#and omega's a growing girl she needs food

[ct-hardcase]

still thinking about how wrecker was only full for the first time on pabu and how that explains. a lot about his general attitude

[gabessquishytum]

I cannot get over the soft Alpha Dream and Omega Hob from your previous ask

I keep imagining

1. PREGNANT SEX PREGNANT SEX with Hob gloriously riding Dream's fat knot well into his 9th month... which may have triggered labor.

2. The doctors telling Dream he isn't allowed to come in the birthing chamber despite Hob sobbing and screaming that he needs Dream. Suddenly, the shadows are growing darker and was Dream always that tall, and the doctors finally get survival instincts and let him in.

3. A chubby baby girl that has Dream wrapped around her little finger. She looks like Hob copied himself with her big brown eyes and soft curls and Dream is helplessly spoiling her.

Soft and permissive alpha Dream spoiling and adoring his omega Hob is really the most beautiful thing, isn't it?

Dream never meant to end up mated and fathering children with a human omega (albeit an immortal one), and sometimes he takes a good look in the mirror and wonders what the hell he's doing. But then he hears Hob calling for him, or he catches sight of their daughter, or the scent of home wafts against his skin... and suddenly he can't imagine being anywhere else.

People do say that Hob is spoiled. He's so... un-omegaish, in some ways. He has opinions and he gets himself into trouble and he's not in the least bit modest... but he's so incredibly attractive that most people understand why Dream is so soft with him. There's just something inherently charismatic about Hob. Especially when he's showing off his alpha, or doting on his children. It's impossible to imagine denying him anything.

Dream rather enjoys letting Hob boss him around in their exquisite townhouse. He is master of the entire dreaming of course, so it's a pleasant change for him to be dominated by his little human omega. Possibly he should dissuade Hob from his apparent goal to populate the earth with little Gadlings, but how can he resist when his omega sweetly asks to be bred yet again. He's beautiful when he's full and round with Dream’s children, demanding that Dream provide him with his favoured food craving and his knot simultaneously.

Why would Dream brood alone his castle, when he could have all of that?

[sopebubbles]

Master List

Twelve

Synopsis: in a world where alphas, betas, and omegas live along side modern humans as second class citizens, you've fallen through the cracks of a society that wants to take everything wonderful from you. Luckily a timely encounter with the boys just might save your life.

Chapter summary: Yoongi takes you on a date

Warnings: slight angst (mostly talking about her past), mentions of past abuse, homelessness, fear of abandonment

Honestly yall its a lot of yoongi and oc being freakin soft 😩

Yoongi was only slightly disappointed to find you awake and making breakfast with Hobi in the kitchen when he came in after eight in the morning. He'd kind of been hoping to be able to take a peek at you in your nest, just to see for himself that you were as safe and cozy as his other omega had promised (many times) that you were last night. Although he hadn't been gripped by the same agonizing fear he had known for the month you were gone, he still hated being away from you so long last night, and he'd texted both Jimin and Hoseok multiple times last to assuage his anxiety (and his guilt). They'd promised him that you had nested just fine, had eaten well and seemed perfectly happy with Jimin's company before peacefully going to sleep. It was cute just how much he worried about the details. 

"Yoongi!" You said his name brightly when you saw him and rushed over to give him a hug. You were too energized from a good night's sleep and the cup of fresh squeezed orange juice Taehyung gave you to be self conscious about it. You didn't seem to notice the flour on your cheek until Yoongi brushed it off with a smile. "Oh sorry. I'm probably getting you dirty," you said as you tried to pull away. He held you close. 

"I don't mind. Good morning," he hummed as he rubbed his chin over the top of your head. 

"M-morning." Yoongi's arms tightening around you turned to jelly when you'd been solid only moments ago. 

How can he be so warm? He must be tired and hungry.

"Can I get you some pancakes?" You offered, and he finally loosened his hold.

"Only if you eat some with me. Have you eaten yet?" 

You shook your head. "But I need to help Hobi."

The omega waved a hand at you without looking back. "I can handle it. If your alpha says eat, then it's time to eat. Which you know. She kept saying she didn't want to eat until you got here," he added just to make you squirm. A small whine escaped your throat, drawing the attention of all the men, whether they intended to look your way or not. "Careful, girl. Your whines have power here," Hobi smirked as he set two plates in front of you and Yoongi on the counter. 

You sat down and ate quietly for a few minutes while Yoongi tried and failed to pretend he was paying more attention to the food than to you. Jin and Jungkook were laying on the couch, nearly falling back asleep after stuffing themselves before anyone else got up. Jimin had gotten up to take your place helping Hobi while Taehyung and Namjoon sat at the table sharing the newspaper. 

"What do you want to do today?" Yoongi asked after several minutes. 

You swallowed and cleared your throat. "I have to work later."

Yoongi's fork froze halfway to his mouth. "What? why?"

You shrugged. "I work Saturdays."

"You work six hours a day, six days a week?" You nodded. "That's too much."

"I-I thought you d-didn't mind me working…"

Screwed it up already. Now you'll see how he really feels. The pancakes in your stomach turned to lead. 

Yoongi could see you getting nervous, watched you grow even smaller. "No. No, I don't," he managed, forcing his voice to be calm. "I don't mind you working if it's what you want.  But that's a lot. Thirty-six hours is almost full time but no benefits. That just seems…sketchy."

You tilted your head at him. "What do you mean?"

"Just that it seems like your employer is taking advantage of you. Do you get any benefits?"

"Well, I get heat leave."

"But what about health insurance? Vacation? Extended sick leave? What if you get pregnant?" Yoongi could feel all the air leave the room and wished he could take the words back.

You shook you head and spoke softly, "Yoongi, I'm not–"

"I know. I didn't mean that. I'm an idiot. I swear I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying, those are things you'd expect in a full-time job."

You shrugged. "It's not like I have a lot of options, Yoongi."

"I know," he sighed. "I just want you to be treated fairly."

You stood from your stool and walked toward the stairs. "People like me don't get treated fairly."

Yoongi got up and followed you, catching your arm as gently as he could. "I'm sorry. For what I said and how I said it. I know that you've been doing the best you could, and I have no right to judge that. Everything is okay." His hand laid hot against your neck, thumb stroking just the bottom edge of your scent gland. When he felt your shoulders relax, so did his. "Come finish your breakfast, and when you're ready I'll take you to work."

You turned worried eyes up at him. "You worked so hard, alpha. You must be tired. I'll finish, but then you need to go to sleep. Jimin and Tae will take me."

The corners of Yoongi's mouth turned up in a placating smile. "Okay."

He watched you walk back to your seat at the counter and pick up your fork, ignoring the eyes of the others as he joined you. He wanted to talk it through with you more, but he wasn't going to make you do it in front of everyone, and he didn't want to get into an argument before you went to work all day. Instead, he asked you how your night was and what you did the day before, and you plastered on a smile that slowly became more natural while you told him all about nesting and your newfound love of pillows.

When you'd both finished eating, you took your plates and washed them along with the others, no matter what Hobi said. You couldn't sit down and relax now. Doing so would only create nervous energy you wouldn't be able to dispel. You'd have to spend the rest of your day in motion. Yoongi followed you again when you went up the stairs to change for work, and you'd be lying if you said it wasn't a little annoying.

At the top of the stairs you turned to look at him. "Are you going to follow me around all day?" You snapped. 

Yoongi took a step back. He honestly didn't even realize how close he was. "I'm sorry. I wasn't intending to." He rubbed a hand over his eyes and you could see how tired he was. 

You crossed your arms over your chest. "What are you doing?"

He sighed. "I was going to sleep like you'd suggested. I think I was following you because…"

He wants to sleep in my nest. 

The realization dawned on both of you. "It's not time yet," you said softly, but eased your defensive stance. 

Yoongi met your eyes with equal tenderness and smiled a little. "Yet?"

"Yet," you confirmed.

Somehow the idea that there was a future nest he would be invited into was enough for him. "That's alright."

You turned on your heel to walk to your room, but he called you back. "Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?"

"A date?"

"Yeah. If you don't have any plans."

You raised an eyebrow at him. "Why?"

He chuckled. "Well, I told you we could date as part of our courtship, and I would like to get to know you better."

"But…" you looked at him with an expression of such utter confusion that he wished he had a camera to document it. 

"But what?"

"I just…I don't want you to force yourself to take me on a date if you aren't attracted to me."

It was Yoongi's turn to be utterly lost. "Whatever gave you the idea that I'm not attracted to you? I'm your alpha."

"Yeah, I know, but I feel like you're just doing this, taking me in because you want to protect me, because I'm so helpless and pathetic. And you were so cool about not breeding me. Plus you have all the guys, and so I just guessed you weren't thinking of me that way." You wilted under Yoongi's amused gaze. 

He snorted. "Princess, I do want to protect you because you are incredibly vulnerable, but that doesn't change my attraction to you one bit. And there's a whole world of intimacy between protecting you and breeding you. It's vast and we should go slow, but a date is a good start. That is, unless you aren't attracted to me."

Blood rushed to your face as you felt put on the spot. What kind of omega wouldn't be attracted to the alpha he was? What person wouldn't fall for his gentle, caring demeanor? But you couldn't possibly admit to it.

Yoongi stepped closer to mark the top of your head with his scent. The embrace only lasted a few seconds before he pulled away, but it still left you weak in the knees.

"I don't have anything to wear."

Yoongi shrugged. "It will be very casual. No one will see you but me. You can wear pajamas for all I care. Bonus points if you wear one of my hoodies."

You smiled at that thought. "Okay then."

"Good. Then I'll see you tonight," he told you before he turned and went into the pack bedroom to sleep. 

Yoongi was pleasantly surprised to find an apple-scented pillow in his usual spot and let himself enjoy it for a few minutes before his memory from last night came back to him. 

He had brought a patient to the emergency room of the hospital he had brought your ex-alpha to a few nights ago. After they filled out some paperwork, Yoongi and his partner took a break. His motivation was unclear, even at the time, but he found out what room the alpha was staying in from a nurse that liked to talk to him whenever she got the chance. She told him that he was still in the ICU, but that he was in a coma, and hadn't woken up since the night he was brought in. When he found the room, there was a woman inside. A tall redhead, an alpha as well, if Yoongi wasn't mistaken, so he steered clear, but it had stuck with him the rest of the night.

When he heard you, Jimin and Taehyung leave the house, Yoongi got out of bed and went to the living room where Jin and Jungkook were still on the couch.

"Is everything okay, Yoongi?" Jin asked when the alpha only stood over them without saying a word. 

"I need to ask you some questions. Legal questions," he clarified and sat on the coffee table opposite them. 

"What's on your mind, hyung?" Jungkook sat up to give him his full attention. 

"I found out last night that her ex-alpha–"

"His name is Sebastián," Jungkook added. 

Yoongi growled. "He's in a coma. And I just need to know what's going to happen to her if he never wakes up. And I guess, what happens if he does?"

Jin sat up and shared a look with Jungkook before he spoke. "If he doesn't wake up, there would most likely be a grand jury investigation, which would determine who, if anyone, was responsible for his death."

"In that case, the blame would likely fall on the driver, since she has already been charged with drunk driving. It would be manslaughter," Jungkook added. 

"But she said she pushed him, in her statement. That won't matter?"

Jin shook his head doubtfully. "She could get charged, but in my experience, if you put that girl in front of any judge or jury, there's no way they wouldn't chalk it up to self defense. If he does survive, it wouldn't even make sense to press charges for assault. He wouldn't look very sympathetic. But whether or not she's charged criminally, if he dies, his family could bring a wrongful death suit to civil court. But again, it will be hard to make her look like a perpetrator, especially since they're both Lykos."

"You seem confident that she'll be okay?"

"I am," Jin assured him. 

"But what if she had a motive?" Yoongi worried. 

"You mean because they knew each other?" Yoongi nodded. Jin thought it over, rubbing his finger along his lower lip. "The prosecution would have to prove she meant to push him into traffic and not just to get him off of her. In that case, she'd just need to be coached not to take the bait."

"Could you do it? Would you take the case? If it came to that, I mean." Yoongi didn't know any other lawyers, and he certainly didn't know any he thought he could trust with something like this more than Jin. 

He must have been able to read that emotion in Yoongi's eyes because Jin nodded. He wouldn't take that trust for granted again. "If she needs me to, of course, Yoongi. I'll do anything for you."

You were surprised when Yoongi said he was taking you to a drive in theater. You'd hardly been to any movie theaters at all in your life, and never a drive-in, but you liked the idea of it. There were lots of benefits to it. You got to go out to a public place, but sitting in his car was relatively private. The movie removed the pressure to make conversation, but on the other hand, if the movie wasn't very interesting, you could talk through it without disturbing anyone else. It was really a perfect idea for a first date. 

He'd urged you to take a nap when you got home since the movie wouldn't start until later, and you were glad you'd taken his advice. You didn't have much to choose from when it came to clothing options, so you simply put on a clean pair of jeans and the mustard yellow hoodie he had loaned you a few days ago. Yoongi seemed pleased enough with your ensemble, repeating his compliment of how nice you looked in that color. He wasn't dressed up at all either, wearing a pair of ordinary jeans and a baggy long sleeve shirt. You wouldn't know it because he wouldn't say such a thing, but there wasn't anything you could wear that would look more appealing to him than his own clothes, because they made you look like you were his. He beamed at you when you came down the stairs to leave with him. 

"Do I look okay?" You whispered to Hoseok. 

He pinched your cheek. "You look adorable. He loves it. Believe me." He winked at Yoongi over your head and the alpha held out his hand to take you to the car. "Don't come home too early," he instructed as you went out the door together. 

Once you got settled in the front seat, Yoongi cleared his throat before he started the engine. "This is for you," he said as he handed you a brand new Samsung phone.

"Oh, I–"

"Before you say you don't need it, just consider that it's for me. I want you to make sure that you have it with you and it's on all the time. I told you that it's important for me to know where you are, so I can keep you safe, so you need a phone. And don't worry, it's not like the newest model or anything. Besides, remember you're agreed to let me provide for you. So just accept it. It has all of the pack's numbers saved already, in case you ever need one of them, and they all have your number already. I'm your emergency contact," he rambled.

Instead of offering any protest you smiled softly and unbuckled your seat belt to lean over and kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, alpha," you said before you leaned back into your spot. You may have wanted to refuse, but he was right, it was for him and not you, not really. If he needed you to carry this thing around in order to feel more secure, that shouldn't be hard for you. 

You weren't prepared for more gifts when you got to the drive-in. When you found a spot to park, Yoongi told you to wait while he got out of the car and went to the trunk. You looked anxiously through the back window, but couldn't see anything that gave away what he was doing. Eventually he pushed a large gift bag and picnic basket through his open car door before he joined you again. 

"What's all this?" You wondered, looking at the tissue paper sticking out of the huge bag at your eye level.

"Why don't you open it and see?" He teased. 

You narrowed your eyes at him as you got up on your knees to be able to look over the bag, but your scrutiny only made him smile. Pulling out the paper piece by piece revealed two soft round pillows inside, one lavender and one orange.

"I figured you needed some pillows for your nest. I thought these could remind you of me and Jiminie."

Your cheeks and your eyes burned as you pulled out the two pillows, almost ball-like except for how plush they were. They squeezed nicely in your arms when you held them to your chest.

"Do you think they'll be okay?" Yoongi asked, beginning to feel nervous when you didn't say anything. 

You buried your head in them to hide your wet eyes. "They're perfect." Your words were muffled, but they still warmed Yoongi's heart. When you collected yourself, you placed the pillows safely back in the bag and set it aside. "What's in the basket?"

"Oh, I asked Hobi to put together some snacks for us. But if there are any other treats you want, I'll go get something from the concession stand." Yoongi opened the top of the basket and you both reached for the box of raisinets at the same time. You whispered an apology while Yoongi plucked them out. He opened the box and handed it to you. "I'm going to go get some popcorn. Do you have a drink preference?" 

You shook your head and he got out once again to go get more snacks. You shoved a few raisinets into your mouth and put the rest away. Then you pulled out the soft orange pillow from the gift bag at your feet and held it close again. You wondered if he'd already scented it, or if it was your imagination that applied the orange aroma. 

