#he can do a pretty good accurate dog bark though

[skunkes]

[therhythmafterthesummer]

Do you think that wr Christopher had a “type” prior to pretty? Like I don’t think he was exclusive with whatever his type was for but I can also imagine him not having dated someone with pretty’s body type before. Not because of any phobia but just cause he just hadn’t or it’s just who he was set up with. So like when he met pretty for the first time, when it clicked that this was his mate one of his only thoughts about her body besides his physical attraction is just excited because there was just more to love.

Like man loves his soft squish mate and the fact he can squish her. Idk if that makes sense I hope it does. Man just loves pretty in every context and form and I want what they have

Also you know he’s the biggest dork in love and would put on sunnies when he sees her sometimes because “baby you’re just too radiant for my poor eyes”

i love this question, you've got no idea just how much.

anyway, this is LONG. i got carried away, so please bear with me:

i don't think he had a type! or i guess the more accurate statement is that he wasn't aware that he had a type.

wr!chris is very people driven. i don't think he cared much about how his partners looked like as long as they were someone he clicked with. although i do think that he probably enjoyed it a lot when his partners had big thighs, for.... obvious reasons.

see, the mind of someone like him works a bit differently when it comes to physical attraction, right? so he most likely looked at curvier people and found himself appreciating the way they looked, but not necessarily going bark bark awoooga, if you know what i mean.

i guess a person with big thighs generally also comes with a tummy and other more... fleshier parts. if he was seeing someone with these attributes, i'm sure he thoroughly enjoyed them, even when back then he might've reasoned it was because he really liked that person he was with. i do think it's possible that he never dated someone that looked just like our prettiest mum, though.

i think also that it wasn't until he met pretty that he became aware that he had a type and that his body reacted to it. like, i'm sure it didn't take long after they met for him to find himself on some p*rn site like "chubby girl amateur" or looking for something similar enough lol

tbh in general wr!chris probably hadn't dated much before pretty. you can probably count former partners with one hand, but i suppose that small pool might've been diverse enough that he never suspected he had a type.

with that being said, even if he wasn't aware, i feel like someone close to him, like changbin, most definitely noticed that chris had his preferences (because after seeing your long-time friend almost give himself whiplash when he turned back to look at someone that walked by was probably a good giveaway that something was going on lol).

ultimately, pretty was born to be his mate, right? her physical appearance could change and he'd still love her with his whole heart, but if he had a say (which he doesn't, because she's her own person and he knows this, but if he had a say...), her current appearance (chubby, fat, curvy, thick, however you wanna call it) is very much his preference. which makes me believe that it's very likely that she'll always be like this.

i suppose more fat means more to squish and grab and kiss and nibble, as well as more cushioning for when he allows himself to be a bit rougher to appease the horny dog controlling his brain. and i love that for him.

hope this makes sense!! feel free to let me know if it doesn't.

anyway, here's a wr!chris meme i made the other day while chatting with a friend:

it makes me chuckle every time.

[longitudinalwaveme]

Ron Pearle's Lear: Act 3 Review

It’s random Gentleman...and Kent being awesome! 

Why did Lear randomly decide to take off his coat and unbutton part of his suit? You’d think he’d want both now that he’s been pushed out into a storm. 

Also, if he’s in a storm, why isn’t he wet?

The “blow, winds!” speech is so awesome I can temporarily ignore how much I’ve disliked this Lear. 

Poor Fool. 

More Fool singing! Yay! 

Kent! YAY!

I’m really trying to feel bad for this Lear. It’s about as hard as I was anticipating. 

Uh, Kent, you’re awesome, but I seriously doubt you’re getting Lear back in that building. 

Okay, okay, I like Lear now. Kind of. 

Gee, I wonder where Goneril and Regan learned to be such jerks….

Why is everyone so loyal to this Lear? Unless he was much nicer before he got old, which I somehow doubt, he was a colossal jerk. 

Kent, Lear, and the Fool still aren’t wet. 

Edgar’s crazy person disguise is pretty good, and thankfully he doesn’t seem to be totally naked. 

