#Sam And Twitch: Case Files no.1

[nfcomics]

Sam And Twitch: Case Files no.1 • cover art • Kevin Keane [Mar 2024]

SAM AND TWITCH: CASE FILES. From the world of SPAWN, acclaimed creator TODD McFARLANE and artist SZYMON KUDRANSKI bring you a tale of murder, intrigue, and deception in this noir crime drama.

$2.99 US

[spawn-universe]

Sam and Twitch Case Files #1

Cover A by Kevin Keane

Cover B By Todd McFarlane

[notanettelmao]

Code Breaker pt.1

Also on AO3

(A Teen Wolf Rewrite)

Fandoms: Teen Wolf, Supernatural Warnings: usual TW and SPN stuff Pairings: Stiles Stilinski x reader Word count: 1,7k

<back // next>

tags: @venomsvl  @celestair  @d64d-n0t-sl66p1ng

if you wanna be tagged let me know!

Stiles was securing pictures of the victims with missing hearts that he secretly photocopied from his father's folders to his board with magnets when Y/N ran into his room. 

"How did you get here so quickly? Peter lives on the other side of town-" Stiles eyed her curiously, but then he noticed Y/N breathing heavily and trying to catch her breath. The corners of his mouth twitched as he tried not to laugh.

"I ran," Y/N said in between breaths. Stiles shook his head and then turned back to his board to mark the places where the victims were found on a map. Y/N took a few steps closer to the board to get a better look. 

"He's making a circle around Beacon Hills, but slowly so it's not noticeable. These cases are all almost six months apart from each other. I don't know how my dad didn't realize they are somehow connected." Stiles said, showing her the dates on the files. 

"So he is smart. Which means he has to be sane. Which kinda makes me worried he is not rogue, just power hungry." Y/N sighed and pulled out her phone from her pocket, holding it in her hand and staring at it.

"Are you going to call your brothers to help us?" Stiles asked. Y/N bit her lip, thinking, and then nodded.

"I might have to. I don't know how they will react if they find out about me being friends with three werewolves. Especially Dean." She sighed and sat down on Stiles' bed.

"Castiel healed Peter, right? So if he comes with your brothers, he could tell them all three are friendly? Even though one looks like he could murder you with his eyebrows." Stiles smirked as he sat down next to her. Y/N rolled her eyes. 

"He looks like he could murder you even without those eyebrows. Have you seen him shifted? His eyebrows go missing. It's actually hilarious, but don't mention it around him. He doesn't like it." Stiles had to put a hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing, while Y/N texted her brothers instead of calling them, even sending them a meet-up place because she just didn't trust Kate.

⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

The black Chevy Impala took longer than expected to arrive in Beacon Hills. Two weeks, to be exact. Two weeks full of the friend group getting chased and attacked by the alpha.

 Y/N was impatiently waiting at the motel Dean told her about when they drove her here a few weeks ago. When she finally spotted the car, she stood up from the stairs she was sitting on and waved at her brothers. Both of them were smiling at her, as they exited the vehicle. She knew the smiles would quickly disappear when she would tell them why exactly she called them here.

"Y/N/N! You look like you are finally getting enough sleep!" Was the first thing that left Dean's mouth. Y/N rolled her eyes. 

"You look like you still drink way too much in your free time," she said back with a grin, spreading her arms to hug him. Dean squeezed her so hard she couldn't breathe, then took a step back and let Sam hug her. At the same time, Roscoe came into view. Stiles was sitting behind the wheel, Scott in the passenger seat, and the two grumpy-looking Hales were squeezed in the back seat. Y/N had to stop herself from laughing.

"So, will you finally tell us what is so urgent that we had to drive all the way here?" Dean asked as he pulled his duffle back from the trunk. Sam, who was watching the new arrivals, turned to look at his sister. 

"Yeah. These guys will help me with that." She waved her hand toward the blue Jeep. Dean finally turned to look at them. Scott was giving everyone his kicked-puppy look, Stiles was awkwardly rubbing his neck, Derek just frowned at everyone and Peter smirked when the brothers looked at him.

"Who are they exactly?" Sam asked. Y/N sighed. She then pulled the keys to the brother's booked room from her pocket, turned around, and walked towards the door while speaking.

"I will explain everything when we are inside, we don't need people knowing you are in town, even tho Baby will give you away anyway." All of them followed her inside the room. Sam and Dean each picked a bed and placed their duffle on it to claim it, then they both sat on their own bed. Scott and Peter sat down at the two chairs next to the small table that was in the room, Derek decided to stay near the door, Y/N guessed it was for a quick escape in case Dean decided to shoot them full of silver, and Stiles made his way towards Y/N. He had his arms full of the researched materials she told him to bring. 

Y/N cleared her throat and then looked at everyone in the room.

"So, Dean, Sam, these are Scott, Stiles, Derek, and Peter." She motioned to each of them with her hand.

