#and gave her the powers to escape her predicament

[supermarine-silvally]

Yara, would you recommend eating a devil fruit or would you say it has too many drawbacks?

“As for me, I wasn’t much of a swimmer prior to eating the Tōka Tōka no Mi so I can’t say I miss it, though it can be rather annoying to have to be so mindful about not falling in the water. I ate mine in a moment of desperation, but if I were to do it all over again, I would make that same decision. Even if my fruit is basically offensively useless, I have an almost impenetrable defence, which suits me just fine as a swordswoman.”

Ask Yara (or any of my OCs) anything!

[deliciousangelfestival]

Sweetest Dreams || B.Barnes - Part 4

Character: mob!Bucky x Reader

Summary: Finally, it's the right time with the right person. ❤️

Warning: Kidnapped, tortured (only a small part)

Part 1: Echoes Of Revenge

Part 2: Shattered Echoes

Part 3: All The Lies

Main Masterlist || support: Ko-fi

Thank you to anyone who gave a like, reblog, and left a comment. It motivated me to write more. 

"This is fucked up. Where am I?" Y/N's thoughts echoed in the disorienting haze surrounding her.

Ivan, the orchestrator of her current predicament, stood menacingly before her, a cruel grin etched across his face. "You should blame yourself for being in this condition," he sneered.

Y/N, still grappling with the fog in her mind, pressed for answers. "Where am I?"

Ivan, relishing in his control, delivered the chilling truth. "A hangout place for drug addicts. So if you don't listen to me, the next morning the police will find your body. Overdose."

‘Shit.’ Panic surged within Y/N as she scanned her surroundings, her eyes landing on a lone door – a potential lifeline out of this nightmare.

“Stop thinking about escaping.” Ivan's fingers dug into her chin, forcing her to meet his menacing gaze. “To be honest, I don't want to kill you. Because I need your brain to make money.”

Y/N, defiance burning in her eyes, said, “You think I will agree?”

Ivan leaned in, his breath sending a cold shiver down her spine. “You have to. After you make me bankrupt, I've gained a lot of enemies – elite people who invested their money in the company. And they want their money back.”

“So, you want to return the money to high-influence people rather than those with low income?” Y/N's disdain dripped from her words, her body language betraying a simmering anger.

Unfazed, Ivan smirked, reveling in the power dynamic. Y/N, unable to contain her disgust, spat on his face in an act of defiance. Undeterred, Ivan scoffed, “Those people are small fish. The most important thing is the big whale.”

Infuriated, Y/N spat on his face again, her eyes ablaze with defiance. “Work again with a mastermind who made thousands of families bankrupt? Fuck no.” She turned her attention to the door, silently calculating the risks and possibilities of escape.

Ivan wiped his face with a cloth, savoring the moment with a sinister satisfaction. "I knew you wouldn't agree, but I'll change your mind," he declared with a dark chuckle.

With a snap of his fingers, the dimly lit place transformed into blinding brightness. Y/N, still disoriented, realized she was tied to an electric chair. Someone approached from behind, forcing a mouthguard into her mouth.

Before she could react, her head was jolted by an electric shock, and a muffled scream escaped through the mouthguard, "Mrghh!" Tears streamed down her face as the searing pain coursed through her.

Ivan, reveling in the torment he was inflicting, taunted, "You've made my life hell for a year, Y/N. Now I want to torture you a bit."

Y/N, in the midst of the excruciating pain, wished for a chance to apologize to Bucky if today was to be her last.

"BAM!"

Ivan, caught off guard, exclaimed in surprise. He had been confident that no one knew about this hidden location. However, he was about to learn the extent of Bucky's knowledge of the town.

Bucky stormed in with a powerful kick to Ivan's face, sending him crashing.

“What the fuck?” Ivan spluttered, struggling to stand.

Bucky's eyes fell on Y/N, tied to the chair and seemingly lifeless. Panic and darkness consumed him for a moment as he approached her. "Y/N?"

He lifted her gently, holding her close. "You can't die. I don't know what to do without you."

“Urggh, I'm still alive, idiot,” Y/N weakly replied. Opening her eyes felt like a daunting task, and she couldn't quite believe that Bucky had come to her rescue.

Bucky, overwhelmed with relief, clenched his teeth. His gaze shifted to Ivan, who was still attempting to rise.

He turned to Steve, who had followed him to save Y/N. “Make sure he never sees the sun again.”

Steve nodded, advancing towards Ivan with a determined expression. He swiftly broke Ivan's arm, eliciting a pained cry. “You messed with the wrong person, pal,” Steve smirked, ensuring Ivan faced the consequences of his malevolent actions.

Bucky cradled Y/N, his eyes reflecting worry, anger, and relief. "I've got you," he whispered, vowing to protect her from any further harm.

Bucky, keeping a watchful eye on Y/N as she slept in the hospital bed, found himself reflecting on a similar moment from his recent past when he had visited her father.

Her father had looked at him and said, “What a small world.”

Indeed, it was a small world.

Fifteen years ago, Bucky was a teenage boy living alone in a desolate house. His mother had left, and no one bothered with the household chores. His father, Nicholas, was indifferent, unmoved by Bucky's struggles. School was a constant battleground for him, and life seemed monotonous and purposeless.

Then, one day, Bucky noticed his father bringing a guest home. His father never bothered with hospitality, a clue that this visitor wasn't just any guest. It was the first meeting with Y/N's father, a long-time friend of his own father.

Bucky calls him the kind uncle because he worries about Bucky more than his father.

This kind uncle regularly visited, bringing homemade food Bucky gratefully accepted. It was a lifeline in a home where food was scarce.

The kind uncle shared, "I have a daughter your age. I'll bring her next time." However, that promise remained unfulfilled, and it turned out to be the last visit. Bucky later learned that his father had lent the kind uncle money with exorbitant interest, severing their friendship.

It was pivotal for Bucky, revealing the depth of his father's greed and how money could destroy longstanding friendships. The realization left an indelible mark on him, shaping his future goals. Bucky vowed that if he ever became wealthy, he wouldn't burden his friends with the weight of borrowed money.

Then, when he entered university, he met her—the daughter of that kind uncle, Y/N. The revelation brought a sense of purpose to Bucky's life. He witnessed her being taken advantage of by classmates and seniors at the club, prompting him to take a stand and become her shield.

With him by her side, nobody dared to exploit Y/N anymore. Despite her initial annoyance towards him, Bucky saw a cute, angry kitten in her eyes, and teasing her became a daily amusement, injecting excitement into his otherwise mundane university days.

As they transitioned into adulthood, Y/N underwent a transformation. Her style matured, and she exuded newfound confidence, a far cry from her college days, where she often kept her head down.

Bucky enjoyed the challenge when she underestimated him, eventually giving her money because of her work in an investment company. Little did he know that this woman would swiftly elevate him to wealth.

Y/N's unexpected departure left Bucky in a state of confusion. He waited for a month, then three, and finally, six months passed, but she never returned.

The unanswered question lingered: What did he do wrong? His search for her took a year, but when he found her, she revealed that she had used him to rectify his father's mistake, the same father who had caused harm to her own.

Despite the revelation, Bucky didn't care about the past. He just wanted her back. However, Y/N, this stubborn and seemingly heartless woman, refused to yield.

As he watched her sleep, Bucky's hand cradled her cold cheeks. He joined her side, wrapping her in an embrace to ward off the chill. His fingers gently brushed her hair as he stared at the sleeping figure, who had inadvertently disrupted his life since the moment they met.

Bucky didn't harbor hatred; he found perfection in the chaos she brought into his life. The only thing he desired now was for her to wake up and ensure she could never leave him again.

Y/N blinked, momentarily blinded by the morning light streaming in from the window. The female nurse, noticing her awakening, hurried over to assist Y/N in sitting up.

"My dear, you've woken up? You've been asleep for two days," she informed a hint of concern in her voice. The dryness in Y/N's throat confirmed the duration of her unconsciousness.

Two days – no wonder everything felt hazy. Y/N's attention perked up when the nurse continued, "Rest assured, the bad guy has been taken to the police. Your fiancé has been keeping an eye on you for 24 hours."

'Fiancé?'

Y/N's eyes widened at the unexpected revelation. She hadn't realized she had a fiancé. The sliding door opened, revealing Bucky carrying a bucket of flowers. His face lit up with a warm smile upon seeing Y/N awake. "Babe, you're awake," he greeted cheerfully.

The female nurse couldn't help but giggle at the scene. "Yes, and she's healthy. Aww, so romantic, you bring new flowers today." She grinned at the young couple before making her exit.

Bucky chuckled as he placed the flowers in a vase. Y/N couldn't shake off her surprise. He took a seat beside her, brushing her hair gently. "It's the safest way. If everyone knows that you're my fiancée, no one will dare to kidnap you," he explained matter-of-factly.

He pulled her into a tight hug, their bodies sinking into the hospital bed. "Y/N, please don't go. I don't know what I would do without you," Bucky pleaded, his eyes reflecting the exhaustion from lack of sleep. Y/N's heart ached at the sight of the big man pleading.

She gets closer, kissing his forehead. "I won't go anywhere."

Bucky's eyes widened in surprise, a brilliant smile replacing his earlier plea. Finally, in that small hospital bed with the sterile scent of antiseptic lingering, it didn't matter. Bucky could have the sweetest dreams as long as she was beside him.

Author Note:

Hey friends,

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[greenqueenhightower]

Touch Has A Memory: Alicent x Aegon Ending Scene in 2x05 Analysis:

Alicent and her boy Aegon are so intertwined in life. The root and the fruit of her troubles, he was born a carrier of Alicent's trauma and flaws. He has been broken and so has she. He is now burned by dragonfire, lying on his father’s bed, the same bed that bore his illness and took his life. Alicent is holding his hand. She is perhaps thinking of everything she ever said to him. Will he be able to see her again? To speak? To walk? To rule?

She looks upon Aegon's face as he sleeps. It no longer resembles the face of her son but her dead husband's monstrous face. She hesitates to touch it. She reaches for the side that still reminds her of the soft skin he once had as a baby. Her fingers rest upon his cheek softly, offering a comforting caress. Alicent doesn’t bear to see him like this for long. And yet, this gentle touch, this motherly affection, is enough to revive him. Will she ever know it’s all been for her sake, all he ever was, all he ever did?

Alicent exits the King's chamber, her devastation and heartbreak still showing under her mask of empowerment. That's who Alicent is. Vying for the regent position provided a necessary distraction and an escape. How would Aegon’s permanent maiming add to her tally of “sins”? She does not want to dwell on how her words compelled him to seek his own glory and burn for it.

Alicent isn't the average Westerosi type of mother. Even if she feels it deeply, she cannot have an emotionally exposing moment with Aegon. She can't bring herself to cry beside his body but she will put her own body as a shield in front of his if need be. She will try to safeguard his position by seeking power for herself. She will distance herself from weakness and disempowerment as an antidote to how Aegon’s weakened and debilitating state makes her feel. She will bury all her pain, sorrow, and agony under her own ambitions. She will not live up to the ideal standard of motherhood, even in her grief for what befell her son.

It's the second time Alicent is called to play the part of a nurse, but the power imbalance is against her. When she faithfully nursed Viserys, she relished in the potential his absence gave her in heading the small council. Aegon's predicament does not allow her that level of control.

Aegon has proven how deeply attached he is to Alicent. He calls her "mother" fondly, almost self-soothingly. When he called her "mother" in front of the small council in 2x01, he did not mean to undermine her. Aegon sees the word as an endearment and wants to draw closer to Alicent, even if he doesn't know how. He wants her to be proud of him. The term is often infuriating for Alicent, as her stare at 2x01 reveals. Alicent hasn't yet reconciled herself to the idea that she is his mother nor has she accepted that she has been unable to deviate from this word being her only definition. Especially in front of the council, Aegon's address of "mother" is a painful reminder of a title she didn't choose herself, and can't easily be proud of. In her mind, motherhood began when she got raped and birthed unwanted children. Subconsciously, even unwittingly, Alicent resents the term and with it, she resents Aegon who desires intimacy by using it.

But for Aegon, Alicent is and will always be his "mummy." The first person to offer him comfort, to stay up at night beside his bed when he was sick, the person he sought after being hurt or lonely. It is deeply tragic and devastating, therefore, that Alicent misses her son's tender call for her. She exits the room just seconds before she discovers just how deeply her son loves her and the effect that her own love and care, no matter how faulty, has on him.

Her touch on Aegon's cheek has a memory. For Alicent, it probably brings memories of Viserys, or her son when he was younger. For Aegon, the first emotional comfort, touching and being touched by his mother, remains the ultimate memory of selfless love, which stays with him life long, and is so powerful that he wakes up from his coma seeking her tender touch, this intoxicating drug, again.

[cultofdixon]

So…Dixon

Daryl Dixon • She/Her Pronouns • By the power vested in me—-Why the fuck would you get married in a situation like this?! • ANGST/SFW • TW: Injuries

“Y/N marry me now”

“Wait. Really? Now?!”

“Good time now”

Y/N gave Daryl a puzzled look as the two were held up in a room with Gabriel and Aaron with walkers pounding on the door for starters while they were struggling to plan a way out. Leaving to the feeling of this could be it hence why Daryl is taking the jump.

“Yeah, when the hell else when we might not make it out?”

“Seriously, Daryl?” Aaron couldn’t help the nervous laugh to escape him. “There have been plenty of other opportunities to pop the question”

“I’ve popped the question many times” Daryl states watching Y/N’s face soften as the two continue to lean against the door to keep the herd from coming in. “She’s said yes to every time, but the time was never right. Now it is”

“Daryl…”

“Well. Thankfully I’m here” Gabriel rises to his feet with the help of Aaron by his side still applying pressure to the gash he received running into the office like room at the last minute. “Are you two prepared?”

“Hell yeah I am”

“I’ve always been” Y/N gave Daryl a smile that turned into panic at the most recent shove of the door. He quickly took a hold of her hand into his squeezing it tightly distracting her from the other side.

��Now if you don’t mind my informal way of officiating” Gabriel clears his throat. “We’re gathered here today with God as our witness to watch the union of Y/F/N Y/L/N and Daryl Dixon…”

“Skip the long bits!” They both yelled in unison as the shoving became more aggressive in the other end.

Please. God give me more time Y/N frowns anxiously pressing herself as firmly as she could against the door while her other half did the same still having a tight grip on her hand.

We are not dying here Daryl kept repeating in his head as Gabriel went fast through the boring bits of union before getting to the good part.

“Vows?”

“Seriously?! We are in a predicament! I don’t think there is time for that” Aaron frowns as he checked around the room they were in for any way out. “This isn’t how I wanted to be your best man” he whispers angrily to himself.

The archer couldn’t help the scoff toward his friend as Y/N started to grow even more anxious over their situation.

“D. I—-“

“I’ve got vows. I had them ready for years” Daryl interrupts Y/N giving it a second before taking a breath. “I’ve loved yea…since the first day we met and yeah that was the day Merle finally got his shit rocked but still.”

________

“We got a looker, baby bro” Merle smirks bringing himself dangerously close to the unknown woman.

That when she straightened up to feel the unfamiliar body against her, she quickly swung back and threw her fist right into the man’s jaw. Merle instantly went down and the shock expression on her face went toward fear for a moment but when she looked up to the man’s brother. He was pretty neutral about it, making her relax but still blush out of embarrassment for doing that.

“Sorry”

“He deserved it” He laughs to himself as Merle groans holding his jaw. “I’m Daryl”

“Y/N”

________

Y/N couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips making Daryl smile at the sight.

“I knew then that…you were the best thing to ever happen to me and I made a promise then that I would do everything in my power to protect you. I enforce that further now.” Daryl states, readjusting when another push caught him off balance. “Over the years…you’ve loved me through everything. Every fight. Every death. Every new place. Every war…You never left. Didn’t give up on me when I was a pain in the ass…you stayed…you were there when I always needed you”

________

The gates to Hilltop open letting Daryl that had just escaped the Sanctuary within its walls to keep him safe. His mind was still back at the line up as he didn’t want to lock eyes with Maggie when he arrived but he didn’t hesitate when she hugged him upon his return to a sense of safety.

“She’s going to flip…and cancel her plans to rescue you” Maggie whispers to Daryl feeling him tighten his arms around her.

Knowing that she was referring to Y/N who stood in the middle of the trailer packing up enough to help get Daryl out. But right before she even stepped toward the door, it opened without her noticing and she found herself locking eyes with the man she loves.

“Sunshine…”

“…Love..” Y/N dropped everything and completely fell apart right before his eyes as she quickly shortened the distance feeling him grab her tugging her into him faster. “Oh thank god”

“You’re okay”

“You are too” Y/N sobbed into his chest holding onto him feeling him only tighten his grasp on her. As if she’d perish if he lets go. “You’re never leaving me…never again…that son of a bitch will pay”

“He will…and I ain’t going anywhere”

________

“You’re patient…kind…forgiving…hell anybody would be lucky to have you and I’m the lucky one. I’ve got the fucking prize that is you and all I want to do is spend the rest of my life with you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you” Daryl said sternly confirming to everyone in that room that he would do everything in his power to get them all out of there safely.

He needs to spend the rest of his days on that planet with her.

“Uh. Y/N your vows?” Gabriel directs it now toward her as Aaron took his attention for a second to help him with a window.

“If you don’t got anythin’ I—-“

“Daryl I’ve been wanting to marry you since we arrived at Alexandria and they gave us a place. Just us…I know what I’m going to say to you” Y/N gave him a smile feeling his hand squeeze hers once more. “So you better shut up and listen”

“Yes ma’am” Daryl smirks loving that fire in her that can never be burned out.

“You have always been my safe haven. A home to come to at the end of a hard day. I never needed a physical place to be as long as I had you” and the tears formed when they were rattled once again by the walkers insisting on breaking through. “You’re my best friend. So overwhelmingly caring for others…you always put yourself last and I both hate and admire you for that. You kept me safe for all these years and all I want to do is continue to be safe in your embrace while you’re safe in mine.”

________

“Long day?” Y/N questions her tired partner as he brought himself toward her taking the book from her hands. “I’ll take that as a yes” as he soon laid on the couch laying onto her already sprawled self.

“Missed you”

“I missed you too, my love”

“Nah…Not as much as I did” Daryl hums softly, feeling her fingers gently run themselves through his hair…being ever so careful with the knots that may be in the strands.

“Another one of…those days?”

Daryl nods snuggling himself into her embrace even more as she brought her free hand to rub circles on his back helping him relax. Those days refer to the hard ones. The ones where you get triggered unexpectedly. Making you more anxious and stressed just from standing wherever you may be.

The archer was relieved to return home. Knowing she will always help him in those moments…even if there was no more words exchanged or what may have floated in the mind. Simply laying in her embrace knowing she’s there and alive.

________

“You say you’re the lucky one. But I’m so goddamn lucky” Y/N sobbed as the pounding grew harder making them both squeeze the shit out of their hands. Daryl pressed his forehead against Y/N’s reminding her that he’s there. “I can’t picture a life without you Daryl Dixon. You’re the love of my life and I have never been happier than I am with every waking moment spent with you. I’m not giving up on the rest of our lives. We deserve more time”

And that felt like a switch had been flicked. As the pounding continued and it started to become unbearable. The sound of broken glass pierced through their thoughts as both watch Aaron use the mace on his metal arm to clear the glass out before hoisting Gabriel up first and through.

“Y/N your next” Aaron states as Y/N was about to protest until Daryl shoved her toward him. Now being the sole person keeping the walkers from coming through.

Even with a bit of thrashing, Y/N got pulled through leaving the two alone in the small room.

“Go Aaron”

“I have a plan and you’re following or we’re both fucked” Aaron threats slightly as Daryl nods letting his friend take the lead on this.

The door he was holding shut had those handles big enough to push something through to hold it close. They had thought about the discarded plywood but it was too damp and flimsy to give them time to think and escape from the beginning. But then Aaron knew what to do.

Aaron brought himself to the handles, shoving his metal arm through. Something strong enough that’ll last at least two to escape. Once he detached himself, he shoved Daryl toward the window quickly as the two flinched when the pounding grew even louder than ever. Both Gabriel and Y/N pulled Daryl through as he was respectably shoved away by the pastor letting the two help Aaron out keeping in mind it may be a bit difficult with only one hand to grab.

Thankfully…they were all safe. With a few cuts and bruises from the run that lead to this mess. Y/N watches the basement flood with the walkers through the broken basement window as she sighs with relief turning toward Daryl who hasn’t stopped staring at her.

“What?”

“We gotta finish”

“I’m not the officiant” Y/N laughs in Gabriel’s direction as he straightens himself up before approaching the two.

“Now I can have this be my way with peace. Join hands” Gabriel smiles watching Y/N take Daryl’s hands into hers as he playfully scoffed. “I assume you don’t have a ring so—-“

“Nah. I’ve got it” Daryl lets go of one of her hands to go into a small pocket Carol made for him in his vest to take the ring out. A ring made for her by Eugene. As it also came with the accompanied groom’s ring.

“Alrighty then. Wear these rings as a reminder of the vows you have just taken”

Daryl carefully slips on Y/N’s ring first before she did his as she couldn’t help but notice the smallest agate gemstone in her band.

“Daryl, do you take Y/N to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage?  Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”

“Fuck yeah I do” Daryl smirks enjoying her giggle in response as Gabriel rolls his eyes smiling even more.

“And do you Y/N, take Daryl to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage?  Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”

Y/N couldn’t contain her excited smile and the butterflies fluttering in her stomach looking up at her man.

“I do”

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you…husband and wife” Gabriel smiles watching the two look at him impatiently for the last obvious part as he couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him. “Do I really need to state the fucking obvious for you two? You know you have to kiss the bride!”

And with that Daryl instantly pressed his lips against hers as she brought her arms around his neck feeling his wrap around her middle. The archer picked her up, not separating from her lips enjoying this moment even more. The two witnessing whistled and congratulated the two.

Next thing they knew, they were all finally heading home. Daryl and Y/N hand in hand.

“So…Dixon?” He smirks enjoying already that she now bears his last name.

“You know it, love”

[inevitablysomber-dark]

Under The Radar 4

Dark! Steve Roger x Kiwi! Reader

Dividers by @Strangergraphics

Warnings:

This story contains themes of emotional manipulation, power imbalance, dubious consent, toxic relationships, and psychological control. It deals with difficult subjects such as forced dependency and mental/emotional abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

Description: Kiwi thought she had her life under control—until a chance invitation to the Maldives from her former friend pulls her into a web of manipulation and control. What starts as a luxurious vacation turns into a slow descent into captivity as Steve, the wealthy man funding her escape from reality, begins to tighten his grip on her life. Now trapped in a toxic relationship where affection becomes control, Kiwi must navigate a world where every decision is made for her, every boundary crossed, and escape seems impossible.

Is it too late to reclaim her freedom, or will she succumb to the life Steve has crafted for her?

The third week of the trip had started to blend into the rest, but the jet skiing adventure gave me a brief escape. The sun was high, the ocean stretched out like a never-ending canvas, and everyone else was way ahead, weaving through the waves like they were born on the water. I hung back, as usual, taking my time and keeping my speed steady.

But just as I started to feel a little more confident, the engine sputtered. My heart dropped as my jet ski slowed to a crawl, then died altogether, leaving me stranded in the middle of the ocean.

"Seriously?" I muttered, pressing a few buttons, trying to restart the engine. Nothing. Great.

I glanced around, hoping someone from the group would notice, but they were all too far ahead. I felt a wave of frustration rising through me. That’s when I spotted a familiar figure cutting through the water in my direction. Lloyd.

He pulled up next to me, his ever-present smirk in place. “Run out of juice already?” he teased, clearly amused by my predicament.

I rolled my eyes with a smile “Obviously.”

Lloyd chuckled and glanced around, his eyes scanning the empty stretch of water. “Well, lucky for you, I’m a gentleman,” he said, patting the back of his jet ski. “Hop on. I’ll give you a ride.”

 “Alright, thanks,” I quipped

Since that first night we met, I’d been texting Lloyd more than I thought I would. At first, I was convinced he was just like the rest of them, another one of those rich kids I claimed to be wary of, another piece of the puzzle that didn’t quite fit with my life. But something about Lloyd was different. Maybe it was the way he joked with that dark humor of his, or the fact that he never seemed to take anything too seriously. Whatever it was, I found myself enjoying our late-night conversations more than I expected to.

When I wasn’t too drunk from another round of drinks with the group, I’d call him. It wasn’t anything deep, just simple talks about random things, how he hated how out of place he felt here, how I felt like I was stuck in a life that didn’t quite belong to me. In a weird way, we got each other, even though we came from completely different worlds. There was something about him that made me feel grounded, like I wasn’t completely adrift.

The more we talked, the more I started to look forward to his texts. It was like a small escape from the chaos around me.

As soon as I settled in, his next question caught me off guard. “So… where’s Steve?” His voice was casual, but the question made me stiffen.

Before I could respond, Steve’s jet ski came roaring up to us, cutting through the water with a spray of mist. The second he spotted me on the back of Lloyd’s jet ski, his entire demeanor shifted. The easygoing smile he usually wore vanished, replaced by something tighter. Possessive.

"Lloyd! What are the chances?" Steve called out, his tone too friendly, his voice louder than necessary as he pulled up beside us. His eyes flicked between me and Lloyd, his jaw clenching as if he was trying to grit his teeth through a smile.

"Yeah, what are the chances?" Lloyd echoed, though the smirk on his face remained firmly in place.

