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captn-trex · 2 months ago

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technical devotion, part nineteen: safety

a/n: I remembered I have a taglist this time lmao so yay. also just fyi, there's gonna be seven more chapters (after this one), which is funny to me in and of itself because this fic was originally only supposed to be like 10 chapters in entirety but... I have no chill apparently

warnings: mentions of blood & injuries, traumatic weight loss? idk what to call that

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Echo’s day so far had been particularly monotonous. Every day had been for a while now.

He had skipped breakfast after another sleepless night, instead opting to stay in Kan’s office and monitor Imperial long range comms on the off chance he heard anything about rebels or prisons or anything else that they never talked about. After hours of tuning in and not finding anything, he dragged himself to the mess, and grabbed some caf before continuing on with his previous activity.

This had been his daily routine for a few weeks. He couldn’t bring himself to do much else.

When he walked past the command room on the way back to Kan’s office, he heard people speaking in hushed voices. He turned his ear to the door with a frown, but failed to hear what they were whispering about. He opened the door, and the two people hunched over the holotable shut their mouths when they saw him, looking very caught as they switched it off.

“What’s going on?” He asked, looking between Rex and Spider as they scrambled for something to say.

“Nothing” Rex said quickly, standing up straight, “What brings you here?”

Echo gave them a sceptical look, “I heard you two… whispering”

“Ah, right” Rex rubbed his neck awkwardly, not adding any further comments.

Spider gave him a look, “I think you should just tell him Rex”

“Tell me what?” Echo frowned, stepping into the room.

Rex sighed deeply, “Please don’t be angry when I tell you this, I just wanted to make sure our intel was correct before I got your hopes up”

Echo waited patiently for him to continue, trying to quell the irritation that was already bubbling up. Rex looked to Spider and nodded for him to leave the room. When the door closed behind him, Echo was growing impatient.

“What is it?”

Rex took a deep breath before speaking, “We know where Kan is”

A range of emotions washed over Echo. He was relieved, yes, also angry like Rex had predicted, but his worry was still taking over. Knowing where Kan was didn’t make her safe.

“How?” Echo asked.

“Senator Chuchi did some digging, one of the descriptions of the prisoners matched her perfectly, so we’re pretty certain”

“How long have you known?”

“Since… two rotations ago”

“And you didn’t tell me?” Echo crossed his arms, but Rex jumped in before it could escalate.

“Look, the plan was that Spider was going to go and get her, and she’d be back here before you knew anything about it. Like I said, I don’t want to get your ho-”

“Send me instead” Echo interrupted him, his voice firm as if it was a command.

“Echo” Rex said in a sigh, rubbing his hand over his face, “Spider was an ARF in the 41st elite corps, he’s got this”

“And I was an ARC in the 501st, I’m not seeing the relevance”

“It’s not about that. You know what I mean” Rex gave Echo a pointed look.

“Rex, please” Echo begged, his tone a little desperate, “Please send me instead”

“Echo, we… we’re pretty sure it’s her, but you need to be prepared for it not to be”

“I know, I know. I just-” He looked to his feet, “Please, I- I need to do this”

Rex didn’t want to give in, he really didn’t, but the pleading, broken hearted man in front of him was a hard one to disappoint, even when he wasn’t in this state.

“Fine” Rex conceded, “But I’m trusting you to be objective about this. I don’t want you ending up captured too”

Echo nodded, “Of course”

“Alright” Rex turned the holotable back on, revealing a map, “This is the place”

Echo drew his ship out of hyperspace, the blue streaks pulling back to reveal a planet that made it seem he hadn’t even pulled the lever. The surface was painted by swirling blues, punctuated by large white clouds, and for a moment it reminded him of Pabu.

A stern voice crackled through the comms, interrupting his thoughts and demanding clearance codes for landing. Echo obliged, transmitting the codes that Senator Chuchi had acquired. He waited with bated breath as they verified the authenticity of them, and his body relaxed when they let him know he was cleared for landing.

He brought his ship into the upper atmosphere, going over the plan in his head, trying to remain calm. He’d done things like this before, it would be fine. He was prepared for Kan not to be here, but that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t scour the entire building until he was sure she wasn’t.

His ship touched down on the landing platform and he took a deep breath, opening up the door and adjusting the stormtrooper armour that he was wearing. He stepped out of the ship, his eyes scanning the platform for anyone taking note of him, of which there were only a few mechanics glancing over as they worked on other ships.

Echo walked slowly, calculated, trying not to look suspicious by rushing about. He followed the map that he'd burned into his brain, heading for the detention block of the base. He nodded to the troopers that were stood just down the hall from the door he needed to access. Ordinarily, an access card would be needed, but Echo was able to bypass that necessity by way of his scomp.

He kept glancing over his shoulder, making sure the stormtroopers were still faced away as he cracked through the door's encryption. The door zipped open, and Echo pulled out his scomp, quickly darting through the door and putting his cybernetic arm back into place.

The cells that lined the hall were only ray shielded, so he could see through and into them. He peered into every cell as he passed, his eyes narrowing in on the figures inside to identify the one he was looking for. He made it though a few corridors before he came across a cell that made him stop in his tracks.

The person inside was curled up on the bench that lined the back of the cell, their knees pressed to their chest and their head resting against the wall. Echo almost didn't recognise her. Her frame was a lot smaller than the last time he'd seen her, her skin clinging to her bones in a way that made Echo’s heart lurch.

Once he had recognised her, he immediately slammed his fist into the control panel to lift the ray shields, ripping off his helmet as he rushed inside.

“M'aira”

Echo fell to his knees in front of Kan’s rigid form, taking her face in his hands. Her eyes fluttered, but didn’t open fully, as if she couldn’t, or didn’t have the strength to.

“Who- What…?” She muttered, an edge of fear and uncertainty.

“It's Echo” He spoke gently, not wanting to frighten her. Her eyes opened a little more at that.

“Echo” She whispered, “You’re here”. She sounded relieved.

“I'm here” Echo confirmed, leaning his forehead against hers, enveloping her in his presence, his safety. “I'm going to get you out of here Cyar'ika. Can you stand?”

As he guided Kan's feet to the floor, Echo noticed a small trickle of dried blood down the side of her neck, and bruising around the tiny wound from which the blood had spilled. Echo decided to put it to the back of his mind, focusing on getting Kan out of here before he dwelled on the state she was in.

Kan’s knees crumbled beneath her as she tried to stand up, and she slumped back onto the bench.

“I’m sorry, I can’t-”

“It’s okay” Echo assured, a hand on her shoulder, “Can I pick you up?”

Kan chuckled at her own joke before she told it in a weak voice, “I don’t know, can you?”

Echo shook his head with a small disbelieving laugh escaping his lips, “Still got a sense of humour I see”

Kan shrugged a little, her eyes fluttering closed at the same time. Echo took that as his sign that it was time to go, and hooked an arm under her knees and across her back, lifting her far easier than he would have liked. She had certainly lost a lot of muscle mass, which explained why she was so weak. Once again, Echo tried not to think on it for now.

Echo promptly made it out of the cell, making his way back through the halls that he had used to find Kan. They didn't make it too far before being intercepted, but Echo wasn't going to let up until Kan was safe again. An Imperial officer was walking along the same corridor as them, and looked up from their datapad as they were about to pass by.

“What is going on?” The officer asked, utterly perplexed by seeing a stormtrooper carrying a barely conscious woman.

“Prisoner transfer, ma'am” Echo responded, his voice unwavering

The imperial frowned and gave Kan a look of what seemed to be disgust, “Why are you carrying her?”

“She doesn’t have the strength to walk, Ma'am” Echo answered her, though he was aware that this situation was certain to become more of an issue soon enough.

The officer gave him a sceptical look, “Show me”

Echo’s arms instinctively tightened a little, staring down at the Imperial through the visor of the stolen helmet.

“That's an order, trooper” She said sternly, her brow furrowing further.

“Just do it Echo” Kan whispered into his shoulder.

He grimaced under his helmet, nevertheless obliging and bending down to place Kan on the ground. She was wobbly on her feet and gripped onto Echo's arm for some stability, ending up just leaning on him to stay upright. Echo did his best not to touch her in a way that would give them away, only letting her use his body to hold herself up.

“Hm” The Imperial hummed, “Okay, pick her up. I shall escort you to your shuttle.

“That's really not necessary Ma'am” Echo countered, immediately taking Kan back in his arms.

“I'll decide what's necessary” The officer snapped back, and Echo couldn't help but wince and roll his eyes at once. He'd figure it out, he knew he would.

He followed the woman out onto the landing platform, then directed her towards his ship. She didn't say anything at first, and neither did Echo, in his mind it was all going according to plan. He was climbing the first steps into the ship when she finally spoke.

“What kind of ship is this?”

He didn't bother answering, instead pushing her back onto the platform and rushing aboard to close the door.

He placed Kan down on the bunk at the back, as gently as he could in a rush. He immediately went about getting the ship in the air, ignoring the blasterfire that was now being directed towards the ship.

He made his getaway, pushing the lever to send them to hyperspace and sitting back, abundantly relieved. He let out a long breath, rubbing his hands over his face to bring himself back to the new reality that Kan was safe. He looked back at her, his heart breaking just a little to see her sat up and looking down to her lap with a despondent expression.

She looked so different, a shell of her old, ever-cheerful self, and it was almost too much for Echo to cope with. He approached her slowly, making himself known but not trying to startle her too much, then knelt in front of her. Her eyes flicked up to his, and they looked empty, such a stark contrast to the eagerness, the life, he usually saw swimming in them.

“Oh Cyar'ika” He brought his hand up and gently stroked her face with his thumb, “What did they do to you?”

Kan didn’t respond, and looked down to her fiddling hands, feeling a little embarrassed of the state she was in.

“M'aira?”

She then turned and laid down in the bunk, facing away from him and staring out of the back window. Echo sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed and bringing his hand to her arm to gently rub it back and forth, reminding her that he was there, that she was safe. He could feel her relaxing more and more under his touch, and when it seemed that she had reached the point of sleeping, he took his hand away.

Kan reached out and grabbed his hand, “Don't leave”

Echo’s heart ached at how small she sounded.

“I’m not” He reassured her, squeezing her hand gently before taking it away again.

Echo stood up and went about noiselessly removing his armour, his eyes never leaving Kan as he stacked the pieces on the floor next to the bed. Once he was stripped down to his blacks, he laid down behind her. He could see how rigid she was, and continued to stroke her arm.

“You're safe, Cyar'ika, you can relax” He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

He once again felt her body ease under his hand, though this time she turned to look at him. Her eyes searched his for a moment, some unknown emotion fighting its way out to reach for him.

“Thank you for coming to get me”

Echo gave her a small smile as he brushed some hair from her face, “Of course M'aira, I'm just sorry it took so long”

Kan let her mouth form a small smile to mirror Echo's expression, just as a violent shiver wracked her body.

“Are you cold?” Echo asked immediately.

Kan nodded.

“Come here” Echo gave no room for argument, and pulled her body into his.

Kan relaxed immediately, the feel of Echo's body pressed against hers confirming that she was safe, that he was really here.

“You're always so warm Echo” She muttered into his chest, which brought a fond smile to his face.

He held her even closer, burying his face in her neck and taking in the scent that he had been missing for months. Kan did the same thing, taking in his presence in every way she could, gripping at his clothing with one hand, the other placed over his chest to ground herself to his heartbeat.

“I've missed you so much”

Echo's heart ached at the cracking of her voice, “I've missed you too Cyar'ika”

Kan lifted her head to look up at him again, “You keep saying that, Cyar'ika, it's Mando'a isn't it?”

“Oh” Echo blushed a little at getting caught, having been only half conscious of himself using it in the first place, “Yeah, it is”

“What does it mean?” Kan asked.

Echo cleared his throat, “It's like… sweetheart, or darling”

Kan let out a contented hum, her head coming to rest against his chest again. “I like it” She asserted, turning it over in her mouth again, “Hm. Sounds better when you say it”

Echo's chest filled with warmth, his heart feeling full, almost bursting at the seems as Kan fell asleep in his arms. This time, he'd make sure that's where she'd stay.

taglist: @darthnihila @cdblake1565 @bunny7567

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cosmos-coma · 11 months ago

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Sick Days- Bucky Barnes

A/N: We interrupt your regularly scheduled chapter to say.... I'm sick AGAIN. Its been just about 2 weeks since I fully recovered from my cough (and almost 6 weeks since I first showed symptoms last time.) I've been under a lot of stress lately to find a job so I can pay my bills, but hopefully the recovery from this round is faster.

pairing: James "Bucky" Barnes x Reader

Words: 1472

Warnings: gender neutral reader (no pronouns), NO Y/N (just 'Doll'), Sick reader, just a whole lot of fluff and soft Bucky, passively edited.

Bucky Masterlist

______________________

It started as just a funny feeling in your chest, you couldn’t really describe it, but you didn’t let it worry you.

Then, the next morning you spent 10 minutes coughing up the worst-tasting phlegm you’d ever imagined. Thinking that that was the last of it, you mentioned nothing of it to the team, the doctor, or your overly concerned boyfriend. But as the night went on and your throat began to dry, that little cough tip-toeing back in, you knew it would be worse than you had assumed. But you still ignored it for the most part; Nothing a good swig of NyQuil and some rest couldn’t do. You’d deal with it in the morning.

But now here you were in bed, wool socks on, two sweatshirts wrapped around you, and piles and piles of blankets over top, yet you were still shivering as if you had just stepped outside naked in the middle of winter. You had tried a shower, but it only warmed half of you, the other half just standing cold and wet away from the spray. You had even tried your microwavable hot pack; it worked for a while, but its heat dwindled quickly with time.

An unproductive cough forced its way out of your throat, following itself up with a throbbing headache at the spike in pressure. “Fuuuuuuuuuck,” you groaned, but it only came out as an unintelligible groan.

Though your body shivered and your muscles ached, you still found bits to be thankful for. Your nose- while slightly pressurized- still let you breathe through it, and your throat had yet to feel any of its usual soreness; they were small victories, but victories nonetheless.

However, as time passed and you lay awake listening to the sounds of the tower you were beginning to get disoriented. Was it lack of sleep? Or maybe it was dehydration? Or perhaps…. Wait, what were you thinking of again? Hm… oh well, must not have been that important.

Anyways, where were we? Ah, right-

You waited patiently for Bucky to come back from the kitchen, now regretting asking him for tea instead of just asking him to lay with you. He had been so worried when he heard you say that you were sick that he immediately sprang into action. He knew you never really liked relying on people; you were always the one taking care of others- whether you wanted to or not- so when the two of you started dating it had been quite an adjustment to get you to sit back and let him do the work.

“Hey, Doll… Are you awake…?” He called quietly, nudging the door open with his foot as he carried a tray piled high. He made his way over toward the large lump underneath the blankets, dipping the bed as he sat, “Is this you or is this just a pile of pillows?” he asked with a poke.

“No, it’s me. I’m up…” you groaned as you peeked out over the warmth of the blanket to look, and when you saw you couldn’t help but laugh weakly at your ridiculously loving boyfriend. His tray was piled high with everything you could need; a nice bowl of soup, some fresh fruit, cold medicine, tea, a hot towel- he had brought everything he thought might help you.

“What’s all this..? I thought I only asked for tea…” you said with a nasally voice and a smile, braving the cold of the room as you sat up, “fuck, is it freezing in here to you…?” You pulled your knees to your chest in an effort to keep warm despite the way your aching muscles protested.

Bucky’s brows drew together as he set the tray aside, “I thought I’d make sure you had all you needed. You’re still cold…?” Concern laced his voice as his metal hand rubbed up and down your leg, “Can we try some soup first? You need to warm up from the inside.” he advised. Gentle, loving hands helped you sit up further, even going so far as to feed you spoonfuls of soup.

You snorted and rolled your eyes, but your smile betrayed just how much you loved it, “Bucky, I’m not a child. I can feed myself…” you argued, your smile dissolving into soft laughter as he began to fly the spoon around like an airplane at your remark.

“Ah, come on, Doll. Please let me take care of you…? ” he chuckled as he tried to play it off, but you could see in his eyes that he needed this, he needed to make sure you were going to be okay. Your heart squeezed pleasantly at the knowledge that you had someone so incredibly dedicated to you, and you nodded.

“Alright, Big guy...” you relented with a grin, downing the spoonful of soup, “Thank you… I don’t know what I’d do without you.” You swallowed with a hum, enjoying the way its warmth traveled through your body quickly.

You breathed a sigh of relief, closing your eyes and savoring the love and spices that went into it. However after your 5th or 6th spoonful your stomach began to turn, churning uncomfortably as you thought about taking another bite. “Ugh…” you groaned, holding Bucky’s hand still before he could offer you another spoonful, “Wait, hold on….”

“What is it? Is it not good?”He asked, “I tried to copy my mother’s old recipe but it’s a little fuzzy after 70 years on ice…” He looked down, sniffing the bowl quizzically, It didn’t smell perfectly like his mother’s, but it didn’t seem that bad either.

“No, no, it’s good… I just- I’m not sure my stomach is strong enough right now.” You sighed as you let go of his hand, looking away from the soup so your stomach could finally settle. “I’m sorry, I know you worked hard and -”

“Hey, no. Don’t be sorry,” he smiled softly as he put the bowl aside, “I know sickness does weird things to your appetite… but we need another way to warm you up now.”

You wasted no time pulling back the covers, your sweatshirt coming off in record time before you reached out to him, “Well, they say body heat is the best way to keep warm in emergency situations. It’s just science…” You reasoned as your fingers urged him toward you. You may have still been adjusting to having someone else care for you, but if there was one thing you’d cave to without fail, it was cuddling your super soldier.

“Ah, of course… and this is an emergency after all.” His grin spread warmth through you as he climbed in, peeling off a few of his own layers for maximum skin-to-skin contact.

You settled easily onto his chest, your head tucked neatly into the crook of his neck, and as you lay against his super-heated skin you felt your whole body melt away. Relaxation and warmth crept along your muscles as his warm calloused hand glided down your back, squeezing and rubbing your aching muscles as he went along.

“Wait, fuck- go back down… further… not there you pervert- up, now to the left…! Ooooooh, yeah. right there…” You moaned as he rubbed firmly into the small of your back.

A gentle laugh rumbled through his chest and into you, as you called him out, his hand turning to massage his knuckles along the perfect spot and eliciting an even dirtier-sounding moan from your lips.

“You jerk… Why are you so good at this..?” you sighed blissfully as your back cracked with a satisfying pop.

“What? At making you moan..?” your boyfriend teased, “Just had a lot of practice I guess… You know how dedicated I am to my craft,” He laughed as he kissed your shoulder’s warming skin, and snuck his hands lower…

You snorted, gently thwapping his arm… “Alright, big guy, behave yourself… I’m too sick for your kinda ‘cold remedy’ today “

A beaming grin spread across his face as he wrapped his arms firmly around your middle, his stubble rubbing against your face as he kissed your temple. “I’ll behave, I’ll behave..” he mumbled against your hairline, lips staying pressed against your soft skin.

A quiet moment passed where you two lay with nothing but comfortable silence between you. All kidding and jokes fell by the wayside as soft kisses passed beneath the blankets from body to body

A warm smile pulled at your lips as you closed your tired eyes, “Thank you for taking care of me today, Buck…. Always really. I can't imagine how miserable I’d be without you.” You laid your heart bare, appreciation evident in your voice. “I’m so lucky I have you,” you pressed another kiss to his stubbly skin, “I love you, Bucky.”

“I love you too, Doll. More than you’ll ever know.”

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Taglist: @writingmysanity

It's been a while since I've written for Bucky (almost a year), so if I've missed you/you want to be added to the taglist, DM me to let me know!

#Its been a long time since ive written for Bucky so please be kind #bucky x reader #bucky x you #bucky x y/n #james barnes x reader #james barnes x y/n #james barnes x you #james bucky barnes x reader #James Bucky barnes x you #bucky fanfic

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mimisempai · 5 months ago

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You're the only light in my blurry world 5/10

Chapter summary

After Aziraphale's straightforward demand, Crowley wonders why the bookseller is attracted to him. Is it because Crowley is the only person whose features he can recognize?

On Ao3

Masterpost for this fic : here

"You remember this?"

As if Crowley could forget a guy who knocked over his easel by standing up abruptly while introducing himself.

Crowley chuckled before replying, "You're hard to forget, you know?"

Aziraphale replied with an adorable, embarrassed chuckle, then looked up at Crowley, and Crowley saw a gleam in his friend's eyes that he hadn't seen before.

A kind of determination.

The man he had found amusing, then interesting over the weekend had just shown him an incredible vulnerability, had bared his heart to Crowley simply because he did not want to lose this bond he had with him.

Now it was up to him to take the step to Aziraphale.

"Crowley, would you like to go out with me?"

What?

That was what he had wanted to say.

Did he hear it right?

"What?"

Immediately, he saw Aziraphale's gaze lose its determination as he began to fidget before stammering, "Uh... well... I like you a lot, and finally..."

Crowley raised his hands and interrupted, "Whoa, whoa, easy, time out!"

Aziraphale's face shut down and Crowley hurriedly continued, "No, wait, it's just that this is going a little too fast, okay? That doesn't mean I'm rejecting you, far from it, but... slow down a bit, will you? This is a lot of information for my brain, but I'm not saying no, okay? Got it?"

Aziraphale just nodded, looking a bit confused.

"Let-let me just get this straight. You just told me that you have this condition that makes you not recognize faces. You have an ex-boyfriend who dumped you because of it, and by some twist of fate or whatever, I'm the only one whose face you've recognized since your accident."

Aziraphale chuckled and replied, "I think you've summed it up perfectly, so-"

Crowley interrupted, "Do you even know why you want to go out with me?"

"Huh?"

"Well, it's like you're drowning and I'm the only life preserver floating near you. Kind of like you have no other choice. I don't want to be a consolation prize."

It was true, how could he be sure that the fact that Aziraphale could recognize his face wasn't the only reason he wanted to go out with him. After all, even though their relationship had evolved quite a bit over the past few days, they barely knew each other.

"Crowley..."

Aziraphale had placed his hand on top of his and continued, "Is the fact that I recognize your face what drew me to you? Of course it was. I can't deny that. But, Crowley, over the past few days, I've come to realize that in addition to being handsome on the outside..."

Crowley cut him off, cheeks flushed, "Seriously, you should come with a warning, where's your shyness gone?"

Aziraphale chuckled softly and replied, "That's part of what I'm saying. It's not because I can see you that I want to go out with you, but because what I perceived of you this weekend made me want to be closer than you, more than friends. My shyness has disappeared partly because we are in my safe space and partly because I feel safe with you."

Crowley, moved, saw him swallow several times, and Aziraphal's voice was clearly filled with emotion as he continued, "This weekend I was able to get closer to you, to get to know you, and even though I know we still have a lot to learn about each other, I was able to see who you are, and what was at first just an attraction based on looks has become deeper. You have been patient with me, despite my quirks, trying to get to know me. Crowley, if I suddenly couldn't see your face, I wouldn't care. I don't need to see it to know that I want more. Besides, you know when I told myself I wanted more with you?"

Crowley shook his head.

Aziraphale continued, "It has nothing to do with your physical appearance. It's when you fell asleep on my shoulder on the bus. James was my first and only lover. With him you always had to hide because he didn't come out. So no public displays of affection, nothing to give away our relationship. And here you are, falling asleep against me. No matter how it could be interpreted. And I told myself that I wanted to be able to walk hand in hand with you, to be able to kiss you when I wanted to, all those things. It doesn't matter if I see your face or not. I mean, I'm happy to see it, but it doesn't affect how I feel about you. My feelings came later when I started to see more of you, of who you are. But I also understand that for you... I mean, it's complicated, I know, and if you tell me that you want us to be just friends, I'll accept that."

"Really? You'd accept it like that?"

Aziraphale shrugged, "Well, what could I change about it?"

Crowley gently placed his hands on the other man's shoulders and replied, "If we're going to do this, you and I, there's one thing you're going to have to stop doing.

Aziraphale, confused, asked, "What?"

"Stop reacting to what you think other people want, in this case, what you think I want. As you just did, you immediately assumed that I don't want this relationship because of your condition and what that means or could mean, and immediately put yourself in a position of acceptance."

