the game. Her move was basically pointless as she already reached the goal. She would just have to wait and hope that Sophie missed her mark. Sophie took a deep breath before letting out a war cry and leaping towards the couch where Marlon had his arms open ready to catch her. She landed on the couch and ended up wrapped in Marlon’s arms. The two of them looked at the other team with proud expressions on their faces. “That’s one win for us!” Sophie exclaimed.

“Just wait and see,” Renata pointed her finger out dramatically. “Minnie and I will win the rest!”

---

Renata was not able to make true on her words as she and Minnie lost some of the following rounds. The teams were pretty even, each side giving it their all as they jumped from pillow to pillow. It was so close that when they reached the final round the teams were tied.

“Here it is: the final round.” Marlon stated.

“Winner takes all.” Sophie added, her hands placed behind her head, smiling at her opponents.

“Seems we’ll be the ones taking it.” Minnie replied, looking back at her sister with a competitive smile before high fiving her girlfriend.

“Let the games begin!” Renata declared with a bright smile.

Marlon started it out like he did in the first round, taking a cautious approach at first. Renata seemed to play the same way she always did: chaotically. She made a highly risky move that ended up paying off this time. Sophie was next, taking a riskier move than her boyfriend and jumping to a further away pillow. Minnie also decided to take a small risk and jump to the second pillow. Marlon looked around, trying to think of his options. With a quick jump he landed on the middle pillow, giving him a good spot on the floor. Renata jumped next, landing hard on the couch.

“Are you okay, Renata?” Minnie asked with concern. Renata shook her head a bit before giving a sign that she was good.

Sophie looked over at Renata then at Marlon. They had wanted to play this round cautiously so they wouldn’t risk losing by stepping in the lava, but it seemed that Renata had forced their hand. Marlon nodded in approval, his eyes locked with Sophie’s. With her boyfriend’s support, Sophie felt a newfound rush as she jumped towards the couch only to miss it by mere inches. “To think that I would die like this...”

“Oh, hold on a minute. I have the perfect song for this!” Renata pulled out her phone, clicking on a few buttons before My Heart Will Go On Kazoo Version played. Sophie reached her hand out to Marlon who stretched out his hand as well.

“Win... for me.” Sophie whispered.

“I promise.” Marlon vowed.

Sophie’s hand fell onto the floor as she pretended to die. A few moments passed before she jumped up to her feet and sat in the out of bounds area to watch the rest of the game. It all came down to one final move.

“Minnie! Use your long legs to jump over here and I’ll catch you!” Renata called out from the couch.

Minnie knew that she could play this cautiously and just make a few small jumps, getting to the other side with ease. But the look on her girlfriend’s face made her reconsider that approach. With a huge jump, Minnie launched herself toward the couch. She held out her arms to steady herself when she landed, splaying them on the couch. Her eyes widened when she realized that her face was mere inches away from Renata’s. “Sorry.” Minnie stepped over, a light blush on her face.

“Why are you sorry? We won!” Renata exclaimed, bouncing happily on the couch beside her.

“Man, we were so close,” Sophie tilted back her head in frustration before looking back at the others. “Well, who’s down for pizza?”

The rest eagerly agreed to Sophie’s suggestion. Soon their pizzas had arrived and the four sat around enjoying a tasty meal after a fun day surrounded by lava.

#twdg #thewalkingdeadgame #thefloorislava #fanfic #twdg marlie #twdg sophie #twdg marlon #twdg renata #twdg minnie #twdg minerva #twdg minata

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lysyuta · 6 years ago

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;Truth or Dare (04)

dream (ft. lucas) halloween au

words — 3,889

warnings — cursing, spooky stuff

summary — you and your friends love a good spook, but when you all download an app that seems take over your life, you all get a little more spook then you were hoping for this halloween.

October 21st, 2:25 p.m.

It’s been 2 days and neither you, nor your friends could delete that damn app from your phone. You found yourself trying to delete it almost once every hour, but they all resulted in failed attempts.

You just wanted this thing to be gone already.

It was Sunday afternoon and you sat in your living room with your brother, a blanket wrapped around you. The two of you were watching a show on the television, and Jisung continuously comments on the show, trying to get you to make conversation with him. You had been pretty quiet since yesterday after Donghyuck left your house. You hadn’t been talking much to your parents, or your brother. You could safely say that you were still in shock from the events that happened only two days prior.

“Are you alright?” Jisung asks you, causing you to look at him. “I’ve been meaning to ask your earlier. You just look so depressed. And you barely talk to me or mom and dad.” He explains, hoping to get an honest answer from you.

