#did you know that there are no doors in the inn the boys stay at for the sunset/dawn arc? | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

halfmoth-halfman · 1 year ago

Text

the willow maid

Pairing: Kyle “Gaz” Garrick x F!Reader Word Count: 5.2k Warnings: implied smut, blood, death, loss, bittersweet ending Prompt: Fairytale!AU & “It was the biggest mistake I ever made.” & the song, the willow maid by erutan Disclaimer: I do not own modern warfare or any of the modern warfare characters. A/N: here it is!!! the final fic for @glitterypirateduck’s GazFest 2023!! i hope you guys had as much fun with gazfest as i did!!! and thank you to the amazing glitterypirateduck for putting it all together!!!!! 💜

The tavern is nestled on the far edge of town, a barely held-together building run by an even more decrepit barkeep. Half resting on the edge of the forest, half consumed by the rich greenery, vines and roots split through the walls and upend the cracking cobblestones around it. The windows are covered in a layer of dust, door hanging on by a single bolt, entrance covered in years of muddy boot prints. Every imperfection is only amplified under the light of the early morning sun.

They’re given bread while they wait, circled around the lopsided table pressed up against the clean window, and MacTavish is the only one brave enough to try it. It’s good, if a bit off in a way he can’t fully describe; it’s sweet and light, but there’s a bitterness lurking on his tongue when he swallows.

The ale arrives and, with it, their long-awaited companion.

He’s quiet, Simon notices. There are only two other people in this tavern, a shifty-eyed child with no shoes and fidgeting hands and a cloaked figure lying with their head on the bar, but Simon hadn’t seen their newfound friend approach. It sets him on edge, more than usual.

(It had been MacTavish who found him, bursting into the inn they'd been staying at with a wide grin and a piece of torn parchment.

“Got a lead on the flower,” he’d said, handing Price the scrap to let him examine the hastily drawn map. “Met a man who claimed t’ have seen th’ bloom himself. Said to meet him there in three days’ time, jus’ after sunrise.”

Price had been skeptical, but it’d been weeks since their last lead dried up, and their gold was beginning to run low.. Desperate times, and all that.)

MacTavish told them everything he knew about his mysterious contact, but they hadn’t expected him to be so young.

Barely a year older than MacTavish, the man sits across from them with a polite smile and his hands clasped on the table where everyone can see them.

Everything about him is dark. His skin, his hair, his eyes. Even his cloak is a deep plum material, unpatterned and plain.

There’s nothing particularly special about him at first glance, but they know something’s not quite right about this man.

He’s too…clean, too put together. There’s no mud on his boots, no signs of hardship or travel, and his clothes are too purposefully plain despite the high quality of the stitching. His movements are too practiced, too elegant, as he takes a slice of bread and fills his cup with manners befitting someone of a far higher station. There’s not a mark or scratch on him, save for the single scratch across is left cheek.

This man is not what he seems.

“Your friend tells me you’re looking for the Willow’s Wail,” the man speaks, polished, measured, curious.

The three straighten at the mention of the flower.

It was supposed to be a myth, an old wives tale to tell your children when you put them to sleep. A story about a powerful Fae and a cunning boy who outfoxed her, obtaining a single seed from her garden as a reward.

But the boy, in his excitement at besting the Fair Fae, didn’t notice he’d dropped the seed just before leaving the fae realm. When the boy finally realized and returned to retrieve it, it was too late. The seed had fallen on the wrong side of the barrier between his world and theirs and he was forced to watch it grow until it bloomed a beautiful, glowing white.

The boy had one night to admire its beauty before its petals began to fall and the flower wilted. The wind carried the drifting petals, spreading them far and wide to bloom across the mortal realm. The boy was lucky enough to catch one, and it was said that the magic from that single petal granted the boy his heart's desire.

There were countless names for it.

Moondrop. Angel’s Kiss. Ghostheart. Star Rose.

It changed over the centuries, varying region by region, along with the story, but the details stayed the same.

A glowing, white flower that blooms for one night with enough potent magic in a single petal to keep you safe and sated for the rest of your life.

So many had claimed to have seen it, to have picked an entire bloom and reveled in its sweet scent. How many of the rich and mighty claimed to have one hidden in their vaults? How many urchins kept themselves going with the hope of one day finding a bloom, and pulling themselves from poverty?

How many rumors had their own merry little group chased, claiming to know where to find a moondrop or angel’s kiss or ghostheart?

Though, Simon’s never heard someone refer to it as the Willow’s Wail before.

“You know where to find one, I take it?” Price asks. The man nods through a mouthful of bread, taking a sip of the spiced honey ale before he answers.

“Not just where to find it,” he hums, picking at the crust of his bread. “I know how to grow one.”

That’s new.

There have been plenty who claimed to have found a petal. Even some who’ve said they’ve made their own deal with the Fae from the story.

But there’s never been someone who claimed to have a seed before.

The man says it so casually, Simon is almost inclined to believe him.

“S’pose ye’ll be wantin’ a trade for it?” MacTavish chuckles, already bracing himself for what will either be an absurd amount of coin or a request for a near-impossible task.

“Of sorts,” the man shrugs.

Simon does not like this, and one glance at Price tells him that the older man feels the same.

Price folds his arms across his chest, metal bracers clinking against his chest piece. “What’s your price?”

“A story,” the man simply says.

“You want us to tell you a story?” Even through the shrouded mask, the disbelief is clear in Simon’s voice.

This has to be a trick. The man is clearly a swindler, wasting their time to get a free meal.

“Quite the opposite,” the man laughs. “I’d like to tell you a story. One about how I came across this flower, and, if you manage to make it to the end, I’ll tell you how to grow the flower for yourselves.”

The trio shares a look of wary skepticism, knowing they all share the same thought. Something isn’t right here. It can’t be this simple, this easy. Not when they’ve spent months exhausting every resource, every contact–from officials in the high courts to the lowest of street urchins–available only to come up empty-handed.

This man is bold, brazen, and a liar. On that, they can all agree.

But there’s something about the way he’s so casually confident in his words. Something simmers just beneath the surface with this man. Something strange. Something…sad.

He may not be telling the truth about the flower, but they’re sure he has some information that could be valuable to them.

Price looks to the other two, brows raised in question. Simon and MacTavish each give him a single, reaffirming nod.

“Alright,” Price sighs, leaning back in his crooked chair. “Tell us your story, Mr…”

There’s an awkward pause when Price realizes MacTavish never gave him this man’s name, made only more awkward when MacTavish’s eyes widen as he realizes he doesn’t know the name, either.

The man takes it in stride, a soft chuckle as he tells them, “Garrick. Kyle Garrick.”

An old name. A rich name. A name written in royal histories about the first kings.

The name of a family that’s been dead for over a century.

There’s a hum around the table, a low buzz that sinks deep into their bones and weighs down their limbs.

Kyle sets his plate aside, staring them down with a toothy grin that doesn’t reach his eyes. Something flashes across his face, a brief flicker of silver barely caught in the sunlight. There are no words spoken, but they all know–

They are trapped here.

“We’ll start with something familiar, then,” Kyle hums, sharp eyes sliding over to MacTavish. The look of someone who’s obtained a victory.

“Once upon a time…”

…There were no kings or queens to rule over the land.

No kingdoms, or even cities.

There was simply the Village and the Forest.

It was a simple exchange, a simple harmony between the two. The Forest would provide food, lumber, livestock, and protection so that the village could thrive, and the villagers would take only what they needed. No more, no less.

The villagers did not ask where these things came from. They did not demand to know the name of their benevolent caretaker. They said their thanks, made their offerings, created festivals to celebrate their Forest.

They were grateful.

Until the night of the full moon, when a young man, drunk from a week of celebrating the harvest, wandered into the trees. It had been a dare, a test of bravery from the woman whose hand he sought.

“Name your price, and I swear to you, I’ll provide it!” the man had foolishly declared, loud enough for all of his friends to hear.

The woman had no intention of marrying him, desperate to be rid of his affections as she preferred another, richer man. She smirked at him, nose high in the air as she told him, “I’ll take your hand and name, but three things you must bring me. First, a ring made from the brightest star in the sky. Second, a dress sewn from the silk of the sea spider queen that resides in the lake–”

Already an impossible task, a joke made of the proposal and the man.

But the woman was not finished, her grin cruel as she spoke her final request, “And last, a cloak made from the hide of the rarest creature to dwell in the Forest.”

Where there had been laughter, silence now loomed.

To go into the Forest…

It had never been done, an unspoken rule passed down through generations. They were only meant to take, to thank, to leave. Never to enter.

But the man would not be deterred, a dangerous mix of love and liquid courage coursing through his veins.

He turned on his heels, picked up his bow, and marched straight into the Forest.

It didn’t take long for the noises of the village to fade behind him, and the world to grow dark. The trees were too thick for the moonlight to reach, plunging him into unfamiliar darkness.

But the man would not be discouraged. He pressed forward, walking until his legs shook and the drink wore off, determined to find his rare creature.

And a rare creature he did find.

After hours in the black of the Forest, the man heard a voice. A sweet song, drifting through the leaves to reach down into his very soul. He felt light, the pain in his muscles fading as it lured him deeper and deeper and deeper.

–Into the very heart of the Forest.

A weeping willow larger than any tree he’d ever seen resting in a ring of red toadstools. So large was it, it broke the canopy of the Forest, its weeping white blooms glowing in the pale moonlight. Soft petals and catkins drifted in the gentle breeze, littering the pale blue grass beneath his feet.

And there, in the gold of its branches laid her.

Skin textured like bark, clothed in a dress of draping pale petals, hair so long it wound high into the branches, the Willow Maid sang into the warm, night air.

Entranced by her voice, her beauty, her presence, the man abandoned his bow. His proposal forgotten, he stepped forward eager to hear more of the maiden’s song.

Unable to keep his arms from her ethereal form, he unwittingly stepped over the threshold of toadstools. A gust of wind carried the last of her song, as she turned in her branches to stare down at him.

A piercing gaze, ever-shifting through the colors of the rarest gems. She watched him, staring into him, around him, through him.

Cautious. Curious.

So overcome by her beauty was he, the man spoke without thought, “Fair Willow Maid, I would seek forgiveness for interrupting your lovely song.”

A dangerous thing, to be indebted to her, but the man did not care.

“Then my forgiveness is granted,” she said, voice echoing in the drifting of leaves and waves of the grass. “But it is not forgiveness which brought you to my willow bed. You seek the hand of a woman. A love to be bought and born of my demise.”

“A hide,” he corrected, flinching under her accusation. “Of the rarest creature to dwell in this Forest.”

“What is rarer than the Forest’s own master?”

The man could not answer, stunned by this revelation.

Master of the forest, of beasts, and of men. And he had sought to kill her for a love unrequited.

“You will return to the object of your desires, a failure. My hide is mine own, and I will not allow it to be taken by a love-sickened hunter.”

Foolish and guilty the man may have been, but he was also clever, and a solution quickly came to his mind.

He could not return with the hide, but that did not mean he had to return empty-handed.

“Come with me, dear maiden,” he called into the branches. “Come from thy willow bed, and meet those who would worship at your feet.”

There was no anger in her, no offense at the thought she would be so vain as to want of worship, but instead peace.

Calm.

Serenity.

A gentle, pitying smile, her voice soft as the moonlight, “I cannot leave this place, daring hunter. Instead, I may present you with a parting gift.”

The winds shifted, drooping branches caressed his face.

The man blinked and found himself at the Forest’s edge, staring out at the sun rising over his village with his bow in hand. Around his neck hung a locket of pure gold, a glowing white willow carved into the center.

“I give you this gift,” her voice drifted into his ears, faint and distant. “Proof that you have been blessed by my forest. You may return if you’d like, but I warn you. Don’t ask me to follow where you lead.”

Kyle pauses to take a drink, his attention elsewhere long enough for their limbs to loosen slightly.

“Tha’s quite the tale ye have,” MacTavish says once he regains control of his mouth.

“So, the flowers are Fae magic,” Price hums. “Guess the stories were right about that.”

“More than you’d think,” Kyle sighs, a bitter chuckle as he sets down his cup.

“Forests are all cut down and contained now,” Simon says, cold, calculating eyes kept on Kyle.

“Aye, and th’ Fae Folk are all but gone,” MacTavish adds. There’s a grimace on Kyle’s face, a flinch that he covers by pretending to rub at his eyes.

“The flowers must be left over from the willows, then?” Price deduces, his head tilted towards their storyteller. Kyle shrugs, with a noncommittal nod that sets off alarms in Simon’s head.

“Where did you hear this story?” the masked mask asks. “We’ve heard all of the tales, the bedtime stories, the songs. Yet, I don’t think we’ve ever heard of a Willow Maid.”

“Very few have,” Kyle says simply. “For good reason.”

“And we’re supposed to believe you?” Simon scoffs. “A man we hardly know, telling a story no one else has heard of, about a flower that might not even exist.” He looks to Price, the request clear in his eyes.

This is a waste of time. We should leave.

“The deal wasn’t for you to believe me.” Kyle’s voice is sharp, a dangerous edge laced across the tight smile on his face. “The deal was for you to listen.”

The word hisses from his mouth, and Simon feels his muscles tighten painfully. MacTavish groans next to him, and Simon knows he and Price are feeling the same. A weight holds them down, keeps them in their chairs, unable to move or look at anything other than Kyle.

Kyle simply smiles.

“If I may continue?”

…The village had hailed him a hero.

To have gone into the Forest, and emerged with its blessing? There was no higher achievement, no feat more accomplished.

They showered him in gifts, in favors, in endless wealth.

The woman whose hand he sought all but threw herself into his arms, so proud to accept his proposal now.

Yet, he denied it all. He did not want gold nor gems nor silks. He did not care if he had the biggest house, the fattest livestock, the fullest larder.

His heart’s true desire rested in the heart of the Forest, nestled safely in her tree.

He visited the Willow Maid often, disappearing into the Forest trees for weeks at a time. Others tried to follow him, tried to gain the Forest’s favor just as he had. All but him were spurned, led into the depth of the trees only to be twisted and turned and led back to where they had started.

The woman he once sought grew so green with jealousy, she marched into the Forest promising to find what had stolen his affections with a sharp knife and bundle of matchsticks. She never returned, and the Forest refused to provide until the man visited again to apologize on the village’s behalf.

They stopped following him after that.

The man was not bothered, content to be left alone with his Willow Maid. He enjoyed his time, resting in the shade of her tree, listening to her sing or telling her tales from his childhood. He spoke with her, laughed with her, learned about her and her Forest and her creatures.

Years passed, and his visits grew. He had befriended her, treasured her, loved her.

And she loved him in return.

The village was alight with rumor and speculation when the man walked into the Forest, dressed in his finest with a bundle of fresh sunflowers in hand.

Unwavering faith. Admiration. Sincerity.

To love until the end.

A proposal with the highest affections.

He stood beneath her willow and wrapped the flowers in the moonlit branches. They carried the fresh blooms to his love, his declaration loud for all of the Forest to hear–

“You’ve captured my heart, my sweet Willow Maid. With your Forest’s blessing, I would be honored to be your groom.”

She smelled the sunflowers, cradling them in her arms like the most precious of gifts. She released them to the branches, watching them drift high into the willow, out of her sight and out of his.

The wind whispered across his cheek, blossoms shrouding the maiden before she appeared before him at the base of the tree. He took her into his arms, holding her close against him. Everything about her was perfect, the velvet soft petals of her gown, the radiating warmth of her skin, the smell of ambrosia in her hair.

There would be no other for him, in this life and every life.

His heart was completely hers, just as hers was his.

“My dear, darling hunter,” she spoke, her hands a soft caress on his cheeks. “I can wed you never. Not near, nor far, nor soon.”

A heart-shattering rejection that would have ruined him for love eternally had she not looked so mournful. So regretful.

“Why?” he begged. “What is it that keeps you from me?”

A hand on his heart, the other on her tree he feels the pulse–the life–thrum through her fingertips. “I told you, I cannot leave this place.”

He grasped her hand in his, his voice a sweet murmur as he gave her his solution. “Then don’t.”

A long-awaited kiss, and an even longer-awaited night possessed by the feel, the touch, the love of one another. A promise of dedication, of ever-lasting love. Whispers sewn into the infinite roots of her willow.

They rested against her tree after, pressed against one another as she traced along his chest, a glowing willow forever marked over his heart.

“The Forest is not your home, my lovely hunter, and I would not be so cruel as to bind you to it. You may come and go as you please. I will always be here, awaiting your visits, but you cannot ask me to follow where you lead.”

A plea unheard, falling deaf on sleeping ears.

The barkeep comes to refill the ale, and the pressure releases as Kyle thanks him with a smile.

“This is startin’ to sound…personal,” MacTavish jokes, and Price is thankful for the man’s sharp eyes and unrestrained tongue.

Kyle murmurs something they don’t catch, lips quirking up at the corners.

“Perhaps it is,” he shrugs. There’s something playful in his tone. Mischievous. As if he's proud of their keen attentions.

“Laying with the Fae’s an awfully bold thing to do, but promising yourself to one?” Price lets out a low whistle.

“Foolish, more like,” MacTavish chuckles.

It wasn’t unheard of. There were stories of humans being whisked away in the night to live a life of comfort and luxury among their Fae lovers. They were mostly fairytales, told to satisfy young children and hopeless romantics, as most of those who’d grown already knew of the dangers of the Fae.

They knew the true nature of the Fae, and that a mortal’s comfort often went hand in hand with servitude. Wealth and luxury were rewards for proper entertainment and could be stripped away at a moment’s notice. The Fae were as cruel as they were kind, and their promises were not to be taken lightly.

“Maybe a little of both,” Kyle hums. “Love makes fools of even the best of us.”

“I’ll drink t’ tha’!” MacTavish laughs, and the pressure in his limbs loosens enough to allow him to toast his cup against Kyle’s.

“So,” Simon speaks up, flexing his hands as a test of mobility. When he’s given range, he leans back his chair, one hand resting around his cup. “What happened next?”

There’s something mournful in Kyle’s smile. A pained regret they very easily recognize.

They’ve all known that sting of loss.

“What happened next…”

…It was the tree.

The willow–her willow–kept her bound to the Forest, away from her love. She had tried everything in her power to make it see reason, to let her wander from its ring of toadstools.

She made offerings, formed new creatures to take her stead, begged at its roots.

It denied her every time.

The man tried to stay with her, but I–he could not thrive in the moonlight alone. He could not live off of Forest’s magic as she could. He had to return to the village.

They were resigned to spend their years as often apart as with each other. Not a moment together was wasted. Their joinings were beautiful–soft and tender and full of love–and their partings were miserable. They mourned in their time away, grief-stricken and sick with yearning for their other half.

Five years of this unending misery, and the man had had enough.

He stormed through the forest, a fury of determination. The trees parted for him, in fear of the sharpness of his eyes and of the axe in his hands.

He was going to take his faerie—his wife—and free her from her prison. They were going to be happy together, raise their children together, live their lives together as they were meant to.

He did not waste time when he reached the clearing, did not give her warning before his first swing.

The roots sprung forth, ripping through the earth to lash at the hunter, striking across his face to draw blood from his cheek.

Still, he did not stop.

Neither did the tree.

The Willow Maid dove from its branches, shielding her hunter’s body with her own, taking the strike in his place.

The willow halted its assault, axe planted firmly in its trunk.

She stumbled to her feet, the split across her back dripping into the pale grass, staining its blades a shimmering gold. She stepped a sure foot forward, crushing the toadstools beneath her bare feet, and took the axe in hand.

The echoes of her wailing melted into the cracking of the wood.

The cry of her willow as it fell would haunt the forest for a millennium.

She collapsed into sobs, but it was not for her willow that she cried. She cradled the bloodied body of her poor, dear hunter close to her chest. Hair falling around them, its long tendrils soaked by the sweet smelling blood-sap oozing from her tree.

She wept.

For him, for her, for their freedom and love.

She wept.

Her willow personified.

She waited until he was strong enough to stand, to face her, to hold her. A kiss over the cold corpse of her once caretaker.

He led her back through the forest, hand clasped tightly around hers, ready to bring her home. His home, her home, their home.

When they came to the forest edge, she gasped at the sight of the village. The burning orange sunset streaked across the fields, the speckle of lights from their windows against the darkening land, the sound of cheer and laughter and freedom.

Her smile was bright enough to rival the stars, eager to start her new life with her love eternal.

Two steps past the forest edge.

That was as far as she got.

Two steps beyond the threshold and her knees buckled beneath her. Her hunter held onto her, lowering her into the warm grass. Her body seized in his arms, barkskin peeling and flaking into thin wood chips. Cheeks sinking in, hair thinning into long blades of grass, petal clothes wilting against her body.

She pawed at his face, eyes wild with fear and confusion. Her whimpers and wordless pleas broke his heart, begging every god he could think of to fix his sweet Willow Maid.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

She was supposed to be safe. They were supposed to be happy. Together.

He felt her fade, her body melting in his arms, and a shrieking lament tore from his throat as he lost his one and only love, left with only her dim golden blood sliding through his fingers.

The sun set, the moon taking its place high in the sky.

The wind whispered across his skin, a fresh sting against the cut on his cheek, carrying with it the voice of her fallen willow.

“You’ve stolen from me that which is most precious. Don’t you know that pain you sow is pain you reap?”

The Forest murmurs, trees rustled in the growing moonlight. Shimmering silver growing and growing from the dense woods, until it was almost blinding.

“You have taken but you have not given in return, and so I make this trade instead. I will take from you what you took from me.”

The golden blood began to glow on his hands, glow on the ground, glow in the moonlight, light rising and rising and rising. It skimmed petal-soft across his hands, slinking into the grass where the dirt drank and digested it.

There was shouting from the village as the lights crescendoed into one final, blinding beam then faded entirely. Everything was left in muted, dull tones as if the color was stripped from the world, the Forest silent and still for the first time since its conception.

He knew that the Forest would provide for them no longer.

All that remained was a beautiful, glowing flower. A moon-white blossom, a cruel reminder of what he had done.

The earth rumbled beneath his feet, one last biting sentence from the willow.

“You can not take from the Forest what was never meant to leave.”

Kyle finishes his tale with a sigh of longing.

“It was the biggest mistake I ever made,” he says, eyes cast down at the table.