Good to see Lear’s still into shouting insults at people for no good reason. He is gradually getting more sympathetic...though his argument that his daughters have been ungrateful to him still isn’t as convincing as it should be.

Edgar REALLY gets into pretending to be crazy. He’s still cute, though.

Edgar gets right up in his father’s face shouting stuff, and somehow Glocuester still doesn’t recognize him. That’s either some next-level stupidity, or Gloucester has some next-level nearsightedness problems. 

Poor Kent is getting increasingly frustrated by this ludicrous situation. 

Yeah, Lear’s lost it….and his daughters are firmly solidified as villains. 

And now Gloucester’s talking about Kent, who is right next to him...and he doesn’t recognize him. Go figure. 

Cornwall still isn’t really emoting. Does this man react to anything? 

I think they cut some of Mad Tom’s lines, which is understandable...but they still kept a surprising amount. 

There are two random kids (possibly the ones from the first scene) in the barn with Lear. 

One of the kids has dolls, which Lear puts on trial as Goneril and Regan. 

I love that the Fool is just playing along with this absurd situation. Edgar pretty much has to in order to keep up his facade, but the Fool really doesn’t. 

The kids ran out of the barn, probably because of the crazy dudes putting their dolls on trial. 

Both Edgar and Lear have called invisible dogs now. Weird. And Edgar barked like a dog at Lear’s imaginary dogs. Also weird. 

Lear saying that Edgar is one of his hundred knights is more accurate than he realizes, given the fact that Edgar apparently spent time with them. 

Poor Lear. 

Oh, they moved one of the Fool’s speeches to the end of this scene. And then he...gets shot? RIP Fool. 

Cornwall still doesn’t sound even slightly concerned or angry about anything. 

Okay, now he finally sounds angry again. 

Regan is sitting down in what I’m pretty sure is going to be the chair where they gouge out Gloucester’s eyes. 

Regan sounds super evil again, which is appropriate. 

Poor Gloucester...this is gonna be like watching a teddy bear get tortured.

INTERMISSION! 

And suddenly Gloucester is waltzing with a maid, when another woman comes in (probably his wife) and shakes her head. Is this like a dramatization of where Edmund came from? That was weird. 

Why is she like, dusting off his shoulder while calling him a “filthy traitor”? 

Cornwall’s rather dry delivery makes him less intimidating than he could be, though I do like the way he leans on Gloucester’s shoulder.

Is Cornwall ripping out Gloucester’s eyes with his hands? First, ew. Second, how exactly does that work? On second thought, I don’t want to know. 

Cornwall’s creepy little chuckle after gouging out the first eye is unsettling. 

The Servant is great, though Regan just seems to find his anger amusing. 

Wow, this is a lame-looking sword fight. 

Where did Regan pull the knife she stabbed the servant from? Did she have it on her the whole time?

RIP awesome servant.

Ugh. Poor Gloucester…

Cornwall’s actor is at least good at conveying the fact that he’s been fatally wounded. 

This Regan seems particularly sadistic. 

Poor Edgar and Gloucester….

Several months later….

Cornwall looks a bit like Branagh’s Iago.

The eye-gouging is particularly convincing (and horrific).

[clown-moss]

I'm really fucking bored so imma post all the random shit our N fictive has done/does and play it off as headcanons.

This man does not know how to use a knife and fork, he uses his bare hands like the feral man he is. He had to text a close friend of his at a fancy dinner to ask how to use a knife and fork because he genuinely didn't know how to without scraping the plate.

N was chess champion at a place for years and was never beaten and still was never beaten until he had to leave permanently, he gave the title to some other kid but he wore that championship like a fucking badge.

He's read the Bible, he enjoyed it thoroughly. That's all I need to say really.

This man will manipulate you in every single game imaginable, even games you wouldn't think it'd be possible to be manipulated in. I've never seen this man lose in a match of Monopoly, doesn't matter the board or type of monopoly he'll kick your ass in it (also he only uses the dog piece, it doesn't matter which game he'll always use the animal piece.) He's so good at games that a friend of his drew this amazing photo to show his luck with winning.

