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kentoxo · 2 months ago

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friction | reader (f) x crush!nanami pt.9

pairing: reader (f) x crush!nanami

synopsis: [AU] you have always had a crush on nanami. since the day you were hired as his personal assistant, you've been right at his side combating numbers and making money within the finance department for the company you two worked for. but, things take a turn when nanami catches wind of your feelings, and rejects you. little did he know the weight of his mistake.

warnings: angst, heartbreak, sexual tension, jealousy (future smut)

a/n: prepare urself. next chapter may or may not be crazy. once again (the usual) spam of thank yous. all of your kind words both in replies and reblogs makes my heart sing. to those who said they want to be part of the taglist-- i reopened it! i might have missed those who recently asked to be on it so pls reply to this chapter so i can get you :( so sorry for my lack of meticulousness.

all parts: pt.1, pt.2, pt.3, pt.4, pt.5, pt.6, pt.7, pt.8,

December | Tokyo, Japan | Saturday

You had to call out the following Thursday and Friday.

The cold you manifested was wreaking havoc on your body, the constant shivering now straining your muscles and bones. You couldn’t even find comfort in your bed, as you’d sneeze and cough, or dash to the bathroom during the waves of nausea. You were grateful to not have gotten frostbite, but damn this cold bites!

It was nice to have some space away from work, and Nanami. You deduced that this cold was inevitable, as the stress that loomed over since your confession (and second rejection). But this wasn’t fun either, as you could barely make yourself a cup of coffee while also having to answer Haibara every few minutes, who wanted to make sure you were doing well. It was bittersweet to say the least.

As you cuddle your heating pad meant for your tummy, you begin to scroll carelessly on your phone. Although it was your day off, and you were sick, you often liked to check your work emails. You like to be extra prepared for Monday, as those were the days when you have bigger workloads to tackle. As you scrolled, you stumbled upon an email directly from Takada shacho. Before you could open it however, there was a gentle knocking at your door.

“Coming…” you say weakly, quickly finding a mask on your bedside table. Comforting the straps around your ears, you make a slow walk towards your door. You get on your tiptoes to look through the peephole, only to back away in shock and slight embarrassment. “N-Nanami kacho? What are you… doing here?” You proceed to cough.

“I came to check on you,” Nanami hums from behind the door. “I know you’ve been sick due to my shortcomings. I wanted to see how you were faring.”

“A-ah, I see,” you stammer nervously. You were hoping not to see him until Monday, but luck still remains anywhere but your side. “You could have just called me as well…”

“I felt… that it would be best to come in person,” Nanami begins shyly. The sound of plastic shuffling joins. “I, um, also brought some things to treat you. If it’s okay with you, may I please come in?”

You go a bit pale, “um… I don’t really want to get you sick. I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come in and–”

“I don’t care. I’d like to see you, and make sure you are well.” Nanami interrupts you with a stern tone. His words sounded non-negotiable, and you didn’t want to [fuck around and] find out if you refused his entry. Reluctantly, you unlocked your door and slowly opened it, revealing the tall man before you.

His hair was once again messy, lazily pulled back with his fingers. He was covered in snow, of course, but had gloves on to protect himself from potential frostbite. You look down at his two large bags he got from 7-Eleven. You move out of his way and let him place the bags down. He closes the door behind him, and begins to untie his scarf from around his neck. As he did, you offered your hands out to take it from him.

“Let me,” you offer in a hoarse voice.

Nanami looks down at you, “you’re sick. Thank you, but I can hang it myself. Please feel free to go back to bed.”

“A-ah, but you’re my guest,” you insisted through weak coughs. “My mom would reprimand me if she saw the way I was hosting you right now. I haven’t even boiled tea…”

Nanami, now just in a sweatshirt and his joggers, quickly puts on his slippers and offers his hand to you. You look up at him confused. “Come and sit down,” he coos, taking your hand and guiding you towards your living room. He gently allows you to take a seat on the couch, which is quite the relief considering you were exasperating just from answering the door.

Through small coughs, you watch as Nanami brings his bags to the kitchen, and begins to unpack them. He silently takes out a few vegetables and cartons of broth. A pool of pill bottles also leave the bag, along with other cold suppressants. “Can I,” you start hesitantly, your index fingers looping around one another, “can I offer you a cup of coffee?”

“No,” Nanami shot you down quickly, “I’d rather you rest than concern yourself with me. Though, the offer in your condition is very touching.”

Your cold now felt like a fever, as your cheeks went completely hot. You looked crazy, your hair and makeup undone. Your pajamas were ornate with little ducks, and you don’t even have tea prepared. And here was this effortless, handsome man in your house, with a pot in his hands and his eyes navigating your tiny kitchen. It was an honor to see him outside of his work clothes, as it still made your heart run.

“Are there any vegetables you don’t like?” Nanami asks gently.

You sit up promptly, staring distantly towards the pot that was now full of water and preparing to boil. “I’m not a big fan of daikon in my soup,” you reply awkwardly. “A bit too strong for me.”

Nanami looks over at you and gives you a small smile, “I would have never expected that you didn’t like daikon, Y/N.”

“In soup, I’m not a fan,” you quickly mend the confusion, “soups are meant to be calming, not crazy.”

“Daikon makes soup crazy?” Nanami continues, amused by your detest.

“It’s a bit much,” You exclaim weakly. “Just me personally, I can’t deal with all that sass.”

“Sass?” Nanami finally lets out a chuckle, “what a way to describe a vegetable you don’t like.” As he cleans the vegetables he provided, he couldn’t help but continue to smile. “So this is what you’re like outside of work,” he whispers to himself. But your ears catch his words quickly.

You feel your cheeks burn from shyness. But as you stared at the back of Nanami’s head, you remembered all the tears you’ve shed these last 2 weeks. Your heart still hurts, even while sharing a warm conversation like this. He was still the man who you confessed to, and broke your heart twice. You look distant towards your window, seeing the snow slowly fall over the city.

“You don’t have to cook for me, Nanami kacho,” you say quietly, “you have done enough, so thank you. I can do the rest from here.”

Nanami purposely ignores you as he begins to chop a carrot. “What do I have to do in order to stop you from calling me kacho?” Your neck snaps back to look at him, noticing Nanami’s seriousness from his side profile.

You drop your hands to grip the end of the couch, squeezing it to calm you down. “You’ve made it very clear what kind of relationship we have. It’s inappropriate otherwise, so from your perspective, I should proceed with calling you kacho.”

“Y/N, please.”

“Please what?” A bit of attitude left the tip of your tongue. You jump in fear. Just because you were hurt doesn’t change the fact that Nanami is still your boss. The man that signs off your hours. ”Ah, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to use that kind of tone. I just… think it’s best that we revert back to honorifics.”

“I disagree,” Nanami hums from the kitchen. He begins to look through your spice pantry (which you were surprised he knew where to find it) and pulls out your pepper. “How spicy would you like your soup?”

“You told me that you are my boss, and I am your assistant,” you repeated his words from the night before. “You want comradery but don’t see me as anything beyond your colleague.” You tighten your grip on your couch. “And...not so spicy, for the soup.”

You were sick. Having to bring this conversation up once more was making you even sicker.

“Y/N, I misspoke,” Nanami says firmly, closing the pot with a lid to allow the soup to simmer. He grabs a glass from your cupboard and goes over to pour water from the pitcher. Pouring the water generously, he makes his way over to you with a few of the pills he purchased. “Here, I have a few supplements you can take now. The painkillers will be for after you eat.”

“I know how to take care of myself,” you murmur. Nanami takes a seat next to you, pouring the pills into one hand while carefully handing you the water in the other. Lowering your mask, you swallow the pills like morsels, and follow it with sips of water. “Feel free to go after this. Thank you for setting up the soup, I can take it from here.”

Nanami eyes your face, making you blush even more. You were thankful that you were sick, as the hue on your cheeks can be explained by your current health. Putting the cup down, you quickly busy yourself once more by taking the decorative blanket on the couch and covering yourself with it. As you did, a finger appears before your face. You halt, watching as Nanami begins to drag some sort of salve on your lips. His middle finger gently drags the petroleum-like substance against your bottom lip, before swiping the rest against your top lip.

You could explode right then and there. Your nausea wave was a bit more intense, but more so from the intensity of Nanami’s gaze, and his touch against your chapped lips. Your heart was beating hard, and you couldn’t move. Like yesterday, you were frozen. His touch, despite his muscular stature, was gentle, soft. It felt like butter.

“S-sorry,” Nanami immediately pulled his hand away. He quickly looks away from you, hints of pink at the edge of his cheekbones. “I overstepped. I’m very, very sorry Y/N.”

“It’s fine,” you quickly spew, “just… wash your hands before you touch anything else or yourself. I would hate for you to get sick because of me.”

“A-ah, right,” he concurs, quickly jogging to the kitchen to wash his hands. Drying his hands with a towel, he once again joins you on the couch. “I will admit, I didn’t just come here to care for you. I wanted us to… discuss more about our conversation the other night.”

Here he goes. Opening a wound that is long but healed. “What else is there to talk about?” You say, coughing a bit to clear your throat. You felt light headed from how congested you are, especially since talking so much. And now, Nanami was forcing you to engage in a conversation that led to your feelings being hurt more. “We both expressed our feelings to one another, and came to the conclusion that our relationship should strictly stay as a coworker dynamic.”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about, actually,” Nanami begins quietly. His eyes keep at your coffee table, with fingers weaving together slowly. He looks pensive, like he’s looking for the right words to say. But even within those thoughts, he was uneasy. “Hold on.” In a moment, he pulls off his sweatshirt, revealing himself in a black, skin tight shirt. This would be the first time you truly saw his physique, seeing as the shirt hugs into the dents and divots of his pecs and abs. The short sleeves give temptation to his muscular arms. His torso was enough to make any woman submissive.

You look away, but still hold your ground, “if that is the case, then I’d like to apologize again for my feelings towards you. I’m working on letting them go so they no longer pose as a nuisance or discomfort for you. And if need be, I understand if you’d rather distant our work relationship, or transfer me back to Sales.”

This is when Nanami faces you again, “Y/N, look at me.”

His tone wasn’t aggressive nor strict, but you felt submissive to his request. You slowly turn, your eyes finding their way to his own. Hazel eyes bore into yours, and you noticed his bottom lip snug between his teeth.

“That night when you confessed to me, I didn’t quite understand what it all meant for me,” Nanami begins quietly. He tightens his hold on his hands. “I’ve never really known what to do when people confess to me. But I was so used to not reciprocating those feelings that rejecting them was as easy as breathing.”

“You’re a little too good at it,” you let out, your heart jolting from the memory of the rejection.

“And for that I apologize,” Nanami quickly spews, “not only for hurting your feelings, but for lying to you.”

“Lying to me?” You felt your forehead going hot. “About what?”

“About my feelings towards you,” Nanami’s tone hinted at a dash of embarrassment, “Admittedly, not even I knew I was lying to you until I finally gave it some thought.”

You could only stare at him, trying to find some sense in his face. But as you stared at him, you noticed a break of conviction in his hazel eyes. His usual professional demeanor was absent, leaving you with a Nanami you’ve never met before. His confidence wavers, and before you was a red-faced, shy man.

“Kento,” you begin, causing him to jump from his first name leaving your tongue. “I’d feel worse if you’re feigning liking me for the sake of making up with me. I told you, it is my fault for liking you.”

“If you’re taking fault for that,” Nanami begins, his eyes diverting away from you, “then it is also your fault for making me like you back.”

Huh? You felt hot, cold, and dizzy. His words were nauseating, and you were confident you were green in the face. Your hands and arms shake with nerves, goosebumps ornate all over your body. Before you could even utter another word, you feel yourself going faint.

“Y/N?” Your name sounded distant. Before you knew it, your eyes flutter shut, pitch black surrounding you.

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cressidagrey · 1 day ago

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the one real thing you've ever known

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Ariel Cane (Original Character)

(Part of Stay through it all)

Summary: If there was one thing that Dr. Percy Cane, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D., Head of Electrical Engineering, Oracle Red Bull Racing, knew how to do then it was how to hold a grudge.

Warnings:

Jos Verstappen, Illegal Use of Emails?

Author Notes: This was hilarious to write, so you are getting it as a treat lol (Also don't worry, spam mail is not the only revenge Percy is gonna dish out...it's just the start...

