#HAVE WE LOCATED A SECOND GEARS HOUSE HEAD?

[tmae3114]

on all levels except physical I am grabbing the magesters of Outpost Yeden by the shoulders and demanding they tell me what Project Casca is

[wandamaximoffsbadgirl]

The Witch's Bodyguard

(2) I hide and cower in the corner, conversations getting hard

Actress!Wanda Maximoff x Bodygaurd!Fem!Reader

Summary: Wanda has to do an interview and is a little anxious about it

Word Count: 1.5K

Warnings: None this is just a set up and establish chapter

A/N: I'm so glad you're all looking forward to this series!

Taglist: @dorabledewdroop @rroyale-109 @wandanat01 @scarlizziee @nixxnsworld

@snoozingredpanda @wandamaximoff-simp @mrsromanovaa @sweet--escape17

@natashamaximoff-69

Your fist collided with the sand filled bag, stopping it dead in its tracks. Breathing hot and heavy after a two hour workout. You grabbed for your towel, sitting down to wipe away the sweat from your face as the feeling of a cold water bottle hit the side of your neck.

“I heard you finishing up so I figured I'd bring some water.” You hear Wanda say from behind you. Your tumbler is forgotten beside you as you take the bottle from her. You'd been here only a week, but Wanda quickly learned you're a creature of habit. The early wake up time, workouts that lasted the same amount each day. She was taking notice of the little things.

“Thank you. We have to go out for that interview soon, right?” You ask as you receive a nod. Your eyes flicked down to her hands. Her fingers fidgeting with the rings on her other hand. You could tell she was nervous, but it wasn't your place to say anything so you simply stand up. “I'll be ready in 10. Is Bucky ready?” Your voice is firm, commanding, but devoid of any unnecessary inflection. Bucky's reliability is another aspect of your job that you've come to depend on. Wanda simply nods as the two of you leave the at-home gym.

You head back to your room in the house, taking a quick five minute shower before dressing in your army pants, boots, and a plain white top. You also put on your bulletproof vest and holster your pistol.

As you swiftly gear up, the weight of the bulletproof vest is a familiar comfort against your chest. You've worn it through countless missions, and now it's become a staple of your attire as Wanda Maximoff's bodyguard. The pistol snug in its holster feels like an extension of your body, a tool of protection that you've trained with extensively.

Exiting your room, you find Wanda pacing in the living room, her nervous energy palpable. Bucky stands nearby, his posture relaxed but alert, a testament to his own years of military training.

"Ready to go when you are Ma’am," you state, your voice steady and authoritative. Wanda nods, her eyes briefly meeting yours before she gathers herself. She's still adjusting to having a constant shadow, someone who anticipates her needs before she even realizes them. You can sense her wariness, the uncertainty lingering beneath her composed façade.

As you escort Wanda to the awaiting vehicle you place your hand on the small of her back. A small gesture to reassure her that you’re here. You keep a vigilant watch on your surroundings. Every passerby is a potential threat, every noise scrutinized for signs of danger. It's second nature to you, this constant state of alertness, but you can see how it unnerves Wanda, the way she glances around nervously.

During the drive to the interview location, Wanda remains quiet, lost in her own thoughts. You respect her need for space, allowing her the silence she seeks while remaining vigilant for any potential threats. Bucky engages in small talk, attempting to lighten the mood, but you remain stoic, your focus solely on the task at hand.

Arriving at the interview venue, you scan the area, assessing the security measures in place. Satisfied with your observations, you usher Wanda inside, your presence a silent reassurance amidst the chaos of flashing cameras and eager reporters. Your hand once again finding it’s place on the small of her back.

Throughout the interview, you remain at the perimeter, a silent sentinel watching over Wanda's every move. You catch the subtle shifts in her demeanor, the way she navigates the questions. To most people she probably looked normal, but to you it was obvious she was anxious as she waited for questions to come her way with her other coworkers. She fidgeted with her rings again as she looked over the crowd. When she catches your eye you can fully see the panic and you do something that surprises you both. You make a silly face and she starts smiling with her brows furrowed. So you make another and get a chuckle out of her. It made you happy to be able to ease her tensions.

As the interview draws to a close, you guide Wanda and Bucky back to the vehicle. Once safely inside, you exhale a silent breath of relief, the tension slowly dissipating from your shoulders. You looked over at Wanda you also seemed to be much more relaxed now that it was over.

======

You sit in the dim glow of the fire, the crackling flames casting dancing shadows across the room. The warmth seeps into your bones, a comforting embrace after the long day's work. With a book in hand, you delve into its pages, immersing yourself in a world far removed from the reality of your duties.

The rhythmic tapping of keys fills the room as Wanda works diligently on her laptop, her focus unwavering. You steal a glance at her from time to time, noting the furrow of her brow as she concentrates. There's a sense of determination about her, a drive to excel in everything she does.

The silence between you is companionable, each lost in your own thoughts yet connected by the shared space. It's a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of your lives, a chance to simply be without the weight of the world pressing down upon you.

As the night stretches on, the fire burns lower, casting elongated shadows that dance along the walls. You reach for your cup of tea, the warmth seeping into your hands as you take a sip. The aroma of chamomile fills the air, soothing and calming.

Eventually, Wanda closes her laptop, the soft click of the lid echoing in the quiet room. She stretches, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she settles back into her chair. You close your book, marking your place with a gentle touch before setting it aside.

"Long day," Wanda remarks, her voice breaking the silence. You nod in agreement, the events of the day still fresh in your mind. Despite the challenges, you feel a sense of accomplishment, knowing that you've kept her safe once again.

"But a good day," you reply, your voice low yet filled with assurance. Wanda meets your gaze, a hint of gratitude shining in her eyes. In that moment, you realize that despite the differences between you, there's a mutual respect that binds you together. "Time for bed?" You ask, but Wanda shakes her head, making you raise an eyebrow.

"A little longer." Her voice is soft. "Just want to relax without work for a bit. Let my mind shut off." She looked at you, eyes looking so tired. Like she could fall asleep in her chair as she curled up her legs and rested her chin on her hand to look over at the fire.

You let her be, picking your book back up to read a little more. It was only a few minutes until you heard her breathing even out, looking up from your book to find her asleep. A small smile on your face. This seemed to be a thing. Half of the week Wanda was falling asleep somewhere other than her bed and you'd have to take her to bed.

You lift Wanda effortlessly, her slight frame feeling feather-light in your arms. She stirs slightly as you gather her, her grip tightening instinctively as she nestles closer to you. Her warmth seeps into your skin, a comforting presence amidst the quiet of the night.

As you ascend the stairs to her room, you navigate with ease, your steps sure and steady. Wanda's soft breaths tickle the nape of your neck, a gentle reminder of her vulnerability in this moment of repose.

Reaching her bedroom door, you push it open with a gentle nudge, the soft click echoing in the stillness of the night. The room is bathed in moonlight, casting a silvery glow upon the familiar surroundings.

Carefully, you lower Wanda onto her bed, tucking the covers around her with a tender touch. She sighs contentedly, her features relaxed in sleep. For a moment, you simply watch her, the moonlight casting shadows across her peaceful face.

With a sigh, you turn away, leaving her to her dreams. It's become a routine, this silent vigil over her rest, a duty you've come to embrace with quiet determination.

Exiting her room, you pause in the hallway, your gaze lingering on the closed door. In the stillness of the night, you can't help but feel a sense of protectiveness wash over you, a silent vow to always keep her safe.

With one last glance, you continue down the hallway, the echo of her soft breathing lingering in your mind. As you settle into your own room, you can't help but reflect on the complexities of your role as her protector, the unspoken bond that binds you together even in the darkest of hours.

And as sleep finally claims you, you find solace in the knowledge that for tonight, at least, she rests easy under your watchful gaze.

[patrollingboston]

Hiya! Could you write a fic where we have to share a bed with Price?

Much love ❤️

An awkward conversation // Price x reader fluff

guilty pleasure one bed trope, this is not meant to be realistic!

After completing gruelling week on a mission, You, Gaz, Soap and Price were headed back to the pickup location to take you all back to base. The conversations being shared were short and snappy due to everyone’s exhaustion. Gaz was fast asleep snoring like bear and it was driving you insane. Soap had earphones in as Captain Price drove along the long stretch of road ahead whilst you were directing him from the passenger seat.

A loud crackle buzzed through everyone’s radio; Gaz snapped awake as everyone focussed on the voice on the other end of the radio.

“Bravo 0-6?”

“Price, you there?”

“What is it Laswell?”

Price held down the button on his radio whilst his eyes remained focused on the road ahead. He drove with one hand on the steering wheel occasionally looking over at you. Everyone’s curiosity was peaked as the mission was over, why would Laswell need to contact them now?

“Nikolai has a problem with exfil, his helicopter has needed some uh, um emergency maintenance. We can’t fly you back to base until tomorrow morning, can you all find a motel nearby just to rest up for a night?”

“Oh, fucking hell- “

Gaz groaned, Soap joining him. You flopped your head back against the headrest in protest. Everyone just wanted to go home, sleep in their own beds, eat normal warm food and be alone.

“Is there no other option? I think we all just want to be back ASAP Laswell.”

“Fraid’ not, earliest we can get to you is 8am tomorrow.”

“Alright, we will sort something out.”

Price said taking his hand off the steering wheel for a second to rub his temples, you glanced over noticing how tired his eyes looked. Everyone’s did.

With that statement the radio cut off. Everyone’s eyes were on Price as he was magically going be able to solve the issue.

“Well, what’s the plan?”

Soap chimed in, peeking his head round from the back of the car.

“There’s a cheap motel not too far, look we aren’t going to be there long. It’s already late, it’s just to clean up and get some rest. I know it’s not ideal.”

“I’m sure we can survive one more night, at least it will be warm?”

You spoke, trying to lift the mood of your fellow soldiers only to be met by awkward silence.

Price tapped on his phone to get directions to the motel. He was right about needing to clean up. Everyone was in their gear, dirt and mud were splashed over everyone’s clothes and face.

“I miss real food.”

Gaz said, Soap nodded in agreement as he began bumbling on about a restaurant near his house.

10 minutes later the car pulled up into the carpark for the motel. There wasn’t much to say about it, it didn’t look too bad from the outside but in your current state of tiredness you would sleep in a bed made of cardboard.

“Gaz, Soap go get us rooms, we will unload the car.”

Price ordered, Gaz and Soap split off entering the reception as you and him began lugging in everyone’s duffel bags. It was quite sparse, a few potted plants and a strikingly red carpet that frankly was hurting your weary eyes.

“Cap? They only have 2 rooms.”

You placed the bag down you were carrying and peered over to soap who was stood speaking to the receptionist.

Price sighed so loudly you could hear it from across the room.

“Well, we can go two and two, or we can take a chance on the other motel, think it was about 20 minutes away.”

You stepped over the pile of bags to join the conversation.

“I don’t mind sharing, please I just want to shower and lie down.”

You said rubbing your eyes, smearing the warpaint from earlier.

“Who goes with who?”

You suddenly felt everyone’s gaze on you.

“You pick F/N you’re the only woman here.”

“Why do you say that like it’s a bad thing?”

You teased as you watched Gaz’s face drop.

“No that’s not what I meant, c’mon.”

You weighed the pros and cons of each person in your head, quickly ruling out soap for how often he liked to flirt with people, that could never end well. Gaz was an option? But you recently discovered he snores and you needed sleep. That only left Price, your captain. You didn’t mind him, in fact over time you had grown quite fond of him despite his grumpy attitude and hat collection.

“I’ll go with Price.”

Price’s eyes widened ever so subtly; it seemed like he was taken back you chose him. His face quickly returned back to normal but you still managed to see the change in it.

A few moments later you stood outside in the hallway shoulder to shoulder with price as he wrestled with the dodgy room key.

“Sonofa- got it.”

He said before cracking a little smile and barging the door open.

You stepped inside looking at the (one again bright red) carpet laden with cigarette burns, you shrugged the bags onto the floor before going into the rest of the room and standing beside price who looked to be in deep in thought. You followed his gaze to find it.

One bed.

One bed that looks like it was made of concrete, with white ruffled sheets and 2 sad pillows.

Your stomach sunk, you had read about this in books and seen it in films and now it was happening to you.

You gulped loudly, praying Price didn’t sense your hesitation.

“I’ll sleep on the floor- “

He said sharply, it caught you off guard. What do you do now? Do you object? Do you share the bed? Do you let him stay on the floor?

“No, I know you’re just as tired as me, I don’t care, please.”

You said gesturing to the bed. He turned around and gave you a kind smile before he sat on the end and started removing his boots.

“I’m going to hop in the shower.”

He nodded as you stepped into the backroom locking the door behind you. That shower might have been the most heavenly experience of your life. Washing away weeks build-up of dirt on yourself. The warm water flowed down your back; you could have stayed in there forever. You stepped out wrapping the white towel around yourself as you reached for your bag. You searched through it trying to find something you could comfortably sleep in. Most stuff in there needed a wash as it was covered in dirt or sweat. You cursed under your breathe as you unlocked the bathroom door and peeked your head out.

“Hey Price?”

He was sat on the bed with his arms folded across his chest, intently watching the little crappy tv.

“Mhm?”

He said his gaze finding you, you could have sworn his eyes faltered and fell up and down you. Pushing back down the blush creeping up your cheeks you responded.

“Do you have anything I could sleep in? My stuff is all uh in need of a wash.”

“Oh, um let me look.”

He hopped off the bed and bent over to rummage around in his backpack before throwing you a khaki green shirt.

“That work?”

“Cheers.”

You closed the bathroom door again before changing into the shirt. It hung below your knees like a nightgown. It was so comfy compared to the mountains of gear you had been wearing for the previous week. It smelt like him too, it was comforting.

You walked into the room; Price had changed now. He was wearing a tight-fitting grey shirt and some baggy shorts. You had never seen him this casual, it was weird but you also liked it however you couldn’t deny how good he looked in his gear too but you would never let anyone know you thought this.

You peered over at the clock.

1:23

Price was just beginning to pull back the duvet on the left side of the bed. Would it be awkward if you did the same? God, it felt like watching an awkwardly married couple get into bed. You both climbed into the bed, the space between you was almost amusing, it was clear you were both trying to avoid one another.

“Night F/N.”

He grumbled, shuffling around to get comfy.

“Night!”

You chirped back, your voice slightly breaking in doing so.

The both of you were so tired you fell straight asleep.

 You woke up to some movement beside you in the early hours of the morning. Your eyes fluttered trying to gather your surroundings only to find yourself wrapped in someone’s arms. Realizing whose arms, it was you were torn on what to do. You decided to stay still, letting yourself take in the warmth. You lay there comfortably, his breathe tickling the top of your head as you fell asleep trying not to think about the awkward conversation this would lead to next morning.

[marvelfanfics1]

Trying To Protect You

Request: Heyyy girl! J wanna say I love your writing and have a request/suggestion if your interested :)

Being Rafe’s little sister (16 years old) and rafe is quite toxic and overprotective and catches reader hanging out with the pogues and gets really angry and manipulates her into not hanging w themm

Pairing: brother!rafe cameron x sister!reader

Warnings: not proofread, Rafe being overprotective/toxic, manipulation, mentions of stealing/betrayal, Rafe tracking readers phone, weed consumption

₊˚ ‿︵‿︵‿︵୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧‿︵‿︵‿︵ ˚₊

Rafe was pacing in the hall by the front door, impatiently waiting for you to come home. He glances at the clock, noting how you're 30 minutes past your actual curfew.

You've begun to change since you started hanging out with the pogues and Rafe just doesn't understand what has gotten into you, getting all mouthy with him and your dad, coming home late, going to more keg parties and getting drunk, and the worst is that you're becoming too comfortable with JJ.

Rafe wanted to knock some sense into you and the last straw for him was when Wheezie told him that she saw how you helped John B get the scuba gear from the family boat.

He was really trying to be understanding, thinking that your rebelling is just a phase, that you would come back to your senses and realize how bad the pogues are for you but boy...he was so wrong.

Like, testing our boundaries is one thing, stealing and betraying your family is another, and Rafe had enough of your behavior.

Another 30 minutes pass and you're still not home. With a groan, Rafe grabs his keys and phone, opening the tracking app that he secretly installed in your phone for situations like this. He's just protecting you, right?

Tapping onto your contact the red pin appears soon, revealing your location and he storms out of the house to his truck.

Meanwhile, you were chilling in the hammock of the Chateau with JJ laying next to you, using his arm as a pillow as you both share a blunt.

You giggle at something JJ said, your head snapping up when you hear a car door being slammed shut followed by your name being called out loudly, you're rolling your eyes as you see Rafe marching his way over to you.

"Here we go." JJ sighs.

You get up from the hammock, meeting him halfway and notice how he's visibly fuming, his fist clenching at his sides.

"What do you think you're doing here, huh?" He asks, glaring down at you. "You should have been home an hour ago."

"And?" You simply shrug before adding. "You're not my dad."

Rafe clenches his jaw. "No, I'm not dad, but I'm your brother and it's my responsibility to take care of you and protect you. So, you better get your ass in the car or I'll drag you there myself."

You look up at him defiantly for a moment, opening your mouth to protest but couldn't get a word out when Rafe suddenly grabs your upper arm, pulling you with him.

Rafe turns back to face JJ for a second, seething. "If I see any of you pricks near my sister again I swear I'll kill you."

With that he turns back to make his way back to his truck with you stumbling beside him, trying to keep up with his large strides.

"Rafe- stop, you're-" You wince and he just grips your arm tighter as he reaches the passenger side, opening the door he shoves you inside and slams it shut again.

He gets into the driver's side and starts the engine while breathing heavily in anger, glancing at you one last time he starts driving.

The drive to Tannyhill is silent, you being high as a kite and Rafe gripping the steering wheel tightly as he stares ahead at the road.

The car comes to a stop and you're about to get out when the child's lock clicks loudly, turning your head to meet Rafe's judging gaze.

"You're not a pogue, Y/n. You're a kook and you should behave like it." He starts scolding you, ignoring the way you cross your arms with a roll of your eyes. "Listen, you may hate me for the things I do but I'm not the one who steals from his own family and says shit behind your backs. I mean, how could you betray us? Your family, who loves you and cares about you. You act like one of them when you're not. Don't you realize what path you're choosing to go right now?"

"You-" you try to argue but Rafe is having none of that.

"No, zip it. This isn't about me, it's about you. Did you know that Dad is thinking about sending you to Kitty Hawk?" He says, suppressing the smirk when you uncross your arms, your eyes wide. "Yeah, he only didn't already 'cause I talked him out of it. Me, your brother."

Now you look down at your lap, fidgeting with your hands at the mention of your dad actually thinking of sending you away to that camp for troubled teens.

Rafe sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. "Don't you see that they're a bad influence? You have gotten nothing but problems since getting involved with them. If you keep that shit up it won't take long before you end up in prison or worse."

You start to sniffle, reaching a hand up to wipe the tears of your cheek. "I don't want to go there...I'm sorry, Rafe."

"Then start acting like it, I can't save your ass forever." He states, unlocking the car doors again he climbs out and you follow suit.

You walk behind your brother up to the front door when he spins around to you again, seeing the way you have your arms wrapped around yourself.

"C'mere." He says with a softer tone, pulling you into a hug he smirks at the way you instantly hold onto him. "I got you. I'll always be there to look out for you, sis."

The fact that Ward never even mentioned anything of Kitty Hawk and that Rafe just used that to scare you and get you back in line doesn't has him feeling guilty in the slightest. He's just protecting you after all.

Taglist

For everything:

@my-river-lilly @pauntedblacknails @fanfictioniseverything @devilslilbabysblog @buckymydarlingangel @hallecarey1 @daybreakwinter @loveshineslikethesky @wandaslittlewhore @vase-of-lilies @white-wolf1940 @simpingbutch @mischiefsemimanaged @alina02 @teddybearsgrr @doozywoozy @angelbabydoll28 @glxwingrxse @lilymurphy03 @veryvaughnny @lokigirlszendaya @youngstarfishdinosaur @little--baby--bear @minideathgoddess @rach2602 @gh0stgurl @flourishandblotts-inc @lovelyy-moonlight @yoruse

@mythixmagic @iris-xoxo-juhu

For Rafe:

@chiaraanatra @chimindity @erikasurfer

[superbat-lmao]

Jason Todd Fic (De-aged?)

