#Heat Pump in Mission Bay

[scarlethexelove]

Honey I'm Home

𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚕 𝙳𝚊𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚡 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝: 𝟷𝟼𝟺𝟶

𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝚂𝚖𝚞𝚝, 𝙲𝚞𝚗𝚗𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚞𝚜, 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚛, 𝙲𝚑𝚘𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚊, 𝙲𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚔, 𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎.

𝙰/𝚗: 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚊𝚍𝚖𝚒𝚝 𝙸 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚊𝚍 𝚊𝚜 𝙸 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜. 𝙾𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝟹 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎. 𝙸 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚢 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚝𝚘𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚜.

NO ONE IS PERMITTED TO STEAL, COPY, OR REBLOG MY WORK AS THEIR OWN

A ding goes off alerting Carol to a new message. She swipes for the message to be displayed, a smile tugging at her lips when she sees your name. ‘Hey baby I can’t wait till you come home. I got a surprise waiting for you. Love you xoxo.’ She swipes the message away with a smile on her face, ready for this mission to be over and to come back home to you. 

It’s late by the time Carol gets home. The bay opening to the back of the ship, her glow slowly fading as the door shuts. She walks further into the ship stripping her suit off in the process leaving her in nothing but a sports bra and boxers. She creeps into the corner of the ship where your shared bed lies. Carol's eyes darken when she spots you. Your body is bare except for the blue collar snuggly around your neck. 

Carol knows that you must've fallen asleep while waiting for her return, but she can’t complain about the site in front of her. Her eyes are raking over your body as she bites her lips. This is much more exciting for her. The best homecoming gift that she could ever imagine. Your perfect form on display, begging for her attention. 

Carol stalks towards the bed desperate for a taste of you. She gently rolls you from your side to your back before crawling on the bed between your legs. Your body is already desperate for her touch knowing she is so close to you. She can see how your folds glisten in the dimly lit cabin. She doesn’t wait long before licking a strip up your folds, a groan escaping her lips at the taste of you. 

A small whimper fall form your lips when Carol sucks your clit between her lips. She starts to swirl her tongue around it as you begin to squirm. Pleasure coursing through you while you sleep. 

Carol uses her expert tongue to build you up, desperate to see you cum. Waiting for you to fill her mouth with your cum. She is desperate to see your face when you wake up on the brink of your orgasm. How she can give you overwhelming pleasure even while you’re asleep. Her eyes are burning into you as she watches your face contorting in pleasure. Your eyes are shifting under your eyelids, the furrow in your brow as your sleeping body receives pleasure. 

You’re slowly pulled from sleep. Your eyes slowly blinking as you try to comprehend what is going on. A loud moan rips from the depth of your throat and your eyes shoot open; Carol’s tongue slipping into your entrance. You’re surprised to see Carol’s light brown eyes staring back at you. Another moan escapes as she fucks her tongue in and out of your hole. One of your hands flying down and lacing through her soft golden hair, the other gripping the sheets. 

“Ah-ahhh, it feels so good.” You rut your hips against her face looking for more pleasure. You’re already so close to the edge. Carol’s nose brushing perfectly over your sensitive bundle of nerves. She eats you out like a starved woman and you’re her last meal. 

Your eyes are locked with Carols. You can barely see the smirk playing on her lips. She knows that you are close and she wants your cum to coat the lower half of her face. To taste all of you. She moves her lips back up to your clit and sucks it harshly and brings two fingers to your dripping entrance. She easily pushes her fingers into your soaking heat and starts pumping her fingers into you. A needy whine escapes you as your grip on her hair tightens. She is fucking you so good, you know you can’t last much longer. You’re walls squeezing her fingers and sucking her in more. 

“Cum baby, cum all over my face.” Carol mumbles against you. The vibrations and her words send you over the edge. Your legs clamp around her head and your back arches off the bed. Your release coating the lower half of Carol's face. But she doesn’t stop there; she continues to lick and suck, cleaning you of all your juices. 

Carol finally slows down after helping you ride out your high. Your legs loosen the grip they have on her head. She leans her head against the inside of your thigh watching your heaving chest. “Hi.” You manage to breathe out as it starts to even out. 

“Hi baby.” Carol smiles and turns her head kissing the inside of your thigh. 

You can’t help but let out a chuckle. “I wasn’t expecting to wake up like that. I’m sorry I fell asleep. You reach down towards Carol pulling her up and closer to you. She smiles down at you as she hovers. 

“No baby, I’m sorry I came home so late.” Carol leans down kissing your lips lovingly. You can’t help but moan, tasting yourself on her lips. When she pulls back she rests her forehead against yours. “I missed you.” She mumbles. 

“I missed you too Carol.” You peck her lips as she smiles against yours. Carol’s hands run down your sides with feather-like touches. 

Carol’s hand stops at your hips and grips. You let out a gasp as the action. ‘I’m not done with you just yet.” You can see the burning desire in her eyes. “You look so pretty laid out naked for me only wearing your pretty little collar.” You can’t help but whimper at her words. “Stay here baby.” 

Carol climbs off of you and the bed before going over to a drawer that is built into the ship. She rummages through it looking for something in particular. You can’t help but squirm knowing exactly what she is looking for. 

When Carol finally turns back around she holds a strap in her hand. It’s a beautiful sparkly blue. Something you picked out together. She steps into the harness and secures it around her hips. She stalks back over to the bed and crawls back on top of you. 

You feel as the strap rubs against your thigh. “Captain please.” It comes out as a whimper. 

“So desperate for me already baby. You want me filling your tight hole with my big cock. Hmm want me to grab that pretty little collar of yours while I fuck you?” Carol smirks down at you, rutting her hips, making the strap slide through your wet folds and bumping your protruding clit. “Such a pretty little thing with only a collar on.” 

A whimper escapes your lips. You nod your head. “Please captain, use me.” Carol lets out a growl. She moves her hand down lining the strap up with your entrance before pushing in. A low moan claws its way out of your throat as she sinks further in until her hips are flush with yours. 

You wrap your legs around Carol’s waist as she slowly starts to fuck into you. Your hands going to her back. You’re just as desperate for her and she is for you. Her strap easily slides in and out of you. She starts to pick up her pace as her hand moves to grip the collar around your throat. She tugs at it, watching as gasps and moans spill from your lips. “Such a good girl for me.” Her fingers trace over the collar.

A moan is caught in your throat when Carol grabs the collar and pulls. The pull is just enough to restrict your airways but you love it. Her hips now plowing into you, the harness of the strap brushing just perfectly against her clit with every thrust pushing you both closer to the edge. 

Your nails dig into her back as the pleasure courses through you. With the grip Carol has on your collar all of your moans and stuck in your throat. Your mouth hanging agape. Carol uses her grip to pull you up closer to her. She kisses your lips before mumbling against you. “So perfect. I love you baby.” 

You gasp trying to form words. Carol loosens her grip slightly. “I lo-love you too.” Your mind is reeling as her hips slam into yours. You're so close to cumming and you can tell she is too by the way her thrust are becoming sloppy. “Mmm fuck cap-captain. Ple-Please let me cum.” 

Carol smirks down at you. “Cum baby. Cum all over my cock.” She grunts. Her grip tightens again on your collar as her strap plunges in and out of you. With a few more thrust the knot in your stomach snaps. She tugs hard as your orgasm washes over you. Your eyes roll to the back of your head. Your legs tremble around her waist as your nails drag down her back. The constricted airway and the feeling of euphoria has your head swimming.

“Mmm fuck baby.” Carol grunts with each thrust. It doesn’t take long before she is falling over the edge after you. Her hips stutter as she cums. A low moan falling from her lips as she does. She continues to rut her hips into yours riding both of your highs out before she comes to a stop. She lets your collar go as she collapses on top of you. You wrap your arms tightly around her as she nuzzles into the crock of your neck. She leaves soft kisses on the skin of your neck. “Such a good girl for me. Always such a good girl.” She mumbles between kisses. 

As you both recover Carol gently rolls you both on your sides letting her strap stay buried inside of you. This makes you feel closer to her. This is all you could hope for, recovering in your lover's arms. 

[vnards]

GhostABO pt6

Time passes and Ghost still stands perched outside her room. A guard on a silent mission. The shadow that loiters, scaring those that dare to wander too close. No one bothers him. They leave him alone. Eventually, a brave soul will place a chair next to him, the quiet invitation to stay since he doesn’t seem to be going anyway any time soon. The evening turns into night and the lights dim for the patients and the staff. The medical bay lulling itself to sleep.

Something wakes up Ghost before he even realizes he’s standing up from his seat, moving without a second thought. He found himself standing in front of the door, waiting. For what, he’s not sure, but his blood is pumping and he’s on high alert, ready. It only takes a minute, before his senses come back to him.

Whimpering. He hears painful whimpers and he can’t stop himself from opening the door to check on the omega. The room is dark and quiet, nothing out of place. Nothing amiss. Then the stench of fear nearly makes him gag.  

He steps in and closes the door quickly, striding his way over to the bed where the omega lay tense and crying. Whimpering.

Simon moves without thinking, reaching his hands to gently cup her cheeks, to comfort her in her time of need. But when her eyes open to his, there isn’t recognition there, just pure and feral terror. The scream she lets out makes his blood run cold.

Fuck.

Her fist swings towards his eye and even with Simon’s amazing reaction time in the heat of battle, he’s still not able to dodge her wild hit. It causes him to fall back and away from the bed. It’s not the pain of getting punched by his omega that had fear climbing up Simon’s throat, it’s the panic of unknowingly hurting her after all the hellish nightmare she came from. Bloody idiot.

“It’s okay, baby girl. It’s just me,“ Simon shows his palms out, nearly on his knees to beg for her forgiveness.

“Don’t touch me!” A pillow comes flinging towards his head. He ducks just in time.

“I didn’t-“

The door is slammed open, two staff members checking on their patients and discover the scene unfolding in front of them. An alpha cornering a scared and vulnerable omega, hysterical. Simon has no time to explain.

next part ->

[thxnews]

DOD's $55 Million Boost for Energy Efficiency

Pioneering Sustainable Solutions for Military Installations

A Major Step Toward Energy Efficiency The Department of Defense (DOD) has announced a significant investment of over $55 million in federal grants. This funding is earmarked for projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and resilience at military bases worldwide. These initiatives are part of a broader, concerted effort to modernize base infrastructures and reduce the environmental footprint of military operations.   Expanding Global Energy Projects The allocated funds will benefit eight projects across various branches of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Washington headquarters services bases. Notably, these projects extend beyond the United States, with the U.S. Army Garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany, also receiving support. This global scope underlines the DOD's commitment to energy efficiency on an international scale.   Collaborative Federal Effort This initiative is part of a larger Department of Energy program, which has allocated more than $104 million to 31 projects across 11 federal agencies. The program's goal is to aid federal facilities in implementing cutting-edge energy conservation technologies, marking a significant investment in the future of sustainable government operations.  

A new 350-kilowatt-hour solar array was installed near the Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Photo by Cynthia Griggs, Hill Air Force Base. MOD.  

Deputy Defense Secretary’s Vision

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks emphasizes the grants as an opportunity for the DOD to enhance its operational capabilities and energy resilience. She stresses the importance of providing modern and efficient facilities to support the nation's defenders and their families. Hicks notes, "Our buildings support where people live, where our forces, allies, and partners train, and where our families raise and educate their children."   The department advances these priorities while minimizing environmental impact. Hicks adds, "These investments in energy resilience align with our military needs. The department's focus on resilience enables us to secure our critical infrastructure and capabilities and mitigates risk to our forces."   Energy Secretary’s Endorsement Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm, joining Hicks, underscored the importance of federal agencies leading by example in decarbonizing the economy. Granholm highlighted the Pentagon, the world's second-largest office building, as a starting point for energy-efficient initiatives.   DOD’s Iconic Headquarters Project Among the funded projects, $10 million will be invested in improving the energy footprint of the Pentagon. This includes HVAC recommissioning, heat pump installation, and the installation of solar infrastructure. These measures not only enhance energy efficiency but also ensure uninterrupted power supply, contributing to the mission, operations, and resilience of the Pentagon.   Spotlight: Tackling Cybersecurity Threats The DOD's efforts are crucial in defending against cyber and other threats to critical civilian energy infrastructure. By improving energy resilience, the DOD can better protect against these evolving threats.  

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks greets Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm at the Pentagon, Jan. 17, 2024. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders. MOD.  

Other DOD Awardees

The grants also support similar energy projects across the services, including: - Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, Alabama - Air Force Office of Energy Assurance, Indian Springs, Nevada - U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Directorate of Public Works, Germany - Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina - Commander, Navy Region Northwest, Oak Harbor, Washington - Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Kings Bay, Georgia - Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Millington, Tennessee   A Sustainable Future The DOD's investment in energy efficiency is a landmark step in ensuring the sustainability of military operations. These initiatives not only improve operational capabilities but also signify a shift toward a more responsible and environmentally conscious approach to defense.   Sources: THX News & US Department of Defense. Read the full article

[firefly-in-darkness]

Welcome Back

Pairing →Bucky Barnes x Reader

Characters → Mentions of Steve Rogers and the Team.

Summary → You welcome back your favourite supersoldier.

Word Count → 864 words.

AFG Square Fill  → Sexual Frustration @anyfandomgoesbingo

Bucky Barnes Bingo → In Hiding - @buckybarnesbingo

SSB2021 Square Fill → Helicarrier - @star-spangled-bingo

Warnings → 18+, Smut, Oral (male receiving), swearing

Betas → No beta // all mistakes are my own.

A/N → I was writing the second part to Separation, Connection when I decided that I really needed to write this instead. Hope you enjoy!

