#and then the strap on joke scene where she looks him in the eyes and humps a canon at groin height

[dcoasis]

Random but I’m thinking about black MCU characters and the fact that she never got a name after debuting in 2017 still pisses me off.

[banj0possum]

Infernal Infatuation

Demon x Gn Reader

I've had a little idea for a while but never managed to write it out. This is gonna be a 2-part fic so better strap in folks :)

CW: murder, gore, shit friend-group, brief mention of animal slaughtering, demonic themes

🔥 You cursed yourself as you sat uncomfortably squished between the car door and one of your friends who didn't even awknowledge your distress.

🔥 Why did you have to listen to your friends? Why did you agree to their text about joining them in trying to perform a "cool demonic looking ritual" they found online? Why is this car so sticky???

🔥 It was loud and generally overwhelming inside the car, blaring music was coming from the speaker, everyone was moving around and singing along to the songs at the top of their lungs, and it looked almost 2am from how dark it was.

🔥 Your friends figured that you all could get in trouble if you performed their little "game" where lots of people could see and decided to drive out somewhere along the highway that had little to no people passing through, especially during that time of day.

🔥 One of your friends, Justin, remembered an old abandoned warehouse that was near and unmonitored, the perfect place to mess around.

🔥 The car turns and drives off the road, rolling along a bumpy terrain as you can see the warehouse grow closer as the car's headlights illuminate its rusty exterior.

🔥 An uneasy feeling grows within your stomach as everyone gets out of the car laughing and checking out the building. You can't keep your eyes off it as its old walls held a sense of dread and doom.

🔥 Audrey, the one who asked you to join, wrapped an arm around you and laughed. "What are you doing you weirdo? C'mon! We got a monster to summon!" She jokes as she catches up to the others. You sigh and shake off the last bits of fear in you.

🔥 Audrey takes out her phone and reads the instructions for the ritual. Your other friends helped in lighting candles, drawing the pentagram and sigils while Justin recorded everything, laughing like it was some everyday prank. You just sat there, getting more and more concerned about the situation.

🔥 You ask Audrey if you could leave, the scene getting a bit much for you but she scoffs, calling you a pussy. Your brow furrows and you sit back down, very hurt by her comment.

🔥 Once everything was set, everyone stood around the pentagram. You join hands as Audrey reads out the chant, Justin still snickering to himself behind his phone.

🔥 "Oh yeah, it says everyone has to make a blood sacrifice of something but we got that covered." Audrey laughs and pulls out a jar of blood from the duffle bag she brought. Apparently they just took the blood from a pig and settled on it, but you feared about the consequences of cheating the ritual so you take a small knife you carry around all the time for self defense and cut a tiny slit in your finger, you drop it in the center while everyone carelessly pours the pig's blood in.

🔥 Everyone goes silent before a low rumbling is felt in the ground, like the earth itself was pulsing.

🔥 Suddenly, the candles are blown out, the smoke from the wicks swirling around the center of the circle as the ground shook violently. Everyone but you start exclaiming in astonishment like it was a magic trick in a circus.

🔥 You step back as the swirl of smoke forms into somewhat of a humanoid shape. The pentagram starts glowing red as the smoky figure opens its pitch eyes, the smoke dissipates to reveal what looks like a man, his grey skin was scattered in black tattoos that covered his arms and back as well as parts of his face. He had ghostly white hair that framed his sharp face perfectly. His tail swished behind him what went from his skin's grey to black the closer it got to the tip. He blinks and white pupils appear in his black eyes. He wore nothing but dark red pants that was held up by a rope or ribbon that was secured along his waste.

🔥 He looks at everyone as your friends all had mixed reactions, some were screaming their heads off while others were laughing and cheering over how their little trick worked.

🔥 Audrey in particular, was ecstatic, taking pictures of the demon as it stared at her.

🔥 "Oh my god, I didn't know he would be so hot!-" She was about to place he hand on his chest when he grabbed her wrist. She yelped and tried to let go but his grip was as strong as iron.

🔥 She starts screaming and trying to push him away while everyone else laughed at the scene. You could only step back and watch as Audrey continued yelling at the boy to let go of her, now scared out of her mind.

🔥 The dreaded ringing of laughter stopped all of a sudden after a loud, wet crack. Blood gushes out of Audrey's arm as he steps back from the grey man, you shake as you still see her now ripped off arm still in his grip.

🔥 Your friend's laughter is replaced with screams as the demon kills off your friends one by one, you run off and take cover behind an old truck in the warehouse while you hear the gruesome sounds of flesh ripping and your friends' screams diminishing with every life taken by the monster you summoned out of pure stupidity and recklessness.

🔥 The sounds stopped for a moment before you hear the sound of footsteps slowly coming towards you. You cry silently, praying to whatever was watching over you to help you, for a saving grace, a miracle, anything to get you out of there.

🔥 Your eyes blink open as you see the man kneeling down at you with wide eyes, the blood of your friends getting absorbed into his skin, giving his eyes a redder tint. You close your eyes, tears falling down your cheeks as you wait for your painful death.

🔥 But it never came.

🔥 A soft touch to your wet face makes you flinch as the demon coos at you and wipes away your tears, rubbing your cheek.

🔥 "Why are you so sad Master? Your sacrifice was much appreciated."

🔥 He spoke with a soft, sultry voice. You stutter out a "What?" as he cocks his head.

🔥 "Yes, those lowly creatures were very annoying, but their blood was the greatest gift I've ever received, such generosity deserves just service, right?" he smiles.

🔥 You were confused; Master? why would he be calling you that? Still frazzled by the events that happened to you, you stood up and started walking away, the moments you've witnessed still not sinking into your soul yet.

🔥 The demon stays where he was a bit longer before catching up to you, still smiling like he didn't just kill 5 people right in front of you.

🔥 "Are we going to your abode, Master? I'd be happy to carry you, you seem a bit exhausted." He said, going in front of you and offering his arms.

🔥 You laugh nervously at him, "N-no! No heheh.. uhm.. I'm fine walking to the car.." You walk by him, as his elvish ears perk up. "Car? I've never been in a car before!"

🔥 Now here you are, driving back to your house in blood-soaked clothes in your now dead friend's car with a demon who was busy sticking his tongue out of the cat window like a giant dog.

🔥 The silence was unbearable as the uneasiness of having such a dangerous creature next to you swallowed you whole, you didn't bother turning on music as he tried turning the dials and broke it.

🔥 "So..uh...why didn't you kill me? I know I'm your 'master' now and all but uh...Why not the others?"

🔥 "You really didn't know how it worked? Well, those idiots took a dumb shortcut and offered the blood of an animal. You, Master, generously gave your own blood for me, speaking of which.." He takes your hand that had the cut and licked it. You pull back your hand in disgust and try to carefully rub off the saliva but find that your finger no longer hurt. You look at it and see the cut fully healed, not a scar left.

🔥 You look at the demon who gave you a toothy smile and sighed.

🔥 "So..what do I call you?"

🔥 "My name is Dorik! May I know your's, Master?"

🔥 "Uh..I'm (Y/N).."

🔥 "What a fun name! (Y/N)..I like it!" He turns his head back to the window and giggles at the wind in his face. You couldn't help but giggle at his cute behavior. Looks like you have a new companion for a while...

🔥 Oh my god your friends are dead...

[atlasthegreatest]

A Nigth to Remember / Sam Carpenter x Precott! Male Reader

Sam Carpenter finally stops being the caretaker and starts being taken care of by Y/n Prescott— the man who makes her feel more carefree and happy. Meanwhile, Tara feels a surge of jealousy for not being the center of her sister’s attention.

Word count:

A/n: Jealous Tara. Slight make-out scene. Fluff and more fluff. And a slight participation of “A Night Out” reader.

A/n: This was requested by an anon. Enjoy it!

Sam Carpenter sat in front of her mirror, smoothing down her hair and nervously checking her reflection for the hundredth time. Tonight was special. She hadn’t been on a real date in a while—especially not one planned by Y/n—Sidney Prescott’s oldest son— who had stolen her breath the moment they met. Tonight, she was stepping into something new, something exciting, and she couldn’t help but feel both giddy and anxious.

Just as she stood up to leave her room, Tara appeared at the door, arms crossed, an exaggerated frown on her face.

“Going somewhere, Miss Carpenter?” Tara teased, though there was an undeniable edge of envy in her voice.

Sam rolled her eyes, adjusting the strap of her dress. “Yes, Tara, I have a date.”

“Oh, I know,” Tara grumbled, her arms tightening around her body. “It’s just… why do you get to go out with him? You’ve been talking about him all week. It’s disgusting.”

A laugh escaped Sam as she grabbed her purse. “Tara, don’t be jealous. It’s just one date.”

Tara’s boyfriend, who had been lounging on the couch in the living room, overheard the conversation and chimed in. “Aww, Tara, are you jealous that your sister’s going out with someone else? You’ve got me,” he joked, a playful smirk on his face.

Tara shot him a look. “Shut up,” she muttered, but her boyfriend only laughed harder.

Sam gave them both a parting wave and made her way downstairs, where Y/n was waiting. He stood by his car, dressed in a sharp black suit, holding a bouquet that took Sam completely by surprise.

“Wow,” she said, feeling her heart race. “You really went all out.”

Y/n smiled that easy, confident smile of his. “Only the best for you, Sam.”

As the evening unfolded, it became clear that Y/n wasn’t holding back. They dined at one of the city’s finest restaurants, a candlelit table in the corner offering a cozy atmosphere as soft music played in the background. The conversation flowed effortlessly between them, laughter breaking out over shared stories and memories.

Y/n made sure Sam never had to lift a finger—he poured her wine, ordered for her, and even pulled out her chair like a true gentleman. By the time they finished dessert, Sam was feeling thoroughly spoiled and more relaxed than she had in a long time.

After dinner, Y/n took her on a moonlit walk by the river, the cool night air swirling around them. He bought her ice cream, even though they were both too full, just because Sam mentioned offhand how much she loved it.

“You didn’t have to do all this, you know,” Sam said as they sat on a bench overlooking the water. She was touched by how thoughtful he had been throughout the night.

Y/n shrugged, his smile soft. “I wanted to. You deserve to be treated like this.”

For a moment, Sam couldn’t find the words to respond. Instead, she leaned against him, letting the warmth of his presence chase away the chill of the night.

Meanwhile, back at home, Tara sat on the couch, her arms still crossed in a defensive posture. Her boyfriend sat next to her, still grinning.

“You know, you really are jealous,” he teased, nudging her lightly. “It’s kinda cute.”

“I am not jealous,” Tara shot back, though the blush rising in her cheeks betrayed her. “I just… It’s weird seeing Sam like that, okay? She’s my big sister. She’s supposed to be tough, not all… soft and dreamy-eyed.”

Her boyfriend chuckled, throwing an arm around her. “Maybe you’re just used to being the center of attention, huh?”

Tara’s eyes narrowed at him, but she couldn’t hold back a small smile. “Don’t push it.”

He squeezed her shoulder and pressed a playful kiss to her temple. “Come on, Tara, admit it—you miss her.”

Tara sighed, leaning back into the couch. “Okay, fine. Maybe a little. But still… it’s weird.”

“Relax, she’ll be back soon, and you can interrogate her all about her fancy date. I’m sure you’ll get all the details,” her boyfriend teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

Tara rolled her eyes but secretly she couldn’t wait to hear everything. Maybe she was a little jealous, but more than anything, she wanted to know that Sam was happy—and by the looks of it, she was.

————————-

Later that night, when Sam returned home, her cheeks were still flushed from the evening’s excitement. As soon as she stepped inside, Tara was right there, practically jumping up from the couch.

“Well? How was it?” Tara demanded, her arms now unfolding as she gave her sister an expectant look.

Sam grinned, eyes twinkling. “It was… amazing.”

Tara crossed her arms again, her lips pressed into a pout. “Ugh, you’re unbearable.”

Sam laughed and reached out to ruffle Tara’s hair. “Oh, come on, don’t be like that.”

As Tara sulked, her boyfriend nudged her again, grinning. “Told you she’d love it.”

Tara rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

But even as she pretended to be annoyed, Sam could see the small smile pulling at the corners of Tara’s lips. Beneath the teasing and the jealousy, she knew Tara was happy for her.

And that made the night even more perfect.

Sam couldn’t help but laugh at Tara’s obvious attempt to hide her curiosity. Tara’s faux annoyance melted into genuine interest, and Sam could feel her sister’s attention locked on her. It was something Sam loved about her—no matter how much she acted jealous, Tara always cared deeply.

“Alright, fine, I’ll give you details,” Sam said, sitting down beside Tara. “But you have to promise not to make a big deal out of it.”

Tara’s eyes lit up as she scooted closer. “No promises, but spill!”

Sam recounted the evening—about how Y/n had taken her to a beautiful restaurant, how he had been attentive and charming the entire time, and how the night had ended with a walk by the river. Tara hung onto every word, occasionally interrupting with a “Wait, he did that?” or “You’re seriously telling me he got you ice cream after dinner?”

When Sam mentioned how Y/n pulled out her chair, Tara made a face. “Okay, now I’m really jealous. I have to fight for attention and here you are getting treated like a princess.”

Her boyfriend, who had been listening with amusement, chimed in again. “Come on, Tara, don’t act like I haven’t taken you out. Remember last week when we—”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tara interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand. “But he didn’t get me flowers and ice cream. That’s a whole other level.”

Sam shook her head, laughing at their banter. It was always like this—Tara’s teasing was a shield for the way she felt, but underneath it all was the warmth of sisterhood that they both cherished.

“So… what’s the deal with him?” Tara asked, her voice softening as she leaned in, genuinely curious now. “Is it serious?”

Sam felt a flutter in her stomach, unsure how to answer. She had felt a connection with Y/n, no doubt about that, but it was still so new. “I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “I think I like him, but… you know how things are. Life’s complicated.”

Tara frowned slightly. “Yeah, I get it. But Sam, you deserve to be happy. Don’t overthink it.”

Her boyfriend chimed in with a chuckle, “Says the queen of overthinking.”

Tara shot him a glare. “Don’t start.”

Sam smiled, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. It was nice to have Tara’s support, even when it came with a side of good-natured jealousy. She leaned back on the couch, letting the warmth of the room and the company of her loved ones wrap around her like a blanket.

But Tara wasn’t done yet.

“So, what about me? Do I get to meet him or what? I need to see if he passes the test.”

Sam raised an eyebrow. “The test?”

“Duh! I have to make sure he’s good enough for you. And don’t think I’ll go easy on him just because he’s Sidney Prescott’s son.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “You’re impossible.”

Her boyfriend leaned in, nudging Tara again. “You’re just mad because you wanted to be spoiled like that.”

Tara sighed dramatically, throwing her arms up. “Maybe! I want the fancy dinner and the ice cream, okay? Is that so wrong?”

Sam and Tara’s boyfriend both laughed, but Sam could see the sincerity in her sister’s eyes. Tara’s protectiveness wasn’t just about jealousy; it was about making sure Sam was taken care of. It was something that had always been mutual between them. Tara might tease, but Sam knew she’d be the first one in line to defend her.

“Fine,” Sam said with a playful sigh. “You can meet him. But you better behave.”

Tara grinned triumphantly. “Oh, I’ll behave. Just enough to scare him.”

Her boyfriend raised an eyebrow. “Scare him? You? Nah, I think he’ll be more worried about you stealing Sam’s spotlight.”

Tara smirked. “He should be. I’m a force to be reckoned with.”

Sam shook her head, chuckling. “I don’t know how he’s going to handle both of us.”

As the night wore on, the three of them continued to talk and joke, with Tara stealing glances at Sam as if she were trying to unravel the mystery of her sister’s new romance. Beneath the teasing and the banter, there was something deeper—a sense that Sam was finally opening a new chapter in her life, and Tara, despite her jealousy, was right there beside her, ready to cheer her on.

Before long, the living room quieted, and Tara’s boyfriend stretched his arms, stifling a yawn. “Alright, I think it’s time to call it a night. Besides, Sam’s got more dates to plan with Mr. Perfect.”

Tara groaned. “Ugh, don’t remind me. Now I’m going to have to hear about this all week.”

Sam grinned, leaning over to give her sister a quick hug. “You’ll live, Tara.”

Tara hugged her back, albeit begrudgingly. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget about me when you’re off being pampered by your prince charming.”

“I could never forget you,” Sam said softly, squeezing Tara’s shoulder.

Tara smiled, her jealousy melting into genuine affection. As Sam stood to head to bed, she heard Tara whisper to her boyfriend, “I hope he treats her right. She deserves it.”

And in that moment, Sam knew—no matter what happened with Y/n, no matter where her life took her—she would always have Tara by her side, teasing, protecting, and loving her in her unique way.

————————

Tara paced back and forth in the living room, her fingers drumming against her sides. Tonight was the night she was finally meeting Y/n Prescott, the guy who had completely swept Sam off her feet. And even though Sam had been gushing about how sweet and caring he was, Tara wasn’t sold yet.

Her boyfriend, lounging casually on the couch, watched her with amusement. “You’re gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that.”

Tara shot him a glare. “I’m not pacing. I’m… preparing.”

He snorted. “Right. Preparing to grill this guy like he’s applying for a job.”

“Damn right,” Tara said, crossing her arms. “Nobody gets to just waltz in and date Sam without passing my test.”

Her boyfriend chuckled, clearly enjoying her protective big-sister act. “You do realize Sam’s a grown woman, right? She can handle herself.”

“I know that,” Tara said defensively. “But someone’s gotta make sure he’s not just all charm and no substance.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Tara’s stomach flipped. She glanced at her boyfriend, who gave her a mischievous grin. “Moment of truth.”

Tara inhaled deeply and marched to the door, pulling it open to reveal Y/n standing there. He was tall— very tall, well-dressed, and handsome in a polished, put-together way. He held a bouquet of fresh flowers in one hand, and his other was casually interlocked with Sam’s. Tara’s eyes narrowed as she took in the sight—this was the guy who had Sam all googly-eyed?

Beside Y/n, Sam was practically glowing. Her smile was wide, her eyes sparkling as she stood next to him.

“Hey,” Sam said, a bit too cheerfully. “Y/n, this is my sister, Tara. And that,” she nodded toward the living room, “is her boyfriend.”

Y/n extended a hand to Tara first, his smile polite and calm. “It’s nice to meet you, Tara. Sam talks about you all the time.”

Tara squinted at him, sizing him up as she took his hand. “Yeah, I’ve heard about you, too. You’ve set some high expectations, you know.”

Y/n chuckled lightly. “I hope I can live up to them.”

Tara raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond. Instead, she stepped aside, letting Y/n and Sam come in. Her boyfriend stood up, offering Y/n a nod and a casual handshake. “Nice to meet you, man. Good luck—you’ll need it,” he joked.

Y/n laughed, clearly understanding the lighthearted warning but not intimidated by it. “I’ll take that as a challenge.”

As they moved into the living room, Tara watched carefully. Her eyes flicked between Sam and Y/n, looking for any sign that this guy wasn’t as perfect as Sam had been making him out to be. She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that it was all too good to be true.

Sam settled onto the couch next to Y/n, and immediately, Y/n’s hand found hers again, lacing their fingers together. It was a small, almost unconscious gesture, but Tara noticed the way Sam’s face softened. Y/n didn’t say much, but the way he looked at Sam—the quiet adoration in his eyes—made Tara pause. There was no pretense, no show. He genuinely cared for her.

Still, Tara wasn’t going to let her guard down just yet.

“So, Y/n,” Tara started, leaning forward a bit, “what exactly are your intentions with my sister?”

Sam groaned, shooting Tara a glare. “Tara, seriously?”

But Y/n just smiled. “My intentions?” He glanced at Sam before turning his attention back to Tara, his expression sincere. “I like Sam—a lot. I care about her, and I just want to make her happy. That’s all.”

Tara’s eyes narrowed again, but she couldn’t find anything in his words to pick apart. He was too calm, too composed.

As the conversation flowed, Y/n continued to be attentive to Sam in the smallest, most genuine ways. He listened when she spoke, leaning in slightly as if hanging on every word. When Sam laughed, he’d smile softly, clearly enjoying just seeing her happy. And when Sam shifted on the couch, Y/n instinctively reached for her hand again, pulling it into his lap as though it was second nature.

At one point, when Sam mentioned being cold,Y/n didn’t hesitate—he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders without a word. The simple, thoughtful gesture caught Tara off guard. Sam smiled, her cheeks tinged pink as she snuggled into the jacket, glancing at Y/n with that same dreamy look Tara had teased her about.

Tara’s boyfriend, watching the scene unfold, leaned toward her and whispered, “Come on, Tara, admit it. He’s a good guy.”

Tara huffed, not ready to give in just yet. “Maybe. I’m still watching.”

Her boyfriend chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”

For the rest of the evening, Y/n continued to win over Tara’s boyfriend with easy conversation, discussing movies and music, while Sam remained comfortably tucked beside him, a soft smile on her face. And as much as Tara hated to admit it, she couldn’t find a single reason to dislike him. He wasn’t just some charming smooth-talker. He was thoughtful, caring, and—most annoyingly—genuine.

By the time Y/n stood to leave, Tara had begrudgingly decided that maybe—maybe—he wasn’t so bad.

“Well,” Tara said, crossing her arms as she walked them to the door, “you’re not terrible.”

Y/n chuckled, taking it as the highest form of praise. “I’ll take that.”

Sam rolled her eyes at Tara, but there was an underlying gratitude in her expression. Tara might not have said it outright, but Sam could tell that her little sister had warmed up to Y/n, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

As Y/n opened the door to step out, he turned back to Sam, his hand reaching for hers once again. He pulled her in for a gentle, affectionate kiss on the forehead, making Sam’s heart flutter visibly in front of them.

Tara watched the whole thing, feeling a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, she was used to being Sam’s protector, used to being the one to keep an eye out for her. But seeing someone else care for her so deeply—seeing Sam genuinely happy—was something she couldn’t ignore.

After Y/n and Sam said their goodbyes, Tara stood at the door, arms still crossed, watching them walk off into the night. Her boyfriend came up beside her, nudging her lightly.

“So,” he said with a smirk, “still jealous?”

Tara sighed dramatically but smiled. “Fine. He’s okay. But if he breaks her heart, I’m breaking his face.”

Her boyfriend laughed, wrapping an arm around her. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you.”

As they stood there, Tara felt a sense of peace wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, Sam had finally found someone who would treat her the way she deserved. Tara still wasn’t going to make it easy for Y/n, but for the first time, she could relax a little. Her sister was in good hands.

Bonus chapter:

It had been a long day and Tara was in no mood for anything but lounging on the couch and watching something mind-numbing on TV. Her boyfriend was on his way with snacks, and she was looking forward to unwinding. She had just slipped into her sweats when she noticed something odd— Sam's door was closed.

Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal, but Sam had mentioned that she'd be out for most of the day. Plus, she hadn't heard the front door open, so when did Sam come home? And more importantly, why was the door closed? Suspicious, Tara moved down the hallway, her eyes narrowing as she approached.

Maybe Sam was just resting or getting ready for a night out with Y/n. But something felt off. Tara paused, her ear pressed against the door. She couldn't hear much, just muffled voices. A normal person might have left it alone, but Tara was anything but normal when it came to protect her sister. She knocked, lightly at first.

"Sam?" she called out, her voice curious but casual.

