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smoooothoperator · 2 years ago

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Blinding Light

Since his best friend moved to Monaco, he always went there everytime he could. It was something quick, taking a plane and landing on Nice, then taking a train and going to Monaco, or Lando picking him up and going to him to his apartment.

He loved going there, feeling like if it was a small rest on his week, staying on a spare room and going to the golf club the next day. He even liked to play some video games with him on his gaming room that now has a simulator thanks to Lando's brother.

But lately, the reason he was going to Monaco wasn't to see his friend. It was to try to find that girl he saw once. The girl that drove him crazy a whole night and never saw again.

It was a hot day in Monaco, just as in England. Lando asked him and the rest of their friends to go to Monaco to spend some days with them, planning of going to the golf club, to the beach and even renting some cars and doing a trip around.

The day he landed on Nice, he was alone. Tom, Martin and Oliver were going to arrive the next day. When he walked out if the airport he sighed looking around with no sign of Lando's car around.

"Fucking muppet" he frowned looking at his phone, a text Lando sent minutes ago saying he couldn't make it to the airport in time and asking him to go on train there.

He walked where the trains were waiting, running to buy a ticket and then going to the train as fast as he could before it disappeared. He was holding his suitcase, not noticing how a girl that was passing by and crashing on her.

"Ow..." she groaned when she fell on the floor, rubbing her butt. "You have two eyes to use them, you know?"

He was surprised. The first thing he wanted to do was help her stand up, but she already was doing it before he offered her his hand.

"I'm sorry" he frowned, but she just walked away to the same train he was going to catch.

Max sighed, getting inside the train and sitting on the chair he had assigned after placing his suitcase on the shelves on top of the chairs. Then he saw that girl again, looking at her ticket and then around.

"Please don't sit with me, please don't sit with me" he begged internally, looking at his feet.

He heard how her steps stopped and sighed relieved, looking up again. But how unlucky he is, noticing that she was sitting next o him at the other side of the train.

"How nice" he thought, sarcastic, burying himself on the seat and deciding that the best he could do now was listen to music to distract his mind.

The journey to Monaco wasn't long, it was only some stops before he had to stood up and grab his suitcase if he didn't want to miss the stop. He had it planned, some minutes before the speaker announced the arrival to Monaco, he would stand up and take the suitcase calm, walking towards the door.

But the moment he saw her standing up too and putting her backpack on her shoulders, he swallowed thickly, paying attention to his movements and making sure he doesn't fuck up again. And because of that reason he nearly missed the stop.

When he walked out he saw her disappearing behind the corridor doors, walking away with that ponytail and that summer dress. After that moment, he never saw her again, something that made him really relieved.

But the rest of the day was like if something was stuck in his brain. Those words were repeating again and again in his head, making him feel more stupid as time went by. He couldn't even listen to Lando thanks to that woman that insulted him and a really intelligent way.

"Earth to Max, you here?" Lando smirked waving his hand in front of his eyes.

"Uh? Ah, yeah, yeah" he frowned shaking his head, the image of that woman disappearing from his mind. "A little tired, that's all"

A party. Yeah, maybe that's what he needs. Distract himself and drink, have fun with his friends.

The plan was perfect. They were going to the club on a cab, because they were planning to drink. Lando already reserved a VIP zone, a big menu of drinks and even asked the DJ to let him play something. It was a night to have fun.

But still, that summer dress was playing with his mind. Those words were disturbing him.

"Oi, blind man" he heard close to him, making him look around to find that smirk.

"You" he frowned.

"I couldn't imagine I could find you here" she said smirking. "I didn't knew blind people can come to clubs"

"I-" Max frowned looking at her surprised. "I'm not blind!"

"You are not? Then which finger am I showing you?" she smirked, showing her the middle finger of her right hand.

"Oi, that's rude" Max exclaimed laughing, making her laugh too. "I'm Max"

She smiled and held his hand, shaking it and stepping close to him to whisper her name on his ear, just pulling away fast and making him breathe her perfume with her movement: something fruity, then floral and then vanilla. All in one.

That scent got stuck on his nose the rest of the night. He tried to find her again, going to the dance floor and looking to the bar. He tried to get close to some girls that had the same hair as her, but she wasn't there.

"Max, are you okay?" Lando asked him patting his back, smiling a little drunk already.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine" he nodded, his eyes scanning the crowd again.

"Did you lose something?" he smirked.

"A girl that calls me blind" he thought.

Then he saw her again, and whatever Lado was telling him just got mute, everything he could focus on was her smile and how she was dancing with a group of girls and a man behind her, getting too close to her.

"Hold on" Max frowned, leaving his drink on the table and walking towards her, having a better view of how that man was rubbing himself against her while she tried to push him away. That made his blood boil. How can someone be that disgusting?

"Hey babe" he said quickly, maybe the alcohol helping him to talk confident. "Here you are, I have been searching you for a while already"

She looked up at him, shocked, but soon that gaze turned relieved after recognizing him. She leaned against him when Max wrapped an arm around her waist, looking at the man frowning.

"Can you explain me what were you doing with my girl?" He frowned, holding her closer and looking at that guy. If looks could kill, he would be already six feet under ground.

He didn't have an answer sicne the gross man walked away groaning. Max'hand didn't leave her waist, and she just smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"That definitely proofs that I'm not blind, hm?" he smirked looking at her.

"Oh yeah, definitely" she laughed standing close to him.

The rest of the night he was with her. He didn't though about Lando at the other side of the club, who maybe was searching for him or that already went home after having too much drink for himself. But Max didn't care to be left behind, he was with her, dancing and having fun, standing close and never daring to kiss each other even if their eyes were begging the other to do that.

It was the moment he walked with her to the door of her hotel when he took the first step, cupping her cheeks and connecting their lips on a kiss. He could smell her scent, that sweet scent he couldn't stop thinking about during the night.

"Come with me" she whispered on his lips, not wanting to pull away.

And he went with her. Of course he went, it was like if she put a spell on him, maki g him follow her lime a lost puppy needing protection.

She was so beautiful, so absurdly beautiful on top of him, moving slowly while he ran his hands on every inch of her skin, wanting to memorize every mark, every curve, how her skin shines with the sweat, how her breasts fit perfectly on his palm. How the hell someone as her can fit him so perfect?

"Max" she moaned in his ear, and the way she said it got stuck forever on his mind.

The next morning she wasn't there in the bed. He woke up alone, with the memory of his missing half and the scent of her perfume on his skin and clothes.

It was a nice day. He went with Lando to the golf club with Alex and Charles and after that they just went to a restaurant to have lunch all together.

Max felt like that day was different, special. Something inside of him was telling him that something good will happen that day, and that kept him anxious, awake, in alert. Maybe he will have a call telling him that he will drive again? Or that one of his kittens peed on his bed. Maybe it's something insignificant and he's anxious for nothing.

