#because I don't interfere with the game I had to press on and go with this new storyline

[fundielicious-simblr]

(Lana's POV)(TW for pregnancy loss/medical emergency/funeral)

A few weeks before my due date I woke up in terrible pain, I didn't understand what was happening as I just knew in my heart that it wasn't your typical labour pain. The pain got worse with every passing second and I started bleeding, so Parker called for an ambulance and called our mums to let them know what was happening.

At some point on the journey to the hospital I passed out, and when I woke up very confused and disoriented, Parker had to explain to me that I suffered a placental abruption and was rushed into surgery. The twins and I were all in distress and whilst they were able to stabilise me, the twins passed in utero and were removed from me during the surgery. Honestly my mind was so foggy after surgery that I didn't really take in what he was saying for a while until I heard a baby cry and it really hit me that we had lost our babies. My family got on a plane as soon as they could after hearing the news, but as I couldn't have any guests for the first few days after surgery I didn't see them until I was moved out of the ICU. Parker's parents and sisters also came by, and it was so emotional seeing family and seeing all the messages and videos from those in the group chats we have. We were allowed to say a final goodbye to the babies after they were cleaned up after surgery, and that was the most heartbreaking moment I've ever had to experience, and one I pray I never have to experience again.

Once I was out of the hospital and back at home, our families banded together to arrange a funeral service for our babies. I was so out of everything that I told them they could handle all of it and just tell me when and where to be there. The service was beautiful, Allan Sr did a wonderful job at highlighting the promise of heaven that we have, and that while the situation is extremely sad, we can rejoice that our babies are now resting with our Lord and saviour. He reminded us all that salvation is key reaching heaven at the end of our earthly journey, which was a sobering reminder for us all.

We got an hour to ourselves at the church before the service started so we could privately say goodbye to our babies. For the first 20 minutes I couldn't bring myself to look at the teeny tiny caskets, but Parker encouraged me that it would be good to gain some closure on the whole experience. We had planned to name them Oliver and Naomi and had had a few personalised things made for them, so I brought the onesies we planned for them to wear coming home from the hospital for them to be buried with. Our parents joined us towards the end where they were able to say goodbye, and after a quick prayer we started welcoming people into the chapel for the service. We then had a family-only burial before everyone headed back to church and our mother's hosted the wake, we chose to just head home as we were both feeling overwhelmed.

[woso-dreamzzz]

Ma'am V

Aitana Bonmatí x Royal!Reader

Summary: You want your wife happy

"I'm not going to yell," Aitana said as she came home," I'm not going to yell."

You raised a brow. "You already said that."

Aitana looked at you, the rage in her chest simmering down slightly.

You're lounging on the bed, head propped up on your fist as you wore the most form fitting lingerie you had in your wardrobe.

"What?" You said," Can't a wife want to dress up for her wife?"

Aitana tore her gaze away, affixing her eyes to the headboard and very stubbornly not looking at you. "I'm meant to be angry at you."

"You can still be angry and look. I've dressed up just for you."

Aitana pursed her lips. "You only did that because you know I'm angry at you."

You scoffed in faux offence. "I am offended," You said," To think, my own wife thinks I'd stoop that low..." You winked, a grin spreading across your face. "Is it working?"

A pillow soared across the room, smacking you right in the nose.

"You bought the RFEF?!"

You scrubbed a hand over your face. "From your tone of voice...I'm guessing that you aren't impressed."

"You bought the RFEF?!"

"Are you okay, Tana? You've been repeating yourself an awful lot today."

"You bought the RFEF?!"

You sighed, pulling on one of your dressing gowns. "I wanted to do something nice for you. You were complaining about the management. I'm going to replace them. It's simple."

"Simple? Do you understand how this looks? My wife buying the RFEF? It's...It's unsportsmanlike!"

"Well, it's a good thing I'm not an athlete."

Aitana looked like she was about to start arguing again so you pulled her into a hug, hooking your chin over her shoulder.

"You come home after every camp complaining. You talk about how corrupt they are." You shrugged, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "I'm doing you a favour."

"You don't know how to run the RFEF!"

"I'm good at starting foundations," You said," Do you know all royals have to have a cause?"

You relaxed back against the bed, undoing the belt of your dressing gown and allowing the bare hints of your gorgeous lingerie to be shown again.

"Will does wildlife stuff and homelessness and conservation. Harry had the veterans and the Invictus Games and climate change. Mine's been women's sports for a while now."

"Women's sports in a country that isn't your own?" Aitana resolutely didn't look at the lingerie you'd picked just for you.

You sighed, running a hand through your hair as you exposed more of your body, looking up at your wife through your lashes. You flashed her a smile. "It's a nice start. Combatting misogyny at its source." You adjusted your position, widening your stance. "Making sports a safe place for women. You'll find I'm quite a charitable person."

"Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"I know what you're doing."

"What am I doing?"

"Trying to seduce me!" Aitana looked away from you. Or, at least, she made the action of looking away, turning her chin so you couldn't meet her eyes comfortably. But you could see her gaze darting back towards you, could see the way she had to tighten her hands into fists so she didn't touch you.

"Baby," You drawled," My love. My darling wife, do you think so low of me?"

"Yes."

"Come to bed."

Aitana pursed her lips and turned back to you, her voice soft and quiet. "You bought the RFEF for me?"

"I want you to be happy and going to camp doesn't make you happy. You love football and you should love playing football for your country. I promise I won't interfere much. I'm going to set up a foundation to run it. Just you wait. I'm going to change it for the better."

You looked up at her earnestly, eyes a little wide as you tried to seek her approval.

Aitana stepped closer, until her knees were pressed up against the bed and her body was between your legs.

"You really bought the RFEF to make me happy?"

"Of course," You scoffed," Why else would I want that shitty organisation? I love you. I want you happy. And seeing as you've rejected all my offers to join the Lionesses-"

Aitana rolled her eyes, swatting at your shoulder as she laughed. "I'm Spanish."

"You've got an English citizenship. You're a Princesse of England. I think you should be able to play for Eng-"

You didn't get to finish your thought.

Mainly because Aitana crashed her lips against yours and you melted into it like every time she kissed you.

"What are you laughing about now?" She asked as she pulled away.

You grinned. "You still angry at me?"

"Furious," Aitana said with a grin.

"I can take my bra off, if that helps."

Aitana pushed you flat on your back, settled as she straddled your hips.

"That's a good start."

[httpdwaekki]

migraine | b.c.

summary: you were known to have pretty intense migraines but chan is there to help you feel better.

wc: 1.9k

warnings: no warnings, just pure fluff, tad bit of hurt/ comfort, sweet channie as always, and in true ashton fashion far too many petnames lmao. very lightly proofread (p.s. i am in my wolfchan lover arc, need him immediately.)

a/n: omg ashton got lost in the sauce again? * gasp* shocker! yeah this took me way too long to write but whatever. i actually don't hate this which is crazy but this is self indulgent because i get some pretty intense, nasty migraines that can last a couple days and it sucks. but if you suffer from the same thing i hope this can bring you some comfort and also i recommend a gel cap that you put in the freezer. an actual game changer, trust. anyway, i hope you enjoy! remember to eat, drink water and take your meds, ily <3

*lowercase intended*

my library

(pictures are not mine! credit to owners!)

you had some pretty nasty migraines, no secret to you or chan. they last anywhere from a few hours to a few days and while there were things to help lessen the pain and pressure, sometimes you just had to ride it out.

this was unfortunately one of those times. now usually you would call chan as soon as you felt the first telltale sign of a migraine . this time however, you didn’t, you knew he was busy with work and didn’t want to interfere with that. but you were selfishly starting to regret that decision as everything you were doing did nothing to help.

it seemed like everything did nothing but increase the pressure in your head, spreading to your face. in a last ditch effort to get some sleep you put on some migraine music, pressed a cold compress to your eyes and pulled wolfchan to your chest.

the soft plushie smelled faintly of chan’s cologne, the only thing actually helping you relax. but it also made you miss the aussie man, wishing he was by your side, rubbing your temples, softly lulling you to sleep.

you didn’t even realize you were crying until you felt a warm tear drip down to your neck. you knew you had to calm down or you risk making everything worse but you couldn’t. you were overwhelmed by the pressure in your head and frustrated with nothing helping to release it.

you felt selfish and guilty but you knew you needed chan, you felt like you were going insane without him. hesitantly you moved the compress from your eyes, grabbing your phone.

despite the brightness being on the lowest possible setting, you felt a sharp pain behind your eye as the screen turned on. you unlocked your phone, clicking chan’s contact, you quickly typed out a message.

to channie <3 :

hi, i’m so sorry to ask but i really don’t know what else to do, i have a migraine and nothing's helping. i know you're working but is there anyway when you finish up at the studio you could come over? even for a little bit, if not i totally get it, just thought i’d ask, love you bug.

you hit send, locking your phone, placing it on the soft sheets, placing the compress back over your eyes. a few minutes passed before you felt your phone buzz beside you. you move the cold compress once more, bracing yourself for the light from your phone.

from channie <3:

can you call me jagi? i don’t want you to keep looking at your phone screen, love you too sweet girl.

you click his contact once more, hitting the little phone icon next to his name causing the calming music to stop, a loud ringing replacing it. this caused you to wince and quickly lower the volume before putting it on speaker so you could place the cooling pack back over your eyes.

it didn’t take long before he picked up. “hi my baby, what’s going on?” he asked softly.

“my head hurts,” you started, words slightly slurred. “it’s really bad channie.” you take a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down. “i’ve tried everything and nothing’s working, i don’t know what to do.” you softly cried, tears making their way down your cheeks once more.

“okay angel okay, take a deep breath, i need you to relax for me okay? i know it hurts but it’s gonna hurt worse if you’re upset.” you hear rustling in the background.

“i’m just finishing up a few things here and then i’m gonna head over, okay sweetheart?” you respond with a soft whimper, followed by a quiet, “okay.” you press the pack further into your eyes, chasing the coolness that is quickly leaving the gel filled pack.

“do you want me to stay on the phone with you till i get there?” he asks softly, packing his bag.

“yes, please.” you mumbled. “okay baby, just keep breathing and focus on me, okay? i’m gonna pick up some food on the way too, okay?” you hummed in response, rolling over, pushing the soft plushie to your cheek, breathing in the familiar scent.

“everything okay?” you hear changbin ask in the background. “yeah, y/n has a migraine, so i’m going to help her.” chan responds.

“oh no, i hope she feels better, let us know if you guys need anything.” you hear han chime in, your heart swelling at the boys concern.

“will do, thank you, i’ll see you guys later.” you hear him open the studio door making his way into the hallway.

“you still with me, jagi?” he asks softly. “yeah, i’m here.” face squished into the soft fabric. “alright sweetheart, i’m gonna mute for a bit just until i get to my car, okay?” he asks, the elevator dings in the background, signaling its arrival.

“okay.” you say sleepily. “i love you baby, i’ll be right back.” you hear him press a button in the elevator. “love you too bub.” your words slurring slightly.

after chan muted, you felt yourself slowly succumb to the exhaustion, phone positioned next to you on the sheets, wolfchan tucked safely against your cheek, you, curled up in a soft blanket .

that is exactly how chan found you about 25 minutes later as he walked in your room, the space dimly lit by the oil diffuser sitting on your bedside table. he left the take-out bags sitting on your kitchen counter, fresh compress and cold water in hand. he gently places the water on your desk, making his way over to you.

he grabs your phone, ending the call before turning off the relaxing music. he sits next to your sleeping form, gently taking the warm pack off your face. he places a kiss on your forehead before placing the fresh compress on your eyes.

you tense for a moment, before relaxing as the cold begins to relieve the tension once more. you stir awake from the sudden change in temperature. “channie?” you asked, sleep laced in your voice.

he places a hand on your hips, his thumb rubbing soothing circles to the area. “hi, my baby,” he whispers. “how are you feeling hm?” he asks, continuing the soothing motion. you move the cool pack, grabbing his free hand, in this lap, threading your fingers together before placing a kiss on the back of his.

“better now that you’re here.” you murmured, giving him a small smile. he smiled back before leaning down and placing a kiss on your forehead.

“i got you some ramen, i’m gonna go grab it for you okay?” you nodded, him standing, still keeping your hand in his. he leans down to press a soft kiss to your forehead before placing the compress back over your eyes, grabbing the warm one to put back in the freezer .

he gives your hand a light squeeze before walking away. you relax into the soft mattress below you while chan goes to grab the hot soup and some medicine just in case.

he walks in with the tray, setting it on your desk next to the cold water collecting condensation on the wood below it. he makes his way over to you, sitting next to you once again, gently lifting the pack off your eyes. “there she is,” he placed a hand on your cheek, setting the compress next to you.

“hi baby.” he smiled, softly stroking your cheek. you give him a small smile back before turning your head slightly to place a kiss to his palm. “can you sit up for me please?” you nod softly before slowly moving to lean against the wall behind you.

“careful jagi.” he whispered, quickly placing a hand behind your head. “thank you, bug.” you mumble, adjusting the pillows behind you, placing wolfchan in your lap . chan stands up once more, placing the water on the tray before bringing it over to you.

“thank you, chan, you really didn’t have to do all this.” you say, guilt creeping up on you once again. he shakes his head. “nope, none of that. i’m your boyfriend, this is my job.” he places the tray on your lap, taking his place next to you once again.

“plus, i love taking care of you. if you need me, i’m there. any time, any place, simple as that.” your heart swells, you feel a lump form in the back of your throat. “you can’t say stuff like that when i’m like this, i’ll cry.” you play with the plushie’s ears before feeling a finger lift your chin.

“i love you, and i’ll always be here for you, no matter where either of us are, okay?” he said, looking into your eyes, with nothing but love and sincerity. you nod, “i love you too.” he smilled, carefully leaning over to place a kiss on your forehead.

“now, you need to eat, i got your favorite.” he says, picking up the hot soup, opening the lid, before separating the chopsticks. he dips the wooden sticks in the soup, giving it a stir before grabbing some of the noodles.

he gently blows on the steaming noodles before offering it to you, container under it to catch any dripping soup. you giggle, “you know i can feed myself right?” he frowns, pushing the noodles and container closer to you. “eat.”

you smile before opening your mouth, accepting the food he so generously offered you. a smile made it’s way onto his face, feeding you a few more bites. he placed the container back down, chopsticks resting in the soup, before grabbing the medicine and water.

“take these.” he placed them in your hand, opening the water as you dropped the pills in your mouth. he hands you the water, watching as you greedly gulp down the cool beverage. “ how are you feeling, angel?” he asks gently.

“it still hurts but i think eating and drinking definitely helped.” you smiled, handing him the bottle. “ good, i’m glad. eat a few more bites then we’ll lay down, okay?” he says, picking up the soup once more.

you end up finishing the ramen before he grabs the tray and the now warm compress. “do you want a cold one?” he asks holding up the pack.

“yes please.” you nod slightly. “okay, get comfy, i’ll be right back jagi.” you smile laying back down as he leaves the room.

he comes back, shortly after, with a fresh compress and another bottle of water. he places the water next to your diffuser, placing the compress over your eyes. he circles the bed, climbing under the covers.

he lays down, pulling you into him, placing your head on his chest. you place your arm around his wait, hand slipping under his shirt, rubbing your thumb across his soft skin.

he brings his hand up, rubbing soft circles on your temples, placing kiss on the top of your head. “sleep jagi, we can shower when you wake up okay?’ you nod slightly against him.

“thank you, channie. i love you, more than you know.” you mumble, tightening your arms around him. “i love you too baby, i’ll always take care of you, okay?” placing one last kiss to your hair.

that’s how you stayed for the rest of the night, wrapped up in each other’s arms. the pressure in your head, slowly releasing, finally able to relax.

reblogs/feedback are appreciated! i hope you guys enjoyed!

do no repost

[lukesvangelista]

𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 (𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋𝐒)ʳᵍ²⁹

in which ryan goes to ohio state. you go to michigan. the rivalry interferes with your relationship when it comes to a big game at wrigley field.

warnings; ohio state/michigan rivalry, breakups

Ryan had heard some insane things in his life. Chirps from the student sections, wild mid-game taunts, and the occasional absurd take from his teammates about which fast food joint reigned supreme. But this? This was definitely up there.

“You want to what?” he asked, pausing mid-stretch as he prepared for the upcoming game this weekend.

Comfortably seated on his bed wearing his Ohio State hoodie, you met his gaze with unwavering determination, "Break up for the weekend.”

He chuckled, thinking it was a joke. “Yeah, okay.”

You, however, weren't laughing, “I’m serious.”

His smile faded, “You’re serious?"

"Dead."

Ryan blinked, trying to process your words. He wasn't sure he was hearing you correctly, so he spoke again, “You want to break up for the weekend...because of the game?”

“You got it,” you affirmed, your tone resolute, “You play for Ohio State. I go to Michigan. We’re playing each other in the Frozen Confines! We can’t be together this weekend, Ryan.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, “That’s ridiculous as hell.”

“No, what’s ridiculous is pretending I don’t want your team to get absolutely crushed,” you leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief, “I go to Michigan, Ryan. My loyalty is with the Wolverines.”

“And I’m a Buckeye,” he countered, brow furrowing, “You think I want your team to win?”

“Exactly! So how can we possibly be together this weekend?” you challenged him, throwing your hands up, “We’re enemies.”

Ryan scoffed, rolling his eyes, “We’re dating. We've been dating for three years."

“Not this weekend.”

He groaned, “Y/N.”

You gave him a pointed look, “Ryan.”

“This is dumb.”

“This is necessary,” you insisted, "We’re on opposite sides of the greatest rivalry in college sports. It’s only right.”

Ryan stared at you as if your eyes had popped out of your head, utterly dumbfounded, “We can just... I don't know...ignore the fact that it’s happening?”

“Oh, so you’re not playing in the game?” you quipped.

“That’s not what I meant.”

"How would your coach feel if I told him what you said? And your teammates?"

"Y/N... you better not say anything."

“Relax, you idiot, I won't. But you’re gonna tell me that if I show up at Wrigley wearing my Michigan gear and screaming my lungs out, you’re just gonna let it slide?” you pressed, "That you won’t be mad when I lose my voice taunting your team?”

Ryan opened his mouth to argue but the words never came. You had a point.

“You’re gonna tell me you won’t chirp my team?” you continued.

“…No,” he admitted.

“Exactly! That’s why we have to break up for the weekend. Clean break. We go in as enemies, come out as...” you hesitated, “Okay, maybe not friends, but like… amicable rivals.”

He shook his head, exhaling sharply, “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”

You smirked at him, "And yet you know I'm right."

Ryan glared at you, his arms crossed over his chest, “You’re actually breaking up with me?"

“For the weekend,” you reiterated, hopping off his bed and making your way to the door, “Don’t worry, it’s not permanent. Unless Michigan wins. Then I might just stay single.”

“Very funny.”

“I thought so," you turned to look at him over your shoulder, a smirk playing at your lips, “See you on the other side, Buckeye.”

Ryan exhaled as the door shut behind you, a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling within him. This was going to be a long weekend.

Game day came quicker than he Ryan expected. Stepping onto the ice at Wrigley Field, he was enveloped by the electric atmosphere. The historic stadium, transformed into the most incredible outdoor rink that he had ever seen, buzzed with anticipation. Fans from both sides filled the stands, their shouts and taunts creating a cacophony of laughs and playful insults.

As he skated during warm-ups, his eyes scanned the sea of people dressed for one of two sides. He knew that you were out there, draped in blue and maize, your voice undoubtedly among the loudest.

The game commenced with aggression. Both Ohio State and Michigan showcased why they were two of the best teams in the country, each shift more intense than the last. Ryan was clawing at the puck with every chance he got, doing everything he could to capitalize for the Buckeyes. He would be lying if he said that you weren't in the back of his mind when doing so. Midway through the second period, however, T.J. Hughes capitalized on a defensive lapse, allowing Michigan to take a 2-0 lead. The Wolverine fans in the crowd erupted, and Ryan could almost hear your cheers through the air. Why the fuck did you have to go to Michigan?

But Ohio State wasn't finished yet. Ryan made sure of it. He and his teammates rallied. Within the final five minutes of the second period, Sam Deckhut and Noah Powell both sent the puck past Cameron Korpi, scoring to goals to tie the game. The momentum swung back and forth, each team refusing to give in.

And then as the third period began, Will Horcoff scored. 3-2, Michigan.

Three minutes later, Riley Thompson scored. 3-3, all.

With the clock ticking down in the third period, the score tied at 3-3, tension hung thick in the cold air. Every pass, every shot carried the weight of the rivalry. Everyone, both on and off the ice, could feel it.

And then?

A breakthrough for the Buckeyes.

With just 38 seconds remaining, Riley Thompson found himself in the right place at the right time. A pass from Davis Burnside landed perfectly on his stick, and without hesitation, he deflected it right into the net. The Ohio State bench, as well as the fans, erupted in excitement, and Ryan could feel his heart pumping with both joy and relief.

Not only had they just won the game, but he had his girlfriend back. And his victory made it so that you couldn't say anything bad about the Buckeyes.

After the game, the locker room was alive with celebration. Laughter, cheers, and the occasional spray of gatorade from Patrick Guzzo's water bottle filled the air. Ryan was having so much fun, but he just couldn't shake the thought of you.

After they all showered and got changed, Ryan made his way out of the stadium. The crisp Chicago air was a stark contrast to the warmth inside. As he approached the meeting spot the two of you had agreed upon before the game, he saw you. You were leaning against a pillar, your arms crossed, a Michigan beanie pulled low over your ears.

You looked up as he approached, a smirk playing on your lips, “Well, well, if it isn’t the conquering hero.”

Ryan chuckled, his arms crossing over his chest, “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I’m a woman of my word,” you replied, “Breakup’s over. Figured I’d come congratulate you.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Oh? No hard feelings?”

You shrugged, pushing off the pillar and stepping closer to him, “I mean, I’m devastated, don't get me wrong," your flare for the dramatics was undercut by the grin tugging at your lips, “But I’ll survive.”

He laughed, the tension of the weekend melting away, “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it.”

“Yeah, I do.”

The two of you stood there for a moment, the rivalry that had momentarily come between you guys now a shared memory. “So,” you spoke up, looping your arm through Ryan’s, “how about we grab some food before I inevitably have to listen to all my friends cry about this loss?”

Ryan grinned, tugging you closer as you guys walked through the crowd outside Wrigley Field, “Not gonna lie, hearing Michigan fans complain is gonna be the highlight of my weekend.”

You groaned, “God, I hate you.”

Ryan let out a quiet laugh, “No, you don’t.”

You exhaled dramatically, “No, I don’t.”

The two of you weaved through the mix of overjoyed Ohio State fans and dejected Michigan ones, and you let out an occasional groan whenever you passed a particularly loud and obnoxious Ohio State fan, “See, this is why we broke up for the weekend,” you muttered, “I could not have handled this if we were still together.”

Ryan smirked, “And yet here you are, walking around with a Buckeye.”

“Shut up!" you nudged him, but there was no real force behind it.

The two of you ducked into a nearby diner, the warm air immediately cutting through the Chicago cold. Ryan guided you toward a booth, letting you slide in first before settling across from her. The place was filled with a mix of hockey fans, still buzzing from the game. A few Ohio State fans spotted Ryan and congratulated him, while a group of Michigan fans near the counter were making it known that they did not care for him.

You slumped against the booth, removing the beanie that had now messed up your hair, “This is actually hell.”

Ryan just grinned, picking up a menu, “Guess you gotta deal with us being the 'champions of the west' now. But hey, at least you didn’t bet anything on the game."

You stiffened slightly. He caught it immediately.

"Y/N, what did you do?"

You winced, “Okay, so I may have...hypothetically...made a bet.”

Ryan's eyes narrowed, “With who?”

You waved a hand, trying to get his attention off of you in any way possible, “Just some of my friends from school. No big deal.”

“How much?” he asked suspiciously.

You sighed, “Not money.”

Ryan waited. Reluctantly, you continued, "I might have to wear an Ohio State jersey on campus for a day.”

Ryan nearly choked on his laughter, “Oh, this is so much better than money.”

You rolled your eyes, “I should’ve known you’d enjoy this.”

“You deserve this,” he teased, “You were chirping me during the game.”

“I was supporting my team.”

“You called me a traffic cone!"

You raised your hands in disbelief, “You were screening your own goalie! You're not even a defenseman!”

Ryan groaned, “Oh my god.”

Your guys' food arrived, and despite the chirping, there was an undeniable ease between the two of you. The rivalry might have defined the weekend, but it hadn’t changed what was underneath —what had always been there.

As you reached for a fry, Ryan tilted his head, “So, when do you have to wear the jersey?”

You sighed, “Monday.”

Ryan smirked, “Guess I’ll have to lend you one, huh?”

You rolled her eyes, “You’re too happy about this.”

“You mean my girlfriend, walking around Michigan’s campus in my jersey, after my team beat hers?” Ryan leaned forward, eyes shimmering with mischief and excitement, “Yeah, I’m pretty damn happy.”

You crossed your arms, "Who said I'm wearing your jersey? Maybe I'll wear Jake's, show him some love."

"No fucking way. You're back to being my girlfriend. We won. You're wearing my jersey."

You groaned, “I take it back. The breakup is still on.”

Ryan just laughed, reaching across the table to steal one of your fries, “Too late, love. You’re stuck with me.”

You tried to glare, but the fond smile on your lips betrayed you. “Yeah,” you admitted. “I guess I am.”

a/n; this was requested by the lovely @fantillisgirl. hope i did it justice!

[mj0702]

The other Bronze – Pt. 16 🔞

This Chapter contains some adult content

Por mi vida... Te amo a la luna y de vuelta mi hermosa....♥️

“You can keep dreaming because that won't happen” the dark haired woman laughed

“Worth a try” you smirked as you pulled Jennis jersey over your head

“Dear jesus Christ” you gagged lightly after you sniffed the fabric “Sure you only wore that for that game??”

“Actually no... that's the same one we wore at the Euro final” the spaniard deadpanned “We're broke you know... we have to re-use jerseys”

“Seriously??” you asked outraged your eyes wide with shock while Lucy started to snicker behind you

“Of course not... but you and your stupid tactic had me run a lot – sorry that my jersey doesn’t smell like detergent” Jenni rolled her eyes

“I think it was a good tactic” you defended yourself pouting “Lucy you tell her”

“You put me in goal!!!” your sister exclaimed

“Yeah... that was funny.. the way you panicky screamed at Mills to keep “that bloody ball far FAR away” from you....” you chuckled as your sister hit your shoulder

“Y/N... you still have something to do” now Sarina interrupted and you know you still need to come up with an apology to Rubiales

“How believable would it be if I suddenly have a stroke?” you asked the dutch innocently and all players around you snorted

“Not very believable... come on... the sooner you get it over with the sooner I can reward you for your actions” the blonde coach winked

“Hermoso” you looked at Jenni “... it was a pleasure as always... I have to go and fake apologize to your... whatever he is”

“Oh Corazon... I didn't even show you pleasure but okay...” the dark haired winked “and he's the federation president”

“He's a fucking cunt that's what he is” you grumbled not even catching up on Jennis comment

“And THAT'S exactly what we don't say in our apology” Sarina said chuckling

“Do I really have to come up with an apology on the spot without swear words?” you asked in disbelieve

“Yes Bitsy...” Keira rolled her eyes “... and I know you can – you always pull your head out of the sling somehow”

“Okay okay... give me a minute okay” you huffed starting to think of what to say “... Hermoso could you stop drooling over me abs? I know they're fantastic – me girlfriend tells me every time we...”

