#I was in a trance like state working for 4 hours straight where is this energy for schoolwork 💔💔✊

[icecappen]

fake LoM game clip I made for funsies

dialogue from s1e6 (I think)

[1rsoldiersince2012]

Bound by Law (Matt Murdock x Reader)

Words: 5525 (chapter 31)

Summary:

You and Matt met in the courtroom. Now, you may think that Matt was a knight in shining armour and defended you in the name of all United States laws, but that was not the case. Matt was totally destroying your client, and you wanted to tear him into pieces right then and right there, because with Murdock as your rival, your head is on the firm's plate with each case. Did Matt care? No, he only cared about bringing justice, he was a human-machine, driven by the need to bring righteousness no matter the cost. Or was he just that? What happens when you get involved in Fisk's business and Daredevil's lies against your will?

UPDATES: kind of back in my way, so... next week?

31. Grasping the Straws

8:28 in the morning, Matt was already standing outside his apartment building, his phone and wallet resting in the pocket of his jacket, his glasses in the pocket of his coat, and a heavy feeling in his chest; he was crouched on his walking stick and waited for you to come, yet his mind was somewhere else entirely. He was burning inside and wanted to find Fisk's accountant as soon as possible and question the hell out of him, but he still had to locate him, and do it tonight, as the devil. Lost in his thoughts, Matt snapped out of the trance when you slammed your car doors.

"Well, if this isn't Matt Murdock in the flesh." You come around and stand almost in front of Matt, but then decide to lean on the front of your car, crossing your legs.

"After last night's message, I wouldn't dare being somewhere else." Matt tries to joke, but you remain standing with a stone-cold face. "I'm sorry that I didn't answer the phone." He says, sensing your coldness.

"Where were you?" You ask him straight, without boring both of you with pointless questions that may or may not lead to this question.

"I..." Matt begins, trying to think of a believable lie, although now he admits that answering your call might have been a mistake.

"Don't lie. Please." You sigh, still feeling worn out after yesterday's events.

"I was at the gym." Matt steps closer to the car and rests his arms on the roof. 

"You left earlier just to go to the gym? What kind of gym works this late and especially when half of the city is burning?" You scoff slightly.

"The owner lets me in after the work hours."

"And the phone? We called you like a hundred times. Each."

"I left it at home. Sorry."

"Matt, we've been worried about you." You turn to look at him, noticing that he hasn't shaved in 4 days at least, which made him look more worn out than he probably was. "I drove Elena Cardenas to the hospital."

"What?" He finally turns to your direction, eyebrows knitted. "What happened?"

"The explosions... They hit her apartment. And the one next to her... They said that everyone died there." You take a moment to calm yourself again, "I drove her and Foggy...And Karen to the hospital. She's feeling better today, I think they will send her home soon." You drove here from the hospital, where you took your car and ran by reception to ask about Mrs Cardenas's well-being.

"Foggy?"

"He was hurt a bit but he's alright. They were at Elena's apartment when the explosions happened." You light up a cigarette and blow the first cloud of smoke. "Matt, why didn't you answer me yesterday? I was knocking at your door for at least half an hour."

"I wasn't home yet."

"But then I called you and you answered?"

"I returned."

"Matt, I was outside on this street when I called you." You say in disbelief.

Matt feels his cheeks getting hot when you catch him in his lies, yet he quickly has to think of another. "Maybe we passed each other. And actually I was in the bathroom downstairs. You probably called me when I returned to my flat."

"I don't believe you, you know. I just... Want to find the person that Tully is covering for." You stand up and get in your seat, cigarette rolling between your cherry-colored lips. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah." Matt gets in the car and silently puts a seatbelt on. "You're gonna smoke in the car?"

"Is that a problem?"

"No." Matt thinks for a moment. "Give it to me." 

You hand him the cigarette and turn on the ignition, curiously watching Matt inhale the smoke and rest his head against the window. No visible scratches or wounds, maybe he wasn't lying about being in the gym... "I'm visiting Tully before lunch. Do you want to go with me?" You didn't need Matt to go with you, but somehow felt that he would want to find the person who is responsible for all these deaths and explosions as well. 

He exhales slowly, feeling the nicotine cloud his mind and give his body a brief feeling of relief. "You think that he will tell anything?" Matt turns to the driver's side and inhales your perfume...Mixed with Wesley's. Jealously shoots up and he takes another puff. 

"Probably not. He wasn't very talkative with cops, so he probably won't say much to me either, yet the explosions... Someone will have to confront him about that. And he will have to answer." You start driving slowly, looking around the same street that you were freezing your ass in yesterday. 

"We could get him into the corner, but you know what they say about cornered animals..." Matt finally gives you the remaining half of the cigarette and you find yourself looking at the smoke between your fingers.

"They get the most aggressive." You finish his thought, mentally sighing. This could blow up in your face, especially if you won't find any proof. "Where's that gym of yours?" You suddenly ask, trying to keep the conversation going on a lighter note. You went to bed fuming with anger and worry, but sleep did its job - you were half as angry at Matt than you were yesterday. 

"Uh, couple of blocks away from me."

"So...what do you usually do there?"

Matt breaks into a smile. "I exercise."

"Really? For what?" You ask, turning to look at his stupid grin a couple of times. 

"Just... Overall." He shrugs, soft material of his coat rubs against the leather seat. "Keeping myself in shape, and healthy." 

Now his huge arms made perfect sense. "Let me guess. You do boxing mostly?" 

"Yeah, this included. How'd you know?" 

"Lucky guess." You chuckle, finally pulling in front of the office and turn off the ignition. The car fills with silence and you finish what was left of the cigarette. Matt says nothing, only gets out of the car when you do it, feeling the warm but tight grip of yours on his elbow and takes a moment to slyly slide his fingers on yours when he pulls his glasses out of his pocket. One of the perks of being blind with heightened senses was that he heard you smile after you felt his touch. 

As much as you both secretly wanted to keep walking together like this for the rest of your lives, you finally reached the office door and luckily, it was still empty. "I guess we're a little early." You say, unlocking doors and waiting for Matt to walk, but he waits for you to go in first. "Really?"

"Just go in." He smiles, and steals a chance to put his hand on your back.

"Shit," you look at Karen's desk and remember how yesterday you messed up all the papers, including the ones on your desk. "I'll have to tidy up before Karen comes in."

"What is it?"

"Oh, nothing, just... Made a little mess yesterday."

"I'm sure it's nothing." Matt hangs his coat and makes his way towards the shared office.

"Wait." You stop him in his tracks, confused, "Just let me in, I'll sort my documents."

"Y/n, it's okay." He boldly steps inside, followed by your loud steps, "I can't see it anyway."

"I want to -" you don't finish your sentence when chatter fills the place upon Foggy and Karen's arrival.

"Good morning to whoever made this mess!" Foggy shouts, shuffling for a moment so loud that you don't hear Karen's muttering.

"Look who I finally found." You say when Foggy peeks inside the office, and then watch the men hug.

"Matty, I'm glad you're okay." Foggy lets Matt out of his steel grip, but then looks at him as if he was placed on a display, "are you okay?"

"I'm good, thanks. How are you? I heard you took a blow." Matt asks with concern, genuinely worried about his friend, but he also hears you pulling away into the farthest corner of the office when Karen steps inside and goes right away to hug him. A little too much for your liking. And a little too much for his liking as well...

"You know me, I can take a blow and walk it off." Foggy brags, but you notice him grimacing when he turns his body to the side.

"Matt, me and Foggy, we've been calling you all evening, where the hell where you?" Karen starts questioning Matt, still keeping her hand on his shoulder.

"I left my phone at home and went to the gym near my place, really, there's nothing you should worry about."

"Don't ever do that again, you scared the crap out of us. I don't even remember seeing y/n so stressed. Like ever." Foggy curiously watches your neck turn pinkish color, only because you had put on makeup on today, the blush wasn't visible on your face.

"Oh, really?" Matt smirks now, almost teasingly and you roll your eyes.

"We really need to get going somewhere, just let me tidy up the place." You emerge from the corner you were hiding in and walk past the group into the lobby. "Oh, and Karen, next time don't forget to write the addresses of our clients, in case we need to... Pay them a visit." You shout and quickly start sorting the papers. Foggy keeps his observation to himself, while Matt tries to stop himself from smirking in front of these two chatterboxes before they start suspecting anything.

***  "Good morning, Mr Tully." You fake smile at the middle aged chubby man with huge bags under his eyes when he slightly opens the door of his office.

"Do I know you?" He squints and looks at you, then at the neckline of your white shirt and only then at Matt.

"Oh, sorry, no, me and my..." You look at Matt and smile brightly again, "boyfriend, we would like to rent a place from you in Hell's Kitchen." Matt slightly squeezes your forearm in agreement and nods a couple of times.

"I'm not renting now, sorry folks." Tully goes in for closing the doors but you gently stop them with your hand.

"Oh, please, we just returned from our little trip and we saved some money. Of course, not enough to buy a place, but rent it for perhaps a good year." You continue to lie through your teeth, hoping to fool the idiot in front of you.

For a second you notice how his eyes glinted with greed, and now more relaxed, he leans with one hand on the threshold. "Where you folks were traveling?"

"Oh, just worked in Washington for a couple of months, for some important people," you whisper the last part as if it was a secret and then continue in a normal voice, "but now we are here and we're looking forward to starting a new life in this beautiful city."

Tully almost scoffs upon the last words but then widely opens the doors of his office. "Come in, I believe that I can offer you some good things. Come on, sit down, feel free to go pour some coffee, Miss...?"

"Grace." You answer and sit down on one of the chairs in front of Tully's dark oak table. Matt takes a seat and offers Tully a hand to shake.

"White." Matt also lies about his last name and gets comfortable.

"Ah, young couple looking for their nest. I wish I could go back to the times when me and my Mrs bought a place with our own money." Tully starts daydreaming and you clear your throat.

"Mr Tully, we wanna know what are your cheapest options? We're thinking about a wedding and possibly a baby soon.." You interlock your fingers with Matt's theatrically and he smiles as bright as you, "so we don't want to spend too much money on rent now."

"I understand, of course." He shuffles through a pile of papers, glancing at you from time to time, and then finally acknowledging Matt. "What are the glasses for, lad?"

"Oh, just, style. She told me they looked good on me." Matt turns to look at you and smiles.

"Woman clearly has a good taste if you came here. Okay, folks, right now I have some renovation things going on, so new apartments will probably be ready in couple of years, but don't worry, I have just a perfect place for you, lovebirds." He pushes the pictures of the flat and you notice the address written underneath it - one near Mrs Cardenas's apartment. "All the shops are close, place is... Quiet, of course, now the view might not be the best, but trust the process." He leans back in his chair and it creaks painfully.

"That is such a good place, what do you think, Matt?" You ask, already sure that the man in front of you is not aware of anything around him. "This is right next to Elena Cardenas's apartment, yeah. We could visit her when she returns from the hospital. But wait..." You look at Matt, almost shocked, "her place is wrecked, how can she return, right Mr Tully?" You look at Tully, visibly stressing and staring at the two of you.

"Sorry, I seem to not understand you." He squeezes out, with great struggle.

You blink slowly, taking your time. "Mr Tully, who will build new apartments in that record time?"

"What?"

"Who told you to kick those poor old people out? Have you even visited any of them?" 

"Mr Tully, how can you so easily rent out places when we both know that they're left in ruins?" Matt adds, intimidatingly leaning forward.

"Who are you?"

"We're Mrs Cardenas's lawyers." Matt says with a serious expression, already missing the feeling of your fingers resting between his. "Did you visit her? Did you apologize? Did you beg her not to file a lawsuit against you and whoever's ass you're kissing right now?"

"Matt, that's a little harsh. He's just a victim here. Who will get a nice sum from the dead people of Hell's Kitchen. How much are they paying for your services of the grim reaper?" You continue, slowly stroking your chin in thought. 

Tully finally starts understanding what was really happening and his eyes become wider with every second. "You're her lawyers?"

"Nelson and Murdock, Mr Tully." You extend your hand on purpose, watching his reaction, when he says nothing, you continue, "y/n y/l/n, associate in Mrs Cardenas's case against you."

He looks at you with visible disgust but doesn't touch your hand. "A case already? First, I can't get rid of those goddamn cops lurking around and questioning me on every chance they get and now you vampires?" He scoffs to himself now, "you're those lawyers that poor Cardenas ran to, right? What did you prove here?" He motions to the documents of the flat lying in front of you.

"That you're a liar. We can sue you for providing false information of the real estate that you control to your clients. I mean, one day after those explosions, which I would call, intentional, and you're already renting out places like it's a Monopoly game?"

"Intentional? You're accusing me now, Miss whatever even your name was?" He stands up abruptly and slams his hands on the table, and you slightly jump in your seat. Matt gets alarmed immediately but keeps calm just as he promised.

"It's y/l/n, and you better remember it because you're gonna hear it a lot in the courtroom." You rise from your seat too, not afraid to look him in the eyes.

"You have no proof, I do everything by rules, you can't do anything about our business!"

"Oh, Mr Tully, our proof is a living person, fallen under your greedy fist."

"You know nothing, you bloodsuckers." He turns to look at you, sweat already running down his forehead, "you think you can come here to my office and fool me? You think you know how business is done? You shouldn't even be here. Women belong in kitchens, not the fucking courtrooms where they continue talking the same shit that they talk at home!" Tully shouts so loud that a vein on his neck pops out visibly.

Anger rises in your veins and you feel your lips twitching between a menacing grin and an angered grimace. Matt stands up as well, ready to defend you at any moment, but keeping his promise. "If men like you and whoever you..r owner is ruled the world, it would already be destroyed. Get ready to pay for Mrs Cardenas and all the others who are in hospital. See you in court, Mr Tully." You stand up and calmly walk out of the office, holding Matt's elbow in a steel grip. Just as you close the doors, you hear crashing. "He smashed that white vase from his table." You state to Matt, who stops you at the end of the staircase.

"That was so crazy. Stupid."

"But it worked." You smile triumphantly, "'our business'? He's clearly just a puppet." 

"Yeah, but was that," Matt slighly shakes his hands in the air, "really necesary?" 

"If I came here as a lawyer, I wouldn't have made it past the front door." You chuckle, but there still lies uneasiness on your heart. 

"See you in court? Elena hasn't made up her mind about the lawsuit." 

"Well, I just love saying that, okay? Let me enjoy the moment before I get kicked back into the kitchen." You turn that to a joke, yet Matt knows that there's something lying underneath it.

"Hey, that was so unnecessay. I would've loved kicking his ass." Matt still argues, not letting your elbow out of his grip for one second, before you cross the street and get in your car again.

"I can already do this by myself, but thanks for the heads up, Murdock." You close the doors and grab the lighter from the dashboard.

"What do you mean by 'already'?" Matt gets comfortable in the seat and turns his whole body towards you.

"I mean that as a woman, you can either be controlled by men your whole life and be dependent from them and their mercy or you can finally stand up for yourself and get out of that stereotypical kitchen that they want to keep us in and kick their asses." You light up the cigarette and exhale loudly, resting your head on the headrest, facing Matt. "I doubt that you'd understand exactly what I mean but.. Yeah."

"Has this happened before?" Matt asks, sour expression on his face.

"More than you could imagine. Of course this became a rare occasion when I got my law degree, but..." You fall silent, not ready to talk about your life before college.

"But what?"

"Nothing. Just forget about it."

"y/n..."

"No, really. We have to focus on Elena now. You ready to visit her? My Spanish knowledge is very limited."

Matt nods and turns away from you, while you drive to the hospital, saving half of your cigarette for later.

*** 

"What did she tell you when I was out to get coffee?" You ask Matt while you two stand in front of the elevator, waiting with two other doctors for it to arrive. 

He smiles before answering, "oh, I don't really remember."

"Don't think I'm an idiot, you were smirking exactly like this before."

"Okay, okay, she said that you're a very beautiful young woman." He falls silent for a moment, then continues, "and that I'm a very handsome man and..."

"And what?" You get into the elevator and stand with Matt in the farthest corner, now whispering.

"And that we look like we suit each other." He finishes, face almost red because he knows that all the doctors inside the elevator heard it. He didn't plan on telling you any of this, but knew that eventually you'd ask Elena yourself which would make this even more awkward.

"Oh." You manage to say and get embarassed as well.

Ride back to the office is silent and you turn on the radio, which plays the last decade hits and try not to think too much of Mrs Cardenas's words. You find Foggy and Karen sitting in the lobby, sipping on coffee and you notice the newspaper's headline - "The Devil of Hell's Kitchen".

"Hey, where'd you get that?" You ask, hanging your coat and taking your briefcase towards Karen's desk.

"This? Karen found one somewhere."

"I stopped by the stands on our way back but they were all sold out. Anything good?"

Foggy briefly shows you the first pate with a blurry photo of the devil of Hell's Kitchen and chuckles, "Devil, my shapely Irish ass. Guy's a coward. What I wouldn't give for the chance to rip that corny mask off and..."

"And what?" Karen puts her cup down and steals a glance at Matt still stuck by the hanger.

"Punch him in the face with my fisticuffs." Foggy imitates a boxer and almost drops the newspaper on the ground.

"I don't know, he seems, uh pretty fisticuffy." Karen sighs and you slightly squint at her.

"Please tell me I don't detect a hint of admiration for that terrorist."

"This is just all speculation. Nobody knows if he's a terrorist or what." Karen tries to fight Foggy's words but the pink cheeks give her away easily.

"You're absolutely right. Terrorists have causes. They claim responsibility. Al-Qaeda wanted the world to know exactly what kind of assholes they were. This guy? Not a peep. All terror without the "-ist. " You know what they call that? Nut job."

You chuckle a bit and slump in the chair, curiously watching Matt get behind Karen near the window.

"Hmm, maybe." Karen hums and Foggy groans loudly, then winces, "How's your side?"

"Downgraded to agony." Foggy drops the paper on the table and closes his eyes for a second.

"All right, what do you think, Matt? Y/n?" Karen looks for help but the look on your face tells her more than enough.

"I think Foggy'll be pitching for the Mets by mid-season." Matt jokes, trying to lift up the spirits in the office.

"I'm being serious." Karen turns to face him, blonde hair falling on her shoulders and you don't see the expression on her face.

Matt chuckles, setting his tie loose. "So am I. Have you seen their bullpen?"

"Come on, you telling me this dickhead blowing up our backyard doesn't piss you off?" Foggy returns to the debate, already feeling better than he was before.

"What happened to Hell's Kitchen, to you and to Elena, and to all the people that were hurt yeah, it pisses me off. But this man, whoever he is, whatever his motive, he shouldn't be tried and convicted in the press. We're lawyers, we know that's not how it's supposed to work." Matt says and you look at him almost stunned.

"I'm sorry," you finally get into the talk, crossing your legs on the chair, "this guy breaks into a law firm and then gets into a fight with Benowitz, only for me to almost get killed and you're saying that press is wrong for portraying him as a vigilante that he is?"

Matt bites his tongue. "Well, was he there to kill you?"

"I don't know, didn't really have time to ask a guy in a mask what he was doing in a law firm after work hours." You scoff loudly, shooting lightnings with your eyes at Matt.

Karen waits for Matt to say something back but as he continues to be silent, she asks her questions, "So, uh, hypothetically, if this guy got caught needed counsel, Nelson and Murdock would offer to defend him?"

"Hell no." Foggy is the first one to express his opinion.

"I'd rather see him rot in a jail cell." You say at the same time as Matt says, "It would be his right."

Foggy continues to side with you, "What about my right to punch him in the melon? They pulled a piece of glass out of my side. Elena needed 12 stitches and she's still recovering in the hospital. And you want to Perry Mason the guy responsible?"

Matt puts his hands on his sides, "I wanna make sure the right person pays for what happened."

"The whole thing's moot. After shooting those cops, police are probably looking to settle things the old-fashioned way if they catch up to him." Foggy states.

"Yeah, it's more than likely." Matt sighs under his breath and you close your eyes as they begin to sting from the dryness.

"Just a thought, but we may wanna go a bit peppier at the end of the day." Karen chuckles, "Leave on a note slightly higher than deeply depressing."

"She's right. You're bringing us down, Murdock." You bite, watching Matt's expression change to a happier one.

"Me?" He laughs lightly, eyebrows raised above the glasses. 

Foggy returns with a baseball bat and starts swinging at the imaginary ball. "High note! Softball!"

"I'm not even gonna ask why you have this in your office." You chuckle lowly.

"When are we getting a company team together?"

"We have four employees." Karen states the obvious and you all break into smiles.

"At least three of them aren't blind." Matt laughs, "If Miss y/l/n wouldn't mind, we could go 2v2."

"Oh, you mean, I would be carrying the whole team on my shoulders?" You roll your eyes playfully and Foggy nudges Karen.

"Karen, come on. Batting practice, you and me, Chelsea Piers. What do you say? We can beat them."

"Um, I..." Karen stumbles with words, something totally different on her mind.

"Or not. Totally cool." Foggy assures her and swings the bat one more time.

"No, no, I would, I would. It's just that I, um I have this, uh, thing." Karen smiles awkwardly, looking between you and Foggy.

"Go, do that thing. Not a problem." Foggy urges her and you put your head on your arm for extra support and secretly watch Matt with half closed eyes.

"Okay, so, um see you tomorrow." Karen quickly grabs her purse and hurries out, coat in her hands.

"We'll be here, ready to high note and stuff." Foggy shouts after her, but no one responds.

"Smooth." Matt comments on Foggy's swing and imitating sound of a flying ball.