"Mate, are you okay?" Lando frowned. "I swear, every time you come here is like you are at the edge of a panic attack"

He laughed nervous, brushing away what his friend said, and focused on his lunch.

And then he heard it. That voice, that laugh. He looked up and was immediately blinded by the sun.

"Hey, blind man" she said looking at her side, finding the man she bumped into months ago.

"This time I'm blinded" he laughed. "By your light"

"How cute" she smiled looking at him, biting her lip.

"What the fuck?" Lando gasped confused. "Who are you and what you did with my best friend?"

#f1 #f1 x y/n #f1 x you #f1 x reader #formula 1 #formula 1 drabble #formula 1 x reader #formula 1 imagine #formula 1 fic #max fewtrell #max fewtrell x reader #max fewtrell imagine #max fewtrell drabble

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written-inthe-cozmoz · 18 days ago

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Orpheus and Eurydice

The Purple Park sits nestled off a side road, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Despite its modest size, the park exudes an undeniable charm, with its small playground, a row of swings swaying gently in the breeze, and a bouncing four-person teeter-totter that beckons to be ridden. A small rock wall offers a hint of adventure for young climbers, while the ground, dusted with a blanket of snow, glistens in the sunlight. As we ascend the stairs leading up to the top of the biggest slide, the air fills with the nostalgic melody of my childhood village. Memories come flooding back with each step, evoking carefree days spent frolicking in the park, laughter echoing through the streets, and the warmth of companionship shared with loved ones.

Leaning in close, I cup his face in my hands, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. I trace the freckles on his ears and count the colors in his eyes - a sea of blues and greens that never fails to mesmerize me. His curls engulf my fingers and hold me close.

"Mon chéri," I murmur, unable to resist teasing him, "you're so cute when you deal with my shenanigans."

His laughter rings out like music in the quiet of the park, the sound filling the space between us. "I don't think I've ever heard you speak French until now," he says, his cheeks flushing with a rosy hue. “What’s the occasion?”

"I speak French all the time," I insist with a playful grin. "Just not to you."

He chuckles at my teasing, his eyes sparkling with fondness. "And the difference is…?"

"I think in French more than anything. But —oh— when I'm with you, words seem to fail me.” What I long to say hangs on my lips as an unspoken prayer.

He knows the curve of my smile all too well, his gaze searching mine with gentle concern. "What's up? You have something to say.”

On the surface, I am not much of a liar. But beneath the veneer of composure, a sea of emotions churns within me, threatening to spill forth at the slightest sense of vulnerability. "Nothing," I force a smile, the words feeling hollow on my tongue as I desperately try to conceal the tumult raging within. With a trembling hand, I tilt his chin upward, silently pleading for understanding as our eyes lock in a silent exchange. “Let's go eat.”

“I like that idea.” His gaze searches mine for a clue, hungering for an explanation that I can't yet provide. Patient and accepting, yet still yearning for clarity, we dance around the truth, silently grappling with the words we long to utter, while refusing to lie to one another.

Red’s lay hardly five blocks from the park, nestled on the corner of a three-way stop. The colorful lights of a golfing simulator, darts, fake hunting, a duck claw machine, and a pull tab dispenser light up the otherwise dark interior. With my boots clicking against the wood floors, I lean over the bar top to order two sodas: one diet, one regular.

As I glance over at the bartender, a wave of unfamiliarity washes over me. It's been so long since my last visit that I struggle to recall the familiar face that once greeted me with a warm smile and a knowing nod. She would slide a lemonade at me as I tried to crawl to the top of the barstool, only to be helped by Grandpa when I proved to be too short. Despite my best efforts, I realized I couldn't pull my bartender from memory even if I wanted to. Time blurred the details, and I find myself unable to conjure up even a hint of recognition. It's a strange feeling, standing in this familiar place, yet feeling like an imposter in my memory. The thought lingers in the back of my mind, a subtle reminder of the transient nature of familiarity.

He's already settled into a spot at the high-top table, the very one where our intimate connection first bloomed in the bitter month of November. As I approach, the table becomes the battleground for what I cannot say. With each step closer, my heart beats a little faster, the weight of the unspoken words pressing against my chest.

"Let me guess, cheese curds for an appetizer?"

He peers at me over his glasses, his smile lighting up his face. "Of course. Nothing is complete without cheese curds."

As the bartender hurries away with our orders, the noise fades into the background. Our eyes meet, and in that moment, he becomes the sole focus of my attention. It's an intimate connection, just the two of us in the bustling bar, perched at our high-top table with our feet dangling below.

As I allow my gaze to drift away from him, it's drawn to the colorful allure of the duck machine in the corner. Again, our connection blooms in the silence, we know each other all too well. With a small smile, he rises from his seat and retrieves four quarters from his pocket. The next ten minutes are filled with anticipation and excitement as he deftly maneuvers the claw, securing a prize with each attempt. Between each attempt, we snack on cheese curds and fries, random bites of my chicken wrap, and his burger. The machine even grants us an extra round, despite our victories. By the end, we're laughing and hugging, delighted with our haul of nine ducks, some even won in pairs.

As rubber ducks spill from our pockets, we approach the bar once more to settle our bill. His attention is fixed on the bartender, silently willing her to notice us. I've never been fond of conversing with strangers, so he alleviates my burden.

After settling the tab, he gently opens the door, planting a tender kiss on my nose before sliding into the driver's seat of my pickup truck. Navigating unfamiliar streets with ease, he merges onto the highway, a sense of relief washing over him as the open road stretches out before us. Despite the words caught in my throat, I find the courage to break the silence.

“In the myth, Orpheus always turns around. He hears her stumble, scream, cry, or doesn't hear her at all. But he always turns around for his Eurydice. That's what people don't understand; he turns around because he loves her.”

As the car hums along the winding road, the silence stretches between us like an unspoken question, lingering in the air with a tangible weight. The rhythmic beat of the windshield wipers seems to underscore the tension, punctuating the quiet with a steady cadence. Each glance exchanged carries a depth of meaning, eyes lingering a moment too long before darting away. The soft glow of the dashboard lights cast elongated shadows, adding to the sense of intimacy and vulnerability in the confined space of the pickup truck. “He turns around because a trip to the Underworld is meaningless without her at his side. Most people wouldn't go to the underworld to begin with. Even on their way home, knowing she was safe, he needed her at his side.”

“But he kills her. He knowingly kills her doing this. All he had to do was not look at her. He got so close. He lost his patience.”

In my head, I thought about the fact she didn't complain. What would she complain about, other than she had been loved? I don't know why, but I decided to keep that to myself. “Can you truly say you love someone if you wouldn't turn around, just had to be sure they were there? After all that time full of searching and longing for them to come back?”

The response comes slowly, filled with uncertainty. "Well, no. I wouldn't want to risk a life without them after I tried so hard to get them back.”

