#cause she felt v alone since leaving the order and they were supposed to do this together

[clonehub]

oh did yall know that Kiki sensed Hahkin's death as though she were having a sharp, crushing pain directly in the center of her chest. She collapsed in tears.

[just-dreaming-marvel]

It’s Always Been You ~ 149

OUT OF TIME MASTERLIST

IT’S ALWAYS BEEN YOU MASTERLIST

< previous chapter

Word Count: 2,820ish

Summary: Y/N sacrificed herself to end it all. But is she really dead?

Notes: You must read Out Of Time in order to understand this. The chapter numbers continue from Out Of Time.

Once the blinding white light subsided, the heroes all looked around as the enemy quickly turned to dust. Strange let Tony go from his magic hold, the two men watching Y/N collapse onto the ground.

“Y/N!!” Tony cried, rushing over to his wife. As he lifted her up to cradle her in his arms, he noticed the Stones were still seared into her arm and blood was trickling out of her nose and ears. “Honey, come on.”

Steve was the next to notice the scene. “No!” He exclaimed as he ran over, causing others to see as well. “Y/N!” He fell to his knees beside the couple. Tears ran down both mens faces, creating pathways through the dirt and grime covering them.

“She’s not breathing….”

“What?” Bucky gasped, suddenly appearing near them.

“She’s not breathing…” Tony rocked back and forth, Y/N held close. “Don’t do this… please… I can’t— You can’t—“ He sobbed into the base of her limp neck as he clung to her and begged.

Clint was the first to get down on one knee in respect, the other heroes slowly following. Some bowed their heads, others shed tears, but they all felt an immense amount of pain and sorrow. Their hearts cracked a little more each time they heard a sob, whimper, or sniffle from one of the three men that loved Y/N the most.

With a hand on Steve’s shoulder, Bucky collapsed next to his friend. “No…” he cried. “Doll…”

~~~

“Mom!” The boy’s voice was worried. It sounded like it was underwater. “Mom! Wake up!” She groaned as someone began shaking her, still not opening her eyes. “Come on, mom! You did it! Wake up!”

“W-what…?” She rasped. She slowly blinked, trying to get her eyes used to the light and the orange tint around her. When her eyes finally focused on the boy leaned over her, she gasped. “AJ?”

“Hey, mom,” he smiled.

“Where…” Y/N pushed herself up, with AJ’s help. She studied her surroundings. She was at the cabin, laying on the grass. But it wasn’t the cabin. “How did I—“

“You used the Stones. You did it, mom.”

“I did it,” she breathed out.

“Now you have a choice,” the Ancient One’s voice said. AJ and Y/N turned their heads to see Phil, Natasha, and the Ancient One standing there.

“Phil, Natasha?”

“Hey, Y/N,” she greeted. “You did good.”

“You did,” the Ancient One agreed. “And now the Stones have given you a choice.”

AJ helped Y/N to her feet. “What kind of choice?” She asked.

“Whether to stay here or go back… there are consequences, good and bad for either choice.”

“I can’t make that call,” she shook her head. “I have family—children on either side of that equation. Why are they giving me a choice?”

“Because your journey is not over with the Stones, but they want it to be up to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you choose to go back, you will be granted certain abilities. That you will not need the Stones to use. You will not be as powerful as you are when you channel all the Stones, but you will still be very powerful.”

“And if I stay?”

“Your daughter would lose her mother and your husband, his wife. The whole team would be affected. But, there are many significant events that would still play out. They will just be harder—longer, without your help.”

“Mom,” AJ tugged on her hand, turning Y/N’s attention to him. “If you’re worried about me, I’ll be fine. I have Uncle Phil, Auntie Nat, Grandma and Grandpa Rogers and Stark!”

“Stark? Like… Howard?”

“Yes.” The boy nodded. “He didn’t want to be here just incase he could be a distraction. Said something like you always had a thing for Starks.”

Y/N laughed. “He wishes.” She took a deep breath and looked around. This would be a hard decision either way, but she knew what she had to do. She looked at her son before looking back at the Ancient One. “How much time do I have?”

“You have until they take the Stones back,” the Ancient One responded.

“Okay,” she nodded. Y/N gazed down at her son, grabbing his hand. “How about we go for a walk AJ?”

~~~

“Tony,” Rhodey gently called, coming to a stop a foot or to away from the three men. “We need to get her to a hospital. Or home.”

The man shook his head. “I’m not letting go of her,” Tony replied. “And I— I can’t… Morgan needs her mother.”

“She also needs her father.”

“Mr. Stark?” Peter called, coming up beside Rhodey. It was clear that he had been crying as well. “You don’t have to let her go… you—you can carry her the whole way.”

“They have a point, Tony,” Steve agreed through the tears. “We need to get her and the Stones out of the open, just in case.”

“They asked too much of her,” Tony mumbled as he continued to rock. “Too damn much…”

Steve stood up and walked around to help Tony stand, Bucky joining him. Tony didn’t resist, standing and fixing Y/N’s position in his arms. The other heroes watched, their hearts breaking further as they realized how limp Y/N truly was. But upon further observation, Wanda noticed something.

“She’s being preserved,” she whispered.

“What was that Wanda?” Clint asked, standing beside her.

“She’s dead, but she’s being preserved. Her coloring is too normal.”

“Are you saying there’s a chance we could bring her back?” Sam asked, joining them.

“Not we,” Wanda shook her head. Her eyes were glued to Y/N as she was carried away. “It’s all her… it’s all up to her…”

~~~

AJ lead Y/N around, talking her here off about anything and everything. And she was enjoying every minute of it. Eventually, the two came to a stop at the edge of the pier. They sat down, letting their feet touch the water.

“AJ… You know I love you, right?” Y/N nervously said.

“Yes,” he answered with confidence.

“And that I would never want to leave you?”

“Mom,” AJ looked at her, firmly, “you need to go. Morgan, Dad, Uncle Steve, and Uncle Bucky need you more than I do. I’ll be fine.”

“Uncle Bucky?” Y/N chuckled.

“He’ll be okay, mom. He will… Bucky understands that he kept you waiting too long, too many times.”

She pulled the boy into her side, kissing the top of his head. “You’re so much stronger and wiser than me… I love you. So very much.”

AJ hugged his mother. “I love you too.” 

~~~

Happy and Pepper immediately sensed that something was wrong when the quinjet landed and Rhodey was the first one out. He walked to the house and simply asked them to keep Morgan away from any of the windows and the garage. They didn’t question it, already knowing they weren’t ready for any answers that may come.

Rhodey went straight to the garage, Bucky and Steve joining him. They cleared off desks and tables, putting them together. Steve grabbed blankets and a pillow, laying them out on the large table they created. FRIDAY then informed Tony that he was clear to bring Y/N in. Bruce was with him as Tony carried Y/N in, having noticed how much the man was trembling. Bruce was scared that he’d have to carry two bodies in.

Tony gently laid Y/N on the table. He began pulling a blanket up to her chest, pausing when he noticed the Stones still seared into his wife’s arm. He clenched his teeth and let out an angry, grief-filled cry. Tony raised his hand had shot around the room, everyone having to duck.

“Tony!” / “Shit!” / “Woah!”

“Tony, you need to—“

“Daddy?”

Everyone froze at the little voice. Tony was breathing heavily  as he clenched his eyes closed, unable to turn himself around and face his daughter. Morgan was being held by Happy, clinging to his neck as she stared at Tony’s back. The others quickly moved so that Y/N’s body was blocked from Morgan’s view.

“Get her out of here, Hap,” Rhodey ordered. “We’ll all be in soon.”

“No, Daddy,” Morgan pushed. “Where’s mom?”

Tears cascaded down Tony’s cheeks as he thought about having to tell his daughter that she had lost both her auntie Nat and her mother in the same day. Steve, trying to hold strong, quickly took control of the situation.

“How about we going inside, Mo?” Steve suggested, stepping up. He was still all dirty from the battle. “I’ll hurry and clean up while you and Pepper get dinner situated. I’ll come join you after.”

“But dad—“

“You’re dad… He just needs a moment. Okay? He’ll be in soon too.”

Though a bit hesitant to, Morgan agreed. Steve let out a sigh a relieve before following Happy back inside. He couldn’t fall apart, not when Tony and Morgan needed him. 

“You should get out of the suit, Tony,” Rhodey said. “Get cleaned up.”

“I…” Tony spoke quietly, still not opening his eyes. “I can’t tell her… I can’t bare to see her face about Nat. I can’t imagine telling her about—about Y/N…”

“You won’t have to do it alone.” Rhodey set a hand on Tony’s shoulder. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up."

~~~

“You shouldn’t have done what you did,” Y/N told Natasha as they walked allow the edge of the lake together.

“If I hadn’t, we wouldn’t have gotten everything back,” she responded. “It was worth it.”

“As long as you believe so… Morgan will be devastated, so will the Bartons.”

“They’ll mourn, you all will. But it will make you all stronger. Individually and together.”

Y/N grabbed Nat’s hand and stopped her. “You are the sister I always wanted. You were always there for me, basically since I left the ice. Thank you.”

“Oh, Y/N,” Natasha wrapped Y/N up, pulling her close. “Thank you.”

“I’ll keep your memory alive.”

“You better. And I’ll keep an eye on AJ. He’s a great kid.”

“I know… I only wish that I had more to do with that."

~~~

Everything around him was muted. Color, light, sound. Everything, as Tony finished dressing himself after his shower. He didn’t want to believe it—he couldn’t. Y/N could not be gone. Not his wife… After everything they had survived—she had survived. How was he now suppose to go on without her? How was he suppose to help his daughter do the same?

A soft knock sounded on the bedroom door, before Pepper peeked her head in.

“Tony?” She called. “I’m just checking in on you. Do you need anything?”

“Where’s Morgan?” Tony’s horse voice was quiet as exited the bathroom.

“Downstairs with Steve, Bruce, Happy, and Rhodey. They’re putting dinner together.”

“Where’d Barnes go?”

The redhead sighed. “He won’t leave Y/N’s side.” Tony inhaled sharply as his eyes closed. “Tony…” Pepper slowly made his way over to him. “What do you want to do?”

“I want… I want my wife back… I want Morgan to have her mother…” A tear slipped through his closed eyes. “And I— I would do anything to trade her places…”

“I wish that I could bring her back, I really do, Tony. And I know that you need time to grief, but Morgan needs her father. She’s confused and those men downstairs keep staring at her with pity. She’s smart and has started questioning it.” Pepper moved so that she was standing in front of Tony. “Just go down and hold her.”

“I need to see Y/N first.”

“Okay. Let’s go then."

~~~

“Why must we always say goodbye?” Y/N asked Coulson as they sat on the steps of the cabin.

“I don’t know,” Phil answered. “But it seems like we always say hello again.”

“It does,” she nodded. “Thank you for taking care of AJ.”

“He’s a good kid. Though, too much like you and Tony.” He chuckled. “Always finding some way to get into trouble.”

“And you’re always there to help get him out of it, I’m sure.” Y/N laughed. “Some things never change.” She sighed as she moved closer and rested her head on his shoulder. “Are the others okay?”

“They’re great… they miss us though, that much is clear.”

“I miss them too.”

“I check on them every once and awhile. They’ve all gone on their separate ways, but they’re still a team. They’re still our team.”

“Always.”

~~~

Bucky couldn’t bare to leave Y/N’s side. Not like this. Never like this. It wasn’t suppose to be her. She had a daughter, a husband. For a few moments, he let himself hold her hand and cry. But then be decided to put himself to use. Bucky found a few towels and wet them. Gently, he cleaned off any skin he could see, being extremely careful around the Stones still imbedded in her arm.

He then brushed her hair out. Bucky couldn’t stand the thought of Morgan seeing her mother untidy. Tony entered the room not too long later. The men stayed on opposite sides, focusing on the woman in the middle.

“I forgive you,” Tony said quietly. Bucky’s head snapped up to look at Stark, who was still focused on Y/N.

“Wh-what?” Bucky stammered. “H-how… I… I killed your parents…”

“Trust me. I tried to hold it against you, and Steve for keeping the secret… But… Y/N… she never held it against you. Even though it was Howard. She never did.”

“I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

“Don’t say that too loud. Y/N might come back and smack some sense into you…”

“I wish she would… She, uh… we ran into each other before the fight… I know that it was always going to be you. You’re good for her.”

Tony scoffed. “No I’m not. She’s too good for me.”

“That might be true,” Bucky nodded. “Your, uh, your daughter… she’s pretty.”

“She is. You know, Barnes, we don’t have to make small talk. We can just sit here and wish for her to wake up, together.”

“Good, cause I was running out of things to say.” Tony sat down. “Thank you though… for forgiving me… I’m still working on forgiving myself for it all…”

“You’re welcome.”

~~~

Coulson, Natasha, AJ, the Ancient One, and Y/N were all gathered together in front of the cabin.

“I guess this is it then,” Y/N said, nodding as she tried not to cry. “I don’t want to have to say good-bye to y’all again.”

“It’s not good-bye, mom,” AJ smiled. “We’ll see each other again.”

“You’re right… you’re always right. I love you, my son. I’ll see you—“

“You think you can leave without me actually making an appearance?” A voice came from behind Y/N.

She gasped, slowly turning around. “Howard?”

“Hey, Y/N,” he stepped forward. He was young, the Howard that Y/N was most used to. “Seems like my favorite Rogers is still getting into trouble.”

“Always.” They stared at each other for a moment before Y/N brought him into a hug. “Oh, Howard.”

“I remember,” he whispered. “I died and it all came back to me.”

“What?” She pulled away slightly.

“You erased my memory when you appeared in 1970. After I had talked to Tony.”

“You know.”

“I do. Way to not lie to me. You wouldn’t have met Tony without me, for multiple reasons. And I did end up knowing him.”

“I couldn’t lie to you. I just couldn’t tell you the truth either.”

“I understand. I guess I’ll let you go back now. Tony and Morgan need you.”

“Yeah… they do.”

“Can you… uh… can you tell Tony how proud I am of him?”

“Of course.”

Howard leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her cheek. He smiled before he turned around and headed over to a woman standing near a tree not too far off. Y/N knew that must’ve been Maria. She waved, Maria waving back.

“Okay…” Y/N breathed out. “It’s time…”

~~~

“How is she?” Wanda asked, coming into the garage.

“How do you think, Maximoff?” Tony responded, annoyed. “She’s dead.”

“No she’s not.” Both me sat up straighter and looked at Wanda.

“What are you talking about?”

“Haven’t either of you noticed how her body isn’t acting out a normal dead body would?”

The two men shared a look before focusing back on Wanda. “No,” Bucky replied. “We haven’t.”

“Well, the Stones are—“

Y/N gasped, head lurching up before coming back down to the table again. She coughed as she opened her eyes and took in her surroundings.

“Y/N!” The men exclaimed.

“And just when I was beginning to explain it all,” Wanda mumbled.

next chapter >

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TONY:

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[thatesqcrush]

Retrouvaille

Rafael Barba x Reader. For @barbasimp - winner of Holiday Bingo. Prompt: Maybe a fic where Rafael and the reader were a thing before he left new york after the incident, but when he comes back he sees how close Carisi and the reader are and gets HELLA JEALOUS.

AN: This takes immediately during 22x04, “Sightless in a Savage Land.”  Script found here.  Coffee reference (above and in the fic - from 19x9, Gone Baby Gone.

AN2: Using “Sway” by The Kooks for VDay bingo. Lyrics denoted in bold.

AN3: Retrouvaille is a French word meaning rediscovery - the happiness of meeting or finding someone after a long separation. 

Warnings: language & smut (p in v sex, implied cunnilingus).  WC: 3.3K

****

To say you were anxious was an understatement; your leg bounced restlessly as you and your Captain sat in the diner. It had been unbearably cold and despite still wearing your parka and the hot cup of coffee in front of you, you could not warm up.

“Y/N, are you okay?” Olivia replied as she poured some milk into her coffee. She stirred the coffee with one hand and reached out to grab your hand from across with the other. “You don’t have to be here.”

“Nope, I am good.” You replied coolly, your lips emphasizing the ‘p’ sound. You looked out the window, watching the people mill about on the street. A blast of cold breezed through the diner. You looked past Olivia and you felt your stomach flop at the sight of the man approaching the booth. You stood and switched sides of your seat, choosing to sit next to Olivia.

The last time you saw Rafael Barba, he was worn and depressed, with tears lining his eyes as he stood in front of the courthouse. It was there he poured his love for you making your heart swell before he shattered it into a million pieces as he broke things off with you. You were a wreck after, to the point you needed to take time off to get your affairs back in order. The apartment you shared with him was no longer your safe space  and no longer inhabitable. Rafael told you to keep the engagement ring. You took it off that night and left it in a lock box at your bank. Photos of you and him during happier times were taken down from your locker and tossed in the trash. Plans for the future - for a shared life together were gone, like a sandcastle being washed away by the sea.

Now Rafael appeared just as handsome as he did all those years ago. His hair was a more pronounced shade of salt and pepper and instead of being clean shaven, a beard graced his face. The infamous camel pea coat was swapped out for a grey one. Instead of a three piece bespoke suit under it, he wore dark jeans and a blue and pink checkered shirt. He turned to the counter and requested a coffee before he sat down in front of you. 

“Barba.” You greeted, taking a sip of your coffee.

“Olivia!” Rafael replied brightly. He shrugged his coat off and looked at you. “Y/N, it’s good to see you again.”

You didn’t reply, instead choosing to sip your coffee once more. Rafael shifted in his seat and looked at Olivia. “So--”

“Liv’s said you’ve been busy.” You spoke, cutting him off. “What have you been up to?” 

You knew Rafael had kept in touch with Olivia. She had mentioned Rafael here and there in conversation with you and the squad.

You knew Mickey Davis deserved a good defense. You were, however, caught off guard when Olivia suggested that perhaps Rafael could help secure a deal. You didn’t even know he was back in New York.

“Consulting with the Innocence Project, defending voting rights on the ground. I've barely slept since the election ended.”

“Liv said once everything cleared up, you might consider doing defense work.” You continued. 

“Her case or Fin’s?” Barba asked. 

“The city settled one of Fin’s. Liv's still waiting on her day in the barrel, but that's not why we're here. 

“It should be -- sorry.” Rafael shrugged, looking at Olivia. 

Olivia gave Rafael a small smile. “Hypothetically, if we... arrested a defendant who was not innocent…”

“Decorated vet. Six tours in Afghanistan. Comes home to find his daughter raped by her foster father--” You interjected. 

“And he shoots the guy point-blank range three times?” Rafael questioned. Both you and Olivia give him a pointed look. “Hypothetically.”

“So you're all caught up.” Olivia replied, now picking up her own cup.

“All right, hold on.” Rafael shook his head. “Did Carisi ask you to intervene on Davis' behalf?”

“Well, actually, Carisi doesn't know that we're here.” You murmured.

Rafael laughed. “Of course not. Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“We wanted to see if you would feel him out. And see if he would cut Mickey a deal.” Olivia continued.

“With Carisi's stomach? He won't have the stomach to take this to trial.” Rafael rolled his eyes. “This case is a dog.”

“Really? Some mentor you are. Not even believing in your protege.” You sneered.

Rafael cocked a brow at you while Liv put a hand on your shoulder, in an attempt to comfort you. You jerked your shoulder away from her, and stood. You tossed some bills onto the table. 

“Sorry, Liv. I thought I could handle this. But I can’t. I’ll see you tomorrow.” You heard Liv call out your name as you stormed out of the diner, but not once did you look back.

Rafael looked at Liv, a frown on his face. “Honestly, I am surprised she didn’t leave sooner.” 

***

You and Phoebe were watching through the double-mirror in the squadroom as Kat and Rollins interrogated a suspect. Phoebe watched as Carisi approached you and she tapped your shoulder, nodding towards him. 

You looked over at Carisi and smiled. “How did voire dire go?”

Carisi sighed, crossing his arms. “It was the Rafael Barba show, charming and cherry-picking jurors for twelve straight hours.”

“He was always a dog with a bone.” You replied. “Walk with me to my desk. I am gonna order some Chinese.”

“I gotta know, Y/N. I saw Barba’s witness list, and he tracked down Ajay's other foster kids, ACS employees, VA shrinks. How big of a staff does he have?”

“I can’t say but know that I am not helping him out.” You hissed in a whisper.

Carisi huffed. “It's fine. Barba was here before me. He was your--”

You held up a hand. “No! That doesn't mean I'm more loyal to him than I am to you. You forget - he broke up with me. He wanted nothing to do with me. Why should I help him?”

Carisi’s ears turned pink and when saw the broken look on your face, he felt shitty. “Y/N, I am so sorry.”

You shook your head. “Dinners on you Mr. ADA and all will be forgiven.”

***

When Rafael entered the squadroom, it was late - he did not expect to see you. But there you were, Carisi perched on the corner of your desk, laughing. Seeing you and Carisi together like that - his jealousy flared and he wondered if there was something more than friendship going on. You plucked food out of the takeout container and offered Carisi a bite. You grabbed a napkin and reached up to Carisi’s face and you were about to say something when you spotted Rafael. Your laughter subsided and you smacked Carisi on the knee and pointed to Rafael. As he made way to your desk, you murmured something to Carisi and made a beeline to the locker room, dropping your food on your desk, causing it to spill a bit. The chopsticks fell to the ground with a clatter.

Rafael paused mid-stride and turned to follow, when Carisi approached him and blocked his path. “Barba, I don’t know why you’re here, but leave Y/N alone.”

“Is there a problem Carisi?”

Carisi jutted his jaw, clearly displeased. “Just leave Y/N alone - you hurt her. I know you never meant to. Don’t make it worse.”

“I came here to talk to her. That’s all.” Rafael huffed, before pushing past the young attorney to follow you, much to Carisi’s protests. 

**

You sat on the bench in front of your locker, crying. You dropped your head in your hands, your body shaking. You heard the sound of footsteps and you stood up, wiping your eyes. 

“Y/N.” Rafael’s voice was dark and deep, and hearing your name escape his lips sent shivers down your spine.

“Rafael! What are you doing here? Y’know you’re really not supposed to be back here!” You hissed, dabbing your eyes once more with your sleeves. 

“I wanted to check in with you.”

“Why? You’re not my boyfriend anymore.” You replied, as you grabbed your belongings. You slammed your locker shut, the metal clanging sound echoed. 

There was another sound of footsteps. Now it was Carisi who arrived. “Y/N, you okay?”

You looked at Carisi. ‘I’m fine. I’ll be out in just a bit.” Carisi nodded and made his way back out. 

You adjusted the strap of your bag. “Move.”

“No, I’m not your boyfriend anymore.” Rafael agreed, but not moving. You stepped to the side and Rafael followed your movement, blocking your way.

“Move.” You commanded. “Now.”

When he did not budge, you let out an exasperated sigh. “Say whatever you have to say. Get it out.”

“I just wanted to say I am sorry for everything. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.” Rafael replied.

“Suddenly you care? Please, I have plenty of people in my life who have taken an active role in that. I have gotten by just fine since you left.”

“Who? Carisi? Trading in one lawyer for another? You got a kink or something?" Rafael replied haughtily. 

You snorted in derision. “You know what, you can go fuck right off.” You pushed past him and Rafael grabbed your wrist and pulled you flush to him. Rafael met your eyes, they were puffy and red from you crying. 

“What are you--” You began, but Rafael crushed his lips against yours. You were initially stiff, but you relaxed into his embrace, allowing for the kiss to happen. You let out a soft moan and Rafael used the opportunity to deepen the kiss, by sliding his tongue into yours. Rafael wrapped his arms around your waist and you wrapped yours around his neck, dropping your purse to the ground.

“I love ya.” Rafael rumbled into your ear before dipping his head to your neckline, sucking a mark that you knew you would not be able to hide.

At his words, you pushed Rafael away. “What the fuck? You can’t just barge back into New York, into my life, say that you still love me and expect me to forgive you on the spot!” You were angry, there was a fire in your eyes that Rafael had been at the end of before, and he dropped his head, shamed. He took a seat on the bench and you followed suit, sitting next to him. “Me, the squad… that was always your M.O. - take whatever you want to take - to hurt the ones you love. You never thought about the consequences of your actions on others - nevermind baby Drew.”

“I know. I am an asshole.  I know this is the wrong time and the wrong place but I had to tell you. I love you. And I regret the way I left things with you. And if you tell me you don’t love me - that you still don’t feel the same way - I’ll leave. After the case - you’ll never hear from me or see me again.”

Deep down you knew you still loved Rafael. You had always loved him. You didn’t initially understand why he did what he did with baby Drew or why he left, but with therapy, time, and deep talks with Liv, you understood. It didn’t mean you weren’t angry - you were - but you could see why Rafael felt he had no choice but to leave.

“I need your heart. I need your soul. And getting over you was the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do.” You replied, not answering his question. Your breath was still uneven from the tears you shed. You were worn and all you wanted to do was go home. You stood and slung your purse over your shoulder. “I am going home. Figure your shit out but don’t expect me to wait around.”

Carisi watched as you stormed away, with Rafael trailing behind you. He was going to say something but he noticed how Rafael allowed for the space between you and him to grow. 

***

The following morning you were getting ready for the day as usual. Coffee was brewing, music was blasting, you were digging around for some clean clothes. There was a staccato knock on the door. You ignored it and found a shirt from the pile of clothes and sniffed it.

There was a second knock, this time louder than first. “I am coming!” You shouted as you tugged your shirt on. You huffed as you marched to the door before tripping over a stack of books that you were planning on donating to your neighborhood library.

You swore loudly and hobbled over to the door. Swinging it open, you all but shouted, “What do you wa--”

On the other side was Rafael. Holding a tray of coffee and a paper bag, that you presumed were some kind of sweets. “I know I am the last person you want to see. I don’t know what to do. Um… do you want some coffee?”

You wrinkled your nose, but you took a step forward and plucked the pastry bag from his grasp. You opened it and inhaled the fresh pastries; your stomach rumbled in response. You reached in and grabbed a honeybun. 

“Come in.” You waved him in before taking a bite of the sticky pastry. Sorry it’s not more neat.”

Rafael made his way in. You entered your apartment, turning the lights on as you made your way in. 

“It’s fine.” Rafael replied as he took in your new-to-him space. There were elements that reminded him of your time together, but it was more uniquely you than anything else.

“You said something yesterday that has stayed in my mind all night long.” Rafael sat down on your couch. 

“Yeah? And what’s that?” You asked, taking a seat across from him. You reached over and plucked the two coffees from 

“I need your heart. I need your soul. All this time away from you has made me realize that. I am sorry for hurting you - for even breaking things off the way I did.” He confessed. “But then I realized, I couldn’t do it. All this time… I still love you.”

You didn’t respond and Rafael felt his heart sink. His stomach knotted and he thought he would throw up. 

You were quiet when you finally did speak. “I still love you too.”

Rafael looked at you, a huge grin on his face. He was overjoyed to hear your proclamation. “So now what?”

You furrowed your brows and an idea came to you, your face brightening. “I suppose we’re due for some makeup sex.”

Rafael blinked. “What?”

You stood up and tugged off your top. “Look, I don’t know about you - but it’s been awhile and I have needs. Are you complaining?”

Rafael stood, shrugging off his coat and also making quick removal of his clothes. “No, not at all. Just not what I expected to happen.”

You were down to your panties. “Just gotta make one call.” Rafael nodded, continuing to undress. You grabbed your phone and called Liv. “Hey, Liv - personal emergency, I won’t be able to make it - no everything will be fine - no you don’t need to come by. I’ll make it up. Thanks.”

You tossed your phone onto the couch and stretched out your hand. “Come on.”

**

Rafael groaned as he pounded into you with punctuated thrusts. You grabbed the sheets desperately as pleasure coursed your body. Being reunited with Rafael was almost too much - no one ever fucked you as well as he did - and no one ever made you feel complete as he did. Rafael pushed your knee higher, changing the angle. His cock hit you at a new angle and you cried out.

“Oh fuck, fuck, yes, just like that!” Your back arched slightly. He dropped his mouth to yours, swallowing your moans as he slid his tongue into yours. Rafael quickened his pace and you snaked your hand between your bodies to rub your clit. 

“Gonna… fuck… gonna come…” Rafael groaned. 

“Come for me, give it to me.” You panted. “Need it. Need you.”

Rafael stiffened, groaning your name as he came, filling the condom you insisted he wear for the time being. You continued to rub with one hand as your orgasm approached, you used your other hand to grip his arm tightly. You threw your head back as you cried out Rafael’s name as your orgasm peaked and washed over you. 

Rafael pressed a kiss to the top of your forehead as your body grew slack. He removed himself and rolled his body off yours. He removed the condom, tying it in a knot before disposing it into the trash bin at the foot of your bed. Rafael rejoined you in the bed and you curled into his embrace.

You stroked his chest softly, running the tips of your fingers through his chest hair. “We have a lot to work on.”

Rafael grabbed your hand and pressed a kiss to your knuckles. “I know, hermosa.”

You looked up at him. “For us to work - it’s going to take time. We have a lot to work on - a lot to unpack.”

“As long as it takes. I don’t want to lose you again.”

You propped yourself up and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Well, since we have so much time ahead of us now… why don’t we make up for lost time?” 

Rafael arched his brow and you squealed as he pulled you up on top of him.He kissed you deeply and rolled you onto your back once more. He began to press kisses along your body, shimmying down. 

He got to the apex of your thighs and spread your legs. You met his eyes and he winked before dropping his mouth to you again.

FIN.

***

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[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia CH.4

WARNING OF DEPICTION OF A PANIC ATTACK and mentions of drugging. 

////////

The rest of the day went by pretty uneventfully. That is after Nate lectured you about stranger danger and how you couldn't just walk forty miles in two hours. You really have no clue how you messed up the math that bad or how calling Nate for a ride never crossed your mind. Nate made you promise not to get into another stranger's car, especially without knowing their fucking names.