There as no immediate answer. Instead, she heard a quick shuffle, followed by hushed voices. Tara's suspicion greww, her patience wearing thin.

"Sam, what are you doing in there?"

Still no response. Okay, something was definitely up.

Without thinking, Tara pushed the door open. And what she saw next was not what she had been expecting.

There, in the dimly lit room, she found Sam and Y/n-- Sam pressed up against the wall, her arms wrapped around his neck, and Y/n leaning into her, his hands firmly on her waist. They were kissing, deeply, passionately, and entirely unaware of Tara's presence.

Tara froze, her eyes widening, her brain struggling to catch up to what she was seeing. She was used to seeing Sam as her tough, no-nonsense sister, but this-- this was a side of her she had never expected to witness. And Y/n? Well, he looked way too comfortable with his hands on her sister for her liking.

The shock turned quickly to panic, and Tara let out an awkward, horrified, "OH, MY GOD."

Both Sam and Y/n jerked apart like they had been electrocuted. Sam's face turned beet red, her hair messy from their, well, activities, and Y/n looked like a deer caught in headlights, his hands slowly releasing their grip on Sam as he tried to process what had just happened.

"Tara!" Sam yelped, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment. "W-what the hell?"

Tara's mouth opened and closed a few times, but no words came out. She was still standing there, her brain short-circuiting. She had seen her sister and Y/n holding hands and kissing before, but this—this was a whole other level. Her protective instincts flared up, even though she knew logically that Sam as an adult and perfectly capable of making her own choices.

Y/n, meanwhile, awkwardly stepped back, trying to straighten his shirt while offering Tara a sheepish smile. "Uh, hey, Tara."

"Hey, Tara?" she echoed, her voice dripping with disbelief. "Hey, Tara?! What the— what the hell are you two doing?"

Sam groaned, running a hand through her messy hair. "It's not what it looks like."

Tara's eyes widened. "Really? Because it looks like you were—" She gestured wildly between them. "—this close to doing stuff I really, really don't want to think about right now!"

Y/n scratched the back of his neck, looking genuinely mortified. "We weren't...I mean, it's not..."

Tara shot him a glare that could have melted steel. "You shut up. You don't get to speak right now."

Sam's face was still red, but her irritation with Tara was starting to bubble to the surface. "Okay, can you please stop acting like I'm a teenager sneaking around? I'm a grown woman, Tara. And don't talk like that to Y/n."

Tara shook her head, still in disbelief. " Grown woman or not, I didn't need to see that!" She then looked at Y/n with narrowed eyes. "And you—what, you think just because you're all nice and charming, you can just... just—"

Y/n held his hands up in surrender. "Tara, seriously, I didn't mean--"

"Didn't mean what? Make out with my sister against the wall like some... like some teenage boy who can't keep his hands to himself?"

Sam groaned again, this time more in frustration than embarrassment. "Tara, stop! You're being ridiculous. We were just... kissing. It's a normal thing that couples do."

"Normal?!" Tara's voice cracked as she pointed between them again. "That was not just kissing, Sam! That was... I don't even know what was, but I was not ready for it!"

Her boyfriend, having just walked through the front door, came down the hall and appeared behind her, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. What did I just walk into?"

Tara spun around, flustered and still trying to process everything. "I walked in on them—" she gestured wildly again toward Sam and Y/n, "—practically attacking each other."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Oh my God, Tara, it wasn't an attack."

Y/n, still looking like he wanted to disappear, shot Tara's boyfriend a pleading look. "This is...very awkward."

Tara's boyfriend snickered, shaking his head. "Man, you've got guts. Making out with Sam while Tara's home? You're braver than I thought."

Tara shot her boyfriend a glare, but he just grinned at her, completely unfazed. "What? I mean, he's got some nerve, I'll give him that."

Tara huffed and crossed her arms, turning her glare back to Y/n. "I can't believe this. I thought you were all nice and gentlemanly. Turns out you're just like the rest of them."

Sam's patience finally snapped. "Okay, enough. I don't need you playing the overprotective sister right now. I'm fine. Y/n's fine. We're both consenting adults. You don't need to freak out every time we're affectionate."

Tara blinked, her mouth opening to argue, but Sam's words stopped her, It wasn't that she didn't trust Y/n—it was just... weird. Seeing her big sister, her tough, guarded, independent sister, in such a vulnerable, intimate moment threw her off. She wasn't used to it, and it made her feel protective in a way that was probably unnecessary.

Tara sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I just... I wasn't ready for this, okay? You're my sister, and I'm still getting used to you having someone like— like him around."

Sam's face softened, her irritation fading. She stepped forward and placed a hand on Tara's arm. "I get it. I felt the same when you started going out with your boyfriend. But I'm happy, Tara. Y/n makes me happy."

Tara looked at Y/n, who was still standing awkwardly in the corner, his face a mixture of embarrassment and concern. Despite everything, she could see it in his eyes-- the care, the respect, and the genuine affection he had for Sam. It wasn't an act. He did love her.

Tara sighed again, her posture relaxing. "Fine. But next time, lock the door, for crying out loud."

Y/n chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Noted."

Sam smiled softly at Tara. "Thanks."

Tara grumbled, not entirely over the shock, but willing to back off-- for now. "Yeah, yeah. Just... be more careful. I don't need to be scarred for life."

“Noted.”

[taleeater]

Lab Rat Part 1

TMNT 2003 x Reader

Opening setting inspired by the blood draining scene in the 2014 TMNT bayverse movie.

Reader has she/her pronouns.

The turtles are captured and taken to a secret laboratory to be tested on. But they are surprised by what- or who they find there. With seemingly no hope for rescue, they are forced to rely on the strength and bravery of their frail and timid new friend.

Warnings: violence, torture, abuse, mention of experimentation, blood, injury, electrocution, whump

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

A pulsing headache, bright lights searing through his eyelids, muffled voices, and the subtle scent of ethanol. This is the uncomfortable sensation that greeted Leo as he drifted into consciousness. He blinked his eyes open to a squint, his blurry and slightly concussed vision trying to adjust to the room. In front of him, he saw a few figures moving around the wide open room of a low lit laboratory. Though it was hard to really make out the shapes past the bright spotlight shining in his eyes. He groaned and tried to move, finding his limbs restrained, arms stretched out on either side of him. Upon further inspection, he noticed a long thin plastic tube attached to his inner arm that snaked around the metal restraint on his wrist and fed down and out of sight. Squeezing his hand he tested the confines of the wrist strap.

“It’s a venipuncture IV… they’re draining our blood.”

Leo’s head snapped up to his right at the sound of his brother’s voice. His vision swayed at the fast movement and steading to find his purple clad brother restrained beside him.

“Donnie…? Where’s Raph and-“

“Hey!!! Leo’s up! How’s that concussion bro?” Mikey’s joking tone sounded further away.

Leo leaned forward as best he could and looked down past Donnie, seeing Raph and then Mikey strung up in a similar fashion as he was. Raph was still out cold with blood dripping from a wound on his temple.

Donnie followed his eyes and interrupted his thoughts.

“Raph got hit a bit harder than you did, he might still be out for a while.” He said with a sympathetic tone. “Do you remember what happened?” Donnie asked, in typical fashion checking for any brain damage.

Leo blinked for a moment, allowing for his mind to focus. “We were on patrol…”

The memory flashed before his eyes. It seemed routine, stopping a weapons deal from going down under a bridge by the Hudson. But when they had swooped down to start knocking out thugs, they had suddenly all been shocked with high voltage electricity. They were too stunned to find the source, the thugs stepping in quickly to knock them all unconscious before they could recover. The next thing he knew, he was here.

A low groan sounded from between Don and Mikey.

“Raph!” They all exclaimed, trying their best to turn their attention to their brother.

“Turn the lights off, will ya? My heads killing me…” He mumbled groggily.

Suddenly, a single loud clap sounded across the room, drawing their attention.

“Ah! I see you’ve all awoken. Well, mostly…” The dark figure snickered. His shoes clicked on the tiled floor as he walked closer and slowly emerged from the shadows.

A gangly pale man, slightly less than average height, thinning hair, and a white lab coat approached the podium. He stopped just shy of the base of the short staircase leading up to where the turtles were being held on display.

“I am Dr. Cobble. I am sure you are familiar with my close associate, Mr. Bishop?”

Leo, Mikey and Donnie all groaned.

“Him again? Doesn’t he ever give up?” Mikey bemoaned dramatically.

The doctor cleared his throat. “Yes, well, he was kind enough to supply us with this wonderful titanium steel adjustable medical grade holding platform. See how nicely they’re working? We can plug you full of needles and you can’t move an inch.” His giddy rambling shifted into an evil sneer that had Leo glaring daggers at him.

“In exchange, I am to provide Bishop with plenty of samples… of you four mutants. After all his trouble, I’m surprised by how easy it was to capture you!” He openly laughed at them as the brothers glared at him with trepidation.

“Now-“ Not allowing anyone time to respond, the doctor loudly clapped his hands again. This time the rattling of a dingy supply cart squeaked as it pulled up next to Dr. Cobble, pushed by another person in a lab coat. “Today, we are starting out with plenty of blood samples while you four get settled. In the meantime, I’ll have my assistant here patch up any open wounds. Wouldn’t want any festering to poison our precious samples after all!” He said in a sing-song voice and strolled away to another part of the room.

“….I really don’t like him.” Mikey groaned.

“Don’t worry Mikey, we’ll find a way out of here soon!” Donnie comforted him. Raph was still worryingly quiet from his head injury.

Leo had his eyes trained on the lab assistant gathering up a tray of what appeared to be bandages and antiseptic and carried it up the stairs, approaching Leo first.

Leo bared his teeth at him and glared with sharp eyes, a warning not to try anything funny.

The intern just looked at him with tired eyes and huffed, clearly unbothered as he instead passed Leo by and walked down to start with Mikey instead.

“Woah, hey- careful with that! Ow!” Mikey loudly protested. Leo and Donnie worriedly leaned forward as best they could to watch the assistant clumsily and not-so-gently rub an ointment from his coat pocket thoroughly into the large bump on Mikey’s head and slap a large square bandage over it. Luckily their brother’s injury was not severe enough to break the skin.

Mikey whined irritably as the bored lab assistant moved on to the seemingly unconscious Raph. He gathered some antiseptic on a piece of gauze and reached his hand up to wipe away the blood trailing down Raphael’s face. When suddenly, quick as lightening, Raph’s eyes flashed open and he lunged forward as far as he could, snarling and snapping at the assistant causing him to startle and stumble backwards out of range. He dropped his tray with a loud clatter and lost his balance, tumbling off the edge of the podium with a loud gasp. He hit the tiled floor with a thud followed by a long groan. Several of the other scientists in the room rushed to his side to check if he was okay.

Raph chuckled darkly. Despite the bleeding head wound he still had some bite left in him.

Leo looked over and gave his hot headed brother an amused smirk. Mikey was chuckling and Donnie sighed in relief, deflating a bit in his restraints.

“What happened??”

Dr. Cobble strut back to the front of the room, looking frustrated. Two other scientists rushed up to him and spoke to him quickly, while the group gathered at the base of the podium dispersed when two scientists carried away the injured assistant off to another room.

“I leave you idiots alone for TWO MINUTES and you’re losing control of the test subjects. It seems like you all need a little reminder as to what to do when that happens.” Dr. Cobble stepped forward and pulled what appeared to be a remote out from his pocket. He turned a dial and flipped a switch, and in seconds Leo and his brothers were alight as electricity surged through their bodies from the restraints on their wrists.

Dr. Cobble laughed shortly as he watched them struggle, before eventually flipping off the switch.

The turtles were left panting as they tried to catch their breath.

“See? Easy as pie. Any time they act up, just use a remote! That’s what we had them updated for, to include the new additions!“ He shoved the remote back into his pocket and regarded his team. “Now, who would like to volunteer to finish cleaning up these *animals*?”

No one spoke up or stepped forward. There was a hush over the room as the few left standing around shifted uncomfortably. Clearly less than enthusiastic about approaching the red one again.

“Really? No one?!” The doctor's expression pulled into a sneer as he clearly became angry.

After a brief pause, a small reached up from the back of the room.

Someone had volunteered.

Dr. Cobble's expression morphed into one of twisted amusement as he straightened.

“Ah… my dear (y/n)… Have you decided to make yourself useful today?”

There was another pause and the small frame concealed in shadows shifted uncomfortably. They weren’t wearing a lab coat, Leo observed.

The doctor appeared to grow agitated at the lack of response and curled his hand into a fist.

“Come. Here.” He jabbed at the space in front of him as he ordered.

There was a quiet gasp from the small form, followed by the padding of bare feet across the tile as they approached the doctor.

The room was still. Leo’s breath caught in his throat as the form of a frail young woman in a white papery hospital gown and a ratty gray cardigan, crossed into the light and stopped timidly in front of Dr. Cobble, her eyes downcast. She appeared to be close to Leo and his brothers in age.

“There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” The doctor cooed in mock comfort. But it didn’t last long. He frowned at her with cold eyes and thrust a finger in the direction of the abandoned supply cart.

“Take some bandages and disinfectant up to the mutants and treat their head wounds. And be quick about it.” He followed with another loud clap that made her jolt, before she quickly nodded in confirmation and scurried over to grab what she needed from the cart. The rest of the laboratory personnel easily returned to their duties, no longer paying attention.

Leo looked over at Donnie and caught his brother watching the small figure with the same puzzled stare as he was. The purple turtle caught his eyes and they shared a questioning look before turning their attention back to the girl. She piled up a tray with gauze, bandages, and another bottle of antiseptic, before carefully ascending the stairs towards them.

She locked eyes with Leo first, and tried to offer him a small shy smile as she stopped in front of him. Her hair appeared to be unkept and overgrown, and noticed a strange metal collar fixed around her neck that caught the light as she moved. The skin peeking out underneath looked red and chapped.

“Hi…! Um… I’m (y/n)… what’s your name?” She quietly asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasted no time crouching down to place the tray at his feet, carefully extracting some disinfectant onto a piece of gauze as she glanced up at him intermittently to show she was listening expectantly.

“Uh…” He glanced around first to check that Dr. Cobble had left. “Leo… my name is Leo.” He offered, feeling his brow ridges crease in confusion.

The girl straightened up and faced him again, poised with the gauze in hand.

“Leo!” Her expression seemed to brighten marginally. “Can I touch you with this? I need to disinfect your cut before I put a bandage over it. I-If that’s okay.”

Leo was honestly a little taken aback by the request. “S-sure, do what you need to.”

He watched her nod at his consent before slowly reaching up in his line of sight, so he could watch what she was doing, and gently dabbing the damp gauze at the tender spot on his head. He flinched and hissed a little at the sting, making the girl pull her hand away and locking eyes with him.

“I’m sorry, I know it hurts a little. Can I keep going? I promise I’ll be careful.” Her eyes carefully searched his, her brows knit with concern and a hint of uncertainty.

Leo hesitated at such careful treatment. It almost felt like a trick. What did she have to gain from this? Who was she?

With no other current options, he sighed and pulled a half-smile. “Go ahead.”

She searched his eyes for a moment longer before returning to her task. Diligently swiping away the dried blood on his temple before stooping down and returning with a thick bandage.

“I’ll just apply this bandage and… there! We’re done. Thank you Leo.” She flashed him a small grin before pulling the tray over to work on his brother.

Leo blinked as he processed the interaction, lightly baffled. Then Donnie’s stuttering caught his attention.

“Y-y-y-yes! That would be fine, Miss (y/n). Please proceed.” He looked anxious as he watched her bend down to handle the supplies. She must be giving him the same treatment.

“Luckily, it looks like you aren’t bleeding anywhere… so I’ll just need to apply a little bit of this salve before covering your bruise with a bandage.” She held up the tin and let Donnie thoroughly look over the packaging, patiently making sure to flip it over so he could read through the ingredients and instructions. Once he seemed satisfied that the salve would be safe to use on his skin, Donnie gave (y/n) a grateful nod of approval. She then opened it in front of him and swiped out a little glob of the ointment, lifting her hand up slightly to his face after Donnie leaned down to try and smell it.

“It might hurt a little when I apply it… is that okay?”

Donnie met her eye contact and shyly smiled. “Yes, go ahead.”

And in the same manner she did with Leo, she gently dabbed on the ointment, doing her best not to prod at the swelling lump. Donnie made no noise of complaint. Then she reached down and retrieved a bandage.

“Okay, last step. Almost finished...” She looked very focused as she flattened the bandage into the right spot on his head. “All done! Thank you Donnie.” She pulled her hands away and looked at him kindly, before collecting her tray and moving over towards Raph.

This left Donnie with a similar look of bewilderment that Leo had from the exchange. He seemed a little lost in thought as his gaze drifted over to meet Leo’s, to which Leo raised an eyebrow at him, quietly asking the same question he was thinking.

“Oh no. Get that shit away from me.” Their attention was drawn over to Raph’s venom.

“I-I’m sorry! I won’t do anything you don’t want me to! I- my name is (y/n)…”

“And why should I care? I don’t want no scientist’s lackey touchin me. Now get lost.” Raph bit out angrily before settling again, his head hanging forward a bit limply as he relaxed. The girl looked downcast and seemed a bit lost, but fixed her hands together in front of her and made no move to touch her supplies or Raph.

“Don’t mind him, he’s always grouchy. Nice to meet you (y/n)! I’m Mikey.” The final brother piped up and pulled her attention. She looked over at him surprised, but quickly changed into a light smile.

“Nice to meet you too, Mikey. Is your head okay?” She asked him a little less quietly, seemingly emboldened by his outgoingness.

“Oh this? Yeah, this is nothin! You should see the other guy-“ Mikey spoke as animatedly as he could while fixed in place, his head moving around while he spoke. She giggled a little bit.

“Say, you don’t look like a scientist. Do you work here or somethin?” Leo and Donnie immediately perked up at the question, Mikey hitting the nail on the head.

“Ah- I-!” She stammered, looking nervous.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING???” A booming voice burst through the room.

All the boy’s eyes shot up to the sound of Dr. Cobble angrily striding back over to the podium. (Y/n)’s whole body was wracked with a violent tremble as she suddenly shrunk in on herself. Leo and Donnie couldn’t see her expression from their angle, but from Mikey’s eyes flashing between her and the angry doctor, his expression faded from deeply concerned to mad. Raph lifted his head up to regard the doctor with glaring annoyance.

“You should have long been finished tending to these freaks. And now I’ve caught you conversing with them?? I DID NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO SPEAK!! Now…” The mad doctor’s eyes drifted over to Raph, and with wide eyes looked him over. “Oh…! Oh ho ho…!! And it appears you still haven’t finished your job!!”

He took a step closer to the stairs, his head tilted in question and his wild eyes bore into (y/n)‘s trembling form. The girl hiccuped and shuddered as she tried her hardest to muffle her erratic breathing. She did not dare move.

Dr. Cobble reached into his lab coat pocket and pulled out the remote again, not breaking his stare. (Y/n) flinched with her whole body at the appearance of the remote, but remained quiet. The boys all narrowed their eyes at the doctor in challenge, ready to feel the jolt hit.

The doctor’s face stretched into a grin, and with the remote’s setting turned up high, he flicked a switch.

But it wasn’t the same switch.

“AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

To all of the turtle’s shock, the electricity didn’t hit them. (Y/n) shrieked at the top of her lungs as her whole body tensed from the powerful volt that erupted from the collar around her neck. The poor girl dropped to her knees and hugged herself tightly as she spasmed, unable to escape the waves and waves of painful electricity that wracked her body.

“Hey… HEY!!! STOP THAT!! THAT'S ENOUGH!!!” To everyone’s surprise, it was Raph who started yelling.

“QUIT IT, SHE DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG!!” Mikey joined in, furious.

Dr. Cobble only laughed as he watched the show. After what felt like far too long, he toned down the dial and shut her switch off. (Y/n) fell limp into a slouch on the floor. The smell of burnt flesh and iron reaching their noses. Their only sign she was still conscious was her shuddering breaths.

“Was it not you who volunteered for this job? You disappoint me, (y/n)! I let you roam around the lab today! Gave you a responsibility! And you not only neglect your duty, but I catch you speaking behind my back!”

The doctor paced back and forth at the bases of the stairs like a predator, easily ignoring the murderous glowers from the turtles as he kept his attention trained on the young girl.

“I’ll give you another chance to prove yourself…” Dr. Cobble’s voice softens in mock empathy. “Finish up your job, quickly and silently, and your testing today will be minimal. Am I understood?” His tone was cold and final. (Y/n) nodded quietly from her spot on the floor.

“Good. Now hop to it.” And with another loud clap, (y/n) startled into action.

She grabbed the gauze and spilled some disinfectant onto it, and leapt to her feet. Dr. Cobble stayed put, his eyes boring into her back as he watched her do her job. But still she paused. She sniffed wetly, biting her lips into a line as she hesitated in front of Raph. Her hand poised and trembling in front of his face but not moving to clean his wound.

“…hey. Hey hey hey, it’s okay. You can do it, okay?? I give you my permission, or- whatever. Just do it!” Raph scrambled to encourage her, realizing that what she was waiting for was his consent. He looked her up and down with palpable concern, actually seeing her now.

She reached up, and still with trembling hands, cleaned the gash oh so gently until it was cleared of blood. Then quickly retrieved the bandage and carefully smoothed it over the tender bruised spot on his head.

When she was finished, she picked up the tray, and almost stumbling from her shaking, rushed down the stairs past the overbearing watch of the doctor. She placed the tray on the cart, and joined by two men that appeared to be armed guards, was quickly escorted out of the wide echoing laboratory down a hallway that led out of sight.

The brothers were stunned in silence as they watched her go, flinching slightly as the sound of a heavy metal door slamming shut broke the spell.

“Well! I think we all learned a very valuable lesson today.” Dr. Cobble started cheerily, seemingly relaxed from his crazed state. He turned to the four turtles, regarding them strung up and half bled dry on their steel crosses, and sneering smugly.

“Do not disappoint me.”

To be continued.

[pretending-ican-write]

Cowboy Up - Pt.9

This all of S1E2. Enjoy! I'll see y'all in a couple of weeks for the next part. Lemme know if you wanna be added to the tag list!

Pairing: Ryan (Yellowstone) x Dutton!reader

Previous part - Next part

---

A few days had passed since Lee’s funeral and life on the Yellowstone was starting to return to normal.  Y/n was next to Rip against the fence of the round pen watching as Kayce’s horse put John into the sand.

“That is some gift,” the foreman commented.

She watched uncomfortably as the stallion careened around the pen and into the gate before successfully unseating John again.

“That’s one rank son of a bitch right there.  You ought to take him chest high in the river see how much buck he’s got then,” Rip suggested.

John shook his head, “this is a job for a young man with rubber bones.  That horse will make a hand out of someone.”

“Don’t recall him exploding on Kayce like that,” she commented pointedly when she pushed off the fence to collect Jimmy for his unfortunate job.

All the hands had gathered around the round pen to watch the scene that was about to unfold.  On either side of y/n were Ryan and Colby who did not share her concern for Jimmy as he was duct taped to the saddle.  In her head she was already planning on how to tell her brother what was going on with his ‘gift’.

“20 on the horse,” Ryan bet.

Colby added his own bet, “I got 40 on the wall.”

Y/n rolled her eyes at them and punched them both in the arm.  She caught the roll of tape that John threw their way and ran it through her hands nervously.

