#and eventually the woman checking said she thought it may be lost in the warehouse

[acerikus]

LOOP PLUSHIE IS ‼️‼️‼️‼️ FINALLY IN THE COUNTRY ‼️‼️‼️‼️

[empyreanwritings]

A Different Side to You

Pairing: Angel!Sam Wilson x Demon!Reader

Word Count: 7k (yall this is my longest fic that isn’t a series, i’m crying)

Warnings: definitely some blasphemous talk, blood and gore, mentions of sacrifices, language

Summary: You like to get under Sam’s skin because he makes it easy, but he doesn’t realize just how far you’ll really go to make sure he’s safe.

A/N: Hello friends! This is my submission for @buckysknifecollection​ writing challenge, congrats again on reaching 3k bby cause you deserve every follower and more! My prompt was Flirting in Inappropriate Places, and I tried to be as interesting with it as I could asdlkfjd ! Please let me know what y’all think! I crave attention xx

Divider by @whimsicalrogers​ - check them out bc their edits are amazing x

"Do you pray, or is that kind of redundant given your direct line to the big man?"

Sam refused to look over at the intruder. It was bad enough you felt the need to bother him with your presence again but to do it in a church? He feared if he looked over at you, he'd throw the hymnal straight at your thick skull. That kind of behavior was unbecoming for God's favorite, and he knew better than to test his father's patience - even if you tested his own daily.

You sighed dramatically, and he heard the familiar click of your heels as you walked down the center aisle. You traced your finger against the armrest of the pews; your nails dipped in black paint occasionally leaving a small scratch on them. The wood was old and soft, it was easy to leave marks behind, and it made you smile knowing they wouldn't be able to buff it out without ruining the wood altogether. A church marked by a demon. How sad.

For the last year, you brought it upon yourself to cause trouble to Sam. Nat told you not to bother with him; she knew her father would protect him at all costs, but you couldn't stop yourself. There was something about Sam that made every part of your body feel hot - and not in the Hellfire kind of way. Maybe it was his strong will or those arms. Either way, you enjoyed bugging him because you knew you'd make him crack eventually.

It was too hard to resist you, ask any man or woman who was allowed to live after a nightly encounter with you.

"I have to say," you leaned against the pew directly in front of Sam and crossed your arms over your chest, "Orange really is your color, Sammy. I don't think I've ever seen you look so delicious before."

"Can you not flirt with me in a house of worship? It's bad enough that you are here," he hissed. "Do not disrespect my father by flirting with me as well."

"Touchy, touchy. I can see I've struck a nerve, so I'll tell you why I'm here."

Sam's brows raised, and for once, he seemed intrigued by what you had to say. "Oh? It's not to bother me?"

Part of your visit was to bother him, you couldn't deny that, but it was mostly a professional visit. Nat needed to return to Hell and deal with a few demons who were stirring up trouble. The longer Nat stayed on Earth, the more restless they became down below. Some of them even went as far as to say Nat was no longer their queen and wanted to overthrow her. And, of course, she couldn't let that happen, so she left you in charge of any earthly factions trying to rise up while she went down to control the chaos. You hated being left behind, but the company wasn't terrible.

The only way you could really get the demons on Earth under control was if you had Lilith's knife. It was the only knife capable of truly killing a demon, not just send them back to Hell to crawl their way out again. After the war between the angels and demons, the angels took the knife and hid it so no being could ever wield its power again, and you knew Sam was there when Steve hid it.

You suggested a trade: Sam loaned you Lilith's knife in exchange for one of your Souls. No one would ever be willing to give up a soul they took in a deal, but if it meant you'd get your hands on the knife, you would do it.

"Are you out of your mind?" Sam roared, his cool exterior finally cracking at your audacity to ask something of him. "You really think I am going to hand over Lilith's knife to you? You know very well that knife doesn't just kill demons, Y/N."

"I would never use it on you, you drama queen." You paused, and a wicked smile spread across your face. "Unless you asked me to, of course."

He scoffed. You felt the disgust rolling off him, and you tried not to be annoyed that the sheer thought of being with you made him feel sick. You weren't looking for him to love you, or anything like that, but he didn't have to act like sleeping with you was so terrible. It wasn't as if you could get any sort of disease - perks of being a demon, after all.

"I am not giving you the knife, so you might as well leave."

"I can wait," you purred and left your spot on the pew to explore the sanctuary. You knew it would bother Sam if you stayed any longer, so you were going to milk your time there.

The church was one of the oldest in the city. You never fully understood the separate denominations of the church, but you noticed Baptists put less work into their churches than others. The pews were old, the fabric on them was a faded green that was torn in some spots. The white walls were slightly yellowed and peeling in the corners, but you only noticed if you focused long enough. It helped that the lights, which you could see dust hanging from the top of them, were dimmed. The blue carpet on the stage was the only thing that seemed new, and even that didn't seem to be in the best condition.

You walked over to the podium, and from the corner of your eye, you could see Sam tense up. You smirked and continued on. A worn bible sat on top of it; there were tabs sticking out the side, marking several pages for future sermons, you assumed. You grabbed the end of one and flipped it to the marked page, running your fingers across the lines.

You opened your mouth to start reading, but Sam appeared in front of you almost instantly. He slammed the bible closed, barely giving you time to yank your hand back. He knew exactly what you were doing, and he refused to let you speak the words of his father.

Touchy, touchy, you thought.

Sam grabbed your elbow to escort you out, but you whirled around and faced him head on. You pressed your chest against his; you were so close, your nose brushed the tip of his. He hated being this close to you, but he made no sign of backing down. God's favorite was one of the proudest as well. A deadly sin, you chose to remind him.

He watched your eyes flick down to his lips and back to his eyes in a matter of seconds. It happened so quickly, he thought he imagined it, but he knew better. You were shameless.

"I guess I'll get going now, Sammy," you hummed as you trailed your finger down his chest. "Please wear this sweater the next time I see you. Like I said, orange is your color."

You disappeared without another word, and the breath escaped Sam's lips in a cough. Well, it was less of a cough, and more of a strangled gasp. You really had a way of getting under his skin, and he hated admitting that to himself.

He knew one thing was certain, he couldn't let you get Lilith's knife. No matter your intentions.

"What are they doing?"

You jumped at the sound of Sam's voice, thinking you were caught by one of the people you spied on, but instantly relaxed when you saw him standing behind you. You glanced back at the scene in front of you - an altar with fake skulls the group probably bought at Michael's, red fabric thrown carelessly around everything, and three men in black cloaks mumbling to themselves about Lucifer. A woman was tied to the table directly in the middle. She squirmed and screamed for someone to help her, but no one was around these parts for miles, and the group knew it. It was why they picked this spot in the first place.

"Virgin sacrifice," you grumbled. "I could smell the stench of goat's blood miles away, so I popped in to see what they were doing."

"You can't just let them-"

"Relax, Sammy. I'm going to stop them. I actually hate human sacrifices." You turned around and smiled wide when you looked over at Sam. His brows furrowed, confused by your sudden change in mood, but when your eyes looked down at his shirt, he knew what you were about to say. "You're wearing orange."

He rolled his eyes. "I had nothing else to wear."

"You're wearing orange because I said you looked good in it, aren't you? Don't be embarrassed, Sammy, you look absolutely-"

"Don't you have a virgin sacrifice to interrupt?"

Your mouth formed an 'o' as if you just remembered why you were here. You told him to wait one moment before you disappeared behind the red fabric.

Screams filled the abandoned warehouse, but they didn't belong to the woman. The stench of blood and mutilated flesh hung in the air around Sam. It was a smell he was sure you were used to, but he almost lost his lunch thanks to it. When the screaming stopped, Sam thought the worst of it was over until he heard one of the boys beg for their lives. A wretched sob and a plea to be better interrupted by the sound of him choking on his own blood.

You escorted the woman out quietly. The poor thing trembled in your arms, yet it seemed you weren't the thing she was terrified of. You may have been a demon, but the monsters were the men willing to sacrifice her in the name of someone who didn't want human sacrifices to begin with. Well, Nat only liked sacrifices if the one dying was wicked, but that was another story.

The woman thanked you, tears and snot streaming down her face as she clutched onto your torso. You grimaced but did not pull away. Human comfort wasn’t something you fully understood, but you knew she needed a good hug right now, so you let it slide.

"Is there anything I can do to repay you?" She sobbed.

Sam shook his head. He knew what you were about to say - she could offer her soul in exchange for helping her. Demons were all the same. They acted like what they did was for the benefit of others, but it always came at a price. A price the humans could barely afford. And just when he started to believe you did this out of whatever goodness you had in your heart, you were going to prove to him that you were just like every other demon.

"You owe me nothing." He sucked in a sharp breath. That wasn't what he was expecting at all. "Except…maybe don't go on dates with people you meet in cemeteries. This is New Orleans, you can meet better men at the bars."

She nodded and made her way out of the warehouse. You weren't worried about her spreading the tale of what happened today because she could be accused of murder if she did. No one would ever buy the tale that a demon swooped in and killed everyone just to save her. The witches of the French Quarter might, but they weren't lawyers who could bust her out of jail.

You noticed Sam staring at you and huffed. "What? Do you not approve of me killing those bastards?"

"No, I…" He trailed off for a moment, eyes wandering over every inch of your blood covered body.  He wasn't looking at you but trying to look through you and understand why you would do something like spare that woman's soul. "I don't understand why you didn't make a deal with that woman."

You shrugged. You felt no need to explain yourself to him.

"Wait, when you offered to exchange a soul for Lilith's knife, did you even have a soul to offer?"

"Several."

"Ones that aren't centuries old."

"Why does it matter how old they are? A soul is a soul, right?"

It hit Sam that you probably haven't made a deal since you first became a demon. There was a time where Nat required every demon to make deals with people, but even she grew bored of the lifestyle. Many demons continued making deals and ruining people's lives, but Sam wondered when you stopped - and why. You spent most of your days following him around just to bother him, which meant you didn't have much time to harvest souls of the innocent. So, why? Why did you stop, and why did you make it seem like it wasn't a big deal?

You turned away to avoid any questions he was inevitably going to throw at you. You walked around the body parts and looked through the trinkets they gathered for the sacrifice. It was a long shot, but you wanted to see if they got their hands on Lilith's knife. A small bubble of excitement burst in you when you saw a black dagger resting on the table, but you knew it wasn't the right one as soon as you touched it. No magic, no power. Just a boring kitchen knife dipped in paint.

He watched you look around in disappointment. Questions bombarded his mind, made him wonder what else he didn't know about you - what else he might have gotten wrong. You were still a demon, though, and he would never be able to look past that.

When your search turned up empty, you focused right back on Sam and the dark orange V-neck he wore. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he wore that shirt for you. And you knew it.

"So," you began with a smile, "I find it adorable that you are wearing more orange for me. Very fall…very romantic, if you ask me."

"I didn't wear it for you," he quipped. "I told you, I had nothing else to wear."

"Mhm, so you said. Well, if you don't like it, you could always just take it off. I wouldn't mind." You ran your finger along his exposed collarbone, and he quickly swatted at your hand.

"There is nothing sexy about you asking me to take off my shirt when it smells like blood."

You giggled, something that should have been adorable yet somehow sounded evil coming from your lips. "You'll get used to it after a while, but I'll let you change the subject for now. I know it's probably not good for God's favorite to be aroused at the idea of taking me on a sacrificial altar."

Sam deadpanned, and you practically howled out a laugh. He made it far too easy to get under his skin. As much as you would have liked for him to ravish you then and there, you were perfectly satisfied knowing you managed to annoy him. It was the second greatest pleasure in your life, next to torturing evil assholes who thought the world belonged to them.

You tried to turn the conversation back to Lilith's knife. You hoped that your display of mercy would make him willing to give up its location, but he stood his ground. He vowed to never let you see the knife, even if you did swear not to use it on the angels. The knife's power was too much for one to handle; he couldn't guarantee that after you used it on the rowdy demon faction, you wouldn't just turn around and use it on him or his brothers. Once the knife got a taste for blood, it always wanted more.

No matter what you told him about the threats of war in Hell and on Earth, he refused you. His stubbornness made your jaw clench, but you knew when to pick your battles. When the precious humans were in danger, he would be willing to give it up. Despite not wanting for it to get that bad, you knew it was the only way.

So, you'd wait, and until then, you'd drive him crazy with your flirtatious comments.

The next few days were…off, to say the least. You spent a lot of your time trying to get a feel for Sam's godly aura - something that had a distinct smell and feel to it most angels didn't even realize - but there was nothing. Every corner you turned, every chapel you visited, was hollow. Cold and empty, much like the feeling in your chest the longer you didn't see him. You knew it was possible he was just avoiding you, but you couldn't help but feel a little dreadful.

If something happened to Sam, you'd unleash Hell on earth. You would rip through every being you had to in order to get to him. The heavens haven't seen true bloodshed until you've put your mind to it, especially if you were going to avenge your non-existent lover.

But as you sat in one of Sam's favorite sanctuaries, you wondered if he had finally grown tired of your games. He was an angel after all, and you were nothing but a demon. Scum of the earth; knight of darkness and destruction. A small voice in the back of your head reminded you that you would never be any more to him. You looked around and realized, he might not have been missing at all, he may have just decided you were no longer worthy of his presence. You weren't sure which idea hurt more, and you didn't really want to take time to analyze it.

The funny thing about sadness is that it eats you from the inside. The harder you try to push it down, the more power you seem to give it. Even as you sat there, staring at the ethereal paintings on the ceiling, you couldn't stop the sadness from burning a hole into your heart. You closed your eyes and exhaled, feeling the heat from all the Bibles burning around you. And you smiled - not fully, but enough to push down the sadness once more.

"Where is my brother?" You opened your eyes and looked over at Steve, who went to work trying to put out the small fires you set. "For the love of dad, did you really have to burn the Bibles? You could have gone for the hymnals, at least!"

You hummed disinterestedly. "Why are you asking me about Sammy? I figured he went back to Heaven by now."

"He hasn't been home in months, but he usually checked in with me. I haven't heard from him in days now."

Okay, so maybe he was missing, and maybe you were too quick to start throwing yourself a pity party, but could anyone blame you? No one had to know you were willing to burn down a church simply because you thought Sam abandoned you.

"The last I saw Sam he was alive and well, I can promise you," you purred just to get under Steve's skin. "If I'm being honest, though, I haven't seen him since then. He usually pops up to scold me when I start trouble, and I did everything I could to get his attention! I even kicked a toddler, and he never came. I should have realized he could never get bored with me; obviously someone has taken him."

Steve blinked several times, trying his best to process your words. He didn't know where to start - the fact that you both tend to end up in each other's company willingly or that you would go so far as to kick a toddler to see him. He shook his head. How Sam managed to put up with your antics was beyond Steve. He always told his brother that a demon like you wasn't worth watching over, but Sam always had one excuse or another. Lately, he claimed it was to make sure you didn't find Lilith's knife, but even that excuse was flimsy at best.

He wanted to be in your company, and it baffled Steve most of all.

"I'm not going to touch any of that," he quickly shook his head and tried to push the disturbing thoughts out of his head. "Nat said there was rebellion going on in Hell. Do you think demons might have taken him to get under her skin?"

"I wouldn't put it past them, but I honestly think if the demon faction on Earth kidnapped him it's because they want Lilith's knife."

"And let me guess you want me to give it to you."

You nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "If demons are behind Sammy's disappearance, they need to be taken out. Lilith's knife can do that, and you know it!"

"You think I'm foolish enough to give a blade that can kill demons and angels to a psychotic demon with stabbing tendencies?" Steve scoffed. "You're off your rocker even more than usual."

A moment passed, and your passive façade finally cracked. You kicked Steve, full force against his abdomen, and sent him flying towards the altar. He caught himself before he landed on the podium, but he didn't have enough time to block your next blow to his side. You knew it was enough to knock the air from his lungs and catch him off guard, so you quickly grabbed his throat and forced him to his knees. His angel strength usually made him an even match, but your rage was the one thing fueling you. It was too much for him to fight off.

You squeezed until he was gasping for air and slapping at your hands. His eyes grew wide when he looked up at you and realized you were in full demon form - eyes black, teeth pointed behind your sinister snarl, and your skin slowly flaking off and turning to ash. He had never seen you like this, and for once, he feared his life despite knowing you couldn't really kill him.

You leaned in close, letting him get a good whiff of the rotted flesh and brimstone. "Let me make something very clear, Michael, you will give me that knife because the longer you wait, the more danger my Sammy may be in. And if he gets hurt, I will tear the world apart until it rains blood for eternity. You and your daddy will have nothing to protect anymore, do you understand me?"

Steve shuddered as you dropped him to the floor. The use of his real name never brought a chill down his spine until it came from your lips. He knew, somewhere deep inside of him, that you no longer wanted the knife for yourself; you wanted it to end those who dared to take Sam away from you.

Realization dawned on him in that moment. You loved him. It was something he never knew a demon could be capable of, but your protectiveness…your anger…it all made sense now. You wouldn't let anything happen to Sam, and he knew giving you the knife wouldn't be the worst idea. The other angels might frown upon it, but they wouldn't question Steve's judgement. He'd make them understand why he had to, and why you were somehow the most trustworthy person to take it.

"I'll get you the knife," he gasped. "You find out where my brother is, and I will meet you there with the knife."

You slowly turned back into your "presentable" self at his words. The relief that you wouldn't have to torture the information out of Steve flooded you. Sam would be incredibly unhappy if he knew you hurt his family, even if it was a little deserved.

"I can find out within the hour, I have someone who owes me a few favors," you replied. "Keep an eye out for my text. I'll give you the coordinates on where to find me once I know."

Without another word, you disappeared, off to cause trouble wherever you needed to. Steve stood there, hands dropped at his side and a deep sigh escaping his lips. There was one problem to your plan: he didn't have a phone.

The moon just started to rise when you stepped through the dilapidated gates of the cemetery. Fog clung to the ground, making everything damp and humid. Bits of leaves stuck to the bottom of your boots as you walked, but you didn't care. You just wanted to get to Sam.

You felt in your element, oddly enough. Surrounded by darkness, Lilith's knife grasped tightly in your hand. You knew the night would end in a blood bath. The demons weren't going to let Sam go willingly, and you mentally prepared yourself for what he was about to witness. If you lost control, even for a split second, your true form would come out again. You knew he would never love you anyways, but once he got a real look at you, whatever tiny amount of hope you clung onto would be squashed.

None of it mattered, though. You only cared for Sam's safety.

The faction waited for you in one of the larger mausoleums. They almost seemed too relaxed as you walked in, as if the party couldn't start until you arrived. You glanced over and saw Sam bound, gagged, and tossed in the corner. You forced yourself to take a deep breath and not let the rage consume you over the sight of him.

Mystique, the leader of the faction, casually hopped down from the top of the stone casket and made her way to you. Her movements reminded you of a lioness, calm and in control as she stalked closer to her prey. She wasn't scared of you, and that was the one thing you were hoping for; you wanted her to underestimate just how cruel you could be.

She walked around you in circles, taking in your presence with a hungry grin on her face. Her eyes lingered on Lilith's knife longer than anywhere else, but she made no advances to take it from you.

"I see you brought the knife," she practically purred in delight. "I'm surprised the angels were so willing to hand it over, but I see kidnapping one of their own was the best way to get their attention."

"You weren't just trying to get their attention," you replied calmly. "You were trying to get mine as well."

"Well, I did have a feeling taking your lover boy would get you here."

You refused to look back at Sam, even though you wanted to. You had to lie your way out of her trap, and you wouldn't be able to contain yourself if you made eye contact with him in this moment. And you wouldn't be able to hide any of your emotions from Mystique.

"He means nothing to me. He was just a means to get Lilith's knife."

As the words left your mouth, your chest started to ache. You silently prayed - something you never thought you could bring yourself to do - that Sam wouldn't believe your words. Whether he ever planned on loving you back or not, you didn't want him to think you only saw him as a means to an end. If he never gave you the knife, you wouldn't have cared because you got to spend time with him. That was more than enough for you.

"For a demon, you're a terrible liar," Mystique sneered. "I've been watching you two. I know the truth, and honestly? I feel a little sad for you, Y/N."

Your lips formed a tight line, and you took a slow breath through your nose. "Why is that?"

"Because you're dumb enough to think he'll fall for you one day. Do you not see the heartbreak you're setting yourself up for? An angel will never see you as anything but the perverted failure of his father, and you are dumb enough to think he could ever see you as anything else." Her words cut into you, and you had nothing to retort. She was right; you came to terms with this before you ever step foot into his life. You weren't meant to fall for him and yet…you did. You tricked yourself. "Even Nat believes she is better than us, it's why we needed to take action! Can't you see? We're your family. We're able to give you what these angels never could - power and belonging. I know you crave both despite all your past protests."

She wrapped her arm around your shoulders and forced you to look at Sam. Her lips were next to your ear, and though you couldn't see it, you knew she was smirking. "All you have to do is kill him. Kill Gabriel and we'll accept you into our group. I can be a fair better leader than Nat ever could."

Sam's eyes grew wide as you stalked towards him. Mystique's words ran through your mind on a constant loop. He would never see you as anything other than a demon; he would never be able to love you the way you so desperately desired. The longer you stared at him, the easier it was to come to terms with that. But it didn't mean he deserved to die.

"There is one thing I think you are forgetting in all of this," you finally said, turning your back on Sam to face Mystique.

"And what is that, my dear?"

You shoved the knife through her throat, ignoring the spray of blood hitting your face. The other demons stood, ready to attack, but they faltered when they realized no one was going to give them an order. Mystique was too busy choking on her own blood.

Just before the light faded from her eyes, you leaned in close and whispered, "You get on my last fucking nerve."

You pulled the knife out and let her body drop to the ground. She was gone for good this time. Wherever the beings went when they were killed with Lilith's knife, you knew it wasn't Hell; she would never be able to crawl her way back to Earth and cause more trouble.

The other demons stood in shock as you stepped over her body. They didn't want to fight in you in fear of losing their own lives, but as you flipped the knife in your hand, they knew they had no choice. You weren't going to let any of them walk out of there alive. They started too much trouble for you and for Nat. This was your way of tying up loose ends.

You gave them props for putting up a good enough fight. They weren't coordinated without Mystique telling them what to do, but they tried their best. Even when bodies started to drop, and the smell of blood lingered heavily in the air, they fought tooth and nail to get away from you. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough. Not a single demon stepped through the mausoleum doors alive. Well, besides you of course, but that was kind of obvious.

Once everyone was taken care of, you made your way over to Sam. You looked him over several times, and a pout began to form on your lips.

"You're not wearing orange today!" You whined as you pulled the rag from his mouth. "I thought we agreed you'd wear orange the rest of your life for me."

He let out an exasperated breath. "You're insane, you know that?"

"Well I heard-"

"If quote Alice in Wonderland and tell me all the best people are crazy, I'm going to shoot you," Sam grumbled, kicking away the ropes from his ankles in a hurry.

You beamed over at him. It was the kind of smile that made you look unhinged, and the blood spattered on your cheeks didn't help. "Ooh, gunplay? Sounds kinky, I'm in! But I'm pretty sure you don't even know how to work a gun, so I'll have to teach you."

"Please don't."

Sam took your hand and allowed you to help him stand. He had been tied up for days, and he caught himself using the wall to keep himself from tipping over again as the blood started to rush to his limbs again. He noticed how you stayed close enough to catch him if he fell over but kept your distance to give him some space. You assumed he needed a break from being surrounded by demons, and you weren't entirely wrong. He just didn't include you in the list of demons he wanted to stay away from.

You quietly let him pull himself together and got to work on piling the demons' bodies on top of each other. Not many groundskeepers entered mausoleums, but you didn't want to risk anyone finding them. You made a mental note to return with some lighter fluid and take care of the remains before the sun rose. It wouldn't please Nat to know you left bodies out in the open for anyone to find.

Sam tried to shift his weight onto one foot, and he grunted in surprise when a sharp pain shot through his ankle. You were by his side instantly, using your shoulder support most of his weight.

"Are you okay?" You asked, searching his face for any signs of discomfort.

He nodded. "I'm not sure how, but I think they might have broken my ankle. It should heal soon, though."

"Let's get you to a safe place to rest. I need to get the knife back to Steve, and we don't really need any other demons stumbling on your injured self."

"You're actually giving the knife back?" His surprise made you wince. You told him the only thing you needed the knife for was the get the demon faction under control, but he never believed you.

Because you're a demon, your thoughts reminded you.

"I told you I only needed the knife for one thing Sammy," you huffed and helped him step out into the cemetery. "I would never lie to you."

Sam said nothing, but he quietly examined the side of your face as you walked together. He wasn't sure what he felt in that moment besides confusion. Deep down, he already knew you weren't one to lie to him, but he didn't understand why. Why you went to great lengths just to save him. Why you hated virgin sacrifices and didn't take souls. Why you spent most of your time around him when you could have been doing anything else. You were supposed to be a typical demon consumed by a lust for blood, sex, and souls, yet you had proven time and time again that you were far from his expectation.

He wondered if Mystique had been right - were you in love in with him? The thought of you being in love with him made him question everything he thought he already knew.

He couldn't bring himself to understand why he liked the way you flirted him, or why he wore orange just to see you smile. He easily could have gone back to Heaven by now, but he always found an excuse to stay. To see you.

As you escorted him through the gates and far away from the stench of blood, he sucked in a sharp breath. Perhaps Mystique wasn't right about everything. She claimed Sam could never see you as anything but a demon, but as he looked up at you now, that was the last thing on his mind. All he saw was the woman he finally admitted to himself he was in love with.

You slipped into the pew beside Sam, who had fully recovered from last night's incident. You were exhausted after spending your night burning bodies and tracking down Steve to return the knife. Even he seemed surprised you gave it up willingly, but you didn't bother to banter with him about it. You were tired of the angels always thinking the worst of you.

You leaned your head against Sam's shoulder, half-expecting him to pull away in disgust, but he didn't. He sat there in silence as you closed your eyes and let yourself relax for a few moments.

The silence between you two wasn't uncomfortable. Both of you felt like you had been to Hell and back, and not much needed to be said about that. You were still covered in blood, and your clothes reeked of burnt flesh. Sam, who was fully healed, rubbed at his wrists to try and get the phantom feeling of the rope away. You almost made a joke about how a fucked up demon sat next to an equally fucked up angel, but the humor died on your tongue before you could get it out. It was just too much effort.

Sam sighed and pressed his cheek against the top of your head. "She was wrong, you know."

"About what?" You murmured so softly, you weren't sure you spoke out loud.

"About my feelings for you."

You sat up and groaned, feeling all of your muscles groan along with you. "Don't tease me, Sam. It actually hurts my feeling for you to lie to me like this."

"I'm not lying!"

"Sure, you're not."

He grabbed your chin and forced you to look at him. The sincerity in his eyes made your stomach churn. You knew how this played out because he wasn't supposed to love you; he wasn't supposed to see you as anything but a demon. Not a single celestial being would ever approve of him falling in love with you, and you would never be able to find peace.

"Listen to me," he began with a small, hopeful smile, "I love you. Do I fully understand it? Absolutely not. You're crazy, and I'm pretty sure you kill pedophiles for breakfast. You also willingly kick toddlers, which I don't approve but…I love you."

"No one will approve us being together, you know," you whispered as if someone was already listening in on you. "Not God, not Nat, not Steve. They'll always have something to say about us."

"Then let's get out of here for a bit."

"Where?"

"Anywhere you want to go." You quickly glanced to the side, and he rolled his eyes. "If you make another comment about that confessional booth, I will lose my mind."

You softly laughed and leaned in ever so slightly. You were officially invading his space, but you weren't making the first move yet. You wanted to give him one last chance to change his mind, to come to his senses or whatever it was he needed to do, before he turned his back on everything he knew just to be with you. Would it hurt? Absolutely. But you needed to know that this was going to last between you two. You weren't sure if you could live with the heartbreak of losing Sam.

"I think you've already lost your mind, Sammy," you teased. "You want to be with a demon after all."

He cupped your cheek in his hand, gently stroking your bottom lip with his thumb. It was an act so intimate, it almost caught you off guard. He stared at you silently before his lips finally met yours, and you nearly collapsed into his arms with how ecstatic you were to finally get a taste of him.

The kiss was hungry - full of teeth and breathless groans. You were exploring every inch of each other that you possibly could without tearing each other's clothes off. Sam practically came to life underneath you as his hands roamed up your side. Your name died on his lips - a prayer only you could hear. You thought about pulling back and reminding him that you were in the house of his father, but that would require you to stop kissing him, and you had no intention of stopping any time soon.

When he finally pulled away from, your chests were heaving, and you smiled over at him. He appreciated how gentle your smile seemed now. Even with the dried blood on your skin, there was a warmth in your eye that made your smile fill his chest with joy. A lot less unhinged, he would say.

"So," you pushed his back against the pew and crawled onto his lap, your knees straddling either side of his thighs, "You said we could go anywhere in the world, right?"

"Besides the confessional booth," he retorted with a smile as he caressed the side of your face.

You paused, trying to get used to him looking at you like you were the only woman in the universe. It felt odd but not entirely in a bad way. You spent most of your time denying he could ever look at you this way, and here he was, proving your doubts wrong. You weren't sure if it made you want to cry or kiss him until he caved and pulled you right into the confessional.

He claimed you wouldn't convince him, but you'd get him to crack one day.

"Besides the confessional booth," you laughed. "I spent a lot of time here, pestering you and scaring children in the cemetery. I think it'd be nice to get out of the country, explore the world a little bit."

"You haven't done that already?"

You shook your head. "I spent a lot of time staying close to Nat. She needed a strong right-hand woman, and I was the one who wanted to fill the job. I mean, Maria is great, but she's better at handling souls and all their pesky little contracts."  

"Where do you want to go then? We can go anywhere you want, and we can get there for free thanks to my wings."

"Can I convince you to give the confessional booth a whirl?"

Sam sighed dramatically, not in annoyance but enough to make you laugh. "Absolutely not."

"Fine," you pouted. "I guess we can start with Greece, as long as you agree to wear your orange v-neck again."

[yikesharringrove]

Nb model Steve? Maybe Billy is a photographer who's known for his artsy and alternative photos and Steve is an up and coming model who has to deal with a lot of misgendering in the industry? But Billy is one of the first photographers who really respects their pronouns and what he's comfortable wearing

Read on Ao3

-

Steve didn’t know what to expect when they got on location.

They loved being a model, felt so comfortable in front of a camera, had even gotten to do some runway work for New York Fashion Week this year.

But the issue, is that they only get work as a male model, where they’re expected to be hyper masculine and all macho.

It’s the fucking worst.

But their agent had gotten them this shoot, promised that it wouldn’t be like the last one, or the one before that, or the one before that.

They took a deep breath before entering the building.

“Hi, Steve Harrington, checking in.” The woman smiled at them, tapping on her phone.

“Great, let’s take you through to hair and makeup. Mr. Hargrove will want to speak with you before you begin.” She led Steve through to the warehouse.

Steve had never worked with Billy Hargrove before, but his name preceded him. He was known for beautiful shoots with models way beyond Steve’s recognition and caliber. Shooting campaigns for high end designers.

“So, I was never informed what campaign this is for.”

“This is for Mr. Hargrove’s personal portfolio. He chooses to freelance various projects he believes in.”

“Wait so, this is like, just for him?” She pulled Steve aside.

“He’s putting together an art book, but do not tell anyone you heard that. He’s going to announce it in a few months. Limited run, all that. You’ll be getting a share. He feels paying models is extremely important.” Steve just nodded, they’re eyes big.

“Sorry, how did I end up on this project?”

“Oh, Mr. Hargrove is a fan of your work. Asked for you by name.”