If there was one thing that Dr. Percy Cane, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D., Head of Electrical Engineering, Oracle Red Bull Racing, knew how to do then it was how to hold a grudge.

Percy had a very long memory. He could recall every single slight, every single wrong that had ever been done to him. And each of those slights and wrongs were marked down in the long list of grudges he held.

Percy knew a lot of things. He was an actual genius after all. With two doctorate, a IQ of around 150 and enough other degrees to prove it.

He also knew that he was absolutely helpless at most of the stuff other people considered normal. That's what his sisters said at least.

He could still remember, a very long time ago, his father sitting him down and telling him that protecting his little sisters was going to be his job.

Percy had failed utterly at that. He was very much aware at that.

If there had been somebody protecting somebody else, then it had always been Ariel, protecting both him and Emma.

Ariel. Ariel Josephine Cane. 3 years, 7 months, 20 days younger than him.

His little sister. His.

There weren't many people he claimed at his. But Ariel and Emma were his family. The only family they still had.

He was also very much aware that Ariel had given up her teenage years for them. There had been no going out to parties. No underage drinking. There had been no time at University for Ariel where she hadn't been burdened down with the looking after Emma and him...with going grocery shopping and running the household and keeping on top of the bills and cooking. He had helped. Some.

But sadly an IQ of 153 did not mean that he was able to cook an egg without it exploding apparently.

And it also didn't mean that his sister's teachers found it particularly pleasant when he questioned their degree after a completely unfair math assessment from Emma. (He still thought that Mr. Henry Payne had bought his teacher degree online. Ariel had told him to shut up.)

Percy was self-aware enough to know that there were certain things he was incredibly bad at. Cooking being one off the top of his head. He had tried, he really had. But in the end, a kitchen and him just didn't mix well.

He was also aware that his social skills and emotional intelligence could be considered lacking. It was something that never really came naturally to him, this whole connecting with people thing. He was never sure quite what to say or how to behave in social situations. It was... frustrating, to put it mildly.

But even him...Even Percy Cane who was very, very bad with people...He was not going to stand for anybody putting his hands on his little sister. He was not.

Jos Verstappen would regret the day he was born. That much was certain.

The mere idea made his blood boil.

He had never been the violent type. But in that moment, he wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off Verstappen's face. Permanently.

Sadly, he also couldn't throw a punch. Though maybe Connor would be willing to help him. But then...that wasn't thorough enough.

Percy knew that resorting to physical violence wasn't the answer. It wouldn't be enough. It wouldn't be nearly enough to make Verstappen pay for what he had done to his little sister.

No, Percy had a far more effective weapon at his disposal. He was a genius after all. And he wasn't above using his rather above-average intelligence to make Verstappen's life a living hell.

He was going to make the man's life a living nightmare. Every single aspect of it. He would dig up every single dirty secret. He would contact every single person that Verstappen had ever wronged or slighted. He would ruin him, reputationally, financially, emotionally. He would ensure that Jos Verstappen would be left with nothing. No money, no friends, no allies, not even a good reputation.

He would start by digging into his past. Every piece of dirt, every skeleton in the closet Verstappen thought he had locked safe, Percy would find it all.

And then he would use all of that to publicly ruin him. His reputation would be absolutely destroyed.

It was a long game to play, but Percy played the game of chess at a grandmasters level. And he was patient. He could wait.

He was going to destroy him entirely and completely.

And it wasn't like he couldn't have his fun in the meantime, right?

There was absolutely nothing that stopped him from finding out Jos Verstappen's email address and sign him up to every spam mail he could find.

He couldn't wait for the man to be flooded with an onslaught of unsolicited newsletters, scam emails, and countless offers of online gambling and adult entertainment websites.

It was just a fraction of the torment that he had planned for the man...but it would be a good start.

Maybe sign him up for some online courses.

Some philosophy? He didn't seem to have much of that.

Or perhaps...

Percy smirked as he navigated the online course platform, searching for just the right subject. After a few moments, he found what he was looking for: "Introduction to Anger Management for Beginners".

He couldn't wait to see the look on Verstappen's face when he realized he was now enrolled in a course teaching him how to control his temper. It was almost poetic, in a way.

Percy couldn't help but chuckle as he hit the sign-up button. "Let's see if you can actually learn something," he said to himself.

He highly doubted that actually, but education was good for everybody.

Anyway, that was just the start. It wasn't enough. Not by a far shot. But it was a start.

His hands drummed against the dining room table for a moment.

He had dealt with Jos Verstappen.

Now it was time to deal with Max Verstappen.

Ariel's now...boyfriend if Emma's ungodly screeching and dancing around the room had taught him anything.

Percy winced at the thought of his sisters' reaction to the news. Emma had started performing some sort of victory celebration dance that included a lot of jumping and singing off key.

Ariel loved Max. Had loved him for years. Even Percy wasn't that blind.

He had seen the way Ariel's face lit up when she talked about him. He had seen the way she softened when he came into a room. He had seen the way her eyes tracked him whenever they were in the same room together.

Percy was many things, but he was not blind. He could see how head over heels in love his little sister was with Max Verstappen.

She could do worse, he supposed. Granted, she also could do better.

But she wanted Max, so Max would need to suffice.

Percy grudgingly admitted that Max Verstappen wasn't the worst choice his little sister could have made. At least the man had a good heart underneath everything else.

And, most importantly, he made Ariel happy. At the end of the day, that is what truly mattered to Percy.

But that didn't mean Percy was going to let him off easy. No, he was still going to give Max Verstappen a good old-fashioned "don't you dare mess with my baby sister or I will end you" speech.

Or more exactly... the 40 page document that told Max Verstappen exactly what kind of behaviour was appropriate and definitely wasn't appropriate towards Ariel Cane and that Percy Cane had been working on for 5 years.

That was appropriate older brother behaviour, regardless of what Connor wanted to tell him.

Initial Observations and Expectations Regarding Your Relationship with My Sister

Max,

Let me preface this by stating that I am not naturally predisposed to emotional discussions. My professional expertise lies in electrical engineering, and my contributions to Oracle Red Bull Racing's success have been rooted in precision, logic, and a steadfast aversion to failure. My concern here is not a matter of sentiment but a calculated response to a situation that demands my immediate attention: Your sudden and unannounced pivot from "best friend" to "romantic partner" of my sister, Ariel.

You and I have coexisted in a professional capacity for some time. As Head of Electrical Engineering, I am well aware of your talents behind the wheel. While I respect your ability to follow telemetry data and navigate complex racing strategies, I am under no illusion that this translates into competence in the far more intricate task of maintaining a healthy, supportive relationship with a woman of my sister's caliber.

Ariel is a person of exceptional intelligence, unparalleled kindness, and unyielding patience—qualities that, frankly, you lack in sufficient quantity to match hers. Her value is not up for debate, nor does it require validation from you or anyone else.

You are someone whose primary skill lies in pressing a pedal and turning a wheel at high speeds while driving a car around engineered circles. While this skill has evidently brought you fame and a modicum of fortune, it does not, in my estimation, qualify you to be a suitable partner for someone as exceptional as her—yet here we are.

Before we proceed further, let's clarify a few key points. I'll keep this simple for your benefit:

My sister is not your pit crew. She is neither here to fix you when you're broken nor adjust her life to accommodate your lapses in maturity or judgment. If you treat her as such, you will find yourself uncomfortably acquainted with the concept of consequences—both professional and personal.

Prioritization of Ariel's Well-Being: Her happiness, ambitions, and individuality are not optional considerations—they are prerequisites. She is not an accessory to your life but an equal partner, and this dynamic must be respected at all times. If you are not prepared to prioritize her needs with the same intensity you dedicate to your career, then don't bother.

You are not indispensable. While your ability to drive a car very fast is impressive to some, it does not make you irreplaceable in her life—or the team's, for that matter. Formula 1 drivers come and go. My sister's trust is much harder to earn, and significantly harder to regain if lost. Treat it accordingly. Your skill set, though narrowly exceptional, does not automatically qualify you for the privilege of being a part of Ariel's life.

Reliability Beyond the Track: I will assume you possess at least a baseline awareness that her well-being now partially rests in your hands. This is, frankly, an unsettling thought. I have observed your performance on the track and in team meetings, and while you are undoubtedly capable under controlled conditions, I question whether your ability to maintain composure under personal and emotional strain is as well-developed. My sister deserves stability, not the emotional equivalent of an unpredictable gearbox.

Long-Term Planning: My sister is not a temporary fixture in your life. If you are unable or unwilling to build a future with her in which her dreams and aspirations are given equal importance to your own, then you have no business being in her life.

Acknowledgment of Consequences: Relationships are not races; there are no podiums, no trophies, and no resets after a crash. If you fail her, there will be no pit crew to fix the damage. Consider this carefully.

Remember who is watching. That's me, in case you were unsure. I have access to your data—lap times, telemetry, the whole lot. Don't think I won't leverage every piece of technical information at my disposal to make your life extremely inconvenient should you fail her.

I trust that even you, with your evident fondness for high-speed decision-making, can appreciate the gravity of this situation. You have been entrusted with something far more valuable than any championship trophy: my sister's trust. Do not squander it.

This is merely the prelude to a far more detailed assessment, which will include chapters such as:

Your Track Record: A Comparative Study of On-Track Aggression vs. Off-Track Emotional Stability

Effective Communication: Beyond Race Strategy and Post-Race Excuses

Aerodynamics of Trust: Building a Stable and Transparent Relationship

High-Performance Partnering: How Not to Total My Sister's Emotional Well-Being

Overclocking Your Efforts: Why Being Adequate Won't Cut It Here.

How to Keep Your Relationship on Track Without Blaming DRS Failures

And the most important chapter:

What Happens When You Violate Safety Protocols: A Comprehensive Guide to My Wrath

To be clear, this is not an emotional outburst; I am incapable of those. This is a calculated and rational attempt to ensure my sister's happiness and well-being are safeguarded. If this level of scrutiny makes you uncomfortable, I suggest you reconsider the life choices that have brought us to this point.

While I do not presume to control my sister's choices, I am well within my rights to evaluate those choices and respond accordingly. Ariel is my sister, and I will not hesitate to involve myself if I perceive you are not treating her with the respect and care she deserves.

You are, effectively, on probation. Rest assured, I will be monitoring your behavior with the same meticulous attention to detail I apply to every project at Oracle Red Bull Racing. Should you fall short of the standards my sister requires and deserves, you will hear from me again, at length.

In summary, approach this relationship as you would an understeering car: correct it immediately, or you will find yourself in a metaphorical wall of my making.

Consider this your first and final warning.

Sincerely,

Dr. Percy Cane, B.Sc., M.Sc., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D.

Head of Electrical Engineering,

Oracle Red Bull Racing

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saerins · 2 years ago

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─── 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄

+ itoshi sae x f!reader | wc 2k | content: fluff, slight angst, college au, best friends to lovers, mentions of alcohol/jealousy

note: for @luvjiro who gave me the suggestion !! i have a hc that he’s slightly possessive so i had fun with this >:) i hope you like it bae muwah <3

summary: just when you feel like giving up, sae pulls you back into him.

it’s new year’s and sae’s actually fucking bewildered.

no, not at oliver’s over-the-top party (with the girl to guy ratio being totally off, by the way), although it deserves a spot in sae’s hall of fame for being way too much for a college party.

what’s even more shocking than that is how bold you’ve gotten. you’re not even drunk, not even tipsy. but here you are, hands on his chest and that shit-eating grin on full display.

“you know the saying?”

sae sighs, wondering what bullshit you have ready for him this time, but he resigns anyway. such is the duty of a best friend or whatever. “what?”

“i think they say, if you want to savour the moment, you should totally kiss.”

if he can look even more unamused, he would. because who on earth says that? people wanting to get laid? he can imagine oliver saying that, for one. it’s a big surprise that you’re the one using it though.