“I’d expect some resistance,” Ryan commented sarcastically, causing his girlfriend to groan.

Jimmy looked over at them, “define resistance.”

A level of unease settled in the pit of y/n’s stomach as she watched as the stallion twisted himself in knots in an attempt to unseat Jimmy.  Ryan placed a hand at the small of her back, rubbing to comfort her.  She smiled gratefully at him before pulling out a cigarette to light.

“I do not miss being low man,” he joked as the horse continued to throw shapes.

John looked over at them, “low man’s what turns you into cowboys, it’ll make him one too.”

“I don’t recall you ever getting strapped to a horse tryna kill you when you was low man Ry,” y/n teased.

Colby gave her shoulder a shove, “you wouldn’t have noticed if he was ‘cause you’d have been too busy staring at his ass.”

“Shut the fuck up Colby.  Dad is right there he’ll hear you,” she hissed.

After a short while, the rest of the hands returned to their jobs around the barn, leaving just John and Rip against the round pen fence.  Y/n rode out past the corral with Lloyd to check on the herd, a horrible feeling in her gut about how it might end.

-/-/-

An hour or so later, y/n had returned from checking cattle to see that Jimmy was still strapped to the stallion.  At least it seemed to be coming to an end as he was no longer broncing the whole way round and just cantering.  After putting Comanche away, she returned to the round pen to join Ryan and Colby on the fence.  Ryan adjusted himself so that his arm was behind her back which she leant into.

“Well you’re almost a winner,” Colby said, looking at how the horse was starting to flag.

Ryan watched on, “day ain’t over yet.”

Y/n looked over to where Jamie had joined her father and Rip by the fence.  He was clearly in ‘lawyer mode’ and watched as they exchanged words before heading to the barn to continue their conversation.

“You gonna see what that’s about?” Her boyfriend asked.

She shook her head, “I’m not getting involved in any of that stuff.”

The boys left her alone on the fence where she watched Jimmy carefully, waiting for the horse to finally stop out of exhaustion.

Eventually, after what seemed like far too long for y/n, and several cigarettes later, the stallion finally came to a halt in the centre of the round pen.  She rushed off the fence to help Rip undo the tape around the stirrups and caught Jimmy when he collapsed off the horse.  

“You good?” She asked when they reached the side of the round pen.

Jimmy coughed, “I think I might be dead.”

“Welcome to cowboying,” y/n joked, “this whole fucking thing was uncalled for though.  Poor horse never gave Kayce any problems on the rez.”

He looked at her confused, “Kayce?”

“My twin brother, the most outcast Dutton.  He lives on the reservation with his wife and my nephew. Apparently the horse is some sort of gift but I can’t see how,” she explained.

She followed Jimmy back towards the barn, opting to take out the colt she’d been working with to see how he was coping with everything.  The familiar routine of grooming and tacking the horse up helped soothe the anger under her skin.

When she passed John still stood at the round pen she spoke, “I’m taking this one out.  Might miss dinner, don’t wait up for me.”

Y/n didn’t wait for her dad to respond, instead mounting up and taking off towards the mountains.

-/-/-

A few hours later, y/n had found a spot by the creek to sit and watch the sunset.  The colt had responded well to the work she’d been doing with him and was currently grazing close to her.  As she sat facing the mountains, listening to the creek and noises from the forest, y/n thought through the chaos of the last few weeks.  She felt exhaustion deep in her bones, the loss of Lee sinking in.

Her thoughts were disrupted by the sound of a horse picking its way through the grass to her spot by the water.  She looked around to see Ryan dismounting, leaving his horse to graze by the colt.  They didn’t exchange any words as he sat down beside her, they’d spent long enough together that he didn’t need to ask how she was to know all that was going through her mind.  Ryan slipped off his jacket and put it round her shoulder.  Y/n slipped her arms into it, reveling in the warmth and smell of his cologne wrapping around her.

“Seems you’ve worked your magic on him,” he said after a little while.

She nodded, “told you he just needed to work out how to trust himself.  He’ll make a good ranch horse in a few years.”

“You eaten anything since breakfast?” Ryan asked, knowing she would be avoiding the main house.

Y/n shook her head, “told dad not to wait up for me.”

He stood up, brushed the grass off his jeans and held his hand out to her expectantly.  She raised her eyebrows at him curiously but took his hand anyway, allowing herself to be pulled up.  They made their way to where the horses were quietly minding their own business and mounted up.

“Race you back to the barn?” Ryan challenged.

Y/n smiled, “you’re on.  I’ll warn you though, this boy has got some speed in them.”

Without waiting for a countdown, she clicked the colt forward into a lope and Ryan laughed, taking off after her.

-/-/-

After having dinner in the bunkhouse, y/n was sat at the table with Lloyd playing solitaire.

“Your father not gonna question why you’re having dinner and spending your evenings with us not up at the house?” He asked.

Y/n looked up from her cards, “it was part of the deal when I moved back in that he doesn’t get to question where I spend my time.  This is where my friends are.  Besides, the less time I’m in the same room as my sister the better for everyone concerned.”

She was distracted from their conversation by Ryan exiting the bathroom with his towel around his waist.

“You ain’t exactly subtle there darling,” Lloyd teased her, “everyone gonna know if you keep ogling him like that.

Y/n laughed, “after 8 years being subtle about my ogling I think I’m entitled to stare at my boyfriend if I want to.”

Their game of solitaire was disrupted by Fred pulling Jimmy off his bunk and pulled his shirt down to reveal the still healing ‘Y’ on his chest.  She made to interrupt the exchange but Lloyd gently pushed her back into the chair to deal with it.  Ryan headed over to her, dropping into Lloyd’s empty chair and draping an arm over the back of her chair.

“I’m not a fan of you being here while Fred’s around,” he voiced, “guy’s an asshole.”

She smiled at him, “sounds very overprotective of you Ry.”

“Waited years to voice it out loud sweetheart, can’t blame me for it,” Ryan pointed out.

They sat in quiet for a little while, Ryan pointing out where a card could go every so often but otherwise just enjoying being in each other’s company.  When she’d finished her game, y/n gathered her stuff and bid goodbye to the hands to return to the house for the night.  Ryan grabbed his jacket to walk her back.

“I didn’t ask before but I’m gonna now,” he started, “are you okay?”

She took a deep breath, “no.  I don’t know what I’m feeling but it certainly isn’t okay.  It feels like everyone else has moved on from him dying already.  They’re all so focused on burning the world down that it feels like they never actually stopped to mourn, y’know?  For 8 years it felt like he was my only ally in that godforsaken house and now he’s just… gone.  And I never got to say goodbye or tell him how much he meant to me.  Now I never get to have a conversation with my big brother again.”

“Oh sweetheart,” he hugged her tightly when they stopped in front of the house, “that’s a lot going on in that head of yours.”

They parted ways and Ryan watched her close the door behind her before he headed back to the bunkhouse.  Y/n headed through the house to her room, stopping in the living room when she saw the fire was still going on and John was sat with a glass of whiskey.

“Everything okay dad?  I told you not to wait up for me.”

John looked over at his youngest daughter, “not exactly.  It looks like we’re gonna have to cremate Lee.

“Just one question, do the ends justify the means?” She asked.

He sighed at her loaded question, “it’s to protect Kayce.”

“Whatever it takes to protect him,” y/n responded, “I don’t want to know anymore that could incriminate her.  Lee would understand why especially after all these years.  It’s about time you protected Kayce too.  Goodnight dad.”

---

Tag list: @child-of-of-the-sunshine @kendallroydefender

[its-a-ittle-bit-cold]

I traveled fifteen hundred miles to meet you

Maverick x daughter!reader

series masterlist

my masterlist

summary: you begin training and quickly make a name for yourself

a/n: soooo I decided to get rid of the hangman romance that I was gonna put in, and kind of wrote over the scenes as hangman x phoenix (sorry) I didn’t wanna get rid of a whole section ..

ps : sorry for the wait :’( i’ve been swamped with life stuff

warnings: PTSD, child abuse (mother- daughter), feeling unwanted, violence ? canon typical mostly, death, loss of a loved friend

The drill is simple in theory. 

Shoot down Maverick, you win.

But, like your unfortunate lack of skill playing eight ball, the execution is getting there. The first team to go in is too cocky.

He gets them, easy.

Hangman and Phoenix give him a run for his money, but not by much. You’re up next, with Hangman as your wing man. 

Strapping into your jet feels almost surreal. It’s an awesome feeling to be back.

It’s not until you’re in the air that the flashbacks start. 

You and Hangman take off, having decided pre-exercise that you were going to try to divide and conquer: one of you as bait, the other lying in wait for Maverick to take it. You, as the pilot with the best evasive skills and maneuvers, drew the short stick as the bait in the experiment. 

you know that Hangman is notorious for leaving his wingmen behind, so you’re going to be looking for chances to give him a little of his own medicine.

“Ready, team?”

You’ve become more comfortable with the notion that Maverick is your dad. 

It hit you, while you were  lying awake last night, that maybe you should be mad that he left. Your mom always had been angry at him, but could you really blame him for leaving the crazy woman who gave birth to you?

the answer is no, because you did the same. 

“Ready when you are cap’n.” You flick on the proper controls and Hangman gives you a Shaka sign, signaling his okay. 

And then you’re off. 

The rush is exhilarating. It’s not until you can hear Maverick behind you and Hangman warning you that he’s on your tail and you need to shake him that the flashbacks start. 

You grunt, forcing your jet up and over in a backwards barrel roll to escape Maverick’s targeting system. You begin a classic evasive maneuver, the realize he’s not even on your tail anymore. 

“Majesty! he’s on me!”

“Shake him, then!”

But you follow your radar to where Hangman’s getting chased in a high speed game of tag, and readying your targeting system. 

“Majesty, where are you?” Hangman shouts into the comm. You hear the familiar beeping.

He’s done.

You’re on your own.

Majesty! Keep moving! there’s still a mission to complete! 

the rough voice of your former commander rings in your ears as you pull up in a steep climb, about to try a new maneuver. 

(Y/n). I’m sorry. Duchess’s vitals aren’t looking good.

You metaphorically slam the breaks in your plane (which you can’t do because there are none) and let yourself free fall. It’s a special trick that you and Tae always practiced. 

“What the fuck kind of maneuver was that?” 

Maverick’s rough voice breaks the comms. You click your targeting system on and hit him. The beep over the comm would be music in your ears if you weren’t stuck in the past. 

“Wake up! Y/n, we need to go fly before training starts!” Tae, your best friend and wingman (wingwoman?) has always been an early morning productivity person. You always joke about her absolute inability to sleep in, even when you’ve stayed up till three the night before engineering new tricks and stunts to try the next morning. “I have an idea!”

“Uh oh,” you say through a yawn, already tossing on your uniform and tying your hair back. Tae rolls her eyes, then practically sprints out of your dorm room, you got on her heels.

she collected me, up off the ground where you abandoned things 

“That was some damn good flying out there,” Hangman tells you. He’s bought you your first mocktail of the night - a fancy-looking ombré concoction that Penny’s cooked up for you. “If only I’d been alive to see it.”

“Don’t you worry,” Phoenix butts in. “We all saw it, and we also all saw her hang you out to dry!” her tone is just a little too gleeful. “Now that’s something to toast to!”

“You wound me, Trace.”

You toast with Phoenix, then excuse yourself from the pilot’s table, seeking some fresh air. You’d snapped out of your flashback, but Tae’s laugh still rings in your ears. You make your way out to the deck and lean on the railing overlooking the beach and the ocean.

“You’re one helluva pilot.”

You rub your nose with your forearm. 

“That’s what I keep hearing.” You close your eyes, wondering if you should confide in him or not. Probably not. He’s your instructor, not your dad. 

I mean, he’s also your dad.

“whatcha drinking?” You steal a glance at your drink, which has faded to a dull pinkish orange. Maverick’s holding a bottle. 

“Some kind of mocktail Penny came up with.” you take a sip of it. “I don’t drink,” you add after a moment. 

“Well, you’re better than all of us, then.”

You grin and shake your head. Looking out over the water, it’s easy to forget why you’re here and be transported back to the past.

“Now that,” Tae begins, setting down her gin and tonic on the table and admiring the multicolored mocktail Penny concocted. “That is what I call a mocktail.”

You take a swig.

“See, Duchess, Apollo was wrong. Mocktails can be fun!”

“I never said they weren’t!”

This is the last night you have at top gun, and, appropriately, you’re a spending it at the Hard Deck, which is a newer bar that just opened. You’ve made fast friends with the owner and her daughter - Amelia.

You glance outside and gasp, standing up. 

“Come on! look at the sunset!” 

You rush out to the front deck, wide eyed and giddy at the pure beauty of the sunset. Tae trails behind, watching you watch the colors paint the evening sky. 

“Can you believe it’s over?” You ask her. “No more coming to the Hard Deck, no more Apollo or Clipper, and pretty soon we’ll be deployed on the other side of the world.”

Tae sighs. 

“You know what I think? I think this experience will stay with us forever. I’ll always remember the pranks we pulled on the guys and the late night beach walks. It’s like graduating high school. or the academy. This chapter of life is over, and we need to move on.”

You give her a wry smile. 

“You know, you may be a dumbass ninety five percent of the time, but you do give some damn good advice.”

“Want another?”

you nod.

“You’re a damn good pilot. You’re top of the class for a reason. Don’t you ever forget that.”

you meet her eyes.

“Duchess-“

“Hey. You with me?”

Maverick snaps his fingers in your face, trying to snap you out of your daze. you shake out your neck.

“Yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?”

“I was telling you I’ve never seen a plunge like that executed correctly, and then you zoned out on me.”

You focus your gaze on a spot on the horizon.

“Yeah, uh, I was just remembering.. something.”

He looks at you, doing a once-over, face skeptical. He almost looks.. concerned? Again, you wonder, if you were in another life, would he be worried for you, his daughter, instead of you, his pilot. 

“Anything you wanna talk about?”

Yes. You’ll understand. You’re probably the only one here who would. 

You smile sadly.

“Goodnight, Captain.”

he filled the holes that you burned in me at six years old 

The next morning, Maverick sends you all an email to wear “beach clothes you can run around in”, so you, Phoenix and Halo all put on your shorts and sports bras, and Halo puts on a t-shirt. The email also ordered you to meet in front of the Hard Deck, so that’s what you do.

You leave significantly earlier than the rest of the group specifically to see Amelia, who you still haven’t seen since coming back to the base. You tap your knuckles on the doorframe, drawing her attention. She looks at you, looks again, gasps and sprints towards you in some kind of flying tackle- hug. 

“Hey!” You exclaim, squeezing her tight and spinning her around in a circle. “You got big!”

Amelia giggles into you. 

“Mom told me you were back. I almost didn’t believe her.”

“Well, I couldn’t just never see my favorite tea party partner again, now could I?”

Amelia pulls away, observing you. Her eyes brighten as she remembers your tea parties from when you were in Top Gun.

“I’d forgotten about those! And Tae would bring those little cucumber sandwiches!” 

Her face falls in a frown.

It’s like a sneak attack, having someone mention her in passing. You’d been up almost the whole night before trying to calm the memories that have been resurfacing since your return to Miramar.

“I miss her.”

Sometimes you forget that Tae was almost as close to Penny and Amelia as you were. She would always come with you to watch Amelia and hang with Amelia and Penny on the slow nights. 

“Me, too.”

“Well, look who the cat dragged in.” Penny comes over to you from the storeroom and hugs you. She then holds you at arms’ length and looks you up and down. “Now, I know you’re busy, but tomorrow isSaturday, and I’d love for you to come for dinner like we used to.” 

The unspoken with Tae beats down on you. You glance out of the window to see the rest of the squad gathered there in varying forms of swimwear. Most of the guys are wearing obnoxiously printed swim shorts, obviously wearing no shirts. 

“That sounds… great. I’ll be by. Text me, okay? I have to go.” You give Amelia another squeeze and beeline out of the bar, joining the group of your fellow pilots. 

Maverick’s the last to get here, wearing a white shirt and a pair of jeans, holding two footballs.

He introduces the game: dogfight football, offense and defense at the same time. It doesn’t really sound like there are very many rules in the game, only that you get touchdowns occasionally. 

He also divides the teams. You and Phoenix are together, Bradley too. 

And then you’re starting and you have actually no idea what you’re supposed to be doing; you never were adept at playing football. 

You’ve been paired up with Hangman, who must be going easy on you, because you get past him every time, even scoring a touchdown once. About half and hour in, he strikes a deal with Phoenix.

“Okay, Trace. Here’s the deal,” he says between plays. “The next touchdown, if it’s your team, I’ll buy a round for everyone the next time we all go out.”

“okay,” Phoenix glance at your team. You’re all looking pretty skeptical, as you should. “What’s the catch?”

“I my team gets the next touchdown…” he drags out. He leans in and whispers in her ear. Her face breaks into a cautious smile.

“Deal, Bagman, but I’m just warning you, that’s an awful deal on your part.”

He shrugs, flashing you a perfect smile. 

The next touchdown goes to Halo, who’s on Hangman’s team, and everyone turns expectantly to him, wondering what the bet was. He walks up to Phoenix, dips her and presses his lips to hers.

You let out a wolf whistle. She breaks the kiss and flips you off before pulling Hangman in for another one.

Coyote’s making a point of covering Bob’s eyes. Rooster has a hand over his mouth, pretending to retch and you jog over to him, patting him on the back, face splitting in a smile.

Penny shares a look with Maverick as they watch the two young people kiss. She’s smiling, and that makes him smile. 

“What do you think of her, now that you’ve flown with her?”

She nods at the pilot in question. 

There’s so much he can say about her: smart, confident, thoughtful. Reckless and sassy and a little bit too stubborn. She’s talented, anyone can see that, maybe even the best on the squad, but she’s holding back.

She’s hesitant to fly with anyone but herself, even leaving her comrades out in the open in favor of shooting down the enemy, which is surprising, considering her most recent deployment.

Her deployment. He finally got around to looking into that, the incident that sent her into leave for more than half of the last year. 

The report had been brief: routine patrol, they had gone to investigate a distress signal, not enough ammo or fuel. Someone detonated a missile too close. Duchess went down. Majesty took down three bandits in the span of five minutes before her aircraft was too damaged to continue flying.

There had been no saving duchess. she was waterlogged and impaled with a scrap of metal before Majesty was even there to save her. 

Very, very traumatic. 

It reminds him of Goose.

he’s surprised she’s even willing to fly at all after that.

“In all seriousness?” Maverick looks out over the game. She’s awful at football. Can’t throw a spiral. “She’s a good kid. Even better pilot. She’s been the closest to finishing the course out of all of them.”

She glances over at the two of them, waving to penny before jumping for the ball. 

“She reminds me of you,” Penny tells him. “You’re more similar than either of you know.”

Admiral Kazansky, AKA Iceman has been a mentor to you since the beginning. He’d taken a liking to you and your reckless flying when you’d first joined the Naval academy. Said you reminded him of a friend of his. You’d always thought he meant his wingman, and he had, but more recently, you’d realized that his wingman was the one and only Maverick, AKA Pete Mitchell, AKA your dad. 

You knock on the door and his wife lets you in. Her eyes are red and puffy.

“Sarah…” you say, hugging her. “It’s back?”

she shakes her head. 

“we don’t know. he can’t even talk without the pain coming back.”

You squeeze your eyes shut. 

“Maybe I shouldn’t-“

“He’s in his office,” she tells you gently. “You know he always wants to see you.”

You purse your lips, smiling tightly. 

“Thanks, Sarah.”

You ease the door to Ice’s office open, He turns to face you. He’s paler, gaunter, and wearing an overcoat and a scarf. you know enough to know he’s not doing well.

“Hey, Ice.” 

He points at the seat across from him.

Right. He can’t talk.

“I had to see you.” You sit down and reach into your purse. “Kevin sent me this.”

You pull out the wrinkled, folded photograph and hold it out to him. His shaky hands pull it taut as he squints at it. You hold your breath, waiting for some kind of surprise to show on his face. Something, anything. 

“Did you know? Is that why you kept me around?”

Your voice shakes uncontrollably. Like most things recently, you want to be angry, but you just don’t have the strength or conviction anymore. You just want to know.

Ice hands you the photo back and types on the computer. 

Yes.

No.

your breath catches. 

“How long?”

Since we met.

You sigh shakily. 

“Why? why didn’t you tell me?”

Ice stares at you. 

You stare back. 

“How long did the doctor say you have?”

Weeks. 

You gnaw at your lip. 

“I don’t want to lose you, too.”

You’re not going to.

You shake your head, wiping under your eyes, trying to stop the tears from falling. 

Losing Ice hurts. He’d always been there for you when you needed to talk. Even now, when he can’t use his voice. 

He clears his throat.

“Tell… him.” His voice is raspy and wet. It grates on your ears like it must on his throat.

you nod vigorously. 

“I will. I just… I want him to like me, you know? before he feels obligated to, I mean.” you stare at the picture of the two of them on Ice’s desk. “I don’t even know if he’d be happy to know.”

He will.

there’s a soft knock on the doorframe. It’s Maverick. Of course it is.

You grip Ice’s hand.

“Looks like your next appointment is here.” Your laugh is wet. “Bye, Ice.”

You nod to your father as you leave. his brow is furrowed in confusion, but he nods back.

Penny and Amelia’s house is one thing in North Island that’s always stayed the same. the smell of candles burning constantly, amelia’s artwork hanging on the walls, (which, admittedly, has gotten a lot better over the last few years) and the little bits of clutter scattered around the house. 

You’ve dressed up a bit, put on some makeup and washed all the gel out of your hair for the occasion. when you get there, Amelia drags you to her room almost before you can say hello to penny. 

“Okay. Where’s the fire?” You tease, once the door is shut and you’re sitting on Amelia’s bed. She’s giddy in anticipation to tell you her news. 

“I have tea,” she whispers conspiratorially. You lean in.

“Lay it all out for me.”

“Mom had Mav over last night.” her tone is smug. She’s obviously very happy to be able to tell you this news. “He tried to sneak out but I caught him. And,” she looks around and lovers her voice even more. “He’s coming over for dinner tonight!”

“No!”

“yes!”

“That’s crazy.”

It’s crazy that you literally keep running into him. It’s not like you’re avoiding Maverick, per se, but you still don’t know how to break the news to him. 

Hey man, great lesson today. Oh, by the way, I’m the daughter you didn’t even know you had because my mom ran away when she found out she was pregnant. Yeah, I know it’s fucked up. If I was on good terms with her I would ask why, but she only calls me when she’s drunk. 

That’d go over well.

Amelia crosses her arms.

“That’s my tea. Now, tell me yours. Tell me about Top Gun.”

You look around her room. She repainted the walls a shade of yellow that you love. There are pictures hanging on the walls. One, a big one over her desk, is your favorite picture: a selfie you took of you, Amelia and Tae when you took her to Malibu to learn to surf.

“I love that picture,” you admit. Amelia nods, getting up to remove it from the wall. “Top Gun’s… not the same without her. Nothing is.”

Amelia’s always been wise for her age.

“I see her everywhere. I mean, I know I don’t, but I do.”

You smile tightly.

Grief sure is strange. Even Amelia feels the loss of Tae heavily.

There’s a soft knock on the door.

“Girls! dinner!”

“What were you two talking about in there that was so important I couldn’t be part of the conversation?” Penny asks over the steak she’s prepared. 