Aziraphale bowed his head and muttered, "I'm not used to that. It wasn't like that with J-"

Crowley grabbed his chin and pulled his face up, "First, stop looking at the floor. Second, I don't care about James. Sorry, but he is an idiot as far as I'm concerned. You have every right to want or wish things, your condition doesn't change that. If we're going to do this, you and I, I want a full Aziraphale, not a half one who holds back because he thinks that's what I want. I'm an adult with my own will, if I don't want something I'll say so, if you don't want something you'll say so, we'll discuss it and move on. Okay?"

Aziraphale nodded, then said quietly, "If we are in a relationship."

Crowley let go of his chin and replied, "I admit the if is more rhetorical than anything else. To be honest, I was going to ask you the same thing, but you beat me to it. Let's take it easy though. This isn't a race, and it would be a shame to ruin it by rushing into it. Besides, you owe me a first date."

Crowley saw Aziraphale's face light up with a huge grin and couldn't help himself, "Ah, there it is. You're so much cuter when you smile, you know?"

He watched in delight as his soon-to-be lover's cheeks colored slightly.

Aziraphale replied, "How should I know? I've forgotten my own face, you know? I can't see it in the mirror anymore."

"Oh, wow...is it that bad?"

Crowley was just beginning to realize all that Aziraphale's condition entailed, but he didn't want it to bring his lover down, so he said, a mischievous little smile on his lips, "That's too bad, because you're a feast for the eyes."

Aziraphale's cheeks turned even redder, but he didn't let it get to him and playfully replied, "So my looks are the reason you want to go out with me?"

Crowley, happy to see him so relaxed, replied in the same tone, "Hey, after all, it's my looks that attracted you in the first place, you just said so."

Suddenly, his eyes slipped to the wall clock and he exclaimed, "Oh crap, it's that time already, I gotta go or I'll be late for my class."

He stood up quickly and spoke at full speed, "What do you say we meet... uh wait, tomorrow's not possible, it's the busiest day and there's a meeting so... wait..."

He took out his phone and started scrolling through his calendar.

"How about dinner after the art course on Thursday?"

Crowley looked up from his phone and exclaimed, "Perfect. Where?"

"I don't know, we'll just have to discuss it on the phone until then."

"But I don't have your number."

Aziraphale held out his hand and confused Crowley didn't immediately understand.

"Your phone."

Crowley handed it to him and Aziraphale typed quickly before handing it back, "There, you've got my number now."

"Great. Well, I really have to go."

He started to walk towards the door of the bookshop and when he turned just before leaving, he almost stumbled because Aziraphale was close behind him.

"I'm sorry to leave like this, I-"

Aziraphale shook his head, "Nonsense, don't be sorry. I understand. Come on, don't be late."

Crowley nodded, then turned to leave.

He turned his head one last time and said, "I'm writing to discuss our dinner!"

Aziraphale laughed slightly, waved his hand as if to chase him away and said, "Yes, yes! Go on now."

Crowley started to walk away, but couldn't resist and turned his head one last time.

Aziraphale was still standing in the doorway of the bookshop, waving his hand.

Crowley muttered, "Oh fuck!"

Crowley ran back, stopped in front of Aziraphale, and said, "I can't leave just like this."

"Huh?"

Crowley cupped Aziraphale's face in his hands and planted a quick kiss on his lips before saying, "In case you had any doubts, I'm 100% into this relationship."

He gave hime a second kiss, a little longer this time, before stepping back and saying, "See you Thursday."

Then, this time, he walked away without looking back.

Aziraphale followed him with his eyes until he disappeared around the corner. Then, as he turned to enter the bookshop, he couldn't help but touch his lips.

"Oh, no, no, no! Mr. Fell, you're not going to lock yourself in your bookshop without telling Aunt Nina and Aunt Maggie everything!

Recognizing Nina's voice, Aziraphale turned to see that she was here with Maggie.

He replied, "I see the Whickber Street gossip mode has kicked in."

Nina replied, "Well, it started in my coffee shop, so don't come complaining.

Maggie continued, "And what a surprise for me to see our friend Crowley walk by my shop, stop and run back to you and end up kissing you in front of everyone. So don't complain. You're the one feeding the gossip, Mr. Bookseller."

"So tell us all!"

"I don't kiss and tell."

Nina approached him and said cheekily, "Technically, he's the one who kissed you, so..."

Aziraphale laughed and Maggie insisted, "Come on, tell us. Just a little."

The bookseller replied, "Okay, but over lunch because I'm starving."

"We'll buy you lunch!"

Maggie and Nina moved to his side and put their arms under his, saying, "Justine's. That way the gossip stays on the street."

Aziraphale, amused, allowed himself to be drawn in. For a moment, he regretted not being able to see the faces of his friends, if only to see their expressions, but he put that aside.

The warmth in their voices, their hands under his arm, was enough to make him understand the affection they had for him.

As the three of them sat happily chatting on the terrace of Marguerite's, Aziraphale realized for the first time since he'd opened his eyes in the hospital after his accident that he could be happy despite his condition.

His phone vibrated in his pocket; curious, he pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number.

He slid his thumb across the screen to read it.

I'm looking forward to Thursday.

PS: You're even more beautiful after being kissed.

Received 11:15 am

Crowley.

Aziraphale's heart beat a little faster, and he couldn't help but blush as he put the phone back in his pocket. Looking up, he saw that Nina and Maggie had their heads on their hands, their faces turned toward him.

Nina said teasingly, "You know, you're really going to have to tell us everything now."

Aziraphale realized that he didn't mind, because it was good to have caring friends to share his happiness with.

So he began his story, "This morning, when I went to meet Crowley at the coffee shop..."

_________

Still not beta'd

Still not my native language

Still hoping you'll enjoy this story 🥰

Still thanking you for bearing with me 😝

#good omens #aziracrow #ineffable husbands #ineffable boyfriends #aziraphale #crowley #good omens fanfiction #aziraphale x crowley #crowley x aziraphale #Human AU

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yzeltia · 5 months ago

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Closer to You

Chapter 10 Characters: Natsu Obinata, Fuyu'li cen Zwhan, Claudien, Jannie Eyradoux, Urianger Augrulet, Thancred Waters, Patient Heaven, Keith Summers, Carter Summers, @mintibunny 's Minti Chocolate Rating: T for Teen Notes: Thank you @driftward for the mechanics pass and @mintibunny for blorbo sharing

Natsu clung to Fuyu'li as they hit a sharp turn. Within a bell of Claudien's announcement, they'd awayed to Gridania and boarded a small railcar near Baelsar’s Wall. Claudien seemed to have made a device to track auracite, and with Fuyu'li's help they'd found the strongest signals east along Abalathia’s Spine. As promised, the Summers brothers and Minti had been called to meet them. Once assembled, the auracite had started to shift west, toward Mor Dohna and passing onwards toward the west before the tracker shorted out from getting too close to Silvetear Lake.

“These parts of the railway are old, there's no way for her to escape us now beyond leaving the tracks. When she turns around at the ruined station in Carteneau, she'll be routed back into us,” Fuyu'li explained, holding tightly to a bar as they sped along, jerking at every turn.

“Then we'll see her cornered and take care of this madness before she figures out a way to damn us all,” Thancred growled.

“For your sake, our friends better be there,” Carter gruffed from behind.

Fuyu'li gulped only to have Natsu gently tug on the stringed balls on his coat. “It'll be okay. I don't think she's hurt them,” Natsu assured him.

“How can you be so sure? While we did provide amenities…ignorant of her ultimate plan I cannot be sure what her endgame was. As my master, she said she wished to use their Echo as a means to find a way to his sister. Obviously the veracity of that is now brought to light and with the information she gained from my knowledge of resonance…,” Fuyu’li said before shaking his head, “She's already killed someone too, right?”

Natsu frowned, “Yes…I had nearly forgotten and yet something feels off about that too. I cannot place the feeling though.”

Fuyu'li’s ears flattened, unconvinced by her words. Suddenly the railcar lurched and started to screech as the brakes engaged. He held Natsu tighter as she covered her horns and winced in pain from the shrill sound of metal against metal.

“We've made it to the train yard…she must be here,” Thancred said, yanking open the door to let them hop out.

The group cautiously advanced forward into the abandoned plaza. It was mostly ruined, trains turned over off their rails, some buried in the station itself. Only one portal remained unblemished and seemed to hold a functioning model.

“On your guard,” Thancred warned, advancing ahead.

“Wait, look,” Fuyu'li said, grabbing the man's shoulder as he pointed out three black chambers with windows on the front.

Each one held one of the missing people inside, breath fogging the glass as a promise of life. Carter spotting Hayzel quickly advanced forward, pulling his blade from his back before charging to liberate them. A mechanical whir suddenly sounded out, one of the nearby trains charged to life. As a puff of scolding steam blew out toward Carter, he found himself yanked back toward the group and to Minti's side by a dark aura. Carter dropped his sword, cursing as he held his wrist, hand burned from the bit of steam that had hit him.

“Now now. That won't do,” a voice scolded, echoing through the train yard.

Everyone drew their weapons, readying for an attack while Jannie pulled Carter aside to try healing his hand. Stepping forward, Fuyu'li cleared his throat, “Ma’am, your ruse has ended. Return to us the Echo users and perhaps we will be shown leniency in light of our crimes!”

An amused laugh sounded out then stopped abruptly. “Very few of us here have made it to us without having done something awful on the way. Thancred Waters who let himself be taken over by an Ascian and unwittingly aided Gaius van Baelsar then caused such devastation to Northern Thanalan that it might never be repaired. Urianger Augurelt, ever duplicitous, though so far always for the greater good. You Fuyu'li cen Zhwan, how many people were tested to their mortal limits because of the research you helped procure for the sake of the empire? A Warrior of Light who has struck down so many lives. Two sons of Gyr Abanian nobility who slept in warm beds and had their pockets lined with gold while their countrymen fought and died in their place. And I'm sure the hands of two pawns of Gage Acquisitions haven't been left unstained by that organization. No one here is without sin!”

“Fuck you,” Carter roared, pulling away from Jannie only to be knocked back by his big brother.

“Whatever we've done…we will one day answer to the Traders for. I might not understand a lot of what you're doing here, but I know at the end of it you won't be no god. You've got no right trying to bring everyone down to justify what you've done,” Keith huffed out.

Soon he froze, G'raha dropping down into the middle of the yard. Standing upright, the Miqo'te held a knife to his own throat, looking as if he was in tears. “Please! Just drop your weapons and go or she'll make me move my arm!”

Keith took a step back, loosing his plated knuckles. And yet he wasn't alone, everyone besides Natsu and Thancred abandoning their weapons in shock. “I'm wise to your tricks! You're not Ryne! There's no possible way,” Thancred shouted before finding Natsu launching forward past him. “Seven Hells Natsu! Don't engage her!

“I’m the only one who can see her as she is,” Natsu called back as everyone scrambled for their weapons.

Patient raised a brow as the rapier met her knife, then frowned as she used her strength to push her back. “You poor thing. You see me as I am? Have you truly never felt love in your heart for anyone?”

Natsu swiped at the woman with her rapier, only having each blow blocked, “I don’t see what that has to do with anything! And you! What would your sons say if they could see you now? Didn’t you love them? Is this what they would want? Hurting people? And for what?”

Patient glowered then pushed Natsu away as the rest advanced toward her. “This,” was all Natsu heard before being blinded by a bright red light.

#final fantasy xiv #ffxiv #final fantasy 14 #ff14 #ffxiv oc #ff xiv #natsu obinata #fuyu'li cen zwhan #clauiden #thancred waters #urianger aururlet #keith summers #carter summers #minti rabbit #patient heaven #closer to you

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peterpanfromlemonland · 2 years ago

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The Night I Heard You Cry (pt 1. you found me)

A/N: so this is my first MW2 fic, i posted the link to chapter one earlier somewhere but enjoy!

CW/TW: mentions of human trafficking, a bit of angst(?)

Summary: Ghost team is after a large human trafficking ring/gang and instead of finding their target they find a situation

Word count: 1243 words

10/6/2022

TF-141 was on the chase, they were after a whole militarized gang of human traffickers that spanned across every inch of the world- from the pacific, to the atlantic, back to the pacific. They were everywhere. Laswell had gotten word that someone of importance in the trafficking ring was going to be setting up a “sanctuary” of sorts on the outskirts of Anaheim, California. Ghost and his team, including Soap, were on the hunt. Ghost team set up a stakeout area to observe and monitor the sanctuary from afar before making any moves, intel stated that the sanctuary housed dozens upon dozens of young women and girls ranging from the ages of 12 and early 20s; to the traffickers, humans were just a form of currency to be traded in for material wealth.

“We’ve got 5 armed guards by the front gate,” Ghost spoke into his comms, Soap was listening on the other end while he kept an eye on the backyard of the sanctuary, “Silently take out the guards and enter the building, do not engage till I give the word.” Soap nodded as he stared through his scope, there were 3 guards on the top balcony in the back and 4 more on the ground floor, 2 more inside; nothing too difficult to handle. The patient Scotsman waited for his Lieutenant’s cue to engage but some irregular movement from the second floor that he caught in his scope drew his focus away from the mission; a young woman, somewhere in her early 20s- between 21 and 23- one of the guards inside was beating her, kicking her onto the floor as she cried. Soap felt sick.

“Now.” Ghost’s voice rang through the comms but fell on deaf ears, “Johnny! The fuck are you waitin’ for?!”

“Sir,” Soap snapped back to the task at hand, “There’s a hostage, one of the traffickers is going to kill her.” worry filled his voice, he wanted to do something- anything- to get that poor girl out of harm's way. But with the guards on the outside still in the way he couldn’t do much. Ghost reminded Johnny of the mission at hand, to forget about the girl for now and do his job. She was just a girl, probably another nobody like the others who went missing and ended up being taken by the trafficking ring. Soap obeyed Ghost’s command, neutralizing all the outside guards before giving the LT a single ‘clear’ to let the other man know Soap’s half of the area was taken care of. They were now onto the next phase of the plan. Once they were inside and neutralized all the guards they were to inform the other that their rooms were clear of any threats.

After Ghost had neutralized his side of the sanctuary both men pushed forward slowly into the building, from both north and south, with their teams. Soap was determined to rescue that girl at all costs, regardless of Ghost’s previous comment, sure she was most likely another “nobody” but that still didn’t make it the right thing to ignore her and let her die right then and there. No. Soap wasn’t about to let that happen on his watch. He can’t.

As the two men made it inside, Ghost was busy effortlessly beating the shit out of any enemy that crossed his path; the man cleared the front foyer in a matter of seconds. Soap on the other hand… Well… The man had other plans. He was hoping to get to the girl in time before it was too late, swiftly taking out any guards in his way- not daring to glance back to make sure they were completely neutralized- sure, Johnny has gotten distracted once or twice on the job but he always managed to quickly revert his attention back to the tasks at hand. Which was to neutralize and get out alive. This time? This time was different; he couldn’t get his mind to stop wandering, he tried to tell himself to go back to the living room and to contact Ghost to let him know he was all in the clear, his thoughts were screaming at him but he just couldn’t get his body to listen. He made his way to the stairs, not even making an effort to scan for any enemies, the heartbreaking sounds of her crying and pleading falling upon his ears.

“Soap,” Ghost harshly hissed into the comms, “Soap, you fucking deaf?! I’ve been calling you for the past 5 minutes!” Johnny groaned before responding.

“All clear, LT.” he hissed before making himself up the stairs, “Kinda busy here.”

“Busy with what? Don’t tell me it’s about the girl again. Drop it, Johnny!” as heartless as Ghost sounded, he did care about what happened to the hostages, but they weren’t TF-141’s priority right now. You can’t save everyone, you can’t stretch yourself out too thin, this was life or death here. Why throw away 50 lives for the life of a single nobody? Why waste your time on someone who wouldn’t be missed? Ghost began scolding the man for disobeying direct orders and acting on his own emotions, calling the poor Scotsman every name in the book, but Johnny ignored every bit of it. The more Soap thought about it, this young woman wasn’t a nobody.

She was someone to somebody.

She could be someone’s daughter, sister, wife, girlfriend, mother, teacher, she was somebody to Johnny and in his mind that was enough justification for his actions. He got to the door where her crying was the loudest, without thinking, he kicked down the door in a blind rage and eliminated all the enemies in the room. The girl was crying and hiding behind a worn out spring mattress for safety, as the man who was kicking her leapt out the window to avoid Soap’s fire. Johnny ran to the window to try to catch him but the man was already long gone.

“Magairlean.” Soap groaned, “Lost the fucker. Hey there lass.” he turned to the girl who instinctively shrank away from him in fear.

“Get away!” she managed to stutter. “Đi! Đi!” Johnny cooed softly in attempts to show her he meant no harm, putting down his weapon and showing her his hands.

“It’s okay,” he slowly made his way closer to her, “You’re alright-” before he could say anything else a sharp pain hit his left leg. He yelped and leaned against the mattress for support, he looked down to notice that the girl had picked up a nearby shard of glass and stabbed him in self defense. Soap gave her a gentle and awkward smile as he reached out a hand for her, “Let’s get you outta here, yeah?” Before the girl could respond, Ghost barged into the room and tackled Soap to the ground, placing him in a chokehold and waiting for him to lose consciousness.

“I told you not to disobey direct orders,” The masked man grunted as he subdued his partner, “You cunt!” Ghost got up and noticed the girl, she was shaking and curled up in a corner. The more he looked the more he noticed how much of a bad condition she was in; torn and blood stained clothes, bruises, fresh cuts and bruises forming over old wounds. The masked man sighed and reached for his comms. “Watcher-1, this is Bravo-7, we got a situation on our hands…”

#simon ghost riley #mw2 fanfic #soap x oc x ghost #johnny soap mactavish

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idleglowingpixels · 1 year ago

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Big Update Post (Regarding XXY and some other projects)

WOW, I haven't posted anything in a while. I'm so sorry about that!

For an explanation, without getting into major personal details, I got a new job after having a really bad experience at another. And I started taking a medication around the same time that caused severe fatigue for me, to the point I unfortunately got fired for excessive absenteeism. That sent me into a major depressive slump, and I'm only just now digging myself out of it. Still on the job hunt, been filling out lots of paperwork and doing lots of interviews that go absolutely nowhere, but I'm optimistic I'll eventually find something.

Also, on a brighter note (My brain just refuses to be pessimistic for real lol), I've decided to attend college starting in January! My associate's degree majors are focusing on Creative Writing, as well as General Studies to get those main classes out of the way in the first two years. I then plan on pursuing the Creative Writing degree up to a bachelor's, and I'm planning on double-majoring with Graphic Design for those last two years for the namesake of a bachelor's degree in both fields (good for the resumes, y'know?), and also because my art and writing portfolios for original works are SEVERELY lacking. I don't think I've worked on them professionally since high school! :')

Okay, personal mess aside, as a result of the depressive slump, I was so severely demotivated that I fell extremely far behind on my writing goals for this month, which is a huge bummer. :C But I'm trying to work on being kinder and more patient with myself, and it's working so far, so I'm just gonna keep trucking along.

I'll share what I have gotten done, as well as what's coming up this October. So, without further ado, here you go:

XXY: I have fully completed the first drafts of Chapters 8 & 9, with Chapter 10's first draft pending completion. If I had to take a guess, between writing and editing the chapters for future drafts, I won't have Chapters 8-13 ready for release until at least December. This is because at my standard writing pace, I won't have all the first drafts completed until the end of October, and accounting for all the time I'll be spending editing the chapters or rewriting scenes where necessary, I doubt I will be able to provide any chapters in November. I'm so sorry for making you guys wait so long for an update, believe me. I appreciate your patience at this time and will do my best to complete these chapters up to my standards as soon as humanly possible.

Idle's Monster High AU (Working Title): Kicking off the official beginning of me sharing my Monster High AU, which I've been developing for roughly 2-3 years now, I'm spending the rest of this week in particular revamping the designs I drew from last year for the main 5 ghouls (Frankie, Draculaura, Clawdeen, Cleo and Lagoona) but didn't post. I'm gonna be sharing 1 redesign each week on this blog for the duration of October! I will also be posting a one-shot I've been writing and editing on-and-off throughout the last year or so, to commemorate this year's upcoming Friday The 13th! The one-shot will be posted on said date, October 13th. I'm BEYOND excited to share this one, and I even have a drawing for the fic I'll put in the fic's masterpost!

Ladybug And Chat Noir: A Miraculous Tale: For now, this project is still sidelined to make room for XXY and other works to be completed. I'm hoping to work on it more soon!

I'm also making a formal announcement soon for my new writeblr blog, focusing more on my original stories and stuff about them very soon! Just have to make a masterpost/introduction for the page and I'll reblog it here. After that, I'm keeping the blogs relatively separate, as this is my unhinged fandom blog and the other one's more on the "professional" side for my personal works.

That's it for tonight I think, and I hope this satisfies my lack of posting here lately. These last 2-3 weeks have been a real struggle for my mental health, but I'm finally seeing the sun over the horizon!

#linposts #blog update #xxy #LACN:AMT #monster high au

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longclawislightbringer · 2 years ago

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I posted 181 times in 2022

That's 76 more posts than 2021!

48 posts created (27%)

133 posts reblogged (73%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@longclawislightbringer

@esther-dot

@riahchan

@voidsteffy

@kitnjon

I tagged 179 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#rosvolio - 45 posts

#still star crossed - 44 posts

#jonsa - 43 posts

#ssc - 42 posts

#edit - 37 posts

#rosaline x benvolio - 32 posts

#wip wednesday - 31 posts

#lol - 26 posts

#rosvolio fic - 25 posts

#nancy drew cw - 24 posts

Longest Tag: 80 characters

#unless this series is a rom-com where jon and sansa fall in love i don’t want it

My Top Posts in 2022:

Watching the Nancy Drew finale and I am already on the edge of my seat

It’s been five minutes send help

10 notes - Posted January 29, 2022

TODAY IS THE BEST DAY

THE SUN IS SHINING, MY CROPS ARE GROWING, AND NANCY DREW HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR SEASON 4

15 notes - Posted March 22, 2022

Chapter Seven: Vindication

Rating: T

Relationships: Rosaline Capulet/Benvolio Montague, Helena/Princess Isabella, Livia Capulet/Count Paris, Rosaline Capulet/Prince Escalus (past)

Characters: Rosaline Capulet, Benvolio Montague, Prince Escalus, Livia Capulet, Count Paris, Princess Isabella, Helena, Stella

Summary: Rosaline figures out her feelings; the evidence points to a suspect.

Hello everyone!

Thanks for waiting so patiently for this chapter. I know the cliffhanger on the last one was a doozy ;)

I’m really excited for you all to read this chapter; the scene in the precinct is another one I came back in ye olde days of 2019 and it’s one of my favorites. I hope you all enjoy!

Thanks once again to unwrittenmusings on Tumblr for the original prompt and my beta Ry for all her wonderful work these last few months. You can find her on Tumblr and AO3.

Thanks for reading!

Chapter Six. Chapter Seven.

Read on AO3.

Chest heaving, Rosaline burst through the double doors to the hotel veranda. Her bare feet slapped against the coarse stone while she ran to the marble railing.

Breathing deep, she slammed her hands against the balustrade and screamed as loud as she dared—at that time of night, barely above a rough stage whisper. The sound burst from deep in her chest, carrying with it all the frustrations and anxiety of the last month. Her voice hoarse, her scream trickled off into nothingness as she gazed out at the glimmering stars that dotted the night sky.

“You look like you’ve got a story to tell.”

Startled at the sudden intrusion, she gasped and turned.

Bathed in the warm glow of the streetlamp and half shrouded in shadow, a middle-aged man lurked at one of the wrought-iron tables, drinking a glass of water. Rosaline recognized him as one of Helena’s guests.

“I didn’t know anyone was still out here,” Rosaline apologized. “I’m sorry if I disturbed your solitude. I’ll be going now.”

She turned to the door.

“No, stay,” the man responded. “You seem like you’ve got something on your mind, and sometimes talking about what’s bothering us can help.”

