#every discovery I made throughout the mission just had my eyes widened the entire time

[artem1sc0re]

My literal live reaction to the ‘Coming Home’ mission in watch dogs legion:

[taetaespeaches]

“Thank you for not giving up three years ago.”

hoseok x reader (or oc) genre: fluff word count: 2.7K

a/n: I’m not even gonna lie, lovelies, this is a bit of a mess lol. But it’s hectic and so is moving into a new place, so I guess it’s fitting? This takes place pretty much where “Wherever we go, we’ll be home” left off. Hobi and Petal/reader are moved in to their new place but they are far from unpacked and yeah. It’s random but I hope you all enjoy, and thanks for reading! :)) 

(brief moments of kookie and poopsie in here as well.) 

p.s. holy shit this is the last fic of the two-week uploads for each member?! What the fuck?? Thanks to everyone who rode this out with and waited for every fic and supported me throughout and ugh I just love you all so much. Thank you, lovelies <3 

TAKING a moment to scan the piles of boxes scattered across the mostly unfurnished apartment, you lifted one of the box flaps before pulling a face of disgust, flipping it back shut. If only the cardboard cubes could unpack themselves.

“You look overwhelmed,” your boyfriend suddenly spoke just moments before his arms loosely wrapped around your shoulders. A kiss was pressed to your cheek bone as you turned to look at him, the man quickly pushing his lips to yours as you turned in his arms, wrapping yours around his waist.

“I think I have too many things,” you thought out loud, Hoseok smiling softly as he shook his head.

“Nah, you just have a lot of things,” he teased, you giggling as you pressed your lips to his once more.

“Remind me, why did we decide to do this to ourselves?” You jokingly complained about the task of unpacking and moving in.

“Mmm,” he hummed in thought. “I think it has something to do with you being obsessed with me and wanting me around all the time,” he smirked.

“Ohhh,” you responded, dragging the word out as you nodded. “Right,” you noted in an unconvinced tone. “Something like that,” you agreed, Hoseok giggling as he pecked your lips a few times quickly.

“We just about have it all unloaded, Jungkook should be able to haul the rest of it up,” he informed you, your eyes widening in surprise, though your response was contained to a simple nod. “I’m gonna go down and check on everything,” he told you, placing a sweet kiss to your nose before stepping away, you allowing him to slip out of your embrace as you watched him leave.

Moving may be an overwhelming task but goddamn that man made it all worth it. Looking around the apartment, with your mind stuck on Hoseok, you decided indefinitely that you would move a million times for him.

Having decided together to replace most of your old furniture with new stuff you picked out together, the space was rather empty, the carboard boxes being the only things filling the room. To make the living area feel more like home, more like you and Hoseok, you were hit with the sudden desire to set out a photo. One particular photo. The first photo you two had ever taken together, which was on your first date at a carnival. Searching the boxes, you tried to find the one that was labeled with ‘picture frames’.

Wandering around the entire living area, you couldn’t seem to find the box anywhere. “Well fuck,” you sighed to yourself, a sudden giggle sounding to the side of the room, your eyes darting to find Jungkook smiling in amusement.

“All good?” He asked, you nodding with a faint smile.

“Have you seen a box with the words ‘picture frames’ on it?” You asked, the man squinting as he thought to himself.

“Uh, no,” he concluded apologetically, still carrying the box in his arms that looked increasingly heavy. “I’m assuming it has picture frames in it,” he smirked, you widening your eyes to feign impression.

“How did you kn-”

“Kookie, are you carrying dishes right now?” Jin’s girlfriend asked him as she stepped into the room from another area of the apartment. Jungkook looked at her with a guilty smile making you giggle lightly. Apparently, he and his accomplice Taehyung had broken almost all of her dishes when helping her to move into her new apartment a few years ago and she was making it her mission to keep the same thing from happening to your own kitchenware.

“Have you been in here this whole time?” You asked her in confusion, the girl looking at you with a serious expression.

“Yeah? You and Hobi are cute,” she noted nonchalantly, you staring at her in disbelief. “I banned you from carrying those,” she reminded Jungkook, the man shooting her a mischievous grin as he walked to the kitchen to place the box on the counter gently.

“I’m redeeming myself,” he informed her before gesturing to the untainted box with a wave of his arm. “Consider me redeemed,” he joked, you lightly chuckling as you looked back to the room, searching for that one specific box among the disarray.

“Is there more to bring up?” The girl asked, you looking back to them to see Jungkook shake his head.

“No, that should be it,” he noted. “Pretty much everyone is gone already. And when I left them your freak and my weirdo were stealing the moving truck keys from Yoongi and threatening to drop it back off at the garage themselves,” he giggled, Jin’s girlfriend smiling as she shook her head.

“Why are they like this?” She asked as you laughed lightly at the thought of them tossing the keys over Yoongi’s head, including him in unwanted game of monkey in the middle.

“Is Hobi down there?” You asked Jungkook, the man shaking his head.

“He went to get you guys dinner,” he informed you, you pulling your eyebrows together in perplexity.

“He did?” You questioned. “We should be buying you all dinner,” you told them guiltily, feeling bad that they had used up most of their day helping you and Hoseok to move. However, both of your friends instantly shook their heads as they started negating your comment in a back and forth that would have seemed rehearsed if you didn’t know better.

“Absolutely not,” the girl told you.

“That’s ridiculous,” Jungkook spoke.

“You already bought lunch,” she said.

“Don’t be silly,” Jungkook finished.

Smiling in amusement at the two, you rolled your eyes. “Ok, well Hobi and I are having you over for dinner soon,” you reminded them as they began making their way to your new front door. “As soon as this place is put together,” you gestured to the mess of yours and Hoseok’s belongings.

“Looking forward to it,” the girl said sweetly as they prepared to exit the apartment. “You’re sure you don’t need help with anything else?” She asked, you shaking your head as you shooed them out.

“You’ve done enough, just go and enjoy your evening.” Looking to Jungkook, you found him smirking, making you eye him skeptically.

“Your dishes should be in good shape, I only dropped them once,” he joked, you instantly laughing at him as Jin’s girlfriend groaned.

“Jungkook,” she warned as he began jogging down the hallway away from her, an adorable but bratty giggle leaving his lips. “Oh, that picture frame box is in your guys’ bedroom,” she informed you, and maybe you should have been surprised by her random intuition and knowledge, but you’d known the girl long enough to know not to question her. Without another word she began running after Jungkook, leaving you as you called out one last thank you.

Shutting the door, you smiled to yourself, a sincere sense of gratitude and happiness settling in as you took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. This was your home. You lived with Hoseok. This was your life.

Hauling a bag stuffed full of blankets, you made your way to the living room as the front door opened, Hoseok stepping inside, his hands full with a pizza box and a… fish bowl?

Cocking your head at him, you set the bag and blanket you pulled out on the floor before slowly walking toward him.

“Petal,” he greeted cheerfully, “I’m home! With food,” he added, nodding his chin down toward the pizza box. “Whoah, home,” he realized the words he spoke as he looked around the room, his eyes landing on you, his gaze full of love and contentment.