"Admittedly, I'm a work in progress. Did you know she has mace on her keychain?" Foggy comments, then turns to look at you, "Do you have one?" 

"No, I have my fisticuffs ready at all times." You pull your hands into fists and imitate punching someone in the stomach. Matt breaks into a laughter and Foggy looks quite disappointed about the teamup against him.

"Is that a bad thing? Should we buy one for y/n too?" 

"You ever worry about her? Worry, like, something she's not telling us?" Foggy starts throwing the ball at a wall in front of you, catching it mid-air.

"Everyone has secrets, Foggy." Matt clears his throat and takes a seat that was previously occupied by Karen. "Y/n?"

"What?" You open your eyes and then remember Matt's question, "No, I don't need a mace. Worst case scenario, I can pull out a lug wrench from my car." You answer almost sleepily.

"Right, I forgot that you father was a cop, you'd get out of any situation easily." Foggy says, then turns to Matt, "I don't have secrets. I'd like some. Your kind like with Hottie McBurner-Phone. I mean, I assume she's hot. Is she hot?"

"Oh... How would I know?" Matt groans, and you feel more awake than you were this whole day. A burner phone? What is he hiding?

"This again. You always know. I mean, you guys getting serious? Should I dust off the tux I'll need to rent?"

Matt laughs, feeling your eyes burn holes in his head,  "No, uh it didn't work out."

"Oh. I'm... I'm sorry, man." Foggy catches the ball one last time and turns back to look at Matt.

"Yeah, me too." Matt mutters with zero regret in his voice, "Hey, look, I'm gonna order in tonight, get a jump on this tenement case."

"You want me to stay?" Foggy asks, disappearing in his office again.

"No, I'll be all right. Thanks, buddy." Matt says loudly.

"It's okay. I can stay a bit longer." You suggest.

"Okay. See you in the morning, guys. Hey, Matt... her loss, man. Seriously." Foggy also grabs his coat and closes the door.

Matt sighs loudly, still feeling your eyes on him. "You should go home too."

"Who's gonna drive you home then?" You ask, watching how Matt goes around the table and stops in front of the shared office, right next to where you were sitting.

"I'll call a cab. Just wanted to look over something in Elena's case." 

"She's still deciding about the lawsuit, Matt, there's nothing we can look into right now." You look at him standing tall on your left, and he gently puts a hand on your shoulder, squeezing it affectionately. The warmth from his heavy hand makes you shiver and you silently inhale deeply.

"I just want to be prepared in case she will file the lawsuit. Seriously, go home." Matt smiles, feeling the goosebumps under the material of your blouse.

"Just don't stay up too late, we need fresh minds for tomorrow." You stand up and Matt's hand falls from your shoulder, accidentally brushing on your bra. You say nothing, but this little incident will surely stay on your mind this whole evening.

"Goodnight, y/n." Matt says as you go past him to put on your coat.

"Yeah, night, Matt." You say and clear your throat along the way, before disappearing into the dark corridor of the building. 

Matt smiles to himself and goes to sit in his chair, taking a sheet printed with Braille, skillfully brushing his fingers on it - Owlsley, Leland: Financial Advisor at the prestigious firm of Silver & Brent.

*** 

You spend the evening with Wesley, watching the crappy game shows on TV on your sofa. Both of you were focused on the screen, these kind of shows knew how to keep your eyes fixated on them. James has been slowly but rhythmically rubbing your shoulders, yet his touch couldn't compare to Matt's. Just as you started to drift away into the slumber, Wesley's phone rang beside him.

"Yes?" He says in a hushed tone, glancing at you, still asleep, or so he thought. "What? When?" You wish you could her what was being say on the other side of the phone, but the next words make your heart drop. "The mask? Fucking idiot." Wesley ends the call abruptly but doesn't leave - just bents down to place a kiss on your temple and continues to rub your bare shoulders.

***

Leland Owsley gets inside his expensive car, arguing with someone on the phone. "The funds have been reallocated as requested. All the arrangements made per your agreement with the guy we're not supposed to blah blah blah. Business may continue?"

Matt lurks in the shadows and between the pillars of the parking lot, getting closer and closer to Owsley's car.

"The numbers are like tea leaves. Nobody reads them like I can. You're laying out major reserves to clear the docks to make sure the police don't come within 10 blocks." Owsley listens to the man on the phone, then clears his throat, "Yeah. What happened to the Russians We need to be careful, all of us. I look out for you, you look out for me. All I'm saying. Each man must stand for himself or fall with the unworthy." He argues more then puts down his phone. "Prick."

Suddenly, car door rips open with strength and Owsley almost lets out a shriek, seeing the man in the mask, "Oh, God! What do you want? My wallet?"

"You know what I want. Tell me about the man you work for." Matt pulls Owsley out of his car with little force.

The man exhales as if he was running, "I work for Silver & Brent."

"I'm gonna ask you again.Think about your answer. Who do you work for?" Matt's rough voice slightly disturbs Leland.

"I told you, I work for Silver and..."

"You work for Wilson Fisk moving his money around. Which means you have records, proof of who..." Matt doesn't finish his sentence as he gets distracted by the distant tapping of the cane and Owsley sees a chance to tase Matt right into the chest and he falls flat on the ground.

"Asshole." Owsley scoffs and quickly drives away, leaving Matt rolling on the ground like a dying worm.

The cane tapping gets closer and closer, before it slightly hits Matt in the leg, "You just gonna lie there all night?"

Matt groans through gritted teeth and mutters, "Stick."

[l3m0ncyan]

New at Life | Chapter 4

Steven Grant/Marc Spector x latina!teen!reader

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Warning: Symptoms of anxiety/panic attack, being choked

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In a rush, Y/N ascended the stairs of the museum and swiftly approached JB, who was predictably leaning in his chair, engrossed in his phone. When wasn't he?

Spotting Y/N, JB put on a sly smile, ready to provoke her. "Well, if it isn't the little gremlin."

She rolled her eyes, cutting straight to the point. "Did you see Steven come in?"

JB tapped his finger on his lips, feigning deep thought, but eventually shrugged. "I don't see him with you."

Y/N let out an exasperated sigh, her nose scrunching slightly. "Oh, well, would you look at that? He isn't standing right beside me? How foolish of me," she mocked with a British accent. "Do you honestly believe I would waste my breath talking to you if I had walked in with him?"

JB practically shrank in his chair under the force of Y/N's newfound energy. "No, miss. I didn't see him come in."

Huffing in frustration, Y/N turned away and made her way to the locker room before heading back to the gift shop. That day, she didn't observe the customers browsing like she usually did; instead, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Steven's whereabouts.

If he were traveling somewhere, he would have told her. However, she had to face the reality that she was just a simple neighbor who happened to work with him. It stung a little, but it was true. Thinking further, back in California, her neighbors felt like family, always informing one another about their plans. But this was England, and things might be different.

"Where's the other worker?" a man interrupted her thoughts, already placing a few items on the counter as he waited for assistance.

Momentarily confused by his question, the man noticed her reaction and clarified, "Oh, sorry if I sounded creepy. I just always see him working here."

Y/N offered a reassuring smile. "That's alright. He's probably called in sick or something. Will this be all for you today?"

The man hummed, contemplating for a moment. "Actually, can I just get this one?" he pointed to a ceramic figure depicting a half-crocodile, half-woman creature, likely an ancient Egyptian goddess. Steven would have known and likely kept the man here longer while he explained her origins.

"Sure, no problem," Y/N responded, canceling the other items and proceeding to provide him with the total. He nodded, paying in cash, and thanked her before reaching for his belongings.

As the man retrieved his items, Y/N noticed a similar tattoo on his forearm. She furrowed her brow, connecting the tattoo to the cashier she had seen in the restaurant about a month ago.

In an instant, she looked up and caught the man's smiling face. His small eyes, consumed by his wide grin, sent a shiver down her spine. It was a haunting sight that simultaneously chilled and warmed her blood.

By the time Y/N snapped out of her trance, the man had vanished. She took deep breaths, attempting to steady her racing heart. Were they following her? Who were they? And why had he been looking for Steven?

Once she reached a calm state, she rolled her shoulders back, as if trying to shake off the remnants of a panic attack. As if having a panic attack wasn’t enough, Donna approached her with a loud exclamation. "Where the bloody hell is Steven?"

Y/N sighed, feeling exhausted and wanting nothing more than to go home early. Frustrated, she replied, "I don't know."

Donna's brows furrowed. "How do you not know? He's your cousin."

Y/N shrugged wearily, locking eyes with Donna. Exhausted and longing to go home early, she mustered a response. “Well that is stupendous,” Donna crossed her arms, “It looks like you’ll be working overtime.”

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Why?"

Donna maintained her stern posture. "It's too late to call in other people, and besides, you're his cousin and you’ll get hours in." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Y/N groaning and throwing her head back in frustration. "Damn it, Steven."

——

After a long day at work, Y/N finally had the chance to head home. Luckily, she found an empty seat on the bus where she could rest her tired legs. Looking out the window, she saw the dark streets of London. Usually she rode the bus with a conversation between her and Steven, but he obviously wasn’t here. She checked her phone to see if he sent her a text or tried calling her, but she had no new notifications from him. She sighed and used this time to break the silence, putting in her earbuds and pressed play on her playlist.

Once she arrived to the bus stop, she hopped out and approached the apartment building. A few of the sellers who would put their stand infront of the entrance were packing up for the day as she weaved through the small group.

She entered the building, the man from when she first got to London gave her a wave, “Hello Ms.L/N, how has your first month been?”.

“It’s been good, aside from dealing with work,” she offered a quick smile. The man nodded, ���Where is the man you usually walk in with? Sebastian? Stephen?”

“Steven,” she clarified, “and he stayed in sick today,”. The man didn’t say anything and only nodded, waving off to Y/N. She gave him a quick nod and walked into the elevator.

Y/N turned to one of the mirrors in the elevator and looked at her reflection. Her hair and clothes were disheveled from working twice as hard for todays shift. The lines of her eyes were exhausted and her mouth was slightly downturned. Her posture was almost similar to Steven’s. Aside from her appearance, she felt tired and only wanted seclude herself in her apartment. She felt pathetic.

Like always, the lights in the elevator began to flicker which she was already used to. They continued to flicker until the elevator chimed and its doors opened, leading her out to the hallway.

She sat her belongings down once she opened her door, taking a moment to look around. Her first paycheck was not a lot but she was able to buy a few essentials. She finally bought a mattress which was used but she couldn’t care less. Steven helped her take it up to the apartment where she left it on the right corner floor of her flat. It wasn’t much but her back still thanked her for the comforting surface. A few rugs were also donated by Steven including a few egyptian paintings and posters, scattered around the studio. It made the place come together and feel more like home.

Kicking off her shoes, she walked to her bed and fell on it. She closed her eyes for a second before looking up at the ceiling. Her mind was still consumed by the thoughts of the man and the cashier, the ones with the tattoos. It was odd that she met one in the beginning of the month and the other when Steven turned up missing.

Then the unsettling idea crept into her mind. What if Steven was gone because of them? The thought made her stomach churn, not wanting to know what they could have done to him. It was inevitable still, her mind showing her disturbing images of Steven tied up to a chair or in a dark basement. She closed her eyes, attempting to push away such a grim outcome. Maybe she relied on Steven too much, and that's why she was so worried.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, which thankfully distracted her. Glancing at the lock screen, she saw a message from her brother, asking how things were going in London. She replied and after asking how they were, he suggested a phone call. She hesitated, knowing he would likely pick up on any hint of distress in her voice. But if she didn't call, it would be more of the same.

She dialed his number, and he answered promptly. "So, how is it living in an apartment?" he asked.

"Kinda sucks. Not much privacy and the lights flicker so often," she replied.

"You might have gotten a haunted place then," her brother teased.

Y/N chuckled, offering a witty retort as she got up and retrieved the lunch she had made for Steven from her bag. Her brother continued the conversation as she heated up her dinner. Eventually, she thought if whether to mention her new friend, the 30-year-old friend who lived across the hall but decided against it.

She focused on sharing her experiences of her first week working at the museum and exploring the city. The phone call carried on for another ten minutes before her brother bid her farewell and they hung up.

——— Deciding to the use the weekend to be productive, Y/N used her time to run errands. A few consisted getting more things for the apartment and get fresh air, especially with encountering the people with matching tattoos. She grabbed her tote bag and apartment keys, and stepped out of the door. As she glanced at Steven's door, she noticed the golden number drilled onto it.

Maybe he was inside, sleeping in today. He probably came back from whatever he was doing yesterday. Yet for some reason her hand began knocking on his door on its own. She half-expected the door to swing open and he would be there in his sweats and t-shirt, groggy from being waken up. Realizing he never told her about his absence and apologizing or becoming frazzled for missing his date with Dylan the tour guide. Something, anything.

But there was nothing.

She sighed, not wanting to waste her time knocking again, she continued on to the elevator.

-

She used the bus as her main way to get around and traveled to a thrift store that she had visited a while ago when she was searching for items for the apartment. It was small, but it had many worthy things for a fair price in her budget. She searched the aisles for any clothing items and decorations to add to her studio. As she browsed, her eyes landed on a small bronze jar adorned with Egyptian hieroglyphs. Her eyes glazed over it and she thought about how Steven would love it.

As a sign to buy it, the lights began to flicker in the store, oddly it was only in her area, everyone else didn’t notice. “Weird, does every building in England have this problem?” she mumbled to herself, putting the item into the small basket she had. It sort of freaked her out but she didn't mind and took her things to the register.

Walking down the street, she noticed that the day was gradually becoming grayer. Puzzled, she looked up and saw dark clouds blanketing the London sky, casting a gloomy atmosphere. Soon enough, small raindrops began to fall, growing in intensity with each passing moment until it was pouring.

“Shit.” she cursed and quickly grabbed her bag, putting it on top of her head. She hurriedly made her way to the bus stop, where the bus was just about to finish loading passengers. Thankfully, she managed to board before the doors closed. Securing a window seat, she gazed outside as the rain painted the streets in a glistening sheen.

Looking around the bus, she noticed how everyone had an umbrella, feeling like an outcast.

When the bus reached her stop, she continued to shield herself with her bag while others used umbrellas. She power-walked towards her apartment, which unfortunately was just a block away. The cold air wrapped around her, and the rain pelted against her face, urging her to pick up her pace. The once-dry tote bag became soaked, and soon enough, she was no longer dry herself. Finally turning the corner, she caught sight of the building and dashed towards the entrance.

She entered her apartment and placed her belongings on the table, relieved to find that her phone hadn't gotten wet. Making her way to the stack of clothes near her bed, she grabbed a cozy oversized t-shirt and sweatpants before taking a long, hot shower.

Sitting on her mattress while she dried her hair, she checked the weather on her phone. The rain was expected to stop by seven in the evening. Suddenly a notification slid down from the top of her phone screen with a light ‘ding’. Expecting it to be from her brother, her eyes widened slightly once she read the name. It was from Steven.

She tapped the message quickly and read the message.

Hey Y/N, sorry I ghosted you for the past two days, fault on my part. I had an emergency with my mum but it is all well. See you soon :)

Y/N stared at the message and she felt herself become relieved. Her theory about the tattooed people and Steven were wrong, thankfully. She wrote back a quick message saying it was no problem, to which she was left delivered. Still it was better to know what happened than not knowing.

Her stomach growled, cutting her train of thought. She got up from the mattress and walked to the fridge to see if there was anything eat. Unfortunately, you were only met with a jug of milk and disappointment. “How am I out?” she scrunched her face, confused.

She made her way to the large window and noticed that the rain ceased. It was still cloudy and chilly, but the sweater she had on would work. Y/N checked the next bus that would make its way to the stop and realized she would be home late if she took it. Thus leading her to walk to the market instead. Thankfully it was only about a block away.

The walk was pleasant, keeping her mind at ease. Especially with the scent of petrichor, a refreshing reminder of how it rained an hour ago. She looked up and noticed that the sun would begin its descent within an hour, or perhaps even less. Increasing her pace, she soon arrived at the small market.

It was an inviting building adorned with plants, and a neon sign saying it was open. Stepping inside, she saw aisles stretching toward the back, and at the front, a stand showcased a vibrant array of fruits and vegetables. Retrieving her shopping list, she set about collecting the items she needed.

There were several people in the store, but they came and went quickly. Most likely they were just there for a quick errand. As Y/N browsed through the aisles, she overheard a conversation between two older women. One of them asked, "Did you hear what happened in Switzerland?" and the other replied, "No, what happened?"

"Well, supposedly there are some suspicious things going on over there. They found a man badly beaten on the side of the street," the first woman explained.

Y/N raised an eyebrow. What was so strange about that? Maybe it wasn’t a normal thing to be heard of around the city, but it wouldn’t be much of her worries. As she reached for a box of cereal, she caught snippets of their conversation as they walked away.

"They say he was part of a big cult. He had a tattoo of a scale," one of the women mentioned.

All the energy seemed to drain from Y/N's fingertips, causing her to lose her grip on the box, which dropped to the floor. The women stared at her, and Y/N quickly smiled and picked it up. She clutched her chest, her breathing growing rapid. She took small breaths to calm herself, it felt like her throat was closing in.

It was, or rather is, a cult that has been following her and Steven. Why? What did she do? Her paranoia got the better of her, she looked around immediately, wondering if a member was in the same market as her. Deciding to wrap up her grocery shopping and only grab the essentials, she headed to the checkout counter.

On her walk back home, she looked down, lost in thought. Although she had managed to regain her composure, the idea of a cult following her was unsettling and not something she wanted to entertain.

Y/N stepped outside, the dark streets greeted her, illuminated only by the streetlights and passing car headlights. With a block of walking ahead, she initially decided to listen to music through her earbuds to pass the time. However, she quickly removed them, realizing that it might make her more vulnerable to a potential attack by a cult member. Now, she was left with the sounds of passing cars and the squelching of her wet footsteps.

There weren’t many out, which made her anxious. She held her phone close to her body in case any attacker would try to give her a hard time. As if her anxiety couldn’t get worse, in the distance was a man stumbling ahead of her. He seemed injured, clutching his ribs as if he had been in a fight. He eventually veered into an alley.

"Don't think about it," Y/N muttered to herself, trying to suppress her curiosity. She kept her gaze fixed on the concrete, but her eyes involuntarily wandered towards the approaching alley. She shook her head, yelling at herself to not let her curiosity get the better of her.

She wanted to punch herself. She peeked into the alley, without stepping further in, in case it was a trap or something dangerous. "This is how people get kidnapped," she scolded herself, yet her feet carried her closer to the end of the alley. The man she saw leaned against a wall, light groans being heard until they were interrupted by vomit.

Y/N breathed in, trying to gather any bravery she had left. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked him calmly, doing her best to steady her voice and conceal any fear.

The man jerked his head up, searching for the source of the voice. His eyes widened a little, but he winced in pain, shutting his eyes and clutching his chest.

She took in the man’s features, noting his pale face and clothes that seemed too large for him, as if he had borrowed them. The dim lighting in the alley made it difficult to tell his facial features, but she could see that he had shaggy hair. Alone from his appearance, he looked like he was in his mid-twenties.

The man collapsed to his knees, supporting himself with only one arm. "I don't know what's happening to me. It hurts!"

Y/N remained frozen for a moment before retrieving her phone. "I'll call an ambulance for you, okay? Just stay right there," she gestured for him to remain where he was.

This seemed to freak the man out, his head looking back at her with wide eyes, “No! You can’t, i’ll only hurt more people.” He whimpered before he broke into sobs.

His outburst startled Y/N, making her step back, feeling all the courage she had left vanish. Fear and confusion washed over her, making her heart race. She wanted to run straight to her place but she knew she would feel guilty. “Okay, well you’re going to have to work with me. The ambulance or the police might be the only–”.

"Shut up!" The man's voice changed, becoming deeper, as if there were two voices overlapping. Alongside his voice, she noticed black veins creeping out from the collar of his shirt, snaking up towards his chin.

Y/N recoiled at the sudden action, immediately closing her mouth and retreating further. She clutched her phone, her other hand forming a fist. The man retreated into the darkness of the alley, disappearing from her sight. Silence filled the air, thick with tension. She wanted to run but she was afraid to turn her back to the dangerous man.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of cracking coming from the end of the alley. Summoning her remaining courage, she quickly retrieved her phone and turn on the built in flashlight.

Without warning, she heard rapid footsteps approaching, and the man's figure emerged charging towards her. She had barely any time to process the situation before he pounced on her, knocking her to the ground. Her phone skidded away, and her groceries spilled from her bag, scattering across the ground. The impact left her winded, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared up at the man towering over her.

The man tightened his grip around Y/N's neck, cutting off her breath and leaving her gasping for air. She desperately clawed at his hands, trying to trying to free herself but he was too strong. Her arms felt weak, and she scanned her surroundings for something, anything, that could help her. For a moment she thought she saw black goo covering his arms, moving towards her. The side of her neck felt a rush of cold and chills ran down her spine.

Suddenly, the black slime evaporated into her skin, leaving the man weak. It was her opportunity. Summoning all her strength, Y/N used her legs to kick him off her. He fell to the ground, motionless. Gasping for air, she propped herself up, touching her neck where his hands had made contact. She looked over at the man and saw that he remained still.

With shaky legs and a hot sensation coursing through her body, Y/N stood up. She quickly gathered her belongings, shining her phone's light on the man. His mouth was slightly open, and his eyes stared wide open. She looked at his chest to see for any signs of breathing, but it remained still.

"Oh my god…" she stumbled back, the realization sinking in that the man was no longer alive. It wasn't like the movies she had watched; this was real. There was a dead person right in front of her.