“Alright, I guess,” Rosaline grumbled, taking the offered chair and dropping her clutch on the table. “I’m Rosaline.”

“You’re one of Isabella’s bridesmaids, aren’t you?” He asked, tapping the table.

Rosaline nodded morosely.

“Name’s Orsino.”

Rosaline shook his outstretched hand.

“You and your boyfriend sure looked like you had a great time today, so what’s got you all in a tiff?”

“That’s just it,” Rosaline groaned, burying her head in her hands. “He’s not actually my boyfriend.”

“Really?” Orsino almost spat out his water. “You certainly had me fooled.”

“He’s my partner at work,” she explained, fiddling with the ribbon at her waist. “This is all going to sound so stupid.”

Orsino quirked an eyebrow.

See the full post

15 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

Y’all I just watched Nancy Drew 3x11 and

39 notes - Posted January 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I've been working on a PowerPoint for my friend's bachelorette party about GOT and oh boy has it opened a can of worms

So far I've got ten slides about cinematography and I've just started on a section I've titled "The Jonsa Agenda"

It is 34 slides long and I'm not even finished

Send help

48 notes - Posted January 11, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #these are always so funny #also me realizing I still haven't finished polishing the GOT powerpoint for Tumblr #just add that to the to-do list #also my top three tags lol

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blazenka · 2 years ago

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Forthcoming

Returning to Mystic Falls for a visit, Elena awakes to find she's been sent unwillingly into the past. Not only does she have to avoid changing past events; she must also deal with a cold and detached Damon who is the only one who knows she's there.

Original source: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7073903/1/Forthcoming

Chapters: 17

Published: June 12, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Words: 41434

Rated: Fiction M - Language: English - Genre: Romance/Supernatural - Characters: Elena G., Damon S. - Reviews: 117 - Favs: 132 - Follows: 95

Exported with the assistance of FicHub.net

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Chapter 12

a.n.: Takes place during the episode "Miss Mystic Falls".

Hope you enjoy.

~Ѱ~

Elena spun around the second the arms loosened their grasp, ready to face her perpetrator. Of course, she felt more likely to slap him when she saw who it was, instead of the expected response of kicking and screaming.

"Damon…" she mumbled on an irritated sigh, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, hello to you too. Thought you would just be slightly happier to see me," he answered her, his face full of confusion and slight hurt though he masked it well under his satire.

"I am… it's just… Stefan isn't going to show up so you need to get in there so we…" Elena broke off as she took in Damon's attire, "What happened to your suit? You're not dressed." Elena felt like she was going to have a heart attack or a stroke - something was wrong and it was probably all her fault.

Damon looked down at his tee, jeans and jacket - slightly confused by the way Elena was acting till he glanced over the large audience and the Lockwood mansion before them and smirked. "Elena, I think you're mistaken," Damon suggested as he drew her gently into his arm once again, turning her towards the dance.

"Damon, what are you…" Elena's words died as she watched her past version of herself and Damon make their way to the dance floor with the other couples.

She watched as they faced each other and bowed, and then their dance of near touches began, swirling around each other as if they were the only ones on that dance floor.

Elena could remember that bubbling feeling she had when she descended the stairs those years ago - Damon waiting patiently at the bottom for her. Her mind in defiance went to Stefan, of course.

Elena gave a shirt gasp when their doubles swept each other in their arms - never realizing how Damon and herself looked at that moment. All eyes trained on them as Damon lead her fluidly around while in his embrace. The slight smile on Elena's face as Damon returned a small one, filled with happiness Elena only saw a couple of times in later years.

If only she knew then what she knew now or even what she realized at that moment. She always secretly, and with much guilt, pulled out that memory when she was alone - remembering every detail Damon offered her that day. Included the solemn gaze him and herself wore after the music ended and they had to remove each other from their arms. Remembering a small part of her never truly wanted that dance to end.

"You look sooo good in that blue dress. You don't still have it, do you?" Damon asked with a smirk, turning her back around towards him.

"It's you… It's really you," Elena muttered in wonder as she grasped the lapels of his jacket, pulling her body closer to his.

"Let's get back to the Boarding House," he urged her, wanting to get somewhere private so they could talk.

"Yea sure," Elena agreed as they walked away from the spectacle, only to pause shortly after.

"Wait."

"Elena?"

"We can't go to the Boarding House, we… they are going to take Stefan there. I think I know somewhere we can go," she stated before directing him to the location.

"This is where you've been staying?" Damon tried to grasp as he looked around the room Elena had at the bed and breakfast.

"It was short notice, Damon," she argued with a sigh before taking a seat on the bed.

The two had a brief but informative discussion before they reached their destination, both disturbed by what the other had said. Damon found out instead of a couple days of being in the past, Elena had been there for weeks and that knowledge, especially since he wasn't there for her, angered him. And Elena found out who exactly was responsible for sending her into the past in the first place.

"I know she's done some things in the past but… god, I thought we were beyond this," Elena groaned, rubbing her temples as she fought off the oncoming head ache.

"Well, you don't talk regularly to someone for a couple years and then dump something like that on them…" Damon murmured, taking a seat in the arm chair silently.

Elena looked up at him in disbelief before it turned into a glare, "You're siding with her?"

"What? No… Why would I after everything, especially after the Founder's day incident? No, I just… while we were preparing to get you back I talked to her and kind of understand where she's coming from, Elena."

Elena expression softened before she nodded, "I guess."

"You know how surprised Jenna and Ric still were, even though you would think it would have been obvious…"

Elena continued to just nod, obvious lost in thought.

Damon looked at her for a moment before he got up to sit beside her, "If it makes you feel better, we let her have it when we all found out."

"After I, of course, yelled at her till I was blue in the face, and we all expressed our strong dislike for what she did. I think… Jeremy was the only one who didn't yell at her," Damon informed her, giving a strange look when he mentioned the younger Gilbert.

Elena's eyes widen, "What do you mean?" asking him to elaborate.

"Well, he is her boyfriend and probably knew what she was thinking when she did it. If anyone knew what was going on in Sabrina's head - it would be your brother, sadly."

Elena just nodded again; letting all the information from Damon sink in before she spoke up again, "So, how are we going to know when we need to perform our half of the spell?"

Damon bounced a few times on the bed, much to Elena's annoyance before he chose to answer, "She'll contact us, like when you were kidnapped by Rose."

Elena nodded, simply staring once again into space as she processed everything.

Damon laid back on the bed, placing his hands behind his head before kicking off his shoes - receiving a glare from Elena, "You comfortable?"

Nodding smugly, Damon shifted against the bed before he turned back to the matter at hand, "We do have one problem though…"

"Which would be?"

"We'll also need 'past' Bonnie for our half of the spell as well and if memory serves me right she was also mad at you at the point of time as well."

Elena huffed out a breath before she flopped down upon the bed next to Damon, "Great, just great… exactly what we needed."

"Hey, Debbie Downer, we have time to get everything together based on what you told me so just relax for the rest of the night. Besides, I have a feeling our wicked witch will want to help us out."

Elena just turned to him with an exhausted sigh, silently asking why.

"She isn't going to want to have two Damons around," he answered in his usual nonchalant way.

Elena made a silent 'o' before moving closer to Damon, resting her head the crook of his neck while his arm and hand wound around her waist as the two lapsed into silence.

The sun had set before either one spoke again, Damon being the first to break the silence.

"You know what this reminds me of?"

All Elena answered was a murmured 'mhmm' in question, too comfortable lying against Damon with her eyes blissfully closed.

"Those times I snuck into your apartment, even after the agreement we set up in the first place in exchange for being let in… and if you weren't studying or writing then you would let me stay and hold you."

Elena glanced around the room with a slight wince. "I think my small apartment is better than this," she stated as she looked up at him with a slight smile before she ran her hand through his dark hair.

"After my decorating, of course," Damon smirked, turning towards her while pulling her deeper into his arms.

Elena rolled her eyes playfully before she settled her gaze on Damon, "I've missed you."

"I would kind of hope so…"

"No, I really missed you, Damon."

Elena slowly drew her lips across Damon's to illustrate her point clearer. He gave in instantly, holding nothing back when it came to her- only pulling back when he had one thing he wanted to say.

"I've been so worried something would happen to you."

Elena shifted her eyes away from Damon, lightly rubbing her neck.

"Did I… he hurt you?"

"Not really, and he was just upset over the tomb and well, you know all of it."

"I still shouldn't have let anything happen to you…"

"It was beyond your control, Damon," Elena reassured him, drawing her soft hand against his cheek before sliding it back into his hair.

"Now that I'm here I am going to make sure nothing else happens to you."

Elena gave him one of her true smiles as she looked up at him with loving eyes, "You always do."

Damon was quick to cover her body with his own as he kisses her with the all too familiar passion that seemed to consume them both.

Elena acted quickly as well as she gripped the back of Damon's tee to remove it from his body. Damon pulled back to remove the article over his head before starring down at Elena with his intense blue eyes, "Little impatient, aren't we?"

Elena's hands were on his neck, lacing her fingers at the base of his head as she pulled him back on top of her. "Shut up," was all she growled before her lips were on his once again.

Damon respond with enthusiasm to her aggression as his hands worked on the buckle of his belt, and then the button of his jean and zipper before the old ragged blue jeans were removed completely. Then Damon used his vampiric advantaged to flip them so Elena would be on top. Waiting for Elena to get her bearings back and realize the new position, Damon intertwined his finger behind his head before he bucked his hips from underneath her while doing his signature 'eye-thing'. "Your turn," he grinned like the devil he was.

Elena smiled down at him before lifting her top at an agonizingly slow pace; eventually she removed and tossed it to the side. Then worked on her jeans while Damon watched her head bowed in concentration on the buttons.

Once her top was gone, Damon looped his fingers through the straps of her bra, slowly drawing them down her arms. Damon drew his hands down her soft sides, silently counting her ribs till he reached her waist, flipping them so she was underneath him once again.

The couple shared a brief moment of understanding before Damon began to kiss down Elena's neck, following a trail only he could see as he made his way to her sensitive collar bone. Elena angled her head back so Damon could have the best opportunity to kiss and caress her the way he wanted to.

Ignoring the peaks of her breasts, Damon traveled down the valley to her soft curves of her stomach. Lingering, almost teasing, at the elastic lace of her undergarment. Yet using his skills once again, the article of Elena's last clothing was gone and so was his to some far corner of the room.

Damon caressed her thigh and stomach, taking his time with concentrated touched to her body as if he was fine tuning a master-crafted instrument. Elena huffed with impatience as she grasped Damon's shoulder to pull him back up to her for a forceful kiss. He couldn't help the chuckle in his throat as he responded to her kiss and semi desperation - of course, it had been weeks for her.

Supporting himself upon his elbows Damon hovered above Elena, giving her a lingering kiss as he positioned his hips against hers. Elena gasped, her head tilted fully back into the pillows as Damon moved inside her - with her as she matched his trusts with her own hips.

Their legs stretched and twisted around the other's, their arms and hands embracing the other, encouraging them to continue on. A sheer layer of sweat perspired on their backs, stomachs and legs as their bodies continued their rhythm, joining them in that age old dance the two frequented in the last couple months of their relationship.

Damon flipped him and Elena once again before resting his back against the head board, both of them gasping at the feel and pleasure of the new angle.

If Elena was coherent enough she might have been startled by the position Damon decided to take. But her mind was lost in the bliss of the moment as both him and her striving for that pinnacle.

And it felt like home.

~Ѱ~

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#vampire diaries #fanfiction #fanfiction.net #archiving #queued

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pluckysidekick · 2 years ago

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It’s finally here - not the end, but a new beginning. If you’ve been patient and kind enough to read the first 10 chapters of The Space Between, my Nancy Drew Season 4 spec fic, thank you. My intention was to tell a rich story that involved the whole world of Nancy Drew and Horseshoe Bay, and give my own take on what I’d like to see in Season 4, and perhaps hit on a few themes that actually wind up in the show (I did call Ace’s earring early).

GIF courtesy of @drifteratheart

We’re still a few months from the final season premier (according to a very rare tweet from Alex, it’s “soon after” they finish filming in December), but I hope this fic has helped you pass the time while we wait for the final (sniff) and hopefully most spectacular season.

I just posted Chapter 11, with the summary:

Nancy and Ace, together.

As you might imagine, this chapter earns the ‘E’ for this fic. I hope you find it satisfying (I know, I know). This story is not over yet, but this chapter is definitely a major turning point. Please enjoy!

Read The Space Between on Ao3

#nace #nancy drew #nancy drew cw #nancy x ace #ndcw #ace [redacted]#ace x nancy #nancy drew fanfiction #nace fanfiction #nace fanfic #nancy drew season 4 #nancy drew s4 #cw nancy drew #author: pluckysidekick

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anarchist-sloth · 2 years ago

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If it’s not fine it’s not the end

Chapter: 4/7; (previous chapter), (first chapter), (next chapter);

Pairing: Jakexfem!Mc;

Warnings: Spoilers from episode 10, suicide mention;

Words: 6.8 k;

Author’s note: This is a story that will follow what happens immediately after episode 10′s ending. I’m not a native English speaker, so any mistakes are due to that. Thanks for being so patient, I hope next chapter will come at a quicker pace (but I’m sure it will ;) ) Enjoy!!

A loud thunder woke you up, for the second time in a row, in a bath of cold sweat. You had hoped that yesterday's revelation would have prevented you from having nightmares, but apparently your subconscious still wanted to play with you in your sleep.

You supposed it was still progress, in a way, as this time you "only" dreamed about Jake's arrest. No burnt bodies. No piercing screams. Just the man you dearly loved pressed against the FBI's hood vehicle, handcuffed. From an outsider's perspective it was sickening calling this vision of yours an improvement, but that was simply a fact now.

A heavy sigh escaped from your mouth and as you turned around, you witnessed the sight of your soaked pillow. Great. So you weren't just crying in your dreams, but in your sleep as well.

You got up and grasped your phone, checking for the thousand time if Jake had texted you. Like usual, his last message was his "I love you".

Your lips quirked up. Despite everything, his words were still capable of generating butterflies in your stomach. If there was one thing you were happy Jake did before he had to leave, was his love confession.

Your latest texts, on the contrary, still resulted unsent, which weirded you out: if he really had exited the mine, shouldn't have the signal worked again, thus delivering your messages?

At first, you didn't really believe he was going to do it.

He had always struggled with expressing his emotions- anything about himself really, to the extent that you had to beg for more. But the thought of losing you had made him braver and more honest- as you were sobbing through out the day he kept opening his heart to you, culminating to his final words.

It had been an awful day, but for a fleeting moment you had gotten what you had so desperately ached for.

You didn't even want to imagine a different scenario where none of you had confessed their feelings. Going through these past days knowing Jake could have died not ever explicitly knowing your love for him almost made you puke.

If he really had died (which, THANK GOD, he hadn't) at least he would have known there was someone out there waiting for him. You were immensely glad that you were able to answer him back.

You had a few hypothesis for why he wasn't able to receive them yet, but neither of them were calming you down one bit.

A sudden, unpredictable rumble made you drop your phone on the mattress. Caught off guard, you drew close to the nearest window and recoiled upon seeing the storm. It was summer, so it definitely wasn't unusual to see one; you liked rain, you truly did, but in order for you to enjoy it you needed to stay in the comfort of your own room, not underneath it.

You face slapped yourself.

"Just splendid" you snickered, while fetching the most heavy clothes you had picked for this travel.

In the rush of packing your suitcase, you hadn't monitored the weather forecast- you just "assumed", in an unnatural sprout of optimism, that it was going to be sunny all week.

You didn't bring an umbrella with you, and the best cover you could afford was your hoodie.

You couldn't wait showing up at the police precinct looking like a wet mop, drenching their floor and the poor chair of the interrogation room.

You briefly glanced over the window's view, and winced at the undulating trees and how huge the ponds were, almost resembling wading pools. The officers were totally not going to get pissed at you.

You hid your hair under the hood in the best way you could and took off.

Once downstairs, your eyes scanned the Motel hall in a desperate search of Mss. Walter, so that you could escape from her grasp again- luckily for you, she was nowhere to be seen, and, at the entrance door, a familiar figure was waiting for you.

Jessy was dressed in a cute yellow raincoat a bit too large for her-very similar to the one Georgie wore in the famous book and movie, IT. You knew how much she adored that story; it was linked in her profile, after all. She seemed sleep deprived, her dark eye bags sending you a clear hint. But regardless of that, she still presented you an heartwarming smile. It was really sweet of her to show up here.

You sprinted towards Jessy with a relieved expression on your face.

"Thought you might need it" she said, extending you an umbrella.

"Jessy! You are a life saver! Thank you" you chimed, accepting her generous offer.

"I was hoping you could feel the same?"

"I didn't want to go to the police station alone," she explained, pushing the door open.

You instantly shivered once you stepped outside- it was freezing! You should have brought some jackets over.

You vigorously nodded, while you messily zipped your hoodie to the neck.

"Yes, actually. This storm is not making the process easy, either" You rapidly opened the umbrella, trying your best to fight off the wind. It was blowing so hard that for a second you believed you were going to lose the grip. Jessy kindly helped you keep your balance.

"You know, we still got some time before the statement" Jessy mentioned, rummaging inside her handbag for her car keys.

"We do?" You asked, checking the time. You had forgotten to set up the alarm clock last night, the exhaustion winning you over, but luckily for you the storm had been an ally and woke you up regardless.

"Yeah, roughly an hour. I was thinking...maybe we could have breakfast together? Unless you already ate, that's fine!" She exclaimed, letting you inside the vehicle. You were so glad Jessy was smart enough to drive you both to the precinct. Forget summer, this cold belonged to winter!

"No, I haven't eaten yet." All these events were disrupting your routine to the point you even forgot basic, healthy tasks like eating. Perhaps it was about time you did something about it.

"I think it's a wonderful idea" you promptly verbalized, putting on your seatbelt. Since you had come here, you hadn't had the chance to talk to Jessy alone. A part of you knew all too well that you both longed to discuss about what had happened.

You were wounded, scarred by someone you both thought you could trust- and you were also the only two people who had the misfortune to see with your own two eyes Richy's downfall. That wasn't something you could easily move on from, no matter how much time could pass.

As Jessy drove towards the destination, you soon realized she wasn't heading to the Aurora bar like you had originally assumed.

"Why aren't we going to your brother's place?"

Jessy visibly stirred at your question.

"D-do you want to go the Aurora?" She timidly blurted out, her eyes stuck on the road. "No, I don't have any preferences. I was just asking." You reassured her, sensing the tension in the air.

"...Did something happen with Phil?"

She gripped hard the steering wheel.

"...No? Well, nothing new, at least"

Jessy briefly closed her eyes, collecting herself.

"We just...we aren't exactly on good terms right now," she exposed defeated.

"Oh..." you exhaled, the sounds of Jessy's drumming fingers echoing in the car.

"We didn't really fight, if that's what you are worried about. He knows about our situation and he's trying to be understanding. But he's clearly angry. Like, a lot. And yesterday's quarrel didn't really help either...I...I don't know, I guess I don't want to add fuel to the fire."

"I get it" you muttered, suddenly feeling guilty for not noticing Jessy's discomfort the day before. "If anything, I'm sorry we went there"

She painfully beamed.

"Don't be. We all agreed on it. And, well, sometimes you can't just intuitively know when I'm upset if I don't express it"

You appreciated her effort to be rational, but you also wanted to be by her side on this difficult time. Of course, you couldn't magically know how Jessy was doing, but you could still try to be a little bit more perceptive. She was allowed to be emotional, especially after her best friend's loss.

"I will still try it!" You energetically erupted, outstretching your arms in the air just to appear dramatic. Jessy seemed calmer, at least, but her eyes looked melancholic.

"Then the same goes for me, okay? You would tell me if something was bothering you, right?" Her tone was just as soft as her personality. For an instant, you felt safe, as if you were cradled in the gentle and loving arms of a mother. But as quick as it had arrived, that sensation soon faded away.

Your lips wavered. You knew she was referring to Jake. Since he disappeared, you hadn't had the chance to talk to anybody how desperate you were feeling, how hard it was to keep this unyielding facade. All the tears you cried were in secret, away from anyone to observe and judge. And you wanted to keep it that way.

It was hypocritical, asking Jessy to be honest with her feelings while knowing you didn't have the strength to reciprocate.

For some reason, you felt selfish to ask for sympathy: in your mind, Jessy was the one who needed support, someone who wasn't going to break or crumble- a friend that recognized the hardships she was going trough.

Maybe your little facade necessitated to work some more.

"Yes, I would"

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The Regenbornen cafe looked much more classy than the Aurora. While the latter focused on a rustic aesthetic, the former welcomed their customers with elegant, leather armchairs and mahogany tables. The fragrant smell of freshly baked pastries filled your nostrils, making you feeling peckish.

Jessy gestured you to find a table while she was going to order two chocolate cakes with strawberries, the local specialty. You couldn't wait eating some. As you scavenged for a place to sit, you noticed It was more crowded than the Aurora, too, but you figured it was due to Phil's unfortunate reputation...Surely one additional reason to be upset.

You found an empty seat near the window and gently plopped on the sofa. From this position, you could enjoy the rain drops fall menacingly onto the streets and on the poor pedestrians, away from the cold wind. You would have rather spent the day admiring the storm, pretending to be free of responsibilities and tragedies; maybe you would have drank a nice hot chocolate, with the sound of the TV reverberating in the room. But later, in not less than an hour, you were going to be questioned by police officers about your involvement in Hannah's kidnapping.

It didn't even feel real.

The sound of the dishes clattering on the table startled you enough to wake you up from your thoughts. The chocolate cakes were served with whipped cream and nicely cut strawberries on top, making your stomach grumble in excitement. You were glad Jessy brought you here, and judging by her enthusiasm, she was too.

"I also bought tea for the both of us, I hope it's fine" she babbled, pouring some of it in your cup.

"Yes, don't worry. Thanks" the dessert tasted sugary, but not excessively so, to your surprise. You let the cream linger on the palate, savoring its sweetness, and moaned in amusement. Jessy seemed pleased as well.

"It's very good-" you told her, as if your reaction wasn't explanatory.

"I knew you would like it" She responded, cleaning the corners of her mouth with her tongue.

"I thought you deserved something nice after everything we've gone trough..." she continued, toying with the fork the cake's decorations.

You weakly nodded as her comment shook you over. There couldn't be one single moment without the harsh present crushing you with its weight.

"You deserve something nice, too" you added, taking a mouthful of cake.

"We all do"

Jessy didn't proceed to answer, her eyes glossy once more. It was awful seeing her in this state. "Jessy, what happened...you could have done nothing to avoid it" you reasoned with her, your gaze low.

"And that's the problem. I don’t think we could've ever solved this in any other way. We were destined to suffer in any case."

Jessy's words made you fall in a guilt spiral. Because, well, in your head, you had imagined how this situation could have been resolved.

If only you hadn't answered Thomas' text.

Your presence only worsened an already dire situation.

Since you had pictured this route, you hadn't been able to find peace: you kept visualizing a much more rose-tinted reality where Richy freed Hannah right away, and who knows, maybe they could have talked about Jennifer's accident for the first time after 10 years of silence.

You knew Hannah, she would have forgiven Richy on the spot, that's just the kind of person she was.

That way, Richy wouldn't have died and Hannah wouldn't have stayed captive for so long. That way, all your friends, you included, wouldn't have been so traumatized. That way, surely, Jake wouldn't have risked his life-both by the hands of the FBI and by the fire's mine.

You didn't want to express your thoughts out loud, you guessed the group was kind enough to disregard your little theory. But you feared that, deep down, they could feel the same as you.

And that possibility was far scarier than anything you had to endure until now.

You swallowed the burning tea.

"Maybe so." You lied once again.

"But maybe our future doesn't have to be so...grim" you proposed

Jessy snarled at you.

"I don't see anything good in my way. I don't even have a job anymore."

She sighed.

"Richy's parents keep calling me but I don't even know what I should say. I don't know for how long I can ignore them"

You took her hand and squeezed it.

"It must be really hard" she returned the gesture.

"Maybe just text them if talking is too complicated?"

She shrugged.

"I would have to talk them either way, MC. I can't imagine telling them Richy is...was..." she stopped her track, her voice weakened by her emotions. You kept holding her hand.