He'll just make random animal noises, whenever he goes on his walks if a dog barks at him he just... Barks back. He replies to anything with animal chirps or noises if he trusts you enough that he knows you won't judge him, his cat noises get so accurate that it actually attracts cats and grabs the attention of cat ladies. He tilts his head to the side like a bird whenever he's confused, not only that but he can actually purr, like genuinely. He can mimic purring and it freaked the fuck out of a friend once, he can also growl as well but that's not as impressive as the purring.

Sometimes he walks on his toes or heels and if he's laying in a place that he feels safe in/and or soft his feet will mimic the action of cats making biscuits, sometimes he doesn't even notice he's doing it. He also wears a necklace that has a little bell on it so whenever he's bored or overstimulated he'll just fidget with the bell, it's very effective but very annoying if he rings it right.

In public I hope you're not socially awkward because this man has gone up to random people (kids to adults) and complimented their style, he has shouted across the mall that he liked some teenager's rainbow socks. On the bright side hell always talk to customer service for you in anything, he'll always say your order for you when you're getting fast food because he genuinely does not give a flying fuck.

He sticks his head out car windows, he loves the feeling of the wind blowing his hair and face that he smiles stupidly when he does it. He definitely won't hear you if you're talking to him while he's doing it because he's in pure and utter bliss. Whenever he walks by a gas station/servo (I'm Australian shut up) he plugs his nose because he absolutely hates the smell of gasoline.

His favourite place to go his a huge lake that people often fish near, he can't smell the dead fish even if he tried. He'll wear whatever he pleases no matter the weather, it'll be blazing hot and he'll wear a sweater because he claims he can't feel the heat. N also has motion sickness when it comes to huge swings, doesn't mean he won't try it though.

His man is very fucking strong, he's restrained a 17 year old with ease with his small twig arms and he's thrown a kid into the pavement, (he was a prosecutor but he's gotten much better and he's no longer one) I'm pretty sure he's almost broken a kid's spine because of how well he's able to immobilise people.

Very clingy and LOVES pets but he'll only let you pet him if he actually trusts you, other than that he loves em. His skin his very sensitive and he very ticklish, he's got this stupid laugh when he physically cannot contain it and it's so damn loud but damn is it contagious.

This man will fall asleep ANYWHERE, doesn't matter where it is he'll fall asleep in it. He's fallen asleep on concrete while sitting cross legged, he's fallen asleep in a metal work shop whole standing up, he's fallen asleep anywhere! He just can't sleep in his room apparently.

Hopefully N doesn't kill me in the morning lmao ✌️

- Mod Ivor 💗

[bebepac]

A Piece of Heaven on Earth Part 6

This is my second submission for the last @wackydrabbles​​​​ prompt # 145 That was really really good which will appear in bold.

My OG Riley had to be a part of this.  She had to be. She started the wacky drabbles journey with me, it’s only fitting, my final submission is with her.  

This also is a submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge​​​​ for day 3 for paranormal.

The series:  A Piece of Heaven on Earth

The Book:  TRR

The Pairings: Liam x Riley /  Riley x Nico 

Word Count: 4599

Warnings and Ratings:  Profanity, Sexual Situation, 18+

Song Inspiration: When Can I see You by Babyface

Song Inspiration: Come Away With Me by Norah Jones

Song Inspiration Just a Dream by Nelly  

Summary: Riley moves in with Taylor until her apartment is vacated by Liam. Nico and Riley begin an relationship together. Team Liam launches an offensive to help bring Liam and Riley back together.

Original Post: 05/06/22 at 11:24PM  EST

A/N:  This is very special to me.  So please be kind.  I’m writing this as a tribute story to my Riley FC, the late Cheslie Kryst, in a way to deal with my grief which has almost been consuming my life.  I started following her in 2019 when I was watching the Miss USA pageant.  I rooted for her immediately.  Not only was she from my home state, but she was just this bright twinkling light on stage, she was a minority, like me. So when I came to the fandom in January 2020 and started writing stories for TRR I picked her as my Riley FC because she embodied what I wanted my “Riley” character to be.  Even in her untimely passing, I am still finding out more about her life and I have written her pretty accurately, even down to having depression.  So I will say it again.  If you need help please reach out.