“Exactly. He loved her so much he just had to be sure that she was there, that he didn't fall for a trick, that he got her back. That’s not a tragedy; that’s love.”

We fall into a contemplative silence, each lost in our thoughts as we stare out at the passing landscape.

“I’d turn around for you, you know,” I murmur, breaking the silence.

He shifts in his seat, avoiding my gaze. "Me too," he replies quietly.

I'm still afraid to say the words.

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angel-0f-verdun · 10 months ago

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7 Missile Lock

Authors Note:

Everyone, I appreciate your continued support, I am so sorry it took so long to get this going again. I have moved and life is a bit messy at the moment but I wanted to get this out. For those waiting for Desert Umbra I am working on it, I promise. Right now my heart is set on Top Gun, but I will be putting out another chapter for Desert as soon as I can. I appreciate you all.

AngeDeVerdun

Previous chapter

I started my walk around the plane, making sure to check every inch of my metal beast. Everything seemed to be in order on the outside, I jumped inside and checked all my switches, ensuring they were in the right positions. I turned on the master switch and waited for a second as the indicators started working, plugging the connections of my helmet into the plane. Then turned on my avionics switch, and listened to the fans kick on. When I knew they were in working order I moved on. I proceeded to input the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) frequency and turned up the volume so I could hear it without putting on my helmet. I adjusted the other volume knob for Doe, using my muscle memory to determine what she liked. I input the sea level pressure into the altimeter and wrote down the letter that this hour’s weather corresponded to and any airport notes I may need. I also input the numbers for the fuel I had until bingo. I didn’t worry about my weapons counters as this was a simulation/training flight, nothing was going to be active. I looked at the switch for my hook bypass and switched it to field instead of carrier. Then turned on all my lights, I first looked around myself at the wings and tail to see if I could see all my lights. I could see a majority of them but decided I needed to get out of the plane and make sure they were all indeed working. I wouldn’t want our team to be patronized because I didn’t check the lights.

As I made my way down the ladder, I could feel the skin on my hand ripping more with the movements I had been putting it through. I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth as I moved it more to loosen it up before the flight started. I watched the bright lights through my peripheral vision so as not to hurt my eyes when I finished I climbed back inside the cockpit, moved my helmet aside, and set it on my lap. The last thing to do was to flip the lever on the hydraulic transfer pump to shut it off. I tuned into the ground frequency.

“Miramar ground, Reaper, would you connect our ground electric power?” I asked them. I then hooked up my mask to the oxygen tube. I covered my face with my mask and flipped the switch and inhaled, feeling the air hit my lungs. I watched the instruments come to life, closing my eyes and listening to the hum, uncaging my standby instruments. I reached up with my left hand and closed the canopy, I watched Doe give me a thumbs up in the mirror above me as she covered her mouth and nose with her mask.

“Comm check, Doe, can you hear me?” I asked her.

“Loud and clear Reaper�� She replied as she continued her own checks, including arming the ejection seats. I cranked my left engine and powered it up watching my RPMs, then let it go to idle and tested the other one.

“Copy,” I told her as I continued my flow checking our lights inside the cockpit, and the fire detection system, which ignited the sounds and warning lights.

“Miramar ground, this is Reaper you can disconnect us.” I told them.

“Disconnecting, you are good to go.” I watched the ground personnel clear out of the way as I bumped our throttles a little and held the brakes.

“Miramar ground this is Reaper with November, at hanger 3 requesting a northwest departure for a training exercise, run up is complete.” I told them.

“Reaper continue to runway two four right via golf and papa, then hold short of runway two four.”

“Taxi to runway two four right via golf and papa and hold short.” I abbreviated their language happily as I revved the engines and taxied to where we needed to go.

“You ready Reaper?” I heard Doe ask me as I made the first left turn. I smiled looking at my surroundings, glancing back in the mirror at her.

“Yeah, I think so. We’ll see how we do and how we compare to the rest of the group. Don’t be nervous, it’s the first flight, they can’t be too tough on us.” I told her, my eyes locked on a plane coming in hot and low to the right near the tower as I turned onto taxiway papa.

“Is that?” I heard Doe ask briefly. I knew exactly who that was, Maverick and Goose. I held short of the runway tuning into the tower's frequency. I rolled my eyes, Maverick was not going to make it easy for me to get out if he did what I thought he was doing, buzzing the tower.

“Yes, our two idiots. They always have to make a scene.” I breathed out annoyed with the showmanship of Maverick.

“I guess this means they did well.” Doe sighed out. I was starting to get annoyed with her lack of confidence, I brushed off the comment and waited til Maverick and Goose had blown my ears out with their inopportune flyby.

“Miramar tower, this is Reaper holding short of runway two four right. Think we can get a departure in before Maverick lands?” I asked them.

“What’s wrong Reaper? Jealous?” I heard Maverick’s voice come through the frequency, I rolled my eyes I would tear him apart the next time I saw him.

“Reaper, no delay, fly straight out runway two four right cleared for take off.” Tower cleared us to go as they also ignored Maverick and his bullshit.

“No delay, fly straight out runway two four cleared for takeoff,” I confirmed, as I taxied out to the runway and gradually put in full power. The plane lurched beneath me, the power throwing me back into the seat. I maintained the center line with my rudder and waited for my speed to climb to what I needed for us to get off the ground. When I reached take-off speed, I pulled up slowly taking us into a climb at a few knots faster and lesser angle of attack. I put my gear up happily getting rid of the drag that accumulated over the wheels. Immediately I felt the plane pull us forward.

“Maverick do a right 360 and set yourself up for a downwind entry landing,” Tower advised him as I tried to tune him out.

“Copy that, right 360 for a downwind entry to land.” He repeated the instructions to the tower.

“Reaper, you’re cleared to turn right to heading three one zero, frequency change approved, tune into practice area frequency 125.3. See you later, and good luck.”

“Cleared to three one zero, changing frequency 125.3, thank you, see you soon,” I told them, lifting my finger from the push-to-talk button. As I dialed in the frequency I heard Doe exhale. When we were in these kinds of training exercises she had a stressful aura about her. It put me on edge but I tried to ignore the tense air between us. I suppressed the urge to start a conversation and instead busied myself with getting to our altitude of 13,000ft. I knew we were far enough from the airspace of Miramar to get up to altitude as soon as possible.

“Ladies, this is your first hop, the gen 2 you are flying against are smaller, faster, and more maneuverable just like the enemy MiGs. The clock is ticking and as of now we are keeping score.” I heard Jester say to us.

“Left and low, they’re coming up fast, get ready,” Doe replied reading me the closing altitude between us. I forced our throttles forward immediately feeling the plane react to the movements almost instantaneously as I pulled us into a straight climb, looping around so that Jester would be in our forefront, however, my efforts were in vain as the plane had already disappeared by the time I was in position.

“Where’d he go Doe?” I asked her as she was frantically looking around, no doubt.