Steve’s gaze lingered on where I was holding onto Lloyd's waist, his hand twitching on the handlebar of his jet ski. The tension in the air was unmistakable, and for a second, it felt like I was intruding on some unspoken battle between the two of them.

"Kiwi," Steve said, his tone softening as he turned to me. "Your jet ski ran out of fuel?"

I nodded, feeling a little awkward now that I was the center of attention. “Yeah, it just... died. Lloyd was helping me out.”

Steve’s smile didn’t reach his eyes as he responded. “Appreciate that, Lloyd.” He paused, his gaze hardening as it flicked back to Lloyd. “But I’ve got it from here.”

Without waiting for a reply, Steve reached over, his hand brushing my arm as if to help me off Lloyd’s jet ski. I stopped him.

"Hey, Steve, don’t worry about me," I said, forcing a smile, my heart beating a little faster than I’d like. "I think I’m gonna hang out with Lloyd a little bit."

Steve’s brow arched, and I saw his jaw clench ever so slightly. "You sure?"

I nodded, trying to play it off casually. "Yup. I’ll meet you guys back at the villa."

Steve’s eyes lingered on me for a beat too long, but before he could say anything, Lloyd piped up from behind me. "Cowabunga!" he shouted, revving the jet ski’s engine and speeding off, away from Steve.

The sudden burst of speed made me grip Lloyd’s waist tighter, laughing as we raced across the water. The wind whipped through my hair, the salty spray of the ocean splashing against my face. It was exhilarating. Everything with Lloyd felt easy, carefree, like I could just let go of all the tension and overthinking that usually bogged me down.

We zigzagged through the waves, occasionally catching small jumps that made me laugh even louder. Lloyd would glance back at me with that goofy, boyish grin of his, and I couldn’t help but smile every time.

At one point, he slowed the jet ski down, letting us coast along a more peaceful section of the coastline. The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over the water, turning everything soft and warm. We pulled up near a secluded beach, far enough from the main tourist areas that it felt like we were in our own little world.

Lloyd turned around, still grinning. "Not bad for a day out, huh?"

I chuckled, adjusting my grip on his waist. "Yeah, not bad at all. Way better than being stuck at the villa."

We sat there, just drifting along, talking about nothing and everything.

"You know, Kiwi," he said after a while, leaning back slightly so I could hear him over the gentle sound of the water, "I’m glad we’re doing this. I’ve been stuck in my own head since I got here, and you’re kinda making this whole thing... fun."

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the sun. "Same here, Lloyd."

The rest of our little jet ski date felt like a blur of laughter, jokes, and moments where we just sat in comfortable silence, watching the ocean stretch out in front of us. For once, I wasn’t worried about Steve or what he thought. I wasn’t thinking about any of the baggage that usually weighed me down.

It was just me and Lloyd, two people who found a little bit of peace in each other’s company.

When I finally made it back to the villa, the air inside felt thick with tension the second I stepped through the door. Steve was lounging on the couch, but there was nothing relaxed about his posture,his jaw was tight, arms crossed, and his eyes locked on me the moment I entered. Natasha was pacing near the kitchen island, her lips pressed together in a thin line. The usual carefree atmosphere of the villa had been replaced by something... colder.

"Where the hell have you been?" Natasha snapped before I could even say anything, her voice a little too sharp.

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden hostility. "I was with Lloyd," I replied, trying to keep my tone even, though I could feel Steve’s gaze drilling into the side of my head. "We went jet skiing. I told Steve."

Natasha’s eyes narrowed, and she threw a quick glance in Steve’s direction before focusing back on me. "Lloyd? You barely know him, Kiwi! He’s a stranger. We don’t know anything about him, and you’re just running off with him like it’s nothing?"

I felt my pulse quicken, a defensive heat rising up my chest. "He’s not just some random guy. We’ve been talking since we met at the villa. He’s... he’s fine."

"Fine?" Natasha stepped closer, shaking her head. "Kiwi, you don’t know what people are capable of. You can’t just trust someone because they seem nice or make you laugh a few times." Her voice softened a little, but the frustration was still there. "You have no idea what his intentions are."

I clenched my fists, trying to keep my cool. "I’m not some naïve little girl, Natasha. I can take care of myself. I know when someone’s bad news, and Lloyd isn’t it." My voice wavered slightly as I spoke, but I held her gaze, unwilling to back down.

Natasha hesitated, glancing again at Steve. He hadn’t said a word, but his silence spoke volumes. He was pissed, that much was clear. The quiet anger radiating off him made me feel uneasy, like I had just walked into a trap I wasn’t even aware of. Natasha, noticing Steve’s lack of response, seemed unsure of how to proceed.

Steve finally stood up, and the movement sent a ripple of tension through the room. His eyes flicked to Natasha, silently dismissing her. She stepped back, arms folded, still watching me with that mix of concern and frustration.

Steve walked toward me, slow and deliberate, his gaze never leaving mine. When he finally stopped in front of me, his expression was hard to read. For a moment, I wasn’t sure if he was going to explode or just brush the whole thing off.

"You need to be careful, Kiwi," he said, his voice low, controlled. "I don’t want you getting hurt. People aren’t always what they seem."

It felt like a warning, like something unsaid was lingering beneath his words. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. "I know," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

Steve studied me for a moment longer, his eyes scanning my face like he was looking for something, an answer, maybe, or some kind of reassurance. Then, without another word, he turned disappearing into his room.

The door clicked shut, and the silence in the villa felt suffocating. Natasha let out a long breath, rubbing her temples. "Look, just... be smart, okay?" she muttered, her earlier fire gone, replaced with a kind of resignation.

I didn’t say anything. I just nodded and headed to my own room, my mind swirling with thoughts I couldn’t quite sort out. Steve’s warning echoed in my head, but more than that, the way he looked at me, like I was fragile, like I needed protection, made my skin crawl.

It wasn’t until I was alone in my room, sitting on the edge of my bed, that I realized something felt off. The way Steve and Natasha had reacted to Lloyd.

As I lay down, pulling the covers over myself, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the carefree freedom I’d felt with Lloyd earlier that day was slipping through my fingers.

By the end of the third week, Tony got wind of a party happening at one of the nearby villas, and just like that, we were off.

The villa was buzzing with energy that night, music thumped through the walls, laughter spilled out from every corner, and the air was thick with the scent of tropical drinks and perfume. It was another party, another scene I never quite felt I belonged in, but I went along with it, trying to blend in with the group.

Steve, of course, had stuck to my side all night, possessively hovering like a shadow, making sure I didn’t stray too far. It was exhausting. I excused myself to grab another drink, slipping out from under his watchful eye and wandering into the crowd.

That’s when I saw him, Lloyd, standing near the back patio, his easy smile lighting up his face as he spoke to a group of strangers. He spotted me, and that smile only widened, sending a warmth through me that I hadn’t realized I needed.

"Well, if it isn’t my favorite jet ski partner," he teased as I approached, his voice dripping with the playful sarcasm I’d grown to enjoy.

I chuckled, the tension I’d been carrying with me all night melting away in his presence. “You better watch it,” I replied. “I might start to think you actually like me.”

Lloyd’s dark eyes sparkled with amusement, his crooked grin making my stomach flutter. “Maybe I do,” he said, his tone low but light. His teasing was always edged with something deeper, something that made my heart race in ways I hadn’t felt in a long time.

We wandered off to the quieter section of the party, near the beach where the sound of the waves mixed with the distant hum of the party.

“So, how’d you end up with Steve and the wealth squad?” Lloyd asked, half-smiling, his tone playful but curious. “I’ve been wondering that since we met,”

“University,” I answered, not really thinking about it. When he paused, waiting for more, I sighed and gave in to the full story. “I shared a class with Sharon. We sat next to each other, and she needed help with her assignments. So, I helped. Help eventually turned into me actually doing her assignments, and eventually Jane and Pepper’s.”

Lloyd raised an eyebrow, but didn’t interrupt.

“Natasha never needed help,” I added, almost like it mattered somehow. “Anyway, Sharon thought she could trade friendship for completed homework. And me, being as foolish as I was, allowed it.

Lloyd tilted his head, studying me for a moment. I could feel his gaze, but I kept talking, needing to get it all out.

“During my last year at University, I was overwhelmed, exams, projects, papers. You name it. And for some reason, Sharon couldn’t understand that I needed to prioritize myself. She felt betrayed, like I was supposed to keep sacrificing my sanity for her. So, she dropped me, just like that.”

Lloyd frowned, his brow furrowing as if trying to piece it all together. “That sucks, but… why are you here with them now?”

I shrugged, feeling the familiar weight of the answer pressing on me. “Sharon called me out of the blue, invited me on this trip. I declined at first, but things… weren’t going so great at home. I lost my job, had to move back in with my parents, and they were driving me insane. So, I caved. Figured one month in the Maldives was better than staying at home.”

Lloyd nodded slowly, leaning back against the railing, “Seems like you’ve been through it.”

“Yeah,” I sighed, glancing back at the crowd inside. “I guess you could say that.”

I didn’t know what I was expecting when I told Lloyd everything. Maybe I just needed someone to hear it without judgment. Without the baggage of knowing all the players involved. And somehow, Lloyd, with his laid-back charm and sharp sense of humor, made it easier to say out loud.

The silence between us lingered for a moment, comfortable yet loaded, before he spoke again. “Well, for what it’s worth, you don’t seem like the kind of person who needs to be hanging out with people like them.”

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, well, sometimes you just… end up where you are, I guess.”

At one point, he leaned in, brushing a lock of hair away from my face, his fingers grazing my skin. The touch sent a shiver down my spine, and for the first time in a while, I felt my breath catch in my throat.

Before we could go further, I felt it, the shift in the air, like a dark cloud had rolled in. I didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

Steve.

His presence was suffocating, a heavy weight that pressed down on me the moment he appeared. “Lloyd, what a coincidence,” Steve greeted him with that smile that didn’t reach his eyes. There was something colder, more calculated in his tone. He stepped closer, his gaze locked on me. “Mind if I borrow Kiwi for a second?”

"Does she want to be borrowed?" Lloyd’s voice was calm, yet irritated but the tension between them was almost palpable. I could feel his eyes on me, silently asking for confirmation.

The truth? I didn’t. I didn’t want to go anywhere with Steve. But deep down, I knew that Steve had no problem escalating a situation if it didn’t go his way. And I didn’t want to drag Lloyd into that mess. So, I laid my hand on Lloyd’s arm, a silent apology in my eyes as I told him, “I’ll be back.” I threw Steve a dirty look, hoping he'd understand this wasn't going to go the way he wanted.

Before I could move, Steve’s hand was already around my wrist, his grip firm, almost possessive. He pulled me aside, his expression unreadable, but the tightness in his jaw betrayed the calm exterior he was trying to maintain.

I yanked my arm back, glaring at him. Steve didn’t flinch, his grip tightening just enough to remind me who held the power.

“What are you doing with him?” Steve’s voice was low, controlled, but there was an edge that made my skin prickle. His grip on my wrist didn’t loosen.

I yanked my hand back, glaring at him. “I’m just talking to him, Steve. What’s your problem?”

“He’s not good for you, Kiwi-” His jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing slightly. As if he was holding back.

I stared at him, anger rising in my chest. “You don’t get to decide who’s good for me, Steve. This isn’t your call.”

Steve’s smile returned, but it was colder now, the kind that sent chills down my spine. “Okay,” he said lightly, stepping back. His voice was casual, too casual. “I won’t get in your way.” He gave me a short nod before turning and walking back toward the villa.

I watched him go, relief washing over me, thinking that the confrontation was over. But deep down, something felt off. Steve had let it go too easily.

I returned to Lloyd, “Seems, like he needs a good pegging.” He said his humor cutting through the tension like a breath of fresh air, and I managed to shake off the strange encounter with Steve. For the rest of the night, I focused on Lloyd, laughing and joking as we wandered along the beach. It felt good…natural. For once, I didn’t feel like I was being suffocated by Steve’s presence.

But a few days later, everything changed.

Lloyd stopped texting. No calls, no messages. I tried reaching out, but my calls went straight to voicemail. It was like he’d vanished.

Worried, I went back to his villa, hoping to get some explanation. But when I got there, it was empty. A neighbor mentioned he’d left abruptly, something about family issues overseas, but it didn’t sit right with me. I wanted to believe it was just bad timing, but the nagging feeling in my gut told me otherwise.

Steve didn’t miss a beat. He swooped back into my life, acting as though nothing had happened, as though Lloyd’s sudden disappearance was just a coincidence. He was all concerned and caring, making sure I was "okay." His concern seemed genuine, but deep down, I knew the truth.

That night, I drowned my guilt in bottles, one after another, trying to numb the sick feeling churning in my stomach. I couldn’t stop thinking about Lloyd. What happened to him? Questions swirled in my mind, but the alcohol silenced them for a while, turning everything into a hazy blur.

Eventually, the weight of the night pulled me under, and I passed out, letting the booze take over completely.

When I woke up, my head was pounding, the light creeping through the curtains like needles stabbing at my skull. I groaned, rolling over in bed, but the movement made me realize something was off. My body was stiff, every muscle sore like I’d been through a marathon I didn’t remember running, and my skin felt so sticky.

I tried to stretch, but even that felt like a challenge, my limbs heavy and resistant. My mind was still foggy, disoriented from the drinks and... something else.

Sitting up slowly, I pressed my hands to my temples, trying to will the pounding headache away. The room was spinning slightly, the events of last night scattered like broken puzzle pieces in my brain.

I was in my own bed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

I flopped back down on my bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin, trying to shake off the throbbing headache pounding through my skull. Staying in seemed like the best option today. I just hoped Steve wouldn’t give me a hard time about it, especially with how overbearing he’d been lately.

A knock came at the door, and before I could respond, Steve walked in holding a bowl of what looked like soup. I sat up slightly, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Peace offering,” he said with a small smile, placing the bowl on the nightstand for a moment. “I wanted to apologize... for, you know, how I’ve been acting on this trip.”

I blinked at him, unsure where this was going. My headache was making it hard to focus, but his tone seemed genuine.

Steve sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I just... I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, Kiwi. You’re a good friend, and I guess I’ve gotten a little... overprotective. It wasn’t my intention to make you uncomfortable.”

He was full of so much shit. I wasn’t sure what to say, and in the haze of my headache, I couldn’t really be mad at him. I just needed to make it through this trip, since he refused to let me go back home, so I just played nice.

I gave him a tired smile, the best I could manage with my pounding head. “Thanks, Steve. I appreciate that.”

“Let me feed you,” he said suddenly, picking up the bowl of soup again.

“What?” I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have to, just put it on the nightstand. I’ll drink it when I’m ready.”

Steve shook his head, already pulling up a desk chair beside me. “Nah, it’s best when it’s still warm. You need to get it in you now.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but honestly, I didn’t have the energy to argue. My head felt like it was splitting in two. I just sighed and let him lift the spoon to my lips. The soup was surprisingly good, and with each sip, I felt the warmth spread through my chest, easing the discomfort.

After a few spoonful’s, I glanced up at him. “Why don’t you take care of your other friends like this when they’re hungover?”

He chuckled. “Because hangovers aren’t a common thing for you, Kiwi. Figured you’re not used to this.”

I nodded. He wasn’t wrong. I rarely drank, and when I did, it was never enough to leave me like this. Reluctantly, I let him keep feeding me until the bowl was empty. My exhaustion was creeping in fast, making it hard to keep my eyes open.

“Get some rest,” Steve said softly, tucking the blankets around me and leaning down to kiss my forehead. “Things are about to get busy soon.”

I drowsily nodded, already half-asleep, as I felt the weight of the day pull me under. I drifted off, wondering what he meant by that, but too tired to care for now.

Our final week in the Maldives felt like a blur. I was constantly drifting in and out of consciousness, my body heavy, my words thick in my throat whenever I tried to speak. Everything felt... off. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but Bruce chalked it up to lethargy.

“You’re just not used to prolonged rest, Kiwi,” he explained one morning when I asked why I felt so sluggish. “This vacation has you in a constant state of rest. Once you get home and start working again, everything will balance out.”

I nodded weakly, hoping he was right. But something deep down told me this wasn’t just about too much rest. I felt trapped in my own body, like I was dragging myself through every day, unable to fully engage with anything or anyone.

Steve, ever the attentive one, waited on me hand and foot, giving me these green energy smoothies every morning. "It’ll help pick you up," he’d say with that confident smile of his. But after days of drinking them, I didn’t feel any better. In fact, I felt worse. I told him as much one day, mentioning what Bruce had said about lethargy and how this constant dragging feeling couldn’t be good for me.

“Don’t worry about it,” Steve replied smoothly, brushing off my concerns as he squeezed my hand. He kept that hand-holding thing going all week, dragging me around like I was some ragdoll. And I let him. I didn’t have the energy to resist. The thought of doing anything on my own felt impossible. I was just waiting for the vacation to be over, to escape the fog that had settled over me.

At night, I slept like a rock. But when morning came, my body still felt heavy, weighed down like someone had filled me with stones. The soreness lingered, making even the simplest movement feel like a chore.

Before I knew it, the vacation was over, and I was sitting next to Steve on his private jet, heading back home. I stared out of the window, my eyes glazed over, the hum of the plane’s engine doing nothing to soothe the anxiety bubbling inside me. I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it home. I wasn’t even sure I’d be able to stand once we landed, let alone call an Uber or deal with my parents.

The plane landed, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My body felt so heavy, and everything around me seemed to swim in and out of focus. I felt myself being shifted, my body moving without me fully realizing it. Someone was lifting me, but it was all so hazy, like I was watching it from somewhere far away.

“It’s okay, you’re fine,” a voice whispered near my ear. Steve’s voice.

I wanted to say something, to ask what was happening, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate. Everything was slipping away from me, and I could only hope that whatever was happening... I’d wake up from it soon.

When the fog finally lifted, I found myself in a bed that wasn’t mine, in a room I didn’t recognize. The fancy digital clock on the nightstand glowed 10:53 a.m., and before I could fully comprehend what was happening, a pair of arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm body. My heart raced as I turned to see who it was, and there was Steve, eyes closed, snoring softly, his face inches from mine.

I blinked, trying to shake off the remaining haze. “Steve?” I called out, nudging him slightly. “Steve, wake up.”

He stirred, stretching with a loud yawn before cracking open one eye. "Morning," he mumbled, voice thick with sleep.

“Where... where am I? What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still groggy but clearer than it had been in days.

Steve stretched again, his arm lazily draping across me. “You knocked out on the plane,” he explained. “So, I brought you to my house. I didn’t know where you lived.”

I sat up a little, still disoriented. “Why didn’t you just look at my ID?”

There was a pause, then a look of realization flashed across his face. “You know, I didn’t think of that.

I blinked at him, feeling a strange mixture of exhaustion and clarity wash over me. Something didn’t feel right, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I glanced down, suddenly noticing that I was wearing one of the nighties I’d packed for the vacation, with no underwear, sticky skin and sore muscle. My eyes darted to Steve, and that’s when I realized he was only in his boxers.

“Steve...” I started slowly, “who changed my clothes?”

He gave me an incredulous look, raising an eyebrow as if the question was ridiculous. “You did,” he said matter-of-factly.

I froze. I didn’t remember that. Not even a little. But what reason did I have to doubt him? My mind still felt like it was piecing itself back together after the past week.

I swallowed hard, nodding slightly, though the knot in my stomach grew tighter. “Okay... then why are you in your boxers?”

Steve smirked, giving a nonchalant shrug. “I usually sleep naked when I’m in my own bed. But I put on the boxers, you know, as a courtesy.”

I nodded again, more out of reflex than understanding. “Right...” I muttered, pushing the covers off me and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Where’s your bathroom?”

Steve pointed lazily to a door in the corner of the room, where the window met the wall. I wasted no time getting up and heading toward it, my head buzzing with too many thoughts to process.

As soon as the bathroom door closed behind me, I leaned against the sink and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I felt a panic rising in my chest. I didn’t remember changing. I didn’t remember much of anything after that last week. And now I was in Steve’s house, in Steve’s bed... with Steve.

I pressed my palms against the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a mess, and my eyes were still heavy with exhaustion.

I blinked a few times, trying to process everything. How did I end up here? And in my nighty, no less? It didn’t add up. The last clear memory I had was from the plane. Everything after that was a foggy blur.

"Okay, Kiwi, calm down," I whispered to myself. "You can figure this out."

I shook my head, trying to focus. I needed to get out of here. I needed to clear my head and figure out what was really going on. But as I stared at my reflection, my gut twisted with uncertainty.

I couldn’t just ignore the way Steve had been acting over at the Maldives, how close he had gotten, how possessive he seemed. And now this? Him brushing off that he didn’t know where I lived? When I was sure it would take nothing to figure out.

I splashed cold water on my face, hoping it would wake me up from this strange feeling  that seemed to linger. I had to get a grip on the situation.

When I walked back out, Steve was still lying in his bed, stretched out, looking way too comfortable. "You, okay?" he asked, his voice lazy, like none of this was out of the ordinary.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, just needed a minute."

"Good," he replied, sitting up and stretching. "We’ve got breakfast downstairs if you’re hungry."

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything more.

Steve moved from the bed, stretching his arms with a casualness that made my skin crawl. He grabbed a robe from a nearby chair and slid it on before turning to me, his eyes lingering on me just a second too long. It wasn’t subtle, he looked me up and down before pulling out another robe and handing it to me.

“Here, put this on,” he said, his tone soft but something about it made me feel like I didn’t really have a choice.

I slipped it on, trying not to think too much about his gaze. The fabric was smooth, probably the most expensive thing I’d ever worn. But it didn’t feel comforting; it felt like a reminder of just how far out of my element I was.

Before I could say anything, Steve was by my side, grabbing my hand in a way that was far too intimate. His grip was firm, not forceful, but it left me no room to pull away. He led me out of the room, his massive mansion unfolding before me as we moved through the wide corridors.

The grand staircase was as intimidating as it was beautiful, spiraling down into what felt like the heart of the house. My mind was still spinning from everything, how I’d ended up here, the fog that had clouded my memory for what felt like weeks, and now, Steve’s hand holding mine felt like it was tethering me to this strange reality.

We descended into the dining room, which was, of course, massive. The table was already set, food arranged like we were about to attend a banquet. I could smell eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and some other dishes I didn’t even recognize. It all looked like something straight out of a magazine.

Steve pulled out a chair for me, still holding that unreadable expression on his face. I sat down slowly, trying to process everything. He slid into the chair right next to me, far closer than necessary, and for a second, I felt the weight of his presence more than the meal in front of me.

“Go ahead,” Steve said, gesturing to the food. “You need to eat after the week you’ve had.”

I swallowed hard, my appetite completely gone despite the feast in front of me. But I picked up a fork anyway, feeling his eyes on me the whole time. I had no idea how I was going to make it through this breakfast, or what Steve expected from me next.

Steve picked up a small tart and brought it toward me. I reached out to grab it, but just as my fingers brushed it, he pulled it away, holding it in front of my mouth instead, his eyes expectant. The gesture was so casual, like this was normal, so I awkwardly leaned forward and allowed him to feed me. The tart was sweet, but I barely tasted it, my discomfort overpowering everything else.

He set the other piece down and resumed eating his own meal as if nothing strange had just happened. I, on the other hand, felt my shoulders tense up as I silently chewed, trying to make sense of what this morning was becoming.

After a few moments of silence, Steve spoke again, this time in a tone that made me wary. "So, I have news."

I glanced at him, unsure what to expect. "Okay..." I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I spoke to my father," Steve began, "and unfortunately, he's not interested in hiring for any entry-level positions in his finance department right now."

The news hit me like a brick. My stomach dropped, I had forgotten that I asked him to do that, and though I knew it was good that I didn’t have to stick around Steve, I really could have used that job. My shoulders slumped as that familiar wave of defeat washed over me.

But before I could sink any deeper into that feeling, Steve’s hand was on my cheek, gently caressing my skin. “Hey, don’t look so down. I’m not done yet,” he said, his voice soft but commanding. “I managed to get you an opportunity elsewhere. Proper salary, full benefits.”

I perked up, my heart lifting at the words. “Really?” I asked, excitement creeping in. I hadn’t expected a follow-up.

Steve smiled, the kind of smile that felt both comforting and unsettling at the same time. “Yeah, really. You know my father’s been mentoring me to take over his company, right? Well, next quarter, I’ll have a proper position. And with that position, I’m going to need a few resources.” He paused, his smile widening. “Congratulations, you’re going to be my new PA.”

I blinked, the words not quite sinking in at first. “Personal assistant?” I repeated, taken aback. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind when I thought of a job with a ‘proper salary.’ But then again, I was in no position to be picky.

“Personal assistant,” he confirmed, nodding.

I sat there, unsure of how to feel. The idea of working directly under Steve made me uneasy, especially after everything that had happened on this trip. But at the same time... I couldn’t afford to turn this down. Not now. Not with my parents breathing down my neck, and no other job prospects on the horizon. Maybe, just maybe, this could lead to something more. Soon, enough I’ll find myself in a position where I’ll no longer need Steve and I could just leave.

“So,” Steve said, interrupting my thoughts, “what do you think?”

I hesitated, taking a deep breath before nodding. “Okay,” I finally said, unsure of whether I was convincing him or myself.

Steve clapped his hands together, his excitement palpable. “Awesome. We’ll get you set up before the start of the new quarter, then.”

He picked up the rest of the tart he’d fed me earlier and brought it to my lips again. I leaned forward to take a bite, but a small drop of fruit glaze fell onto my chin. Before I could react, Steve wiped it away with his thumb and, without breaking eye contact, licked it off.