Steve was in hair and make up now, being ushered into a tall chair. The woman, probably Mr. Hargrove’s assistant, took off again.

Steve closed their eyes, figured they would be getting a light foundation, maybe some contour to sharpen their jaw, that kinda thing.

They zoned out, just let the makeup artists do their work.

“Steve Harrington. Good to meet you.” Steve opened their eyes, was met with The Billy Hargrove.

“Mr. Hargrove, it’s an honor to meet you. I’ve a very big fan of your work, especially on the most recent Dior campaign, those images were beautiful.”

“Oh, call me Billy. And I loved your work with Jonathan Byers. I think that was about three years ago, now? I’ve been trying to make arrangements to work with you since those were published.”

Steve furrowed their brows. Those pictures featured Steve in a lot of makeup, and lingerie in most of them. Billy was studying their face.

“Have you done their hair yet?” Steve’s eyes were wide.

That was the first time they hadn’t been misgendered on a job.

“No, Mr. Hargrove.”

“If you can make it look like they just have it now, I like the kinda of, wild thing that’s happening. And maybe make the gold a little bolder. I really like the look.”

Steve hadn’t washed their hair in a few days, usually the hair artists would wash it before they began anyway.

Billy smiled at them one last time before leaving again, and Steve got a look at themself in the mirror.

Their eye makeup was a pretty ballet pink, gold glitter packed onto their eyelids. Their face was contoured to look feminine, the way the did their own makeup.

When they finished with hair and makeup, they met Billy in wardrobe.

He was flicking through a rack of clothes.

“Hey! You look great.” Steve flushed.

“So, what are you comfortable in? I’m looking to explore humanity in all forms. I’m working with artists that inspire me through their realities. You’re pretty much the top of that list.”

“Wait, I’m not following.”

“Your gender identity and expression, the way you wear your body in the most authentic way possible. I’ve seen your work. Those images with Byers are so beautiful, so much moreso than anything else I’ve seen of yours. Your confidence exuded through the image more than anything I’ve ever seen. It was inspiring.”

“So, you’re gonna let me do this my way?”

“Of course. I’m showcasing you, whatever that means.” Steve nodded at him once.

They began rifling through the clothes, making a pile of things they liked, what they thought would look good with the makeup.

“And I’m pretty much comfortable with anything.” Billy raised one eyebrow.

“Nudity?”

“If you want.”

“Could that cause you any dysphoria, though?” Steve blinked at him.

“Jesus, that’s the first time I’ve ever been asked that on a shoot.” Billy’s smile slipped.

“Seriously?” Steve shrugged. “Not even with Byers?”

“Well, I mean, that doesn’t count. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and I was just getting into modelling, and him into photography, so that was kind of to build up both of our portfolios at the time. I did my own hair, makeup and costuming.” Billy raised one eyebrow.

“But apart from working with a close friend, you’ve never been asked about dysphoria.” Billy said it as a statement, like he was trying to wrap his head around the idea.

“And it’s funny, because I usually get dysphoric in menswear shoots, but most people hire me as a male model.”

“Jesus, I’m sorry, Steve.” They shrugged.

“It is what it is. Not a lot of gender noncomforming or just straight up not cis models in the mainstream. There’s a few, don’t get me wrong, but not many, and very few household names. I just figured I need to be versatile for now, and eventually, I’ll have enough of career I can start making demands. Taking up space.”

“Still, it sucks that you gotta pick and choose like that. You should be able to just, do what you want.”

“That’s easy to say, mister photographer.” Billy smiled bashfully. “Look, thank you for taking time to research me and know what I’m all about. This experience has already been a lot better than most of my other shoots.” Billy clapped them on the shoulder.

“Hey, you’re my muse. I’m just excited to be working with you. I’ll leave you to get changed, we’ve got some wardrobe assistants standing by if you need help.” He swept out of the curtained off area.

Steve decided to begin with a light blue slip dress, matching silk panties.

They had help getting into the gold chunky heels, and made a bit of a show of walking those few feet to set.

Billy was staring darkly.

“You look beautiful.” Steve grinned at him, taking a seat on the white settee.

Billy was very easy to work with.

He let Steve take some liberties, try a few things out, and would direct from there, telling Steve how to adjust their body.

Steve felt in control, felt beautiful and confident. 

Steve had taken off the slip, was posing in just the blue panties, now sitting on a windowsill, the New York skyline behind them.

Steve stood up, and dropped the little panties, kicking them away. Billy nodded, still looking behind the camera.

“Beautiful, Steve.”

They stood in nothing but the heels, had been given a piece of fabric to drape around their body, or not if they so pleased. Steve held it aloft, looking at the camera with their best bitchy I’m above you look.

Billy had them do the same with six other outfits, slowly strip out of them throughout the shoot.

The set was closed, only a handful of people in the room with them as Steve languished around.

Billy nearly lost his damn mind at an image of Steve, their back to the camera, in nothing but red pumps, sitting in a middle split on the windowsill.

“You’re a fucking genius, Stevie. Gorgeous!”

It was hours before the shoot had finished, and Steve was given a plush robe and a latte.

“Steve.” Billy jerked his head towards the table in the corner, Billy’s cameras and laptop sitting on top of it.

Billy pulled another chair up to the table, let Steve sit on the first one.

“I just want to go over the shoot with you. You can pick the shots you like the most, and we can see which ones are right for my project. I’m publishing an art book. I’m sure Miranda already told you, she tells fucking everyone.” He had loaded the images from the day onto the laptop.

They clicked through them, sitting just the two of them, everyone already having left for home.

“Oh, wow.” Billy had stopped on an image of Steve with the large piece of gauzy fabric. It was draped over their shoulder, put hung to the floor, doing nothing to cover their body. “Look at your face. This is what I was taking about. The confidence, you just exude don’t fuck with me energy. It’s beautiful.”

Billy would often do that, point out minute details in Steve’s body language or facial expressions and explain the ways they were captivating.

And it made Steve feel captivating.

“You’re really beautiful, you know that?” Steve was far too aware of how close Billy’s face was to theirs.

“I really felt it today. Thank you.”

“You are ethereal. I’m not kidding.” Billy’s eyes flicked down to their lips. “Can I kiss you?”

“Please.”

Steve sighed when Billy kissed them, just a light press of his lips to theirs.

“I’d like to see you again. Cook you dinner? Or take you out? You pick.” Steve sat back.

“Like a date?”

“Yes.”

“You wanna date me?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why you wanted to work with me?”

“I wanted to work with you because you are so beautiful it’s inspiring. I want to date you because on top of all that, you’re kind, and sweet, and driven.”

“Um, yeah, then. I’ll go on a date with you.” Billy beamed. “But I don’t put out on the first date, and just because you photographed me naked does not mean you get to fuck me anytime soon.”

“Oh, of course.” He looked serious. It made Steve melt a little.

“And I’d love it if you cooked for me.”

“Then my place. Friday. Seven o’clock. Wear something nice. I may not be able to resist photographing you.”

“Yeah, yeah, Sweet Talker. I’m allergic to bell peppers and I think mushrooms are gross, so steer clear.”

“Drat. There goes my idea for mushroom stuffed bell peppers.”

“Darn. Looks like we can’t go out, then.” Billy laughed.

“I’ll text you my address. And my house will be properly de-mushroom and bell peppered for you.” Steve smiled.

“I appreciate it.”

[witharsenicsauce]

Chosen Stories From the War #34: All Quiet on the Western Front

(Content Warning: This chapter contains descriptions of gore, minor character death, and trauma)

For a moment, Jane happily lay in her state of half consciousness, reveling in the warmth of the unfamiliar bed. The blankets were surprisingly comfortable for being so rough, and the mat she relaxed upon was soft and warm. She turned over, for a moment entertaining the idea that sleep might return to her.

“Jx habet los Exletos.”

Jane threw an arm over her head, attempting to drown out the sound of talking but...it caught her attention. While she didn’t know the meaning of the words spoken, she knew the voice all too well.

“Jx habet onx botu, onx erinye, ‘n lau lophndia.” A moment of silence, but Jane could hear gentle murmur in the background. She sat up slowly, as her partner that evening, Althaea, said one more thing. “Jx deluge.” She broke off, slamming something metallic down on the desk as she saw Jane was awake. “You’re up.”

“Calling your side pieces?” Jane chuckled. “Or am I the side piece, and you’re calling your wife?”

“You? Sweetheart, you’re a diamond in the rough.” Althaea slithered back towards her and curled up in the pillows again. Jane scooted closer, trapping Althaea’s tail between her legs, and the Viper wrapped her tail around her waist.

“Who were you talking to?” Jane asked. 

Althaea was strangely quiet for a moment, and when she spoke there was a bit of hesitation in her voice. “My sisters at another haven.”

“Didn’t know they had phones.”

“If you can build it, you can keep it.” Althaea assured her. “And eventually I banged rocks together long enough to make the thing work.”

“Hm. Then you’re a woman of many talents.” Jane chuckled, winking.

Althaea rolled her eyes and straightened up. “I should be charging you for this.”

“Okay. How much?”

“I said I should.” Althaea stuck out her tongue in a long hiss. “Not that I will~”

“Isn’t that a bit unfair?” Jane rolled onto her back, eager to drift back off to sleep, but something still felt...off. “What language was that?”

Althaea didn’t say anything, just curled her long tail around Jane’s waist once again.

.

.

“What do you mean, you lost the rat?!”

“I didn’t lose him!” Gur-Rai protested. “I left him on this bench right here!” He pointed to the sunny stone bench, parked right by the oasis’ edge.

“And you expected him not to walk off?” Kon-Mai ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. “Gur-Rai! He’s an animal!”

“I know he is!” He snapped at her. “But he’s important to me! God, he’s probably really scared right now...” 

Her face softened a bit. “He is most likely fine.” She said calmly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. “He is probably hungry, and went off to catch bugs somewhere.”

Gur-Rai, chewing on the nail of his little finger, seemed not to hear her. He was just staring at the empty bench in despair when Dhar-Mon finally spoke up.

“There is plenty of food in this haven...” He said. “I say that is the first place we check.”

“I swear if that thing got into the food stores…” Nazira grumbled, picking at her cuticles in a way similar to Gur-Rai when he was nervous. She stood towards the back of the Chosen, isolated at this time. Her own brother was nowhere to be seen.

“The sooner we find him, the sooner we can ensure that is not the case.” Kon-Mai said. “Nazira, where is it that you store the supplies?”

Nazira looked around, pointing to a square building that resembled a stone warehouse. “Well over there is where we keep most of the raw materials. Grain that hasn’t been made into flour, dried fruits, salted meats, stuff that keeps. There are a couple of refrigeration units in the Generator room but I don’t think he could get in there.”

“What of farmland? Do you have any fields or gardens?” Dhar-Mon asked.

“Most of it has been harvested already.” Nazira shrugged. “But the dandelions are in bloom right now. He might be hunting for bugs in the grass.”

“Okay.” Kon-Mai stood up tall. “We shall split up, then, cover more ground.”

“I shall search the storage units.” Dhar-Mon said.

“Wonderful. Gur-Rai.” Kon-Mai turned to her brother. “Will you help me search the fields? My eyes are lacking compared to yours.”

That seemed to at least shake him from his trance. “Sure thing.” He nodded, looking over at Nazira. “You’ll be okay?”

“This is my house, Gur-Rai.” She giggled. “I’ll be fine without you.”

He faltered at her words, but Kon-Mai dragged him off quickly. Nazira lifted her hand in a wave, then sighed and turned towards the generator room. 

As much as she hated going in there, if this possum was as important to Gur-Rai as it seemed to be, she’d brave it for him.

.

.

“Of all the people I thought I would see again.” Zafar looked over his cup of tea, meeting Verge’s black eyes. “I’ll admit I never expected it would be you.”

“And I would have agreed.” Verge admitted, a slight smile on his face. “I could barely talk last time we worked together.”

“And you certainly wouldn’t hear talk of disobeying the Elders.” Zafar’s gaze turned cold. “You’re lucky Nazira forgives you, after what you said to her last time.”

“I know.” Verge hung his head. “I’ll admit that for someone who was supposed to be her comrade, I was...far too spiteful. Aggressive. I did not know how my actions, and my words, hurt her so.”

Zafar held the silence for a moment. “She does not seem to hold a grudge.” He admitted. “And she is excited that you are here.” He put his tea down. “But I need to know, Verge. What changed?”

“Everything. Slowly.” Verge said. “Interrogations gone awry. When you’re inside someone’s head while they’re being probed for information, you feel everything…”

Zafar took a deep breath. “That’s one thing I never had to suffer.” He pinched his own brown skin, smooth and hairless but otherwise so human. “These human ‘suits’ gave me the illusion of being a man, but I never had to gaze into the mind of one.”

“So what you’re saying is, you can make a snake into a Thin Man-”

“But you can’t get rid of the reptile brain.” Zafar smiled. “You get it.”

Verge leaned on his hand. “I don’t think I’ve ever read a Viper’s mind.”

“I’m sure it’s not a unique experience.” Zafar parted his black hair along the side and tied up half of it. “...How much smarter are humans, anyway?”

“Jealous?”

“No. Curious.” Zafar was lying, he stunk of it, but Verge just smiled and did not insist on antagonizing that point.

“Truth be told, actual intelligence isn’t exactly what they excel at.” He admitted.

“Oh?” Zafar raised a brow. “Emotional intelligence then?”

“Some learn it quickly, but it doesn’t come naturally.” Verge shrugged. “But that’s something they have to practice. What they do excel in is creativity.”

“Creativity?”

“Humans have a tendency to jump to conclusions.” Verge continued. “And in doing so they are...inspired to try something, even if it might not work. Because to them, if there’s a chance it will work, then it will work.”

“What if it doesn’t work?” Zafar crossed his arms. “Do they not get discouraged?”

“Surprisingly, no. And if they do, not for long. It’s as if their brains don’t let them rest until a problem is solved.” Verge chuckled. “And it’s beautiful. Because with it, they’re inspired to not just spread their wings, but to glide and dive and reach for the stars. Quite literally.”

“They must be careful then.” Zafar said. “Overzealousness is what led the Elders to their rapid decline.”

Verge almost questioned what Zafar meant by decline, but part of him already knew.

.

.

“Phoibos, Savitr, Calliope, Murillo, Diodor.” Prata Mox called out, and the officers stepped forward. “You are to patrol the Western Front, along the established road. Avoid the sands.” He said with a great amount of emphasis in his voice.

“What if we see something?” Phoibos called out.

Mox seemed to think for a moment. “...Come back and report it immediately. Do not investigate. I do not wish to risk a soldier’s capture.”

Calliope looked over to Savitr, who seemed lost in thought as he stared into the golden sand. “Ux ezom okay?”

Savitr looked up at her, blinking for a moment before giving her a warm smile and nodding. “Thinking about something, don’t mind me.”

She smiled, and then looked around. “I bet you can slip away and find her before we leave~”

“Move out!” Mox called, and the five of them began the march toward the Western Front.

“Well, it’s too late for that now...” He chuckled, as he and the rest of his platoon began the march down the sandy road.. “And even so…” He trailed off.

“Even so?” She nudged him. “That is no excuse.”

He kept silent, his usually sunny disposition strangely overcast. The once well maintained black asphalt had crumbled under years of neglect, and he had to hop the major cracks to avoid tripping.

“Maybe she feels the same way.” Calliope insisted. “It never hurts to ask, and after that mission you went on together-”

“I don’t want to be presumptuous.” He insisted. “She hasn’t had the experiences I have, and I don’t want to force her into something she isn’t ready for.”

“You wouldn’t be forcing her into anything.” Calliope rested her hand on her hip as she walked, the sand in the road crunching under her feet.

Still, Savitr shook his head. “It’s not something I feel confident in.”

“No one ever does.” Calliope giggled. “Don’t tell me you’re intimidated by her.” She thought for a moment. “Actually that’s a pretty normal reaction, with that skull face of hers-”

“Hey.” Savitr snapped, actually scowling at her. “That’s uncalled for.”

Calliope shrank back. “...Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He grumbled. “We’re not exactly the apex of beauty, Calliope. Please, take care of what you say…” He blushed a bit. “I happen to like her face very much.”

Calliope sighed. “You’re hopeless, Savi-” She broke off, craning her neck and covering her eyes with one hand. “Phoibos?!”

Savitr looked up, and saw his brother-in-arms waving to them frantically, pointing to something off the trail.

.

.

It was still surprising to Gur-Rai that within this dry and barren desert, just along the edges of the lake, lay such a fertile and promising land. Of course, such promise didn’t hold much hope for him if he couldn’t find his lost possum.

As he pushed the brush aside, he looked over his shoulder to his sister, who was kneeling in the weeds, making clicking noises to call Pangu towards her on the off chance that the possum was listening. It had been quite the day for her, and in the late afternoon sun, she turned briefly towards him and he saw the faint outline of the acid burn along her lip.

He watched her work for a moment, then stood up. “Hey. Sister.”

“Hm?” She looked up, breaking her concentration for a moment. He opened his mouth to speak but in that moment, she sighed and cut him off. “No. Do not apologize.”

“Huh?” He blinked.

“I know what you are about to say: that you are sorry for snapping at me.” She smiled. “It seems as though in this heat, we have spent the majority of our time offending one another and then apologizing for it. I shall save you the trouble, Gur-Rai: I forgive you.”

Gur-Rai crossed his arms. “I didn’t tell you I was sorry, yet. Can’t forgive me if I don’t.”

“Yes I can.” She straightened up, brushing the bits of dandelion fluff off her leggings. “Did I not just tell you yesterday I will love you until the day I die?”

He looked away. “...You did.”

She approached him and stretched her arms out, beckoning him closer with her hands. “So come on.”

He stepped forward, and she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He waited a moment, then embraced her as well, burying his face in her shoulder. She may have been his little sister, but she had a calming strength in her grasp that made him feel so secure; something he’d never been able to replicate.

“I’m sorry I pointed my gun at you that one time.”

“That was nearly six years ago, ‘nweghị.” She chuckled and rubbed her hand over his back. “I’d long forgotten about that. And I knew you would never actually shoot me.”

“How do you know?” He muttered. “I seem to remember you responding with a knife to my throat.”

“How else was I to get you to cease your little games?” She chuckled. “You are very annoying, Brother, but I trust that you would not hurt me on purpose.”

“Doesn’t mean I won’t on accident…”

She pulled away and patted his sunken cheek. “What makes you think you would?”

He sighed. “I don’t actually think it, just...” He admitted. “It’s more the principle of the matter.”

“Principle?” She furrowed her brow.

“Yeah.” He went back to wading in the weeds. “I do something to upset you, or accidentally cause you harm, that’s pretty similar to shooting you, isn’t it?”

“Oh, where is all this coming from?!” Kon-Mai grabbed his arm.

“From trauma.” He laughed, but it was dry and humorless and carried hurt with it. “We all have open wounds, Kon-Mai, and I pulled at one of yours this morning.”

“Do you mean-” She reached up and touched her lip, where the acid burn scar was still healing.. “...No, no Gur-Rai, you did not. You were trying to help.”

“Intention doesn’t mean dick. You were still in pain.”

“You were right to try and help.” She said. “I...have my demons…” She hugged herself, looking down at her body. “I have the remnants of what Abyzou gave me. But that is not for you to try and tiptoe around.” She approached him again. “Camazotz left you something similar, did he not?”

Gur-Rai froze. He didn’t move a muscle for a long moment, before kneeling in the weeds, pulling away from her grasp. “...The Elders had fucked up ways of showing love.” He admitted. “But I don’t think Camazotz even liked me.”

Kon-Mai sat cross-legged in the grass and pulled him down beside her, holding him silently in her arms, and letting the silence carry forth his words. Her strategy worked, and Gur-Rai kept talking.

“I’ve fucked up so many relationships, Sister. There’s a reason I leave before the sun rises.”

She held the silence, waiting for him to continue, but he just pulled away from her embrace and curled his knees up to his chin.

“Maybe Pangu wanted to go.”

“No.” She pressed her hand to the top of his head, pulling off his hood in the process. “Do not think such things.”

“Konnie. How much do you think the Elders care about losing me?” He looked her in the eye. “I was just their punching bag, anyway. How many of my exes do you think cared enough to actually stay in contact? Even Nazira disappeared; she straight up left ADVENT territory all together.”

“That did not have to do with you.” Kon-Mai assured him. “I am sure she had her reasons.”

“She did but…” He sat back. “What if one of those was me?”

“You stop this right now!” Kon-Mai stood. “You matter, Brother, to many people. You matter to me. Did you forget that I demanded XCOM spare you?! If I truly held a grudge, would I not have let you die?”

He thought about that for a moment. “...I suppose.”

“Suppose nothing, for it is the truth.” She held out her hand to him. “Stand now, my brother, for we are bound in blood, and when I say I love you, I mean it.”

He looked up at her hand, and slowly reached up, his fingers curling around her wrist.

.

.

The generator room was always cold, and Nazira hated the cold.

Part of what she loved so much about her darling Gur-Rai was that he was always hot. Not in looks, although that was certainly true, too. His natural temperature sat a good three degrees higher than a human man’s, making his body infinitely warmer than hers. She did not know the cause of it (the Elders had always seemed so cold to her), but either way, she wished she had a bit of that touch now.

She tried to contain her shiver as she stepped into that dark, cold room. Shaking her head to rid it of the fog that was quickly covering her thoughts, she looked around. “Pangu?”

There was no answer, so she blew a short whistle through her teeth and clapped. “Here, little possum!”

All Nazira heard was the chattering of her own teeth. If he was in here, chances are he was probably frozen dead by now. She hoped not; the idea of taking his little pet’s freeze dried corpse back to her lover did not make her excited in the least.

She looked back at the semi-open door to the room and wondered if she should just leave, but something compelled her deeper into the metal maze.

There was a shuffling noise nearby, and Nazira turned her head hopefully, the action suddenly making her lightheaded and dizzy. She stumbled a bit, and as she reached down to steady herself, the sleeve of her suit pulled up, revealing her cuffs.

She froze, eyes half closed, the room around her now stark white. People in lab coats swarmed her and suddenly, before her eyes, Vox Camazotz’s acidic gaze cut into her very bones. She heard screaming, but though she could feel her mouth open and her vocal cords vibrate, it was detached from her, as though someone was screaming for her.

“I like this much better.” He reached one gnarled hand towards her. “Much, much better.”

Nazira shoved the heavy metal door open with her shoulder and sprinted back out into the sun.

.

.

Savitr followed Calliope as she sprinted down the road after Phoibos, who had taken off into the dunes and disappeared behind a wall of sand. He called out to her, but she was so far ahead of him at this point that she either couldn’t hear him, or pretended not to.

“Calliope!” He shouted again. “Wait! We shouldn’t go into the sand!”

His sister-in-arms turned to him, indicating she had heard this time, but she just gave him a look of excitement and gestured for him to follow.

Savitr hung back slightly as she climbed a dune and disappeared over the ridge. The only human in the group, Murillo, stood beside him, hands clasped and thumbs twiddling.

“What did Phoibos see?” Savitr turned to him.

Murillo shook his head. “We saw a great purple flash over the dunes. Phoibos wanted to investigate.”

Savitr grimaced and gathered a cloud of psionic energy at his fingertips. “Stay here.”

“Wait!” Murillo called after him. “Don’t you go, too!”

“I’m not going to cross the dune.” Savitr tried to assure him by offering a smile. “I’m just going to see if everyone’s alright.”

There was a whizzing scream as something flew past his head and landed in the sand beside them. Savitr acted on instinct, grabbing Murillo and throwing up a stasis shield as the grenade exploded, sending them both flying into the dunes and cracking the damaged road even more.

Murillo lay moaning in the sand, and Savitr stumbled to his feet, ignoring the pain from his own injuries. He scanned the area, trying to locate where the grenade had come from, before he heard Calliope scream.

.

.

Nazira took a deep breath, trying to shake the last shiver from her body, and pushed aside the door flap, stretching as she walked inside. “Good afternoon, boys~” 

Her brother and old friend looked up from their tea at the sound of her arrival. Verge seemed to shift uncomfortably at her comment, but relaxed as she plopped down on the cushions beside him.

“Finally decided we were worth your time?” Zafar chuckled. “I expected you to be all over Gur-Rai.”

“He’s looking for his possum.” She sighed. “It waddled off while he was busy fawning over Kon-Mai this morning. I swear, he loves that animal more than he loves me.” She laughed.

Verge set his empty teacup down, and Zafar stood up to refill it at the kettle that was now whistling on the stove. “Why do you say that?” The Sectoid inquired.

Nazira blinked. “Oh...it was a joke.” She chuckled. “I know he doesn’t really, it’s just a bit silly to get all worked up over.” She wrapped her arm around his neck. “You’re awfully nosy for someone with no nose~”

Verge nodded. “I’m...just not really clear on the status of your relationship, is he-”

“Are you jealous?” Nazira giggled. “I don’t blame you~”

“No!” Verge’s pale pink skin turned orange with blush. “I just...I’m just curious.”

“I’m sure. And fair enough, I am too.” She took the teacup that her brother handed to her. “Black Cranberry?”

“Lots of sugar, no cream, just how you like it.” Zafar handed the other cup back to Verge and sat down.

Nazira smiled warmly and stared into her cup. “Well, to answer your question Verge, I suppose he’s technically my ex-boyfriend.” She sighed. “But as you have seen, the ‘ex’ part can be left up to interpretation.”

“Did you end on bad terms?” Verge asked.

“Not exactly.” Nazira stuck her pinky into her tea and swirled it a bit. “It was just something that was a long time coming.”

Verge looked at Zafar, who was leaning on his hand, his long nail tapping his temple.

“I didn’t want to be part of ADVENT anymore.” Nazira shook her head. “No, maybe that’s wrong. I couldn’t be part of ADVENT anymore. I couldn’t stand living my life as something I was not.” She put her cup down. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to touch a suit again, and not to mention a plasma gun...”

Verge slid his hand across the table. “I didn’t know why you left. I do not think anybody did.”

“I kept it very quiet.” She said. “I just couldn’t do that anymore. And in the end, I had to make a choice between my love for Gur-Rai and my love for myself. And I couldn’t love him when I wasn’t even...me.” She looked past them, staring into nothingness. “I wanted him to come with me but...he wouldn’t. Even after everything the Elders did, he still hoped beyond hope that one day, they might love him. Just a little.”

“Perhaps we all hoped for that.” Zafar cut in. “Just a little.”

“Not me.” Nazira sneered. “They lost my love when they meddled in my genes, made me into something that only suited them.”

Verge stared at his hand on the table, his fingers long and clawed, but his skin pink instead of grey like his predecessors. He stood tall in comparison to the Sectoids that came before him. His heart was very nearly human itself.

Zafar looked up at Verge, who met his gaze with his own black eyes. “I, um…”

“It’s alright to be confused.” Zafar assured him. “It is a curse many ADVENT escapees bear. There is much I still need to decide for myself as well, but I cannot be burdened with those thoughts now.” He sighed. “Not when our people-”

“Our people are ex-ADVENT.” Nazira said. “If push comes to shove, many can fight. You spend so much time worrying about them, Zafar, I think you forget that.”

“Can they fight like you?” He raised a brow. “I am not trying to insult you, Sister. But many are scarred from their time under the Elders’ thumbs, just like yourself. And we saw the effects of that this morning.”

“I have to agree with Nazira, actually…” Verge cut in. “I know you want to, but you can’t protect your people if you’re running yourself ragged.”

Zafar rolled his eyes. “I am not ragged, Verge.”

“You yourself admit you barely sleep at night.”

It was then that Zafar stood and took a deep breath. “Speaking of our people, I need to consult Althaea about the grain stores. She wanted a portion to turn into beer.”

“You’re avoiding the situation!” Nazira called after her brother as he disappeared out the door. “Damn him.”

Verge chuckled. “I almost wish I had a sibling like that.”

“Oh what are you talking about?” Nazira put an arm around his shoulder once again, squeezing him close. “You have me.”

.

.

“Do not go off the path” should have been a simple instruction. But considering that the remains of the path were now lying in shards throughout the sand, Savitr figured Mox would probably forgive him for this.

He clenched his fingers as he pulled a shield of energy from the air around him, deflecting the rain of bullets from the trooper that stood before. The distorted voice of his brethren shouted for him to stand down, but Savitr responded by condensing his shield into a beam that cut through the armor of his foe and sent him flying back into the sand.

Murillo was still in the dirt, groaning from the injuries he’d sustained from the grenade, and it was now a choice: get Murillo to safety, or cross the ridge and gather what was left of his brothers and sisters.

He looked back at his fallen compatriot, and that short hesitation left him open for what happened next. 

A black shadow darted out from behind the dunes, wielding a weapon that was glowing purple. Savitr barely managed to duck under it, and even then it struck him along his brow, shattering something and leaving a long gash. He fell into the sand and rolled away, getting back to his feet and raising a shield just as the purple lance came down again. His shield bent noticeably, and the purple sparks erupting from the contact sent shivers down his spine.

He looked into the eyes of his adversary and saw a foe he barely recognized: a crested woman with skin burnt red, her eyes glowing with psionic power, her face carved with shimmering runes. As she pushed forward and he fell back, he felt her own energy lancing into his, and with horror he realized she was so much more powerful than he was.

There was the sound of audible gunfire, and suddenly the pressure lifted. Savitr stumbled back, the hybrid woman turning from him towards where Diodor stood, rifle in hand. The bullet wounds in the woman’s back leaked dark blue, nearly black ichor that sizzled as it dripped onto the sand.

Savitr drew his own pistol and cocked it, but as soon as he pointed it toward her head she had already vanished from his immediate view. He glanced around frantically, and with a spark of fear he noticed Murrillo was gone.

Diordor began limping across the sand, and Savitr approached the younger hybrid and took him by the shoulders. “What happened?” He demanded.

Diodor shook his head, mouthing words, but his voice seemed to fail him.

“Calm down.” Savitr said coolly. “What happened? What’s out there?”

“So many…” Diodor threw himself into Savitr’s embrace. “There were too many! I think Phoibos is dead!”

Savitr looked around, still wary as he tried to search for the woman, and any sign of Murillo. “Where is he? Where are the others?”

Diodor clung to him closer, and Savitr felt the younger man’s tears fall on his own armor. He hated to push him away, but they were very much in danger. He gently shoved him back, helping him down onto his knees on the sand before stood up again.

Closing his eyes, Savitr reached out with his mind, feeling for any signs of life. And a sign of life was what he got: in fact the feedback of energy was so incredible that he nearly seized right there, but taking a deep breath, he pushed past it’s intense waves of light and heat.

There were at least two signatures he could feel, one he recognized as Calliope, and the other much stronger and stinking of rot. He focused on Calliope, trying to call out to her, and that was when the lance buried itself in his shoulder.

The connection severed immediately, and he tore away from the weapon, the hybrid woman standing dumbfounded behind him. Diodor had fallen in a puddle of his own blood, and with the fading of his life, Savitr saw red.

He lifted his hands, energy pulsing in his grasp, but as he was about to release it all, blowing up this woman and himself in a final act of retribution, she sheathed her sword.

*“Your sister is safe for now.”* She said in Etheric that was even smoother than his. *“It is not you I want. Return to your village. Tell them what is coming.”*

*“...And what is coming?”* He growled. *“Who are you?”*

*“I am an instrument of justice.”* She said as she stepped backwards into the sand. *“We are coming. Be ready.”*

*“No.”* He hissed, his shoulder throbbing. *“Stand and fight me.”*

*“I have no time for such tomfoolery.”* Her voice was cool and emotionless, and her eyes were nearly empty. *“You are not what I seek. There is only one I need.”*

Before he could stand to say another word, the woman jumped backwards into the dunes and disappeared.