“Oh… nothing…” you take a sip of water.

“Just how Y/n’s in looooooooove,” Amelia singsongs.

You shoot Amelia a dirty look.

“We were actually talking about how the two of you have been canoodling.”

Maverick stops, his fork hanging in midair. Penny’s expression is priceless. 

“Yeah, I mean why else would Mav be invited to Saturday dinner?” Amelia asks. You nod along with her sagely.

“This used to be a girls night,” you explain to him. “When Duchess and I were in Top Gun.”

“ah,” is all he says.

You pat your pocket, remembering the gift you had brought for Amelia and Penny.

“Actually, we were just talking about how Tae and I would take Amelia out on the weekends,” you tell Penny. “And I just remembered I brought this for you guys.”

You take the strip of photos from your pocket. It’s a photo booth strip from a long weekend taken to Disney. All four of you are smushed into the booth, wearing matching Minnie ears, leaning into each other and grinning.

“I have a copy, so you keep that.”

Penny admires it, sad smile forming on her lips. Amelia peeks over her shoulder, grinning. You avoid Tae’s eyes. They used to pierce you. The still do.

“I’d like to toast.” Penny raises her glass, setting the strip down. “To new beginnings.”

“to new beginnings,” you agree. 

You don’t get very far into dinner before your phone rings. You decline the call. five seconds later, it’s ringing again. 

Decline.

“Do you need to take that?” Mav asks (he’s gotten you to stop calling him sir, finally.) and you shake your head.

“It’s my mom. Hang on.”

Penny and you share a look. She raises an eyebrow. you shake your head.

Nothing to worry about. 

You’re suddenly very hot as you excuse yourself from the table. you’re not quite out of the kitchen when you pick it up. 

“Mom?”

“Y/n? Is this my disappointment of a daughter?”

you sigh into the phone, staying silent. Her jab sends tears welling up in your throat. Spending time with Amelia and Penny has always reminded you of the mother you could’ve had. 

“Where’s your deposit? Where’s the money you owe me for giving you life and a roof over your head?”

You hurry to ease the door shut. The deposit. Goddamn. She’s sober enough to remember it. Ever since you moved out, you’ve been wiring her deposits every month to make sure she keeps living. You’d hoped it was enough to send her to rehab, but she refused to go. 

“The deposit?” you say faintly, heart dropping. 

Her voice gets thin and screechy over the line. You can’t bring yourself to pull the phone away from your ear as she spits barbs at you. You cover your mouth to muffle the wet sobs escaping your throat. 

“You never wanted what’s best for your family! You left me for the Navy. You’ve never done anything right and that girl - Tae - died because of it.”

She’s never gone there before.

And you’ve never had anyone lay it out for you. 

“Mom. mom. mom, stop!” You gasp out. “Everything I’ve done if for you! The money, the house, I stayed. For you!”

You don’t hear the porch door swing open. 

“I didn’t owe you anything! I never did! I didn’t ask for you to have me!” 

Your mother begins to argue with that, that you forced her to have you. You cut her off with a gut wrenching cry.

“I JUST WANTED YOU TO LOVE ME!”

You tear the phone from your ear and slam your thumb on the red button. 

“Y/n.”

Penny. 

You drop your phone, defeated. Penny reaches out hesitantly and uses her fingers to wipe your cheeks. 

She’s hugging you and you’re crying before you can even know what’s happening. 

To new beginnings.

begged you to want me, but you didn’t want to.

“Rooster.”

he’s pissed, drinking his second bottle.

“Rooster.”

You sit down next to him. 

“What do you want?” he snarls. You gingerly put your hand on his shoulder. 

“Are you okay?”

He leans into your hand. You sigh. 

“Phoenix and Bob are gonna be okay. I went to see them before I came here. They’re not injured. Just shaken up.”

He slams his bottle on the table. You finch away.

“Did Maverick send you?”

“what? No.”

Surprisingly, it had been Hangman who told you that Rooster was sulking in the Hard Deck. He’d seemed worried about him, so you went to check up on him.

“He likes you, you know. Thinks you’re a good pilot.”

“I am a good pilot.” You nudge his shoulder. “But so are you. So are Phoenix and Payback and Coyote.”

“He pulled my papers, you know. So he must not think I’m that good.”

You hesitate. this has always been a sore subject for Rooster. Saying the wrong thing could result in making it worse- not better. 

“He flew with your dad, right?”

Rooster rubs his face and takes another swig from his bottle. 

“Yeah. But I’m not my dad. He thought I’d-“

“Maybe he was just scared, you know? Maybe he cared so much for you that he didn’t want to lose you.”

If he had known that you were his daughter, would he have pulled your papers, too? Or would he have wanted you to be like him, be a pilot in the Navy? 

“whose side are you on?” Rooster snaps. “You’re saying the same things I’ve heard my whole career. No one thinks the great Maverick could make a mistake, I guess.”

“that’s not what i’m saying, Bradley!” you take a deep breath. “Like it or not, he cares about you. You’re the closest thing to a -“

You cut yourself off, because, strictly, Rooster isn’t the closest thing he has to a child that he has. You gulp back the words. 

“Y/n? Are you okay?”

“Can I… tell you something? But you have to swear not to tell anyone else.”

“I won’t,” Rooster promises. You hold out your pinky, and he stares at it. You raise your eyebrows at him. he looks around, no doubt making sure there’s no one who would make fun of him for pinky swearing, and interlocks his pinky with yours. 

You reach into your pocket, retrieving the wrinkled, folded picture and hand it to him.

“That’s my mom,” you say, pointing to the woman. “and that…”

“That’s Maverick!” Rooster looks triumphant in his revelation. “So, what, Mav dated your mom?”

“No! Well, yeah, but that’s not what i was trying to tell you. Look at the date on the picture.”

Rooster squints and brings the paper closer to his eye.

“Wait. That’s..”

“twenty six years ago, and ten months after that was taken, I was born.” 

Rooster drops the picture, mouth falling open. He’s staring at your face, no doubt picking out features reminiscent of Mav’s. You shift uncomfortably.

“What. The. Fuck.”

“I know!”

“Does he know?”

You hesitate. He might. There’s been a lot on his plate, though, and your last name could be forgettable if they only dated a couple of months twenty some years ago. 

“No. I don’t think so.”

Roosters eyes widen.

“Wait so I can’t tell anyone?”

he groans when you nod.

“Y/nnnn you can’t just dump this on me and tell me I can’t tell anyone! That’s too much pressure!”

 You snap your fingers in his punting face.

“You listen to me, Bradley Bradshaw. If you tell a single person I will hunt you down and slice you into tiny pieces and then cook you and let Hangman feed you to his horses.”

You cackle at the pure, unadulterated fear in his eyes. “That’s right. I remembered your deathly fear of horses, bitch!”

He’s pale, but his face breaks into a smile.

“I’m glad you’re back to normal, Majesty. You had me scared there for a second.”

You know what he means. Since Tae died, for a while, you had no will to do anything or see anyone- in other words, you were super duper depressed. Lately, you’ve felt lighter, like you can laugh and smile again without feeling guilty. 

Here’s to new beginnings.

disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about how planes work or flying or anything like that

[mooodyblue]

How about an Austin Butler smut where they've broken up but they still can't stay away from each other? Maybe they have a sex scene in Elvis and they end up having sex in his trailer after filming and they're just really clingy with each other because they still love each other?

ty for the request!! hope i did it justice 🫶🏼

tryin' to keep away from you | austin x fem!reader

wc: 1.3k

warnings: nsfw mdni, p in v, unprotected (once again!), fingering, idk.

masterlist

you didn't know if you were dreading this upcoming scene or it was just nerves. you and austin had a mutual agreement to break up just shortly before finding out you'd both be filming a scene on elvis together, it was funny honestly. especially with it being a hookup scene. baz swore he didn't do that on purpose, but if he hadn't known you were broken up, he'd still think you were together with how cozy you still were with each other.

the romance just wasn't there anymore. it was clear you still loved him as much as he loved you, but it wasn't going to work out. therefore, you broke up. you were still best friends though, there was no doubt about that. it left the public confused though. nobody truly knew if the relationship was over or what was going on. neither austin or you were going to confirm or deny it, it was nobodies business but yours.

thankfully, you were only filming one scene. you were around to see him film a few performances but today, you were actually on set to film. you were supposed to film the scene and then head back home, but covid happened and forced you to be stuck in australia where you occasionally hung out with austin to pass the time while he wasn't being possessed by elvis presley.

austin was already on set when you walked in, chatting with baz about the script. you took a deep breath as you walked in, robe wrapped securely around you until it was time to film. “there she is!” baz grinned, “i’ll let you two check your lines-then we’ll begin.” he pat austin on the back and left the two of you alone.

“just like old times, huh?” austin joked.

you crossed your arms, chuckling. “yeah.”

he cleared his throat awkwardly, handing you his script. “think this one's pretty self-explanatory.” he muttered. “are you gonna be okay? like-this isn't gonna be awkward or anything is it?”

“no, no. i’m fine.” you flipped to the scene you were about to film, “i have experience in faking my moans.”

his eyes widened, “what do you mean?”

“i’m joking!” you handed him back the script, playfully hitting his chest. “ease up, butler. i’m about to have fake sex with you.” you untied your robe and made your way to the set, tossing it aside.

everyone gathered on set, you and austin both where you need to be as baz yelled action.

austin smirked, crawling on the bed. “buntyn needs a little lovin’ tonight…”

“is that so?” you giggled, leaning back onto the bed.

he placed a knee in between your legs, dangerously close to your own heat. his lips met with yours, slipping off the straps of your negligee. he scooted closer, his knee rubbing in the right places. luckily it couldn't be seen on camera, but it was enough to get realistic moans from you, perfect for the scene. more clothes were striped and austin was on top of you, thrusting as he kissed your neck while you moaned passionately under him.

baz yelled cut, whistling at the two of you. “beautiful! both of you! let's take a break for lunch!”

austin was still on top of you, panting and looking down at you. his pupils were dilated, wetness pooling in your panties as he looked at you with hungry eyes. his own arousal was obvious, right up against your thigh. “a-are you?-”

he let out a breathy laugh, “god baby, you still drive me crazy.” he looked around the set and snuck a hand down to your panties, smirking at how wet you were. “my trailer or yours?”

you gasped at his touch. “fuck. yours, please.”

without any hesitation, you slipped your clothes back on and followed austin to his trailer. he rushed you inside, slamming the door behind him and gently pushed you back on the bed while stripping again. “gonna treat you so good. y’don’t know how bad i missed you.” his voice husky, as if he were still in character. he tore off your robe and slipped your panties off, wasting no time and rubbing his fingers in between your folds. his cock was hard against your thigh, twitching at the sound of your moans.

your back arched as he inserted his fingers inside of you, pumping in and out and hitting your sweet spot every time. the cold metal from the rings on his fingers made such a nice burn, sending shivers down your spine. “fucked anyone else?” he asked, quickening his pace.

you panted, shaking your head. “no. god-austin, need you.”

“that's my good girl.” he smirked, pulling his fingers out of you and sucking them clean. he hovered over you, lining himself and inserting in you slowly. you felt so full again, so tight around his cock. your arms were thrown around his neck, nails scratching up and down his back as he pumped in and out of you. “missed you so fucking much. missed your pretty, little pussy. made just for me, ain't that right?”

his black hair messy, hanging over his eyes and bouncing with each thrust. you looked up at him, surveying every little detail on his face, every freckle and mole that only your eyes could see. it was a face you missed so much, a small grin appearing on your face. “what’re you smiling' at?” he chuckled, pausing his thrusts.

you shook your head, bringing a hand to the back of his head and running your fingers through his freshly re-dyed black hair, damp with sweat. “you're just so beautiful.” you replied softly.

“i think that's supposed to be my line.” austin lowered himself, resting his arms by your head. his hair tickled you slightly as he kissed the bridge of your nose and gave you a gentle smile. he hummed quietly and brushed the hair out of your face. “let's take it slow..” he gave a slow thrust, “wanna savor this moment.”

his lips moved to your neck, kissing and making small love bites to claim his territory. his hips moved slowly, chasing his release as yours got closer. it was all overwhelming for you. he began to pick up the pace again, his chest heaving and jaw clenched as he moaned against your neck. “oh my god-don't stop.” you threw your head back, your nails digging into his back surely to leave temporary crescent marks. “i’m-”

austin sat up, moving your leg to his shoulder as he started to hit that sweet spot with every single move of his hips. you gasped, eyes rolling to the back of your head as you arched your back. the feeling of you tightened around austin’s cock made him throw his head back, shooting his own seed inside you with a spewl of curses and a loud groan.

he brought your leg back down, keeping his still cock nustled inside you as he caught his breath, looking down at you. “i’m sorry.”

your eyes widened, propping yourself up on your elbows. “for what?”

“i’m-i’m still in love with you.” he ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “you have no idea how happy i was when you told me you were stuck in australia. like it's so stupid, i know we broke up but-”

a small laugh escaped from your lips, causing austin to furrow his brows. he pulled himself out of you and tossed himself next to you. “what are you laughing at?”

“just-” you sat up, “i missed you. i missed this. i don't think i could have ever moved on from loving you.”

austin pulled you back down to him, holding you tightly in his arms. “i love you.” he whispered, pressing his lips behind your ear.

“and i love you.” you sighed contently. “can we pretend we never broke up?”

austin let out a dramatic gasp, bringing a hand to his chest. “we broke up?”

“oh, shut up.”

[luvyeni]

THE HIGH LORD OF NIGHT COURT; SEO CHANGBIN

PAIRINGS. highfae!changbin x springcourt!reader

WC. 6.7k

SYNOPSIS. When you run away from spring court and cross the lines into night court, changbin immediately recognizes you as his enimies little sister. He lets you stay, saying it's just to make him mad, but in reality it's because his mating bond activated.

WARNINGS. oral (f receiving), multiple sex scenes (two), fingering, mentions of breeding, unprotected sex, mentions of mating (THIS IS NOT A A/BO FIC)

TAGLIST. @kosmoreads @hipsdofangirl @imhyvnjin @lovemepie67 @chvnnie @hgema @candiecans @my-name-is-namename @yourhwngness @midsoulz @jessyrdn @cutielittlepie @intomysoul-555 @cxentrxcks @yurippiefelix @missrobyn81 @stayinthemirohwoo @3retcha @lifeissteph @skzfelixlove @reiheis @chereshnyya @levantea @why-am-i-sad @blankdyean @kunstistliebchen @userbangchan @fairywriter-oracle @elmi-chan @compersian @mal-lunar-28 @n4tiii @ddazed-lhs @felixcharmerera @ch4nniebang @hyunibinnie @fairyyeo @reddesert-healourblues @fxckedupbitch

DISCLAIMER! THIS IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE BOOK SERIES BUT IT WILL HAVE REFERENCES TO THE BOOK.

You loved your brother, you did. but god was he controlling sometimes— he controlled everyone in spring court, he was a busy man and you were an adult, so why did he make it his mission to always be in your business.

"Lee know said he caught you trying to sneak back in through the border of the mortal realm." you scoffed, turning to lee know. "snitch." he shrugged.

"＿＿, you think this is a joke— you went there, knowing jaebum was recently murdered, have you learned nothing." you rolled your eyes.

"Please, like i'd let a mortal kill me." he sighed angrily, slamming his hands on the table, making you jump. "jesus chan!"

"Don't act like this is just you coming in late at night, you keep crossing the border, you're powerless- i can thank you for that." you mumbled. "you can thank yourself for that, i told you there are consequences for your actions—you disobeyed me, and i told you what would happen if you did."

"It wasn't that big of a deal."

"Wasn't that big of a deal— you tried to cross the border, you could've died!" you stood up, tired of his yelling. "but i didn't, let it go."

"How about you grow up, you're always claiming you're an adult, then act like one, or the next time you find yourself in a dangerous situation, i'll let you die like the idiot you are." it was silent, no one ever bothered to intervene when you got into these arguments.

"I hate you." you spat, walking away from the table, and making your way to your room, you weren't gonna stay here and take this, you were leaving, for good this time.

Waiting for everyone to fall asleep, you put on your shoes, making your way to the stables where the horses were stored.

"Hello midnight." you patted the horse you used to ride when you were younger. "long time no see, me and you are gonna get out of this wretched place." the animal huffed in response. "you don't have much of a choice."

You climbed on the back of the animal, shushing her when she began to make a lot of noise. "you're gonna wake up the staff hush." you held the strap, keeping her steady, "okay, let's get out of here." you slowly took off— just until you crossed the gate of the castle, then you commanded the horse to go faster, and you watch as the castle became smaller and smaller until it was no longer in sight.

You rode and rode throughout spring court, without a care in the world, you finally felt free from your brother and the spring court castle... well that was until midnight came to a stop.

"Midnight, what the hell?"

The steed nudged her head forward, almost as if it was trying to tell you something. "what is it?" you look forward, finally realizing that you were at the border... the border of night court.

"He'd never think i went into night court, he'd search the mortal realm first." you ushered the horse along, but she resisted. "go midnight." the horse huffed, before continuing on slowly.

You could definitely tell you weren't in the spring-court anymore, everything was covered in weird artwork. "we must be in the hewn city, it's just like they described it." you whispered, trying not alert anyone, walking further through the streets of the hwen city.

The more you walked, the more worked up midnight became. "midnight, calm down why are you act- i know a spring-couet faerie when i see one?" the voice sent shivers down your spine, and apparently midnights too, because before you could even react, midnight stood on her hind legs, sending you flying to the ground, before she took off in the other directions.

"Shit."

"That must've hurt." you could just tell he had ill intentions. "oh? that's a pretty gold necklace." his eyes raked down your body, making you feel uncomfortable. you quickly jumped to your feet as he walked closer to you.

"N-no it's mines." you rubbed your elbow that stung from your fall. his lips curled into a sinister smile. "oh, i didn't ask, give it." he backed you into a wall. "and i'll let you live."

You felt his hand on your waist, pulling you against him. "let me go!" his laugh showed you he didn't really care. "feisty one, maybe i'll keep you, see how long you can put up a fight." he held both your wrist together to keep you from hitting him. "see how long it takes to break you."

You tried to scream, but he just held his free hand over your mouth. "shut the fuck up." his hands were rough on your lips, as his hand reached up to grab your necklace.

"Come on, leave her alone."

A voice spoke from behind. "you can't be serious trying to rob her of a necklace." he was definitely more built then the asshole who was currently pining you to a wall.

"Aw come on, looks like she's having fun though, i'll share her." you locked eyes with the raven haired man, and he could tell you were scared. he walked closer towards you and the asshole, who still hadn't turned around yet, grabbing his shoulder.

"Look i don't normally even ask, if you don't want to share her then get the fuck-" his voice got caught in his throat once he locked eyes with the mystery man. "w-what a-are you doing h-here, in the h-hewn city?"

"My business here doesn't concern you, i told you to let her go." the asshole immediately let you go, trembling in fear. "no go before it's you who is pressed against the wall, but i'll snap your neck." his tone serious, sent the asshole running tail tucked between his thighs.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." you wiped all the dirt from your dress. "tha- don't worry about it." he interjected. "hold up, i know who you are." shit, you were caught. "what's chan's little sister doing here in night-court? you're a long way from home." he smirked, but it wasn't sinister like the previous guy, more so mischievous.

"It doesn't matter." you tried to walk away, but he grabbed your arm, preventing you from doing so. "let me go." you tried to pull away. "i could let you go, let the people here have there way with you, or you could come with me and you can get that elbow checked out, your choice spring-court." you snatched your arm away.

"My name is ＿＿." he quirked up an eyebrow. "and fine, i'll go—only because i don't want to run into that asshole again." he chuckled. "my carriage is over there, let's go." you stopped.

"You're carriage?" he rolled his eyes. "you're the high fae."

"Changbin is fine, now let's go before i change my mind." he led you to the carriage. you climbed up sitting on the opposite side of him, holding your elbow. "not much of a talker are you?"

"You're stranger." you stared out the window.

"But here you are, in my carriage, about to go to my castle." his tilted his head. "just drive please, my elbow is killing me." you snapped.

"Yikes. you are something else, you heard her, let's go."

Not much wasn't said on the way there, but changbin couldn't keep his eyes off of you. he was intrigued, why were you here? you're practically royalty yourself, so why were you alone, in the hewn village of all places, without guards? and where were your powers? you should've been able to easily throw that man off of you.

You eventually arrived at the doors of his castle, stepping out of the carriage, 3 of his servants waited at the door for him, one of them taking his jacket. "let's get that arm checked out, mrs.jung escort her to the left wing, the rest of you get back to work." he spoke with such dominance, everyone scrambled to do whatever they were instructed to do.

"Let's go, the left wing is that way." she walked and you took it as a sign to follow her.

"It's just some blood and bruise, you should be fine, the pain should decrease within a few days, the bleeding in a few hours." the woman stood up. "It's just a little boo boo." changbin stood in the threshold.

"Leave us mrs jung." the woman nodded, before leaving the room quietly, closing the room door. he moved over to the seat in front of you, eyes never leaving yours as he took a seat, crossing his arm, biceps flexing.

"What, why are you looking at me like that?" there we was again with that stupid smirk. "no need to be so uptight, just want to ask you some questions, that's all." he sat back in his seat.

"What?"

"Why are you in here in night-court, alone?" he questioned. "royalty like you just doesn't waltz into night-court without multiple guards surrounding you."

"I ran away." he sat up, intrigued. "ran away? why, and why'd you allow that asshole to pin you down like that—unless you like things like, but that guy should've been lightwork for a fae like you."

"You ask a lot of questions." who was he to ask all these questions, was he gonna tell on you or something. "but since you want to know so bad, i ran away because i wanted to get away from my controlling brother, he doesn't allow me to do what i want, then he yells at me to be an adult."

He shook his head, "and what is it that you wanted to do princess?" that new name sending a chill down your spine, changbin smirking, watching your eyes widen a bit. "c-cross t-the border to the mortal realm." he laughed.

"Why would you want to go to that wretched place?" he noticed your face, deciding not to press for now. "well, what about your abilities, what happened to them?" he changed the subject.

"i got them stripped away." he scoffed. "of course you did." He stood up, walking slowly over to you.

"W-what are you doing?..."

"The sister of my sworn enemy, i could have a alot of fun with this." it never stopped to occur to you that he was a enemy of you're brother. "y-you can't keep me prisoner here." he chuckled, bringing his hand to your cheek. "princess, if i wanted to imprison you, i could." you were about smack his hand away when he grabbed your hand.

"You're powerless, remember."

His laugh was tantalizing, he dropped your hand in your laugh, letting your cheek go. "but, i have a different agenda in mind, you can stay here." he said. you were confused, "stay here?"

He nodded. "sure. why not, first your brother will look in the mortal realm for you, thinking you finally crossed the border, for a few days, he'll be stressed , angry— and for me, that's the enough, then." it was your turn to scoff. "so you're doing this just to piss my brother off?"

"I could let you die out there, and call him to tell him, his cries of agony and mourning of your death would still make me smile for the next following months, either way i win." he looked at you with a 'what's it gonna be' look.

"where will i sleep?" you coughed awkwardly. "i'll get mrs. jung to show you to your room, don't worry, i'll sure it's fit for royalty such as yourself." you rolled your eyes, not noticing his smile as he walked out of the room.