Clutching her groceries and phone tightly, Y/N cast one final glance at the lifeless man before breaking into a sprint, racing out of the alley. The deserted streets allowed her to run straight back to her apartment without encountering anyone.

Her quick, wet footsteps and panting echoed in her ears as she made her way home. She no longer cared if she was being followed by a cult member, all she wanted was to lay down on her bed. To wrap herself with her blanket and cry until she fell asleep.

Upon buzzing herself into the building, the older building owner noticed her distressed state as she hurried towards the elevators. "Hey, are you feeling alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

"All good," she replied, giving a hurried thumbs-up before stepping into the elevator as the doors opened.

Once she reached her floor, Y/N hastened to her door, her trembling hands struggling to find the keyhole. After what felt like an eternity, she finally heard the satisfying click of the lock.

She entered her flat, placing the groceries on the dining table without bothering to change out of her clothes. Exhausted, she made a beeline for her mattress. Despite the soreness in her body, she felt relief as she settled into her bed. Pulling the covers over herself, she squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to push the events out of her mind. It was something to worry about in the morning.

Still, it was difficult to not imagine the haunting empty eyes of the man.

—————————

Sorry it was short, the next chapters I will try to make them longer :)

Anyways hope you enjoyed

Also if you want to be tagged for future updates, just let me know 🤙

Edit: fixed the chapter from all the cringy dialogue, sorry about that

Tags:

@itsjusspele

[moxfirefly]

4: I think the condom just broke with pregnancy and the parent fluff cause I'm in a mood with whichever turtles you want cause I know you probably dint wanna write fluff from a smut prompt

Dude pls fluff and smut together?! One of my fave things!

So disclaimer: I know lots of people aren’t for the whole human/creature pregnancy shizz so if it ain’t your cup of tea it’s gucci. I usually go for the it’s ‘not biologically possible’ but for the sake of this we are straying from that 👌

TW: Pregnancy scare/Pregnancy

Rated Mature (18+ only)

You felt it the instant it happened, hell even Raph did too. Something wasn’t exactly a hundred percent, because Raph had sped up when he felt how even better all of a sudden it go and you felt so full and warm too.

Full and warm and sticky...

Raph thrusted his release into you, overrun by instincts and desire and how impossibly good you were squeezing him. Legs raised over his shoulders, hands dug into his strong thighs for support, your orgasm knocked any possible coherent thought from your brain.

It was then in that post orgasm state of mind, where your limbs feel like gummy worms and you’re so warm on the inside, when you here the quietest ‘oh shit’ you’ve ever heard. You’re so out of it but you register his worried expression and that the moment he pulls out, there’s a gush of something warm seeping out.

Well that shouldn’t be the case since he was wearing...

You went wide eyed.

So did he.

“I... I think the condom just broke” Raphael’s voice was almost a whisper as he kept staring at where your bodies had been joined not even seconds ago.

“You’ve got to be kidding me” You sorely got your legs off of his shoulders and looked down at yourself. Sure enough the evidence was there, as well as the ripped condom he had just taken off. How? You’d used those dozens of times before, they were strong enough for his girth and strength.

On wobbly legs you got up and went straight to your bathroom, maybe it wasn’t much, maybe something could be done. Sitting there on the toilet, your brain became a reel of ideas and things to be or could be done. A oneshot surely won’t be the cause of you and Raph’s start into parenthood, maybe you could get some Plan B?

In your concentrations, Raph had quietly made his way to the bathroom. He seemed to have been running his own reel of thoughts.

“Babe-“ He started softly.

“I can barely take care of a house plant” You were in a trance.

“Hey-“

“That fake egg baby project in school? My mom cooked it on accident the next morning” You ran your hands over your face in frustration.

“Y/n hey-“

“I once dropped my phone on my friends baby while taking a picture, Raph I can’t do this” You covered your face, all those nice chemicals from before suddenly out of your system. Raphael shushed you as he took a knee in front of you. He grabbed your hands and pulled them away.

“Listen, do ya know how many fouls I committed with Mikey? I lost that little shit at least three times a week when we were growing up” He smiled when you huffed a laugh. “I hosed him down one time when he crapped his pants when he was five, ya don’t get it right the first time but it’s practice and I got real good at it” He pushed your disheveled locks out of the way.

“If this... um takes? I’m up for it. Yer not gonna do it alone”

And he didn’t lie because Raph never lied with you. He was on board, he was even excited about the concept and as time progressed so were you.

Even when you missed your period. Even when the random bouts of morning sickness hit. Even when you bought the tests and they came out positive.

Adjusting would be hard, but doable when you had a devoted father to be and a team of excited uncles to be.

And aunt to be April was there every step of the way.

It all feels surreal when weeks turn into months and it seems so far away when you were back in that bathroom with Raph holding your hands. In there here and now, you’re marveling at the tiny little thing you both brought into this world, so unique and different and beautiful.

And Raph wasn’t quitting, he’s there and he’s at times the actual Super Dad everyone joked he would be. How many times you found him, awake in three hours sleep, rocking and humming that little baby so you could get a few hours sleep. Watching him have full conversations, making inquires as if that kid could already speak full sentences and yeah you wanna pout when the baby’s first words are in fact ‘dada’ but he’s earned it and it’s so worth seeing him tear up and point enthusiastically at you so you watch.

So it’s no surprise to you when baby number two rolls by and the saying is true, you unlock veteran mode and handle that way more gracefully and with way less hiccups. Even Raph has gotten better at the discipline (even if you catch him caving when the kids turn on the water works).

Yes the bed is impossible now with all four of you piled in, yes having alone time is none existent (even if you two quickly found the gift of having the uncles babysit) but it’s worth it, it’s worth the joy and happiness.

By kid three (which you deem the final trilogy) it’s just as surreal, just as stressful and just as lovely.

And he’s there every damn step of the way.

[narrans]

Wizard of the Wood | 5 | Quiet and Contributions

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

4

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

Late couldn’t describe the hour. The sun’s light was in that peculiar place in the sky where it seemed endless, yet ready to set at the same time. One shadow could tip the balance and draw the curtain of stars across the sky.

It was here in the tease of twilight where Essie finally dismissed Rylir from his studies. They had been studying herbs and plants for many hours, finding the best ways for Rylir to retain the information and the uses for the different plants Essie had collected. The miniature man sat on Essie’s desk, drilling the herbs over and over until he had a better handle on the information.

Feeling mentally spent, Rylir was relieved when Essie said they would resume studies later. He sighed and leaned back against the desk, letting his spine relax into the wood used to construct the immense piece of furniture his roommate constructed for herself from the trunks of trees. The hard wood was a welcome relief to keeping, as Essie said, perfect posture to aid learning.

Essie rolled her fingers and muttered the same incantation to make the flower box levitate and place itself back onto the shelf where it belonged. She wanted to accomplish more that day, specifically continuing her incantation creation, but the day was still well spent. She had, after all, helped Rylir retain essential information which would help him take care of himself once he decided to leave.

She shifted in her seat to turn toward the fire to begin dinner preparations when she noticed Rylir’s expression and how at ease he seemed. Essie stared at him for a moment, marveling at the small man as he relaxed. How could he simply lean back and exist without direction or purpose? He should be proud of the work he completed this day, yes; however, he still had many things to learn.

Something sent a pang through her chest.

Envy?

Confusion?

Desire to be able to live a purposeless existence, even if it were just for a few moments? She sighed and rolled her eyes before standing and tapping one finger on the desk by Rylir’s body. The vibrations disrupted his relaxing and he looked into her eyes, waiting for her to say something.

“You really don’t have to look so relieved that we’ve ended our educational lessons for the day. Is it really so stressful to converse and learn with me?” she asked. Rylir, looking mildly guilty, shook his head and pushed himself upright.

“No, I… sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,” he apologized. “It’s just… it’s nice to take a moment… you know?”

The words of her mentor, Kaven Ardox, crept into her mind. She could practically hear her mentor’s voice through Rylir as he moved his lips.  

*“You can rest, Essie,” said Kaven as he leaned back against the base of a tree, closing his eyes as the tension melted from his body before Essie’s eyes. She couldn’t sit against any of the trees to emulate her mentor because the trees were too small while Kaven was just the right size. Rigid back and straight as a board, Essie shook her head politely.

“I cannot,” Essie replied quietly. “I… don’t know how…”

“You know how to calm your mind. I taught you how to do that,” stated Kaven, folding his arms and opening his eyes to look her in the eye. “You can take a moment for yourself, Essie. There can be joy in taking a moment for yourself.”

“Isn’t that selfish? If I am not making potions, there will be no stockpile in the instance of an emergency. What if we need to heal someone or wash away illness and are not prepared? If I am not tending to the garden, learning the names of the plants there, then it will become overgrown. I need to…”

“Essleeahsayray, the worlds around us do not rely on your spinning mind to continue their dance in the sky. Breathe. Take a moment. You can do anything you set your mind to,” reassured Kaven. “Trust me, and take a moment.”*

Essie had to physically shake her head from her temporary trance. She turned her head away and redirected her focus to what she would prepare for their shared meal.

“I… suppose you are correct in this instance,” stated Essie quietly.

Essie’s response was, in a word, baffling for Rylir. The giantess wasn’t usually one to roll over or fail to have the final word in a matter, but Rylir wasn’t going to question it now. Instead, he laid back against the desk and listened as Essie muttered various incantations to summon her knives and cutting boards as she prepared their dinner.

He listened to the methodical, rhythmic cutting sounds of the blades against the hardened wood. Though he couldn’t do much to help Essie, he could get the spoons and bowls using some of the pulleys he and Essie constructed. These contraptions were something Rylir was particularly proud of.

While Essie had a mind for remembering facts and long, drawn out names for even the smallest flower, he could build and visualize how something was supposed to fit together. Many times during the harvest months when work was good, he would help the farmers and those who worked the land lift and move large barrels and crates of crops. He was lauded for it, though it wasn’t enough for him to keep his position as a laborer, so he would move on.

Rylir felt a sudden pang in his chest as he remembered the contraptions he built at home. Devices with levers and pulleys were all around the house and in the barns. Wheels that would turn and grind wheat when the stream was dry.

It felt like so long ago.

He let himself wonder just for a moment what state his inventions were in back at home. Rusted? Falling apart? Infested with those spores?... Rylir’s body shuddered as he remembered the thick green dust looming in the air, carried on the morning fog.

Yes… that was a very long time ago… At least, it felt like it.

“Rylir, are you conscious? Or have you passed out from mental exhaustion?” Essie’s voice, clear as a morning bell, snapped Rylir out of his trance. Evidently, that moment where Rylir let his mind wander lasted longer than he thought. He pushed himself upright and looked to his left to see Essie staring at him, her ice shard like eyes peering over her shoulder as she methodically stirred the contents of a pot which rested over the open flames.

“Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about something,” he replied. “I’ll get the utensils.”

“No need. I can handle it,” Essie stated as, with a flick of her wrist, bypassed Rylir’s contraptions and made the spoons and bowls for the both of them lift into the air and float onto the desk. Rylir felt his shoulders slump, which Essie noticed as she arcanely lifted the pot to the table to dip out their meal portions.

“Is there something troubling you that you would like to disclose?” she asked. Rylir couldn’t help but turn his gaze away from hers.

There was something wrong, but it felt foolish if he thought about it too long.

“Well?” he sighed at Essie’s prompt and looked back up at her.

“It’s just… I wish I could do more; you know?”

“You could begin by memorizing the uses of those plants and herbs. Studying potion creation and the medicinal uses of herbs would serve you better than attempting to lift and carry a spoon as tall and as heavy as you,” Essie stated plainly.

“But that’s what I’m good at – constructing devices to lift and carry things so I don’t have to. When you use your spells, I feel completely useless. It’s like I can’t do anything on my own, if that makes any sense,” said Rylir, hearing a hint of defeat in his voice. Essie paused for a moment and nodded slowly to herself.

“Your size does unfortunately limit what you are physically capable of in this environment,” sighed Essie. “But nothing can truly be done about it, so there is no sense in pitying oneself or dwelling on unalterable facts.” Rylir rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“I just… could you let me do some of these things on my own? So, I don’t feel so useless?” asked Rylir. His eyes pleaded with Essie as she stared down at him like a statue, unmoving and stoic. It seemed like she was taking measure of his soul, trying to decipher if this was a matter she should push back on. With a sigh, she nodded a few more times in acknowledgement.

“Very well. If it distresses you so much, I will allow you to struggle on the condition you do not neglect your studies in favor of architecture and construction; even though it is much faster for me to complete the task arcanely with my spells,” said Essie. “Mentally prepare yourself though. We have to leave at sun’s first light to harvest some horsetails and juniper, and I doubt you will want to walk there on your own.”

Rylir nodded, agreeing to her terms, before the two of them sat down to share their evening meal.

It was a small victory, but Rylir was thrilled all the same. Essie had picked up on how he was feeling and, rather than strongarming him and insisting that her way was the only way like she would have done when they first met, she listened.

One small step in the right directions.

Was there anything else he could get her to budge on?

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Continue

Previous

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One Shot | Wizard of the Wood

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Ask Me Anything

[kayleezra]

How Did You Get Here? // (Frankie Morales x Reader)

Warnings; none

Word Count; 1534

Summary; You’re a university student working at a bar when a particular patron catches your attention.

You were working your normal shift as a bartender from 6 pm to 2 am. It was always quiet during the first 4 hours. 10 pm was when the crowd really picked up. So, during your spare time, you’d chat with co-workers and catch up on your textbook readings. You’re a university student and found that bartending to be the best way to earn money while also attending lectures. This place was by far our favourite. Other bars let the customers do whatever they wanted but, here the owner encourages you to put unruly customers in their place. Even the security was quick to pick out those that were about to cause a scene.

You were reading through your textbook, highlighting key points, when a group of 5 men walked in. One, in particular, caught your attention, he had longer stuffy hair hidden under a baseball cap and a moustache with matching stubble littered across his face. You quickly tucked away your book and walked over to where they sat.

“What can I get for you gentlemen?”, you ask scanning across every one of them.

A tan man with black hair sprinkled with grey and a matching 4 o'clock shadow ordered for the group.

“Shall I open a tab for you?”

“Yes, for Santiago por favor.”

Now, you weren’t fluent in Spanish but you knew the basics.

“No hay problema.”

You can’t help but notice this ‘Santiago’ and his friend gave you a slight look of shock. You went and grabbed their drinks and returned with a smirk across your face.

“I have to be honest with you guys.”

They all look at you, their attention now 100% on you.

“Yo no hablo Español pero, yo hablo Frencés.”

The man who caught your attention gives you a smirk, and before any of them get a chance to say anything you introduce yourself.

“I’m Y/N.”

The man furthest to your left is the first to speak.

“Will.”, he says while extending a hand to you which you kindly take. Introductions proceed to the right.

“Ben.”

“Tom.”

“Santiago.”

“Francisco.”

Bingo! It was Francisco. You didn’t notice that he held your hand longer than the others or that he gave you his first name and not his nickname but, Santiago sure did. Santiago was trying to get a rise out of Fish.

“Francisco huh? I thought you hated your name. You know, that’s why we all call you Catfish. Maybe it’s French accent she can use to say your name that’s got you intrigued.”

Francisco laughed him off and you and the other joined in. Because they were there before the rush you were sure to take good care of them. You told yourself you were just trying to get some good tips and not because you wanted to be close to Francisco. It was nearing 10 pm and the crowd was picking up, only Santiago and Francisco remained. It had been a while since you last checked on them but, their drinks had barely been touched and they were deep in conversation. You wanted to know what they were talking about but, you had customers to attend to. It was after midnight when Santiago flagged you down.

“I was starting to think you boys forgot about me.”

“Nah, couldn’t forget a beautiful lady like yourself. Santiago here just wouldn’t shut up.”, Francisco says and the two of you share a chuckle.

“What can I do for you two?”

“Unfortunately, this party is over.”, Santiago says with a lighthearted huff. The two of them get up from their stools.

“Okay, I’ll ring you up over there.”, you say while pointing to the nearest debit machine to your left.

You close their tabs and they pay, “Come by again, okay?”

“Don’t worry. We will.”, Santiago says with a smirk and while nudging Francisco.

You went back to their spot to clean up and found a neatly folded napkin. When you picked it up you realized it was heavier than it should have been. You opened it and found a tip but, it wasn’t the tip that grabbed your attention. Inside the napkin, there was a message that read, 'Maybe put this towards your textbooks. See you later, Sweetheart. -Francisco’. You couldn’t help but smile at the door they hand just walked out of.

The boys returned regularly. They had their own spots and came to catch up with each other. The came often enough that you knew when they came and left and even what their regular drinks. Santiago and Francisco came by more frequently than the others. You’d grown close to the group and even joined them from time to time when you weren’t working. Your affection only grew for Francisco. He started to plague your mind 24/7.

—-Present Day—-

You zoned out during your lecture. NO, it wasn’t the first time it had happened but, it was the first time that someone had caught you. Someone had been asking to borrow a pen and you hadn’t even noticed they were there until they tapped your shoulder. You jumped in surprise and apologized profusely as though they’ve caught you doing something you shouldn’t have been. This was an entirely new experience for you, your entire life you’d been focused on your education and career path. You’d never had a serious relationship because you were never looking and were preoccupied. Now, you were having a hard time focusing on anything else. The next time you see Francisco you’re going to admit your feelings, at least that’s what you told yourself. Just in spite of you, Santiago and Francisco showed up that night. Suddenly, you weren’t sure you could do it. What if he didn’t feel the same? What if all these months of back and forth flirting was all just for fun? Your entire shift you felt like you were going to vomit and you’d even eavesdrop on them. You clung to every word Francisco said like it’d be his last.

At one point during the night, Francisco left for the washroom. Santiago watched him carefully and as soon as he disappeared, he called to you. You rush over thinking something was wrong but before you can get a word out Santiago spoke.

“You like Fish right?”

Your heart fell to your stomach and you struggle to get the words out. You knew exactly what he meant but, you weren’t sure you were ready to admit it aloud.

“W-what do y-you mean?”

“C'mon. Since day one you’ve had eyes for him. You like him, enamoured with him.”

“That obvious?”

“Yes but, he feels the same so we’re staying till closing and the two of you are facing your feelings for each other.”

“Wait. I don’t know tha-”

“Yes, you can and you will. Now, scatter, he’s coming.”

You mindlessly do as your told. The shock of his words hit you hard. He feels the same? How did Santiago know about your feelings? The rest of your shift passed like a blur and you weren’t even sure when security started kicking the stranglers out. When a security guard approached Santiago and Francisco you snapped out of your trance and the weight of the world returned.

“They’re with me.”

“Alright well, they’re the only two left. I can trust you to lock up?”

“Yup, thanks again”

“No problem”

You and Francisco lock eyes, you blush as if he could see all your thoughts.

“I’ll give you two a minute. Remember what I told you, Fish.”, Santiago says while patting him on the back and making his way out. He’s at the door when he yells.

“You too Y/N.”

Then he leaves. Just you and Francisco remain.

You’d never been more nervous in your life but, you still walked around the bar and sat next to him.

“So… Santiago talked to you.”, Francisco states.

“Yeah, and you?”

He lets out a light chuckle, “Yeah. He’s always-”

You cut him off, “I like you. Like a lot. You somehow weaved your way into my heart and head. I can’t think straight and always want to be closer to you. It’s crazy because no one has ever had this effect on me, ever. I’ve barely dated but, when I look at you I just want-”

You only stop your hasty confession when his lips reach yours. You immediately kiss back, wrapping your arms around his neck while he holds your face tenderly. When you pull away, neither of you let go of each other and you reach your foreheads on one another.

“Me too.”, he says out of breath.

“Really?”

He nods before pulling you in for another kiss. You don’t think you would have pulled away if it weren’t for Santiago. He must have snuck back in because he’s at the door clapping. The moment the two of you pull away in shock he opens his mouth.

“I told you two! Looks likes you both owe me.”

You roll your eyes and giggle with Francisco.

“I may not be fluent in Spanish but, the amo Francisco.”

“Mmm. I love how you say it. You should probably say it more often because te amo mucho Y/N.”

[headinthestaticsky]

Frozen Within the Night Wind: Jasper Hale x Fleur Swan, Chapter 6

None of the characters in Twilight belong to me. All rights go to Stephenie Meyer.

"Baby, you don't wanna leave You'd be sorry, 'cause honestly I can make you feel better, any day Look at what you've done for me, I called it how I see You belong with me."

Stick by: BANKS

For the next few weeks Me, the Cullens, and the wolves have been keeping watch on Bella and Charlie. It wasn't an easy alliance and anytime Sam or Leah went onto patrol they wouldn't even acknowledge me. So I often patrolled with Emmett and Jasper to make things less tense. Tonight however I had no choice but to patrol with one of the wolves... a plus side about tonight though, Bella wouldn't be here... she was out with Jacob right now. I had made an excuse that I was staying with the Cullens for the night so dad wouldn't be too suspicious.

"Are you sure Darlin, I can stay behind on this hunt to be with you."

"I'll be fine...I'm sure Sam won't do anything to me. Besides, I've already hunted for the week...you haven't hunted these past two trips because of me...Go I promise I'll be fine."

He sighed before wrapping his arms around me and laying his head on my shoulder. It didn't last long however since we heard rustling behind us. We both turned to see Sam in his wolf form standing there.

"I'll see you later love."

"Bye love."

When Jasper left Sam stood next to me, he didn't look at me at all. We sat in silence for an hour when I finally decided to say something.

"Look...I know I'm probably just going to end up talking to the air tonight but...I need to get some facts straight."