A/N:  Last weekend I did a balloon release in honor of Cheslie’s birthday on the 28th of April.  It was very cathartic.  I think it helped.  I still really miss her a lot, and hope she saw  me in that moment, how much I did care for her as person.

A/N2:  This is the conclusion of A Piece of Heaven on Earth, I still plan  to do an epilogue.  I hope you have enjoyed what I have created so far in Cheslie’s honor.  

"Surprise!!!!"

"Riley oh my God! You’re here!"

“Guess who’s out of the hospital to crash with their baby sister!?!?!”

“I would have picked you up! Why didn’t you call me?”

"I didn’t want to be a burden, all you guys have had a hard time the last five months. It's okay! Besides, Nico was nice enough to call out of work, yet come to pick me up, from where we both work, and he’s doing all the manual labor of carrying all my stuff for me. Let him work."

“I heard that!”  Nico said with a smile as he walked up and  stood next to her, holding several boxes and a bag slung over his shoulder.

"I didn't mind helping you all out. Anything for my boo."  

"Alrighty." 

Taylor almost wanted to throw up in her mouth a bit. Riley was not "his boo." He only won this round by a technicality.

Chance shared Taylor's sentiment and  started growling at Nico from the door, but as soon as Nico passed the threshold into the house, Chance immediately started barking at Nico.

"Chance! Be nice!"

Riley said sternly to Chance causing him to whimper for a few moments. But the low guttural growl remained as he watched Nico. Chance did not like Nico, not one bit.  Chance’s main man was Liam.

Taylor smiled, it was like Chance was telling Nico, "Man Whore! Stay away from my Mama! She's already taken!!!!"

"You sure you don't mind putting me up for the next two weeks Tay?"

“Of course not! You’ll just have to sleep in the baby’s crib though.”

“What?”

“I’m kidding. KIDDING.  Actually, we have a nice patch of floor cleared next to Chance’s dog bed you can sleep on.”

“With a sister like you, who needs enemies?”  

“Max help Nico please!”    

She pulled Riley inside by her arm.

“No Riley, we got  you.”  Taylor teared up hugging her.

"Tay, I'm fine."

"Riley you just don't understand what these months have been like without you. I felt like half of me was gone. The best half, and the not punctual side."

Taylor laughed through the tears.

"Sure you missed me? Don't make me fall asleep for another three months."

"Too soon Riley. That joke was not even funny."  

Taylor shoved Riley but then pulled her in a hug.  

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Be punctual maybe?”

“Exactly.”    

At dinner Taylor intently watched Riley with Nico.  They seemed close, friendly even, but something about them just seemed off.  There was something about the way Riley responded to him touching her.  Nico was teetering on clingy, which was definitely a turnoff.  Yes, it was clear he was completely smitten with her sister, but Riley didn’t seem to be completely relaxed with him, like she couldn’t be her true self with him.  Riley didn’t seem that into him honestly.

That evening Taylor decided to talk to Riley for a bit, and offer her some free sisterly advice as she  was settling down to sleep in the guest room.

“Hey Rye, are you comfortable?”

“Better than sleeping in a crib or sharing Chance’s dog bed with him.  I’m fine, thank you for letting him sleep in here with me.  He hasn’t left my side since I’ve been here. Chance was always affectionate, but this is next level for him.”

She looked down at him, smiling as his head rested on her stomach.  He licked her hand again, nuzzling it, causing Riley to rub his snout.  Chance’s tail wagged happily.

"I love you too boy." She gently scratched his forehead. Chance's tail wagged so much his whole body shook.

“He missed you Riley, so much. We all thought we were going to lose you. So what’s really up with you and Nico?”  

“He’s nice.  He makes me laugh, and you know, he’s not perfect, but  I can tell he really cares about me, and I don’t want to be alone anymore.  Life’s so short,  and it made me realize I work so much and don’t have anyone to spend my time off with other than Chance and you guys.  Nico is not a bad guy.”  

“He's not a bad guy Riley, but he’s not the right guy Riley.  He’s not.  You just said it yourself.  Life’s too short! Don’t you feel it?  You could be connected to someone, the way you always hoped, that you were. Like something’s missing. Someone is missing?”