“Uh, are we having fish with our pizza?” You asked jokingly, though the man appeared lost in thought as he stared at you fondly.

“I can’t believe we live here together,” he spoke softly, your lips curving up at how cute he was.

“Hoseok,” you called out to pull him from his thoughts, his eyes widening to show his responsiveness. “The fish.”

Your boyfriend followed your gaze downward to the fish bowl with a little gold fish swimming around it. Chuckling at himself, a bashful glow meeting his cheeks, he nodded at it for you to take off the pizza box.

“Well,” he started, you stifling a smile as you held the bowl in your hands in front of your face, looking at the little fish swimming around energetically. “It’s your housewarming gift,” he told you, an endeared laugh leaving your lips.  

“You got me another fish?” You asked, cooing at how fucking cute he was. The combination of his disbelief over the new state of your relationship and living arrangement, along with getting you a new pet goldfish had you wanting to reach out and pepper kisses all across his face.

“I just thought, you know, you loved Luna,” he explained shyly. “I don’t know, a new home, new family member,” he shrugged, you pouting at him as you peered at him from around the fish bowl.

“I did love Luna,” you told him, the man smiling more fondly than ever at you. He won you a fish in a carnival game during that damn first date and it ended up being your flat mate for a year before its eventual passing. You smiled shyly as you thought back to day Hobi came over to visit you only to find you crying at the discovery that your little fish Luna had died while you were at class.

“Why are you so thoughtful?” You asked him, walking to the kitchen counter to set the fish tank down, bending down to continue looking inside the tank. Setting the pizza box on the counterspace next to the fish bowl, Hoseok crouched down with you, both of you peering at the new ‘family member’. So fucking cute.

“What are you thinking for a name?” He asked, you turning toward him as you smiled.

“Maybe,” you thought for a moment, “Yue? Like in Avatar,” you suggested, referring to the princess who sacrificed her life, becoming the spirit of the moon. Looking back to the fish, your boyfriend continued staring at you lovingly.

Leaning toward you, he left a kiss to your cheek, you leaning into the simple gesture of affection. “Is that paying homage to Luna?” He asked, you smiling without looking at him as you stood up, Hoseok looking up at you for a moment. “God, you’re fucking cute,” he told you.

Standing up straight, he grabbed your face between his hands gently, bringing his lips to yours as he kissed you sweetly, the touch lingering as he pulled away. Clasping your hands over his wrists, you ensured he didn’t move his hands away from your face as you looked at him fondly.

“Thank you for this,” you pouted. “I love it,” you referred to the fish. “And you,” you informed him, Hoseok leaning forward once more to kiss your lips slowly and sweetly. “You know, I got you a housewarming present too,” you told him, piquing the man’s interest as his eyes widened. “It’s a bit different than this though,” you gestured to the fish, Hoseok smiling in amusement. Pulling his hands from your face, you left a sweet kiss to the inside of one of his wrists before leaving him to go to the bedroom to retrieve your gift. “We can eat on the rollout mattress,” you called out as you disappeared momentarily into the the bedroom, Hoseok’s eyes landing on the living room floor where you had set out a sleeping pad.

By the time you reentered the living room, Hoseok was seated on the mattress with the box of pizza, his gaze directed to the side of the temporary bed where you had placed the framed photo of you both on your first date. His eyes slowly left the picture to look at you standing a few feet away with a bottle of champagne in one and and a gift bag in the other.

“I figured we should celebrate,” you smiled, Hoseok chuckling as he nodded. “I don’t know where our champagne flutes are, but we can just drink it from the bottle,” you decided as you admired your boyfriend’s stunning smile.

Gesturing to the picture frame sitting on the hardwood floor, he beamed at you. “Do you know how much I love you?” He asked you, you smiling with a nod.

“Yes, Sunshine,” you confirmed, “I do know.” Holding his hands out to gesture for you to join him on the mattress, you handed him the bag. He raised it to his eye level, curious of its contents.  

“Good,” he said simply, lowering the gift to the mattress. “Also, this set up is cute, it feels like a sleepover,” he added, you giggling fondly at the comment. “Except we live here,” he realized once again, both of you smiling excitedly over the fact that you actually lived together.

“Your family is dropping Mickey off tomorrow, right?” You asked suddenly, the man nodding as you took the hand he offered you, allowing him to help you onto your knees, you kneeling next to him. “Good, I miss him,” you said, Hoseok smiling widely.

“I know, me too,” he agreed. “Do you want me to open this?” He asked you, gesturing to the bag, you humming in confirmation. The man wasted no time in pulling the tissue paper out of the way, reaching inside to feel the soft, sheer material. Cocking his head, he lifted his hand out of the bag, the brand-new lingerie set slowly appearing as he held it between his fingertips.

“Oh,” he breathed out, his eyes glued to the pretty white material, embroidered with flowers, the set a lot cuter and daintier than your typical choice. “My god.”

“I thought we could break the place in,” you told him softly before biting your bottom lip.

“This is different,” he noted dumbly, pointing out the stray in your typical choice of sexy undergarments.

“I know,” you smiled. “I thought you’d like it,” you noted, leaning in to place a chaste kiss to his lips.

“Fuck,” he breathed out, causing you to giggle as you kissed his cheek.

“Do you want to eat first?” You teasingly asked, the man giving you an incredulous look as he shoved the pizza box off the mattress until it landed on the wooden floorboards, you laughing as he then rolled atop you, kissing you deeply. Your fingers found themselves tangled up in Hobi’s hair as you kissed him back passionately.

The lingerie didn’t even touch your skin that night, both of you too eager and excited and so fucking in love to bother with getting all dressed up. But each round was perfect as you made love throughout the apartment, taking pizza and champagne breaks between climaxes. And the beautiful thing was that you had endless opportunities to wear that lingerie for Hoseok. Because you actually lived together.

You had a lifetime of possibilities together. Without a single doubt in your mind, you knew moving in together at that exact point in time was the right move to make in your relationship. Three years earlier, you would never have believed a single soul who told you that you would be living with Hoseok. But there you were, celebrating your new home with him, the love of your life, feeling beyond thankful for him and his persistence three years prior.

Exhausted on the rollout mattress, bottle of champagne pressed to your lips as you eyed Hoseok’s nude form, glistening with the sweat of several rounds with you, you chuckled to yourself. The man’s eyes found your own, his hand moving to take the bottle from you.

“What are you laughing at?” He asked fondly before bringing the bottle to his own mouth.

Shaking your head, you moved to straddle the man, his free hand easily wrapping around your lower back. “Just thinking,” you told him just before placing a kiss to his forehead. “Thank you for not giving up three years ago,” you told him, Hobi’s lips slowly curving up into a fond grin.

“Well,” he chuckled bashfully. “The displeasure’s been mine,” he teased, you scrunching your nose as you took the bottle from him again. “You’re still mean, but fuck, I love you,” he playfully told you.