(INCOMPLETE/UNFINISHED)

Of all the kinds of magic, Jason Todd hates death magic the most.

So when the call comes through about Grave Affair, he tells Oracle where she can shove it.

“Hood, if there was anyone else available I’d have called them. Believe me, you’re beyond my last choice for this.”

And he’s standing on a rooftop, firing rubber bullets at a guy wielding a magic scythe. He’s ranting about final words, last confessions, things Jason never had.

He’s trying not to think of dirt and starched sleeves and silk linings.

When he’s finally close enough, Jason disarms the guy, but not without the blade touching him.

There’s a thud behind him but he’s already got the wannabe reaper in cuffs by the time he turns around.

And is met with his 15 year old self, wearing an outfit he knows. An outfit that never made it back to his closet.

The boy’s in shock, momentarily disoriented and Jason’s lucky the kid isn’t running, but Oracle is in his ear, awaiting confirmation of something Jason doesn’t think he can say out loud.

He takes off the helmet, holsters his guns, and crouches as low as he can. The kid is squinting at him but he isn’t running.

“You’ve been displaced in time.” He jerks a thumb at the knock off grave digger behind him. “The scythe cut me and brought you here. I’m you, but older.”

The kid squints harder, if that’s possible. Jason uses a couple of the old bat-signs, and doesn’t remove his domino.

“Prove it.”

God, every time he’d tried to seem intimidating, that’s how he’d sounded?

Jason tilts his head and thinks a moment. His old scars are gone, it can’t be anything Jason would willingly volunteer, but even now he doesn’t want to say those things out loud.

“We never told Bruce about Catherine’s last dealer.” The kid stopped squinting. “Or, or about. Well, we never told anyone about Tommy.” The kid flinched. It was a name neither of them had spoken since he died.

“Are we going back to the manor?” Jason shrugged at him. He didn’t want to, but this wasn’t about what he wanted anymore. He wanted to take the kid back to his safe house and burn those clothes. He wanted to cut out his eyes so he wouldn’t have to look at him. He wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Depends. Let me call in the calvary to come pick this guy up and you can decide. It’s the manor, or my safe house.”

He put the helmet on to be met with silence, either Babs was finally at a loss for words or had muted his channel. He sent his location and the pick-up signal. There was no confirmation and Jason decided he had hit his limit on dealing with bats before physically disconnecting himself from the comms network.

“If I pick the manor, how upset will they be?”

And wasn’t that just a crowbar to the gut?

“Not in the way you’re thinking, but a lot. I’ll be honest, it’s going to be worse than when [insert]. I know what you think they’re upset about and for them, it was years ago. But you going back will be like a bomb going off for them. I’ll take you, but you’ve gotta know it’ll probably overwhelm you.”

“And the safe house?”

“I’ll take the couch. And make you wear a different set of clothes because just looking at you hurts. But um, you can ask questions or don’t. Eat, read, ignore me. It’ll be a breather until the manor, or until the spell ends and you go back.”

“Go back?”

Jason wanted to throw up.

“To Ethiopia.”

——

True to his word, Jason burned those clothes the second they were in his safe house.

The kid, because he wasn’t willing to think of him as himself, had locked himself in Jason’s bedroom with a couple paperback copies of things he said he hadn’t read yet. Jason was making a sort of pasta bake in the oven and cleaning his guns on the coffee table.

His gear, except for the helmet, was stashed away properly, but he hadn’t turned the comms back on. He was sure that Oracle had been alerting all of the bats to the presence of his 15 year old self and watching live feeds of the interrogation to see what spell was cast, or how the scythe worked, but Jason was trying to avoid thinking about it.

Because if it was him, if he was 15 instead of 23 and in an apartment with an adult man claiming to be himself but built like Bruce, he’d fucking lock himself in and refuse to come out. Sure, he wouldn’t want to see the bats, all the people he remembers letting down by running away and at the peak of their fighting where Jason had believed none of them actually cared about him, but that doesn’t mean he’d really want to be alone with the veritable stranger of himself either.

He has his phone shut off, his comms are physically disabled, and this particular safe house is one he hasn’t had the chance to use yet since it’s a sort of last resort. It’s kept in a spot with few to no cameras and hasn’t been around long. Jason makes a point of keeping one safe house as a last resort, so that if he really does fuck up beyond what the bats can tolerate, there will be one place they can’t immediately find him.

He’ll have to burn this one soon, but it gives them a couple hours, if not about two days.

He’s trying not to remember the fight, the hasty decision to leave, being told there wasn’t enough room in the helicopter. God, he doesn’t even know at what point the kid was taken from, but Ethiopia hadn’t surprised him. He must not have made it into the warehouse yet.

When the oven goes off, Jason is trying hard not to picture cigarette smoke and eyes in the dark.

He makes two plates, sets one on the counter and the other on the coffee table, and goes to knock on the door to the bedroom.

When the younger Jason emerges, he looks wary, but not frightened. There’s also a calculating look in his eye that Jason knows others assume he got from Bruce, but was present while he was on the streets.

“Do you mind if I eat out here?”

“Knock yourself out.”

They’re almost finished eating when the boy finally speaks up.

“I’ve got questions for you.”

“Sure, but I have one for you too. Only one, so you pick what you wanna do first. Ask or answer.”

“Ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“The guy that brought me here, what does the magic entail?”

“I’m not a hundred percent sure. He was doing his little speech while we were fighting, something about meeting yourself and seeking absolution I think. It sounded like a chance to ask yourself questions or have a conversation with a different version of yourself but I don’t exactly know why. I also don’t know how long it lasts. I got the call about him pretty late and walked in without a full picture. One of the other bats is probably looking more into it right now and we’ll get an update at some point.”

“Other bats?”

Jason doesn’t envy Talia for having to explain to him Bruce’s knack for acquiring orphans.

“Remember when Bruce first took us in and we couldn’t understand what he wanted from us? Well, it’s morphed into a bit of a habit of picking up orphans. It isn’t just Dick, Alfred and us anymore. There’s a couple others and all the explanations are kinda long, so I’ll wait till the end to really get into that if it’s alright. In terms of how many are important for you to keep track of and you might come across at the manor, at least six, excluding the three you know.”

“Why aren’t you living at the manor? Why do you have a safe house?”

“A couple years from how old you are now, Bruce and I have a fight. We’re still kind of working on it, but it’s easier for me to have my own place than have to deal with all the riff raff. The manor isn’t as quiet as it used to be, and it’s too many variables.”

God, he’s really trying to be vague here instead of having to tell the kid he’s right and his Dad doesn’t love him. That his Dad doesn’t save him and that he’ll try to kill him. Jason doesn’t know if he can look his younger self in the eye and tell him everything he’s done. But he remembers being overwhelmed by too many people, too many emotions to try and navigate in conversations. It’s still something he struggles with, not that he’s told anyone about it.

“What was the fight about?”

“Since we don’t know how much of this you’ll remember when you get sent back, I don’t really want to get into specifics, in case we create some sort of paradox. Once we know for sure I’ll give you more details but basically, appropriate levels of consequence alongside a heavy dose of blame for shit Bruce fucked up.”

“What about Dick and Alfred?”

“What about them?”

“What do they think? Do they agree with you or Bruce?”

“They’re a little more complicated. Alfred loves us, has made sure we know it, but abstains from voicing his true opinions on it. I think he disagrees with us, but doesn’t want to push. Dick is vocal about disagreeing with us, but doesn’t think Bruce is completely in the clear either. He’s harder to predict in conversation and his goals are less obvious than Alfred’s.”

“What’s your question for me?”

“What’s the last thing you remember before coming here?”

“Bruce getting in a helicopter and telling me to stay put.”

“Alright.”

“That’s it?”

“All the useful information will come from this time, not yours. I just wanted to make sure I knew what part of the day you’d already been through.”

His younger self appears to think this over.

It’s almost a relief talking to him. Jason’s goals have always been pretty straight forward. Stay fed, stay warm, protect himself against adults, and stay alert. There are no mind games, or unspoken rules, or demands, or debts for his actions. As an adult, there is nothing he would want from a kid and as a kid, he’s found probably the only adult he’ll believe doesn’t want anything from him.

“Can you tell me about the other bats?”

“Sure, but I’m starting on dishes and you’re filling tupperware while I’m talking.”

So Jason explains Tim and Damian and Cass and Steph and Duke and Babs. He’s careful to avoid his own history and how he met them, only really stating how they each got taken in. How they met Bruce. His younger self doesn’t seem to mind the vague information, it’s been a long day and Jason doesn’t have much to hide from him except the obvious, his death and resurrection. So by the time the kitchen is clean, there’s little left to say except a brief rundown of what’s stocked where, what parts of the apartment have traps set, and what weapons are allowed to be kept in the bedroom.

He tells the kid he’ll be doing a short patrol tonight. They have a code for “all clear” that predates the bats, so they’ll stick to it. And he gives the kid a burner in case his training isn’t enough. He shows him how to contact himself, and if it’s really bad, the emergency beacon.

Nightwing is the one who finds him, but he isn’t stupid enough to recognize the others are likely on hand but just out of reach so that when he runs, they minimize his head start.

“Oracle says you shut off your phone, comms, tracker, and is locating your safe house as we speak.”

“And you’re telling me because?”

“Because we need to bring him to the cave. Because he won’t cooperate with any of us. Because we don’t want either of you to be alone and you damn well scared the hell out of all of us by disappearing like that.”

“You guys figure out the scythe and how long before he’s sent back?”

“Lantern figured it out. About 7 more days, from what we can tell.”

“How long until B’s planet side again?”

“About 3 days.”

There’s math somewhere in that sentence that Jason can’t calculate. A problem he doesn’t have the answer for. He refuses to acknowledge what’s about to happen, because if he does, he’ll step off the roof without his grapple.

“Tell the calvary to stop hiding and meet us here. I need everyone to agree to ground rules.”

Cass is the most proficient at B’s trick of appearing from the shadows, but the rest of the bats are a fair hand at it too. And suddenly, everyone who had been out of town slightly over a day ago, was congregated on a single roof. If Jason couldn’t solve the problem of seven days and Bruce Wayne, he’s not sure he really has a chance with so many more variables thrown in. Especially with the least predictable ones.

“We will meet you all at the cave tomorrow, in the morning. You are not crowding my safe house.”

There is some shuffling, but no objections.

“I have told him all of your names. He does not know more than how each of you loosely came to meet B. He does not know my vigilante name, the new kids vigilante names, except Oracle, or how I met any of you. Or when.”

The shuffling has stopped. It’s just the dark, silence, Jason, and everyone he’s spent what amounts to his current life avoiding.

“He is 15 and for him, Batman just got on a helicopter in Ethiopia.”

If there’s silence now, Jason can’t hear it over the rushing in his ears.

“For as long as he is in this timeline, I will remain close enough to get him out of any situation you put him in.”

He’s focusing on a spot in the middle distance. Jason is afraid he might black out.

“He will know that we are lying to him soon, although I can’t guess how quick he’ll catch on. When he asks about it, about our - death.”

It takes almost a full minute for Jason to keep speaking.

“You will direct him to me.”

Jason sweeps his unfocused eyes over a mismatched group of vigilantes in the dark. They are rigid and unflinching. Jason wants more than anything in the world to be somewhere, anywhere else.

“You will not leave him and B alone in the same room together.”

This time, his eyes are focused and he meets each of their gazes.

He looks to Cass last, and at her nod, Jason steps off the roof and swings away.

——

Jason gives himself ground rules the next morning.

“You can ask questions. You might not always get an answer.”

“If someone will not give you an answer, come find me.”

“If you want out, of anything, you press the button I gave you.”

“I will remain in the same building as you at all times. If you need space from me, say so. If you want me in the next room, signal. I will stay as close or as far as you prefer.”

“There are things that the others will know that you have not shared. I cannot undo that, and I am sorry. However, both things that I told you as proof of myself are, to my knowledge, things they remain unaware of.”

“I will respect whatever decision you make in what you choose to share with them.”

“I will not, under any circumstances, allow you and B to be alone in the same room.”

The final rule gets him a raised eyebrow, one that he stares unflinchingly at.

“Why not?”

“I do not trust his emotional regulation when it comes to you. He is still safe, still Bruce or Batman or B. But he has made far too many mistakes for me to allow him to make decisions regarding you. I believe him to be, emotionally compromised.”

There is still skepticism in his own face. The face of a child that will never become an adult. Not the way he should have.

“And you won’t tell me why?”

“Not until we know for sure about eh paradox thing. And we both know there are some things neither of us are ever gonna want to talk about - for me, this is one of them. So, for now, no.”

The kid seems to accept this and they pack a small bag of Jason’s gear and books. They’re on his motorcycle in less than half an hour and are pulling up to the cave entrance in less than two hours.

There is no welcome party. Just the cave, and Alfred.

There is no glass case.

When Jason cuts the engine on the bike, he feels pins and needles down his spine.

He takes his gear out of his bag and moves towards the lockers to store it. He can’t watch this. Can’t watch his younger self approach Alfred. He tries not to hear what they say to each other. He fails.

Jason doesn’t have to imagine what he would have said to Alfred when he was 15, if he had gotten home. The conversation is eerily similar to his own nightmares.

“Hey Alfie.”

“Master Jason, it has been a long time since I have seen you, although I suspect the reverse is not quite true for you.”

He hears a huffed laugh behind him and squeezes his eyes shut.

“I’m sorry I ran away.”

Jason knows he must have steeled himself to the words, to say them now or risk not saying them at all.

“Master Ja-“

“And I know that I shouldn’t have done it. And that he, I said that it’s been years since you’ve probably thought about it, since I ran away, so maybe you’ve already gotten the apology but for me it was yesterday. And I don’t know how I’m going to go home and tell you that I’m sorry, and I know I will never get to skip chores for the rest of my life but Alfie I just need to know that you don’t hate me too.”

Jason remembers being 15 and thinking that Bruce didn’t trust him anymore, thinking that he killed a man, and that Dick was never really his older brother and that he just wanted a parent. Someone normal who could love him normally without it being twisted up into expectations and disappointment. He remembers the polite distance that he thought Alfred was using every time he called him Master Jason, and how it had felt like a barrier to one of the only adults he was almost convinced loved him. How he all but threw it back in the man’s face by running away to another continent to chase down a woman who sold him out.

Jason doesn’t know what Alfred’s face looks like. Doesn’t want to know.

Because he knows the tension in his own voice, the way it spells out tears. Knows that his younger self if already crying even if he can’t hear it at this distance. Cannot allow himself to picture what Alfred must look like.

“Oh Jason, my boy.”

And there is a soft sound behind him, a rustle of fabric and a hiccup pressed into a shirt.

He’s sure Alfred has bundled him up and carried him over to one of the cots, or chairs, or even the training mats. He doesn’t turn around. He wasn’t meant to hear this.

Because Alfred is murmuring nonsense into his hair. And holding him while he cries. And Jason forces himself to walk upstairs to the kitchen, to sit at the counter and wait.

He doesn’t know how much time has passed by the time he calls Babs.

“Oracle.”

“Jason, what do you want?”

“I need an alert set up. One that will go straight to my phone the second B is planet side. One that tells me when he is within 100 yards of the manor, even if he comes by Kryptonian.”

There’s a silence on the line. Either the bats were broadcasting to her through an open comm during his little speech the night before, or Dick filled her in. Either way, they both know she knows his last rule.

“Alright.”

“Thank you.”

Jason drifts for a while. At least until he hears footsteps closing the familiar distance between the cave and the kitchen.

Jason gives them both a small nod when the come in, and the younger Jason takes a seat right next to him, without a buffer, but they don’t speak much as Alfred starts his prep work on lunch.

It’s obvious the kid has a question when his shoulders start to tense.

“What’s your question?”

“What room am I staying in?”

Jason glances over to Alfred, and he looks about as calm as to be expected. He’d never expected to see Alfred cry, but he feels a dulled shock at the sight of his reddened eyes.

“You are welcome to your old room, or I can prepare a guest room for you.”

“Why wouldn’t you be using our room?”

“That fight I mentioned? Well, I was - hurt a while after. It was easier for me to stay on the first floor than to take the stairs. I’m not here as often anymore, so I mostly stick to the guest room if I am. You can take our room if you want it.”

There’s a small part of him that wants to pray that Alfred made the room look less like a shrine, or a time capsule, because the kid knows several years have passed for Jason and if he walks into the same room he remembers from earlier “that day” Jason isn’t sure how he’ll face those questions right now.

“I had some time to prepare it this morning, it might be close to what you remember and I took the liberty of stocking it with your old clothes that fit you now.”

“Thanks Alfie.”

After a while, the kid glances at him and Jason supposes he’s got a fair guess as to where he wants to go. He clears his throat.

“We’ll be in the library until lunch. And um, thank you.”

He doesn’t want to read the look on Alfred’s face. He doesn’t want to be in this kitchen. In this building. The look on Alfred’s face is kinder than he deserves.

“Of course, Master Jason. Do enjoy yourselves.”

They aren’t ambushed on the way to the library, but they aren’t alone when they enter.

The kid stiffens beside him and shoots a glance at Jason’s left hand. Counts the taps, and then relaxes.

Jason knows Cass also probably counted the taps, and might be able to figure out what they mean, but they’ve never talked about it.

“Hello, Cass.”

“Hello, Jasons.”

There’s a snort from the kid and Jason is grateful that she staged their meeting like this. Of everyone else in the manor, Cass is the one who hates seeing anyone, including Jason, in pain. She’s the only one aside from Alfred who seems to understand when he needs to leave and lets him.

“Want me to read in here or go put books in your room?”

The kid eyes Cass for a moment, and then Jason.

“You can take the books. But if you want to read too I won’t stop you.”

Jason takes that for what it is, that the kid will be alright for a few minutes, but doesn’t want more than 20 by himself.

Dick is waiting for him outside the door to his old bedroom.

“You didn’t say the rest of us couldn’t see him alone, just Bruce.”

Jason’s mouth is dry. He pushes the door open and is off kilter. It looks like when he was 15. It looks like he never went to high school. It looks just enough like his old room and yet everything that had made it his, was gone.

“It’s up to him. Bruce is the only one I won’t allow to be alone with him. It doesn’t have to be me in the room if the kid doesn’t want, but they won’t be alone.”

“You think he’ll hurt him?”

That startles Jason, badly enough that he laughs. It’s a broken sound, scratches all the edges of his throat and teeth as it leaves his mouth. Dick tenses behind him.

“You don’t want to know what I think.”

“Jason, I don’t know how to fix this.”

Jason sets the books down on his old desk and turns. He doesn’t want this conversation. He doesn’t want to keep talking to these people. He’s sick of the echoes of his old life, the one he can’t return to. He can’t sew himself back into belonging, he doesn’t have enough of the fabric of himself to try.

“You don’t have to try.”

Dick makes a sound like he’s been punched.

“Of course I do -“ Jason cuts him off.

“We weren’t brothers, Dick. You made that clear, not just to me, but to him. I don’t know what you’re trying to do now, but you don’t have to. I’m not asking you to. It’s not your job to try and clean up B’s mistakes. You’re running yourself into the ground trying to play clean up crew for him. Just stop.”

“I’m trying to fix my own mistakes Jason, not his. I shouldn’t have treated you like you weren’t my brother. I want you to be my brother now. But I don’t know how. I don’t know what you want, but I want to try. It’s the only regret I can’t live with.”

Dick looks close to tears. Scratch that, Jason can see them, running silently down his face. His breath just isn’t hitching and he can’t seem to decide if Jason will be more or less upset if he keeps up the eye contact, but he continues to stand outside Jason’s childhood bedroom. Waiting. Asking for permission. Asking to be let in.

“Is this your dry run of the speech you’re gonna give the kid?”

“This is the first time you’ve been in one place long enough for me to get the words out. You’ve bolted long before I had worked up the nerve to say it to you before.”

“You don’t know me.”

“I’d like to.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Then tell me how to prove it to you.”

Jason thinks it over. He thinks about himself, about a kid sitting on a roof and squinting at him, asking for proof. He’d known how to convince his 15 year old self. He’s not sure how to convince himself now. He wishes the dull ache in his chest would go away. That he could stop wanting people, stop remembering the familiarity they used to share, even if it wasn’t always happy.