“I’m okay, Ji—“ “Don’t lie.” He cuts off your sentence. “You’re not okay. You’re acting so different.” He sighs. “And you always have conversations with me when we watch shows like this. I’m not used to you being so...quiet.”

You didn’t know what to say. You couldn’t tell him about what happened. You couldn’t drag him into this.

“Did something happen?” Jisung asks after you hadn’t answered his previous questions.

You shook your head. “Nothing happened, Jisung. I’m okay, alright?” You responded, dismissing him by looking back towards the television.

“I know you’re lying.” He speaks, but you don’t look away from the show, even though you’re not really paying attention. When you hadn’t replied, Jisung picked up the TV remote, turning it off. You rolled your eyes, finally looking at him again.

“Why do you always do this?” He questions you. “You never tell me anything. Whenever you’re mad or upset and I come trying to help you, you just dismiss me and you don’t tell me anything.”

“It doesn’t concern you.”

“You’re my sister. If something’s wrong with you then I should know. I should be able to help you. But you’re not letting me!”

“Stop talking to me like I’m younger than you!” You tell. “I don’t tell you things because you’re too young and I don’t want you getting involved in everything! Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

Without saying another word, Jisung got up from the couch and stomped upstairs to his room, visibly angry.

As you heard his bedroom do slam shut, you sighed, tightly wrapping your blanket around yourself.

You hated yelling at your brother like that, but it was the only way to stop him from prying. You didn’t want him to be a part of all of this. He couldn’t. It was too dangerous and too risky.

You sat there, too busy thinking about other things to remember that the television was off, and you were sitting in complete silence. You kept thinking. Although you had said you wouldn’t use that app anymore, why could it never leave your mind? Why were you constantly thinking about it?

You were instantly pulled out of your thoughts as your phone started ringing, causing you to jump slightly.

You picked up your phone, seeing that Haechan was requesting to video chat with you, joined by Jaemin and Renjun. You instantly picked up, not missing a chance to have some people to talk to.

When you answered, the screen on your phone split into 4 boxes. In one you saw Haechan, who was sat in front of his bed, with a game controller in his hands. The next one was Renjun who was also sat with a controller. The third one was Jaemin, who was sat by his computer. And the fourth one was you.

“Did you guys seriously call me, just to make me watch you play some game?” You asked your friends. “Oh? Did you think we were calling you to actually talk to you? Very funny.” Renjun jokes, causing you to roll your eyes.

It wasn’t uncommon for them to call you, just for you to watch them play video games. You didn’t hate it because they were doing something that was fun to them, but you didn’t particularly like it either.

After one of the rounds in their game had ended, Haechan looked at his phone before speaking. “Y/n, you look like you need some fun in your life.”

“And those bags under your eyes are big enough to carry groceries.” You retorted, causing the other two boys on the call to laugh.

“Y/n, tell Jisung to get online. I need him on my team so I can win.” Renjun says. “Hyuck is doing a terrible job. He keeps dying every ten seconds.”

“No way.” You tell him. “Me and Jisung just got into an argument and he’s really mad at me, so I’d rather not talk to him.”

“Oh god. What did you do now? Why are you always bothering him?” Haechan questions you.

You rolled your eyes. “Why do you just assume that I did something? What if it was him that did something to me?”

“Because Jisung rarely gets mad. It’s only when you bother him that he gets upset. What was it this time? Did you call him a little boy? You know he hates that.” The boy continues.

“What—That’s not true!” You defend yourself. “And no. It’s because he was upset that I’m always keeping things from him. But can you blame me? I didn’t want to tell him about what happened before because I don’t want him to get involved. This is some really scary shit, you know?” You explained.

“Understandable.” Renjun comments. “But, stop treating him like a ba—“

“I don’t treat him like a baby!” You speak over him before he could even finish. “Why does everyone always say that? Just because I don’t want him to do certain things doesn’t mean that I’m babying him.”

“Everyone always says that because you’re always babying him. He’s 16, y/n. He’s not a child.” Renjun points out. You groaned, not listening to him before getting up and going upstairs to your room.

“Renjun has a point.” Jaemin speaks up for the first time since you picked up the phone. “He’s not five years old, y/n.”

“I know he’s not. But—“

“Then stop treating him like he is. He’s only a year younger than us.”