“I– I don’t see him, he must be to our left and just out of my sight.” I nodded taking her note into account, I banked hard right weaving us around and putting us into a slight dive so Doe could have better visibility.

“I see him. Off our right, still low and behind.” She advised me.

“So even though he’s faster he’s lagging behind us on purpose.” I thought out loud so Doe would know my process. Even though she was my RIO, we worked together as a team through situations such as these. It’s what I would want my pilot to do if I were a RIO.

“Doe, I’m gonna hit the brakes, he’ll fly right by, hopefully we can get a missile lock on him,” I told her.

“Let’s do it Reaper.” She confirmed my plans. I set my plan into action turning off the burners and lessening the throttles I pitched down to gain a little speed and have Jester fly by us. He did, I put the power back in and cruised behind him chasing him for once. I got him in my sights attempting to lock on him with my targeting system. However, the little bugger moved too quickly for my reflexes, my hand was pulsing in pain at this point with how much I pushed the threshold.

“Fuck. I can’t get him.” I said to Doe, upset that I wasn’t performing my best. He curved around behind us and I put the burners back on attempting to get away, but that lack of acceleration for a split second caused him to get a missile lock on us. The alarm blared in my ears and immediately my perspective changed.

I was flying in the mountains in Bosnia. The views were to die for, flying in this place was like a whole other world, I had never experienced this before. It was calming and beautiful with the pine trees, mountains, and crisp winter air. The snow that covered the area was pure and untouched. Why we were in the area was unimportant to me, all I knew was that we were here for reconnaissance, nothing more. My RIO and I had decided to divert from our original plan and take a detour against our better judgment. I was more like Maverick back then, uncalculated in my decisions and rash. The world was against Jax Taylor and I at this very moment. I felt the cold metal of my ring against my finger smiling as I looked down at the scenery. A happy memory was born, my fiancé and I were flying together with little to management’s knowledge.

“Where are we?” I asked him.

“301506.5 1150 confirmed, sectors have been confirmed.” He told me the numbers, but it didn’t make any sense.

“Are you sure, Casanova?” I asked, confirming what he was saying on my map and looking out the window.

“I’m reading it right here Dice.” He said to me annoyance slipping into his voice. I sighed knowing that this was not where we were.

“Well, we’re flying over a lake,” I said to him.

“Goddamnit, well one thank you goes out to the U.S. intelligence community.” He said saluting in the mirror looking at me.

“Yet another useless mission for the American taxpayer.” I quipped.

“Wait, hold on I’m getting something in sector 4.” He told me.

“That doesn’t make any sense, that’s a demilitarized zone over there. We’re not supposed to go there either.” I told him as I started mindlessly turning the aircraft about 10 degrees and back, my eyes focused on the area he was talking about. The area was shielded by trees, but you could see there was a bit of deforestation taking place just north of the tree line.

“When has that ever stopped you before? But my scope doesn’t lie, Dice, there’s something there.” He told me, adamant to get over to that sector. He never really understood my struggles as a female fighter pilot and I was already on thin ice with the brass. It was only one mission where we would deviate.

“Hey, we’re on recon, let’s recon something.” He argued with my judgment.

“See with that logic I can’t possibly argue with you, plus we have a shiny new camera to test out.” I easily agreed, not even thinking about the consequences of doing so.

“There you go. ECM is cleared, GPS is synced, putting in the coordinates, steady up zero three four, and fly the director.” He replied as I banked to the left to get us over the area he had pointed out.

“Standby for roll… Now.” I told him as I got closer, turning on the burners in case we needed to get out of there fast.

“Rolling digital.” He confirmed the camera's action. I maneuvered us to get out of the area, straight ahead back into a safe zone, also known as the lines we were supposed to be flying. Little alarms distracted me as I asked Casanova what was happening.

“What’s going on??” I asked him as I knew his eyes were on the radar more than mine were at the moment.

“Holy shit, we’re being painted!!” Casanova yelled at me, and my mindset quickly changed from complacent to tactical.

“What?!” I asked him out of pure shock from a simple flyby.

“Shit they fired, scoop it now,” he instructed. I did as he asked, quickly throwing the plane into a straight climb feeling the G-forces hit me.

“Okay, I don’t see it, call my turn. Where is it?” I asked him frantically trying to figure out which direction to go.

“Hard right. We’ll try to break the lock.” I immediately threw us into a right turn, not daring to dive below our current altitude fearing the missile would hit us. “Golden Eagle Arc Angel, we have been engaged!” I heard Casanova on the radio immediately trying to alert command.

“Put out the decoy flares” He instructed, I flipped the lever to deploy the flares. After that, I dove a little while looping us around our previous circle. “Got it… No joy.” He informed me as I continued flying in another direction not caring about how erratic the flight had gotten, I circled us around a mountain pass, trying to let Casanova get eyes on the missile.

“Where is it? Where is he?!” I yelled at him, trying to get him to talk to me, we needed to communicate better in this aspect especially when we were being targeted.

“Casanova, I have a second missile in the air, 3 miles, and closing,” I informed him as I knew he was now watching outside trying to spot the flying fireballs.

“Pull up!” He yelled again. I did as he requested and threw the plane into a straight climb.

“We need a bigger heat decoy.” He said, my pass around the mountain peak hadn’t worked. There was a leveled-off area near the top of the mountain. I watched my altitude as I got lower for a pass near the trees, the snow toppling off the branches as we passed.

“Where do you suppose I go for that? We’re in the middle of fucking winter!!” I yelled at him.

“Drop the fuel tank and pull up!” He yelled as I came to a slope. I released the tanks, listening for the boom as they hit the ground, immediately pulling up after I had dropped them.

“That’s it one down one to go! Where’s the second?” I asked him as I heard the crash from the missile hit.

“No joy, I don’t have it in sight!!” He said as I tried to get us out of the smoke banking hard right.

“He’s back on us, push over, hard left!” Casanova replied as we finally hit clear air. I watched where I was in comparison to the mountains, then made the turn flipping us around as I did so.

“I’m going for a head-on pass,” I told him as I barrelled toward the incoming missile, attempting to move my wings to the right so it wouldn’t clip us, but it was too late.

“He clipped us. He’s coming back. Turn left!” Casanova yelled.

“Fuck.” I released a breath and listened to the airplane, we had multiple caution lights on and master alarms, I would have attempted to do an emergency landing but there was no telling what would be waiting for us on the ground. We needed to get out of here.

“I’ve got no turn left Jax! The flight controls are shot.” I told him as the realization of the damage finally hit my brain.

“Then break right!” I had already started that turn but it was too late, the missile hit us dead center. I could feel the metal of the plane ripping apart before I saw Jax out the window. He went with the back of the plane floating for a second then diving down, my half took a nose dive starting to spin uncontrollably now.

