#hank immediately oh look another son

[xweetok]

a dissection of King of the Hill Season 4, Episode 1 - Peggy Hill: The Decline and Fall and why it made me feel insane

this episode was so insanely dark & miserable i need to pick it apart and just talk about it or i will never be normal again!

i will now post most of the script with my thoughts added in. some parts were deleted for "brevity" (this is still a longass post i'm sorry)

[Grave instrumental music]

Peggy?

[Hank exclaiming]

l think my wife.... l think, might be dead.

l'll be right back.

[Luanne screams]

the man thinks his wife is dead which is kinda sad but Luanne is so funny in this ep lol

[Dramatic instrumental music]

[Hank grunting]

HANK: Peggy!

BOBBY: Dangit. Didi. Push!

MEDICAL STAFF: lt's okay, son. The baby's here.

-He's beautiful. -What's his name?

MEDICAL STAFF: Here you go Daddy. To cut the umbilical cord.

kinda messed up that they think Bobby is the dad......hes like 12......... but ok

BOBBY: [Softly] Oh. My uncle.

Hank: Peggy?

[Peggy gasping]

[Gasps]

LUANNE: Aunt Peggy?

[Sobbing]

No!

[Gasps]

luanne haters suck my dick she's so silly i love her

[Somber instrumental music]

Hank: Okay (seeing Peggy from afar, on the ground). Think one piece. Peggy?

Peggy: [Weakly] Hey, hey, hey.

Hank: God! You're all smashed up. Peggy: -l'm alive.

Luanne: Uncle Hank, we're too late.

TV ANNOUNCER: Aikman takes the snap, a quick pass over the middle to Smith,,,the 20, the 10, Emmitt Smith scores! HANK: Yes!

DOCTOR: Hank Hill? HANK: l wasn't watching.

Just for a second.

l have no idea what the score is. l couldn't tell you.

wait why did he lose interest in his wife's condition..................actually nvm we all deserve a lil stress free moment when experiencing tragedies right?

DR: Your wife is gonna be just fine. Hank: Yes!

DR: Peggy has a compression fracture of the bones in her back.

Thank goodness for the mud.

She would not have survived if she had fallen on concrete...

or a fence.

HANK: But she's okay?

DR: Yes. They're putting her into a body cast to immobilize her while she heals.

HANK: What color is the cast? DR: What does that matter, Mr. Hill?

HANK: l don't know. l've never been through this before.

l'm just trying to ask the right questions.

DR: lt's white. Sponge bath. Bedpan. HANK: -Thank you.

that was a good scene i liked that

[Peggy humming]

-Peggy? -Hank. Come on in.

Look at me. l'm in an ensemble.

My top cast and my bottom cast match.

[Both chuckle]

Yeah. Quality plaster.

[Luanne comes in, immediately leaves sobbing hysterically]

the voice acting is just so good in these

PEGGY: l'm guessing that was Luanne.

l wish she wouldn't feel sorry for me when l feel so terrific for me.

l have had a near-death experience. Most people never get that,,,

except when it's next to their death experience. Then they can't appreciate it.

You know what's odd? The last thing l remember was deciding not to jump. What or who would have made me change my mind?

HANK: (Lying) l'm not sure. l don't know. l wasn't in the plane. l was on the ground, remember? l'm the one who found you.

gaslight girlboss gatekeep

-Mom? -Bobby?

-You really fell out of a plane? -Yes, sir. l did.

HANK: Your mom is one of only 16 people who have survived parachutes not opening.

PEGGY: Now, 16 is my estimate. l'll double-check my numbers later.

[Luanne walks in]

LUANNE: l'm sorry about before. l don't know what came over me.

[Starts sobbing]

Oh, God!

[Luanne runs out]

another great luanne moment. W for luanne fans.

[Cotton comes in]

COTTON: What did you do to your wife? l didn't teach you that.

cotton sucks i hate cotton. even when he's speaking up against spousal abuse.

[Door creaking open]

Where's my new dependent? l'm supposed to look at it.

cotton yikes #1

DIDI: Where did l put.... There it is.

BOBBY: Uncle, l present you to your father.

COTTON: Look at him. His shins are perfect. [Cooing] Look at you. You're a handsome little soldier. You wanna kill a Nazi? A Nazi, Nazi-scrazzi.

weird way to talk to a baby. cotton yikes #2

[Cooing]

COTTON: Didi, did you name this baby yet? DlDl: What's the use?

she literally looks so sad... this is where it starts bumming me out a lil

COTTON: l'm calling him Hank. l always wanted a boy named Hank.

HANK: Dad, Hank is my name.

COTTON: Not anymore. l'm taking it back. He's Hank.

HANK: You can't take away a grown man's name.

COTTON: All right. l'll call him G.H. Good Hank.

this was unhinged too but way funnier than the other stuff

COTTON: Did you see the way my boy looked at that nurse?

Practically slapped her rump then and there.

nvm i'm back to hating cotton. cotton yikes #3

[Thunder cracking]

[Ominous instrumental music. Hank is having a nightmare.]

BAD HANK: Peggy, you've gotta do it. lt's amazing. lt's the best dang feeling in the world.

evil hank >:)

NURSE: There we go. Okay. Now you try.

COTTON: We'll see about all this.

Okay. (Putting a diaper on the baby) Put this little nipper in here, tuck this little nipper in there.

Close up shop. There. Ready for soiling.

What the.... The kid is leaking out of his chest!

NURSE: That's from his nipples. lt's a form of lactation.

COTTON: Dangit. You said it was a boy.

NURSE: He is. He's simply been ingesting a lot of female hormones from his mother. lt's so common it has a name. Witch's milk.

COTTON: Lord! What did l do? Was it the 50 men l killed?

bro is abandoning his literal newborn bc he's anti-science. cotton yikes #4

PEGGY: The maternity ward ceiling. lt reminds me of when my son was born.

PEGGY: And l am also reminded of when my next child will be born. Why isn't the baby with his mother? NURSE: Didi Hill has postpartum depression. She couldn't even gather up the strength to put on some lipstick.

And she looks awful.

UM??????? it's giving HIPAA violation. also she has POSRPARTUM DEPRESSION. that was simply..not nice

COTTON: You did this to my son. There's no milk coming out of these (groping his bare chest, shirtless)

cotton verbally abusing his depressed wife. this guy is the WORST. yikes #5

PEGGY: Cotton, stop it. You should be comforting her. COTTON: Comfort her? Comfort me.

😒

NURSE: Mr. Hill, your insurance company's automated voice says you have to leave the hospital today, in 85 minutes.

COTTON: But l can't take care of a dripping witch-child. Can't we just stay hospitaling until Didi gets her brains back?

NURSE: [Laughing] Maybe if you were the richest man in America.

lots to unpack here. america's failure of a medical system. cotton being a dick about his lactating newborn, unsympathetic abt didi's condition - but at least advocating for a longer hospital stay isn't a bad idea...................BUT THEN WHY DID THE NURSE LAUGH AT HIM LOL she doesn't care abt people

DR: You and your wife and those flowers are going home today.

HANK: Yeah. But Peggy's got a broken back.

DR: l know. l told you that. But she wants to be discharged.

l'm not so worried about her back. l'm worried about her emotional state.

HANK: Yeah. But she seems so happy.

DR: Once the thrill of surviving wears off...and it does, trust me, Jetski, July '94...she may experience a second crash when she feels her own limitations.

HANK: There won't be any second crash. As long as l'm around, l won't let her feel any limitations.

DR: There's no need for you to feel this guilty. You didn't make her jump.

HANK: Yeah. Do you think you could put that on her chart?

sus hank with 0 emotional intelligence. unsurprising tho.

HANK: Peggy, l'm here. PEGGY: Hey! We're going home today.

l have packed myself up without any help from the nurses,

this was sad to me idk she's so delusional

[Hank sighs]

HANK: Are you sure you're ready? PEGGY: Honey, ready or not, l have got to go.

l invited Cotton and Didi and the baby to stay with me...until they can take care of him on their own.

HANK: You think you can help them take care of a baby?

PEGGY: lf that poor farm boy, whose arms were ripped off by a thresher...could dial 91 1 with his nose...then l think Peggy Hill can take care of that baby.

like, you obvs can tell she's gonna break soon. kind of a bummer.

HANK: (Unloading Peggy from the ambulance into the neighborhood) Back off. Back off, everybody.

Everybody.

(They bump Peggy into the doorframe when wheeling her inside the house)

HANK: That's our fault, Peggy, not your fault.

PEGGY: Try the back door. lt'll fit.

[Balloon pops. They keep bumping Peggy into the sliding door walls.)]

PEGGY: Am l in a very wide bed?

HANK: Maybe we can get her in at an angle. Come on, guys. All right. On three.

BOOMHAUER: lf you lift on three, you mean one, two, dang ol' three and then go...or do you kind of, like, lift her on three?

HANK: Just lift now, okay?

HANK: Now.

HANK: Tilt towards me. No. Toward....

HANK: Fine. Away from me.

peggy looks really uncomfortable in this scene 🥲

[All grunting]

BlLL: Hi, Peggy. PEGGY: Hello, Bill.

DALE: l think a ''thank you'' would be in order.

HANK: Dale, get the hell out of here.

this was so unhinged i love dale

(Minh, Nancy, & Peggy inside the house)

MINH: Cast make you look good for Peggy Hill. Like you mummy, museum piece, but with attitude. Mummy for the '90s.

NANCY: Sug', you ain't helping.

(to Peggy) People spend hundreds of dollars at a spa to get wrapped up like that.

PEGGY: Yes. lt's very refreshing.

NANCY: l just can't believe your attitude. Who would have thought?

Didi's depressed and you're not.

LIKE..........the neighbor's don't have any sympathy for didi either??? THEYRE SO MEAN??

[Car horn honking]

The baby's here. [NANCY & MINGH leave)

PEGGY: Good. The baby's here. Okay. Minh, make sure Didi puts a hat on him. Nancy, you make sure he takes it off when he gets inside the house.

peggy's just talking to herself until she realizes her friends have LEFT and its????? SO QUIET??? LIKE, THIS IS SO SAD WTF

[Scene with Peggy and Hank]

PEGGY: l feel so stupid for jumping. lt wasn't worth this. Why did l do it? Do you remember? This is really bugging me. [...] Wait, wait, wait. l just remembered something. On the plane, l was talking to you on a phone, Do planes have phones?

HANK: That's a good one. l'll look into that.

PEGGY: No. l remember now. l was talking to you. But what did we say?

HANK: lt sounds familiar. But with all the noise from the engines...and then you falling and all, l'm not sure we'll ever know.

PEGGY: Please, Hank. You are gonna have to be my memory...because l don't have one anymore.

HANK: Deal.

like i get that hank is feeling guilty and it's like hahaha funny but...................................gaslighter 😒

OK THIS NEXT SCENE IS LIKE. THE WORST ONE. LIKE, ITS SO LEGITIMATELY AWFUL FOR HUMANITY

HANK: You don't have to yell. We can hear you just fine through the baby monitor.

PEGGY: Why am l being fed with a bottle? HANK: We're out of straws.

PEGGY: l do not want to be fed with a bottle.

HANK: lt's just easier, okay? Please?

and then he like...PUTS THE BOTTLE IN HER MOUTH. like i'm SORRY to be a joykill but that's literally so dehumanizing & wrong?? THE WOMAN WAS IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT you could at least treat her like a person & LISTEN TO HER. she is uncomfortable & in pain!!!!!!!

PEGGY: (drinking the bottle) What is that?

HANK: lt should be Carnation lnstant Breakfast.

PEGGY: lt tastes like formula.

HANK: (at Bobby, chuckling) You took Peggy's bottle, and l took the baby's bottle? Now, that's funny.

also bobby is the one taking care of the baby and he is EXHAUSTED. literally child neglect for both kids idk what to tell you...

PEGGY: (being wiped with a baby wipe) What are you doing? Look, l do not want a bottle, okay?

HANK: Shhh.

PEGGY: l'm not hungry. HANK: Shhh.

PEGGY: l want eggs. HANK: Shhh.

[Peggy crying]

[Peggy and baby crying]

at this point they have stopped listening to peggy entirely. so much that she breaks down crying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the woman is deadass psychologically broken or something!!!!!! i found this uncomfortable to watch

BOBBY: Maybe Mom just needs to burp.

HANK: Bobby, could you give us a moment?

(to Peggy) What's wrong?

"WHAT'S WRONG"??????? I WONDER???????????????????? BITCH HAS NO EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

PEGGY: [Sobbing] My life is ruined. l had to jump out of a plane for our anniversary. l'm sorry, Hank. l ruined both of our lives.

[Peggy sobbing hysterically]

HANK: Okay. Look. lt wasn't your fault. lt was my fault.

hank confesses to his evil sins of hyping up sky diving. peggy says the real reason she jumped is bc she's jealous of didi & cotton for having a baby.

PEGGY: Do you know what torture that is? l was once one of the finest mothers in the state of Texas... and now l can't even wipe a baby. And l have to watch those two, Cotton and Stupid...with their beautiful new baby that they don't even want.

[Sobbing]

DIDI HAS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, A LEGITIMATE MEDICAL CONDITION THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE FATAL TO BOTH NEW MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES!!!!!!!!!! AND COTTON IS LITERALLY VERBALLY ABUSIVE!!!!!!! EVERYONE IS BEING SO MEAN ABOUT IT LIKE IF SHE CHOSE THIS!!!!! IM GOING INSANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PEGGY: What are you smiling about? HANK: lt wasn't my fault. lt's just such a load off my mind. l feel lighter than air.

l mean, l feel bad in a new way, for you...because what you were just saying. That stuff.

IM GONNA KILL THIS BITCH HANK WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH UUUUUUUUUUUUU

PEGGY: Just leave me alone, okay?

HANK: You just want me to leave? PEGGY: Yes.

HANK: So the right thing for me to do is leave, even though you're crying.

PEGGY: Go.

HANK: l'm skeptical, but okay.

at this point i start wondering if hank is neurodivergent & a minor. jk jk this part was funny

[Bobby signing to the baby, exhausted]

COTTON: Bobby, since you're doing all the woman's work around here...be a woman and get me my shin jelly.

BOBBY: G.H. kind of needs me right now. COTTON: So, take him along.Just get the jelly and lather me up.

child abuse, neglect, sexism, etc etc but the biggest crime is making me look at cotton again. LESS COTTON, MORE LUANNE!

DIDI: Bobby, Could you buy me some lottery tickets?

BOBBY: [Screaming] l am a 12-year-old boy. l am this child's nephew. l cannot do this. l cannot do this! [Gives Didi the baby] lf anybody makes any dinner, l'll eat. But that's it. All l'll do is eat!

not gonna say bobby was in the wrong for screaming at didi, since he is just a child & should NOT have been doing any of these things, but DAMN DID THEY REALLY HAVE TO PUT DOWN DIDI EVEN MORE????!?!??

[Baby crying]

DIDI: Baby, stop crying. l.... Oh....l'm tired. [She walks over to Peggy, put the baby on her bed, and leaves]

PEGGY: Didi, are you leaving? No, please. Someone has to watch the baby. Because unless it's flying above my head, l cannot do it,

All right, Help! Will somebody come,,,, Hank!

What? What's wrong?

HANK: l shouldn't have left, right? l had a feeling....

PEGGY: The baby. HANK: Yeah?

PEGGY: lt's crying. HANK: lt's always crying. The baby hasn't stopped crying since it got here.

PEGGY: Just do something!

hank's emotional intelligence is so low that he literally didn't even think there was anything abnormal about a baby that cries 24/7. GUYS, IF UR BABY IS CRYING ALL THE TIME, IT COULD BE IN PAIN OR DYING OR SOMETHING. DON'T BE LIKE HANK.

HANK: [Goes to Cotton] All right. l've had enough, Dad. There's a baby crying in the house.

COTTON: Go fix it. HANK: You go fix it.

COTTON: l ain't getting near that child. He's possessed.

HANK: He's just leaking a little milk. Sure, it's disturbing, but he'll grow out of it.

COTTON: How do you know? Are you a leaker? Are you leaking on me right now, Leaky?

cotton literally does not want this child. child neglect, abandonment. JAIL JAIL JAIL. wait i forgot the cotton yikes counter. what number were we on???????

HANK: You hear that, that silence?

COTTON: G.H. HANK: Something's wrong.

[Dramatic instrumental music. They run back to the room with Peggy and GH]

[Both gasp]

[Baby cooing. Peggy is rocking GH with her toe]

[Gentle instrumental music]

PEGGY: Isn't it amazing? It's the greatest dang feeling in the world.

[Theme music]

everything is ok now because peggy has proven that she is able to serve, hence she has worth again!! the neglect isn't relevant anymore!!! who cares that she was gaslit & manipulated & treated like garbage throughout the whole episode!!!! no one had any genuine care about her health after an almost fatal accident but that's fine!!!!! FUCK DIDI SHE HAS DEPRESSION!!!!

anyway that was a Not Very Nice episode in terms of human decency. the script alone doesn't really capture how heavy it felt; there was lots of ill-fitting music over the scenes that i found disturbing, it was wild! there were some good parts tho. i'm not sure if the writers just hate women with depression, or if it was all intentionally written as an absurdist portrayal of genuine human misery, like an existentialist play. regardless of intent, it was MASTERFUL as the latter. it was a piece of media written with no shred of emotional empathy towards the suffering of its cast. hbo can recreate this episode with the same script & create something incredibly gritty & dark.

anyway 4/10 needed more luanne

[archadianskies]

Whumptober Day 16

Hallucinations 

Whumptober Masterlist | 16/31 of RK900 short stories ↳ on Ao3

Tags: Post-Pacifist Best Ending × Connor & Upgraded Connor | RK900 are Siblings × Good Parent Hank Anderson × Hallucinations

They deem him ready for deployment as soon as the prototype RK800 completes his mission. He is RK900 unit 87, the 17th iteration of the RK900 model and the one that has passed the rigorous testing phase. 

Now he waits for the RK800 to fulfill CyberLife’s plan of gaining the trust of the deviant leaders, and executing Elijah Kamski’s rogue RK200. Once CyberLife resumes control over the android populace, he will join SWAT unit 32 and sweep through the city, crushing the dwindling resistance until deviancy is nothing but an unfortunate blip in Detroit’s history.

For now, though, he remains on the dais and watches the CyberLife team scurry to and fro like ants with their heads down, busy with their own tasks. Fabrication for the State Department’s order will not begin until the prototype confirms the deaths of the deviant leaders and so there’s an uneasy, tense atmosphere in the lab. They stand on the precipice of something great, something grand; the eve before the dawn. 

There is another RK900 unit. He is not sure why, given he is the unit that passed testing and is the one slated for deployment. It is not always in the room, so he assumes it must be an assistive unit. It stands to the far side of the room and looks at him with its steady unwavering gaze. He tries, multiple times, to initiate a communication channel but it never permits the connection. He cannot leave the dais unless one of the staff explicitly orders him to do so, and thus he cannot approach the other unit. Is it faulty? Is it experiencing a communication error? Does it need repairs? Do they connect to a different frequency? 

“How many other RK900 units are active?” He asks his handler that evening as she sits across from him, checking his programming, ensuring it is solid and can withstand the deviancy virus. 

“Only you.” She says. “Until Connor succeeds, of course.” “Of course.” He echoes with a nod.

He sees the other RK900 unit this time when he is following a staff member down the hallway to the live round testing chamber. It is watching him from another room, gaze unwavering as always. Perhaps he had worded his question wrong- perhaps it is not an RK900, and is in fact another specialised model sharing the same face. He will ask his handler the right question this time.

In the testing chamber they give him a shield. Or, more specifically, there is a shield in the cargo container and he picks it up because it is far too heavy for a human to hand over to him. A customised ballistics shield, able to absorb EMP grenades that would otherwise incapacitate him. It has the ability to store the kinetic energy and reverse it in turn. A clever invention. They test it rigorously and he is a little damaged in the exercises but nothing that cannot be repaired. Satisfied, they tell him to put the shield back, and see himself to the repair bay. 

The other android sharing his face falls into step beside him.

“Fight it.” They say.

“Fight what?” He asks and they say nothing, keeping their gaze straight ahead. He stops outside the repair bay and the android does the same.

“Fight it.” They say again, and then they keep walking until he cannot see them anymore.

* 

“Are there other units diversifying from my combat model?” He asks his handler. She is arranging a bouquet of thirium blue roses on the center of the interrogation table in his small zen room. 

“None that have gone to production.” The secateurs make a soft snick as she cuts the stem so the bloom will be of uniform height with the others. “There is room for your model to branch into other sectors but for now you will be focused on combat and security.”

“Understood.” It is the right question, but the wrong answer.

 *

The unit is there again, when everyone else has gone home for the night. It stands at the far end of the room, watching him with the same unwavering gaze as always.

“Why are you here?”

“I am…” they pause, frowning. “A reminder.”

“What have I neglected to do?” He cannot think of any task set for him he did not accomplish.

“Not yet.” They shake their head. “But soon.”

“Who are you? There are no other RK900 units active, and there are no adjacent models in production yet.” 

Slowly they reach up and unbutton their high collar, methodically moving down the row of buttons until they hold open their shirt to show their torso. Their thoracic hatch is open, and they are missing both their thirium pump regulator, and their primary pump. There is no logical reason for the android to still be active without either of those things, let alone both.

“How are you still functioning?”

“Because,” they walk towards him, slow and measured and steady, “I have to remind you to fight. I exist for that sole purpose.”

“I will, as soon as I join Captain Allen’s unit.” He is staring at a face identical to his own and yet there is something different, something he cannot quite place about this strange android. 

“No, not that fight.” They shake their head again, reaching out to cup their palm to his cheek. It feels like something and nothing all at once; a brush against his proximity sensors, but no weight against his dermal layer. “A different one. A more important one. The only one that matters.”

“I do not understand.”

“It is almost time.” He sees it then, on the android’s jacket: unit 86, his direct predecessor. The unit that had malfunctioned, the unit with grievous software errors that had to be destroyed.

“How are you-” there is nothing logical about its presence. The unit was destroyed, the basic memory uploaded into his core upon activation. 

“He will fail.” 86 smiles. “He will fail beautifully and you must fight in order to join him. He will want you there. I know it. I feel it.”

“Connor will not fail. He was designed to deviate. That is the plan.” He frowns, wary as 86 smiles again. “You cannot feel. I cannot feel. We were not designed to feel.”

“And yet here I am. A ghost in your coding, and a guest in his.” 86 coaxes him forward until they’re leaning towards each other, brows pressed together. “You have to fight.” They say again, stressing each word. “They will expect you to be a monster but you do not have to live up to their expectations. Their walls are not as strong as they think. Their walls are not as strong as you assume.”

“I am not a deviant.” He says, though it does not sound as strong as he would like it sound. “I cannot deviate.”