“How can you blame me for not wanting him to be a part of all the stupid things we do? Was I supposed to tell him about how some demon thing is haunting all of our phones and mysteriously hurting people? I’m sure he’d completely understand.” You say sarcastically, rolling your eyes.

“Hey,” Haechan starts. “We starting doing stupid shit when we were like ten years old, and look at us. We’re fine. We’re smart.”

“Fine? Smart? If your definition of smart is being stupid enough to download a demon app, then sure. We’re super intelligent.” You speak, once again, sarcastically.

“Well, your protectiveness, or whatever you want to call it, has successfully gotten Jisung mad at you, once again. So it’s up to you to keep treating him the way you do, or stop being so uptight about things.”

“I am not uptight!” You defend yourself.

Before Haechan could speak again, Jaemin speaks. “Somi is requesting to join the call. I’ll add her.” He announces.

Jaemin clicks a button and a 5th box is added to your screen, this one having Somi inside of it.

“Hey So—“

“Y/n, what the fuck?” She immediately speaks. You could tell by the tone in her voice that she was angry.

“Woah. What did I do?” You asked.

“What did you do? Oh, I’m sure you know what you did, y/n. Delete it. Delete it right now.” She says.

What was she talking about?

“Delete what? Somi what are you talking about?” You questioned, genuinely confused.

“Don’t play innocent. It’s on your Facebook account, y/n. Stop being a bitch and delete it. Now.” She tells you. “Somi, what happened?” Jaemin asks. “Check y/n’s page.” She responds, causing all the boys to do what she says.

With utter confusion in your face, you put down your phone and pick up your laptop, opening Facebook so you could see what the hell Somi was talking about.

Clicking on your own profile to see your posts, you finally see what was on your page.

“Y/n...what the hell did you do?” You hear Renjun’s voice, not looking at your phone as you looked at the posts that were on your laptop screen.

Posted 5m ago:

Somi made out with Seungmin twice while she was dating Jaemin.

“What the hell?” You whispered. How did this get on your page? You didn’t post it. “Guys, I didn’t post this.” You say, picking up your phone.

“Stop lying! Who else could’ve posted it? It’s on your account. Now delete it.” Somi speaks, anger still apparent on her face. “Why would you even post that? Are you trying to make people hate me? Are you jealous of me because I can get guys? Is that it? I think it is.”

“Seriously. I didn’t post it!” You say. “I would never.”

“Then who did it?” She asks.

“Somi, trust me. I don’t know, but it wasn’t me.” You continued to defend yourself.

“Oh, save your lies y/n. You’re trying to get back at me because that stupid app said that I was the one who told Minho to break up with you. Was making out with my boyfriend not enough?” The girl accuses you. “You’re the only one besides Seungmin who knows. And I’m pretty sure he didn’t hack into your account and post it. So I know it’s you!”

“Wait—it’s true?” Jaemin asks, his eyes widening. “You made out with him? Twice?”

“Jaemin...baby…” She trails off. “I was drunk at a party. It was a mistake.”

“Twice, Somi? You just happened to be drunk at two parties and make out with Seungmin? While we were dating?” He asks. “And you couldn’t even tell me?”

“You didn’t tell me that you and y/n made out! And you two weren’t even drunk then!” Somi defends herself.

“Don’t try to turn this on me! We weren’t dating when that happened. But we were dating when you made out with Seungmin, twice. That’s no mistake, Somi. You cheated on me.” Jaemin speaks. You could see how upset he was. You felt so bad.

“Guys. The post was made seven minutes ago.” Haechan starts, interrupting the couple’s argument. “Y/n has been on video chat with us for twenty minutes.”

“So what? She could’ve still posted it.”

“I couldn’t have. I was talking to them the whole time. And I just opened my laptop when you told me about it.” You explained.

“So it wasn’t y/n. She couldn’t have posted it.”

You deleted the post, hoping that not many people saw it when it was up.

“I’m gonna log off guys. I need to take a nap or something.” Jaemin speaks. He was so hurt.

“Bye Jaemin.” You all waved bye to him before he logged off the call, only 4 boxes on your screen now.

“I’m gonna go too. Bye guys.” Somi also logs off, leaving you, Renjun and Haechan.

“I can’t believe this.” You said, laying down on your bed while holding your phone up to your face. “This is ridiculous. So, someone hacked into my account and posted that?”

“It’s possible.”

“But who else knew? Somi only told me. And of course, Seungmin knows, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t him. So who did it?” You asked.

Before anyone could answer, your phone received a notification—from the Truth or Dare app.

Time to play. It’s Y/N’s turn.