Taking a drink from the bottle, you nodded. “And you’re still obnoxious, but I love you too,” you replied. “So much, Sunshine.”

A lifetime of possibilities with Hoseok was something you’d never take for granted, and you would forever be thanking him for winning you over; for allowing you to fall in love with him.

[bushlaboo]

DotN: Chapter 2

Note: I'm back! Road trip/conference was amazing – I am in love with Wyoming and Utah (if I could move to Provo I would!), but my lovely beta Becky (@nvwhovian) can keep Vegas. This will probably be the longest individual chapter of this fic, well unless anticipated chapters 7-9 get away from me. I may have to travel again in early July, a much shorter trip this time, just to NY so I don't know if that will effect my hope/plan of posting every two weeks or not -- it depends how much progress I can make on the outstanding chapters. I didn't get a lick of writing time in during my recent travels so I'm still stuck halfway through chapter 7. On a happier note, I do have some gorgeous new art to share with you all thanks to my lovely and talented wifey, Lexi (@alexiablackbriar13).

Awakening, Part II (AO3)

Oliver only needed to look out over the expanse of Starling City from his perch atop the castle to know that the world had changed drastically.  The weapons they faced the night before, small metal objects that shot beams of lights Tommy Merlyn referred to as lasers, was only one tangible difference he had experienced in the short time he’d been awake. Talk of technology, little pieces of magic that held equivalents of great libraries, was something he struggled to understand. Even with the living tapestry on Merlyn’s wall – the so called television – on which Merlyn played back their battle, Oliver grappled with the enormity of this advanced age.

He felt a debt of gratitude to Merlyn for allowing his curiosity in a long ago tale to inspire taking a chance to lift their curse. Oliver knew that without the monumental efforts Merlyn had undertaken, he and his clan would still be trapped in stone. And yet, there was something about the man’s countenance that made Oliver question his motives. Unlike like the detective he encountered within the castle last night, he only sensed a veneer of sincerity to Merlyn. Or it could be the actions of the last man he’d trusted making him overly wary. Either way, until he could get a better grasp upon this new city they were to call home and those who inhabited it, Oliver felt caution was in order.

The last time he left the castle on a mission, his clan had been devastated. Doing as Merlyn asked; going after what he termed flash drives - held in three different locations - would separate his brothers and leave the castle undefended. It was a risk he was unwilling to take. Oliver felt little better giving Roy, Barry and Curtis permission to explore the city together as long as they did not stray too far from the castle. Hiding away in their home would do them no good. If they were to live in this new world, they needed to learn to navigate it without being seen.

Oliver shook those thoughts from his head as he took a final swoop around the roof he’d indicated to Felicity. The ambient light of the city allowed him to see her clearly standing alone as she waited for him. Putting any sort of faith into an unknown individual, particularly a human, was a dangerous calculation; but Oliver felt a connection to the detective as they were both protectors.

He landed on the rooftop silently, out of sight of Felicity, so he could make his approach unbeknownst to her. Just because it appeared that she was alone, did not mean that was the case. He’d preached prudence to his brothers; as their leader, Oliver knew he should follow his own advice.

“Felicity,” he hailed, emerging out of the shadows.

Felicity let out a short gasp of surprise, her periwinkle eyes widening as she soaked him again. The way her eyes kept drifting to his wings, she seemed almost disappointed that they were not open to their full span. “I was starting to doubt you’d come,” she greeted him with a nervous chuckle and wave of her hand.

Diggle dropped down unexpectedly, preventing Oliver from replying. His friend’s sudden appearance startled Felicity, causing her to edge closer to him. Though he was uncertain about trusting her, it seemed that she trusted him; at least when it came to being in the presence of other gargoyles.  “What are you doing here?” he queried.

“Making certain you’ve not walked into a trap,” Diggle replied as he folded his wings over his chest.

Over her fright, Felicity turned to stand square to Diggle and remarked, “Not very trusting.”

“That’s earned lass.”

Her eyes flashed as her chin rose slightly, but she conceded the point before asking, “Are you joining us on this tour?”

“No,” Diggle replied as he shuffled towards the ledge. “Now that I know you’ve kept your word I’ll be returning to the castle to see it’s defended.” His mentor leapt up onto the ledge, his wings expanding out as he did. Diggle cast a quick look over his shoulder and without words conveyed the message for Oliver to be mindful. An ambush, they both knew, was still possible.

Satisfied, Diggle allowed a strong blast of air to lift him and he used the winds to glide back towards the castle. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get use to that,” Felicity murmured in awe as she watched Diggle soaring. She waited until Diggle landed on one of the castle’s parapets before making Oliver the center of her focus again. “Not sure how we’re going to move you around down there.”

“Not to worry,” Oliver replied opening his wings.

“It may have escaped your notice, but I don’t come with pair of wings.”

He chuckled. It was a foreign sound to his own ears. Not that he was ill-humored. Oliver had often found joy in life and had found delight with another, but after returning to the near total annihilation of his clan, he figured he was done experiencing amusement. That Felicity had given him that so quickly … it was an unexpected gift. “I noticed,” Oliver assured her.

“Then how—” Oliver cut off her question but lifting Felicity into his arms and bringing her close to his chest.

A flush spread over her cheeks as she gazed up at him. “I’m kind of afraid of heights,” Felicity admitted as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I won’t drop you,” he vowed as he allowed a gust to carry them up into the night air.

Felicity tensed at the sound of a lone pair of feet hitting the worn, but well-maintained jogging path in Plesa, the city’s central park. She shifted to a crouch and prepared to pounce defensively if needed. The unsuspecting jogger bit back a yelp after taking notice of her. He ran in place as he goggled at the picture she made squatting next to a stone figure.  “I don’t think,” he panted with a southern accent - clearly a transplanted citizen of Starling - “I’ve noticed that statute before. And I’ve run this path for the past two years.”

“This park is full of surprises,” she offered with her best ‘who’d of thought it’ chuckle, hoping the runner would move on without further comment. Dark eyes trailed over a stone gargoyle once more before he shrugged his shoulders and continued on his way. Felicity let out a sigh of relief as she leaned back against Oliver’s solid form. His encasement was cool against her back and Felicity found herself missing the warmth he radiated when he was flesh.

And how crazy was that? she thought again. Felicity had been thrown for a loop upon learning that creatures like gargoyles existed, but the discovery that the species turned to stone during the day was not only highly inconvenient given the armed pursuers they’d met in the park; but a shock. One minute she’d been struggling to haul a drugged Oliver through a thicket of trees and underbrush, and the next he was wheezing out, “Too late,” as he dropped to the ground. She fought him on that assessment - granted they were in some dire straits with him tranquilized and her having lost her weapon - but Felicity had never been one to give up or back down. There was always another way; she only needed to find it.

Of course there had been no way to anticipate that her sole means of backup, she had already vowed never to leave her cell again when meeting with the gargoyles, would turn to stone before her eyes. Oliver was completely defenseless in that state. If she’d had more time to freak out about that earlier Felicity would have, but luck continued to conspire against her. The tracker she found on Oliver and transferred to a stray dog had not led their attackers far enough afield. She was reacting before she had a plan in place, drawing their assailants’ attention to her and away from a frozen Oliver.