.

.

Zafar arrived at the door of Althae’s Ban just as Kon-Mai and Gur-Rai stepped up to the door. The former bowed in greeting and he returned it, bowing lower than she had in respect to his “teacher.”

“You would not have happened to see a possum anywhere?” Was the first thing out of Kon-Mai’s mouth.

“No, I haven’t.” He chuckled. “Nazira informed me you were looking for it. Any luck?”

“Nope.” Gur-Rai sighed, looking downtrodden, but he picked up a bit as Kon-Mai put her hand on his back. 

“We’ve decided to take a break from the heat. A drink, something clear our heads.”

“In that case.” Zafar held open the door for her. “After you, my lady.”

Kon-Mai rolled her eyes but stepped inside, pulling her brother along with her. They stopped to dust the sand off their shoes before stepping onto the freshly swept floor, while Althaea the Viper stared at them with watchful eyes.

“Well, I was wondering when the famed Chosen would show up.” She grabbed two glasses and poured two drinks stinking of alcohol in preparation for them. Kon-Mai seemed to grimace at the sight of it as she sat down, but she took a sip anyway. Gur-Rai chugged half of his right then and there.

“Well, you two haven't changed.” Althaea chuckled, looking across the bar briefly as Jane emerged from the back.

“So that’s where you took off to!” Gur-Rai grinned happily and beckoned the ranger over. “Thought you’d left with the Commander.”

“I may be one of her many hands.” Jane said, leaning against the bar beside the two of them. “But I still like to relax from time to time. And Althaea is very relaxing.”

“Nice~” Gur-Rai nodded, turning back to the Viper woman “Hey, you didn’t happen to see a possum, did you?”

Althaea raised a brow. “A what?”

“It resembles a large rat.” Kon-Mai said.

“We get rats every now and again.” Althaea admitted, looking behind her towards the back rooms. “Do they eat rats?”

“They eat scraps.” Gur-Rai said. “Mostly he’ll eat whatever's in front of him, if it’s edible.”

“Oh that’s just great. Really, that’s what I need.” Althaea threw her rag down onto the counter.” Nobody touch the bar. I’ll be back.”

“I can look for you.” Jane said, beginning to stand up.

“No!” Althaea snapped, so harshly that Jane froze in her tracks. Even Zafar seemed startled by the snake’s outburst.

“Why?” Jane asked as she sat back down. “I’ve been in there all morning.”

“I...have a way I like things organized.” Althaea said quickly, slithering to the back. “Don’t touch the bar!” She slipped behind the curtain, disappearing into the stone walls again.

“Okay…” Jane sighed, slumping into a seat with her head in her hands. “There I go again, falling for emotionally unavailable women.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Gur-Rai tapped his glass to Jane’s.

Kon-Mai stood from her own seat and picked up her glass, watching the brown liquid slosh around in the cup. “Does anyone want this?” She asked. “I cannot stand the taste.”

“You can pour it out.” Zafar assured her. “I won’t tell Althaea.”

“I do not want to be wasteful.” She protested.

“We have more alcohol than we know what to do with.” Zafar chuckled. “In fact we may have a bit too much; we were supposed to start repairs on the roads a week ago, I’ll give you one guess where all the workers are.” He turned around to the group of human men in the corner table. “Isn’t that right, Ali?”

“We’re on break!” The man responded, his comrades raising their voices in agreement. “I’ll take that drink though!”

“On second thought.” Kon-Mai walked around behind the bar, looking around. “Is there a sink?”

“No running water.” Zafar said. “But I believe there’s a bucket under the bar that Althaea dumps poorly mixed drinks into.”

“Oh, here-” Kon-Mai reached for the blue bucket and hauled it from the cubby, noting that it was heavy for only containing liquids. “Does she pour out this much?” As she dumped her drink into the bucket, something squealed.

Gur-Rai jumped up. “What the hell?!”

“Indeed!” Kon-Mai exclaimed, reaching into the slop of discarded alcohol and pulling out a thoroughly soaked Pangu, who blinked at them in confusion. “What on EARTH were you doing in there, little one?!”

Gur-Rai ran around the counter. “That’s where you were?!” He shook his head, taking Pangu from his sister and hugging him, not minding the foul smelling cocktail soaking his clothes. “Deglu ux, you lil scamp!”

Kon-Mai shook her head. “We have been looking for you all day!” She lifted a finger and scratched Pangu on the top of his head. The possum seemed to barely register it. “And now you are drunk, you little rascal! I hope you are proud of yourself!”

“Alcohol won’t hurt him, will it?” Gur-Rai kissed the top of Pangu’s head, then spat on the ground. “That’s nasty. You need a bath, lil guy.”

Zafar laughed, his grin shining in the low light. “And they all lived happily ever after.”

.

.

Dhar-Mon stepped out into the heat once again, sighing in disappointment. His brother’s beloved pet was nowhere to be found, and it brought him great worry to think of how young Gur-Rai would take losing the animal.��

He drew a small line in the sand with his foot, staring aimlessly into the shimmering distance. Staying completely still for a moment, lost in his own thoughts, he only moved his head slightly when he noticed a black, humanoid shape cut through the mirage in the distance. For a moment, Dhar-Mon kept his eyes trained on it, still not moving as he watched it draw closer. It was only when he recognized the black lumps as Skirmisher armor that he snapped from his trance and began to step forward.

The Skirmisher limped towards him, and as he got closer, Dhar-Mon recognized his face, albeit vaguely. “Savitr?” He called, waving him over. “Savitr Vallinor!”

Savitr looked up, his eyes wide, and began to drag himself towards the Hieromonk faster. His progress was slow and his gait was uneven, and Dhar-Mon rushed out into the heat of the sand, meeting the Skirmisher halfway. “What has happened?!” He cried, as he came face to face with the man’s extensive injuries. 

The worst wound was in Savitr’s left shoulder, a gash through which he could see meat and muscle and veins sticking through the armor. But as he stepped closer, hands raised and ready to heal him, he noticed his entire body was riddled with deep cuts and burnt shrapnel.

“We were ambushed.” Savitr said, pushing Dhar-Mon’s hands away. “No, not now, there is no time. Where’s Zafar?!”

“I do not know.” Dhar-Mon admitted. “You must be healed-”

“No time.” Savitr coughed. “Will you help me find him? I can hardly walk!”

“Of course.” Savitr may have expected Dhar-Mon to simply help him stand, but the Hieromonk scooped up the smaller man into his arms. “He rarely ever leaves his home residence, let us check there.”

“Go, please.” Savitr was breathless. “We have no time.”

.

.

This time, Kon-Mai held the door open for Zafar and her now alcohol-soaked brother. “Age before beauty.”

Zafar grumbled and Gur-Rai snickered as he stepped inside, into the cool air of the stone home. Nazira got to her feet, a smile on her face. “You found him!”

“Yep!” Gur-Rai chuckled. “He was getting drunk off of the wasted alcohol. I think I’ve been a bad influence on him.”

“So, you could say he was wasted on waste...” Verge quipped, which earned a snicker from the Darkstrider and a sigh from the Shrinemaiden.

“If you are comfortable here, Gur-Rai, I shall go locate our eldest brother.” Kon-Mai folded her hands in front of her. “No sense in leaving him in the heat of the blazing sun, when we have already accomplished our mission.”

“You sure you want to be out there?” Nazira asked. “You’re supposed to keep your burn out of the heat, right?”

“I have been inside for a while.” Kon-Mai assured her. “A bit of sunlight will not hurt me.” She turned around, reaching for the tapestry just as it flew aside, and in stepped Dhar-Mon with a very bloody Savitr cradled in his arms.

Kon-Mai looked between the two in horror. “Nalla itzar…” She helped Savitr down from Dhar-Mon’s arms and led him towards the loveseat. “What has happened here?!”

“We were ambushed…” Savitr coughed, his skin pale and his voice weak. “On the Western Front, about 3 miles down the pre-war road…”

“Ambushed by what?” Zafar demanded, stepping around the table. “Ambushed by WHAT?!”

“ADVENT.” Savitr choked out, blood on his lips. “They were led by a hybrid I’ve never seen before: a woman with a crested head and red skin...her power was almost as great as the Wa-as Dhar-Mon’s.” Savitr corrected himself quickly, his voice faltering. “She killed my entire platoon, except for one. I believe she’s captured…” He pressed a hand to his injured shoulder just as Kon-Mai was reaching up to peel the torn Kevlar away from the wound.

Zavar went pale, stumbling back into the table. “We have no defenses. Barely any weapons. We can’t...we can’t defend ourselves.”

“Then we run.” Nazira said quickly. “We hide in the mountains! There are caves in there”

“We can’t move everyone that quickly!” He snapped. “It will take an hour at least to round everyone up! Half a day to get to the mountains!”

“Then just get on the intercom and tell everyone to scram!” Gur-Rai leaned forward, urgency in his voice. “At least give them a running start!”

“And let them run headfirst into the enemy, like cows to a slaughter.” Kon-Mai growled. “No, that is no solution. We ourselves have weapons, do we not? Let us stand and fight!”

“I’m going to make myself useful.” Verge stood. “I’m radioing the Avenger. Maybe they’re close enough that they can turn around.”

“What if they don’t have enough soldiers?” Zafar asked. “We don’t know how many troops ADVENT brought.”

“It’s our best option.” Verge said. “If anyone can help us, it’s them.”

“Place a call to the Templars…” Savitr winced as Dhar-Mon pushed the edges of his wound together to expedite the healing. “They’re nearer to us than the Avenger, with any luck they may already be on their way.”

“In the meanwhile.” Kon-Mai stood and pulled her sword off her back. “Gur-Rai, get your armor on and follow me.”

He nodded, not daring to argue with his sister, and handed Pangu to Savitr. “Watch this one for me.”

“You can’t.” Savitr reached out, grabbing Kon-Mai’s hand weakly. “It...She’s powerful. Too powerful.”

“I am the child of gods.” She curled her lip at his words. “Do not underestimate me.”

“I’ll try not to…” He pulled away. “Just do not die.”

“Rest, my friend.” She nodded. “I do not intend to die this day.” She turned as Gur-Rai clipped on the rest of his armor and pulled his gun off his back.

“Let’s move.”

.

.

The west road was empty, but Kon-Mai could see in the distance the remnants of a battle. From within the fading heat lines and the vaporous mirage, pieces of armor and abandoned bodies lay like heaps of trash in the sand, discarded and forgotten.

Her brother knelt low on the roof they stood upon, his sniper rifle trained in the direction of the bodies, where vultures were already circling.

“How much do you wanna bet it was just pirates?” He muttered.

“Did you see the wound?” Kon-Mai closed her eyes, keeping her ears trained on the sounds around her, waiting for any signs of movement. “That kind of gash had to be made with a sword.”

“Pirates can use swords.” Gur-Rai scoffed in response, learning forward a bit. “...Hey. What do you hear, Sister?”

“You, currently.”

“No, listen closer.” He hissed. “I see something.”

Kon-Mai lifted her chin and closed her eyes, letting the sounds of the oasis carry on the breeze towards her, and in that moment, an ear-splitting boom rocked the very foundation they stood on.

As Kon-Mai stumbled, in her peripheral vision she saw a great flash of purple light. The sky suddenly went dark, deep black clouds circling the small village, and Gur-Rai dove to the ground and grabbed her, holding her under him.

“What are you doing?!” She tried to shove him off of her.

“Keep down!” He hissed, but the crackling noise was so loud that he had to nearly scream.

“What is that?!” She struggled under him. “Let me up!”

“No!” He shifted, and for a moment she saw intense terror in his eyes. “Do not go up there! Konnie!”

Kon-Mai wrenched herself away for just a moment, long enough to sit up and gaze directly into the violet portal that had opened outside of the Dakhla Oasis. Dark-clad psionic warriors, the likes of which she had never seen, poured from it’s murky mouth onto the sand, lances drawn and weapons ready.

Right before her brother grabbed her hand once again, a tall grey figure emerged into the light, it’s four arms raised as it called upon the kind of power only a god could use.

“Humans and Traitors.” Vox Imdugud’s voice cut its way into her very soul. “We know who hides among you. Return unto us the Chosen, and no harm will come to you. Refuse, and you shall die.”

.

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Summary: The chapter begins with Jane waking up in Althaea the Viper’s bedroom, where she hears her speaking in a language she doesn’t recognize to someone on the phone. When asked about it, Althaea says she is speaking to her sisters, but avoids any further questions. Outside, the Chosen and Nazira begin a search for Pangu the Possum, who wandered off when Gur-Rai left to check on his sister. The group splits up to cover more ground, searching in the places where food is commonly stored. Nazira searches the generator room and has a flashback to her days in ADVENT, and as Kon-Mai helps her brother search, he confesses to her he feels guilty about how he treated her before. Outside of the oasis, Savitr and his brothers and sisters-in-arms are sent to patrol the western front.

Nazira, after abandoning the search, returns home and talks to Verge and Zafar about their days in ADVENT. Upon the other two questioning him about his health, Zafar leaves and goes to the bar, where he meets up with Kon-Mai and Gur-Rai, who have taken a break from the search. It is here they finally find Pangu, hiding in the bucket of wasted alcohol.

Savitr and his party are attacked by a mysterious hybrid woman, unlike any he has ever seen and with incredible psionic power. The woman, seen previously as Dua-Zoar, kills all of his friends except one, and tells Savitr to warn the village of an upcoming attack. As Savitr returns, Kon-Mai and Gur-Rai go out to meet their assailants, upon which a great psionic portal opens, and Vox Imdugud emerges, demanding the Chosen reveal themselves.

(We’re in the thick of it now, pals! Next two chapters or so will be the big fight! We’re almost at the end of what I like to consider “season 1″ of Chosen Stories, and I really hope you enjoyed!)

Archive: https://chosenstories.tumblr.com/chapterlist

[aquaticalay]

For Something Greater .Chapter One.

Bucky Barnes x Reader

Summary: (Y/n) is an active duty Navy SEAL Commander, the first and only woman to ever be a SEAL. When two American spies are captured during a reconnaissance mission at a HYDRA base in Transia, (Y/n) and her team are forced to team up with The Winter Soldier to rescue the captives. Being wary of the avenger, she agrees to do one mission with Barnes, and one mission only. But after an unexpected turn of events, her team and Barnes must work together to finish what they started, while (Y/n) and Bucky try to sort out their complicated feelings. (Set six months after Endgame.)

Words: 2000+

Warning/s for this chapter: mild Endgame spoilers, cursing, mentions of war violence

Warning/s for the series: Endgame spoilers, cursing, war violence, eventual smut

Note: Transia is a fictional European country appearing located between Romania and Serbia. (Marvel comics)

Recommended: listen to Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes while reading this chapter

(I reuploaded this because last time it didn't show up in the tags)

Nobody thought you would make it.

Not even those closest to you.

When you were 18, you heard that that women were now allowed to serve combat roles in the military, and you were ecstatic. You joined the navy and didn’t tell anyone until a week before your plane took off to go to boot camp in Chicago.

The boot camp was separated, male and female. You made friends with some of the aspiring recruits, but they all laughed at you when you said you wanted to be a Navy SEAL. You were a girl, they thought, and girls aren't supposed to become SEALs.

You ignored them.

You joined the boys in the crash course on the physical standards required to even attempt to become a SEAL, and to prepare you for BUD/S, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training.

You heard your fair share of judgement, of people talking behind your back.

“That girl? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“She won’t make it.”

“Watch her cry home to her mama.”

“I bet she won’t last through Hell Week.” “I bet she won’t even make the selection.”

This fueled your motivation, turned it into anger and aggression.

And you passed the first selection. You not only met, but excelled the standards of swimming, push ups, pull ups, sit ups, and running.

You surpassed nearly everyone in training, despite being a girl.

Then came Hell Week.

During Hell Week, candidates participate in five and a half days of continuous training. Each candidate sleeps at most four hours during the entire week, runs more than 200 miles, and does physical training for more than 20 hours per day. It was tough on you. Hell, it was tough on everyone. Almost half of the candidates failed or quit during Hell Week. The boys who talk behind your back mostly quit during Hell Week. But not you. You stayed strong, a goal in your mind. You were going to make it. You were sure of it.

Throughout Hell Week, your instructors remind you that you could quit anytime, almost taunting. But they were tougher on you, because you were a girl.

“Why do you put yourself through all this, girl? Just be a nurse or something! You know you want to.” an instructor snickered.

You mustered up your strength and shouted for all the candidates to hear, “No, Sir, I’m staying right here!” Your voice echoed through the air like a breeze.

During Hell week, there was an exercise to test the breaking point of each candidate.

Surf Torture is laying in 6 inches of water where the white wash rolled in from the surf. That’s it. You lay there with all the other candidates in cold water for an unknown amount of time, as waves washed over your face. After a few hours, it was starting to drive some crazy.

“We aren’t getting out until 3 people quit, we’ve got nowhere to be, we can do this all night long… all you need to do is quit. It’s easy!” your instructor yelled.

All you need to do is quit…

You were not going to do that.

After 2 hours, a candidate quit. Another one after 6 hours, and the last one after 9 hours.

But you made it.

You made it through the first phase, the second, and the third, and eventually became a full-fledged Navy SEAL, the first woman to ever graduate. You checked in to SEAL team six, white squadron, and got deployed for your first assault ops in Syria.

After that operation, you went on another, then another, then another, until you worked yourself up to where you are now.

Now, you were a commander, leading the white squadron.

You made history, and you’ll continue making them.

-

Today, you got a briefing call.

Another day at work, right?

You gathered your team, six men you trusted with your life, as SOCOM officers briefed you on your new mission.

You sat at the end of the table, three of your men on your right, three on your left. On your right were Jones, McCoy, and Miller, on your left were Woods, Harris, and Lawson, all with a familiar look on their faces that said, Here we go again. Let’s get this over with.

These were your brothers, your family.

“As you know, two CIA agents have gone missing earlier this week during an undercover mission in Transia to locate possible terrorist activities near the border. We lost them, and hadn’t heard a word from them, until now.” the SOCOM officer said, “Black Squadron have identified suspicious Hydra activity around the area, and they have located a warehouse in the Transian mountain range, which we believe may be where the spies are being held.”

“Hydra?” Miller asked, “I thought they didn’t exist anymore.”

“So did we,” the officer said, “But then we got intel that Hydra is slowly rebuilding itself.”

“Are we sure it’s Hydra?” You asked.

“Yes,” the officer confirmed.

“Are we sure the spies are there?”

“Not a hundred percent, no,” the officer explained, “They could’ve risked tipping off Hydra if they got too close.”

You sighed, and smiled at your team. You gave them a look that said, Well, what’s new?

“Command agrees it’s enough info to send a team into the area. There’s a safe house seven klicks from the target, and our allies have arranged ground transportation to the ORP,” the officer said.

You shifted uncomfortably in your seat. “Allies?” you asked.

The officer gave you a faint smile, “Since it’s Hydra, we decided to form an alliance with the Avengers. Assisting you on this mission is The Winter Soldier.”

Whispers rose among your team.

“James Barnes?”

“War hero, right?”

“Wasn’t he the one who killed JFK?” “Yeah, and Howard Stark, too.”

“Enough,” you silenced your team, and they complied.

You stood up, “With all due respect, sir, my squadron can handle this alone.”

“This is Hydra we’re talking about,” he said, “You need all the help you can get.”

“He’s an Avenger,” you sneered, “I’m not working with one of them.”

“He served in the army,” the officer said, “You’ve worked with the army before.”

You raised your eyebrows, “That was 1945,” you said, “He’s an Avenger now. He won’t follow my orders.”

“Who said he’d be following your orders?” he said, “He will be leading with you. Side by side.”

“No,” you said sternly.

“This is non-negotiable,” The officer stared down at you.

“Fine,” you said, “One operation only.”

The officer gave you a half-hearted smile and a small nod, then looked to your team, “Wheels up. Four hours.”

-

Four hours wasn't enough. It has never been enough for anybody, but that was okay, because you've gotten use to never having enough time.

You packed you bag in the locker room of the white squadron, your team bickering playfully and laughing in the background. Diego Miller, Logan McCoy, and Ian Lawson were currently playing Go Fish around the table. Nolan Woods and Collin Harris were having a small but intense chat about the Winter Soldier. Lastly, there was a new kid who just checked in your squadron two months ago, Oliver Jones, frantically checking for everything in his pack. He's 19, was an NYU law student, and has only ever gone on one operation, and that was only a recon op without expected confrontation.

Despite graduating at the top of his class, this was still his first hostage rescue op, with high possibility of violent confrontation, and it was a big deal.

You trained him and hand picked him for the white squadron. You knew he was exceptional, but the first offense mission was still the first offense mission.

You remembered your first SEAL operation. It was a nerve-wrecking experience, an assault mission that nearly got your teammate killed.

What was even more terrifying, was that it was the first time you ever killed. You killed someone, and you hadn't realized that he was just-

"Commander?" Jones asked, snapping you out of your dark thoughts. His voice didn't indicate his nervousness but his eyes gleamed of a certain worry that could only be fear that he tried to surpress. It was a familiar gleam, one that you've experienced yourself. But he'll get over it, like you do. He'll have to. He doesn't have a choice.

"Yeah, Jones?" You answered, packing the last of your thing in your bag, closing your locker. You turned towards him.

"When was your first kill?" He asked, his voice not wavering. He was good at hiding his feelings, and that was good.

You raised an eyebrow, "Too many years ago," you replied, "why?"

"Did you ever know who it was?" He asked again.

"No," you said. It wasn't exactly a lie. You didn't know his name, where he came from. But you saw his face after he was dead and... the reality had overwhelmed you. You did what you had to do.

"How do you get over it?" He asked, his voice still not faltering.

"Over what?" You asked him, "The guilt? Or the realization that you have just taken a life?"

He nodded, "Both."

"You don't. You live with it for the rest of your life," you said faintly, "Whether or not the burden destroys you, is up to you."

"I'm ready," he said sternly, and you gave him a small chuckle as you squeezed his shoulder in reassurance, "No one is ever ready."

You walked past him and to the other boys. "Eyes on me!" You called, and your team stopped doing whatever they were doing and listened to you.

"We're about to go to a Hydra base with the Winter Soldier. We're here to rescue the spies, but we're bound to find some weird shit. Weapons, experimental particles, biological weapons, whatever. Take some with you back to base for intel if you find any," you said, "But this is still a US military mission. Anything we find there will be brought back to SEAL base, not to the Avengers. Watch out for Barnes, and what he brings back."

"What do you have against the Avengers, Commander?" Harris asked, "They saved the world. They brought us back."

Harris were one of those who disappeared. He was the only one who disappeared in your team.

Harris, like everyone else, was brought back six months ago. If he had any trauma tied to the experience, he didn't show it.

"I have nothing against them," you mentioned sincerely, "I'm glad they brought you back. I really am. But this is still a government operation, and the Avengers have a bad history with the government."

-

You climbed up the hatch of the cargo aircraft with the rest of your team.

You were already in your uniforms.

Your uniform color depends on where you're going.

Since you're going to the snowy mountains of Transia, the color today is white, like the name of your squadron.

The white squadron, your team, is a little different from other teams. While other squadrons used standard-issue uniforms, you wore kevlar suits, even almost resembling Captain America's stealth suit. While the other squadrons wore helmets, you wore no such protective head gear. You didn't need it. Your goggles were already fitted with night vision and various other settings, and your mask made it possible for you to breathe under water without an oxygen tank. While other SEALS had regular standard-issue fins that they had to take off after swimming, you had retractable fins that were stored within the fabric of your suit. The only thing that was normal was your choice of firearms, your utility belt that was filled with ammunitions and various other explosives, including grenades and smoke bombs, and lastly a golden trident pin that was the only thing that contrasted with the color of your uniform. The pin, however, was hidden from view. It rested under the uniform, against the thin shirt between your skin and the kevlar suit. Invisible, but always there. Undetected, but ever present. It was the universal symbol for all SEALs.

But your team weren't like the other SEALs.

Your team was special, because to the world, the white squadron didn't exist.

You were a secret SEAL team, with special set of skills that surpassed all others. You could take down a super soldier, not because you were stronger, but because you were better. Strategy over brute force, quality over quantity.

The very few people who have encountered your squadron and survived called your team 'The White Death.'

A very fitting name, indeed.

You got in the plane, the boys trailing not far behind you.

And there he was, The Winter Soldier, sitting on one of the benches, double-checking his rifle.

His hair was tied back into a bun, and he stood up when he saw the group coming.

"Which one of you is Commander (L/n)?" He asked. The first person he locked eyes with was you, for a few seconds, but his gaze quickly averted to the boys, scanning them. He was looking for the Commander, and he didn't think it was you.

Typical.

You stepped out and looked up at him in the eye. "You're looking at her, Sergeant Barnes."

Bucky flinched a little, indicating his surprised look, but covering it up as soon as he realized he was showing physical signs of his shock. He raised his eyebrows and broke his gaze on you, "We've got work to do."

Well, this was gonna be fun.

-

Terms:

Op: operation (mission)

SOCOM: Special Operations Command (Organization that gives orders to the US military)

Klicks: kilometers

ORP: Objective Rally Point 

-

Note: I did the Google research about SEALs, Navy, and US military in general, but I do realize that the data might not be 100% accurate, so if I got something wrong, please let me know so I can fix it!

[dragonrajafanfiction]

Dragon Dancer IV: A Mother’s Love

“Their specialty here is the Big Chicken Ramen and that’s what I really recommend.” Lu Mingfei said, a giddy with excitement. “He only makes about 20 servings a day and since it’s like what...” He checked his phone, “3 am? We get to have it.”

The ramen shop was set in an alleyway far off the street and was Tokyo’s best kept secret. At this late hour, the restaurant was empty save the old uncle guarding the soup pot.

“And to drink?” The Uncle asked.

“Beer for me,” Lu Mingfei. He looked at Nono.

“Me too.” She said.

“Me three!” said Crow.

The old uncle looked at me. “Just bottled water please.” I said.

Johann looked up from the menu. “I’ll have a Coke.”

I whirled on him. “A Coke?!”

He flinched away from me.

Ever since Chu Zihang and I started dating, he’d controlled my diet. There was no way that he would ever let me have a Coke. He pointed out how such sugar laden beverages effected the immune system and mood, how the caffeine could wreck your circadian rhythm, and the acid would rot your teeth.

If I ordered a Coke in front of him, it would be tantamount to saying I didn’t believe in science or that I simply didn’t care about my body.

And now he, this kid in a Johann Chu suit, was ordering a Coke in front of me when I hadn’t had a Coke in years!

I couldn’t even turn and order a Coke for myself, either. At this point, I knew better than to do that, especially after all the effort we took to have a healthy hybrid child like Ru’Yi.

I also knew that Johann Chu - my Johann Chu - would be so disappointed if I didn’t stand on principal in this moment and set an example for his younger self.

But I swore in my heart that the first thing I was going to do after all this was over was to sit down with Johann Chu and order a Coke and drink all of it in front of him and dare him to say anything about it!

I huffed and turned away from him pulling a soft toy bunny attached to a string from my pocket. Ru’Yi, strapped in a high chair, needed to entertain herself and at this point,  anything she picked up, she threw. So I attached strings to her toy and tied it to her high chair.

As soon as Ru’Yi gripped the toy in her baby fingers, she shoved it in her mouth, examined it for a moment, turning it in her hands, and then flung it. The toy dangled and I picked it up and gave it back to her.

“It’s a pity that Bondarev’s lab was destroyed by Herzog, otherwise there would be more clues.” The Crow said, lowering his voice. “That warehouse is an important place for the family. Eventually, someone will notice you there.”

The uncle returned with our orders and we paused the discussion for a moment while we thanked him. For a few minutes, no one spoke as we were too busy partaking into this savory masterpiece that was the ramen.

“You said that the academy will send someone to Tokyo?” Nono shook her beer can, which was already mostly empty.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” said Crow. “Even if the entire Executive Department was sent to Tokyo, they would be as lost as a drop of water in a vast ocean.”

“But they’ll find us sooner or later,” Nono said. “The Executive Department Headquarters is not without real elites, and these can be put on the battlefield.”

Chu Zihang glanced over at me. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure!” I said. “Can’t promise I’ll answer!” I lifted my chin, smiling.

“Did you... study at Children’s Palace?” He asked.

“No.” I said. “But my teacher did.” I grinned at him.

“Oh... okay. I was wondering how you knew that sword drill. I’d never seen you there.”

I blinked a bit and then realized that Johann thought I was the same age as he thought he was. He really saw himself as fifteen even though he had the body of a man in his 20s. When he looked at me, he saw a petite young woman who could be at the same age as him and was wondering if he knew me when he was back at the Children’s Palace studying martial arts.

“Even if I did study there, you wouldn’t have known me.” I said. “I’m actually 19.”

While we were talking, Nono fished out a large piece of chicken from his bowl, chopped it into smaller pieces and threw it back in.

“Are you going to let her tie your shoes too?” I whispered to him. “You’re not a baby, don’t let her treat you like one!”

“She’s just being nice...”

Ru’Yi tossed her toy over the edge where it dangled from the string. She had been trying for several seconds to figure out how to get it back up but her baby brain couldn’t fathom how to grab the string.

I picked up the toy and put it back on the tray in front of her.

My baby looked me in the eyes and smiled. There was no way she could be able to understand the concept of gratitude. She just was so happy to see me and her toy. I smiled back humming. “You’re so precious. Yes, you are!”

Ru’Yi continued to bite the rabbit’s head, giggling and kicking her feet in joy.

Then she threw it.

Nono was sipping her beer lost in thought. “Do you know why I don’t like my father?”

Crow and Mingfei froze in place at these surprising words from Nono. Nono was not one to talk about her feelings.

“I have 54 brothers and sisters. With the exception of a few twins and triplets, we’re all from different parents.”

“What an... excellent dad...” Crow drawled. 

“Don’t get me wrong. He doesn’t have that many wives. He’s not a stallion like Caesar’s father.” She sipped her beer, huffing. “He just thinks that his dragon blood is very precious and wants to share as much of it as possible with the human race. Plus he has so many assets and properties he needs a lot of heirs to manage it. So he invested in medical institutions and established a secret program to invite poor women to be his surrogates for money. They have the kids, the kids are taken away. If they’re average, they get put into one of the family’s many foster homes. But if they’re of excellent pedigree, my father raises them at his personal manor.”

“So I’ve never seen my mother as a child. But I still had a big family. We all lived together in this big house and were well cared for.”

I turned to her in surprise. It sounded a lot like the foster system I had lived with! Only hers was so much bigger and they were all related! My foster siblings all came from troubled homes and had experienced trauma to some extent, but this situation seemed so much better!

“We had a strict reward system based on merit, similar to a report card. Only the best got the direct care and love of their father.”

“Oh...”  I said, disappointed. It was true. There was no way all 54 of those kids could possibly get equal amounts of attention from their father and would have to seek validation elsewhere.

“Were you... a good child in the eyes of your father?” asked Crow.

Mingfei gave him a owlish look, but Nono actually answered.

“Yes. In fact, I was number one.” She didn’t say this with any pride. “I may not have any obvious Soul Skill but I can learn everything faster with my ability to Profile. In fact, it’s made me a bit complacent. Why study hard when you can accurately guess the answers based on how tests were conducted in the past?”

“But I was at the manor one summer vacation at the swimming pool when I heard a huge commotion. The dirtiest and smelliest woman had somehow made it into the fenced in area. She looked like she had walked the whole way, because her shoes were worn through and her feet were bloody.”

“My older brothers held her at gunpoint but she just kept asking something over and over in this dialect. One of my siblings said she was from India and was saying she wanted to see her daughter.”