Firefly’s Masterlist

You pinned Bucky against the wall of one of Helicarrier’s cargo bays, dropping to your knees and tugging at the elastic band of his boxers until it exposed his hard cock. It had been the longest time apart, nearly two months and you’d waited long enough. The knowing smirk he'd sent your way across the conference room had you melting into your seat. Then the way his tongue flicked out and dragged it along his bottom lip, you were a goner.

You lapped at the pre-cum leaking at his red tip, the salty taste melted on your tongue, it had been even longer since you had him this way. You couldn’t keep your eyes off his blues and hummed in satisfaction at his dishevelled state, the short locks wild and unkempt from the heated kiss. You were going to have to remind Steve that this was never to happen again, you were never to be parted on missions, ever.

You were lucky you were on the Helicarrier and not the quinjet. The only time you enjoyed being this far off the ground in the control centre was when you and Bucky were able to sneak off from the team and get up to all sorts of naughty things. It was busy and big enough that it might take them a while to notice the world’s deadliest assassin and their highly skilled agent was missing, let alone find them.

You licked a stripe up his shaft causing Bucky to let out a groan, his head hitting back against the nets lining the walls at the rear of the giant flying command centre. Your thighs rubbed together, hoping for friction at your already soaking cunt. Your hand made its way up to his leather jacket, grabbing at the material for his attention, he couldn’t let anyone know where you were.

“Shhh baby, don’t want them to hear us do you.” You whispered against his tip before pressing a light kiss to it, teasing him for nearly exposing your hiding spot.

You pulled the boxers down to his ankles and pulled his shirt up and away from where you wanted to touch him the most. Bucky was almost fully exposed to you and you couldn’t help but melt at the sight before you. The man was cut from marble, littered with scars, and absolutely rock solid. For you.

Pumping his shaft with one hand and massaging his balls with another, you placed tentatively licks against his tip. The hiss of pleasure from above spurred you on to take him into your mouth, slowly coaxing his cock inside, saliva dripping down his shaft. His metal hand carded through your hair, pulling it away from your face as you continued to bob down onto him.

“Fuck, look at you, so beautiful,” Bucky growled, and his hips stuttered forwards.

Your eyes widened as his cock went deeper down your throat, and you could see the way it made Bucky throw his head back with a crack to the wall again. His hips snapped forward, his head going down your throat easily. Tears sprang from your eyes and rolled down your cheeks as you looked up at him, your cunt humming with a need for more.

Bucky paused and made a quick glance around the corner and then you heard it too. The soft sound of footsteps getting louder and louder, and then whoosh, the doors opened to a different hatch to the one you were hiding out in. If they’d decided to come through the door, they wouldn’t have necessarily seen you with Bucky’s cock rammed down your throat, but it would have been too close for your liking.

You began digging your nails slightly to get his attention. His darkened eyes and chewed his bottom lip, looking down at you with a raised brow, you nodded and saw the realisation dawn on his features.

Bucky weaved his flesh hand into your hair then slowly pushed his cock harder into your mouth. He held you there for a moment before he pulled back once more, “relax doll.”

The way he fucked your face was sure to send you over the edge and he hadn’t even touched your cunt yet. You spluttered around him, your nose buried into the little dark curls and drool sliding down your chin. He held you in place with a deep groan, spilling down your throat.

Bucky pulled himself out, strings of saliva and cum disconnecting and dripping from your lips. He hoisted you up into his arms, the friction of his erection through your clothed pussy pulled whimpers from you. He rested you against a crate and you relished in the weight of his chest pressed against yours.

“Damn, Doll.” He grinned, before pressing a chaste kiss to your lips.

“Welcome Back Sergeant Barnes.” you pulled away, leaning in to whisper at his ear, “You wait until we get home, I’m not wearing any panties under this tac suit and my cunt is dripping.”

Bucky growled and nipped at your neck in frustration, and you secretly wished you had stolen the quinjet when you went to collect them from the rendezvous point. Stupid fucking Helicarrier.

Everything Tag List: @kitkatd7 / @fandomfic-galore / @writerwrites / @thefridgeismybestie / @wedonttalkaboutitenough / @courtneychicken / @persephonesinfernos / @miraclesoflove / @lizzarooni /

Marvel Tag List: @natasha-danvers / @little-baby-vixen / @stuckonjbbarnes / @starlightcrystalline / @nekoannie-chan / @hailhydra920 / @vollzeitliebe / @fitzsimmons-is-forever / @ladyacrasia / @emmabarnes / @selfsun

[yamigooops]

~reward~

pairing: shotō todoroki x gn!reader genre: fluffy smut bby words: 2.3k warnings: none, just a blowjob hehe

a/n: uuuuuh hi, here’s something that i had in my writing folder that i completely forgot about, so hopefully this will placate you until i start posting my kinktober stuff WHICH I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT BTW. please enjoy :)

The water seared your tired skin as you stepped into the shower. You’d haphazardly thrown your clothes to the ground, putting on some music to fill the silence to make you feel mildly less alone in your big high-rise apartment. Settling in the center of the spray, you stood there for a moment, eyes shut, and head thrown back as you let the water roll down your chest. You lifted your hand and trailed your fingers down the valley between your breasts, pretending that the heat from the water and the touch of your hand was that of your lover.

Just the thought of him had your heart fluttering. You had barely seen Shōto at all this week, almost exclusively seeing him first thing in the morning or as you were falling asleep. You couldn’t blame him though, being the number 3 hero was a time-consuming job, especially since he and Deku were in the middle of a large investigation. He wasn’t able to tell you much about it, but from what you could gather from both him and the news, it was something big and probably very dangerous. So, every night he came home had you saying a silent prayer that he was safe, at least until tomorrow came.

Usually, he tried to send a few texts every day, but today there weren’t any, and it had you a bit on edge. As you soaked your hair, you thought about what he’d said this morning. The room was illuminated with the first rays of morning sun, casting him in soft golden light that had his hair shining and his skin glowing.

“Today is going to be difficult,” he murmured, pulling you closer into his chest. “We’re moving in on the suspect, and I’m not totally sure how it will go. But I don’t want you to worry, alright? I’m going to be just fine.” He pressed his lips to your hair, and you felt your heart constrict in your chest. “I know you probably will anyway, though.”

“You know me so well, Shō,” you chuckled softly. You traced your fingertips across his chest, mind wandering as you imagined all the things that could go wrong on his mission. “Just promise me you’ll come home tonight. Even if I’m asleep, you have to wake me up and let me know you’re back.”

He was quiet for a moment, prompting you to look up at him. His face was calm, eyes meeting yours with a soft determination that you had seen on him many times before. “I will come back to you, Y/N. I swear it.”

He hadn’t returned yet, but it wasn’t unusual for him to come home late on a normal day, much less one with a big mission like this. You tried to keep your worries at bay, tried to remind yourself that he was one of the strongest heroes in all of Japan. He could handle himself, and he was going to come back home, where he belonged. But that worry was still there, all too real and clawing at your heart no matter how hard you tried to ignore it.

Picking up the shampoo you were about to squirt some into your palm when the shower door opened quietly behind you. Spinning around, you were met with Shōto’s familiar smile. Gasping, you threw your arms around his neck, earning a quiet grunt from the hero. His arms snaked around your waist, pulling your torso flush against his as you buried your face in his neck. You stayed there, simply breathing in each other’s presences as the water ran down your back from the ceiling.

“You’re alright,” you whispered, relief flooding your veins at the feeling of his skin against yours once again.

“A little battered and tired as hell, but yes, I’m alright little one.” His voice sounded slightly strained, like he’d done quite a bit of yelling today, and as he’d suggested he sounded exhausted. But his fingers were gentle against your skin as he pulled back slightly to look at you. “I hope you didn’t drive yourself crazy worrying about me like you always do?” His lips raised in a small smile as he quirked one eyebrow.

“Oh, you know I did. Who would I be if I didn’t?” You chuckled. You pressed your forehead to his, closing your eyes and saying a silent prayer of thanks that he was back in your arms. You gently kissed him, heart soaring now that it was out of the grip of fear and worry, at least for now. Pulling back after a moment, you surveyed the damage. He had a bandaged bicep and calf, as well as numerous bruises blossoming on his fair skin, but nothing appeared to be broken. Gesturing to the bandages, you gave him a questioning look.

“The villain got in a few lucky shots with some blades,” he said, looking down sheepishly. “Nothing too bad though. Just a few new scars to add to my collection.”

“A collection which I wouldn’t mind never adding to again,” you chided playfully, but knowing full well he grasped your meaning.

“As you wish, I’ll just tell the villains you said they aren’t allowed to hurt me ever again.” His voice was colored with a dry humor that was reserved almost exclusively for you, and you couldn’t keep the smile off your face.

“You do that, won’t you?” You pressed another chaste kiss to his lips before stepping back. “Now, let’s clean up yeah? I’m sure you’re exhausted and want to get to bed.” You lifted the shampoo bottle yet again, but he plucked it from your grasp, pouring some into his hand and gesturing for you to turn around. Rolling your eyes, you obliged, welcoming the feeling of his fingers as they worked the shampoo into your hair and gently massaged your scalp. When he finished and you’d rinsed the suds under the waterfall spray, you returned the favor, taking care to get out the grime that had gotten into his hair thanks to the battle. He had his eyes closed as you rinsed it out, the picture of relaxation and bliss.

“Time to scrub down that sweet little body,” he murmured, picking up a loofa and putting his body wash on it. He knew you liked using his instead of the one you’d gotten for yourself, which stood nearly untouched and was essentially a waste of a few good yen. After getting it sudsy, he started scrubbing your back in slow, careful motions moving down until he reached your ass, which he playfully squeezed as he placed a kiss to the back of your head before turning you around. He washed the rest of you before it was your turn to return the favor.

You got to work on his back, fingers gliding easily over the contours of his muscles as you admired his physique for the millionth time. You brought the loofa over his arms, careful to avoid the bandage on his left one but making sure to scrub away all the grime from the day before you turned him around. You brought it over his chest, the silence almost palpable between the two of you as music played softly in the background. As you finished cleaning off his stomach, you looked up to meet his gaze, which you found squarely on you. Despite having been together for almost two years now, that two-toned gaze never failed to make your insides squirm and your cheeks heat up.

That heat drove you to your knees as you brought the loofa down his uninjured leg, eyes holding his the whole way down. You saw his shoulders tense slightly as he gulped, catching the meaning behind your actions before you even acted. You finished washing his legs, taking care around his calf before tossing the loofa to the ground. You guided him to step back into the stream of water, helping wash away the suds running down his body, before you smiled wickedly and pushed him down onto the stone bench that ran the length of the wall.

“My Shōto, I’m so glad you’re home,” you murmured, pressing gentle kisses to the insides of his thighs. “I’m so sorry you got hurt, so I just want to make you feel better.”

“I know, little one.” His voice was low as he threaded his fingers into your hair, holding it out of your face as you placed one hand around his hardening length. “You always make me feel so good, even when I’m hurt.”

As your lips met the junction of his thigh and his member, you paused, looking up at him. “Thank you for keeping people safe, Shōto. You put yourself in harm’s way to save others. And I will forever be grateful for that,” you sighed, a smile spreading across your features as your hand slowly pumped him. “Even if it means I’m always worrying about you. I’ll gladly do that if it means you get to fulfil your life’s goal.”

“I never mean for you to worry, my love,” he sighed. His other hand cupped your chin gently, thumb running over your lips as he looked down on you with hooded eyes. “But knowing that I get to come home to you each night makes what I do so much easier.”

You ducked your head to kiss his palm before moving to press your lips to the now swollen head of his dick. A bead of precum had gathered there, and you swiped your tongue over it, eyes closing in bliss at the taste of him. Unable to wait any longer, you wrapped your lips around him, tongue swirling around his head for a few moments before you moved further down.

He grunted as you hollowed your cheeks, taking things slow but not too slow. You wanted to savor the moment, cherish the fact that he came home from his mission and was back in your arms safe and sound. You wanted to make this memorable, wanted him to think about it for the days to come as he went off to fight villains and keep unknowing citizens safe. So, you took your time, drawing out every moment as you swirled your tongue around his shaft, fingers tightening around the base as you sunk further down.

“So warm,” he moaned, fingers tightening in your hair. You looked up to find his eyes screwed shut, head lolled forward as he bathed in the pleasure of the moment. Steam curled around him as beads of water rolled down his chest. The shower was hot on your back, and you off-handedly wondered if he was cold before remembering his quirk and shrugging the thought off.

Moaning around him, you ran your free hand slowly up his stomach, running your nails over his skin and coming to a stop at one nipple. You circled it with your middle finger for a moment, teasing it as you bobbed up and down on his length. He sucked in a sharp breath as you took it between your fingers and pinched, rolling the bud between your fingers. He had such sensitive nipples, and you always tried to pay attention to them when you went down on him.

“Y-Y/N I-” he choked out, head leaning back against the shower wall as you pushed further down his cock, nose brushing his stomach as he hit the back of your throat. The hand that had been pumping him moved to cup his balls, fingers running over them softly. “Feels so good!” If you could have smiled, you would have. His chest was heaving harder now, a flush running from his cheeks down his neck.

You pulled off him for a moment to catch your breath, a line of thick saliva and precum connecting your bottom lip to his cock. “You’re doing so well Shō, almost there,” you encouraged in a hushed voice between gasps for air. He let out a whimper as you pumped him before you sank back onto him all the way to the hilt. Your eyes watered slightly, but Shōto was worth watery eyes. He was worth so much more than that, and you knew you had to show him.

So, you went hard. You gave him everything as he began to buck up into your waiting mouth. His hand pressed down, and you took all of him with each thrust. It was a bit overwhelming, and your jaw was beginning to ache, but it was worth it as soon as you looked up at him again.