“I mean seriously YN, you just hopped in their car because they had a dog?! That's literally the first thing they tell you not to do when you learn about stranger danger!” he said munching on a boston cream donut. It was a good thing you'd brought donuts because you caused this man to stress eat...or was that a bad thing?

After you agreed to having better stranger danger instincts, Nate told you things would be run a little differently around the shop. Apparently the camera out back had died on Sunday, which although weird could be explained away as a camera that hasn't been updated or switched out since the shop was opened, maybe even before then too. So unfortunately Big Jo and Nate still didn't know who broke into your car or if they had been looking for anything. But Big Jo still wants to take precautions like the two of you leaving together and in the morning one of you waiting in their car with the doors locked for the other to come and then entering the building together.

Nate also mentioned a few other things, shipping and inventory related, that wouldn't really pertain to you or change any of your current tasks. It's really just to limit the amount of people coming through the back room. The back room was the emptiest you've ever seen when you went to check on your deer skull. You wonder if you hadn't been hired who would've gotten this position and how long they'd be able to keep their mouth shut about the obviously illegal activity going on. But you remember the person who had this position before you had been Bambi, a sweet if not oblivious girl. So, had you not come along the Cowells would have probably found someone else who didn't have an ounce of perception for their surroundings.

The week goes by slowly and with no further incidents. The deer skull has been completed and you plan on taking it to Maddie's Workshop next week to get a mount for it. In the time that you were bleaching and polishing the bones Nate took it upon himself to clean around the shop. Even though he's made it clear you just have to do your task list here, which takes about an hour maybe two depending on the tasks, he's always working on something.

Nate's the type of guy who's never content to just chill he needs to keep moving always chasing that high you get from accomplishing a goal, whatever he's made his that day. He's probably just substituting whatever he did daily with these new deep cleans of his.

Even with the lack of incidents following your car's break in the two of you have kept to the new precautions. Nate even going so far as to remind you tonight that on Monday if you arrive before him you'll need to stay in the car. At this point you think it's less about safety and more about the security of the store's extra curricular activities. Either way you don't really mind.

Things seemed to return to normal, you were back to driving yesterday and after you rearranged furniture in your house you felt a little less on edge. And every night this week you'd been able to get a good night's sleep, which although not too strange did stand out to you. Maybe another thing that had kept you on edge this week, because it meant when you saw a shadow pass by you during the day you couldn't write it off as quickly as you normally would.

But tonight it seemed your luck had run out. You sat on your bed with your sketch book in hand just doodling strange squiggles till your eyes were so tired they couldn't focus. Putting the book down to rest your eyes and crack your wrist, you sigh not feeling tired at all. The thought of a hike isn't really appealing right now, plus if you made a run into the mini mart you'd probably see either Ronnie or even Tim working behind the counter, that thought set your ears a flame. While the night life in Kepler was decent especially for a Friday night in summer, you just felt the need to be alone.

A drive was the best answer you had. You'd just choose a random lane on the interstate and take a random exit till you found a diner or something, order a tea and a slice of pie. Like you were a background character in someone else's story longingly staring out the window as your dreams slowly slipped through your fingers in this cold cruel world. Ok, you'd been joking about that because you saw a TikTok saying that, but your melodramatic ass actually thinks that sounds fun.

Throwing on some jeans and a flannel over you muscle tee, you were out the door. When you were checking the lock you'd heard rustling coming from around the house where your bins were. Worse case it's a stalker, best case just some raccoons. Either way you decided to calmly but briskly walk to your car, locking the doors immediately. Once in you drove around the side of your house, luckily, you assume, you spot the chonkiest raccoon you've ever seen digging through the bins. His tiny little person hands drawing an awww from you even though his demonic gleaming eyes should send a chill down your spine.

Hissing at the car Chonk returns to dig through your garbage. Weird how he only comes on your pizza weeks. Probably has a thing for Leo's homemade pizzas. You sure as hell do, as much as you love it you do save a slice for this little guy. You haven't put it out yet though, eh you'll do it tomorrow.

Having solved that mystery you sit in your car and link up your phone so you can have your driving playlist. It's mainly Folk Punk and Sea Shanties and while most might say it's a weird combination you say it's the same genre just different fonts. You could drive hundreds of miles into the middle of no where listening to this playlist and you'd be just fine...maybe have an emotional break down or two but expressing your emotions is suppose to be good for you. Mouthing along to Jim Bogart as it comes through the stereo you set off on your little excursion.

Just like when you have the urge to hike at night the urge to drive is nearly one in the same. Momentum taking you forward and not looking back as you do, needing to just go forward with no real destination in mind. Tonight however would be a little different you'd stop at the first diner you see that's out of Kepler bounds. Or turn right back around at one in case you hadn't found anything. There've been times that you kept driving straight through morning and didn't know where the hell you ended up. Not to mention you rarely remember the ways to get back after going for so long, and gps can only get you so far in some of the towns that also border the Monongahela Forest. You'd just have to rely on dumb luck tonight.

Unlike hiking, which gives you a burst of adrenaline as you push your body to its limits to move as far as you can and as much as you can. Driving gives a much more relaxed feeling, it's a feeling a weightlessness that gets lighter and lighter the further you get from home. Some may describe that feeling as a wanderlust or nomadic calling, but you've never cared for either of those things. You've only ever wanted to stay in one place for as long as you could remember. Moving around so much in your youth really messed you up, and you promised yourself this would be the last time you uprooted your life. And you've really come to love Kepler in these past few months. You can't imagine how you'll feel next year after getting to know the community more, but so far it's been really compassionate and understanding, a few rocky spots here and there but nothing like your hometown.

Without realizing it you've picked up your speed, you're doing 75 in a 55 zone. Even with no other vehicles around you slow down to just above the speed limit. While there might not be any cops around looking for easy tickets you don't want to risk dissociating at 75MPH or more. That could only end horribly. Though dissociating behind the wheel at all would be horrible. In the middle of shaking yourself from these thoughts you catch sight of an exit sign, which holds the logo for Denny's on it, and the exit is coming up in five miles. Switching lanes you cross over and get ready to hop off on the next exit.

You're pretty sure the only pie Denny's has is the dry apple with a scoop of ice cream. That isn't very appetizing to you, but then again you aren't really a fan of pie, a fact you seemed to gloss over when you made the decision to drive out here this late at night. Not too bothered by the fact, you remember Denny's has a salted caramel and banana pancake which should work in place of pie.

Pulling into the parking lot there are only three other cars, peering into the diner you don't really see anyone so the cars must belong to the skeleton night crew. Entering the Denny's you see there actually is one other patron, you only see the back of his head as he makes no move to look at the new arrival.

“Hun, seat yourself, I'll be out in a bit.” is the motherly voice that rings out from the kitchen, truly something you've only experienced in the south. Walking into a diner in the dead of night and  being treated like a daytime regular.

Seating yourself near the TV mounted to the wall you let the sounds of the soap opera playing drown out any buzzing you feel in your head. The waitress is out within minutes and though she startles at your masked face she regains her composure very quickly.

“I'd like the salted caramel pancakes if it's alright.” you say declining the offered menu.

“Just the pancakes?”

“Ah, yes please. And water's fine too.” it really pays to know the menu prior to coming in. Gives you ample time to run scripts over in your head.

Viv, the name on her name tag, nods and gives you a smile as she spins right round to the kitchen. Probably happy she won't have to run out so many times for just one order or maybe to spend time with the cooks in the back. You remember working food service sucked but the line cooks made it so much better at the end of the day. Even if they said you were too quiet and called you 'mouse'.

It might not have been exactly what you set out to do but this little midnight self date was really nice, you should do this more often.

Pancakes finished and mask back on you waited for Viv to bring out your check,  then you notice the other patron also making his moves to leave. You're sat facing the door so when he turns and comes closer dread fills your veins like burning cold dry ice. It's David, a local from Kepler you briefly met when you first moved. He gave you really bad vibes and over all was just a very skeevy dude.

What made you feel worse about him was when he left town to “help his sister” right after Bambi disappeared. Those in your circle told you she always talked about leaving Kepler one day but you trusted your gut in saying she didn't leave by her own choice. It got made for her, and David leaving just furthered your theory. You look away hoping he hadn't noticed you but unfortunately you could hear his footsteps falter and then pick back up by passing the door completely.

“Hey...YN, right?” fuck he remembers you, alarm bells are ringing at this fact. Why would he remember someone he briefly met months ago?

“It really is you, still as quiet as I remember.” what did he mean the two of you only met a handful of times and that had been because of your mutual friendship with Bambi.

Where is Viv with the check? You'd really like if she saved you from this painful situation right now. But you aren't sure what's worse having to sit here and listen to David tell you everything he's been up to these past few months, like you even care. Or the thought of leaving with David having him follow you and maybe doing whatever he did to Bambi to you.

“Yea so my sister's better now, I should be seeing you around soon. We should catch up maybe do Saturday Night Dead. Does the Crypt still do that?” great a fucking rhetorical question, he knows the Cryptonomica still does it's weekly movie nights, it's only been two months he's been gone. Not to mention it's a big hit and a huge source of revenue for the shop.

You haven't said anything this whole time, fuck being polite to a potential killer, and fuck being polite to this creep. He's just been talking nearly nonstop for the last few minutes. He must really love the sound of his own voice or thinks he's the most charming person to ever grace the Earth with his presence. Since he's not really caring that you aren't proving to be a stimulating partner in this conversation. He really does love hearing himself talk. By the time he's said his own goodbyes Viv finally makes it out from the back.

She apologizes for the wait, had to go on her break sometime you supposed. You take your time finding your wallet, it's in your back pocket but you wanted to stall for time since you could still see David's car out there, you were also keeping an eye on your own car. Only relaxing when you saw him pull off from the corner of your eye. Oh look you've “found” your wallet,  handing Viv your credit card you just want to get out of here quickly now.

You pay and leave a nice tip for Viv, while she didn't save you from that creep it's not like she could've known. You sit in your car for a moment or two just breathing in and out in the glow of the diner lights. Almost meditating before you begin your long drive back to Kepler with all these thoughts of David, Bambi's disappearance, and how it can't be coincidence that David is coming back at the same time that you have a break in. Could you be his next target? Were you just over thinking things? Just blaming this poor guy because you didn't like him? But you've always been intuitive and bad vibes aren't something to ignore. David appearing now meant something.

Just that thought alone put you on edge as your skin begins to crawl. With a few calming breaths you go to start the car and sync your radio when you notice the glow of the lights changed from the slight yellow to a sterile blueish white. Looking up where the diner should be you see the mini mart back at Kepler...how on earth did you get here? You didn't drive! You couldn't have dissociated while driving, you never even turned the car on and you can barely take a hike dissociating let alone do something as complex as drive a car.

It happens before you can register it, on shaky legs that move on their own you are passing the threshold of the convenience store and catching the tail end of a conversation.

“ppened to not feeding into delus...” the voice cuts off as the door shuts behind you. You know that voice why is it so hard to focus?

Something warm brushes your hand and you see someone in front of you. Who is that? You can't see their face, they've got a mask covering their face. Like you but that person is not you. You might know them...Tobais?

“Yea? You good there?” confusion, you blink hard and see you are standing in the mini mart now, Connor standing under your hand, Toby hovering close by and both Brian and Tim watch with unease over by the register.

“...I don't know how I...how I got here.” you register movement in the background but not consciously.

It's the shifting of Brian's head as he looks out the front windows and spots your Kia.

“You drove.” shaking your head, “Maybe...I don't...I dissociated?” in your confusion you can register Toby stiffen in front of you.

Fear, fear, uneasy, breath....are you breathing? Your head's so jumbled right now.

You scan the shop trying to look for answers that may help you but you find none. The more confused you get the more worked up you get, chest rising and falling rapidly. You take a step back or try to and end up falling on your butt. It's starting to get hard to breathe with your throat constricting, you bring a hand up to your larynx.

“..re.....have..attack......”

        “could be o...me..”

“.....pressure...”

Is all you can make out with your fuzzy consciousness before a heavy pressure is piling on your chest and knocking you fully on your back. The pressure is actually pretty lifting as contradictory as it may seem. Instead of restricting your breathing more it seems to be kick starting your lungs to exhale and inhale. With oxygen coming back into your body you can feel your toes and the tingle behind them. You can feel your fingers and the fur under them. Fur?

Taking in a big breath you move your head and come face to muzzle with Connor.  You give a nod of recognition to the dog before lying flat again and staring up at the ceiling. After about ten minutes you're thinking more clearly than before, which isn't saying much.

“Thanks.” you aren't sure who it's directed at but you still mean it.

It's silent until Toby breaks it, “I'm taking you home.”

“Car.” it's all you can manage to say but the message though distorted got through.

“I'll drive it, Brian follow behind.” there is no room for arguing, driving under any influence must be a touchy subject for Toby. Or maybe you're really fucked up right now and just can't comprehend how bad.

You use Connor to get up, he seems ready and no one else makes a move to you. Toby pushes past and holds the door open as Connor guides you, still holding onto his vest with one hand, and Brian murmurs something to Tim before following you three.

Outside Toby already has your keys in his hand, when did he get those? Did you give them to him? Your hand is risen, you must of...how on earth did you even drive like this. Had you really driven? There's a lump in your throat again and you're breathing's gone shaky, god you hope you didn't hurt anyone. You must have been zoning out for too long, not only is Connor pushing your legs but Toby has a grasp on your forearm coaxing you forward.

His grip isn't suffocating, honestly even seeing it there you still don't feel it. Maybe it's because you're so numb, or maybe it's because he's genuinely helping you but you can't feel the pain that  usually comes with being touched. The sharp jab that feels like you've been struck with a fire poker where ever someone laid their hands on you. After he's pushed you into the backseat, more like nudged you, even making sure you didn't bump your head, he buckles you in then snaps and Connor jumps into the car and lays across your lap.

You're shaking, actually trembling as you look at Toby. What's going on? Why can't you figure out what's happening? The brunette doesn't say a thing as he gets into the driver's seat and buckles in to drive you home. That's strange you think, how does he know where to go? You told him right, just follow the road...or maybe he guessed from the other day. What happened to you? Why the mini mart? You were at Denny's.

“This town doesn't have a Denny's.” did you say that out loud?

“I...I went for a drive, a town over...up...no.. north I think...” you start blinking barely able to keep your eyes open before your eyes lock shut. It's sending you over the edge even more in your confusion.

“Hey, hey just focus on the Denny's. What'd you do once you got there?” is he trying to distract you? Calm you down? Or is he trying to piece together what happened like you are? You can remember Denny's just fine, the dull yellow glow of the inside the skeleton crew murmuring in the back, the pancakes you had, and the “conversation” with David. Did David do this, had he put something in your water glass? Did you even touch your water glass after he left? Breathe. You need to breathe. Toby's waiting.

“Pancakes...I had pancakes. Then that creep came over...and he started talking. Didn't like. We aren't friends, I don't know him. I don't understand why he'd talk to me. Didn't like. Didn't like.” finger back to pressing down on your larynx and the weight of Connor preventing your legs from striking out at the seat in front of you.

“Wait, were you drugged?” Eyes flash to the rear view to lock with your own teary stare.

“No, maybe...I don't think so.” you barely feel the pain in your throat right now, this is all so overwhelming. “He left, I...I watched him drive off before getting in my car... I had an episode while the car was off then..” then you were at the mini mart. You never touched the ignition.

“I didn't drive, I never started the car. Didn't, didn't, didn't” Your attack is probably stressing even Connor out now, but this is all so confusing.

You're so focused on the fuzzy events you don't notice Toby bristle. Or how he grips the steering wheel tighter until his knuckles grow white despite his already translucent skin. He might not be able to feel or see it in the mirror through his mask but he's probably gnawing off more of his face. He'd deal with it after he dealt with you.

You've made it to your house and he's waiting for the headlights from Brian. When he sees them in the rear view he gets out but not before telling you, or maybe Connor, to stay put.

It's a few long moments before he comes back. But in the silence and darkness of your car, growing colder by the moment, you start to ground yourself. You aren't calm by any means and you're still very unfocused. But you aren't crying as the numbness overtakes you, you don't even jump when the door beside you opens. With a snap Connor is out of the car and soon you're being pulled from the car, that same weightless touch gripping your forearm. Toby guides you into your own home, and walks towards the hallway looking into the bathroom, the only other door, before finding your room.

Seemingly understanding your catatonic state he sits you on the bed and gives some order to Connor before he leaves the room. And you just sit on the bed staring into dead air as a silent guard sits in wait. You aren't sure what he's waiting for or why he's still there but the numbness has taken over too much and you can't find it in you to give a single fuck.

[xofanfics]

String - Part IV

Prologue | Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V

Genre: angst, fluff, suggestive themes

Pairing: Baekhyun x Female Reader

Word Count: 2.7k

Summary: You find yourself in a friends-with-benefits situation with your best friend. You have no business falling for him, but your heart begs to differ.

Things were not going as planned. That was evident yesterday when Baekhyun paid you a visit.  You felt a bunch of things—annoyance, anger, frustration, sadness. The list went on and your friends could see it in your face. Earlier that week, Evie and Sadie had invited you to sleepover at their dorm for Friday night. Though you hadn’t expected the week to go the way it had, you were grateful that you’d be spending your Friday night with friends instead of in bed eating easy mac and binge watching Vampire Diaries. 

As you sat on the train with your overnight bag, you couldn’t help but feel a little excited. You hadn’t had a girls’ night in a while. For the most part, you usually went out with the guys. This weekend though, you would be with the girls and the girls only. You needed a break. They promised drinks, music and movies in their dorm room. 

The train screeched to a halt as you arrived at 14th Street - Union Square station. You got off the train quickly as a woman nearly knocked you over just to get onto the train. If it was one thing that annoyed you about New York City, it was people like that woman who, for some reason, can’t seem to wait for people to actually get off of the train. People like her give the city a bad name. The station was crowded now; you saw people dressed up and ready to start drinking, you saw people in suits coming from work after a long day at the office, and you saw kids in uniforms in clusters with their friends.

The city always came alive at night as the sun was setting. As you passed the park you saw some street performers playing instruments, the sound of smooth jazz filling your ears. The walk to your friend’s dorm seemed to go more quickly than usual. You were excited to spend time with your friends but you were also disappointed how things went with Baekhyun. He texted you earlier today but you ignored his message and left it on read. You didn’t know how to respond to him after the other night. You stared at the message, unsure of how to react. He said: 

[7:48am] Morning! Sorry I had to leave last night. I’m on my way to the pool now. Hope you have a good day! 

You couldn’t respond to him because you didn’t know how and also because you didn’t know where your fingers would take you if you started typing. It was better, you decided, to ignore the message altogether. 

You signed in at their dorm and waited for Evie to pick you up from the lobby. She came a moment later. “Hey,” she said, waving at the person at the desk as you headed upstairs with her. “We ordered some Chinese food. We timed it perfectly cause it’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“What did we get?”

“Some dumplings, beef and scallions, general tso’s chicken, and shrimp fried rice.”

“That sounds like more than enough,” you said, laughing, as Evie opened the door to their suite. You put your bags down and hugged Sadie. “Hey.”

“So I had nothing else better to do so I put together some fun ideas for tonight,” she said, showing you her phone. “We’re gonna play some drinking games after we eat. Our suitemates are down to play uno and jenga. It’s gonna be great.” She held up a familiar vape pen with the oil that would lead you on a winding, neverending path up to the clouds, if not further. “Want a hit?”

*

You shrieked as you pulled out the wooden piece that sent everything crashing down to the floor. “Damn it!” You and your friends laughed, along with their suitemates. It was time to take a shot. You weren’t sure how many shots you’d had at this point since you and your friends agreed to do half shots so no one would get too drunk and result in the night ending with someone passed out in a corner or slumped at the table. 

Vodka was never good but it was cheap and good enough to get you drunk quickly. Everyone chipped in to get a bottle of Pinnacle earlier. You took the shot, feeling the liquid fire in your core, your friends cheering in the background.

This was what you needed: a night to take your mind off of things. No boys, no drama, just fun and games. You hadn’t thought about Baekhyun once since you got here. Maybe, in your own way, this just served as a distraction to the reality that you had absolutely no idea what was going on in your life but it was fine. As of now, it was fine. You were enjoying yourself and that was all that mattered. 

As your friends decided what games you should play next, you made the mistake of picking up your phone. Your screen displayed Instagram, where you’d left it last. You clicked on Drew’s story and saw that he was at Bar None with Baekhyun and Daren. They seemed to be having a boys’ night from what you could see. 

“Did Baekhyun invite you guys out with them?” you asked.

Sadie shook her head. “Nah. I talked to the guys earlier today but we didn’t make any plans with them. Why?”

“Just wondering,” you said. “I hung out with Baekhyun the other night and we were supposed to talk.”

Evie raised her eyebrows. “What happened?”

“We hung out as usual. Ordered food, watched TV, and we fell asleep. Just when I thought he was gonna come to bed with me, he went home.”

Sadie said, “So you didn’t talk?” You shook your head. “I think he likes someone else. I overheard him and Drew talking and—”

You stopped her, desperate for some inkling of what was going on in Baekhyun’s life. “What did he say?”

“I mean, nothing specific. He was saying that he ran into someone somewhere and that they got ice cream. He said that she was cute. I-I only caught a piece of it and to be honest, he could’ve been talking about anyone so I didn’t think much of it.” 

You rolled your eyes and picked up your phone again. You’d started the evening not thinking about Baekhyun and you let him get in your head yet again. The purpose of being here tonight was to hang out with your friends and gossip about any and everyone who wasn’t Baekhyun Byun. You found yourself on Instagram looking for Baekhyun’s account to look at his story. According to his story, last night he made instant ramen. Today around lunchtime, he had tacos and, from what he could see, he wasn’t alone. The person wasn’t in the shot but you could tell by the little bit of hand in the corner, that the feminine hand belonged to someone with perfect, powder blue nails.

You tossed your phone on the table and started looking for your drink. Evie looked at the phone and swiped backward to see what you were looking at. She cleared her throat. “Oh God.”

“It could just be a friend,” you said, refusing to accept this outcome as truth. “You know what? I’m gonna ask him.” You stood up, grabbed your phone and started putting your sandals on. 

“Where are you going?” Evie asked. “We’re gonna play UNO next.”

“I’m going to the bar.”

“No you’re not,” your friend said, standing in front of you. “Now is not the time.”

“Well I need to talk to him.”

You started toward the door, determined to see Baekhyun no matter what. Your friends couldn’t stop you. Evie started putting her shoes on, too. “Shouldn’t you try to do this sober or something?”

Sadie said, “I don’t think this is a good idea…”

“Look,” you said, shaking your head. “I tried to talk to him twice already. I say, fuck that. Third time’s a charm, right?”

*

This probably wasn’t a good idea but you were on your way, with Sadie and Evie at your side. They knew just as well as you did, deep down, that this was a terrible idea. There was no way that this would go well but you needed to know. You needed answers and you needed them now. You couldn’t go one more day without knowing where you stood with Baekhyun. You hated not knowing how he felt or where you were going.

You crossed the street, the alcohol making your legs feel like jello. The three of you were still pretty drunk and, with Sadie insisting on bringing the vape pen, you were crossfaded enough to deal with this situation. There were a million things you wanted to say, in a million different ways. You’d visualized scenarios that hadn’t happened in your head while you walked. Some outcomes you imagined were positive, with you leaving the bar hand in hand with Baekhyun, while other outcomes you imagined were more dramatic, ending with you hitting him in the head with a bottle of liquor you’d stolen from the bar. 

“What are you gonna say to him?” asked Sadie. 

“I dunno,” you said, turning the corner. “I’m gonna wing it.”

“Oh God,” you heard Evie say under her breath as you approached the bouncer standing outside. She had no idea what she was getting herself into and, to be honest, neither did you. On the way over, Evie was the main person trying to get you to change your mind about confronting Baekhyun. 

She said things like “This is going to end in disaster” and “Why not sleep off the liquor and call him tomorrow or something?” But she couldn’t change your mind. You had your mind set on one thing and one thing only. 

You showed the bouncer your ID before storming into the bar without waiting for your friends. You took in your surroundings. It was crowded now. It was after eleven now and the groups of friends that had dinner after work were beginning to make their way to the bars. You looked by the bar and didn’t find any of your friends there. You peeked over people’s heads walking by the bar and over by the seats. 

Drew and Daren were sitting in a booth, you noticed, as you got closer. Baekhyun however, was nowhere in sight. Did he leave the bar? Without greeting your friends, you said, “Where’s Baek?”

“Well damn, hello to you too Y/N,” Drew said. 

Daren laughed. “He’s in the bathroom.” You plopped down into the booth next to him. Sadie and Evie came up to the table. “What are you guys doing here?”

“We decided to come to the bar,” you said as Baekhyun approached the table. 

He glanced at you and the girls with surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“We’re bar hopping,” you snapped, turning to him. A flash of hurt crossed Baekhyun’s face but you didn’t care. “I wanna talk to you.”

“Uh,” he said, “sure.” He grabbed his drink from the table and downed the rest of it. The two of you walked out of the bar, leaving your friends behind. You stepped out into the cool night air. Baekhyun didn’t say anything. He could feel the tension and frustration radiating off of your body. He followed you around the corner into a back street.

You stopped in front of a tree, folding your arms across your chest. “I have a question.”

Baekhyun looked down at the sidewalk. “What’s up?”

“What’s going on with us?”

“What do you mean?”

“What the fuck are we doing, Baekhyun? You’ve been avoiding me…”

“I haven’t been avoiding you. We hung out the other day, like old times.”

You were pissed. Here he was acting like he was innocent, like he’d done no wrong. “Do you remember the conversation we had in May?”

Baekhyun looked up at you and nodded. “I do.”

“So,” you said, “what’s going on with us, Baekhyun?”

Baekhyun knew what you were upset about before you even said anything. You’d been wanting to talk to him for a few days and he avoided it every time even if it was just coincidence. The first time he didn’t notice because he was going to see you at brunch with your friends. At first, he’d thought it was just something small you wanted to mention casually. But you didn’t talk at brunch about anything significant and you didn’t get to talk at your place because he ended up having to take care of Daren. He didn’t put together your disappointment until later that night. He felt bad; he even thought of calling you back then. 

He had been avoiding you. He was guilty about it and he also felt guilty about Kira coming back into his life. He was seeing Kira last year before he even met you. Things hadn’t gotten too far with her then but he liked her a lot. Kira left to study abroad and then he met you the following semester. He had a bunch of classes with you and you got closer and closer; close enough to be inside you. 

It wasn’t that he regretted it or that he’d been using you because he ended up liking you. Baekhyun wanted to date you which is why he agreed to it in the first place. The thing was that he didn’t want to start dating you and then go to Korea for the summer a couple days later. He didn’t want to start the relationship off in Korea, arguing and struggling over the time difference and whether or not the two of you were seeing other people. So he wanted to wait. He made a reservation at a steakhouse called Wolfgang’s for September 20th—a Friday night. 

Today was September 20th and he was here at the bar with his friends instead of at that restaurant with you. He planned on asking you out officially then, had his plans not been derailed by a former flame coming back into the picture. He cancelled the reservation last night; that was the point of no return. He couldn’t ask you out when he felt this way about Kira instead of about you. He questioned whether the feelings he had for you had been real or not. He liked you, he cared about you, but you didn’t make his heart explode and fall to the ground in pieces. 

Baekhyun didn’t reply so you asked another question he couldn’t answer. “Do you like me?”

“Of course I like you,” he said. “I care about you.”

“But you don’t like me like that, right?” You bit your lip, trying to hold in the emotions that threatened to leave your body in the form of tears.

Baekhyun let out a sigh. This was the tough part. “I don’t think I feel like that…”

You nodded and headed over to the steps of an apartment building. You sat and ran your hands through your hair before looking up at Baekhyun. “Did you ever like me?”

Baekhyun grabbed onto your hand. “Everything that happened between us...it was real. I did have feelings for you. I never lied to you and—”

“So it’s better to lie to me now, huh?” you asked, pushing his hand away.

“Feelings can change Y/N!”

“Feelings don’t just change overnight. Two weeks ago you were in my bed. Your feelings just vanished into thin air in that short amount of time?”

“Come on, Y/N! I can’t help how I’m feeling. If you found someone you liked, wouldn’t you go for it?”

There it was: the truth. It didn’t come out in the way you thought it would but there it was. He liked someone else, just like Sadie said. You felt like a complete idiot, waiting around for him for this long when it wasn’t even a possibility.

“Don’t hate me for this,” he said. “You would’ve done the same. If things had gone well with that guy you used to like, we wouldn’t have even gotten to this point! There wouldn’t have been any confusion on what this was from the beginning…just casual sex between two people when we needed to get off, mutual entertainment!” He sighed. “Please don’t be upset. You deserve someone whose heart skips a beat when you smile...like yours used to do to me...” 

You let out a laugh and stood up. “Okay, Baekhyun. Fuck you.”

Baekhyun swore under his breath. “Y/N, please don’t take this the wrong way.”

“I think you made yourself clear tonight,” you said, a tear finally falling down your cheek. You turned on your heel and started walking away.

Crystal clear.

*****

Tag List:  @shesdreaminginoverdose @multistania​ @jeonchan26​ @myonlyaurora​ @keloiu​ 

Please DM me if you want to be added to the tag list! Hope you enjoyed this chapter :)

[rogue-durin-16]

THE FLOWER IN THE FORGE (part I/II)

Request: Thorin x fem human! reader please where they meet in Ered Luin during Thorin’s blacksmith days, she bonded with the rest of the Durins too especially Dis, so just cute & stuff until finally Thorin has to leave to reclaim Erebor, maybe a bit of an angsty bittersweet ending because the reader is not interested in being a queen

Pairing: Thorin Oakenshield x human!Reader

Genre: mostly fluff

Tags:

Requested by: @queenofmankind

Permanent taglist: @queenofmankind @randomparanoid

Warnings: none really

A/N: this is my first fanfic of the Hobbit so it might be a bit meh but I need practice so forgive me plz. Also for those who don't know, English is not my mother tongue so I have to get used to this. Now enjoy <3

Part II

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

Selling flowers in the town's market might not have been the most profitable business, but it was a beautiful one.

