#check the reblogs for continuation i went on a spree there

[never-wake-up]

Watching maypat's last theory+stream about the ruin dlc & the mimic and I feel like he's just forgotten important part of the lore??

"The only character associated with green is Charlie" my man the only reason we knew Elizabeth was possessing circus baby was because the robot's eyes turned green ?

And David could also well be a parallel to Elizabeth. Obsessed with a robot their father made for them. Die because they ran off when unsupervised. Father tortures the animatronic that behaves like the child afterwards. Becomes a killer that possesses the kid's childlike tendencies.

To me, that sounds more like Elizabeth than Charlie ? I could be wrong because his evidence for Charlie seems pretty sound but idk

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Omertà👄13

Warnings: noncon sexual acts (intercourse); tags to be added throughout series

This is dark!Bucky and dark! Loki and explicit. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Summary: Your father was a bookie and taught you everything you know about numbers. After his death, you were taken on as a bookkeeper for Loki Laufeyson, resident crime boss in Manhattan. But can you keep your place in the background when a man from Brooklyn threatens to drag you to the forefront?

Note: Alright, I cranked it out. Here ya go! 

Hope you enjoy it. Thank you. Love you guys!

As always, if you can, please leave some feedback, like and reblog <3

Steve got you back to the casino in one piece but you weren’t foolish enough to think it was because of your pathetic play with the pen. You suspected his behaviour hadn’t entirely been spontaneous. His boss surely had something to do with it though how, you couldn’t guess. 

You waited in the office on the second floor for the delivery of the carelessly selected furniture. After the scene against the desk, you were less than interested in your actual purpose in the store. Your selection had been impulsive and rushed.

You helped the men as they set up the large wooden desk and the purple suede chair you tacked onto the purchase. There was also a set of simple arm chairs that you placed opposite each other around the low table preserved from the casino’s skeleton and the jade paperweight better used as a bludgeon. 

You like the carved curlicues along the sides of the table and really didn’t mind the overall effect. It was much better than your former school-girlish set up in the antique shop. In fact, a third room had been cleared out to provide your own space though you noted that Bucky’s own separated you from Loki. A deliberate and heavy-handed move.

You locked your ledger in the second drawer as your irritated boss appeared and sneered at the mismatched set-up. You were thankful that he arrived alone. Though you suspected he did not feel the same. He crossed his arms as he refused to cross the threshold.

“It’s late,” He hissed.

You looked at him. He didn’t need to say anything else. His faced was drawn in a sharp scowl and his green eyes burned as they skittered around impatiently. You grabbed your bag and rounded the desk to meet him at the door.

“Thor?” You asked.

“Late. Still.” He turned and strode down the hallway, barely concerned about your presence as he did. “As always. I’m hardly surprised and yet I am entirely annoyed.”

You grumbled and followed him down the wide staircase to the foyer. The men continued their work, the hammering and drilling, as you passed. Outside, the air was cool and you could smell the water as its mist wafted over the boardwalk not far from the casino.

Silent, you dropped into the passenger seat of Loki’s car and he cleared his throat as he swung his long legs under the steering wheel. He shifted in the seat and shoved the keys in the ignition. His fingers tapped on the leather wheel before he turned the engine and roared away from the curb.

“Your little shopping spree,” He snarled. “How did that go?”

“It… went,” You sighed and leaned against the door. “I don’t dare ask about your own day.”

His knuckles whitened as he gripped the wheel even tighter and ignored a red light. He hissed as he kept his fiery gaze on the road ahead.

“That… imbecile…” He muttered. “And his damn one percent!”

You were quiet as you stared at the dashboard. You adjusted your bag in your lap and tangled your arm in the strap. You could smirk and say I told you so but that would do you no favour.

“I say one thing, he wants the other,” Loki continued. “As if I’m stupid enough not to realise it is all a joke to him. If I were to say the sky is blue, he’d declare it yellow. And--” Loki huffed and pulled a hand away from the wheel to smooth his hair. “You!”

Your eyes rounded in confusion as you peered over at him.

“I know he won’t leave you alone,” He growled. “He can’t leave my things alone. Like a child.”

You blinked and frowned. While his ire was mostly aimed at Bucky, you knew it would not be thrust upon him. You shook your head and turned back to the gaze out the windshield.

“And this business with the hotel rooms,” He carried on. “As if to keep us apart. To keep me from my toy.”

You hugged your bag tightly, growing irritated by his ranting. But his blatant disregard for you. The scabbed cut on your pelvis itched beneath your dress.

“Well, darling, he has only fed my appetite,” He smirked. “And I don’t care if the entire city should hear me sate it.”

“Christ,” You uttered as he pulled up to the front of the hotel. 

As he did, a man in a dark blue jacket approached and stood in wait at the curb. Loki shot you a warning look as you opened your door. He neared the valet and handed him his keys with a curt order not to manhandle it and his room number. 

You gave an apologetic smile to the employee and dug around in your bag. You fished out a fifty and offered it to him with a sorry before he could round the car.

You turned and found Loki with his arms crossed waiting by the hotel’s facade, the door held open by another man in a similar jacket. You hurried over, your heels loudly clicking across the walkway. He turned and preceded you as you struggled to keep up.

“I can pay my own way, darling,” He grumbled under his breath. “Speaking of.”

He held out his hand and you fished around for the black card. You slipped it into his palm as he swept over to the elevators and he quickly tucked it away. He hit the button and waited with his hand on his hip. He checked his phone and tutted under his breath.

“Fucking Thor,” He waved you forward as the doors slid open. “I swear.”

He got into the elevator with you and you watched his reflection in the doors as they closed. His eyes went to the ceiling as he roiled with anger and impatience. You didn’t see this turning out well. Your fears were confirmed as his gaze found your owned mirrored image and flared. His tongue poked out and the corner of his mouth curved.

He grabbed your elbow as the elevator dinged and he dragged you out with him. Your bag slipped down your other arm and you barely caught it before it hit the floor. You stumbled over your feet as he pulled out his room key and checked the number in the shiny folder. 

He slipped the card out with two fingers and stopped before the suite at the end of the hallway. He flicked it along the slot and the light flashed a pale purple as the lock sounded. He pushed inward and as good as flung you inside. You caught yourself on the small table beneath the regal mirror, a doorway just beside it which led to a darkened bathroom.

The door closed with a decisive click and Loki brushed past you. You set your bag down and watched him pace the large suite as he removed his jacket. A kitchenette, a luscious living space, a polished dining set, and an immense sliding glass door led to the high balcony. Another doorway at the other end of the suite led to what you assumed was the bedroom.

Loki tugged at his tie as he neared the sofa and pulled out his phone once more. One hand worked at untangling his tie as the other typed out something on the screen. He dumped both on the table behind him and turned back to the cushions.

“Come on,” He pointed to the couch. “I’m not in the mood to argue.”

You hesitated before you walked across the marble floor and onto the rich rug. You stopped at the end of the sofa and shook your head.

“Why--”

“No. No.” He grabbed your upper arm and pulled you towards him. “This entire day has been one big argument, I’ll not have another. Especially with you, darling.”

He spun you to face the couch and shoved you harshly. Your knees hit the edge and you fell awkwardly onto the cushion. He pushed you down so that your chest was against the back of the sofa as his other hand hiked up your dress. You wriggled and reached back to slap him away. He caught your wrist and twisted cruelly.

“Must we continue like this?” He snarled. “My patience with you runs thinner and thinner, darling, and I become more inclined to…” He squeezed your wrist and bent your arm further up your back until you whined. “Really make you suffer.”

You whimpered and he kept a hold of your wrist.

“Now do you prefer I break your arm then fuck you, or just the latter?” He added more pressure and you cried out.

“Ah, stop, stop!” You pleaded. “Fuck, Loki! Stop! Okay, okay!”

He released you harshly and your arm shook as you drew it away. You shakily touched your skirt and drew it over your thigh. He ripped it up entirely to your waist and pushed you against the couch so that your arms were bent between you and the upholstery. Your arm still throbbed as the blood rushed back to your hand.

“Good girl,” He smacked your ass sharply and his long fingers crept beneath the elastic of your panties and tugged them down just as roughly. 

He fumbled behind you and you heard the familiar metallic clink. You closed your eyes and hung your head. Maybe he would be quick. Ha, did it matter?

He stepped closer and you felt his smooth, swollen tip against your ass. He gripped your shoulder and bent you further. He guided himself down to your folds and rubbed along them. He growled and pushed into you without warning. You weren’t quite wet enough and it hurt. You bit into the heel of your hand as your other grasped the couch.

He rutted into you without pause. You grunted and gritted your teeth as you clung to the back of the sofa. He jerked your body with each thrust as his breaths grew heady. One hand kept hold of your shoulder as the other closed over your hip. His pelvis hit your ass with loud slaps and his groans sounded like bestial growls.

“Fuck,” He uttered as he sped up and dug his nails into your hip. “Come on, give me something.”

He slammed you back into him and you shuddered. You did your best to move your body in tandem with his. Your spine ached as he pounded into you harder and harder. You panted into the thick fabric of the sofa and clamped your lips shut as you held in the unbidden moans.

“Ah, shit. Darl--”

His voice died and he stopped suddenly, completely sheathed in you, as a knock came at the door. You lifted your head and he reluctantly slipped his hand from your shoulder. He pinched your ass as he pulled out of you. He took a breath and exhaled slowly.

“Fuck, must be our bags,” He stepped back and you carefully stood as he tucked his cock away and buckled his pants. 

He found his jacket slung over a chair and pulled it on in an attempt to hide his unspent arousal. You pulled your panties up and straightened your skirt as you turned to sit on the sofa. You clasped your hands over your lap as you watched him near the door. He cursed again as he peered through the peephole.

He grabbed the handle and shook his head as he slowly opened it. You were just as uneasy as him to find Thor on the other side. The older brother wasted no time as he grinned and entered with a casual ‘hey’. He pushed past Loki as he looked around, his eyes falling on you as you tried to keep your cool.

“This is quite the room,” Thor mused as he came close. He turned back as he reached the couch and looked to his brother. “Everything you need, eh?”

He flopped onto the couch next to you and stretched his arm behind you.

“All the amenities,” He winked and his arm fell down onto your shoulders.

Loki squinted and sighed. He took the chair where his jacket had formerly resided and shifted awkwardly on the seat.

“You’re late.” Loki declared.

“Well, shit, I had a lot to do before I could just leave behind your business,” Thor retorted as he played with the sleeve of your dress. “You know, Heimdall flew all the way from London, all night, so you know, unlike you, I do allow my workers some degree of humanity. He took a nap before we could get all sorted.”

“A nap?” Loki rolled his eyes.

“You ever let your sweet bookkeeper sleep?” Thor asked as his arm hugged you. “I can’t say I would but…” He glanced over at you. “She looks tired, doesn’t she?”

You wriggled and tried to draw away. He was strong and you suspected his brother would do little to aid your escape. You glared at Loki and his lips thinned.

“Oh… oh, did I interrupt something?” Thor chuckled. “Well, don’t mind me, it’ll be like I’m not even here.”

“You’re repulsive,” Loki snorted. “I am certain you might acquire your own board for the night.”

“Front desk says they’re all booked up for the night.” Thor clung to you as his other large hand rested on his thigh and he rubbed his trousers with his finger tips. “So looks like we’ll be rooming together, brother, hmm? Just like when we were boys.”

“Hopefully not,” Loki sneered. “You will take her room, then.”

“Ah, no, I could not inconvenience the girl. I see you’ve already done so.” Thor insisted. “Beside, we do have much to discuss, wouldn’t you agree?”

Loki leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he steepled his fingers together and pressed his lips to them. His eyes bore into Thor and then flitted to you. He sat back and nodded.

“You’re right,” He said. “Darling, why don’t you go get settled in your rooms? I’ll send the porter with your bag when he arrives.”

You peeked over at Thor and slowly slid forward. You stood and his arm fell, his hand grazing your ass. You smoothed the front of your dress and cleared your throat.

“Alright.” Your legs felt unsteady as you swept to the entryway and scooped up your bag.

“It is business, brother,” Thor intoned. “Shouldn’t she stay?”

“We can go over numbers tomorrow,” Loki said. “And I would agree with you, she does look tired.” He looked over his shoulder and nodded. “Go on, darling. Enjoy your night. Alone.”

[waywardnerd67]

The Queen’s Court - Chap 16 Same Difference

Summary: Dean calls on (Y/N) after a disagreement with Castiel. When she is unable to take care of him, she figures out a way for someone else too. Characters: Dean Winchester, Cassie (OFC), Reader Pairing: Dean x Reader / Dean x Cassie (OFC) Warnings: Fluff/Smut/Age Difference (OFC is 20/Dean is 34) Word Count: 2554 Squared Filled: Age Difference A/N #1: This is for @spnkinkbingo​ card A/N #2: As always this is unbeta so all mistakes are mine. Likes, comments and reblogs are splendid and I will love you doubly for them! Enjoy!

Check Out: The Queen’s Court Masterlist

“(Y/N), I’m ready to move up to my own room.” The petite brunette stood her ground which (Y/N) admired about her.

“I’ll make you deal Cassie, if you let me pick your clientele for the first year then I will arrange for you to have the vacant room on floor seven next to Morgan.” she offered hearing her phone buzz on her nightstand.

Cassie’s bright blue eyes widen, “Really?”

(Y/N) nodded hearing her phone go off for the second time, “Really. I will be monitoring you closely as well as Morgan. Deal?”

“Deal! Thank you (Y/N).” Cassie threw her arms around (Y/N)’s neck hugging her tightly making her chuckle.

“You’re welcome, now take this card and get whatever materials you need for your room. Your budget is five thousand to get furniture and whatever else you want. I will let you know within the week when I have a client picked out for you.” (Y/N) handed her the business credit card when there was a loud knock on her door.

Dean walked in his jaw clenched and brows furrowed looking up to see (Y/N) and Cassie, “Oh… sorry pretty girl. I’ll just wait in your room.”

She watched as Cassie’s eyes never left Dean, “Is he available for being a client?”

(Y/N) laughed walking Cassie towards the door, “Sorry, he’s a special client of mine. Enjoy your shopping spree and check in with Morgan before going out.”

As she shut the door, Dean came walking back out. Before she could say anything his lips were smashed against her while his hands were making fast work of her jeans. Gently, she pushed him away just enough to speak.

“D-Dean, what’s going on?” she asked as his lips traveled down her neck.

His hands slipped beneath her ass scooping her up and wrapping her legs around him, “My friend is being an idiot, we fought and I need to get some of this energy out of my system. No better way of doing that then making you come over and over again.”

Her tights squeezed against his waist making him chuckle, “Dean… I can’t.”

He stopped in the middle of her bedroom putting her feet on the ground. The rejection in his green eyes broke her heart, “What? Do you have another client coming in?”

“No, of course not. I told you I would stop seeing my other clients.” she said as he sat on her bed her eyes traveling to the hard outline of his cock.

“Then what?” He asked, running his hands over his thighs.

(Y/N) said next to him taking his hand into hers, “I’m sorry pretty boy, I want nothing more than for you to fuck my brains out…”

“But?” he looked up at her.

“But, I’m on my period and not into that kind of sex.” As the words came from her mouth, Dean’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

He placed his arm around her shoulders then pressed his lips to her temple, “No problem. I’m sorry I just rushed in here.”

(Y/N) crawled up to the head of her bed and patted the spot next to her, “How about you tell me what has got you frustrated and we’ll see if a little mouth exercises would help your situation.”

Dean stood up shrugging out of his jacket then sitting next to her on the bed. (Y/N) listened to him detail the fight with Castiel that led him to coming to The Queen’s Court. As she listened, she noticed the subtle changes in his tone from frustration to worry.

“Boil it down, you’re just concerned for Cas and want him to stay safe.” (Y/N) said running her fingers along his thigh.

He threw his hands up, “Exactly! Finally someone understands.”

“You love him.” she stated as Dean’s gaze snapped to hers.

He shook his head, “I mean in a brother sort of way…”

(Y/N) chuckled, taking a hold of his hand, “Cut the crap, Dean. Of all people in this world, you can be open and honest with me. No judgements. No opinions. Nothing but an ear to listen to you and support. If you’re attracted to Cas then so be it. Doesn’t mean you have to act on it. Doesn’t mean you’re any less of the handsome, strong man you are. You wouldn’t be the first man to admit to having feelings for a man they are close to.”

Dean leaned back against her headboard sighing, ��Cas says we have a profound bond. I don’t know what that means but I do know I’ve changed since he’s been in my life. I would do anything for him just like I would for Sam and for you. If that means I love him then sure.”

“Can I ask you a blunt question?” (Y/N) squeezed his hand as he nodded, “Given the chance, no questions asked, no repercussions, would you sleep with Cas?”

There was a long moment of silence before he spoke, “I don’t know. I’ve never allowed myself to explore those thoughts. I think I would be more comfortable exploring those feelings with a chick that looked like him.”

As he chuckled an idea popped into (Y/N)’s head, “Wait here pretty boy, I’ll be right back.”

She got up going into her office shutting the bedroom door behind her. Quickly sending a text from her phone it was a few minutes later Cassie was walking back through her door. After explaining what her idea was, Cassie excitedly agreed to help her.

(Y/N) walked back in to find Dean stretched out on her bed. His head resting on his folded arms and his eyes closed. She crawled onto the bed leaning over to kiss him. A soft moan rumbled in his chest as his fingers went up into her hair. Kissing down his neck, her hand slowly stroked his denim covered cock.

“Sweetheart, as much as I would love your mouth on my cock, I think I would rather wait to bury myself deep inside of you.” Dean said gently moving her hand to his chest.

Though turned on and surprised she continued with her plan, “What if I had an idea for you to work through some of your Cas feelings while working off some of your frustrations.”

He looked at her curiously just a knock came from her door, “Trust me, please.” she said getting up to answer it.

Cassie was dressed in a modest pleated skirt falling to her knees, a white button down shirt with a striped blue tie that (Y/N) happened to have a Castiel’s and a tan trench coat (Y/N) happened to have been ordered a few months early. Her long, chocolate hair was braided over one shoulder and her blue eyes shined against her fair skin. If Castiel were to have a twin angel sister then Cassie would be it.

“Dean, I would like for you to meet Cassie.” (Y/N) stepped aside giving him a full view of her.

His eyes widened while his full lips parted, “H-Hi…”

“Hello Dean.” Dean let out a small gasp getting off the bed.

(Y/N) could tell her was about to bolt, “Dean, Cassie is being promoted to one of the rooms to take clients full time in person. She has only been taking phone clients for two years and I would be grateful if you could be her first client tonight so I can show her the ropes per se. It would be a one time thing and a huge help to me.”

His eyes narrowed in on her before sighing walking over to them, “Not a word to anyone.” he whispered to her.

“Promise on my heart. Are you okay with me watching?” she asked, seeing a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

“I would have it no other way pretty girl.” He turned towards Cassie, “Cassie?”

She nodded, “Yeah. Honestly, I prefer Cas unrelated to whatever this is, but whatever makes you more comfortable.”

Dean nodded stepping in front of her. His broad, muscular body made Cassie seem even smaller in size. (Y/N) wondered if that was how she looked standing in front of him. She watched the way he spoke to her softly and with a warmth that he buried deep inside of him. It was the way he talked to people he was showing care to. Watching Cassie nearly melt into his embrace almost made (Y/N) chuckle.

“Charmer.” she whispered to herself watching them walk towards her bed.

The back of Cassie’s thighs were against the edge of the bed as Dean leaned down to kiss her. Just before his lips met hers, his eyes connected with (Y/N)’s asking silent permission. She nodded giving him a reassuring smile then his lips pressed against Cassie’s.

(Y/N) watched as Dean took his time removing each layer of clothing while leaving no patch of skin untouched by his lips. (Y/N) felt her knees getting weak as the memories of being on the receiving end of his slow torture and she sat on her oversized chair. As Cassie pushed herself towards the head of the bed, Dean began stripping his own layers of flannel and denim off.

The moment his hard cock was free from his boxers, (Y/N) could not help the low groan escaping her lips. As if he had heard her, Dean looked up gripping his length and slowly stroking himself while making eye contact with her. In a weird way, she felt as if he were letting her know that he was hers and he was only doing this because she asked.