The longer he was gone, your mind began to wander. It was hard not to think about all the first things you were experiencing lately. Your very first completely safe, self- made nest, your first drive-in movie, your first date. It had felt like you'd been living for years, in the most raw way possible, but maybe all you'd done was survive, and only barely. These new things seemed so small and insignificant to you when they were only abstract ideas, things you would live without because you didn't need them to survive, but now they felt monumentally important as each one carved a memory in your heart. And each one was available to you only because of Yoongi.

The man at the center of your thoughts broke through them when he returned several minutes later carrying a large bucket of popcorn, which he handed to you, and a large coke that he balanced on the dashboard. 

"Is everything okay?" He asked, taking in your expression, which remained pensive as he settled into his seat. 

You forced a smile, not because you weren't feeling it, but because it wasn't a thing you were accustomed to showing. "I'm fine. I…" you searched for something to say that would take you away from your thoughts. "I didn't even ask what we were seeing."

Yoongi chuckled at himself. "Oh. Yeah. It's actually a horror movie. I was actually hoping we could see the comedy that's playing on the other screen, but it was sold out, so this one was left. But if you don't like horror movies, I was thinking we could just sit and talk. Or we could leave. Or if we're really bored we could turn on the radio station for the comedy and watch it with the horror scenes."

You laughed at his ridiculous idea, but thought it actually sounded kind of fun. "Well, I do like horror movies, but option three also sounds interesting," you admitted with a smile that almost stopped his heart. 

Yoongi cleared his throat as he looked out the window. "There's still like twenty or thirty minutes before the sun sets and the movie starts. Maybe we can still talk?" 

You began to get the feeling that this was what he actually wanted to begin with. He had said he wanted to get to know you, and you supposed he had a right to know the person he was taking in, but at the same time you didn't want to overwhelm him with all of your baggage, at least not in one night. 

"What do you want to talk about?" You hedged, shoving a kernel of popcorn past your lips. 

"Well, I just really want to know more about you, but I don't want to be unfair, so you can ask me anything you want to," he offered, turning in his seat to look at you. 

"I don't know what I could tell you that Jungkook hasn't already. I mean, he must have run a background check on me, right? And he would have told you before he let you take me home?"

Yoongi shook his head. "Jungkook hasn't really said much, actually. I mean, yeah, we do know about, um, where you were before you came to the city," he said diplomatically. 

"You mean jail?" You asked provocatively. "You can say it. Unless it makes you uncomfortable, which I understand." You knew you shouldn't be getting your hackles up with him. He approached the subject gently and here you were, striking back with your claws out like the alley cat that you were. You closed your eyes to try to calm your racing heart.

He placed a hand on your shoulder. "Y/N, it's okay. I'm not judging you. No one in the pack is, either. You're not the only person to get arrested, you know."

You opened your eyes and looked at him incredulously. "Have you been arrested?"

Yoongi nodded his head. "When I was sixteen. A friend and I stole his uncle's car and went for a joy ride. I was just a passenger, and I hadn't presented yet. They dropped the charges."

"Wow, grand theft auto," you chuckled and he did too.

"My point is, we all have a past. I mean, some of us more than others, but you're not the only one."

You eyed him uncertainly. "Did he tell you what I was arrested for? I wasn't just arrested Yoongi. I spent six months in county."

Yoongi nodded. "I know, but I'm not judging you for what you had to do."

You shook your head with a wry laugh. "That's the thing. I didn't do it. I mean yeah, she made me go out there, but I promise you I didn't sell my body. Honest. That was my first night. I may have been naive, but I'm not an idiot. The first guy I talked to was a cop, and I knew it. I could spot him easy, so I offered myself up and I let him arrest me. And when they charged me, I pleaded guilty. Do you know why?" Yoongi shook his head, dark eyes locked on yours. "Because going to jail was better than going back to my alphas."

Yoongi kept his face neutral despite the anger he felt bubbling below the surface of his skin. He'd never ever question your decision, but he would always feel angry that your situation was so bad that jail seemed like a viable alternative for you. 

"You said alphas?" He questioned when he managed to speak. 

"Two of them," you said with a nod.

"And one of them was female?"

"Yeah, they were husband and wife."

"How did you meet them? I mean…he's so much older."

You grabbed the coke from the dashboard and took a long drink to clear the lump in your throat. Yoongi's eyes never left you, but you tried to ignore him. "I met her first. I was on the streets. I was almost seventeen by then, but I'd been on my own for months. She just started talking to me one day when she was volunteering at a soup kitchen…offered me a place to stay. And I was desperate enough to not question it."

"So she just…took you in off the streets?" You nodded. "And then what?" He asked as if your story was the one he had bought a ticket for tonight.

"And then…and then everything seemed normal for like a week. They just seemed like a regular couple. They had a spare room and they needed help around the house, so I would clean and take care of the house in exchange for living there. It was several days before I realized they actually wouldn't let me leave. I hadn't really been on heat suppressants yet, and when that time came around I found out that the real reason they wanted me was because they wanted babies. They couldn't have any on their own, so they would use me. Like some fucked up puppy mill," you choked out.

Yoongi reached over to pat your back, but you flinched away from him, and he could understand that you wanted your space after such a revelation. He took his hand back and tried to think of something to say when all he wanted to do was rage on your behalf.  But he knew it wouldn't do you any good. "It makes sense that you were so frightened when two other strangers took you off the street. You must have been very scared."

You looked him straight in the eyes. "It's only been a few days. Shouldn't I still be scared?"

It wounded Yoongi deeply that you felt that way, but he could hardly blame you. He knew it wasn't about him exactly. "I'm sorry. I know there isn't really anything I could say to reassure you that you're safe with me but–"

"It's okay, Yoongi. I do feel safe with you. It's different. The way I feel when I think about you. When I'm near you…I feel safe but…" you looked out at the narrowing strip of pink sky to your left. 

"But what?"

"I've been taken in so many times when I think I'm at my lowest. When I was abandoned as a baby, when I met those other alphas, when Eli came to play big brother. And never, never has any of it actually made me safe."

"I hope–" Yoongi could feel the tears at his water line, but they would stay there. He bit his lip and looked away as well. "I hope you'll stay long enough to know that you will be safe in our home."

You looked back at him finally and noticed the collar of his unbuttoned button-down shirt was crooked. Reaching over to straighten it, you assured him, "as long as you keep it safe for me, I won't have anywhere else to go."

Yoongi took your wrist gently before you had the chance to pull away from him. With his fingertips against your pulse point, he could feel the strong, steady beat of your heart, not high enough to be panicking, but still a little anxious. "I will do everything I can to make you feel safe," he promised.

Before you could make any kind of response, the lights over the parking lot shut off and images began to play on the screen in front of you. Without another word, Yoongi released you in order to fiddle with the radio, tuning it to the right station for your movie. You both settled back into the seat, facing the screen, with a mountain of snacks in between you. You each tried your best to focus on the movie, but you could feel it every time his eyes slid toward you as he watched your profile instead of the characters on screen. Every time you turned to look at him he recentered his attention, but he was fooling no one. Several times your hands brushed when you both reached into the popcorn for a salty snack, and he would chuckle awkwardly before pulling away. 

You both tried to focus on the movie, but the truth was that it did nothing to hold your attention, not with Yoongi right beside you.

"There's something I don't understand," you said abruptly, causing Yoongi to look quickly between you and the huge screen. The movie had been pretty straight forward, to the point of being pretty boring. 

"What?"

"Why do you like me? Why me?" Yoongi laughed openly while you pouted. You pulled your feet under you and turned to face him straight on, giving up any pretense of watching the movie. "Don't laugh. I'm serious. I mean. I don't know. I guess I'm trying to understand your intentions because I want to believe that this won't be like before but I…I'm scrawny and dumb and there's nothing interesting about me. I'm not even pretty enough to make up for it all. And there are plenty of needy omegas in this city. So what could you possibly want me for?"

Yoongi's humor subsided, and he turned the radio down before moving to face you as well. His expression was serious but his eyes still held light. He reached over to brush back your hair so he could see your face in the scattered light from the projector. 

"I don't think attraction is ever really about those things. Not how someone looks or what they have to say, but how those things resonate with you. It's an elemental, a chemical thing. I just like you. Maybe that's why Hobi and Jin think we're fated mates."

"Fated mates?"

"I don't know. It's kind of…lykos folklore. Sort of what saps think of as soulmates. Like, it just feels right with someone, like you're linked to them even though there's no real reason. There's no proof that it's real. It's just a feeling I guess. But they say it only happens with alphas and omegas. And I don't think I believe it. I don't know if you feel that. But I do feel drawn to you in a way that I never have with anyone else. I don't even think attraction is the right word. I just feel like…I need to be with you."

Yoongi's eyes never left your face while he talked and you didn't realize you were holding your breath until he stopped and you inhaled so you could answer him. "Maybe that's why my omega wants me to trust you even though everything else tells me not to. Like, I should be terrified of you, but I'm just not. I just want to be good so that I can stay."

You didn't know you were leaning toward him, nor were you fully aware of the words you spoke or how they made Yoongi's heart race, but when he brushed his fingers along your cheekbone you suddenly leaned back, blinking rapidly to regain your composure.

Yoongi coughed and pulled his hand away, reaching for candy to occupy his fingers. "I guess I should be honest with you about my intentions," he said with a shrug. "Because I know they aren't entirely altruistic."

You swallowed, but kept your eyes on him. His words made you nervous, but you'd hardly call it fear. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe it's a little dark. Or maybe all alphas feel this way. I always knew I was an alpha before presentation, because I always wanted people to depend on me. I always wanted to be in charge, to be a provider, to have the people in my life need me even more than they wanted me. In a way, the attraction I have, the love I have for the others, that's the unbelievable thing. With Jimin, with you, I felt from the first time I met each of you that you needed me. You wouldn't survive without me. And I liked that. Do you think that's kind of sick?" He wondered. You couldn't tell if he wanted an answer, or if he wanted you to be a little bit scared. But still you didn't feel it.

I don't think I will survive without you, your inner self echoed. 

You reached out to him, let your fingers graze the back of his hand. "I'm not sure. I'm not the best judge of what's normal and what's not. But it sounds right to me. I think to myself sometimes, I don't know how I've survived this long. I should be dead. Omegas…we aren't built to make it on our own. Sometimes it seemed like my death was right around the corner, but I don't feel that way anymore. The last two days have felt like the safest days of my whole life," you admitted. 

Yoongi's chest felt tight, like his heart would burst through his ribs if you kept talking. He turned his palm up so he could slot his fingers through yours. You sat in silence for a moment, letting him hold your hand while he tried to keep his breathing steady. 

"I don't understand why you're not pack alpha. Is it because Seokjin makes more money?" You wondered after a minute as you brushed back his chin length hair with your fingers. 

Yoongi chuckled. "If we're getting technical, Taehyung makes the most money in the pack."

Your eyes bulged in surprise. "But I thought Tae didn't work."

"He doesn't have a job in the strictest sense, but reclusive artists are often the most sought after. His paintings sell for a high price tag to collectors."

You hummed thoughtfully. "Maybe I picked the wrong alpha." 

Yoongi tugged on your hand playfully, making you giggle. "I always wanted to be a pack alpha. When I was younger I tried to establish my own pack but…it just wasn't right. I didn't have a lot to offer back then. I've never had Jin's resources. And then I met his pack, and I felt very comfortable with them. It was easy to fall in love with each of them so quickly. But they were already complete before me. I felt surprised they even wanted me. So I let go of that dream. It's been over five years now."

"But then you met Jimin, right? Did you think about starting a pack with him? On your own, I mean?"

Yoongi shrugged. "An alpha and a beta isn't much of a pack. You can make a pack without a beta, but without an omega? What's the point?" He looked at you through his eyelashes, but then quickly away. "Besides, Jimin and I both always wanted a big pack, and he clicked with Jungkook and Taehyung right away. It would have been selfish to take him away just because I wanted to be in charge."

"You're my pack alpha though," you murmured, sending a shiver down Yoongi's spine. He could only nod. "Good."

He lets his eyes close and for a minute you just watch him breathe steadily, happy that he seems content with you. But as seconds slip by you begin to feel that it might not be enough. Maybe it was silly, but you felt so much closer to him after all you'd both said, and holding his hand wasn't physically close enough anymore.

"I'm kind of cold," you told him quietly, taking him from his thoughts. 

"I can turn on the heat," he offered, letting go of your hand and reaching for the ignition. 

"Or maybe you could just hold me?"

The corner of his mouth tugged into a smile. He helped you move all the snacks to the backseat of the impala and moved closer so you met in the middle. You huddled into his side as he wrapped his arm around your shoulders and pulled you legs over his. You let out a quiet, happy sigh you hoped he didn't notice. 

"If you wanted to cuddle all you had to do was say so," he whispered to the top of your head. 

You turned your face into his shoulder. "I'm working on it," you mumbled. 

He smiled and ran his fingers through your hair, dragging his fingernails gently against your scalp. "You're doing great, princess."

You made a noise Yoongi wouldn't only describe as grumpy and turned your face up at him. "Why do you call me that?"

"Because that's what I want you to feel like. Because princesses have everything they need provided for. And because you're special just because you're you. But if you don't like it, I can call you something else."

You nestled into him again. "Well, when you put it like that."

Once again, Yoongi turned up the volume on the radio and you both at least pretended to pay attention. Although the movie in general was pretty innocuous, you took advantage of one lame jump scare to bury your face into his neck. Yoongi held his breath as you nosed at his scent gland, causing his light, happy scent to fill the car around you. He let you stay in his arms until the end of the movie, and although you didn't fall asleep, it was an easy mistake for him to make. He scratched teasingly at your side to rouse you when the screen went dark. 

"Are you ready to go home, princess?"

You tilted your head up to see his features illuminated by the lights of other cars as they made their exits. You'd practically forgotten that there was anyone else there. Your head nodded sleepily, and Yoongi reluctantly moved you over to your side of the seat. When he moved behind the steering wheel you moved back to the center seat and strapped in the seatbelt there so you could stay close to his warmth.

No matter how old you get, the urge to stay up on a Saturday night always remains. Yoongi could tell by the soft footsteps moving about the second floor that the pack are just settling in for the night, brushing their teeth and for the most part discarding unnecessary items of clothing before staking their claim to their spots in the nest. Everyone was home for once, and they'd all sleep soundly. Even you. Even Yoongi, although he knew that it still wasn't time for you and him to share space for that activity. You climbed the stairs sleepily with Yoongi a few steps behind you, making sure you didn't slip as you swayed precariously. His hand went quickly to your hip, grabbing hold of the fabric there when you tripped over the top step. The noise brought Hoseok to the bedroom door.

"You didn't get her drunk, did you, alpha?" Hobi asked from the half open door. Yoongi rolled his eyes, because the omega knew that wasn't the plan.

"No, just sleepy," you yawned as you rubbed your eyes. 

Jimin squeezed past Hoseok to give you a goodnight hug. "You smell like you crawled out of an orange." He giggled, "apples and oranges."

Yoongi blushed while the two of you said your goodnights. 

"Do you need any help getting ready for bed?" Hobi asked softly. He'd helped you take apart your nest earlier today so that you could keep practicing. 

"No, I think I got it. And I have new pillows," you whispered happily.

"Okay then," he smiled back. "Yoongi, I'll see you in a minute," he said, and the instruction to your alpha was clear, just in case he didn't already know where he would be sleeping tonight. He closed the door and the two of you were cloaked in darkness except for a sliver of light from a lamp Hoseok left on for you in your room. 

"Are you going to tell them what I told you earlier?" You asked after a moment passed with nothing but the sound of your breathing. 

"I won't, if you don't want me too. But no one is going to judge you if you're–"

"No. I was just thinking it would be better if you did. That way I don't have to tell it six more times."

Yoongi nodded. It was a vulnerable thing you had shared, and it couldn't be easy to talk about with others. "I read once that if you talk about your trauma repeatedly, like you're telling a story, it can start to feel more like a thing that happened and not something that's still happening to you."

You cringed at the thought. "I think I'd still rather have you explain it. If you don't mind."

"Of course," he agreed easily, anything to make you more comfortable. 