“Welcome to Rogers and Co.”

[judesmoonbeauty]

Fairytale Final Assessment 1st Anniversary SE: Jude Jazza's POV Chapter 2 ཐིཋྀ

Fan translation only. Not 100% accurate. Please expect grammatical errors. Cybird owns everything. Feel free to re-blog, but please do NOT post my translations elsewhere.

Translation notes are marked with *** Alternate translation is marked with/// Hour Glass Banners Credit: @/natimiles ཐིཋྀ

I glared at Kate at a distance where the tips of our noses touched.

(Ha…….Really, not good.)

(Her eyes.)

Despite being pinned down and being shown the overwhelming difference in power, Kate’s eyes never gave up.

She glared at me too straight on, with a glow in them. 

(……Ah, something like this happened before.)

She was kidnapped on my birthday, and had collapsed because she didn’t leak any information about me.

When I saw her injured, my core went completely cold. 

FLASH BACK TO HIS BD STORY

Jude: As ya said, I'm threatenin’ ya now.

Jude: But ...... I could snap your neck in an instant. Besides, the people I'm dealin’ with won't even hesitate.

Jude: If you're aware that you're being pushed away, I'm sure a smart young lady would know what to do.

Kate: I would have stayed out of it if I could have.......

Jude: But?

Kate: Every time we go on a mission together or escape from a predicament, I realize various things and change.

Kate: I don't mind that kind of change in myself.

FLASH BACK ENDS

I don't remember being kind to her or taking care of her carefully.

There have been times when she looked at death.

She has learned so much that she can no longer be called a “naive young lady.”

Despite this, she is a brazen woman with annoying eyes who maintains her clean side even when she knows of dirty maliciousness.

(I know I like this girl.)

(It’s interesting to see the fighting spirit that comes from her, but…)

(If I don't kick her out now... one day...she’ll die.)

(Then, why don't I draw the line here?)

I put my hand around Kate’s neck and squeeze it tighter than I did that day.

Kate: …..Ts…….ah.

Jude: I told ya before that when your carotid artery is constricted, ya instantly can't breathe.

Jude: Are ya scared? Is it painful?

Jude: If you're going to give up here, I'll make it easy for ya, but what are ya goin’ to do?

Kate: Oh……ugh.

Jude: I can't hear anything. Could ya speak more clearly?

When I applied more force and tried to knock Kate unconscious, Kate’s arm suddenly pushed me away.

Kate: Cough….cough……

Jude: Ha, you’re so powerful.

Kate: Again, please!

Jude: ………

(This girl, really?)

After that, Kate kept coming back to fight again and again.

Perhaps Ellis couldn't bear to see it, and suggested another game, 

Even so, I still ate many episodes…..***

Kate: …….

Jude: Ha, ya look exhausted.

Jude: There's no need for me to sign the consent form. Why don't ya give up quietly and pack your things?

Kate: There's still time until today ends.

Kate: I won't give up until you sign it.

Ellis: Kate…..

(She really is a stubborn woman. There's no end to it.)

It's not that I didn't imagine this would happen.

Jude: I don't want to be with ya forever. Let's go settle the matter. 

Kate: This is the port where you manage the logistics depot, right Jude?

Jude: As ya know, we rent our warehouses to others with interest.

Jude: There was a man there who was making a living doin’ bad business.

Kate: I'm sure... something like that happened before, right?

Kate: He was using Jude's warehouse for human trafficking...a man with a bowler hat!

Ellis: That's when Kate was with Jude for the first time.

Jude: What a good memory!

Kate: I was attacked and almost killed, so even though I hate it, I will never forget it.

Kate: So, since you brought me here, you're trying to make me do something, right?

Jude: There’s a guy who has done something similar to that man in the bowler hat.

Jude: He’s got some classified documents hidden somewhere in a warehouse up ahead.

Jude: Get me those classified documents and then we'll talk. 

Kate: I’ll find the classified documents that’ll benefit you, Jude.

Kate: If I find them, will you sign it?

Jude: That’s what I’m sayin’.

Jude: I’m not patient, I’ll only wait until midnight.

Kate: I understand. Your promise is absolute.

Ellis: Kate, so you want me to follow you?

Kate: Thank you, Ellis. But this is my game, and I'll do my best on my own.

With that said, Kate ran away from the scene.

Ellis: A guy doing bad business in a warehouse who is hiding classified documents. Just like the one I killed yesterday……..

Ellis: Jude, no way!

Jude: No, of course not. There is no such person or classified document anywhere.

Jude: She’s gonna keep looking for something that's not there, and at midnight, I'm gonna call it a night.

Ellis: It's like Cinderella in bad taste.

Jude: The best fairy tale mistake.

Lighting a cigarette, I inhale the smoke deeply into my lungs, and exhale.

(Now she’s washed her hands from Crown with this.)***

(This is a happy ending. It's a lukewarm happy ending that suits her.)

He tossed the shortened cigarette to the ground and stomped it down with his foot.

The on-site supervisor came running towards me, the color of his complexion changed.

Supervisor: Mr. Jude, why are you here? I’ve been trying to contact you! 

Jude: What happened?

Supervisor: You remember that guy you sent to the lab for illegal human trafficking here before.

Ellis: Is that.….that's the guy in the bowler hat who Kate was talking about earlier, isn't it?

Supervisor: That man escaped from the lab and attacked a weapons store. He killed the clerk and stole a gun...

Supervisor: As he was escaping he said he was going to kill Jude Jazza!

Jude: ………

Supervisor: The man's goal is revenge against you. Please run away and hide yourself quickly…..

FLASH BACK

Jude: We had a contract that said you couldn't buy or sell humans, right?

Bowler Hat Man: I'm hoping you'll let me off the hook there.

Bowler Hat Man: Well, even poor people can sell at a good price.

Bowler Hat Man: It'll line your pockets and clean up this docklands cesspool that is the Port of London.

Jude: ……….

Bowler Hat Man: You, who love other people's misfortune and money, will let me off the hook, won't you?

Bowler Hat Man: If you agree, your lover will be returned to you unharmed.

FLASHBACK ENDS

(He’s seen Kate’s face.）

Jude:…..Damn, how bad can her luck be?

Supervisor: Oh, hey, Mr. Jude, where are you going?

Ellis: Jude!

Running through the bay, I opened the doors of the warehouses with a fine-tooth comb.

(……Where the hell is she?)

Then I heard a noise in one of the warehouses.

When I opened the door to the warehouse, I found-

[Previous] [Bitter End] [Premium End] [Master List]

***HELP! I could not t/l this line to save my life! It’s a simple sentence (?), but it literally said he was consuming editions. I managed to t/l it into “episodes” after a lot of research. I believe he is implying that because Kate keeps coming back to spar with him, he is comparing each fight to an episode and consuming it as his win and her loss??

*** 足 denotes leg or foot. 洗 denotes cleansed, scoured, wash. So, I decided to nix leg/foot and use hands as an alt since westerners are more familiar with that term.

[inkmonster21]

Hearts Across the Divide

16.) Trapped

Noa x Fem!Human!Reader

Series Masterlist

~oOo~

Noa pulls and prying at the metal bars. His hand is blistering, and his arms are weak, but he doesn’t stop. His groans of exhaustion and desperation ring through the camp.

Loui speaks up, his voice filled with a despairing tone. "We're not getting out of here," he declares, the reality of their predicament settling in. The finality of his words hangs heavily in the air, casting a shadow over the small group. The realization that they're trapped – no hope, no escape – hits hard, a sense of helplessness washing over everyone in the cage.

Noa's voice cuts through the despair, a spark of determination flaring within him. "Yes, we are," he counters firmly. There's an ironclad resolve in his tone, a refusal to accept defeat. Despite the dire circumstances, Noa clings to an unwavering belief that they will find a way out.

Loui responds with a cynical chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "No wonder she gave everything away for you," he remarks sarcastically. There's a hint of bitterness in his voice, a thinly veiled jab at Noa's devotion. The implication hangs heavy in the air, stirring up tensions within the group.

Noa turns towards Loui, his expression hardening into a scowl. The sarcasm does not escape him, and it only serves to stoke the flame of his anger. Noa's eyes narrow, the tension between the two chimps growing more pronounced with each passing moment.

Loui's voice fills with sarcastic bitterness as he continues to taunt. "Always dreaming… always with her nose in a book… here you are… playing the hero… trying to save her. A perfect match… aren’t you?" Loui's words are laced with resentment, the barb cutting deep into Noa's heart. The group is on edge, the tension palpable.

Noa's face contorts with anger, the hurt from Loui's words stinging deep. He struggles to keep his voice steady as he responds, "You don't know… what you are talking about!"

Loui shoots back, his voice laced with anger and blame. "This is all her fault! Both of you... should have known better!" The accusation in his tone is clear, his frustration overflowing.

Noa's anger flares, his patience reaching its limit. "Don't DARE blame her!" he snaps, his voice rising in volume.

Noa's eyes flare, his temper flaring further as Loui challenges him. "Or what, Noa?" The words hang heavy in the air, a gauntlet thrown down. Noa's muscles tense, his fists clenching as he glares back at Loui. The silence in the cage is thick with anticipation, as the two simians stand off, their conflict reaching a breaking point.

Noa can no longer contain his anger and lunges towards Loui. With a powerful charge, he rams into Loui, knocking him off balance and sending both crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs. The other chimps in the cage watching in shocked silence, the brawl happening so suddenly.

The two chimpanzees struggle on the ground, their bodies writhing as they try to gain the upper hand in their heated fight. Noa's anger has boiled over, fueling his struggle against Loui.

A sudden shock of cold water hits Noa and Loui, drenching them and breaking up their struggle. Noa gasps as the cold water washes over him, the fight between him and Loui suddenly coming to a halt. Both chimps splutter, taken off guard by the unexpected and sudden shower.

A human stands outside the cage, holding an empty bucket. His tone is firm and authoritative as he barks out, "Quit the damn fighting." The unexpected intervention and cold water seem to have quelled the tension, at least for the moment.

Sunrise breaks in the camp, its warm rays illuminating the area with a soft, golden light. You exit your tent, your fatigue is evident in your movements, but a sense of curiosity gnawing at you.

Your mind is troubled, still reeling from the events of the night before. The memory of the kiss from the ape lingers in your thoughts. You can't shake the feeling of its unexpected intensity, leaving you conflicted and dazed.

As you move through the camp, going through your usual tasks, your eyes fall upon the six apes in the cage. A pang of sympathy and concern washes over you as you observe the captured chimpanzees. The sight of their confinement is a stark reminder of the situation you find yourself in.

You meet the gaze of the ape, his eyes holding yours. A jolt of recognition and realization floods through you, the memory of his unexpected kiss still fresh in your mind. His eyes hold a warm intensity, sending a shiver down your spine. The tingle of excitement mixes with the lingering doubt within you.

The ape's gaze locks with yours, the connection between you undeniable. The memory of the kiss resurfaces, sending a shiver down your spine. Yet doubt lingers, adding a sense of unease to your swirling emotions. You try to shake it off, resuming your tasks in the camp, but the chimp's intense look follows you, leaving you increasingly conflicted.

Jack approaches you, drawing your attention away from the chimp in the cage. His presence momentarily distracts you from the ape's intense gaze.

Jack addresses you, his voice cutting through your thoughts. "Hey, you want to head out soon?" His question snaps you out of your current stupor. You gather your thoughts and answer, “Yeah, sure.”

You remember your previous agreement to patrol the camp with Jack today. Proximus suggested that exploring familiar places might help jog your memory and possibly cure your amnesia. This seems logical given that places can hold strong connections to specific memories.

You stay behind Jack as you walk beside him, your footsteps crunching on the ground below. Your mind drifts to the chimp in the cage, the feeling of his gaze on you intense and impossible to shake. Despite your efforts to focus on the task at hand, something about the chimp's unwavering stare keeps drawing your attention.

Noa watches silently as you follow Jack, a mix of emotions within him. His gaze follows your every step, his eyes locked on you until you disappear from view. The sight of you leaving with Jack, the human male, fills him with a conflicted mixture of worry and regret.

Noa experiences a tangle of emotions as he watches you walk away with Jack. Frustration, insecurity, and regret intermingle within him. He is unable to shake the feeling of powerlessness and a deep ache of longing. Noa wishes he could join you, protect you, and be by your side. But instead, he remains trapped, his gaze filled with a mixture of anger, helplessness, and heartache.

Proximus approaches the cage where the six apes are held captive. His presence casts a shadow over the group, their eyes following his movements with a mix of hostility and resignation.

Soona and Keli remain under Anaya's protective embrace, while Teko and Loui stand in front of the group with defiance. Noa, a fierce determination in his gaze, steps closer to the bars, his intense eyes fixed on Proximus.

Proximus motions to a male, the same one who had drenched them in water before, indicating to the seed-filled bucket. Rudy opens the cage gate just long enough to spill the seeds inside. Proximus smirks, his voice mocking as he addresses Noa, "I am... a generous king." The mocking tone grates on Noa's nerves, his eyes flash at the insult.

Noa meets Proximus's gaze with a steely glare, his voice filled with a dangerous edge. "You will be... a dead king." The words hang in the air, a promise and a warning, as Noa's eyes burn with determination and defiance.

Proximus responds to Noa's threat with a booming laugh, the sound echoing through the camp. The laughter only seems to stoke Noa's anger further, his rage and frustration feeding off the mocking response.

Noa's reaction is swift and impulsive, seizing Proximus by the head and forcefully ramming him into the bars of the cage. The impact is forceful and loud, eliciting a gasp from some nearby humans and apes alike. Noa's adrenaline and fury drive his actions, his emotions getting the best of him in this heated moment.

The unexpected attack leaves Proximus reeling, blood trickling from a cut above his brow. He staggers back, taken off guard by Noa's sudden display of violence. The humans nearby scramble, their shock giving way to a mixture of disbelief and alarm.

Despite the pain and surprise from Noa's attack, Proximus musters a menacing chuckle. His voice holds a chilling certainty as he asserts, "You... will learn, Noa." The threat behind his words is ominous, a promise of further consequences for Noa's defiance.

Proximus gives a cold order, his voice low and dangerous. "Trank him." The command hangs in the air, leaving no room for doubt or disobedience.

Rudy lifts his tranquilizer gun, his aim steady as he fires the dart straight through the bars of the cage. The tranquilizer dart pierces Noa's arm, delivering the sedative into his system in an instant.

The effects of the tranquilizer dart take immediate hold, causing Noa to sway on his feet. He stumbles backward, his body growing heavy and sluggish as the tranquilizer begins to take effect. He attempts to stay upright, but the drug is too powerful, and he succumbs to the sedative.

Proximus turns his gaze on the other apes in the cage, his smirk widening as he addresses them. "See what happens?" The message is clear: disobedience and rebellion will not be tolerated. The tone is both a warning and a show of dominance, as Proximus revels in the moment of triumph over Noa's defiance.

The other apes remain silent, their eyes fixed on Proximus with a mix of fear and resentment. They are too intimidated to challenge him, well aware of the consequences that would likely follow.

Proximus turns to his left, motioning for two apes from his loyal following to step forward. His voice is commanding as he issues the order. "Take this one... lock him up alone." The apes obey without question, moving swiftly to Noa's fallen form and lifting him off the ground.

You continue your patrol through the woods alongside Jack, your footsteps crunching on the forest floor. The surroundings feel foreign and unfamiliar, the woods failing to spark any sense of recognition for you. You navigate the dense foliage in silence, the quiet broken only by the occasional tweet of a nearby bird or the rustle of leaves underfoot.

Your mind drifts to the moment of the unexpected kiss, the memory replaying in your mind. It is the only thing that seems familiar, a fleeting yet powerful sensation that beckons to the locked recesses of your memory. You struggle to make sense of this strange feeling, wondering why this one encounter feels so significant when everything else seems like a blurry haze.

Jack breaks the silence, his voice cutting through your thoughts. "Are you feeling better today?" His question catches you off guard, causing you to snap back to reality. You ponder his question for a moment, considering how to respond.

Your response is honest. "I..." you begin, but the words trail off as you consider your situation. "Not really," you finally admit, your tone reflecting the truth of your circumstance. Nothing had improved, and if anything, things seemed to have grown more complicated and distressing.

Jack nods understandingly, his expression sympathetic. He knows your memory loss is a difficult obstacle to contend with. "I’m sorry to hear that," he replies, his voice gentle yet filled with concern.

Jack tenderly picks a flower from the ground, the petals soft and delicate. He hands it to you with a gentle smile, the gesture small yet significant. "Here," he says, his voice softer than usual. You accept the flower, your fingers gently wrapping around the stem. The touch of the petals is light and delicate, a stark contrast to the harsh realities of the world around you. "Thank you," you say quietly, touched by the simple yet thoughtful gesture.

The next stop on your patrol route leads you to a beautiful lake. The water is still, the surface reflecting the surrounding trees like a mirror. The sight is serene, a small oasis of tranquility in the otherwise chaotic world.

You gaze at the water of the lake, a pang of desire within you. It has been a long since you had a proper bath, and the idea of washing away the accumulated dirt and sweat is quite appealing.

Jack's voice interrupts your thoughts, a small smile on his face. "You want to go in?" He gestures towards the lake as if reading your mind. The suggestion is tempting, a chance to cool off and freshen up. You respond with a nod and a smile. The idea of bathing in the cool waters of the lake is too enticing to resist. Jack notices your eagerness and chuckles, clearly amused by your reaction.

Jack swiftly peels off his shirt, followed by his pants, revealing his bare upper torso. Your eyes widen in surprise at the unexpected sight, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment. Quickly, you turn away, your heart beating faster in your chest. It takes a moment for you to regain your composure.

Jack's chuckle breaks the tense moment, his voice light and playful. "Come on, now. It's nothing you haven't seen before," he teases, a sly grin on his face. Your cheeks feel hot with embarrassment, but his carefree attitude helps dispel some of the awkwardness.

Your mind ponders his statement, trying to discern the truth in his words. Have you seen a man bare-chested before? The memory dances just out of reach, a frustratingly elusive fragment of your past. The image is distasteful.

You tentatively dip your toes into the water of the lake, the warmth enveloping your skin. The sensation is soothing, a welcome contrast to the hot and humid days of late summer. The sun is still bright in the sky, but the end of the season is evident, a subtle coolness in the air signaling the approach of autumn.

You take a step further into the water, the cool liquid licking at your ankles and then your legs. The sensation is refreshing, a small sigh escaping your lips as the water soaks into your dress, causing the fabric to cling to your body.

You fully submerge your upper body in the water, letting the liquid envelop you. You take this opportunity to wash your hair and scrub your skin, relishing the chance to feel clean once again. The water gently laps at your skin, cleaning away the dirt and grime of the past several days.

Jack stands nearby, a small smile playing on his lips as he watches you bathe in the lake. His gaze is warm and amused, his eyes drinking in the sight of you in the water. The situation feels oddly intimate, the proximity of his gaze sending a flutter of emotions through you.

Jack moves through the water, approaching you with leisurely strokes. His body cuts through the water with ease, the muscles in his arms and chest flexing with each movement. As he nears you, the water laps at your sides, the movement causing small ripples to spread out in all directions.

Jack stops a few feet away from you, his smile widening as he takes in the sight of you in the water. The distance between you feels charged with a sense of intimacy and vulnerability. His eyes roam over your water-soaked dress, the fabric clinging to your frame, emphasizing your curves.

“You look…” Jack trails off, his voice low and rough. His eyes continue to roam over you, taking in the sight of your wet hair and clinging dress. The expression on his face is a mix of admiration and desire, his usual casual demeanor replaced by something more intense. “Beautiful,” he finally finishes, his voice barely above a whisper. The word hangs in the air, a simple yet powerful declaration. The way he looks at you, the longing in his eyes, betrays his true feelings.

You feel a mix of emotions stir within you at his words. A flutter of pleasure at the compliment tinged with a hint of embarrassment and uncertainty. The situation seems to have shifted from a moment of playful banter to something more serious, more real. The weight of Jack's gaze and the vulnerability of your situation in the water create a strange and intoxicating mix.

A sense of wrongness settles over you as you grapple with the emotions swirling within. The pleasure at Jack's compliment is tainted by a sense of guilt and discomfort. Your heart burns with uncertainty and something else, a feeling that this moment, as intimate and charged as it is, doesn't feel entirely right. Your head shakes involuntarily as if trying to deny or reject the conflicting feelings inside.

Jack reaches out, his hand moving through the water to gently take hold of yours. The touch is gentle yet firm, a silent plea for connection. His fingers wrap around yours, his palm feeling warm and rough against your skin. Jack's grip tightens slightly as he pulls you closer, closing the distance between your bodies. The water laps around you both, the ripples created by your combined movement a subtle reminder of the situation you find yourselves in. His gaze remains fixed on you, searching for any sign of reciprocation or rejection.

Your curiosity gets the better of you, and your hand moves down instinctively, tracing a path along the smooth expanse of Jack's bare chest. The sensation of his warm, wet skin under your fingertips sends a jolt through you, mixing with the strange mixture of emotions already coursing through your mind. You can feel the hard plane of his muscles, the strength, and power just beneath the surface.

Jack's skin responds to your touch, his body tensing slightly in response. His breath hitches, the sound barely perceptible above the gentle lapping of the water around you. He remains still, allowing you to explore the planes and contours of his chest, almost as if he's holding his breath.

Jack leans down, closing the distance between you, his head moving towards yours with deliberate slowness. The anticipation hangs in the air, suspended like the ripples on the water's surface. His eyes hold yours for a moment longer, a mixture of hesitation and longing, before he finally cups your chin and captures your lips in a tender, tentative kiss.

The kiss is soft and gentle, a cautious exploration of the connection between you. Jack's lips move against yours carefully, his fingers caressing your skin as if you were a precious and fragile thing. The sensation is both familiar and unfamiliar, stirring feelings and memories that are just beyond your reach.

You grapple with the unfamiliar feeling and fragments of memories that float just out of reach. The touch of Jack's lips, the gentle caress of his fingers, trigger something within you, a sense of familiarity and a hint of familiarity. But as hard as you search your mind, the source of these feelings remains elusive, just beyond the grasp of your conscious thought.

You slowly pull away from the kiss, your words breaking the moment of intimacy and connection. "We should get back soon," you say quietly, a note of finality in your voice. Jack's expression falters for a moment at your words, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features before he turns his face into a neutral mask.

Jack nods in agreement, silently acknowledging your suggestion to return. You wring out the water from your soaked dress, the fabric clinging even more tightly to your body as a result. Jack quickly dresses himself, his movements swift and efficient, covering up the expanse of his bare torso once more.

You and Jack continue the rest of the patrol in a heavy silence. The once-comfortable atmosphere is now tainted by an awkward tension that hangs in the air like a thick fog. The distance between you feels both immense and stifling at the same time, the unspoken words and emotions weighing heavily on both of your minds.

The cold air seems to cut through the fabric of your damp dress, and you let out a small shiver, your body reacting to the temperature change. Jack notices the motion, his gaze flickering over your shivering frame with a frown.

Jack notices your shiver and immediately wraps an arm around your shoulders, pulling you closer to him in a gesture of warmth and comfort. "We've got some extra pants and shirts from a whole bag of women's clothes," he says, referring to the cache of clothes his camp had found. The thought of a change of dry clothes is comforting, especially as you feel the chill seep into your bones.

You respond with a grateful nod, expressing your agreement. The thought of changing into dry, warm clothes is appealing, a welcome relief from the damp and cold of your current attire.

Jack guides you towards the camp, his arm still around your shoulders in a protective manner, shielding you from the worst of the chill.

As you pass through the camp, your attention is caught by a small cage tucked away in the corner. Within, you see an ape, his face contorted in a scowl, staring fixedly at the ground. The sight is disconcerting and pitiful, the animal's discontentment evident in his demeanor.

As you follow Jack into a nearby tent, you are unaware of the intense emotions that the caged ape is experiencing. Noa looks up as you pass by, his eyes tracking your every movement. The anger and jealousy that churn within his chest are palpable, a stark contrast to the calm and collected demeanor he typically strives to maintain.

As you exit the tent, fresh and clean in your new clothes, Noa's eyes remain fixated on you. His body tenses as he takes in the sight of you, clothed in new human garments. The thought of another male witnessing your unclothed form fuels the anger and jealousy that already burn within him. Noa's mind begins to race with thoughts of violence and retribution, his primal instincts taking over.

You smile warmly at Jack, gratitude clear in your expression. "I'll see you at dinner,” you say, bidding him farewell for the moment. Jack returns your smile, his eyes lingering on you for a moment longer than necessary before he nods and turns away, heading back toward his tent.

As Jack moves to enter his tent, he is stopped by Noa's voice from the nearby cage. Noa's guttural voice cuts through the air, a possessive and primal claim. "She is... mine," he growls, the words spoken with a mixture of anger and certainty.

Jack pauses, turning to face the ape. His expression remains neutral, betraying no hint of surprise or intimidation. "That so?" he replies coolly, his calm facade belied by the slight tensing of his muscles.

Noa's voice drops to a dangerous growl, his eyes narrowing in a fierce glare. "Yes... and if you take what is mine... I will rip your throat out," he threatens, the warning clear in his tone. Jack holds his ground, refusing to show any fear or weakness in the face of Noa's aggression.

Jack remains undeterred, his expression cool and composed. His response is almost casually mocking. "Pretty big threat for some monkey who's in a cage," he retorts, raising an eyebrow at the caged ape.