Dean began kissing down her body and soon soft moans were filling her room. (Y/N) admirer how attentive Dean was to Cassie’s wants as he found she loved her nipples being sucked on. Soon his head was nestled between her legs as she cried out from the first swipe of his tongue over her sensitive mound. Her fingers racked through his thick hair as his mouth worked over her. Cassie’s back was arched, her body shaking as he brought her first orgasm washing over her body.

“Oh god Dean! Right there… yes, yes, Dean!” her body relaxed as he kissed his way back up to her.

Rolling them so she was on top, Cassie quickly made her way down to his cock. Her mouth covered his swollen heard as he grunted, “Fuck.”

As Cassie’s head began to bop up and down, the tightness in (Y/N)’s belly was getting to her. She watched as Dean’s hand gently guided Cassie over his cock with his eyes meeting (Y/N)’s. She found herself unbuttoning her shirt just enough for her hand to slip over her breast.

“Yes, just like that. Fuck.” Dean moaned, never looking away from (Y/N).

She knew it was more for her than for Cassie and that could be their little secret. (Y/N) massaged and pinched her nipples just like he would if they were in bed together. Instinctively, her other hand slipped between her legs rubbing lazy circles against her covered pussy.

Dean swiftly pulled Cassie up to him rolling back over her, angling himself and pushing deep inside of her. (Y/N)’s lips parted seeing this magical moment from a far. The control Dean exerted from just not pounding into her. Every muscle rippling down his back, his arms and legs. The sheer strength that flowed through him was awe-inspiring.

Her own hands stilled against her body mesmerized by Dean in the moment. She could tell Cassie was close to her release as her moans echoed throughout the bedroom. Dean had been silent except for a few grunts. His body was more rigid as he thrusted into her.

“Shit Cas, you feel so good. I-I’m almost there… come with me, Cas.” Dean bent down pounding into her hard as she wrapped her limbs around him.

“Oh… Dean, I’m coming! Fuck!” Cassie cried out her body shaking beneath his.

That is when (Y/N) watched the most beautiful moment. Dean’s body tensed briefly with every muscle seizing and then she watched him let go. Pumping into her as his body trembled from the pleasure coursing through his body. He pushed inside her once more holding himself deep within her as she clung to him. He was letting her ride out her own release squeezing that glorious cock for every drop of pleasure.

She watched as Dean kissed Cassie as he pulled out of her swallowing the groan escaping her lips. Rolling onto his back, he pulled her close whispering something in her ear. Cassie nodded, kissing his cheek and getting out of bed unsteadily.

She walked up to (Y/N) clenching the trench coat around her naked body, “No client will ever be as good as him.”

(Y/N) shook her head knowing Cassie was not asking for an answer. She kissed Cassie’s cheek as she left the room and looked back to Dean. He was slipping underneath her sheet and patted the bed next to him. She gladly joined him even though her body was aching for a release of her own. It was worth it though seeing a new side of Dean.

“Please tell me she was over eighteen.” he whispered as his lips pressed against her ear.

She smacked him softly on the chest, “Of course she was, Dean Winchester! The only employees I have under eighteen work a teen help line for kids who are having mental health issues. The only reason why they work here is to keep them safely off the streets.”

“You are an amazing woman, (Y/N). But seriously, how old was she?” she could hear the nervousness in his voice.

(Y/N) glanced up at him from her resting spot on his chest, “She just turned twenty a week ago.”

Dean groaned running his hand through his hair, “Fuck… no wonder she could come instantly. She could have kept going all night long.”

(Y/N) started laughing, “What? Wouldn’t have been able to keep up with her old man?”

He scoffed, “I bet I could have but then what kind of state would have that left you in. Pretty girl, I bet you’re aching for some relief.”

“I’m fine.” she said averting her gaze back to his chest. She hated how he could read her body so clearly.

“No you’re not. Your body is tense from being worked up. I know it’s that time of the month but is there any way I could help you?” He was genuinely concerned about her which melted her heart.

(Y/N) lifted herself up straddling his thick, muscular thigh, “What if you get worked up again?” she asked, grinding herself against him.

Dean rolled her onto her back settling between her legs. He was not hard but could feel he was well on his way to getting there. Rolling his hips against her, (Y/N) groaned allowing her head to press against the pillow.

“Oh, I think this will be a mutual release that we both are in need of.” He snapped his hips against her making her cry out before taking her down a path of pleasure of the next hour.

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[yuli-the-bi]

It took me a while to recollect myself after today's chapter. After excitedly getting up super early (went to bed around 4am, woke up at 7) and waiting patiently for the episode to come out, I had such high hopes, y'know? (Warning: this gets a bit long.)

But that quickly ended in a punch to the gut that, honestly, left me speechless and with full-body tremors. I haven't had an anxiety attack in a while but it hit me hard and took me some time to calm down. I'm used to disappointment from series I watched in the past, but I sincerely did have faith in this one. V7 was what got me back into rwby, mainly because I had dropped it after skipping around the events of V5. I had noticed Qrow getting attention on this site, and went "sure, why not?" and checked the tag. This was when chapter 3 aired, and man, was everyone going wild over it-- for completely good reason. I've always been attached to Qrow as a character. I've had the lowest times in my life where I didn't think I would get back up, and here he was, the character that I saw parts of myself reflected in-- suddenly earning a potential partner that, for once, could balance his semblance and quite possibly everything else. We weren't wrong in the least in that regard.

Speaking from a narrative design point, the outer, cinematic dialogue for c12 was just... so wrong in many ways. It felt like characterization was thrown out the window, Tyrian aside. I've written countless scripts for games, and as a writer you are responsible for forming an immersive dialogue/monologue that will direct the audience into experiencing specific emotions. The lines here, while beautifully delivered by the amazing voice actors, gave me the feeling of two utter, complete strangers that were pitted against each other rather than two people who have been together for quite some time and have developed a bond. The words, especially from Clover, were visceral, cold, and almost robotic. Completely OOC actions aside, the tone set in the scenes were so unnatural it caused me to pause the video several times to digest what had been said.

It hurt to hear Clover of all people, the same man throughout the volume show his concern for ALL civilians, including Mantle (cue back to c9 where he was the one to panic about rushing the rwbyjnr + ace ops/qrow to Mantle to save the people, as well as his stern orders to prioritize the safety of the people), to suddenly become a callous soldier set in his ways. He turned his back on the people that depended on him, which seems to be a reoccurring theme in these past few episodes. That doesn't reflect the man I've seen, admired, and analyzed throughout the volume. This one today felt unnatural and lacked all empathy that he had once shown (literally just in c11 you can *hear* the relief and joy in his voice once he reports that they've apprehended Tyrian, the psycho who has been out on a killing spree and Clover explicitly expressed malice to). This episode just completely forgoes the warmth I've been hearing in his voice.

I'm angry, depressed, and quite frankly, so fucking annoyed at how this episode was handled, from the standpoint of a narrative design/script writer and a fan of the show since high school. There were so many other routes they could have taken, granted, that could have given us just as much angst/shock value without the cost of a character that was a major pillar of support for Qrow. There has been so much wonderful development throughout the volume that sincerely gave me hope that it was going to be okay for him, and in turn, be okay for me and many other individuals who see themselves in Qrow's shoes. But that hope was demolished the moment I heard Clover speak so coldly, just barely showing reluctance he had so boldly delivered in previous chapters. I knew something was wrong, but didn't want to believe it. When I write dialogue for my scripts, I always envision myself as the character speaking, including gestures, facial expressions, and tone/pitch used to create a 'realistic' voice for them. I'm not one of the writers, but they demonstrated a very transparent purpose of closing off the possibilities of character growth with just those few lines. The intention was there. It probably has been from the start. And that isn't okay.

Not when there has been, admittedly, so many scenes where it touched upon gentler, more open emotions like trust, which is supposed to be such a huge factor in this volume. It was used horribly in this chapter, as it was meant to twist Clover's words, making it seem as though Qrow was completely in the wrong when we all fucking know it's two sides of the same coin. Not one side is completely right or wrong. "I wanted to trust you too" really hit me in all the wrong places. It crushed the hope for their bond, and all for what? Dramatic flair? If that's the case, then it was a real poor stylistic choice. Qrow was spot on when he said Clover was being manipulative-- because those words, while they sounded as if they were filled with pain, were all transparent in terms of closing off any more development between them. All these lines served one purpose, and that was to stamp out whatever had been blooming underneath all their previous interactions. Very melodramatic, I've seen about a thousand of these used, and none of them ever get me to react the way the writer intended for. It just left the worst taste in my mouth. (And don't even get me started on that ending. It might've appeased whatever audience they were going for, but bluntly put I've seen commercials that delivered stronger emotional impact than that. It clearly shows even more how Clover is distanced from Qrow in that regard. The "Good luck" at the end is a call back sure but the words exchanged really just... left me feeling so empty rather than a heart full of emotions. I only started crying once I heard Qrow's anguished scream and saw the light fade from Clover's eyes.)

I've seen all the wonderful AUs and fix-it scenarios that many of you have been posting and I really appreciate all your positivity through this horrible misstep in show production. (Thank you to those who are liking and reblogging my fair game comic I made a while back.) This has hurt me so badly that I know I probably won't open up and trust shows like this for quite some time, if ever. I'm skeptical about any changes that might occur in the finale, but I'll be looking at it with cold indifference nonetheless. I'll probably take a break from the series again afterward, but will definitely continue basking in the absolute joy of the fair game community and ignoring... whatever the hell that was. (I actually have some WIPs for fics saved that I might work on and publish once I get time off work). I'm sorry for my rambling and that it might not make much sense, but I had to voice my thoughts on the situation today. It is not okay by any means, and everyone who is upset by this is valid.

[cilliansaccent]

The Peaky Designer - Cillian Fanfic, Chapter 22

Hello, welcome back. Below is the next instalment of my fanfiction!

Leave a like or a comment if you liked it, or if I can do anything better! Please, it would mean the world and to understand if anyone is enjoying my writing. Also, sharing/reblogging would be even better.

PLEASE READ:

I will not be including Cillian’s family as it’s kinda weird since he has children lmao. Just a mention of his parents and a previous lover.

I will indicate in a chapter if there is smut in the beginning and before the actual scene!!

I will add trigger warnings if there is any!!

There is a variety of levels of swearing during a chapter, I will not hold back, everyone swears.

The timestamp for the Fic is now 2016 and onwards!!

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Background: Gabrijela Babic is a Croatian girl from Sydney, Australia. She is born in the year 1991 on the 24th of December. She studies a Fashion degree in a University with a major in Game Design as well. Her teacher in the fashion designer class managed to nail an Internship on the set of Peaky Blinders with the shows very own Costume Designer, Allison McCosh. There, she travels to London for under a year to learn how to be one, working alongside the actors as well the man she admires, Cillian Murphy. But, her platonic feelings for the man begins to grow into something more, and she wonders whether she should pursue them or let him go for fear of her strict parents and her three older brothers…

Characters:

Swantje Paulina as Gabrijela Babic (swalina on Instagram)

Cillian Murphy

Word Count: 8,912

!!Warnings!!: Sex scenes early in the chapter

Date: February 2017

Chapter Name: Dinner at a Wogs House

Brief Chapter Outline: Gabrijela and Cillian go on a quick shopping spree before it’s time for the gentle Irish man to meet Gabrijela’s very large family...

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"Cillian!" Gabrijela drawled out his name as his arms slid around her and she was pulled back on the bed and grunted softly. "You must let me go." She whined.

He clutched her close to his body and tangled his legs in hers, "I don't want you to go." He kissed her neck and knew how much she liked it. And how it turned her on.

She let out a soft sigh as she reached back and tangled her hand into his hair, "Cillian... Baby... You can't... Make me... Stay... I'll be late for work..." She felt his body move on top of hers and she was pinned to the bed. She was so sensitive since yesterday but she was growing wet and aching already for him. She didn't fight him off when he pushed off her tights and underwear, then felt his cock rest on her ass before he was in her. She gripped the sheets as she let out a moan.

Cillian took her hands in his, lacing his fingers and started to thrust into her. His little quickie with her turned into thirty minutes of absolutely making love to her body. He loved the way she made blissful expressions and her grip on his shoulders when he turned her around to finish in her a third time. He grinned at her when he slowed down and kept his hips pressed to hers.

"You are such a bastard." She moaned as he thrust into her once more. "Cillian... Please. God. I-I do have to go." She laughed as he kissed her neck.

"Okay. Okay." He laughed with her and pushed himself off her and pulled out with a soft groan and laid back on the bed to watch her.

Gabrijela rolled her eyes as she went to the bathroom to clean up a bit and then came out to pull on her thong and her tights.

"So beautiful." He commented as he admired her, "Come here."

She raised a brow and came to the edge of the bed as he moved close to a sitting position. He placed his hands on her hips and pushed up her shirt to reveal her tummy, "Be good." He murmured to her tummy and pressed soft kisses in a heart shape.

Gab felt tears in her eyes as she gently laid her hands on his head and had the biggest smile ever, "I love you, Cillian. You will make a perfect father." She met his gaze and leaned down to kiss him softly.

"My wonderful girl, she's going to be an as equally perfect mother." He smiled and kissed her lovingly.

She giggled, "I'll see you later, baby." She kissed his forehead as she pulled away and tugged on her sneakers, "I will call you when I get to work, when I have lunch and when I leave to see you tonight."

"Alright. Can't wait to see you, my love. Have a wonderful day." He squeezed her sides and she turned to leave for work.

Work went swiftly but she was itching to get back to the hotel room and see her lover. When lunch came around she called him and they chatted, he was at the Queen Victoria Building and checking the shops out and had bought some... Things. She knew he found something for her and she grumbled, "You should save your money for yourself!"

"Yes... Nah. I don't need to. Want to get something nice for you." He mused.

"Valentine's day is over, babe." She said as she took a bite into her chicken wrap she got from Le Wrap.

"Yeah, but the sales! You know I love a good sale." He retorted.

"Oh, so I'm only good enough for sales?" She teased.

"Oh no, you are worth every cent in the whole world." He replied with a smile.

"Aw, Cilly. You sweetheart." She blew him a kiss, "Also make sure you look for a suit. We got tomorrow only before we leave on Friday." She reminded him.

"Already on it, beautiful." He said.

"Okay. Good boy. I better go. Have to go back to workin'." She said and they said their good-byes and she hung up.

Then her mother called.

She groaned and picked up, "Hello?"

"Hi, darling. How are you going?" She asked her.

"Fine. Finishing lunch and about to head back to work. You?" She replied as she packed up her rubbish and slowly made her way back up to her work.

"I'm fine. I've been meaning to ask you something." She continued hesitantly.

Gab leaned against a railing in front of her work, "Yeah?"

There was a pause, "When will you come back home? Your dad has calmed down and wants you back here."

She sighed, "If only you promise me you won't make any more unnecessary comments on who I can see or be with."

Her mum seemed to reply much longer before she sighed, "Gabrijela you know we worry about you. With what happened with your ex-"

"He is nothing like my ex, mum. He is absolutely perfect. You haven't even met him. Why make such harsh assumptions?" Gab frowned and sounded hurt. "You've seen the photos on Facebook anyway, does he seem like a cruel man?

"I'm sorry darling. Alright. Why don't we have dinner tomorrow night then? I'll get dad to cook up a barbeque." Her mum replied.

"Okay. That sounds wonderful. Have to come back anyway to pack up for Friday. I'll be going in my own car with Cillian since he's invited to. So you don't have to worry too much." She said.

"Alright, we will see you tomorrow. Love you." She said.

"Before you go, will everyone be there?" Gab asked.

"They will. They all want to meet your... Boyfriend." Her mum said.

"Ugh... Fine. I'll give him a warning." Gab huffed.

"Only good things. Have fun at work. Love you." She said.

"Love you too, mum," Gab replied and head back to work.

Work went swiftly and she bought some boxers for Cillian and some other clothing wear. She gave him a call that she was heading back and had some news for him. When she arrived at the room he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck, "My love." She murmured against his lips as he carried her to the bed.

"Hello. How was work?" He kissed her lovingly.

"It was good. I missed you a lot." She smiled and cupped his face before her eyes caught some bags near the dresser.

"I've missed you too. I got you something." He said as he pulled back and handed her a black bag.

"Oh? Have you now?" She took the bag and pulled out the box inside. She popped the lid and gasped as she pulled out the items. It was a very sexy lingerie piece, it was red and lacy. The bra was more of a bralette with wire for some support, the thong was strappy and also had matching shorties. Beneath it was a silk red slip with twin high thigh splits with a bit of lace at the neckline. "Oh, Cillian! You sneaky man." She leaned up and kissed him.

"You like it?" He asked as he watched her put the slip against her.

"It's perfect. I love it so much." She nodded as she packed it up neatly in the box. "Thanks, Cilly." She stood and kissed him. "I got something for you too." She mused as she stepped back and handed him a Bonds bag.

"You didn't need to." He said as he took the bag and pulled out the things. "Oh damn, I do need new boxers. And sleepwear. Thanks, my love. I love it." He leaned in and kissed her sweetly.

"Good. I was sick of seeing those rags you drag around." She nipped his jaw.

"I can chuck them out now." He nodded.

She giggled, "What's the plan tonight?" She asked.

"Don't know. Dinner?" He asked.

"Alright. My shout though. I know a place. Just casual though." She said and they got ready. She didn't apply any make-up since she had some on already, just combed back her hair and pulled on a white playsuit with gold downwards stripes, it had off the shoulder frilly sleeves. She topped it off with black high-top chucks and posed in the mirror.

"Wonderful," Cillian said as he fixed the collar of his dark blue shirt and then patted his jeans down. "How do I look?"

"Ravishing." She stuck her tongue out and came over, kissing his cheek, "Let's go my love."

They headed to the harbour once more and she took him to a restaurant called Olivio's. There she told him about tomorrow night and the dinner with her family.

"Already?" He cocked a brow as he took a sip of his red.

"Yeah. The whole squad is gonna be there. So let's hope the kids will keep the air soft and relaxed. I am not up for any arguments." She sat back.

"Mm." Cillian nodded. Gabrijela told him once that her family, especially her parents, were harsh critics on her life and anything she did. Even to who she saw and was with and he wondered what their opinions were of him dating their young daughter. He could most likely see their point as there is a clear issue: The age gap. But he wasn't going to let that come between him or Gab. He would love her endlessly.

"You don't sound so sure." She tilted her head to the side.

"No, I am sure. I guess I will take it as it is. We can only see how it goes tomorrow. You think telling them your pregnant is too early?" He asked.

"Oh most definitely yes. I... That is way too early. Only there to let them meet you and like you before we can tell them another time." But she knew time was ticking and they had to come clean in the next week or so. Before Cillian would leave to go back to Dublin and soon after start filming.

Cillian knew her thoughts and reached over to take her hand and squeezed it, "Together we will." He murmured gently.

"I know." She smiled and squeezed his hand back.

Their food came and they dug in, she changed the subject and told him she had found a place for them on the South Coast, a place called Gillards Beach which was just before Tathra, a small coastal town. It was like wild camping, no electricity and no showers but had toilets. Cillian seemed eager and she reminded him she would bring plenty of water to refresh themselves. He was still excited either way and told her of a story when he was a boy and camped with his family. The night was light and airy with a lovely summer breeze. They spent the night walking the harbour, hand in hand and talking about new songs that were coming out. They took more cute selfies, sat on the steps cuddled close and kissed. Her legs were hooked over his and she cupped his face with a hand and gave him soft kisses, "Have I told you how much I love you?" She murmured.

"Always." He leaned in, returning her kisses, "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Every day, every hour, every minute to the last second." She deepened the kiss, her hand now on the back of his head.

His arms circled around her to draw her in closer and they held their kiss. There was a flash and he opened his eyes to see some girls some meters away from them whispering fast as they did something on their phone, when they looked up the girl lost her smile a little and knew she was caught. "Hold up," Cillian said against Gabrijela's lips as he stood and wandered over.

Gab raised a brow and crossed her leg, watching him come to the girls. She could hear the conversation.

"Girls." Cillian smiled at them and they smiled back.

"Hi, Cillian." One said with a blush.

"Hello." The other replied.

"I'm going to cut this short and sweet. I'd appreciate if you didn't take photos of me with my girlfriend, I'd like you to know I am not a fan of sneaky photos while I'm out and about. It is quite rude and not fair for myself or my girlfriend to have strangers have photo's of us together and posting them without our consent." Cillian explained with politeness, Gabrijela's heart swooned.