"Everyone, this is Sammy," Y/N pointed to her long-haired brother, who was eyeing the Hales suspiciously. She realized he must have heard about them in the past, along with the pictures from when the fire happened.

"And that one there-" she looked at Dean, "- that will put the gun away!" She frowned at Dean when she realized he was holding his gun, ready to shoot.

"Is Dean." When he didn't put the gun down she sighed and walked up to him, taking it from his hands. She then proceeded to pull another two from his duffle, just to be safe. Stiles eyed the guns and swallowed nervously, realizing he was the only one without superhuman strength or hunter training in the room. 

"Y/N, why are we in a room with two werewolves?" Sam asked, not looking away from Peter. Dean was staring right at Derek, who was staring back at him with an even more intense stare.

"I always wanted a dog-" she started, making Stiles snort. Derek shot her an offended look. Y/N just grinned at him and then turned to her brothers.

"I know you guys don't like working with supernatural beings, but you made the exception with Cas, so now trust me with these three."

"Three?" Dean asked, immediately turning to stare at Stiles.

"Oh, not me. I'm just 147 pounds of pale skin and fragile bones," he motioned towards Scott. Dean gave his sister a look.

"Really? The one with the puppy eyes is the were?" He sounded so done with everything that Y/N wanted to laugh. 

"Okay, I called you here because we have a werewolf problem. And also rogue hunters problem. You pick which one is worse." Y/N said. She pulled a few folders from Stiles' arms and spread them on the bed behind Sam. Dean stood up from his bed and walked over to take a look. 

"There have been many attacks in the past month, starting with two days before we arrived here and I stayed. It started with Laura Hale, the one that became alpha after the fire. Derek felt the bond snap and arrived from New York the day after it happened. Overnight some hikers found half of Laura's body in the woods and reported it to the police, that's how Stiles got to know about it and he decided it would be a smart idea to go look for the still missing half, along with his asthmatic best friend. As you already know Scott got turned. The alpha bit him and no one since then, so he doesn't want to build a pack." Y/N started explaining, while the brothers looked through the opened folders. The Hales patiently waited for Y/N to explain everything. Stiles took a few steps forward so he was next to Y/N again. She nodded at him.

"He is trying to make it look like Peter did it, but we have evidence that it wasn't him. There were attacks around Beacon Hills where the dead people were missing a heart. Peter was still comatose at the time of those attacks, and even if he wasn't, he is a born wolf." Stiles continued where Y/N left off.

"Yeah, born weres don't feed on hearts, they don't need them to survive." Dean shot both of the Hales a look, before looking back at his sister. 

"What else happened?" He asked.

"Well, there was an attack at the video store in town, two of our classmates were present, but they don't know what it was. He has the powers of both, bitten omega and born alpha. He can fully shift into a wolf. But because he isn't a born wolf, the form is deformed. He looks like something from a really bad horror movie." Y/N cringed at the memory of the alpha running after them in the school a few days ago. 

"So you saw it?" Sam asked. The three teenagers exchanged looks. 

"We, uhm, we kinda.. were chased by it?" Scott said, but it sounded more like a question. Sam and Dean both looked at their sister with a look that could kill her, both taking a breath to say something, but she was quicker.

"Nu-uh, you don't get to say stuff. You guys get chased every single time you hunt something. This was one time only okay." She put her hands on her hips, frowning at her brothers. 

"Is there anything else that happened? Or is that all?" Sam asked after a minute.

"Oh, he actually bit the girl that was at the video store, but she didn't turn. She's currently being treated at the hospital because she is not waking up either." Scott informed the brothers. 

"I tested her. She's safe. Also from what Stiles, Peter, and I found yesterday, we have a name for the alpha guy. It's Ludensky." Y/N swallowed.

"Wait. Ludensky? As in the guy I shot last year, that thanked me for freeing him of the werewolf curse?" Dean asked, which made everyone look at him. Well, except for Y/N and Sam.

"Yup. That's the one." 

"Son of a bitch," Dean let out. 

"We need a plan to get rid of him. Anyone has any ideas?" Sam asked. The room was silent until Peter cleared his throat. 

"I might have, but I'm not sure if any of you will like it."

[smashpages]

Sam & Twitch Case Files #1 (Image Comics, March 2024) variant cover by Todd McFarlane

[cybercitycomix]

Top New Misc Comic Releases for the Week of April 17th, 2024.

7174AD #1,

Assassins Creed the Fall #1,

Blow Away #1,

Darkstalkers Jedah #1,

Dudley Datson #1,

Gargoyles Quest #1,

I Heart Skull-Crusher #2,

Moon Man #2,

Penthouse Comics #2 +

Sam & Twitch Case Files #2.

[geekcavepodcast]

Todd McFarlane Productions Announces "The New U" Titles

Todd McFarlanes Spawn Universe is laying the foundation of a lineup of new comics called "The New U." This new era will follow the events of Spawn #350. The first three "The New U" comics are Sam & Twitch: Case Files, Rat City, and Monolith. "The New U" comics will span a variety of genres, including crime, horror, science-fiction, drama, and comedy.