“Everyone doesn’t get that feeling Taylor, like the world stops when they meet someone.  I’ve never felt that before.”

“You had it, you just don’t remember.  Try to remember Riley. Nico’s nice, but he’s not the one you’re supposed to be with.”  

That night when Riley was sleeping Chance woke up abruptly when she came into the room.  He growled softly; Riley stirred but did not wake.

“I am not going to hurt her, you little flea bag, I just need to give her a message.” 

Olivia leaned closer to Riley’s ear.  

"You know, you had one job Riley. Now I'm back to fix this. It's because I love him; I always will and he deserves to be happy is the only reason that I'm doing this for you. Otherwise, I'd let you stay with the overly clingy Man Whore. You're welcome.  Go to Apple Valley Park tomorrow morning for a run, and take your miserable mutt with you.”

She looked at Chance.

 "And yes, I am referring to you. You know what to do, Chance.”  Olivia bonked him on his nose.

“That’s one down, one to go.”  

Liam and Olivia

This was harder than she thought. She watched Liam sleeping; she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Hi my love.  You turned out exactly how I feared you would, from my passing.  And yes it means a lot to me that you held me in your heart for all this time as your wife, and I love you for it, but you have to let me go, it's time, dear heart, it's time. I was your first love.  And being loved by you Liam Rys, is a treasure that  I will cherish for all eternity. But, Riley Brooks is your last love. So I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to do to help her remember you. You will know what to do when it's time to reclaim her heart. But for now in the morning, go get breakfast at that place we used to love to go for bagels and muffins, get a coffee and go to Apple Valley Park, find a bench where the sun shines bright on you and warms you up, and just enjoy the morning. Chance will find you.  And soon, she will find her way back to you too. Be patient, and when the time is right, seal it with a kiss."

Olivia turned to walk away.

"Liv?"

She slowly turned around to face him, giving him a small wave.

"You were supposed to be sleeping Liam."

Liam's eyes were filled with tears. "I miss you so much Liv, and I don't deserve you doing this for me."

"I miss you, and yes you do. Liam, what happened to me wasn't your fault.  Stop blaming yourself; there is nothing that you could have done differently to save me. Riley was able to be saved, and you did it. You did a very selfless thing for her.  Be patient with her, Liam. Take things slow. Deep down, she feels the same about you, that you feel about her. And I know you tried not to, but it couldn't be helped, you fell in love with her. And it's okay."

"Thank you Liv."

"You're welcome."

The next morning Riley woke up  to Chance licking her face.

“I’m up. I’m up!  You know I’m technically still on vacation for a bit right?  We get to sleep in a little you know? But you don’t care.  You know what, how about after breakfast we go to the park.  Work off the bacon and pancakes we’re both about to eat. What do you say boy? Wanna go running?"

Chance happily barked in response.  

Riley was ambitious in her workout gear,

thinking she’d go running through the park. The run turned quickly into a jog, which just as quickly turned into a fast paced walk.

“Mama has to get her endurance back up,  Whew.  I don’t remember walking being this much of a workout. It’s okay though, we’re still getting some exercise in.”  

Chance was preoccupied and kept sniffing the ground as they walked.  

“Let’s go this way, Chance,” she gave him a gentle tug on his collar, but he instead started in the opposite direction.  

“Okay maybe not. We’ll go where you want to today. No it’s cool, all that obedience training we did together that I paid for, for you to have me follow the leader? It’s cool bro.”  

After a few minutes, Chance lunged, breaking the leash from his collar and took off running.  

“Dammit Chance, we already established Mama can’t run like she used to!!!!”

Chance had quite the lead, Riley tried to follow whilst screaming every command she could at him to get him to stop,  but he wasn’t listening to her at all. Chance had a singular purpose in mind, find Liam and he had finally picked up his scent.

Liam closed his eyes and smiled when he heard a dog's  barking  approaching him as he sat on the park bench.  Sitting his coffee down and half eaten bagel, he stood and turned, seeing Chance  bounding over the hill, happily barking heading straight towards him; Chance had found him.