"Oh... But... Okay. I understand. But there are photos already circulating, the ones she's posted." The girl said.

"Well, I've given her consent to post them. She can do what she likes because I trust her. Besides, she does not post much anyway. She does show me what she posts and I'm happy for her to express her happiness like that." Cillian said. "So if it would be no trouble, but to delete the ones you just took." He was stern but kind and watched the girl delete the photos. Even in her secondary trash so there was no evidence left on her phone. "I appreciate that a lot." He smiled.

Gabrijela came over and giggled, "Okay. Enough hassling the girls. Why don't you sit with them and I'll take a photo? Come on you butt, I know you love to smile." She pinched his arm and he chuckled.

"So demanding." He mumbled and took his spot between the girls. He wrapped his arms around them both as Gabrijela used the girl's phone to snap a picture.

"Perfecto! Here you go, girls. I hope my man wasn't too harsh." She slipped her hand in Cillians.

"No, of course not. He was very kind. Thank you." They both blushed, "You're so lucky."

"I know. Couldn't ask for anyone better. Don't ever settle on something you know you don't like. You'll find that person eventually." Gab glanced up at Cillian and had the most loving smile ever.

The girls made an 'aw' sound and mentioned how cute they were before congratulating Cillian on his recent season of Peaky Blinders. Gab kept it short when it came to her falling in love and did not go into much detail before they had to go. The girls waved as they scurried away.

"I wasn't too harsh, was I?" Cillian wrapped his arms around her as they stood there.

"No. I think what you said was good and polite. You know what you like and don't like and made sure to remind those girls. You are a good man, and I love you." She kissed him softly.

"I love you too," He said and kissed her back deeply.

They headed back to the hotel room to have a very sensual bath together where they kissed and touched each other. It was Cillian's idea as he treated her all night long, taking her slow and easy, his hands roving over her skin and his lips kissing spots on her body which she didn't know would feel good. He wanted to remind her again who she was to him and how much she meant to him, his body driving into hers in pleasurable hard thrusts. When they were both done they snuggled close to each other and fell asleep like that.

 Next-Day... 

 They wandered the streets of Sydney, going to every suit place they could come by. Tried things on but Gabrijela didn't like his choices nor where they went to. They had a bit of a heated argument about Cillian getting frustrated with the constant shake of her head and not liking anything he tried on.

"I don't want you to look daggy." She said as they left the fifth suit store now.

"I know that. But they did look good on me!" He shot back as they came to another store, Peter Jackson. 

"Of course but I'm telling you this store is good. Dom and Leo got their suits here for their weddings and they were perfect." Gab countered.

Cillian sighed and let her guide him into the store. She made quick conversation with the guy that greeted them and it was time to change into the various things she picked out. An hour and a half later... It was done.

Gabrijela came behind him and beamed as she hugged him, "Wow." She murmured.

The jacket and pants were a shade of gunmetal blue, maybe a bit more on the blue side with a dark ashy grey buttoned-down shirt. He insisted he would use his own black shoes but Gabrijela got him to wear a pair from the store. "I look good?" He asked and smiled.

"Like a snack." She nodded and pulled away to walk around him, running her hand along his arms and his back before she stopped before him, her hands on his waist.

"I like it." He grinned at her as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "But I really don't think I need one... I do have-"

"Shut it. I like this one, it's not even tailored and it fits you perfectly." She leaned up and kissed him softly.

"Alright, boss. Whatever you say." He laughed softly, his voice doing that cute little crack as he returned to kiss her deeply.

Someone cleared their throat, "How is the suit?" The male worked chuckled.

Gab blushed, "I like it. I think I will take it." Cillian replied as his arm snaked around her waist.

"Fantastic. I'll give you a great deal." He said with a smile.

Cillian disappeared back into the changing room and came back out soon after. Gabrijela took the clothing from him, "Everything?" He asked.

"Yep. Everything." She brought the things to the counter. A good deal was done and Gabrijela wanted to pay.

"No. I will." Cillian cocked an eyebrow as she faced him.

"You can buy my dress if that makes you happy?" She grinned.

He grounded his teeth together and nodded, "Fine." His hand went down her back and squeezed her ass and she giggled. Then it was off to a shop she knew and had booked an appointment with.

"Woah, how is this a formal place?" He asked as they entered a store that was just full of wedding dresses.

"They got a second and third level, dummy." She laughed and talked to a lady who disappeared upstairs. They hovered about and Cillian took this time to watch Gabrijela run her hands along with the multitude of dresses and smiling softly. He could see in her eyes the yearning for one of these dresses, he could see her in one...

"I love wedding dresses." She said as she came over to him.

"Yeah?" He asked with a smile.

"Mhm, I don't think I could pinpoint a favourite." She giggled. Cillian could only smile more and wrap an arm around her.

"Hello, Gabrijela! Great to see you again!" An older woman came over and the pair hugged.

"Hi, Sasha. It's good to see you again. We just came back from suit shopping." Gab smiled wide.

"Oh? What for?" She asked as she glanced at Cillian.

"A wedding," Gabrijela said.

"Wedding? You didn't tell me you were getting married!" Her eyes widened with shock.

"No!" Gab laughed and shook her head, "Sorry. I meant we are going to a wedding. Driving up tomorrow. So I need the dress by today."

Sasha nodded, "Right! Okay, well let's head up and start to see what you are after." Sasha said.

Gabrijela introduced Cillian to Sasha before it was time to explore what they had. Gabrijela changed countless times, showing it off for Cillian who was now being a pain in the ass when he didn't like any. But he did like the super tight ones. Gab rolled her eyes but when the last dress came... Gabrijela was in love instantly. The dress was satin and sparkly all over. It was royal blue but you couldn't really tell from the sparkles and the shades of blue it had, it was more grey-blue really. Much like a galaxy. The neckline was a half V-plunge and an open back criss-cross strap. It came to the floor and with good heels, it didn't drag along. She twirled on the raised floor and was in amazement. "I love this." She whispered.

"I do too." Cillian came to her side. He had changed into his suit as well so they could see if they would compliment each other. Her dress brought out the blues in his outfit. They were perfect.

They looked at each other and laughed softly.

"We look perfect." She said as she slipped her arm around his waist. "I got the right nude heels." She mused. She took a photo of them together before she changed and Cillian paid. It was way more than his suit but he was adamant on paying.

Gab checked the time and they had to head back to the hotel to get ready for tonight. It was already four in the afternoon. They left the store and got ready at the hotel with Gabrijela going for a shower first then Cillian after. She kept it casual but nice, reminding her family as well that she didn't want this to be formal whatsoever. She pulled on shorts and a soft cotton pale yellow top that had six pictures of flowers. She pulled out what she wanted Cillian to wear, his trademark black skinny jeans and her favourite buttoned top he had, a dark blue colour that had a barely visible black checkered design. She liked it because when he rolled the sleeves up and flexed his arms... She could see the tense muscle show. She shivered at the thought and packed her stuff up into her bags, she wondered if Cillian should do the same...

He came out and looked at the things she laid out, "Isn't that a bit casual?" He asked.

"I don't want this formal or you trying to impress my family. Just be you." She gulped as she stared at him. He was in just his CK's and... Fuck. "God, you make me horny."

Cillian barked out a laugh as he sprayed on his cologne and combed back his hair, "Do I now?" He asked and she had come to his side, "Gab, we need to go soon-" He grunted when she gripped his cock and his arm wrapped around her, "G-Gabrijela."

"Yeah, but... I want to feel you." She mused and got him to sit back on the bed as she knelt between his knees, "You know, I barely get to do this for you." She pulled him out, tucking the band of his underwear under his balls. She continued to pump him slowly, making him harder.

"I know... But I get carried away at making you moan instead. Shit..." He leaned back on his hands, his cock now stiff in her soft palm. The feeling was so good, he wished he could let her do this to him often but he'd get so worked up he wanted to just fuck her. Like right now, he wanted to be in her, thrusting his hips and watch how her body would react to him. He looked back down at her fast strokes until her head came down and he felt those warm lips wrap around the head of his cock. Then further down she went, down, down, down... Until he was entirely in her mouth and she began to bob her head. Maybe he should control himself next time she did this, fuck the pleasure of her mouth was so good. He could feel her tongue push against his shaft and it felt like she was rubbing him in that way, it made another loud groan come from him as he placed his hand on the back of her head. "That's it Gabbie... Fuck. Keep doing that- Shit I love that!" Curses fell from his lips and he fought back from just thrusting into her mouth. He remembered when he did, how much she loved it and came multiple times from it... He couldn't help it and had a steady pace going and she did truly enjoy it.

Gab moaned around him, he took control now and her mouth was just a hole he needed to fuck. She felt her core throb and knew her panties were soaked. She liked this side of him and she simply held his hips and let him do his thing.

It wasn't long when Cillian let out hard gasps and pants followed with moans, his mouth parted and brows knitted together, "Yes... Yes... Yes... Yes!" He repeated, his voice cracking before he thrust up and held his hips to her face and came in her mouth, his head thrown back as her name was shouted to the heavens. He collapsed back and breathed fast as he felt her mouth leave his cock.

"God, Cillian." She laughed as she wiped her lips and chin. He made a mess of her face.

He glanced down as he sat up slowly, "Are you okay?" He asked watching her lick her fingers from his cum. The scene made his cock twitch a little.

"Always. That was fucking hot." She said as she knelt higher and pressed a kiss to his jaw. She was always hesitant to just kiss him right away, only letting him initiate it. Like he did now, pressing his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. She was then lifted into his lap then her shirt was pushed up along with her bra.

"Cillian you don't need to-" She moaned when his lips wrapped around her nipple and sucked hard. Her phone began to ring but she ignored it, chucking it on the bed when she felt his hand wiggle it's way into her shorts and began to stroke her soaking folds. She gasped and her hips began to roll in time with his hand, "Cillian baby." She was in total loss with pleasure. His hand worked her fast, his lips still attached to her lips.

Her phone rang again.

"Answer it." He said against her breast.

"What?" She gasped.

"The phone. Answer it." He said and let her grab her phone before he delved back in.

Her mother was wondering where they were and said she was leaving right now, her voice wavered when her climax was close. Her mother, of course, asked what was wrong but Gab said it was nothing and it was just the walk to the car. She was glad the conversation ended and she hung up the phone just as she cried out his name and came on his hand, "Such a bastard." She panted when he took his hand out and cleaned his fingers.

"You love it." He said and kissed her fiercely.

She giggled and couldn't disagree. But it was time to go. She took her bags she would take back home and prayed he would be able to stay the night there, it would make it easier for when she would come back from work and they could head out right away.

Cillian packed a bag for the days he would be away and stuffed them into her car and got in. She hooked her phone up and played a playlist they both made together and listened and sang. They arrived at the ferry and she parked in the car-park, "We'll have to catch the ferry across. But we got like a spare car that's left on the island."

"Wow... I forgot you lived on an island. That's cool." He pulled out the bags and they hopped on to the ferry that had just arrived. "What's the place called?"

"Scotlands Island." She said with a soft giggle.

"Interesting." He smiled and pulled her close.

Once across she got into the car but felt anxiety hit her, "I want you to know if you don't feel comfortable or happy, tell me or I don't know... Tug my pants or something to indicate it." She turned to him.

"I'm sure I will be okay, my love. Do not worry. Nothing will come between us." He leaned across and kissed her deeply.

"I hope so." She whispered.

He cupped her face, "I love you. And that's that. Nothing will stop me from loving you. Nothing."

She stared deeply into his eyes and nodded, "I love you. Okay. I know." She smiled and kissed him again, "Let's go, baby."

It was not even a minute when they circled the island and came to a beautiful modern, two-story house. It had a huge balcony and she could already see her family sitting outside and talking as she drove up the driveway. "Fuck I think... Oh my god, they even invited Teta and Tetak and my cousins..." She muttered as she parked the car.

"Who?" Cillian asked.

"Aunty and Uncle." She pressed her forehead to the steering wheel and sighed heavily.

"Come on love. We got this." He squeezed her thigh.

"We got this." She repeated and got out.

"Heyyyy! Gabrijela is here!" One of her cousins, David yelled out from the balcony. "Finally!"

She rolled her eyes and grinned up at him as she walked with Cillian to the door, bags in tow. It opened to reveal her mother who was smiling.

"Gabrijela. Good to see you." She hugged her daughter.

"Good to see you too, Mama," Gab replied as she stepped back.

"This is Cillian?" Her mother asked as she glanced at the man beside her.

"Yeah. Cillian, meet my mother, Liljana. Mama meet Cillian, my boyfriend." She said with no hint of fear, just confidence and truth.

"Lovely to meet you, come in, come in."

"Lovely to meet you too. I am happy to see you finally." Cillian smiled as he exchanged cheek kissing with her.

They entered the home. It was modern and had a short narrow hallway with high ceilings, it opened up to a living room that leads to the backyard, there were rooms and a set of polished wooden stairs that lead up to the second level.

"Mama I just need to drop these bags off then I'll come right out," Gabrijela said.

"Okay. Dad hasn't finished yet since he only just started." She smiled.

Gabrijela took Cillian through another big living room that had a kitchen attached to it. Her room was the furthest from the hustle and bustle and had a wonderful view of the water and beyond. She had wooden floors with a huge fluffy carpet under the low double bed. The walls were off white but were decorated with photos of the many birds he remembered she had shown.

But the first thing he noticed was a big birdcage in her room with a colourful parrot inside who was silently watching them.

"My god, is this the macaw you told me about?" He asked once he set the bag down and came to the cage.

"Yep. My little precious boy, Lucien." She giggled and came over and popped open the cage and let him out, "Say hello to Cillian." Gab smirked.

The parrot repeated 'Hello Cillian' and Cillian's eyes widened, "No way! Wow, you are a clever boy. I wonder who taught you." He slowly reached out a hand and touched him. "Silky."

She giggled, "He's my baby. Wait till you see the aviary." Gab said as she let the bird roam on top of the cage. She went to her bags and took out the dress and hung it up in the small walk-in wardrobe and left the pair to bond. When she came out Cillian was holding the Harlequin Macaw on his arm and continued to pet him.

"I'm taking him out to the balcony. He'll be our fighter," She smiled as she let Lucian sit on her shoulder.

"He won't fly away?" Cillian tilted his head to the side.

"He's flight trained and knows to come back if he does." She held his hand, "Doesn't panic over loud noises and all that."

"That is awesome." He squeezed her hand.

She took in a breath and walked with him out to the balcony, Croatian music was playing, the younger babies were in a pen and the older toddlers played with them but their keen-eyed parents watched them.

Then it was time to meet and greet, hug and kiss each other's cheeks and Gabrijela introducing Cillian to everyone before she was able to sit down. She had to do the whole 'explain how you two met' when Cillian was dragged away by Leo and her other two older brothers and her cousins.

Gab looked at him but he smiled and leaned down, giving her deep but quick kiss, "I'll be fine, my love." He touched her cheek gently.

"Okay. I love you." She said with a shy smile.

"I love you too." He said and kissed her again and walked off, a Corona in his hand.

Tatiana, who was beside her, wiggled her brows. Gab was probably the closest with her, "He is very handsome. Those eyes!" She gasped.

"I know. I can't get over how beautiful they are." She looked over and saw they were introducing him to her father. She frowned. "I should be there."

"Oh, don't worry. I made sure Leo would be a gentleman and if he ever screws up tonight he'll get a good lecture." Tatiana nodded.

"I hope the others do the same," Gab said and scratched her birds head, he could sense when she was uneasy.

Gabrijela continued to chat with the girls at the table, her mother watched her and listened to her explain this and that, until it came to sex...

"Of course we do. Why wouldn't we?" Gab cocked a brow when Carmen asked the question.

"And... You're fine with that? With... Him?" Carmen asked and Gabrijela knew that tone was scolding and trying to make it seem that having sex with an older man was disgusting.

"Yes. He's my boyfriend. He treats me good. You seem bothered, what for?" Gabrijela felt her nerves spike and she stared hard at Carmen. No one really liked her, she was barely ever around since she was a flight attendant and no one knew why David was still with her. She had a major attitude and always made any type of gathering or celebration about her.

"You use protection, Gabrijela?" Her mother asked finally.

"Of course we do. He was the one that wanted to and I the same. He's a good man, respects me and my boundaries and has never once made me upset. I love him and he loves me. Nothing will change that." Gabrijela stated and watched Carmen roll her eyes.

"Have you met his family?" Ema asked she was Antonio's wife. She was soft-spoken but wonderfully kind.

"Yeah, I have. He's the eldest, he's got a brother and two sisters. All have kids and are married. His family is absolutely lovely, I spent Christmas and New Year's there. I was gifted by his mother with that throw, scarf and the cookbook." Gab smiled softly. She cherished those gifts and couldn't wait to snuggle in that throw when it was winter.

"I want to know now that you said his siblings are married, has he been married before?" Carmen asked.

Gabrijela glanced at her mother who also seemed worried about that fact. "No. He did have someone some time back but he's been on his own before he met me. How is this relevant? Does it matter whether he was or wasn't?" What the fuck.

"Of course it does," Her mother cut in, "I do not want my daughter with someone who's a divorcee or had an unclear past. You know my opinion on this, Gabrijela."

"He's never been married, Mama. Only had a girlfriend who he didn't want a life with. He's a good man, why can't you see this?" Gab frowned. She was not going to let her mother or Carmen trample on her man.

Her mother was about to reply when the boys all returned, carrying over platers of food and set them on the table. Kids were seated in their seats before food was passed around and light chatter was made.

Gab could see her father who had a hard look in his eyes and watched Cillian occasionally, as well as her brothers and cousins. She really couldn't handle this 'male' aggro vibe that they were throwing towards Cillian. "What would you like, my love?" Gab took his plate and smiled.

"Bit of everything?" He placed his hand on her thigh, "Not too much though."

She was glad he was back at her side, his presence made her feel at ease right away. She filled his plate with the various things that were laid out and he did the same for her. Everyone dug in, the kids were chatting away and music continued to play.

Yet Gabrijela did not feel that light, cheery vibe. She felt like she was on a war field, afraid if she stepped anywhere a mine would blow up. But if that meant that she should take that risk and defend her man... She would. She would not let Cillian be attacked because some opinions could not be let go. It broke her heart.

The questions began to flow towards Cillian, simple yet curious questions such as:

Where did you go to school?

What is your family like?

Where do you live?

What work do you do? And when he explained more questions further on those answers.

Gabrijela was shit scared as he answered with ease. He did not back away or look uncomfortable. He was happy to answer the questions thrown at him, though he was still a little awkward and made jokes which to her surprise her family laughed. Though he was clear he wasn't up for any political debates or give his views on certain things. Her father seemed to not like it and began to complain and mention how people shouldn't be afraid or weak when it came to speaking your thoughts.

"I understand that but some opinions can hurt people. I do not think unnecessary talking of views or anything of the like should be done. Only if it comes to it and is to do with the current situation." Cillian replied with a cool demeanour.

Her father tried to counter it but her mother hushed him and spoke to him in Croatian. Then shook her head and looked back at Cillian, "I'd like to know one thing though as I am a concerned mother."

"Of course. Go ahead." Cillian said. Gabrijela slid her hand on to his thigh and he placed his hand over hers.

"Gabrijela mentioned you have siblings and that they are married... May I ask why you are not married?" Liljana asked and all eyes were on Cillian.

Gabrijela was panicking inside and gripped his thigh tightly. Her mother had a real nerve and she was pissed.

"I never found the one. I dated a woman quite some time ago and after that didn't work out I dated on and off. Work takes up half the year or more and when I do get time off I spend that time up at Cork with my family. I've learned that there are people out there who are not who they say they are and I have been screwed over from those people to many times to fully settle down." Cillian replied.

"And what makes Gabrijela different?" Leo asked, his face set serious.

Cillian glanced down at Gab, seeing the fear in her eyes and reached up to touch her face, "She is unlike any woman I've met. She has been nothing but real and truthful towards me the moment we met on set. She has such a big heart, her kindness shines so brightly in her eyes. She is mature, she knows her things, she is also playful and keeps me on my feet. We can talk for hours on end without boring each other...." He was smiling wide, the corners of his eyes crinkled, "I love her. And only her. I cannot see my life or future without her in it."