"I can't even imagine explaining what happened to the police, and yet here we are." She blew her nose into the handkerchief.

"I still haven't come to terms with it. I can't...But it doesn't matter if I can or not. He attacked, threatened, and put us in constant danger. I thought I was going to die multiple times. Yet my mind doesn't view Richy as the Man without a face. "

"It's completely natural, Jessy" you threw at her your paper tissue so that she could use it.

"When our loved ones disappoint us this bad, it's hard to grasp the reality of it...The important part is that we can overcome this together."

"Really?" She looked at you with her round, green eyes-she resembled a stray kitten. "Really" you confirmed, a sheepish smile on the way.

"So...does this mean we'll stay in touch?" Why did your friends keep asking you that? As if it wasn't obvious.

"Yeah? I want it to be"

For the first time these days, she smiled sincerely.

"I consider you my best friend, MC. You were there for me when none understood, like my own personal sun. I want you in my life as well..."

You chuckled wholeheartedly, blush forming on your cheeks.

"Jeez, and I thought this cake was sweet-" a loud beeping noise interrupted you. It was Jessy's alarm clock.

"I fear time's up" she quickly snoozed it to not disturb the other clients.

You kept holding her hands to find the courage you both needed. Just like you had said, it wasn't going to get easier. But at least you were going to be together.

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

The police station was relatively close to the town's center, but it was a given- Duskwood was a small town in general. You greeted your friends, all patiently waiting for you and Jessy to come-and then entered the building.

You walked towards the counter where a well dressed lady was working on the computer, who appeared pretty busy. You were about to speak up when two cops burst into the hall, audibly yawning.

"Man, there hasn't been so much movement since 2012!" The older one scoffed, stretching his legs. He held a cup of coffee in his right hand that, judging by his tired appearance, was using to boosts himself up.

He halted once his attention fell upon your group.

"Great, we can't catch a break here! Eric, call the chief!"

You stayed deadly quiet as the man dashed in your direction.

If looks could kill, you were certain this policeman would have done so on the spot: his narrowed, bushy brows and his sunken eyes were sending you a warning. You gulped and prayed for the poor soul who would have to bear him for almost an entire day.

"So you are the Scooby Do gang, uh? About time you showed up!" He yelled, pointing his finger at you. "Then why didn't you bring us for questioning?" Dan asked, already irritated by the man's attitude.

"Do you think our men got all the time in the world, kid? We had to take care of all your careless mistakes! Because that's what happens when a bunch of nobodies think they are better than the police!"

"We did call-" Dan tried to say, but Cleo shushed him as she knew it wasn't wise to go against the officers. Especially the rude ones.

You were struggling yourself, knowing all too well the police was in part responsible of this mess. They surely took their sweet time to properly investigate, you remembered, and when they decided to take action, they had incarcerated the wrong man based on flimsy evidence. This cop had some guts talking to you like that.

The corridor's doors opened once more and you soon recognized the Duskwood police chief Alan Bloomgate. He was in his fifties, his white hair in stark contrast with the rest of it and deep wrinkle lines on his forehead. Just like his team mates he looked deadly tired but he regained some energy as he approached you, his lips a tight line.

"I presume you must be MC, am I correct? I have never seen you around here" he shook your hand with vigor.

"Yes, exactly."

"Then I think you are all here" he affirmed, checking if all your friends were present. Once he registered all your IDS in the data system, he ordered the other two officers to take your friends to the interrogation room.

You saw Dan and Thomas going with the cop who was bothering you, while the girls happily followed the nicer one. You took a quick glance towards the guys and saw Dan scolding Thomas for his meek attitude, probably scared of that man, too. Poor them.

"So you'll question me?" You timidly asked while Alan guided you to a more secluded area.

"It's better this way" he unlocked a small room, that, if looks were anything to go by, resembled a storage room. It was dimly lit but you could trace the silhouette of cleaning products located on the higher shelves.

"...h-here?" You stuttered, incredulous.

He sighed and positioned two chairs in front of each other.

"We are not from the big city, Miss, and you are a group of 8 people. We have to cut some corners." He sat neatly on the chair closest to the door and encouraged you to do the same.

As you sat on the cranky chair, he removed from his trousers' pocket a recorder and pressed the red button.

"So, Miss MC, would you like to tell me why are you even linked to this story in the first place?"

The old cranky cop was right, after all: you were a nobody.

Oh, the irony.

A part of you would have preferred not knowing the answer. You hadn't had the time to properly reflect about what Hannah had said the day prior, how your contribution to the cause was just a mere coincidence, a misunderstanding. For some reason, it troubled you: you knew that, deep down, it couldn't have gone any other way. You didn't know Hannah, neither any of her friends, and you weren't some big journalist or detective who could have helped in a more significant way. No, you were a stranger, that was the disappointing truth. You were never important, unlike what Jake thought.

You let out a garbled noise, to which Alan reacted weirdly.

"What's so funny, Miss?"

"It's nothing." You rapidly said, hoping to not sound suspicious.

"Just...I've asked myself the same question not too long ago."

"Care to explain?"

"Well, apparently, I'm not really linked to this story. Do you remember the receipt you told me about?" Alan was intrigued, at least.

"Yes, I do"

"Hannah sent the same receipt to her boyfriend Thomas Miller while she was kidnapped. The text got deleted soon after, but he was able to remember it, somehow. We all mistakenly thought she was sending a phone number, my phone number."

"And Thomas Miller contacted you." He finished for you.

"Yes. He told me about Hannah and I don't know...I wanted to help."

Alan remained silent for a while, scrubbing his beard. Your hands were sweating profusely, and no matter how many times you tried to dry them on your jeans, those little drops kept surfacing. You didn't even know why you were nervous now, as this wasn't the problematic part of the conversation, you still needed to lie to him about everything else...

"So, to sum this up, you helped these strangers just...because?"

Perhaps it was the people's judgment that was making you so on edge. You hadn't told anyone your little adventure. You didn't see why you had to, anyway: your family would have been worried sick, your coworkers could have lamented the fact you weren't working...but maybe that wasn't all of it.

There must have been a more solid reason for why you started investigating. Sure, you wanted to help. And well, maybe you were also a bit attention-starved. But none of this could have justified your commitment in the eyes of everyone else. You didn't really know what to say.

"I guess...I wanted to know why Hannah had my number?"

"Are you asking me that?" He retorted, writing something on his notebook.

"N-no" you shamefully reiterated, "It's simply another reason"

"Mh" he mumbled, scrabbling with his pen.

"Well, if that's all, could you tell me everything that happened from the start?"

You started narrating all events that led you here: the phone number, the Man without a face, the minatory calls, the attacks. You tweaked the truth a little, so that Jake wasn't going to be in the recordings; in this retelling, you only began to investigate the legend of the Man without a face once he showed up to you wearing that specific mask and of your friends (Jessy) recognized where it came from. This way, you didn't have to explain hacking Hannah's cloud.

You exhaled, relieved he was dropping the subject altogether. You might have not trusted these officers that much, but you had to admit Alan was being extremely considerate of you. You hadn't treated him kindly in the past, as you had ignored all his requests. You didn't regret that decision, he was being pedantic and well, if he really had dirt on you, he could have dragged you here with a warrant instead of texting you.

But considering how Phil was treated, with no smoking gun evidence, you doubted he was going to offer you a coffee like he had promised. Still, once you texted him about your plan, he had listened to you. He had put faith in someone who could have been the kidnapper for all he knew. You had to acknowledge that.

You told him how you all originally thought the culprit was Michael Hanson, as he was the perfect candidate- he had lost a daughter exactly ten years ago, and it was possible that he could have gone mad in the mean time, only now lashing out by killing every girl with the same age as Jennifer when she died (Amy, Hannah...). This theory only strengthen as you discovered that Hannah had bought Jennifer's bracelet at the pawn shop and that she had gone to Iris' house before being kidnapped, meaning she could have thought her stalker was indeed Michael Hanson. Alan appeared disturbed upon hearing these words- but kept listening to your version.

Certain Michael was the kidnapper, Jessy Hawkins and Thomas Miller went to his old house, and found tons of evidence to put him behind bars, and that’s when you had called the police. From this point forward, you kept the story faithful to the original: you had retrieved Hannah's phone (now conveniently "destroyed"), the Man without a face had discovered your friends' location thanks to the GPS, Daniel Anderson had shot him twice in the arm once he showed up, and then the Man without of face had requested you to swap places with Hannah and Richy.

You had tricked him into thinking you were going, while in actuality sending the police chief to arrest him.

As the kidnapper realized he was put in a tight corner, he had called you and revealed his identity: he wasn't Michael Hanson, but Richard Rogers. He hadn't confessed why he had acted this way, just that in case he was at risk of being found out, he was going to pin all his crimes on Michael Hanson- but because he was injured on the arm, he couldn't have proceeded with his plan.

Alan Bloomgate was listening carefully, not once interrupting you, only asking some clarifications from time to time. You had practiced your speech with the group the day before, and you were pretty confident on the final result: you hadn't faltered, nor stuttered. You hoped the others were doing just as good as you were.

"So it's as I thought. Richard Rogers is our man." Alan commented, sadness in his tone.

"We have found the mask near his body. Well, what remained of the mask..." he showed you a photograph of the burnt object. It was half destroyed, but still recognizable. You flinched at the memory.

"Yeah, that's what he wore..."

"We also found his fingerprints on Amy Bell's door's house and on an envelope of the victim, so I would conclude he's the killer and the kidnapper." You gulped, but said nothing. You prayed he didn't see your discomfort.

"Is that all?"

"Yes, I would say it is" you confirmed.

Alan stared at you intensely.

"Is that really all?"

You stirred, only now getting what he was referring. Sigh. You knew this moment would have come, eventually.

"It is." You repeated, your gaze matching his’.

Alan ghosted his fingers on his record device, almost unsure of his actions, but then, in a quick swift of movements, pressed the right button. He wasn’t recording you anymore.

"MC, you can talk to me. I know there was a hacker among you"

You stayed quiet, your expression neutral and unbothered. You weren't going to talk, no matter what: you were protecting Jake at any cost. It was the least you could do after he had saved your life, and even if he hadn't, you weren't going to say a word.

You lowered your head, breaking eye contact.

"Listen. I want to be nice. I really do. I know there are some details missing, details that only your hacker friend could fill."

You tightened your fists.

"I thought I was clear in the chat." You reminded him, your voice borderline angry. He remained silent for a while, unfazed by your remark- then, he got up.

"Stay here" he ordered, to which you reluctantly obliged.

Even when he exited the room, you didn't move nor changed position- although unlikely, you didn't want to appear distraught in front of a possible camera. It was a common tactic cops used to catch criminals slipping- however you doubted there were cameras inside the closet.

He didn't take a while for Alan to come back with a sandwich in his hand.

He lent it to you.

"You should eat it"

You bitter laughed.

"Do you really want to bribe me with food?" He rolled his eyes to the sky.

"Don't be silly. We've been here for 3 hours, thought you were hungry."

You snatched it from him and took a bite. It was decent, nothing compared to what you had eaten in the past hours- but it would suffice.

"I don't want you to view me as an enemy, MC" Alan claimed, settling himself down.

"I'm going to edit out your little "friend" from the reports. My coworkers don't know about him, so it'll be easy-"

"But why would you do that?" You cut the conversation, frustrated.

"Because, if the amount of FBI swats are anything to come by, I don't want to be part of this mess." You kept eating the sandwich.

"I don't know what your hacker friend did, but it must be huge. Leaked a top secret document, hell, probably something bigger. Messed with the wrong man."

You swallowed slowly. It was weird thinking at Jake like that, and probably you hadn't entirely grapsed the gravity of his situation. But your heart knew, he was a moral and ethic individual- you trusted he was in the right. Rich, powerful men were the root of many evils in this society, and one of the problems was that nobody really knew what they were hiding. If Jake had uncovered something scandalous, you were glad he had done it.

"Also, I want to help you, like you have helped me."

You stopped chewing.

"I helped you?"

He nodded.

"I don't think Hannah was going to be alive if it weren't for you. Since we found Amy Bell's body, we have been receiving many...complaints. I'll admit, we weren't doing all too well. It's a relatively calm town, we are not used to such tragedies"

For the first time, he offered you a genuine smile.

"After the rescue of Hannah Donfort, the public opinion changed completely. Granted, we are not the heroes. But I think that maybe, if you closed one eye, I could close one too."

It was unfair, letting the police take all the merit- but Jake was your priority.

"I think I can."

Alan outstretched his arm to you.

"Glad we reached an agreement"

You shook his hand the second time this day. It was a good deal, for you, not really for everyone else. You sincerely hoped your friends understood where you came from.

"One more thing, Alan." You stopped him, as you noticed him reaching the door's handle.

"Richy didn't directly kill Amy. My...my hacker friend...found the letter inside the envelope in the mine. She wrote she was killing herself because she kept seeing the Man without a face. She thought he was an hallucination, but it was Richy..." you didn't really know why you told him that; perhaps you still felt pity for your friend. He didn't deserve to die as a killer. This version of yourself already depicted him as a crazy maniac.

"I see. Do you have the letter?" You couldn't tell him Jake had sent you the pdf conversion, as Amy talked about her guilt and that would have raised ulterior questions.

"No..."

"B-But it should still be possible to prove!" You hurriedly said, seeing him open the door. "How so?" He watched you inquisitively.

"The autopsy. The autopsy should indicate whenever she was killed or...not"

He took his time to consider it.

"We'll have to see, then. If that was the case, however, he would still be charged of incitement to suicide." It was still better than nothing.

"Another thing!" You softly yelled.

"What's up now?!" Alan responded, annoyed he was stopped once more.

"By any chance...did you see if the FBI...took my friend?"

He chuckled.

"I would have told you so, no?" You waited for more informations.

"Just so you know, the FBI left Duskwood yesterday. They were still searching for him, if that helps you sleep at night."

"I wish..."

You both finally left the storage room.

Alan dismissed you shortly after, leaving you to fend for yourself. You heard faint, angry screams coming from the station hall and feared some of your friends were fighting with the cops, but what you saw was much more heartbreaking.

An old man, a man you had already seen, was launching himself towards Jessy, the nice cop of before restraining him to the ground.

The redhead was crying, choking the same word over and over: sorry.

"I'm r-really sorry, Paul. I'm s-so s-sorry..."

You rushed towards her and dragged her away from the scene.

"HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU SAY MY SON IS THAT MONSTER?" An agonized Paul Rogers was howling on the dirty pavement of the station, the police officer pressing his knee on the man's back.

"Sir, you need to calm down!" The cop exclaimed, agitated as well.

He made you feel guiltier, as if you weren't already a ball of shame and regret. The most self destructive part of you wanted to tell him the whole truth and see what he would have done to you. Would he have resented you, insulted you? Would he have hurt you? It was scary to think about, but at the same time you desired to be punished for your sins. You just weren't able to see yourself as innocent in this story, no matter how many times you told yourself the contrary.

"MY RICHY! MY POOR RICHY! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" His screams were far more haunting than the ones you had dreamt. It was gut wrenching, watching that poor man weep for his son, not catching a break after thinking he was killed, then kidnapped, then dead again. You didn't even know who you wanted to console the most, this poor father or your dear friend who was fiercely clutching your arm.

You understood that policeman was following the procedure and you deducted that for restraining someone like that he must have attacked Jessy (maybe even physically!) but seeing him in that condition was just more salt on the injury.

Your vision blurred.

Perhaps it was best if you both left.

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

It wasn't pouring like the morning, but the rain was still present- still a nuisance. You opened the umbrella and covered Jessy, who needed it the most. You gave her some tissues you had stolen from the cafe and hugged her tightly, even if the umbrella wasn't really helping. You couldn't believe your luck- did Paul Roger really have to come now, to all places?!

Jessy returned the embrace with all her might- it hurt a little, but you ignored the pain. Like she had said, you were her own personal sun. Too bad she couldn't be yours- you didn't know where to find warmth.

"Jessy, would you prefer if I stayed over at your place tonight?" You offered, tentatively. To be totally honest, you didn't even know why you asked that. You were scared the moment you were going to break in countless pieces was soon approaching. You felt your mask crack every second since you had stepped foot in Duskwood. Hell, way before that! Since the first day, when a clueless Thomas had asked for your assistance. But her grasp on you was so tight- you knew she needed her best friend the most. You could resist for another day.

"I w-would love that."

"O-okay" you patted her back and broke the hug.

"I'll return to the Motel to grab my stuff while you go home, okay?"

"W-wouldn't be better if-if I accompany you to the Motel... and then I bring you over?" She was right, it was better, but you desperately needed a moment for yourself before bouncing back. "I have to do something. Y-you know, work related."

You hated that since you had been in this friends group, lying was always one of your first options. You didn't want to lie. Not after you had lied for the entire day to a cop, and after forcing the others to lie as well.

"Plus I want you to rest as soon as possible. Really, It won't take long."

She accepted your proposal, probably too fazed by her crying session to dispute. She waved you a "see you soon" and jumped in her car.

You returned to the Motel slowly, fighting off the urge to cry at every step you took. The rain was surprisingly soothing, matching what you truly felt inside: you always thought that crying during a sunny day was so discordant. At least you could have tricked yourself into thinking the universe was crying for you, in a way.

You pushed the door opened and unfortunately saw Miss Walter behind the counter. You knew you were bounded to meet her once again, but karma was a bitch and she had chosen the worst moment to lead her on your path.

"Hey, MC! D-"

"I broke up with my boyfriend" another lie. At least it was a good lie, because the woman didn't dare to comment.

While you took the stairs you heard her whisper a quick apology.

The bed's Motel may have not been the most comfortable bed, but at least it was warm and cozy. You decided to take a quick nap, but even though you were exhausted, you were having some difficulties. You soon gave up on your idea and took your phone out.

Jake didn't answer, of course. But this time, it wasn't him who caught your attention.

You were still able to read the others conversations, you had observed trough out these days, but since the investigation was over you had ignored them- you couldn't keep spying on them without reason.

This time was different.

Jessy had just texted Richy. Although you had told yourself you weren't doing that anymore, curiosity took you over- complicit what Paul had yelled at her.

Jessy: I know you're dead but I had to say it.

What you did to us was cruel and unforgettable, and yet...

I can't bring myself to hate you.

You helped me so much. You always did. Thanks to you, I was able to live as an independent adult away from my siblings. And even though I didn't understand cars very much, you still accepted me as your colleague

You were the kindest boss and friend anyone could have ever wanted. I wish I had seen your pain. I wish I could have helped. But it's too late.

I forgive you

I wasn't able to tell you this during our call

But I want you know in some way or another

You sighed, relieved. At least she was coping in a healthy manner- unlike you.

You fixed your hair one last time in front of the mirror and then left the room.

As you got up from the bed and packed your backpack with the bare necessities, you recalled Jessy's promise: she wanted to be there for you, just like you were doing with her, just like she had just confessed to Richy. She was right, you couldn't always intuitively know when your loved ones where suffering, but if they really wanted to get better, they needed to express it out loud.

And you felt selfish to ask for help, your guilt never leaving you rest, but maybe Jessy could have helped with that sentiment, too, as you were helping her overcome her fears. If she had forgiven Richy, then perhaps she could have understood. You were ready to talk about it.

Or well, that was your intention, but at the same time you exited, a drenched man far taller than you bumped into your figure, making you fall to the ground.

"Sorry, I should have looked" you apologized, standing up. Luckily you hadn't hurt yourself, you wanted to make sure the man was doing fine too.

"What-"

You met the stranger's gaze and suddenly, your breathing stopped.

He was looking at you like you were water in the desert, his eyes sparkled with emotion. No man had ever looked at you this way. As if you were the most precious gift to the world, the sole reason to keep on living. Were you really the subject of his desire? It was overwhelming.

"MC."

You stirred at the man's voice. His nice, calming voice sounded so broken. You had heard this voice once, but it wasn't so limpid. You silently cried.

It couldn't be, right? You had actually fallen asleep and just didn't realize it, right?

"MC, it's me. Jake"

The man took a step towards your direction, then another, slowly, painfully slowly.

His hand hesitated to touch you in fear of breaking the spell.

#duskwood #duskwood fanfiction #duskwood everbyte #duskwood jake #duskwood jakexmc #duskwood jessy #duskwood thomas #duskwood dan #duskwood richy #duskwood mwaf #duskwood man without a face #duskwood lilly #duskwood cleo #duskwood alan

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animerina · 3 years ago

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Wine for Freedom-10

Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22)

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Thranduil x F!Reader

Summary: The Reader is left with nothing but three bottles of wine after Smaug destroys Laketown and somehow becomes Thranduil’s new brewmaster.

Note: 18+ ONLY, minors DNI. This started as a one shot and ended up as a full story. You can read the rest on A03.

All Italics are Elvish.

Tári nin- My Queen Hervess-wife

Chapter 10: The Escape

I was tired of being quiet and calm. It had brought me nothing but pain these past two weeks. The king had not spoken to me or even sent word via his horde of servants. Everyday I was greeted by Calanthe or Galion’s grim demeanor, angry at their ruler for letting me suffer so. While I had not told them what had happened since the day after our union, it was not hard for them to see the clear signs of distress I exhibited. They were kind and patient with me as they days went on and I loved them for it.

I awaited the day when I would be sent away so that Thranduil could forget his great mistake. Certain that only six people in total knew about what had transpired, I figured he would want to sweep everything under the rug.

It had been days since I cried about my situation. I had too much to do for the festival which kept my mind off things for a while, but as Turuhalmë drew nearer, I was reminded of my strife. My skills were valued by Thranduil which is why he brought me back with him, but now, I knew he’d despise whatever I made. Yes, I thought, I will most likely be in Dale soon.

It was on a whim that I decided that I wanted to beat him to it. Currently, I was packing my bags after making my decision. I wanted nothing that would remind me of this place, but I had almost nothing from home. I had left everything behind when I came with the elves. I would not take the dresses or the jewelry I had been given by Thranduil. Packing my numerous tunics and tights, I threw on Feren’s old cloak and began lacing my boots. If I left before breakfast, I would make it to Dale by nightfall. Surely I could find someone to put me up for one night. Tomorrow morning I would get settled and see Bard knowing he would be able to help me.

Calanthe had not yet come to wake me so I easily snuck out of the room. Since the night Thranduil had stayed, no guards had come through my hall. Hurrying towards the main hall, I wondered if I should have left a letter explaining to my friends why I was leaving this place behind, but I shook my head. If I went back now, I didn’t think I’d have the strength to leave again.

As I approached the large wooden doors to the main entryway, I heard voices and footsteps echoing in the hall. The palace staff were already at work which forced me to rethink my plans. I could always head down to the palace gardens, though there was a tight patrol that way. If I disappeared through the shrubbery, it would look like I was looking for supplies for the cellar, I reasoned. I could hide my pack under my cloak and look inconspicuous if I tried and if the guards avoided me as they tended to do, they would not notice I was missing until much too late. Deciding quickly, I hurried towards the set of stairs that would lead to the gardens, praying I didn’t see anyone I knew along the way.

My prayers were answered as I found myself alone as I walked out into the early morning light. Though I could not see the guards, I knew they were around so I calmly walked around the garden so they would pay me no mind. The gardens were surrounded by tall hedges on all sides of the plot so I made my way over to the furthest corner where I knew the shrubbery was thin. Without glancing around, I squeezed my body between the branches, scratching my skin under all my layers. As I stood on the other side of the bush, I waited for commotion to start, feeling as though I would be hauled off to the dungeon if I was caught out here. Nothing happened and I felt a pang of guilt strike my heart.

————-

I was not thirty minutes into my escape when I heard a horn’s bellow. Feren, I thought as it echoed through the woods. They must have realized I was missing, but why such commotion? My friends must be behind it for I knew Thranduil would not care. More cautious now, I continued my journey ignoring the obvious call to come home. The elves were swift and I knew it would not be long before I was found, but I could not bring myself to stop moving forward. There was a part of me, albeit much smaller, that longed to run back to my cellar where I would be safe and warm and surrounded by friends.