The park became an asset and she managed to use the well-known nooks and crannies to divide the team tracking her and disable them one-by-one. Felicity managed to get soaked - she was grateful for the warm beams of sunlight filtering through the trees as she guarded Oliver - in the process and she didn’t look forward to hearing speculation about the boathouse that exploded amongst the ranks of her police brethren later. She had already concluded before meeting Oliver on the roof the night before that there would be a lot she’d have to leave unsaid in the coming days. The world wasn’t ready for gargoyles, and now knowing their vulnerability Felicity was determined to keep them safe.

She wished again for her phone, it would have allowed her to do research while she waited for Oliver to wake, but as she shifted again the damp material of her jeans reminded Felicity that the device would have been ruined in her swim. She made a mental note for future gargoyle occasions: phone off, safely ensconced in a plastic baggie. That way it would actually work if she needed it.

Resolved not to waste her entire day, Felicity started to consider the story she’d use in her report about losing her backup piece. Her captain was not going to be happy about that and the reprimand she’d receive was undoubtedly going to be unpleasant. “You’re so going to owe me,” she muttered, poking her elbow into Oliver. Striking the hard, solid surface of his stone skin made pain shoot throughout her arm. Felicity bit back a cry as she rubbed at the painful spot on right arm. “Double.”

As the sun dipped behind the horizon, fissures broke out like spider webs across the breadth of Oliver’s form. It was hard to describe, even to his kin, the sensation of waking from stone sleep. As long as a gargoyle was breathing, whatever ailment they suffered healed during the day. It went beyond physical rejuvenation or restoration; there was usually a peacefulness to their sleep that could clear most disturbances from their mind. He’d only found two things sleep could not help ease: the sense of danger and white-hot rage.

Emerging from his nightly cocoon Oliver’s senses were on full alert, his coiled muscles ready to release should a threat present itself. Given the circumstances of how he dropped into slumber Oliver had honestly not anticipated seeing the night sky again. To find himself alive and whole, with Felicity at his side relief written in her smile was a marvel.

That a tiny human he barely knew had risked her life to protect him -- the ache in his heart from Slade’s betrayal and the Mage’s rash actions, which his long sleep had eased the most ragged edges of, began to truly heal with the knowledge that there was still honor in mankind if you knew where to look and if one was open to seeing it. That sentiment reminded Oliver of a comment Felicity made about the city itself last night. It didn’t always show a pretty face, she’d told him, but it was worth protecting. He’d seen the worst of mankind, but looking into Felicity’s exhausted eyes as she confirmed that she’d spent the day watching over him, Oliver felt like he was genuinely experiencing the best of them for the first time.

He took great satisfaction in the fact that Felicity did not flinch at his touch. In fact she seemed to lean into his hand, as he told her, “You need to rest.”

“Probably,” she agreed through a yawn with a slight nod, but her eyes turned sharp again when he told her that he planned to return to the castle.

“Oliver there’s no way to know how that tracker got placed on you. I know Merlyn’s responsible for you being here, being alive … or awake, or I don’t know animated again,” Felicity babbled as she scrubbed her eyes. “I get why you’d be grateful to him but you have be careful about trusting him. He’s charming and can be generous, but he’s tricky and ruthless too, and I don’t want to see him use you.”

Her tone was earnest and the appeal heartfelt. It was obvious to Oliver that Felicity was wary of Merlyn. Her take on the man added weight to his own misgivings, but the castle was his home. It was his to protect, as the city was Felicity’s and more importantly his clan was there, worried and waiting for him. When he said as much Felicity relented, but implored him to be vigilant in Merlyn’s presence. Oliver assured her that he would and given the danger they faced the night before he got Felicity to agree, after a short argument about her ability to look out for herself, to him shadowing her home.

It was fortuitous that Felicity’s home, an apartment she called it, was on the top floor of the building with a skylight. He had not understood the term, but when he caught sight of Felicity entering the dwelling from a window in the roof he put the pieces together. He watched as a small, furry form raced towards her and wound itself between her legs. Oliver stayed long enough to see her bend over to pick up the animal, cuddling it to her chest before the light from the hallway disappeared as her door closed and the apartment fell dark.

As he circled away from the building and back towards the castle concern for Felicity weighed on his mind. She had proven herself capable, but their attackers had been persistent. Oliver had his brothers to rely on; he had no idea if there was anyone Felicity could depend upon. He hated the idea of leaving her vulnerable.

The only solace Oliver had during his trip back to the castle was the hopeful way Felicity had asked, “I’ll see you tomorrow night, right?” before he’d taken to the sky to see her home. He would see with his own eyes the following evening that Felicity was as he left her. In fact, she would be better after a night’s rest.

His trepidation got swept aside in a tide of joyful greetings from his brothers upon his return. Longbow, jumped up on his hind legs so his massive front paws braced against his chest as the mutt licked at his chin as his clan surrounded him, bombarding him with questions about why he hadn’t returned while Barry and Curtis talked over his explanation with a recounting of their explorations and a piece of machinery called a motorcycle.

Oliver had been gearing up to lecture his young kin about risk they’d taken being seen when Merlyn interrupted them. He fought back his reflex to frown at the man as Oliver did not want Merlyn to be able to gage how he perceived him. For his part, Merlyn was all congeniality as he welcomed him back, though Oliver found his smile - unlike Felicity’s - to be predatory and false. Everything about Tommy Merlyn, from his charcoal suit to his genial charm, came off as calculated.

“There is someone anxious to see you,” Merlyn’s tone was warm and his grey eyes danced with delight. Oliver could see the appeal of his veneer, but he did not trust it.

But as a familiar form slipped from the shadows his world narrowed down to nothing but the vision in front of him. The raven haired warrior who’d captured his heart, who he’d believed smashed to fragments with the remainder of their clan, stood beautifully before him. Oliver barely registered the happy shouts of “Helena!” as Diggle swooped her up in a joyful embrace as the others danced around them, awaiting their turn to greet their sister.

Helena looked exactly as he remembered her. Her trim form remained sharp and honed for battle, the gold bracelet he’d made for her still coiled around her upper left arm - it offset her lavender skin gorgeously. Her blue eyes shone with merriment below the crown she had fashioned herself, along with a pair of hoop earrings.

Her voice was music to Oliver’s ears, a cherished sound he thought lost to him. His heart constricted, afraid to believe what he was witnessing because he could not understand how she survived. Diggle had been the only one to accompany him the night they’d been betrayed and the others had only lived because he’d ordered them to the rookery as punishment for their antics with the refugees.

His voice shook with emotion as he crooned lowly, “My Angel of the Night?” Helena’s eyes went wide and started to shimmer with unshed tears at the use of his endearment for her. The others immediately stepped back, giving her room to cross the short distance that separated them. He reacted without thought, lifting his hand to cup her cheek, and Helena nuzzled his palm as they continued to erase the space between them.