“sounds shitty,” he retorts, looking away, though his arm stays glued around your waist, locking you in place. only because he’s seen the way some of the guys here are eyeing you. he’s protecting his best friend, that’s all.

his best friend who’s had a crush on him for as long as he can remember. it really is your fault for not having the competence to be subtle. you’d intended to send him an anonymous email confessing your feelings for him back in high school. but then it’s easy enough when you forget to use a burner email and use your personal one instead—full name and all.

and to think, you somehow became best friends with him after he rejected you back then. sae’s teal eyes shift from the view outside to you, head buried in his chest, probably pouting because he knows you like that now, familiar with all your tendencies.

how long has it been since then? five years, according to the math in his head.

now, in this position, sae wonders if this is just you being cheeky, or if it’s you still having feelings for him. he wonders what if he didn’t know you had feelings for him—would he be treating you any differently? would he just go fuck it and just agree to kiss you at midnight? or would he still be this cautious about stepping over the line?

but then again, if you hadn’t been such a klutz about your anonymous email, sae wouldn’t have spoken to you in the first place, wouldn’t have found you in that lecture hall and went if you wanted to confess anonymously, you suck at it. if it weren’t for you being classic you, the both of you wouldn’t have been friends. sae would’ve stuck to himself and probably would’ve deleted that mail anyway, thinking it was spam.

what was it that made him become friends with you? in part it was probably your shamelessness, your misplaced anger at him calling you out. since then, you’d told him that you’d make him regret rejecting you, that one day you’d get over him and he’d miss you. it was pretty funny, admittedly, looking at this girl he barely knew spouting all this nonsense.

he’d taken you up on that challenge, and somehow his guard slipped, let you in just a little, telling himself one day you’d be over it anyway.

yet now here he is, wondering why his heart is beating faster and faster.

it better not have anything to do with the fact that this is the first time you’d ever been so forward with him. sure, you’d spoken about how you felt on various occasions. sae’s always listened. but you’d never been this… transparent.

even when he tried to agitate you that one time by agreeing to play spin the bottle (which ended up with you sulking the whole night because every time sae spun it landed on some other girl and you always somehow got stuck with the other guys on his team).

until now, sae wonders why it irked him watching you kiss otoya or oliver or karasu.

“itoshi sae,” you call to him through gritted teeth, definitely still pouting when you tilt your face up to look at him. “it’s almost midnight, you gonna kiss me later or what?”

sae sighs, you’re such a brat.

before letting him say a word, you take that sigh to mean yet another rejection—after all, the way he first rejected you still burns fresh in your mind; how he looked at you with barely any empathy while muttering a nah, i don’t like you that way, probably would never.

you’re just another one of those girls who got rejected by itoshi sae. even if you are his best friend. doesn’t really give you any edge, so it seems.

so you sigh this time, pulling away. “nah, it’s fine.”

this time, sae’s confused. “huh?”

you wink at him, compartmentalising your feelings—any sadness didn’t deserve a place here during new year’s. it’s going to be a good party for you and you’d fake it till you make it.

“just joking, i’m gonna find someone else to entertain me,” you giggle, just to make sure you throw him off because somehow, sae is weirdly perceptive to your actual feelings every time.

before sae gets any time to respond, you crawl off the sofa and bound off in a random direction, trying to shake off your disappointment.

you find yourself at the balcony a few seconds later. wow, oliver’s apartment is actually fucking huge, because you realise he has several balconies and this is just the one at the top floor.

“hey, what’re you doing up here alone?”

by your side, quick as a flash, is otoya eita holding a beer bottle in his hand, offering it to you and then taking a swig after you shake your head.

“am i not allowed to be?”

he smirks. “just thought you’d be with sae after all,” he shrugs, mirroring your position, forearms resting on the railing and looking out at the scenery below. tokyo’s beautiful at night. “so what are you doing out here, princess?”

you roll your eyes at the sarcastic way he calls you that, but you chuckle all the same. otoya’s surprisingly good at being a distraction.

“fishing for a guy to kiss at midnight,” you tell him, before you pull back at the sight of him grinning. “and i don’t mean you, eita.”

his bangs cover half his face as he pulls back in faux shock, hand to his chest, “what’s wrong with me?”

you nudge his shoulder playfully, laughing along. “don’t you have like, six other girls at this party you slept with who’s looking for a kiss too or something?”

otoya sticks his tongue out, “ha ha very funny, y/n.” he takes another swig of his beer. “you’d beat them hands down, though. no contest.”

this time it’s your turn to stick your tongue out. “thanks eita, still not gonna sleep with you though.”

“damn it,” otoya plays along. “fuck, maybe when you get over sae then.”

because everyone knows you have a hopeless crush on itoshi sae.

“when will that be?” otoya asks, taunting you, closing the gap between you. but then a hand on his coat pulls him back and away from you, effectively ruining his moment.

“that’ll be never, so back off.”

you can only blink in confusion as you realise it’s sae here, telling otoya off for flirting with you. the same sae who reaches his hand out and waits for you to take it before leading you back into the house. the same sae who’s never interlinked fingers with you before who’s doing that exact thing now.

“um, what was that for?” you ask him once he lets go of your hand, situating the both of you at the corner of the house, near oliver’s room.

sae doesn’t respond, only holds an index finger to his lips and telling you to shush before he quietly, carefully, unlocks oliver’s room, peering inside to make sure the coast is clear before getting you to follow him in.

it’s only a minute left to midnight and while you’re slightly miffed about not having someone to kiss when new year’s hits, you think it’s fine anyway. sae’s always who you spent this occasion with, somehow, so maybe sticking with tradition is enough for you. even if it’s just as normal friends.

even if it’s less than what you want.

“this is nice,” you coo as he leads you out onto a private balcony—just for the two of you. you’re guessing oliver doesn’t know, but it’s better that way, having secrets that’s just kept between you and sae feels more thrilling anyway.

“better here than up there with all those other idiots.”

there’s a bitterness in sae’s voice that you can’t help but fixate on. “you haven’t answered my question earlier.”

“about what?”

“why’d you stop eita?”

“that guy? he’s kissed so many girls, who knows what type of sickness he’ll pass on to you.” nonchalantly. like he doesn’t give a shit. too bad for him, you know him too well by now to believe that.

you sigh. “be serious, sae.”

ten seconds to midnight and the both of you can hear everyone else counting down.

“i don’t know.”

eight.

seven.

“you’re so confusing, sae.”

four.

three.

“i don’t think i am.”

one.

then you get what you asked for from the very person you wanted it from. from the same person you’ve wanted since you were seventeen.

sae’s lips are soft and gentle on yours. so are his hands around your waist, although the pads of his fingertips dig into your sides, the side effect of having seen otoya so nearly get to kiss you and your perfect lips.

no, you can’t be with anyone else. sae doesn’t want to see you with anyone else. and maybe he’s a dick for not fully realising his feelings until now and for not doing anything about it, but he’ll treat you better than anyone else, he’ll make sure of it.

god, kissing you is addicting. especially with your soft murmurs against his lips and your hands around his neck.

“sae,” you breathe out when he finally pulls away, your foreheads connected. “what was this for?”

at this moment, sae recalls your email to him way back then.

[ one new email from: [email protected] ]

hi itoshi sae!

i’ve been watching you play soccer and you’re really cool on the field!! i get why people call you the prodigy now. but my favourite thing about you would be that even though you look scary, you’re actually kinda nice. maybe… i kind of like you. but you probably don’t even know i exist, so i’m gonna keep it that way hehe i’ll still be rooting for you though!!

all the best, xoxo <3

sae can’t stop from smiling against your lips when he recalls that confession, “maybe… i kinda like you.”

you pull back, stunned, thinking maybe your delusions have gotten the better of you. “itoshi sae, what did you say?”

he leans back against the railing, hands in his pockets, repeating himself, but slower. “i. like. you. yn.”

you break out into a grin before he even finishes his sentence, jumping onto him and wrapping yourself around his body, sae instinctively catching you and holding you up.

“so you were being jealous earlier?”

sae’s expression deadpans as he looks at you, “shut up or i’m taking that confession back.”

“like i’d ever let you do that,” you giggle, still in disbelief that after all these years, turns out that sae does have feelings for you after all.

before either of you can say any more, you hear a very exaggerated sigh from inside the bedroom. both of you whip your head around to find oliver there, arms crossed, probably judging the both of you.

“y/n, i’m happy for you and all that that blockhead finally admitted it, but you guys better not fuck on my bed.”

#bllk x reader #sae x reader #itoshi sae x reader #blue lock x reader #sae x you #sae x y/n #itoshi sae x you #bllk x you #bllk x y/n #sae fluff #itoshi sae fluff #bllk fluff #blue lock fluff #sae itoshi x reader #sae itoshi x you #sae itoshi x y/n #૪ aeri’s fics !

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gloomwitchwrites · 11 months ago

Text

Tattoo Artist Simon "Ghost" Riley x Female Reader

Chapter Specific Warnings (per the warnings MDNI): canon-typical swearing, suggestive themes, jealous / protective / possessive Simon, rough kissing, arguments, angst, TF141 shenanigans

Word Count: 5.3k

A/N: Part Ten of Ink & Needle

Soap, Gaz, and Price come for a visit. At a local pub, Simon notices you are sitting with a stranger. An argument ensues. Things get heated.

Chapter Nine // Chapter Eleven

ao3 // taglist // main masterlist // ink & needle masterlist

Simon leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest, sighing heavily. The rolling chair groans a protest. The thing is so old it’s a miracle that it hasn’t collapsed under Simon’s weight. He’s been meaning to replace it—it’s not like he doesn’t have the money—but there are so many other things going on in Simon’s life that he keeps putting it off.

His work laptop is open on the desk in front of him, the bright glow of the screen showing him the thousands of emails sitting in his inbox. Being on the cover of UK Ink is a tremendous honor, but it’s also becoming its own sort of creeping horror. Figuring out which inquiries are genuine, and which are just people seeking attention, is taking a tremendous toll on his personal time.

Every day, more and more emails clog his inbox. It’s likely that as he starts deleting them, more will suddenly appear, popping forth from the hidden depths of whatever server it’s connected to. Plenty of the emails are straight spam with a few consisting of people sending unsolicited nudes. Those go straight into the trash folder. The only naked body Simon wants to see is yours.

Many of the emails are people seeking to book appointments with him for tattoos and piercings. While a good chunk of the emails come from citizens of England, plenty more are from people all over the world. International inquires are a good thing, but those appointments have to be booked around flights and trips. There is also no guarantee that those people will actually show, which is why Simon has started to double-book in some places, or set forth a non-refundable fee for securing a time and date.

He's only one person, and the pressure of that is starting to creep up on him. Simon is going to have to hire more people. At least one additional person at minimum. Even if all they do is answer emails all day and book appointments, Simon will take it. Sitting on this fucking chair in between clients is exhausting.

Through all of that, there are also publications (both large and small) seeking their own interviews with the masked tattoo artist knows as ‘Ghost.’ Some are local to the region while others are international, reaching an even wider audience. For each inquiry, Simon is grateful. To see his work—his art—be appreciated to such a large degree is a great point of accomplishment for him.

It's not like Simon’s work during his time with the military. That is different. That was work. That was blood and metal and dirt. Tattooing doesn’t feel like work to Simon. It is freeing. It is creative. It is the release of a muscle after a long tension.

Tattooing is a distinctive sort of freedom. A place for Simon to lose himself in, to enjoy life again, to find comfort in a craft that doesn’t involve destruction.

But Simon is also distracted. Not because he’s stressed or anxious or concerned or even from the number of emails piling in. Simon is distracted because you were in his arms last night. You were sitting at his kitchen table. You ate the food he made. He distinctly remembers your soft smile as you gazed at his sketches.

Sure, Simon was making dinner, but he was keeping an eye on you the whole time. He noticed every expression on your face as your gaze admired each sketch. He noticed the way you held every piece of paper with tenderness, as if all of them were sacred and special to you. It was after, when the two of you talked, that Simon sensed hesitation.

He questioned you about Cambridge and Evie. You were not entirely honest, not that Simon believes that you lied, but he knows there is more you haven’t told him. Whether you don’t want to tell him or are hesitant to do so is still uncertain. What Simon wants, more than anything, is for you to feel safe enough with him to tell him everything. Simon desires your sharp edges. He wants to know how he can help smooth them, to ease all the worries in your head, to remove some of those burdens.

Which is why he asked you to come to bed with him. He thought that maybe if he kissed you for a bit, you might soften, and that is all he wanted. But then he had you under him, opening for him, and Simon’s control was close to shattering like thin glass under pressure. Your fingers found him, and Simon would have given anything to stay in that bed and make you understand just how much he desires you.

The glowing screen of the laptop and the sight of you sighing in pleasure beneath him keeps colliding with each other. It keeps melding, melting together only to break apart before meeting again.

The current email opened on the laptop screen is gibberish. No matter how many times Simon attempts to read it, your face appears there instead. Then, Simon’s mind drifts off to dream of your seeking fingers, and how perfectly they wrapped around him.

