#but megan asked and her wish is my command

[desireandduty]

Moving a starter over from discord for @sithdestined

She wasn't quite sure why she'd started coming to these illegal podraces. Maybe it was for the second-hand thrill of speed and inhuman agility. Maybe it was for the opportunity to be someone else for an evening (of course, she attended incognito as merely Padmé and not Senator Amidala.) Tonight, as she and Dormé cheered on the racers, there was no shortage of thrills.

Especially not once the newest racer on the scene took off his helmet after winning his race to reveal that he was human. And a devastatingly handsome one at that. Padmé didn't quite know why, but something about those piercing, ocean blue eyes as he looked at the cameras and waved to the crowd made her feel things she hadn't in years. She had to meet this man.

So once the race officially ended and the crowds dispersed, she dragged Dormé along to the side door to the racers' locker rooms and waited for him to come out. To her immense good fortune (Shiraya must have been smiling upon her tonight), she waited only a few minutes for him to appear, and he exited not in a crowd of other racers but on his own.

Leaving Dormé waiting across the alleyway, Padmé crossed quickly towards him and said: "I've never seen a human win a podrace before. You have a lot to celebrate this evening."

[levi501ackerman]

Steel Heart Chapter 12: Sapphires

Hange x Reader Chapter Index Masterlist

Megan's Note: I'm back from vacation and I have about 10 days until fall semester starts! I plan on nonstop writing<3 I'm so excited for whats to come. Angst, Action and Smut! Posted: 8/17/24

Word Count: 4.1k

As you walked with Dame Hange Zoe in the tall field, it was hard to stomach Zeke’s face. It was hard to stomach that Zeke was the traitor. How could Zeke be the traitor? He had been protecting you since he came to Levi’s camp with the letter from Commander Erwin.

You thought of the day when the Marleyan Cult’s mutts attacked the knights and you on the way to Karanese District. After Beauty stumbled over a horse, you and Levi flew off her back. You were left in the grass helpless while the knights were fighting the vicious dogs. You remembered Zeke guarded you with his body. Zeke put himself in between you and three mutts. He was risking his own life to protect yours.

Unlike the Marleyan Cultists in the Karanese District, Zeke had not been capturing you or taking you away from the knights. A tinge of sympathy for Zeke captivated your thoughts. Was Levi going to kill him? 

“Hange . . . Levi’s not going to kill Zeke, right?” The pause before Hange’s reply put you on edge. A foreboding feeling rose in you. If Zeke was the traitor, how can we tell who to trust? You missed Sir Zacharius and wished he was healthy so you could be with him. He was vetted through Fairy Godmother Christa and Ymir.

“Levi’s just going to ask Zeke a few questions.”

“He was beating Zeke!”

“Princess Y/N, getting you safely to Mitras Castle is the goal.” You groaned at Hange’s words and stomped your foot. There was a pang of frustration when you noticed tears in your eyes. 

“I don’t want to do this! I don’t want to marry Prince Marco. I want my life back! I want to feel safe again!” Another wave of embarrassment overcame you as you realized Hange probably thought you were childish for lashing out your thoughts. If you acted like this in front of Levi, you he would call you a brat. “UGH!” You plopped yourself on the ground and covered your face with your hands.

Hange’s presence came next to you, and you felt a hand on your back.

“I’m sorry, Y/N. Just know I will always keep you safe. You are safe with me until my very last breath. You must feel scared and overwhelmed—”  

“No! I’m sorry for acting like a brat,” you said bitterly, now feeling annoyed with yourself for how you acted. “I don’t know how to explain this . . . but Hange, you’re just very . . . accepting. I feel like . . . like I don't have to be on my best behavior around you . . . like I . . . I don't know how to explain it . . .” You trailed off. For the few times you talked to Hange, they actually talked to you. Being around Hange made you forget about the Marleyan Cult hunting you. 

“You don’t need to explain yourself, Princess! You are not a brat.” You emerged from the hands that were hiding yourself to see Hange giving you a friendly smile. A supportive smile. A cute smile. “Cheer up, darling! You don’t want our pet bunny to meet her mom all upset, do ya?”

“No,” you shook your head. Hange stood tall and then offered you a hand. Your frustration melted away as you hopped onto your feet. Something about Hange’s smile makes you want to be around them more.

“Let’s not think about the cult, Levi or Zeke . . . have you thought about a name for our pet bunny?” Hange was scanning the field of grass. 

“No, I can’t think of a human name to name it. I know you said no names like Fluffy or Cutie, but those are cute names for a rabbit!” There were dead grass pieces and tiny yellow flowers by your feet. The sun in the west sky went behind a white, puffy cloud. In the back of your mind, you couldn’t help but feel worried about Zeke. 

To you, Zeke was like every other knight. Protective, helpful, and he laid down his life for you. The night when a ward of the Marleyan Cult appeared in front of the Karanese District Headquarters, Zeke helped you escape the burning building with the help of some of Levi’s late comrades. You still didn’t know how the headquarters caught fire or who killed Commander Lobov. Levi thought the traitor killed Commander Lobov, but did Zeke ever personally meet Commander Lobov? He was part of the group of knights that went to eat . . . You figured Zeke didn’t need to personally know Commander Lobov to kill him, but what was his reason for doing so?

“What about Daisy or Luna?”

“Cute names, but I’m not feeling it,” you blankly stared ahead. Even if you saw a bunny, you were not in the mindset to catch it.

“Hmm.”

Your stomach grumbled and Hange’s stew was on your mind. It really was delicious and filling. It was a shorter day of travel, but you felt more tired and hungry. A cloud of smoke was coming from the camp. You hoped the knights were beginning to get dinner prepared. You could barely distinguish the knights moving around the camp from the distance.

“Hange? Do you think we can start heading back?” You pointed in the direction of the smoke. Hange bit the inside of their cheek as they noticed the smoke. After several moments of internally debating whether to head back, Hange agreed.

“ . . . Sure,”

“Do you know what we are going to eat tonight?”

“I’m not making dinner tonight, but I know there’s some beef that we can eat, rice, roasted vegetables—of course . . .”

“Can you tell me more bunny facts?” Hange lit up. They suddenly got a pep in their step.

“Of course I can! Did I already tell you about their vision?”

“No!”

“Then I’ll tell you now! Rabbits have great peripheral vision! They can see nearly three hundred and sixty degrees. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what’s behind you? Like having eyes in the back of your head?”

“Like Levi!”

During dinner, you sat next to Levi, who was eyeing Zeke. He was tied against the tree and blood was sticking to his beard. Three knights were standing around the tree guarding him. A tinge of sympathy spread through your chest. Being next to Captain Levi’s distrusting gaze made you not question whether Zeke was the traitor. Only why? Why did he protect you if he was the traitor? 

Earlier, you were hungry and wanted food after a long day. Now your appetite disappeared while being near Zeke’s slacked and beaten body tied to the tree. Did Levi get more information out of Zeke? You forced yourself to eat the rice, beef, and roasted vegetables. Levi had been making you eat nearly two servings of meals, and with Zeke tied to a tree nearby, it was hard to finish the first plate. You wondered if Zeke would have a meal, but it seemed unlikely due to Levi’s scowl toward him. 

Dinner was quiet, and there was a sense of awkwardness as if the knights were hesitant to speak in front of Zeke. The crackling of fire and the scrapes of silverware against the plates were heard through the camp. Knights faintly whispered to each other. Across the camp, Dame Hange spoke to one of the knights from their squad. You wished they were next to you talking to you. You knew Hange would add a light-hearted energy during dinner.  

Across the campfire, you saw Eren glaring at Zeke, and you remembered he was his half-brother. Though Eren mentioned they were not close, Zeke being a traitor, might have added another wedge between them. There was no distinct way to tell the difference between a member of the Marleyan Cult and a non-cultist. 

“Levi? How did you know Zeke was the traitor? How did you know he was from the Marleyan Cult? Was there a tattoo, or did his accent slip, indicating he was from the cult?” Levi looked at his cup filled with steaming tea. He swirled it and thoughtfully paused. The pause was strained and mindful yet with an admitting cluelessness. 

“There are no good or bad people—only people with beliefs and those against the beliefs. The Marleyan Cult believes you are the chosen one—the key to their ultimate weapon. Then there’s us who believe you are worth living a long life as Queen. If you were born on the other side, you might have believed some other girl is worth sacrificing on their quarter birthday.” 

The following mouthfuls of food were hard to swallow. Levi was lenient on the second plate as long as you finished the first. Later, Levi brought you your nightly cup filled with steaming tea and crushed sleeping pills. You drank the warm tea, and after a while, you started feeling lethargic. 

As the dark twilight sky cast over the camp, Eren and two other knights took the next rotation of guarding Zeke. Before walking toward yours and Hange’s shared tent, you glanced at Zeke one last time—the traitor. A sickening thought came to you; you realized Zeke would have to sleep tied to the tree. Do traitors deserve this? Because people are not for your cause . . . do they deserve inhumane treatment? Zeke—

It clicked.

Maybe all at once.

But a thought was planted in your mind, and it sprouted. 

Zeke exposed you at the Karanese Headquarters when Zeke, Oluo, Eld, and Gunther were helping you reach the stables. 

Were your thoughts betraying you? 

When a knight charging into battle knocked you onto the wet cobblestone, Zeke encouraged you to continue to the stables. He roared your name. 

Did he have to? 

Zeke yelled in front of the Marleyan Cult members, “Princess Y/N! Run!”

Did he mean to?

He made sure the ward attacking Karanese District heard him. Zeke made sure that the cult members knew you were the Princess. After Zeke screamed your title and your name, the cultists turned their attention to you. They captured you and tried to take you. Your heart sank at the connection. While blinking back tears, you felt Zeke's disgusted betrayal, and then your confusion started to fade away. 

You clenched your jaw as you entered your tent. Hange’s candle was lit on the table, but Hange was not in the tent. They were still helping some knights pack what they could before the morning. Tomorrow was the day when you and the group of knights were going to travel through Stohess District. 

You grabbed your nightgown from your cloth bag and changed. The nights felt like they were getting colder. Zeke stayed on your mind as you crawled into your bed roll and closed your eyes. The blanket was pulled up to your chin and you still shivered.

Another sickening realization occurred as you tried to fall asleep. Your eyelids were heavy and your body was tired, but your restless thoughts kept you awake.

The malicious mutts would not have attacked if you and the knights had not traveled toward the Karanese District. If you had not gone to the Karanese District, then a ward of the Marleyan Cult would not have attacked the Karanese Headquarters. How did all those cult members know you were there?

It was planned . . .

You turned over in your bedroll, feeling frustrated that your brain would not turn off. You wanted not to care anymore, but the grapevine of thoughts wouldn’t stop. 

The only reason Levi’s group of knights traveled to Karanese District was because Commander Erwin sent a letter to Captain Levi stating that Trost had a ward of the Marleyan Cult in the city. You recalled Jean, Connie, and Levi discussing the matters of how Commander Erwin reached the Trost District ‘quickly’. You remembered how cautious Levi was about sending messengers off because Levi said he was unsure they were delivered. Another thought occurred: you overheard Hange tell Levi that they were in Trost District where they were supposed to meet with Levi and his group of knights . . .

But according to Commander Erwin’s letter—that was delivered by Zeke—the Marleyan Cult was in Trost. Which is where Dame Hange was with their group of knights . . . You also remembered Hange questioning why Commander Erwin would leave the Castle as if it was highly unlikely for him to do so. With the trust and the length of time Captain Levi and Dame Hange had known each other, you concluded they would believe each other over anyone else. 

Though you heard the last part of their conversation in the tent, they must have shared more information that led to Levi piecing together that Zeke is the traitor.

Did Zeke plan on leading the group of knights to Karanese District so that the Marleyan Cult could potentially capture you?

Wait.

Did Zeke know there were going to be the Marleyan’s mutts attacking you, him, and the other knights? What would have happened if the mutts possibly attacked and killed you?

You sat up in your bedroll.

You remembered when a man yelled at other cult members not to hurt you because you had to be healthy for the ritual. Could that be why Zeke shielded you with himself from the mutts the day when the dogs were attacking?

As Hange entered the tent, one last thought made you want to throw up. It made you freeze in your bedroll. You swallowed and felt a drop of sweat slide down your temple. It is true . . . Zeke is the traitor . . . because on that day. That day when the hounds lunged at the knights, the horses, and you . . . even when Zeke was between you and three dogs . . . 

The mutts never attacked Zeke. 

“Princess, you should be asleep by now,” Hange whispered. You exhaled and slowly laid back into your bedroll. The weight of the realization on your mind and the heaviness of the truth. The acceptance of the truth. 

You closed your eyes and did not want to converse with Hange. Though there was a sense of relief that Hange was near you, they would protect you if Zeke broke free and attempted to do anything malicious. You knew Hange would keep you safe.

Hange blew out the candle in the tent and you opened your eyes to Hange walking to the bedroll next to yours. The night before with Hange in the tent, it was more light-hearted, talking about bunnies and them showing you their book. Now, it was heavily clouded with thoughts of Zeke’s betrayal. Were there other traitors—

As Hange undressed themselves, you saw their back muscles again. The tent's darkness masked your rudeness of staring, but you couldn’t look away. With the cold, you had no idea how Hange slept in only underwear; you noticed they weren’t wearing clothes the night before either. Maybe it was because they didn’t like the feeling of the collar of shirts tight around their neck as they shifted in their sleep. You sympathized with your dislike of your nightgown twisting around your body while you shifted in your sleep. Hange removed their eye patch and glasses and crawled into their bedroll. 

Fairy Godmothers Christa and Ymir would not answer certain questions you had about your body or romance. They taught you more important things, but they were also your guardians and maybe those topics are meant for others, like friends. Maybe Hange would answer why you wanted to look at their body. Their muscles. You were only curious . . . 

The morning ride to Stohess District came too soon. It felt like you didn’t get enough sleep. Your head pounded when Hange woke you up. The daylight was too bright while you packed your bedroll and cloth bag. Even an hour after waking up, your headache remained. The day would be long because the plan was to not stop in Stohess but get supplies and hand Zeke over to the guards in the headquarters.

As you held onto Levi’s waist, you closed your eyes and rested your cheek on his shoulder. Levi kept shimmying his shoulder, trying to keep you awake. The sun shone down on you and the heat added to your fatigue. 

“Levi . . . let me rest, please. I didn’t sleep well last night,” you begged.

“You drank all the tea, right?”

“Yeah, I just couldn’t stop thinking about Zeke . . .”

“You won’t need to think about him ever again. He’ll be put in a cell and guarded in Stohess.” The sound of horse hooves galloping on the ground filled your ears. The outer gate of Stohess was closer and the village outside of the gate was growing bigger in sight. 

“I also had the longest dream . . . it was weird and I only remember parts of it,” you said and Levi paused for a moment. “It felt like I didn’t sleep at all . . .”

“What was your dream about?”

“I fell through a hole and ended up in a strange place and I had to figure out how to get back to my real life. I met strange people that felt . . . familiar. That’s all I remember.”

“Honestly, I had a weird dream last night too,” Levi said quietly and you stared ahead, waiting for Levi to continue. He did not seem like a person to be interested in or care about dreams. “I had a dream someone turned into a swan and I couldn’t save them.”

“A swan?!” You laughed and smiled. As stoic as Levi was, he was like you, a person who had weird dreams.

“A swan.” 

Stohess District did not look like Shiganshina or Karanese District. The street was made of concrete, unlike cobblestone. The architecture was different as well. The district didn’t look like a village but a city. Homes looked like buildings with neatly organized layouts, and tall Italian cypress trees were planted perfectly to complement the view.

There were strips of land with healthy green grass that the citizens didn’t walk on. It was like it was for show. The grass was not overgrown like the grass you have seen between the districts. It was short, healthy, and well-kept. 

The citizens of Stohess District didn’t look like Shiganshina or Karanese district citizens, either. Their clothes looked cleaner and better fitting as if they didn’t wear hand-me-downs from older siblings. Stohess citizens wore clothes that looked fitted to them, classier and cleaner. They also had a sense of style. The citizens had accessories to express style, not for convenience. 

As you and the group of knights rode through the clean streets, the citizens did not call out to the knights. You caught a few whispers from the citizens, unlike in the Karanese District, where they heckled the knights. 

The citizens were not as in awe or interested in the group of knights or you as if they often saw knights in the city. You recalled when Hange said they were in Stohess District before heading to Trost to meet with Levi’s group. 

The Stohess District Headquarters building was large and had a dome at the top. It was gated like the Headquarters in Karanese District. Knight Commander Dame Hange rode ahead of the formation. They were the first to enter the steel gates and led the group to the entrance. Twice as many knights as Karanese were guarding the yard of the Stohess District Headquarters. Knowing there were plenty of guards if anything happened gave you a sense of comfort.

The knights on the horses pulling the supply wagon rode toward the front and stopped at the entrance near Hange. A few knights came out of the building and you saw Hange talking to them. You noticed Hange was gesturing with their hands a lot and it seemed like they met the person before.

When Beauty came to a halt, Levi jumped off her and helped you down. Behind you, Jean was getting off his horse and pulling off a blindfolded, gagged, and tied-up Zeke Yeager. Eren and Connie also jumped off their horses, and they strode over to Zeke's side.

“Supply team, follow Sannes to collect the shields! The rest stay with the horses!” Hange ordered, walking through the group of knights. The knights saluted Hange, and a group of knights followed Sannes through the entrance of the Stohess Headquarters. 

“You’re staying with Hange while we take Zeke into a cell,” Levi said into your ear. You nodded at Levi, not minding being with Hange. Levi walked to the knights and Zeke and then you strolled over to Hange. 

“Hi, Hange,” you caught up with Hange’s walk. You haven’t spoken with them since they woke you up and there was a realization that you missed their presence. “I’m going to stay with you while Levi’s taking care of Zeke . . .”

“Ew, I’m going to have to put up with you?” Hange playfully said and scrunched their nose, feigning disgust. You slapped the armor covering their bicep.

“I’m not gross! More like I’m going to have to put up with you, Dame Hange,” You smiled and locked with Hange’s brown eye behind their glasses. Waiting for their reaction and then suddenly—

“Boop,” they poked your rib through your cloak and the clothes Hange lent you. They turned on their heels, heading toward the entrance of the Stohess District Headquarters. 

“Yeah, yeah, and I’m the ten-year-old,” you said, following after them. When you entered the door, you didn’t take in the surroundings of the headquarters' interior. You were too focused on provoking a reaction from Hange. You poked Hange’s armor, and they kept walking. Then you knocked on Hange’s armor, and the deep steel noise rang through the hall you walked through. They kept walking. You gave up when you realized the supply team knights holding heater-shaped shields were staring. Then Hange turned and poked your nose.

“Boop.”

“Ugh!”

Hange approached the man they had been talking to earlier. He was holding a clipboard and counting all the shields leaving the room. As you drew closer, he looked over his clipboard and glanced at you, then Hange. 

“I can give thirty-five fireproof sapphire and steel shields, fifteen bows, three hundred arrows, and the last-minute six-inch dagger you requested,” Sannes said. He was an older man, and his patience looked thin. His face killed the playful mood you felt around Hange. You stayed still, trying to look presentable. 

“Thank you, Djel Sannes—it was a pleasure working with you,” Hange said. They held their hand out for him, and he didn’t shake it. You furrowed your eyebrows at his unpleasant attitude and demeanor. 

“Only did it because Knight Commander Nile Dawk headed off to Mitras Castle, leaving me to handle his work,” Sannes said flatly. 

“And we are grateful for your diligent and hasty work,” Hange said, and Sannes eyed you. He stared at you then back at Hange. Sannes had a suspicious look on his face like he was figuring out who you were.

“What is your name?” He asked slowly and you glanced at Hange before replying.

“My name is Y/N . . .” Sannes continued to stare at you then he hummed softly. 

“Princess Y/N?” You nodded. Then Sannes lowered his clipboard to his side, not taking his eyes off of you. “I’m sorry about your mother.” You furrowed your eyebrows and then glanced at Hange to see if they understood what Sannes meant. Though his face was apathetic, there was an underlying sound of pity.

“Uh, thank you—wait why?”

“You haven’t heard?” Hange was already looking at you, and they were confused too. “Your mother has fallen quite ill . . . the Queen is on her deathbed.”

Your body was petrified, and you felt confused. You knew you were supposed to care, yet there was little to no sorrow. The Queen—who was your mother—was someone you had never met before. Fairy Godmothers Christa and Ymir didn’t mention your mother or father much, only that they were the Rulers of the Walls. Christa and Ymir were more like parents to you. You haven’t spent much time wondering about the Queen and her King. Then you figured . . . you did want to meet the people who gave birth to you . . .