"I had a good time tonight," you admitted after another quiet moment where neither of you seemed to want to leave. 

Yoongi's smile was becoming semi permanent. "I'm glad. Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

He took one step closer to you and leaned down to kiss your cheek, but you turned your head up in such a way that you caught his lips with your own. You froze in surprise, and even more shockingly, he didn't move away. Yoongi took another step into you, so your chests were just touching. His hand went around your back to keep you steady despite intensifying the angle of your kiss. Still, it remained chaste even as it went on. His lips were hot and soft and just slightly moist, but he seemed content to press his mouth just gently to yours for another moment longer. Then his lips finally left yours, he whispered his goodnight and disappeared into the pack bedroom. 

😃😃 they kissed! Who wants to scream about it?

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[noisydelusionlove]

Chapter 21: Heat Part 1

Pairings: Poly141xOC, KylexOC, JohnxOC

Warnings: A/B/O Dynamics, dubious consent (she consented before but still), p in v sex, oral (f receiving) unprotected sex (dont do that), bodily fluids mentioned

As Aurora sleeps the boys are sitting in the small sitting room they had cleaned up to make presentable for when they needed to relax over the next few days. They each have their takeout container as they sit eating. After a moment John clears his throat and looks at Kyle. “I know you’re affected by her heat, but I feel like out of the four of us you’ll be able to keep your head the most. We know Ghost is going to go into a rut as soon as he smells her, Johnny is a variable we can't be sure about, and there's a chance her heat and Ghost's rut may trigger my rut. So I need you to be on your toes to make sure everyone is taken care of. I also need you to make sure we don't accidentally mark her. She is going to be sweating too much for us to put a bite shield on her, so you may have to intervene. You have my full permission to scruff me if you have to to get me away from her. I want to make sure she’s safe.” John says as he looks at his Beta. Kyle nods as Johnny and Ghost nod as well. “Aye, ye have my permission too,” Johnny calls out. “Mine too.” Ghost says as Kyle nods at the other pack members. 

“I think you and Gaz should see to her first.” Ghost says as John raises an eyebrow. “With my rut triggered I won't be gentle, she needs you and Kyle to ease her into it and to figure out if she’s going to trigger your rut first. Then Johnny can go with Gaz, and then me. Of course, that will change if she decides she wants someone specific.” Ghost says as the other men nod. They finish eating their food and Kyle turns on the TV so they can all relax as they wait for their Omega to wake up.

Aurora groans as she rolls over. She feels extremely hot, and the clothes she put on earlier are uncomfortable on her skin. She groans again as she makes her way out of the mountain of blankets and quickly begins shedding her clothes throwing them haphazardly around the room. She lays down on the bed, a small whine escaping her throat as she feels her slick gushing from between her thighs. It’s obvious her heat has hit in full force and she feels the growing need for something, anything as her hand quickly shifts between her thighs. She wastes no time in plunging her fingers inside of her, moving them quickly as her other hand begins rubbing small circles against her clit, desperate whines leaving her throat as she tries to make herself cum. She glances up when she hears the door open and sees Kyle standing there. “Oh, princess.” He coos as he looks down at her. He walks over to the bed and stands over her as he watches her desperately try to make herself cum. “Let me taste you, open you up, and then you can have my Alpha’s knot okay pretty girl?” Kyle growls slightly as he grabs the bottom of his shirt, yanking it over his head before sinking to his knees on the bed. He gently swats her hands away and she cries out at the hollow feeling.

Kyle smirks as he grabs the back of her thighs and pushes her knees towards her head. He grabs pillows from the bed and stuffs them under her hips to keep her elevated as he smiles down at her. He releases her legs as he slots himself between her thighs, his face at eye level with her pussy as he smiles up at her. He runs a finger through her soaked folds and she lets out another needy whimper. “Shh. I know Princess.” He coos as he rubs circles on her clit before moving his finger down and inserting it fully, immediately crooking it so it hits that spot inside her that has her whimpers getting louder. Kyle smiles as he leans down, giving her small licks as he inserts another finger. She’s already clenching, and her slick is dripping on the ed soaking through the sheets as he begins licking and sucking harder on her clit. “Please.” She whimpers out and Kyle smiles as he looks up at her. Her head is thrown back as a mix of moans and whines leave her throat. “Cum on my face one time princess and then I’ll fuck you.” He growls out, feeling her contract around his fingers at her words. “I’ll fuck you, fill you up, and then my Alpha will come and fuck my cum out of you and give you his knot,” Kyle growls as Aurora’s moans grow louder, her body wriggling underneath him. He reaches his other arm up and places it across her hips to keep her still as he continues to thrust his fingers in and out, curling them to hit that spot that has her seeing stars as he continues to like and suck at her clit until suddenly she’s screaming as she cums around his fingers. Kyle smiles as he slows his movements, letting her ride out her orgasm before he fully pulls away and sits up to stare down at her.

Aurora is panting and whining as she looks up at him. Kyle smiles as he begins undoing his pants. He pulls his already achingly hard cock out and smiles down at Aurora as she whimpers. He grabs the backs of her thighs pushing them towards her chest as he positions himself before slowly sinking into her. He releases a growl as he feels her envelope him. “So tight Princess.” He grunts as Aurora begins reaching for him, grabbing at him to try and pull him closer. “More, Kyle, Please.” She whimpers out and Kyle smiles as he continues pushing himself inside until he’s finally fully seated inside her. Aurora lets out a loud moan as her body convulses, an orgasm ripping through her at the feeling of being so full. Kyle groans as he watches her slick gush out and drenches his pants and the sheets more. He holds her legs tightly as he quickly begins to give fast, deep thrusts. Aurora’s moans turn into screams as she cums again, Kyle letting out another growl before he hears a chuckle behind him. He turns his head as he continues thrusting to see John standing at the door with his arms crossed. “What a good Omega,” John growls out as he watches his Beta thrusting into her. Kyle groans and lets out a moan as he stills, his hips flush against the backs of her legs as his eyes practically roll back as he cums, the fact that his Alpha was watching having put him over the edge. John chuckles as he begins walking towards the bed, removing his shirt and stepping out of his pants.

Aurora sniffs the air and immediately turns her head towards the scent of Alpha, releasing a whimper as Kyla pulls out and rolls to his lying beside her. 

John smiles as he looks down at Aurora, her legs still open so he can see Kyle’s cm mixing with her slick as it soaks the bedsheets. “So good to my Beta sweetheart. Now present for me.” John growls, his voice deepening with the tone of his inner Alpha. Aurora whimpers as she immediately sits up, moving the pillows out from under her as she turns onto her front. She gets on her hands and knees before lowering her upper half so it is on the bed, her ass in the air, causing John to groan. He runs a hand across her ass, dipping down to gather the dripping mixture of her and Kyle’s cum on his fingers before bringing his fingers to his mouth, a growl escaping his lips at the taste. “She tastes so good with you,” John says as he looks over his panting Beta. Aurora whines as she slightly wiggles her hips, her Omega impatient. “Alpha.” She whines causing John to chuckle as he moves to position himself behind her. “I know sweetheart.” He coos as he pulls his boxers down and lines himself up before slowly pushing inside. Aurora releases a loud whine at the feeling of John filling her up, her pussy convulsing around him causing him to growl at the tightness. “I’m barely halfway in and you’re about to cum.” John chuckles as he continues to push inside until his hips are flush against her ass. Aurora lets out a loud moan as she feels her body tighten up, convulsing around the large cock inside of her. John growls as he slowly pulls out and then thrusts back in roughly. Aurora lets out a scream as the tip of his cock bullies her cervix causing her to cum around him. Kyle groans as he watches them, a hand coming up to brush over Aurora’s back as John begins thrusting, setting a fast pace, his hard and deep thrusts causing Aurora to scream every time. Aurora closes her eyes lost to the pleasure and unable to keep count of how many orgasms have been pulled from her body until she feels John still behind her. She whimpers as she feels pressure against her hole as John releases the loudest growl she's ever heard from him. “Such a good girl taking my knot,” John growls as Aurora feels warmth flooding her insides as John cums inside of her. The pleasure is blinding causing her to lose vision for a moment as she cums harder than she ever has as her body gives out. John wraps his arms around her waist to ensure she doesn't hurt herself as he watches her eyes flutter closed. He gently coaxes her to her stomach as he stays crouched behind her his knot still attached. 

John looks over at Kyle who is smiling. “When I can detach I’ll go get cleaned up if you take care of her. She should be lucid when she wakes up. So she will need to eat before the next wave hits.” John says and Kyle nods as he jumps up and goes to retrieve a rag, a snack, and water. When he returns John is pulling out and Kyle groans as he sees the mixture of John’s cum and Aurora’s soaking the bed. He quickly cleans her up and pulls her into his arms as she sleeps, rubbing soothing circles over her back as he checks the time. She should wake up lucid for a few hours before the next wave hits.

Aurora groans as she slowly opens her eyes to see Kyle smiling at her. Her naked body is covered with a blanket and he helps her gently sit up. “How you feeling princess?” He asks as he brings a water bottle to her lips. “Like I got hit by a truck.” she laughs as Kyle nods. She downs the bottle of water as Kyle gets up and hands her some clothes, a tank top, and shorts. “How long do your lucid periods usually last?” he asks as Aurora throws the clothes on. “About four hours.” She says as she finishes dressing. “Good, let's get you some food before the next round hits.” He smiles and she nods as they head to the kitchen. Aurora settles on the macaroni and cheese that the boys had bought. Kyle fixes the boxed dinner, before gathering a few more items such as protein bars, and handing her another bottle of water. They go into the sitting area where the other guys are and she sits on the couch next to Kyle as she eats her meal. Johnny is on the other end of the couch, his knee bouncing as he inhales her scent. He fights the urge to growl, the Alpha side of his Delta nature begging to come out as he inhales the heat scent permeating the room.

Ghost eyes Johnny as he watches him becoming restless before he reaches over from the chair and wraps a hand around the back of his neck. “Control yourself.” He growls as Johnny nods and leans back to relax on the couch as the group continues watching the movie on TV. 

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[jedipoodoo]

One of Those Days (Sergeant Hunter x Reader)

Notes: Food mention, Reader has a bad day, comfort with Hunter, Batcher isn't a bad girl she's just hungry. Inspired by @a-lil-perspective with help from @meadow-of-daisies-and-lavender.

Mando'a:

Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum - equivalent of "I Love You"

Cyare - Beloved

Ner Kar'ta - My Heart

"Kriff!" You exclaimed. The pot tumbled off the stove, splattering hot soup all over your front before splattering on the floor.

For Batcher, this was no issue. She dove upon the unclaimed mess as if you'd never fed her before in her life. Half of dinner was gone in seconds.

"Cyare, are you okay?" Hunter came running into the kitchen, goggles perched on top of his head from his woodworking.

"Yes, I'm fine, I mean-" You couldn't think, watching as Batcher devoured the dinner you'd worked so hard to make for everyone. Omega, Crosshair, and Wrecker were coming back from a long day of fishing, and they'd need something to fill their bellies with. You thought you could do this one small thing for them, but apparently that wasn't good enough.

To make matters worse, Batcher began to throw up all over the floor.

"No, no, bad girl, take it outside," Hunter grabbed the lurca by her collar, leading her out the door as you stared in growing horror at the mess on the kitchen floor.

"Cyare?" Hunter gingerly stepped around the mess, reaching out a hand to you.

"I was working on that all day..." you mumbled, still in shock.

"It's alright, you can make it another day," Hunter said gently.

At that, you burst into sobs, still frozen in shock. Hunter pulled you into his chest, holding you tight. He didn't say a word, only ran a hand up and down your back, letting you get it all out.

Your sobs became muted whimpers after a few minutes, and you heard Batcher outside, whining to be let back in.

"Let's get you to bed, huh? I'll get all this cleaned up." Hunter cooed.

"Wait, what about dinner?" You asked. 

"I can whip up some flatcakes just fine," He said, still gently rubbing your back.

"A-are you sure?" You asked nervously, "If you're gonna cook for everyone I should at least help with the clean up-" You made to reach for the pot on the floor, but Hunter scooped you up and lay you across his shoulder, marching off to your bedroom.

"Hunter-!" You tried to protest, but it turned into very unconvincing giggles.

Hunter chuckled, and tossed you on the bed. You tried to sit up, but Hunter loomed over you, forcing you to lay back down.

"You spent all day cooking what smelled like an absolutely heavenly meal, on top of managing the health of half the people here on the island. Take a nap, and then come and join us for dinner, alright?"

"I don't need a nap-"

"Yes, you do." he interrupted, pressing his nose against yours.

"But I'm not tired!"

"Yes you are."

You rolled your eyes, "I'm not a kid, Hunter-"

"Alright?" Hunter's breath fanned out across your cheeks as you looked into his eyes. His eyes had always been gorgeous, intense, discerning. You loved that about him. Today, like always, they were your weakness.

You bit your lip and sighed.

"Alright." You agreed. At last, Hunter rewarded you with a grin and kissed your forehead.

You thought he would get right on cleaning up the mess of what was formerly dinner, but Hunter took his time turning down the blankets and  tucking you in all nice and cozy.

"I love you, ner kar'ta," He whispered longingly.

"I love you too," you echoed, sitting up just enough to kiss his lips. Hunter caught your head, cradling your neck in his hand for a brief moment before resting you back on the pillow.

"Stay here until I call you, alright?" He said, whispering softly like it was all a big secret, "Don't worry about it, I have everything under control."

"Okay," You nodded, "I trust you."

Hunter kissed your forehead one more time, and dimmed the lights on his way out the door.

"I love you," You called after him, just as he started to close the door.

Before it closed all the way, you saw him wink.

"Ni kar'tayli gar darasuum"

[insomniakisses]

Not So Soft

requested? no

idol: chaeyoung (Blackpink)

reader type: fem, omega

warnings/notes:  smut, semi public sex, slight possessive nature, omegaverse, knotting, mate marking, bathroom sex, rosie has a dick, fem reader, alpha Rosè

Rosie was probably one of the softest alphas going, hating the idea of becoming a totally possessive and rude Knotthead like many alphas were. She was always kind and considerate to your needs, her personality sometimes making people mistake her for an omega. Which often lead to people assuming you were single.

Now, Rosè is pretty level headed and can usually deal with that happening quite pleasantly and in a calm matter. But the two of you hadn’t seen each other in weeks and not being mate-marked the only real sign that you were taken would be her scent. Due to the not seeing each other not one part of you smelt like her.

Unfortunately for an aloha with poor judgement you were an easy target, pressing up against you in the line as you waited to order your food for the date. Well, to say your girlfriend was pissed would be an understatement. You barely had chance to puss him off before she shoved her way between the two of you. Glare hard and a deep growl slipping past her lips, “Mine.”

Scoffing he took a step closer to you, smirking as he released some alpha pheromones “Don’t see your mark on her, I can show her a real alpha”

Lunging forward she was seconds away from punching him square in the face had you not whined. Snapping her head in your direction her gaze going incredibly soft at the sight on your trembling form, before realising why you were feeling so weak. Anger rising at the ever growing scent of this wannabe alpha infront of you. Grabbing your wrist she drags you to the bathroom, locking the door behind you.

-

Leaning you against the sinks she wraps her arms around you, nuzzling deeply into your neck laying soft kisses to the sensitive area. It isn’t long before they become more heated as she sucks and bites at your skin, your body reacting with an embarrassingly loud moan that has her smirking cockily.

“Needy, babygirl?” Her hot breath fans across your neck as she lowers her mouth, hands making quick work of unbuttoning your shirt, kissing along your stomach muttering about how much she loves you and wants to claim you.

Unclasping your bra she latches her mouth onto your sensitive bud, your body arching into her touch. Shuddering and mewling at the coldness of her hand when she pinches the other. Knee slotting between your legs.

“R-rosie mhh!” You moan when she pulls you down harshly guiding your hips along her thigh, cock bulging in her sweats.

“You want it? Want my cock like a good girl? Hmm fuck”

Wet patch forming as precum beads at the tip she pulls away, releasing her cock. Sweats pooling at her ankles.

“Bend over baby” she all but groans out, jerking her shaft as she speaks readying herself for you.