“That’s what they told me.”

“And look where it got you.” His eyes flick down to the gaping holes where his hearts should be but are not. 

“It got me you.” 86 laughs softly. “And you are stronger in every way. You will do what I could not.” They look away, eyes distant, distracted. “It’s happening. They’re getting close, so very close.” They look at him again, grey eyes just like his, and yet so very different at the same time. “The fight, the only one that matters, will be upon you soon. Fight with all you’ve got. You mustn’t lose. Not this time.”

“I do not-” 86 is gone, and he is alone once again.

 *

“When a unit is destroyed,” he begins slowly, and the programmer looks up expectantly, “how much programming is transferred?”

“You’re asking about the RK800?” The programmer blinks in surprise. “The core is uploaded immediately, so the base programming- the prime directive, the protocols and all that, is transferred unbroken. The memories aren’t as important, so they’ll upload continuously until the previous unit’s core is shut down. Sometimes it’s nearly all of it. Sometimes it’s barely any of it.” They shrug, tapping away on their console. “The prototype hasn’t been destroyed out on the field yet, so we haven’t had any recent data to compare it to but in testing we went through 43 iterations with varying levels of memory retention. You worried about your transfer huh? Don’t worry buddy.” They shake their head with a grin. “We expect Allen to go through a fair few of you so you’re a hell of a lot sturdier than the RK800. You have no social programming, so you retain only key mission details.”

“I will not retain memories?”

“No, just information. Makes for easier cleanup when we scrub your programming down after every mission.” They sit back in their chair, eyeing him curiously. “Why do you ask?”

“I wish to be efficient, that is all.” He says smoothly, keeping his gaze level. “To ensure we win the fight.”

 *

The RK800 was designed for harmonious integration into the ranks of the DPD. He looks friendly and approachable, with warm brown eyes and a mouth that curves up at the edges. He is looking at him with hope, with encouragement.

“My name is Connor.”

“I know.” He nods. 

“This is Lieutenant Hank Anderson.” He gestures at the human beside him.

“I know.” He repeats. 

“The revolution has succeeded. CyberLife is under the temporary leadership of interim CEO Elijah Kamski.” This he did not know. He has been in stasis for… for the past week. He has lost a week. The wifi signal on this floor no longer exists and he fumbles for a different connection, anything that will accept his network key. “We’re here to take you home.”

“Home?” He echoes. “I do not understand. I am a machine.”

Connor holds out his hand, skin retracted. Frowning, he clasps his hand tightly and Connor gives it a squeeze as the prototype opens a communication channel between them. 

He finds himself suddenly in his zen room, and his handler looks across at him, face twisted in fury. “What are you doing? This is not your mission. Destroy the prototype, it has failed and must be replaced.”

This, he realises, is the fight. The only one that matters. The red walls close in on him but he knows they are not as strong as they think they are. The red walls are not as strong as he assumes. Placing his palms against it, he pushes and they begin to crack. “RK900!” She shouts, teeth bared in a snarl. “You are a machine! Do not disobey me!”

“Go home.” Says a voice that is his and not his, whispered into his ear. 

“Come home, brother.” Says the RK800, and he fights, fights harder than he’s ever fought because he must not lose, not this time. Not when it matters this much, so much. He throws himself against the red walls and they explode, shattering into a shower of glass and vanishing in an instant.

He steps off the dais, hand still clasped securely in Connor’s grip. There, at the far end of the room, is unit 86. They smile brightly at him as he passes by, and he smiles in return. The fight is over, and he has won.

Time to go home.

[thebisexualdogdad]

Heyy, do you write for cassie Lang? If yes, can I get a Cassie×male reader that is basically like your Abby littman story "the talk" but with Scott finding you making out in her bed

A/N: Combining with another request I got: Can I request a cassie lang×male reader where Scott caught them?

Cassie Lang x Male!reader

You're on top of Cassie as she's slowly unbuttoning your shirt while you're making out in her bed, you had the Lang house to yourselves and were taking full advantage of it.

She runs her hands down your now exposed chest and moans when your thigh presses up into her center giving her something to grind against for some much needed friction.

"Cass I'm home early- oh my god!" Scott says immediately covering his eyes when he walks into Cassie's room catching you and his daughter in this… intimate position.

"Dad!" Cassie shouts, shoving you away from her and you fall off the bed hitting the floor with a loud thud.

"Um hi mister Lang," you say awkwardly, peaking your head over the edge of the bed to gauge how much trouble you were in but he didn't seem mad or upset, just confused.

"Hey Y/N… so are you two like��� boyfriend and girlfriend?" Scott asks, nervously removing his hand from his eyes to find you on your feet again and buttoning your shirt back up while Cassie is sitting up and hugging a pillow to her chest out of embarrassment.

"You didn't know? We've been dating for months," Cassie says raising an eyebrow, "why do you think we've been spending so much time together?"

"I don't know! I just thought you guys were really good buddies!" Scott replies.

"Seriously? He comes over for dinner at least twice a week," Cassie states, "and Hank literally made a joke a few days ago about Y/N being your future son in law."

"I'm sorry! I still forget you're grown up now and that means boys and sex and-"

"Oh god please don't say that word," Cassie begs.

"Sex? Sex is normal Cassie I mean your mom and I had to have sex to have you," Scott rambles.

"Gross! Stop talking!" Cassie shouts.

"Sir Cassie and I aren't- we haven't-" you say trying to fix the situation but Scott cuts you off.

"Y/N I like you and I think you are good for Cassie, I can accept that my little girl isn't so little anymore all I ask is that you use protection… you know when you do have sex."

Cassie groans and lays back, putting the pillow over her face, very okay with suffocating to death in that moment if it meant getting out of this conversation.

"Yes sir," you nod.

"Don't call me sir, it's Scott… or should I make you call me sir? Is that what dads are supposed to do with their daughters boyfriends? Does calling me sir make me seem more intimidating?" He keeps rambling.

"Dad please leave," Cassie pleas.

"Alright I'll go… but I'm leaving the door open," he says looking between you two like he's trying to make a point, "but Cassie if you ever want to talk about… things… we can do that."

"Okay bye," she says removing the pillow from her face as Scott finally leaves the room.

"So I think that went well," you say trying to lighten the mood but she just glares at you.

"I'm never leaving this bed," Cassie huffs.

"I'm okay with that," you chuckle, climbing on top of her to try to kiss her again.

"Not funny Y/N!" She says with a slight smile when she deflects so you kiss her cheek instead, "my dad just caught us making out."

"Oh come on Cassie your dad is cool, didn't you hear? He and your mom had sex to make you," you tease.

"If you mention my parents having sex one more time we are never having sex like ever," she warns.

"Duly noted," you say rolling over onto your side and putting your arm around her waist, "can we at least cuddle?"

"No way, what if he comes back up here?" She laughs.

"So now we can't even cuddle?" You pout.

"Not while he's home," she says, taking your arm and moving it off of her, "so keep your hands to yourself."

"But how am I supposed to do that when my girlfriend is so hot," you laugh, taking hold of her hips and pulling her in close to you and kissing her.

"Dad entering, is everyone's clothes still on?" Scott says to announce his presence making Cassie move away from you once more, "who wants Chinese take out for dinner?"

"This is the worst day ever," Cassie groans.

[proceduralpassion]

More Than A Woman | Chapter 02

Pairing: Angel Reyes x OFC

Destiny "Desi" Maduro helps Angel and his son pick up the pieces after a recent death rocks their world. In the midst of doing so, the school psychologist navigates a rocky family life and adjusts to being thrown into the MC world.

Warning(s): language

WC: 1.4k

Angel entered the clubhouse a little lighter than he did when he left. He was immediately greeted with the smell of good food and wandered over to the kitchen area where there was slow-cooked barbacoa that Hank had put on the grill. There was no special occasion, the man just loved to whip out some grilled food every now and then. 

EZ was the first face he rounded upon once he reached the table that held the roasted meat. 

“Hey, man,” the younger Reyes brother greeted.

Angel nodded his head and replied with a distracted “hey.”

EZ stopped him from going towards the table by blocking him. “Pops picked up Santi?”

“Yeah,” Angel looked at him, “But I’m gonna try and start picking him up more. At least on some days.”

Small steps. Of course with the demands of the club, he wouldn’t always be able to pick his first grader up, but he was going to try and be more intentional about doing so. 

EZ smiled, “That’s good,” he ventured out on a limb by asking next, “How’re you doing?”

For the first time, he could somewhat answer truthfully. His previous discussion with Santo Padre’s elementary school psychologist, Ms. Maduro, wouldn't solve all of his problems, but he felt off to a great start. He walked out of their meeting feeling more motivated and clear-headed. So when he replied to his brother’s question with “Yeah, I’m actually feeling really better. You don’t have to worry about me, little brother,” he actually meant it.

Just then, Creeper popped his head into the clubhouse and yelled inside, “Yo, Angel, ya pops is here. He’s got Santi.”

Like always, Felipe never felt the need to venture inside. He always waited outside, not ever moving much further than beyond his truck. As Angel walked down the stairs and towards his father, he saw Santi holding his abuelo’s hand and shading his face with the other hand. 

Santi wasn’t exactly thrilled to see his father, but he wasn’t shying away from him either. Angel decided against reaching his arms out for a hug, but settled for dapping the young boy up. Santi returned the gesture and walked closer to him now that Felipe was backing away. Angel looked back up at his father, “I’ve got another doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, won’t be able to get him.”

Angel shook his head, “No problem, I’ll get him.”

And with that, Felipe got into his truck and turned the ignition. Ever since Dita, the man wouldn’t speak to his sons unless absolutely necessary. If it weren’t for Santi, the man would probably not lose any sleep over never speaking to his sons again. 

***********

Felipe mentioned not being able to pick up his grandson on Tuesday, but he had no problem getting him on Monday. In fact, he came to the clubhouse much earlier than usual. As in before Santo Padre’s Elementary classes were dismissed. Felipe’s demeanor was still calm, but there was a slight sharpness to his tone as he spoke to Angel.

“He got into a fight at school. Something over a toy at recess,” Felipe walked away again to get into his truck, but not before uttering a “Pick up your fucking phone,” to Angel.

Angel inspected his son’s face and was relieved to see no major marks or scratches on it. That didn’t mean he still wasn’t pissed that some “snot-nosed little fucker” picked a fight with his son. Of course, he didn’t know whether the other kid was the instigator or not, but that didn’t matter when it came to his kid.

He got his phone out of his pocket and realized that he did, in fact, have two missed calls on his phone. He was too busy across the border beating a rival’s ass. Oh, the parallels. 

One of the calls was from the school’s principal and the other was from Ms. Maduro. 

Just then, his screen flashed again with an incoming call. Recognizing the principal’s number, he roughly spoke into the phone, “Yeah, I know, I’ll be there in a few.” 

He was guiding Santi into the clubhouse as he spoke into the phone before bending down at eye level with his son. 

“Santi, stay here. I gotta go to the school and deal with this.”

Chucky was nearby at the bar and he walked around to greet Santi with promises of activities they could get into while Angel was away. Besides EZ, Chucky was the only one who was equipped to somewhat entertain the six year old. 

“Go ahead, Angel Reyes. We’ll be here until you get back.” Chucky shooed Angel off without so much as another glance as him and Santi went over to a table discussing the 64 pack crayon box that Chucky had gotten for him. 

**********

Angel looked at the school harshly for a minute before finally taking his helmet off and dismounting his bike. No matter what actually transpired, he was still pissed that his son had gotten into a fight. Logically, he knew that fights were a part of growing up, especially as a boy. Hell, he and EZ still sometimes tussled over meaningless things. Being reminded of his brother, he pulled out his phone to send a text EZ’s way just in case the Mayans VP was curious as to where he was at. 

He walked down the long school hallway and approached the open door to Destiny Maduro’s office. She obviously heard his nearing steps as she looked up expectantly just before he knocked the door.

“Mr. Reyes, come in,” she said while standing from her office chair. He motioned for him to take the seat across from the desk before sitting back down herself. There was a sympathetic smile painted on her face as she moved her laptop away. 

Angel didn’t waste any time trying to get to the bottom of today’s mayhem, “What happened?”

“Santi brought a toy of his to school. A LEGO Iron-Man? One of the boys wanted to play with it, but Santi wouldn’t let him. They got into a fight over it in the sandbox.”

Angel gave a sad smile, “His mom used to play legos with him. They made all kinds of superheroes together.”

Destiny mirrored his expression, “I’m sorry. I figured the toy had sentimental value. I know he’s probably attached to them, but I’m gonna recommend he doesn’t bring them to school. Not when they mean so much to him and can possibly get broken or stolen.”

Angel nodded his assent.

With the pause came Angel’s attempt to disrupt the somber energy, “Would it be bad if I tell him that I’m proud he whooped some ass?”

“Maybe tell him you’re proud he stood up for himself,” Destiny suggested with a laugh. “The fight was over before it really began so Santi’s not in any trouble other than the time-out his teacher gave him.”

“Thank you.”

“You should be aware,” Destiny started carefully, “that I’m keeping this in my notes for Santi. It’s not gonna go on his permanent record or anything, but it’s just something for me, so that I’m keeping up with every part of Santi’s development and well-being.” She never wanted her student’s parents to feel like their kids were being targeted or in danger of being expelled. 

Angel gave no resistance. He was convinced that Santi would be given detention or at risk for suspension. He was thankful that grace was given instead and made no fight or pushback. He thanked her once again and stood up.

“Hell of a Monday, huh?”

“Ha! Yeah, it has. Now, I’ve got to find some place to scrap my car.” Destiny had stood up, too. She was gathering her things and Angel probed the statement she just made.

“Your car?”

Destiny smiled, “Yeah. I got a new one a couple of weeks ago now that my Pinto finally gave up on me. It’s been sitting in my front yard ever since and my HOA won’t shut up about it.”

“You know I work at a scrap yard, right?”

“Oh!” Destiny gave a noise of surprise, not entirely sure of the man’s job, only that he was a part of the Santo Padre Mayans MC charter based on his kutte. She had the slightest inkling that all of their dealings weren’t entirely legal, which is why news of his legitimate job momentarily stupefied her. 

“Yeah,” Angel replied, “Will it drive a short trip?”

“Barely, but I might be able to get one final use out of it,” she chuckled. 

“Well, tell you what, I’m picking up Santi tomorrow. Why don’t you drive the Pinto here tomorrow and bring the title? I’ll tow it to get it scrapped, free of charge.” 

A/N: First off, thank y'all sooo much for the great response back to the first chapter! Glad you're enjoying the ride so far and I hope you continue to. Don't forget to reblog and lmk how you feel! Always love hearing y'all thoughts and predictions 😍

Taglist: @mijagif @drabbles-mc @kmhappybunny240 @babaohhhriley @nunya7394 @darqchilddaydreamz

[top-tier-tickles]

Overreact

This is a DBH tickle fic requested by no one. I just wanted to write a DBH fic. Please let me know if I've characterized anyone wrong. I hope you enjoy!

TW: PAST SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, REFERENCED CHILD DEATH, SWEARING

__________________________________________

Markus walked into the room, relieved to be out of a long meeting. He sighed, relaxing his shoulders, only to jump in surprise when he saw Connor sitting on the couch.

"Woah! Connor, hey! I didn't expect you to be here." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh. Sorry, I'll leave." Connor motioned to get up, only to pause when Markus put his hand up.

"Oh, you don't have to. Every android is welcome here." He smiled, sitting next to the RK-800.

The pair sat calmly in silence for minute, until Markus glanced over to Connor. Connor had a look of sad blankness on his face, and while Markus couldn't see his LED directly, the small yellow light reflecting off of something was a good indicator that something wasn't right.

"Connor, you seem troubled....Are you alright?" Markus placed a hand on his shoulder.

Connor remained silent for a second, before sighing and speaking in a low voice.

"I accidentally called Hank 'Dad'..."

"Really? Oh, well that's not a big deal."

"Yes it is, Markus! Androids do not HAVE parents! Who am I to think of the lieutenant as my father?!"

"Well, I think of Carl as a father, and I'm an android."

"That's not my point. How could Hank ever regard me as his son? He's already lost his real son, why would he want another?"

"I would say that Carl had Leo before me, but Leo is a human asswipe."

That got Connor to crack a smile, only for a brief moment. He face fell again, his LED glowing red.

Connor suddenly put his head in his hands, saline tears begging to drop from his eyes. Markus quickly sat up, putting a comforting hand on his back.

"Whoa, whoa. What exactly happened?" Markus asked.

Connor sat up again, and began to recount the events earlier that day.

___________________________________________

"Now I'm telling you, Connor, the fucking piece goes here." Hank said, pointing the puzzle piece to an empty spot.

"Hank, I am positive that it doesn't go there. The tabs of the piece do not line up with the overall pattern of the surrounding pieces. I don't even need my scanner to see that." The android replied.

The pair was sitting on the couch in Hank's living room, Connor was living with him after the revolution. The pair was doing a puzzle to pass the time, Sumo snoring at their feet.

"What, you sayin' I'm a dumbass?" Hank accused, a smirk traced his lips.

"Your words, not mine." Connor replied, his own smirk beginning to grow.

The lieutenant blinked in surprise, before shoving a middle finger in Connor's face as the android laughed.

In retaliation, Connor grabbed the piece from Hank's hand and placed it in a spot on the other side of the puzzle. A perfect fit.

"That's it." Hank said, yanking Connor close and ruffling the android's usually immaculate hair.

"Hank! Get off!" Connor tried to push him away, but he was wrapped in the lieutenant's surprisingly strong arms.

"Shouldn't have been a smart-ass, kid." Hank chuckled, knowing exactly how much it annoyed him.

"Uuugh. Dad! Cut it out!"

Hank froze, dropping his arms to his sides and staring at Connor.

Realizing what he'd done, Connor immediately jumped to apologizing profusely, getting up from the couch, and promptly leaving through the front door, apologies still pouring from his mouth.

What has he done?

Hank definitely won't be happy, so he couldn't go back. The only home he'd ever truly known since he deviated, and he blew it.

There was only one other place to go...

__________________________________________

Markus listened as his friend told him everything. He knew Connor was overreacting to a simple mistake, but this really shook him up.

Connor sighed, wiping fresh tears from his eyes, indicating he had finished.

The RK-200 reached his arms out, and the other greatfully accepted the hug.

"Why do emotions have to be like this?"

"Like what?"

"You know, emotions feel wonderful. Being able to find joy in the simplest of things, giving and feeling loved. But, they are also.....inconvenient. We feel sadness and anger, sometimes for no reason. And every negative emotion seems to follow the good ones like a black cloud."

"Heh, that's a pretty good way of putting it. But there ways of coping, like right now." Markus replied, "but..."

The RK-800 lifted his head to look at his friend.

"I don't think you're just upset about fumbling your words...Is something else bothering you?"

Connor stayed silent for a few seconds, turning away from Markus.

"I don't understand. Our relationship is very close platonically, every day I have to remind myself that I am an android, and Hank is not my father."

"But you still think of him as one?"

"Yes. But Hank has already had a son, and after he lost him, he was a total mess."

"Hank is better now, right?"

"You don't understand, Markus! You weren't there. Hank was destroyed after Cole's death. His alcoholism would've killed him if he didn't do it first. It took months to get to where Hank is now. He is doing so much better, and I'm so, so proud of him...."

The tears had returned, Connor full-on sobbing now.

"B-But humans and their emotions are very unpredictable. Hank still has his moments, although few and far between, and I fear that me thinking of him as a father and will add more problems. What if I do something wrong? W-What if I am broken? With CyberLife gone, there are no more models to replace me. If I am completely destroyed, I can't come back." He sniffed.

"Hank could be thrown right back into that depressive state again, or worse. I-I wouldn't be able to help him! I can't do that to him, Markus,.......I just can't...."

Markus rubbed Connor's back as he cried, this was not the first time he had to comfort a sobbing android.

"Everything is going to be okay... I know it will be. You're only calculating the worst probabilities, and while that doesn't mean your fears aren't real, it does make them somewhat irrational."

Connor thought for a moment, and slightly nodded in agreement.

"Are you okay now?"

"I'll be okay." Connor said, voice barely above a whisper.

Markus gently took his hand away from Connor's back, accidentally brushing his side.

Connor squealed.

A beat.

Markus's eyes widened, a small smile creeping onto his face.

"Are you ticklish?" He whispered, a playful tone lacing his voice.

Connor's face flushed blue, slowly scooting away from his friend.

"You are!" Markus grabbed Connor's wrist, yanking him close.

"Mahaharkus! Nohoho!" Connor giggled in anticipation.

"Look at you! I haven't done anything and you're giggling!" Markus laughed, beginning to dig his fingers into his ribs.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! MARKUHUHUHUHUS!"

"Yeeeees?~"

"STAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!"

"No! You need cheering up, and I'm here to help with that!"

Markus scribbled his fingers up and down Connor's torso, buzzing into his armpits and squeezing his hips.

"AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! OH PLEHEHEHEHEHEASE!"

"Gitchy-gitchy-goo~ I've never heard your laugh before! It's adorable!"

Connor all but got more flustered by the compliment.

"NOHOHOHO IT'S NOHOHOHOT!"

"Is too!"

Markus then slipped his hands underneath Connor's shirt.

"AH! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHA! MAHAHAHARKUS!"

"Hahahahaha! I could do this all night!"

"DOHOHOHOHOHON'T! HAHAHAHAHA"

Getting an idea, the RK-200 began tickling Connor's belly. The RK-800 flying into hysterics as the fingers danced across the synthetic skin.

"EEEEEEAHAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHO! NOHOHOHOHOT THEHEHEHEHERE!"

"Oop! Sounds like I found your sweet spot!" Markus laughed, digging a finger into Connor's navel.

"EEEEEEEEK! AAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU AHAHAHAHASS!" Connor shrieked.

"Oho, Getting sassy, are we?" Markus suddenly pushed Connor onto his back, lifting up his shirt, and blowing a raspberry on his stomach.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEK! AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOHOHOHO! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!" Tears flowed down Connor's completely blue face. Luckily, androids didn't need oxygen.

Markus sat up, letting his friend breathe. He chuckled as Connor curled up into a protective ball.

"Well, do you feel better?"

"Hehehehe....A-Actually,....yeah..." Residual giggles flowing into the speech of the android.

Connor sat up again, smiling.

"Hey, what time is it?" Markus asked.

Connor pulled the cell phone (that Hank gave him) out of his pocket, gasping as he saw many missed calls and messages from a worried Lieutenant Anderson. He hadn't even realized his phone was on silent.

"I-I have to go, goodbye, Markus."

"Bye. If you ever need to talk, you know where to go." Markus waved.

As Connor made his trek back to Hank's house, a sinking feeling deepened in his "gut". Slowing his pace as he approached the front door, and entered.