Sam & Twitch: Case Files puts the detectives front and center in their own series. The comic hails from McFarlane and Jon Goff and artist Szymon Kudrański.

Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 goes on sale on March 27, 2024.

Rat City, from Erica Schultz and Zé Carlos, follows Peter Cairn, ex-soldier, amputee, and Hellspawn in a post-war future. "But Peter isn't dead like Al. Peter got his Spawn powers from the nanites in his prosthetic legs—nanites that were affected when Al Simmons initiated his necroplasmic detonation in the present. Al had no clue that the effects would ripple across—not just space—and but time as well." (Image Comics)

Rat City #1 goes on sale on April 10, 2024.

Monolith, from Sean Lewis and Valerio Giangiordano, is a three part miniseries that explores the Hellspawn Monolith's origin and what his connection is with Omega Spawn.

Monolith #1 (of 3) goes on sale on May 15, 2024.

(Image via Image Comics - Cover of Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1)

[theantoniomabs]

REVIEW: Sam and Twich- Case Files #1

From the world of Spawn, this duo of detectives has been solving mysteries and kicking ass since day 1. Sam and Twitch relaunched with a whole new series, written by Todd McFarlane himself and co-written by Jon Goff; this new series is here to break some bones. Sam’s informant is out playing Mario Kart, and Detective Sam Burke is not having it. After breaking the kid’s nose, Sam must face the…

[keycomicbooks]

Sam & Twitch #1 (2024) Todd McFarlane Variant, Jon Goff Writer, Szymon Kudranski Artist, SERIES PREMIERE

#SamAndTwitch #1 (2024) #ToddMcFarlane Variant, #JonGoff Writer, #SzymonKudranski Artist, SERIES PREMIERE "Untitled" Your fan-favorite detectives are back in their new ongoing series, SAM AND TWITCH: CASE FILES. SAVE ON SHIPPING COST - NOW AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PICK UP IN DELTONA, FLORIDA https://rarecomicbooks.fashionablewebs.com/Sam%20&%20Twitch.html  #KeyComicBooks #ImageComics #ImageUniverse

[comicbookclub]

Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 Review: Back In Action

Read our review of Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 from Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and Jon Goff with art by Szymon Kudrański.

Read our review of Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 from Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and Jon Goff with art by Szymon Kudrański. We reviewed the book on the Stack podcast. But in the interest of highlighting more about the title, here’s a summary of the conversation with our thoughts. And if you prefer the longer audio version, that’s below as well! Powered by RedCircle Sam & Twitch:…

[comicbookclublive]

Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 Review: Back In Action

Read our review of Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 from Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and Jon Goff with art by Szymon Kudrański.

Read our review of Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1 from Image Comics, written by Todd McFarlane and Jon Goff with art by Szymon Kudrański. We reviewed the book on the Stack podcast. But in the interest of highlighting more about the title, here’s a summary of the conversation with our thoughts. And if you prefer the longer audio version, that’s below as well! Powered by RedCircle Sam & Twitch:…

[comiccrusaders]

.@TODD_MCFARLANE ROLLS OUT "THE NEW U," UNVEILS SAM & TWITCH: CASE FILES #1 COVER! @ImageComics #Spawn #comics #comicbooks https://ow.ly/RGbn50QJRhb

[calaofnoldor]

Sixth Time’s the Charm [1]

Characters: Sam x F!Reader, Dean, OCs

Words: 1,550

Series Summary: All the times Dean has tried to get Sam to admit his feelings for you.

Chapter Summary: Dean asks you to flirt with a cop for info. Sam is not pleased.

Warnings: jealous!sam, protective!sam, huffy!sam, badass!reader, exasperated squirrel, mutual pining, idiots in love, tropesss

A/N: this is part one of a six-part mini series that is essentially an amalgamation of all the jealous/protective tropes. sorry not sorry?

MASTERLIST | SERIES MASTERLIST

The first time was an impromptu experiment. Of course, Dean already knew Sam had a crush on you; he raised the kid for crying out loud. That and the way Sam had stumbled over his own tongue and feet the first time they encountered you (and nearly every time thereafter) made it quite obvious to everyone… well, except you, apparently. Regardless, Dean figured it was just the case of a simple crush and poor Sammy being unable to match his finesse with the ladies.

So when the three of you came across a sleazy police captain, who was in no way shy about having the hots for you, during a rugaru hunt in Nebraska, Dean was rather taken aback by his brother’s unusual reaction.

Strolling into the Omaha police department with you and Sam on either side, the older Winchester had identified the captain immediately from his picture online.

“Captain Anderson,” Dean addressed the man directly in a low, authoritative tone, “I’m Agent Parker, and these are my partners Agents Stan and Lee.” He motioned to his right and left side as he introduced you, accordingly, pausing as you flashed your fake badges in unison.