Simon pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes, inhaling deeply. He needs to fucking focus. He will see you again, and when he does, he is going to fucking enjoy it. The two of you are taking that date. The two of you are going to get away for a while. When that happens, Simon will make you his in all ways.

Exhaling loudly, Simon drops his hand from his face to rub at the back of his neck. He rolls it slightly, popping some of the tension out of the joints. He leans forward a bit and manages to focus on the email.

Spam. Fucking spam.

Simon hits the little rubbish icon and watches the email blink out of existence. His gaze returns to the little blue number next to ‘Inbox’ and immediately shudders.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, wanting nothing more than to shut the laptop and pretend they don’t exist for a while.

Out of the corner of his eye, Simon spies the front door of the shop opening. He turns his head to the left to see if it’s his final customer. Instead, he’s greeted by an annoyingly overenthusiastic Scotsman.

“Lt!”

“Gotta stop calling me that, Johnny,” sighs Simon loudly, as if getting out of his chair is a major hassle. Simon comes to his full height, hands on his hips as John MacTavish bursts through the door.

On his heels are Captain John Price and Kyle Garrick.

“Simon,” nods Price in greeting.

Kyle gives Simon a little playful salute before immediately heading for Bravo. The German Shepard goes up on his back legs. Kyle seizes the dog’s front paws in his hands, the two of them doing a little dance in the middle of the shop.

The moment Simon steps away from the chair, MacTavish is on him, throwing his massive arms around Simon’s middle in a hug.

“You’re bloody crushing me, Johnny.”

MacTavish squeezes him a bit tighter in response. When he let’s go, he grabs hold of Simon’s shoulders, shaking them slightly. “Fucking look at this place.” MacTavish glances around like he’s never seen it before.

“You’ve been here,” deadpans Simon. “Hasn’t changed.”

“But it has, Lt. You’re on the cover of a magazine.” MacTavish smirks and drops his hands from Simon’s shoulders. He then promptly punches Simon lightly in his upper arm. “We’re in the presence of a celebrity.”

“Hardly,” mutters Simon, but he’s smiling behind the balaclava.

Price presents his hand, and he and Simon grasp forearms. “Good to see you, Simon. Been a while.”

“It has,” replies Simon.

Johnny leans toward Simon and cups the side of his mouth like he’s an old hen about to drop a piece of juicy gossip. When he speaks, it’s just a projected whisper that everyone can hear clearly. “Captain bought up a bunch of magazines and handed them out to everyone on base.”

“Soap,” barks Price.

MacTavish holds up his hands, and then points at Price with one finger, jabbing it in the captain’s direction. “Just proud of you,” whispers MacTavish.

Simon simply nods but he’s grinning like an idiot behind the balaclava. Price glances in Simon’s direction and shrugs apathetically, not denying or confirming.

Glancing over Price’s shoulder, Simon frowns slightly. Bravo has his front paws on Kyle’s shoulders as he aggressively scratches the dog’s sides. Bravo’s tongue sticks out the corner of his mouth, hanging down toward the floor as the dog pants happily.

“Get down, Bravo,” sighs Simon, indicating with a quick nod of his head.

Bravo sucks his tongue back into his mouth, ears drooping slightly with disappointment. Kyle pats Bravo’s side and removes the dog’s massive paws from his shoulders, gently guiding the German Shepard back down to all fours.

On the phone, Johnny said they’d stop by on Saturday. It’s Saturday. Fairly late on a Saturday, with a final customer still expected to walk through the door, but they are here, just as promised.

Kyle strides up and clasps Simon’s shoulder. “Place looks good.”

“Hasn’t changed,” remarks Simon for a second time.

“Saw you on the cover of UK Ink,” continues Kyle. “Didn’t know until this guy started handing them out on base.” He tips his head in Price’s direction.

Price sighs heavily but says nothing.

“Big deal,” finishes Kyle.

“Congrats, Lt.” MacTavish grins and Simon cannot help but feed into their praise.

It is a big deal. This one interview, this one award, is pushing him beyond the scope of his vision. In forced retirement, Simon expected to fly under the radar, to enjoy himself while he created art. He never expected his work to be recognized internationally.

“Sign my copy yet?” asks Johnny.

Simon backtracks to his desk, picking up the copy MacTavish sent him in the post. Lifting it up, Simon brings it over to Soap, smacking him in the chest with it. Johnny whistles and holds it with both hands in reverence.

“She’s a fucking beauty, Simon.” Johnny places one hand over his heart. “You’ve honored me.”

“Piss off,” mutters Simon as Kyle expertly snatches the magazine from Johnny’s hand. He opens it up, flipping through the pages, side-stepping every attempt by Johnny to seize it back.

“Did we come at a good time?” asks Price as he and Simon watch the two idiots playfully bicker over the magazine.

Simon shrugs. “I have one more customer. Free after that.”

Price nods and grips Simon’s shoulder. “We have lots to talk about.”

There is a slight twitch in Price’s clenched jaw that puts Simon on edge. He isn’t sure if he should press Price and try to wrangle an answer out of him, or let it go and see what happens.

“Shit,” says MacTavish, drawing Price and Simon’s attention to him. “Nearly forgot.” He extends an arm to Kyle, making a “give it to me” gesture with his hand. Kyle, with a sly smirk, unzips the front of his windbreaker. Reaching inside, he presents a manila envelope.

Johnny takes it and then offers it to Simon. “Thought I’d give this to you in person. You know, instead of over the phone. Or email.”

Simon takes it, instantly feeling the heft and thickness to it. Opening the tab, Simon slides his hand inside, removing the thick stack of papers.

“It’s everything I could find on her,” continues Johnny. “Where she went to school. Social medias. Every person she’s possibly dated.”

Tucking the manila envelope under his arm, Simon starts sorting through the information. A copy of your birth certificate, school records from elementary to high school, recent phone records. There is even a list of every restaurant or fast-food place you ordered from over the last five years with a credit card.

Simon flips past another page and freezes. His head snaps up, a growl sitting in the back of his throat. “You included her fucking banking information, Johnny.”

MacTavish shrugs dismissively. “I was thorough.”

“Thorough?” mimics Simon. “Fucking hell.” Simon returns everything to the envelope and places it on his desk next to his laptop.

Simon will have to shred it all after he looks through it. But only after he takes a look. He did ask Johnny to find what out what he could. While it is a major invasion of privacy, a more primal part of Simon reassures him that he’s doing the right thing. He needs to be able to protect you, and these are just tools in his arsenal to maintain your safety.

“She’s pretty, Simon,” says Price.

“You told them?” asks Simon, turning his attention to Johnny.

The Scotsman’s cheeks redden slightly. “He bullied the information out of me.”

Kyle leans in and drapes his arm over Soap’s shoulders. “Price told him he’d put him on inventory for a month if he didn’t spill.”

“Wanted to see this beauty for myself,” grumbles Price, glancing at Simon. “Give you a hard time.” He winks. “She yours yet?”

She yours yet?

There is a double-meaning there. While Simon’s instinct is to say “yes,” he also knows that that isn’t entirely true. The two of you haven’t verbally confirmed what this thing is. Simon has only just now asked you on a proper date.

Can Simon call you his?

The possessive, protective part of him shakes its ownership of you in its fist. But Simon isn’t impulsive, at least not all the time. With you, the need to react is strong, but Simon also understands that Price is asking in a more traditional way.

Licking his lips, Simon forms an answer. “She will be.”

Price nods. “Good man.” He glances briefly at Kyle and Johnny before returning his gaze to Simon. “Mind if we stick around?”

Simon shakes his head.

“We’ll help you clean,” adds Johnny.

“Will we?” asks Kyle slowly, eyebrows rising slightly as he turns on Soap.

Johnny blatantly ignores him and keeps his gaze locked on Simon. “You call the shots. Isn’t that right, Lt?”

That’s when Simon’s final client of the evening finally walks through the door. Simon doesn’t have a chance to answer. The customer is a bit bewildered by the small crowd, but the guys know to make themselves scarce. They head over to the couch, lingering in the waiting area with Bravo, chatting quietly as Simon escorts the newcomer into the tattoo chair.

Bravo moves from Johnny to Kyle to Price to Johnny again, seeking attention as Simon sets to work. The tattoo isn’t complicated, and Simon completes in about forty-five minutes. The guy is in and out in an hour.

When the four of them are standing outside in front of the shop, Simon pushes up his balaclava and lights a cigarette. It’s warm for autumn, the leather jacket he wears already making him run a little hot.

“We’ve got an upcoming mission we want your thoughts on,” says Price. “Need somewhere quiet we can go and talk.”

An upcoming mission? That’s not entirely unusual. Price has reached out to Simon on multiple occasions post-retirement to ask him for advice or to dig around in his head. But never—never—has Price and the rest of the team showed up to talk to him a group or in person.

There’s something else going on.

Clutching the cigarette between thumb and forefinger, Simon opens his mouth, exhaling smoke, intending to suggest a few places.

But before anything comes out of his mouth, Price shots him a look. “Not that fucking pub with the old folks.”

“No one will bother us,” replies Simon dryly. It’s true. It’s why he goes to Dancing Faun every Sunday. And Ben will close up for the public but stay open for just the four them. They won’t be bothered, and they will have as much time as they need.

“You might be an old man at heart, Simon, but I’m not getting harassed by older women whose husbands have been dead for years.”

Kyle bursts out laughing before promptly covering his mouth.

“Don’t like the attention, Captain?” teases Johnny.

Price points at each of them individually. “Fuck off. All of you.”

There are only a few places they could go on a Saturday night where they won’t be disturbed. Sighing, Simon rattles off a couple within walking distance. The four of them debate until Price becomes so annoyed with their continuous back-and-forth that he abruptly selects for all of them.

The walk over is quick, and the four of them enter the dimly lit pub. It’s one of only a handful of places that serves food late. It’s also on a side street away from the main road. Traffic is light, and the interior isn’t crowded. Simon is starving, and he’d appreciate a full belly with a whiskey or two before he starts talking about things he’d rather forget.

Finding a dark corner, they settle in at a four top. Kyle and Simon settle in the booth, facing the pub while Price and Johnny take the seats across from them. Simon settles into the cushioned seat, contentment sliding into his bones. He’s at peace, even if the coming conversation might be messy. He’s with people he cares about, and tomorrow, he’s off.

Tomorrow, he can go see you. Maybe. If you’re not busy. The two of you can talk about that date, maybe go for a walk and then lunch? Simon just wants to spend time with you, and tomorrow is the perfect day to do it.

Simon shifts in his seat, leaning his crossed arms on the edge of the table, glancing out across the pub. His gaze travels over every person, his old habits from the military coming to the surface. Recognizing exits and looking for suspicious behavior is as natural as breathing. But everyone around them is minding their own business. They’re either sitting by themselves or with others, not glancing Simon’s way at all.

He does one finally sweep, and that is when his gaze falls upon two people sitting at a high top together near the very back of the pub. Of the two, Simon notices the man first. He has dark hair, possibly brown but it’s difficult to say with the low light. Slightly older than Simon by a few years, and the bloke is wearing an impeccably made suit. It’s odd for a place like this. It stands out.

Simon doesn’t like the man’s demeanor either. It’s…smarmy. Pretentious. Like he not only believes that he’s better than everyone else in this establishment, but that they should all know it. The way he sits in the high-backed stool is off too. It’s relaxed and yet completely on edge.

Simon frowns, gaze panning to the woman the man is talking to.

Everything suddenly goes cold within him. Arctic. The room has become a meat freezer and Simon is just a piece of dangling meat.

Because that is you, and you’re sitting next to a man Simon doesn’t recognize.

You are here, alone with a man Simon doesn’t know.

A bright, blindingly hot sensation roars to life in Simon’s chest. It wraps around and between his ribs, seizing him in a vice-grip. Against this heat, the iciness melts off of him, dripping to the ground to pool under his boots.

“Simon?” asks Soap, the middle of his brow creasing with concern. “What are you—fuck. Is that her?”

It doesn’t fucking matter who this guy might be or what he might mean to you. Simon is going to crack his fucking skull open.

“That’s her,” murmurs Simon, the low growl previously lodged in his throat coming up suddenly.

Price leans back in his chair, one arm draped over the top, glancing to where everyone else is looking. “Want me to take him out to the alley? Give him some fresh bruises?”