“I’m c-close, Y/N! Almost there-” he groaned, brows knitting together as he grimaced. You gave his balls a squeeze at the same time as his nipple and he cried out. It was just enough to send him over the edge, and he spilled hot cum down your throat. It coated your tongue, and you savored the taste of him as you continued to bob up and down, letting him ride out his high. You continued until he moaned in overstimulation, and you pulled off him with a sly grin and a pop.

He peeled his eyes open, gaze hazy with lust and weariness as he moved his hand from your hair to your cheek. “God, I love you so much, Y/N.” His voice was hoarse, and you smiled at the sound of it.

“I had to give you some sort of reward for your hard work today,” you chuckled, pushing off your knees to kiss him. His tongue was hot in your mouth as you wound your fingers into his two-colored hair.

Breaking off, he looked at you with a glint in his eyes. “Well then I suppose I should thank you properly for that reward then, shouldn’t I?”

Despite how tired he was, you had a feeling tonight would be a long night…

[writing-wh0re]

Can I get prompts 9, 12, and 30 for a Bucky Barnes smut? I was thinking something soft like she gets hurt in a mission and he is helping take care of her wounds and if results in soft smut.

All writings will be #writing-wh0re-requests

Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader. 

My first Bucky Barnes and soft smut. Likes are great but feedback is golden, let me know how I can improve or what I could write for you! 

Word count: 1,451k

Prompts Requested: 

9 - “Did he do this?” 

12 - “I’m fucking crazy about you” 

30 - “Are you hurt?”

Warnings: Smut 18+, Injury, Fingering, Female Receving Oral, Vaginal Intercourse, Unprotected Sex. 

I hold my side, feeling the slight burn of the bruises forming on my skin. I stumble through the avengers compound, my feet sore from the fight as I make it into the medical bay. I look at my appearance in the mirror, a cut across my cheek, blood staining my face. 

“Are you hurt?” I look behind myself in the mirror seeing Bucky dressed in his gym clothing. 

“Honestly, yeah.” I nod as Bucky grabs a face washer from the cabinet, walking over to me. 

“Let me help you.” Bucky coats the washer in water, gesturing for me to sit on the medical bed. 

“We could have used you out there you know.” 

“Tell Tony that, he thought it would be a good opportunity for you and the spider.” I scoff as Bucky smirks at me, wiping the blood off my cheek as I wince. “Sorry.” 

“It’s okay.” I smile, trying to help get my point across. 

“How did this happen?” 

“I got myself cornered and Peter used his web to get me out but didn’t help me stick the landing and I cut my cheek on debris.” 

“Wait.” Bucky steps back to look at me. “Did he do this?” I notice the tone in Bucky’s voice change, his body language following. Is he being protective of me?

“No, well not on purpose, there was a lot going on and it's more on me for not sticking the landing.” 

“Well either way, I’m going to talk to the kid.” 

I feel my stomach erupt with butterflies at Bucky’s words, my small crush on him causing my cheeks to heat up. He smiles at me as he continues to clean my wound. My eyes wander downwards to his lips as he softly licks them. 

“Do you need help with anywhere else?” 

“Would you mind looking at a few of the bruises, just to make sure nothing is broken?” I ask, confidence radiating off me as Bucky nods. I stand off the bed, my body almost flush against his as I zip down the front of my suit, my red lace bra on full display as I slip my arms out. I look back up at Bucky, his pupils blown with lust as I smirk. 

“Uh, this spot right here, I was kicked pretty hard.” Bucky’s eyes travel over my body as his flesh hand brushes over the forming green and purple bruise. 

“I, uh, might have an idea on how I can help.” I nod softly as Bucky smirks. “Are you sure?” I smile, biting my lip softly as I nod again, not trusting for my voice not to quiver under his lust filled stare. 

Bucky pulls me flush against his chest as I lick my lips and he tilts my head up, pressing his lips to mine. A soft gasp falls from my mouth which allows Bucky to slip his tongue into my mouth as we begin to fight each other for dominance. I feel his hands grab my hips softly, lifting me onto the bed as he stands between my legs, never once breaking the kiss. 

“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.” I giggle as Bucky smiles. 

“I’m fucking crazy about you.” I feel heat hit my cheeks as Bucky continues. “I have been since our first mission together.” I pull on his shirt, trying to get him out of it as he gladly follows my gesture, ridding himself of the fabric as he toys with the clasp of my bra, letting the fabric fall from my body. 

“Beautiful.” Bucky whispers as he kisses me, hands wandering down my body so softly to make sure he doesn’t touch any of my newly forming bruises. I place my hands on his toned chest, feeling his muscles tense under my touch. Bucky breaks the kiss, walking away from me to pull the curtain across the small medical bed area. 

“Are you sure you want this?” I smile as I shimmy my suit down my legs, my matching red lace panties on full display as Bucky sighs, tilting his head to the side looking me up and down. 

“I want this more than anything.” That’s all the confirmation Bucky needs as he pulls down his gym sweats, placing his hands on the sides of my face as he kisses me ever so softly, the kiss filled with love and passion as I slowly move back on the bed, my back hitting the wall as Bucky breaks away. 

“Lay down doll.” I follow Bucky’s instruction, my pussy throbbing at the nickname as he gets on top of me, watching where he places his body to ensure the bruises on my skin don’t get bumped. 

Bucky kisses along my jaw, littering the skin on my neck with hot open mouthed kisses as I gasp causing Bucky to smirk against my skin having found my sweet spot. He continues to kiss and lick the spot just below my ear, leaving his mark on my skin. 

“Bucky.” His name falls from my lips, my body on fire under his touch as he kisses down my body, his metal hand kneading my right breast as his tongue plays with my left nipple. He continues down my body, kissing my clothed core as he looks up at me. 

“All for me?” Smirking he loops his fingers under the sides of my panties, pulling them all the way down my legs, throwing them on the ground as he keeps his eyes focused on my heat. He kisses each side of my pussy before softly licking from my entrance to my clit. Swirling his tongue around in a figure eight motion as I become breathless, gasps of air filling the silence as I move my hips up against his tongue. I moan as I feel his metal hand hold my hip down, his flesh hand coming between my legs as he slips two fingers inside me, my back arching off the leather of the bed as I bite my lip, holding back a loud moan. 

“Fuck, I’m close.” I whimper as Bucky doesn’t stop, his fingers rubbing against the walls of my pussy as he continues his figure eight motions. I feel him moan against my clit as I cum all over his fingers, my clit growing sensitive as he gives it one last longing lick, pulling his fingers out to look at me smugly. 

“So pretty when you cum Doll.” 

“Bucky, please, I want to finally feel you inside me.” I beg as he chuckles, slipping out of his boxer briefs. I moan just looking at his erect cock, slightly glistening with precum as I go to sit up, Bucky shaking his head. 

“You’re injured, next time.” Bucky says understanding I want to play with him. I watch as he pumps his cock, running it up and down my wet slit, feeling light rushes of electricity run through me as my sensitive clit is bumped. Bucky slides skillfully into me, my walls instantly contracting around him, the electricity still flowing through my body, causing my legs to shake as Bucky groans. 

“You’re so fucking tight doll, fuck.” I watch as Bucky keeps his eyes trained on himself going in and out of me. “Made for me.” 

I blush as I arch my back, Bucky leaning over to kiss me as I wrap my arms around his neck, my legs following as I push him deeper into me. Both of us moan against each other as he continues his rhythmic thrusts. 

“It’s so sensitive.” I cry out as Bucky places his forehead against mine. “I’m close Buck.” 

Bucky picks up his pace a little as my legs start to tremble around his hips. 

“Cum for me doll.” I bite my lip pulling Bucky flush against me as I move my hips with his, cumming harder the second time as Bucky’s thrusts slow, his cock twitching inside of me as he moans, kissing me. Bucky pulls out of me as I whimper at the feeling of being empty. 

I sit up, wincing as the pain from my bruises as it winds me slightly. 

“Let me help you.” Bucky smiles, helping me sit up as he slides my pantines back up my legs. “I’m not going to put you back in the suit though.” He chuckles as he grabs a medical lab coat, handing it to me as he quickly changes into his gym clothes. 

“Thanks, um, so…” I trail off as Bucky smiles sweetly at me, kissing my head. 

“I’d love for you to be mine Doll.” I smile wide as my stomach fills with butterflies, tingles flood my body as I nod. 

“I’d like that.”

“C’mon Doll, we’ll go have a bath.” 

“You know the way to my heart, Bucky Barnes.”

[elenamiria]

Obi-Wan Kenobi x Reader x Commander Cody - Kinktober Day 5

Double (or more) Penetration | Master/Slave | Blood/Gore | Tickling

Word Count:  2k (lmaooo my 500 word count goal really just got flung out the window(Also I really hope you guys like it cus it’s my favorite so far))  Warnings: Double penetration, Dirty Talk, Blxwjobs, an*l (fingering and penatration), unprotected s*x, minor exhibitionism and vouyerism, c*mming inside, Codywan, fem reader

Kinktober Day 4  «  Kinktober Masterlist  »  Kinktober Day 6

Main Masterlist & Taggies: @legally-a-bastard​

Your face burned hot as you buried your face into Obi-Wan’s neck. Moments ago Commander Cody had knocked on the door to Obi-Wan’s personal quarters to discuss an upcoming mission. At the time you had been eagerly bouncing on Obi’s rock hard cock and didn’t think anything of the interruption until Obi-Wan responded with the instructions for Cody to come in. You had squeaked in surprise and stilled on Obi’s lap, he gave you a sly grin as he wrapped his arms comfortingly around your bare waist. Just before the door had slid open he cooed to you, “Oh come darling, don’t think I miss the way you look at our dashing commander.”

You had stuttered an excuse but as your hot walls fluttered around Obi’s hard length there was no denying that he was right. Cody strolled in, face bare - helmet under his arm, eyes looking down at the data pad he held. He started speaking before looking up, something about a military strategy or whatever - you weren’t paying attention as you were focused on making yourself as small as possible. You did take note of the way Cody’s words faltered and how harshly his breath hitched when he finally looked up. He stammered out a rather incoherent apology and spun on his heel to leave before Obi-Wan called out to him. “You have nothing to apologize for Commander, I did invite you in after all. And if the way our little medic’s pussy is clenching around me I’d say she doesn’t want you to go either. Do you darling?” Your head rose to look Obi-Wan in the eye to make sure he was truly alright with this, when you found nothing but encouragement there you hastily confirmed what your Jedi lover had said, “No, Cody...I’d like you to stay! Please, if you want to.” You heard him shift behind you as you craned your neck to try to look at him. He came into your peripheral vision and his hand gently trailed along your side and up to lightly cup your face. “Are you sure that’s what you want cyare?” You tilted to meet his hand and nodded eagerly, you had always tried to hide your attraction to the commander. Especially whenever he came into med bay and you had to patch up his strong arms or tend to his muscular back but he always noticed how flustered you got and seemed to linger just a while longer than strictly necessary. A pleased rumble came from Cody’s chest as he leaned down to capture your mouth in a fiery kiss, questioning as he pulled away - “How do you want me Cyar’ika?” You looked to Obi-Wan for guidance but he shook his head and softly offered, “We’re both here for you, whatever you want my dear.” You thought for a moment while Cody started shedding his gear and you bit your lip nervously before speaking, “I think I’d like Commander Cody in my...my pussy.” Your face heated at your brazen words and Cody tried, and failed, to suppress a moan that flew free at your words. Obi nodded encouragingly and tenderly questioned, “Would you like me to step aside for a bit while you and Cody get acquainted?” You shook your head before timidly speaking, “I want you too, I...uhm, want you in my ass.” Obi-Wan blushed at your words, mouth forming a little oh, before he nodded and eased you off his lap. He quickly gathered the lube from his bedside and paused as Cody had pulled you into a passionate kiss, enjoying the view for a moment, before sitting down back in his previous spot at the edge of the bed. He and Cody shared a look before he squirted lube onto his fingers giving you the gentle warning that he was going to get you ready for him. Cody centered you, your back to Obi-Wan, promptly distracting you with sweet kisses as his hands roamed your body. He groped at your chest just as Obi-Wan slid a slick finger gently into your tight puckered hole. You shifted a bit but as Cody trailed his mouth down your neck, intent on sucking a mark into your skin, you forgot any nervousness that had filled you. Gently Obi-Wan eased another finger into you causing a small whimper to leave your mouth. His hand soothingly stroked your side as his fingers softly pumped in and out, only when he felt you relax into him did he start lightly stretching your taught muscles out. Cody had made his way down to your chest now and was kissing as well as lightly sucking at your nipples, the sensations surrounding your body in the most pleasurable way. Obi-Wan called your name softly as you shivered when Cody nipped lightly at your tit and he asked if you thought you could take another finger. You nodded and your hands moved to grip Cody’s shoulders tightly as another finger was slipped into you. Your commander rose to capture your lips again, begging for entrance into your mouth, while his hand trailed down to stroke at your clit. Rubbing lightly at you he trailed his fingers down to gather some of the sick that had gathered in between your thighs before using it to swirl his fingers around your clit with ease. You panted as Obi thoroughly stretched you out and Cody distracted you with amorous touches and you finally broke away from his mouth to whine, “Obi, I’m ready. Please I can’t wait any longer, I want you both in me.” Obi-Wan obliged, gently pulling his fingers from you before generously lubing himself up and spreading some more on your tight hole. Cody took a step back to watch as Obi-Wan gently guided your hips back and lined himself up. Ever so slowly you sank backwards, legs trembling as Obi-Wans hard cock slid past your tight ring of muscle and into your ass. Your hands gripped onto his tightly as you slid further onto him, pausing ever so often as the feeling overwhelmed you, until you were sat fully on him. It was as if the three of you had been holding your breath the whole time you were easing Obi-Wan into you and you all let out a collective sigh. Cody whistled at the delectable sight before him as Obi-Wan murmured to you, “Are you alright love? Your not in any pain are you?” You shook your head as finally your grip on his hands loosened, “No, I just feel full. I need a minute to adjust.”