Sam just huffed in his place.

"None of the Cullens turned me...if they would've gotten to me quick enough I wouldn't even be patrolling my dad and Bella right now."

Sam seemed to be staring at me out of the corner of his eye.

"I don't know who he is...but someone working with Victoria turned me...If I am being completely honest I think it's the intruder we're looking for right now."

Sam huffed again.

"And I know you are absolutely disgusted with what I am now but... I really miss you, and Emily... Seth and Leah too. But I know I can't go down there anymore and Leah completely hates my guts but I just had to get off my chest." I looked away from Sam, feeling completely embarrassed that I spouted all of that out. Then suddenly, I felt some fuzzy nuzzle into my hand. I smiled and pet him, it seems he's warming up to me again.

"Thanks, Sam..."

Our heads both shot up as we heard movement and for a split second I saw firey red curls go across the way.

"Let's go Sam!" I said and started running toward her, he followed me a second afterward. She noticed us running toward her and took off back into the woods.

"Sam go back onto your territory so she can't jump back without being caught."

He followed my command surprisingly.

"I thought you were great at self-preservation Curly, but to come right to her house, right near the Cullens isn't very smart now is it?"

She didn't acknowledge me. Suddenly... something popped up in my head... I looked at Sam and winked, I mouthed to him that I had an idea.

Victoria stopped in her tracks and stuttered.

"James?"

I stopped running and crept up behind her, not wanting to let the hallucination go to waste. Carlisle was right... this second power would be useful to me. The image of James just looked at her with deadly eyes.

"James... how are you... here?"

"What are you doing with him?" "James," asked.

"It's not like that...It just so I could avenge you." Victoria stated.

"You disgust me..."

I was just about to get behind her and grab her neck when she snapped out of it and flipped me over and sent me into a tree. She took off again, leaving us in the dust. Sam jumped back over to me and nudged me with his head.

"I'm okay Sam... we need to go back to the house in case someone else shows up again. When we made it back to the house I saw Jasper and Rosalie standing in our spot looking confused.

"What happened? Why did you leave?" Jasper asked.

"We saw Victoria and chased after her...we couldn't catch her."

"Damn it," Jasper grumbled.

"Were you close to getting her?" Rosalie asked.

"I was inches away from grabbing her by the neck... I guess the hallucination I made wore off..."

"Can you tell where she's going now?" Rosalie questioned.

"I can try... the tracking is still a little wonky sometimes." I got into that trance again attempting to track her,

"It looks like she's going to Oregon..."

"Oregon what is she going to do in Oregon?" Jasper inquired.

"I can't tell..."

Before anyone could say anything else Jacob's car pulled up, Edwards was not too far behind.

"Uh oh... this can't be good," I said, I then began to jog toward the situation, it soon turned into an argument.

"IF YOU EVER TOUCH HER AGAINST HER WILL AGAIN!" Edward roared.

"Guys don't do this here!" Bella pleaded.

"She doesn't know what she wants."

"Hey what the hell happened?" I asked.

"Jacob kissed me..." Is all she said.

"Wait for her to say the words," Edward said.

"What... Edward do you want her to be in a relationship with him? You're losing the argument here bud. bring it back!" I thought to myself.

"Fine, and she will."

"Jacob just go okay?"

"Hey, hey hey... break it up you two," Dad said, he must've heard the commotion.

"Okay... what's going on?"

"I kissed Bella... and she broke her hand, punching my face... total misunderstanding."

I couldn't help but bust out in laughter... this whole situation was something you would find in a crappy soap opera they play at 4 in the morning when no one is awake to see them.

"What are you doing back here Fleur?" Dad asked.

I came up with a lie quickly.

"Oh I forgot some toiletries... and I came back down to get them." luckily my car was still here.

When I pretended to grab my items I came back outside, Bella and Edward were gone. I kissed my dad on the cheek and wished him a goodnight and drove back down to the Cullen's house. When I came in Carlisle was wrapping up Bella's hand, everyone else was sitting in the room with them. I sat by Rosalie and Jasper, just observing the situation, Emmett walked in with a smirk on his face.

"Geez did you try and walk and chew gum at the same time Bella?"

"No, I punched a werewolf in the face."

"Badass...you're going to be a tough little newborn."

Rosalie and I looked up, now focused on the conversation.

"Tough enough to take you on." She said with a smirk.

Rosalie slammed down the paper she was reading and left the room. Bella just rolled her eyes and sighed. I looked at Jasper and he nodded, I slinked out of the room without anyone noticing or so I thought.

"Hey, Rose."

"I can't stand your sister."

"I know the feeling."

"But at the same time... I envy her too."

I pulled her in for a hug, trying to comfort her.

I heard the slight sound of a door opening and closing again.

"What do you want Bella?" I asked.

"You can go and blather about the joys of being a newborn with someone else." Rosalie added.

"Okay... Rosalie, I don't know what I did... to make you hate me so much."

"How many times do I have to say it... If you treat someone I am really close to like dirt... then I'm going to hate your guts."

Bella scoffed.

"I envy you also Bella."

"What? That's ridiculous!"

"It's not...Bella." I jumped in

"How is it not?"

"You had a choice... we didn't... none of us do and you're choosing wrong, I don't care how miserable your human life is," Rosalie explained.

"My life is not miserable. It’s not perfect, nobody’s life is perfect." Bella stated.

"Mine was. Absolutely perfect. There were things I still wanted. To be married with a nice house and a husband who kissed me when he came home. A family of my own... Royce King was the most eligible bachelor in town, I barely knew him. But I was young, I was in love with the idea of love. On the last night of my life, I left a friend’s house late visiting her newborn son, I wasn’t far from home… They left me in the street thinking I was dead, believe me I wanted to be. Carlisle then found me, he smelled all the blood, but he thought he was helping me."

"I'm... so sorry." I said... I had never heard how she got changed until now.

"That's terrible," Bella added.

"I got my revenge on them, one at a time. I saved Royce for last so he would know I was coming. I was a little theatrical back then."

"That's not theatrical... that's bad ass," I said, Rosalie cracked a smile.

"Things got better after I met Emmett, but we’ll always be this, frozen, never moving forward. That’s what I miss the most, possibilities, sitting on a front porch somewhere, Emmett grey-haired by my side surrounded by our grandchildren, their laughter."

"I understand that’s what you want. There’s nothing I’m ever gonna want more than Edward." Bella argued.

"You’re wrong again, after you’ve been changed there’s one thing you’ll want more. One thing you’ll kill for…blood." Rosalie finished, she then walked out of the room without saying another word.

[jademakean]

Clouded Sea

JJ Maybank x Routledge!Reader

Warnings: Death, Thalassophobia.

Not edited

･*:༅｡.

It had been a while since your brother’s disappearance. You don't recollect how you reacted to the newfound information, in the beginning, your overwhelmed mind blocking out the details. What you do remember is how you spent days in your room mourning until you snapped out of your trance.

Just because they didn't find the boat doesn't mean they aren't alive.

It's John B, he knows how to get out of difficult situations.

He's okay

Of course, your slight change in attitude received attention from unwanted locals, you seemed more eager to leave the house, you didn't cry anytime you came back to the Routledge house, there weren't dark circles under your eyes anymore and it wasn't too long before they understood what you began speculating.

Delusion ran in the family

The pogues were the ones to understood your situation the quickest. On the rare location, John Bs name was mentioned, you spoke of him as though he were still alive. Barely phased by the fact that your brother wasn't around anymore. They also noticed how you'd run off right home to check the mail after hanging out with them.

At that point they began to pity you, believing that you were in denial and becoming obsessed-which you were- they discussed it amongst themselves trying to finds ways to bring you back to reality.

JJ was a different story, he became more distant and quiet. Mostly hanging at his house with his god-awful father. Doing his best at ignoring you because you'd just remind him of his second greatest loss.

As time went on you got some clarity on your surroundings. JJ behavior mostly.

You weren't sure how to approach him at first, he must be having his own battles that didn't need to be brought up, maybe he'd shut you out even more if you tried to ask him how he felt. So you decided to be casual.

You remembered how you had asked him to teach you how to surf before John Bs disappearance. You never learned how  because of your fear of the ocean, and it had gotten worse due to this past event. 

Sweat began to gather on your forehead due to the blazing sun up above. You readjusted you loose shirt, hiding your plain bathing suit. You knocked on the metal door, nervously waiting for who you were looking for and as you were about to knock a second time, a very tired JJ appeared with squinted eyes as the light hit his face.

The air left your lungs momentarily. You hadn't seen his face in a long while but he was here now, in front of you.

You snapped put of it when he whispered your name "What are you doing here?"

Taking a deep inhale, you smiled charmingly. “I came over to get you. You promised me you'd teach me how to surf last year, remember?” It was your fault for holding the plans back for so long, the thought of swimming above water clouded with sand was terrifying to you.

You walked past him, grabbing the beach towel on the floor and some sunscreen. “Right now?”

You answered with a smile “Of course! Better sooner than later. I'm tired of holding our plans off, we should just get it done and over with.”

“That's not what I mean.”

You stopped rummaging through the towels. It was easy to tell my the sound of his voice that he was still struggling immensely, it was also laced with confusion on how you aren't in the state of mind he is now.

“There are barely any waves today. I checked and there aren't many people either, it might be because it's a Wednesday.” You changed the attention the topic was directed to smoothly

“Y/n..”

You interrupted him by grabbing his hand, leading him to where his surfboard was abandoned for these past weeks. “Lets go, the sun is about to set.”

As you previously mentioned moments before, the sea was still. The sun warmed up everything beneath it, almost making you excited to get in the chill water.

Once you reached the shore line JJ began making little mountain of sand beside you “What are you doing?”

“You have to practice on sand before trying the real thing." He sighed.

“Actually-” you caught his eyes “-I was thinking that maybe you could help me get more comfortable with being in the water? I feel like that's the overall most basic step, you know?” You laughed lightly trying to cover up the anxiety spiralling in your head.

And thats what happened for the next few days. You started off small, allowing the water to reach your knees then moved on to mid thigh, and that alone lasted about 20 minutes. However, you didn't mind. You were able to talk to JJ more, which was hard.

It seemed like there was something on his mind that was one fake smile away from being revealed.

You both began meeting by the beach at 4:P.M, you'd stay for a few hours before he'd start help u balance yourself on the pile of sand with his surfboard.

It was all going well. You were always a quick learner when you got excited over something. JJ on the other hand seemed to become slightly closed off, like the only thing set on his mind was to teach you surf and nothing more. Limeted physical contact, no unessesary comments, no jokes.

Oh, how much you missed jokes. You hadn't heard one from him since your brother's disappearance. Your hopes of peeping one from him was slowly dimming away.

"Alrighty! I think I'm ready to sit on the board, maybe go farther out this time. A two in one." You smiled. While pulling down your shorts you decided to keep your shirt on. You excitedly took JJ's hand before guiding him to shore.

The water was cold, as usual, but you didn't feel as hesitant to enter it like before. It was an improvement that you were glad to notice.

Since you had a later shift at work it was already 7:50 P.M and the sun was starting to set, making the sky was a beautiful mixture of gold and blue.

You snapped out of your trance once you felt JJ's hands on your waist.

You were suddenly flustered by his action, and even though he was just helping you get on the board, he hadn't been very physical with you those past days. His a action was simply unexpected.

"Thank you." You said sitting up straight.

There was complete silence between the both of you. The only sounds heard was the waves clashing together gracefully, peoples distant voices and seagulls flying over their heads. This was the normal routine between the two of you, no talking, just the patiently waiting for your fear to disintegrate into ashes until you're able to swim without a care in the world, just like all the Pogues.

You missed them, truly.

There weren't anymore meatups at the Chateau or watching them surfing from your spot in the sand, sunbathing while drinking fresh juice.

"Do ya want to make plans with the gang? We could eat dinner at the diner, and maybe sleepover my hous-"

"What is wrong with you."

JJ interrupted you with a harsh tone, causing your smile to falter. "What do you mean?" You asked, calmly adjusting your body so you could sit with both of your legs on one side of the board.

"You know exactly what I mean." He looked into your eyes this time. And it's now that you have no choice but to look at his face that you notice the dark undereyes, dry lips and messy hair.

He wasn't taking proper care of himself, he probably couldn't if he tried. It was obvious your brother's disappearance took a toll on him. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" You asked, slightly afraid of his answer.

"How are you so okay with everything. I remember when you were locked in your room for weeks on end, and one day you just- came out. I didn't even see you and from what I heard it seemed impossible to be true. But then you just showed up at my door with no warning, with this big smile on your face and- I don't understand. He's your brother." His tone became more exasperated as he let out all the words that had been running through his mind.

"JJ, I'm not gonna stay sad all summer just because John be isn't here. I'm sure he wants me to do what makes me happy and keep taking care of myself. Plus, he's-"

"Stop talking about him as if he's alive!" JJ interrupted once again "He's dead, don't you understand? He's not coming back, or gonna send you some letter. He's dead."

His harsh tone made you feel as though he was purposely trying to hurt you. The worst part is that that's not the case. He's trying to make you see what he sees. "He's not dead."

There was a slight pause, he looked at you as if you were crazy.

"He's not. There's no body, so until I see one he's not dead. He's smart. He's got Sarah, they got away from the police and are probably in some island enjoying themselves."

"You've gotten comeplety insane! Do you hear yourself? You sound exactly like him when your dad disappeared, and you know damn well how that went."

His hurtful words ignited anxiety within your heart, making it feel heavy and sensitive. You were starting to feel too much and you didn't know how to stop it.

"I know he's alive! You'll see. He's gonna send some sort of signal, ofcourse we couldn't just show up out of nowhere when the police is looking for him. Since when does a disappearance automatically mean they died?"

JJ's eyes darkened, he was done with this game. He had to witness JJ obsess over his dad's disappearance only for him to be hit with utter disappointmen, he wasn't gonna allow the same to happen to you. "Face it. Your brother's dead, there's nothing you can do to change that."

His words hit you like a wave, his harshness making the agonizing emotion worse than ever thought possible.

It was so hard to keep hoping. It was exhausting.

"I don't wanna be alone"

Your words came out quiet and shaky. Once JJ looked back at you he took notice of the fact that your eyes were casted down, glossy and relaxed to the point where it seemed as though there was no emotion behind them.

The thought of not being able to hug your brother again- not having anymore long converstation about your future or simply seeing him from afar as he tried to outsurf JJ- was a thought that you refused to accept. However, you had begun douphting yourself and JJ finally saw through that crack.

His tense shoulders dropped, guilt sinking in knowing you were hiding the way you truly felt deep down.

"He's not dead, okay?"

JJ gazed at your expression swallowing the shame building up your throat before nodding his head. “You're right, he's not dead.”

He slowly approached you and got between your legs, wrapping his arms around you. “He's not dead.” You collapsed against him, resting your cheek against his collarbone.

Teardrops fell onto his golden skin, the feeling resulted in a shiver, running through his body as he hugged you tighter.

John Bs disappearance was harsh on everyone who truly knew him, and some learned how to hide it better than others. All that everyone slowly began understanding is that you were all one family and should watch out for each other.

“Do you wanna go grab a bite?”

You could almost laugh at his poor attempt to be casual, but you settled with a smile, pulling away from him while wiping your own tears with your arm.

JJ ran his thumb underneath your eye before kissing your forehead. “Come on, we can listen to Bob Marley on the way there if you want.” He snickered as he guided your surfboard towards the beachfront. You sighed, liking the feeling of the water moving underneath you as he pulled you to shore, observing the fish beneath you.

The sun had already set and all that was leftover of the sky was a pinkish-blue.

You could finally feel the sand beneath your feet. You watched as JJ walked off, grabbing his bag and shirt.

“Here.” He tossed over his top and your flip-flops as he slid in his. “Arent, you gonna be cold?” You asked knowing the shit that laid in your hands was the only one he had.

“What, would you prefer to walk around in your soaking wet shirt? Because I think that'd do more damage to your health than me going shirtless.” He teased with a raised brow.

You paused for a second allowing the realization that you are in fact soaking wet to sink in “Yeah you're right. Suffer.” Your approving sentence got a laugh from him.

You gaped at him. This was the first time you heard him laugh ever since go started talking to him again.

A smile made its way to your lips “Alright, I'm ready.” You stated after pulling a new shirt over your body. “My tapes are in the outside pocket.”

He pulled out the Bob Marley cassette from the bag before sharing an earbud with you. You accepted, untying your dry hair and finally setting it free.

The walk was peaceful, a comfortable silence falling over the both of you. The smell of pinewood from the trees was calming as you walked past the forestry area of the island.

You and JJ would always use this path after a beach day with the pogues. You would separate yourselves from the group so you could discuss about his job, home life, aspirations. Those were all things he never felt very safe discussing about with anyone but you. John B knew, but they didn't have the sort of relationship where they could switch to sensitive topics easily.

JJ liked how listened. You didn't look at him while he talked about such things, knowing he would feel intimidated by your gaze. The way your body slightly turned to him to show that you were paying attention. Most of all how you communicated with him first. When discussing about his father, you would ask if he needed a listener, a solution, or comfort.

Most of the time he would ask for you to simply allow him to rant, however, there were many times where he would ask for you to comfort him, just so he could receive the soothing sensation of embracing you tightly.

During every hug you shared, we're mere seconds of pure relief, relief that there was someone out there who knows about every aspect of his life and is yet to view him as weak.

“I’m really glad you got me put of the house. I hadn't surfed ever since he disappeared.”

It was as if the path you were on gave him the courage to speak with confidence. “And I'm sorry I was so harsh on you. I didn't mean to. I've just been feeling so much and I got so frustrated when you didn't seem as miserable as I am, I should've never been so insensitive.”

You knew he had a hard time apologizing to people, it made him feel vulnerable and he wants to have the upper hand in every situation. He likes being in control to compensate for the how much of it he lacks at home.

You looked over at him before smiling. “I love you too, JJ.” You ruffled his hair playfully before hugging his side as you walked.

JJ returned your smile, grateful for the fact that you resorted to a light-hearted response instead of a heavy one.

Time passed quickly and before you knew if you had arrived at the Chateau. JJ took a deep breath, his nerves increasing. He hadn't seen any of them, just as he hadn't seen you during those long weeks. How would they react seeing him there, let alone seeing the both of you together with smiles on your faces.

You squeezed his hand gently. An encouraging gesture to give him some strength.

You led him inside, the yellowish lights contrasted the night sky beautifully and as you both sat around the wooden table, you removed the earbud from your ear, which prompted him to follow your actions.

“JJ?” You heard Kie from behind you. Once you turned to face her she looked as though a miracle just occurred before her eyes.

Before your brain could acknowledge she dropped her notepad and hugged you both with the strength of an amazonian. “I missed you guys.” she mumbled into your hair.

As you were about to respond you felt more weight on you “We missed you guys.”

You giggled, now aware that it was Pope who was crushing you.

It had been so long since you had all shared such a heartfelt embrace, and you weren't going to let each other go for a while. You were all family. No matter how far you are or how long you don't speak to each other. This is what a true family was, and soon enough you were all going to be together again, as one.

“We missed you too.”

[sodasback]

Overdose

ER Nurse Rafe x ER Nurse Reader

Reposting from my deleted account. 

TW: Mentions of drug overdose, CPR, death, panic attack

One of your guy best friends in high school, Chris, died of a drug overdose. And you were the one who found him. You tried to do CPR, but 1. you didn’t really know how to do CPR when you were 16 and 2. it was too late even if you did know how to do it correctly. This traumatic experience did 2 important things for you. You became a total straight edge, scared to death of drugs. And it made you want to save everyone. It’s probably why you became a nurse. 

Tonight, you and Rafe were working in the ER together. Rafe was off taking care of patients on the other side of the emergency department, when the Charge nurse told you a cardiac arrest was coming in. She assigned roles to you and a couple of other nurses. You were assigned compressions. 

“What’s coming in?” Someone asked. 

“16 year old male, OD’d on unknown substances, found pulseless. ETA is 3 minutes.” 

Your throat went dry. Of course you have dealt with drug overdoses in the ER all the time. But so far, none of them had been teens who were found pulseless. It just hit too close to home. You considered backing out and asking someone else to take your role. But then you realized: this is why you’re here. You’re here to give this kid the best chance at surviving this. You nodded your head to yourself and decided you could do this. 

“Do we know his name?” You asked.

“No, not yet.” 

By this time, Rafe had heard about the call coming in and he transferred and discharge his last couple patients, so he popped over to see if there was anything anyone needed. 

When he saw you getting ready by the empty gurney and setting up the step stool you would stand on to be able to give proper compressions all the dots connected for him. He realized you were about to give compressions to a 16 year old who OD’d, just like your friend in high school. 

“Y/N” he got your attention as a handful of people scurried and danced around each other preparing the area for this resuscitation attempt. 

You looked up at him wondering what he wanted. “Let me do compressions” He said with some authority. 

“It’s fine Rafe. I got it.” You shook your head at him. 

“Y/N” he said more sternly. No one seemed to notice the exchange going on between you two as they busied themselves with their tasks. 

“I said I got it.” You said aggressively. Rafe came over next to you so he could talk to you without anyone else hearing. 

“Y/N you don’t have to do this. You shouldn’t.” He said with a hand on your hip, ready to physically pull you off the stool. You pushed his hand away roughly. 

“I’m fine, Cameron” you said coldly. He recoiled at your tone and the use of his last name in a non-teasing way. 

He backed away silently and stood out of the way to watch the resuscitation and be there as extra hands ...and to be there for you. 

Then, the gurney came crashing through the doors. The medics who brought him in got him transferred onto your gurney. 