“Oliver,” she sighed wrapping her arms around him. With his free arm he encircled her frame, holding Helena close against him. Oliver relished the feel of being in his beloved’s presence once again.

Awed by the moment he asked, “How?”

“Merlyn,” she answered with quick glance to the human over her shoulder.

“I’d acquired a magnificent statue a few years back,” Merlyn explained. He held Oliver’s gaze as he continued. “After you all awoke, I thought bringing her here might have the same outcome. I am pleased the inclination paid off.”

Helena dragged a hand low across his back to his front drawing his attention back to her, her talons drew gently up his chest causing a slight shudder throughout his body, before she brought her hand up to rest against his jaw.  “We owe him much Oliver,” Helena murmured.

Oliver saw something else in her iridescent eyes, something beyond her love for him, if it had been any other he would have called it a darkness. But that was not his Helena so he chocked it up to her settling into a new time and though his instincts screamed otherwise, Oliver could not deny the great gift of having his love back in his arms.  “Yes,” he agreed begrudgingly, keeping Helena his focus, “we do.”

Something flared in her eyes - triumph perhaps - as she spoke, “I know just the way to repay Merlyn’s kindness. While we awaited your return we spoke of the attack on the castle and the flash drives stolen.”

Oliver could not stop his frown of displeasure. He sensed Merlyn’s manipulation of the situation, of Helena and it grated him. He had trouble stomaching the appreciation he owed the human when he could not find it in himself to trust the man. There had been little he’d denied Helena when she asked, and while he desperately wanted to say no to this request - had she not argued their last night together that human affairs were not their concerns - Oliver found himself agreeing to aid Merlyn because the last time he denied Helena he thought she had been lost to him forever. It was a regret he believed he’d have to live with forever, a pain that would never heal and, yet, miraculously he had a chance to correct that mistake. Misgivings or not, Oliver could not allow that opportunity to escape him.

After a quick snuggle with Cagney and splitting a can of tuna with the stray cat that had adopted her, Felicity peeled off her jeans, set her alarm, and crawled into bed to sleep off the brunt of her exhaustion. Knowing that she had to meet with her captain before her shift, Felicity she left for the precinct extra early so she could still make a stop at Jitters. She needed at least one decent cup of coffee a day, one which she usually brewed herself, but after yesterday Felicity knew her morning cup needed an extra shot or two of espresso. Her favorite barista, Kendra, was behind the counter that morning -- over the eight months she had been working at Jitters the striking beauty with a wide smile, had learned to anticipate her order just by looking at her, something Felicity was extremely grateful for when the extra-large, plain latte with two additional shots was waiting for her when she reached the counter instead of having to place an order. “You’re my hero,” she said appreciatively as Kendra ran her card.

“Are you talking to me or the coffee?” the barista asked with a good-natured laugh.

“Both,” she replied with a sheepish shrug of her shoulders as she took her first bracing slip of her drink. The caffeine helped fortify her for the meeting with her captain which Felicity had predicted correctly on how things shook out. She bristled under the thought of her first write up and the added punishment of being assigned to babysit the new transfer when they arrived next week. The headaches were worth it though because Oliver was safe, at least for now.

It was that sentiment and her mistrust of Tommy Merlyn that had her working a stop at Palmer Technologies into her already hectic day of follow up on her open cases. Unlike Merlyn, Ray Palmer came across as honest, not to mention awkward. He also got super amped up when he realized that she could follow his techno-speak. Under normal circumstances Felicity would have enjoyed delving back into that world, but after learning that the programming on the flash drives Merlyn was telling Oliver had been stolen was proprietary to PT she’d been itching to leave so that she could share the truth with the gargoyles. She didn’t want them acting on false information.

Extracting herself from Palmer had been more difficult than Felicity had anticipated. The dark-haired genius trailed her through his headquarters, continuing their conversation all the way to company’s visitors parking garage. He was still talking as she climbed into her bright red Mini Cooper. “Look, Mr. Palmer-”

“Ray,” he insisted again with a toothy smile.

“Ray,” she acquiesced her tone just shy of long-suffering, “I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I am on duty and have places to be.”  The sun had gone down while she’d been in the building and she needed to get to Oliver before Merlyn talked him into doing anything foolish. Like breaking into Palmer Technologies to reclaim supposedly stolen proprietary technology.

His face fell and his shoulders stooped as he let out a disappointed, “Oh, of course.” The hangdog expression only last a moment before he brighten again, bringing his hand to rest on her open car door. “You’re welcome back anytime Detective.”

Feeling like she kicked a puppy she replied, “It’s Felicity, and I might just take you up on your generous offer.”

His smile returned full force then and he swung her door wider. “Until then Felicity.”

“Ray,” she said with a nod as means of farewell. The tech guru shut her door and offered a wave as her engine purred to life. Felicity returned the gesture before backing out of the parking spot. She didn’t look forward to fighting rush hour traffic, even if it was only forty blocks to get to the Merlyn Global building. Felicity knew well enough that harried drivers would ignore her undercover vehicle, unwilling to accept that the police siren was being emitted from her small car. She’d received plenty of razzing about it from her fellow officers, but she remained stubborn about giving up her beloved Mini.

Her prediction had been spot on; after twenty minutes got her roughly fifteen blocks and gifted her with a low thrum of a headache from the blaring siren.  Felicity considered silencing the ignored alarm when her radio squawked to life announcing heists at three Palmer Tech locations including the one she’d just left. “Son of bitch,” she cursed under her breath as she laid on her horn and stopped playing nice with the horde of commuters that surrounded her.

She was on the receiving end of a number angry shouts and rude gestures, but her aggressive maneuvering allowed her to navigate the clogged streets with more progress, she ate up the final twenty plus blocks in ten minutes. Ignoring the no parking signs and the burst of annoyed horns as she popped out of her car, Felicity raced through the wide plaza entry to the Merlyn Global building. She’d dug her badge out, so she could flash it at the guard, before bounding through the security turnstile. The high end machine beeped its notice of unauthorized access in tandem with the sentry barking out, “Hey!”

Felicity jabbed the elevator button and was thankful when one slid open immediately. The building’s public access elevator wouldn’t get her all the way up to the castle, meaning she’d have to hack a keypad into the stairwell and climb. She wasn’t thrilled by the idea of the unexpected cardio but she preferred it to the anxious wait on the upward ascent of the elevator. Not wanting to expend too much energy unnecessarily Felicity tapped her foot as the floors crawled slowly by.

The moment the doors began to slide open Felicity edged herself out, her phone had replaced her badge during the seemly endless ride up, her fingers continued to fly as she  worked her way to a stairway. She cracked the security just as she reached the doorway and threw up a fist in celebration as she flipped the phone in her other hand pressing it to the pad to scan. The lock released allowing her to push open the door. Felicity took a second to stare up at the twisting row of steps - they just kept going - and had a momentary flash of Escher’s famous painting before she shook the fanciful notion from her mind as she tackled the first flight of stairs.