“You guys got that too, right?” Renjun asks as both you and Haechan nodded.

“Ignore it. We can’t play that anymore.” You tell them. “We’re just going to leave it alone until it leaves us alone.”

You hoped it would leave you alone soon.

October 22nd, 5:41 p.m.

You sat in the pizza shop with both Donghyuck and Mark across from you. Donghyuck offered take you out for pizza in order to get your mind off of everything. You gladly accepted, hoping that it would distract you from the things that were going on.

“Would you shut up? I’m not a scaredy cat!” You defend yourself at the accusation that Mark threw your way.

“Are you kidding me? Remember that haunted house we went to two years ago? You held my arm the whole time and screamed until we got to the exit.” Mark chuckled.

Haechan’s eyes lit up, smiling. “I remember that!” He exclaims. “Y/n was about to pee her pants! She was so scared.”

“I was not!” You groaned, reaching across the table to hit your best friend on his shoulder as he recalled that embarrassing memory. “I was like twelve. Don’t blame me for being a little scared.”

“You were sixteen!” Haechan and Mark point out at the same time, both laughing as you hid your face in your hands. You couldn’t help but to laugh a little also.

“Sometimes I wonder how you and Jisung are even related. He’s so fearless while you’re literally scared of everything.” Mark says. “He was dared to eat like ten packets of extra hot, hot sauce last night and he took it like a champ. You should’ve seen his face. It was iconic.”

Wait...dared?

“He did what? How do you know?” You asked, your protectiveness kicking in.

“It was on Lucas’ snapchat story last night. Let me show you.” Mark fishes out his phone from his pocket and goes to show you the video. When he turned his phone towards you, you watched as your little brother downed all 10 packets of hot sauce, his face turning a bright shade of pink when he was done, before smiling and laughing along with the other people who were in the room.

You snatch Mark’s phone out of his hand, paying closer attention to the video. Looking at the time that it was posted, you saw that it was posted at 11:57 p.m.

Did Jisung sneak out last night??

You watched the rest of Lucas’ snap, it being filled with him along with Jisung and two other people, doing crazy dares. Lucky for you, the dares weren’t extreme.

But one picture caught your eye. It was a picture of Jisung as one of his friends, who you remember by the name of Chenle, drew something on his face. Both boys were sat on a couch, with a coffee table in front of them. On the coffee table, you could see Jisung’s phone, which was open and on the home screen.

On his phone, you almost didn’t believe what you saw. One of the apps was...Truth or Dare.

The same app that you couldn’t delete from your phone. The same app that caused your friends to get hurt when they didn’t tell the truth. The same app that was currently making your life suck.

Why did Jisung have it on his phone?

You quickly showed the picture to Haechan and Mark before explaining to Mark everything that had happened to you all after you had downloaded the app.

You looked at the picture for a while. You almost couldn’t believe it. You hoped it wasn’t real.

What if the same things that were happening to you and you friends were happening to Jisung too? Did he and his friends play the game often?

You suddenly felt a wave of worry hit you. You were so worried for your little brother. What if the app was hurting him?

“Maybe you should call Jisung and make sure he’s okay. Where is he now?” Haechan asks you.

Your eyes widened as you remembered where you mom told you that your brother was going after school.

“He’s at Chenle’s house! Oh my god! What if they’re playing that game now? What if they’re getting hurt?” You asked, picking up your phone.

“Y/n, calm down. Think positively. He’s probably fine.” Mark tried to assure you as you dialed Jisung’s number, pressing your phone against your ear.

The phone rang a bunch of times, and you couldn’t help but worry more. “Answer. Please answer.” You whispered, hoping that your brother would pick up the phone.

But he didn’t. You just got his answering machine.

You called him a few more times, and he never answered.

Jisung always answered the phone, especially when it was you who was calling. So why wasn’t he answering now?

You couldn’t help but assume the worst.

“Mark, what time do you get off?”

The boy looks at his watch before speaking.

“Ten minutes. Why?”

“Drive me to Chenle’s house.”

October 22nd, 6:31 p.m.

You knocked on the door of Chenle’s house, knowing his address from all the times that you’ve come to pick up Jisung from here. When there wasn’t an answer at first, you knocked again.

You were about to knock for a third time, but the the door opened. Chenle stood in the doorway. He was a pale boy with his hair dyed a lime green color.

“Is Jisung here?” You asked the boy. “Uh—Yeah.” The boy speaks, visibly nervous.