It never stopped him, even when it should have. He would still run jobs for Willis, or get a fix for Catherine. He still tried to save Shelia. He wasn’t sure if he could survive it again. He didn’t last time.

But the part of him that he couldn’t avoid thinking about anymore, the part of him standing in his favorite room on the planet, just down the hall, felt like it was clawing through his ribcage. The part of him that would always be 15 and desperate to have an older brother, to have a family, someone who could just make the world go away for a minute. Not another fucked up parental figure, but someone else. That part of him was trying to escape himself and curl up inside the person who wouldn’t even cross the threshold of his door without permission.

“Ask me again in two weeks.”

“What?”

“Once the kid is gone, give me a week. If you’re serious.”

“I am. In two weeks, what then?”

Maybe more of his composure had cracked than he was willing to admit. Because the look he was giving Dick made the man crumple.

“I don’t know, but. I’d be willing to try.”

“Can I - please, Jason I won’t. Right now I just. Please come here. Just for a minute, please Jay.”

And maybe in two weeks Jason would be able to let him in, maybe he wouldn’t have to wait outside the door. But he knows the week he’s in for. It’s going to be long, and worse than any torture Jason’s been through so far. He isn’t sure he’ll be able to get through it.

To look a 15 year old in the eyes and send him to his death.

Jason fucking hates death magic.

So he takes a step forward, and another and another until the door is shut behind him. Until Dick has a death grip around his waist and forces Jason’s arms over his shoulders. His face is jammed right into his chest and Jason rests his own against Dick’s shoulder.

“I am so glad you’re alive, little wing.”

Jason allows himself five minutes. To memorize the sensation in a way that he wouldn’t be able to forget. Sometimes, when he would try to think back and picture Catherine, he would wish he had been able to memorize the hugs she gave him more clearly.

When he steps back, Dick’s hands spasm beneath him for a minute before seeming to remember himself and let go. He doesn’t try to wipe at his eyes and the smile he tries to give Jason is shaky. Jason doesn’t know what his face looks like. He’s not surprised when Dick’s hands brush tears from the undersides of his eyes.

He doesn’t think he can say anything else. And Dick seems to understand, because he gently turns them both in the direction of the library and walks with him until Jason’s steps are more sure.

When he turns to go in, Jason knows he’s damming himself. Because the glance he risks behind him, not quite turning back, but not not tuning back, is met with a smile he’s never seen before. One that makes his chest seize painfully because it’s full of something Jason can’t believe is still in him. That hasn’t been drowned out by the relentless wave that Jason has struggled to keep his head above. The one thing he hadn’t parted with even in his final moments.

Hope.

——

From the looks of it, the kid’s conversation with Cass had gone better than his own with Dick. He looks weary, and still a bit on edge, but he hasn’t been crying, nothings broken, no one’s yelling, and Cass has a small smile that is usually reserved for Steph on her face.

Whatever Cass can read in his own posture doesn’t seem to alter her stance, but the kid looks slightly more alarmed when he meets his eyes.

He taps his leg four times and gets a look of utter disbelief, but the subject is dropped before it’s even picked up.

“What’re you reading?”

“The Brothers Karamazov.”

Huh. Jason’s not sure what to say to that. Not without spoiling more than a book.

“Let me know if it’s any good.”

That gets him a laugh. Small, but there. And yeah, he wouldn’t believe he hadn’t read it either.

Cass looks like she’s said all she wanted to, so he sets up shop, cracks open something at random, and settles in. She briefly squeezes his shoulder, and then is gone.

It’s maybe 20 minutes before Jason hears the pages of a book not in his own hands stop turning.

“Are you sure about the four?”

One meant danger. Two meant stay alert. Three meant “safe enough.”

Four meant safe.

They’ve never used four taps for anyone. If Jason had to hazard a guess, the only person that would come close is Alfred, but he’d hadn’t shared the street code with the Bats back then, so it wouldn’t have meant anything to them.

“Yeah, Dickface wanted a quick chat. I’m not sure when he’ll try and drop by to talk to you, but I’d guess before lunch. Once he settles down a bit.”

“Cass said she’s new to learning English, that she doesn’t have much practice speaking yet. Said she reads posture better than words.”

“She gives the old man a run for his money in combat. Of all of us, she’s the best at hand to hand.”

“You didn’t try and school your posture when you came in.”

“Figured out pretty early on it’s not really worth it. And with multiple people in a room, trying to sort out all the contradictions can give her a headache. She’s never used it against us in a way we didn’t deserve, so I don’t hold it against her.”

“What did Dick want?”

“My fight with B is a bit bigger than I really wanted to concern you with. Dick wanted to talk to me before speaking with you so that I don’t complicate what he has to say to you with what he has to say to me.”

“Can we please figure out quicker whether or not there will be some sort of paradox once I’m sent back? Because I’ve been pretty good at rolling with your vague fucking answers, but I’m reaching my limit for bullshit.”

“Noted. After lunch I’ll try and get in touch with Lantern and see what the full deal is.”

“Do you want to be in here when Dick comes to talk to me?”

“Not about me kid. It’s up to you.”

“You didn’t stick around for Alfred.”

Jason doesn’t have anything to say to that. The kid’s right, it was the only break he was willing to give himself.

“You’ve done alright with him and Cass so far. Do you want me in here when Dick drops by?”

“I don’t know.”

It should surprise him more that this version of himself is giving him such direct answers. But then again, after reorienting, he supposes that out of everyone, Jason really had only trusted himself. He knew the lengths he would go to to protect himself, to stay alive. And if the kid knows he uses guns now, then maybe it really has settled in that nothing has changed except the knowledge of how far he’d really be willing to go.

“God, what is it with all of them and talking?”

Jason laughs a little at the frustration. It’s one he shares.

“One and I’ll get you out. Two and I’ll stay but Dick will leave. Three and we’ll both stay. Four and I’ll leave.”

He gets a brief nod, and then they’re both absorbed in their books for at least an hour.

He notices Dick in the doorway a full 15 seconds before the kid does. Neither startles, but he can see the kid roll his eyes from behind his book.

When he seems to catch himself with what he’s doing. He tenses.

Dick looks different from when he was 18. To Jason he’d seemed like an adult, but it’s obvious to him now that he’s a far cry from the adult he is now. He’s steadier, less volatile. Less teenage angst, more adult grief.

“Hey, Dick.”

There’s a small smile on Dick’s face and Jason tries to tell himself to focus on his book. He doesn’t succeed.

“Hey, Jason. I wanted to come and see you before lunch. It’s going to be pretty hectic and you’ll probably meet most of the new kids. But, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you at 15, and from what Jason tells me of the day you came from, I figured we should talk just between us.”

“I - you’re off world right now. Um, I left a note for B and Alfred but yeah. I kinda ran away. And, I don’t know if it’s different now because Jason said B adopted like a million people, but I did try and call you before I realized you were off world. I left a voice mail and. And maybe we’re not really brothers right now. But, I’m still sorry. I don’t know how I said it in the future, or when you got back, but -“

Jason doesn’t know what his own face is doing. But he can’t look at the kid. All he sees is Dick, who had already cried himself out earlier, get a fresh sheen of tears in his eyes.

It would have been kinder for Jason to shoot him.

The younger Jason risks a glance at Dick and then shoots Jason a look with far more panic in it than he feels equipped to handle. Jason taps three times.

Dick sucks in a long breath, trying to recenter himself under the scrutiny.

“It’s alright, little wing, I know I wasn’t a very good brother when you came to the manor. I couldn’t set aside my problems with Bruce and it wasn’t fair to you. I promise you none of that was your fault, or about you at all. You don’t have to apologize.”

There’s a look on younger Jason’s face that he’s trying and failing to school away. Of all the traits of Bruce he’s been told to have, Dick was the only one of them that ever properly managed that blank and unreadable look. Jason has always been too expressive.

It’s longing and a whole lot of distrust.

“B thinks I killed Garzonas, Dick.”

Dick does take a step forward then. Jason seems to realize that the couch he’s sitting on really is big enough for two, because he scoots over just a bit.

“B says a lot of things he regrets, little wing. I know for a fact that you didn’t kill him, that B’s wrong and it wasn’t fair of him to accuse you of that.”

“You know now maybe, but you’re not really my Dick Grayson.”

Dick takes another step forward and Jason stays perfectly still.

“Maybe not right now, but you’re still my little wing, no matter how old you are.” He shoots a wry glance at Jason. “Or how many of you there are.”

“What did you say before? Eighteen year old you?”

It’s an effort for Dick and Jason not to look at each other. To not give it away.

“By the time I got back planet side, things were different. We never really talked about it much, but I ripped B a new one when I learned what he’d said to you. It’s one of the bigger fights we’ve had actually. But I don’t think that’s really what you mean.”

“I should have told you that it wasn’t your fault. That when I was your age I wanted nothing more than to kill the man who took away my parents. That watching him walk around was an injustice I couldn’t stomach. That B had to physically restrain me and I had lectures about it for weeks before he let me anywhere near the case. I was so angry with him, with Zucco, and a part of me is still the kid that wanted him dead. That not every death is always a sad one, even if we’re not responsible for it. And I’m sorry he made you feel like he didn’t trust you because of it. You are my brother and I love you so much and it wasn’t your fault.”

Dick takes his final step towards the small couch and Jason throws himself at his brother. The brother he always wanted and could never seem to have.

“He just fell Dick, I swear I didn’t push him. And I’m glad he’s dead, he killed her and I just, I can’t believe B didn’t believe me. That he doesn’t trust me. I’m sorry I ran away, I’m sorry he fell. He said I’m not his son.”

Dick was wrapped around the younger Jason who had finally given in to the brother he’d always wanted.

Jason wonders if it would have been that easy if Dick hadn’t been in space. If he’d been able to crash at his apartment and talk this out with him before running off to Ethiopia.

But they hadn’t really been on the best terms anyways back then. Even leaving him a voicemail had felt like pushing the boundary of what Jason was allowed to ask for. At 15 he had only learned to mostly accept Alfred, and sometimes B. Dick was more of a distant idea than a real person, a tangible relationship.

When Jason tuned back into the conversation, eyes were being dried and there was a faint look sent his way. But no taps, so they were in the clear.

*I sometimes write drafts of fics in the notes section of my phone but a lot of them never get finished or are incomplete.

I’m not sure I’ll ever come back to/finish this but people are welcome to add/rewrite or do whatever with this.

[6rookie-writer0110]

By your shadow

Tara Carpenter x Male Reader

Request: Could you do a tara carpenter x male reader, either scream 5 or 6, where reader is maybe a part of league of shadows and saves her from the killers, Tara knows very little about his past, both killer just looking at him in his gear, ‘and who might you be’, ‘death’ and ends up figthing Them, or something like that, either way, I love your stuff and you Can do whatever you want with this.

Tara went to see sister Sam, but they got into an argument.

“Sam, stop” Tara sighed.

“I mean it, I don't trust him. We barely know him and you don't even know what city he is from. I don't think he is good enough for you” Sam said.

“He makes me happy and I care about him a lot,” Tara said.

“Open your eyes! I think you should break up with him” Sam said.

“I’m leaving!” Tara yelled.

Tara left and she took a cab to your place. You are happy to see her but you can tell she isn't happy.

“What happened?” You asked.

“I got into an argument with Sam again. She doesn't trust you and wants me to dump you” Tara said.

“An what do you want?” You asked.

“You make me happy, Y/n, and I mean it. I haven't been this happy in a long time” Tara said.

You wrapped your arms around and kissed her head. She is holding you tight and you hold her for a few seconds.

“Can I stay the night?” Tara asked.

“Yeah, you can. I wouldn't say no to you, babe” You said.

You and Tara start to smile at each other. She went to change her clothes and she is wearing your long sleeve shirt. Then you and Tara sit and start to make dinner together.

“Y/n, what city you used to live in?” Tara asked.

“I already told you, don't you remember?” You asked.

“No, I forgot,” Tara said.

You were about to say it, but your cell phone started to ring. Tara noticed it is an unknown number but you picked it up.

“Hello...” You said.

You are being told what is your next mission and where to meet. You hang up and don't say anything about it.

“Who was that?” Tara asked.

“It was a machine, said my Amazon account is closed but it's a lie,” You said.

You put the food on the table and she knows you are lying. But she doesn't ask any questions, now you and Tara start to eat dinner.

Much later, you and Tara went to sleep. But she couldn't sleep but you are sleeping, you have your arm around her body. She starts to think about what Sam said and thinks about what she knows about you. She doesn't know a lot about you and she doesn't know when is your birthday, she starts to think what kind of relationship she is in. She gently moved your arm away from her and slowly got out of bed. You didn't notice and you didn't wake up. She grabbed your cell phone and went to the bathroom, she locked the door.

She knows your password because one time she had to use it. She went through your texts, which weren't a lot. You have online friends that you send funny memes the only texts she saw the most, were between you and her. Then she went to phone call history, she noticed a lot of unknown phone numbers. But one phone number stood out and she called it and someone picked up...

“Thank you for calling, Ray’s butcher shop. What's your next kill?” She said.

She hangs up and she downloads a tracking app, and she hides the app with the other apps. You woke up and walked towards the bathroom and you try to open the door. She got scared and quickly hides the phone in her pocket, then she opened the door.

“Hey, babe,” Tara said.

“Sorry, I didn't know you were in the bathroom” You yawned.

“I’m done” Tara smiled.

She went back to the room and you went into the bathroom. She put the phone back on the nightstand, then she got her phone and took a picture of your state ID. You come back later, then she cuddles with you again.

----

Tara has been checking your locations on her phone. She is starting to feel bad about it and she doesn't want to tell Sam about it. She texted so that you can go to her house. Before you go, you went to pick up snacks for her.

But Ghostface starts to attack Tara. She tried running towards the door but Ghostface slashed her in the stomach. She tries calling the cops then she starts to run away to the kitchen. She is panicking and crying, then she grabbed the knife and starts to move slowly. But Ghostface jumped out of nowhere and grabbed her. Ghostface stabbed her in the stomach then they start to fight. Ghostface grabbed her by the hair, then pushed her to the floor. She tries to get away but Ghostface starts to hurt her again.

You arrived at the house and you hear her screaming. You see Ghostface and you tackle Ghostface and you start to punch the killer in the face. You hear the cops but you don't stop then Ghostface slashed your cheek and then pushed you away. The killer runs away but you run towards Tara.

“Babe, I'm here now. What happened?” You said.

You add pressure to her stomach, and you hold her tight.

“It was Ghostface!” Tara cried.

Sam arrived at the house and she thinks you hurt her sister. She punched you in the face then you moved away from Tara.

“You hurt my sister!” Sam yelled.

“It wasn't me!” You yelled.

She grabbed the knife and tries to stab you. But you dodge every attack, if she wasn't Tara’s sister then you would have fought back. The cops rushed inside and told you two to stop

“He attacked my sister!” Sam yelled.

“Not true! I just got here and it was Ghostface!” You said.

But they start to arrest you and they get help for Tara. Cop took you to the police station. You start to tell them what happened and Sam went with Tara to the hospital.

Hours Later... You went to the hospital to see your girlfriend. But Sam and her friends are there and Sam is glaring at you.

“I came to see her not you,” You said.

“You should leave, Y/n,” Sam said.

“Tara, how are you feeling?” You asked.

“You should leave, Y/n,” Tara said.

“What... Why?” You said.

“I don't trust you. I don't know anything about you at all. And I don't know when is your birthday” Tara said.

“Not this again. Tara, I told you is complicated” You said.

“Y/n, just leave!” Tara yelled.

Chad put his hand on your shoulder.

“She said to leave, Y/n” Chad said.

“Touch me again, I will snap your neck into two pieces,” You said.

“You won't do anything,” Chad said.

You pushed him then he pushed you back, and everyone stepped in before you or him started to fight.

“Just leave,” Tara said.

You leave the room and rushed home.

✬ ✬ ✬ ✯

You haven't spoken to Tara in a week. You tried calling and texting but she doesn't answer back. You have been training hard and you sharpen your blades. You asked an old friend for help then you search online for Ghostface killings etc. Your friend is a cop and he managed to get the files of Ghostface for you. You start to read everything and start to put everything together so far. But you wanted to call Tara but you didn't, you think she won't believe you.

Tara has been staying with Sam and Danny but Tara mostly stays in her room. But they do try to figure out who is Ghostface. Sam thinks it's you but Tara doesn't believe that. Chad tries to convince Tara not to get back to you, but she doesn't want to talk about it.

---

Ghostface started to chase Sam and Tara. But the killers managed to attack Tara and her friends, now they need to stop the two killers. Tara called you and she is hiding in the closet

“Tara?” You asked.

“Y/n, I need you. They are back. We thought it was one but it's two or three, I don't know but they are trying to kill us” Tara cried.

“Where are you?” You asked.

“Sam’s apartment. She lives by the old theater” Tara said.

“Listen to me, just go there with your sister. I will be there soon! Okay. I will protect you and Sam” You said.

“Okay!” Tara said.

You heard Tara scream and she dropped her cell phone. You put on your suit and then your mask, and you grabbed your blades. You knew where the old theater is and you didn't waste time getting there. Sam and Tara ran to the old theater, but the killers are steps ahead of them. Sam used her gun to shoot them but she kept missing.

Ghostface chased Tara and Sam toward the edge of the balcony. Then another killer appeared.

“You would be in the movie, Sam. We just couldn't let the franchise die” Ghostface said.

“But why?” Sam asked.

Ghostface takes off the mask and they are in shock.

“Richie!?” Tara yelled.

“They keep messing up the franchise and it bothered me so much! And we had to do something about it” Richie said.

“You attacked me at my house?” Tara asked.

“Yeah, I had to do it. I got so close to seeing you bleed out but your stupid boyfriend ruined the moment for me!” Richie yelled.

The other killer takes off the mask and it's Amber.

“You are in this too?!” Sam yelled.

“Yeah, he is right about the franchise. It was fun watching you blame the wrong person for this” Amber smirked.

You arrived and threw ninja stars at their legs, they are in pain.

“A third killer!?” Tara yelled.

“No. It's just us two” Amber said.

“Who the hell are you?” Richie asked.

“Death,” You said.

Richie run towards you and he tried to stab you. But you grabbed his hand and then punched him in the face. The girls watch you fight Richie then he tried to stab you in the face but again, you grabbed his hand and snapped it in two. Richie is screaming in pain. Amber used her shotgun and you run for cover. Sam kicked Richie in the face then you throw a dagger toward Amber, it got her in the chest. Then Tara ran towards Amber and pushed the dagger deep into her chest, she starts to bleed out.

“Die, bitch!” Tara said.

She takes out the dagger and starts to stab Amber multiple times. Amber dropped to the floor and bleeds out. Then Richie grabbed Tara and pressed the knife hard against her neck.

“Come out, now or she will die! Don't think about it, Sam because one step you make then I will kill her” Richie yelled.

You come out.

“Don’t hurt her” You said.

“Take off the mask, now!” Richie screamed.

You take off the mask.

“Y/n?” Tara said.

Then you felt a gun press your head and it's Wayne Bailey.

“Put your hands up,” Wayne said.

“Fine,” You said.

You slowly put your hands behind your head, you secretly take out the hidden blade from your left wrist. You slowly turned around

“You should have stayed away, Y/n. But you still have to die” Wayne said.

“Or you can turn yourself in,” You said.

“Funny guy,” Wayne said.

You turn slowly before he pulled the trigger, you sued the hidden blade to cut his forearm. He drops the gun and screams in pain then you stabbed him in the chest. He falls to the floor then you turned around and you glare at Richie.

“You ruined everything, Y/n” Richie yelled.

He stabbed Tara in the stomach and then pushed her over the rail. But she managed to grab the rail but Richie starts to run away. You run towards Tara and you grabbed her hand. But Sam went after Richie and she took your dagger.

“Don’t let go!” You said.

“I can't hold on any longer” Tara cries.

“I got you!” You said.

You use all your strength and you pulled her over the rail. You had pressure on the wound

“I will explain later, I promise,” You said.

“You better tell me the fucking truth, Y/n,” Tara said.

You nod then you put on the mask, then go help Sam. But she killed him and she aims the gun at you.

“Are you really going to do this?” You asked.

You and Sam hear the cops running in the building. They are yelling freeze, then you used smoke bombs to escape. Sam and the cops start to cough. Sam and Tara are taken to the hospital.