“Thank you for telling me . . .” Sannes didn’t salute you or kneel; instead he nodded. 

“Dame Hange. When they're done, tell your men to head to the dining hall to collect food and more supplies.” Sannes walked past you and Hange. You glanced at Hange and then shrugged at their sympathetic look. 

“I’m sorry about your mother, Princess.”

“I’m fine, Hange. I didn’t know her,” your eyes darted away from them and then they wrapped their arms around you. They stroke your back, and for a moment, you forgot to hug back. Then you wrapped your arms around Hange’s waist. 

“Cheer up, darling! I have something that will get your mind off your troubles.”

“What . . . ?”

“I have a little gift for you.”

next chapter: Chapter 13: Two Swans

chapter index masterlist

[seeingivy]

method acting asks!

first of all, you guys ate the style chapter so bad EEK im so glad you guys loved it. more where that's coming from! been having the worst week but watching people react as they read has been super fun and I thank you all for that :')

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMM2wqGJV/ oh bestie...oh you're SO RIGHT. like y/n's nickname is princess but I definitely think as time goes on historia fits more of the princess vibe and y/n as the popstar. also some part of their friendship is loosely based on olivia rodrigo and sabrina carpenter, just like solely as vibes so

https://x.com/erjgrs/status/1765732630643851685?s=46&t=Uk-oZnZapecdEA4wRzncKw real. a picture lana would post and the quote tweet would be y/n.

(this isn't a method acting ask but it's eren and legit the only eren thing i've written since july so it counts)

hi!!!! thank you so much for the love :') i'm so excited to share it with everyone!

the opening and ending songs are the same! I make a shinzo sasageyo joke in the next set of tweets....I agree with you, I do think that they would write all the music that was included in the actual show and that certain songs are for ceertain characters

table scenes twitter reactions coming...your wish is my command...

vampire by olivia rodrigo, ding ding! one of my fav songs that I get to include i'm so excited eek. I def think lana would cover the song but I think the main like song she would write about ricky would be something like would've could've should've by taylor swift/goddess by laufey/ or history of man by maisie peters

I hope you have a lovely day too!!!! thank you so much for supporting me :')

I actually considered going with heavenly bodies as the theme for this met gala in the fic (just bc that was litearlly the best met gala) but I ended up deciding against it. but I totally get what you mean,,, they would serve....

also a slight hint, but I did end up giving lana marilyn monroe kim kardashian controversy dress because that is something that lana would do. also in general, lana/clarkson's are based off of kardashians (if you couldn't tell) so....it fit

HARD AGREE. I think whatever they bond over is something that eren just...can't do. like if they're watching a reality tv show and really invested, he'd sit there being like....it's fake just to get mad glares fro zeke/carla/and i'm adding colt to the mix. eren's cool with the kiddos (falco and gabi) but y/ns cool with the big brothers (zeke and colt)

@najaemism omg I'VE ACTUALLY NEVER HEARD THSI SONG BEFORE but actually you're so right. also very mikasa during jeankasa meltdown.....also historia (more on that later)

@leave-rae-alone HI POOKIE! don't worry...I disappear off the face of my blog like every other week. I hope you're doing well and take time to rest!

am I allowed to say megan thee stallion bc I am in love with megan thee stallion? but actually though, I think her style fits the character, she likes anime and this is an anime fanfic, and her using like stuff from tokyo ghoul as references during the nicki drama is actually something that I think y/n would do. also I just love this outfit i would include it as a red carpet outfit or something

hm. there are a few that @/bsenpai and I mention bc we actually talk about method acting everyday like its an illness. I think y/n and eren would do she's the man (that's the movie they've promised ethan cole btw), eren and y/n also do pride and prejudice 2005, I also think she would act as the daughter as interstellar. those are the ones that come to mind rn!

no comment. you did ask this before I posted the chapter tho but you like manifested that one hard so.

LMFAOOOO. wait can I tell you the funniest thing....is that I actually think young gojo in method acting would be like young justin bieber. like i had this thought the other day when i was listening to somebody to love and i was like....ok chill out gojo damn. like I naturally think he would have that charisma and be one of the first people to pop off on youtube....but he would not flop like current justin bieber.

that's all for today. here are the songs + some hints for the next chapter:

see you again by tyler the creator ft. kali uchis, end game by taylor swift, and vampire by olivia rodrigo

an award wrapped in a ribbon

a red lipstick mark

smashing a crown

sukuna splashing a glass of wine in someone's face...soulmateism if you ask me

there are some of these i think you could technically figure out. but oh well, I will see you then!

[celestialship]

for the kisses- 19 with garrus? :3

19 - on top of a scar/injury

Megan Shepard was getting sloppy. She had never quite been the same since coming back from the dead, but it was hard to accept that she had been this unprepared for battle, to have taken a slash from a blade, resulting in a gash that caught her at the collarbone and cascaded up to her shoulder. Back on the Normandy, while the medics attended to other casualties, Megan found herself in her own quarters dealing with the injury. She didn’t want to take resources away from other crew members who needed priority.

The bleeding had stopped, after a temporary bandaging on the battlefield between gunfire. Now, as Megan unwrapped the injury, she was able to give it a good look over in the mirror. Megan sucked the air through their teeth upon examining the gash. Probably wasn’t going to scar, but it was going to look ugly for quite a while.

A knock came from the bathroom doorway, which Megan had left open, and she startled at the sound, feeling a bit indecent in only a tank top and pants. “Yes?” she said quickly, a bit embarrassed, only to turn and see Garrus standing in the doorframe. Megan sighed in relief — she didn’t have to worry about her presentation as much in front of him.

“I heard you got hurt. Why didn’t you tell me?” The turian asked, almost seeming to be scolding his superior.

“Good to see you too, Garrus,” Megan scoffed.

“I shouldn’t have to hear from Joker that you got injured. Why didn’t you come get me?” Garrus fretted, and initially Megan was annoyed, but it didn’t take long for her to piece together that he was just worried. Garrus seemed to take on Megan’s well-being as being partially his responsibility; undoubtedly, he wished he had been on the battlefield with them this time, or at least been the one to receive them onto the ship to look them over.

“I just wanted to dress it properly as soon as possible. I’m sorry I didn’t come to you first.” Megan accepted his worry, apologized for causing him stress, and returned to examining the gash in the mirror.

The turian walked closer, standing behind her as she looked herself over in the reflection. There was silence for a few moments, only broken by Garrus’s rumbling voice. “Beautiful.”

A hardened naval commander shouldn’t have the ability to blush. But Megan Shepard’s face began to grow red. “The gash in my collarbone says otherwise,” they said in a dismissive manner.

“No it doesn’t.” With a gentle pull, Garrus placed his talons on Megan’s uninjured shoulder to turn them around. He looked down at them with a soft gaze, smiling as he met Megan’s eyes, then glanced down at the injury itself. Leaning down, he gently placed his lips upon the gash, lingering as if willing the spot to heal. Megan found herself breathless at the gentle kiss.

Pulling away, he tilted his head at her, admiration written across his face. Then it gave way to an ornery smile. “You know, some men find battle scars attractive.”

[ramblingsreport]

The stage is set at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Megan Jones, one of the greatest Extremists in Women’s Extreme Championship history, many would argue she's second only to Alicia Vitarelli will have her chance to compete for the vacant WEC World championship against the winner of Alicia Vitarelli & Sarina Valentina.

Tonight, Megan will compete against the debuting McKayla Maroney.

Quinn McKay is backstage with McKayla Maroney.

“Quinn McKay here with McKayla Maroney. McKayla, how nervous are you making your WEC debut agains thr absolute legend known as Megan Jones?”

“Quinn, I'm nervous. Because I've watched some of Megan's other matches, and she's been sexually aggressive with the other girls. I'm not a lesbian, and I'm genuinely scared of another woman touching me as intimately as I've seen Megan touch her opponents. I just hope to be good enough to beat her.” McKayla says, walking away.

Mckayla Maroney makes her way to the ring wearing a silver satin bra and matching boy short panties with a red heart over the crotch. McKayla blows kisses to the crowd as she enters the ring.

Quinn McKay is now standing by with the Megan Jones.

“Quinn McKay here with Megan Jones. Megan, your thoughts on McKayla Maroney basically saying she's scared of you being sexually aggressive with her.”

“Aw! Mamacita McKayla is scared of big, bad, aggressive Megan? Don't worry, mamacita, I'm going to treat you so good, I'm going to wish I was you!” Megan says, walking away.

Megan Jones makes her way to the ring, she's wearing a red & white striped bra & matching thong panties.

Megan enters the ring and stands in her corner.

Ring announcer Cathy Kelley enters the ring to make the official introductions.

“Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is scheduled for one fall! And it is to determine one of the participants in tonight's main event for the vacant WEC World Championship!

“Introducing, fighting out of the corner to my left. She is an Olympic gold medal winning gymnast. PLEASE WELCOME…MCKAYLA MARONEY!”

McKayla nervously smiles and waves to the crowd.

“Her opponent. Fighting out of the corner to my right. She hails from Nashville, Tennessee! She is widely regarded as one of the Greatest WEC competitors of all time! PLEASE WELCOME…MEGAN JONES!”

Megan quickly charges across the ring, lowering her shoulder and ramming it into McKayla's midsection. McKayla crumbles to the mat, gasping for air.

Megan quickly is on top of McKayla. Megan now breaks the straps on McKayla's bra, exposing her small, but ample breasts.

Megan now begins punching McKayla over and over again in her breasts.

McKayla is coughing & gasping for air, and immediately begins tapping out.

Megan Jones wins by submission.

To add insult to the humiliation McKayla is already feeling. Megan brushes McKayla's hair away from her beautiful face, and Megan leans down and kisses McKayla's mouth softly.

Megan then places her hand on top of Mckayla's panties.

“No! No! Please, God, no!” McKayla cries out.

“I'm going to claim you as my property, mamacita. It won't be so humiliating if you just give it up, you filthy whore!”

McKayla begins crying, but she willing opens her legs.

“Good girl, mamacita!” Megan says, sliding her hand inside McKayla's panties.

“Do you submit to me, whore?”

“I'm NOT a whore!”

Megan now places two fingers inside McKayla.

The tears really begin flowing down Mckayla's cheeks.

“I'll ask again: ‘Do you submit to me, whore?’”

“Yes! Yes! This whore submits! Just please stop!”

“’Yes?’ Yes, what?”

“Oh for God's sake! Yes, Miss Megan! Does that make you happy? I'm begging, you're making me beg.”

Megan now kisses McKayla's forehead. She pulls her fingers from inside McKayla, and brings them to McKayla's mouth.

“Come on, mamacita! Taste yourself, I'll stop as soon as you take my fingers im your mouth.” Megan commands.

McKayla refuses to open her mouth. Megan then pinches McKayla's nose shut, leaving her no choice but to open her mouth. Megan then slides her pussy soaked fingers into McKayla's mouth.

McKayla then gags and is close to vomiting.

“Good girl, mamacita! Mistress is proud! Come on, let's go backstage. I need to be interviewed by April. You are forbidden to speak without my permission. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mistress! This girl hears, & this girl will obey, Mistress!” McKayla says, lowering her head and leading the way backstage

[inlovewithhisblueeyes]

Borrowed

Pairing: Henry Cavill x Reader

Word Count: ~1.4k

Warnings: Talks about Suicide, Survivor’s Guilt, Depression, Parental Abuse, Panic Attacks, Use of Platonic Pet Names

A/N: Today is my 22nd birthday. I have always had issues regarding my birthday and getting older. I spent 12 years of my life actively wishing I was dead and never expecting to make it to 18. It’s hard for me to understand that I’m still here 4 years after my believed expiry date. I’m getting better each year at dealing with all the feelings that come with my birthday. I’m okay and this piece helped me get out what I struggle with telling others. The nice thing at least is this year I’m not spending this day alone.

You let out a shaky breath as you laid out in the grass. The stars were just barely shining through the cloudy sky above you. The night breeze was still warm enough that you didn’t need a jacket. It would have been a pleasant night if the voices lurking in the back of your mind had taken some time off for once.

Tonight they were screaming at you, louder than ever before. Their voices bounced off the walls your mind, echoing endlessly. The pain in your chest was too much to bare. It was a crushing weight that threatened to flatten you to utter nothingness. No matter what you did to cope it just wasn’t working like it normally would.

Tonight they were screaming at you, louder than ever before. Their voices bounced off the walls your mind, echoing endlessly. The pain in your chest was too much to bare. It was a crushing weight that threatened to flatten you to utter nothingness. No matter what you did to cope it just wasn’t working like it normally would.

You had to swallow down the bile that was trying to creep up your throat. There was an ever present fear seeping from every single pore as you did the one card you had left to play. You didn’t want to do this on tonight of all nights. Hands shaking you type out the words that could save or damn you.

10:28 PM Midnight Picnic. Delivered …. Read ✓

The swell of anxiety becomes too much as you wait for those little dots to appear. You toss your phone next to you as you struggle to hold back tears. The voices seem grow into a roar as the minutes slip away. Everything he ever said to you is stuck on repeat in your head

Burden….

You held him back…

It was your fault…

You ruined his life…

If only you hadn’t been born…

You didn’t deserve to be alive…

They all loved him better than you…

Useless…

Replaceable…

Selfish…

You hadn’t even realized that the tears had burst out, painting your cheeks, your neck, your shirt and most likely staining the ground under you. It’s not until you feel something pressing down on you and warmness chasing the tears off your face that you realize you had been hyperventilating. A soft clicking comes from somewhere behind you as you finally open your tear-blinded eyes. There, resting on top of your shaking form, was a fuzzy face you knew too well.

“Kal, up,” the figure behind you utters,” You gotta let her up, boy.”

The bear of a dog gave a disappointed huff before doing as his master commanded. You felt warm hands gently help you sit up and soon after you feel a solid mass against your back and two long legs incase yours. If anything, the close contact caused your panicking to cease only for a moment. Henry’s arm wrap around your shoulders and he settles you against him. Kal lays himself down by the two of you.

“I’m here for you, Bunny. I know how you might be a little trapped right now, but I want you to try and listen to me alright,” he whispers and waits for the nod that comes between your gasping breaths,” See you’re doing so well already. Remember that exercise your gram does with you. I know you do. Can I help you with it?”

You nod again as you try to unscramble the wires in your brain. You feel his breath tickle the top of your head as he continues to hold you tightly.

“Good bunny. I want you to try and tell me 5 things you can see. Take all the time you need okay?”

“St-t-tars…” You start between gulps, “Grass…..Kal…..uhmmm”

“You can do it, sweetheart,” Henry says as he reaches down and gives your shaking hands a squeeze.

“Your Flops… Trees..”

“Now 4 you can feel.”

“Your Hand…the ground…the breeze…my shirt,” You respond with your voice a bit stronger than before.

“You’re doing great. 3 things you can hear,” Henry adds giving your hands another squeeze.

“You..me..the bugs.”

“We’re almost there. Tell me 2 things you can smell.”

“My lotion and detergent,” You voice, feeling yourself come back even more.

“Last thing. What can you taste?” The Brit asks.

“My tea from earlier,” You sigh slumping into him more.

The two of you remain there, listening to the night’s music. You continue to come down from your attack and your breathing gets softer and softer as he holds you. A few more moments pass before he loosens his hold on you because he knows that you’re back in control. You stay against him as you try to find a thought you can easily share. You wiggle away from him slightly and then turn yourself sideways so you can rest your head above his heartbeat.

“I’m so sorry.” You murmur into his warm chest,” I couldn’t be in my place anymore.”

“It’s alright, Bunny,” He mumbles, the nickname causing your nose to scrunch up slightly,” You’re the one who keeps wiggling that nose of yours like that.”

You chuckle softly before taking some deep breaths.

“I can’t stop thinking about it you know. How I never planned to be here this long and here I am still here. It feels like I stole someone else’s time. Someone more deserving,” You express, desperately trying to keep yourself from getting worked up again.

Henry wraps his arms around you again, giving a squeeze to tell you to continue.

“I know Megan says that it’s okay to not have a plan, but I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling like I have no control. I always thought I wouldn’t make it to 18 and every year that passes hurts more because I feel like I’m on borrowed time. That maybe this is all some sort of dream or something and I’ll wake up and I’ll be back in that house with him,” You blubber.

He keeps holding you tight and slightly rocks you in his arms. Kal even moves to rest his head on your leg.

“I still hear him in my head. He keeps telling me how I ruined his life, that he can’t see his girlfriend as much because of me, that I’m causing him all these problems-“

“Bunny,” Henry cuts you off,” Your father was wrong. He had his problems just like you, but he shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You’re not the reason why any of his life turned out the way it did…”

“But I killed him didn’t I? Speed up his desire to do what he did. The thing that I was supposed to do,” You cry into his chest.

“Y/N, you didn’t kill him. He should never have made you feel like killing yourself was the only way to help him. You are not on borrowed or stolen time. You were meant to be here. You deserve to be here. Your life matters to me and Kal and so many others. I know this time of the year is rough, but you did something you never did before. You reached out to someone instead of handling this alone and I am so damn proud of you,” Henry uttered and he held you tighter, blinking away the own tears in his eyes.

You sob harder at that, letting it all out. He lets you sob for as long as you need to. Occasionally rubbing your back and whispering how proud he is of you over and over until it sticks. The tears eventually run dry and you breathing evens out once more. You listen to each breath he takes, the praise he gives you. The silence only broken by a small dinging from nearby. Henry adjusts to slightly to see his watch alert midnight.

“I’m only going to say this once so don’t get too annoyed. Happy Birthday Bunny,” The man whispers to you,” Now I know we can’t do anything to crazy to distract you but I may have brought part of the festivities early. Theres two cupcakes in the car with your name on it. How about I grab those, we go inside, curl up on your couch, and watch The Little Mermaid? Maybe I can start calling you fishy instead huh? Kal thinks its a good idea right bud.”

Kal huffs loudly in approval before getting up to stretch and do his business. You laugh at that as you pull away from him slightly. “Thank you Hen. I really needed that.”

“That’s what friends are for. Now let’s go before my cheat day passes by.”

A/N 2: If you've read this far, I want you to know you're not alone. Trust me I know it feels like that sometimes, but there are people who are there for you. I'm one of those people if you need it. You deserve to be here in this life just as much as I do. ❤️

[thedaredevilsgirl]

Chapter Three - Like a Lollipop

Warnings: Tom being a big smug, smutty (oral-man receiving- and dirty talk).

Word count: 2109

N/A: Sorry for the delay in posting. It was my birthday on Monday and I kind of got inspired by that for this chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Sorry for the grammar mistakes, English is not my first language.

Tom's arms were around your body when you wake up early in the morning. He would no longer leave when he was done and go to your room, even when he was doing nothing, he would go to your room in the middle of the night lying on his side and you would sleep together, Tom liked the feeling of having you in his arms during the night, but he was very careful about leaving early in the morning before your brother saw you there.

"Good morning," you say in a husky voice from having just woken up.

"Good morning," he says smiling "And happy birthday."

"You remember, that's nice" you smile.

"Of course I remember" he caresses your face "it's not every day my girl turns 19".

You feel your heart beat faster in your chest when he calls you "my girl". You were trying your best not to let your feelings for Tom show, you promised yourself that you would keep your feelings hidden for your own good, but it was hard, especially when Tom acted like you two were in a relationship.

"Actually," he says smiling as he gets up from his bed "I have a present for you."

"Really Tom? You didn't need it."

The bedroom door suddenly opens and a smiling Harrison appears.

"He shouts happily, but the smile disappears from his face when he sees Tom standing in the middle of his room shirtless and wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants. He asks suspiciously.

He mentally thanks him for being well dressed.

"I came to wish Y/N a happy birthday" he lies quickly.

"Couldn't you wait until she comes down for coffee?" Harrison continues with his questioning.

"I was going to" Tom speaks laughing "but I was already passing by, so I decided to say so".

You watch as Harrison gives Tom a strange look.

"Sure" In the end Harrison seems to believe what he has been told "Makes sense, come down soon, coffee is ready" he starts to leave but quickly returns "And happy birthday again" you smile and he finally leaves the room.

"Oh my God, I thought he was going to find out about us" you sigh in relief.

"Not this time darling" he smiles before leaving a kiss on your lips "I'll have to leave the present for later, see you downstairs" he leaves you alone in your room.

You take your shower and get ready for another day before heading down to the kitchen.

All the frat boys were downstairs and made a point of hugging you and wishing you a happy birthday, you thanked them all before sitting down to eat.