“A cruel lesson,” Price laments, eyes full of sympathy for the young man.

“And one repaid in blood,” Kyle sighs grimly. He takes a deep swig, setting his cup aside as the pressure lifts entirely from the group across from him.

“The flower wilted by morning, taken from me forever, and I…did not respond kindly. I took up arms against the Forest’s creatures, hunted them to near extinction, and cut down every tree in sight. The magic was gone, but my people rejoiced. They named me Garrick, Spear King.”

The table goes still.

They’ve heard of the Great Spear King. There’s not a soul alive who hasn’t. The story of how he founded the kingdoms, brought the world to rule under one benevolent ruler, was taught to every child, passed on through every generation.

There were holidays named for him. Parades in his honor.

Respects paid to his burial chambers every year.

Kyle watches the realization wash over them, the skepticism, the caution. He stands from the table, a small gesture out the window.

“The ruins of my village lie a tenday’s walk in that direction. Just beyond the flooded river, in a deep valley. There are remnants, sometimes, when the moon is brightest. You may not get everything you wished for, but there is power in that soil.”

“And that’s what the others found? Is it truly soil that they keep hidden in their vaults? Is it dirt that they credit their wealth and power to?” Simon scoffs.

“If it is, it’s not from the Fae,” Kyle shrugs. “There’s nothing left of their magic in this world. I made sure of it.”

“Then, why tell us?” MacTavish questions. The once-king shrugs again, adjusting the fastening of his cloak.

“Curiosity? Boredom? Or perhaps, I just wanted someone to know the truth, and you lot seemed trustworthy enough.”

It should be a compliment, the highest honor given from the man who founded their nation, but it feels…sad.

“I wish you luck, travelers. It is a rare day indeed that I find myself so open to sharing secrets.”

Kyle doesn’t wait for them to say their goodbyes, or say anything really. He gives them a curt nod, and turns to head up the stairs to the tavern’s second floor.

They wait until nightfall to leave, making their way down the path under the shroud of darkness.

Kyle watches from the window of his room, sitting tucked in the windowsill. His cloak abandoned on the uneven bed, he smooths his thumb over the well-worn metal of the locket around his neck. The tree’s glow is dim, barely noticeable unless he cups his hands around it, but it’s there.

He waits until the trio fades from his vision, shifting against the rotting wood to sit up straight. The moonlight casts its shine down through the foggy panes, but it’s enough light to satisfy him.

Pressing his fingers into the sides of locket, he holds it under the light as it opens with a soft click.

Petals burst from the seams, throwing the locket open to release a beautiful, bountiful white bloom. The flower soaks up the moonlight, waves of golden light pulsing over its velvet petals.

For one moment, he is that young man again, no longer carrying the burden of loss in his eyes, or the torment of a man who has been granted the curse of eternal life.

He presses a tender kiss to the flower. “I’ve missed you, my love.”

The flower glows just a bit brighter.

#gazfest #kyle gaz garrick x reader #kyle garrick x reader #gaz x reader #kyle gaz garrick #kyle garrick #gaz #mw fics #moth writes #tw: blood #tw: death #tw: loss #private

225 notes · View notes

adrift-in-thyme · 1 year ago

Text

@skyward-floored I know you’ve been sick all week so I wrote you a little something to help cheer you up. It’s short and probably not wonderfully edited but I hope you get some joy from it anyway :)

——————————

“Up and at ‘em Captain!” Legend calls as he stomps down the hall. “The day’s wasting away!”

The sun is already high in the sky. The other heroes are already dressed and packed and well into eating their breakfast. Yet, the captain is still snoozing away, snug as a bug beneath his blankets.

Must be nice being able to sleep through all that ruckus, Legend thinks, grumpily.

Though, now that he ponders it, it is rather unlike Warriors to slumber on like this. Usually, he is one of the first to awaken. By the time anyone else rises, he is already washed and dressed and looking entirely too well-kept for someone who catapulted out of bed before even the sun dared peek over the horizon.

A small shred of worry worms its way past Legend’s careful defenses. But he pushes it aside as he steps into the doorway.

“Hey, pretty boy! Did you hear me?”

By all appearances, the bed is occupied solely by blankets. And save for a few sniffles, their occupant remains steadfastly silent. Frowning, Legend steps closer.

“Warriors? You alive in there?”

“Mmph,” groan the blankets.

Legend grasps the nearest edge and flings them off. A very miserable-looking Warriors blinks up at him.

“Vet?”

Legend winces. His voice is painfully hoarse. Speaking must be agonizing.

His eyes are glossy too, he sees now, and his cheeks unnaturally flushed. A layer of sweat coats his forehead and drags down his curls. When he pushes himself upward, the movement is accompanied by a violent shudder that nearly lands him back on the bed.

The captain presses his fingertips to the bridge of his nose.

“Sorry, is it time to get up? I-I didn’t realize…”

He trails off, blinking into the rays of sunlight that waft through the blinds. Panic streaks across his face.

“I overslept.”

“Yeah, you did.”

Legend puts a hand to his chest, pushing him back as he tries to get out of bed. He shivers beneath his touch, breath hitching.

“And it’s no wonder that you did. You look like crap, Wars. How long have you been sick?”

Warriors swallows, cringing as he does it.

“Don’t know.” He shrugs, weakly. “I haven’t felt well all week but I thought…I thought I was fine.”

His eyes widen.

“I’m gonna get everyone sick!”

“Well, yeah, probably. But we’ll be fine.”

Legend presses the palm of his hand to Warriors’ head, ignoring his weak attempts to shove him off.

“You’re burning up, captain. Lie back down.”

“But we-we need to get going…” Warriors looks up at him, eyes wide and pleading. “We were so close to the…we were so close…”

Legend sighs. “The monsters can wait. You need to rest.”

“Is everything alright in here?”

Time peeks around the door, now, a concerned expression on his face. When he catches sight of Warriors it deepens. In two strides, he is within the room.

“Captain, are you well?”

“He’s definitely not,” Legend says before Warriors can try and make excuses. “He’s sick as a dog.”

Time places a hand on Warriors’ forehead, then retracts it, a frown darkening his features.

“We will stay in the inn today. You must rest.”

“But Sprite…” Warriors begins. Time shakes his head.

“I’ll hear no arguments from the very man who forcibly snuggled me until I slept as a child.”

Legend snorts. “He did what?”

Time only smiles, his attention still on Warriors.

“Pushing on will only make you worse, captain. You would be the first to pause the journey if one of us were in your place. Let us take care of you.”

“Fine.” Warriors slouches, defeated. “Why’re you two so stubborn?”

Legend grins.

“You think we’re bad? Just wait until you see the others.” He winks. “Lemme go get ‘em.”

As he turns on his heel, Legend sees Warriors sink further into the bed. His grin grows wider.

Get comforted, captain.

Less than half of an hour later, the bedroom is swarmed by eight heroes, all armed with illness-fighting supplies. Sky and Wild, come bearing warm soup.

(“It’s the best for a sore throat,” Sky says with a smile and Wild nods, “yup, I cooked a big batch too, so you’ll have plenty of it.”)

Hyrule offers healing potions. Wind and Four bring armfuls of blankets.

(“Did you two raid every house in Castle Town?” Time asks in disbelief as he takes the small heroes’ bundles. Wind grins.)

(“Basically.”)

Twilight brings fresh water from the spring just outside of town, said to have healing properties…and also a stray cat to keep the captain company.

(“You sure that’s for his benefit?” Legend asks, narrowing his eyes as the rancher sets the animal on Warriors’ lap. Twilight just grins.)

Soon, Warriors is lying down once more, wrapped snugly in what Wind dubs a “blanket burrito,” with a belly full of soup and a cat on his legs.

Time brushes his bangs out of his eyes and places a cool cloth on his forehead. Warriors sighs at the touch.

“Are you feeling a little better now?” Wind asks, eyes wide with concern. Oblivious to the captain’s warnings about germs, he has managed to fit himself in between the eternal blankets and the cat, cuddled against Warriors’ side.

Not that the knight seems to mind overly much, now that all is said and done. And as he settles on the end of the bed, Legend can’t help thinking he looks glad to have the company.

Warriors nods, eyes drooping.

“Yeah, I’m better, sailor.” He sends the heroes a tired grin. “Thanks to all of you.” His gaze flicks to Legend. “Especially, you vet.”

Legend’s cheeks heat and he looks down, waving a dismissive hand.

“Ah, no big deal. I’m not so mean as to let you die in here all alone and snotty and miserable.”

Warriors chuckles and closes his eyes. “So, you decided to suffocate me with blankets instead?”

Legend shrugs, a grin playing on his lips. “What can I say? I’m merciful.”

The blankets in question look rather comfortable and he decides to lay down upon them. He’s not the only one either. All of the heroes have drifted over now, cuddling up on a bed not made for nine men and boys. But they make do. And Warriors seems to melt in their embrace.

Legend smiles at the peaceful look on the captain’s face as he drifts off. He guesses even someone like the pretty boy needs a break once in a while. And — he chuckles as Wind and the cat compete for space — some snuggles too.

#all that body heat can’t be good for wars’ fever #but who cares?#he needs cuddles #I was originally gonna make this zelink h/c #but these two wanted to be written instead #and then the whole chain wanted in on the fluff lol #anyway #I hope you feel better Peggy <33 #trin writes #linkeduniverse #sickfic #hurt/comfort #fluff #lu warriors #lu legend #lu time #lu chain

135 notes · View notes

misspelledwordswizard · 2 months ago

Text

Chapter 9 - Sometimes you don't understand what happiness is until you break into someone's house and break their ceramic pots.

Previous chapter / Next chapter

I reluctantly got up from the bed, walking towards the door, I turned the handle, opening it to reveal Hyrule, who was waiting for na answer and seemed surprised to see me. He smiled shyly, but I could feel his discomfort, there was something on his mind bothering him, and maybe it had something to do with me.

— Hey, sorry, did I wake you up? – He asked softly, I just shook my head and waited for him to speak. – Hm, I spoke to Cotera earlier and she mentioned that you and Four had visited her before, and... – He seemed afraid to say the next part, as if he had doubts about whether he should bring up the subject at all.

— Is everything okay, Link? – Since there were only the two of us there, and now I officially knew his real names, I preferred to call him that, but apparently it surprised him a little.

— Oh, yeah, I was just wondering if... if you had ever met a great fairy before, you seemed pretty calm there. – That wasn’t what he was going to ask, it was obvious that I hadn’t, if I was a terrible liar, then Hyrule was terrible at making excuses. And that only makes me more curious to know what he was really going to ask.

— No, that was the first time I saw a great fairy. – I thought it would be better not to pressure him, maybe he just didn’t trust me, but I could change that over time.

— Oh, right... Hm, sorry to bother you, have a good rest! – He said quickly and left, he seemed nervous. What could have made him like this?

I sighed, closing the door and going back to bed. Relief ran through my body as I lay down, right, now I’m going to sleep. But I can’t stop imagining what it could have been, is it related to Cotera? Did she say something about me? But what could it be that would cause such a reaction in him? My mind wandered through the various possibilities, especially considering that it had been almost a whole day since he visited her, so had he been keeping this all this time? Will I ever know what he wanted to ask?

Great, now I really won’t be able to sleep.

◇

I hummed some random pop song from Earth as I checked all the belongings I had acquired since I lost all the others. Everything seemed fine for what was to come, but I would have loved to have some toiletries, who knows how long I would be camping in the middle of the woods. I could use the money I had left over yesterday, which I forgot to return to Time. Technically, the money belonged to the group, since they kept everything together to make things easier, so I can consider it part of the payment of the debt they owe me!

With that idea in mind, I carefully packed everything away again, leaving the first clothes I had bought to change into, I couldn’t leave the inn wearing these old rags. I just got dressed quickly, without worrying about equipping belts or grabbing my sword, and left the room. I walked down the stairs without rushing, it was night now and things were calm, I was well rested, but it would be better not to stay up too late this time, since we would be leaving early tomorrow. I saw some of the boys chatting around, it seemed that Wild was trying to use the inn’s kitchen to prepare a meal, I just greeted them quickly as I walked out the door. The night breeze seemed to wake me up even more, it was a little cold, but it was good. I walked around the village watching the villagers interact, maybe I would miss all this peace, but I can’t deny that I also feel excited to get involved in na adventure.

I went into the general store looking for any useful things that I had forgotten before, I managed to find some body soap of acceptable quality and a towel, that should do the trick, but I wouldn’t complain if there were hair products here. I looked around for anything else, then came across a section of knick-knacks. Oh, I love buying useless things that just accumulate at home!

I walked over looking for something that caught my eye. There was everything there, from cheap jewelry to useful tools. My eyes were caught by a silver bracelet, it was a bit flashy with several different pendants, probably of dubious quality. But I don’t think it would hurt to buy a little something for myself, right? Okay, I’m just buying things for myself, but the others don’t count because they’re necessities! This one would be a treat for me, I’m going through a lot, I deserve it!

After paying for everything I decided it would be a good idea to have a bathing suit too, if I had to bathe in a river or lake, I would want to be protected from possibly being seen. For the third time, I went back to the clothing store, the attendant seemed very happy to see me, she must know I came to buy, and she was ready to extort the poor tourist that I am.

Luckily for me, there were basic bathing suits, I chose the cheapest one, paid and left as quickly as possible, so as not to regret my decisions. Now I didn’t even have money to give back to Time. I returned to the inn with some bags in my hands, since I hadn’t brought my magic bag to put everything in.

The boys saw me and called me, it seems that the Cook was making our dinner, everyone was gathered now. From what I understood, they convinced the owner of the inn to let Wild cook there as long as he made food for them too.

— Hey, what’s up? Were you spending money again? – Warriors commented as he looked at the bags and the bracelet I had already put on my wrist.

— Oh, don’t worry, it was a gift! – I said with conviction.

— Gift, from whom? – The captain seemed in disbelief.

— Yours, I bought it with your rupees.

He opened his mouth to complain but soon closed it in pure indignation while I held back my laughter, so he just walked away sulking, refusing to talk to me. I laughed softly as I went to the other side, near Wind.

He waved happily at me as he turned his attention back to what he was talking about with Four. Even though I was now on their side, I couldn’t pay attention to what they were saying, because I started to observe each Link individually. Sky was playing his lyre, in a soft and comforting melody, creating a soundtrack for the environment.

Wild was cooking, I couldn’t see it from where I was, but the smell of the food was divine. Twilight and Time were talking about something while Wars listened. When he noticed me looking at him, he turned away, sulking, but I could see a suppressed smile on the corner of his lips and almost laughed along with me. Hyrule was, from what I understood, trying to help with the cooking, but the Champion kept kicking him out of the kitchen. Then there was Legend. He was isolated in na armchair, sulking, with a frown on his face – and a horrible posture, almost lying down – while he looked at everyone in a bad mood. Whatever happened, no one seemed willing to try to understand, which must mean he’s not letting anyone get close.

I guess this is my time to shine then, or to be completely humiliated and offended, it’s worth a try. I got up from my seat next to Wind and walked towards the veteran, who turned his face away when he noticed me, but unlike Wars, he didn’t do it as a joke. I sighed, this is going to be difficult, so I sat on the arm of the armchair, not putting all my weight on it, after all it wasn’t na ideal place to sit.

— So... – I started, not knowing exactly what to say, but I was interrupted.

— Leave me alone.

He spoke rudely, without even looking at me. Maybe I have to change my emotional strategy. I started staring at him with a face as ugly and sullen as his — which was hard since I really wanted to laugh – until he noticed and looked back at me, confused. I held back the laugh that wanted to escape my lips even more.

— You’re not the only one who knows how to make a face!

— What? I’m not... Can you stop looking at me like that? what an ugly face!

I laughed, I couldn’t hold it in. This only pushed him further. He must think I’m laughing at him, oops. I took a deep breath to calm myself down and stop laughing, then I turned my attention back to him, who stopped looking at me and went back to staring into space with pure hatred. Okay, I get it. He doesn’t want to talk about feelings or anything that’s bothering him, but maybe I can make him laugh. I know how it feels, at first we get even angrier when someone tries to help us release our anger, but if you keep insisting, it might work. Or maybe I can help you release all that anger in a more functional way.

— Come with me! – I said, not giving him a chance to complain, getting up and pulling him by the arm out of the inn.

Of course he complained the whole way, he kept talking and asking where I was taking him, but at the same time he didn’t stop walking, he just followed me, maybe out of curiosity. I continued guiding him through the city until the path that led to the great fairy’s fountain, but that wasn’t our final goal yet. The moon shone in the sky, illuminating our path through the trees as we crossed the bridge. I took him to the same place they made my sword, it would be a good place for a mess.

— Okay, I need you to stay here and wait for me. Promise you’ll wait for me! – I ordered, letting go of his arm and standing face to face.

— What? Why the fuck would I-

— Promise! – I interrupted him, raising my little finger at him. He just looked at me confused as if I was crazy. I sighed and rolled my eyes, he didn’t know what that was.

I grabbed his hand, leaving his pinky finger raised and forced him to intertwine it with mine, he tried to pull it away embarrassed but I kept it in place, giving it a light shake to seal the “deal”.

— This is a pinky promise, you can’t break it, understand? If you break it, you’ll have to swallow a thousand needles! – I said seriously, he just snorted and agreed, letting go of my hand. – Great, now wait for me here, this might take a while.

I left him behind without giving any explanations, going back the way we had just gone. It turns out that I hadn’t planned this very well, which only made my job harder, but it’s okay, I’m sure this will help him, there’s nothing a Link likes more than that. Maybe sleeping.

When I got out of his field of vision I started running back to the inn, I would need my magic bag that fits everything if I wanted to do this. I quickly reached the door, opened it and ran upstairs, Four called me asking something but I couldn’t hear, I’m too busy. I got to my room almost knocking the door down, I grabbed my belt with my bag and everything I had inside and went back out. On the stairs I ended up tripping and falling because I ran too much, but before anyone saw, or I felt any pain, I got up and started running again.

I wanted to be as fast as possible, I know he won’t wait for me for long. Time to act like a Link, breaking into houses and stores. Maybe this is a bad way to look at it, but that’s basically what I did. I went into the shops and started picking up all the ceramics I could find. I don’t know if that would get me in trouble, but I hope not. After picking up the pots from all the shops, I started looking for more in empty houses. If they call me a crazy terrorist later, I’ll blame all the Links for being bad influences.

Finally, after looting all the ceramic pots in the village, I ran back down the path to where I left Legend. I stopped running when I started to get close, tidying up my appearance and regulating my breathing so as not to look like a crazy person. He was waiting, sitting under a tree, thoughtful. As soon as he saw me, he got up and started walking towards me, still in a bad mood.

— Why did it take so long?

— I went as fast as I could! But look, it was worth it. – I said as I took a jar out of my bag and handed it to him. He stared at me blankly, looking even angrier.

— I waited all this time for you to give me a jar?– Legend complained and I just rolled my eyes.

— It’s for you to break it. Take out your anger in a more fun way, throw it with all your strength, watch it shatter. It usually helps.

His lips parted in surprise as he understood my idea, he then looked back at the clay jar, for a second I thought I saw a smile on his lips, until he turned abruptly and threw the jar hard against a tree, making it shatter on the ground. I flinched a little in surprise, but soon recovered and laughed, while taking all the jars I had with me and leaving them on the ground.

He picked up another one, throwing it even harder at the tree. I decided to join in, that sounded like fun, I grabbed a smaller one and slammed it down with all my strength. It shattered with a muffled noise on the grass, but still satisfying. In a few seconds, the two of us started creating pure chaos, spreading broken pottery all over the place while the air was filled with a hellish symphony of loud sounds of things breaking.

Even I managed to relieve the stress I didn’t know I was holding, I could see the drastic change in the veteran’s mood, who in a short time changed from na irritated expression to laughter – somewhat evil – of joy as he created chaos by breaking things. I had managed to get a good amount of pottery, but the fun didn’t last more than a few minutes as they broke one after the other. Of course, I left most of it for him, it was good to see him so carefree. When I was thrown the last pottery pot, I ended up slipping on the grass and falling on my back, making the pottery just roll away without breaking. Legend burst into hysterical laughter when he saw me fall, and after getting over the surprise of the fall, I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. He grabbed the pot I tried to throw and broke it with a strong kick. Kicking the shards away to clear the path, he threw himself down, lying on the grass next to me, still laughing while relaxed. After we calmed down and stopped laughing, he turned his head to look at me, only to see me already looking at him.

I blushed, it was a little embarrassing, even though I was just assuring him that my mission had been a success. Then, when I thought he was going to say something sarcastic or make fun of me for falling, he did something that surprised me even more. He smiled. He smiled at me, the sweetest and most honest smile I had ever seen in my life. It was beautiful, he looked beautiful like that, I wish I could have that vision every day.

— Thank you. – His voice was soft, it didn’t even sound like him, but it was comforting. – It seems that you are good at dealing with this kind of thing after all.

— I had to be good at something, right? – He laughed at my words, shaking his head gently.

For a moment, we were silent, I turned my gaze to the starry sky above us, it was beautiful, I had never seen anything like it in my last life, so it always impressed me no matter how many times I saw it. I sighed tiredly, it had been a long day, but this felt right, it was rewarding, and I certainly wasn’t going to clean all of this up.

— The moon is beautiful today, isn’t it? – I started to ramble.

— Yes, it is beautiful. – The veteran replied, not really seeming to be paying attention. That made me turn my gaze to him, only to find that he had never stopped looking at me.

I think he was so tired that he couldn’t think straight, but it was nice to still see that smile on his lips. I was about to comment on how he looked as exhausted as I did when he started talking.

— I didn’t want you here. I didn’t want you in this group. You’re a stranger to me. – That hurt, I thought we were getting along well, but I preferred to keep quiet. – But man, I’m glad this didn’t depend on me. – Now I looked at him confused. – It’s still hard for me, having someone with us who shouldn’t be part of all this, but I think someone from the outside can be good. We may be different, but we’re still very similar, having someone who is completely outside can be the balance we needed.

I couldn’t answer him, it seemed like that was his way of saying “welcome to the group” and maybe he even liked my presence a little, but only a little. I could only smile like na idiot.