“We all kinda laughed.” She chuckled. “Because how can this crazy lady have a kid here?”

I chewed my lip, already knowing the end of this story.

“She suddenly saw me, her eyes just lit up and she came close to me. Knelt in front of me. I had never seen that look before. So gentle, so happy. She cried and laughed and talked to me in a hoarse whisper.”

“I couldn’t understand but... that sibling said that she said I was her daughter.”

“Before then? I’d never thought about my mom. I just figured she sold me and that all she cared about was money. But suddenly such a bad woman knelt in front of me and said she was my mother.”

My eyes swam with tears. I turned away and all I saw was Ru’Yi. I was so sorry I had sold my eggs to Comemnus. I was younger, I was ignorant. I was scared and felt trapped.

But if I had fully understood the consequences of that seemingly small decision, I would have chosen to die first. Look at how beautiful and smart Ru’Yi and Nono were. If only I had understood...

“She was hugging me and she wasn’t letting me go. At this point the guards arrived. We kept aggressive dogs that would attack or lay down on command. When the guards dragged her away, she started screaming and cursing at them and fighting them. She actually got loose and ran back to me.” 

“At that point, one of the dogs was set on her.”

“But even as she was bitten, she kept looking at me as I was taken away from her. I could tell that, no matter how much pain she was in, her eyes were saying, ‘Please don’t hurt my daughter.’“

I wiped the tears from my face. Ru’Yi was looking at me, her eyes big in her head. She’d stopped playing with her toy. She just held it, staring.

I knew that exact feeling. In the Red Well, I couldn’t save my baby from Herzog. He’d run a sword through me and then stepped on it so that it pierced the ground. I could only scream and gasp and cry as he put the needle in him and drained his blood.

At that moment, I would have gladly given my life for his.

“At that moment, I had to believe that she was my mother. Because I had never seen anyone look at me like she did. A look of someone who loves you that much.”

Nono’s speech slowed. “So... I broke from from the guards, ran up, and broke the dog’s neck.”

“Wow...” Lu Mingfei breathe, horrified by the story but amazed that Nono could do such a thing in that moment.

“Yeah well... you were they only one who was impressed. The other guards felt my behavior was abnormal and stunned me with an electric baton.”

“What?!” Crow and Mingfei yelled in unison.

I found out this lady had actually tried to get me back shortly after I was born. But the agreement was to give me up and by then I was determined to be ... too valuable.” Her voice took on a bitter edge.

Nono smirked shaking her empty beer can. “Oh it gets worse. Turns out my mother was infected with a parasite that eats away at your brain. And that parasite can have eggs that pass through to the fetus. So... they wanted to put me into quarantine isolation. My rival siblings loved that...” 

“I agreed so long as they gave my mother the best care possible.”

“Are you... okay?” Lu Mingfei asked quietly.

Nono nodded. “Oh I’m fine... but my mother...” Nono suddenly got up from the table and walked over to the restaurant fridge, helping herself to another can of beer. When she turned around and looked at me she stopped.

I couldn’t read the expression in her eyes. They were dull, like someone had turned out a light behind them.

Ru’Yi sucked her thumb, looking at me, clutching her rabbit toy.

Nono went back to the table and said, cracking the can open.

“How’s your mom now.”

“Brain dead.” She took a long sip. “You know, after I got out of quarantine, my dad came to see me personally. He said that he was very happy that I was fine that he was worried about me.”

That bitterness returned. She was smiling but her eyes were full of hatred. “He told me that I was the very best in the house and I will inherit his career. And I just laughed.”

“I said, no way. I’ll just be an employee!”

Now I understood why Nono was so annoyed by that message. It sounded eerily similar to this speech. Perhaps Nono, even back then, understood the insincerity of it.

“He said, “How can you be an employee! You’re my child I gave you life!” She downed more of her beer and sighed, slapping it to the table. “I didn’t even bother answering.”

She turned her head to look out the window. “Life isn’t what you can give by just ... giving birth to someone. That’s now how it works. You give life to your child when you give your life to them! When my mother died, I became her child. I’m no longer one of the 55 heirs of his.”

“He has the nerve to call me home?” She sneered. “Where do I have a home?”

Ru’Yi gave a little whimper and pushed her toy against my cheek, sucking her thumb. 

I took it in my hands, quietly saying. “Thank you...” Then I gently tossed it.

Ru’Yi giggled and I echoed it.

Nono suddenly seemed to realize she was talking to much and said, “Now that you’re sufficiently depressed a toast!”

She didn’t say to whom. She didn’t have to. We all clinked our drinks together, remembering our mothers.

[soulflamesketches]

What happened to you? (Spiderman Noir + Older Female Reader) [Part 1]

Title: What happened to you?

Familial Pairing: Spiderman Noir (Peter Parker) and Older Female Reader (who’s also technically a mutant)

Summary: You had taken Peter under your wing years ago when he was a young man. You’re like a mother to him, albeit a grumpy and strict one. One of your old enemies went back in time and killed you, leading Peter as the only one who remembers the present you. He’s gone back in time 18 years to save you and he discovers what made you into who you are.

Author’s Note: I’ve been watching Men In Black 3 okay! XD Alright, I researched Noir’s origins, even reading the comics and holy fuck! I am gonna reference the origins, I’ve made him 24 because of Spiderverse.

(E/s) = Eye Shade (Cause this black and white, most defining feature fill are going to have ‘shade’ instead of colour in order to ft in the Noir verse)

Your mutation - You can look into and manipulate people’s minds, take memories away, fabricate them, enhance them. Often used in information gathering missions and other such activities

Alia’s mutation - Sees multiple possible futures happening all at once, close to a fifth-dimensional being. She may be standing in one place, but she may not truly be there.

Quick Introduction!

You were on a routine job when you encountered this man dressed in back, trying to take out your target. Looking into the man, and with some convincing, he eventually told you that he was your... partner from the future. You hesitantly brought him along with you as your previous target, Stefon, popped up again. After saving another mutant from being killed, you’ve learned what this target was planning to do. But this man - Peter - suddenly became apprehensive. 

~Brooklyn, 1915~

“No, you’re staying here and I’m going to do it!” Peter snapped, only to receive a glare from the 22-year-old in front of him “And how are you going to do it, bonehead? You don’t have the ability to do what I can!” The female barked while jabbing him in the chest. “I don’t care!” He snapped, grabbing your wrist and then your shoulder, trying to be threatening in hopes of scaring you off. 

“It’s the only way.” He whispered, his grip faltering slightly. You growled at him, yanking your wrist from his grip. “No, she has to be the one.” Alia - the mutant the pair had just saved - said gently as she sensed the tension. But Peter only shushed her harshly, not wanting to hear her talk about the different futures she could see.

“Poppycock. There’s something you’re not telling me, Future Boy?” (E/s) glared at him, trying to stare into his soul through the obnoxious goggles.

“I’m older than you,” Peter stated while crossing his arms while returning the glare as he was called ‘boy’. Guess some things never change, he mused to himself. “And I cannot let you go down there.” He stressed, pointing in the general direction of their destination. You stared him and he stared back a silent standoff. “Stop me then.” You challenged, pushing past him.

Alia stared at him, while Peter sighed, “You die there!” He raised his voice in order for you to hear him. You stopped in your tracks. “The Pit, Queens. Stefon’s son kills you there.” Your expression did not change as you turned to look at the man, who had a few days claimed to be your ‘student’ from the future. “That’s what I came here to stop, Chief.” Peter finished, close to a whisper.

He hated feeling this vulnerable, but his throat was tightening at the thought of not stopping what he knew was coming. He could fail at this, that fact had refused to sink in until now. As much as you two annoyed the shit out of each other, Peter knew he needed you. 

“Oh shit, not this timeline...” Alia muttered, causing Peter to roll his eyes. He stepped towards you. The ring of his spidey sense warned of your impending punch. His fedora fell to the ground as your fist connected with his cheek, sending him a few steps back. 

“That’s for lying to me,” Peter held his face, groaning. He knew he deserved that one, but maybe the second punch coming his way. “Ow!” He grunted as you hit the same cheek, “And that’s for actually telling me.” 

“I was trying to protect you!” He snapped, checking his hand to see if any blood got through his mask while you stomped away from him, eventually coming to rest your elbows on the fence nearby. “The bitter truth is often better than the sweet lies,” Stated Alia as she stepped towards Peter, holding his arm to help him regain his balance. “Oh shut it!” Peter sneered, rubbing his cheek. 

“She must go to the pit. She has to erase his memories as she did before. (Y/n)’s the only hope of stopping this.” Peter stared at Alia, trying to discover a retort, but found nothing. He looked away, “Is there a chance that I can save her life?” He whispered, much like a prayer. He needed some sort of hope, anything.

Alia gently squeezed his shoulder as she smiled “Yes.” 

A shaky, but relieved sigh left Peter. “But,” His head shot up to look at the woman, her face now etched with concern “know that someone else will die if you do save her life. Death can only be replaced with death.” She warned him, shifting her gaze to you.

~Queens, 1915~

You hadn’t uttered a word after that, your face was stuck in a glare, sometimes pointed at him as you all were taking the footpaths to the pit. The silence created a tension so thick that you would need to cut it with a machete.

“So we work together in the future?” You finally broke the silence while your face softened. Peter nodded, “Yes, Chief.” He confirmed.

“How did that happen?” You inquire with a smirk, finally feeling the mood lighten. Peter smiled under his mask.

~Queens, 1931~ 

(Flash...back? Forward? XD Yes, I know the date is 1933 in the comic, but I’ve played with dates. plus this is fanfiction.)

The image of that Spider god was still ingrained into Peter’s mind as he held onto the building supports. Staring down at the concrete floor, he suddenly leapt from the metal, flipping in the air before landing perfectly on his two feet. 

He panted softly, slowly straightening his posture until he was looking up towards the support he was previously standing upon. It was a drop no one could land on their own two feet and survive. “I’ll be damned,” He whispered as he looked down at his hands.

His eyebrows knitted together and lowered, realising what he could do with this new power, especially after what he had witnessed. 

With a new mission in mind, Peter strode to the door. The warehouse was empty, the spiders and the gang were gone. He must have been bundled in the webs for a little while. He pushed the door open only to see that it was still dark, he might still know where to find them. 

“Better watch yourself out there kid,” 

Peter froze, jerking his whole body to face the speaker; a woman in her late thirties, grey hair starting to streak her (h/c) hair. She looked at him with a lazy smirk upon her face whilst she leant against the steel of the warehouse but she held a walking cane in her (dominant hand)

“What’s it to you, lady?” He barked, not in the mood for someone to stop him. The woman chuckled “Now, sonny, no need for the attitude. I was actually in a helping mood tonight. But I guess you don’t want to find Goblin then,” She shrugged, pushing herself off of the steel wall.

“You know where he is? Right now? Tell me!”

“Don’t go making demands.”

Peter growled, “Please?”

The woman smiled “That’s better! Now come here,” Turning back to face him, she gestured for him to approach her. He hesitated but decided to follow her instructions only for her to press her fingers to his forehead and his temple. 

Before the confused man could lurch back, he saw flashes of Goblin with his group. They were inside some type of office building. It had to be Osborn Enterprises, Peter realised. The flashes stopped once she removed her fingers and Peter was met with the sight of her smirk again. 

“Where are you going?” He asked as she turned away from him again, seemingly to leave. “I’m going to mind my own business while you take care of yours.” and then she left, limping all the way. 

~Queens, 1915~

“Heeellllooo? Peter? Are you gonna answer me?” You waved a hand in front of his face, your eyebrows knitted together in annoyance. “Oi! (Y/n) to Peter! Come in, please! Answer me!” You growled. Said man had just gone silent after your question, you couldn’t see the look on his face because of his damn mask - though you were guessing there was some stupid expression hiding under there.

Peter jolted as his train of thought broke finally. “What?” He blinked, turning to look at you. “You were going to tell me about our first meeting...” You told him in an annoyed tone. “Ah, ah! I’m sorry but you probably shouldn’t know,” Alia cautioned sternly.

Peter sighed. It was actually a story he would have loved to tell, it was a good memory among the bitter ones. He glanced at Alia to see her smiling at him - had she seen their meeting? - He wondered. Why else would she smile so softly at them?

The trio froze as the ground beneath them starting shake, Alia nearly lost her footing while you and Peter found your footing and stood rigid. “Stefon...” Peter growled, clenching his gloved fists “We have to go... now!” You ordered, “We’re not far now, come on!” You barked breaking out into a run, the Pit was nearly in sight, that was your target. You didn’t hear Peter shouting for you.

“Come on, Alia, let’s go!” Peter urged, about to join you, not wanting you to stay out of his sight for too long. “No, I should go now...” The woman replied timidly at first, but then perked with a smile “Don’t worry! You don’t need me anymore! Just make sure (Y/n) erases Stefon’s memories and the past will recover!”

“What do you mean?”

“Once the memories are gone, (Y/n) will survive. You can go home, she won’t know you were here.” The blonde woman reassured him, Peter nodded albeit hesitantly. “Alright, will we meet again?” He asked curiously,

Alia sighed “Anything’s possible, now go!” she shooed him off and then watching him run into the distance, following the woman who could stop this whole thing and save the city. Alia’s smiled faded, her eyebrows knitting together and she sighed sadly. 

“I can never bear to see this part...”

“... Good luck, Peter”

~Stay tuned for Part 2~

[laurazepamwrites]

The Chemicals between us ~Ch.5

With most of the base now empty with only a skeleton crew to run it there was plenty of accommodation to go around. Some of the younger women had decided on sharing a dormitory meant for new recruits whilst others had chosen singular personnel quarters. Some had even moved into less homely lodgings like Torbjorn, who had taken one of the empty garages near the workshop, or Angela who had neatly converted a spacious office next to medical into a comfortable bedroom. After much indecisiveness and downright ludacris demands from having the Commanding officers quarters to room service the Junkers had finally settled on taking a small disused storage warehouse, it even had two floors allowing Roadhog to have his own space in what felt like forever. It was dusty, the metal fixtures had spots of rust and it was far more industrial than cosy even though the old lady captain had graciously given him two beds. To him, it felt the closest to his farm he would ever get in a long while. It would do. Junkrat wasted no time in making himself a workstation even going as far as to unceremoniously flip his mattress and blankets on the floor along with what few possessions he had with him and after a few adjustments had used the metal bed frame as a makeshift tool holder to stand alongside the desk he had ‘borrowed’.

  It had kept him busy for a couple of hours in which time some team members had come to see them. Morrison had once again reminded the Junkers of rules and boundaries and consequences until Junkrat threatened to blow up his own eardrums if the old man kept going on about it, the Doctor came to check on his stitches and to return Roadhogs Hogdrogen despite her advise on his frequent usage, he politely waved her off as he clicked in the canister to his mask and taking in a deep drug infused breath, he was running low and finding more would be hard to come by in this country but he’d find a way, until then he had reluctantly agreed to use an oxygen tank at night time. As the evening drew in Roadhog was snoring loudly on his two single beds as Junkrat delicately worked on his prosthetics, a sudden knock on the metal door made him jump and drop the small screwdriver he was holding. ‘Fucks sake! Dont fucking like this Hog!’ He called down to a grumbling Roadhog who wheezed as he sat up. ‘S’pose we should get used to it..’ He muttered in reply, heaving himself up and heading for the door. He couldn't blame Junkrat for his anxiousness, he should probably talk to him about it later. He heard voices outside as he reached for the door handle which shushed as he pulled it open. His gaze dropped downward at the sight of a young man with dreads and two young women before him, their eyes widening at the huge man before them. ‘Yeah?’ Roadhog grunted at them. The young man squeaked and hastily nudged one of the girls forward, the young asian woman rolled her eyes and held her chin high looking right into the black glass eyes of his mask. ‘See guys? Told you he was big.’

‘Hana! Don't be rude!’ Said the remaining woman in a european accent. She was holding a toolbox and had oil on her clothes. Must be the Lindholm girl. ‘I’m sorry Mr Rutledge, Papa sent me to give these to Junkrat.’ She rattled the toolbox.

‘We’re calling him Jamie cos Junkrats a dumb name!’ Hana called loudly trying to get his attention from behind Roadhog, It worked as the tell tale sound of his peg leg could be heard coming down the flight of stairs. Junkrat pushed Roadhog out the way and made a face at his visitors, ‘What's this the welcome party or summit?’ He leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms.

‘Something like that, we brought you guys something to eat.’ Said Lucio, picking up some trays of food beside him.

‘Yep.’ Said Roadhog, reaching over and taking the trays, promptly returning inside and sitting down to eat. Junkrat glanced over the brunette girl, ‘You the angry hobbits kid? Bridgette? Baguette?’

‘Brigitte. You didn't call him that to his face did you?’

‘Yeah.’

She laughed out loud, ‘And you lived? Wow the last person to call him that had a hammer to the face. You got on his good side. Oh here take this.’ She handed the toolbox to Junkrat, he gave her a quizzical look as he opened it. Inside was a decent selection of different tools designed especially for prosthetic maintenance. ‘Papa works on his own too, Jesse and Genji go to Dr Zeigler since theirs are highly advanced, can I see yours?’

‘Er…?’

She didn't wait for an answer, grabbing his metal hand and holding it close to her eyes. ‘You made this?’ She asked, eyes wide. ‘Wow even down to the synthetic nerves but you need to fix the casing. There's plenty of scrap metal in the workshop and there's a small soldering kit in the tool box already.’

‘Yeah er..thanks?’ He dislodged his hand from her grip and flexed the metal digits now feeling slightly insecure.

Hana stepped forward, ‘Hey erm..thanks for not telling Commander Morrison I let you out, even though I technically didn't! But still..thanks Jamie.’

‘Sure, no worries.’ He shrugged.

‘Look man, I appreciate that this must suck being here for you, but y’know it's not bad here. Good people, sure plenty of different opinions but we’re a team. Your here now so why not make the best of it? We can help you out, and hey! It's great to have someone else our age to hang with!’ 

‘Our age? I’ll remind you i'm the youngest here.’

‘Youngest human.’ Corrected Brigitte

Hana brushed her off. ‘Pfft..details.’

Junkrat rubbed the back of his neck with his living hand, ‘Yeah er, may need time to adjust to all this...been a long while since i've been around people, and even then anyone of em could kill ya if they felt like it.’

‘So what was it like? Growing up in the Outback, what happened to you after the Omnium explosion?’ Asked Hana

Now he felt uncomfortable and wanted to back out of whatever this was, luckily for him Lucio had noticed and took Hana by the arm. ‘C’mon leave the guy alone, we don't need to know anything. Lets go.’ He looked to Junkrat and gave him a small understanding smile, he smiled back and nodded a thanks.

‘Come by the workshop tomorrow Jamie.’ Said Brigitte as she turned to follow Hana and Lucio. ‘We’ll fix your hand up and Papa can show you what we do. Night!’

‘Yeah..laters..?’ He hovered by the door and watched them leave, absentmindedly he began gnawing at his lip, wincing as he remembered the stitches there. He closed the door and looked at the toolbox tucked under his arm, he knew Roadhog was watching him.

‘You alright Rat?’ He said between mouthfuls of food.

At first he didn't indicate that he had heard him, he was still looking at the toolbox and seemingly lost in his thoughts.

‘Rat?’

‘Fine mate.’

Roadhog sighed then nodded to the chair next to him. ‘Sit down, eat something.’

‘Nah thanks i'm just gonna-’

‘No you’re not. You’re gonna sit and you’re gonna eat.’ 

‘Not hungry.’

‘Stop. I know what you are doing and you stop it right now. Sit the fuck down.’

Junkrat stared him down despite knowing he almost always lost this game. Roadhog grunted in satisfaction as he eventually stomped over to the table and slamming the toolbox on it before slouching on the chair and pouting. Roadhog pushed a tray towards him. ‘Eat.’ He said, continuing with his own meal. Finally Junkrat succumbed and pulled the tray closer and there was a moments silence before Roadhog decided to break it.

‘So..’ He said, ‘Jamie huh?’

‘Yeah..it's weird.’

‘Just be glad you didn't forget your own name after all these years.’

‘You’re one to talk..Mako.’

‘Hmph..’ The silence once again hung between as Roadhog decided the best way to ask after his partners current mental state.

‘So..you alright? Don't give me any of that ‘im fine’ bullshit’

Junkrat flashed him a grin. ‘I’m okay mate.’

‘Rat I swear to fucking God-’

‘What Hog? What? You wanna know im freaking out? That i feel totally out of control, that I now have a fuck load of people to figure out whether they’re gonna kill me or kill you, that I am totally out of place here and everyone's asking fucking questions about fucking everything and it's bringing up alotta fucking stuff which i don't fucking wanna think about and my arm which isn't even fucking there hurts so fucking much and all this shit is spinning round n round in my head and I just want it to shut the fuck up!’ He kicked the table in his emotional outburst which had threatened to spill over all day, Roadhog was waiting for it and simply sat quietly and listened as the younger Junker got it out of his system. Junkrat slumped lower in his chair, running his flesh hand over his face and through his hair, his anger subsiding and looking exhausted. ‘Its..It's too fucking much mate, need to feel control over something, need to blow something up!’

Roadhog felt this was a good time to step in before Junkrat worked himself up again. Reaching behind his head he unclasped his mask and set it on the table, his skin felt strange to the sudden exposure to the air. It was extremely rare for him to go maskless but the boy needed calming and he needed to understand that Roadhog was being genuine. ‘Rat, look at me.’ He didn't, once again testing the stitches in his lip and purposely looking away. Roadhog sighed. ‘Jamison?’ 

That got his attention and he finally looked at Roadhogs maskless face. ‘I’m sorry I got angry with you earlier. I know you were worried, but I don't think this place is bad. It's not like Junkertown, If i thought we were in immediate danger coming here then believe me, we would not be here. Now...you feel out of control? Yet you’ve negotiated a contract and made whatever this is work more to your favor. Yes, we are out of place but this is a thrown together vigilante group. I doubt you’re the only one feeling like that, personally I dont give a shit that I stick out. Now..those kids that came to see you, pretty sure they don't want to kill you. Looks to me they wanna be friends if you remember what those are, you could do with some actual social interaction so don't be a dick about it, even when they are curious. And you’re gonna get questions Jamison, so you set the boundaries on what you’re okay to talk about. No one needs to know about what happened to you growing up there, that's up to you. Now you can't go blowing shit up every time you get angry or upset so you need to find another outlet so maybe that girl and her Dad can help out with that..As for your arm I can't offer any advice. Its worse when you’re upset, when you’re tired and when you’re hungry. So take a breath, fucking eat and try and get some fucking sleep. In the morning take a shower, eat again then we take it from there alright?’

He still looked upset but less so and more settled, he flexed his metal hand and gave his friend a small smile. ‘Alright mate.’

Roadhog regarded him and after a moment's consideration reached out to ruffle Jamison's hair, thankful that he didn't flinch at the touch. Instead he grinned and playfully swatted his huge hand away, ‘Alright fuck off with that.’

Roadhog snorted and returned to his food, ‘Eat. Then get some sleep. Not gonna talk to you rest of the night, you've heard enough from me to last you a week.’

‘...Thanks Hog.’

Roadhog simple grunted in acknowledgment. 

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

The next morning a small beep beep sounded from the commanders private computer, Jack sat down in front of it and after a few clicks was present with a new message.

:Got some very angry people here so I must congratulate you on your success of finding the Junker. Please share if you find out what he has! No need to thank me of course. Also this may interest you..’

Jack waited and eventually another beep beep came from the computer, this time it was a file attachment.

:Enjoy! 

Jack did not bother to reply, instead opening the already encrypted file. It was a photo of a very wealthy looking Omnic who he instantly recognised as Maximillien and two men; one of them being Sanjay Korpal, one of the Viskar corporations most senior members..now what was he doing meeting one of Talons inner council? It wasn't the first time Viskar had popped up in all this, It was only yesterday that Ana had debriefed him on her mission to Iraq, learning of their desire to have a presence in Oasis where coincidently a key member of Talon and former Blackwatch agent Moira O’Deorain was based. ‘Getting to her would be near impossible.’ in that city, Jack thought to himself as he shut down the computer and Vishkar would need to make a more obvious move on their allegiances before sending anyone in, for now it was smoke and mirrors. Reinhardt have given him a more solid lead from his time spent in Latvia near the border of Russia, learning of a possible Talon shipment being sent to a supposedly disused military compound near a town called Bryansk south of Moscow. If it was indeed a Talon base with a cache of weapons he needed it destroyed. He went to the communicator on the wall and pushed a button, ‘Athena,’ He spoke into the speaker. ‘Call Captain Amari, Lieutenant Reinhardt and Agents Genji and Zarya to the briefing room please.’

‘At once Commander.’ The A.I replied.

Soon enough everyone was accounted for in the briefing room and Morrison began the meeting. ‘Athena bring up a map of Bryansk, Russia.’ A large map projected in the middle of the table. ‘Bryansk, a densely wooded city in western Russia. Mostly a center for steel and machinery manufacturing and if Reinhardts source is to be trusted a cache for Talon weapons. Athena, give a rundown on any empty military compounds or warehouses within a thirty mile radius of the city.’

‘Overwatch satellites are mostly shutdown however I will do what I can Commander,’ Athena replied.

They waited as the A.I scanned the area, slowly pinpointing buildings within the search radius, five of them showed in total. ‘That is all I can do for now Commander.’

Jack looked at each point on the map, assessing the most likely place for the compound, ‘Athena, zoom in on the point north west of Bryansk.’ The map zoomed in showing a building deep within the woodland, it was well away from any towns yet within 10 miles of the nearest main road. This had to be the place.

‘Zarya, welcome to your first mission. I want you and Genji to go to Bryansk, get a safe house and scan the area. If it's true what this place is we need to take control of it, seize the cache and destroy the compound.’

Zarya nodded, ‘I will gladly go, but must I go with the Cyborg?’

‘Oh please, none taken,’ retorted Genji

Morrison gave her a hard look. ‘I understand your mistrust of Omnics Zarya but Genji is Human. You agreed to be apart of this team and in doing so agreed to work with whomever I say. Are we clear on this?’

She looked between him and Genji with coldness in her eyes, ‘Fine. I agree.’ She reluctantly said.

‘Good. Ana, Reinhardt? Anything to add?’

‘My source tells me armoured trucks go through at least once a week, morning and evening. I suspect they have a lot of armed guards patrolling. Perhaps Zarya can gather more information in the city whilst Genji surveys the area?’ Suggested Reinhardt.

‘Just be careful Zarya, you are well aware you are popular in Russia, perhaps they can set up base in a smaller neighbouring town with less people. Questions may be asked if you go looking for information from the wrong people. Id recommend caution.’ Said Ana

‘This is not my first mission finding information..nor is my first mission working with someth...someone so..technologically advanced. It will be fine, I will deliver.’ Replied Zarya.

‘That's settled then, I’ll have Lena program the Orca for autopilot to a safe location, you should have no issues getting in or out. Once you get enough information we’ll send a second team out. Go prepare yourselves, you depart this evening.’ Said Morrison as he dismissed them.

‘Yes commander.’ They said in unison, giving eachother an uneasy look before leaving the room.

Jack sat back in his chair and sighed. ‘This is going to be hard work.’ 

‘Oh and what part would that be Jack? From my recollection this has always been hard work.’ Said Ana mildly.

‘Keeping everyone in line Amari, we have people here with very different opinions. There's going to be conflict.’

‘Those different opinions could be beneficial Commander,’ Offered Reinhardt. ‘It allows us to see things from new perspectives.’

‘Not when we have in fighting it doesn't, we all know that.’ Said Jack, standing up to leave. Ana and Reinhardt shared a look with each other. It was probably best to let that subject slide for now.

‘Just be glad no ones having sex Jack, now that would be difficult to deal with.’ Ana called after him, trying to lighten the mood. He said nothing and left the room.

‘Tsk..always the boy scout isn't he Reinhardt?’ She said to her friend.

‘Somethings never change Ana, for good or bad. At Least we are still here to guide the younger generation.’

She smiled warmly at him and squeezed his hand, she had missed her old friend.

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

As evening creeped across the watchpoint Mei glanced towards the Orca as it was being prepared for flight from the window of Winston's Laboratory and felt a pang of jealousy before returning to type away at a computer. She did not come here often, she still had not had a proper conversation with Winston since her heated phone call. He had tried, as had all the older members, asking her how she was and how she was coping and being oh so nice to her. Too nice, they couldn't hide their pity if they tried. They felt sorry for the poor little Climatologist asleep for a decade whilst her teammates and friends lay dead around her. She didn't want their pity, she hated it. She hated their smiles and concern, she hated how they danced around the subject, fearful of upsetting her. Why? When she was already so sad, so angry. It was her own fault she supposed. Wearing her mask that showed the world she was the same Mei all those years ago. Kind, polite and happy, optimistic and positive. That's what she showed to the world, did her friends look at her with pity in their eyes because they see through the front or was it all in her head?

She gave herself a little shake, jolting herself to stop from lingering on that dark cloud that constantly loomed in the back of her mind. She rested her head on her hand and continued watching the computer transfer data onto her small laptop. It wasn't her usual work on weather patterns or climate but she was desperate to feel useful here, so here she was alone in Winstons lab using his computer to transfer information on what needed repairing in the watchpoint from most urgent to least. Right down to the last service bot. She was so bored, but at least she could be alone after yet another rough night.. She heard the door open downstairs and she let out a small sigh, so much for avoiding conversation she thought as she began to pack up her belongings. ‘I'm done here Winston.’ She called, tucking the laptop under her arm and preparing to leave. ‘I'll send you the list later this..evening.’ She paused at the top of the stairs. It wasn't Winston who had come in.

‘Yeah if I see King Kong i'll pass on the message.’ Junkrat said casually, barely glancing at her as he tinkered with some lab equipment.

She narrowed her eyes at him,‘You are not supposed to be in here.’

‘Oh if i had a penny every time i've heard that.’ He laughed.

Mei began to walk down the stairs. ‘You know you can't be in here. We’ve all been informed of your ‘contract’.’ she mimed the quotations with her free hand. Junkrat ignored her, sitting on an office chair and using his metal peg to slowly spin himself around. He picked up a small random piece of apparatus on one of his turns and began playing with it, the hint of a smirk on his face.

Mei blinked at him, taken slightly aback at being ignored, she brushed a strand of hair from her face and put her hand on her hip. ‘I said-’

He spun to face her. ‘Yeah i heard ya, and it's a big place here, you can't blame a guy for getting lost.’

‘You are not allowed to enter the labs without supervision.’

‘You're here aren't ya?  He retorted, spinning around.

‘I..youre…’ She huffed in exasperation, the attitude on him! She had expected none less from this uncouth criminal Junker. ‘Nǐ zhège húndàn’ she muttered under her breath.

He swivelled in his chair to face her once again and grinned at her, ‘Aww c'mon Frosty...bet you know worse insults than that.’

she stared at him incredulously ‘You...speak Mandarin?’

‘Enough to get by and enough to know when someone's calling me a jerk or worse.’

At least she had the grace to blush but like hell was she going to apologise to him, instead she scowled hard. Junkrat faked a shudder, ‘Fuck..get cold just looking at ya.’

‘Look somewhere else then!’ She snapped back.

‘With pleasure!’ he retorted and he swung his chair again turning his back to her and going back to his exploring. Mei stood there with her mouth slightly open, she could not believe his attitude walking in like he owned the place, ignoring the contract which was his own idea and frankly not seeming to care to follow its rules. He was really beginning to bug her and in turn she was ruffling his feathers too. He disliked authority, and this Icy woman was talking to him like a school boy in trouble.

‘You need to leave now.’ She stated, pointing to the door.

Junkrat rolled his eyes, ‘Yeah i'm going, you're pretty boring.’