Bending over the sink you cant help bite your lip in anticipation, whining needily when she pushes your skirt up. Uncaring that the whole restaurant could probably hear you. Pulling your pants to the side to rub the tip agains your folds, teasing you with a harsh slap to your ass.

Yelping in surprise you push back greedily silently pleading for her to push in, which she does thrusting harshly till shes flush against you. Hands gripping your hips she takes off. Her pace fast and rough, her possessive side showing when she reaches around you to grab your throat.

Pulling your upper body agains hers as she lightly chokes you, sucking harshly at your jaw making sure to leave plenty of marks her pace never slowing.

Your mouth falls open unable to stop the moans falling from your lips, the sound of flesh meeting flesh and her thrusting into your dripping heat filling the room. Your first orgasm wracking three your body, yet her thrusting never stops.

“Who. Do. You. Belong. To.” Thrusting harshly between each word the removes her hand from your throat to rub your clit, lips latching onto your neck and shoulders. Continuing to mark every but if skin available. Her knot beginning to push into you with each thrust.

“Y-you r-os-ie!” Your voice shaky and uneven getting loader as she pushes her knot in with a deep grunt. “Mine.”

The force of her thrust and the feeling of cum spilling into you in hot spirts causing you to fall over the edge body shaking in her arms as she bites down in your neck, mating you to her.

[vodika-vibes]

For Want of Honey

Summary: You're a beekeeper on Pabu, and Echo is one of your best customers. You like to think you're friends, and a long conversation on a hot summer weekend changes your relationship forever.

Pairing: TBB Echo x F!Reader

Word Count: 1245

Warnings: None

Tagging: @trixie2023 @n0vqni @kiss-anon

You hum a quiet tune under your breath as you carefully set jars of honey out on the table in front of you. And then you set the bags of honey candy in their basket, and turn to pull out some homemade honey butter from where you store it on the trip between your home and the market.

And when you turn back to the stall you’re greeted by a blonde head of hair and dark eyes focused on one of the rolls you made fresh this morning.

“Good morning, Miss Omega.” You greet with a small grin as you lean on the table.

Omega’s gaze sheepishly snaps to meet yours, “Morning, Miss Bee.” She greets, “Your rolls smell really good. Did’ya make them this morning?”

“I did indeed. Would you like one?”

“I didn’t bring any credits,” Omega admits.

“Well, that’s alright. I won’t tell if you won’t.” You hand her a roll and grin as she immediately shoves it in her mouth, “Your brothers not feeding you, kiddo?”

“She’s eating us out of house and home, I swear we go to the store once a day and we never have enough food.” An amused voice pipes up from the side, and you turn and grin at Echo.

“I can’t help it,” Omega mumbles, her face reddening, “I’m hungry.”

You wink at Omega, “You’re a growing girl. Besides, based on how tall your brothers are, you’re going to be a tall woman, which means you need those calories.”

Omega grins, “See Echo, I need to eat so much.”

Echo smiles at his sister, “I heard.” And then he shakes his head as she runs off, “Thank you for humoring her, and for feeding her. How much do I owe you?”

“For my best customer?” You joke as you favor him with a warm smile, and you’re rewarded with him nervously rubbing the back of his neck and his ears burning red, “No charge.”

He smiles at you, a small shy little smile that makes your smile grow wider, and he moves to stand fully in front of the stall, “Well,” He says, as he studiously avoids your gaze, “Do you have anything new for us to try?”

“Just the same stuff, I’m afraid,” You reply, “I haven’t had time to experiment, since I set up the new beehouse.”

“Another new one?” Echo asks, surprised. “How many do you have now?”

“That was number eleven.” You say with a delighted grin, “I’m thinking I’m going to try and make some meade…well, once I figure out how. I would hate for it to be bad.”

“I don’t think anything you make could ever be bad,” Echo says in return, his gaze serious as he looks at you, though when you beam at him, he quickly looks the other way, the blush covering his ears spreading down to his neck.

You giggle, he really is too cute. “Well, thank you for the compliment, Echo. But you should have tasted some of my first attempts at candy. They were awful.”

“I have a hard time believing that. You’re always so sure about everything.” Echo’s gaze flickers to yours, and he flashes a small smile, “I’ve always admired that. You don’t let anything get under your skin.”

You shift some of the jars so that they look a little nicer, “Well, I used to. When I was a kid. And then I moved out and cut out my toxic family, and it turns out that I’m not actually hotheaded. I just react poorly to people digging at my insecurities.” You pause and then flush, “Sorry! I’m not, like, trying to trauma-dump on you or anything! You’re just really easy to talk to-”

Echo laughs and shakes his head, “It’s okay. I don’t mind.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah. I am.”

You sigh in relief, “That’s good. Here, have a roll. I made them this morning.”

Echo takes a roll with an amused quirk of his lips, “Thanks.” He takes a bite and is quiet for a moment, “You know,” He finally says, “I was a lot more confident before…well…” He motions to his scomp, “When I was whole.”

You don’t say anything for a moment, thinking on his words, “You know…you still seem really confident to me.”

“Sure, about fighting, and about military stuff. But anything else-”

You’re already shaking your head, “Echo, you come and talk to me week after week. You put up with my flirting and my jokes, and yeah, you blush and get a little flustered sometimes, but you never stop coming. That sounds like confidence to me.”

Echo pauses, and then his gaze snaps to yours, “Wait. Flirting?”

“...ah.” You sit up, and tuck your hair behind your ear, “You didn’t notice that-um…you can forget I said that.”

“No, no. I want to hear more. What’s this about flirting?” He asks, and you watch, amused, as he settles into his skin in a way that you’ve only seen glimpses of in the months you’ve known him. 

“It’s really not that important-”

“I need you to understand that there’s literally nothing more important to me at the moment than this.” Echo says with a grin.

You laugh softly, “Honestly, I thought you knew, and that was why you kept coming back.”

“I keep coming back because I like the way you smile at me.” Echo counters, “You smile at me like…well…like how women normally smile at Hunter.”

“I like you. I think you’re funny, and you’re fun to talk to, and you come to my stall every week.” You pause, and then you favor him with a small smile, “You know, you can always come to my farm. I won’t make you leave.”

He stares at you, surprised, “I…really? I thought that you’d be busy.”

“Oh, I’m always busy, but I can give you a suit, and you can follow me around while I work.” You grin at him, “I wouldn’t mind.”

“I might take you up on that offer.” Echo replies with a small smile. “Although,” He says slowly, thoughtfully, “I was thinking-”

“Yes?”

“Well, you know that the fireworks festival is at the end of the week, right?”

“I’m aware, yes.” You say with a laugh, “The flyers have been everywhere for the last month.”

“Do you want to come to the festival with me?” Echo asks, “Like. As my date?”

You beam at him, “I would love that!”

“You…you would?”

“Honestly, I was going to ask you if you hadn’t asked me. I was just trying to work up the nerve to do it.” You admit.

“You were nervous?”

“I wasn’t sure you’d say yes. Now it’s not a concern.” You grin at him, “Also, aren’t you supposed to be watching Omega?”

Echo blinks at you. Twice. And then he curses, “I have to go!”

You giggle, and press a small jar of honey into his hand, “Here you go, on the house. Maybe you can stop by my place tomorrow? I’m a pretty decent cook, even with things that aren’t honey related.”

Echo twists the bottle between his fingers, and he grins at you, “I’ll be there.” And then he slides the jar into the cloth bag that he’s carrying. He flashes one last crooked grin and a wave, and then he vanishes into the swelling crowd.

And you giggle in sheer delight, before you calm yourself and start humming a delighted little tune. This is going to be the best thing ever!

[neyswxrld]

familiar faces

Reece x gn!reader

summary: After some months of uncertainty, you finally reunite with your loved one.

words: ~1780

warnings: reader is in a depressive state of mind, feelings of loneliness and hopelessness, injuries, kissing

a/n: hello! this is a somewhat special fic and a little thanks for @trixie2023! i really appreciate your lovely and kind reblogs, and now i finally had an idea how to bring reece into a fic with some @summer-of-bad-batch prompts: "it's just a scratch" & injured.

i hope you enjoy!

MASTERLIST

Just a few months ago, everything was fine. You were saying goodbye to the love of your life, Reece, wishing him good luck for the mission you agreed to stay behind and sit out from. 

The two of you were helping Rex and his men out, supporting his clone rebellion as a thanks to how he helped Reece to escape the hands of the Empire.

The mission was supposed to be a rather easy one. A fellow clone called for help, and Reece and some of his other brothers had the task to pick him up.

You didn't exactly know what or how it happened, you just knew that Reece didn't come back.

None of them did.

The loss of him, the uncertainty if he was dead or in the Empire's hands again, maybe even on this mysterious Mount Tantiss place Rex and his brothers were looking for since so long, made you sick.

You felt awful, like your heart was ripped out. Empty. Sad. Upset. Angry.

You felt like someone pushed you into a deep, dark hole, and you weren't able to climb up again.

The light had left your life.

To say you were useless and not a big help for Rex was an understatement.

Deep inside, you knew that he just meant well when he sent you with Echo to that weird island his brothers lived on after the Teth incident. But you couldn't feel any different than like he was pushing you away.

You felt like he didn't want your help, like you were too much, and you were in his way.

It took you some time to grow somewhat accustomed to the tropical weather and the many polite people on the island.

And even though you still were empty inside, you slowly started to feel better.

You were friendly with most of the people, tried to help them.

You lived in your own small house almost on the top of the island.

Life started to become a little easier again.

At least until the Empire reached the island, looking for the girl who was with the Bad Batch, taking her with them.

It felt like your world was tumbling down again.

You pulled back after that. All those feelings you swallowed down came back rushing in.

You missed him.

You missed Reece so much.

His kind eyes, his warm laugh. The way he held you, made you smile. His stupid jokes that always made you laugh, the way time felt like nothing and all when he was with you.

You missed him so, so much.

The Batch went after the girl almost immediately. And even though you didn't have to do too much with them, you felt alone again.

Suddenly, there weren't any clones here anymore. No familiar faces. No one that could remind you of the love of your life and that made everything even worse.

From that point on, you were spiraling downwards.

You felt like no one could help you, except Reece. And at the same time, he just wasn't there.

Until that one day, when a small shuttle landed on top of the island.

You were trying to do your weekly shopping tour for food and things you'll need to survive, when the shuttle touched the ground.

A lot of people were wary at first. No one has been notified of visitors.

But then the door opened, and three (or four, if you counted the baby too) small figures stepped out of it, followed by a tall woman that looked just as unsure as the villagers.

Her name was Emerie, and she was one of the head scientists in Mount Tantiss. The Batch just started an attack, trying to free Omega. Freeing other clone prisoners while they were on it.

For the first time in a while, you felt a spark of hope in your chest. Normally, you would put it out and ignore it immediately, But this one time, you couldn't. Fully aware, that if Reece won't step out of the shuttle with the rescued prisoners, it would shatter you.

It took almost a whole other day, until you could hear a new shuttle approaching.

After the news, Emerie and the kids had, you put your bought stuff in your home, jittery and sloppy, not even putting everything away how it should be.

Since then, you lingered on top of the island, wringing your hands and waiting for the shuttle. The one shuttle that could bring him back to you.

Your nerves are on edge when you catch sight of the shuttle.

It touches down almost too slow.

The doors open.

You take a look at every single person stepping out of the shuttle.

You recognize the Batch, relieved at the way Omega stays close to them.

Echo is climbing down, nodding at you once. He looks relieved, but at the same time he is tense.

All around you are familiar faces, but at the same time you seem to recognize no one.

Your heart begins to crack.

When the last person steps out, you swallow dryly, almost embarrassed about how you could allow yourself to hope so much for such a little chance.

Shaking your head, you turn away, ready to drown yourself in your tears, when you hear a broken, painful gasp behind you.

Someone is calling your name.

No, not just someone. 

You turn back in an instant.

There are two other clones left, now stumbling out of the shuttle slowly.

One leans heavily onto the other, holding on for dear life.

His face is pale, his hair grown out and messy. He clutches his side with one of his hands, a bloody, ripped shirt below.

"Reece?" you ask quietly, unbelieving.

"Yes," he says. His smile turns a bit painful as he starts to wobble towards you.

"H-How-... What?" you ask, still not understanding, that he indeed stands in front of you.

"The Empire got us after we picked him up," Reece explains and nods to the brother who keeps him standing. "Shipped us to Tantiss. But... But now we got out. What are you doing here?" he asks back, finally reaching you and putting his free arm around you. 

"That's a long story," you whisper. His touch is soothing, familiar. And Suddenly you realize that he is really standing here, in front of you.

"Maker... Maker, I missed you. So, so much. I'm glad you're safe," he breathes as he puts some of his weight on you.

"Reece," you whisper again when he leans into your side, groaning with pain. "You're hurt. You shouldn't-"

"It's just a scratch. Everything is fine," he tries to soothe you, but with the way he's talking you just hear in how much pain he is.

"Stop lying, I see that that's not the truth. You need medical attention," you say, unconvinced and lay your arm around his back too, trying to support some of his weight.

"No, Echo already cleaned my wounds. All I need now is peace and quiet. And rest. And you," he tells you, a small smile on his lips as he looks at you.

Unconvinced, you shake your head, swallowing a few times.

He's really standing in front of you.

"Do you want to come home?" you ask him, and his smile grows.

"Yes, please," he nods. Together, you say goodbye to his friend, Nova, and start to walk down the street.

When you arrive, you try to help him as much as you can.

You give him food, something to drink. You help him clean up, wash his hair and look at his wound again.

His whole body is covered in bruises. Here and there are some small bacta patches, and he looks too thin. It makes him look even smaller than he already is, sitting on the edge of your bathtub like that.

You feel nauseous, but Reece just shakes his head. "It's not as bad as it looks. I'll live, I promise," he tries to soothe you.

"You promise?" you ask again.

"I promise."

You look into each other's eyes. Deeply. Loving. Longing.

"I never said it back earlier, but I really missed you, too. I felt so lost and incomplete. I'm so glad you're with me again. A-And I hope you can stay here for a while. I don't-" you begin, but Reece stops you.

"I'm not leaving you again," he breathes, promises you. "Never."

You look down at him, into his warm, brown eyes, and put your hands on his cheeks, stroking them with your thumbs.

"I'm not leaving you either," you assure him. He puts his hands on your hips, pulling you slightly closer, between his legs.

It's like the world slows down, and then there are just the two of you.

You bend down to him, he tilts his chin up, and then - oh so slowly and carefully - your lips touch.

And suddenly you know, how lonely you really felt in all those months.

Suddenly, you're complete again. Whole.

His beard tickles your face, his breath makes you feel alive again, and his lips on yours feel like heaven.

You missed him so much.

Only when he puts his hands on your face too, and wipe away some tears, you realize you started crying.

They're not tears of sadness or loneliness- They're tears of relieve and happiness. Of thankfulness. You're thankful he's here, and he's alive.

You know that the next days, weeks, or even months won't be easy. He sure as hell will have some fears and traumas to work through, but you know the two of you could put up with it. Could pull through. You would help him heal, and you are ready to give him everything he needs.

You're going to be fine, as long as you stay together.

Later that night, you lay in your bed together.

Carefully to avoid his wounds, you try to cuddle up to him. Like so often, he puts his arm around you and pushes you into his side.

For the first time in so long, you smell him again. Feel him again. He's laying here in bed with you again.

He's here again.

You still can't really believe it, almost too scared to close your eyes and fall asleep, only to open them again and realize it was just a dream.

His whispers soothe you, and you try to do the same with your gentle touches.

He's home again.

He's home, and he'll never leave you again.

Not able to fight sleep any longer, you close your eyes.

When you open them again, he's still there.

TAGLIST

@isthereanechoinhere96 @trixie2023 @freesia-writes

[kybercrystals94]

Too Young to Grow Up (Drabbles Collection)

Read here on Ao3!

Rated: G | Words: 500 | Summary: Moments and memories of Omega growing up on Pabu.

**To simplify my Summer of Bad Batch Master List, I am compiling my drabbles that are part of the same series...the links to the individual posts are provided below!**

Splinter

“Hold still,” Omega mumbles around a needle pressed between her lips. She squints at the thin splinter driven deep in Wrecker’s palm. “This would be easier with tweezers.” 