Cody nodded and seemed content to watch but you beckoned him forward. Cody approached, hand coming to stroke your face softly, and your hands left Obi-Wan's to tug down your commander's blacks. As his cock was freed your mouth fell open slightly, he was bigger than you had expected, but you earnestly tilted forward to suck him into your mouth. Cody faltered before a loud groan filled the air, his hips starting a slow rhythm, bucking into your warm mouth. While you were distracted Obi-Wan started to tentatively move until he was sure he wasn't hurting you and then he started a slow teasing pace. You started to moan onto Cody's hard cock and you pulled off with a pop as you nodded and stated, "I'm ready, please Cody - I want you so badly."

Cody shifted backwards as Obi-wan gently helped you to spread your legs. Cody's silky head teased at your dripping cunt and he looked at you one last time for assurance. When you nodded to him his hips canted forwards and he pressed into your tight heat. The three of you let out loud cries and moans at the sensation. You had never felt more full and each hole was tighter than normal from being filled so deliciously. Cody leaned to capture your lips in a warm kiss as he started to pump in and out of your hot cunt. Obi-Wan let out a whimper as he could feel the movement of Commander Cody's cock from within your other hole. Your Jedi started to shift his hips gently back and forth in time with Cody's thrusts and the two sensations clouded your mind, you had never felt so full in your life. As Cody pulled away from your mouth to let out a loud groan and pick up the pace your head fell back onto Obi-Wan's shoulder and your mouth fell open as desperate mewls flew from your mouth. Stuttering out both of their names you felt dizzy with pleasure, spread out on both of their huge cocks. You whimpered as you felt that familiar coil in your lower belly started tightening and both of your men moaned as your holes fluttered around them. Obi-Wan surprised you when he moaned out his Commander's name and Cody's eyes flew open to meet the Jedi's, a soft look filling the brown depths. Cody leaned forward to slot his mouth against Obi-Wan's and as their thrusts synced up the sight of the two of them so eagerly kissing each other sent you spiraling. Both of your holes grew impossibly tighter as you cried out their names in a garbled mess of moaning and sobbing. Tears filled your eyes as you felt fingers at your clit, though you had no idea who's they were, you would later realize it was both of them - their hands intertwined as they toyed with you, working you through your peak. Your vision went all spotty as the two cocks pumping into you sped up, both men seeking their release. At some point they must have broken apart as Cody managed to quietly sputter, "Where do you want us to cum, little medic?" You moaned at the thought of them filling you even more and you quickly gasped out, "Inside, please General, Commander. Please fill me up!" A low growl fell from Cody's mouth at your words and Obi-Wan couldn't help the pleased rumble that came from the use of his title. Cody once again captured Obi-Wan's lips in a passionate kiss as he started to cum, smothering his moan with Obi's mouth. The kiss propelled Obi-Wan over the edge and he too started to paint your insides with his hot cum. Your body thrilled at the feeling of both men filling you up, a shiver running down your spine in aftershock, and the pleased trill that came from your mouth startled you at it’s loudness. You were still so out of it, so thoroughly fucked, you had no idea how long the three of you sat still. Cody was the first to move, gently pulling out of your spent pussy, some of his cum leaking out. Whimpering as he did you grasped behind you at Obi-Wan for comfort. Obi soothingly ran his hands up and down your arms, cooing praises at you. Cody returned to press a soft kiss to your mouth. As you and Obi slowly started to disconnect Cody gathered his clothing, slowly slipping it back on. You looked at him questioningly as his beautiful tan skin disappeared inside his blacks. He looked at you apologetically and gruffly said, "I'm, uh, technically still on duty so I have to go back to the bridge. If you and General Kenobi have the rest of the night off, I'll come back when I'm relieved." Your eyes softened and you nodded understandingly. Obi-Wan hummed behind you, "I do believe both of us are off for the day and I would enjoy your company once you are off for the night as well, what do you say my love?" You nodded enthusiastically and weakly stumbled over to Cody, legs feeling boneless, in order to press a soft kiss to his scarred cheekbone. His furrowed brow softened as he looked between you and Obi-Wan, who was now lounging on the bed, and he nodded as well. "Then I will see both of you in a few hours." He finished dressing and you went to snuggle against Obi-Wan on the bed, giving Cody a small wave as he slipped out the door. Obi stroked your side tenderly as he grinned and quipped, "Well, I think that went rather well." You laughed lightly as you nodded happily, it seemed your duo had become a trio, and you couldn't have been happier.

[rainydaydream-gal18]

Clone Wars- Captain Rex x Reader: Meeting at the Gym

    Eyes focused.  Blood pumping.  Heart pounding.

   Gloves thudded against the punching bag rapidly as you landed another combination of strikes.  You bounced back on the ball of your foot, inhaling sharply, and moved to throw another punch.

   Then, you backed off to catch your breath and take a swig of water.  One of the dim lights flickered above you as you sipped from your water bottle.  Aside from your heavy breathing, it was dead quiet.  The mats and equipment were empty, looking rather deserted at this hour.  You were on a ship, but according to everyone’s chronos, it was late into the night.  Usually you did not hit the gym until later in the evening anyway when there’d be fewer occupants, but this was late even for you.

   The day had been particularly stressful.  You were a technician for the 501st, and the latest mission left plenty of repairs for you and your coworkers to handle after the heat of battle was over.  You worked late into the evening and ended up at the gym even later.  

   The 501st was made rather famous thanks to General Skywalker’s daring plans.  Even as a technician, you had seen a few fights which sealed your decision to learn to defend yourself and others if the moment arose.  Soldiers who occupied the gym for the most part, but the space was open for use to anyone aboard the ship. 

   You put your water bottle back into your bag, shooting a glance to the mirror which took up the entire wall on your right.  It was a long day, but you couldn’t say you were ready to sleep just yet.  So, you resumed your stance by the punching bag, striking it swiftly in different combinations.  You paused to hold the bag steady every so often before continuing.

   So focused were you that you didn’t notice a soldier enter the gym.  Only after you felt a pair of eyes on you did you stop to look around, alarmed that someone would be there at this hour.  Your gaze met with Captain Rex’s.  He stood there in a tank top and shorts with a duffel bag under his arm.  You had seen the men in the gym in their casuals before, but never Rex.  Though you didn’t always directly work with him, he was considered your superior.  It was the strangest thing to see him off-duty.

   “Hello Captain,” you greeted, wiping a bit of sweat off your forehead.  “Didn’t think anyone else was up this late.”

   “Neither did I.”  After a minute or so of silence between the two of you, he said, “please, don’t stop on my account.”

   You turned your attention back to your exercise routine and landed a few more strikes, pausing to balance the punching bag.  After a few more rounds of this, Rex suddenly appeared in your peripheral.  He moved behind the punching bag to hold it steady.  You nodded your gratitude and continued.  After a few punches, he spoke up.

   “You’re not going to bring a Seppy down with that stance.”

   You halted, not sure what to say to that.   You had saved up some credits on the side and started a subscription of martial arts holovids.

   “I started an online program,” you said.  “The martial arts professional in the holovid showed this stance.” 

   Rex gave a chuckle.  “That professional is someone who wants your credits.”

   You opened your mouth to retort, but couldn't think of one.  

   He let go of the punching bag and walked to your side.  “Here, let me show you how a soldier does it.”  You took a step back, crossing your arms.  “You’ve got the speed down,” he continued.  “But you need to make sure your stance is right, or else there won’t be enough power behind the punch.”  He took a stance, fists in front of his chest, and threw a couple of punches that echoed in the gym.  The sound drew your attention to his arms and then back to meet his gaze.  Those punches were powerful, might have even knocked a battle droid off its feet.

   Rex must have caught the impressed look you gave him because you thought you saw a hint of a smile on his face.

   “Okay,” you mimicked the stance.  “Like this?”

   “Yeah, and when you punch, move your whole body so the energy ripples through and is all the more stronger when your fist makes contact with your opponent.”

   You did as he instructed, moving your hips first and then arm as you hit the punching bag.  Rex’s eyebrows shot up and he nodded.

   “Good.  Again.”  You complied, and he nodded once more.  “Impressive.  I think you’ve got it down.  Keep practicing though, to keep the technique fresh in your mind.”

   “Will do.”

   There was a short pause.  “So, what brings you here so late?”

   “Long day.”  You shrugged.  “I try to get a little workout in every now and then.  You?”

   “Usually I’m up this late with paperwork, but I had a lot on my mind.  Not exactly feeling paperwork right now.”  Rex eyed the punching bag.

   “Well, here,” you said, holding it steady.  “Have at it.  And if you want to talk, feel free.  If not, you can just let your fists do the talking.” You grinned.

   That seemed to make him laugh, and it was a pleasant sound.  You’d seen him lighten up a little around his fellow men and occasionally with Skywalker and Tano, and you were glad to have the chance to put a smile on his face.  He usually looked rather serious otherwise.

    When the laughter receded, you were left with him gazing at you with a softness you’d never seen in him before.  His brow wasn’t creased with worry or deep thought, and his eyes contained warmth.  You always thought he was handsome, but this was also a flattering look for him.  “Thanks, _________.”

   “No problem, Captain.”

   “Rex,” he corrected.  “We’re off-duty.  You can just call me Rex.”

   “Sure thing, Rex.”

   He took a stance.  “It’s been an interesting week.”  He threw a few punches, and you knew he was holding back for the sake of conversing without being out of breath.  “Which isn’t anything new.  General Skywalker isn’t adverse to particularly risky situations.”  Then, he shook his head.  “But we always manage.”

   “Oh yes, I’m quite familiar with Skywalker’s risky situations,” you muttered.  “Somehow I ended up blasting some droids to keep them at bay.  Me.  A technician.  It sure was a good time, I’ll admit, but it’s not like I was trained for that.”

   “I thought you handled yourself pretty well.”

   “Didn’t think you noticed with all the action out there.”

   Rex threw another few punches.  “Yeah, I stuck around to keep an eye on you.”

   You recalled that day, remembering very clearly seeing the helmet decorated with jaig eyes, though you had no idea at the time that he was there to protect you.  “Thank you.”

   “Don’t mention it.”

“Either way, I owe you one.”

   “How about after tonight we call it even?” he suggested.  “It’s nice to have company.”

   “It is,” you agreed.  “I don’t like it being too crowded in here, but it’s nice to have someone.”

   Rex halted, grabbing a towel from his duffle bag to dab his forehead.  “I know it’s late, but you up to hit the mess hall and get something to eat?”

   You smiled.  “Yeah, that sounds nice.”  You packed up your equipment, occasionally sneaking a glance at Rex over your shoulder.  The stress from your day had all but melted away just from this short time with the Captain, and it seemed like he felt similarly.  With his duffle slung over one shoulder, he looked to you.  

   “Ready?”

   “Yep, coming,” you said, catching up with him at the door.

[gumnut-logic]

Callisto - Part Five - Orientation

Prologue 1. Incident - Bit 1 | Bit 2 2. Fallout - Bit 1 | Bit 2 | Bit 3 3. Voyage - Bit 1 | Bit 2 | Bit 3 4. Arrival - Bit 1 | Bit 2 5. Orientation

Things actually start happening now :D

As always, many, many thanks to @tsarinatorment​ @scribbles97​ @janetm74​ and @onereyofstarlight​ for all their amazing help. We’re deep into the hard slog now, but I am still enjoying this so that is a good sign :D

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this and cheer me on. The hard slog of the middle of a long fic can be as bad as the hard slog in the middle of a painting, so all cheering is always welcome. But ultimately, I’m hoping you are find this enjoyable and not boring :D Nutty is learning here, so big L plate on my forehead.

Let the antics continue.

-o-o-o-

Virgil stared at his father’s broad back as he walked the length of the gantry toward the elevator. Scott paused a moment and Virgil placed a hand on his back in support. Muscle beneath many micro layers of spacesuit rippled as his brother loosened his shoulders. A glance of fiery blue and Scott followed his father.

As was the way of things.

Virgil followed Scott.

As was the way of things.

The cavern was a large one. It had to be to fit Three beneath its airlock doors. His heads up display confirmed pressurisation of the bay to Earth normal and his mind did the calculations on the infrastructure required to pump that much atmosphere into such a large space so quickly. He couldn’t help but be impressed.

The gantry led to an elevator platform and they crowded onto it. Gordon brushed up against him as if to catch his attention and a worried frown was shot in Virgil’s direction.

As the gantry retracted and the platform lowered, Virgil let a hand brush against Gordon’s side. If he did the same to Alan, well, they were his brothers and he may have needed the connections a little himself.

The ride down gave them a great view of the heavy equipment available in the bay. Virgil had accessed all the information he could get his hands on during the trip out, needing to know how he was going to deploy their own equipment.

He had known this was going to be an underground job and had packed accordingly. The problem with underground was initial deployment - how to get the equipment under the ground.

The backup was always to make their own holes. But that could be unnecessarily messy and a last resort. So Virgil was quite happy to see the set up included all the heavy-duty crane and hover support he could ever want.

TI had equipped this expedition exceedingly well.

Walters met them at the bottom of the bay. The rock had been ground smooth down here, filler shone in places where ice had obviously been removed, making the floor a patchwork of white and dark grey, human ingenuity and raw moon.

The Commander nodded to Scott, but it was their father whose hand he grasped solidly before pulling him into a hug. “Space Jockey, it is so good to see you. Thank you for coming.” Walters stepped back and held Jeff at arms’ length. “You’ve gone grey.”