‘Erm..Excuse me?’

‘Its means-’

‘I know what it means!’ She snapped. ‘And i'm sorry i don't find wanton destruction and exploding things a good use of my time.’

‘You should try it Frosty..might warm ya up abit.’ He winked at her.

Her face felt hot. Why did her face feel hot? ‘You..gah! Hundan! Why are you even here? Overwatch isn't for people like you!

‘meaning..? He grinned slyly, leaning toward her.

She knew he was baiting her, but something in her made her want to argue with him. To get the last word. 'Overwatch is for heroes, for making a positive impact on the world...it's not for half crazed criminal arsonists!’ She responded with an edgy tone. He gave her a smug smirk and she caught a glimpse of a gold tooth. She expected him to react in anger, the fact he found this amusing made the exchange all the more infuriating.

‘You’re a criminal too frosty...everyone here is now, even the doctor. So, what kinda illegal activities does a girl like you do round here? 

‘I'm a scientist if you must know. I have a doctorate in Climatology.’

‘You have a what doing what now?’

She rolled her eyes. Of course he didn't know what that meant. ‘I study weather patterns and how it affects the Earth's climate.’ 

He stared at her a moment before barking out a laugh. ‘Oh right ok then. Very useful when the the bots wipe out half the population and you got terrorists kicking in your door. But hey, at least we'll know the forecast!’

Her eyes widened in anger and her nostrils flared, not that he seemed to notice and if he did he didn't seem to care. Silently she pointed to the door, he snickered as he stood up and stretched, much to her surprise he was a good deal taller than her. She watched him leave, keeping an icy glare on her face and tapping her foot with impatience. ‘Later Frosty.’ He called over his shoulder as the door shut behind him. Mei breathed heavily through her nose, her anger bubbling threatenly inside her. He had touched a nerve and patronized her, whether he meant to or not. ‘Ugh! Cào nǐ zǔzōng shíbā dài!’ She shouted after him.

She soon headed back to her room, throwing the laptop down on her bed and sitting down roughly next to it, Snowball woke from its charging station and went to greet her, making a confused noise as she failed to notice him. ‘Oh..sorry Snowball. I just met the biggest Jerk in the world that's all.’ She hugged her droid friend and decided not to let that Junker get to her. She picked up her laptop and sat down at the desk and began to work. Why was it so hard to concentrate? She kept going back to her meeting with Junkrat, why? He wasn't worth it, he was just trying to upset her. She shouldn't let that jerk get to her. So why where her fingers tapping in agitation? Why was she feeling prickly anger that simmered incessantly? Why did he make her feel like she was useless here? No stop it Mei, you have work to do..tap, tap, tap. Is this that important? No of course it is, this is helpful to our efforts. Tap, tap, tap. Athena could of done this in minutes..Tap, tap, tap..I'm helping, i'm helping..aren't I? Tap, tap, tap..Doesn't he know anything?! ‘UGH!!’ She slammed the laptop shut and stood up so abruptly snowball spun midair in surprise.

‘I’m not taking this from some stupid Junker!’ She shouted, storming out of the room.

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

 Roadhog was resting outside his new accommodation enjoying the cool evening breeze and the quiet, an empty canister of Hogdrogon next to him. Four left..getting low. His peace soon ended as he heard the familiar thud of a metal peg on the ground and only looked up when the sound stopped in front of him. He nodded to Junkrats metal hand. ‘Fixed it then?’

'Yeah, feels pretty good too. They even had paint!’ Junkrat replied happily, admiring his handy work.

Roadhog grunted, ‘’Can see that, got alot on you..’

Junkrat sat down next to him. ‘I had a shower! With difficulty mind you, gonna have to modify one with supports.. Maybe I can accuse them of being ableist?’

‘Don't be a dick, Rat...eaten?’

Junkrat rolled his eyes, 'Yeah.’

'Did you sleep?��

'I told you this morning I did.’

‘Still lying.’ Roadhog replied. He had heard him during the night struggling with a nightmare, thankfully it wasn't bad enough he'd have to shake him awake. He expected as much and he hoped they would calm down once he was more settled here, If the boy even knew what settled was.

‘Did you behave yourself?’

‘I was in the workshop most of the day!’

'I know..not what i asked though.’

‘Yes! Fuck!’

Roadhog looked up as something caught his eye, Junkrat didn't notice nor could he see past Roadhogs massive frame. He did look up at him however when he sighed in annoyance.

'What?’

‘Happen to piss anyone off?’

‘Don't think so, though the rusky looks like she wants to break me in half.’

‘Anyone besides her?’

He thought for a moment, ‘..No? Now im not so sure..’’

‘Well have a think cos a small chinese girl is marching over here with murder in her eyes.’

‘Wha..?’ He leaned forward to look past Roadhogs huge stomach to where he was pointing. Sure enough Mei was walking with intent towards them with a very sour look on her face.

Junkrat groaned and rubbed his hand over his face. ‘For fucks sake.’ He muttered. ‘Tell her i'm not here..’ He used Roadhogs arm to push himself up to stand.

‘Shes looking right at you.’

‘Then she can watch me leave then, not keen on that one mate.’

‘Too late.’ Muttered Roadhog as Mei stomped over to Junkrat and stood right in front of him, even with him slouching the difference in height was comical, not that this deterred her anger to whatever he had done.

‘You! You waltz in where you’re not supposed to be, insult me! Patronize me?! And think i’m just going to be ok with that? You are possible the most rude and obnoxious Jerk i've ever had the displeasure of meeting!’

‘You forgot witty, dashing, inventive and misunderstood.’

‘Why are you even here!’

‘Keep up, I was forced here. Don't have a go for making it worth me while Frosty.’ Mei glowered at him and her nostrils flared. Roadhog was now watching with interest making a wager with himself if this small woman had it in her to knock Junkrat out cold.

My.name.is.Mei, she said, gritting her teeth.

‘Jamison. But I'm gonna call you Frosty cos it suits ya.’

‘You certainly suit Junkrat!’

‘Yeah…? I'm not arguing that.’

‘Do you even know what you did? Do you even care?’

‘Oh for fucks sake woman, so I went into a lab and touched some stuff, had a lil spinny on a chair. Not like I fucking broke anything!’

‘You insulted my work!’

‘....I did?’

'You know damn well you did!’ She shouted, pointing in his face ‘ You don't know me! You don't know how much i've given to Overwatch, what i've lost. Sure maybe now my work is not priority but atleast im here trying to make a difference and working toward a better world! Not blowing it up!’

He casually tested a joint in one of his metal fingers with a disinterested look on his face before responding to her outburst, ‘...Ya done?’ He said, sounding bored. Roadhog was now watching with keen interest, certain his partner was about to be suckerpunched. From this small woman it would be hilarious. But to his disappointment she didnt. What she did next surprised even herself let alone Junkrat. She grabbed his shoulders and pulled him down so that they were eye level and then spoke in a deadly, quiet voice.

'Mock my work again or make me feel inadequate and I will freeze you on the spot and impale you with an icicle between the eyes and into that messed up brain of yours.’ She glared at him for good effect before pushing him away and straightening up with an air of dignity, she quickly gave an anxious look toward Roadhog and walked away, both Junkers watching her leave until she disappeared from view.

‘Nicely done.’ Roadhog said sarcastically.

‘Fuck off, she came here looking for a fight. I didn't do nothing!’

‘Liar.’

‘Honestly, she does weather or some shite and made a joke. Not my fault she's sensitive!’

‘Well you obviously made an impression.’

‘Pfft! Like I give a shit what Frosty the big-titted snowman thinks.’ He slumped down once again, crossing his arms and sulking, he was quiet for a time processing what the hell had just happened. Soon enough his eyebrows raised and a roguish grin creeped across his face.

‘Hey Hog..?’

‘Hmm?’

‘She has got fucking big tits though ain't she mate!’

[hercleverboy]

his ; sam winchester

Part two of five

I was overwhelmed by the amazing response part one recieved, so here is the promised part two.

enjoy! 

Sam had decided to take Y/N in, despite Dean's protests that they couldn't bring a kid on the road with them, as Sam refused to give her away. she was his, and now that he had her, he wouldn't lose her again.

And eventually, after an accident in the bunker, Dean grew to love her just as much, swearing that he'd never let a thing harm her. Y/N could clearly remember the rainy day, when she was 11, where she listened to the rain that pattered on the ground outside the bunker. Sam had gone to get something to eat, promising to grab Dean some pie and Y/N her favourite meal. She was messing around on the stairs, as Dean watched from the table. Up until this point, Dean wasn't her biggest fan. He thought she merely distracted Sam, and whilst he could admit that he liked to see his brother happy, in this life, distractions weren't something they could afford to have.

"Hey, Uncle D, look!" She'd giggled, as she began to climb onto the hand rail.

"Kiddo, get down from there. You'll hurt yourself." He yelled, not ready to be held responsible when an accident inevitably happened.

"But Uncle D, look what I can do-" her sentence was cut short, as she had somehow lost her grip on the hand rail, and was now plummeting to the concrete ground at an alarmingly quick pace. Though, even surprising himself, Dean ran to catch her, and only just caught her before she hit the ground. She was now sobbing hysterically, as Dean attempted to calm her, whilst she cried into his shirt. He sat her on the table, looking her over to make sure she weren't injured before enveloping her in a hug again. Once she'd calmed down, she sat with Dean on the couch, feeling better in his embrace.

"You really scared me there, Sweetheart. You've gotta be careful in future, yeah?" He sighed, glad his niece hadn't hurt herself, as he wasn't sure if he could forgive himself if something had happened on his watch.

"Sorry Uncle D. Please don't tell daddy." Y/N pleaded, looking up at him with eyes that ever since that day he's never been able to resist.

"Of course not. It'll be our little secret, okay?"

She raised an eyebrow to him, unsure. She held her pinky out, and gestured that he do the same, murmuring the words, "Pinky Promise?"

With a smile, Dean locked his pinky with her much smaller one, muttering back a, "I Promise," before she rested her head into his chest and fell into a slumber.

As he watched her chest slowly rise and fall, he realised how he'd secretly grown to love his niece more than he's sure he's loved anything before. He made a vow that day. That he would protect his niece with his life, as he would protect his brother.

Sam always complimented that Y/N had grown into such a stunning young woman, now at the age of 16, with long curled locks of hair that cascaded down her back, and a acutely framed face that made her just so magnificently beautiful. Though, much to the brothers disappointment, with her age also grew her curiosity.

She would now always have questions whenever the brothers would leave for a few hours, claiming they'd gone shopping for groceries at a plaza a few hours away, and that they'd bring back something awesome. Though, they'd return that night with nothing but a pack of beers and some chocolate from the corner store down the road, and new cuts and bruises that were left unexplained. Sam wasn't stupid, though for as long as he could he ignored Dean's pleas for him let Dean show her how to protect herself from the monsters and demons in the world. However, Sam wanted to shield her from that life for as long as possible, hoping that he could stop her from getting hurt. She'd walked in on an argument of theirs one time, as they disputed on whether or not to tell her.

"What If someone attacks the bunker whilst we're not here, Sam? What if she can't defend herself?" Dean had yelled, looking at his brother with pleading eyes. They'd checked on Y/N before they'd began their dispute, as she had fallen asleep on her bed with her uncle’s music pounding in her ears, and assumed that their argument wouldn't wake her.

"The bunker is safe, Dean. There is angel warding all around, nothing is getting in." Sam attempted to persuade his brother, though he new Dean was right.

"I'm not suggesting we do what dad did. I'm not saying that next time she tells you she's afraid of the dark you hand her a shotgun. I'm saying let's teach her the basics. How to draw a devils trap, how to defend herself from all the crap out there, and any other sigils she may need." Dean pleaded. He understand Sam's need to protect his daughter, but she needed to know how to defend herself if she was going to survive this life.

"No, Dean. What if showing her that makes her think she has to be like us? That she has to be a hunter? I won't have that life for her!" Sam had yelled back, running his hand through his hair in frustration. Y/N had left her room minutes ago, waking up and concerned as she heard her father and uncle arguing. She'd been hiding around the corner, but decided now it was time to speak up.

"Dad? Uncle D? What's happening?" Her voice was clear as she stepped around the corner, coming into view.

Sam cleared his throat, and Dean remained silent. "Go to your room, Y/N."

"No." She shook her hair stubbornly. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

"This is not a debate, Y/N. Go to your room, now." Sam growled, looking at her angrily.

"You can't send me to my room like I'm just some kid, Dad! I'm growing up, I'm not your little girl anymore. You have to start talking to me." She pleaded, as Dean nodded towards Sam.

"It's about time she knew, Sammy."

"Knew what? Dad?" She asked, looking at your father so confused and angry that he wouldn't confide in you.

He stepped towards her, breathing heavily.

"Okay, Y/N. What I'm about to tell you, might sound weird, but I need you to trust me."

"Always, Dad. What is it?"

After they finished explaining, everything seemed to click in her mind. The long hours they were away, and the coverup lies he'd had to tell her.

"Y/N? Baby girl , please say something?" Her father pleaded, as Dean searched her eyes for some understanding.

"I want to help." She murmured.

"What?" Sam questioned.

"I said, I want to help you guys. When you go out on hunts, I want to help."

"No. Absolutely not." Sam shut her down quickly, his voice raising to angry levels.

"Why the hell not? Uncle D can train me, teach me how to fight. Dad you can't seriously expect me to sit here at home all day whilst I know you and D are out there risking your lives." She was gobsmacked, unsure how her father would respond.

"I said no, Y/N And that. Is. Final." Sam said menacingly, his finger pointing towards her.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I wasn't asking." She mumbled quietly. "Uncle D, Tomorrow morning will you teach me some things? Tell me what I can read up on?" Y/N knew Dean couldn't resist her eyes, he'd never been able to, and she squealed with joy when he heaved a small mutter.

"Sure, Princess."

She hugged him tightly, before running back towards her room with a smile on her face, excited that she would finally be able to be useful.

"Sam. I'm sorry, but she needs to be taught."

Sam only grunted in response, walking towards his brother with a scowl. "If anything so much as scratches my little girl I swear to god."

Dean smirked, his arms going up into a surrender.

"You have my word, Sammy. You know I'd never let anything hurt my favourite niece."

Dean headed off towards the weapons room, a smirk on his lips as Sam called after him, "What? She's your only niece!"

Y/N spent what felt like forever training with Dean. He'd taught her every move she could use during combat; even showing her how to use various weapons. Though Sam wouldn't let him show her how use the grenade launcher, because apparently it was 'unnecessary'. Sam had shown his daughter, much to his dislike, how to patch herself up should she find yourself injured and alone, though he swore it would never come to that. However, Sam couldn't protect her from everything.

Then, out of nowhere, comes a hunt. It had taken 2 whole days of Dean persuading his brother that his niece was more than prepared to fight, and that she was becoming an incredible fighter. She'd now had 6 whole months of training, and she’d even managed to flip Dean onto his ass a few times when she practiced with him, though Dean’s ego would never allow him to admit it. So reluctantly, Sam agreed to take you, as it was only a simple hunt, a rogue werewolf who needed to be dealt with. Though, he was incredibly strict with his terms.Y/N was armed with a single shotgun that contained silver bullets, and a pocket knife. Things that she was told only to use in the case of an extreme emergency, which Sam was confident would not occur. If things went south, she was to run for it, go back to the Impala and wait. If Sam or dean weren’t back within the hour, she was to use thespare key Dean had given her to drive back to the bunker. 

As the Impala came to a hault outside the warehouse, which Sam had tracked the werewolf to, Sam turned to his daughter, who was sat excitedly in the back seat.

"You stay behind me at all times. It's just one werewolf, Dean and I will gank it, and then we're out of here. Understand?"

"Yes, Dad. " She rolled her eyes at her father’s overprotective ways, as she attempted to conceal how excited she was to be going on her first hunt.

After grabbing the needed equipment from the trunk, the three made their way into the old building. Dean kicked in the front door, and they made their way through the dark hallways, turning round sharp corners, always ready to attack. Dean’s flashlight was the only source of light, but that only seemed to add to the odd adrenaline rush Y/N was experiencing. Rounding another corner, they heard it before they could see it. The gruesome beast stood on its hind legs across the room, and was feasting on the bloodied remains of what appeared to be a human heart.

It snarled, dropping the heart from its pointed claws, slick with blood, as it stood to its full height, growling at the boys who stood protectively in front of Y/N. Dean raised his gun, yelling out a sort of battle cry, before charging towards the beast, shooting it with the silver bullets, of which the werewolf seemed to have no problem dodging. Sam pulled out his own gun, going to shoot, aiming for its head - only for it to dodge those bullets too. The animal was smart, and soon enough, both Dean and Sam had fired all the bullets they'd brought with them. The wolf went for Dean, grabbing and digging it's nails into him, making his arm bleed profusely before the creature threw him against the wall, knocking him out cold. Sam stood still protectively in front of his daughter, who was shocked by the scene that had unfolded in front of her. Sam remained still as the wolf snarled, baring it's teeth as it prepared to attack. 

"Y/N, you know what I told you to do." Sam whispered, hoping he could at least save his daughter.

"No, Dad. I won't leave you." Her voice shook through her cold and hard faced exterior - because she knew that Sam was weighing out his options, and many of the outcomes ended up with her being the only survivor. The werewolf was much more powerful than anticipated, and with Dean out cold, there wasn't much that could be done.

"I said run!" His angered, harsh tone frightened her, but she was stubborn, he supposed she got that from him. “Please.” He begged. 

That's all he was. A man, who now stood in front of his daughter, shielding her from pain so unimaginable, asking his little girl to run to save herself.

And as much as everything in her told her to stay, to fight , she obeyed.

A sense of relief filled Sam, as he watched his daughter run, now she was out of harms way, what happened to him didn't matter.

"Come at me then, you son of a bitch." Sam exclaimed, as he picked up an rusty metal pole from the floor, just as Dean began to regain consciousness. The werewolf charged towards Sam, knocking him off of his feet, as it climbed on top of him, it’s jaw snapping open and shut in an attempt to get a bite, though Sam only just managed to hold him off by using the metal pole to keep it at arms length. Though Sam knew it wouldn't hold. Suddenly a whistle cut through the thick air, and the werewolf's attention was diverted to its source, Y/N, who stood strong yet incredibly afraid, and had stupidly tried to save her father’s life by diverting the attention to herself. The werewolf left Sam, as it charged straight towards Y/N, bearing it’s teeth. In all honesty, she had no clue what she was doing. It was a death sentence, really. She may have been becoming a skilled fighter, but no way was she naive enough to believe she could fight of a creature like that. As it charged towards her at an alarming speed, she made no attempt to move. She couldn’t outrun it and she couldn’t fight it off. She was petrified, her blood pulsed through her and she felt as though she couldn’t breathe, but she simple glanced to her father, and she supposed that dying so that he could live wouldn’t be so bad. 

 So many things happened all at once. The sound of Sam screaming her name, or perhaps the hurried footsteps of Dean, who'd managed to scramble to and from the Impala since regaining conciousness to grab more silver bullets, or even the burning pain in Y/N’s abdomen, as the werewolf plunged its long talons into her with one swift move.

She gasped, watching helplessly as the werewolf removed is claws, and she stared as her crimson blood dripped from the tips, whilst her body fell heavy to the ground. The sound of a gunshot ran through the air, as the werewolf's body fell heavily a few meters away from her, and she could faintly make out the figure of Dean holding the gun. Sam ran toward her, kneeling at her side, as he took off his plaid jacket and attempted to apply pressure to her bleeding abdomen, though it was difficult, because his mind couldn't comprehend the quick events that had just occurred.

"Y/N?" Sam placed his hand on the side of her face, and she struggled to keep her eyes open to see him leaning over her. "Come on baby, don't leave." He begged and she could tell he was crying, but lacked the energy to make any movement.

She fought to keep her eyes open, looking into his as tears poured from them. "Dad. It hurts."

"I know baby girl, I know. But hey, it'll be okay. Dean! Dean!" Sam looks behind him, to Dean who is stood in shock at the sight of his niece lying so near death in front of him. "Dean! What're you doing? Call Cas!"

Nodding rapidly, Dean begins murmuring to himself, though after numerous tries, there was no sign of the angel.

"Damnit Cas!" Dean cried, his fist colliding with the wall next to him, before he went to kneel next to Sam and his dying niece. Sam was whispering sweet nothings into his daughter’s ear, making empty promises, as his hand gripped her’s tightly. Sam looked hopefully up at his brother, hoping that he'd managed to get Castiel's attention, though Dean could only shake his head.

"He's not coming Sammy."

Sam looked exasperated. Tears cascaded down his stubbly cheeks, and he held his daughter close as he continued to promise her that it was all going to be okay.

"Uncle D?" She whispered, her other hand reaching out for his, needing all the comfort she could get.

"Yeah, I'm here sweetheart." He promises, as Sam looks at him, and Dean can practically hear his heart breaking.

"Promise me you'll take care of Dad." Tears fell down her cheeks. “He’ll blame himself, but, but you can’t let him, okay? This was my decisionand I-” She cut herself off, lacking the energy to continue speaking. She knew things weren't going to get better. This was it for her. But She'd never regret dying if it meant her father could live.

" Hey, hey, It’s okay. I promise darling." He kissed her forehead sweetly, as did Sam, and as Sam begged helplessly for his daughter not to go, her head finally fell to the side, and her hands fell limp, her eyes falling closed as her breathing ceased.

"Y/N? Baby girl? Wake up." Sam took his daughters arms, and shook her gently, as if that would bring her back. "Please, Y/N. You can't leave."

And Dean can do nothing but watch as his heartbroken brother cries over the daughter that deserved so much more than what she got. Sam sat beside his daughter for hours, holding her limp and cold body in his, rocking her back and forth as he sang the song his mother used to sing to him when he was young. Eventually Dean managed to convince Sam that it was time to go.

"Come on, Sammy. We should go now. We can give her a proper hunters funeral, like she deserves." Dean attempted to say, as he touched his brothers shoulder, though Sam shoved him off.

"No." Sam roughly said, as he stood, lifting his daughter into his arms. "We'll bury her. So she can come back to us when she's ready."

"Okay, Sammy. If that's what you want." Dean hated seeing his brother in such a way, and this time there was nothing Dean could do to make it any better. So Dean sat in the drivers seat, taking her to a lovely patch of greenery, where Y/N's favourite childhood spot was for her and Sam to watch the stars, and Sam sat in the back, cradling his dead daughter to his chest, as tears still fell down his cheeks.

That was the night that Y/N Winchester died.  A night that Sam would never forget.

[cozykhaos]

A New Sun. Part 2

The day dragged as usual and it wasn’t until after lunch that I was summoned to the sixth floor, the executive offices. I took the elevator up, and it opened to a large open room. It was a whole different world up here. The flooring was dark gray concrete with sparkling inlays, a crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room, there weren’t any windows, but an entire wall phased through scenes. Cherry blossoms in Japan, the mountains, the ocean. On and on it went, soft music playing in the background.

“Ma’am?” A brunette woman looked at me from behind a desk.

“Yes, sorry, that’s just really – “My voice trailed off as a scene of a crystal-clear lake appeared.

“Beautiful, right?”

“Very,” I bounced a little on the balls of my feet, nerves getting the best of me.

“Kit! In here please” Diane poked her head out of an office to my left. She disappeared, and the door shut once again.

The brunette frowned. “Go on in I guess.”

I entered the room, beside Diane was a handsome man I had never met before. He towered above me, even with his authority stance of his legs parted at shoulder length, arms crossed in front of him. He had a strong jaw that was shadowed with black stubble, he had a full head of thick black hair and deep brown eyes. His shirt, even though collared with a tie, was short sleeves and his olive skin glowed from being outside. I glanced over at Diane who had put on makeup today, her cheeks were rosy, lips cakey with too much lipstick. From where she was standing behind the man, she was clearly checking out his ass. Good for you Diane, good for you.

“Hi, Miss McKenzie my name is Thomas,” he flashed a smile of perfectly straight white teeth and extended his hand. I shook it and flashed a smile of my own. “Nice to meet you.”

He moved behind his desk and motioned for me to have a seat, Diane shifted nervously in her spot, still standing.

“Miss McKenzie, I know there was an issue yesterday with a –“ He paused and looked over the paper work. “Mr. Anthony Lynell, he called in and placed a complaint about you. Your first one since you started working here. That’s rather impressive.”

I didn’t respond, Thomas cleared his throat and continued. “I have reviewed the audio tapes of Mr. Lynell’s conversation with you and Miss Gould and have come to determine that he was the one out of line.”

I relaxed and handed out a folder that I had brought with me. “I did a little bit of research, in case this didn’t go well for Lauren and I. Mr. Lynell has a profile with us and the notes that have been documented are very concerning. He has been aggressive with numerous employees. Name calling, threats. He apparently tried to beat one of the service technicians with a cowboy boot. I’m surprised he hasn’t been brought to a supervisor’s attention before,” I handed over the folder and Thomas thumbed through it, a frown tugging at the corners of his lips. Diane shifted in her still standing position, was that sweat I spotted on her upper lip?

“This is very good work Miss McKenzie. I’m going to make sure I reach out to Mr. Lynell myself and let him know we will no longer be doing any sort of work for him.”

“But-“ Diane started. Thomas raised a hand, silencing my boss, then leaned forward. “I have been reviewing your file with us Miss McKenzie, I’m very impressed. When you started here you were right out of high school and working in the warehouse. Where you came up with a new process on getting new service vans set up. Before it would take us weeks to get a new van out to the field. Your process changed that to matter of days. You were then sent to warranty where you climbed into a management position in just a year and you were going to college full time. That’s where you have been the last 4 years. Our customer service scores are the highest they have ever been, and we haven’t missed a 24-hour deadline in the time you’ve been there.” He leaned back in his chair. “How would you like to be our new Humane Resource Manager?”

“But Thomas –“Diane started but she was cut off by another raised hand.

“Diane, we are all done here, you may leave,” Thomas nodded towards the door. Diane stared at him, mouth hanging open. Finally, after a tense minute Thomas got up, placing his hand on her lower back he led her to the door.

“Sorry about that,” Thomas spoke as he sat back down. “You don’t have to say yes right away, I understand it’s a lot to drop on you,” he slid a packet of paper work my way. “Look it over and see what you think, get with me in the next couple of days, my extension is listed as your point of contact,” he flashed another smile.

“Wow, uhm thank you!” I finally managed to get out. “I will back to you.”

The smile stayed as he watched me, I wonder how long he could keep it plastered on his face. I shook his hand again another round of “nice to meet you,” and I was making my way back to elevator after a wave to the brunette. Once inside I leaned against the back wall and stared at the double doors, some part of me was screaming to take the elevator to the bottom floor and start running. But this was a huge opportunity, I called this job my big girl job, but the promotion was a full-on adult job. I flipped through the paper work finding the salary and let out a low whistle, I’d be making more than double my yearly income now. The doors opened to my floor and the thought hit me, I’d be stuck here.

I set myself on autopilot and finished out the rest of my day. As soon as I left the front doors, I dialed my dad.

“Hello Sunshine!” He greeted me.

“Hey dad,” I forced a smile onto my face, hoping it came through my voice.

“What’s wrong?” Apparently, the smile didn’t work. I explained to him what had happened over the last two days and the offer that was on the table. “That’s great news, why do you sound so bummed out?”

The smile cracked, and the tears welled up in my eyes. “I hate it their dad.”

“No no, don’t cry Sunshine,” he soothed. “It’s going to be alright, do you want to meet up for dinner and we can talk about it?”

“No, it’s okay. I’m going to go home and try to unwind and calm down. How about tomorrow?”

“What is tomorrow, Friday?”

“Friday.” I confirmed

“I’ll meet you at Cal’s at 6:30?” He asked.

“It’s a date!” We said our goodbyes as I opened the front door.

I started the tub and threw my work clothes into my laundry basket. I went back to the tub and dropped in a bath bomb. I had a pillow that was for the bath that I had received as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I had thrown it in my closet and forgotten about it. After looking under a pile of clothes, a few gift bags, and an old photo album, I found the pillow still in its original box.

“Hah!” I cried out in triumph, doing a little dance when my toe stubbed something. After a string of curses, I looked down at want had assaulted me, a memory box. My mother had given it to me when I had graduated high school, since then I have only pulled it out a handful of times to add something to its collection. I brought it into the bathroom and set it on the toilet seat, I quickly installed the pillow at the back of the tub then submerged myself. I pulled the lid off the box and started looking through the contents. A piece of petrified wood from a beach trip with my dad, a program from Lost in Yonkers that I saw last year. I kept riffling through, there was something in here that was calling out to me, finally I found it, my fingers tingling as I touched the envelope. A letter my grandfather had left me, sealed with a purple wax stamp. Fingers shaking, I opened the letter and read:

My darling Kit,

If you are reading this, you must be in dire need of change.

The same thing happened to me, long ago. I’d lost sight over what mattered most in life… real connections with other people and nature. So, I dropped everything and moved to the place I truly belong.

I’ve enclosed the deed to that place… My pride and joy: Eos Farm. It’s located in Stardew Valley, on the Southern Coast, it’s a great place to start your new life.

This was my most precious gift of all, and now it’s yours. I know you will honor the family name, my Sunshine. Good luck.

Love, Grandpa.

I don’t know when I started crying, but the tears fell freely, and my shoulders shook. I folded the letter back up and placed it in the box. I slid into the hot water a hiccup escaping. My mind raced a mile a minute, I submerged myself under the water, my long red hair spreading out around me. I held my breath for as long as I could, counting the seconds, 14, 15, 16 … 25, 26, 27, 28, finally my lungs couldn’t take it anymore and I popped back up.

I had gone to the Valley as a teenager, I hadn’t been happy about it at first. I wanted to spend time with my friends, going to the beach, having sleep overs, going shopping. But dad insisted, saying that it would be good for me. He wasn’t wrong.

I spent my summer with grandpa, learning about the farm. Waking up at 6am to start watering, pulling weeds, and chopping wood. I would spend my afternoons in town with a group of the other teenagers that I had made friends with. We spent out afternoons on the beach, Abbigail, one of the local girls I had met, with purple hair, kind eyes and a sunny smile, we would run down the pier, hand-in-hand, jumping, the ocean rising up to meet us., Sam, who’s hair was long and down to his shoulders, with too much energy and Sebastian, his black hair short, fingers always tapping against the side of his leg. There were other teenagers in town about our age, but it was usually the four of us. How long had it been since I talked to them? Abby had reached out to me numerous times over the years, but I always at work, or in the middle of a project for work. Eventually the text and phone calls stopped. In fact, they had stopped from all my friends. I went on facebook, scrolling through my timeline, they were still out there. Living their lives, finding that perfect work/life balance. While their lives continued, dating, getting married, having babies, going out on weekends, I was frozen in place. Frozen in Joja Corporation limbo.

Grabbing my phone off the side of the tub again I dialed my dad. He picked on the second ring. “Everything okay, Sunshine?”

“I’m moving to Stardew Valley.”

I went into work Friday and let them know I was leaving. I didn’t give an explanation, just handed in the note and walked out. It felt good walking out the front door of Joja for the last time. My dad was at my apartment when I got home, moving boxes at the ready. It took the majority of Friday and the weekend to sort out things. I had to call the Mayor, Lewis to let him know I was coming, the old man sounded excited and let me know things would be set up by Monday when I arrived. I got rid of my Joja Corp clothes which were all business casual, I wouldn’t be needing them on the farm. I brought my pots and pans, packed up my computer and consoles. A lot would be going to my dad’s house, the farm house was small. From what I remember there was only two rooms. The main room and the bathroom, the main room had a small kitchenette, fireplace, table and a bed.