���

Mrs. jung escorted you to your room, the decor much more darker than the your normal room back in spring-court. "he requested you have this room, it's one of the best rooms here." you sat down in the bed. "it's nice."

"Seeing as you don't have any clothes, he's taken it upon himself to request the tailor to design a few for you, be warned, they're fit to his liking." you rolled your eyes. "of course he did." she pointed to bed. "you'll find everything you need in there for tonight, it's late you should get ready for bed." she left you alone, closing the door behind her.

why did he make you feel like this.

You decided to take just a quick bath, just to wash the dirt from your fall off your body, stepping out, wrapping the towel around your body when the water grew cold.

You eyed the black night gown sitting on the bed, picking it up to feel the fabric. "pretty isn't it?" you whipped your body around so fast your towel almost fell down, but luckily you grabbed it tightening your grip on it.

"Oh wow, i didn't think we'd move this fast, i don't mind it though." you wanted to smack that smirk right off his face. "i'm kidding, i just wanted to see if you had gotten settled in." he said.

"I did, you can go now." instead he didn't leave, he just inched closer and closer, backing up you didn't realize the chair was behind you, until the back of your legs hit it. "g-go."

The close proximity was killing you, and he was aware of it "g-go."

"go before i- what?" he grabbed your arm. "what are you gonna do?" he whispered, you tried to pull your arm away, but his serious face made you stop immediately.

"Good girl, i just want to check the bandage on your elbow." he lifted your arm, you used the other to hold the towel.

"Why do you keep trying to cross the border to the mortal realm?" he unwrapped the bandage. " there must be a reason why you keep going back?" you shrugged.

"Because i've been told my entire life listen to your brother." "he's older than you, so he's right." "your brother just wants the best, it's so annoying, im my own person you know." he nodded, feeling for you.

"How close have you've gotten?" he questioned. you sighed. "not close, chan is always there to find me." he laughed, you stared blankly at him. "it isn't funny." you went to slap him, but like before he grabbed your hand.

"You'd have to let your towel go to use the other one, i have no problem if you want to be naked princess, but i bet it would be embarrassing for you." his eye's traveled down, smirking.

You looked down, horror evident in your face. how the hell did you forget you were naked? "get out!" he stood up, laughing on his way out. "good night princess." he closed the door.

"Asshole." you let out a yell of frustration, not knowing he was laughing on the other side of the door, he thought you were cute.

Sitting on the bed with a huff, you slipped into the night gown, noticing the little bit of blood poking through the badge, thinking about the minutes before, when changbin had just wrapped it.

"Idiot." you unrolled it, doing it the right way. "you did it wrong." a smile creeping up on your face, he was cute.

—

The next morning you woke up pretty late, you weren't in your realm, so you didn't have any duties to do, why not sleep in a little late.

"You're up." mrs. jung stood in the door. "finally, I don't know if that's how they do it in the spring court, but here we get up on time for breakfast." you laughed, embarrassed. "for you, he made the cooks fix you breakfast, it's waiting for you." you nodded.

"Hurry and get dressed." she closed the door. "what a cold lady." you shook your head, deciding not to let it bother you, getting up to get ready for today.

"He has got to be kidding?" you scoffed as the tailor helped put the dress on, the black longsleeve dress, that went to the middle of your thighs, a slit in the side, with a deep plunge.

"Beautiful ain't it." you rolled your eyes at the familiar voice. "I knew you'd look amazing in it." he ordered the tailor to leave.

"Absolutely ravishing."

"A bit short, don't you think?" he shook his head no. "of course not! i personally think it should be shorter, maybe right..." you gasped as his hand touched the side of your thigh, slowly pulling up the fabric of the dress, stopping. "here." he smirked at your flustered face.

"I can see how frustrated you are, you thinking of something naughty princess?" he chuckled, pulling away. "s-shut up." you frowned. "it's okay if you are, i had a naughty thought about you too, i can't tell you though, i want to keep it to myself."

"I didn't ask."

"So mean princess, i get you all these nice clothes, and you treat me like this." he pouted, but your face still stayed stone. "what do you want?"

"I just wanted to see your beautiful face, i'll be out for the day, i'll be back later this evening, you may do whatever you want, but i wouldn't recommended going out to the city, cause you know." you nodded, "we're are you going?"

"Why will you miss me?"

"No, but i'd rather not be left here if you so happen to die." he grabbed his chest jokingly, which looked like it was about to burst from his black button up shirt. "ouch, that hurts princess." he smiled. "I'll be back soon, i promise." you nodded as he walked to the door, turning to face you once again.

"You really do look beautiful." You tried to contain the smile that crept up on your face, but he saw it, he chose to keep quiet though, closing the door, smiling to himself.

"Have you told her?" He turned, facing the woman. "About the mating bond? have you told her that she's your mate?" he sighed. "mrs. jung, i met her yesterday, how do just tell someone something like that, someone of another court, and your enemy's sister at that."

"She knows what it is, she isn't stupid." changbin walked away, her following right behind. "yeah well it hasn't even activated for her yet, so it might not even be her." the woman grabbed him, stopping.

"But it activated for you. you said it as soon as you heard her call out for help, it activated." he shrugged. "i don't know what's going on, besides she has a lot going on right now with her brother, she doesn't need this—so drop it for now, i'll figure it out later. i have to go." and like that, the man was gone.

—

And he stayed gone for 2 whole days, leaving you lonely, and you had to admit— not having him around, you definitely felt a little ping in your heart that you couldn't understand why.

Not being able to do anything, you stayed in your room, reading the books mrs. jung bought you, even though she complained the entire time.

Quickly the new day bled into a new night, and you grew quite hungry.

You remember the words mrs. jung told you as she left for the evening 'the staff made deserts for you, if you want one, they're in the kitchen, ring for help if you need it.' you didn't need to ring for help, the kitchen wasn't that far away, sliding your slippers on, making your way to the kitchen.

You were greeting in the kitchen by the smell of different desserts sitting on the table, stomach rumbling with hunger. you picked up a chocolate chip cookie, taking a bite, moaning at sweet treat on your tongue.

"Such a pretty noise." changbin stood in the corridor of the kitchen. "you're back?" you said, mouth full of cookie, biting back a smile in relief. "where were you for two days?" he made is way over to you. "you missed me did you?" he smiled. "no, i was bored, there's nothing to do here."

"You're so cold." he pouted. "i missed you." you rolled your eyes. "i did." his voice a bit more deeper. "i was in agony for 2 days without you." he was getting closer and closer, much like this morning. "c-changbin, s-stop playing around." he was getting frustrated, he wished the mating bond would just activate already.

"I'm not playing around princess."

He knew he wasn't supposed to rush the mating bond, but no one said anything about having any fun— maybe the bond will activate.

He now was standing behind you, caging you in between him and the table. "you're wearing the nightgown i picked out for you." he held the end of the gown, slowly dragging his hand , the dress going up exposing your underwear. "you look so sexy."

"We shouldn't be doing this." you bit back a moan, as he turned you around, face him. "what's stopping us?" he pulled you into a hungry kiss, swallowing the moan in your throat.

"There's no one here." his hands danced across your panty line, "no one to stop us." his hands finding his way into your panties, cupping your heat. "changbin." you moaned, grabbing his shoulder to keep upright.

"You're so wet princess, you tried to resist me, but this whole time you're soaked down here."

He drew circles on your clit, letting you grind down on his hand. "that's it — fuck yourself on my hand." he attacked your neck with kisses. "im gonna add a finger, okay?" you moaned, nodding.

he slowly pushed a finger into your aching hole, you let out a whine as he pulled out, sliding back in. "So fucking tight, gonna let me split you open with my fat cock? hmm, fuck my cock into you." your mind was somewhere else, moaning in agreement.

"Yes! yes, fuck! im about to cum." he smirked, adding another finger, speeding up to get you to cum, so he could finally fuck you. "go a head and cum baby princess."

"Oh my- fuckkk!" you screamed, cumming on his fingers. "that's a good girl, keep cumming." he rode out your high.

He gently picked you up, sitting you on the counter, his clothed cock twitching against your heat. "changbin....i want you." you desperately grounded your hips against him, he bit back a groan, reaching under your dress pulling down your underwear.

"Jesus, you made such a big mess." he toyed with your clit, using his free hand to unbuckle his pants, pulling his cock out precum leaking from his tip. "please." you moaned when he pressed his cock at your entrance, your cunt fluttering just from the action.

"I'm not even in you yet and you're moaning so prettily." He slowly pushed the tip of his cock into you, watching your cunt swallow his cock. "princess you're taking me so well." you moaned, moving your hips, signaling for him to go faster. "please...please go faster."

"You want me to go faster?" he teased, you nodded. "p..please, changbin." he chuckled before picking up his pace. "oh fuck!" you screamed as he slammed into you. "that's it princess, let it all out." he raised his hands to squeeze your boobs, you clenched around him hard. "fuck- you're gonna cum princess again-" you cut him off with a moan. "yes!"

"fuck princess me too." he groaned, kissing you passionately. "cum for me." he whispered in your ear, biting the lobe a bit, sending you into another powerful orgasm. "that's it- fuck!" he pulled out, tugging at his cock, white pouring out of his cock, landing on your stomach.

You breathed heavily, eyes fluttering. "You felt so good princess." he held your exhausted body against his.

"Let's get you to bed okay?" he held you so gently as he carried you to his bedroom, not wanting to let you go, even for a second when he had to clean you up.

"Princess?" he noticed your sleeping body...it hadn't activated yet.

He felt his heart about to burst in sadness, he was so sure it was gonna activate. he heard of male fae going crazy if the mate bond was denied, but not when it hasn't even been activated yet.

Or has it? had you found out without him knowing and rejected it? his head was spinning, he was slowly losing his mind, coming out from his head when he felt your body shifted. "C...changbin." you sighed.

"It's okay, i'm here." he layed beside you, pulled your frame against his. "Please don't reject it." he whispered to himself, not even noticing the tear drops falling from his face.

"Please don't reject me."

—

You woke up the next morning back against changbin's buff chest, arm around your waist tightly. "changbin i can barely-" it felt like the wind had been knocked out of you as you turned your body to face him.

It can't be...

"This can't be right." almost as if changbin felt it too, he slowly arouse from his slumber. "what's- this is wrong." you slid your body away from him. "this isn't possible."

Changbin could feel his mind slowly slip into more madness. "please... please listen to me, i know it was weird, but it can't be helped." he tried to grab your hand, but you pulled away.

"You knew already?"

"Since the day i saw you, but yours hadn't activated, well until now."

You were in shock, you didn't know what to feel, he was from a different court, you never heard of something like this before. "my brother won't allow this, and we need his blessing."

"b.but please don't reject it just yet, please i know you feel something too, you wouldn't have let me do what i did yesterday." he was right, you wouldn't just have sex with anybody, you felt something there for him.

"Just please give me a chance, just get dressed okay? i want to show you something." you could see the desperation in his eyes. "please."

"okay."

The staff helped you get ready for the day, a longer dress, similar style to the short one. "you look beautiful." changbin didn't have a flirty remark today, not when he was about to figure out if he was about to be rejected or not.

"thank you." he hesitantly took your hand. "we have to get there by winnowing, is that okay with you?" you nodded, "that's fine." you whispered, nodding he let out a deep shaking sigh, he closed his eyes, concentrating so that you'd get there safely.

Before you could blink, you were standing outside a building, no longer in the hwen city. "what is this?" you looked turned to changbin. "my home." he said, you looked at him with confusion. "what?'

"This is velaris, the house of wind to be exact, my real home." you were even more confused now. "but- please let's just get upstairs, i'll explain everything then."

"we have to fly up, winnowing isn't allowed in, and the only other way is climbing 10,000 stairs." he said, smiling when you chuckled for the first time that day at such a ridiculous thing. "well when chan took away my abilities, he took away all of them." he gently wrapped a protective arm around your waist. "i can fly us both up."

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, holding on tightly as you felt your legs leave the ground. "i won't let you fall, i promise." he whispered into your ear as he made his way up, slow that you wouldn't be too afraid.

"You can open your eyes now." he said once your feet hit solid ground, "see, we're safe." you looked around the new place, it was less extravagant than any castle you lived in, but it wasn't any less beautiful, it was comfortable, something you would love to live in.

"It's beautiful." you said. "but this doesn't explain it, you said this is your home, then what is the hewn city?"

"The hewn city is a dangerous place, but it's still part of night court." he started, "the faeries of hwen city never accepted me as the high-fae, due to me being half illyrian, but the fae of velaris did. so when my dad passed away, he put a spell on velaris, sealing it away from anyone outside of it, letting everyone believe that the hewn city is what night-court really is, and that im the scary evil high fae ." he explained.

"This place is a secret, so please, even if you decide to reject the mating bond, please keep this place a secret, for the faeries safety." he looked at you with soft caring eyes, he wasn't the scary guy everyone thought he was, he got scared to, he cared for people too." you nodded. "i promise." you smiled, grabbing his hand.

"My closest inner circle live here, from the dangers of everything else." he showed you around the house of wind. "meaning?" before you could get a answer, the door flew open.

"Changbin! you're home." A bunch of people crowded into the room, startling you. "it's only been a day, did you finish the secret business that quickly?" a raven haired boy went in for a handshake. "almost." he returned the handshake.

"Your family." everyone turned to you, finally noticing your presence. "yes, my family." he said.

"That's my sister." he pointed to a young girl. "yeonjun and chan but everyone calls him dino, they aren't blood related- hey, blood doesn't matter." the boys interrupted him. "i was gonma say that, if would've let me finish." you smiled.

"And, that's my- his mother." the older woman strided towards you in such a graceful manner. "i knew he wasn't just staying in the hewn city for fun." she smiled, taking your hand into hers, before turning to him.

"You met your mate, and decided to keep her in the hewn city?" everyone was silent again. "i..i didn't want her to reject me, and you guys watch me slowly go insane." he scratched the back of his neck.

"So you accepted?" you swallowed nervously. "well- she's a spring court faerie, her brother is bangchan." changbin quickly spoke up.

There was a collective 'oh'.

"She isn't sure what to do, her brother will never allow this, i wanted to show her this before she makes her decision." you lowered your head in embarrassment.

"I haven't made a decision yet." you finally spoke up. "well do you love my son?" his mother was talking to you again.

"I do feel something for him, my parents died when i was young and my brother has raised me practically all my life, it hasn't been the best, seeing as my predicament, so im not sure what love really is." you told her.

"Well whatever it is im sure you'll figure it out, i can understand where your brother is coming from, his father's parent weren't to happy with me being illyrian, but we didn't let it get in the way of our love, and you shouldn't either." you nodded. "thank you."

"I won't force you to accept my son and marry him just because he's your mate, but please take that into consideration." you could see the sadness in everyones eyes. "i will, i promise."

"You two have a lot to talk about, so we'll leave you be." everyone left the room, leaving you and changbin alone.

He showed you around velaris, the different shops and restaurants, everything, telling you different stories about his family; how he, yeonjun and chan would get in so much trouble, because they would sneak and fly away and eat snacks when they were supposed to be training, or his sister dressing him in her dresses when they were much younger.

"No she didn't!" you giggled as your feet touched the ground of the house of wind once more. "yes, yes she did, whenever she didn't want to play with her dolls, she would dress me up." he said in between laughs.

"Your family is beautiful." you spoke up after a few seconds of silence. "they are, i love them so much." he smiled, his family meant everything to him... you including. "and it's really beautiful here." you walked out on the balcony that over looked velaris.

"This would be our home, you'd be free here." he followed you, caging you in between him and the railing, just like yesterday. "i wouldn't allow you to feel any pain here." he wrapped his arms around your waist. "no worries." he softly kissed your neck. "c-changbin." you moaned soflty, but he shushed you by planting another soft kiss on your neck.

"wouldn't you like that?" kiss "have no worries?" kiss "being my cute little wife, letting me take care of everything?" kiss.

You heart felt like it was gonna burst, you wanted to say yes so bad, nothing was stopping you. "say yes." your head fell on his shoulders as his hands traveled up your dress, squeezing your boobs through the dress.

"don't fight it."

"Changbin, i want you." you wanted him, in everyway possible... you needed him. "i need you so bad."

"Then you have me." he turned you around kissing you, it much softer than last night, but not failing to make your head spin. "let go baby, i got you." he held right below your ass, lifting you up and carrying you to the bed.

"I told you i won't let you fall." he whispered into your ear, leaving a small kiss behind, working his way down your neck. "let's take this off you." he sat you up, unzipping the dress, pulling it over your head, throwing it somewhere. "so pretty, my princess so pretty." he undid your bra, you boobs falling, jiggling at the impact. "so fucking pretty."

He softly pushed you on your back, setting himself in between your legs. "c...changbin, p...please." you mewled impatiently. "i'll give you want princess, be patient." he kissed the inside of your thighs. "you smell amazing, i've been wanting to taste you since the moment i saw you." he pulled your underwear, leaving you fully naked.

He gave your clit a kiss before he spreaded your folds open, licking a stripe up your clit, eating you like a starved man. "fuck changbin!" your hands tangled in his hair, tugging at it everytime he teased the entrance of your cunt. "ple..lease."

changbin was in heaven, you tasted heavenly. "you want more?" the tip of his finger prodding at your entrance, you let out moan, as he slowly slid a finger in, continuing his assault on your pussy, eyes rolling to the back of your head as the knot in your tummy began to tighten.

"C...changbin, im gonna- cum go a head, i want you to cum on my tongue." his lewd words setting you off, grinding down his face as you came. "fuck." you tried to catch your breath. "i knew you taste so sweet." he left you even more breathless.

Changbin stood up to get rid of all his clothes, settling right in between your legs again, his cock standing tall on his abdomen, pink tip leaking. "p..please put it in." you begged so sweetly for him.

He grabbed the base of cock, lining his tip at your puffy cunt, your hips twitched. "look at your pretty cunt all ready for me." he slid right in.

"F...fuck s..so wet, j..just slid right in." he pulled out, pushing into you fully, groaning at the way your pussy tightened around him. "so t...tight, gonna fuck you everyday, until your cunt is used to me." his thrust becoming harsher and needier with every lewd word. "gonna let me stretch you open?"

"yes... yes- fuck!" you couldn't even think with the way he was fucking into. "then say you accept me." he was in the same boat you were, not being able to think, saying anything his brain could muster. "say it!"

"I accept you!" you screamed, it being cut off by his rough kissing. "then cum." he toyed with your clit. "fucking cum for me, my little wife." him calling you his wife set you off and you came with a scream. "g..good fucking girl." his hips stuttered before he pulled out cumming on your abused pussy.

"Oh fuck, i love you." he breathed.

—

After accepting the mating bond, you and changbin lived in pure harming for the next few months. getting to know his family and him better; planning the mating ceremony with changbins mother and sister, and getting to see the dynamic between changbin and his friends, only for him to tell you to keep it a secret from everyone because he was supposed to be a "evil cold head fae", which you agreed to with a laugh.

But with the ceremony approaching soon, you knew you couldn't hold it off anymore; you needed to talk to chan, you need his blessing.

"He's gonna say no, i just know, i mean we have never gotten along." you and changbin stood outside of your old castle. "don't work yourself up, what happened to my "cold evil head fae"." he scoffed.

"You try being on this end." you laughed, grabbing his face, kissing his pouted lips. "come on, remember what you said huh? cute little wife." he kissed his teeth.

"Don't use what i say during sex against me." you smiled, grabbing his hand. "come on my big scary husband." you pushed the huge doors to the castle open.

"Mrs. jung!" you called out to the older lady.

"＿＿? is that you?" you heard the lady rush out of the room. "my heavens, it's you!" the woman who helped raise you, pulled in her embrace. "it's been months, we didn't know what happened, we thought you finally got into the mortal realm and something bad happened " she squeezed you.

"I'm fine, although a lot had happened." her eyes traveled to changbin. she was about to say something, when a voice boomed throughout the whole house.

"The hell are you doing here?" chan stomped down the step, heading straight towards changbin, a girl following behind him trying to stop him. "chan wait a minute." you stepped in front of both of them.

"Did you have something to do with this, did you hurt her?" you pushed him back. "stop it ch-" you suddenly taken aback when his arms wrapped tightly around you. "don't do that again, i thought you finally crossed the border to the mortal realm, i thought you died." he was squeezing you like you'd run away again.

"Before you rip my head off, i'm not here to mess with you." changbin spoke up, chan looked at you, and that back to changbin, putting two and two together.

"Absolutely not."

"I already accepted it."

"I don't care, you won't get my blessing." he stared at you. "Then i'll run away again." he huffed. "you know i will." he looked at changbin and then back at you. "you sure he isn't making you do this, compelling you or something." you scoffed.

"You can't compel someone who is so willing to accept you." you heard the growl in chans throat, turning back eyeing changbin. "sorry, i had to."

"Of course you did." you turned back to your brother. "so do we get your blessing?" he kissed his teeth, huffing. "fine." you hugged him. "whatever, i won't show up to your ceremony." he pouted, side eyeing changbin. "good thing i didn't invite you." changbin just had to tease, but you slapped his arm before chan could do anything.

"I see who wears the pants." you jumped in changing the subject. "who's that girl talking to mrs. jung? and why is lee know all over her like that?" your nose scrunched up in disgust.

Chan sighed, shaking his head "long story, now go, you're finally free from this house." he said. "what about my abilities?" you eyed him. "i'll give them back as a ceremony present, now go- lee know get off of her." chan yelled. "bye." he walked away.

"See was that too bad?" he nodded playfully. "yeah, you invited him to the ceremony." you rolled your eyes. "oh how will you ever live?" you teased, he wrapped his arms around your waist. "happily, because now we get to the best part." he kissed your neck. "what is it? the ceremony?" he nodded. "that too, but i was thinking of something else." another kiss.

"mmh, what is it?"

"fucking you full of my children after the ceremony."

©️LUVYENI

[realityjoey]

PRACTICE (RILEY ANDERSON MC x EVAN BUCKLEY)

The 118 was out in the training yard, helmets under arms, ready to take on a challenge they hadn’t faced since the height of COVID. Everyone’s fitness levels and routines had shifted during the pandemic, and with life finally back to some semblance of normal, Bobby had announced they’d be doing retraining drills to sharpen their response times.

“Alright, listen up!” Bobby clapped his hands, gathering everyone’s attention. “We’re running a search-and-rescue simulation. You’re all pairing up. One of you will go into the practice building and pretend to be unconscious. The other has to bring their partner out. Fastest time wins.”

The group exchanged glances, already sizing each other up.

Chim leaned toward Hen. “Wanna show these rookies how it’s done?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Hen grinned, cracking her neck in preparation.

Meanwhile, Eddie nudged Buck, who was already glancing Riley’s way. “I see you’re already locked in with your partner,” Eddie teased.

“Obviously,” Buck said with a grin. Riley, standing a few feet away, caught Buck’s smirk and rolled her eyes good-naturedly.

“Are we ready to win?” Riley teased, adjusting the strap on her helmet.

“Is that even a question?” Buck shot back, giving her an exaggerated look of mock disbelief.

“Right, partners: decide who’s lying down, who’s rescuing.” Bobby’s voice boomed across the yard. “I’ll call out when it’s time to switch if you get a second run. The clock starts when your partner goes in—time stops when you both get out.”

Buck instantly raised a hand toward Riley. “Dibs on rescuing first.”

Riley snorted. “Coward.” But she didn’t argue. “Fine, but you’d better not take all day in there, mate. I’m not getting dirt in my hair for nothing.”