"We were planning to have a party..." Harrison starts to speak and you interrupt him.

"No, please, you know I'm not very comfortable at parties.

"...But since you have something against parties, we decided to just have a dinner party to celebrate, me, you, the boys and Megan, what do you think?" Her brother asks.

"Sounds good to me" you agree.

"Great" he says smiling "You will love it, we will cook for you".

"Please don't set the house on fire trying to cook".

"Don't worry, I will keep something bad from happening" Tom says smiling.

•─────✧─────•─────✧─────•

"I hope you are excited for later" Megan speaks smiling.

"I think you're more excited than I am" you laugh "I'm afraid they're going to burn the whole house down or something".

"Honestly Y/N, you worry too much" You say.

"I'm the worried friend and you're the one who acts without thinking, remember?"

"Exactly, and I have a lot of fun being that way, which is the way you should act, you're 19 you have to enjoy your life" She speaks excitedly.

"Okay, and what should I do to act like that?" He asks.

"She points with her head in a direction and you look at the place she pointed to and see Tom surrounded by his friends.

There was a girl standing next to him, holding his arm and tossing her hair in a conquering way, but Tom didn't seem to pay any attention to her, in fact he was looking at you from across campus and gives you a little wink as soon as he notices your gaze on him.

"Look there, you know the two of them have slept together before and she probably wants a repeat of that."

"It wouldn't be a problem for me" You lie "You and I have nothing, I'm not going to compete with another woman just to get a boy's attention".

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not talking about female competition, you know I hate it when they pit one woman against another, but I'm talking about you admitting how you feel, I'm talking about you telling him the truth, that you like him, before it's too late and you lose him.

"Do you think I should do that? What if he doesn't want me like that?"

"Then he's the one who will be losing out" She is sincere "I have class now, so I'll meet you at your place later".

•─────✧─────•─────✧─────•

When you enter the house you go straight to your room to get ready for dinner, the boys were in the kitchen and the smell of food was already spreading through the room.

Quickly go up the stairs and enter your room, closing the door afterwards.You quickly get ready, wearing the new blue dress Harrison had given you.

"Hi," Tom's voice says behind you, startling you.He entered the room quietly and locked the door.

"Oh my god" you place your hand on your chest breathing heavily trying to recover from the fright "What are you doing in here?"

"Sorry honey, I didn't mean to startle you" He smiles "I said I would deliver your present later, I came to do that" he shows you the small blue box he was holding and hands it over.

"Thank you" you smile at him and open the box, inside was a gold choker with a small butterfly pendant "God, Tom, that's beautiful".

"You like it?"

"Of course I like it, this is wonderful, you shouldn't spend money on me."

He rolls his eyes and takes the box from her hand, removing the necklace from inside it.

"Don't be silly" He says as you stand in front of the mirror with your back to your body, he moves your hair out of the way and places the choker on you leaving a small kiss on your neck "I don't mind spending money on you".

"Tom" You say looking at the reflection of the two of you in the mirror "Are you getting any other girls?" You ask nervously.

"What?" He looks up not understanding why you are asking this question out of the blue "No, I'm not fucking anyone, why are you asking me that?"

"Nothing...I just saw you with a girl today, you seemed close" you say pulling away from him a little.

"Y/N, are you jealous?" He asks smugly.

"Of course not" You roll your eyes, trying to pretend you didn't feel anything, but it was true, you kind of were jealous.

"I think you are" He says moving closer to your body "What? You don't like to imagine me touching another girl" His hands grip your hips pulling you even closer, he tilts his head to reach your neck and leave kisses all over your skin "No need to be jealous honey, I'm all yours, you're the only one for me".

You look him in the eyes, despite his cocky tone he was being sincere, you see that, you break the rest of the distance by pulling him by the shirt and making your lips glue to his in a thirsty kiss. He couldn't put his feelings into words yet, but he hoped that the kiss would say everything his heart felt.

He grabs you even tighter and deepens the kiss, letting his hand go up to your head and lightly pull your hair, making you moan between kisses, he bites your lower lip and you feel a shiver run down your entire body.

"Tell me what you want" he asks, his husky voice making you shiver once again. Your hands move down to your pants, feeling the hard member through your jeans.

"I want you...in my mouth," she says a little nervously. You had been thinking about this for a few days, Tom always helped you come, touched or fucked you until you came, but you denied all his help, he wanted to give you pleasure but expected nothing in return. But you wanted to reward him.

"Y/N, it's your birthday, I should do something for you" He speaks holding your hand.

"Exactly, it's my birthday and I want to suck you off, please" You look at him with a puppy dog face and a cute peck on your lips, a cute and innocent expression that completely contradicted what you had said a few seconds ago.

"Damn" he feels himself getting even harder in his pants. He was trying to go easy on you, but seeing you like that, begging to have his cock in your mouth was irresistible, and he wouldn't lie, he had dreamed of this moment several times.

You kneel in front of him, your fingers working quickly to open his pants.

"Are you sure you want to do this angel? I don't want to force you to swim sincerely I can wait" He speaks in a careful tone.

"Yes I'm sure I want to" you say confidently, pulling your pants down to your ankles "But I'm going to need you to help me".

"Ok angel, I'll help you" His hand slowly caresses your face, his thumb running across your lower lip, your mouth opens at the touch and he takes the opportunity to put it in your mouth, you suck your thumb slowly passing your tongue gently before he takes it out again.

He slowly pulls down his underwear exposing his member, you bite your lip getting a little nervous.

First" he begins to speak "You can start by spreading pre-cum over my tip, with your thumb." You follow his command, putting your hand around his cock and spreading pre-cum over the head of his cock, he sighs excitedly. It had been so long since a girl had touched him like this.

"Yes, darling, just like that" he says as you begin to move your hand from top to bottom on his member "Let's start off slow and easy, just a few licks from the shaft to my tip" you obey and he sighs as he feels your tongue touch his member "Now, do that again and put your mouth around my tip".

You run your tongue again over the entire length of his cock, before running it over the head and wrapping your mouth around it. Your fingers curl into his hair. You slowly begin to move further down, slowly getting used to his length in your mouth, the head moving up and down and your tongue dancing softly around his cock.

"Holy shit" He sighs, you look at him impressed, nothing was more beautiful than to see him moaning for you, his head thrown back, his lips open in ecstasy. He looks at you, his lips curling into your length and his innocent eyes staring back at you "You look so beautiful like that, what do you think others would say if they saw you like that in? The sweet innocent Y/N pleasuring me, being a good girl for me" you moan against his member, the vibrations making you moan even louder.

Being called a good girl awakened something in you, the word made your clit throb and your panties wet even more.

"Do you like that, being called a good girl?" He asks smugly "because you are being a good girl for me."

You speed up the movements, taking all you could with your mouth and rolling your hand in the rest, he helps you with the movements, without too much force, so as not to hurt you.

"Fuck, angel, I'm going to cum" different from what you thought you don't pull away from him, you continue the movements with more force making him quickly reach the apex.

You pull away from his body, with your cum still in his mouth, he groans at that sight, before you swallow it all quickly. He helps you up off the floor before kissing you, feeling the salty taste of your orgasm on his lips.

"You were so good, you learn so fast angel" he kisses her neck making her sigh "now" she sits down on her desk "I'll make it up to you" she says kneeling in front of him ready to make him cum too.

TAGLIST

@cherryobx

@a-daydreamers-day

@arlo-sanders

@multihoee

@storybookholland

@yazzyu

@hallecarey1

[kentos-filmcamera]

10 times, 1 occasion - Inumaki Toge

4. Tending

A/N: oop i'm on a roll rn with two chapters in two days in a row. the next one is probably going to take a while but seriously I'm so happy with all the support, it keeps me going. this is teeth rotting fluff, so enjoy! ~g

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

No matter how many times he was reminded that you were okay, Toge would rather die before leaving your bedside. He watched over you, in his navy sweats and Jujutsu Tokyo Tech gray pullover sweatshirt, taking a few showers to change back into the same clothes. He cooked ramen and onigiri balls in the common kitchen down the hall. He only left for more than ten minutes to visit Fushiguro, who met the same fate as you, but left you with Maki or Panda, even Gojo if he was around and no one else was available.

The latter liked drawing things on your expensive drawing paper with the expensive ink you so hoarded from others and placing them on the board by your desk, next to Post-It notes wishing you well from fellow Tokyo Tech students, and Kyoto students alike. Kamo had wished you a speedy recovery and flattering words on your technique, Miwa left a well-wishes message with hearts drew on and Todo wrote that he lamented your injury because your taste in women was far beyond better than the rest of your fellow classmates, except for Itadori, and complimented your ‘Tina Snow’ Megan Thee Stallion poster.

Once again, while placing a damp, cold towel on your forehead, Toge sighed deeply, cleaning away the fever you were sweating. You breathed through your mouth, nose, cheeks, and lips settling in a darker red color by the heat you emanated. Shoko healed you and Megumi just perfect, but as a difference, your body wasn’t reacting well to the invasion. Still, Inumaki diligently took care of your every need while you slept for the past three days, fighting the urge to command for you to wake up, and watch those lively eyes flutter open while a smile blossoms on your cheeks. They were waiting for you to continue the goodwill event officially after the “minor” issue with the special grades.

It was late in the afternoon, the orange sun leaking through the blinds. Toge set his book down for a second and stared at you. You looked so serene, so calm and peaceful for the first time in the past few days, whereas you looked agitated and distressed in your slumber. He leaned down and kissed your forehead. You shuffled happily in your sleep and laid even deeper into your bedsheets.

“Wow! This room is so cool!” Itadori gasped as he passed the doorframe. Toge narrowed his eyes but still stood up to greet the first years. “How come my room doesn't look like this?!”

Your room was cozy. The color scheme was warm; your walls were a very light beige, your bed was composed of a terracotta-colored duvet, light pink bed sheets, and a white throw blanket. The nightstand was a yellow bookshelf with a lamp on top, a framed picture resting there, along with your phone. Your desk was yellow as well with a bulletin board on the wall in front of it. On the desk rested some plants, an assortment of drawing, painting, and coloring supplies, aside from a Bluetooth speaker that resembled an old radio. The wall behind your bed was full of posters of artists and movies, and artwork that either you painted or you commissioned. By the window, there was a light moss green couch with different pillows, and a lavender purple throw Inumaki used to wrap himself in when he napped. He sat next to your bed on a light pink office chair he positioned on the empty space between your closet and your bed. It was a colorful room, to say the least.

“Because you’re a man, Yuuji” Nobara rolled her eyes and walked towards your bed, combing her fingers through your hair to brush it slightly. She fluffed the pillows behind your head and fixed the collar of the silk pajamas you wore specifically made for when injured. Maki spoke so highly of you, Nobara wanted to treat you her best, because she knew you deserved it.

“How is she?” Megumi asked Inumaki. Nobara and Itadori were both snooping around the room. Yuuji browsed the bookshelf with a frown, while Kigusaki looked through your cosmetics bag before heading to the bathroom, which stood to the door on the left when one entered the room, talking about checking out your skincare routine.

“Tuna” He signaled his phone and got to typing. Soon, Megumi’s phone buzzed. Itadori rushed over to read the text over his shoulder, Kugisaki on her tippy toes to read from his other shoulder as well.

[ Inumaki Toge: they’re okay. shoko said they’ll wake up soon enough. probably just drained ]

“So you’ve been here with her all these past few days? All the time?” Kugisaki asked.

Toge nodded, shifting comfortably on the seat “Shake” He confirmed.

“Aww! I wish I had a partner like you!” Nobara sighed dreamily. Toge froze. His jaw clenched and his eyes widened to almost hit every corner of his face. As if it was even possible, he turned paler. He could feel his heartbeat drumming in his ears. Partner? Your partner? Why would anyone think that? You were just a friend… unless you didn’t want to be. A friend he had strong feelings for. A friend he had its own pet name for. A friend he loved. Oh my. His face went from paperwhite to a bright red, as he once again zipped up the collar of his shirt to cover his lower half.

“Look what you did, Nobara! You broke him!” Itadori shook her, while Inumaki stared blankly at the floor. Fushiguro realized Kugisaki had touched a nerve since the attraction between the two of you was so apparent, everyone had seen you two laugh together incessantly, hold hands, hug each other often, and damn, he even had a word in his vocabulary to refer to you specifically. He pointed with his head to the door and the three left silently for a second. Inumaki watched them leave and sighed into his hands. That was frustrating.

You shuffled in your sleep slightly, Toge’s attention turning to you quickly, standing upright from his chair to look as you fluttered your eyes to stare back at him. Just as he expected, a smile arose from your mouth as soon as you noticed him there, before you went into a coughing fit. He panicked and took a few steps towards your yellow mini-fridge, scouting for a bottle of water, which he found soon enough. He held the bottle for your mouth, with which you gladly took in and drank all the water in a matter of seconds. He cleaned your wet cheeks and sat at the foot of the bed carefully, as you tried to sit upright without disturbing your wound.

“Kelp” He greeted you, with his usual fondness towards you and a smile he tried to hide.

“Hello, Inumaki-kun” You rasped with a blush on your cheeks, coughing slightly before smiling at him. “Don’t worry, I’m here; I’m okay”

He sighed deeply and the weight on his shoulders he didn’t even realize he had lifted. He now knew that you were okay. His heart fluttered in his chest as you reached out your hand, urging him to get close to you. Once he did, you combed your hand through the gray strands, making him melt into your touch.

He leaned to lay down by your side. “How’s everyone? What time is it? How long have you been here?” You bombarded him with questions he was more than glad to answer.

Toge just looked at you briefly before grabbing his phone. He typed something and soon your phone vibrated next to you on your nightstand.

[ Inumaki Toge: everyone is ok. ]

[ fushiguro had the same cursed buds as you in his stomach, he’s fine now and i think in the hallway. ]

[ it’s 5:30 PM. i’ve been here the last 3 days you’ve been unconscious ]

You stared at the messages in shock “You’ve been here three days? You seriously didn’t have to, I was asleep”

“Okaka'' Toge shook his head with a frown. He typed something else. [ Inumaki Toge: i was worried about you. besides, you kept sweating, i had to level your temperature often because of the fevers ]

Your eyes watered as Toge’s widened. He panicked. Had he said something wrong? Did you get the wrong undertone from his texts? If that was it, should he start to use tone indicators? “Thank you” You sniffled “You didn’t really have to take care of me”

Right now, he really wished to speak to you clearly, so you really knew what he meant. “Tuna Mayo” He was only able to mutter before reaching to caress your back as quiet tears flowed down your cheeks. Soon enough, your phone vibrated.

[ Inumaki Toge: i got you your favorite tea :)) chai with a touch of nutmeg and lavender ]

“Aw…” You smiled “Thank you” You sighed deeply, the usual warmth spreading across your chest. The one that came whenever he bought you something or gave you a hug, or a brief touch.

[ i’ll go heat it up, okay? stay put ]

He removed his arm from your healthy side, and slipped out of the bed comfortably, removing the collar of his neck to kiss your forehead. I love you.

[gamergirl929]

After The Accident (USWNT x Reader)

Anonymous Request:  I love your USWNT imagines and I just wanted to ask if there was a pt 2 to Accident, like if the reader comes back and scores the first and last goals?? If not that’s fine.

Your wish is my command here is the long-awaited sequel to Accident, sorry this took so long to finish!  ❤️

You swallow hard, attempting to swallow the lump in your throat, your fingers instinctively going to the side of your head, where the scar from your accident stood prominent, an indent in your flesh that you knew would never go away.  

“Hey.”  

You jump at the sound of Alex’s voice, turning to the woman with a grin.  

“You alright?” Kelley asks as the two women make their way towards you and you nod, taking a deep breath.

“I’m nervous.” You whisper, shuffling nervously from foot to foot, your feet stilling when someone wraps their arms around you from behind, that someone being Ashlyn Harris.  

“It’s alright kid, we got you.” She whispers as she rests her chin on the top of your head.  

Ali nods, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.  

“We’re right behind you.”  

You close your eyes, leaning back against Ashlyn’s chest.  

It’s moments later when someone cups your cheeks that your eyes flash open, Y/E/C orbs locking with Christen Press’s green orbs.  

“Just get out there and show them what a fighter you are.” She grins, Tobin at her side with an even wider smile.  

“And how stubborn you are.” She teases, ruffling your hair and you stick your tongue out at her.  

Before you can come up with a cheeky retort, the veterans are swarmed by the team’s children, Emily, Lindsey, Mal, Rose and Sam encircling you.  

Mallory smiles, cupping your cheeks.  

The brunette had been instrumental in your recovery, by your side through every rough day, she was there along with the others when you took your first steps once you got your leg braces off, there when you slipped on field during practice thanks to pain in your damaged leg, she was there.  

Through everything.  

Through everything Mallory Pugh was there and you couldn’t be anymore grateful. You wrap your arms tightly around her, pulling her against your chest.  

“I wouldn’t even be here without you.” You whisper, your best friend grinning as she gives you a tight squeeze.  

“Yea, you would be... You’re a fighter Y/N.” She whispers and you smile, ducking your head and nuzzling into the top of her head.  

“LET’S GO OUT THERE AND DESTROY SPAIN!” Sonnett screeches and you snort, everyone wrapping their arms around you in a massive group hug.  

“Come on Y/N.” Alex cups your cheeks, Kelley wrapping her arms around you from behind.  

“LETS GO!”  

                                                            ***

Even Spain is welcoming in the tunnel, a number of their players shaking your hand.  

An accident that had almost claimed your life, an accident you were convinced would lead to your retirement in fact, hadn’t, due in part to the team standing behind you, each and every one of them there through everything and they were still here, moments away from your first game since your accident.  

You run your hands down your face, attempting to take a deep breath, your heart racing wildly in your chest.  

Arms slip around you from behind and you stiffen, though when a chin settles on the top of your head you relax, the smell of Alex’s shampoo calming you down.  

“Just breathe.” She whispers, breathing through her nose and out her mouth, something you eventually fall in sync with.  

You open your eyes, smiling when you see Kelley now standing in front of you, her brown orbs full of concern.  

“You alright?” She whispers and you nod.  

“As long as you’re all here, I am.”  

Kelley grins wrapping her arms around both you and Alex before heading back to her place in line, Alex still behind you, her arms around you right up until it’s time to head out onto the field.

The teams are about to leave the tunnel when Alex whispers in your ear.  

“Let’s go.”  

You nod, taking a deep breath and moving out of the tunnel, the captain’s armband secured around your bicep.  

The team had been unanimous in deciding to make you captain of the game, the first game since your injury, a game you never thought you’d ever play.  

You move onto the field, glancing around, the fans screaming all of them on their feet as the teams make their way onto the field.  

You feel the first prickle of tears in your eyes when you look up, Alex’s hand moving to rest on your shoulder as you look around the stadium, tears running down your cheeks.  

You lean your head back, swallowing hard, your eyes fluttering shut as you listen to the roar of the crowd.

A hand on your back makes you jump and you turn, realizing the hand belongs to a ref, the woman nodding before her hand leaves your back.  

You sniffle, swiping at the tears with your sleeve, sniffling your nose softly.  

Alex’s hand remains on your back as the anthems start, the camera zoomed in on you, the whole world in shock that Y/N Y/L/N had come back from a life-threatening injury, an injury that could’ve left you entirely crippled, but it hadn’t and here you were.  

The anthems end and the handshakes start, each Spain player stopping to give you a nod, even as your opponents, they’re happy to see you.  

You join the Spain team’s captain who holds her hand out as you swap your flags, Spain’s captain, Mapi Leon giving your hand a squeeze, accompanied by a massive grin before giving you a hug.  

The refs all do the same before it’s decided the Spain’s WNT will kick off.  

You glance around the stadium grinning as you make your way to the huddle, your teammates eager to pull you into the middle of the group, everyone patting your back and hugging you tightly.  

After a bit of pep-talk from Vlatko he pats your back, placing his hands on your shoulders.  

“Go out there and show them you’re still one of the best forwards in the world.” He grins as you throw your arms around his neck and give him a tight squeeze before racing back onto the field and into position.  

You glance around, each of your teammates giving you a nod the second your eyes lock, you turn your attention back to the middle of the field, waiting for Spain start the game.  

The yellow and black ball flies into the air, and the game is on.  

                                                            ***

You hadn’t lost a step, still tackling and running like you had before your accident, something the commentators were astonished by, you would have to agree with them.  

It’s in the 30th minute that you surprise the world.  

Megan Rapinoe stands at the corner, holding her hand high in the air, ready to fire in on goal, your teammates as well as your opponent’s waiting for the black and yellow ball in the box.  