Noa’s furious roar fills the air, the sound a guttural, primal display of anger and frustration. He pounds against the sides of the cage, the metal bars creaking under the force of his blows. Jack watches Noa's display with a mix of fascination and caution. He remains standing just a few feet away from the cage, his neutral expression giving no hint of his thoughts. Noa's rage and ferocity are almost palpable, the raw power and emotion almost feral in nature.

Despite the intimidating and potentially dangerous situation, Jack remains unflinching, standing his ground with a cool demeanor. "Quite the temper you've got there," he remarks dryly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. As Jack starts to walk away, his words hang in the air, a taunting taunt. "Might send Rudy over here with another bucket," he says with a smirk. Jack's laughter only seems to enrage Noa further, the ape thrashing against the bars of the cage with renewed ferocity.

Noa’s roar echoes loudly through the camp, the fierce cry of a territorial ape who feels his claim challenged. "MINE!" he growls, the words a primal declaration of ownership and possession.

Jack remains unruffled, continuing to calmly walk away from the cage. The ape's possessive claims and threats have little effect on him, his cool demeanor a stark contrast to Noa's feral rage.

Loui, Teko, Anaya, Soona, and Keli sit quietly in their respective cage, their attention focused on Noa's furious display. They watch the ape with a mixture of fascination, concern, and perhaps a hint of sympathy.

The apes in the cage are disheartened and desperate, their spirits broken by their powerlessness. They sit quietly, contemplating their predicament. Without weapons or any means to fight back, they feel utterly defenseless against their human captors.

As the ape carrying the food enters the cage, the animals within look up eagerly. However, their hope is quickly dashed as the ape quickly sets the food down and hastily moves to leave. The other apes in the camp offer no assistance or sympathy, their fear and helplessness keeping them from interfering.

You approach the large bonfire crackling in the center of the camp, the flames casting a warm glow over the area. You see a group of ape women preparing the evening meal, their hands moving skillfully over the food as they chop and season. They greet you with smiles and nods, happy to have the extra help.

As you work beside the ape women, preparing the meal, your thoughts keep returning to the lone ape in the cage. The image of him, so isolated and desperate, resonates with you on some level, stirring feelings of sympathy and guilt. Despite the camaraderie of the apes around you, you can’t help but feel a twinge of longing and curiosity about the solitary ape.

You share a meal with the humans and apes in the camp, and the atmosphere comfortable and friendly. Despite the kindness and inclusiveness of the community, you can't shake the feeling that something is amiss. Something or someone is missing, a vital piece to the puzzle that leaves you with an odd sense of emptiness.

A woman in the camp suddenly interrupts the conversation, excitedly announcing that she found something. “Look what I found!” She produces an old, dusty record, placing it on the player as it begins to spin. The soft scratch of the needle against the vinyl is followed by music beginning to fill the air, old, forgotten melodies coming back to life.

The music, though old and slightly worn by time, brings a feeling of nostalgia to the camp. Some of the apes sit quietly, their eyes closed as they listen, while others begin to sway or move to the rhythm. It is a moment of shared joy and reminiscing, a brief respite from the darker realities of the camp.

A large hand of Proximus appears in your line of sight, extended toward you in invitation. His eyes, dark and intense, are fixed on you, a glimmer of mischief in their depths. His voice, deep and commanding, utters a simple request. "Dance... with me."

The sudden request surprises you, the command-like quality of his voice causing your heart to flutter in your chest. You glance around, noticing the curious gazes of the others before your eyes settle back on Proximus. The combination of his imposing presence and the silent challenge in his gaze makes it difficult to decline.

Your hand meets his, the feeling of his large, rough palm against your own. Proximus smirks, his gaze darting towards the darkened corner of the camp, where the cage housing the solitary ape is located. The motion is subtle, a sly glance meant only for his prisoner.

Proximus pulls you through various moves and spins, his strong arms guiding you expertly as you both move to the beat of the music. As you dance, a feeling of familiarity washes over you. The song, while old and dusty, triggers something within you, a sense of recognition that you can't quite place.

As the song comes to an end, you find yourself panting and slightly breathless, still caught up in the dance and the wave of emotions and memories that it stirred within you. You stand, momentarily disoriented, the echoes of the music still ringing in your ears while your mind tries to make sense of the conflicting and confusing images racing through your head.

Your eyes drift towards the large cage, your heart heavy with a sense of guilt and responsibility. You wonder if the apes imprisoned there have been fed, if they are well and safe. The thought of them, cramped and helpless, weighs on your consciousness, a nagging reminder of the harsh realities of the situation.

You gather up some berries, nuts, and scraps of meat from the supper leftovers, carefully wrapping them up and stuffing them in the pocket of your pants. You're determined to do what you can to make sure the apes in the cage are fed and cared for, even in this small way.

With the camp settling down for the night, you quietly slip out of your tent and head towards the large cage where the apes are being held. As you approach, Keli is the first to notice your presence, her dark eyes peering out at you through the bars.

"Hi," you reply, your voice soft and tinged with sadness. You approach the bars of the cage, your eyes meeting Keli's gaze with a mixture of pity and concern. "Have they fed you?" you repeat, unable to bear the thought of them going hungry and cold.

Keli nods in response to your question, her eyes reflecting a hint of resignation. "We were given a small offering of seeds," she tells you, her voice quiet but clear. "We are fine," she adds, though the words seem more like a dutiful response than a genuine assurance.

Keli turns to glance behind her, her eyes falling on the other apes inside the cage. Her expression softens slightly as she looks at them, a mixture of protectiveness and worry on her face.

Keli turns back to you, her dark eyes searching your face. Your question hangs in the air, the weight of it heavy. She seems to contemplate her answer for a moment, her gaze lowering as she focuses on the floor of the cage. Finally, she looks up, her expression serious.

"Do you remember any of us?" she repeats your question, her words a mix of vulnerability and curiosity.

Your furrowed brow betrays your confusion and frustration. Keli's question has brought back the now-familiar sense of amnesia. Shaking your head, you express your inability to recall anything, the frustration and helplessness evident in your expression.

Keli sighs as she looks at you, her eyes now distant with memory. Her voice is soft as she tells you, "We grew up together, far from here." The words carry a weight of nostalgia and longing, a hint of the bond that had previously tied you together.

Your words trail off as a wave of confusion washes over you. The contradiction between what Keli is saying and your reality feels overwhelming. "I live here… At least I thought I did..." you murmur, the uncertainty clear in your voice as you grapple with the conflicting pieces of information.

Loui lets out an exasperated sigh from the back of the cage. "It's no use, Keli," he says, his words tinged with resignation. There is a hint of irritation in his tone as if he's had this conversation before and knows the futile nature of it. The words hit you like a dagger, the bitter truth of them seeping into your chest. You feel a pang of hurt and humiliation, the directness of Loui's glare only emphasizing the message he's trying to deliver. "She's gone," Loui repeats, the finality of his statement hanging in the air.

The bluntness of Loui's statement hits you hard, stirring up a mix of emotions within you. You huff in frustration, your irritation at the situation becoming more evident. Without another word, you turn on your heel and start to walk away, leaving the cage and its inhabitants behind.

As you approach your tent, the tears begin to fall, the emotions you've been holding in finally breaking through. The weight of your confusion and frustration is like a physical force upon you, causing the tears to roll down your cheeks in a silent, steady stream.

Noa, trapped in his cage, watches you as you walk back to your tent, his keen eyes picking up the sight of the tears on your cheeks. He feels a pang of sympathy in his chest, his heart clenching at the sight of your distress. He wants to call out to you, to comfort you, but the bars of his cage keep him from doing so.

Noa's voice breaks the silence, his question soft and quiet but still reaching your ears. "Are you hurt?" he asks, a hint of concern in his deep rumble of a voice. You are surprised that you heard him, so you turn in his direction, your tear-streaked face catching his gaze.

As you face Noa's cage, you take in the sight of him, his large frame constricted within the small space. The sight of his cramped surroundings only adds to your sense of sorrow, the unfairness of his predicament is clear to see.

You approach the large cage, the sight of Noa captured within it causing a pang of sadness to rise in your chest. You kneel, bringing yourself closer to him, your eyes meeting his through the bars.

You study Noa intently, taking in every detail of his appearance. His powerful frame is contrasted by a certain gentleness in his dark eyes. As you study him, you realize that looking at him and listening to his voice, brings a strange sort of comfort to your mind, a brief respite from the whirlwind of confusion that usually clouds your thoughts.

“You… you’re the one that… kissed me,” you state to Noa. Noa's eyes widen slightly at your words, the memory of the kiss coming back to him instantly. He looks at you, the surprise mixing with a hint of guilt.

"Yes...." He replies, his voice quiet but honest. “Why?”

Noa looks back at you, catching the edge of your gaze. He understands the question behind your simple "why," and the demand for an explanation. "Why did I kiss you?" He finally questions, his eyes never leaving yours.

Noa takes a moment to collect himself, his eyes dropping to the floor of the cage before they rise to meet yours once more.

"I kissed you... because I could not help myself." He admits, his voice low and sincere, the honesty in his words clear and unguarded.

Noa's admission hangs in the air between you for a moment, the raw honesty of it causing a small shiver to run through you. He holds your gaze, his dark eyes locking with yours as he continues, his words soft but direct.

"I kissed you... because I wanted to. Because I couldn't deny the... pull I felt towards you."

Noa begs you silently.

Remember me. Remember me. Remember me, please.

As you look into Noa's eyes, you feel it. A strange, magnetic pull that seems to draw you closer to him, a deep, primal desire to reach out and touch his skin, to feel the heat of his body under your fingertips. Your breath hitches in your chest, the feeling powerful and overwhelming.

You reach into your pocket, pulling out the small bundle of food you had set aside for them, the offering of scraps and berries that the others had neglected. You hold it up to show Noa, the realization that they had not fed them filling you with a pang of anger and sympathy.

"They didn't feed you," you say, the words more of a statement than a question as you hold out the food.

Noa's eyes widen at the sight of the food you hold in your hands, a mixture of surprise and relief on his face as he realizes what you've brought. He moves closer to the bars of the cage, his large hand reaching out through one of the gaps to take the offering from you. His fingers brush against yours, the brief contact sending a jolt of electricity through your skin.

As Noa's hand touches yours, a shiver runs down your spine. The feel of his skin, his warmth, is intoxicating, awakening something within you that you can't quite identify. You watch as he takes the food, his grip gentle yet firm. "Thank you," he murmurs, his voice gruff but filled with sincere gratitude.

Noa looks down at the food in his hand for a moment, a small sense of relief washing over him. He then raises his gaze to meet yours again, a hint of a smile on his lips. He looks at you for a moment, the connection between you feeling both intense and tender.

You are jolted out of the moment as a shuffling sound comes from nearby, causing you to straighten up abruptly and scan the darkness warily. You are reminded of the dangers that lurk all around, the constant threat of being discovered looming over you both.

You reluctantly tear yourself away from Noa, the connection between you feeling strangely unfinished yet tinged with danger. You step back, putting some distance between the two of you, and head towards your tent. You slip into the canvas walls, the shelter offering some relief as you settle down, your mind still filled with thoughts of him and the strange feelings he stirs within you.

You sink onto your cot, a dazed grin spreading across your face as you remember the feeling of Noa's touch on your hand. The brief contact has left a lingering heat in your palm, a strange and foreign sensation that you can't seem to shake. You continue to sit there, reliving the moment in your mind, your thoughts consumed by him.

The memories of his eyes, his face, and his touch, replay in your mind as you drift into sleep. His green gaze is the last thing that flickers through your thoughts before you finally surrender to your dreams, your subconscious mind dancing with the image of the ape and the strange pull you feel towards him.

In your dreams, the melody of the song from earlier floats through the air, the sweet and soothing notes taking on a dreamlike quality. You find yourself in a blurry and shifting landscape, the memories and emotions of the day playing out like fragments blending.

In the dreamlike state, the sound of rushing water fills your hearing, the sound both soothing and familiar. The noise seems to echo around you, the gentle sound of the river blending with the melody of the song that still plays in the background of your mind.

You feel a warm, rough hand cup your cheek, the touch shockingly gentle. It contrasts with the hardened feel of the skin, the callouses on the fingers adding a layer of texture to your delicate skin. The touch is familiar and yet slightly foreign, the sensation both soothing and exciting.

As the fingers of the hand caress your cheek, you feel the light, ghost-like touch of lips moving over your own. It is a whisper of a kiss, a soft brush of skin against skin that sends an instant spark of sensation through your body. The touch, while subtle, is electrifying, leaving you feeling strangely vulnerable yet yearning for more at the same time.

In the dream, you find yourself reaching out towards the source of the touch, the primal desire to bridge the gap between you and the one caressing your cheek too strong to resist. Your hand moves without conscious thought, as if by instinct, as you reach towards the presence that kisses you.

Your hands brush against the course fur, your fingers tracing up the broad shoulders to the wide back, your mind begins to clear and the image comes into focus. "Noa." You murmur, the name slipping from your lips in a whisper. His face comes into view, the familiar features of his face making your heart flutter in your chest.

You bolt upright in your cot, your mind racing with questions. How did you know his name? Was it just a strange coincidence that it had come to you in your dream? Or was there something deeper at play, something that you couldn't quite understand? Your heart beats wildly in your chest, you try to make sense of the dream and the feelings it has stirred within you.

[dreams-writings]

Reverse Interrogation - Part 1

[sub!Feitan Portor x top!Reader]

‼️ NSFW/MDNI‼️

Synopsis: For the first time in his life, Feitan fails an interrogation. Refusing to admit defeat and give up his perfect track record when it comes to his specialty, he begrudgingly allows reader to strike a bargain in exchange for her secrets.. and is shocked to learn what she truly wants. His body. Frustrated and furious with his predicament, he angrily accepts her conditions purely for the sake of the Troupe, agreeing to do as she says. No other reason...

Tw: eventual smut, torture, violence, NSFW/MDNI, vulgar language, Feitan gives verbal consent but still isn't happy with the situation/ (dubcon????)

Feitan's thin, pale fingers were as cold as his heart, a detail that all of his victim's vividly remembered. They always retold their horrid experience with the notorious Phantom Troupe interrogator with a glaze of shell shocked terror in their eyes. The graphic recollection of such chilled skin gripping and tearing harshly at their own flesh would make them sob even years later after the torment. That is, of the few that survived the ordeal. The man in question wasn't necessarily aware of this, he just did his job, striking an unfathomable amount of fear into the hearts of the unlucky few who crossed his merciless path, and whom were ordered to be dragged off to his eery torture chambers. He'd bring them all to the point they'd do anything in the entire world to escape it. Even giving up precious secrets, his most treasured prize for the effort.

He was nonchalant about it. Indifferent, even. Perhaps he could revel in the glory of it, just a bit - the assignment easily giving a man like him a power trip seldom found elsewhere in his youth. Anyone from Meteor City had been conditioned by a brutally unforgiving childhood.

His eyes might crinkle in delight beneath the mysterious cowl at a particularly profound scream, or those empty grey depths could also glimmer amusedly if they begged for his nonexistent mercy. But such was the nature of his upbringing. At the end of the day.. it was the pride of serving his Troupe which overruled any form of guilt or shame that a normal, perhaps more sane person could feel about butchering people into submission. He never failed an interrogation. And he didn't plan to start today, even as the woman before him.. his newest little nut to crack open, was giving him a challenge.

Someone who survived more than perhaps ten minutes was refreshing. But only at first - as he was about to discover. Feitan was accustomed to the disappointment of most human beings succumbing to their primitive instincts and fragility, interrupting his creative ideas at the worst time. It left him unsatisfied, and pent up. The confessions would soon follow after the initial wave of shock passed.. the pathetic blubbering and hiccuping sobs, as his victim unashamedly spilled their intel before he spilled more of their guts. A part of him pitied them. Only a small, miniscule part. But most of him loathed them, too. Not only for their weakness, giving in so easily... but also betraying whomever it was they worked for or served. Mostly, it was his judgement for their inability to endure. He could only think to himself at such times:

Really? That's all you can take? I could've done better in your shoes.. I wouldn't have broken so easily. I would never be a liability to my allies. How detestable.

In his opinion they belonged beneath his boot, to finally suffer the way they caused others to. Feitan trusted Chrollo's judgement. Always. He firmly believed that not one single innocent person had ever, ever found themself in his chambers beneath his vengeful will. An underground lair of hell, which Chrollo gave the order to utilize when a person was seen as fit for punishment. Another rotten pile of garbage and greed for Feitan to pick apart. He embodied a diety of unforgiving justice in his mind. Long ago, he'd stopped asking what the reason was, and just got straight to carving away.

Feitan was currently preoccupied observing today's victim. Except.. she wasn't really acting like a victim, so what was he to call her? Narrowed, steely grey eyes continued to dart up and down her feminine figure as if searching for clues to piece together a puzzle. He couldn't solve this one, not yet... Even his keen attention for catching any signs of weakness wasn't able to determine a chink in the armor. If he thought he'd found one and explored into it a bit, he was only met with the same resilience as before. Her heated, intense stare of defiance. A smirk began to play across his features, it wasn't often he maybe felt a glimmer of respect for someone in his chair.

"Tough girl. How you become immune to shock?" He asked, pausing to idly run a bloodstained cloth over one of his nasty metal tools. He tossed the mechanism back to a metal tray where it gave a harsh clatter.

A clever glint in his eye, he circled her similarly to a jungle cat closing in on alert prey. She snickered right back at him, and he quirked a brow, noticing the bizarre nature of her mental state. Or rather, it was outlandish to him, to see someone with freshly stripped fingernails acting so present and grounded.

By now, almost at this exact time in the routine, the animalistic "deer in headlights" look would appear as his victims squirmed and twisted to find an escape. Hyperventilating through a full bodily trauma response. But not her. She looked as casual as the first moment he forcibly sat her down... Expression careful and aware, but definitely not in the midst of a primitive meltdown. He couldn't help but feel a little bit of curiosity... And interest. He could treat someone like this as a human, even if his cruelty would remain the same.

He did so by talking to her. She was clearly sound enough to respond.

"You been trained? To handle your secrets like big girl?" He inquired condescendingly, pacing restlessly in front of her, looming over her with menace in his intent.

His ghostly slender hand reached forward to grip her by the hair, yanking on the tufts to force eye contact, and her face twisted into an expression he couldn't quite understand, her sharp exhale of surprise leaving a warm feeling tingling against his skin as it swept past his cheeks.

Stripped bare, she was panting lightly, a reaction he noticed. He kept his victims this way to understand them better - an expert in anatomy; he wanted to be able to take in every reaction. Every last possible weak point that could be weaponized or utilized to coax someone into unbearable agony. Being naked psychologically left an impact, making humans feel more vulnerable and insecure through the interrogation process. Subsequently, it urged them to feel cornered and small in more than one way, and let their treasured secrets slip all the easier.

But this wasn't what he was looking for. She wasn't gasping with pain or flinching away. Instead, her soft pants left her cheeks flushed red. So what was going on?

"You could say that," she purred. "Is it frustrating? You haven't had to really work for this before, have you?" She mused.

The way she was looking at him made his skin crawl just a bit. Mostly because he really legitimately couldn't read her face, and he found that unnerving. He was used to total control in this environment. Given the circumstances it should be something totally different - so how was he supposed to understand her at all? He watched a gash on her face ooze slowly with more blood, a little droplet finding it's way down to the ice cold basement flooring with a faint pattering echo. The woman was unphased by his demeanor apparently.

Feitan just sort of stared after such comments, calculating towards her with a hint of annoyance creeping into his gaze. Was she taunting him? For a moment he second guessed it because he couldn't determine why someone in their right god damn mind would mock a life threatening predator actively approaching with a set of torture tools in hand. Not to mention, she was helpless and restrained. Was she bluffing? Either way he was rapidly coming to the conclusion that she most definitely was batshit crazy, based on how there was seemingly no logical gain in being so bold.

"...Can't feel pain. As much. Can you?"

After a pause this was all he had said. Coming to this final conclusion, realizing that his vigilant eyes hadn't missed any signs after all. Initially he had thought she had gone through some sort of intense training in pain endurance, for the sole purpose of keeping her sacred, crucial information safe. But now he was realizing what he was actually dealing with. He'd broken trained torture survivors before. Easily. They always reached their limit eventually. This was different.

"That's right!" She chimed. "You finally got it, darling. I can feel pain but my nervous system doesn't work the same way as yours.. my pain receptors aren't very intense. So you're playing a losing game here. Tell me though, will you give up? Is this it for you, little sadist? Or are you the creative type~?"

He watched her give him a once over, smug expression still plastered to her features as he felt himself essentially being sized up. He wasn't sure how he felt about it other than the fact he didn't like it.. Feitan believed her close observance of him from head to toe was probably a show of her humiliating him. Maybe searching for weaknesses the same way he knew how to do.. and he hated that possibility. Who was she to reflect his behavior? She MUST be thinking up insults about him silently, that he was too short or something.. the very idea made his blood boil.

This infuriating concept made him loom closer to her, his intimidating nature taking over while his eyes bore daggers into hers. Mere inches away from her face, this was how he typically issued a challenge without speaking a word. Most people would fall apart and quiver with terror being subjected to inescapable closeness with him. Yet another unexplainable reaction followed from her instead, and his eyes darted down at the first sight of movement, noticing she was squirming and rubbing her thighs together under his fierce stare. He didn't put two and two together; he just watched, dumbfounded, unsure if maybe she was attempting to break free to no avail.

"There's more than one way to get information out of someone, you know~ but I get the feeling all you know how to do is rip people apart. The easy method. Boring. You want my suggestion-?"

"Shut up," Feitan snarled ferociously, offended and disgusted with both her and the situation, unable to stop himself before he found his hand wrapping tightly around her neck, violent fingers locking over her jaw in a vicious grip. He hated all her irritating chatter, it made his temper flare. But even more than that, although he would never admit it.. he just hated that she could take away what made him feel the most powerful and secure, simply by existing. He wasn't threatening or scary to someone if he couldn't cause them pain. And he struggled to accept that. It didn't fit in place with his comfort zone.

Gurgling, her eyes squinted with pain, but to confirm what she'd just said.. indeed, a normal person would be screaming, and this was bearable for her, even if fairly uncomfortable. His inhuman retractable claws were digging into her soft skin, causing beads of blood to appear beneath five piercing knives. Quickly, the wounds turned into crimson streams. Yet, she wouldn't yield.

Unfortunately, her time spent suffocating in his merciless grasp also gave him enough time in silence to come to another realization. He let go, instantly - watching her drop back down with a hunched head, coughing and spluttering for air.

He could accidentally kill her this way because her body and mind wouldn't be responding with the queues he needed to go by in determining her state of mortality, and likelihood of death. How could he make a judgement call without the signs he was used to expecting? He could tell when someone was close to death, based on indicators of their shock levels.. all a complete circular link between the psychology and physiology of pain.

He was completely seasoned in his job to the fullest degree. But this wasn't a normal situation, not one he'd ever dealt with. She couldn't necessarily tell him or maybe even understand herself if she was dying.

Shit... her body wouldn't freak out or sense danger. It would just remain in a perfectly neutral state. One second she would be breathing and the next her heart might just fail on her. Normally Feitan didn't have any qualms about killing but when it came to interrogations, death meant that the victim's intel died with them. Taken to the grave. To him, that was equivalent to failure.

And so.. the delimma was quickly dawning on him. He could continue, and risk killing her by accident, therefore ensuring the intel he sought was forever out of reach - or, he could stop and suffer the shame of admitting defeat.

Unacceptable... both were unacceptable. He could only stand momentarily and glare at her maliciously for the predicament she was causing him, a sudden stirring feeling of true hatred arising in his chest. Why was it, then, that there was perhaps more of that same respect from earlier appearing simultaneously? Well.. he must be unable to ignore her strength here, and found himself inwardly acknowledging her impossible feat of enduring his trials. No other human being had ever done the same.

"You will tell me. Tell me what Danchou asked for." He was making an attempt to assert his normally compelling willpower, his intimidating aura leaking into his nen which flared along with his irritability. Right now, he was fairly pissed off, the signs beginning to appear around his frame through a visual residue of nen.

"Maybe I will," she purred again towards him. He paused, surprised yet again by her, unsure if she was being serious. He would've easily taken that in as more mockery but just now - she sounded quite sincere. What was he supposed to say? He wasn't going to ask HER what he had to do for it. His pride wouldn't permit that. She needed to play by his rules in his domain.

But as a result of his confusion he was only left with a loss for words, eyes narrowing into slits as he attempted to piece her apart with his mind. Figure out what she was going on about. Nonetheless, she took the silence as opportunity.

"Take me back to your leader and I'll strike a deal with him. He makes deals, doesn't he? I'll tell you everything if he can give me what I want."

Feitan ridiculed her with that same silent stare, making it clear he was displeased with her request. She shouldn't even get the option when nobody else in her shoes ever could. She was just lucky.. just special because of some random offhand ability she either developed over time, or was born with. So why did she deserve special treatment? What, was she going to ask for a red carpet down here next as she was escorted out? He wasn't going to ask about her weird pain tolerance nor did he care. It was just an annoying hurdle he was finding himself truly aggravated with.

"Fine. But Danchou not an idiot. Most likely end up back with me.. will get you to talk. Eventually."

The only reason he agreed to this was because he was legitimately concerned about accidentally killing her. He was known for his brutality, and early on in his little career he had actually sent people into a premature grave through panic induced heart attacks. His torture techniques had to be modified and drawn out, to prolong their time in the chair and eliminate the chance of losing potential classified information. He knew what to look for, to determine when to back off temporarily. He just hadn't seen it from this woman.