“Like you can resist a dramatic rescue by me,” Buck teased, nudging her shoulder. His eyes glinted playfully. “I’ll carry you out princess-style if you ask nicely.”

“Get lost,” Riley scoffed, though the corner of her mouth curled.

Riley stepped up to Bobby, giving him a sharp nod. “Where do you want me?”

“In the second room on the right,” Bobby instructed, his face unreadable, though a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes at the easy banter between Buck and Riley.

Riley strode off into the dark practice building, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind her. Inside, she found the designated spot—a dark room with overturned furniture and simulated debris. She lowered herself to the floor, stretching out flat. Lying on the cold, rough surface, she grumbled to herself about Buck taking his sweet time and let her head rest on her arms.

Meanwhile, outside, Buck waited for Bobby’s whistle, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Eddie and Chim, standing nearby, were already cracking jokes.

“You think you’ll be able to resist making a whole dramatic scene when you find her?” Eddie smirked.

“Probably not,” Buck admitted, grinning.

The sharp whistle cut through the air, and Buck shot forward, sprinting toward the entrance.

Inside the building, it was pitch-dark, with smoke machines filling the hallways to simulate a real rescue scene. The eerie hum of silence pressed down, but Buck was laser-focused. He knew Riley would be annoyed if he so much as stumbled or hesitated—she’d never let him live it down.

He burst through the second room on the right, scanning for her. When his gaze landed on Riley’s figure lying perfectly still, he couldn’t help but grin. She had her arms crossed and looked too relaxed for someone meant to be unconscious.

“Oh no,” he muttered under his breath with a smile. “Poor unconscious Riley. Whatever will I do?”

He crouched beside her, slinging her arm over his shoulder. In a low, playful voice, he whispered, “You’re supposed to be unconscious, but I know you can hear me, Anderson.”

Riley fought to keep a straight face but failed, a tiny twitch tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“You’re gonna regret that,” Buck whispered smugly as he stood and hauled her up over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.

“Oi!” Riley hissed, breaking character for a second. “I swear if you—”

“Shhh, unconscious people don’t talk,” Buck said, adjusting his grip as he started moving.

Even with Riley’s weight balanced across his shoulders, Buck moved fast, navigating through the smoky hallways with precision. Every step was deliberate, every movement controlled. The building’s maze-like design didn’t faze him—he trusted his instincts.

As they reached the final hallway, Riley finally gave up pretending. “If you drop me, Buckley—”

“You mean when I save your life in record time?” Buck interrupted, smugness dripping from his voice.

Riley rolled her eyes but didn’t protest further, secretly impressed with how smoothly he moved.

Buck burst through the exit, Riley still slung over his shoulder like a sack of flour. The rest of the team, waiting outside, burst into laughter.

“You could’ve carried her normally, you know!” Hen called out, grinning.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Buck grinned as he set Riley down on her feet, slightly breathless but triumphant.

Riley straightened her helmet and shot him a glare, though there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “You’re an idiot.”

“An idiot who just won,” Buck shot back with a grin, reaching out to tug her closer by the strap of her helmet.

Bobby glanced at the stopwatch in his hand, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Good time, Buck. Impressive.”

“See?” Buck whispered to Riley. “Told you.”

“Alright,” Bobby called out, waving the next group forward. “Switch roles—your turn, Riley.”

Buck groaned dramatically. “Be gentle with me, will you?”

Riley shot him a wicked grin as she adjusted her helmet. “No promises, mate.”

She took off toward the entrance with a determined stride, leaving Buck to mutter under his breath, “What have I gotten myself into?”

As the whistle blew again, signaling her turn to rescue him, Buck flopped onto the floor inside the building, ready to be “unconscious” this time. And if he knew Riley, she wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to make her revenge memorable.

And honestly? He wouldn’t have it any other way.

Buck lay flat on the cold floor of the practice building, trying not to grin as he waited for Riley. It wasn’t easy—he could already imagine the payback she had planned. If there was one thing he’d learned in three years of dating her, it was that Riley Anderson played to win. And after his playful antics earlier, she was definitely going to make him pay.

He kept his breathing slow and steady, pretending to be unconscious. The only sounds around him were the low hiss of the smoke machines and the distant clink of metal from somewhere in the training structure. Time ticked by slowly, his anticipation building with every passing second.

Then he heard it: the faint thud of boots approaching. Here she comes. Buck suppressed a grin, forcing his face to remain slack and lifeless.

Riley rounded the corner and found him lying prone on the floor. For a moment, she stood over him, hands on her hips, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“You look pathetic,” she muttered under her breath, though her voice was laced with fondness.

She crouched down beside him, and Buck fought the urge to crack an eye open. Instead, he stayed perfectly still, knowing Riley was probably smirking at him.

“Alright, Sleeping Beauty,” she whispered, giving his cheek a couple of light slaps. “Time to get you out of here.”

She grabbed his arm and started to haul him into a sitting position with surprising ease. “God, all those hours at the gym finally paid off,” she muttered with mock effort. “Your massive arse is gonna be a nightmare to drag out, though.”

Buck bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.

Riley slung his arm over her shoulder and braced herself, muttering under her breath as she prepared to lift him. “Okay, Buckley, let’s see if you bounce.”

Before Buck could react, Riley hooked her arms under his and yanked him upright with more force than he expected.

“Ow!” Buck yelped, breaking character. “That’s not fair—”

“Unconscious people don’t talk,” Riley interrupted with a grin, throwing his own words back at him.

Buck glared playfully at her but let her take control. With surprising grace, she got him over her shoulder in a fireman’s carry, the way he’d carried her earlier.

“Damn, Anderson,” he said, impressed despite himself. “Where’d you learn to lift like this?”

“You’re not the only one who’s been hitting the gym, mate,” she said, smug. “Now quit talking. I’ve got a drill to win.”

As she carried him through the dark, smoke-filled hallways, Buck couldn’t help but marvel at her strength. Even though he wasn’t exactly light, Riley carried him without slowing down, navigating the maze-like layout of the building with ease.

“You know,” he muttered, bouncing slightly with each step she took, “this is kinda nice.”

“Oh yeah?” Riley asked, her voice dry. “Enjoying being manhandled?”

“Definitely. Feel free to carry me out of every burning building from now on.”

Riley snorted. “You wish, Buckley.”

As they neared the exit, Buck noticed she was speeding up. “Hey, Riley… you’re not going to—”

Before he could finish the sentence, Riley sprinted the last few feet to the exit and unceremoniously dumped him onto the grass outside.

“Oof!” Buck grunted as he hit the ground with a thud. Laughter erupted from their teammates.

“Nice technique!” Chimney called, grinning from ear to ear. “Real graceful, Buck!”

Eddie was doubled over, laughing so hard he had to clutch his side. “Oh man, that was beautiful. Anderson, you’re my new hero.”

Buck propped himself up on his elbows, rubbing his back as Riley stood over him, hands on her hips, grinning down triumphantly. “Told you I’d win.”

“You didn’t have to throw me,” Buck grumbled, though there was no real annoyance in his voice.

Riley leaned down, her smile widening. “You carried me like a sack of potatoes. Consider us even, love.”

Buck shook his head, laughing despite himself. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” Riley quipped, giving him a wink.

Bobby approached, glancing between the stopwatch and the two of them. “Not bad, Anderson. You shaved a few seconds off Buck’s time. Looks like you two are tied for the lead.”

Riley extended a hand to Buck, helping him to his feet. “Looks like we’re gonna have to do a rematch, then.”

Buck’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, you’re on.”

The rest of the team groaned good-naturedly, already anticipating more chaos from the couple.

Hen clapped her hands together, calling out, “Alright, who’s next? Eddie and Chim, you guys ready?”

As the next pair prepared for their run, Buck and Riley drifted off to the side, still catching their breath. Buck nudged Riley with his shoulder. “You know, for someone pretending to be unconscious, I did most of the hard work back there.”

Riley scoffed. “Keep telling yourself that, mate.”

They stood together, helmets tucked under their arms, watching their teammates tackle the challenge. Riley’s hand brushed against Buck’s, and without thinking, he laced their fingers together.

For a moment, everything around them—the drills, the smoke, the teasing banter—faded away.

“Good job, partner,” Buck murmured, squeezing her hand.

Riley tilted her head toward him, her smile softening. “Right back at you.”

And just like that, they were ready for whatever came next—whether it was another drill, a rescue, or just more teasing from their friends. As long as they had each other, they were unstoppable.

[kay-wren]

I’ll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 20

When they finally got back to the house it was clear Rafe didn't want to talk. He walked straight to his room but before he could get there he heard Jessie's voice.

"Rafe." She commanded. Her voice always perked his ears. Some things never changed. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't ignore that sweet voice. Rafe stopped in his tracks, not daring to turn around and look at Jessie.

"Can we please not let it end like this." Jessie pleaded. She sounded on the verge of tears, maybe this really did tear her apart as much as it did him? He took notice of the desperation in her voice. Still, his heart hardened back like it did years ago.

"You've let things end way worse." Rafe spat, still looking at the floor in front of him as he tried to get his anger under control.

Jessie deserved that one. She couldn't argue, but she had to keep Rafe engaged. She convinced herself it was strictly for strategy. 

"Let's do something." Jessie hinted as she walked closer to him. "Let's... go find a party to crash or something... like we used to. Something to get our minds somewhere else." She whispered as she touched his shoulder to spin him around.

Rafe looked at Jessie with teary eyes and yet with so much rage. Jessie didn't flinch, she still knew Rafe better than anyone.

"Come on, Rafe. You know it'd be fun. It'd be good for us."

"You really think partying is good for us?" Rafe scoffed.

Jessie thought for a second. That is what got in the way of them in the first place, but it was also what brought them together.

"You always told me you wanted my freedom. You always said you appreciated my ability to just let go and have fun. Well now you have that freedom. Use it." Jessie whispered as she cupped the side of his face. Rafe couldn't help but calm down just a little when she did that. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"You've got 10 minutes to change and meet me back down here." Rafe commanded as he walked away.

Jessie breathed a sigh of relief. She was back in the game.

Jessie ran upstairs to find a cute dress in Sarah's summer closet. She opted for a short, satin, olive green dress with spaghetti straps and a loose v neckline. She wore her very old, very dirty converse, she knew Rafe would remember them.

Jessie slipped down the stairs, this time waiting on Rafe. Rafe came around the corner in a white button down shirt and some simple jeans. Rafe stopped when he saw Jessie, eyeing her up and down with lust in his eyes. He laughed when he checked out her shoes.

"You're still wearing those dirty old things?"

"You know I don't party without them." Jessie simply replied. Rafe knew she was right, she never was much for heels. Jessie extended her hand. "You ready to go?"

"I don't know where we're going but sure." Rafe exclaimed as he met his hand with Jessie's. Jessie tightened her grip and pulled Rafe out the door.

Neither one of them knew exactly where they'd end up, but they landed on a local hot spot, a hidden club down in the depths of the city.

Rafe and Jessie bellied up to the bar. Jessie secretly wanted her high noons, but she figured in a more upscale place like this, she better settle for an actual mixed drink. She decided on a Moscow mule, she did enjoy those from time to time.

"I'll have what she's having." Rafe said.

"Two Moscow mules please." Jessie asked kindly to the bartender. Rafe looked over at her inquisitively.

"What about your high noons? Not even a mai tai or..." Rafe furrowed his brows in confusion.

"This isn't exactly our old party scene, Rafe. This place calls for something a little more fancy than what we used to drink. I don't think we'll be drinking out of solo cups." Jessie joked as the bartender passed them both of their drinks.

"Yeah, but still... when did you start drinking stuff like this." Rafe questioned as he took a sip, not liking the very acquired taste.

Jessie laughed at his puckered face. "Since I grew up." She joked as she brought the copper cup to her lips.

"Well you've grown up alright, that tastes like something an old lady would drink." Rafe retorted as he puckered his lips like a child eating lemon for the first time. Jessie put her hand over her heart pretending to act offended.

"Well this old lady has still got it." Jessie sassed as she got off of her chair and tried to pull Rafe with her to the dance floor. Rafe stayed planted and looked at Jessie knowingly.

"You know I don't dance." Rafe slightly yelled over the loud music with a half smile. Rafe never was one to dance at parties or clubs or anything of the sort, the only exception was when he would get to slow dance with Jessie, and this clearly wasn't one of those times.

"You are in a city thousands of miles away from home in a club where absolutely nobody knows you. And you still can't find freedom in that and just get off your butt and dance?!" Jessie challenged Rafe with a knowing smile on her face. Rafe tried not to get lost in her longing eyes as he just smiled at her and shook his head no.

"I'll watch." He answered plainly.

"Oh I'm sure you will." Jessie scoffed followed by a smirk. With that, she left Rafe to sip on his drink. He took another taste, completely forgetting that he hated it. He was reminded very quickly as he tried not to spit it out.

"Hey man," Rafe waved the bartender over, "Can I get something different? Literally anything." Rafe laughed. The bartender understood the assignment as he chuckled.

"Whiskey on rocks coming right up."

Rafe admired Jessie as she weaved through the crowd of people. She didn't have a dance partner but she didn't care. She never did. That's what made Rafe fall in love in the first place. Just like the first night at the Island Club, Rafe watched Jessie's every move. Jessie knew Rafe was watching, and she intentionally calculated every move because of it. She was going to get him on the dance floor, no matter how long it took. This assignment had nothing to do with the gold, it was strictly for her pleasure knowing that she could still pull Rafe in, hook, line, and sinker.

After a few songs and a few more sips of her drink, Jessie made a few friends out on the dance floor. How could she not? Jessie loved this scene, she was never afraid of anyone. Rafe loved that she didn't care about social graces or being awkward, she genuinely had never met a stranger, and nobody was too good or too bad for her. After all these years and Rafe still couldn't have the freedom- the zest for life- that she had. He couldn't let himself be truly careless no matter how hard he tried.

An hour went by and Jessie still hadn't made her way off the dance floor for more than enough time to get a drink. She wasn't drunk by any means, not even tipsy.

"You're not drinking a whole lot?" Rafe questioned the next time Jessie brought herself back to the bar.

"I told you, I don't really drink much anymore."

That was true, Jessie really hasn't drank since she left, not enough to get drunk anyways. She didn't really miss it like she thought she would, but she most definitely still enjoyed the change of pace.

Rafe wanted to ask why, but he knew what the answer would be. She'd grown up. She'd moved on from her old life. Rafe couldn't say the same. Rafe hung his head a little lower with a tinge of sadness as he realized that him and Jessie were most likely in two different stages of life. Maybe there was no hope for them after all. Rafe began to think he'd just be holding her back if he tried to pursue her any further. He didn't know what specifically she was doing nowadays, but he could tell she was successful and happy in her own way.  Rafe loved her too much to mess that up.

"Are you ready to dance yet?" Jessie asked with annoyance as she pulled on Rafe's arm, successfully pulling him out of his running thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, no I'm still watching." Rafe replied with a smile as he quickly grabbed the lifeline that was his drink and gripped it tightly as he brought it to his lips.

By the look on Jessie's face she still didn't like that answer, and was clearly judging him for it, but she went back to dance with her newfound friends with a very visible huff and puff of annoyance.

"If I gave you every piece of me I know that you could drop it."

The song began to play and Jessie could once again feel her body move in a way that was all too familiar. The sway of her hips and the placement of her arms was like riding a bike. She let the music take over as she danced to the beat with perfect rhythm. As Jessie perused across the floor, every movement making Rafe's body ache with longing, she made sure to steal a glance over at her husband every chance she got. Jessie seemed to move in slow motion for Rafe, every movement seeming more isolated and intentional as the blue lights bounced off her dress and illuminated her skin perfectly. He watched her hair cascade and fall perfectly with every flip of her head along her exposed shoulders and trailing neckline. He noticed every little detail like her dress riding up a little too much for his liking or her body getting a little too close to the others around her. Jessie knew Rafe was undressing her in his mind, and that was how she wanted it. She missed the feeling of being Rafe's vice. She could see the hot anger welling up inside him, the same anger she used to see from him when they were teenagers and she was dancing at parties with him just lurking along the sidelines, waiting for his moment to intervene when a man got too close.

Rafe finally couldn't take it anymore. She knew what she was doing. He finally stomped out on the floor and took her hips in his hands to stop them.

"You know what you're doing." Rafe hummed with a clenched jaw. Jessie turned around to face him with a smirk, placing her hands on his chest and moving closer into him, still lightly dancing.

"Oh do I?" Jessie smirked as she fixed the collar of Rafe's shirt and unbuttoned the top button with one quick snap of her fingers. "Well you need to let lose." She stated as she looked directly in his eyes with just as much lust for him as he had for her. Rafe stood there motionless, not wanting to move, but scared to stay.

"If I showed you all my demons and we dive into the deep end would we crash and burn like every time before?"

Jessie turned around and placed Rafe's hands on her hips as she had one arm snaked around his neck. She swayed to the music as she leaned into Rafe, him enjoying every second of it. It was growing increasingly difficult for Rafe's hands not to roam.

Jessie spun around and wrapped her arms around Rafe's neck as she moved with the music. Jessie looked directly into Rafe's eyes, seeing he was having a hard time staying focused, she laughed to herself.

Rafe's hands couldn't help but explore her body more, moving up and down and any which way he could among the sea of people. Rafe clenched his jaw as if to not say something he'd regret. He began to squeeze Jessie's hips tighter in an attempt to release some of the energy he had pent up in the moment. Jessie noticed, and she didn't mind.

One thing is for sure, their chemistry never left. After four years, their bodies still moved together in perfect rhythm, and their flirting was timeless. Jessie still knew exactly how to get under Rafe's skin, and Rafe knew exactly how to get what he wanted.

Jessie began to close the distance as she connected her forehead to Rafe's, he leaned down a little to make it easier for her. Jessie tried to control her breathing, which was growing increasingly hard to do as she had been dancing for a long time.

"You still feel like partying wasn't the best idea?" Jessie smirked as she never broke eye contact with Rafe. He didn't say anything. Hell, he couldn't. What he wanted to say was not for anyone else to hear.

"If the only other options letting go, I'll stay vulnerable."

Jessie and Rafe couldn't help but listen to the message of the song playing above them. They both agreed in their hearts that they would rather  crash and burn by the hand of the other as many times as they could than forget about what they had.

"You know what we used to do after parties?" Rafe asked seriously.

Jessie just nodded with a sheepish smile. She knew where this was going. She couldn't fight against it any longer. She didn't want to let Rafe go, not again. She needed to stay vulnerable to save what they had.

With no more words left to say, Rafe pulled Jessie off the dance floor with her hand held firmly in his and left the club. Rafe secretly wished that they weren't on his motorcycle. At least then if they were in a chauffeured car like the night before, Rafe could do what he had been wanting to do all night. Instead, he had to wait until they got home.

[im-a-king-baby]

I love ELYN, it was a wonderful read. 🪷

<333

Today's bonus scene is a post-epilogue snippet, because Kevan is one of my favourite characters who barely appeared in the actual fic XD

Under the cut for maaaajor ending spoilers! Go read ELYN first!

“The band should have arrived,” Simon checks his phone, for about the twentieth time since getting out the car that had picked them up at the airport. “Normally we’d meet in the bar, have a drink.” He looks across the lobby to the hotel bar, racks of liquor stretching up to the ceiling.

Wilhelm catches his hand. “The schedule I got said we were meeting for dinner,” he says. He’s pretty sure Simon knows that, but sometimes it helps to have someone else say it out loud. “So let’s check in, and you can have a shower while I ask Farima what time.”

“Right.” It takes Simon a second too long to drag his eyes away from the bottles. He keeps tugging on the straps of his backpack, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Wilhelm had asked widely around for advice on how he could support Simon going back to playing live shows but the consensus from everyone was just, ‘It’s going to be hard, but if he wants to tour again you have to start somewhere.’

“Hey! Si…imon!”

Wilhelm barely has a chance to jump before someone is bounding across the lobby. He’s a huge man with long black hair dressed in a leather jacket with silver studs and for an instant Wilhelm wonders if he should be throwing himself in front of Simon - where are the bodyguards when you need them?

Then he registers that Simon is laughing. “You can keep calling me Simme,” Simon says, stepping past Wilhelm so the man can pull him into what looks like a bonecrushing hug. “I don’t mind.”

“Oh thank god,” the man says, letting Simon go and stepping back. “Farima keeps sending emails about ‘Simon’ and I’m like ‘who?’ every single time.” He notices Wilhelm for the first time, slightly off to the side in his carefully nondescript jumper and jeans combo. “Let me guess, you’re the boyfriend formerly known as Prince?”

Simon snorts. “Kevan, this is Wilhelm. Wille, Kevan. He plays guitar.”

And now Wilhelm remembers him from the Faktory, standing off to the side of the stage with a red guitar. And the name, too. Kevan was the person Simon called in Bjarstad, the one who told Candace where to find them. Wilhelm’s first instinct would be to keep him far away from Simon, but he’s aware that - as much as he doesn’t like it - the Candace Issue is more complicated on Simon’s side.

Simon met her for coffee, when he was in L.A. and Wilhelm was stuck in class a million miles away, and Wilhelm’s phone left imprints in his palm he was gripping it so tight waiting for a phone call that didn’t come, just a text two hours later: she’s gone, all still standing and heading to the airport. See you soon xx

Here and now, Simon seems relaxed for the first time since they entered the lobby, flicking the studs on Kevan’s jacket and saying, “Did you listen to the EP?”

“I did. Not really my thing,” Kevan says, but with a grin as though this is some shared joke between them. “But we can add more guitar solos when you record the full album.”

Simon snorts a laugh, like he hasn’t been up all night for the last week worrying about The Full Album. “Let’s get through these shows first.”

“Speaking of, I did need to catch you.” Kevan’s smile drops. “There’s a problem with my schedule.”

Fuck. Wilhelm steps a bit closer to Simon as his laugh dies and he casts a desperate look towards the check-in desk and escape. “The schedule isn’t really my area,” Simon starts. “Can you talk to Farima about it?”

“No,” Kevan says. “I think I need you.” He’s already pulling out his phone. “See, I’ve got the dinner tonight, rehearsals tomorrow, shows Friday and Saturday, but in the middle I have something called a ‘day off’? I told them, this is a Simme tour we don’t do that here -”

The tension drops entirely out of Simon’s body. "Oh my god," he says, shoving at Kevan’s shoulder, the kind of easy roughhousing that he would've done with Ayub or Rosh back at school. “You’re such an asshole.”

Kevan uses his height advantage to ruffle Simon’s hair then takes off running before Simon can retaliate. Simon is laughing, but pauses to kiss Wilhelm’s cheek and shove his backpack into Wilhelm’s arms before chasing Kevan across the lobby, scattering guests and hotel staff in all directions.

Wilhelm slings Simon’s bag over his shoulder and heads to the desk, only glancing back every other second. “Simon Erikkson and Wilhelm Kassel, I think our bags have already been dropped off.”

She digs out some paperwork for him to sign - he’s still figuring out his signature, still forgetting to respond for a minute when he hears ‘Mr Kassel’ - and she’s coding up two keycards when Simon stumbles back up against the counter, breathing hard.

“Hey, sorry. Didn’t mean to abandon you,” he says, and Wilhelm can’t blame him for it when he’s still smiling like that, lighting up his whole face.