I didn’t like the idea of downsizing and I refused to leave my computer desk behind, I would find a place for it. Early on Monday morning I handed over the keys to my dad, since I owned the apartment, we had decided we would rent it out. We stopped at McDonald’s to get breakfast on our way out of town, then spent the next 3 hours of the drive bantering back and forth about the farm. My grandfather had passed away just after I graduated high school and the farm had been abandoned ever since. Dad had decided to come with me, he knew there was going to be a lot of work to get done. Despite that he was only in his 50’s he had been retired for a while now. He had served his 20 years in the military and then retired, doing odd jobs around town as a handyman.

               A smiling red head waved us down as we approached the bus stop. “Mayor Lewis sent me out here to welcome you while he finishes getting things ready.”

I smiled and opened the door, scooting over the middle, Robin pulled herself into the cab and shut the door. “Hey, Kit. Good to see you again sweetie!” She gave me an awkward one-armed hug. “It might be tough to get the truck in, I’m warning you now,” she said with a grimace.

“Robin! Thanks for meeting us. Is it that bad?” I looked at her. Robin scrunched up her nose and nodded. Oh boy.

No matter what Robin said, nothing could have prepared me for the state of the farm. We were jostled around in the cab of the truck as we bummed over fallen branches and stones.

Lewis existed the house, taking off his hat he waved at us.

“Holy shit,” I breathed out, earning a giggle from Robin.

“Sure, it is a bit overgrown, but there is some good soil underneath this mess!” Robin said as she hopped out of the truck. I caught my dad’s face out of the corner of my eye as he rounded the truck. It was the same as mine, mouth open, green eyes wide. “With a little dedication you’ll have it cleaned up in no time!”

“Kit!” Lewis walked over to us, making sure to step lightly on the groaning porch steps. He gathered me up in his arms giving me a hug. “It’s so good to see you again!” He held me at arm’s length.

“Hi Lewis,” I beamed up to him. “I’m glad to be back. Even though the circumstances kinda suck.”

He laughed. “They do kinda suck.”

My dad cleared his throat as he looked up at the house. “Very… rustic,” he chimed in.

“That’s one way to put it,” Robin snorted. “Crusty might be more appropriate.”

Mayor Lewis bristled. “Don’t listen to her! She’s just trying to get you to buy one of her house upgrades!” Robin glared at the old man and playfully slapped his arm. Lewis turned his attention to my dad. “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

Dad shook his head. “I’m James, Kit’s dad. I dropped her off in the summer. But I usually just had her practice tucking and rolling then went on my merry way.”

Robin erupted into a fit of laughter.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. We should get going, you’ve probably already had a long day and will want to start unpacking.” Both started to go but Robin doubled back. Lewis hung out on the edges of the farm waiting for her.

“The kids wanted to come by today, I told them to wait until tomorrow. Figured you would be overwhelmed,” she waved before joining Lewis again.

Once it was just to two of us again, I finally looked out across the acres of land. It was a wasteland with broken branches, trees slouched over from past storms, the earth looking as if it had been chewed up and spit out.

“What have I done?” I sank down to the ground, dad sat next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“You haven’t done anything yet. We are just getting started.”

I looked at him and gave him a weak smile.

[poeticsandaliens]

Cactus Flower (or There ain’t no grave)

Pairing: Heist Wives (Debbie x Lou)

Rating: Explicit. 

Summary: Angst, porn, but emotionally charged porn with a side of hurt/comfort and some near death experiences. Lou is reckless and crashes her bike in New Mexico. Debbie—rife with unresolved attraction and something one would typically call ‘love’—goes after her.

Tagging @tasha-vick, and also @smashingmagicklovely whose “Lou looking like a pimp with a cane” prompt and @alannaofroses whose hurt/comfort prompt I used as inspiration.

Read Here on AO3

When her phone rings, four PM on a lazy August afternoon, Debbie is melting like hot wax over Tammy’s kitchen stools. Her cheek smushes into her fist, propped half asleep against the counter. A glass of ice tea sweats beside her. The warehouse had grown eerie in Lou’s absence; as the temperature climbed, its air smelled of dust and hot aluminum, and her voice echoed off the walls like a choir of poltergeists. Eventually, she couldn’t stand to laze about the place and paid Tammy a visit.

“Are you gonna get that?” Tammy asks, wiping the counter free of crumbs.

Her gaze flicks to the buzzing phone. “Why would I?”

“It could be important.”

Debbie sags into her seat. Glancing at the unknown number— “It’s not Lou.”

“Oh, so you’re sulking around my house because your girlfriend took a vacation without you.”

“Not my girlfriend,” Debbie scowls, but her heart isn’t in it. “And only if by ‘took a vacation’ you mean ‘fucked off the face of the planet.” That’s the real issue, here—Lou went AWOL a month after the heist without so much as a goodbye text.

“Bullshit.” Tammy rolls her eyes. “You two are practically married, and you know it. Your—how did Constance put it—eye sex makes everyone around you uncomfortable.”

“Tammy, it’s Lou. Lou is—” Solitary, impulsive, off the map in more ways than one.

“As head over heels for you as you are for her. Trust me.”

“I’m not—”

“Debs, we’ve known each other for a long time.” Tammy leans over the counter, resting her hand on the lid of the blender and shooting her a very pointed look. “You can’t lie to me. I am the only genuine adult in your life, and as an adult I reserve the right to tell you to get your head out of your ass.” She lowers her voice to a whisper and throws a sidelong glance at the hallway, checking for eavesdropping children. “This… pining needs to stop.”

“I’m not talking about this,” she tells Tammy under her breath. It is as close as Debbie Ocean gets to you’re right. Privately, she has resigned herself to the possibility that Lou got tired of waiting for a declaration of love. She has not yet resigned herself to the possibility of never seeing Lou again.

“Have you heard from her at all?”

“No one hears from Lou when she’s on the road.” Also not entirely true: A week after she left, Lou sent her a photograph with no caption, of a blush-pink flower sprouting from the arm of a saguaro. She didn’t respond.

Debbie’s phone buzzes again, rattling the granite countertop. The same number, a 505 area code and an ominous persistence, flashes onto her screen. Tammy arches an eyebrow, purses her lips worriedly.

“It’s a con,” she assures Tammy.  

“How do you know?”

“Because I’ve done that con.” She tries to sound confident; phoning it in has always been her specialty, but the facade drops where Lou is concerned. She can’t suppress the tug in her gut—what if it is Lou, calling from some pay phone in the middle of nowhere? She wants to hear I love you. I miss you, through static and Lou’s husky drawl. They’re both romantics at heart, beneath their wit and jaded shells.

The phone goes quiet. They let out sighs she didn’t even know they were holding. Then, after a moment measured only in relieved breaths, it buzzes again. Same number. Tammy opens her mouth, but Debbie caves first. She grabs the phone off the counter.

“What the hell do you think you’re—”

“Harsh, Debbie. And here I thought you missed the sound of my voice.” Lou rattles her, rough and rousing through the speaker. She presses her lips together and fights back a smile, keeps her optimism in check. She can’t help her sharp intake of breath, or the thrum of her heartbeat, or the nagging sensation that something isn’t right.

It’s the name that throws her. Maybe the unknown number should concern her, but sirens wail in her head every time Lou says her name, and not ‘Honey’ or ‘Deb,’ or ‘Sweet’ when she’s tipsy. Her name only crosses Lou’s lips in moments of intimacy, uttered as a prayer or a curse. Never in passing, never in greeting, never in casual conversation. The last time Lou greeted her with “Debbie,” she cornered her in their miniscule apartment and read her the riot act about trusting Claude Becker. Two months later she was in jail.

“I thought you were a scammer.” She goes for nonchalant—she always does, with Lou. Her hand trembles, but her speech remains steady.

“I am,” Lou replies.

“Ha ha. What happened Lou?” She can hear the exhaustion in Lou’s voice—it was always weathered, sure, but her familiar accent and the swing of her words have given way to a cadence Debbie doesn’t recognize, like a violinist playing with snapped bowstrings.

“I need you to come to New Mexico.”

“Why?” She wants it to be a job, but there’s nothing in New Mexico she feels comfortable stealing.

“Good news or bad news first?”

“You’re stalling.” She wouldn’t call it so blatantly if her heart wasn’t cracking her damn ribcage. She hates where this conversation is going; she hates Lou’s inability to admit something went wrong, hates it even more because she understands it. She had plans, impressive plans, and even as the detectives were slapping handcuffs on her wrists she convinced herself those plans would run smoothly. She would sell the art; she would rig a poker tournament; she wasn’t going to jail. Everything was going to be fine.

“I ate shit in San Juan Valley,” Lou growls. “A rock flew into my spokes, the tire jammed, and I hit a hoodoo so hard I smashed it. As it turns out, rocks are stronger than people.”

“Jesus Lou, when was this?” Debbie holds her breath. Tammy is staring at her across the counter, eyes wide as dinner plates.

A pause. “Four weeks ago.”

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me four weeks ago?”

“Why does it matter?” Lou sounds infinitely more bitter than she did two minutes ago, but more importantly she sounds like she’s on the verge of tears. Lou. On the verge of fucking tears. And Debbie’s not sure whether to apologize or panic. Hearing Lou waver like that flips her guilt switch like nothing else can.

“It’s bad,” whispers Lou. “It’s fucking bad.” she collects herself. “Come to New Mexico. I’ll text you the address.”

There’s a decisive click, and the line buzzes eerily. She puts down her cell phone.

“Deb?” Tammy waves a hand over her face. “Deb, what happened?”

“Lou crashed the bike in New Mexico,” she tells Tammy, and it still sounds like a cosmic impossibility, like she’s looking in on some other universe or maybe just tossing and turning through a routine nightmare. Maybe she’ll wake up in an hour.

“Is she all right?”

Debbie slings her bag over her shoulder and pushes in the stool. “I don’t know,” she snaps in Tammy’s general direction. “I don’t know, God,” she hunches over the counter, resting her elbows on the cool granite and pressing all ten fingers to her temples. “I don’t know,” she whines again, trying and failing to inhale. “It’s really fucking bad, that’s all she said.”

Tammy, always a mother to her friends in some capacity, rests her palm on Debbie’s back. “If she called you, it can’t be that bad.”

“I’ve never heard her sound like that before, Tam,” and the tears come as a shock. Somehow, she never thought she’d break this easily. “She sounded so… fragile. Lou did. Do you have any idea what it would take for her to sound like that?”

Tammy presses her lips together. Debbie knows she’s lost for words, lost for solutions. Debbie doesn’t blame her—she’s supposed to be the calm, collected one, not the fearless criminal mastermind having a panic attack at her friend’s kitchen counter. And yet—it’s Lou. God, everything in her aches for Lou; she’s so in love with this woman. She needs Lou like her own blood. Losing it drop by drop since May is slowly killing her, but hearing Lou crack is unfathomably worse. She imagines losing Lou in one fell stroke, running in circles like a chicken with its head cut off.

“I know how I’d feel if it were my husband.” Tammy tells her. “I’d want to see him as soon as possible. I would want to hug him and kiss him and reassure myself over and over again that he was alive.” She, too, seems on the verge of terror, but suppresses it for Debbie’s sake. “That’s why you need to pull yourself together, Deb. Go to New Mexico, and don’t come back without her.”

                                                           * * * * *

New Mexico blisters her skin. She rides the adrenaline of anxiety and tangible heat waves, barreling through the wasteland in a canary yellow rental car. She watches the skyline through Lou’s black aviators, her shoulders pinking through the open window. Sunscreen is for tourists, for people whose best friend isn’t lying on some stale hospital cot.

A billboard shimmers against the buzzard-flecked sky. Jesus Saves. 1-800-TRUTH, in block letters, a raven perched on its rim. She wonders if Lou passed the same sign, revved her motorbike and tossed back her head in irreverent laughter. She understands now, why Lou loves the desert. It’s hellish, desolate, but if she looks closely it brims with tenacious life. Rattlesnakes and roadrunners and the skulls of lost cattle, bleached like fine decor. The undergrowth sprouts spines for foliage. Creatures here breathe dust, drool poison; at night they mate and birth beneath the sand. Lou belongs here, a leathered and weathered outlaw of a woman ripping through hell with the scream of a two-stroke engine, grinning into the blaze. Beneath her prickly shell, she is ripe and lurid as a cactus flower.

Eventually, the highway winds into a labyrinth of hoodoos, lurching overhead like the ghosts of cowboys summoned by her arrival. By Lou’s arrival. They line the road, her honor guard as she nears the town of Farmington. Behind the hoodoos, toothy spires of rock jut toward sky. She thought the rock here would be redder, ruddier, but it seems the New Mexico sun has stripped the landscape to its bones, as it strips everything that lives and dies here.

                                                    * * * * *

She tells the receptionist she’s here to see a Moira White. She recognizes Lou’s alias from their youth, scamming their way through Vegas casinos, counting cards at cocktail parties. She gets in with a confident “I’m her sister” and an updated ID reading Carrie Everton-White. For the first time, Debbie can’t help but think how much easier it would be to do this legally, to respectfully offer her real name and cement her place in Lou’s life.

She finds Lou in beaten-down street clothes—a leather jacket that’s clearly seen some shit and a turquoise vest. Something in Debbie seizes when she notices the tie—even here, in a fucking hospital, Lou had to put on her tie. She sits on the edge of bed, her palms digging into the sheets. She is painfully out of place here, in this muted room that smells of antiseptic.

Debbie shoves her hands into her pockets, let the car key dig into her skin. “Hey, Lou.”

Lou looks up, and something like shyness—as close as Lou’s ever come to it—passes over her features. Shyness and two thick, white scars along her chin and cheekbone, where lines of stitches had done their part. “Hi.”

                                                             * * * * *

The story is one Debbie has heard a thousand times— roving, hungry-eyed man grasping at a young waitress. Lou, who’s gritty sense of justice rails for all the girls who used to be her, putting her glitzy, green boot between the him and the her and daring him to protest. The waitress scampered back to the kitchen, and the man spat tobacco through his salt-and-pepper beard and asked her if it was here shiny new bike out front. If she meant it when she told him to back off, if she had the balls to back it up.

The girl—Laura, eighteen, waitressing to pay her way through college—watched it go down. She watched them scream down a dirt highway track where at night, kids smoke fat cigars and homemade blunts and race their purple Volkswagens into the moon. Where one day in July, Lou smoked a man like a cheap cigarette until he kicked up a rock and it caught between the wrong two spokes of her wheel, and she barreled so fast into a sandstone spectator that it crumbled.

“Thing is,” Lou says now, “the bike took most of the damage, but that’s not saying much. The rock shattered like shrapnel. One piece stuck in my leg, another one in my hip. There were other things—a couple bruised ribs, a few stitches, but Jesus, Deb. There was a lot of blood.” She stares, fixates, on the scuffed tile floor and takes a deep breath. “I died out there. The rock nicked an artery. They only told me when I came to.” Another pause, another breath through her nose. “My leg is fucked.” She glances up to meet Debbie’s espresso-brown eyes, and Debbie knows that despite her best efforts Lou can see them water.

“I don’t mean broken, Deb. I mean fucked. I mean, it’ll walk, but never without help. Some things just can’t be fixed, not when a slab of rock the size of a railroad spike ripped through them.” She blinks at Debbie, hoarse and frustrated and trying to gauge a reaction. “Are you going to say anything?”

Lou can’t look at herself in the silence, not yet. She fucking died here. Debbie always pictured Lou as the rebel riding through the wasteland, but she was nearly another body swallowed into it and bleached beneath its endless sky. “You’re really something, Lou.” Her lower lip trembles in a relieved, tired smile. She rests a hand on Lou’s shoulder, reassuring herself that her partner is not a ghost.

Lou makes a face. “Well I better be,” she drawls, “I came back from the damn grave.”

“Yeah,” Debbie whispers, letting her fingers run through Lou’s un-styled hair, committing to memory her partner’s soft planes and sharp edges. “Yeah, you did.”

                                                       * * * * *

Lou forges Moira White’s signatures on her release forms while Debbie gathers some of her things.

“I didn’t want you to see me in that Godawful hospital gown,” Lou confesses, “so I sent Laura to my hotel for a change of clothes.”

“Laura, the waitress?” Debbie asks. Lou mentioned she’d used the girl’s phone to call her, and that she had been by.

“Yeah.” Lou ties back her hair with a snap of a rubber band. “She wanted to help. Apparently, I ‘defended her honor.’ She was a smart kid and didn’t ask too many questions about where I came from, so she made good conversation while I was trapped in this awful room.” In their line of work, honest conversation has always been a luxury. It’s never strangers they have to worry about, but people close enough to trust. There are two kinds of people a thief can talk to: a trusted partner and a friendly face she’ll never see again.

“Done.” Lou sets down the clipboard on her side table. She drums her fingers on the wood. “I’m not sure—” her voice falters, and Debbie’s heart breaks. “I’m not sure how to do this.” How to walk out of here, how to reclaim her freedom. This was the heartbreak Debbie hid while she was schmoozing the cops for parole.

She looks at the sleek black cane leaning against the bed. Its head is a gleaming cobra, its fangs poised to strike. Leave it to Lou to find a cane that looks like it belongs to a fuck-you rich Grim Reaper. It’s impressive, really.

She meets the cobra’s emerald eyes, then Lou’s blue ones. “Where did you get that?”

Lou smirks—a raw, tainted thing—and says, “I stole it from Bram Stoker while I was dead.”

“You would rob a Victorian aristocrat.”

“Well,” Lou replies, with distinctly less spunk than Debbie’s used to, “turns out Amazon will deliver your shit anywhere when you have thirty-eight million dollars.”

Debbie snorts out a laugh and waits. She looks at Lou, wearing black leather and velvet on the cot’s stark white sheets, her legs dangling over the side. She looks at the stumped pout of Lou’s lips and the furrow of her brow as she decides to do this but doesn’t know what she’s doing or how. The cobra’s head bursting from a slick cane, staring Debbie down.

What now? it seems to ask.

She thinks of the night Tammy’s son was born. She wasn’t there—she was in prison, missing her friends’ life milestones and entertaining revenge fantasies—but one day over coffee Tammy told her the story. How she lay in the hospital bed, haggard and hungry, with this fragile-as-cobwebs being wriggling in her arms. How her husband sprawled on the visitor’s chair with a five o’clock shadow and frightening bags beneath his eyes and watched them with the most tender, puzzled look she’d ever seen. How utterly lost they both felt, wondering what the hell to do now, because in Tammy’s words, here’s a breakable, bendable person we love with our entire being, and there isn’t a fucking manual for this.

And when she meets Lou’s eyes, Debbie understands. What she feels now is incomparable to parenthood, but it’s something akin to what Tammy described—an older, wearier cousin of that daunting what now? How do we do this?

Debbie unbuckles her nude pumps and slips them off her feet to match Lou in height. She sits down next to her, sinking into a desperate silence.  Lou, indomitable Lou—who crafts solutions out of thin air, who finishes fights, who puts out candles with her tongue—watches her through storm-blue eyes, begging her to know what to do. Quietly, hesitantly, Debbie slips an arm around her partner’s waist, and she feels Lou do the same. Lou’s other hand clasps the green-eyed cobra. When Debbie stands, Lou stands too, trembling and unaccustomed to the remake of her own body. Debbie’s discarded shoes glint in the flare of fluorescent light.

* * * * *

They drive Northeast through Utah and Colorado, watching the landscape darken to the color of tangerines and bushfires, then fade to a smoky grey. The Rockies tower over them when they finally pull into a Motel 6, sheltering wildflowers and patches of summer snow.

Tammy calls first, and Debbie gives her the rundown while Lou sits in a lukewarm shower. She offers to tell the others, so Debbie doesn’t have to, so she and Lou can curl up in a cheap hotel quilt and figure out how their lives are going to change.

The next phone call is from Daphne, who informs them that she’s catching a plane to New York ASAP and no one can stop her. Then Nine Ball, Amita, Constance. Even Rose, who barely uses her mobile phone. The turnover of friendly voices touches her—the gang is rallying, turning up for she and Lou because apparently nothing fosters friendship like stealing a hundred and fifty million dollars in diamonds.

Lou emerges from the bathroom in a plaid cotton robe. Debbie holds her waist, steadies her, and they limp to the tatty queen-sized bed. “Thanks,” says Lou bitterly as she sits down.  

“Yeah,” Debbie replies, rubbing feather-light circles on her back. The cane, an implement for balance more than support, lies on the carpet. Lou glares at it.

“God, I’m not used to this.” Lou chuckles, her shoulders shaking.

“You almost died, Lou. You did die. You don’t have to be used to it right now.” I almost lost you. It’s selfish, sure, but she lived five years without Lou, and she won’t do it again.

Lou’s eyes glisten. She laughs something throaty and harsh. “I don’t know what I’m doing, honey. I know how to wait for a wound to heal; I waited five years and eight months for you to get out of jail, but this isn’t a waiting game. I’m different now; my body is… different, misaligned. It’s as fixed as it’ll ever be.” She sighs. “I haven’t figured out how to live with that yet.”

“Lou, look at me.”

She looks—wet, ice-blue eyes, all cheekbones and stubborn pride. Debbie kisses her. She loves this woman, this reckless, ritzy lover, patron saint of neon club lights and the vibrant blossoms of cacti.

“I don’t care,” she mumbles into Lou’s lips. “I don’t care if you walk with that stupid supervillain cane; I don’t care about scars; I don’t care if you don’t look invincible anymore.”

When they break apart, Debbie’s heart beats into her ribs at a million miles an hour. Her breaths come in heated pants. “I’m so in love with you. I’m sorry it took me this damn long.”

“Sweetheart,” Lou purrs, as if she hasn’t teared up. “I’ve been gone on you for decades.”

This time, she captures Lou’s lips in the searing kiss she deserves and feels the rapturous rumble of Lou’s vocal chords against her hand. She pushes her back into the mattress, sliding a hand between the buttons of her vest and tugging them open one by one.

“How do you want to do this?” Lou asks as they part for air.

“Carefully,” she says, deadpan. Here.” She musters the swagger to take the lead she once imagined Lou would take, and Lou bares herself naked with her back on the sheets, her good leg bent and Debbie between her knees. Debbie kisses her way down collarbones and bare breasts. She takes Lou’s taut nipple between her teeth, eliciting a husky moan. Her fingers flutter over the scar on Lou’s cheek, the one beneath her ribs, and down her hipbone, before slipping between her thighs.  

She always thought that when they cracked, it would be Lou slamming her into a brick wall, kissing her sloppily, drunkenly, scotch on her breath and her hands all up in Debbie’s cocktail dress. She didn’t think it would be this languorous, that Lou would be so delicate and pliable, coming undone beneath her. “You’re really something,” Debbie murmurs, bringing her mouth back to Lou’s and reveling in the feeling of Lou’s wanting tongue between her lips.

Lou smells like Old Spice and shampoo, and Debbie breathes her in. She dips two experimental fingers into Lou’s center and cradles her when she arches off the bed, conscious of the injury to which neither of them has adjusted. “Fuck,” she growls, thrusting and curving into Lou, fitting the shapes of them like gears on a clock as it ticks down to the hour. Her sex aches; she labors on Lou’s wiry body, the flex and flux of her musculature as she climbs, and she thinks all the dubstep, club-stall sex she had in her twenties will never compare to making love to Lou Miller in a Motel 6.  

When Lou comes, it’s quiet, a whimper from her chest and the ripple of her abdominal muscles beneath Debbie’s expert lips. Debbie hardly has to work herself to tip into orgasm with her, collapsing loose-limbed and short of breath, her lips still drifting down Lou’s midsection. She explores Lou without haste, as she has always been and as she has changed.

“Was that my delayed ‘welcome back to the land of the living?’” Lou asks when Debbie has settled, and their fingers have locked beneath the sheet.

“Something like that,” Debbie replies with a smug, post-coital smile.

“You know,” says Lou, her voice deepening thoughtfully, “I came back because I couldn’t bear for the last thing I ever sent you to be a picture of a plant.”

Debbie snorts. There’s something absurd about the whole thing, maybe because she didn’t see Lou for the first month after the crash, but there’s something darkly comic about Lou rising from the dead like the dapper, immortal being she is.

“It was a very pretty plant.” A cactus flower the color of a storm-born dawn.

Lou huffs. “I turned down the pearly gates for you,” she scoffs with a lopsided grin—the first snarky, all-Lou smile she’s seen since she arrived.

“Bullshit.” Debbie smirks. “We’re hellbound, Baby.” And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[hoffkk]

The First Time

Deception Drabble

Requested by: @castledisneyfan​

Request: "Get away from her/him/them before I break every bone in your body." &  a story of Kay almost getting killed which causes Cameron to realize his feelings and there may or may not be a kiss or two involved

Pairing: Kay x Cameron

********

“Get away from him before I break every bone in your body." Kay spat out venomously.

She had just caught up to Cameron who had gone after mystery woman on his own. She wasn’t sure what all had happened in the last few minutes, but by their disheveled appearances, it was clear there was a scuffle. The other give away was the knife that mystery woman had pressed against his throat. Bubbling with anger, Kay’s hand instinctively went for the holster on her waist.

“Go ahead.” Mystery Woman sneered. “By the time you do, his carotid artery will be severed, and he’ll bleed out in minutes... long before any help arrives.”

Gritting her teeth, Kay dropped her hand back to her side. “What do you want?” She asked forcefully, trying to keep her rage in check.

“You to leave,” Mystery woman retorted. “so I can finish my business with Mr. Black in private.”

“Not gonna happen.” She tossed back.

“Kay, go. I’ll be fine.” Cameron insisted, even though he wasn’t so sure it was the truth, but, he’d say or do just about anything to keep Kay out of harm’s way.

“Not. Gonna. Happen.” She repeated more slowly, emphasizing each word and the sincerity behind them.

“She’s got a bomb, Kay!” He yelled out in warning, which caused mystery woman to tighten her hold on Cameron and press the knife in deeper. He felt it cut lightly into his skin and draw a trickle of blood.

“Talk again and you’ll get more than a scratch.” She warned.

It all began to click into place. That was why Cam went rogue. Mystery woman had threatened him with a bomb. Kay quickly scanned the warehouse they stood inside of. She didn’t see any evidence of a bomb, just some trash and a few abandoned crates laying around, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t one. Something else nagged at her though. Explosives wasn’t mystery woman’s M.O..... and if she did, in fact, have some planted somewhere, why carry a knife? Something was definitely off. However, Kay wasn’t about to make any sudden moves. Not with Cam’s life on the line. She would just have to stall until back up came.

“Look,” Kay started. “I don’t know what you plan on doing with the bomb, but I know what you won’t be doing with that knife. Cameron’s too important for you to take out now. You need him to solve your mystery.”

“You sure about that?” Mystery woman taunted. “Don’t forget I’ll still have one twin left, and that’s all I need.”

“You really think Johnny would help you if you did something to his brother, especially after getting him falsely convicted of murder?” Kay asked in disbelief.

“I think freedom can be a powerful motivator.” She tossed back. “And if that fails, I can always use Cam, here, as an example of what could happen to the rest of the team if Johnny doesn't cooperate... starting with that British chick he’s so obsessed with.”

With one hand twisted behind his back, Cameron didn’t have much room for movement, but he was still able to ball his free hand into a fist at his captor’s threat and tick his jaw, showing just how upset he was. Cameron didn’t feel for Dina the way Jonathan did, but he still loved her in a best friend sort of way. Therefore, he was never going to let anything happen to her... or the rest of the team for that matter. Not if he could help it. But for now, Cam would have to let Kay take the lead as he wasn’t exactly in the best position to put up a fight.

“Hurt Cameron, and I will have Johnny thrown in solitary confinement so secure that not even Houdini could break in.” Kay threatened as she took a menacing step forward. As she did so she noticed something flash in mystery woman's eyes, something Kay was all too used to seeing in her own... pain. Did that mean mystery woman had feelings for Jonathan? Hmm... she could work with that.

“That’s right.” Kay went on. “You’d never be able to get to him or even see him again. You would have neither twin and no way to get your answers.”

Mystery woman shook her head and scoffed, “I just had to pick the wrong twin.”

“What do you mean ‘wrong twin?’” Kay questioned, caught off guard by the comment.

Mystery woman sighed and decided to elaborate,“I have been meticulously planning and plotting for years in order to solve this mystery. Cameron and Jonathan were the perfect go to guys. I could incarcerate one and use him as leverage to manipulate the other into doing my bidding. It was brilliant... until I found out Jonathan was the one sent to prison. He was the smart one, the damaged one... he was supposed to be my partner in crime..."

“The Clyde to your Bonnie?” Kay asked dryly.

“Something like that.” Mystery woman retorted vaguely. “I knew with a little convincing and a little seduction, I could get him to see my way.... he would have helped me... he would have loved me.”

“But you picked the wrong one.” Kay reiterated.

“I didn’t think it mattered at first. I figured I could still make it all work.” The villainess droned on. “What I didn’t figure was that Cameron would get the FBI involved... or fall for one of their agents. But you just couldn’t leave well enough alone, could you?” She added pointedly at Cam as she traced the blade along his neck.

Kay took advantage of the distraction and moved forward a few more steps without being noticed. She didn’t let herself think about mystery woman’s comment about Cam. She’d worry about that later... after he was safe. Kay just had to keep this psycho chick talking a little while longer. If she got distracted once, then maybe she would again...

“So that’s why you lured Cameron here?” Kay asked knowingly. “To force him to be your partner instead of mine?”

“I planned on just asking nicely, but, like always, Cameron had to make things difficult.” Mystery woman explained snidely, looking from Kay to Cam and back.

“Yeah, I know the feeling.” Kay quipped. “And I also know that it must be killing you... standing here and talking to the one woman who has everything you don’t.” When mystery woman narrowed her eyes at Kay, she knew she had the psycho right where she wanted her, so she pressed on. “Not only do I have the power and authority you clearly crave, but I have access to Jonathan and Cameron whenever I want... not to mention their trust and affection. You have none of that... and you never will.”

Kay’s statement really hit mystery woman hard. So much so, that she grunted and glared wickedly at Kay with eyes that flashed green with envy. With her thoughts and anger not focused on Cameron anymore, her grip on him loosened just enough for Cam to break free and push her away. Screaming in frustration, mystery woman flung her dagger at Kay then pulled another from her jacket. Before she could throw that one too, Cam tackled her. They struggled for a moment until mystery woman got in a lucky punch and knocked him in the side of the head with the hilt of her knife, rendering Cameron unconscious.

Kay, who had her gun knocked out of her hand by the knife, got quickly to her knees to retrieve it from underneath an old crate that sat behind a few yards behind her. It took her longer than she would have liked, but Kay eventually managed to reach far enough to graze the weapon with her fingertips. However, before she could grab it, Kay was yanked backward across the floor. By the time she processed what was happening, mystery woman was already on top of her with the knife. They squabbled for a few seconds, Kay rolling over and pinning her on the floor then vice versa. Mystery woman kept her place on top this time and wielded the dagger in the air above her head. Kay grabbed at her wrists, forcing them upward while she swung down. Their equal brute strength from the adrenaline pumping through their systems put them in a stalemate, but Kay knew it wouldn’t last long. She was already beginning to feel weak. Just as the dagger started to slip down a few inches toward her head, Kay heard a loud bang! and then a muffled curse from her assailant as she fell to the side and dropped the dagger. Cameron immediately ran to Kay’s aide, kneeling down beside her and helping her sit up.

“Are you okay?” He asked worriedly as he set Kay's gun down on the floor and brushed some of her hair out of the way to get a better look at her face.

“Yeah, I’m okay.” Kay told him, then placed her hand over his that linger on her cheek and added, “Are you?”

Cameron released a relieved sigh and said, “I am now.”