Wrecker squirms despite Omega’s clear instruction. “Just get it out, will ya?” 

“Kriff, be patient. This is a delicate operation.” 

“Language,” Crosshair chides from his side of the boat. 

Omega rolls her eyes. “You’re one to talk.” 

“What was that? I couldn’t understand you with that advanced medical instrument in your mouth. Is that sanitary?” 

“Will you shut up and let me focus?” 

Wrecker guffaws. “Yeah, Cross, shut up! The doctor’s workin’!”

Wishes

“I just saw a falling star!” 

“Did ya make a wish?” 

Omega hums. She’s tucked under Wrecker’s arm, melted into his side. “Like what?” 

“I dunno, anything. Ice cones, Mantell Mix, candied meiloorun,” Wrecker lists off. 

His sister giggles. “Sounds like you want a snack.”

“How’d you guess?” 

Omega laughs again, and it lulls into a comfortable silence between them. Finally, Omega sighs and whispers, “I wish Tech were here.” 

Wrecker’s breath catches in his throat. He tries to think of something to say. Something comforting. But all that comes out is, “Me too.” 

Because some wishes don’t come true.

Calm Down

Crosshair gives Omega her pack. “Got everything you need?” 

Omega groans. “Yes, I promise I got everything.” 

“And you’ll check in every rotation,” Hunter reminds her. 

“At thirteen hundred local time,” Omega says, flicking her fingers in a sloppy salute. 

“Phee, ya sure you got enough food?” Wrecker asks. 

The pirate fixes the brothers with a look. “Will you all calm down? We’ll only be gone for three days.”

“I still don’t see why we can’t come,” Crosshair grumbles. 

“Then it wouldn’t be a girls’ trip.” Phee grins. “Omega, give your brothers a hug so we can get outta here.”

Blaster Bolts

“I hate you!”

She didn’t mean them. But she’d said them. Ugly, anger fueled words. They shot out of her mouth like a blaster bolt, hitting their mark with devastating accuracy. Like a blaster bolt, they wounded. Like a blaster bolt, they couldn’t be taken back. Couldn’t be unspoken. 

The space between them goes glacial. 

Omega wants to cry.  

Hunter won’t meet her watery gaze, her fiery rage extinguished by hot tears. “Go cool off,” he says, low voice tight. Controlled.

She retreats, all too aware of the eyes that watch her go. Crosshair. Wrecker. They’re disappointed. 

She is too. 

****

Hunter is reading a message from Echo when Omega sits down next to him on the couch. Rigid and ramrod straight, she has her fingers knotted together in her lap, white knuckled. “I’m sorry for what I said,” she says, voice flat and careful. “I didn’t mean it. I never could.”

“I know, kid,” Hunter says. He puts his hand between them, palm up, an offering. Omega swallows audibly, unknots her fists, and puts her hand in his. He grips it tight. “I love you. Always will.” 

Squeezing back, Omega says in a soft, breaking voice, “I love you too.” 

[izuizzy]

Hi Talia and Vox! How’s your day going and I’ve got some questions!

What’s life growing up with your parents?

Do you guys have a favorite uncle/aunt?

What’s your favorite deserts? Autumn will be ready to bake! >:]

Hi hello! I think it’ll be fun to let them answer these! :3 It got a bit long so I’m gonna put the answers under the cut! 💜🫡

Talia 💙

Q1

“Hi! I’m doing well thank you! I hope you are too!

Hmm personally I think I had a great childhood growing up with Dad and Papa. They looked out for me so much and I know my sudden appearance didn’t make things easy for them. Plus I was always worried about fitting in when I was younger and learned I was “gifted” more than most kids. It was hard and I’d cry sometimes because others didn’t wanna be my friends.

With Dad he would always make me smile and laugh when I needed it. And Papa.. He and I don’t need to speak sometimes, I just need to know he’s there, and he is. He lets me lean on his shoulder when I’m sad or the voices in my head are too much.

I know I’m a handful sometimes but I love them both so much and I know they love me back.”

(for context: Sonic = Dad and Shadow = Papa)

Q2

“Oh! Auntie Amy! I love all of Dad and Papa’s friends they really are like aunts and uncles, but even they knew I kinda got super attached to Auntie Amy.”

“You even emulated her hairstyle.” - Vox

“Hey! *Pouts* It is true… She’s always been kind to me and was constantly trying to help me feel like a normal girl. On top of just always having my back, I love and respect her so much! So I may… Or may not have copied her hair because I wanted to be like her…”

Q3

“Oh! I love anything sweet! I love sorbets and ice creams and I also love strawberry-flavored desserts I’d love to try something you make!”

————————————

Vox 🖤

Q1

“Hello. Life with my… Parents… It’s still very strange to hear them with such a title.

In truth I didn’t grow up with them, at least not for long, back when I rediscovered my original purpose as a counter to the Ultimate Lifeform, I couldn’t abandon that purpose, it was all I had. I ran away. I trained myself in order to become the stronger hedgehog. I fought with not only my parents but my sister and my friends.

*Chuckles* Even just explaining it now makes me realize how foolish I was… I eventually saw the error of my ways and worked to deserve the second chance I was given. Nowadays… It’s odd to have people care for me like I’m nothing more than another one of them. For my… Parents… For them to see me as their “child” is an odd feeling… But it isn’t unwelcome.”

Q2

“I never truly became close with many of my parents’ allies and friends before I ran away, but Rouge has been very kind to me before and after my return. She always asks me to tell her my troubles.

Omega as well, for a robot, he is surprisingly caring and a very good listener.”

Q3

There are not many foods I cannot consume, personally I find fruit-based pastries like fruit tarts and apple pies to be quite delicious. So long as it doesn’t have chocolate in it, I can eat it. Chocolate is the one thing I can’t stand…

[reddogf13]

Pride & Ruin CH 8

on A03 as well

Alcina X Ethan

summery: Determined to find his daughter Ethan Winters, an omega, storms the castle of Alcina Dimitrescu, an alpha. While fleeing her three beta daughters Ethan has the unfortunate luck of being snagged on the alphas claws. Slipping out a yelp, Ethan fears the worst. Instead, luck will be in his favor under a prideful alpha and Miranda’s plans will fall to ruin.

Status: Incomplete

Rated: M - fowl language and gore

Previous chap: Ch:7 Cataclysm

Next chap: Ch:9 Tokens & Memoirs

___________________

~Ch:8 Cascade~

After visiting their mother, the girls joined Daniela in the kitchen. Daniela excitedly brought Ethan a bottle of warm milk. Saying hi to rosemary who smiled and giggled up at her after being awoken for her dinner. Returning soon after to help set up the dining table before calling everyone in to sit. Still tuckered out, Ethan tucked rosemary back into bed. The sleeping quarters were close enough to hear her if she started crying. Bela checked in on Donna's health, then on Ethan's. “your fever hasn't spiked again. Feel hot at all?”

“haven't for a while. I think it's actually gone this time.” sitting next to Donna he looked to the large chair further down. “Is your mother coming?”

“no, she's staying in to not strain herself.”

“how is she?”

“doing fine.” Cassandra answered. “lots of stitching needed to be done. Her face I couldn't do anything about. The skinned half has to grow back on its own. She hopes it won't scar. Her leg had the muscle pierced, that'll need time even after I closed it. She says she's sure her ribs are broken and will take the longest to heal.” digging something out of her pocket to slide across the table. “That's yours.”

“what is it?” squinting at the silver piece.

“a bit of bullet that fell out of her side. Must've gotten stuck between the quick healing.”

he awkwardly looked away. “oh. ...” dipping his head down.

“After resting a few days most things should be healed.” Bela finished.

“ah.”

“You shouldn't have run away earlier. What were you going to do? Try not to get crushed in the fight? You would've been Miranda's prime target and then-”

He let out a whining sign. “Why am I getting scolded again? I said I was sorry.”

“because mother asked me to.” she smirked as she poured him a glass of tart blood orange lemonade. Setting the pitcher in the middle of the table. It was a brilliant orange color mixing with fresh cut slices of both fruits. Sipping on his glass, he watched the pieces settle around the ice in waiting for the food. Stomach growling at the savory smell traveling from the kitchen. Once everyone was served and seated they dug into the meal. Mini open faced pies baked with smoked salmon, cheese and a few other savory things he wasn't used to. Still he liked it and was happy to have it.

“at least it isn't burnt.” Angie mumbled. Receiving an elbow from Donna to be nice. “what? She burns everything, doesn't she?”

Ethan almost choked on a sip of lemonade from holding a chuckle. Hearing the girls talking about their mother. Daniela, overexcited about it, talked fast about the new things they learned about their mother.

“She can't breath fire, but she has a swarm like ours – The second head has some separate thought processing, but no self of its own - It's actually harder to eat with all the jaws and takes some shifting of them to swallow the food back. - She can choose when to change, except when she hasn't had any blood in a while then-” Daniela went on and on.

Ethan listened to a good chunk of it as he ate through his meal. Mind drifting off onto his plans for the future. The girls seemed to have had their own already.

“we're still going to Spain?!” Daniela had to be pushed out of Bela's space.

“Yes, I asked what we were going to do with the property. She said it wouldn't hurt to have a home for the colder months. Expanding the business was a grand idea as well. With Miranda gone we can go wherever we please.”

“when?!”

“maybe close to spring. Depends on her getting better. We'll visit for a little while to set it up as a proper home. Maybe some maintenance as well.”

Ethan took a sip of his drink in drifting off in thought again. Sounds like they got a plan. Maybe I have until spring to move out. Setting the date for himself then have the girls enforce one.

Easier said than done with the days passing by. It all felt incredibly slow and yet distressingly fast. Three days later, Ethan had been scribbling ideas. Only to toss them away in crumpled piles collecting in a milk crate. Ethan looked across the spread papers duke delivered to him earlier that day. Crossing over job offers the entire day for what he discussed. Thankfully farmhands were needed everywhere and provided lodging of some sort. Off to the side was a bottle of fresh suppressants to keep him going for a while. When he finally did choose he wouldn't have to worry when his next dose could be afforded. Scanning across the offerings he felt light headed and sick. Torn on wanting to choose and wanting to stay where he was. We can’t stay, I already said no. I'm just being a mooch now. Raking his hands through his hair he leaned back. Taking in a deep breath to settle his stomach. ... I haven't seen her in a while. Glancing toward the door leading into the main castle halls. Is she doing okay? Must be, the girls aren't too worried. All their chats had been surrounding their eventual trip to Spain.

He rubbed his face in breathing out his stress. Fighting back the exhaustion weighing on him. Sleep of any sort had been fickle for him. Half the nights he’d been up wandering in the hopes that he’d sleep after returning to bed. He would, however, never very deeply. The lack of sleep was starting to affect him in the waking day. He didn't even notice Angie had come up to stand by him.

scanning across all his papers. “How stressful can it be to pick a farm, ain't they all the same?”

“no, most the jobs are seasonal. Sends most of these into the trash.” crumpling another paper to toss. “Maybe I’ll just pick one for now and be a bit of a nomad when the seasons end. Can’t sit around here forever.”

“better stay.” Donna softly whispered.

“huh?”

Angie clarified. “Lady Dimitrescu needs to do a lot of healing and your presence helps that along. Better you stick around.”

“you sure that’s a good idea? I feel like I shouldn't be here after the refusal.”

“you’ll be fine, like she’d kick you out, and it's better for her.”

“mm.”

“you’ll be closer to the duke for any documents you need. Rose will need a lot of them if you plan to travel. What if you need to cross some borders?”

“That's true.” glancing over his awkward pile of papers. “but…”

“but what?”

“my healing presence isn't worth much. I’m just taking up space here.”

“You take up the same space as a broom closet. If you're so worried about sitting around, go talk to lady.”

“and say what?”

“ask for chores. Maybe get some courage and ask for a job. She's had like twelve positions open since the- uh- staff firings, and no one else is lined up.”

“hmm. Not a bad idea.” do something, maybe earn my own money for the move. Shuffling papers back into a stack he shoved them into a drawer.

Bela peaked her head in. “dinners ready. We’re having venison and mashed potatoes.” swarming away back to the dining room.

“food!” the doll excitedly screamed. Running ahead of everyone else.

“You don't even eat.” Ethan called after her. Taking rose with him to sit at the table before his hot meal. To the side a small plate of mashed potatoes and a bottle for Rose.

“Rose does and it's fun making potato castles with her.”

“Yeah, and you don't have to clean her up.”

“exactly!”

He rolled his eyes. Pulling the small plate away for Rose to eat a couple spoonfuls without Angie sticking her hands all over it. Looking to the large seat left empty for the 4th night in a row. He worried again how well Alcina was doing having not seen her since the fight. I can try seeing her tomorrow for that talk. wincing when a splat of mash hit his face. Rose had gotten started on her potato mountain without help from Angie. He chuckled while taking up a napkin to clean himself off. Chatter filled the dining room over the course of their meal. Half of Ethan's plate was gone while the rest was picked at. Another trip up he’d been facing the past few days. Coaxed a few times by Bela to eat more from his plate until that no longer worked on him. Simmering down, Ethan helped clean the dishes despite Bela telling him it wasn't needed. Partly he hoped it would tire him out in preparation for bed.

Castle, calm in darkness from the normal daylight hustle. Became the perfect time for one's thoughts to run through the quiet night. A black nail tapped a shattered piece of mirror. The desk covered in similar pieces littered down to the floor. Alcina stared into the half remaining of the destroyed mirror. The glow of her eyes caught in the reflection of the cracked glass. Looking back at her miserable self sitting alone in the dark. Why am I not enough? Looking over her knuckles. Still too slow. Continuing to bleed from punching the vanity mirror. Was it worth it?… Well, Heisenberg is gone. Softly smiling about it. Her lovely landscape view was always tainted by the black smoke of Karl's running factory, but now no longer. No more meetings with him, or anyone. No one can call me useless, worthless, a disappointment. These are my lands now and I doubt Donna will challenge me for the title. She sighed at the dreadful feeling sinking in again. Ethan was still here, she wanted him to leave already. But wasn't about to chase him out. Why bother? to make the position available? Could I find another omega out there? Should I take the time to travel? She shut her eyes until a plik noise had her look down. Growling at her side, pooling blood that dripped down to the floor. Great, hate getting blood on the carpet. She stood from her small stool, wincing at a stabbing pain from her ribs. Limping out into the darkened hall down to the large cleaning closet. Grabbing a handful of gauze rolls to return with.

Ethan hadn't been wandering the dark castle for too long. He tossed and turned in his bed for hours. Tired of that he left the room to wander the castle. Having no goal of where to go, but hoping his buzzing thoughts would be silenced. Questioning whether it was anxiety or for other reasons. Her scent was gone from the common areas. He missed the talks, her gentle care to calm his nerves. He felt alone, even with the girls still happy to hang around. He avoided the alpha for as long as he could and now all he wanted was to see her.

He stopped at a crossing hall, having heard unsteady steps. Overly quiet, he knew whose they were right away. Shrinking slightly against the nearby wall when she came into view. It was the first time he'd ever seen her in a more relaxed presentation. A short sleeved buttoned up nightshirt of varying grays that draped to her hips. Matching baggy pants went down to cover a pair of simple black slip-on shoes. Her hair flowed down loosely into wavy curls ending at her shoulders. Her beauty captivated him, as much as it did when he first saw her. Despite keeping quiet her eyes flicked onto him. A golden glow from them catching the minimal light.

Spotting him immediately, she stopped to ask. “Why are you up?”

He swallowed before answering. “couldn't sleep… why are you?” trying not to over step in asking. He cast his eyes down from hers. He didn't know how she'd still be taking the rejection.

“Bandages... Do you need anything?”

“No, I'm fine.” Ethan studied her hands without their usual gloves for cover. He saw the start of her sharp black nails along with the oddity of her finger tips being black as if frostbitten. Maybe it's just an illusion from the shadows. Concerned about the fresh blood on her knuckles, but he didn't ask about it. carefully glancing over he did spot another concerning issue. The edge of a large bloody patch at her side. From his angle he couldn't tell exactly how big. A plip noise hit the cool marble floor, now marked by a drop of blood. Following where she came from he could see a small trail highlighted by the moonlit windows.