“What’s his name?” You asked as soon as you got the chance.

“Michael” The medic replied and you nodded. 

“Good to take over compressions?” the medic asked you. 

“Yep” you stated confidently and he lifted his hands away from the boys chest. You replaced his hands with your’s. With your elbows locked and fingers laced together you used your body weight to push down on the kid’s chest, pumping his heart for him so blood would circulate his body. 

You could feel Rafe standing nearby with his arms crossed, gloves already on in case he needed to jump in. Someone would have to take over compressions for you eventually no matter what. No one is supposed to do compressions for more than 2 minutes, because you get tired and start to not be as effective. 

You knew the chances for this kid were not good. He was already dead. Someone found him dead. Who knows how long he had been that way. Narcan had already been given. His heart didn’t have a shockable rhythm. All you could do was compressions, breaths and give him epinephrine in hopes of starting his heart again. 

“Come on Michael” you whispered over and over again. 

“Let’s do a pulse check.” The code leader called out. “Pause compressions”

“Stopping compressions” you confirmed as you pulled your hands away from his chest. Rafe was already by your side, pushing you out of the way with his body. 

“I’ll take over compressions” he announced to the entire room, so you couldn’t argue with him. You rolled your eyes and stepped out of the way. Even though you were mad at him for being overprotective, you knew someone would have had to take over for you soon, because you were getting tired, so you let it go. 

Because it was a 16 year old kid on the table the team tried for almost 2 hours to resuscitate him. Rafe and one of the techs took turns doing compressions.

 Finally, the team leader said, “One more round of epi and then we need to call it.” Rafe was the last one to give compressions.

The last round of epi was given and then there was a final pulse check. 

“Still no pulse.” The nurse who was checking stated solemnly. 

“Time of death 2347″ the doctor announced. 

Rafe instantly looked at you. You were staring at Michael laying on the table as everyone started to back away from the gurney and clean up the area for when his family came in. Your stare was blank, your body was numb. Rafe was helping pick up all the discarded supplies and position Michael in a way that was appropriate, but he kept looking up at you. And you just kept staring at the gurney. 

You felt your eyes get wetter. Finally, the room cleared out almost completely. One nurse stayed with Michael’s body. Rafe came over to you. 

“Let’s go outside.” He said to you, trying to be gentle and firm at the same time. You finally broke out of your trance. 

“What? No. I’m fine. I have other patients.” You said sniffling and shrugging off Rafe’s arm that he was trying to wrap around you.

“No, we have plenty of coverage. There’s no admits. We’re fine. Come on.” He said a little more sternly. 

Before you could reply and before Rafe could get you to move from the trauma bay where Michael’s body was still laying in a gurney, his parents rushed in already in tears. Already grieving the loss of their son.

That’s when you felt your chest explode. Your legs felt weak, but something was holding you up. All of a sudden you were outside and everything was blurry, but you didn’t know how you got there. You were sobbing for a while before you realized Rafe was holding you against his chest. 

“Breathe” Rafe was telling you calmly but you could hear concern in his voice. He was stroking your hair. “Y/N I need you to breathe.” You heard him again. 

“Here, were gonna sit” Rafe guided you down to the ground to sit, he sat behind you with a leg on either side of you. Another nurse came outside, “Is she okay?” He asked. 

“Yeah man, can you just grab a paper bag for her? She’s just hyperventilating a little. She needs to hold on to her CO2″ Rafe told him. 

He placed his fingers on your shoulders, “Open up your chest, baby.” He told you gently, pulling your shoulders back. “Breathe ... slower ... breathe with me. Breathe in... good, hold it for a sec. 1, 2, 3, 4. Okay exhale. Slow slow. Good love. Again, slow.” 

“Here ya go man.” The nurse handed Rafe a paper bag and went back inside. But you were breathing better now. Rafe moved so he could see your face. You took a deep breath and looked at his worried expression. 

“It was just like Chris, Rafe. I just wanted to save him.” You cried and you weren’t sure if you meant save Chris or Michael or both.

“I know baby.” He said. “We can’t save everyone though.” 

“And see?! I know that. We frickin watch people die all the time! I shouldn’t be out here crying on the sidewalk. There’s patients in there that need stuff and I’m out here crying.” 

“You’re allowed to cry over it. There is no one inside who needs you right now. The census is low, they’re probably going to send someone home anyway because were overstaffed right now. ...And you’re allowed to get upset over it sometimes. This is a tough job, babe. And we all have patients that hit us a little harder sometimes. You don’t need to be a robot. Part of what makes us good at our jobs is that were human, ya know? You care, you have a huge heart. The world is a better place with a nurse like you who treats every patient like someone you care about. That was a tough loss on everyone, love, but we tried everything we could.”

You nodded, really soaking in his words, knowing Rafe was right. Everyone has especially hard days when a patient hits a little too close to home or it’s a patient you’ve bonded with and things don’t go the way you want. 

“Yeah, I know” You gave Rafe the tiniest smile and sniffled. “Thanks Rafe”

“Of course, baby.” He leaned forward and used his thumbs to wipe the mascara stained tears from your face. Then he stood up and pulled you up. 

“Do you wanna see if you can be the one sent home?” He asked. 

“No, I’d rather stay and be distracted.” You said. 

Just then, an ambulance pulled up and medics jumped out with a patient who had a table saw accident. You and Rafe looked at each other. “I’ll apply pressure.” You said already stepping towards the patient. 

“I’m paging the blood bank and surgery.” Rafe said putting his phone between his shoulder and ear helping push the gurney into the trauma bay while you held pressure.

Taglist: @moniamaybank @abbyj1822 @october-cameron @hernameisnoell @railmerafe

[mudhornchronicles]

strategies | javier pena

pairing: javier peña x reader

warnings: mentions of sex, cursing, guns, violence… narcos.

request by: @danniburgh

masterlist

You sit in the backseat, adjusting your tactical vest, as Steve and Javier sit in the front seat. You are currently on your way to a 1am stakeout about 45 minutes out of the main streets of Medellín, trying to collect intel on an halcón, a falcon, for Escobar. You had freshly brewed coffee in hand from that twenty-four-hour bakery you and Javier went to every time you had to stay in the office late and a basic maple donut in the other. You liked adding hazelnut flavored creamer and so did Steve, but Javier liked his coffee black and boring. No matter where he was and what he was doing, he was happy with a sugar donut, his dark roast and you by his side.

“So, here’s the plan,” Steve begins. He adjusts the rear-view mirror to get a good look at you. “Martín is known to be at this club every Friday night. We are going to sit here and wait for him to leave. We’ll follow the car, and we’ll call in for backup.” Steve glances at Javier and furrows his eyebrow. He points at Javier and says, “I mean it, Peña. We quietly stay in this car and just follow. I don’t need a shootout… again.” He looks at you from the mirror and smiles. “And thank you for the coffee.”

Javier rolls his eyes at Steve and turns to look at you. “Amor, tell Murphy that I am perfectly capable of staying in this car.” You lean forward and plant a kiss on your boyfriend’s lips, his mustache tickling your upper lip as always.

“Stephen, my boyfriend Javier is not capable of staying in this car and we should tie him to his seat before he lay his eyes on this guy.” You laugh and Steve laugh as Javier frowns and starts poking your side. “I’m kidding, Javi. You know I trust you with my life, my vida. Except with criminals who will be walking right in front of you.” Javier playfully rolls his eyes at you and mutters a “pinche mentirosa.”

fucking liar.

You drive another 10 minutes and park on the east side of the building, spotting Martín’s car. Steve secretly looks at you through the mirror and gives you a quick wink, you giving a nod in return. You all wait for what feels like an eternity. Javier’s jaw tightens a bit more as time goes on while Steve begins to get anxious. Steve knows this is a terrible idea and he knows just how much Javier is going to hate him and might even kill him. He lets out a breath and Javier snaps his head back at his partner.

“Alright Steve spill it. What the fuck is going on with you? You’re sweating and you’re breathing hard and it’s making me uncomfortable. The only time I get like that is when I’m fucking my girl, so… what the fuck.”

You immediately step in to defend your friend. “Javier! Steve is just nervous leave him alone.” As Javier tries to argue Steve spots your guy walking out of the club and over to his car. Before Javier can let out a yell, Steve handcuffs on Javier’s wrist to steering wheel and says, “Go ‘head smoke show. Bring his ass in.” You lean forward and give Javier a kiss on the cheek, pulling off our jacket revealing your provocative outfit underneath. You slip on your heels as Javier slaps Steve to uncuff him.

You get out of the car and it was at that moment that Javi felt his pants tighten and wished Steve want in the car. There you were wearing a skirt that came up just at the swell of your ass and a tank top that only accentuated your breasts. Javi should have known something was going to happen when you put on a wig, a completely different color than your hair, for fun. There have been countless times where the DEA had asked you to do undercover stuff and you always declined because you have seen these missions go terribly wrong. Javier never saw it coming.

He saw you walk towards the entrance and as you walked past your guy, he whistled you back towards him. He ushered his bodyguard away as he pressed you up against his car. Javier almost punched Steve when he saw you wiggle you ass into Martín’s clearly hard cock. You abruptly turned around and put your arms around Martín’s shoulders with the smile you give Javier after being fucked for 4 hours straight. You lean in and whisper something to Martín. It was probably a promise of sex with the idiot smile he had on his dumb ugly face, Javier thought. Javier kept adjusting himself as Steve laughed and placed an earphone into Javier’s ear, listening to you speak.

“Sabia que estabas aqui… Rocio me dijo que eras su mejor cliente.”

I knew you’d be here… Rocio told you that you’re her best client.”

“Si? Y que mas te dijo, hermosura?”

Yeah? And what else she tell you, beautiful?

“Tambien me dijo que te gustan tener dos mujeres la misma vez.”

She also told me that you like to have two girls at the same time.

Javier couldn’t help but think back to conversations the two of you had about have a threesome with another girl. You brought up having a second man and having Javi and him fill you up, and to your surprise, Javi agreed but he wants to test out a girl first. Your relationship with Javier wasn’t always about sex, he was quite the romantic. From fancy dinners on rooftops to street tacos on the couch, Javier always made you feel loved… but the sex was always great. And with great sex comes constant thoughts about having each other everywhere and anywhere – Javi’s current issue.

“Que, mi reina. Quieres que te haga sentir rico? Tienes una amiguita que se te antoja?”

What, my queen. You want me to make you feel good? You got a little friend you’re craving?

You give him a nod and think back to Javier… what a shock that’d be.

“Si… tengo a alguien en el carro que te quiere conocer. Te va a sorprender.”

Yeah… I have someone in the car who wants to meet you. They’ll surprise you.

Upon hearing the code, Javier and Steve smirk. “They’ll surprise you” has always been the call for backup.  Steve immediately let Javier go and both go out of the car. Steve hops in the back and sits with the back of his head facing the window. Javier hides behind the car and blends into the shadows. As you walk up with Martín’s arm around your shoulders, you smile to yourself seeing them in position.

“Te presento,” you say as you open the backseat, “a Estephania.”

I present you to Stephanie.

Steve turns and smiles at Martín. Steve offers him a wave and Martín lets out a laugh. He puts his hands up in surrender and turns. Before Javi can even spring into action, you land a quick right hand on Martín’s jaw. Martín holds his jaw and lunge forward but isn’t quick enough. You immediately wrap his arm in yours, maneuver it behind him and push it upwards to dislocate his shoulder. You had to give it to him, Martín wasn’t a quitter. With a dislocated shoulder and all, he remained up on his feet an that didn’t sit right with you. You use his weight against him as you jump and straddle yourself on his shoulders.

Javi can’t seem to stop staring at the way your dress hitches higher and higher until it reaches your hips. You were thankful you were wearing cheeky underwear of your hoohah would’ve been out by now. The more you struggle with Martín trying to shake you off, the more Javi felt the absolute need to just rip those panties off you and take you on the hood of Steve’s car. He seems to be caught in a trance because she realizes just how much danger you’re in when Steve slaps the back of his head.

“Javi! What the hell is wrong with you! Stop thinking about fucking her for once and focus!”

Javi runs to Martín and tries to pry you off but you aren’t letting go as you continuously kick Martín in the sternum. Javi has enough and kicks Martín in the balls, dropping him to the floor and in turn, letting you off.

He tries to take deep breaths and looks up trying to look at you, but he’s met with a smiling Javier holding up his badge and holding him at gunpoint.

“Martín! Que raro que nos encontramos aqui, no? Ya te crees toro?”

Martin! How weird that we ran into each other here, no? You think you’re a bull now?

Martín mutter a curse and lets his head fall. Javi almost runs to smooth your dress down and pulls it the lowest it could possibly go before it sprang right back up. Martín allows himself to be put in the back with Steve and repeatedly states in a shaky voice that he isn’t talking to the cops. You tell him to keep thinking that and go to walk into the passenger seat as Javier stops you by the arm. You look at him shocked and smirk at the sight of his pained face.

“You see this?” he points to his hard cock and you smirk up him as you nod. “Once we drop his ass off, you’re putting that pretty little mouth to work. That may have been badass, but you talk a big game. Can you back it up?”

You give him a playful shove. You begin to walk away and right before you get in the car, you turn back and say, “Tread lightly, Javi, or you won’t be seeing this outfit anymore.” You wait to open the door until Javier is at the driver’s door. “Oh and Javi?”

Javier looks at you and gives you a stern look. “What?”

“I didn’t know your face got so red at seeing me on top another man. I can’t wait to see your face when another man is fuc- ”

“Get your ass in the car.”

[colormeyondublue]

Chapter 5: The Data Drive

Chapter 4 Here - Chapter 6 Here

The next morning you awake with the sound of your alarm. You get ready and walk happily toward the mess dressed in your usual leathers. You see Yondu and Kraglin up front seated at the officer’s table. They have piles of holo pads surrounding them, meticulously studying their target and plans for their heist later that night. You grab something to eat and make your way over to your usual spot. The light from the moon drifts into the viewport and you enjoy your breakfast in peace. Just as you finish your last bite, you begin to stand and hear heavy footsteps approaching. You look over to see Yondu approaching you, holo pads in hand.

“Hey y/n, just wanted to run some info by ya before we head out tonight. Kraglin and I plan to take our team out around 21:00 hours. Here is some information I’ll need ya to log before we leave. There is a backup plan in there too just in case things get hairy.” “Sounds good. I can get started on this now. So, this job…is it…dangerous?” You ask. You know Yondu and the crew are extremely good at what they do, but you find yourself worrying more than usual. Yondu grins down at you, clearly understanding where you are going with this. “I’ll be safe darlin’, promise. This job is simple, but there’s a lotta details that need to be arranged. I’ll be back before ya know it.” “I know, I know. But I worry about you sometimes. What exactly will you be doing?” You ask. “Remember when we was walkin’ around during our date, and we was lookin’ at all those fancy shops?” “Yeah…why?” “Well, there’s a new jewelry store down there with really lax security and a lot of rare gems…loads of rare metals too. That’s where we’s headed. Kraglin was there last night scoping the place out. Figure if we can get a clean sweep, we can sell our take for about half a million units. It’ll be a nice score.” Yondu beams. “Wow. Well, sounds like it’s something you can handle no problem.” You smile at him. “But, still…you better get back here in one piece.” You playfully nudge him with your shoulder. Yondu chuckles a this, and you swear you see a slight blush come to his cheeks. “Promise ya I’ll be just fine. ‘Sides, I got more plans for you and me. Gotta come back all in one piece to take ya out again don’t I?” He finishes that last sentence with a wink and turns to head back toward Kraglin.

The evening drags on, but you find out pretty quickly that this heist goes perfectly, and the crew comes away with every single item out of that jewelry store. They boys are thrilled, and there’s cheers all around the ship that night. You are just finishing up with your work, having logged that information Yondu asked you to enter in the system earlier that morning. You close up your office and turn to walk back to your cabin. As you make your way there, you see Yondu waiting for you at your cabin door.

“Well, hello Captain.” You say in curious voice. “What brings you all the way down here?” You laugh. Yondu shifts on his heels for a moment before pushing his hand out toward you. “Here, I set this aside for ya. Didn’t want one of the boys to snatch it. I saw it at that store, and I thought ya might really like it.” You look down at his palm and see a stunning silver bracelet with intricate designs carved into the metal. There is small, round, sapphires set into the edges on both sides. The center is decorated with large, oval, white opals around the entire thing. With a small gasp, you slowly reach for it. “Yondu, this is gorgeous. I don’t know what to say!” You put the bracelet on your wrist. It fits perfectly, and it is very comfortable. You stare down at your wrist and your mind draws a complete blank as you marvel at the jewels. “Glad you like it. The stones, from what I saw on the sign at the store, are from Terra. Figured ya might like to have a little piece of home here with ya.” “Yes, oh my gosh, yes. This is just perfect. Thank you…thank you so much.” Without thinking twice, you step forward and wrap your arms around him in a quick, but close, embrace. You could feel him tense a little from your quick movement, but soon you feel his arms close around your back for a moment. You both let go at the same time and you blush. “Uh…sorry. I just, I can’t thank you enough. I doubt I’ll ever want to take it off.” You laugh sheepishly. He smiles at the comment. “Well, it’s been a long night. I think I’m gonna turn in.” “Yeah, of course! I should too…” “Kraglin is overseeing departure shortly. Wanna git outta here before anyone discovers that place we hit it totally empty.” He laughs. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Well, goodnight Yondu.” “Sweet dreams, darlin’.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~

About a week goes by, and the ship is headed for Knowhere so Yondu and Kraglin can meet up with the buyer for the jewelry heist the crew pulled off. You continue your work as usual; helping out Kraglin where needed, and keeping everything up to date. For some reason, a thought hit you. We have so much information logged in the ship’s system, should we have a backup drive? Data theft back home was a common issue, could it happen out here? With that thought, you decide to make a backup of all the vital information and you saved it to a separate drive. Feeling satisfied with yourself, you head out of your office and down to the mess for a quick bite. You just want to grab a snack and head back to your office. The peacefulness and privacy of your office was something you loved, so you grab something light to take back with you. As you headed back toward your office with food in hand, you heard your name called behind you. “Y/n!” Kraglin called. “Hey Kraglin, need any more help with anything?” “No, I’m good…thanks though. Here, I’ve got something for you.” He handed you a small chip, no bigger than your thumb. “What’s this?” You ask. “It’s some terran music. I was able to pull some from radio frequencies I caught when we passed near your solar system a few days ago. It was no biggie. Quill always was so obsessed with terran music. Thought you might like some of these songs.” He says happily. “Oh my gosh Kraglin, thank you so much! I miss music from back home. This is awesome! I’m gonna go download these now. I can’t wait to see what you picked up!” You say with a big smile. Kraglin nods politely, “Well, I’m gonna get back to it. See ya round.” With that, he heads out the door. You hastily head back to your office and get straight to checking out the chip Kraglin gave you. You find that there are a few songs that are from different countries, and you’ve never heard them before. A few from India, some Kpop, and a few hits you recognize from the UK. But then, comes something you remember from the United States. “No way!” You squeal. The song “Clearly” by Grace VanderWaal came blasting over the speakers. “I haven’t heard her in forever!” You say aloud. You remember every single word. I can see clearly now

The rain has gone

I accept all the things that I cannot change

Gone are the dark clouds

The dawn has come

It's gonna be a bright, bright sunshiny day ~ There's a world outside my door I forced my feet down to the floor I'm gonna make it out I'm gonna make it out Take a breath and say a prayer Find the strength in my despair It's not gonna take me down It's not gonna take me down As you whole heartedly sing the words at your desk, you hear a knock at your door. You turn down your music and open the door to see Yondu. “Hi!” You say, a little more chipper than usual. Not only was the most handsome man alive at your door, but your mood was uplifted by some of your favorite music from back home. Yondu was a little surprised at your greeting. “Well, hey there darlin’.” He smiles. “What’s got you in such a good mood?” “Kraglin got me some music from back home, and I found some songs I remember. Not only that, but I found a song from one of my favorite artists!” “Well, that was awful nice of him…but we got a problem.” His tone changes pretty quickly. “What? What’s going on?” You say, concerned. “Kraglin just found that someone, we don’t know who, but someone managed to get into our files remotely and steal information on some of our most lucrative clients. Contact information, frequencies, ‘n stuff like that. Now, I have no idea what we’s gonna do, because the buyer in Knowhere is a new client! I can’t remember their frequency off the top of my head!” He huffed as he dropped down onto the couch against the wall, his large hand rubbing his temple. “Remind me to get new security software.” “Well, I don’t know who might have done it, but I do have some good news on that.” You smiled proudly. He glanced up at you from under his hand, his face clearly painted with a stressful expression. “Whassat?” You go over to your desk drawer, and pull out a small black drive. You walk over to Yondu and drop it into his hand. “What’s this?” He asks with one eyebrow raised. “That, is a data drive.” You point to his hand. “It contains every bit of info on every client we have. Including their contact information, frequencies, and our mission and heist details. Oh, and all of our crew’s personal info too. I backed up our all of our data and files onto a separate drive for just such an incident. Did it this morning actually!” You feel a prideful grin come across your face. Oh yeah, you were definitely the hero this time. It didn’t happen often, and you were feeling great about yourself for once. “See, on Earth, uh – Terra, data theft is a pretty common occurrence. Backup drives are a total necessity. So, naturally, I figured I should have one for us too. I planned on making it a part of my daily routine around here – backing up our files and data onto separate drives every day. I'd like to get a couple more. Gotta cover all the bases, ya know?” Yondu is speechless for a moment. He just sits there and stares at you. He breaks out of his trance and jumps to his feet. You feel his strong arms wrap around you and he spins you both around, his laughter echoing around the small room. “Y/n, yer incredible! I could just kiss you!” As he sets you back down on your feet, he continues to hold you close. The realization of his words hits him like tidal wave. He looks down at you and sees your nervous expression. “Can I?” He asks quietly, inching closer to you. This is so strange for him. Anytime he’s wanted something from a woman before, he would just take it. Coercion was the typical occurrence. He is basically a pirate after all. He rarely cared how the woman felt about it – which is why he usually stuck with love bots. They didn’t say no, they didn’t reject him, they didn’t care about his past or what he looked like. This, however, was different. It was way outside his comfort zone. You looked up at him, and nod ever so slightly. Your body erupts with goosebumps as he moves a warm, large, hand up your back and toward the back of your head. You move closer as he guides you toward him. Your eyes begin to close, and you can feel his lips barely brush against yours. His breath is warm and inviting. Your heart is pounding against your sternum, and the feeling of his hands on your body causes your mind to go blank. Suddenly, a rapid knock at your door causes you to gasp and jump back a little. Yondu pulls away with a sigh and reaches toward the door, letting go of you. He rips the door open in frustration, and see’s Kraglin’s face. “What?!” Yondu snaps. Kraglin, surprised at how quickly the door opens, stands there with his fingers still curled into a fist from where he was knocking. “Uh – apologies cap’n. We’re nearing Yuna’s atmosphere. Thought you’d wanna know.” Yondu’s expression changes from annoyed, to a little excited. He turns to you and says “Hey, remember that planet was tellin’ ya about a few weeks ago? Well, we’re almost there.” “What?! Are you serious?” You beam at him. “This is so exciting! I didn’t think we would go so soon!” “Yeah, it’s nothin’ really.” He smiles at you. “It’s kinda on the way to Knowhere, and we’ve got time to stop anyhow. Figured now would be a great time to show you around down there. Plus, I hear there’s some rare minerals on that planet we can get a few units fer. I’ll send some of the boys after ‘em.” “How long until we can take some M-ships down?” You ask. “About a half hour.” Kraglin chimes in. “Great! Yondu, I’ll meet you down at the docking bay when we get close enough to head down there!” You laugh and jump past the two aliens, darting down the hall to your quarters. You could not wait to see what the planet was like.