The ball leaves her foot, flying right towards goal but is knocked away.

Unfortunately for Spain, it ends up RIGHT at your feet.  

Your teammates on the bench stand up as you fire the ball in on goal, zooming over everyone before curving into the corner and into the back of the net.  

The fans erupt and you fall to your knees, tears streaming down your cheeks as your teammates swarm you.  

Alex pulls you to your feet, throwing her arms around your neck as she kisses the top of your head.  

“I’m so proud of you.” She whispers, Kelley’s arms wrapping around your middle. 

“We all are.”  

Even a number of Spain players pat your back on the way by, in complete and utter disbelief that you’d made a comeback after having such a horrific accident. 

You look to the bench, Tobin, Christen, Ashlyn, Ali, everyone on their feet as they clap, tears streaming down some of their cheeks.  

You’d have to comfort them after the first half, but for now, you had a game to play.  

                                                            ***

The whistle blows and almost immediately Christen is on you, of course, getting to your first seeing as she’s basically half cheetah, though Tobin and Mallory are right behind her, your best friend refusing to relinquish her hold.  

“I’m so proud of you.” Mallory sniffle cupping your cheeks, swiping tears away with the pads of her thumbs that you hadn’t even realize had been falling.  

Ashlyn ducks down, kissing the top of your head, Ali right beside her, kissing your temple.  

“Come on, you deserve a break.”  

Mallory refuses to let go of you as you make your way to the locker room, the girl glued to your side, but you didn’t mind, not even a little bit, her hold bringing you comfort.  

Your teammates cheer and clap as you make your way into the locker room, your grin massive.  

“Spain didn’t know what hit em!” Megan snickers and you shake your head, laughing as you plop down on a bench, Mallory right beside you, arms still wrapped around you.  

Vlatko turns to you with a smile.  

“You fit enough to play the second half?” He asks, everyone turning to you and you grin, slapping one of your scarred legs.  

“You’re damn right I am.”  

                                                            ***

The second half is well under way, the score now 2-1 a goal, courtesy of Alex Morgan, and a goal from Mapi Leon brought Spain back in the game, but it was in the 90th minute that, that all changed.  

5 minutes had been added to the clock when an unfortunate tackle brought down one of Spain’s players, the woman being attended to before she could resume play.  

That gap in the second half made it possible for you to do what you were about to do, and that was score the last goal in your first game back.  

You knock the ball across field, the black and yellow ball at the feet of the one and only Tobin Heath, she fires the ball in on goal, you and Christen both in the box.  

Christen unfortunately missed the ball when she’d leapt in the air, the ball too high for her to connect with, but it was lower when it reaches you.  

The stands erupt when you knock the ball into goal with a small tap, immediately running to the sidelines, your teammates ready to welcome you.  

Mal hugs you the tightest, Alex wrapping her arms around you before everyone follows suite, trapping you in a massive group hug.  

You eventually get back on field, ready to finish out the last few minutes of the game, which of course feels as if it lasts forever.  

The whistle blows and you throw your hands up in the air, everyone racing towards you, Mallory gets to you first, jumping up into your arms, her legs wrapping around your middle, the girl burying her nose in your neck.  

“You did it.” She whispers and you sniffle, tears running down your cheeks.  

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without any of you.”  

Mallory shakes her head, cupping your cheeks, your best friends' brown orbs glassy.  

“You did it, Y/N, we were just there to help.”  

The other kids of the team swarm you, all talking excitedly at once, Sonnett ruffling your hair as she jumps up and down, Sam ducking to kiss the top of your head as the other’s latch onto you.  

Mallory of course doesn’t relinquish her hold, even as your teammates hug you each and every one of them cooing softly in your ear as they give you a tight squeeze, even as the Spanish players come to congratulate you, and even when an excited reporter makes her way towards you.  

“Do you think we could get a quick word?” She asks and you nod, again nodding, but this time towards Mallory.  

“I don’t think she’s going anywhere though.” You laugh, Mallory shaking her head.  

“Nope.”  

You and Mallory make your way across field, Mallory slipping out of your hold a couple of headsets being put on your heads, but the second she’s able she’s got her arms wrapped around you.

Moments later, Julie Foudy’s voice sounds through the headset.  

“Let me be, probably one of the few hundreds to welcome you back, it was an honor to be here to call your first game back, how did it feel being on the field again?”  

You shake your head.  

“It was surreal, I never thought I’d get here again. I never thought I’d even be able to walk again, but thanks to the help of my team and the fan’s love, I’m here.” You grin, Mallory hugging you tighter.  

“Don’t let her fool you, she did all the work, we were just here to help.”  

You shake your head rapidly.  

“They don’t realize how much they helped me... They don’t realize that without them, I wouldn’t have made it this far. There wouldn’t have been an after the accident game for me if it wasn’t for them.” You sniffle, turning away, tears rolling down your cheeks.  

You hadn’t even realized your teammates were nearby, every one of them coming into the cameras view, their arms linking together as they gather behind you.  

“Without you...” You turn around, looking at your teammates and family.

“Without you, I wouldn’t have even walked again... Thank you isn’t enough, it will never be enough but I’ll keep saying it every single day until the day I die.”  

Your teammates all close in on you, trapping you in the middle of a group hug.  

Even though you can’t be seen, you can be heard.  

“This isn’t just my team, this is my family and without them, I wouldn’t be here.”  

[lessonsfrommadamexmas]

Spite and Temptation

Summary: Brigadier General Armstrong needs competent snipers for Fort Briggs and her eyes are set on a certain hawk. While Lieut. Colonel Mustang knows she doesn’t stand a chance, the dispute seems too entertaining to pass.

Gen. 1.5k words.

Link to AO3 (updated: all three chapters are up now)

Hello, @meridianheroine, I’m your secret santa for @fmasecretsanta2020 and I wish you a Happy New Year! Would you accept half of a story and the promise of finishing it real soon? I’m so sorry I couldn’t wrap it up in time and I wanted to edit it properly. There’s only one or two chapters left. I hope you find it entertaining. 

- - - -

Olivier Mira Armstrong studied the men in the room, all sitting around the large rectangular meeting table. It seemed she had lost the fight before it even began.

— Sir, Fort Briggs has requested an alchemist as soon as the war ended.

As a Brigadier General, she was the lowest rank around, sent to represent the soon-to-be-deceased Major General Solon. Well, that might be a harsh thing to say, but who was she fooling? The men of Briggs were, indeed, tough, to the point of not knowing when to retire. The fort was ready for her and she was ready for it, yet the General remained skeptical due to her young age.

That’s how she found herself in charge of getting the first alchemist for Fort Briggs.

— Indeed, I have read General Solon’s letter.

King Bradley, the highest authority of Amestris, always made himself directly involved when the subject was State alchemy. It didn’t surprise her that the Führer would come all the way to East Headquarters to join the meeting, and it certainly didn’t intimidate her to discuss business with him. Nevertheless, she couldn’t ignore the man’s decisiveness as he stood tall across from her continued to speak:

— However, a war of the dimensions of Ishval leaves us with several losses. From retirements to unfortunate cases of suicide, we cannot open hand of any State Alchemist as of now. That is why I myself have cared for this issue and decided, before we even returned from Ishval, to assign all alchemists back to their previous headquarters, with very few exceptions.

The ultimatum was evident, transfers were out of question. She jumped to her final attempt.

— I comprehend, sir, however, I’m certain there are gaps yet to be filled after said losses, and we’re going to need new exams. I, then, ask your permission to run a State Alchemist Exam in Briggs. Although the Extermination War has left us with one less enemy to face, Drachma remains as one of the country’s most challenging enemies and their forces are restless. The creative input of alchemy would greatly benefit Briggs’ battle strategies.

King Bradley turned his attention to the redhead man sitting a few chairs to her left.

— You can always count with the support of the Northern Headquarters, isn't that right, General Valdo?

— Of course, Führer. It is our duty to provide the best men we have whenever requested.

Major General Valdo was a cowardly little man who would always take as few responsibilities regarding the border as he could. It was undoubtedly of his interest to provide men and leave the rest to Briggs whenever possible. Olivier couldn’t wait to do business with him rank to rank.

— As well as any other place in Amestris — Bradley continued. — Fort Briggs isn’t fighting our battles alone, Brigadier General. The place isn’t a research center and it isn’t what it’s meant to be. You’re our raw power, that’s what we need you to be. A State Alchemist is better assisted in the headquarters, and they’ll be ready to join your forces whenever required. Since most of the manpower in the Ishval War came from the East, along with some of the best Human Weapons from Central, I’ll only be receiving the documentation from East and Center commands, where the exams are of utmost importance. If there aren't any more questions, I’ll be leaving you all to General Grumman.

Armstrong eyed instinctively the exam protocols she had helped her superior write while the other generals addressed started to collect their own paperwork.

— Can Briggs count on your consideration of our issue in the future, sir?

— Trust me, General Armstrong. You aren’t the only one disappointed. I’m sure some State Alchemists expected a guaranteed spot in Central Command after their outstanding performance, but that’s how it is. Amestris cannot stop. Still, it was a pleasure to know Briggs remains dedicated and brave enough to face the Führer himself. You can rest assured you have left me with something to mull over for the next few years.

The Fuhrer's voice was lighthearted although she couldn't notice any smile behind his thick mustache. Fort Briggs was one breathing organism and outsiders, despite necessary and helpful, were simply crutches. However, the two of them were on good terms, so she limited herself to a brief, respectful reply.

— Thank you for your attention, sir.

Lieutenant General Grumman stood up and circled the table, handing in his and the other General’s documents. King Bradley gave him a polite pat on the shoulder as if passing the torch, to which Grumman responded with a nod. He restarted the meeting as soon as the Führer closed the door.

— Well, as you all know, we're here today to discuss transfers and assignments regarding the East personnel. Let us treat of each headquarters’s pressing needs. Brigadier General Armstrong, you didn’t come just for an alchemist, am I correct?

The head of East Headquarters carried a joyful aura and seemed to be a malleable man, not that Olivier would underestimate the accumulated wisdom reflected in his wrinkles and white hair.

— Snipers are one of our greatest weapons. We depend on versatile soldiers who can disguise, attack from afar and patiently face our foggy, snowy conditions. There’s no place that could make better use of a soldier like the Hawk’s Eye than Briggs.

Olivier Armstrong left the meeting with her confidence restored. General Solon didn’t have many hopes when it came to alchemy anyway, but she had succeeded in everything else. The woman knew that an important part of her mission was to find balance between her assertive nature and diplomacy, and she was thankful for the opportunity. Today, she had been able to blend in with the other Generals smoothly and defend the Fort’s needs. She also seemed to have earned the Fuhrer’s respect, a feat that would add points to her promotion.

That, along with taking the Hawk’s Eye to the North. All that was left was to reach out to the young woman through her field superior, Sergeant Megan Dorovan, who was likely mentoring her on her next steps.

Olivier walked the hallways enjoying the warm weather and watching the garden over the wide window. There was only grass and stone. As plain as her snowy place.

— Good morning, Brigadier General… Armstrong?

Her eyes turned to the man who wasn’t simply passing by, but had stopped in front of her. Raven hair outlined a face that couldn’t be older than early twenties. She checked on his shoulder the insignia of Lieutenant Colonel.

— Morning — she frowned.

— Lieut. Col. Roy Mustang, sir — he hurried to introduce himself with a smile. Upon no reaction from her, he added: — The Flame Alchemist. Hero of Ishval. Honored to meet you.

The man puffed his chest as he spoke. The type who likes to impress, then. Hopefully she wasn’t dealing with a bootlicker, but merely a soldier seeking connections. Either way, she would cut his crap.

— You look like you barely left the diapers, not a war veteran — she remarked, dryly.

In truth, it was impossible to ignore the mark of war in a veteran, but he might be putting some effort into hiding it. Although he was taken aback for a second, Mustang didn’t let himself be intimidated by her words like most men.

— You also seem very young for someone who is listed to take charge of Briggs, sir. I guess our competencies speak louder than our ages.

Ah, yes, the expected flattery was as amusing as it was annoying. Olivier didn’t agree with the idea of giving State Alchemists the title of Major despite their lack of experience. It created incompetent soldiers like her brother or overconfident ones like the man in front of her.

— I wonder if there’s anything to you beyond your alchemy, as it often is with Dogs of the Military.

— Rumor goes Briggs is looking for a Dog of the Military, sir. How is it going? Oh, if you’re on your way to the cafeteria, we could go together.

He was a quick one, she had to admit.

— Alchemy can wait, for now. I have other things to take care of, so I’m gonna have to pass.

The woman adjusted her coat to signal the end of the conversation. Mustang seemed to understand, because this time he was simply polite to ask:

— Looking for someone specific, sir? If I could give you any directions…

— Yes, actually, Sergeant Dorovan. I’m taking a hawk to the North.

— Hawkeye?! — he asked in utter surprise. For some reason, that simple implication had pierced through the man’s facade quicker than any of her teasing. The smirk that formed on his lips next had been his most genuine expression so far. — Too bad she’s already applying to the Warrant Officer’s position, on my team.

No way.

[elroymeg]

Perhaps the Seven were trying to tell him something.

Perhaps the Seven were trying to tell him something. It's a personal restaurant with a lot of personal touches; the aprons are part of that.". Every one knows how in our Southern States the boundaries of slavery are continually increasing, for want of some power there to perform the same kind office. "We are rooting for and predicting. For most folks who contemplate a home business, a low cost or no cost solution is not only nice, but also very necessary. The Lyseni took the table nearest to the fire and spoke quietly over cups of black tar rum, keeping their voices low so no zapatillas de tacos futbolone could overhear. "Again, it was an oddity for a young kid when I first started playing in the late '70s. Talk of the abuses of slavery! Humbug! The thing itself is the essence of all abuse. He must.” Lady Dustin chuckled. Its coils were gold, its wings silver, its three heads ivory, onyx, and jade. For instance, if you don't have the oil changed in the engine according to the suggested maintenance schedule and the engine fails as a result, the carmaker has the legal right to void

nike phantom vision academy

the warranty on the engine. You warned me, Varamyr thought, but it was you who showed me Eastwatch too. During his brief acquaintance with Ichmenyev he soon perceived the kind of man he had to deal with, and realized that he must be won in a warm and friendly way, that his heart must be conquered, and that, without that, money would do little with him. Only in his second test, Chase has taken a 5 fer to deny India big runs and then comes back and scores a century to deny India a sniff at the victory. The only thing we would say to her was "are you really allowed to wear that to school?" Grace was unique and one of a kind. Cute ballerina shoes or ankle length boots can be perfect companions when you plan on achieving casual dress look in winters. Grade one: Principal's award Hannah Wagner, Kobe Bosely, Cameron Bratton, and Trenton Middleton; Citizenship Eliza Jackowski, Anthony Pratt, Kara Lashbaugh, Amy Hall, Amy Alderton, Hannah Wagner, Kobe Bosley, Camren Bush, Garrett Bird, Cameron Bratton, Colton Brown, Kirby Butler, Josh Clem, Michelle Marken, Megan Lewis, Michael Spataro and Gracie Twigg. duci alkalmi ruha I just love to dig in the dirt in our backyard. We need to take this season day to day, week to week and game to game. And yet my father was considered j s authentic vans tibetan red true white one of the best of masters. But it's an okay movie, but I wished they made it better.. The room was large and airy, with great beams of dark oak supporting the high ceiling. Nike is trading at forward price to earnings of 22.6 times while the footwear sector is trading at a forward price to earnings of 26.1 times and Under Armour is trading at forward PE of 45.3x. Such horror has seized me, lest I might not hear the first shrill call, that I have often in dreams fancied I heard that llantas 4x4 online unwelcome voice, and have leaped from my couch and walked through the house and out of it before I awoke. Junior Anchor Contests WBIR at 60 More Deals Smoky Mountain Air Show 10 About Town Your Stories HomeGrown Positively Schwall Moments The Voice Legal Lowdown Star Wars Vote Buddy Check 10 Real Men Wear Gowns Holiday Gifts ACM Awards Hometown Spotlight Oscars Grammys 10Pets 30 Years of Dollywood Santa Tracker 10Listens And Finally redirect TD Jakes Ways to Save Thankful Holiday Lights NORAD Santa Tracker Wildfire 10 Rising Hearts Medical Minute Eclipse About Contact Us Meet the Team Programming Guide Advertise With Us Jobs Internships More. And play pool," Rios said. The earth is given form and void and the first day from God's perspective of time, in our universe, has begun.. Many fear that the expanding crack is a sign that Larsen C has begun a long decline that will inevitably end in its total collapse. But I pushed it. Dear Sir: As regards the first query, which relates to the “rights and duties of the slave,” chaussettes bon marché I do not know how extensive a view of this branch of the subject is contemplated. This being the institution, let any one conjecture what its abuses must be; for we are gravely told, by learned clergymen, that they do not feel called upon to interfere with the system, but only with its abuses. Throw in his long strides and it's a lethal combination.. The silver wheelset not only looks lighter, but it also stands out among the hordes of wheels that have copied Mavic's geci de fas dama scurteblack color scheme. Recently allowed the Strategic Engagement Group to provide on dangers of Islam for his employees and officers of the Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne police departments. Go over to ward three, I'll do your eyelids tomorrow at 10 o'clock'.. Cobb, of Jones County, that two negro-slaves belonging to him, named Ben (commonly known by the name of Ben Fox) and Rigdon, have absented themselves from their said master’s service, and are lurking about in the Counties of Lenoir and Jones, committing acts of felony; these are, in the name of the state, to command the said slaves forthwith to surrender themselves, and turn home to their said master. He then jumped New York City and in fairly short order in the past year landed a sequence of jobs something so many aspire to and so few achieve.. TIME is running out for people to give their views on the proposed changes to flighpaths over Suffolk. "I have had the shriekiest morning of my life," said Dunham, as she arrived on set to shoot the second season of "Girls."

scaun rulant inchiriere

''I literally feel like I got asked to the prom and engaged and told I was going to the moon all in one day. Agency sent representatives to Bay Terrace earlier this year for a contentious community forum and has since agreed to an aviation roundtable with residents and elected officials to silence the complaints.. Naked, bloody, limping, she was only a woman, not so very papuci de casa din pasla different from their wives, more like their mothers than their pretty bikes btt usadas little maiden daughters. We could have this whole Solar System on exploration lockdown in just a few decades.. A thin film of ice covered the surface of the pool beneath the weirwood. And they're all different," said Pope. When one man-at-arms grew careless in her presence she had snatched his dagger from its sheath and stabbed him in the neck. We see too many moms and dads put their own dreams on hold while growing more fearful about the kind of future they'll be able to leave to their children.. Gary Gray rollicking biopic showcases exactly why these men were so influential. Given the numbers of aircraft in service today and how critical safety is, MRO has now evolved to become a major market within aviation. If you don't do aerobics, aren't a runner or haven't played basketball since high school, chances are you are not familiar with the various athletic shoes sold today. So, the first and foremost thing to do is to take your pet dog to the vet. Next day she did the same, but grandfather didn’t come, and it rained those days, and mother caught a bad cold coming down to the gate with me, and had to go to bed again..

[levi501ackerman]

Steel Heart Chapter 19:

This Action Will Have Consequences

Hange x Reader Chapter Index Masterlist

Megan's Note: Thank you so much for your patience. I really care about this story and have worked so hard on it and we are practically half way : )

Word Count: 10.1k (wtf sorry. this word count surpasses my "That Day" Levi one shot lol) The next chapter is shorter than this I swear.

Mud squashed under Beauty’s hooves as Levi guided her outside. The sun warmed her skin, and beauty whinnied at Eren passing by with his horse. Levi brushed Beauty gently on her neck and patted her. 

Based on the dark clouds, Levi and the knights expected another storm to hit the area they planned to travel towards. During breakfast, Flegel offered Hange and Levi to stay another evening to avoid the storm, as the storm would likely hit his area around dinner time again. They weren’t sure what the better choice was. Levi and Hange wanted to reach the capital before the Marleyan Cult had another chance to strike. The option to stay another night or the choice to set off later in the day . . .

Levi noticed the window to your room was opened, and he could hear you speaking to what he figured was Rai. He could hear the excitement in your voice as you noticed the vegetables in Rai’s cage were gone. Levi heard how you hoped Rai was starting to get comfortable with you now that she was eating. He rolled his eyes, muttering to himself that he just knows he’ll be taking care of your bunny. Levi realized if he could hear you from the top floor of Flegel’s home when your window was opened, who else could . . . 