————

Two guards on horseback were the first to come across me as I tried to find a way across one of the nearly black streams that wove through the edge of the woods. I sighed as one jumped off his horse and stomped towards me. He looked familiar and I realized he was the guard that had come to my rescue when I collapsed.

“Hiril vuin! You must return with us to the palace at once.” He bowed as he spoke. “Allow us to escort you back.”

“I am not going back. Please send my regards.” I huffed.

Looking shocked at my response, he stood his ground and insisted that I go back.

“Tári nin, I have been asked to bring you back no matter the circumstance. Please allow us to escort you home,” he repeated.

“If Feren sent you-,” I paused realizing what the elf had said. “Did you call me Tári nin?”

He bowed his head respectfully. “Indeed.”

“Why?” I asked dumbly.

“That-that is your title, is it not?” He sounded puzzled and suddenly much younger. His demeanor changed and I felt bad knowing that he would be in trouble if I did not return.

“I do not believe it is. I am no queen,” I said letting my guard down. The other elf, who had sat silently on his horse, finally spoke.

“You may need to correct King Thranduil then, Tári nin, for it is he who sent us.”

I slumped at his words, making his lip quirk, forming a smile he tried to hide. I recognized his voice from when I collapsed.

“So are the two of you always together?” I asked as I handed my pack to the guard who stood in front of me. He took it looking much relieved.

“I should thank you both for saving me that day and I am sorry for not saying so sooner. It has been a strange month for me,” I admitted and moved to mount his bay colored horse, stopping only to ask the elf permission first.

“Yes, please let me help you!” He almost dropped my pack as he rushed to my side.

“It is alright. I can get up on my own, but thank you.” I insisted and pulled myself into the saddle. He made no move to get on behind me and I looked at him expectantly.

“I will walk beside you.”

Patting the seat behind me, I offered it to him.

“I would not let one of my saviors walk. Please, I really do not mind.”

He looked torn, but pulled himself up taking a seat behind me, careful to keep distance between us. I laughed at the poor elf’s face, his friend trying not to laugh as well.

“May I ask your names?” I turned to face him.

“I am Meludir, Tári nin,” he stated.

“Actually, until I settle some things back at the palace, I think it would be fine if you dropped that title. It is unnecessary,” I waved it off.

“If you insist,” he sounded unsure but complied.

“So Meludir,” I gestured towards him as we began our journey back. “And you are?” I asked the other brunette elf who rode beside us.

“I am Tanithil, Hiril vuin.” He placed his hand over his heart as he spoke. “What brought you out so far, if I may ask?”

“Would you believe me if I said I was looking for hackberries?”

“They do not grow at this time of year, Hiril vuin,” Meludir stated.

I sighed. “The truth is I don’t really know what I was doing out here. I had a plan, but I did not think anyone would notice I was missing. At least not so soon.”

“The King has been frantic since he discovered you were gone. No one could find you and he sent for all the guards on duty.”

I was surprised by Thranduil’s reaction but it was overshadowed by my embarrassment at having the royal guard search for me. How selfish could I be? I groaned in frustration and hid my face in my hands.

“I apologize. I did not think,” I grumbled. “I have been very selfish in my actions.”

“It is no trouble,” Meludir said and slid back against the saddle trying to maintain his distance. “We volunteered to search for you.”

“Surely you two have better things to do?”

“As you are the king’s priority, you are ours as well,” Tanithil said looking straight ahead.

Though I wanted to correct him, I did not think it would do well to speak ill of Thranduil in the presence of his guards. I bit back my comment and decided to change the subject.

“Well now you have saved me twice. I should make sure you are properly rewarded,” I promised.

“That is unnecessary, Hiril vuin,” Meludir shook his head.

“No, I insist. You deserve it.”

They were quiet for a moment and I figured they were unused to being rewarded for their work and unsure of how to respond. Tanithil was the first to answer.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

—————

I had never seen such fury in someone as I did standing before Thranduil now. He had dismissed Meludir and Tanithil as soon as they stepped into his throne room not even allowing them to speak. Every step he took closer to me had me cowering in my boots, but I needed to face him now or I would wither away in the cellar forever.

“Did you leave of your own accord?”

“Yes,” I answered honestly, holding up my hand so he would allow me to continue. “I know it was an unwise and selfish decision on my part, but I could not bare another minute of silence between us. Everyday I expected word that I was to be sent away and I just wanted peace of mind even if it was painful to leave. If you wish that night had not happened, tell me now and let me go.”

Thranduil must not have known how to respond because his scowl faltered and he seemed at a loss for words. I fiddled with the hem of the cloak around me nervously and waited for him to gather himself. When he did, it was not what I expected.

“You think I would give you up so easily?” He asked, glowering. “That I would lie to you? That I would take you as my wife on a whim? Do you?” He growled down at me.

“You said our marriage was a mistake,” I countered.

He softened at that. Stepping closer so he was not towering over me as much, he tilted my chin up. “So I did. I said it out of anger and for that I am sorry.”

“You have ignored me for weeks,” I added.

“As have you,” he stated and I blanched at his words. Seeing my expression he bit back whatever else he was going to say. I gathered my courage and spoke again.

“To answer your questions before,” I began. “Yes, I did think you were done with me.”

Clearly hurt at my words, he turned from me, walking around my form. Finally, after what felt like hours of silence, he spoke.

“Then I have failed you as a husband. My love for you is true and I would give up everything for you.”

“You should not have to!” I exclaimed, moving so that I was right in front of him. Gently, afraid he would push me away, I reached for him, taking his hands into my own. “You have already sacrificed and lost so much!”

“Then do not let me lose you as well,” he whispered into my hair as he kissed my temple. “I need you,” he admitted.

Our arms wrapped around each other as we stood there, him holding me as I, like always, cried. Knowing he still loved me even after everything made me feel better. I knew our relationship was going to take a lot of work, but there was hope for us still. I hadn’t completely forgiven him, and I was sure he still was upset by my actions, but I knew deep down that we would be alright.

“I am sorry I left. I do not know what came over me,” I cried out, my shoulders shaking.

“You are forgiven but I fear you will need to apologize to your companions. Calanthe was ready to trek into the woods and bring you back herself.”

I didn’t respond, only pulling him tighter against myself. I wanted to melt in his embrace and my heart fluttered as he comforted me. This is what home feels like, I thought.

“I do not deserve you, Aran nin.”

“You deserve the world, Tári nin.”

I pulled away from him at his words, wiping my eyes so that I could see him clearly.

“There is one last thing I would like to discuss.”

“And that is?”

“Meludir and Tanithil called me Queen,” I explained. "Has it officially been announced?”

Thranduil smiled down at me in his arms.

“I asked the guards to bring back my queen and they have.”

“You should reward them. They have saved me twice now.”

“I have plans for them,” he assured me. “But now, hervess, let us discuss the plans I have for you.”

“Go on,” I urged him expecting a punishment.

“You will be moved into my chambers immediately,” he said. “If that would please you.”

“It would,” I admitted.

“You will also have an escort with you at all times lest you decide to run again,” he added playfully. Although I wanted to argue, I knew Thranduil would get his way in the end. It might be nice getting to know another elf in the palace after all. Or maybe, Thranduil would have mercy and assign Calanthe or Elros the task.

Tag list: (If you’d like to get added please let me know.)

@velvetmotel20 @happycupcakeenthusiast

#thranduil #thranduil fanfiction #thranduil x y/n #thranduil x reader #mirkwood #meludir #feren #lotr #the hobbit fanfic #elves #lord of the rings

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shreddedparchment · 4 years ago

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A Wife for Thor Pt.04

10/23/2020

Strong Arms and Honest Kisses

Pairing: King!Thor x Reader Word Count: 3,636

Warnings: failed relationships, talks of lonliness, angst, FLUFF, complicated relationships

A/N: This one is a little shorter than my chapters recently. Part of this is because this felt like a complete chapter but I also did a lot of rewriting with this one. I wrote half of it, then deleted it. Then wrote it again. Then deleted it. I finally got a good flow going and this is the one I liked the most. I hope y’all like it too. If you happen to reblog, thanks so much for helping me spread my work! xoxo

Please do not REPOST my stories on any other sites or blogs.

REBLOGS are always welcome and appreciated!

The walk back to your room is awkward.

Full of fluttering hesitant energy.

There’s a new electricity between your body and Thor’s as he walks beside you, heavy feet falling slowly, with forethought.

He has his hands behind his back, feeling the need to keep them to himself after what happened in the garden.

You appreciate the space.

“That was my first kiss.” You admit, hating the silence between you because it feels like both of you want to say so much but are unwilling to speak first.

“Oh,” Thor laments, his gaze wavering. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be!” You rush to reassure him, shrugging a shoulder as you look straight once more. “I-I mean, you wanted a maiden, right? A virgin?”

When you look at him, he’s blushing, his cheeks a soft pink underneath that hay colored beard.

It’s cute and you feel a surge of warmth for him fill your chest.

“That wasn’t necessarily what I wanted.” He clarifies.

“Oh…” Your turn to lament. “I’m sorry.”

Suddenly, a flurry of worries come rushing forward. You don’t have any experience. None. Zero. Tonight has been the most action you’ve ever seen in your life.

No one has ever held your hand.

No one has ever been so caring and sweet.

No one has definitely ever kissed you.

No one has ever proposed.

You have no experience to offer Thor, as a wife, will you be able to satisfy him?

He’s a literal God. He’s really, super old, and has probably slept with lots of women…or…beings? Aliens?

How are you going to live up to that?

“I just…I’ve never even really liked anyone, so I never was with anyone, and I’m sorry-” You fret, stopping to look up at him.

He places his hands over yours, stopping your fidgeting.

“You have nothing to apologize for.” He whispers gently.

You meet his blue eye and it’s just as soft as his voice.

“We can talk about that part of our marriage later. Let’s take this one day at a time.”

“But I-I don’t know what to do with that. I mean, I kinda know but I don’t know. I don’t want to-I’m kinda scared of-”

Thor’s blush returns and your own neck is suddenly burning.

That previously terrifying image of Thor prying your legs open that you’d imagined back at home replays itself in your mind, this time the fear is not for the man himself but the act in general.

Thor’s hands finding the side of your neck interrupt your vocal vomit.

With you silenced, he traces the lines of your shoulders, the length of your arms before he takes hold of your elbows over your cloak which is keeping them warm.

“We have time, cherub.” The pet name comes out of nowhere and sounds so strange but good and you’re not sure you know how to breathe anymore. “Time to worry about many things later. Tonight, let’s just enjoy this agreement to try.”

With a lick to your lips, you nod, shutting your eyes as you’re overwhelmed by not only the pleasure that stupid pet name has given you but also his hands still wrapped around your elbows.

“Thank you for telling me.” Thor whispers, pulling you a little closer. “These are things that are good to know. I will be sure to make preparations for us.”

“Preparations?” You nearly squeak.

“Things to make it easier for you. But as I said,” his ears grow nice and red too, now. “We have plenty of time to think about that later. Almost three days!”

You scoff, “That’s not a lot of time, Thor.”

“No,” he chuckles. “I suppose you’re right.”

“This is happening so fast.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. That’s my fault. I’ve been putting this choice off for so long that now that I’ve made it, they want me to follow through quickly.” Thor takes a step back, reaching down to take your hand.

You eagerly hold his hand back, grateful for the comfort it gives you but also you really like holding his hand, you realize.

“Let’s get you to bed. Even though Hilde was completely drunk, she’ll still wake up early enough to make you hate her.” He pulls you along, his hand giving yours a gentle squeeze every few steps.

“Thor?”

“Hm?” He asks, not sparing you a glance.

“You don’t have to do this, you know?” Your own eyes are glued to his hand around yours.

You seriously like the way his hand looks around yours. Why are you letting yourself fall this hard? It’s not right. It’s not fair. To you. To him.

“Do what?” He asks, genuinely confused.

“This.” You give your hand a shake, the two of you rounding the corner to the hall where your room is.

He doesn’t stop walking until he reaches the door. He twists the knob and pulls it open, stepping in with you before turning to close it.

Swallowing hard, you try not to lose your breath again. There’s a pressure in your chest that you know is coming from the way he shut that door.

He turns, strutting towards you as he keeps hold of your hand. You take several steps back until your legs hit the edge of your bed forcing you to sit.

For a moment you think he might move over you, just like that image in your head. Instead he sits down beside you.

“Can I be honest with you about something?” He asks, pulling your hand over onto his lap.

“I hope so.” You relax, waiting patiently as he takes a deep breath.

“I haven’t seen Jane in almost three months.” He explains. “She’s been secluded in an installation in the middle of nowhere. In Wyoming? And I’ve been so busy here…this is the same struggle we always have. I cannot get away because of my own duties now much more formal and inescapable as King. And Jane’s work has always been the most important thing to her.

“I knew that when we agreed to try again but I was hoping that we might both take some time to prioritize our relationship. Jane was the first person I met when I was sent here. She was kind and patient. She was brilliant. Smartest person I’ve ever met. Smarter than Stark and Banner, don’t tell them I told you that.” He smiles. “But it’s that very brain that keeps her focus elsewhere. And I don’t begrudge her that passion. It’s one of the reasons I fell for her.

“But we don’t seem to be able to make it work.”

Hearing him praise her so much, love her so openly dries your throat and you can’t swallow to push past the lump there to speak. So, you say nothing.

“This,” Thor pulls your hand up a little, readjusting and holding it more securely. “This feels good.”

That helps.

“But you wish it was her?” You wonder.

Thor goes silent, averting his eyes to his hand around yours.

“Not anymore.” He sighs. “Until tonight, I would have said yes. I would have given anything for you to be Jane. To marry the woman I love? How could I not want that? It’s what I’ve always hoped for.”

You feel disappointment pull your body down, shoulders slumped, head falling so that you don’t have to look at him anymore.

You feel strong fingers take hold of your chin, gently tilting your head back until you can meet his electric blue eye.

“When I met you, I was surprised. I’d met with woman, after woman, after woman, after woman-”

“Alright, I get it.” You frown.

Thor stops to laugh but then nods, “Sorry. I only mean that every woman I met, all the other princesses and duchesses and ladies once related to direct royal families were kind but there was something calculating about the way they spoke. They were careful with the things they said and I didn’t feel like I was really getting to know them.”

“But with me?”

“With you, I-it was like recognizing someone that I’d known my whole life. You sat there, terrified but unable to keep from speaking your mind. You were honest about not wanting to marry for anything but love and I understood how you felt. I’d made up my mind not to choose you then. I didn’t want to take from you what was being taken from me, but I-the more I thought about marrying one of those women…I told myself I would let you find someone you could be with, even as my wife.

“We’d keep it secret. You could be with them and I would give you your privacy and let you live that life while protecting it for you.” He sighs. “Then you came here, and dinner brought me hope. I didn’t think that you could ever want to feel any other way for me than that disappointment I saw cross your face when I asked you to marry me and live your life with me without feeling loved.”

“Neither did I.” You confess, words coming out in a rush. “I hated you when I came here. I hated my family for being related to royalty. I hated that I was suddenly being asked to think about shit that I honestly, didn’t even care about! And then I met you and you were nice and confused and you asked me that stupid fucking question about my ideal marriage and I had no one else to picture so I pictured you and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

Thor smiles, “If I’m honest, that’s also what drew me to you. To be fair though, I didn’t ask any of the other women that question, but it was clear without them having to say so that they were after the prestige that comes with being a human Queen of Asgard.”

“But I know that you still love her.” You continue, ignoring the sweet smile he’s giving you because your mind will not stop fretting. “I know that you’d much rather have it be Jane so, I’m only saying that you don’t have to force yourself to hold my hand or show me affection when you don’t feel it.”

Thor sighs heavily, a huff as he takes hold of your head with both massive hands and pulls you towards him to meet his lips.

This time your surprise only lasts a second before you squeeze your eyes shut and pucker your lips back against his.

You can feel his body shake and you tear your eyes open, searching for what’s making him laugh but find him watching you.

He pulls back, thumbs caressing your cheeks.

“Relax. There’s no need to be nervous.” He whispers, deep. It settles in your chest cavity and you really like the sound of his voice.

“I’ve never kissed before.” You remind him. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Kissing is easy.” Thor tells you. “Just pucker your lips,”

You do as he asks, self-conscious but eager to feel that kiss again.

“Then let me do the rest.” He pulls you back to him and your eyes shut as his lips meet yours.

It’s only a peck. A held one. Until Thor’s hands guide your head to the right as he tilts his to the left and suddenly his lips are overlapping your own. They’re hot, wet, and his breath tickles.

You jump as the tip of his tongue rolls along the seam of your mouth and without making the choice to do it, you open for him and he delves in slowly. Your body is suddenly humming, your mind overcome, and it all feels like a dream.

He inhales as he kisses you, tongue swirling around your own and you don’t know what to do so you reach out to grip the edge of his armor around his chest, hands fisted around the leather while he leads you in this dizzy dance.

He tilts your head the other way, breaking the kiss to take a breath giving you a second to gasp, but then he’s back on you, smothering your whimper of surprise with his lips.

As he presses against yours again, he dives in with more excitement, mouth open, tongue tasting.

You’re trembling, legs shaking with nerves as your hands hold on harder.

As he pulls away, lips smacking quietly, he caresses your cheeks again, letting you come down from your high.

He waits patiently until your eyes open, searching wildly to see what you might find in his.

All you find is his own searching, his own curiosity.

“Um…” You mumble, voice barely audible.

“If you let me in,” He says, his breath washing over your lips again making the past few minutes replay in vivid color. “I will open for you. I think we can do this right. I want to do this right. Will you do this with me?”

Your hands are shaking around his arm, still reeling from that kiss. Holy shit.

“I already said yes.” You point out.

“Say it again.” Thor pleads, scooting closer.

You’re almost completely pulled against his chest, hands squished between your bodies.

“This is happening so fast.” You gasp, confused but happy.

“It has to.” He nods. “I want it to.”

“But how do I know it’s real?” You wonder, and to answer you, Thor crushes you against his chest, head dipping until he meets your lips again.

“It’s real.” He says, tilting your head again, coaxing your mouth open.

You respond more eagerly this time, letting your tongue swirl around his to meet it in its frenzy. Your heart pounds with excitement. This is new and you can understand why people like it. You’ve wondered in passing what it would feel like when you saw it happen in films and shows, taking the books you’d read as gospel for what it feels like but they pale in comparison to the reality.

It’s a haze of pleasure. Foggy but the emotions sharp. It’s also possessive. It feels like yours now. This with Thor can never belong to anyone else. The very thought of it being felt by someone else breaks your heart and also boils your blood.

It makes you bolder, pulling him closer where you have hold of him.

“Let me in.” Thor whispers against your lips, giving you one small final peck. “It’s real for me, I swear to you.”

Can you trust him?

Everything he’s said so far makes sense. His disillusionment with his relationship with Jane is not fake. You were able to hear the sadness in his voice, the acceptance when he explained what was happening with her.

“If you can try to love me, I will try to love you.” He whispers, reaching down with his thumb to trace the shape of your lower lip.

You shut your eyes, seduced by his touch.

“You’re not playing fair,” You sigh. “This is coercion.”

Opening your eyes, you find Thor smiling, and you wonder if this is what he looks like when he likes someone. Is this him smitten?

You don’t think so.

You can’t wrap your mind around him being anything but tolerant of you. He’d been so vocal about loving Jane that you can’t see how only meeting with you twice might override that, even if they are currently struggling.

“I already told you yes! Brunnhilde was right about you.”

“And I want to hear you say it again. For good measure.” He traces the line of your jaw, cup your chin from beneath once he reaches it. “Look me in the eyes and tell me that you’ll try with me. We’ll do everything in our power and devote ourselves to each other. You’ll love me and I will love you.”

His words give your stomach flutters and the way he’s holding your chin makes it so that you can’t look away to clear your head.

So, you nod. “I will love you, Thor. We’ll make this work. As long as you never touch me unless you really want to. I don’t want you to force it. I want it to be real.”

Desperately, you want it. Now more than ever.