He had kind of understood what Simon said about wanting to be back on stage - in that he could see it was something a person might want, even if the idea of doing it himself made him want to throw up - but he’d thought the touring was a necessary evil that went with that, not something that could possibly be enjoyed. When Simon had arranged these first shows for Spring Break so Wilhelm could come along, Wilhelm had just assumed it was so that he’d have someone other than Farima there to fall back on.

But as Kevan falls into step with them on the way to the elevator, talking about dinner plans like booking a table at a restaurant is the most outlandishly posh thing that any person has ever done, he realises maybe for Simon it was about showing Wilhelm this other side of his life. To show that he’s not alone out here.

“Di was asking if we need to dress for dinner,” Kevan says. “I said I didn’t think we should go naked but I’d check with you.”

Simon elbows him in the side. “I think we can be us,” he says. “It’s not -” he pauses as Wilhelm presses the button to call the lift, waits for the doors to open and them to step inside before he continues. “It’s just to keep it out of the bar, you know?” Wilhelm steps closer, so their knuckles touch and Simon gives him a sideways smile. “Things are going to be a bit different this time.

Wilhelm half expects Kevan to make another joke, but Kevan nods, like he gets it. “You let us know what you need, yeah? We’re all rooting for you here.”

[good-beanswrites]

And here's Emergency with Kazui for @qrevo, thank you for the request! I realized as much as Kazui's moment saving Fuuta lives in my brain, I haven't ever written anything for it, so have some more Kazui propaganda haha! (There's reference to violence, but no graphic descriptions or anything 👍)

Kazui may have joked that his reflexes were dulling with age, but they were still perfectly intact when called upon. He thought leaving his profession behind meant he’d no longer be the first responder to an emergency situation. He thought that he’d be done stumbling onto blood-covered scenes of victims and assailants. Milgram had proved him wrong.

He left many of the others in the common room, enjoying a lighthearted conversation after dinner. He stepped into the dim prison hallway, hoping to grab a cigarette from his cell and return in time to catch the end of Shidou’s story. 

There rose some shouting from up ahead. Kazui picked up his pace, but there was no need to get too worked up, he thought. Mikoto had been awfully loud in his cell after his verdict. Tensions were high among the prisoners, and squabbles broke out all the time. Even upon recognizing Fuuta and Kotoko’s voices, he figured the two were having one of their usual disagreements. 

It was only when he could make out some of Fuuta’s desperate words that his instincts kicked in.

“Help! Please! Is anybody -- aargk!”

Kazui’s feet were pounding across the prison before he had a moment to think. Everything snapped into focus. His time in Milgram had felt like some strange dream, but now his senses became completely clear. 

He followed the noise, now recognizing the sickening sounds of violence and agonized cries between each. Though he could already piece together what was going on, his training had him peer around corners and into cells to be sure there were no other threats. He went flying into Fuuta’s cell.

He had only a second to take in the scene. Kotoko was winding up for a kick -- another kick by the look of it. Fuuta was curled in a heap in the corner, his uniform straps tangled around him. His hands shielded his face. All of which, and the ground below, dripped with blood. 

Kazui took Kotoko’s arm, yanking her back before her boot could connect. She recovered much quicker from her surprise than he expected. She shifted her weight around, using new leverage to escape his grasp. As she took a swing at him, he suddenly recalled their earlier conversation about fighting styles. 

He blocked blow after blow. Damn, she was strong.

“Kotoko, what is all this? I’m not trying to hurt you, but you can’t --” Kazui grunted as she landed a solid hit. He continued rattling off some typical deescalation attempts, but she didn’t hear a word of it. She hardly even looked at him, keeping her eyes trained on Fuuta as they fought. 

“He’s a killer,” she said evenly. “Do you even know what he’s done?”

“Do you?”

“It’s unforgivable.”

“It’s not your call to make!” At last, Kazui managed to shove her outside the cell. She stumbled back. The two took a breath. 

She wiped blood from her lip where Fuuta must have struck back. “The warden knows this is true justice. You know it is, too.” 

Then, she disappeared around the corner.

Kazui stepped out to be sure she wouldn’t return. He ran back to Fuuta the moment she was out of sight. She wasn’t his top priority.

He found Fuuta mumbling to himself, still clutching his face. Kazui had only seen him with his confident, fiery attitude. He felt his stomach clench hearing the boy whimper in pain and fear. Kazui often forgot how young these prisoners truly were.

“Hey, it’s okay. She’s gone. Hey, look at me.” He gently took Fuuta’s hands, pulling them away to assess the damage. His face twisted at the sight. This was more than he was equipped to handle. 

Fuuta’s hands wrapped back around himself. He gasped for air. “She… please… I can't... my eye…”

“You’re going to be alright. Just stay with me.” In a swift motion, he swung Fuuta over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. The boy cried out, but Kazui was already on the move. He called to Shidou from down the hall. 

As soon as he set foot in the common area, he began giving orders. He told Shidou to examine Fuuta's condition, laying him on one of the tables. He demanded the others stay put until he could find Kotoko. He asked where the other guilty prisoners were. Most just gaped at him in shock. Though their delayed reaction was frustrating in the moment, he understood their surprise. He realized it was the first time he’d raised his voice since coming here. He’d always sat back and let the others take the lead; it was probably strange to see a laid back man like him suddenly taking charge.

Yuno leapt to her feet, already ignoring his warnings. He caught her with an arm before she could run out the door. “Oh god, Mahiru!”

“I’ll find her. Don’t leave.”

He turned on his heel and went running once more.

[w33nies]

Qué Maravilla CH.10 - 'Send in the Clowns'

Previous Chapter Next Chapter Miguel O'hara x SpiderReader rating: E for Everyone bby warnings: none? lots of angst tbh and bad words + shit proof reading summary: purely exposition, no miguel x reader juice unfortunately art is from the movie !!

-------------- Ch.10 - Send in the Clowns ----------------

The makeshift group of spider men and women rush through the dark maintenance corridors of the subway system on Earth-42. The gang silently swing in the shadows along the tracks, climbing on walls and even hitching rides on the side of the subway carts. It isn’t long before they reach a large, sparsely lit, graffiti-littered room. Surrounding them are several large archways, their tunnels each housing a dark pit leading who-knows-where. Then, suddenly, everyone simultaneously perks up, like a dog hearing high frequency. Even May Parker’s eyes widen with recognition. They each exchange glances with one another.

“Did we all feel that?” Spider-Noir is the first to break the silence. He is met with a wave of agreement.

“Then he’s gotta be around here somewhere,” Peter Parker mumbles, mostly to himself and the baby straddled to the front of his chest. Parker closes his eyes and begins to walk all around the room, concentrating on using his senses like a magnet to determine where the pull feels the strongest. The rest of the spiders wordlessly follow suit. Not long after, they all pause in front of the same archway, each staring wordlessly into its abyss. 

“He’s here. Definitely.”  Gwen Stacy announced. For a second, nobody moves. A common feeling of apprehension holds the group hostage. All of them shared looks that confirmed their communal hesitation.  What worrisome scene could lay on the other side? Could them barging in make matters worse?

“Well? What are we waiting for?” Pavitr Prabhakar shouts oblivious to the atmosphere. He marches towards the entrance, “चल दर!”(let’s go) he belts in a sing-songy voice. “Let’s go save my new frieeend-”

“-Not so fast Pavitr.” Spyder-Byte (aka Margo Kess) blips in front of the restless boy in her cyber blue-pixel avatar.

“What? Why are we stalling?”

“We can’t just walk in there without a plan,” she cautions. “It'll scare him off. I highly doubt he’ll be happy to see… some of us.” Byte takes a moment to pause and look amongst the guilty culprits in her mind. From Gwen to Noir to Porker to Penni and then finally Peter.

Stacy looks away shamefully under Margo’s judgemental gaze before recollecting her composure. “Okay… So how about we send one person? Like a representative or something like that.”

“Okay, but who?” Penni Parker pipes up, reclined comfortably inside the cockpit of the giant humanoid robot she pilots.

“Well, we know who it won’t be. Aye?” Pavitr says in jest motion to Gwen and Peter. 

Peter stuffs his hands in his robe pockets and shifts his weight back and forth from the heels to the balls of his feet, the motion earning an amused gurgle from the infant strapped to his chest. “Yeah. We know. Thanks Pavitr.”

“Now’s not the time Pav.” Gwen crosses her arms defensively, “We need to figure this out fast. Who knows how much time we have.”

“The answer is obvious isn’t it?” Penni remarks. “Who here does Miles trust the most?” 

“Well, that’s me of course,” Peter Porker makes a jaunty strut to the front of the group with an air of certainty, his anthropomorphic hand placed sincerely over his heart. Which crumbles immediately as soon as he sees everyone baffled expressions. 

“Kidding!” the pig let out an embarrassed laugh, wringing his small hands self-consciously. “I totally said that as a joke you guys. Not as a serious suggestion or anything…because that would be totally stupid…” The silence that ensues after is deafening.

Spider-Noir clears his throat loudly. “Anyways, we need to send someone who he knows for sure isn’t on Miguel’s side. Someone he knows who never acts as a double agent.” The black and white clad hero raises his fist dramatically, shaking it with emphasis. “Look alive eggheads! Who among us is known to put their money where their mouth is? Who has the gall to laugh in the face of authority? Who here best represents the rebel cause?” 

They all simultaneously to Hobie Brown who’s in his own world, mask half lifted so he could mindlessly pick at his teeth. When he comes to, he’s shocked to see all of the spiders mutely staring at him.

 “Eeh?” the man pulls his finger from his teeth, his mouth slack in confusion “What are you lot looking at me for?”

-    -    - 

A muffled THUD echoes through the air of the lab. Miles Morales of Earth-42 and Jonathon Ohhnn are both startled. 

“The cultists.” Jonathoon says in a hushed alarmed whisper. “They’re here.”

“Stand back.” Miles quickly positions himself in front of the timid scientist, with his metal talons bared. His Prowler helmet moves automatically to cover his face.  

“You’re not slick, pendejo!” Miles shouts into the void, his head gear obscuring his voice to its titular mechanical drawl. “We know you’re there!” 

“Woah, Woah, Woah settle down mate.” The man who reveals himself, striding nonchalantly towards the pair gives a truly confounding sight. He wears a mask similar to Miles (the other Miles) except this one sports a metal mohawk and a red and blue color scheme. He wears a spiked denim jacket, black distressed jeans and an electric guitar which was strapped to his back. As for spikes, he's covered in them. “I come in peace.” 

 Miles finds his deep accented voice mesmerizing. It possesses an almost sardonic quality to it. As he walks closer to him he notices the UK flag enamel pin on his vest. ‘British, obviously’ Miles deduces. That and the fact that this was probably the coolest person he has ever seen in his life. 

“Who are you!?” Jonathan pipes up from behind the shelter of a teenager. 

The unknown man removes off his mask, revealing a tall, dark man with a full head of thick, voluminous hair styled in wicks. The first thing Miles eyes gravitated to is his smug smile. His bottom lip holds a piercing, but that’s not the only one. He scans his face and finds a matching nose ring, hoop earrings, and two steel studs artfully placed above each of his eyebrows. One look at him and he knew he wasn’t from his world. Every moment or so he looked as if he walked straight out of an array of punk rock magazines (literally). He never met a man who’s aura was constantly changing. He seemed too hypnotizing to be real but there he was, standing in front of Miles looking down at the duo with a sophisticated yet headstrong poise. 

‘How is he even cooler under his mask?’ Miles mumbled loud enough for only him and Jonathon to hear. 

“I’m spiderman. Well one of ‘em variations. Name’s Hobie. Hobie Brown,” he stuffs his hands in his vest pockets, looking around impatiently. “I'm looking for Miles.”

“Uhhhh.” ‘Quick! Play dumb!’ Prowler thinks to himself. 

“Who’s Miles?” 

‘NOT THAT DUMB!’

“I mean- uh…,” After a thoughtless delay, he straightens his posture in an attempt to emulate confidence and clear his throat. “Yep, that’s me. You’re looking at him.” 

Hobie scoffed. “Wow, funny bloke you are, yeah? You know who I mean, man. I’m looking for spider-man Miles, of Earth-1610. I know you’ve met already.” Hobie walks around intensely scanning his surroundings. “I know he’s ‘round here somewhere. I felt it. ” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” Jonathan blurts out clumsily “I don’t even know what a spider man is.” He tugs on his shirt collar that suddenly feels too tight on his skin, sweating under Hobie’s unconvinced gaze. 

“A Spider man? Ha! I don’t even know what that would look like! Would they have six legs or six arms?  Would he spit venom and have webs come out of their but? That would be ridiculous. Not that I would know, because I’ve never seen one before! Ha ha-” 

Miles pats him aggressively on the back to shut him up, biting his lip in frustration. Why was he such a shit liar? And why did he feel so embarrassed by it? 

“You said you can feel it?” Miles asks skeptically

“It’s the spider sense.”

“Huh?” 

“The…what?” Jonathan added, completely puzzled. 

“Spider sense. It’s like a sixth sense. When we’re around other spider people it kinda… I don’t know tingles-” 

“-Ewww.” Jonathan interrupts. Miles bites on both his lips to keep from laughing. 

“Come out of it mate, you know what I mean.”

Jonathan and Miles share a confused look with one another.

Miles grins amusedly, “Nah man. I don't think we do.” 

“So like you see someone spider kind and you get like what? Excited? It stimulates you?” Jonathan asks with sincerity. Miles lets a laugh escape his lips.  

“Are you havin’ a laugh? Why are you making it weird?’ Hobie scrubs his hands down his face and starts gesticulating wildly with his arms. “It’s like…like a pull… in the back of your mind. Sorta like a magnet or something. Get your mind out of the gutter.” Hobie sighs, picking up some fallen tech sprawled out in the ruins of the explosion, examines it carefully before pocketing it. 

“I swear, youngers like you are such bloody menaces.” he mumbles, leaning against the one of many now dilapidated work desks.

Miles scrunches his face “Younger? How old are you?” Prowler asks defensively.

“How old do I look?” Hobie asks with a cheeky smile. “I’ll tell you this, I’m definitely old enough to be your older brother. Probably could’ve changed your nappy, who knows?” Miles can’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Older brother? Now that he’s getting a better look at him, he reasons that he'd probably be old enough to vote. So their age gap was significant enough for this man to see him as a kid. He was too old for him. He knew he would want nothing to do with him, at least not in the way Miles would’ve liked. And for some reason it made him feel drawn to him even more.

“Oh I get it!” Jonathan exclaimed, cutting through Miles’s conflicted thoughts “It’s like a multiversal connection. A bond that stems from your shared powers?”

“Exactly. That is what I was trying to say. Also a really good guess by the way.” Hobie pats Ohnn on the back. The scientist winces. “You’re obviously the smart one, eh?” 

Miles’s is visibly irked but there's also another feeling in his stomach he can’t quite place. Though he still didn’t trust him, he couldn't bring himself to hate him. ‘I’ll provoke him a bit…’ the boy tells himself “to get him to talk…’. He decides he needs to learn more about Hobie because he is a potential threat. Yes…Of course. This is all just a classic case of one keeping his friends close and his enemies closer. Or at least that’s what he tells himself. 

“Okay so you share some tingles. Now what?” Miles brings his metal claws inches away from Brown’s neck. Hobie raises his hands in submission, though his face gives away that he’s not at all threatened by the young man. 

“Why should we trust you? Miles told us some cultists were him and then a few minutes later, like magic, you show up with your funky Irish jig-” 

 “-I’m gonna pretend like I didn’t hear you say that-” 

“- and expect us to believe you’re not in a cult.”

“Do I look like I'm in a cult?”

“Yes.” Morales counter immediately 

“100%,” added Ohnn.

Hobie breath hitches in an attempt to keep from cursing. “Well, I’m not in a cult. I don’t believe in 'em’-”

“-Yeah, of course you would think that,” the boy retorted. “People in cults usually don’t know they’re in cults. That’s how they work.” 

Hobie rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Mate, I’m not here to sell you a religion. We’re here to get Miles back home. Your uncle Aaron Davis, he was the one who told us you both would be here.” 

“Us?” both men questioned in unison. 

“Who’s us?” Morales pushed his claws further, just millimeters away from scraping his adam's apple.  

Hobie smirks then he throws his head toward the sky, stumbling backwards he shouts. “Oi! You can come out now.”

Suddenly, a loud BANG shakes the entire lab. A massive silhouette, almost like an enlarged action figure, slams on the ground seemingly out of nowhere, beginning its slow and menacing crawl towards the trio. The only thing visible being its two glowing diamond shaped eyes and its glowing spider crests similar to Miles’s and Hobie’s. Each subsequent step reverberated the air around them as it got closer and closer and closer. Jonathan and Miles, stifled with fear, had to crane their neck upwards just to even attempt to absorb the full design of the creature. Then its head opens up, a billow of smoke looms outside of the cockpit. A small figure emerges.

“Hey ya!” A teen girl in an oversized jacket and pink hair clips throws a peace sign. “My name is Penni Parker, and this is my robot. ” The girl then launches herself into the air, springing into a backflip and landing effortlessly on the ground. Both her and her robot break out into sensational battle poses.

“You have a pet robot?���

“I wouldn’t call her a pet.” Peni motions the robot, the machine then bends down to meet her. Penni scratches the display that operates as its head. A cartoonish happy face on its monitor. “It’s a long story. But we are best friends.” 

Jonathan timidly walks toward the robot and reaches his hand out ‘Can I?’ he seems to ask wordlessy. Penni nods. ‘Yes, you may.’ Jonathan pets the robot and its screen interface emotes with heart eyes. 

Another muffled thump is heard from a distance. Everyone’s head turns. 

The culprit of the sound walks apprehensively from the cover of the shadows. 

“Hey, I’m Gwen.” She’s wearing the green and red jacket she borrowed from Miles' room back on 1610. “I’m, uh…” Gwen Stacy fiddles with the zipper as she thinks of the right words to say, “I’m...a friend…of Miles.” 

“I’m Peter! With little Mayday.” Peter grabs May’s hand and gives it a wave. He looks around, taken aback. 

“Yikes. What happened here?” he nudges a glitching, fractured statue with his foot, “Looks like some inter-dimensional barf in here.” 

“Names Peter as well. Peter Parker but they call me Noir.” The man in all black tips his hat respectfully, hanging from the wall and the wind blows his trenchcoat. Both Miles and Jonathon shared brief bewildered looks.

 “Where is that wind coming from? We’re in a subway.” Jonathan whispered to Miles, his hand obscuring his mouth. The boy just shrugs.

“I’m here riding with the flow of justice.” (Unbeknownst to Noir, Peter is rolling his eyes. Mouthing his exact words as he’s speaking them while mocking his theatrical mannerisms). “Because in this world, justice is as fickle as the rain. And like rain, she’s taken for granted until times of drought and corruption-” 

“-I’m Pavitr Prabhakar!” A teen boy rushes in with an infectious eagerness, excitedly shakes the two men's hands. “हे भगवान!” (Oh my god) “You’re exactly like Miles!”

“I am Miles.”

“Yeah but you are like a much more serious, jaded version of him. You seem more like a lone-wolf, brooding type of guy.” 

“That’s a lot of assumptions for someone you just met.” 

“I’m really good at reading people,” the teen proclaims proudly. His eyes dart subtly from Hobie to Miles with a smirk on his face. His masked face somehow managing to convey that they knew his innermost emotions. Miles scowls and looks away. 

“Anybody else I should know about?” he asks, desperate to avoid the subject.

A blue toned blue hologram materializes instantly in front of the two. Jonathan lets out an embarrassing high pitched yelp. 

“Kess comma Margo,'' she says casually. “But where I’m from, they call me Spyder-Byte.” 

“Woah.” Jonathan whispered under his breath, captivated by the sight of a moving human hologram. He moves his hand out to touch it.

“Nuhuh!” Margo smacks it away. “Just because I’m cyber doesn’t mean I'm not solid.”

“Solidified light?” Jonathan awes, cradling his smacked hand. Another thing to add to the list of technological marvels he would never dream he’d live to see. Yet now he was seeing all of it in one day.

Prowler takes a step toward, also taken with the avatar.  “How-” Suddenly, he trips on his shoelace and falls flat on his face with a loud SMACK.

“Whoops! Careful There!” Miles groggily lifts his head and finds a carton pig cheerfully strutting towards him on its hind legs. 

“Oh I see the problem here. It’s your shoe! It’s very untied.” The hog spits in his…hand? Hoof? And hold it out for him to shake. “The name’s Peter Porker, put ‘em here!”  

“No thanks, I…just ate.” Miles said, waving the creature away with his hand.The pig, undeterred, then turns to Jonathon. 

“Um nice to… meet you.” Ohnn reluctantly licks his thumb and pointer finger. Leaning down to lightly pinch the very tip of one of the hog’s fingers, reluctantly gave a very light shake of his hand. 

“Wow.” He chuckles, whipping his hand on his lab coat. “A lot of P names in this group huh?”

“There's plenty more where we come from,” Peter Parker jokes. Only the other spiders laugh.

“And that's all of ‘em.” Hobie sneaks up behind Jonathon and Miles, wrapping his arms over their shoulders. Miles feels his face burn with embarrassment.  “I wouldn’t sweat memorizing ‘em all,” he murmurs. “I reckon I forget most of these blokes as well.”

 “You said my uncle sent you guys? ” Miles directs his question to no one in particular “Why?”

Everyone immediately breaks out into their own explanation of events. All wildly talking over one another in a long, complicated mess of unintelligible words. Hobie abstains from the futile madness. 

“Did that help?” Hobie asks amusedly 

“Not at all, thank you” Miles speaks with fake sincerity. 

Hobie snorts.  “Well to be fair, it is quite the story.” 

“We can talk about it over snacks!” Jonathan enthusiastically walks over to his snack stash, listing his commodities as he sees them. “I have green tea, oolong, lavender, chai tea...” 

Silently, the other spiders shoot a nervous glance at Pavitir. Miles swears he can see a vein popping underneath his mask. The boy slowly turns, “Chai?…Tea?...”

“Yuh huh. I also picked up some bagels, biscuits, oh and picked up  some naan bread from this spot on 7th street this morning -” 

“NAAN? BREAD?”

“Uh huh. I also made this Tikka Masala to go with it! I followed this recipe online-”

Pavitir breaths heavily with his fists balled at his side. He is surrounded by the spiders desperately trying to calm down. 

“Take deep breaths Pav.” Margo Kess instructs him.

“Look at him! He doesn’t know any better.” Penni attempts to reason

“Oh, here we go. ” Hobie crosses his arms, leaning against the wall with the biggest smile on his face.

“-Did you just say NAAN BREAD? Do you realize what you just said? NAAN means bread. Chai is tea. Did you really offer me some tea-tea with some bread-bread? How can you call yourself a scientist if you don't even-”

“-PAV!” Gwen places herself between Jonathon and the disgruntled boy, “I think he gets it.” Pavitir turns away with a huff, arms crossed and cheeks puffed like a scolded child.

Jonathan looks at the thermos in his hand shamefully. “If you don’t want it I can-”

“-I’ll take the food.” Pavitir quickly grabs the container and plastic utensils from him. Just as he’s about to leave he abruptly stops to face the scientist once again.

“...Thank you.” The boy says in a low voice. After retreating to a more secluded corner of the lab he opens the container. His shoulders visibly relax when he sees the steam pop out. Hobie digs in from over his shoulder. 