He knelt down to pet Chance who was clearly happy to see him.  

“Good boy, you found me!  Riley said you were the bestest boy."

Liam looked around in confusion.  Riley was nowhere in sight.

"Where is your mom?"  

Finally Riley emerged over the hill, screaming Chance's name.

“I promise you he won't bite!!!”  She screamed from a distance out of breath. She leaned over her right hand on her hip; She looked like she was almost dry heaving.

Liam tapped his pant leg.  “Come on, boy, let's take you back to your mom.  She’s not coming down that hill. She looks tired."

Liam laughed softly at Riley’s sight.

Riley had sat down on the hill waiting for Chance to be brought back.

“Lose someone?”  Liam asked as he sat next to Riley on the hill.

“You’d think a dog with short legs couldn’t run that damn fast.  Or I'm just that damn slow lately."

She glanced up to his face.

“It’s you.  Liam right?”  

“Yeah. Hi Riley."

"How are you?"

"I'm doing great. No I'm exaggerating, I'm doing good."

Riley laughed at his joke.

“Chance went all Hulk and snapped his collar.”  

“Let me see, maybe I can fix it.”  

As she handed Liam the collar, his fingers  grazed her wrist, and what felt like an electric shock passed between the two of them.

Riley quickly drew her hand back from his, her mind drifting, she heard her own voice at the top of her lungs singing obnoxiously like it was a faint memory.  

“One thousand bottles of tahitian treat on the wall, a thousand bottles of tahitian treat……”  

"Isn't there a light you should be walking into, or considering your less than sunny disposition, infamous lake of fire?”

She looked at Liam. It sounded like his voice in the memory?

“I fixed it.  Are you alright?  You look pale.”  

"I'm fine." But Riley was continuing to stare at him oddly.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to get you some water, okay?”

"That really sounds good. Thank you."

Liam came back a few minutes later with bottled water for Riley.

“It’s no Tahitian Treat, but it will get the job done.”  

“That’s my favorite drink. How did we know each other Liam?”  

He immediately remembered how Riley's Mother reacted to the news. He couldn't have that happen again or Riley to be afraid of him.

He heard Olivia's voice tell him to be patient.

“Our paths just randomly crossed.  Do you mind if I walk you back home just to make sure you make it there safely?”  

“I’m fine with that.”  

As they walked  he noticed Riley was walking slower.

"Are your feet hurting?"

"If I said yes, would you carry me?"

"Yes, I would." Liam responded without missing a beat.

Riley surprisingly looked at him; she was blushing.

"Good to know chivalry isn't dead."

"If you've ever been wondering of its existence Riley, that means you're with the wrong man."

Riley turned to face him.

“You’re with the wrong man.”  Liam said again.

Riley's eyes widened, and her breath hitched as she stared at him.

Wake up Riley and see me he thought to himself, I know you can feel it too. For a brief moment he saw a spark in her eyes, but it faded as quickly as it appeared.  She broke his intense gaze, motioning to the house.

"Well this is us.  Thank you Liam for the water,  and walking my dog for me."

"I didn’t mind at all. He's a great dog."  He handed Chance's leash back to Riley.

Taylor opened the door and when she saw Liam standing on the porch with Riley, she abruptly slammed it back.

“Well that WAS my sister.”  

Riley went to the door turning the doorknob and while Riley's back was turned Liam smiled. What was Taylor up to?

"Okay….and she locked the door too. You want to sit on the porch with me until I'm allowed back in? It’s a nice morning, and we have a kick ass porch swing here."

And that’s what Taylor was up to.

“Sure.”  

Liam sat on the porch swing with Riley, and instead  of Chance coming to her, he sat at Liam's feet playing with one of his dog toys.

"Chance seems really taken by you. Did we hang out with you a lot?"

"No. I only met Chance once. Not trying to boast, but dogs are excellent judges of people’s characters.  So it should tell you a lot, if a dog doesn’t like someone you’re around."

“That’s right!” Taylor screamed from inside the house.

“And we have an audience.  Taylor, are you going to let me in or what?”  

There was silence.

“And she’s ignoring me.”

There was more silence until the window opened.