Levi and the other knights were grooming their horses near the building Flegel had them stay in. Eren was carving dirt from his horses' hooves, and Connie was feeding his horse in the building. Apart from the incoming dark clouds, the bright sky cast a warm glow over Flegel’s land—the calm before the storm. 

Levi heard you gasp and you called Rai’s name.

“Princess Y/N caught a rabbit?” Eren asked, scraping the dirt and then flinging it to the ground.

“You know she didn’t.” Levi gruffed and then he started brushing Beauty’s shoulders. 

“LEVIIIII!!!!!” Hange was walking from the front side of the house. They were waving at him with both hands and a grin on their face.

“That one did.”

“Commander Dame Hange, are we staying another night?” Eren called. 

“The best course of action is to stay out of the rain—more really, the carts to stay dry. The night it stormed in Karanese District, the carts got disgustingly drenched. The tarps could only do so much. I bet the carts staying in Flegel’s barn another night will be better in the long run.” Hange approached Beauty and petted her mane. Then Beauty licked her fingers. They recalled when you told them how you named Levi’s horse against his wishes. They crossed their arms and watched Levi put away the brush. 

“I’ll tell the others,” Levi said. 

“Great!”

“One more thing,” Levi crossed his arms and gave Hange a sharp glare. “Why did you help her catch a rabbit?!”

“Levi, I didn’t know I’d actually be able to catch one,” Hange whispered and shrugged with their palms toward the sky. “I thought it would be a nice distraction for her—“

“If that rabbit dies or runs away. You will be the one dealing with a moping and crying Princess.”

“Relax, Levi! Damn!” Hange laughed. 

“Hange!” You called behind the two and the knights all turned in the direction of your voice. You had your cloak on with the hood over your head and were jogging from the front of the house. Your boots left footprints in the mud, covering your soles with the slick dirt. As a child, you didn’t run much, maybe barely at all, until you escaped Shiganshina with Sir Miche Zacharius. That was a test of your athletic capability and perhaps the adrenaline from fear and the near possibility of death fueled your lungs. When you got in front of Hange, Levi, and Eren, your chest was puffing and your face was red. 

“Take it easy,” Levi said, and Hange touched your back encouragingly. You giggled to yourself, embarrassed of how easily your energy was drained. 

“I need your help,” you turned to Hange. 

“What’s wrong?!” Levi asked. You glanced at Levi and then to Hange. There was an awkward pause—an unsure silence—you didn’t want Levi to know why you needed help. You knew he would be smug about your need for assistance. 

“It’s . . . girl trouble, Levi . . . only Hange can help me . . .” You pulled Hange’s wrist and started walking toward the front of Flegel’s home. A drop of glistening sweat dripped down your temple and you wiped it off in a hastily manner. Hange’s amused chuckle filled your ears and caused a small smile to grow. 

“And you ran all the way out here for what, my dear?” Hange let you continue to pull their arm. 

“It’s Rai . . .” you said hushedly, knowing Levi might have been able to overhear. “I . . . I wanted to hold her and so I took her out of the cage . . . I’m sorry.”

“Oh! Don’t apologize, Princess. You heard what Flegel said: bunnies need lots of room to run around, remember? Plus, I was going to tell you after telling Levi, but we are staying here another night.” Hange poked your arm with the index finger from their free hand and you groaned at Hange’s jab. “So little Rai can run all around the room until we travel tomorrow.”

“You decided we are staying another night?”

“Correct.”

“Honestly . . .” you leaned in closer to Hange. Though no one was around, you whispered. “I’m glad. It was nice to sleep in a comfy bed.” 

“Then it’s officially the choice we’re going with!” Hange kicked at the dirt, sending a thick, damp chunk into the air.

As you followed Hange into Flegel’s home and up the stairs, the quiet memory of you gazing at Hange sleeping stayed in your mind. You thought of how perfect they were. The pattering of the rain hitting the window panes and the crack of thunder blared outside, yet Hange’s distinct even breaths were the concern. 

Last night, when Hange was asleep, they were on their side and curled toward you. The candlelight flickered in the bathroom and Rai was sleeping in her cage. Like always, Hange was only wearing underwear and the blanket was up to their neck. Hange’s eyepatch was on the nightstand and the way Hange was burying their face in their pillow hid their scars. As you admired their thick eyelashes and the wispy hairs that framed their face, you couldn’t help but wonder what the skin around their injured left eye looked like. It was something Hange was self-conscious of. You recalled the day you approached Hange when they were bathing in the river. The first thing they did when they noticed you was put their eyepatch back on. 

With their scarred face buried in the pillow and the right side of their face revealed from the candlelight, Hange breathed evenly. You scooted closer, laid your face on Hange’s pillow, and wrapped an arm around them. While they slept peacefully and vulnerably, you protected them. You can’t turn the clock backward and prevent Hange’s eye from getting stabbed and you can’t fight off people twice your size to protect Hange, but you could do this. You stroke the side of Hange’s head—gentle and lightly, like you were given a chance to pet a sleeping deer. Hange hummed.

Deep inside, a seed of determination grew. There was a moment when you felt your thoughts weren’t yours—a hidden instinct you possessed. If anyone were to hurt Hange, you wouldn’t know what to do, but you knew you couldn’t be useless. But did you seek to harm? Only the desire to defend, protect—to save. Levi’s words crossed your mind: there are no good or bad people—only people with beliefs and those against the beliefs. There are sides in this world. There’s the Royal family and there’s the Marleyan Cult. There’s also Hange Zoe and you and those who wanted to harm Hange Zoe and you. If or when you needed to hurt someone to save the precious person lying next to you, you’d go to the lengths of killing.

You recalled the thoughts you had last night. What has become of you? The thought of killing . . . a path you can not return. Once you murder, you take the soul of another. Why was there a drive to hurt someone that hypothetically would hurt Hange, and yet there was mere helplessness in saving yourself?

“Hange?” A man’s sluggish voice said behind you. Jean was holding himself up by the rail and he was rapidly blinking. It was noon, yet the skin under Jean’s eyes was dark. He looked heavy and exhausted. 

“Jean?!” Hange questioned and Jean shut his eyes, wincing from the noise. “Are you feeling alright?”

“I have a bad headache and need medicine,” Jean said. Then he sat down on the stairs. Hange and you met Jean at the bottom of the stairs. You sat next to him, and Jean put his elbow on his thigh and rested his face on his hands.

“I’ll get a pill,” Hange dashed up the rest of the stairs into your shared room.

“I’m sorry about your headache,” you whispered.

“Thank you, Princess Y/N. I’ll be alright once I take a pill. I get headaches, but this one is killing me.” Jean whimpered into his hands. You weren’t sure how to be helpful and you wanted to take Jean’s pain away. Gently, you rubbed circles into Jean’s back, giving the comfort you would have wanted. 

“Here, Jean,” Hange came down the stairs. Hey held out a small white pill and Jean reached for it. “Why don’t you go back to bed? If you haven’t heard, we are staying another night at Flegel’s Farm . . .”

“I need water to swallow pills,” Jean said quietly and he groaned, covering his eyes from the light. You rubbed more circles into Jean’s back. 

“Go lay down, Jean. Y/N, take him to his room and I’ll get some water.” Hange towards the kitchen and Jean inhaled deeply then, with what looked like all his energy, he grabbed the railing and pulled himself up. You followed him, worried that Jean might fall or throw up. Jean walked down the stairs slowly. His head hung low, focusing on where he placed his feet on each step. The bottom floor had lots of space with more rooms for the knights to share. It also appeared to be a little storage space for Flegel to put furniture he didn’t want on the main floor. Jean entered a room with a queen-sized bed and three other bedrolls on the floor. 

“Which one’s yours? " you whispered, and Jean set the little pill on the nightstand and then crawled into the queen-sized bed. He looked relaxed like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Eren was going to sleep in the bed, but he let me have it because I’ve been sick.”

“I’m sorry you’re not feeling well.” You sat on the bed beside him and grabbed his hand, giving it a light squeeze. 

“We’re almost to the castle, your Highness. I’ll feel better then.” 

“I’m worried about you,” you said under your breath, and Jean closed his eyes. The light peeked through the window, and you knew Jean had been sensitive to light. You approached the window and pulled the thin covers, making the room darker. 

“Thank you, Princess.” Jean turned over to sleep on his side and you sat on the bed next to him again. You wished there was something you could do to make Jean feel better, but he laid restlessly in the bed. You weren’t sure whether to speak or stay silent.

More than ten minutes passed, and Hange had not returned with the glass of water. Knights passed by the door, but none of them were Hange. Jean had a difficult time returning to sleep. He would switch positions and turn over every few minutes. Jean adjusted his head on his pillow as if trying to find a position that didn’t hurt his head more.

“I’ll go see how Hange is with the glass of water so you can take your pill. " You gingerly walked to the door, avoiding making any more noise. As you opened the door, you rolled your eyes at the door creaking. You walked toward the stairs, passing Thomas and Daz, who greeted you with a good afternoon. You smiled at them and then politely returned a hello. 

You could hear Hange laughing in the distance, and you furrowed your eyebrows. Why is Hange laughing so hard? Was someone making them laugh? Who? You peeked your head through the kitchen door frame and three knights and Flegel surrounded Hange. Their head was thrown back and they were laughing hard, holding their stomach. It was a pleasant view to see Hange look happy. 

“Hange . . . ?” The knights, Hange, and Flegel turned to the sound of your voice. You kept your eyes on Hange, who smiled at you. Then, you walked through the threshold of the kitchen.

“Oh, right! I got a little distracted,” Hange turned and reached for the glass of water on the counter behind them. “Here, take this to Jean. I’m going to help start the process of braising the beef for tonight’s dinner.”

“Okay . . . How long will it take? I was thinking maybe . . .” you glanced at the knights and Flegel. Their presence created a sense of shame in you. You didn’t want them to know you didn’t fully know how to take care of Rae. You only caught her yesterday and were still learning. Plus, you didn’t want them to tell Levi. Hange walked past the group, and they put their hands on your shoulders, turning you away from them. It was almost like they were creating a division of privacy between the group and you. 

“Yes?” Hange whispered and their warm eye eased your nervousness. With Hange, you felt like you could share anything with them. 

“Well . . . I wanted to play with Rai . . . together. I wanted you to help me catch her and . . . I don’t know . . . take care of her.”

“Once I’m done. I’ll join you upstairs and we can befriend Rai all day,” Hange’s comforting voice assured you and you glanced over your shoulder to the knights. They were talking amongst themselves, but you met with Flegel’s eyes. Your head darted forward, facing Hange’s once again. You weren’t sure if it was the right thing to do in front of the knights—the right choice, but friends hug. Hugs are innocent. Parents hug their children. You wrapped your arms around Hange’s waist and they tensed up. A jolt shot through your body and you held your breath. You weren’t crossing lines, right? Friends hug. A hug isn’t romantic? When they wrapped their arms around you, Hange erased the worried thoughts that were soaring in your mind. Hugging Hange in front of others doesn’t look romantic . . . ?

“Okay . . .” You pulled away from Hange and saw the fond smile on their face. Then you jabbed your index finger into their chest, causing Hange to grunt. “Don’t. Forget. Hange Zoe.”

“I won't,” Hange raised their arms, playfully surrendering to you and chuckling. “Please, no more punishments catching a rabbit was hard enough! I can’t imagine what other punishments the Princess will have for me.” 

“That’s right!” You nudged their abdomen with a fist and Hange exaggeratedly winced. “You don’t want to find out.”

“Are you sure you need to learn to fight? You already beat me up a lot.” Hange clutched their abdomen. Then Hange turned to address the knights and Flegel. “You see what the Princess does to me? I’m under her thumb.” The knights chuckled at your interaction with Hange. Then you turned to face them to

“Send Hange upstairs when they’re done helping, or you’ll get a little nudge from me,” you boldly sassed. The knights amusingly played along, agreeing to your demands. There was a satisfaction in making the knights laugh, especially in front of Hange. You ripped the glass from Hange’s grasp and walked past Hange with your head held high. 

“Cheeky, isn’t she?” You heard Hange chuckle with the knights and Flegel as you left the kitchen. 

As you walked down the stairs with the glass of water, another group of knights passed you, wishing you a pleasant afternoon. You greeted them back in a friendly manner, smiling at them and hoping they had a good day. When you were outside Jean’s room, the door was partly opened and you couldn’t do anything to avoid the creaking noises. The room was dark and creaked when you slowly pushed the door open. Jean hummed in his light sleeping and he rubbed his eyes. 

“Jean?” You whispered. “I have some water so you can take the pill . . .”

“Hange, I meant to ask—”

“It’s Y/N—”

“—why would Erwin leave the castle?” You blinked. 

“What . . . ?” Jean adjusted his sleeping position and his eyelids were shut. He sounded awake, but maybe Jean was talking in his sleep.

“I saw Erwin Smith last night, standing outside your door.” The air from your lungs disappeared, yet your heart was racing. You felt chills on your face and you weren’t sure if Jean was asleep. If he were dreaming, then it would just be a coincidence. If Jean was lucid, then would he be saying that the bloodied knight was Erwin Smith? And he was outside your room when you and Hange were sleeping?

He’s still out there.

Watching you.

He’s real. 

“Are you awake?” You hoped he wasn’t, but you were wrong when Jean’s eyes opened. 

“Oh, I thought you were Hange.”

“No . . . I have water for you.” You set the glass of water on the nightstand next to the pill. Jean sat up and then reached for the pill and glass of water. You sat on his pill and pondered whether to ask about what Jean saw. If he was just dreaming. Jean has been acting off lately . . . was it even worth entertaining the questions you had? “What do you mean you saw Erwin Smith? What does he look like?”

“I don’t remember why I was in the kitchen,” Jean placed the pill in his mouth and then chugged the glass of water. “But as I was returning to my room, I saw the back of a knight who looked like Erwin on the top landing of the stairs.”

“What does he look like?” You leaned closer to Jean. Erwin Smith was the Commander of the Royal King’s Guard and Hange told you that he was Levi’s secret lover, but you didn’t know what he looked like . . .

“Erwin is tall, has short blonde hair, has blue eyes, thick eyebrows, and a commanding presence.” The man Jean described was like the bloodied knight.

“Does he have one of the jeweled swords?”

“Actually, yes, Erwin’s sword has blue jewels.” You recalled the bloodied knight having a crested sword that a Knight of the Royal King’s Guard would have. Maybe Jean was right . . . what if the bloodied knight was Erwin Smith? But Levi quickly dismissed Jean’s idea when he proposed it the night you saw him in the forest. Another memory flashed in your mind. When you were eavesdropping on Levi and Hange in the conference tent, you remember Levi telling Hange that he got a message from Erwin that he was going to meet them in Trost District and Hange asked why Erwin would need to leave the castle. It was as if Erwin Smith leaving Mitras Castle was something that didn’t happen often or was out of character for him being the Commander of the Royal King’s Guard. Something’s not right . . .

But if the bloodied knight was Erwin Smith—someone all the knights knew—why wouldn’t he show himself to the camp? Perhaps he was watching you, the knights, and the camp from afar in case the Marleyan Cult attacked. Maybe he wasn’t allowed to leave the castle and hiding in the shadows was his way of protecting the camp.

“Do you think the man I saw in the forest was Erwin Smith?”

“Maybe,” Jean set the glass onto the nightstand, pulled the blanket up, and adjusted himself to lying on his side. He exhaled tiredly, but rather tired of his headache instead of lacking energy. Jean yawned, which caused you to yawn, and you decided to give Jean time alone. As you were almost to the door, you heard Jean’s quiet voice behind you: “I think it was him.”

You closed Jean’s door and made your way to the stairs. Why would Erwin not show himself to the knights and what was he doing standing outside your door as you slept? The thoughts swirled in your mind and a foreboding feeling crept in. The bloodied knight was Erwin Smith? There was an unsure feeling with your conclusion. Jean saw him and Jean knows what Erwin Smith looks like. 

I need to see his sword.

You climbed up the stairs and got a sick feeling when you got to the top landing. Thinking of how the bloodied knight was standing last night. You shivered at the thought of what he did when you were asleep. 

You thought of the bloodied knight opening the door and watching you and Hange vulnerably sleep. Then you imagined him silently coming to your side of the bed and hovering over you. A dark silhouette of a man inches away from your unconscious state, able to do anything to you. Your legs were shaking as you walked to the bedroom door thinking of the bloodied knight raising his sword to Hange’s neck and slicing their neck open. Then he slices your neck open.

Erwin Smith, Commander of the Royal King’s Guard, wouldn’t do that . . . if he’s on your side, he would protect you—The Royal Princess. Was he outside your door with the intention of guarding you? Protecting you? Perhaps Jean was dreaming . . . Jean has been off lately. He called his new horse Thunder . . . but he put down Thunder after the Marleyan mutts attacked on the way to Karanese District. He’s been having headaches and you recalled during dinner last night how Jean said the light was giving him a headache. Jean also thought you were Hange . . . He’s just tired . . .

You opened the door to your room carefully, not wanting Rai to escape and quickly shut it behind you. Rai was next to the nightstand on Hange’s side of the bed. She was wiggling her nose and she looked adorable. You thought maybe Rai was starting to get used to the room because she wasn’t always in the corners anymore but moving around the room, wanting to explore her surroundings. It made your heart swell with the idea that Rai was getting comfortable and maybe she’ll one day approach you, easily, like how she did with Levi. 

You checked the bathroom and saw the corner where she pooped last night had more poop droppings. Though Levi wasn’t in the room or watching, you thought that cleaning up the dried droppings would be a good way to be a responsible owner for Rai. When you were done picking up the poop pellets with toilet paper, you threw it in the garbage. If only Levi were watching you and seeing you be a responsible owner. 

That’ll show him!

You heard the clanking of steel swords outside your window. The sounds were softer and friendlier than the sound of swords in a fierce battle. Outside the window, Eren and Connie were sparring with a group of knights, including Levi, around watching. It looked like the horses were put away back in the barn and the knights were finding a way to entertain themselves. The distant clashing of the swords sounded more satisfying when there wasn’t the intention of defense, murder, or battle. You watched as Connie ended the sparring when he held his sword to Eren’s neck. The knights clapped and then Connie theatrically bowed.

Some knights were trying to get Levi to fight Connie next to show off his skills, but he was shaking his head, denying getting involved. Then Franz appeared out of the crowd and he and Connie started sparring. You crawled onto the bed, deciding to lie down and wait for Hange to be done preparing some of the braised beef. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the storm was approaching. 

You exhaled, feeling relaxed with the strain of light disappearing as you closed your eyes. There was light scratching against the wood floor and you realized it might be Rai. You crawled to the edge of the bed and hovered over Rai. There were small scratches on the wooden floor and you groaned that your new pet rabbit was damaging Flegel’s floors. 

“Rai . . .” you reached out toward the tan bunny and they hopped away from your hands. You swung your legs toward the edge of the bed and got up. All morning, you have been chasing after Rai. Earlier, you wanted to hold and pet her, but she escaped your grasp. Once again, it was a battle to catch Rai and each time she would sprint away from you. 

You cornered her by the door and cage, but she was too quick. You tried again when they were in the corner near your nightstand and by the window, but Rai hopped over your hands and ran under the bed and went into the bathroom on the other side. You sighed defeatedly. Hange’s words crossed your mind. The memory of the moment Hange caught Rai came into your mind, how they tried to guess where Rai would hop and put their hands there. You walked to the bathroom, and Rai was in the corner by the tub. She thumped her little rabbit feet and your heart swelled. She was absolutely adorable. You just wanted to protect her and snuggle with her. 

As Rai looked like she was about to hop, you moved your hands in the direction of her hop and you caught her small, wriggling body in your hands. You joyfully exclaimed. Without any assistance from Hange or Levi, you caught Rai. Her hind legs kicked and you ensured your grasp on her was secure, yet firm. You placed Rai against your chest, holding her like how you would have a baby. Then you walked over to the bed and using your knee, you got onto the bed while holding Rai. She was so precious and you pet her gently with two fingers.

While on the bed, you figured the bed was too high off the ground for Rai to jump off. You lay on the bed and released Rai next to you. She was frozen as if not sure if she was free again or if you would capture her. You stretched your legs and admired her soft features and whiskers. Rai hopped away from you toward the edge and it looked like she was contemplating whether to jump off. She was so precious and you wanted her to snuggle next to you and seek comfort from you.  She hopped back toward the center and you watched her sit still. You hoped she was learning to trust you or getting used to you being her new owner. 

Rai hopped closer to your ankle and she began sniffing the fabric of the tan slacks. You hoped this was Rai’s way of exploring you, maybe getting used to your scent. Rai’s little nose was tickling you as she sniffed. The clanking of swords and Rai’s little tickles relaxed you; your eyelids began to get heavy and you couldn’t help but doze off. 