— Whatever you’re thinking, you better get it out of your head. – I came back to reality with that and noticed that his sullen face returned, but it was gentle, it was just a joke. – And don’t think about doing this to anyone else, okay? That was nice, don’t give it away by showing it to others.

Okay, now that was weird. He had a slight blush as he said that, and that’s when I understood. He’s jealous and possessive of his things, and now breaking ceramic pots to relieve his anger was a thing of his. He was saying “This is something I do now, and no one else can do it”. How rude Legend, you have to learn to share. I couldn’t help but laugh a little but ended up getting a light bag on the arm in disapproval.

— Okay, I’ll keep this a secret. Don’t worry, when I need to help another Link relieve his anger, I’ll think of something more original. – He seemed to want to protest my answer, but he just frowned and turned his head to the side, avoiding my gaze. – Now, after all this chaos, I think it’s time to eat. – I concluded as I stood up, followed by the man.

The two of us returned to the inn together, leaving the mess behind. Upon entering, we were greeted by the wonderful smell of food, everyone was gathered in a room with a long table. We joined them, receiving curious looks, but everyone just ignored it while they ate and talked. It reminds me of the times when my whole family would gather at grandma’s house for a big lunch, I miss my grandma so much. In that life, it was just me and my parents, I never met my grandparents, I don’t have any uncles or cousins. Wild served the food to everyone, and it was delicious. He had more time and ingredients to prepare it, so he ended up making more complex things and several options. I tried a little bit of everything and it was great. After everyone ate and talked for a while longer, we went up to our respective rooms. Warriors and Twilight were in charge of the dishes. I offered to help, but they refused and pushed me out of the kitchen. I lay down on my soft bed. It would be the last time I would sleep in a bed for a while.

I was exhausted, but I managed to stay awake for a while longer to finish the book I had borrowed. If I didn’t finish it now, I might never know the ending. It took me almost two hours, but I finally finished it. I put it aside while I snuggled under the covers. In a few seconds, I was completely asleep.

#link x reader #linked universe x reader #legend of zelda #linked universe fanfic #linked universe #lu x reader

25 notes · View notes

lxkeeeee · 2 years ago

Text

4NEMO as angsty relationship tropes

—4NEMO boys x GN! Reader, just some angst tropes for the 4NEMO gang cuz it's 10 pm and I'm going through midlife crisis, Anyways! Some tropes might repeat cuz I'm so unoriginal 💔 also, Aether isn't here cuz he joined G3O lmao but anyways... Enjoy!

—Kazuha “Prioritizing wandering/adventuring over you, he just realized what he did wrong way too late.” Kazuha can never get tired of feeling the strong ocean winds caress his face or the refreshing scent of the sea filling his nostrils. Kazuha never stays at the same place for far too long, he can never stand still—he always yearns to travel the world, engraved every little detail into his memory. Alas, he failed to notice the longing look on your face whenever he leaves the door of your shared house, the way your hands would tug into his sleeves, whenever he bids you goodbye—afraid of letting him go. He didn't notice the loneliness in his lover's face—as he was too eager to leave the house and go back to the Crux.

Before, when he just first joined the Crux, he never fails to send you letters—letters after letters you received, constantly reassuring you about his whereabouts, but now, he rarely remembers—and if he did, he only writes out of guilt. At first you tried to understand, be forgiving—you know how he is, he is a curious young man, who are you to stop him?

But the days of him being far away from you, it started to eat you from the inside—you miss him dearly, whenever he visits he only stays for a day or two if you're lucky. You're tired from it, the constant loneliness, the coldness of your bed whenever he's gone the next morning—only a lingering warmth of where he once slept.

It doesn't even feel like you're together, it felt like you were just a pit stop to him. Suddenly, you stopped caring—Kazuha noticed this when he visited, your voice sounds so far away despite you being infront of him, the way you no longer lean towards his touches or the way you would turn your back on him whenever you two slept. But Kazuha paid no mind, as much as he would love to comfort you, the Crux would be leaving soon—and so did he, he slowly removed himself from your shared bed, careful not to wake you up—then gently placed a small kiss on your forehead and then left, making sure to lock the doors before he did.

Once you heard the silence of the house once again, the coldness in the air—you broke down.

After weeks of being gone, Kazuha is now back to your shared house to see it empty—you're belongings never too be found. Kazuha's heart began to race in panic, he frantically look around the house, looking for your scent—maybe you're just playing a cruel joke on him, but he couldn't find any—you're long gone. Tears threaten to fall from his eyes, his irises noticing a folded paper underneath the flower vase in their living room table—he immediately scrambled to get up, hands shaking as he unfolded the paper—his eyes scanning every letter, every sentences, looking for answers, looking for clues.

His eyes widening as his deep red eyes landed on your signature, he broke down. How can he be so stupid? How didn't he noticed your loneliness? The way you longed for him? The way you held into him before he left?

He lost you.

—Xiao “Sacrifice.” Xiao didn't understand you, what your intentions are—basically anything human, he kept regarding himself as a weapon to the point that he forgot that it's okay to feel human, to feel weak sometimes. Xiao didn't understand why, why you offer so many things to him? Like a devoted follower to their god—but he's no god, he is far from being a god.

After all, he is a weapon of war.

He doesn't understand your kindness and where it came from, the way you would religiously visit Wangshu Inn just to give him almond tofu, the way you would run to the inn whenever you hear he got injured or the way your touch seemed to ease up a bit his karmic debt.

This is bad, xiao thought.

He can't risk you getting hurt from his karma, but Archons, you are just so warm.

He could just bask in you for hours, your warmth reminded him of the time where he would sit on one of the the stones in Qingyun Peak, feeling the sun kissing his skin.

You are so warm that Xiao almost felt safe.

But no, he's the one who's supposed to keep you safe, not the other way around.

And he can't do that if you're clinging to him, affecting yourself with his karma.

So, he harshly told you to stay away from him. Words keep leaving his mouth, each word harsher than the last.

"You're mere presence is unneeded, leave and never return. Only call if it's necessary."

Xiao could feel his chest tighten as he watched tears falling down your cheeks as you rushed out of the inn.

He did it. He kept you safe.

But at what cost?

—Heizou “Loves his work more than he loves you.” "Love???" You softly call out, head peaking through the small gap of the open door, you see Heizou's figure standing proud as he places his hand underneath his chin, seemingly in a deep thinking, infront of him was a board—pictures, papers, evidences pinned to it, a bright red string connecting each evidence. He couldn't even hear you, mind drifted away to the clouds.

"Love...?" You call out again, this time his figure slightly jumped before eventually turns around in a fast pace, he let out a sigh of relief to see it was just you. "Sweetheart??? Why are you awake at this hour?" He asked as he looked at the wall clock—the hour that no sane human would be awake at that time, he shrugs before turning around to look at the board once more.

You frowned before scoffing lightly, "You should speak to yourself..." You softly mutter, Heizou sighs, "Sorry sweetheart, I've been busy." He says, not sparing you a glance.

Your eyebrows furrowed, annoyance from the lack of both sleep and affection starting to affect you. "You always say that love, When is your work gonna end and join me to sleep for once, I'm worried of your lack of proper sleep." You say, voice filled annoyance.

Heizou groans, "Archon's damnit [Y/n]! I can't just sleep off a case!" He groans out, voice slightly rising, you flinched slightly but he didn't notice—too tired and too busy to care about you to notice.

"I can't just sleep a case off because I'm tired! I can't live in peace if I find out an innocent person died because I've been slacking off."

You were too shock to say anything, his outburst surprised you. "Still, I'm worried for you okay?! I don't remember when was the last time you've properly slept! Can't your lover be even remotely worry about you?!" You ask, eyes beginning to sting, you shook your head to clear your thoughts—to shake the tiredness away, 'he is just tired.' 'he didn't mean to raise his voice at me.' you repeatedly say in your mind.

"Jeez, easy for you to say! I'm jealous of people..." He pauses as he did the jazz hands, "I don't know?! Slack off?! Wow I'm so jealous!" He pauses, eyes widening as he finally realized what the words he had just said, he quickly turns around to face you.

Only to see tears streaming down your delicate skin, eyes red, body shaking and small hiccups escaping your lips.

Guilt finally sets in.

He covers his mind, eyes widening..

"[Y/n]...." He stutters out as he slowly approached your quivering figure.

You slowly back away, he flinches from the action, your eyes not meeting his.

"I'm sorry Heizou... I'm sorry for disturbing you..." You softly say, voice shaking. His eyes widening from the lack of endearment.

"[y/n]... Please... I didn't mean to say those things..." He chokes out, eyes beginning to sting, he can feel the tears coming but he doesn't care.

What he cares is the large gap that seemingly starting to form between the two of them.

They looked so near but somehow also far away.

"Sorry for disturbing you, I think it's time for us to take a break from each other... Considering, it looks like you don't need me." You softly say, eyes dull and distant.

Heizou's eyes widen, alarm bells ringing in his brain, 'nonononono!!! You're wrong! I need you!' 'please don't leave me!' his mind screams.

He wanted to say something, but words seemingly doesn't want to come out of his lips.

'Say something damnit!' his mind screamed at him.

You looked at him with disappointment, your heart aching so bad, it felt like someone just grabbed your heart and teared it away from you.

"I'll see you later, Mr. Heizou." You softly say as you turn your back on him.

"Wa-wait!" He chokes out, you heard him but you didn't stop back to look at him.

Why should you? The times you've called out to him for the past days or nights, to join you for bed, he merely shrugged you off? The lunches you always prepared for him always go cold, uneaten due to how busy he is.

Maybe, the two of you weren't meant to be.

Maybe, he doesn't love you as he claimed to say.

Heizou watches your form slowly leave away from his sight, he wanted to run to you, he wanted to grovel and ask for your forgiveness.

He decided not to, because deep down, he knew he killed an innocent person—you.

He's a heartless killer who took advantage of someone so nice, innocent, beautiful...

He thought you'll always be by his side.

Forgetting that he should be by yours too.

He realizes that you got tired running after him.

His figure slowly slumped down into the cold cement floor of his office.

Then small hiccups can be heard, before full blown sobs can be heard. Tears staining the cold cement that seemingly eases the warmth of his skin—his anger for himself to neglect you.

He doesn't deserve you, that's a case that he doesn't need to solve.

Nobody knew that the great detective Shikanoin Heizou cried that night.

—Venti “Lost sight of who he truly loves.” As usual, you didn't see Venti in your shared bed when you woke up. It's been so long since you've actually seen the man, despite being lovers for how many years, constantly try to be by his side with all your love and support—only to never been to yours.

It's been like this for how many weeks now, he used to wait for you to wake up and then immediately peppering your face down down to your neck with kisses.

But now, the apartment you shared felt empty, never seeing him in the morning and never seeing him at night because of how late he comes home—sometimes he never does.

You felt your heart ache before shaking your head, "He still loves me, I'm sure of it" you thought to yourself.

But why does it felt like your heart is in doubt?

You sigh before eventually preparing for the day.

You don't do adventuring often, but as someone who has been alive for so long, you tend to become bored of everyday life.

So sometimes you do commissions for the Adventures Guild. Usually Venti would join you but unfortunately you never saw the man for a few days now. You tried to look for him but it seems like he's hiding from you.

'Did you do something wrong?' you thought, as your heart ached.

Surprisingly, your commission for today is at Dragonspine—which is to leave emergency foods for travelers who got lost in the snow.

You placed the last ham in the one of the emergency food storage in the area and was about to leave.

"[y/n]?" A familiar gentle voice calls out and you turned around only to find Mondstadt's very own genius alchemist.

You gave him a grin, "Mr. Albedo! Good morning~" you greeted and Albedo gave a small nod, "Good morning, doing commissions perhaps?" He inquires, you nodded, "Yup!"

His eyes looked around him before his brows furrowed in confusions, "I'm surprised that Venti isn't by your side."

You gave a nervous laugh, "Hahaha he's been busy..."

Albedo sigh, debating whether to tell you or not about the rumors he had heard.

Albedo heard a few rumors about Mondstadt's well known bard to be all over the traveler lately, and he also saw the said bard at Angel's Share right beside the honorary knight, he swore he heard the bard tell her poems that are far too romantic to be shared to someone who was just a friend, but he does recall the traveler looking very uncomfortable with the poems and pickup lines.

Although he is not close with the bard, he is close with the bard's significant other, considering they helped him with experiments and errands.

Albedo sighed, Your attention was caught.

"[y/n]." Albedo calls out, "Hmm?" You hummed.

"I'm not trying to ruin your relationship or something, but I'm just gonna tell you rumors I've been hearing lately..." Albedo hesitantly says and you quirk your eyebrow, "Rumors....?" You softly ask.

"I've been hearing that Venti has been all over the traveler lately. But I'm not sure, all I'm saying is that, be careful with who you give your heart to." Albedo says, his words take you aback.

Your horrible thoughts began to resurface, but you shook your heads before giving the alchemist a smile, "I see..." Your voice sounded so broken.

Albedo for the first time, actually felt bad, which made him shock, someone who he assumed that cannot experience emotions—felt empathy for someone. A part of him wanted to run to your side, and hold you softly. He knows he had some sort of feelings for you, you tend to always make his day memorable of sort.

He shook away his thoughts, your heart belongs to another—to someone who doesn't know how to handle it.

You on the other hand, you knew this would happen. Venti is carefree, he yearns freedom. You knew he would get bored eventually. You were in denial, but now everything makes sense.

"Thanks for telling me Albedo, you must have other errands to attend to, I'll be on my way." You softly say and the alchemist just nodded, "Farewell [Y/n], I'll see you when I see you."

"Likewise."

The sun has now set, and not once did you see Venti. You sighed, anger and disappointment filling your broken heart.

You sighed, "Maybe, I'll go to Angel's Share for a drink and hopefully find hi—" you trailed off, you inhaled.

"I'll just check Angel's Share and if I do see him right there and the rumors comes true then at least I was right." You huff, annoyance in your voice.

Angel's Share has been very uneventful surprisingly, only a few people have been drinking.

Venti who is only slightly drunk—not to the point of 'i think I'll about to do something that can put me in jail kind of drunk.

The traveler could just roll their eyes after hearing venti's 1532 pickup lines of the night.

Both of them are semi-drunk.

"That's like the 300 pickup line you've said today, Venti" Lumine laughed.

Both of them seemingly unaware of your presence, body trembling, eyes stinging.

You let in a deep breath before turning your back, walking out and eventually closing the door.

Diluc who was cleaning one of the glasses, saw your trembling figure. Before he could call out to you, you left.

'I hate this, I don't deserve this. He wants freedom? I'll give him freedom.' you seethe in your mind as you no longer cared as the people of Mondstadt see you disappear and only leaving wisps of Anemo in your wake.

That would be the last time the City of Wind saw you.

"I thought you have a lover Venti?" Lumine huff, Venti's antics now starting to annoy her, she thought it would be okay to entertain the idiotic god would lead to him leaving her alone but that backfired.

"I just need to take a break from them, we've been together for centuries." He huffed and Lumine rolled her eyes.

"In my opinion, I think they need a break from you."

Venti looked at her with confusion as the female stood up and left a pouch of mora in their table.

"Well I'm off, I still have commissions and bills to pay unlike a certain someone." Lumine says as she slowly walked away, she paused and look at the drunk bard from her shoulders.

"Apologize to them before it's too late Venti. Anyways I'm off." She said as she left, giving Diluc a small nod and the man doing the same.

Venti woke up with a harsh headache, he doesn't remember when he got home, but he still remembers the words Lumine left to him the day before.

His eyes wandered to the spot right next to him, expecting you to be there as usual—only to find the spot empty.

For the first time in weeks, a sense of dread and guilt filled his heart.

"(y/n)?" He called out, the apartment felt colder than usual.

Venti can feel his heartbeat drumming against his chest.

"Darling? My windblume where are you!?" He calls out again, voice getting desperate.

His eyes scanning every room, only see that some of your things have disappeared. He felt fear.

He noticed a neatly folded paper placed in one of their coffee tables, the god of Anemo quickly scrambles to open it, eyes reading intently, hands trembling, ears ringing.

Dear Anemo Archon,

I have written this letter to tell you that I would like to resign from whatever position you gave me, a lover? Right hand man? Protector? I myself do not know but it seems that I am no longer needed by your side, and it also appears that the City of Wind no longer require my assistance and is now safe in the capable hands of the Knights of Favonius and to the All Mighty Traveler from afar. It puts my heart in ease to leave the city to such capable people. I realized that my loyalty here isn't needed, and I believe that the world should now forget me and I'll forget you too. I do not need these painful memories, but alas, even for a brief moment you gave me a bit of joy and I am thankful for that Venti, but now I feel like you just discarded me away. Venti, I hope you won't forget me, I hope every little thing reminds you of me, I hope those memories taste bittersweet. I gave you everything, I stood by your side. So why can't you stand on mine? This is farewell my dear beloved anemo Archon.

with love,

[Y/n] ♡

Venti's hands trembled as a bunch of "No's" left his lips, his eyes sting, he can't hear anything aside from the ringing of his ears and loudness of his heart.

He always mess things up.

He cannot admit it, but he knew he lost you. The one good thing that stayed in his life.

He messed that up too.

No One:

Albedo to y/n: ako niyan, hindi kita gaganyanin.

LMAO I'M NOT SURE IF I WROTE THE MEME RIGHT, IM FIL BUT IM NOT FLUENT WITH TAGALOG XD

ALSO LUMINE IS GIRL BOSS AS ALWAYS, I WAS PLANNING ON MAKING HER A RIVAL BUT NOPE NOT GONNA DISRESPECT HER 💪💪💪

ANYWAYS VENTI WAS KINDA RUSHED BUT OH WELL.

#genshin impact #genshin fanfic #venti the bard #lxkewrites #lxke is completely unhinged #4nemo au #albedo x reader #genshin xiao #xiao x reader #heizou x reader #fanfic #genshin headcanons #genshin angst #angst prompt #kazuha angst #xiao angst #venti angst #heizou angst

941 notes · View notes

circe69 · 2 years ago

Text

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐

As you arrived in the rainy Manchester, England, you found yourself to be in a slight predicament. With a drenched suitcase in one hand and a wasted train ticket in the other, you wander into a somewhat shady bed and breakfast, with Simon Riley's grandfather as the owner, and Simon Riley himself being your neighbor.

link to part 1

🗝 cw: suggestiveness, making out 🗝 genre: fluff 🗝 fem!reader

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

The sound of a familiar alarm clock shook you out of your sleep, the repeating tune bouncing off the walls and making you groan as you turn over to slam your hand on the machine.

7 AM. All for a breakfast, you thought, but truthfully, you were curious about the man you'd met last night, Simon, and desperately wanted a chance to see him again, even if it meant losing a few hours of sleep.

You rolled out of bed, sliding on some complimentary slippers that the Inn had offered. Manchester was freezing this time of year, and the hardwood floors didn't help. As you padded your way across the small room, you passed a floor-length mirror. Your mouth downturned at what you saw, your hair going in all different directions and your pants rolled up to your thighs. Well, I guess it means I got good sleep, you shrugged as you passed the mirror into the bathroom, unraveling your curling iron in impatience.

The weather was chilly, and slightly rainy, as always, but you didn't mind it. You'd brought a perfect outfit, anyways, some flare leggings and a dark green sweater. Your makeup had been done in almost record timing, not to mention it was one of those days where it had turned out amazing (out of pure luck, no doubt.) and your hair wasn't as frizzy as you'd expected it to be. It was strangely perfect, and as you slid some UGG boots on, you started to get excited for breakfast.

Just as you were about to turn the door knob to walk out, slinging your purse over your shoulder, there was a loud knock at your door.

"You up?" Simon yelled from the other side. You jumped in response, and opened the door with a hand over your chest. "Goodness, yes I'm up!" He smirked at your slightly out-of-breath sentence, but his face fell when his eyes swept over you.

They didn't miss an inch. They were curious, hungry. Dark brown eyes watched every part of you as if he was studying for a test. "Wow, you look," he stopped to look back up at you, and cleared his throat before saying, "Put together. Way more than yesterday."

You gasped at his attempt of a compliment, dramatically leaving your jaw agape for him to see. "I'm always put together!" You tried to catch up with him as he made his way down the stairs.

After stepping foot on the first floor, Simon led you into a small dining room that was already filled to max capacity with people. You looked around to see the Simon's grandfather, some old ladies knitting scarves, a few younger boys playing with toy trains on the ground. It was a nice sight to ease into the morning with, the sunlight shining through broken blinds and resting on the tops of people's heads.

"Mornin," Simon's deep voice said as it broke through the previous chatter of the people. Everyone stopped what they were doing to all respond in harmony as he led you to an empty seat and pulled it out for you. You politely nodded and as he scooted you in, Simon leaned down to whisper in your ear, "You snored like a bloody freight train, y' know that?" You slapped his arm as he sat in the seat closest to you, "I did not!" Simon winked at you before tucking a napkin into his shirt, "Yeah, I didn't sleep at all, you were too loud."

"Alright, alright, Simon, leave the lady alone," his grandfather said before tapping a rusty spoon on a mug, "I'd like to make a toast, to all of you lovely people who decided to join our breakfast. I reckon my wife is still asleep, but I'll bring her up somethin'." He paused to clear his throat, "As rundown and grimy as this place can be, it means a lot that you all have come to stay. So thank you." He lifted his mug of coffee and you all did the same, cheering quietly and clinking cups with one another. One of the old ladies said from across the table, "I'm starving, hurry up and open those dishes befor' I keel over."

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

"Ugh, I'm stuffed," you said, slumping back and leaning your head on the back of your chair. Simon turned to look at you, his cheek resting on his palm. He kept sleepy eye contact with you as his foot slid up your ankle, gently rubbing back and forth on your bare skin. You smiled at the action, leaning up in your chair and placed a hand on top of his. He whispered next to your ear, "I wanna show you something." You nodded and followed him out after he stood and pushed both of your chairs in.

Simon led you to a small garden in the backyard of the Inn, with rows and rows of both fruits and flowers. It was quaint, but perfect, and well-kept. Probably the most well-kept thing of the whole establishment. "This is so pretty. Who takes care of it all?" He didn't even look up at your question, but stayed in his kneeled position on the wet grass, fiddling with a strawberry plant in his fingers. "I do," he spoke, "Well, whenever I'm home, it's my hobby. But my grandfather tries his best when I'm not." He stood up, holding a hand out to you, signaling for you to take it. "If you think this is pretty, you just wait."