Sounds of fighting got louder the closer Felicity got to the building’s uppermost echelon. Though she was panting the odd gunfire sounds she heard kept her pressing forward with speed. She was determined to reach Oliver and the other gargoyles and to stop Merlyn from causing them more harm. When she finally surged into the main open air courtyard of the castle the sight that Felicity beheld caused her to come to an abrupt stop. The gargoyles soared in the air battling metal versions of Oliver – her earlier conversation with Ray Palmer flashed through her mind – AI programming code. Robots.

Frakking robots.

The sci-fi geek in her was awed. That sentiment was quickly replaced when Felicity watched horrified as the red skinned gargoyle, Roy if she remembered correctly, got hit low on his wing where it connect to his back by laser fire. The blast caused him to tumble from the sky and slam into a stone battlement. Lasers, no wonder the gunfire sounded off Felicity thought as she finally moved, heading towards the unconscious gargoyle.

She didn’t get the chance to reach him, as the battle between the older gargoyle Diggle and another machine crossed in front of her. The blade of his sword cut halfway through a metal arm with a screech. Felicity wasn’t certain what her gun could do against the machine but she drew hers to take a shot at the robot heading towards Roy. The dog-like creature Oliver called Longbow jumped from above, landing on the encroaching machine a few feet from the downed gargoyle. Its strong jaw tore into the robot’s neck, and with a few sharp tugs, the automaton was beheaded.

Diggle used his considerable strength to split the machine he was battling jaggedly down the middle. Sparks flew and the bitter scent of melting rubber filled the air around her as the smallest gargoyle managed to crash two air-bound robots together. The collision resulted in a concussive blast that threw him into one of the towers. Felicity flinched as he hit the ground. She was torn as to whether she should attempt to stand guard over him or Roy, but when she caught Merlyn out of the corner of her eye Felicity figured she’d be more useful and successful handing the human threat.

Merlyn was going for a weapon, by the looks of it, it was a laser gun similar to the ones in use by the robots and Felicity succeeded at shooting the weapon from his hands. “I’d think carefully about reaching for another one,” she warned him, as she kept him in her sights.

“You’re sure this is the play you want to make Detective?” Merlyn asked as he raised his hands just above his shoulders, palms facing out towards her. His tone clearly indicated that he wouldn't be disturbed by her answer, no matter what it turned out to be.  

“I’ve been looking forward to arresting you,” she replied biting back a smile.

He sighed, “So be it,” before turning around slowly and placing his hands behind his back. Felicity holstered her gun and stepped toward Merlyn, reading him his rights, as she withdrew her handcuffs. She’d just finished cuffing the billionaire when a fierce roar filled the air. Felicity whipped towards the sound and saw Oliver clawing through a collapsed pile of wall. He was so intent on his frantic search that he left himself open to attack from an unfamiliar gargoyle.

Felicity couldn’t understand why the dark haired figure was striking out against one of it’s own, but they moved viciously and from her vantage she could tell Oliver was pulling his blows. He was reacting defensively, trying not to harm the other gargoyle that seemed determined to end him. Reacting on instinct she raced to assist him since Oliver seemed determine to not actually fight back.

Since she couldn’t risk hitting Oliver, the two gargoyles were a whirl of movement - wings and tails snapping back and forth in a flurry pivots and twists - Felicity kept her piece sheathed. While she waited for her opportunity to enter the fray, Felicity had a chance to get a better look at the new gargoyle and she was startled by the realization that Oliver was tangling with a female. It shouldn’t have come as such a surprise to her, most species had males and females after all, but having only met male gargoyles she’d made an erroneous assumption. There would be time to censure herself for that later, right now she needed to concentrate on helping Oliver.  

Oliver pushed a few feet of distance between himself and the female gargoyle and recognizing her opening Felicity charged and began grappling with the other female. She managed to land a number of solid blows but for all her training and the hours of practice she put in, Felicity was not a battle-hardened warrior like the gargoyle she was dueling. For all her experience she was unprepared for getting her feet got knocked out from underneath her by a gargoyle's tail. And really that seemed unfair. Guys twice her size she could handle, but a swiftly moving third appendage that was hard to keep tabs on was not something she'd ever trained for - that would change tomorrow Felicity vowed thumping to the ground.

She scrambled backwards as the livid female hovered over her, dark eyes flashing with malice.

"Helena no!" Oliver shouted as he leapt into the narrow space that divided them on the rampart.

"You would protect this human?" she fumed rearing back slightly in disgust. "After what their kind did to us!"

"Our betrayer is long dead," he reasoned. Felicity didn't need to hear Helena's derisive laugh to know that the gargoyle would not welcome his logic. She was lost in rage that she’d wrapped up in a quest for vengeance that could not be found a millennia later.

"You’re a fool Oliver," she spat, "but then again you always were." Helena slashed out at him, going for his eyes. Oliver turned quickly enough so she got his cheek, but she used that movement to knock him off balance and Felicity had to twist herself so she wouldn't be crushed under him as he fell.

Helena used their time getting back up on their feet to reacquire the laser gun Oliver had relieved her of; taking aim at them she told him, "You'll join in their fate."

A boulder flew out of nowhere just before Helena fired, spinning her around so the laser hit one of towers bringing it down upon them. Felicity felt the castle shift and heard the groan of splitting stone as the walkway gave way beneath her feet. The world spun out and she once again found herself falling from the great height of the massive skyscraper.

Frantic her eyes ping-ponged and she caught sight of Helena not far below her twirling in the air. Her wings fluttered around her, it almost appeared as if they danced, making Felicity aware that gargoyle was unconscious otherwise she was certain Helena would have caught a draft to stop her descent.

The racing wind ate up the full sound of her name, but she managed to catch Oliver's voice. He was diving towards her, hands out stretched. Though it seemed comical Felicity did her best to lunge in his direction, her hands straining to meet his. Their fingers briefly ghosted over each other and she saw determination harden his jaw as Oliver angled himself more, picking up speed to close the distance between them.

Their hands met as the wind changed. After flying — gliding she mentally corrected herself — with him previously Felicity knew that he needed a certain strength of air to carry him, particularly with a passenger. If they got much lower Oliver would be unable to prevent their fall. Once she was hauled into the safety of his chest, Felicity watched Oliver’s eyes drifted towards Helena. She could tell by the mournful howl he let loose as he expanded his wings to counter their downward spiral that she was too far away for him to help.

Oliver’s heart felt heavy in his chest. Just a night ago he’d been rejoicing in the return of his beloved Angel of the Night, basking in the ability to soar through the sky again with her. Reveling being able to hold her hand and stroke her face, relishing the scent of her hair and the feel of her in his arms … after so long, after believing that Helena had been reduced to rubble. It was more than a dream come true. While Oliver still mourned those they’d lost, he been unable to feel anything but elated.

He’d awoken this very night still feeling that way. Though he’d been uncertain about their mission to reclaim Merlyn’s stolen technology, he’d been excited to tackle a foe with Helena again. To be at her side in all aspects.