Your eyes fluttered open at the feeling of movement from the bed. The room was darker than earlier, and you were fully jolted awake when the window was slammed shut. Hange’s back was to you, and you could see the sky was darker through the window. Light rain started falling, and Hange nervously turned to you, noticing they had woken you. 

“Sorry,” Hange whispered and walked to their side of the bed. The bed dipped from their weight, joining you and laying beside you. “I tried to be quiet, but the window fell.”

“How long was I asleep?” You groaned; you always hated sleeping through the day. You rubbed your eyes, picking the crust from the inner corners.

“Two hours-ish,” Hange bent their knees and opened the book they created with their late friend Moblit Berner. They flipped to a blank page that had light traces on it. You huffed, annoyed with yourself.

“Why didn’t you wake me? I hate sleeping through the day!”

“I would have, but you looked so peaceful. Plus, when I opened the door—you won't believe what I saw.”

“What?” You scooted closer to Hange, wanting to be close to them. 

“Rai . . .” Hange flashed you a small and their eyelashes fluttered. “She was sleeping next to you when I walked in.” You gasped and got up on one elbow. Rai wasn’t by your feet anymore. She wasn’t on the bed at all.

“Wait! Where is she?!”

“I took her off. I think she’s under the bed right now.” You sighed, knowing you missed the precious moments of Rai peacefully sleeping next to you. 

“Was she really sleeping next to me?” 

“It was adorable.”

“So you just laid next to me while I slept?! Wake me up next time! I don’t want to sleep through the day!” You whined and Hange chuckled. 

“I promise I’ll wake you up so you don’t sleep through the day from now on.” You kissed Hange’s cheek as a thank you and thunder boomed in the distance. Hange furrowed their eyebrows and their eyes darted around the ceiling. “It’s going to be a rough storm tonight.”

“Are you scared?” You gripped Hange’s arm, shaking it a bit, and wiggled your eyebrows at them. 

“Oh, I don’t know . . .” Their face turned into a feigned look of fear. “I do get a little scared of thunder . . . if only I had a Princess to cuddle and calm me down.” You giggled at their silliness and pulled them in closer. You rest your head on their bicep and a part of their chest. The book had a few traces of drawings and you realized it was of Rai, your rabbit. You gasped excitedly.

“Are you trying to draw our bunny in your book?” You lifted your head to see Hange’s dull brown eyes staring back at you. They blinked and then they sighed, frustratedly. 

“I’m trying. But I’m not the artist . . . Moblit was . . .” Hange shut the book and then placed it on their nightstand. Then they wrapped their arms around you and one hand was stroking your hair. You closed your eyes, feeling all the tension leave your body at Hange’s touch. Another thrilling sound of thunder rumbled not too far away. The rain was light, yet the storm was approaching.

“What was Moblit like?” You asked quietly, not knowing whether Hange wanted to talk about their late friend. Rai’s hops could be heard on the wooden floor and the sound of the rain filled the room. “You don’t have to talk about him though . . .” 

“It’s alright, dear. He was a great friend . . . Moblit was intelligent, caring, a wonderful artist, and a great listener . . .” You wanted to hear more about Moblit, but at the same time, you didn’t want Hange to feel pain or sorrow thinking of their friend. Then you boldly crawled on top of Hange, straddling them. Their doe eye looked up at yours, yet there was a smirk on their face. You leaned over and placed a soft kiss on their forehead. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t know . . .” Hange’s arms were lying on the bed near your legs and they laughed at your ridiculousness. “Trying to comfort you.”

“By seducing me?”

“Am I?” You planted another kiss on Hange’s forehead and rested your forehead against theirs. Two swans. Hange closed their eye and you leaned back and toyed with the cotton of their white shirt. You rolled the fabric between your fingers and thumb. “Do you think your friend would have liked me . . . ?” There was an honest truth behind your words. The yearn to be liked by those who associated with Hange. Hange copied you toying with the fabric of the tan slacks by your left calf. They hummed thoughtfully.

“Honestly . . . I think he would have more than liked you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Moblit and I have coincidently developed feelings for the same girl one or a few times. It got quite annoying over the years.” Hange chuckled bitterly to themself. “I think Moblit would have developed a huge crush on you, just like most of the knights here, probably.”

“What?” You blinked. You didn’t know which thought to explore. Hange saying you were their type or the history between them and Moblit having feelings for the same girls multiple times. Did some of the knights have a crush on you? That couldn’t be . . . none of them have done anything romantic . . . they’re all just incredibly nice and helpful. But that’s only because you were a Princess. You scoffed, “You’re making that up to flatter me, Hange Zoe.”

“Oh! Come on! You’re a sweet, kind, compassionate girl who is beautiful inside and out and needs protection. You bring out their primal instinct to protect you. There’s gotta be a few that have developed crushes on you.” You gently took Hange’s hand away from your leg and held it against your heart. Hange’s doe eye twinkled and you felt your heart swell with your thoughts.

“I’m loyal to you, Hange Zoe. I’m grateful for the protection that the knights give me, but I don’t care if any of them have a crush on me because I am yours.” Hange pushed themselves up and sat up. You adjusted yourself so they could be comfortably sitting up. They fondly glanced at you, and you knew their heart was beating as hard as yours. When their eye met with yours, your breath hitched at the unforeseen thoughts. 

The image of Hange chopping potatoes the same way Fairy Godmother Ymir did while you were cleaning dishes. Hange and you bantering and making each other giggle while cooking dinner. Then another thought of Hange watering the beautiful flora in front of a cottage and you were planting vegetables in another part of the garden. A thought of you bringing a cold glass of water and a sandwich into a room that was filled with different bottled formulas and Hange is creating a medicine that would save humanity from a disease. The last image was waking up on a beautiful morning and Rai was snuggled between you and Hange. There’s no castle and no cult, only a safe and quaint life. 

When you know, you know.

“I’m devoted to you too, Y/N,” Hange’s whispered voice pulled you out of your thoughts. Your breath softly hitched and Hange brought your hand to their lips. “Our bond truly is the most important thing to me. I will protect you, help you, and stay with you through any hardship.” Hange’s words brought a sense of clarity and touched a depth of you you hadn’t felt before, and your eyes began to tear up in gratitude, and you felt a strong fondness for Hange. This is a person you could count on. A person who will protect and stay with you. A person you wanted to protect. A person who distracts and shields the evil of the world from you, shining a bright hope. The light in the dark. The halo from the heavens. 

“Do . . . Do you think our souls fit toget-together?” You thought of Levi’s words. 

“Darling, you are my other half . . . you turn wilting flowers into blossoming, colorful bouquets. Everything bitter tastes a little sweeter because you turn the dull into the exquisite. Just like you said by the river . . . I give you my life, Y/N.”

“I give you mine . . .” Hange placed their hands on your face and their delicate lashes fluttered as they scanned your face, lips, and body. There was a heartfelt gratification of Hange feeling the same deep romantic feelings for you as you did for them. It was something you haven’t experienced before and knowing that Hange was your person—your other half was securing. Comforting. You didn’t need anything more. You knew they would keep you safe, care for you and make you laugh harder than anyone. When you know, you know. 

Hange leaned in and you met them with your lips on theirs. Your heart raced and their soft lips guided yours. You placed your hand on their waist and the other one cupped their face. Their thin frame in your grasp, made you think of their nude body by the river. You wanted to feel their skin and feel more than their waist. Feel their breasts, their thighs. You wanted them to touch your breasts and thighs. A new desire filled you and you led a rougher kiss, putting more pressure against Hange’s lips. You inhaled and heard Hange whimper. Their sounds sent an ache between your legs and you noticed the pleasant feeling of their body between your legs.

Hange adjusted their hips to get a better balance of you sitting on top of them and a part of their leg brushed against the ache between your legs. Your breath hitched as you broke away from Hange’s lips and you gripped the fabric around their waist. You wanted to see what that tingling feeling was and you subtly moved your hips forward, adding friction. You whimpered in Hange’s ear, feeling pleasure as you swayed your hips and grinded on their lap.

“Does that feel good, Princess?” Hange breathed and their words had you panting by their ear—enjoying this intimate new discovery. You let out a soft moan and then you felt Hange’s hand pushing against your chest. You stopped the motion of your hips and you and Hange were both panting. Their face was flushed and their doe eye was gleaming. You placed your forehead against theirs. Two swans. “We should . . .” Hange inhaled sharply. “We should stop . . .”

“Okay . . .” The disappointment in your voice was evident and the ache was yearning for more friction—more pleasure. 

“It’s just . . . it’s obvious you’re a little . . . innocent to . . . sharing your body with another. I want you to be comfortable and not feel taken advantage of. I know you want to explore and I do too, but trust me. Let me guide you gently, safely, and in a way you’ll be comfortable . . .” Hange whispered and you caught your breath. 

“Okay,” a smile tugged on your lips and their doe eye were the prettiest you’ve ever seen. “I trust you, Hange Zoe.” You poked their nose and Hange scrunched it playfully. You stroke their hair gently and batted your eyes.

“Can I tell you a beautiful fact about swans?”

“Yes.” 

“Did you know swans mate for life?”

As evening time drew closer, the thunder did too. Cracks of lightning illuminated white light into Flegel’s home through the windows. The lightning would be followed by a blasting sound of thunder that shook the oil paintings on the wall. It was a couple hours from dusk, yet the sky’s angry clouds towering over the farm gave the illusion of twilight. Flegel was preparing everyone by ensuring each room had multiple candles to burn. He made sure everyone had water and then went outside in the piercing rain to ensure all the horses and the buildings were locked up. 

Your concern was Rai and worried that the thunder would spook her. Hange took one of the used towels and wrapped Rai securely, keeping her cozy, yet she couldn’t escape your grasp. It was a surprise yet pleasant feeling when Rai wasn’t struggling against you holding her as if she was seeking comfort from you because of the thunder. You cooed and petted her often, wanting her to learn that you would protect her. The milestone of Rai starting to feel comfortable around you made you proud and excited about your bonding. Since Rai wasn’t as frightful or skittish when Hange caught her, you wanted to introduce your pet to all the knights. 

When you went downstairs with Hange, you proudly introduced your pet punny, Rai, to the knights. You offered each knight to pet her with two fingers. Each knight had a fond look on their face for Rai. Abel and Keiji cooed and gushed over your bunny. The knights were taken by Rai’s cuteness and preciousness. Franz commented how Rai was lucky to have you, which made you blush. Rai would sometimes shift in the towel, but overall, she was willing to be petted by the knights. Daz and Thomas joked about how adorable it would be if you got tiny clothes for Rai to wear. You gasped excitedly at the brilliant idea and wanted to know if rabbit clothes existed. When you got to the kitchen, the room Levi was in, he was shaking his head at Hange, finding your antics ridiculous.

“Levi? Do you want to pet Rai?” Rai sensed Levi’s presence and poked her head out of the towel further as if wanting to be closer to Levi. Levi had his arms crossed, he wasn’t angry, but you couldn’t tell if he was amused. “Look, Levi . . . she’s saying ‘hi’ to you.” 

“No, she’s not.”

“Rai’s saying ‘thank you for letting me live with my mommies, mister’.” You said in a softer and higher-pitched voice with an attempt to sound cute. 

“No, she’s not.” 

“What’s that, Rai?” The Hange furrowed their eyebrows playfully. Then Hange put their ear closer to Rai. “Oh really? Rai’s confused she just wanted me to ask you, ‘are you my daddy’?”

“Quit it!” Levi gruffed, which sent you and Hange into a fit of giggles. 

“Come on, Levi. Last chance to pet Rai . . . I mean, look at her; she's so cute!” Then you turned to a nearby group of knights. “Right guys, don’t you think Rai’s cute?!” The knights unanimously agreed, gushing over how small and adorable your pet rabbit was. Levi uncrossed his arms and hovered two fingers over the spot between Rai’s ears. Rai tilted their nose to Levi’s fingers and then she purred as Levi petted her. You gasped, hearing Rai grind their teeth and emitting a purring noise to Levi’s touches. You held back a smile at the thought that Levi wanted nothing to do with her, yet he was her favorite. 

“Well, look at that. She really does like you!” Hange exclaimed. 

“Yeah, yeah, dinner’s about ready, so go put that thing upstairs.”

“Her name is Rai!” you said firmly to Levi, then turned to Hange with a smile, and they poked your nose. 

“I’ll get you a plate while you take our little Rai upstairs.” You nodded and walked out of the room. Then you blushed and turned around to the knights.

“Say bye to Rai!” You playfully said with a large smile on your face. The knights playfully greeted Rai a farewell and then you turned to Hange to see they were grinning at you.

As you left the threshold of the kitchen doorway. You walked toward the stairs and then Jean was standing there shaking. His eyes were wide, alert yet it appeared he wasn’t focused on anything. Jean was sweating and had his hands over his ears. Your heart stopped and Jean paced in the foyer. As you got closer, you heard Jean mumbling to himself. Then Jean stopped pacing and crouched down, his hands still covering his ears, and his eyes were squeezed shut. You carefully took a few steps toward him, holding Rai against your chest. You and Rai were seeking comfort from each other. Something was off about Jean.

“Jean,” you crouched down and gently spoke. “Are you okay?” Jean shot up from his crouched position. You slowly raised yourself from the ground. His eyebrows shot up and his eyes were wide. The whites of his eyes were pink and your breath caught your throat. 

“Hange!” Jean said in a hushed whisper and grabbed your shoulders. He put his face inches away from yours, and your shoulders tensed. Jean’s hot breath was on your face, and the right pupil of his hazel eyes was over-dilated. 

“I’m not Hange. I’m Y/N.” You whimpered at the contact. Your heart was beating fast and Jean’s behavior was not normal.

“Hange. I need your sword.”

“I’m not—”

“Give me your sword.”

“You’re scaring me. Please let go of me.” Jean's grip on you loosened, and his face had a mere expression of remorse amongst the alarming demeanor. “Jean, you know I don’t have a sword.”

“Hange, I saw Erwin Smith again!” Jean whispered, and you stepped back, getting further from his dazed, pink eyes. Jean then motioned out the front door and your heart rate spiked. Did Jean see the bloodied knight, who he thought was Erwin Smith, the Commander of the Royal King’s Guard? “I don’t have my sword and I need yours!”

“Jean, it’s Y/N. You know I don’t have a sword. I only have the dagger Hange gave me—”

“Give me your dagger!” Jean whispered harshly in your face. Your breath hitched and you shook your head.

“It was a gift from Hange . . . I can’t.”

“You must! I don’t have my sword and need something to fight the knight!”

“Jean . . . please calm down. You’re scaring me. I thought you knew Erwin Smith. Why would you want to fight him?!” 

“To protect us!” Some of Jean’s spit landed on your cheek, and you felt unsure whether to trust Jean. There was a layer of irritation and impatience in his whispered voice. “Give me your dagger. I will find a way to return it to you.” 

Jean stretched his hand out, waiting for you to hand over your dagger. Jean was one of the knights you first met, along with Captain Levi and Connie. He was tough and someone who protected you during the night in the Karanese District. You recalled fond memories of eating delicious food with him, Connie, and Captain Levi at the Karanese Headquarters. Then his defeated face flashed in your mind when he realized he had to put down his horse, Thunder, after the Marleyan mutts bit two of his legs off and injured his horse’s shoulder. The crazed Jean before you was unlike the charming one you first met, but he was still a Knight of the Royal King’s Guard. 

Something inside told you not to hand over the dagger Hange gave you. But Jean was going to be right back, right? He’s a great fighter, but he couldn’t go out in the rain alone. 

“Can’t you go get your sword downstairs . . . ?” You whimpered.

“Because Erwin’s getting away! Give me your dagger!” You didn’t want to give Jean your dagger, yet you didn’t want Jean to go chase after the bloodied knight with no weapon. But Jean said the knight was Erwin Smith. An ally. Someone he knew. He didn’t need a weapon to confront someone he knew . . . Jean started shaking his head frustratedly and went toward the door. He opened it and the sound of the rain filled your ears. The rain was thick and pounded the ground. From how he acted, you could tell Jean wasn’t joking; he saw the knight and believed it was worth going out in the rain to chase after him. He couldn’t die. No more people can die. 

“Wait!” Jean spun on his heel. Then, you lifted your knee high enough to reach into your boot. You felt the steel dagger, pulled it out, and held it out for Jean. This was the choice you made. Give Jean the dagger so he would have a weapon to defend himself. “Here . . .”

“Thank you, Hange! I’ll make sure you get this back. One way or another.” Jean collected the dagger from your grasp. As he took the dagger from you, you felt a tinge of regret. An empty feeling in your chest. A foreboding feeling. 

This action will have consequences. 

“Are you going alone?!” 

“There’s no time! He’s right over there!” Jean ran out the door and you gasped. He was running toward the evergreen treeline. Your heart raced and watched Jean run into the rain and a crash of lightning lit up the farm with a cold flash. Followed by a quake of thunder. Jean was alone. 

You groaned and ran up the stairs into your room, unwrapping the towel to free Rai. She carefully hopped out and sniffed the bedroom's wood flooring. Her soft fur was adorable.

“I’ll be right back, Rai. You stay here.” You whispered fondly along with a sense of determination. You gently shut the door and then ran down the wooden stairs. As you placed your hand on the doorknob, a sudden clarity of thought ran through your mind. Should this be something you tell Hange and Levi about? Another flash of lightning cracked, and along the tree line, a beaming light reflected off of steel armor. Jeans right over there. You didn’t need help. You could do this. Bring him inside. He’s right there.

You decided to go through the front door's threshold and close it behind you.

This action will have consequences. 

You ran in the mud, nearly slipping a few times toward the area where you saw the reflecting light. The rain was landing on your face, pinching your cheeks and forehead. It drenched your hair, and a wave of coldness took over once the drenched fabric stuck to your skin. You berated yourself for not bringing your cloak with you. You carefully ran through the patch of crops toward the orchard. You rolled your eyes at the situation you put yourself in. Why was Jean running so far into the orchard? 

You watched the muddy ground, making sure you weren’t stepping on any of Flegel’s crops. Lightning struck the ground, and the thunder made your heart flip. The light reflected off of armor that was now past the tree line. Your chest was heaving and you were puffing out air. There was a pinching feeling in your lungs as you reached the Pimenta Dioica treeline. You hunched over, placing your hands on your knees, trying to catch your breath. The trees provided some coverage from the rain, but drops of harsh rain still landed on you. Going out into the storm wasn’t a good idea. It wasn’t a good choice.

There wasn’t any sign of Jean and you couldn’t see any armor in sight. It was darker and though you didn’t like the thunder, you wanted another lightning bolt to light up the area.

“Jean?!” You walked further into the trees. “Where are you?!” You weren’t sure if you’d be able to hear his reply with the cacophony of rain and the rumbling of thunder. You figured after a few more minutes of searching for Jean, returning inside and telling Hange that Jean ran off into the rain and you couldn’t find him was the best choice. 

“Princess Y/N . . . ” A deep, pleasant voice said behind you. It didn’t sound like Jean’s and you whipped your head toward the voice. You gasped and a bolt of lightning lit up the man’s face. His tall figure and blonde hair were the first thing you noticed. His sharp blue eyes were focused on you and he didn’t flinch at the booming sound of thunder. Erwin Smith was how Jean described and you eyed his crested sword. His armor looked like how it did the night you saw him in the forest. Blood was on his gorget and it was smearing off in the rain. 

Hange opened the door to their room and saw Rai in the corner by their nightstand. They furrowed their eyebrows at the emptiness of the room. You should have been in the room. It was around twenty minutes since you said you would take Rai back upstairs. 

“Y/N?” Hange walked to the bathroom and the tub, toilet, and sink were alone. No Princess. Where were you if you weren’t in the bedroom or bathroom? Hange heard a door slam downstairs. Their heart raced. Did you go outside in the storm? Hange dashed out the door, shutting it behind them. They went for the stairs and as they raced down the stairs, Connie, Abel, and a few other knights surrounded Jean, who was drenched, dazed, and muttering. Jean was sitting slacked against the door and blinking rapidly, trying to sputter out words. “Jean?! Why did you go outside?” 

“Commander, somethings wrong with Jean!” Connie yelled. Hange approached him and kneeled next to him. Jean was shivering and his chest was heaving. He was muttering incoherently and Hange was focusing on his lips, trying to possibly read what he was trying to say. Hange noticed Jean’s dilated pupil and they froze. 