The captain was a tall, slightly rotund fellow, with a mustache to rival an 80’s porn star’s, and he scoffed haughtily at your entrance. “What the hell do the feds want with us? And did they really hafta send three of ya?” He gestured pointedly at you with a patronizing raise of his chin and your blood began to boil at the implicitly misogynistic remark.

“Well no offense, Captain,” you spoke up; your FBI get-up always gave you an extra boost of confidence (something about the power suit vibes you supposed), plus men like him really pissed you off, “but there have been five deaths here within the last week, and from what I understand, your team has a grand total of zero working theories and just as many leads, so perhaps you can understand why the government would show some concern.”

“Mm, mm, mm!” Captain Anderson chanted obnoxiously in response. He gave you a painfully slow once-over, eyes filled with a crude and unrestrained lechery that forced a shiver down your spine. “A woman who knows how to take charge… I like that,” he licked his lips lasciviously.

Dean was torn between awaiting your likely ruthless and epic comeback or telling the douchebag off himself when he heard Sam clear his throat forcedly beside him. Looking over, he was surprised to find his giant of a little brother to be a picture of rage. Strained jaw, clenched fists, distended chest, and a murderous glare directed unwaveringly at the Omaha police captain.

Meanwhile, you were finding it difficult to resist the urge to roll your eyes and repress your temper to maintain a professional front. “We need information and clearance,” you stated firmly, ignoring the cop’s inappropriate and debaucherous display, “Are you going to hand it over or not?”

“Sorry little miss, no can do! You’re prolly gonna hafta talk to the chief if you want in on a big boy case like this one… but, you know, I can think of some ways you might be able to convince me otherwise,” he finished with a lewd wink before taking off.

Sam looked like he was about to lunge at the captain, but Dean put a hand on his arm to ground him. He was starting to suspect Sam’s behavior might have more to do with you than the fact that the captain was a regular dickhead. After all, Sam was usually the calmer and more rational of the brothers, especially during hunts.

You were too busy holding yourself back to notice though, staring daggers into Anderson’s back as you watched him walk away.

“What an asshole. I’m sorry, Y/N,” Dean began. An idea was forming in his head, one that could help him test his theory. “Look, you know I wouldn’t ask this if there was a better way, but dyou think, maybe, just this once, you could… you know? Turn on the charm a bit? Just so we can get in?”

Sam had not been fully engaged in the conversation until just then, too focused on trying to mollify the inexplicable rage that Captain Anderson had incited within him, but Dean’s request certainly caught his attention.

“What?! Dean! You can’t be serious. No. We’ll find another way. Just- No.” Sam’s voice was harder and deeper than usual and for a moment you lost yourself in it, daydreaming that perhaps he was exhibiting a sense of jealously. But who were you kidding? Sam was just a nice guy who detested sexist pricks like Anderson; this had nothing to do with you.

“No, it’s fine. Dean’s right. This is the easiest way. I’ll do it,” you stated quietly before adding with a small smile, “I can suck it up on account of saving some lives.”

Dean grinned and you walked away before Sam could protest any further. When you reached the captain’s office, you didn’t bother knocking on the open door, “Alright, Captain Anderson-“

“Please, call me Frank.” He looked up at you with such a smug and revolting expression, you decided there was no way you could follow through with Dean’s plan.

“Listen, Frank,” you crossed your arms in what you hoped was an ‘I mean business’ stance, but quickly dropped them when you realized the action had unwittingly highlighted your cleavage in the button-down blouse you were wearing and spurred yet another round of gratuitous leering from Frank. “What’s it gonna take for you to hand over the case files and grant us full access to the evidence and crime scenes?”

“Well, since I like you, I’ll make it easy for ya. How about we start with a smile?” He had leaned forward in his seated position behind his desk as he spoke, and you almost smacked him right then.

As you turned to leave, however, it was Anderson who smacked you, open palmed and right on the ass. You forced yourself to take a deep breath before slowly turning back around. Keeping your movements deliberate and unhurried, you bent over his desk, ignoring the impulse to gag at the greasy, utterly unholy scent that filled your nostrils as you got close enough to whisper in his ear, “You know what, I’ll make it easy for you too. How about, if you give my partners and I complete authorization on this case, I won’t report you to the feds for sexual harassment? See, I know people in the upper ranks and I’ve got a lawyer who wipes the floor with guys like you on the daily.” It was all lies, of course, but you figured it was for a good cause.

“So what’s it gonna be, Captain?” You asked after straightening yourself back up.

As you���d hoped, the bastard was looking a little worse for wear, though you could tell he was trying to retain what little he could of his arrogant persona. “You little bitch.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Fine. You can have it,” he pointed at a stack of file folders on his desk, and then sighed as he produced three security passes, “Go crazy! Go fuck yourself.”

“Gladly,” you sassed, ready to strut out of there with everything you came for in hand.

Behind you, things had not gone so smoothly. When Sam saw Anderson slapping your butt, he was fully prepared to march over and break the captain’s nose, but Dean again held him back, “Woah, hey, you know Y/N can handle herself. What’s up with you?”