“EJECT, EJECT, EJECT!” I yelled at him, pulling the two ropes above my head as I braced for the cool air against my skin. I heard the rivets on the canopy pop and the glass remove as I sailed through the air at the highest speed I’ve ever been outside of an aircraft. The chair was proving to be a problem and I needed to get out of it as soon as possible. Right as I had that thought Jax and I collided in midair, bouncing off each other effectively giving me a headache.

When the chute finally pulled I released my seat by pulling the lever on the side towards the sky. It dropped near a broken angel statue. I curiously watched it for a minute. Its wing had broken clean off and its face was mangled. It was beautiful and creepy at the same time. I brushed the thought away as I tried to navigate the chute and land in a field near Jax, however, I was dropping too fast to do anything. I was going to end up in the trees.

I fell through the branches feeling them each cut through my uniform and into my skin until my chute got caught up on one of the larger branches. I looked down taking in the fact that there were about five feet between me and the ground.

“Fuck.” I exhaled and took a breath in before I released myself from the chute, making sure to bend my knees upon impact so I wouldn’t break my legs on the fall. I stood, checking myself over making sure nothing was innately broken, just a few bumps and bruises. I started running in the direction I saw Jax go.

“Jax!! Jax!” I yelled as I saw him on the ground in the valley, I started to sprint my heart going fast as I ran up to him to check him over as well.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, worry breaking through as I saw him lying down propped up on his right arm. He had cuts all over his face from the fall.

“Yeah I’m alright, you look terrible.” I scoffed at his sarcasm as I slid to him on my knees and embraced him in a hug.

“Be serious, now’s not the time for bullshit,” I told him as I started to do an initial assessment of his leg. He had already applied a tourniquet, but it was already soaked through its color now crimson with his blood.

“Oh my god. I have to change this, now.” I said as I sniffed, my nose starting to run as it was freezing. I rummaged through my flight suit looking for a new tourniquet.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay. I love you, it’ll be alright” He said to me, grabbing my face to look at him, he started to wipe my tears away. I didn’t even realize that I had started to cry. In times such as these I tended to push through until I couldn’t anymore.

“I love you too, I’m fine Jax, let go of me. Let’s just get this patched up, okay?” I told him practically prying his hands off my face. Now was not the time to break down and he wasn’t helping me keep my emotions in check. If I allowed myself to feel we would be in way worse condition. I finally found a tourniquet and whipped it out. As I observed his wound I realized that I didn’t want to remove the old one and cause more damage so I placed it on top covering it up. I then pulled the ends as tight as I could and tied them together Jax whimpering in the process.

“I’m sorry” I whispered out. He nodded his gaze not leaving my eyes. As his hand searched for mine.

“Where are we?” I asked clearing my throat, as I held his gloved hand in my own. I was trying to distract him from the current situation, but it wasn’t working.

“In the mountains north of Miciovic. Do you think they saw us eject?” He asked me, not wanting to beat around the bush, I did love that about him.

“We won’t be here when they come looking. But the Navy is going to be wondering what happened to their 40 million dollar plane, so that gives me hope,” I told him pulling out my radio.

“I already tried, you need to get to higher ground.” I looked around at the pine trees that surrounded the valley.

“Do you think it’ll work up there?” I asked him pointing to the hill in question.

“Yes Maeve, just make sure you get high enough.” He told me. I sighed letting myself catch my breath, dropping his hand and bracing, putting my arm back to push myself up.

“Okay,” I took a deep breath, standing up.

“Wait–” Jax uttered, catching my wrist with his hand and pulling me back down to a squatting position in front of him.

“Yeah?” I asked him as the moment of silence stood between us.

“Promise me that you’ll move on if anything happens.” I started to shake my head and say no but he held up his hand to stop me from talking. Not normally an obedient little girl I stopped looking into his eyes that were starting to tear up. I wanted nothing more than to hold him.

“If something happens, I want you not to dwell on this moment, I want you to be happy. Try not to think about me too often but just enough. You cannot let grief control your life. I don’t want you to quit the Navy either. You love it here, you love flying. I know, you’ve got to be one of the best pilots out here. Don’t let those boys push you around, you’re a fantastic person and I know you’ll do great things when you get out of here. Once the assignment changes it will be worth it, I promise. This opportunity led me to you and I can’t thank whatever higher power is up there enough for that. I love you Maeve Scarlett Ford. Don’t you dare come after me, I want you to promise me that.” Before I knew it the tears were streaming down my face yet again. I hated him in this moment, it ripped me apart, but I knew that I would do the same thing in his position.

“I love you, Jax, I promise, but if we get out of here together we’re getting married immediately,” I told him as he brought our foreheads together and wiped my tears away.

“Immediately my love, I promise.” He smiled looking into my eyes and leaned in. As his lips touched mine I knew I would never move on from him, not fully at least. It was a wholesome and lingering kiss that would put me on my ass in a normal situation. But this was far from my definition of normal. The potential of becoming POWs was very real. But if I didn’t have to walk away from him now I never would. I ripped myself away from the love of my life and set my sights on the hill in front of me. I didn’t get very far before I stopped in my tracks.

“Babe, I should’ve dodged that fucking missile,” I said as I turned back to him.

“Yeah, yeah you should’ve, you blew it and you took me down with you. I thought you had great reflexes, what happened to you?! I used to have a good pilot, you’re slipping. You need to watch it.” He sarcastically replied with a smile on his face. My laugh penetrated the sad air that lingered around us. I walked away from him, continually looking back to make sure he was okay as I made the trek up the hill.

The sound of treads, tires, and footsteps startled my thoughts as I heard them cut through the mud and grass near Jax’s position. I stopped near a tree and pulled my miniature binoculars out. He was surrounded on all sides.

“Fuck.” I breathed out as I watched the army of men walk up to him and step on his newly dressed and now bloody wound. The men formed a circle around him, we were vastly outnumbered, and there was nothing I could do but watch. A car pulled up and the two men inside stepped out one with a navy blue beret on and the other in a blue sweatsuit. I watched as another man in the squad retrieved Jax’s handgun that was in his chest pocket and threw it to the man in the sweatsuit. I saw Jax give him a card that we carried in our pockets that is used in case we were shot down, the man threw it to the side not bothering to look at it. I watched as the beret talked to him and then touched his comrade in the sweatsuit's shoulder. The men filed away it looked like we may have gotten lucky, and my heart swelled with hope as sweatsuit man lit up a cigarette. I knew better than to go running back down the hill to him even though that’s all I wanted to do in this moment. The sweatsuit man helped Jax stand up. Jax glanced toward the treeline at me shaking his head no, he knew me well enough to know I would try something. My heart froze. The man in the sweatsuit inspected Jax’s flight helmet behind him just before he pulled Jax’s handgun and shot him in the head.

“NO!” I cried out realizing my mistake almost immediately, I covered my hand over my mouth as the tears started again. I quickly got up and started to run, I sprinted as they started to open fire on me with their tanks and guns, the ground exploading around me. I ran as fast as I possibly could away from everything I knew and loved. Now it was my turn to stay alive when all I wanted to do was give up. My body was not giving up.