He walked you past all sorts of different plants, explaining what each of them were and what food it was good on. You admired it, how this strong Lieutenant who kept to himself most of the time was so adamant when it came to gardening. Before you knew it, the two of you stumbled upon a vine-covered gazebo, green laced the white paint underneath it all, and it overlooked a small but gorgeous lake. Your face said everything it needed to; it was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen. The sun was perfectly reflected on the water, gentle ripples popping on top every so often.

"Wow," was all you could say, and as you turned around to face Simon again, you noticed his eyes weren't focused on the amazing sight beyond the gazebo; they were focused on you, perhaps even the whole time you'd been there. All he needed to see was your face light up at things he'd seen his entire life, things that to him were mundane and boring, but maybe with you they could mean something again.

He took a step closer, slowly stepping to close the distance between the two of you. You watched chest rise and fall with nervous anticipation, feeling your breathing falter as well. His hand hesitantly moved to your waist, the other to your cheek and slowly pulled you in, his lips gently resting on top of yours.

The kiss was slow, nothing was to be expected from either of you. Your hands were still at your side, but steadily reached up to wrap around Simon's neck. You slightly opened your mouth at the same time you tugged a fistful of his hair, making him groan into you and squeeze both of your hips. He walked you backwards until your butt hit the railing of the gazebo, and braced himself on one side of you while his other hand roamed the entire length of you; from brushing his fingertips on your collarbone to gripping the meat on your thigh, nothing was left unconsumed by his large hands. Your tongue swept against his bottom lip before rubbing against his own, soft groans and whines were the only sounds overlapping the soft waves breaking on the rocky shore below you.

Simon broke the kiss to rest his forehead on yours, panting and swallowing deeply before going back in for seconds, his teeth nipping at the skin on your neck and jaw, then kissing the redness he'd marked away. He pulled his head up again, looking at you and your swollen, pink lips, all from his doing.

"Mm," he groaned once more, his eyes closing and burrowing his head into the side of your neck.

"Simon?" You said in a soft tone. He hummed in response, his hands rubbing your lower back, gathering fabric in his fingers to massage your bare skin. "I'll open my door tonight."

He looked up at you, his eyes widened and a small smirk dressing his face. You spoke again, teasing him while letting your hands roam over his chest.

"Are you gonna knock?" You smiled into the question.

Simon planted one more kiss on the tip of your nose, then one on the side of your mouth, "Maybe," he responded.

But Simon knew in his head, it wasn't a maybe, he'd been waiting since he first saw you to get his hands all over you, to whisper sweet nothings into your mouth and behind your ears. He wouldn't just knock at your door, he'd be there on both knees, ready for you to open it.

#ghost x reader #ghost x you #simon riley x reader #simon ghost riley x reader #simon riley x you #modern warfare #ghost x y/n #simon riley x y/n #simon riley fluff #ghost fluff #circe69scribbles

380 notes · View notes

thewolvesof1998 · 1 year ago

Text

Last Line Tag/Inspiration Saturday

Tagged by the lovely @jesuisici33 @daffi-990 @exhuastedpigeon @hippolotamus @fortheloveofbuddie @rainbow-nerdss @spotsandsocks @wikiangela @forthewolves @giddyupbuck

Okay so I did say yesterday that this WIP was going to stay as notes but I couldn't help myself so here's the inspiration:

and the Last Line...paragraph...s:

“And why do I have the displeasure of you darkening my doorstep, Buckley?” The man in question gives him a roguish smile and leans against the bar in a move that is purposely meant to highlight his bulging biceps, Eddie does not look at them, “Well the boss is here to see the old lady and I thought you could use some company.” Eddie could spy Athena and Nash held up in one of the inn’s darker corners and sure enough there seemed to be more than business going on between them. He looks away, he wasn’t being paid to be nosey, he’s paid to man the bar and be some muscle if any of the patrons get a little too rowdy. And if Athena wanted to be in bed with as well as in business with the kind of man Bobby Nash is, it wasn’t any of his business. Expect for the six-foot-two problem in front of him, who just couldn’t seem to take a hint. Buckley is trouble, Eddie can see it from a mile away and trouble is the last thing he needs right now. “Dad!” A high-pitched voice calls and Eddie turns to look at his son as he pokes his head out the back room. Panic fills him, he does not want any of the patrons to know that his son is here, while he’s incredibly grateful to Athena for allowing Chris to be here while he works, the people who frequent this place are questionable at best and at worst Mr Nash and his crew and their less than legally sourced goods. He might not be his business but it doesn’t mean he isn’t aware of the goings-on. One might leave the Navy but its teachings never truly leave you and Eddie can tell a pirate from a mile away. But it’s not his business and he really needs this job so he keeps his head down and Chris as separate from it as he possibly can. Eddie crouches down in front of him, blocking him from view as much as possible, “Chris, what did I say? Stay out-” “-Back, I know, but I’m hungry,” The young boy whines and Eddie can’t be angry when those coco-coloured eyes gaze up at him. “Here,” Bucklet leans over the bar, holding out a big orange to Chris. Chris’s eyes are almost as big as the orange as he stares at it, his hands reactively reach for it before he turns to Eddie, “Can I Dad?” He asks, obviously remembering the rule about not accepting things from strangers. Eddie looks at Buck, trying to read the man's intentions, all of the possible reasoning racing through his head must show on his face because Buckley raises his other hand, “No strings,” He says. Eddie nods and Chris stretches the last few inches as takes the orange, it looks comically big in his son's tiny hands, “Thanks, mister.” “Buck, it’s what my friends call me.” “Thanks, Buck!” Chris says Eddie ruffles Chris’s hair, “Okay buddy, head out back, I’ll be in there shortly.” Chris nods before turning around, one hand gripping on doorframe as he slowly and carefully retreats. Eddie watches him go, the underlying worry he always feels about his son and the illness that affects his movements making him briefly forget the audience he has. “He’s super adorable,” Buckley says, Eddie whips his head around to look at him, “I, uh, I love kids,” He rambles, one hand scratching at his neck, a flush on his cheeks as pink as the mark on above his eyebrow and corner of his eye. As far as Eddie can tell, Buckley is being sincere, “I love this one,” He says standing, “I’m all he’s got. His mother’s…not in the picture.” He doesn’t know why he says it, why he’s being the most honest he’s been in a while with a man he has every reason not to trust. “Buck, we’re going,” Nash calls from the door. “Be right there Cap,” Buck nods farewell to Eddie, “Until next time Diaz.” He walks over to his captain, shooting a wink over his shoulder at Eddie before he steps out the door and into the night. Eddie sighs, definitely nothing but trouble.

tagging: @wildlife4life @eddiebabygirldiaz @disasterbuckdiaz @try-set-me-on-fire @bekkachaos @buddierights @911-on-abc @shitouttabuck @911onabc @eddiediaztho @your-catfish-friend @loserdiaz @ladydorian05 @watchyourbuck @king-buckley @chaoticgremlinwholikescheese @steadfastsaturnsrings @mangacat201 @theotherbuckley @hoodie-buck @eowon @nmcggg @pirrusstuff @evanbegins @sammy-souffle @smilingbuckley

#9-1-1 #buddie #eddie diaz #evan buckley #buddie fic #thewolvesof1998 writes #pirates au #last line tag #inspiration saturday #Spotify

77 notes · View notes

breathlesslink · 2 years ago

Text

Chapter 2 — Kimi

[chapter warnings: rude bitches, panic attack]

t.o.c ; << | >>

"Do I know my way around Hyrule? Do you not?" You gazed at the boy's pointed ears. "You're Hylian, you should know your way around. You're from here."

Link looked away from you. "I don't remember." He mumbled.

"What?"

"I don't remember." He said a little louder. "I, uh, got injured. And now I don't remember anything. I need to talk to Impa, but I don't know who that is or where they are here."

Impa. What a familiar name. She was the elder of Kakariko when you were still young, and you supposed by the sound of it she was still kicking. Good for her.

"I might be able to show you to her, but that's as far as my knowledge goes." You smiled sheepishly. "I don't know Hyrule either, except for Gerudo Desert. The rest I've only seen through maps."

Link raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you a traveler?"

"This is only my first week of it. I left on my twentieth birthday a few days ago." You shook your head, not wanting to delve further into why you didn't know anything about Hyrule and grabbed Link's wrist. "Come on, let's go see Impa. I think I remember where she stays.”

If the elder Sheikah remembered you, she didn't show it. Instead, she focused on the man in front of you, ushering you upstairs with a girl named Paya as quickly as you had entered.

Paya was around the same age as you, yet seemed completely different. She was nearly spastic, moving around her room with no purpose other than to fidget. She answered your attempts at conversation with one-word answers, only reciprocating when she wanted to turn it towards the stranger downstairs.

"Link, you said his name is? Is he your boyfriend?"

At the question, you awkwardly laughed. "Him? No, I just met him not too long ago and he asked me to bring him here."

"Oh," Paya sounded relieved. Your tight smile turned into a real one as you sensed a wonderful opportunity.

"Yeah, he's real cute, isn't he?" You subtly tried to tease, "He might be into you. I saw him looking our way when we were leaving."

Paya turned a bright red, matching the accents of her outfit nearly perfectly. "R-really?!" Her voice raised a few notches, "I- there's no way! Maybe he was looking at you, you're gorgeous!"

"I'm nothing like you," You made a face, slightly playing it up to see how far this would go while simultaneously rejecting the compliment, "If there's any gal Link might be into, it's you."

Paya seemed to swoon at the thought, but before she could respond Impa's voice called you both down from her room. Link stood where you left him, but this time with a different wardrobe. He had a bright blue tunic on, matching his eyes nearly perfectly.

You weren't the only one who noticed, though, as you noticed the red on Paya's face returning.

Link thanked Impa and glanced at you— a silent way of saying "let's go". You followed him out and began your trek back to the hotel.

"What did she say?"

"She said that I could maybe get my memories back by going to places that I have pictures of."

"Pictures? Do you have a camera or something?"

"Or something." Link reached for his belt and grabbed some device— you recognized it as a Sheikah Slate, old technology you learned about while scouring the poor excuse of a library in the Yiga hideout. They weren't the smartest, so books were uncommon. "This isn't mine, it's an old friend's. She has these pictures of places we've apparently gone together, but I have to go to Hateno to get it fixed."

Together? Were they together? Goddess, that would suck if Link had a girlfriend he didn't even remember. Poor chick.

"So you're going to go to these places and just... what? Hope for the best?"

Link shrugged. "If I have the time, yeah. I have more important things to do right now."

"Like?"

Link didn't answer, instead opening the door to the Inn and letting you in first. He went to his bed and sat down, pulling out the slate and swiping through it. A while passed and Link continued to just stare at the screen, brows furrowed in what was probably some attempt at remembering his past.

"You're gonna get a headache from looking at that."

"I already have one."

You stood up and went over to his bed, slipping the slate out of his hands and turning it towards yourself. "Why is the map blank?"

"I have to go to certain towers to get a map of each region."

"Ohh, those weird super tall glowy things?" You grinned like a child in a candy shop when Link nodded, "They just showed up a little bit ago. What, were they made specifically for you?"

"Kind of? And those shrines are too. I just wish I knew where to go and where I am."

"Goddess, you must be mighty special for a bunch of ancient technology to just work for you." You joked.

Link looked at you with a look you didn't really recognize. "You said you just started traveling. Do you have a paper map?"

"I do." You turned and dug into your bag, pulling it out and unrolling it in between you. You also grabbed a pen, just in case. "Where do you need to go next?"

"According to Impa, first Hateno. Then Zora's Domain, Eldin, Rito Village, and Gerudo in no specific order."

"Hm," You looked at the map, "That order seems to be the most practical— starting close and then traveling to the further ones. It just works out that Hateno is first on our way, I need to go there too."

At that, Link paused. "Our way?"

"Yeah, I'm coming with you. I need to go to those places too, so it works."

"Uh, absolutely not." Link shook his head and took the pen from your hand, "My journey is way too dangerous for you."

"What?" You grabbed the pen back, "We have the same journey— we're going to the same places. How is that too dangerous? If anything, it would be safer to travel together."

"I just wouldn't be able to protect myself and someone else, you know?"

"Who said I needed you to protect me?" You were a little offended. Was this because you were a woman? "I can handle myself."

Link raised an eyebrow as if to challenge that. "Y/N-"

"Listen, you don't remember anything, right? You need someone who at least knows a little bit. I might not have actually traveled but I read books and know people who do. I know the monsters and the cultures of the regions and all that shit. You need that. Let me come along and help. I'll stay out of whatever shit you have to do."

Link seemed to think about it for a moment and then sighed. "Fine."

You cheered and looked back down at the map, marking the locations you needed to go to— the main towns in every region, stables, smaller villages, and Hateno itself. "First, Hateno. Then, to East Necluda to Zora's Domain."

"Why do you need to go to Hateno so badly?"

You looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. "If I tell you my mission, you have to tell me yours."

"...We'll see."

"My little sister lives there. I haven't seen her in four years, so I need to visit. As for the rest of Hyrule, I'm looking for my brother. We all got separated." Link looked as if he was going to ask questions, so you interrupted. "You?"

"I have to tame the Divine Beasts."

You couldn't contain the loud laugh that erupted from your throat. "I'm sorry- what? Ganon controls those beasts, nobody can tame them except for the Cham...pions..."

You trailed off, suddenly putting two and two together.

Link's name was familiar to you. You'd heard it numerous times.

The Hylian Champion, destined to destroy Ganon with the Sword that Sealed the Darkness.

The Yiga drilled it into your head that he was a bad guy. You didn't believe them when they said he'd return, and yet you sat in front of him, talking as if he was a long-lost friend.

"I thought the Champions died 100 years ago."

"They did. I almost did, but I was put into a healing shrine on the Great Plateau. I woke up about a week ago. No memories, nothing. Just the Sheikah Slate and the ghost of the King telling me what I have to do."

"That's— wow. That's a shocker." You didn't know what to say. The traumatized part of you was conflicted— riddled with guilt. Guilt for betraying the organization you grew up brainwashed into, but also guilt because this guy seemed like a great dude. And yet you were trained to kill people like him. Or more specifically, just him. "So what if I just joined you on this little adventure and didn't fight the Beasts with you? Would you feel better then?"

"I definitely would."

"Deal."

"Deal." Link held out his hand and you grabbed it, feeling the rough callouses on his palm and the warmth of his skin that seemed to seep into your own. You were both definitely holding this handshake for too long.

You coughed awkwardly and pulled your hand away, rolling the map back up and tucking it into your bag before sitting in your own bed. "Wake me up when you're ready to leave. Goodnight, Link."

"Goodnight, Y/N."

———

"This is fucking stupid."

"You're fucking stupid. Drop the attitude or I'm leaving your ass."

"You're the one who woke me up at 5am, Link! You can't be mad at me for that when we didn't go to bed until 1."

"If you're gonna adventure, you gotta get used to running on little sleep. From here on out, it's tough."

You huffed and crossed your arms, focusing on Taz's mane as Link rode his own horse beside you. "Shit sucks."

"Imagine having the fate of Hyrule on your shoulders along with that."

You cut your eyes at him. "I liked you better when you were quiet."

At that, Link let out a little laugh. It was the first time you'd heard him laugh and it was a pretty sound. You smiled back, ignoring the slight tinge of heat in your cheeks.

"Thanks for this, by the way. Letting me tag along and all."

Link didn't look at you, choosing instead to focus on the road ahead. "It's no worries, really. I enjoy the company. I've already figured out how lonely traveling gets, so it's nice to have someone to keep me away from my thoughts for a while." He let out a dry laugh.

"It's gotta be tough-- being destined to save humanity. I'm glad I can help in any way.”

Link finally looked up at you and flashed a wide smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hateno is a few more hours. How about we take a break here for lunch?"

You nodded and pulled Taz off of the road into a large patch of grass, watching as Link pulled an axe out of an extra weapon holder on Epona and started going towards a patch of trees a few yards away. Patting Taz's nose, you pulled out a pot and some vegetables you had bought in Kakariko and met Link, starting a fire and placing the food inside to cook. After a while, you were able to pour the soup into two bowls and you began eating.

"I didn't know you knew how to cook." Link hummed, stuffing his face with the veggie cream soup you had made.

"You don't know a lot about me in general," You joked, "but I've known for a while. I guess I've become good since you just finished your second bowl."

"Super good!" Link put his bowl in his lap, seemingly finished, and looked at you. "So tell me about you."

You raised an eyebrow, pausing from your soup. "What?"

"You said I don't know a lot about you, and you're right. So tell me more. I think I have a right to know who I'm traveling with."

You internally cringed, wondering what all you could give away without letting Link know the truth. You know, the truth that you were actually raised by an organization created almost specifically to kill him.

"My mom was Sheikah and my dad was a regular Hylian, so I grew up in Kakariko with my brother and sister. We, uh, got kidnapped and taken away for a while. Eventually, we escaped and I ended up in Gerudo Town and I didn't know where my siblings were. As you know, I found out my little sister is in Hateno. So now I'm here, traveling and looking for them." You shrugged, feigning nonchalance as Link raised an eyebrow.

"You glossed over the kidnapping pretty quickly. That's scary."

"It was, but they kind of just kept us there. No clue why." You looked down at your soup, finding both it and talking about yourself unappetizing. "What about you? Do you remember anything from before?"

Link shook his head. "Nothing. Impa said to go back to her after I've remembered something, but there's nothing so far. I was Princess Zelda's knight, and I apparently failed at defeating Ganon."

"Yeah, no shit." You snorted. "This time will be different, though."

Link glanced at you with a face you couldn't describe. "I hope so." He stood up suddenly, taking the bowl and putting it back in Epona's pouch. "Impa said something about there being someone in Hateno who could help fix my Sheikah Slate. Let's go so we can get there before sundown."

———

"Halt! Who goes there!"

You skidded your horse to a stop, Taz's hooves digging into the wet dirt road beneath you. Link stopped shortly after, eyes wide at the pitchfork being brandished in front of the both of you.”

"Uh, I'm Y/N. That's Link." You backed Taz up a bit, not trusting this random short man outside of the village. "We're travelers."

"Travelers, eh?" The man looked you up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. You felt like shrinking under it. "Hylian?"

"Yes?"

He lowered his pitchfork, but not by much. "General Store is right ahead, same with the Inn. Don't go nowhere else causing trouble in my town. I'm sworn to protect this place with my life."

Link raised an eyebrow at the man. "Thank you, uh,"

"Thadd."

"Right. Thadd." You interrupted, "Could you tell us where to find a girl named—"

"You're askin' the wrong man. I ain't one for giving tours."

"We're not asking for a tour, I just need to find Kimi-"

"If you want a tour, go talk to Seldon right at the boutique. He's real nice."

"I— okay." You resisted rolling your eyes, "Thank you."

You continued forward, sharing a look with Link before finding the boutique and a smiling man out front. He waves you both over, "Hello there! My name is Seldon, care for a tour of our wonderful town?"

"Uh- we're just looking for one thing." You replied, feeling a little bad to deny his offer.

"Wh- so no tour?" Seldon sighed loudly, his shoulders dropping in disappointment. "What can I point you to?"

"Do you know where a little girl named Kimi lives?"

Seldon raised an eyebrow. "Kimi? She's too young to be having random visitors without her parents knowledge—"

"I'm her sister. Before she came here. She somehow found me and I just want to see her." You pleaded.

Seldon seemed to think for a second, then sighed. "Alright, but if it turns out you're lying Thadd's gonna have at you both."

Without waiting for a reply, Seldon turned his back to you both and walked up the main road of Hateno towards a small cluster of houses near the top. After leading you a few doors down, he stopped at one with a bright red door and gave it a knock, only stepping back once it opened to reveal a woman a bit older than you.

"Can I help you?"

"Uh yes," Your heart was pounding, "A little bit ago, I started getting letters from my little sister, who you took in—“

"Y/N? Is that you?"

A meek voice came from behind the lady, and then out peeked a small head of hair. Suddenly, the girl grinned widely and pushed past the woman, running to you with her arms wide. "Y/N!"

You smiled as well and crouched down, engulfing her in a tight hug, fighting to keep tears back.

"Kimi..." You pulled back and held her shoulders, "You've gotten so big!"

Kimi giggled and fiddled with the edge of her dress before gasping and turning to the older woman. "Mom! This is my big sister, Y/N! She finally came!"

"That's wonderful." The woman smiled. "I'm Ameil, and my husband— who'll be out in a sec— is Laslow! Kimi has said so much about you. Come in!"

You smiled at Ameil and stood to walk in when your wrist was grabbed by a gloved hand. You turned back to the owner— Link— and raised an eyebrow.

"That research lab up there on the hill— Impa said I needed to go there."

"What do you want me to do about that?"

Link snorted, "Nothing. I want you to catch up with your sister, so I'm going to head up there and see who I can talk to about fixing my Sheikah Slate. I'll be back soon."

"Oh, okay." You smiled at him, "Be careful, it looks like it's going to rain soon. I don't want you getting sick."

"Yes ma'am." Link fake-saluted and turned away, heading towards the research lab.

You, on the other hand, followed Kimi and Ameil inside. Sitting in one of the living room couches was who you assumed was Laslow. Ameil joined him on the couch while you and Kimi sat on one across from them.

Ameil continued to smile— it was getting a little strange at this point, but you shrugged it off— while Laslow put down his book and paid attention to you.

"So, Y/N, we've heard a lot about you." Laslow began, "But one thing we've never understood is how she came into our care in the first place. One minute Ameil and I are traveling the Taobab Grasslands, next we're picking up a little girl unconscious under a tree and taking her home. How did that come to be?"

Your breath caught in your throat and the world began to spin, but you tried not to show it.

They really went in for a first meeting, didn't they?

"Honestly," You steeled your voice and looked down at Kimi in a silent way of saying 'I will not tell'. "There was an accident. Kimi, our brother, and I were in Gerudo when a sandstorm hit— that Divine Beast is no joke— and we got separated. I couldn't find them, so I went to Gerudo Town and stayed, trying to find them. It took four years for Kimi to finally reach me. How did you find me, by the way?"