"Psssst.  Hey Liam….Liam…. come  over here."

Liam walked over to the window  and Taylor handed him a small tray.

The tray included two slushy tahitian treats, which Liam took.  Taylor winked at him, closing the window.

  It felt like everyone knew they belonged together but Riley at this point.

Riley tossed the water aside, and when Liam sat next to her with the tray she grabbed one of the bottles off the tray.  

The conversation started flowing between her and Liam.  She felt so comfortable with him and it felt so natural, she couldn’t help it.  

Riley released one of the biggest burps she’d ever released in front of a guy.  

“I’m so sorry,” she commented laughing.

“No need to be sorry, that’s damn impressive.  You could give some of the frat boys I knew in college a run for their money. That was really really good."

Liam laughed and burped at the same time.  

“That didn’t feel good!”  Both continued laughing.

Finally after a while Riley faintly heard the door unlock.  Liam heard it too. He hoped Riley wouldn't just end the conversation and run inside,

 instead they talked for two more hours and got delivered another tray of snacks.

Finally though Liam did not want to be the one to leave,  he had to go sign the paperwork for his new apartment.  He thought Riley looked disappointed that he had to go.

One Week Later

"Taylor, you know I love you, and I say this from a place of love right? But you are freakishly obsessed with your sister’s love life, get away from the window!"

"Well I wouldn't be so obsessed if she wasn't with the wrong guy Max. She was supposed to meet Liam the night of her accident. And she still met him."

"She's a grown woman Taylor, hell!!  She's your older sister."

"By only six minutes I might add."

"Still older. Let her make her own decisions."

"This is not the right one." Taylor rubbed her stomach.

At that moment Riley walked in the door  pulling Nico by the hand.

Chance immediately started his low guttural growl as they went up stairs.

Riley locked the door behind Nico, and he pushed her against the door kissing her.

"Are you sure you want me to stay with you tonight?"

Riley bit her lip and nodded, she pulled off her top revealing bare skin to him.  Riley was everything he imagined.  Nico yanked off his shirt revealing his finely chiseled physique, Riley raised her eyebrow at him.  Both liked what the other had revealed.  Nico took that as a green light and grabbed her, pulling her close to him. As Nico picked her up, she wrapped her legs around him, and he loudly groaned, tightening his grip around her.  They tumbled onto the bed together.

  He cupped her breasts in his hands gently caressing her.  

Nico whispered. "I've been wanting this for so long, Riley.  I’ve imagined this moment so many times.”

Instead of responding back, she kissed him again.  She couldn’t say the same. She had never had a fantasy about Nico.  Not even one.  Yes he was handsome, but he never invaded her thoughts in that way.  She didn't mean for her mind to wander as his kisses had drifted to her neck, but it did. To many things, the way Chance always barked and growled in Nico's presence, talking with Liam on the porch, how he listened so intently to her,

and at the park… then something different but she felt like she was seeing it for the first time but it was her with Liam. But she didn’t remember this happening.

"Let's watch the sunset together, it looks like it's going to be a beautiful one."

They were together in a beautiful garden in the evening.

Side by side they stood, watching the sunset together enjoying a peaceful silence.

“Are your feet hurting?”  

“What would you do if they were, if I was your girlfriend?”  

“I’d carry you Riley.”

Riley smiled at Liam.  She could tell from her body language, she liked him so much, the most she had ever liked someone.

“What do you think it would have been like, if we would have met that night?”  

“I wouldn’t have been able to take my eyes off you, in that dress.  Just like now.”

“I wish it would have happened like that.”  

Riley’s heart was racing, but it wasn’t for  Nico.

"Nico…"

"I want you." Nico grunted his hands sliding up her skirt.

"No, Nico, I can't do this with you, I'm sorry."

Nico quickly pulled his hands away from her, but he could not hide the disappointment in his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"This doesn't feel right."

"What can I do to make this right for you?"

"This isn’t about you Nico, it’s about me."

"I love you Riley, I always have."

"I love you too Nico, as a friend, and I don’t feel the way I should about you to be with you this way. I’ve been trying because I know how much you care."