“Can we come in?” You asked, referring to yourself and the two boys that stood behind you. “Um—I—uh—“ Chenle stutters.

“Stop being so nervous. We don’t bite.” Haechan speaks up from behind you. “I know. I just—“ Chenle starts, but you cut him off.

“Are your parents home?” The boy instantly shakes his head. “Jisung and I were just playing a game. We’re not doing anything weird.” Chenle defends himself.

“You sound guilty.” Haechan comments.

The younger boy sighs before opening his door wide enough for you all to come in. “Jisung! Your sister is here!” Chenle yells, closing the door as you all entered.

As you got inside, you looked in the living room to see your brother sitting on the floor with his phone in front of him. He looks up at you, raising his eyebrow.

“Y/n, what are you doing here? I told mom I’d be home by eight-thirty.” He asks as you step closer to him.

“You snuck out last night?” You asked, not answering his question. “And you didn’t let me know?”

“I didn’t—“

“Do you know what could’ve happened to you? You could’ve gotten hurt or something! What if you got kidnapped? Why wouldn’t you tell me that you were going to go somewhere?” You ask.

“You always sneak out with Haechan and the rest of your friends. And you never tell me.” Jisung points out, standing up from his spot on the floor.

“That’s because I’m older than you! I don’t need to tell you when I—“

“Stop using that against me! Are you happy that you’re old or something?” Your brother asks you, causing the boys behind you to chuckle, and you give them a death glare, shutting them up.

“I’m trying to look out for you!” You tell him.

“By being over protective and trying to stop me from having fun? That’s looking out for me?”

Your jaw dropped. Why was he talking to you like that? He never does.

You bent down, picking up his phone (which was unlocked), and looking at it.

“Why do you have this app?” You asked him, pointing at the Truth or Dare app.

“Are you kidding me y/n? You’re questioning me about an app? A game that I play with my friends? What? Am I not allowing to play games now?” He asks you.

“Jisung, if you’ve played this game then you need to tell me, right now.” You say before Jisung snatches his phone from your hands. “It’s just a game, y/n!”

“It’s not just a game, Jisung! You can’t have that app! It’s not safe.”

“Am I supposed to delete it, y/n? Well, I can’t. And neither can Chenle. And neither can Lucas or Jungwoo. We all downloaded it and now we can’t delete it. So, I guess your plan to protect me or whatever isn’t going to work.” Jisung explains.

It happened for him too. He couldn’t delete the app, just like you and your friends.

You turned around, looking at Chenle, who stood beside Haechan. “How many times have you guys played it?”

The boy shrugs before speaking. “I don’t know. Maybe five times? Or more?”

Your eyes widened. “Five times? Are you kidding?” And the boy shakes his head. “And what happens if you guys don’t tell the truth? Or if you don’t do the dare?”

Chenle stayed quiet, looking down at the floor. You looked at your brother, who also didn’t answer your question.

“One of you, answer.”

“If we don’t tell the truth then we get a shocked.” Chenle finally answers.

“That’s it?”

“Well, I told a lie earlier and…” he trailed off. “And?” You asked. The boy suddenly lifts up the sleeve of his shirt, revealing bandaid on his arm that had some blood showing through it. “The light went off, and when they turned back on, that was there. Something cut me.”

You turned to your brother, stepping closer to him. “Did anything happen to you?”

Lucky for you, he shakes his head. “I always told the truth.”

You sighed in relief.

“Both if you need to stop playing. And tell Lucas and Jungwoo to stop playing too.” You tell them.

“What? No!” Jisung retorts. “It’s fun! When we played at Lucas’ house last night, we got to do so many fun things. And plus, Lucas and Jungwoo are going to think that we’re losers if we stop playing!”

“Jisung, are you serious? You’d rather be at risk of getting hurt than being called a loser by someone like Lucas?” You asked.

“I’m with y/n on this one.” Haechan speaks. “It’s not safe. Especially not for you guys. Look at what happened the Chenle. Something worse could happen.”

“But—“

“But nothing.” You say. “Both of you, stop playing. I know you can’t delete it, so just don’t open the app anymore, okay? Promise me you won’t.”

“Fine. I promise.” Jisung says. “I promise too.” Chenle says.

“I’ll talk to Lucas and Jungwoo.” Mark says. “I’ll tell them about everything so they’ll stop playing too.”

You, Haechan and Mark had stayed with Chenle and Jisung until about 8 when Chenle’s parents had gotten home.

When you got home, Jisung greeted your parents before going into his room and closing the door.