“Deal.” Thor says, then wraps one arm around your shoulders and meets your lips again.

~~~~~~~~~~

You wake with a gasp, reaching around for something though you don’t know what. No one had slept with you.

The bed is rightfully empty. As you sit up, you remember every little detail of last night. The words that were spoken, the declarations made, the kisses.

Oh, fuck, the kisses!

You lay back down, heart pounding while you urge yourself to think of every single shift of Thor’s lips against your own.

They’d been so hot, and wet once he’d French kissed you. His tongue had been thick and smooth in its movements. Skilled though you don’t know what you’d compare it to in order to know that for sure.

His arms had been huge and strangely safe. Wrapped up around you, he’d been a powerhouse of heat and strength, lulling you into a calm you’ve never felt before.

Reaching up to scratch your forehead, a small shine catches your eye, and you find your engagement ring, dazzling you with its beauty and the memory of Thor on one knee.

For a moment you’re almost sure that you’ll wake up and all of this will be a dream. A good dream that you had no idea you could ever have wanted.

Then a knock on your door makes you jump, and you sit up again.

Through the door marches Brunnhilde with the swagger of a soldier heading into battle, her clothes relaxed however, plain jeans, a red sweater, and heavy work boots.

“Good!” She smiles at you, “You’re awake! Estrid, bring in Her Highness’s breakfast and set aside one of the other dresses His Majesty bought for her.”

“I’m wearing another uncomfortable dress?” Your sorrow is clear and Brunnhilde smiles at you, her eyes flitting towards your ring. “So, that’s what they were up to.”

You follow her gaze and take a long look at your ring, “Who?”

“Loki and Thor.” Estrid moves past Brunnhilde, heading towards the desk at the far side of the room and places it there before she hurries to the armoire to sift through the dresses. “They’d disappeared a few days ago, went shopping or so they said. I didn’t believe them but clearly, they told me the truth. Just didn’t think they were shopping for a ring. It’s pretty.”

“It’s a lotus flower.” You tell her, throwing your blankets back and sliding to the edge of the bed. “He said he didn’t know that I liked flowers but was happy that I did since I’d like the ring more.”

“He said that?” She wonders, grabbing your robe from the vanity seat then offering it to you.

Taking it, you slip it on and tie it loosely around your waist. The smell of the food pulls you to the desk and you sit, immediately picking apart the eggs and toast.

“Mm.” You nod. “He did. He also said that he really wants to try. He’s willing to really give us a shot.”

Brunnhilde sits on the end of your bed, watching you eat with the space between her eyes puckered.

“Then he’s chosen to give her up finally.” Brunnhilde realizes, surprise painting her tone.

You look at her, intrigued by her own surprise.

“Is that weird?”

“No. Not weird, just unlikely. I never thought he’d really give up on Jane. They were so in love in the beginning when we first arrived. They were always together. Slowly they saw each other less and less, but his devotion never wavered.” She explains.

This doesn’t make you feel good. In fact, hearing about how deep their love was—is—unsettles you.

Fork still in your mouth, you watch her, mind racing.

“Eat up, Your Highness.” Brunnhilde says, rising. “Get dressed and meet me in the main hall. We have to go into town for your wedding dress fitting.”

As she moves for the door and Estrid crosses the room to your bed to lay out a stunning navy dress that looks way too formal for a dress fitting, you turn in your seat, hands grasping the back as you twist to follow her.

“Is Thor awake?”

“Yes.” Brunnhilde nods. “He left about half an hour ago for Wyoming to go see Jane, I assume to break things off with her.”

“Oh,” You shrink, fears you didn’t know you could have choking you.

What if he sees her and realizes he loves her too much to let her go? What if she changes her mind and decides that watching him marry someone else is unbearable? She decides to marry him and then he comes back to tell you that she’s agreed to be Queen and he no longer needs you?

Last night had only cemented your growing feelings for Thor and there is no way you can ever go back to before those kisses.

“He’ll be back tonight.” Brunnhilde assures you, but it only drives you crazier.

Why does he need until tonight?

Why so long? How many kisses will he give her? How many hugs will she take?

You shouldn’t begrudge him this goodbye. You should accept that with it will come with tears and affection that you already see as yours. You don’t want her to have it but it’s not yours yet. It’s intended for you, but right now Thor’s love is still hers.

This God of Thunder has absolutely wrecked you and it’s clear to you that you can never go back to your little home without him. You can never live a life where his arms are not around you.

You’re absolutely fucked.

#king!thor x reader #thor x reader #arranged marriage au #royal au #marvel fanfiction #thor x reader fic #thor x reader fanfic #thor x reader fanfiction #king!thor x reader fic #king!thor x reader fanfic #king!thor x reader fanfiction #thor odinson x reader #thor x you #king!thor x you #thor odinson x you #marvel au #a wife for thor #a wife for thor pt04

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tundrainafrica · 3 years ago

Text

Title: Lovebug (6/10)

Summary:

“It might be a bug.”

“A bug?”

“Sometimes the developers of this application make mistakes. This is our first time meeting I’m sure so…Isn’t it a bit weird that we just met for the first time and it rings like this? And for two strangers to coincidentally ring each other’s alarms?“

Levi is the developer of the Love Alarm App and Hange is married to Zeke.

Link to cross-postings: AO3

Other Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5

Notes: Feedback is very much appreciated :D

“As an employee you’re entitled to sick leaves.”

Entitled. It didn’t necessarily mean he needed it. Levi allowed himself a sequence of motions, some reassurance that his body was still functioning as expected

He raised his shoulders up then rolled it back, stretching his neck, bending it to one side then the other. It did wonders to help send a rush of energy through his still exhausted body. It served as a reminder, he was strong, he was functional. “I don’t need a day off. I’m fine, ” Levi said.

Erwin raised one eyebrow, giving him a once over. If he had narrowed his eyes anymore or wrinkled his nose, Levi could have given in. Other parts of his body were still reeling from the ordeal from the beach and he was sure he could fall asleep if someone just laid him out on a sofa.

Erwin though was a man of the office, a staunch professional. When it came to work and productivity, he leaned on the side of ‘being productive.’ He took Levi’s word for it. “If you are feeling anything, just anything out of the ordinary, take the day off. Feel free to just leave me a note, and I can have Petra or Eld handle the rest of the testing.”

The word ‘testing’ didn’t do much to convince Levi to rest though and maybe Erwin knew that. Levi slammed the door behind him hard enough to have him preparing for a lecture from Erwin about door slamming manners.

He waited in front of the door, gripping the doorknob from behind him for a good few more seconds.

“We could start working next week?” Hange appeared right next to him. More specifically, she had accompanied him to Erwin’s office that morning, settling for just loitering outside the door, providing a perfectly valid reason for the internal question ‘ did she hear his conversation with Erwin?’

“It’s a Tuesday and it’s not a holiday,” Levi answered matter-of-factly.

“Well, don’t companies have sick leaves?”

“They do.”

“And you were in the hospital just yesterday.”

“I was in the hospital under observation,” Levi clarified.

“After almost drowning,” Hange added.

“Just because the doctor prescribes a few more days of bed rest, doesn’t make it an almighty rule.” It was evidence that maybe a day off or two would have definitely made the difference. That slightly caustic exchange had Levi’s head spinning. He found himself having to squint just to even feign eye contact. “Besides, why are you here anyway?”

“To work on the love alarm. Don’t you think it’s better if we work closely with each other?”

“Not this early into the whole process. We could have talked through email.” Levi attempted to walk ahead. His office wasn’t too far from Erwin’s a good few flights of stairs below. With his head slightly spinning and his legs feeling like jelly, Levi went for the elevators.

It was as if Hange was on a mission to flaunt her ability to speed up her pace. She walked next to him then a few feet ahead, turning back at him. And she had been that way since that morning.

Levi gave in. “Okay, so what parts of the planning process merit a meeting today?”

“Well, I’m worried for one.”

“There are many meetings that could have been an email and I think you lecturing me about not taking a sick leave is one of them.”

“Yeah, and there’s more...” Hange trailed off, giving him a good look from head to toe. Levi liked to believe she just couldn’t find the right answer to whatever implicit question he introduced at that moment. “I’m sorry about yesterday, and the day before.”

“That could have been an email.”

“I know Zeke gave you shit about being carried by me and having to be saved by me...”

Levi stifled a cringe. A bridal carry to be specific. “That could have also been an email.”

Hange huffed. “Fine. I get if you want to be so pissy about this but let me be selfish. I didn’t join Zeke on his business trip and it’s because I felt guilty. About you almost drowning, about you being forced to play golf and almost losing all your money over a few games. It was shitty okay. And for my own peace of mind, please let me join you at work, and maybe just help you make some progress with the alarm, even just a bit?”

There was nothing much else his muddled brain could come up with in that moment of silence. “Okay,” Levi said, with a tone that could have easily been seen through. It was in fact, not okay.

“Why? Is there anything else you’re busy with?”

Levi sighed. “Making sure that damn love alarm gets tested for the next release.”

***

Anticipation had the tendency of piling stress much higher than the stress was actually worth. For many people, they only realize how much of a simple task something can be when they’re actually doing it.

When work would pile up, stress would pile up. When Levi’s brain was working at half capacity, while trying to balance responsibilities and a guilty Hange in tow, he was barely thinking about work yet still attempting to the best of his meagre abilities.

When the work was finally in front of him, the workflow tracker out, the whole ordeal of anticipating a workload had turned out to be anticlimactic. Maybe he had just gotten used to days leading up to releases being particularly stressful. After all, it usually involved early morning sanity checks, junk food and a stressed out team.

Usually. They had some good releases and the one that day seemed like a good release. Of course it would be a less stressful release. It was under testing for months and it had been pushed back a week already. The QA work was almost over. To be just a little more certain, Levi filtered his workflow tracker to staged tickets and to tickets tagged ‘ready for release.’

“So, how does this pre-release testing work?” Hange asked, leaning forward. She had taken the liberty to pull one of the chairs to the corner towards and sat beside him.

“I’m working,” Levi said coldly.

“Oh, but you said you needed to test the love alarm.”

“Yes, the team is testing it. I’m making sure everything gets tested.”

“So how do you make sure everything gets tested?”

“Well… There’s this tracker here, I assign tickets for testing and when people say it’s tested they click QA passed and I see it here. Then if anything urgent needs testing or anything doesn’t seem to work, I help out and try to fix it,” Levi said, he opened his drawer dropping one of his test devices on the table.

“So you could have gotten a day off,” Hange asked, seemingly knowingly.

Levi glanced at the dashboard to seeall tickets were tagged as ‘Ready to Release.’ the others having been done a week back. He was too lazy to check the event history and there was no need to. The necessary work had been finished.

Maybe he could have taken the day off. He wasn’t admitting that though. “So tell me, what are your plans? We’re getting the money soon according to Erwin but you’re the mastermind behind this.” Levi swiveled his chair behind him, grabbed his whiteboard eraser and cleaned out some of the useless notes from the next release.

Half way through cleaning it up though, he stopped. There might be something you’ll need there. He cursed himself for even erasing some of it to the point of incomprehensible.

“You wanna just use the workflow tracker? Like the one on your computer?” Hange suggested.

“No, this is fine…” Levi racked his brain for those numbers and he settled for just writing the notes just much smaller below the release notes to the side with the larger font.

It looked messy. It looked ugly. And his dominant meticulous side would not stand for it. In one swift motion borne out of frustration, Levi swiped his white board eraser over the whiteboard five times, more than enough to wipe it clean.

“Was there anything important there?” Hange asked.

“Just a cleaner version of what we have in the tracker,” Levi said with a slight huff. He would rather Hange wasn’t reminded of whatever could have been there.

“Well, you wanna brainstorm on the whiteboard?”

“It’s blank now.” Levi gestured for Hange to go ahead.

“There’s actually not much to brainstorm on my end,” Hange said. Still, she walked a little nearer, grabbing the marker from Levi. She drew a heart. “You used biological markers to determine love right? That’s how you made the application. If you could assume love based on biological markers… maybe you can break it down and do it similarly for feelings right? I work with psychotherapy and I thought your application might have the potential to be tweaked in the context of assessing emotion Just to give therapists an idea of how their patients feel….” Hange trailed off. She drew a small diagram under the heart, a sad face, a happy face then a blank face. “I mean we have the technology for it already right? Most phones now are capable of more complex biometrics, that’s what the love alarm is taking advantage of.”

Levi hummed. The diagram made it look just a little too easy. “And how do you think we can break down the application?” He knew the answer. Testing Hange though had been a tempting option.

Hange looked back at him, a confident grin on her face.“Yeah, you have the data already? And you created models or algorithms. Maybe you can extract part of those data sets and we can cut it down… to ‘happy,’ to ‘sad’ etcetera. And you can use what you have to make other types of alarms, like a happy alarm, a sad alarm. Right?

“We have the technology and the hardware to pull that off I guess. It’ll just be a matter of making a model, logging data, and coding. Doable with the right resources.”

“But it should be easier since you already have some of the work done with the love alarm.”

“But it won’t be as accurate at first. It took us five years to get the love alarm to this level of accuracy. I can’t even guarantee it’s completely accurate,” Levi said.

“What about it takes time?”

“We use an AI algorithm.”

“Artificial Intelligence,” Hange said.

Levi nodded. “It’s a machine learning model. We give the model data as an input and data as an output and the more data you put into it, the more experience the machine has and the better the machine gets at figuring out what the correct answer is . We give it the biological data, the input and we give it the output, the anonymous test results and some formulas, and overtime, the machine starts to figure out for itself what love is.”

“So you can’t actually break down the application to do it for you?”

“We can but it will be a pain. Might as well just create a new model.”

“Will it take as long as the love alarm?

Levi shook his head. “We have the necessary APIs, the hardware. We can buy more server space but we will have to create a new model.”

Hange raised one eyebrow. “Okay, that’s a good start.”

“I’ll just have to make a plan, see how much more resources we need and send them off to Erwin.” Levi opened an a blank document and pushed Hange’s seat closer to his. .

“Wait, I’m curious though…” Hange started. She tapped one finger on her chin. “How does data processing work?”

***

Levi never considered the server room to be anything interesting. It was after all just a conglomeration of headless computers, wires and lights.

A very important conglomeration. After all, a fire or a faulty pipe would be enough to destroy millions of dollars worth of data.

He only allowed her one peek, just opening the door wide enough for one eye to see through for just a few seconds long enough for Hange to let out a hushed breath. “Our company handles a lot of applications and some of the servers supporting these applications are housed here,” he explained.

“And the data?”

“They’re housed here. Sometimes we use cloud servers too. Sometimes caching servers and everything is processed here then sent to the application." Levi kept his words simple.

"Billions of points worth of data…" Hange's voice deadened to a whisper.

"It takes time for the data to come, the machines to learn. We started off with manual loading the data, then testing. It took a lot of work to get this much data, enough for the application to work as expected."

"And you continue to get the data I'm guessing."

Levi shrugged. "During quality testing, during actual app usage. As long as someone is using the application and complying to their biometrics being gathered by the application, we get data. That's how all applications work."

Hange hummed. Her mouth curled up into a smile. "So let's say… when I turn on the application, you can collect my data right?"

"The servers are always on, they're always collecting data. It needs the data after all to ring the alarm right?"

"Then how do we check the data?" Hange asked.

Levi leaned on the door, shutting it with a click. "When we need it, I'll extract your data on my end, then maybe I'll extract mine. To be honest, I don't think they'd give many answers though."

"Serotonin, Oxytocin, Dopamine, Body heat. There's a lot to see from those numbers.” Hange pointed a thumb to her chest. “This is my specialty.”

"Then I guess we're going to have to make sense of it together."

Hange nodded. "So what are we waiting for? Let’s work on it over lunch.."

"Don't get too hasty. We're gonna have to make a research plan."

***

Hange already had a research plan on hand and she had been working on it for a while. A twenty page document with just a section filled with bullet points and comments.

There were points Levi had to fill out himself. Still, it wasn't too much work. "You came prepared," he said.

"What can I say, it's my pet project," Hange scrolled down towards the end of the word document.

"Zeke seemed excited about it, I thought it would have been his at first."

"If this works out, his hospitals will be the first ones in the country or even the world with this type of technology. If it's sure money, it'll be easy to convince him. Besides, I have my ways." Hange gave Levi a sly smile, soon concealed by the cup between her lips.

She was in a better mood. They were out for lunch in a more seemingly relaxed position and Levi saw opportunity.

It's better now than never. "How does he feel… about the developer of the application spending a little too much time with you?"

"It's part of the research process and I need to talk to a developer, not an investor. Besides, he has other investments," Hange said nonchalantly, too nonchalantly that it was almost unsettling.

"With what happened at the beach." Just the quick recall was enough to send blood rushing to his face. He wondered if outwardly he did look a little red. He bit his lip and looked away. From his peripherals, he could see Hange though was just a little too focused on his laptop screen.

Hange could have spit out her tea. "Are you still thinking about the bridal carry? I didn’t think it was too big of a deal. I could have sworn you were unconscious."

At first, Levi could have sworn he was unconscious too. Zeke had mentioned it just a little too many times though that Levi was starting to generate his own phantom memories of the incident.

"Sorry about the CPR though. I probably bruised a few ribs.”

He remembered the CPR just a little too quickly. Or maybe it had been the bruises reminding him. Levi ran his hands over his chest, feeling a slight twinge of pain in response. "Hey, you did it to save my life."

Hange shook her head. "Or maybe I was panicking. It didn’t look like you were breathing but everything was moving too fast and---” She was digressing.

“What does Zeke think about it?” Levi pressed.

“Why do you care so much about what Zeke thinks about it?” Hange asked. She had raised her tone, maybe only slightly. It was firm, almost abrasive that Levi regretted it.

“Zeke is an investor, one of the richest men in the world. I’m spending too much time with his partner. Then back in the beach---”

“Zeke is always busy and honestly, I’m grateful for any other relationships I can make outside this,” Hange argued. “You know, life, building relationships, these things don’t end after marriage. Sure, Zeke and I committed to a relationship but I think I should still be able to find joy in connecting with other people. Marriage isn’t supposed to tie anyone down, stop them from experiencing life. People in relationships are supposed to grow freely together.”

Maybe Levi had been thinking too hard about it. Or maybe Hange was just a little too laid back. “What do you think about the love alarm ringing?”

“It happens. Besides, I’m not too worried. Love is a choice,” Hange said. “Commitment is a choice. I think I remember sending you a book about that.”

“So you don’t believe in our product,” Levi challenged.

“I never said that.” Hange started to stir at her cup, just a little faster. “You can choose to love someone, to commit to them, to be patient with them and to ride out every single problem with them but there is the feeling aspect right? That’s what the love alarm measures, or that’s what I’m suspecting.”

Levi nodded.

“So the fact that it rings with strangers or just randomly, shows that it measures attraction right?”

“Hormones, movements, pace…” Levi listed them out as just another appendix in their dialogue.

“I wanna understand… where do feelings fit in all this.” Hange put her hands up in defense.. “Don’t get me wrong, I love Zeke, I married him. He’s a good man. And I wanna make whatever it is between us work for a good long time but as someone who works with human psychology, emotions, as someone who’s seen relationships succeed, relationships fail and some that are just so-so. I wanna know, how much of it is emotions, how much of it is volitional commitment. And this type of research, with the love alarm… I think it can teach us things. Emotions are fleeting but there are emotions that stay for a long time and maybe they make being loving and being patient easier---” She slammed her hands back on the table. “Am I making sense here?”

Levi only realized then he had been biting his straw and had barely gotten anything out. “I’m trying to understand and I think I’m kinda succeeding? GIve me a few more seconds.” He looked away, silently grateful for the good view of the shopping streets from the second floor of the cafe. The cafe was a good balance of loud and soft, filled with whispers and conversations yet still calming and relaxing if he focused on that part in particular.

“Have you really, never been in a relationship?” Hange asked, seconds or even minutes later.

“No.”

“And you told me, you’ve never made the alarm ring for anyone.”

“In my five years of testing, no,” Levi said.

“What made it ring with me?” Hange asked. “ Have you ever theorized that?”

“It could be a bu---”

“Let’s assume the application is working properly.” Hange pressed. “Do you feel anything different? When you’re with me?”

Maybe he did. Levi was tempted to look back the moment Hange had ended that question with her tone of voice higher than a second ago. Her eyebrows furrowed, her gaze fixed on his. Levi had to admit, he didn’t want to look away again.

So he looked away. “I should be asking you that question. Your alarm rang too. Do you feel anything with me that you don’t feel with him?”

***

They carried the conversation elsewhere, somewhere where the walls didn’t echo, somewhere where there wasn’t anyone within a good ten meters away. Somewhere they could have sworn nobody would be listening.

It was a silent agreement, consisting of nodding and pulling of hands and it ended with them in the park, a little past noon on a Tuesday.

“Do you feel any different when you’re with me?” The question was exchanged once again, in a park bench towards the center, after seconds of checking surroundings. It came in variations of it, in stutters, between clearing throats.

When it came to recovering eloquence, Hange won without a fight. “If I tell you, will you promise to at least try to tell me?”

“Try.” Levi was economical with his words. He made certain though to consolidate all the discomforts of such a pressing topic to that one word.

Hange took a deep breath. “It’s funny because we just met right? But sometimes, I randomly think of you. When I come home to find the cleaner cleaning out the room, I think ‘Levi would probably like a clean room.’ When I was drinking coffee this morning, I thought of how you didn’t get your tea time and today, I was excited to see you. But I’m excited to see Zeke too… So maybe I’m just lonely because he left so suddenly for a business trip. Were you excited to see me?”

“Not this morning,” Levi said. That had been easy enough to let slip out. It wasn’t a lie after all.

“Oh. Then maybe my theory is wrong.” Hange said it too quickly, her voice much softer.

That had Levi feeling a tad guilty, at the same time more motivated to find some way to cheer her up. “But I was excited to go to the country club with you and when I saw you with Zeke by the pool, I felt weird.”

“Weird?”

“I kept looking, but I wanted to look away…”

Then there was silence. He was watching Hange and she wasn’t opening her mouth to speak. In the silence, he found reason for a segue. It could have been too sudden or it could have been a natural progression. Levi was easily imagining the scene by the pool as he stared at the empty streets, he thought it natural, and at least appropriate. “You and Zeke really get along huh?”

“Now yes.”

One syllable, one slip of the tongue had Levi alert.“Now?”

Hange shook her head. “Now. As in, we get along but at first, we didn’t,” she said, shaking her head. “ Zeke and I have known each other since college and he confessed to me in our senior year before graduation. We dated for a few years after that.”

“You chose to date him, even when you didn’t like him.”

“Sure he doesn’t give the best first impression, he’s a little extra, if you know what I mean, his head gets a little too big sometimes. My parents and friends said it would be a good idea to just try it out. He was the heir to one of the biggest companies in the country and he isn’t a bad person per se so I opted to try it out and over time, I got to know him, we got closer and he proposed to me a few years ago, I said yes… and here I am, married.”

“Married.” Levi looked pointedly at her. Hange had leaned back and hung her head back, staring at the sky above. She had said that last part with a little too much breath, and too little voice.

Hange gave him a wry smile. “Well, I honestly thought it was too early to settle down. I would have wanted to finish my PhD first, maybe travel a little more, meet more people before we get married but we’ve been dating for years, Zeke was insistent and....It seemed like a good choice. What was there to lose? He’s a good man. We were familiar with each other and besides, just because we’re married, doesn’t mean life stops right?”

“You tell me. I’ve never been married. Some people are asking me when I plan on settling down.”

“I guess we’re on two ends of the spectrum. You might end up marrying late. I married too early.”

“Do you think this has anything to do with why the love alarm didn’t ring?”

Hange shrugged. “Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn’t. The thing is, I don’t want love to be a feeling because just bending over backward to however I’m feeling means that I’m not really free right? I want love to be a choice. I chose to marry Zeke, I chose to commit to him and regardless of what a computer says about love, I wanna be able to decide for myself how I feel, who I love and how I love.”

***

A few clacks of the keyboard. The click of the mouse. Then the computer whirred to life again, a few swishes among them.

“So, all I have to do is type out a query here on the server management studio and I’ll be able to extract whatever data we need,” Levi said. “So what email do you use for your love alarm?”

“Wings of freedom…” Hange didn’t finish. Instead she slipped her phone next to Levi, the screen open to the settings page.

[email protected]

Levi stifled a smile. “Don’t you have a more professional sounding email?”

“I like using pseudo emails for making accounts for weird things.”

“Nice to know our product counts as a weird account to you,” Levi said.

“Well, I was testing the product out before I even pitched it to Zeke. I wouldn’t want anyone to have gotten information on me.”

“Then I guess, that was a good choice.” Levi slammed the enter button and the screen froze for a second before the export box appeared.

“Yeah, I’d expect a company like yours will collect data.”

“I’m sure we have a tiny box saying ‘you comply to having your data gathered when you use the product.’”

“You did,” Hange admitted.

“Then you can’t complain about me having access to the location, the hormone levels, the heart rate and all other pertinent information of [email protected].”