“And you’re bald. Your point?” But their father was grinning through the plasiglass of his helmet.

“We’re both a little crunchy around the edges.” He turned to Lee. “Hey, Scrappy.”

“Graeme, I may be old, but I can still kick your ass over that.” Despite the threat, Uncle Lee grabbed the man’s hand and shook it with enthusiasm.

“These are my boys.” Dad gestured at them in turn. “Scott, Virgil, Gordon and Alan. John is still aboard the Excel and will be liaising from there.”

Walters nodded at each of them in turn, his white-grey spacesuit wrinkling with the movement. He had his helmet on just like the IR crew did. Best chance to avoid contamination or some random bug the Tracys might had inadvertently brought with them.

Of course, Virgil and John had run the decon protocols before departure and it was obvious Callisto had its own methods, but the risk was there. Helmets on unless they had no choice.

Another thing about space that was annoying - listening to your own breathing in a confined container. Okay for short term, total annoyance long term. Especially if your nose got itchy.

It was a sign that Virgil really needed more sleep when he managed to miss a chunk of what Walters was saying simply because he was designing an in-helmet nose scratcher in his head. Well, it could be multifunctional if he gave it enough reach. Head scratcher, chin scratcher-

Gordon nudged him.

Unfortunately, right in his bruises. “Ow.” He glared at his brother only to find the fish gesturing with his eyes.

Commander Walters was looking at Virgil with a question on his face. Both Scott and Dad were frowning at him. Oh shit. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

“The Commander asked if we would like to survey the entrance to the caves first or deploy our equipment.” Dad’s voice was very...patient. “Scott said it was your decision.”

Virgil didn’t hesitate, regardless of the embarrassment. “I’ve scoured your maps, Commander, but I would be happier if you could show us the entrance to the cave network. It’s not far?” maps and diagrams were one thing. Reality was another.

Walters eyed him a little curiously. “Sure. Follow me.” And he led them towards a set of massive doors.

For a moment there, Virgil expected some grinding machinery to split the doors wide like some grand movie entrance complete with cinematic music, but no, Walters led them to a small airlock embedded in the left door and ushered them through.

It was kind of disappointing actually.

“We keep the Garden isolated as a precaution and as a way to monitor the function of the ecosystem.

“Garden?” Alan had obviously not had time to fully read up on the Base like the rest of them.

Walters’ eyes lit up despite everything. “You are in for a treat. The Garden is our horticultural team’s ultimate triumph.”

The doors opened and sunlight flooded into the airlock. And it was sunlight enough for Virgil’s jaw to drop. They stepped out into an environment so familiar, they may as well have stepped out the back door of the villa.

Except it wasn’t. The plants were recognisable, yes, but their growth most definitely was not.

This was not in the briefing notes.

“This looks suspiciously familiar.” It was Gordon who stepped to the front of the group.

Walters frowned. “Excuse me.”

Gordon’s eyes narrowed in on the man. He pointed at a nearby tree. “Pokey trees don’t get that big in five years, Commander. What’s in the water?”

It was Walters’ turn to frown. “Pokey trees?” A blink. “Oh, pohutukawa. No, they do not. However, with some special treatment and the lack of strong gravity, they can.”

Virgil stared up at the giant tree. It was far too thin at the base for the spread of the massive branches and it seem wrong somehow. Everything was too long and looked as if it was going to fall. What was even more odd was the sound of a honeyeater argument in those branches. A scuffle, a ruckus of squawks and a flash of grey and yellow flew out from amongst the leaves and darted over the rocky hill in front of them.

“You have birds?!” Gordon sounded caught between amazement and outrage.

Walters stared at him a moment longer. “We have much more than that.” He turned away and led them away from the tree and up a winding path. Virgil’s boots crunched gravel that glittered as it moved. He frowned at what was probably nothing more than ground up moon. It was pale and sparkling like some set prop out of an early science fiction show John might have watched.

But he was soon distracted by much more fascinating sights.

The path led up a small hill and soon he realised that they were in a massive cavern, bigger than all the hangars beneath Tracy Island combined.

And it was full of life.

Birds of several different kinds flew about the ‘sky’. A sky dominated by a number of extremely bright lights hanging from a ceiling so high it couldn’t be seen for the brilliance. Oddly growing foliage was everywhere. The lone pokey tree by the door was scarlet in blossom, but it was not alone. Flowers sprouted from wonky stems and too tall grass. The little hill they were standing on was the highest point in the cavern, the ground sloping down into the distance. At the far edge, a lake had ducks swimming in it.

“How the hell?” It was Gordon, but Virgil’s questions were not far behind.

Several physical requirements clicked into place. The cavern was obviously heated and pressurised with an Earth level atmosphere just like the hangar, otherwise those birds wouldn’t be able to fly beyond bouncing in the gravity.

While Gordon’s head seemed ready to explode, Virgil managed one word. “How?”

Walters had a quietly confident smirk on his face. “A combination of research, applied science and a whole pile of luck.” A sigh. “This is Ju’s baby.”

Scott shifted where he stood. “Where is the access to the cave network?” Virgil glanced at his brother. There was an intensity in his eyes that spoke of both mission urgency and further questions that would need asking once that mission was complete.

Walters exhaled and nodded. “This way.” He led them down the other side of the hill to what eventually proved to be another set of massive doors. “The caverns were here when we arrived. We knew of them before we left Earth, but what we did not realise was their extent.” Walters stopped in front of the doors. He gestured at the cavern. “To create all this, we only needed to seal the cavern entrance overhead – which the Base did nicely. We installed a series of atmospheric inducers, the heating and the lighting. The rest we grew from seed or egg.” The man was obviously proud of their achievements.

“Sir, the caves?” Scott was getting rightfully impatient.

“Yes. Yes, you’re right.” He swallowed and hurried over to yet another small door within a door.

Virgil took another step forward, intending on seeing how the door was unlocked when his world suddenly doubled. His stomach rolled over with that familiar nausea ever so reminiscent of their trip out here.

He swallowed and closed his eyes a second.

“Virg? You okay?” Gordon was whispering on a closed channel.

Virgil cranked his eyes open, lack of sleep suddenly piling on top of him. His fish brother was frowning at him. Scott, their father and Uncle Lee were walking towards Walters and the door.

The sudden vertigo had him fearing an incident inside his helmet.

But then as he took a step towards Gordon, the nausea faded away, a single last cramp dissipating as his little brother approached and put a hand on his arm.

“Virg?”

“I’m okay. Just felt dizzy for a second there.”

“T-drive?”

“Probably.”

“Meds wearing off?”

“Didn’t think I would need them.”

Now Alan had stopped following Scott and was looking back. Any minute now and he would have not only Scott on his ass, but Dad as well. He straightened his spine. “I’m good.” But whatever it was had triggered the beginnings of a headache.

Damn.

Well, it wouldn’t be the first time he’d completed a rescue with a headache. He’d throw back some paracetamol when they went back to Three to source their equipment.

“You sure?”

“I said so, didn’t I?”

Gordon held up his hands. “Just checking, bro. Don’t get your pants in a twist. Hard to unknot them out here.”

But Gordon was still frowning at him.

Alan was turning back...

Move or get smothered.

He flexed his shoulders and strode off to join the rest of this family.

-o-o-o-

Gordon stared after his heavy lifting brother.

Damn that T-drive. His own stomach hadn’t fully recovered either and Virgil was obviously still feeling it.

Gordon pondered whether Virg could knock him out for the voyage home. Maybe knock both of them out.

Alan was frowning and gesturing for him to hurry up. Scott and Dad had already entered what turned out to be yet another airlock.

Space was hard work.

He kicked at the gravel as he trotted after his brother and darted into the huge airlock with his brothers.

Walters was talking again as he sealed the door behind them. “The cavern appears to have been a terminus for this branch of the cave network.” Walters should seek a job as a tour guide. “As I said earlier, we knew about some of the caves before we arrived, but it became increasingly clear that our sensors weren’t telling the full story when we discovered exactly how many tunnels are under the surface here.”

Gordon felt the room depressurise and his HUD declared the atmosphere had become almost nothing. He frowned. It was still something though and he remembered that Callisto was one of those odd places that had the bare minimum of a bunch of gases clinging to it.

He was pretty sure that if he pinged Johnny, he could give him an essay on it, Jupiter luny fan he was.

Walters opened the other side of the airlock and led them through.

Oh, wow.

They were once again in a cavern, a smaller one to the one they had just left and it was obviously more in its natural state. The big doors were sealed into one wall and a lighting system had been deployed running off into the distance.

And there was a lot of distance. The cavern was definitely a tunnel, a good twenty metres wide and high. But that wasn’t all that had his jaw dropping.

The walls were sparkling in the light.

Walters must have seen his reaction or the reaction of his family. “Pretty amazing, huh? The walls are full of a mix of ice and rock. The ice catches the light, but there is also an unusual amount of mineralised crystal as well. We’ve found several types of quartz along with precious metals.”

Gordon was only half listening to him. He wandered over to the nearest wall and examined it. Ice. Water. But in a way it was rarely seen on Earth. Kinda interesting. He ran a hand over the wall and frowned. “You say this is natural?”

“Other than stringing up the lights and installing the doors, from here on, it is pure Callisto.”

“This was made by running water.” Even Gordon knew how impossible that was in the current environment. He looked up to find everyone staring at him. “Hey, I know my element when I see it. This wall has been eroded by running water.”

Walters slumped just a little. “Thank you. Ju has been saying that since we got here. Unfortunately, we can’t work out how that can possibly be a thing, but yeah, all the tunnels, if we were on Earth? Water made. Like limestone caves apparently.” A snort. “Ju has been very adamant about it.”

“Have you reported this?” Dad’s voice startled Gordon a little.

“Reported? Sure. But all her peers are less than accepting. All signs point to Callisto as having had no crustal movement since it formed, minor atmosphere, and certainly no running water at these pressures.”

“But this is a fact.” Gordon frowned again. “What about the reports of an ocean on Callisto under the crust.” Yes, he had checked that out. This wasn’t his first Jovian moon after all. It was why he had brought Four with him.

“Too far down. We can’t reach it. And besides, it is impossible for water to exist as a liquid on the surface, there is not enough atmospheric pressure. We’re barely five hundred metres down here. We haven’t been able to explain it, and until we do, it is considered only one possible and likely doubtful explanation.”

Gordon turned back to the wall. It glittered at him as if daring him to discover its mysteries. “Virg?”

“Hmm?” His brother’s voice was distracted enough to distract Gordon. He flicked over to a private comm. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, Gordon. What did you want?”

Gordon grunted. “You got something to test the rocks?”

“If needs be. We have a rescue to complete first.” Virgil killed the private line and turned to Walters. “I’m satisfied. Scott, we need some recon. I recommend we get two dragonflies down here.”

Scott nodded. “Okay, we are go. Alan, you’re with me. Gordon, you’re Virgil’s wingman.”

As it should be.

Besides, Gordon wanted to keep an eye on their resident lumberjack. He was acting weird.

“Dad, you and Uncle Lee are our liaisons with Base.”

Gordon bit his lip.

“Scott-“

The Commander of International Rescue held up his hand, fire in his eyes. “No, arguments.”

Dad’s eyes latched onto Scott and flared, but Uncle Lee grabbed his arm. “Space Jockey...”

Grey eyes flickered to his best friend and got a dose of determined Lee Taylor for the effort.

Their father’s lips thinned as nobody moved for a whole moment, Scott emanating commander vibes all over the cavern. If Dad didn’t obey, all hell was going to let loose.

“Thunderbird Five to Callisto.” John’s voice echoed over multiple comms, a faint and unfamiliar hiss and crackle in the background.

The moment snapped and Scott tapped his comms. “We read you, Thunderbird Five.”

“There is considerable interference on comms, you should be aware. I cannot guarantee service at all times. Source is unknown.”

“Noted.”

Damn, that was going to make this even more difficult. They could get lost down here themselves.

But then this wouldn’t be the first time Gordon had worked without contact with his brothers.

First time in space, though.

“Scott, we have located two life signs.”

“What?!” Walters took a step forward and looked ready to climb into Scott’s commset to get further information.

The commander ignored him. “Details, Thunderbird Five.”

“Eos and I were able to work around the majority of the interference and we have two faint lifesigns registering to the north of Callisto Base, almost directly under Burr crater.”

“Only Two? We have five missing persons, Thunderbird Five.”

“I know, Scott.” John’s voice was calm but sad. “Eos is still working on that interference, but at this point I don’t expect to find more. We’ve been able to map the caverns and tunnels within a thousand-kilometre radius. Sending the data to your comms now. Other than those two, I’m reading nothing. I do not have enough resolution to locate anything more specific.”

Like dead bodies.

All of them shifted where they stood, caught between the positive of a location and the negative of three missing rescuees.

“Keep looking, Thunderbird Five.” Scott’s voice was empty of emotion.

They had a mission and now they had a target.

“FAB.”

The line cut out.

Virgil had already pulled up the map John supplied on his wrist ‘projector, his eyes combing the holographic maze of tunnels. Even from here Gordon could see they were massive. If these had been eroded by water, the rivers had been big.

But their history would have to wait. There were lives at stake and Scott was already moving back to the airlock, Virgil and the rest of the group hurrying to follow.

Gordon hesitated just a second, lured by the thought of water flowing through the rock in such a low-pressure environment that the liquid should be ice.

The walls sparkled at him.

But the mission...

He took a step forward and his foot kicked something tiny that bounced ahead of him. Frowning, he bent to pick it up.

The crystal was no bigger than his fingernail and sparkled pink in the lighting.

“Gordon!” Scott was glaring at him from inside the airlock.