Each morning, I would leave my lowly home and walk all the way through the town square to the stall where colorful bouquets and delicate flower crowns were already waiting for me.

Though one day, as I made my way to my working place as always, I heard unusual metallic bang. Then another, and another, and another, it was almost rhythmic.

Out of curiosity I strayed from my path in order to discover what that sound was. It was early in the morning, not many places were open.

I gradually slowed down when I saw a raven-haired dwarf forging a sword at the end of the street, in what I thought was an abandoned blacksmith's shop.

I guessed it was no longer abandoned.

The dwarf looked up and his icy eyes fixed on mines with such an intensity that made me look away, almost ashamed of having stared at him for too long.

Just as I was about to make my way up the street again and retake my usual path, a deep, loud voice spoke. "Good morning."

I turned to meet his eyes once more. This time somehow they looked less intimidating than a couple of seconds before. "Good morning to you." I replied with a timid smile. "I apologize, I did not mean to stare."

"Do not apologize, m'lady." He responded leaving his hammer resting on the wooden table. "I understand it may be rare to see... Well, a-"

"Blacksmith in town." I finished his sentence with my words before he could finish with his. "We lacked from one for so long, I doubt I have ever listened to the hammering of the forge before." we stayed in silence for an instant before I spoke again. "May I know your name?"

"Only if I know yours."

"Y/n Y/l/n." I replied with a smile.

"Thorin Oakenshield." he presented himself, with a subtle bow of his head. "At your service."

"I will leave you now to your task, Thorin. I too have a job I must attend." I turned around once more while I waved goodbye at the handsome dwarf.

"Farewell, Y/n." as I got farther from him, I started hearing the hits of the hammer against the metal sword once more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

What am I doing, I asked myself as I made my way to the blacksmith's with a portion of food I had bought in the market.

"Hey." Thorin looked up at me and almost instantly a half smile appeared on his lips. "happy to see me again?"

"Very." he replied, stopping his work. "I thought I might have scared you yesterday."

"Oh, you did." I spoke the truth, sitting on a free bench besides him. "But you have a pretty smile." he seemed shocked at my words, almost confused. "I brought you some food." I handed him the portion and he left the table he was working over to stand in front of me. "it occurred to me that you may be hungry."

"That's very thoughtful of you." Thorin sat besides and started eating. "but you don't have to look for excuses to come and see me." I widened my eyes and he let out a chuckle. "I was joking."

"I'm not paying you to court a human, dwarf! Work!" I burrowed my brows at the poor treatment, and, even though I could feel Thorin’s anger, he obliged and, after getting up, he gripped the hammer and the sword with such strength that his knuckles went white.

"I did not mean to distract you." He simply shook his head, dismissing me without any kind of eye contact. I could tell he was angry. "I'll leave you to it now." I smiled at him, though he wasn't looking, and I stood up and walked out.

Since he was now behind me, I couldn't acknowledge the way his eyes lingered on me; the longing they held.

"Y/n! Long time no see, kid." the bartender who worked in the same street as Thorin called my name. "What are you doing down here?"

"I came to see Thorin."

"Thorin?"

"The blacksmith." I detailed.

His face fell and a frown installed in his face. "That dwarf? What are your business with him?" before I could give a confused question for an answer, he spoke again. "Be careful, lass. Dwarves are not ones to trust."

"Uh... Sure."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day was close to the end when a pair of young dwarves appeared in my street, seemingly confused. "Excuse me, lady- Oh those are pretty." the dark-haired one spoke, visibly losing his trail of thoughts when his eyes got caught in the flower crowns.

"Kíli, focus." the blond one urged the other, nudging him. "Lady may I ask which way must we go in order to reach the blacksmith's shop?"

"You should walk to the end of this street, then take a left turn and go up, when you reach the square-"

"Could you guide us there?" The blond dwarf begged. "We have been lost for a couple of hours now."

"If you give me a moment, I will." I responded. I was going to leave soon anyway.

"Fíli, we should buy one of this crowns for mom." the brunet suggested, completely ignoring his brother distress. "She will love it."

With a sigh, Fíli took a look at the crown his brother was pointing at. "How much for this one, lady?"

Once they paid, I handed the crown to the brunet and closed the stall. "Alright lads, follow me." I guided them both all the way to the blacksmith's. I didn't need to ask if they knew Thorin, that was an obvious answer, though it was confirmed when, after hearing the noise both dwarves were causing behind me, he looked up with what I could tell was a scolding glare.

It softened considerably when his gaze was met with mine instead of with either of theirs.

"Y/n." A smile made its way to my face at the way my name rolled out of his tongue, which triggered a confident smirk on his. "I see you found my troublesome nephews." I let out a laugh, turning to meet two pair of curious eyes already staring at me. "Did they cause you any problems?"

"Not at all," I assured, taking a few steps more to reach the place where he was working. "they just could not find their way to here and requested my services as a guide."

"That was very kind of you," Thorin pointed out, his eyes fixed on mines with some kind of warmth "though I am not sure if I should thank you for bringing them to me." he then turned to both dwarves. "You should be at home."

"We came to keep your company." The blond one assured to his uncle.

"I do not need company." he sternly replied, to which the dark-haired one responded with a quiet murmur, causing his brother to nudge him scoldingly.

"What was it?" I questioned, curious, as I took a seat on a wooden stool near the forge.

"Nothing m'lady." the blond lied with an apologetic look.

"Kíli." Thorin called with tremendous authority in his voice. "What was it."

Kíli's lips formed a knowing, mischievous smile before any word left his mouth. "I said that we sure are poor company compared to the beautiful lady besides you, uncle." his brother pinched the bridge of his nose and I felt my cheeks burning.

"You are not wrong," Thorin replied with calmness and confidence in his voice. "Y/n is much better company than a couple of problematic dwarves." my cheeks only got redder, and though he was not looking at me, by the ghost of a smile in his gaze I could tell he somehow had noticed. "Now go home, it's late."

"Aren't you coming with us?" Fíli asked.

"I have too much work left to do." I was in that moment going to leave the blacksmith's to go home, but then I heard his words. "I'll spend the night here. Tell my sister not to worry." his nephews nodded and left us alone. "You should go home too." he commented, undoing the laces of his shirt after rekindling the fire.

"What did you mean with spending the night here?" I inquired, loosening my own laces.

It was way too hot in there.

"By the time I finish, it will be too late to go all the way back." he explained already back to the making of another sword.

"You can stay in my house." I suggested without giving a second thought to my words. "It's... Not much but there's enough room."

"You are too kind." he whispered, submerging the sword into water to cool it down. "It is alright, won't be the first time I do not have a bed to rest," he left the sword aside and proceeded to take off his shirt. "and it should won't be the last."

I didn't quite process the fact that he was shirtless until he started edging the sword, which made his muscles tense. His skin glistened with the sweat that the blacksmith's caused; his long raven hair fell in cascade partially covering his shoulders—

"Seems to me you like what you see." I was staring. Again. "It's alright." he assured with that that smug grin in his face. "You really should go home."

"I'll help you." I stated, using a lace on my wrist to tie up my hair. Once again I missed the way Thorin’s eyes fixed on my while I secured the hair; the way his jaw slightly dropped when, with my hair up, he was able to see my back. "That way you will finish earlier and we will go home together."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

THORIN'S P. O. V.

It was late night when I finally closed the blacksmith's shop and we went to Y/n's home.

We walked in silence —a comfortable one.

"Do you need a change of clothes?" she questioned, making her way to what I supposed was her bedchamber. "There's probably something in the chest."

"It won't be necessary." I spoke, sitting down to take off my boots. I looked up for an instant, and found Y/n's door not closed enough to shield her half naked body from me. I rapidly averted my eyes and turned around.

"If you change... your mind..." I could feel her gaze on my back as I took off both my shirts, so I looked over my shoulder to meet her eyes. "You can grab one." with a smile, she opened her bedchamber's door and motioned me to pass. "The bed is big enough so don't you dare to argue." she warned me, lying down under the blankets. "I'm tired."

"No wonder why," I listened to her, lying besides her over the bedding. "It was a long day." she hummed in response and, when I turned to her, she had her eyes closed already.

Ethereal was the only valid word to describe her. Damn my height, damn my race, damn my—

"like what you see?" she teased with a grin, her eyes still closed.

"I do." was I too forward? I had met her barely a week ago. Maybe her words and actions where misleading me, she was one of kind nature.

Her eyes opened and she stared into mines. "Do you?" I rolled to my side and gave her a discreet nod.

Before I could move towards her in order to test the waters, her lips where on mines, though as fast as they came, they left to be hidden behind the blankets.

"I apologize." she mumbled.

To which I replied, "Do not." I moved my hand to move the blanket away from her face so I could return the kiss to her.

[majorshiraharu]

Baby You & Me; Cutup x (Female) Reader Smut

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

Cutup x Female Reader smut 18+ only

Warnings:   Sex (Explicit) Oral (Male Receiving) Please don’t read if you’re under 18!

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

You were a bounty hunter just recently stationed on Kamino to help train clones to be ready for war, fellow bounty hunters Bric an El-Les were having a hard time with some of their troopers, and since you were still waiting to be assigned to train some new squads you decided to pitch in and help them with Domino Squad who had been causing them a lot of headaches recently. After attempting to work with them as a group you realized CT-4040 kept messing up even basic things or just spent most of the time making jokes. You decided to spend some time on just doing one on one training with him, he put in a lot of work and listened to your orders, but no matter how many times you told him off he still spent most of the time making jokes or just acting foolishly, -one day you finally found out the reason behind his actions. --------------------------------------------- "What did you say?" you asked in shock. "I uh...um... like you," he said.   "Is that why you've been acting this way?" you question him, making him flustered. "Oh, so you did notice," he giggles scratching the back of his head.  "Of course I did, I just didn't understand why." "Well, now you know," he said with a smirk "How long have you felt this way?"  "A while, I just didn't know how to tell you, but guess I should've just told you from the start." "That would have probably saved both of us some time," you joked. "I don't think it was a waste of time," he says stepping closer to you with a different look in his eyes.  "I think your squad would disagree," you tell him as you close the gap between the two of you, going in for the kiss you saw his eyes so desperately begging for. His lips were soft and his mouth was warm, he kissed you so gently, you'd never felt anything like this, something so caring and loving. You rested your hands against his chest as he cups your face with one of his hands while the other grabs your waist pulling you against him, -you feel his tongue asking for entrance and gladly accept, pushing your own tongue out to meet his, earning a lovely moan from him. Both of you pull away to catch your breath, he moves the hand that was cupping your face to the back of your head pulling you in to rest against his chest as he kissed the top of your head. "I like you too," you chuckle letting a smile form on your face.  "I thought you might," he jokes before continuing "You know baby, you and me could really--" cutting him off as you started pressing your lips against his for a short kiss.   

"Just shut up and kiss me..." you murmured, your lips brushing over his.  "Copy that," he says continuing to kiss you. --After some more passionate kissing you just cuddle up to him, placing your arms around his neck and pushing your head into the crook of his neck, both of you stayed like that for some time, just enjoying each other's loving company before you heard someone approaching and quickly pulled apart pretending to be training.

------------ "CT-4040, you're supposed to be preparing for the arrival of Rancor Battalion with your squad, get going now!" Bric spits out, clearly annoyed. "Sorry Bric, I should have paid more attention to the time," you say in an attempt to shift blame away from CT-4040. "No, it's my fault, Master Chief!"  - "Thank you for your help and all the training ma'am," he says winking at you as he starts grabbing his stuff -- heading for the door to go meet up with his brothers "I told you he's a waste of your time Y/N," Bric says coldly watching the clone leave. "Bric, you don't have to be so mean to him, he hasn't done anything." "Exactly, he's done nothing, nothing but cause his squad and me more problems." "He has not! They all have problems that they need to work through and you're just blaming it all on him." "You'll see, I'm sure they'll fail this test." "Unlike you, I have faith that they'll find their way and beat this test together," you say grabbing your things to leave. "Trust me, you haven't been here long, you'll find out that they're not worth any of your time, besides if they fail this test they'll be done for good." "I choose to still have faith in them," you said before leaving. ------------------------------------------------- Later that day you hear from El-Les that Domino Squad failed the test, but that he asked Shaak Ti if they could try retaking it. "She said she'd consider it, Bric won't agree with my request, but I was wondering if maybe you could put in a good word for the squad.  I know you've put a lot of work into helping them, especially with CT-4040, and I think if they're given another chance they can succeed." El-Les says. "I can try, I also have faith that they can pass and anything I can do to give them that chance I'll do." "Thank you, Y/N," he says before continuing on his way to speak with the Bric. ------------------------------------------------- You had spoken with Shaak Ti, hoping your words might help her make a decision in Domino Squads favor, while you were walking through the hallways you notice Fives and Echo coming your way, you stop them to ask if they've seen their brother CT-4040 and they tell you that Bric had requested to see him and where you might find him. --Walking towards the hangers where they told you to go you noticed a clone walking by himself down one of the nearby hallways, you rush over, even though they told you all the clones looked the same you could tell them apart just by the smallest things, like the way they walked, and you knew it was him. "Hey!" you call as you reach your hand out to grab his shoulder. He stops suddenly at the sound of your voice and turns around. "Y/N?!" he blurts out before you accidentally run right into him, not expecting to have him stop so suddenly. You both crash to the ground, you landing on top of him, causing him to wince in pain. "OUCH!" he yells out as your forearm presses into his ribs. "Kriff, sorry, I didn't mean to run into you," you say, quickly getting off him. "Ahh, it's all right," he says trying to sit up, clearly in pain. "Are you okay?! Did I hurt you?" "I'm fine." "Stop lying!" you huff placing a gentle hand on the side he was clenching, "Let me see, clearly I've injured you." "NO. Umm, it's okay, you didn't hurt me, besides I'm not too keen on taking my shirt off out here in front of you," he said in a joking tone as he stood up. "My quarters are nearby if you feel more comfortable I can check your injury there," you say completely serious, unaware of what your offered sounded like to him. "Uhhh..." he mumbles out with a flustered look traveling across his face. "Come on," you huff grabbing his hand to drag him off to your quarters. --You unlock the door and bring him inside, the door closes behind you as you turn on the lights. "There now no one will see you, can I please check your injury?" you say concerned that you really hurt him. "Um...uhh...yeah," he said grabbing his shirt and pulling it off over his head, wincing in pain as he did so. Instead of paying any attention to the fact that the guy you recently kissed was now alone with you in your quarters shirtless, you focused on the fresh bruises on his body.  You couldn't have caused those, you only remember your elbow really hitting and digging into the side of him, this looked more like he was punched... "Who did this to you?!!" you question now knowing you didn't make these. "Uh...um...Bric. But it's no big deal I've had worse," he said trying to ease your concern and boiling anger. "Why would he do this?!" you say as you gently run your fingers over the bruises making him shiver with every touch. "It doesn't matter, I'll be fine Y/N." "It matters to me because I care about you CT---" you cut yourself off, feeling dumb for using his number designation. "Cutup," he says placing his hand over yours pressing it lightly into his chest. "Cutup, that's a fitting name," you say leaning closer to him. Lifting his other hand up to your cheek pulling you closer so he can kiss you, -hastily you move your free hand to the back of his head so you can pull him to you quicker. Your lips collide, this time more desperate than the last kiss you both shared, his hands sliding down to grab around your waist as your hands looped around the back of his neck.   --After a few more minutes of desperate and passionate kissing, you drop your hands to remove your layers, dropping your armor to the ground carelessly as the both of you stepped backward nearing the bed you had in the corner of your room.  -Dropping the final parts of your armor as he backs right into the bed frame, you push him down into the soft cushion of pillows and blankets before you get over him, straddling him as you pull off your top and discard it on the floor. "Y/N..." he mutters while admiring your body, running his hands up and down your frame only stopping to gently rub at the numerous scars on your skin. "Sorry," you whisper, feeling shame at the countless scars littering your body. "For what?" "This body...these scars..." "No, no, you're beautiful, Y/N, you're perfect just the way you are." You smile at his words, leaning down, pushing your chest against his as you kiss him again, you reach down your hands to slide off your pants before you move to tug at his. "Pants..." you mummer against his lips between kisses. He moves his hands sliding them down your body as he goes to undo his pants and sliding them down as you allow him to move back further onto the bed.  -After he gets his pants off the rest of his legs you reposition yourself over him, running your hands over his chest as you lean down to kiss at it, gently kissing the bruises as you work further down watching him with your eyes as his head tilted back with pleasure.  --He lets out a desperate moan as you lick at the V shape at the end of his abdomen, moving your way closer to the waistband of his underwear pulling it down slightly so you can lick a little lower. "Kriff, Y/N please..." he whimpers as he works at pulling his underwear down for you, revealing his already hard member dripping at the tip, you move down licking at it, causing him to cry out your name as his body shivered, his breathing becoming deeper and more erratic.  -You start sliding your mouth over him, making him moan out more random words, you go down more working on him gently for a while until his hand cups your face. "I can't -- take much...more..." he pants out heavily looking at your mouth still around his cock, "Y/N can you --", you cut him off by placing your fingers over his mouth, knowing exactly what he wanted, you seductively slid him out of your mouth, before moving your entrance over him. As you impale yourself on him you moan out his name earning the most beautiful smile from him. Placing your hands on his chest to stabilize yourself as you move up and down on him while rocking your hips, he slides his hands around your ass squeezing it lightly as his own hips join in on your rhythm. "Ahh, Cutup, I...ahhh...-" your mind goes blank as jerks his hips into yours forcing himself deeper into you, --his jerking becomes more erratic as he sits himself up kissing you and pressing his chest against yours.   -Moaning against your lips as you continue to grind down on him, he reaches his peak soon after whimpering out your name he spills into you. He starts kissing, nibbling, and licking at your neck and collarbone desperate to show you his love for you as you reach your orgasm, you basically collapse into him as your body goes weak from the pleasure. He wraps his arms around you pulling you into his chest as he leans back against the bed, you both stay like that for some time before he lays you on your side and pulls out leaving you feeling empty. -He grabs some covers and throws them over both your naked bodies before allowing you to snuggle against his chest. Your eyes grow heavy from lack of sleep as he kisses your head, gently lulling you to sleep as he tells you he loves you, --before you drift off you're able to return those words to him. "I love you too Cutup."

[imagineaworlds]

I Love You (Part Nineteen) -- Aaron Hotchner

Written By: @desperately-bisexual​

Request: None.

Warnings: Cursing. Mentions of smut. Mentions of Dom/sub relationship. Talk of murder, sexual assault, kidnapping-- literally everything Criminal Minds.

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner x Greenaway!Reader

Word Count: 9119

Timeline: A few days after part eighteen.

As far as Jack was aware, Hotch and I had some time off from work, which was why we were around more often. Jack spent a few nights at Haley’s house during the school week, but when he started throwing tantrums about not getting to stay over at our house, Haley had to give in and call us to see if it was alright if he stayed the rest of the week. Of course, Hotch and I were ecstatic to have Jack over more. Considering how often we were away from him and our time with him was never guaranteed, we wanted to utilize every second Haley would allow us to have him.

It had only been a few days since Hotch and I argued, but we still hadn’t discussed it again like we promised. I think that deep down, the courage I mustered before to think about going to Strauss and asking for a transfer, it all immediately disappeared once my anger subsided; and Hotch was just as scared to bring up the topic again for fear of riling me up, which would cause us to have the same argument. There was a point where I asked myself if I should have just snuck out of the house and gone to talk to Strauss anyways, but Hotch and I made a promise, and, like I said before, I trusted him. If he thought that waiting to see how our evaluations would turn out was best, then I was going to wait. But if there was any chance in hell that he was going to get fired because of me, I was going to rain down hell on Erin Strauss.

On Tuesday of the following week, eight days since my suspension, I picked up Jack from school while Hotch was busy cleaning up from our… afternoon activities. I had sub dropped shortly after we were done, and he felt horrible about it, even though it had nothing to do with him. The relief that came from being out of control and being under him was exactly what I needed to forget about all of the stress we were under, but when we came back down to Earth, it suddenly all hit me like a train again. It took about an hour of Hotch holding me, kissing me, and talking to me in order to calm me down. By the time I had relaxed, I looked over at the clock and realized that one of us needed to pick up Jack while someone else needed to pick up the house— yeah, the whole house. It was an entire afternoon of going through the black box, alright. He offered to do both, that it wouldn’t matter if he was a few minutes late picking up Jack, but I told him that I would rather get a Superman hug from Jack than sit around doing nothing.

So that was how I ended up in front of Jack’s school while wearing a red v-neck shirt tucked into a pair of Hotch’s college sweatpants that had to be rolled up on my waist since he was so much taller than me. Yes, I was very aware of my new obsession, but it was his fault for leaving his old college clothes in a box in the back of his closet. They were just sitting there, practically screaming my name, begging to be shown attention again. How could I not throw them in the wash and then wear them around the house? It wasn’t like I could wear work clothes or my pajamas all day. Besides, Hotch seemed to like it. His eyes were starting to linger on my body more, and he was getting a little more handsy. That was how we ended up using the entire house in the afternoon, for example.

Jack came running up to me and immediately caught me in a Superman embrace. I loved that this was our new thing. There was a difference between getting a hug from a friend or otherwise and getting a Superman hug from Jack. Somehow, him strangling me by squeezing as hard as he could during our hugs was more comforting that anything else in the world. I loved how he strained to hug me as tight as possible, and I could squeeze him back, too. I liked how he hid his face in the crook of my neck while he did it so that he could focus on the hug and being as strong as possible. Those little moments and little details were what made it all worth it. It was a reminder of how much I loved him and his father, and that we should keep fighting for that happiness and these moments. There was no point in letting Strauss win, no point in letting her get to me and our personal life.

When we got home, the house was clean with no sign of how Hotch and I spent our day, but what was more noticeable than anything else was the fact that Hotch wasn’t around. Maybe he went to Haley’s house to pick something up for Jack, or maybe she needed something from us? Maybe he went to go get us dinner? Maybe he went to go pick up groceries? There were a thousand different places where he could be, but I wasn’t sure, so I told Jack to go to the dining room and start working on his homework while I called his dad.

When I flipped my phone open to dial Hotch, I saw that I had two missed calls from Morgan that I must’ve ignored while picking up Jack or driving us home. I figured that I would call Hotch first, see where he was and when I should be expecting him home, then I would call Morgan back to see what he needed. When I called Hotch, though, it went straight to voicemail. I furrowed my brows before trying his phone again. Still nothing. Well, he was probably just busy and he would call me back. In the meantime, I could at least call Morgan back.

“Why the hell did I just run into Hotch at the office only to hear that he’s requesting for a transfer?” Morgan asked curtly before there could be an exchange of niceties.

“What?”

“Yeah, I just passed him, like, ten minutes ago when I first tried calling you.”

“Ten minutes ago?” I looked at the clock on the wall.

If Hotch had already been meeting with Strauss about a transfer for ten minutes, that meant that some kind of decision had likely already been reached. Hotch… He left when he knew I was gone and couldn’t stop him, and he did exactly what I wanted to do a few days ago. That wsn’t fucking fair. I trusted him. I told him that we would wait to make any kind of decision until we could talk about it. Why would he do this? It should have been me. He knew that it should have been me. Fucking asshole.

“Y/N,” Morgan called my attention back to reality with a softer, worried tone. I hummed a “what” and he continued, “What’s going on? Why haven’t the two of you been at work? Why did you storm out last week?”

I sighed and put a palm to my forehead while my thoughts raced. “Strauss suspended both of us because of our relationship.”

Morgan scoffed, “That’s bullshit.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me, but then my face fell flat again. “I was the one who was supposed to put in for the transfer, but Hotch made me promise that we would talk about it later… He lied to me, Morgan.”

“I’m so sorry.” He sighed like he was annoyed with something else, “Listen, I’ve gotta go. We've got a new case, and Emily and Gideon are both MIA. I’ll call you later, chica. Hang tight. We’ll get this all figured out soon, don’t you worry.”

“Be safe.”

“You got it.”

I sighed as I hung up the call and put my phone away. Aaron Hotchner… What was I supposed to do? I looked him in the eye last Wednesday and I told him that I was going to wait because I trusted him and I believed him that everything would be alright. I told him that I loved him as we agreed to not doing anything about it yet. How could he lie to me like this? How could he betray my trust like this? Did it have to do with me sub dropping? Please… No… I told him that it wasn’t his fault. He did everything right and he did everything he could. It wasn’t his fault…

“Y/N! I’m stuck!” Jack called from the dining room. He must have started with his math homework, which was why he was having trouble. Shit.

“Alright, one second, little man!” I yelled back calmly.

It wasn’t common for me to sub drop— hell, I even told Hotch that to make sure he knew that it didn’t have to do with him. If that was the cause of his snap, he had to realize that it wouldn’t fix things, it would only make them worse. Me sub dropping shouldn’t’ve had anything to do with his job. Why did he have to be so damn stubborn all the time?

“Y/N!” Jack called again.

I sighed, wiping my forehead clean. Help Jack with homework first, argue with Hotch about how he was an idiot later. That was all I could possibly do. Feeling angry and helpless could wait, so I stepped into the dining room and sat down with Jack to take a look at what he was working on. Multiplication still, but this time with twelves, the demon spawn of multiplication. I didn’t blame him for struggling with it. Hotch and I were always there to help him if he needed it, even if he were to ever ask us what 2+2 was.

It took us about an hour to finish all of Jack’s math homework. Oh, to be a kid in school again where work only took about an hour or so and you could practically ask someone else to do it for you. Jack had it good, he had no freaking clue. Sometimes I wished that I were in his shoes, but what good would that have done me? After working on his math, though, he insisted that he could do the rest of it on his own in his bedroom, so I let him run off to be alone.

Hotch hadn’t come home while we were still working in the dining room, so I moved to the living room to wait for him. I didn't turn on the TV, I didn’t listen to music, and I didn’t even look at my phone. I just stared at the wall while lost in thought. Why did he do it? I told him that he was an essential part of the team, that no one could afford to lose him at the BAU. He couldn’t lose the BAU. He had everything to lose, and I had nothing, and yet he did it probably for me, and that made me feel like shit. I didn’t want him to give up everything for me. I know that in movies that always sounds so romantic, but knowing that he gave it up because he wanted me to be happy over all else… How was I supposed to live with that?

Hotch deserved the world. He deserved to be happy. He said it himself that his job, his son, and me all made him happy. What would his formula for happiness look like if we took away his job? What would it take to make him happy again? I was sure that he was going to come home and insist that all he needed was me and Jack, but that wasn’t true. At least I knew it wasn’t true for me, and we were eerily similar, so it probably wasn’t true for him either. My formula for happiness was Elle, Hotch, Jack, and my job. It took me a long time to be happy again after I lost Elle, but I did find happiness again because I had my job, Hotch, and Jack there to distract me. Our careers were a huge part of our lives. Without our jobs to distract ourselves, we were miserable— we had proven that much since our suspensions. Nothing, not even me and Jack, could make Hotch happy if he lost the BAU. And I was absolutely petrified to face that truth.

And then I heard a car pull up to the curb outside of our house. I knew that it was Hotch, probably having caught a cab or asked for a ride home from Anderson or something. I didn’t move, though. The wall seemed to stare back at me as I considered what I would say and how our conversation would go. I certainly didn’t want to yell at him because that didn’t get us anywhere the other day, but it was going to be damn near impossible to keep my cool.

“Morgan called,” I told Hotch when I heard the door open. Hotch stopped in his tracks when he realized that he had been caught. “He told me everything.” The door closed and Hotch’s keys hit the table. “So did Strauss give in? Is she transferring you?”

“I swear, Y/N, I was going to tell you.” he said regretfully as he walked around the couch and sat next to me. I looked up at him to see that he was wearing a work suit. “We were going to talk about it, just like we promised, but I saw that it was taking a toll on you, and I just had to put an end to it.”

“That wasn’t for you to decide, Hotch.”

“I know that you said it had nothing to do with me, but I was sick of sitting by while this ate at you.” He dropped a file he had been carrying onto his lap before grabbing my hands. “It’s done. It’s over. They have no reason to keep you suspended anymore. We’ll be getting the call to reinstate you any day now.”

I looked at the file he had brought home, “Does that have to do with your transfer?” I figured that changing the subject was better than arguing about something we couldn’t fix. And if I were being honest, I realized how little energy I had, especially for calculating jabbing moves required for an argument.

He followed my gaze, patted the top of the folder, then shook his head. “No. No. Garcia gave this to me on my way out. Apparently it’s the case the team is working on right now.”

“And she gave it to you?”

“Said she had orders to do so,” he shrugged. “There’s something else,” he told me as I grabbed the file out from under his hands to take a look. “Prentiss quit.”

I raised a brow. “What?”

“She came into my office while Strauss and I were talking. She’s leaving the BAU.”

“Do you know why?”

“She wants to work for the State Department, apparently.”

That didn’t answer my question. Why the hell was Emily quitting? She loved the BAU just as much as the rest of us. She had made it plain to all of us on multiple occasions that she felt like we were her family, and that she felt at home with us. It didn’t sit right with me that she was leaving at the same time as me and Hotch. But then I remembered something Morgan said on the phone. He mentioned that both Emily and Gideon were gone. Emily had now been accounted for, but no sign of Gideon? That was equally troubling. It seemed like of the eight members of our team, half of us were away from the office for an abundance of reasons. 50% of our team was gone, and yet Strauss didn’t see that something was wrong? Maybe someone should have had the balls to tell her that her bad leadership was what landed us in this mess in the first place. If Hotch hadn’t already gone in to request a transfer, I would have gone in myself to say it straight to her face since I didn’t get to last Monday when she suspended me.