Wariness began to set in when he’d witnessed her disregard for human life during their breach of one of the three locations they needed to simultaneously attack in order to retrieve the missing tech. Helena had been cold, bloodthirsty even. She had never been one to shy away from battle, but had only taken life when necessary. That she actively sought to kill any human they came across disturbed Oliver. He managed to prevent death, but Helena had made it known how disappointed she was in him for interfering.

Realizing that she was so changed from the gargoyle he remembered had not been the biggest blow of evening. He’d been hit by so much: her lies, both then and now, which had led to their clan’s destruction and made them thieves. Her turning on them, aligning herself with Merlyn, and allowing the man to sic his metal beasts on them. Helena striking out at him with her own hand, her intent lethal. Each event brutalized his heart.

Had his love always been a stranger he’d been unable to truly see, Oliver wondered as dawn began to creep towards the horizon. Or had he failed to protect her from the worst of humanity’s traits? That question could never be answered now. In saving a life he’d condemned Helena. She was beyond his reach now and they were both past the others forgiveness. That hurt him most of all.

Below him his brothers took their places for the rising of the sun in the now quiet castle; Felicity had watched over the teams of police officers collecting evidence to make certain they were not discovered. Their injuries though severe would heal as they slept, but the deeper wounds Oliver feared may never mend.

At the quiet tread of Felicity’s approach Oliver turned to face the detective. The long night left darkening circles under her eyes which shimmered with sympathy. He bristled slightly under her gaze, unready to accept that emotion from someone outside of his clan, particularly the human he managed to save in lieu of Helena. It had been his choice, a debt repaid, though Oliver knew Felicity had no expectation of him returning her gesture in kind. Still it was a decision that would take some time to come to terms with.

“Everyone has cleared out,” she informed him. “Though I am sure Cisco Ramon will back before too long. You’ll need to be careful with him around.”

“We will be,” he assured her.

Felicity fidgeted nervously in front of him. “Look, Oliver,” she said brushing some of her blonde flyway locks from her eyes, “we haven’t known each other very long, but you’ve got to trust somebody in this world.” She steadied as she spoke and her eyes landed on his, open and heartfelt. “I promise you won’t regret trusting me.”

He studied her for a long minute and she never wavered under his penetrating gaze. “No, I don’t believe you will,” Oliver replied. “You have my trust Felicity.”

Tagging: @almondblossomme

[kellbellsparkles]

Should’ve been sleeping, but got fixated on writing a one shot prompt of my AU where Matt is the Black Paladin since Shiro was never saved from the Galra and a series of bittersweet events ensues. lol. I hope you all enjoy it. :) 

Lance stared emptily at the occupied healing pod before him. He knew he screwed up; he screwed up big time. Inside was Takashi Shirogane, the very man, hero, and brother that everyone had been combing the galaxy and Galran fleets for the past two years including the year he had been reported missing on Earth. He had been broken and twisted by the Galra, hidden away by Matt Holt and the resistance force that saved him in a secret research facility in hopes of restoring him to the way everyone remembered. The night he made the discovery, he recollected the dreaded fights against the Galra’s champion and the moment everyone thought he had been shot down with great horror. After being confronted by Matt, he took a deep breath and understood how and why Matt made the saddening decision to keep it all to himself.

Months went by with no new results. Lance’s guilt devoured his heart as he watched the other paladins hold onto hope that they’d locate and rescue Shiro one day. He especially felt terrible as he watched Keith, his self-declared rival, the hot-headed mullet samurai, the one he’d come to develop bonding moments with, stay up in the training room and pump himself up for another mission, another possible lead to his only known family’s whereabouts. On every bad day, Keith would come to him and say, “If not for your stupid smile, I don't think I could've made it out here.”

One day, the paladins were tasked with going to a supermarket for additional supplies and first aid for their fight against the Galra. A pink squid-like creature at a single stand promoting a miracle elixir caught Lance’s eye. According to them, the elixir could restore memories, cure illnesses, and heal any injury. From the price on the poster and that there was no proof of the works of the single vial his immediate thought was to walk away. However, he then thought if there were any chances of getting Shiro back, shouldn't he seize them the moment they appeared?

He put down everything he had on the elixir and brought it to Matt that night. He was skeptical like Lance, but they agreed that they had to follow up with whatever shot there was. Carefully, Matt dipped the vial and poured the elixir into Shiro’s mouth. Immediately, it had an effect on him. Their faces rose to the gleeful heavens, believing the miracle elixir to be working, but quickly came crashing down as Shiro let out a loud, gurgly cry and collapsed, suffering from violent seizures. As Matt scrambled to stabilize him, Lance froze and trembled in terror over what he'd possibly done. Suddenly, Shiro’s body let out a great violet wave of quintessence that engulfed the entire facility and shut everything down. Matt swallowed hard and rang for Allura to bring the castle down. Until then, he did everything he could physically to preserve Shiro’s life. As it became fainter on his finger tips, he dove into his chest and mouth harder.

Lance pressed his hand against the healing pod. A week had passed since that traumatic time. If Shiro never emerged from his medical slumber, then Keith would never forgive him. If not for Hunk restraining him, he'd be dead himself for sure. He wished he was as forgiving as Pidge; at first, she scolded Matt for keeping her in the dark when she could've helped, but after losing him once, she couldn't stay angry. Lance leaned his forehead against the glass and began to cry.

“Shiro,” he sobbed. “I'm so sorry. You gotta wake up…. For Keith….”

Whoooosh

Suddenly, there was nothing for him to lean on. He fell face first into Shiro’s chest as his body slumped onto his bottom, sliding against the wall. Lance shuffled to his knees and gasped upon seeing Shiro stirring.

“Oh my god,” he said shakily, bringing his hands to his cheeks. “Shiro?”

At last, the former champion opened his eyes. They were no longer resembled his captor Haggar’s; they returned to their shimmering bronze glory. He hazily stared into Lance’s eyes, fixating him curiously.  Lance clenched his knees to keep himself from hyperventilating. He didn't know what could happen at that very moment: if he'd be fighting for his life or simply shoved out of confusion and fright, so he remained still. He evened his breathing and kept his focus on Shiro. Shiro sat silently, unmoving, his dilated eyes never leaving Lance’s line of sight, not even for a second.

“I heard a ding!”

Coran’s voice echoed cheerfully throughout the infirmary. The calm broken, Shiro let out a yelp and clenched to Lance’s chest tightly. Lance shivered tensely, the sudden contact knocking the air out of his lungs.

“Wait,” he heard Matt say. “Give him space.”

Lance looked over his shoulder and saw everyone staring confusedly at them. Then, he felt Shiro jerking him closer, burying his face deeper into his jacket.

“H-Hey,” Lance stuttered. “It's okay. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Shiro kept still and began to soak Lance’s jacket. At that moment, Lance was struck with a vision of being in the same position with his younger siblings. He'd pat and stroke their heads tenderly for as long as they needed to smile again. Slowly, he brought his right hand and placed it gently on Shiro’s head. The touch alone helped ease his shoulders and relax his hold on Lance. As he brushed his hand through his hair, instinctively, he placed his free hand on Shiro’s back. He felt his breathing slow and return to its original tempo.