✬ ✬ ✬ ✯

Tara has been in the hospital for days, while she was there you didn't call or visit her. Only Sam and her friends went to see Tara. But she has been thinking about you and the relationship, she is feeling overwhelmed.

“Has he come to visit?” Sam asked.

“No. And he hasn't called or texted me” Tara said.

“What are you going to do?” Sam asked.

“I don't know. I know you want me to break up with him” Tara said.

“Yeah, I want you to date someone else. Right now, just focus on getting better” Sam said.

“Yeah,” Tara said.

----

Tara went to your place and you are happy to see her.

“I'm sorry, I haven't called or visited you at the hospital. I wasn't sure if you wanted to see me” You said.

“I get it. Y/n, but I need you to tell me the truth and I mean everything” Tara said.

“Okay. I lied about my past because it was complicated. Since I was two years old, I was thought to be an assassin. I never experienced normal birthdays or holidays or my mom taking me to buy ice cream. I would train from dawn until nighttime or I would be forced to train without sleep. My mom and my grandpa were the leaders of the cult. And when I got older I moved around and stayed away from them. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to lose you” You said.

You went to the room and you show the outfit. Then you take out the weapons and she is speechless.

“I'm in shock,” Tara said.

“There is a reason we haven't had sex,” You said.

“Why?” Tara asked.

You take off your shirt then your pants, now you just have on your briefs. You have many scars all over your body

“I didn't feel comfortable being naked, because of my scars,” You said.

“You got the scars from the training?” Tara asked

“Yes and some from fighting my enemies,” You said.

“You don't have many friends? When I went through your phone, I saw a number and it was a butcher shop but you called over ten times” Tara said.

“No, I don't have a lot of friends. I have some online friends and one in real life. I figured out, that you went through my phone. I saw the tracking app and I deleted it. Oh about that, to make money I hunt down bad guys and kill them for a fee” You said.

“You can't be fucking serious,” Tara said.

“I’m not lying about that. If you don't want to date me then it's fine and I will understand. I don't want you to feel like I'm forcing you to date me. When I met you, I knew you are the one for me. I'm sorry I lied” You said.

She walked towards you, gently put her hand on your cheek and you slightly bend down then she starts to kiss you. You don't stop her and you are kissing her back.

“You still can be my boyfriend” Tara smiled.

“Cool. Do you want to stay? Or we can go out to eat?” You said.

“Put your clothes back on. And your scars don't change my feelings how I feel about you, Y/n and I still think you are cute” Tara said.

You start to put your clothes back on. You and Tara go out to eat while walking to the restaurant you and Tara hold hands.

[gamergirlbonestaskforce141riot]

Chapter 12 Nemo dat quot non habet (No one gives what they do not have) - Cartagena Part 5

Sorry for the lateness, people, lots of shit going on

Taglist: @glitterypirateduck @letsreadallday @jamesrifftapes @mmyrrhh @sofasoap @sinyaaa

Dedicated to my lovely anon, whose asks help me a lot with stablishing lore and give me strength to continue writing. These last weeks have been awful, but seeing my inbox full with your asks and Nrds make me smile. I'll get to them now that this is out of the way

Warnings: None, rotten fluff. It got too long so I split the chapter

Previous / Masterlist / Next

‘‘Again’’ Ghost grumbled, pointing with the pencil at the sheet of paper lying among them on the kitchen table. ‘‘We’ll stop here to gear up and split up’’

On the paper there was a crude map of Mejía’s house location, drawn by Soap from memory with Riot’s help, and a big part of the roads and rolling hills around.

‘‘You and I will go to the point you think will be best for you to cover the perimeter with your sniper rifle’’ Soap leaned in, grabbing the pencil from Ghost’s hand and marking a small X on the top of a certain hill. ‘‘This one seemed to be the highest. On the other hand, this house here has more floors and seemed to be empty’’

‘‘Looked vacant, no security system either’’ The Lieutenant nodded, recovering the pencil and marking the house as well. There were already a collection of little marks all over the paper, where they had been discussing the different points of interest. ‘‘We’ll check the hill first just in case, but if it’s not high enough I’ll climb the roof’’

‘‘Then we’ll drive up to the house and check the inside before searching whatever it is that Captain Rico was looking for when he had Mejía killed’’ Gabi added, too cheerfully to Ghost’s liking, but ah well, that was her nature. Johnny was looking at her with fondness, with that same stupid look in his baby blue eyes that Tommy had when he was courting Beth.

Shaking his head, Ghost turned his gaze towards Riot, whose right knee was bouncing lightly, pressed against his thigh beneath the table. The mention of her former CEO had darkened her eyes, now lost somewhere on the paper but not really seeing anything. Arms crossed, jaw clenched, no doubt fantasizing with how many bullets she’d put into the bastard’s skull.

The sun had barely risen over the horizon when they all had got up to have breakfast and gather around the table to review the plan.

There were a lot of unknowns. A lot of open space around the house, neighbours, prying eyes and ears. It should be done quickly so they could disappear just as quick, vanishing before the police or Guardia Civil could be called.

‘‘We should have everything here ready to go. And change cars again before leaving for Granada’’ Riot murmured at last, leaning forward and grabbing the pencil, making small marks on the paper as she spoke. ‘‘We’ll leave the van here, to cover the house entrance. The position you are aiming for is one that allows you to see the back of the house and the back garden, where the explosion happened’’

‘‘Then the roof will be better. I’ll have a more direct angle and a wider range of action’’ Ghost nodded, and gently took the pencil back from her hand, seeing the way she was gripping it. ‘‘In and out, you two. The second you sense something’s wrong, I want you two out of the house and down the road, are we clear?’’

Gabi nodded swiftly, but Riot smiled tiredly, looking up at him.

‘‘We need to find whatever Gonzalo had, Laswell wants it’’

‘‘I don’t give a flying fuck about what Laswell wants or not. You’re entering there with a civilian, which is like going in alone with a hand tied to your back’’ Ghost ignored the outraged squeak coming from Gabi, his hard brown eyes staring right into the blue-gray irises that made him loose sleep. ‘‘The very second you feel something isn’t right you are getting out of here, or we’ll have words. Don’t make me get down there to drag you out’’

‘‘Oh, you would do that?’’ Her smile widened, just as tired and sad as before, and he felt a strange, passing moment of his heart aching when the scar on her face twisted and pulled from the corner of her lips, making her smile even more uneven.

‘‘March down there and toss you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes to get you out, you stubborn brat?’’ He leaned forward, ignoring Gabi’s giggles and the shit eating grin that Soap was showing, until their noses almost touched. ‘‘Try me’’

‘‘I’ll take your word on it’’ Christine rolled her eyes, but her smile seemed to be more sincere then. More genuine. Almost flirty. Chuckling deeply, Ghost straightened up and looked at Johnny, pointing at him with the pencil.

‘‘If something happens you’re on the move to check on it and terminate whatever it is’’

Soap nodded solemnly, still sporting his usual grin, but his baby blue eyes were as serious as they always were when discussing important things. Ghost was glad he could count on him.

‘‘Good’’ The Lieutenant nodded, leaving the pencil on the table and then bringing the paper to the kitchen sink to light it up with his lighter. ‘‘Pack up, check we’ve emptied the place, and off we go. Wheels up in fifteen tops’’

The other three murmured their agreement and the group separated to go check their belongings. Most had been packed already the moment the had got up from bed, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.

Ghost leaned against the bathroom’s open door, observing Riot as she brushed her hair, with the intention of tying it up in the usual bun she wore while on duty.

‘‘I meant it’’

Christine smiled at him, looking at him through the mirror’s reflection with a bunch of bobby pins caught between her teeth, busy trying to keep the loose strands in place.

‘‘I know’’ With a soft, quiet giggle, she continued with her task, comfortable with his presence. Simon was looking down at the crown of her head, almost transfixed. The domesticity of the situation wasn’t lost to him.

He continued looking, listening to her hum and frown at herself on the mirror, trying to keep the bun in place and brushing back loose strands from her face to pin them too. His fingers itched to reach forward and sink in her hair, pull from it, bring her back towards his body so he would lean in and bury his masked face in it, and drown in the scent of her shampoo. In her scent.

But they had a job to do.

‘‘How does it look from the back?’’

Simon blinked slowly, taking him a couple of seconds to understand her question, and shrugged.

‘‘Looks good to me’’

On the mirror, Christine’s brows raised almost to her hairline, feigning surprise and offense, and his shoulders tensed up. What had he done now?

‘‘Only good? Aw’’ Her voice sounded uncharacteristically whiny, but the sly grin curving her lips betrayed her. Simon relaxed and chuckled, shaking his head.

‘‘Are we talking about your hair?’’

‘‘I don’t know, are we?’’ Her coy smile made him bark a short laugh, and he straightened up from his position leaning against the door to devour the small distance between them with just a step. Her back to his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head. Trying not to think how close her body was, and how easy it would be to close his arms around her and never let go.

‘‘I prefer your hair down’’ Simon rumbled, resting his hands on the sink at each side of her. Caging her in. Christine didn’t complain, and the fleeting moment of stiffness was so brief that he didn’t notice, or if he did, said nothing. She just smiled at him on the mirror, with the faintest hint of pink blossoming on her cheeks.

‘‘Difficult to justify, wearing a police uniform’’ God, he was so close. So warm. Towering over her in his dark hoodie and jeans, only needing to put on the rest of his gear and the full mask to become Ghost again.

Simon tutted, half joking and half truly displeased, and buried his covered nose in her hair, unable to resist the temptation. Christine left the brush aside and placed her hands on his, on the sink, pushing back just slightly to feel herself more enveloped in his warmth.

Dark brown eyes met blue-grey ones on the mirror when Simon looked down at her again. Slowly, his right hand left the sink, with hers still on top, and splayed open over her belly to bring her even further back against his chest, pulling her flush to him.

‘‘Belarus was different’’ His voice was lower than before. The bathroom’s door was open, and they both could hear the chatter coming from the master bedroom as Johnny and Gabi finished collecting their things. The fifteen minutes had been up a bit ago. ‘‘We were alone, in the open. Now you’ll be inside a building with a civilian’’

Christine nodded softly, looking up at him. Her heart was beating faster, the dark shadow inside her gnawing at her organs, bellowing in her ears to get away, to push him away, to escape. But she forced herself to stay in place, her hand still on top of his now over her belly, feeling his scorching warmth even through her top.

‘‘I’ll be prudent’’ She felt the rumble against her back when he chuckled, with his chin still on top of her head. ‘‘Don’t laugh at me, I promise I will be careful’’

‘‘No plan resists the contact with the enemy’’ Simon murmured darkly, with a deep sigh. There was something in the back of his skull. Picking at his brain. Something that told him that something wasn’t right, that something didn’t add up. The same feeling he had since Laswell and Gabi explained thee plan back at base.

‘‘We’ll make do’’ Christine shrugged, her fingertips now tracing his knuckles, feeling the scars of past fights engraved in his skin. ‘‘I have a bad feeling about all this though’’

‘‘You too?’’ He chuckled again, relaxing his shoulders slightly. If someone else had the same feeling, maybe he wasn’t that crazy. Or maybe both of them were crazy. He didn’t know what idea amused him the most.

‘‘I always expect the worst…’’ She started saying, but Simon was quick to finish the sentence.

‘‘… that way I’m never surprised’’ He smirked under the mask, glad to hear her quiet laugh. From the other side of the wall, they could hear Soap and Gabi dragging their suitcases to the entrance of the apartment. ‘‘Good to know we’re on the same page’’

‘‘Are we going to be one of those obnoxious…’’ Christine interrupted herself before saying couple. Were they? How could they not? They were acting like one except on the physical sense. She wondered if he would ever get tired of waiting. She wondered if she would get tired of waiting.

Simon felt the same uncertainty at her words, but the way his own brain finished the sentence had him feeling something that he had believed dormant, extinguished, for years.

Hope.

‘‘… obnoxious couples that finish each other’s sentences?’’ He rumbled a low laugh, one of those that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand out and a shiver in her gut.

‘‘Yeah’’ Christine nodded softly, the pink hue on her cheeks a bit darker now and one of her small, shy smiles. The ones that were rare to see and so different from her usual cheeky one. ‘‘One of those that are always together, do everything together, and are absolutely disgusting to see’’

Simon laughed, sincerely for once, and raised his left hand to brush a rebellious strand of her hair back to place.

‘‘You might get tired of me before getting there, lovie’’ He laughed harder when she swatted his arm, pretending to be offended, and pointed a finger at him.

‘‘No refunds, Lieutenant, you’re stuck with this mess’’ Her blush deepened. She felt stupid, he thought it was adorable. His own ears were as red as hers, and the parts of his face that were visible were blushing, too.

Simon leaned forward to brush his covered lips over her ear, pulling her closer to his chest, and grinned to himself when he felt her tremble.

‘‘No refunds, Sergeant’’

Soap started calling from them, and reluctantly, Simon let go of her, straightening up. Christine sighed and checked her hair was in place one last time before starting to gather her toiletries.

‘‘Wheels up in five’’

[fandomnerd9602]

Wolf Spider pt. 4

Sam Carpenter x Spider-Man!Reader

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Ghostface wasn't supposed to know where you were. And now because of that, Anika's life was now on the precipice of life and death. You switched back into your civilian clothing and rushed back to the hospital.

You ran into the waiting room to find Sam, Tara, Ethan, Mindy, and Chad. Mindy was crying her eyes out as she rushed up and started wailing away at your chest, trying to somehow punch you. A fool's errand due to your enhanced spider strength. But your friend was in pain, as much as you, she needed this.

"You bastard!" Mindy practically screamed through her tears, "where were you?! Why didn't you come sooner?!?"

"I'm sorry" was all you could say as Chad gently pulled his sister away from you.

"Doctors said Anika was stable but she's in a coma" Tara explains as she tries to remain calm from the nearby waiting room couch.

"Can't you call any more of your spider friends?" Chad asks

"Spider Society. And no" you whisper, "they'll define anything as a canon event. they're of no use, we're on our own"

"I wouldn't say on your own" a familiar female voice answers back, you turn and come face to face with Gale Weathers or as you know her-

"Hey Aunt Gale" you smile

"D-Do they know about-?" She makes a webslinging movement with her hands.

"We know" Sam answers back. "Hey Gale. Thanks for not publishing that story by the way"

"Dewey would've killed me if I did" Gale chuckles, "and Sidney would've sucker punched me." Gale gives you, Sam, and Tara quick hugs.

"She always had a mean right hook" you smile back.

It's then that you saw the ambulance pull in, the EMTs emerge with a gurney. On the gurney was Quinn, in a comatose state. Detective Bailey and a young woman followed close behind.

"Quinn?!" you tried to approach the gurney but Bailey grabs you.

"It's a medically induced coma" he answers, "s-she's stable but-" the older man begins to cry. You give him a little side hug. No father should be put through this kind of pain. You turn to the young woman, blonde, average height but you could tell there was a fire in her eyes.

"I'm FBI Special Agent Kirby Reed" the young woman introduces herself. "I've been tracking Ghostface sightings for years now."

"Cool" you huff, "there's gonna be a bunch of them in like two days time. Bunch of masked freaks"

"You referring to the Wolf Spider as well?" Kirby smirks, "I'm just glad we got one masked good guy at least"

"Not to dash the moment" Ethan interjects, "but where are we gonna stay? It's not like we have any safe spaces right now"

You give it some thought, you had to keep them safe, "I-I think I might know a place" you say.

You guide your friends, family, and a detective and an FBI agent to your hidden little apartment located in a clock tower. The whole housing area was right above the gigantic gears that ran the tower, surprisingly its very quiet.

The space was fairly big. Two stories, well a living room on the first story and a master bedroom on the second. Two futon couches, a bed upstairs, a TV, a simple bathroom and kitchen set up. And of course your makeshift research lab by the window which overlooked all of New York.

"This is your lair?" Mindy asks, "Like the Web?"

"The Watch Tower" you answer, "but I'm not gonna lie, the Web sounds cooler"

"How did you afford this?" Bailey asks with a chuckle, "I can't even afford rent in New York as it is."

"Saved some rich dude," you shrug, "It's his old apartment and he had it gifted to me. It's more of a base of operations. You'll be safe here."

You pull out the futons' beds. "Chad, Mindy, the futons are yours. Tara, Sam, bed's all yours"

"And what about you?" Sam asks

"Now's not the time for you two to get all romantic," Chad tries to interject but you lightly sock him in the arm.

"I have my ways" you form a hammock with some webbing. Bailey chuckles.

"I got my apartment closeby" Gale answers as she walks to the door. She gives you a quick nod before heading out.

"What about me?" Ethan asks as you throw a sleeping bag at him. The young college student sighs, "Right. I'm still a suspect"

You make sure everyone gets settled in for the night. You notice Kirby inspecting your lab set up. She admires your web shooters in particular.

"Can't tell you how many suspects I could apprehend with these. Quite a set up you got here" she smirks, "we could use you on the force"

"Too many rules" you smirk back, "besides these powers are my responsibility. And don't go telling your friends at Langley, I don't need the FBI trying to experiment on me"

"My lips are sealed" she answers back. "Glad to be working with you, Wolf Spider"

You make your way back to the bedroom, Tara's already sleeping peacefully. Sam not so much. She rises from the bed and you pull her into a hug. She breathes in your scent, just being in your arms brings her some ounce of peace. Her hands rub gentle circles on your back, like a soothing balm on your very soul. How your being ached for her touch.

"Promise you won't leave me again" she whispers. You give her a peck on the lips.

"I promise." you answer back. "I love you Sam, I won't let anyone ever hurt you again"

"I love you, my Wolf Spider"

Sam drifts off to sleep as you sneak out of the room later that night. You needed to clear your head. What you failed to notice as you snuck past your sleeping friends and family was that one of the genetically engineered spiders you kept in your lab, had snuck out of it's containment unit. And it had set up a little web right above your pal, Chad. The iridescent arachnid slowly made its way down to the sleeping jock.

You made your way to rooftop overlooking all of New York. You could only breath in and out. Ghostface wouldn't rest until Sam and Tara were dead.

Your mind was racing with so many variables. Canon events. What if losing Sam and Tara was a part of your web? Was it really something that you couldn't stop? What if your aunt Gale was another person you couldn't save? Was your fate truly set in stone? Would Ghostface take everything away from you?

We'll go after Ghostface first, The symbiote hisses, Let me take control. I'll have his head by morning.

"No" you shake your head, "I won't let you. Not after last time...Venom."

"Talkin' to yourself ain't gonna help, mate" a familiar British voice chuckles from behind you. The only one standing behind you was dressed in a punk rock outfit, spike studded boots, his guitar on his back and his denim vest adorned with little anarchist pins. He offers you a mischievous smile.

"I thought you weren't supposed to interfere" you smile before turning to face your interdimensional best pal, Hobie 'Spider-Punk' Brown.

"You know I don't listen to authority, bruv" Hobie gives you a bro hug. "now let's work on catchin' your ghost"

To Be Continued...

Tags: @deafeningsharkslimeempath @ma1egamer @jacelion @jadenyukiyusakufujikiyutoduelist @jacksonandjacksonville @sonicqaulan

[whorangi1104]

Ghoap AU: Frozen Hearts and Electric Souls

Chapter 8: Ghost Town

“Graves is bringing heavy reinforcements. They’ll need room.”

“My base is your base.”

“Good. Now where’s the Apollyon sightings?”

“All over the place. Seems to be rampaging across the continent. While we’re chasing them in the west they appear in the east.”

“So that’s why we needed Shadow Company.”

Ghost and Soap had followed the colonel into the humvees where they were introduced to his second in command, Sergeant Major Rodolf Parra, A.K.A. Rudy for short. They were given three barracks rooms in total, one for lasswell, one for Price and Gaz, and one for Ghost and Soap, grouped by their respective prowlers. (Surprise surprise, Zephyr doesn’t get along with the species that hunted her kind for more than a few hours.) But since Simon would get some more time with Johnny, he didn’t really mind the yellow furball streaking up the walls so much. In fact, in the few days they had been there, Johnny had showed him a sketchbook with detailed drawings of parts of Scotland, England, and Mexico, along with sketches of who he assumed to be Johnny’s family and friends, which he saw and painfully thought of Tommy and Joseph, but pushed the memories back behind the cold metal gate at the back of his mind. There were even some sketches of the 141, and doodles to go along with them as well. He full heartedly agreed with the comparisons of Price and papa smurf, the similarities being uncanny. Although Johnny had seemed to purposefully skip over some pages, he assumed their contents to be more private, so they were of no concern to him. But he still hoped one day, Johnny might decide to share their contents with him.