“What about Gideon?” I inquired. Hotch only answered with a raised brow. “Morgan said that he’s MIA.”

Hotch’s face fell. “I had no idea.”

So Gideon was missing, Emily was leaving the BAU, I was suspended until further notice, and Hotch was getting transferred to… Where was he getting transferred to? I realized that I didn’t know, so I asked. Hotch lowered his gaze and shamefully admitted that he was being sent to a white collar crime division. Basically FBI hell. It was clear that he didn’t want to discuss it, at least not yet, so I didn’t pry.

“What about the case?” I asked, opening up the file.

“The team flew to Milwaukee. Four women have been killed so far, and another woman went missing two days ago. They’re all blonde, all married, have children, and don’t have any jobs. All of the bodies have been left in the same neighborhood, lines of lipstick tracing their bodies, and their hearts carved out.”

“Their hearts?” I turned to the first page of evidence photos. “Any signs of sexual assault?”

“None was mentioned in the reports, at least.”

“What about the neighborhoods they’re being left in? It’s near one of the largest public schools in the area.” I pointed to a map of where all of the bodies were found, and right in the middle of it was a huge public school campus— triple the size of Jack’s private school. It had multiple buildings, probably about two for elementary, middle school, and high school each. It was no coincidence that the school happened to be in the epicenter. “Maybe he’s preying on the mothers of students?”

“That would mean he’s probably a father who can blend into the crowds there.”

“Or he’s a student in the middle school or high school.”

“No,” Hotch shook his head. “A middle schooler wouldn’t have the strength to carve out a heart like this, and, statistically speaking, high schoolers are much more prone to sexual assault.”

“So he could be anyone.”

Our profile hadn’t changed at all. We had working theories, yeah, but without seeing the crime scenes for ourselves, or getting to talk to the detectives, or getting to talk to locals, there wasn’t much else to help us decide how to pinpoint our profile. Since he could be anyone older than seventeen, that wasn’t much help for the team. Even if we wanted to say that it could be a parent, how could we be sure that it wasn’t just some creep who managed to keep his head down and go unnoticed in the back of the parking lot or something.

“They should be finishing up at the crime scene. I’ll try calling Morgan, see if they found anything new,” Hotch offered, picking up the phone.

I nodded and kept flipping through the pages of the files, while thinking to myself how much I was going to miss working cases with him. I liked how well we played off of each other, that if I had a thought or a theory, he would run through it with me to see if it made any sense. Like with this case, I thought that it was set in stone that the Unsub had something to do with the school, but Hotch saw that there were obvious holes in the hypothesis— holes that I couldn’t see because I had it set in my mind that I was right. But at least we determined that the Unsub was an adult, which could potentially save the team some time. Especially with only three of them working in the field, they would need all the help and time they could get. There was only so much Garcia could do from her computer, and Hotch and I were practically useless from our couch, all the while, Gideon was still somewhere unknown.

“Hey, Morgan,” Hotch greeted with the phone against his ear. “I’ve got Y/N here with me.” He hummed and nodded in agreement after a moment, then brought the phone between us while putting it on speaker. “What’s going on over there?”

“Well, Strauss criticized and offended the lead detective within the first 45 seconds on her first crime scene, and we’ve practically hit a dead end. So, just peachy. How about you guys? Did you find anything yet?”

“We’ve been looking over the files,” I began. “All of the bodies have been found within a ten mile radius surrounding one of the biggest public schools in the state. Each victim has been taken fifteen minutes after the last bell of the day, which is at 3:25. Two days later, they turn up fifteen minutes after the first bell of the day, which is at 8:10. We think that it’s very possible you’re looking for an adult male over the age of seventeen who has some kind of connection to the school. He might work there, he might currently be or previously been a student, he could be a parent, or he could be some kind of pervert. Regardless, he’s going to be at or around the school during drop off and pick up.”

“Do you know how he’s taking them yet?” Hotch asked Morgan.

“No. But this helps. Really, guys. Thank you. I’ll let you guys know what else we find. Hopefully we can catch up to him before he can take someone else.”

“You’ve got until 3:25, so, good luck.”

Morgan hung up the call before anything else could be said. I looked up at Hotch and handed him the case file so that he could review it again. We had helped as much as we could with the profile, and until they called back, we were going to feel entirely useless. Jack was upstairs, busy doing his homework since he knew that we were doing our superhero homework downstairs, and he wasn’t allowed to know about it since he was still a junior superhero. Hotch seemed antsy, though, about leaving the BAU and not being able to do more for our last case together. He got involved, and now he was desperate to see it to the end, and I couldn’t blame him. He didn’t want to do some white collar bullshit job. He didn’t want to do anything besides be the Unit Chief of the BAU.

“You know…” I whispered, putting my hand on his shoulder, “technically your transfer request hasn’t gone through yet if Strauss isn’t in the office to do it. It’s probably just sitting on her desk, waiting to be processed, which means that you’re, technically, still a part of the team. If you wanted to, you could go to Milwaukee to help with the case. And I actually happen to think that you should go.”

“What about you?” he asked warily.

I shrugged, “I’m still suspended, so I can’t go, but I’ll do what I can here; and maybe I can look for Gideon, too. It’s not like him to disappear like this, but there’s a chance that he’s probably just up at his cabin.”

“That’s not what I mean, Y/N.”

I bit my lip for a brief moment while I thought. There was no easy way to tell him that I wanted more than anything to go with him, to solve this case together with him one last time. Since I couldn’t admit that without guilting him into staying, I decided to lie and say what he needed to hear. “I’ll be fine here. Think of it like giving back up in the same way Garcia does… Just without the computers and the hacking skills.” I forced a faux, bright smile onto my face that made Hotch chuckle. “I’ll look for Gideon, you go to Milwaukee.”

Hotch leaned towards me and kissed me. “You’re the best,” he mumbled against my lips.

“I know,” I laughed before kissing him back. He leaned in a little further into our kiss, but I pushed him away with a palm on his chest to stop us before things could accelerate and spiral out of control. “Go get your go bag.” I pecked his lips again before practically shoving him off the couch and towards the stairs. 

When Hotch came back a few minutes later, he was carrying his go bag on his shoulder while lifting Jack over his head like he was an airplane soaring through the sky. Jack was making noises and trying not to laugh or move around too much because he still didn’t want his dad to drop him. I craned my neck back to take a look at them and I grinned.

“Incoming!” I exclaimed, holding my arms out. Hotch moved Jack side to side like a plane falling out of the air until he could carefully drop Jack into my lap. I groaned, catching Jack, and making an explosion noise with my mouth. Jack thrashed around and giggled as I started tickling him, earning a chuckle from Hotch, too. Jack pried at my hands, and I started to relent because he needed to say goodbye to his dad. “Alright,” I surrendered, throwing up my hands. “Go give dad a Superman hug.” I picked up Jack from my lap and set him on his feet.

Hotch kneeled and caught Jack in his arms. I pushed myself off the couch as they hugged each other as tightly as possible. Hotch lifted Jack as he stood, still hugging his son like he never wanted to let go. As I approached, Hotch held out a free arm for me, so I pressed against his side and hugged both him and Jack. Hotch kissed my temple and squeezed my shoulders with the arm he had wrapped around me. 

He moved his lips to my ear and whispered, “Try not to bother Gideon if you figure out where he is. If he’s really at his cabin, it just means he still needs some time after Sarah. We can give him that.”

I nodded and pressed into his touch. “Get back here as soon as you can.”

“I love you.”

“I’ll say it back when you come home without a single scratch on you.”

He squinted. “Come on.” He grabbed my hips and swayed me back and forth. “One more before I go.”

“I’m still mad at you, technically.”

“Come on.”

I bit back a smirk. If I could have, I would have screamed: “I love you, Aaron Hotchner!” at the top of my lungs a thousand times. But despite that, I was genuinely still mad at him, even though I was trying to mask it as well as I could. He lied to me. He betrayed my trust. That didn’t just go away. I know I acted like I was fine and I changed the topic to focus on the case, but I still felt a need in the pit of my stomach to yell at him and argue with him. Once this case would be over, I needed him to know the truth before it ate me alive. I needed him to know that he couldn’t just betray my trust like this and I wouldn’t care. I kept no secrets from him, even when they were painful to admit. All I asked of him was to show me the same courtesy. That wasn’t too far fetched, was it?

“I love you,” I feigned reluctancy. “Get back here as soon as you can.”

“I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed Jack’s forehead before letting him down. Jack hugged his father’s waist, trying to make him stay, but Hotch had to pry him off. He had to go. “You’re sure about this?” he asked me worriedly.

“We’ll be fine. Go.” I pushed him towards the door gently. Jack hugged my leg since he couldn’t hug his father again. “I love you,” I finally admitted with sincerity.

Without me in the field with him, I couldn’t examine the threats out there, and I wasn’t sure if he would come home to me. I could hope and pray that he would come home, of course, but I wouldn’t be out there to take the bullet for him if came down to it. If something bad happened out there, I wanted to make sure that the last thing we said to each other was “I love you.” I didn’t want to have any regrets simply because I was mad at him. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t admit it before he left.

Hotch waved to us as he opened the front door, and Jack waved back as I picked him up. Hotch smiled at me one last time before closing the door and hurrying out for the cab he must have called while he was upstairs packing. When it was just me and Jack again, I kissed his cheek and gauged to see how he was feeling. He probably wasn’t used to saying goodbye to his dad and then being in the house without him anymore— at least not since Haley took him when they left Hotch. I just wanted to make sure that my little man was okay with saying goodbye to his dad. I was never around for the aftermath of the goodbyes, Haley was the one who had to deal with that. For me, I was so used to getting called in for a case, rushing to drop Jack off at his mom’s house, and then we would race to the office. We never stayed around long enough to make sure that Jack was okay because there simply wasn’t time. But now his dad was gone, and it was just the two of us in that house that was way too big for us.

An idea struck me. “Did you finish your homework, Superman?” I asked, wiping chocolate off his face that had probably been from lunch, and I missed it earlier while still dropping from subspace. He nodded. “Do you want to help me with a case?”

No, I wasn’t going to tell him about the case Hotch just left for. I wasn’t that bad of a parent. But looking for Gideon was important, and it was innocent, as far as I was aware. I figured that Jack would like to put his detective hat on with me for a bit to keep him occupied until dinner. Besides, Gideon was probably just at his cabin, just like Hotch said; but Jack didn’t know that. It could be fun to see how much Jack learned from his dad about being an awesome detective.

Jack nodded eagerly, so I carried him over to the couch and set him down. While he got comfortable, I went to the desk in the living room and grabbed some tape, a stack of flashcards, and two pens. I sat down next to Jack and handed him one of the pens before setting the tape down on the coffee table in front of us.

“Alright, so the case we’re working on is finding out where Uncle Gideon went and why.” 

I knew that as long as I played dumb, I could guide Jack towards the obvious answer that Gideon was at his cabin, but while Jack worked on that, I needed to figure out the why. If there was a reason like just needing some extra time off after Sarah’s death, then, alright, I wasn’t going to get involved. But if we found something out that was concerning, then I was going to drive out there and figure out if he was alright.

“We’ll use these cards whenever we think of something important, and we’ll put them up on the wall. When we put them all together, they’ll make a puzzle that we can solve. Does that sound fun?” I asked with a small smile. Jack nodded and grabbed a few of the index cards. “Okay. So what do we know about Uncle Gideon?”

“He’s smart,” Jack answered giddily. I nodded an encouragement for him to keep going. “He’s brave, just like you and Dad.”

“Alright, why don’t you write down everything you know about him on those flashcards and we’ll talk about it after?”

Jack clicked his pen open and started scribbling as fast as he could. Who knew that all it took to get him to do some work was to tell him that it had to do with a case. I mean, Jack always liked sitting in our office with us while we worked just because he liked to be included and spend as much time with us as possible; but it was hard to actually get him involved with anything we ever worked on because of how mature the topics were. We didn’t exactly want Jack hearing about murder, kidnapping, rape, and so on. We wanted Jack to stay as innocent as possible for as long as possible.

Back to what we were doing, though, while Jack was worried about solving what I already knew about Gideon’s disappearance, I needed to solve why he left. So what did I know about Gideon that would give me the answer? What happened recently that made him want to leave out of the blue and without telling anyone— even Spencer. Gideon and Spencer were the closest of everyone on the team, platonically, at least. Spencer viewed Gideon as a father figure, and Gideon took that to heart, considering what happened with his real son. So if he didn’t tell Spencer, then it meant that something was wrong and he didn’t want anyone to worry. 

There had to be a stressor beyond what happened to Sarah. Gideon waited too long after Frank killed her to leave. Though, he had been upset since that day. He had been quiet, isolating himself, his heart and mind not in the work that he loved to do. He loved to save people, a reason that he kept that journal with him that Frank stole. But he waited to leave. Why? The team got back from a case recently, maybe it had to do with that? But what could possibly happen in a case that would shake the great Jason Gideon?

Hotch told me about the case a bit. He said that there was an Unsub who was killing girls on a college campus, and they knew they had him, but they didn’t have enough evidence to put him away. After their seventy-two hours of holding him in custody for questioning, they had to let him go. When he was gone, however, a girl on the campus who was a fan of his, ended up killing him and then herself.

Why would that upset Gideon, though? What was so different about that case that we hadn’t seen before? A psychopathic teenage girl who killed herself? Why would Gideon care to this extent? Maybe it was something about the girl. Something about her past, or maybe Gideon connected with her somehow during their time on the campus. Or maybe… Gideon mentioned that Sarah was an old college friend of his, maybe— and it was a long shot— maybe there was something about the victims that reminded him of her?

I made sure that Jack was still working on his notes about Uncle Gideon as I grabbed my phone and stepped out of the room to call Garcia. She picked up immediately, which caught me off guard slightly. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear your voice,” she raced through her words.

“I haven’t even said anything yet,” I laughed.

“You just did, and that’s good enough for me. Morgan told me what happened with Strauss. Do you want me to—”

“Garcia, no!” I kept laughing, this time more nervously than humorously. If I would have given her the go ahead, Garcia definitely would have done something to ruin Strauss’s career and life, and while the thought was certainly appealing, we couldn’t actually do that. “I’m just calling out the last case the team worked on.”

“The Arizona one?”

“Yeah. Can you tell me about the victimology?”

“Any particular reason?” she asked while her keyboard clacked away.

“Just humor me,” I shrugged.

“As you wish, my love… Let me see what I’ve got here.” She paused for a beat while she searched through her computer for the information I needed about the team’s last case. “Alrighty, here it is. Nathan Tubbs was the suspected Unsub, and it seemed he had a thing for skinny, gorgeous, white, brown eyed, brunette, college girls. Pretty boring, if you ask me. He was stabbing the victims in the chest and then posed them post-mortem—”

“Wait,” I stopped her. “Brown hair and eyes?”

“Yeah. Why? Does that mean something to you?”

Besides the fact that people with brown eyes made up about 70% of the population, and people with brown hair made up about 20%, yes… It actually did mean something. Sarah had brown hair and brown eyes. While that wasn’t exactly special, just as Garcia pointed out, the victims of this case probably reminded Gideon of Sarah. The case was just digging into an already painful wound. Not to mention the displayal of the bodies, which referenced that Tubbs felt remorse for his victims.

“How were the victims displayed?” I asked.

“It looks like they were on their backs, their eyes closed, feet together, arms crossed over their chest— kind of like a mummy, if you will.”

So not only did Tubbs have enough remorse to pose the bodies, but he did it in a way that showed empathy. He saw them as angels, almost. If Gideon saw these victims as mirror images of Sarah, then he probably saw the contrast between Frank’s brutality and Tubb’s empathy. Again, just pouring salt on the wound that Gideon was trying to heal.

“While I’ve got you,” I said, “can you trace Gideon’s cellphone?”

“Already did it earlier when he didn’t show up for the Roundtable meeting this morning.”

“And?”

“It looks like he’s at his cabin,” she said flatly.

Just as I thought, Gideon was out there, trying to escape his problems. And just as I suspected, it was about Sarah. “Thank you, Garcia. If you hear from the team, say ‘hi’ for me?”

“You got it, sweet pea. Now, be free, I must work!” She hung up on me and I buried my phone in my pocket again.

As I walked back into the living room, Jack seemed worn out and bored already. I thought about chuckling, but I decided to keep it to myself. Jack loved his dad and the job we had, and I was sure that Jack was probably going to end up being a cop like his dad; but as a kid who just wanted to have fun all the time, I understood why his attention span didn’t exactly allow him to sit around just writing notes like we were in school or something. He probably expected being a detective and an agent was a little more exciting than this. He wanted the car chases, the shootouts, the bulletproof vests, the on foot Unsub chases, and all of the other entertaining aspects of being a cop that you would see on TV. The reality was, however, that before we could even think about getting to that exciting point, we always had to start with the boring stuff like this. And I think that it disappointed him slightly, which was why he got bored so fast.

“We’re going on a trip, little man. How does that sound?” I asked after my approach caught his attention

 Jack perked up. “Did you find Uncle Gideon?”

I nodded. “Grab your tablet, ‘cause it’s gonna be a long drive.”

He jumped off the couch and ran upstairs to grab his tablet and his favorite red dinosaur toy. Meanwhile, I grabbed my purse from the table by the front door. My phone buzzed again and I took a look at the text I got. It was from Hotch, letting me know that they just solved the case and were heading back to the local police station to process the Unsub. I told him that I’d be waiting for him when he would get home. “I love you,” he texted, and I quickly returned the favor.

Jack was already trying to buckle himself into his seat in the car when I sent the last text to Hotch. Before I was even settled in the driver’s seat, Jack was already asking me to turn on the radio. I asked if he had anything in mind, and he said that he wanted to listen to his dad’s favorite station. I obliged, switching the channel until I hit the right one, then started carefully backing out of the driveway.

As we pulled up to the cabin in the woods on the dirt road, I turned down the radio and took note of how none of the lights were on outside or inside, even though it was getting dark enough to need them— especially out in the woods. 

After parking the car just out front, I turned around in my seat to get a look at Jack. “Stay here, little man. I’ll be back soon.” Jack nodded and looked down at his tablet to continue playing his game.

I got out of the car with the windows cracked a bit for Jack. Since the sun was practically gone and night time was beginning, it wasn’t warm enough to worry about Jack overheating, but still. Besides, I wasn’t planning on being inside for too long. If Gideon was there, I was going to ask if he was alright, talk to him a bit, maybe even see if Jack could sit inside while we talked. If Gideon wasn’t there, however, there was really no point in staying at all.

As I approached the front door, I looked over my shoulder to get another quick glance at the car to make sure that it was still there and Jack was still alright— as if something could have possibly happened within the past ten seconds or so. When everything seemed fine, I looked back to the front door and knocked a couple of times before taking a small step back to wait. A minute or so passed, yet no one came to the door. So I tried again and waited. Still nothing, so I tried the doorknob to see if he had locked up at all.

The door was unlocked and opened with ease as I carefully pushed in. I glanced again over my shoulder to look at the car and saw that Jack was still looking at his tablet. When I looked at the door again, I instinctively reached for my gun on my hip, only to find that there was nothing there. For a moment, I cursed Strauss and this damn suspension.

“Gideon?” I called his name carefully after taking a step into the dark cabin. I reached to the side and blindly searched for the lightswitch on the wall, but even as I found it and flicked it, nothing happened. The power hadn’t been used in a while. “Gideon?” I called again, using my phone’s screen as a flashlight. I should have brought one with me, or used the one from the emergency kit in the car, but I really wasn’t that smart to put it together yet. “It’s just me, Y/N.” Still no response. I shuffled over to the sofa where there was a camp lantern sitting on a table, and turned it on. It was a miracle that I finally had a more powerful light than just my flip phone’s inside screen. “Gideon?” Holding the lantern out in front of me, I walked into the kitchen area.

Sitting on the table ahead of me was a vase of dead flowers with Gideon’s credentials and gun propped up against it. Trapped beneath them, laying right against the table, was an envelope. I cautiously approached, just to triple check that the scene was what I expected it to be. Between the flowers and the gifts, I knew that Gideonn was long gone. He had set up the cabin for someone to find these things and understand that he wasn’t coming back. That was why the power was out, too. He had been gone for who knew how long, and we all just thought that he needed some space. I never in a million years thought that Gideon would just up and leave like this.

I grabbed the envelope, pulling it out from under his badge and gun, and lifted it up to the lamp to get a look at who it was addressed to. Spencer Reid. Of course. Like I said before, Gideon would never leave without telling Reid, that was how close they were. And while Gideon hadn’t given any heads up— probably because he didn’t want to be stopped— he left one last goodbye for the kid he considered to be a son to him. It was a letter just for him, and I had no right snooping, despite the urge to do so. I had my answers about Gideon. I knew why he left, I knew that he wasn’t okay, but I also knew that I would never be able to find him… and even if I did, was there a point in going after him? No. He wasn’t going to come back, no matter how much any of us begged and pleaded.

After I put the letter back down just as I had found it, I turned the lamp off and slowly made my way out of the cabin. The contents in that letter and the gifts that were left were for Reid, no one else. If Gideon wanted it that way, then that was how it was going to be.

I sighed as I got back into the car and flipped my phone open to call Hotch. He was probably already on the jet home, but I figured that I should tell him about Gideon as soon as possible, and that Reid should come out to the cabin, too. Jack was dead asleep in the back seat as I caught a glimpse of him through the rearview mirror to make sure that he was alright. His mouth was open, drool dripping onto the seat belt he was resting his head on. I chuckled quietly at him and made a silent promise to myself that I would get him home as soon as possible.

The call rang a couple of times as Hotch was likely digging around in all of his pockets to find his phone. After a few moments, the ringing stopped and I heard Hotch whisper a “Hello?” into the phone. The team must have been asleep on the jet and he was trying to be courteous by not waking them up when answering my call.

“Hi, baby,” I said into the phone, picking at the leather on the steering wheel to occupy myself.

I heard Hotch sigh with relief. “I’m so glad to hear your voice.” I could practically hear him smiling through the call. “I was going to call, but everyone crashed as soon as we took off. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just wanted to let you know that Jack and I are out at Gideon’s cabin, and he’s not here.” I looked through the rearview mirror again to make sure that Jack was still asleep. “He’s gone, Hotch. He left a note for Spencer and he ran. I don’t think he’s coming back.”

“Because of Sarah?”

“I didn’t read the letter, but that’s my best guess.” My gaze was still trained on Jack. “I don’t blame him…”

“What do you mean?”

“If I lost one of you, I wouldn’t want to go back either.”

It was true. Hotch and Jack were my life now. Even if I had my job back now, if I lost one of them, I knew that I could never go back to work without being completely… lost and empty. Even worse was if I were to lose them to an Unsub, just like Gideon lost Sarah to Frank. If that happened, how was I supposed to trust myself to do my job— which was saving lives by putting bad people away�� if I couldn’t even save those closest to me? If I didn’t have Jack or Hotch suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I would even be able function. Just being away from Hotch for the day while he was gone on his case felt like the end of the world. I couldn’t imagine having to be away from him any longer than that. I’d probably stop breathing altogether.

“You’re not going to lose us,” Hotch promised quietly, like he was feeling the same aching in his chest that I had. It hurt to even think about the worst. “I won't let anything happen to our family. Do you hear me?” I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I love you.”

It hadn’t dawned on me quite yet what he said. Subconsciously, I processed his words and found comfort in them, but it wasn’t until he told me he had to go, and we exchanged one “I love you” each, then ended the call that I suddenly realized. It hit me like a train, hearing his words echo in my mind over and over again. Our family. He said that he wouldn’t let anything happen to our family. Deep down, I knew that I was his family, I guess, because I knew that him and Jack were mine, but to hear him finally say it aloud, I felt some kind of weight lift off my chest. I felt lighter and happier as I ran through what he said again. Our family. It felt like joining a club of sorts. Dating someone who already had a family was odd at first, because I felt like the outsider who had to find my place in the mess; but I liked how things turned out for us. Hotch and I seemed unbreakable and inseparable, I loved Jack like he was my own, and Haley and I actually, somehow, liked each other. There was no tension between me and Jack’s mother, which was probably a bigger relief for Hotch and Jack than for me. But I liked the dynamic, I liked our family. I liked that Hotch finally included me in the club, even though I technically had a membership for the past couple of months.

Was I crazy to be so in love with Aaron Hotchner? He was older than me, he had a son, he was my boss, he was entirely vanilla until he met me, and we seemed glued to the freaking hip. We hadn’t even been dating for that long. Everything happened so fast. I had only been working for him for a month, and suddenly we were going out, and a few months later, I was meeting his son and moving in with him. Were we moving too fast? Was that really why he didn’t want to talk about having kids with me in St. Louis? Perhaps I was a little too blinded by love to see that we were jumping the gun.

No.

We were happy. We were in love. I had never, ever felt this way before, and I wasn’t about to start ignoring those feelings. Why would I impede something that was so perfect? We deserved happiness. We deserved what we had. We deserved to move at whatever pace we saw fit, because Gideon and Sarah were proof that nothing was guaranteed. Something horrible could happen to us at any given moment, especially considering our career choice, so it made sense that we would want to have all of each other as fast as possible in order to not miss out anything.

Jack suddenly started snoring, earning a laugh from me as I broke away from my train of thought. I loved him so freaking much, there weren’t enough words to describe. When it came to loving Hotch, it was a fiery passion where I needed to feel, see, and hear him at all times. I needed to be around him 24/7 or I felt like a piece of me was missing. I know that’s, like, anti-feminist ideals— but it was true. Hotch completed a part of me that I didn’t realize I was missing, and without him around, that hole in my soul was impossible to not notice. When it came to loving Jack, though, it was in the kind of way that a mother bear would protect its cub. I knew that Jack wasn’t really my son, and there was always a chance that he could grow to hate me because he could think that I was trying to replace his mother— which I wasn’t, of course— or if Hotch and I ever separated for any reason, I wasn’t required to see Jack ever again. But I knew that I would protect him like he was my own. I would love him like he was my own. He was my family, afterall. He was our family. It felt so freaking good to admit that again. Our family.

Honestly, if I didn’t get my job back at the BAU, it didn’t sound horrible to just spend my time looking after Jack whenever we would have custody of him. I liked how we worked the case together. It was like doing junior detective work— or like he would call it “junior Superhero homework”.

As I started the car and turned on the headlights so that we could get home in time to meet Hotch, I heard Jack waking back up. I checked the rearview mirror again to see his eyes fluttering open. He wiped his eyes and looked around to see what was going on. “Are we going home?” he asked tiredly.

“Yeah, little man. Try to get some sleep.”

He nodded and nuzzled up against the seatbelt again. “Hey, Y/N?” I hummed a note that told him I was listening. “I love you.”

My shoulders slumped, my eyes softened, and my heart melted in my chest. “I love you, too, little man. I love you, too.”

[lucas-koh]

Stitches - Bryce Lahela x MC V

Parts 1-4 are linked in my bio.

Doesn’t exactly follow canon, but elements of canon. FWB.

Song: Sudden Desire - Hayley Williams

Rating: M; implied sex, sexual language, swearing, mentions of medical procedures

Word Count: 3305

Taglist: @lahellacute @lahamseiroshoe @anotherbeingsworld @fuseboxmusebox @choicesficwriterscreations @bubblelaureno @bratzlahela

Chapter Five: The Tale and The Missed Moment

Bryce and Suki’s Fuck Buddy Agreement:

1. No work-place hookups.

2. No staying the night.

3. Always use the signal. 👃

4. No drunk texting a sober person.

5. No visible marks.

6. Proof of sexual health.

7. Keep it casual.

—-

Santa Fe: this is Suki hello

Santa Fe: i’ve sent the list

Scalpel Jockey: 👃

Santa Fe: that’s it, 👃

Scalpel Jockey: 👄

Scalpel Jockey: shit I meant 👃

Scalpel Jockey: big thumbs oops!

Seen on 15th October

—-

The following weeks felt like months. Work was long, it was stressful, and it was exhausting. Sometimes all Suki wanted to do was curl up into a ball in bed and sleep for as long as possible, letting the stress of working long hours in hospital compress out of her. Sometimes, she wanted to bundle up on the sofa and watch movies with her roommates. But sometimes, Suki wanted to release her tension in other ways. Ways that involved Bryce Lahela.

They left before the morning, were careful with their grip and kisses so as to not leave any marks, and they kept work at work. The arrangement was working out perfectly, and the rules proved successful as well.

So, on paper, everything was going fine.

And everything was still fine when Halloween rolled around and the roommates planned a relaxed evening at Donahue’s followed by horror movies. They didn’t really get a chance to dress up due to work schedules and a lack of time, but they were dressed up in spirit.

They arrived early and snagged a booth: Jackie and Suki squeezing in on one side and Sienna and Aurora on the other. Elijah wheeled his chair under the head of the table. They chatted for a bit before Sienna jumped up to order a round.

A few beers and shots (courtesy of Jackie) later, the group were having some in depth conversations, making jokes, and generally enjoying each others company.

There was a rowdy, annoying group of surgical interns stood nearby the entrance. No sign of Bryce there, however. Suki was somewhat disappointed, it was an amusing thought to her to see Bryce out the open again since they’d made their rules. She’d been to his a couple of times since then, but they hadn’t seen each other all that much really. Those times had been quick and at the end of long work days too, so Suki was looking forward to being able to draw things out a bit more at some point soon. She’d been quite obviously avoiding hookups at her house if it could be helped, because there were too many risk factors.