Eventually, I reached the peak of a far mountain so that they would not find me. But I knew I would need to keep fighting, tomorrow was a different story. I pulled out my radio when I reached the top,

“Alpha Whiskey, this is Archangel 06 over.” I tried the radio sobbing uncontrollably as I tried to get an evacuation going.

“Damn, good attempt ladies. I’m impressed! Get back on the ground, we’ll debrief on the way back since you are the last flight of the day.” I heard Jester say to us but the words were muffled. I was stuck, I made no movements to the plane and kept it as we were straight and easy flying.

“Reaper?” I heard Doe ask me but I couldn’t snap out of it.

“Standby Jester,” She said to him over the frequency.

“Copy? What’s going on? Reaper, Doe? You alright?” He asked her confused.

“She’s fine, just give me a minute with her.” She replied, attempting to preserve my decency no doubt.

“Hey look at me.” She said sternly trying to get my attention in the mirror. My eyes flickered over to her but for a second I thought I could see Jax, his blue eyes sparkling at me as I took a deep breath. I blinked hard, attempting to get my eyes to focus and my brain to get back in the game.

“We’re okay, we did fine. It was a bit fast, but we’ll get it next time. I’m sure no one passed.” She said to me. I didn’t reply, thinking about the last time I saw Jax the gunshot echoing in my head. She tried again.

“Maeve, Jax isn’t here with you it’s me, Crystal, we’ll talk about it more once we’re on the ground but I need you to snap out of it now. We’re not in Bosnia, it’s not winter. It’s actually really fucking hot outside, so I’d love to get in some air conditioning. Can you do that for me, please? I know that missile lock sound probably set you off. But you're okay, you're here with me.” She said, I blinked again, tears forming in my eyes. I blinked them away looking around and seeing Jester on my wing.

“Fuck, he’s going to rip me apart,” I said to no one in particular.

“We’ll see, I’m hoping he lets this one slide,” Doe said to me.

“Jester, lead us back in,” I said over the frequency. He proceeded to bank left, and I banked left with him on his right-wing all the way. I focused on my landing, and how much different it was going to be from the aircraft carrier. I plugged in the frequency for ATIS and listened to the wind direction and speed, what runway they were using, and the alphabetical letter they assigned to the current ATIS.

“Reaper, Doe, we’ll debrief later at 19:00, get your showers in and see me in my office.” Jester said.

“Copy. Thank you sir” Doe replied.

“Miramar tower this is Reaper with Oscar coming from the northwest full stop”

“Copy Reaper overfly the airport and enter on the downwind for two four right, you’ve got Jester in front of you.”

“Enter on the downwind for two four right,” I replied to them. I veered to the left then when I felt a good distance from the runway I turned right entering the downwind.

“Reaper do a right 360 for spacing” Tower advised.

“Right 360” I replied as I entered a 30-degree right turn waiting for my clearance as I straightened up for my downwind leg. I put the landing gear down. Looking down I watched Jester land and clear the runway as I entered my base. I put in 20 degrees of flaps and reduced my power waiting for my airspeed to drop and then tilted my nose down turning into my final approach. I watched as the runway started to come up faster than I was expecting. I threw in 30 degrees quickly and dropped my power bringing us into a flatter attitude. Tilting the nose up as I did so I felt the ground beneath the wheels. I listened to the taxi instructions and forced myself to do the rest of the movements until we were parked on the tarmac in our spot.

“You okay?” Doe asked me, knowing I was more than likely going to have to explain this to the guys.

“I’ll be alright, I need a shower,” I told her as I shut down both her and the aircraft, popping open the canopy. I couldn’t wait to feel hot water against my skin to wash away the memories I had today.

Next Chapter

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jujurose222 · 3 months ago

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When I was really young, before the tornado, my basement was epic. There was a bar, cool for my parents, but I would play bartender back there. We had a fire place in the corner and on the top was my dad’s sword collection. I would play with them all the time, even though I technically wasn’t allowed to touch them. I’d pretend I was some bad ass, with the cover on of course, I was not that dangerous. We had an elegant pool table I would dance and tumble on top of, my dad would get pissed at me. We had one of those golf simulators, where you move the little white ball in the center. My dad’s prized possession was his Baywatch pinball machine. Pamela Anderson’s ass was on the side. I would play that all the time. We had a slot machine filled with quarters. We had a PlayStation 2, and every guitar hero instrument there was. I would play Barracuda religiously. We had the best stereo system ever, my dad would blare music. We had one of those big popcorn machines that was red and had wheels. The popcorn was always stale but I ate it just because I could.

My dad had built a tornado shelter. He was prepared.

After the tornado, it was the same layout. We had another bar, and we got another pool table. This time we had a shuffleboard table. And my dad got himself a drum set. It was so different then. So bleak, no color, so dark, so grey. Black leather couch.

Before it was tan. My Uncle Mike used to sleep on the couch for weeks. I would spend all my time down there with him. He’d play Don’t Fear the Reaper on his guitar every night for practice.

Before my kitchen had red walls. Before my dad would listen to Fergie while he cooked meatloaf.

After my dad moved into an apartment. My mom sat on the couch and drank wine. The kitchen was brown and empty. I sat at the table and ate fast food, while I would hold back tears. Imagining my father prepping food in his Steelers apron.

The kitchen once so full of life, the basement too. But I got older and realized, it was my dad’s life, the life he made while sucking my mother dry.

My mom did not have anything. Nothing. To this day, she doesn’t even have a favorite color. She had dresses and heels. But that was it. No hobbies, no collectors items.

All while my dad spent money on anything a man could dream of. My mom just dressed up, drank wine, watched sex and the city, and cried.

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redtoondevils · 9 months ago

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The V.A.N.N.I network is no ordinary Simulation.

The V.A.N.N.I mask isn't just a hollow gram. Theory. I Believe that the V.A.N.N.I mask, that Cassie wears, is supernatural. I do have a few evidence, as theories. So, the first thing you'll notice right away when putting on this mask. It'll transform the environment around you.

Showing the cracks, and the digital illusions. That looks like in certain area's shows you the power surging inside the walls, where the ports are. And it has the heat vision, to see the robot's all around you.

And where they are hidden. It even shows the parts that are missing, used to be there. That the mask has special technology, to render in. There's already a rumor that the mask, such as the user sees, they will see that the mask tempers with it. That is where things get complicated, with calculated terms.

Such as, when Cassie put's on the mask, she sees visions, such as a photo graph or a structure, or plushies that she is familier with. Represents her memories, and friendship, that she made with Roxanne wolf. There is one soda machiene that shows Roxy's picture located in Monty Golf.