Not to mention, he had carved her up pretty good already. Deep, clean slices decorated her skin in vertical designs where he had experimented for quite a while, attempting in his endeavors to find just one place where her pain was significant. Nothing had been found, and as a result, her blood loss was considerable.

Wordlessly, he made his final decision, cutting her loose from her bonds and noticing her give a shudder at the cold blade. Leaning forward towards him, a tension became present now that she was being freed, an absolutely electric presence in the surrounding air. Goosebumps raised beneath where his fingertips smoothed over her wrists, and he raised a brow, assuming it was the discomfort of cold. "Pretty," she hummed in a strangely sweet tone, and he straightened up, staring at her again in a mixture of confusion and exasperation.

"Your hands," she clarified. He just deadpanned at her. A moment passed, and she would only earn a snippy little "tch" from him in response. His eyes flickered back to her face upon hearing her chuff in amusement at his dismissal, and again he realized just how god damn nuts she was. Clearly, not even slightly afraid of him. He frowned, spiteful at the fact.

As if to make a point, his so called "pretty" hands were what he used to harshly yank her out of the chair by the scalp, dragging her across the floor to go speak with Chrollo. How could she even possibly think that about such hands, which were designed to only ever harm and kill? The amount of blood these hands carried upon them.. it could drown a person. Or several. Such a comment like that made him almost concerned for her. Or rather, it would if she was someone he cared for. He did not. Feitan was definitely judging though.

If anything, her delirious behavior was perhaps the only present sign of her being unwell... Maybe this was how the strain on her body was presenting itself even if she couldn't feel pain. That had to be it. Her compliments couldn't be genuine. This was psychosis of some sort.

He was grumbling and growling under his breath as he kept tugging on her to keep up with him. She wasn't heavy by any means but he was annoyed to even be lugging her weight around. She was a tricky bitch in his opinion and he didn't trust her one bit - not even enough to stay put in the damn chair while he went to ask for Chrollo's input. "Stop" he snarled, the second he watched her open her mouth to start speaking. So instead, she just giggled softly, blood smearing all over her legs from being dragged across the stone cold floor.

Despite his warning, she spoke anyway, and he groaned.

"What do you think I'll ask him for? If I won't cave under the torture.. surely you must be wondering what's worth all my fun secrets."

"Don't care," he stated back flatly. He gave a particularly mean tug on her hair this time, knowing the tension against her scalp really wouldn't cause her much distress anyway. He could do what he wanted.

"Oh c'mon, surely you're curious ~" she hummed. He just sighed, refusing to play her game anymore.

It didn't take long to get her back into the entryway of the hideout where the entire Troupe was sitting around idly.. likely waiting for him to finish up. After all, whatever he found out was going to determine what the group did next. It was part of the pressure he was feeling at this time. He felt himself mentally melt away a little bit, consumed by shame as all other pairs of eyes turned to witness him. Him, in his state of failure.

He noticed all at once the individual reactions - Machi's frown of impatience and the confused yet interested tilt of Shalnark's blond head. Chrollo stood up, and approached. His eyes were always empty yet watchful. He could make sense of the situation amidst the silence within mere moments. "Everyone, please give us some privacy for a moment," he called to the others in his usual collected, calm tone. His diction was consistently elegant and composed. Feitan had always admired it.

He was having a hard time coping with embarrassment however, preoccupied with the difficulty of tolerating an emotion that he hated. Being ashamed or feeling bad about anything at all could make him terribly irritable. The others figured it out eventually, but it made him difficult to communicate with at times, on top of the language barrier. They'd just get snippy retorts and the usual scornful glare out of him if they tried to dig at it. Chrollo was the best person to handle this anyway, seeing as he was entirely unphased by Feitan's personality quirks.

Once the others had cleared out with a few grumbles and sighs, deciding not to comment on the abnormal event of Feitan bringing a victim back up with him, he growled and tossed the girl forward at his boss' feet.

"Won't talk. Some kind of weird pain immunity. Can't continue.. could kill her. She want bargain for secret."

His explanation was short, eyes lowering down to glower at her beneath his boot, giving her a solid kick in the back for the hell of it just because he was mad about what he had to do. He was suffering such humiliation because SHE was too stubborn. Anger helped him feel better about admitting defeat to someone he looked up to.

The woman just squirmed under his heated eyes, legs writhing together like they had before in the chair. He still really didn't like those eyes she gave him from beneath half lidded lashes, as it made him nervous. He didn't get why she always looked like she knew something he didn't. Chrollo watched this scene unfold as well, any changes in his expression so subtle that they were hardly noticable, and past any level of observance. Even the slightest glimmer of amusement in his eye was quick to vanish as he easily pieced apart the situation with a few context clues. He spoke quietly and nonchalantly to the girl, calm gaze lowering back down to her level.

"It sounds like we have no choice but to cooperate with her, Feitan. After the extensive damage done to her body, one might even say we're lucky she's willing to compromise."

Don't praise her for such a stupid thing, Feitan nearly hissed out loud, but kept the thought reverberating in his head instead.

The raven watched his leader lower to one knee, observing her, and he then gave her one of his lifeless smiles before asking:

"What do you suggest we should trade, for your precious intel? What do you value?"

He waited, glancing up at Feitan to note how utterly furious his second in command was, the man was practically exuding steam out the ears. Chrollo wasn't upset by any means in this situation, but he could also understand why his counterpart was struggling with it.

The woman straightened herself up, having patted down her hair once Feitan let go, and she gave the Phantom Troupe's leader a coy smirk. She didn't hesitate to respond with a bold demand.

"Let me fuck him,"

"I want him. Your interrogator. Let me do as I please with him for a while, and he'll be my pretty new toy. I promise not to harm him, and he'll be returned to you in the same condition as he is now. If not perhaps a little bit more relaxed."

She lifted her eyes to hungrily drink in the sight of her captor. Chrollo couldn't help but chuckle softly, purposefully taking a moment to witness Feitan's reaction in real time.

He had to admit, this whole ordeal had his full interest now. The leader had already known where this was going the second the girl was dragged in, utterly unapologetic with the squirming and flushing red body every damn time her captor touched her. The look she gave him was one of desire, whenever she basked in his visage. All behavior that Chrollo understood from women, and he knew Feitan did not. In fact he was sure this was a complete blindsighted smack to the face for him.

She gave a little rocking motion of delight at the mere thought, and Chrollo raised a brow, seriously considering her offer. It was a simple one. So, she just wanted sex. But he understood right away that this was out of his hands. He already made a pact with himself long ago that he would never sacrifice the human dignity of his members for personal gain.

Maybe, though.. he could help his friend out with this one and take the bullet. The truth was that Chrollo wouldn't mind at all, he'd utilized his good looks in the past to get what he wanted for his personal goals, and it was really no hindrance to him to do it one more time.

"So you want pleasure? Rather than just him, I can assure you that I'm another willing candidate for you, and with significantly more intimate experience at that. Would you take me instead?"

"No-"

She began. Except, it was two people who spoke at once. The woman was about to completely reject the idea, but Feitan was already shaking his head.

"No, Danchou. You should not take consequence for my failure. My responsibility to fix."

Chrollo sighed, realizing this could now officially go one way and only one way, due to Feitan's stubborn rigidity. Even if he'd be pissed about it for easily a full week. Feitan would rather suffer any other punishment than let down his Troupe. It was connected to his personal pride and priorities. Chrollo knew this, of course.

"Well, Feitan? Do you agree? You won't be allowed to resist or argue, if you do. You would have to allow her to have her way, if we want to complete an exchange."

Poor Feitan however, was not on the same page. In fact, they'd left him behind by a significant few paces, his brain still working in overdrive to process what the fuck she just said a minute ago. What she just asked his boss for. He quite literally couldn't fathom what was happening or why. Who would want him? And no less, why the hell was Chrollo so quick to immediately consider such a bizarre request? There HAD to be more to it. Maybe she was trying to get him into a vulnerable position, to kill him. This couldn't be right.

"Feitan?" Chrollo asked again. The skull crested cowl around his face covered the view of his jaw hanging slightly open in disbelief.. but it certainly couldn't conceal his mortified eyes, round as stoplights.

"......I, I..."

He almost reverted back to his first language in this instance as he failed to find the words. How could he, when presented with such an unbelievable situation? What could he even do.. or say? How did he even feel about it? He wasn't sure. Too much at once.

At least, the woman was actually quiet as he sat there, dumbfounded and flabbergasted. He shuffled uncomfortably, feeling his face quickly heating up into what was probably a jarring bright red flush. His ears felt hot.. his cheeks were burning and his hands went all clammy. He wouldn't say it but he was scared.

Nonetheless, what came out of his mouth after a few agonizing long minutes passed, said differently.

"Fine. Whatever it takes."

"Feitan.. if you don't want to.."

"Stop it. This my job in Troupe. Let me do job."

His fists clenched, and he stuffed them into his pockets as he noticed the girl's clear satisfaction with his answer. He sneered right back at her, after seeing her snicker. He sent Chrollo a glare, truly feeling like his boss was pimping him out in some strange way. Was this even reality?? In what world would this even happen?

"I'll be so good to you~" the girl hummed sweetly, tantalizingly snaking an arm around his leg. Feitan shoved her off, but not before stiffening at her touch in surprise. He didn't know how to accept touch of any kind and he was more afraid of this right now than even something brutal, like her hurting him back. He'd have agreed much easier if she just suggested that instead. At least that was familiar.. whilst this was foreign.

"Alright. The deal is made. But you won't be leaving this place until you fulfill your end of the bargain, Miss, so long as Feitan also follows through. Now, I don't think you intend to cheat... Your interest in my interrogator seems genuine. But if you try to find any loopholes we'll likely kill you for it. Oh. And Feitan reserves the right to step away if you harm him. Understood?"

The girl nodded eagerly, standing up finally on weak knees. "So.. is that your name then beautiful boy? Feitan? What a lovely sounding name." She wobbled, eventually swerving on her right hip to reach for Feitan, arm wrapping around his slender waist to steady herself. Again, he stiffened at her closeness, expression tightening into discomfort. So then, why.. why did he simultaneously experience a sudden stirring in his lower stomach? Hearing her coo his name in such a sugary sweet way was also a completely new sensation. He didn't think anyone had ever spoken it like that before.

His eyes widened slightly in horror at the realization of feeling butterflies and jittery warmth in his stomach. Of course. He couldn't just ignore what was inevitably coming - what terrifying task he had committed himself to all for the sake of preserving his pride. Like one may try and avoid an intrusive thought, he was trying to cast out the idea that he'd.. well.. he'd be feeling inside of her quite soon. He'd never felt a girl like that before.. wrapped around him, and..

He released a breath he didn't know he was holding before and blinked to clear his head.

"What are you looking at" he hissed menacingly at the woman after catching her oggling him again, yanking her up by the forearm to drag her back to the damn basement designated for interrogation. Not to torture her now.. but.. to do whatever unsightly things she demanded. He chose the same room purely because it was designed specifically to block out noise. He didn't know what might happen, but... He didn't want anyone existing in this proximity to have even a slight audible hint of what was happening. This was a secret he was taking to his fucking grave.

Well, he could at least continue to brag about his perfect track record of successful interrogations, even if he was technically doing it the reverse way this time. He would simply have to bare with the constant embarrassment of knowing Chrollo witnessed this happen. Chrollo would know he stooped this low. But at least, he wouldn't have to suffer the constant belittlement and teasing from his allies. They could be brutal about that.. like siblings. Chrollo would likely have the decency to keep this under cover. Between the two of them.

"And don't hurt her either, okay Feitan?" Chrollo called back out to his interrogator as the small but strong raven hauled her away. He didn't respond, he just growled in frustration under his breath, already having assumed that was part of the exchange. No more torture.

He didn't know what he should be prepared for, and to be quite honest he felt almost faint as they entered the cold basement of the abandoned building in tense silence. The woman tried standing again, gripping for his hand as she pulled herself up.

"Unless you want blood all over you, I need to be patched up. And then I want you on the bed. Understood?" She asked.

Feitan gave an exhale, heavier than usual. Now that they were alone again he could ask her about her nonsensical request.

"you.. why would you..."

"Did I say you could ask questions?" She leered. And his gaze immediately hardened into a glare. He said nothing, knowing if he entertained his rage with a response, he'd probably only escalate from there. He was quickly learning he despised being told what to do from someone other than Chrollo.

"Good boy. I hope you know... I'm not intending to make you do everything for me.. I just want to please you, and watch you squirm a bit. That's all."

He was having a difficult time understanding her motives still but it might've been the haze of fog that clouded his mind after her next statement.

"That doesn't sound so bad, right? Sitting back and relaxing while a nice girl rides on you.."

His breath hitched as he felt her arms suddenly wrap around him, pressing herself into him by the hips to overwhelm him with her scent, and her voice.

"I'll make you feel so good that everyone in this building will know what's being done to you~"

And Feitan shuddered. Her whisper made his knees a little bit weak.. but he was also fucking petrified. Women never got this close to him on purpose. He may not be willing to admit it to himself, but for a brief moment at that time, he faltered... Truly terrified indeed that she was right. He just might break.

[rezamaulana98]

One of the many, many aspects that I really liked from this week's Hirogaru Sky ep is how it handled one of Sora's predicament for the finale arc.

If you may remember, Sora got herself to ponder really hard on something: If she and Skearhead (or as I like to call him, Baldie) fought for the people that they loved, why did they went on a completely opposite path?

At the time, Sora had no answer for it and Shalala pointed out that she needs to find the answer by herself. It led Sora to be pretty persistent at trying to speak to Baldie and later Kaiserin, only to get consistently thwarted by either Baldie escaping before she got the chance or the spear stab by Baldie on Kaiserin right when Sora's about to ask Kaiserin about it.

It's something that I felt is answered during this week's ep: It's because the feelings that Sora had and her fight for the people she loved is driven by her genuine love for them.

We see that Baldie's love was exposed as a facade because he only sees others as just pawns and vessels. He "loved" Kaiserin because he manipulated and brainwashed her mind to that state.

Sora, on the other hand, discovered that her fight for the ones she loved is genuine. Sora had been slowly but surely came into realization that she can really put her trust and love in the people that she know, a point that becomes critical this week.

She put her trust in Majesty, Wing and Butterfly to fend off the entrance and when she got corrupted with Undergu Energy and became Dark Sky, her first priority is to save Mashiro. Why? Because she had her full faith in Mashiro to save her thanks to the bond that Sora had built over the course of the season.

Ultimately, this is what led to Skearhead's undoing because he failed to realize that love had to be earned genuinely, which led to his undoing because his simple minded obsession with power gave Sora and Mashiro the chance to blindside him from within with the power of love.

It is something that can be expanded upon had Baldie isn't as secretive as he is, but what we have here is an excellent resolution to the ongoing arc of Hirogaru Sky and the perfect way to show how far SoraMashi's bond has went through 💙

[cookiesupplier]

Every Rose Has Its Thorns - Part Thirty-Two

pairing: Ricky Olson x ofc x Chris 'Motionless' Cerulli

warnings/tropes: slow burn, soulmates, strangers to enemies to lovers, betrayal, angst, fluff, smut, language, online bullying, panic attacks, stalking, mental health issues.

summary: In a world where soulmates inexplicably receive a tattoo that will match that of their soulmate the moment they turn eighteen years old, being famous and covered in very visible tattoos can make finding your true soulmate a questionable fate. For everyone involved.

author’s note: Unbeta'd, readers beware as always lol.

tags: @tearfallpixie @cncohshit @jordynyingling0219 @faceless-mirror @nyxthedestroyerofworlds @wild-child-7747 @witchyweeb34 @black-damask1999 @jilliemiw86 @ilovesamkiszka @lyschko666 @lacktoesandtoddlerants @bngurngheart @collapsedglasshouses @laurpartyprogram @sunsshinesunny @malerieee @talialovesmiw @shilohrosechicken @thatchickwiththecamera @tamtam-elizabeth

Tag List is Open, please let me know if you would like to be added to it or in general.

Holy Fuck!

Ricky stared at Chris kissing Talia as his tattoo was going crazy on his neck, and that, that was not how it felt the times he’d thought of the two of them together before. When he’d thought of them together, it had felt like a searing pain, like a hot poker being shoved into his skin. This, this was what he’d felt in the bathroom. This was a lot like he’d felt in the kitchen.. Oh, oh, that was.

What, what was even happening right now?

Talia was staring at Chris wide-eyed as he pulled back from the kiss. That, had just happened, and a strangled sound in her throat escaped, her hands pulled into tight fists as she did everything in her power not to launch herself at him as he pulled back. Swallowing, glancing between Ricky, and Chris.

“I, um,”

Her cheeks had flushed something horrible, she was absolutely certain that her skin had turned so many different shakes brighter that she might never look like herself again, so vibrant pink.. No.. Not pink, red, all splotchy red, she could just feel it with how overheated she felt.

“So, that happened.”

Shifting in her seat, desperately trying not to press her thighs together noticeably in front of the two men. She didn’t dare glance towards Chris to see if he was in a similar predicament as she was thanks to the marks very forceful effect. Could she really blame only her tattoo, though? Chris was an amazing man, and correct, she wouldn’t feel that intensely with just a kiss, but he, he made her feel so much.. Oh.. She hated all these questions.. Talia hated that she had to wonder if they were anything but her feelings alone at all. It wasn’t fair. It meant the thought of doing anything about them made her feel, made her feel, no, she didn’t want to focus on this, anything but this.. Looking to the boys now…

“Now it’s your turn.”

“What?”

Chris was trying to calm down, dammit, kissing Talia, he’d not felt anything through his tattoo so intense since any of this had started, not for him. Knowing what Ricky and Talia had been going through, he could only imagine it was akin to what they had been feeling so far, multiple times.. 

He’d like to think that with warning, knowing what the hell was happening to them, gave them the ability to pull away from each other. Gave them just the slightest resemblance of control. The tattoos were not about to just control them like this, right?

Then Talia said… What?

“Whose turn?”

“Your turn, you and Ricky.”

She was looking from Chris to Ricky, and back. Chris was looking over at Rick who was already white knuckling the arm of the other chair, and Chris couldn’t help but wonder, which was affecting him more, the thought of kissing him, or seeing him kiss Talia. Fuck. The moment Rick’s lips brushed even slightly against his yesterday his tattoo had tingled, and that was when it had, at the time, or so he assumed it to have been, still been completely white. Chris really had been avoiding dealing with his mark, for reasons, first and foremost, denial that anything to do with the pain potentially being related to his tattoo in the least. Now he couldn’t deny it. Ever since that moment, even through his whole appointment this morning, despite everything else, he hadn’t been able to get that kiss out of his head.

It had been so simple, but he knew what he had felt. He knew what had happened. He didn’t need to feel it again to know what it meant. As much as he wanted to, to kiss him again, kiss him properly, far more than just a tiny little peck that he hadn’t expected. To kiss Rick like he deserved to be kissed, to remind Ricky how they used to be, only not just for fun, but because this time he meant it, because Chris couldn’t get the man out of his head. Oh, Chris wanted to kiss him just as badly as he wanted to kiss Talia right then, but he resisted. Ricky, wouldn’t want that. He knew Ricky didn’t want a relationship. Ricky didn’t want him the want he would want Ricky, because he didn’t think any kiss could just be a kiss, not anymore. Ricky had insisted that Chris’ issues about his tattoo were about Talia, not about him…

Even if Chris was sure there was something there, Rick wasn’t ready for anything, so he wasn’t going to push for more.

“I know what I felt, JellyBean.”

Looking at Talia, smiling to her softly, even if Ricky didn’t feel it, which, as painful as that thought was, something until that moment he hadn’t considered, but, it was a possibility. That could be why Ricky insisted, Chris had feelings for him, but he might not have the same feelings back. His heart twisted painfully at the idea, but Chris wouldn’t golf it against his friend, he would never blame Ricky for not feeling for him the same way, how could he?

It was okay, he was his best friend, Ricky not returning his feelings would never change that for Chris, and he’d always support him. There was nothing in the world that would change that, not even this damn tattoo.

“Well, I don’t doubt that Chris, I just, was wondering if as your tattoo has changed, if the effect has changed, or, if Ricky feels anything.”

The pause in the way she spoke, Chris suspected she was just as hesitant with the subject as he was, not to mention the glance towards her soulmate. Talia had always had such careful consideration of the man, even when he was treating her far less than she deserved. He was glad Ricky had finally figured out what a dick he’d been, and sorted himself out, got his head out of his ass eventually. 

“Talia-”

Chris started gently, they both knew how difficult this was going to be for Ricky with soulmates, just like it was difficult for Chris, but his issues were far off, at least he thought they were. He knew she was just trying to help, help them both, help all three of them, but Rick, even just admitting whether that kiss had affected him, wasn’t going to help. It had to be on his own terms, he had to want-

“I felt it too.”

Ricky swallowed heavily, the words barely coming out finally, trying to push them from his throat. Even then, he wasn’t certain the other two people in the room even heard him at first, that was, until he saw their eyes staring at him. His breath caught in his throat, just staring right back at them, his expression extreme.

Shit.

No.

They’d heard him alright.

He stifled the panic and pushed it down, swallowing again and again. It felt like he had something stuck in his throat, like all the way down it had been coated in, and he just couldn’t keep swallowing enough to clear it away, again, and again.

“Ricky-”

Chris started and Rick just shook his closed his eyes, shook his head,

“I’m fine, fine, just, give me a moment.”

Taking in a deep breath, focusing on his breathing, he could do this. He had been shocked, seeing Chris kiss Talia like that, shocked because he had wondered if he’d feel something, but if he did, he hadn’t at all expected what he did. So far, when he’d thought about Chris and Talia romantically, he’d felt intense pain before today. Earlier when he’d suggested they kiss, instead of just thinking about setting them up, but actually suggesting it, he hadn’t. So, he’d assumed he’d be fine this time, that was all, he thought he was moving on, maybe. That seeing them together, that the bonding over the last couple of days, had calmed their tattoo enough that it wouldn’t try to sear his flesh from his bones again. 

That wasn’t what happened. Instead, the moment Chris’ lips had pressed against Talia’s, his tattoo had reacted alright, but he might as well have been back in that bathroom, or the kitchen, and pressed right up against her himself. He might as well had been the one kissing her, have had his lips on hers..

His lips on Chris.

“I felt it when I kissed you, Chris, yesterday.”

He opened his eyes to look back to the pair across the room who were watching him, waiting for some sort of explanation he would suspect. Ricky didn’t blame either of them for that, he would want one too in their place.

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Letting out a deep breath, just trying to centre himself as he focused on Chris.

“I didn’t think it was the kiss, Chris, not at first. My tattoo has been feeling different things off and on ever since the party, and a lot of the time I can’t reasonably explain why. Looking back, I just assume that it has something to do with it being something Talia is feeling, or thinking at the time.”

Ricky paused slightly, only for Chris to start,

“But earlier when we were talking, and you insisted that the feelings I’ve been having were more likely to be about Talia, you didn’t mention-”

“I know, Chris, I know, and I’m sorry. I should have said something then, it’s just,”

Swallowing again, his throat still so thick, that layer coating it in his mind just not wanting to go away.

“Seeing the two of you together, and I know, I’m not-”

“Ricky,”

Talia started softly,

“It’s alright, we know that you aren’t ready for a relationship, and that's okay.”

He shook his head,

“Stop, just hear me out, please?”

Looking between them,

“I felt it this time too, and it, it was, I just..”

Looking between them, wishing for them to understand what he was saying when he wasn’t sure he could entirely put it into consistent words. That the tattoos weren’t just connecting them one way here, he wasn’t just connected to Talia, or connected to Chris. Chris wasn’t just connected to Talia, or Ricky.. When he was connected to Talia, Ricky felt it. He kissed Talia, and… 

Damn it, he’ll come out and say it.

“Chris, when you kissed Talia, and just seeing it, feeling it, all it took was one kiss, and I felt like I was on the verge of coming in my pants like a fucking teenager.”

The way Talia shifted where she was sitting, and Chris cleared his throat before he spoke up, Ricky knew he wasn’t the only one that had a problem. It would seem that kiss when it came to the tattoos had effected them all the very same way. Intensely.

“Yeah, the tattoos are out of control.”

There was a silence that hung in the room then, a silence between them with fugitive glances connecting all three as if they were all trying to figure out what to do, say, about this entire situation. Ricky was at a loss. Did he not have one soulmate now, but two, was that what Chris’ tattoo was becoming, a new tattoo to connect him to Ricky, to Talia? A Rose, or something new that would appear on their bodies together? The rose seemed most likely, they already had it, Ricky was tempted to ask him to show them again now, but after his reaction before, he wasn’t sure how that would go.

Chris was thoughtful,

“At the party, and, well,”

Glancing between Rick and Talia, 

“the kitchen, when the tattoos' reaction was at its most intense, so to speak, um, how bad was it compared to, well now? That feeling, that you both just had, from the tattoos just now?”

As he looked to the other two for anything, literally any notion of what they had been feeling in the moments that they’d given into the push of the tattoos. Chris hoped to compare because it had only been a few days, and somehow Ricky had managed to stay on that side of the room this time despite admitting to feeling such intensity. That had to be promising, right? Maybe they were calming down, a little bit?

“How bad as in, just as intense?”

Talia asked softly, Chris nodded, towards her, he was trying to gauge what he was feeling, compared to what they had been feeling before and how bad it might have gotten.

“Yes, was it-”

“Oh absolutely.” “It was hard to tell.”