—

Soap understood that it was pure luck that he and Simon were assigned the same room, and especially thanked Cheeto for being what he was, and gave him extra treats for the week. While Cheeto managed to get Phantom to wrestle with him, Johnny shared the contents of his sketchbook with Simon, except for the pages where he had drawn him in some… more than friendly ways. And, apparently, Ghost had probably a million too many extra balaclavas, and he even managed to find two that Simon had accidentally misplaced in Johnny’s bag instead of his own, not that Soap was in any hurry to return them. It was also the first time Johnny noticed Simon had a scent- a hint of cigars and the fruitiness of bourbon, a tad of tea, and something Johnny can’t seem to put his finger on, not musty, but not fresh either, but comforting. Every time he sees the dirty bastard in his plain black sweats and hoodie with the only decoration being the words ‘LT. Ghost’ sewn above the heart, Johnny has the urge to bury his head in Simon's chest and just… exist. Simply feel the beating of their hearts and that comforting scent that reminds him of home even though he’s never detected it anywhere else before. And to gently lift the mask of Ghost to reveal-

“Earth to Johnny.”

“Huh?”

“Dreaming of Scotland?”

“Uh, yeah. It’s cooler up there.”

“Well you’re gonna have to deal with it, we just got a ping on the location of some of the bloody Apollyons, and we’re wheels up ASAP.”

“Don’t know whether I should be excited or scared.”

“Probably a combination of both. Hurry up and get your gear on.”

“Sir yes sir.”

“And add a scarf or something, desert winds might get bad.”

“Sure thing.”

“Maybe some eye protection too.”

“Fine.”

“And wear a helmet.”

“Olright, ye can stop yer naggin ya wanker.”

….

With a screech and squeal of the tires, the humvees stopped on the crumbling road of the ruined town, with Soap getting out after Ghost, raising his AK. The town had been a small ecosystem of people, but now there was no one in sight. An unnatural fog hung over the place, through which they could only see the crumbling buildings to the end of the street, giving it the appearance of a ghost town.

“This looks like some bloody horror movie shite, LT.”

“Looks about as inviting as my childhood home.”

“Sounds like a happy house. Recon those damned pollys left any survivors?”

Gaz flipped over a half torn newspaper on the ground, and read the date. It was from just this morning.

“The Apollyons cleared this town within hours, probably less. And without a single body in sight.”

Price approached them after talking with Graves and Alejandro,

“The shadows are going to scope the route to town square and forward, the Los Vaqueros are taking the west side of the town, we’re clearing the east.”

“Yessir.”

As they continued through the town in wedge formation, with Price in front, Soap to the left of him, Gaz to the right, and Ghost trailing behind Soap, he always seemed to see the shadows flicker and move, but when he turned his gun on them, the shadows were always empty of life just like the rest of the town, and Soap chalked it up to being paranoid. Occasionally there would be sounds other than the crunch of gravel beneath their feet, such as the call of a lone wolf somewhere far off, or the crack of rock from some mountain they couldn’t see, but it never failed to send a shiver down his spine. Completed with the otherwise silent and lifelessness of it all and fog, it felt as if he was walking through the abandoned city of Atlantis or some shite. Wouldn’t be too surprised if a statue of a mermaid appeared out of the mist. Maybe those few inventions of his would come in handy here if it came to that. Suddenly, Price’s radio crackled to life.

*crackle* “Shadow…to Bravo…copy?”

“Bad signal, message incomplete, I repeat, message incomplete, over.”

“No signal…Vaqueros…town square…clear…” *crackle*

“Shadow, repeat message?”

*crackle* *fizz*

“Damnit, lost signal. Sounds like the same thing happened to Los Vaqueros. We’ll just have to keep going. Keep your eyes and ears peeled in case we see any sign of them… or a lack of signs.”

Soap perked up his ears and suddenly heard a low rumble, but it didn’t even sound remotely like rocks or anything that occurred in nature, it was more of a reverberating call that shook him to the bone, more vibration than sound, like-

“JOHNNY GET DOWN!!”

And the last thing Soap saw was a dark mass with a flash of white ramming into him from behind with a earsplitting shriek rising into the air.

I feel like this chapter was the best by far. Writing block overcame!

[usafphantom2]

SAC Crew Dog Alert Stories: An Introduction - Part 1

In 1989, I spent a lot of time trying to explain to my family what being on Alert was. The fire house analogy was the only one I could come up with. For seven days straights, a couple of times a month, we would move into the Alert Facility also known as the Shack and for the most part, sit around and do nothing. This story is how I remember it now, 30 years later.

The Shack was a building, in the fenced area at the end of the runway. It was built right next to the “Tree”, a aircraft parking location designed to make it very easy to takeoff in just a few minutes and from the air, it looks like a simple drawing of a tree.

We started our Alert tour on Wednesdays. So, we’d show up on Wednesday morning around Zero Seven Hundred (7:00 am for you civies) and park in the lot outside the fence and drag all the sh*t we would need for the week, clothes, books, razor, soap, shampoo, etc, plus all our professional gear, helmet bag, publications (a big heavy briefcase.)

At Loring Air Force Base (AFB) in Maine (ME), we had seven tankers on Alert. There are four crew positions, Aircraft Command, Copilot, Navigator and the Boom Operator, and this meant there were 26 other crew dogs doing the same thing as you. Some were married or had girlfriends who would drop them off and say goodbye, others were single, like me and we’d drive our cars there. One guy used to show up on his snow mobile occasionally, and another guy, who was a HAM Radio guy used to arrive in his RV with radio antennae’s sticking out of it all over the place (another funny story.)

The Shack was build was built partially underground. The bottom floor was where all the quarters were. There were three main hallways, with a couple of crossing hallways to connect them, and probably about 80 single rooms. Originally, the B-52s had also pulled Alert, they had six crew member per crew and maybe six or eight aircraft on Alert, but Loring had become a Conventional Bomber base during to one of the Start treaties, so the bombers were no longer there, thank the Lord.

The second floor in the Shack was above ground, and it was the main area. It had windows. The main entry door was at one end of the building, all other external doors were Exit only. There was a briefing room, a chow hall, various recreation rooms with TV’s and couches, and then an area for doing classified stuff that I could tell you about, but then I’d have to kill you. Classified briefing could be given in the main briefing room as well.

So, after you dragged all your sh*t, up the hill, showed your badge to get in the gate, then continue dragging your sh*t the rest of the way up the hill and into the main entry, show your badge again, get your room assignment, and drag your sh*t down to your room (seeing a theme here?) and sort it out, then it was time to get to work.

Time to find your crew and get to the briefing held at Zero Eight Hundred (8:00 am) sharp. And I do mean sharp. Time hacks, the process of synchronizing your watch with the master timekeeper (usually a Navigator) was a big thing, was a very important thing and seconds mattered.

The presenter of the briefing would brief us. Thinking about it, I can’t really remember what they talked about. Most of the time I was half asleep, I do remember that, but not on change over day. They’d discuss the weather, what crazy Ivan was doing, status of the airplanes, stuff like that and when they finished, it was time to head off to the aircraft.

The airplanes were kept at the Cage. Tankers weren’t allowed to use the Tree (even though it was empty), because… well… because we were tanker Toads. We didn’t drop bombs, so we weren’t really all that important (until they needed gas that is.) Our parking location was across the runway in the other fenced off parking area. In order to get in, you had to be Pre-Announced (another funny story) and the AC or Copilot would usually call over and let them know we were coming.

While someone was calling over, the Boom would get the keys to our Alert Truck. Each crew had their own truck, a Ford or Chevy Crew Cab 4 door pickup. There were also a few extras that could be borrowed if you were important enough, but mostly each crew had to share amongst themselves.

The Boom always drove the truck when the crew was together. It was tradition, and God help the Aircraft Commander who tried to buck it. Next stop, the Cage to preflight the aircraft.

(I missed a part here… so I’m adding it now) When going to airplane to pre-flight it, you also needed to bring all your professional sh*t, oh, I mean gear. It was a big bag, filled with cold weather gear and other stuff. Bigger than a duffle bag, and heavier too. It had to have all the correct stuff in it, or else. And from time to time, they would actually check it, so you couldn’t skimp. It had to be dragged out of the truck, up the crew entry chute (a ladder to get you to the flight deck) and then secured (tied down) to the floor in the back of the aircraft. Four bag, one for each crew member, and one more for the flying crew chief. Getting one of the themes here? We were always dragging our sh*t around all over the place.

The aircraft was always, and I mean ALWAYS, ready to takeoff. The entire pre-flight right up the step where they Start Engines was already accomplished, but there were a couple of exceptions. For instance, you could not leave the battery switch on because that would kill the batteries. Each and every morning, you had to go to the aircraft and make sure that everything was up to snuff. With Loring having a cold climate with lots of snow and very low temperatures, we had a few extra things that needed to be done. The engines had to be covered to keep snow and ice out of them, and the wings had to be kept clear too.

Although we had crew chiefs to take care of the airplane, the decent thing to do was to give them a hand if it was needed, operationally, the brass wanted everything ready and they didn’t care who, or how and why, just get it done. Being the only enlisted member on the crew, it was often the Boom who was elected (or just plain old ordered) to help them out, but only after we’d finished our part of the pre-flight.

In my early days, we were still flying on the KC-135 A model which did not have a usable Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and used Injected Water to provide additional thrust for takeoff. Water freezes – and Loring is cold, so the water needs to be heated. That was my job, and the crew chiefs and, you guessed it, it sucked. An external power cart, known as a Hobart, needed to be plugged into the aircraft. The electrical power it provided enabled the use of the water heaters, which probably used enough energy to light up the entire base. There was a warning in the Dash One (the Bible that told us all about the KC-135) that said, “Do NOT turn on all the water heater switch at the same time.” There were five heaters and a switch for each one.

Rumors had it that once upon a time, a boom did exactly this, and the load caused the Hobart to flip over and die. (Hobarts are big, probably weighing 5,000 lbs) Not good, especially on Alert, where THE AIRPLANE MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO TAKEOFF!

Fortunately, water was not always needed. If the temperature got very low, the engines didn’t need it. But, unfortunately, the only way to get rid of the water was to dump it out of the bottom of the airplane and onto the ramp where it promptly froze into the shape of a very nice skating rink. Lovely.

The airplanes were fueled up to the maximum Emergency War Order (EWO) takeoff weight, which was right around 290,000 lbs. A bit more was added, allowing for the fuel burned off while taxi’ing. They were very heavy, and it was hard on the airplanes having them sit on the ramp with all this weight.

So, moving on, we’d get the preflight complete and head back to the Alert facility. There was ground training to be done and briefings to attend. First, studying your mission. You need to know where you were going, who you were refueling, and where you were landing (or bailing out as the case might be.) They weren’t kidding, you really needed to know. There was a test! And if you failed it, it was a disaster, I mean, they’d run you out town on the rails! You’d be the laughingstock of all your peers. (I really want to use the term “No Joke” but somebody has ruined that statement.)

So, you did your studying and after that it was usually lunchtime. Hmm, personally, I always thought the chow hall food was good. But then again, I think any food prepared by some else is good. I can’t stand cooking, and this worked out well when I was in the Air Force because someone else always did the cooking.

Lunch was also always a very social event. Long tables with crews sitting together inevitably lead to storytelling, and let me tell you, some of the guys were superb. They would have us in stitches for hours. Sometime the stories were sad, sometimes funny, but they were always entertaining, and they became the lore over time, being repeated and discussed over the years.

Somebody actually created a book, handwritten, with text and drawings, which included many of those stories that was kept down in the crew quarters. I wish to the Lord above; I had that book. It was gold. It was passed around, amongst the crew members to read during the huge amount of time they had when they were just doing nothing.

And I think at this point, lunch time, I’ll end Part 1. Stay tuned for Part 2 which will start with:

A Nap

Photos:

KC-135 62-3580 – The Moose Is Loose (not sure it was an A or an R as this point)

View of the flight line in the summertime, around 1992-4

@tcamp202 via X

[starxrocket11]

The power inside of you - ROTTMNT One-shot Leosagi

Small but important info first. This Jotaro belongs to @thewitchwannabe!! CW: Attempted kidnapping, minor injuries. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was supposed to be a calm night. 

He was coming home after spending the day between helping with a few crimes and also working part-time at the Hidden City Hospital. He thought he would just eat dinner with his family while Jotaro talked about everything he did in school that day, discuss their plans for the weekend and maybe have his weekly gaming session online with his brothers as normal. 

That was the plan, at least until his communicator started to blast an alarm that put him on edge immediately, holding up his wristband only to hear the worried voice of his twin. 

“Leo! It’s the foot clan!” Donnie sounded like they were running. He could hear Raph’s voice in the background. “I thought that we got rid of the last group, but it turns out that they were preparing for a bigger job! There are a lot of them! I’m sending you the location now.” 

He looked up only to see his husband already on the move, grabbing his sword. He got up, immediately getting his arm, connecting it to the port, and started putting his gear on.

“We’re on our way, Donnie. Do not engage until I get there, we need a plan” He waited until he received the affirmative from his twin before cutting the communication. 

“Dad? What’s going on?” 

Leo turned around to find his 10-year-old son looking between them with a worried look in his eyes. 

“Your uncles are in a bit of trouble but don’t worry, we’ll be back soon.” Seeing the tense look in Jotaro’s eyes, he got down on one knee and put one hand on his son’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s gonna be ok, we’ll be back before you notice. We’ll drop you off at Miss Foster’s and then-“ Jotaro cut him off. 

“No, Dad! I’m not a baby anymore! I can wait for you guys here. I know the rules!” He said determined.

Leo doubted, looking over at Usagi, who seemed to think about it for a second. They needed to go, and Jotaro had recently been determined to prove that he was not a little kid anymore. They didn’t have time to argue with the child. He just started his samurai and ninja training a couple of months ago, and their house was protected by a mystic spell, courtesy of Mikey.

That didn’t remove Leo’s uneasiness.

His husband crouched beside him and put a hand on top of Jotaro’s head. 

“Alright, but you have your emergency button with you at all times, make sure that everything is closed-“ Usagi was now cut off.

“And not touch anything in the kitchen unless it’s the cereals if I’m hungry, and if I don’t feel safe, I’ll run to Miss Foster’s house.” The boy said with a smile, happy to get what he wanted. 

Miss Foster was a fox yokai that lived down the mountain where they lived, having her little sisters living with her and they went to the same school as Jotaro. She had taken care of Jotaro multiple times in the past when both Leo and Usagi were out on missions. 

With a sigh, Leo left a kiss on his son’s forehead and stood up.

“Alright, but be careful, and no staying awake until too late,” He said, swinging his sword down and a blue portal appearing in front of him. 

“Got it! You guys go kick bad guy butt!” Jotaro said as Usagi put him down after a hug. His ears stood up and his little tail moved from the excitement of seeing his parents looking so cool. 

After one determined look from his husband, they crossed the portal to the location Donnie had given, which ended up being the roof of a warehouse close to the docks. 

“Good for you to join us, brother. Hi, Usagi.” Said Donnie while being in a crouched position, eyes locked on his wristband. 

“Usagi!” Mikey immediately went for a hug from Usagi, who happily returned the hug. He was only looking at his big brother when he let out a dramatic gasp “Oh, Hi Leo”

The slider just let out a chuckle, patting his little brother on the head and giving a fist bump to his siblings, before officially shifting to leader mode. 

“Don, what do we got?” From their position, they could see many people moving boxes from one of the warehouses to trucks, nothing indicating actually being the foot clan. 

“After the small groups of the clan were slowly dissolved by Casey and Junior, we found nothing of them for a good year and a half. April got a tip from very suspicious activity running around, and after some other stuff, we found that they have been building the whole clan in secret and now they’re transporting mystic artifacts” They took their goggles off and gave them to Leo so he could take a look. 

He now could see all the mystic energy coming from the boxes and all the foot clan logos on people's shirts and even the boxes, but it seemed to be hidden from the normal eye. 

“It seems that they actually learned stealth now, but I could give a deeper scan to some of the boxes and… they’re all teleportation or portal type of artifact, all related to moving through time and space” The tone of voice of the softshell was enough for Leo to know what they were thinking. 

“Leo, you think that maybe…” His older brother inquired, standing next to him. An uneasy but determined expression on his face. 

“I think so, but the question is: is it possible?” He took off the goggles and passed them back to his twin, now turning to look at Mikey. 

Mikey, after almost two decades of actively practicing and studying mysticism under Draxum’s watch, was the one with the most knowledge on the subject. 

“It shouldn’t, I haven’t heard about any artifact that is capable of that. But if they’re collecting so many… I could think that maybe they’re collecting energy for something else. Either way, I really don’t like it”

Leo agreed with the youngest. Anything that could even come close to thinking about them coming back needed to be shut down immediately. 

The number of people he could see was high, but it wasn’t something they haven’t dealt with before. For this kind of thing, he didn’t mind blowing up some stuff. After having the plan on his mind, he turned back to his family. 

“Don, Mikey, plant some mystic bombs on those trucks, we’re not leaving anything that they could use. Raph, go cover them and deal with the humans closer to the trucks. Usagi and I will go to the warehouse and buy you guys time so you can plant the bombs. Give the signal when you’re done and we get out of there.” 

Everyone gave a firm nod and they went into position. 

Leo and Usagi went to the back of the warehouse and could see from behind some containers how the Foot commander was giving orders around, but they couldn’t see Brute anywhere. 

Something wasn’t right, he could feel it in his gut, but they needed to find out what the hell was going on. 

They both entered the scene, one of Leo’s swords casually against his shoulder and Usagi still tense, but with a sly smile on his face. Still looking down from one of the containers. 

“Wow, you guys went back to the shoe-selling business?” He said, now having all eyes on them. 

Commander let out a frustrated groan. 

“Well but if it isn’t the biggest pain in my butt” We walked to the front and gave them an unimpressed look. “It’s been a while, that’s for sure” 

“I think we haven’t seen you since Warren and Hypno’s wedding?” Wondered his husband. 

“Oh yeah, I thought you guys were going to sell cupcakes and brownies with Cass, you know? Finally stopping villainy and letting us live in peace?” His stance was casual, but he was completely aware of his sibling’s mystic energy outside the warehouse. 

“We would love to, but we do have… unattended matters” His face immediately changed to something sinister. Before Leo even could say anything, he was suddenly trapped in a mystic bubble and fell to the ground, his husband in the same situation beside him. 

He immediately got up, got his swords out, and noticed how he couldn’t open any portals. 

Pink portals opened on top of them and his siblings were dropped from them, all in the same situation and groaning from the fall but recovering quickly. 

The slider was getting angry, and the feeling of uneasiness in his gut got worse by the second. He looked at Mikey, who gave him a tense but secure look on his face and subtly reached for the pouch under his cloak. 

His little brother had a plan and he was going to give him the time to pull it off. He looked at the others, who could only guess right now that he had something in mind. Given that the mind meld didn’t seem to work either. 

“You do realize that we’re not gonna let you bring them back right?” He said confidently. “I didn’t even think that you guys were dumb enough to try but I guess here we are.” 

The smile on the Foot commander didn’t falter, throwing Leo off when he started laughing. 

“Oh, that’s what you guys think we’re doing? No, no, no. But I knew you guys would be concerned if you saw we were opening a portal. The perfect excuse to bring you here and test some new mystic gadgets!” 

“Then what’s the point? You just want to kill us?” Raph asked

“Oh well, I know that I won’t be able to hold you guys for long, You all have grown so much! Now with new lives, and even getting married!” He pointed at him and Usagi. 

The villain's monologue was buying them time, but there was something in his tone that was making his anxiety spike. 

“You’re way too strong, right? So we needed a weak point! Something to finally help make amends for almost twenty years of ruining everything.” He stopped on his track and looked him straight in the eyes. “By the way Leonardo, how’s your son?” 

He felt as if his heart stopped. He knew it, he knew something was wrong. Jotaro was alone in their house. 

“Get the fuck away from him!” His husband’s yell snapped him out of his surprise, deep anger finally setting in. 