Simon’s hands form into fists. He starts to stand but Kyle and Soap grab onto him, shoving him back down into the booth. “Relax, Lt,” soothes Johnny. “Might be nothing.”

You haven’t noticed Simon yet. You’re too busy looking at this man—this stranger. Turned slightly to the side, your gaze wouldn’t fall across Simon unless you purposefully scanned the room. The worst part is that Simon has no idea if you’re enjoying yourself or not. There is a blankness on your face that Simon loathes.

Do want to be here? Do want to be talking to this man that Simon doesn’t know? And why didn’t you tell him? Why didn’t you say anything? Is there someone else Simon needs to worry about? Does he have competition?

Silently, Simon begs for you to turn in his direction, even if it’s only a bit.

This unknown variable, this stain of a man, reaches out. With red-drenched horror, Simon watches as he places that very hand on the top of your thigh.

All Simon sees is blood.

This bastard is going to lose that fucking hand. And then he’ll lose his goddamn head.

Simon bolts up out of his seat again but Kyle and Johnny are right there, grabbing onto him, wrangling him back down into his seat.

“Let me go,” snarls Simon through clenched teeth.

“You’re gonna cause a fucking scene if we do that,” hisses Kyle, shoving downward on Simon’s shoulders.

Why are you letting him touch you? Why, when just yesterday you were beneath Simon, seeking him with your fingers, begging for him, are you allowing this?

But you’re not allowing it. You didn’t give this man permission.

Within seconds of the man’s hand connecting with your thigh, your gaze turns downward, lips curling back into a disgusted snarl. You twist your body enough for his hand to fall away, and a flare of pride swells in Simon’s chest.

You didn’t want this man’s touch. Which makes Simon momentarily happy before it all comes crashing down. This man touched you. Without your consent. And that makes Simon angrier than if you had wanted it.

Simon craves blood. He needs his knuckles drenched with it. For it to sit between his teeth. To taste it on his tongue.

“Who the fuck is that?” asks Kyle.

“I don’t know,” growls Simon, wanting to take off and punch the guy right out of his fucking chair.

With the removal of his hand, the guy’s smug smile drops. He bares his teeth, starts speaking to you in a way that Simon immediately dislikes. Sure, Simon cannot hear what the man is saying to you, but from the look on his face and body language, it’s nothing nice. He is angry, and you’re clearly upset. Simon wants this to end, to go up to the guy and throttle him, to whisk you off and make you forget all this unpleasantness.

But Kyle and Johnny keep him seated. They won’t let go, which means Simon will have to literally fight them to get to you.

Small pieces of the conversation start to make its way over to the table.

“Archie.”

“Estate.”

Simon frowns, hears something that sounds like “pregnancy” and immediately rethinks everything. Does this have something to do with your friend? The husband is dead, but is this someone the husband knew? Is it a relative?

And does that matter to Simon?

No. He still plans on knocking the man’s teeth out.

Simon only catches a few additional words here and there, but then he hears three that make his blood boil.

“You fucking whore.”

Simon knows that Johnny, Kyle, and Price all hear it too because their gazes move away from Simon and to the man at the table. Soap and Kyle’s hands fall away from Simon’s arms, giving him permission.

Pushing up from his seat, Simon steps around Johnny and strides toward the high-top table. Your back is to Simon from this position, but that doesn’t matter. Simon has his sights set on this wanker who needs to learn some proper fucking manners.

The man notices Simon first, his angered expression turning away from you and switching to Simon. It slips slightly, the faintest bit of fear sliding across the man’s features as he realizes Simon is aiming for him. Simon inhales, falling effortlessly into Ghost, allowing the phantom inside himself to seek out its need for blood.

But with his removed attention comes your own turning. A wanting to know what it is he’s looking at. When your gaze falls upon Simon, Ghost deflates, softens, giving way to confusion. All the emotions passing over your face nearly stop Simon’s forward momentum.

Your own anger gives way to sudden panic, then switches quickly to irritation, further compounded by confusion. It’s likely that you didn’t expect Simon to be at the same place. And while Simon wants to turn to you and give you reassurance, he’s too fucking focused on this asshole you’re sitting with.

Simon decides not to address you. Instead, Simon turns on this thickheaded prat. “What did you fucking call her?”

The man’s lip curls. “Mind your own business.” Immediately, Simon notes the man’s accent. It speaks to social status and aristocracy.

Simon steps closer. “Repeat what you said. Out loud. Want to make sure I heard you right.”

“Simon,” you hiss, desperation leaking into your tone.

Your guest turns on you, anger flaring anew in his gaze. “You know this…man?” He says man like he wants to say animal.

“He’s—” you begin, but Simon interrupts.

“Direct your questions to me,” growls Simon, placing himself between you and this stranger.

“Simon. Please.” You tug on Simon’s leather jacket but he shrugs you off. His attention is completely on this asshole.

“Are you with him?” The man’s gaze flicks from Simon to you.

“Adam—”

“I thought we could have a civil conversation—”

“What’s civil about calling her a whore.” Simon’s voice rises slightly as the raging tide of fury boils within him like a thunderstorm.

Adam’s face grows bright red. He turns on Simon. “Do you know who I am?”

Simon could give a fuck. He could be the fucking King and Simon would still punch the piss out of him for speaking to you that way.

Price shoves himself between Simon and Adam, keeping his back to Simon, creating a barrier. “Let me help you to your car.”

Price isn’t doing this to be nice. He’s doing this so the police aren’t called.

Adam stands but isn’t nearly as tall as Price. “If you put your hands on me—”

“Deal with me or him. Your choice.”

Adam straightens his shoulders and tugs on the front of his suit, smoothing out the wrinkles.

Fucking prick.

He glances over Price’s shoulder at you. “This isn’t over. You’ll hear from the family solicitor.”

“Let’s go,” mutters Soap, caging the guy in, forcing him to move away from Simon. Kyle trails after them.

Price turns around, facing Simon directly. “We’ll stop by another day. You deal with your woman.” He squeezes Simon’s shoulder before following out after them.

Simon watches Price leave, and then he’s seeking you out, expecting you to be thankful.

But you’re not. Your anger is palpable.

Simon needs to fucking fix this. “You’re coming home with me,” is the first thing out of his mouth. It’s a command. Not an ask. And his tone is rough, nearly raspy.

Your eyes widen slightly. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” you whisper.

Simon draws back, startled. “You okay with him speaking to you like that?”

You huff, and get up from your chair, collecting your coat and purse. “You don’t know anything, Simon. You have no idea who that is and why we were even talking in the first place.” Shoving past him, you start for the door.

“Fuck,” mutters Simon, following after you.

His legs are longer, and he catches up to you easily. Before you make it to the pub’s exit, Simon inserts himself in your path, blocking your attempt to flee.

“Move.”

“No.”

“You’re making a scene, Simon.”

He glances up, notices everyone looking on with varying degrees of interest. Some confused. Others concerned. Sighing, Simon reaches back and pushes open the door, stepping aside for you to exit.

Once the two of you are outside on the street, Simom grabs you by the forearm, pulling you in the opposite direction.

“Let me go,” you snap.

“We’re going to talk.”

“Fuck off, Simon.” You yank your arm out of his grip. Something is forming on the tip of your tongue. Simon sees it in the way your lip quivers. But you don’t. Instead, you sigh heavily and wave him off like you’re tired of it all.

Turning, you try to cross the street, but Simon is already snagging your arm again, yanking you away as a car zooms by.

“Get out of my way.”

“No.”

“Then give me some fucking space.”

“No.”

You release an exasperated breath and try to circumvent him. Again, Simon steps into your path. The two of you keep moving like this down the street. Every attempt you make only puts you closer to him.

Simon is herding you on purpose, pushing you closer and closer to his flat. He wants some goddamn answers, no matter how mad you are with him. And he doesn’t understand why you’re upset in the first place.

When the two of you are outside his shop, Simon indicates the exterior door that leads to his flat.

“Get inside,” he demands.

“Don’t order me around.”

“Inside,” repeats Simon, shoving the key into the lock, opening the door, revealing the hallway that connects the shop to his flat.

You stare between him and the open doorway. Your chest is heaving, and fuck—you look so beautiful right now even though Simon can tell you’d really love to hit him.

The tips of his fingers itch to just push you inside and shut the door, but he doesn’t need to. You make the decision for him, heading inside. Simon follows, and as the door shuts, you’re already moving like a bolt of lightning, walking fast enough to create a significant amount of distance.

No. Fuck that.

With a few massive steps, Simon is on you. He grabs the front of your throat, yanks you back against his chest, pushing your face toward his. The balaclava is already up, already in place, and his lips connect with yours.

At first, Simon can sense the tension but then you melt into him as his other hand slides to your front, pressing low on your belly, pushing your ass into his groin. Your own arm slides up, drapes over his neck in such a loving way that Simon momentarily forgets all his anger.

The two of you hang like this, suspending, but you come back to reality, yanking yourself out of his grip, almost violently.

“You can’t distract me with kisses, Simon.”

“Want to test that?” asks Simon, reflexively reaching for your waist.

You allow him to touch you, to draw you back into him, but your arms are crossed over your chest defensively. “You don’t know,” you murmur. “It’s—it’s too much and you don’t know. You don’t understand, Simon.”

“Then help me understand,” he says softly.

You shake your head and there are real tears there in your eyes. Simon hates it. He wants to take them all away.

“You’re not my husband, Simon. You’re not even my boyfriend. I shouldn’t burden you with any of this.”

You will not push him away. Simon won’t allow it. The two of you are in this together, and he needs to know.

“I care about you.” Now Simon is the one shaking his head. “Don’t tell me what I can’t handle.” His hands draw upward, cradling the sides of your face. “We’re going up to my flat. You’re going to talk. I’m going to listen. Okay?”

One tear rolls off the corner of your eye, trailing downward to kiss his palm.

“Okay?” he repeats.

“Okay,” you reply.

taglist:

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eszamanli · 2 years ago

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Min-mail - Pro+

Temp mail (also known as temporary mail, mintune mail, or min mail) is an online service that allows you to generate a temporary email address for a short period of time. This type of email address can be used to sign up for services, receive notifications and alerts, and protect your real email address from spam. Temp mail is becoming increasingly popular among internet users who want to remain anonymous online. With temp mail, you can avoid the hassle of having to constantly monitor your inbox and protect your personal information from malicious actors. Temp mail or temp email is a type of email service that allows users to create temporary email addresses for short-term use. It is becoming increasingly popular as it offers a secure and convenient way to receive emails without giving out personal information. Temp mail services like mintune mail and min mail provide users with disposable email addresses that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as registering on websites or signing up for newsletters. With temp mail, users can protect their privacy while still taking advantage of the benefits of online communication.

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d2artevents · 4 days ago

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The new year has begun!

💘Let‘s start extra sweet with a Valentine‘s event💘

Like last year, everyone can join! Check out the rules and info below and see our calendar for 2025 to keep up to date on events.

GENERAL INFO

The event will take place on 14th of February. Posting time is reset time! (9 am PST / 6 pm CET).

There are no form applications. Simply follow the prompt and post on the 14th February on socials using the hashtag #d2valentines2025 and tag us at @d2artevents

Contributors may submit one or more Valentine's themed pieces showcasing any or all of their favorite NPCs, OCs, portraits, scenes or environments from the game.

We encourage all forms of art! Whether traditional, digital, cosplay or writing, EVERYONE is welcome to join the fun!

Please remember, YOUR WORK MUST BE RATED T FOR TEEN.

FORMAT

Open format. Choose whatever size and resolution you are comfortable with, just be sure to Glaze or protect your work before posting.

Written works will have a text background provided for posting in image format (link here!), otherwise, the tag on AO3 or elsewhere will work too.

CONTACT/POSTING

We ask that you WAIT until reset time on 14th February to post your piece(s) publicly. This encourages community posting and avoids spam bots from taking the hashtag we want to use.

At posting time, use #d2valentines2025 and tag us at @d2artevents on our socials so we can share your art! (Here's our carrd)

If you have any questions or concerns, please DM us on Twitter, ask us on Tumblr or shoot us an email at [email protected]

#crimson days #destiny 2 #destiny 2 zine #destiny 2 fanzine

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ang3lc · 2 months ago

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Panther | FNG

[PREV] | [NEXT]

MASTERLIST AO3

cw: strong language, depictions of violence, 7.8k words

7.23.22 - 1143

The hotel room felt like a holding cell disguised as comfort. Beige walls, beige carpet, beige furniture—the place looked like someone had tried to save money by shopping for the most uninspired options available. A faint smell of industrial cleaner and something vaguely floral clung to the air, leaving an antiseptic sharpness in my nose. The bedspread, patterned with muted geometric shapes, screamed early 2000s nostalgia, but not the good kind.