While they both spoke at once before he even finished, it was Ricky that barely paused before he continued with a glance to Talia,

“Either way, this time I knew exactly what was happening, and about getting wrapped up in it.”

So he was right, even if the bond was easing now that Ricky was fighting his connection to Talia less, but then again, conscious effort was probably playing a decent part in helping keeping them from doing anything stupid today. Of course, before they hadn’t known what was happening with him either, so who knows how that changed things. Not to mention, all of this, was theoretical in the first place.

It was Talia that spoke up next with the million-dollar question that he was sure that they were all wondering as it was.

“So, what now?”

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

[haryuwu]

🪞 Twisted Wonderland | Le Mirage

Author's note: Chapter 5 is here! 👏 After several months of not writing, I have returned to finish where I left of. Thank you for waiting this long as well! 🥺

“So you’re saying…” The Saintess of the Mirage family can see the future. Shocking, but not impossible to imagine. Those who are given a powerful gift are said to be favored by god. Such power she holds…to witness calamities before her eyes must’ve shaken her spine knowing it is meant to be inevitable.

“I never felt even more threatened in my entire life before! Was she implying that something terrible will destroy my school?!" The headmage slammed his palms against his table in distraught. The two yelped at the sight of an angered crow—and for once, they thought not to provoke him especially when it involved the college’s grave predicament. 

It was indeed an outrageous prophecy, however, they couldn’t confirm it just yet now that the Saintess had not yet clarified what was going to happen in the future. Was it close to happening? 

Just a few years away? Weeks? Days? Or…in just a few hours? Oh dear…let's not assume the worst just yet. 

"Anywho, whatever she had declared to me, the event must continue! If something strange happens, notify me right away," they stammered before they could deliver their protest. They were eventually shooed away from the headmage’s office, door slamming behind them before they could even see his disastrous rage.

Grim scratched the back of his head as he broke the silence between them, “...So what now? Should we just tell the others about this?” Obviously, they shouldn’t. Grim must’ve forgotten what the headmage had just explained earlier. The Prefect could only wish he had paid more attention to the problem.

Although it is indeed alarming enough to announce it to their friends…Wasn’t the headmage supposed to ask them another favor regarding this issue? How peculiar...Perhaps he’s too confident to say that no terrible things will occur in this school. Or is he becoming more responsible to do his job as the headmage?

Maybe, just maybe…let’s just leave it at that.

The platinum gray haired maiden rushed towards the forest as it is the only place she could think of heading first. The breeze caresses her every being, every strand of her locks sway beautifully along with her dirtied skirt. Her trembling did not come from the cold wind but her fear of failing to pass a message she’s been itching to tell the world.

…Not the world, but just anyone at this point.

“I’ve done it…I finally said it.” Same words escaped her lips, repeating them like a broken record. Her knees soon failed her by the time she gazed up at the sky as it was peeking through dancing tree leaves. The grass pierced the surface of her skin without wounding her, but she wished it was painful enough to wake her from dazing. It gave her enough space to take deep breaths and just stare at the sky blankly whilst the light went through the gaps of greens from above. 

Beside her is a puddle of water that has yet to evaporate completely. Yet she instinctively shut her eyes, avoiding it ever existing.

Louise can feel her eyes throbbing with a strong burning urge behind her eyelids, assumingly searching for another story to be witnessed that has yet to be foretold. Yet more questions loomed within her, then confusion soon took over. This power she holds is becoming more uncontrollable the closer the prophesied event gets as the days go by.

“...Why did I just say that to the headmage? Of all people—” The moment she blurted out the words she’s not supposed to spill…she regretted it instantly. She did expect him to doubt her words. It was never new to her that someone wouldn’t believe what she has seen through a glass or anything alike. 

However, a small voice still shouts within her heart that she must announce it to him as he was the only adult she can confess about the danger his school will be in. If they still keep doubting her words…the brightness of her existence will soon be tainted with ink. Utter darkness that every mage avoids from corrupting them.

'What if they continue to ignore it? What if they don't believe me?' Those questions continue to leech on her, recalling when everything fell apart that the truth she spoke of ended up being trampled coldly. Was it the time she made her first friend?

Ah, yes.

It was when she first came to realize she possesses an ability that every Mirage wanted to have, yet seen by many as either a bane of magic or a blessing. Even from a young age, she kept witnessing glimpses of occurrences through a looking glass or anything that's clear enough for her to stare intently. 

She was only 5, innocent, pure, and as bright as the full moon. Her beauty is tremendously adored by many. The girl could only wish for a friend around her age to play with in which her parents quickly fulfilled. She was moved by their willingness to give her anything. After all, she’s their one and only precious daughter.

However, those things had only given her temporary joy. It was supposed to make her happy, so they kept introducing her to other children that may interest her. Yet to no avail, little Louise could only force a smile while stating her gratitude.

What exactly caused their daughter to feel so blue? They had no idea, they never asked her even once. They could only think of making her meet more people to create stronger connections for their business. As the only heir of the Beau Company, it is natural to go through these lengths.

Despite their efforts, their daughter eventually began to forget how to smile genuinely. The only reason that has been keeping their daughter aloof was that she was often called a liar. 

.

.

.

.

"Louise, Louise! You told me you can see the future, right? The thing where you don’t use a wand at all?" One of her cousins was genuinely curious how her ability works. She constantly asked her questions even if she wished not to answer them as she finds them quite frivolous.

"Could you tell me what I will be in the future? Will I marry a handsome man? Or a wealthy one?!" …Such as these questions.

Louise was taught not to rudely refuse any requests from her family. She was born to be a frank type of person and believes her ability will only be used for emergencies. She speaks her mind, even her thoughts may spill from time to time. She eventually learned to mind her words, may it be in front of a relative or a stranger. That’s thanks to being in a well off family, any proper etiquette was taught to the child.

"Please…give me a moment," Little Louise pulled out her pocket mirror to look through. There was a glint in her eyes that oftentimes any person close to her would mistake them as real gems. In fact it was how images of the future flash before her eyes.

After seeing the events through the pocket mirror, her brows slightly furrow before breaking the news to her expectant cousin. 

"You…" She paused as she felt her stomach churn. It was not a side effect from seeing the future…rather it was the future that she finds troubling for a child to see. But since her cousin asked, she might as well tell her honestly.

"I'm sorry, but from what I saw through the mirror…you wouldn't marry a handsome man. To be more precise, you won't be able to marry anyone."

"W-What do you mean? You’re pulling my leg, are you, Louise?"

"I do not intend to sing lies to you, my dear cousin. I am only telling what I really saw and that’s the truth," Her firm statements greatly angered her cousin, causing her to throw a tantrum. Because of this, Louise was believed to be a lying young lass whose appearance is perceived to be the only thing that’s great about her. 

At first, this little argument among the children of Mirages didn't bother her in the slightest. She was still confident in her looks as she is a spitting image of their great grandmother. But the more she was given ugly nicknames by her relatives, the more she lost her self esteem.

This problem kept occurring again, and again, and again, and again…

And again. 

Until one night…looking at herself in the mirror became unbearable. Little Louise announced to her parents that their ungrateful daughter does not want to see herself through any mirrors or glasses from this day onwards. Her every word caught all of them off guard. This child, who just turned 12, detests this ability that they so badly want to get their hands on. 

“It has greatly…ruined the connections you’ve worked hard on to make our family known again, mother, father. So, I do not wish to use it anymore,” she said as she lowered her head apologetically in front of the elder Mirages, that includes her parents. At first they questioned why she doesn’t want to use such a rare ability passed down for centuries. 

But her next response utterly silenced them.

“...No one ever once said the previous Saintess was a liar.” As much as she speaks the truth, there will be those who still envy such power bestowed upon her and completely disregard her pleas. 

“Indeed, you were right. You are an ungrateful child. If you do not want to become the next Saintess, how else are you going to increase your influence throughout Twisted Wonderland?!”

Her pleas were denied. Their sudden change of tone had caused her fear for the first time. Only apologetic words escaped her lips just as how she breathes. And now she never once again spoke about what she wanted after her parents were told to watch over her strictly from now on. 

Louise von Mirage grew up not to protest against her family ever again.

.

.

.

.

“Ah…” She almost thought the sky was sorrowful as she was. Beads of tears roll down her pristine skin. All the yells that rung inside her head formed into these salty pearls she has always wanted to throw into the sea. There’s still a pang in her heart that has yet to close its wounds. But who would be able to fix this miserable lady?

One person comes to mind as she clumsily wipes off her tears.

“I…have to send another letter to Vil,” Indeed, it was the boy she used to be with since childhood. Her only hope to escape from the shackles of the name Mirage. “I still haven’t received a reply as usual. Shall I give him a visit?” While still feeling lightheaded, Louise staggered to stand and walk back to Night Raven College in search of the dorms. 

…Knowing that she’ll get lost on her way.

At last, she managed to sneak into the Hall of Mirrors. The students seem to be busy within their respective dorms. Not even a single student roaming outside was found skipping to do a hectic preparation for her supposed arrival to the school. It is as if the school became an abandoned castle, similar to what she had witnessed through the looking glass.

“Which dorm was it again? He never told me anything before he blocked me from all of his socials…” Looking at each portal, there are notable dorm emblems on the walls made in gold. Fortunately, she recalls the attire Vil wears and what students like him always gush and complain about. Looks. 

She hopes she’ll spot attractive boys or just as presentable with proper posture as he does. She fears she might mistake a different dorm by just following someone who fits the criteria. “What was the color of their uniform again…? Was it violet?” A fitting color for his image. “Aah…I wish I could see his posts in Magicam. If only he didn’t block me,” she released a sigh before sneaking to the corner. 

Torches flicker in silence as she waits for students to appear in and out of their dorms. Only a few came out in crimson vests with very notable symbols painted on their faces. “What a unique makeup,” she thought. But it’s not what she’s looking for and continued to wait for more students to come out.

Soon a group of well built students rushed out of their dorm noisily. Their strides terrified the young lady at the corner as she held her breath. It wasn’t due to the smell they emit, but due to their nature of sensing her very presence. Their ears perked up towards her direction and yet they chose to ignore their instincts. Perhaps the spell she used still hasn’t worn off.

30 minutes had passed and her feet were beginning to go numb. She watched every student come and go with different comments about the upcoming ball. Assumptions on how the Saintess would look like, interests, dislikes…and gossip of finding a suitor. It was interesting enough to know what people know more about her, however…no one knows who she truly is. 

The poor damsel is just nothing but a reflection of what they want her to be. 

“We should’ve returned 10 minutes ago! Ugh, look how tanned I’ve become. If our housewarden saw me, I wouldn’t hear the end of his scolding,” A certain student caught her attention. Purple vest, neatly clothed, sort of pompous…Yes, this is it. They are the ones she’s been looking for. 

“Pomefiore…” As she whispered the dorm’s name while an image of Vil came into her mind, she didn’t waste any more time and went through the portal. The students who she followed unknowingly lead her close to the dorm’s gates. 

“Huh? Did you sense that?” One of the boys Louise has been tailing turned to ask his friends. Guessing from her energy waning, the spell of cloaking is close to breaking. She must find a spot to hide and slowly replenish her energy. 

With a quick side step, she hid behind one of the large vases to avoid suspicion. Her feet were bare and did not make a noise, fortunately. Assuming that every Pomefiore student is busy decorating the lounge, she mustn’t step into that area and find Vil quickly.

“But where is hisroom…?” She pondered for a moment. She cannot check every room without disturbing any boys in the building nor try to spy on them by gathering information that will surely waste her time.

A sound of clacking of a heel can be heard from a distance. Someone was approaching, so Louise quickly ran and hid herself behind the curtains. She prayed that no one would notice her bare feet exposed.

“Ah, roi du poison. I have seen your latest ad today. The moisturizer you’ve introduced to me miraculously softened the tips of my fingers!” A voice of a young man who seems to be eccentric echoed through the halls. 

“I have ordered 5 more boxes! Even without opening its lid, it smelled divine.” Smell…the lady thought of an idea. But she must hear the rest if ever he mentions the exact smell of this moisturizer…so that she must buy a whole set of it after this!

“It has a lot of fragrances and the staff insisted I use all of them. One of the samples was lavender. It sticks longer than the rest.” Louise’s chest tightens for a moment as he recognizes the other student’s voice. Isn’t that…

“Vil…?” There was no noise that left her mouth to speak that very name of the guy she’s been searching for at this very moment. It was as though uttering it in his presence would take her breath and lose him once again. 

“Oh yes, indeed! Didn’t you also mention she preferred that specific fragrance when you were both young?” Vil stopped on his tracks and faced the guy who she does not recognize. He seemed rather annoyed by his remarks. 

“Would you mind dropping this subject about her? I know you’re curious but it isn’t the right time,” Knowing the position of an important person within this building must’ve been incredibly hectic and exhausting. Keeping the same beauty to ever glow tremendously is also one of his jobs in the industry. Hearing that the talk about her bothers him…perhaps he hasn’t forgotten about the incident after all. 

“But dodging this subject wouldn’t do any good to your complexion. Don’t you think it’s time we try to mend your ties with her?” There’s nothing scarier than the silence before speaking the truth or a lie. The very things she couldn't handle from the boy she admires.

“...My ties with the Mirage are all tightened knots. Cutting it off is easier than trying to loosen it. So there’s nothing to mend,” Vil shattered Louise’s hopes of getting to reach for him once more. If that’s what he thinks of her, only one of the Mirages, then all of her effort to run away from the beginning was all for naught.

The pain she has felt from years ago suddenly returned, crushing her heart. She only stepped out just to see his silhouette going further away from her. She couldn’t feel her numb feet anymore nor did she feel the pearls of salt rolling down her cheeks. Unable to scream his name, she decided to turn away. However, when she finally turned around…

“Huh…?” A beautiful boy stood just 5 feet away with his mouth agape from the sight of her. He couldn’t react as loudly as he usually does as if he was struck by lightning. 

‘Who’s this?’ He thought. ‘A ghost? She’s too stunnin’!’ Although before his voice could utter those same questions, she disappeared into thin air. The glow she emitted shocked his young heart and those sorrowful eyes…At that moment, he’s convinced that what he just witnessed might’ve been a roaming ghost of beauty.

A weeping white lady.

“R-Rook! You saw that, didn’t you?! I can’t be the only one who saw that, right?!” Rook, who turned his head the moment before the lady disappeared, smiled from ear to ear. He sensed that someone had been spying on them even before Epel arrived. He secretly used his signature spell to locate her later if ever she attempts an escape. 

Her face was something that completely invaded his memory as soon as he saw her eyes. That beauty almost moved him to tears. 

“My…I don’t know what you’re talking about, monsieur crabapple.” Yet he still lied through his teeth.

To Be Continued

Previous Chapter ➵ Next Chapter

[deathmetalunicorn1]

Hi, I'm the anon who sent you Strawhats with Spot!Reader, since you made RoR characters with Spot!Reader I was wondering if you could make Strawhats with Spot!Reader.

-Well now, this was a fine predicament you found yourself in!

-You opened a portal to escape the police and somehow crossed dimensions and you were now in a world where pirates reigned supreme and you had no way of returning to your own dimension.

-You tried turning over a new leaf, using your powers and abilities for good in this new world, but whenever you tried to enter a town, you would be chased by the citizens and by the marines, thinking you were a monster.

-You were able to do your research, as you had heard multiple people saying that you had eaten something called a Devil Fruit, that these were unnatural fruits in this world that gave those who ate them unnatural but breathtaking powers, at the expense of not being able to swim.

-An outcast once more, you realized that a life of crime was all you would be able to accomplish in this world as well, as a pirate. At least you could freak people out about being a ‘devil fruit user’ and being able to swim!

-You earned your bounty pretty quickly, being able to rob banks and other places of wealth with relative ease, and when the government released your bounty poster under Y/N the Spot, you were quite pleased with yourself, seeing such a massive bounty. You even framed it!

-You found your solstice with other pirates, other outcasts and many learned quickly not to cross you, trying to steal what you stole first, or trying to stab you, only for them to fall into a hole to spit them back out elsewhere.

-It was such a group of misfits and weirdos that you found to call your own, the Straw Hat Pirates, after Luffy found you.

-You thought he was just a funny kid, so you impressed him by using your skills to warp a huge pile of food out of the kitchen on a marine’s ship onto his own ship.

-His starry eyed look made you grin, if you could grin, and you liked his vibe and when he told you to join his crew, you immediately accepted.

-His crew was just as funny as him, at least to you, as Zoro immediately tried to charge at you, thinking you were a threat, only for you to open a hole that sent him right back into Sanji, which caused a huge fight.

-Chopper was like a little kid, sticking his hand in the holes on your body, after you said it was okay, and he was delighted to see his hoof, which he put through your hand, coming out of your eye socket.

-Usopp, Brook, and Luffy were quick to join in, having fun until Nami whacked Luffy, Brook, Usopp and you on the head, managing to leave a lump on your head, telling you to knock it off.

-You fit in easily, earning everyone’s respect, as you made transporting cargo so easy! Sanji or Nami could have huge bags of purchases while out in town and you could instantly wrap them back to the ship, leaving their hands free and they didn’t have to lug everything back to the ship.

-Franky loved your abilities too, when there was something mechanical going on, rather than taking everything apart, you would just open a portal so he could easily go through and fix things right then and there.

-Nami was like Luffy, who loved your ability when you were easily able to steal treasure, earning her praise which you teased the others with, especially Sanji.

-Sanji did appreciate your skills with transporting things, but he was disappointed when you told him that while you use your abilities for stealing and things like that, you don’t use them for pervy things, while you easily could.

-Sanji begged you to use your powers for ‘evil’ but you didn’t have to do anything, as Nami was there to handle things instantly.

-Zoro was distrustful of you, like he is with almost any new member, but he found a good sparring partner, as you could easily dodge and send him all around you. It made his reaction time and able to change directions easily on a dime.

-Jinbei wasn’t sure what to think of you, he found you a bit odd, but laughed when you said he was odd when he first told you, as you hadn’t met a fishman before. Jinbei became a mentor to you, kind of like that father figure you not only wanted but needed, and he would always laugh when you would freak others out, mainly marines, when you would jump into the sea and swim away, making them freak out that you were a devil fruit user that could swim.

-Usopp and you were a good team, as you would open portals to get him to a high vantage point, perfect for sniping others, and you offered him a quick escape so he would act real cocky to piss people off, then disappear, leaving only one of his trap plants waiting.

-You and Brook did the same thing, you would open portals so he could crawl out like some sort of vengeful spirit, acting scary which would send your opponents running, leaving the two of you falling over yourselves laughing.

-Robin found your antics amusing, seeing the mischief that you were causing, often just staying back and laughing, wanting to see what you were going to do next. Nami was beside herself when she found out that Robin was the one to suggest you and Brook scaring others, as he had unintentionally scared her.

-You liked this group of weirdos, they were yours, your friends, and you fit in just perfectly with them, and that’s all you ever wanted.

[photogirl894]

"Sun and Rain Part 2: Age of the Empire"

Chapter 28

"Fear and Understanding"

A "Bad Batch" fanfic!

Pairing: Hunter x fem OC, Echo (more best friend pairing)

A/N: I am on a roll, you guys! 😆 No joke, I spent, like, most of the day writing this chapter yesterday, which felt amazing! That hasn't happened in so long! I left y'all on a pretty hefty cliffhanger last time, but you don't have to wait long to keep going 😁We'll finally be getting through the rest of episode 7 of "Bad Batch!" Have fun with this one!!

Taglist: @the-sad-batch , @nimata-beroya , @intrepidmare , @cole-kenxbi , @tech-aficionado , @ladykatakuri , @d1n0-dan , @sammi9498 , @darthzero22 , @scarlettrose9901 , @thebadbatchscyare , @chxpsi , @ilikemymendarkandfictional , @4pplecider , @locitapurplepink , @l-lend , @nekotaetae , @eternalwaffle , @merkitty49 , @avathebestx , @idoubleswearimawriter , @techs-stitches , @fantasyproductions

《 Chapter 27

》 Chapter 29

All chapters (Part 2) (Part 1)

Explanation: With Wrecker's chip activated and all their safety as well as a friend's life in jeopardy, the Bad Batch must subdue him quickly before his mind is lost forever.

The floor was cold. 

Her whole body was numb, weak and throbbing with sharp pain simultaneously. 

Her head hurt and she couldn’t move. 

She could feel her consciousness slipping and the world around her was blurring. 

A few feet away from her, she could still see Wrecker donning his helmet and grabbing his blaster rifle, getting ready to attack the others. The chip had taken a hold of him and there was nothing she could do now to stop him. She’d tried and thought the love they shared would be enough to help him break free, but the chip’s influence on his brain was more powerful than she’d imagined and it was what got her into the predicament she was in right now. 

She had lost. 

As she felt her will to stay awake and her body weakening, she could only hope that he wouldn’t hurt anyone else and that her friends would be able to subdue him and get the chip out of his head. It was up to them to save him before it was too late and he was lost forever.

“It’s okay, big guy,” Rina thought, her vision going hazy. “I know…it wasn’t you.”

A long breath escaped her, her strength disappeared and she gave up the fight, everything around her fading into nothingness.

In a matter of seconds, Wrecker went from being himself in pain to going on a complete rampage.

When Rex tried to grab his blaster to stun him, Wrecker had knocked the blaster away and sent it through the wall. He was now a man on a mission…a mission to eliminate all of them.

Kimber whipped around to get Omega, but Hunter had already grabbed her in his arms, which made her glad that he was two steps ahead of her. There was a toppled table right behind them that the Clones, Kimber and Kida all managed to duck behind as Wrecker started firing at them.

“He’ll destroy the equipment if we don’t get him out of here,” Echo warned them as they kept low behind the table to avoid the blasterfire.

“What are we going to do? We need to get Tech…and Rina!” Kida cried, tears running down her face. 

“You’re all traitors!” Wrecker yelled behind them.

Another shot hit the edge of the table and everyone ducked down to avoid the sparks that were flying. They had to do something and fast or else they would be sitting ducks in that room.

Then Hunter stated, “We’ll draw him out. Omega, stay with Tech. Kida, you get Rina.”

After he gave his orders, Hunter grabbed a gas tank from the pile of tanks in front of them, stood up and hurled it at Wrecker to distract him. One of Wrecker’s blaster shots hit the tank, causing it to burst open and foggy white gas expelled out of it. Wrecker turned away, coughing as the gas got into his helmet, and that gave the others just enough cover for Hunter, Kimber, Rex and Echo to dart out of the room and back into the dark corridors of the Venator. Other than Rex, the rest of them had left their weapons in the med room and there had been no time to retrieve them, so they were going to have to improvise a way to overpower Wrecker enough to get him back on the surgical table. Lucky for them, there were more gas tanks like the ones in the med room spread about the hallway, so they could use those if they needed to. They each ducked either around a corner or behind a wall, waiting for Wrecker to follow them. A few shots rang through the hall, which showed them Wrecker was coming.

Kimber pressed back up against a wall across from Rex, her heart pounding like mad in her chest. Even though she knew Wrecker was a sweet, gentle and loveable giant, he was absolutely terrifying in that moment. She wasn’t afraid of him, but more of what he’d be capable of doing in his current state. His mind was set on terminating them for being in violation of Order 66 thanks to the chip. Because of that, he’d already taken Tech out of commission…and she feared the worst when it came to Rina. If an awful fate had just befallen her, Kimber would be heartbroken.

More than that, Wrecker would be completely devastated. 

They heard him coming around the corner and Rex was the first to advance. He jumped out from behind his cover and fired a stunning blast at Wrecker, but unfortunately missed. Wrecker then started firing a barrage of shots at Rex, making him duck back behind the wall, until Hunter emerged and threw his knife at Wrecker’s blaster rifle. The vibroblade hit the rifle out of Wrecker’s hands and sent it clattering to the floor. Then Kimber dashed out from her spot, jumped into a tuck and roll across the floor and grabbed a large, flat piece of metal on the ground as she rolled to her knees. Then she twisted her torso and, as she pushed herself up to her feet, threw the metal like a disc towards Wrecker, hitting him right in the center of his helmet and sending him staggering backwards a couple steps.

“Wrecker, please, wake up!” she begged.

Right after that, Echo attempted to come up behind Wrecker and hit him over the head with a gas tank, but Wrecker heard him coming and blocked Echo’s blow with his hand. Then, quicker than any of them expected, his hand grabbed Echo by the face and Wrecker threw him right by Kimber and towards Rex, who had come out from behind the wall again. Unfortunately, Rex had fired another stun blast just as Echo came flying at him, so it hit Echo instead and his unconscious body slammed right into Rex, sending them both crashing hard into the wall.

Kimber growled in frustration and then yelled, “That's enough!” before running at Wrecker, jumping up and doing a spinning kick, her foot making contact with his chest and pushing him back.

“Kimber Sallaros…,” said Wrecker, an angry rumble in his voice. Then he taunted her, “You should’ve taken Admiral Tarkin’s offer to join the Empire.”

That made her grit her teeth both in anger and sorrow and her clenched fists shook at her sides. He was sounding a lot like how Crosshair did back in the hangar on Kamino when he’d said almost the same thing to her, trying to convince her to stay with him. That and she didn’t like being reminded of Tarkin and the deal he’d tried to make with her.

“No! Stop it!” she cried, throwing a punch at him. 