“That doesn’t have pork in it does it?” Porker asks the scientist

“I believe it’s chicken.” 

The pig shrugs. “Welp, better them than me!” making his way towards the impromptu picnic.

“Can we stop dallying and get down to business?” Noir rubs his temples in annoyance “Where’s our boy Miles?” 

Jonathan and Miles look at eachother, tight lipped. Both telepathically communicating their unswayed distrust in the eclectic group of characters. Though it’s Miles who has the gall to voice his skepticism. 

“Give us a reason to trust you guys.”

“Hold on.” Gwen types a few buttons on her web watch, from which it emits a hologram rife with all the relevant pictures and text files.

“You see this guy here?” Gwen points to the lanky spotted silhouette depicted on the orange hued screen. “This is theSpot. He’s a sorta trans-dimensional super being. You see the spots on his body?” She fiddles with the settings on her watch, zooming in on his likeness. “Those are portals he uses to travel to alternate dimensions. He’s already opened up several worm holes in other universes.” 

“Mine included.” Pavitr speaks up, pointing to the wreckage surrounding them. “This is all from my home.” Gwen swipes the hologram, which shows the devastating aftermath of the Spot’s carnage. The boy exudes an uncharacteristic somber tone, his voice racked with hurt. 

“A lot of people got hurt and many more could be dead. We got a handle on it now…though barely. And now… he’s after Miles.”

“Why?” both men inquired at once.

“He thinks it’s his fault.” Pavitir says, “The way he looks now, he blames Miles for it.”

“If we don't get Miles home the same will happen again in his dimension and he won’t stop after that.” Noir falls gracefully from his vantage point, light as a feather, and onto his feet. “Every second he’s free, the entire multiverse is at risk.” 

“I do remember Miles bringing up the name Spot.” The scientist steps closer to get a better look. “Wait..That’s the guy I saw in my vision!” He peers over the accompanying slides with written information. He doesn’t get very far before he sees the thing that makes his blood run cold.

‘Subject: Jonathan Ohn A.K.A The Spot’

“Hey… that’s my name.” Jonathan gives a feeble laugh which falters as soon as he sees the sympathetic gazes from around him. None of them bother to look him in the eyes. With a trembling finger, he points to the stranger on the screen.

 “That’s not actually me… is it?” 

 “I’m sorry Jonathan.” Gwen’s voice is a but a low whisper

“I -” Jonathan opens his mouth to speak but no words come out. He stumbles backwards and falls into the uneven office chair. 

“How?” 

Nobody speaks up. 

Jonathon throws his arms up in frustration. “How? How did this happen to me? Tell me. I deserve to know the truth.” 

“We destroyed the collider on Earth-1610.” Peter speaks hesitantly, “We thought we were helping but…He absorbed the dark matter as a result of the explosion and…” he trails off sympathetically. “...I’m sure you know the rest.”

Jonathon takes a second to absorb the words but shakes his head in disbelief. “That- That makes no sense,” he stutters. “Why would I be  mad at that boy? He saved my life. When I was trapped inside the collider and then he was the one who-” 

Jonathan’s face becomes crestfallen. “Oh,” is all he can manage to muster . 

 Just then. his heart threatens to burst out of his chest the more the reality dawns on him. Had he been trapped near that machine for just a few more seconds his future would’ve looked very different. The thought makes him physically ill. See, Jonathan Ohnn had grown accustomed to the idea of a strenuous future when he crossed the higher ups at Alchemex. He was by no means a fearless man, but he learned to stomach the notion of violence being used against him. But this? This thought that this depravity that could’ve consumed his entire waking being was too much to handle. He hated to admit it, but he could better brave the concept of a vicious death than the idea of him being a grotesque, wicked monstrosity. 

Then scientist feels his knees give out from under him as his head aches from the overwhelming realization. 

“Jonathon? Jonathan!” Many people speak his name in concern but he can’t hear them.

Jonathan clutches his skull as he writhes in pain. Bombarded with flashes of memories that are not his own. Yet somehow feel as real to him as the pain currently working to overwhelm him. He sees it all. For a moment, he can feel the shame of being fired from his dream job. The way armed men escorted him out the building through the back door so as to not disturb anyone with his ghastly appearance. For a moment, he can see the horror on his family's faces. How the people who promised to love him unconditionally removed all the hanged photos of his former glory from their walls and refused to return his calls. For a moment, he can feel himself being shunned by his fellow scientists and turned away by doctors. All to disturbed with him to even pretend to care for him and his condition. He can feel the disgusted glances on the street. The way mothers fearfully pull their children closer to them when they see him walk past. For a moment, he can feel the realization that as he is now, there is not a single living creature that could endure him in any capacity. How In just one night, love and normalcy had become something entirely unattainable for him. In the span of seconds it was like he felt his entire life go in a downward spiral. And all the while in the background a voice bellowed with malice. A voice that sounded a lot like his own.

‘Maybe then I won’t be such a joke to you!’ 

It was enough to make any man go mad.

When he comes to, Jonathan finds himself on his hands and knees surrounded by worried folks. An onslaught of concern from the group hits him in one giant wave. A multitude of  hands grab him to support him back to his feet. A flurry of voices drown his thoughts.

‘Are you alright? Do you need water? Here, sit down. Take deep breaths now, in and out. How many fingers am I holding up? Be careful with him. Careful! Stop crowding him, give him some air. You’re freaking him out! Can somebody please get him some water?’

Miles rushes over with a water bottle in hand. “Thank you” he says weakly. He downs most of it in one gulp.

“I saw it.” he says crushing the plastic in his hands. He leans back in the chair recalling the vision, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. “I saw everything. He’s so… miserable. I -” His voice catches in his throat. 

“No one should ever have to go through that!” He cries hysterically, barely able to get the words out through choked sobs. “No one should ever be made to feel so… alone.” He finishes weeping dejectedly into his hands. Miles sympathetically places his hand on his back, shooting irritated glare at the newcomers. 

Gwen can feel her heart break in two. As she closes her eyes with a sigh, she begins playing the first rhythm that comes to mind, lightly drumming her hands on the table. Not that she intends to, but high stress environments or bad rhythm situations prompt her to emulate a good rhythm to counteract it. Is it a trauma response? A defense mechanism? Probably. This isn’t one she uses often though. She played it only one other time for her dad after losing her mom. As they cried holding each other on the living room floor, the tapping of her fingers managed to empty the well of her father's eyes until he had no tears left to cry. It wouldn’t make him happy. No rhythm could do that for a loss like this, but it would be enough to ease his pain just for a moment. Like a little morphine for the soul.

She opens her eyes to see Jonathon's head leaning on the headrest of the chair, holding the plastic bottle over his heart. His breaths are deep and steady. His face was still wet with freshly shed tears. She listens to the rhythm of his breathing. It stills houses a great dejection, but now she can sense a hint of acceptance . ‘Good’ she thinks to herself. ‘It’s good enough for now.’

She bends down to a squat in front of the man, looking into his eyes. “I know this is a lot.” she began, “But you would be helping us save a lot of people if you helped us out. Please Jonathon…Can you tell us where we can find him?”

Jonathan takes a moment before responding, the hand holding the water bottle falls limply into his lap. 

“You’re right about him being here,” he began softly, his head thrown back and eyes open ajar. “He went to the lab just before you arrived. He was going to steal the prototype for the new strain of Rapture.” Jonathan points out to the broken machine through the window of the observation deck. “We stayed here to attempt to fix the collider and hopefully  circumvent its shortcomings so we could  send him home before we destroyed this thing for good.” 

“Rapture?” Gwen asks.

“It’s a highly addictive, insanely deadly drug Alchemex and Scorpion Pharmaceuticals  have been shilling. It’s supposed to be illegal but…” MIles sighs, “That word doesn’t mean much here.”

“It’s the stuff Miguel is mulled up on.” Hobie speaks quietly, “The stuff that makes him… you know.” Hobie glanced at Peter, Noir, and proker. Among the more established, long standing members of spider society it was an open secret. One no would ever talk about, not even behind closed doors. 

“Without it he’s even worse” Peter adds. “If you could imagine,” he laughs bleakly

“Well they wanna distribute it through every universe.” Miles spoke with his arms crossed. “They’ll not only make a monopoly out of it but the cure as well. Who knows what other stuff they’ll do with that kind of power...”

“So what are we going to do?” Jonathan spoke weakly, his head rolled to the side. “If they fire this machine again anytime soon, which to be honest they absolutely will, we’re talking about a rupture in the space time continuum! It’ll totally destroy-” 

Jonathan head perks up worriedly taking deep sniffs in the air. “I’m sorry, What’s that smell?”

All eyes turn to Peter Parker, who lifts up Mayday from her carrier. He takes a whiff of her backside then immediately recoils from the stench. 

“Sorry everyone, my daughter just-” he looks at the baby before lowering his voice to a  whisper “-she just shit herself.” He looks around wildly, clicking his tongue. “You don’t happen to have a baby changing station here, do you?” 

“Uh-” 

“You know what, nevermind. That’s a stupid question I’ll just change here…uhhh…over Here!” Peter walks over to desk. In swift motion he wipes all the documents and equipment off a table before taking off his baby carrier and getting right to work. 

“Don’t mind me, as you were saying? 

“Well, It’ll open up a black hole big enough to swallow all of Brooklyn. Possibly extending to the Hudson Valley, Long Island, hell maybe he Jersey-”

“Would Long Island really be a loss?” Peter jokes whilst lathering his palms in a heap of baby powder

Everyone looks at him, speechless. 

“Peter-” Penni reprimanded.

“-Geez, tough crowd.” The occupied father said, “I guess I’ll just shut up now.”

“Anyways, with the shock wave that happened when Miles disrupted the colliderIt’s only a matter of time before the higher ups show up…'' Jonathan slowly wheels himself to turn towards Miles, “...Then what are you going to do?”

“Me?” 

“You didn’t kill me, and you’re not going to hand over the collider are you?”

“No. Of course not! And also I was never going to kill you per say-” 

“-But they’ll kill you.” Jonathon slammed his thigh with emphasis, “You know that. They’ll kill both of us.” He puts his head in his hands, mumbling quietly to himself,  “What are we gonna do?What are we gonna do?...” 

“I’ll figure something out man,” Miles attempts to assure. “I do my best work when the stakes are high” he jokes

Jonathan looks up from his hands, completely disheartened “Maybe... You should’ve just killed me…When you had the chance.” 

“Jonathon-”

“-You still can.” Jonathan reasons. “Then afterwards you and Miles can dispose of the strain. Maybe use it as leverage to negotiate-”

“-Don’t be ridiculous Ohnn.” 

“I’m fine with dying if it’s for a good reason. I’ve served my purpose-”

“-You’re not dying Ohnn.” Mile begins to pace around,  thinking to himself . “Can’t we just, I don’t know, blow it up?” 

The boy is met with chorus of no’s

“Again, we tried that on 1610 and we’re still dealing with the aftermath.” Porker reasons, “It’s the reason we have this Spot problem in the first place.”

“To destroy, I would need to corrupt the files.” Jonathon rises to his feet and makes his way over to  the monitors. “But most of the computers are busted. It’ll take ages for me to make a kill switch and download the relevant files to save my work.”

“Sorry do you have anywhere I can throw this away?” Peter holds up a stinky diaper, “Whew, this smells BAD.” 

Jonathon responds actually perturbed this time, “I’m not sure.. the trash can?” 

“You know what, I'll just hold onto it, I guess. Sorry I'm new to this whole parenting thing.” 

“Can we worry about this whole money hungry, supervillain side plot  later?” Margo practically begs, “When there isn’t a massive threat to time and space on our hands.”

“And this isn’t?” Peter Parker speaks up, wiping his hands and placing his baby back in her carrier. “We can’t leave this alone. It’ll bite us in the ass.” 

“So what should we worry about first then?” Hobie asks, “The Spot

Suddenly, All the spiders react. 

“Spider sense?” Miles asks

“Spider sense.” Hobie affirms 

“At least it’s not the cavalry,” Jonathon sighs in relief. “It's probably Miles.” 

“NO! Wait-” The spiders attempt to protest to no avail.

“-Cabron!” Miles shouts, “Hurry up! We have important business to talk about.”

Who emerges is an incredibly tall, hulking figure possessing the build of a linebacker and the disposition of a giant. The spider emblem at the center of his suit possessing a skull head and fangs. As if it was intentionally designed to be threatening. At his sides his fists sit balled in anger.  

“Who is that?” Jonathan whispers.

“...The cultist.” Hobie whispers back

For an agonizing moment Miguel O’hara says nothing. Taking all the time in the world to scrutinize each body that occupied that dark, ruined lab. Eventually his mask dissolves. The face underneath held his customary scowl, which not only housed its usual contempt, but also an intense bitterness and perhaps a slight look of betrayal. If looks could kill the daggers he was glaring into the group of traitors would’ve had each of them mangled beyond recognition.

“Business?” Miguel spoke tersely. “Well then, I’m all ears.”

[akiyamanemu]

🍼.Gun & Goo on a nanny day:

As those huge, bright eyes glared at JongGun, he reflected on the decisions he had made during his life that had led him to this point, babysitting the daughter of his once favorite Jang Hyun, but the worst part of it was that JoonGoo was there to help. It looked like a comedy scene, two gangsters and a baby.

-Gun you don't think she shit herself? Goo was sitting in the living room peeling some potatoes for dinner, he was talking nonstop.

-Uh? Gun lifted Yenna with one hand sniffing all over the baby like a bloodhound. -Don't say "she shit herself", and she's fresh!

-Then maybe you should feed her! Goo went into the kitchen to get the bottle, he seemed to be putting a little too much effort into taking care of Yenna.

In a second Gun's sunglasses were in Yenna's hands, she smeared the glasses with saliva and shook them in the air, Gun looked around looking for something for the little girl to play with but he didn't see anything that could serve as a toy for a child , Gun cursed wondering why the hell Jang Hyun hadn't prepared a bag with Yenna's things before sending her there.

-Your dad is being very negligent little princess, it looks like uncle is going to have to take you shopping...

-Are you going out with the baby? Goo asked, heading out of the kitchen.

-We're going out with the baby! Gun smiled at Yenna, settling her in his arms as he grabbed his wallet and keys to leave.

-Why do I have to go?! Goo grumbled taking off his apron.

-You live in these housewife stores, you're going to help me buy things for Yenna! Gun shrugged putting the frilly sunglasses on his face.

-But my soup is boiling... Goo was muttering at the kitchen door, he wasn't in the mood to leave.

-Fuck your soup... I mean, leave the soup for later... Gun clears his throat looking at Yenna, the baby didn't care about their fights, she seemed more interested in chewing Jong Gun's expensive coat.

The three drove to an expensive mall in the area. Out of nowhere Gun had become a mother ready to spend every last penny on her baby, he went to brand stores buying expensive dresses, shoes, he had gone to the mall to buy a bottle and some toys.

-I think it's good, right Yenna?! Goo said as he adjusted the bags in his arms.

-Not! Gun smiled at Yenna as he pushed the baby stroller he had just bought, extremely expensive.-I want to buy her some hairpins!

-But didn't you buy some at Dior? Goo snorted, he could feel his arms surrounded by bag straps burning.

-Yes, so what? Gun lowered his sunglasses, frowning.

-Your favoritism over Jang Hyun is no joke. Goo mocked being ignored by Gun who used some teddy bears to entertain Yenna, her laughter echoed around while she had fun with her new uncle.

At the end of the day Gun and Yenna ate ice cream while Goo struggled to find a taxi or something to take them home with so many bags. Gun acted like the perfect uncle, or rather he was ready to spoil that child by spoiling her with all the good and the best whenever she smiled or laughed, Gun didn't understand what he felt when he saw those huge eyes shining when they looked at him, because he was always scary and intimidating to everyone, in his mind maybe Yenna was strong and brave enough to be his successor.

-Hey, you crazy man, stop raving, this child will still take a long time to be old enough to start illegal businesses! He said through gritted teeth drawing Gun's attention to the taxi that was waiting for them.

So they went back to Gun's house where Jang Hyun was waiting anxiously at the door wondering what had happened to his daughter, only to see her covered in extremely expensive and luxurious things with her face full of ice cream.

[I hope you like it, someone asked in the comments, I wrote it and forgot to post it lol]

[For me Gun must be really good with kids, even with his bad personality, so I couldn't pass it up]

[saintship]

Ghost and platonic¡ 141 with fem¡reader who's on task force with him and is 1.88 centimeters tall and quite buff (cause she has to deal with men) so she's quite close to him in height and let's say the team goes to a secluded bar together and she wears high heel leather boots to almost the thigh and she's actually at his height in them? And shes making jokes about it cause she finally can look him straight in his baby blues what would his reaction be?

Can the reader be masked 2 if possible? Only her eyes show and her hair is on a bun 24/7?

Also i am rather tan skinned if you would wanna add that(?

Let's say they aren't together and just have a lot of chemistry with each other but remain close companions that make wonderful team(cause military)

Sorry if this is too spesific or a boring request you are free to ignore im just thirsty xd

I hope you enjoy !

Platonic!141 x Reader - Baby Blues

Typically, the common room on base after a 141 mission is quiet with exhaustion, but for whatever reason, Soap and Gaz called the team together demanding a group outing to celebrate. The mission was successful, and you might have egged it on more than you usually would as an excuse to get drunk with your team. Price agreed after some prodding, and now Ghost was left to face one of earth’s mightiest forces; peer pressure from Soap.

“Come on L.T.! Just a few beers!”

“Sure. Alone. At mine.”

“You can beat me in pool!”

“And I can beat a fourth grader at football, what’s the point?”

“Oi, that’s not the same!”

“Completely the same.”

“Alright!” You interrupted their bickering, still reclining with your boots propped up on the coffee table. “Ghost, I know it’s not your scene, but I know a place that I think you’ll like.”

“Negative.”

“It’s not busy-"

“No.”

“They have bourbon-"

“No.”

You sighed. “I’ll pay for your bourbon?”

Ghost was quiet, and you seized the opportunity to clasp your hands together, standing up. “We’re going!”

Price glanced at his watch. “Meet back here in twenty.” He sat in a chair near Ghost, likely offering support as the second-most brooding member of the 141.

You, Soap, and Gaz raced to your barracks like you were in boot camp again, dashing through your door to rifle through your closet. It wasn’t all uniform; everyone was expected to have other clothes for undercover work and occasionally a UN event. You pulled on a deep green slip, and switched out your mask for a darker color to match. Searching for a pair of shoes, our eyes landed on a pair you hadn’t touched in quite some time, a leather ankle boot with straps, silver detailing, and a decent heel.

After re-tying your hair where it rested atop your head, you went to join them again, Soap and Gaz on your tail.

“Oi, when did you get even taller?”

You smiled at Gaz. “Sorry?” You leaned down, pretending to not be able to hear, which he huffed at while Soap laughed.

“Aye, you walked yourself into that one.”

The bar was slowing down, as the team entered. You nudged Ghost gently.

“Told you it wasn’t bad.”

He hummed, still scanning the room as he would anywhere else. You started a tab for you and Ghost before walking over to join him for pool.

“Accept your fate now, yeah?” Ghost pointed at you with his pool stick.

“Not a chance.” You smiled, hitting the first shot. The triangle shot out in all directions, landing you a few points.

“Lucky.” Ghost huffed.

“Excuses.” You retorted.

It was a back and forth for a few minutes before Ghost spoke up again. “You might be a Sergeant, but you play pool like a rookie.”

You walk up to him, amusement glinting in your eyes.

“Could a rookie look you right in those baby blues?”

Ghost blinked; you saw the movement behind his mask of him furrowing his brow. You could hear Soap’s amused laugh, but kept your eyes where they were.

Ghost pointed a gloved finger at you. “You should be honored.”

Your smile grew. “So honored.”

[blackbloodteeth]

Snippet Sunday!!!! I'm so excited that I'm almost done with The WIP™, so look forward to that as much as I am (if brain is merciful and doesn't make me too inspired to write another scene afterwards).

And here's my contribution to this here Sunday! Better strap in 'cause we're gettin' weird with it (also warning for like vomiting or something).

———

Everything happened so fast and all at once, quite literally so as moments flipped by like television static in quick succession as Maka spins Soul around in a dance, and his fingers grip through her hair as she presses his face deeper into the couch, and the edge of the blade tips the rapid pulse of his neck towards the glare gleaming down on him, and oh god make it stop- while the cards across the table grin with his face – "Devil's bluff." �� until his knees crash against the concrete below, his chest heaving and then spewing out something wretched and- sl-slug…?

"Oh there you are, it's about time. Or is it about space?" Soul's head shivers up to crane his head towards- at himself? But like one of those freaky animatronics you'd find on a show stage except it's standing all on its own, not laughing with its mouth as it jumps to another pose like he'd been forced to blink. "Either way, no matter where you go, here you are!"

Before Soul can even think to speak, let alone catch his breath, the motionless jointed puppet of him flips between different positions with every sentence.

"Would you do anything she would tell you to?" Its hands are held open to the air.

"Do you care about her more than anything?" One hand is pointed up like a proposal while its head is tilted.

"You would risk your life for her, right?" It's leaning in close to him now, one hand over its heart while the other is reaching in invitation.

"Dude," Soul finally manages to croak out, "what the bloody fuck are you on about?"

The creepy animatronic him laughs like this is some kind of sick joke, arms poised outwards in an open grin. "I'm asking; Would you do anything for Maka!"

"Of course I fucking would; I don't- Why are fucking with me—"

"Great! That's what we like to hear!" His hands clench closer to his chest when the freak has its fingers knitted together, Soul's flight or fight starting to lean more into the latter as- "A compelling premise; Now we need a genre!"

Soul holds his breath while the thing's eyes start rotating rapidly like a slot machine, faster and faster until they suddenly stop, not… having changed, he thinks? Maybe they- "The voices have spoken!" Its fingers are fully stretched out to reveal nothing in its palms. "Oooh, murder mystery! This one's gonna be fun!"

"W-wait, what are you-"

"Come on now, no space to lose!" His sore throat chokes as he's suddenly being picked up by the arms from behind, not even an opening to squawk back as a hat – oh god that better be just a hat – is shoved onto his head and he's then pushed forward into what might've been a hallway. "Time to go!"

Soul's still reeling while his footsteps stutter in front of him, the brick road beneath now glowing faintly under the midnight light of – why the fuck does the moon look like that?!

As is with the rest of Everything preceding him, he doesn't even get the courtesy to stop and think about any of this or the fact he's in a trench coat now as he had apparently been walking this entire time, his fingers jarred by the force he apparently just used to knock on this door a few feet away from where he'd been. For the couple seconds it takes for a rough, burly man to squint at him from the other side opening up, he notes the card-sized object between the fingers of his sweaty pocket by the time the man seems to recognize him. "Ah, Holmes' Agency?"

"I, uhh…" He also notes that his mind and therefore memory is currently still hazy, taking a quick peek at the ID badge before he flashes it to the guy. "Yessir. Sou Leater, P.I."

"Oh thank goodness you're here then, Detective Leater. You couldn't have come sooner." A firm but respectable handshake is quickly exchanged as the man then shows him inside, the air already thick with tension. "There's just been a murder, and we think the killer might have left behind a clue on who the next victim will be."

Detective Leater adjusts his cap and squares his shoulders while following closely after him.

"Let me take a look and I'll see what I can deduce."