[curious-minx]

Notable 2020 Video Game Soundtracks That Can Be Enjoyed As Standalone Experiences

Video Game Music is gaining recognition, with many soundtracks receiving vinyl pressings, orchestral concert reviews, and an increasing presence on music streaming platforms such as bandcamp and Spotify. We’re also witnessing the uprise of indie video game development teams where games are being made by the sort of passionate type of game designer that takes soundtracks seriously.  Soundtracks by small teams of developers such as Celeste, Undertale, Disco Elysium, Hollow Knight, RuneScape, and Lisa: The Joyful are titles with soundtracks that easily stand up against the likes of bigger budget productions made by reliable sources of video game music like Square-Enix and Nintendo.

2020 is no exception in terms of having one of the biggest budget soundtracks around with Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which builds upon a legacy of industry-standard-creating soundtrack work. Taken as a whole, Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s soundtrack is clocking in at over 8 and half hours of music. The soundtrack has three composers with the Beethoven of video game music, Nobuo Uematsu, most notably coming out of retirement to get the job done.  Here are some other amazing 2020 video game soundtracks more conducive for standalone background listening:

TETRIS EFFECT by HYDELIC 

Genres: EDM, Ambient Pop and straight up Ambient 

Describing this album makes me feel like I’m some sort of burnt out fanciful raver, head permanently lodged in the clouds. The level of giddy technicolor enthusiasm rivals that of Icelandic Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi, but if he wanted to keep his post-rock firmly planted in the outdoor music festival on Mars territory. Despite the album’s notable two hours runtime, each and every song feels like its own uniquely crafted composition, no repetitive motifs or nostalgia-baiting.

There is unfortunately still a Tetris movie in some sort of shaggy state of development in Hollywood right now. The movie is being billed as a dull biopic about the creator of the Tetris game. Whereas listening to Tetris Effect you imagine a Tetris movie directed by someone more fitting like the Wakowskis. Tetris Effect’s opening song “Connected (Yours Forever)” is a bonafide vocal pop song, like a more sugary CVRCHES-style cooing of the lyrics:

“I’m Yours Forever

There is No End in Sights For Us,

Nothing Can Measure the Kind of Strength Inside Our Hearts,

It’s all connected we’re all together in this life, don’t you forget it

We’re all connected in this”

Try your best not to imagine a cast of Hollywood’s most beautiful plucky orphan mutant misfit youths using the power of Tetris to heal a broken and dying planet!

Notable Track: Next Chapter

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HADES by DARREN KORB

Genres: Progressive Metal, Folktronica, Folk Metal, Dimotika, Greek Folk Music

Darren Korb has become one of the most notable video game composers of the past decade. Korb, an integral member of the Supergiant family, continues to outdo himself with each and every soundtrack. Bastion and Transistor originally found Korb creating a niche for himself with downtempo folk-infused electronic soundscapes and even some vocal pop with collaborator Ashley Barrett. Hades is an altogether different beast for Korb, who much like the developers of Hades, have found themselves at the height of their powers.

Korb also contributes vocals on this album, and I can say without hesitation that these are some of the nicest vocals I’ve ever heard from a video game music designer, because video game musicians are bonafide musicians.The album clocks in at two and half hours and separate from its game is still an absolute thrill ride.

Notable Track: In The Blood

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DEFECTIVE HOLIDAY by MECHATOK

 Genres: Ambient Trance, Balearic Beat, Progressive Electronic, Nature Recordings, Spoken Word, New Age

One glance at the album artwork is all it took for me to know that I must listen to this album. Defective Holiday is an indie walking simulator that is explicit about its intentions: a lightly interactive one hour experience. This soundtrack clocks in at only 31 minutes and it is purely the most conventional album in terms of length.

Last week in late November, Mechatok announced a collaboration with one of the leading zoomer Swedish cloud rap mavericks Bladee, the cofounder of the Drain Gang. Last month gives a pretty clear picture of what kind of circles Mechatok is floating in on. Highly online gonzo vaporwave maestro James Ferraro is another apparent influence on this soundtrack, especially regarding the way the sinister mundane dialogue is woven into the soundscape. There’s one particular track on the Defective Holiday OST, “Rescue Shot Buibo”, that is adorned with standard trap-style drum fills that give the album a shot of energy before wandering back off into the haze. This soundtrack and video game is all about the pure vibe and aesthetic nature that are currently trending in these extremely stressful times.  In a time where all of our holidays were defective from the very start, I think the casual walking simulator will remain a genre high in demand. I have a feeling we’re going to hear a lot more from this empathetic young German.

Notable Track: Valley

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Last of Us II by Gustavo Santaolalla, Mac Quayle (and Ashley Johnson)

Genres: Ambient, Cinematic Classical, Dark Ambient, Spanish Folk Music 

L

The Last Of Us is a horror game where the music itself is arguably playing a critical character role, which can only be expected billing two titans of audio visual soundtracks. Of course Academy Award winner Santaolalla knows his way around a soundtrack. Wielding a resume of astonishing versatility in various TV and film projects, he might have found his higher calling in not only video games but in the horror music canon. Last of Us is an extremely emotional series, and with the wrong soundtrack, the experience could become insufferably bleak. The occasional  splashes of color and light are what make this soundtrack so unsettling and eerie. Not since Silent Hill 2’s Akira Yamaoka has there been such an effective standalone horror video game soundtrack experience. No wonder Gustavo Santaolalla is one of the only video game composers integral enough to the game to warrant a cameo banjo-playing character model based off of him.

As if having one major composer from prestigious TV and movies wasn’t enough, Mac Quayle, composer of the whole Mr. Robot series, contrasts against Santaolalla’s acoustic contributions. The soundtrack itself is sequenced in a way that switches between the two composers. “The Cycle of Violence” composed by Quayle, a track that more than lives up to its name, is immediately followed by Santaolalla’s somber “Reclaimed Memories.” This dance between violence and heart is what the Last of Us excels at as a franchise, and that is why this soundtrack is an effective stand-alone experience.

The only disappointing part of the soundtrack is that Ashley Johnson, voice actor of Ellie’ three songs, is not included in the game’s official tracklist. Ellie’s “Take On Me” a-ha and “Future Days” Pearl Jam covers have made a little history by being the most powerful songs sung by a video game character. When Ellie sings and plays on her guitar they aren’t some little Easter egg idling moments to provide levity for this heavy revenge horror story. These songs are used to make some of the strongest character development choices made by a video game character seen in recent years. Ellie is joining a small club of singing video game characters alongside Parapa the Rapper and  maybe the cast of obscure Atlus title Rhapsody: Musical Adventure.

Notable Track: Unbroken

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Persona 5 Royal Straight Flush Edition by Shoji Meguro 

Genre: Acid Jazz, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal, Lounge, Jazz-Funk 

This is one of those soundtracks that, much like Nobuo Uematsu’s work in Final Fantasy, is really the heart and soul of the entire Persona franchise (and his work in the adjacent Shin Megami Tensei universe is equally as noteworthy). Persona 5 Royal finds Meguro making his most complete, funky, and otherworldly opus that sounds like no one else in the biz.

You will find many people online scouring message boards, subreddits, bandcamp features, and Yahoo Answers looking for more music like Persona 5. Outside of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, how many other games are packed to the brim with truly foxy songs!? Persona 5 could not predict how badly the title “Throw Away Your Mask” would age, despite the game being more than ahead of its time with the majority of NPCs wearing PPE. Be a good Joker, put on your mask and keep chasing Meguro’s acid jazz-infused dragon through many more semesters to come.

Notable Track: I Imagine

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Streets of Rage 4 by Olivier Deriviere & Various

Genres: Electro House, Nu Jazz, Synth Funk, Acid House 

Composer Olivier Deriviere is a living definition of a video game soundtrack journeyman. He has a career stretching back to the early 2000s working on notable big budget titles like the divisive 2008 Atari fifth Alone in the Dark installment and Remember Me, an unsung buried gem from the PS3/360 era Capcom title. Remember Me is where Deriviere’s electronic leanings started becoming especially prominent in his sound. On the Streets of Rage 4 soundtrack Deriviere has completely come into his own element, developing a whole new sense of campy playfulness.

Electronic French House music can be a divisive genre. For every Daft Punk commercial success there is a band that ruffles feathers like Justice. I sense a strong presence of late departed French House titan Philippe Zdar of Cassius as well. If you’d played this soundtrack for me out of context, I would have guessed an obscure voguing tape from the 80s or a really talented mysterious DJ set. Instead, this is a sequel to a classic beat em up franchise that left a portion of players disappointed by the game’s four hour playtime. The soundtrack is over an hour and fifty minutes long of high octane House music bliss. Much like the Tetris Effect soundtrack, it is truly impressive how much depth these tracks have when they could have easily been nostalgic recycled beats. Sometimes a game’s soundtrack can offer more post game enjoyment than an actual game.

Notable Track: Chill Or Don’t

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Hylics 2 by Chuck Salamone & Mason Lindroth 

Genres: Experimental Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Hypagogic Pop, Stoner Rock, Jazz-Rock

A soundtrack that comes closest to capturing the experience of hearing the Earthbound or Katamari Damacy soundtracks for the first time. The Hylic indie RPG series is a wonderful and strange beast that is ready to frolic and show its playful side. Hylics is a part of a recent uprising of indie games being developed on the RPG Maker software. 2020 year has left us all with variations of the same stressed out adjectives: Weird. Messed Up. Surreal.

Why not listen to an album from a game that is the perfect embodiment of that surreal mantra? Step away from your computer, draw a bath, and put this album on. Thank me later!

Notable  track: Xeno Arcadia

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Ultrakill: Infinite Hyperdeath (Act I Soundtrack) by Heaven Pierce Her aka game developer Arsi “Hakita” Patala 

Genres: Drum and Bass, Industrial Metal, Ambient, Progressive Metal, Acidcore 

Nothing says “modern indie game development” more than a game built completely from the ground up by one person. Ultrakill’s developer “Hakita” is one of those kindly folkloric DIY figures that make video games such an extensive art form. The game is a painstaking gloriously bloody ode to Dooms of yesteryear but with plenty of its own fine tuned style. The perfect soundtrack for when you’re painting your personal Hell a darker shade of gore, but also would really like to kick your ass into shape if you need an adrenaline boost to your Quarantine blues.

Notable Track: Panic Betrayer 

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Risk of Rain 2 by Chris Christodoulou

Genres: Progressive Rock, Space Rock, Space Ambient,  Post-Rock

Something about the country of Greece brings the best kind of futurism out of the country’s composers. Christodoulou’s Risk of Rain 2 soundtrack is no Bladerunner knock off. This soundtrack for the colorful sci-fi indie rougelike is punchier and less nocturnal than your typical synth-heavy sci-fi soundtrack. Risk of Rain is one of the more successful Kickstarter series around and has the best quality an indie game can have: it feels like a labor of love on all fronts. There’s no reason a rougelike like Rain of Ruin or Hades needs a soundtrack this good, but Christodoulou casts a spell with his electronic-driven prog rock that makes you want to keep respawning. A huge missed opportunity if Christodoulou does not get to soundtrack an earnest sci-fi action-adventure for even big screens. Oh! This soundtrack also features some spoken word segments from Werner Herzog; what more do you need to know?

Notable Track: The Rain Formerly Known As Purple

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Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus by Guillaume David

A big debut project from an up-and-coming composer Guillaume David. Prior to the making of this soundtrack, David was a video game voice actor who worked on a Resident Evil Devil May Cry crossover voicing the character of “Hunk.” Warhammer 40K might become a franchise that more people will care about solely based on the quality of this installment’s soundtrack. When you see the title Warhammer 40,000, what sort of sounds come to mind? If you guessed “Neo gothic cyber Gregorian chants that seamlessly melds the ancient and futuristic”, you would be correct. A turn-based action game could possibly fall into dull territory, but with a visual identity as strong as Warhammer 40K  melded with a suitable musical atmosphere, the action and world becomes irresistible. This soundtrack is a brisk 56 minutes and the other soundtrack on this list with a more conventional runtime. Not a second is wasted on this dynamic and fantastical soundtrack. Prior to hearing this soundtrack I had no intention of ever looking into playing a game based off of something as convoluted as Warhammer 40K, but now I very much want to know what these robot priests are about. That’s the magic of a quality soundtrack.

Notable track: Millenial Rage

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Honorable Mentions:

Happy Listening! 

[rrickgrrimes8]

Normality is Death

Chapter Two ~ My Current Existence

masterlist

My eyes darted across the room as I woke, rather abruptly, in a cold searing sweat. The whole room was matted in darkness and the lantern I had lit the night before had not soon gone out. I sighed hopelessly and pushed myself out of bed sliding my combat boots on as I did. I looked outside to see the break of dawn just highlighting the horizon - it's early then I concluded. I stretched and yawned as I left my room locking the door right after - just to be safe. 

A lot has happened since Mom, Shane and Carl left me in the forest that day, too much has happened really. It's been around 3 months since I last saw my family and although I'd like to stay hopeful, I can't shake the feeling that they're dead or hurt in some way. But regardless I need to forget them. They left me. End off - period. My family abandoned me and I have to live knowing that and they have to live knowing that they played a hand in what they think was my death. I know it sounds cold, brutal even but I tried, I really did. I looked for them everywhere. I did everything a 14-year-old girl could possibly do in a world like this and I almost died countless times trying. So I gave up. I gave up not only to protect myself but because I realised that they probably wouldn't be looking for me. Hell, they think I'm dead right? 

Since everything happened in Atlanta the government had been completely radio silent. Lots of people think it's because there's no one left to send a signal. I, however, believe that that's extremely morbid and I guess I'm still holding out hope that someone will swoop in and save us all. It sounds very fairy tale I get that. It's just I'm a 14-year-old girl and I'm so sick of this world already. To the point where I couldn't even think about living any longer in a world like this. 

Sometime during the second month of what people like to call the turning, I met some people. They took me in gave me food, a shelter, some water. Basically, they gave me essential shit I was definitely lacking. Something they also did was train me. I'm not the best, but I do have pretty basic training in hand to hand combat, the basic workings of a gun (thanks to my father mostly) and I'm pretty good with melee weapons. They protected me is what I'm saying. They are my new family - a better family I could ever ask for. 

Our camp consists of 2 houses, housing 4 or 5 people in each. Mitchell, our leader, oversees any newcomers and basically keeps law and order around here. I met them after getting trapped in Atlanta and getting cornered by a dozen or so biters. Mitchell and a few others came in and massacred all of the living dead and took me in.

"Yoohoo! Jacey get your ass up it's your turn to hunt!" my friend, Addie, shouted rudely to me as I walked down the stairs. 

"Jeez Addie, I'm coming don't get ya panties in a twist," I teased nudging her shoulder once I got close enough. She had her usual skinny jeans and a grey tank top on but her hair was styled in a pair of small buns rather than her usually high pony. 

At my reply, her eyebrows furrowed and her usually bright and beautiful eyes closed before sighing. "Do not jeez me, woman, you've got shit to do you're slacking!" she exclaimed practically pushing me out the door and into the burning sun. I promptly lifted my hands to cover my eyes from the brightness. 

"Oh my lord, I know it's your thing to be this emo vampire goth girl who only stays in her room away from people, civilization and oh how could I forget the sun. but this is ridiculous it ain't even bright out." Addie joked forcing my arm down making me embrace the scorching heat. 

"You call this civilization? If so you've got a warped definition" I said picking up a knife and gun from the armoury. 

"Just go before I get even more sick of you, Jace," Addie laughed as I rolled my eyes, gave her the finger and strutted away sassily. "And you be careful kid Mitchell went out yesterday and there were more biters then usual. He thinks a herd might pass through so don't use your gun and you know don't die?" She said almost seriously which was incredibly out of style for her but nevertheless, I smiled and walked off into the woods. 

She was right about the number of biters. After only being out an hour I've seen 16 in our woods alone and I haven't even ventured out in the city yet, which is notoriously worse but I only really have to go to Atlanta if we're desperate. I had only picked up 2 squirrels so far I guessed that the movement of the herd could be driving some of the bigger animals away, which sucks because once I tell Mitchell he's just gonna want me to go into Atlanta to gather supplies. I mentally groaned and sat down against some tree, wishing things were different. 

"Looky what we have here gentlemen." A husky voice called out from the shadows. I instantly stood up and gathered my findings and unsheathed my machete. 

"What the hell do you want?" I stood my ground as I saw a group of maybe 5 guys come closer. 

"Ooh she's sassy," the guy who looked to be the leader teased, "always liked a girl with a little spunk in her as long as she learns to shut up when daddy needs some pleasing." I could've thrown up right then and there if not for the guard I needed to keep up. 

"You're fucking disgusting," I stated unforgivingly, earning some laughs from the group. 

"You really are quite confident aren't ya?" I stayed quiet as he stepped forward, "I can always give you a lesson or two about respect and I mean clothing's optional." 

"How about you shut the fuck up before you really piss me off," I said calmly still showing my anger. 

The man in front of me however got furious over my words and brought his hand down to my cheek. I fell to the ground at the impact, "I told you to learn some fucking respect little girl." 

"And I said to shut the fuck up you creepy bastard," I got my machete out and cut into the guy's leg not giving any warning before punching him in the face, sending him towards the ground, "But you know speaking about respect. How about you learn some fucking respect for me or you know all of my gender?" I more ordered then questioned while striking the guy in the face again. "And next time, asshole, watch your tone when you speak to a woman," I smiled sweetly at him before marching off into the opposite direction. 

"Oh and if I see anyone of you anywhere around here, I'll chop each and every single one of your dicks off."

I arrived back home later that night after hunting another squirrel and a rabbit on top of my earlier findings. 

"So whatcha get for us tonight babydoll?" Mitchell said after seeing me walk up. Mitchell was a 25-year-old now-former English teacher who somehow became our leader. He wasn't extraordinarily brave nor was he an elite strategist but he was a good mentor, who had people that trust him - those people including me. 

"Just some squirrel and a rabbit nothin' special." Mitchell nodded as I started to walk away, "Any trouble?" 

I span around to him before saying, "always." Mitchell gave me an unimpressed look before taking my hunt and walking away. 

"Why am I not surprised?" he laughs while passing most of our group towards the fire. "Anything serious?" I shook my head before sitting on the rough log placed next to the heat. 

"Jus' some jackasses who thought they could take me. Guess I taught them a lesson in respect." Once again Mitchell laughed and sat next to me. 

"I know I don't need to tell you this every time you go out but you've got to be careful, okay? Your safety is my top priority and I know you hate to hear it but you're only a kid. And kids can get hurt pretty easily especially in this sort of life and I'd hate to see that happen to you." Mitchell wrapped his arm around me in a brotherly sort of way as I nodded. I understand he just wanted to help regardless of how much I hate to be called a kid. 

"I'm smart Mitchy. I'm not just some dumb kid. Plus haven't you heard I'm kind of undefeatable. Nothin can kill me," I boasted standing up and heading away from the majority of our group and back to my room. Before I left I saw Mitchell smiling then going off to talk to someone else.

I entered my room lighting a candle straight away and then dropping my bag. As soon as I entered all I could smell was the stenched of sweat and gore. I honestly don't think I've ever gone this long without a shower and I miss it so goddamn much. I miss so many things. I miss deodorant, a warm bed, fast food, soda and not to mention my mom's famous spaghetti bolognese. Just because I wasn't a fan of the woman does not mean I cannot love the food because damn she could cook. The only thing she couldn’t master, however, was pancakes but that didn’t stop her from trying. I smiled slightly reminiscing of the family meals we would have whenever we got the chance. We would all sit around the table talking, eating and just enjoying being around each other. But now they're gone so that's not going to happen anytime soon for me.