I dropped my duffel on the bed, the springs squeaking in protest, and surveyed my temporary prison. No orders. No updates. Just waiting. My job was often like this—quiet stretches of tedium punctuated by bursts of chaos. But this particular stretch of quiet was gnawing at me. The unknowns about the mission swirled in my head, each unanswered question more frustrating than the last.

"One hell of a start," I muttered, kicking off my boots and tossing them by the door. The thud echoed briefly in the otherwise silent room.

The first thing I did was shower. The bathroom wasn't much better than the room—a cramped space with dingy white tiles and a warped mirror that distorted my reflection at the edges. I turned the shower knob to its hottest setting, waiting for steam to rise, but the water barely made it past lukewarm.

The spray hit my skin in uneven bursts, but I stood under it anyway, letting the tepid water wash away the film of airport sweat and grime. My hair clung to my scalp, plastered down in thick, wet strands, as I worked shampoo into my roots. The simple act of scrubbing felt grounding, almost meditative.

I leaned my forehead against the cool tiles, water streaming down my face as my thoughts spiraled. Who were these people I was about to work with? What kind of mission required this much secrecy? Was I walking into something I wasn't ready for?

The bathroom filled with the faint scent of cheap soap as I rinsed the last of the suds from my hair, the water trickling down the drain with an almost hypnotic rhythm. I can't allow myself to be human in this line of work; I'd be down in the gutter before I could count to three. Doesn't matter, I reminded myself. Stick with it.

After drying off with a towel that was more scratchy than soft, I pulled on an old pair of sweats and a loose t-shirt. The fabric clung uncomfortably to my damp skin as I brushed through my dark hair and stepped back into the main room.

The sun did its best to break through the thick curtains, but to no avail. The space was dim and flipping through the TV channels proved to be as uninspiring as the rest of the room. Home renovation shows featuring overenthusiastic couples arguing about countertops. Reruns of Friends with jokes that hadn't aged well. A game show where contestants embarrassingly misidentified pop hits from the early 2000s.

I settled on the game show, not because it was good, but because it was the least mind-numbing option. The canned laughter eventually fell to static in the background after a few hours or so. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand, laid down, and started scrolling.

Stale group chats. Generic memes on Instagram. News articles. Spam emails promising discounts I didn't care about. Nothing to distract me from the oppressive quiet.

Just as I was about to toss the phone aside, it buzzed in my hand.

The screen lit up: Carlos calling.

I swiped to answer and sat up to lean back against the headboard. "Carlos," I said, unable to keep the small smile out of my voice. "How y'doin'?"

"Bea!" His voice was so loud and cheerful it felt like he was in the room with me. "Where the hell did you go? Witness protection or something?"

I laughed lightly, feeling some of the tension in my chest ease. "'f anythin', 'm prob'ly more likely to put someone in witness protection," I chuckled. "But somethin' like that. Just got yanked into somethin' new. Y'know how it is."

"Yeah, totally. Oh wait- Leon's here too," Carlos said, his voice muffled briefly before another familiar voice chimed in.

"Bea! You're alive!" Leon's tone was light, with just a hint of teasing. "So, what's with the cryptic Houdini act?"

I hesitated, staring at the beige wall as I chose my words. "Can't really say. Actually don't even know much. 'M just...waitin' for now."

Carlos snorted. "Cryptic as hell. You good, though? You sound...off."

"Yeah, 'm good," I lied smoothly, though the knot in my stomach said otherwise.

"Calling bullshit," Leon interrupted. "You're terrible at lying, Bea."

I sighed, running a hand through my still-damp hair. I had to assume everything about what I'm doing is classified. "'M just a little... antsy. Don't know what 'm about t'get into."

"Doesn't matter," Carlos said. "You're the Panther. You're top dog. You've got this."

I grimaced and cringed. "Hate when y'all call me that.."

I could hear Leon chuckle in the background, he chimed in, "Oh come on! We've seen you pull off some crazy shit. This'll be a cakewalk for you."

I chuckled and rolled my eyes., feeling the tension in my chest ease a fraction. "Y'all are ridiculous."

"Yeah, but you love us for it," Leon said, his grin practically audible.

Carlos interrupted. "Yeah, Bea. Remember the time you had to hot wire that Humvee on the fly in the middle of fucking Iraq? How'd you learn to do that anyway?"

"That's a can o'worms you just don't wanna open." I said bashfully, trying to shut down the hype they were giving me.

The conversation drifted into lighter topics, touching on inside jokes and harmless teasing. They never let up. I said "fixin' to" and they drop it for 30 minutes.

"If you could hear yourself," Carlos said, barely able to get the words out between laughs.

"Oh shut it," I shot back, rolling my eyes even though they couldn't see me.

Eventually the call came to an end and I tossed my phone aside. The afternoon sun was finally coming down and the long forgotten game-show was still running in the background, yet the room felt heavier, the lightness from their banter fading too quickly. I needed to move. The restless energy thrummed under my skin, and sitting still felt unbearable.

Dropping to the floor, I started with push-ups, counting off each one in my head. The muscles in my arms and chest burned, screaming for a break by the time I hit 60, but I kept going. Sit-ups came next, followed by planks and burpees. Sweat dripped down my face and onto the carpet as I pushed myself to exhaustion, each motion burning off a little more of my unease.

When I finally stopped, my chest was heaving, and my hands were trembling. I sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, letting my breath slow. I got up and lugged myself back to the bathroom for another shower.

This time, I didn't care that the water was only lukewarm. It felt good against my overheated skin, washing away the sweat and replacing it with a sense of calm. The sound of the water, steady and rhythmic, drowned out the storm in my head, at least for a while.

Back in bed, the exhaustion hit me quickly, but sleep didn't come easy. My mind was still restless, thoughts flitting between the mission and the unknown faces I'd be working with. When I finally drifted off, the nightmares came fast.

The dream was jagged, a montage of half-formed memories and blurred faces.

My father's voice echoed, low and slurred, as he fumbled with his belt. A crash. A scream. My mother's blue face, the smell of gunpowder sharp in the air. The scene shifted, fragments colliding. The hollow sound of a shot, the thud of a body hitting the floor. My own cries drowned out by silence.

I woke up gasping, sweat sticking my shirt and the sheets to my skin. The hotel room was dark, save for the faint glow of the clock on the nightstand. 2:43 a.m. I pressed my hands against my face, grounding myself in the now.

"It's just a dream," I muttered, though the tightness in my chest said otherwise. It was a long time before I managed to fall back asleep. When I did, it was fitful, the shadows of the dream still lurking.

....

The morning light crept into the room through the curtains, painting the walls in muted yellows that did little to brighten the drab decor. My body felt sluggish as I blinked awake, the weight of the restless night still clinging to me. The clock on the nightstand read 9:47 a.m.—late, by my standards. The room was still and heavy with silence, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioning unit chugging along in the corner.

Rolling out of bed, I stretched, feeling the satisfying pull of tight muscles. My stomach growled, a low reminder of how long it had been since I'd eaten anything more substantial than a granola bar. Room service seemed like a small indulgence, but the idea of heading down to the lobby and facing the fake pleasantries of strangers wasn't appealing. I picked up the laminated menu from the desk and scanned the options. Pancakes, eggs, toast—the basics. I dialed the number, ordered a bit of everything, and sank into the chair by the window, letting my gaze drift across the parking lot below. It was weird and entirely unfamiliar to be somewhere so... normal. I had been practically living on bases for years.

After some time, a knock came at the door, the smell of coffee and bacon was already seeping through the hallway. I opened the door to a young man in a surprisingly crisp uniform who wheeled in the tray with a polite smile, his movements practiced and efficient. The food was neatly arranged: fluffy scrambled eggs, toast cut into perfect triangles, syrup glistening on a stack of pancakes. I poured the coffee into a white ceramic cup and took a long sip, the bitter heat jolting me into full wakefulness. This was way better than expected given the room. I had a feeling that this was more than just a dingy motel. Thanks, Laswell.

After eating, I headed for the shower again to wash off the night terrors and the sweat and torment that came with it. The bathroom's mirror was still fogged from last night's use, a faint outline of my reflection visible in the glass. I turned on the water and let it get hot for a few moments. I stared at my reflection, looking at myself indifferently as if I wasn't even real. A large scar ran across my left eye, several on my lips and cheek. To me, it was unsightly. No wonder people do double takes when I walk by.

The steam filled the room as I stepped under the spray, letting it wash away the stiffness from sleep. The scent of generic hotel soap filled the air, a clean but unremarkable smell that somehow felt comforting. Showers were a luxury I didn't take for granted. In the field, water was often scarce or cold, stolen moments of hygiene were wedged between long days of sweat and dirt... Sometimes mud or sand. The water rushed over my skin, pooling at my feet before swirling down the drain.

I didn't know if I should wear my fatigues or my civvies. I opted for my fatigues and figured it was a better way to make good first impressions. I slipped on the camouflage pants and tucked my forest green shirt into the waistband. I tried to lose myself in the endless loop of hotel TV. The channels hadn't improved overnight. A cooking competition played on one, the dramatic music and over-the-top commentary that grated after ten minutes.

When my phone buzzed, the sound cut through the monotony like a lifeline. I grabbed it off the nightstand, seeing a random number on the screen. Swiping to answer, I pressed it to my ear.

"Hello?", my voice steady.

Laswell's tone was brisk and to the point. "Two men will be at your door in thirty minutes to escort you to the plane. Be ready and packed."

"Yes, ma'am," I said automatically. She was probably using a burner.

The call ended before I could ask anything further. I set the phone down, the weight of her words settling over me. Thirty minutes. Plenty of time to throw everything back into my duffel, though I moved with purpose anyway, folding clothes and stashing toiletries with precision. I could hear my Drill Sergeants voice in my head from Basic Training yelling at me about how to pack.

Right on time, there was a knock at the door. I opened it up and two men in dark suits stood in the hallway, their expressions unreadable behind tinted sunglasses. "Ms. Dawson?" one of them asked, his voice low and professional.

"That's me," I replied, slinging the duffel over my shoulder.

They nodded and led me downstairs and out to a sleek black car waiting at the curb. The ride to the airfield was silent, the only sounds the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle as one of the men shifted in his seat. The city blurred in the distance as we got closer to the private terminal I came from just a day ago.

When we arrived, the private plane was already waiting, its sleek white body gleaming in the sunlight. The stairs were down, and I could see two figures waiting at the top—Kate Laswell and John Price.

I climbed the steps, my boots thudding softly against the metal, and nodded at them. "Ma'am. Sir."

Price gave me a small smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "At ease, Soldier. No need for the formalities right now. Just Price will do."

"Yes, si—Price," I corrected myself quickly, this habit would be so hard to break if this continues.

Laswell's gaze was sharp, but not unkind, as she motioned me to take a seat. The interior of the plane was immaculate, all leather seats and polished wood.

I settled into a seat across from him, glancing out the window as the engines roared to life.

"You're already a decorated Ranger," Price started, his tone casual but probing. "Air Assault, Jungle Warfare, Arctic Survival, 8 deployments... Silver Star... Hell, you've got more certifications than some of my guys."

"Thank you," I said simply as I sat up straighter, not sure where he was going with this.

"And..." He continued, "You killed Barkov."

"I did, Sir." I affirmed. That's how I got that stupid Silver Star.

"I was hunting him for a while. Glad someone got to him when I couldn't." Price gave me a genuine, yet controlled smile before returning to look at my file.

"Overqualified for most things," he continued, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Which is good. Means you're ready for whatever this is."

"I sure hope so," I said, my voice steady even as my mind raced.

"And the therapy?" Laswell interjected, her gaze sharp.

"I've been dealin' with it. It won't interfere, Ma'am." I responded firmly.

"Good. We don't babysit." she responded, seemingly satisfied.

After a few beats of silence, I turned my attention to Price and spoke up. "Who's your crew?"

Price promptly grabbed an accordion folder from his side as if he'd been waiting for me to ask. He opened it up and pulled out some files, sliding the first one to me.

"Sergeant Garrick. Kyle Garrick. They call him 'Gaz'."

I took the file, observing the picture of the man on the front before he pulled out another.