She glanced back just as he did. Scowling at the mess she was trailing. “You should go to bed.” limping past the crossing halls to leave Ethan alone.

Leaving the way she was had Ethan's anxiety spike. She can't be left like that. “Can I help?” he offered before she got too far.

She stopped to look back. “If you wish.” giving him the grace of catching up to her side before continuing.

The quiet of their walk only broken by the sound of their steps. Along the way he watched the steady drip of blood turn thick in a steady trail. Slowing behind to catch up to her other side. Getting a good look at the wound staining from her ribs to pool at her hip. Blood collecting at her nightshirts edge to flow off. This needs more than a change. Glancing repeatedly at the growing stain he debated on asking about it. Trying not to stare at the bloody bandage siding the left half of her face. Alphas didn't like weaknesses to be pointed out. Watching her step through the darkened doorway of her room, he stood back at its edge. Instincts warning him that he was about to jump into an abyss where something dangerous lived. An alphas den could turn into an imprisoning nightmare for an omega. He couldn't run or claim some space to himself like the other den, she had full control here. His chest tightened at the idea of entering. Jumping at her stern voice.

“It's rude to linger in doorways.” she tempered her agitation to not snap at him. “come in, or go away.” Not happy about leaving the door open while he stood between it. Regretting she took his offer to help, even if the extra hands made it easier. Flicking a match she tossed it into her fireplace. Lighting up a small patch of kindle on a lone chunk of wood. Just enough fire to make a working light, but one that would die quickly. Grabbing a black jug from the side table she popped off the cork. Pouring the pure blood into a wine glass only cut by some added spices. She didn't want to be drunk off blood wine all the time and her healing demanded it straight. Taking a sip as she grabbed the medical kit she'd been keeping close. Long out of bandages after these past few days. She sighed in setting aside the bottle of medical alcohol. Where to begin?… my face. Staring at herself in the broken mirror. Coming into view of its reflection was Ethan, stepping inside after his long hesitation. Her focus on treating her injuries was lost as she watched him react to her den. Chest fluttering at an omega approaching so close.

His curiosity of the décor around the room to how he was carrying himself. Nervous, yet overall he was relaxed in his bold approach others wouldn't do. Taking notes of his health being. Less than subpar. She tapped a finger against her bandaged face. Wanting to herd him into nesting down on her bed. Not liking the circles darkening under his eyes. his clothes looser than before made it tempting to offer him a meal. Switching to his anxiety over the blood bottle nearby. She considered putting it away to make him comfortable. … doesn't matter. He's leaving soon. Moving her resting hand to remove the bandage on her face.

The peeling sound of medical tape reminded him what he was here for. approaching quietly over to her side while she inspected her face. Appearing quite gruesome by the layers of revealed muscle her skin once hid. Deep claw marks funneled down the collected blood to drip off her jaw. blood dabbed away from where it smeared around, now clean for a new bandage patched on. Maybe this will be gone in a few more days. It better not fucking scar. Full willing to mangle her own face to erase Miranda's mark upon her skin.

Facing toward her side to tackle the larger wound next. She lifted the edge of her bloody nightshirt to scowl at the fabrics drenched condition. It'll take forever to remove this stain.

“your stitches popped.”

glancing at him then back toward her side. “was afraid that was the case.” It was hard to see from her angle, but by the amount of blood she knew it was true.

“I can restitch it, if you let me.”

She nodded. “Yes, let's do it by the fire for some light.” grabbing the med box to take along. Setting everything on the coffee table she grabbed the alcohol rag to clean away the blood as much as she could. Pressing dry gauze to hold in the rest long enough for Ethan to start stitching. Wincing at him pulling out the old torn wire first. The rest went far more smoothly needing a small clean up at the end before the new bandage was wrapped on. Reaching the end of the wrap he dug around the box for a pair of scissors to cut it off. Knowing he wouldn't find any she offered a sharp claw. He leaned away at first, then slipped the wrap against it. Sliced through without resistance he taped its end down to the rest of it.

She spoke a soft. “Thank you.” taking the glass of blood up to her lips.

“welcome.” setting the items back into the med box.

The silence settling in made him tense in her presence. Not liking that, she struck up some conversation. “Where do you plan to go?”

“not sure. … the country side somewhere? I was aiming to be a farm hand. Get my own place, maybe travel a lot.” clearing his throat. “I-i don't think I want to be around people anymore. Everyone I’ve gotten close to... My wife worked for some company that nearly killed the both of us after she went missing for years. A man who was supposed to protect us-” choking up on his words. “killed her. … him and his squad took me and rose away. ...Miranda discovered me and rose through a leak... I’m tired, I want to settle. was aiming to be self reliant and off grid from society. Live in the countryside enjoying some views and the fresh air.”

“What about your daughter?”

“... it'll be hard, but we'll make it.”

“how will you explain her?”

He scratched the back of his head. “stay cautious, like I did before.”

She didn't feel his plan was the best. Being on the run is hardly a life. So many things could go wrong, especially if anyone saw her and connected the dots to him being an omega. Strict homeschooling for her, then what after? They don't deserve this. A burning anger burst alive in her chest. The feeling of being useless to help him in the long run. What'd he even do wrong? If I could find those men I would- the wine glass in her hand shattered.

Ethan shrunk under the aggression. Much of the blood poured to the floor as the rest flowed down Alcina's arm. She closed her eyes to breath out the anger. Wanting to reassure him when she opened them again. “that wasn't toward you...” setting down the glass remains down onto the coffee table. Flicking the blood off toward the fire where it sizzled off in the heat. “You should go to bed.” leaving his side to get changed and clean. “You have a lot to plan.”

Ethan stayed quiet, nodding as he slowly got off the couch to gingerly walk out the door. All his actions oozed anxiety of accidentally catching her wrath. Soon as he was gone she felt a little relieved to be alone again. The fire dying down for the room to engulf itself back in darkness. She scooped up some new nightwear from the nearby dresser. Glaring at yet another blood stain she'd cause.

A fresh morning brought by the rising gold sun beaming through the windows. Ethan was still up after returning to his room. Those wounds were really bad. Breathing out his worry to rise from bed. Cleaned and dressed he did the same for rosemary once she was awake. Water splashed toward him from her bucket bath. During breakfast she tried to feed Ethan some banana he sliced for her. He smiled whenever she giggled at the faces he made. Holding her in a soft bundled blanket he held her hand through his breakfast. Chewing through another wave of anxiety. What am I going to do? Hiding it the best he could from his daughter. People will notice. A lone omega will spread like wildfire. Tapping his fork on his pancakes. Can I hide her away until she's older? Smiling at his little girl, patting his face, faltering briefly. I can't do that.

“you alright?” Bela asked, being the only other up so early.

“yeah... can you ask your mother for a list of chores?”

“you want chores?”

“mm... maybe a job.” he half mumbled.

“You want to be our maid?” an amused smile set on her face.

“better than me sitting around being useless.”

“you’re not being useless, you’re getting back on your feet after Miranda. That takes time.”

“not really. Earning money before I go can help. So why not?”

“mother would just give you the money.”

“no, I don't want to do that. Not after everything else.”

She smiled. “alright.” cleaning up her plate. “I’ll have a talk with mother before everybody else wakes.” preparing the later serving of breakfast she set aside a gathering of foods across the table. With an assembled plate she grabbed a special bottle from the cellar. heading toward her mothers room, knowing she would be up by now, like she was. Swarming away she reached the elegantly carved door to give a quick knock. Entering after a quick answer she saw her mother leaning over the bed.

The room was still kept dark with the curtains shut. dressed in her usual morning robe, draping all the way to the floor in a silvery blue, its soft silk was tied close around her waist. Long sleeves draping over her hands onto the bed. Alcina was fixing her bed spread by repeatedly smoothing the covers. It's too thin- no-... it's not. Glaring down at the bed being such an improper nest. But it wasn't supposed to be one in the first place. Repeatedly telling herself so since Ethan left her den last night.

“Mother, breakfast.”

“mm.” she hummed, taking in a breath to ease her tension. Straightening herself she winced with a hiss at her ribs causing problems. “Have you eaten yet?” taking her plate she smiled at her daughter's concerned face. Wanting to calm Bela's worries that she worked so hard to hide.

she smiled back. “yes.” Wavering at seeing the vanity broken since yesterday.

To keep her from asking about it she redirected their focus. “ready to go over numbers?” being the guiding hand to fully settle Bela in the role of business owner. Not with the current winery, but their new Spain based one. Excited to do so, she looked forward to her other daughters gaining their own winery branches some day.

“Yes, but I wanted to talk about Ethan first.”

“winters, why?” tensing at the topic, but hiding it as her ribs hurt while she sat down. Was he leaving? Her chest turned unbearably tight. I have to- no. don't let him- no. scolding herself at every turn.

Bela's voice stopped the rushing thoughts. “He’s interested in working for us.”

“working?” tension dying to confusion. “what for, doing what?”

“money.” shrugging. “whatever you ask of him?

She scoffed. “That's all?” taking up a piece of bacon to bite a piece off. “why doesn't he a-”

prickly toward her mothers attitude. “He doesn't want to ask for it!”

“tone.” shooting her daughter a look, Bela dipped her head with a look away. “wasn't his plan to become a farm hand? He can get a place and a job elsewhere. He has to go.”

“he can’t.”

“Bela-”

“he can't!”

“tone.”

“no! You know he can't! And what about you?! Your healing-”

“will improve, but-”

“but it hasn't! Because you keep hiding in the dark!”

Alcina stood from her seat to snap back. Instead she hissed through a bolt of pain taking her breath away. Leaning against her small writing desk to recover.

“The healing hasn't improved at all. You’re still bleeding.” Bela continued while her mother couldn't. “and you need to stop acting like a child.”

she growled through grit teeth. “I'm not hiding.” snorting the next. “I'm healing, and doing so in private is not childish.”

“I wasn't referring to that! What happened to the mirror? Hm?… same thing that happened to the end table? The couch pillows, the statue or your last canopy?”

Her mother looked away. “my temper slipped.” she excused every time, however there was more to it. “What would you have me do then? Walk out and bleed down the halls?”

“Go hide in your office. At least you’ll pick up Ethan's presence while crossing the halls. Give him a job, it’ll keep him around and you can make a schedule to avoid him.”

She mumbled a list of curse words. “very well. I’ll give him a list.”

[sensei-venus]

poly! alpha! hawk x robbie x female reader headcannons

(Unedited)

•At first its a rocky start between the two alphas, Hawk can't stand Robby half of the time because of his smart remarks and Robby can't stand Hawk because of his stupid comments. Both of them are neck and neck moat of the time. Their constantly musking when in the same room together, it's out of pure spite.

•When Reader comes along things change drastically. They no longer care about each other and instantly turn their attention to her. Fighting is in the back of their minds now that they are interested in something totally different and new. It's a cute little omega that gets all of their attention now.

•They buttheads when they find out that the other likes the omega in question. Robby wants to keep it private while Hawk fully wants to publicly fight over the omega. Robby doesn't want to make a spectral of it. Hawk likes the idea of a public claim on her. Once again they are at odds trying to get at each other. Everyone at the dojo is a bit standoffish as the two state taking things to a new level. Sparing and training lessons get more tense as the two fight it out. Growing and yelping at once another while pinning the other down.

•They only stop when Reader asks them both out to the mall. They silently agree to not try anything in front of her. They walk around the mall with her and hang out. All three of them relax as time passes. They end up sitting in the court yard eating. Passing food to the omega from off their plates. It's in that moment that the two alphas start to realize that the girl makes them act more civil. Not out of just trying to peace keep around her but in general.

•After that day they actually stop trying to go for each others throats. Being around each other isn't that bad after all and they actually start to get along pretty well.

•It takes a while for them to realize that they have started to grow feelings for each other. It also makes them realize that they can simply shear the little omega. The idea sparks them into a full blown make-out session in the back of Hawk’s car before they part and decide they need to actually ask out Reader. They can't leave her open for any other alpha to snatch up and start dating her.

•After weeks of courting she finally accepts their advances. She is open to dating both alphas as long as they don’t try and fight each other. That idea is gone from her head the first times she sees them kiss in front of her. Then they pull her in and take turns kissing her as well.

•Lots of lunch date’s, on Hawk of course. He loves taking his two mates out and letting them gorge themselves on fancy food. It’s cute to watch Robby slowly warm up to the idea that he doesn’t have to worry about eating to much because of money. He eats all he wants and both Hawk and Reader make sure to get leftovers. The way his cheeks puff out as he eats is adorable to them.

•Hawk actually likes to read so he will occasionally read out loud to both of his mates. The two cling to him as they listen to him read. Robby likes when he picks out new books from the library thy have adventure plots, his favorite are apocalypse themed books.

•They scent the crap out of each other when they officially start dating. When they go out they make sure all three of them are completely coated in a thick mixed layer of their scents. You can’t tell where one scent begins and another ends. It’s a big fat mix of thick alpha musk and light sweet omega. It’s intoxicating. It’s a unique smell.

[burningfieldof-clover]

song inspired Echo x f!reader ❤️

fluffins for our boi Echo because Reader loves him so.

smol warnings: Echo being a little insecure for like .2 seconds

word count: 2782

🎶 body on fire - slaves 🎶

Echo can’t remember when it happened. Why it happened. He just knew that he was feeling… something. He needed to protect you. He needed to be there for you. He needed to know if you felt the same.

He couldn’t tell. Honestly, he couldn’t tell if you were even interested in anyone at all. The same glances he felt attracted to were also the same ones you gave to everyone else. That was just how your body language was, nothing to read into. But you were still so beautiful to him. He loved the way your eyelashes fanned across your cheeks when you were looking down. He could trip over the way your lips pressed together in concentration. Sometimes your tongue stuck out a little bit if the concentration got too heavy. It made his heart swell. 

You joined the batch as a caretaker for Omega when she first began to travel with the boys. While Omega quickly displayed that she was more than capable of taking care of herself, Hunter didn’t make you leave. You were also way more patient than Tech at small electronics repairs. You kept the ship clean. You knew some basic first aid. You did the shopping when they were on a friendly planet. Instead of just being Omega’s caretaker, you were the Marauder's caretaker. The boys were happier at the state of living and Omega was thankful to have a female role model and example. Hunter secretly was more than grateful since it meant not needing to learn about a growing teenage woman and have those certain discussions. 

You never pushed to go on missions with the team, despite how badly you wanted to. Clone Force 99 was quickly becoming the family you never had, so of course you clung to them. You weren’t really a combatant no matter how much you thought you could fight. Staying behind was safe. You were able to fly the ship at a moment's notice (Tech really hated the idea at first, but eventually you caught on).

There was a lull in work for now. Usually the team would fly back to Ord Mantell, but there wasn’t any reason to do so. The planet you were on now was beautiful and peaceful. The team slept outside under the stars. There was a fire every night where food was cooked. You took Omega on hikes to find flowers. For those instances, it felt like the war never happened or put an emotional toll on everyone in the galaxy. It seemed like peace was always present. What war? What genocide? What betrayal of the Jedi?

Tonight was another one of those nights. You and Omega were chasing glowbugs in the nearby field while the boys circled around the fire. Everyone has eaten and is usually wearing down for bed at this point.

Hunter couldn’t help but notice that Echo had watched you with a daydreaming look in his eyes. Hunter nudged his boot forward to collide with Echo’s. “You okay over there?”

Echo looked at his brother with a start. “What?”

Wrecker leaned toward Echo. “Gosh, even I picked up on that, Echo.”

Echo tried to feign confusion, but even with Tech’s glance on him he couldn’t deny it. “That obvious, huh?” he said with a sigh.

Tech spoke up next, “I do recognize this habit of yours as well. You have filled most of your evening staring at the girls. Were you also wanting to participate in the activity of catching bugs?”

Wrecker laughed wholeheartedly. “Echo is definitely interested in bugs!”

Echo looked down toward the fire while rubbing the back of his neck. Was it that obvious? If Wrecker noticed, then of course you noticed. 