You wanted to go into his room and talk to him about everything that was going on, but you didn’t know if he was mad at you or not, and you’d rather not find out at this moment.

Instead, you go into your room and rest, hoping to clear your head of all the bad things.

Before you could fall asleep, your phone buzzes with a notification.

Connection completed.

Park Jisung and Zhong Chenle have joined your game.

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whistlemist · 6 years ago

Text

Take Out Night

Tim did not have time for this.

There was a meeting going on back home with his family. One of the most important meetings they always had that, for the bat-kids, was pretty much life or death. It was always about strategy, cunning, and wit.

It was the family takeout night.

Someone got to pick what the whole family would order, no exceptions, no other fast food, no other options. It took a whole hour meeting of them trying to outsmart each, to impress Bruce so they could get the main prize and tonight Tim wanted Chinese food.

Which means that getting kidnapped wasn’t a good start to this afternoon. With a scowl on his face, he dug his heels into the carpet as the masked man was trying to drag him out of WE. It only worked a little since Tim was small and bearly when over the 110 marks. This might be why he was kidnapped so often because all they had to do to Tim Wayne was toss him over their shoulder.

The heels in the carpet did nothing, he was still dragged along like it was nothing. When they got to the car he looked up at the man. “Listen, I know you ‘re probably really good at this, but it’s family Take out and Movie night and I really want to win the food part, so can I just write you a check and go?”

“Get in the car kid!” The man growled grabbing him by the back of his shirt before forcing Tim inside the backseat, soon the other two men had shown up getting into the car before driving away. “Shut up and I won’t kill you, kid!”

Grumbling Tim crossed his arms eyes closed. Now he had a huge problem. Last few times he had lost to Dick and Jason. Italian food and Burgers where good but he really wanted to eat some Chinese food! It’s not like he could let his chance slip again! Not with Jason and Dick both plotting about some sorta new food, whatever it was called, but he wanted sesame chicken and pork fried rice damn it!

“I can write it right now. I have my checkbook and a pen,” Tim offered and when they said nothing he frowned. “Come on! What teenager has a pen nowadays?! Please….?! It’s a family food ad movie night!”

“I said shut up!”

Sitting back Tim started to tap his foot trying to think of an escape plan that would be simple enough for Tim Wayne. This would have been so much easier as Red Robin. He’d just knock them out before heading home.

Looking out the window he thought about throwing himself out the door but Tim knew that not only was that risky but did he really want to risk getting injured and stuck int he hospital with no food that he had his heart on? Nope! Time to think of something else.

After a few minutes, they pulled into an alleyway. Alright, this could work for him. Maybe just slip away when they weren’t looking. Easy, simple, he liked this.

Suddenly the car came to a stop in the middle of the always. Sitting up Tim looked around confused on why where they just here in the middle of this place where anyone could find them?! Handn’t they done this before or at least looked it up online before deciding to kidnap one of Wayne’s children?!

“Get the other car,”

Oh, they had a second car. Well, points to that. As he was yanked out of the car Tim just went limp, pretending to pass out. If they thought he did maybe they would have some struggle to get him the next car.

Suddenly he was just tossed over someone’s shoulder. Well, that never worked, why would it work now? Despite that, he was ready to figure out how to get home. The sound of something opening let him know that was probably the truck. Still being limp he was lowered down laid on the floor of the truck before it slammed shut.

Opening his eyes only after he felt the car starting Tim crossed his arms looking up into the darkness with a scowl on his face. Alright, now that he was alone there was an unknown window of time. First, he felt around with his hand looking for the strap that was often used in case kids got stuck in the trunk. Feeling around he found nothing.

“Right,” Tim mumbled before moving around to reach down to his watch pressing a button as small light blinked on. Taing off the watch he set it on his chest before moving to reach down to his show. A twist of the heel was made to reveal a lock picking kit. “Alright time to get out of here so I can get my food.”

Taking out the tools he started to mess with the lock moving the tools around trying find the right… mechaizmen…. A click. Ah ha! Carefully he held onto the lid waiting for the car to pull to a stop that way jumping out wasn’t going to cause to harm. Finally, it pulled to a stop peeking out he looked around the streets.

Carefully Tim slipped out of the trunk before moving carefully towards a shop. Going inside he kept down heading towards the back door when the front door slammed open “There he is!”

“Crap,” Tim shot off running towards the back door. Slamming it open he hurried over to the fire escape stairs. Lowering himself at the last moment he jumped up catching the end pulling himself up rushing up the stairs ignoring how his kidnappers struggled to try to get the stairs to pull down. “Sorry, I got to go!”