“Lance,” Coran said. “Try talking to him.”

Lance leaned his head closer to Shiro’s.

“Hey Shiro,” he said soothingly. “Do you know who you are?”

Shiro raised his head, staring blankly, but directly at Lance.

“Do you know your name?” Lance asked.

Shiro continued to stare, pursing his lips and raising his brows as though he were in deep thought, his eyes bulging as if he was encased in a trance.

“Oh dear,” Lance frowned. He shifted himself and Shiro towards Matt. “Do you know who that is?”

Shiro thrust himself into Lance’s chest again.

“Oh no,” Hunk said sorrowfully. “The elixir made him lose his memory.”

Then, muffled sounds emerged from Shiro’s throat.

“Hey,” Lance said gently. “What's the matter?” He reaches his left hand under Shiro’s chin and lifts his head. “You can tell me.”

Shiro spoke, but what emerged from his mouth was garbled and jumbled. Lance was struck with another vision; a vision of holding his baby siblings for the first time.

“I think he lost more than his memory,” Matt said fearfully.

Everyone looked upon the poor man sadly as he continued to babble. Lance’s stomach churned and quivered; Shiro may not have died, but he had become regressed because of his risky judgement. Before he could drown in his regret, Shiro wrapped his arms around Lance’s neck and nuzzled into his right shoulder. Right away, he held him there in his lap; it was all he could do for him.

“Hmm,” Coran pondered. “I think I know what's happening here.”

Lance’s ears flickered, his head snapping up at Coran.

“You do?” he said.

“Whatever was in that elixir,” Coran began. “It caused a chain reaction with the druid magic pumped into him and sent his nervous system into a frenzy. His brain couldn't handle the chaos, so it showed itself out. And now, since you're the first person he's seen since waking, Lance, you've become his guardian, his protector, or more intimately put, his mother.”

“His mother??” Lance exclaimed. “What??”

“He can't be THAT handicapped!” Pidge cried. “Can he?”

“Isn't that asking too much of Lance?” Hunk questioned, concerned.

“If this is what's become of your missing comrade,” Coran said. “Then this is how it must be. We can pitch in once he's grown used to us.”

“Coran,” Allura chimed. “Are you sure this is wise? He could still be a potential threat.”

“What are you saying, Allura?” Lance said, aghast. “Look at him. Would a potential threat act this scared and helpless?”

“If the Galra had something up their sleeve,” Matt said. “They would've revealed it the moment we put him in the pod.”

“It would've been Sendak all over again,” Hunk added. “But it's not.”

“I know you're concerned, Allura,” Pidge said. “But we can't just abandon him after we spent so long looking for him.”

“And fighting,” Lance whispered sadly to himself.

Allura staggered from the pleading eyes shoving against her. She took a deep breath.

“If the plan is to keep him under twenty-four-seven surveillance,” she said. “Then I have no objections.”

Suddenly, Shiro clenched his legs together and whimpered.

“Shiro?” Lance said worryingly, rubbing his right hand up his spine. “What's wrong?”

Shiro tapped his feet on the floor in response. The desperate rhythm signaled Lance to the problem right away.

“Oh,” he said. “Shoot.” He brought his hands to Shiro’s. “Up we go. Come on.”

Steadily and hurriedly, he taught him to follow his lead and stand on his two feet. Shiro’s knees quaked horribly; he whined and squinted his eyes shut.

“It's gonna be okay,” Lance told him tenderly. “We can make it. Just follow me.”

“Uh oh,” Hunk gasped suddenly.

“Not good,” Pidge said, panicked.

Lance turned his head towards the sudden commotion. His face turned white when he laid his eyes on Keith for the first time since Shiro was admitted into the healing pod. He breathed heavily, his eyes widening greatly, his pupils shrinking.

“Shiro…..”

He took a few steps forward.

“Shiro.”

He hastened his steps, evolving into a sprint.

“Shiro!!”

Hunk leapt in front of him, preparing to grab him, but Keith quickly eluded him having developed sharper reflexes during his solitude. At last, he was here; he wasn't going to let anything stand in between him and Shiro ever again. He stretched out his right arm and made contact with Shiro’s right shoulder.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!”

Shiro screamed and wailed deafening cries. Pidge, Allura, Hunk, and Coran all covered their ears. Keith flinched, nearly falling backward. Shiro collapsed onto the ground, but Lance swooped under him to break his fall. As Shiro tearfully embraced Lance once more, he glared back at his attacker, even bearing his teeth.

Keith tottered, the arm that triggered the outburst receiving the worst of it. He closed his eyes briefly, thinking that he passed out from an excessive training session and was now experiencing lucid nightmares, but when he opened them again, Shiro’s eyes remained the same: frightened, enraged, and blank. Tears began to well in Keith’s eyes.

“Keith,” Lance said heavily.

Keith turned his back and fled from the infirmary. Hunk took it upon himself to chase after him.

“Keith, wait!” he called out. “I can explain! Let's talk about this!”

When both men were out of sight, Shiro lowered his head and sobbed beyond control. A large puddle formed underneath his legs. Lance held him and rocked him through it.

“Shhshhhh” he whispered. “It's okay.”

Promptly, Coran tossed towels and a fresh set of Altean admiral clothes over Lance’s head.

“I don't know how Altean attire compares to human attire,” he said. “But that was the largest uniform I could find.”

While holding Shiro with his right arm, Lance used his left arm to lay out the outfit. Gold and silver buttons and badges illuminated the sky blue suit. The snow white, rubbery, elastic dress pants sparkled so brightly, they rivaled the sun in blinding power.

“Thanks,” Lance said, shielding his eyes. “But I think Shiro needs to wear something more comfortable. In the meanwhile….”

Casually, he swept the noble suit over to the puddle Shiro made.

“Thanks, Coran,” he said with a silly smile.

Everyone blinked in shock over Lance’s sudden action.

“NOOOOOOO!!” Coran shrieked. “You just tinkled on Admiral Starlit Twinkle!! Albeit figuratively, BUT ALSO LITERALLY!! I'm so sorry, Admiral!! You were so good to me appreciating my flamboyant personality, and here I am disrespecting your memory by allowing this to happen!!”

Allura, Pidge, and Matt resisted as best they could, but ultimately, they each let out a laugh. Lance chuckled along as he swaddled Shiro in the towels.

“I'm sure it'll wash out,” Lance said.

Once wrapped in the warm, soft fabric, Shiro ceased his cries. He quickly slipped into the world of slumber once more, snug against Lance’s chest.

“Whew, Lance sighed. “What a day he's had, huh?”

Allura smiled warmly.

“I must say,” she said. “He looks very peaceful.”

“Yeah,” Matt said softly. “For the first time since the whole mess began with Kerberos.”

Lance cradled Shiro closer to him. Tragedy may have fell, but perhaps there was a looming joy waiting to be unveiled. The Galra no longer had a hold on him; he was Lance’s to nurture and witness a new adventure being born.