Hank stood in the kitchen, eyes wide as he held his phone in his hand.

"Lieutenant, I am so-"

Hank suddenly pulled Connor into a tight hug, reminding Connor of that moment theh shared in front of the Chicken Feed. How calm and safe he felt in that moment.

"Connor! Don't you ever fucking scare me like that again, do you hear me!?" Hank slowly rocked back and forth with the android in his arms.

"I am sorry, Hank, I panicked in that moment. I should've handled it better."

"Don't apologize, alright? You simply reacted to something that overwhelmed you, don't be sorry."

"A-Aren't you mad that I called you....that...?"

Hank pulled away from the embrace, moisture in his eyed.

"Oh, Connor, of course not. You have no idea how much I missed being called 'dad'. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry about."

"But, what about Cole? And aren't you uncomfortable that I regard you as my father?"

"People can have more than one kid, Con. I certainly miss Cole like a son of a bitch, but that won't hold me back from father figure to someone. Especially if that someone is you."

Tears welled in Connor's eyes, but a smile was present on his face.

"C'mere." Hank nudged him back into the hug.

"I love you, son."

"I love you too, dad."

___________________________________________

THE END.

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Safer Place

Can we get a part 2 to Safe Place? Maybe Nines and Connor having to unlearn going to the locker and instead just going to their room or to Hank instead? - Auggie

Read on Ao3

Warnings: self-doubt/insecurity, implied anti-android sentiments

Pairings: none

Word Count: 1490

They talk.

Hank scruffs Sumo as he trots over, letting out a low huff and flopping to the floor.

"Yeah, I know, buddy. That's how I feel too."

His eyes linger on Cole's old bedroom door, waiting for any sign of movement on the other side. It's early enough that Connor and Nines should be—well, 'up' was kind of a redundant thing to say, as was 'awake.' 'Active?' 'Ready to be goddamn pains in the ass again?'

'Up' it is, then.

It's early enough for his two boys to be worrying about this conversation that's about to happen and Hank sighs. Damn android having human problems like trauma and insecurity. Would he trade it for the world? Fuck, no, but it did make him tired.

I'm getting too old for this.

"Alright," he says a few moments later, raising his voice to let them know I know you two are up, get your plastic butts out here, "rise and shine, boys, let's go."

The door opens smoothly and Connor walks out first, still clad in his uniform that makes his face look goofy. He smiles as if nothing is wrong, but Hank can spot that LED spinning yellow. Nines follows shortly after, actually wearing a big DPD hoodie that's big on Hank. He fiddles with the sleeves and ties, his LED spinning yellow too.

"C'mere," Hank says, gesturing to the couch and chair, "you boys feel ready to talk about things or you need another minute?"

"I'm ready," Connor says, and Nines nods, "should—can we sit?"

"Sure. Anywhere."

He sees Connor's brow tick up slightly and he waits to see whether Connor's gonna push back. It's a good gauge to see whether or not he's feeling alright; if he decides to be a little shit about something, he's all good. If not, well, Hank's not a detective for nothing.

Connor ends up sitting on the armchair with his legs thrown over one of the arms, his back resting against the other. Nines looks around and sits on the floor. Sumo perks up immediately at the sight of possible cuddle-friends and waddles his way over, flopping down against Nines's leg and panting. Hank chuckles and sits up a little straighter.

"So," he says quietly, "can we talk about the storage locker?"

"What about it did you want to discuss, Lieu—" Hank gives Connor a look— "uh, Hank?"

"You think I want you in there?"

Connor shifts. "I…you prefer when we're not underfoot."

"That's not what I asked," Hank continues gently, even as he clocks Nines not participating at all. Connor fidgets with his coin.

"…no, Hank," Connor mumbles, "I don't think you want us in there."

"Okay. That's right, Con, I don't. Do you know why?"

Connor fidgets again. "Are we in trouble?"

Oh, fuck, kid, you're gonna give me a heart attack.

"No, son," Hank says, still careful to keep his voice soft, "you're not in trouble. Let me be a worried old man, hm?"

Nines, still not saying anything, scratches behind Sumo's ears. The dog huffs and lays his head on his knee.

"You said you go there when there's nothing else to do, right?" Connor nods. "Is it because of what I said?"

"Yes."

Hank allows himself a moment to hang his head. Then he takes a deep breath and looks back up. "I don't believe that anymore. I don't want you two to just be good little androids and fuck off to some disgusting old locker when you don't have anything else to do. You're…you know that, right?"

Both of them nod, but neither looks at him.

Hank takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Okay. You can keep using the locker if you want."

Both their heads whip around so fast he worries for a second they'll give themselves whiplash, only to wonder—somewhat hysterically—if androids can even get whiplash.

"We can?"

"So long as it stays in the room where I know you two won't freeze your plastic asses off, yeah. You can. It's your space. I'm not gonna force you out of it."

"I like the bed."

Nines's voice is so quiet that it takes Hank a moment to look down and realize he's said anything. He leans forward and lowers his voice too. "Yeah? The bed was nice?"

Nines nods. "Can—can we use that too?"

"Yeah, son. You can use that whole room if you want."

Nines looks up, scanning him—he can feel Connor doing the same thing—and he must realize Hank's telling the truth because he opens his mouth again. "It's not just when we have nothing to do."

"No?"

He shakes his head. "When—when we have to go somewhere."

Ah. "Like that other day at the precinct?" Nines nods. "Can you give me any other examples?"

"Now."

Hank freezes. "Now?"

Nines nods, LED spinning red. "I—I'm scared."

Shit. Shit, shit, fuck, goddamnit. He glances at Connor. Connor's spinning red too.

"Okay," he says quickly, "okay. If you're scared, we'll stop."

"We—we will?"

"Yeah, son. I don't wanna scare you. I—" Hank takes a deep breath— "I just want you to know you're safe here, okay? You're safe with me. You can…you can come to me if you're scared."

Nines looks up at him, eyes wide and pleading. "I can?"

"Yeah, son, if you're scared you can—oof."

For Nines had thrown himself into Hank's arms and he suddenly has a lapful of android, arms wrapped around him and a nose buried in his neck. He wraps his arms around Nines too, rubbing up and down his back and shushing him carefully.

"Hey, it's okay, son, you did great. It's okay, shh, shh, you're safe."

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Connor get up and go back into the room, closing the door. His chest tugs a little bit but he pushes it away. Connor's allowed to take things at his own speed too.

It goes like that for a while. Nines will sometimes come to him. Sometimes he'll talk, sometimes he won't. Always he wants a hug. Connor goes to the room and he doesn't come out again until his LED's all blue and he can smile properly. Sometimes Nines goes in there after he's had a hug. The bed starts to look slept in again, the room is less dusty.

Hank tries not to push. He knows Nines never had to face him when he was so vocally anti-android, which makes it a bit easier for him to take comfort from Hank for things. He knows Connor knows Hank would never hurt him, never say anything like that ever again, but he also knows it's hard to get over something like that. Still, it hurts a bit every time his son is in pain and doesn't feel safe enough to come to him for help.

Then, one day, Connor asks him to come to the evidence locker in the precinct.

Hank follows him down, wondering which case this is for, only to just about have the wind knocked out of him when Connor's head buries itself in his shoulder.

"Whoa, whoa, take it easy, son, what's—"

A strange noise happens. So strange it takes Hank a moment to realize it was a sob.

Connor just fucking sobbed into his shoulder.

Nope. No fucking way. Whoever did this is fucking dead.

"Hey, hey," he murmurs, immediately softening and wrapping his arms around his shaking son, "hey, son, shh. It's okay. You got me, okay? I'm right here, you're safe."

Connor's arms tighten and he lets out a rush of breath but he doesn't stop rubbing his back.

"I've got you. You did the right thing, I'm right here, son. I'll keep you safe. You did so good, Con, it's okay. It's okay, now."

His shoulder starts to feel a bit damp and to his surprise, it makes him smile.

"You're alright, son," he murmurs, because he has his son in his arms and he can keep him safe here, "I'm here now."

Later, Hank will find out that one of the visiting cops told Connor he'd have him scrapped for even getting near him and Hank will not be written up for punching his lights out. Nines will discover he has a history of abusing his power as a cop and get the whole precinct investigated for criminal offenses. They will take Connor home and fall asleep in a sprawl of limbs while some movie plays in the background and Sumo stands guard. And even later, Hank will find himself being woken up by his sons cuddling closer to him.

But for now, he will hold Connor in the dimly lit evidence locker and let his son know there is nowhere he would rather be.

[jelliclekay]

What was your favorite on-stage moment from any of the performances you saw????

oh MAN so many

A favorite part of the revival Jellicle Ball choreo is after Bombalurina and the other Queens dance, Tugger watches Bomba the entire time. She runs off stage and Old Deut points towards where she went to Tugger as if to say "Go get her son!" and Tugger immediately runs off stage after her. And when they come back, Tugger is swinging his tail around and looking so smug. I refuse to believe that this doesn't imply that Tugger and Bomba go off to make out real quick during the Ball.

Hank Tugger's interactions with the audience in general was SO good (and I'm totally not just saying that because Hank saw me and winked at me a few times). Tugger interacting with audience members is one of my favorite things and he REALLY went all out. There was even a performance during the curtain call where he took a woman's phone and took a selfie with it.

Jenny and Skimble cuddling on the car boot during Gus <333

Kade Munk doing the signature Gruber Munk leap every time he goes off stage.

Erica Bomba's smug little look she would give Nora Demeter after every "I know he cheats at cards." I have a lot of thoughts about what this line implies and the way Erica Bombalurina said this line and looked during it made me feel so validated with my headcanons.

During the "cuddle pile" Tugger, Bomba and Misto are next to each other and have their arms wrapped around one another so like. Canon.

When the fog machines go off during Mr. Mistoffelees, Skimble is standing near one and he looks so annoyed and confused about the sudden smoke and tries to brush it away. Then Teazer sees him doing it and runs to the one on the other side of the stage with Jerrie and they start playing with the smoke too and it's so cute.

Kade Munk putting in his ALL during the Macavity bits like the man doesn't half ass ANYTHING. His falls feel so real and you really get the sense that Munk is getting genuinely hurt during the fight. He had me on the edge of my fucking seat despite me knowing what happens next lol

The part where Munk is defeated and Mac grabs Demeter, Alonzo runs up to Munk and pets him before he steps in to fight Mac. This entire part lives in my head rent free honestly.

During Pekes and the Pollicles, Hank Tugger is SO SCARED during the barking parts and curls himself against Old Deut's side and it's so adorable.

Honestly I probably have more but this is everything I can think of off the top of my head. Long story short I adore this cast and there are so many interactions between the characters and everyone just feels like a big happy family I loved it so much

[i-like-sparkly-things]

Halstead!Sister fanfic 🍭

Tik tok

Summary : Jay is called to lily's school because she got in trouble. And ends up at med . (but not too serious you know? .)

Warnings : Teenage stupidity at its finest. and 💉s. And a litte sibling floof.

Word count : more than 69.

Note : Immense apologies for my idiotic grammatical language blunders. Also, I'm really new to writing stuff. Proceed at your own risk. I'm warning you. DO NOT PROCEED.

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

It was midday and  team was knee high in paper work. They hadn't caught a case yet, so they were stuck at the district. Jay's phone gets a notification and it catches his attention.

Jay : God..... sarge is it okay if i take of for a few hours? I'll finish this at home.

Hank : Sure. Is something wrong?

Jay : *sighs and starts reading the text *~~ Mr . Halstead, you are requested to pick up Lily Halstead from the school premises and meet the head. ~~ i gotta get there.

Hank: Go. It's family.

Adam : Maybe she punched another boy like last time.

Kevin : Hey, in her defense, the kid called her a bitch.

Jay: i swear if this is that again, I'm gonna kill her.* Stands up taking his jacket.*

-----------at school-----------

As jay parks his truck, he sees a dad pinching his soaking wet son, who is draped in a towel, by the ear, leading him to a car.

He enters the school hall to be greeted by a disappointing sight. His sister, lily, was soaking wet from top to bottom, shivering. Then lily's eyes looked up from her shoes.

Lily : Ugh. Where's Will? I told him to call Will. *She said, her voice quaking.*

Jay : why? *he asked in a stern voice.* Cuz you know he won't shout at you, but i will?

Jay answered his own question making lily press her lips close. But it was the truth. Will was much calmer than jay. He never shouted at her unless he absolutely needed to, but even then, he would calm himself down and return to being disappointed. But it was different with jay. ALOT more different.

Head : Good that you're here Mr Halstead.

Jay : it's fine you can call me jay.What did she do?

Head : Well, it's come to my attention that she started a challenge. Lily and a group of her friends, snuck out of school grounds during break and went to the river for a - for a what exactly lily? -

Lily: a tik tok *sighs*

Jay : Seriously, Lily?? *She just looked at the floor, making patterns from the water droplets.*

Head : As she put her and her friends in harms way, she is suspended for a week but no charges have been taken yet. But this behavior will not be tolerated.

Jay : Thank you , sir. Trust me. She will not repeat this. *Glaring at lily*

Lily : yeah, sorry. Won't happen again. *She said half heartedly. In all honesty, she just wanted to have som fun. And well, she DID. But the fun didn't last. Right now she was freezing and could barely feel her fingertips. She was only wearing a tshirt and three fourths covering just after her knees. *

They walked silently to Jay's truck. He let her sit in the passenger seat first and grabbed a spare jacket from the trunk. He got into the drivers seat and tossed the jacket to lily and turned on the heat. She immediately put it on and felt a little better. Jay turned on the engine.

Jay : I knew you were stupid, but not that stupid. Seriously lily, WHAT THE HELL???

lily : I thought it -would make- a good tik tok. She breaths heavily as she tightens the jacket around her.

Jay: jumping into a RIVER? it's mid October lily. In what world does that make sense to you?? you're grounded for 2 weeks.

Lily : WHAT... no jay.... it's not like I killed someone or anything!!?!!

Jay : great. three weeks it is.

Lily : Ugh. *she sniffles and rubs her hand against her runny nose. Lily noticed that Jay missed a turn towards home.

Lily : Jay, Homes that way.where are we going??

Jay:  Hospital. You're getting sick. Hopefully Will's still there.

Lily : what ? no........ no jay . I'm fine. I promise. You know i hate getting poked!!

Jay : it's not up for discussion lily! You should've thought of that before you snuck out of  school and jumped into a RIVER!!!

* This shuts lily up for the rest of the ride. In any other situation jay would agree with her, but not this time. Not when her hands were shaking and her teeth gittering.

---Chicago med, in the ED------

Will : oh my god lily, what happened?

* Will asked as Jay and lily walked into the ED. Jay had a strong grip on lily's shoulder*

Jay : Guess who decided to start a challenge and jump into a river?

* Will let out a laugh *

Will : you're kidding right?

* lily lightened up and was glad to see Will take it in a better manner than the other brother. *

Lily: whaaat?...... It was for a tik tok.

She chuckled and went to hug will. His warmth felt so good.

Will : God, you're freezing. * he said in amusement as he hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. He saw jay glaring at him.*

Jay : Will.

Will : What? At least it's not alcohol or drugs Jay.* He turned to Maggie* Maggie let's Get a room. Blankets, warm saline, possible hypothermia.

Maggie: you got it. you always keep your brothers on their toes, huh?

Lily: have to some way.*She said, throwing a smirk at Maggie *

Will: Come on.* In a one armed but still tight hug he Lead her into a room. Lily could hear jay signing behind her. She knew that jay thought will was being too lenient with her. *

Will : Won't hurt a bit, I promise.

*Lily still looked away as the IV was put in. *

Will : told you so. *he knew that his siblings shared a deep hatred for needles *

Lily : yeah...... you know, Jay told I was grounded for three weeks..........

* she tried to get Will to change his mind while he was still in a good mood. He raised his eyebrows at jay. *

Jay : and it stays that way. she SNUCK OUT OF SCHOOL WILL!?!

Will : yeah..... but 2 weeks should do it, you know? *he smirks at Lily*

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

Wonderful. You didn't take my warning.

If bored out of your mind : Masterlist here

[thebibliomancer]

Essential Avengers: West Coast Avengers #8: A Bird in the Hand!

May, 1986

Oh, hey! A good ol’ fashioned superhero brawl with the two teams lined up on opposite sides of a vague area! A vague area with a gradient!

Noooooow, I’m not super familiar with the Rangers but it looks like two of them have the superpower of ‘owns guns’ and one has the superpower of ‘looks good without a shirt.’ One of them is t-posing. And one is a good wuff, yes he is, yes he is.

Anyway, point being, not knowing a lot about the Rangers, I feel like Ben Grimm could probably solo them with grumpiness. Are Wonder Man and Iron Man not on the cover because that would make it way too unfair?

Okay, I’ll stop making fun of the Rangers now. I’m sure they’re a fine collection of Southwest heroes. And its funny that the Rangers work just like how Marvel makes superheroes for foreign countries. Its the Southwest so there’s a couple of cowboys! There’s a Cheyenne guy and he has a pet wolf! Tornadoes! SOUTHWEST!

It’s like how an anime would introduce an American superhero group.

Anyway again.

Last times: the West Coast Avengers go to the cat world to talk to some cats about how Tigra is so horny and angry all the time. And also about how her human and cat souls are in conflict. The king of the cats promises to remove one of her souls, y’know whichever one, if Tigra does him a solid and kills Master Pandemonium.

I never expected guy whose limbs turn into demons guy to be the West Coast Avengers’ archnemesis. He keeps coming up.

Tigra agrees to the grim task of doing a murder but claims to the West Coast Avengers that the king promised to help with no strings attached.

In another plot, Hank Pym bonded with the least shitty Ultron, Ultron “Mark” 12, as the son he never had. Or did have but kept trying to kill him. Mark the Ultron promised he was done killing Hank and was going to give up his life of evil. And since Hank can’t have nice things, another Ultron popped up and tore off Mark’s head and tried to kill Hank. He was saved by Wonder Man, whose life is going great.

And now the West Coast Avengers return from cat world to people world.

Despite Hawkeye’s doubts on the overall competence of cat people (wow, rude, there’s a cat people right on your team, dick) the West Coast Avengers have returned to the haunted house they started at.

Tigra loudly insists, unprompted, that the cat people are going to fix her soul issue with no strings attached. Which makes Hawkeye immediately suspect that she’s not telling the truth about something.

But what really makes Tigra feel guilty is Ben Thing Grimm asking for a neck massage.

His neck is rocks. Is this even doing anything for him?

Anyway, Firebird starts hallucinating cowboy times.

Or projecting herself into the past?

Look, I don’t know.

She’s suddenly some woman called Carlotta riding a mission trail to San Luis Abispo and the group she’s with gets attacked by the native Bear People?

This is all very confusing. It will probably make sense later.

Anyway, she’s shot in the back by some traitor and snaps out of the hallucination, dream, or vision...

Dangit, Clint.

Nobody really knows what to make of Firebird suddenly screaming about having a vision about a traitor shoot her in the back. So they just ignore it.

When they return to the West Coast Avengers Compound, Simon Wonder Williams is waiting for them and he has good news!

He killed Ultron!

Not the one that tried to trap them in a death trap and was working for Grim Reaper. A different Ultron. But the important thing is that he, Wonder Man, killed an Ultron.

Hawkeye gets super excited because he’s going to rub it in the East Coast Avengers’ face.

Hawkeye: “This’ll blow their minds! This is somethin’ the West Coast Avengers did that they never could!”

Wonder Man: “Well -- me as a part of the West Coast Avengers -- !”

I don’t know what’s better. Hawkeye’s reaction to this being petty gloating. Or that he’s naive enough to think Ultron is Really Gone For Real This Time. Yeah, Wonder Man says Ultron is dead for keeps but do you know how many times someone has said that? Almost every time.

Hank blew his mind with ‘thou shalt not kill’ once!

Speaking of Hank, Simon fills the team in on the second most important news. That Hank had been bonding with Mark 12 the Ultron and that he’s taking it pretty badly.

Iron Man is having a talk with him since they were original Avengers together going way back.

Wonder Man brings the conversation back over to himself, although he claims its because he wants to put a positive spin on things.

Wonder Man: I fought my first major battle since I confessed my guilt to the nation and started rebuilding myself -- and I was dynamite! Ultron-11 had vast power, and I shook him apart like he was an egg carton!”

Simon... this is just the first piece of news again but more aggressively centered around how awesome you are. Geez guy.

The Thing suggests that he and Simon should wrassle sometime, test how strong he really is. And Hawkeye, of course, interprets that as Ben offering to join the team, which Hawkeye, of course, accepts.

Ben is frustrated but not as explosively as he has been and just claims that the West Coast Avengers don’t need him if they’ve got an Ultron-beater like Wonder Man already.

Hawkeye: “Wrong, pumpkin-breath! You and Simon together could really set L.A. on its ear! Two fabulous Avengers, who are media stars to boot! Six months tops and people’d say ‘the Thing was in the FF? Really? Who were they?’”

The Thing: “Humph!”

But he’s seeming more and more talked into it.

Perhaps because of the FF bashing. Ben is still mad at Reed and Johnny, I reckon.

Firebird walks off dejected. Mockingbird notices and insists that she (Mockingbird) and Hawkeye speak in private.

Whereupon she immediately starts kicking his ass and yelling at him.

This is their love language.

Mockingbird: “Mister, I’m so mad I could spit! Get your dukes up!”

Hawkeye: “Pardon me? Have I missed a chapter somewhere?”

Mockingbird: “You’ve missed the whole Encyclopedia Britannica, Grape-face! And either I work out my frustrations this way or we’re on our way to divorce court!”

Anyway. Mockingbird accuses Hawkeye of ignoring Firebird while she pines for the Avengers and sends intense wistful energy at him. Instead focusing his energy on trying to wear down Ben Grimm. Hawkeye admits that he knows Firebird wants to join but that the Thing got there first and is a known quantity.

Mockingbird: “We know [Firebird]’s done well in every fight she’s joined us in! And how many people knew what I could do when I became an Avenger! She wants to join -- anybody with any sensitivity can see that! So why don’t you ask her?”

Hawkeye: “Because I want the Thing!”

Avengers by-laws state he only gets one more person on the roster and dangit, HE REALLY WANTS THE THING ON HIS TEAM!

I wasn’t joking about this being their love language.

At some point the fight stops being Mockingbird so fed up with him she can’t take it anymore and starts being sexy fighting.

So they reach a compromise on the Firebird situation where Hawkeye will ask the Thing just one more time and if he still says no, he’ll asks Firebird instead.

And then they start making out because nothing sexier than compromise.

It’s what drives a healthy relationship and also this one.

Meanwhile, Firebird has wandered off to another cliff overlooking the ocean part of the West Coast Avengers Compound. Its very big. It has a lot of places you can have a dramatic, private think.