Gabrijela's heart swelled once more and it was like how she felt when she first fell in love with him. Warm, bright and happy. To be honest, she felt like that all day every day with him.

"What kind of future with her? Marriage?" Her father was the one who spoke.

Someone scoffed and Gab looked over and saw Carmen shaking her head a little.

"It is something we will discuss when we are both ready. But I can assure you, everyone here, I will not hurt her, I will not be unfaithful, I will care for her through and through. I know you are concerned about the age difference, but please, see past it. I love her. I really do love her and to have your blessing and understanding, it will mean so, so, so much. My parents had the same concern, and I understand it, but I am in no way here to use your daughter. Only spent every waking moment with her." Cillian ended it, looking directly at her parents and waiting for their reply.

Gab watched them too, their expression was unreadable.

"If what you say is true, then I give you my blessing. But know this, if you ever, ever hurt my little girl, you will regret it. I promise you that." Her father had a hard look but she could see he would let them be.

"Understood." Cillian nodded and looked at Gabrijela, squeezing her hand.

Gab needed to step away from the table and stood, "I'll um.. Clear the table." She said as she took plates and all that. Cillian automatically stood to help her, and after two or three rounds they stayed in the kitchen and was cleaning up the dishes.

"Gab? Are you okay?" Cillian asked as they stacked the dishes up in the dishwasher.

"I feel like... I don't know. I was... I was scared, Cillian. But fuck... You did so well. I-I thought you might've hated it-"

He took her hand once she shut the door to the machine, "I wasn't too fond of answering the questions but I did it so they could know who I am. If I plan to keep you forever, I gotta let them know who I am. I'm fine, my love. Really. It was intense, I must admit but... I think it went well." He pulled her close to his body, his arms loosely around her waist.

"You sure?" She whispered.

"Very. Now, let me kiss you. You look like you need one." Cillian smiled and leaned in and kissed her deeply.

Her hands slid up to his shoulders as she opened her mouth for him, losing herself into the passionate kiss.

Cillian loved kissing her like this, she tasted sweet from the lemon-lime and bitters she just drank, her fingers tightened in his hair as he heard a soft moan escape her.

"Wow, you two need a room!" Tatiana laughed as she came into the kitchen with Leah behind her who gave a light laugh.

The pair let go of each other and Gab blushed darkly, "Shut up."

"No! God, I wished Leo would kiss me like that. Fuck." Tatiana sighed with a shake of her head.

"Dom just gives me pecks." Leah pouted cutely.

"I can see you two share something special, and it's cute to see that." Tatiana smiled, watching how Cillian stuck close to Gab, "Despite what those oldies out there say, you two are good for each other."

Gabrijela smiled.

"I agree with Tati." Leah agreed.

"Thanks, girlies. I appreciate it a lot. Like, really. But I am glad Dad gave us his blessing. It makes things a little easier for me." Gab said.

"Just be who you are. Don't change yourself just because someone else doesn't like it." Tatiana told Gabrijela as she refilled her glass.

"Always. Thanks, Tatiana." Gab said and the two girls left them be.

"Ready to go back out?" Gab looked up at Cillian who watched her with love.

"Yeah. I am." He leaned down and kissed her deeply again.

"Damn you. You know I like that and that it turns me on." She hit his chest and he laughed.

"I have to put you in a good mood somehow." He nipped her bottom lip and she rolled her eyes and got Lucien back on to her shoulder.

"Bastard." She muttered and they headed back out.

The conversation was light around the table, Cillian was holding a steady conversation with Ante and it seemed they had similar bands they liked and were excitedly talking about it. Gab's brothers and cousins chimed into the conversation and it seemed they were liking him a lot, they were laughing and joking around. The air was looser and easy. The night wore on and Tatiana had gone to put her baby to sleep and when she came back it was time for Dom and Leah to head home to as well as her aunt and uncle and her cousins.

Everyone seemed to like Cillian a lot, he was extremely friendly and kind and had some time with the babies and kids. The younger ones loved him as he played with them and was just... Carefree. Cillian showed care and affection towards Gabrijela and made sure to make her laugh the whole night, he made sure she was okay when she was with the girls and he was with the boys and always looked over to see if she was holding up.

Gabrijela would cherish that moment when Cillian lifted up Luca, Leah's one-year-old son who was crying and fussing and had eased him into sleep in no time. He held the boy with such care in his arms as he rocked him before he handed him back to his parents. Cillian would be the most perfect father, she thought. She was glad she was keeping the baby.

She couldn't wait for it to be here.

Everyone said their farewells and her parents, Leo and Tatiana headed back to the balcony. They gathered on the outdoor lounge, Gabrijela watched as her father took Cillian aside and headed to the backyard along with her brother.

"I do hope they won't eat him alive." Gab murmured to Tatiana who laughed. Her mother was inside making tea.

"I'm sure they are doing manly things. Your father might show off the house." Tatiana mused.

"Maybe." Gab sighed and stroked her bird who was falling asleep in her lap. "I hope they will let him stay with me tonight. I don't think I could handle it being alone."

Tatiana giggled, "You got your bird to snuggle with."

"Not the same!" Gabrijela whined.

"Yeah true. Birds can't give you pleasure." She wiggled her eyebrows at her. "Now that we are alone, tell me how he is in bed."

She rolled her eyes but sighed with a smile, "He's very good. Nothing like anyone I've been with. He works me out to exhaustion." She blushed brightly.

"Really? I would think of it the other way around." Tatiana teased.

"Oh, sometimes it can happen but that is only if he lets me. Which is rare. He likes to take control." She mused.

"How often?" Tatiana continued, leaning forward. "Favourite position?"

"Tatiana! My god." Gab shook her head, "Jeez... Since his arrival its been every day, maybe twice a day. I like to uhm... I like to see his face. See the emotion." She whispered, getting all shy about it. "That's all you get." She grumbled.

"Damn. You two are like rabbits." She laughed softly before she settled down and watched her closely. Tatiana had been doing that all night.

"Now what is it?" Gab raised a brow.

"I just... I dunno. I see something in you." She said softly.

"Yeah? Like what?" She was confused as to what she was saying.

Tatiana came over and sat beside her, looking her up and down. Then placed her hand on the side of Gab's neck then grabbed her breasts and gaze them a good squeeze.

"Ow! That hurts like shit! What are you doing?" She battered her hands away.

"You're pregnant." She said without hesitation.

"What?! No! I am not. What the fuck..." She felt a spike of fear run through her and frowned.

"Don't lie. I can see it. You look heaps tired, you look more fuller and your tits are sensitive. I didn't even squeeze them that hard." Tatiana whispered.

Gab glanced away, her bird was nibbling on her fingers gently.

"You know you can trust me with this. I'm here for you. Does he know?" Tatiana touched her shoulder.

"He does." Her smile was soft, "He's over the moon about it. We've already talked about how he will support me when he isn't here."

"Like?" Tatiana saw the glow in her sister-in-law's eyes, she was truly happy. Unafraid.

"He'll send me money to help with any doctor fees. Weekly. I'm not far along but I will guess November it'll be due. When I get a better number, Cillian will make sure to fly over here to be here."

Tatiana smiled wide, "You really did find someone special, huh?"

Gab looked at her, "Yeah. I did. I... There are no words to explain my love for him, Tatiana."

"Don't need to. I can see it. So, when do you think you'll tell mum and dad?"

"Probably next week after we come back from our camping trip. I want him here with me when we spill it. I don't fucking know how that's gonna go." She placed her hand on her tummy, "I won't give it up. No matter what."

"I'll help you to. Leah will too." Tatiana said and took her hand gently.

"Thanks. I'll need it." She laughed and heard voices. She looked over and saw her mother bring out a tray of two teas and her father discussing with Cillian about his work and some building thing he was doing. Leo came out and sat with Tatiana, "I think it's time to head to bed." He yawned.

"Aw, baby." Tatiana laughed, "Yeah. I'm tuckered out. I'll see you in the morning." The pair left after they said their goodnight.

Her mother smiled, "We had a good chat with him." She said.

"Yeah?" Gab sipped her tea slowly.

She sighed, "I will always worry for you. Always. I love you. And if you are happy with him, then I will be happy to. Your father is the same."

Gabrijela smiled. That was all that she wanted to hear, "Thank you, Mama. I am very happy." She hugged her.

"Good. Well, I am going to bed. I will see you in the morning." She stood.

"Mama?"

"Yes, darling?" She turned to her.

"You okay with him... Sharing a bed with me?" Gabrijela asked softly.

Her mother seemed to remember it and pursed her lips, "He is your boyfriend... I guess there is no harm with that."

Gabbie grinned, "Thanks, Mama. Goodnight." Her father came out and said goodnight to and then it was just her and Cillian on the couch.

"God, what a night," Gab said as she set her empty cup down.

"Yeah." Cillian smiled. Gab laid back, her head in his lap.

"I'm glad it went fine. Did you like the food?" She asked.

"Oh yeah. It tasted really good." He nodded.

Gab smiled and fell silent, staring at the clear sky. "Tatiana knows." She finally said.

"Know what?" Cillian was stroking her pretty hair which fanned out on his lap.

"That I am pregnant." She laughed at his widened eyes. "No. I didn't tell her. She just knew by squeezing my tits."

"Oh." He laughed lightly. "How'd she take it?"

"Said she was happy and would support me. She wasn't mad."

"That's good. That's one family member down."

They both laughed at that and Gabrijela yawned, "I think we should head to bed. I need to get a good sleep tonight since I have work tomorrow and a long drive ahead."

"Good plan." He finished his tea and went down to grab his stuff from the car when Gabrijela went to her bedroom to take a shower and dress. While she locked up the house he took a shower as well and stayed in his CK's and slid into bed, waiting for her.

She came in and shut the door, covered her bird and slipped into bed beside him. He was on his back and she snuggled close, her head on his chest. "Where were you when my dad and brother took you out?"

"Ah. He um, wanted to talk to me about something. Nothing serious. Just some advice." He ran his fingers down her arm then back up.

"Right. It was some advice, took you so long to come back." She giggled.

"Yeah. But it was alright." Cillian turned his head and kissed her forehead, "I love you."

"I love you too, Cillian Murphy. Goodnight." She whispered and let his soft touches let her drift to sleep.

Cillian watched her fall asleep before he followed her to, their heads close and his nose brushing her forehead, his fingers laced in hers atop his stomach.

[talatomaz]

past memories | criminal minds x fem!reader

a/n: i’ve been rewatching criminal minds and i forgot how much i love jj and elle and it inspired me to write a fic about the show. (also, I wrote this in like half an hour and didn’t spell check)

warnings: references to assault

word count: 2.5k

masterlist | request list | request rules

reader finds that she has to go back to her home town to face a familiar unsub and memories that she had had locked away for a long time resurface

i do not give you permission to repost or translate my fics on any platform - likes/reblogs are okay and are much appreciated

“Sorry your date was a bust, baby girl.”

You moved your head to face the large man, aptly named ‘Chocolate Thunder’, who was leaning against your desk.

“It’s alright. He was a dud anyway.”

You felt bad lying but the truth was, you didn’t even turn up to the date. You convinced yourself not to go believing that he would end up becoming like every guy you had ever met.

Well, not every guy.

The men on your team were the best. They were your family. They had never hurt you.

Though the same couldn’t be said for-

“Guys, briefing room.” JJ ordered, dropping case files on all of your desks.

You all got up and made your way to where Hotch and Rossi were waiting before JJ grabbed your arm, stopping you from joining the rest of the team.

“What’s wrong, J?” You looked at her eyes which seemed to display...apprehension?

“This case is based in Litchfield.”

You sucked in a breath, instantly understanding her wariness.

You were going back to your home town.

With as much confidence and stability you were able to muster, you replied a simple “okay” before walking into the briefing room.

“There’s a serial killer murdering women in Litchfield, San Francisco,” the team turned to look at you but you kept your eyes on JJ, waiting for her to finish.

But nothing could have prepared you for what she was about to say.

“He appears to drug his victims with ketamine and then rapes them before strangling them with a chain of some kind. So far he’s killed Janet Grundy, Natasha May and Trudy Cunningham.”

You stilled as JJ described the case, your throat moving behind the turtleneck you wore as your mind flashed back to 6 years ago...

You were laying on the cold floor, shivering.

It was dark. Too dark.

You blinked your eyes, as if expecting some light to appear. You tried to move your body, a sob crawling up your throat when you realised you couldn’t move.

His laughs ringing in your ears as you heard him yell your name, taunting you. Y/N. Y/N.

“Y/N.”

You blinked as reality came rushing back. You were still sat in the briefing room with your team whose eyes were now all focused on you.

You squirmed slightly under their strong gazes before ignoring them and looking at the person who called your name.

“What?”

“JJ said that there was a string of similar murders 6 years ago and Morgan said it might be a copycat.”

You continued staring at Prentiss before moving to look at Morgan.

“It’s not a copycat. It’s the same guy.”

“How do you know?” SSA Hotch asked.

“Because,” You drew in a deep breath to calm your nerves,

“The unsub’s my brother.”

***

The team were all shocked to learn that you could be related to such a monster. They had wanted you to explain further and answer all their questions but JJ said that you all had to get going as SFPD were expecting you.

You picked up your bag and joined the rest of the team on the jet. When the jet took off and you all settled in, the team looked at you expectedly, needing you to explain the bombshell you had dropped a few moments before.

“How could you have a serial killer for an older brother? You’re so...normal.” Prentiss said, still in shock.

“Statistically, you’re twice as likely to be a serial killer if you’re the middle or eldest child than if you were an only child or youngest child. Interestingly, 29% of siblings don’t even-”

“Reid.” Hotch stopped Spencer from spouting the numerous statistics he had in that brain of his. “Go on, y/n.”

“What really is there to explain? My brother’s a serial killer who rapes women. End of story.” You said, feeling uncomfortable revealing any more than you had to. Even to those you called your family.

“How do you even know your brother’s the unsub?” JJ asked.

“It was him 6 years ago. Makes sense that it’s him 6 years later.”

“But why the cooling off period? It’s a long time to wait. What triggered him to start his spree again?” Morgan asked.

“My father died a few weeks ago.” You looked at the team who still seemed confused.

“6 years ago, my father somehow found out what Daniel was doing. One night, I overheard him yelling at Daniel, telling him that he had to stop. My father said that he’d get rid of all the evidence and stop him from going to prison on the condition that Daniel stopped what he was doing.”

“If you overheard, why didn’t you go to the police?” Rossi asked, speaking up for the first time.

“My father was the police.”

***

As soon as you had landed, Hotch had told Morgan and Prentiss to search your childhood home for any proof of the murders.

They managed to catch a break by finding the necklace used to kill the victims and the SFPD analyst partially matched your DNA to the DNA on the clasp and concluded that it had to have come from your brother.

Hotch then called for Daniel’s arrest who was being brought in by SFPD whilst you, Reid and JJ went to visit the victims’ families.

“Why the chain?” Reid asked, as he, you and JJ walked back into the police station.

“It was my mother’s necklace. She died when I was 15. Car accident.”

“I’m sorry.” JJ said, placing a supporting hand on your shoulder.

“I think that’s what triggered Daniel to start killing in the first place.” You shrugged and then froze when you saw the former sat in handcuffs, his mouth curved in a grinch-like smile.

“Y/N, long time, no see.”

Bile burned your throat as tears of anger threatened to spill from your eyes.

“Get him out of here.” JJ instructed the two patrol officers who picked him up and took him to the interrogation room. “You okay, y/n?”

Your mind flashed again to that night...

Your hands grabbed at the chain, trying your best to pull it from your neck so you could breathe.

“What are you doing?” “What do you think?”

“Not her. She’s my sister. My Dad would find out.”

The chain suddenly relented and your body collapsed on the floor as you coughed, trying to gather as much oxygen in your lungs as humanely possible.

You flinched when JJ placed her hand on your arm. Then you frowned as you replayed the memory in your head.

Wait. Someone else was there?

Your brows furrowed as you tried to figure out who that familiar voice belonged to.

“Y/N, you coming?”

Prentiss asked, looking over her shoulder at you and JJ. You nodded and followed after her to the interrogation room where the rest of the team were.

You stood behind the glass, watching Daniel stare directly at the glass as if knowing you were right there. He glanced over at Morgan when he entered the room before returning his gaze to the glass.

You watched as Morgan interrogated him, asking him for his alibi for each of the murders, then as Morgan showed him photos of each of the victims.

But Daniel relinquished nothing.

He just sat listening to the agent before him which made you want to slap the grin off his face. Then you froze when he began to speak.

“I only want to speak to y/n.”

Morgan looked behind him at the glass as everyone else stared at you.

You removed your gun from your holster and despite the objections from Rossi and Hotch, you walked into the interrogation room.

“Y/N-”

“I’m fine, Morgan. You want to speak to me, so speak.”

“What, no hug? It‘s been six years. How’ve you been, sis?” He added when you didn’t respond.

“Daniel, the murders, alibi, now.”

“Jeez so rude, would have thought we trained that out of you.” You swallowed hardly.

“You raped and killed these women, Daniel. They had lives. Family. Friends. And you murdered them.”

“Did I though?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re the smart one. You figure it out.”

Morgan looked at you as you did the same.

“Your DNA matches the DNA we found on the necklace. We know it was you. We know you drugged these women. Dragged them to a dark place where you raped them then strangled them with Mum’s necklace.”

Morgan looked at you when you described the place as “dark”.

That wasn’t something the team had known.

“Of course you’d know. Why wouldn’t you? And it was my mother’s necklace, obviously my DNA would be on it. Also, who said that I raped those women?“

Something flickered in his eyes that you couldn’t distinguish.

“You? Besides, whose to say I was the one who strangled those women?”

Your eyes widened as you caught his meaning.

“Morgan. Out. Now.”

“Y/N-” “Now!”

He got up from his chair and left.

“I’m surprised you made something of yourself. Would’ve thought you were still the same scared little kid you were all those years ago.”

“Listen here, you sick son of a bitch-”

You were cut off when the door burst open and you were ordered out of the room by Hotch leaving Daniel smirking to himself.

“What the Hell, Hotch!”

“Another girl’s been taken. Gracie Montana.”

“What? But Daniel’s-”

You stopped as you heard his voice again. You followed the sound leading you to the bullpen where the detectives were sat watching the TV which featured him.

Realisation hit you like a truck.

Trey Foster. Daniel’s best friend.

“Why is he on the news?”

“Foster? Oh, he’s the defense attorney.”

A policeman replied. Your eyes widened again as you ran past your team and back into the interrogation room.

“Where the fuck is she, Daniel?”

“Where is who?” Daniel replied smugly.

“Gracie Montana. Location. Now.”

He laughed.

“Do you think this is fucking funny?!”

“Oh definitely. You know exactly where she is. She’s in the same place where you were.”

Your back straightened as you stared at the man you once called your brother.

“Oh right, you wouldn’t know, would you? It was too dark.”

Your jaw clenched as did your fists, willing yourself not to punch him.

“It’s funny, you think you’d remember it considering you spent half your childhood there.”

You counted to ten in your mind and as calmly as you could, you replied, “Thanks, Daniel.”

“For what?” He said, genuinely surprised.

“You just told me where to find Gracie Montana.”

You responded, smirking as his mouth dropped, realising what he had just done. You walked out the interrogation room, ignoring Daniel’s yells, and went over to the rest of the team.

“Y/N-”

You cut off JJ, “She’s at 12 Brock House, it’s a few blocks from here.”

Looking down at your watch, then back up to the team, “I’ll explain later but right now, Gracie’s got 10 minutes before her ketamine wears off and Trey Foster rapes her. Let’s go.”

***

“Step away from the woman!”

Prentiss ordered as you all watched Trey Foster turn around to face you, Gracie covering him. Your stomach twisted as the latter looked at you and grinned.

“My, my, my. If it isn’t little Y/N Carter.”

His eyes glanced down at your turtleneck,

“Hiding your pretty little scar, I see. You really were the best, none of these girls did compare to you. Such a shame Danny stopped me from killing you.”

The rest of the team looked at you in horror as they came to the realisation that you were one of Daniel’s victims. They all had their suspicions but never thought they could be true.

“Foster, back away and put your hands up.”

He stunned you by bringing a gun from behind him, aiming straight at Gracie’s head.

“Or what?”

“You said you wanted to kill me, so take me and leave Gracie. That’s the only way you’re leaving here alive.”