“Get him into the living room. Seat him on the couch and get a towel and some water.” Hange stood up and knights were peering from the living room doorway and some were standing in the hall trying to understand the commotion of what was going on. Jean groaned as Connie and Abel pulled him up. They walked him into the living room and the knights made way for Jean to get through and sit on the couch. “Give him some space. Somethings wrong with him.” 

“Commander,” a knight behind Hange was holding a few towels and Hange nodded, taking the towels. Hange walked over to Jean, threw a towel around Jean’s shoulders, and then laid another towel on his lap and legs. Levi came through the sea of steel with a cup of water. Jean reached for the cup of water and chugged half. 

“Are you going to tell us what you were doing outside?” Levi asked, and Jean gasped for air, taking the cup away from his lips. Water dripped from his mouth and ran down his chin. Jean was inhaling and having trouble catching his breath. His face was flushed, and his eyes were disoriented.

“Levi, we have a problem.” Hange started. Their voice was low and calm, not wanting to panic the knights. “Y/N wasn’t upstairs and I’m not sure where—”

“SHE’S . . .” Jean huffed out and then coughed. The room was silent, hanging on Jean’s words. He knew where you were? Jean’s chest was heaving and then he choked out, “Erwin abducted her.”

“Enough!” Levi said he stood up and Hange followed. They didn’t know what Jean was trying to say—what he meant. Jean’s accusation of Erwin Smith, Commander of the Royal King’s Guard, abducting the Princess was absurd, but there was something to Jean’s word. Hange recalled when Jean suggested Erwin Smith was the knight you saw in the forest. It couldn’t have been because Hange knew Erwin wouldn’t leave the castle without extreme circumstances. Hange leaned closer to Jean’s face, wanting to take another look at his eyes. Jean’s right eye was over dilated compared to his left and Hange had a hunch. 

“Levi, look at his eyes.” Hange motioned to his right eye. Levi and the closest knights to Jean leaned in closer, noticing his dilated eye. “When I tested Jean the morning after the night in Karanese Headquarters, his eyes were shuttering as they followed my finger. A sign of a concussion. Perhaps his mild concussion was more than that, as he is showing symptoms of a severe concussion. Last night, he said the light was giving him a headache, which is why he skipped dinner. Now, his pupils are dilated and are different sizes. Has anyone noticed odd behaviors Jean displayed?” 

“Well . . .” Connie started, his eyes furrowed, and he looked at the floor. “When we were taking the horses to the extra building, Jean was petting his horse and calling him Thunder. The horse he put down. I made a joke to him, telling him he’s crazy . . . I didn’t think it was a sign that his concussion was getting worse.” Hange placed a comforting hand on Connie’s shoulders.

“Don’t feel bad, Connie. Most people miss signs and symptoms of concussions unless they are extreme cases. Earlier today, Jean mentioned he had a terrible headache and it slipped my mind that he had a concussion. Uneven dilated pupils, mixing up names, bad headaches, and cognitive difficulties are signs of a moderate concussion.” Hange hummed and stared at Jean’s dazed presence. He was staring off as if he wasn’t listening to any of the conversation around him. Hange put an arm around their chest, rested the other arm’s elbow on it, and put their hand near the corner of their mouth. Then they turned to Levi, who had their arms crossed. “Say Princess Y/N was abducted and Jean did see it happen . . . due to Jean’s concussed state, he saw a person who looked like Commander Erwin. Y/N described the man she saw in the forest as tall, blonde, and had a suit of armor covered in blood and he had a crested sword like the Knights of the Royal King’s Guard would have. That’s a general description for Erwin and Y/N hasn’t met Commander Erwin, so if someone convinced her the bloodied knight was him, she might have believed the knight was Erwin.” Hange sighed and rubbed their eye. Jean’s implications could have had the Princess abducted.

“Erwin was outside your door last night.” Jean slurred and the knights gasped and murmured. Hange’s heart dropped. If what Jean was saying was true, then the strange knight would have been a few feet away from Hange and you. He could’ve taken you then or harmed Hange. 

“And why did you keep this information to yourself?” Levi clipped.

“I told Hange.” Levi’s face and a few of the knights whipped their heads to Hange. 

“Jean, you didn’t. You didn’t tell me this.” Hange firmly said and was shaking their head. 

“I guess I told the Princess then.” Hange and Levi furrowed their eyebrows. They looked at each other knowingly. Why would Y/N keep this to herself? Was she frightened, or did she simply forget? Hange remembered Y/N taking a nap most of the day. They hypothesized that the nap cleared her mind of the troubles and that she was focused on spending time with Hange when she woke up. Hange sighed stressfully.

“When did you tell her?” 

“I told Hange when they brought me water.” Hange rolled their head toward Levi and once again looked into his steel eyes. Levi and Hange nonverbally concluded that Jean’s cognitive impairment was causing him to not remember events clearly. He was mixing up you and Hange. 

Pounding came from the front door and everyone turned toward the door. Was that Princess Y/N returning from outside? Perhaps Jean’s memory of where you went was incorrect. What really happened with Y/N’s whereabouts? If you were abducted but not by Erwin Smith, then who? Thomas nervously walked to the door. The person on the other side was pounding their fist rapidly, desperately. 

Thomas slowly opened the door and Hange saw the person fall through the doorway, drenched and huffing. The man was catching their breath. His blonde hair was drenched, and he was wearing an armored suit. 

“I AM A TRAITOR OF THE MARLEYAN CULT AND I HAVE A MESSAGE FOR CAPTAIN LEVI!” The blonde man’s chest was heaving and Hange was stunned. The man addressed himself as a traitor to the Marleyan Cult. Was this man’s message worth listening to? How did he find the knights? Were there other cultists?

“Seize him!” Levi yelled, and Thomas and a few knights close to him grabbed his arms. A few drew their swords, ready for the blonde man to defy or fight. Thomas and the knights grabbed the grunting man who was thrashing, wanting to be released. 

“Captain Levi! I have a message!”

“Levi . . .” Hange turned to Connie’s voice. “It’s that chef from the Karanese Headquarters! The one who gave us lunch during the meeting! I think his name was David?!”

“Niccolo!” The man yelled.

“Yeah, Niccolo!” Connie yelled. Levi skeptically eyed the blonde knight and recalled Niccolo’s desperate plea to be one of the knights that the late Commander Lobov assigned to join the knights. Levi remembered Niccolo’s strong salute and his shaking leg. 

“Put him in a chair,” Levi said and Hange followed Levi into the connecting room, where the knights forced him into one of the chairs. Four swords were pointed at Niccolo and Levi’s pointed expression stared at Niccolo. Hange and Levi had their arms crossed. 

“Levi! Remember me? I served mushroom risotto to you and the Princess—”

“Keep your mouth shut! You’re in no position to be speaking. You’ll only be answering questions.” Levi’s stern voice said, and Niccolo caught his breath. He glanced at Hange and then darted his eyes back to Levi. “What’s this message you have?”

next chapter, Chapter 20: Orange

chapter index masterlist

[ravenforce]

Cheating Death IV

Warning/s: Mentions of Violence. Angst (as promised). 

A/N: Here ya go people. Your daily dose of pain. Enjoy!

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6

You were planning to check out a lowkey hole-in-a-wall pub tonight with Cass and Megan so you three can properly catch up without having to shout at each other over the loud music if you went to your usual club. But the universe has a wicked sense of you humour, and it turns out the club is exactly what you needed. Thankfully, your friends are intuitive enough to drive the batmobile directly to the outskirts of town.

“Get lost kids, this is a private club.” You heard the bouncer upfront said sternly to Cass and Megan. He’s at least two feet taller than you are, bulky as they should be. You strode over but a boy in line caught your arm.

“Where do you think you’re going? We’ve been for an hour and you think you can just walk up there and bypass the rest of us?”

Cass and Megan shivered at the dead look on your face. It feels like another lifetime when they last saw you sporting that look in your eyes. “This is trouble,” Megan whispered and tried to get to you but Cass stopped her.

“Let her be.”

The boy continued to shout at you along with other people on the line. “Unhand me,” you warned.

He didn’t. Instead, he continued to mock you. You sighed, the universe was definitely trying to get a rise out of you, and you’re not in the mood to be the bigger person. So, you put your hand over the boy’s hand and twisted it. Not a warning twist, no. You broke it off the socket, he yelled and cried like a baby.

Bouncers and security personnel came over to you and tried to rip you away from the boy but you were holding him tight. In every jerk, he cried out and beg for your mercy. The ruckus caught the attention of the club manager, so he went to see what’s the fuss.

“Holy shit! Stop! Take your filthy hands off her!” He yelled.

“I was starting to wonder, what a girl gotta do to get into her own club.”

Technically it’s your sisters but semantics. “Y/N,” the manager greeted. You look at the poor man-boy on his knees, with tears streaming down his cheeks before you threw him backwards and on his ass.

“Take the trash out and I want everyone out of the club.”

“Pardon?” The manager choked out.

You didn’t spare him another glance. You just continued walking towards the entrance.

“Did I stutter?”

The manager couldn’t do anything but ask each of his staff to herd everyone out. 

***

“Get my seat out, now.” You commanded one of the staff. Everyone knows which one it is. There’s only one seat in the house the Al Ghul’s sat on. You, Cass and Megan, walked towards the bar and ordered a bottle of your favourite drinks each. The best vodka for you, and a bottle of Jack for Megan and Cass.

“Ma’am, your seats are ready.” On the way to the stage, you realized that not everyone has left as you wanted.

“Oh, oh,” Megan tutted behind you. You can feel your anger rising as you watch a table full of leather-clad men ignore you. Flashes of Natasha’s image with the blonde woman keeps surfacing in your head and it’s fueling your anger to rise faster into the surface.

“Boys,” you said when you stood in front of their table. You tried your best not to crinkle your nose in disgust as caught a whiff of the smell of leather, sweat, smoke, and hair gel. They only spared you a glance.

“Perhaps you didn’t hear but I have asked everyone to leave.” You’re trying, for your sister's sake, to be diplomatic. The gang looked up at you and laugh. The one on the middle stared at you in contempt.

“We heard, we just didn’t care.”

You smirked at him. “Well then, you leave me no choice but to drag you out of here myself.”

They laughed so hard, they had tears in their eyes. You, on the other hand, didn’t even flinch. So many have laughed at your face in the past, thinking you were a dog full of bark but has no bite. You’re used to it by now, people, men specifically, belittling you because you’re a woman.

“Bite me,” the gang leader said. He nodded and two of his boys immediately stood and started attacking you.

You started by dodging them first. Especially since you’re wearing a 5 inches heeled boots. When they started closing in the second time, you didn’t hesitate to neutralize them with a hard punch on their solar plexus. Bringing them to their knees and gasping for air. You twisted their necks, efficiently knocking them dead.

You looked back at the gang leader as he stares open-mouthed at his dead comrades.

“Is that all you’ve got?”

He growled before sending all his men, approximately fifteen of them, to attack you all at once. You can faintly hear the sounds of siren closing in on the club but you didn’t care. It's not like these mortals can catch you anyway.

“Shouldn’t we be helping her?” Megan asked worriedly as she sips her jack coke from her seat on the stage.

Cass just shrugged and sat comfortably beside your throne on the stage.

***

One man put his weapon out and aimed it at you. You smiled insidiously at him. You hate people who bring weapons on a gunfight.

“Make it a kill shot or I will tear you apart using my bare hands.”

“I’m bored of watching you play with your food,” Cass yelled. “Finish it.”

You smiled before they started firing at you but you dodged all of them. You glided along the darkroom, taking down everyone on your path. You can smell their fear mixed with the smell of gun powder and blood. Oh, how you missed it. Truly, you love being free from the burdens of being your father’s prodigy but being Osiris is truly freeing.

***

Nat and Carol were pulled from the relaxing evening when Maria called to say that the Vipers, one of the biggest gang in town, is holding hostages at a local night club called the Underworld. They arrived at the scene just as Bucky and Sam did. 

“We told Maria we can handle this,” Sam complained. Nat just rolled her pretty green eyes at him.

“No offence but the last time you handled the Vipers, you two almost got killed and that says something since one of you is immortal and the other wielding Captain America’s shield,” Nat retorted. Bucky just chuckled, while Sam huffed. 

Carol was busy getting details from the police commander on-site. Before she can come to her team though, the sound of gunfire sounded from inside the building. It was the only cue the Avengers needed to breach the area. 

***

It stopped the moment they barged in through the door. The club was dark, and it reeks of the smell of gun powder and blood. You turned at the sound of footsteps. The Avengers can see a lone figure standing in what seems to a pile of dead bodies but that’s it, they couldn’t see your face.

“Hey, you! Hands in the air.” A man with one silver arm yelled.

“Ah! Avengers welcome to the Underworld,” you said cheerfully. Their weapons aimed at you had you chuckling to yourself.

“He said hands in the air.” Now it’s the blonde who spoke. The world tilted and stopped. She can’t see it because the lights in the club were busted by the bullets the ricocheted around but you were glaring at her. She’s the same blonde woman who has her arms around Natasha Romanoff earlier.

“Why would I do that?” Seeing her there was the last straw before the door to the tomb you buried your alter ego finally opened.

Cass and Megan stood on their chair by the stage as they felt the ground shake, and a green aura simmered out of your skin. “Oh shit.”

“Just put your hands in the air and get on your knees.”

“For the redhead, I will but for you, never.” The sound of teasing and mocking evident in your town. Carol is slowly losing her temper, and you can smell it.

“Don’t make me ask again, lady,” Carol said through gritted teeth.

“Or what? You’ll blast me?” You laughed. “I’d like to see you try, Captain Marvel.” 

That was it, Carol’s fist glowed and she tried to shoot at you. It blasted through the wall.

“Tsk, tsk, my sisters will have you pay for that wall.” You whispered right beside her ear. She whipped around confused. Everyone was always confused at first. No one knows how you move around so fast, forgetting that you were born of darkness. So darkness and shadows will always be your friends.

“Show yourself, coward.”

“Where’s the fun in that, Captain?”

Out of spite, you super speed towards Bucky and ripped his metal arm off. He cursed out loud. Carol and Nat towards the sound. While distracted you zoomed at Sam and bashed his head on his hand-me-down shield. He groaned in pain before crumpling down the ground. Nat scrambled to help Sam.

You walked silently towards her, leaving only a foot space between you two. You desperately wished you could touch her but she’s not yours to hold. Then Carol came over to help, and you watch like a stupid martyr as they look at each other lovingly.

Carol Danvers. Strong, brave, and good af.

You shook your head. You were delusional to think you ever had a chance with Natasha Romanoff before. How much more now that you’ve embraced your true nature.

You walked away. Cass and Megan waiting on the fire exit for you.

[guigz1-coldwar]

'Next move' : New chapter for "Redemption in a Spirit in a Cold War" is out !

'Next move'

"I can say that....you're an very lucky girl, Yirina Grigoriev !"

Chapter Summary : After the unexpected rescue mission of the recon team, Yirina and the team could finally have some rest before starting to planify the next moves against Naga.....

To read it on AO3, click here !

Words : +3200

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

In all the odds of the world, no one was going to tell me that the first day I will spent in Laos was going to be me and the others having to rescue an recon team constitued of Song, Mason, Sims & an woman called Rivas in emergency and literally no one thought that I will have to be the co-pilot of an Huey and then, its pilot on the way back. I don't know how I was able to know in an few seconds how to fly an helicopter in my life, maybe my fake memories did help me....or I've got an uncovered real memory about it, I can't tell.

I can say that my skills on piloting an helicopter did surprise Woods & also Park as I talked about her of my flashs of my 'old times in Vietnam' and to be honest, I think that she wasn't believing at first that I was really going to take the commands of an american helicopter, trying to evade an Perseus-affiliated Hind above the Laotian jungle. Thanksfully, Wolf managed to destroy the Hind with his so-called 'Death Machine', an minigun and thanks to that move, we were finally in safety and good to go to return to base.

On the way back, I wasn't speaking so much in the entire group that was chatting about what they did while Woods were giving indications of where to go and to check the controls for me like I did on the first flight. Park was also silent in the group, also in her thoughts and then after minutes of flying, we finally arrived back at base where I could land the Huey without too much damaging it, thinking that I would mess that up but none of it happened when the helicopter skids got on the ground.

"Well done, Yirina." Woods congratulated me once the helicopter's engine was shut down, stopping the loud noises we've been hearing since we got away from here. We did also cut off the music before arriving here too. "Didn't know that you got flying in your blood."

"Me neither." I breathed, removing my headset off my head, amazed by myself to be honest. "it was good but I don't think I will do this again for an long time."

"As you wish." Woods told me as he make some friendly tap on my shoulders before he looked behind him, his eyes on everyone. "Okay, we're going to patch you up, you're taking some rest and then, we'll make an briefing." He suggested and everyone nodded.

"Let's get out of that helicopter." Wolf exclaimed as he was helping Sims to get out while the others were also moving from the chopper but me, I stayed in the cockpit, the headset in my hands and looking at the group, leaving the helipad.

"Yiri." I was surprised when I heard that Park was still in the Huey with me in the transport bay. "How do you feel ?" She asked me, seeing me happy but confused at the same time.

"To start, I'm surprised that I managed to fly that thing and I wonder how I did this." I expressed, still looking away until I feel her hand on my shoulder, causing me to look at her.

"You were great !" She affirmed again to me, moving to get closer to my seat. "It's seems that you're an woman with many talents." She added, getting her both hands on my shoulders.

"Well, I can say that." I said, not wanting to brag myself about that talent I just discovered about me. "It's not everyday that I'm piloting an Huey above the jungle." I sniffed, looking away for an few seconds. "I guess that 'Bell' is maybe proud about it." I continued, trying to laugh about it but I couldn't.

"I'm proud of you." She moved her arms around my shoulders, getting her head on it. "I'm still sorry to have obliged you to be Woods's co-pilot." She apologized again for that but now, it was okay.

"It's fine." I whispered, putting away the headset to get my hands on her arms. "Next time, you're the one flying that thing !" I scoffed as I thought about it during the way back as an little lovely revenge and the only thing she did was to kiss me on the cheek.

"You didn't see me fly then." She stated, making me look at her eyes, thinking at first that she was lying. "What ? We learned how to fly too in the MI6." She exclaimed to me, realizing that she wasn't lying at all to me.

"I'm curious to see that." I mumbled before I decide to kiss her, this time, on the lips. "What's the biggest helicopter you used to fly with ? Tell me !" I demanded, holding her hands in mine, feeling her touch on my skin.

"I flied an Hind !" She replied and my eyes went wide again. "We had an mission in 1980 in Afghanistan with Garrett, Greta....and also Stone & Megan." She added, taking an breath. "To say that I flied it with Stone as the man who controlled the guns..." She thought.

"I would have been very curious to see that." I offered an grin, knowing that talking Stone was not an good idea even if he was now lying dead somewhere in the world. "Well, to see you fly an Hind." I corrected myself to that and that put an smile on her face.

"If someday, we had no choices but to use one, I'm the one taking the commands." She proposed and I know that she would be great so I nodded.

"Excuse me ?" We were both surprised when we heard Woods knocking loudly at the pilot's door and also coughing in purpose to get our attention.

"What do you want ?" I asked him in an semi-serious voice.

"Well, I preferred to see you back at your desk instead of staying in that helicopter." He responded, putting his hands on his waist.

"Come on, Woods, we're just having an discussion." Park protested, sounding in an flirty voice that wasn't appropriated right now with Woods.

"Yeah but I don't want to have you start to do your things in that." He told her back, finally opening my door by itself. "Don't forget my warning though."

"You maybe need to....chill out, Woods." I suggested to him and his only moves was to narrow his eyes to me, looking almost deadly and wanting to put his hands on my neck. "You know, we were in an discreet place, away from the others." I gestured at him as me & Park finally decide to get out.

"I know but an Huey isn't very discreet while it's in the middle of an CIA base." He admitted, making us take an look around. "So, get yourselves back in the hangar to have some rest before someone like Hudson found you two in an akward position." He scoffed at the end of his words,  laughing a little while me & Park rolled our eyes around.

"As you wish, Woods." I expressed, using his same words that he used moments earlier before we walk away towards the hangar.

We came back to our desk inside, stripping ourselves from the equipment that we used....well, I didn't use my pistol or even my MP5 in combat because I had to fly an helicopter in an combat zone, meaning that I was the only one who didn't fire an single bullet. To be honest, that allowed me to keep my equipment in perfect shape and still having enough mags without asking Park for others and now, we were awaiting.

We had to wait for the other to get healed up as apparently, they were out of the base for two days straight for an big recon mission that Hudson ordered and hopefully, Song, Mason, Sims & Rivas weren't wounded too badly, having only some scratches on their arms or faces but nothing too badly for them. However, that wasn't the same thing for the other part of the recon team, having reported an lot of wounded and killed in action, including the pilot and the co-pilot of their team.