“STOP talking!” Lucy exclaimed shuddering at the thought of you and Georgia doing anything else than holding hands while Jenni, Keira and Sarina bursted out laughing

“It's distracting!!!” you huffed

“I am distracting you?” Jenni smirked enjoying the little banter which distracted HER from the previous incident

“Not you... you eyes” you grumbled “I need to think quick here”

“Come on Liefje” Sarina suddenly pulled you away “We won't get anywhere if you butterfly with Hermoso all the time”

“I'm NOT butterflying” you huffed annoyed

“Yes you are... now... this is going to happen now... you are going to apologize officially right in front of the crowd and later again at the post-match press” the dutch said and you grimaced

“Really? In front of the crowd?” you whined

“Yes... this is damage control and when everyone sees how “sorry” you are we have a good chance that FIFA won't interfere” Sarina said seriously and you huffed

“But I don't wanna” you whined again but one look from the dutch shut you right off

“You'll do fine Bitsy okay... you're good at that” Keira squeezed your shoulder supporting

“Ugh.... fine” you huffed annoyed as someone handed you a microphone connected to the stadium speakers

You started to walk out of the tunnel and you knew the second the camera caught you and your picture appeared on the big screens since suddenly there was loud cheering and it made you smirk. You walked all the way to the kick off point standing there for a second taking a deep breath before turning around facing the spanish bench where Vida and Rubiales were still standing. You saw how the medics just packed their stuff together and how Rubiales had two tissues hanging out of his nose. You really needed to bite your tongue so you wouldn't start laughing – you were “sorry” after all. At least that's what Sarina told you you were. You saw how all the players – Lionesses and Spanish – were lingering in the tunnel entrance waiting for your speech

“Hi” you started awkwardly looking into the stands after the crowd calmed a little bit which caused a new round of cheering and whistleing. Vida and Rubiales looked at you expectantly and when they saw you wore Jennis Jersey you saw how Rubiales jaw set challenging.

“Okay guys... I'm here to apologize for me actions towards Mr. Rubiales a few minutes ago” you said using your “I'm so so SO sorry”-voice “... I honestly don't know what caused me to act the way I did... I'm in the wrong here because violence is never the answer no matter how disgus... no wait... I'm not allowed to say that... violence is never the answer! Let stop there... I never meant to assault you Mr. Rubiales...” you looked at Rubiales himself trying to sell your apology so hard by talking directly to him “... I never meant to hurt you and I don't have an explanation for what happened. Please believe me when I say I'm sorry from the bottom of my heart”

Even you know you went a little over but you really REALLY tried not to verbally assault him right now

“You did nothing but being polite to me and what happens in your federation is not my business” you said and some people would swear they heard a threatening undertone “I hope you accept me apology and we can forget this... incident”

You walked back towards the tunnel before making a turn towards Rubiales himself offering you your hand to shake it. He grabbed your hand hard his jaw still set when you pulled him a little forward

“If you ever pull off something like that again you fucking cunt I personally will cut off your balls and feed them to you through your asshole and then I make sure that there's no inch of DNA left of your existence...” you growled into his ear covering it up with clapping on his shoulder like both of you made up “... most of them players I consider my friends – family even... I don't take it lightly if they get put in an uncomfortable situation and I always will have their back”

You let go of him smiling sweetly before turning around walking back into the tunnel where everyone stared of it with disbelieving looks. You smirked feeling great pride and satisfaction with yourself.

“I am REALLY proud of you Liefje” Sarina beamed as you reached her letting her pull you into a hug

“I can't believe it... you actually delivered a grown up apology” Leah said her face showed pure shock

“Yeah well...” you shrugged your shoulders

“I can't believe you apologized” Mapí looked at you a little disappointed

“Had to... they made me” you pointed at Sarina, Keira and Lucy

“I'm proud you didn't punch him again – I was worried there for a second when you made a beeline for him” Lucy threw her arm over your shoulder standing next to you proudly “And you didn't threaten him”

“I definitely didn't” you quickly said and your voice was a little high-pitched

“Bitsy” Keira warned you

“Hm?” you looked at her innocently

“Please don't tell me you did...” the blonde looked at you expectantly

“So... my reward” you turned towards Sarina

“Bitsy!” Keira exclaimed

“What? You said to not tell you... so I don't” you defended yourself

“What did you say... I knew that handshake was a cover up... I KNEW IT” Keira said annoyed

“Look... I just let him know how... I consider most of the spanish team me family... and that I'll always will have their back” you said honestly “andhowIwillfeedhimhisballsandthattherewon'tbeanyDNAleftifhepullssomeshitlikethisagain” you mumbled before quickly sprinting behind Alexia and Jenni ducking for cover

“Come again???” Keira looked at you shocked while the spanish players looked at you confused since you spoke to fast for them to understand

“Could you repeat that for the not english speakers please Cariño?” Alexia said confused

“I rather not” you mumble “Keira will have me head”

Luis Rubiales chose that exact moment to walk into the tunnel and you immediately stood up taller again moving in front of Jenni in a protective manner – which looked kind of ridiculous since Jenni was over a head bigger than you. He threw a death glare at you but continued walking as the crowd of english and spanish players parted like the sea for Moses.

“It's kind of cute how you try to protect me little one” Jenni chuckled from behind you

“He's a... Mapí... worst spanish curse word you know” you spat looking at Mapí

“Cojones or Cono” Mapí easily provided earning herself a really hard slap to the head from Irene and a death glare from Alexia

“That... he's both of that...” you growled looking after Rubiales

“Don't teach her that” Irene told Mapí off harshly

“She asked” the blonde tattooed woman defended herself

“And you CHOSE to answer” the Vice-Capitan answered

“I just wanted to helpful...” Mapí mumbled pouting

“Don't push it María León and just keep your mouth shut” Irene grumbled

“Bitsy... come here sweetie” Keira cooed sweetly

“Oh no... not gonna fall for that... it's like the time you told me you wouldn't get angry if I tell you what I did and after I told you you made me do push ups in the pouring rain” you shook your head looking at her scared shuffling backwards

“I promise...” the blonde tried again smiling sweetly but you saw right through it

“No no... I think I'm gonna stay with Ona” you said and the people who knew you could hear the slight fear in your voice

“You still have a pre-match conference to attend” Sarina reminded you smirking

“Aaaawww maaaaan” you whined “I did what you told me to do – why do I have to sit through that as well?”

“Because it was your game today and not mine” the dutch said “So YOU are going to answer all the questions... in a nice civilized manner”

“Ugh” you huffed and turned to walk towards the media room “But I'm not sitting next to that sorry excuse of a human being”

“Good evening Ladies and Gentleman – this is the post-match conference and we have 60 Minutes. We do it the usual way and go 30 minutes each. All question have to remind professional and under no circumstances will private questions answered. You all have one question if you want a follow up you have to talk to the person if they're willing to do one. We start with questions for the representatives of the english Lionesses Head Coach Sarina Wiegman and Y/N Bronze before going to the spanish representatives Jorge Vilda and Luis Rubiales” the coordinator said and you knew the cameras where already on so you pushed the urge down to roll your eyes your face staying stoic “We're starting with Alex Scott”

You exhaled deeply knowing Alex wouldn't ask anything regarding the Rubiales-event and probably would ask something frivolous.

“Alex Scott for BBC Sports” Alex started smiling at you “A question for Y/N Bronze”

“I know your name and where you work... I've known you for years now” you interrupted her confused which lifted the mood in the room since all of the reporters started chuckling

“That's how it goes y/n... we reporters have to introduce ourselves before asking the question” Alex smiled at you

“Oh okay...” you said quickly “... sorry for interrupting”

“No problem... but my question to you... we were all informed beforehand through different social media channels that you joined the Lionesses as a side line analyst – how comes that you basically dictated the game today?”

“I was given the chance by Sarina... Mrs. Wiegman... Coach? What do I call you?” you started then looked at Sarina unsure which caused another round of light laughter

“Sarina is fine...” the dutch smiled encouraging squeezing your knee under the table in a calming manner

“Sarina gave me the chance to work on a tactic for this game – Spain is a hard opponent to play. I got to Camp with Lucy... Bronze... Lucy Bronze my sister” you started but then got all nervous again since you actually never had to do any press stuff before.

Again Sarina jumped in by stroking over your knee calming

“... but you all know that...” you chuckled at your idiocy “... so when we arrived at Camp Sarina pulled me aside telling me she wanted me to watch some of the spanish games and to come up with a play where we at least can annoy them a little bit. I'm pretty sure she just did that to keep me occupied so I wouldn't do some stupid shit...” you said but quickly slapped your hand over your mouth “... I mean so I don't do... stuff... but yeah... after I sat down with her showing her some plays she told me to put a starting XI together.. at this point I still thought it was all like... hypothetical.. so I did... after that she said that she liked what I came up with and that she trusts me and that I'll have the lead on the game...”

“Would you be interested in answering a follow up?” Alex asked quickly knowing that she only had a short time frame before the next reporter would be called up

“For you always... I mean... you did change me diapers – I think it's just fair” you grinned

“And you were so squirmy about it... but my follow up... what made you come up with putting Lucy in Goal?” the short woman asked smiling

“Knew you would pick up on that” you laughed feeling slightly more relaxed “... that was a last second decision – I had four subs planned... two at half time, two around 70th minute... I left one slot for a possible injury sub – I played some players who just came back from an injury and I didn't want to overwork them. That's why I subbed Meado off 73rd minute in... she played outstanding and I didn't want to risk setting her back in her recovery... I quickly talked to her after she came off and she said she felt good but also appreciated getting off. So after I didn't need the left over slot and Lucy was mean to me earlier – and Keira said she would pay to see Lucy in Goal – I thought... why not... and come on... it was funny seeing her panicky waving her arms around like a monkey absolutely losing her plot screaming at Mills to keep the ball far FAR away” you laughed which caused the room to interrupt in laughter

“Okay next question please...” the coordinator said also laughing and called up a reporter you didn't knew who had a question for Sarina so you turned out and started to look around the room with a bored face which ended in a edit about how you and Lucy are so much alike in conferences

“Question for Y/N Bronze...” a young lad said and after you didn't react in the slightest being busy counting the sponsor labels on the wall behind you Sarina flicked your ear

“Huh??” you looked at you confused

“There's a question for you” the dutch gestured towards the room “Attention on the room”

“Sorry...” you said embarrassed

“You got a yellow card... how did that happened?” the young reporter asked

“First of all... that wasn't MY yellow card... THAT was Onas yellow card” you started serious but your lip tugged upwards and everyone noticed that you were joking “... she committed the foul... I just... asked the Ref if she doesn't see the need to card it”

You heard Sarina clear her throat next to you and you looked at her innocently

“What? I did” you defended yourself

“You took my glasses and ask the Ref if she needs them to and I quote “see a foul when it's happening”...” the dutch looked at you unimpressed

“Not my fault she's a blind moron – that WAS a yellow card” you exclaimed before remembering where you are and – again – slapping your hand over your mouth

Sarina exhaled deeply and started to pinch the bridge of her nose shaking her head slightly as the room erupted in laughter again

“Okay next question... Barry... your turn” the coordinator said and you tensed immediately.

Barry O'Connor was a legend under the reporters – he was one of the ones who could make you or break you. He never held back with the uncomfortable questions and he immediately knew when you lie and THAT he would use to break you.

“Thank you Tom... Barry O'Connor for The Guardian...” the older gruff man said and looked straight at you and you just KNEW what was coming “... question for Bronze... there was a slight – let's call it ruffle after the game... any comment on that?”

“Good evening Mr. O'Connor” you said politely “... I'm afraid you have to be more specific – there was a lot going on after the game”

“You punched the president of the spanish federation – the proof is sitting right there” the reporter said pointing at Rubiales

“Yeah... not my best moment is it... I want to apologize again and honestly I can't tell you what happened... I saw how he moved towards Jenni Hermoso and the next thing I know is Sarina yelling at me in the locker room...” you said and everyone in the room knew you told the truth “... I got the great honour to meet most of these players beforehand when I was visiting my sister in Barcelona and they welcomed me with open arms and helped me when I needed help – looked after me when I needed guidance... so I consider them as family... I don't take it likely if someone makes my family uncomfortable – which everyone who knows me can confirm... so I just – acted to protect my family”

“You said you needed help in Barcelona... what happened?” the older man asked

“Barry you had your question and we said from the start...” the coordinator interrupted but then got interrupted by you

“No it's okay... I'm honoured to be interesting enough to get a follow up by a reporter legend” you said and Sarina heard that you were about to get serious “It's not really a secret that I don't play because I suffered quiet early in my career from three ACL's... so even if I wanted to play I simply can't... in Barcelona a... incident happened that left me with a PTSD episode... all of them helped me afterwards – Mapí León right up top.. she went all the way to the airport to get me english chocolate... I got in the honour to get to know a few teams through Lucys career... if it was City, Lyon or now Barcelona... all of the teams have a special place in my heart but Barca now – they are something else... Alexia Putellas is an amazing leader – on and off the pitch... under her lead this team stepped up coming together as a family – no matter which nationality or background...”

You looked back at the reporter who smiled appreciative nodding slightly

“So yes... they helped me a great deal... even when I got overdosed on pain meds and didn't know what I was doing and gave them nicknames and was high as a kite” you winked

“Okay last question for the english side before we're moving on the spanish representatives” the coordinator said and pointed at a young blonde woman

“Thank you... Sarah Mulligan for ITV” the young woman said “Question for both Sarina and y/n... Sarina what made you involve y/n as much and y/n how did feel or managed with the pressure?”

“You first?” you looked at Sarina a little lost which caused the dutch to chuckle

“Thank you for your question” Sarina started and you interrupted her

“We have to thank for questions...” you exclaimed shocked before looked into the room “Thank you?”

This made everyone laugh again before Sarina continued

“It's polite Liefje” the dutch said lovingly “... but back to the question... I got to know y/n when she was recovering from her third surgery. I just took over from Phil Neville trying to get a read on the Team having called up a few young players but also some experienced ones – like Lucy Bronze. Lucy called me two days before Camp would start asking if she could bring her little sister who just got out of hospital. I agreed knowing from former games and also from stories how much Lucy cared for her sister. The moment I saw her for the very first time I knew she was someone special. She was still wearing a leg splint and was still on crutches but that didn't stop her from refusing help even going so far to hit Lucy away with her crutch...” the dutch remembering your first appearance smiling slightly “.... she was so grumpy and angry – a deep anger and I must admit I was unsure for a moment if it was a good idea to have her with the team. I feared she would bring the team spirit down – but I was wrong. So very wrong. The moment she stepped into the Hotel lobby and I saw how many players were happy to see her I knew it was the right decision. At the first training session she sat in the stands just staring down on the pitch – I must admit I kept an eye on her because Lucy asked me too... y/n never moved one muscle just stared down on the session. So I thought I let one of the assistants take over and went up to sit next to her. I sat down and asked how she was doing. Her answer was that I should rethink this formation because it's putting to much pressure on the midfield. Then she just stood up and left. I looked down on the pitch and saw Keira and Jordan Nobbs were struggling to keep up with the pace I tried to put up with the play. That was the moment I decided to get her involved more – one because she has an eye for things no one ever sees and two she needed a task. She needed something to take her mind off her injury and what it meant – what she lost. I got her involved a little bit more every camp and this time she finally accepted my offer to employ her full time which I know is a big step for her. But a big step in the right direction. A big step towards healing” the blonde said lovingly and squeezed your hand

“That got deep Mama Rina” you mumbled getting a little emotional before looking at the young reporter woman “Thank you for your question”

The room chuckled again enjoying your young easy and light way you were handling the situation of getting thrown into a press conference for the first time

“I'm sorry I can't provide such a deep meaningful answer but... I didn't feel any pressure to be honest. As I said before until the very last moment – the moment that Sarina made me explain my tactics to the team to be exact – it was all hypothetical for me. And after that I didn't really have time to feel pressured – I tell ya this team is a handful. Just yesterday Niamh called out Code Red – which means no one is allowed to leave – because she couldn't find her lucky socks... turns out the washed them in the sink and hung them on the balcony and they just fell off onto the balcony of Lottes... that's the shit you guys normally don't get to see” you said shaking your head when you remembered how ridiculously headless Niamh tore her room apart because of a pair of socks.

After the room quiet down from their round of laughter again the whole questioning shifted towards the spanish men and you started to spin with your chair until Sarina stopped you gently putting her hand on your arm to calm you down. You huffed but stayed still trying to listen to the answers of the Vilda and Rubiales but it was no use.

You heard your name a couple of times but since you didn't have any context you chose to ignore it – that was until a fuming Mapí León with an equally fuming Leila Ouahabi hot on her heels came blazing into the room both of them throwing some words at Vilda and Mapí even went so far to crawl onto the table separating the trainers from the reporters. Seconds later an angry looking Alexia entered the room just in time to grab Mapís ankle and pulling her back and away from the spanish national team coach. She tried to get her players under control by pulling both of them back by the hem of their jerseys. Mapí was kicking and screaming like a five year old – of course in spanish so you didn't understand a word – the only thing you understood was when Mapí yelled “mi Nena” - but when you looked at Vildas face it told you everything that you needed to know. You looked flabbergasted to Sarina who looked just as shocked and shrugged her shoulders before you turn towards the reporters where some just shook their head in disbelieve.

The post-match conference was ended pretty quickly after that and you basically jumped over the table sprinting out of the room past Keira and Lucy – who were waiting for you outside the room – towards the spanish locker room. This time you weren't as friendly as before and bolted through the door without knocking even tho you could hear Alexias angry voice half way down the corridor. The second you threw the door open the whole team looked at you and everyone fell silent – even Alexia.

“What the fuck just happened?” you looked at Alexia lost

“Cariño I love you I do... but this is something we have to talk about internally” Alexia said softly

“Mapí was about to strangle that mop in front of thousands and you say this is an internal thing?” you raised an eyebrow

“He called her a “lost little child who wears shoes that are to big for her and she's useless”... mi Nena knows EXACTLY what she's doing... mierda we lost FIVE zero...” Mapí started to rage again and you became big eyes

“Mapí ENOUGH” Alexia scolded her “Everyone SAW what she did and her head coach isn't a useless... culo like ours... there's no need for you to defend her... she has Lucy for that”

“But Lucy didn't do anything...” Mapí said outraged

“Because her spanish is shit and she probably didn't understand” you shrugged accepting the water bottle Ona held out for you “And the way you hesitated at the word “culo” means it's bad and I'll definitely save that down in me brain”

“No you won't Bebita” Ona smiled sweetly but you know just like with Keira it was a warning “Bad word”

“Then Alexia has to do push-ups... that the bad word rule!” you exclaimed and Alexia looked at you unimpressed

“I'm an adult... I can say whatever I want” the blonde spaniard said flatly

“Rule applies for everyone Capi” Jenni now grinned “Down on your hands and knees you go”

“What does culo mean?” you leaned over so you could whisper in Mapís ear

“Asshole” Mapí whispered back

“That'll make 15” you looked at Alexia “That word is an A-grade swear word.. A-grade swear words make 15 push ups...”

“I most definitely won't do any push-ups...” Alexia rolled her eyes

“But I always have to do them” you whined

“And look how much more your arms and shoulders are defined since I last saw you” the spanish capitan smiled and pinched your cheek

“You suck” you grumbled pushing yourself behind Ona to seek cover from her prying hands

“No little one... that's me... she's more the...” Jenni smirked but before she could end the sentence she got punched very hard in the shoulder by Alexia

“Come on Bebita... let's get you back to the Lionesses...” Ona said lovingly already pushing you forward slightly “Say bye-bye”

“Ass-dios” you waved which caused the younger players to explode in laughter – including Jenni – while Alexia threw you a death glare as Ona quickly pushed you out the door

“Keira...” Ona yelled seeing Keira down the corridor

“There you are!!! We where searching the whole place for you!!” Keira exclaimed the second she laid eyes on you “Don't you ever do that again!!!”

“I was just at the spaniards and pretty spaniard taught me a new word” you smiled at the blonde proudly

“Don't even” Ona warned you

“What happened?” Keira turned towards the blonde spaniard

“She suddenly kicked in our locker room door... and didn't except “it's an internally affair” from Alexia” your sisters girlfriend shrugged her shoulders

“Uh Kei...” you pulled on her jacket a little bit “Alexia said an A-grade swear word... and she refused to do push-ups”

“Really now... we can't have that now can we?” Keira mused sensing that you started to get tired and pulled you into her side winking at Ona before turning around slowly leading you back towards the Lioness locker room pulling out her phone to text Lucy and Leah that she “found” you

“You little shite...” Lucy started immediately but got cut off by Keira

“Leave her be... she's dead on her feet” the blond said firmly basically carrying all your weight your head on her shoulder

“Come here Bubs” Lucy exhaled deeply hoisting you away from Kei into her own arms cradling you like you were a three year old again while Keira got all your bags

“How bad is it outside?” your sister asked Leah who sneaked a look outside looking at the crowd waiting for the players to emerge from the stadium walking to the bus

“Nothing we're not used too...” the blonde capitan shrugged

“I'm asking because of her” Lucy nodded towards your sleeping form in her arms slightly drooling on your sisters jacket “If she gets startled half the team won't get an inch of sleep tonight – you remember the drama after the France game?”

“Wait... I get the noise cancelling headphones” Mary said thinking quickly pulling already on Rachels headphones getting them off her and carefully sliding them on your head.

You quickly got startled by the sudden loss of hearing but Lucy had you under control quickly by manoeuvring your head into her neck. The moment you smelled the familiar scent of your sister skin you relaxed again becoming boneless in her arms.

“She's so out” Keira chuckled

“You surprised?” Lucy answered hoisting you up a little more “Fuck me... this was easier when she was 3”

“No shit Sherlock” Millie deadpanned “Gimme... I'll carry her”

“Naah – we're good” your sister said but smiled at her teammate thankfully “I'll just bring her into the bus and then come out to sign some stuff...”

“You don't have to – you're not obligated to do so and you know it” Leah said seriously

“I know... but they waited long enough now and she'll be good once she's inside the bus” your sister answered “Let's get this show on the road”

As soon as the doors opened the fans went wild – as usual and Lucy was so SO thankful for Marys quick thinking of putting the noise cancelling headphones over your ears. Your sister walked quickly with you in her arms towards the bus disappearing inside it. She disposed you into her own seat asking the bus driver if he could have half an eye on you. Of course he agreed quickly being a fan of you himself with all the shenanigans you came up with all the time.

Your eyes fluttered open slowly and you were met with – darkness. Darkness and softness. You bolted upright searching for your phone in the dark. Getting more arrogated which each passing second you knocked over a bottle of water which caused a light to get switched on and you were met with the sleepy looking form of your girlfriend.

“What you doing baby?” Georgia asked her voice raspy

“What are you doing in my room?” you asked confused “Why am I in my room??”

“Firstly... that's my room... secondly... you were out like a light once Keira found you and then YOU wouldn't let go of me shirt and Keira got Lucy to agree to let us room for tonight under the promise that I won't touch you in any “not biblical” form” your girlfriend informed you

“Wait... what day is it???” you looked at her confused

“What?” Georgia asked equally confused

“Day baby... what DAY is it?” you looked at her like you're going to have a mental breakdown any second

“Still Wednesday... game day.. 23:48... why” G answered keeping her voice even to not set you off further

“Oh thank fuck” you sighed “Get ready... come on... take your phone”

You ushered your girlfriend out of her bed – not without ogling her body for a second longer that would go through as “biblical” - and then out of the room up a floor hiding behind a corner taking out our phone.

“23:52... perfect” you grinned

“What have you planned??” your girlfriend whispered in your ear from behind/above you which cause a shiver to run down your spine

“Welcoming Sarinas new year of age” you swallowed hard trying not to think what you could do now with your girlfriend instead of hiding waiting for the pipers to come down the corridor.

“Oh god... WHAT did you do??” G whisper yelled “If I get in trouble for it...”

“Please... as if I let you get in trouble” you snorted spotting the first piper stepping out of the elevator

“Oh god... oh god no... no no no no no” your girlfriend mumbled with wide eyes having spotted the piper as well “You didn't”

“Oh I so did... mi Vida” you grinned evilly

“Me what?” Georgia asked confused

“No idea... Lucy always calls Ona that – probably something dirty turn ons in spanish” you shrugged your shoulder “Where the fuck are Toons and Less?? And Jill... where is Jill?”

The moment you said it you saw your two best friends sprinting down the corridor, little party hats askew on their heads another set in their hands. Less was carrying some glitter bombs and confetti canons.

“We're not late” Toons panted coming to a halt in front of you “What she doing here?”

“I'm her girlfriend??” Georgia said confused

“Still doesn't answer me question... you don't get to bake in our fame” Ella said annoyed holding out a party hat for you which you immediately placed on your head

“Fame? You really think that going down well for you?” your girlfriend snorted nodding towards the piper who just set up their bagpipes.

“Of course... that a birthday she'll never forget” Lessi answered grinning widely “Can we start?”

“No.. we still missing Jill” you pressed taking Georgias phone to look at the clock “23:59... come on Jill”

You heard the “ding” of the elevator and surely enough there came a big three story birthday cake wheeling out with a widely grinning Jill Scott pushing it down the corridor towards you.

“Where were you?” you came out of your hiding – which was useless anyway since Toons and Less stood right in front of you – speed walking towards Jill smashing a party hat on her head.

“Had to think about something to get the room card” your Godaunt and most trusted adult friend – after Keira – said pulling out the little plastic card from her back pocket

“What did you say?” you snorted Jill could come up with the best backstories

“Want to surprise my wife for her birthday” the older woman smirked back “easy in the nights since there are only teenage boys covering Front Desk”

“We'll leave quickly after we delivered our present so you two have some alone time” you smirked

“Thank you Cookie – we very much appreciate it” the dirty blonde laughed “You guys ready?”

All of you nodded and Jill very VERY carefully pushed the card into the electronic lock waiting for the signature “click” before pushing open the door. You had Georgias phone ready and when Jill gave you a thumbs up you started recording. The pipers shuffled into the small hotel room and on a small cough from you they started piping “Auld Lang Syne” and not even five seconds in the light next to the bed got smashed on and a completely demolished Sarina Wiegman sat in her bed, blanket pulled up to her chest, glasses askew from being placed quickly on her nose, hair standing in every direction like she just got electrocuted her eyes wide in shock. The pipers went seamlessly over to “When the Saint go marching in” before finishing with “Scotland the Brave”. The second the little private concert was over Toons and Less let the Glitter bombs and Confetti canons explode right over Sarina – and her bed – all of you yelling “Happy Birthday”.

Your plan was nearly perfect. Get glitter and confetti all over Sarina before bolting. What you DIDN'T think off – pipers where loud. Very loud. Waking up most of the squad in process. Like Leah. And Lucy. And – most dangerously – Keira. So the moment you wanted to bolt you were met with a LOT of Lionesses. Angry looking Lionesses. Angry looking Keira. You locked eyes with her and after a second ducked behind Toons before sinking down on the ground trying to army rob out of the room hoping everyone was too distracted by everything that's going on. Oh boy where you wrong – of COURSE Keira saw you the second you tried to rob out of the room placing herself right in your way. You looked up when you hit her legs with your head which you kept down so it wouldn't been to obvious who was pressed in that room – which was overflowing with players now. Niamh and Toons already got cake in their hands (plates were overrated at this point) as Leah tried to control the chaos. You bumped into Keiras legs and looked up scared to be met with two angry glaring eyes. You tried to quickly rob backwards just to get stuck in Millies legs.

“I don't think so, y/n Bronze” Keira seethed pulling you up by your ear “Are you actually mad? Did you finally lose your plot? Why in gods name...”

“Hey Kei... you want cake... it's chocolate” your sister interrupted Keiras rant holding a hand full of cake right under the blondes nose

Keira just looked at Lucy then to you and back to Lucy who smiled like a happy kid with her handful of cake.

“I don't know if I should yell at both of you or just give up...” the blonde shook her head

“Keep calm and eat cake” Lucy smiled pushing her hand closer to Keiras face who automatically moved her head out of the way

“No thank you... it's in the middle of the night” the blonde said a little disgusted

“And?? You think we ever get away with eating cake in the middle of the night ever again??? Embrace the moment Kei... USE the moment” your sister said before she pushed the handful of cake into her mouth and you listened to what your sister said and used the moment to carefully sneaked away from Keira.