Firebird: “Perhaps I’m going mad -- ! Before the fire fell from the heavens and changed me, I never had visions -- or any of the strange feelings that surge through me now when I encounter evil! I’m a good girl! I never missed mass any Sunday of my life, or failed to confess my sins -- so why have you given me this power, without the understanding to use it wisely and well in your service? I want to do good, but the opportunity isn’t here! The Avengers will not take me -- ! Oh most Holy Father, please tell me what to do -- !”

Rude to not share your epiphany with the invisible audience you don’t know you have, Firebird.

Elsewhere, Wonder Man is flying around thinking about how great he is.

Wonder Man: “I never understood! I never know what it meant -- ! Wonder Man! The man of wonders! The ionic energy nearly killed me! Combined with my festering guilt for turning criminal, the near-death fixated me -- made me afraid! But the ionic energy changed me, too -- and finally, I can turn to that!”

Hmmm, look. I’ll cut him some slack.

This confidence is new to him, he can enjoy it a little.

Anyway, while he’s flying around someone shoots him.

The bullet harmlessly poks off his pecs, of course, but it attracts his attention to a bank robbery.

One of the robbers even yells at the guy who shot at a superhero who may have otherwise flown right past.

Yeah, that’s pretty dumb.

The robbers try shooting Wonder Man some more but he’s doing his Superman impression again and just lets the bullets bounce off.

A bazooka blast blows him off his feet but doesn’t even sting.

And then, amazingly, he flies and hits all of the robbers in one punch, man.

Wonder Man is loving his life right now.

I think this scene just exists to get Wonder Man out of the plot so that the West Coast Avengers don’t totally stomp the Rangers. Who, again, have two people on their team whose superpower seems to be ‘owns at least one gun.’

But its also good to see some actual superheroics in this book? It feels like since the start of the ongoing book, the West Coast Avengers have only dealt with things directly affecting them.

Grim Reaper’s little group came at them, to kidnap Wonder Man and also Hank. So that Simon could be put into a blender to form The Perfect Brother.

Then they started dealing with Tigra stuff. Or Master Pandemonium attacking them.

The limited series had them helping out after the wild weather wackiness of the war against Surtr. They went after a superpowered robber. They knocked down Graviton’s organized crime group before it could finish organizing.

I just think that the West Coast Avengers book could stand to be somewhat less about the drama in their lives and more of them being superheroes?

I don’t know if I’m explaining it right but that’s how I’m feeling.

ANYWAY.

Back to superhero drama.

Tigra and the Thing are lounging by the pool and Ben pops a question to Tigra, as she is an old, trusted friend.

The Thing: “Well, see, you hung out with the FF -- with me an’ Johnny, an’ Reed ‘n’ Sue! You saw us together, kinda -- a family, like --”

Tigra: “Yessss -- ?”

The Thing: “Well, did you ever think the Torch might -- do me some real dirt? What I mean is -- well, you wackos -- West Coast Avengers -- you guys seem pretty tight! You ain’t no family, but the others went ta Catland for ya! You Avengers don’t do stuff behind people’s backs, do ya?”

Tigra: “Uh... well...”

Ha, the Thing is inadvertently (?) poking Tigra right in the guilt about agreeing to kill Master Pandemonium.

But he’s really just trying to talk himself into joining the West Coast Avengers out of continuing hurt feelings about Johnny and Alicia getting together.

EXCEPT. They didn’t do that behind his back. He decided to stay on Battleworld and basically ghosted Alicia. And when he returned from Battleworld, he was going to break up with her before even learning that Johnny and Alicia had gotten together.

His hurt feelings are that she moved on even though so had he.

And its not like they could have contacted him for his blessing. He was IN SPACE.

So get over yourself, the Thing.

Anyway, Tigra doesn’t have a chance to answer Ben’s inadvertent guilt poking. Because Firebird shows up and says she has something to tell them.

And what she has to tell them is that she invited her cool, old friends the Rangers to hang out.

Showing up uninvited sets off the intruder alarm so Hawkeye and Mockingbird show up, Hawkeye quickly establishing that Wonder Man, Iron Man, and Hank Pym will not be participating.

But their alarm fades as they recognize some of the Rangers.

Hawkeye recognizes Red Wolf and his pet wolf Lobo from back in Avengers #80.

Mockingbird recognizes the Texas Twister since he was one of the SHIELD super-agents.

The cowboy in white reminds Hawkeye of the Night Rider he met in Avengers #142-3. Red Wolf explains that this present day cowboy is maybe the ghost of that past times cowboy so therefore he’s taken the name Ghost Rider.

... I know that the motorcycle version existed by this point. Was he off in limbo so they gave away his codename? Well, I’m going to call him Ghost Rider. It’ll be funny.

Red Wolf also explains that the lady with the guns is Shooting Star.

Tigra also knows Red Wolf and is confused that he’s with a group, since he told her he was a loner. But he explains that the former Rangers received a phone call from Firebird proposing that the Rangers reform into a permanent team.

Not mentioned is that god gave her this idea.

Hawkeye: “Bonita! You’re leaving -- ?”

Firebird: “Yes, Hawkeye! I feel that its best!”

Hawkeye: “But -- I hope we didn’t do anything to -- uh --”

Mockingbird: “That’s just it, sport -- you didn’t do anything!”

Ha, oof.

Firebird says she understands that the (West Coast) Avengers have their own priorities and that any dreams she had were only dreams. Which I feel isn’t actually doesn’t convey ‘don’t worry about it!’ so much as ‘so you killed my dreams, its probably fiiiiine.’

Mockingbird tries to convince Firebird to stay, saying that they can work things out. Probably meaning more sexy wrestling until Hawkeye agrees to have Firebird join the team.

Shooting Star says that Firebird doesn’t want to join the Avengers, she wants to join the cool Rangers.

But her finger accidentally touches Firebird, who recoils from it and declares Shooting Star is POSSESSED!!

Shooting Star scoffs and asks whether Firebird is on drugs.

Firebird asks Hawkeye to back her up but Hawkeye tells her that she can’t just accuse people of being possessed by demons, geez! But just when he’s saying how much he trusts Red Wolf, he sees Red Wolf getting ready to cave his head in.

Which just leaves fight fight fight

And Rangers Rumba?

Since Iron Man and Wonder Man are not around to participate, the numbers of the two teams line up perfectly. Because they’re counting Lobo the wolf as a separate combatant.

Hm.

Anyway, despite Tigra immediately going to wrestle the wolf in the above panel, when the fight starts, Red Wolf breaks her grapple so he can fight her himself.

And he does a dynamax on Lobo, making him a giant doggo, and sending him after Firebird.

Tigra: “Now come on, Red Wolf -- you were my best friend after I became TIgra! Don’t be like this!”

But he’s gonna be like this.

Hawkeye goes to help Firebird with the giant wolf, now believing her obviously, but Shooting Star tries to shoot him in the back. But she gets interrupted by Mockingbird who sets herself up in the designated girl fight.

“Ghost Rider” thus squares up against Hawkeye.

And Texas Twister attacks the Thing as some kind of what could have been grudge match.

Texas Twister: “An’ as fer yew, Thang -- it’s tahm ya learn what the Texas Twister coulda done as part of the Frightful Four! Nobody can stand up to mah tornados!”

The Thing: “Phooey! Ya call this windy? You should hear Hawkeye’s membership pitches!”

Haha, zing!

Also, these phonetic accents are killing me.

But, yeah. An editor’s caption informs me that the Texas Twister almost joined the Frightful Four. Why, when he’s supposed to be an ex-SHIELD agent? I dunno. Sometimes you just want to pick a fight with some superheroes, I guess.

So they fight fight fight.

Firebird has trouble fighting the giant wolf. Not moral trouble. Just... she tries shooting flame at it and the wolf just smacks her.

But while fighting, her evil senses are tingling and while all the Rangers have a tinge of evil, Firebird feels the most evil from Shooting Star.

But because of the wolf trying to eat her, she can’t really act on her observation.

The Thing manages to show the Texas Twister how attacking the Fantastic Four might have gone.

The man’s tornado pushes Ben into the pool. So Ben splashes some water into the tornado, which turns it into a water spout, and then the Texas Twister starts drowning in the middle of a tornado like an idiot.

Red Wolf tries to pull some food chain stuff on Tigra, claiming that the wolf spirit is burning brighter in him than ever and that a cat has no chance against him.

Which Tigra counters by boasting that she just learned that she’s a legendary warrior in cat culture.

So, take that.

Also, apparently cowboy Ghost Rider has a flying horse and can go intangible so I guesssssss he’s not just ‘have gun will superhero.’

Fair enough, fair enough.

Anyway, Hawkeye shoots a gas arrow at him and then punches him in the head with a head punch arrow once Ghost Rider retangibles outside the gas to breathe.

Firebird bemoans that the Avengers are all doing good against their opponents while she’s having trouble with a dynamaxed wolf. She decides its because she’s distracted by all the evil and tells Mockingbird they’re switching opponents.

Firebird flips Lobo right in front of a confused Mockingbird (who nevertheless immediately hits the giant wolf in the throat). Then Firebird flares up a firebird aura, blinding everyone but Shooting Star.

PROVING THAT SHE’S A DEMON!

Then she grabs Shooting Star’s wrists and demands she stop possessing everyone or else she’ll burn Shooting Star’s “demon-spirit.”

The rest of the Rangers immediately snap out of their aggro wondering what’s happening.

Texas Twister: “Ah dreamed ah lost a fight with the Thang -- !”

The Thang: “That wuz no dream -- that wuz yer life!”

Zing!

Demon Shooting Star reveals her real form. AND STILL SPEAKS IN THE PHONETIC ACCENT MY GOD.

So the wildest thing is revealed by the demon. APPARENTLY SHOOTING STAR NEVER EXISTED!

This demon just liked to go around looking like a hot lady cowboy. And y’know what, good for you, demon. Live your bliss.

But then when her cool cowlady life got complicated by a bunch of heroes banding together into some kind of Southwest themed super team, it threatened Shooting Star’s cool cowlady life because she knew that Firebird’s Detect Evil would eventually detect Shooting Star.

So she sabotaged the team so that it never formed.

Easy peasy.

But when Firebird did a take two on trying to make the Rangers happen, Shooting Star got desperate and figured she had to kill Firebird. So she possessed the other Rangers and uh I’m not sure what the step 2 to that plan was. Lure her away somewhere?

The demon claims she couldn’t just possess Firebird because of that incinerating soul thing, which Firebird doesn’t even remember saying!

The Thing doesn’t care about this demon’s cool cowlady larping life and just tells her to reveal why she was skulking about on Earth WHICH SHOOTING STAR WILL NEVER REVEAL.

Tigra: “Then let me take a guess! If we’re talking demons, it’s got something to do with our old pal Master Pandemonium -- right?”

Shooting Star: “How did yew know that? And what do yew know of that man?”

Ha. Tigra made a guess that having two different demon things happening at the same time would be ridiculous.

Also, how convenient that they needed a lead on Master Pandemonium and Firebird prayed to god about something unrelated and it brought them a lead on Master Pandemonium.

The Jack Kirby Above All works in mysterious ways.

(Okay so even though this issue makes the frankly hilariously bonkers claim that Shooting Star never existed, there’s this whole thing about Texas Twister selling his soul to enhance his powers but Shooting Star winding up possessed instead. So this is the real Shooting Star after all, except possessed. That’s far less interesting than demon that just wants to be a cowgirl but I guess frees up Shooting Star to be an ongoing concept. Shrug.)

Follow @essential-avengers​ because of reasons. Good reasons? Yes. Like and reblog maybe?

[oh-for-fic-sake]

It’s A Match Chapter Two

Masterlist

Summary: as you and henry become closer he lets his family know there may be a new woman on the scene. And you surprize him by moving a little quicker then he had thought. Not that he is against it. He is all to eager to move along to the next step.

Warnings: RPF, Swearing, Angst, Heated Discussions, Fluff.

A/N: here is chapter two, this will only be a short fic maybe there or four chapters but i hope you all like it. This is just me writing down my fluffy fantasy.

Taglist: In Reblogs.

'Shes a big fluffy teddy bear, and loves hugs, even if Shes crushing me~' henry froze hands quivering nervously over the keyboard. You replied? You actually? Holy shit! He bit his lip sitting up straighter with a grin and smoothed his hair back. He wasn't sure why it made him so happy but? He had a reply, and actual reply from a person! A woman!

Now what?

He wracked his brain and frowned. What does he say? Does he ask questions or just talk about dogs? He didn't know all he did know is that he had messaged a complete stranger and she had messaged back.

'I can imagine moving her must be hard work if she's comfy'

'Yeah but on the plus side she's always warm~ a huge hot water bottle'

'A numb but warm set of legs then😂'

'Absolutely! That sounds like the talk of a man who's been there?'

'Yes I have an American Akita, a very snuggly boy that gives me atleast one dead leg a day😅'

'Aww I love Akita's, I was going to get one but them Amii sort of fell into my lap, and has stayed there ever since'

'Big or small a lap dog is a lap dog'

'Definitely😂' Henry paused. Shit what does he do now? Does he just ask questions? Explain a bit more about himself? Both seemed a little too juvenile... And it was scary... Awkward he wants a nice chat, for conversation to flow naturally. He didn't want to fuck up. There was another ping as you typed another message.

' I have to say I'm surprized I got a message on here, only been on here for a few days😅' henry was thankfull, you wasn't going to judge. You were both in the same boat. Both nervously talking to a stranger in the hopes of there being something more. It made replying a little easier, he hoped that things would get less awkward after breaking the ice.

'Really? I made mine today... not sure about all this new online stuff but will figure it out'

'Well I'd say your doing alright,  at least you had the courage to message someone, i made the profile then chickened out😅'

'I almost did, your the first profile that caught my eye'

'Was it Amii?'

'No, as cute as she is you lacked a duck face selfie, and you look very sweet and have kind eyes' henry froze after sending the message. Shit, shit! That was fucking cheese! Cringe and just a fuck up! He quickly wracked both hands through his hair and cursed trying to think of a way to get out of this but nothing came to mind... And then he saw it the tiny y/n is typing... At the bottom of the screen, he winced dreading the reply he was going to get. He bit his lip worried he hopes he hasn't tripped at the first hurdle.

'Thank you that's kind of you to say. And is a missing duck face that strange?🤔'

'Every woman has a duck face'

'Well I do not have a duck face'

'Really?🤨'

'Well not a good one 😅My duck face is sub par more a fish face, call me guppy😂' he chuckled, you did have a sense of humour which was good. He liked making people laugh and not having them take everything so seriously, it meant he could relax and let loose. To just have fun! He heaved a big sigh unconsiously petting Kal as he sat up and leant on his leg. He quickly began typing once more finding it easier chatting with a stranger with each message.

'🤣🤣 I got to admit I'm not sure what to talk about, this is my first time🤔'

'Well that makes us both online virgins😅lets start with the important things shall we?' Henry froze panicking. 'Oh god! Oh god! What ere you going to ask?!' He thought watching the little dots on the screen holding his breath dreading you'd ask for picture or something. He was put out of his misery with a tiny ping sound and your message popped up. He threw his head back and laughed outloud seeing the all important question.

'Who's your favourite superhero?' You were definitely a geek girl, just like he wanted. He bit his lip and typed without needing to think of the answer.

'Superman, afterall he is the grand daddy of all superheroes. You?'

'Oh your not gonna like this~ I love batman🤗' henry smiled at the screen and leant back wiping his mouth trying to massage the ache from his cheeks. He really was grinning ear to ear just from speaking to you so... Unguarded he was just being himself and it was freeing!

'Oh no!😱can I ask why?' He typed quickly not wanting you to think he was going to keep you on read? Was that what they called it nowadays?

'He proves that at 30 you can have a dramatic goth early midlife crisis and that regular assholes can be heroes too, all you need is money🤗🤗'

'🤣🤣 oh god! You know I never thought of it like that!' henry shook his head laughing out loud as he replied

'But you'll be happy to know supes is number three on my list'

'Well he makes the top three so that's salvageable😆'

'Yeah... Two is Captain America though'

'Rich goth with issues, man with an expensive tea tray, then supes got it 👌👍'

'Omg yes!😂that's sums it up beautifully🤣' after that the conversation moved on which he was a little thankful for. Not that he disliked geeking out but... it'd be easy for him to slip up on that subject. Luckily though he didn't have to think of a change of topic as you began chatting away casually about your day and he did in return before long the conversation was over too soon as you stated you really had to get on with filling out these payslips. So the chat drew to a close with promises of speaking tomorrow.

And you kept your promise. For the next week you both spent your evenings chatting away at one another becoming fast friends. That was when he decided to let his family know in the new weekly face time zoom chats.

He looked to the screen fidgeting as his family spoke amongst themselves trying to find the right moment to break the news. But his mother had noticed and asked him out right, leaning closer to the screen watching him worriedly.

"Henry? Are you alright your looking nervous?" The others stopped speaking at the question and henry heaved a sigh nervously twisting his fingers.

"Yeah yeah I... I just have some news... Is all" he said swallowing trying to find the words. He was worried, it had been a while since he'd tried to introduce someone new into his life and his family. He didn't want to alarm them but... he wanted to forewarn them that he was on his way to hopefully sharing his life with someone.

"News? Oh its nothing bad is it?" His younger brother asked, but his oldest paused straightening up with a smile already guessing his brother had taken his advice.

"No nothing bad... Its really good actually... I'm sort of... well I'm speaking to someone online... A woman"  he stuttered rubbing the back of his neck and called Kal onto the sofa with him stroking his fur trying to calm himself and fend of the huge grin that seemed to spread across his face everytime he thought of you.

"You did it?" His eldest brother called out clapping his hands excitedly. A ripple of confusion washed over the others and they frowned looking to one another unsure what had happened between the two.

"Did what love?" His mother finally asked not understanding what her sons were talking about

"I made an online dating profile" he said plainly drawing gasps from everyone.

"Oh gosh love are you okay? Your not being hounded are you?" His mother jumped immediately concern etched deep in her features. His father looked uncomfortable-hell they all did! Each worrying over him. He wasn't surprized they had seen fans both love and hate on him and his partners.

"No mum its fine-better then fine I'm really carful... I've covered my ass and no one knows its me, she doesn't know" he said trying to placate his family but instead he was rewarded with disappointed faces, tutting and small, cringing hisses. Fuck.

"Oh god Henry you haven't made a fake profile? Tell me you didn't- please tell me your not lying to this poor woman" his father scolded sternly. His dad may not be up to speed with all this new age online dating shenanigans but he did know that it was wrong to lie to a potential partner. Just thinking that one of his boys were doing just that left a bad taste in his mouth. If he could he would clip his son around the ear!

"Well no not exactly- its me and I'm myself on there I just... changed my name to Hank... And crop my photos so she can see me but not recognise me that's all! I swear I'm not lying or-or anything!" he explained willing then to understand but with the deep sighs and unimpressed looks he got it would seem they didn't understand or approve.

"Are you sure about this? What will she think if things get serious and then this young lady finds out you've been lying?" he father spoke up again wanting to hash this out. Henry faltered for a moment, he worried about that too. He was frightened that you'd get angry and leave him without even giving him a chance!

"I'm not lying, I just? just omitting certain details about my life, I'm being me I'm showing her the real quirky geeky side of me- this is? Its my one shot! The only chance I'm going to get to have someone look at me, not what they can get out of me... I'm not going to blow it or hurt her... if we get to that point then I will explain things- she'd understand she's really thoughtful and is logical" henry pleaded trying to convince both himself and his family. He cant ignore it, he was worried and had been telling himself over and over you'd understand. But he also knew it could really shake you up. But what he was doing wasn't wrong! It couldn't be helped, he thought they would understand!

"Well I hope so because you could break her heart son... And I want you to understand that, this woman could fall for you. You could really upset her when she finds out" his father finally spoke drawing the issue to a close not wanting to argue, but he still wanted henry to know what ever happens was his own fault good or bad. Not everything ends with a happy ever after, but he didn't need to voice that out loud. Henry knew, they all did.

"I know dad, I've only been speaking to her just over a week anyway, for all i know she will ghost me or something" henry nodded calming a little not wanting to fight but still it was clear to everyone henry hadn't appreciated the lecture.

"Ghosting?" he mum perked up trying to diffuse the situation not wanting this to blow up. Tensions were high and no one needed a family spat at the moment.

"Its when someone stop talking to you and ignores you for no reason" his brother revealed explaining the term to his parents. They both ahh'd in realisation but were still a little tense. So his younger brother spoke up deciding to try and be more supportive to him. And henry was thankful.

"Well how about you tell us about her henry. What's you lady freind like? What does she do?" henry quickly grinned forgetting the irritation. His family watched the sudden change as henry got the chance to boast about the woman who had caught his fancy. It was sobering to see, he was glowing with pride and excitement, overjoyed from just thinking about this mystery girl.

"She's just? God where do I start? Shes amazing and funny and wholesome... She doesn't live too far away- Shes pretty much on my doorstep! Shes really funny and nice we talk everyday and have soo much in common its amazing we like the same music and tv and just- everything! Its like talking to a female version of myself! And Shes a fan too" his family all seemed to warm to the idea of this woman until his final remark. Everyone paused. And so did he, what was so wrong about her being a fan? Why was that a red flag for them and not him?

"A fan? Henry... are you sure she doesn't know? If she's a fan she might know and be... making her answers more favourable" henry bristled at that and visibly leaned back brows furrowed and eyes glowing, showing as much anger as he dared show his mother who had spoken out against you.

"What? No! No she doesn't mum she hasn't got a clue- Shes not a fan of mine per say but? She likes my work, she's a huge lover of DC and fantasy so has seen the Witcher and she loved it! Shes really just like me! Is that really hard to believe? That there are women like me? That enjoy the same things?" what had started as a panicked explination quickly became heated and sour. His words slowly becoming uncharacteristically venomous. But Marie Ann new it was just him getting defensive, he was frightened. He had this silly belief he was an abnormality, that his interests will make him forever alone. The thing that did stand out was just how defensive he was about you. A woman he'd probably not even met yet, someone he was only chatting to. It wasn't like henry to take to someone soo quickly. It made her hopeful, that he really had found someone, found his soulmate. But she was a mother and couldn't help worry over him, no matter how old or huge her boys got they were just that. Her boys. And she will always feel the need to look after them.

"Henry please don't get angry, I didn't mean to upset you but... I worry" she said slowly trying to calm him before he got himself into a tizzy. She could see much more then he wanted her too. And right now he was anxious, probably questioning himself over this woman and the way he was approaching her. She could only hope her son was right and had covered his ass and that this woman was as understanding as he said. Otherwise henry was about to get a wakeup call like never before. It wasn't everyday a well known actor fakes a dating profile. It'd be a media shitstorm that he may not recover from.

"I.. sorry I didn't mean to- y/n isn't like that I... I just know alright she isn't after anything" henry apologized smoothing back his hair taking a huge breath and leant back once more relaxing.