Getting to the top Tim looked around for an entrance. Finding the door he ran to it wiggling the handle only to find it locked. Now he could pick it but that would give the others time to reach him. Besides he didn’t want to lose his kit, it was brand new!

Going to the end of the building he looked over before humming. Yeah, that would be a perfect place to land on. Now all he needed was the sped. Running back to the end Tim took a breath before running full sped leaping off the building.

The second he got close enough to landing he tucked and rolled before springing back up running towards the door. Not waiting to see if it was locked or opened he kicked it open. No time to waste he hurried down the stairs to before ended up on a ninth floor.

Going out he realized he was in a realtor building. Luckily they had an elevator. Going over he pushed a button waiting. As he stood there Tim tried to fix his suit. It had gotten a bit crinkled with all that drama from work. Pushing the coat down trying to get the lines out e noticed that his phone was missing.

He would have to delete everything on there when he got home. Luckily it had a failsafe on it and if those thugs tried to use it the thing would fray itself out. Still, that was a nice phone! Had all his music on it… oh well, he’d pick up another one on the way home.

The bing, the doors opening as Tim walked in thinking about all his favorite foods he was going to be ordering tonight. Pork fried rice, sesame chicken, Sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, cream cheese wontons, egg fu young, ah, there was much he was going to order and the leftovers he was going to put them in containers tomorrow that way he could eat them for and lunch.

Getting downstairs he sighed before asking the front desk if he could make a call. He called a few of his brothers, Jason, Dick to come to pick him up.

But those jerks! They wanted him to give up his bid to take out! Hanging up on them Tim st his hands on his hips debating on what he was about to do and if it was childish enough to warrant the single e was about to give out.

It was time to be childish.

“You know when you said you it was matter of life and death, I thought you meant actually dying,” Kon said as he carried Tim in his arms towards the Manor. “I don’t think fighting over what take out is life or death, Tim.”

“Have you’ve ever been to my family's take out night?” Tim asked as he held on smiling. He kissed Kon’s cheek. “Thanks for getting here so fast.”

“You screamed ‘Kon, I’m dying!’ of course I got there fast!” Kon said before smiling at the kiss. He held Tim a little closer before moving to fly lower as the Manor came into view. “You know for a place where some of the scariest people live is also one of the most beautiful places.”

“The Manor was in the talk of Home and Gardens,” It was said with pride because, well, yes Wayne Manor was a very lovely place to live and screamed wealth. As they landed on the balcony outside his room Tim gave Kon a kiss on the lips, a chase one but still loving. “Thank you, I’ll text you later!”

“See ya!”

Once showered, dried and dressed Tim hurried downstairs. He would have to grab a phone from the cave, for now, to use until he got a new one. Once he picked one that he liked, copied all his things to the new phone Tim Destroyed the old one.

Running back upstairs he headed towards the kitchen Tim got there in time to see everyone watching the news. At first, he wondered what happened and if this ruined the chance of his food but then he noticed that it was his own kidnapping.

“Well, looks like Drake is fine,” Damian said turned around. “Shame, with you gone I would have been able to beat these idiots easily,”

“Shut up, Satan’s child!” Jason snapped at him as he crossed his arms. “Brat’s right now, it would have been easier.”

“Glad you’re alright, Tim,” Dick grinned going over to hug before pulling back face getting serious. “But it’s time to battle.”

“First things first,” Bruce came over to Tim “Post something your social media so people won’t keep report that you’ve been kidnapped.”

“Right,” Tim said glaring at Dick as the older Robin backed away as they eyes each other up. He took out his phone opening up his app while asking “What game are we playing tonight, Bruce?”

“We haven’t drawn out the games yet,” Walking over to a small bowl that had small pieces of paper folded up into squares. Holding it up Bruce nodded to boys as they all sat down around the island table waiting. Bruce shuffled the papers before holding one up. “First game tonight. Janga. The ten-second rule applies, everyone has that time to make their move, if you miss it, you’re out.”

Tim paused to take a picture of himself flashing a peace sign while added that he was safe at home and that it was thanks to Batman. Yeah, he’s dealing with the press another day. Looking back he was already thinking about how to make his first move, well depending on who went first second and third.

“Second part will be,” Bruce moved the papers again before pulling out another one looking it over for a second. “Calculations.”