You tugged on Georgias shirt at your swift exit and she followed you just as quickly

“You know you're in big shit tomor... today... today morning... later... in the morning” your girlfriend rambled

“I know... but so worth it” you smiled and the second you two were through the door to the stairs case you pulled her back on her shirt kissing her deeply

“Not that I'm complaining...” Georgia started once you parted again “... but what brought that on?”

“You still had a little frosting..” you smirked pointing at your own lip “... I think I better check for more frosting once we're back in our room... you are a messy eater after all”

“I.. I think I dropped some of the cake...” your girlfriend stuttered a little bit and you could see her eyes darkening

“Yeah... thought so...” you smirked starting to walk up the stairs towards Georgias room when you suddenly feel your feet leave the ground and your girlfriend hoisted you over her shoulder

“What are you doing??” you laughed loudly as Georgia sprinted up the stairs

“You're a slowpoke sometimes” your girlfriend said exiting the staircase sprinting down the corridor on your floor before fumbling with the key card to open the door

“Open you stupid door” your girlfriend grumbled you still hanging over your shoulder snickering

“Let me down... makes it easier” you laughed slightly

“I nearly got it... wait a second” Georgia mumbled but a second later you heard her kicking the door

“Baby come on.... let me down” you laughed louder lightly poking her rips

“But don't run away” your girlfriend said her voice a little whine

“As if” you snorted and felt her scrunch down to put you on the ground before she came up again and you were face to face with each other

Your eyes quickly flickered down to her lips before looking at her eyes again. Before you could make up your mind you felt Georgias lips on yours kissing you deeply and you couldn't suppress a moan which your girlfriend used to slip her tongue into your mouth. She pinned you against the door her hands against your hip she used her whole body to keep you were you currently were. You on the other hand fished the little plastic card out of her hand where it poked into your skin and opened the door behind your back without even looking. The door opened with a small “beep” and you smirked against your girlfriends lips.

“Show off” Georgia mumbled against your lips and pushed you backwards into the hotel room already pulling your shirt over your head

“Fuck” you panted as your back hit the mattress next to your girlfriend a light sheet of sweat covering your body “THAT...”

“Better than the last time?” Georgia smirked smugly her breathing coming out laboured

“Nothing can top last time Babe... but you tried” you chuckled turning your body so you were pressed into the blondes side tucking your head into her neck feeling how her arm sneaked around your back pulling you closer

“I mean... I can try again” you heard the smirk feeling how her hand started to wander again “and again... and again... and again”

“No... please don't... you tried enough for tonight” you chuckled as Georgia stroked lightly over your ribs tickling you slightly before pushing her hand away positioning it on your hip

Georgia showed mercy just rubbing her thumb soothingly over your hipbone pressing a soft kiss to your hair

“You only getter better with training...” your girlfriend smirked then yelped as you poked her side

“You telling me I'm bad at what I'm doing?” you pushed yourself up onto your elbow looking down at her raising your eyebrow

“No no no no...” Georgia quickly said pulling you back down this time on top of her holding you tightly to her chest

“Mhm... that's what I thought” you mumbled closing your eyes relaxing against the blondes chest just enjoying the time you have with your girlfriend without needing to worry about your sister interrupting

You felt Georgia wriggling around under you which caused you to lift your head – again.

“Really? You still want to... again?” you look at your girlfriend expectantly

“No... I actually just tried to get the blanket” Georgia laughed as she finally got the hem of the blanket and pulled it over the two of you “... wouldn't want to deliver you back to your pit bull-like sister with a cold”

“DON'T mention my sister right now... that doesn't.. no.. just no” you grunted

“Sorry...” your girlfriend chuckled

“You're disturbing my post-orgasmic-bliss” you complained whining

“Sorry... I can... I don't know... make you forget that I just said that?” Georgia smiled her hand starting to wander towards your ass again while the other grabbed your breast teasingly

“Gosh... you really are impossible” you rolled your eyes prying her hand off your breast

“I mean... did you see my girlfriend? I can't help meself” the blonde grinned pulling you a little upwards to press a kiss to your lips

“Mhm... I did see her... still don't know how you scored her?” you teased smirking

“I didn't... she's stubborn... but I'm glad she threatened to break me legs if I don't pull my finger out of me ass...” Georgia murmured kissing you softly and smiled

“Did she now? I should talk to her... apparently she knows how to keep you in check – you can be quiet... defying” you grinned letting her kiss you over and over again

“Excuse me?” your girlfriend exclaimed acting upset

“Mhm... didn't my sister told you – multiple times I might add – to keep your hands away from me?” you grinned kissing her this time

“I CAN keep me hands to meself” Georgia smirked “Question is.. would you want that?”

“Such a rebel aren't you...” you smirked kissing along your girlfriends jaw down her to her neck

“Have me moments” Georgias voice betrayed her as she clearly getting turned on again

“Mhm.... Keira told me” you smirked against her neck before biting down slightly

“Keira??” this time it was G who got sober immediately

“It's a turn off isn't it... hearing about them” you grinned sitting up now straddling her waist

“Yes” your girlfriend grumbled “What did that wanna be ginger told you?”

“That you got your first tattoo the day after you turned 18” you smirked the blanket loosely draped around your hip

“SHE roped me into it!” Georgia exclaimed sitting up as well

“Oh really?” you smirked down on her taking her face in your hands kissing her softly “Do tell”

“She just got a new one and because she knew Mama Walsh will have her ass she convinced me to get one too... then after the next england game she hugged her mum and of COURSE Mama Walsh immediately saw it” your girlfriend told you rolling her eyes “And the next thing I know is she pulled me over by me sleeve “Georgia has one too – and she's basically a baby”... then Mama Walsh had me ass too”

“She played you...” you laughed loudly “.... she played you so hard”

“Yeah... I had to stand there for 12 Minutes getting lectured by Mama Walsh about the risks of tattoos...” your girlfriend grumbled

“To be fair... when Mama Walsh has it out for your ass you better find someone who you can distract her with” you shrugged still grinning

“Yeah... she can be scary... but I'm still sure she loves me more than Keira” Georgia grinned straining her neck a little so she could steal a kiss again

“Bet she loves ME more than all of you” you smirked pressing a wet kiss to her lips

“Yeah yeah... you're everyones favourite” your girlfriend rolled her eyes again but the slight smile never leaving her lips

“G... I... have a question” you hesitated a little bit

“What you need, baby?” Georgia asked softly but seriously

“I want a tattoo... I want you to do it” you blurted out

“What?” your girlfriend looked at you dumb folded

“I want you to tattoo me.... I know what I want and where I want it...” you said seriously

“Baby.... I can't do that” Georgia looked up at you as you stare down at her with a little betrayal in your eyes “... first.. I never inked someone and secondly... Lucy and Keira would definitely kill me... and third.. you're 16...”

“Then I'm gonna be your first like you were mine...” you grinned and with each passing second it got wider “... Lucy and Keira never need to know... and my Birthday is in two weeks”

“Which still makes you underage” your girlfriend pointed out and you heard that you slowly wearing her down

“I can get you Lucys signing if you want... like... setting up a document that she's not allowed to kill you” you smiled widely

“I tell you what... If you get that done I'll seriously think about it” Georgia said and you leaned down kissing her softly “... but I'm not doing anything big”

“Don't worry... nothing big...” you promised scratching your girlfriends neck lightly

“And where?” Georgia kissed your neck softly

“Right...” you took her hand laying it on your left side guiding it up to the point where your bra would sit “... here”

“A rib tattoo? Baby... that's a bad idea... that will hurt like a bitch” your girlfriend murmured against your neck kissing her way down to your collarbone

“I can take it... I really want it” you said breathlessly

“Maybe somewhere else?” Georgia mumbled kissing her way further down her destination clear

“That's the only place Luce won't see it immediately” you now outright moaned “Fuck”

“Mhm” your girlfriend hummed sucking your hard nipple into her mouth

“You just can't... fuck...” you started to complain but your voice betrayed you once again and your hip rocked forward on its own accord

“You want something baby??” Georgia asked after she let go of your nipple with a wet pop

“More... please” your head fell onto Gs shoulder your hips still rocking in her lap

“More?” your girlfriend smirked starting to knead your other breast

“Please” you whined

“Fingers or mouth baby?” Georgia basically growled against your skin getting slightly possessive

“Fingers” you whined lifting your hips a bit and Georgia got the hint letting her hand slip in between your legs

“You're gonna be good for me?” your girlfriend growled starting to mark your skin with small bites not enough to leave a constant mark like she'd like to

“Yes... but please” you begged and whined trying to get her fingers inside you but her hand laid still between your legs

“You won't come without permission will you baby? You'll wait until I tell you that you can come, right?” Georgia playfully bit your nipple

“I won't... I promise” you moaned rocking your hips down trying to find some pressure relieve

“Good... and you won't becauseeee...” your girlfriend teased your entrance with one finger

“Yours” you whined desperately

“Mine what?” Georgia nudged the underside of your jaw with her nose

“All yours...” you nearly broke “... G please”

“Ssshh baby... I've got you” your girlfriend soothed you slipping her finger into you

“Fuck” you whimpered feeling Georgias digit enter your heat

“Mhm... so wet... so hot... so desperate” Georgia mumbled against your jaw kissing her way to the point just under your ear “All for me or is there someone else?”

“No one else” you panted against her shoulder

“Are you sure baby? No one...” your girlfriend bit down lightly “... someone spanish maybe... Jenni Hermoso maybe?”

Your hips rocked down hard on her finger your rhythmic movement faltering for a second before it picked up again

“Hmmm...” Georgia hummed pleased “... maybe that could be arranged one day”

“Fuck...” you whimpered

“Bubs??” you heard suddenly through the door loud banging followed

“Fuck” you looked at Georgia shocked her face just as frightened

“BUBS?” Lucy said a little louder

“What??” you yelled back your hand covering your girlfriends mouth

“You okay? You were gone suddenly” your sister spoke loudly

“Yeah... just... didn't wanna wait till Keira recovered from her confusement” you tried

“Can you maybe open the door?? I'm standing here like an idiot” Lucy sneered

“It's... not the best time Luce...” you whined “I'm... about to go shower”

“Well... then let me in and shower then” your sister wasn't giving up and you knew it

“You can also go back to your own room” you said helplessly

“Can't... Less has the key card and I don't know where Less is” Lucy groaned

“Lucy please... just... go somewhere else” you whined back even knowing all mood was gone

“You are my sister... why would I go somewhere... wait a second... where is Georgia?? Is Stanway with you???” your sister exclaimed

“No for god sakes Lucy... I just want to shower in peace... fuck off now” you yelled through the room and suddenly it was quiet

“Fuck me... she really knows how to ruin the mood” you grumbled lifting yourself off your girlfriends lap who was still rooted in her place “Unbelievable”

“That was close” Georgia stammed still a little scared

“Yeah well.. I was too...” you continue to grumble mostly to yourself until... you heard the signature “beep” of the door – your head shot up first to the door then to your girlfriend who spotted the same frightened look as you

You quickly threw on a shirt and gestured to Georgia to hide – which was ridiculous since it was firstly her room and secondly there wasn't really anywhere for her to hide

“Hide” you whisper yelled panicked while you threw a shoe at the door trying to block it

“Where??” Georgia whisper yelled back looking around just as panicked

“I don't know” you pulled on some shorts quickly

“Bubs... you blocking the door?” you heard Lucys voice and already saw the crown of her head trying to make its way inside the room

“Why would I??” you answered and tried to sound annoyed watching your girlfriend ripping open the door of the closet “Really?? You wanna hide in the wardrobe??”

“You have a better idea?” your girlfriend hissed back

“Bath or Balcony?” you looked at her confused

“Bubs... the door is stuck” your sister complained again

“You are stuck you muppet” you shot back pushing your girlfriend outside on the balcony

“Yeah well maybe you open the door then” Lucy said annoyed

You quickly went over ripping the door open looking at her expectantly

“What you want and where did you get that key?” you grunted at her

“Wanted to make sure you okay – you're on Sarinas list now... and key... Leah – as the capitan she has a universal key” your sister shrugged her shoulders “Jesus Christ Bubs... open the windows would you... it seriously stinks in here”

“I will... I just didn't want to come back from me shower into a cold room” you lied weakly “you saw that I'm alright now... so... good night”

“Yeah since I don't know where Less is... can I crash at yours?” Lucy rubbed the back of her neck embarrassed

“No” you exclaimed before clearing your throat “I mean... that's a little inconvenient Luce...”

“I'm your sister” Lucy exclaimed rolling her eyes

“I know and I love you... seriously... but I just want to shower and go to bed.. I...” you said trying to come up with an excuse “... I... have this... woman problem you know....”

“Your period?” your sister asked confused

“Yes...” you nodded slowly

“And? Gosh Bubs you really scared me there for a second... you need anything?” Lucy said lovingly

“Just... peace and quiet... please” you basically begged her at this point

“Geez okay... I'm already leaving...” your sister said and you noticed she got all defensive

“Luce” you whined

“No it's okay... you're a grown up now... you don't need me anymore” Lucy said already half way through the door

“That's not true.... Lucy come on...” you said again trying to calm your sister down

“Keira said I need to let you spread your wings... WINGS Bubs... not your legs okay” your sister said and pointed at you threating

“Okay Ew... that's disgusting” you pulled a face disgusted

“Exactly... sex is disgusting... never take part in it” Lucy said happy with herself

“Yeah...” you said embarrassed “... you're too later for that I'm afraid”

“Good... now go shower and then to bed... Sarina will blast through your door in... four hours” your sister smiled quickly checking her watch

“What does Sarina want?” you ask confused

“You're on her list... you gonna run” Lucy smiled before disappearing into the corridor again

“Fuck me” you exclaimed whining closing the door making your way to the bathroom

You just stepped under the shower when you remembered something important

“FUCK” you quickly jumped out of the shower wrapping yourself in a big fluffy towel before speed walking through the room opening the balcony door again pushing your head outside looking at your girlfriend who was just covered by a thin blanket standing pressed into the corner of the outside space

“Lucys gone” you smiled innocently ushering Georgia inside

“Do you know how cold it is in England this time of the year??” your girlfriend said her teeth chattering slightly

“Yeah I know... I'm sorry... but come on... I already turned on the shower for you” you smiled

“Gosh I love you” Georgia said pressing a kiss to your forehead heading towards the bathroom

“Oh and babe... Sarina will kick our door down in about four hours...” you nonchalantly called after her and you heard a crashing sound

“WHAT??”

[jamiesfootball]

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

Extended clip from You're Gonna Go Far, Kid

quite long

Jamie's duties continue to balloon.

Being captain doesn't just mean leading people on and off the pitch; it comes with a dozen smaller but no less important responsibilities beyond the dressing room as well. Helping to keep the players integrated with the coaches, running interference between teammates when there's a dust up, smoothing things out between the squad and any of the myriad of departments that rotate through for check-ins and media content and ads.

Roy had half a worry that getting crowned as vice captain of the England squad might go to his head. An old fear, but an unfounded one. Instead, knowledge that he could very well be given the armband on his next call-up, Jamie knuckles down like a man possessed. Already degrees more social than Roy, he starts making it a point to keep up with everyone he met at St. George's; fostering connections, he calls it. Every check in with the physios last twenty minutes longer as he peppers them with questions regarding long-term sustainable training tactics.

He finally takes the plunge and tells the nutritionist to start cutting breads and grains out of his diet. It's a decision that Roy understands, but at the same time makes something ache in his chest.

Jamie's thirty now. Roy's watched him confront and adjust and realign on so many different war fronts now that he can recognise the determined steeliness for what it is. But this time the war is between Jamie and his body, and surprisingly enough it's Roy who has trouble wrapping his head around it. The first he knew of Jamie came wrapped in jealousy: his youthful stamina and natural talent and speed when Roy's own joints were a straining bridge on the verge of collapse. The idea of watching that be replaced with. Well.

"Not gettin' any younger, am I?" Jamie responds easily but bullheaded in the face of Roy's concern. "Gotta look out for myself while I've still got enough left worth looking after."

He's thirty.

The responsibilities don't just stop there.

Now that they've got a number of well-developed youth team players that they can sub in, he's been stretching himself that way too. Taking an interest in academy games, making small talk with the lads that get called up for training sessions with the first team.

And his willingness to get involved, to reach out to the kids and the England lads and lift up his teammates in the dressing room, it doesn't go unnoticed. The press eats it up with a spoon. The media team pushes the feel-good angle.

The Rich Fucking Twat notices too. He starts parading Jamie around like footballer arm candy – for sponsorship deals, for investors. It's typical for the Player of the Match to march up to the owner's box and gladhand the visiting investors and corporate types. Then Roy blinks, and it's turned equally as common for Jamie to be expected to attend as well, whether or not he's been given the day's honor.

Then post-match interviews. Check in with the lads. Check in with the physios, post game snack included at Roy's demand. Check his socials; check how everyone else's matches went. Congratulations and condolences. They have video review at 8AM tomorrow.

Like a slow eroding mountain, Jamie's already limited free time turns to dust.

"Still no word from Jamie?" Keeley asks around a yawn. Pressed against Roy's side, she's been dozing on and off for the past hour and a half.

Dinner's not gone cold; him and Keeley ate hours ago. Jamie's dinner is in the fridge. A prepared salmon that'll only take ten minutes to poach; egg white and avocado salad with spring onions; and a lentil gratin that can be whacked under the grill. There's even an after-dinner protein shake waiting in the fridge, because that's what passes for dessert when your thirty-year-old decides to start minding his body the way some people prune a zen garden.

They've got everything they need except the muppet himself, and when Roy's front door opens at half eleven it startles him awake. Keeley continues snoring, unperturbed. Roy has to delicately maneuver out from under her, putting a pillow down where his lap was, before he can make his way to the door and get a proper look at him.

Christ, he looks exhausted. It doesn't even look like he's showered. He's certainly not shaved, and between the stubble on his chin and the eyebags under his eyes and the lean cut of his cheeks, his skin is stickered with shadows.

"Sorry, Coach," Jamie half-whispers. He struggles to toe his shoes off, one hand braced against the wall while the other attempts to untangle his jacket from his kit bag. "Got stuck in the press room for a while. Hope you didn't wait for me- shit."

His kit bag slides off his shoulder to hit the ground with a thud, and he nearly overbalances at the surprise lack of counterweight.

"Steady on." Roy steps forward and nudges the bag away with his foot. "Here, quit moving squirming around and give me your shoe."

Jamie pauses for a moment. Then he does as he's told and lifts his leg up. Still bracing an arm against the wall, he balances his heel on Roy's thigh and let's him deal with the nonsense that is his double-laced-for-better-arch-support trainers.

With a few stubborn tugs, the knot comes undone. Roy drops his foot, then pats the same spot on his thigh in cue for Jamie to give up the other one.

Once both shoes are dealt with, Jamie squirms out of them with ease, only overbalancing a little. Roy catches him by the shoulders, then steers him into the kitchen to sit down. Jamie lets him without protest.

He's only thirty.

The only thing Roy can imagine that would be worse than this is if Jamie had to do it all alone.

[juceynightmare]

the original sin - rhea ripley x fem!reader oneshot

my masterlist

pairing(s): rhea ripley x fem!reader

warning(s): swearing, implied smut, bible references, dom/sub undertones, wrestling is actual fighting with no pre-determined winner

genre(s): fluff, angst-ish

summary: y/n and rhea are in a long-term rivalry with rhea's smackdown women's championship being put on the line at wrestlemania. y/n really shouldn't be messing around with rhea in the weeks leading up to their match, considering she absolutely hates rhea's guts. but that doesn't exactly stop her.

“i’m pretty sure they call this the original sin.” rhea mused, her lips brushing against the skin of y/n’s neck. she pressed kisses along the exposed skin, drawing out soft whimpers from the girl’s mouth. rhea’s grip on her hips just as soft as the wall that rhea had pinned her against. “eve trusting the snake above god.” rhea murmured against the skin of y/n’s throat, planting her lips firmly against her soft skin and sucking and nibbling against it.

y/n’s brows furrowed in annoyance, bringing her hand up and grabbing at rhea’s hair. she yanked her back, forcing rhea to meet her gaze. “i don't trust you. and if i wanted a lesson on the bible, i would have gone to church.” y/n groaned, hating the way a smirk had curled a corner of rhea’s lips upwards.

“if not trust, then what do you call this? i could break all of your bones right now and leave you unable to wrestle.” rhea mused, bringing a hand up to wrap around y/n’s wrist. she pulled y/n’s hand out of her hair, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before dropping to her knees in front of her. “besides, it's important to note that we are in church, and i’m about to worship at the altar.” she continued, guiding y/n to hook one of her legs over her shoulder as rhea pushed up the fabric of her skirt and pulled down the other woman’s panties.

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

“you were off your game today.” came rhea’s voice as soon as y/n turned a corner into the emptier part of the backstage arena.

y/n rolled her eyes, her hand clutching an ice pack that she was given by the trainers to her shoulder. “more like you couldn’t just fucking sit your ass backstage. you’re just afraid that i’d get too much momentum before our match so you have to interfere during my match tonight and injure me for good measure.” y/n growled as she approached rhea. she let rhea pull the ice pack off of her shoulder, observing the bruise that was starting to form after rhea had thrown y/n into the barricade… over and over again until y/n was crying and begging her to stop.

“you should have expected it, baby. i’ve come out every week to fuck you up, why would this week be any different? that’s why i said you were off your game today, you didn’t expect it at all.” rhea laughed, leaning down and pressing a kiss to y/n’s bruised shoulder that had y/n shivering.

and when rhea meets her gaze, y/n swore she could see something like an apology in rhea’s gaze.

“are we going to fuck or what? because i’ll just go to liv or someone else.” y/n huffed, tearing her gaze away from rhea’s before she could start looking too into rhea’s feelings.

she felt rhea’s hands rest on her waist, and the sound of the ice pack dropping to the ground echoed off the walls. rhea dipped her head down to whisper in y/n’s ear. “we both know that little bitch can’t ever make you feel as good as i do.”

y/n raised her hand, tangling her fist into rhea’s hair and pulling her back forcefully, just how rhea liked it. “don’t think that just because you threw me into the barricade today means that you get to be in charge.” she grunted, backing rhea against the wall and letting go of her hair.

y/n watched as genuine shock appeared on rhea’s face at her words, before it was quickly covered by rhea’s usual overly confident smile.

“you can try, baby.” rhea mused, before y/n threw an arm around rhea’s neck and pulled the other woman down for a kiss.

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

[trouble] why do you look so sad?

y/n looked up from her phone as soon as the text message appeared on top of her youtube video. she looked around the room, finding the judgement day sat at their usual table. and although the boys were laughing loudly and clearly engaged in conversation, rhea was absolutely horrible at hiding the fact that she was glancing over at y/n every now and then. when y/n caught rhea's gaze, she watched the other woman smile and wink at her before she turned her attention back to her phone to type up a response.

[y/n] stop looking at me, i hate you.

[trouble] you weren’t saying that last night when i came over to your hotel room.

[trouble] now, why are you sulking all alone in the corner? i watched you shoo away liv, so i know you’re in a mood.

[y/n] didn’t get cleared to wrestle tn because some whore threw me into the barricade like crazy a couple days ago.

[y/n] they don’t want to risk me getting injured before wrestlemania so i’m just here.

[trouble] why aren’t you going back to your hotel then? do you want me to order you an uber, baby?

[y/n] don’t call me that. and no, there’s a match i’m looking forward to watching tonight. i wouldn't be able to watch it if i went back to the hotel.

[trouble] it’s mine, isn’t it?

[y/n] in your dreams.

[trouble] i’m leaving this cinnamon roll here. it’s the last one and i haven’t seen you eat yet.

[trouble] let me know what you think of my match, baby.

[y/n] stop calling me that. also i’ll be leaving before your match even starts.

[y/n] thank you for the cinnamon roll though.

when rhea, dom, finn, and damian finally left catering, y/n stood up and walked over to the table they once occupied. she grabbed the stray cinnamon roll that was left on a small plate on the table and walked back over to the locker room.

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

"what are you doing out here?" y/n asked as she walked out on to the balcony of her hotel room with the blanket from the bed wrapped around her frame. "it's cold in bed without you." she mumbled, walking up to stand behind rhea and wrapping her arms around rhea's waist from behind.

rhea was leaning against the railing, dressed in only her shirt and her panties. she wouldn't admit that she was absolutely freezing before y/n had hugged her from behind and enveloped her in her warmth. "nervous about tomorrow." rhea admitted, turning around in y/n's arms so she could face the smaller girl. she looked down at y/n, who was already looking up at her with a wide smile.

"what's there to be nervous about?" y/n asked as rhea wrapped her arms around the girl from over the blanket, hugging the blanket close to her frame so that the wind wouldn't have any space to slip in and reach her bare skin.

"i have a title to keep, and my opponent is, admittedly, the only other person in the locker room who deserves it." rhea admitted softly, the tenderness in her tone catching y/n off guard. y/n stared up at rhea with wide eyes, observing as a blush rose to rhea's cheeks and something like timidness had filled her gaze.

for once, y/n felt as though she had finally breached rhea's walls.

y/n leaned up, pecking rhea's lips gently and whispering, "well, i heard from a little birdie that she's hoping the champ doesn't go easy on her. she does want to earn it fair and square if she wins." she stepped back from rhea, hugging the blanket back to her frame and turning around. "come back soon, i can't sleep with a cold bed." she called out to rhea as she walked back inside the hotel room

rhea glanced out at the city skyline once more, smiling to herself before following y/n back into the room and shutting the balcony door behind her.

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

pain shot throughout her body as rhea's music played. the adrenaline had finally worn off, and all y/n could feel was her entire body aching. she was unable to open her eyes, the bright lights were too blinding for her and the crowd's loud cheers were beginning to make her feel overwhelmed.

she didn't even know she was crying on the mat until she felt someone sit her up and wipe away her tears.

"you put up a good fight, baby." she heard rhea whisper in her ear, and suddenly, her entire body was being carried out of the ring.

something heavy was laying on her chest, and when y/n opened her eyes in the slightest, she could see the smackdown women's championship belt was resting on her upper body as rhea was carrying y/n up the ramp.

"shouldn't you be celebrating in the ring?" y/n whispered, her voice soft and weak with embarrassment of losing on the grandest stage of them all and having to be carried out of the ring by the woman she was supposed to be rivals to the grave with.

"i have more important things to attend to." rhea answered, ignoring her own pain until she finally made it past the curtain and into the guerilla where the judgement day were waiting.

despite rhea's protests, damian had taken y/n out of rhea's arms. the three men had speculated that something was going on between rhea and y/n, considering all the times they had gone searching for rhea backstage to only find her gone and to have run into liv who was also looking for y/n. however, they knew better to assume anything. tonight, though, after rhea's very public display of affection for y/n, the three men knew they were right in their theories.

finn and dom supported rhea by walking beside her with her arms thrown over both of her shoulders. it wasn't until damian had set y/n down on the table in front of the trainers that rhea had physically let the pain finally take over her body.

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

[hhh] so, you and rhea?

[y/n] i guess

[hhh] happy for you, and congrats on your match

[y/n] thank you, boss.

[hhh] will you be fine by backlash? if you're up for it, i'm sure the fans would love to see a rematch. of course, everyone assumed you were sworn enemies, so we'll see how they will react to the buildup now that the hatred was actually just really bad sexual tension.

y/n looked to her right where rhea was reading the text messages alongside her. "what do you think?" y/n asked.

rhea met her gaze and grinned, bringing a hand up to cup y/n's cheek and run her thumb gently over the bruise that had formed on y/n's cheekbone. "you went easy on me at wrestlemania, i know you did just because of what i said that night." she hummed, and she watched y/n's cheeks flare red in embarrassment. "i didn't start this... whatever we are... because i wanted to get in your head and get an easy win, baby. so i'm hoping you're up for a rematch where you don't go easy on me." rhea mused with a chuckle.

y/n leaned back against rhea's chest, turning her attention back to her phone.

[y/n] i'll fight her.