Plus, with him being a surgeon his hours were completely different to Suki’s, and actually stealing moments could prove tricky. She might’ve been one of the best medical interns, but word at Edenbrook was that Bryce was excelling over all the surgical interns, actually being able to watch a few surgeries, too.

That being said, she was glad he wasn’t there. She was able to enjoy a lovely evening with her roommates without thinking about only her carnal desires.

But as though the world was sending her a sign, the bell over the door rang to indicate someone entering. Bryce entered by himself, walking straight past the rowdy group of surgical interns and heading right for the roommates. He was wearing a plain black tee and distressed blue jeans, a very different look to his green scrubs.

What was he doing here, if not to see the surgical interns? Had he come to drink… alone? Or had one of the roommates told him they’d be there? They had invited him to the housewarming party, after all.

Then again, if it wasn’t for that party, they never would have come to their little agreement.

There was a knowing smirk on his face as he got closer to the group.

Suki felt her stomach contract a little; they hadn’t really interacted that much as a group since the two had devised their little plan. She wasn’t going to let anything slip, but she couldn’t promise she wouldn’t be maybe a little awkward. Just a tad.

“Hey man! Come join us,” Elijah invited. Bryce grinned and squeezed in beside Suki on the bench.

She cleared her throat uncomfortably, not looking Bryce in the eye as she gave a greeting nod. His leg pressed against hers where they sat, and he was now so close that Suki could smell his cologne. Of course, nowadays, she only smelt that when they were having sex, so the smell brought her head right back to all those moments.

“Don’t you have friends over there?” Suki asked, motioning her head to where the group of surgical interns were congregated. They were now laughing obnoxiously about something.

An odd expression flashed over his face suddenly but was quickly warped into a smirk. “Well I’d rather spend time with you lovely nose wipers.”

“Oi!” Protested Jackie.

“Welcome! Enjoy our Halloween celebrations. They’re pretty lowkey this year, I wish we could all dress up and go to a party or something but, work calls,” Sienna rushed, smiling at Bryce opposite her.

Now that he was closer, and his hands lay casually on the table in front of him, Suki could see a few silver rings assorted over his long fingers. Interesting. She had an impulse to reach out and brush her fingers over them, or to have them dig into her own fingers, her body. And from that moment, she was screwed for the rest of the night. Serves you right for being so goddamn thirsty.

A few hours later, more drinks down and the thoughts having continued through her head, Suki nudged Bryce gently with her shoulder. They’d all been talking as a group for the night, so they hadn’t spoken one-on-one at all yet. He looked over at her, his face pretty close due to them sitting in such proximity. She brushed her nose with her middle finger - she could pass it off as a simple scratch. Bryce smirked. His eyes flicked subtlety down to Suki’s lips, and he chuckled under his breath, moving a thumb over his bottom lip and hanging his head when he looked away from her.

Just as he was about to slide off the bench and make up an excuse to leave, Sienna shouted:

“Guys! According to google maps there’s a walking ghost tour nearby. We should go!”

“I’m kinda spent-“ Bryce began.

“No! No way you’re bailing on this, Lahela. You’re one of us ‘nose wipers’ now. We bought you drinks!” Sienna cut him off, her sweet features contorting into mock anger.

He blew air from his cheeks, but he didn’t seem annoyed. “Is everyone going?”

“I… guess?” Added Suki.

“I’m… not sure,” hesitated Elijah.

“They’re not scary, Elijah. It’s just a load of paranormal bullshit,” Jackie said.

After a bit of coaxing and a couple more shots, the group headed out of Donahue’s. They walked down a few roads before they found a man in a long leather coat holding a lantern. Sienna bounded up to him and handed him some money, the others pointing out they’d pay her back later. He introduced himself as Henry and noted that they’d wait for some more people.

Bryce and Suki kept glancing at each-other, knowing their previous plans were probably not likely to happen. Nonetheless, Sienna’s excitement was rubbing off on everyone, and even Elijah seemed into the idea. Jackie and Aurora were discussing whether or not they believed in ghosts.

Soon enough, a large group had formed around Henry, and he went into an animated sing-songy tale about the ghost history around that area of Boston.

“And in this very alley…” Henry said dramatically a little later, “is where the ghost resides. AH!” Henry let out a loud shout, causing Suki to jump back into Aurora.

“You okay?” Aurora laughed. Suki nodded with a flustered chuckle, then Henry continued leading them down the road.

Well, that wasn’t at all embarrassing.

“Awwww, don’t tell me you’re scared, Santa Fe?” Bryce sidled up beside her.

“Of course I’m not scared!” She protested, “it’s easy to be shocked by a jump scare,” she turned her face ever so slightly, obstructing the tell-tale look on her face from Bryce’s gaze.

Henry was a fantastic story teller, emphasising the right parts and using his face and body to convey the different emotions; the group found themselves being swept up in the story. Or, facts, if one believed in the supernatural. Things were calming down a little in terms of the group being freaked out, and every now and again Bryce would lean over to Suki and whisper some kind of commentary about Henry’s story. She could just tell he was the type to talk through movies. But she didn’t mind, and actually found it quite amusing.

Then, just seconds later, a young group of guys were walking past and noticed the ghost tour, and simultaneously jumped and shouted at the touring group. It was a poor attempt to scare them. At this, however, Bryce himself yelped loudly and backed into Suki. She caught him, even though he was heavy.

“Awww, don’t tell me you’re scared, Scalpel Jockey? And of teenagers?” Suki mocked in an echo of his words before, holding the backs of his biceps in support. He had no jacket on, so his arms were chilly and she could feel the faint goosebumps on his skin. She found herself hoping her grip might warm him up a little. She was a doctor, after all. After a few seconds Suki let go of Bryce and the two scrambled a little to catch up with the group.

“How was I supposed to know they were just kids?!”

Suki threw her head back with a cackle as the image of Bryce cowering away from a group of teenage boys replayed in her mind. She raised an eyebrow at him, pulling her lips into her mouth.

“I wasn’t scared, obviously. No ones scared of teenagers. Well, maybe those people Gerard Way was talking about,” he laughed, his cocky demeanour flooding back into his words and face.

“And old people. Actually – lots of people find teenagers scary.”

“Well, not me.”

“Wouldn’t have pegged you as an MCR kid, though.”

“Only on the down-low,” he gave her a wink, “I was far too cool for that at school.”

“Right,” she scoffed, “Just too cool. Cool enough that you basically shat yourself at a random guy fucking with us.”

“You jumped a minute ago!”

“Yeah, along with half the tour group.”

He harrumphed. She shoved him playfully with her shoulder, partly as part of the conversation, but partly to put a little distance between them. There was still some alcohol lurking in her system and she just wanted to pull him into the alley from before, but, she couldn’t. He didn’t come closer again after the nudge.

“Shhh!” Chastised Jackie from in front of them, who was utterly engaged in Henry’s commentary. Bryce and Suki exchanged a look and tried to keep their laughter as quiet as possible.

—-

Later on, the group were walking up toward their apartment, discussing the night’s events. Everyone had a great time, even if it might not have been the Halloween they were all used to. They walked in a staggered lump, moving fluidly between each-other. Their voices carried down the empty Boston residential blocks, yellowed streetlights illuminating their smiling faces, setting the mood for the comedown of the night perfectly.

“…The Shining, duh. And we can’t forget The Conjuring, or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These are classics, Aurora,” Elijah babbled along to the group.

“I vote Halloweentown,” piped up Sienna. Aurora laughed and dug her keys out of her pocket.

“Bryce, you coming in for movies?” Asked Elijah.

“Ah,” he looked over at Suki very briefly, “best not. It might be Halloween but I don’t function well on no sleep. Plus, I’ve intruded for long enough.”

Suki knew that if Bryce stayed there was every chance he’d be ending the night in her bedroom, and she’d been avoiding that since the Aurora situation.

“Killjoy,” chuckled Jackie, giving him a friendly smack on the back before entering the apartment building.

“See you next time!” Sienna pulled Bryce in for a hug, her tiny frame dwarfed by his six odd feet and broad stature. Elijah and Aurora chimed in with their farewells.

“Well… goodnight then,” nodded Suki. She didn’t go in for any kind of farewell, it wasn’t really their style. Particularly not in the company of others.

“Yeah. See you around.”

There was a moment where they kind of stared at each-other that felt like it went on for hours, but in reality was brief.

And with that, Bryce walked off down the road. There was an odd pang in Suki’s chest at the missed opportunity as she watched his figure get smaller and smaller. She’d been waiting since she’d given him the signal at Donahue’s for a chance to sneak off, trying not to look at him too much during the ghost tour or walk too close to him. There was just something ridiculously engaging about paying too much attention to Bryce Lahela that made her lose all her other thoughts. Even if she didn’t really want him to come in given everyone else, there was a sort of disappointment that he hadn’t seemed to want to come in. He’d only given her the briefest look and there was no signal, no attempt to continue the night. But it obviously just wasn’t in the cards for her to get laid that night.

That being said, Suki had enjoyed herself way more than she’d anticipated: the tour itself was entertaining, and of course spending time with her friends. And… Bryce wasn’t all that bad. Maybe sex wasn’t all he was good for. But either way, she couldn’t let herself get too tangled up in the other aspects of his personality, it would get messy.

“Come on then,” Sienna ushered the rest of them inside.

—-

“Hey,” Bryce’s voice rose up from behind where Suki sat eating a sandwich in the cafeteria. She turned to face him, bread stuffed in her mouth, and followed him with her eyes as he took the seat opposite her.

“Hmi,” she tried to say through her mouthful.

He barked out a laugh and pulled a shiny red apple from his pocket, flipping it round in his hands.

“When you’ve finished your mouthful,” he wiggled his eyebrows, “you free tonight?”

“Yeah, why?”

He gave her a disbelieving smirk. “You know why.” He took a casual bite from the apple, the crisp crunch ringing in her ears over the ruckus of the cafeteria.

She laughed, realising. “Sorry, still in Doctor mode. You could’ve texted, you know.”

“Eh, you were here, I needed a seat to eat my apple in. So?”

“Yeah, I’m free. I’ll drop by after my shift.”

“Cool.” He took another crunch from his apple and stood from the table, gave Suki a nod, and then swaggered off out of the cafeteria without a look back.

“See ya,” she muttered to herself.

Didn’t he just say he wanted to sit down and eat his apple?

—-

Suki exhaled breathlessly as Bryce rolled away from her body. They were both left in a sheen of sweat and exhausted. After a couple of moments for the duo to catch their breath, Bryce turned to face his body to her, propping his head up on his hand.

“So, not to be a bed brag or anything but… you just had sex with the guy who’s assisting on Dr Tanaka’s next surgery.”

Suki let out a breathy chuckle.

“You are a brag.” Then she turned so that she faced him from the other pillow, also propping up her head on her hand, “Well done, though.” Her voice went softer, and her face took on a disarming sincerity.

Bryce was taken aback by her genuine praise, but he couldn’t let her know that.

“Thanks,” he said, eyebrows furrowed with humour, “I’m actually really excited.”

“What’s the surgery?”

“Only an appendectomy.”

“Only?”

He laughed, sinking his head back down onto the pillow. His hands cradled under his head.

“Yeah, it’s not particularly advanced. Still, gonna be fun.”

They were talking as though they were friends, which wasn’t really a label Suki had felt appropriate to ascribe to their relationship.

“When is it?” Suki, stop asking him questions! Then again, at this point it would be awkward if she just up and left.

“Next week. Pencil it in your calendar because you are going to have the best sex of your life that night.”

Suki let out a cackle. “Is there anything you don’t think you’re amazing at?”

Again, Bryce propped himself back up so that he was facing Suki. There seemed to be a restlessness to all this changing of positions.

“I’m not lying though, am I?” As he said this his voice was low and sultry, deep mahogany eyes watching her from under his lashes. Those were sticking together slightly from the sweat, Suki was close enough to notice. He brought one of his hands down under the covers and rested it on Suki’s hip.

“If you’re trying to get me to boost your ego - It won’t work.”

He smirked, knowing that the answer he’d been looking for was hidden in those words. And she did agree. He was amazing in bed.

Bryce drew barely-there circles on Suki’s hip, before pulling it towards him. Then he leaned his face right in, so that it was inches from hers.

“I don’t need you to say it because I can see it in your eyes,” and yes, he was looking straight into her eyes. But she felt sort of drunkenly infatuated with it, her desire growing by the second. “and feel it on your skin.” His grip on her hip tightened, the sweat condensing between their skin-on-skin contact. Now they were close enough that they could do it all over again if they wanted to.

Bryce trailed his finger up from Suki’s hip slowly, tickling her skin and giving her goosebumps, over the dip of her waist, the rise of her ribcage; all the way up to her neck. He splayed his hand out flat over the front of her neck, and tightened his grip. Just enough that she could feel it. Face still inches from her, he said:

“I just have an effect on people.”

And then in one swift movement, and a melodious laugh, Bryce pulled his hand and his body from hers, falling once again on his back at the pillow beside Suki’s.

Fucking hell. Talk about flustered! Suki tried to pretend she was unaffected, also flopping back onto her pillow. He did have an effect on people and he knew full well by now that Suki, despite her best efforts to conceal the fact, was not someone who handled being flustered well. And let’s be honest, she wouldn’t keep sleeping with the guy if it wasn’t something she was enjoying.

Despite that, though, there she was, lying in Bryce’s bed post-lay and completely naked, and not worrying about it. Not in the way she’d worried their first morning, shuffling to cover herself with her bedsheets. She supposed by now he knew her body inside and out, and that emotional intimacy she’d been scared of had warped into a purely carnal intimacy. Plus, the fact that she hadn’t just woken up next to him, slightly hungover, probably helped.

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that,” she practically choked out, as though his hand was still splayed over her neck.

He could tell he’d affected her, and that classic smirk spread wider over his face as he stared at his bedroom ceiling.

[skgway]

1823 Aug., Fri. 29

6

10 55/60

Very comfortable bed, and slept well till 5 20/60, at which time it was raining heavily downstairs and in the stable at 7 1/4 everything ready, but it rained so much (began at 3 1/2 they said and was incessant till after 9) I determined to stay breakfast, and set off at 9 or 10 – 

Took upMog’s edition of Patterson’s roads published London 1822. Saw Shibden hall inserted according to the letter I wrote mentioning its situation – Then took up volume 1 Miss Benger’s life of Mary Queen of Scots and read the first 50 pages. 

Sat down to breakfast (boiled milk and hot rolls) at 8 1/2 – It just then occurred to me that the last time I was in this room (the ground floor parlour on the left entering the Bridgewater) was with M– [Mariana] on the night of the 9th of March 1816. 

A host of reflections crowded on me – I felt the tear starting and my heart grow sick. ‘How foolish,’ said I, then sank into the thought that my knowing her had perhaps been the ruin of my health and happiness. She has not the heart to suit me. Perhaps I should not be happy with [her], yet almost foolish, [w/c]ould not be so without. I had almost said, ‘Oh, that I had not a heart,’ but God be merciful to me a sinner, and enable me to fix it. Here alone true joys are to be found. 

How very little π [Mariana] guesses what passes within me. I do not blame her. Heaven has not given her that sweet sensibilit soul of the soul after which my spirit panteth, likes the hart after the water brook and than which nothing less can satisfy a romantic and the enthusiastic mind like mine. To π [Mariana], if I shewed myself more openly I should be an enigma. She could not understand. We have not much fellowship in feeling, yet am I attached to her. Alas, I see more and more plainly, too deeply for my own happiness. 

Were I to tell her the effect of this three step business, she could not comprehend it. She would think it perhaps unforgivingness of temper rather than that wound at heart which festers unseen. It has taught me that tho she loves me, it is without that beautiful romance of sentiment that all my soul desires. But mine are not affections to be returned in this world. Oh that I could turn them with virtuous enthusiasm to that being who gave them. 

O Mary, Mary! You have enticed me with the glimpse of happiness and my heart has pursued the ignis fatuus till retreat is impossible or vain – But no more –

Left Manchester at 9 25/60 (the roads very heavy with the rain) and stopt at the Wellington Inn, Rochdale, at 11 35/60 – Fair the 1st 7 miles but rained the last 4 (of the 11 Manchester to Rochdale) – Went into the stable for a minute or 2, then sat down and mused and wrote all the above of today which took me till 12 3/4 (Shibden). Took a little nap – Had ordered George to let us be off in 2 hours but he was out, and 25 minutes beyond his time, and we were not off till 2 –

From 2 55/60 to 3 1/2 walked, and made George lead Caradoc, from the mound and while rails across the valley (perhaps 1/2 mile on this side of Littlebro’) to the Inn at the top of Blackstone edge – Stopt there 5 minutes and gave Caradoc some oatmeal and water – Then pursued our journey, and got home in 3 3/4 hours at 5 3/4, i.e. just before it struck 6 by the kitchen clock –

It rained pretty smartly all the time we were at Rochdale till about the last 1/2 hour when it cleared up and we had no rain afterwards – A fine evening too – My father and Marian called after tea and staid about an hour –

Told my uncle and aunt Mr. Simmons thought he could cure me, but could answer for it better if I was in Manchester under his own eye for 2 or 3 weeks – My aunt wanted me to give up going to Scarbro’ and York, and go to Manchester immediately – This I, of course, decline, saying I may perhaps be able to do without going to M– [Mariana] at all –

Barometer at changeable or rather above Fahrenheit 57º at 9 p.m. at which hour came up to bed – Put by my things etc. and wrote the last 9 lines of today – 4 letters waited my arrival –

Nothing can be better done than the new road from Littlebro’ to the top of Blackstone edge – From the very foot of the hill to about 100 yards from the Inn at the top are 15 white-painted black-capped stone posts as guides, I suppose, when the road is covered with snow – They were 149 strides apart (supposing them to be as as they look, at equal distances) perhaps these 149 strides might be about 100 yards or not much more –

It was at the 14th stone that I met M– [Mariana] last Tuesday week – This struck me forcibly – I had been thinking of the thing before – Indeed not a day scarcely an hour has passed since it happened, without its occuring to me in 1 shape or other – Oh! that I could forget it altogether – But I know and feel this cannot be – My memory is too obstinate for me –

3 of the letters came yesterday from M– [Mariana] (York); from Miss Vallance (Sittingbourne) and from Radford the Tailor (“ 27 Piccadilly removed from 188 Fleet street London”) the other letter (from Radford acknowledging the receipt of the draft) came this morning –

M– [Mariana]’s letter (2 1/4 pages hurried) written the very day (Wednesday) my letter to her would get to Scarbro’, on which day she seems to have been setting off for that place, having waited to take her father and mother within the carriage Eliza and Lou on the box and the 2 little Whites and her and Watson her servants in a hack chaise – Mrs. B– [Belcombe] seized with Cholera morbus on Sunday “which alarmed us much for a few hours, but it soon subsided”.... “however she is quite well” – Dr. B– [Belcombe] 

“in very low spirits about himself and I really think there is much cause even now to feel alarmed about him – His mind seems to have suffered, and when there is anything to be done he seems quite bewildered” –

M – [Mariana] not quite so well as she was – The moorgame arrived safe on Sunday – Dr. B– [Belcombe] appeared pleased with the attention – M– [Mariana] was to have written on Tuesday “but Bell came over and nothing could be done” –

3 pages crossed and the ends from Miss V– [Vallance] I must write to her very soon – She says my last is dated 14 February –

“Does your remembrance of your confiding friend ever cross your mind? Has her fate ceased to interest? Is her form forgotten? Her faults and sorrows faded from from your heart?” …. 

I must write – She is still in a very bad state of health – Gives a high character of her brother William’s bride – vide the latter 1/2 the crossing of page 2 and the former 1/2 of page 1 vide page 2 

“Memory often carried me to Langton – and recalls our wandering to Birdsall, the wold etc. etc. ...... those steps so well remembered, so fondly recorded in my bosom”.... 

Flll [full] well i remember my style of conversations. Does she too? Is it not evident she will listen again and grant all I ask as before? – At page 3

 “I hope to see Langton at no very distant time and I hope most earnestly to see you there” –

Surely the crossing above referred intelli[gi]bly marks her preference towards me and might warrant my taking gently any liberties I chose. She says, or strongly insinuates, that she and I think and feel more in unison than I suppose. Surely this is no cold water on anything that has passed between us – I have always maintained a lady cannot love sufficiently a second time. It is respecting this she owns my opinion, “founded on a knowledge of human nature in general” but consider herself an exception –

Radford’s 1st letter is to acknowledge the receipt of my 1st…. 

“as our business is conducted solely on the principle of ready money we cannot send goods to strangers in the country without 1st receiving a remittance to amount of ordered goods” … 

Strangers is in the original, strange ladies in the country – Referred to their “order book” and found my measure etc. etc. I could not help laughing –

The 2nd letter a respectful acknowledgment of the draft – The coat to be sent by “the York coach that leaves the Golden and Saturday morning at six” that I am expected to have it early on Sunday morning –

vide line 23 the last page the weather, what kept me up so long etc. – E [two dots, treating venereal complaint] O [one dot, signifying little discharge] A lit[t]le not much –

[sideways in margin] Rochdale

[unaccomplishedwriter]

- s a v i o r -

. Nicholas Scratch x Reader .

Prologue | Part One | Part Two | Part Three |

{PART FOUR}

Your first impression of the little Morningstar was not a good one.

The second she laid eyes on Nick, she flew to him in a flurry of questions and scoldings. It wasn’t until after she’d calmed down that she noticed the odd atmosphere, and turned, along with the rest of her coven, to finally rest her gaze on you.

You still had a gentle silver ambience, as if starlight was caressing your body. The humming sound coming from the pulsation of your inner powers faded as you attempted to conceal your aura a bit more effectively. Soon, your presence dimmed and finally revealed your countenance more clearly. Your brows were furrowed and a frown graced your face, but otherwise not a hair of yours was out of place.

“Who are you?” Zelda stepped up and demanded, putting herself between you and the rest of the coven. You couldn’t help the quirk of your lip as you opened your mouth to retort, but then your gaze landed on Nick, who’s arm was still tightly gripped by Sabrina. She almost gave off the impression of a mother keeping her unruly child in check, and you quickly found your face morphing back into a frown.

“I’m no one you know of. If you need identification, just consider me a friend of Nick’s,” you replied curtly, turning your stare back to Zelda. The woman was very domineering, a trait you didn’t necessarily dislike. Her soul gave off powerful pulsations of anxiety, no doubt amplified by the inexplicable disappearance of their Hare Moon. She stared you down for another moment before turning and barking orders for the coven to return home, electing to ignore you for the meantime. This rendered you a bit speechless as you now hadn’t the foggiest idea of what to do next.

An attractive boy with curly hair and dark skin looked you over curiously, before being tugged away by an equally attractive girl sporting silver hair. They dragged along what looked to be a statue and another girl in a state of confusion who was giggling wildly. The trio and statue aroused your curiosity as well, and if you were more bold you might’ve followed them. Instead, you found yourself looking for Nick’s familiar presence in the bustle, his body having moved away from yours at some point.

A few feet away, Sabrina was attempting to herd Nick along with the others, but before she could get him to move, he made eye contact with you, pulling himself away from her. He spoke a few words in her direction before turning away, leaving her to make her way back alone.

Nick mentioned previously how they had broken up, but now you weren’t so sure. It definitely didn’t seem that way to Sabrina, but before you could dwell more on the thought he’d already made his way in front of you.

“You should come with us. It’s better for you to get a grasp on our situation so you can figure out what it is you need to do,” he exclaimed softly. His hands made their way into yours with an ease that no doubt would have made the Spellman girl’s eyes red, and only then did your face crack into a smile.

“I don’t think I’m welcome. Besides, it’s not just your coven I have to worry about,” you reminded. He paused for a second, before glancing down at you with that familiar, sheepish grin of his.

“I’m pretty sure most of Greendale’s issues stem from the Spellman House.”

He didn’t say it explicitly, yet he did. Instead of referring to his entire coven, currently housed at the academy, his wording made it obvious. All roads pointed to Sabrina Spellman being the cause and key to fixing Greendale’s problems, which meant the Spellman House was the best place for you to begin your mission.

As you walked towards the academy, the place where you’ll possibly be staying for the foreseeable future, Nick explained in more detail everything that’s happened so far, starting from Sabrina enrolling in the Academy of Unseen Arts.

If you were being honest, you weren’t exactly fond of Nick’s coven due their very large part in the degradation of the stability of this domain. But the more you thought about it, the more you realized that the problem stemmed from one person; the little Morningstar and her selfish complexities.

Starting with her refusal to cut ties with her mortal friends, it seemed that Sabrina Spellman brought disaster upon anyone who associated with her ever since. When Nick explained that although the coven’s problems originally began with Sabrina refusing her birthright and its responsibilities, the girl assumed the mantle only after everything went to shit, complicating her coven’s situation and Nick’s sacrifice.

You couldn’t help but to see red.

He may not have mentioned it, but from the dark bags under his red-rimmed eyes, you could tell Nick’s suffering didn’t end when he was freed from Hell.

It seems that you needed to take a long look at what you were willing to do to save your domain, and getting rid of the problem at the white-haired root seemed mighty enticing currently.

Electing not to share such thoughts with Nick, you continued to listen quietly the rest of the way there.

The pagans seemed like the biggest threat to your mission, from what you could infer from Nick. They were definitely cooking up something big, and you felt unease settling in the pit of your stomach. The vacuum of power in Hell caused for much bigger consequences here on Earth, and now forces that are much darker and older than you’d ever thought you’d have to deal with were about.

The witches may not have a clear picture just yet, but you knew very well what the startling, confident arrival of pagans in someone’s domain meant.

Pagans didn’t necessarily reject the existence of Fate. On the contrary, their willingness to patiently pursue what they see as the inevitable arrival of their deities actually aligns with all the laws of Fate and destiny.

That is what makes their existence in Greendale so troublesome.

Whatever the pagans are cooking up has a very high likelihood of succeeding.

Lost in thought, before you knew it you two had already arrived at the academy. Unsurprisingly, Sabrina was waiting for you there. 

“So, Nick,” she started, crossing her arms. She gave you the once over, lips pursing into a thin line. It took all you had not to roll your eyes, instead bracing yourself for the round of questioning you just knew you were going to receive.

“Explain who your friend is again? I don’t think you’ve ever mentioned her.” 

You knew that last line was a jab at you, but you ignored the childishness of the situation and waited in silence for the boy next to you to respond.

You supposed such a comment was meant to elicit insecurity, but honestly, you’ve never spoken about Nick to others either. It almost felt wrong; like the intimacy you two shared wasn’t meant for prying eyes and chattering mouths to behold. He was the first human you helped; the first person you came into contact with outside of your own kind. 

Well, if you don’t count that insufferable Dark Lord of theirs. 

Somehow, between all those secret visits and ardent conversations, you began to not only treasure your time spent with the boy, but Nick himself. You felt a bond between the two of you borne from the intensity of the feelings you’d shared. With Nick, you didn’t feel as if the weight of a literal world had been thrust upon your shoulders. It was as if you were actually making someone’s life better, and there was no better feeling than that. 

“She’s someone who’s important to me,” Nick, after a long stretch of silence and stares, finally responded. “Very important.”

As you watched the girl in front of you flare her nostrils, you couldn’t help the giddy feeling that bloomed in your chest. At the very least, you knew your position in Nick’s heart wasn’t a low one. For some reason, the thought made you inexplicably happy. 

“And why is she here?” Sabrina forced out. You raised an eyebrow, but supposed the question was warranted enough given the situation. 

Supposed. The irritation wanting to present itself through snark bubbling at your throat indicated otherwise, but you held your tongue.

“(Y/n) is here to help. She has unique abilities that might be able to influence the situation given enough time.” 

During your visits to Hell, you’d explained the way your powers worked to Nick. As an agent of Fate, a stela could not interfere directly with the people and events of a domain. They could only act independently, or at the most suggestively. Your powers were more of an indirect nature, influencing things behind the scenes. 

A domain’s, and ultimately a person’s, Fate, was still up to them.

The girl hummed in acknowledgment, and before she could fire another question your way, a sharp summons by Zelda caught her attention. 

“We’ll finish this later,” she tossed out over her shoulder, before hurrying toward the direction of her aunt’s voice. You couldn’t help but shiver at the pure commanding aura just the voice of the Zelda woman gave off, her persona reminding you of your own Head Stela. Scrunching your nose, you turned to Nick to see him inclining his head toward a corridor to the left. 

“What’s wrong?” You queried, a bit worried. The look on his face seemed unpleasant, and you instinctively reached for his hand. The frown between his brows eased, and he glanced down at you with a soft expression.

“Nothing,” he said gently. “Let me show you around.”

You and Nick spent the next hour touring the academy grounds, you receiving a detailed backstory of the events that had happened recently and the academy’s history in general. 

At some point, you two had run into Ambrose and Prudence, the duo attempting to find a way to cure the girl’s sisters of their afflictions. 

“What happened to them?” 

You asked softly, making your way in front of Dorcas. The poor witch seemed to have been turned to stone, a horrified look permanently etched onto her face. Behind you, Agatha span around the room in circles, constant giggling and trills escaping her mouth. 

Prudence couldn’t help the sneer that instantly came to her face, but calmed down at the thought of getting any help she could get for her sisters. Studying you, she stared holes into your body as if she could burn right through it. Shrugging it off, you turned towards Ambrose instead, who gave you a quick rundown of the situation. Apparently, the girls had been the first victims of the now war with the pagan witches, and had been reduced to the state they were in now.

Turning back to Dorcas, you placed a glowing hand onto the girl’s body, sending a thrum of energy into the statue. After a beat, you were delighted to feel a dull thrumming bouncing back at you. A wide smile spreading across your face, you addressed the three other sane occupants of the room.

“She’s still alive,” you exclaimed. “And definitely kicking.”

Prudence gasped, and immediately made her way to your side. 

“She’s strong,” you told her, “Some people would have immediately lost consciousness in such a state. As long as she holds on, there’s hope.”