Then when he was forced to watch you lean in tantalizingly close and whisper something in Anderson’s ear, Sam experienced an entirely foreign sensation. He was still burning with fury, but that anger was joined by a peculiar ache. His heart had risen to his throat as he stood there, completely transfixed, a look of dejection and longing written across his face.

‘Huh,’ Dean had thought with an internal smirk, ‘Sammy’s got it ba-ad!’ he sing-song-ed in his own head, storing the information away for later, when he could find an opportune moment to tease his baby brother about it.

For now, Dean gave you two thumbs up as he watched you return with a triumphant grin, holding up three official passes by their lanyards.

“Got it all. We’re completely in,” you supplied each brother a security pass when you reached them.

“Damn. You are good, woman! What did you even say to him?” Dean chuckled as the three of you left the station.

“Oh nothing, just a bit of light threatening.”

Sam stopped to look at you quizzically. “Wait, what? You mean you didn’t- you weren’t… flirting with him?”

“Nah, I was too appalled by the thought to go down that route.”

“Oh,” he huffed out, looking down with drooped shoulders and an awkward twitch of a smile. You could have sworn he looked somewhat relieved, but decided not to read too much into it, too pleased with yourself to allow the ever-growing gloom of your unrequited love dampen your spirits.

The whole time Dean was staring back at the two of you in disbelief. ‘These goddamn idiots,’ he thought with an exasperated yet slightly amused shake of his head.

→ CARRY ON

thanks so much for reading! feedback always appreciated 💞

[moss-lyman]

For the prompts, "Why are you wearing my sweater" "Because it smells like you" - maybe set straight after Roslyn?

(I absolutely love your work!!)

hello! I’ve actually written something similar to that, you can find it here. but I can’t get enough of clothes sharing so here’s a little secret relationship set in season 1 :)

Josh stops mid step when he rounds into the bullpen and sees Donna by the filing cabinet. It’s Saturday, so she isn’t in her usual suit set. Instead she’s in some jeans with a big sweater that looks awfully familiar. He walks over to her.

“Is that my sweater?” he asks, careful to be quiet in case anyone is within hearing distance.

“Good morning to you, too,” she says pointedly, giving him a look.

“Why are you wearing my sweater?”

She shrugs. “Because it smells like you.”

He follows her as she places some folders on various desks throughout the bullpen, seemingly uncaring while Josh is practically having a full conniption.

“We’re at work,” he whispers loudly.

“Can’t get anything past you, Josh.”

“This could get us in trouble.”

She gives him an amused expression. “And the little rendezvous last week in the supply closet couldn’t?”

His eyes bug out of his head and he looks around again, but the bullpen is empty. He grabs her by the elbow and drags her to his office anyway, shutting the door behind them. “Donna.”

“What?” she says innocently, but he knows better. He sees the spark in her eye and the twitch of her mouth as she tries to school her features. “You left it at my apartment last week and it’s cold in here, so I wore it today. I’ve worn your clothes at work before. Why are you freaking out about this one?”

“Because before we weren’t... you know.”

“Sleeping together?” She grins when he blushes. “I love making you twitch.”

He huffs. “I’m serious.”

“So am I,” she murmurs, stepping towards him. “I missed you last night.” She fiddles with a button on his flannel shirt before tugging him closer. “I had to be creative.”

One of his hands reaches out to grab her waist, thumbing the material of his sweater softly. “For what?”

She peers up at him through her lashes. “For how best to combat my sexual frustration combined with an MIA boyfriend.”

Josh exhales heavily and leans his forehead against hers. “So you wore this last night while...”

“I was pleasuring myself to the thought of you?” she answers, her smile absolutely wicked. “Yes.” He falls onto her shoulder, groaning loudly, and she chuckles in his ear.

“And you decided to torture me with this information, why?”

She pulls back from him and gives him a lingering kiss, her finger propping his chin up. “I’m hoping it gives you some incentive.”

“I already have plenty of incentive,” he states. “It’s not having any time to act on it is my problem. You see my schedule. You know it’s swamped around here.”

“That didn’t stop Sam from having a date last night. Or CJ.”

“Donna, come on,” he says quietly. “You know I hate this stupid situation we’re in, don’t make me feel more guilty that I already do.”

She takes pity on him and runs her hands up and down his arms. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs and leans in to give him another kiss. “I know you’re busy.”

“I won’t be in a few weeks. The holidays are coming up and I was thinking...”

“About?”

“We should go away for the weekend. Just the two of us. No DC. No White House. To somewhere preferably with no cell reception either.”

Donna’s eyes widen. “You wanna go on a trip together?”

He nods. “This first year in office has been insane,” he says, locking his arms behind her back. “And I think we’ve earned a break, don’t you?”

A small smile creeps across her face and she throws her arms to rest on his shoulders. “Where do you wanna go?”

“There are some cabins on the coast toward Rhode Island. We could drive up and have a long weekend. Or we could go upstate in New York. Wherever you want.”