At your redirection of the topic, Kimi perked up. "At first, I just asked every traveler who came into Hateno if they knew you! None of them did, but a Rito suggested that I send a letter to every town asking about you and describing you, and if they found you then you would write back! And you did!"

"I did." You laughed, "I told you I'd always be there for you, I keep my word."

Kimi threw her arms around you once again and you felt a shift in the atmosphere. You looked up from your little sister to see Ameil, still sitting in the same spot, still smiling. She folded her hands in her lap and took a deep breath.

"I just think it's rather irresponsible for you to have your younger siblings out in the harsh elements like that in the first place." Ameil shook her head in disapproval. "It's common sense for sandstorms to happen in Gerudo."

You tried not to roll your eyes and reminded yourself that Ameil didn't know the truth— you might have to be the bad guy and take blame that doesn't even exist to save your identities. "We didn't have much of a choice. I can't go into all of it but—"

"But what? What could you have possibly put little Kimi through that required you to trek through potentially deadly weather and risk her life? Do tell."

Ameil was obviously pushing your buttons, trying to reveal things that you were sure she had pushed Kimi about before. "I can't."

Ameil threw her hands in the air. "I am Kimi's mother. I have a right to know what goes on."

You opened your mouth to respond, but Kimi beat you to it.

"Y/N, are you going to look for Hiro next?"

"Yes!" You were relieved, "Have you heard from him?"

Kimi's face dropped. "No, but I want to come with you-"

"Absolutely NOT." Ameil interrupted. "You are not going on some dangerous trip with strangers.”

"But Y/N is my sister. My REAL sister. You're not even my real parents!"

Ameil gasped, and Laslow sat up and practically growled, "Go to your room!"

Kimi stood up and ran to her room, slamming it hard enough to make the house shake. You could only watch as she left, the atmosphere getting even more uncomfortable in her absence. You didn't want to look back at Ameil and Laslow, but when you did Ameil was already looking at you with a look you couldn't recognize.

"You do see where we're coming from, right?" She asked gently, as if you were some toddler who needed talking down to. "Our sweet Kimi is our pride and joy. We can't possibly let her go back into the hands of the person who lost her. Who knows, she could go missing a second time. We don't quite see you as a responsible big sister. After all, why did it take so long for you to come find her?"

Condescending. That was the look.

At Ameil's words, you realized her feelings towards you. Ameil hated you. She looked down on you— blamed you for "abandoning" Kimi. But she doesn't know the truth.

How you risked your life for your siblings.

How you turned and faced the Yiga Clan head-on to give them enough time to escape and survive, even if you didn't.

How you fed them, defended them, took care of them while you were all imprisoned in the desert, working every day to get stronger and stronger to one day escape and create a better life for Hiro and Kimi.

You stood up and walked to the door, ignoring Ameil's fake protests and questions about why you were leaving, and slammed the door hard enough to shake the house once more. Tears blurred your vision as you walked down path, heading nowhere in particular except away from that house, and in your rush you accidentally bumped into a body.

"Goddess," You wiped your face, "I'm sorry-“

"Y/N, what happened?"

Link's voice sent a wave of comfort over you, and his hands gripping your shoulders gave you enough stability to collapse, tears streaming down your face more as your knees hit the ground.

Link fell to his own knees in front of you, quickly pressing you into his chest and gently shushing you, waiting until your sobs ceased before talking.

"What happened?"

"They-" Deep breath. "They blamed m-me for Kimi going missing. And my brother. And-and they said I wasn't a good sister, and I know that I'm not— who leaves their siblings for four years? I couldn't help it—"

You started to cry again, coughing out your words and wheezing in breaths in between. Your hands trembled, yet you couldn't stop it. Eventually it spread to the rest of your body, shaking like a leaf in an emotional storm. It was hard to focus on one thing when everything crowded in your vision and overwhelmed your senses.

Breathe in. You couldn't.

Breathe out. No.

In. Please.

Out. You can't.

Was this it? Was this the end? Just like that?—

"Y/N!"

Link.

He's still holding you.

His hand is laid atop your head, rubbing soothing circles into your hair. Your face is in the crook of his neck, finally able to breathe. His smell was comforting. His other arm wrapped itself around your torso, holding you close to his chest. When did he pull you onto his lap?

"It's okay. You're okay. Is Kimi upset with you?"

"No," Words struggled to escape, "Just her parents."

"Then who cares? You still have your sister. She still loves you."

You stayed quiet for a second, contemplating. Link was right— you still had Kimi. Ameil and Laslow were the issue. You just had to somehow prove that you were responsible enough to be around Kimi again. But how?

Find Hiro. Reunite your family.

Your muscles unclenched, and you slouched into Link's warmth a bit more. In your thoughts, he had begun to rock you gently and laid his cheek upon your head.

"Yeah." You yawned.

"C'mon, silly." Link shifted and stood you both up. "Let's go to the inn and rest, then. We'll figure out the next step tomorrow when we're fully rested."

"Right."

205 notes · View notes

blossom-works · 2 years ago

Text

Home For My Heart: It’s a Family Thing

More of my Mbappe stories can be found here

---

Since you and Kylian are from two different countries and cultures, you love to mess with each other. When you really want to mess with him, you will purposefully call football, “soccer”. Without fail it annoys Kylian and you take great pleasure in it. One time you put on an American Football game and called out to your then boyfriend, “Hey, babe! Let’s watch some football!” Kylian glared at you when he came downstairs. He snatched the remote from you and put on a true football game.

It is no surprise that the Mbappe family loves football. Heck, all their sons play the sport. It will not be long until the Mbappe family line is full of professional athletes. You have no idea what the family talks about more than football. Whenever his family gets together, Kylian and his brothers will have a 1 v 1 v 1 game. Their father, Wilfriend, will act as the referee. Sometimes they will drag you and Melissa into their game.

When your nephew found out that you were dating a professional footballer, they did not know how to react. Especially when they met Kylian in person for the first time. Your boys were shy and even shyer when Kylian asked them if they wanted him to teach them how to play “soccer”. After they warmed up to him, Kylian ended up teaching them a couple of tricks. Your oldest nephew ended up joining his school’s soccer club too.

You remember going to one of Kylian’s matches as his girlfriend for the first time. It was a game in England against Manchester. Kylian told you to clear your schedule for one week and he flew you to the British country. It was also the first time you met his family.

---

Landing at Heathrow Airport, you try to navigate your way through the big building. When you eventually reach the bagging area, you feel like you are playing “Marco Polo”. You think you found your bag, but it is someone else’s. Spotting another light gray suitcase, you check the tag and yes! It is your bag! Hauling it out of the luggage carousel, you head to the main exit and find a man holding a sign with your name on it.

“Mr. Lewis?”

The uniformed man smiles. “May I see an ID ma’am?”

“Sure.” You pull out your wallet from your carry-on backpack and take out your driver’s license. Still smiling at you, the man hands you back the card.

“Allow me, miss.” He takes your suitcase and starts leading you to his car. “Mr. Mbappe has instructed me to take you directly to the hotel. He has also instructed me to tell you that you’ll be having dinner with him and his family. Six I believe.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Man... this feels weird. Never have you had someone take your luggage for you and tell you what your agenda looks like. Not only that, but to have a total stranger chauffeur you around (you are not a fan of Ubers or Lyfts).

Mr. Lewis opens the door for a Mercedes for you and once closed, puts your luggage into the truck. The vehicle has leather seats and looks brand-new. It even has a parting window in it. You feel like Mia Thermopolis from “The Princess Diaries” when you think about playing with the buttons.

The ride to the hotel is smooth. Mr. Lewis even starts a conversation with you without getting personal. He tells you that he is from the countryside, but he moved to the city for work. He even met his wife here and they now have three children. When you arrive at the hotel, bellhops open the door and takes your luggage out. Mr. Lewis tells them your name and to your surprise, the bellhops know who you are. Like they have been expecting you.

��God what money can do.’

One of the bellhops escorts you to the front desk and before you can thank Mr. Lewis, his car is gone. The receptionist checks you in and hands you a keycard. She informs you that your luggage should already be in your room, and that another employee will bring a refreshment to you soon. When you get to your room, you are amazed at how big it is. Most of your hotel stays consist of Holiday Inns or The Marriott. Kylian did not let the opportunity to impress you slip by. There is even a fresh bouquet of your favorite flowers on the dresser with a note that says, “Welcome to London, bébé”.

You remember Mr. Lewis telling you about the dinner plans and scrambling to get your phone out. You have about five hours until you have to leave your room. Enough time for a three-hour nap. Taking your shoes off, you plop your bodyweight on the comfortable bed. Just when you are about to lose consciousness, someone knocks on your door. Opening it, an employee with a cloche and tray greets you and places the snack on the table. He asks you if there is anything you need and you tell him no. Thanking him, you shut the door and open the cloche. A cup of hummus with fresh pita bread and vegetables is beautifully arranged. As good as the snack looks, sleep is what you really need. You set a timer for three hours and knock the fuck out.

Thank goodness you decided to put your ringer on full blast or else you would not have heard it. Though, it does make your heart race from the sudden, loud noise. You have to coach yourself to not fall back asleep. Feeling an uncomfortable wetness, you lift your cheek and smell saliva on the pillow. Way to go you...ruining a perfectly good pillow in less than half a day. Shaking your head and wiping your cheek on your shirt, you roll out of bed and open your suitcase. Luckily Kylian told you to pack at least three pairs of nice clothes and maybe a dress or two. Pulling out whatever you think is nice, you set it on the bed and get started with your makeup. You opt to keep your hair simple by just straightening it. You put on some dainty earrings with a matching necklace. Your dress is a modest, black body con dress. From the top compartment of your suitcase, you pull out a pair of Jordans Kylian got you for your birthday.

As you are checking yourself out in the mirror you realize that you have no idea where you are supposed to go. Fuck! You forgot that you are meeting his family all together! Jumping back, you make sure that your attire is appropriate enough to meet your boyfriend’s family. Is your makeup too much? You like to keep it natural and minimal as possible, but everyone has their own definition of natural. Maybe wearing shoes Kylian got you is a bit much. His family might think that you are showing off Ky’s money. Oh, God, you hope they at least like you.

Before you can continue playing your own Devil’s Advocate, someone knocks on your room door. On the other side of the door is a nicely dressed woman.

“Hello, miss. I’m here to escort you to the restaurant.”

‘Oh, thank goodness.’

Thanking her, you make sure you have all you need, not forgetting the key card, and follow the lady to the elevator. She leads you up to the fifteenth floor and makes a sharp right. The restaurant she takes you in has a modern and dark look to it. Instead of leading you to a table, she takes you down a secluded hallway. Opening one of the doors to the left, she motions you to enter. You quietly thank her with a racing heart.

Kylian is the first to spot you and he smiles.

“Bébé!” His taller figure appears right in front of you, and he gives you a couple of pecks.

“How are you doing? How was the flight? I’m sorry I couldn’t get you myself. We had to practice once more before the game.”

“C’est bon.” It feels good to finally see Kylian after being months apart. He plants a final kiss on your temple and moves to the side so he can introduce you to his family. You give them an awkward greeting with a small wave, hoping that you do not look stupid. It’s alright.

His mother, Fayza, gets up and greets you with a hug. His father, Wilfried, is next. He gives you a handshake before hugging you. They both say “Hi” to you in English. Kylian’s brothers give you a wave and Melissa offers you a hug. She tells her kids to say “Hello”, which they obey. It is kind of crazy to see them all grown up. You remember seeing them on Kylian’s Instagram years ago when they were only two or three. Holy crap...Does that make you old? Needless to say, meeting Kylian’s family is a surreal moment for you.

Kylian’s family asks you about your family life and job in America. You tell them stories of your childhood and they told you Kylian’s in exchange. He tried to stop his mother from showing you a picture of his baby self in the bathtub, but it did not work. She just slaps his hand away and shows you the image in her phone. Wilfried and you talk about your education. What schools you went to and about your internships. You even expose that you are a history nerd. It takes you a while for you and Ethan to get comfortable around each other, but you find some things to talk about.

Jires and Melissa ask more about your family. You come from a big family. Four older siblings while you are the abby. You and Melissa bond over feminine topics and even your experience with kids. Since your whole dream job deals with children, you ask her about tips you can put to use. All the while you talking to the Mbappe family, Kylian cannot keep his eyes off you. Nor can his smile leave his face. Yeah. You will fit in just fine.

---

Excited that your package has arrived, you run to the kitchen to open it. Pulling out the product you awe at the craftmanship. You start to get a little emotional over the sentimental value of the product. Getting a mailer box you got a week ago, you jazz it up. Placing the crafted items right on top of the fillers. You close the box and leave it on the wooden table.

You decide to take a walk around the area where you live. Ever since you moved to Europe, you have fallen in love with its architecture. Unlike the US, European cities are more condensed, so people prefer to walk rather than drive. You love that you do not have to drive at least fifteen minutes to a shop, bakery, restaurant, or park. European cities are like a cleaner and less noisy Washington D.C.

Going to a nearby fresh market, you pick up a few small desserts and fruit. With two bags in hand and a cup of gelato, you head back home. Your apartment building doubles as a hotel. The hotel consists of the bottom three floors and the upper four are apartments. Residents use separate elevators than the hotel guest. Their elevators are right in the front lobby while the resident’s elevators is in a private lobby that is closely monitored.

When you and Kylian got married, you agreed that you two will wait to buy a house when you have two kids. It is not that your penthouse is small (it is far from that), but you have always wanted to have a backyard. One that your children can run in. You prefer real grass, but faux grass is fine too. As you walk inside your home, you put the desserts and fruits in the fridge. Every now and then on Instagram, you see these moms who buy organizers for their fridges, and you just cannot bother. The same can be said for your pantry.

You throw your gelato cup in the trash and put on your favorite show. It has been your favorite for a long time, and it never gets old. Kylian does not understand how you can watch something over and over again in a one-week period, and then do the same thing the next week. You get lost in a couple of episodes when the front door opens.

“Hey, bébé.”

“Hey. I accidentally opened one of your packages. I left it on the kitchen table.”

Kylian is not bothered that you opened something mailed to him, but he is confused because he is not expecting a package to come in. Maybe a company sent him a PR package. Kylian kisses your cheek from behind the couch and sees the white box. Pulling the tabs out and lifting the top. It only takes a couple of seconds for him to register what the “package” is. Jumping in joy, he whips his head to the couch and sees you leaning against the back of it, widely grinning.

Your husband of just four months takes out the plastic stick and makes large strides to you.

“Amour! Are you serious!”

“Mm-hmm.” You nod.

Kylian hugs you by your shoulders. If you could, you would bet that Kylian is happier than when he wins the World Cup. Truthfully, no trophy can top what the “package” contains. Inside the white box is a pair of small crochet cleats, a small crochet football, and a positive pregnancy test. It looks like football really does run in the Mbappe family.

Two Months Later:

Your pregnancy has been easy to hide since your stomach has not grown a lot. It only looks like you just overate a bit. Kylian has been waiting to tell his family and friends about the exciting news, but you asked him not to. You know and know people that have had a miscarriage early in their first trimester. Plus, doctors say that the first trimester is the most critical because most miscarriages happen during this stage. After your first trimester ended, you and Kylian decided that now is time to tell your family.

There is no major holiday coming up so you cannot announce the pregnancy in one go. Getting creative, you decided to copy the way you told Kylian. Just a little different. You made a list of all your immediate family members (Kylian’s combined) who have their own residence and made a coordinating number of boxes. Each box contains copies of your latest ultrasound photo and a note that says, “Little Kicker, Coming August 20XX.”

#kylian mbapp��#mbappe x reader #Kylian Mbappé imagine #Kylian x reader #football #fanfiction #x reader #football imagine

121 notes · View notes

edupunkn00b · 7 months ago

Text

Meus ex Machina, Chapter 19: Silvertongue and Hesper

Edited public domain image of two hands reaching for each other, lit in deep blue and neon green.

Prev - Silvertongue and Hesper - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

WC: 2689 - Rated: T - CW: non-graphic torture, blood

Where Janus went in the pre-dawn hours. But first, what happened to Lucas after he left HQ on Remus and Roman's 21st birthday. If you haven’t yet read Progression, stop here and read it now for maximum impact. The flashback at the start of this chapter takes place two days after the end of that story.

For at least the hundredth time and for the second time in the past 72 hours, Lucas punched in the coordinates to The Inn. This time, though, he made the trip out to their old watering hole alone.

The ghost of Re’s giddy nervousness bounced around the ship.

Really? You’re gonna let me have a drink tonight?

Sure, Re. You only turn twenty-one once…

Banking around the scaffold of the Newland Towers, Lucas jumped at the static he picked up from the construction site. For the past three days, Lucas had stayed up, listening, waiting. He’d kept the aircar radio open the whole way out, childishly hoping Jan or Pat or anyone else would reach out. Tell him it was all a mistake. Ask him to come home.

No-one did.

He set down behind the bar and circled his and Jan’s old haunt. A flashing ‘closed’ sign shone in the darkness, and the landing pads out front were vacant, but Andrew’s movement behind the bar cast long shadows in the back windows. The gate was down in front so Lucas returned to the alleyway.

Shiny, new, and with five layers of encryption, the deadbolt on the backdoor was impressive. The rusted screws holding it in place, however, were not and one swift kick opened the door.

“What the hell—” Andrew’s tough guy shout from the bar dropped to a whisper when Lucas came into view. His eyes darted side to side, searching for someone in the empty bar to rescue him.

“Lucas! Hey… hey, um, no hard feelings, right? You know I didn’t call the feds on Re… they just… they just showed up and took care of the body, I…” He stepped back, fumbling along the railing under the taps for his emergency call switch. “But y—you got outta here way before they got here, right?”

“The call button’s two meters to your left,” Lucas responded, flipping a bottle sealer at the powerbank just above the switch. It exploded, sparks raining down on Andrew’s hand. “You wouldn’t want the corpos to just show up coincidentally again, now would you?”

“No, Lucas, no…” He shook his head. “Of course not. C’mon, man… You know it’s not like that. You and Jay have been coming here for years… You all are like family to me.”

Lucas’ voice was quiet. “You took my family from me.” He unbuttoned his coat and peeled it off, revealing a harness with an antique taser and five extra charge canisters. “You took my brother.” Gaze focused on his coat, Lucas walked to the rack next to the front doors and hung it on the closest hook before drawing down the window shade and checking the locks on the door.

“You took my boys.” Andrew’s eyes widened and he slowly straightened, shaking hands raised near his head. Lucas snapped a fresh charge into place and watched the standby light stutter to life. “You took my love.”

Finally he looked up, eyes ablaze. “I’ve lost everything.” Andrew began to tremble, sympathetic nervous system rooting him in place, full freeze mode. As though that could do anything to help him now. Lucas absorbed the fear pouring out with his rank sweat and smiled. “Just as you’re about to.”

Lucas unlocked the taser and flicked it on. A sharp buzzy whine filled the room, followed by the trickling sound of urine dripping from Andrew’s pant leg. Lucas tsked. “So soon? Very well.”

“No, no, no… Lucas… You don—you—you don’t wanna do this… This—this isn’t you.” Lucas aimed the taser and the man’s words jumbled, hands out as though he could stop the assault. “Wha—what would Jan think if he—”

Lucas’ eyes brightened, orange fire pushing away his doubt. “Jan already thinks I’ve been purchased. He already thinks I betrayed him. To you.” He grinned, his smile broad and easy. And empty as the bar. “Let’s show him who I really answer to, shall we?”

“No… no, please, Lucas, no—” With a bang, refurbished guidewires shot out and embedded in the man’s neck. 50,000 volts cut short his pleas, the bright white glow rivaled only by Lucas’ orange eyes.

The slow death of Andrew’s brain ripped away the last shreds of Lucas’ control. Eyes squeezed shut, he doubled over, arms crossed over his head as the bartender’s dying cries shot through his heart. Seared flesh set fire to his nerves. Andrew’s fear his pain would never end. The fear of what would happen when it did.

And Andrew’s last thoughts, the tiny spark of relief that it was finally over.

Lucas slumped to the floor, barely noticing the knot on the side of his own head. He lay there for as long as he dared before pulling himself to his feet and staggering to the toilets.

The lukewarm recycled tap did a poor job on his hands and no matter how hard he scrubbed with the bar’s watered down soap, bits of Andrew’s blood clung to his knuckles and under his nails. In the engraving on his ring.

He took it off, twisting to get it past the callouses, and held it up to the light. Dingy rust filled in the swooping cursive ‘Ja’ on the engraving. Shoulders slumped, he fought the tightening in his throat, the burning behind his eyes.

But he was spent. His eyes flickered weakly under the dingy bathroom lights. A sob ripped up from his throat and hot tears spilled over, dripping down his cheeks and his neck as he rubbed at his stained wedding ring under the faucet.

His wrist buzzed and hope sparked in his chest.

Hope quickly doused by the message on his comm. Instead of a message from Jan, from Pat, from the boys, a bold proximity warning scrolled across the tiny screen.

CORPORATE POLICE ACTIVITY 100 YARDS AND CLOSING…

CORPORATE POLICE ACTIVITY 50 YARDS AND CLOSING…

CORPORATE POLICE ACTIVITY 10 YA—

A small blast was followed by the crash of the front door coming off its hinges. His ring hit the basin, rattling as it rolled around and down the open drain.

“Come out with your hands up! Come out—shit! Look what they did to him! Dear god…” The buzz of a dozen tazers more advanced than his own couldn’t cover the tremor in the pig’s voice. “Arms up! That’s an order!”

Lucas’ comm hummed quietly, a constant vibration against his wrist now.

Auto-distress alert enabled. Contacting HQ in 30… 29… 28… 27…

“We have you surrounded!” Jackboots tromped down the old hardwood floors and came to a stop outside the locked bathroom door. Dust sprinkled from the hinges as they banged on it. “Come out or we’re coming in!”

Lucas turned off the water and watched the numbers tick before tapping Disable just as the distress call countdown hit 1.

His comm screen went dark and he wiped his hands on his pants. “Be out in just a mo’!” he sing-songed. Only Jan would’ve caught the hitch in his voice. Well, Pat, too, most likely. But they weren’t here to care.

He checked the mirror, drying his face and smoothing back his hair. He smiled at the dim but growing amber rings around his eyes, then turned and opened the door.