"John Mactavish. SAS. Sniper- Demolitions. Goes by 'Soap'."

I sat back as he spoke and I eyed the file as he slid it toward me. "Why?"

"That's classified."

I took the file and stacked it atop the other, making no attempts to argue with the Captain. Price pulled another file out and chuckled.

"There he is," He tossed it in front of me with finality. "Simon Riley."

I sat up and looked at the file curiously before meeting Price's eyes. "There's no picture-"

"Never." He interrupted. "Now the rest comes if we determine that you can work with us."

I nodded the gravity of the situation settling deep in my bones. This wasn't just a field OP. This was a fucking coalition Taskforce with men that make Carlos and Leon look like they're fresh out of Basic. I glanced at the files once more before looking back to Price.

"What's your Taskforce called?"

Price crossed his arms and sat back, a look of pride in his eyes, likely to the fact that this was entirely his.

"141."

....

The rest of the plane ride passed in a blur as I absorbed everything I could from the files, the quiet hum of the engines a constant backdrop. Simon Riley—Ghost, SAS, British, Lieutenant, 6 foot 5... The man was a fucking war machine as far as I could tell. John Mactavish—Soap, the name was weird as fuck, but mine was Panther, so I couldn't say much. SAS, Scottish, Sergeant, 6 foot 2. Then there was Kyle Garrick—Gaz, also British, SAS, Expertise in target elimination, weapons tactics, covert surveillance...By the time I studied them all, I was sure I'd gone cross-eyed.

By the time we landed at an airfield in what I guessed was Belarus—though I couldn't be sure—I felt more prepared, though still on edge. They were all Brits. Last time I worked with a British guy, I had to get someone to practically translate for me. Price and Laswell exited the plane first, their figures outlined against the dull gray sky. The chill of the airfield hit me, sharp and biting against my face as I stepped off the plane. Clouds hung low and gray, diffusing the light and casting everything in a dull, washed-out tone. My boots clattered against the metal stairs as I descended, the wind tugging at my hair. Standing near the edge of the tarmac were three men, their postures casual but their presence anything but.

The first one caught my eye immediately, mostly because of his mohawk. He had a boyish charm to him despite the hardened lines of his face, his grin quick and easy as his sharp blue eyes tracked my approach. His clothes were relaxed but practical—jeans, a plain shirt, and boots that looked like they'd been through more than a few scrapes. When I got closer, he tipped an imaginary hat and said, "John MacTavish, b'ye can call m'Soap." His Scottish accent was thick, the words tumbling out in a way that left me scrambling to decipher them. They were giving me their full names. Back at base we just toss out our last names and keep it going.

I managed a polite nod, offering a terse, "Dawson." His grin widened, and I wondered if he'd expected more.

Next to him stood a tall figure whose presence was as imposing as his attire was understated. He wore a black hoodie and dark jeans, blending into the dreary surroundings, but his face—or what little of it I could see—was unforgettable. A balaclava stretched over his head, the skeletal outline of a skull painted across it. Only his eyes were visible, sharp and assessing beneath the fabric. He didn't speak immediately, just extended a gloved hand.

"Ghost," he said, his voice low and gravelly.

I shook his hand, the contact brief and almost perfunctory. The mask unsettled me, though I kept my expression neutral.

The last man seemed the most approachable, dressed in what could've been casual streetwear: a jacket, a t-shirt, and jeans, topped off with a baseball cap. His expression was calm, his brown eyes warm as he offered me a small smile. "Kyle Garrick," he said, his accent lighter and easier to follow than Ghost. Or really Soap's, for that matter. "Most call me Gaz."

"Dawson," I said again, keeping it short.

As I stood there, my eyes flicking between the three of them, everything felt... off. They didn't look like soldiers—not in the way I was used to. No fatigues. No rank patches. No insignias to give away who or what they were. Covered faces, hats and mohawks... I'd spent years surrounded by military structure, the hierarchy so ingrained it was second nature to clock someone's rank and unit at a glance and approach accordingly. Here, they just looked like three men who, albeit shredded, could've stepped off the street, and I was definitely out of place.

And that's when it hit me. These weren't just Special Forces like I was Special Forces. They were Special Forces. The kind of guys whose faces you'd never see on the news because they were blurred out. The ones who didn't exist in the official reports. I'd been plucked from my comfort zone and thrown into something that felt leagues above what I was used to. But this was what I was trained for, wasn't it? I reminded myself of the certifications, the grueling schools, the endless hours of preparation. I was ready.

"Shall we?" Price's voice cut through my thoughts, and I followed the group inside the nearby building. The interior was all business: gray walls, functional lighting, and the faint hum of a heater somewhere in the background. We walked down a corridor and into a conference room with a large table at its center and chairs arranged neatly around it.

Once we were seated, the real introductions began.

"So," Soap said, leaning forward, his elbows resting on the table. "Where exactly are ye from? 'Cause tha's one 'ell of 'n accent."

It caught me off guard for a second. I knew my accent was noticeable to some Americans, but hearing it called out like that made me suddenly self-conscious. "Georgia," I said simply, but the single word drew a smirk from him.

"Ah, we read that in the file," Gaz chimed in, his tone light. "Didn't quite expect it to sound like that, though."

"Like what?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Like w'need subtitles," Soap said, grinning.

The other two chuckled, and I felt my ears heat up, though I tried not to let it show. "Y'all ain't exactly easy t'understand either," I shot back, glancing at Soap. "'Specially you."

His grin only widened. "What's th' problem? Ah'm speakin' plain English, Bonnie."

"Sure you are," I muttered. "'N that's not my name."

At that, Gaz and Soap looked at each other as if they had some inside joke, their lips collectively pursing to hold back laughter. Ghost looked like he'd rather be anywhere but in the room.

I didn't know what they were giggling about. Price had the bridge of his nose pinched between his fingers and Ghost was watching the two, and me, with ever observant hazel eyes.

Gaz leaned back in his chair, his expression amused. "It'll uh-" He cleared his throat before trying to maintain some sort of professionalism. "... Take some getting used to, for both sides, I think."

Price cleared his throat, bringing the room back to focus. "Right, 'nough of that."

As the conversation shifted, I couldn't help but glance at Ghost. I was trying to decipher the kind of man he was. Was he the 'large-and-in-charge' type, or the 'straight-up-asshole' type? The mask was he wore impossible to ignore. It wasn't just the look of it—it was the way he wore it like it was part of him, as natural as the rest of us wearing shirts. The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

"What's with the mask?"

His gaze shifted to me as if he knew I was already watching, and for a moment, I thought he might not answer. Then he said, simply, "To hide my face."

I blinked. "Well, sure, but... why?"

"To hide my face," he repeated, his tone flat, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

The corner of Soap's mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh. Gaz just shook his head, clearly used to this kind of interaction. Defintely a straight-up-asshole.

Deciding to drop it, I focused instead on Gaz, who seemed the easiest to talk to. His voice was smoother than the others', his accent less pronounced, and he had an easy way about him that put me at ease. We chatted briefly about training and the differences between our experiences, though I still had to concentrate to catch everything he was saying. Soap chimed in occasionally, his words rapid-fire and impossible to follow at times.

By the end of the introductions, my head was spinning, not just from the accents but from the realization of what I was stepping into. These men were leagues beyond anything I'd experienced before.

.....

The base had a weird vibe. The walls were all utilitarian gray, the kind of color that felt like it sucked the personality out of the place. There was a faint hum from the fluorescent lights overhead, and the air smelled like oil, metal, and... something earthy. Maybe it was the boots dragging dirt in or just the age of the place. Either way, it was sterile in some parts and oddly homey in others.

After the "introductions", I'd been told to "familiarize myself." That was it. No details, no specific instructions, just those two vague words. I wasn't sure if it meant the base or the people, but wandering around seemed like as good a start as any.

Eventually, I stumbled into a kitchen. And when I say kitchen, I mean something that wouldn't have been out of place in a rundown apartment. Counters were scattered with mugs that didn't match, a few jars of instant coffee, and a box of cookies that looked like it had been forgotten halfway through a snack break. The fridge hummed in the corner, looking like it had seen better days.

It wasn't what I'd expected in a high-stakes special forces base, but then again, nothing here was what I'd expected so far. Still, the sight of the fridge sparked a faint glimmer of hope. I walked over, tugged the door open, and leaned down to scan the shelves. Water bottles, leftovers in containers with no labels, some condiments shoved into the door—no surprises so far.

"Y'all got any tea in here?" I muttered under my breath, my voice barely louder than the fridge's hum. I didn't expect an answer.

Which is why I nearly jumped out of my skin when I got one.

"Tea? What're ye lookin' for tea in the fridge for?"

I spun around so fast I nearly slammed the fridge door shut with my hip. Standing in the doorway, looking like he'd just walked out of a casual Saturday afternoon, was John? Johnny? Or Soap, as they called him, I couldn't figure out which to use. He leaned against the doorframe like he had all the time in the world, his arms crossed over a plain blue t-shirt that showed off his forearms. His mohawk was a little messier under the kitchen lights, and of course, there was that trademark grin.

I frowned, trying to tamp down the irritation at being snuck up on. "Yeah, I'm lookin' for tea. What of it?"

Soap tilted his head, his grin widening like I'd just said the dumbest thing he'd ever heard. "Tea's not somethin' ye keep in the fridge, lass."

I narrowed my eyes at him, gesturing to the open fridge like it was obvious. "Yeah, it is."

He straightened up a bit, his grin slipping just enough to show he was genuinely confused. "What're ye sayin'?"

Now it was my turn to stare at him like he was the dumb one. "Y'don't know what tea is? Are you kiddin' with me?"

"I'm not!" he said, hands up like I'd pulled a gun on him. "Tea's tea, aye? Ye brew it hot, maybe add a wee splash o' milk, bit o' sugar if yer feelin' fancy."

I blinked at him, my jaw slack. "What? No. That's not tea. That's..." I paused, searching for the words. "That's hot tea. Like... what y'drink when you're sick or somethin'."

He recoiled like I'd just insulted his mother. "Sick? It's a bloody staple, tha's what it is!"

"Well, where I'm from, tea is tea. Cold, brewed with enough sugar to make your teeth ache."

The way he looked at me, you'd think I'd just told him I put ketchup on steak. "Yer serious?"

"Dead serious," I said, crossing my arms.

We stared at each other, the air thick with mutual disbelief. I couldn't tell if he was about to argue with me or just walk away shaking his head. Instead, he threw his head back and laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls like it had been bottled up for hours.

I watched him, unimpressed, as he finally wiped his eyes. "Ach, tha' explains it," he said between chuckles. "Southern lass, aye? Aren't the lot of ye supposed tae be sweet? Should've known ye'd have yer own rules for somethin' simple like tea. "

I raised an eyebrow, the irritation creeping into my voice. "If you're lookin' for 'sweet' outta me, you gon' be mighty disappointed. If I was fixin' to be nice, I would'a joined a book club, not the Army."

Soap grinned like I'd just proved his point. "Aye, fair enough."

We both stood there for a beat, the tension easing just enough for a smirk to tug at my lips. "You know," I said finally, glancing back at the fridge, "I think I'll take my chances and just make my own tea later. Whatever this place considers tea... I'm good."

Soap chuckled again. "Aye, we'll get along just fine, Dawson. Once we figure out what the hell we're sayin' to each other."

I shook my head, turning back to shut the fridge. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Despite myself, I couldn't help but feel just a little less like an outsider. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

....

I spent some time making myself at home in the tiny, sparsely furnished quarters I'd been assigned. I wasn't surprised—it was a far cry from the usual military accommodations, but I wasn't exactly here for luxury. There wasn't much to unpack. Just the essentials: my kit, my clothes, and the few personal items I'd managed to bring along. A small cot sat in one corner, its mattress thin and creaky. There was a chair that looked like it belonged in a dentist's office and a desk with a few scattered papers and a lamp, but nothing much else.

I decided not to bother unpacking my duffel—just stashed it in the closet. The walls were bare, save for the faded insignia of the base. It smelled faintly of stale air, probably from disuse, and I didn't mind. It had been a while since I'd stayed anywhere that felt this... utilitarian.

With no one around to ask questions, I continued to explore a little. I didn't expect to find much, but it felt better than sitting still. I wandered through hallways, checking out the base. It wasn't big, but it was functional—something that could be packed up and relocated in a heartbeat. Eventually, I ended up in what looked like a gym—a decent-sized room with mats, machines, a few heavy bags, and weights scattered across the floor. It was quiet, except for the faint sound of weights clanking somewhere in the distance.