The aquanaut shoved the stone into his kit and hurried to catch up.

Perhaps space was a little more interesting than he thought.

-o-o-o-

Next

[rhyske]

Characters: Shepard, Garrus, Tali

Couple: Shakarian

Prompt: Normandy Crash Site

I always tend to do the crash site after the suicide mission, so that’s where this fic roughly takes place.

----

A normal mission. Not a routine mission - visiting the crash site of your previous ship should never be routine - but a mission with a goal. Those were doable, possible. She could get in, do her job, and get out. 

Just another mission.

Something in her chest said otherwise. A tightness in her lungs, a tingle pumping through her veins, lips unconsciously pressing tight together. Her shaking hands, always studiously steady during missions, seemed like a betrayal. 

At first she thought of going alone, to walk through her memories, her failure, in solitude. But no, she hadn’t been the only one who knew that crew, the signs of the people she’d be looking for. It’s why Tali and Garrus stood in her quarters now, to give them the choice she didn’t have.

“The Normandy is gong to Alchera.” There was no point in beating around the bush. Fighting the urge to wrap her arms around herself and instead settling them into a cross, she does her best to keep her voice even. “To the old Normandy.”

The shock from the two is nearly palpable. Tali is the first to speak, shifting her feet uncertainly. “They found the crash site?”

Shepard nods. “Hackett sent me the coordinates.” Eyes flick briefly away before resting back on her friend, voice going soft. “He wants a monument placed in honor of all who didn’t make it.”

“I’m not sure if that’s touching or cruel,” comes Garrus, blue eyes resting heavy on his commander. Even without his visor notifying him, he recognizes some of the human gestures for stress; pressed lips, drawn brow, the incessant finger tap on her arm. 

“So,” interjects Tali when Shepard doesn’t answer, “you want us to go with you?”

“I’m giving you a choice.” Sighing, she seems to deflate, letting her arms fall to her sides. “You knew the crew too. If you want to go, say goodbye--” Swallowing to hide the crack in her voice, she throws a small, sad smile to Tali. “Well.”

They’d both had mourned, in their own way. Tali had wept days after she’d received the news, her own memories cutting deep. Then she’d picked herself up and swore to try twice as hard to walk with confidence for the ones who couldn’t. Garrus, he’d drank himself stupid before buying the first ticket to Omega and never looking back. He hadn’t been too close to the majority of the crew, but Shepard’s name on the list Hackett had forwarded his way had burned a permanent mark behind his eyelids.

Shepard, she hadn’t really had time to mourn, he notices with a jolt.

In their silence, Shepard waves a hand. “You don’t have to give me an answer now. I’ll have EDI alert you to our arrival. Meet me in the docking bay or not, I won’t judge.”

Wringing her fingers together, Tali gives a nod, voice hoarse. “Thank you. I-I’ll go think about it.” She hesitates, as if wanting to say something more, before turning to go.

The door slides closed behind her before Garrus shifts, mandibles fluttering in uncertainty. There was no debating his choice - he’d go. No way was he letting Shepard do this alone, no matter how little his presence may help. 

Before he can figure out what to say - if he meant to say anything at all, he wasn’t good at this kind of thing - he watches as Shepard slumps heavily onto the couch, hands rising to hold her face. Lowering himself beside her, he takes a moment to find his voice. “I’m here, if you want to talk.”

A wry smile finds her lips as she lifts her head to glance at him. In a voice heavy with emotion, she says, “I appreciate it, but--” an inhale “--I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“Sure.” Should he be witty? Serious? He opts for silence, giving her the control.

She takes that silence and wraps herself in it, letting her head rest on his shoulder and his arm curl around her waist. His warmth and presence helps to quell the thoughts raging through her head, making them easier, more manageable. 

What could have been minutes or hours later, she’s stepping into the Kodiak, Tali and Garrus right behind her. It’s a quiet ride down, the only sound of helmets being slipped on and the comms being checked.

Then the moment of feet touching ground, and there it was. The old Normandy, the ship that had taken them all on a chase for Saren and assisted in taking down Sovereign, laying in pieces. 

An exhale, steps moving forward. That was the damn Mako in the background, utterly untouched. She doubted anything could put that girl down for good. To her right... 

She walks onto that familiar path, so utterly recognizable even in its ruined state. Joker never left that seat. Hell, she suspected he slept in it. This small area that no one fought to claim from him; if she ignored the cold behind her, it was like being back, waiting for the pilot to crack another joke.

Her first dog tag, wrapped around her wrist, reflects the low light as she exits, head tilted up to take in a pillar of metal. Which part was that? The hanger, the quarters? There’s the Mako again, closer, looking for all the galaxy as if its podium of ice was a stage, holding up the indestructible vehicle.

“Oh, Keelah...” Behind the Mako stood the barely discernable galaxy map frame. Tali, holding a tablet in her hand, barely registers Shepard’s approach as she sniffs, free hand pressing against the glass of her helmet. “This...”

Not trusting her voice, Shepard instead brushes against Tali’s arm. The quarian’s fingers tighten briefly on the tablet before it’s handed to her friend, another sniff accompanying her retreat. Looking down, it’s a diary, corrupted in most areas but bits still readable.

Pressley. His journey in the Normandy, his acceptance of everyone in the crew.

His dog tags, only a couple steps away.

One of Normandy’s thrusters sticks almost vertically from the ground. A piece of the hull protecting now a sheet of ice. The mess hall. The sleeper pods. 

Branching off from the obvious debris, countless dog tags tied around her wrist, Shepard finds herself at a dead end. Resting inches away from a small drop, as if waiting for her, is something that takes her breath away. With shaking fingers, she grasps the helmet, the familiar shape and color cracking something within her, spiderwebbing pain until it shatters.

This place, a grave. Her grave. With oxygen cut, she’d lit up in orbit, falling, suffocating, fear and panic, the heat, burning--

A hand on her shoulder, gentle, firm. A sobbing gasp rattles her chest as her aching fingers loosen on the helmet, her body curled around it. When had she moved? 

Crouching beside her, Garrus notes the damaged helmet, her erratic heart rate. Brushing his fingers down to her elbow, dog tags around his own wrist clinking as he tugs gently, he guides her to her feet. His other hand comes up and cups the side of her helmet, dipping his head down so their headgear tap.

A shaky inhale fills the comms as she shifts, raising a hand to grip his. A moment passes, then two. Another inhale as she steps away, hand moving to wipe away tears but bumping against glass instead. 

Purple moves in her peripherals before Tali reaches out, taking the helmet from her grasp before drawing her into a hug.

The Normandy had changed their lives. Shepard had shown them what it meant to be strong, to forge their own path and follow their gut. They’d taken down Saren, taken down a Reaper, found the lost world of Ilos and made the history books. Everyone on that ship had been happy to serve, happy to follow Commander Shepard to their death. 

Many had.

Alchera was just another ice world in the galaxy. No one but the most curious and adventurous would walk its surface. The monument placed to protect everyone’s memories would forever hold a silent vigil, watching over the grave of those who lost their lives needlessly in an avoidable war.

[infinitegalahad]

hello! i wanna request another thing because i will never let u sleep :). maybe an enemies to lovers type thing with safin where both of you and he are assassins and are always paired together for missions despite the fact that u hate each other? also i absolutely adored that last fic u did for me. thanks!

Incorrigible 

Pairing: Safin x Gender neutral! Reader

Summary: (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed.

Word-Count: 1.1k

Warnings: Minor blood description

A/N: Thank you so much for this request! This is actually two other requests combined from @the-urban-misfits​ and @thisuserlikesmarvel28​ !! Of course, you will never let me sleep! Sleep is for the weak, but I am weak. I’m so upset about the NTTD delay! All I wanted was some Safin content🥺 But thank god fanfiction is here! This is purely speculation on the character. If NTTD won’t come out, then I will WRITE that film myself. Anyways, sorry for the rant. Hope you enjoy this! I love the requests you guys send in❣️✨

Masterlist

“Incoming target. She’s wearing a red dress. Safin and y/n, keep your ground.”

The Beirut sunburned onto your black turtleneck. It was humid in the toxin-filled city. The chatter and honking from the busy city streets came from below. After hours of waiting on a rooftop, the quartermaster had finally broken his silence. Your eyes glanced towards Safin, who straightened his position. For the long hours you had been in the sun, Safin hadn’t moved from his position.

He was leaned up against a creme wall in shade to conceal his appearance. Drops of sweat peered down his scarred skin. Like you, he wore a dark turtleneck neatly tucked in his dark cargo pants. The heat and hours of boredom had gotten to the both of you. His neatly gelled hair was becoming disheveled as small little curls stuck to his skin.

You had gotten distracted before his accented voice interrupted you.

“What are you looking at?”

Blinking your eyes, you eased yourself into a position. Closing one eye, your finger squeezed the trigger. It was a busy crowd, full of commotion. “Nothing.”

“I cannot believe I am stuck babysitting a child.” He coldly muttered.

It took you a second to decipher his words. Upon understanding them, a wave of anger surged in you. You were hot and bothered. The last thing you wanted was to be ridiculed.

“Excuse me?”

Safin stayed silent. His finger covered his ear to listen to the static noise from his earpiece.

“Must I repeat myself?” Safin groaned. “No matter what mission, Blofield always throws you with me. Everything you touch turns to chaos. He thinks of me as a babysitter.”

It was a dumb idea. Looking away for a second, you turn to scold him. Just as you opened your mouth, Safin placed his finger onto your lip. He pressed down onto it. His skin was wrinkly and scared; harsh against your soft lips. He had no idea how livid you were.

Moving his finger with your hand, you hissed. “Don’t shush m-”

“What do you not understand? Be quiet.”

Safin seemed distracted as he aimed his weapon downwards. You weren’t thinking in the moment. All you felt was raw, utter rage.

“No! I’m sick of you telling me to b-”

Out of nowhere, there was a reign of bullets. You could see thousands behind Safin. Dropping his weapon, he lunged towards you. His arms wrapped around you as he covered you for shelter behind a crate. A pained groan escaped his mouth. The line of bullets continued for what seemed like forever before they clammed down. Safin’s heavy body laid on you, weighing you down.

As the bullets stopped, you could hear men in the back yelling in a foreign language. They were your enemies. Looking up, you shook Safin. His face was buried in your shoulder. As you shook him, you moved your hand up to show a red sticky liquid.

Safin had been shot.

Not only did you have someone dying on you, but now you had a group of men trying to kill you. Your trusted rifle had been pushed to the side; it was too risque to grab it without being shot. Patting Safin’s back, you pulled a Walther PPK out of his pocket. To why he had this confused you, but it was all you had.

Gently pushing Safin off of you, you titled your head upwards and began to shoot. After hitting a few men, more yelling and bullets were fired. After much back and forth, you had managed to kill all of the men. There was a small silence as you sat there, sweat dripping down your face as your breaths were heavy. You could hear the own beat of your heart pumping in your armor cladded chest.

The small amount of silence you had was interrupted by a groan. Turning over, it was none other than Safin. He had managed to take off his jacket and armor showing off his scarred chest. A bullet had gone clean through his upper back. A small puddle of blood was beginning to form. Shoving the Walther PPK into the belt of your pants, you ran towards Safin roll his body over.

“You are incorrigible!” Safin ranted, looking up at you with anger. He tried to sound mean, but he was in pain. Holding back an eye roll, you simply ignored him. Ripping a piece of your turtleneck, you applied pressure on his wound. Safin tried to hold back a pained moan, but couldn’t.

“That hurts!”

“Hold still, then.” You shushed. Leaning into your earpiece, you stated. “Anyone there? Safin is injured. I need medical detail. I repeat, Safin is injured.”

“Bring him down to the bay. I’ll have Primo pick you up in a black range rover.”

Muttering a small “fuck”, you wrap your arm around Safin and pull him up. Hearing his small moans of pain made you roll your eyes. As you dragged him towards the door, Safin titled his head to look at you.

“Thank you, y/n.”

“What?” Looking into his milky eyes, you couldn’t understand his low statement. You were still shaken from the previous events.

“I said, thank you. For saving my life.”

You were caught off guard by his words. Nearly stumbling over your own feet, you turn to look at him. Instead of having a serious face on, Safin looks exhausted and hurt. Was he being genuine?

“Your welcome, Safin.”

Walking out of the building, Primo awaited for the two of you. He was surprised to see you, a newbie in Spectre, carrying out one of their best assassins. Primo had walked over and helped Safin into the car. Closing the car door, Primo had started the drive to whenever Spectre had sent you.

You were exhausted. Eight hours in the Beirut sun was unenjoyable. Not only was it humid, but you had nearly been killed. If it hadn’t been for Safin’s warning and his hidden weapon, maybe you wouldn’t have survived. As much as you despised him, Safin had saved your life and you had saved his. An eye for an eye.

Not once did you complain about Safin leaning his head onto your shoulder. His thigh grazed against your thigh as he gently breathed into your shoulder. You looked over, taken back. Instead of pushing his head off, you rested your head onto his. As you slightly shifted into a more relaxed position, your eyes began to shut as the light faded away. All of your anxiety and worries had gone away.

Everything was at peace again.

[lotusfartstwice]

“You did all of this for me?” Sakura & Lee? 🌸

[from these prompts]

“You did all of this for me?”

--

Rock Lee had all but forgotten about his dojo and his dream of fighting rival fighters.

Pain’s attack had decimated the village and along with it his beloved dojo. Soon after, talk of war came about so rebuilding wasn’t even a blip on his radar. Once that had passed he had considered rebuilding but ultimately all his efforts were a shaky skeleton of a building. He had become quite busy after becoming jonin so he simply had no time to pursue any passion projects. A fact he often lamented to his fellow shinobi when goals were brought up in conversation.