Rain and hail drummed against the hull, a syncopated beat that dragged Lucas from a deep sleep. He’d been dreaming of home again, of the boys chasing each other through the halls. Pat’s more Teddy Bear-than-Papa Bear warnings to slow down. Re promising Pat they’d try before erupting in laughter with Ro, a soft, calm laugh, nothing like his laughter the last time he’d seen him.

Jan’s smooth hot toddy voice, spice and heat and comfort. His hand, ungloved, unshielded, carding through his hair.

Lucas leaned back and shook his head to clear away the clingy wisps of dream from his mind.

But Jan’s voice only grew louder.

-”We need to talk, Hesper. Where can I find you?”-

Amber light bled through his eyelashes and he smiled. -”Mmm… So formal, ma cheri,”- he purred back. -”And yet so rude! Not even a ‘good morning, how did you sleep? How would you like your tea?”-

Jan’s shield was strong, nothing but a faint buzz was his answer.

He was close. Lucas checked the local time. Technically morning, though the sun wouldn’t be up for hours. It had been winter when they’d met, too. He shook off the thought and lit up the room with his eyes.

-”Is it actually morning where you are?”- Jan asked as though he didn’t know. As though he wasn’t close enough for Lucas to smell his cologne.

Or maybe he just imagined it.

-”I have risen with the light…” Lucas pushed a memory of Jan’s smiling face back at him, hair mussed and splayed out on his pillow. He wasn’t sure how much got through Jan’s shield. Or who he was trying to hurt more. -”Does that count as morning in your calculation?”-

-”I wish to speak with you, Hesper,”- he sent, dull and flat and cold.

Lucas checked the sensors. The others weren’t with him. Jan had actually come alone. He chewed at his lip. Whatever this was, the platform was already dotted with intent detonators. If this was some surprise attack, Lucas would soon know. He sighed, his curiosity getting the better of him, and he lowered the gangway.

“Welcome aboard, ma cheri,” he called down the open ramp. An elegant shadow in grey and yellow stepped into view and Lucas bowed, one arm sweeping out. “Wipe your feet before you come up, s’il vous plaît. It’s simply filthy out there.”

Hurrying back to his bunk, he pushed up the platform to hide his bedding and flipped down both benches on either side of the little table where he ate and planned and built most of his tools. He started to sit, then rose again and dispensed two cups of hot water for tea, dropping in sachets from his dwindling stash and set them down across from each other.

By the time Jan turned the corner into the main area of the ship, Lucas was sat back, right arm hooked over the back rest, left leg crossed over the other, ankle to knee. He lowered orange-tinted lenses over his eyes and smiled.

“Welcome aboard,” he repeated, biting his cheek when he realized he’d already run through his script.

“You already said that,” Jan replied, voice smooth. Well, mostly smooth, with only a tiny catch at the end which could just be a bit of his old morning hoarseness. Jan’s mind was completely shielded—fuck he’d gotten good at that—but there was a twitch in his left pinkie and he hesitated before sitting. “I appreciate the hospitality,” he nodded before switching their cups and taking a slow sip from the one that had been in front of Lucas.

“Ah, ma cheri, you wound me…” He shook his head and took the other tea cup, blowing away the steam. “You still don’t trust me.” Lucas clucked his tongue, grateful he’d thought to don his glasses as his eyes burned in the attempt to keep his voice light. “Well?” He looked up over the lip of his cup between sips. “While your company is a pleasure as always…” They could both pretend Jan’s cheeks warmed from the heat of his tea. “You said you had something to discuss with me.”

Jan set down his cup and watched the steam rise. “To be completely honest with you, Luc, I’m not entirely sure why I’m here.”

All Lucas’ powers couldn’t stifle how much he wanted Jan to say his name again, how much he needed Jan to say his name again. He hid his face behind his cup and took another sip to buy time to settle his heart. “Interesting,” he murmured, cracked voice betraying him. Jan’s eyes shot up.

Lucas sat, silent and pinned down by his gaze, until Jan finally continued. “I suppose given everything that’s happened, I…” Jan addressed his cup, lifting it up for another slow sip. “I was so sure we’d done everything we could do to help Re. That we’d given him every safeguard, every protection possible. But…” He shook his head. “If I was wrong about that,” he whispered, more to himself than to Lucas. “What else have I been wrong about?”

“What’s happened?” Lucas leaned forward, reaching for Jan before he could even think to stop himself. “What’s wrong with Re?”

Jan leaned back, eyebrow raised, and sipped his tea. -”You don’t hear him?”- he asked silently.

Brow furrowed, Lucas closed his eyes and reached out. There was the buzz of Jan’s shield, a dark, staticy hole where his feelings should be. A couple asleep in their ship two platforms down. The rumble of families in the surrounding shelters. A little boy crying from a nightmare. And then…

Lucas gasped. Like finally noticing a song playing in the background, he suddenly registered the touch of Re’s mind in the distance. His cup clattered to the table and he leapt to his feet. Re! “You left him alone? Unshielded and alone and—”

“And happy,” Jan murmured to his cup, seated serenely across from him. “And not alone.”

Lucas slowly took his seat, stretching, feeling for any sense he could detect of Re’s thoughts over the distance. He’d moored this ship on the knife’s edge of his own abilities, near enough to hear everyone in HQ. Far enough he wouldn’t be too tempted to listen.

Re was completely unshielded but… he was calm. His thoughts rippled around him, gentle and rhythmic drops on a pond. Sleeping? Given the hour and the wordlessness of his thoughts, probably. A light sleep, no dreams yet, nothing that would trigger a strong emotional response at least. He was calm and content and… happy.

And Jan was right. Re was not alone.

“Is Ro—” He shook his head, answering his own question. No, if Ro had been with him, the boys most certainly would be up and making good trouble around—or outside—the house. No, he was with…

“He’s with Machina,” Jan answered.

“You left him alone with your twitchy bot?” Again, Lucas was on his feet, stomping toward the controls. “You trust him not to hurt him? I know you remember what hap—”

Jan followed and caught his arm, pulling him away from the pilot’s seat. His hand was warm through his gloves, gentle as it lingered on his forearm. “The Muse would never hurt Machina. Never intentionally.”

“I’m not talking about your fucking robot getting hurt! How do you know it won’t hurt Re?”

He never got to answer.

Lucas’ wrist buzzed half a second before a charge rocked the ship. “Get down!” he ordered and pushed Jan to the deck. Another blast hit the other side of the ship.

The glow of his comm screen peeked out from under Jan’s sleeve and he pushed it back. Jan swore. “They’re close. Too many to count.”

Lucas nodded, shifting to tap at his own wrist. Bright white dots surrounded their location. The hull clanked, hurricane clamps tearing at the fuselage. “Damn.”

Jan twisted beneath him, eyes wide and staring at his wrist. “You still wear your—”

He ignored the question and pushed to his feet before offering a hand to Jan. “You turned off your proximity alarm.”

“Had to,” he muttered, brushing imagined dust off his cloak. “It went off every day at the DC. Don’t avoid the question. Why do you still wear—”

Another blast rocked the ship. The corpos were getting bolder. And closer. A second blast was followed by a pained cry. They were now near enough to trigger the intent charges.

Lucas shook his head, eyeing the roof hatch. “We need to get out of here.”

The outer hull blew and jackboots tromped up the gangway, comms crackling. Lucas dropped the inner blast door just before they reached the top, then grabbed Jan and a pack. He sealed off the corridor from the inside just before the corpos entered the main control room.

They were now trapped inside the ship.

-“We need help,”- Jan corrected and pressed the HQ alert on his wrist. -“Now.”-

21 notes · View notes

augustrambles · 2 years ago

Note

Could you do a platonic main four and male reader? Probably trying to convince you to join a scheme of theres when you’re hesitant to leave the house, even though you want to participate

a/n: ty 4 requesting!! woohoo male reader❗

male!reader x main four

warnings: underage drinking and use of drugs, smoking, he/him prns

currently, [name] was on videocall with his friends.

"i dont know about this, y'all know how bebe's parties are, you guys are probably going to end up wasted."

"c'mon [name], dont be a pussy like cartman is!"

"fuck you stupid jew!"

"mfm mphrhm hmprh mphr"

"well yeah, but what if i get caught?"

"[name], you are not going to get caught, fucks sake! we've done this more than once so stop being such a pussy, man up, and go with us, UNLESS you wanna be a loser."

"fuck you cartman, but fine ill go then"

"woohoo!"

"we can have a, quote on quote, sleepover at my place so your parents think you're at my house."

"yeah, that'll work"

"kay, talk to yall later."

the videocall ended and [name] placed his phone on the night desk. he was slightly worried about getting caught, but he decided to ignore the feeling.

"hey mom, i'm going to stay over at stan's house tonight, ok?" he said to his mother as she nodded. "alright hun! make sure to come back at nine tomorrow!" she yelled back as he let out a "mhm"

he left the house and began walking, scrolling on his phone. him and stan were sort of close, not neighbours, but on the same street, so it wasn't a long walk.

knock, the sound of one was heard. he waited for a few seconds until he was greeted by stanley. "hey man!" stan said, fistbumping [name]. "kyle's already here, kenny and cartman are on their way." he informed

"alright, that's fine." [name] said, he walked to kyle as they started a conversation, stan joining in aswell. it was around 8pm. "question, when's the party starting?" [name] asked

"i think at 9, cartman and kenny better hurry their asses." kyle replied, resulting laughs from the other two boys due to his remark. at that moment, a knock was heard. "i'll get it." stan reassured

he walked up and it was cartman and kenny, they came to the house together. "speak of the devil" kyle said as he and [name] walked up the door. the 5 boys now left stan's house walking to where the party was being held at, bebe's house

they made conversation, about diverse topics such as school drama, celebrities, and the small fight between cartman and kyle here and there. the usual, basically.

"hey, we're here" kenny said, pointing to the house who you could literally hear music blasting. it was quite obvious there was a party there. the boys went up the door, kyle knocking. it was opened by a half drunk bebe.

"hheeeyy.. weelccome! ccome inn." she said, obviously dozing off of whatever type of alcohol she was drinking. cartman and kyle went first, then kenny, then [name] and stan.

the party was absolutely wild, there was strong smells of alcohol, smoke and drugs. [name] went up to clyde and craig, seperating from the group. craig seemed to be drunk, but clyde was wasted. "dude!! you're here, hey!" clyde said, before being dragged away by some girls playing truth or dare.

[name] looked at craig. "i didnt know you drink" he said to him, craig shrugged. "i dont, im just drinking today for fun." he replied, taking a sip from his beer. "wheres tweek? didnt he come?" [name] asked.

"he did, but he got too shaky because of all the noise and left. i wanted to acompany him home, but then he said something along the lines 'no, i want you to have fun' so here i am."

"i dont think you were supposed to take that literally, but alright"

[name] then walked away from craig, going to his previous group of friends. stan and kenny were both drinking, not drunk, since they barely had a few sips, but i dont think it'll stay like that until the end of the night. cartman was eating chips, which nobody else was eating. kyle was just there, not drinking or eating, just there, probably finding something to do.

"hey dude, you want a sip?" stan offered, [name] seemed to be hesitant at first but nodded. stan gave him a can of beer, it tasted.. good? surprisingly.

the night passed and not much changed.

except that [name] was fucking drunk as hell.

"[name], a-are you sure you dont want water?" butters asked, clearly being concerned for the man's health being. "naaahh, im okayy, thfank you" he said, body almost falling over. he was walking towards kyle and stan, wanting to join the karaoke, but then he bumped into a familiar girl,

wendy testaburger.

they bumped into eachother, "ew. you fucking smell like a skunk" she said as the room went quiet for the first time that night. "well fuck you, you smell like a wet dog at gym every day but you dont see me saying shit. keep it to yourself" [name] responded, clearly offended.

"pfft- i know YOU arent talking. you smell like you pissed yourself since first grade" she remarked, getting a few ooh's by the crowd. "that may be the case, but at least people like me. wasnt your ex so tired of you he used chat gpt to talk to you? lmaoo"

stan looked to the wall, trying to stuff in his laugh as kyle was giggling for everyone to hear, with the others. "BAHAHAHHAHA" was cartman's loud ass laugh, of course, there was also laughs across the room.

"oh fuck you" she said, heading towards him. she had a grin on her face. "cmon wendy, you know im joking" he said, laughing. "yea yea, go ahead drink some more you whore" she rolled her eyes in a sarcastic way as [name] followed her.

they always had very offensive fights like the one that just happened right now, but they always giggled or laughed it off. seems like a toxic relationship, but hey, this is south park, what ISNT toxic..

stan walked to [name] who had just left wendy with bebe, "dude you're gonna get in trouble if you continue fighting like that with wendy" he said, the two boys walking over to their group of friends. "hey, calm down, me and wendy are super close, doubt she would beat me up like she did to someone in here.. cough cough cartman cough." [name] said, receiving a giggle from kenny, stan and kyle and a deathstare by cartman. "shut up (insert insult)"

"alright man, just warnin you." stan said, taking another sip of the drink in his hand. [name] went to serve himself another cup of his drink, leaving the others alone.

"hey kyle, what hour is it?" kenny looked at kyle, who was on his phone. kyle was mostly on his phone at that party, mostly there because of his friends. "its 11:43" he said, replying to kenny. kenny simply nodded, "its early" he said.

stan called kenny, "hey dude, isnt that one of the girls you slept with??" he pointed to a white girl with pink highlights. "oh shit, it is, imma be right back yall" he said, going to the girl without looking back. "hes defintely not gonna be right back.." cartman rolled his eyes, continuing to eat.

"where the hell did [name] go" kyle asked and stan responding with "he went to get a drink, pretty sure" he looked into the kitchen, not seeing anyone there. "yeah, but he isnt at the bar or the kitchen" kyle noted

"maybe if we're lucky he got kidnapped" "oh shut up fatass" kyle punched cartman on the arm. "hey! dont tell me to shut up you stupid jew" he 'hmph'-ed at the jew

"ehh, hes probably coming back soon anyway" stan said, deciding not to worry about it. "yo kyle, you wanna go karaoke again? theyre making a competition now" stan asked kyle and he nodded, putting his phone in his pocket. "hope you lose" cartman said.

. . .

"its 3:40, we should probably get going now" kyle said, as the party was already more empty than before and less chaotic, plus [name] had arrived, and they were all now waiting for kenny. "yeah, but i am NOT carrying nobody, ok?" cartman said, giving an side eye to a drunken passed out stan next to him.

"not like your fatass could anyway" kyle rolled his eyes. "oh shut the fuck up" cartman said. at that moment, kenny had arrived, zipping back his parka, and covering his head. "dude, i love girls"

kenny said, an insipirational moment. "wow, i wouldve never guessed." [name] said, rolling his eyes. "but we should for real get going now, i'll carry stan." he said. "no, its fine, ill carry him" kyle said, already picking the passed out boy already. [name] shrugged with a 'if-you-say-so' look on his face

they all started to walk back to stan's house, kenny mentioning how good that sex was, [name] talking about how they met someone there who gave them a bit of smoke, cartman complimenting the food and karaoke.

"dude, you cant say the n word in karaoke.." [name] said, looking at cartman seriously. "oh cmon, it was a song, i didnt mean it in that way."

"cartman, you were singing call me maybe."

. . . ( that was a reference btw )

stan was lying in his bed, still passed out, as the other boys were currently lying in their sleeping bed. "goodnight yall" [name] said as the others whispered goodnight aswell.

169 notes · View notes

sadhours · 11 months ago

Text

scumbag blues • go with the flow

gator tillman x f!oc

previous chapter • masterlist

cw: 18+ minors dni, sex work, mention of drugs and cannabis, roy tillman

🤍🤍🤍🤍

Campbell is arrested. Daisy sees it on the news the next morning as she’s preparing breakfast for the random couple that stumbled in here not knowing what Stark County actually uses the Inn for. She tries not to think about Gator while she cooks, which is difficult because the last time she’d seen him, he cooked her breakfast which… that was fucking weird, right? Her dad laughs, standing at the counter while Daisy prepares the food.

“They got the bastard,” he shakes his head, “Did you help them out?”

“That’s why I was with Gator yesterday,” she lies, smiling to her dad while she mixes pancake batter in a bowl.

The news cuts to Roy as he makes a statement, Gator standing proudly next to him. The pair of them looking all too smug. There’s a handful of drug pushers in Stark County they know about and they do nothing to stop them. Aside from stopping and stealing their supply, for Gator and his buddies to have fun with. Gator mentions to Daisy that they don’t ever actually arrest the guys. But this Campbell guy, was just passing through and he was a good cover for them. A nobody to explain the opioid abuse in Dickinson and where it comes from. It actually makes her sick. Then again, it’s the same corruption that keeps her safe in her home. Sweeping her prostitution under the rug. She knows if Roy truly had a problem with Gator seeing her, he could arrest her and Gator wouldn’t have a lick of power in it. Yet, he doesn’t.

She pulls her phone from her pocket and shoots Gator a quick text.

Good job. Shame you didn’t need my help after all.

As she serves the couple the complimentary breakfast, they point to the TV and the husband says, “You guys have a safe community thanks to those guys, huh?”

“The Tillman family has been keeping this county safe for decades,” she lies through her teeth, smile not quite reaching her blue eyes. She’s bitter. About Gator. The things he said to her. Calling her a hole. Acting like she’s nothing to him in front of his father, yet she hears the gossip. Knows that Roy is ashamed of his son, thinks he isn’t good enough. She has half a mind to tell Gator, tell him his father isn’t as great as he thinks he is. That Gator doesn’t have to be just like him because Roy already knows he’ll never be.

All Gator wants is to be just like his dad, strong and powerful. It shows in the worst ways. Daisy’s seen Karen walking around with bruises, knows that’s all Gator knows. How he would treat her if by some miracle they became more than transactional. Yet, she liked being slapped by him during sex the other night and it makes her sick to her stomach.

“You two enjoy your breakfast,” she smiles at the couple and excuses herself back into the kitchen to work on dishes.

Her phone vibrates in her denim shorts and she fishes it out, scoffing as she reads Gator’s reply.

You help me in all sorts of ways, darlin

Hates the way his words have her stomach filling with butterflies. Daisy hates Gator. Well, she wishes she did.

—

“Thanks for staying with us,” Daisy tells the couple as they’re checking out. As they’re parting, Roy walks in. Tall, ten gallon hat and big, lined coat. He tips his hat at the couple as they cross paths and once they’re out the door he smirks at Daisy.

“Didn’t know you accepted couples,” he quips, “Maybe Karen and I—“

“They’re regular guests,” Daisy interrupts him, her stomach curling at the thought of Roy wanting her. Hell, his sons had her every which way. She’s done disgusting things with Gator she can only assume Roy would disown him for. “What do you want?” she asks.

“Need you to stop seeing my boy,” Roy tells her point blank.

“Feel like this is a conversation you oughta be having with Gator,” Daisy raises a brow, “I offer a service and he’s the one walking in here for it.”

“Gator’s… weak. You distract him and I need him sharp as a tack. You’re gonna stop seeing him,” Roy insists, pulling out a stack of cash.

“Sheriff, with all due respect, I’m not going to stop seeing him if he’s the one initiating it. Gator’s appointments are honestly what’s keeping this place afloat,” Daisy eyes the wad of bills in Roy’s hand, “A one time payment from you ain’t gonna cover it.”

Roy chuckles, “I know. The boy lives rent free in my house. Every paycheck he has goes to you.”

“Exactly,” she smiles, “I’d be bad at my job to say no to that.”

Roy sighs, “I’ll pay you weekly. A thousand cover his bill?”

“A thousand a week?”

“Yeah, I hear your rates are about $500 an appointment and I know Gator’s over here twice a week,” Roy says and Daisy doesn’t correct him, doesn’t tell him she gives Gator a discount but she does admit something.

��He’s here more than twice a week.”

Roy frowns, counts out another five hundred bills and sets the stack on the desk. “Should’ve figured. You’re the prettiest girl in the county. $1500, then?”

“That… Sheriff Tillman, I can’t… I work for my money,” Daisy argues and he chuckles, low and dangerous.

“This will be work. He’s gonna come here, you’re gonna turn him away and $1500 a week is in your pocket,” Roy insists, “And you're not gonna tell him I’m paying you.”

It’s a fair deal. Except Daisy is also weak. Unsure if she’ll be able to turn Gator away when he comes in with those eyes. But really, $1500 a week helps a lot. Considering Gator almost never pays the rate she usually charges. And she lets herself think about all the times she doesn’t even charge him. Soon enough, the money on the desk is looking more appealing than Gator.

“Fine,” she mumbles, “But I need more. Not money. Gator’s gonna be mad, he’s gonna try to arrest me for soliciting to get back at me. I need to know that won’t happen. That I will be safe and my pops will not find out about what I do.”

Roy nods, “You hold up your end. I never forget a friend, and we’re friends, now. Aren’t we, Daisy?”

“Yeah,” she sighs as she picks up the stack of cash, “We’re friends.”

—

It’s not long before Gator’s strolling in. A whole two days. He’s got this fucking grin on his face as he looks at Daisy, struts to the desk and smoothes his hands over the oak. Daisy sighs and blinks up at him.

“Busted some asshole for pot,” he holds up the baggie and bites his lip, “Let’s have some fun.”

He looks handsome. Daisy hasn’t had an orgasm since the last time she seen him and it’s driving her a little mad. But, Roy is scary. Scarier than anything Gator could do, so she holds her ground.

“I’m booked,” she shrugs, “Sorry.”

“Come on,” Gator scrunches his face up, “Would you rather suck on some old balls or smoke this pot and cum on my face?”

Oh. That again? He’s… Daisy has to be strong, she can’t give in so easily. She pouts, “Sorry. You’re not my only regular. And as ya know, I don’t pick favorites.”

“That’s bullshit,” Gator snorts, “Sometimes you don’t even make me pay. If that don’t make me a favorite, I don’t know what would.”

Daisy shrugs again, “Money. Can’t afford to be canceling on my clients.”

“I’ll give you extra,” Gator insists and Daisy shakes her head.

“Sorry, Gator. Call next time,” she frowns.

“You’re fucking kidding,” Gator scoffs, “You’re turning me down? I just said I was gonna eat you out.”

Daisy wants to scream, she wants to say yes and have him lick her out right on this desk. But more than that, she wants to keep Roy happy. He terrifies her.