He could hear Raph pounding on the glass of the bubble and feel a strong aura of anger coming from his twin. 

“I swear to god, if you even get near him-” He cut himself off when the sound of the emergency button of his belt blasted an alarm, making his stomach drop in fear when he saw the light blue on it.  

Usagi looked at him with pure panic in his eyes. 

Jotaro pressed his emergency button. 

——————————-

Jotaro, being a rabbit, had really good hearing. 

When he started training with his parents, getting both samurai and ninjutsu training, it was one of the first things that they remarked. Saying that it was a tool of great advantage if he knew how to use it right. 

He remembers the game they used as an example. They were in the middle of the woods on a Saturday evening, his Papa sitting crossed-legged in front of him, eyes closed in concentration while his Dad was nowhere to be seen, hiding in the shadows.

It was extremely interesting seeing how his father’s ears twitched with every slight movement, standing prideful and attentive to any sound. 

Without warning, the older rabbit threw a Kunai to the top of one of the trees, being quickly met with a yelp and his Dad fell from the tree without a sound.

“Found you” It was fun to see the smug smile on his father’s face, but even more hilarious was the pout on Leo’s face as he walked with the Kunai in hand. 

“I know somehow you’re cheating” The turtle squinted his eyes in playful suspicion, making him giggle while his father rolled his eyes.

“Keep telling yourself that,” He said to his husband before turning back to the child, “Ready to give it a shot?” 

Jotaro nodded excitedly, before crossing his legs and copying the position Usagi had before.

“Good luck Jojo,” Said the ninja with a playful smile, and with the blink of an eye, was gone again. 

“Now, close your eyes and focus on the sounds, be detailed and attentive, and look for what stands out. ”Usagi explained in a whisper. “Point at him when you find him”

He nodded and closed his eyes, letting his ears stand straight, attentive to everything. 

He could hear the trees, the leaves that moved with the slight wind. The smallest animals moved through the forest.

Thud

Thud 

He opened his eyes, surprised by the sudden small sound. His father had a smile on his face that told him to continue.

Closing his eyes again, he looked for the sound again until he found it.

Thud

Thud 

It wasn’t consistent, so it was definitely his Dad going from one tree to another, he had to pay a lot of attention just to hear that small sound. His turtle dad was huge and heavy, how did he manage that? 

He followed it, finding the path that the turtle was following, and at the same time as the sound, he pointed to behind the tree on his right.

“There!”

“Great job bud!” Leo congratulated, coming from behind the tree he pointed at.

“That was great Jotaro!” Usagi praised him while hugging him tight.

He beamed at the congratulations and wanted to try again. 

After that, he was much more aware of the sounds in his surroundings, especially the steps. 

His dad’s were quiet, even when he wasn’t trying to be. His uncle’s almost all the same. Except for Uncle Raphie, whose steps could be a little heavier. But if he was trying, it was the same as his brothers.

His papa’s were a little louder, steps were firmer but he was still very light on his feet.

So when he heard the heavy steps around the house while he was getting ready for bed, he immediately knew it wasn’t his parents.

Alarms blasted in his mind, a feeling in the pit of his stomach telling him to hide. 

Not knowing what else to do, he took his plushie and his button and immediately hid in the closet, burying himself under a pile of clothes. 

His mind was racing between all the people he knew, thinking who may be, he could hear them coming down the hall, but he didn’t recognize the steps. 

“Where the hell is that kid?” He heard it was a man, voice deep, and he was looking for him.

Without a doubt, he pressed the button, which thankfully didn’t make any sounds, but it did have a blinking blue light. 

It was a matter of time. He knew that now he only had to stay hidden until his dads got here. They will get here as soon as they can, Jotaro just had to wait.

He concentrated on keeping an ear out for whoever was outside. He was checking down the hall, opening the doors to the rooms. The closer he got, the harder it was for Jotaro to focus with the loud thumping of his heart against his chest. He tried his best to focus, any information he could get about the enemy was an advantage to him. 

Taking a deep breath, he tried to listen again, still clutching the button close to his chest. His parents will come for him. His parents are gonna save him. He just had to hang on. 

His stomach dropped when he heard the door of his room open. 

By pure instinct, his ears dropped and he curled into himself in the pile of clothes that thankfully covered him completely, trying his damn best to not move a muscle. 

The steps were still heavy, but the man didn’t talk. 

The door of his closet was closed, but he couldn’t even dare to open his eyes. He was shaking and crying. Not wanting to give away his hiding spot. He just had to hold on. 

“Here you are” 

He only felt one big hand grabbing him by the arm and yanking him out of his hiding spot. 

-----------------------------------

“No!” Usagi banged his hand on the bubble. Angry tears formed in his eyes. “Stay away from him!” 

Lieutenant only laughed in their faces. 

“You’re dead.” Leo’s voice was cold with that promise. “You won’t get away with this” 

Before the Lieutenant could even start his sentence, Leo felt the rumble of his little brother's ninpo. The chains, usually reserved for extreme circumstances, as it drains his little brother’s vital energy if he passes his limit. It wraps around each of the bubbles, bursting them in a matter of seconds. Foot Lieutenant already making an escape portal.

Leo was gonna throw himself against Lieutenant. They couldn’t let him go. He was immediately stopped by a chain wrapped around his wrist. Ready to snap at his brother to let him go. 

“Leo! We don’t have time!” Mikey’s worried look was enough to dissipate the anger into pure fear. Jotaro. 

Looking around, his family was also stopped by Mikey’s chains and the Lieutenant was crossing his escape portal. 

With one more furious look, he swung his sword, making a big portal that immediately swallowed all of them, dropping them in front of his house. 

“DADDY! PAPA!” 

The image in front of him made him freeze.

The brute was creating an escape portal while holding his son by the ears. His eyes filled with fear and crying as he reached an arm towards them. 

“JOTARO!” He screamed out of instinct, already running towards them with his husband by his side. 

The escape portal was done and Brute was one foot in it, they wouldn’t make it in time. 

No, no, no, no, no, NO, NO- 

Just when he thought that he would get his son taken from them. Something exploded. 

A strong light blinded them, a force strong enough to stop them. Just managing to hear a painful scream from Brute. 

Looking up from where they were, Leo managed to see Jotaro’s spots around his eyes glow. It was a strong blue that reminded him of his own. Being able to feel that same sensation that he had for all his brother’s and sister’s ninpo, the difference being that it was a very, very strong energy coming from his own son. It was Jotaro’s ninpo. 

The energy seemed to manifest as electricity. As it was enough to burn Brute’s hand to the point that it forced him to let go of Jotaro. 

As soon as he saw the opportunity, he ran. Mikey’s chains immediately grabbed Brute and threw him a good 10 meters away from them as the escape portal closed. 

“We got him, Leo!” Raph yelled as he ran with Mikey towards Brute. Letting him focus on Jotaro. 

Usagi immediately extended his arms to grab him. But the same electricity as before was still coming out of the child, not letting him even touch Jotaro without electrocuting himself. 

“...Ugh… d-dad- AH!” Jotaro cried, and Leo could easily see the small electrical burns starting to form around his little arms and legs. 

“Jotaro! Donnie what’s going on?!” He immediately asked his twin as he was looking at Jotaro, goggles down. 

“I-It’s his mystic energy! It’s responding to the high stress and panic and is going off the charts!” He quickly explained. 

It was like Mikey’s. By now they all knew that mystic energy, especially their ninpo’s, responded to their emotions. Jotaro needed to calm down. 

“Jojo, baby, look at me.” Usagi reached the same conclusion as he did, slowly sitting in front of Jotaro and trying to remain as calm as he could. If Jotaro saw them panic, he would panic even more. 

Jotaro lifted his head, obviously hurting from the mystic powers and still scared out of his mind. 

“I need you to breathe with me, alright? You’re safe love, we got you.” The voice of his husband was calm, even if his eyes teared up from seeing their son like that.  

He followed Usagi’s lead and sat down beside him, giving Jojo a small smile, also feeling the small knot form in his throat at the heartbreaking sight. 

“You did good buddy, you did amazing today. It will go away, I promise but I need you to breathe.” Both he and Usagi started to guide Jotaro. Who even in his panic, slowly started to follow them. 

As Jotaro worked on slowing his breath, the glow on his spots started to fade. 

Already desperate, he took off his arm, which had the chance of short-circuiting and he offered his hand to Jotaro. 

His own ninpo had a small touch of electricity that he always felt, especially when he teleported from one sword to another. Donnie had confirmed it years back as they always heard a buzz when he teleported near them and got curious. So he knew his body had certain resistance to it. 

He also couldn’t stand seeing his son suffer for another second and not being able to comfort him. 

Jotaro slowly reached towards Leo, but flinched back seeing as the electricity that came from himself could hurt his dad. 

“Hey, hey, it’s okay Jojo. You’re not gonna hurt me, nene, I promise.” He said quietly, not looking to make the child go into a panic again. 

Looking more sure at Leo’s words, he took his hand. Getting close and immediately wrapped his arms around him. 

It was much stronger than his own ninpo for sure. But he could handle it. He would handle anything for him. Not hesitating a second before wrapping his own arm around the child. 

“You’re okay, You’re okay.” He immediately started to whisper, rocking calmly back and forth. 

The electricity faded with every deep breath Jotaro took, feeling safer in his dad’s arms. It was probably still more than Usagi could handle, but he didn’t seem to care as he leaned his head on Leo’s shoulder and started to slowly run his hand through the child’s head. Quietly singing the Japanese lullaby that he sang to Jotaro since he was a baby. 

This seemed to do the trick, as the glow faded from Jojo’s face and he fell asleep in his dad’s arms. His ninpo finally calmed down. 

Both he and Usagi sighed in relief and stood up. From what he could see, Jotaro had small 1st-degree electrical burns on his arms and legs, the worst looking ones being around his forearms and hands. But none of them were reaching 2nd degree, which was good. 

Usagi definitely had a couple on his hand. But they were okay. Wounds could be treated when they were safe. The most important thing was that Jotaro was with them. 

He looked Usagi in the eyes, immediately noticing the silent request on them, and carefully passed him their still-sleeping child. Who he hugged close. 

He turned to his brothers who were waiting a couple of feet from them. 

But Brute wasn’t there. 

“Where is he?” His voice was tense. 

“Mikey had him, but the mystic bubble appeared around him and before he could pop it, Brute was gone.” Raph quickly explained, his voice letting out the same frustration he felt. 

“I’ll talk to Draxum first thing in the morning tomorrow about those bubbles. I had to use the stored energy that I had on some crystals, but I basically emptied them out just to pop my own bubble.” Mikey said, equally as frustrated “I never saw this before, but we’ll take care of it.” 

He forced himself to take a deep breath, they’ll take care of the foot later. 

“Is Jojo okay?” Mikey asked, his eyes concerned as he watched the Jotaro sleep on Usagi’s arms. 

“It was his own ninpo, it must have activated because of the high stress of the situation. It’s very, very powerful” Donnie said, laying the facts in front of them. 

Whoever didn’t know him would say he sounded emotionless. But he knew better. Donnie was just as concerned as the rest of them and was probably already thinking of a way to help Jotaro control his powers. 

“He’s okay, it looks like his body has a good natural resistance to it, but he still has some first-degree burns that I need to take a look at.” He said, before sighing again. “I think we’ll move to the lair for the time being.” 

“Not you assuming that I will let you back before improving your security system,” Donnie said, making him let out a small chuckle as he opened a portal to the lair. 

They let Usagi cross first with Jotaro and they followed behind. Making a beeline for the med bay as Donnie, Mikey, and Raph went to talk to Dad.

Jotaro was absolutely exhausted, managing to sleep through all the procedures of Leo taking care of his injuries. Probably helped that he was still in Usagi’s arms, the sweet lullaby being the only thing filling the silence of the med bay. 

It wasn’t until they were both laying down on the bed of Leo’s old room, which had been modified years ago to fit the three of them. Jotaro now sleeping soundly between the two of them, Usagi looked at him with a look that promised revenge.  

“They’re going to pay for this.” He whispered to him, as he nodded. 

“We’ll find them ‘Sagi, I promise.” We cupped Usagi’s cheek, who sighed and finally seemed to relax, as he hugged Jotaro to his chest and snuggled closer to him. 

It wasn’t long until he noticed that his husband fell asleep. As he stared at the wall with one thought in his mind. 

He was never going to allow something like this to happen to his family again. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXTRA SCENE 

After Usagi fell asleep, their son in his arms, he quietly got up and went to his twin’s lab, knowing for sure that he was awake. 

The events of the night before came back to him, anger and frustration rising in his chest. His son was almost kidnapped in front of his eyes. If it wasn’t for Jotaro’s ninpo, he didn’t know if he was going to make it in time. He never wanted to see that look of pure pain and fear that he saw in his husband’s eyes while he held their son, who was hurt by his own ninpo. 

The image of Brute holding his son by his ears was clear in his mind when he made it to the door of the lab. 

The doors opened for him, and his twin sitting in his chair turned back to him. 

He quietly walked until he was standing beside Donnie. 

“You’re looking for them?” Leo asked, his voice serious and tense.

“Right now brother, you’ll be the first to know when I find them” His twin's tone matched his own. “This is not happening again. I’m also working on a better security system for your house.” 

“Thanks, Don, let me know when you have any leads.” He stayed silent for a second “We’re finishing this, we should’ve done this the moment the invasion ended” 

“Doesn’t matter, we’re finishing it now. I have weapons with their names written on them.” Donnie’s voice was angry and cold.

Donnie remembers the panic and pure anger he felt when Foot Lieutenant asked his brother about Jotaro. His nephew. His family. 

Those fuckers won’t see another day if he has a say in it. 

“Good,” Leo said coldly.

Donnie couldn’t imagine how his brother felt after this. But what he was sure of is that, as usual, Leo and he were on the same page. 

Mikey had gone to the kitchen for a midnight snack, not being able to sleep. 

He noticed Leo go into Donnie’s lab. 

Just hearing a bit of their conversation was enough to know what the twins were planning. 

Mikey turned his back and went back to bed. He hoped the twins had fun.

[wario-speedwagon]

Dave and Old Sport Adopt a Kid: Chapter 15

Hey gaymers, another fun chapter! And by fun, I of course mean full of anguish >:] And BIG special shoutouts to @thegreattowncrier and IWANTDAVE27 for their really sweet fanart and fan video respectively! The full chapter and those are all featured under the cut as always! Enjoy <3

Chapter 1 Chapter 14 All Chapters Index

Chapter 15

“...”

“...”

The two men just stood there for seconds exchanging stares—Jack’s disgusted and Scott’s indistinguishable… y’know, due to a lack of a face—

Jack slammed the door.

Or tried to, because a dress shoe blocked the door from closing all the way.

“Phoney—” Jack growled as he reluctantly reopened the door again.

“Hah—Hi, hope I didn’t… interrupt anything.”

“How did you even get here? And why are you drenched, it wasn’t even raining—”

“Oh I walked! We, uh, we know where you all live, it’s in our data banks!” he admitted with a little too much forced cheerfulness. “Well, except Dave, we still haven’t figured out where—”

But Scott interrupted himself back to the point as Jack threatened to close the door again. “Can I… come in?”

“No.” “Fine.”—They both said in unison.

Dave looked at Jack incredulously, but the latter was too tired to care.

So Scott took that as an invitation inside as Jack was the master of the house, speaking of which—

“Dave, how am I not even surprised you’d be here too?”

“Oh come on, when are the Kiddie Stranglers NOT tog—” Jack’s hand over his mouth stopped him from continuing. When Dave was sufficiently cut off, he then closed the front door before properly turning to their visitor inside.

“So what do you want?” he asked with blunt rudeness.

“Oh, well, other than being sopping wet from the rain,”

“—it wasn’t raining—”

“I’m doing just fine, thanks for asking!”

“Look, sir, I couldn’t offer tea or a dry blanket even if I wanted to, so can we just get to the point?”

“I just…” Scott shoved his hands in his pockets out of apparent humility. “...kinda need a place to sleep tonight.”

“Why not your own place, you…” but the gears in Jack’s head turned.

“Oh… Oh, you live there—”

“—No, I don’t—! Look, just one night, and we can just pretend today never happened, deal?”

“...Fine. You’re not getting breakfast tomorrow though. I have a spare room you can—”

“What the hell, man!? You just let him in right away!? And he gets the spare room!?”

“Look at the uninvited guest complaining; you at least get a blanket. All he gets is a desk.”

"But I don't get a blanket—"

“Hey, a desk is more than enough for me,” he admitted graciously as he started walking around observing the place.

“See? No meal, no bed, one night, didn’t sneak inside: he’s a WAY better guest than you already!”

“Unbelievable.” Dave's arms were firmly crossed with indignity.

"Besides, after our conversation tonight, you should feel lucky you get—"

“So." Scott interrupted decisively before two icy stares suddenly turned on him.

"U-Uhh, if you don’t mind a bit of conversation… What IS the story with her anyway?” Scott continued, referring to the sleeping aubergine girl on the couch.

“Good night, Scott, your room is just that way.”

“U-Understood…”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Goodbye, everyone.”

“Goodbye, Miss Puppet!” they answered in kind.

And then the children disappeared.

Another Happiest Day, come and gone.

...(She would get her turn eventually...)

Despite how hard today had been on her, she was glad at least that she could finally fulfill her purpose here. That purpose that she was supposed to share alongside her brother…

She shook that thought out again. It'd been several years now since she last worked alongside Jack… Something clearly happened since then to make him disappear again, and she was tired of wondering.

Now she had her other brother to worry about. Jack had been the one to tell her when Peter conveniently “disappeared” at the location Henry had been working at the time. Both of them knew exactly what that meant, but unfortunately until now, neither of them had known of what became of him, body or soul. They never found either.

It was hard for her to believe it was coming on ten years since then. Now that she thought about it, that's around when Jack stopped…

No, that's not what's important! What's important is that Peter finally came back to her after fourteen years! …only to leave her again… But this time, there was hope! Hope that there could be some of their happy Kennedy family left to salvage!

Peter had panicked and fled the building earlier tonight, but he had to come back tomorrow morning to open, right?

…

…Wait, no…

Would they be opening again? She didn't catch wind of a lot of what was going on, but even from her box she overheard Scott—Peter talk to Matt about a serious investigation that would probably shut them down; Dee herself had dodged a couple cops' sight yesterday.

…

No. If they were shutting down, she desperately hoped Peter wouldn't come back.

…She decided that instead, Peter would be the next person she saved. If he tried to come back to this place, she would do everything in her power to prevent him. If she could, she would even try her best to tell him to find Caroline and go home...

Maybe…maybe if she was lucky, she could even come with him…!

…

No, no, as desperately as she wanted that, it simply couldn’t be. She still had so much work to do, and as long as those two were still around, her work would never be over.

No, once she saves Peter, eliminating those two will be her next goal.

And then her thoughts turned to the strange girl that had been with them that day. Was she… still alive? She sure hoped so…

After all, she hadn’t yet found her lost soul, so there was hope that she’d escaped from them alive somehow.

She… She looked so scared in that room when Dee had confronted them. But most distressing to her was that the girl's fear had mostly been directed at her. She’d put her trust into the strangers that wanted to kill her.

...And feared her instead.

(It didn't hurt. After all, she was used to it by now, wasn't she...?)

But a sudden surge of anger and determination seized her.

…That’s it. Peter and that little girl. They were her top priorities now. She was going to find them before anyone else could.

Once she found a way to escape the condemned premises… even if she was alone in doing it… even if it wouldn't be easy...

No matter how long it took to find them, she would fulfill her duty. And she wouldn't fail either.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

…So she needs his help stopping them, hm?

Conveniently, he needs her help equally as much. This has all gone too far into unpredictable territory.

Because that strange girl doesn’t exist in any other timeline. At least not as far as he’s ever seen.

…

Perhaps it’s time for him to intercede. He won’t sit and watch himself repeat the same grievous failure twice.

Not with another child. Not on his watch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Peter made his way to the “spare room,” he pretended not to hear the hushed arguments about him behind him as he entered it.

Feeling the right-hand wall for the light switch, he lit up a rather pathetic looking room.

Indeed, there was a desk and chair, but… other than a pile of boxes, that was it.

But unfortunately Scott wasn’t kidding about the desk given how often he accidentally spent the night at Freddy’s working himself to sleep in the office, but he still decided that the carpeted floor would be much more preferable.