Wrecker caught her fist in his hand and bent her arm backwards away from him, eliciting a yelp of pain from her. He reared his other arm back to strike her, but then all of a sudden, he was struck in the helmet by Hunter wielding a gas tank. Wrecker released his hold on Kimber’s arm and she faltered back slightly. She caught sight of Hunter’s blade on the ground beside her and she quickly picked it up. She then watched as Hunter repeatedly kept swinging the tank up at his brother’s head until Wrecker’s helmet flew off. Then Wrecker withdrew his large vibroblade and whipped around to stab Hunter, but Hunter held the tank in front of him, so the blade pierced the side of the tank and released another small plume of gas, which hit both of them. Hunter cried out and dropped the tank and Wrecker dropped the knife. However, Wrecker stooped back down and picked his blade back up while Hunter held his face, fighting off the effects of the gas. Wrecker lifted his knife to attack Hunter, but Kimber jumped between them and blocked Wrecker’s blade with Hunter’s knife. The force behind Wrecker’s attack was powerful and even though she managed to stop it, it drove Hunter’s vibroblade out of her hands and she fell to her knees. Just then, Hunter ran forward with a yell at Wrecker, driving his shoulder into Wrecker’s chest and forcing him back away from Kimber, making the larger Clone drop his knife. Wrecker placed a foot behind him and put his weight on it to stop his movement. He grabbed Hunter by the shoulder and pulled him off of him, sending him to the ground with a loud grunt.

“All Clones in violation of Order 66 shall be terminated,” he stated, looking down with dark eyes at Hunter.

“No!” Kimber cried and she sprinted towards Wrecker, jumping onto his back and wrapping her arms around his thick neck. As he struggled and pulled against her grip, which she was losing fast, she yelled, “Hunter, run!”

“No, Kimber!” Hunter cried out.

By then, it was too late. Wrecker broke Kimber’s hold on his neck and grabbed her arm with both hands, throwing her towards the nearest wall. As she flew through the air, she heard Hunter yell her name in fear…along with another voice crying out for her.

Omega’s voice.

Just as the panic at suddenly hearing Omega there rose up within her, Kimber’s body met the wall with great impact, her head smacking hard against it. Her breath was knocked out of her and everything went dark immediately as she dropped to the ground, Hunter’s voice calling for her again being the last thing she heard.

The world around her was hazy as Kimber’s eyes fluttered open. There was a ceiling light shining right into her eyes and she blinked a couple times to adjust. Was she back in the med room? The light above her looked like one of the ones from there. The back of her head and neck hurt and the rest of her body was sore. She had a feeling there was definitely gonna be some bruising on her back, but luckily she was wearing her armor, so that helped with the brunt of the damage she’d taken. She let out a groan as she moved to sit up.

Just then, someone was at her side and they took her hand and also pressed up on her back, helping ease her up. She could hear their familiar voice speaking to her, but in her grogginess of coming back to consciousness, she didn’t fully register the voice at first. She rubbed at her eyes and ran a hand over her face, now fully waking up. When she looked up, she saw that she was indeed back in the med room, lying on the floor on the side of the room. Her head turned and she found Echo kneeling at her side, a glad look on his face.

“I’m relieved you’re okay,” he said through a sigh.

“Echo…,” she said, realizing it was him next to her. She looked him over briefly and he seemed to be okay, too. 

There was movement out of the corner of her eye and she looked up to see Rex walking up to them, saying as he saw her, “Welcome back, soldier.” He too also seemed relatively unharmed.

“I’m glad you’re both all right,” she said. “You guys took quite a hit. Where’s Wrecker? Is everyone else okay?”

“Everyone’s fine,” Echo answered. “Rex managed to get the jump on Wrecker and stunned him. We brought him back here and his chip’s been removed…but he hasn’t woken up yet and it’s been over at least a couple hours.” He looked back over his shoulder and leaned back so Kimber could see the rest of the room. 

She peered around him and saw Wrecker was lying on his back on the surgical table. Tech and Hunter were asleep in chairs at the foot of the table next to the surgical console and Omega was seated at the side of the table, her head and arms resting on Wrecker’s arm as she too slept. However, there was no sign of Kida or Rina.

“Where are the girls? What happened to Rina?” she asked, her anxiety building at them not being there. 

Rex then informed her, “They’re in another room. Kida’s fine, but...we’re not sure of Rina's condition. She’s alive, but barely. Kida got her out and she’s doing everything she can for her. She said she’ll update us as soon as possible.”

“Oh stars…!” she gasped, bringing her hands up to her face. “Wrecker’s going to be so heartbroken if we lose her.”

“Rina’s strong. I’m sure she’ll pull through,” Rex reassured her. “She knows as well as the rest of us that it wasn’t Wrecker’s fault.”

Then all three of them heard stirring close by and, to their relief, they saw Wrecker moving on the table, patting Omega’s head of blonde hair on his arm. She shifted, waking up at his touch.

“Hey, kid. Why…why the long face?” he asked as she lifted her head.

“He’s awake!” she exclaimed to wake the other two up.

Hunter sat up and Tech bolted up from his sleeping position and then just replied nonchalantly as the two of them stood up, “Oh. You made it.”

Echo and Rex helped Kimber up to her feet and she quickly went over to Hunter, grabbing his hand right away. He flinched slightly at the unexpected contact, but when he turned and realized it was her, his expression softened with ease. He reached up with his other hand to cup the back of her head and he brought his head down until their foreheads touched, no words needed between them to express how glad they both were to see each other safe and sound.

Then Kimber looked to Wrecker and said, giving him a light pat on the shoulder, “Welcome back.”

He chuckled at seeing her and then groaned slightly from the lingering pain in his head from the surgery. “W--where’s Rina?” he then asked, looking around.

Everyone all exchanged sad, apprehensive looks, unsure how to respond to his question, which only made him even more worried.

Finally, Kimber answered, “We don’t know her condition yet, Wrecker. Kida’s with her now and should hopefully update us soon.”

His expression fell right away, guilt and melancholy shadowing his whole face as he recalled exactly what he had done. He’d been conscious of his actions the entire time, but he couldn’t stop himself. He had thrown Rina into the wall; he’d heard the sounds of her body impacting against the metal wall and he’d wanted to rip his own heart out for harming her. In his head, his thoughts had been solely on killing her because she was a Jedi, even though he would never hurt her ever in his life. Now…if he had indeed killed her…he would be forever lost and he would never forgive himself as long as he lived.

Seeing the operation had proved successful, Rex then stepped up with Tech’s brain scanner, declaring that they had one chip down and three more to go and asking who was next to go. Wrecker got up from the table and Echo stated he would go next. As he got himself situated on the table, Kimber gave him a firm kiss on the cheek for luck and then he laid down as Tech prepared the surgical pod for round two of the brain surgeries. 

As the procedure started, she noticed Wrecker sitting by himself in the back corner of the room and her heart hurt at seeing him so downtrodden. No doubt he was harboring a lot of guilt not only for attacking his brothers and her, but for hurting Rina, too. All she could do was hope with all her might that Rina would be okay and her survival would alleviate some of Wrecker’s guilt.

She went over, knelt beside him and just threw her arms around Wrecker’s neck, hugging him tightly. “It wasn’t your fault,” she whispered.

Then she felt his head fall into her shoulder as he responded, his voice cracking, “I tried so hard…to fight it…and I couldn’t. Now…Rina might be dead because of me.”

“Don’t say that, Wrecker,” she responded, tightening her arms around him. “We can’t lose hope right now. We can’t give up on her.”

His arms came up around her, holding onto her desperately for comfort in that moment when he was trying so hard not to break down. The thought of losing Rina was tearing him apart inside. If Rina was dead, he didn’t think he could bear it and would likely die himself. His life would no longer have any meaning, not without her. She had changed his life so much since the day he’d met her and now, he couldn’t imagine not having her with him anymore. Even though he still had Kimber, his brothers and his little sister, there would forever be something missing in his life; a ray of light in the darkness, a shred of joy, a piece of his heart…forever gone.

In the midst of his mental lamentations, he recalled words Hunter had once told him a while back when Wrecker had gone to him, asking what it really meant…to be in love.

“Hunter…you and Kimber are in love, right?” Wrecker had asked him.

“Yeah, we are,” Hunter answered.

Shyly, Wrecker admitted to him, “Well…I think I love Rina.”

“I’ve heard you say so to her before, but why do you seem unsure?” his brother asked.

“Well…I know you and Kimber are happy together and I’m happy with Rina…but I just don’t really know what it means to be in love, so I don’t know if it’s really what I feel.” He looked Hunter in the eyes and went on to ask, “What does it really mean to be in love, Hunter?”

Hunter grinned softly at him, touched that Wrecker had come to him for such advice. “Being in love is more than just physical attraction, intimacy of any kind or being happy around someone. Being in love is…when you don’t feel complete anymore without the person you care for most and your heart is no longer your own,” he began. “Their happiness becomes your happiness and you always want to do everything you can to see them smile. You both support each other and do things for each other without ever expecting anything back. Any time apart from them feels like an eternity and all you can think about is when they’ll be back in your arms again. They’re your last thought before going to sleep and your first thought when you wake up. Your own safety and wellbeing doesn’t matter; theirs will always come first in your mind. Any thought of being without them or not having them in your life anymore…feels like it’ll rip even your very soul apart. As long as they’re with you, then you know you can do anything, alone or together.” Hunter then went up to Wrecker and laid a hand on his shoulder. “If you can’t picture a life without Rina; if you can see yourself being with her and only her without any hesitation...then I’d say you are in love with her.”

In that moment, Wrecker felt as though he’d been hit by a gunship as the realization of his true, deep feelings for Rina came to him. 

Though, before he could fully process it all, there were footsteps coming from outside. Kimber released his hug on him and they both stood up to see Kida running into the room. Everyone else turned around as she came in, looking at her expectantly. The room was dead silent, save for the light whirring of the surgical pod, as they all awaited Kida’s report.

Kimber clutched onto Wrecker’s arm, both for his comfort and for her own. There were tears falling down Kida’s face as she looked around at everyone, still catching her breath. That wasn't a good sign. Kimber lightly shook her head at what she saw.

“No…no, this can’t be true. Rina can’t be….”

Finally, Kida blurted out with a choked voice, “Rina’s alive.”

Audible sighs of relief sounded from everyone, especially Kimber and Wrecker.

Then right away, Kida went on to explain, “She’s alive, but not in good shape. Her back was injured pretty badly and she’ll definitely have bruising and possibly other injuries, too. I don’t have the proper medical supplies with me to help her enough and she’d have a better chance at fully recovering if we had the bacta tank on the Aurora.”

“So what do we do then?” asked Rex.

“I have a contact who owes me a favor on Kerkoidia, the next planet over in this system,” she replied. “He can be here in a couple of hours--or sooner, if he remembered to upgrade his ship’s hyperdrive--and he can take us back to Ord Mantell. I should be able to at least keep Rina stabilized enough to get her back there all right.”

Hunter then spoke, “Do it. If it’s what will help Rina, then call your contact and get her back to Ord Mantell as soon as you can.”

Kida gave a nod in understanding. Then she looked at Wrecker and told him, “She woke up and immediately asked for you.”

Wrecker looked shocked to hear that, given what he had done to Rina. He looked uncertain of what to do for a minute, but then Kimber grasped his hand. When he looked down at her, she was smiling up at him and her eyes were glistening with tears.

“Go to her, Wrecker,” she encouraged him. “Rina needs you.”

Now no longer needing any further urging, Wrecker turned back to Kida and asked, “Where is she?”

Once Kida gave him directions of where to go, he dashed from the medical bay immediately, knowing he had to get to Rina right away. She was alive and that was all that mattered to him. He had to see her; he had to see for himself that she was okay…and he had to tell her the truth of how he felt about her, now that he finally seemed to understand his own heart. He’d thought for a moment that he’d lost his chance to ever tell her, but now knowing he hadn’t, he wasn’t going to waste it.

Before long, he came to the room she was in, which was an additional med room with beds. She was lying on one of the beds, which had been raised up a bit in the back so she was more comfortable, and she turned and looked at him as he stood in the doorway. Seeing the worried look in his eyes, she sensed right away that his chip was gone and that he was back to normal. 

The first thing she said upon spotting him was, in a hoarse voice, “Wrecker…thank the Force you're okay.” 

His jaw dropped. “After everything I did…you were worried about how I was?”

She grunted. “This isn't the worst state I've been in,” she said, “but of course, I was worried about you. How's your head?”

“It's…just fine now,” he said.

He was still somewhat shocked. She had been worried more about him than herself…she'd been more concerned with his well-being than her own, just like what Hunter had said when describing being in love. Was it possible that she was in love with him, too?

“Rina…I…I'm so sorry,” he said in a low voice as he walked over and knelt at her bedside. “I tried as hard as I could to fight the chip, especially when all I could think about was killing you…but I wasn't strong enough. It wouldn't stop, I couldn't--”

“It's okay, big guy,” she soothed him, reaching over to lay her hand on the back of his. 

He didn't accept that. “But it's not okay,” he said back. “I badly hurt you. I almost killed you!”

“But you didn't…and I know it wasn't you,” she told him. “The chip made you do it. I'd never blame you.”

“But why though?”

“It's just like I said before: I know you'd never hurt me. The inhibitor chip was what hurt me.”

That didn't seem good enough to Wrecker, but he also knew there'd be no arguing with Rina about this. He didn't understand how she could forgive him so easily after what he'd done. He glanced up at her, her bright blue eyes piercing him to the core. Those eyes that brought butterflies to his stomach every time they looked at him; eyes he'd dreaded that he'd closed forever and was grateful he could see them now. He turned his hand over to grasp hers and he held it firmly. He felt as though his chest was about to burst with everything he wanted to say. 

Holding her hand with both of his, he raised it up and touched her hand to his forehead. “The thought of losing you…hurt more than any of the head pains I've had combined or any blaster wound I've ever gotten.”

“Wrecker…,” she started to say.

“No…please, there are things I gotta say,” he insisted. Then everything came spilling out of him like a broken dam. “I realize now how I really feel about you. I didn't understand it until I nearly lost you. You mean so much to me and I'm the happiest  not when I'm blowing something up anymore, but when I'm with you.”

Rina gasped.

“You're someone special, Rina, and I want to make you as happy as you make me. Your smile is the brightest thing that lights up my life. I don't want to live without you…because I love you.”

Her mouth fell open even more. 

“I know I've said it before because I thought that was how I felt, but now, I know that wasn't true,” he went on. “I understand now what love really is and I know it's what I feel. I love you…I really love you. I can't picture my life without you anymore. Your happiness is my happiness now. I don't feel complete without you. I love you, Ri--”

Wrecker's confession was cut off as Rina took his face in her hands, pulled him forward and crashed their lips together in a hard, passionate kiss. She ignored the pain in her back from holding onto him. It didn't matter at all. Her darling Wrecker had said just about everything she'd ever wanted to hear from him, including being serious about loving her. She normally wasn't all about sappy stuff, but this was Wrecker, the man who'd somehow worked his way into her stoic heart more than anyone ever had before. He could say anything and she'd melt like a block of ice in the twin Tatooine suns. There was no going back for her now, not ever.

When she pulled back, she told him through her heavy breaths, gazing up into his eyes and keeping her hands on his cheeks, “I love you, too, Wrecker. I've been so into you since the day we met a year ago. I've never met anyone like you and you make me feel things no one has ever made me feel before. I thought I was going to have to talk to you about whether or not you actually loved me, but now, it looks like I don't have to. You figured it out all on your own because you're smarter than you sometimes think. I only care about a handful of people and you're the one I care about the most. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, big guy…and…I don't wanna live without you either.” 

If Rina hadn't been injured, Wrecker would've swept her up off the bed in an instant in his arms in a crushing hug, but he knew he couldn't do that. Instead, he kissed her again and then pressed his forehead tenderly to hers, taking both her hands in his and holding onto them tightly. 

“Kida's gonna get you back to Ord Mantell so you can heal properly in the Aurora's bacta tank,” he told her, “but I promise, when the rest of us get back and you're all better, I'm giving you the biggest hug and I'm gonna hold you for hours until you can't breathe anymore.”

With a light chuckle followed by a small groan--since it apparently hurt to laugh, too--she replied, “I'm holding you to that, babe. I'm looking forward to it.”

Fortunately, Echo's chip removal also proved successful. By the time it was done and he woke up, Kida announced that her contact had arrived to take her and Rina back to Ord Mantell. All of the Clones helped carefully transfer Rina to a stretcher Kida's friend had brought to get her into the ship. Everyone bade farewell to the two women and gave Rina their well wishes on her hopefully speedy recovery before retreating back inside the Venator.  

Though, before they left, Kida ran up to Rex, looking solemn. “I get the feeling…I won't be seeing you again for a while, will I?” she asked. 

“I'm afraid it's true,” he told her. “There are people I need to find and meet up with soon…and I still need to keep under the Empire's radar.”

“I figured as much,” she said. Then she held out to him a black holopad. “This is an encrypted holopad device similar to one Rina gave Kimber a while ago. I thought if maybe you had this, you'd be able to keep in touch more often without fear of being found.”

Rex took the holopad in his hand and glanced down at it for a brief moment. Knowing he'd be able to still see Kida and Kori and not have to worry about his location being compromised gave him a sense of happiness he hadn't known in a long time. 

As he pocketed the device, he replied with a small grin, “I'll certainly do my best. I need to make sure my son and his beautiful mother are doing well in my absence.” He stepped closer to her, cupped the back of her neck and pressed his lips to her forehead reverently. 

She closed her eyes and smiled, committing the feel of his kiss on her skin to memory so she had something to hold onto of her Captain until she saw him again.

He wished her safe travels and she quickly got onto her friend’s ship. Within minutes, the ship left the planet with Kida and Rina and was on its way to Ord Mantell. 

A few more hours went by as then Hunter and Tech went through the surgery and got their chips removed, as well. After long waits for both of them, the last of the chips were taken out and the Bad Batch were finally free of them. 

Of course, during this time, Wrecker apologized to everyone for his actions from before. Naturally, no one blamed him for what he'd done and forgave him. Omega had even snuck some Mantell Mix in her pocket for her and Wrecker to share, which was her way of showing her forgiveness, which made him happy. 

After a bit of time, Kimber happened to notice that Hunter and Rex were missing, so she went looking for them. After wandering a couple hallways, she eventually found a man-made exit in a side wall and saw both Hunter and Rex standing on a platform outside, conversing. She made her way down the hall to see them. Night had now fallen and the skies were dark outside, a veil of mist covering a lot of the land. She stopped near the entrance, listening to their conversation. 

“Things aren't like before. Our priorities have shifted,” she heard Hunter tell Rex. 

“So I've noticed,” Rex replied. 

Hunter went on to tell him, “Omega needs us and I have to do what's best for my squad.”

Kimber smiled. Hunter was continuing to put Omega's safety first and that made her glad. He really was becoming a great father-figure for the kid.

“Which is what?” Rex asked. 

“I'm still figuring that out,” Hunter replied, his voice filled with lingering doubt.

“I guess we all are. When you sort things out, let me know where you land. Tell the boys I'll see them around,” Rex told him. 

As they grasped arms in farewell, Hunter said, “Stay out of trouble.”

Through a light chuckle, Rex responded, “Funny. I was gonna say the same to you.”

It was then Kimber decided to jump in and said, “You know staying out of trouble is impossible for these lads.”

The two Clones turned in her direction as she emerged from the shadows. 

“And you're definitely not leaving without saying goodbye to me, at least,” she stated to Rex. 

“I should've known you'd catch me before I could sneak away,” Rex responded, amused. 

She gave him a quick hug and said in his ear, “Thank you…for taking me to see Jesse…and for saving my boys.”

“No need to thank me. I look out for you as much as I do all my brothers,” he said as he pulled away. 

“Be safe, Rex. I hope we'll see you soon,” she said.

“I hope the same,” he said back. He looked between Kimber and Hunter for a moment one last time before saying, “Well...take care, troopers.” He placed his helmet over his head and made his way down a set of stairs off to the right that led down into the mist.

However, Hunter called out to him once more and told him before he went away, “If you're ever in a bind, you know how to reach us.”

Rex gave him a grateful nod and seconds later, he disappeared from their view into the mist. 

After Rex left, Kimber looked at Hunter, catching sight of the corner of the bandage he had over his head wound under his bandana. “How are you feeling?” she asked him.

“I'm doing fine,” he answered. “And you?”

“I'm all right. I'm just glad this whole thing with the chips is over now,” she said. 

“Me too,” he agreed. 

She took his hand in hers. “By the way, I wanted to thank you for keeping your promise.”

Curious about what she was referring to, he asked, “What promise?”

“The one you made to me after we left Saleucami when you promised to protect Omega before me,” she clarified. “Back in the med room, you could’ve chosen to protect me from Wrecker's rage, but you didn't. You didn't hesitate to take Omega out of harm's way. For that, I'm grateful.”

His expression faltered slightly. “I almost failed to keep that promise, though. After he knocked you out, Omega came and he knocked me unconscious shortly after. I was afraid for her and when I came to, I feared the worst might’ve happened and there was nothing I could've done. Luckily, Rex was able to help keep her safe.”

“Nevertheless, you did as I had asked of you and I'm glad for that. Everyone is safe and well,” she assured him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. 

“Should we go back inside?” he inquired. 

Kimber looked out at the foggy, trashed landscape before them and up at the gray-blue night sky. “You go ahead,” she told him. “I think I'll stay out here a little longer and get some air.”

Hunter nodded at her, gave her hand a quick squeeze and then left her alone in the night.

Gazing out at the horizon, she inhaled deeply, taking in the cool night air and letting it fill her lungs. It wasn’t the freshest air in comparison to other planets she’d been on, but it wasn’t terrible either. At least, in the evening, it wasn’t. Then she exhaled long and slowly. The day was finally over. The Clones’ chips were all gone and would no longer pose a threat to any of them. They were free from ever being put under the Empire’s influence. It was such a comfort knowing her family would be safe from that danger. No more head pains, no accidental triggering of the chips, none of them accidentally hurting one another…it would never happen again.

Except…for Crosshair. 

Even in the midst of her reprieve, her mind could still only wander back to him. He was the only one left of them to still have his chip and rectifying that would be much more difficult. They couldn’t go back for him, not with the Empire completely surrounding him. If only she could convince him of the truth and get him to come to them, it would be so much easier. With the chip out, he’d be free, too, and he’d return to them. They’d all be a proper squad once again. The hole in her heart from his absence pained her so as she continued to think about him, wondering if he was okay and where he was at that moment.

“Oh brother…where are you?” she whispered aloud to the wind.

Just then, she heard chirping coming from one of her pouches. It was her regular holopad comm going off. She wondered if maybe it was one of the Koriena Force trying to make contact because otherwise, she wasn’t sure who it could possibly be contacting her. She answered the transmission and was astounded at the familiar holographic figure that appeared before her.

“Crosshair?” 

Sure enough, there he was: his head of silver hair, the normal toothpick between his lips, his same stoic expression on his face and still adorned in the black Imperial armor she’d last seen him in, his helmet tucked under his arm.

“It’s been some time,” he said back. “Not since…the masquerade.”

She inhaled sharply, remembering that she’d spotted him during their escape from the Imperial gala a while back. Though, she hadn’t been sure if he’d seen her, too…but that proved that he had. She was still too in shock at suddenly seeing him now and was struggling to think of what she should do or say. This was completely unexpected.

After a brief moment of silence, Crosshair went on to say, “You know, for someone who’s been very talkative in all her transmissions, you’re suddenly very quiet.”

“So he has seen all my messages,” she thought to herself. Then she shook her head and responded aloud, “Sorry, I just…I wasn’t expecting to actually hear from you.”

This was it. The timing of his call couldn’t have been more impeccable. Surely, this was a sign that he was wanting to come back; that she could convince him to let them help him. Even though it seemed too good to be true, she didn’t want to lose this opportunity. This was her chance to make everything right.

“Honestly…your timing couldn’t be more perfect,” she said to him. “Listen, we’ve learned something important that pertains to you, as well. Please, I’m begging you to hear me out.”

He repositioned his toothpick to the other side of his mouth with his tongue before replying, “I’m listening.”

Kimber honestly had been bracing herself to argue with him over this, but was surprised he was being so willing. It seemed too simple…but maybe that was a good thing.

She informed him, “We’ve learned that all of the Clones had inhibitor chips put into their heads and the Empire is using those chips to control the Clones. Order 66 was what triggered the chips and made everyone kill the Jedi and join the Empire. I believe that’s what’s happening to you, too.”

Crosshair remained silent, watching her intently.

“However, we’ve found a way to safely remove the chips,” she then said. “If you’ll allow us, Crosshair…we can do the same for you. We want to help you.” Her voice began to crack slightly as her emotions were building. “I want to help you. Please, I implore you…meet with us and we can free you from the Empire. We don’t have to be apart anymore. Please…I miss you.”

She paused, waiting for him to respond,

Then finally, after glancing down briefly, he looked back to her and asked, “Where are you?”

Kimber smiled gladly.

The transmission soon ended and Crosshair pocketed his holopad device as he stood in the brightly-lit hallways of Kamino. He’d had a hunch he had chosen to act on and it had proven to be right.

It had been entirely too easy…just as he’d predicted.

Kimber’s desperation to have him back had shown prominently in all the messages she’d sent him, so he knew that the minute he decided to reach out to her in return, she would be willing to do or say almost anything to get him to return to the squad. It was an asset he’d managed to manipulate and utilize effortlessly to his advantage.

Then the Clone Commander turned around and entered the room he was standing outside of, which was the Prime Minister’s office. Inside the office, surrounded by multiple, colorful holographic projections, were both Prime Minister Lama Su and Admiral Rampart, discussing things with each other. They both ceased talking and looked his way as he walked into the room and stopped just a few feet away from them.