“What email do you use?”

“I extracted that too,” Levi said. He opened his own application and slipped his phone to Hange.

“So you are using a pseudonym too.”

“Of course. I test the product. I need multiple emails,” Levi said.

“Sure, [email protected]. You really had to go for something tacky like that?”

“Well, no one got the username yet,” Levi said. He was quick to digress. “I extracted our biodata from the day we met and when we tested the application. It’s gonna be exported as a data file and just open it using excel or something and do what you need to do.”

“You’re a gem, Levi,” Hange said.

“Just don’t touch anything else. I’m gonna take a break first,” Levi leaned further back on his chair, grateful for Erwin’s suggestion that he got a reclining chair then. “Maybe I should have gotten a day off. Eld told me, support is quiet today and the release has been ready for a while. Nothing much else to do.” He went for his ebook reader next to his desk and held it above him.

It flashed open to the latest page.

The room was silent save for the clack of the keyboard and the whirring of the monitor. It was an odd position to be in but Levi found it was much easier to focus on words when all he had behind the reader was the white ceiling. If he tried a little harder, he could also pretend the clacking of the keyboard wasn’t at all, Hange.

He was tired. He was exhausted and the ordeal from a few days ago still bubbled at the back of his mouth. Surprisingly, the words had shifted so easily into sceneries, emotions, investment and Levi was thinking too hard about one Mr. Collins and his engagement to the protagonist.

“Levi!”

Levi was pulled out of that very comfortable stupor by one rash voice and as he looked up to see Hange smiling, he realized, maybe it had been his own emotional investment at that damn book that got him a little cranky at the wake up call. “What? How long was I reading?”

“Fifteen minutes at least,” Hange said. “I found something interesting with the data. Did you know, that when the love alarm rang, our hormones were low, our body heat was low, our heart rate wasn’t high. Would you know why it still rang?”

“I told you, after a certain point we don’t know. It becomes an algorithm. The computer figures it out for itself.”

“But we’re going to need that data when working with other emotions right?” Hange pressed. “I’m gonna take note of this.”

“Do you think the love alarm still works as expected?”

“It could. You told me yourself, billions worth of data points. How could they be wrong right? But this is nice to know, you know. Just looking at the data here, is somehow reassuring.”

“Reassuring how?”

Hange shrugged. “Well I’ll do a little of my own testing and will contact you when I come up with anything.” She looked at the clock on her phone. “Then we could schedule a visit to one of Zeke’s hospitals and have a talk with the staff, maybe they could give some feedback on the working plan.”

“You’re gonna leave?” Levi sat up, putting his ebook reader down on the desk next to him. Hange had started to rifle through her bag and that got him alert.

“Why? You want me to stay a little longer?”

“I never said that.”

“You said you were busy with work this morning and now you want me to stay?” Hange challenged.

“Well it turned out there isn’t much work to do anyway. We get the changes live by the end of this week and we work towards the next release.” Now that Levi did think about it, the job was pretty repetitive and Hange’s pet project had somehow added color to the whole experience. “But you can leave if you want to,” Levi added a second later. Just in case, she did get some sort of hint that he wanted her to stay.

That last sentence did the exact opposite. Exactly how? Levi didn’t have much time to ponder it. By the time, he had even attempted to read through the protagonist’s response to her suitor, Hange had already pulled her chair right next to his, close enough for him to be feeling slightly warmer. Then, warm enough for him to pull away. “What the hell?”

“I was just wondering what you were reading.”

“You could have asked. Were you looking?”

“No.I wasn’t raised to look over people’s shoulders when they read.” Hange said matter-of-factly. “Actually, I was about to ask what you were reading when you pulled away so fast.”

Levi sighed. “It’s one of the books you sent over in that drive folder.”

“Ooh, which one? Scott Peck?”

“I read though that already until I realized the author cheated on his wife.”

“That doesn’t make his words any more invalid. Love is a choice,” she sang. The amount of times he had heard that since he even read the book maybe even the most melodious tone grating. “So what book is it?”

“The novel, Pride and Prejudice.”

“Oooh, which part are you in?”

Maybe Levi had let his guard down just a little. He probably tilted his reader a little bit towards her. Those minute details might have been enough though to have Hange pulling closer towards him, looking over at whatever he had been reading.

“I’m a slow reader,” Levi explained.

“Well, it’s a classic. Hange said. This time she was looking at him again. “I swear, I think it shaped my own idea of love. think there’s a lot to learn about love and marriage the way that Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy fall in love---”

“Wait. Stop.” Emotional investment in the book had Levi vulnerable. He only realized it then when he felt his mouth twitch, his eyebrows raise just a little higher. He found himself dropping the reader on the desk in front of him again, a retaliation at that ringing in his ears and the uncomfortable drop of his stomach. Spoilers were surprisingly painful things. “Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth… They end up together?” He managed to let out.

Hange nodded hesitantly. “Yes, it’s in the title. Mr. Darcy is pride and Elizabeth is prejudice.”

“You’re talking about the asshole Darcy right? Ten thousand pounds a year asshole Darcy?”

***

To hell if Hange looked just a little uncomfortable. Maybe more than a little. “I swear I thought everyone knew. Pride and Prejudice is a classic and it’s so talked about that---”

“I thought she was gonna end up with Mr. Wickham,” Levi admitted. It was difficult to wipe that grimace off his face, to the point that he had worn it almost as a medal while escorting Hange down to the lobby.

“Hey, I’m sorry…” Hange said. Her attempt to make amends though was grating.

Levi sighed. “It’s fine. This is a sign anyway, I need to do something more productive with my last few hours of work. I have a few more hours in the office, I’ll probably check on the team first. Is someone picking you up?”

“I messaged already,” Hange said glumly. “You know, I thought we could hang out a bit first.”

“Just focus first on getting an appointment with the hospital. To be honest, I really think I do have some work to check on.”

“Hey, I’ll make up to spoiling you okay?” Hange said. She had tried to curl her lips up to a smile, to widen the grin on her face. It had come out as something wry.

He found some solace at least in realizing he wasn’t the only one a little too bothered by those spoilers. He could have sworn it had never affected him that way before. But it’s just spoilers. He reminded himself. “I’ll get over it. Just focus on your work.” Still, it was difficult to enunciate words, it was difficult to even look at her. “Who’s picking you up?”

“Probably a chauffeur,” Hange said. She opened her phone again. The white glare of the screen reflected on Hange’s eyes and Levi was seeing stars in them again. Stars that somehow breathed life into her dead half smile of a while ago. “I can go from here.”

“Wait what?”

“Zeke’s picking me up at the gate. He said he wanted to try one of the restaurants at the nearby shopping street,” Hange explained.

Levi’s mind was an aggregate of unintelligible emotions. Do you want me to escort you out? Of course you don’t, I practically kicked you out. When there were things he couldn’t understand, maybe the right thing to do was be professional about it. “I’ll wait for your reply on the hospital visit. I’ll do what I can with the working plan and hopefully we could come up with something by Friday.”

“That would be cool. I’ll make sure to message you.” Hange wasn’t looking at him anymore and Levi had been perceptive enough to notice that her voice slowed just a little, the volume much softer than a second ago. Her mind was elsewhere.

Then suddenly, she was talking again, her voice a stark contrast from a second ago. “Zeke! I’m so glad to hear from you. Levi and I were just working on the application just now… And we have some great ideas…”

He never heard what Hange said after that. If he closed his eyes, and focused just a bit, maybe he could have but the ache in his chest was overpowering and he found it most convenient to blame the spoilers at first.

Hange walking away. Hange mentioning Zeke. Those were moments of clarity.

Darcy had reminded him a little too much of Zeke. Elizabeth, a little too much of Hange. When he walked back up to the room, back scrolled back to the scene at the ball, the scene with Mr. Wickham, he let out a laugh.

Fiction was supposed to be comforting and somehow with his own emotional investment in the story, he had hoped for an ending where money didn’t win. And he was scrambling for it long after Hange turned the corner way past the entrance.

Back in the office, alone with the reader on hand, he thought about it a little more.

I swear, I think it shaped my own idea of love. think there’s a lot to learn about love and marriage…

“A lot to learn huh?” Love and marriage which ended with a rich abrasive asshole?

There was definitely a lot to learn. Marriage could be for money. Love could be learned.

To commit, to love was a choice.

And Levi didn't need to read the whole book to be reminded of what he had already figured out.

Levi checked the table of contents, then the tracker at the bottom, he was barely thirty percent into the book, a very long book. Or maybe he was just a slow reader

After a few more minutes of staring, he managed to stumble upon the stone cold conclusion that it was a waste of time.

He quickly deleted the book, muttering to himself for a second longer that it was a good decision. Then he walked to his team's office, laptop tightly on hand. When he was looking left and right, when he was looking through his workflow tracker again on his phone, he found an out.

After all, he shouldn't have the time to ponder Hange's own ideas of love when he had an application to maintain and investors to please.

***

Levi ended up leaving work earlier than expected. It was a total lie to think there was any work needed to be done. Exhaustion clambered up quickly, a special kind of exhaustion at slogging through a day of work less than forty eight hours after being discharged from the hospital. An exhaustion that came with having spent a good hour lying to himself and to his subordinates that they had anything else to do before the release.

"Any support queries?" Levi asked. It felt more like a formality.

His subordinates had already started to pack their bags for the day.

"Nothing too urgent," Petra answered. “Nothing that can be finished in ten minutes either..”

“Leave it for tomorrow,” Levi said. As much as possible, he preferred to be the only one having to do over time.

“Sir, do you have any idea when we would start working on that new request by Mr. Jaeger?”

Levi’s answer was calm and straightforward. “We’re currently working on a plan, me and Hange and as soon as we get it approved, we can have a meeting about it.” And exhaustion made acceptance all the more natural. “You’ve all been working hard the past weeks leading up to the release. Stay low or take leaves if you need to, I’ll handle making sure everything goes live on time.”

Greetings were exchanged after that. Thank yous, sighs of relief and Levi wondered how hard the past few weeks have been, only for the release to have been delayed over Zeke’s request. Somehow, Levi felt some responsibility and guilt over such a ‘bug.’ Whether it was actually a bug or it was his own shortcomings as a human which caused the test to end that way, whatever musins he had about them, did nothing to placate the guilt as he watched their relieved faces, their much calmer faces.

The next day he woke up to emails, requests for leaves that week which he immediately approved. One week of calm, one week long enough to have it go live that weekend. Then Monday would be the post release sanity check.

He’d use the week to plan, to coordinate a little more with Hange. He opened his phone to see her number just on top, just like it had usually been recently. He had decided not to open her message until he got to the office.

Business is business. He thought to himself. The banner had given hints to the message but there weren't many hints to the context of a date time.

5/15 3:23AM. Check my body heat, serotonin levels, dopamine levels….

Less than a minute later, Levi was on the phone rattling numbers.

“So they’re high,” Hange said. “High numbers are a sign of love.”

Levi could have sworn he had heard the smile in her voice. “Why? Did something happen last night?”

“Zeke and I had a late night. It was the most fun we had in a while.”

Before Levi even noticed it himself, his mind was racing, asking questions. If Zeke had the love alarm on, would it have rang? And soon, it was clamoring for answers he knew he could never give.

Zeke’s own love alarm wouldn’t be on and even if it wasn’t on, it didn’t send data the same way Hange’s did. All he could do then was settle for speculation. “Maybe there is a bug then Hange. Or maybe there’s something wrong with the data. We’ll turn on your love alarm again when we visit, let’s try it again.”

The call ended amiably and Levi was a little more sluggish soon after. He lay his phone back on his desk and turned on the love alarm.

As expected, no hearts appeared. One hand on the keyboard next to him, he typed out a query and pulled his own data. His own hormone levels were much lower than 3am Hange’s. He opened the data Hange had analyzed just yesterday. The hormone levels were still low.

He clicked on the settings on his application, back at the dashboard then pressed the home button and sighed. “Some developer I am, can’t even figure out how my app works anymore.”

Then he thought something he hadn’t thought in a while. Maybe going for something as complex as love from the start wasn’t such a good idea.

#levihan #levihan fanfiction

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prettyinlimegreenboots · 3 years ago

Text

Code Silver - Life in the ER

This is the continuation of my “Life in the ER” series. This takes place two months after the previous installment. As always, you don’t necessarily have to read the previous installments but it may help clarify any questions you have.

Now take note of this MAJOR WARNING - there is an active shooter situation in this chapter. There will be blood, cussing, needles, surgery and death in this chapter. You have been warned.

I do not own Dr. Leighton. His name was originally used in Code Black, which is one of my favorite medical dramas. I do not own that name. And Dr. Weasley is named after the famous red-headed family in Harry Potter - I don’t own that name either.

As always, feedback would be wonderful and much appreciated. Buckle up kids, this is going to be a doozy of a ride.

June 10, 2021 11:00am

He never wished for a normal day while working in the ER but he wished for one today. Wishing for normal days, usually, meant that the hours in the ER were filled with chaos and craziness and somehow even more casualties than an average shift. He sighed as he thought back on the long night he had. Mack had been up most of the night, and usually Race could get her settled down but he was at his wits end. Spot ended up getting up to help him, making the 5am wake up call a struggle.

“Get it gear, Conlon.” Plums teased as she stood at the nurse’s desk giving a look. “Coffee not kicking in?”

Groaning, he looked up from the keyboard he was staring at a little too intently, nodding to the white cup sitting beside his hand. “This is my fifth cup; if it hasn’t kicked in yet then I don’t think there’s hope. Little miss only wanted me last night.”

“Ahhh those days are fun. Addie is in a Jack phase right now and I’m chopped liver.” Plums grinned. “Hopefully that won’t last long?”

Spot shrugged. “It’s been a week already. It doesn’t help when I’m working the early shift. She loves to party between 2 and 4.”

“Ugh do not miss those days. Addie is finally sleeping all the way through the night. She gets up at 5:30, just as I’m walking out the door though.” She smiled as Albert slid into a chair. “You okay, Al?”

He grinned. “Yea, patient in room four needs a checkup at some point. What’d I missed?”

“Noted - thanks. Spot’s kid throwing a rager from 2-4am.” Plums pointed out.

Albert chuckled loudly. “Ahh that sounds like fun.”

“Don’t laugh - this’ll be you this time next year.” Spot pointed his index finger in Albert’s direction. Finch and Albert had announced their little bundles of joy would be arriving around the beginning of December.

The grin slid from his face as Spot’s words made him pause. “Shit. I guess I will be taking notes from you both before that time.”

A call came over the intercom as Plums grabbed a chart before heading down the hallway. “Duty calls. Meet you guys in the cafe around 1 for lunch?”

“See you then.” Spot saluted her as he finished typing up his notes, looking over his shoulder at Albert who was writing in his own chart. “You doing good?”

A smirk crossed Albert’s face. “Doing well. Finch mentioned that we should have you and Race and Jack and Kat over for a cookout.”

“That’ll be fun.” Spot sighed, typing something in the chat he was having with another doctor, groaning as he stood up. “I’ve got to go draw another vial of blood. Don’t miss me too much.”

Albert blew him a kiss as he watched him walk away with a shake of his head. “Don’t worry, pooks, I won’t.”

Spot quickly drew the vial of blood from his patient in bay 12 before walking it upstairs to deliver Elmer. “Got some fresh, still warm blood for you. Orders should be in your inbox.”

“How’s the world of emergency today? Quiet?” Elmer accepted the vial before typing a few keys on his keyboard, giving Spot a quick smile.

Spot sighed, leaning against the wall, trying to stretch his back. “It’s quiet but two ambulances were pulling up just as I escaped up here. Is it 6pm yet?”

“Sorry, you still have 6.5 hours to go.” Elmer was way too cheerful as he delivered that news to Spot, who merely groaned.

The hospital phone that was attached to his hip dinged with a message that made him smile. “Hey if you haven’t eaten by 1, we’re planning on eating in the cafe. Come by.”

“I’ll see if I can get away. These results will be in your patient’s chart by the time you get back downstairs.” Elmer grinned.

Saluting him, Spot grinned. “Thanks, Elm. You’re the best.”

Whistling along to a song that was stuck in his head, he headed back downstairs, via the stairs. He hopped down the stairs as he thought about everything that he needed to do before his shift ended. Just as his foot hit the bottom stair, the intercom blared to life with a “Code Silver” followed by the Emergency Department as the location. Words you never wanted to hear in a hospital. A shiver ran down his back as his brain processed the words. Gripping the handle of the staircase he faltered in his step. Active shooter.

Throwing open the heavy stairwell door, he found himself in a surprisingly empty hallway. His shoes squeaked softly as he made his way to an empty patient room, quickly darting behind the door for protection. Grabbing the blue hospital issued phone, he opened it, silencing the volume. He sent a message both to Plums and Albert asking them where they were.

As he waited, all he could hear was someone yelling and the blood rushing through his ears. The phone vibrated in his hand as he quickly brought it up to eye level. From Plums: Patient’s room, door locked, everyone okay. You?

Ignoring her message for now, he started making his way back towards the center of the Emergency Room. In the back of his mind, he knew he should get out while he could but not while his sister-in-law and best friend were in the middle of danger.

“Where the hell is Nicole Ridder?” A loud voice raged, catching his attention as he slid under a desk. “Where is she?”

A gunshot went off as several more screams pierced the air as a hand slammed on a desk. “Where is she?”

Looking around the corner, Spot’s eyes went wide, as he took in the scene. Albert was under the desk, the very desk the man was loudly banging his fist on. Sadie, a nurse that Spot didn’t know too well, was staring down the man. “Sir, there is no Nicole Ridder here. I just checked our in-patients and there’s no one here by that name.”

“She texted me and said she’s here and now you won’t fucking let me see her.” The man screamed as another gunshot exploded, breaking the silent air. All Spot could do was watch Sadie crumble as the bullet hit her.

The man hit his hand once more before taking several steps, waving the gun in front of several other nurses, the air returning quiet. “Nicole, where are you?”

The man neared Spot’s position, as he tried to make himself smaller. “NICOLE!”

His shouts became more desperate as he started pushing open closed doors. Spot tried to regulate his breath as the man’s footsteps came closer.

He stopped at the desk that Spot was sitting under, his hand pounding the top. His voice was gruff as he cocked the trigger of the gun. “I know there are more people here - just tell me where in the hell Nicole is and I won’t shoot up the place.”

A cry broke the silence, as both Spot and the man looked towards a closed door. Within seconds the man was standing in front of the door, the butt of the gun banging against the solid wood door.

His hand tightened around the door handle, jiggling it to open it but found it locked. “NICOLE, OPEN THIS DOOR! I know you’re in there.”

A noise behind Spot made him look. Albert and a few other nurses made a break for it, running for a door that would lead them outside. Spot felt a rush of air escape his mouth. Albert was safe. But he feared for Plums’ safety.

Plums’ POV

The jiggling of the door handle sent a shiver down her back. She was currently hiding behind the bed, with her patient and her patient’s child, trying to keep them both safe. Putting a finger to her mouth, she locked eyes with the two.

She had been about to discharge Josie, who had strep throat, when the Code Silver had come over the intercom. Immediately she had shut the door, locked it and put the chair under the handle, blocking them in the small room.

“NICOLE, OPEN THIS DOOR! Goddammit I know you’re in there.” The jiggling continued as tears crowded her eyes. She attempted to calm her breathing.

Grabbing the blue phone, she quickly typed something in and sent it to both Albert and Spot, hoping the two of them got out before this madness began.

“NICOLE DAMMIT OPEN THIS DOOR.” The man’s voice pleaded as his fists hit the door, each bang louder than the previous.

She slipped her hand into the little girl’s, giving it a squeeze, as she prayed that the ordeal would end soon.

Spot’s POV

He felt the phone vibrate in his hand as he opened the message.

I’m in the room with her and her daughter.

The gasp escaped his mouth before he could help it but the pounding on the door told him the gunman hadn’t heard. He wished he had his personal cell on him but the hospital frowned upon that. He just wanted to get a message to Race.

His thoughts stopped for a minute. Race. His husband who was out on summer break, at home with their daughter. Or maybe he and Jack took the girls out for lunch and were at least together. Leaning his head back, he stretched his neck muscles, praying that he’d get to see his daughter and husband at least one more time.

Taking a steady breath, Spot’s mind started turning. He needed to get that gunman away from that door if Plums had a chance to get away.

Opening up the phone, he quickly typed out a message to Plums Right outside the door under the desk.

His butt was falling asleep as he sat scrunched up under the desk. He slowly adjusted himself, cussing when his shoe squeaked. Spot cussed under his breath as the pounding on the door came to a standstill. “Who’s there?”

Eyes wide, Spot bit his lip in an attempt to stay quiet. “Show yourself or I will put a bullet through this door. This isn’t a game.”

Another gunshot sounded as screams pierced the air. Several more gunshots were fired in quick succession as the man growled under his breath. “Damnit, Nicole, get your skinny ass out here now. Quit playing these damn games.”

Another several gunshots were fired through the door, wood splintering as the bullet made contact. Several screams pierced the quietness, one of which was most definitely Plums.

Spot could hear the man pacing in front of the door, as his shoes squeaked with each pass. Every few seconds, the butt of the gun would knock against the door. Spot could hear him growl, growing frustrated by the situation at hand. “You leave me no choice, Nicole.”

Before he could take another breath, the gun was fired in quick rounds, several bullets hitting the wooden door as screams erupted from the small room. Spot eased out from his position, looking at the man as he screamed and unloaded his gun into the small room.

He heard the familiar click of the gun, signaling that it was out of ammunition. Spot took that moment to stand and look at the man. He moved stealthily, as he made his way to the man. Before he could think, he punched the man, successfully crumbling him to the ground. The gun went sliding down the hallway as Spot punched the man a few times. “Plums, get them the hell outta here.”

The man attempted to hit Spot back but was unsuccessful and several seconds later, the police came in, slapping handcuffs on the man before helping Spot up.

Spot stood, chest heaving as his brain caught up on what had just happened. He faltered in his step just as a police man caught him. “Sir, you okay?”

“Dizzy.” He mumbled just as he collapsed and fell to the ground.

Plums’ POV

Holding up her hands, she hurled herself over to the police and told them to get the hell in there, that the gunman had been subdued.

Without another word, she watched several police officers make their way into the building as she was led to a makeshift medical area. She was led to a stretcher where her vitals were checked and she was given a check over. She had some cuts from glass and bruises but nothing life threatening. The mental reminders would take some time to overcome. Albert wrapped a warm blanket around her shoulders as she sat on the bed. “It was Spot.”

Albert’s hands stilled as he took her blood pressure. “Spot what?”

“Spot subdued the gunman by hitting him and knocking him out.” Plums whispered as she looked at Albert.

Albert dropped the stethoscope, before pulling her into a hug, as she lost it. The tears, fears, relief all came bubbling to the surface. He hushed her, brushing his hand up and down her back as he attempted to calm her down. “Hey it’ll be okay. Jack, Race, and Finch are all outside and as soon as you’re done, I’ll bring them all back, okay?”

She nodded, her breath coming out in gasps, as he took her blood pressure. He did a few other checks, she figured for bullets or any other damages before jotting down something on the piece of paper at the makeshift table. “Do you want me to stay or go get them?”

“Can you stay and have someone get them? Also, where’s Spot?” She asked, eyes wide with the fear still radiating through her body. She knew the adrenaline would be cursing through her body for some time yet.

Albert nodded, stepping out for a moment before coming back in. “Maddie is going to get Jack, Race, and Finch and she’s checking on Spot.”

“Albie?” She asked, clutching the blanket tighter around her.

“Yea Plums?” He asked, scribbling something on a chart in front of him. He looked up, looking at one of his family members, trying to keep it all together.

She sniffled, looking at the cut on her hand. “Was anyone killed?”

He stilled with the question, dropping the pen before walking over to wrap her in a hug as she broke down crying. “Shhh.” He whispered as he ran a hand up and down her back.

Tears clouded his eyes as he listened to her heartbreaking sobs. Soon they turned to snuffs as she pulled away from him and wiped her eyes. “Sorry.”

“No, Kat, you have nothing to apologize for.” He shook his head. “You’re safe and your body is trying to regulate itself. It’s okay. But to answer your question, I haven’t heard anything about anyone. Once I got out, they checked me out and said they needed help with injuries so I’ve been doing this. I was just relieved to see you run out.”

Looking up, she gasped seeing Jack, Race, and Finch all standing there. Before she could do anything, Jack was pulling her into a hug as she busted into another round of tears. Jack was mumbling stuff in her ear and running his hand through her hair as she immediately felt safe in Jack’s arms. Leaning back, she pressed a kiss to his lips. “Love you too.”

Stepping away from Jack, she pulled Race into her arms as he sniffled. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Where’s Spot?”

“He was the one who subdued the gunman. He’s probably talking to the police.” She mumbled, watching Race’s face crumble.

She watched many emotions cover Race’s face as he faltered. “He did what?”

“I don’t know how but he knocked the gunman out and told me to get out of there.” She looked at him. “He’s a hero, Race.”

Tears clouded Race’s face as she pulled him back into a hug. “He was fine when I was running out of there so I’m sure he’s talking to the police.”

She soothed him, by rubbing a hand up and down his back. She watched Jack talk to Albert and Finch. “Where are our girls?”

“Medda has them.” Race pulled back, wiping his eyes. “Jack and I were hanging out at your house when she stopped by. When this came across the news, Jack said we needed to get down here. We held our breaths every time the door opened. We got here just after Albert came running out.”