Her face softens as she toys with his hair. “Will there be a hot tub?”

“Absolutely,” he says, nodding emphatically. “With a king sized bed.”

“And a fire place?”

“Whatever you want.”

She pretends to think it over, but her smile forces it’s way onto her face. “Count me in.”

His dimples deepen and he kisses her once more before dropping his arms from her waist. “I’ll set it up.”

“Can you give me a little preview tonight?” she murmurs, practically purring, and he sticks his tongue in his cheek.

“I think I can schedule you in.”

She grins and goes to step out of his office, but pauses and turns back around to face him. “Josh?” He sits at his desk and looks up at her expectantly. “I’m just...” she trails off. “I’m happy. With you. I know it hasn’t been easy and we don’t always have time to be with each other the way we want, but I really am.”

Josh’s insides get all fluttery and he knows he looks like a lovesick idiot, but he doesn’t care. He crooks his finger at her. “C’mere.” She walks over to him and he pulls on the sweater she’s wearing so she’ll lean down and he kisses her sweetly. “I’m really happy, too,” he murmurs and her answering smile sends another wave of butterflies through his stomach, so he kisses her one more time before pushing her back toward the door. “Now get out of here before I rip that sweater off you.”

“Is that a promise?” she asks, giving him another heated look as she stands by the door.

“Go now,” he says and she smirks.

“Or maybe we can meet in the supply clos—“

“Donna.”

She laughs as she finally walks out his door and it takes him another 5 minutes to get his thoughts under control before he goes back to work.

[refinedbuffoonery]

Flawless (1)

A Heist/Ocean’s 8 AU // Masterlist 

This story has been rattling around in my head for months now, and I’m so excited to finally share it with you! I’ve been describing this as an Ocean’s 8 AU, but it’s based more on the concept of the movie than the actual plot, although a few of the basic scenes are the same. Regardless, I have big plans for these girls. Content warnings for this fic are listed on the masterlist (link above). 

*****

“Good morning,” the parole officer said. “Please state your name for the record.” 

“Riley Davis.” 

“Thank you. Miss Davis, the purpose of this hearing is to determine whether you are likely to break the law again if released. According to the record, this is your first conviction, and you have never been suspect in another criminal investigation. During your time in prison, you kept to yourself and were well behaved.” The man looked up from her file. “As you know, parole is not a right. Parole is an immense privilege, Miss Davis, one you should not take lightly.” 

“I agree,” she said. 

“Good. What would you do if released?” 

Riley paused, thinking through her answer. “I would settle down, find a good job, fall in love, maybe have kids. I’ve learned my lesson, sir. It was a mistake. Now all I want is to lead a simple, happy life.” She placed one hand over the other, crossing her fingers on her covered hand. 

He squinted at her for a long time, like he was trying to read her mind. Riley painted her face in remorse. After several minutes, the parole officer relented and, apparently satisfied with her answers, said, “Very well.” 

Riley breathed a sigh of relief. By the end of the day, she’d be free. 

The officer continued, “The following are the conditions of your parole. You will report to me, in person, every two weeks until your parole period has ended. You may not cross state lines without my express permission. You must find and maintain steady employment. You may not use drugs or alcohol, nor enter any drinking establishments. You may not possess firearms or other weapons, and you may not associate with other persons with criminal records. In addition, you must obey all federal, state, and local laws, and generally be an upstanding citizen. If you do not follow these rules, Miss Davis, you will find yourself back in custody. Do I make myself clear?” 

Riley nodded. So close. “Yes, sir.” 

Extending his hand, the parole officer said, “Congratulations, Miss Davis. You are now a conditionally free woman.” 

“Thank you.” Riley shook his hand. 

The rest was all a blur. One minute she was sitting in a cold, metal chair with her wrists cuffed to a table, and before she knew it, Riley found herself changing out of her atrocious orange jumpsuit and pulling on skinny jeans and her buttery soft black leather jacket. Wearing real clothes didn’t hide the fact that she looked like shit, but in that moment Riley didn’t care. She was getting out of prison. 

After two years, one month, and four days, she was finally being released from prison. 

Two officers walked her to the exit. Opening the door, Riley squinted in the bright afternoon sunlight. She found herself in one last cage of chain-link fences with coils of barbed wire arching over the tops, and Riley quickened her steps through the open gate in front of her. 

A familiar face waited in the parking lot, perched on the back of a motorcycle. “Welcome back,” Nikki Carpenter said. The pair shared a conspiratorial grin. 

Riley hadn’t known who the officers called to pick her up, but perhaps her best friend coming to take her home was the universe’s repayment for the last two years. Nikki handed Riley a helmet before putting on her own and swinging her leg over the sleek, white bike. 

Riley started to put the helmet on and hesitated. She turned, looking back at the concrete cage she’d spent the last two years of her life in. Even though her sentence was only three years, the nagging voice in the back of her mind had reminded her every day that she might not make it out. Taking a shaky breath, Riley vowed to herself that she would die before finding herself on the wrong side of those fences and walls again. 