From their mission, they managed to get their hands on some intels about Naga but Woods preferred that everyone was up and good to be back on action to make an proper briefing and for that, we had to wait at the beginning of the evening, that's meaning the whole day until everyone were finally able to assist the briefing, fully operational.

"Everyone." Woods called everyone near an dashboard, meaning the beginning of the awaited briefing, we all took an seat on chairs that was put there. "Rivas, you might want to make the topo on the intels you found." He demanded to her, that wasn't seated.

"Good." She nodded to him as she was moving next to him. "For 2 days, we managed to discover some outpost Naga is using for his activities."

"And what is he doing ?" Garrett asked her.

"Naga is the supervisor of Nova-6 supply lines around the Golden Triangle." Mason replied to him, getting up to join Rivas & Woods as he was also there. "These outposts are used by Naga to make sure the supply lines are still there." He added.

"So, Stitch is still in producing his nerve gas." I spoke up as I didn't heard about it since last month....since that disaster in that mall in New Jersey. "If he's asking Naga to supervise his supply lines here, that means he's preparing something big." I suggested.

"And with Adler in his hands, it's sure that this 'something big' is really big." Sims stated, taking back my words on the subject. "We don't know what's Stitch planning with Adler but it's sure that he's really bad for us."

"Do you think he could kill him ?" Song questioned Sims about it.

"The two is having an hatred for each other but Stitch is maybe willing to make Adler suffer like he did to him years ago." Sims answered to her question, crossing his arms. "But we can finally advance now." He gestured to Mason.

"We finally found where's Naga main HQ is in the jungle." Mason said, pointing his hand towards an map that they got during their mission.

"I guess it isn't going to be easy." Park stated, looking at the map.

"You're right." Rivas nodded to her.

"We found intels that Naga's HQ is surrounded by AA guns, meaning that any incursions in chopper are impossible." Song stepped in to get next to Mason & Rivas, watched by Garrett with an smile. "The thing is the camp is very far from here and we had to use an chopper."

"So, we took an Huey and we land on an safe place to continue our travelling by walk." Park guessed right about it as Mason nodded.

"We can do that but we don't have any intels about what we could find on our way." Rivas told to us, looking at the map that was incomplete at some parts.

"May I propose something ?" Garrett raised his hand towards her. "As we have some Hueys that are from the Laotian Air Force, maybe two people with an pilot can make an recon in the skies without getting too close of Naga's HQ." He proposed and everyone start to think about his idea.

"That could work, who volunteers ?" Woods questioned everyone and no one was volunteering.

"Well, since it's my idea, I have to do this." Garrett breathed before I suddenly raise my hand.

"I'm with him." I told everyone with Park's surprised reaction on me before she nodded in approval even if she know that the two of us will be separated for an while.

"Good, I also thinking that I could go with an team in advance to try to secure the landing zone." Rivas suggested and to say, it was also an good idea : having two people in the skies, securing the way for the team on the ground while she took an team to make an advanced recon before we arrive.

"And when you will be leaving ?" Wolf demanded.

"As the place is far by walk, I will be leaving tonight." She answered to him, hands on her waist before she look at Woods who agreed.

"Take the men that aren't wounded with you." He ordered to her as he took an deep breath. "Well, I think that we will do this tomorrow, everyone can have an break." He added as we could finally got up from our respectives seats.

"Woods ! Mason !" An loud voice came inside the hangar, revealing Hudson himself, arriving with an satellite phone in hand.

"What do you want ?" Woods asked in an lazy voice.

"We have to talk....it's personal." Hudson replied to him and by the tone of his voice, it was really personal. "Got an call from home." He added as Mason & Woods look at each other in confusion.

"We're following you." Mason whispered before the two move away from the dashboard, following Hudson to an isolated place away from everyone who still got our eyes on the three.

"Shit, if Hudson talk like that, it's...strange to say." Sims said, an bit confused about the situation. "Anyway, I think that's not our business."

"Don't we have an drink to celebrate ?" Garrett recalled about the words from Park after the end of the rescue mission.

"Oh yes !" Wolf exclaimed as he moved to get to his desk, getting in his hands an bottle. "Who wants some Bourbon ?" He questioned but we didn't have to speak that we moved to his desk, ready to have an little celebration.

I should have thought that Wolf has bring some of his Bourbon in Laos with him and seeing that bottle in his hands showed that he was really loving it. He prepared some glasses for everyone and we all cheered to that little rescue mission we did today and our next move for tomorrow. Of course, we all took only one drink as we wouldn't want to be totally drunk on the field and after taking an sip of that drink that I missed for an month, we make an little talk about ourselves and like always, I let the others talk.

Even if some people around knows of my state and what happened to me, no one wanted to bring the subject on the table, thinking that it was an bad idea to talk about it. Instead, they talked about their lifes, how Garrett met Song on an mission in 1983 in Seoul, how Wolf got enlisted in the Delta Force for his 18th birthday and how Sims actually met Russell Adler during the Vietnam War.

Rivas also told us about her backstory, fighting against the Menendez Cartel in Nicaragua for an large part of her life and I was really impressed by it, discovering more the woman that I just met hour earlier, that story....it was nice but also sad to learn about. We did spent an good time, listening to each others story.

"Yirina, Park !" Woods finally arrived one hour after we began our little celebration party but he was sounding low and...kinda troubled, not exactly in the same mood of everyone.

"Yes ?" We both said in unison with Park.

"We...well, we need to talk...in private." He responded, still sounding troubled, there were something wrong in his voice. "Not here, outside."

"Something's wrong ?" Park asked.

"Just...follow me, okay ?" Woods told us as he start to leave and in an second, we slowly got up from our chairs to follow him outside the hangar, wondering what he would say to us. We then stopped in an hidden place, out of sight from everyone.

"Woods, what's the problem ?" I finally demanded, worried about him.

"I know that it's maybe not your business but Mason wanted me to tell you about this." He said in an low voice, his hands on his wait and looking sad. "Mason received bad news from home."

"Bad news ?" Park whispered and we start to fear the worst.

"We just learned that....his wife died." He said, his voice cracking by the emotions to talk about this. "She had an brain tumor and it was incurable." He added to us, making us shocked to hear that from him and feeling so sad about learning about it.

"An brain tumor ?" I repeated, my voice sounding very low.

"Yeah, she's been fighting it for months with Alex's help but...him been forced to leave to get back on the fight, it didn't help at all." He stated, passing his hands through his face. "Now, his son, David is alone."

"What will happen now ?" Park questioned him.

"Hudson is sending him home, Mason already packed up his things discreetly...it was better for him." Woods was like on the verge of not crying and he was struggling to not cry in front of us. "He wanted you both to know about it even if it was not your problem, David need his dad while his uncle is leading an group to save an CIA agent." He said, revealing that he was the uncle of Mason's kid.

"I....I...I think it was an good choice from him." I thought as Park slowly nodded, approving my words.

"It's better for him to get back to his son." Park added to my words, taking an deep breath.

"Yes, it's the only thing to do for him, Hudson wasn't going to let him here." Woods admitted to us. "Shit...to say that's my fault to have him come back." He continued.

"Woods..." I started, putting my hand on his shoulder. "You're not the one to blame, he thought that it was an good choice because he's your friend." I told him, not even sure of my words to recomfort him. "No one is to blame here." I added.

"I want to think of it but what's done is done." He whispered, joining his hands together. "Listen, this discussion is staying between us, if the other ask, don't tell anything about it." We nodded to his order, it was very important and we couldn't talk freely about it.

"Don't worry, Woods, we will not tell anything." Park affirmed to him as she made an very little grin to him.

"Good, I'm might need to take some rest before tomorrow." He snorted before taking an breath. "Take some rest too." He added before he start to walk away slowly from us to get back inside the hangar while me & Park were completely frozed in place.

"Damnit, I never thought...." I started to say before I stop myself, losing my words and then, I sit on the ground, crossing my legs. "Fuck...."

"You couldn't know, Yirina." Park said in an low voice, sitting in the same position as me in front of me. "I'm like you right now : shocked and sad about it." She breathed, meaning her words by seeing her look and voice. "Mason wants to live an normal life, away from what happened to him and I'm sure that you want too."

"I just want to able to live free and away from all of this and for that, I need you !" I told her, looking at her with eyes that was slowly filled with tears before Park slowly moved her hand towards my cheek.....

"And I know well that you're always there for me !"

[starsescape]

Audrey isn’t here.. Jill remember the girl she had promised to find. Audrey was the missing member of the uptown teens who had saved Jill from an alleyway after she had been overwhelmed by the infected. The two teens, Megan and Ellie, were waiting in their apartment with Rachel who Jill had call to come and look after them while she would search for Audrey. Maybe she didn’t make it this far after all. Now on top of her search for Audrey Jill made the decision to retrieve Abraham’s inventory from the Apple Inn Hotel. She was getting sidetracked even more, but the chance of getting her hands on useful merchandise was too good to pass up. I could buy something off him before I leave from here to get the rest.

[New side mission has been added to Jill’s diary.]

[Abraham’s suitcase contains drugs and healing items.]

Reaching top of the stairs Jill took the first step on the upper walkway. It creak underneath her weight, but the board held. Great.. She had hoped that the renovation of the walkway had been done during the summer, but the work had clearly been postponed for one reason or the other and now it would be postponed indefinitely. The walkway was old, but as long as Jill was careful and didn’t rush it she should be fine. She look at the shelves that ran along the wall, each one filled with the files of decade old cases, and then gaze down to the main floor of the library. Jenny.. She saw the officer with short blonde hair step out of the private reading room. Their uniform look formal, but two buttons at the top were left open to show cleavage. The girl they had been with didn’t come out, undoubtedly still resting and putting their clothes on after their session.

Their eyes met and Jill felt the unease when Jenny’s lips turn into a smirk. It display unsated hunger. Neither said a thing and Jill look away first. She didn’t wish to imagine what they thought of her with the way they look at her, especially not right after she had seen Jenny using her position as an officer for her own gain.

Moving further on the walkway Jill saw that near the end of it, just before where it went over the private reading room underneath, a table was set with two officers leaning over it and focused on making plans. First she smile brightly as she recognized one of them, but then it turn dim. Jill approach them and call out “Hello..” As she stop.

The senior officer, a man with a buzz cut hair, raise his head. “Jill!” His thoughtful expression turn to one of joy as he push himself off the table and rush to Jill with open arms before slowing down as he hesitate. His smile died down, but it linger there just like Jill’s had. “Jill, I’m sorry.. I..” He start to explain.

Just let it go! Jill couldn’t hold herself back anymore. Couldn’t pretend that she wasn’t happy to see him. She ran to him and hug him. After a second of shock she felt his arms wrap around her too. “Water under the bridge.” Jill’s arms close around him tighter as she forgive him. “It’s good to see you safe, Marvin.”

Marvin rest his head against hers and pat Jill on the back as they hug it out. “You too, Jill.” He was the one who ease their hold first and move back. “We should have listened to you.” Marvin show regret, the kind that would propably never go away, but he look relieved to know Jill didn’t hold it against him for not believing her and the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members back when they tried to warn them about the Umbrella without having any proof to back up their claims after the mansion incident. “But I promise I will listen to you now. Will you help us?” He motion towards the table with notes, maps and pens scattered on it. “We are trying to form a plan.”

The other officer had a short blonde hair, not much different from what Jenny had, but their eyes had hope and their smile was genuine. “Rita Phillips, from the patrol police.” She extend her hand to shook Jill’s. “Both I and officer Jenny Bailey work under Marvin’s command.. Though she hasn’t been with us hundred percent anymore.” They held back their tongue, but the message was clear that Jenny, who Jill had already seen, wasn’t with them.

Jill shook Rita’s hand and nod. “Nice to meet you.” She hadn’t met them before and judging by the way they carry themselves they were rather new to this job. Not a rookie, but still new. The type who would volunteer and act, but might freeze if the situation gets out of hand. “What do we have here?” Jill join them around the table to study the map of the police station and the notes the two had written on it. Next to the map was the list of the survivors. Jill pick it up.

Susan and Lena Pittman

Evelyn Cain

Juno Townsend (volunteer)

Ruth Fletcher  lost downstairs

Abraham Sanford

Tommy ?

Greta Huber

Moira Barnes

Katherine Warren (With the chief)

Jill didn’t ask about Ruth. She could imagine what had happened and guess where it had taken place. That bathroom stall... The one with the cum splattered walls and shredded clothes on the floor. How bad it had- Then Jill realized Marvin was talking to her.

“-we had to evacuate the downstairs.” Marvin explain with a heavy heart. “We lost one of the civilians when we pull back.” He pause and then point at Katherine’s name. “The mayor’s daughter, she is with the chief who wish to keep a close eye on her after we move here.”

Rita continue with a quiet voice. “There might be more we lost.” She sound unsure. “We got new arrivals right before the attack that followed the battle at the main street.” Her hands clench into fists. “I- I didn’t have time to list them. Everything happened so fast.” Rita took a breath and held it as she relax her shoulders before releasing it. “They might have made it to the basement.. Hid someplace safe or made it out.”

Jill nod, but didn’t say anything. She felt that it was best not to focus on what might or might not have happened to them since each thought spent on them weight more heavily on Marvin and Rita. “I met Juno on my way here.” Jill point at the west corridor of the first floor on the map. “She fixed and closed the safety shutters here.” She almost smirk remembering what they did afterwards in the dark room, but she held it back. “We part ways after that.. I belive she went to the press room to receive new orders.” Jill was happy to deliver the good news as she saw the others smile. “The west wing of the first floor should be safe now, but a few of the infected remain there.”

“Good to hear that she is safe.” Marvin smile and point at the press room on the map. “The officers in charge of rebuilding the defences of the first floor hold up there. Once they finish their task we have been ordered to launch an counter attack to clean up and retake the first floor.” He shook his head and his expression turn grim. Marvin look over the railing to see that Jenny was further away before he spoke again. “Our orders are to hold the station, but I don’t believe that is possible. We have lost too much already. We are trying to plan our escape.”

“Take a look at this.” Right after Marvin had finished Rita reveal the map of the uptown area. “The barricade on the main road near the front of the station isn’t the strongest.” Rita point it at the map and then let her finger slide along the main road that ran towards the suburbs instead of the way Jill had walk through to reach the station. “If we could clear or blow it up, we should be able to bring an escape vehicle to the front doors without the need for the civilians to walk such a long distance to the parking lot behind the station. We wouldn’t have to worry about running into the infected during a short walk if everything goes smoothly.” There was a pause, Rita was clearly making a guess. “The roads should be clear past the barricade and we should be able to find a safe place if we won’t drive out of the city.”

Marvin sigh. It imply that they had this talk before. “We have no idea if the roads are clear past that.” He look at Rita with a firm expression, but Marvin look proud of her for daring to speak her mind and bringing another option to the table. “We could drive in to an ambush or it might just be a dead end.” He took a breath and continue. “Not to mention that blowing up the barricade will alert every infected in the area along with the men Iron’s have ordered to make sure no one leaves the station. It is simply too dangerous. We should hold out here until we know more or bring the survivors either straight to the underground garage where the vehicles are or to the parking lot at the back to wait for pick up after we make sure we have a car or two to make our escape.”

Jill realize she was smiling. They were acting against a direct order to hold the station in favor of trying to make it out. We still need to scout and clear the route if possible before we bring the people out.. Secure an escape vehicle. There was a lot that need to be done. Too much to do with the time I have. Jill knew what she carry inside of her.

“Are you with us, Jill?” Rita ask what Marvin didn’t need to.

[Vote for what Jill should do]

[believingispowerfulmagic]

The Christmas Cottage II: A Magical Christmas Part II: The Wedding Rehearsal

"And we signed a stack of blank checks in case you need them while we're gone,"

Regina told Tink as she packed up her bag.

Tink nodded. "Then I think we're in good order."

When Regina had sent the email asking Gold to take her off the DeVil-Hatter merger, he had called her several times during Mary Margaret and David's wedding and left her a number of voicemails since she had turned her phone off. During most of them, he kept firing her over and over. She didn't quite care - though she did want to make sure Tink still had a job. Regina didn't want her assistant to suffer for her decision and she called Mal to ask her to save Tink's job. After explaining the situation, Mal went and did some rearranging, bringing Regina onto her team to serve out her notice period and promising to keep Tink onboard - with the understanding that Regina could poach her beloved assistant at any time.

It had taken almost a year but Regina was eventually able to bring her to the foundation. Tink adjusted to working for both her and Robin, keeping the office running for them. She had been a godsend and Regina was glad to have her in her life.

"You sure?" Regina asked. "We're not forgetting something?"

"If we are, Belle and I will deal with it," Tink assured her, invoking the name of their second-in-command. Belle French was more than capable of running the foundation in their absence. With Tink by her side, Regina knew they were in good hands.

Tink stepped closer to Regina. "All you have to do now is worry about getting married to Robin, okay?"

"Okay," Regina said, pulling a little gift from her desk. She held it out. "And before I get, this is for you. Merry Christmas, Tink."

"Thank you," Tink said, taking the gift. "Merry Christmas, Regina."

Regina hugged her. "I'll see you at the wedding?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Tink assured her. "I can't wait to see you in your dress!"

"I can't wait for everyone else to see it," Regina replied, pulling away. "Especially Robin."

Tink chuckled. "I'm sure Robin can't wait to see you in it either. Has he been trying to sneak peeks?"

"No, but only because he doesn't know where I'm keeping it and knows he can't go snooping through everyone's house to find it," Regina replied.

"Smart," Tink said, handing Regina her bag. "I'll see you at the wedding."

Regina took the bag and left her office, finding Robin waiting at Tink's desk for her. He straightened up and smiled at her. "You ready, sweetheart?" he asked.

"I am," she said, waving to the staff members that came out to see them off. "Merry Christmas, everyone. If we're seeing you at the wedding, see you in a few days. If not, we'll see you in the New Year!"

"We hope you all have a great holiday," Robin added. "And we wish you and your loved ones nothing but joy and happiness this season."

Their staff applauded and Belle stepped forward. "While most of us will be celebrating your wedding with you and we have all celebrated earlier this week, we still want to offer you our congratulations and wishes for a long life full of love and happiness together."

"Three cheers for Robin and Regina!" someone called out. They gave them three cheers as they left and Regina half expected to be pelted by confetti or rice as they walked past their staff members.

Robin laughed as they left their office. "We have the best colleagues, don't we?"

"We do," she agreed, taking his hand. "And we have the best friends and family, who we're going to celebrate with in a few days."

He smiled, kissing her forehead. "Yes, we are. So we should go home and get plenty of rest."

"You read my mind, Mr. Locksley," she teased him. "Lead the way."

They headed to his car and climbed in. Robin started the engine and pulled away, heading out onto the main street. "Do you want to pick something up for dinner on our way home or just see what we have?" he asked.

"We still have some leftovers from dinner at Granny's house," she reminded him. "We can heat those up."

He nodded, making a left turn. "Sounds good then."

They drove along and Regina admired all the decorated houses they passed. Once again, Storybrooke had dressed itself in its holiday best and glowed brighter than the Northern Lights. Santas, snowmen, reindeer and their ilk all stood on lawns and greeted people passing by. Candy canes and snowflakes illuminated windows along with strands of white or multicolored lights. All of it was beautiful and the perfect backdrop for a wedding.

"Enjoying Christmas?" Robin asked.

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "You?"

He nodded. "I can't think of a better time for us to get married."

She chuckled. "Neither can I. So it's a good thing we were able to get a Christmas Eve wedding."

"Not that it was hard," Robin reminded her. "The Mist Haven Lodge coordinator called us the minute after we announced our engagement."

"That is true," she replied. "She probably would've given us anything we asked for, even shut down the lodge like Mary Margaret did."

He nodded. "I think she was relieved we weren't going that big. Though I think the town would've liked it if we went their route."

"Oh god," she moaned, rubbing her forehead. "That was a disaster. I have a new appreciation for Megan Markle."

The Blanchard and the Mills families were essentially Storybrooke royalty, the two most prominent families in town. Regina had always understood that - as had Robin. What they hadn't understood was how long the people of Storybrooke had waited for the two families to be joined in marriage - a good century, by what she understood. Robin and Regina were fulfilling that long-held dream and so the people of Storybrooke were acting as if their wedding was a royal one. Everyone wanted to know every detail about everything - the ring, the venue, the dress, etc.

But above all, they all wanted an invite to the wedding.

Continue reading on FFN, AO3 or Wattpad