That there is a soda machine near the broken Golf course, that show's Monty's picture in front. If she put's the mask on, and looks at it again, the picture will change into Roxy's. So that is proof, that the mask, somehow show's the memories of the user, who uses it.

So, that is the top speculation. The obvious speculation, of what you see in the environment, that they are illusions. The objects, or the environmental change, is fake. There's that one.

So, lastly...Or next thing, is the supernatural. There's still so much theory as to say, how is the Mask is doing that? Such as, walking through objects. The ones, that you see are hollow grammed, but are solid, that you could walk through them.

And those, that do not look hollow grammed, but you can walk through them. And that the fact, that you could hear voices as well.

Not really sure what they mean? Is the general theory. But of course, the mask is much more to it, (Or powerful wise.) With what it can do. But, not how it does that? This gadget thing...Is proven not to be an ordinary thing.

Which, could also mean. (My theory.) Is that, in the Pizza Plex. The things that you do see, or use. That are rare, are not real. Or 'fake' objects for some reason. That existed in the main game. But, couldn't be found without the Mask. Or, another thought, I had, that those hollow grams, inside the Pizza Plex, did exist.

But you can't see it with the naked eye. It's sounds crazy. But maybe some of those structures, such as one of those Monty seats, that were one of them. Were hollow grams, but we just didn't notice it?

Playing as Gregory, he would have walked through a door, that must of been a 'fake' one. But, just didn't notice it.

So, at the beginning of the game, the first 10 minutes of it, you'll see a hollowgram. I'm just gonna call it a 'Glitching' yellow box. That it physically blocks you, without the mask, but you can walk through it when you do.

That is an object, that might be one of those 'solid' boxes that are...The fake ones, or copies. And you can walk through those ones, but you can't walk through the real ones.

Although, I do have another theory, about those real/fake objects. That...Maybe they might be real, but the mask detects it as a pathway. Or something, and it turns it into a hollow gram. And another one, with the Monty Golf, Light house floaty thing.

It had the same effect. And it feels like a real object. And the masks detects it, and turns it a 'Glitch' giving it the glitched affect. And when you put on the mask. You are able to walk through.

This glitchy theory sounds a bit confusing with that one. But, it's still very strange. This is the part, where I find the most mysterious with this Supernatural thing, where this object doesn't appear as a 'Glitch.'. It is certainly real. I think it is, because. It didn't appear like that.

This would be for a few certain things. But, the main one. Or ones (s) Even the ones, that are not real. Stops you? The main one, that is the real object, is the big Monty seat. It had no 'Glitched' affect on it. It looked totally regular.

And this is the one, that's the most....One of the most puzzling ones. Is that, when the mask transform's that piece to walk right through it. It enables Cassie to go through. And that's the one with the Catwalks as well.

It's like as if, you are walking around with superpowers. That is the part, where you activate those invisible catwalks, and walk above them. With out falling through.

There is no way, any mask with digital scenery can unlock, or create a hidden pathway. (Or like reveal the path. ) Because it's all about seeing things you can't see.

And that, it can open up a portal inside the Mouth, of the Gator. I believe, that the Catwalk was the most activated location to use the Mask, and it's secretive unlocking powers. And Cassie, was able to walk through that. It's like as if, she's traveling between two barries though each other to another location.

And that, is how Vanny when she first appeared, was seen. Hopping along the 'Pick up' line, from the back of the Daycare entry, then disappeared into thin air. I'm thinking that. The mask is more powerful, than showing what you can see. In comparison, that those cannot.

Referring to my quick theory, that the illusions in the Pizza Plex, does exist. In order to see them, is to wear the Mask. Or that, the Mask can summon those pathways with what it can see. Through it's advanced technology. Enabling you the ability to travel through the Map. In places that are usually, and visibly inaccessible.

Now, onto the voices. It is believed, and that for many, that the voices you hear, are the voices, from past event's during Gregory's journey. And Cassie in the Ruin, are hearing them. The specific location, that I found that is the spookiest, is inside the Daycare.

Indeed, you'll hear those voices of the Children, that used to be there before. But what, is most disturbing, and sad about. Is the history, that unfolded with that. The one that links up with the News paper, about a young boy. Being reported, to have been traumatized, by both Sun and Moon.

That again, I don't Sun intentionally meant that. Because, bear in mind that the Virus, is responsible for bringing out, the worst out of them. And, I posted a theory before this.

That, I have said, that it must of been, a miss understanding from the boy. That must of been the after math. When he saw Sun, believing him being the monster. After, being Moon. And changing back. If you listen closely, you'll hear a boy's scream.

That sounds significantly, like the boy that has happened. That happened in the past. But further on, what makes this more than just the past. Is that you'll often hear children's laughter.

And other ghost voices, that usually. Hypothetically, being used as a haunting. This gives these eventful memories, a possible relation with haunting.

The daycare, (Including other locations.) That has the ghostly whispers, are haunted. And that, with the connection of Sun being trapped in that realm. He would be hearing those children's voices, on and on. If he was available.

And lastly, the fake things, becoming real. It's not the hollow grams, I'm talking about the things you activate. And can see. The Giant Endo skeleton, is the big one. And also including the ones, in the Daycare how you put on the mask.

And the star's light up. There's also the road, in Roxy race way, that's been broken down, with the lights off. Can turn back on. And especially, with that ball. I'm not sure, if you know this.

There is this black ball that looks like a pool table ball. Or a soft ball, weight thing. Up in the Atrium roof, at first, it looks like to be a regular ball with nothing going through it.

But, if you put the mask on, and look at it again, you'll see some circuits flowing into it, as if it still has electricity flowing into it. And if it has some kind of purpose with it, or not. (Probably, not.)

The thing, that I find the most mysterious, weird. About, and also very suspicious about it. With how it is affecting Helpy. Is the activating things. There's been a few of them, that in the fake world, operating the real world. Yet, it should not be possible.

Such as the screen, beside the Daycare, with the Two offices beside it. The Roxy's statue. But most Importantly...The Giant Endo. How the hell did that thing wind up there? Where the hell, did it come from?

And, what's so weird, is that. Even though they spawn in the digital world, but the affects of them, connecting into the real world. So, going inside it's mouth, took Cassey down into a vent from the Theatre, and into the basement of the Fazer blast. It literally took you, all the way across the Pizza Plex!

And, with the way, it spawned. Walking into it, it's so physical. It's structure looks legit. Kind of. What is happening here? Is the Mask creating some kind of structure, it builds to connect into the real world? Like this seems the only thing to describe it.

But, can't explain. Ans what's so suspicious about it, is when Heli said, "Oh, it's only in your head. There's nothing to worry about!" Really, Helpi? And how much of this thing, we don't know much about...Nothing to worry about?

So, pretty much. This mask...I think, while the general idea of it, being a digital simulation. But, of all the things it can summon, unlock, spawn, stuff like that. There's so much going on deeper with this thing, that is shrouded with mystery.