Never again. No matter what. 

Nikki must’ve noticed her hesitation, because she rested a hand on Riley’s shoulder. “You okay?” 

Still facing the prison, Riley couldn’t form the words to respond. 

“Hey. Thank you,” Nikki added softly. 

Riley didn’t want to deal with the implications of that ‘thank you.’ Not yet. Finally tearing her eyes away, she said, “Let’s get out of here.”

*****

“God, I need a drink,” Riley said as soon as they entered Nikki’s cozy two-bedroom apartment. Located in the heart of downtown LA, it was on the top floor of her building, so Nikki wasn’t subject to loud overhead neighbors stomping and dropping things in the middle of the night, but the elevator moved at a glacial pace and descending twelve flights of stairs was a bitch. Riley preferred residences that were easier to vacate—in case of emergency or unfortunate run-in with the feds—but it was nice enough. 

Nikki raised her eyebrows. “Isn’t avoiding alcohol a condition of your parole?” 

Riley shot her a withering glare and strode into the kitchen. She opened the white-painted cabinet above the stove, revealing Nikki’s extensive stockpile of wine and hard liquor, and dug around until she found the mason jar full of moonshine hidden in the back. Taking a big swig, Riley held Nikki’s gaze, daring her best friend to try to stop her. 

Nikki simply opened the fridge, pulled out some sort of leftovers, and put them in the microwave. While she waited, Nikki studied her. This is what it feels like to be an animal at the zoo, Riley thought as she squirmed under her friend’s scrutiny, crossing her arms over her chest. Riley took another big gulp of moonshine, letting the clear liquid burn her throat and make her stomach churn. 

The microwave beeped. Nikki grabbed a fork and the food and held it out to Riley. Content to doom herself to the worst hangover of her life, Riley shook her head in dismissal. 

“Eat,” Nikki commanded. She tugged on the waistband of Riley’s jeans. “You and I both know those weren’t mom jeans when you bought them.” 

Riley blinked. She’d eaten less while in prison, but it never seemed like a big deal. But the way Nikki was looking at her...she might as well have turned into a skeleton. Suddenly self-conscious, Riley obediently traded her drink for the food—lasagna, she realized—and settled onto the couch. 

After two years of cardboard-flavored prison food, the lasagna tasted like heaven. 

Riley waited until Nikki was mid-gulp before announcing, “I’ve got a plan.” Her best friend nearly choked. “Want to help me get the gang back together?” 

“What’s your plan?” Nikki ground out between coughs. 

Riley grinned. “I figure it’s time we go on that little trip to Paris we’ve always talked about.” 

Nikki shook her head. “Damn, you’re one crazy bitch, Riley Davis. You know that?” She paused, contemplating. “I’m in.” Handing back the moonshine, Nikki added, “But tonight, I say we get drunk and celebrate your freedom. Deal?” 

“Deal.” 

Thirty minutes in, they’d finished the whole jar of moonshine, and Riley’s head spun. She stumbled into the kitchen in search of water, suddenly grateful Nikki had made her eat a substantial meal before drinking. 

“So,” Riley slurred. “How’s it going with that boyfriend of yours? The cute blonde one.” 

Nikki groaned. “You mean the big fat liar? Fabulous.” 

“So it all blew up in smoke.” 

“You have no idea.” Nikki shoved a handful of popcorn in her mouth. “Anyway, I’m back to being single, but Sam and Desi are still as insufferable as ever.” 

“Think they’ll get married?” 

“No way. That’s just one more thing they’d have to deal with if they ever have to fake their own deaths.” 

“On the contrary,” Riley drawled, “they should take out disgustingly large life insurance policies and then take turns faking their deaths every time they run out of money.” The idea sounded flawless to her drunk brain. “I’ll help them with their new identities for a cut.” 

“How big?” 

“Twenty percent.” 

Nikki snorted. “Like they’d ever agree to that.” 

Riley snuggled up to Nikki as they settled in to watch a movie, ducking under Nikki’s arm and using her boobs as a pillow. As Riley’s eyes caught Nikki’s laptop charging on a nearby table, her friend’s babbling about what chick-flick to watch faded into white noise. Riley’s fingers twitched. It’d been too long since she had the comfort of a keyboard beneath the pads of her fingers—since she felt powerful, the way Riley always did when armed with a computer. 

Too long, in fact, since she’d had any agency at all. Riley banished the thought before Nikki could notice where her attention had wandered. 

The movie turned out to be one they’d seen a thousand times, but Riley didn’t mind. Honestly, she needed the familiarity, not that she would admit that to Nikki. Even drunk, Riley loathed to reveal any sort of weakness, no matter how small and insignificant. 

Nikki pinched her side. “You’re brooding. Stop it.” Riley grumbled, but she let the movie distract her all the same. 