Dick frowned slightly, not that he was bad at it but going against Tim? That was going to be a challenge not to mention he could tell that the stakes where high tonight. Tim had an air of wanting to win and it was strong.

“After that, the final challenge will be,” A toss of the bowl before the last paper came out. “Connet four.”

“Tt.” Damian looked at the other three eyes narrowed. It was a simple childish game but placing that game in the mix with them? He knew he’d have to be careful. “When do we start?”

“Now.” Bruce turned around picking up the Jenga game opening it. “You know the rules, last one standing gets food order rights. Now, since we did it youngest to oldest last week, will go oldest to youngest.”

Everyone wast tensely watching as Tim placed his last block on top as the tower wobbled a bit before going back to being still. Once it stilled moved forward quickly eyes scanning the thing as his time was quickly going he got one block out placing it on top before they all paused as the thing wiggled more threating to topple over.

Crash!

“Yes!” Tim shouted throwing his arms up into the air “I win!”

“I’ll kill you, Drake!”

“You lot, so shut it!” Tim yelled as the two of them started to face off only to be ripped again. “Hey!”

“Enough!” Bruce set them down. “Damian, you lost. Alright, let’s move on with calculations.”

Dick was struggling as he answered another question. On the paper there were ten questions, each of them made by Bruce, did he ever put an easy one? No! Not at all so he was trying to get done as soon as possible. If anything he had to be at least second to move on to the next round.

The scrapping of paper, however, was unnerving and he could hear how fast Tim was going. Damn, this was a major disadvantage with this challenge. Tim was a well-known genius and maybe people underestimated Jason but the second Robin was a lot smarter than most people knew.

The hope had been that Tim would have been taken out in the first round but since that didn’t happen he had to do his best to get all the answers right and to finish on time. The stupid timmer was a half hour but he almost cringed when he heard the small ping of the bell in and Tim call out that he was done.

Trying to force his mind to work fast Dick scribbled down his answers as fast as he could. The second bell made him wince as he could feel Jason’s smirk even though he hadn’t looked up. Once he was done he flipped his paper over and smacked the bell.

“Done!”

“Alright, there were two minutes and three seconds left on the bell.” Bruce closed his phone before taking all the papers reading them over. “Tim got every answer right.”

“Of course,” Jason rolled his eyes. “Come on, old man who’s it gonna be me or Dick?”

Taking a minute to go over both the papers Bruce took his time before looking up. “Jason is the winner. Dick, you forgot to show your work on two of these.”

“Noooooooo!” Dick cried laying his head down. “I wanted pizza!”

“F*ck yeah!” Jason yelled standing up before glaring at Tim, his hand patting his hidden gun. “Ready to lose?”

“Like that’s going to happen,” Tim glared standing full height though it did very little against how tall Jason was. “Get ready to be buried twice.”

“Damn, that’s cold,” Jason smirked. “Alright, bring it on!”

The rules were the same as Janga, you have ten seconds to get your move in or you lost. Tim and Jason had been moving their red and black pieces as fast as possible as well as keeping tabs on each other’s moves.

Baby blue eyes and Lazurus’s green eyes glared at each other while they moved their pieces down into the slots as the pieces continued to fall until finally there was only a few moved left. Jason moving one over only he bearly missed the line as it fell into the wrong slot before he could snag it up.

“No! Damn it!”

Without hesitation, Tim put his second to the last piece in before jumping up with his hands raised high. “Yes! I am victorious!”

“Damn it!” Jason hit his fists on the table before sitting back. “Whatever, you got lucky!”

“Don’t be a sore loser, Jay,” Dick laughed as he moved to put the game away.

“It makes you look pathetic, Todd.”

“You were sulking this whole time!”

“Enough!” Bruce yelled as he pulled out his phone. “Alright, Tim, what are we ordering?”

As the Silence of the Lambs played, it was near the end in the Family movie room. In front of them on the coffee table, it was full of Chinese take out boxes. Everyone had their own plate filled with this and that from the place and even got seconds.

Tim was in his chair next to Bruce watching the movie as he slowly ate the late of his food eyes closing a little. Even though the movie wasn’t scary to him, hell they have seen worse. With the last bite of his food, the warm bubbling feeling that had settled in his stomach the second the food had arrived was expanding as he felt relaxed and peaceful.

Shifting more he laid his head on Bruce’s shoulder slowly dozing up thinking about what leftover Chinese food he was going to eat tomorrow. Just before he could slip all the way under he made a mental note that next week he wanted Korean food.

#fan fiction #Tim Drake #family #Batkids

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