You saw him contemplate it before ordering you to drop your gun and willingly walk over to him and take the crying girl’s place.

The split second between when his hold on Gracie relinquished and when he would get his hands on you is when you decided to kick your knee into his groin.

Before the shriek of pain could fall from his lips, you pushed the palm of your hand upwards, breaking his nose and grabbed the gun out of his hand and aimed it at his head.

“Trey Foster, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

Morgan continued to rattle off his Miranda rights as he cuffed him and dragged him outside whilst Reid and Hotch helped Gracie to the ambulance.

You looked around you and shivered as your past memories flashed in your mind. Then you ran out the door, to the side of the house, where there was some privacy and let the tears fall.

You felt someone come up beside you, pulling you into their arms.

“It’s all my fault, JJ.”

She rocked you gently, “No, it’s not.”

“It is. I should have said something 6 years ago. Then all those women would have been alive. I was so scared.”

Your tears were flowing now but JJ didn’t say anything, she just held you.

“I was walking home from school when-when I was taken. And then I woke up and my head hurt-it was so dark, so dark. I couldn’t see.”

You swallowed a sob, “And then it hurt, all over. Then I couldn’t breathe. I tried to fight but-but I couldn’t move.”

JJ’s heart broke as you finally explained what had happened to you when you were a kid. She wanted to kill Trey and Daniel for what they did to you, your father too.

“Then I heard Danny. I thought I was okay. But I wasn’t. Then my Dad found out, and he protected him. And now three more women are dead. Because of me.”

JJ pulled you from her arms and placed her hands on your cheeks, forcing you to look up at her.

“You listen to me, Y/N Carter. It is not your fault. You were 16 and you survived. Not just physically, but emotionally too. You left your home and built yourself an amazing career and formed a family of your own. You’re my sister and I love you with all my heart but if you dare say it’s your fault one more time, I’m going to slap you silly.”

JJ’s blue eyes matched the ferocity in her voice. You opened your mouth then closed it when JJ’s eyes narrowed.

After her outburst, JJ brought her arms back around you and after a few beats of silence, you spoke.

“You’re wrong. This was never my home. My home is with the BAU.”

[demonsofhunting]

All My Sins - Chapter 7

Pairing: priest!Cas x demon!Dean

Summary: Castiel can't avoid the truth any longer. Dean did bad things. It's likely that he will continue to do so. But should the priest betray the love of his life? Won't it break him, eventually?

Warnings: soooo much angst, feelings, descriptions of violence

Words: about 1600

A/N: Welcome to chapter 7! <3 I still can't believe that I made it this far! Seriously, for you this might not be much, but for me it's like the longest thing I've ever wrote. Even though I still struggle sometimes ( well, who doesn't? XD ). But your comments and reblogs motivate me so much! Keep going, guys! You're awesome! Thank you soooo much! *hugs literally everyone who walks by*

I hope you'll like this chapter! Enjoy! <3

Catch up here ( Masterlist ) :D

"Mr. Novak? Are you sure that you're alright?" The voice rings in Castiel's ears, brutally. He buries his face in his hands, nodding. His head hurts like hell. I have no idea what I'm doing right now... "I'm fine. It's just...the last day was pretty exhausting for me," he rasps, looking up again, and his broken gaze meets the policeman's. The nice guy drove him here, after Cas' little...break down. Actually, the priest was unconscious for roughly five heartbeats...he woke up laying on the ground, the policeman shouting in his face, worried. Well, that was more than just a little awkward. Now, they're at the police station, sitting in a separate room in 'which they can talk without being interrupted'. The room is bright and friendly, there's a large bookshelf in one corner. The windows are big with blue curtains, the desk between the priest and the policeman is pale and made of wood. Cas wraps the blanket, that a kind woman, who works here, gave to him, tighter around his shoulders. He blinks, trying to make the headache fade. It doesn't work. "I want to know what happened to Dean. Please," he says, trying to hold eye contact to the person in front of him. The other nods. It's the first time that Cas notices the name on the folder that lies in front of the policeman on the wooden surface. Mr. Jones. What an average name. "Well," Jones begins, swallowing. Cas raises his chin. "Please. Go ahead," he says, firmly. "Okay. There was a massacre going on yesterday night. It happened in the town next to this one. There were about ten people involved. Three of them died, their bodies were found at the bar where the slaughtering took place. Four were injured - to be exact, three of them are on the verge of death right now - , and the rest of the  people, who were involved, managed to flee. We assume that they were the ones, who started to attack the others as a group. But due to some eye witnesses this didn't seem to be the case. A woman said that she was in the bar's restrooms as hell broke lose. She took a look outside, and claimed that she saw only one man, who attacked the barkeeper, randomly, while the other guests tried to stop him. Maybe, the majority of the people, that are still missing, could manage to get away from the murderer, who must be still out there. What leads us to the difficult part of the story...I'm sorry to tell you - " "No." "Excuse me?" "No," Castiel repeates, shaking. His heart is racing, and his head feels like it's about to explode. This is too much, too much, too much... Jones' gaze softens, and Cas can tell with one look that the policeman feels bad for him. Really bad. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Novak. But we found some pretty clear evidence at the crime scene. We found DNA that matches the one of a man named Dean Winchester. Someone who already has some history with crime. I went through his files, and I have to admit that he looks like he would be definitely capable of doing something like that." Cas shakes his head, rapidly. "No...this can't be..." But there's a tiny, bad whisper in the back of his head, telling him things... Of course, it can. Where do you think the body in his living room came from? Maybe he killed the woman at first, and after that, he felt like going on a little murder spree would be a fun thing to do. Jones sighs. "Again, I'm sorry. But you need to cooperate with us, please. We know that you are a friend of his - or were. When was the last time you saw him? We need to know everything." The priest bites his lip, nervously. If they find out about the body that I buried, they won't let me go...I need to be careful. Come on, Novak! You need to stay strong! Castiel swallows, then he says: "The last time I saw him was yesterday. We...we went out for a walk together. We're both really interested in nature, you know? We love to challenge ourselves with hiking paths in the woods near town. It's fun. After that, I drove him back to his house, then I made my way home." Good, good. I'm gonna make it... Jones nods, writing something down. His brown eyes are meeting the other's again as he asks: "That was the last time you saw him?" "Yes," Cas confirmes, confidently. "Okay...did he act strange when you were hiking? Did he say anything - or did something - that was suspicious in any way?" The priest shakes his head, shrugging. "No. It didn't notice anything. He wasn't...different. Just himself. Kind, funny. Easy - going." "What about the last couple of months? Anything?" "No, nothing. Nothing that I noticed as strange." Jones hums, quietly. He tilts his head, thoughtfully. "We're almost done. I just need to ask you one more thing: Where do you think he could be right now? Any suggestions? He isn't at home, we already checked on that." Castiel pretends to actually think about it, then he answers: "I don't know. Obviously, we weren't as close as I thought we would be. In fact, I don't know much about him besides his name and his address. Maybe you should search for his car. I think he drives an impala. I can give you his licence plate...at least the parts that I remember." I need to get out of here. I need to contact Dean. I need to warn him. I need to - "Thank you," Jones nods, "It would be great if you could do that. It helps a lot." After Cas wrote the numbers and letters, that he remembered, down on a small note, he hands it to the policeman, and asks, carefully: "Is there a big search going on?" Jones raises an eyebrow in disbelief. "It is," he says, lightly surprised, "If there's a psycho killer running around, we have to stop him. The search for him everywhere in the whole country. He might be still dangerous. It will be all over the news within the next days. We'll get him, I'm positive. I feel very sorry for you. Sometimes, our friends are our worst enemies."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's around ten o'clock in the morning as the policeman's car reaches Castiel's home once again. The priest thanks him, and steps out. He watches the car as it disappears into the foggy morning, thoughtfully. Dean...what did you do...? And...and...why? Suddenly, he can't hold back the tears any longer. He cries out loud, his fists balled, painfully. He looks up to the sky, hopelessly. "Why are you doing this to me?!" he screams, and repeats the words until his lungs feel like they're burning, "Why?! All I did was following my heart! Isn't that what humans are supposed to to?!" And with these words, he storms into the house, runs up the stairs until he reaches his apartment, steps in, and closes the door behind him. He leans against it, closing his eyes. Slowly, he begins to believe what the policeman told him. He need to say it, needs to feel the words on his tongue. "Dean is a murderer," he whispers, and it feels like he's drowning. Sharp knives are stabbing into his heart. Again. And again. And - "Dean is a murderer," he repeats, crying, "He...he is a murderer, he - fuck!" Cas sits down, slowly. He shakes his head. "And I still love him...I love him so much...I need him," he mutters, sobbing, "I need to find him, we...we can get through this, we...I bet he had a reason to commit these crimes, probably, he - " He doesn't even know. He punches against the wall, his fist is hitting the firm surface with a loud bang. The pain that pulses through his arm at this moment is nothing compared to the agony in his heart. With shaking hands he pulls out his phone, and tries to call Dean. It rings, but his boyfriend doesn't answer. In this moment there is so much pain, anger and desperation inside him, that suddenly, all Cas manages to do is chuckle. He doesn't even know why, it just comes out of his throat. It sounds wrong, strange, and everything but good. He doesn't like it. But it feels like it awakens something inside of him. A determination, and that's something he can work with. Finally. He blinks the tears away, and gets to his feet. The priest just realised something. The police will probably question me again. It's very likely, that - sooner or later - they'll think that I have something to do with the massacre. I need to find Dean, no matter what. I need to warn him. And I need to do that before they catch him...if they're faster than me, we will be damned. Castiel wipes over his face with a tired gesture. The irony of his thought makes him shiver. "Well, maybe I should say: 'We will be more damned than we already are'", he mutters.

( A/N: CHAPTER EIGHT <3  )

Thank you so much for reading and if you would like to leave a comment or reblog this shit, I will love you forever! <3

Destiel/Forever Tags: @adoptdontshoppets @rebeloftheseas @ablavalba @smodernlife @ignis-glaciesque @certaindeanwinchesterforcastiel @xsghn @trenchcoatsandfreckles @helpmeluci @legendary-destiel @leahslovelylibrary

"All My Sins" Tags: @emodestielshipper @emumag @waywardtricksterangel @didntwanderstillgotlost @angel-e-v-a @burnigontheceiling

Taglists are open!

[stories-in-the-stars]

The Fallen and the Wandering

Happy Thanksgiving to those that celebrate!

Be sure to check reblogs for links to Ao3!

~*~

Chapter 5

“Everybody get down!” Keith shouted over the renewed panic.

No sooner had he yelled that than a terrifying explosion was heard far too close, screams following shortly behind it. Everything rattled and threatened to fall apart, prompting everyone to take cover under their desks. There was no doubt in Keith’s mind as to what was happening, but what baffled him was why. Certainly after all this time Terrell hadn’t only just realized that with such power at her command she could bring the entire building worth of people to their knees without breaking a sweat? But then, if she cared about that, why hadn’t she done it before? Was she more careful than her wildfire spree indicated? Or was she just flat out an agent of chaos, whimsical and unpredictable and determined to do what she wanted, when she wanted?

Keith couldn’t even begin to answer those questions whirling in his head, not if he stayed ducked under a desk.

When the explosion went off, everyone had turned off their flashlights and swept away as many stars as they could out of sight, and everything was now deathly quiet. Keith kept low as emerged from under his desk. Squinting through the darkness, he could almost see everything in the office, if only vague forms that he was certain he was just recalling from memory. Careful but quick, Keith weaved through the desks and people towards the chaos outside the office. He opened the door without a sound, and peered into the darkened halls--if it was Terrell (and Keith was certain it was), then it seemed she had thought to take out the emergency power as well. Not a single light was shining as far as Keith could see.

Closing the door behind him, Keith ghosted down the hallway towards the sound of the chaos. All Bureau employees had some level of self-defense training, particularly field workers, but nothing could possibly prepare them for an invasion of their headquarters. It was unheard of! Certainly, in the past attempts had been made, but never before had such intrusions been successful.

Several times people nearly ran into Keith as they stumbled away from the chaos. As Keith weaved seamlessly through the darkness, following the shouting and occasional snap of an arc of electricity, he realized that the chaos was centered around the searcher’s department. He doubled his pace, now running without thought that he might trip over something. Why Terrell and her snatchers would target the searcher’s department rather than the analysts’ (where all the stars were kept) was a mystery to Keith, but given how effectively the building had been disabled, he was reluctant to say that it was a mistake on her part.

It was only a distant thought. Suddenly he couldn’t care less about why Terrell was here or what her real goal was. The only thing on his mind was that Shiro was in the searcher’s department, where a criminal with power over lightning was doing who knew what. He trusted Shiro to take care of himself (most of the time), but this was beyond either of them. Keith only hoped that Shiro hadn’t done anything too reckless by the time he got there (as if he was one to talk).

He could only barely see it, but the main hall had a swath cut right down the middle of it, a veritable path of destruction leading right to the searcher’s department. Keith hurried to follow it, very nearly tripping over someone much shorter than him. The person managed to run right into Keith, however, with such force that they both fell to the ground.

“Hey! Watch it!”

“Pidge?!” Keith asked, suddenly picking out Pidge’s distinct features through the darkness, her eyes glinting furiously.

“Keith! What’s going on?!” she demanded.

Keith hauled her to her feet, continuing on his way towards the searcher’s department, where things had become mysteriously (dangerously) quiet. Pidge followed without hesitation, and Keith didn’t try to stop her. He had a feeling she wouldn’t listen if he told her to turn back anyways.

“Remember that snatcher that Lance and I ran into a while back?” Keith whispered.

“Why would she want to break in?” Pidge asked.

“No idea, but she’s dangerous and so far unpredictable,” Keith said as they approached what should’ve been the door to the searcher’s department, but was now a gaping hole in the wall.

Keith dragged Pidge to cover as though she were a ragdoll, to which she protested with a string of whispers that sounded like the hiss of a gas leak, threatening catastrophe at any moment. From where they hid, they peered into the department, where several people were roaming around with flashlights. Were it not for the people frozen with dread, Keith might’ve thought that the danger was passed. But every once in a while, one of the people with a flashlight would haul a Bureau worker towards the middle of the room, where a stationary figure would regard them carefully, and then slowly shake their head, upon which the worker would be shoved away, allowed to cower behind a desk once more.

Keith relayed what was happening to Pidge, who couldn’t see much of anything that wasn’t directly illuminated by a flashlight.

“Why isn’t anyone doing anything?” she asked.

“Because Terrell can control lightning,” Keith told her, trying to formulate a plan.

“What?!”

Keith shushed her, hoping no one heard. If they could maintain the element of surprise, they might just be able to pull something off. He wasn’t sure just what yet, but something.

He had been deliberating quietly with Pidge when, naturally, something happened that threw all of their half-constructed plans out the window. In the beam of a flashlight, Keith spotted Shiro, crouching in front of several other workers and looking as though he too was searching for a way out of this situation. One of Terrell’s snatchers gestured to him, and Shiro slowly stood. Despite Shiro’s cooperation, the snatcher still thought fit to grab his arm and force him towards Terrell. Keith didn’t know he’d been gripping Pidge’s shoulder far too tightly until she complained about it.

He muttered a quick apology, eyes still trained on Shiro, who Terrell was now appraising Shiro a though he were some sort of valuable object. At the very least, it looked to Keith as though she didn’t intend to turn him away as immediately as she had the others, and regardless of what was actually happening, Keith didn’t like what he saw one bit.

He was already moving past Pidge, halfway through the room and ready to tackle Terrell as she said, “Not quite what I was looking for, but very interesting, to say the least--”

Several things happened then, all in very rapid succession. Shiro wrenched his arm from the snatcher behind him, and neatly elbowed them in the face so hard that they stumbled backwards onto the ground. Terrell reacted just as quickly, electricity sparking to life in the palms of her hands as Shiro made to attack her as well. Keith, as yet unnoticed, came in low and tackled Terrell, slamming her into the ground with such force that he could hear the air whooshing out of her lungs. The lightning in her hands flew out haphazardly, striking the ceiling and raining debris on the onlookers. Around him, her lackeys closed in quickly, only to be held back by the Bureau workers who’d been waiting for the right opportunity. With Terrell neutralized, they had nothing to fear from the snatchers.

She didn’t stay down for long.

“Well,” she coughed. “This explains some things.”

And before Keith could even try to get her to explain what in the world she meant, she twisted a wrist out of his grip and slammed her open palm into his chest, the force of electricity sending him flying. He curled in on himself where he landed, everything feeling tight and loose at the same time and incredibly, uncomfortably twitchy. As he pushed himself up as quickly as he could, he saw Terrell already standing and assessing the situation, arcs of lightning jumping dangerously between her hands. Before she could do anything with it, she was tackled once again, this time by Pidge.

“Another one?!” Terrell roared as she tried to fight off Pidge.

But Pidge, for all that she was small in stature, was quick and agile. It was difficult even for Terrell and her literal lightning reflexes to pin her down. Everyone took cover as Terrell missed Pidge again and again, sending bolts of lightning jumping throughout the room without thought or care for whatever, or whoever, might be in the way. Several times Keith saw Terrell’s own people get struck by her lightning. Pidge didn’t hit very hard, but her hits were precise and frequent. Keith thought, as he watched Terrell get pushed back, that Pidge might be able to take her down.

Terrell, it seemed, lost her patience with the tussle. Keith realized what she was going to do a moment before it happened, and darted towards Pidge to try and get her out of the way. Terrell’s hands glowed white hot, and the last thing Keith saw as he reached to grab Pidge was her clapping her hands together, transforming the inky dark to a blinding white light. The only thing that remained that Keith could see was stark shadows, cast by the overwhelming brightness, a light that held no warmth.

There was no sound, save for a distant ringing. All Keith knew was that Pidge was in his arms, and they were far too close to the lightning for safety. All he could think was that if they were in those shadows—the shadows meant cover, safety. If he could just get them there within the next fraction of a second—

Then, all of Keith’s senses exploded. Something heavy and hard hit his back, while he and Pidge tumbled forward aimlessly. An incoherent roaring replaced the ringing, drowning out even the sound of his own voice. Keith couldn’t even tell whether his eyes were closed or not, so bright was the lightning.

Just as suddenly as it all started, it stopped, and everything was dark once more. Keith’s hearing returned to him slowly, as he and Pidge helped each other to their feet. At first, all he heard were alarmed murmurs, nearly drowned out by insistent ringing. His vision was spotty, rusty reds and dusty blues dotting the blackness. He thought he heard Shiro nearby, and he looked around to find him, to see if he was okay.

After a moment of fumbling, the emergency lights flickered to life. A gaping hole, crumbling and smoldering, was left in the ceiling, allowing the cold to rush in. Terrell, and all of her snatchers, were nowhere to be found.

“Keith, Pidge,” Shiro coughed, ambling over to them. “Are you two alright?”

“Yeah—“ Pidge replied. “I—how did we manage to get all the way over here?”

Looking down around him, Keith realized they were far from the center of the room, where he had been certain Terrell and Pidge had been fighting. It had definitely been his aim to get as far away from Terrell as possible before her lightning struck, but to have gotten this far…

“We must’ve gotten thrown by the force of the impact,” Keith decided.

“Yeah…” Pidge slowly agreed, sounding a little dazed.

“Come on, you guys should sit down,” Shiro urged.

“What about you? Are you alright? What did she even want with you?” Keith asked, all in a single breath.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Shiro assured him. “As for what she wanted with me, I’m not so sure myself. It sounded like she was looking for something, or someone… Either way, I’m thinking she’s a lot more dangerous than we initially thought, especially since she’s made it crystal clear that she can, almost single-handedly, bring us to our knees whenever she wants.”

“That’s definitely not what this was about though,” Pidge said.

Shiro shook his head. “No, but until we know her actual motives, that’s probably what the public will perceive.”

Work in the Bureau screeched to a standstill as everyone tried to regain some sense of order amongst all the debris. Keith, for all that Shiro told him to take it easy, immediately went back to the analysts’ office to make sure everyone was alright. Hunk had managed to keep everyone reasonably calm, even, as Keith learned, when a few stray searchers invaded and made wild grabs for stars. All the stars had been secured beforehand, so there was very little for the searchers to do except turn tail and run when they found themselves horribly outnumbered. Even so, Hunk had set everyone to verifying that all stars, were accounted for. It was tedious, what with the hundreds of stars they had in storage, but no one dared to question Hunk’s tone.