[y/n] don't worry, we'll make the build up interesting. but sorry about the sexual tension, boss.

[hhh] don't forget we have cameras in the backstage area, y/n. even in the places where you and rhea usually run off to.

[hhh] have a goodnight, kiddo.

[sleepyboywrites]

Hey there, do you wanna do yandere headcannons for the creepypasta characters? (Specifically Trans or Cis Male Reader) whichever once you want, I did it with the TF2 characters and it was tons of fun

Hey! I hope it's okay if I just do an in general Male Reader because I don't like to use specifics unless it's necessary, like for trans/cis exclusive experiences ie: dysphoria/euphoria, overly descriptive nsfw if I ever end up doing something like that, and/or things like periods which cis men don't experience to allow more people to relate. In short I just don't want any male readers to feel excluded if it's not an exclusive experience if that makes any sense.

Also I apologize for not posting in a bit and taking so long to respond to this turns out I have too many thoughts about this particular prompt actually so this will probably turn into individual series/posts after this one

Yandere! Creepypasta x Male!Reader.

Tw: yandere behaviors kidnapping, murder, physical or psychological abuse, slightly spicy? for a couple Idk, it's nothing descriptive just mentions of a perverted mind and could possibly be interpreted in that way

Eyeless Jack

• obsession obsession obsession. Beastlike has things he stole from you in a nest. Kills people who interact with you. Almost wolf-like if I had to put a fine point to it.

• At first it's just people who were mean to you, hurt you, or made you feel badly about yourself because surely a boy like yourself would praise him for being so helpful to you, right?

• Then it's anyone who gets too close or appears to like you romantically.

• Then it's anyone you spend too much time with which interferes with time meant for him.

• He's delusional, but in the practical sense.

• Think, "I'm doing this to protect him" , "Those people would hurt him eventually", "He's not safe on his own, he needs me to look over him." "The outside world will tear him apart."

• Stalks you 24/7. You are never without eyes on you but you also don't have a clue he's watching at first.

• After all he only steals things you haven't worn in months or you could chock up to misplacing.

• And he's a hunter so he specializes in stalking whether for food or in personal matters.

• You won't know he's there until it's too late.

• He'll make his move to kidnap you once you've essentially isolated yourself out of fear to those around you dying. He'll treat you gently during his kidnapping.

• Using his medical knowledge he'd give you anesthesia as you sleep and take you home.

• May remove an organ or two as souvenirs, treats if you will to add to his nest.

• Once you are in his possession he will add you to his nest and you'll wake up pressed firmly into his chest as he mumbles incoherently.

•If you ever try to leave he will make you pliant in anyway he can think of. He's not above physically harming you if that makes it so you can't leave him. He worked so hard to retrieve his mate and he won't lose you even if he has to hurt you or you end up hating him but you will stay.

Ben Drowned

• A lot like EJ he's also always watching difference is you are always overly aware of his presence.

• He wants you to know that he's watching. He wants you to interact with him. Even if that interaction is you yelling at him and begging him to leave you alone.

• He is 100% playing some sort of sick game with you that he knows you'll lose. Think you'll develop Stockholm syndrome before he even kidnaps you.

• If he ever leaves you alone for a few days you'd find yourself missing the teasing remarks and add ons normally added as you went about your day.

• All due to his tendency to drive people insane of which you are not immune but the trail of your insanity leading directly to his arms.

• He knows this and is overly cocky about it both to your face and to others. Think, "oh poor you, you love me, what an unfortunate situation." To your face the first time you fall asleep around him with a stupid sick grin or "I'm going to kill you and he's going to come to me for comfort and protection when he finds out." when talking to someone he's deemed bad for you.

• He wouldn't go on a murder spree without a trigger but then like Jack that'll devolve into killing anyone he disapproves of which is everyone else.

• He has a general distaste and distrust of people due to the nature of his creation and will find an excuse to kill anyone around you should his murderous intent be triggered which can happen in three different ways you're constantly distraught by someone, you start ignoring him to be around someone else, or you've failed to keep him entertained so he needed a more entertaining situation.

• Possesive with a capital P, if he does not know your precise location or have you within arms reach at any given moment he will lose it.

• Clingy but veiled with indifference. He'll act as if he doesn't care but insist on keeping some kind of contact at all times. Once he physically has you this would be physical contact and before hand just following you everywhere saying he doesn't have anything better to do.

• Will use psychological and emotionally harmful methods to keep you in line if you ever try to reject him or his advances but claims won't hurt you physically in anyway.

• His vice grip on you reveals otherwise though. Enough so to encourage you to go along with him.

Laughing Jack

• I feel he'd court you in cat-like ways. If you've been in his box more extravagant shows with him as the lead, carrying you around places. (Being weary to let you leave until he eventually stops letting you leave.

•Leaving you gifts that go from sweet to scary really fast. Think your favorite treats and then your loved ones' hearts carved from their chests so you never have to leave him again.

• He's the king of being delulu and reacts poorly to ungratefulness so do try your best not to scream or hit him when instead of cotton candy he has a loved one's head on a stick.

• You can try to gently coerce him to stop killing your loved ones in order to isolate you and making you stay forever/to let you go. But he'll say "you're being silly" and "here is where you belong you goofball of a boy. " covered in your loved ones blood as he ruffles your hair.

•The accidentally kill you for being ungrateful/not accept him and keep your corpse like your still alive type.

•Keep it lighthearted and the Jester is your friend. If you don't and mention troubles he'll fix them violently.

• Is constantly coddling and cuddling you.

• Since he was once a guardian angel and he believes his murdering of ungrateful children is God's work, he sees you as a present for all his good work.

• Like a child being gifted a puppy on Christmas.

• Bone crushing hugs and grips that bruise your skin and make it so it hurts to move but he acts like he didn't mean to and gets moody if you push him away or say he's hurting you.

• It's an act though, he likes seeing you squirm in pain and the expressions you make trying not to cry when he holds you.

• He thinks it's cute. He thinks you're cute when you're in pain.

• On a lighter note, he 100% is the type of clingy to hold your sleeve going places or to poke you (mostly) lightly in order to get your attention.

Homicidal Liu

•The softest in this lineup.

• I believe the term is dormant Yandere? Yeah. It is, because you wouldn't guess something is off until something starts getting between the two of you.

• You remind him of before his traumas, whether that be you look like someone who was kind to him before or upon first meeting you were genuine, honest, and kind. You make him feel safe and calm or as calm as Sully gets and he's never letting you leave him.

• He'd incorporate himself into your life truly getting close to you. Like this is months if not years long in the making. He becomes the closest person to you in your inner circle and you're the same for him. He plays the long game.

• You guys live together and you probably already like him the same way he likes you but both of you are too awkward to talk about it and Sully has been forbidden to say anything or Liu threatened to take his meds. Or you guys are in a long-term committed relationship already.

• Protective, possessive, and obsessive but fairly level headed. He is aware of the reality of the situation. Ie: his possessiveness is giving you his clothes and repetitive thoughts of "mine" during times of physical contact or seeing you in his clothes and needing texts or where you are, why you left, and when you plan on being back as well as if anything changes. He obsesses over your likes, dislikes, mannerisms, emotional cues, and interests so he essentially knows you even better than you do. Protective being watching over you as you sleep in situations where it's acceptable to do so and setting up security systems for the house.

•More likely to grab your arm or hug your knees and sob "please don't leave me" than he is to ever hurt you. The most agressive he gets is when Sully is fronting but even then the likelihood of him hurting you above holding you a bit too tight is 5% and reserved for extremely specific occasions which virtually don't happen. Ie: you find out he's a murderer and react too poorly in a way he didn't expect, you leave him cold turkey, you treat him poorly

• Clingy always needs some kind of contact most of the time this equates to holding hands/pinkies in public and ensuring the two of you are essentially attached at the hip. Though because he's entered your inner circle you just think it's because you two are close and that's the product of your closeness.

• His hunting turns into stalking and killing those who've been bugging you and you've talked poorly about whenever he feels his bloodlust bubbling over.

•'Cause if he kills people you've said that you wished would die or that you hate you'll be able to forgive or even praise him right?

• Unlikely to kidnap you unless he gets caught/found out then he'll probably relocate the two of you but he'd rather talk to you about it beforehand so it'd be a last minute emergency type thing. Or if you spend too much time away from him.

Jeff the Killer

• Doesn't play games of any kind. He'll observe you just long enough to learn about you, your schedule, who all knows you, and how frequently they check in. Then he'll remove obstacles and he'll just just take you.

• Impatient and the shortest fuse known to man.

• He's not afraid to hurt you in fact he enjoys it so the more perverted side of him wants you to push him and his expectations.

• The chain you up in a basement type

•He'll kill anyone involved with your life so when you beg him to let you go with tears in your eyes saying you have people waiting for you he can tell you with certainty that you don't. Not anymore. Laughing as he tells you and stroking/tugging at your hair.

• Degrading and mean to the point where you can't tell if he hates you or not. Uses pet names in a derogatory way as well.

• Pretty distant and cold even after you warm up to him and he lets you wander around a contained and highly surveillanced area, though it's probably just the torture basement he chained you up in to begin with.

•Most affection you'd get is a pat on the head or shoulder.

•Any other form of affection wouldn't really feel like affection.

•Wants to break you into a mindless doll essentially for him to love, use, and abuse. But the breaking you into it is very important to him.

• Will torture you severely for any mishap.

•The only way you can tell he's attracted to you beyond physically, is if he goes too far with the torture, when he's patching you up, or when he brings you something you like/he likes.

•Though he talks to you sweetly sometimes after you pass out and/or are slipping into unconsciousness. "You were made for me, sweet boy." "So good for me." It wigs you out though.

•you will feel like you live on eggshells as try your best to accommodate to him.

• you are most likely to go insane and learn to crave his mistreatment.

Ticci-Toby

• Delusional. He is convinced you and him are in love and have the white picket fence dream. Complete with a German Shepherd and two adopted kids.

• And because of the way his brain is scrambled once he starts thinking about you regularly he can no longer tell what really happened or what was a daydream.

• Hopefully he has a good enough grip on reality to have actually interacted with you before his delusions convince him that you need to be with him at all times and he kidnaps you.

• 'Cause if not he's going to be really confused as to why his boyfriend who told him this is what he wanted is freaking out to the point of needing restrained. You'll hurt his feelings and he'll probably successfully gaslight you into believing his delusions himself.

• Also the lock you up type but more in the paranoid of others stealing you from him way, so if it's not together you aren't going.

• Like Jeff he allows you to roam around a highly surveillanced and locked up area but unlike Jeff it's an actual house and not a basement.

• He will hole up with you for weeks until duty calls or the house runs out of supplies

• Very "I love him I love him I love him I love him" coded and needs you to be just as enthusiastic.

•The hurt you on accident and profusely apologize immediately after but loves how you look when you cry and tremble as he patches you up type.

• Think someone telling him something that insinuated his affections towards you didn't count so he grabs your arm and squeezes it as you try walking away, asking "Toby... you're hurting me." He says wide-eyed struggling for only a moment as his kidnapper/partner tightens his grip with steel cold eyes. "Tell me it counts. It counted right?" (may or may not be my first ex-core as in my experience based)

•He feels really guilty about it too and periodically he will be crying into your lap forcing you to comfort him after an outburst because he feels just like his dad and he hates it.

Tim/Masky

• Much like Homicidal Liu and Hoodie he is actively incorporating you into his life. Difference is he's trying to manipulate you into thinking he's the only one you can trust.

• Uses the White Knight Method, which in case you're unfamiliar is a highly efficient manipulation technique in which they solve your problems while unbeknownst to you being the source of said problems until you become obsessed with or fall in love with the "knight" protecting you.

• If you feel like someone is watching you, he's toying with you. In fact he'll probably show up shortly after from the opposite direction of where you think watching is coming from and ask you if you're okay. Revelling in the look of fear on your face as you gush to him about what's bothering you and promising to protect you as he walks you home.

•He'll sabotage your relationships by making you think that they're the ones who've been leaving disturbing gifts on your doorstep/trying to hurt you.

• It's very much so a game to him and you're the prize.

• He's the type to want to see every emotion you have to offer.

• He's also the likes when you smile and likes when you cry more type

• But his need for you to need him and seek him out basically nukes the previous headcannon and makes it so he settles for comforting you when as far as you know something/someone else made you cry.

•Essentially by the time he's done with you, you'd beg to never leave his side, for him to keep you close and keep you safe but you don't have to because that's right where he wants you.

Brian/Hoodie

• Stalker alert! He's watching you sleep and following you everywhere

•Also uses the White Knight method but he uses what would have been a one time scary occurrence and uses that occurrence as a scapegoat to make more situations/scenarios which isolate you and bring you closer to him.

• In fact, his protection is a gateway to you, his foot in the door.

•It starts with him stepping in when things get scary then you see him somewhere you frequent and you talk to him or he talks to you and numbers are exchanged.

• After of which you are his clearly. Obviously, you just don't know it yet.

• Then he starts staging more scary, making your loved ones hurt you/turn on you/are the culprit in a scary situation until he's all you have. Until you need him.

• Mans has hidden cameras all over your house.

•You know where most of them are after all it was his idea, he said it was for your protection. What you didn't account for is all the hidden cameras in the gifts he's got you.

• He's the quiet, doting, infantilizing type.

• As in he genuinely believes you are too small, weak, and pure to know any of his intentions and he treats you as if you have no clue about anything always. Babies you constantly at a gradually increasing weight until it's suffocating.

• He wants to lock you up and protect you.

• Gaslighting king, if you catch on or try to leave him he will gaslight you into staying.

• Think "Baby boy what are you even talking about everything I've done was for your protection and your protection alone. There's no secret cameras you don't know about you're being silly." Or "Sweet boy, I've never done anything you didn't want or need. I'm very intuned to your needs and you need me. You need to be protected, you aren't safe unless I'm near."

• So genuinely and heartfeltly said that you'd clearly be the bad guy for even thinking like that and with how deep he has you you'd believe him too.

[flummoxx]

Saïx’s final fight in the kh2 manga - a quick character analysis

(spoilers for kh2, 358/2 days, and kh3)

[ I wrote this 4-ish months ago but my writing has improved a lot within that time so please ignore any spelling errors or grammar mistakes ]

Setting The Stage: As Sora and his friends make their way through the Castle That Never Was, he comes across Saïx and Luxord, both prepared to fight them. Before Sora can prepare for battle, Luxord traps his friends (Donald, Goofy, Riku, and Kairi) each in their own cards.

At first, the battle precedes how you would expect. Luxord challenges Sora to a card game in order to bring his friends back: Sora is reasonably upset at him and determined to win the fight, while Luxord may or may not be cheating. Saïx stands to the side watching this unfold.

Saïx Takes Over: In the middle of Luxord and Sora’s battle, Saïx breaks all of the cards in half, right in front of Sora’s eyes. When Luxord protests, Saïx threatens him with the same fate and he backs down.

As Sora stands there frozen in shock, Saïx takes this chance to get in the first couple of hits; knocking Sora to the ground. As Sora gets up, tears roll down his face, believing that all of his friends have died. When Sora finally gets the chance to hit him, he knocks Saïx back pretty far. This causes Luxord to call out his name and Saïx replies with, “I don't need your help.” As he enters his berserk state, the manga shows us a flashback to 358/2 days during the Roxas and Saïx battle.

With the usage of this particular flashback, it's clear that Saïx views Sora as Roxas, explaining his cruel actions here. By fighting Sora he's able to get payback for their battle in days; he's able to finally destroy Roxas, and to make him pay for everything Saïx believes him responsible for. Saïx prevented Luxord from helping him because this battle is something Saïx wants all to himself. He won't tolerate any interference. He’s waited long enough.

As Sora finds himself on the ground again, Saïx asks him some Important questions. He begins with, “You're still standing..? Why do you fight?” he then adds, “Your friends are gone. You have nothing left to protect.” Lastly, Saïx questions, “What point is there in fighting alone?”

I find all of these questions crucial to understanding Saïx’s actions in this fight.

Saïx thought that by making Sora believe all of his friends were dead, he would lose all motivation to keep going. He would lose his purpose. Sound familiar?

Fast forwarding to kh3, Saïx admits to losing all sense of purpose when Axel made friends with Xion and Roxas; leaving him and Subject X in the dust. Feeling that if Axel didn't need him anymore he no longer held any meaning. However, I don't think that was the only reason as to why he lost his purpose. Going back to kh2, Axel died as a sacrifice to protect Sora, leaving Saïx alone in the organization. During this time, most Nobodies were not aware they would come back recompleted after they faded away, so Saïx had no idea that Axel would return. I believe Axel’s death was the final push for Saïx to completely lose his purpose and revolve all his actions going forward around revenge and jealousy. When Sora continued to fight despite the loss of his friends, Saïx became confused as to why he would want to go on when he had nothing left to protect. 

Sora’s Victory: Sora tells Saïx that he still fights; that he continues to press on, because he knows that his heart is connected to his friends, even if they're not physically alongside him. Saïx doesn't understand this himself until much later in the series. (Mentioned in his character files, “If I could just connect to others’ hearts, that would be enough.”) With a final blow filled with determination, Sora finally defeats Saïx.

As Saïx begins to disappear, he looks to kingdom hearts above him and wonders where his heart is. He fades away alone with no one to support his fall. (If you're worried about Sora's friends, they're doing just fine. Luxord had kept the real cards that held Sora's friends in his pocket. The ones Saïx destroyed weren't the real thing. I'm assuming Saïx knew this but It made no difference as long as Sora believed they were dead. Jiminy Cricket was able to release them from the cards safely while Sora fought Saïx.)

[queen-of-writing-bad-things]

Henry Danger Reader Insert | Captain Man x Reader: SEASON 1

Episode 10: Too Much Game

~The Man Cave~

Down in the Man Cave, Charlotte and (y/n) were struggling with the headquarter's failing equipment. The supercomputer, snack machine, tubes, the sofa: you name it, sure enough, it was on the blink.

Charlotte furiously tapped the buttons on the computer, but it was unresponsive, causing the young woman next to her to hit the control panel in frustration.

"Gooch? Hey! Gooch, are you there?" They were trying to get contact with the store above their heads, but so far they were unsuccessful.

"Stupid thing!" (y/n) kicked it for good measure.

"Mama." A baby doll came on the screen.

"Okay, that's not Gooch. Ugh, what is wrong with this thing?" Charlotte asked her.

"I don't know! I can do some of the repairs, but I can't work out what's wrong because of all the circuit boards and software in this heap of junk." (y/n) pressed the resignal button, hoping it would fix the fuzzy screen

"Gooch!" They finally managed to get some patchy images.

"Go for Gooch!" Charlotte asked him as his voice crackled from the interference.

"Where are Henry and Ray?" (y/n) questioned, wondering what was taking the superheroes so long.

"There was an emergency at the Swellview mall," Gooch told her.

"I know that!" She pinched her eyes in exasperation.

"Oooh, what happened?" Charlotte hadn't been down in the Man Cave for very long and wanted to know what was going down.

"Santa Claus was running around without his red pants," Gooch reported, confusing the girl.

"But it's not even Christmas." She looked at (y/n).

"Weird, right?" She was interrupted by the auto-snacker processing another order that they hadn't asked for.

"Your hot dog is ready." The A.I said.

"We don't want a freakin' hot dog!" (y/n) yelled at the thing, walking over to the thing and pressing a few buttons to cancel the food.

"You ordered a hot dog?" Gooch asked, not hearing some of their words over the bad connection.

"No. The snack machine is still broken and acting all crazy." Charlotte explained to him as (y/n) peered through the food window.

"R--repeat, y--ou'--re b-break--ing up," Gooch said in a distorted voice, the connection then breaking again. 

"Gooch!" Charlotte tried to fix it again, revealing that Ray and Henry were back. Only, one tube came down with Ray, but there was no sign of Henry.

"Hey, guys." He greeted them in a tired voice.

"Hi, those Santa's pants?" (y/n) walked up behind Charlotte.

"Yeah." He replied, his voice telling her that the mission was more trouble than it was worth.

"So, where's Henry?" Charlotte piped up.

"He's right-- huh, that's weird." Ray thought the teen was right behind him, so he looked up the tube to see where he was.

"Henry? Come down." He yelled.

"I can't my tube isn't working." The boy's voice echoed down the shaft.

"Not another malfunction." (y/n) scrubbed her palm against her face. The faulty tube meant there was another problem in the cave that she had no idea how to fix, and she was supposed to keep the place under control and ready for action.

"Okay, hang on." Ray took out his remote laser and tried to manually tried to bring down the tube. It came down halfway before an error noise sounded and the tube retracted. Ray kept pressing it, hoping that it would work eventually.

"Do that and it'll break completely. And then I'll break your face." (y/n) looked at him with her arms folded, but her threat was empty as trying to break the man's face would actually break her fist.

"Ray?" Henry called out, wondering what was going on.

"Yeah?" 

"If you keep doing that, I'm gonna vomit," Henry warned him and the woman smirked at Ray.

"Ha, and you're standing under the tube." And the man quickly stepped out from any falling puke.

"Your hot dog is ready." The snack machine said again, this time revealing a terrified Chihuahua.

"Aw, puppy!" (y/n) couldn't help but say. She didn't even know the machine could do that.

"What the..." Charlotte looked at her boss with a puzzled face.

"(y/n), what have I said? We can't have pets in the Man Cave." Ray assumed that his friend had tried to sneak the dog into their lives.

"He's not mine!" She said in an offended tone. She knew that buying a pet without getting his agreement would be rude and irresponsible, two things that she rarely was.

"That's our lunch that we did not order!" Charlotte stressed, the glitches around the room freaking her out.

"Argh, I thought we fixed that thing. Why does it keep--" Ray tried to use his controller to stop the auto-snacker, but then the couch started to spin around.

"Now, why is that spinning?" Charlotte asked as he and his best friend groaned.

"Because everything in here is a piece of crap!" The stress was getting to (y/n), and she was losing her cool.

"We gotta find a good repairman!" Ray told her, pressing his controller repeatedly, and the sprocket started playing up.

"Not the sprocket, too." He whined, throwing the Santa pants to the couch.

"Gooch!" The screen showed the Indian man with a patchy signal.

"Go for Gooch."

"Just get your toolbox down here and come help (y/n). We got a lot of stuff to fix." Ray tried to tell him, but the woman just growled in annoyance.

"Ray, you know there is only one repairman who can fix things down there," Gooch said, not naming any names.

"I'm not calling him!" Ray muttered back, the memory of the man making him angry.

"We need him, get on the damn phone!" (y/n) shook his shoulders, but he grabbed her wrists and looked into her eyes.

"No, we don't need him, and I will not let him back in our Man Cave!" He said sternly, but she didn't miss the way he said "our Man Cave". That had never been said before.

"I can't fix this stuff!" She tried to reason with him, but he just reached over to turn off the screen.

"Bye!" He said to Gooch.

"Don't you press that but--" Gooch and (y/n) said, not finished with the conversation, but it was too late.

"Who were you talking about?" Charlotte asked as the woman plopped down on Ray's knee in annoyance, his hand resting on her back to steady her.

"Schwoz." Ray spat out the name.

"What's a Schwoz?" Charlotte had never heard of a name like that.

"This guy that used to work with him. He built most of this place, all this cool stuff. He developed the technology we use, built all the weapons and devices. I'm telling you, he's a genius!" (y/n) told her about the man. He had been a good friend to her and was the only one she had properly told about how she felt about Ray. He had been sworn to secrecy and kept silent even when he and Ray fell out.

"Yeah, he's a genius." Ray mocked her, not liking how she was going on about him. He wanted to be the one she spoke of with such adoration. 

"He sounds awesome." Charlotte agreed with the young woman. This Schwoz sounded like just the guy they needed.

"Well, awesome guys don't steal your girlfriend!" Ray shouted at her, and (y/n) rolled her eyes.

"Ooh, wow." The teen looked down at the new information.

"Yeah, that's what I said when I found out that she'd been Schwoz'd!" Ray exclaimed, the memory still irritating him.

"Oh, please. She was just as much to blame!" (y/n) tried to make him see that the girlfriend was no good. Sure, Schwoz had done something wrong, but it took two people to cheat.

"Don't defend him!" Ray pointed a gloved finger at her.

"Don't be a dick then!" She replied, grabbing his finger and bending it back a little, the pressure making the man wince and back down.

The tube beeped, and they all thought Henry was finally coming down. He was, in a way. The boy fell down the shaft, landing on his feet and falling backwards. His knees ached from taking the brunt of the drop.

"Oh, man." 

"Henry!"

"I'll get the first aid kit!" Ray and Charlotte looked at the boy in horror, as (y/n) grabbed her medical supplies and quickly ran to the groaning boy's side. She helped him up, and he looked at her with a dazed expression. 

"That...that really hurt me." He said to her.

"My god, is anything broken?" She looked up and down his body, not seeing any visible injuries.

"I'm fine, it's all good." Henry smiled at her, as a beeping came from Ray's remote.

"Uh-oh. Oh, man." He cried at what it said.

"What's wrong?" Charlotte asked him, peering up at the screen.

"Santa Claus jumped outta the police car and now he's running down Swellview Boulevard," Ray whined, hating the thought of having to chase the pant-less man.

"But, his pants are right here." (y/n) picked them up from the couch and brought them over to him.

"Exactly, let's go." (y/n) handed them over and he and Henry went back to the tube area. They smacked their belts, but only Henry's tube came down. Ray slapped his navel several more times, however, nothing happened.

"Come on!" He yelled.

"Let's just both take my tube," Henry told him calmly.

"All right." The superhero grumbled, so Henry raised his tube and Ray shuffled over. He put his arms around Henry in a hug.

"Awwww, cute." (y/n) snapped a photo of them together on her phone, and they each gave her a bored face in return. Hitting his belt buckle again, they prepared for the tube, only this time, the opposite one came down.

"Seriously?!"

"Geez!" They both screamed as everything in the Man Cave began to malfunction at once.

"You better call Schwoz." Charlotte insisted.

"Never!" Ray hissed back.

"RAYMOND! CALL HIM!" (y/n) pointed her finger at him, the noise in the hideout was beginning to annoy her.

"Who's Schwoz?" Henry asked, having not heard about the clever man from the tube.

"He's this guy that used to work for me a long--" Ray was cut off when the tube over them came down and hit his head.

"OW!"He exclaimed, putting his hand over where he was hit.

"Just call him, please!" (y/n) didn't want anyone else getting hurt. No one else was indestructible, and that meant that she and the kids were at risk of serious injury.

"I hate him!" Ray seethed at her.

"I don't care!" She told him, as she ran to the computer, hoping she could at least she could get a tube working.

~The next day~

Ray, (y/n) and Charlotte were back down in the Man Cave trying to troubleshoot all of the problems.

"Hey, I really wish you'd get those things working." The tall man said to the two females, who turned around and glared at him.

"When you get off your butt and contribute to our efforts, then I'll take directions from you." (y/n) said to him, and he smiled sheepishly at her, and she turned back around with an amused expression. She couldn't stay mad for long, especially when he was looking so good in his tight, white, long-sleeved t-shirt.

The shouts of Henry falling down in the elevator drew their attention away from the fuzzy screens.

"Hey, something's wrong with the dumb elevator." He complained to the three after he stepped through the doors

"Why are you in such a bad mood?" Ray asked, sensing something was off.

"Because I got kicked off my dumb basketball team." He explained, as (y/n) stood next to Ray.

"Are you good at basketball?" She asked him, having never heard about the boy playing the sport before. 

"No." He replied, just as the couch began to spin, making Ray, who was leaning against it, fall into (y/n). Her arms wrapped around him to stabilise them both.

"Charlotte! You made the couch spin again." Ray shouted at the girl on the computer, as he guided his friend away from the twirling couch.

"Well, why don't you hop on it and take a ride?" The girl snapped back, having had enough of his bossing around.

"Ray, the repairman (y/n) ordered is here. He's on his way down." The man said excitedly, knowing who was on his way down.

"What? You can't just send some stranger down here until we have him checked out." Looking between the woman mentioned and Gooch.