When the credits rolled, Riley glanced up at Nikki and found her friend already staring down at her as she rubbed Riley’s head. That caged animal feeling resurfaced. It was moments like these when Riley hated how well Nikki knew her, making it that much harder to hide everything going on in her head. 

In an attempt to escape, she said, “I’m thirsty. Let’s celebrate.” Riley forced a giggle as she walked back to the kitchen, grabbing two wine glasses from the cabinet. Everything in Nikki’s kitchen was exactly where it was two years ago, the layout as familiar to her as her own. Did she still have her own? Riley was too drunk to remember what happened to the spacious penthouse apartment of a convicted felon. 

“Riles, nooooooooo,” Nikki whined. “We are so drunk already. We cannot drink any more.” 

“Relax.” Riley rummaged through the fridge, pulling out the milk and a bottle of chocolate sauce. She filled the wine glasses with milk, then added an ungodly amount of chocolate, giggling again when the bottle made a fart noise. Riley didn’t mix it very well, but she was too drunk to care. “Your chocolate milk, milady.” She held out the better mixed of the two, keeping the worse one for herself. Nikki accepted. 

Riley held up her glass in a toast. “To freedom,” she said. “And doing whatever the fuck we want.”

*****

“Phone,” Riley demanded the next morning. Nikki handed hers over without even looking up from the scrambled eggs she was making. Riley unlocked it on the first try. “You haven’t changed your password in the last two years? C’mon, you know better than that!” 

“My password is twenty-nine characters long! I don’t think anyone is going to…Wait you still remember it?” 

Riley scrolled through Nikki’s contacts with one hand, the other busy stuffing her face with toast. “Obviously,” she said through a mouthful of cinnamon swirl bread. 

“Damn,” Nikki muttered, turning back to her eggs. 

Riley found the name she was looking for. Desi Nguyen. The call nearly went to voicemail before the woman on the other end snarled, “What?” 

Riley couldn’t help her grin. “I’m out, and I’ve got a job.” 

“Good for you. Let me know how long you last living the clean life.” 

“No, you jackass. A job. You in?” 

Desi didn’t even hesitate. “Hell yeah I’m in.” 

“Great,” Riley said, “and since I’m assuming Cage’s mouth is too occupied to answer, tell her I say hello.”

“Fuck off,” Desi growled, but it came out just a tad breathless. She hung up before Riley could make a snarky comment about being right. 

“So,” Nikki asked. She dumped the scrambled eggs on two plates. “Are they in?” 

“They’re in.” Riley smirked, gratefully accepting her plate. She sat down at the kitchen table and resumed scrolling through Nikki’s contacts. Riley reached the bottom of the list, but the name she was looking for wasn’t there. Riley checked again to make sure she hadn’t overlooked it. 

“Why isn’t Leanna’s number in your phone?” Nikki kept eating. “Nik,” Riley pressed. “Why don’t you have her number? What happened while I was...gone?” If Nikki noticed how she’d stumbled over the last word, her friend didn’t let on. 

“Leanna got out. Got clean. She’s CIA now.” Nikki’s cold stare was clear. Do not ask me about this again. 

“Oh.” Riley hadn’t seen that coming. “How the hell did she pull that off?” 

“She’s good at making people disappear,” Nikki said matter-of-factly. “Guess she finally used her skills on herself.” There was more Nikki wasn’t saying, but Riley didn’t push her. 

They ate their scrambled eggs in silence. 

As she cleared their plates, Nikki said, “So tell me about this plan of yours. Are we really doing it?” 

“If by ‘it’ you mean the heist of a lifetime, then yes. We are absolutely doing it.” Riley swung her feet onto Nikki’s now-vacated chair. “I had two long years to figure out exactly how to pull it off. All I need now is my team.” 

Nikki raised an eyebrow. “Your team? Last I checked, the Five Eyes were our team.” 

Rolling her eyes, Riley snarked, “Semantics.” 

“Whatever.” Nikki was clearly upset, but Riley couldn’t bring herself to care. “I’m going to take a shower.” 

“Don’t drown,” Riley replied automatically. 

As soon as she heard the rush of water moving through the pipes, Riley snatched Nikki’s laptop. Once again, the password was still the same. Nikki took long showers, so Riley figured she had at least thirty minutes to find the information she needed. 

Hacking into the CIA’s employee database was all too easy for someone like Riley Davis. She practically had the secrets of the universe at her fingertips, but Riley didn’t waste time snooping. All she cared about was one name: Leanna Martin.

[smashpages]

Sam & Twitch Case Files #1 (Image Comics, March 2024) preview artwork by Szymon Kudranski

[cybercitycomix]

Top New Misc Comic Releases for the Week of March 27th, 2024.

Duke #4,

Feral #1,

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Goon: Them that don’t stay Dead #1,

Local Man: Bad Girls #1,

Monstress #50,

Sam & Twitch: Case Files #1,

Star Wars High Republic Advs: Crash Landing #1,

Street Fighter Masters: Akuma vs Ryu #1 +

Under York #1.