"What are you doing, Grimes?" Addie asked pulling me out of my trance.

"Nothin'," I spoke shortly before lying down onto my bed. 

"Don't seem like nothing. Talk to me, love." She walked over and sat next to me taking her hand into mine. 

"M' okay," I reassured her before closing my eyes. I felt Addie shift closer to me still holding my hand causing me to smile. 

Addie was the only other teenager in this group so we bonded pretty quickly despite her being 2 years older, "You don't have to be okay, Jacey." I couldn't help but shudder at her words - the same words I heard from Shane the day it happened. 

"Don't say that, please." I hadn't even realised the quiver in my voice before Addie sat up, bringing me with her. 

"Hey, it's okay, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you," The brunette girl said to me. 

"It's not you i-it's jus'-" I couldn't finish my sentence before I started to sob. Memories of that night haunted me. I lost so much and so did everyone else but I couldn't understand how they were so okay with it. I lost my home, my dad, my family and my childhood all in one night. And I'm so sick of trying to be okay with that. "I just miss them so much." I finished while getting devoured by Addie's arms. I could hear her softly singing in my ear in order to calm me down and it soon did. I relaxed into her arms after a few minutes but neither of us made any indication that we were going to depart. 

"Who did you lose?" She asked gently. 

"Everyone," I could feel myself beginning to cry again but I pushed it away - I couldn't be weak any longer. 

"I'm sorry, Jacey. I hate seeing you like this. I wish I could take your pain away." 

I hummed shakily before looking up into her brown eyes, "Then do it." With that, she leaned in. Slowly I started to prepare myself to meet her lips but it never came. 

She pulled away from me and stood up, "We can't do this."

I sat up as well but remained seated on the bed, "Why?" She gave me no answer and just looked out of the window. "Addie, please, just tell me why not? For christ sakes, the world has ended. We've got nothing else to lose." 

"It's wrong," She said simply yet with so much emotion and left the room.

I felt the tears begin to return and I just let them fall.

"It's wrong."

That's all it took to break me -  2 words. 

"She's right."

[kimberly-spirits13]

Burning Kingdoms and Runaway Rulers Pt. 1

Pairing: Dick Grayson x reader

Note: So, this is an OC reader insert where this story is taken from the story of an OC I have but instead of the OC, it’s reader. I didn’t really know if I wanted to post this but then again, why the heck not. This is the same OC that I used for that mood board one time, I’ll post it at the bottom if you ave no idea what I’m talking about/ So part one is an intro and it takes place the night that you arrived in Gotham. The italics are what happened before that 

Warnings: Mentions of death (not explicit)

Word Count: 1,808

To say you weren’t close to people was an understatement. The fire found a home in you and you were too busy trying to keep it contained to be concerned with those around you. Some children are born with tragedy in their blood, it was something you’d gotten used to seeing in people other than yourself. The last light in someone’s eyes before the kill, the glimmer of hope of a better fate, it was telling. You saw it in ballrooms and on battlefields, but now you were somewhere different. Now you were in realms unfamiliar to your senses. Adaptation was a choice, but in order to return home, survival was key-

-3 Months Ago-

No one knew where you were. You intended to keep it like that. The assumed lost Princesses of Amara was not be forgotten until it was your time to return home and reclaim the throne. That was a nice thought. Going back home and resuming life as usual. If everything was normal, you’d be on a mission into the rebel country of Ingram off to kill one of the high rulers to whom was setting the country into total and mass chaos by order of your father, the supreme ruler and king of your home planet. But that was yesterday’s news and your old team’s mission. Today you were in Chicago, on Earth, the only near planet you had never visited.

The clock on the wall was the only thing keeping you company besides the ever -intrusive thoughts bogging down your memories of the past 48 hours. It all happened too quickly, the death of your family, the fall of an ancient monarchy, and the discovery of the hidden Chamber of Magic in the core of your home planet, something that you were immortally entrusted in keeping safe in all past and future lives you might have lived. It was something to take time in understanding.        

Your father, a man of top royal and intellectual status was never a truly sane man as some tend to be. He kept it well under wraps as far as you were concerned. It wasn’t until one time, in a fit of dismay and disarray in one of his now more frequent walks, he discovered the chambers that you wandered through every night in the shadows of the hallways and the glow of the golden strands of light that floated ever weightlessly through the air without anyone’s knowledge. That was when he discovered it. Amidst the ancient and crumbling catacombs, down winding stairs, and across underground streams of magic that might have replaced a mass amount of water, he found the source of all magic in this universe. He found what you were entrusted in keeping safe your entire existence. That was when he went mad.

On the night of his breaking, you were coming back from a mission meant to take down part of the Ingram Royal Army. It had been a success but the mission was draining and the royal guards still needed you, their leader to keep yourself in your place for one last briefing before they could disperse. You were sitting at the front of the ship when a guard came to you saluting you before handing you a letter with the golden seal of the Amaranian king and then leaving. You carefully opened it and read it, finding out, much to your horror that he was holding your family, the rest of the royal family hostage and would only let them live if you relinquished all your power to him.

That was where it began, the ending however, was much worse. Your entire family was dead now including your father. His blood was on your hands, but the rest? His. You finished off the traders in the guards and carried on, leaving on a ship, no possessions but your training and coordinates to Earth.

The chime of the bell snapped you out of your never- ending trance in time for you to realize the time. A few seconds later, the shadow of a ship graced the window and floor of your hotel room floor. It was time to leave Chicago, it was time to leave for Gotham. You knew not of what would happen in this crime filled city, only that your guide told you to go. That was enough for you to leave with Batman. That was enough for you to think of possibly starting a new life.

You leapt out of the window and on to the roof of the building before being met by the bat clad vigilante.

“Queen Y/N.” He greeted formally calling you by your newly gained title, “Are you ready to leave?”

“I am, and please, just call me Y/N, I am no princess nor queen on this planet.” You answered before getting into the jet.

“Very well... Y/N, I have accommodations for you at Wayne Manor as said. Alfred, my butler has prepared a room, if you’d like to change it, you may seeing as this will most likely become your permanent residence.” The bat explained as the city disappeared from under you.

You gazed out of the window and watched as the world seemed to become smaller and smaller, clouds rapidly going in and out of view. It was mesmerizing to see but you were pulled out of your thoughts for the 100th time tonight once more.

“I assume that you would like to carry on fighting?” He asked shooting a glance your way.

“I-I would.” You answered.

“What name will you go by?” Batman asked, “You don’t have to rush, but you do have to follow my one rule.”

“Let me guess, this is going to be the opposite of what I was raised to do and I suspect an impulse training segment. I cannot kill? Is that your rule Mr. Wayne?” You said rolling your eyes.

“It is.” “And for simplicity’s sake, please, call me Bruce.” Bruce stated making a sharp turn and then diving down, “This isn’t the Thanatos Royal Army anymore, this is Earth, this is Gotham. By code, people allowed to work in Gotham as vigilantes cannot kill.”

“And you are going to make me partake in vigorous training to control the possible impulse or habit of killing those guilty of a crime? People who might not have committed crimes against the high or superior kingdoms, or even those who make their citizens beg for quick death rather than life, but instead a different breed? The Gotham made mass killers?”

Bruce sighed, “Yes. As much as you question it, this is not debatable.” He informed you in a stern tone.

You kept a neutral expression, but that did not mean that internally, you were questioning this man’s will to live or even intelligence on the sharp turn and his rules. You were however pleasantly surprised to find him landing in a massive cave, and a boy, around your age coming down a stair case.

“Hey B!” The young black -haired teen said.

Bruce nodded at him, acknowledging his presence before turning to you as you landed next to him from jumping out of the jet with no sound at all.

“Y/N, this is Dick Grayson, my ward.” Bruce said as you nodded, “Dick, Y/N L/N. Y/N has just arrived from her home planet Amara, I expect you to make her feel welcome.” Bruce emphasized the last part.

“You got it Bruce.” Dick said before turning back to you, “Do you want me to show you your room?”

“That would be most appreciated.” You replied following him before meeting Alfred.

“So, you’re a queen?” Dick asked as you two walked around the house and up the stair case in the front.

“Technically. I have not had a proper or official coronation yet, however, I am the successor to the now empty throne.” You replied, a ping of sadness hitting your chest.

“I’m sorry.” He said, “I lost both of my parents when I was younger. Used to be part of the circus.”

“My condolences.” You said, “How long have you resided here?”

“I’ve been here around 4 years now.” Dick answered turning down another hall, “Trust me, once you get used to everything, it’s not totally terrible.”

“But I’d presume that there are some terrible things. More than the fighting?”

“Yes, flashing lights, paparazzi following everywhere, sometimes B, he’s well, not that great with emotions and opening up so that gets weird. You should be fine though, and if you need anything, I’m always here.”

“Thank you.”

Dick led you to your new bedroom, opening the door to let you inside first. There was one other door, leading to a bathroom, a massive bed, a small desk, nightstands on either side of the desk, a sitting chair, dresser, and bookshelves. On the floor by the bed, a Persian rug. The room fit the theme of the manor very well in your opinion. It did not however, fit your idea of a suitable bedroom. Bruce said you could change it, so you would tonight when Dick wasn’t in the room as to not make you seem ungrateful.

“It’s lovely.” You said walking in further, “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem really. I’ll leave you alone now, but if you need anything, but room is the next one to the left.” He said, “Alfred has already prepared the room with whatever you’d need but clothes, you can get those tomorrow.”

“Oh, there will be no need for that.” You said before walking to the closet.            

“What are you doi-“ Dick stopped talking when he saw you mumble something to the air and put your hand out.

Without warning, the closet was filled with Earth clothes. That was something you were informed was important by your guide. They were your mentor or sorts. It came straight from the magic in the core of your home planet and was eternally bound to you as an advisor, something you found yourself needing more and more as of recently.

“T-that was amazing!” Dick exclaimed.

“Thank you.” You smirked some, “These are suitable Earth clothes to you, correct?”

“Oh yeah, perfectly normal clothes.” He looked around not noticing anything wrong with what he saw.

You nodded when he told you goodnight and left your room. You changed the room to your likings when he did leave, but after that, you had work to do on these people. It was important that you knew who you were “bunking “ with for the next while and what was to possibly be expected from these next few days, weeks, or even years. Your guide would be by your side, but also something that you had just gotten used to, a laptop. It was a strange thing, but at least it beat the old royal archives, even if those were more magical.

Okay so that’s the mood board that this is inspired by. Anyways, I hope that you guys liked this one and are also staying safe and healthy. Have a wonderful week and day and take care of yourselves!

[timetoresurface]

secrets (5) / BBH

Y/N x CEO BAEKHYUN

final 5k words

PART 1 // PART 2 // PART 3 // PART 4 // PART 5

Hopping from one job to another, you really wanted to keep your position at Banking and Finance. If you would have to describe your perfect work environment, it definitely wouldn’t be at that stupid finance magazine that had the worst coffee machine in history. But hey, it did pay the bills, and that’s what everyone does, right? A perfect job doesn’t exist, right? A perfect life doesn’t exist, right? Only in cheap romantic comedies was life perfect, and you certainly weren’t in any. At least the last time you checked.

“Have you ever seen the movie ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’?” Chanyeol asked you during your second meeting that week. You dropped your pen and simply nodded your head for him to continue. ”Well, that’ where I’ve got my inspiration from.” His voice sounded uncertain, almost childlike.

“What do you mean?” You asked him softly. You had grown a soft spot for Chanyeol over the last couple of days. He was polite, funny, and a wonderful gentleman. He knew exactly what to say and how to make you feel good. Not in the way that Baekhyun made you feel, but he was kind enough to distract you for a while.

“At first glance, you’re just a pretty girl, but you actually know your stuff.” He simply stated, not daring to look into your eyes. He did just call you beautiful. That’s kind of embarrassing.

“Most people don’t dare to look behind the beautiful girl part. So, thank you for pushing through.” You thanked him, showing him your biggest smile.

“It wasn’t that hard.” He chuckled lowly, and you felt like you were going to melt into a puddle onto the floor.

“So, what about the movie?” You asked him, changing back the subject before the conversation got too awkward for you to handle.

"They had the lead have this column about banking stuff in easy terms. We’re not going to do it like that, but that’s what inspired me.” He explained, and you couldn’t help but find him cute. His big doe eyes were endearing, and you couldn’t look away. He might dress in fancy suits and is actually a big shot guy, but he was still human. He even showed his insecurities and weird thought processes.

“So, do you like watching romantic comedies?” You teased him softly while touching his arm gently. He looked a bit taken aback, but he let it happen nonetheless. Suddenly the door of the meeting room was forcefully pushed open, revealing a fuming Baekhyun.

“Oh, hello, Baekhyun! Are you checking up on our progress?” Chanyeol smiled at him. The two of them were more friends than colleagues you had figured out while working with Chanyeol. He could never stop talking about how great Baekhyun was, and what kind of crazy stories they got themself into. You did love Chanyeol’s anecdotes about Baekhyun, but you would rather hear them from the man himself. Which would be demanding as you were ignoring his presence.

“It doesn’t seem like you two are doing very much.” He stated firmly, and Chanyeol straightened his back. He had also once told you that when Baekhyun was pissed, you should watch yourself.

“We’re actually almost finished, mister Byun.” You told him dryly while removing your hand from Chanyeol's arm. Baekhyun noticed your retreating hand, and his eyes hardened.

“Show me what you’ve got.” He demanded while seating himself opposite you. He didn't even acknowledge Chanyeol as his eyes were too busy scanning you. His eyes never left your face though, he seemed to be looking for something, but you had no clue what that could be.

“We will present our idea next Tuesday as we promised.” You told him in your most professional voice. Surprise flashed through his eyes, but he quickly composed himself.

“Maybe I can help.”

“We’re presenting our project for you to agree. Wouldn’t it be against protocol if you helped us?” You tried to reason with him. Chanyeol didn’t know what was happening between the two of you but didn’t do anything to stop it. He seemed to enjoy the show you were giving him.

“There are a lot of things against protocol, but that has never stopped you.” His voice dropped lower, and you felt your knees go weaker and weaker. When he looked at you, it was as if every ounce of breath was taken from your lungs. You had a crush on Baekhyun, and your body wasn’t trying to hide it anymore. A crush is nothing more than a lust for someone, right? But still, he is always there on your mind. Whenever you see him, that’s it, you’ll keep thinking about him for the entire day.

“Likewise, isn’t that how you created this company?” Your voice stumbled over the first word, but Baekhyun seemed unfazed. He didn’t seem to be as affected by you, as you were affected by him.

“Seems like we both did our research.” He tilted his head and stared you up and down. His eyes weren’t shy anymore. We were quickly taken out of our trance when Chanyeol’s phone started ringing.

“Excuse me.” He stuttered while walking out of the room with his phone pressed to his ear.

“So…” Baekhyun said, trying to break the awkward silence that had fallen over you.

“So…” you repeated him, looking at your hands. You didn’t want to look into his eyes when you were alone with him. You were scared you would crumble.

“How have you been?” He asked you casually as if you guys were old friends trying to reconnect.

“I’m not doing this.” You thundered while getting up from your chair. At that moment, Chanyeol decided to enter the meeting room again, and he looked puzzled, to say the least.

“What?” Baekhyun and Chanyeol said simultaneously.

“Chanyeol, I think we're done for today, don’t you think?”

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye.” You quickly bowed and made your way out of the hell hole. You grabbed your things from your desk and went straight home. You tried so hard to not be affected by Baekhyun, but your mind and body were not in sync.

You were casually doing your work when Chanyeol surprised you at your desk. He had taken off his tie and suit jacket. He had also rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, and he looked like a snack. Your colleagues eyed you suspiciously while pretending to do some work. Why did your colleagues even care about these handsome young men? Yes, Chanyeol and Baekhyun were attractive, but they were just too high up to even pretend you got a chance with one of them. You learned the hard way.

When one of them entered your floor, everyone seemed to go in acting mode. Like Chanyeol would even notice them, he had already made it perfectly clear to you that you were the only reason he was spending so much time here. Now that you think of it, Chanyeol had been really interested in you. Asking where you would go out for a drink, or where you’d like to eat. It was adorable that he appreciated your opinion for work-related matters, but also personal issues. It did make you feel a little warm inside.

“Hi, Y/N.” He beamed at you, and you couldn’t stop thinking about a happy puppy who was always excited about everything and anything.

“Hey, Chanyeol.” You returned his greeting with a big smile. Whenever Chanyeol was near, you just couldn’t stop smiling. He had that effect on people, and you’d like to follow the masses. 

“Can I ask you something?” His cheeks turned a little red, but it was a good look on him. It made him more approachable and even more adorable.

“Of course you can. For you everything.” You told him while taking off your reading glasses. He visibly swallowed before talking again. If you didn’t know any better, you would think he was nervous. 

“That’s nice to hear. I was wondering if you wanted to grab dinner after work?” He mumbled softly. You had to pay attention really hard to understand what he was even saying. Just as your colleagues, who leaned more to your side to understand what he was asking.

“Oh?” Was all you could mutter.

“Nothing too serious because I don’t want to talk about work. I just don’t really know a lot of people in this area, and it would be nice to not dine alone.” He quickly explained, but you just smiled at him.

“I would love to show you around. When do you finish work?”

“When you’re finished.” He confessed, and you laughed. 

“I still have some work to do, but I can be done in an hour.” You told him.

“It’s a date.” He happily exclaimed, but his enthusiasm quickly disappeared after seeing your face. “Not really a date, but you know what I mean.”

“It’s okay. I’ll see you in an hour.” You told him while putting your glasses back on your face. Chanyeol practically skipped out of the office, leaving you smiling to yourself. You tried to contain your excitement before your colleagues would swarm your desk with questions.

The hour passed quickly. Luckily for Chanyeol, you didn’t take your work too seriously. The hour was filled with checking a report and scrolling through your horoscope website until you found the one you liked. 

“I’m leaving everyone.” You announced while grabbing your coat. Some colleagues hummed as a response, being too busy with their work. Luckily for your company, some people did take their jobs seriously.

When you made your way down to the entrance of your building, Chanyeol wasn’t there yet. The old security man was still working, so you made your way over to him.

“Long time no see.” You announced your presence, and he glanced up from the book he was reading.

“You must be really busy. I’ve heard you’re working on something special.” He put down his book to talk to you. If that’s not love, you don’t know what love is. Putting down a book could mean a marriage proposal in your world. You would say yes if the old security man asked you. It was a shame he was happily married, and that his wife was the kindest person you had ever met.

“I can’t really tell you, but yeah.” You said proudly while hanging over his desk like a little too excited kid.

“I’m really proud of you.”

“Thank you so much. How’s the book?” You asked him changing the subject.

“Boring.” Both of you laughed at his confession. Why were you even mad at him a couple of days ago? Your head really worked in strange ways sometimes. 

“If I don’t forget, I’ll bring you one of my favourites next week.” You happily told him, but he frowned.

“I appreciate the gesture as I know you’ll probably forget. I’m still waiting for your famous apple pie.” He joked with you, and you blushed. Why did you always forget everything? And why did you tell him you could bake? The last time you had baked something you’d almost set your apartment on fire. You really needed someone who could teach you basic household chores.

“If I don’t forget, I’ll also bring you some homemade apple pie.” You quickly lied to him. Supermarkets sold homemade apple pies too. 

“Y/N!” Chanyeol yelled before making his way over to you. “I hope you didn’t have to wait too long.”

“I almost wanted to leave, luckily for you, my favourite guy kept me company.” You teased Chanyeol, and he almost believed you wanted to leave. His eyes practically fell out of his head. Overacting was a good look on him. You started to think everything was a good look at him.

“Thank you so much for your sacrifice, sir.” Chanyeol joked while bowing.

“Nothing I can not handle. She can be sweet when she wants to be.”

“You never know how you’re going to find her.” Chanyeol agreed, and you rolled your eyes.

“Keeps the job exciting.” Both him and Chanyeol laughed loudly at the remark. Can people stop talking about you as if you weren’t there, that would be great? Thank you.

“Enough about me. Let’s go Chanyeol.” You waved at your friend and grabbed Chanyeol by the arm. 

“Where do you want to go?” He asked you while exiting the office building together. The sun was still shining, which made you really happy. 

“I always go to the same bar.” You explained to him. Baekhyun hadn’t really cared where you were going.

“Which is…?” Chanyeol tried again. 

“A secret.” You told him with your finger over your lips. 

“I don’t really like secrets,” Chanyeol stated, and you had to container your disappointment. Who didn’t like secrets? Everyone has secrets.

“You don’t have any secrets?” You asked him softly.

“No, I’m an open book. Do you have any?” It’s not like it is a bad thing to not have secrets, but you were a tiny little bit disappointed. Maybe he needed a sip of alcohol before he got honest with you.

“I collect secrets.” You joked with him, but it seemed to go right through him.

“How do you even collect secrets.” He asked you seriously, and you sighed. Maybe you could only converse with him about work-related stuff. 

“I scream them into a jar before sealing the lid.”

“Are you kidding?” He asked you uncertain. 

“Of course not.”

“Strange.” He ended the conversation. 

“A little bit, yeah.” You whispered under your breath before opening the door of your favourite bar. Maybe you should’ve gone to another as this place reminded you solely of Baekhyun. How conversation never went dull, and how his lips were a perfect fit on yours. You tried to shake the feeling. 