“I think, if I ever got a chance to just work on the dojo again I would make it more appealing.”

“Appealing?” Tenten asked, brow quirked.

“The exterior! I would add a garden or a fountain! Maybe even a koi pond! That would be pleasant, would it not?”

“That is if you ever had the time,” Neji said with a sigh. The two had just returned from a mission so the Hyugga was really feeling the fatigue start to set in.

“No kidding. I’m still looking for a place to set up a weapon’s shop,” Tenten said before patting Lee on the back. “No worries! One of these days we’ll be all set.”

The three rejoined the rest of their friends.

--

Sakura had been busy training medical ninjas but once that had been taken care of she found herself with plenty of free time.

What was a kunoichi to do?

She decided to foster her bonds.

Her and her fellow shinobi had gone through many trials and tribulations together. They now lived in a tentative peace but it was peace nonetheless. She had learned many things from Tsunade but one thing that always stuck out to her was her teacher’s occasional regrets in life. The distance between friends had not done the former hokage any favors.

Sakura found herself having lunch with Ino or Hinata when she could. Then one could find her sparring with Tenten or Kiba. Naruto and Shino were helping in the academy so when she could she would offer advice on reading material they could use (and maybe scam some dango afterwards). Choji and Shikamaru were busy working as representatives to visiting shinobi from other villages. She'd join either or in giving tours around Konoha which always ended in a satisfying meal.

Sai, Neji and Lee were the only ones she didn't have much chance to spend time with one-on-one. The three men were often sent away on missions before they could get a chance to breathe. So oftentimes when she ever had a chance to interact with any of them was when she and the rest of their friends invited them out.

She would take what she could get, sneak in some conversations when she could.

Sakura had just gotten done catching up with Sai when she moved to join Team Gai, only to pause when she heard their conversation.

“I think, if I ever got a chance to just work on the dojo again I would make it more appealing.”

She blinked as memories of spending time in the secluded building as genin sprang forward. Lee had been so proud of it. She was impressed he had finished building it while recovering from injuries. It really had been years.

“That is if you ever had the time,” Neji said with a sigh.

Time?

Well, Sakura had plenty of that to spare at least more so than Lee did.

--

It was a lovely spring day and Rock Lee was happy to have it off.

“Sakura where are you taking me?” Lee couldn’t help but ask as his friend guided him through the village.

“It’s a surprise, Lee!” She stopped for a moment. “We’re getting close so you’re going to have to wear a blindfold.”

“A blindfold?”

Sakura snorted. “Concept of surprise is really eluding you today.”

Lee blushed but complied as he tied the blindfold. He heard the waving of Sakura’s hand in front of his face, for fun’s sake he quickly grabbed her wrist like a snake. “I might not be able to see but my senses are still keen.”

“Yeah, yeah you just wanted an excuse to hold me.”

Lee felt the tips of his ears heat up and he quickly let go of her.

“No good I need to hold your hand, remember?” He could hear the mirth in her tone which just made heat creep up his neck. She was so insufferable in her teasing sometimes.

--

Sakura rolled her eyes whenever Lee was able to name a street or a shop nearby despite a blindfold. He was such a show off.

“I guess they promoted you to jonin for a reason.”

Lee laughed. “Ah yes, my skill of memorizing my village. A very important qualification.” He paused as she led them outside the village and into the woods. “Interesting...what could be out here, I wonder?”

“I’m not gonna keep repeating that it’s a surprise.”

“You just did.”

She squeezed his hand with some force. “So I did.”

“Mm.” He squeezed back with equal force.

--

Something was familiar about this but Lee couldn’t put his finger on it. Wherever they were he had been there before. They had finally stopped and he could practically feel Sakura buzz with excitement.

“We’re here!” she let go of his hand. “Go ahead and take the blindfold off!”

He smiled at the tone of her voice before doing as asked.

“Wha-” the words got stuck in his throat at the sight before him.

He took a few steps forward.

His dojo stood proudly before him. It was still quite simple and no doubt worked off of the bare skeleton he had built beforehand. It didn’t look like a patchwork mess like when he was genin. It looked structurally sound. He peeked his head inside and grinned. There was plenty of space to work.

There was a new addition of flowers outside the building and was that a koi pond? He walked closer to investigate and sure enough. There were two koi fish lazily swimming about in the water. Two lotus flowers floating on the surface made him pause. “This is…”

He took a step back, swallowing hard as his eyes took in the rest.

“Do you like it?”

Lee looked back at Sakura. She was smiling but she looked nervous? What was she nervous about? This was wonderful!

“You did all of this for me?” He managed to whisper, his voice somewhat tight.

Sakura rejoined his side. “Of course!” She then pouted slightly. “Rock Lee, are you saying I’m not capable of doing nice things?”

His eyes widened. “N-no! Of course not!” He felt an uneasy laugh escape him before he looked back at the dojo. “I just...I cannot believe anyone would go through so much effort for me.” He could see Gai-sensei with maybe the reluctant help of his teammates sure but Sakura? Or anyone else for that matter? “This must have taken so long and I had no idea.”

He swallowed again but despite his efforts he couldn’t keep the tears at bay.

“I had some help,” Sakura said. “Naruto and I tried rebuilding everything from scratch but wound up knocking the frame you had up over.” She sighed remembering the failure. “Luckily Captain Yamato was happy to help us.” She moved to hold her friend’s hand. “We told him to keep things simple because that’s your style. He really wanted to make a two-floor dojo.” She giggled at the recollection of his disappointed face when they told him the details.

Lee chuckled, wiping his tears with his free hand.

“Then Choji and Kiba helped me make the pond.” Sakura laughed. “Akamaru was swimming in it a couple times before Shikamaru was able to bring in the koi fish.”

“Then Ino provided the flowers and everyone who could help came and we planted them everywhere.”

Lee imagined all their friends working together, laughing as flowers were arranged.

Sakura let go of his hand and he watched as she entered the building only to reappear with a blank piece of wood. “All that’s left is for you to make the sign.”

He took hold of it. He was sure it was the same size as it was when he was genin. Back then it had seemed so large and imposing. Now his hands were so big as he held it.

“You’re lucky I managed to keep that away from Sai! He was really insistent he make it but we compromised. He got to decorate your walls with some paintings.”

He laughed. “I did not even notice! I will admire them later.” He clutched the blank sign. “I do not know how to thank all of you.”

Sakura smiled. “Well, let us help you make it a proper dojo.”

“Oh?”

She nodded. “We’ve got a couple civilians who are interested in learning taijutsu so once you have the time…”

“Absolutely!” He grinned. “I will take anyone in as a student! We will all be splendid together!”

“Excellent.” She gave him the nice guy pose before giggling.

“Sakura.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

“Well, it wasn’t just me-”

Lee shook his head. “I am aware that you had help but you organized it and made it happen.” He set his sign down to wipe freely at his eyes. “I am so very overwhelmed with all of this. It is so wonderful. Thank you.”

“Well, maybe the two of us can take everyone out for a meal.” Sakura suggested. “Does that sound good?”

“That sounds excellent!” He grinned. He couldn’t wait to thank the others.

“Excellent.” He blinked when he felt Sakura lean her head against him. Shyly, he moved to put an arm around her.

“Y’know you never did answer my question: do you like it?”

Lee blinked. “I thought it was obvious.”

Sakura just hummed.

“I love it! I love it all!”

His friend cheered and pumped an arm. “There we go!”

“I think later on I would like to add a tree, close by.” He says after a beat.

“Oh?”

“Yes, I think it would be lovely.”

“What kind of tree? Maple or something?”

Lee blushed, pointedly focusing on anything but her. “I was thinking maybe a sakura tree.”

Sakura blinked before chuckling. “Yeah, maybe a sakura tree would be nice.” She sighed but made no move to untangle from Lee. “The blossoms will be a pain to keep out of the pond.”

Lee shook his head. “Not at all! I will think of it as training! All of it will be worth it.” He finally glanced at her, smiling now. “It will be a place to rest against. It will be lovely, I promise!”

“If you say so.” She poked his side, eliciting a laugh from him. “Ready to work on that sign?”

“Ah! Yes!” The two headed into the building where a brush and paint waited. 

[is-it-art-tho]

Summary: A mission gone awry, too many memories, too much blood, and not enough time. Bruce races to save a son he couldn't save before.

Prologue, Ch. 2, Ch. 3, Ch. 4, Ch. 5, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 8

_____________

Now.

Neither Jason nor Bruce wore seatbelts as they tore down the narrow German backroads, Bruce taking cues from Barbara on shortcuts and potential traffic holdups and watching her remotely change lights to green whenever necessary. Somehow they didn’t encounter a single officer on the way there—whether by luck or some additional maneuvering on her part, Bruce did not care.

He stared ahead, fighting the urge to glance over at Jason every few seconds as he maneuvered through the downpour. In the stuffy cabin, the smell of blood hung thick and coppery in the air, and he swallowed against a roll of nausea as he worked to keep the boy talking.

“Jason? Hey.” With one hand, he jostled Jason’s knee roughly. “Hold on.”

“M’awake.”

“Good. Talk to me. What’s the first thing you’re gonna do when we get back?”

“Crash…all of your German cars…”

Despite everything, Bruce’s cheek twitched with something almost like a smile. “You love those cars.”

“Not anymore. Whole country is…dead to me.”

“Alright. What else?” They took a particularly hard turn and Jason groaned as it threw him against the door. “Sorry.”

“Dammit. Dammit,” he hissed, his voice hitching, and something about the tone dragged Bruce’s eyes off the road to glance at him for just a second. Jason’s face was scrunched in pain, eyes squeezed shut, and though he was soaked to the bone, fresh tears stood out against his cheeks anyway. Panic pooled in Bruce’s gut as his heart leapt into his throat.

“I’m cold, B…” Jason whispered. “I’m…I’m really cold…”

****************

Then.

“God, it’s hot in here,” Jason said, shrugging off his jacket and letting it drop to the dusty warehouse floor with a heavy thump. He tugged at his collar uncomfortably.

Bruce’s eyes were trained through the clouded window at the apartment building across the street. “It’s an unairconditioned distribution center in the middle of a heat wave.”

“Uh, yeah. That’s kind of my point.” Pulling off his helmet, Jason shook his sweat-drenched hair, purposely splattering Bruce in the spray, then puffed out his cheeks with a sigh. “How are you not frying right now?”

“Breathable fabric.”

“That was a dig at my costume, wasn’t it? Dickwing said the same thing last week. What do you guys have against my look?”

Bruce eyed the bundle of leather at Jason’s feet, the thick cargo pants, the dense helmet tucked under his arm. “It’s a little heavy.”

“Well, my days of running around the city in glorified underwear are done so you’ll just have to deal with it.”

“We’re not the ones passing out from heat exhaustion.”

“He told you that?” Jason demanded. “That little—”

Whatever he was about to say stopped abruptly as Bruce held up a finger. Jason leaned forward to get a better view out the window.

“Looks like the show’s about to start,” the teen said, watching a man carry a duffle bag into the apartment. “How long before the others get here?”

“Should be within the hour.” Bruce glanced at Jason as the boy let out a massive yawn. “You don’t get enough sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Jason let himself slide down the wall and crossed his hands behind his head, adding, “Kidding! Geez,” when he noticed Bruce’s disapproving stare. “If you get this bent out of shape over a couple jokes, what are you gonna do when I finally die for real?”

Bruce’s jaw flexed. “I have no intention of finding out.”

******************

Now.

By the time they were pulling up to the small flower shop on the outskirts of town, Jason was barely conscious and no longer truly responsive. An old woman with an umbrella and thick glasses ran up to meet them, as Bruce leapt out of the car and hurried around to the passenger side,

“Where are you hurt?” she asked, looking Bruce up and down quickly.

“Not me.” He opened the door and Jason’s head turned to look at her. He lifted a bloody hand from his gut and offered a limp wave before his eyes rolled and his body went slack.

The woman hissed something in German and ran back to hold open the shop door as Bruce maneuvered Jason out of the car and carried him inside. She led the way through the aisles of dusty vases and long-dead bouquets toward the tiny bathroom in the back where she pressed her hand to the mirror over the sink.

A red outline appeared around her hand, blinked, then flashed green, and a second later a section of the wall rumbled away with a small shower of dust and debris, to reveal a steep staircase that dropped into darkness.

Dr. Ziegler rushed ahead, the sound of her hurried steps swallowed by Bruce’s much heavier footfalls as he followed closely behind. Motion sensing lights popped on throughout the cave as they went, illuminating a much smaller, less equipped version of the cave back in Gotham.

“I’m going to need your help,” Dr. Ziegler said, already setting up supplies in the med bay.

“Understood.” Bruce laid Jason on the operating table and started working to remove the young man’s gear. As he peeled the reinforced garment away from the wound, he fought back an audible curse. This was the first time he was seeing the injury clearly, and here, under the stark surgical lights, the deep wound looked almost alive itself—pumping out dark swells of blood in tune with Jason’s own heart.

Nearby machines sprung on as Bruce hooked Jason up to them, sticking sensors along his chest and arms, clipping the pulse ox to his finger. He had just secured the gas mask to the Jason’s face when, against all odds, the boy’s eyes fluttered open.

“Jason?” Bruce said, his voice low enough that Dr. Ziegler wouldn’t be able to hear.

The teen brought a trembling hand up to his face and tugged weakly at the mask, unable to pull it down. His fingers left bloody smudges on the plastic.

Bruce lowered it to Jason’s chin. Beside them, one of the monitors was wailing. Jason’s vital signs were deteriorating quickly—too quickly.

“I don’t…wanna leave again…” His voice cracked as more blood burbled up and over the corners of his mouth. When he spoke again, it almost sounded like he was drowning. “I don’t…I don’t wanna leave...”