“What happened?” Hunk asked as soon as he’d finished telling Keith everything that had happened in the analyst’s department, counting stars with startling efficiency while he listened to Keith.

Keith told him all about Terrell’s seemingly pointless invasion, how she seemed to be looking for something, but took an interest in Shiro, never quite elaborating on why. He also mentioned what she’d said towards himself and Pidge, and how it completely baffled him.

“Huh, that’s weird,” Hunk commented, sliding a fully counted drawer of stars to the stars and dumping out another one to count. “No offense, but what makes you guys so special?”

“You’re asking the wrong guy,” Keith sighed. “If I could just get my hands on her and shake the answers out of her—“

“Maybe don’t do that,” Hunk suggested.

“I know, I know. But I just—we know she’s after the sun, right? But it also looks like she’s after something else, because we definitely don’t have the sun, so what in the world was she doing here?”

Hunk hummed. “You don’t think someone here at the Bureau has it, do you?”

“Maybe,” Keith said. It was certainly in line with his own brand of cynical thinking. “If she had someone on the inside of the Bureau, it might explain why she’s never been caught.”

“Maybe you should tell someone in the keeper’s department?” Hunk suggested.

“I don’t know, there’s a chance that her insider, if there is one, is more likely a keeper,” Keith replied.

“Then why was she in the searcher’s department?”

Again, Keith had no idea. When he returned to the searcher’s department, he insisted that Shiro give him something to do to help quiet the swirling storm of thoughts in his head. It came as no surprise that Keith was assigned to help sweep up debris, as that was the biggest concern. Even outside the searcher’s department, the chill had seeped into all the corners of the Bureau building. Keith didn’t mind, but everyone around him complained loudly of it. Normally people whining about the cold, when it was the norm, would annoy Keith to no end, but at present he was far too busy going in circles in his mind.

Terrell might have an insider who knew about the sun. But that was a very abstract possibility. But then, why would she have come to the Bureau now, of all times? Unless her lightning powers were new? That would certainly explain her unpredictable behavior, and the fact that she’d only come to make herself known lately, but she also had a measure of control over her power that suggested it wasn’t entirely new to her. Was this something that had been a long time coming then?

By the end of the day, which lasted longer than most given the mayhem, the head supervisor of the searcher’s department informed them that they would still be expected to report to work as usual the next day, in spite of the extra time they’d put in today. It was of utmost importance that they recover from this sooner rather than later, after all. Most of the grumbling was allayed as soon as it was promised they would be paid overtime.

Keith trudged home with a worse headache than he’d gone to work with. His eyes ached horribly, and his back felt bruised from the debris that had hit him earlier, the pain making itself known now that the adrenaline had faded and left him feeling drained and exhausted. He only wished that his mind would grant him at least a few moments of peace.

Idly he pulled out his allotted wish as he slumped onto his couch. He knew there was no use in simply wishing for the answers, or even to be able to stop thinking about everything for just a few moments—wishes didn’t work like that. If only. He set the flask gingerly down on the coffee table. Sometimes he thought about giving it back to the Bureau, feeling it might be better off being put back in the sky. Keith was of the opinion that wishes should only be used for things that were beyond his control. Too often, however, things out of his control were also out of the control of wishes as well. In Keith’s mind, it defeated the purpose of being able to make wishes at all. Certainly he was more impatient than most, but a wish was such a valuable thing—not something he wanted to squander on something that he could, sooner or later, achieve on his own.

Keith was just about to try to lie down and attempt sleep (which would likely result in him tossing and turning for hours while his mind stubbornly wrangled those insistent questions) when someone started pounding insistently at his door. Keith eyed the door suspiciously. Shiro would’ve walked right in, and anyone else would’ve told him they were coming which… Not very many people visited Keith in the first place.

Immediately, Keith was suspicious.

He approached the door without a sound, and peered cautiously through the peephole. He practically gasped aloud and scrambled to open the door when he saw who it was.

“Keith!” Lance gasped breathlessly. “I heard what happened at the Bureau, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I—what are you doing here?” Keith asked incredulously.

Lance frowned. “I just said.”

“You could’ve texted me,” Keith pointed out.

“You know what, forget it—“ Lance huffed, starting to walk away.

“Lance wait!” Keith said reflexively. “I—you said you wanted to talk, earlier?”

Lance paused, looking contemplative. Sighing deeply, he turned back towards Keith. “Yeah. I think we need to talk. No point in putting it off.”

Keith invited him in, and for a moment, things were tense, suspended within a breath of time. Keith found himself wishing that he had a clock that ticked, if only to break up the heavy silence that settled itself over them like a heavy, heated blanket. Still, all he could do was wait for Lance to start. This was, after all, his idea.

Finally, Lance took a deep breath. “I… honestly don’t know where to start.”

“Well, what was it you wanted to talk about?” Keith asked.

“There was that fight we had, the night I left—I mean, I know we fight a lot, but that was…”

“It was something else,” Keith finished for him.

Lance nodded. “Yeah. And even though it was about the same stuff we’ve fought about before—I don’t like that we had it, and I don’t want things to be like this between us.”

“Me either,” Keith agreed.

“Okay,” Lance huffed. “Here’s the thing. One of the things that kept coming up—I don’t—I never really thought you were nannying me.”

“Then why—“

“Ah, ah, ah! Let me finish!” Lance interrupted. “I’m not used to getting hurt like that. And even if I did, I always bounced back really quickly, so no one ever had to look after me. And then there you were, with a concussion and everything, and you got better in no time, and I—I guess I almost felt inferior. Like I was holding not only myself back, but you too.”

“Lance—“

“I know it doesn’t make sense!” Lance snapped. “But it’s how I felt, and I took it out on you, and I’m sorry for that.”

Keith blinked, at an utter loss as to what to say, for all that he’d thought about it all last night. He closed and opened his mouth repeatedly, desperately looking for something to say but coming up with nothing. He didn’t want Lance to have gone through all that effort to apologize and then say nothing—Hunk’s words suddenly resonated in his head over everything the noise of everything else. Build a bridge; meet him halfway.

“I’m sorry too!” He blurted.

Lance looked up at him, and Keith couldn’t help but think of how startlingly blue Lance’s eyes are. How was it even possible? He had to shake himself out of the line of thinking—he had to focus!

“What for?” Lance asked, eyes wide.

Keith ran an agitated hand through his hair. “I—you weren’t wrong, about me keeping you within arm’s reach while pushing you away at the same time.”

He paused to take a deep breath. “Lance, I really do think I want to be your friend, but I—I have a hard time letting people in, and I know that’s no excuse, but I’m so afraid of people leaving me so I just—I just…”

“Push them out before they leave you first,” Lance finished.

“Yeah,” Keith sighed.

Lance shuffled himself closer to Keith on the couch. Keith had to resist the urge to shy away from the closeness.

“Keith,” Lance started. “Trust me when I say I know I can be a bit much sometimes. Plenty of people have told me. And I’m not really great at listening a lot. But if it means that we can, you know, exist in the same space without trying to bite each others’ heads off, I’ll listen. If I’m being too much, just tell me to back off a little—nicely, mind you—and, I don’t know, maybe that’ll help.”

“I think so,” Keith said quietly, all too aware of how close Lance was now. “But… I wouldn’t mind if sometimes, you pushed a little bit. Sometimes I need that. Shiro kind of had to force his way into my life too, and I thought it was annoying at the time but now he’s one of the most important people in my life, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

“You think maybe I could be a person like that?” Lance asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Keith swallowed hard, leaning forward ever so slightly. “Yeah,” he breathed.

“I’d like that,” Lance said.

Keith wasn’t sure what was happening, but whatever it was was abruptly interrupted by a loud buzzing that made both of them jump. Lance dug out his phone from his pocket and huffed.

“Sorry, I should—“ he said, waving his phone slightly. On the screen, Keith could see Allura’s bright and smiling face.

“Yeah, of course,” Keith urged. He wasn’t going to tell Lance he couldn’t answer a call from his girlfriend, for all that it honestly annoyed him. Of all times for her to call…

Lance stepped out into the hallway, and was hardly gone for a minute before he stepped back into the apartment, much to Keith’s surprise.

“So!” Lance started, a bit more brightly. “Allura wasn’t at the Bureau when all this went down, so tell me, what happened?”

“Terrell happened,” Keith said.

He started from the very beginning, not skimping on any details. Lance listened intently all the while, looking more and more concerned with every confusing action that Terrell had taken. Many of the questions he had were the same questions that Keith had been struggling to answer all day. When Keith explained everything that happened, Lance seemed to think there was merit to the insider theory.

“I mean, she obviously wasn’t there to steal stars,” Lance pointed out.

“And Hunk pointed out that she specifically went to the searcher’s department,” Keith added.

“And you said when she got to Shiro she said he wasn’t quite what she was looking for?”

“But still interesting, were her words,” Keith confirmed with a nod.

“Okay, well that just doesn’t make sense, but we’re probably looking for someone in the searcher’s department who doesn’t do field work—after all, she waited about an hour after the day shift started right?” Lance inquired.

“That could just be a coincidence, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d been just outside, waiting for all the field workers to leave for the day. Less people to get in her way then,” Keith reasoned.

“It’s a tough call. She’s practically unpredictable, but we can’t just not try and figure out what she’s doing, she’s too dangerous,” Lance said, flopping back on the couch.

“I’d like to know how she got those lightning powers in the first place,” Keith mentioned.

“No kidding.”

Keith huffed loudly, throwing his head back. “I just want to—to—!”

“To find her and shake all the answers out of her?” Lance suggested.

“Yes! Exactly! Thank you, Lance,” Keith exclaimed. “Do you think we could—“

“No,” Lance cut him off. “Trust me when I say I want to go after her as much as you, but she’s just too unpredictable, too dangerous—“

“Yeah, but if we could get more information, then she wouldn’t be as dangerous,” Keith said.

“Or she could be more dangerous,” Lance countered.

“How could knowing her motives make her more dangerous?!”

“I mean, okay, I get it, if we know her motives then it’s easier to work around her and maybe eventually stop her,” Lance said. “But charging in headfirst against an opponent we don’t know? That’s a recipe for a bad time. Maybe if we had something that evened the odds against her it wouldn’t be as much of a question, but…”

“Yeah,” Keith reluctantly agreed.

“But,” Lance began. “If you do go after her, no matter what, don’t go alone.”

“Oh, uh, okay?” Keith said.

“Keith, I’m serious,” Lance insisted. “Promise me. If you go after Terrell, bring someone with you. It doesn’t have to be me, but—as long as you’re not alone. Promise me?”

“I—“ Keith stammered, a little taken aback by the earnest sentiment. “Okay. I promise.”

Lance didn’t stay long after that, needing to leave sooner rather than later if he wanted to get home at a decent time. Keith offered to let him stay the night, but Lance declined, citing the fact that he didn’t have a change of clothes or anything. With a smile and a wink though, he assured Keith that perhaps another time would see him spending the night again. Keith sputtered and sent him on his way, closing the door with a sigh and a dopey grin. Only a second later, he thumped his forehead against the door. He was immensely relieved, feeling as though he was walking on air after the weight of that argument with Lance had been dissolved from his shoulders.

And yet something lingered deep in his chest, something small, slightly squirming, that made him restless.

It wasn’t necessarily bad, he pondered as he got ready for bed. But it was unfamiliar and strange, so he wasn’t entirely certain it was good either. By the time he fell into bed, he was beyond exhausted, relieved, but also a little unsettled. As Keith drifted off to sleep, the memory of Lance winking at him, ever so casually, replayed in his mind without him even realizing it.

When he dreamed that night, it was as chaotic as the day had been, but far more vivid and multicolored. At first, he was back in the searcher’s department, just after Terrell’s dramatic exit. Hee saw those spots of color in the darkness again, except this time, instead of fading away as his eyes adjusted to the darkness again, they grew and grew, and coalesced into something bigger than Keith himself. They loomed, almost threatening, forcing Keith back until he felt, for the first time, like he was falling through that familiar dark.

He woke with a start in the middle of the night, disoriented and nauseated, and overwhelmingly alarmed by the dream he’d had. He tried taking a few calming breaths, thinking to himself that it was far too abstract to be anything to be reasonably scared by—shades of red, not entirely like rust, but bringing to mind a certain fierceness that Keith thought he could relate to. More than that, it was, in spite of the warm color, cold and calculating, almost terrifying. Keith wracked his brain over the memory of the dream, trying to remember if there had been anything more than just a color, but he came up with nothing.

It hadn’t been just the red either. A pale blue, larger than the red and yet far less intimidating. Or rather, it had been intimidating, but in a much different way. It almost reminded Keith of the sensation of flying, while also being aware of just how far below him the ground was, should he be so careless as to fall from the sky. It was something old—the only word that came to word to describe it was primal, but even then, to Keith, it didn’t seem to fit. It was old—or rather, the idea behind it was old. Not that Keith could articulate what that idea was, but whatever it was, it was ancient. So much so as to feel almost familiar, but before Keith could even get close to sussing it out, he fell asleep again.

This time, his dream settled into something a little more familiar. Cold and dark, Keith found himself following that familiar yet undefined path again. This time, however, he took notice of the wandering points of light that had always accompanied him on this lifelong march of his. He’d always known that they were there, but never spared much thought to them. Now, however, it was nearly impossible to not notice them, and how they were so very nearly aligned in a perfect line, with Keith at the very end. At the very opposite was that bright, unmoving point of light around which they all rotated, towards which they all inexplicably reached although they could never get any closer than they already were.

Keith felt a buzzing under his skin. He heard whispers of some great happening, something that would happen soon. Near the central point of light, a few smaller wanderers were still scrambling to find their places. It was exciting, it was new, it spoke of some great change that even Keith was looking forward to seeing.

Somewhere in the middle though, from a large swirl of violent storms, an equally stormy sentiment: “I don’t want this,” it said. “I don’t want this!”

It was but a single voice among all the others, one wish among many. For all it’s earnest power, it faded, quieter and quieter, until Keith realized he was waking up in the silence of his own room.

He realized with a twinge of frustration that he had about half an hour until his alarm went off.

Work that day was more cleaning, which Lance was not at all thrilled to be participating in, especially given that, in spite of the high priority work order, there was still a massive hole in the building letting all the cold in. Keith had warned him about it, but he must’ve forgotten and so didn’t wear as many layers as he might’ve. As such, he was required, by law, to complain loudly about it. At least, that’s how it seemed to Keith, who had to listen to him the entire day.

“I’m not saying I don’t get it,” Lance said. “Dramatic exits are where it’s at! But did she really have to blow a hole in the ceiling?! Does she not know how cold it gets? Is she hoping we’ll all just freeze in place so that she and her snatchers can just walk in and talk as many stars as they want?!”

“Maybe she’s trying to freeze your mouth shut,” Keith suggested.

“That—hey!” Lance exclaimed as he realized exactly what Keith meant.

Keith laughed as he ducked out of Lance’s reach, while Lance tried to bat at him for the joke, grinning all the while. It quickly turned into a pseudo-swordfight, using the brooms they were supposed to be using for cleaning as weapons and quite forgetting their responsibilities for a few moments. For all that the wood clacked loudly, no one seemed to take any notice, or if they did they didn’t care to stop their shenanigans.

It wasn’t until Shiro found them, in the midst of a rousing duel, that they sheepishly lowered their brooms and promised to get back to work. As it was, Shiro had sought them out for a reason, and not because he somehow sensed they were playing instead of working. He gestured for them to follow him back to the searcher’s department, much to Lance’s dismay.

“The Bureau is looking for more replacers,” Shiro told them without preamble. “Particularly, they want to train searchers and analysts to become replacers, since they already have a lot of the necessary skills.”

“Jeez, first they’re looking for more people to look for the sun, now they want more replacers, sounds like a lot of shuffling around,” Lance commented through chattering teeth.

“The solar task force is always looking for more people,” Shiro said. “But with this latest development, and realization that there are snatchers that could walk in at any time and take stars as they please, the higher ups are making some changes. Stars are going to be stored more securely, for one thing, and for another, they want to train more replacers. You can’t snatch a star from the sky, after all.”

“Okay,” Keith started. “But what does that have to do with us?”

“Like I said, they want to train searchers and analysts—essentially, people who already work for the Bureau. And I’ve been told that the disqualifications against you two for replacer training can be waived if you two are interested in doing the training.”

Keith blinked, and then glanced at Lance. He’d applied for replacer training as well? Not only that, but he’d been denied as Keith had? Lance, it seemed, was having the same sort of realization, and it occurred to Keith that he never had gotten around to telling Lance that he’d, ultimately, wanted to be a replacer. The last couple months had been busy.

“Think about it over the weekend,” Shiro said, when neither of them said anything. “But you may be assigned to the training whether you want it or not. It’s just a matter of when. Desperate times, you know.”

With that, he dismissed them to take their lunch. They left the searcher’s department in thoughtful silence. Keith thought to ask Lance why, if he wanted to be the one to find all the planets, and the sun and moon, he had applied for replacer training in the first place, but then he remembered Allura’s words, which seemed so long passed now—that Lance had only applied to the Bureau in the first place following her. Of course he would follow her to be a replacer as well.

“So,” Lance started. “You want to be a replacer?”

“I…” Keith trailed off, uncertain how to tell Lance of his aspirations and how they’d been put to a halt.

Before he could elaborate, however, Pidge charged into them headfirst (quite literally), and invited them to join her and Hunk for lunch. Taken aback but willing all the same, Keith and Lance found themselves crammed into a booth in a nearby diner across from Hunk and Pidge. Lance sat perhaps a little closer than he ought to, citing the fact that he had spent the entire day thus far freezing to death. Keith, undecided as to whether he was okay with this or not, simply let Lance be. No doubt he would do as he pleased no matter what. He always had, and Keith plenty of reason to believe he always would.

In spite of her light-hearted invitation, it seemed that Pidge had a much more serious motive for inviting them all to lunch.

“They have us searching for Terrell now,” she told them in a low voice after their orders had been taken.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, are you sure you should be telling us this?” Hunk immediately asked, looking warily around at the crowded diner.

“Didn’t I say I’d be telling you guys what’s going on?” she protested. “Anyways, it’s more than that.”

Keith and Lance leaned in, eager to hear what Pidge had to say.

“First of all, it’s weird that they have the solar task force prioritizing this, right? I mean, yeah, there’s the fact that we think she has an idea where the sun is, but at the end of the day, she’s still just a snatcher. They should be organizing a task force of keepers, right? Looking into ways to counteract her lightning powers, stuff like that, right?” Pidge explained in a whisper that was almost drowned out by the lunch rush that surrounded them.

The other three nodded in-sync their attention rapt.

“What’s more, there’s something the higher-ups aren’t telling me. I mean, why shouldn’t we question why our priority number one, as the solar task force, isn’t finding the sun? They keep telling us that if we find Terrell, we can find the sun—she’s more than just a regular snatcher,” Pidge said.

“We knew that much,” Lance scoffed.

“I mean more than just a snatcher with lightning powers,” Pidge huffed. From under her jacket, she pulled out a sheaf of papers. “Terrell Stern, she used to be a searcher for the Bureau—quit grabbing you two!”

For Keith and Lance both, at the mention of Terrell’s name, had made a mad grab for the papers, eager to know more about this mysterious enemy that had so confounded them for these last couple of months. On the very front page, there indeed she was, pictured, unsmiling, in the Bureau’s uniform.

“Pidge, seriously! This has got to be majorly classified, right?!” Hunk asked, horrified at this obvious breach of secrecy.

“Be quiet Hunk! And yes, it is, but I’m telling you, something is up! They could put out a notice with this picture and information, let the entire Bureau know, let the entire area know, but they’re not! Why?” Pidge challenged.

Keith and Lance, who were still busy poring over the file she had given them, didn’t immediately answer. It was Hunk who realized first.

“They don’t want just anyone finding her,” Hunk suggested. “If it were just a matter of safety, because of her lightning powers, they’d put out a bulletin anyways, telling people to avoid her and call authorities if they saw her. But they don’t want any information on her getting out, despite the threat she poses.”

“Right,” Pidge confirmed.

Meanwhile, Keith was reading a report on Terrell. He leaned towards Lance.

“Look at this,” he said. Lance leaned in closer to read what Keith was reading.