"I got to go." Before he could get into trouble, Gooch killed the link. Ray looked at (y/n) for answers, but then the elevator came down, the mystery man inside. 

The doors opened, a small, strange man with a balding head and overalls on walked out and put down his toolbox.

"Hey." He greeted his old friends in a thick, foreign accent that was difficult to place.

"Schwoz," Ray said through his teeth, looking at the man in anger and then (y/n), who was smiling brightly at Schwoz.

"Get out." The superhero ordered him in a harsh voice, stalking towards the man, making (y/n) step in front of him and put her hands on his chest.

"Come on, Ray, don't be like that." She pleaded with him, but even her best puppy-dog eyes couldn't melt his anger.

"I mean it! I can't believe you brought him here! Out of here." He kept moving forward, forcing the woman backwards until she was stood next to Schwoz.

"That's Schwoz?" Henry asked, entertained by the man's funny appearance.

"You must be new sidekick, Kid Danger." The tech-genius smiled as he shook Henry's hand warmly. All the niceties were getting under Ray's skin.

"Don't you talk to Henry. You keep your Schwoz cooties off of him." Ray slapped the man's hands away from Henry, and (y/n) looked up at him in horror, shocked that her best friend, who was usually so amicable, was being so mean.

"Ray! It's been three years!" She pointed out to him, as Schwoz walked around the group.

"Yeah, three years since he stole my girlfriend." He replied, following the repairman's every move.

"If it makes you feel any better, I dumped her two weeks later," Schwoz told him, leaning the computer controls. His words made (y/n) wince. 'Why tell him that?" She groaned inwardly.

"Why would that make me feel better?" Ray exclaimed.

"Can I get something to eat?" Schwoz moved away from the subject.

"You could if that hunk-a-junk snack machine you built actually worked." Ray insulted him.

"I check it." The small man said, determined to prove that his machines were cutting-edge science, not junk.

"Don't order a hot dog," Charlotte warned him, remembering what happened yesterday.

Schwoz pressed the touch screen on the snack machine, and a probe dropped out. Holding it against the screen, he then clicked a few buttons, so the machine's software system would reset itself. The four people behind him just looked on in confusion.

"Now, would anyone like a nacho tower?" He said to the machine in his funny voice, and the computer responded immediately, creating a hot, steaming pile of tasty-looking nachos.

"Whoa, nacho tower," Henry said it as Schwoz did, and (y/n) took a nacho from the plate.

"He fixed the auto-snacker," Charlotte said, sounding impressed.

"Oh my god, I tried for hours last night to get that thing to work. And he made it looked so easy." She said the last part whilst looking directly at Ray.

"I don't care, you ruined our friendship. Now, I've only got one left." Ray replied, gesturing to the woman, which made Henry and Charlotte look at him with frowning faces.

"You know what I mean. And, you're not gonna fix it with a platter of hot, Mexican treats." Ray tried to say, the smelling enticing him, as Henry, Charlotte and (y/n) filled their faces.

"Well, I forgive you."

"Me too."

"I was never that mad." The superhero folded his arms after they voiced their support.

"Look, if you want me to leave, just tell me 'Leave'." Schwoz looked at the grumpy man.

"Leave, leave, leave, leave, leave," Ray repeated at him in an agitated voice.

"Stay, stay, stay, stay, stay." (y/n) said this time, looking up at Ray with hard eyes.

"I'm the boss here!" He whispered at her.

"I have to run this place! I need the equipment to work!" She snapped back, so Henry interjected.

"Shut up before you fall out again." He deadpanned to the friends, which made them break apart and look at each other apologetically, the tension dissolving immediately. Their hearts were still tender from the last time they argued, and they didn't want to be apart again.

"So you want me to stay?" Schwoz butted in, making Ray form a fist at his face. 

"Because I could fix up all the broken schtuff around this place." He offered.

"Do it." Henry and Charlotte nodded.

"No!" While he didn't want to make (y/n) angry, he stilled hated Schwoz and didn't want him all over the Man Cave.

"Let him fix the broken schtuff," Henry said to him.

"Please, Raymond. Pretty please? I'll love you forever..." (y/n) fluttered her eyes at him and made her voice as sweet as she could, even though she was already sure she would love Ray until the end of time. The large man looked down at her, and couldn't resist how she gazed at him.

"All right, fix the broken schtuff. And give me a nacho." He said to Schwoz, giving in. Henry took the plate of food, as Ray went to sit on the couch, taking (y/n) with him. They giggled together as they sat down, and the three still at the computer looked their way.

"Ah, young girl is still in love, no?" Schwoz whispered to the teens.

"Oh yeah, totally," Henry answered as he put a chip in his mouth.

"And Ray finally asked her out?" He carried on, hoping that their pining was over.

"Ha, no. He'll never admit it to her." Charlotte said in a hushed tone, but the couple were still in their happy, little world and didn't see them talking to each other in a huddle. 

"So he is still nincompoop? Man, it's been years since she told me. I thought she would have done something by now." Schwoz told them, their eyes widening at how long (y/n) had been crushing on Ray.

"She never said it was that long." Henry looked at the girl as she smiled and laughed along at what Ray was telling her.

"I had been here long time when Ray employed her. She was a hard worker and he couldn't help but love her." He sighed dreamily, remembering the good old days.

"But?" Charlotte said, expecting a twist.

"He kept dating the womens and she wanted to stay professional. So, here we are." Schwoz said, frowning at the pair, who were now looking at cat videos on (y/n)'s phone, her head on his chest and his arm around her shoulder.

"He's dumb." Henry said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder.

"And she's too shy." Charlotte analysed.

"They will realise one day, and they will get married and have lots of beebees. Now, children, I must work." Schwoz left them standing together and started working on the computer's video-chat system.

"What's a beebee?" Henry looked at Charlotte, who just shrugged and ate another nacho.

~

Schwoz was tweaking some controls at the back of the Man van, as Ray, Henry and (y/n) finished the nachos on the couch. Grabbing his remote, the repairman walked to the centre of the floor and turned to them.

"Now, who's ready for technological fun?" He asked them.

"Yeah."

"Give us your best shot." Henry and (y/n) answered him, but Ray was still cheesed off.

Running to the tube area, Schwoz went up and came down in the one opposite, proving they were working again.

"All right, he fixed them!" The woman smiled, a hand on Ray's shoulder.

"And I fixed the TVs and the sprocket. And watch this." Schwoz told them excitedly, running down from the tubes.

"Security lasers on." Schwoz pressed his button, and a series of red lasers appeared all over the Man Cave.

"OOh, lasers." Henry geeked out at the new feature, (y/n) grinning too. But Ray was still upset. The teen reached out to touch one and was still impressed when it burned his finger.

"Security off." The lasers disappeared and Schwoz leapt onto the end of the couch, next to where Henry was sat.

"Smoochy music on." A romantic love song began playing over the speakers, and the couch started spinning slowly as Gooch danced. 

"That'll impress your girlfriends." (y/n) patted Ray's leg in an attempt to impress him, despite her words breaking her heart.

"Smoochy music off." Ray wasn't bothered by the new addition, because it was installed by the man who he currently hated.

"Whoaaa, he is impressive." Henry clapped and looked at Ray.

"Yeah, yeah." Captain Man just ate another nacho. Schwoz sat down from where he was stood.

"Too bad you can't use your technical skills to make me a better basketball player." Henry sighed at him, sparking an idea in the small man's mind.

"Hey... who says I can't make you a better basketball player, huh?" He smirked and nudged Henry, who didn't pick up on his hints.

"I did. Was I wrong?" He asked, Schwoz nodding with a devious smile.

~

Schwoz had found the gear he was looking for and started to put the sleeves onto Henry's arms.

"Cool sleeve. Feels good." The boy nodded once it had been programmed.

"I've seen better sleeves," Ray commented, taking a swig from his soda, as (y/n) dozed peacefully on his shoulder.

"What are the goggles for?" Henry asked Schwoz, ignoring his boss's comment.

"They are wirelessly connected to the sleeve using bloop-toop." The foreign man said to him, his ending words not making much sense to the teen.

"Bloop-toop?" Henry sounded confused.

"He means Bluetooth." (y/n) called to him, her voice rough from sleep and how she smushed her face back into Ray's chest.

"I don't understand but--whoa!" A rocket-propelled basketball hoop appeared from the ceiling once Schwoz pressed his controller again. Ray stood up, the woman on him complaining but following too as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes,

"I didn't know we had a hoop." She said through a yawn. Her attempts to repair the tech last night and therefore her lack of sleep was starting to catch up to her.

"Neither did I," Ray said, bringing her to his chest so she could rest on him again, enjoying the way her warmth seeped through his shirt.

"And now..take this and shoot the bashket." The small guy instructed Henry, a basketball dropping from the ceiling.

"Wait!" He suddenly stopped the boy, his loud voice making (y/n) jumped under Ray's arm. He petted her hair and she soon quietened down.

"What?" Henry wanted to know what he had done wrong.

"Close your eyes." Schwoz directed him, to prove how well the device would work.

"But I need to see." The boy insisted, but regardless, he did as he was told. Bouncing the ball once, he closed his eyes and shot the ball right into the hoop.

"What?" He looked extremely surprised.

"Hey, let me try one," Ray said, putting (y/n) down on the sofa and rushing off to get the ball. The young woman followed his movements through tired eyes.

Picking up the ball, Ray threw it as hard as he could at Schwoz, narrowly missing her on the couch. 

"That was uncalled for!" She said, her rapidly beating heart waking her up in seconds.

"That's not what balls are for!" Schwoz looked at Ray with a hurt face.

"Well, you shouldn't have kissed my girlfriend." The superhero refused to let it go, much to the annoyance of his two friends.

"So, if I wear these goggles and this sleeve thing..." Henry took back the inventor's attention.

"You will make bashket every time." He smiled back at him with reassurance.

"Oh, man. This is amazing. Thanks, Schwoz. I'm going to destroy that Shawn Corbit guy." Henry smiled back as Ray stood with his hands on his hips.

"Let us celebrate with smoochy music and whirly lights." Schwoz turned them on and ran to get (y/n) on her feet, so they and Henry could dance to it. Ray watched on, his stubborn streak not letting him join in. (y/n) stepped off the couch and sauntered over to him.

"You know you wanna dance." She smirked at him.

"Maybe." He didn't smile, and couldn't look her in the eye.

"Come on, dance with me." She held out her hand and nodded back to the spinning couch, where Schwoz and Henry were coyly smirking at each other. 

"Fine." The man caved in, after all, how could he refuse an offer like that?

~The next day, Swellview High~

It was the day of Henry's big match against Shawn Corbit, and Ray, Schwoz and (y/n) were walking to the gym where it was taking place. The woman's hand was firmly in Ray's as he dragged her along, harshly ignoring the smaller man.

"You could at least make small talk." She said to the man in front of her as they weaved through the corridors of Henry's school.

"I don't want to talk to him." He replied bitterly, Schwoz trying to keep up on his short legs. (y/n) rolled her eyes at Ray's words and they pushed open the doors to the gym. Walking in with their popcorn and snow cone, they saw how Henry was shouting perfectly thanks to the gadget Schwoz had built him.

Sitting down on a bench, Ray decided to sit way too close to a pretty looking woman at the end. Ignoring (y/n) and Schwoz on his left he turned up the flirting as he noticed her long legs.

"Hey there." His smooth voice greeted her, and (y/n) found herself in the middle of two males who both fancied one woman. 'Why me?' She cried in her head, remembering how this situation ended last time.

"Hello." The woman smiled back with a sweet tone. Schwoz could see how sad his friend looked at Ray's new interest, so he decided he would try to help out.

"So, are you a teacher?" Ray asked the woman, giggling with her.

"Yeah, I teach eighth grade Spanish." She told him.

"Caliente." The large man complimented her.

"Bueno." (y/n) could deal with Ray's flirting from afar, but being sat right next to it with him and a beautiful teacher to her left made her cross her arms.

"Ay, Dios Mio." She muttered under her breath, only Schwoz hearing her, so he made his move.

"I am Schwoz." The man leaned across the woman in the middle of them and grinned at the Spanish teacher. 

"You say nothing!" Ray snapped back to him, not wanting another girl taken by the little man. How did he expect him to move on from (y/n) if he kept stealing the girls?

"Listen up! This is a game of one-on-one. Playing to ten. The winner stays on the basketball team, the loser goes home to his mommy." The coach explained to the two boys, even though (y/n) was fairly certain that 'Shawn Corbit' wasn't a boy and that the coach was a massive douchebag.

"Okay, let's get this over with. Henry, your ball." The manager made to pass the basketball to Henry but dropped it at the last minute. Switching on his sleeve, Henry gave a thumbs up to Schwoz and (y/n) who returned the gesture with encouraging smiles. Ray was preoccupied with making out with the hot teacher.

"Oh my god, do you mind?" She groaned at Ray as he was practically laying on top of her. 'Is he trying to kill me?' She whimpered inwardly but concentrated on the game as Henry started bouncing the ball and moving across the gym. He jumped up to make the hoop, but the vastly taller man used his height to slap the ball out of his hands. Running the ball up the court, Shawn fired and easily scored a goal. 

"Hey, give me your phone!" Piper said to Charlotte as she recorded the match.

"Why?" The dark-haired girl couldn't see why she would need it.

"So I can shoot Henry's disaster from two angles." She exclaimed, not caring if Henry lost and got kicked off the team.

"I'm going to get some lemonade. You want some?" Ray looked at the woman as they broke apart from their kiss.

"Sure." The woman hadn't looked at her student's match once, and Ray turned to his sulking best friend.

"You want some lemonade?" He smiled at her.

"No thanks, I'm feeling a bit sick." She told him in a flat voice, her eyes not leaving Henry's game.

"Okay. Be right back." He patted her knee, not taking her tone as an annoyed one, but rather an interest in what was happening on the court. Realising he'd be a few minutes in the queue, Schwoz looked at (y/n) and whispered in her ear.

"Change places with me." The woman furrowed her eyebrows, taking her focus off the game for a moment.

"Why?" 

"So, I can make move on lady teacher," Schwoz smirked at her, but she wasn't amused.

"Ray will kill you." Did this guy never learn?

"Just move." She slid down the bench with a sigh, as Schwoz took Ray's place and began to flirt in the teacher's ear.

Henry was struggling against the man he was playing with. He just didn't have the height to get around him, so every time he tried to shoot, Corbit took the ball from his hands and scored against him. 

"Henry, try and score this time." Oliver Pook called from the sidelines.

"Thanks, Oliver!" Henry said to the boy sarcastically. As if he was letting Shawn win. Making another run up the court, he aimed and fired, but once again, the ball was smacked out of his hands, ran back down the court and passed through the opposite hoop. It carried on and on until Shawn was way past the set benchmark of ten goals.

"Come on, grandma. Anyone can make instant oatmeal." Shawn even made a phone call during the match, and Henry still wasn't able to score.

Henry was starting to tire and lose faith as the score went past 0-26. Shawn gave him back the ball, appearing to let him score just once, but as soon as he jumped, the ball was slapped out of his hands.

"How is this fair?" (y/n) said to no one in particular since the Spanish teacher was still being 'Schwoz'd' and Ray was still in the line for lemonade.

"I thought we were only playing to ten," Henry questioned the coach, nothing that he was 32 goals down.

"Oh yeah. Game over! Shawn wins! Have a nice life, Henry." The coach blew his whistle, officially ending the game, and he put his arm around the victor. Henry looked depressed as he went to his stuff on the sidelines.

"One lemonade for me and one lemonade for..." Ray came back over to his friends and saw Schwoz making out with the teacher as (y/n) typed away on her phone. 

"Schwoz!" He yelled, making the small man jump up and run away, afraid that the larger man would hurt him.

"Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?!" Ray screeched, his fist closing around one of the lemonades, making it burst all over the floor. The teacher reached for the still intact cup, but Ray looked at her with wide eyes and pulled it out of her reach.

"No, no, no. No lemonade for you." He said to her with a miffed face. (y/n) stood up and put her phone back in her pocket.

"Come on, Casanova. She isn't worth it." She smiled at her friend and led him away from the pouty teacher, who clearly just wanted some free lemonade.

~After the match~

"Hey." Shawn Corbit walked up to Henry and sat down.

"Hi." The teen didn't really feel like talking to the man that beat him for a place on the basketball team.

"I'm sorry, man." The large male looked down in shame.

"Hey, you won fair and square," Henry said dejectedly.

"No, I didn't," Shawn revealed.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not 14," Shawn whispered to him, although it was pretty obvious already.

"I didn't think so. How old are you?" Henry asked him, wanting to know what the coach had pulled.

"I'm 26. I'm a grown man. I work at Master Prize Rent-A-Car." The tall man divulged his real identity.

"Well, how do you know Coach Bix?" The boy looked at him, not believing what he was hearing.

"He came in to rent a car. He pulled me aside and said, 'I want you to come play basketball for me.'" The man told the story."

"And you said okay?" 

"No, I said no."

"Then why are you playing ball for him?" Henry asked, not seeing why Shawn would agree to play against a bunch of kids.

"Because he kidnapped my Lulu." The man said in a teary voice.

~At the Man Cave~

"Who the hell is Lulu?" (y/n) asked Henry as he retold them everything Shawn had said to him.

"Shawn's puppy. She's a cockapoo." Henry explained to her as she stood next to Ray, who was sat down at the computer and trying to process the story.

"Wait a minute. So you're telling us that your coach kidnapped Shawn's puppy..." Ray started, wanting to know if he had all the facts correct.

"The cockapoo." (y/n) nodded at him.

"And now he's forcing Shawn to pretend he's 14-years-old so he can play in your junior high school basketball team?" It sounded really strange when Ray said it all out loud.

"Crazy, right?" Henry looked at them both.

"Uh, yeah. Coach Bix is insane." (y/n) told the boy.

"Coach won't give him the puppy back unless our team wins the state championship," Henry said, making Ray angrily take out his gum tube and pop a gumball.

"Oooh, you're chewing. What are you gonna do?" The teen looked at his boss with an excited expression.

"They are two things I hate in the world, and one of the is guys who kidnap other guys dogs to make them do stuff." Ray declared, moving away from the supercomputer so he could transform into his costume.

"What's the other thing?" Henry looked confused.

"Celery!" (y/n) immediately knew the answer, remembering when she first started working for Ray and he made her pick it out of his food. That was the first time he saw her temper blow up, and it was also one of the first times his heart skipped a beat when she spoke to him. No girl had ever stood up to Captain Man and resisted his charms, making him realise how special she was.

"Yeah." Henry agreed. He also disliked the green stem vegetable.

"It ruins tuna salad," Ray explained and the woman groaned.

"Ruins it," Henry said with him.

"I work with children." (y/n) grumbled, as Ray blew his bubble and became Captain Man.

~Coach Bix's House~

"Yeah, good old Salisbury steak." Coach Bix had only taken one bite of his dinner when his doorbell was pressed. He let out a groan and answered the door.

"Who is it?" He mumbled, still chewing his steak.

"Look through your peephole." Ray squeaked at him in a fake, high-pitched voice. The man looked through the hole, and that's when Ray punched through the door, knocking the guy backwards onto the sofa. He broke down the door and walked into the apartment, revealing himself to be Captain Man.

"Captain Man? Hey, I never said you could come in." The guy said to the superhero.

"Too bad, jerk." Ray snapped at the puppy-stealer. He crouched down by the dog cage next to the couch and freed the cute, little puppy. He could see why (y/n) wanted one so much.

"Hey, I didn't say you could touch that." Bix pointed a finger at the larger man.

"I didn't ask. Aw, you're a good baby. Aw, don't you worry, sweetheart." Ray cooed at the adorable creature, as he brought it into his arms.

"You better not take my puppy." The basketball coach seethed, but Ray wasn't scared of the pathetic man.

"It's not your puppy. Now, get in the cage." He hissed back.

"What? No, that's for a dog." The man protested.

"One..." Ray started to count.

"Maybe I'll get in the cage." The man submitted, not wanting to be on the receiving end of another one of Captain Man's punches. He crawled inside and Ray locked the door after him.

"Shawn, you can come in now." He called to the waiting man.

"Lulu!" He cried in joy at seeing his pet.

"Here you go." Ray passed her over, and Shawn was more than happy to cuddle her to her chest.

"Aw. Thanks, Captain Man." He smiled down at the squirming dog.

"Thank you, for liking puppies." The superhero smiled at the reunion.

"Come on, Lulu. Let's go buy matching sweaters." The man left with the puppy and Ray knew his work was done.

~Back at the Man Cave~

Henry was practising shooting a ball with Schwoz's techno-sleeve, Ray and (y/n) watching him with smiles on their faces.

"Whoa, yeah." He said when he scored the goal and patted the man's tummy in celebration. The elevator dinged and Schwoz stepped out sheepishly.

"Okay, I fixed the elevator."

"Good." Was all Ray said, so (y/n) took it upon herself to give the handyman the fitting recognition for his hard work.

"Thank you, Schwoz. I could never have fixed everything on my own." Her smiles and soft words made the man look at her bashfully.

"Yes, thank you. Now, leave my life." Ray's semi-polite tone turned cold, as he put his hands on his hips.

"Okay, boss," Schwoz said quietly, his distraught face breaking the young woman's heart.

"Ray..." Henry tried to reason with him.

"Stay out of this, Henry," Ray told him sternly, and (y/n) left his side, her face void of emotion.

"No, he can't go." Her face didn't move, but her eyes told them how she was really feeling.

"Goodbye, peoples. Schwoz out." The little man stepped into the elevator and pressed the button to close the door.

"Great. What happens next time something breaks around here?" Henery asked Ray.

"(y/n) can fix it," Ray said, as the woman blinked back tears.

"I don't know how! I can do some wiring and soldering but nothing like this." She sniffed and gesture to all the machinery in the Man Cave.

"No one else can fix this stuff." Henry pleaded, the woman steeling herself.

"Too bad. He's gone." Ray told him, but the elevator doors opened again.

"I still here." Schwoz waved and Henry and (y/n) smiled at Ray in hope.

"All right, Schwoz. You can have your old room back." Ray groaned and gave in. His best friend jumped on him, squealing with happiness that sank into his skin and made him smile with her.

"Yeah, baby!" Schwoz cheered and ran to join their hug. However, Schwoz wasn't (y/n) and his hugs didn't fill the larger man with love and joy in the same way.

"Get off!" He shrugged the foreign man off, but kept his arm around his best friend's waist, not ready to let go yet.

"Never leap on me again!" He pointed a finger at Schwoz, but (y/n) giggling at him, calmed him down quickly and the little guy ran off to reclaim his old bedroom.

Ray looked away in disgust at the thought of living with him again, but his face dropped into shock when (y/n) pressed a kiss to his lower cheek.

"Thank you." She smiled at him sweetly, her small peck making his heart beat faster than the ten-minute make-out session he had with the teacher earlier. Walking off, (y/n) left Ray in a daze with a stupid expression on his face.

"Schwoz! Don't touch anything till I get there!" She ran through the sprocket, intent on stopping the chaotic man in his wake before he could disturb the peace she kept in the headquarters.

Ray looked at Henry, his pupils dilated and his cheeks dusted with a pink blush. His hand still rested where her lips had been, making Henry grin.

"Should I leave the room?" He joked as Ray snapped out of his daydream.

"Shut up!" The superhero scolded him.

"All right, Ray... check this out." Henry moved on, taking off his goggles and the sleeve.

"No sleeve. Just the kid." Ray looked at him with a bored face. He knew that without the technology to help, Henry was terrible at basketball. Henry bounced the ball a few times, aimed and threw the ball at the hovering hoop, missing completely. The ball landed on a piece of equipment, which started sparking and short-circuiting from the blow.

"Schwoz?" They called the genius, as the machine stopped working.

"Don't tell (y/n) it was us," Ray said, holding his hand out for Henry to shake. His best friend would kill him if she found out they were playing basketball with sensitive apparatus around.

"Deal." They shook hands and smiled up at the two adults coming down from the sprocket.

"What have you done now?" (y/n) eyed them suspiciously.

"Nothing." They lied, and she still didn't believe them. There was always mischief going on down in the Man Cave.

[immissingmaxx]

My Mascot //Tendou Satori

Chapter One: Dumb Eagle

Summery: Tendou's life has always been surrounded by volleyballs, nets, and the squeaky shoes of sweaty men. Tendou loves it, always has and always will. But what happens something, or someone, interferes.

•Warnings(?)

Tendou has sensitive/ fragile hands, clumsy reader, antisocial reader, my first fic (thats a warning), UBER short reader

•Word Count: 935

-

"Lets go, Ushijima! Ushijima! Ushijima!"

Usually the cheering of the crowd doesn't get to me. But today it seems everything's pissing me off today. Especially because the coach decided to bench me last minute before the game.

Maybe entirely because I've been benched last minute before the game. All because i forgot my finger tape.

"It's dangerous." "You could hurt yourself."

Since when did they care!? Put me in!

Put me in. Put me in. Put me in! Put me in!!

"Nice kill! Ushijima! Ushijima! Ushijima!"

Its the first break already. Wakatoshi approached me, somehow keeping his stoic facade even being sweaty and out of breath.

"Are you still benched?" Wakatoshi asked me, as everything in this gym has been, it only irked me more.

"Yes! Coach put me in i swear i wont get hurt!" I tried pleading the coach again.

"I know how sensitive your hands are Tendou. You'll definitely get hurt."

"Wait why's he bench again?" Goshiki wiped his face from sweat. Being benched was so last minute no one knew why.

"I forgot my stupid tape thats why! I don't need it, put me in!"

"Wait you forgot your tape? I have some." Goshiki, my sweet Goshiki.

"Really? Where is it? Its in your bag right? Can i borrow it? Ill buy you a bun! Where is it Goshiki?" I pressed Goshiki to for an answer, anything to be put in.

"Uh yeah, i think i left it in the changing room though." I was quick on my feet, if i get it before the end of the break i can play.

"Hurry it up Tendou." The coach yelled after me, but i was already halfway out the gym.

I made it to the locker room in no time, the sweaty stench never got to me, i bet if it was cleaned a thousand times it'd still smell like ass but i dont care. Now to find the tape.

-

Im bolting down the hall, they should seriously put the changing rooms closer to the gym, if im late I won't be put into the ga-

"Ah!" I stumbled back, i bumped into something in my rush, i didn't even see anything.

"Im so sorry, I wasn't looking where i was-" i looked down at the small figure i had knocked down.

An eagle?

Y/n's Pov

Shit.

I took a small nap to regain my energy before i go out and be around other people again. Apparently small naps aren't so small.

If schools not exhausting enough i also have to take an extracurricular if i want to graduate. All the clubs are boring and being around other people have never been my forte. This whole extracurricular thing is stupid i just wanna graduate. But if i need something quick and easy, mascot it is.

Im not sure if i should be thankful i took my costume home or not. I took it back to my dorm so thats i can clean it and make it smell less of other people's socks. But now im running all the way to the gym in a bulky eagle outfit.

The games already started, everyone might me mad at me. All i had to do is show up, jump around excitedly and leave, but i couldn't even do that.

I put my helmet on as i neared the gym. It makes it a bit hard to se but It's just on the right-

"Ah!" I fell back to the ground as i bumped into something.

"Im so sorry, I wasn't looking where i was-"

I guess i bumped into someone as they started rambling an apology, but he suddenly went quiet. The contact knocked my helmet over so i couldn't see a thing.

"No no, it's okay, my helmet makes it hard to see." I pawed at my large helmet, trying to figure out how to fix it. A hand suddenly scooping itself under my arm and lifting me to my feet.

"Your our mascot! Man i forgot we had one." He turned my helmet turned to my face, shifting it to make it comfortable.

I could see him.

Sort of.

A tall, lanky, sort of frayed figure. He was wearing a uniform, i could make out that much, maybe he was on the team.

"Shouldn't you be at the game." He asked me, taking in the sight of my costume.

"Um, shouldn't you?" I questioned back. He froze, suddenly bolting off down the hall.