That it's not only, used to see things the normal eye can't. It is also supernatural, and harness powers, to travel through things. That it might actually be turning these things into the 'Glitches.'

And break them down. and is connected to the afterlife. It may even manipulate that too. That may be one of those powers, it uses to travel.

Like what the developers said in their main description, is to travel intro the world of the unnatural. It was something along the lines of that. It is...Like many video games, was a hint hidden in the description. Implemented into the game.

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dweetwise · 2 years ago

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[Riconti] Silver linings

Felix: hates snobs Also Felix: is a snob Rated T | 1.3 words | ao3 link

Felix was a very nonviolent person.

Some people might have even called him a coward, but Felix liked to think of himself as rational. He avoided confrontation whenever possible, felt squeamish about gore and violence in the media, and never understood people who went looking for a fight and most often got their asses kicked.

And that mindset had served him well. He'd small-talked his way to professional success, was on friendly terms with former colleagues and ex-partners alike, and had even survived years trapped in another world where powerful monsters hunted him on a daily basis.

But for every minute Felix stared at his latest client's long email filling up the monitor, he was starting to understand why some people flipped out and committed bloody murder.

In the midst of composing a passive-aggressive reply, Felix barely noticed Ace walking past the doorway. But he heard footsteps pausing in the hallway, and then Ace was backing up until he was standing in the doorframe to Felix's home office.

Felix's murderous expression, manic typing and mutters of asshole and Hurensohn were apparently enough to warrant the double take.

"Huh," Ace said. "I thought that was a storm cloud in your office, but it was just your face," he joked.

Felix kept glaring at the computer screen.

Ace paused before approaching. "You okay?"

During the time Ace had been living with him, he'd learned not to disturb Felix while he was working from home. Not only because they were still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship and having Ace around made Felix want to do very unprofessional things on top of important blueprints, but because Felix was easily distracted and needed space to focus when he was in the zone.

Fortunately, Ace had sensed that Felix could really use a distraction today.

"I am one email away from looking up old Imperiatti rituals to send this client to the Void," Felix gritted out.

"Ouch, that bad, huh." Ace winced sympathetically, coming to stand behind Felix's office chair.

When Ace's hands landed on Felix's tense shoulders and started lightly caressing them, the tension in Felix snapped.

"This absolute imbecile of a spoiled, snotty little man-child that we made the horrible mistake of taking on as a client—" Felix started, his voice growing more heated with every word as he launched into a tirade.

Felix was aware that his professional image was quiet and polite—if a little stuck-up—and he sometimes wondered what his colleagues would say if they saw him at home with his walls let down.

Because around those he was comfortable with, Felix was prone to ranting. While he smiled and nodded and stood tall in public, in private he wanted nothing more than to slouch against Ace and complain about idiots or geek out about a new interest.

Ace had never seemed to mind. At first, he'd joked that "You know, I don't think I've ever heard you speak that many sentences in a row," but after Felix tried to apologize, Ace merely made himself more comfortable against the couch and urged him to continue.

By now, it was almost an established routine. While Felix told him all about the latest client's wrongdoings, Ace kept humming at the right parts and offering scandalized "he didn't"s, all the while calmly petting Felix's hair and massaging his shoulders through the childish tantrum.

"And then he had the gall to ask me for our first draft! After two weeks! We had barely received the geographical data of the area!" Felix raged.

"Wow," Ace said. "What an entitled dick."

"It wouldn't be so bad if—even after I explained the process—he didn't keep calling every single day to give us pointless updates about his new designer carpet or sudden obsession with green walls or the golf simulator room that he can't make up his fucking mind about!"

With a sound of pure frustration, Felix crumpled onto his desk, his forehead coming to rest on the keyboard and writing a string of hjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj into the open email.

Normally, Felix enjoyed working from home. The time saved from the commute along with the silence of the Richter manor meant he was able to focus better than at the office and also got more time to spend with Ace. But, naturally, it also meant bringing said work home; thus exposing his boyfriend to deadlines, conference calls and dealing with shitty clients.

Felix just wanted this work week to be over. He wanted to celebrate the weekend with Ace and not stress himself to an early grave about a project. But no, it was only Tuesday, meaning three more days of this misery—and that was without the stupid tennis course his aunt had finally managed to bully Felix and Ace to attend tomorrow evening.

How he ever managed his old sixty-hour work week and mingling with his grating relatives without Ace’s support, Felix would never understand.

With that in mind, Felix straightened up and caught Ace's hand on his shoulder, turning it to kiss the inside of his wrist.

"This weekend," Felix promised. "After work and tennis, let me take you out."

"Aww, come on," Ace, predictably, tried to protest. "You don't have to. You're probably gonna be tired."

"Maybe, but I want to," Felix said. "Let's go to that French place you love."

"Huh?" Ace perked up. "Are you talking about the way too expensive one?"

"It's not expensive considering the quality," Felix argued. "We should try the twelve-course tasting menu this time. I've heard good reviews about it."

"And I've heard they've got a waiting list of at least two months."

"I'll call in some favors."

Felix didn't normally abuse his status, but making Ace happy was always the exception.

"Mr. Richter," Ace said, mock scandalized. "I'm starting to think I should give you a backrub more often," he teased.

Felix swiveled around in his chair and wrapped an arm loosely around Ace's waist.

"And I should remember to appreciate you more often," Felix said. "I'm sorry for complaining so much about work… or the weather, or the neighbors—or that idiot cashier the other day."

Felix winced as he realized just how unpleasant it must have been to be around him for the past few days.

But Ace just smiled and stepped in between Felix's legs, hands coming to rest on his shoulders.

"You've got nothing to apologize for," Ace murmured, his smile nothing but fond. "Besides, how else will I get the latest gossip about the neighbor's tax fraud or Lauren's messy divorce?"

Felix chuckled and tilted his head up. Ace, ever the expert at body language, didn't hesitate to lean in for a kiss.

Ace was warm and perfect against him. When he hummed softly into the kiss, Felix's earlier annoyance all but melted away.

"So," Ace said when pulling away. "Wining and dining, huh?"

Felix nodded. "I'll make the reservation and have our good suits pressed for the weekend."

"Sounds amazing," Ace said. "But for today..."

Felix frowned and waited for him to continue.

"Today, I think you need to relax," Ace decided. "How about you finish up early, we watch a marathon of some shitty cooking competition show on Netflix, order the greasiest pizza we can find for dinner, and fall asleep well before 10 PM."

Felix chuckled and buried his head against Ace's chest.

He never thought he would find someone who understood him so completely; who could both effortlessly bullshit with haughty clients during cocktail parties and also happily lounge around in sweatpants watching terrible reality television with Felix.

"That sounds perfect," Felix said. You're perfect, he didn't quite have the confidence to say.

Ace smiled softly, like he got it anyway. "Right back at you."

#riconti #felix richter #ace visconti #dbd fanfic #dweetwrites #dbd

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