“What do you want to order?” Chanyeol asked after you were seated at the bar. You liked the spot better you had chosen when you’re with Baekhyun, but you couldn’t exactly tell Chanyeol that. 

“I only drink the signature cocktails. They’re the best.” You told him happily, never taking a look at the menu. You knew their cocktail list by heart.

“I don’t really like cocktails,” Chanyeol remarked while scanning the menu intently. 

“They have a lot of other options too.” You mumbled softly.

“Which one would you like? I’ll order us something.” Chanyeol asked you suddenly.

“I’d like this one.” You told him, showing him your favourite cocktail with your finger. You had to move a lot closer to him to do so, and it didn’t feel right. 

The conversation didn’t flow as you would have expected. And it’s not that Chanyeol wasn’t good company. He was a terrific company, but you just didn’t feel the part. You never really believed in that kind of stuff, but after your encounter with Baekhyun, you might be a believer now. 

“What are you thinking about?” Chanyeol asked you after a couple minutes of silence. 

“Nothing.” You told him off. 

“Is that nothing called Baekhyun?” He asked you waiting for your response. 

“Why would I be thinking about Baekhyun?” You scoffed, trying to hide your surprise. Could he read your thoughts? 

“He seems to be interested in you, and you seem to be annoyed by everything he says and does.” He explains to you, and you couldn’t look him in the eyes. Were you that obvious?

“If he annoys me, why would I be thinking about him outside of work?”

“Love and hate are practically the same things.” He reasoned with you. His face showed a beautiful smile, and you hated yourself for leading on such a wonderful man. 

“I only believe in hate at first sight. Love is something people made up because they weren’t satisfied with their lives.

“Wasn’t it hate at first sight between the two of you?” He asked you jokingly, but you couldn’t laugh. He was right, actually. And you really hated it when people understood something before you.

“Stop reasoning with me.” You told him.

“I really had high hopes for tonight.” He changed the subject again.

“Why’s that?” You asked him while playing with the straw in your drink. 

“Because I like you.” He confessed suddenly.

“Was it love at first sight for you?” You jokingly asked him, but he shook his head in disbelief at your words. 

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” He laughed softly. 

“I’m sorry.” You apologize.

“Don’t be. Don’t be sorry for being you. I like that about you. That you’re unapologetically you.”

“That’s so cliché of you to say.”

“I do watch romantic movies.” He proudly stated after taking a sip from his drink.

“And you let their stories guide your life.” You commented after also taking a sip from your fruity cocktail.

“I’ve known Baekhyun for a while now, but I’ve never seen him like he is now,” Chanyeol said seriously again. He could really switch from serious to jokingly in a second. It was confusing.

“And what is so different?” You asked him interested. You were tired. You didn’t really want to hate Baekhyun anymore. 

“He seems excited,” Chanyeol stated. 

“Excited?” You repeated him. Why would Baekhyun suddenly seem excited? What changed? 

“When I told him I was having dinner with you tonight, he came alive. He was asking where and when exactly, and not that Baekhyun is a bad friend, but he is never interested in my dating life. At least not like that.” Chanyeol began explaining his reasoning. He thought he had it all figured out. 

“…Also, your little exchange in the meeting room made me suspicious.” He continued his monologue, and you could only listen to his words. Baekhyun came alive when he discovered you went out to eat with Chanyeol. Baekhyun knew you were somewhere right now having fun with someone else. How did that even me you look?

“… It seems you do collect secrets.” He ended, and you half smiled at him. It was a lot to take in. 

“I told you.” You ended the conversation. Both of you said goodbye after the awkward confession/ analyzation of Chanyeol. You needed some time alone to figure things out.

The next couple of days went remotely smooth. You had gotten your hands onto Baekhyun’s schedule, so you knew when and where he was at all times. It was a life saviour. It was the only thing keeping you sane. You had finally taken his shirt back to the office. You didn’t want to keep it, as it held too many memories for you. But you also didn’t want to throw it away as it seemed to be a costly dress shirt. You and Jennie made a plan where you would just leave it in his office when you knew he would be out.

Today was going to be the day. It was finally Friday, and he had lunch plans with some big shot guy you didn’t remember the name of. But he seemed to be necessary , and Baekhyun would never skip that meeting. It was a solid plan because everyone would leave your office around lunchtime to get something to eat. You didn’t need to explain why you had a man’s shirt in your hands, and you didn’t need to tell why you were going to the top floor.

You quietly made your way up to Baekhyun’s office, working your hardest to not look suspicious. Once you closed his office door behind you, you could finally breath again. He wasn’t there, and somehow after all your hard work in avoiding him, you felt a little sad. You patted his shirt after you placed it on his desk. This was it. This is how it ends. 

“We had a good time.” You whispered to the lifeless shirt. 

“We did have a good time, didn’t we?” A voice behind you surprised you. You turned around and saw Baekhyun closing his office door. He wore a pastel coloured suit that complimented his natural skin colour, and you felt your cheeks redden. 

“I’m sorry mister Byun. I was just returning something that was yours.” You explained yourself softly. He didn’t say anything while walking over to his desk, standing right next to you.

“Thank you.” He finally said after looking at the shirt on his desk. It was freshly washed, and neatly folded. “Maybe you should keep it.” He shrugged while holding his shirt out for you to take.

“What?” You stuttered, not being able to control yourself around the handsome man. Why would he even give you his shirt? It didn’t even smell like him anymore, not that you checked.

“You did look good in my shirt. I still think about that moment when you entered the meeting room in my shirt with your cheeks flushed red.” A soft smile spread over his face, but his eyes darkened. If he continued this duality of his, you would get a headache. There was just no deciphering the man. 

“You did rip my shirt, and left me all alone in your room. What else was I supposed to do?” You asked him sarcastically, trying to keep your voice low.

“I really wanted to stay though.” He moved a little bit closer to you, but you backed up against his desk.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore.” You firmly stated while standing up. You didn’t look him in the eyes.

“You haven’t even given me a chance to talk about it.” His hand got hold of your wrist, but you quickly shrugged him off.

“What’s done is done, mister Byun. It is no good to dwell on the past.” You explained to him cooly.

“Is it this easy for you to let us go?” His voice grew angry, but you kept your cold facade. 

“Us? There is no us, mister Byun.” You corrected him.

“Please call me Baekhyun.” He pleaded.

“What do you want from me, Baekhyun?” You yelled at him, you couldn’t hide the frustration anymore. You couldn’t contain the anger you had for the man standing in front of you.

“I just want you.” He confessed quietly, and a part of you wanted his words to be true, but you couldn’t believe him.

“You made it perfectly clear that you can’t have me.” You took a step back, but he was quick to follow.

“I never made myself clear, you simply assumed.” He corrected you, and you glared at him. He couldn’t blame all of this on you.

“Seeing your wife acting all happy was enough proof.”

“Do you like me?” His voice could barely be heard, he was pleading you. His eyes were searching for yours, but you were trying to take a step back from Baekhyun. In a little over a week, he had made you obsessed with him. You wanted to know everything about him. You wanted to know his most deeply hidden secrets, but he just couldn’t give you what you wanted. He would always leave a part of himself invisible, that’s the kind of man Baekhyun was. You wanted a pure love without complications, but Baekhyun screamed troubles from miles away. Maybe it was best to end it before it could actually start becoming troublesome.

“That doesn’t matter.” You mumbled softly.

“It does! Do you like me Y/N?” He raised his voice while his hands landed on your shoulders. He was trying to make you look at him, but you refused.

“Why?” His hands found their way to your chin, and they demanded you to look up at him. You lost your internal battle the moment your eyes connected. His dark orbs, filled with passion, were enough to make you weak in the knees. He didn’t say anything, but his eyes were pleading you to stay.

“Because I have liked you ever since the first moment I laid my eyes on you. Ever since the moment you spilt your drunken secrets, you had me captivated. You’re like a drug, Y/N, and I can’t seem to get enough. I can’t stand seeing you flirt with Chanyeol when it should be me. I told you that I’m selfish, I want you all to myself. I want to spend the rest of my life with you even, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you!” Baekhyun started. There was no stopping him now. He looked determined to make you stay.

“I ache when I see you smile. I want it to be directed toward me. For me. Because of me. I want to bring you joy. I want to be the source of those lit-up eyes.” His voice grew softer when he ended his confession.

“That’s nice Baekhyun, but last time I checked you were still happily married." Tears started to form in your eyes, and you couldn’t act like you were fine anymore. Baekhyun saw your tears and tried to move them away with his fingers, but it only resulted in you crying more. The soft side he had shown you that was solely dedicated to you, was too much for you to handle.

“Make me choose.” He whispered with his hands still covering your cheeks.

“I want you to decide for yourself. I don't want to ruin your marriage.”

“The marriage was already ruined before you came along.”

“Exactly. Why would you leave her now? You could’ve left earlier. The option was always there. Why now?” You asked him desperately while the tears kept falling down.

“It's not as easy as it seems.” He silently confessed. He had already thrown this words into your direction.

“You keep saying that. I will make the decision for you. Let's stop this game that we’re playing. Let’s just end whatever this is.” You told him while fighting through your tears. He let go of your face, and you saw it as a sign to leave. You quickly turned around and marched out of his office.

That’s why you were avoiding him. That’s why you wanted to hate him in your head. You couldn’t stop thinking about him, and you don’t know how he has gotten so comfortable in your head. And you hate the fact that he can mess up your mind so easily. To be honest, you’re afraid of love. You’re scared of feeling that someone keeps sticking to your heart, making you wonder at night if he had feelings for you too. Baekhyun had feelings for you, but he still broke your heart. You know that pain, where you give your heart and someone decides he doesn’t need it. Baekhyun needed it, and he wanted it, but it was just not possible. And if it’s possible, that’s even worse.

And here you are alone, heartbroken, depressed as fuck, and no way out. How could you not remember his shiny smile and his flawless beauty? How could you ever forget his teary eyes when he confessed his love for you? His little grey's anatomy moment where he wanted you to make him choose.

“Y/N!” Baekhyun yelled after you, but you quickened your pace. “Please wait.” He finally caught up with you, and grabbed your arm to stop you.

“Don’t.” You told him while tears were falling from your eyes. You had no control over your body in this moment.

“Don’t leave me. Not before we try to turn this into something.” A single tear left his eye, and you softly brushed his tear away with your thumb.

“What if nothing is there?” Your hand rested on his cheek, and he leaned into your touch. Some people were entering the office again as lunch time was almost over, but you didn’t care. All you cared for was Baekhyun in this moment.

“I would risk it because if you’d let me, I could make you happy.” He kissed the inside of your hand while his eyes remained on yours. The act was so innocent yet the fire inside you started to burn. You wanted more. You needed more of Baekhyun.

“I don’t care about your money, Baekhyun.” Your voice barely a whisper. You wanted your words to be heard by Baekhyun only.

“Let me buy you a drink tonight? Let me buy you dinner? Give me one date?” He started pleading again, but this time you couldn’t say no to him. 

“Where’s your wife?” You asked him.

“She only shows up when she needs money. She already left.” The explanation made no sense, but you didn’t care. She was gone, and that was all you need to know now.

“Okay.” You stated confidently. If your heart was meant to be broken, it was best to have it broken by Baekhyun. The only one who made you feel things. The only man who could turn your insides into mush, and make your cheeks permanently flushed.

“Okay?” He asked your surprised. He couldn’t believe your words, and you couldn’t really believe to yourself.

“I’m just as surprised as you are. Let’s try this once, and only one time.” You told him firmly.

“You won’t regret it.” He told you enthusiastically. 

“You better sweep me off my feet.” You joked with half a smile covering your face, but Baekhyun’s smile reached his ears. He quickly enveloped you in a hug where he lifted you off your feet. “Please put me down, Baekhyun. I didn’t really mean it that literally.” You laughed when he returned you safely on the ground, but he didn’t let go of you yet. His arms stayed draped around you while his eyes were searching for yours. 

“I like this.” He mumbled softly before kissing your cheek. He wanted to kiss your lips, but you quickly maneuvered your way out of his grip.

“No kissing until you confess to me like mister Darcy would confess.” You told him while taking his hand into yours. You motioned for him to follow you to the elevator. Maybe you should find a more discreet spot to confess.

“I already confessed to you like mister Darcy would do. He would be very proud.” He joked with you while his fingers were drawing small circles onto your hand, making your body instantly relax. All you needed was Baekhyun to make the biggest thunders in your heart go away. He told you that you were like a drug to him, but he was really your drug.

“You didn’t tell me that I bewitched you body and soul.” You pouted slightly, making him chuckle lowly. That wonderful sound you could listen to for days and days.

“I said you were like a drug, isn’t that the same sentiment?” He tried to reason with you, but by now he should’ve known better than to reason with you.

“I’m sorry, I don’t make the rules, mister Byun.” You laughed at him, and you could see the love in his eyes. Maybe love was a bit too strong, but you could see the fondness he had for you in his eyes. That was enough for now.

“What have I gotten myself into?” He jokingly asked the ceiling, and you quickly stomped him in the ribs. You could get used to this. You could get used to this side of Baekhyun. You didn’t know what the future would hold, but as you said before; it’s enough for now. And who knows what kind of secrets you could make with Baekhyun. You would be lying to yourself if you said you weren’t a little bit excited. 

[official-book-wizard]

I WILL TITLE THIS LATER (I HOPE)

Author’s Note: I did not proofread this at all. I may do so tomorrow (today, but not at 3 in the morning) when I am semi-coherent. I’m also probably going to reblog it then because time zones. It’ll go on AO3 later, but the void is physically manifesting so bon apetit. 

“Wait, so it’s Valentine’s day?” Reyna stared agape at Thalia. For someone who always knew the date, she was notoriously bad with holidays. 

“You didn’t know?” Thalia asked. “Piper’s been nagging me about it for weeks.”

In the back of her mind, Reyna was pretty sure someone had mentioned it, but, frankly, she had more important things on her mind. 

“Okay, yeah, she probably did. Sorry, I forgot.”

“Yeah, fair enough. Either way, the reason I’m here-” Reyna could tell from Thalia’s tone that she was about to say something crazy. 

“Okay. So.” Thalia began again. “I can’t find anyone to agree to platonically do cheesy Valentine’s Day things with me. I do it every year, and it’s the best thing ever.”

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean that we both dress as formal as possible, then go to the most formal restaurant I can find, where I will have Valentine’s balloons waiting, much to the annoyance of the wait staff. We will proceed to watch cheesy romantic movies in a movie theater that I happen to know sells those tiny candy hearts. It needs to be as sickeningly sweet and stereotypical as possible.”

“What?” Reyna asked, laughing. “You do that?”

“Every time I get the chance. Then, of course, there’s tomorrow, when I’m going to buy out an entire store’s worth of discount Valentine’s chocolate, but you don’t have to join me for that. Are you in?”

Reyna thought for a moment. She had dignity, a reputation to uphold, and work that she needed to do. Then again, Thalia’s idea sounded ridiculously fun, and she did have a very Valentine’s-esque, overly formal dress that she never got a chance to wear. 

It was her good judgement versus impulse, and she knew exactly which was going to win out.

“Yeah, I’m in. When and where do I meet you?”

Thalia gave her an address and time, then left, a triumphant smile on her face. 

----------

A few hours later, Reyna found herself in front of the fanciest restaurant in town. Most likely, it was filled with rich elderly straight couples. The thought of Thalia in there was almost laughable; she was loud and cheerful and would never blend into a formal setting like that. She’d be chased out, three Karens on her heels, within seconds. 

She waited in her truck for a few minutes before Thalia walked into the parking lot, grinning. She had dyed the blue streak in her hair bright red, which matched the dress Reyna had not expected her to be wearing. She carried a comically large bouquet of garishly colored flowers.

“Did you walk all the way here?” Reyna asked. It would have been maybe 3 or 4 miles from where New Rome, where Thalia was staying just outside of. That was pretty far in heels. Thalia had indeed left nothing out of her ensemble. Then again, neither had Reyna. 

“No, I probably would have died halfway here,” said Thalia. “I can’t drive, so your sister drove me.”

“Hylla?” asked Reyna. “Did you tell her I was here?”

“No, she would have murdered me for dragging you into this. She thinks I’m with Piper, who seems to be playing along with it.”

“Isn’t Piper with Shel?” “She’s also playing along,” stated Thalia. “I’d like to escape tonight with my life, thank you very much.”

“Looks like you’ve planned this out,” said Reyna as Thalia passed her the bouquet, which was probably at least two feet tall. 

“Well, let’s go. Annoying the straights with my very presence waits for no one.”

----------

Reyna had to admit that the inside of the restaurant was impressive. The entrance was wood paneled in a way that New Rome could only dream of affording. A crystal chandelier as big as she was hung from the ceiling. The wait staff were all wearing suits. Reyna had to admit, it was all a bit intimidating, but she knew nothing better than situations like this. She was fine. 

Thalia approached the podium, announcing that she had a reservation. The hostess seemed mildly annoyed, between Thalia’s hair, the flowers, Reyna, and the fact that she had already brought in hot pink heart balloons, which Reyna could see from where they were standing. 

With a sigh, the hostess led the two over to their seats, where they were already getting disapproving glares from the middle-aged couples surrounding them, who were now getting someone to point fingers at for the disruptive balloons. 

As they looked over the menus, Thalia held out a handful of the same tiny candy hearts that they were going to eat at the movie theater later. 

“I practically live for these. Do you want any?”

Reyna did not like candy hearts. But who wanted to say no to the look on Thalia’s face? With a sigh, she picked one. 

Thalia was once again grinning like a madman. Did that girl have any other facial expressions? Reyna couldn’t help it; she returned the ear-to-ear smile. 

----------

Surprisingly, the two made it through their dinner without the acidic glares of everyone else boring holes into them. 

“Do we really want to leave this early?” Thalia asked in what was almost a whisper after a waitress cleared their plates. “Or do we order a giant chocolate cake? Because most times I don’t get this many dirty looks from old people and I’m honestly vibing with it.”

The option was appealing to Reyna, though of course it had numerous problems. “I thought you wanted to eat candy hearts at the movie theater?”

Thalia seemed to realize her mistake. “Yeah, good idea. Small chocolate cake, then.”

“No,” Reyna said. “As in, we have twenty minutes to get there. I don’t know where I’m going and you can’t drive.”

“We’ve been here for an hour?” Thalia seemed shocked. “Wow, didn’t realize that.”

Although it took them a few minutes to finish squabbling over the check, they had made it into Reyna’s truck within five minutes. 

“Where to?” Reyna asked as soon as she was behind the wheel. 

“Um, left,” Thalia guessed. “It isn’t far from here, and I’m pretty sure I didn’t pass it on the way.”

“How far is it?” Reyna asked. 

“Just maybe two minutes drive, max.”

“Would we be better to walk?” asked Reyna. She knew that she could navigate almost any area better on foot; maybe Thalia was the same. “Probably.”

Sure enough, Thalia was able to find her way on foot to the theater, a tiny one just a single street over. Despite its small size, it was packed with people, all of whose existence served to remind Reyna of how overdressed she and Thalia were. 

“You get the food, I get the tickets,” Reyna told her. Did she care that they’d just eaten? Not particularly. Anytime can be popcorn time. 

As agreed upon, Reyna found the cheesiest movie in the theater and bought two tickets. By the time she had finished that, however, Thalia had barely even moved in line for the popcorn and candy. Since they still had five minutes, Reyna decided she might as well stand in line with her. 

No sooner had she, however, than an employee announced that they had run out of popcorn and candy hearts. 

“That’s a shame,” Thalia said. “I guess I’ll get extra tomorrow.” “How many do you have now?” “Five.”

“We’ll still be fine,” said Reyna. “At least now we won’t miss the beginning of the movie.”

“You have a point,” Thalia admitted. “Let’s go, the previews should be over soon.”

The plot of the movie, Reyna found, wasn’t all that interesting, though the characters were incredibly stupid, which, as everyone knows, makes up for everything. That, plus Thalia’s snide comments every five minutes, made the experience quite enjoyable. 

Speaking of Thalia, Reyna’s eyes kept darting over to her. Despite her overly formal attire, she seemed very relaxed, smiling slightly in the dim light of the theater. Reyna wasn’t really sure why she couldn’t keep her eyes off her, nor was she sure if she cared. 

No, at this moment she cared about nothing at all. Nothing but Thalia. 

Leaving the movie theater, the world was just one thin plane of reality away from her, almost like she was in a trance. Thalia was just herself, talking so quickly Reyna barely had time to comprehend point A before she was on point F. 

Of course, they had to walk back to the truck, still in the parking lot of the restaurant. It was almost midnight and below freezing, but the cold was all that was keeping Reyna’s mind on Earth right then. 

All she could do was go over in her head the entire night on repeat. After sitting in the driver’s seat of her truck for a second, she took all the control left in her mind to snap herself out of it. 

You’ll have plenty of time for this later, she reminded herself. Though it’s stupid anyway. 

Later, she kept reminding herself as her brain kept threatening to send her back. But by some miracle, she drove herself and Thalia back safely. 

Say something, she commanded her brain. 

“We’re doing this again next year, right?” Reyna asked. 

“I don’t have any other plans.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“For now,” Thalia smirked. “But thanks for joining me.” “Thanks for letting me.”

“Good night, praetor.”

“You too, lieutenant.” 

Reyna wandered back into the praetorian villa quietly, as by now it was nearing 12:30 in the morning. She went immediately to bed, though she should have known sleeping would be pointless. Her mind was swimming, but within it was only one thought. 

Thalia. 

What had she done?