“Sorry,” she shrugs again, “Maybe call up that girl you’re courting.”

“Oh, fuck you. Is that what this is about?” he laughs, bitter and dry. “You don’t even have a client, huh?”

Daisy grins, grabbing the check-in book and slamming it down in front of him as she points to the name scribbled at the bottom of the page. A name she knows Gator will recognize. A co-worker.

“Like I said, call up your girlfriend,” she bites, scowling up at him.

Gator scoffs before pulling from his vape and exhaling the acidic, false fruit scent in her face. Turns on his heels and slams the door behind him.

Soon after Gator peels out, Deputy Douglas steps in all smiles for Daisy and she takes a deep breath before putting on the charm. Saying hello, handing him his key and winking. She’ll find herself in his room soon enough, though the whole time she’ll be pretending it’s Gator to make it bearable.

#gator tillman #gator tillman fanfiction #gator tillman x oc #gator tillman fic #gator Tillman x original character

44 notes · View notes

archonadeptus · 2 years ago

Text

Genshin Impact x Anxious!CreatorReader

A/N: I'm so sorry it's been so long!! I was hoping if I were to write a smaller fic then it would help me get over my writer's block. Hopefully it has and that my writing improves more! Please, stay tuned! I also celebrated my birthday on the 16th so I'm 21 now! Insanity right?

Warnings: Anxiety, Detailed description of a Panic attack, negative thoughts about yourself being a burden. Loads of comfort and reassurance though!

Call for us.

Deep breaths. Do what Tighnari taught you. In for three, hold for three- no wait. Was it four seconds? You had no idea at this point, your chest was tightening and your breathing was uneven. You didn't even know how it got to this point, you were just sitting there enjoying the views of Liye alone. The others were reluctant to let you go alone, but you insisted on some peaceful thinking. Maybe they were right… You were on top of Wangshu Inn and were currently in debate on whether you should call out for Xiao, he'd take you back to the Serenitea pot safe and sound. Then again, you didn't want to bother anyone - you chose to do this alone and this is what you deemed to be the consequence. You were the all mighty divine creator, why did the anxiety have to follow you to Teyvat from your world?

Gripping onto the railing, you squeezed your eyes shut and tried to gain control of your breathing and try to fight against the feeling of the impending sense of doom. Why now? Why ever, really. You had to do something but your legs were shaking a little too much to walk and you just felt too weak. It can't be helped then… You know he won't mind but still, you didn't want to bother him.

"Xiao." His name had always easily rolled off your tongue, your heart always filled when your eyes laid upon him, and even now in the midst of your anxiety, it didn't change.

"You called, your grace?" His voice felt oh so soothing. "Your grace!" He rushed swiftly to your side, supporting your shaking form as your grip loosened on the balcony rails. Relief partially flooded you, golden tears welling within your eyes.

"Home?" You paused, exhaling a shaky breath, "Please?" You didn't have to ask twice as he lifted your form up into his arms bridal style, holding you safely against his chest as he telephoned you both to your Serenitea Pot. Shutting your eyes again, you tried to focus on his newly quickened heartbeat. When would it feel better? Your hands gripped into the material of his clothing as he moved quickly inside your mansion, you really should move the teleport waypoint closer to your front door. "Don't let go… Hold me until it's over…" His eyes simply gazed at you with an intense love and the sheer desire to protect. Nodding gently, he finally rushed inside with you against him whilst Kazuha and Heizou wandered out of the main room to see what the commotion was about.

"Our creator… The anxiety is torturing them, where's their medicine from Albedo?" Heizous heart broke at the scene before him, worry engulfing both of the other anemo boys.

"I'll go and get him, he came to check in our Grace." Heizou spoke before rushing away to obtain the medicine whilst Kazuha gently guided you both to the sofa.

"Let's lay them down, they need the air." Kazuha's voice was so gentle yet Xiao was still hesitant, holding your shaking form a little closer. Instead he sat upon the seat and laid you across him - your head upon his lap as his fingers threaded through your hair. Kazuha knelt down as you also reached out for him, his hand intertwining with your own.

"I-I'm sorry." They shared a worried glance before Kazuha's voice perked back up,

"Love, you have nothing to apologise for. Look at everything you're done and made for us. You have always been there to protect and care for us so please allow us to do the same." Nodding a little, albeit hesitantly, you shut your eyes tightly as your heart hammered against your chest. Breathe. Just breathe, that's all you had to do. So why did it feel so impossible? Fast footsteps could be heard before Heizou and Albedo soon joined you with the medicines safely within Albedos grip.

"My Divine… I've got the medicine. Xiao, I'm going to need to sit them up now." Xiao however, seemed a little more possessive over you whilst you were vulnerable. You had told him to hold you until it's over, and that's exactly what he was going to do.

"It's okay, they're going to be alright…" Kazuha attempted to calm the adepts down, knowing that he was feeling hesitant to let you go. Ever so softly, Xiao soon helped to move you to sit up and rest against his chest. His hand held onto your trembling one as he left a light but hidden kiss against your head.

Albedo gently kneeled in front of you, a small smile of reassurance upon his lips. "I've got you… I'm here. We need you to breathe now my divine. Slowly…" The golden tears falling down your cheeks shattered their hearts, but once Kazuha softly placed your free hand against his chest and began to exaggerate his breathing for you to hopefully ground onto and replicate, things felt a little lighter. Your heavy and short breaths combined with whimpers soon slowed prompting Albedo in gently pressing the vial of liquid to your lips. The liquid was soon swallowed and they all continued to hold you and help ground you.

"T-thank you…"

"Your Grace," Heizou softly spoke, gazing at you with kind yet serious eyes. "Why didn't you call us when you first felt the signs? You know we would have been there within an instant hm?" He placed his hand upon his chin within thought, "Though, if I were to do a little detective case right now of my own, all clues point to the fact that you were worried about being a burden again." Your silence and light blush of embarrassment proved his case correct immediately.

"My divine…" Xiao's arms held you safer against him as he felt you relax into his arms. It seemed the potion was helping you fight the anxiety yet it was leaving you so tired. "You are the most important… You need to speak my name and then I will deal with the rest." His voice was quieter now, almost a whisper against your ear. "You'd do the same for us… Please, let me help you… I…adore you." Trying to battle the effects of feeling immensely tired, you leaned fully against him completely relaxed.

"Thank you all… i-i will do my best to call for you when I need you… I promise." Kazuha smiled gently, freeing your other hand so that you could cuddle up.

"Beloved… Why don't you sleep here now? We won't leave your side." Albedo was calming with the wsh he spoke, yet you didn't need much prompting to fall swiftly into a comfortable slumber laying against Xiao (who began to feel very flustered holding the divine creator in his arms now just own worry over you was subsiding). "Sleep well, my divine."

It had been a few hours since you had fallen asleep against them. Xiao had refused to move other than to carefully move you into a comfier position. You now have a very fluffy and don't pillow and blankets thanks to Heizou and Kazuha. The others had left only for an occasional snack or drink, or to inform others of what happened so that they can be sure they're able to assist you next time. However, due to being cuddled up safely with Kazuha's fingers gently moving through your hair as Xiao watched over you, you didn't hear the door open and a concerned Zhongli wandered over.

"What happened to my divine?" His concerned golden eyes trailed over your curled up form, the peaceful expression upon your face soothing him ever so slightly. Albedo was the first to speak,

"They had a panic attack… They were alone when it happened but thankfully they called upon Adrptus Xiao to bring them home." He took a light breath, gazing down at you. "I gave them the potion I created to help the anxiety but the whole endeavour understandably took all of their energy quite rapidly." Zhongli simply nodded before gazing at them all.

"Understood. I shall wait with them until they wake… Maybe I should brew some calming tea…" His deeper voice mumbled off into a more quiet state of thinking. "Please wait here, I'll go and brew the tea. It's an old remedy from my archon years. It shall be ready for our Divine to drink in six hours. So please, wait a moment." He pressed a light kiss to your forehead before swiftly leaving to create the tea…

"Six hours? Won't our Grace wake before then?" Xiao simply shrugged before ensuring you were comfortable in your sleep.

"Zhongli sure does have peculiar methods of things doesn't he?" Heizou grinned before standing. "I thinkmill up and see how he prepares this tea, just in case it helps our Grace."

Before Zhongli knew it, he had a detective and alchemist watching his every move, though he was pleased to rant about the tea and how it would assist you. Kazuha and Xiao remained holding you though… You were safe in their arms, forever and always. Don't be afraid to call upon them… Any of them. They will be there within an instant. They love you… They want you to be safe.♡ But please, upon waking, try to pretend the tea tastes lovely~

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact creator #kazuha x reader #xiao x reader #heizou x reader #albedo x reader #zhongli x reader #anxiety #genshin x anxious reader

223 notes · View notes

loverslantern · 1 year ago

Text

The Hunter and The Witch: Dean Winchester x fem! reader

Description: Sam, Dean, and Y/N investigate a series of mysterious drownings. They discover the town inhabitants a dark secret buried long ago.

Warnings: cannon violence, mentions of drownings, gun usage (sort of), maybe cursing, bad flirting, death, mentions of death

tag list: @athenalive, @jesllianaquilesrolonsworld

Word count: 7,066

Dead In the Water

(Masterlist, Previous Chapter, Next Chapter)

We sit at the diner part of the Inn that we’re staying at.

Dean sits in front of me circling obituaries in a newspaper to find our next hunt, Sam having left for the bathroom. My laptop is out as I type away on the new article I had to write for my work deadline, our plates of food are mostly empty, now pushed to the side as we continue our tasks

A pretty waitress, whose name tag reads ‘Wendy’ approaches our table. “Can I get you anything else?” she asks with a charming smile.

And despite how attractive she is, my eyes aren’t on her but the man in front of me. Deans looking up at her grinning around the pen he’s chewing on and god I don’t know if i’ve ever been this distracted.

My mouth falls a little bit agape as I look at him, perfect smile, messy hair, a sort of 5 o'clock shadow going on, and a pen pulling at his bottom lip. My cheeks burn and I know I must look like an idiot.

“Just the check, please.” Sam answers sitting back down in the seat next to me. This pulls me out of my love sick stare, I take a sip of what’s left of my water trying to cool myself down.

“Okay.” Wendy says, walking away.

Dean drops his head, then looks at Sam “You know, Sam, we are allowed to have fun once in a while.”

He points to Wendy, who’s back is to us, “That’s fun.”

He looks at Sam and then at me, like he’s expecting some kind of reaction from me. But I remain quiet.

“Here, take a look at this, I think I got one. Lake Manitoc, Wisconsin. Last week Sophie Carlton, eighteen, walks into the lake, doesn't walk out. Authorities dragged the water; nothing. Sophie Carlton is the third Lake Manitoc drowning this year. None of the other bodies were found either. They had a funeral two days ago.” Dean gives up, handing Sam the newspaper who tilts it so that I could also see it.

“A funeral?” Sam asks

“Yeah, it's weird, they buried an empty coffin. For, uh, closure or whatever” Dean acknowledges.

“Closure? What closure? People don't just disappear, Dean. Other people just stop looking for them.” Sam replies, clearly angry.

“Something you want to say to me?” Dean challenges.

“The trail for Dad. It's getting colder every day.” Sam answers.

“Exactly. So what are we supposed to do?” Dean pushes back.

“I don't know. Something. Anything.” Sam answers.

“You know what? I'm sick of this attitude. You don't think I wanna find Dad as much as you do?” Dean snaps and suddenly I feel like I'm a little kid watching their parents argue while I'm stuck in the middle just sitting there.

“Yeah, I know you do, it's just—“ Dean cuts him off, “I'm the one that's been with him every single day for the past two years, while you've been off to college going to pep rallies. We will find Dad, but until then, we're gonna kill everything bad between here and there. Okay?” Sam rolls his eyes at this.

Wendy walks by again, catching Dean's attention, full on distracting him.

I clear my throat wanting to change the subject, “Lake Manitoc. Hey! Well doesn't that just sound so interesting.”

This gets Dean’s attention back, away from Wendy.

“Huh?” he asks.

“How far?” Sam asks, catching on to my idea.

If there was an award for how quickly someone could make others uncomfortable I’d have to give it to these boys. From arguing over hunting and their Dad in front of their friend to getting distracted by a hot waitress. But if they did get an award they’d probably argue over that too.

The Impala pulls up in front of the Carlton house.

Dean knocks on the door, a young guy with short brown hair answers it.

“Will Carlton?” Dean asks.

“Yeah, that's right.” Will confirms.

“I'm Agent Ford, this is Agent Hamil, and that’s Agent Hayden.” Dean informs, referring to himself, then Sam, and then me.

“We’re with the US Wildlife Service” He goes on, holding up an ID to match his lie.

Will takes us around the house to the dock, where his father sits.

“She was about a hundred yards out. That's where she got dragged down.” Will explains.

“And you’re sure she didn’t just drown?” I ask, even though it felt inconsiderate.

“Yeah. She was a varsity swimmer. She practically grew up in that lake. She was as safe out there as in her own bathtub.”

Ok yeah, definitely didn’t just drown then.

“So no splashing? No signs of distress?” Sam questions further.

“No, that's what I'm telling you.” Will responds, clearly getting annoyed.

“Did you see any shadows in the water? Maybe some dark shape breach the surface?” Sam asks.

“No. Again, she was really far out there.” He said, frustrated.

“You ever see any strange tracks by the shoreline?” Dean asks further, trying to cross some things off the long list of creatures who could be responsible.

“No, never. Why? Why, what do you think's out there?” Will asked, pushing for answers.

“We'll let you know.” I respond simply, feeling bad for attacking him with questions when his sister just died.

Dean gives me a nod to start heading back to the car.

But Sam doesn't move with us, instead he pushes on with the questions, “What about your father? Can we talk to him?”

We stop walking, turning back to hear the response.

Will looks towards his father, Bill, and looks back at Sam. “Look, if you don't mind, I mean...he didn't see anything and he's kind of been through a lot.”

“We understand.”

And we do, we’ve seen these sorts of things break people apart, families even. We’ve seen these things break apart our own families, and we struggle each day to not allow it to break us. Even if we never bring it up, not even to each other.

“Now, I'm sorry, but why does the Wildlife Service care about an accidental drowning?” Sheriff Jake Devins asks us, having decided talking to him would be the next best course of action.

“You sure it's accidental? Will Carlton saw something grab his sister.” Sam informs

“Like what?” Devins asks, leading us into his office motioning for us to sit. “Here, sit, please. There are no indigenous carnivores in that lake.”

Sam and Dean sit, the sheriff pulling up a third chair so I could sit too as he keeps talking. “There's nothing even big enough to pull down a person, unless it was the Loch Ness Monster.”

“Yeah. Right” Dean laughs.

“Will Carlton was traumatized, and sometimes the mind plays tricks. Still…we dragged that entire lake. We even ran a sonar sweep, just to be sure, and there was nothing down there.” Devins explains, taking a seat.

“You do have to admit it’s weird, I mean that's three missing people all in relation to the lake” I press.

“I know. These are people from my town. These are people I care about.” Devins answers, eyebrows scrunched together with worry.

“Anyway...All this...it won't be a problem much longer.” Devins sighs.

“What do you mean?” Dean asks, leaning forward slightly.

“Well, the dam, of course.” Devon clarifies.

“Of course, the dam. It's, uh, it sprung a leak.” Dean guesses.

“It's falling apart, and the feds won't give us the grant to repair it, so they've opened the spillway. In another six months, there won't be much of a lake. There won't be much of a town, either. But as Federal Wildlife, you already knew that.” Devon explains.

There’s a light tap on the door followed by a brunette woman peeking her head in, “Sorry, am I interrupting?”

We all stand up at the same time, weird, since we were done with our questions anyways.

“I can come back later.” The woman adds.

“No no it’s okay, we were just leaving” I reply with a friendly smile.

“Gentlemen, ma’am, this is my daughter” The sheriff explains, motioning his hand towards the woman.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Dean.” He shakes her hand.

Maybe he makes it painfully obvious or maybe I've just known him for so long that I can now easily tell when he wants to hook up with a woman. I know Sam has this ability too as we give each other a knowing look from behind Dean's back, standing on either side of him.

“Andrea Barr. Hi.” She introduces

“Hi.” Dean answers.

“They're from the Wildlife Service. About the lake.” Devon informs her.

“Oh.”

That’s when a small boy with long brownish-red hair walked around Andrea.

“Oh, hi!” I greet the kid, having spotted him first, giving him a little wave.

But he gives no answer or greeting of any kind, walking away without saying a word. Andrea followed closely behind him.

“His name is Lucas” Devon states.

“Is he okay?” Sam asks.

“My grandson's been through a lot. We all have.” Sheriff Devon stands going to his office door, “Well, if there's anything else I can do for you, please let me know.”

We all leave the office, including the Sheriff himself. Dean asked one final question, “Thanks. You know, now that you mentioned it, could you point us in the direction of a reasonably priced motel?”

“Lakefront Motel. Go around the corner. It's about two blocks south.” Andrea answers

“Two—would you mind showing us?” Dean asks

She laughs, “You want me to walk you two blocks?”

“Not if it's any trouble.”

“I'm headed that way anyway.”

I look at Sam again and without words we have a conversation on how ridiculous and slightly annoying this is.

Andrea turns to her father, “I'll be back to pick up Lucas at three.” Then to Lucus, “We'll go to the park, okay, sweetie?” She kisses his head and then turns our way to lead us.

“Thanks again.”

Andrea leads us along the street, Dean making conversation. “So, cute kid” He says.

“Thanks” she responds simply.

“Kids are the best, huh?” He tries again as we cross the street, but she ignores him. We keep walking, shortly coming to a stop in front of the Lakefront Motel.

“There it is. Like I said, two blocks” She states with an awkward smile.

“Thanks so much” I say sincerely, feeling bad for Dean having dragged her here just for a chance with her.

“Thanks.” Sam says too.

She nods her head at us before addressing Dean, “Must be hard, with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pickup line.”

A laugh slips past my lips before I could stop it (for Deans sake). “Ohhh I like you” I can't happen but say through laughs. I get a sharp glare from Dean but a contrasting soft smile from Andrea.

She leaves, calling back over her shoulder, “Enjoy your stay!”

“'Kids are the best'? You don't even like kids.” Sam points out, turning towards Dean with a questioning look on his face.

“I love kids.” He responds

“Mhm” I hum sarcastically

“Name three children that you even know.” Sam challenges. But as predicted Dean can’t even come up with one. Sam gives him a pointed look before walking towards the hotel and I follow after.

“I'm thinking!” Dean yells after us.

We walk into the motel's office, Sam’s talking to the clerk and I can’t help but unfocus my eyes staring at the unpleasantly patterned wallpaper. I’ve been traveling with Dean for hardly a month and he’s managed to flirt with practically every woman he’s seen, and yes I know this is an exaggeration.

Each woman, each time he flirts or even winks at another girl a pain rings true in my heart, one I hate to say I'm becoming familiar with.

It was that moment, that one small moment of waiting for keys to our motel rooms that I decided it.

From now on I won’t feel jealous or even that stupid pain in my heart when he’s with another woman, even though I know that isn’t how it works.

I’ll try to forget that I love him, I'll pretend those feelings aren’t there just so it doesn’t become painful to be around him. Even though I know it’s impossible to forget you're in love with Dean Winchester.

I dropped my bag off in my room, now entering Sam and Dean’s.

Sam’s working on his laptop while Dean’s going through his clothing for I have no idea what.

I take the seat across from Sam as he reads what he finds.

“So there’s the three drowning victims this year.”

“Is there anything before that?” I ask

“Yeah. Six more spread out over the past thirty-five years. Those bodies were never recovered either. If there is something out there, it's picking up its pace.”

“So, what, we got a lake monster on a binge?” Dean asks.

“Unlikely, considering there hasn’t been any spotting or legends around the town. Like for the Loch Ness there’s been more than a hundred eye witnesses, but for this, none.” I pipe up.

“I was thinking the same thing. Whatever is out there, no one’s living to talk about it.” Sam adds, getting Dean to stalk over and look at the laptop.

“Wait, Barr, Christopher Barr. Where have I heard that name before?” Dean points to the screen.

“Isn’t that Andreas last name?” I ask.

“Christopher Barr, the victim in May… Yeah Y/N’s right. Christopher Barr was Andrea's husband, Lucas's father. Apparently he took Lucas out swimming. Lucas was on a floating wooden platform when Chris drowned. Two hours before the kid got rescued…Maybe we have an eyewitness after all.” Sam informs.

“Jesus Christ” I sigh.

“Yeah, no wonder that kid was so freaked out. Watching one of your parents die isn't something you just get over.” Dean adds.

There’s a sound of kids laughing and playing as we approach the park, reminding me of similar times. We approach Andrea who’s sitting on a bench, “Can we join you?” Sam asks her gently.

She looks up at us, “I’m here with my son.”

Dean looks over at Lucas who’s sitting down with toy soldiers and some drawing materials.

“Oh. Mind if I say hi?” Dean asks her, she nods her head and he heads over.

“Tell your friend this whole Jerry Maguire thing is not gonna work on me.” She tells us, Sam sits next to her as he answers, “I don't think that's what this is about.”

I opt to stand, leaning on the arm of the bench. I take in the soft chill breeze and the kids running around. A feeling of peace creeps into my bones and warmth within my heart as I watch Dean interact with Lucas, a mix of admiration and longing in my veins.

Barley five minutes go by before he’s walking back to us, the warmth within me still hasn’t flickered out.

“Lucas hasn't said a word, not even to me. Not since his dad's accident.” Andrea speaks up.

“Yeah, we heard. Sorry.” Dean answers, she nods.

“What are the doctors saying?” Sam asks and I can’t help but think if maybe this is too invasive.

But whether it is or not doesn't seem to matter as she answers, “That it's a kind of post-traumatic stress.”

“That can't be easy. For either of you.” Sam comforts.

“We moved in with my dad. He helps out a lot. It's just...when I think about what Lucas went through, what he saw…” She breaks off.

“Kids are strong. You'd be surprised what they can deal with.” Dean offers, I know he’s speaking from experience.

“You know, he used to have such life. He was hard to keep up with, to tell you the truth. Now he just sits there. Drawing those pictures, playing with those army men. I just wish—“

Lucas walking up to us cuts her off.