“‘Searcher Stern, during the course of routine searcher duties, was apprehended by three snatchers of violent temperaments,’” Lance read in such a low voice that only Keith could hear it. “‘Being without a partner, Searcher Stern attempted to disable the three snatchers on her own after paging an emergency signal. By the time keepers arrived at her location, all three snatchers were found dead by her hand.’”

Lance paused in his reading, lips pressed into a thin line and his hand grasping Keith’s arm tightly. Keith didn’t blame him. He’d known Terrell was dangerous, but to actually know she was capable of this… It sent ice running through Keith’s veins, an unpleasant chill that drove him to lean even closer to Lance, seeking his warmth.

The report did not elaborate on how Terrell had killed the snatchers, and though Keith was fairly certain of how it was done, he was glad for being spared the detail. Beyond that report, however, there was very little information to be found on Terrell in her own file. Keith, upon hearing that she’d worked for the Bureau, had immediately assumed she’d gotten into the snatching business long before she’d left the Bureau, but found that, if she had, she’d done very well to keep it hidden. Before the report on the incident with the three snatchers, she’d been marked as an exemplary worker, if a bit prone to dark fever. Indeed, there was even a period of probation marked on her file, an extended grounding while she recovered from some more serious effects of oncoming dark fever.

“This is…” Keith started, not even sure what to say about all this new information.

“Yeah,” Pidge said, understanding even without words. “Not only is she way more dangerous than we thought, but the Bureau, for some reason, wants to keep it secret from everyone.”

“So why are you telling us?” Hunk asked, still hesitant about being involved in all this.

“Because you guys are my friends, and I want you to be safe,” Pidge answered. “If the Bureau isn’t going to tell you what you need to know, I will.”

“Thanks, Pidge,” Lance said earnestly. “Good to know all this, since we’re probably going back into the field sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah…” Keith agreed, while his thoughts wandered back to the prospect of replacer training.

The half-hearted sentiment didn’t go unnoticed by Lance.

“You’re thinking of going for replacer training?” He asked.

“Replacer training? I thought you were denied for another month, at least,” Pidge said, gathering up the papers and quickly tucking them back into her jacket.

“I was, but with the recent invasion, they want more replacers in the field, and they’re apparently willing to waive me in,” Keith explained.

“Wow, that’s awesome,” Hunk exclaimed. “I mean, the circumstances that brought it aren’t so great, but it’s great for you!”

Keith nodded. He didn’t say that he was unsure if he would take it or not. He glanced at Lance as their food arrived, wondering what Lance might choose to do. He didn’t like to admit it, even to himself, that he would be disappointed if they were no longer partners, even after such a short time. But he couldn’t simply delay what had always been his plan just because he’d made a new friend. That would get him nowhere in life.

Later, after Keith and Lance were tasked to what Shiro assured them would be, one way or another, their last day in the analyst’s department, Lance brought up the topic that Keith had been avoiding since lunch.

“So, replacer training, huh?” Lance started abruptly.

“Yeah?” Keith said, still a little unwilling.

“I didn’t know you wanted to be a replacer,” Lance said airily, marking a star on the map he was working on.

“Same for you,” Keith replied.

Lance shrugged. “I mean, at first I thought it was a good idea when I first started as a searcher, especially since Allura became a replacer, and I don’t know if I’ve told you, but I kind of followed her into this line of work anyways…”

Keith nodded along as Lance began to ramble, his voice warm and smooth.

“I mean, I was interested in the work in the first place, and me and Allura were always picking up stars as kids and turning them in. Allura always wanted to be a replacer, she loved looking at the star maps and seeing the patterns people saw in them, and she wanted more than anything to bring those pictures, those stories to life again. It’s kind of inspiring, really, how much she believes in the power of stories,” Lance said with such an air of fondness that Keith felt his heart ache.

“Anyways,” Lance continued after a brief pause. “I applied to replacer training at the same time that she did—we were partners when we were both searchers, you know—but while she got in, I was… denied. They… basically the reason was that the evaluators thought I didn’t take my job seriously enough.”

“What? Really?” Keith questioned, genuinely surprised. “That’s… such a lame reason.”

“I know!” Lance exclaimed. “I know I’m a bit of a goofball sometimes, and I try to keep things light-hearted—I mean, these are dark times we’re living in, literally. Sue me for trying to be optimistic.”

“They denied me for being prone to dark fever, according to the evaluators,” Keith blurted.

Lance blinked, surprised. “Really?”

Keith nodded. “Most of it is just—me. Not very sociable, a little too dedicated to work… Really the only solid thing they had on me was that I stared at the sky a little too long sometimes. That’s all. Still, I’m surprised they’re willing to waive all that.”

A period of silence passed between them as they focused on their work, the only sound that of the ticking clock and the scratch of their pens against paper. Around them, analyst’s diligently sorted through piles of stars, dropping them into piles that only they seemed to be able to determine the difference between. The stars made no sound as they hit one another.

“I’ve been thinking,” Lance started again, not looking up from his work. “About joining the solar task force.”

Keith only spared a quick glance up towards Lance, and then went right back to his work. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Lance replied. “Ever since Shiro brought it up. And ever since Pidge mentioned that something’s up… I want to help her find out what it is. But I also don’t want to just, ditch you, you know?”

Keith nodded, something warm and light settling in his chest.

“You’re fine,” Keith assured him. “If you go to the solar task force, then I won’t have to worry about ditching you to go for replacer training.”

“Oh,” Lance said. “Well alright then.”

More silence. Not awkward, at least not to Keith, but silence all the same. He finished the map he was working on, thinking, with almost a thrill of excitement, that he might soon be using maps like these as a replacer in his own right. It meant he would likely have a different partner, as replacers, in spite of their lower numbers, were required to have partners, given the high altitude work they did. He didn’t fancy the idea of having to get used to a new person all over again, especially given the struggle it had been to get used to the last person he’d been forced to partner with. He glanced up at Lance again, who was intent on the map in front of him, almost marvelling at how quickly he’d come to consider him a friend. Granted, the fact that Lance had lived with Keith for over a month had probably helped, as taxing as it had been.

“Hey, Lance,” Keith started this time. Lance looked up, the blue of his eyes vivid in the light of the new fluorescent bulbs. “If—when we go our separate ways… we’ll still keep in touch, right?”

Lance’s eyes widened, if only a fraction. “What are you talking about? Of course we can still keep in touch, and hang out, and all that good stuff that friends do. Did you really think I’d ditch you completely just because we’re going our separate ways?”

“No,” Keith answered, after a ponderous moment. “No, I don’t suppose so.”

“That’s right,” Lance said, winking at Keith once again. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Keith grinned in spite of himself, looking away from Lance’s lopsided smirk. He considered that pull within him, that gravity that centered around Lance that seemed to pull Keith in indefinitely, that would continue to do so until Keith gave in and let himself fall. And Keith wondered, as they worked to the end of their shift, if it wasn’t himself that could not be gotten rid of so easily.

[spookyscarydarky]

You’re in So Much Trouble

{ So this was a DarkYan writing that I had made ages ago (I’m pretty sure I made this before WKM) and never got around to posting!  There are mentions of blood/wounds, but nothing too bad!  Hope you guys enjoy this! :D @justmypuppets }

Please Reblog/Like if you enjoyed it! It really does help :D!

Dark was startled awake by sharp knocks at his door.  

He sat up abruptly, eyes wide and body tense as he searched for any oncoming threats.  He panted as he surveyed his room; there wasn’t anybody or anything here that could hurt him.  However, someone was still knocking aggressively on his door, which was shaking under the pressure.  He took a deep breath to calm his racing heart, and glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table.  3:46.  Who in the hell was waking him up at such an ungodly hour?

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran a hand through his hair stressfully.  He glanced down at his sleepwear; an overused black band t-shirt and sweatpants that were a size too big.  It wasn’t nearly as intimidating or smooth as his usual suits, but he didn’t have the time to change into more formal outfit.

He scowled on his walk towards his door; this had better be important.  Sleeping was a rarity for him nowadays.  If the person on the other side of this door was going to waste his time with nonsense, then he couldn’t be blamed for whatever horrible thing happened to them.  They should know better than to mess with him.  Speaking of which, the mysterious knocker was still hitting his door.  Dark growled in annoyance and forced the door open, breaking his lock and slamming the door into the person in the process.

“WHAT THE-“ The knocker cried out as the door smashed into their face, knocking them straight onto their ass.    The hallway was pitch black, so Dark flipped on his light switch and glared down at his guest.

Wilford fucking Warfstache.  He should’ve known.  

The pink ego was covering his nose protectively, cursing as blood slowly flowed out from under his hands.  It didn’t exactly stand out, considering the man was covered with blood.  His pastel yellow dress shirt was torn in several places and was stained red grotesquely.  His hair was practically a bird’s nest, and his face had blood spatters all over it (not including the bloody nose Dark had just given him).  

“Ouch.” Wilford sneered, but Dark only gave him an unimpressed look.

“Oh, Wilford, my deepest apologies.  You startled me, seeing as it’s three in the morning.  Please, do explain why you’re here and covered in blood.” Wilford grunted, holding up a hand towards Dark.  The demon glanced down at his bloodstained hand in disgust, but eventually obliged and pulled Wilford up to his feet.  Wilford mockingly smoothed down his torn clothes before he looked at Dark.

“I didn’t know who else to come to, alright?  Doc is with Henrik for the weekend, I needed a safe place for us.” Dark raised an eyebrow.  “This is unlike you, Wil.  And who is us?”

Wilford stared back at him for a moment, eyes digging into Dark as if in search for something.  Whatever he saw seemed to satisfy him, however, and he sighed heavily as he gestured back to the hallway.  “I’m fine…it’s Yan I’m worried about.”

Dark’s eyes widened and he rushed into the hallway, pushing Wilford aside in the process.  He glared through the darkness in search of the younger ego and frowned when he saw the hallway was empty.  He turned back to Wilford, and that’s when he saw Yanderiplier.

The red-head was on the floor on the right of his door; it was out of the view from his door, which explained why he’s just now noticing him. Yandere’s appearance was similar to Wilford’s, but worse; blood stained his body and torn clothes, and his chest was rising and falling slowly.  It was hard to see at first, but Dark spotted a concerningly large gash on his left temple.  His crimson hair hung limply in front of his face, and his breaths came out shallowly.  His eyes were opened, but they were unfocused and staring blankly at the ground.  

Dark felt his heart clench tightly in fear.  

“He kept asking for you, I didn’t know what else to do. ” Wilford spoke up next to Dark, wiping some of the blood from his nosebleed off his face.  The journalist yelled out in shock when cold hands wrapped around his throat and forced him against the wall next to Yandere’s body.  He gasped heavily as Dark slowly lifted him until his feet barely touched the floor, and he reached up to claw at Dark’s grip.

“What have you done, Wilford?” Wilford scraped his nails into Dark’s hands, glaring at the demon as his face turned an unnatural red shade.  After a few moments, Dark finally relented and let the ego down, but he kept Wilford pinned to the wall.  The pink ego took several deep breaths, and coughed until he could finally speak again.

“I didn’t do shit.  Yan was in over his head, he bit off more than he could chew and got overwhelmed.  I found him in time and dragged him out of there.” Wilford rubbed his bruised neck, and Dark numbly dropped his arms to his side.  He turned back to Yandere and stared at the smaller ego.

“You saved him?” He didn’t take his eyes of Yandere when he spoke, but he could see Wilford nod from his peripheral.  Dark thought for a moment before he nodded to himself.  He crouched down in front of Yandere, and snapped his fingers in front of the younger’s face.

“Yan, are you with us?  Do you know what’s happening?” Yandere blinked slowly, and he stared warily at Dark.  Though he was looking directly at him, Dark knew that Yandere was out of it; most likely due to the head wound he’d gotten in whatever mess he had caused.  Dark took matters into his own hands and slipped his arms under Yandere; one supporting his back and one against the back of his knees.  He easily lifted Yandere in his arms, cradling the whimpering ego as he walked back into his room.  Wilford followed wordlessly and closed the door behind them.

“Explain everything, Wil.” Dark carefully placed Yandere down on the bed; once he was sure Yan was secure he began to inspect his head wound carefully.  He wasn’t nearly as qualified as Dr. Iplier, but he’s taken care of Wilford after a killing spree gone bad on more than one occasion.  This was, unfortunately, something he was used to.

“Earlier today he was asking for advice on murder, and-hey, don’t judge me!” Dark rolled his eyes at Wilford’s indignation, but he continued to check Yandere’s wounds.  “I just gave him a few wise words since ol’ Wilford Warfstache knows what’s best.  I got a call about twenty minutes ago from him, saying he fucked up and that you’d be mad at him.  I found him in an alley about two miles from here, and he was surrounded.”

“Oh, mad doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel right now.  He broke curfew and recklessly went off on his own without telling anyone.  And he did all of this so he could try out a few murder tricks?  Yandere, you are in a lot of trouble.” Dark had turned his attention to the younger ego on his bed as he spoke, and by the end of his words he could feel his shell cracking in anger.  Yandere was here on his bed, bleeding and close to incoherent because of his irresponsibility.  God, what if he hadn’t been able to call Wilford in time?  What if he had gotten hit on the head a little harder?  What if he…no, Dark wasn’t going to think about the “what ifs” for now; he had more pressing matters.

“Now, to be fair, he had actually done a pretty good job.  Killed about ten guys before they got the upper-hand.  A little amateurish, but with enough practice he could be as good as us.” Wilford’s eyes glinted dangerously, and his manic grin wasn’t reassuring for Dark.  He sat down on the bed next to Yan, and Dark resisted the urge to push him onto the floor.

“Stop talking, Wilford.  The only real wound I see is this one on his temple, which explains why he’s not coherent.  He’s scratched up and bruised in several places, but he’ll live; I’m only worried about this gash.  I can clean it, but I need Doc here to check if there’s anything internally wrong.”  Wilford’s smile faded as Dark went over Yandere’s condition.  The journalist glanced down at the red-head and bit his lip as he thought.  

He and Yandere shared a lot in common.  Both unbothered, and sometimes excited, with the idea of killing someone for personal gain or out of boredom.  The only difference was that Wilford had far more time to grow and learn from his past mistakes.  He was experienced, and he knew what reckless actions he could and couldn’t get away with.  Yandere didn’t have that, and he should’ve known Yan would pull something like this on them.  God, was this…was this his fault?

“Doc won’t be happy, but I can go get him now.” Dark nodded, but he stopped Wilford before he teleported.  

“I can see that you’re feeling guilty for this, but you aren’t to blame.  You saved him and brought him back here alive, and that’s all I can ask for.  Thank you, Wil…I’ll find a way to repay you.” Wilford blinked in surprise, he certainly hadn’t expected that; his shock turned to happiness, and he gave Dark a wink before he teleported to get Dr. Iplier.  

Dark sighed heavily and took Wilford’s spot on the bed; he smoothed his hand through Yandere’s crimson locks to grab his attention.  He heard the younger one whining in confusion; he was clearly disoriented and tired.  His eyes lazily inspected the room before they landed on Dark.

“D-Dark?” The ego nodded, placing his hands on his lap to retain some formality in the situation, though it was rather useless now.

“Relax, Yan.  The Doctor is on his way to heal you now.” Yandere blinked up at the darker ego, and Dark knew he still wasn’t fully understanding the situation.  However, Yandere seemed to accept it as it was, and relaxed into the bed. Dark went back to running a hand through the younger’s hair to ease him, and Yandere hummed at the attention.

“I-I don’t…I can’t remember…what I did.”

“You’ve got a nasty head wound, but Doc will be here to fix that in a moment.” Yandere reached up a hand to feel the wound, but was stopped by Dark’s hand gripping his wrist.  He sighed as Dark forced his hand back down to his side, and he glanced up at the older ego with a pout.

“Am I in trouble?”

Dark chuckled deeply and patted Yandere’s hair condescendingly.  

“Oh, little one.  You have no idea.”

[no-gorms]

A couple of days ago I reblogged a fanfic author ask meme, and @robotsnchicks, @serricoj​ and a couple of anons sent in some numbers. (Thanks!)

It is a bit weird to answer these now, while I’m a bit of a creative slump, but maybe this’ll help inspire something.

3. In your opinion, what’s your best fic?

Right off the bat, a tough question! Okay, using the metric where “best” means “fic that I’m happiest with in its final form and am proud of from a storytelling point of view”, it’s my 2011 entry of the SPN Big Bang, A Judicious Application of Free Will, which was tremendously satisfying to put together and, at the time, was meant to be a farewell to SPN fandom (HA HA HA). Although it’s clunky in places, a lot of love went into that story and there are some scenes I’m really happy to have captured in words.

5. Is there any fic that makes you super happy to reread and remember you wrote that?

This changes a lot, and depends on my mood! I can vacillate between loving to reread a particular fic and being so embarrassed by the same fic that I don’t want to remember it exists at all. Right now, though, the fic that makes me cackle in self-indulgent glee during rereads is my Steve/Tony fic Stick With Me Baby, I’m the Fella You Came in With, which is one of those exercises of writing what you want to read, and is a double-accomplishment in the sense that I’d felt unqualified to write for this pairing for a long time.

7. What’s the fic you most want to continue (unfinished or no)?

This tends to rotate between three: the future timestamps for Not Part of the Plan (augh), another part of that werewolves AU with Dean/Cas (where Cas’ body changes upon his mating with Dean, as was implied to be possible in that ‘verse), and the third part of Biology and Feelings and Stuff where Dean and Cas’ cycles sync up.

17. In your opinion, what’s your most overrated fic?

A disclaimer! I’m really happy with a lot of things I did with this fic, and I’m grateful for the response it’s gotten. But proportionate to the response it’s gotten, is my sense of guilt that I could’ve done better with it. The fic in question is my Dean/Cas Big Bang from 2012, Convenient Husbands, which I feel took more emotional shortcuts than was necessary to make things happen, and I didn’t expand or use the background plot as much as I should have. I appreciate every single kudos and comment, but sometimes I’m like, oh my god I’m so sorry, I could’ve done that better.

18. What’s your most underrated fic?

I reckon this would be an old Heroes fic I wrote years ago (I just checked, it’s almost ten years old!) titled Suburban Lighthouse which was a fusion with the 80s horror movie, Poltergeist. I understand why it got the response it did: (1) it’s horror-based when I’m not great at horror, (2) although it has a slash pairing it’s actually gen, so it likely alienated readers who preferred either, plus (3) it leans way heavily on the reader being familiar with Poltergeist. This is all true.

BUT YOU GUYS!!! I had such a blast figuring out organic points of fusion between the canons of Heroes and Poltergeist, it’s like I wrote an in-joke story to be shared with people who enjoy both canons (which is mainly me, I guess?). Among the fusion bits are like, in Poltergeist one of the paranormal investigators has a nightmare of him clawing his own face, while in my Heroes fusion one of the characters DOES claw their face and it’s CLAIRE, OBVIOUSLY. Also, there’s the thing about who in the Heroes universe is the Beast – it’s obvious, really, as is the reason of the Beast’s interest in the Heroes universe’s version of Carol-Anne.

19. If you had to pick one fic/scene/chapter of your work to describe your entire portfolio to a stranger, which would you pick?

BEHOLD, THE DEAN, DEFINITELY. It’s a self-contained, tight little story, and it showcases my sense of humour and quite a few of my storytelling buttons. It’s like a short story exercise that I feel I did pretty okay with.

21. If someone starts kudosing and commenting your fics in a spree and has a few works of their own, would you go look through theirs?

Not often, but yes, I have done this. Especially if the kudos/comments are on fics which tackle relatively uncommon tropes, because I usually write things that I want to read more of, and…. I want to read more of those things.

25. What constructive criticism, however well-meaning, always makes you feel bad when you see it in a review?

I can usually get something useful out of concrit, but I have problems with endings sometimes, and it can be a punch in the gut to see that pointed out, like when endings are sudden, or the story just peters off weakly. It’s not so much that I dislike concrit – I dig concrit, and can get useful stuff out of it – but the fact that it’s a thing I already know I need to work on, but still haven’t gotten there.

35. Have you ever written a ship into a fic without meaning to?

Not really? Any ships in my fics are there on purpose. Though I some people said they shipped Sam/Anna in Not Part of the Plan, which blindsided me, so maybe that counts?

38. Have you ever purposefully written something you know your readers would find uncomfortable/would not enjoy? If yes, why?