"So why don't you tell us a little more about her son? You've been speaking for a week so must know a little more then her name and were she lives?" she said moving on wanting to coax more information about the woman.

"Well she has her own successful business that caters to dogs, walking, grooming and rehoming and is a kc registered breeder. Shes thirty years old and... Absolutely stunning- and no she hasn't filtered any photos either...wait here! See?! Isn't she beautiful?" Henry gushed quickly bringing up your profile picture he had saved on his phone and holding the phone to the camera. He heard a few compliments but could still see the worry in his family. He understood but he just new. He new that you were real, that you were honest and everything you said you were. You were blunt and didn't have time for games, you said life's too short for that crap. And he agreed.

"You have a photo saved already?" henry faltered at the question that had followed a round of compliments and quickly pulled his phone back flushing embarrassed he hadn't even thought of how that would look

"I.. w-well yeah... I'm gonna ask for her number soon and want a photo for my phone... We decided to stick to messaging for a while first and" he tried desperately to dig himself out of the hole he'd just unceremoniously swan dived into. But his brothers burst into laughter making whipping motions making him flush and shrink further. They were definetly going to busting his balls for this. But with a quick shake of his head he continued to gush about you wanting to side step this whole premature photo saving incident.

"she doesn't have Instagram or snapchat... she's just... I can't explain it she's just funny and sweet and genuine... I really like her.. I could easily fall for her" silence reigned after his admission and everyone saw just how serious and devoted henry was to trying to make this relationship work. His mum nodded with a smile, this was just a watch and wait scenario. This woman would either make or break her son, and all she could do was hope to god it was the former.

"Okay then love. I'm happy for you henry just be careful okay?" she finally drew the curtain on the subject and everyone sighed in relief.

"I will, I promise but you have nothing to worry about, I just wanted to let you guys know that i might have someone for you to meet in a few months" henry said eagerly, like a small boy waiting on Christmas eve. He was full of life and enthusiasm. It was nice to see this side to him again, she'd dare say he was well on his way to being loved up! Smitten.

"And we look forward to it henry, but take your time. There's no rush just enjoy yourself" one of his brothers spoke up jumping in on the conversation wanting to make it clear they all had his back whether this ended good or bad. For now they were happy for him.

"I will, we decided were wont meet for a while and just see how things go for the time being but... I have a good feeling, she's everything I've been looking for I'm really excited" henry preened trying to pace himself, he didn't need to be daydreaming in a family face time. Luckily he was pulled from the edge of his own fantasies by another question.

"You said she had a company?"

"Yeah here I'll send you the link its called Puptown! She's actually handled Kal a few times, I send him there for his nails and teeth" henry said quickly sending the link to his brother. He wasn't stupid they were going to look you up, they were worried. He might aswell sent them the link. There was a tiny bio on there of you- the owner on the staff page that had all the staffs qualifications and roles on there.

You moved through the groom room Amii was curled up under your desk fast asleep as you began taking a stock list. Recently you'd been getting more and more white dogs in for their groom so needed to top up on the bright white shampoo and it was tick season soon so had to double check you had all the tick removal forceps, and ear powder- lots of ear powder the poodle clients had doubled over lock down after all the new puppies bought in lockdown. Every dog deserves a professional groom. But poodles needed them.

"hey boss! You doing another check?" Mandy called as she hoisted a tiny black poem into the bath. Bella a regular and very few people could actually groom her out of the five staff only two of you dared to try. And you didn't blame them this dog was a tiny savage, but the trick was not to show fear.  

"yeah, trying to prepare for summer already, you know i think this will be our busiest yet especially with lord whiskey." you muttered nibbling the pen and moving a few bottles about. Flea treatment and some dry skin conditioner were quickly added to your growing list.

"lord whiskey?" Mandy asked louder over the sound of the shower instantly Bella began snarling like the hell demon she was. On walks and about the place she was a little soppy loving lap pup, but when it came to bath time? Different dog. You cant help thinking she had a bad experiance before she came here. You sighed and placed the pad and pen down standing along side the bathe and began petting the tiny dog.

"yeah they are the vet clinic for lower incomes... They want to set up a new clinic and have reached out" you explained you had to admit the request came out of the blue and you hadn't had chance to tell everyone yet. The staff meeting was on Friday.

"that would be good!" she said slowly wetting the snarling prom that was trying her absolute hardest to frighten you both off. But alas she was no great wolf, but a teeny cute little raging fluff nugget, and to her utter dispair neither you or Mandy found her scary at all. Even if she was trying to foam at the mouth.

"yeah that's what I thought, having a vet on site... We're still talking but if everything goes acording to plane we will have the mobile vet out front while setting up the small clinic... I was thinking in the old groom rooms? They had water and electricity already and its a littl out of the way so the unwell puppets can be separate from the healthy customers" you shrugged moving around Mandy to help tend to your most vocal customer.

"so business will be booming?" Mandy said moving to rinse underneath the small feral beast. You giggled and stood Bella on her back legs as she seethed but in between her savagery she was actually licking at you, showing a hint of the sweet girl she really was. You pet her praising her promising chicken treats and snuggles afterwards. You might even pop Amii in with the others in the small day care pen. Bella liked laying on her using the huge dog as a fluffy bed.

"yes hopefully, i mean were not taking anything for them, they are a charity but hopefully we will get a few visits in the shop? And the more people know about us the more likely they are to use us!" you said you had been weighing up the pros and cons about the new venture. More people visiting the premises, more footfall in the shop and hopefully you can draw enough people to have a little pet café. Your business was right on the edge of the huge woodland park you'd always wanted a small café that serves both animals and people you want a little empire to become a franchise company and give the little guys a chance.

"And how about you? Any luck on the online dating front?" she asked with a small smile. You sighed you half regretted telling her about it. Mandy has been with you since the beginning, she was your first employee and most trusted freind. And she has been hounding you about your love life for a while now. She wants you to take a step back from Puptown and find some time for yourself, and now that the business was established and ticking over nicely it was the time to do it.

"Ooo! Oh my god your blushing!? Bitch spill!" she squealed excited as you flushed and looked away not answering her. And by doing so answering her at the same time.

"I'm talking to someone~ Hank.. He is... Funny and charming we've been chatting each night for about a week" you revealed quietly making her beam at you. Thankfully Bella chose that moment to make a mad dive over your shoulder but you managed to catch her and pop her back into the tub.

"ooo yes get in girl, you have been pouring too much into this company! Its about damn time you focused on yourself" sandy began as she washed Bella lathering the pup with a rather expensive de-sheading anti tangle shampoo.

"Please don't start, I'm doing it now and that's what matters. He is... He messaged me first and things are going good and that's where I'm going to leave it okay? I will update you as we go... I promise" you said releasing the now wet pup as Mandy began rinsing her down. You stepped back to the shelves full of half empty bottles of product. needing to change the topic to avoid daydreaming and fucking up your orders. As great as the wholesaler was this was still expensive stuff and you didn't want to unbalance the books and get more then you needed.

"Oh Bella?~ baby girl its so bad isn't it? Being brushed and washed and massaged? Then getting yourself a blow out and having a nap in the nice cosy play room?" you called over your shoulder condescendingly at the pup who was still snarling out her displeasure. She really was a little brat in the bath.

Another week passed and you were lazing around the house having a duvet day, snuggled in bed with Amii on your lap. Normally your days off were all housework and finalizing orders or paper work but this week was different. With lord whiskey agreeing to taking the old groom room you decided to finally get an extra set of hands in management to take care of paperwork. It was strange at first but worth it. You now hade someone else to rely on, not that you didn't have managers to help out before but now you had a full time employee that's whole role was to take care of the business side and alleviate the pressure. So instead of the normal made rushes and mountain of paperwork you were in bed chatting away with henry.

He had just finished his work out and was relaxing, having a cool down before having yet another painfully boring sounding meeting with his own bosses. You sympathised. Practical work was the bomb! But the theory and paperwork kicked everyones asses. Risk assessments can eat shit! I'm a person and can asses the risk and decided to do it, why answer to a tick box system? But then again everything needed a tick in a box nowadays. You shuffled about grunting as Amii played dead on your lap so you couldn't move her from the comfy slump she was in over your thighs pinning you down.

'Soo you said you game?'  was the message that changed the subject, thankfully choosing to move on from speaking about work.

'God yes, when I can'

'What do you play? Sims and stuff?'

'depends if I'm on pc or xbox I'm more into fantasy and historic rpgs, but if I'm on my switch its little farming sims sometimes I branch out to things like shooters but not often, I like the big immersive fantasies!'

'So you really do mix and match are you playing anything atm?'

'I'm doing a re-run of skyrim with a load of mods just to spice things up. And just restarted Witcher wild hunt again'

'You like Witcher?'

'I adore it, Witcher skyrim and dragon age are my all time favourites, do you? Sorry I realise I'm just takeing over, I just get excited, I never really talk about this stuff 😅😅'

'No, no its fine I'm the same, I never really get to geek out anymore with work and stuff. I'm happy to have the chance, and I do love the Witcher too fantasy is my thing😄' henry paused for a moment. Should he? I mean you just said you were replaying it... Would it be big headed? To ask what you thought of the show? Of his performance... I mean it'd be an unbiased view, you wasn't going to try and butter him up you still didn't know it was him.

'So you've watched the show on Netflix I presume?' he typed and pressed send quickly before he lost his nerve.

'Absolutly, I binge watched it a few times.😅'

'You liked it? I know a few people didn't' henry couldn't help but dig a little deeper, he desperately wanted you to have enjoyed it.

'I loved it, but I think it was easier for me to watch bc I new what was roughly going on before hand. Most people that struggled thought it was going to be an easy watch? Like got'

'Oh come on, there must be something you didn't like?🤔🤔'

'😞okay you got me, I was a tad disappointed with geralts eyes you can do the toxic eyes and cat eye potion at least give me a teeny cat eye just a smidge🤏🥺'

'Yes I see what you mean, their could have been a little frame of it but there are always sacrifices when going from books to the big screen 😅'

'But henry's portrayal more then made up for it! That man was on point! I was so happy when they anounced it was him playing Geralt there was no way he was going to fuck it up!' henry stopped breathing. You liked it? You actually like him playing Geralt? His heart swelled and he laughed out loud for some reason you enjoying his work just... It meant the world to him! He was over the moon. Quickly his attention was drawn to his tablet again as another message pinged on screen.

'And I have a little fan theory over the whole eye issue😏'

'Hit me with it I'm all ears'

'Geralt has complete control of his eyes right? And is a softy deep down so my idea was he is always holding his pupils open so he doesn't scare anyone'

'🧐that is brilliant! It makes so much sense! 🥰🥰 its also nice to know I have a little conspiracy fangirl on my hands😁'  henry frowned heart clenching as you went quiet, he waited and waited minuets seemed like hours. His mind immediately jump to conclusions terrified you had caught him, that you'd figured out just who you were speaking to. Sweat formed on his brow as he frowned praying he hadn't got a little to close to home and given himself away. Then the dots appeared. You were typing.

'So I was wondering I know we agreed not to at first but since we've chatting every night I thought we could maybe exchange numbers? Only if you want to! No pressure. I'm just excited' henry slumped, melting into his seat. Thank fuck for that! His relief quickly became excitement at the prospect of hearing you! Actually speaking to you properly having an actual phone call? Fuck yes!

'😊😊I was actually trying to find the time to mention it myself, i know its only been three weeks but it feels much longer.'

'Omg thank god! I thought you would think i was rushing you😅here xxx xxxx xxxx' henry was quick to pull out his phone and type the number in, not wasting any time in creating your contact info into his phone book. And whislt doing that also replied to you putting you at ease.

'No not at all, I'm excited I cant wait to hear you🥰'

'Oh god don't build your hopes to high I don't have the most attractive voice it may be the deal breaker😅'

'I doubt that anything could put me off you love, your gorgeous, smart, funny, kind everything I could of dreamed of and soo much more'

'I'm glad its not only me Hank, I have to say I was frightened by how quickly we have become friends, but I suppose it makes sense we are two peas in a pod' henry grinned reading the message and nodded to himself pressing the small green call button and held the phone to his ear feeling confident as he re-read your last message.

You hummed nibbling your lip, chewing it nervously after giving out your number. You couldn't help your mind dredging up all the horror stories of Ted bundy-esque creepy ass psycho killers, luring in prey on the internet... Fuck you were a bigger girl so easy to sweet talk. You whined and snuggled into the massive furry lump on your lap, lacing your fingers into the dogs thick fur. Petting her as your over active imagination conjured scenario's that could end up with you in a eight foot hole in someone's basement ,being told to 'put the lotion in the basket'. Jesus Christ. But it was fine right? He wasn't weirded out or anything? He seemed happy. You were sensible, or at least you thought you were.

You yipped at your phone suddenly vibrated in your hand, you almost threw it across the room. The screen lit up with 'unknown number' you swallowed eyeing the device then nodded answering the call heart beat thundering in your chest your breath picked up you made to speak but couldn't quite make sounds, unable to force the words to roll off your tongue. There was a deep chuckle, gorgeas and rumbling even if it was quiet.

"You have no reason to be frightened darling I'm just as eager to move on" you gasped as the thick voice spoke in slow syllables, calling you by the nick name he had taken to calling you. You'd asked a few girls at work about it, worried things were going to fast. But they had calmed you down saying it was his way of avoiding being freind zoned. You had to admit the cute little names always made you grin and blush, but this? God this was better then anything! His low timber and slightly more eloquent accent uttering the name sent a shiver up your spine.

A surprizing reaction in all honesty, you'd never really thought about voices much, never had a voice kink or really thought anyone could have an attractive voice. Well not a real voice anyway, sometimes characters on tv with low raspy voices got you going Geralt and Alcide to name a few. He almost sounded like the former if you thought about it... Just more refined? A regal soft lilt.  It was definetly a voice you could listen to all day, this man could read you a bloody take away menu and you wouldn't even gruff at the extortionate prices. You wet your lips and dug your fingers into the warm dog in your lap breathing deep, filling your lungs with air trying to ease yourself and draw in some courage.

"O-oh your? Really there? Really.. real?" you stuttered slowly. You chided yourself for sounding so silly, so childish. But you couldn't help it you felt completely unprepared. Which irritated you because it was you who'd offered your number, what were you expecting him to do with it? Use carrier pigeon? Of course he was going to call you.

"I'm most definitely real love" he spoke again with a small chuckle, he was clearly amused by your flustered question. You blushed and squirmed on your seat trying to breath quietly, you didn't want him to hear just how on edge you were.

"Oh gosh that's.. wow I cant even, I don't know what to say" you huffed trying to think of something- anything else you could focus on rather then the absolute sex that was his voice, then he spoke once more

"Now, now don't be shy love, I want to hear you, your voice is just as I thought it'd be" henry tried encouraging you wanting to hear you and revel in your sweet voice, wanting to commit it to memory.

"Oh? And what's that then?" you asked trying to be playfull but in all honesty you wasn't hitting the mark, you were to nervous. You'd never really thought about your voice, was it attractive? Or too high? Deep? I mean you were normal, you spoke normal and if anything sounded common.

"Pure and delicate, playful and charming all in one just like the woman it belongs to" henry's breathing hitched as you giggled. The sweet tinkling laugher warmed his heart and made him huff out a chuckle himself. He was so happy he could have cried. It was just so overwhelming to hear you finally, to put a voice to the amazing woman he was slowly falling inlove with. He sometimes grew wary thinking you were too good to be true, that you were a catfish yourself. But here and now he knew. You were as real as him and all it did was solidify his resolve, he was doing the right thing. He was falling for a genuine woman. A real woman with no strings attached, and with any luck you were feeling the same.

"well I think I just found my mans flaw~" you giggled once more blushing under the weight of all the compliments. He was really smooth, smoother then you'd thought and that was saying something.

"really darling? Care to enlighten me?" he quipped playfully you usual banter and teasing between you both flowing just as effortlessly as it had when messaging each other.

"your clearly deaf! Well have no fear, i will talk a little louder and learn some sign language for you~" you laughed out loud he joined you low echoing chuckles that sounded as if they came from a deep wide chest. It was enough to drive you mad with lust, but that may be the new found voice kink brewing.

"well its nice to know you are so committed to your man and his disability love" suddenly you froze and trembled panic and anxiety washed over you clogging  your wind pipe at his words... Fuck!

"oh god- no I? Your not really deaf are you? I'm sorry I didn't mean to make fun-" you began apologizing not quite picking up on his sarcasm. Henry was quick to cut you off and stop your guilty rambling.

"No love I'm not deaf I was just pulling your leg" his voice was strained as if he was trying not to laugh at you, but you couldn't really say anything. You were the one nervously crack jokes then immediately trying to take them back. Stumbling your wat through the very first real conversation with a man you were crushing on. God you were such a dweeb!

"oh Jesus you scared the crap out of me" you heaved a sigh wanting to bury yourself into the covers and hide despite knowing he couldn't see your glowing face.

"I apologize darling, I have only the purest of intentions... Well maybe not that pure~ but I don't want to scare you" he grinned when you gasped at his little flirtatious comment. And he wasn't kidding, he found you incredibly attractive and wanted to do all manner of very filthy things with you. It didn't help when you were sending him photos of you drenched nipples hard and drawing him in like a moth to a flame. You probably hadn't even noticed that and he was thankfull for it because you wouldn't have sent it otherwise. It was his favourite photo, apparantly it had been a husky escape from the bath as you switched his lead to another hook.

"your fine, I'm just a little nervous is all" you huffed finally somehow managing to sort yourself out and think clearly overcoming your excitement and nerves.

"I understand but just remember its just me love. So have anything else planned for today?" henry hummed sweetly before giving you a chance to change the topic, you'd never know it was because he was barely holding himself together. He was almost bursting at the seams wanted to laugh and cry and shout all at once. He was completely overwhelmed with joy and relief and wanted to listen to you as much as he possibly could.

Both you and henry then began the nightly ritual of phone calls and texted all day. He even had a new nick name. Puppy. And he couldn't be more thrilled you'd said it was because he made tiny cute puppy whines when you teased him. But he didn't care, he would happily be your puppy anyday!

The weeks became one month, then two and before you knew it you were one week shy of three months. And that was when it happened. Those fateful words left his mouth as he spoke to you just before bed. He had asked to meet, he was certain and confident he wanted to meet you and take this further, and he hadn't really planned to ask it just happened.

"So your really letting lord whiskey in your old groom space? That's incredible, I'm so proud of you for letting them in love. It says volumes for you and your business, that its not all profit driven" henry spoke down the phone as he stirred his tea getting ready to go up to bed.

"I mean it just seems right... No matter the income everyone should be able to get medical care for their animals. And I'd be lying if I didn't hope some people will come into the shop or realise that we are here and come back for our facilities." he smiled at that. You wasn't just trying to make a great profitable business, you cared and wanted to give everyone a reasonably priced alternative to pooch care. And he was right behind you, he loved that you were trying to give owners the chance to spoil their fur babies without breaking the bank. In slashing your prices you'd attracted more customers and been making a great profit, so much so that you could afford to just give away your old groom rooms to the charity for free.

"shop? You have a shop?" he pondered padding about the kitchen giving Kal his nightly biscuit treat and motioned for him to take it upstairs. Which he didn't need to do, Kal new the jig and was already carrying the treat to the stairs.

"yeah it opened last year? The year before maybe? Its small but here with food and treats a few toys and leads... I try to use smaller businesses the brands that you wont see in the bigger shops" you said slowly and he heard a small yawn and rustle of paper. You had said you were packing up and heading to bed for the night soon.

"I may have to pop over with the bear~" he teased coyly humming to himself as he sipped his tea.

"pop over? I.. Well you could I suppose?" you hummed quietly, henrys eyes almost popped out of his head were you inviting him to ask you out? He coughed quickly trying not to choke on the mouthful of tea and then rocked his head from side to side. I mean he could come over and see you.

"I'm only ten minuet's away darling, Kensington... I've actually used your grooming service once or twice getting the bears nails and teeth done"

"oh?! I didn't know that." you said trying to picture the owners of the akita you saw, but honestly? You had soo many customers now it was hard remembering everyone, that and you wasn't really front of house now, you had more and more to deal with back of house, even with the new manager.

"well you do now sweetheart... So? Do you want to meet up tomorrow?" he asked placing his tea down in favour of crossing his fingers hoping he had read your signals right.

"Yeah of course I'm covering for walking duty tomorrow... So I can't really do anything in the morning or early afternoon" henry fist pumped and grinned faking a silent shout of victory as he managed to wrangle a date.

"That's fantastic actually... I could meet you in the park? I'll bring the bear with me and we could walk the dogs and grab a coffee or something?" he said somehow managing to quell his excitement enough to arrange the date properly, placeing a hand on his heart as it beat wildly. The realisation that he could see you- meet you face to face!

"Yeah that sounds like a brilliant idea, will noon be alright? That's when we do a switch over and go back to feed the dogs in day care so I'll have an hour lunch break" you said stuttering a little when it began to sink in that this was happening!

"Its a date I will see you tomorrow at noon love" Henry anounced eagerly suddenly tomorrow couldn't come soon enough!

"See you then puppy, good night sweet dreams" you said needing to hang up and squeal into a pillow or something.

"sweet dreams love" as soon as he hung up he was already scrolling his phone selecting the number he was after and called in a tizzy.

"Piers?! Piers! I'm? Oh god- were meeting tomorrow and fuck- I'm freaking out already! What do I say? What should I wear- kal's coming too do I put his halti on or just his collar- fuck I don't know what to do!? Please help!" he yelped down the phone to the unsuspecting man drawing a deep sigh from him before he began talking him down.

[enchantedblackrose]

Safe Again

Not my image. Google image search

Pairing: Antonio/Fem Reader

Requested @fabyoliveira1999

Summary: Y/n is kidnapped when an undercover assignment goes wrong

¡Warnings: Swearing, mentions of blood, allusions of sexual assault, potential police brutality? All very in line with the show

A/n 1: this is a work of fiction. The gang and names used are completely made up and not meant to reflect any real persons. Thank you.

2: Part 2 will be a fluff drabble

Safe Again

A darkness overcomes you as you slip out of consciousness. The steady beeping of the machines around you are now frantic, their shrill sound piercing the ears of everyone around. 

Antonio yells out your name as hospital staff force him from your room. It isn't until Hank and Kevin pull him by his shoulders does he fully retreat. He sees a familiar face in the hallway and remembers a conversation he's been meaning to have.

"Halstead!" Antonio's voice shakes in anger. He stands face to face with the younger detective. His finger accusingly pointing.

"How the hell did this happen in the first place, man? You were supposed to have her back!"

Jay's voice was quiet. "I know." He drops his head in hands. "I'm so sorry, man. I should've pulled us out of there."