"Crap the game! I forgot about the game!" He yelled as he ran down the hall. I guess i should follow him.

Tendou's Pov

The game, i totally forgot about the game! Im gonna be late and i won't be put in, no theres only a minute left, i can make it.

Well. I made it.

I jumped onto the court, overcomed with excitement.

"Here.. I.. am!!!" I hoped to my teammates.

"About time. Almost thought we were gonna play without you."

"Yeah, i ran into-"

The crowed suddenly roared with cheers. I turned behind me, it was the mascot girl from earlier. She finally showed up.

She galloped in and jumped around, waving to the crowd. Thats all she's doing, she must not be really into this.

"We have a mascot? I forgot." Goshiki said as we all watched her jump around.

"No one would wear the costume, guess it's too embarrassing."

She continued to gallop and jump down the gym, jumping into a bench and completely falling over it.

"..Yea that is embarrassing." Ohira deadpanned, watching the mascot pick herself up. "That's some dumb eagle."

"Yeah.. dumb."

//

A/n: I skimmed through this a bit, does that count as proofreading?? I hope to continue writing this so lets hope i have the energy to do so🙏

[drchenquill]

Foliè - Chapter 23

Sacrifice

I heard the man next to me stifle a laugh and tried not to roll my eyes myself. What was it with people and sacrifices? Where the hell had they heard that I liked it? I hated sacrificial offerings, there was nothing more selfish in my eyes than spilling the blood of innocents to gain the favor of a deity who barely knew of your existence.

“You want to sacrifice her? So, slitting throats and all that?” the man asked with a desperately restrained smile.

The woman nodded.

“Where is she?” I interrupted. I didn't have time for games. I had one goal, and that was to find the young woman, keep her safe and then never show my face around people again.

“I'm going going to tell some strang-” I surged ahead. My hand wrapped around her delicate neck in seconds. My claws stroked the skin menacingly. She swallowed a scream and looked at me in panic.

“Tell me where she is or your blood will decorate the altar.”

Her body trembled as she opened and closed her mouth, searching for words.

I squeezed harder, causing her to whimper slightly.

“Tell me. Now.”

Her eyes drifted to the man next to me, but surprisingly he didn't seem to want to interfere. Something I greatly appreciated. I shook the woman, my pitch-black eyes blazing as I growled, “Don't look at him, look at me. Look into my eyes and you will recognize your death.”

She fidgeted frantically as she said, terrified, “I'll take you to her. I'll take you to her, I promise.”

Satisfied, I let go of her neck. The man pointed ahead with a small smile and said, “After you.” With a shaky breath, off she went.

“Looks nice, if you ignore the corpses.” the man commented as we were led by the woman into a house, which in the frenzy of people, had been converted into an offering place. In the center of the Great Hall, probably a communal house, stood an altar made with chairs and tables. Every kind of furniture was removed so that the hall had room for a large crowd of people. As the man had mentioned, around the altar were old, smelly, rotten and maggot-attracting corpses from previous sacrifices.

Another reason why I hated sacrifices. They didn't do anyone any good. I barely noticed half of them.

Either way.

“Bring her to me,” I ordered her. Nodding hastily, she disappeared into a back door.

I felt a creeping hand around my waist and then a warm voice in my ear, whispering: “I like the way you give orders, little mouse. You look so sexy doing it.”

I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and stubbornly looked ahead. “Behave yourself, this is serious business.” He laughed and kissed my cheek. “Yes ma'am.”

My eyes met his. He smiled at me so tenderly, like I was the only thing he wanted to see, like I was the only thing that gave him joy, like I was the only one.

“Lyssa.” I said to him suddenly, my voice softer than before. “I was named Lyssa and everyone calls me that…” this was the first time I had given someone my name without hesitation.

“Lyssa… Lyssa…”

My body shuddered as my name passed his lips. I swallowed slightly and asked, “You never told me your name.” The hand around my body tightened as he looked at me with an incomprehensible expression. After what felt like an eternity, he responded with, “Cain… A bit dramatic, I know, but it fits, don't you think?” Dramatic was an understatement. Being named after the first murderer in the history of the world was rough, even to me.

“Who are the strangers asking for the prisoner?” an almost hysterical voice rang out. We looked up and saw the lady returning, followed by a man who looked as if the weight of all humanity was pressing down on his shoulders. Small and hunched over, he came towards us with quick steps. His glasses were slightly hazy because of the air coming from under the cloth covering his mouth. He did not seem at all pleased by our arrival.

“We don't want any strangers infecting us, so get out before I make you leave.”

This time I had to stifle a laugh. This puny man was actually trying to threaten me. Me, Lyssa, the one who could turn him to dust with the blink of an eye. I didn't do it, of course. I wanted to do what I was here for and it would be difficult if I started causing trouble. So I took a deep breath and stepped closer, causing him to back away slightly.

“We'll go once we have the girl," I said as calmly as I could.

He dared to mock me and roll his eyes. I could feel the anger coming up, the desire to wring his neck, to show him who he shouldn't mess with, but I controlled myself. I tried to change, but unfortunately it didn't happen as quickly as I wanted. Instead of giving him my opinion, I listened to his. “Why should I give up someone who has committed a crime? She destroyed our machine and destroyed half of the village. That's why it would be better for you to fuck off. Do we understand each other, sweetheart?”

My eyebrow twitched, as did my fingers. Suddenly I heard a whisper next to me: “He doesn't know who he's talking to, little mouse.”

Slowly, I turned to him. He had a wry smile as he added, “Show him.”