And, well, if the desk was out, then that left only the boxes to pique his curiosity. Mainly just curiosity if there was any sort of makeshift blanket or pillow-like item he could borrow. Maybe a pile of clothes, a stuffed animal, anything…

He noticed some of the boxes were labeled “Kennedy Stuff.”

…

He didn’t want to admit to himself the real reason he came to Jack of all people tonight, but now it was inevitable.

But of course, he already knew that his name was Jack Kennedy, didn’t he? (In fact, he’d been told more than he wanted to know.)

So why did it still feel like such a revelation seeing it written out like that?

…No, the real revelations—or confirmations?—they were probably inside those boxes—

“Hey, Scott—”

He immediately retracted his curious arm to address the sudden orange.

“H-Hey! What’s up?”

Jack’s eyes searched awkwardly for words for whatever it was he came to say as he subconsciously brought the cigarette between his fingers up for another drag before answering.

“...I just gotta ask why you came here. Last I checked, you weren’t exactly fond of me, so it’s gotta be something juicy if you’re resorting to me like this.”

He wasn’t sure which answer to give. Because it felt like there were multiple reasons, all jumbled up together, but the reality is that he simply ran here without much thought put into why.

“...Emplo—Jack, I should probably mention…

I’ve made the decision to close tomorrow. …And probably indefinitely.”

“Oh shit? The investigation’s gotten that bad already?”

“...You… know what happens with Phone Guys that no longer have a job to do, don’t you?”

As Jack contemplated what he was referring to… a serious realization painted his face as he lowered his cigarette hand into crossed arms.

“Oh…”

“Yeah… They obviously know where I live, so…”

“So you’re basically a fugitive now.”

He hadn’t really thought that far about his current situation yet.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“...Well, join the club.” The cigarette returned to his face.

“Huh?”

“As you can probably see from all my boxes there, I haven’t exactly been here for long myself, and I’m not planning to stick around for long either.”

“...Why are you here then?”

Jack seemingly froze, unprepared for that question.

“Okay, I didn’t let you in to tell you my life story. Good night, sir.”

“O-Okay. Goodnight Jack.”

Jack flipped the light off, and the closing door left him in complete darkness, alone with himself yet again.

Alone with Peter.

…and all the things Dee had said to him. About him… them...

…

The boxes still stood ominously next to him, calling his name.

(Was Kennedy really his name too?)

The boxes, the sleeping girl, Jack, Dave, the Puppet, the Kennedys…

…

Caroline…

…

There were so many different questions he could keep himself up all night with.

…

He did eventually fall asleep on that floor though, and he only knew that because he was woken up by someone unexpected.

(Chapter 16)->

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FANART (AND VIDEO)!! :D

The original post by @thegreattowncrier!

WUTIWANT by IWANTDAVE27!

Thanks so much again to both of you, and to all of you who have stuck around with this fic! <3<3<3

[tempest-toss]

Unfortunate Beginnings

Quill pocketed their radio. They cursed as they began to think of a plan. They had to just go in, rescue their comrades, steal the death defying relic, and escape. Easy right? This will be just like all those training exercises!

...

Quill sighed. Fake optimism wasn't working. They had no plan for inside the mansion, instead relying on luck of the rooms to survive. They decided to do a quick check of their body. Combat knife? Check. Radio? Check. Will to live? Debateable. Yep, they were ready.

Quill spotted a delivery driver making a stop across the way. With little remorse Quill ventured from their hiding spot and made their way to the worker, stabbing them square in the heart, hiding the body in the back of the truck. Donning the uniform over their insurgency gear, they made their way to the estate. Crossing onto the property was admittedly an odd feeling. A sense of unease snaked its way into Quill's body as they advanced up the stone steps. With a breath, they knocked on the door, which opened to reveal a butler.

"Greetings. I am Omrich Varon, second butler of the Lycan estate. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Delivery, sir! I have a package for you guys, it needs to be signed by the master of the house." Omrich smiled before turning and walking away to fetch his boss. Quill stepped inside, and hastily moved to the room to their left. "Intel states that the relic room is a permanent feature and is always...here!"

The relic room was large, easily the size of a library, full of pedestals and plaques involving artifacts from across the world. Quill had little formal education, but could vaguely recall locations based on designs, such as the ankh from Egypt, or Mesoamerican monoliths, although they couldn't tell if it was Mayan, Incan, or Aztec. But that didn't matter, they weren't what they were after.

Sitting off to the side was a pocket watch. The placard read "The Deadman's Switch". Quill could recall strike leader Klein's description of it clearly: "The Deadman's Switch is a pocket watch of arcane origin, it'll activate once someone dies, rewinding them to the point prior to death." Quill grinned as the lifted up the glass case. With this artifact under the Insurgency's command, they'd be unstoppable!

As they grabbed the watch it felt as though time stopped. Suddenly they were struck with a barrage of graphic imagery. Shot through the heart. A slice of the neck. Head detached. Rope around the neck. Struggling for air. Being devoured. Firing range. Electric Chair. Suffocation. Lethal Injection. Burnt alive. Freezing to Death. A million ways to die flashed through Quill's mind with such intensity that it caused them to stumble backwards, knocking a vase off and shattering. Quill looked at their hand, the watch was gone. A quick pat revealed that it was now on their pocket, specifically the chain of the pocket watch has fused with their clothing.

"Who's there?" The voice of the butler could be heard. Quill pulled out their combat knife and crept around. As Omrich went to examine the shattered pot, Quill jumped out, and plunged the knife deep into the old man's heart. He said nothing, gasping for air as his life slipped from him. Quill ripped out the knife, using their sleeve clean the blade. They shed their false uniform, and made their way to the foyer once more.

As the butler's blood soaked into the floorboards, the Manor awoke, a sense of anger slowly resonating through it. Quill did not notice the sudden flapping of the curtains.

As they entered the Foyer, they turned on their radio. With it, they could receive a signal ping if an operative's radio was nearby. They moved their radio around as they ventured forward, eventually receiving two pings! One was for a door on the left, and the other for the door on the right. The door on the left had water damage, and a sign saying "Closed for flooding, please enter at own risk!". The other door also had some minor water damage, but had a fish sign on it. Was this the Aquarium room?

This had to be the right track. The final transmission mentioned that nothing but water could be heard from Sapphire, so maybe she was here? With equal ping strength, Quill had to make a choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Death Counter: 0 Personnel Counter: The fates of the team remain in limbo Note Acquired: Deadman's Switch ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[cynicalone94]

Hostage Situation

Read on AO3 here.

Jay gets out of the car, looking over the house.

“Why don’t you go around back?” Al suggests.

He nods, ghosting around behind the building to take a post by the back door.

“In position.”

Thirty seconds later a loud boom shakes the building.

“Al? You okay?”

No response.

“Al?”

He jogs around the building, seeing smoke billowing up from the blasted out front door.

But his partner isn’t lying on the grass like he would have expected.

“Al!” he shouts, lifting his radio. “5021 George. I need Bomb Squad and CFD at 1641 W Bellview Avenue. Explosion, possible additional explosives, possible fire.”

He spots a drag pattern, coated with blood, across the grass toward the front door. Drawing his weapon, he starts to move toward the front door.

He gets close, sees Al lying on the floor with his eyes closed and then a man is stepping into his face with a weapon raised.

Another man behind him has a weapon pointed at Al’s head.

“Who are you?” he demands.

“Not important Detective.” the man says. “We’ve got some demands but I’m guessing you aren’t the man to help with that so why don’t you get your ass back and get ahold of someone who can.”

“Okay.” Jay says, stepping back and holstering his weapon. “Okay. But I need to know what kind of condition my guy is in.”

“He’s alive.” the man tells him. “That’s all you need to know.”

Jay shakes his head, taking another step back and peering past the man.

“I need stable enough to wait.” he presses. “Or SWAT will be hitting this door full blast and soon.”

The man takes a small step to the side, motioning him forward. As he reaches the threshold, a gun settles against the side of his head.

There’s blood on the side of Al’s head, burns scattered across his face and chest and his right leg is bleeding heavily from some kind of puncture wound.

Reluctantly, Jay steps back.

Al will hold for a minute. He needs to get the rest of the cavalry rolling before he does anything crazy.

He steps back, nodding stiffly to the man next to him and then retreating down the steps.

“5021 George. Need an HRT team at my location. I have an officer down, being held hostage. Need paramedics on standby.”

He pulls out his phone, hitting a speed dial.

“Voight. We have a situation.”

“Yeah, I’m hearing the calls over the wire. We’re on the way there. Where’s Al?”

“In the house.” Jay says. “Front door blew, probably when he knocked. He’s hurt but they wouldn’t let me in the house.”

“They tell you about demands?” Voight asks.

“He wouldn’t tell me.” Jay says. “Wanted someone with more authority.”

“Alright.” Voight agrees. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“I have to Sarge.” Jay says.

“Halstead.”

“Al’s leg is bleeding bad and with the head injury, he can’t get the tourniquet on himself.” Jay argues. “I have to get in there.”

“Jay.”

“Al needs me to do something stupid.” he says, hanging up the phone.

He jogs back to the truck, stripping the rest of his gear, locking his gun in his safe and grabbing the first aid kit.

Then he heads back up to the door. The men have pushed a bookshelf across the door frame.

“Hey.” he shouts, banging on the back of it.

“If you ain’t brought a negotiator, I don’t want to hear it!” the guy shouts back.

“Yeah. You really do.” Jay says. “Cause my guy in there is losing a lot of blood and if you don’t let me come in and provide aid then what I was saying earlier about SWAT is still gonna be your problem. And I probably won’t like how it ends up but I promise you that you won’t either.”

He stands there, listening while they debate for a moment.

“It’s either me with no weapon, just a first aid kit or an entire SWAT team.” Jay calls back. “And you’re running out of time.”

The bookshelf slides aside just enough to allow Jay to squeeze into the house.

He stands, hands up while they pat him down.

Al’s head falls toward him, eyes blinking sluggishly and its almost impossible to wait for the men to give him the go ahead before dropping to his knees.

He slips the tourniquet around his friend’s thigh, tightening it down and then starting to twist the windlass rod.

Al groans but he doesn’t stop.

“Sorry man.” he whispers. “I gotta do this.”

Once he’s got it as tight as he needs, he locks it into place. Then he shifts his attention to Al’s head.

He checks pupil response with the penlight in the kit and then uses wipes to clean up some of the blood so he can get a look at the gash.

“You know we’re on a time limit with this tourniquet.” he comments as he works. “If they don’t get him to the hospital soon, he might lose the leg.”

It isn’t really true. They’ve learned in the Middle East that blood flow can be re-established and the limb saved after as much as twenty four hours.

But these assholes don’t need to know that.

“We aren’t letting him go.” the man snaps behind him.

“Why not?” Jay asks, turning to look the man in the eye. “I’m here. You’ve still got a hostage to get whatever it is that you want. Let me get him some help.”

The man stares back, gritting his teeth and then nodding.

“Move the shelf.” he orders his friend.

Two more men, one of them the target that they’d been here to arrest, walk into the room at the front of the house, hefting rifles.

The second man that’s he’s been talking to glares at him and then moves, pushing the bookshelf out of the way.

Jay reluctantly hooks Al under the arms, dragging him toward the door.

A gun settles against his head again and he tries to ignore it. He gets Al onto the porch and then sirens are filling the air.

“Drop him.” the man covering him orders, digging the gun into his skull.

He lowers Al to the porch, raising his hands.

“Back inside.”

“Okay. Okay.” Jay says, taking a step back.

Before he can even think about starting a fight, a gun goes off nearby and he looks down in horror to see a bullet hole in the wood of the porch next to Al’s head.

“Don’t you try anything.” the man hisses in his ear.

Jay looks up at the sea of lights turning the corner and then backs into the house.

The bookshelf is pushed back across the door.

“Hands behind your back.”

Jay moves his hands into place.

“My name is Jay Halstead.” he says, making eye contact with the man who is obviously in charge and trying to ignore the movement that he can feel behind him. “Is there something I can call you?”

“You can call me shut the hell up.” the man snaps.

He offers a single nod, looking down.

Zip ties are slid over his wrists and pulled tight.

At least Al is going to be okay.

HRT is already on scene when Voight pulls up. He hurries toward the command vehicle but stops when he sees activity at the rear of the ambulance.

Moving that way, he sees Al lying on a stretcher while two paramedics work on him.

“He okay?” he asks.

“I think he will be.” Sylvie tells him. “But whoever applied this tourniquet saved his life. He would have bled out otherwise.”

Which explains why Jay had been so insistent on doing something stupid.

He pats Al’s arm, nodding to Sylvie and then continuing toward the command vehicle.

“Commander Hixson.” he says, climbing in to the back. “We made contact yet?”

“I’ve been calling your Detective’s phone. It’s not in his truck with the rest of his gear so we can only assume it’s on his person. They haven’t answered yet.” Hixson answers. “Olinsky going to be okay?”

“The paramedics think so.” Voight says.

“What can you tell me about what they were here for?”

“Tyler Michels.” Voight tells him. “Person of interest in a drug case Intelligence is working. Halstead and Olinsky were here to pick him up.”

“Any ideas on demands?”

“When I talked to Halstead he said they had something in mind but wanted to wait for someone with more authority.” Voight says. “So I’m guessing they’ll pick up that call before too much longer.”

“We’ll keep try –”

“Commander they picked up.” one of the techs calls and he steps back, sliding the handset over his head.

“This is Commander Jason Hixson of the Chicago Police Department.” he says. “Who am I speaking to?”

“You can call me Tony.” the man says. “There is a flash drive that was taken into evidence by the Intelligence team. I want it back. Along with two million dollars in cash and safe passage.”

“Alright.” Hixson says. “We can work on that. I’d like to speak to Detective Halstead.”

“Maybe later.” Tony says. “I’ll let you get to work.”

The line goes dead.

“What can you tell me about the flash drive?” Hixson asks.

“We pulled it off a body yesterday.” Voight says. “Tech didn’t get anything other than gibberish off it.”

“Encrypted.” Hixson says and Voight nods.

“I’ll call someone on my team.” he says. “Get it brought over.”

“I’ll put in the request for the 1505 funds.” Hixon agrees. “We’ll get him out of there.”

Voight nods.

Jay watches as Tony hangs up the phone.

He’s on his knees, a gun to the back of his head in case he gets any ideas about trying to participate in the phone call.

Tony turns and walks toward him.

“We’ll need to provide proof of life next time they call.” he tells the others. “Let’s get him ready.”

Ready?

Tyler grabs his arm and tows him to his feet. He’s led deeper into the house to where a hallway runs along the stairs.

He’s shoved up onto a step stool. Hears one of the men running up the stairs.

“What the hell is this?” he demands.

His wrists are cut free and his arms shoved up above his head. The man on the stairs reaches down to continue pulling them up, re-securing them around the railing using rope this time.

“See those X’s on the wall?” Tony asks, pointing to the wall across from him where ten x’s have been marked on the wall with painter’s tape.

“Yeah.” he says slowly.

Tony steps back out of the hallway, holding up a small remote.

“When I press a button.” the man says with a smirk, pressing the button.

The explosion is a hundred times smaller than the one that had thrown Al down the front steps and across the lawn but it still sends shrapnel, wood fragments of various sizes, flying toward him.

Several of them embed themselves in him and he grimaces, twisting his wrists in the loops of rope.

“A couple of the charges are bigger than that.” the man tells him, stepping back into the hall. “If the negotiators get me what I need quickly, you might not have to feel any of those. But for now, you can just hang out.”

Then he’s kicking the stool out from under Jay’s feet and all of his weight abruptly drops onto his wrists.

He cries out as he feels something crack but locks his jaw, biting off any sound.

And then he’s left alone.

He doesn’t know how long he hangs there before Tony comes back around the corner with his phone in hand.

“Why don’t you tell Commander Hixson that you’re still alive.” he says, holding it up.

Jay can see the SWAT team leader on the screen, Voight hovering behind him.

“I’m fine.” he says. “Al okay?”

“Detective Olinsky is expected to make a full recovery.” Hixson tells him. “Have they hurt you?”

Tony holds up the remote and Jay can’t help but grimace.

Another charge goes off. It’s one of the larger ones that Tony had mentioned earlier and sends much larger shrapnel flying his way.

One particularly large scrap of wood embeds itself in his leg and he winces but manages not to cry out.

“You have three hours to get me my money.” Tony says. “For every twenty minutes that you do not, a charge will be detonated and Detective Halstead risks being injured. Should you reach the three hour mark without my demands being met, I will detonate one final charge placed in the wall behind your Detective. I can assure you, he will not survive its detonation.”

He ends the call before they can say anything, turning his attention back to Jay.

“That one got you good didn’t it?” he says with a chuckle as he examines the wood sticking out of Jay’s leg and the blood seeping into his pants.

“This isn’t a good idea.” Jay says. “You’re just asking for them to abandon negotiations and turn to a tactical answer.”

“If they do.” Tony says, glaring at him. “I’ll detonate that last charge and kill you.”

“And you’ll get nothing.” Jay snaps.

“See you in eighteen minutes.” Tony says, patting his cheek condescendingly.

Over the next two hours, another six charges are detonated.

For the most part they’ve been small, littering Jay’s frame with small cuts and scrapes.

But the last one, the eighth overall, sends another large shard that catches him in the chest, driving deep into his skin at the base of his ribs.

Jay can’t help but scream as it impacts, yanking hard against the ropes securing his wrists as he attempt to cover the injury.

Tony paces closer, holding the phone up to make sure the negotiator can see the injury.

“Oh that’s not good, huh?” he says, not sounding worried. “Seems like you might need to pick up the pace on my money, Commander. How long do you think he’ll last like this?”

Jay swings up slightly, kicking the phone out of the man’s hand.

Both pieces of wood that have made themselves home in his body are jostled by the movement and he gasps, closing his eyes as he tries to breathe through the pain.

Tony gets right up in his face, hand closing around his throat.

“Bet you think you’re real tough, don’t you?” he hisses.

Jay couldn’t answer if he wanted to; gasping and choking for air. Searing pain is shooting through his torso and he’s pretty sure the man has jostled the wood, probably accelerating the bleeding.

He can hear Hixson’s voice from his phone, the man shouting for Tony to return to the conversation.

“You are a hostage.” Tony hisses. “Your job is to shut the hell up and wait to see if you get to go home alive today.”

His head is slammed back against the wall and then Tony lets go and walks over to pick up the phone.

“My apologies for the distraction.” he says. “The detective and I had something to discuss.”

He faces the screen back toward Jay so the negotiator can see that he’s still alive and relatively intact.

Jay’s head is hanging low to his chest but he forces it up to look at them.

“We’ll be back in, oh about ten minutes.” Tony says, smirking at him and ending the call.

It can’t be more than five minutes before a loud crash echoes through the house and Tony scrambles for his remote, hitting a button.

Nothing happens.

He curses and hits it again and then again and then armored SWAT officers are rounding the corner and knocking it out of his hand.

As he’s taken into custody, Voight appears and rushes up to Jay.

“Easy kid.” he says as Jay tugs on the ropes. “We’ll get you down. How you doing?”

“Tired.” Jay says as Hixson rights the stool and slides it back under his feet, taking the weight off his arms.

Voight reaches up with a knife, cutting the ropes. Jay tries to stay upright but instantly collapses forward.

“Woah.” Voight says, dropping the knife and catching him. “I got you.”

“He’s lost a lot of blood.” Hixson comments as he helps him lower Jay to the ground. “I’ll get a tourniquet on his leg.”

“Al really okay?” Jay asks.

“Got out of surgery five minutes ago.” Voight tells him. “Already chewed out a nurse.”

Jay cracks a smile and Voight looks down, tearing the younger man’s shirt open to get a look at his injury.

“Sorry I was stupid.”

“It’s okay.” Voight tells him. “Sylvie says you probably saved Al’s life so I guess you were right, he did need you to be stupid.”

“What about Sylvie?” a voice says and Voight looks up to see the paramedics hurrying up.

“Just telling him you said he did good with that tourniquet.” Voight says.

“Really good.” Sylvie agrees. “Now lets get you taken care of, huh?”

Jay’s eyes slip closed. Voight is quick to order him to open them and he tries but he can’t seem to fight the pull of the darkness.

He wakes up to beeping.