Ambrose was also by your side after that, shooting question after question about Dorcas’ condition and how to save her. After a while of back and forth, you shook your head in regret.

There was nothing you could personally to save her.

“I can keep her soul active. At the very least, it’ll keep her life force strong enough that her consciousness doesn’t fade.” 

Prudence teared up, before shaking her head vigorously. “That’ll be enough. We will figure out how to save my sister together.” 

She now seemed much more friendly to you, choosing to hold you by the arm and lead you to the dancing form of other sister, Agatha.

“She’s gone insane,” Ambrose started. “Prudence tried to organize her thoughts earlier, but they’re too scrambled, too chaotic. It is most worrying.” 

At some point, Nick excused himself, making an excuse that you barely had time to catch before he’d disappeared. Somewhat put off, you elected to ignore it for now in favor of helping those in front of you. 

You still had a job to do, after all. 

“Agatha?” 

You called, slowly approaching. The girl paused, before inclining her head towards you. Her shoulders shook as she lost herself in her own mind, a broken soul that you yearned to fix. It was a chaotic cloud, formless and desolate. You knew this girl wasn’t without her own pain, no doubt the premiere subject of the madness her mind was now drowning in. Reaching for the girl’s face, your palm once again released an aura most curious to Ambrose. He’d made it a point to ask you of it later, eager to learn how your powers worked. 

He and the rest of the coven still knew nothing about you, but you’d proven yourself friendly so far and that was all he could be bothered to concern himself with.

Touching your forehead to Agatha’s, you found yourself being pulled into the depths of her memories. Images darted before you, certainly out of order and hard to condense into some form of cohesion you could go off of. Instead, you chose to cling to the next memory to flit by, determined to find an anchor for both yourself and the girl to cling to.

It happened to be the moment she’d first laid eyes upon the god Pan, also the one Prudence had witnessed secondhand earlier when she’d attempted to pull Agatha back to sanity. 

This moment must be the most significant contributor to her current state.

Now, you’d done your fair share of learning about the pagan gods, but few stood out as Pan did. The god was madness personified, dooming anyone who viewed his countenance to torture within the recesses of their own mind. It was not quite as deliberate as what you’d witnessed with Nick and Lucifer, but it wasn’t too far off. The poor witch was reliving the worst moments of her life, trapped within a disarrayed cycle she couldn’t escape from.

Nearly being overwhelmed yourself, it took all your willpower to interrupt the nightmare. Placing yourself between Agatha and Pan as the memory repeated itself, you once again grabbed her face and held on tightly.

“There’s nothing to see. You are in your own mind and he isn’t real. You are the god here,” you told her firmly. Agatha’s eyes locked onto yours, fear obvious in her features. You cycled your energy through her body and yours, gradually easing the girl into a more calm state of mind. 

“He..he did something to me!” she stuttered out, franticly grasping at your wrists. Her soul pulsated wildly, threatening to break the lull  and resume its previous chaotic form. 

You slowly nodded, keeping your aura calm and steady.

“He did,” you affirmed. “But it was only in your head. You are in control here, not him. He can’t do anything that you don’t allow him to; he exploits weakness. And you’re not weak, are you Agatha?”

She slowly shook her head, her gaze never leaving yours. You continued to feed your energy into her, coaxing her soul into a gentle slumber. 

“I’m going to help you now. You will sleep, and be at peace.” 

Putting Agatha’s soul to rest was the only thing you could do for the time being. The extent of the breakdown of her mind was too deep, and it required repeated therapy of her mind and soul. You could hep recondition her soul, but the issue with her mind would probably require the help of her sister Prudence, who’s strong will and overall intimacy with the girl was higher and would be of more help.

Pulling yourself back to reality, you lowered the now unconscious girl’s body to the ground along with your own, placing her on the floor. 

 “I put her soul to sleep,” you informed Prudence and Ambrose, swiping a stray hair from Agatha’s face as you gazed down at her. You felt your core throbbing weakly and knew you needed to rest, but you didn't regret it. As you spent more time in your domain you would no doubt get stronger, and you’d be able to help even more people.

You were genuinely looking forward to making your mark with the people of Greendale.

Prudence lowered herself to settle on the other side of Agatha, caressing her sister’s face in worry. 

You reassured her that continued therapy by the two of you should eventually return her sister sane, and a watery smile made its way onto her face. 

“Thank you,” she sighed, her exhaustion evident. You gave a small smile, nodding return. Ambrose placed a hand on your shoulder, beckoning you toward the corner. 

There, he spoke of the things Nick neglected to, or rather chose not to. Specifically of his and Prudence’s quest, and the events that followed their return.

From Ambrose, you learned of Faustus Blackwood, and the alarmed humming of your inner core alerted you of the significance of said man. Apparently he’d become the Dark Lord’s newest vessel, and you reminded yourself to pay the man a visit later. 

Of course, thanks to one Nicholas Scratch, you never got the chance.

A/N: I finally updated 🙃 I’ve made it a point to finally get a tag-list going for you guys’ sake due to my unreliable release schedule lol, so if you guys would like to be added please leave a message or comment requesting me to do so! The next chapter should come a lot sooner as my hours as work have finally been cut down a teensy bit more due to everything going on.

[scarlettwitcher]

Baby Girl Chapter Three

Summary: Y/n tried to avoid her past with a certain Statesmen but when they’re partnered back up for a mission that could cost millions their lives, Y/n must make the right choice. (This is the Kingsman: The Golden Circle movie basically in writing with reader insert. I recommend watching the movie, it’s amazing! It’s on Amazon Prime Video.)

Characters: Agent Whiskey x Agent Gin(Y/n), Tequila, Ginger Ale, Eggsy, Merlin, Champ, Harry, mentions of Poppy, Charlie, and Clara 

Word Count: 5,168

Warnings: angst, really bad insults, fluff, SMUT, unprotected p in v, oral(female receiving), cursing, that’s it, i think.

Author’s Note: This is what started everything. I wanted to write this scene in general ever since i watched the movie, and then it just progressed to me writing this series so enjoy! Shoutout to my lovely @giftofdreams​ for being an amazing beta! I do need a few betas for a few fics i have, if you’re open to help, send me a message please! As always, thanks for reading and feedback is always welcome/needed.

Previously...

Whiskey knew exactly what Champ meant and he sighed, nodding his head. "I'll try Champ." 

"I'm serious Whiskey. That girl has been trying hard to recover. She may be young but she has a big heart." Whiskey nodded as he waved his goodbye, hanging up the call. He was relieved at finally having some time to talk to you, even if it wasn’t alone. Who knew this would be the start of a long, long roller coaster.

Now...

Soon as promised, he appeared in his jet, picking you and Eggsy up, flying you both to where his girlfriend was so you could get your passes to the festival. The whole plane ride you locked yourself into your room, ignoring Whiskey’s occasional knocks on your door. “Darling, talk to me.”

A few hours later, another knock filled the silence. “Sugar, please.” Of course, you ignored it. “You can’t be in there forever baby girl.” 

You ignored every one of his advances and you tried even harder to ignore the pet names. Once upon a time, his words would melt you and make you feel like you were the only one in his eyes. Driving up to where Tilde was staying, you sat in the back, watching the scenery pass by as your hair flowing in the air. Whiskey’s eyes kept glancing back at you in the rearview mirror. He didn’t know how you could be more beautiful than you were but here you were, taking his breath away as you always did. Stopping in front of the house, Eggsy jumped out of the car and ran inside leaving you alone with Whiskey. He cleared his throat as he patted the passenger side chair. “Come up here with me darlin.”

You laughed humorlessly as you shook your head. “In your dreams sugar.” He knew you said that condescendingly and he huffed in annoyance. 

“Sweetheart, you have to talk to me at some point. We’re on this mission together.”

“Then I’ll only talk to you about the mission.” Whiskey rolled his eyes as he half turned in his seat, watching you. You felt like his gaze could burn through you and you wiggled, feeling a tad bit uncomfortable. 

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what, darlin?”

“Like you want me. We both know it ain’t true.” You mumbled quietly looking away from him. He felt his next words die in his throat as he tried to think of something nice to say. He really didn’t know the extent of the pain he caused you. Sure, you were in your early twenties and you were considered immature by most but you knew what you felt for the cowboy was real. Whiskey sighed and turned back around before honking a couple of times, alerting the butler nearby. You watched as he neared the car and Whiskey waved him away, mumbling his apologies. A few minutes later, Eggsy appeared with a few bands in his hand. “Got the passes from my contact. You're gonna love Glastonbury.”

“Well, that's the easy part, kid. Take a look in the glove box.” Eggsy popped the glove box open and looked inside, pulling out a tiny container. He opened it and you swore he wanted to laugh. He looked at what looked like a minuscule condom. You remember feeling the same when it was introduced to you. “Fucking hell, bruv. Thought everything was supposed to be bigger in America. Is this why you overcompensate with these massive cars?” 

Whiskey chuckled, pushing his glasses back up his nose, as he leaned in, holding his finger up to Eggsy. Whiskey was about to explain its use but you decided to butt in. You leaned in between the two, giving your shoulder’s back to Whiskey as you looked up at Eggsy. “Goes on your finger. The surveillance tracker is in the tip. Apply light pressure for three seconds to release it.” 

Your scent quickly invaded all of Whiskey’s senses and it took everything for him to not moan. You smelled sweet, just like he remembered. He was so tempted to reach out and touch your skin, seeing if the way he remembered it was the same or if it was better. “Nice, bruv.” You giggled at his slang and your laugh snapped Whiskey out of his thoughts. He cleared his throat and you sat back as Whiskey drove off in the direction of the festival. You spent the car ride talking to Eggsy as much as you could, ignoring a simmering Whiskey. You made it a point to ignore him and it didn’t take long for Eggsy to catch on.

From the moment you arrived, you were overwhelmed with the people, smells, and the music. Considering you entered the agency at a very young age, you didn’t experience a lot of the “life things”. You didn’t have the typical years any teenager did. Both your parents were Statesmen and they raised you in hopes you would become one too. 

Whiskey noticed your excitement as you slipped on your band and he couldn’t help but smile. You were adorable. You walked amongst the people in between Whiskey and Eggsy as he started talking. “Okay, so according to her Instagram feed… Charlie's ex-girlfriend is up ahead at the VIP bar. Which one of us is gonna plant the tracker?”

You came up to the V.I.P entrance where several tents surrounded a large bar. The security guard stopped the three of you, motioning to his wrist. “Bands, please. You’re good.” You passed him with ease as you continued your walk into the area.

“I say we both make an approach. Whoever gets on best, goes for it.” You visibly stiffened at this, not happy with what could happen. Both Whiskey and Eggsy noticed your immediate discomfort but neither said anything. You weren’t included because from research, you were able to conclude she was straight and you wouldn’t be able to woo her. 

Eggsy cleared his throat before shaking his head slightly. It didn’t take a genius to figure out you and Whiskey had a past, especially after he noticed your behavior in the car. “Well, it doesn't have to be a competition, bruv. Why don't we just go up to her… shake her hand, pat her on the back, whatever, you know. Job well done.” You commended Eggsy for his kindness. You hadn’t known the brit for very long at all but you took a liking to him and he to you. 

“The hand is not a mucus membrane, Eggsy. Neither is the back. They teach you anything at Kingsman?” Whiskey found it amusing that Eggsy hadn’t caught on to how the tracker was applied and he shook his head. You kept your head down, trying not to call attention to yourself. Whiskey noticed how guarded you had become and he wished he didn’t have to take a stab at sleeping with the target. He had just gotten the opportunity to be around you again and he knew this would make everything worse. 

“What are you talking about?”

“Our trackers are designed to enter the bloodstream. They circulate harmlessly, providing full audio and GPS.” As Whiskey explained, he made a hand motion with two fingers and for a second, you forgot you were angry with him, remembering how undone you became on his fingers the first time you slept together. Your mouth watered and you felt your underwear dampen at the memories of what happened between the two of you. Eggsy was in a whole other world as he finally started to connect the dots. He held up one of his fingers in question.

“Mucus membrane. That's like up the nose, isn't it? What the fuck am I gonna do? Stick my finger… It's not just inside the nose, is it?” Whiskey spotted the target and he kept his eyes on her. You noticed and you quickly switched from aroused to feeling nauseous. You mumbled quietly about how you needed a drink, making your way to the other side of the bar. You had to keep your eyes on the target in case anything could happen. 

“No, Eggsy, it ain't.” Whiskey watched you leave and he sighed, feeling tense about the whole situation.

“Fuck.”

“All right, I'll take the first crack. Watch and learn, buddy.” Whiskey took a chug of his small flask before he was stopped by Eggsy’s hand on his shoulder. 

“Are you sure about that bruv?” Eggsy nodded his head towards you. Whiskey glanced in your direction and sighed as he shook his head. He knew if he was the one who had to place the tracker, things would worsen with you.

“No, I’m not but I have to give it a try, no matter how bad it might go.” Whiskey took another sip as he winked at Eggsy. Eggsy just clicked his tongue, shaking his head. He caught on quick that he was going to make the target reject him on purpose for your sake. 

“Good luck.”

Whiskey walked over to Clara with a cool swagger to him. You watched him as you downed another shot. “Miss, I beg your pardon. Now, I don't wanna pester you, but I just have to know, what time are you playing?” Because of the comms that you were wearing, you could hear everything and you couldn’t help but cringe at his words.

“Pretty little thing like you come here often?” You had had a hard mission that involved kids and Whiskey found you at a bar, drinking your pain away. You smiled tightly as you ordered another shot, signalling the bartender to prepare one for Whiskey.

“Only when I want to forget.” Whiskey chuckled quietly, drinking the shot quick, hissing from the burn.

“You and me both sweetheart. You and me both.” You looked over at him and it was at that moment that you knew. You were in love with him.

You knocked back another shot as you tried to shake the memories out of your head. You weren’t worried about getting drunk anytime soon. Working somewhere like Statesman, you built a huge tolerance for alcohol. 

“I'm not in a band.” Clara grabbed her head in embarrassment. “Oh, God. Who did you think I was? Please don't say someone ghastly.” Her voice echoed through your comms and you downed two more shots.

“I’m sure she plays for Hozi-dead. I mean, geez, sweetpea, go outside.” You heard Eggsy snort and chuckle into the comms as he tried to catch his breath.

“Fucking hell Gin.” You held up a shot in his direction before downing it, letting out a quiet hiss from the burn. 

Whiskey wanted to laugh and he had to hide it with a cough as he listened to your sweet voice. He loved it when you were jealous. That’s what he hoped you were. If you were jealous, then there was the sliver of a chance he could fix things. “God damn it, now I feel like a fool. I just assumed that a woman with your charisma…” You felt your insides turn and feel like lava as you took another shot. “Well, she just had to be somebody.” Even though you recovered, even though you swore to not fall for it again, even though you trained yourself to be better, within a few minutes of listening to Whiskey, you were falling back into the same hole that was loving him.

“Right. Thank you.” You downed your last two shots before talking into the comms. 

“I think I’m going to go watch some shows, I’ll see you boys later at our tent.” Without waiting for a response, you disconnected your comm and tracker, leaving them on the bar counter, needing some alone time to think. Whiskey wanted to tell you to stay, to just give him a few minutes but he couldn’t, not with Clara staring so intensely at him. He looked away in the direction where you were and took a deep breath.

“No, it's okay. I know you didn't mean to make me feel like a dumbass. So I'll let you make it up to me by letting me buy you a drink.” Whiskey snapped his fingers at the bartender trying to get his attention. Clara watched unamused. 

She raised her finger as she spoke. “Follow my finger.”

Clara swiped her fingers a few times to the left. Whiskey followed her finger every time before he chuckled and raised his eyebrow in confusion. “What are we doing?”

“Swiping to the left. What, you don't do Tinder in America?”

“Tinder what?”

Eggsy finally approached the pair as he nodded. “Do you know, I think it's probably a generational thing. It translates as "Go away, old man." Whiskey cleared his throat as he filled his mind with thoughts of you to keep his cool and not punch Eggsy.

“Be good, be cool. Bye.” Whiskey took another sip of his flask as he walked out of the V.I.P. area in search of you. He knew it was probably not going to work but he flipped out his phone, pulling up your name. He smiled fondly at the picture he had as your contact, He took it the night you slept together. You were asleep on his chest, resting your head on his heart with your hair flowing across your back. He had his arm wrapped around you possessively. The angle was perfect and he took a picture, a selfie of the both of you, in remembrance. He had taken many pictures of you that night but that was his favorite. He thought back to the countless times he would look back at your photos, staring at the ones he had of you sleeping, of you riding him, of you laying naked and stretched out on his bed. You drove him crazy.

He shot you a quick text, watching for a few minutes, waiting for the read sign to pop up. Fortunately, it did and so did the little bubble indicating you were responding. He felt his mouth go dry and he couldn’t remember a time he felt this nervous. A few minutes later and a message from you appeared on his phone but it wasn’t something he wanted to see.

8:01 PM - Whiskey - Sweetheart, where are you? 

8:13 PM - Gin - Isn’t trying to apply the tracker more important than where I am?

8:14 PM - Whiskey - Baby girl, please. Eggsy is the one placing the tracker on Clara. I just want to talk. 

Whiskey sighed angrily through his nose as he responded back immediately. You opened the message and you could feel the sincerity. The one thing that Whiskey has only ever reserved for you was babygirl. You used it all the time and so did a lot of the agents but Whiskey never did. He had only ever used it with you. It was too intimate for him. You bit your lip as you stared at your phone. 

8:22 PM - Gin - I need some time J

8:23 PM - Whiskey - I’ll be waiting baby girl

Whiskey sighed as he read your text and decided to wait for you at your tent. He walked in, looking around before deciding to sit down on the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees and his chin in between his hands. He didn’t blame you for the way you were acting. Hell, he was expecting worse but he wanted to show you he had changed. He wanted you to see he wanted you. He had asked for a transfer back to the Kentucky offices a few months ago but he was denied by Champ because of you. Requesting again, Champ said he needed your approval to make the transfer. Whiskey knew it was going to be hard but he wanted to fight for you. 

Glancing at his watch after a few hours, Whiskey noticed it was going to be close to midnight. He was starting to get worried. He knew he couldn’t get a hold of you so he waited. A few minutes later, the tent door slowly opened and you stepped into the tent. Whiskey stopped his pacing, his head snapping up to meet your eyes. You stood there timidly as you tried to gather your thoughts. You had spent the last few hours trying to get Whiskey out of your head but you couldn’t. You thought you were ready to confront him but seeing him now, every logical argument you had was thrown out the window. 

Whiskey felt his heart pump with adrenaline as he made his way over to you, hugging you tightly, holding you as hard as he could. You gave in and wrapped your arms around him as he kissed your head. “I’m so sorry baby girl. I’m so sorry. Fuck, I was so worried.” You took a shaky breath against his chest and you were overwhelmed with his scent. He smelled exactly like you remembered. Leather, Whiskey, and some cheap but surprisingly sweet-smelling cologne. He rested his face on the top of your head, inhaling you and surrounding himself with all that was you. 

“Whiskey w-wait.” You were overwhelmed. You pushed Whiskey away as you took a deep breath, wrapping your arms around yourself, feeling vulnerable. “You can’t just say sorry and expect everything to be okay, not after everything you did.”

“I know, baby, I know. But you gotta let me try to fix things. You gotta let me show you.”

“I know enough to know that people don’t change.”

“Gin, I haven't touched a girl in months, since I went to New York.” You took a shaky breath at this and you felt your lip tremble. Whiskey had left for New York a year and a half ago and it shocked you. “You’re all I think about. Your smile, your scent, your laugh, your stupid jokes. The way you moan my name and call me those sweet, sweet things. The way your skin is so soft and the way you say you’re mine. I miss you.” Whiskey slowly started to walk towards you, cornering you between him and the wall. “Champ told me to not try anything but I just, you make me weak, baby.” 

“Why wait until now?” Whiskey chuckled as he dragged a hand down his face in frustration.

“Baby girl, you wouldn’t answer my calls or texts and when I was in Kentucky, you wouldn’t let me near you. I tried.” You chewed your lip guiltily. He moved closer until he was inches away from you. He reached up gently, cupping your cheek with one hand, and he moved his other to hold onto your hip. He was holding on hard and you knew you would have bruises in the morning. He dragged his thumb against your lip so gently as if you’d break under his hold. Your eyes watered and you looked up at him with all the emotions you kept away. He reached up with his thumb to brush away your tears. You wanted to move. Every part of your body screamed for you to leave, to not give in but your heart was saying you needed to stay in his arms. You believed he had changed and you hoped with every fibre of your being you were right. 

Whiskey tilted your head up to look at him as he leaned in and brushed his lips against yours. “Tell me to stop and I will baby girl. Because if you don’t, I won’t hold back. I can't. I crave you too much." He didn't kiss your lips but made his way down, kissing down your jaw. He moved towards your neck, acting quickly to mark you as his. Once he pulled away, there was a large purple hickey on your skin. He kissed down your shoulders, marking and biting you as much as he could. "I've missed your skin." 

You whimpered under his touch as you closed your eyes tightly, letting his mouth overwhelm you. You moaned quietly. "J-jack." Whiskey groaned his approval before kissing his way back up to your lips. He kissed you roughly, tangling his hand into your hair, as he held you against him. He moved his hands down your body until they got to your ass. He squeezed hard, pulling you up by your thighs to wrap around his waist. You happily obliged, wrapping your arms around his neck as he carried you to the bed. 

"I fucking missed you, darling." He moved to lay you down on the bed, caressing you as he hovered over you, looking down at you, searching for anything to tell him you didn't want this, that you didn't want him. All he saw in your eyes was your love for him. He moved his hand to your shirt and pulled it off as he inhaled sharply. He would never get tired of seeing you. "You're so beautiful, baby." He slowly unhooked your bra, tossing it across the room before leaning down and taking one of your nipples into his mouth. You whimpered under him, moving one of your hands into his hair as he sucked hard, biting your nipple and pulling back, letting it fall. He did the same with your other breast, teasing you. He kissed around your skin, leaving dark marks wherever he could. He pulled a couple of giggles from your lips as his mustache tickled your skin. He smiled against you. 

You reached up to tug on his shirt. You needed to feel his skin against yours. Whiskey immediately obliged and took off his leather jacket, draping it on a chair nearby as he started to unbutton his shirt, slowly revealing his dark, tanned skin that you loved so much. You sat up, peppering his skin with kisses before licking from his lower abdomen up to his chest, pulling a growl from him as he pinned you down by your wrists. He held them over your head with one hand as he used the other to cup your cheek gently, admiring all of your features. You blushed under his intense gaze, looking away from him. "Don't look away from me ever again, baby girl." You whimpered as you returned your gaze to him, seeing the lust building in his eyes. 

Whiskey reached down to your small, booty shorts that you chose to wear for the festival, unbuttoning them. He was impatient and he moved his hand quickly inside them, rubbing you over your panties. You gasped and slowly rocked your hips against him as he growled lowly from his chest. "So fucking wet. Is all that for me baby girl?" 

"Y-yes Jack… always thinking of you." 

"Fuck baby." You closed your eyes tightly as you arched your back. He brushed his fingers over your clit and you were a mess. He watched you in complete amazement. This was better than he remembered. He let go of your hands, moving his way down your body before getting to your shorts, pulling them off roughly with your panties. He spread your legs wide, staring at your soaking wet cunt and he moaned. "You have the prettiest pussy I've ever seen, princess. Fucking beautiful." Whiskey dragged a finger from your clit to your hole and you moaned softly. It should've embarrassed you how open and bare you were for him but you craved the attention he was giving you. 

Whiskey got impatient and leaned forward, attaching his lips to your clit before sucking roughly, groaning at your state. He was everywhere and you couldn't catch up. He was eating you out like a starved man. Soon, his tongue was joined by two of his fingers pumping into your pussy. He moaned as he sucked your arousal, pulling off with a loud slurp. That made you blush intensely. "Taste fucking better than I remember." Whiskey was very hard in his jeans and it was starting to hurt. He reached down, unbuckling his belt and his jeans, letting some relief get to him as he continued to suck your cunt like he wouldn't ever again. He didn't relent and you knew he wouldn't until you came. It really didn't take long as he inserted a third finger, pumping quick and rough into your pussy, your arousal coating your thighs. With one last suck on your clit, your body was surrounded with waves of pleasure. You cried out Whiskey's name as he didn't relent, sucking even harder, drinking all of your arousal up. You twitched from the over sensitivity, trying to pull Whiskey off of you. 

"J-jack, hold o-on." Whiskey laughed as he relented and kissed his way back up to your lips. 

"Sorry baby girl. You know I love your pussy. Always get lost in it." You kissed him affectionately as you pushed him to stand, crawling down the bed until you got the edge and you moved down to your knees. You finished unzipping his jeans, tugging them down, releasing his impressive length. "Baby, you don't hav- ah fuck!" You didn't let Whiskey finish as you took his length into your mouth, pushing to take him all the way. You were a bit more than half ways before his cock hit the back of your throat. You suppressed your gags as you pushed to take all of his length. His hand came down to your hair, holding you in place as you choked on his cock. Your eyes watered and you felt the tears fall down your cheek as you pulled back with a loud gasp. You panted as you took his cock in your hand, pumping his shaft as you caught your breath. Whiskey's head fell back from the pleasure, moaning out, feeling like he was getting too close for his liking. You were going to take him back into your mouth but he stopped you. "Baby girl, I'm way too close and I'd like to finish inside of you." 

You whined as he lifted you back onto the bed, his body covering yours seconds later. He pumped his cock a few times before lining himself up with your entrance. He looked into your eyes wanting reassurance before slowly pushing into you, the room full of your pants and moans. He slipped all the way in, staying still so you could get used to him. He peppered your face with kisses, leaving you a giggling mess. "Jack, move p-please." 

Whiskey complied and pulled back, leaving only the head of his cock inside of you before thrusting back roughly. Soon, he found a rhythm and he was pounding into you. He moved one of his hands down to your thigh, holding you possessively as he pulled your leg up to wrap around his hip. You let him take charge of your body, as he thrust over and over, filling you up like no one else could. "So tight princess. So." With every word he said, he thrusted harder and harder into you. "Fucking. Tight." You cried out in pleasure, raking your fingers down his back, long red strips coloring his skin. Whiskey let his face fall against your shoulder as he started to falter in his rhythm, getting close to his climax. He reached between your bodies, rubbing your clit, wanting you to cum first. "Come on baby, cum for me. I know you can." 

Your body jerked at the sudden increase of pleasure and you moaned like a whore being fucked at church. You wrapped your arms tightly around him, feeling every breath he took, every moan that vibrated through his chest. You felt every word he spoke to you and you felt what you did to him. You felt safe in his arms. This was where you always had belonged, with Whiskey, in his embrace. Before you could even prepare, your orgasm hit you harder than you could've expected. Your body was on fire as every thrust heightened your pleasure, sending you to a new heaven. Whiskey moved both hands to either side of your face as he held himself above you, his muscles clenching. He knew he was about to cum and he needed his strength to not fall on you. "Fuck, baby, I'm gonna c- Fuck, I love you, baby girl!" A few more thrusts inside your tight entrance and he was cumming, filling you with his thick seed. 

You laid there, frozen and in shock but it had nothing to do with him releasing inside of you. It was the words he cried into your ear as he came. He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath as he hovered over you. You pulled him into you, loving the weight of him on top of you. You felt his rapid beating heart matching yours. You laid there in blissed silence. After you both had finally calmed down and Whiskey let his fingers roam all over your skin, you found the courage to speak, or in this case, whisper. "Did you mean it?"

"Mean what darling?"

"Do you love me?" Whiskey stiffened for a second before relaxing and turning to look at you. You looked so radiant under the candlelight of the tent and he wondered just how he could be so lucky. After losing his first love, he swore he wouldn't love another. He didn't deserve to. That's what he said to himself every day until he met you. You were his second chance at a good life. He dragged his finger gently across your forehead to your nose and then to your lips, rubbing his thumb across your bottom lip. He plopped himself up with his other arm and pulled you under him as he nudged his nose against your cheek, inhaling and humming quietly. Your scents were mixed perfectly and he loved how he could scent his cologne on your skin. 

"Yes. I’ll love you until the cows come home. You're all I want, baby girl." You felt your heart soar and you pulled him down for a sweet kiss. You poured all of your love into it. You weren't prepared to say it back just yet but you knew he knew. Whiskey knew you loved him and you didn't need to say it. He slowly kissed down your jaw, covering every inch of your skin with a kiss. It didn't take long for him to harden and for round two to commence. All night, you made love in the tent until the morning. 

You were exhausted after the many sessions you both had and you were asleep, tucked into Whiskey's side. His arm was wrapped protectively around you, holding you tightly against him. You didn't expect this side to him but you loved it. You slowly stirred in your quiet slumber, knowing you had to return to the agency to prepare for anything to appear for the mission. You felt a heavyweight against your hip and you smiled, remembering everything from the night before. You never expected things to go this way but you were happy. You turned in his hold for a little, and watched him sleep. He looked so peaceful, like all the worries that weighed heavy on his shoulders were gone. You loved seeing him like this and you silently vowed to yourself to try and help him feel like that more often. You leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before deciding to get up for the day. It was going to be a long day and you felt it in your bones.