“I know where to find Clone Force 99.”

[hifi-walkman]

The story of a dwarf from a solo OSE campaign with Hexroll

Left from Springvale headed south, found Temple of the dishonored order, and 1,210gp of treasure inside.

Next day arrived at Nadan, haggled for stay at the keep, and hired Odelrada Ketilbern to help loot the dungeon.

Travelled north again next day, returning to the Temple of the Dishonored Order. Odelrada found another entrance, and we both travelled into the dungeon… in the darkness.

Found the wife of a toolsmith within the dungeon, returned to town and was gifted with a dragon-slaying sword called Calistan Odelrada left to adventure with others.

Travelled north again, found 140gp in the Temple of the Dishonored Order. Continued north.

Arrived in the city of starfield. Bought some equipment and stayed the night.

Headed east again, stayed out in the wilds instead of in Springvale.

Snuck past a robber fly on the third day of travel,

Encountered a strange hermit in the swamp

Got lost, had to stay at hermit’s house

Entered desert, found a large caravan late at night.

Getting close to the peaks where the dragon lives, followed a river to a land of strange cliffs and statues. I rested in an alcove behind one of the statues for the night.

Passed through an abandoned village, looked recently looted… arrived at an oasis, thought I heard terrantillas, but none of them bothered me if I did.

Arrived at the mountains of the dragons… saw two of them flying above, and found a cranny to rest in… I know for sure they’re here now, but I can’t do this alone. I’ll need a whole party to take them down, even with Calistan.

Going to head northward again, and hope following the river through the desert leads me to a town or village where I can recruit a band to seek the dragon’s hoard.

Found a magic user’s laboratory, lefsy and her assistant Lirielus were very interested in my sword, especially its sensory powers. I allowed them to examine Calistan thoroughly, though it resisted mightily against them doing so. I was allowed to stay for the night, as reward for bringing them something so interesting. They also gave me information on the surrounding areas. Civilization is rare in these parts, I’ve decided to travel towards the farmer’s home in the southeast, they would perhaps have trade, and know of nearby towns or cities.

I travelled outward today, but could not find the farmer’s home, and instead returned to Lefsy’s laboratory, I get the sense they do not want me here, and I will be tolerated only a few more days.

Got lost in the mountains… Found dead adventurers, and as I was about to rest I found the mountain lion that killed them. I fled south, it gave up the chase, and I stumbled on an entrance to a Dungeon, The Hideout of Hidden Souls? It’s rumored to be in these parts… if I could get more treasure from it, I would be able to hire mercenaries to aid in my quest against the dragons.

After resting for a night near the entrance I found, I left the biting snow above, and entered into the dungeon below.

Discovered a dead adventurer, laden with gems… clearly she’d almost escaped before something in the dungeon got to her. There was another, only a little past the first… similar predicament, I would guess. I found the lair of a giant spide, but it was only territorial, not hungry, and I was able to escape.

I’d almost escaped the cave when I was come upon by orcs at the entrance to the dungeon… I had to give them the 1000gp necklace I’d recovered from the Temple of the Dishonored order to convince them to let me leave. I travelled a few miles away from the caves, and made camp nearby.

The snow is bitter, and awful. I wish I’d brough some source of fire. Infra-vision helps you see without it, but doesn’t do anything when you’re freezing to death!

I got lost in the mountain, and came upon a kobold scout, I was on the ridge above him and he didn’t notice me… so I got the drop! The bastard went down in one hit… I knew there were more of the little bastards, and I wasn’t going to just leave the mortal enemies of my people to roam free, not even in mountains like these.

Found the guards of their lair. Cut two of them down without taking a hit. Travelling further in, I found another pair, tanning leathers, Snuck up behind one and stabbed it in the back. I pulled my blade from its corpse and swung at the other, but the damned bitch ducked under. Calistan caught on its dagger as it made another swing. I pushed the creature’s blade aside and cut clean through its neck.

Six more, these ones repairing armor and sharpening weapons, I cut in at the nearest, but was noticed, and it dodged out of the way. The horde of them swarmed over me, two got in good hits, I swung and missed again, there were just too damn many of them.

Another got in a good hit, did real damage… Blood dripped down my plate armor. I cut down the one that stabbed me, and screamed in fury. Their dog like faces snarled back at me as their attacks continued. I cut down another, but they didn’t stop. My shield and blade were alight with the sparks of steel against steel, Then… They got me. One stabbed me in the side, while the other got its sharp teeth around my neck. I was dead.

[whumperstorm]

Waiting is the Hardest Part

Written for @whumptober Day 12: Insomnia

Contents: Sleep deprivation, captivity, electrocution, self harm (kinda), stress position

Zephyr is gender-fluid and uses she/he pronouns!

---

Zephyr yelped when yet another jolt of electricity shot through her body. Her feet were submerged in water, and any attempt to transform caused her lightning to painfully rebound. Her own power turned against her so easily. It was maddening.

There was no escaping for her without transforming. The thick chains binding her limbs were pulled taut. She was forced to stand with her arms wrenched out to the sides and legs shoulder width apart. She couldn't even bend her knees more than an inch.

With a frustrated growl, Zephyr tried once more. The moment she initiated the change, the electrical discharge surged through her body again and she screamed. She tried to push through it anyway, muscles locked in agony. If she could just-

The pain became too much and she choked, throat seizing along with her limbs. She sagged into her restraints as the shock let up and what must have been her hundredth attempt failed. Her muscles twitched from the aftershocks for a good few minutes.

Eventually, she had to stop. It wasn't working and her body screamed it's disapproval. Her muscles ached, her skin burned in patches, and her head pounded in time with her heartbeat.

God, she was tired.

They'd have to come back eventually, right? They knocked her out with tranquilizers and locked her in here for SOME reason. Otherwise… she wonders if she would have woken up at all.

She'd thought she'd seen a glimpse of the Scientist, the woman who'd harassed her moms not long after her first transformation. She must be behind all this. The woman had tried to convince her parents that Zephyr was a danger to herself and others. Which… well, maybe she was right. But she'd wanted guardianship passed to her so she could help "cure" Zephyr. It was far too obvious that the "help" the Scientist promised was just a bunch of bullshit. Made extremely clear now with Zephyr's predicament.

No, the Scientist wanted to experiment on her. She was well known for her research on climate and weather. Zephyr learned about her in school, for crying out loud. Her moms were having none of it, but that was before Zephyr turned eighteen and before the government labeled her a terrorist because of her powers.

Yeah, ok. This was pretty bad.

The chains were not going to budge, so Zephyr moved on to shouting expletives, hoping to get someone's attention. It had to have been hours by now, just standing alone in this room. She strained her ears after every bout of threats for any indication of approaching footsteps.

Nothing.

Zephyr let out an angry hiss and screamed louder.

---

No one so much as peeked into the room the entire time Zephyr screamed his head off. At the very least, he hoped that even if they weren't giving him the time of day, they could still hear him and he was annoying the fuck out of them. He'd stubbornly gone on until coughs overtook him and then longer still just making animalistic noises of fury until his voice gave out completely.

Now, Zephyr was starting to have trouble holding himself up. His back hurt and threatened to cramp on him if he twisted wrong. His arms were unbelievably sore and his wrists felt raw at this point. He was hungry and thirsty. More so the latter, as his throat was raw from screaming. Who knew how many meals he'd missed? He originally left before sunrise, so at least breakfast and lunch by now.

Fuck, he hadn't even told his team where he was going. They probably woke up to his empty sleeping bag and were wondering where he was.

If they cared at all, that is.

Maybe he should just… bide his time. Yes, that might be a good idea. He'd get some rest while he waited here and then escape when the time was right. Yeah… Rest sounded really nice right now.

---

This must've been the longest Zephyr had ever gone without sleeping.

She didn't know that for sure, there was no indicator of time in here, but her fatigued body spoke for itself. She ached deep into her bones. Both from the earlier thrashing, but also just the stress of her position. She wished she could even just sit down. Her bare feet were pruned and numb from being submerged in the water for so long.

Her head pounded like a jackhammer and her eyelids were as heavy as lead, but still she could not sleep. Every time she felt herself drifting off, either the sharp pain in her wrists as her weight dropped, the sensation of falling, or the sudden terror of being asleep and vulnerable would startle her back to consciousness. Then after a moment, exhaustion would win over and the cycle would begin again.

Over and over and over. Somehow managing to reach new levels of misery every time she jolted awake.

Hanging there, fading in and out of awareness, she wasn’t quite sure where she was anymore, or why she hurt so much. She only knew how much she wanted to lie down. Her eyes stung and she groaned. She was too tired to even cry.

---

Exactly 24 hours after her capture, The Scientist finally entered Zephyr's cell. He didn't know what was in store for him, but at least maybe… just maybe, he could finally rest.

[enchantingkryptoniteheart-blog]

Chapter 9

1 month later…

It had taken a good week for her bruises to fade from her skin. She still felt some discomfort in sudden movements of her torso, but she was on the mend, and that was good enough for her. Luna was improving quickly as well, being fed a steady regiment of meat no doubt helping her quick recovery. She was still in the cell, but she didn't seem to upset, she still slept most of the day and night on the soft little hay filled cushion. It was a nice change from what they were used to, especially once she had fled her kingdom. Food and comfort were rarely found, and far between good bouts of rest.

Mistlynn had grown restless after a good week of resting. She had never seen so much decadent food in her life. Not to mention her assigned room made her personal tent back home feel positively barbaric.

Balin and Dis were regular companions, bringing books and maps for her to study in her downtime. Dis had even brought her sons to meet her officially. They were kind, and rather painfully reminded her of her beloved younger brother, Argos. She apologized profusely to Fili for holding a knife to his throat. He waved it off, rather complimenting her on her near escape and her impressive combat skills. Kili, who also admired her daring stunt with his brothers 'borrowed' daggers and the banner of their family crest, was also eager to learn about her origins. She gave very vague answers, just enough to satisfy their eager questions. Like Dis and Balin, she had the distinct feeling she could trust them. But it was too soon, and her peoples secrets precious. She did not want to add treason to the guilt of her brother's death as well.

Dis had given her permission to leave Erebor to explore Dale at her leisure. Dis knew Mistlynn would not leave without Luna, so she knew there was no threat of her leaving.

Thorin wasn't too keen on this idea but Dis kept the details of his displeasure to herself. She hadn't seen the King since that night in Luna's cell. She was relieved he kept his distance, even though the thought of him keeping his distance from her purposefully didn't give her the sense of pleasure she thought it would.

She blamed her confusing emotions and thoughts on her idleness. So, she decided it was time to visit Dale, to see the race of Man. She talked to Balin extensively on what it took to survive here in this strange world. Coin is what was needed to survive, not a bartering system that she was accustomed to.

She had skills. She was a very proficient in leather working, and she could tan the best hides this side of Arda, this she was confident of. She did feel like it was appropriate to seek employment inside Erebor's walls, and Dale proved to be the key to fixing her financial woes.

In the first couple days of her exploration of Dale, she found a tannery that needed another hand. She proved her skill quickly and the shady little man put her to work immediately.

She didn't mind the long hours, she found once again working with her hands both in skinning, tanning and the tedious ministrations of making armor a welcome relief from her thoughts of her current living predicament and most of all, Thorin.

He lingered in her every idle thought and haunted her dreams at night. It was unsettling to say the least. Infuriating. So, she sought most of her time outside of Erebor's walls, making her own way out from underneath his influence. She was now making money from her hides and leather armor. Orders, much to the tannery owners delight, were piling up. She was finally seizing some power back. She was in control of her own fate once again. She may just be able to survive in this world on her own.

*Thorin*

"What do you mean she's been spending her days in Dale? Doing what?" Thorin was looking up at Balin from the pile of paperwork splayed out in front of him.

Balin sighed deeply. "She's been going out early, before dawn and then coming back right after sundown. Goes to the Dire-Wolf's cell, then goes to her room. Then she repeats."

Thorin raised an eyebrow as he set his quill back in its holder. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his forehead with his ink free hand. "You have gotten to know her? Unless Dis is just being overly generous with her praise of her character." His tone was forced indifference. He was losing the battle of keeping himself busy, of keeping his thoughts free of her and the beautiful green pools of her eyes.

Balin looked over his shoulder, eyeing Fili and Kili expectantly. "Amad isn't exaggerating. She really is a delightful creature. One of the most engaging dwarrowdam's I've ever had the pleasure of meeting." Fili's tone was neutral as he skimmed over some of the paperwork regarding one of his tasks as crowned prince and heir.

"Quite lovely and refreshing. If I hadn't already found my 'One'…" Kili drawled teasingly, looking at his brother and Balin with a cheesy grin.

Thorin glowered at them. "Dale isn't exactly safe for any woman, let alone a Dwarrowdam." He growled, pointedly ignoring his younger nephew. "Since you are such fast friends, I want you both to follow her. See what she is up to."

Balin rolled his eyes and snorted. "It's Dale. What kind of mischief could she cause in Bard's kingdom?"

"I don't want to leave her with enough freedom for us to find out." Thorin drawled, giving Balin a stubborn look.

Balin shook his head. "How long are you going to keep this up Laddie?" he didn't hide the exasperation in his voice. Kili kicked Fili, making his brother grunt in pain and rub his shin. Before he could retaliate, he saw Kili watching their uncle and Balin with keen interest.

Thorin's frown deepened. "I am not going to discuss this anymore. I just want to make sure she is not a threat to my kingdom. Despite her winning all of you over, I have yet to be convinced of her intentions." Strangely, his tone held no bitterness or anger. Just a deep sorrow etched with pain. The two brothers looked at each other in surprise, seeing their uncle let down his walls was rare. It was a brief window looking into someone's deepest and darkest fears and the anguish that was constantly threatening to drown them.

Balin's exasperated expression turned sympathetic. "I am most certain you do not have to worry about any nefarious plans coming from her." Balin took a step closer to his friend, hating to see him hurt. It cut him deep whenever he saw this side of Thorin, and it hurt him even more knowing that he was denying himself the happiness he full well deserved. Balin knew where it stemmed from, however.

He had lost so much. Out of fear of losing more, he kept everyone at arm's length. But this imposing figure of a Mountain King had a heart, and he felt deeply and passionately. He was always empathetic and sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, especially to those who had less than him. It was an amazing trait that Thror and Thrain had attempted to snuff out, worried it would make him a King that was easy to manipulate and control. Instead, it made Thorin aloof, restrained, self-depreciating. He had constructed thick forbidding walls that rivaled the strength of those of Erebor. But occasionally, a crack emerged and would allow someone a glimpse of that young dwarfling that once laughed, hoped, and loved freely.

"Do you really think Mahal would construct you a 'One' to be your enemy? She is the other part of your soul, Thorin. She is the one who will make you whole, not destroy you."

"She will destroy me." Thorin whispered, to no one in particular. "She is not of our kingdom, our world. This is not her home. She will leave the moment her wolf is healed. She can't stand being here, she escapes whenever she can, she has been trying to since the very moment we brought her here." Thorin swallowed thickly. "She will leave. They always do."

The atmosphere of the room grew thick. Fili and Kili looked at each other with sorrow in their eyes. They could not stand seeing him this way.

"Uncle, we shall see what she is up to." Fili spoke first, his voice neutral of any emotion. Kili, the romantic optimist of the family was dying to comfort his uncle, to tell him what he was confident Mistlynn was trying to carve herself a life here in Erebor, but Fili caught his gaze and silenced him with a firm shake of the head. Again, not the time for fluff talk. Kili rolled his eyes, irritated he was once again silenced by his brother. Fili motioned for him to get up and leave with him, giving Thorin and Balin privacy to talk. "We will wait for her at the gates before sunrise. Be at ease Uncle."

Thorin sighed, giving his nephews a faint smile. "Thank you."

Fili and Kili gave him even brighter smiles. "Of course, Uncle." This time Kili spoke, "We look forward to proving your suspicions unwarranted."

Fili smacked Kili on the back of the head and shoved him out the door, giving Thorin and Balin an apologetic look before shutting the door behind him.

Balin took a moment, looking at his friend who was more upset than he even realized. "You're going to tear yourself to pieces, keeping yourself from her. Once that pull occurs it's only a matter of time. I've seen it happen. You became a shell of your former self. And that is all I am going to say on the matter."

Thorin leaned his head back in his chair and shut his eyes tightly. "Thank you Balin, that will be all." He heard Balin sigh again and walk out of his office. His gut clenched painfully, making it hard to breathe. It was getting worse, despite his best efforts to ignore it, it was starting to take its toll on his sleep. On his day-to-day life. It was terrifying to feel his energy and will seep from him, as if he was bleeding out. One way or another, he had to figure out how to get ahold of himself.

*Mistlynn*

Before sunrise next morning…

As she approached the main gates, she saw two familiar figures standing alongside the guards. Her eyebrows raised to her hairline as she recognized who they were. "Kili? Fili? What are you two doing up so early?"

"Mist! Fancy meeting you here!" The dwarven princes grinned cheekily, making her immediately suspicious. "We were just tossing the idea around of taking a nice little morning jaunt down to Dale! Were we not, brother?"

Kili nodded, all too eager. "Yes brother, a stroll through the city. Seeing the sights. People watching. Good fun!"

Fili kicked his brother in the back of his achilleas, making Kili grit his teeth, his grin now a pained one. "Listen to this dolt, all eager to get out. Mountain fever and all that entails."

She folded her arms across her chest. "Seriously guys. Why are you here?"

Fili feigned mock indignation, gasping as if affronted. "So suspicious. You've been spending too much time with our Uncle, dearest."

"I've spent no time with your charming uncle." She popped her hip to the side, arms now on her hips and her lips pressed thinly. "He's the one who is asking you to follow me, isn't he?"

"Now why would he ever ask us to do that? It's not like you two are an item or anything." Kili chirped, recovered quickly from his throbbing achilleas. "No, no, we just want to take a stroll, escort you, see what you've been doing these past couple weeks. It's as if you're trying to avoid us by staying away."

"Quite rude isn't it brother? Avoiding us?" Fili shook his head, looking at her with woeful eyes.

Mistlynn groaned. At least it wasn't that intimidating one, Balin's younger brother Dwalin with his unreadable expressions. Or Nori, his head of security that she felt could see right through her. "Fine, fine, fine! You can accompany me until I get to my employment. I got a full day ahead of me and I don't need you two marmots disturbing me."

"What is a marmot?" Kili was baffled, but aware that it was meant to be insulting. Fili on the other hand heard something else entirely. "Employment? Why do you need employment, in the city of man no less?" Mistlynn rolled her eyes. The resemblance between uncle and nephew suddenly apparent.

"Because I need coin to survive. I just can't live off your uncle's hospitality now, can I? Come on, I don't want to be late."

Fili looked at the little rundown building with thinly veiled disgust. It was on the outskirts of Dale's thriving market, in the part of the shiftier businesses frequented by those of less than savory character. He and Kili shared a look of apprehension before they followed her in. A short yet rotund man sat behind the counter in the back of the dark, musky front room. His greasy, greying mouse brown hair stuck to his balding head in thin tendrils that hung past his shoulders. His tunic was torn and stained in various places. He looked up and scowled as they walked in. His double chin wobbled as he hacked, spittle showering the top of the counter.

"Your late!" he wheezed. "You think those hides are going to tan themselves?"

The prince's eyes flashed in anger. "Excuse me sir but what gives you the right to talk to the lady in such a grievous manner?" Fili seethed as he stepped forward, authority exuding from him.

"She is my employee; what business is it of yours?" The man spat back. "Now are you here to buy something? Otherwise get out!"

Mistlynn looked at them imploringly. "Please, you promised to not interfere with my employment." She gritted through her teeth, her tone low.

"How much is he paying you a hide?" Fili demanded. Judging by his surroundings and state of the building, he already knew the answer.

"I get a bag of coin a day." She hissed. "Now, please go!"

"A bag of what?! What kind of coin?" Kili stepped close to her, just as seething as his brother, who was glaring at the sputtering shopkeeper.

Mistlynn pulled a bag out of her pocket and shoved it into Kili's hand. It was half full, and suspiciously light. Kili opened the bag and dumped the contents in his hand. His and Fili's jaws clenched in rage as they saw 25 bronze coins laying dull in his palm. "A day? You get this per day? You should be getting this per hide, and those being poorly done!" Fili fumed. He looked up at her, eyes flashing. Mistlynn's breath caught in her throat. She had never seen either Fili or Kili this mad before. He didn't even think they were capable of it. "Show me what you've made so far." Fili demanded.

The shopkeeper jumped down from his rickety stool. "Now see here you good for nothing rock licker…" The overweight man found a sword tip aimed at his chest, and his eyes nearly popped from their eye sockets. Kili's chest was heaving with anger. "Go brother, I got this slug handled."

Mistlynn opened her mouth to protest but was grabbed by Fili and dragged into the backroom. "Show me." He commanded, as he looked around in disgust.

Mistlynn felt her resolve crumble a bit. Surely, she had not caused some of her only friends in this place such insult. She pointed to a couple of the hides that were stacked neatly on her worktable, and Fili felt his breath leave his chest as he looked down on the leather works that were laid out, organized and pristine in presentation. "Mistlynn, you crafted all of this?" Fili breathed out, as he picked up a bracer and marveled at the skill shown in the piece.

"Y-yes." She stammered, not sure what to make of what was happening.

Fili's face darkened with a thunderous ire. Her eyes grew wide as he turned to face her. "This bracer alone should fetch you at least 10 silver coin. This is masterful work!"

Mistlynn looked at him blankly. "I don't know the differences of coin, Fili. I thought silver was just for jewelry and hair beads."

Fili's laugh was not a humorous one as he started grabbing the items off her table and shoving them into the nearest bag. "We are taking these. He doesn't deserve to even have you set foot in this rathole." He growled.

Mistlynn stammered; she couldn't really form words as she watched him grab all the leather armor that was obviously of her make, then quickly and briskly walked back out, her hand held firmly in his free one.

"Pay the snake Kili and we will be on our merry way." Fili directed, keeping Mistlynn behind him as if trying to spare her shopkeepers mere presence.

"See here you thieves, that is my property, and you have no right to any of those pieces!" Kili kicked him back onto the stool, making the poor excuse of a man look up at him in surprise. "We have every bloody right you fool. And if you don't want Thorin Oakenshield's wrath to fall upon your disgusting head you will shut up and take this gold and forget we ever stepped foot in here."

The man paled at the Mountain Kings name. Kili tossed a bag of gold coin at him. "Not like you deserve payment, taking advantage of one of our dams in such a sordid manner."

The man swallowed and nodded stupidly. "Yes, master dwarf. Thank you."

Kili growled in disgust as he followed his brother and Mistlynn out, making sure to slam the door for good measure.

Silence fell upon them, Mistlynn overwhelmed and shaken by the righteous anger displayed by her friends, while Fili and Kili spoke to each other in hushed and quick Khuzdul as they picked up and examined her work from the bag.

Mistlynn felt her own anger rise. "He was the only one to take me on!" She huffed. "Now what am I going to do? No one will take me now after that display!"

The princes both lifted their heads and looked at her in shock. "He was swindling you Mist! Don't you understand that? He knew it to! You probably brought that vile excuse of a man more clients and money he has seen in a lifetime and was paying you next to nothing!" Fili disputed, his tone broking no argument.

"As your friends, and our uncles …" Kili started out, just as equally stern but trailed off, realizing his error, watching as Mistlynn's eyebrows raised questioningly "Guest. His honorable guest, we cannot allow you to suffer such insolence." Fili looked at him incredulously. "Nice save men gorach. (idiot)" He whispered to his brother through the corner of his mouth.

"Well, I am not wrong! And you know it! I'm the only one who isn't pussyfooting around it!" Kili growled back as he shoved one of Mistlynn's bracers back into the bag.

Mistlynn threw up her hands in frustration. "Fine! Now what? Now what am I going to do? I have nothing. I won't be able to stay here!"

"You want to live here in Dale?" Fili sputtered, horrified at the idea.

"Well, yes! I'm not one of your people. There is no place for me in Erebor, at least in Dale I would be close to you both and your mother and Balin." She trailed off, her anger fizzling out and turning into resignation.

"Oh Mist. If you only knew." Kili smiled gently. "Come on. Let us not spoil the day. Let's show you the sights. And I promise we well help you find a commission for your trade INSIDE Erebor. Dwarves, Elves and Men will be lined up for miles for your leather goods. You will not be worrying about coin ever again."

"What about Luna?" finding a place that would accept her was her biggest stressor.

"What about her? She will be just fine, leave that to Uncle. I hear he even sneaks down there to see her. Even brings her treats. So does the rest of the company. Only them though I promise you." Fili added the last part quickly, not wanting to alarm her with that tiny secret Thorin swore him to secrecy. 'Ooops.'

"Are you joking?" Mistlynn gasped, shocked beyond belief.

"Nope. He's very fond of your wolf. Even though he will never admit to it. Leave it to him, before long she will be the darling mascot of Erebor."

Mistlynn felt her heart skip a couple beats at Kili's words. It was hard for her to believe, but the thought of him showing Luna such affection made her gut twist and flutter.

"Enough of this. Let's get on with that tour." Fili adjusted the bag on his shoulder and held his arm out for her to take, Kili likewise holding out his other arm for her to hold as well. She found herself smiling as they led her down the cobbled street and began regaling tales of Dale and of the treasures that could be found there.

It wasn't until later in the evening, when they decided to stop at the pub before heading back to Erebor, that she let Thorin sneak back effortlessly into her thoughts.