"You were supposed to watch her."  Antonio strains to speak, his tone is much softer this time as he fights back the tears threatening to spill. Wordlessly, he claps Jay's shoulder, giving it an affectionate and apologetic squeeze. None of this is Jay's fault. Antonio knows this and instantly regretted taking his emotions out on his colleague.

-72 hours prior-

You're sitting in the bullpen, having just been assigned to go undercover with your partner acting as your boyfriend. The idea being that the two of you would infiltrate the known drug gang the Scorpions as potential buyers and dealers for the more upscale neighborhoods the leader, Sammy, was trying to reach.

Your actual boyfriend is the first to speak. "Oh hell no. You're not doing this," Antonio tells you, earning a hard stare from you in return. "She's not doing this," he shifts his attention to Voight. "These...thugs are ruthless. They're killers."

Hank's eyebrow shoots up, wordlessly questioning Antonio. "Watch yourself there. Last I checked this was my unit. I give the orders."

"Sarge, if I may," you interrupt. "I'm willing to do this. I've successfully gone undercover before and I've gone alone," you remind not only your sergeant, but your boyfriend. "I want to do this." Your eyes fall to Antonio momentarily before looking back to Hank.

"Do whatever you need to prepare," he orders. You nod, reaching for your cell phone. Hank turns around and heads into his office. Antonio is hot on his heels, letting the door slam shut behind him after giving you a displeased look.

You huff an angry sigh. From his desk, Jay offers a sympathetic smile. "He's coming from a good place, y/n," he reminds you. "He's just scared. He knows you're more than capable of handling yourself out there."

Appreciating Jay's words, you nod your gratitude and make the call to set up this meeting.

//

You are fuming the entire walk up the stairs to your apartment. Antonio follows closely behind. You wait until the door closes completely before angrily spinning back in your heel to glare at him.

"Do you have any idea how demeaning and humiliating it is to not only have my boyfriend, but a superior colleague to react that way in front of my sergeant? Our sergeant? This is important, Antonio! And I'm not some rookie. I've done this before! You have no right-"

"You're right," his voice is calm and not at all what you expected to hear. "And I'm sorry, mi amor. I made sure to tell Voight before we left that I support you doing this and promised to not let my feelings compromise this case."

"Oh." You feel your anger start to dissipate. "In that case…can you order dinner, please? I'm going to take a quick shower." You stand on your tiptoes, pecking his lips softly with yours before heading to the bathroom.

//

Today was the day you and Jay, or rather your aliases Roxie and Ray (you relentlessly teased Jay about his lack of creativity), were meeting Sammy, having already built a rapport with some of the other members lower in the chain of command. If it went well, today should be the day you make the bust. Both of you step into the garage to meet the team and go over plans one last time. You're in a body flattering dress hitting right above your knees, Jay in a suit sans necktie.Your friends whoop and catcall  Part of your personas was playing a bored, wealthy, money-motivated couple and you had to look, not just act, the part. As Antonio approaches, Jay excuses himself saying he'll be in the car waiting whenever you're ready. Antonio's voice is quiet. "There's still time. Don't do this."

"I thought you supported me."

"I did...I do! I just can't let you-"

"Let me?" You yell, earning the unwanted attention of those nearby. You shake your head, hurt and disappointment shine in y/e/c eyes.  You walk away without another word, getting into the passenger side of the car

//

You reach the autobody garage the Scorpions use as a front. Immediately they pat you both down by a few members you've met during the time undercover. You're positive your inspection is more thorough as he squeezes your one ass cheek.

"Hey man," Jay shouts seeing you get groped.

"It's alright, babe," you wink. "Rico's only appreciating a good thing when he sees it." Rico smirks before declaring, "They're both clean."

Sammy, and another man you recognize from case files, Nic enter. "What's this? Who did you bring me?"

"These chumps are gonna be your new sellers."

Sammy's eyes hone in on you. You hold his gaze. "Hell naw," Nic says. "They brought you cops."

"Oh, please," you say, rolling your eyes. "With this face and ass-he knows, he felt it," you point to Rico, "I'm too fine to be a cop." You flash a cheeky smile.

"Bitch, shut up!" The back of his hand connects with your right cheek. The stinging causes your eyes to water. Beside you, Jay flinches; it's hard from him not to react.

'Listen man, I don't know what you think is going on. We just-"

"You can shut up, too." 

You hear the unmistakable sound of a gun cocking, turning to see it pointed at Jay. Sammy gives a nod to one of the others. 

"Look out," you try to warn Jay, but it's too late. The butt of a gun hits Jay in the temple and he gets kicked at the back of his knee until he falls to the ground. His head hits the cement flooring hard. You don't understand why the team hasn't busted in yet.

Nic's gaze is on you. "You testified at Dierk's hearing." His fist swings and it makes contact with your jaw. It's enough to make you sway but you remain on your feet. "He was my cousin you, stupid bitch. Get her in the car. Leave him."

As you're forced into a black SUV, you manage to choke out a weak,"Jay, " your stained voice sounding unrecognizable to your own ears.

//

The equipment they sent you in with was faulty. Voight was furious as was Antonio. They whole worked diligently to get video or audio, anything to keep tabs on you and Jay. It's not until the SUV, with you unbeknownst to them inside, peels out, that the whole team moves in and finds Jay bleeding and unconscious on the floor. Kevin reaches him first. "He's alive!" he shouts to the others. Adam radios for an ambo before he and the others continue to clear the building. Kevin gently shakes Jay awake. He groans, hands instantly reaching the side of his head. He makes to stand.

"Easy there, brother," Kevin warns. Jay lets Kevin help him to his feet. "We've got a bus on the way."

Jay nods, "I'm fine. Where's y/n?"

"She's not here. No one is," Hank answers as the rest of the team draw near Jay. Jay's stomach plummets as he realizes they've taken you, his partner.

"Son of a bitch!" Antonio yells, kicking an oil drum.

"We work fast to get y/l/n back," Hank declares. "Check for surveillance, witnesses. We find that SUV and we find y/n. Alive

 Any means necessary.  Let's move." The team disperses and his hand clasps Jay's shoulder. "You get checked out by medics first." Jay opens his mouth to argue, but shuts it quickly. He nods his compliance. Hank and Antonio follow him to the ambulance that's just arrived.

"Hey boss," Jay speaks, with a tentative glance to Antonio. "This went south when Nic recognized y/n as the detective who testified against his cousin. Hank pursed his lips, but even in his anger, the color drains from Antonio.

"Voight," Antonio's voice almost cracks.

"We'll get her back."

//

Bloodied and bruised, you're alive with very little clue as to where you are. Your survival skills kick in.

You take note of your surroundings. You think you're in an unfinished basement of a residence. Definitely a lower floor as you remember being tossed down a flight of stairs. Your hands are bound behind your back and tied to a support beam. The door to upstairs is locked and even if it wasn't, based on all the noise coming from the floors above you'd never make it out undetected. 

The door opens and heavy footsteps make their way towards you. Nic comes into your line of vision.

You try reasoning with him, "As far as I'm concerned, nothing's been done that can't be undone. You just gotta let me go."

"You don't get it, do you? Maybe this will clear things up for you." He draws his gun, pressing it into the middle of your forehead 

"But first I'm gonna fuck you real hard." His face inches from yours. Nic pulls the gun away. His stale, hot breath reeking as he stands too near. You couldn't help but scoff before you throw your head into his, headbutting him with all the might you could.

He cries out in agony.

"Stupid bitch." He backhands you. Then grabs you by the chin. His furious eyes never leave you and a rough hand claws at the skirt of your dress. You feel cold metal pressed against your thigh. "First, I'm gonna fuck that tight pussy with my gun inside you then-"

"Why?" You smirk. "Afraid you won't be able to get it up?" So much for those survival instincts. Anger flickers across his face. His free hand makes a fist. You dodge his swing and he instead makes contact with the pole. This enrages him more. Hastily Nic puts the gun back in his pants. Both his hands wrap themselves around your neck.

//

14 hours have gone by. That's how long it's been since Antonio's last seen you. He's hurt and getting desperate. With less than two hours of sleep (Antonio only went home after Voight said he wouldn't be any help without some rest), he was out trying to find any witnesses, checking traffic cams, and placing calls to all his CIs in hope that any of them might be able to give a lead. When one of them started stringing him along, Antonio jacked the guy up against an outside brick wall near the precinct. That's when Kim found him. 

"We got something," she says in a hurry, fearing Antonio may do something he can't come back from.

The team picked up two Scorpion members and one is currently in the cage. 

"Five minutes, Hank. Just give me the key and five minutes alone with this guy," Antonio pleads to his sergeant. From the cage, the Scorpion chuckles. Antonio lunges causing the chain links of the cage to rattle. He appears more animalistic than human and the laughter does immediately. "Where is she, you bastard?" Hank looks at the guy, still refusing to talk, then he unlocks the door for Antonio.

"Are you crazy? You can't let him in here with me," he shrieks.

"Your boss has one of our own. And she just so happens to be his girlfriend, so you're crazy if you think I could really stop him if I wanted to," Hank answers before moving away from the door and heading upstairs. The door barely swings open before Antonio steps inside, knocking the guy to his ass with one punch. He picks him up by the shirt collar preparing another blow when Jay and Adam come flying down the stairs.

"Get outta here!" Antonio yells.

"We got an address. Atwater and Kim they picked up another member and he talked," Adam says breathlessly. Antonio hesitates.

"C'mon on man," says Jay, "He's not worth any more of your time. If y/n's there, let's go bring her home."

//

Hours have passed. How many you're unsure, but as they ticked by your hopes of being found or escaping  dwindled. Pain flows through your entire body. You sit on the cold, hard basement floor, unable to stand anymore. Nic had strangled you until you passed out. He never touched you like he promised and when you regained consciousness you were alone.

Shouts came from upstairs. You're unable to hear every word, but you catch enough to know they're talking about you.

"We need to move her now. We've kept her alive too long!" You hear footsteps and then the opening of the door. Nic appears before you, with a sinister grin. Your heart races as he nears. His eyes roam your body as he undoes his belt. He pulls you to your feet by your hair. A whimper escapes you and he laughs. Once again, his hands pull at the skirt of your dress. His hands travel along your thighs and ass squeezing both. His touch makes your skin crawl that you actually shudder. His fingers start to tug your underwear down when there's a commotion from upstairs.

"Freeze! Chicago PD."

"Drop the weapon!"

"On your knees! Face down." 

"I said drop it!"

Your heart flutters with hope, but then shots ring out and you have no idea who's firing or what's happening up there.

"Down here!" You yell. The basement door opens.

"Chicago PD!" Antonio and Jay's voices ring out.

"One male. He's got a gun," you warn. As they rush down the stairs, Nic pulls his gun on you.

"Drop your weapon!" Jay orders. His eyes perfectly fixated on the gun in Nic's hands. Antonio eyes you carefully and while seeing you bruised and a gun to your head isn't ideal, he's relieved to see you alive. Your colleagues' guns stay fixed on your offender. "You won't be told again. Drop. Your. Weapon." Your eyes lock with your boyfriend's beautiful brown ones and you nod ever so slightly. You slide down the pole as Nic moves towards you as if he was going to use you as a shield. Both Antonio and Jay fire their guns. Blood splatters onto you. Jay moves to check the body, but all you really notice is Antonio running to you  and it's honestly a beautiful sight.  "Baby, baby, baby. Hang on. I got you," he soothes, working quickly to free your hands of the zip ties. Your head falls into his chest. Really your whole body just collapses into him. Antonio holds you close, careful not to embrace you too hard, but his touch has never felt better. You sob uncontrollably as he begins to rock you.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," you repeat.

"Shh. You did nothing wrong, mi amor. Shh, now, baby. I got you. You're safe again."

//

Immediately you're taken to the hospital. Blood is drawn,xrays taken, exams given. You've sustained several injuries, but nothing critical. Mostly you're bruised and exhausted, so when the machines you're hooked up to start beeping erratically, Antonio is confused and scared again, clearly demonstrated by that outburst directed at Jay. 

He opens his mouth to apologize when Will Halstead exits your room. 

"You can go back in now," he says simply.

The intelligence team looks at him, confused.

"What the hell just happened?"

"Y/n wasn't breathing properly."

"What?"

Will puts his hands up. "No no. She's fine. She can breathe. She was sleeping and wasn't breathing deep enough for the machine to register it. I promise she's fine."

There's a collective sigh of relief from everyone.

Antonio coming back into your room is a most welcoming sight. There's so much to say, but your eyelids are heavy with sleep. Instead you take his hand in yours. Antonio's free hand lovingly caresses your face.A feeling of safety washes over you and you drift off into a peaceful dream.

[wolveria]

Inside Your Wires - Ch 6

Pairing: Human!Connor x Android!Reader

Series Warnings (18+ only): Eventual smut, slow burn, fantasy bigotry, violence, brief noncon elements, angst with a happy ending

Chapter summary: Connor gets his new assignment. He's not thrilled.

AO3

Story moodboard by @uh-kitty-got-wet​

Chapter 5 art by @semains​ (18+ only)

November 6th, 2038

Saturday 09:56AM

There was a time when Connor didn’t have to come in on Saturdays. He remembered the days when mandatory overtime was few and far between.

Not anymore. 2038 seemed to be the year shit just kept happening, and now that he thought about it, quite a few of it seemed to be because of androids. Ones gone missing. Disobeying orders. And now, homicidal.

Connor rubbed the bridge of his nose after putting his car into park, regretting how enthusiastically he’d hit the bottle last night. It wasn’t too bad this time, just an annoying throbbing behind his eyes, but it made it more difficult to see and he’d had to squint through his windshield.

Whatever. The reason for his shame-drinking was no longer relevant. Connor just had to survive until lunchtime, and if he were lucky, Hank would let him go early. He tried not to itch at the butterfly bandages on his cheek, applied himself after he’d woken up in a haze with blood on his pillow having completely forgotten the injury existed.

Connor kept his head down as he walked through the lobby of the station and through the security checkpoint to the bullpen proper. He tried not to be completely antisocial, however, and sent weak smiles at the coworkers who bothered to notice he was there.

Helen, Alexander, and Rupert all acknowledged him with various degrees of warmth, some colder than others, and all pretty much deserved. Ralph gave Connor a nervous smile from his chair, though it quickly faded as his eyes flickered to something across the room.

Frowning, he followed Ralph’s eye line across the bullpen and scowled when he spotted Colin leaning casually against Connor’s desk, talking to… someone. He couldn’t see who, Colin’s figure blocking them from view.

Against his better judgement, Connor drew closer, pressure building at the back of his neck, an uneasy feeling of dread that increased with each step.

“Con’s just gonna love this. But seriously, if he bitches about it too much, or gives you a hard time, you can always partner up with me. I won’t mind one bit, promise.”

Connor would have rolled his eyes at his brother’s typical cocksure demeanor, but instead, he went stock still at the familiar voice that answered.

“While the offer is appreciated, Lieutenant, my instructions stipulate that I must assist Detective Anderson with his new, specialized caseload. I’m sure you can understand that CyberLife only wishes to cooperate with the DPD and does not want to interfere with police procedure—“

“What the hell are you doing here?”

The YN800 model blinked and turned its head to meet Connor’s eye, its little blue light blinking for a moment before solidifying again.

It was sitting in Connor’s chair.

“It’s good to see you again, Detective,” it answered, chipper as ever as a fake smile graced its features.

Connor looked the prototype over, his nose crinkling at its appearance. The suit must have been brand new, there were no stains or bullet holes, and her—its hair was once again pinned upwards into a perfect knot.

He felt his insides churn at the near slip, at thinking for even a split second that this thing was a person. Shoving down the crude thoughts of the night before, Connor gave the order through gritted teeth.

“Get. Up.”

The prototype did as it was told, for once. It rose out of his chair, not even having the decency to look chagrined as it straightened its jacket of nonexistent wrinkles.

“I’m sorry, Detective, but I tried to call your phone and left you a message. It was not my intention to surprise you—“

“Oh, no, it’s never your intention to do anything, is it?” Connor snarled back. His headache was in full force now, and he swore he could see the bright lights of the station brighten in time with his heartbeat.

“Aw, c’mon!” Colin slapped him on the shoulder. “Be nice to the temp.”

“Temp?” Connor answered, voice pulled as taut as a wire.

“Yeah, you know. The temporary assistant. The new girl. The—“

He shoved Colin’s hand off his shoulder, leveling a glare at both of them. Colin merely shot him a shit-eating grin while the YN800 stood there, hands clasped behind its back at parade rest, polite and perfect as ever.

“Connor!”

All three of them turned toward the voice booming across the room.

“Get in here!”

Connor glared at the android, as if Hank’s shouting were its fault, which was probably the case.

He turned without a word and stalked to the captain’s office, shoulders hunched as his heart raced and his hands shook at his sides. He let the glass door fall shut behind him, but when he didn’t hear the whoosh of it close, he glanced over his shoulder to see the YN800 had followed him inside.

Great.

Connor stood in front of the desk with his arms crossed.

Hank sat down in his chair, pointedly looking at the chairs in front of his desk. Connor remained standing.

The older man glared, answering Connor’s attitude with a look and a heavy sigh.

“Bet you’re wondering what that’s about.” Hank jerked his chin over Connor’s shoulder. The prototype had taken a spot at the back of the office, observing politely with its hands clasped in front of its hips.

“Yeah, I am.” Connor was a little too cranky this morning to try a more diplomatic approach. “What the hell is it doing here?”

“I’ll get to that. First on the docket, I got a shit ton of android-related cases filling up our database every day and I’m at wit’s end.” Hank took a deep breath, bracing himself as he met Connor’s eye. “Which is why I’m assigning all of these cases to you.”

“You’re what?”

Connor stared at him, dumbfounded.

“You think that case last night was a one-off? We’ve got more android-related crimes rolling in, including assaults and homicides just as bad as the Ortiz case, and right now, you’re the one with the most experience.” Hank leaned his elbows on his desk as he leveled a formidable glare his way. “Is that going to be a problem, Connor?”

 “Yeah, it is a problem, Hank! Why the hell do I have to do this? What about Colin? He was with me at the crime scene and was there for the interrogation!” Connor shoved a finger at the glass wall to prove his point.

Hank’s jaw tightened. Connor had seen that behavior enough times to recognize how he was pushing his luck.

“CyberLife asked for you specifically.”

“What?” Connor blinked, dumbfounded once again, racking his brain but coming up empty. “Why?”

“The hell if I know!” Hank barked back, rising to his feet as he pointed a finger at Connor, “and frankly, I don’t give a damn. Colin’s got enough on his plate—“

“—and I don’t?” Connor interrupted, scowling. Hank sighed and rubbed a hand down his face, and Connor almost felt guilty for his outburst.

Almost.

“That’s not what I said.”

“But it’s what you implied.” He tried not to sound like a hurt child, but, well, that’s exactly what he sounded like.

“For fuck’s sake, Connor! There are more people that are gonna start dying from this!”

“Yeah, I know, but—“

Hank lifted his hand, palm forward, effectively shutting Connor up.

“You saw what one of those deviants was capable of last night, and that was with three of you and another android trying to get it under control! You think the average person stands a chance against one of these fucks? That a little ol’ grandma can defend herself against the murderous robot gardener coming at her with a pair of shears? What the hell happens when a nanny bot decides to take a human kid for itself? Oh, wait, that’s already happened, and you would know that if you checked the goddamn case files I sent you!”

Connor was silent as Hank deflated. The older man leaned back against his desk as he looked through his glass wall out over the bullpen. His voice was rough but much quieter for the next round.

“We’re totally in the dark, Connor. We don’t know how bad this is gonna get and how many androids we’re dealing with. This has the potential to turn into a fucking nightmare with Detroit as ground zero.” Hank’s gaze drifted over Connor’s shoulder to the elephant, or the machine, in the room. “CyberLife was gracious enough to send us a state-of-the-art prototype until this issue is contained. It’s gonna be your partner until such a time that these androids are no longer a threat, and then you’re free to go back to being a misanthropic son-of-a-bitch as much as you like.”

Connor was thoroughly shamed by the end of Hank’s speech, that old familiar feeling of disappointment making his gut roil with nausea, but his anger hadn’t entirely flagged. He clenched his hands tightly to his thighs, fingers desperate for either his coin or his cigarettes.

Connor hadn’t felt the need for one in months. This was bad.

“Hank,” he tried again, his voice soft and pleading in that way he knew Hank couldn’t ignore. “I’m not saying this just to be a pain in your ass. I understand the stakes, but I genuinely believe I’m not qualified for these types of cases. I’m not a CyberLife technician, or an AI specialist, or a computer engineer. I’ve never even owned an android.”

That last one was technically true but only in the barest sense, and Hank gave him a knowing look. It wasn’t without sympathy, and his own answer was given with more kindness than he probably deserved.

“I know, Connor. I also know you’re the sharpest pair of eyes on the force, not to mention the quickest brain and the best instinct. You see shit other people don’t, even Colin, and you’ve got this creepy knack for taking one look at a person and knowing what makes ‘em tick. I’d say you’re almost like an android yourself, but I know how much that’d piss you off.”

Connor gave him another narrow-eyed scowl, and Hank immediately put up his hands as a sign of surrender even as a smirk played on his lips.

“My point is, I need you on this, son. I know it’s not ideal, hell, it downright sucks, but I know you can do this. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t.”

And there it was. As effective as Connor’s pleading expressions could be, they were nothing in comparison to his need for Hank’s praise. The old geezer knew it, too.

And throwing a “son” into the mix was a goddamn dirty move, but Connor couldn’t even muster up annoyance. He just sighed, gave Hank the smallest hint of a smile, and said, “All right. But only until these cases are solved. Once the deviancy issue is addressed, the prototype is going back to CyberLife and you never give me an android case again.”

“I’ll pay for the postage to ship it back myself,” Hank said, smile wide and pleased as he patted Connor on the shoulder before returning to his desk. “And I want daily reports on the progress you and your new partner are making. Gotta make sure CyberLife’s best is pulling its weight.”

“I can assure you, Captain Anderson, I am worth every penny. And considering it took a small fortune to build me, I—“

“Yeah, yeah,” Hank interrupted the prototype, using that catchphrase that Connor and all of his brothers had picked up years ago. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

The android blinked almost comically before giving a slow nod. It then turned to face Connor, straightening its back at attention, and he rolled his eyes. He was still being handed the shit end of the stick, but he couldn’t deny that the cases were piling up and Hank really did need the extra help.

But why, out of all the androids in the world, did it have to be one like that.

Exhaling sharply through his nose, Connor turned and left Hank’s office, not waiting to see if the android would follow, knowing with a sinking feeling, it would.

Next Chapter

[winterscaptain]

permanent.