Forever Tags: @iwantthedean @authoressskr @sorenmarie87 @reigningqueenofwords @goldenolaf25 @giftofdreams @winchesterprincessbride @chelsea072498 @kitchenwitchsuperwhovian @itakeawfultoawholenewlevel @fictionalabyss @gabby913 @angelkurenai @sea040561 @sleepylunarwolf @smoothdogsgirl @carryonmyswansong @feelmyroarrrr @evyiione @sofreddie @sis-tafics @nitelotus @trexrambling  @manawhaat @mermaidxatxheart @winchest09 @ellen-reincarnated1967​ @mrswhozeewhatsis​ @just-another-busy-fangirl​ @lovebodymindstuff​ @backseat-of-deans-67chevy​ @chook007​ @akshi8278​ @evansrogerskitten​ @bringmesomepie56​ @persephonehemingway​ @blacktithe7​ @donnaintx​ @queenxxxsupreme​ @whitewolfandthefox​ @riviawitch3r​

Agent Whiskey Tags: @thesadvampire​ @le-roman-rose @mcudisiac​ @someone-take-my-bagelseverywhere​ @chibi-liz05​ @marvel-avengers01​ @themandjalorian​ @floccodineveautunnale @jassiepoohbear @gollyderek​ @retrobhaddie​ @wolf-lover74​ @paryl​ @laubeck10​ @ithinkwehitametaphor​ @wizard-b1tch​ @domino-oh-damn​ @c-ly-g​ @rosamedina92​ @sunshinepascal​ @ariespedro​ @libellule2001​ @ohpedromypedro​ @two-unbeatable-beaters​ 

Tags I think would be interested(please don’t hate): @spacegayofficial​ @ariasfandom​ @lannister-slings-and-arrows​ @sendhoots​ @stevieharrrr​ @dindjarindiaries​ @hiscyarika​ @qveenbvtch​ @forever-rogue​ @jimmythegirl​  @catfishingmorales​ @generaldamneron​ @cptnbvcks​ @swhiskeys​ @honeychicanawrites​ @scribbledghost​ @thepascalorian​ @ladydahliawrites​ @roboboyjinx-writes​ @zeldasayer​ @damerondjarin​ @aint-that-a-mcfreakin-bitch​ @aerynwrites​ @mandadoration​  @absurdthirst​ @huliabitch​  @gryffindorwriter​ @ghostofthebarricade​ @astrolo-galaxy​ @siempre-pedro​ @cherryplasmids​ @madadlorian​ @sithlordmando​ @bubble-tea-bunny​ @beskars​ @longitud-de-onda​ @archieimagines​ @outfatuating​ @lesqui​ @inknopewetrust​ @menacingmandalorian​ @softpedropascal​ @pascalisthepunkest​ @swimmingbyrd​ @buckyodinson​ @everstarry​  @naivesansa​ @waywardodysseys​ @paniclana​ @tiffdawg​ @siempre-pedro​ @fandom-imagines-stories​ @umbrellasandlassos​ @kingsmanstories​ @bucks-angels​ @the-real-xhorse​

[dontasktheradiodemon]

Peace Talks, Pt. 1 (3/5/2021)

Alastor #1 (@usedhearts) contacts Alastor #2 (hi there) to ask #2 about why he intervened in #1’s fight with Sir Pentious (who #2 happens to be dating secretly). They meet up to discuss the fight, why that Alastor & Pent hate each other, and potentially how to reduce hostilities between them so these fights don’t keep happening.

(Part 2 where my Alastor goes and gets Sir Pentious’s side is here.)

usedhearts

🩸Alastor, I think we need to have a chat.

dontasktheradiodemon

🎶 What luck, I've been telling myself the same thing for a couple of weeks! Let's do lunch. I know a very discreet little café that loves to leave me alone and would be twice as happy to do so with two of us there.

usedhearts

🩸Send me the address, I'll meet you there.

dontasktheradiodemon

[Sends an address, as well as a picture of a map with the location circled in sharpie.]

usedhearts

🩸See you soon.

dontasktheradiodemon

🎶 I'll be waiting!

–––

dontasktheradiodemon

The café was an ugly place, in Alastor's opinion—concrete floors and walls, black-painted wooden booths, naked bulbs hanging from simple pipes—but attempting to look like abandoned warehouses was the fashion of cutting-edge restaurants these days, wasn't it? And anyway the coffee was decent and the employees didn't run out the back door when Alastor showed up, so it would do. He got a cup of coffee and some ridiculous fancy toast, claimed a booth, and waited.

usedhearts

He didn't have to wait long-- but a few minutes later and Leclerq was  walking in as well, receiving more than a few double takes. He'd swapped his glasses back for his monocle, and his coat was on-- the only thing differentiating him from his alternate his slight longer, wavy hair. Leclerq's smile turned a bit mischievous as the staff looked between him and Alastor, trying to be sure they weren't seeing double. He made his way over to the table and sat, ordering a cup of the strongest they had, black, from a passing staff person.

"So, my dear self, how's things?" He asked, looking at his gloves nails, feigning nonchalance.

dontasktheradiodemon

Alastor smiled innocently at the staff's baffled glances. What, never seen two radios at once?

He beamed a little more brightly at his alternate—although there was wariness underneath it. He knew full well what this was about; what he didn't know yet was how, exactly, his alternate had taken it, or how bad the consequences were going to be.

"All going well! I can't complain." Walking on cloud nine and head a little foggy, in fact, but he was sure his alternate didn't want to know the details and even more sure he didn't want to share them. "And how about you—doing well, I hope?" With a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "Recovered from those snake bites, I hope?" No point beating around the bush for *too* long.

usedhearts

The beaming grin was normal for Alastors in general, but considering the reason they were there, seeing his alternate looking at _him_ like that was a bit...strange. Leclerq  crossed his legs, and took a sip of the coffee set in front of him as soon as it arrived.

"Yes, recovered. Only took me a day to get back into working order. I suppose Pentell is doing fine now, considering he posted about his successful shed." He took a breath, smile firm as he folded his hands in his lap.

"Why did you interfere? You could've let someone else stop us. Charlie could've taken care of it herself, even, if she hadn't been panicking. Why not talk her down and get her to do it, instead of showing up yourself? And so _quickly_, too. We'd hardly even maimed each other by the time you showed up." Leclerq's eyes narrowed a fraction. "I simply must know why go through all that trouble? Explain it to me."

dontasktheradiodemon

“Glad to hear it!” He didn’t respond directly to the comment about the shed, only offering a vague shrug as if he wouldn’t know. He didn’t even flinch at the revelation that his alternate knew Sir Pentious’s real name... although he was certainly going to ask Telly about it later.

And his alternate had given him room to wiggle around with his answer. How very polite. They’d dance around it a bit. “*If she hadn’t been panicking.*” He scoffed. “That’s quite a big ‘if,’ isn’t it! Sure, I could have wasted three minutes of my time talking her down, and then twiddled my thumbs while waiting to see what she’d do—waste even more time trying to talk down the both of you? Join the fight herself and cause even more property damage? Or, I could resolve the whole thing with no further trouble in a mere fifteen seconds.”

usedhearts

Leclerq leaned in, propping his elbow on the table, chin in his hand. His head tilted at an odd angle and he picked up his coffee and took a drink.

"Yes, that's probably how it would've gone. But why stop it in the first place? Not like either of us can actually kill the other. Surely you weren't worried about _me_. If it had been me, I would've shown up with popcorn and a lawn chair. Fights between demons are free entertainment after all."

He sat back, arms crossing over his chest. "So, I'll ask again. _Why_ did you interfere?"

dontasktheradiodemon

“I have a question for *you* first.” He sat forward, lacing his hands under his chin, fixing his alternate with a keen, genuinely curious look. “It’s relevant, I assure you—but why fight him at all? It can’t be because he’s a challenging opponent—without his tin cans, there’s nothing stopping you from tying him in knots. And I don’t know about *your* policies, but *I* don’t tend to attack the physically weak unless I’m starving and don’t think a total stranger will miss a few pounds of meat—*or,* they’ve done something so outrageously offensive as to earn it. Now, he’s clearly no stranger, so the first explanation doesn’t apply—but for the life of me I can’t imagine *what* he could have done to warrant that kind of response? Or what *you* did to make *him* attack first, if that’s how it happened—but that seems even less likely to me, I can’t see him picking a fight without a dozen lasers at the ready.”

usedhearts

"He _does_ start it sometimes," Leclerq said, immediately. His smile twitched and his eyes narrowed again, before he gave a small huff and looked away.

"I suppose I knew it would come to this eventually, what with the both of us making friends in the same circles." He moved his monocle, taking it off to clean the lens, or so it seemed. "We used to be friends. When I first dropped in, he was an Overlord, and my massacre helped him gain some more ground, inadvertently. I started getting invited to all the big Overlord parties, and I went because I was still new to Hell and all. We met and hit it off, became friends and whatnot. About a decade later, we hardly spoke, and then V[BEEP]x dropped in and started his rise to power. Pentell was already washed up by that point, desperate, so he..."

Leclerq sighed and shook his head, putting his monocle back on, his smile turning wane. "He helped V[BEEP]x secretly convert some of the old radio stations to broadcast tv instead-- I don't know if it's the same for you, but for me, it felt like someone was tearing out pieces of my soul and roasting them with ten thousand volts. I don't know why or what V[BEEP]x promised him, but obviously he never got it, considering his standing hasn't changed since then."

Leclerq shrugged, feigning nonchalance again. "That's why I hate him."

dontasktheradiodemon

Alastor’s eyebrows shot up. “And a fair reason to hate him!” He himself didn’t hold any radio stations—had *never* held any—but just *imagining* stations slaughtered like sacrificial animals on the altar of network television made his heart squeeze in pain.

That long ago, stations had often broadcasted both radio and TV simultaneously. Hell, well into the seventies Alastor had considered a smattering of TV stations under his own protection because they shared a roof with a radio station. For the stations to be converted to broadcast TV in a way that *killed* their potential to broadcast radio—that wasn’t just the new guy in Hell wanting to increase his own power; that was a deliberate effort to decrease the Radio Demon’s. That was far worse than simply trying to get in good with two different overlords and accidentally screwing over one in the process.

“You said you hardly spoke—had you had some falling out...? Not that it’s any sort of mitigating factor, not for an action on *that* scale, but—well, nothing of the sort ever happened *here,* so I’m simply trying to understand the narrative! The treachery is self-evident, but depending on if it was motivated by hot vengeance or cold ambition... well, it certainly changes the *flavor* of the treachery, doesn’t it?”

usedhearts

He hadn't expected sympathy, or understanding, but then again, this was himself. If anyone would understand his pain, it was another version of himself. Leclerq felt himself relax, at least fractionally, and he picked up his cup for another sip of coffee.

"Yes, there was. Around, oh, '45 or so, Pentell was gearing up for a big push to conquer more territory-- he had a whole plan and everything, you know how he is, prepared every meticulous detail. _I_ was one of those details, of course. He was counting on my support when he set things into motion and I....well, I didn't show." He shrugged a bit, taking another sip.

"I'd gotten bored of waiting, I was still relatively new to Hell, and a decade still seemed like a long time-- especially for one such as us, you know how it is, don't you?-- and so I'd picked up some other hobbies, started doing other things. And I just didn't want to help anymore. I was _bored_, I never wanted to conquer Hell! But Pentell had been banking on my power backing him, and when I didn't arrive, well...."

His smile twisted a bit before he sighed. "It all sort of blew up in his face. He lost almost all of his territory and his Overlord title was stripped-- he became a laughing stock overnight. So, I suppose I betrayed him first, but this IS Hell. Who can you trust in Hell, except yourself?" His smile twitched into something wry for a moment as he met his alternate's eyes, then looked away.

dontasktheradiodemon

And his eyebrows twitched higher. He’d gotten *bored*? Bored of Sir Pentious, of all people? How in the world was that possible? How does one get *bored* of having a front-row seat to the greatest drama in Hell since whatever the hell happened in *Paradise Lost*?

Would he himself have left as quickly and carelessly if he’d gotten bored? Even if he couldn’t understand how *that person* in *particular* had bored his alternate—yes, if he *did* get bored of someone, he’d leave like that. Would he himself have stayed long enough to get as enthralled as he did if he’d met Sir Pentious in, what, the ‘30s, rather than in ‘51? He didn’t know. He didn’t think he’d have lost interest, but he didn’t know. Learning to exist in Hell had been a process. Maybe those eighteen years had made a difference.

“Well! If I were him, I’d want to hit you where it hurts too!” He laughed wryly. “And if I were *you*, I’d never forgive him for it, either.”

usedhearts

Leclerq took drained his coffee the rest of the way, holding his cup out for a refill-- which a staff member came over to give him as quickly as demonly possible. He set the new cup on the table, holding it between his hands.

"Yes, so, as you can see neither of us can forgive the other, and now we're expecting to exist near one another more regularly and tempers flare at the slightest provocation, etcetera, etcertera." He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, his smile tight and close lipped.

"I know that many of you are now mutual friends with the both of us, and I've been trying to be on my best behavior when at the Hotel, as we've a truce there, but the old resentments bubble up and we go at it. Generally, it's me blowing up his ship but since we've been seeing one another in person, it's just gotten to basic brawls." A small growl slipped out and he clenched his hand, cracking the cup and spilling hot coffee all over, though he didn't seem to care.

"I should have better control, but with him I just-- I see red--" A snort. "Or more red than usual at least-- and then we're tumbling around like feral animals."

dontasktheradiodemon

Alastor watched without a twitch of his expression as his alternate’s cup cracked. Yes, he certainly could comprehend the anger.

But when he tried to imagine the anger behind that shattering grip turned on Telly—his blood boiled.

“Yes, well. That’s a problem, isn’t it?”

usedhearts

Leclerq grabbed some napkins, wiping off his gloved hand and sitting back, watching the coffee spread across the table. He put some more napkins between him and the coffee puddle-- no use letting it get on him-- and sighed.

"That's the problem, yes." He looked over at him and arched a brow. "And you still haven't answered my question-- why did you intervene?"

dontasktheradiodemon

His smile tightened. “Well, like you said—quite a few people are mutual friends with the both of you now! And while it’s an utter delight to watch *strangers* fight, there’s nothing pleasant about it when it involves friends! Particularly if one friend is at risk of being reduced to bone toothpicks and flesh confetti. And that’s even *more* the case when, from my perspective, the fight simply came out of nowhere! Who knows what will happen in a fight like that?” He shrugged broadly. “Now, typically if a friend’s in a fight, I’m happy to lend a hand—but it’s tricky if I’m on good terms with both combatants. The best thing I can do then is ensure they’re separated.”

usedhearts

Leclerq hummed, the noise droning in his static, his arms crossing again. His finger began to tap against his upper arm, and his foot tapped again-- fidgeting tics that were showing themselves in his alternate's presence.

"I suppose you're right. Fine, I accept that explanation." His cocked his head to the side, his eyes narrowing a fraction. "But I don't know how Pentell and I are going to co-exist when we're at each others' throats. The Hotel's been a test run and we've had at least three fights since he started making repairs and renovations there. Any bright ideas in that big bulb of yours?"

dontasktheradiodemon

*Three fights.* He tilted his head as he thought. “No, not yet.” Maybe he could persuade Telly to stop helping with the hotel upkeep. There were so many more important things he could be spending that time and effort on, anyway. Sure, Alastor was at the hotel, but only because he *wanted* to watch a train wreck happen in action—but there was no reason for Sir Pentious to waste his time tightening the bolts on the locomotive engine when it was chugging toward a fiery crash. “But I’m sure we both agree that this can’t keep happening, don’t we?”

usedhearts

"Yes, I agree. Especially if people are going to get in the middle now-- I can't even think if it was Valera next time, while she's, well..." He motioned with his hands to pantomime a pregnant belly. "I don't want her trying to get between us while we go at it-- we're both vicious in the moment."

His foot tapped a little faster and he huffed. "Perhaps I can just avoid him for now...and I'll try to doubly make sure I have a tight leash on myself if he is around. And perhaps you could talk to him, you two are chummy now, aren't you? We just need to learn to....keep our heads better."

dontasktheradiodemon

Oh right, this alternate had been getting chummy with Valera, hadn’t he? About every alternate but himself was. Just his rotten luck, wasn’t it.

“If you haven’t *already* been trying to avoid him, yes, I recommend it.” He scooted his unfinished coffee over to his alternate. Here, you look anxious, have a little more caffeine and calm down. “No promises, I haven’t the foggiest idea what he’s going to say about *you*—but I’ll see what I can do.”

usedhearts

He took the cup gratefully and downed it, taking a breath after. "Probably something along the lines of--" His own voice cut out and then, in a perfect imitation of Sir Pentious's voice, he said. "HE DESSSERVED IT!"

Leclerq snorted and his own voice was back when he spoke again. "I may have cast the first stone, but teaming up with V[beep]x is just.....scummy."

dontasktheradiodemon

Alastor huffed. “Not to defend the unforgivable—but ol’ blockhead had only just died, hadn’t he? In my neck of the woods, it took until the seventies before he started showing his true colors. Taking down stations, sure, Sir Pentious should have known better—but doing it with *him*? There was no way to know what kinds of things he’d do *before* he started doing them.”

And who knew what promises Vox might have made? No doubt the sort of promises he made to every business and network he added to his growing mega-corporation. Fame, wealth, power, a treasured and valued position in his inner circle.

Alastor thought he was beginning to detect a pattern, here. Pentell, lonely and unappreciated; and then one man after another, charismatic and compelling, telling Pentell how much they adored his brilliant inventions; each of them using him—for sex, for entertainment, for power—before losing interest and casting him aside.

It was only when he heard something crack that he realized he’d started squeezing one of his fists in the other like a stress ball. He stretched his fingers and surreptitiously repaired the damage. But in his head, over and over, all he could hear were the words *how dare—how dare—how dare—*

usedhearts

"Yes, he had, and he's a cunning rat even moreso than that boyfriend of his." Leclerq sneered at the thought of the VVVs, and held the empty coffee cup, just to have something to hold on to. "Though he started being really ruthless once he found Valentino-- that was in the 80s here, I'm not sure when it happened for you. They really bring out the worst in each other, and not in the fun way."

His eyebrows shot up at the sound of the crack, looking down at his alternate's hands. "You alright there?" He asked, a little quieter than before.

dontasktheradiodemon

“About the same time, late seventies or early eighties. I wasn’t paying attention to celebrity gossip at the time. All I know is they’d made it into the toxic end of things by the mid-eighties.”

He held up a hand and wiggled his fingers, all fine. “So sorry, I know, knuckle-cracking, nasty habit to get into. Mother would be scolding me.”

usedhearts

"I only know because I was friends with Madame by that point and Valentino started out as one of her's." He tapped his fingers against the cup, still fidgety despite the caffeine.

"Well, since we hashed that out, is that it? Or did you want to brainstorm ways to get me and Pentell able to coexist in the same space without biting each other's heads off?"

dontasktheradiodemon

And Alastor only knew because he’d witnessed the results of their toxic sides up close and in person. He decided to keep that to himself. As much as he hated Vox, that wasn’t his dirt to dish.

“I’m not sure what there is to brainstorm,” Alastor said wryly. “If you’re in the same space, don’t be; if you have to be, don’t interact. If you haven’t been doing even *that* much before, I’d say that’s a good starting point, don’t you?”

usedhearts

"We have, since we made the truce, at least when inside the Hotel. But the second one of us steps outside, it's on." He leaned back in his seat a bit.

"We never made an official deal for our truce, but I gave my word, and I keep it, to the letter. We never fight inside the Hotel now-- we take it outside. Though the lawn isn't much better. I suppose I can try to keep the truce up outside the Hotel. If I think about it like that, perhaps it'll be easier to keep myself in check..."

dontasktheradiodemon

He fights a grimace. “Well. ‘Do what you’re already doing, except even more so, and hope sheer willpower makes up the difference’ doesn’t exactly sound to me like a winning strategy. Especially when what you’re already doing has resulted in three fights.”

usedhearts

"I'm not sure what other options we have, at least for now. Avoidance and sheer willpower will have to do for the time being." He closed his eyes and took a breath.

"Talk to Pentell, I'm sure he's got insight from his side of things for you. Perhaps there's...something that can be done, to at least make things less hostile between us. You can tell him I'd be open to negotiations-- for the sake of our mutual friends. But for now, I think I need to go-- I need to kill something."

He stood, dusting off his jacket. "Is there anything else, my dear other?"

dontasktheradiodemon

He stood as well. “Yes, one thing—who’s going to pick up the bill?” Studio laughter. “Hah! No, nothing I can think of. Just try not to start any more brawls. I don’t want to make a hobby out of refereeing.”

usedhearts

"That'd be terrible! You'd look horrendous in horizontal stripes!" His own studio kicked in with their laughs, and Leclerq reached a hand to pat his alternate's shoulder.

"Speak again, soon, my dear me! So long!" And with that he faded into the shadows.

dontasktheradiodemon

He offered his other a half-bow in farewell—and then headed for the exit the more conventional way. Seemed like he needed to go have another conversation.

[gamerkitten]

Black Tie Affair (Arthur Jenkins/V)

Part three

Read Part 2 here

What the fuck just happened? Jenae watched from across the room as Jenkins sat huddled with other corporate higher ups and Mayor Rhyne. He looked up and flashed her a wolfish grin before turning his attention back to the conversation. She felt her stomach flip and her ears burn, cursing him to hell. Not that she was too annoyed;she had been wanting this for quite some time, but damn if he hadn’t caught her by surprise. “V, is that you?” Son of a bitch. She turned and graced the speaker with her most dazzling smile. “Anthony,imagine seeing you here.” she said,doing her best to keep her voice free of the anger that had started to creep in. Anthony Gilchrist smiled back at her, “You're looking well. I’m happy to see that you landed on your feet after...well, after everything.” “I’m a hard woman to keep down,” she replied coolly, sipping from her glass, “was there something you wanted?” “Just to say hello to an old friend,” he said, an absolutely sleazy grin crossing his face, “after all, we used to be so close.” He was currently way too close, she could smell the whiskey on his breath. “Fuck off Gilchrist,” she hissed, “before I smash your teeth in with this wine glass.” “Aw don’t be like that,” he said, “it wasn’t personal,just biz.” “Just biz?” she asked,struggling to keep her voice down “you almost got me killed you fucking rat-” “Excuse me, I hope I’m not interrupting.” She turned to find Jenkins standing behind them, his eyes fixed on Gilchrist as he moved to stand slightly in front of her, looming over him. He looked at Jenkins, then at her before plastering on what he must have thought was an easy-going expression and extended his hand. “Not at all,” he said,”just catching up with an old friend. I don’t believe we’ve met, Anthony Gilchrist.Militech Operations” “Arthur Jenkins,” Jenkins gave his hand a firm squeeze,his voice icy,”Arasaka Counterintelligence. Now, I hope you don’t mind but I need to borrow Miss Valentine.” “Um, no. No problem at all,” Gilchrist said, his brows raised in disbelief as his eyes locked with hers, “I’ll see you around V.” She watched him leave before turning back to Jenkins, “Thanks for that.” “Not a problem,” he said,then narrowing his eyes,“why does his name sound familiar?” “He’s the reason for my altered circumstances,” she sighed, “he’s a slimy bastard,but he’s not my problem anymore.” “That he is not. Now, how about we get out of here?”

The walk to the AV was one of the longest he’d ever taken. V walked beside him, wrapped in a soft fur cape to guard against the cold. She glanced up at him and smirked before starting to speak. “That was pretty hot back there,” she said, “with Gilchrist.” “I didn’t like how close he was to you,” he replied,wrapping an arm around her shoulders, “Or what he was insinuating.” “Heard that bit did you,” she laughed, “I hope it didn't make you too jealous.” “Concerned, more like,” he scoffed, “I question your judgement, dealing with that fucking moron.” At last, they reached the AV, it’s doors sliding open to reveal the plush interior. Arthur helped her up before following her inside, his heart starting to pound as the door shut behind him. She was seated,one leg draped over the seat beside her and looking up at him with a teasing smile on her lips. He pulled her onto his lap as he sunk into his seat, greedily claiming her mouth with his own. She squealed in surprise before kissing him back, her lips soft against his and her fingers gently scratching his scalp,moving to straddle him, and moving her hips in a way that made his breathing hitch. He could feel his cock straining against his pants as she continued her slow, deliberate movements. She broke the kiss, grinning down at him; her hair falling around her face, “Don’t you think we better get in the air? You know, unless you want passersby to wonder why strange noises are coming from the AV.” “All in due time,” he replied, pulling her in for another kiss while his hand moved to her ass and giving it a hard squeeze, “I’m enjoying this right now.” He felt her smile and then her hand slide down to the waistband of his pants before finding his cock. He bit back a moan as she massaged him over his pants, trailing kisses over his jaw and down to his neck, sucking gently on the spot above his collar as she started to undo his belt. “Fuck, V-” “Jenae,” she murmured against his neck, “since we’re alone and all.” “As you wish,” he sighed, losing himself in the feel of her hands sliding into his pants. He let out a groan of relief when she freed his cock from his pants,causing her to smirk down at him before leaning in for another kiss. Arthur moaned into her mouth as her hand began to move up and down the length of him,her thumb rubbing against the head and coating it in his pre-cum. She pulled back, allowing him just enough time to catch his breath before she sank down to her knees and took him into her mouth. Cursing under his breath, he watched her bob up and down, reveling in the feel of her lips and tongue. He reached down and gathered her hair into his hands, holding her head in place as her slowly thrusted into her mouth. “Good girl,” he moaned, pushing deeper and feeling her gag, “fuck, your doing so well sweetheart.” A jolt of pleasure shot through him as he felt his balls hit her chin, holding her there until he felt her start to struggle a little bit. He withdrew, allowing her to catch her breath before pulling her forward again. She moaned around his cock as he reached down to play with her tits, and it was almost enough to make him come right then and there. To avoid this, he pulled her off and then leaned down to give her a long, deep kiss. “Stand up,” he ordered, releasing her, “I’d say it’s time we got you out of these clothes.” Leaning back in his seat, he watched as she rose to her feet. She untied the tie to her cape, letting it fall to the ground with a soft thump. Next came the dress,pooling at her feet in a puddle of white satin. Beneath, she wore a corset of gold lace and a matching thong, her skin practically glowing in the dim lights of the AV. He let out a low whistle, drinking her in. “Damn,if I’d known that’s what was hiding under those skirt suits I would have had you bent over my desk ages ago.” he took, her hand and spun her around before pulling her into his lap again, “Now, I think it’s high time we got in the air.” As they took to the sky, the windows opened up to the neon drenched night setting the interior of the AV aglow. Not that Jenae had long to take in the sights. Instead, her attention had been usurped by the feel of Arthur’s lips on her neck. Beneath her, his cock pressed against her ass as she wriggled under his exploring hands. “Arthur,” she sighed, as his hands moved down her body,”are you just going to tease me.” “Hmm,it would serve you right,”his finger hooked under the top of her corset and pulled it down to expose her breasts, “after you spent all this time torturing me. I just might leave you sopping wet and go on my way.” He took her breasts in his hands, massaging gently, “What do you think I should do with such a cock tease?” “I-” she bit back a moan a he began to roll her nipples between his fingers “Sorry, I didn’t catch that.” Bastard. “I think I’ve proven that I’m not a cock tease.” “Hm,perhaps.” he said, “I suppose you’ve earned some form of relief.” His hand moved between her legs, sliding her panties to the side and sliding two fingers inside her. She moaned softly as he began to slide them in and out of her, his thumb lazily circling her clit. As he increased his pace, she found herself moving her hips to meet the thrust of his hand. “Fuck,” she groaned,”god, I’m gonna-” Her sentence ended in a frustrated whine as he stopped. She spun around to face him, glaring. He looked back at her with a smug expression on his face. “I said some,” he said, “but you don’t get to come until I say so.” “You asshole-” She was cut off by his hand closing around her neck,”Now,that’s no way to speak. Especially not to me.” A shiver ran through her body as pushed his fingers, slick with her juices, into her mouth. She moaned,sucking his fingers clean and feeling her cunt throb. “That’s a good girl,” he whispered in her ear, “Now, on your feet.” He moved her up against the window, catching her between the glass and his body. She looked up at him, her heart slamming against her ribcage as he yanked her panties down, leaving her exposed to the air. Arthur slowly began to trail kisses down her neck, to her shoulder and continued down, pausing at her breast to take a nipple into his mouth before continuing his descent. Jenae hadn’t realized that she’d been holding her breath until it came out in a desperate whine as he licked at her clit, using his fingers to spread her lips for greater access. Hooking her leg over his shoulder, he ran his tongue all the way from her taint to her clit before sucking it into his mouth. At the same time, his hands were on her ass, massaging and spreading her cheeks; no doubt giving any passing AV quite the view. Not that she had the capacity to care. She buried her hands in his hair, grinding against his mouth as he brought her to greater heights. She was so close, if she could just... Fuck. Before she could complain, he kissed her, letting her taste herself on his tongue. He pulled her leg up and she automatically wrapped it around his waist, moaning at the feel of his cock pressed against her. “Arthur please-” “Please what,” he said, rubbing the head of his cock against her opening,”I want to hear you ask nicely.” “Please fuck me.” she conceded, trying to push him into her with her leg They both gasped as he thrust into her, burying himself to the hilt. Slowly, he began to move, his breathing quickening with his pace. Jenae did her best to match him, though her movement was a bit hindered.Her hands went to his shirt, her fingers clumsy with pleasure as she struggled to unbutton it. Finally, it fell open and Arthur hurriedly shed both it and his suit jacket before taking them both to the floor. She cried out clawing  at his back and shoulders as he slammed into her, burying his face in her neck and taking the sensitive skin between his teeth. She clenched around him on each thrust,rolling her hips to meet his pace and loosing herself in the feel of his weight on her and the gentle scratch of his chest hair against her skin. She could feel her pleasure building,and she wriggled beneath him,trying to maneuver so that he could find the spot she needed him to. He seemed to notice, quickly flipping them so that she was on top. Catching her breath, she began to slowly roll her hips, enjoying the way Arthur's face contorted with pleasure. "Fuck," the word came out in a strained whisper, "christ that feels-" "Amazing?"she quickened her pace, planting her hands on his chest as she bounced He didn't answer,but his hands found her hips and held her in place hard enough to bruise as he thrust upwards, silencing her with a kiss. Jenae moaned as his tongue caressed her own while his pace became almost frantic, the obscene sound of skin in skin filling the AV. Breaking the kiss, he held her head steady,making her look into his eyes as he spoke. "I want to see you come on my cock," he growled,"sit up, and touch yourself." Jenae obeyed,one hand sliding down her body to rub her clit while the other attended to her breasts. At the same time, he continued to fuck her, the sensation of him filling her bringing her even closer to completion. It came over her in a series of waves. Gentle pulsing gave way to full on spasms as she cried out, her moans mixing with Arthur's own groans, egging her on. She laid across his chest as the tide began to ebb, breathing hard. Arthur responded by giving her ass a hard slap,making her Yelp in pain. "Not done yet sweetheart," he said, withdrawing only to flip her onto her stomach. His hand slid between her legs as her pulled her hips up for his use. She instinctively moved away as his fingers circled her clit, sending jolts through her body. This earned her another slap on the ass and a hand around her neck, making her arch backwards. He leaned in, his cock pressing against her. "Sensitive?" She shuddered as his breath ghosted over her ear "Y-yes." "Good," he said, kissing her cheek and down to her shoulder,"It'll be nice to feel you come again before I finish." She gasped as he slid his cock over her slit before pushing forward. He sighed,moving his hips in long, painfully slow strokes. While he did this, he massaged her ass, spreading her open and sliding a thumb over the hole. He chuckled when he felt her clench,"Calm down. I won't be putting my cock up your ass tonight." He slammed his hips into her,grabbing a handful of her hair and pulling her into a kiss as he quickened his pace. Then, he slid two fingers into her mouth. "You're going to want to get those wet," he said,"for your own comfort." Before she could fully understand his meaning, she found herself gagging on his fingers as he continued to fuck her. Once satisfied, he pulled them out and moments later she could feel them, lubed with her spit, pressing against her asshole. There was...pain? Yes, but also a deep pleasure as he slowly began to finger her, adding more each time. That combined with the way his balls slapped her clit were enough to bring her to the edge. Arthur noticed, fingering her harder and moaning as he found his own release. The warmth of his cum inside her sent her careening over the edge, her moans and whimpers filling the air before slowly winding down. "Well,"she panted, trying to catch her breath,"fuck." Arthur chuckled, reaching for his cigarette case,"Eloquent as always." She took the cigarette he offered, allowing him to light it for her. She took a long draw before breathing out a funnel of smoke. As he lit his own, she watched; taking in the sheen of sweat on his skin and the way his dark hair stuck up at odd angles. "So,what now." He grinned at her,"Now? I suppose I drop you home. Beyond now, well,I fully intends to do this again." "That so," she asked,slipping into his discarded shirt,"what makes you think you'll get the chance?" He moved in,a grin that told her she was in trouble spreading across his face. "You're a smartass," he said, "I like that, but don't think you can sass me consequence free." "What happens is I continue in my insubordination?" She asked coyly She felt herself begin to melt at the feel of his hand tangled in her hair. He leaned in, close enough to kiss. "You'll find out Monday," he said, releasing her, " Now get dressed,we're almost at your place." She sighed but did as she was told, handing him his shirt back and slid back into her clothes as the AV landed on her building's landing pad. Arthur took her hand to help her step out and just when she was about to head inside,he pulled in and gave her a deep kiss, making her gasp out loud as his hand squeezed her ass. "Goodnight Jenae."he murmured in her ear,letting her go "Goodnight Arthur," she replied, tucking her her behind her ear and looking up at him,"I look forward to our Monday meeting." He threw her a wink before the AV doors slid shut. Jenae watched it take flight until it was only a spec in the sky. Then, her lips curved into a smile as she turned to go inside for a nice hot shower. Mission accomplished.