Yeaaaaah I did this with That’s Pretty Nice Timing, which is an AU of my Dean/Cas highschool AU It’s Always the End of the World Somewhere. It does some things that aren’t popular (infidelity, some Cas/other) and ends ambiguously for Dean and Cas, and although I can see them figuring things out down the line, it’s not a strongly shippy ending as it is.

This story is basically part of my thinking that no matter how bad things got for Dean and Cas in the “main” universe due to Dean’s childhood choice, just fixing that choice in an alternate universe wouldn’t automatically mean that Dean and Cas would be happier together. Although what-ifs are part and parcel of fanfic exercises, in this story at least it isn’t and can’t be that neat, and I didnt want it to be.

Thank you to y’all that sent in the numbers, this was fun!

[cilliansaccent]

The Peaky Designer - Cillian Fanfic, Chapter 3

Hello, welcome back. Below is the next instalment of my fanfiction!

Leave a like or a comment if you liked it, or if I can do anything better! Please, it would mean the world and to understand if anyone is enjoying my writing. Also, sharing/reblogging would be even better. 

PLEASE READ:

I will not be including Cillian’s family as it’s kinda weird since he has children lmao. Just a mention of his parents and a previous lover.

I will indicate in a chapter if there is smut in the beginning and before the actual scene!!

I will add trigger warnings if there is any!!

There is a variety of levels of swearing during a chapter, I will not hold back, everyone swears.

The timestamp for the Fic is now 2016 and onwards!! 

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Background: Gabrijela Babic is a Croatian girl from Sydney, Australia. She is born in the year 1991 on the 24th of December. She studies a Fashion degree in a University with a major in Game Design as well. Her teacher in the fashion designer class managed to nail an Internship on the set of Peaky Blinders with the shows very own Costume Designer, Allison McCosh. There, she travels to London for under a year to learn how to be one, working alongside the actors as well the man she admires, Cillian Murphy. But, her platonic feelings for the man begins to grow into something more, and she wonders whether she should pursue them or let him go for fear of her strict parents and her three older brothers…

Characters:

Swantje Paulina as Gabrijela Babic (swalina on Instagram)

Cillian Murphy

Word Count: 3,869

!!Warnings!!: None. 

Date: March 2016

Chapter Name: A Heat of the Moment 

Brief Chapter Outline: Cillian meets Gabrijela’s best friend while both are still in bed before they head out for breakfast. Their morning ends with time spent at a local park where things begin to spice up between the pair... 

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During the night, Gabrijela had a nightmare. She woke up crying out which startled Cillian and he had her gathered in his arms, hushing her and reminding her where she was and who she was with. 

He had made tea after that, and she had checked her phone to see what time it was. Around four in the morning. 

Together they sat back in bed after she refreshed herself in the bathroom, his arm around her, she clutched her tea and sipped it slowly. 

They soon went to bed afterwards, and she was all snuggled and warm once again in his arms. 

Came morning, she was scrolling through her Instagram and Facebook, replying to messages. 

Cillian stayed in bed with her and was chatting on the phone to someone. Sounded important, she thought. 

He hung up and sighed, rubbing his eyes, "Later today I have to drive up to Manchester." He said. 

"For filming?" She set her phone down, her heart sinking a little. 

"Mhm," he laid back down on the bed, and she rolled on to her side, facing him. 

"How will I get there? Or is there like an office here?" She asked. "As you can tell, I didn't read the letter again." She laughed softly. 

"You'll catch the train, I believe. You'll have to pay, as the rent for this apartment is all covered by the show. Is that fine?" Cillian asked. 

"Oh, sure! Yes, it's fine. I saved up as much as I could, and my dad gave me extra money, plus he gives me an additional fifty bucks a week." She said. 

"Oh, that's nice. I don't really know how much that is in pounds but seems a lot." He smiled, admiring her features. He was quite shocked and mesmerised how many freckles she had, so he asked, "I'm guessing you got the perks of your mothers side, huh?" 

She puffed out her cheeks, "Yeah. Lotsa freckles. And uh... Yeah." She was about to say good assets to but bit her tongue back. "Though, I was bullied as a child for it all. And as I got older, I discovered the magic of makeup. Covered the whole lot." She said, shaking her head. "But then I met my best friend who psyched me up, made me confident and to love myself." 

"And you should. There isn't anything wrong with how you look, or what you have." His voice was soft and still had that rugged sleepy tone. Made her feel... things. 

Her skin pricked when she felt his fingers glide through her messy bed hair, she stared into his eyes once more. Finding herself lost in them and hadn't realised he had moved closer. Or did she? 

But the sound of her phone ringing made them jump away from each other, he cleared his throat. 

Gabrijela picked up and her best friend, Lucia, let out a gasp. 

"Hey! Wait- Oh my god whos that?!" 

Gabrijela forgot for a whole second there that she could see Cillian beside her, "No one!" Gab clutched the phone to her chest. 

"Hey! HEY! No use hiding now, I saw it all girl! Lemme see! Hi random guy!" Lucia cried. 

"It's fine," Cillian chuckled when Gab gave him an apologetic look. 

She pulled the phone away and directed it at Cillian, who seriously looked like he was doing more than sleeping with his messy hair and sleepy eyes. 

"Finally, better than seeing your tits, Gabbie. Hi, hi, I'm Lucia." The dark-skinned girl with wild black hair waved excitedly through the phone. 

"Hello, Lucia. I'm Cillian." He waved back. 

"Goodness! I know! Oh my goodness! Gabbie! Scandalous!!" Lucia laughed, "Holy crap. Oh." She spoke in Spanish, and for a few minutes, they stared at the ceiling. 

Gabrijela was blushing like mad, "God she's mad. I'm so sorry." 

"Don't be, it's seriously okay," he got up and stretched. She couldn't help look at his butt. 

It was cute. 

"Hey, where'd he go? I got some questions! Why are you in bed with each other huh? Gab I need answers." Lucia came back into the frame, her brows high up and questioning look in her dark eyes. 

"Nothing happened, my god. So fucking horny." She muttered so Cillian couldn't hear. 

He went into the bathroom, the door shut a little. 

"You two seemed to have had a rumble of some sort." Lucia chided as Gabrijela popped on her Airpods. 

"Nooo, no fair!" Lucia whined. 

"Nope. Not allowed." Gabrijela laid on her side, legs pulled up a little. 

"Please tell me why then? If you didn't do anything then why? How'd you meet? Have you started the internship yet?" Lucia laid out the questions. 

"He picked me up at the airport, yesterday we spend the afternoon together and went for dinner and then... I guess he stayed the night because it was awfully late." Gabrijela wasn't going to tell Lucia what happened in the pub. She didn't want to stress her bestie out anymore. 

"Oh, yes. It was late." Lucia annunciated with a wink and air quotes with her fingers. 

"It was! I offered him to stay." She whispered it was more like an angry hiss. "Honestly, you're such a pain in the ass." She groaned. 

"But a fantastic pain in the ass! You love me!" She beamed. 

"Yeah, that's true." She laughed softly before Lucia delved into a different subject, about some guy she managed to nail the night before at some house party she went to. 

Cillian came back out of the bathroom and had a view of Gabrijela's ass. She hadn't noticed he stared at her, this... sudden need for her weaved through him and he quickly turned to go to the kitchen. 

What the fuck, he thought as he made coffee for the both of them, what was wrong with him? She was so out of his league and he shouldn't even come out of the bathroom until she moved. 

But it seemed it would have been a while when thirty minutes later she hung up and got up from the bed. 

"God, she can talk." She huffed as she came to the kitchen, and he handed her the mug of coffee. He made it his way so he hoped she liked it. 

"She seems quite uh, outgoing." He said, sipping his coffee. 

"Yeah. She is. But I think she was very hyper because she saw you. She's a massive fan." She leaned against the door frame of the kitchen. 

"So, she's your best friend?" He continued. 

"Yeah. She's twenty-three but thanks to our parents who know each other, we literally grew up together. She's like my little sister, but more... wild. She hates having foundations and loves being taken on the wind, so she says." 

"That's sweet. I guess that life suits some people." He stated with a slight shrug. 

"Yeah. My other three friends have a partner, three marriages next year." She laughed softly. I'm a bridesmaid for one." 

"Oh? You said three are getting married. Busy year." He blinked with surprise. 

"Oh yeah, very. Three different outfits. One is getting married in February, so it'll be summer. The one in July, and the other September." She shook her head. 

"Damn. One in each season almost. Gifts too?" He finished his coffee. 

"Yep. They did this deliberately, in the same year. Two will be at the same function rooms, the other is more country-styled as she lives in the countryside. If I was also getting married, I think I would've been sucked into doing it in the same year too." She shuddered, "I wouldn't want that. I'll have my own year." 

"Yeah. I'd agree on that. Would be too much." Cillian nodded. 

"Oh well, at least I can find an outfit here for the weddings. Get something... Different. Or well, depends if I have enough money on the end after my shopping spree." She set her empty cup into the sink and washed up. 

"So, should I make breakfast or...?" Gabrijela asked. 

"I thought we should go out for breakfast. There's a nice pub down the road but I can assure you there won't be any--"

"It's fine. I'm sure it'll be amazing." She turned to him, giving him a reassuring smile. 

He closed his mouth and smiled, "Alright. I'll get myself dressed, I guess it'll be the same thing as yesterday." He hummed and went to fetch his clothing. 

Gabrijela grabbed some black jeans, a short-sleeved cream sweatshirt, on top a checkered black and white shirt and then an oversized denim jacket on top of it all. 

She pulled on her Doc Martins and a small crossbody bag enough for her wallet, phone and her passport. 

"Ready." She smiled and the pair headed out. 

The pub had an okay crowd, still had the creepy old man vibe but maybe she was still shaken up from last night. 

Cillian kept close to her side, his hand brushing along hers to remind her he was there. They took a table outside instead of inside. 

She picked up the menu and looked through it, "I'll have the big breakfast." She said. 

"Okay, what about a drink?" He asked, already knowing what he wants. 

"Mocha, please. Skim milk." She replied as she set the menu down. 

He nodded and got up to order inside. He came back after a moment before his phone rang up. 

He picked up, "Hey Sile." He said, his Irish accent spiked at the name. 

She remembered he had two younger sisters, this must be one of them. 

"Yeah... Yeah thank you, I'd love that..." He laughed, "Oh, god okay. Tell mum and dad I said hi and I love them... Thank you, gonna be a long couple of months ahead. See you, Sil." He said and hung up. 

"Who was that?" Gabrijela asked, even if she had an idea who. 

"My sister. Wishing me all the best for the upcoming months said she might come down with Orla, my other sister, and visit me." He said with a happy smile, he seemed to light up when he spoke about his family. 

"Awh! How cute! Maybe I should say hi," Gab gave him a cheeky smile. Their drinks were set in front of them. 

"Of course you can. They would love to meet you." Cillian agreed with her despite she was only kidding. 

"Oh-Oh yeah okay." She took her cup and took a drink of it. Perfect balance. 

As they continued to chat about this and that, some girls came up to the table. 

The brunette had a heavy accent, "Mr Murphy? Hi, I-I'm a big fan of you a-and I was w-wondering if you c-could sign this f-for me?" She held out a photograph of him as Thomas Shelby. 

Behind, her mother it seemed, was giving her an encouraging smiled as the other two girls seemed to do the same, holding out their own things for him to sign. 

Cillian seemed suddenly nervous and gave a look at Gabrijela, "Go ahead." Gab said, nodding a little. 

He smiled and signed the items, answering the fans questions but had politely declined a photograph with them. He gave them all hugs and they seemed to bloom with utter joy as they all giggled and hurried along with the older woman. 

"You wouldn't believe it but I get fans following me sometimes." He said as he turned back to Gabrijela. 

"Oh?" She snickered as their food came. 

"Yeah. I'm not too fond of it though. But it's not too much of a nuisance, not in London anyway. Where we film there's a lot of fans that hang around, hoping to catch a glimpse or for me to sign something." He said, smacking his lips in a 'tsk' sound. 

"But no photos?" She tilted her head to the side as she cut up her sausages. 

"No. I'd rather give a hug or sign, better for them to remember the moment." He explained. 

"True, but I'd always love a photo. I'd cherish that just as much as a moment, but that's just me." She said eating her food. 

"How about now? The past two days with me?" He looked up and paused from taking a bite out of his toast. 

She smiled as she gazed down at her food, "Cillian, this... experience, I'll remember it even after I've died. Besides, I got a photo with you." She winked at him. 

"Oh, that's true, true." He laughed sipping his coffee. "I'm glad I can make this experience amazing. It truly makes me thrilled." 

They moved on to a topic they both loved, music. It became heated, and people turned to see what they were on about. But they were in their moment, and even after they left the pub. 

They headed to a local park nearby, they had managed to calm down and come to an agreement finally. 

There was a little private area and they went there, beneath a large tree that had overhanging branches. There was barely anyone around but it was still nice. 

She crossed her leg over, hands folded in her lap. They sat there, in silence, totally in content with each others presence and the area around them. 

Peace. 

"I'll be leaving in three hours," Cillian said after some time. 

"Mood killer," She whined, looking at him with a scowl. 

"Sorry, wanted to remind you." He had an arm behind her, and she had moved closer to his side. 

"I'm gonna miss you." She said softly, she leaned her head back on his arm. 

"We'll see each other basically every day!" He chuckled softly. 

"I know, but we won't hang out as much, like now." She reached up and picked some lint off his shirt. 

He watched the movement, "Who said we won't hang out? We'll get the time. We can make time." He took her hand, holding it to his chest. 

The whole thing was weird, it felt... intimate. His arm around her, their heads close, his eyes on her. 

This closeness with Cillian was different than anything she had experienced. With her ex, whom she broke up a year ago, was a different type of closeness. It was more sex-driven and lust, unlike with Cillian, they connected with their similar likes and dislikes, and he never seemed to judge her. 

He looked at her as if she was more than a sex object, he watched her with pure interest and intrigue. 

But maybe she was looking too much into it, they had known each other well over forty-eight hours, and she was to be here till January. Who knows, maybe he was only putting on a show since he was a very reserved man. 

She didn't know how he was truly when he wasn't in his acting spotlight, maybe he wasn't nice, maybe-

She was overthinking now to an extreme and suddenly sat up. 

"What is it?" Cillian asked, sitting forward with her, a hand on her back. 

"Nothing, just thinking." She said as she slowly sat back, she moved closer to his side and laid her head on his shoulder.

His arm was around her once again and he squeezed her gently to him, "About?" He held her hand in his lap again, his thumb running over her knuckles. 

"Ah, nothing. Something silly." She replied, her emotions were on a wild roller coaster ride. 

"You know, you can talk to me? I know we have only known each other for a bit, but, I am here for a good chat. As long as you want." He brushed a hair away from her cheek, and she looked up once more. 

A devilish thought came to her and she had the urge to satisfy it. But she may as well bring down this growing relationship into the gutter if she did so. 

And he may not want to talk to her at all, only during her times when she was on set. 

"Yeah. I know. Thank you for the offer." She smiled, it made crinkles at the corners of her eyes. 

He let out a soft gasp, "Smile again like that." He suddenly said. 

"What?" She laughed a little. 

"Smile." He said and began to tickle her. 

"Cillian!" She cried out and laughed, trying to fight him off. "What is wrong with you!" She said in between laughter. 

She managed to escape, "Bad!" She backed up when he stood, giving her a cheeky smirk. 

And then she ran. He chased after her, around the little park they went. 

She laughed and he did too, they were having the time of their life. No one bothered them. 

She had lost him around a tree and was looking behind her, but didn't see him ahead. Neither did he. 

She ran right into him and their heads clashed. Together they tumbled back onto the grass with a gasp then a grunt from Cillian. 

She was on top of him rubbing her forehead, "Owie." She complained. 

"I hope I don't get a bruise now." He said, wincing a little. 

"What about my face, I can't get a giant lump on mine." She pushed herself up a little, both arms on either side of his head. Her hair was a veil around them. 

"Be more concerned about mine!" He squeezed her sides and she yelped, jumping at the touch. 

"You'll be fine!" She argued back. She watched his eyes widen a little, and he scoffed. 

She smirked, and she wasn't going to lie to herself, she did like this. She moved and he let out a soft grunt, she was now straddling his waist. 

"Should we get up?" He asked, slowly sitting upright. His arms moved around her waist, her hands slid up his arms to rest on his shoulders. 

"I don't know, do you want to get up?" She asked, her breath hitched when she felt his fingers tips come into contact with her bare skin. 

"I'm asking you." His tone was a gentle caress for her ears. 

She gulped, holding his gaze once more, and that devilish thought returned and she found herself succumbing to it as she leaned in. 

Cillian felt his heart pound faster as he watched Gabrijela lean in, his mind was telling to be the better man and to pull away, but he honestly didn't know if that was the right choice. Move away and create this awkwardness between them or let it happen. 

But he didn't need to do anything when she was the one who jumped back. 

"Fuck, I-I don't-" She scrambled off him, still positioned between his legs. 

"It's okay. Hey." He moved to a kneeling position and took her hand. "It's alright. Don't fret." 

She looked up at him, her brows furrowed a little, "God I don't know what I was doing. I didn't mean to. It's too early, fuck, what is wrong with me?" She laughed nervously as she stood up. 

He stood up as well, "Nothing is wrong with you. Heat of the moment." He stroked her knuckle with a thumb.

The touch eased her, but the 'heat' of the moment made her tingly all over. Everywhere. 

"Yeah. Heat of the moment. I'm still sorry though. I shouldn't have done that." She shakes her head, pulling her hand back. His touch was making her feel all sort of things. 

He sighed, "Come on, let's head on home." He said to her and she followed him reluctantly. 

The silence was weird and awkward. She stood before the door of her apartment and faced him, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" She said. 

"Yeah, we will. It'll be a big day, so get some early shut-eye, eh?" He asked. 

His expression was soft, caring. No hint of judgement. It made her almost want to kiss him. 

"Okay. I will. I gotta prepare my stuff for tomorrow anyway, got a report to do." She hummed. 

"Alright." He kinda just stood there, expecting something else. 

She stepped down a step and wrapped her arms around his neck. She held on to him and his arms wrapped around her swiftly. 

"Thank you for the last three days. I can't wait to work with you further," She murmured and pulled back enough to admire his finely chiselled face. 

"Yeah, neither can I. And the rest of the crew, of course." He squeezed her sides again. 

Heat bloomed within her, "See you tomorrow, Cillian. Drive safe." She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

He pulled her close so their bodies were flushed. She could feel every hard part of him, the strength of his body. 

She let out a soft moan and blushed as they pulled back, "You be safe too. Ring me if anything happens alright? Even if you need a chat. It'll be a long train ride." He said, cupping her cheek with a hand. 

She could see the nerves behind those lovely big eyes, the moment had rattled him. And she wasn't sure if it was good or bad. 

She nodded and stepped back, "Bye." She smiled and went to the door, punching in her pin and pushed open the door. She looked at him once more before she turned away and closed the door behind her. 

When she came to her apartment and peeked out the balcony, he wasn't there. His car was gone. 

She sighed and went back inside, the last hour was wild and she never felt so damn hungry for more. 

More of him. 

Her heart ached, her body ached in places where she wasn't satisfied in a long while. 

God, she thought, she was here on an internship. To fucking learn. Not to fuck the materials. 

She shook her head and cursed herself when she thought about the scenes of him in the show. The intimate ones. 

Another moan escaped her. "Fucking horny piece of shit," She muttered to herself and fished out what would ease her body. 

Later that night... 

She had received a call from Allison. The news was, she was going to be picked up around five in the morning. 

She chatted with the woman about what to expect, how long she was going to be on set or if there was anything else she was supposed to do. 

Gabrijela learned that she was going to work with, bing bing! Cillian most of the time, and the other men who were to be the Shelby men. 

Great, she thought, she would have to deal with the man who was wedging himself into her heart and soul. 

But, she had to put it aside. This was for her studies, and she needed to focus. And to shower. And eat. And then sleep. 

But she was also excited that she wasn't just going to work on the set, she was going to help Allison design some clothing for some play that was set to practice early next year. 

More to learn, the hungrier she got. 

She did as Cillian told, eat, shower, talked to her dad for a bit before she hit the hay. 

Though, her dreams were muddled with Cillian, his gaze, his touches, his soft lips that brought about gooseflesh all over her. 

And the wicked sounds he pulled from her.