Nodding, she sat back on the bed, wrapping the blanket around her. She looked over at Finch, whose fingers were laced with Albert’s. “Hi Finch.”

“Hi Kat. Glad you’re okay.” He smiled, squeezing Albert’s hand.

Nodding, she looked at the men in the room, sighing. “Hey Al, can you go check with Maddie?”

He nodded, leaning over to kiss Finch before escaping out of the medical area.

Sighing, she kicked her legs, antsy with wanting to know what was keeping Spot. She figured the police would want to talk with him but he should be done by now. She felt Jack stand behind her with his hand on her shoulder. She knew it would be a long time before he would be able to have her out of his sight.

Albert’s face was stoic as he returned with a police officer. “Plums, this is Office Ramirez. He’d like to talk to us for a few minutes.”

“Katherine Kelly, sir. This is my husband Jack and our friends, Tony, Albert, and Patrick. Tony is Sean’s husband. Can you tell us what’s going on with Sean Conlon?” Plums sat up straight, trying to look more authoritative than she felt. Her heart plummeted into her stomach as he was introduced. Usually having a police office come talk to them was never a good thing.

Officer Ramirez shifted, pulling his hat off before looking at the same group of friends. “I was first through the doors when I saw Sean on the floor punching the gunman. Several officers took care of the gunman while I went over to Sean. I got him to his feet when he mumbled that he was dizzy and before I knew it, he had fainted.”

“Doctor White was in the vicinity and immediately started checking Sean. In the initial check, he had blood on the left side of his scrubs. Several nurses and Dr White loaded him onto a gurney and rushed him upstairs to surgery.” Officer Ramirez’s face was grime as he relayed the information. Race gasped, processing the information. “If you’d like, I will escort you up to the surgery floor where you can wait?”

Kat sat back as the words hit her. She looked over at Race, who staggered a bit, only for Albert’s arm to wrap around his waist. “That would be great. But I have one other question - was anyone killed today?”

The officer paused. He was conflicted on how much he should actually tell them. “There were two nurses and an orderly that were killed. There were several that were injured by the stray bullets.”

Tears crowded Kat’s eyes as she thought about her coworkers and their families. Hanging her head, she let a sob out as someone put their arms around her. She looked up at Race whose face was tight with a mix of emotions as he hugged her. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she looked at Officer Ramirez. “I’ll need a few minutes to talk with some of my colleagues but after that, can you escort us upstairs?”

“Absolutely ma’am. There will be a police officer outside the waiting room just for some extra protection. And we will need to speak with you and Mr. DaSilva at some point.” The office said, as Kat nodded.

She pushed the blanket off of her before she looked at Jack. Leaning up, she gave him a quick kiss and hugged Race before walking out into the still mayhem scene.

Maddie came up and gave her a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay. Any word on Spot?”

“He’s in surgery but that’s all I know. We’re going to head up to the surgical waiting room. Can you let the head honchos know?” Plums asked, giving the young nurse a look, as she looked around the mayhem of police officers, nurses, and patients.

Maddie quickly nodded. “I can do that. Do you want me to have food sent up?”

“Thanks, that would be nice since all of us just want a status update.” She smiled at Maddie.

“Consider it done. Just let us know when he’s out and doing okay?” She asked, as Plums quickly agreed before going back to the medical area.

Making sure they had everything, Kat gave Officer Ramirez a look as he led them through the eerie empty halls of the Emergency Room to the elevators. Katherine moved quickly, not wanting to be reminded of what had happened there just a short while ago. The group was silent as they got on the elevators, watching the numbers slowly rise up to level 8, the surgical floor.

Several police officers were already waiting outside of the waiting room as they stepped off the elevator. Kat led the group into the room, where a couple of styrofoam containers were on a table along with two sets of scrubs. “If you need anything, my officers will be outside. When you’re ready to talk to us, just let us know.”

“Thank you for everything. Let us get changed and get some food, then at least I’ll be ready to talk.” Kat told him before she looked at Albert, who nodded.

Officer Ramirez gave her a slight smile before stepping out of the room and closing the door behind him.

She watched Albert and Finch walk over to the food as Jack and Race hovered near her. She smiled weakly at them both before picking up a pair of scrubs and walking over to the bathroom to change. Not wanting to see the scrubs she had on ever again, she threw them into the trash before joining the men in the waiting room. As the door closed behind her, she pulled her hair down, wanting her hair to be done, instead of up in a ponytail like it normally was when she was on shift.

Jack and Race had styrofoam containers balanced on their knees as they ate. Finch and Albert were throwing theirs away.

“There’s a sandwich and mac and cheese there for you.” Jack motioned over to the table as he continued to eat.

Nodding, she sat at the table, immediately opening the mac and cheese container and eagerly eating the cheesy goodness. “Any word?”

Shakes of heads were her answer as she sighed and banged her head against the wall. She knew she should go downstairs to get hers and Spot’s stuff but she just didn’t have the energy.

Her eyes darted around the room. Apart from the eerie quietness, the people in the room were okay. She just wished she could find out what was up with Spottie and why it was taking so long. Her brain kicked into medical mode and she wondered how serious Spot’s injuries really were.

“Kat?” Jack broke her train of thoughts by softly calling her name. She raised an eyebrow at him. “The police are ready to talk to you if you are.”

Nodding, she quickly threw away her trash, grabbing a water bottle before she walked out of the room, ready to be done with the day.

Jack looked at Race who was twiddling with his hands, looking absolutely lost. “Race?”

“Yea Jack?” He asked, looking up from playing with his wedding band.

“I know it’s a stupid question but you doing okay? Do you need anything?” He asked.

Race shrugged, sighing. “I just want to lay eyes on him and make sure he’s okay. My mind keeps playing the what if game and it won’t stop until I can see him.”

“Do you want me to have momma bring up the girls?” Jack asked, knowing Kat would want to see Addie sooner rather than later.

Race was torn. On the one hand, it would be good to hold Mack until he knew about Spot; on the other, the little girl would want to explore the unfamiliar place and Race didn’t know if he could be patient with her as his nerves were already frayed. “As much as I would love to say yes, she’s better off with momma at the house.”

Jack nodded. “Do you want to play cards?”

Race loved his brother but he could slug him at the moment. He understood what Jack was trying to do but he just wanted to know how the hell Spot was doing. “No Jack. I’m fine. Just anxious to hear how Spot’s doing.”

Silence fell over the room as Race began to day dream. He thought back to earlier that morning. Did he even say he loved Spot as he said goodbye to him? Did he say have a good day or that he’d text him later? Race let his head fall backwards as it collided with the wall. Tears crowded his eyes at the lack of updates and knowledge of what the hell was going on.

Race wasn’t going to lie. It was painful to see Jack and Kat along with Albert and Finch reunite as he sat there awaiting the news of his husband. Race just prayed to whoever that Spot was okay and he would be back by his side soon.

His eyes met the clock on the wall. 1:35. Just over two hours since he heard the news about an active shooter at the hospital and his heart damn near stopped.

Pulling out his phone, he noticed there was a 40 in the top corner of his messages. People had been contacting him to find out if Spot was working and if he was okay. Race just didn’t have the heart to reply to any of them. The only one he opened was from momma as she had sent a photo of Kenzie sleeping. He smiled slightly before locking his phone and putting it back in his pocket.

The opening of the door caught his attention as a nurse slipped through. “I’m Maeve. Is this the family of Sean Conlon?”

Nodding, Race looked at the young nurse with a pleading look. “I’m his husband. Is he out of surgery?”

“I was in the operating room. The doctor is just finishing up surgery and will be in shortly.” Maeve tight lipped smiled at them.

Race cleared his throat. “Is he okay?”

“I’m sorry but the doctor will be out shortly.” She apologized as she slipped out of the room.

Jack stood, stretching his back. “I’ll go let Kat know. Anyone need anything?”

Everyone shook their heads, watching him leave the room. Race tapped his feet, a renewed energy knowing that soon he’d have some answers and maybe he could see Spot sooner rather than later.

Kat joined Jack as they came back into the room. Before she took a seat, she held something out to Race. “I had the police collect his belongings from downstairs. He has quite a lot of missed calls and texts.”

Race accepted the phone and Spot’s canvas bag with a nod. He didn’t go through it, and merely pocketed the phone. “How was your talk with the police?”

“Okay. They just wanted to make sure they had all their ducks in a row. They’re going to want to talk to Spot and you, Albert.” She directed her last words to him as he nodded, fingers laced with Finch’s.

“It might be a few days before Spot’s up for it.” Race gave his sister-in-law a look.

She quickly nodded, looking at him. “The police are well aware of that fact. His doctors will have to clear it before he is able to do so. Plus he’ll have us by his side when he does talk to them.”

The door opened once more as they all looked up. “Doctor Leighton.”

“Katherine, I’m glad you’re doing okay.” He gave her a side hug as he turned to the other four. “I’m Doctor Leighton, I did Spot’s surgery.”

“This is Tony, Sean’s husband. My husband Jack. You know Albert and his husband Finch.” Kat made the introductions. “How’s Spot?”

Doctor Leighton nodded at all of them before taking a seat. “Spot’s okay. He’s in recovery at the moment. It was tough and go for a while. He had a bullet hit him on his left side. We ended up having to remove his spleen but he lost a lot of blood. We’re currently giving him blood transfusions to try to replenish what was lost.”

“Will he make a full recovery? Can he live without his spleen?” Race asked, looking between Kat and the doctor.

The doctor nodded his head. “Yes, he will make a full recovery and at this point, we don’t see any cause of concern. We’re waiting for him to wake up. And yes, he will be fine to live without his spleen.”

“What are your concerns for him in the next 48 hours?” Kat asked, as Race was glad she asked because he didn’t know what else to ask.

Dr. Leighton sighed. “You know the concerns, Katherine. Since the spleen is so instrumental in fighting infections, I’m a bit more concerned with him catching infections going forward. He will need to make sure he’s up to date on all of his vaccines after he’s discharged.”

“So I should be more concerned when he comes down with a cold?” Race piped up as the doctor nodded.

Kat nodded. “Yes, especially in the next year as his immune system adjusts.”

“When can we see him?” Race asked, his toes tapping anxiously, just wanting to lay eyes on his husband.

Dr. Leighton looked at Race, smiling softly. “Give us about 20 minutes to get him moved to a room then you can see him.”

“Thank you Dr. Leighton.” Kat stood, shaking his hand as the rest of them did the same. He gave them a tight smile before he left them alone.

“Well he was helpful.” Race choked out as Jack Finch, and Albert both snorted.

Kat shook her head. “He’s a brilliant surgeon but he’s got little bedside manner. I’d request him in a heartbeat, a thousand times over some of the surgeons in this hospital.”

Race nodded, trusting her 1000% with anything medical related. Standing up, he started pacing, just wanting the time to go by fast so he could see Spot. “Race?”

He stopped, looking at Kat who softly called his name. “Do you need anything?”

“Just to see my damn husband.” Race sighed. “Sorry but I can’t think of anything else until I lay eyes on him.”

Kat nodded, as she couldn’t imagine if that was Jack in surgery and wanting to see him to make sure he was okay. “You heard Dr. Leighton, Race. He’s okay but I understand your frustration. Do you want us to hang back when you first see him?”

“Do you mind?” Race asked, his voice small, not wanting to give away how scared he truly was.

She stood, pulling him into a hug, running her hand up and down his back. “Of course not. You should be the first to see him. We’ll hang around while you go to visit him. Al still needs to talk to the police so he can do that while you go see him.”

The door opened and the nurse from earlier stood there. “We’ve got him settled into his room. We still have him sedated but you can go ahead and see him.”

Kat nudged Race. “Go see our boy and give him our love. We’ll hang back and see him later, alright?”

Nodding, Race hesitantly stepped forward as he followed the nurse down the hall to a room in the corner. “I’ll be right at the nurse’s desk in case you need anything.”

She propped open the door as he silently walked inside. There were two IVs, one going in each hand, one fluid of clear liquid, the other full of blood. He stood at the foot of the bed, looking at the step up, two chairs, one on each side of the bed, along with a table and two chairs off in the corner. Stepping around the bed, he sat in one of the chairs, and being careful of the IV, lacing his hand with Spot’s.

“Hey Spot.” He whispered, torn between waking him up and letting him sleep. Race had always loved watching his husband sleep, due to the fact when he was awake, he was never still. Spot was always moving around, unable to really settle unless he was sick or sleepy. “I heard through the grapevine that you’re some kind of hero. You saved a lot of people today, Spottie.”

Time, Spot only needed time. Time to heal, time to recover, time to wake up. “I know you want to sleep but I really want to see your pretty brown eyes. It’s been a pretty rough afternoon and I need to tell you I love you, because I’m not sure I actually said it this morning.”

“I’m not leaving, Spot. Wild horses couldn’t pull me away.” Race promised, squeezing his hand. “Kat, Jack, Albert, and Finch are out in the waiting room. Momma is at the house with Mack and Addie. As soon as you wake up, I’ll get her to bring the two of them up to see you.”

He continued to ramble about random things, always being told that patients could hear when they were unconscious. He didn’t want Spot to be alone and promised to fill the quiet room with his cheerful chatter.

Race held his breath, knowing that Spot would wake up with time but he wasn’t the most patient person. Squeezing his hand, he felt himself relaxing in the chair for the first time since arriving at the hospital. Race kicked his feet up onto the bed and let his head fall back to the back of the chair, listening to the constant beeping from the monitor, his eyes closing as he dozed off.

Kat’s POV

She watched Race leave the room, wanting to join him as he saw Spot but knowing Race needed some time to adjust to having Spot in the hospital bed. Standing up, she felt antsy from waiting so she paced the room as she answered texts from family and friends concerned about her.

“Kat?” Looking up from her phone, she looked over at Jack who had concern written all over his face. “You okay?”

She sighed, walking over to him and sitting beside him. “Just antsy. I’m glad Race gets to go see him but I want to check up on him as well.”

Pressing a kiss to her head, Jack nodded. “I know. Despite our rough start, Spot is like a brother to me and it’s hard when we don’t know what the next few days or even weeks will look like. But we have to go along with the doctor who seems optimistic that he’ll be alright in the long run.”

Kat reached over and laced her fingers with Jack’s. “We’ll see him soon. Let’s give Race some time with him.”

She looked at Finch and Albert and smiled sadly at them. “You two doing okay?”

“Just hanging out until we can see him.” Albert looked as worried as she felt. “You two hanging out for the night?”

Jack shrugged, giving them a look. “Depends on what Race wants us to do. We’re kinda letting him dictate what we’re doing. I just checked in with momma and she said the girls are down for their afternoon naps.”

She didn’t get a chance to answer as the door opened slowly as an older man poked his head in. Standing up, she weakly smiled at him as surprise was evident in her voice. “Dr. Weasley.”

“Katherine, they told me you were up here. I just wanted to check in with you, Spot, and Albert to see how you were doing.” He said as she nodded.

Motioning for him to come in, she sighed. “Spot had emergency surgery and he’s in a room down the hall. This is my husband Jack and Albert’s husband, Finch. Guys, this the director of the ER, Dr. Weasley. We’ve just been hanging out here waiting to see Spot after his surgery.”

Dr. Weasley nodded. “I heard that he had to have his spleen removed - he’s a tough nut and will be okay. I’ve come to tell you that you and Albert have the next week off. There will be a check-in before you’re allowed back into the hospital, per guidelines. As for Spot, we’ll take it day by day with him and when he’s cleared to return.”

“Is there anything we need to do in the meantime?” Albert came by Kat’s side as he was curious what the requirement was going to consist of.

Dr. Weasley smiled at them. “You’ll both need to see one of the hospital’s trauma specialists before you’re released to come back. You will also need to take the mandatory 5 days off before you step back in here.”

“How long will the ER be shut down for?” Kat asked, knowing it was only one of three emergency rooms within the city.

Dr. Weasley shook his head. “It’s going to be shut down for tonight but obviously the hospital doesn’t want it down for too long. They’re hoping to have it back up and running tomorrow morning.”

Frowning, Kat shook her head. “It doesn’t seem right. There were people killed in that ER earlier today and tomorrow it’s back to business like their lives don’t even matter.”

“I agree with you Plums but you know how the head honchos are.” Dr. Weasley agreed as he shook his head.

She rolled her eyes with a sigh. “It’s just not right. But I make pennies compared to them and I know nothing.”

“Keep up that attitude Plums and you’ll be alright.” He smiled, looking between her and Albert. “Do either of you need anything?”

Albert shook his head with a smirk. “Million bucks, new scrubs, better hospital food?”

“Noted but not sure what I can pull out of my magic hat.” Dr. Weasley looked between the two of them with a shake of his head. “You have my number if you need anything. I’m glad you two are okay.”

Watching him leave, Kat shook her head as the door shut gently behind him. “That was nice of him to check up on us.”

“You know it was because we’re not down at the ER with the rest of the staff.” Albert told her with sarcasm laced in his voice. “He knew it would’ve gotten around the ER if he didn’t come check up on us and Spot.”

Kat nodded. “True. I’m going to check up on Race. You guys staying here?”

Albert agreed while Finch and Jack stayed behind, letting the two of them go. Her shoes squeaked as she walked down the hallway. Pushing open the door, her shoulders immediately relaxed as she took in Spot’s appearance in the bed. A noise drew her attention away from Spot and to the chair beside him where Race was snoring away.

Stepping up to the bed, she looked Spot over as his quiet breathes matched Race’s deep snores. Albert shook his head as he reached up to wipe his eyes before taking Katherine’s hand and squeezing it. “He looks better than I thought he would.”

“What did you imagine?” Kat asked, looking over at him with a smirk.

Albert shrugged. “Bruises, black eyed, ruggedness. You know, someone who just got into a fight but he actually just looks normal.”

“Excuse you, I’m ruggedly handsome.” A voice drew their attention from each other to the bed. A smirk was on Spot’s face as he looked at two friends.

Kat’s eyes immediately watered with tears as she looked at him. “Spot.”

“I’m sore . . . what happened?” He asked as he tried to move but felt instant pain.

Albert stepped up, giving him a look. “You had surgery. They removed your spleen due to a bullet. You fainted in the ER just after the police came to take the gunman away. Race was really worried about you and had been in here for about 20 minutes before he must’ve fallen asleep.”

“Is that what that train sound is?” Spot asked, craning his head to look over to Race, who quietly snored away.

“Yes. He’s been worried sick about you.” Kat smiled. “Do you want me to wake him up?”

Spot shook his head. “Nah, let him sleep. Who’s got Kenzie?”

“Momma’s got her and Addie. Last we knew, they were taking their afternoon naps. Jack, Race, and Finch have been here most of the afternoon. They watched Albert run out.” Kat explained.

Spot nodded, as he bit his lip as a wave of pain coursed through his side. “Anyone killed?”

“Two nurses and an orderly.” Kat frowned. “But thanks to you, no one else was killed. There’s a few injuries but you saved a lot of people, Spot, including Nicole and her daughter.”

Spot shook his head. “I about died when you texted me that you were in the room with them. I knew I had to draw him away from the door in order for you to escape.”

“I’m thankful that you did but I almost passed out when I saw you slugging him.” Kat shook her head. “You’re an idiot Sean but I do love you.”

“Love you too Kat.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Do you want to go get Jack and Finch? I don’t know how much longer I’ll be awake.”

Albert rushed from the room, leaving Kat and Spot alone with the sleeping Race. “He doing okay?”

“Worried about you but he’s been alright.” She smiled. “He has your phone but hasn’t done anything with it. I got your stuff from downstairs.”

Spot nodded. “Thank you, Kat for everything. Any idea how long I’m in here for?”

“Dr. Leighton didn’t say but I’m sure he’ll be around to see you later.” Kat shrugged. “I’m guessing in a few days you'll be released. Albert and I are on mandatory leave for the next week and we have to see one of the trauma specialists before we’re allowed back in the ER.”

Spot didn’t say anything as the door was opened as Jack and Finch stepped into the room with Albert behind them. Kat stepped back, letting the two talk with him. Albert came over and wrapped his arm around her. “Counting your blessings?”

“Something like that.” She smiled, laying her head on his shoulder. “Just really glad my family is okay. Really glad my closest coworkers are alright. Sad that we lost some good people but happy that everyone else is okay.”

Albert shook his head. “Love you Kat.”

“Love you too Albie.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Are you and Finch heading home?”

Nodding, Albert sighed. “I just want to go home and put today out of my mind. I have a feeling we’re in for a few rough days.”

“Agreed. We’ll be around if you need someone to talk to.” She smiled. “I’m only a phone call away, okay?”

He nodded, a ragged sigh left his mouth. He watched Jack and Finch joke with Spot as he started to doze off. Once he was asleep, Finch and Albert made their way out, leaving Kat and Jack with Race and Spot.

“What do you want to do? I’m sure you could use a shower and some Addie cuddles.” Jack suggested as he looked between the two sleeping men in the room.

Kat stretched, a groan escaping her mouth. “You’re probably right but I just don’t feel right just walking away after everything we’ve been through this afternoon.”

“Kat, you’re not walking away.” Jack gave her a look. “How about I take you home, you can shower, cuddle Addie, then we can come back up here and bring them food? Does that sound like a plan?”

Nodding, she pushed off the way, pressing a kiss to both Spot and Race’s foreheads before walking out of the room, hand laced with Jack’s.

An Hour Later

The rustling of bedsheets was the sound he heard as he slowly woke up. Cracking open his eyes, it took a minute to figure out where he was. The hospital, active shooter, Spot surgery all came rushing back to him.

Sitting up in the uncomfortable chair, he cracked his back as he looked at the bed. The most beautiful sight he had seen was staring back at him. Spot, with a smirk on his face, and eyes opened as he stared at Race. “Hi.”

“After all this time and scaring the literal shit out of me, all you can say is hi.” Race was out of the chair and sitting on the side of the bed smirking. “Hi yourself. How are you feeling?”

Spot grimaced. “Sore, really sore. But other than that, okay. Kat and Albie filled me in on everything that had happened when they were here earlier.”

“You were awake and they didn’t wake me up?” Race frowned, giving Spot a look.

Squeezing their linked hands, Spot looked Race in the eyes. “I asked them not to as you were in a deep sleep. I’m sorry I didn’t wake you but I needed to know what had happened.”

“You doing okay, Spottie?” Race asked, worry in his voice.

Spot sighed loudly. “To be honest, I don’t know how I feel. I’m angry that someone interrupted the safe space the ER was. I’m upset that I lost coworkers. But I think I’m mostly grateful that Albie and Kat are both okay and safe.”

Leaning forward, Race captured Spot’s lips in a kiss. “I love you and it’s completely okay that you’re not okay. There were a lot of emotions involved in today but I’ll be here for you as we go through the next couple of days, weeks, and months. Kat and Al aren’t going anywhere and they’ll be here for you, when I can’t.”

“Love you, Racer.” Spot smiled slightly. “Also, you did tell me that earlier this morning before I left the house.”

A light blush raised on Race’s cheeks. “You heard me?”

“Yeah . . . but it was a big foggy so I couldn’t actually tell if you said that or if it was my mind playing tricks on me.” Squeezing his hand, Spot sighed. “I kept kicking myself that I didn’t have my phone on me. I only wanted to get you a message that I was okay and that I loved you. I’m just glad I have the opportunity to tell you that now.”

“Love you Spottie.”

“Love you too Racer.”

Later that Evening

He found himself sitting up in bed, a course of antibiotics and pain medication surging through his body. He was happily slurping on a strawberry milkshake while Race was cracking jokes with Jack. Kat was watching her husband and Race with an amused smile on her face. A few of their coworkers had stopped by to check up on them both, not staying long but to say their thanks to Spot for being a hero.

“You okay, Plums?” He asked over the crackle of Race’s laughter at something Jack had just told him.

Looking up from her fast food chicken nuggets, she smiled. “I’m fine. I got to cuddle Addie and Kenzie, take a shower, and pet Basil for a little bit. I had a good cry in the shower.”

“Promise me, you’ll text if you need anything?” Spot gave her a look, knowing full well that she was just as likely as him to keep things bottled up.

Nodding, she smiled. “Of course. I’ve been made to promise by Jack, Albert, Race, and now you. I scheduled my appointment for the trauma specialist for next week.”

“Good. I’m proud of you for scheduling it out already.” Spot said, giving her a look that he knew what she was thinking.

She couldn’t say another word as there was a knock on the door. Kat raised an eyebrow to Spot, silently asking if he knew who it could be. He shook his head, as she got up and answered the door. She smiled at the guests as she reached out and grabbed Addie. She pushed open the door as Momma walked in, Kenzie in her arms.

“Momma!” Spot sat up and grinned despite the pain on his side. Race stood, taking Kenzie from her arms before kissing her cheek loudly. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought it might be a good idea for you two to see your daughter. Addie is just along for the ride, though I thought her parents could see her too.” Medda grinned, watching Jack take Addie from Kat’s arms. “Besides, I wanted to check up on you to make sure you were okay.”

Spot grinned at the woman who had been the replacement momma in his life. Ever since he and Race started dating, Medda had taken him in as one of her own. “Doing alright momma. Will be laid up for a little bit as I recover but I’ll be just fine in the long run.”

“Good.” She patted his foot. “You make sure that son of mine takes care of you, waits on you hand and foot.”

Race, cuddling Kenzie, looked up at his mother with an insulted look. “Hey! As if I wouldn’t wait on him hand and foot! I take offense to that.”

Laughter sounded around the room as Medda shook her head. “I’m just thankful you, Spot, and Katherine are okay. I checked in with Albert and Finch earlier and they’re doing as well as could be expected. I’m just glad all my babies are okay and here with us tonight.”

Kat looked around the room, locking eyes with each of the people in it, giving them a smile. “I’m glad today is almost done and tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow we start to move on from today and though we'll never forget, we will start to move on.”

Kat and Spot locked eyes. Though they had always been close since college, it seemed their bond had dug a little deeper. And she smiled, there was no one she’d rather have in her corner than Spot Conlon, as he would always have her back, just like she always would have his.

Feedback would be wonderful and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

#Life in the ER Newsies #Writing #Spot Conlon #katherine plumber #Albert DaSilva #Racetrack Higgins #Jack Kelly #finch cortez #PA Katherine #Nurse Spot #Nurse Albert

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