I continued walking and turned a corner and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Ghost standing there, leaning casually against the wall. The skull mask was just as unsettling in the dim light of the corridor as it had been earlier.

"Price wants you in his office," he said, his deep voice carrying a weight that made it clear this wasn't optional.

I nodded, following him silently as he led me through the base. He didn't say much, which wasn't surprising, but the air between us wasn't hostile. If anything, it felt calculated, like he was trying to get a read on me.

When we reached Price's office, Ghost opened the door and gestured for me to enter. Price was seated behind a desk cluttered with maps, papers, and a mug that I'd bet good money was full of tea.

"Sit," Price said, nodding to the chair across from him.

I sat down, and Ghost, instead of leaving, took a seat on the edge of the desk. It felt deliberate, like he was part of whatever conversation was about to happen.

"We've been going over your file," Price started, his tone steady but not unkind. "You're lethal on paper. Qualifications out the ass."

I stayed silent, waiting for the but I knew was coming.

"But," Price continued, "we need to see it for ourselves. Paper's one thing. Real life's another."

I raised an eyebrow. "So, what's the plan?"

"Skills check," Ghost chimed in, his face unreadable behind the skull mask.

"An hour from now," Price added, his eyes locking onto mine. "Head to the gym. Sparring first. Then we'll see how you handle weapons, close-quarters. We need to know you can keep up with the team."

I nodded, standing up. It was what I expected, honestly. Nothing I couldn't handle.

One hour later, I was in the gym with work out attire, stretching out and loosening my muscles on the mat. Soap and Gaz entered a few minutes later, looking ready to roll. Soap was grinning like he always did, while Gaz seemed more composed, his face a little harder to read. I threw a few jabs into the air, working on my technique, when Price came through the door. He glanced over at me, then turned to Soap.

"Let's see what she can do," Price said, and Soap gave a sharp nod, taking off his jacket.

"Ready to dance, lass?" Soap asked with a wink as he stepped to the center of the mat.

I rolled my neck, stretching out my shoulders. "Let's go."

We started with MMA, both of us moving around the mat, sizing each other up. Soap came at me fast, throwing jabs that I deflected with ease. He wasn't sloppy, though—each punch felt measured. I responded with a low kick to his thigh, then stepped in for a quick clinch. He tried to knee me in the ribs, but I blocked it and shifted my weight to take him down to the mat. I stayed on top for a second, keeping the pressure on, then he twisted out, using his leg to sweep me off balance.

The fight went back and forth like that—each of us landing solid blows, countering, and repositioning. Soap had quick reflexes, but I was used to handling someone who fought dirty. A few more exchanges, and I managed to lock him into a submission hold, straining until he tapped out, panting heavily.

"Not bad," Soap said, rubbing his neck with a grin. "Yer a tough one."

"Thanks," I replied, already sizing up Gaz as he moved into position.

Gaz and I started on jiu-jitsu. He was precise, working from a neutral stance. We moved into a series of sweeps, escapes, and joint locks. He kept trying to set me up with a few shoulder locks, but I was able to adjust, using my hips to break the hold before he could sink it in fully. Every time he adjusted, I did the same, matching his intensity.

I felt the sweat start to bead on my skin as we grappled, neither of us gaining an advantage. Finally, I managed to roll him into a top position, securing his wrist and pulling him into a quick submission. He tapped out, laughing a little as he rolled to his feet.

"Good," Gaz said with a nod. "You've got a hell of a grip."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, breathing heavily. "You're not bad yourself."

We moved outside, where a range was set up for firearms testing. I grabbed the rifle that Price handed me, my hands naturally fitting around the grip. I went through the standard drills—standing, kneeling, prone—picking off targets with precision. The rifle felt smooth, as though it were an extension of my arm, and I was hitting bullseyes and headshots faster than I expected. I guess I work best while being watched by four men.

Ghost's gruff voice spoke authoritatively. "Move to the house."

I did, following his commands. My hands were steady, my mind focused. There was nothing distracting me. Just the target and the task.

I swiftly moved to a makeshift house setup outside, where cardboard cutouts of enemies popped up from behind walls. Ghost's voice crackled in my ear as I put the rifle down and got ready. I picked up a pistol and its magazine that was set on a table just outside the house. I popped the mag in and pulled back the slide and released. It snapped forward with a click and I knew the gun was locked and loaded.

"Clean house. Time's critical. Go."

I dashed forward, entering the first room and immediately spotting a cardboard enemy behind a corner. I squeezed off two quick rounds, head and chest, then moved, clearing the room with smooth efficiency. Ghost kept barking orders via a megaphone, guiding me through each step, my feet barely touching the ground as I cleared the rooms. It was all instinct now—years of training, muscle memory.

By the time I finished, my heart was pounding, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. I walked out of the house, eyes focused.

"1 minutes and 13 seconds " Price said, his voice calm but there was an edge to it. He was impressed, and I could tell.

The team exchanged glances, and Ghost gave a small nod. It was subtle, but it was there. I had proven myself.

...

The training session ended as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the air cool and crisp as night crept in. I was sore in places I didn't know existed, every muscle in my body aching from the relentless sparring and shooting drills. As I made my way back to my quarters, I felt the familiar buzz of exhaustion settling in, but my stomach growled louder than my fatigue. I hadn't had a real meal since I arrived, and all the energy I spent today made me ravenous.

I walked through the narrow hallways of the base and into the kitchen, hoping to scrounge up something to eat. As I opened the fridge, I squinted at the contents—the same as earlier. Definitely not what I had in mind.

I turned to the cabinets. Still nothing worth eating, just the usual dry goods and what I assumed. A sigh escaped my lips. "You guys got any MREs around here?" I muttered to myself.

"That's a no-go," came a voice from behind me. I spun around to see Gaz leaning casually against the doorway, arms crossed. He gave me a grin that seemed genuine. "Haven't had an MRE in like... three years. We eat actual food around here."

If one more guy snuck up on me in this damned base, I was gonna it blow up. "Oh." It didn't surprise me that they were eating better than the standard issue stuff. These were some of the best soldiers in the world, after all.

"Look," Gaz continued, walking over to the counter, "we're all heading out to a pub around the corner from here. You should come with us. Get some food, have a drink."

I raised an eyebrow. A pub? Maybe the guys were a little too comfortable around me. "Not really my vibe."

Gaz leaned against the counter with a grin that never seemed to leave his face. "You're coming. Come on, no excuses. You've been all business since you got here. Y'need to unwind."

I didn't answer immediately, just looked him over. I wasn't exactly in the mood to be social, but I was hungry, and honestly, I was starting to realize I might need to get along with these people if I wanted to be effective in whatever this group was. Plus, there was no point in staying holed up in my quarters.

With a grunt, I gave in. "Fine. But don't expect me t'start singin' on table tops or whatever the hell y'all do for fun."

He chuckled and nodded. "Deal. Just be ready in thirty."

I headed back to my quarters to shower and change. The water in the shower wasn't exactly warm, but it was enough to rinse off the sweat and grime from the day. I scrubbed my skin, trying to wash away the tension that had built up in my muscles. The soap smelled like cedarwood, something oddly comforting. It wasn't much, but it was enough to help me relax.

Afterward, I tossed on a black shirt, some jeans, a leather jacket I had stowed, and my boots. When I walked back out, the guys were already waiting outside—Soap, Ghost, Price, Gaz, and Laswell. It felt strange to be stepping out with them, like I was joining a team, even though I wasn't sure I was quite part of it yet.

We piled into a truck—Gaz took the driver's seat, and the rest of us settled in, all silent except for the occasional joke from Soap. I sat back, staring out the window, the streets unfamiliar and dull under the dim streetlights. I couldn't help but think about how much better it would feel to be on my bike, wind in my hair, engine roaring beneath me. It was the only way I really felt alive anymore. Out here in the field, everything felt stifling. Even this pub felt like it would be one more thing I was expected to conform to.

We got to the pub after a short ride. The building looked worn, nothing special, but I could tell it was the kind of place where everyone knew everyone, and I was just an unfamiliar face. The guys took their usual spots, settling into a back corner. Soap was already making jokes about something that had happened earlier in the day, and Price was giving him that look like, Not now, Johnny. Laswell, however, seemed more focused, scanning the room as she sipped on a drink.

I sat at the edge of the table, nursing a beer that definitely wasn't Bud Light, keeping mostly to myself. It wasn't that I didn't appreciate the offer of company—it was just... I wasn't used to being part of a group like this. They were a unit, seasoned and tight-knit, while I was still the new one. Sure I had Carlos and Leon back home, but we were just a clique, per se. They ended up asking me the usual questions, ones that I knew were meant to break the ice.

"So... Panther," Soap said, his Scottish accent rolling through the nickname like it was the most natural thing. "What's the story 'hind tha'?"

I froze mid-sip. Clearly, that was something I didn't talk about, at least not with strangers. I never chose it. It was a reminder of the things I'd been through. The long, brutal stretches of time spent in the Russian forests and the constant fight for survival. It wasn't just a name—it was a scar, a ghost of a past I didn't want to revisit. A branding.

I set my beer down a little too forcefully, then put on a passive aggressive smile. "That's a story for another time, bud." The words came out harsher than I meant them to.

Soap looked at me, eyebrows raised, clearly sensing my discomfort. "Alright, alright. We'll keep it light."

But my mind started to race, recalling the isolation and brutality I'd experienced. The memories of that bloodbath clawed at me, and I felt my breath quicken, chest tightening. I curtly excused myself before I could think about it further.

I pushed the front door open and leaned against the cold brick of the building. The air surrounding me nipped at my cheeks, goosebumps spreading over my skin as I tried to catch my breath. Moments later, Ghost appeared beside me like the very thing he was named after. His figure was nearly lost in the shadows of the streetlight, his tall frame imposing, even without him saying a word. There was no noise, no warning—just the sudden weight of his proximity.

He didn't speak, didn't even look at me as he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a cigarette. Without a word, he flicked the lighter, the flame briefly illuminating the sharp angles of his face, the outline of his balaclava, and the faint glint of his eyes staring straight ahead. Then, he offered the cigarette to me, a silent invitation.

I hesitated for only a second, the instinct to refuse warring with the need for something, anything, to pull me out of my spiraling thoughts. I took the cigarette, our fingers brushing for the briefest of moments. I brought it to my lips, inhaling slowly, feeling the burn in my lungs. It wasn't the same as the sharp sting of adrenaline, but it was something—something that could fill the space between the chaos in my mind.

We stood there in silence, the world continuing on around us while we shared that smoke. The air was thick, not with words, but with something else—something unspoken that clung to both of us. His presence was suffocating, but not in a way that made me want to flee. No, there was a strange sense of comfort in the quiet, the understanding that neither of us needed to say anything to know what the other was thinking. We were soldiers. We both knew how to be silent.

The cigarette passed between us, each pull deepening the silence that stretched between us. The burn in my chest from the smoke was nothing compared to the ache that had been there all evening, lingering since I stepped into this world, a world that wasn't quite mine, and maybe never would be.

Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes, Ghost spoke. His voice was steady—too steady. It was almost monotone, without a hint of anything that could be construed as emotion. "You'll be a good asset."

I could feel the weight of those words settle over me. Not a compliment. Not a critique. Just... fact. Cold, hard fact. And yet, there was something in it that made me tense all over again. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was the way he said it, like he already knew everything about me, like he could see the pieces I hadn't yet figured out. Maybe it was the implication that, in this world, there was no room for doubt. You either were or you weren't. And there was no time for anything else.

I nodded, but I couldn't shake the chill that had crept up my spine. "Thanks."

The air between us thickened again, and I could hear the hum of the streetlights above, the occasional car passing by in the distance. But it was almost like the world had fallen away—just the two of us, standing there, with nothing left but the burning tip of the cigarette that eventually flickered out in the night.

Before I could respond further, the door to the pub slammed open, and Laswell stormed out, her expression grim. "We just got intel on his movements."

Ghost snuffed out the cigarette under his boot and looked over at me, his eyes unreadable as ever. The others were already filing out, their faces hardened, all business now. I stood there, my stomach sinking. "Who the hell are y'all talkin' about?"

No one said a word as we headed back to the van. Whatever this was began to settle on all of us. Finally, Price took a final drag of his cigar before clipping the ashed end.

"Ivankov."

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