He’s really tired of the beeping. Maybe next time he gets hurt Will can silence the monitors. They work just as well without broadcasting his heart rate to the whole room, right?

Will would probably just tell him not to get hurt again if he doesn’t want to hear the beeping.

He pries his eyes open, looking down to see red hair on the mattress.

“Will.” he croaks, shocked by how weak his own voice sounds.

His brother shoots upright, staring at him with wide eyes.

“Jay.” he manages after a moment. “Hey. You’re awake.”

“Yeah.” he says. “Can I…”

Will is already picking up a glass of water and bringing the straw to his lips.

He takes a few sips before dropping his head back.

“Thanks.”

Will glances at his watch before grabbing his phone.

“Al doing okay?” Jay asks.

“Chomping at the bit to get out of here.” Will says with a smile as he types something. “Actually you have good timing. They’re just getting ready to sign him out. I’m texting Voight to let him know you’re awake so they can stop by on their way out.”

“How long was I out?” Jay asks.

“It’s been a little over two days.” Will says, setting his phone aside and reaching up to brush his fingers through Jay’s hair. “I was starting to get worried.”

“Sorry.” Jay whispers.

“It’s okay.” Will tells him. “You lost a lot of blood.”

“He… he moved the one in my stomach.” Jay says.

“Yeah.” Will agrees. “Marcel said it looked like the wood had been moved around. Didn’t help that it hit your liver. But they patched everything up, last transfusion started an hour ago so you’re going to be okay. Just need to rest.”

Jay nods.

A wheelchair rounds the corner and he looks up to see Voight pushing Al into his room.

“Hey guys.”

“Good to see you awake, kid.” Al says looking him over. “So what’s up? You can’t let someone else have the hospital stay for once?”

Jay grins tiredly.

“You know me.” he says. “Don’t like to share the attention.”

Al chuckles.

“Thanks kid.” he says, reaching out to squeeze Jay’s arm.

“Anytime.” Jay says seriously.

“Well I’d appreciate it if you could both avoid explosions for a few weeks.” Voight chimes in and Will nods.

“Amen to that.”

Jay and Al roll their eyes.

“Brothers.” Jay retorts and Al chuckles.

“I need to get this one home.” Voight says, shaking his head at them. “Get some rest, Jay.”

Jay nods, offering a wave as they leave. And then Will is brushing his fingers through his hair again.

“Go back to sleep, Jay.” he says softly. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

He’s exhausted and his brother’s ministrations are soothing so Jay doesn’t argue, closing his eyes and letting himself drift back to dreamland.

[tameodesza]

Dead Ends (BretShawn) ch.8

<<ch.7 | masterlist | AO3 link | ch.9>>

Summary: Bret and Shawn venture into the city, but their humanity is tested when they come across a couple in need of their help.

Date: May 18, 1996 Time: 8:08 am Location: Hart House

They spent the next few days resting and discussing their plans before ultimately deciding to leave. They’d originally planned on staying at the home much longer, but Bret couldn’t find it within himself to stay there after what happened to his parents.

No matter how much he tried to convince himself that he was ok, all it took was one look out the backyard window for him to be brought back to that night, eyes landing on the makeshift grave where his parents’ bodies were laid to rest.

Fortunately for Bret, Shawn was onboard with the decision to leave. Together.

“So, what do you want to do,” Shawn asked one evening as he leaned against the kitchen counter, arms and legs crossed in a relaxed state.

Bret sank further into his seat at the dining table, reluctant to answer the inevitable question. “Leave.” He didn’t know if Shawn would agree with the idea after all they’d gone through to get there, but Bret wanted to be honest.

He was relieved to hear the blond say just seconds later, “Then we’ll leave.”

We.

Leading up to their arrival at the house, Bret remained unsure of what would happen of their partnership, especially with how hot and cold their relationship seemed to be. But between being split from his brother and burying his parents, Bret didn’t know if he could handle being on his own again.

Shawn’s company, however volatile it may be, was the distraction Bret needed to avoid letting his debilitating thoughts run wild. And as long as Shawn didn’t kick him to the curb, Bret wasn’t going to be the first one to suggest it.

Before leaving, the men did a final sweep of the home, collecting anything they may have missed that could be useful for their travels.

“Got everything packed,” Shawn asked after entering the living room to see Bret patiently waiting for him on the couch.

“Yeah,” said Bret as he stood from the couch, slinging on his own backpack he’d found in an upstairs bedroom.

They headed out, Shawn leading the way onto the front lawn. He was first to reach the end of the driveway, turning to see Bret standing some feet away.

Bret’s eyes lingered longingly on the home knowing it’d probably be the last time he’d ever get to visit. Decades of memories were made in that house, memories all overshadowed by tragedy.

Not wanting to break down again, Bret turned away, never looking back as he met Shawn at the end of the driveway. They locked eyes, neither saying anything as the silence carried a conversation for them. After Bret gave a final nod, they set off to their next destination.

Downtown Red Deer.

While discussing their plans back at the house, Shawn reminded Bret that he still needed new gear, the clothing at the house not being up to par. Bret mentioned a camping store that was located downtown, and if luck happened to be on their side, Shawn hoped to find more supplies while they were at it.

There was only one problem. The store was further into the city.

Shawn had learned early on that cities were to be avoided at all costs, especially densely populated metropolitan areas. A higher population of people also meant a higher population of Walkers.

But cities also offered more resources – grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies. It was well worth the risk if one made it out alive. And that was a big if.

The day grew muggy, a light fog muddying their vision. As expected, the presence of Walkers increased exponentially as they neared the downtown area.

Shawn kept a tight hold onto Bret’s sleeve to keep close, a gesture Bret was hyper aware of as he felt Shawn brush against him every so often. The feeling was nice, the occasional bump of Shawn’s shoulder oddly calming as Bret led them towards danger.

As Bret was about to turn the corner of a building, he felt a sudden tug on his arm, turning to see Shawn crouching down against the side of the building before motioning Bret to do the same.

Bret crouched next to Shawn, asking, “What’s going on-” He quieted when Shawn held a finger to his lips and pointed to his ear, looking off to the side as if trying to hear something.

Bret listened in as well, not hearing anything at first. But after a few seconds passed, he heard the approaching sound of a Walker, its groans coming from just around the corner of the building.

Bret looked at Shawn in alarm, but the blond seemed to already have a plan of his own. He dug into his bag, taking out his gun before attaching the silencer. He whispered, “Stay here.”

Bret said in a whispered panic, “You want me to stay?” There was no way in hell Bret was going to let the blond walk into a dangerous situation alone.

But Shawn was already on the move as stood against the wall, slowly creeping towards the edge of the building. Bret stayed put as he watched anxiously, hoping that Shawn knew what he was doing.

Shawn held his gun tightly in his hands, listening attentively as he waited for the moment to strike. As soon as he saw the Walker come into view, he aimed and shot it straight in the head.

After the body dropped, Shawn began dragging it back towards Bret. “Hand me your knife,” he grunted as he placed the Walker in front of Bret.

Bret scrambled to find the knife, handing it to Shawn as the blond knelt beside him. Before Bret could ask any questions, Shawn plunged the knife deep into the Walker’s chest, dragging it down to split the Walker open.

Bret threw an arm over his nose to stop himself from gagging at the intense smell that hit him. He never knew something could smell so putrid. Unfortunately, that wasn’t as bad as it was going to get.

Bret watched in horror as Shawn dug inside of the Walker, filling his hands with guts, goo, and whatever the hell else was in there before spreading the contents onto his shirt.

“Bret,” Shawn said, snapping the older man from his disgust. “Dig in. We don’t have all day.”

Bret unwillingly pulled his arm away from his face before placing a hand inside of the Walker’s chest cavity. He nearly hacked at the sound and feeling of Walker guts on his hand.

Bret asked in repulse, “Why are we doing this?”

Shawn stood up, spreading more of the contents onto his pants as he answered, “To cover our ass. We’re low on ammo, and I’d rather not get stuck in a hoard of zombies because we ran out of bullets.”

And that’s when Bret remembered what Shawn had told him a while back. They needed to mask their scents. Bret desperately wished there was another way.

Seeing that Bret was stalling, Shawn huffed as he sat next to the man, grabbing a handful of guts before forcefully spreading it onto Bret’s chest. For just a split second, his hands faltered as he mentally noted how broad and firm the man’s chest was.

Shawn quickly shook those thoughts away as he commanded, “Arms.” Bret promptly lifted his arms to allow Shawn to spread the fluids there as well.

Shawn reached back into the Walker and was about to work on Bret’s pants, but stopped himself when he realized what he was doing.

“Uh,” the blond said awkwardly. “Here,” he said as he placed the guts into Bret’s hands. “You can handle the rest.”

Bret watched the blond, momentarily distracted as he second-guessed if he’d seen Shawn’s cheeks reddening. But those thoughts melted away as soon as he felt Walker goo running between his fingers.

As Bret stood up to cover his pants, Shawn further explained, “As we walk through the city, we need to be as quiet as possible to not draw attention to ourselves. If you see a Walker, don’t panic. Walk right by it and don’t make any sudden movements. Just because our scent is masked, doesn’t mean they won’t chase us if we’re noisy.”

“What about the guns?”

Shawn threw on his backpack and stood from the ground, answering, “I’ll shoot only if necessary.”

“What about me?”

Shawn scrunched his brows, his short temper flaring as he answered, “What part of ‘we’re low on ammo’ didn’t you get? If we’re going to waste bullets, I’d rather us not miss the target. I got it.”

Bret would’ve been offended, but with his poor aim, he knew he had no right to argue. So he nodded, grabbing his bag as well before Shawn grabbed his sleeve again, allowing Bret to lead them to the store.

They soon realized that covering themselves had been the right call.

No matter what path they took, what corner they turned, Walkers infested the downtown area, roaming the streets like they were in a parade as they searched for their next victim. There was no way they would have been able to kill them all even if they did have enough bullets.

Bret was a nervous wreck as they walked at a snail’s pace dangerously close to the Walkers, even accidentally bumping into a few as they made their way through the thick herd. But he tried his best to remain level-headed.

At one point, he glanced over at Shawn, amazed at the blond’s ability to walk through the sea of the undead without breaking a sweat, the blond seeming completely unfazed. Bret wanted to ask Shawn how he was keeping his composure but decided against it so as to not draw attention to themselves.

They continued treading through the Walkers as they traveled further downtown, passing by stores that were once vibrant and lively now blending into unrecognizable destruction.

They’d nearly walked past the camping store, Shawn unaware of it until he felt Bret tap his hand. Bret ticked his head to the right, and before any more Walkers could get in their way, the two walked briskly to the store’s door, opening it quickly before shutting it behind.

As soon as they were inside, Bret let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He’d been through a lot of scary situations in life, but nothing would top that.

His time to appreciate life was cut short when he heard Shawn urgently whisper, “Come on, we need to be quick. Hopefully, there’s still some clothes left.”

They searched the store for the clothing section, which was hard to find through all of the damage that’d accumulated. The store had been mostly ransacked of food and water. Luckily for them, some clothing items remained, the pair finding heavy-duty cargo pants and long-sleeved shirts towards the back.

Shawn was quick to find his size, the blond needing a change of clothes himself now that his own was covered in repulsive Walker guts.

As Bret continued to sift through the clothing rack for his size, Shawn said, “Hey, I’m going to see if there’s any weapons in here. If you find anything valuable, put it in your bag.”

Bret really didn’t want to split up. It’s one of the first rules you learn in survival movies. But with time not being on their side, he agreed and went back to looking for his size.

Shawn was met with disappointment as he reached the gun section to find no guns in sight. But fortunately, he did find some ammunition fit for the gun he’d taken on the train.

He stuffed the ammo into his bag along with the spare clothes before zipping his bag shut and running back to where he’d left Bret. But upon arriving, he saw that the area was empty.

Shawn tilted his head, thinking that maybe Bret went to find more supplies. But as Shawn continued to walk the store, the man remained out of sight.

“Come on, Bret,” he stressed. He didn’t want to be in the store any longer than they had to be.

Shawn was heading towards the front of the store when he heard the whisper of his name, “Shawn.” He looked around but didn’t see anyone.

“Shawn, down here,” came another whisper.

He looked lower seeing Bret peeking his head up from a cash register counter. He waved Shawn over before ducking down again.

Shawn quickly rushed over, crouching behind the counter next to Bret asking, “Why are you hiding? Did you see a Walker?”

Bret shook his head as he replied, “No. I thought I heard people.”

Shawn stilled. If there’s anything he hated more than Walkers, it was strangers. He whispered, “We need to get the hell out of here. Now. Where did you hear them?”

“It sounded like they were coming this way before you came.”

“Shit. They could still be headed our way then. If we try to walk out the front doors, they could see us.”

“I saw an emergency exit towards the back. The store has no power, so the alarms shouldn’t sound off.”

“Ok, that’s our safest bet.”

Just then, they heard the indistinct voice of a woman say, “Honey, I’m starving. There’s no food in here.”

A male voice followed saying, “We have to keep looking. There must be something in here.”

At that, Bret and Shawn looked at each other before quietly inching out of the cashier’s stand, creeping away in the opposite direction of the voices.

Shawn whispered, “Where’s the emergency exit?”

“Just around the corner. Keep walking.”

They carefully stepped over a fallen fluorescent light before rounding the corner to see an exit door. Shawn grabbed Bret’s wrist, not wanting to lose the man as he made a run for it.

Just as Shawn’s other hand grasped the door handle, they heard the male voice shout, “Hey!”

Bret and Shawn froze, throwing each other troubled glances before slowly turning around.

Standing a few feet away was a tall, dark-haired man who looked to be in his early twenties. Next to him stood a petite blond woman who seemed just as young. They were both covered in what looked like a mixture of dirt, blood, and soot, both obviously having been through some rough times.

The pair stepped closer as the man said, “Hey, we were wondering if-”

Shawn released his hold from Bret’s wrist before swiftly drawing his gun as he warned, “Don’t come any closer.”

The couple panicked, both putting up their hands as the man stuttered, “W-We d-don’t want any t-trouble.”

“And you won’t have any if you back off.”

“Please,” the woman said in a weak voice. “We’re in desperate need of some food. We looked around the store and saw nothing.”

“What does that have to do with us?”

The man answered, “Your bags. They…seem pretty full. Would you happen to have any food you could spare?”

Shawn held a skeptical glare on the couple, questioning their story.

Meanwhile, Bret observed the pair, noting just how sickly they looked. The woman’s arms were extremely thin and the man’s collar bone stuck out more than normal. Although Bret was just as wary as Shawn, he couldn’t help but feel bad for the two, especially knowing how hard it was to find a good food supply.

He then thought about his mother and how kindhearted the woman was. She’d want her son to show just as much grace as she had when she was alive. He and Shawn had packed enough food from his parents’ home to last them a while, so he could spare a few snacks.

But just as Bret was about to answer, he heard Shawn say flatly, “No.”

The look of devastation on the young couple’s faces tugged at Bret’s heart. “Shawn, we can-”

“No,” Shawn reiterated, this time directing a pointed look at Bret. “Let’s go,” he said, lowering his gun to open the exit door.

The woman stammered with tears in her eyes, stopping Shawn in his tracks as she begged, “Please! We haven’t eaten in days!”

Bret looked at them worriedly before saying, “Come on, Shawn. Doing away with a little of our stash won’t hurt us.”

Sensing a bit of hope, the man pleaded, “We don’t need a lot. Really! We’ll split whatever you give us. Just please help us if you can.”

Shawn glanced at the couple again before turning back to Bret, saying gruffly, “Stop wasting our time with these people. Let’s go.”

With the mean mug that Shawn was giving him, Bret sighed in defeat. He turned towards the young couple, saying with much regret, “I’m sorry. We can’t help you.”

Bret forced himself to look away from the pair as he followed Shawn out the door, guilt eating away at him as he heard the couple break down in each other’s arms.

[1004sface]

1996.04.04 TV Times Magazine - R.ef article

Scans credit: yours truly!

No such thing as secrets!

'Sung Daehyun death rumor' happening

Return to retro, the 2nd album's secret

On the evening of the 22nd, Lee Hyundo makes an international call in tears

"Is it true that Daehyun died?"

"Is it true that Daehyun oppa died in a car accident? People say it was on the news this morning."

Early in the morning of March 22, R.ef fans sent the TV Times office phone into flames. A week before, a rumor that Seong Daehyun had died had peeked its head through, but today the phone exploded with calls. PC communication must have been swept up by the rumor.

Another funny happening! The same evening, Lee Hyundo, who was in LA, called sounding close to tears, "Is it true that Jeongsik (Daehyun) died?". It was Chae Rina, who was staying close to Hyundo, who ran crying and delivered the news.

To get to the point, R.ef finished their last recording at 6 P.M., March 22nd, and soon after went to Kimpo Airport, where at 8:30 A.M. they rode a plane to Singapore and arrived safely at their destination. As soon as they took out their travel gear, they notified their company that they had landed safely - they plan to return to Korea on March 27.

Recording lasted until 6 P.M. before leaving to Singapore

Park Chulwoo wore a mask due to his swollen throat

2 A.M., March 22, at the Paju King Records recording studio just hours before leaving to Singapore. Opening the studio door, Sung Daehyun, the man of the hour, was alive, but a little haggard on account of staying up late.

"Staying up all this week has made me out of my head."

The other members are the same. It felt bad to even talk to Park Chulwoo, who wore a mask because his throat was swollen, or Lee Sungwook, whose nerves were frayed having to finish recording on the day of departure.

Nearing the final stretch, they pulled a week-long all-nighter, and even worked intensively on the day they were set to leave for Singapore. Due to this, production on the album is almost finished; the rest—mixing, mastering, and jazz session playing for one song—are technical processes that will be handled in America, with R.ef not directly participating.

The final touches will be finished in America by Kim Gukhyeon, an engineer who participated in the production of Seo Taiji and Boys' 4th album, and their producer Choi Minhyeok. It will take place in Ocean Tower Studio, a spot Kim Gukhyeon found, located in the vicinity of LA.

11 songs themed on love, with rave as the main genre

Gathered an orchestra and the world's top artists

As the D-day of R.ef's second album, to release around the middle of April, approaches, its secrets are being unraveled one by one, drawing curiosity. As its title, Back to the Black, implies, the album's songs seek a "return to retro". To bring a new feel to the retro sound new generations are unfamiliar with, a sound designer—a position new to general audiences—was appointed into their team for the first time in Korea. Additionally, to differentiate the album from the digital music of other dance groups, producers scoured American instrument stores for analog instruments that they would work with.

As expected of the group that first introduced the genre to Korea, R.ef's second album is composed of various types of rave music. About five rave tracks are included on the 11-track album.

"In order to strengthen the color of R.ef's unique rave music, we made unique attempts, like adding orchestral instrumentation or metal guitars. It'll probably sound new."

One of this album's other features is the diverse range of genres, such as US house, hip hop, jazz, techno, and pop ballads, aside from the 5 rave songs. For the jazz song in particular, itself a hard feat for a dance group, more work will be put into it than the title track. While in America, the country's top notch jazz artists will be hired to participate in session recordings; Michael Miller, a famous jazz guitarist famous for his work with Chuck Korea, has already been scouted. They plan to invest generously in scouting A-class musicians.

One song composed by Lee Sungwook, 2-3 written by Sung Daehyun

Choreo and outfits will be prepared at their return to Korea, on March 27

A song composed by Lee Sungwook will be included in this album, which will show how much the group have grown musically. Lyrics will be written by Hong Jaesun, Lee Yongmin, and Sung Daehyun, who all wrote for R.ef's debut, as well as the rising star lyricist Kang Eunkyung. Sung Daehyun wrote lyrics for 4 songs, two to three of which are being considered for the album.

This album's main theme is "love". It includes stories about lovers, self-love, love for a departed partner, and things one would want to say while parting with a lover.

Aside from "Brilliant Love", which serves as a part two to "Heartbreak" off their debut, the rest of the tracklist has not been decided on—only the title of the song "Forbidden U-Turn", composed by Lee Sungwook. Kang Eunkyung wrote the lyrics off of Lee's idea, and it reportedly contains autobiographical lyrics about how he chose to become a singer.

On another note, R.ef will be busy finishing up their dances and outfits, when they come back from Singapore, appearing on various TV and radio programs and shooting a music video with their travel companion Kim Sehoon.