Bruce turned Jason to his side as he gagged and more blood spilled from his mouth and nose.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he promised as Jason’s coughing subsided. “You’re right here with me.”

The boy’s dark eyes were half-lidded but focused when he asked, “D-d’you think…I’ll…come back…this time…?”

“Come back from where?”

Jason blinked heavily, his gaze drifting as the anesthesia finally took effect.

“Come back from where?” Bruce demanded, but the boy’s eyes rolled back and he was gone.

“We have to begin,” Ziegler said from the other side of the table, resituating the mask on Jason’s face. “We have a lot of work to do.”

[many-fandom-fictions]

Worth It // Anakin Skywalker

XFEMALE!READER

Summary: You are sent on a mission from the Council by yourself to the Outer Rim planet, Raxus. There, you encounter unexpected enemy forces. There are fears you won’t make it home alive. 

TW: Lightsaber fights, love confessions, taunting, mentions of a hospital setting, near-death experience. 

Like for Obi-Wan, I’m still getting used to writing for other characters, so bear with me! I’m also really sorry for not posting very often, school is quite a challenge to work around. 

You were called to meet with the Council in order to get your new assignment. The young Nautolan Padawan sent to fetch you was rather excited to be able to deliver the news from Master Windu. His green tendrils were decorated with leather and his Padawan beads. Hol, his name was. Hol walked alongside you on your way to the Temple. Every now and then the pressure built up from holding in questions would burst, and one would sprout from his mouth. 

“Is it true that Master Skywalker is going to take on a Padawan?”

“I’m sure he will in the near future, young one. He has a lot of knowledge to pass down.” You smiled down to the young Jedi. He was training under Master Yoda, an impressive achievement. 

The door to the Council came into view. Once you and Hol had gotten closer, the doors opened, letting you through to see the Council, as well as Obi-Wan and Anakin. Making your way through the doors, you stood in the middle of the room as Hol went to stand to the left of Yoda. 

“Master Y/N, we have an assignment for you,” began Windu. “You are to travel to the Outer Rim planet, Raxus. We’ve heard of Separatist activity happening on the planet surface, and we need you to bring back a report.”

“Yes, Master Windu.” Your voice carried strong. “Who will be accompanying me?”

Windu sighed. “We can’t spare anymore Jedi, I’m sorry Y/N. You will have to do this one alone.”

Both the voices of Anakin and Hol spoke up. 

“No, you can’t-”

“I’ll go with her-” 

They were both cut off with a wave of Yoda’s hand. “No, my young apprentice. With her on this mission you cannot go.” His gaze moved to Anakin. “Young Skywalker, needed here on Coruscant you are. Much larger than you know, this war is.”

The two boys sighed in defeat. Master Yoda was right. You would have to go this one alone. 

“A ship is waiting for you, along with an R6 unit. May the Force be with you, Y/N.” Windu’s voice cut through the air. 

“May the Force be with you,” you bowed. Turning to leave, you shot a friendly wink to Hol, reassuring him that you will succeed. As you exited the Temple and made your way to the hanger bay, you heard footsteps follow you.

Anakin. 

You’d recognise those foot falls anywhere. Turning to face him, you shot him a grin. “Have you come to see me off?”

He sighed, shaking his head with a smile. “Of course I have. Be careful out there, it could be dangerous. I don’t like that you’re going alone.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“I appreciate your concern, Ani, but I’ll be fine! You and I trained together, and I remember beating you more times than I can count. You have nothing to worry about.” You rested your hand on his shoulder as you stood beside your starship, the R6 unit already in the front. 

“I know, it’s just,” he sighed, “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

You smiled slightly, heart beating fast as you tried to regulate how you felt about Anakin so he didn’t pick up on it. “I’ll be okay, I promise.” The R6 unit beeped. You sighed. “I have to go, I’ll see you soon, yeah?”

Anakin nodded, moving out of the way so you could enter your ship. “I’ll see you soon, Y/N.” He watched with slight sadness in his heart as your ship shot out of the hanger. He had a bad feeling about this. 

Turns out Anakin’s concern was well placed. Your mission had gone south, and fast. The Separatists you were trailing for days had spotted you, and sent their droid army on your trail. The number of droids they had sent was usually never a problem for someone with your skill set, but Grievous was amongst them. He was going to provide a bit more of a challenge then you were able to take on. 

Taking down battle droids from all directions had begun to tire you out, regardless of how easy it was to kill them. They seemed to come in endless waves. 

Finally, the last wave had begun to descend upon you. Swinging your lightsaber, you decapitated  quite the number, slicing others in half. The ones that weren’t damaged by your saber, you pushed them off the edge of the bridge you were on, attempting to get back to your ship. You needed to get out of there.

As the last one fell, you looked around. The mist made it hard to see, but you couldn’t hear the loud clanking of metal feet against the surface beneath your feet. Checking one last time, you turned and started sprinting towards the starship you had arrived in.

You stopped in your tracks, seeing a certain pair of yellow eyes stare back at you. Grievous’ hulking body stood between you and your escape. 

“You cannot escape, Jedi.” He spat the last word like it was poison in his mouth. “You are alone. I will kill you, and you will become nothing but another relic to add to my ever growing collection.”

You scowled at him, igniting your lightsaber once more. The light illuminated the mist around the two of you. 

“Tell me, Jedi. Are you afraid to die?” 

Your eyes narrowed. Now or never.

The giant cyborg sprinted towards you. You could feel the bridge beneath you shake with every foot he landed on the ground. His arms folded outward, and with them his four lightsabers ignited. The blue and green hues spun like rotors in an attempt to distract you as he charged closer. You leapt to the side as he slashed at you with three sabers, one still spinning. You brought your saber up to meet his, instantly feeling the heat eminate from the weapons near your face. 

He brought his free weapon down to slash at you from the side, hoping to sever you in half. Pushing off the ground, you flipped backwards and landed in a crouch with your saber in front of your body protectively. 

“You’re weak, Jedi. You will not make it off this planet alive.” The coughing after he finished his taunt would have concerned you, had you actually cared about him. “You will see death before you see your precious Order once more.”

You started running towards him, your legs pumping to carry you as fast as they could. There was no way around him. You were going to have to jump. Forcing yourself to run even harder, you pushed off the ground and launched yourself over the large droid. 

While you were in the air, you brought your saber up just as he did. You sliced up his back plate enough for him to stumble. A searing pain tore through your side as a blue lightsaber stabbed through it. You landed in a painful roll, a silent scream tearing from your mouth. You looked back and saw him prepare to rush you again. Turning to face your starship, you grabbed your side and started moving as fast as you could. You were only a few meters away when the sound of Grievous catching up rang in your ears. Using your last bit of strength, you used the Force to propel you painfully into the pilots seat. The hatch closed and the R6 unit got the craft into the air, the sound of Grievous shouting and cackling falling behind as you left the planet surface. 

“Hey, R6?”

The little droid beeped in response. 

“Patch me through to the Council, I have a message for them.” Another beep. 

The hologram pad in front of you buzzed to life with the image of Mace Windu and Obi-Wan. 

“Y/N? Is everything alright?” Obi-Wan’s voice was soothing. 

You chuckled, and winced as your wound bled more. “I’m on my way home, but I was hit. There were too many, and Grievous was there.”

The two men noticed your discomfort, as did the rest of the Council present.

“Are you alright, Y/N?” Anakin rushed into view. The worry on his face would have been heartwarming had you had enough blood in your system to feel anything other than slightly cold. 

“Not really, he got me good. R6 is flying us home now, as fast as we can. As soon as we’re able to, we’ll go into hyperdrive.” 

A wheezing breath forced its way out of your lungs. You were getting worse a lot quicker than Anakin liked. His heart clenched in his chest, seeing you like this. His eyes widened as you pulled your hand away from your wound. Even through the hologram he could see the amount of blood on your hand, and still pouring from your side. You never should have been sent on this mission alone. 

“Ani?” You were starting to feel a little colder. There was a chance you weren’t going to make it, and you knew it. The lightsaber had done a lot of damage, and you were losing blood. 

“Yeah?” His voice cracked. The rest of the Council members looked on in sadness at the interaction between the two of you. They knew how much you meant to each other. 

“I’ll be okay, yeah? Please tell me I’m going to be okay,” you spoke. The words were hard to force past the tears and lump in your throat. 

A tear dribbled down Anakin’s cheek. “Yeah, Buttercup. You’ll be okay.” 

Buttercup. You hadn’t heard that since you were both Padawan. A smile crept onto your face.

“Thank you, Ani.” You looked over to the screen on the side. “We’re about to enter hyperspace, I’ll see you on the other si-”

Your hologram disappeared when you sped off, R6 no longer able to keep the connection going. Anakin yelled out in protest as your weakening figure faded from the hologram pad. Obi-Wan walked over to place a hand on Anakin’s shoulder. 

“I’m sorry, Anakin. I’m sure she’ll make it here in one piece.”

Anakin sighed. His fists clenched. “Thank you, Master. I’m going to wait for her in the hangar.”

Only two hours later did R6 land your ship in the middle of the hangar. Anakin and a few other people ran over. Anakin waved his hand and the hatch flew off, landing with a thunk on the ground. Inside, you were laying in the pilot seat, motionless. The only way Anakin could tell you were alive or not was through the very slight rise and fall of your chest as you shuddered through shallow breaths, and the faint presence the Force had around you. He rushed over and climbed up the starship to get to the pilots seat. His hands found their way under your shoulders and he hauled you out. “Help me! Get a medical droid!” 

Not a second later did three medical droids arrive, carrying a stretcher between two of them. Anakin handed you over to them, watching as your lifeless body was placed on the stretcher. His heart felt like it was caving in on itself, seeing the condition you were in. As the droids started wheeling you away, Anakin was quick to follow. Wheeling you closer and closer to the medical wing, Anakin ran to keep pace the whole way. The droids asked him to wait outside until you were in a more stable condition. 

Waiting felt like an eternity for Anakin, so as soon as he saw a droid make their way towards where he was pacing, he stopped immediately and met them halfway, as well as Obi-Wan who had joined him an hour earlier, worried for his former Padawan.

“Is she okay? Can I see her? What’s happened?” The words fell from his mouth before he would stop them. Obi-Wan’s hand came up to rest on Anakin’s shoulder, calming him slightly.

The tuned voice of the medical droid spoke, “She’s stable. We applied some bacta spray and dressed her wound. She has been asking for you, Master Skywalker.” The droid bowed and wheeled its way back into the medical unit. 

Anakin turned to face Obi-Wan. “Master, I-” He cut himself off. 

Obi-Wan smiled. “Go,” he said softly. 

Nodding, Anakin turned and started running to see you. He didn’t have to ask for directions, he could sense you. Your Force signature was much stronger than it was just hours ago. As he rounded the corner, he moved faster seeing the door to your room. He stopped himself just before he barrelled through the door. Anakin sighed, and shook out his nerves. 

He walked through the door. 

Inside, you laid on the bed provided. A bandage poked out from underneath your hospital gown, and a dull ache resided in the space just under your ribs. Seeing Anakin, the ache was pushed to the back of your mind. 

“Ani,” you breathed. 

“Hey, Buttercup.” A teary smile. Anakin walked over to the side of your bed and sat next to your blanket covered legs. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better now that you’re here,” you stared at him. Realising what you had said, you blushed and looked away. That wasn’t supposed to come out. 

Anakin smiled so warmly you felt it in your bones. “I’m glad you’re okay, Y/N.” HIs hand reached forward to hold onto yours, your fingers lacing together. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”

There was a small beat of silence between the two of you. 

“Anakin, I-”

“Y/N, I need to-”

You both laughed. “You first,” you encouraged him. 

He grinned again. “Thank you.” Anakin’s grip on your hand tightened slightly. “Y/N, I think…”

You looked at him supportively. 

“I think I love you. I know it goes against the Code, and that as Jedi we can’t have attachments, but I can’t help the way I feel about you-”

“Ani,”

“-and I know you probably don’t feel the same way as I do, and that’s okay-”

“Anakin,”

“-but I just wanted you to know because I don’t think I could hide it from you any longer, and-”

“Anakin!” you laughed. “Let me speak,”

He looked shown sheepishly. 

“I love you too, Ani.”

The words registered right away. Anakin’s eyes rose to meet yours, and a beautiful wonder filled them. It was like he was seeing you for the first time. Seeing that small scar above your eyebrow from when you ran into a door frame when he chased you after training, the small pock mark on your cheek from acne that used to make you so insecure, but you didn’t realise how much he loved it because it was you. It was all you. And you’re so beautiful. Then and now. He was drinking you in like a man who spent the last week roaming a desert in search for sweet sweet water. 

“We’ll have to hide it from everyone,” you spoke softly. “But I don’t mind, as long as I’m with you.”

Anakin leant forward and laid his lips gently over yours. They were soft, gentle. Your lips met with his, interlocking so serenely. A hand raised to cradle your cheek and softly stroke your jaw. This man was melting your heart and he wasn’t even trying. 

The two of you broke apart as you heard running footsteps approach. As Anakin stood, Hol came bounding around the corner. 

“Master Y/N!” The young boy’s excitement was radiating off him. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I saw your message, and I was so worried!” he cried as he wrapped his arms around you, his eyes becoming glassier than normal. 

“Hol,” you laughed. “It’s so good to see you, young one.” 

As you pressed a small kiss onto the top of his head, three other people entered the room. Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Windu. Obi-Wan looked knowingly between you and Anakin, causing the two of you to blush and glance at each other slightly. 

Obi-Wan was someone you could trust to keep your secret. 

Anakin kept looking at you as you interacted with the three Masters and the Padawan. It was going to be a tough secret to hide, but in his eyes, you were more than worth it.