[subarublue]

Sparda Family Bonding Time Series - Part 4

Series Description: It’s family bonding time! Sparda family style! A series of short stories revolving around platonic familial relationships between the members of the DMC crew. Warning: Lots of fluff and bonding ahead.

One Shot

Title: Through Thick and Thin

Fandom: Devil May Cry

Timeline: Post DMC5

Rating: Teen

Word Count: 2622

Read on Ao3

Summary: “You’ve been around through all my shit and you’re still here. Good friends are a rare thing in our line of work, so maybe it’s not really saying much, but still…you’re the best friend I’ve got.”  

Notes: Always thought that if Dante considered anyone to be his best friend, it would probably be Lady.

She saw him look up from his magazine the second she stepped inside the office. He was seated at his desk, feet propped up on the sturdy wooden surface reading a magazine as if he’d never even been gone. There was a brief moment where he looked hopeful; probably thinking she might be a client so he could start making some money after being gone for so long, but when her dual colored gaze met his ice blue one, he gave her a wry grin.

One day. Dante and Vergil hadn’t been back from the underworld for one day and she’d managed to find out about it and was already paying him a visit. Lady admitted to herself that she had been a little worried about him, so she was glad he was finally home and, from the looks of it, unhurt. She could only imagine what it was like spending so much time in the underworld; especially when you’re hated by devils like he was.

She could see it in his eyes that he was expecting her to be bringing trouble along already. Not that she was a magnet for it or anything; more like trouble was a magnet for her. She was the one who went looking for it...purposefully...so she could shoot it.

Or shoot him. Really she was prone to either, and she knew she was a damn good shot; she rarely missed. And boy, did she have a good reason to shoot him this time.

“I see you’re finally back in one piece,” she said with a smile as she strode up to his desk.

“Missed me that much you just had to see me as soon as I got back, did ya?”

She cocked her eyebrow at him as if to say ‘really?’ He probably thought she wasn’t in the mood for his antics, but truthfully she couldn’t have been happier that spending so long in the underworld hadn’t changed him. She’d been really worried when that first couple of weeks had stretched into months. And though she would never admit it to his face out loud, she had missed him...a lot.

But now that she knew he was back, unharmed, and still the same old Dante, she had a bone to pick with him.

“Where’s Vergil? I assume he’s gonna be staying with you for at least a little while, right?” It made the most sense, seeing as how Vergil pretty much had no one to turn to except for Dante and his son. And since he didn’t really know his son at all yet, he probably felt like Dante was his only choice (other than living on the street or something like that), even though she was certain Nero would have taken him in, regardless.

“Yeah, but he’s not here at the moment.” Just the opportunity she was looking for.

“Good ‘cause I wanted to talk to you about him without him here.” Her no-nonsense tone had Dante sighing and flopping his magazine onto his desk.

“Thank you for all that concern over my well-being, by the way.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm, but now she wasn’t in the mood for his antics.

“Can it, Dante. Try to be serious for a change.” She knew that was a tall order for the man, but this was important. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

When she made no move to elaborate further, his confusion became evident. “Tell you what?” Obviously, he had no clue what she was talking about.

Which to be fair, wasn’t really his fault. He’d been gone for a long time and who knows what he’d had to do to keep going while stuck in the underworld, even if he hadn’t been alone this time. But that didn’t mean he was getting off the hook that easily.

“That Urizen and V were really Vergil.” She watched his expression slacken into surprise. “I mean, you knew, didn’t you?” Her accusing glare meant she expected the truth out of him and no beating around the bush, either.

He sighed again, a resigned sound that told her he knew he wasn’t getting out of this without some form of an explanation. Whether or not it would be what she was looking for still remained to be seen.

“Urizen, yes. V, no. Things might have turned out differently if I’d figured that one out a little sooner than right as he was putting himself back together,” he said casually.

“You think?!” She felt herself getting a little annoyed with his nonchalant attitude over the whole thing. She took a deep breath to try and calm down. He did just get back from the underworld yesterday and was going to be adjusting back to normal life for a while. Once she felt like she could say something without yelling at him (though the annoyance was still clear in her tone), she continued, “You still should have told me...and Trish, too! We would have handled the situation a lot differently if we’d known.”

She knew he knew she was right when he didn’t respond and couldn’t even look her in the eye. She’d known him long enough to know what was eating him up at the moment: guilt. They’d suffered for his choice and she knew that didn’t sit well with him.

She decided to ease up on him. Yeah, him not saying anything had ended badly for her and Trish, but that was the risk all hunters took when going into a job. Besides, he obviously hadn’t meant for it to turn out the way it had. And it all worked out in the end for everyone...well, mostly. He and his brother still got stuck in the underworld for a while so she supposed she could cut him some slack for that.

“So why didn’t you?” The softened timbre of her voice drew him out of the very likely self- deprecating thoughts he was lost in.

“Hmm?”

“Tell us, I mean.”

Dante just shrugged. “Don’t really know.”

And there went her trying to be nice; right out the proverbial window. He was being difficult and he knew it. She scoffed. Fine. If he was going to play it like that, she wasn’t going to make him talk, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to make sure he knew she wasn’t happy with him.

“And here I thought we were friends,” she said it with such seriousness that it startled him into looking up at her suddenly. She could tell he was wondering if she really meant it or not.

“We are,” he said carefully. His eyes narrowed at her; a silent challenge just daring her to dispute it...

...but she wasn’t backing down, either. That was something she never did and he knew it.

“Yeah well, you sure have a funny way of treating your friends.” By funny she of course meant horrible. Now she was angry and it showed. The least he could have done was given her his reasons for keeping Urizen’s true identity a secret, but now she’d had enough. Talking like this was only going to end with an argument between them and she’d already decided she wasn’t going to force it out of him, even if it was tempting.

She turned on her heel and stalked back to the door, fully intent on leaving.

“Best, actually,” he said it so quietly she’d missed it, but it was still loud enough that she knew he’d said something, even if she didn’t know what.

She stopped just as her hand touched the doorknob. “What was that?” She twisted to face him, her expression giving away her displeasure with him at the moment.

“Best,” he repeated it louder this time as he looked at her. “You’re my best friend.”

Her eyes widened in surprise at his admission. He’d said it so seriously she couldn’t help but be taken aback for a moment. Yeah, they’d been friends for over two decades now, but he didn’t really mean that...did he?

A sudden wave of emotion hit her and she struggled not to let it show. Her worry for him while he was gone and the relief she felt now that he was back on top of what he’d just blatantly admitted was overwhelming her. So she handled it the only way she knew how; brush it off like it was nothing.

“Stop joking around, Dante. I’m not in the mood, anymore.” She turned back to the door. She needed to go and get herself back under control, but she didn’t even get the door open before he was speaking again.

“I ain’t joking. You’ve known me longer than anyone, save Vergil.”

When she turned to look back at him yet again, he’d gotten up and was now leaning against his desk. The look on his face was serious and very uncharacteristic for him. It seemed he’d done a lot of thinking while stuck in the underworld; about his life and the people in it.

“You’ve been around through all my shit and you’re still here. Good friends are a rare thing in our line of work, so maybe it’s not really saying much, but still…you’re the best friend I’ve got.” He hesitated a bit at the end, actually starting to look a bit embarrassed at admitting such a thing to her.

Lady was just stunned. He’d never said anything about feeling that way about their friendship before, but looking back it kind of made sense. There was a dynamic between them that neither had with anyone else in their lives.

She couldn’t fight the upward twitch of her lips, as much as she tried. Was she still annoyed with him? Yes, of course she was. He’d worried her; worried everyone, really. And then he came back like nothing had changed and wouldn’t even give her an answer to the question she’d asked.

But he’d also just admitted something very personal. That was very much something he wasn’t inclined to do often, if ever at all. He didn’t like feeling vulnerable, especially emotionally. She would know after all; she was the same way. And so her anger had now simmered down somewhat.

“Don’t get all soft on me now. I’ll start to think you’re possessed and may be tempted to shoot you to make sure.” She leaned back against the door with a smirk.

He chuckled at that. “Wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t.”

Normal. A memory came unbidden to her of a time in their lives when they were much younger; just barely adults, really. Dante dressed in nothing but his signature red coat, pants, and boots; no shirt of course. And her, in a mini skirt, toting guns around a crazy tower. He’d saved her life then; and she’d shot him in the head for it. Luckily, he was half devil. If he hadn’t been, neither one of them would probably be standing here today.

The silence stretched on for a bit, but neither was uncomfortable in it; evidence of just how long they’d been friends. She was about to finally tell him she’d see him again soon and leave, when he spoke first.

“I didn’t want to believe it.” He looked nervous now, but she wasn’t sure what he was talking about at first.

“Huh?”

“Urizen. I didn’t want to believe that was Vergil. That’s why I didn’t say anything. Somehow, telling someone else made it feel...true. Guess I just couldn’t accept that.” A guilty look fell over his face again. “And you paid for it. Trish, too. I’m sorry for that. You shouldn’t have even been there. It was my shit to deal with.”

At first all she could do was just stare at him her mouth slightly agape in mild surprise. He actually told her. She hadn’t expected him to just come out with it without some more prodding, much less apologize for it; at least not to her face. He was the type that preferred to apologize with his actions rather than words.

Her surprise didn’t last long. She pushed off the door and walked over to his bar, only stopping to grab a bottle of his favorite whiskey and a couple of glasses before heading back to his desk. When she reached him, she set the glasses down and poured one for each of them. She handed him one, noting that his wry smile was back finally.

“Your shit to deal with, huh? Well, what are best friends for if not for putting up with all your shit?” She held up her glass with a smile.

He laughed at that. “Guess I’m stuck with you then.” He clinked her glass with his own and they both knocked back their drinks. As Dante sat back down in his chair, Lady took a seat on top of his desk and proceeded to pour them each another round.

“Actually, there’s one more thing that I should be pissed at you for.”

He gave an exasperated groan, “What now?”

She could tell by that he had no clue what she was about to bring up, and while he should have known, she couldn’t really blame him. It had happened right before he left, and then spending so much time in the underworld he had probably forgotten all about it while trying to focus on surviving.

That didn’t mean she was letting him off the hook for this either, though.

“Two words,” she said as she took another drink, “Kalina Ann.”

She watched as his face fell, suddenly remembering the fact that Nico had ‘rented’ her beloved weapon to him before he booked it with his brother to the underworld.

“Ah shit!” His exclamation told her everything she needed to know about the fact that he likely couldn’t remember what happened to the Kalina Ann II, meaning she wouldn’t be getting it back.

Which, in and of itself wasn’t a problem; she’d already had Nico make her a new one almost as soon as she’d heard from Nero he wouldn’t be back for a while. She still had work to do, after all. But there was still the matter of paying for the rental use and subsequent loss of her property left to deal with.

“Don’t worry about it so much. Since we’re best friends and all, I won’t make you pay me back for it...” she paused for a moment, watching in amusement as his expression turned to relief briefly, before she continued, “...right away.”

His jaw went slack at that. “Seriously!? I haven’t worked since I left! How the hell am I supposed to pay you back for that?!”

“Relax. I can wait. After all I’m used to waiting when it comes to you owing me. And I won’t even charge you interest, you know, since you’re a bum and haven’t had a job in a while.”

The deadpan stare he was giving her only had her grinning madly at him.

“Gee thanks. You’re so generous.” He reached for the bottle, suddenly needing another strong drink.

“What can I say? I’m just a great friend.” A thought suddenly occurred to her then and Dante might have been worried had he noticed the new wicked grin that spread across her face while he poured himself another shot. She couldn’t resist the temptation that presented itself.

“Maybe I should start coming to you with all my girl talk now, huh? You know, since we’re besties and all.”

Dante’s hand jerked, almost spilling the bottle he was holding and all Lady could do was laugh at the mildly horrified look on his face at her suggestion. It was priceless...and one she wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.

← Part 3 • Part 4 of this series • Part 5 (WIP)

[rainbowglittr]

Love and Marriage - Chapter 13 (Mature, Minors DNI)

Description:

After a loss in the family uncovers a family secret, Jaleia and her husband Jesse are forced to balance one family crisis after another along with their budding careers and their plans to expand their family. Will the pressure to keep everyone else together ruin their own relationship? Can ruined relationships be fixed before it’s too late?

tw: implied smut

Chapter 13:

Jaleia's POV

I waited at the baggage claim for Jesse and Diana. Their flight was due any minute now and I couldn't wait to see them. I was actually sick of myself.

Jesse had told me last night that Imani and him had some sort of "encounter." We were definitely going to have to talk about it but for now, I put it out of my mind because I missed him and I just wanted to enjoy the moment. I also didn't buy five new lace lingerie outfits to not wear.

I walked around the area a couple times until I saw a crowd of people coming out the doors. Diana ran over to me, the brightest smile stretched across her face. I wrapped my arms around her.

"How was the trip? How was the flight?" I said.

"It was so much fun! I can't wait to tell you everything!" She said as she bounced up and down. She turned around and pointed to the conveyor belt.

"That's my bag!" She said before running off.

Jesse appeared a few seconds later. We looked a little uneasy. But seeing him in that black v-neck had me feeling some kind of way. Three weeks is a long time, okay?

I ran over to him, practically jumping onto him, but he moved quick to hold me.

"Hey J-" he started to say but I kissed him, pulling him even closer. We paused to take a breath and then let our mouths explore each other as his hands slid lower and lower on my body.

"Ewwww, Jesse! People are starting to stare." Diana said. She wheeled her bag over to where we were.

"Let them stare." He said. He kissed me three more short times before we decided to break apart.

"I got your bags, Jess." She said.

"Aww thanks, little sis." He said, taking the bags from her. She put earbuds in her ear.

"Well we have officially lost her." Jesse said, holding my hand.

"I'm afraid so. So besides the giant hoe shaped elephant in the room which we will be talking about later, how was your trip?" I said as we made our way through the airport to the car.

"That's one way to put it. It was great I missed L.A. You gotta come with me sometime. "

"You keep saying that yet I never get to go. Anyway I missed you sooo much that I bought something a little special something for we to wear and you to take off."

"Oh yeah?"

"Wait until we get home. I want you and me to go into that bedroom and not come out until the next morning. I want to be screaming, not just pleasured, not just content, not just really good, I want to be screaming your name. Can you do that?" I said in his ear.

"Damn Jay, I leave for three weeks and your turn into a freak? Hell yeah I can do that."

"Good." I said. Jesse reached over and tapped Di on the shoulder. She looked up and took out an earbud.

"I'm just saying I suggest you watch a movie in the basement or play some really loud music when we get home." He said.

"Why? She said, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"Oh no reason, just might be nice for tonight." He said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"What the fuck did you just say?"

"I am so sorry Jay. I didn't mean it, I swear it just slipped out."

"You are about to slip off this earth! I can't believe you would say her name!"

We and Jesse were having a great night. We were on round two of the evening when Jesse called out Imani's name while we were doing it. I have never slapped anyone that fast before.

"I didn't mean to! I don't even know why I said it!"

"Are you trying to tell me something Jesse? What the hell was that? What the HELL was that?" I yelled at him. We were standing on the opposite sides of the bed and everytime he tried to get near me I picked something up to throw at him.

"I swear to God, Jaleia it was a mistake. It didn't mean it. I don't even know how it slipped out!"

"Damn right it was a mistake! Were you thinking of her while we having sex?"

"No, God no. Not at all I have no idea where that came from."

"I am so done with you I can't even look at you." I said.

"Come on, You love looking at this." He said, narrowly dodging the shoe I launched at his head.

"Okay not the time I get it." He said.

"You fucking Bastard."

"Okay, enough with name calling."

"All I wanted was to enjoy one night with my stupid husband and he calls me by his ex hoes name? You got me SO fucked up. Since it's clear neither of us will be having anymore sex tonight, let's talk about Imani. Let's talk about that." I said, grabbing my robe and tying it around my waist.

"Maybe we should wait until we're both a little more calm-"

"The calm ship sailed when your ship sailed into my harbor and called me by the wrong name. Let me tell you something Jesse. I am a doctor and I could kill you and make it look like accident. Sit down and Start talking." I said, sitting down facing him. He reached his arm out to me.

"Touch me and you will lose that arm. What happened between you and Imani?" He quickly moved his arm away from me and sat down.

"We were at the studio. We just finished and I stayed behind to work on another song. It was just Dre and me and Imani. Dre went to the bathroom. And then Imani-"

"Why didn't you leave? I told you not to be alone with her! Obviously I was right."

"Dre went to the bathroom, it was only supposed to be for a minute."

"But it wasn't, was it?"

"She pounced fast okay? She started dancing and kept trying get me to do stuff and then I walked away and sat on the couch. That's when she climbed into my lap. Eventually I got her off me and left. But that's all that happened."

"I still can't believe you would say her name!"

"Are you mad?"

"I'm not mad at you for what someone else did to you. If you didn't tell me I would've been pissed. Her, on the other hand, better not ever come near me or you again."

"I love you."

"Did you want to? Sleep with her." I looked him dead in the face. He squirmed a little and then looked up, not meeting my eyes

"Not really."

"What the hell does 'not really' mean?"

"To be honest, She's not ugly and I was sex deprived. But that's the only reason."

"You being horny? No other reason or feelings?"

"No. I have no feelings for her. Please don't be mad at me."

"I told you I'm not mad at you for something you didn't do. I pissed at what you just did."

Jesse put his arm on my shoulder. I slapped it off.

"Don't touch me. I'm still mad at you!"

"It was an accident!"

"I hope the couch is comfortable tonight."

>>>>>>>>>>>>

I flipped another perfect pancake. Sunday mornings were so peaceful. Both Jesse and Diana were asleep so I quietly came downstairs to start breakfast without waking them up. I flipped the bacon the hickory smoke smell filled the kitchen. I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a carton of strawberries and started to cut them.

I felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around my waist.

"Get off." I said.

"Are you seriously still mad, Jay?"

"Yes, how would you like it if we making love and I called you another man's name?"

"I see how that could be problematic. Can you pass me a strawberry?" He said.

I purposefully threw it across the room.

"Can you please tell me what's really bothering you?" He said. He cut the stove burners off and used my waist to turn me around to face him. I looked at the floor.

"Do you have any idea how that made me feel? You calling her name. I mean I know I'm the one to zone out. But I wouldn't call someone else's name. Makes me wonder if you're actually in the moment with me-and you know that's hard enough for me, or if you're think about other people. Especially her? Do you regret not sleeping with her?"

Jesse got on his knees looking up at me from my waist.

"I'm so sorry. Trust me it will never happen again. It was an honest random fuck up, it has nothing to do with how I feel about you. You know that. I'm done with Imani, I don't want her, she's done, she's history, in the past and sealed up. I love you and only you."

"Are you sure? Because if you ever do that again I swear I will-"

Jesse quickly attached his lips to mine.

"I will never do that again. Never. I love you."

"Love your stupid ass too. I hop you didn't max out your card in Cali, cause this is soooooooo going to cost you."

"Oh God. What is this going to cost me?"

"My bracelet could use some matching friends. "

"Do you know how expensive that bracelet was?"

"I know how expensive it's friends are going to be."

"So if I do that, will you stop being mad at me?"

"I might even have sex with you." I said, standing on my toes to kiss the tip of his nose. He kissed the side of my neck.

"I don't get a second chance?"

"Oh, you will. Try not to moan another girl's name though, total mood killer."

"You know what?" Jesse said, picking me up and slinging me over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" I laughed. He started tickling my sides, and spinning me around, causing me to scream and laugh. Eventually he brought me to the living room and threw me down on the couch. He straddled me, his hands still attacking my sides. I tried to push his hands off but he grabbed them and held them down above my head with one hand.

"I'm not going to lie, that was extremely sexy. But if you don't stop, I'm going to piss myself. " I said.

"Oh, really?" He said smirking. "I'll let you go, for a price."

"What's that?" I said looking at him, trying to catch my breath.

"Should I leave the room?" Diana said, walking down the stairs. We both looked toward the stairs. Jesse kissed me and helped me up.

"No, we're not going to have sex since you're here now." He teased. She was quiet for a second and then said,

"Have you done it on the couch?"

"Who wants breakfast?" I said as I walked back to the kitchen. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I looked in the fridge for something to eat. I found some chicken pasta that I had ordered a couple of days ago.

Jesse walked by me and said "I wouldn't eat that if I were you."

"I have a stomach of steel."

I did not have a stomach of steel. I threw up about two hours after eating that pasta. I was sitting on the floor of the bathroom after the second wave of vomit. I was trying to be quiet so Jesse wouldn't hear me and so that I didn't have to admit that he was right. At first he walked by the bathroom and then he backed up.

"I told you. I told you not to do it!" He said laughing.

"Shut up!" I tried to cross my arms but my stomach was killing me. Jesse walked in and started massaging my lower back.

"I'm sorry you didn't listen to me." He said.

"Shut up!" He laughed.

"Do you want something to drink?" He asked.

"Maybe some ginger ale and water please.' I said. Jesse got up, kissed the top of my head and started walking out the room when the doorbell rang.

"Jay I'll be right back." He said walking to the door.

"My baby!" I heard Aiesha say. Oh great, another random visit from Aiesha.

"Hey mom, HEY DIANA, come down. How ya doing mom?"

"I missed you guys so much. I have so much to tell you, Jesse."

"Okay you wanna sit in the living room, I'll be right back."

He came back to me with the soda and water.

"We have a visitor. " he said.

"I heard. If you wanna close the door so that it doesn't smell like vomit go ahead."

"Nah, it's fine. Let me know if you need anything, I'll check on you."

"Go ahead." Another wave hit me and I hurled myself over the toilet.

"We can go to the hospital."

"No, I'm fine. It'll pass. My fault for being stupid, hungry, and lazy."

"Okay, but if you don't feel better you're going." He said, kissing my forehead.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"So there's an offical date set for the start of your dad's trial. They will start in about three months. The prosecution wants him on as many charges as they can and want to put him away for as long as possible." Aiesha said.

I had finished, for now, my temporary bout of mild food poisoning, and I was sitting on the floor in between Jesse's legs, sitting literally anywhere else made me nauseous. Jesse was sitting on the couch, apparently his mom had a ton of news for him, that she waited until he was back for Cali to tell him. After her usual twenty insults she finally started talking.

"Also, I could be closing on the house in the next few weeks, there is a couple that is really interested in it and they are considering putting in an offer. So if that goes through, then I'll be able to really take time and find the house I want."

"Congrats, mom! I hope it goes through. But once it gets sold where are you going to stay?" Jesse said.

"Well, Mel's sister lives in the same neighborhood and Mel was coming up for a visit, so I'll be with them. But it shouldn't be for long because I put in an offer on a house and guess what?"

"Really that's great! What?" Jesse said.

"It's right around the corner from here!" She said with a huge smile on her face. I turned and faced Jesse with the fakest smile I could muster.

"Can you believe that Jess? She found the perfect house just around the corner from us. She'd only be five minutes away." I said, trying to keep my face pleasant.

"I know I heard, that's so great mom! Just around the corner, wow! Great!" He said. I could tell he wasn't that happy about it by the look he gave me.

"And Di wouldn't have to change schools because our towns share a school district. I can come over ALL the time. I might even have time to teach Jaleia some class." She said. I let that insult fly over my head.

"Oh my Gosh, she'll be here all the time Jess, isn't that going to be great?" I said, squeezing Jesse's hand.

"Super." He said.

"Don't get too excited. I still need them to accept my offer."

"Oh we would hate to Jinx it."

"Why do you have so many damn post its everwhere? Your house looks like a damn clown house."

"It's how I remember some of the stuff I have to do. Or how Jesse reminds me."

"I forgot you were one of those scattered brained people." She said her face turning up into an unpleasant expression. She was the type of person to say that ADHD wasn't a real thing or was a "white people" thing just because she didn't like me. But for anyone else it was a legitimate problem.

"Mom. You know-" Jesse started but I interrupted him. I wasn't going to have this conversation with her again, she knew what she was doing and I refused to waste time entertaining it. I had enough of a hard time dealing with having it, and an even harder time with people dealing with it. It wasn't something that most people knew about me. And I intentionally did that. And she knows that's a sore spot with me which is why I won't give her the satisfaction of upsetting me.

"Jesse your mom already knows and we've already had the discussion about her lack of sensitivity. So I won't discuss it again."

I felt my stomach bubble and decided to take my leave now before it got too much. I tapped Jesse's leg before I went to the upstairs bathroom this time. After emptying my digestive tract again and brushing my teeth I started to come downstairs. I stopped when I heard Jesse's voice sounding slightly angry.

"I told you mom, you have to stop. Nobody wants to deal with you criticizing them all the time."

"Well you know how I feel about her, I'm telling you, you settled with her. She is such a downgrade. And she's crazy, I mean she calls it ADHD, but come on? The girl is not wrapped tight. "

"I try to be patient with you, but you're not going to keep talking about her like that. Enough is enough. Stop it. I'm so sick of it."

"Fine, I'll try to keep my opinions to myself. I'm sorry to upset you but I'm your mother. It's my job to tell you the truth. You don't have to like it."

"Look when she comes down you need to apologize. She doesn't deserve that. "

I heard her sigh. "Whatever."

I continued my walk downstairs. Jesse had this crazy idea after the first time I met his mom that eventually she would grow to like me. But in actuality, she just hated me more with every day. He tried to keep the peace, and he always tried to get us to get along but as I've told him, it is never going to work.

"Mom." Jesse said. Aiesha sighed and gave me the most indifferent expression on her face and said.

"I apologize."

"Okay." I said. Jesse gave me a look to which I non verbally responded "What?"

His mom got up and went downstairs to the basement to talk to Diana.

"Jay." Jesse said.

"What?" I said.

"At least she apologized."

"If that's what you want to call it. I should not have eaten that pasta." I said as my stomach suddenly started bubbling again.

"I told you! You have to throw up again?" He said laughing.

"Worse, other end." I said running to the bathroom.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

I sat on the toliet seat and put the timer on my phone. I tried not to obsess too much about getting pregnant and I tried to wait a little longer before taking the test but it was three days since I missed my period and I couldn't wait any longer.

My timer went off. I grabbed the stick and took a deep breath, and looked.