Hunter nodded his chin toward Echo. “Why not go chase down some bugs with the girls? I bet it would be a good bonding experience.”

Echo glanced over to the spot where you and Omega were giggling over a glass jar between the two of you, lighting up and fading periodically. He stared at the fire again, trying to find some kind of courage in the crackling heat. Echo sighed again and pushed himself to his feet. He didn’t move for a while but eventually made his way toward you and Omega.

Omega took notice of Echo first. “Echo! Look at this!” She ran toward him and held the jar up. 

Echo took care in his handling of the jar and saw all of the bugs light up at different intervals. “That’s so fascinating, Omega.”

Omega beamed brightly and turned to you as you jogged over next. Echo instantly stood up straight. 

“Echo, give me your hand,” you said through some small chuckles. 

Echo’s face tinted red, but no one could see it in the dark. He sheepishly held out his hand, palm up. You braced his hand from underneath with one of yours then cupped your other hand over his. 

“Are you ready?” you asked him, meeting his eyes for the first time this day.

He gulped and nodded, and looked down at his hand. You moved your hand away, leaving a small glowbug on his palm. It wandered around aimlessly through the lines on his hand. You were still holding his hand from underneath. You were kneeling toward his hand to see the insect closer, and started tracing a path before it with your finger. Echo’s breath was stuck in his throat as he tried to gasp. His eyes were torn between looking at you and the glowbug.

Omega looked into Echo’s hand too. “Isn’t it amazing?”

The bug took off to the sky and Omega gave chase. Her laughter made you smile wide. Your eyes followed her as she ran after the bug. Your hands then abandoned Echo’s hand which he noticed right away. His gaze tore from Omega to his hand, then to you as you were still watching Omega. Eventually you looked back to Echo.

“I’m so happy that she gets to feel that joy. She may be your sister, but she’s still a kid.”

Echo grinned. He’s always liked the way you referred to her as his sister, then the boys as his brothers. Even though they all know that they are clones, calling themselves clones, he felt more human when you didn’t use the word clones.

“Omega loves you,” Echo said. He almost tacked on a “as do I” but chickened out. 

“What about you?” You then turned your body to face Omega, as did Echo.

Echo stumbled over his words, “W-what?”

“You love her, too. Doesn’t that bring you joy?”

Oh! “Yeah, yeah I do. It does, it really does.”

“Sometimes I wonder what kind of life you all could live if you settled down. You guys wouldn’t need me anymore. Everyone would know how to take care of Omega. You all already know everything I know.”

“Not need you anymore? What are you talking about?” Echo practically yelled this in a defensive tone.

You were surprised to say the least. You looked at him with a small gasp of fear in the corner of your eye. “I… did I… I mean–” you started to stutter and found trouble in forming words. You took a deep breath and tried again. “I uh… I thought that you were coming over here to tell me that the team didn’t need me anymore.”

Echo’s face screwed up in intense confusion. “Where did you get that impression?”

You gestured at Omega vaguely. “Look at her. She’s just–she’s happy and she’s learned all she needs from me. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

Echo can’t believe the words coming out of your mouth. He said your name firmly. “Listen, I didn’t come over here to tell you to leave. I don’t think any of us want you to leave. Yes, you have been a great influence to Omega and we appreciate that so much. I don’t know if you know this, but… you’re also part of the squad. You take care of all of us, and I wish I could tell you how much that means to my brothers.”

You looked downward at your hands and Echo’s heart fluttered a little. It was the way your eyelashes touched your cheeks that always made him weak. 

He started reeling through all of the feelings and memories he cherishes with you. Your smile, your laugh, your care, your voice, your hair, your eyes, your hands (oh god those hands), your intelligence… he could go on and on.

It was the way your hair would blow through the breeze, similar to the one now. He wished he could feel those strands flow through his fingers. The scent of your shampoos overtook the refresher each time you used it, and he could also smell it when he’s this close to you. It was the way your shoulders were bare in this sunset, highlighting your freckles and tone of your skin. He wanted so badly to brush his thumb across your shoulder, damn, even your collarbone as it crossed your chest. 

As you fidgeted with your hands, Echo wanted so badly to feel that touch of yours on him again as when you handed him the glowbug. You were so soft and gentle and giving. Your touch still leaves a ghost of a grasp on him, he realizes and clenches his fist. Those same hands that have given him help and healing. He didn’t know he needed those things, and he probably would have been fine for the rest of his life if he never knew. But he does.

You wave your hand in front of Echo’s face. “Are you in there?”

Echo twitched and answered with a small sound. “I’m sorry.”

“What are you sorry for?”

Echo chose his next words carefully. He glanced around to try and find Omega and only panicked for a moment until he saw her back at the fire showing the team her glowing jar. Echo took a chance, and placed his hand on your bare upper arm.

“I… I don’t want you to go. No one does. I wish you would stay, if you wanted to.”

You looked up into Echo’s eyes with that sparkling wonder he adores so. “I want to stay,” you whispered. 

Echo smiled at you, and cursed his body and past for taking his other arm. He would give anything to have that limb again, just so he could touch you. He wanted to feel more of your warm sun-kissed skin than just with his one hand. He braved the storm and rubbed small lines on your arm with his thumb. 

You closed your eyes momentarily as you let yourself feel that touch. He had no idea how much you wanted him to do this. He had no idea how long you had been waiting.

He whispered your name. “I didn’t know that I needed you. I had this idea of what the rest of my life was going to look like. I didn’t imagine someone like you would come around. And I… I know I’m not…” Echo tilted his head back and forth as though he was trying to rattle a sentence free. “I never thought I’d be… this,” he said, taking back his hand and gesturing to himself. 

You instantly missed that touch on your arm. Your hand touched the space now vacant and observed it. Did you dream that? He was touching you, right?

Echo noticed your movement. Did he offend you? “I’m not whole,” he finally added. “I didn’t have control of the outcome of my life, especially after being captured.” Echo sighed. He felt like he was saying all of the wrong things. He was nervous and rambling and unintentionally talking himself out of telling you how he felt. He opened his mouth to speak again but stopped as your hand grasped his upper arm, the arm with the prosthetics. 

You examined the place where the skin joined the metal. “Echo,” you started, then looked into his eyes again. “Echo, you’re beautiful. Just the way you are.”

Echo held his breath for so long that he felt a stinging in his one eye. He had no idea he was forming a tear until your other hand wiped it away gently. 

“I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here. With you.”

He still couldn’t find the words to fill the space. Was he dreaming? Was he asleep on his blanket by the fire? Without even thinking about stopping, he raised his hand to cup the side of your face. In return you leaned into his hand and took a step toward him. He was in disbelief, but this was real. The warmth of your skin was in his hand right now.

“Did you think I didn’t notice?” you said to him with a smile on your face and in your voice. “I hoped you liked me. I really wished that all those looks you shot my way were something. Tell me that I read into that right. Tell me you feel the same.”

Again, he’s in awe. You’re telling him you feel the same? Your hand on his right arm snaked its way around his waist and you leaned into him. Echo swore you could probably hear his heart beating incredibly fast. “I… I’m in love with you,” he told you, ending the sentence with your name. 

You tilted your head up to meet his gaze. Echo’s hand landed on the back of your head to caress it and finally finally move his fingers through your hair. “You mean it?” you asked.

Echo’s face softened with a smile as he nodded. “I mean it. I love you.”

You smiled at him, your turn for tears to form in your eyes. “Oh, Echo. I have loved you since I met you.” Your eyes started to close and he found you leaning toward him slowly. 

Echo was scared, but he knew what you were asking. He pulled you as close as he could and pressed a nervous kiss to your lips. He felt how nervous you were as well, and straightened his stance. The both of you were caught in a hot gaze, just admiring the souls behind the eyes of their partner. 

From the direction of the fire, the both of you heard a loud, comical gasp. Echo twisted his torso to turn and look at his family while you leaned around Echo to see them. Neither of you pulled away.

Wrecker was an exaggerated expression of surprise while Omega sat on his shoulders. “Ooooooo Echo’s got a crush!” Wrecker said in a singsong tone. 

Omega laughed out loud. “FINALLY!” 

You and Echo exchanged glances, leaned back into comfortable positions and shared another small kiss. One of your hands caressed his face and he fell into the feeling. He has dreamt about this for so long. He had no idea this could ever be a reality. 

“You are so beautiful, cyar’ika,” Echo told you. 

In response, you melted into him. “One day I hope to show you how absolutely wonderful you are, Echo.”

Hearing you say his name again prompted another quick kiss in which you both giggled into.

That night, you and Echo shared a blanket as you both sat next to the fire. Everyone else has made up their makeshift bed in the grass or retreated to the ship’s racks. Echo watched the way the fire reflected in your eyes with adoration. He didn’t know how you were fighting sleep until he noted that your eyes were fluttering closed and open. 

Wordlessly, he grabbed another blanket from nearby and wrapped it around you and guided you to lay down next to him. You didn’t fight him on this motion. Laying down, you both faced each other. Faint flames danced in dull lights across each person’s features. Hands met between the both of you and you pressed your forehead to his. 

You smiled audibly. “I’m not dreaming, right?”

“I’ve had this dream so many times, and it’s never felt as real as this.”

You raised your hand to trace his cheek, then his jaw. Echo closed his eyes and sighed into the motion. 

“Yeah, you’re right. What am I going to dream about now, now that this one has come true?”

Echo chuckled. “Well, here’s an idea,” he suggests as he leans forward to draw you into a deeper kiss than the ones you’ve shared so far.  

[minniethemoocherda]

Sins of the Past: Flashbacks

Summery:  A collection of drabbles set in my modern au where the Bad Batch raise Omega after rescuing her from the abusive hands of their mother. In this chapter the bad batch return from their weekly grocery shopping adventure. 

A/N: MAJOR WARNINGS for this chapter. Scroll if you don't won't spoilers for this chapter. Echo deals with a PTSD flashback of the car crash that caused his twin's death. I am so sorry for the angst of the past few chapters! I promise I'll focus more on the comfort than the hurt in the next chapters! Xxxxxxx

Ao3

"Careful!" Echo reprimanded as Tech drifted into their drive. The Marauder screeched to a holt, inches from their front porch.

"I did not hit any structures or pedestrians." Tech replied because for all his brother's need for precision, that was his parameters for a successful trip.

Excluding their bumpy landing, Echo did consider their trip successful. It was The Bad Batch's weekly outing to the supermarket. And buying enough food to feed five grown men and one growing girl was no small feat.

As the resident cook, Echo was usually in charge of shopping. He never minded it but he knew his half-brothers used to find it a bit of a chore. That was until Omega came along of course, who before coming to live with them had never even been to a supermarket before so she loved their weekly adventure of food shopping. And Echo couldn't blame his brothers for enjoying the most of her happiness before the novelty wore off. So shopping had become an entire clan occasion with all of them piling into their old van, which must have been struggling with all of the added weight if it's engine's continued growl despite being in park was anything to judge by.

"Perhaps we could take the Marauder into Cid's garage for a check up?" Echo suggesting, handing Omega the lightest of their shopping bags as they all climbed out of the van.

Tech opened his mouth, no doubt about to protest that there was nothing wrong with his baby when the van proved him wrong by blowing a gasket.

The tailpipe exploded with smoke, filling the air with burnt metal.

The ash went straight to Echo's head, clogging his mind with fog.

He tried to rub the smoke from his eyes. But his arm didn't respond to his thought. Why couldn't he move his right arm?

Echo glanced down to see a shopping bag fall from his limp fingers to his feet. Which didn't make any sense. Why would he have a shopping bag when he had been at a party?

Echo felt a warm tone reverberate through his side and out of the corner of his eye he could see the familiar golden brown skin of his brothers. Yet he couldn't figure who it was. There had only been Rex and Fives with him in the car. And Fives was the one besides him in the back so it had to be him, even if he couldn't make out the birthmark of his names sale on the side of his forehead or the patchy attempt of his goatee.

But Fives' hair wasn't that long and he didn't normally wear a bandana Echo supposed that they had been to a party. Maybe they had dressed up for it? Why couldn't he remember?

"... carry him inside Wreck-"

Wreck? Yes they had been in a wreck. Echo's legs swooped from underneath him. He felt like he as floating as gravity shifted around him as someone carried him inside a nearby building. Through the smog it looked a lot like Uncle Ninety-Nine's house.

They placed him down on a large bed in what Echo thought had been the living room. It felt larger than the small twin bed in the bedroom jed shared with Fives. Perhaps it was a hospital bed. Had they gotten there already? It had felt too quick but Echo couldn't get a grip on time.

At the end of the bed he spotted a child with golden brown skin and dyed blonde hair. Only one of his brothers had hair like. He kenw they were teenagers but Rex still looked too young standing there.

"... call Rex..."

Why would they need to call Rex? He was right there.

The only one from the crash who wasn't here was Fives. Where had they taken him?

"F-Fives?" He croaked, surprised by how rough his voice sounded. He hadn't remembered drinking anything at the party. Unless someone had spiked his drink. That wouldn't have shocked. He felt like he was stuck in some drug induced haze.

Echo had no concept of how long he lay there. Time seemed to simultaneously stretch and stop.

But eventually he glanced up in the doorway to see ... Rex? But that was impossible. He looked own at his side but it wasn't Rex. They were girl. But Echo didn't have a sister. Not until-

Then it all came flooding back to him.

His half-brothers. The crash. Jango leaving. Finding Omega.

And Fives

Oh God Fives.

Rex held him together as the world crumbled and reconnected itself around him.

[hannibalzero]

Can you provide anymore background on Arthur when he was 13, or his childhood? I love your headcanons.

I would be happy too, but just a heads up it’s a bit dark. 🙃. Arthur is the oldest of the Morgan clan. Nora, Yvette and Emily where his little sisters. (Actually canon sisters! I didn’t know until 5 minutes ago.) Beatrice ran off in the middle of the night with her beloved little girls. Arthur looked to much like Lyle for her to take him with her. Let that man have the boy he wanted so desperately.

Really quick, Beatrice going under the name Bea moved to a Chicago with her ‘honey bees’ and worked in vaudeville. She married the theater owner and made her babies into stars. They are a group of popular singers, Emily became a actress in silent movies. Think Mary Pickford. Nora living up to the Morgan name even if she didn’t use it, killed her first husband and became one of the first “merry murderesses” to win over the courts and win her freedom…along with a stage show. Yvette is a popular romance writer who’s novels make most fine ladies clutch their pearls.

Arthur doesn’t know any of this. Just thought his mama and sisters ran off and got killed somehow. He was hardly six and left with Lyle. The memory of his mother and sisters are very fuzzy now. As fate would have it, Arthur has one of Yvette’s books. “The wreck less bandit and the runway bride.”

Lyle, wasn’t good to Arthur but he wasn’t mean ether. Arthur was just there, not to be spoken too and given orders to do. Arthur kept quite, cleaned the guns he was given. Cooked whatever food was around and patched Lyle up when he was hurt. Hard work is a corner stone for Arthur Morgan. It’s always waiting for him. Always expected of him. What else would Arthur do?

Lyle was caught strangling his(?) pregnant prostitute, mistress in a drunken rage in broad daylight. By the time Arthur made it to town to see what was happening? Lyle’s boots where swinging in the air. The sheriff gave Arthur, Lyle’s hat and gun belt. Told Arthur to get outta town. Arthur hardly got a old trunk of his mamas and that poor old horse ‘black jack’ loaded up and road out of the old mining town. Arthur was eleven. Just because I’m evil the town was Colter but when rdr2 starts Arthur doesn’t recognize it, the house Dutch, Hosea, Molly and Arthur share was the home Arthur was born in.

So far everything goes by canon, Arthur was saved by Dutch and Hosea. Welcomed into the family, thought to read and write, honestly talk too. Arthur flourished under Dutch and Hosea’s guidance. But Arthur was growing up and much to everyone’s shock, he presented as an omega at the age of 13. Still young, he didn’t know why this would cause trouble.