I didn't have to be asked twice.

~~~~

Chapter 22/Chapter 24

Foliè tag list: @theink-stainedfolk, @frostedlemonwriter-deactivated2 , @leahnardo-da-veggie , @rivenantiqnerd,

@thecomfywriter , @fablesandfragments

[dovithedarklord]

Age of Monsters - Chapter Ten

Pairing: OFC x Simon "Ghost" Riley, OFC x König

Tags: Slow Burn, Slow Build, Enemies to Lovers, Alternate Universe, Blood and Gore, Blood and Violence, Eventual Romance, Eventual Smut, POV First Person, Not Beta Read, Medical Inaccuracies, Military Inaccuracies, AFAB OC

Trigger Warning: The story will contain violance, blood and smut in detail. Please, keep that in mind!

⚠️MDNI⚠️

...................................

Author's Note

The small team is presented with a new kind of problem, and Leona investigates Riley's strange behavior.

Hello!

I don't have a specific Trigger Warning for today's chapter! But again, I'll probably have some in the next one! :D

Have fun!

I.M.L. - Infected mammalian lifeform. I.H.L. - An infected humanoid lifeform.

if you're interested you can find the story on AO3: Chapter Ten

..........................................

Under my eyelids, the whole body of the soldier lying on his hospital bed becomes a map interwoven with a complex network of blood vessels, and I search for injuries, so that when I reach to the broken ribs and bruised internal organs, I can help the tissues heal with a very nice little push of my energy. Ever since our little team got back, I've been working on patching up the surviving soldiers, while Riley disappeared along with MacTavish, who already looked a thousand times better, to alert their other two companions, because they had to hear the crap we went through, after which our little team returned crippled, beaten and reduced in numbers. Riley didn't have to say a word for me to begin acting on my benevolent role and escorting their wounded mortal comrades to the infirmary. Of course, I don't do this out of the goodness of my heart, but mostly because I suspect that Price would certainly not be happy if I would let these poor bastards meet their maker, just because I don't feel like straining my pretty little body with so many tasks in one night. Another more pressing reason is that while I fix the physical integrity of these guys, I still have time to reflect on what happened.

And the more I run through the whole series of events in my head, which destroyed the entire bombproof plan in the blink of an eye, the more I'm sure that it wasn't the virus that got to a magical evolutionary peak and helped to give birth to a completely new kind of humanoid mutant. Even if the development of the pathogen had been accelerated, it wouldn't take just a year and a half to go from a brainless idiot to a beast carrying out organized attacks and capable of planning tricks. And this explanation just stirs up more questions in my skull, because even though I worked in the field and studied the behavior of these assholes for years, I can't think of anything that could have caused this. Provided that someone didn't interfere with the order of nature intentionally. But who would be so idiotic to pronounce the death sentence on humanity with this? And although I know that people can be mean, evil, and most of all stupid, but not to this extent. No one can be this suicidal, because the fear of death and terror is a much greater motivational force to not delve into such dangerous games. Of course, if the chance of something happening is not zero, that will never be a factor that can be ruled out.

When the last broken bone has mended together and all the damaged organs have regenerated, I just silently step back from the man resting on the bed, who looks up at me and mutters a quite "thank you", but my brain is too far gone for that. Without any further comment, I head towards the door of the infirmary, so that I can finally go to the place where I can release the many hypotheses swirling in my head and discuss with those who, along with me, have experienced what kind of new hell can be unleashed on the world.  Because the fact that these bastards behave intelligently and are able to corner S-Class Hunters is more than worrisome. We've been lucky so far because these monsters have also learned that if they don't stray too close to the colonies, they can get away without the Hunters making mittens out of their flayed skin. Of course, this is also a fragile balance, where random attacks still could happen starting from the yellow zone, but it’s a system that has been operating for fifty years, and is mainly held together by the Holy Spirit. And although Hunters are always born, and there are a few idiots every year who join liquidation units as soldiers, still, the number of our defense and that of mutants is not even, to say the least. Moreover, in light of the new developments concerning humans, we have theorized that within a few years, we will be more and more outnumbered by the infected lifeforms. But this… this puts this very friendly prediction into a new perspective.

My hasty steps thump loudly in the empty silence of the base, and I find it surprising that the commotion caused by our arrival didn't attract more attention from the busy little soldiers living here. Although I suspect that at this moment, the most advantageous thing to do is to remain quiet, since creating fear with insufficient information would be the stupidest thing we could do right now. Even if, with the available data, the subsequent events won’t be much better. And the sinister foreboding, fighting with sharp claws in my mind, keeps telling me that this little trifle is the result of some huge blunder, the consequence of which we will nobly bear now. And I secretly hope that Laswell and her omnipresent hand will make sure that the thousands of questions arising in me will be answered. Although I know that this is mostly a futile dream, because that is exactly why she sent us there, only to return with even more unclear circumstances and question marks.

I make my way to Price's office in the heart of the base as quickly as I have never done before, and I suspect that restlessness and the desire for knowledge make my steps so damn springy after the stress and adventures of the last few hours. And I could even muse about the fact, that it's quite irrational of me to be so interested in the new risk threatening the colonies, and I could even argue that in order to keep my peace, as a simple Healer, it's not my concern to worry about this. But rationality has always been stronger in me, and it alerts me that there is no corner of the world where I can escape to, if what we've experienced today develops into a worldwide problem. And this has the potential of becoming one. In any case, my renewed selfless soul wouldn't let its new little squad down. No matter how much the latest incidents promise new complications in addition to my life which is already full of excitement.

As soon as the door to Price's den appears in front of me at the end of the familiar corridor, I see the restless movement of several shadows in the light filtering under the doorstep, and it's clear from the muffled muttering, that they are just as excited by the thrills we encountered during the mission as I am. And as I get closer, I catch the worried grumble of the captain, as he surely tries to get more information from the two Hunters with enthusiastic questioning, and despite the fact that I can't see through the walls, I can still imagine the serious expression on the man's face. That's why I don't hesitate any longer, but after a soft knock as a courtesy, without waiting for an answer, I reveal the entrance to the office, only to be met almost immediately by five pairs of rather grim eyes, that settle on my approaching figure at the same time. And after I survey the people gathered in the dim room, my gaze almost instinctively finds MacTavish, who is resting in his chair next to the table, now wearing civilian clothes instead of his earlier tattered ones. There is now a significantly more human color to his face, even though his features are now dominated by an unusual sullenness, which softens just a shade when he turns his attention to me. The edge of his stubble-framed mouth moves upwards into a faint curve, and it almost physically hurts to see the gloom that settles over his entire being. And I can assess it quite well that this is for the failed campaign and our diminished team.

"Woods!" Price addresses me, when he snaps out of the surprise caused by my arrival, and as he scans over me quickly, a small smile appears on his face. "I'm glad you're in one piece." He adds, and the fact doesn't escape my attention that, regardless of his delight, he lingers on my rather battered person for a few long seconds, and it feels good for the hidden little corner of my soul as I catch the sparks of concern glimmering in those sky blue eyes. I almost find this paternal worry to be sweet, but now is not the time for this in the least, no matter how much my brain wants to go off on disgustingly sentimental tangents.

"Yeah, I almost ended up in several." I note rather darkly, and I also cruise over to the table with just a few quick steps, and driven by the bubbling tension under my skin, I don't even notice that for some reason I automatically arrive at Riley's side, who just silently turns his head towards at me as I appear next to him. Our gaze only meets for a fleeting moment, but that's enough for me to observe that in some magical way, he lacks the distance that has been a constant guest in those chocolate eyes. And this would even make my morbid little heart skip a beat with the honor, if his pious behavior didn't arouse suspicion in me, in light of how enthusiastically I disregarded his orders earlier.

"Ghost and Soap gave a broad outline of what happened." Laswell also joins the conversation, who seems to have been so interested in the outcome of the excitement she brought here that she stayed here to wait for the news. And from the line of her thinly pressed lips, it's clear that she the story she got was far off from what she wanted to hear. And the evil little voices in my brain warn me to watch every reaction of the woman carefully, because if my assumption is correct and this whole mess is the work of humans, then our informant was either honestly unsuspecting, or she's hiding it damn well that she was aware of the hornet's nest she was sending us into. And although I would like to believe that she was barking up the wrong tree as much as we did, it crosses my mind once again that what cannot be completely ruled out is still a potential possibility.

"We've had our fair share of excitement." I draw my mouth into a rather cynical smile, and I don't try to hide the sarcastic edge in my voice, because it wouldn't make any sense. I suspect that my mood is shared by Riley and his Scottish friend, whose dark eyebrows seem unable to separate from each other, because they hold the gloomy expression with unbroken enthusiasm that, according to my intuition, has been on his face since he regained consciousness. "Fortunately, you won't miss out on the experience either." I announce pointedly, and as I reach for the camera resting on my vest, suddenly all eyes are focuses on the gadget with intense curiosity, which my skillful fingers peel from the cavalcade of the many pockets with ease. And when the device is finally off of me, my free hand automatically searches for my communicator from my side pocket to prepare for the early morning movie screening. They're in for a real treat.

"How much did you manage to record?" Price turns to me again, and when the wry smile sitting on my lips softens into a single motionless line, he unspokenly understands the sheer ominous graveness emanating from my expression. And since he can guess that my sourness is not for our impromptu late-night slumber party, I know from the deep, troubled wrinkles appearing on his forehead that he understands how horrible the recording can be, which I have collected in such an artistic manner.

"Just enough." I state succinctly, and I don't even need to add more to the introduction of the documented material, because it perfectly sums up my feelings. Pulling out the connector on the side of the communicator, I insert it into the input of the camera, and everyone watches tensely as I conjure up the video with a few button presses, the existence of which may have been forgotten by everyone until I entered, but fortunately, my memory spins sharper than ever from the stress that still lingers in me.

And when the barren road marking the edge of the combat zone appears, looming with blue light, I place the gadget in the middle of the table and flick on the frozen image of the hologram to begin the presentation of the bedtime story. The first few minutes pass with almost disturbing uneventfulness, as our small team confidently moves forward towards the heart of the city that houses only rotting remains. But my attention doesn't waver, and my frustrated brain, demanding answers, focuses more intently than ever before, circling every square millimeter of the footage that is presented to me. Because now that it's finally not preoccupied with the rescuing of my fellow Scotsman, and not the horror of the mission turned into chaos dominates my mind, I have the free brainpower to wonder how long they could have been watching us. They outwitted the expertly hidden traps with such vileness and attacked our group in such close coordination, that it’s almost impossible that this was all just a random phenomenon committed out of an impulse. No. These bastards have been monitoring us from the very beginning.

The video cuts to our parting at the observation point, and even though I suddenly see only the uniforms of the two Hunters and all the equipment lined up on them, it still flashes in my mind with what high hopes and confidence MacTavish reassured me that this whole operation couldn't end badly.  How sad that after I continue to stroll to the overpass and take my place, we can admire up close how fast everything went awry. The room watches with tense concentration as the events take place in quick succession, and I still can't find anything wrong with the way the little soldiers skillfully set the traps intended for surprise with nimble movements. But, when the noise of the sound alarm slowly filters through the video with a muffled screech, the first unmistakable wrinkles of confusion and astonishment soon appear on everyone. Because the human-like creatures emerge, and even though they are much smaller than how I saw them through my binoculars due to the distance, I still manage to follow them perfectly as they throw themselves into the line of sensors first with jerky movements and then with frantic haste. That's when the first startled voice breaks out from Garrick, who watches with growing bewilderment as the mouth of the nest slowly begins to pour out hordes of mutants like an unstoppable flood. The pale moving flashes of the hologram are reflected in his dark eyes with a ghostly light, and this only emphasizes the disbelief that is held there even more.

And since I know that the best is yet to come, I direct my focus to the corner of the footage, because the star of the evening will make its impressive entrance within minutes, and I'm not willing to miss a single second of it. For an uncertain moment, it seems as if the smudge on the roof of the ruined building is just a speck of dust floating in the air, but I know that it is that dirtbag. Even I acknowledge this deformed lowlife, because it sneaks out of the ruins with such masterful invisibility that I still only notice its appearance a few fleeting seconds earlier than I did hours ago. And the possibility arises in my mind that maybe it could have avoided the position of the soldiers operating on the ground from another underpass, because there wasn't only one subway stop like that in a city. If these scumbags inhabited the entire subway network, they could have emerged from anywhere that hadn't yet degraded into a crumbling pile of garbage. And this means that we had no chance to surround them from the beginning, because they could have thrown themselves at us from literally anywhere.

Although the video doesn't fully reflect the reality, the mutant and its rider offer at least an unnatural sight as they did in real life, as they stop at the edge of the building and with noble simplicity direct their little buddies who are lying in wait towards MacTavish's team. And now that I have time to analyze the whole interaction more soberly, I notice how the I.H.L.s standing by on the ground look up to their leader with devoted attention, and they move as a team when, they carry out the silent order with almost blind obedience, as if they had been secretly practicing this for some time in their dirty little home. Which still doesn't sound much less unlikely.

"What the hell is going on?" The confused question breaks out from Garrick, and one of his fingers is points at the humanoid monster climbing down on the building, who starts its calm little walk towards the battlefield with such grace and pride, as if it had just gone on a peaceful evening sightseeing. I perfectly understand the Hunter's surprise, because even for the second time I can't find an explanation for the whole surreal event. And this only awakens impatient frustration in my mind, because instead of observing new details, I only find more incomprehensible puzzles.

"What is that?" Laswell fixes her bright eyes on me, and as I divert my searching gaze from the recording for a moment, I carefully study the expression hiding on her face. The troubled fine wrinkles that run between her eyebrows emerging from under her hair look sincere, and the concerned sparks that appear in her eyes don't seem to be the result of contrived acting. Although I have no illusions that this woman can play with her facial expressions as effectively as she can retrieve anything that comes out of our little mouth when needed, but I'm also well-versed in studying others to know when someone is trying to trick me. And now she urges me to answer with the genuine astonishment of the first shock. Based on this, she was kept in the dark at least as effectively as we were. In other words, there is still a corner of this world where the influence of the woman, unfortunately, doesn't reach, and this leads directly to the not-insignificant fact that if there is a human hand in this, then it will belong to one of the highly prestigious members of the higher authority.

"An I.H.L." I finally give the curt answer, and despite the fact that I don't indulge in further explanations, she still understands how terrible news this means for us. Because she snaps her head back to the unfathomable chaos unfolding on the recording with such speed that it makes even me dizzy.

The tension is palpable in the silence that slowly fills every corner of the office, and nothing else echoes from the white walls than my panting and pounding footsteps, which are filtered through the video, as I wander the deserted streets in search of MacTavish. And although the camera shakes wildly as it tosses and turns in the middle of my rush, it's still possible to follow my path perfectly to the location of the Hunter with the mohawk. And when I finally arrive, from the wall of the building that serves as my hiding place, only a part of the view that greeted me upon my arrival can be seen, but it's enough for me to catch on my periphery, how the Scotsman's fists are clenched with painful force in his lap, as a blood-soaked hand appears in the tumult of many feasting monsters. There's no doubt that he blames himself for his team's unfortunate end, and I'd love to give him a little of my selfishness to ease the paralyzing pain and disappointment in his eyes. Because even though I know that he isn't an innocent sheep either, he doesn't deserve to fall into despair like this because he couldn't avoid the slap that this unfortunate situation gave him.

The time comes for my dramatic entrance, and the sight of the mangled bodies of dead mutants on the ground still fills me with morbid joy. But I don't have to wait long, because soon a completely new excitement occupies my attention, because the mutant-riding scum appears again in the alley, preparing to attack. Riley's body imperceptibly tenses up from the sight, and I only take a furtive glance at him. Every cell of him radiates pure rage, and I haven't been able to catch this reaction yet, even though I've tried quite enthusiastically to rile him up previously. His fingers, which are still covered in blood-soaked gloves, are squeezed around the thick table top, and when the large piece of furniture creaks from the fury directed at it, for a moment it feels as if he would want to tear the furnishing apart with his bare hands. And I have a suspicion, that although the helpless anger felt due to the injury of his comrade and the failure of the mission may also contribute to his sore mood, my keen little senses tell me that something else is going on here. Because it's only when he catches my searching gaze, that he manages to steer himself back into his usual cold indifference with great difficulty. My eyes just narrow cautiously as, unusually for him, instead of any kind of unfriendly remark he turns his attention back to the video, where he has now also made his brilliant appearance and sets off on the way back, hauling MacTavish on his shoulders. And from this strange reaction, I quite understandably come to the conclusion, that something is very fucking wrong with him.

As soon as the recorded material ends, the footage shown on the hologram freezes again, leaving behind nothing but confusion, anger, and sinister silence. It's no wonder, because countless things happened in this video that no one could have foreseen, not even in their wildest dreams. The mission, which started as a simple nest extermination, concluded in such an ugly massacre that ended with the death of a dozen soldiers, after which we returned home with their few survived, but tormented companions, without answers. And this will be a hard pill to swallow for everyone. Including me.

"What the hell was that?" Garrick finally speaks after digesting what he has seen for few tense moments, and his voice is filled with the same anxious temper that slowly appears in definite outlines on the faces of his captain and Laswell as well. And his look says that he wants to ask a thousand more questions, but after the information he received, which is shocking, to say the least, he can only formulate this one sentence, because suddenly he isn’t capable of doing more.

"I don't know, but it sure wasn't normal." I state immediately, and at this point, my brain feverishly begins to organize the data so that I can present all my grim observations and assumptions to the small team that have formed in me so far. And there are quite a few of them. "They carried out an organized attack. They bypassed the traps and followed orders. And that bastard used a specific strategy and a weapon." I summarize the essence briefly, emphasizing each word, and although I could list a whole bunch of other smart observations, it wouldn't change the fact that this damned monster surprised us all with something completely new.

"But how?" Garrick asks his next anxious question, and his mouth is pressed into an angry line that rarely surfaces on the man's face. A thick vein appears on his neck as his entire being begins to radiate wild waves of irritation, and it seems as if he's considering to reach through the footage and grab that infected piece of trash to end its little fun with his own two hands.

"I have no idea." I finally answer, and with a tired sigh I straighten up, browsing through all the knowledge I've acquired over the years to put together everything that started this whole sinister train of thought in me. "The virus also attacks the structures of the brain that enable a person to see cause-and-effect relationships and consequences, logical thinking ceases completely. The instinctual level remains, because this is beneficial to the virus. It drives the host to spread it and survive. An infected person is unable to follow orders because they cannot interpret verbal or advanced non-verbal communication codes." I explain, and the vast amount of research data that I have been lucky enough to come across over the years flashes before my mind's eye, based on which the leader of the small mutant team is such an incomprehensible and no less dangerous enigma, the solution to which must be found as soon as possible, if we want to enjoy our approximately peaceful life in the future. Because I'm sure that if there is one such individual, there are more, and it's only a matter of time before they decide to play soldier and attack the first colony that gets in their way.

"But they still followed I.H.L.'s." MacTavish breaks his silence for the first time, and the annoyed lines on his forehead deepen as he articulates his observation, and they continue to hold their position on the Hunter's face with almost inexorable stubbornness.

"That's exactly the problem." I confirm the essence perfectly captured by the man, because this is exactly what further complicates the already tangled events. "That I.H.L. showed intelligent behavior that contradicts everything we know so far. It took the I.M.L.s ten years to gather into hordes, and it took the infected humans only a year and a half to get further?" I formulate the problem that has been maturing in the depths of my brain since I first had the opportunity to look back a little and understand what I witnessed. And my suggestion seems to set off a spark of suspicion in the other members of the small group as well, because the anger on their faces softens and a completely new kind of gloom takes its place when they understand what I want to imply.

"It doesn't seem very likely." The captain agrees, directing his eyes back to me, and with this, he puts into words the uncertainity that is slowly but surely digging its sharp little claws into everyone's head. And I know that even without my little scientific lecture, they've seen enough mutants to realize that there's very little chance that there's just Mother Nature's graceful hand in this whole fucking upheaval.

"Because it's not."  I affirm their unspoken doubt, and with that, the dilemma is also put on the table, which has been settling on my consciousness like an oppressive ghost for some time, to further feed the frustration raging inside me. "The virus is still the same as it was fifty years ago. It has undergone a slight mutation, but the infection itself is the same. The same way of spreading, the same course, the same effect." I list the facts, pointing my index finger meaningfully at the still motionless recording emerging from the communicator. "This is not the work of nature here." I give the final push to my long-winded argument, thereby also cementing the friendly thought in them that this excitement is probably the gift to those who shove them from one dangerous action to another as their lapdogs.

"Are you sure? " Price asks, his deep voice ringing with a seriousness that leaves no room for any jokes or uncertainty. He also knows exactly that if this is true, then we are embarking on a complicated game that won't only be difficult to untangle, but also downright life-threatening, and not only because new kinds of monsters are lurking on us. Once someone starts pulling out the skeletons, there is a fear that the whole closet will topple over. If we go down this road, we may come across information that makes mutants not the only threat.

"Quite." I state firmly, and I keep the man's gaze unflinchingly, sending the message with every inch of me that I couldn't take my rather dangerous little accusations more seriously than this. And I know that they have enough experience with higher management to agree with me, as they have experienced firsthand what radical methods they are willing to resort to if the need calls for it.

"Woods is right. I've never seen anythin' like the bastard who tried to kill me." MacTavish joins in, thereby confirming the I.H.L.'s unusual nature. And I'm sure that in the couple of years he spent in the profession, he was lucky enough to meet enough monsters to know that our new little friend, who almost stabbed him to death, is a far cry from his usual playmates.

"We don't have enough information to know anything for sure." Price notes cautiously, and despite the tense edge appearing in his tone, he remains perfectly stern, as a true leader does. Although I know that he would rather break the neck of whoever is responsible for this whole fucking mess. "But it's certain that we got involved in the shit that someone else stirred." He adds, and smooths one of his large palms meaningfully on the top of his table, almost illustrating the pile of crap we stumbled upon. And I don’t doubt that everyone agrees with this observation, even if it's only indicated by a silent nod. Because it's more than shady that they send a private unit to an operation with such great urgency, which was selected precisely so that the small problem could be eliminated under the radar and with the greatest possible discretion. A government-run unit would also have been able to exterminate a nest, but since then there would have to be official reports, where the fact of our new mutant-rider friend would have appeared, and then the story would have been over.  And Shepherd didn't run this circle by chance. He's hiding something. And I'm really good at recognizing that, because I, myself, have done that for years myself.

"If this is the work of humans, then there is a trace left somewhere." Laswell joins in, who up until now had been shrouded in gloomy silence digesting the barrage of very steep assumptions and accusations that unfolded during the conversation. But it seems that now she too has found her determination again, and is springing into action with corresponding vehemence. "I'll look into it and let you know as soon as I find something. We have to get to the bottom of this." She states in a tone that excludes all doubts, and almost immediately gets to work as she reaches towards the camera to disconnect it from the communicator with a simple movement and puts it in the pocket of her vest. "Until then, stay alert. Nothing can get out of this." She issues her instructions for the last time, and then, when she receives a nod of agreement from Price, she rushes towards the door of the office and storms away with the same fervor with which she entered the base before our whole disastrous adventure. And I hope that this momentum will help her find something useful, because I have an intuition that we cannot sit on this topic for long, because it will soon escalate into such bloody consequences that could easily cost millions of lives. And although I didn't advance to sainthood either, my pretty ass is also included in these millions, and I specifically fear for my own safety.

"I think this much excitement will be enough for today."  A tired sigh leaves the captain's mouth, and he only strokes his bearded chin with his fingers, trying to pull himself together after the information-saturated discussion. For the first time, he seems really exhausted, and it occurs to me that he may have been awake all night waiting for us to return. "Go rest. Kate definitely won't be back for a while." He directs his words to our trio, who have just returned from the mission, and although I can feel the fatigue eating into my limbs, my brain is still as alert as if I had poured a bucket of coffee down my throat.

And as I look at MacTavish, I realize that I have to agree with the captain, because even if my still actively working brain is not interested in sleep, the Scotsman, despite my professional regeneration, would need to finally position himself horizontally. But what surprises me more is when Riley moves next to me with unexpected suddenness, and without any further comment, he strolls out of the office, as if he would have some desperately important business to attend to somewhere else. Although I could believe that the only reason he leaves this abruptly is because he is burning with the desire to check his surviving little soldiers, but since the beginning of the whole meeting he has been behaving so unusually that his hurries disappearance just deepens my suspicions even more. And I can't get rid of the thought that something is definitely not right with him.

But I can't dwell on this any further, because I feel a warm palm on me, whose strong fingers gently squeeze my shoulder, directing my attention from the doorstep back to the interior of the room. A sincere smile spreads across MacTavish's face, and even though the light eyes are still filled with sadness, they look at me with such warmth that even my rough little heart immediately begins to pay attention.

"Thank you for comin' for me." The man says, and his heavily accented voice is mixed with genuine thankfulness, and I have no doubt that he means it, because gratitude flows from his every fiber, which makes my dark little soul sensitive for no reason. I don't want to share with him what motivation the image of his bloody death in my head and later the sight of his mangled body gave me, because I'm afraid that I would reveal too much about how close he and his small team came to my heart. My pride still doesn't allow me to be emotional, but it's still nice to see him alive and together. Mainly because I'd hate it if my two-person cheerleading squad was down to one.

"Don't forget about your gratitude when it comes to my training." I utter with a rather cheeky undertone, and I let that faint, but no less superior, small smile appear on my face, to finally divert my attention from the memories of the Hunter's injuries, because I can almost feel the wet touch of the warm blood under my fingers even now. And I was never moved by either blood or violence, but the fact that something terrible happened to someone I'd rather see alive is a completely different matter.

"I can't promise anythin'! " He grins as his big hand slips off my shoulder, and it seems that life has returned to him for a minute because of my teasing, since the troubled wrinkles on his forehead are reduced a little, and with this, he regains his healthy glow. And this suits him much better than the mournful misery that dominated his expression not long ago, because it also awakened compassion and pity in a disgusting way in me.

"You were good." Garrick chimes in, who finally seems to have recovered from his stunned silence, and an appreciative light flashes in his dark eyes, which only further feeds the idiotic warmth inside me, for which, despite all my objections and denials, I could kill to continue to feel. Therefore, to gather myself, I straighten up and stretch my tired limbs, like a cat that has woken up from its pleasant afternoon siesta. And I suddenly feel the desperate need to take a shower, because even if I won't be able to sleep because of the hundreds of thoughts raging in my head, my aching muscles still deserve the caress of hot water.

"I know." I reply lightly and without any modesty, but it occurs to me again that if the masked Hunter doesn't jump in so kindly to help, then I wouldn't be able to think about my relaxing bath right now. And this suddenly reawakens my restlessness caused by his behavior, and I don't even understand why I should be so interested in the fact that he acts even more rigidly than usual. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that, due to my observations that turned into a hobby, it became a habit to analyze him, and every new tidbit he shows appears to me as another puzzle waiting to be solved. And this is just a bone for my overworked brain to chew on. And at this point, I decide that maybe it's time to step down before I can weave this fucking cavalcade any longer. "That's why I'm leaving now. That's enough for one evening." I declare, and now I don't even try to hide the exhaustion in my voice, which is pulling at every fiber of my body like heavy weights. This gives me enough momentum, and guided by this, I set off with one last wave to my other three little friends, already standing under the warm stream of water in my imagination.

"Get some rest." Price calls out after me, and as I turn back and meet his gaze for a moment, I find the unspoken message in his eyes, which conveys to me that I should take advantage of the rest now, because I won't have the opportunity for this luxury, if Laswell returns with the intel. And I can fully agree with this intuition, so without any further comments I say goodbye to the small group with a curt nod, and then go on my way down the deserted corridor bathed in neon light.

And as I get farther and farther away from the captain's office with my sluggish steps, and the empty silence of the base engulfs me, my thoughts return to the events of the evening. And interestingly enough, now my nerves are not obsessing over the new mutant threat, but rather Riley appears in my brain once more, as he towers above me in the dark street, staring down at me with his wild eyes glowing in red. And I can still feel the uncontrollable power emanating from him, which awakened the tingling sensation in my stomach, that appears in some inexplicable way near him. I can't pinpoint what it is, but it keeps drawing my attention back to the man, as if his whole being would be a magnet that my mind can't resist. I could justify this by saying that the relationship between the two of us is far from peachy, and that is why I dedicate so much time to studying him, but a small voice in the hidden recesses of my subconscious tells me that there is more to it than that. And even if I bend and break, I can't articulate what this motivation is that pushes me towards him, apart from my pettiness and my morbid curiosity.

My boots echo with a muffled pounding on the walls of the lifeless base, and by now those who came to help our returning defeated group after our arrival have also disappeared. And I'm a little sorry that I can now make my way to my room alone, because that way there is nothing to distract me from my train of thought, which is quite irritatingly focuses on the masked Hunter. And as the road leading to my little room appears in front of me, I stop dead in my tracks for a second. Because to the left of me stretches the corridor, at the end of which Riley's door is located, with a dull light filtering under the threshold, which makes it clear that even though he was running away so enthusiastically earlier, he still couldn't rest. So I was right to guess that he didn't rush off in such a hurry because he was worried about his men, which begs the question of what could make the always stoic man act with such unusual urgency. Because normally, he would have long since started an enthusiastic discussion with Price or thrown himself into work, but now he was gone with a haste that is rarely seen. And when the rather recent memory of his fingers closing with terrible force around the top of Price's large desk flashes through my mind, my legs almost automatically change direction and carry me forward toward the man's door, even though I know it's probably an even dumber idea than playing a one-person rescue squad. Still, the desire to calm my uncertainty is stronger than the warning voices in my skull, and the doubt inside me gives me the impetus to gallop through the dark walls with unbroken determination.

And when I arrive at the door, without thinking, one of my hands goes up knocks softly. Unmoving silence greets me for a fleeting moment, and it occurs to me that I may have misjudged the situation, and perhaps the man really left earlier because of some urgent plan he couldn't postpone. But then the sound of heavy footsteps hits my sharp little ears, and a second later the entrance to the apartment opens before me. And I raise my eyebrows in confusion as I catch a glimpse of the pair of glowing crimson eyes fixed on me, and the man's previous strange behavior immediately makes sense. Because the fact flashes in my mind that since my arrival I've been lucky enough to recharge all of his little friends, except for him, thanks to which I can now enjoy every threatening wave of hot energy flowing from him. Although I know that S-class Hunters, and perhaps he even more so, are able to reserve their small stores for a long time, especially if they don't use their ability often, but this is a game that cannot be dragged on indefinitely. Tonight's party seems to have pushed him over the edge, in a direction that has the potential to turn him into a raging lunatic. And a fierce spark of rage awakens in me when I understand that he would rather drive himself to madness than let my evil little hands help him. Why else would he have dragged this shit until now?

"What are you doin’ here?" The legitimate question comes from him, and his deep voice sounds more hoarse than usual, as if he would have to force himself to pronounce this simple sentence calmly and humanely enough. And it's undoubtedly true, because he hasn't regenerated for two and a half months, and even professionals like him suffer from it. No matter how strong he is, it doesn't matter if he is capable of taking down an entire colony with his two hands, he cannot escape the curse of his kind, which sooner or later drives every Hunter close to a Healer. He is no exception to this, even if it hurts both of us to admit it.

"You look like shit." I remark simply, and although I’m able to suppress the anger that is growing in me, I cannot push the mockery out of my voice, which infuses my words like poison. I'd like to think we've gotten over this animosity, but I'm not naive, I know I'm not the favorite person of this tough guy, but he can't be so stupid as to put his little comrades' safety in jeopardy. And although I understand why he tries so vehemently to push me away, because I suspect that despite my saint-like behavior so far, he still very much remembers how our little relationship started, but now even I admit that in this situation we both need to get rid of our pride.

"Go back to your room." He cuts the conversation short, or at least tries to settle the matter quickly, but unfortunately he still can't deter me with his grumpiness, because he hasn't achieved any lasting change in my charming personality with this attitude so far either. For the second time tonight, it seems, the time has come when I must remind him that, although I have been somewhat tamed by the grace shown by his team, my self-esteem and determination are still stronger than his intimidating aura, which he tries to project at me with every cell of his being.

"I always forget how much better you think you are." I reply to him and, tilting my head to the side, I hold the stare of his vivid red eyes, which shine with such unnatural sharpness in the dull light escaping through the opening of the door, as if he weren't from this world, but rather some kind of demon released from hell. And I reluctantly have to admit to myself that instead of fear, a completely different kind of tingling wells up under my skin from his flaming gaze. "But maybe you could let go of your pride now. Unless, by the morning, you want someone else to be blamed for the reduced team besides the mutants." I suggest cynically, highlighting the simple but unpleasantly probable fact with deliberate cruelty, that his stubbornness doesn't protect anyone, especially not the members of the base's tight-knit family. With this whole tug-of-war, he risks snapping the last string of his sanity and slaughtering those whom he tried to protect until now with his own hands.

And it seems that my little comment hits its target, because even though I don't break off our stare-down duel even for a minute, I can see in my periphery how his fingers clench irritatedly around the door, and when the wood creaks under his hand with a low scream, then I take a brave but simple step closer, and he follows my movements with narrowed eyes. Even though I can't see him fully, I can still feel the burning heat of the angry force emanating from him, but that doesn't distract me from my goal. Because although I hide this deeply even from my rational self, it's not just my doubts about my safety that urge me to lend a helping hand. But also that unknown pull that draws my attention to him, as the light of a lamp lures the unsuspecting moth.

"It's amazing how tough you are. But you’re only screwing yourself over. And the others." I note, pressing the last few words significantly, highlighting the fact that not only his pride is at stake here, but also the lives of those he will crush when the blinds come down in front of his brain after he runs out of the energy. "Let me help you." I  plead with him, and the nasty edge that has been residing in my voice softens, trying to make it known that, for once, I only want to support him without any ulterior motives or malice. Which would be my job anyway, but in light of the fact that he saved my life, maybe I even owe him that much.

It seems that I might have succeeded in making him come around, because after a nerve-wracking second of silent hesitation, he steps back and opens the entrance to his room wider in front of me, offering me the way in. And I, without any wait, venture into the realm of his modest home, ignoring the smoldering gaze that follows me unceasingly, the heat of which almost burns my back, as I slowly invade the lonely silence of his quarters. And although I try with every fiber of my being to impose a nonchalant calm on myself, it's impossible to forget how the whole room is filled with the fiery temper that rolls off of him in steady wawes. Therefore, in order to reinforce my confident indifference, I scan through every little corner of the room with my curious eyes. It's only a fraction bigger than my humble abode, yet despite the neat order, it radiates a homeliness that makes me want to question whether the Hunter I know for his unfriendliness and coldness even lives here. And although the furniture is quite simple, I still discover one or two personal relics and some pictures taken with an old camera. In most of them, he is posing with his friends, but there is one photo that stands out from the rest, and even though I can only make out the blurred figures of a few people from this distance, I still capture an older woman, whose face, adorned with a warm smile, almost radiates something quite intimate, which only the close family members can show to each other. And I have to forcefully divert my searching gaze from there, because I know that I'm poking my nose into a corner of the man's life that I have nothing to do with in the slightest. Not even if the curiosity awakened in me eagerly demands to know who the relative he holds in such high esteem could be.

However, I can't survey the surroundings any longer, because I hear the thumping of his heavy boots as he approaches me, after the door closes with a soft click, and as he walks past me and heads towards the bed resting at the end of the room, I follow his path intently. He's still wearing his uniform stained with dark blood, but he's already gotten rid of the tactical gear, and for some reason, without the many supports and straps, the restrained aggression that dominates his body becomes even more noticeable, as he throws himself into the soft comfort of his bed with measured movements. And as soon as he has settled down, he focuses his expectant stare on me, which, despite the fact that his insides are probably torn apart by irritated impatience and pain, is still filled with indifference. And his ability to protect his image and self-respect, even when he certainly feels as good as washed out shit, is worthy of recognition.

And I don't waste my time, but amble closer cautiously so that I can join the man sprawled out on the bed with deceptive relaxation. He follows my every move with keen attention as I crouch down next to him, as if he would suspect that at any moment I will attempt something evil against him after allowing me into the intimate recesses of his quarters. And although the idea of getting into someone's personal space and later using the knowledge gained in this way against them is not completely foreign to me, this is not what drives me now. The dark bedding rustles and crumples under me as I turn towards him and hold out one of my pretty little hands so that we can finally get down to what the ugly little voice in my subconscious brought me here for. His crimson eyes settle on my hand with suspicion, as if it alone could commit unimaginable horrors. Which in itself is a flawless truth, but it's also true for him, and I'm guessing that his hands have seen a lot more violence than mine, and unfortunately, because of that, none of us are innocent enough for this charade.

"I'm going to need skin contact, Riley." I inform him with my tone spiced with a drop of sarcasm, because I doubt that he is not aware that he will have to allow my ugly little hands to touch him in order to recharge him. Even if I can understand how this fact fills him with resentment, unfortunately now he will be forced to let me get close so that I can do my job.

He casts one last unfriendly look at me, then quickly frees himself from one of his gloves, and a strong hand appears from under the textile decorated with a skeleton pattern, with dark veins stretching under the unnaturally pale skin, through which the traces of the many scars left from the past run with faint lines, only silently testifying to the excitements in which he undoubtedly took a part in. He reluctantly offers me his hand, and my fingers firmly wrap around his large palm almost immediately, and I'm surprised for a moment by the burning heat emanating from it, which slowly creeps along my skin following his touch. And this small interaction is enough for me to gauge how close he has strayed to his limits even without the help of my ability, and it gives me enough motivation to close my eyes and begin the regeneration, before I can dwell on how surprisingly pleasant his long fingers tightening around mine feel.