They proceeded to share a warm smile just as sirens sounded in the distance. The police were closing in. It wouldn’t be long now.

Unfortunately, they weren’t the only ones in the room aware of the blaring noise growing nearer by the second.

Not ready to get caught and give up the mystery, mystery woman quickly rose to her feet, removed her hand from her bloody shoulder long enough to pull a small object from her jacket pocket, and threw it at the floor in front of her. All of a sudden, a massive explosion of smoke covered the area around her and quickly spread across the rest of the large room.

Turns out, she did have a bomb after all. A smoke bomb. That was why she still needed the knife. Smoke bombs, while effective in their own way, aren’t lethal. So, mystery woman needed another source of protection on her.  It all made sense now. At least, that is what Kay thought to herself as she and Cameron ran from the building, hand in hand, coughing up a storm.

Once they were outside, they breathed in the fresh air and scanned the area. They saw the FBI, the magic team, and local police all ready for action... however mystery woman was nowhere in sight.

“Dammit!” Cameron swore, kicking a chunk of asphalt across the torn up parking lot and then running a hand trough his hair in frustration.  He couldn't believe they lost the sorceress... again.

Kay felt terrible, but before she could even attempt any words of comfort, Cameron’s friends rushed over to him, checking to see if he was okay.  Meanwhile, Mike came over to her to do the same. From there, the rest of the evening went by in a blur as the two gave their statements, got checked out by the paramedic, and answered tons of questions.

*******

After Kay finished giving her boss, Deakins, a play by play of the evening back at the office, she was told to go home and get some rest. Obliging her superior, Kay headed out to her car. Except she didn’t go straight home. Instead, she made a detour to Cameron’s place.

Cam's eyes widened in surprise when he opened his door and found Kay on the other side.  Recovering quickly, he queried, "Kay? What are you doing here?  Did I forget to sign my statement or something?"

"No," She replied. "I'm actually here as a friend. Can I come in?"

"Oh, yeah, of course." Cameron nodded, stepping aside and opening the door wider.

Kay entered into the bachelor pad that Cam called home, then followed her host as he shut the door and headed for the red leather couch in the living room.  He sat down first across from an empty glass and a bottle of bourbon.  Kay sat next to him, leaving a respectable distance in between them.

"Want a drink?" He offered.

"Sure." She nodded, knowing they both could use one after the night they've had.

Cameron poured some into the glass and passed it to her.  Kay took it appreciatively and drank a small sip while he picked up the bottle and did the same.

"So, what's up?" He asked curiously.  "I figured you'd be home by now."

"I was headed that way," She began to explain.  "but I wanted to see you.  I wanted to make sure you were okay"

"I'm fine, totally fine."  Cam responded almost a little too reassuringly.  "After all, tonight's not the first time mystery woman has held me captive."

"No... but it is the first time you've shot someone." Kay said knowingly.  "And something like that has a tendency to shake a person up... no matter what the circumstances."

"You think?" He wondered aloud, growing curious.

"I know,"  Kay answered seriously.  "Mike threw up after his first time."  She added suddenly, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Really?" Cameron inquired with an amused tone.

"Don't tell him I told you."  She said pointedly.

"Scout's honor." He promised, holding up four fingers.

"You weren't a scout, were you?" Kay asked skeptically.

"Nope."  He answered, popping the 'p' and giving a smirk. She rolled her eyes and took another drink, giving him the opportunity to probe, "What about you?  Did you puke?"

Licking the access liquor off her lips, she replied honestly, "No... I did cry though. Not at the scene but after.  I went home that night and cried myself to sleep."

"Well, I haven't puked or cried."  Cameron noted.  "Should I have?  Am I supposed to feel sad?"

"You aren't supposed to feel anything."  Kay told him then elaborated.  "What I mean is... there's no one way to react to something like this.  Everyone handles it differently.  That's why I came here tonight... to let you know that whenever and however your emotions decide to come out over this, you shouldn't be afraid. You should embrace it."

"Well,"  He retorted.  "I'm not afraid of what I'm feeling.  If anything, I'm afraid of what I'm not feeling."

"What do you mean?"  She queried, setting her glass down on the clear coffee table.

Taking a deep breath, Cam replied, "When mystery woman attacked you.  I didn't feel anything toward her,  I didn't even think about her.  All I thought about... was you.  It didn't matter who was wielding that knife.  All that mattered to me was keeping you safe."

Noting a flash of pain in his eyes, Kay slid closer so their thighs were pressed against each other and took his hand in hers before saying, "And you did, Cameron.  You saved me.  Just like I saved you.  It's what partners do."

"What if I don't want to be just partners anymore?" He asked softly, his intense steel blue gaze boring into hers.

"Cam..." She started but wasn't sure how to finish.

Luckily, she didn't have to because Cameron hastily interrupted, "Look, if you can say that you honestly don't feel anything here, then I'll drop it.  But I definitely feel something, and I certainly felt a shit ton tonight when you were in danger... I just don't know what to think or what do except..." Cam hesitated a moment, then decided just to go for it, cupping Kay's cheek with his free hand and kissing her.  The kiss was deep and quick and caught Kay totally off guard.  A moment later, when he pulled back and stopped it, Cameron stared at her blank expression.  Feeling awkward, he blurted out, "I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have done that. I just... no.  You know what?  I'm not sorry because that was frickin' amazing, and  I--"

He never got to finish before Kay grabbed his face, pulling him forward to meet her lips once more. Only it was way more than once that their lips touched as she hungrily embraced him.  Naturally, Cam didn't mind at all, especially as she trailed a few kisses down his neck, making sure to put a soft peck on the new small scratch across his Adam's apple.  With that, Cameron moved his hands to the front of her suit jacket and pulled it off swiftly.  Kay helped, eager to be rid of the clothes in-between them, and removed her shirt in one big swoop, tossing it to the floor with her overcoat.  While he took a few seconds to admire the work of art that was Kay's half naked body, Cameron let her remove his jacket and button-down. She bit her lip then smirked at the view before kissing him passionately.  Quickly coming undone, Cam picked Kay up from the couch and began placing kisses down her jaw line and neck.  She responded enthusiastically, wrapping her legs around his waist and holding him tightly against her, feeling exactly how much he wanted her right now.  As their bodies and moans intertwined and became hotter, Cameron took Kay back to the bedroom where he could continue to ravage her and forget about everything else.

He may not be the best at explaining his feelings, but, man, Cameron knew exactly how he wanted to show them.  And show them he did... all the way up until the wee hours of the morning when they were too exhausted to go on.  Needless to say, Cameron fell asleep with a smile on his face that night.

As he drifted off, he couldn't help but think of that old saying: "You never forget your first."  It was true. Cameron would never forget his first time with Kay, and, with any luck... it wouldn't be the last.

[tenaciousarcadeexpert]

Unstoppable(Part 6)

@marvelfanlife​, @dontshootmespence, @literallyprentissstwin, @butsomeofusarelookingatthestars, @derekmorgansoffice, @ultrarebelheart, @itsmeedee​, @acespence​, @thebutterflyxx, @cynbx, @jaqren​, @imagicana, @isabelzimmer997​, @captainreid

Part 1,  Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

 The BAU and IRT decided to work together on how to find Matt before Remar does. Monty and Penelope search through the web and archives, finding anything more information on Remar and his personal background, Luke and Jack then head to pick up Matt’s kids while everyone else go through several files containing information regarding Remar. As the rest of the team try to locate their missing friend, Emily calls JJ. Knowing that Matt is in danger there is no doubt that his family’s life will be as well. She picked up her phone to call JJ, telling her everything from the IRT helping them to the fact that an international criminal that Matt previously captured has broken out of prison and is out on the run.

“Okay, thanks.” JJ responds after Emily tells her everything. After Emily tells her what was going on, there was no doubt that whoever is after Matt will also go after his family.

“What's wrong? Did you guys find him?" Kristy asked. JJ shook her head. "No, but we need to head to the bureau." "They're coming after me aren't they.” With her husband in danger, there’s no doubt that she too was also in danger. She then covers her mouth in fear as JJ comforts her. “No they won't, and I'll make sure that they won't." She responds. Kristy clutched onto JJ’s arms, terrified. “What about the kids-” “Don’t worry, Emily told me that Jack and Luke are on their way to pick up the kids, what matters is that we head to the bureau right now.” “Okay.” Kristy says as she tries to stay calm. “Just, please don’t leave me.” “I won’t. Now, let’s go. The two head out into the car as they reach to the bureau. As they leave they are suddenly pursued by a black sedan. Realizing that someone is following them, JJ speeds up as the car attempts to tail them. “Please don’t tell me that it’s him.” Kristy says, concerned. “I have a bad feeling it is. We’ll try to lose him at the next exit.” JJ says as she makes several turns. Within each turn, she checks the side rear view mirror. As she glanced out in the mirror several times, the car would not stop, no matter how many turns it takes. She struggles to lose the sedan as it keeps going whereever they go. “Please JJ, do something.” Kristy begs, fearing that whoever was following them will soon catch up. “Don’t worry, we’re gonna lose him.” JJ responds as she’s breathing heavily. She looks at the rear-view window as the car starts getting closer. “Come on JJ, think.” She mutters in her head.  She turns to look at Kristy. “Take my gun.” She says. “What?” She asked. “Just take it.” Kristy carefully pulls the gun from her holster. “You know how to shoot?” JJ asks as she stares at her mirror. “Barely.” She responds. "That's good enough for me. Listen, should anything happen, when necessary, use it. There's a good chance that you might have to.” "Okay." "And also, you know where the bureau is, do you?" "O-of course. Why?" "Just making sure." She briefly glanced at her, placing her hand on her wrist while staring back at the mirror. "Look, if we were to split up, run." "Run?" She nods. "Mm hmph, just run. Don't stop and don't even try to look back. If you see something unusual, run as fast as you can." “What about you?” Kristy asked. “Don’t worry about me, what matters is that you get to the bureau as possible.”   JJ managed to speed the car away from the sedan, but it wasn’t ready to budge as it copies every single move JJ makes. Just when all hope is lost, she noticed a truck driving off on the other side of the road. Calculating the distance between her car, the truck and the sedan, she speeds up.

“Are you crazy?” Kristy blurts out as she holds on to her seat.

“Well, we have no other option. Besides, what’s worst than not trying.” The sedan tries to catch to them but fails as JJ managed to drive past the truck before blocking the driveway. The truck eventually moves but by then, they were finally gone. The driver slams the steering wheel, angered that he lost them.

  Once she saw that the car was no longer in sight, JJ slows down. They were both relieved that they were no longer followed. “Promise me you won’t do that ever again.” Kristy said breathing heavily. “I won’t, but we still need to be careful.” JJ says as she looks around. “It’s possible that he might not be alone.” Eventually the two would reach the bureau. The two enter inside as Kristy saw the kids emerge from their seats to hug her. “Mommy!” they shouted as they saw her, safe and unharmed. She noticed the rest of the team approach her as she reached out and hugged every single member. She was relieved to see her kids safe as well as seeing the IRT there, however, she starts to frown again. “You still haven’t found my husband.” “No, I’m afraid not.” Emily says “But we will find him, that’s why Jack and the rest of the IRT are here to help.” “Oh, thank god.” Kristy was relieved. “You don’t know what just happened to me and JJ.” “Wait, what happen?” Emily asked curious. She then brings her into the conference room while Monty and Penelope bring the kids to a separate room. Once everyone was inside, JJ and Kristy told them what happened.

“You were followed?” Clara asked, shocked. “We were but thanks to JJ, we managed to lose him.” Kristy said. “Oh, thank god.” Penelope said, relieved. “You don’t know how much pain I’d felt if something bad happened to the two of you.” “No, but we’re glad that the two of you two are safe.” Emily said. “Thanks.” Kristy responds. “And we’ll make sure that it stays that way.” Jack said. The team then tells Kristy everything they know, particulary Matt's connection to Anton Remar and the fact that he just got broken out of prison. “You don’t think the guy targeting my husband is the same guy who followed us?” She asked. “It’s possible.” Emily said. Meanwhile, back at the driveway, the sedan is parked by a corner with the driver still in frustration. With Kristy and JJ out of his sight, he picks up his phone to make a call. A couple of blocks away shows Matt exiting out from a gas station. Hearing his phone ring, he answers the phone. “Hello?” He asked. “You think you’re so lucky. Don’t you.” The caller responds. “What do you mean?” Matt asked. “Oh nothing, just thought to give your wife a visit, that’s all. Such a beautiful woman, no wonder you married her.” “What the hell did you do to her?” Matt said, concerned. “Nothing. Like I said, I was just stopping by to give her a visit, though she managed to escape thanks to your FBI friend uh…Jenny? Oh right! I mean JJ, isn’t that what you call her?” “Listen you-” “No you listen. Your wife and your friend may have been lucky to escape from me but they won’t be the next time..as long as you do what I say.” “Okay.” Matt says, as tries to maintain his composure. “What do you want me to do?” He tries not to let his voice crack. “There’s an abandoned warehouse just a mile from where you are. Meet me there alone. No backup, just you and me. If, and I mean if I ever see anyone besides you, the next time I see you wife, she’ll begged for death.”

“You wouldn’t dare touch her.”

 “Actually, I would. Her fate is in your hands and make a wrong move, she dies, along with your children and your team. You wanna keep them alive, you do what I say. Is that too hard to understand?” He shook his head. “No.” “Good. So, if I were you, I’d go there right now.” He hangs up.

  Matt then puts down his phone as he stares into space. The constant calls and threats were making him impatient, and frustrated. It was bad enough that the caller attempted to follow his wife and now he threatens to rape her before killing her just because of something he didn’t do. Nevertheless, he followed his orders. He walks up to his car to open his trunk, tossing a small bag on top of a pile of guns and ammo before closing the trunk. Once he gets into the car, he takes a deep breath, staring at a photo of him and Kristy smiling with their first-born son, Jake, which he took out from the glove compartment. He turns the photo face-down before driving off. 

[zecretsanta]

To: @therealhousewivesofhyrule

From: @silvershoelaces

Happy holidays! 

Phi didn’t have much before she volunteered to be frozen, but now she had even less.  Her foster parents, already elderly when she participated in the simulated Mars mission forty-five years ago, were long gone.  And she’d sold all her stuff on eBay when she quit college in anticipation of participating in the Decision Game.  The only things she had left were what remained of her bank account, the clothes she was wearing, and the brooch she had had since she was a baby.  She didn’t even have knowledge about the outside world, now that it had changed so much, so the street smarts she’d prided herself on for twenty years?  May as well have been Star Trek trivia for all the good they’d do her.  As much as she valued her independence, it looked like she had no choice but to take Old Man Sigma up on his offer to take her in, at least until she found out whether her bank, which had been all but destroyed during the Radical Six chaos, would be able to recover the funds in her account.  Besides, the test results were coming in today.

Phi began to pace back and forth where she was waiting in Warehouse A, uncharacteristically anxious.  Everything that had taken place since she had been dragged into this insane series of events at the beginning of the AB Game had already changed her life completely.  But this news, knowing if she had a real, blood family, could change it just as much.  And the call was supposed to come in any minute now….

“Phido, how ya been?” chuckled an obnoxious, grating voice.  “It’s been furever, hasn’t it?”

Lagomorph.  Knowing that Sigma and Akane, two people she hadn’t known before, but now cared about and trusted, had conspired to make the thing, did not fill her with any love for it.  It was still as obnoxious as ever.  Phi spun around to see the main screen lit up with the face of that…creature.

“What do you want?”

“You’ve got a call from Master Kurashiki.  I have a hutch you’ll want to take it.”

Admittedly, she did.  In fact, that’s what she had been waiting for.  Akane was on Earth, or what was left of it anyway, and so Akane was the one who was receiving the results of her genetic test.  If she had any family—any whatsoever—she intended to contact them and see if they could help her get back on her feet, make ends meet, learn about her real parents, or whatever.  That is, if they cared.

“Yeah, put her through, Zer—I mean, Lagomorph.”  It wasn’t surprising that she had messed up the bunny’s name, since it had been nearly a year in her consciousness since she had first heard it, and less than a day in real time.  And she’d been used to calling it Zero, too.

Lagomorph chuckled with some sort of psychotic glee and disappeared as Akane’s face showed up on the screen.  In front of her was a large box with a return address claiming to be from the International Genetic Database.

“Good day, Phi,” Akane said with a gentle smile.  “I hope you are doing well.”

“Yeah, yeah, Akane.  No need to be so polite with me,” Phi retorted, knowing full well that Akane was equally polite when they were the same age, and that telling her not to be polite did nothing.  She was just like that.  “You got the results, right?”  Of course, she knew the answer to her question was already on-screen.

“Yes, I did.  Would you like me to open them for you, or do you prefer privacy?”

“Whatever, I’m sure you don’t know any of the people I might be related to anyway,” Phi scoffed. “If there even is anybody left, I don’t care if you see it.  Hell, if you do know them, maybe you can send ‘em my way.”

“If that is what you wish, I will open it for you now,” Akane said, pulling a letter opener out of somewhere off-camera.  It had a rabbit on the handle.  How much did this woman like rabbits?  What a weirdo.  Akane, obviously oblivious to Phi’s thoughts, used the letter opener to slice the tape on the outside of the box.

Inside there was a heavily padded envelope, with a memory card taped to it.  The memory card was the same type of card used in the facility, which honestly was surprising to Phi.  For whatever reason, she had assumed that all of the technology in Rhizome Nine was specially made for the AB Project.  Clearly that assumption was wrong.

Akane leaned over the camera, completely obscuring it as she fiddled with whatever device was in front of her.  Presumably, she was inserting the memory card into her computer, but Phi couldn’t tell.  When Akane finally sat down, she didn’t look Phi in the eye, instead focusing intently on the information onscreen.

“So how’s it looking?” Phi asked eventually.

Akane let out an audible gasp.  Good timing.

“I knew it,” Phi laughed darkly.  “I have no living relatives at all, do I?”  It was just her luck.  No known living relatives in the days before genetic testing could prove that assumption wrong, no living relatives now.  She was destined to be alone.

“It says here…your closest living relative is…no, that can’t be true.  His younger sister…is this what he meant?  April nineteen…”

“What?!”

“The test results say that your closest living relative is…Dr. Klim.”

What the hell?

No, seriously.  The old woman must have been more senile than Phi thought.

“What.  The.  Hell.”  Phi was ready to hear that she would never find anybody.  But this?  This was beyond her expectations.  This was insanity.

“There aren’t too many remaining members of the Klim family, but Sigma is, in fact, your closest genetic match.  You share 50% of your DNA with him.”

“What.  The.  Hell.”

“It will likely be easier for you to believe me if I provide you with the documentation, so you may look through it yourself.  There is more of interest in there, and I expect you will wish to take the time to peruse the files on your own.  I’ll mail them to you, and send the physical items to the printer in the Director’s Office.”

Phi turned on her heels and ran toward the Director’s Office, completely abandoning the conversation without so much as a goodbye.  If the old woman was messing with her, she’d get hers.  If she was telling the truth, well…Phi was sure she’d accept an apology later.

And in minutes, there it was on the computer screen in front of her.  A detailed analysis of all her chromosomes, possibilities of various genetic disorders, her likelihood of immunity to Radical Six, and a list of partial matches in the system for her DNA.  Akane was right, too.  Sigma’s DNA was a 50% match for her own.  But something else caught her eye….

“Phi, what are you doing?” asked a voice behind her.  She spun around on her swivel chair.  The spitting image of Sigma’s younger self, dressed with the robot suit covering  all but his head, was standing before her.

“Hey, Kyle.  Glad to see you.  While you’re here, help me with this.”  Phi gestured with two fingers, beckoning him closer, and he obliged.

“What do you need?”

“I got my results back from the IGD today.  Looking for any family I might possibly have.  But does this seem right to you?”  She pointed toward Sigma’s name on the screen.

“Oh my, that does seem rather peculiar,” Kyle said.  “If this is true, then this means that—”

“Sigma is my father,” Phi said, as Kyle continued, “Father is your brother.”

“How did you come to that conclusion, Phi?  From what you two have told me, you were originally the same age.  Your mind is considerably younger than his at the moment, but chronologically, you are only two years younger than he is.  So doesn’t it stand to reason that—”

“Yeah, but check this out.  Right here, on the other side of the page.”  Phi gestured at another name on the screen, a name that was also a 50% match.  Diana.

“Do you know this Diana person?”

“Yeah.  I do.  But look.”  Phi pointed to the screen again.  The word deceased was written below the name, in bolded red font, but Phi was more interested in the line in between.  “She and I also share 50% of our DNA.“

“Perhaps she is your long-lost sister, then,” Kyle said, his voice louder and slightly higher in pitch.  He sounded excited.  Phi had never seen Kyle get so emotional before.  There went her theory that his mind was secretly more robotic than one of the GAULEMs.  “And if you and Father share half your DNA, and this woman also shares that much DNA with you, then Father—”

“—isn’t related to her at all.”

It was strange to watch Kyle’s reaction to the information.  He had clearly been excited before, but although it showed in his voice, his facial expression had barely changed.  And now, although she could tell he was dejected through the rest of his body language, his face was similarly blank in expression.  He really did grow up inside the robot suit, huh?  Its face was more expressive than his real one.

“But if Father and this woman are not related, then that means…”

“It means I have to be the missing link between them.  Hence, their child.”

Kyle looked at her blankly.  Phi could tell that this particular blank stare, unlike his previous gaze, was deliberate.

“It’s not that unrealistic.  A few months ago, when we were trapped in the Mars mission test site—actually, that was forty-five years ago, wasn’t it?  Not the point.  Anyway—at the testing site, there was a machine.  Akane told me about it.  It’s the machine she and Junpei used to survive, the one she took Clover and Alice to a few days ago.  It’s a device that allows people to travel between timelines without SHIFTing.  It’s not inconceivable to send someone back, say, twenty or thirty years.”

“But even if we are to believe that such a thing is true, that means—”

“That you’re my younger brother, you dork.”

—————————————————

“—And that’s when I smacked him and told him that his story about a cat cursing him with puns of all things made no sense.”

“Ahahahaha!  I always wondered if there was a story was behind his puns, but that story is an absolute farce!”

Kyle and Phi had been sitting on the floor and talking for an hour now, and Kyle was relieved to see that Phi’s tough persona had faded somewhat.  Despite his determination to be kind and polite to everyone, he had honestly been quite intimidated by her demeanor.  He had never lived in an environment with sarcasm, and consequently had had trouble interpreting the intention of Phi’s frequent snarking.  But as she opened up to him, he found himself increasingly able to cope.

“Tell me, Phi.  What was Diana like?  She was the woman Father loved, wasn’t she?”

“She was beautiful and kind.  Kind of a softie if I’m being honest.  She was the one who probably wanted to avoid conflict the most.  And I was drawn to her when we were living together, because she was warm, and caring, and she made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the world anymore.  And that’s why it hurt so much when she betrayed us.”

Unexpectedly, tears started to slide down Phi’s cheeks, and her voice cracked on the word “betrayed”.

“I don’t understand,” Kyle said hesitantly, staring at the tears.  “If she was so kind, why would she—”

“I don’t know!”  Phi exclaimed.  “I don’t know what would possess her to throw the future of the world away and drag me out of that shelter when she knew my living would mean the spread of Radical Six.  And I can’t even ask her because she’s de—”

“It’s because she loved you very much,” Sigma said.

Kyle and Phi looked up.  Kyle’s father—no, their father—was standing in the doorway, a nostalgic look in his eyes.  He stepped into the room.

“Of course, she loved everyone she spent time with at the Mars mission test site, but our team in particular was very dear to her.  She kept telling me about it while we were working together here on the moon.”

“Telling you about herself and Phi, you mean?”

“Yes, and all the other members of the Decision Game too.  After we lived together, she said, she felt like we were a family.  All nine of us.  And I couldn’t fathom just what had gone on in there—I had just finished the AB games when I was whisked away to the past again, when my arms and eye were freshly…removed…and here was this woman who knew me, who knew Phi, and kept talking about this Carlos and Mira and Junpei, and I had no idea who any of these people were or why she knew them.  The stories were overwhelming at first.  But it did seem as if she and Phi had some sort of important connection.  And when I met them again, decades later, Diana and Phi did seem to grow very close, very quickly.  Is this about Diana?”

“Yeah, I think she’s my mom,” Phi said flatly.  Considering the circumstances, Kyle would have expected her to put more emphasis on the information, but with Phi being Phi, that expectation was…overly ambitious.  Of course, his father’s response was more emotional.

“Excuse me?!”

“Calm down, old man.  The test results are right here.”  Phi got up and sauntered over to the computer to log in again, and Sigma briskly walked across the room to try to slow her down.  Between his age and her determination, not to mention the fact that Kyle was still sitting on the floor between them, he was no match for her.  She sat down and started typing.  Sigma stepped around Kyle.

“Can you at least explain what you’re talking about?” Sigma sighed.  “Or is that too much to ask?”

“No, dad,” Phi groaned.  “I know you too well.  You won’t believe me until I show you the files.”

“Don’t dismiss me that readil—‘dad?”

Kyle couldn’t help but let out a snicker as he stood up.  “Yes, dad, you need to look at the files.”

Sigma released an exasperated groan.  “Kyle, what sort of nonsense has Phi put into your head?  You don’t have to go along with whatever she says.”  The thought of Phi conspiring with him for the sole purpose of bothering his father was even funnier to Kyle than her blatantly having addressed him as “dad”, and he laughed harder.  Phi, to his surprise, started laughing with him.

“I’m not kitten about this,” Phi smirked, invoking the cat pun for absolutely no reason at all.  “If you think I’m lion, then you should check this out.”  Phi pointed at the screen again, at Diana’s entry in the “deceased” dataset.  Sure enough, the entry read that roughly 50% of her DNA was a match for Phi’s.

“Now, unless you two are distant cousins, the fact that I also share this DNA with you”—she traced her finger across the screen toward Sigma’s entry—"means that somehow, you two got it on and I was the result.  Kind of like an antimatter bomb, really.”

Kyle didn’t understand what she was referring to with regards to the antimatter bomb, but it was true that Phi had a rather explosive personality.  And shockingly, Sigma was not reacting to Phi’s teasing with anger.  Perhaps Kyle could do the same?

“This situation, it turns out, is purrfect for Phi.  She no longer has to go back to Earth and claw her way into success.  Is it not pawsible for her to stay here, with us?”

The icy glare Kyle received from Phi indicated that he had perhaps gone too far in his puns, but Sigma began to laugh.  “Is that how you two see me?  As an old man who won’t stop making dad jokes?  Maybe you two are sort of similar after all.”  He shook his head.  “It’s not impossible, but I don’t think so.  If you two want to prank me, try to convince me of something more outrageous.”

Sigma turned around and began to exit the room.

“But if you really mean it,” he said, waving his hand over his head in a dismissive goodbye without turning around, “forward that mail to my box and I’ll take a look.  Have fun.”

Sigma left.

“Well, that was fun,” Phi said as soon as he was out of earshot.  “And if it turns out this is real, I think I’m going to have a hell of a good time teasing him.

“So you aren’t sure, Phi?” Kyle asked.

“Well, it seems pretty reasonable.  Better than anything else I can come up with, anyway.  And as much as I don’t think I’m anything like that dork, having a dorky dad is better than not having one at all.”

Kyle attempted to smile, but his face must not have been doing what he intended for it to do, because Phi recoiled slightly at his expression.  He stopped trying.  “I am glad to finally have a sibling if nothing else.  Living every day of my life surrounded by GAULEMs and no living creatures was not torturous, but it was also far from the pleasant family life I envisioned as a child.”

“I can’t guarantee I’ll be a good older sister,” Phi said, “but I can be sure to tease you now and then.”

“I can ask for no greater pleasure,” Kyle replied. “I knew we had a connection.”

[mouseymatchmaker]

Love in the Shadows 01 - Dick Grayson X OC

Summary: Maia wanders the streets of Gotham, pondering on her current situation before realizing someone has noticed her unique abilities. Pairing: Dick x OC Word Count: 1455 SFW  Warnings: none Characters: Bruce Wayne/Batman, Damian Wayne/ Robin, OC- Maia Frost

Tag list: @cattwomannn @cas-backwards-tie  @emycakes4457 @budhaven(please let me know if you want to be tagged in this series)

This is kind of an introduction chapter really to the OC and how they’re guided into the story :3

Tugging her colour-faded scarf tighter around her neck, Maia trudged through the snowy night back to her desolate little warehouse. It was below freezing, with snow and wind biting at anyone outside. But Maia was lucky, she had been able to steal multiple blankets from various stores in order to keep warm. It was rather easy; her abilities meant that she could use shadows either as portals or as a physical manifestation. Using the portal aspect of her powers mean that swiping blankets and food were easy for her and she had relied on it a lot since coming to Gotham the previous year. She had seen something about in on the news; that suddenly villains had a thing for stealing blankets and pillows. Maia had had found it hilarious. Of course, it had not been a villain. All the same, she kept a low profile. Only ever stealing when it was absolutely necessary, whether it was food, medicine or something to keep warm. If she was found, Maia was sure that no one would be particularly sympathetic to her plight.

Sneezing loudly, Maia groaned and wiped her nose on her sleeve. She was going to get ill at this rate. Not good when you lived rough. Luckily, ‘home’ was nearby. The warehouse was still in a good enough condition that it kept out drafts and water, but there was very little heating. In fact, the only heat there was the one that her body provided. She was just lucky it was hard for heat to escape. Although it was impossible to cool down in the summer. Slinging open the door, Maia trudged inside, damp clothes and all. The ones from yesterday would not be dry yet, so she would have to make due with the ones she was wearing. The ones she was wearing would not get warm for quite some time, but at least she had something. It was better than what some other people had.

Brushing her bright red hair out of the way, she settled down underneath the stolen blankets. She wasn’t really tired, but it meant that she could keep warm. It was times like this she dreaded; time to sit and think, to reflect on the past and worry about the present. Gotham was not an ideal place for many. Least of all a young woman who was very much alone on the streets, with no one to rely on and living in a warehouse that could easily be used by villains. She only ever half slept, in case the warehouse suddenly became a focal point for any crime. Luckily, her shadows covered her until she got out. But then she was left without anywhere to stay.

And as for her family… How was her family? She had essentially abandoned them. Were they accused of having something to do with her disappearance? She hoped not. She had left, because she needed to be away from people she loved. To keep her powers in check. Her brother had put the thought in her mind after an incident with them. What happened if she lost control? Who could she hurt? A terrible thought, but one that could be all too real. Her powers were limited and she struggled to push past those limits alone. However, Maia also struggled to maintain those limits when practicing. They were her powers and hers alone but she knew that they had a mind of their own. And who knows what would happen if her control over them was totally lost.  And besides, she didn’t want to draw attention to herself if they were dangerous or useful to any criminal. Knowing of the Justice League, Maia also did not want their interest either. She just simply did not know whether or not to trust them. Sure, they saved people but if deemed dangerous by them, Maia would not be able to escape to freedom from the Justice League. And even if she did, she’d be on the run from the constantly. What kind of life was that for her to live?

Her stomach growled. When was the last time she’d had a real meal? She had lost a lot of weight since going rough and eating sparingly; would her family even recognise her? She was slightly grimy from sleeping in the dirt and not being able to wash; in the summer she would bathe in nearby rivers which in their own right may not be healthy. But this was winter and she was sure that there were ice-sheets on the river.

Burying deeper into the blankets, she closed her eyes. Maia prayed that sleep would come sooner rather than later, but it was always hard to sleep in the biting cold. Her shadows covered her too, keeping the heat within their perimeter and keeping her hidden. They could be ‘programmed’ or given orders to do this for a certain amount of time before relaxing. A little technique that she had picked up while living rough. Eventually, her eyes finally closed and she went slack, curled up in the corner in an uneasy sleep. However, unbeknownst to her, someone had noticed her powers and had an interest in her.