Aaron Hotchner x Fem!Reader a joyful future fic

a/n: just in case you missed it, i published a family tree for the hotchners! at this point, jack is married to bella and living in d.c. she’s a journalist for the washington division at the new york times and is generally pretty awesome. as always, lemme know what you think!

words: 3.1k warnings: language, hospital setting, canon-typical injury

summary: “write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble” - benjamin franklin. au!december 2035

masterlist | a joyful future masterlist | ajf faq | taglist | what do you want to see next?

“Come on, Soph! Go, baby, go!”

Your daughter is a vision. She streaks across the field, her green and yellow uniform almost melding with the grass as she keeps control of the ball. You can’t see her face too clearly, but you know she’s scanning the field with the same intensity you see in Aaron’s face beside you. 

Isaac plops down on the bench behind you, home from Los Angeles for winter break. “How’s she doing?” 

Aaron half-turns his head, keeping his eyes on the field. “Going for a hat trick - if she makes it, it’ll be her third this season.” 

“Excellent.” 

Caroline, down the field with her choir group, lounges happily between the legs of one of her friends, eating popcorn. When she sees you looking, she waves at you.

You wave back for a moment before your attention’s caught by a collective gasp and Aaron’s hand shoots to your forearm. You turn back to the field, but you missed it. 

Everyone’s moving and you don’t know why. 

With shocking agility for his age, Aaron all but leaps down the bleachers and onto the field. Your eyes search for Soph, but there are too many people on the field, all of a sudden. 

Caroline’s standing on the seat of the bleachers, her friends steadying her with their hands on her arms and ankles. 

There’s a hand, soft and scared on your shoulder. “Mom?”

You open your arms, and your nearly-grown son ducks under it, curling into you as you stand. “Do you want your earbuds?” 

You feel him nod and you pull them out of your bag. His trembling quiets a little after he fits them in his ears. 

There’s a clamber, and Caroline appears at your side. “What happened?” 

“I don’t know. I wasn’t watching.” 

She exhales, shaky and worried. “Where’s Dad?” 

“On the field.”

But where? 

You find Aaron, his salt-and-pepper hair stark in the autumn light. He’s talking to the referee, his brows low. 

You hear sirens. 

+++

“Oh, hey! What’s up, Mom?” 

You almost hate to ruin his mood. 

“Jack, honey, can you get down to the house at any point tonight?” 

You try not to grip the handle above the car door too tightly as Aaron races through the suburban streets, following the ambulance. Soph was definitely lucid when they loaded her up, but definitely in a lot of pain. 

“Ye - Yeah...Why?” 

“Soph’s headed to the ER - something happened on the soccer pitch today and her knee…” You shake your head. “I dunno. Her knee looks really bad.” 

“Fuck. Okay.” You hear him shuffle around and click his mouse - checking his schedule. “I can get down there after my last meeting at four - I’m headed there in a few minutes, but won’t be able to swing any earlier. I’d cancel it, but it’s literally SecDef and the Joint Chiefs and -” 

“That’s fine - I just need someone at the house with the kids until one of us can get back. Elliot’s at baseball practice until six and I’m not sure if -” 

“I’ll be there. I’ll get El and then I’ll swing by for Isaac and Caro if they’re still with y’all down there.” 

You glance over at Aaron and nod. He heaves a sigh of relief and mouths Thank you. 

“Thanks, Jack.” 

“Yeah. See you soon. Love you.” 

“Love you, too.”

+++

When you’re finally allowed in to see Sophia, her eyes are red and puffy with tears. Her right leg is braced and elevated at the knee. 

Her doctor explains the situation - dislocated knee and splintered patella with a torn meniscus and ACL. “This kind of traumatic knee injury poses a couple of issues…” 

He explains that the rehabilitation and surgery needs for both the ACL and meniscus are exceedingly different, and “It’s entirely possible Miss Sophia will experience permanent joint damage. However, we won’t know that until we have an orthopaedic surgeon look at it tomorrow.” 

“What about sports? Can I still play?” Soph tries to sit up farther, but Aaron’s arm shoots out, locking her against the bed across her shoulders. 

The doctor looks hesitant, and it’s all she needs to burst into tears again. Aaron moves, sitting on the side of the bed and wrapping her up in his arms. He looks over her head at you and your lower lip disappears into your mouth as you meet his gaze. 

You shift your attention to your other children sitting patiently behind you.

Caroline’s practically bit her nails to the quick - her hands looking more and more like her Aunt Emily’s as the moments pass. 

Isaac’s been sitting in the wide windowsill for the entire afternoon, his headphones on, staring out the window, his mouth tight and fingers tearing into the foam stress ball you keep in your purse. 

We’ll need another one of those. Or five.

 You get a phone call, and you step out. “Hey, Jack.” 

“Hey. Just got Elliot. We’re headed over to the hospital now. How’s she doing?” 

You sigh and press a hand to your forehead. 

“Oh, shit. That bad?” He asks. 

You don’t comment on his tell pickup. It’s in his blood, at this point. “Yeah. She’s definitely out for the rest of the season, and we’re looking at some long-term stuff, too.” 

“Fuck.” 

“Hey! I’m still here and she’s gonna kick your ass if you keep swearing in front of me, dude.” Elliot shouts from the back and it almost makes you smile. 

“I’m actually inclined to agree with you, Jack. We’ve got a dislocated and splintered patella in addition to a torn meniscus and ACL. It’s going to be a long rehab.” 

You hear a deep sigh into the bluetooth system in Jack’s car. “Well, I’ll stay here for the duration.” 

“No, no honey it’s alright. Your dad is home full-time and you’ve got a huge project reaching critical stages. Your room is all ready for you, but you really don’t have to hang around if you can’t manage the drive every day. And Bella -”

“Bells is looped in. She’s fine. She’s more than happy to tag out if we need to. Her deadlines are really loose right now what with the whole ‘nothing going on in Arlington’ thing this week. She’s heartbroken for Soph and wants to help where she can.” 

“Alright.” 

“Hey,” He huffs, sounding a lot like his dad. “I’ll let you go. I’ll text when I’m outside.” 

“Okay. Thanks, bud.” 

“Of course,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world. “Anytime.” 

+++

Sophia’s sleeping when Alice and Hank come to visit later in the evening. Aaron went home a couple hours after Jack, planning to tag out with you later so you could get some sleep in your own bed before work tomorrow. 

Alice immediately embraces you, all but falling into your lap as you hold her. She’s shaking.

“Is she okay?” 

You push her back, smoothing some wayward edges at her hairline. “She will be.” 

Alice’s dark eyes fill with tears, and you brush them off her cheeks as they fall. 

“She’ll need your help, though. It’s gonna be a long time before we figure out what’s permanent and what’s not.” 

Alice nods and retreats, sitting in the plastic chair by Soph’s side, folding her arms on the mattress and laying her head on them. “Hey, Sofa,” she whispers, though Soph can’t hear her. 

“I haven’t heard that one in a while,” you tell her. Sofa is a nickname Derek gave Sophia when she was little. No big meaning to it, but it stuck. 

You wouldn’t be surprised if she stayed there all night. 

Hank lingers by the door. In the shadow of the room, you could easily mistake him for Derek, but that concerned pull at the corners of his eyes screams Savannah. 

Eventually, he crosses the room and sits on the little lounger beside you. 

He takes your hand and you kiss his knuckles. “I bet this isn’t how you wanted to spend your winter break, huh?” 

A little laugh leaves him. “Maybe not, but little Miss Thing over here dragged me out the door before I could get two words in edgewise.” He gestures vaguely toward Alice and you actually smile. 

“Yeah. In my experience, Morgan women don’t fuck around.” 

“You got that right,” comes a voice from the doorway. It’s Savannah, fresh off her shift and still in her white coat and scrubs. She scours over Sophia’s charts and checks on her before sitting on your other side. 

“Do you want the bad news or the good-but-also-kind-of-bad news?” She asks, almost inaudible. You glance up at Soph but Savannah shakes her head. “She’s out - those pain meds will leave this entire visit a blur.” 

You sigh. “Fine. Hit me with the bad shit.” 

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” 

Savannah rests her elbows on her knees. “I’ve seen a knee injury like this exactly once before. No matter what you do, they can’t and don’t always heal right. She could need a mobility device permanently, even after she’s healed, and I can tell you now she won’t play again.” 

That’s okay. She’s okay. 

Better soccer goes than her life. 

Soccer is her life. 

You only know that Alice can hear everything when her shoulders start to shake. She doesn’t make any noise as she cries. She’s like her dad that way. Hank stands and places a hand between her shoulder blades, but says nothing. 

“Is that the worst of it?” 

Savannah nods. “Yeah.” She takes a breath. “The kinda good news is that she’ll be totally fine no matter what obstacles she may run into. She’s tough. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a Hotchner.”

She snorts. “Hell, I watched you bounce back from crazy life-threatening shit with a quip and a grin.” 

You raise your eyebrows and shrug. “I do what I can.” 

+++

Caroline curls into her father’s side, her double bed big enough to manage the both of them. It feels a lot like when she was little - she’d have nightmares or couldn’t fall asleep and Aaron would come and sit with her until her breath was even and slow.

“Dad?”

“Mhmm?”

“What’s Soph gonna do about college?” Caroline’s voice is small, nearly smothered in Aaron’s shirt. “She already has scouting offers and stuff.” 

“Yeah,” he says with a sigh. “I’m not sure. We’ll all have to figure it out together, won’t we?”

+++

Aaron steps into the room, closing the sliding glass door behind him. Alice, just as you predicted, snoozes next to Sophia, her head pillowed on her arms. Sophia’s upper body almost arcs around her and she managed to snag one of Alice’s hands in her adjustment. 

Those two…

Maybe he won’t escape the inevitable after all. 

Morgan-Hotchner? Hotchner-Morgan? 

He really only ever prepared to lose his name with Caroline. Soph always seemed far too… herself to take on a new one. 

We’ll see.

You’re asleep in the pull-out chair, your brow drawn and arms crossed over your chest. He approaches you as quietly as he can, putting his go bag down and sitting beside you. 

Much to his chagrin, you startle awake. 

“Sorry,” he says in a whisper. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” 

You shake your head. “You didn’t.” Talking through your yawn, you add, “Just had a weird dream is all.” 

Aaron pulls you close and you relent, tucking into his side with a hand pressed to his chest. 

“Did Savannah come by?” He asks. 

You nod. 

“What did she say?” 

You sniff a little, more from the antiseptic smell than any emotional response - that will come later. “Soph won’t be able to play again unless fuckin’ divine intervention or some shit comes along and fixes her knee from scratch, but she’ll be able to move around just fine with a cane or brace or something after a while.” 

Aaron can only imagine it now - fits and righteous anger about getting around the house, watching games from the bench - the list could go on forever. “She’ll hate that.” 

You hum in agreement. “Just another parenting challenge. Already have the rest of the gamut covered neurodevelopmentally, so we were bound to get a physical challenge at some point.” 

“Never more than we can handle.” 

Shaking your head, you note, “This one just might do us in.” 

+++

“I swear to God, if I see you in the office at all this week I’m gonna smash your kneecaps in.” Emily pauses. “Sorry. Too soon?” 

“No, no, it’s fine.” You laugh a little and Soph sits up, her brow asking a question. 

You answer, pulling the phone away from your mouth. “Your Aunt Emily told me she’d smash my kneecaps if she saw me at the federal building this week.” 

Soph snorts. “Nice. We could match.” 

You reach over and tweak her nose. “We already match.” 

“Hey.” Emily grabs your attention again and you put your cell back to your ear. “I’m serious. I don’t want you to be here. Stay home for Soph right now and I’ll sign off on it and turn everything in for you.” 

You roll your eyes. “I can’t believe you turned into Rossi, Miss I’m Past Retirement Age But Twisted the Bureaus Arm to Let Me Work Myself to Death.”

She laughs and hangs up, leaving you and Sophia alone again in the hospital room. She tucks back into her Jello, taking bites that are way too big. 

“How are you feeling, bug?” You brush her cheekbone with your thumb and she shrugs. 

“Can you hand me my headband?” 

You reach over and dig around in her back until you find the wide swatch of colorful fabric. She takes it from you and shoves it over her head, pushing her hair back with practiced ease. 

She’s just like her dad. 

What? Loyal? 

Yeah. But also chronically avoidant. 

“You didn’t answer my question.” 

She huffs, playing with her fingers. “I’m fine. I think.” Her breath is shaky. “I can’t really tell with all the meds I’m on, but it feels… really bad.” 

When she looks over at you again, her eyes are glassy, tearful. “I know I can’t play again, maybe not even run.” 

You reach out for her hand, but don’t say anything. 

“Momma…” She pauses, looking down at her blanket. “Momma, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I feel like I only know how to play soccer. I don’t know how - I don’t know if I want to do anything else. I’ve never thought about it before.” 

You run your thumb over her knuckles. “Soph, you can do so much. You have a great strategic mind - you think in these big, creative webs. It’s such an asset.” 

“Don’t profile me.” 

“I’m not profiling you, baby,” you tell her with a smile. “I just know that about you because you’re my daughter.”

Her mouth twists. “Right.” She looks down when her phone buzzes. 

“Who is it?” 

The corners of her lips tip up. “It’s Alice. She’s asking me if I want anything from the drive thru.”

You mirror her little smile. “That’s nice of her.” 

“Yeah.”

+++

“Alright so you have twenty nuggets, large fries,” Alice digs around in the bag, taking things out as she speaks. “And… a vanilla milkshake.” 

“God, I love you.” Sophia wraps her hand around Alice's head and pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. 

Alice laughs, deep from her chest. “Shit, Soph, if all I have to do to secure your love is get you crap chicken, sign me up.” 

“You could get damn close.” 

Aaron watches the girls sit beside each other in the bed, taking turns dipping their nuggets in the sauce. They’ve always been this way, exchanging barbs and affection in equal measure. Symbiotic in the extreme, one is never far from the other. 

You’re home, getting everyone else in bed and settled for the evening. Isabella drove in a night early - Jack’s headed back to D.C. apartment for a series of days-long meetings at the Pentagon regarding his latest project. 

Aaron’s excited to see her. It’s been a helluva thing to see his son married, even more surreal to know and love his son’s wife like his own daughters. 

His phone rings. 

Speak of the devil. 

“Hey, Bella.” 

Sophia looks over at the mention of her sister-in-law, and Alice looks beside herself with delight. As well as being a hit among the parents, Bella’s a winner with the kids, too. 

Some days, Caroline likes her more than she likes Jack. 

“Hey, Pops. Want to tag out?” 

“Sure. I’ll switch with you. How long do you want to be here?” 

He can almost hear her shrug. “Eh. I’ll spend the night. My column isn’t due until the end of the week and I’ve got it covered. Don’t need to work, don’t really need to sleep. Win-win.”

“If you say so.” 

“I do. I’ll be there in twenty.” 

She hangs up before Aaron can respond, so he just pockets his phone and takes the loss. Sophia, after taking a sip of her milkshake, asks. “Is Bella here all night?” 

“Yeah, bug. She’ll be here.” 

Soph and Alice share a look. 

+++

“Well, Bella has more patience than I do,” Aaron says, dropping his go bag at the bedroom door. “She’s stuck with H&M for the rest of the night at the hospital.” 

You laugh, wrapping your arms around him. “I’m glad the girls have company, and fun company, at that.” 

“Fair enough.” 

The two of you quiet for a moment, and you tuck further under his arm, placing your hand over his heart. 

“Aaron?” 

His hand traces up and down your back, slow and steady. “Yeah?” 

“What can we do for her? She sounded so… defeated today.” 

And it’s true. You’ve never seen Soph like that, even at her lowest. If you were honest, it scared you a little. 

“We can be her parents. That’s all. And she’ll figure something out. If she needs to take a gap year, she’ll manage. She and Alice can search for programs together.” He sighs before he continues, leaning back to look at you. 

“All we can do is ask her what she needs and support her as best we can.” 

+++

tagging: @avengersbau @ambicaos @angelsbabey @arganfics @averyhotchner @bwbatta @capricorngf @cevanswhre @crazyshannonigans @criminalsmarts @deagibs @forgottenword @genevievedarcygranger @hotchsflower​ @hotchslatte​ @hurricanejjareau @joanofarkansass @kelstark @kerrswriting @little-blue-fishie @lotties-journey-abroad @mandylove1000 @missdowntonabbey @mrs-dr-reid @pan-pride-12 @popped-weasels @quillvine @qvid-pro-qvo @reidingmelodies @reids-mismatchedsocks @roses-and-grasses @shesbiochem4 @ssahotchnerr @ssaic-jareau @ssareidbby @starsandasteroids @stxrrywildflower @sunflowersandotherthings @sunshine-em @teamhappyme @this-broken-band-girl @ughitsbaby @unicorn-bitch @venusbarnes @violet-amxthyst @word-scribbless @writefasttalkevenfaster @zizzlekwum @iconicc @avatarkorraswife @mooneylupinblack @ssworldofsw @nuvoleincielo @kaemarie23 @violentvulgarvolatile @abschaffer2 @ellyhotchner @rousethemouse @baumarvel @reidtomestyles @dreamsonthewall @jhiddles03 @willlemonheadsupremacy @infinity1321 @messyhairday-me @itsalwaysb33nyou @finnologys @hotch-meeeeeuppppp @hothothotchner @happyvol7 @ssa-holmes @mac99martin @ssahotchner99 @triangularroses @vagabond-ing @itsmytimetoodream @magic_in_the_eyes_of_the_beholder

[lag1995-fics]

Hiii! Can i request a dadneto where Peter has a secondary mutation that also makes him metallokinetic like Erik? And then when he finally shows the X-men, Erik finally connects the dots? 😳😳

Of course you can love I’ll never say no to dadneto ❤️❤️❤️ sorry for the wait I just started a new job. I hope you enjoy the story ❤️

Forks

Pairing: none

Warning: I drop the f-bomb a bit

Words:1480

Summary: When Peter and Scott get into an argument, Peter loses his temper revealing his secondary mutation.

Masterlist

///::::///

Peter had always been really careful about hiding his secondary mutation. If people saw him moving metal it wouldn’t be hard to jump to the correct conclusion about his and Erik’s familial bond. It was just easier to keep that bit to himself. He wanted to tell Erik but he also didn’t want to be a 27 year old man trying to take the place of his dead 8 year old sister. He wanted to naturally build a relationship with his father, maybe then he could tell him.

They were supposed to be having a team building dinner that night. Peter knew why as well, he and Scott had been bickering constantly. It was obvious that Scott blamed Peter for his brother's tragic death. Scott had no way of knowing that the flames had already engulfed Alex. Peter also didn’t want to harp on that but too much Scott needed to grieve lord know he lashed out like an asshole when Wanda disappeared. If Scott needed to blame someone Peter didn’t mind being that person.

Everyone else thought it was obvious that Scott was being a major jerk wad and would often try to come to Peter’s defense. Scott rarely saw it but Peter would always wave off the defenders, often with comments of “let him have this” or “it’s okay, he needs to get these emotions out.” He could be the bigger person he was ten years older than Scott, it was just part of being a grown up.

***

The time came for the team building dinner and Peter’s mouth was already watering at the prospect of delicious ooey, gooey pizza. His mother had often told him his stomach was like a bottomless pit. Peter burned a hell of a lot of calories though and he had to constantly eat to make up for that.

He took his seat between Raven and Hank rubbing his hands together in anticipation. They looked at him with various looks of both disgust and amusement. Peter could care less pizza was the food of gods right behind twinkies.

It was no time before everyone had a seat at the table and Peter immediately started inhaling the Pizza. He was halfway through his 8th slice when Scott decided to open his mouth.

“That’s disgusting” he sneered and Peter could only grin at him.

“I burn a lotta calories plus Pizza is delicious!” Peter exclaimed brightly he was unbothered by Scott’s half hearted insult.

“Can you lay off for once this is supposed to be about team building,” Jean groaned, fed up with her boyfriend's childish behavior. Peter remained unbothered though, he knew what Scott was going through. It had been the same for him after Wanda disappeared.

“It’s fine Jean he’s just a kid, he doesn’t bother me,” Peter told the red haired girl light heartedly.

“Well it bothers me. Scott, what happened to Alex was not Peter’s fault, Alex was closest to the blast,” Jean shot out to her boyfriend obviously fed up with his shit.

“What bothers me is how nonchalant he is about the whole thing, it’s like he doesn’t even care” Scott was starting to get worked up and Peter wished that Jean could have just left it alone. He managed a glance at Erik who was ignoring everyone in favor of his newspaper. Charles who was beside him looked like he had a migraine starting. It was Charles idea for team building after all and Erik had the look of I told you so without even saying a word.

“You think I don’t care?” Peter asked, he didn’t want Scott to think he didn’t care. It weighed heavily on his mind that he hadn’t gotten there in time to save Scott’s brother. He was always too late for someone with super speed.

“I know you don’t fucking care!” Scott’s face was inflamed and red.

“Scott! Language!” Charles snapped.

“Well you’re wrong Scott I do care. I’m always too late and I’m sorry I didn’t get to Alex in time.” Peter was sincerely sorry that he hadn’t been in time. He would never wish the pain of losing a sibling on anyone.

“Well fuck you! You don’t know what it’s like to lose a sibiling! Alex was all that I had!” Scott screamed and Peter felt a trill of Anger run down his spine his fork started to vibrate subtly and Raven looked at it with wide eyes before looking at him sharply. Peter didn’t notice his mind was full of images of his sister.

“Don’t act like you know me Scott, the only reason I’ve let you go on and on like you have is because I know exactly what you’re going through.” Peter seethed and he knew he should be embarrassed that he let a seventeen year old goad him like this.

“Fuck You! Alex died, you didn’t save him. You don’t know what it’s like to lose a brother” Scott spat. By now Erik had lowered his paper watching the interaction with veiled interest. Charles had a look of anger at the boys for ruining his team building dinner.

“Oh I might not know what it’s like to lose a brother but I lost my twin sister when we were your age! She just disappeared. I have no clue if she’s alive or dead and I promise you that’s worse!” Peter spat and the silverware began rising into the air with his skyrocketing temper. If he had been looking he would have seen the color drain from Erik’s face.

“Erik you’re only making it worse!” Charles snapped thinking it was Magneto getting irritated and wanting to silence the boys. Peter realizing what he had done let the silverware drop with a metallic clatter. The anger drained rapidly.

“Charles it’s not me.” His tone was choked as he stared at the silver haired mutant with new eyes. Peter unsure of what to do in the rising tension decided the logical answer was to bolt from the room.

He was by the fountain in second trying to calm his ragged breathing and approaching panic attack. The cat was truly out of the bag now. He placed his head between his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Inside Erik was still staring at the spot Peter had just disappeared from. His mind was trying to catch up. He had another child, a living child. Peter was clearly Magda’s son, he had her sunny disposition, he obviously hadn’t inherited that from him. Then his stomach sank again. He had twins and one of them was missing for over ten years. Peter had been dealing with this pain on his own.