“Hey sweetie.”

Lucas doesn't acknowledge her, he just hands Dean a picture. One he drew himself, telling from the use of crayon.

“Thanks. Thanks, Lucas.”

We’re back at the motel. Deans sitting on his bed flipping through channels while I'm sitting next to him reading a book, a sort of habit we picked up when we were younger.

Sam enters the room, “So, I think it's safe to say we can rule out Nessie.”

“What do you mean?” Dean asks, putting the remote down, I place my book down.

Sam sits on the bed next to the one we’re on, facing us, “I just drove past the Carlton house. There was an ambulance there. Will Carlton is dead.”

“He drowned?” Dean asks.

“Yep. In the sink.” Sam confirms.

“Pardon?” I question, I mean how do you drown in a sink, of all places.

“What the hell? So you're right, this isn't a creature. We're dealing with something else.” Dean spoke.

“Yeah, but what?” Sam voiced.

“I don't know. Water wraith, maybe? Some kind of demon? I mean, something that controls water...water that comes from the same source.” Dean listed

“The lake.” Sam suggested.

“Yeah.”

“Which would explain why it's upping the body count. The lake is draining. It'll be dry in a few months. Whatever this thing is, whatever it wants, it's running out of time.” Sam responded.

“And if it can get through the pipes, it can get to anyone, almost anywhere. This is gonna happen again soon.” Dean says, moving to sit on the edge of the bed towards Sam.

“And whatever it is, it for sure has to do with Bill Carlton.” I add on.

“Yeah, it took both his kids.” Dean confirms.

“And I've been asking around. Lucas's dad, Chris, he’s Bill Carlton's godson.” Sam reveals.

“Then let's go pay Mr. Carlton a visit.”

Bill Carlton’s sitting on a bench on the lake's dock.

From here you wouldn’t expect anything sinister from the relaxed big lake.

“Mr. Carlton?” Sam voices as we approach his sitting figure.

“We'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.” He continues, gaining Mr.Carlton’s attention.

“We're from the Department—“ Dean attempts to say, getting cut off by Bill. “I don't care who you're with. I've answered enough questions today.” A weak mix of tiredness and sadness etched on his voice.

“Your son said he saw something in that lake. What about you? You ever see anything out there? Mr. Carlton, Sophie's drowning and Will's death—we think there might be a connection to you or your family.” Sam explains, despite Carlton’s previous response.

“My children are gone. It's...it's worse than dying. Go away. Please.” Mr. Carlton pleads, looking down at his lap.

We all give each other a look, scrunched eyebrows and sympathetic faces. It’s within that look that we decide to head back to the Impala knowing we won’t get anything more from Bill Carlton.

“What do you guys think?” Sam questions as we approach the car.

“The poor man has been through so much…” I trail off, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“He’s also not telling us something” Dean adds, and I can’t help but agree despite how bad I feel for the guy.

“So now what?” Sam asks, leaning on the car.

Dean goes still, stiffening.

“What is it?” I ask tilting my head

“Huh…Maybe Bill's not the only one who knows something.” Dean suggests. He pulls out a piece of paper looking at the Carlton house, he tilts it for us to see revealing the drawing Lucas made.

“I'm sorry, but I don't think it's a good idea.” Andrea speaks, closing the door behind us as we enter her house.

“I just need to talk to him. Just for a few minutes.” Dean reasons.

“He won't say anything. What good's it gonna do?” She responds.

“Andrea, we think more people might get hurt. We think something's happening out there.” Sam explains, and I can’t imagine how ridiculous that sounds to her.

“My husband, the others, they just drowned. That's all.” Andrea states clearly, voice laced with grief and anger.

“If that's what you really believe, then we'll go. But if you think there's even a possibility that something else could be going on here, please let me talk to your son.” Dean pleads.

Andrea nods in defeat.

She leads us to Lucas’s room, he’s coloring while toy soldiers stand guard around him. Dean enters crouching down by Lucas while we wait in the doorway, “Hey, Lucas. You remember me? You know, I, uh, I wanted to thank you for that last drawing. But the thing is, I need your help again.”

Lucas continues to color, refusing to acknowledge Dean who pulls out the original drawing, “How did you know to draw this? Did you know something bad was gonna happen? Maybe you could nod yes or no for me.”

But again Lucas keeps coloring. Dean tries again, “You're scared. It's okay. I understand. See, when I was your age, I saw something real bad happen to my mom, and I was scared, too. I didn't feel like talking, just like you. But see, my mom—I know she wanted me to be brave. I think about that every day. And I do my best to be brave. And maybe, your dad wants you to be brave too.”

I remember the day he told me that story, it was the same day my mom had died and he was trying to comfort me having understood the feeling of losing a mother. I was thirteen, him being two years older, and his mom had already been gone for eleven years. But the grief that was apparent when he told me all those years ago, like it had happened the day before…I sometimes still see it now.

That got Lucas’s attention, he drops his crayon and looks up at Dean handing him a picture.

“Thanks, Lucas.”

We’re back in the Impala, Sam’s holding the drawing Lucas made of a yellow house near a church with red bikes outside.

“Andrea said the kid never drew like that till his dad died.” Dean says.

“Well it’s said that going through a traumatic experience could make someone more sensitive to psychic tendencies.” I offer, recalling some information I read somewhere.

“Whatever's out there, what if Lucas is tapping into it somehow? I mean, it's only a matter of time before somebody else drowns, so if you got a better lead, please.” Dean questions, it’s clear he cares about the kid that he’s even worried about Lucas.

“All right, we got another house to find.” Sam responds, referring to the drawing of the yellow house.

“The only problem is there's about a thousand yellow two-stories in this county alone.” Dean grumbled, complaining.

“See this church? I bet there's less than a thousand of those around here.” Sam states, looking at the drawing.

“Oh, College Boy thinks he's so smart.” Dean mocks, even though we both know it was pretty helpful information.

“You know, um...What you said about Mom...You never told me that before.” Sam admits, the mood changing quickly.

“It's no big deal” He responds before continuing, “Oh God, we're not gonna have to hug or anything, are we?”

“Aww, you know you’d love a hug” I tease, patting his shoulder from the back seat.

He rolls his eyes, starting the car.

After driving around for a while we finally approach a white church that looks similar to the one Lucas had drawn. Dean holds up the drawing, comparing the two. There’s the yellow house next to the church and a wooden fence near the house. We look between each other knowing that this must be it.

We cross the street, Dean knocking on the door to the yellow house.

“We're sorry to bother you, ma'am—but does a little boy live here, by chance? He might wear a blue ball cap, has a red bicycle.” He asks the small old woman that answers the door.

She lets us in as she answers, “No sir. Not for a very long time. Peter's been gone for thirty-five years now.

“The police never—I never had any idea what happened. He just disappeared.” She sighs continuing, “Losing him—you know, it's...it's worse than dying.”

I nudge both boys motioning towards the many toy soldiers lying on a table.

“Did he disappear from here? I mean, from this house?” Dean questions.

“He was supposed to ride his bike straight home after school, and he never showed up.” The woman explains.

Dean picks up a picture from the mirror of two boys, one who I assume is Peter with a bike.

He reads the back, “Peter Sweeney and Billy Carlton, nineteen seventy.”

We’re back in the car, Dean driving.

“Okay, this little boy Peter Sweeney vanishes, and this is all connected to Bill Carlton somehow.” Sam remarked.

“Yeah, Bill sure as hell seems to be hiding something, huh?” Dean questions.

“And Bill, the people he loves, they're all getting punished.” Sam adds.

“D-Do you think Bill did something to Peter?” I stammer.

“What if he killed Peter?” Sam asks.

“Peter's spirit would be furious. It'd want revenge. It's possible.” Dean remarked, making a sharp turn presumably towards Carlton’s house.

The Impala pulls up in front of the house, we get out and Sam knocks on the door. “Mr. Carlton?” he calls out, the loud roar of an engine cutting off a second knock.

We go around the house seeing Bill out on the lake in his boat. We ran to the end of the dock, yelling.

“Mr. Carlton! You need to come back! Come out of the water! Turn the boat around!”

“Mr. Carlton!”

“Sir! You need to turn back”

Whether he’s choosing to ignore us or really doesn't hear us will remain a mystery as the water rises, flipping him and his boat over. Vanishing.

“Sam. Dean. Y/N” Andrea calls out as we walk into the main room of the police station with Sheriff Devins.

The Sheriff goes up to his daughter, having some sort of conversation that we can’t hear from where we stand.

Lucas looked up from where he was sitting, looking terrified. He jumps from his seat and barrels into Dean grabbing his arm.

“Lucas, hey, what is it? Lucas.” Dean speaks, looking down at the kid.

Lucas whines, looking up at Dean. Sam and I look at each other and then back to the scene unfolding in front of us.

“Lucas.” Andrea orders from where she stands.

“Lucas, it's okay. It's okay. Hey, Lucas, it's okay. It's okay.” Dean tries to sooth him before Andrea pulls him away and leads him outside, but Lucas’s eyes remain on Dean.

Sheriff Devins struts over throwing his jacket down as he leads us into his office.

“Okay, just so I'm clear, you see...something attack Bill's boat, sending Bill—who is a very good swimmer, by the way—into the drink, and you never see him again?” Devins begins.

Dean glances at Sam and then me, “Yeah, that about sums it up.” He nods.

“And I'm supposed to believe this, even though I've already sonar-swept that entire lake? And what you're describing is impossible? And you're not really Wildlife Service?” Devins lists out, the last one making my eyes widen.

He continued, “That's right, I checked. Department's never heard of you two.”

“See, now, we can explain that.” Dean says, trying to cover up our initial lie.

“Enough. Please. The only reason you're breathing free air is one of Bill's neighbors saw him steering out that boat just before you did. So, we have a couple of options here. I can arrest you for impersonating government officials and hold you as material witnesses to Bill Carlton's disappearance. Or, we can chalk this all up to a bad day, you get into your car, you put this town in your rearview mirror, and you don't ever darken my doorstep again.” Devins suggested.

“Door number two sounds good.” Sam answers simply, but I'm not so sure if I agree.

“That's the one I'd pick.”

We left swiftly, only stopping at the motel for our belongings before we were back in the car heading for the interstate.

“Green.” Sam announces, breaking the silence in the car.

“What?”

“Light's green.” Sam answers, clarifying.

Dean turns right. “Uh, the interstate's the other way.” Sam states, getting a simple, “I know.”

“But Dean, this job, I think it's over.” Sam replies.

“I'm not so sure.” Dean responded simply, really not letting anything up.

“If Bill murdered Peter Sweeney and Peter's spirit got its revenge, case closed. The spirit should be at rest.” Sam reasons.

“All right, so what if we take off and this thing isn't done? You know, what if we've missed something? What if more people get hurt?” Dean challenges.

“But why would you think that?” Sam asks him

“Because Lucas was really scared.” He answers.

“Dean’s right, somethings not right with this ending” I chime in

“I just don't want to leave this town until I know the kid's okay.” Dean clarifies.

“I expect this from Y/N. But you? Dean. Who are you? And what have you done with my brother?” Sam questions, looking from me to Dean.

Dean glances at him, “Shut up.”

————————————————

We pulled up in front of Andreas' house. Sam chiming in one more comment, “Are you sure about this? It's pretty late, man.”

“Better to be wrong, then to not have checked” I answered, hugging my jacket closer to me.

Dean rings the doorbell. At that moment, Lucass opens the door, breathing heavy and clearly terrified.

“Lucas? Lucas!” Dean yells as Lucas turns around and takes off, without a second thought we follow after him.

Water pours down the stairs as he leads us up them and to the door with more water coming from it.

Lucas pounds on the door before Dean pushes him over to me, kicking in the door. As Deans about to enter Lucas grabs hold of him, so instead me and Sam enter.

Sam half kneels aimlessly sticking his hands into the water. When she surfaces for just a moment, I manage to grab underneath her arm closest to me trying to pull her out. She goes under again but we keep pulling until finally she’s let free and we’re able to pull her out.

She coughs up water as Sam leaves her to me going to grab something behind us. I hold her to me in an attempt to block her from the boys behind me along with the cold. Sam taps on my shoulder handing me a large fluffy towel while his head is facing away. I grab it, quickly covering Andrea with it.

She sits up fully, breathing harshly wrapping the towel tighter around herself. I sit next to her rubbing her arm soothingly, the bright moonlight shining on her back.

It was a while before Andrea felt comfortable to stand, Lucas immediately running up to her in a hug. After their reunion she went to get dressed asking if i’d stay in the room with her, I knew unless her bedroom had a water source she’d be okay but I wasn’t going to argue with a woman who’s already been terrified so I obliged.

I stood in the room facing the door as she got dressed, she was slow but I didn’t care.

And when she broke down crying I held her until she calmed down a bit.

Dawn was breaking when I’d finally got her to sit down stairs in the living room. Sam sat across from her while Dean was looking through the bookshelves that lined the wall.

“Can you tell me?” Sam asked.

“No. It doesn't make any sense. I'm going crazy.” She started crying again, putting her face in her hands.

“Your not crazy” I tell her.

“Tell us what happened. Everything.” Sam adds.

“I heard...I thought I heard...there was this voice.” Andrea recalled.

“What did it say?”

“It said...it said 'come play with me'. What's happening?” She sobs into her hands.

Dean approaches us with a book of some sort in his hand, he puts it down in front of Andrea opening to a picture of a bunch of boys in a uniform that looks like boy scouts. “Do you recognize the kids in these pictures?” He asks.

“What? Um, um, no. I mean, except that's my dad right there. He must have been about twelve in these pictures.” She moves her finger over to another picture, kid Jake standing next to Peter.

Dean looks up at us, “Chris Barr's drowning. The connection wasn't to Bill Carlton. It must have been to the sheriff.”

“Bill and the sheriff—they were both involved with Peter.” Sam adds.

“What about Chris? My dad—what are you talking about?” Andrea asks, looking between the three of us.

Dean looks to the side, “Lucas? Lucas, what is it?”

He asks the boy staring out the window. Lucas opens the door and walks outside and we follow.

“Lucas, honey?” Andrea calls out.

Lucas then stops and looks at the ground then at Dean.

“You and Lucas get back to the house and stay there, okay?” Dean commands.

Andrea pulls Lucas back into the house, Dean heads to the Impala and back, returning with shovels. We start digging, and it doesn't take long before Sam’s shovel clanked against something.

Almost in sync we drop to our knees, digging with our hands, pulling out a red bicycle.

“Peter's bike.” I murmur.

“Who are you?” A commanding voice rings from behind us. We turn around only to be met with the Sheriff pointing a gun at us.

“Put the gun down, Jake.” Sam reasons as we drop the shovels.

“How did you know that was there?” Jake questions, gun still raised.

But he does not get the answer he’s looking for, Dean instead questioning him, “What happened? You and Bill killed Peter, drowned him in the lake and then buried the bike? You can't bury the truth, Jake. Nothing stays buried.”

“I don't know what the hell you're talking about.” Jake replies with venom.

“You and Bill killed Peter Sweeney thirty-five years ago. That's what the hell I'm talking about.” Dean continues.

Andrea suddenly runs off yelling, “Dad!”

“And now you got one seriously pissed-off spirit.” Dean finishes.

“It's gonna take Andrea, Lucas, everyone you love. It's gonna drown them. And it's gonna drag their bodies God knows where, so you can feel the same pain Peter's mom felt. And then, after that, it's gonna take you, and it's not gonna stop until it does.” Sam adds.

“Yeah, and how do you know that?” Jake challenges.

“Because that’s exactly what happened to Bill Carlton” I huff.

“Listen to yourselves, all of you. You're insane.” Jake seethes, tightening his grip on the gun.

“I don't really give a rat's ass what you think of us. But if we're gonna bring down this spirit, we need to find the remains, salt them, and burn them into dust. Now tell me you buried Peter somewhere. Tell me you didn't just let him go in the lake.” Dean spits a reply.

“Dad, is any of this true?” Andrea asks weakly.

“No. Don't listen to them. They're liars and they're dangerous.” He accuses.

“Something tried to drown me. Chris died on that lake. Dad, look at me.” Andrea commands and he does, “Tell me you—you didn't kill anyone.”

He doesn't reply, instead looking away. “Oh my God.” She gasps.

“Billy and I were at the lake. Peter was the smallest one. We always bullied him, but this time, it got rough. We were holding his head under the water. We didn't mean to. But we held him under too long and he drowned. We let the body go, and it sank.

Oh, Andrea, we were kids. We were so scared. It was a mistake. But, Andrea, to say that I have anything to do with these drownings, with Chris, because of some ghost? It's not rational.” Jake explains, lowering his gun.

“All right, listen to me, all of you. We need to get you away from this lake, as far as we can, right now.” Dean orders.

Andrea turns her head, but instead of moving she gasps. We all look in her direction seeing Lucas going down to the lake.

“Lucas” Jake yells out to his grandson.

We run the dock, Lucas leaning over the side reaching into the water.

“Lucas!”

“Lucas! Baby, stay where you are!” Andrea yells, but Lucas had a head start on us and was still too far for us to reach before a hand pulled him into the water.

We keep running to the end of the dock, the boys dive in and despite my fear of deep waters I dive in right after them.

The water is cold and murky, it’s hard to truly see in front of me but I keep going further. In the corner of my eye I see two figures that I know to be the boys breach the surface, but I force myself to keep going despite the lack of air I had left. But, my chest burns and I have to swim back up. I break the surface, greedily sucking in needed oxygen, my chest burning for the opposite reason now.

I suck one last breath in before diving down again. I light one of my hands up to use as a flashlight, the bright purple light guiding me in the murky water. And with the light, I can see Luca's small body get further and further away. Frick.

I'm forced to break the surface again. He's too far to reach. But there's also no choice. So, I push my wet hair off my face and dive back in. I reach my hand out, bringing out that light again. This time I extend the light as if it was a rope or a lasso. It stretches far in front of me. It barely brushes his wrist when all of a sudden the ghost boy lets go.

I don't leave time to contemplate it or for the spirit to change its mind. I push forward the rope of light, my lungs and eyes burning. It wraps around his wrist and I pull him towards me as I try to meet him. His eyes are closed. I don't know how long he's been unconscious.

I let go of my light as he gets close enough to hold with my hands. As quick as I can I push myself up. The sunlight is the guide to the surface. It's hard to swim with the added weight of clothes and shoes and a whole other person. But, it doesn't matter. It can't.

Finally, I break the surface with a harsh breath, the rush of oxygen to my lungs only making my chest hurt more. I pant as I hold him up, taking in sharp breaths as I hand the unconscious boy to Sam, who is closest to me. I watch as Sam brings him to the edge of the lake, his mother helping drag him out before immediately starting CPR.

I stay treading in the water breathing heavily, my chest rising up and down exceptionally fast. Pieces of my wet hair stick to my face, and my clothes stick to my skin in the worst way possible.

Dean lifts himself out of the lake landing on his knees, facing the body of water. Dean offers his hand to me, I swim to the edge of the lake where he sits, gladly taking his hand. He lifts me out of the water with ease, turning himself in the process so that I was next to him and not on top.

I look over at Lucas, who’s okay and hugging his mother before I let my head drop down my wet hair creating a curtain around me as I hold my hands to the firm ground, trying to not only catch my breath but also calm my anxiety.

Gentle, familiar, hands hold the sides of my face. Dean. He brings my head up to look at him. He moves the hair that sticks to my face away, his big hands pushing and smoothing back my hair, tucking it behind my ears. Then, his hands immediately go back to cupping my face. His touch and his eyes are so gentle that it should be unfair. “You okay, sweetheart?” He asks me, breathing a little heavy too, his voice gravelly and low.

I nod my head in response, feeling as if I couldn’t form the words to answer verbally. He shakes his head. “No. I need to hear you say it, baby," he breathes.

“I’m okay,” I answer, my voice coming out crackly.

He seems to accept that answer as he looks over me slowly, eventually making his way back to my eyes. His eyes dip down again before shooting away from me to look into the distance where sirens sound.

————————————————————————

We walk out of the motel, Sam throwing his duffel bag into the car. “Look, we're not gonna save everybody," he tells Dean. They caught me up on what happened on the drive back to the motel, Jake sacrificing himself. Which had made sense as to why Peter had suddenly let Lucas go.

“I know.” Dean responds simply.

“Sam, Dean, Y/N” Andrea calls out walking up to us with Lucas.

“Hey.” Dean greets.

“We're glad we caught you. We just, um, we made you lunch for the road. Lucas insisted on making the sandwiches himself." Andrea explains, motioning down to Lucas who looks very pleased with the platter of sandwiches he holds. He looked up to his mom, “Can I give it to them now?”

“Of course,” Andrea told him, smiling wildly, giving him a kiss on the head.

“Come on, Lucas, let's load this into the car.” Dean takes the plate from him.

“Lucas, this is so sweet of you, thank you,” I tell him sincerely while Dean places the plate on the passenger seat of the car.

“All right, if you're gonna be talking now, this is a very important phrase, so I want you to repeat it,” Dean instructs the kid as he sits in the passenger seat facing outward, with the door open.

“Zeppelin rules!” Lucas yells out.

“That's right. Up high.” Dean holds his hand up for a high-five. Lucas obliges, grinning. I laugh almost uncontrollably, the moment just a little too sweet.

“You take care of your mom, okay?” He tells him.

“Alright,” Lucas answers, determination on his face.

Andrea and Sam come up to the car. She leans over the open door giving Dean a quick kiss on the lips before pulling away with a “Thank you”

My eyebrows raise and I take a half-step back, not really expecting her to do that.

Dean stiffens and you can see the cogs turning in his head, he scratches his head and turns his head towards me, looking at me. I don’t say anything. I mean what would I say? I’m not even sure why he’s looking at me. He goes around the car passing me, eyes still on me as he calls out to Sam. “Sam, move your ass. We're gonna run out of daylight before we hit the road.”

We all get in the car, smiling and waving goodbye to Andrea and Lucas as we drive away.

#dean winchester #dean winchester x reader #fanfiction #sam winchester #supernatural #dead in the water #supernatural season 1 #john winchester #slow burn #guilty #secrets #supernatural x reader #witch reader #the hunter and the witch

129 notes · View notes