A shadow moved in the night outside in the blurry snow, but it wasn’t one of hers. Maia should really thank her lucky stars, for it was not a criminal. It was the Batman. The Batman whose home was Gotham and seemed to know everything that was going on in his city, including Maia’s own activities. Batman didn’t care a great deal about what she was stealing. It was how she was stealing it that had him concerned. For he had the same concerns as Maia. Was she a threat? If she was not, would she become a threat? It wasn’t impossible and the last thing Batman wanted as another criminal, especially with powers, to be haunting the streets of Gotham.

He watch the warehouse, knowing that it was totally empty with exception of that one person. He was sure he could handle them alone, perhaps he would not even have to fight them. But this person was known for being able to escape. Batman wouldn’t exactly call them an escape artist, but they had avoided capture up until now. In which case, he’d had his son Damian, known as Robin, to watch from a distance. Oracle would be helping too via any security camera they had around the area. Batman was certain this person was going to run, or use whatever method they’d previously been using to escape. But Batman was confident that he would be able to capture them, after all Oracle had pointed out they didn’t seem as malicious or as experienced as other criminals in this city. That alone was some peace of mind, that this person was not yet on the path of a criminal.

Gliding over to the warehouse, Batman was as silent as the snow falling around him. He did not know about the person’s hearing but he assumed it would be best that he did not make a sound. Not alerting the enemy, of course, was common sense in his line of work. He remained silent as he entered the warehouse; once there, he noticed the twisting and swirling shadows.  Sometimes, they were in the shape of something easily recognizable, like a dolphin and on one occasion, a phoenix. Other times, they merely swirled and curled in the air, like they were playing. He deduced that whatever power this girl had, it acted on her will when she was awake but while she was asleep, it roamed freely but still by her side. Whether she was aware of it or not, he did not know. Moving towards the shadows, Batman noticed that they retreated into a corner where he saw the wisps forming something akin to a cocoon. It didn’t take a genius to realize this was where the person he was tracking was. He stared, unsure of how to get this person’s attention whilst coming across as benevolent. Stepping forward, Batman crouch down and knocked on the cocoon of shadow

“You can come out…” he said. “I’m not here to harm you”

For a while, there was no response. Batman began to wonder if this was a trick and that the wielder of the shadows had departed. But as he went to stand up, the wisps began to fade. As they faded, he saw their master. A gaunt, scraggly haired woman smeared with dirt. Her bright blue eyes flickered up at him in fear but she did not move.

“Batman…?” her voice was soft and quiet, but he heard her. Now, the question was, what to do with her?

[5hfanfiction]

Arch Rivals 7

A/N: May contain abuse, drug use and violence.

“Well this is not at all how I thought the night would end.” Camila huffed out in between laughs.

Everyone kept laughing at the two girls in front of them. Camila caught Lauren’s eyes as the later blushed deeper. Camila smiled knowing that everything just might be alright for the two of them. Lauren busted one of the dirtiest cops in the precinct and was now a shoe in if she wanted to continue down a career as a police officer. Lauren felt truly happy for once in her life and she somehow knew it was all because of the brown eyed gorgeous girl sitting next to her right now.

Earlier that night….

Lauren drove to her house as she forgot to bring the clothes she needed for tonight. Lauren was relieved when she noticed no one was home. Camila felt the tense girl relax as they pulled in the driveway. Lauren grabbed Camila’s hand and led them into her bedroom. Camila stood in the doorway with wandering eyes. What is it they say, someone’s bedroom gives you a brief look into someone’s heart, mind and soul. Camila just stood there shocked never once did she expect this.

Lauren’s room was littered with books every where. No matter where Camila looked there was another pile of books. Some so old she was afraid if she looked at them too long they would fall apart and others so new they were still smooth. The other thing that caught Camila’s eye and dragged the girl into the room was the drawings hanging on the walls with just the right lighting from the window.

There were two of a beach setting that Camila knew all too well as she went there all the time. Camila often wondered how she had never seen Lauren there before. Another one was a bunch of kids playing football but part of the view was obstructed with the backs of peoples heads and hands raised in the air. Looking at the drawing gave you a feeling of actually being in the bleachers watching the game. Camila smiled brightly as she looked at the picture of butterflies and fairies with princesses and a castle in the background. It was colored with bright pinks and purples and screamed Taylor.

The one that ultimately had drawn Camila into the room was of a single girl surrounded by people on a day where it had just rained and the sun started shining again. Everything was colored except for the puddle that showed the girls reflection. Instead of the happy cheerful smile she was showing to everyone else the puddle showed a girl screaming like she was stuck and needed to get out. Camila knowing Lauren’s secret felt the tears start to form in her eyes and tried her hardest to keep them from falling.

“Did you do all of these?” Camila already knew by the LJ in every drawing but asked anyways.

“Yeah, just something I do to pass the nights away.” Lauren shrugged walking out of the bathroom and packing a bag for the night.

Camila turned around wanting to know what Lauren meant by that but lost her train of thought as she took a look at Lauren.

“Ummm…”

Lauren was wearing black ripped skinny jeans, and a band t-shirt that had been slashed through the front showing off every inch of Lauren’s abs. Along with a perfectly placed slash to show off just the right amount of cleavage. Along with red lipstick and smokey eyes. Camila was having a hard time figuring out which she wanted to focus on.

Lauren let out a low chuckle as she threw on her leather jacket. “Camz my eyes are up here.” Lauren put a hand in front of her body to show Camila the way up.

“Umm…hhmm. Yeah.” Camila started turning bright red and suddenly found the floor very interesting.

“Come on Camz let’s get out of here it’s going to be a fun night.” Lauren led Camila back outside, smiling the whole time.

Lauren walked into the precinct still holding Camila’s hand, smiling as everyone there dropped there mouths. No one had ever really seen the girl smile let alone holding hands with anyone. Lauren just laughed as she made her way to the lockers and threw all of her and Camila’s stuff inside.

“Keep your phone on you. Just make sure it is hidden and on vibrate.” Lauren whispered in Camila’s ear.

Camila placed her phone in her bra as Lauren leaned in like she was telling her a secret.

“Good?” Lauren asked.

“Yep.” Camila said.

“Alright then let’s go get you some fake ids.” Lauren laughed pulling her into the main office.

After everything was all set and everyone was briefed. Lauren and Camila both got phones and ids and made their way out to Lauren’s bike.

“Why are we taking your actual bike? Wouldn’t somebody notice you on it on a regular day?”

“Yeah maybe someone eventually will put two and two together. For now though it is the easiest way to get away from the parties without getting caught. It’s just easier to slip through everyone.” Lauren said.

“Oh. Well that makes sense.” Camila said.

Camila threw the backpack over her shoulder and got on the bike behind Lauren for their ride across the city. Lauren decided to take the long way enjoying the way Camila gripped her tighter on all the turns. Camila caught on and just hugged her tight for the rest of the ride enjoying the city passing by in a blur.

Lauren made a pit stop at the gas station and took the bag with her to the bathroom. The two continued on to their destination within five minutes. Camila noticed though that Lauren came out with a more determined look on her face though. Camila was hoping that Lauren hadn’t done any of the drugs. Not that she thought Lauren would be one to do that but the sudden change in demeanor was just odd for Camila to see.

Lauren opted to park a block away and walk the rest so no one really saw where they came from. Lauren took the bag from Camila, then grabbed her hand and walked with her to the warehouse. Lauren noticed the surveillance van right away, if she noticed it sticking out then for sure someone else did. This is going to be a fun night Lauren thought to herself.

“CJ! CJ OVER HERE!!” The blonde from earlier waved them over.

“Ready Kasey?” Lauren asked Camila.

“I still can’t believe you got them to give me that name.” Camila smiled and let Lauren lead the way.

“Wait, is this the girl from the beach? Is she really your girlfriend?” Blondie asked.

“Yeah actually. Got a problem with that?” Lauren got defensive.

“Well yeah. I kind of wanted you all to myself tonight.” Blondie said with a wink and lead them upstairs to the VIP space.

Lauren squeezed Camila’s hand tight as they made their way through the back rooms and upstairs. Camila was trying to take it all in. The loud music, the bright colors moving at various speeds, and the people that were all over each other everywhere. Remembering that she was impersonating a party girl Camila made a mental note on how everyone was dancing. The thing that threw Camila off though was Jacks partner was down on the dance floor in the DJ booth. Camila automatically got a bad feeling. Camila pulled Lauren to a stop, which Lauren gave her a weird look back.

Camila pulled Lauren close and whispered to her as quietly as she could. “Why is she in here?” Camila head nodded.

Lauren didn’t say anything for a minute and Camila could see she was thinking of a way to say something. “Let’s just say she’s the double double.” Lauren smiled and kissed Camila.

Camila thought about it then understood. Double double was one of the girls plays for a fake lost player that was actually who they were going to pass to the whole time when the defender relaxed. Camila figured as long as Lauren knew what was going on then she would go with it. Maybe that is why the other detective had given her two pills to hold on to. She also told Camila that she would know when to use them.

Lauren and Camila were lead to the office in the warehouse were two huge body guards stood.

“Yo CJ, who’s the deb?” The one on the left asked lowering his shades with one hand.

“One she is no deb and two shouldn’t you be laying off the chez n fries?” Lauren fired back.

“Alright. Alright. Didn’t mean to get your panties in a bunch.” The guard threw his hands up in defense. The other guy laughed.

“You know the rules though no one in but you.” The guard on the right said stopping Camila as she was about to enter.

“Well here’s the thing boys this is a huge shipment and I was told to take precautions so either she comes with me or we’re out. You know how pissed she gets when she’s kept waiting. So do you want to be the one that tells her I left?” Lauren never let go of Camila’s hand and shot the guards a death glare, that Camila knew was very intimidating. Being as she was on the other side of it more than once when they were playing basketball.

When the guards didn’t move out of the way Lauren turned to leave.

“Wait okay. You know I have to check her though.” Left guard said.

“Fine but I’m watching you, Jeff.” Lauren stared him down.

Lauren and Camila made their way into the office behind blondie.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite green eyed beauty. Oh and you brought a friend. Hhmm…let me guess you worked Jeff over right?” An older lady behind the monitors asked.

Lauren laughed, “You know me so well. Where do you want to do this?”

The older lady stood up and walked around the monitors, Camila took in her appearance if anything she could have been blondie’s mother. The woman looked like she just walked off wall street. The older woman had the typical blonde hair blue eyes, was very fit, and had legs for miles in a short skirt and killer heels. Camila couldn’t help but take the older woman in.

With wandering eyes the woman noticed that Camila was almost studying her.

“I think maybe your friend over there might want something more than just a teenage daydream.” The woman laughed.

“Nope I was just admiring a pretty face. You look amazing by the way.” Camila said smoothly and wondered where that came from. “Besides I already snagged the hottest chick out there.” Camila winked at Lauren.

“I like this one CJ she’s feisty.” The woman chuckled and pulled a bag out from under her desk.

Lauren opened her backpack and set it on the desk showing the lady the drugs inside. The woman nodded and they exchanged bags. Lauren turned and smiled at Camila grabbing her hand and getting ready to leave.

“Wait!” Lauren froze she knew what was coming and this was not the night for it.

“I think you need to lighten up a little. Why don’t you prove to me that these are the real deal?” Lauren squeezed Camila’s hand harder than she realized.

“Ow! Lo..love you but stop please.” Camila almost let Lauren’s nickname slip.

Lauren let go and mouthed “sorry” to Camila. “Why tonight, Judy? You’ve never doubted me before.” Lauren said.

“Just entertain me with the idea that I believe everyone does bad things every once in a while.” Judy said crossing her arms.

Camila and Lauren both knew that the drug tests for the basketball team were coming up if either of them were to come out positive the would be kicked off the team. Effectively ruining any chance either would have in getting a scholarship. Even though Lauren would easily be able to explain that she was doing it for her job, but that in itself would still not stop her from getting kicked off the team.

“Fine.” Lauren moved towards the table trying to figure out which one would be easiest to hide on a drug screen.

Camila quickly came over and opened one of the bags and handed Lauren a pill. “Trust me babe, this on will make the world so much brighter.” Camila winked at Lauren.

Lauren took the pill from Camila’s hand and dry popped it. “Thanks Kasey.”

“Now let’s go party babe!” Camila grabbed Lauren’s hand and drug them out of the room and down the stairs.

Lauren pulled Camila off to a secluded area in the back of the building. “What the hell Camz what did you do? Do you even know what you gave me? We have drug tests for basketball, I can’t get kicked off the team it is the only thing that is getting me away from him. I can’t stay here. I can’t let me brother and sister go through what I have….”

Camila could think of one thing to get Lauren to shut up and kissed her. Lauren tried pushing her away, but Camila just held her until Lauren started kissing back. Then Camila pulled away.

“I know exactly what a basketball scholarship would do for you. That is why I gave you an aspirin out of my pocket. I palmed it when she started saying something about you needing to let loose. I knew that you wouldn’t dive right in. So if you see any of her people you need to act like you’re seeing things.”

“Camila I could kiss you right now!” Lauren blurted out and kissed the girl again.

“What’s stopping you?“ Camila asked as seductively as she could.

Lauren wasted no time and crashed their lips together. It took Camila a second to kiss her back but when she did she tried to put as much feeling into it as possible. Camila put her hands on Lauren’s shoulders and absently played with the little hairs on the back of Lauren’s neck. Lauren’s hands went to Camila’s waist and pulled her closer into herself. Lauren was loving the feeling of bare skin in her hands. Lauren was making small patterns with her hands that was driving Camila crazy. Lauren backed Camila up against the nearest wall and grabbed Camila’s hands and pinned them against the wall above Camila’s head. Lauren started kissing down Camila’s jaw line and was nipping and kissing every sensitive spot on Camila’s neck but what sent Camila over the edge was when Lauren backed off and then blew on her skin. Camila let out a moan that caught her off guard and she blushed instantly.

Lauren made her way to Camila’s ear. “Don’t stop. I’m really liking all the little noises you make.” Lauren nipped at Camila’s earlobe as she pulled away and made her way back down to Camila’s neck.

Camila melted as Lauren said those words. As Lauren made a point to mark that Camila was taken she let go of the girls hands and trailed her fingertips down her arms to her shoulders. Lauren moved from Camila’s neck to her collar bones. Camila still hadn’t moved her arms from above her head, but she looked to the sky with eyes closed enjoying the attention Lauren was giving her. Lauren got brave when Camila didn’t hesitate and brought her fingertips even farther down to Camila’s hips. Then slowly trailed them higher as she moved to kissing Camila again. Lauren slowly moved her hands under Camila’s shirt. Lauren finally felt that lacey material and looked to Camila. Lauren backed off wanting to make sure that this was okay before proceeding. When Camila finally opened her eyes and realized where Lauren’s hand was she wasted no time if giving a nod yes and pulled Lauren back in for a kiss. Lauren palmed Camila’s breast as started rubbing them slowly enjoying the way Camila was wriggling to get closer to the girl and the moans that where now escaping Camila’s lips on a regular.

Lauren finally moved closer to the girl again when Camila dropped her arms and tugged on Lauren’s belt loops. Lauren placed one leg in between Camila’s and pressed into her. Camila felt a jolt of pure bliss pass through her and pulled Lauren in even further if that was even possible. Lauren dropped her hands back down to her thighs and helped Camila jump up. Camila instinctively wrapped her legs around Lauren’s waist. When Lauren backed her into the wall further and moved her hips just the right way she smiled into the kiss as Camila let out her loudest moan yet.

“Jesus fucking Christ!!” Lauren and Camila heard a familiar voice and nearly jumped out of their skin.

“I told you it was them Mani! I also told you that they’d probably be doing that in there! You owe me twenty bucks by the way!” Dinah said as she turned her back from the door and yelled to be heard over the music.

“Fucking Christ Dinah! What the hell are you doing here?” Lauren said letting go of a very deep red blushing Camila.

“Well we heard about this amazing rave happening tonight and we needed a night out! So here we are. We figured you two would be practicing but where surprised when we saw you come down the stairs and sneak into a closet. I thought you might hurt each other considering you hate each other on the court.” Dinah smirked wiggling her eyebrows at Lauren.

Lauren grabbed Camila’s hand pulling her closer. “Well I can say we definitely don’t hate each other. If that little show you got says anything.” Lauren looked at Camila’s blush that was going away but came right back.

“Oh My God! Shut up Lo!” Camila said hitting Lauren’s arm hiding her face in Lauren’s neck.

“You two are just so damn cute! It’s disgusting!” Mani said from behind Dinah.

Lauren just laughed. “Wait did y’all get Ally here too?”

Ally popped around the corner. “Hey y’all what’s up? You two were totally macking right? This is so cute and adorable. Our little Lauren and Camila are finally getting it together.” Ally cheered joyfully jumping up and down clapping her hands at the two blushing girls in front of her.

“Okay well as much as I want for us to go out there and have a good time. I need all of you to leave and go home. You can’t be here right now. Oh and don’t call us by our names.” Lauren said.

“Why?” “What’s going on?” “Why the hell can’t I call you by your name?” The girls started firing questions.

“STOP! Okay listen I will tell you later as long as you all leave right now. There is only about twenty more minutes till all hell breaks loose around here. So please just get out of here and we will meet you at the beach cafe and we can talk.” Lauren said.

“Lolo, Mila. Are you two okay? Really? What did you take?” Ally asked mothering the two girls.

“Ally we didn’t take anything! We just can’t tell you what we’re doing right now. So please just get out of here and meet us at the ice cream bar in forty five minutes. Okay?” Lauren said.

“Alright fine.” Ally said when she noticed the distress in Lauren’s eyes.

“Let’s go girls.” Ally said grabbing Mani and Dinah and dragging them out the door.

“So what now?” Camila asked when they saw the girls make it outside.

“Well I am up for finishing what we started.” Lauren spun Camila around to face her and smirked.

“I don’t think we have time for that now.” Camila playfully pushed Lauren away.

“Besides doesn’t that bag need to be delivered?” Camila asked.

“Yeah I am waiting for the signal…and there it is.” Lauren said grabbing Camila’s hand and dragging her towards the DJ’s booth.

“Yo DJ let me spin for a minute!” Lauren yelled as she got behind the table.

Camila watched as she set the bag down next to the other officer. The lady bent down and exchanged everything from one bag to the other, gave Lauren a vinyl and then left with her bag in tow. Unless you were right next to them you couldn’t see a thing. Not two seconds later the DJ was back and taking over before Lauren really messed with anything.

“That was fucking smooth.” Camila said.

“I know right. Well time to dance a little.” Lauren grabbed Camila’s hand and dragged her to the middle of the dance floor before she had a chance to decline.

As the bass dropped and the drums started Lauren started swaying her hips to the beat. Camila almost looked hypnotized at the way Lauren was making her body move. Lauren motioned with her fingers for Camila to come closer, Camila smiled and walked over to a sirking Lauren. Lauren placed her hands on Camila’s hips and started helping her move to the beat. Camila was looking at her hips trying to dance to the rhythm on her own. Lauren smiled at how hard Camila was concentrating on getting it right. It was the same look she got when they had to learn the new plays.

Lauren lifted Camila chin up so their eyes could meet. When chocolate met evergreen both smiled instinctively. “Don’t worry about getting it right just go with what feels natural babe.”

“I don’t want to look like an idiot though.” Camila said.

“You will never be or look like an idiot. You’re beautiful Camz.” Lauren said.

“Thanks Lo. You’re pretty gorgeous yourself, ya know.” Camila stated.

“No you’re the prettiest I have ever seen in my almost eighteen years of life. Nothing will ever compare to your compassion, your beauty, your intelligence. The way your eyes shine at the smallest of amusement. The way your eyes go from light to dark when you are mad or concentrating on beating me in a scrimmage. Yeah don’t laugh that is how I always knew where you were going, you move with your eyes Camz and it is absolutely beautiful when you do so.” Lauren said resting their foreheads together and looking into Camila’s eyes.

Camila was getting ready to say something when all the power went out of the building.

“Camz stay with me babe don’t let go!!” Lauren yelled to Camila as she grabbed the girls hand and started pulling them to the back exit.

Lauren felt her hand tug down as Camila tripped and pulled Lauren with her. True to her word she never let go and Lauren ended up landing on top of her. The two girls could just barely see each other and Camila blushed as they both started laughing. “You always were clumsy. I have still yet to figure out how you keep it to a minimum during practice and games. Now come on.” Lauren said getting up and pulling Camila to her feet.

Lauren looked around and the police, her team, had started making their way into the building rounding everyone up. Lauren had yet to see Jacks though and then she knew that it had to be true. Lauren needed to get Camila out of there before all hell really broke loose. Lauren had seen a back exit in Judy’s office and knew that was the only way she was getting them out of here.

“Come on this way.” Lauren gripped tight again and dragged Camila back to the stairs.

“Where are we going?” Camila asked when they got to the office and no one was there.

“We are going out the window up to the roof and jumping to the next building.” Lauren said like it was nothing.

Camila came to a sudden stop. “What the hell are you crazy Lauren? We can’t jump to another roof top.”

Lauren let go of Camila’s hand and grabbed her face with both hands running her thumbs on Camila’s cheeks. “It is only like a three foot jump. There is nothing to it. You will probably jump twice as far as I do anyways. So please don’t worry you got this.”

Camila smiled at how soft Lauren was being with her. It was a side that she rarely ever saw and she was in love with it. “Alright then Evil Knievel lead the way let’s do this!” Camila said trying to shake the nerves.

The girls heard footsteps behind them as they got out the window and closed it hoping no one would follow them. Camila went up the ladder as fast as she could with Lauren close behind her. What Lauren wasn’t expecting was for Jacks to be waiting for them up on the roof.

“What the hell Jacks? What are you doing up here? You were suppose to follow the drugs and get them back.” Lauren asked keeping herself between Camila and Jacks.

“Well see I need to ask you something and I figured you would take the easy way out and jump the roof to get away.” Jacks said with a devious smile. “So Lauren how did you figure it out? I have been doing this for years and no one has ever even thought twice about looking my way. Now on this bust I follow the drugs and come to find out they are not drugs to begin with. Did you make a pit stop before coming to the party Lauren? Who did you give the actual drugs too? You know this is going to get you a long time in jail right? You’re what six months from being eighteen, they will throw the book at you and treat you like an adult. The only good part for you is…oh wait there is no good part because I’m pretty sure your little girlie there doesn’t know anything, right?” Jacks was slowly getting closer and closer to the girls.

Lauren shoved Camila farther behind her as Jacks made them circle around, making jumping to the other roof the only option. Lauren still had the duffel bag of money strapped to her back and was tempted to throw it over the edge to see if Jacks was only there for the money. Lauren did the next best thing and tugged on the duffel bag strap and sure enough Jacks got a little jumpy. All Lauren could think was perfect she now had a distraction if she needed it.

“I’m getting impatient Lauren and you know how I get when I’m impatient at getting what I want. So Lauren tell me what gave me away? What was it?” Jacks asked.

“It was you. You are just oozing with that kind of vibe. Most of all though it is the constant pills that you are taking that you put into an advil container. You do know that it is not that hard for someone to take one of those and test them right. The dead give away though once was the powder on your credit card. I mean I saw that one from like a mile away. Also the fact that well you had blood shot eyes all the time, and you never drive unless you are on duty. Even then you usually get one of the rookies to drive for you and it’s always a different one every time. What really sold it for me was just you not even caring the day I came into the station covered in bruises and cuts. You told everyone you would take care of it so they would back off, but not once did you ever ask if I was okay. You never even tried to figure out what the hell was going on, you just ignored the fact that I was…am in pain. You as a detective….as a human being are suppose to care about why a minor is coming into the precinct covered in bruises. You however completely ignored it. You always said you cared but I knew better, even though it was nice looking to you as a father in some aspects. However as of right now you are just like him. I will never accept anyone that does anything like him. I will push them out of my life faster than you can say “The Golden State Warriors are Champions.” Lauren said almost on the brink of tears knowing that she was losing Jacks. Jacks truly had always been there and actually given her great advice. Everything was just coming to a bitter sweet ending.

“Jacks why didn’t you just go? Why did you have to come up here? You should have just cut your loses.” Lauren said afraid now of what was going to happen to Jacks as she saw his partner climb the last little bit onto the roof top.

“Lauren you know that I am not going anywhere without the money it is the only thing I need to get out of this god forsaken place. Now if you will so kindly give me the back I will let both of you go. If not something not so pleasant might happen.” Jacks said as he placed his right hand on the gun on his waist.

Lauren again pulled Camila further behind her as she felt Camilas hand grab onto hers tightly. Lauren would be damned if she let anything happen to her. Lauren would give her life for the girl. Lauren felt the all to familiar felling of butterflies in her stomach. Lauren suppressed a smile at the feelings. Lauren felt Camila shake behind her and knew she needed to get this over with.

“I will give it to you if you swear to me that nothing happens to Camila. I mean it Jacks nothing.” Lauren said lifting the strap over her head.

“You know I don’t make promises. However if you give me the money right now I will let the girl off the roof untouched.

Lauren saw Jacks smirk and knew that he was playing games. Lauren was glad she had the man distracted. “No Jacks swear to me that absolutely nothing ever happens to Camila because of this incident right here.”

Jacks smiled and applauded Lauren. “I should have know that you would figure me out. You are way too smart for your own good girl. But yes I swear to you that I will not harm Camila in any way.”

Lauren took the bag and threw it in between them, as Jacks moved into get the duffel bag his partner and two other officers tackled him to the ground. Jacks gave a good fight but the two cops had him pinned to the ground as his partner took the gun from his hip and handcuffed him. Lauren was just glad that it was all over. As Jacks mumbled and grumbled the whole time he was being taken into custody Lauren turned around and hugged Camila close to her.

“Hey it’s okay. I will never let anything happen to you okay? I’ve got you sweetie.” Lauren cradled the shaking girl in her arms.

“Is this how it is every time? Are you putting your life in danger every time you go undercover like this? What ever happened to Judy? Did you know that there wasn’t real drugs in the bag the whole time? What do we do now?” Camila wouldn’t stop asking questions so Lauren took it upon herself to kiss Camila to get her to be quite.

Camila was a little taken aback by Lauren and surprised but soon kissed the girl back. Lauren pulled back after a minute and took Camila’s face between her hands.

“Listen this was one case. Heather and I have been working on this for over a year, and it is breaking my heart right now to find out that it is true. I always saw Jacks as being an older brother the father figure that I wished I had. Here is the thing though, this being finished means that I am done. I told them when this one was over that I was done. I decided that a long time ago, because I knew after I graduated I would have to stay close to take care of my siblings. I am going to fight for them. Jacks was going to help me though, so now I don’t know what to do. I don’t know why I am telling you all of this either. I guess I am trying to settle you down and take your mind off of things. Just tell me that you are okay Camz.” Lauren searched the girls eyes to see if she was hurt.

“I’m fine Lauren. Really I am. I am sorry that this was how the night unfolded. I’m sure that he was expecting you to be high or something, Jacks probably told Judy to make you take something. Thank you Lauren for making sure that I was okay the whole time. I don’t know what I would have done if you would’ve been hurt though.” Camila gave Lauren a peck on the lips as she pulled Lauren’s hands down and interlocked their fingers

“Girls.” Heather said from behind Lauren as she smacked her a little hard on the back and Lauren almost doubled over in pain. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah we’re okay.” Lauren said fighting back tears and gripping Camila’s hand hard.

“Lauren what’s wrong? Really don’t lie what is wrong? Where are you hurt at?” Heather did the motherly thing too well and was pulling up the back of Lauren’s shirt as she talked and gasped when she saw the scars.

“Heather STOP! I’m fine.” Lauren tried pulling down her shirt and twisting away to stop her but it was way too late.

“Who the hell hit you Lauren? Don’t you dare lie to me either!” Heather stood in front of Lauren crossing her arms.

“No one I fell on the gravel path the other day. It’s nothing.” Lauren tried to keep looking in Heather’s eyes to try and pass off her lie but failed miserably.

“Well that is a load of shit. You don’t think I know what those are do you? Well guess what trust me I know where those kind of marks come from. You may not want to tell me right now, but trust me Lauren I do understand. My Uncle was one hell of a mean drunk. You may not want anyone to know right now, but come talk to me when you’re ready. Please?” Heather still had her arms crossed but Lauren could see that her eyes were compassionate, understanding and sympathetic.

“If I ever have anything to talk about I will come to you first. Okay?” Lauren said letting her grip on Camila’s hand soften.

“I will take that for now. Are you doing your statement tonight or tomorrow?” Heather asked Lauren.

“I will turn it in tomorrow. I’ve got some explaining to do to my friends.” Lauren looked to Camila and smiled.

“Alright then. Just leave it on my desk in a sealed envelope. I’ll be out of the office tomorrow.” Heather said.

“Okay will do.” Lauren said.

“Alright you two get out of here and have some good clean fun tonight.” Heather said turning away from the girls. “Oh and Lauren win the game tomorrow huh.”

Lauren and Camila laughed forgetting they had a game the next night. “You know it!” Lauren shouted as she threw her hand on Camila’s waist and pulled her tight.

“Come on let’s get out of here. The girls are waiting.” Camila said.

“Yeah let’s go.” Lauren let go of Camila and helped her down off the roof.

Back to the ice cream shop…..

“So that is why I am always helping you with the kids? You were out partying all night? You suck Lauser!” Dinah said.

“I’m sorry Dinah I wanted to tell you but it was just safer not to. I never wanted any part of my real life involved in that life. It’s over now though so it’s all good.” Lauren said.

“Wait…how did Camila get involved in it then?” Normani asked.

“Remember the day we went to the beach with all the kids? Well I got spotted there by random chance and Camz got dragged into it from there. The girl thought she was my girlfriend and if I showed up without her I was screwed.” Lauren said smiling at Camila.

“Awe” all the girls did at once. “Wait it is true then? Someone finally got Lauren to agree to be in relationship. Holy shit what kind of super powers do you have Mila? Please teach us your ways.” Dinah said.

Everyone started laughing at how Lauren was turning a deeper and deeper shade of red as Camila gave her a kiss and wouldn’t stop staring into those amazing green eyes. Camila made Lauren feel like she could fight the world with her hands tied behind her back. Lauren felt herself relaxing and knew that the people around her tonight were the ones that mattered the most to her and she would fight for any of them.

All the girls kept talking and poking fun at Camila and Lauren for the rest of the night finally able to relax that their friends could see the sparks that were between them for so long. As Dinah truly looked at Lauren she realized that her friend looked truly happy. Dinah loved the smile that would grace Lauren’s face when she looked at Camila, it was the same one she gave her siblings. Something was bothering Dinah though, why did Lauren always bring the kids over to her house and never talked about her dad anymore. Lauren’s dad used to be there for everything and was both of their biggest fan. Dinah still sees him in the bleachers for all their home games, but still wonders why Lauren never talks to him while he is there. Dinah is broke out of her thoughts when Camila laughs out….

“Well this is not at all how I thought the night would end.” Camila huffed out in between laughs.

Everyone kept laughing at the two girls in front of them. Camila caught Lauren’s eyes as the later blushed deeper. Camila smiled knowing that everything just might be alright for the two of them. Lauren busted one of the dirtiest cops in the precinct and was now a shoe in if she wanted to continue down a career as a police officer. Lauren felt truly happy for once in her life and she somehow knew it was all because of the brown eyed gorgeous girl sitting next to her right now.

Now all they had to do was teach their two teams to work together and play as a team, that and hopefully no more mishaps with Lauren’s dad.