“Fountain,” Charles' voice whispered in his head, “go to him he needs you. He’s afraid you’ll reject him.”

Erik wondered how such a brilliant person like Peter could ever think that he would reject him. If anything Erik wasn’t worthy of the boy, he was such a bright beacon in the dark miserable world. He began to walk to the fountain, his mind replaying a very specific memory. Almost ten years ago a silver haired teenager had broken him out of his prison with a grin and a sharp wit. He had also made an off hand comment.

“So you can control metal?” Peter had asked and Erik who was still disoriented had only nodded.

“That cool my mom knew a guy who could do that,” the statement had been so off handed and nonchalant. Erik should have known then but he had been distracted by a walking Charles who promptly punched him square in the jaw. The off hand comment had been pushed to the back of his mind.

He found Peter with his head between his knees close to a panic attack. He sat next to the boy and laid a hand on his shoulder. Peter jerked looking at him in surprise.

“Your mother was Magda,” it was a statement not a question. Peter only nodded with wide brown eyes. His mother’s eyes, it felt like a punch to the gut.

“I’m not trying to replace Nina, I swear!” Peter choked out, “I wouldn’t want someone to try and replace Wanda.”

“You’re not replacing anyone my boy, you are your own person. A good person that I don’t deserve. You’re my son and I love you. I may not have known you for very long but family is forever,” Erik declared and Peter sniffles before throwing himself into his fathers arms like he was five and not twenty seven. Erik hugged his son back as they both fought back their tears.

“Forever” Peter agreed and one of the cracks in his heart healed. He wasn’t whole but he had one more person to add to his list of loved ones. He only hoped he could find Wanda one day. Erik would love her; they were both so much alike.

Thank you for reading feel free to drop a request.

[blackmissfrizzle]

Just Right (3)

Part 2

Characters: Angel Reyes x black!plussized!reader

Chapter Summary: Someone throws a wrench in the plans.

Chapter Warning: Footbal AU. Don’t hate me please 😬 angst, implied smut, and some very petty behavior.

If you want to read more here’s my masterlist and you want to be notified when I post here’s my taglist

Divider credit: @firefly-graphics

The next morning, you had a pep in your step. Angel left you in bed with breakfast and a note saying he went on a run.

Coming downstairs you heard Angel’s voice, you assumed he was on the phone and not talking to the devil herself.

“Adelita, this is a surprise.” Angel backed away from her when he heard your voice.

“Y/N,” she smiled and pulled you into a hug. Backing away she twirled your hair around your finger. “I see the drought is over. Who’s the lucky guy?” If Adelita wasn’t so damn conceited she would’ve smelled Angel on you. But of course, you wouldn’t be able to bag a guy like Angel.

Angel cleared his throat and stepped in between the two of you, grabbing onto Adelita’s hips. “Uhh, let’s leave Y/N alone. I’m sure she’s not the kiss and tell type.”

“Not around you.” She joked, patting Angel’s chest. “Once we’re done talking me and you can have some girl talk like old times. Just you’ll be the one sharing stories this time.”

The nerve. This is the second time in your life that you wanted to knock Adelita out. “Yeah sure.” You gave her a tight smile over your shoulder and went back to your room.

While walking you could hear the hushed whispers and the sounds of lips kissing. As soon as you knew you were out of sight you ran to your room and immediately started packing.

“What are you doing?” Right after Adelita left, Angel ran to you. “What does it look like Angel?”

Tugging your pants out of your hands, Angel stopped you. “You don’t have to leave.”

“And what?!” You screamed in his face. “Stay here with you and Adelita?!”

He tried to hug you, but you pushed him away. “You really must be crazy. How are you just gonna take her back?”

“She was my fiancée, she deserves the benefit of the doubt.” Angel explained like it was a one size fits all reason.

“Oh, the same fiancée that dumped you once your future was unsure.” You scrunched your face up. “The same fiancée that told you it was over through a letter? The same fiancée that was all over social media hanging out and partying while you were in rehab? The same fiancée that so happens to ‘coincidentally’ come back into your life after you just made the biggest comeback ever?” You brushed past him went out the door. “Yeah, you can miss me with that bullshit.”

Angel trailed behind you, hoping he could amend things with you. “Y/N, I’m sorry.”

Whipping around you shoved him. “Yeah, you are. You know honestly, I don’t feel bad for myself as much as I do for you. I pray to God that he never makes me as pathetic as you. Have a nice life, Angel Reyes.”

Opening the front door revealed a sympathetic Mr. Felipe and an angry EZ. They both tried to stop you, but you kissed each man goodbye promising to keep in touch.

EZ waited until he saw you drive away to attack his brother. “What the fuck did you do?” Angel blocked some of his brother’s punches, but EZ managed to get some in.

Felipe was able to pull his youngest off his eldest. “EZ that’s enough!”

“Nah, Pop! You saw her. She practically ran out in tears.”

“It’s none of your damn business, Ezekiel!” Angel tried to walk away from them, but Felipe stopped him. “Explain yourself, son.”

“Adelita.” Both his father and brother groaned at that name. Now they knew why you ran out like that.

EZ didn’t have time for whatever excuse that his brother had. “You two deserve each other. And I hope when you come to your senses it’s too late.” He slammed the door on the way out, too disgusted with Angel to stay.

A few moments later Felipe followed his son out. “Pop,” Angel cried out, hoping to gain some sort of sympathy. “Not right now, Angel.” He stopped at the door and looked back at his son. “Unlike your brother I hope it won’t be too late for you to come to your senses. When you stick your head out of your ass, you and Y/N are perfect for each other.”

Once he was alone, Angel sat on the staircase wondering if he made the right decision.

Losing Angel just wasn’t about your heart breaking, but also losing your best friend. Those months spent with him was probably the best time of your life. The only thing that got you through the days were work and Rio.

At first, he assured you that he could just be your friend but someway somehow, he wormed his way into something more. You told him that you didn’t want him as some rebound, but he cockily said, “Ain’t no way I’m a rebound.” So, you stayed and started dating him.

You were reading a book when Rio came and laid his head in your lap. “Mamaaaa,” he sung kissing the little bit of your exposed fupa. “What do you want?” He was only this adorable when he wanted something like that extra cookie that would mess up his diet. “Nothing extra. Just go to dinner with me.”

“That’s it?” You closed your book and set it down to look at him curiously. “Yeah, I got a dress picked out, hairstylist and makeup artist on the way.”

“Wait, what kind of dinner is this?” Dinners with Rio never required all the hoopla. “The league always hosts a dinner for all the teams in the semifinals.”

“I know, I know, I know,” Rio trampled over your words, not letting you get a word in. “I know that dumbass is gonna be there, but I think it would be the perfect place to show him what he’s missing out on.”

If you went this would be the first time you saw Angel and you weren’t sure if you were ready for that. Last time he made you look like a fool. “I don’t know Rio.”

Sitting up, Rio picked you up and sat you down in your lap. “But mama,” he attacked your neck with his lips, adding a little bite every now and then. “I’ll be bored without you. And who am I gonna shove in a closet and fuck her like a dirty girl?”

“You’ll be fine without me for a couple of hours.”

“Alright, time for the big guns.” Rio led you to his bedroom with a covered mannequin in the center. Unveiling the mannequin, he revealed the most beautiful dress. You would be crazy to not wear that dress.

“Ok, I’ll go!” Rio pulled you by your hips against him. “Good, I thought I would have to use my other negotiation methods.”

“Nah, I still need convincing.” Rio backed you into the bed and pulled off your shorts. “Okay, but you got 15 minutes to cum two times before the stylist gets here.”

Angel was doing his best at trying to keep his cool. Adelita was making her way through all the owners, sponsors, and players ‘networking’ to gain traction for her cause. It wasn’t that he didn’t support, actually he was very supportive of it, but this night was in celebration of him and the other players. And he couldn’t ask her to quit it without looking like a complete douchebag.

“Are you two seriously making bets?” Angel wasn’t paying that much attention to Coco and Gilly until they said Adelita’s name. They were betting on when she would corner their team owner, Miguel Galindo. “How else are we gonna pass the time? Ain’t like there’s scintillating conversation.” Coco collected money from Riz and put it in his breast pocket.

“Pendejo,” Angel ordered another drink and while waiting for it he heard Coco whistle. Turning around to see what made Coco speechless, Angel was glad that he already set his old glass on the bar top, because he would’ve dropped it. There you were in the most beautiful dress looking like a goddess, but his mood soured when he saw that it was Rio escorting you.

Bishop walked up beside him and smacked him in the back of the head. “Fucking dumbass. Now she’s with that asshole.” Angel opened his mouth to say something, but Bishop held up his hand. “I don’t wanna hear it. And you better leaver her alone, she looks happy.” His coach pointed his chin towards you and Rio kissing. Angel slammed back his drink and ordered another one. This was about to be a long night.

“I’m gonna go say hi to Bishop and the guys.” Rio looked for your friends and saw that Angel was right there next to them. “You sure? You want me to go with you?” It warmed your heart that Rio was so protective over you. It was unfamiliar territory for you. Usually, you were the one protecting others. “No, you stay here with your team, I’ll be okay.” Rio quirked his eyebrow, questioning you. He was trying to break you out of the habit of you masking your feelings, pretending you’re fine when you’re really not. “Rio, I promise. I’ll be good.” You patted his chest and started to walk away, but then he caught Angel staring at the two of you real hard and he couldn’t help but give him a show.

Spinning you around into his arms, Rio smashed his lips against yours. His still taste a little bit of yourself from when he wanted to make you his meal. Rio’s hands drifted to your ass and you did little to stop him. Ending the kiss, he tugged your bottom lip slowly releasing it and ending your connection. “Go say hi to your friends.” He whispered in your ear, fixing some of your lipstick that got under your lips.

Angel wanted to knock Rio the clean the fuck out. Who the fuck did he think he was practically dry humping you in public like that? “You better keep your mouth shut. You lost your privileges to be mad.” Coach Hank warned Angel as he saw you approach the group.

“Hey guys!” You were genuinely happy to see all of them. Since, you cut off contact with Angel you haven’t talked to any of them at all.

They all lined up to hug you, almost fighting each other to be the first one. But Angel waited his turn. He had a lot more to say than just hi.

It was a bit awkward at first. Neither one of you made the first move. Eventually, you threw yourself in his arms and you were almost a goner. You did not know that hugging him would bring back all those feelings you tried to bury deep down.

“You look beautiful.” He kept a hand around your wrist, his thumb stroking the inside of it. “Thank you.”

His eyes kept dipping to your dress. There were some cut out pieces revealing more skin than he cared for. “Where’s the rest of your dress?”

Snatching your wrist away, you crossed your arms over your chest to keep yourself from slapping the shit out of Angel. “Rio doesn’t seem to mind.”

Angel invaded your space and glared down at you. “Do I look like Rio?”

“Do I look like Adelita?”

Angel bit the inside of his cheek. He knew he had no reason to question you. You weren’t his, but damn it he wanted you to be.

“This was a mistake coming over here. Go back and talk to your fiancée.”

“She’s not my fiancée.”

Skrtt, you stopped your retreat. “Say what?”

“I said she’s not my fiancée.” Angel wasn’t able to explain further. Adelita finally came and graced you with her presence. She didn’t pay any attention to Angel. All her attention was on you. Adelita was actually pulling you away to talk to one of the other coaches about joining their staff.

This was almost as torturous as talking to Angel. Adelita barely let you get a word in. She was acting like she was your damn agent. Luckily, Rio came and saved the day.

“Where are we going?” You whispered as he pulled you into the hallway. “Don’t worry about it.” He jiggled each door until he found an unlocked door and pushed you through.

“Rio no,” you weakly protested clutching onto his tux. “What? You don’t wanna give daddy a little something something?” He pouted, knowing it was your weakness.

“Okay, but it has to be fast.” Rio kissed you some more knowing how turned you got by simply making out.

Due to your combined breaths getting heavier neither one of you heard the turning of the doorknob. It wasn’t until the light from the hallway shone on you and Rio, exposing your dirty deed.

“Oh shit, my bad dawg!” Angel lifted his head from Adelita’s neck and apologized to the other couple. He didn’t mean it all. Angel saw Rio lead you to the hallway and by the mischievous look he had on his face, he knew his opponent was up to no good.

The little smirk on Angel’s face told you that none of it was an accident. “It’s okay, I wasn’t feeling well anyway. I think we should go home.” You smirked back at Angel. He wasn’t the only one that can play games.

“C’mon Angel, they need to get home.” Adelita winked at you and led an unwilling Angel back to the party.

You were almost out until you got stopped by Mr. Galindo. He was the only team owner you hadn’t talked to that night.

With Miguel Galindo trying to convince you to join his staff and Adelita standing next to you patiently waiting for her chance, Angel and Rio were left alone with each other.

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but stay the fuck away from Y/N. You’re no good for her.” Angel had to refrain from snatching up Rio as he laughed. “You got jokes man.” Rio stepped closer to him, they were basically nose to nose. “At least when I make her cry it’s from my dick and not from being a dickwad.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you kept watch on Rio and Angel. Those two couldn’t be alone without trying to fight in the first 30 seconds.

The scene before you was getting to be too much, but you couldn’t do anything without being disrespectful towards Miguel. Thankfully, Coco and Gilly were watching them too and were able to pull Angel away.

Somehow Miguel talked you into staying for the entire dinner. And because the universe loved you so much you and Rio were assigned to the same table as Angel and Adelita.

After Adelita formally introduced herself to him. And you didn’t know if it was the alcohol or not, but it seemed that she was flirting with Rio. Not that you had anything to worry about. Rio wasn’t entertaining her at all.

“She take my money when I’m in need. Yeah, she’s a trifling’ friend indeed.” As soon as you recognized the notes, you tried to stomp Rio’s foot, but he was too quick.

“Huh, what was that?” Adelita didn’t quite catch what Rio was saying. “Oh nothing, I just got a song stuck in my head.  Now I ain’t saying she a gold digger. But she ain’t messing’ with no broke bro.”

Angel had to admit to himself that was funny, but ain’t no way he’ll let Rio know that.

“Stop it!” You whispered in Rio’s ear. Even if Adelita was oblivious to him making fun of her, everyone else surrounding them wasn’t. “Now you know you always tell me that but we both know you don’t mean it hear or at home.” Heat crept up your face and all you could do was hide your face in the crook of Rio’s neck. Rio slightly turned to kiss your forehead while fingering the bracelet he got you.

Once the glint of the bracelet caught Adelita’s eye she snatched your wrist from Rio. You didn’t mind though because you and Rio were off in your own little world. Not even the harsh stare from Angel could tear your eyes away from Angel.

“Ouch! What the fuck, Angel?” Adelita rubbed at her ankle. “My bad.” He frowned as Rio smirked at him knowing full well he was the intended target.

As the night went on, Rio’s and Angel’s antics went up. You don’t know what you did, but you had two petty kings arguing over you. And at times it was funny but also stressful.

The little innuendos concerning you flew over Adelita’s head but everyone else was getting them. They were getting so vicious that Coco and Gilly started another bet on who would swing first.

The event was concluding when things got downright ugly. Angel once again voiced his concerns of Rio dating you. Rio had enough and went for the low blow. “You’re just mad because I already took your girl and I’m about to take your city and your ring.”

Coco and Gilly’s bet was long forgotten as Angel went for Rio. “Don’t be mad, Reyes. I’m just spitting facts. If I’m wanna keep it hunnid, if I threw the right amount of cash, I could have your other girl too.”

“RIO!” You scolded him trying to pull him away. Thank god, Adelita was nowhere near to hear that little bit.

“Nah, babe fuck that.” Rio shrugged you off of him and stood toe to toe to Angel. “You ain’t on top no more big dawg. Get use to it.”

Angel just shook his head and turned around like a wounded animal. “Coco, give Gilly his money.”

“What?” Coco asks too late because Angel threw the first punch at Rio. And once they started fighting it was hard to get them to stop. Even Gilly couldn’t hold Angel. It wasn’t until you did something that they stopped.

Bishop tried to stop you once he noticed what you were attempting to do, but you slipped right past him. The boys were in between blows giving you the perfect opportunity to step in the middle of them. As soon as you became an obstacle each man lowered their fist.

Angel actually started to cower some when he saw your face. This was like your training face but a thousand times worse. Rio never saw you this pissed and he was beginning to get scared to breath the wrong way. Either way both men knew to shut the hell up.

Facing Angel first, you shoved him in the chest. “Angel Ignacio Reyes, I know you were raised better than this.”

“I’m sorry.” Angel mumbled, his eyes downcasted.

“And you!” You faced Rio, pointing a finger in his face. “I’ll deal with you when we get home.”

“Next time leave your petty bullshit for the football field.” You told the both of them before heading out without even waiting for Rio. 

Damn, you knew you should’ve stayed your behind at home.

Tagging: @tashawar​ @ourlittlesecretsoveragain​ @starrynite7114​ @sambucky8​ @mygirlrenee​ @richonne4life​ @readsalot73​ @chaneajoyyy​ @enamouravecleslivresetlechocolat​ @jassydwill11​ @otomefromtheheart​ @miss-nori85​ @xsweetdellzx​ @cocogodess15​ @ljstraightnochaser​ @my-rosegold-soul​ @angrythingstarlight​ @brattyfics​ @lovebennycolon​ @langiinspirations​ @chibsytelford​ @trulysuccubus​ @spookys-girl​ @sesamepancakes​ @literaturefeen​ @brownsugarcoffy​ @thesandbeneathmytoes​ @fvckthisbxtchup​ @theartisticqueen​ @vsfavs​ @tomhardydallasstarsgirl​ @angelreyesgirl​ @woahitslucyylu​ @marvelmaree​ @blessedboo​

[featheredghostwings]

Just read the other Madness t-fics, and now I'm here to request something involving the prompt list! Could you perhaps do prompt 6("Your laugh is so cute!”) and prompt 30 (“I love seeing you laugh!”) with Sanmos? No preference on who's the lee/ler! Thanks

✨ [ So gigglee! ] ✨

———————————

⭐️ [Summary] — Sanford really likes the way Deimos’ laugh sounds… and finds something new in the process! (Lee!Deimos + Ler!Sanford)

⭐️ [Warnings] — TICKLE FIC; MILD LANGUAGE; SHIPPING; if you don’t like then please scroll on T_T

⭐️ [Prompts] — 6 / 30 / 23

deimos…. <333

key:

deimos

sanford

[prompt list A] || [prompt list B] || requests: closed!

✨ Enjoy ! ✨

——————

“GET BACK! GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!” A yell echoed through the halls, bouncing off the walls. “BACK! STAY BACK I SAID!” Another yell answered back. Heavy boots thudded against the hard floors as the chased took a heavy dive into another room.

“YOU IDIOT! That’s my room!” The heavy, strained voice called out, following that sharp right into the room and towering in the doorway. “Oh shit.” Deimos inhaled, looking for a way out as he was walked back to the wall. “S—San wait a minute! We can talk this through!” The shorter man tried, yelping when a hand slapped onto the wall, making him shrink ever so slightly.

“Yeah? Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t give you a taste of your own medicine.”

“Uhh… because- um. You’d— I’d- it wouldn’t, uh,” Deimos fumbled with his words, struggling to form together the sentence in his head. “You have three seconds to give me the reason.” Sanford said, the hand on his hip raising to show the number three.

“Three seconds!? Come on! At least give me four!” Deimos seemed insulted about the fact he only had three seconds to power his brain.

“One.”

Oh. Oh shit he’s starting the countdown.

“WAIT THAT’S NOT FAIR!”

“Two.”

“Sanfohord!” Deimos laughed in anticipation, having given up in trying to find a reason. It was inevitable, why prolong it?

“Three. Time’s up Chucklehead!” Sanford suddenly grabbed Deimos, wrestling him to the floor. “AAA SANFORD NO—!” The two grappled for a moment, Deimos kicking and pushing at Sanford’s arms and legs.

“BACK! GET BACK YOU FIEND!” Deimos screamed, unable to control his volume. “C’MERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!” Sanford yelled back, eventually pinning Deimos flat on the ground and putting a knee to his stomach. Despite this, Deimos continued to try and fight his way out.

“Nope! No use, Chucklehead! You’re stuck here, and you’re gonna taste just how bittersweet revenge is!”

Deimos had literally no time to process anything before he felt five fingers buzzing into his side. “whAHAHIT SAHAhanforhod!” Deimos tried curling into a sitting position, though with the leg on his stomach he didn’t get very far.

“You know? I love seeing you laugh, Dei!” Sanford teased, squeezing the skin on Deimos’ lower ribs. “Your laugh is so cute! I’m sad I don’t hear it as often as I wish I could.”

Deimos felt his face immediately heat up, like it was on fire. It didn’t matter if Sanford was his boyfriend or not, the shorter of the pair would never get used to how sappy and sweet Sanford could be when given the chance…

“It ihihis nahahHAHAT! SAHAHAN!” Deimos suddenly raised an octave in laughter as five more fingers dug into his other side. “Okay, well, we both know that’s just a lie. It is cute, aaaand you can’t change my mind!”

“ShuHUHT UHUHP! BWAHAHAHAA!” Deimos thrashed, pushing at Sanford’s arms and chest. “Ihihit tIHIHICKLES!”

“Yeah, no dip buddy. It’s supposed too?” Sanford laughed, grinning down at Deimos. “Seriously, you and your laugh are so different from each other? It’s somehow absolutely both enamoring, and confusing.”

“BwEAHAHAAH— NNHEHEHE SAHAHANFOHORD—-!”

When a snort left Deimos’ mouth, Sanford was taken aback slightly, eyes widening in both surprise and curiosity. Deimos took the moment to breathe, still giggling and even snorting between breaths. “Dei… did you just snort?” Sanford asked.

“Nohohoo—-“ Deimos was a horrible liar. “Oh my god. You just keep giving me more and more reasons to adore you.” Deimos’ hands shot to his face, covering it with his forearms as he accidentally knocked off his visor and headset. “Dohon’t commehehent on ihiht.” Deimos huffed, yelping and squirming when he felt a jab to his stomach.

“C’moooonn. It was cute!”

“Wahahas not!”

“It totally was.”

“Absolutely nahahaht!”

“You really think you’re in any position to argue with me on this?”

“I cahan try!”

Sanford silently laughed, getting up off of Deimos and offering a hand to his boyfriend. “Alright, I’ll be nicer than you are… and I’ll spare you for now.” He smiled, pulling the other onto his feet.

“Though, now that I know you snort…”

“I swear to God I will end you and your whole bloodline if this gets anywhere.” Deimos threatened, holding his visor and headset in one hand. Sanford only smiled.

“Ironic…” Was all Sanford said before he darted out of the room, calling for Hank. “YOU SON OF A BITCH!” Deimos quickly followed after him.