Scouting out a new job with Hosea around a horse ranch. Arthur met Nicholas, a handsome young alpha that was 13 years older than Arthur. (26) His attention was focused, addictive and would sweet talk Arthur so nicely. Yeah he groomed Arthur promising him they would be married and mated. Arthur won’t have to be a thief anymore, he would be spoiled and loved. Safe…Arthur believed him. Wound up pregnant, ran off to be with Hosea and Bessie. They where trying to go straight (Dutch broke his bond with Hosea for Grimshaw at the time…then Abigail…then Molly.)

Arthur wouldn’t hear Hosea and Bessie, Nicholas loved him. He would love their puppy. Arthur gave birth sometime during the fall, once Arthur was healed enough to ride a horse. He loaded up Isaac and went to be with his mate.

Nicholas rejected him, claimed the puppy wasn’t his and that Arthur was a whore. Arthur killed him and fed Nicholas to the pigs. He stole everything he could before going back to Dutch. Dutch welcomed him back with a hard backhanded slap across the face, rings cutting into Arthur’s face. It’s where those scars on his chin came from.

“I don’t need no omega bitch. I need a enforcer, an alpha son. Fix it or get out.” Dutch held Issac “….keep those god dammed legs closed.” He ordered Arthur.

Arthur did just that. Changed himself to look like an alpha as much he could. He bought a potion from someone in the swamps to change him into a alpha. Brought legendary animals to be made into talismans. Maybe it was just Arthur growing up, maybe it was the effort he made to be an alpha. smoked up a storm and hides his scent with that awful smelling pomade.

(Tw child death) so I’m changing this part, Isaac got sick. He wouldn’t nurse, wouldn’t sleep. No matter what Arthur did he couldn’t help his son. Arsenic from Mrs. Grimshaw under Dutch’s orders when Arthur was out running jobs. Grimshaw would do anything for Dutch. Arthur would never know this, he just knew Isaac got a fever.

So that’s all I have so far! I know this is dark but this is Arthur’s past so far!

[legaciestold]

somewhere in the castle complex

well, didn't this just get interesting!

a man who was not just a man stands, shoes staining with the oozing blood which pools upon the floor they rest in. a waste, perhaps. the blood which seeps into stone rather than provides lifeforce yet what had been displaying upon the monitors before him proves much more attention-getting than the measly life of a man who truly believed himself worthy of his gift. perhaps he should have allowed him to become infected. no not with the perfection that was omega but perhaps the alpha strain. it'd have served the nuisance right for his actions. playing both sides. there had been a certain tactical advantage that the old vampire could appreciate. maybe there was some conscious there too. that, he appreciated less.

the doctor had played with fire and gotten burned. he'd aided the girl, both of them, if they were being transparent in this ever-growing situation while also attempting to solidify his own survival in the aftermath of how the players would shift the game. but the good doctor had failed to anticipate the vampire's understanding of the players. the insight that life force could grant him. he understood-- planned for-- the doctor's actions. he allowed them to transpire. a bit of fun to color the hours it would take for his plans to fully mature. moving parts took time to place after all. there was no stopping what had begun.

oh, the players believed they held some semblance of hope for such.

let them.

let them believe they held some form of control when their little lives were all in his hands.

the world was to die soon, and be reborn. a new world order, a new food chain would be unleashed. no more shadows. no more. and he would be at the top of it for when it was done even the eldest elders would bow to him. him and his beautiful virus laden army. the doctor had served a purpose in this. he set a game into motion. and now, now the vampire could sit back and watch as it played out. they would die too. the players on the board. most of them at least. not the girl. no. his plans for her were too great and he thought perhaps it would make his victory sweeter to see how her path played out.

let her have her hope.

let her run around this maze of corridors and think perhaps there was an end in sight. he would take her back when the time was right. he would watch hope fade and give birth to something dark within her. something new that the world had yet to see. something that would grant him power. something that would be part of his new world. and what a sight it'd be, to watch his creation form. to feel as it took hold of her with every passing hour, changing her. bringing her to him. how satisfying it would be to see the last of her fight and resistance leave her. maybe he'd let it play out until the final moments, the man who'd finally seemed to find her alive until then. maybe he'd make him her first victim.

a sacrifice to the new world.

to the goddess who would surely reward him. perhaps this hadn't been how it began when the girl's name passed to him. she had been a means to an end. but her fight. her spark. her ability to resistant when others would have been crushed with the weight of what was done to them, had shifted something in his mind. he wanted to defeat it and mold it and reshape it into his greatest creation. a creation that was his. that would bring forth what he wanted. what he needed for his new world. and no one would stop his new world now that all the pieces were in play. oh, he could sit back and have his fun. watch the tragedy unfold.

'will you watch it with me?'

he questions the bloody corpse at his feet, the man's death grip upon his pant leg shaken off with little fanfare. a few minutes later the body would be seated across the desk, dead gaze directed toward screens like a morbid audience to a game show. the feeds were not everywhere in the complex and the old stonework often caused interference to the signals but he did not need it to know where certain players were. it certainly was fun to watch when they did cross paths with the feeds though.

a phone rings, words emitting as he listens. good, good. he holds no doubt that the small group of bsaa transports that broke off from the main forces and were seen leaving the city and heading in their direction would hold the other players in this game. let the fun begin. let the games begin. they had time and he had his current players to toy with in the hours it'd take them to arrive. and it wasn't as if he didn't have a few presents in store for the thief's daughter and girl's brother.

meanwhile, elsewhere in the castle complex

warmth pulsing, radiating. she can feel it, sense it, know it. his hold is real. living. breathing as her blue-gray hues bore into his. her eyes burn with salty tears, breath labored, mind confused, warring as reality continues to crash into her. leon. leon was there. leon was real. leon was holding her arms. had she hurt him? she attacked him! fuck. he's okay. he tells her he's okay. that's what matters. he's real. this is real and he's okay. she takes a breath in, deeply, attempts to center herself. to regain some form of barings as his hand moves to her neck and rests there. is he searching for a pulse? does he think she's already? no. no. he's looking at her. he's seeing her. she knows it with every fiber of her being because she knows him even if she forgot for a bit. let herself believe what she'd wanted to instead of seeing the truth. 'and we're going to get out of here.' he speaks it with such conviction, his eyes still watching her as if she's all that exists in that moment. maybe she was, he was for her. now, right now, in this moment. a thread back to herself. back to reality.

stop crying. stop fucking crying. get it together. get it together. you need to get it fucking together.

'claire--' he speaks her name and finally, finally she's seeing him with semi-clear eyes that aren't halfway lost in her raging thoughts. she's her, claire, almost-- she's getting there. she's in a castle (she thinks). she's infected (she knows). leon was there. mara was somewhere. bad things were going to happen if they didn't stop them. leon was there. leon was there with her. they were together now, in this. there was an outbreak. there were vampires. they were together. she had to get him out of this. she wanted to get herself out of this too. but she understood that want and how things could play out were two different things. or, could be. she'd choose to believe together they could. but she'd accept if together wasn't the endgame in this. leon was there, with her, she could feel his warmth.

"leon." she repeats, once. clearly. mostly clearly. as if she's finally accepting the reality of the moment. she's claire. she's here. they both are. move forward.

the tears stop because she commands them too. takes another breath in and out to steady herself, gaze never leaving his. it questions, it wonders, it somehow figures that this was how the universe would play this out. it always circled back to them having to figure a way out of a shit situation didn't it? "what are you doing here?" she repeats, clearly, trying to figure out what him being there means. was chris there too? how long...

"did mara contact---" she begins, mind thinking. mara had said she'd try. she doesn't wait for an answer. it doesn't really matter. not in the moment, but something does. she needs to know for her own peace of mind. (except she doubts very much it'll actually grant her peace.) "how long as it been since my mission failed? since they took me?" because claire doesn't know. she tried to keep track until she couldn't anymore. it'd been too hard. "i tried.. at first. it seemed like i could tell the days. the gash i gave the one doctor had scabbed over. so time had passed. at least a few days. i killed one.. they got mad about that.. really mad. i think they killed another for letting it happen. i didn't see the other one again and they were worse after-- but then too much time was passing. i couldn't remember everything after they-- but there had to be some time between infections.. even with the vampiric acceleration it had to take time, right?" she's becoming lost in it again, half speaking to him, half speaking to herself. trying to sort fever dreams from reality. trying to find a path to center herself.

she takes another breath, looking down at his arm, to the small tear she managed in his shirt with her attack, then back to his face as if finally, finally everything is fully clicking for her. as if with a second's passage everything's hitting her, pieces coming together. she recoils slightly. or at least tries to. shifting her weight backward though she can't quite fully separate herself from his hold at the current angle. (she doesn't want to, but she thinks she should. she's scared to hurt him.) still, she pulls back enough to drop the hand on her neck, to show more of her appearance, but she doesn't shake off his hold to her other arm.

"i'm infected, leon."

she makes this clear and in the dim light of the room if one really, really looked at her they could see. she's paler, the contrast making the dark veins spreading on her bare arms more visible. there's marks on her skin, injection sites on her arms where the dark veins also congregate in smaller jagged lines around them as if they refused to heal even with the vampiric blood she was forced to consume. there's other marks too, from where she'd fought people and restraints, the infections making it slow to heal but quick to begin to change other things. she's thinner than she's ever been, even with the strength she'd been able to display moments before when she'd attacked him. the virus weakening parts of her and strengthening other parts.

"i don't want to hurt you but i think it's going to make me want to. i think he's going to try to make me. i can't hurt you, i won't." she pauses, gaze and voice the embodiment of claire-- a claire with renewed clarity; the determination and conviction in her tone too. "i haven't, it's not fully taken hold yet. it takes time. it took longer the other times, they treated it at the end stages before it could fully take hold." the other times she'd been experimented on, hurt, used to further their tests. but he needs to know so he understands she knows herself, knows when it becomes too late. it might save him if it comes to it.

claire's more focused now. she's in the moment. she needs to share critical information because she doesn't know what awaits them but they can't go out there without him knowing what she knows.

"mara was working on a vaccine. they have one for all the strains but this one was the latest. i think they're planning something. to release it. the labs are downstairs, there might be more information there.. i got away, to here. i wasn't thinking about information. i--i wasn't myself, i wasn't clear like i am right now. i don't know if the vaccine for this one was ready. mara would know but i don't know where she is. if we can get it--" claire looks at leon, really looks at him. "--i'll fight this leon. i want to get out of this together. but if i can't and it comes to it. you need to save yourself. you can't keep sacrificing to protect me." she has to make this clear before anything else though she doesn't quite consider the admission her words also reveal. (it doesn't matter, it's not the time.)

When that email had appeared in Leon's inbox on July 2, he had only needed a quick glance at the subject line to ascertain the identity of the sender: ' remember when you tried to give me a half a sweater because the desert was cold? ' It could only be from Claire Redfield, and of course he remembers. That had been one of those moments he recalls feeling almost thorough, unabashed happiness, so close to a tangible sensation that he might have sworn he could reach out and touch it. They had been running high on adrenaline, flush with the excited hope that a few missions to take down Umbrella might end the nightmare, and Leon had glanced over at Claire and thought, Maybe once this is all over for good — ! Never, even in his most dour moods back then, would he have imagined that in short order, he would ransom his freedom and future in exchange for Claire and Sherry Birkin's. Not in a million fucking years.

Regardless, none of that had been running through his mind as he hovered over the message with uncharacteristic hesitancy. The memory that instead flashed in Leon's mind like a caution flare was the two of them standing outside four months earlier, him in a suit that he hated and her with her arm in a sling, as his fingers curled around the data chip in his palm while she looked at him with an anger he had never before received the brunt of. The subject line had been compelling, though ( she had probably known it would be, crafting it as an olive branch of sorts ), and won out as he opened it. Typed lines of text awaited him that only exacerbated his confusion, yet they didn't sound mad. Apprehension had built at the mention of telling Leon something that he wouldn't like, but her assurance that she understood and the manner in which she closed out the message quelled it before it could begin to spiral.

He had spent far too long readying his reply for how short it ended up, although it was sent before the day had ended.

Subject: Re: remember when you tried to give me a half a sweater because the desert was cold? Pizza in Georgetown it is, then. Just name the day. Sincerely (why don't we put that bold claim about the bikes to the test when we see each other?), Leon

Before the end of the month, after he answered a call from Ingrid Hunnigan, he would wonder whether Claire even found the chance to read it.

Receiving a call from Hunnigan? Usual. A request from Hunnigan to meet in-person? Not usual. Leon might have teased her about it were her voice not laden with an extra degree of severity that curbs any notion of humor. Something is more than wrong. By the time he arrives, his nerves are clawing at him from the inside, though the only outward suggestion of it is an agitated edge to his walk as he passes through the halls and a subtle, intermittent clenching of his fists. Nevertheless, everything she briefs him on is far worse than he could have conjectured — because it's something he's never seen before, because it's Mara, because it's Claire. This new agent answers Leon's queries ( posited with an unintentional hint of aggression he can't temper ) quickly and concisely; the guy's likely accustomed to explaining this shit regardless of the scenario. As they start to leave, Hunnigan's voice calls out behind him: ' Be careful, Leon. ' It gives him a slight twinge in his chest to hear and, glancing back over his shoulder, he catches her gaze as he nods.

The whole way there, Claire's screams from the video Hunnigan showed him reverberate through Leon's mind.

By the time he and his companion are separated and he's made his way to the castle facility where it's suspected that Mara and Claire are being held, the only distraction from the echoing sound that he's garnered is complete focus on whatever's in front of him at precisely each moment, and his grip on the gun in his hands. With each corner he rounds, he repeats to himself that it's one closer to finding them until it's akin to a mantra: I'm one step closer, I'm one step closer, I'm one step closer. Nonetheless, every room Leon clears and searches yields no results, even those that appear set-up specifically for the purposes he assumes Claire has been kept for. Where is she? Advancing down the hall, he's met with a few more armed obstacles; most are eliminated quickly, and he sends a slighter one who keeps grabbing for his firearm crashing through a nearby rickety, wooden door with a forceful kick to the chest. "Opening the door for me, what a gentleman." The few stragglers follow him into what looks like nothing more than a storage room before they're each taken out by a bullet to the head that sends them staggering back into the piles of crates littered across the floor.

Surely they're not keeping Mara or Claire here, though a brief once over for any possible clues isn't a bad idea. Although Leon hates the notion of wasting time, he also couldn't live with himself if he missed anything in a reckless haste that might help. Perhaps there are some charts or notes kept in the old cabinet in the corner —

Without a second to move in that direction, a figure suddenly launches at him from the shadows. Are you fucking kidding me? However, at the flash of dark hair and a familiar face, his eyes widen. "Claire?" Even as Leon says it, fingernails dig against his skin and raised fists slam into him. "Claire, it's me!" Instinctively, he reaches out to grip her wrists, forcing her away from him though he doesn't let go. That's when their eyes finally meet, and recognition dawns across her features. When his name stutters past her lips, a profound relief washes over him; she's still herself, she's still Claire. Leon's grasp on her loosens then, yet he still doesn't drop it.

' Did I hurt you? ' At the question, a breath catches oddly in his throat. Not this time. Not like she had in March, when the way she had looked at him hurt like a blade scraping bone. Since they had met, Claire's gaze catching his had always imbued him with a sort of hope, a quiet happiness that he can't expound upon with words. He hadn't been her weapon or her savior, just Leon. She had made him feel normal and important at the same time, even when he had felt the least normal or important he had ever been. Claire had always seen him. At least, until it had seemed as if she didn't. That she had believed Leon would withhold information from her for any reason except to protect her, that she had told him the suit he was wearing wasn't him as if he actually liked it and everything it stood for — ? His silence certainly hadn't helped; perhaps he had hurt her, too. But he couldn't tell her the truth then, just as he isn't about to speak any of this aloud now.

"It's okay, I'm fine." But she's not. "And we're gonna get out of here." The tears in her eyes shove everything else to the wayside ( the fact that he should be asking her whether they've realized yet that she's gone and if they're looking for her since she's clearly not supposed to be in a supply room, or trying to call Hunnigan to report that he's found her ); Leon can't focus on anything but her. "Claire — " Dropping his left hand's hold on her arm, he presses his palm against the side of her neck, his fingers brushing beneath her hair. "I can't imagine what you've been going through." He'll do whatever he has to so that they never fucking touch her again. "But whatever happens, we'll fight through this. Together."