When my energy carefully stretches out towards him, I get lightheaded for a minute from the demanding, aggressive pull, with which the power raging in the man clings to me almost instantly, like a starving wild animal that has finally found a tasty morsel. And I have to concentrate more than I would normally to not give in to this violent pull, because an SSS-class big boy is able to suck all the energy out of me in a careless moment, before I even have a chance to recover from the attack. The complicated system of blood vessels running through the Hunter's body is revealed in my mind's eye, and only a few areas peppered with dark spots show that he didn't get through the night without minor injuries and bruises. Although he is undoubtedly a human killing machine in terms of his abilities, today's events caught him by surprise, and I can guess that he got these passing bruises when he was trying to protect his men from the monsters that was attacking them. And with that, the mission filled with pointless death appears in mind for the hundredth time since our arrival, which I don't think I'll be able to get past any time soon. It would be foolish to forget this whole parade, because it delighted me with new experiences, the fruits of which we will soon reap if we don't get more information. But the little conversation I had with Riley before rescuing our Scottish friend comes to my mind, perhaps with even more enthusiasm. Although he now sits next to me with an almost eerie immobility, and lets my cunning little gift soften the furious flames of the power that simmers in him in slow waves, I can't get over the fact that he hasn't yet punished me for my disobedience. I don't feel any particular desire to remind him of my reckless opposition, but I'm still curious to see how he will retaliate for my little rebellion.

I break out of my concentration for a moment, and I raise my searching gaze to his face again, only to meet his closed eyes emerging from under the mask. And I take advantage of this stolen moment to observe his features as closely as I haven't had the chance to before. In the yellow light of the lamp on the bedside table, his eyelashes look golden, and they cast shadows on the skin covered with blurred dark paint as they flutter when the cooling waves of my energy wash through his body. The sharp line of his nose can be seen under the black fabric, and as I peer down and recognize the shape of his lips parting in relief, I feel the burning tremble that has appeared with disturbing frequency around him lately. But I can't tear myself away from him, because my eyes slide on his chin, then on his textile-covered neck, and when his Adam's apple moves, when he swallows after a barely audible sigh, my mouth dries up with maddening speed. I feel like it's time to finally occupy my mind which drifted on a dangerous path, before the warmth in the pit of my stomach has time to get cheeky. Because I don't understand at all what is happening to me, and it annoys me more than anything that I feel the control of my brain slipping out of my hands.

"You won’t punish me?" The question that occupies my mind breaks out of me, because although I'm not afraid that he will snap my neck because of this, I can rightly assume that he will honor my little indulgence with some kind of retribution. Of course, this may seem like an almost masochistic move on my part, but it's still a safer and more predictable area than the series of thoughts buzzing in my head caused by just observing his face hidden under the mask.

His eyelids open slowly, as if I had just disturbed him from his peaceful slumber, and when his usual brown eyes are focused on me again, the lazy sparks dancing in them almost take my breath away. It seems as if heavy weights have been lifted from him, and as the tension ready to jump disappears from his muscles, and his body relaxes, his aura becomes quite human. As if sitting next to me wasn't the fearless, grim, and always terrifying Hunter, but the man who calls MacTavish Johnny, who sometimes disappears into Price's office and reappears with the scent of whiskey and tobacco smoke trailing after him, and who responds with a low snort to one of Garrick's lame jokes. He almost becomes a different person, and this makes me wonder why he allows me, exactly ME, to see this side of him. I doubt he is aware of how carefully I have observed him so far, but he certainly knows the dubious messages he is sending with this. It might make me believe that he doesn't hate me nearly as much as I had assumed.

"Theres no need to." He states finally, and his voice now rings with a much healthier depth, indicating that my little trick is slowly starting to reach its goal and pull him back from the edge of the abyss, where he voluntarily danced close to. But this answer is far from enough for me, because again it's just a short sentence that scratches the surface of the problem. I know that he is comfortable with settling the matter with that much, but it never was my strong suit to settle for speculation, so I decide to keep pushing.

"I thought disobeying orders was a serious offense." I vocalize this tiny detail, raising one of my arched eyebrows, conveying perfect disinterest with my whole being. Although I appreciate that, contrary to my previous experiences, he is not coming up with some vile and mean comment to let me know his dislike, but now I'm curious about more than just his curtness. Mainly because my disobedience has annoyed him terribly so far, and I doubt that this current transgression of mine would leave him unfazed, which could have ended much uglier if he hadn't decided to show up.

"It is." Comes another rather informative answer, and when I'm about to open my mouth to tell him how talkative he's become in the wee hours of the morning, his fingers tighten around my hand, almost warning me that he hasn't finished yet. "I thought about leaving you there." He says dispassionately, and with this tiny little sentence, he lets me know exactly what I was already aware of. And when I left the overpass, I departed with this knowledge, because I never even considered that he would come after me. But nevertheless, he stepped in when he was most needed.

"Yet you came after us." I emphasize the obvious, because in the end, despite the fact that I managed to save the Hunter with the mohawk from an early and brutal death with my suicidal action, he had to intervene so that I wouldn't end up dying together with his Scottish friend. And I'm not so naive as to believe that it was his concern for me that led him to the dead-end alley. "MacTavish is lucky to have such a loyal partner. I might even envy him." I note, and I curve the beginnings of a mean little smile on my lips, because that way it might be easier to silence the evil little voices that arise in me, which whisper that Riley would have left me to my fate with the greatest peace of mind, if MacTavish's life had not depended on his appearance. There is such a close bond between the two Hunters, the origin of which I don't know, but I'm aware that they would put their hands in the fire for each other, which is why it's perhaps understandable why he can let go of my punishment so easily. Because I suspect that if he hadn't been almost neck-deep in the remains of the mutants, he would have intervened at the start of the chaos at the beginning of the combat zone.

But before I could delve deeper into the mass of dark little thoughts born in my own brain, mocking me for having the faint and silly idea even for a minute, that maybe he didn't just come to the party of my private rescue mission for his friend's sake, the man's body moves towards me in a rather surprising manner, and I freeze instantly. Every part of me is prepared for the counterattack by the instinctive reflex of defense, and my nervous system is almost automatically attuned to forming a blood clot in the snaking vascular network of one of Riley's vital organs instead of friendly regeneration if the need arises. However, when the brutal attack I expect doesn't arrive even after a few nerve-wracking seconds, I shift my confused eyes to his face. It's only a few centimeters with which he brings his broad shoulders closer as he leans down to me, but even this tiny movement is enough to make me unsteady and focus on the Hunter's body language with every nerve. And when I don't find anything in his mannerisms that would indicate that he wants to kill me, I only stare with growing puzzlement into the pair of brown eyes in which golden sparks swim from the lamplight.

"I didn't go there just because of Soap." He declares, and there is such a significant weight in his voice that I feel that my heart, which is hammering in confusion, skips a beat. Because with this simple expression, he drives away all the clouds of gloomy theories fighting in my head, so that nothing else remains after it, but honest surprise, which I'm unable to stop before it also appears on my face. And I must give a comical sight as I stare at him with slightly parted lips and eyes wide with astonishment, but despite this, he doesn't let my gaze wander and maintains eye contact with unbroken determination, as if he hadn't just made the most benign comment that he has ever said to me. If it weren't for the pull of the smoldering power inside of him, interlocking with my energy, I would quite simply think of this whole absurd scenario as a dream image created by my brain. But it's real, just like the bitter smell of blood and gunpowder emanating from the man and the fiery touch of his skin under my palm.

It takes me a few seconds to snap out of my shock-induced stiffness, and when my gray matter manages to grasp what Riley just said to me, I straighten up in my seat with an amused sigh. For this one confession amounts to a peace treaty, which he nobly offers me, no doubt as a reward for saving his Scottish friend. But I don't care why he had the motivation to tell me this, it doesn't take away from its importance.

"Just be careful, Riley." I utter with a mock warning in my voice, as I regain my confidence and lean forward a hair's breadth, boldly reaching closer to him. And as interest flashes in his eyes, a cheeky smile appears on my lips. "You might end up liking me." I cock my head to de side with sassiness, and when neither anger nor contempt follows my little comment, I know that maybe he wouldn't mind so much if that happened.

And although silence reigns in the room again, and only our shadows dancing on the wall in the warm light break the immobility, this peace doesn't weigh on me suffocatingly. I turn my attention back to the visible network of blood vessels beneath my closed eyelids, letting the waves of the now-calmed power of the Hunter lick at every fiber of my body. For the first time, I feel that neither of us is in a hurry to get rid of the other's company, which lays the hundreds of thoughts in my head to rest. And for a little while, the sounds of exhaustion that are slowly growing inside me are silenced, allowing me to enjoy this idyllic moment.

⃰

My body shakes with another wild wave, as the torturous claw of hunger digs into my stomach again, pulling my insides with such force as if an elephant was trying to press down on my chest. I angrily kick off the blanket that is clinging to my skin drenched in cold sweat, because every square centimeter of the textile that touches me pricks me with the sharpness of a thousand needles. As if I were in a torture chamber where everything wants to make me suffer, instead of lying in the comfort of my soft bed. The air flows into my lungs with moist heat, and with each breath, I get more and more dizzy, because I feel my trachea sticking together from the sticky, disgusting dampness that settles in the silence between the walls of the room.

Of course, my brain, hovering on the edge of unconsciousness, knows that everything is exactly as normal as it was before this hell started, when I returned to my room and after a nice shower, I threw myself on my bed and fell asleep. Because maybe I managed to sleep for a few hours, when with the first rays of the sun, that well-known pain woke up in me, which didn't mean anything good at all. Although it's not surprising that the unrelenting feeling of hunger appeared in me, because I actively worked for my energy to be drained sufficiently. MacTavish's healing and regeneration, Riley's recharging, and the recovery of the other little soldiers meant just enough stress for my little ability, which even though I started the mission with a full stomach, my body couldn't tolerate. And now I get to enjoy the aftermath of this, since Laswell isn't here to give me the only thing that could help this damn situation. The woman is now digging and researching for information somewhere within the walls of the colony, and she will most certainly not come back because I whine because of my rumbling stomach. And since only the all-knowing boss of the base knows the code to that fucking door that stands between me and my snack, I'm forced to wait here writhing until she gets back.

My canines sting with a sharp pain as I think, that I actually have dozens of opportunities to alleviate this suffering, but even my dulled mind is aware that I shouldn't betray the team's trust in me. And even in my current state, I find it quite ridiculous that my instincts can be crushed by the image of the Hunters, because before I arrived here I would have quenched my thirst behind a club with the help of an unsuspecting idiot a long time ago. There would be plenty of such silly little fools here, and all I would have to do would be to lure one of them into a dark corner, stun them, and that's it. They wouldn't even feel it. They wouldn't even know about it. No trace would be left.

And as another torturous spasm twists my insides, I hiss weakly and grip the skin of my stomach, because it feels as if an iron fist would try to tear my intestines apart. My nails tear at the skin of my belly with desperate force, as if that would ease the torture. Although the aching caused by my own abuse doesn't reach my senses, the sweet smell of the blood coming out after my fresh wounds is even more so. Its seductive aroma snakes into my nose, and I impatiently raise my hand to my mouth to clean the crimson liquid off with my tongue. But that doesn't help one bit, and the couple of small bites I stole from myself only push the claws of hunger that stab into me like knives even deeper.

Time crawls forward on leaden feet, and I might even lose consciousness for a while, because by the time I regain awareness, and the fever has subsided from my brain enough to be able to perceive the outside world again, then I become aware that the darkness of the night has engulfed my small room. And it occurs to me that if no one has tried to find me until now, then the woman probably hasn't magically appeared since then either. But the impatient hunger is now demandingly straining inside me, and keeps shouting in my head to go and find something that will finally make this pain go away. And nothing seems like a better idea to my confused mind, which eagerly urges me to move and look for food.

With hasty movements, I peel myself from the tangled fabrics of my sheets and rush to the door with my newfound momentum to tear open the entrance to my room. And as soon as I step out to the hallway, I shiver from the cool breeze that caresses my feverish skin that emerges from under my t-shirt and shorts. I set off almost automatically through the deserted corridors of the base, as if an invisible leash was guiding me towards my goal, promising that at the end of my journey, I would find something that would finally be able to free me from the pain piercing through all my limbs. And for a fleeting moment, it crosses my mind how eerily empty the entire base is, but I can't do anything with this information. Maybe it's better this way, because even my twisted brain understands that if I saw an unsuspecting victim, I wouldn't be able to control myself. I would throw myself on them, sink my teeth into them, and drink from them until the last memory of the hunger tearing at my stomach vanished.

Those few minutes seem like millennia until I finally find my final destination, wandering through the maze of uninhabited corridors, and when the door of the infirmary finally appears in front of my eyes, an almost aggressive temper takes over me. Food is within arm's reach, and nothing can stop the angry voices raging in my skull. This vehement impulse takes me to the threshold of the medical room, and I have no capacity to understand why the door is open, when I almost tear it from its socket and open it, and it obeys my aggressive attack with a loud creak. Without thinking, I enter the noiseless, empty space of the room, and in an instant, my nose senses the faint remains of the scent of blood even through the smell of the disinfectants. And I feel like a wild animal looking for its prey as I catch sight of the beds resting against the walls, ready to pounce on them as soon as I find the source of the delicacy. My clever little nose leads me all the way through the dark room to an abandoned, neatly prepared bed, and I reach for the white bedclothes with impatient haste to pull them from their peaceful position. Although only the dull light of the buttons of the many machines shines in the blackness of the night, it's not a problem for my eyes to discover the few small, brown spots that rest on the mattress laughing at me. If I had an ounce of self-respect left in me right now, I'd find it pathetic that I messed up a fucking hospital bed just because I sensed that the unfortunate injured soldier had left behind a little crumb of that delicacy for which every nerve in me screams with ever-increasing despair. But now I have no self-respect left, only hunger.

The disappointment that settles into my consciousness stops me for a fleeting second, and when I realize that it wasn't my dinner that greeted me under the sheet, then a thick, red fog descends on my brain. Every part of me fills with the heat of this smoldering passion, and it moves my body almost automatically to action, which carries me all the way to the fucking password-protected door. As soon as that damned thick metallic thing appears in front of me, I don't even try the panel, because I know that my fingers wouldn't be capable of the fine motor movements required to press the buttons. On the other hand, the fury in me warns me that there is another way to get in, I just have to try hard enough. And with the keen senses of a hunted beast, I look around the infirmary, so that when my eyes stop on the chair resting next to the doctor's table, I can cross the distance between me and my improvised weapon without hesitation. The heavy piece of furniture seems as light as a feather as I pick it up, and I know that the strength I have when I storm back to the door with the chair is due to the blessed effect of the stress hormones working in my muscles. Without any delay, I raise the seat up, and as I slam it down, the plastic squeaks between my hands. I strike again and again, and with each blow, I only get angrier, and the infirmary's quiet peace is filled with a series of furious snaps and cracks. I feel my mouth contort into a snarl as I methodically destroy the furniture, and the irritation bubbling up inside me doesn't let up until my weapon is shattered into pieces, and I'm left with nothing but the mutilated legs of the chair in my painfully clenched grip.

It takes me a few seconds to realize that I can't continue my assault against the door any longer, and then carelessly tossing aside the shattered pieces of the furniture, I move closer to see if I managed to damage the goddamn metal. But it still looks back at me unscathed, laughing at the miserable and pitiful way I tried to break through it, and I know I never had and never will have the chance to tear down. Only one or two faint scratches are visible on it, and nothing else shows how indignant I attacked it. And that gives me enough motivation to charge at this damned garbage with my bare hands. My fist collides with the door with a dull thud, and not a single spark of the pain radiating from my hand reaches my brain, I just beat the entrance to the storage room with increasing distress, becoming more and more anguished with each passing minute at the sight of my failure. And when the suffering rips into me again, and another agonizing wave of hunger grips my stomach, I fall to the ground along the cold steel with a tortured whimper. My attempted break-in resulted in nothing other than the rapid deterioration of my already poor condition. My pulse is pounding in my ears, and with each heartbeat, the violent grasp that holds my insides in an iron fist becomes more and more suffocating. Fuck….

Suddenly, the rhythmic noise of my panting is interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and I break out of my paralyzed self-pity to turn my head towards the gaping entrance of the infirmary in a daze. Although my brain is still not on top of the situation and is slowed down by the dull confusion left behind by the disappearing poisonous fog, I would recognize the outline of the tall figure I see stopping at the doorstep out of a thousand. Riley stands there in the embrace of the darkness behind him, like a spirit freed from the underworld, and as I weakly lift my eyes to him, I can only focus on the skull that glows with eerie vivacity, and I remember that maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he snapped my neck.

[mortispoxi]

https://videogames.si.com/news/disco-elysium-dev-zaum-layoffs

Today it was announced that Studio ZA/UM's upper management has not only decided to let a third of its employees go but has subsequently canceled the majority of the projects the studio had been working on and let me tell you I… am not the least bit surprised and find the whole thing rather ironic. (rant incoming)

First and foremost, before anyone tries to twist my words I am not celebrating people losing their jobs, especially now that the UK is in a recession. No, what I am highlighting is the irony of it all. These employees, some of whom if you recall argued with fans that Robert Kurvitz's dismissal was all his fault and we were buying into the auteur theory for the last two years, are finding out they were not the exception after all and that upper management can and will do the same thing they did to Kurvitz and co once they've outlived their usefulness. We all knew this was going to happen sooner rather than later but it’s still devastating to know that so many people are going to be affected by the greed of these conmen. The other shoe has finally dropped, and these are the unfortunate repercussions.

Kompus's decision to lay off a third of the employees, some of which have been part of the studio since its inception, does not come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. It's been more than obvious that it was a matter of time before they would drop the façade of a caring boss to reveal their true nature. These employees running to the press crying about their future redundancy is acknowledging a truth those looking in from the outside always knew; the investors are slowly squeezing the life out of the company and no one, not even the founding members of ZA/UM, are safe from being snuffed out by these money grabbing conmen because nothing is sacred to them. This goes beyond just another game studio letting swaths of developers go over the past year and a half because a) at the time of me writing this the studio has not released another game so firing everyone on project X7 seems a bit overkill when you can potentially transfer them to one of the two projects they’re confirmed to still be working on especially when the company is already so small, and b) this is a well-established pattern of morally bankrupt behaviors the investors engage in whenever they encounter anyone who will interfere with maximizing their gross income.

The irony of it all is that these people are now turning around and finally crying mismanagement when Kurvitz had warned them, even before he got fired (and multiple times after), that yes, the investor’s mismanagement is the reason things fell apart so quickly and only now are they seeing he had been right all along. If they truly believed the same wouldn't eventually befall them like it had with their former coworkers, then I'm sorry but that one’s on them to reconcile with. There is no reason for anyone to still be defending the studio at this point since, again, it's pretty clear the investors did this to maintain control over money rather than their excuse that they care about the well-being of their employees. It doesn't exactly take a brainiac to realize the investors have been lying this entire time about the reason why the studio has such a toxic work environment when the guy they accused of being the source of the toxicity has been gone for 3 years and yet the studio’s environment remains the same, ya know? The investors don't care, they never cared, and this is just the consequence of believing that they ever cared to begin with catching up to these people.

Robert Kurvitz was right, continues to be right, and will always be right about how scummy the investors are, and the sooner people acknowledge this the sooner it’ll take to put the IP rights back in the hands of its rightful owner.  

[crossdressingdeath]

...I've had a thought. We know from the discord Q&A (apparently, I wasn't there but this is what I've read secondhand) that if Rook goes down in combat and you don't have a party member with a revive skill it's a game over, right? And that's probably just the change in gameplay, we don't have the ability to control the companions directly so if Rook goes down and can't be brought back up combat's not going to work super well, but if we're talking in-universe reasoning for that... Okay, so we know Rook is connected to the Fade in some way due to their interference in the ritual. Wouldn't it be interesting if Rook's been tied to the Veil? In a "If this person dies the Veil comes down" sort of way. It creates a justification for the game ending if they go down, it offers up glorious potential for angst (the party having to accept that if it's between saving Rook and saving literally anyone else, even themselves or the person they love most, they have to pick Rook or the world ends... Rook having to struggle with the fact that if they die they kill everyone...), and it could be a really interesting explanation for why it's Rook who is likely going to ultimately stop Solas through either changing his mind or incredible violence rather than Quiz; if Rook has to die to bring the Veil down then if Solas likes Rook that adds a new level of difficulty to the plan (like that thing about the idea that the nuclear codes for America should be implanted in/on—don't remember the details—the heart of someone close to the president, forcing them to kill someone with their own hands before they can press the button; can Solas really look his friend in the eye and kill them himself so he can end their world? ...Again. Sorry Felassan), and if he doesn't like Rook then they're still going to fight as hard as they can to stop a plan that relies on their death, and their refusal to let it happen would have more impact than anyone else's because it's their life that decides it! I don't know, it would just be fun I think.

[bluewavesofchange]

Another leaf on the branch

I don't own Yugioh or it's characters

Warning for violence and mild gore

Not again

Masami wasn’t sure what to do when Seto rushed into Lillian’s room, concerned for how she would react considering how terrified the girl had been when the nurse had tried to interact with her. She rushed over and peered into the room…stopping in her tracks when she sees her son embracing his friend…the poor girl clinging to him for dear life…Masami was honestly surprised. But then again she had been a stranger to Lillian and Seto was someone she had been close to once. It would make sense that she would find comfort in a familiar face.

 

She watched in silence as Seto moved Lillian back to the bed, sitting her down but kept her close as she refused to let go of him, her grip on his clothes so tight that she would possibly rip the material. He held her close, whispering softly to her that she was safe now, that he wasn’t going to let her go, that he wasn’t going to let her get hurt again…though Masami wasn’t sure how true that was going to be…

 

Her boy was still a teenager and Lillian was a high profile patient. Her father had been the CEO of a massive company that produced weapons and ammunition, selling it to the highest bidders, causing nothing but death and destruction. There was a chance this place would be filled with press, lawyers, law enforcers and whoever was going to be the girls care taker as she wasn’t of age yet…

 

Maybe the Muto’s could help her…take her in till she came of age…she needed a safe quiet space to heal and recover, not only physically but emotionally and mentally too. There was clear signs of long term abuse…and evidence of sexual assault. She would have to put in a request for a rape kit to be done but the nurse had her suspicion who was responsible. But she could do nothing until she got permission from Lillian’s guardian or the girl herself…though it wouldn’t do much help since the bastard was dead…

 

She leans against the wall and watches as her son guided Lillian to lie down, lying beside her as he kept his arms wrapped around her, rubbing his back soft, Lillian keeping her head resting against his chest. Masami slowly stepped back and closed the door, giving them some privacy. Seto had a handle on the situation and she didn’t want to interfere with their reunion even if it was a rather tragic one. She would come back and check on them when visiting hours were over…right now she had paperwork to do.

 

Seto runs his fingers through Lillian’s hair, he had so many questions, so many things he wanted to ask, things he wanted to tell her. Now wasn’t the time. He knew she had been through hell, that her life under Gozuburo must’ve been much worse than the life they had in the orphanage. He looks down at her, running his fingers over her cheek as she he noticed that her eyes had closed and she was breathing steadily indicating that she had fallen asleep. She looked so calm and at peace despite where they were…

 

He run his fingers ever so gently over her cheek, not wanting to disturb her as she needed sleep (the dark circles under her eyes were a clear indication that she hasn’t slept much for who knew how long.) This hadn’t been the reunion he wanted…he thought he would someday get a letter back from her, telling him to meet her somewhere like a restaurant or café…or they would bump into each other if he ever got an intern job at Kaiba Corp…he never thought he would find her in a hospital bed looking the way she did now. And yet here they were and don’t get him wrong, he was overjoyed to have her back but the guilt that was lingering in the back of his mind was making its way back to the surface…

 

He wondered what would’ve happened if he had won that chess game…if he had grown up as a Kaiba…he would’ve had to endure whatever she must’ve gone through…but he would’ve taken it better he guessed because Mokuba would’ve been with him and he wouldn’t want to show his little brother his pain and suffering…and yet deep down…the selfish part in his heart he was glad he did what he did. He and Mokuba grew up in a warm loving home, they had parents again that cared about them and made sure that they were happy…something he would always be grateful for…he just wished his best friend didn’t have to suffer for his happiness…vowing to make it up to her till the end of his days…

 

He didn’t notice that she had started to stir, a soft whimpering leaving her lips as her brows became furrowed, her eyelids twitching as her body shivered with slight tremors…probably having nightmares. Seto rested his hand on her upper arm but that was a mistake as her eyes flew open and she jerked back, Seto preventing her from falling off the bed. She was looking around frantically as the brunet tried to calm her down, “Hey hey, it’s ok…it’s ok…” she looked up at him, breathing heavily. Seto gently rested his hand on her cheek, “It’s me Lil…You’re safe.”

 

The two teens stared deeply into each other’s eyes as Lillian caught her breath, relaxing back into the bed and leaning into Seto’s chest, seeking comfort from him. He put his arm around her, gently rubbing her back as he rested his cheek against the top of her head, giving her the security she needed at this moment.

 

Lillian was fiddling with Seto’s shirt when he eventually pulled his head back, looking at her, a soft sigh leaving his lips, “Lil…” the raven head slowly peered up at him, not a word leaving her lips. This was a bit of a concern; the only thing she had said since they saw is each other was his name…

 

He gently took her hand, carefully running his thumb over her knuckles, “What happened…how are…” this was the second time in the last hour that he couldn’t speak properly. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to even ask? She tilted her head a little as she slowly sat up, Seto following her into a sitting position. She had a strange look in her eyes as she reached up and rested the tips of her fingers on his cheeks, tracing his features, going over his cheek bones and jawline.

 

She hadn’t seen him in 7 years…hadn’t heard anything from him either…the nurse, his mother had mentioned he had been searching for her for a long time…she had thought she was alone, that she had been forgotten but she was wrong. He had changed so much, grown up and yet he still held the same gaze, the same piercing blue eyes and soft expression. She had missed his face…his smile…the kindness and companionship they had back at the orphanage…and even though she thought he had forgotten her…she never forgot about him…

 

Seto leaned into her touch ever so slightly, her fingers felt so cold against his heated skin and yet he found comfort in it, it proved that this wasn’t a dream. He took a deep breath, calming his nerves and finally finds his words, “Are you…ok?” her fingers stopped moving before she pulled them away and rested them on her lap, fiddling with her fingers as she stared at them.

 

Seto reached over and held her hands in his, though she didn’t look up at him this time. He felt his heart sink for a moment as he moved his hand, hooking her fingers under her chin and gently guided her to look back up at him, her eyes bleak and faded. How they managed to changed so drastically was strange to him. He sighed as he leaned forehead and rested his forehead against hers, “I can’t even begin to understand what you must’ve gone through the past few years. And believe me I tried…I damn tried everything to reach you…”

 

There had been days where he wanted to give up, where he thought it was hopeless and pointless. A part of him wanting to just move on, that he was holding onto a dream, a hope that would never be attained but some part of him still held on…he pulled back and reached into his pocket, slowly pulling out the necklace he had held onto for all these years.

 

Lillian watches him, her eyes widening slightly as Seto took her hand and gently places the blue gem in her palm, “And even through there were days when…when I thought it was pointless…I found the strength to not give up.” he carefully curls her fingers over the jewel, “And I refuse to give up on you now…anything you need…any support you need…anything at all…I will be there for you…I promise.” A small smile forms on his lips as he squeezes her hang gently, “So I ask again…are you ok?”

 

Lillian wanted to believe him, to trust him…he sounded so sincere and he probably meant it too…he had saved her once and maybe he could save her again but…

 

The two were interrupted when another nurse came in holding a tray of food. She stops in the door way when she sees Seto sitting there in bed with Lillian who was a patient in the hospital. The nurse frowns as she sets the tray down, the brunet quickly getting up, “Mrs. Ling I…I’m sorry. I just--”

 

“This isn’t appropriate behaviour Mr. Muto. She is a patient here! You can’t just do as you please just because your mother works here!” she says with a low yet angry voice. Seto knew he was in the wrong as he tried to explain himself again but the nurse stopped him, “I am calling security!” she storms out of the room, the teens eyes widening as he chases after her to try and stop her…leaving Lillian alone…the girl looking down at her hand, slowly uncurling her fingers, her eyes falling on the blue jewel…

 

A limo stops outside the hospital, a short bold man dressed in a fine suit and a pair of glasses on his chubby face climbs out…4 muscular men dressed in black suites and glasses step out as…the short man leading them into the hospital…

 

Masami heard a commotion in the hall, she looked up from the papers she was filling in and frowned when she saw her son busy talking to nurse Ling, or rather desperately trying to talk to her while the elder woman was shouting at him. Masami sighed as she walked over, “What’s going on here?” she asks as she rests her hands on her hips.

 

Seto opens his mouth to explain but nurse Ling beats him to it, “Your son was behaving indecently towards a patient! Sitting in bed with the poor girl and acting far too friendly! This is a place of healing not a whore house!” Masami frowned as she crossed her arms before sighing, “Could you keep your voice down? The whole hospital doesn’t have to hear you.” She said firmly, a glare in her eyes which was rare for the normally calm Muto woman.

 

Nurse Ling took a step back, “But Masami--”

 

“That girl is Seto’s friend…and she has been through a traumatic event and was in need of comfort.”

 

“But--”

 

“She doesn’t trust anyone here. She was even frightened when I tried to get close to her but she is calm around my son.” She glanced at the brunet out of the corner of her eye, what she was saying was true. Lillian needed to be around someone she was familiar with…someone she trusted…and someone that loved her…

 

She sighs as she rubs her forehead, “I understand we have rules here but I thought it would be best for our patient. If you want to angry at someone or report someone, report me. I just believed it would be in that girls best interest to have someone that cared about her be there for her.” her words seemed to calm Ling down as the woman nodded, “Alright I understand but I believe he shouldn’t be in bed with the girl. There are perfectly good chairs to sit in. I won’t report this but I won’t be so lenient next time.”

 

The elderly nursed turned and left, Seto sighing in relief as he turned to his mother, “Have I ever told you that you’re the best?” Masami shook her head and patted him on the back, “Don’t think you’ll get off so lucky next time.” She said in a gentle yet stern voice as Seto nodded, “I know…” he sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair as he leans against the wall, “I just…I can’t believe this…I never thought…” he looks at his mother, “How bad is it?” the woman didn’t know what to say, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat.

 

Seto frowned as he stood up straight, “Mom…how bad is it?”

 

Before she could even think of an answer a commotion is heard coming from the hall where Lillian’s room was, both Muto’s running in that direction…

 

In front of Lillian’s room were two men in suits were standing by the door, one holding a nurse hostage as she was struggling, screaming at them that they weren’t allowed to just barge in and take their patients. Seto and Masami’s eyes widen as they rush in, one of the men stopping Mrs. Muto giving Seto the chance to slip into the room, two more men were inside trying to restrain Lillian who was struggling violently, screaming and kicking as they had their hands wrapped tightly around her arms, a short chubby man was standing off to the side, a nasty smirk on his face, “Now now there’s no need for that Ms. Kaiba. We are simply here to take you home. Doctor Damian will gladly look you over…” he snickered.

 

Seto didn’t even think, his body just moved as he grabbed hold one of the suited men and pulled him away from Lillian, the man’s hands letting go of her arm, giving her a chance to hit and kick at the remaining guy that had his grip on her.

 

However the man that Seto had pulled off turned his attention to the brunet, grunting as he tried to punch the teen but Seto was quick, ducking out of the way, throwing his own punch, hitting the guy square in the stomach, knocking his wind out. The man keels over, his arms wrapped around is midsection (how could such a slim kid hit so hard?) The guard that had his hands on Lillian let her go and moved over to take care of the brat that had taken out his comrade but Seto was prepared, dodging every fist that tried to strike him, his years of getting into scuffles coming in handy. He managed to get in a few hits as well, punching the guy through the face and sending him crashing to the ground…unlike the last time he had a run in with the Kaiba guard’s years ago, he had more skills now and he wasn’t a little kid anymore.

 

He didn’t however notice that the first guy he had taken out had managed to stand up and snuck up behind the teen, grabbing him and pinning his arms behind his back. Seto struggled but gets punched in the face by the man he had been fighting, wincing as his jaw hurt but that didn’t last long as he was hit again, this time tasting blood in his mouth. The next blow was too his stomach, grunting and coughing as his body tries to lean over due to the impact. He can hear his mother scream and begging them to stop from the doorway, yelling for security to come help them.

 

He looks up and sees the suited men smirking at him as they continued to punch and even kick him till he is tossed to the floor, one of the men grabbing him by his hair and lifting him up that he was on his knees while the other pulled out a gun and pointed at Seto. He grips the wrist of the man that was holding him in place, blood streaming from his nose and a few drops slipping past his lips. He keeps struggling; the only thing on his mind was getting free and saving Lillian and his mother.

 

He hears his moms screams growing louder, begging them to let go of her boy…but the man sets his finger on the trigger and is about to pull when another voice is heard…

 

“Stop!”

 

Everyone freezes and they’re gaze goes to Lillian, the girl had tears running down her cheeks as she was looking at her friend, terror in her eyes as she was shaking, fear filling her whole body. The chubby man slowly approached the girl, “You want us to stop Ms. Kaiba? Will you come home quietly? And be the good little girl your father taught you to be?” his smirk grew nastier as Lillian trembled even more. She looks at Seto, the teen still struggling as the guard presses the barrel of the gun against his head. The brunet snarled at the men before turning his gaze to Lillian, seeing how terrified she was as fear was filling his heart and soul, he couldn’t even imagine what would happen to her once she was taken away.

 

The creepy short man placed his hand on Lillian’s arm, the girl jerking away as she looked at him, her breath quickening as he snickers, “It’s you…or him…he attacked the guards and they have every right to kill him…a matter of self-defence…”

 

The man tightened his grip in Seto’s hair making him wince loudly, Lillian reaching towards him before pulling her hand back and hugging it to her chest as she looks at the chubby man, shaking her head. He grins as he lowers his glasses, “So you will come quietly?” She nods as Seto grunts in pain, “Lil no!”

 

She looks at him and their eyes meet…the raven head mouthing the words ‘I’ll be ok’…she gives a small sad smile as she slowly gets off the bed, her legs shaking as she pulls out her IV before gripping her arm where blood started to seep from the small hole left in her skin…the guard with the gun steps back before raising his arm and striking Seto in the head with his weapon, sending him falling to the floor as the other man let him go.

 

The other guards released the nurses, Masami rushing to her sons side, her hands shaking as she checks if his ok, helping him to sit while the suited men take hold of Lillian’s arms and drags her out of the room…the chubby men looking back at the mother and son, smirking before he leaves…

 

Seto groaned as he held his head, feeling a cut on his scalp that had started to bleed. His vision was blurry for a second and his body ached as he felt his mother trying to help him stand, the woman talking frantically, asking if his alright but his focus wasn’t on her…but rather the empty bed in front of him…the only thing in the sheets was Lillian’s necklace…

 

He feels a weight drop in his soul as the world around him becomes muffled, feeling the beating of his heart in ears…he grabs the necklace and dashes out of the door, ignoring the pain he was feeling and dizziness he was feeling…he stumbles down several flights of stairs and through the entry way…running out of the doors…stepping outside just in time to see the limo drive away…leaving him in the same situation he was in 7 years ago…watching his best friend being taken away from him…

 

He wanted to scream, to shout, to chase after them but the world started to spin as his legs seemed to fall out from under him, collapsing to the ground…hearing his mother calling out to him just as he started to black out…his fingers curling around Lillian’s necklace…

 

 

Seto ground as his eyes slowly opened, an all too familiar sound beeping in his ear, finding himself lying in a hospital bed, a bandage wrapped around his head and his body aching in pain…just like the last time he was here as a kid…only this time he didn’t have a broken arm. The windows light up for a moment as a bolt of lightning flashes through the sky, grabbing his attention…the teen noticing that it was dark outside…rain cascading down the glass…

 

His eyes widened as he tried to get out of bed, but a wave of dizziness takes over when he tried to move to quickly, his head throbbing like crazy…he slumps back onto the bed, a sense of defeat taking over him…the memories of what had happened floods his thoughts…looking over at the nightstand and sees Lillian’s necklace…

 

He reaches over to pick it up but he hesitates…he had failed her…he had failed to protect her…he broke his promise…she had been in his arms, he had held her close and promised that she was safe but he couldn’t even do that. She was gone again…and once again it was his fault…he curls his fingers into a fist, slamming it onto the table…his sadness replaced with rage…a hiss leaving his lips as his blue irises flashed for a split second…his pupils turning into black slits before returning to normal…the teen curling up on the bed…thinking about how this was had started off like a great birthday but ended so horribly…

 

­­ ----

 

Lillian was forced into her room once they arrived at the manner, the Kaiba house doctor arriving and treated her for her injuries before going to talk to Hobson (the short chubby man that had gone to the hospital to retrieve the girl and bring her home). He had been the man servant of the house for many years, a loyal worker to Gozuburo, obeying the man’s orders and cleaning up any messes and taking care of business…

 

The business now being Lillian…

 

The doctor, Gozuburo and Hobson as well as a few of KaibaCorp board members had put plans in place in case something happened to the CEO before he retired. Sure he had trained and taught Lillian to take over his company…or rather pretended to since the man had no wish for her to become the head of KaibaCorp. He would rather marry her off to someone who he controlled or make her simply disappear…

 

The plan was to send Lillian to a mental institute or get her arrested if something happened to Gozuburo, and they were preparing to roll out that plan…the board members would run the company till one of them would be voted as the new CEO…a van from the Domino Institute for the mental ill would arrive by night to take the girl away…

 

However a storm rolled in out of nowhere, thunder drumming through the air as lightning brightened the sky, heavy rain and hail falling over the city preventing anyone from reaching the Kaiba manor…

 

But Hobson wasn’t worried, the plan was simply delayed and the girl would be gone soon…

 

The man decided to go check on her since she had been quite since being confined to her room…however when he reached her bedroom the door was open…raising a brow he peaked inside…finding it empty…

 

Did she escape?

 

He searched the manor…discovering that the guards were missing too…the servants were gone too…it was eerily quiet…not a sound except for the rain falling outside…a bolt of lightning flashes past the windows and the lights go out and making Hobson jump…

 

He started to walk faster through the halls, calling out for the security, the doctor…for anyone really…but he got no answer. He started to panic, his hands trembling as he finds himself alone in this dark manor…

 

He finds a candle stick on a dresser and lights it using the matches he kept with him, the hallway he had been standing in illuminates slightly…calming his nerves a bit…

 

‘Hobsoooooooon.’

 

He freezes hearing his name, looking around for the source of the voice…

 

 ‘Hobsoooooooon.’

 

He gasps in fear, the hall lighting up when there is another bolt of lightning. He starts running, trying to get away from the voice…

 

‘Hobsoooooooon.’

 

He reaches the front doors but finds them locked…ice starting to creep along the wood…he steps back as his eyes widen…the temperature dropping as he can see the mist of his panting breath leaving his lips…

 

‘Hobsoooooooon.’

 

He yells in fear as he searches for a way out, trying to head up the stairs again but they become covered in ice, causing him to slip and tumble down, landing hard on the bottom floor, his spine cracking on impact, the servant screaming in pain…the candle stick he had been holding falls beside him but the flame goes out before it has a chance to set anything on fire…

 

He tries to move, trembling in pain and fear, seeing something standing at the top of the stairs…a tall figure hidden in shadows until the room is lit again by a brief flash of light…thunder boom over the manor as Hobson’s eyes widen even more…

 

A set of glowing blue eyes is glaring at him from above the stairs, a nasty feral smirk on its face…the figure was dressed in a long blue silk robe…the sleeves coming up to the elbows, the bottom trailed on the floor behind her…

 

Another flash and the short man sees the bandages on her wrists, ankles and neck…her fingers dripping with blood as she walks down the stairs with ease…the man tries to back away but it’s no use…

 

His choked blood curdling screams echo through the halls…halls that were filled with dead guards and servants, each of them impaled but large spikes made of ice, their blood seeping into the floor…their faces frozen in horrified expressions, their mouths hanging open as though to scream silently…

 

The rain keeps pouring outside as Lillian stands in front of a large window…a look of calm on her face, her lips curled into a small sinister smile…she was free…she was free to take back the life that was stolen from her…too make those that dared to lay a finger on her pay for her pain and suffering…she pressed her hand against the window pain, frost forming on the glass around her fingers…the cold crystal traveling along the smooth surface, forming shapes and patterns till an image came into view…

 

She steps back, looking at her work…the face of her friend decorated the window…now that she was free, she would see him again…