"It’s because of him isn’t it? He told Hana he was your boyfriend."

“He what?”

“But you don’t even remember him, Riley. You let ME kiss you that day, not him!!!!!  That should tell you something. How good was he to you if you can’t even remember him?”

“And Chance doesn’t like you.”  

“Well Chance is an asshole.”  

Riley laughed in shock, pushing Nico away from her.  

“Dogs are great judges of character, and they know other dogs when they see them.  You know that staying the night was clearly not a good idea, maybe you should leave Nico.”

“You’re right, maybe I should.”  

Nico quickly got dressed and left, and that’s how Riley really knew he wasn’t the right one for her.  She really didn’t care.  Her mind drifted back to what appeared like a memory that she had no recollection of in the moment.  Was it real?  Something she imagined about him?  Liam seemed so genuine.  

The next day Riley decided to go to her apartment to see him.  She knocked on the door,  there was no answer.  She looked to the fire hydrant, and found her spare key and walked inside.  There was no sign of Liam anymore, as he had moved out.   Her other key to the apartment was lying on the counter.  She had no way of getting in touch with him.

Liam’s was settling into his new apartment was ironically two blocks away from Riley’s, and it was still close enough for him to walk to the Bodega for tahitian treats, which was what he was doing that day when the idea struck him.  He knew what he had to do.  Liv said he’d know what he needed to do when  the time was right.  

He didn’t know exactly when Riley would be moving back in.  So time was of the essence.  He had a plan.

Two days later,  Taylor took Riley home.  

“Dad had the place cleaned, but Liam was really neat, so it really didn’t need it.  Does it feel good to be home?”  

“It does.”  

“I loved having you at the house, but I know you need your space Rye.”

“Thank you for having me.”

Taylor gave her one last hug before she left.

Riley exhaled flopping onto her couch.  

“It’s finally just us again boy.”  she whispered to Chance scratching his head.  Chance curled up on the couch next to her.  

It was a beautiful day,  too beautiful to be sitting indoors. She decided to get up and go up to the rooftop of her apartment.  

Riley pushed the door open and was met by a blinding light.  When her eyes finally adjusted,  she was standing on the rooftop of her apartment that had been converted into a garden oasis. It was her garden, and it was absolutely breathtaking.  Who did this for her?

“And who the hell is going to take care of all of this? I’ve legit got a brown thumb.  Mother Nature or God,  I’m gonna need you to handle this!!!!”  Riley chuckled to herself, starting to wander through the beautiful and sweet smelling flowers.

There was a seat in the middle and on it sat a white rose.  For her?  It better be, it was her damn garden on top of her damn apartment.  She picked up the freshly clipped de-thorned rose, lifting it up to her nose, to breathe it in.  She closed her eyes as she sighed contentedly.  It was the most fragrant rose and its lovely scent filled her nostrils. Riley sat relaxing, basking in the sweet air and the warm sunshine.

Then she heard a voice… it was his voice, gentle, and so smooth it felt like he was part of the breeze.

“I wrote you a poem.  It’s the first one I've ever written, because I felt so inspired by your effortless beauty…

Soft, Sweet….

Sensually Smiling

Sighs… Softly…..

Shifting Stares….

Sharing Secrets…..

Shhhh……

Shuffling Silently

My Sweet Star.”

Footsteps approached her, and then a hand caressed her shoulder.

She knew it was him,  her soulmate , the one she had always been waiting for.  Riley immediately turned to gaze into his face, the man that had just made her grin like a giddy school girl in love.  

She turned to see… Liam standing there.  

“Nice poem, but when have you known me to be silent?”  

Liam burst out laughing.  

"I'm noisy, belch loudly,  and teeter on being obnoxious at times."

"You are, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

“Liam, tell me the truth.  I see how you look at me.  I can feel love leaping off of you in my direction, and I have these memories of you I don’t know how to explain, that I can't remember happened, but I feel like they are real.”

“They are real.”  

“So, we’ve been in a garden before?”

“Yes, we have."

"Why don't I remember it? It feels like I am watching a memory, not like I lived it."

"But you did live it Riley, and we meant something special to each other. "

"How did you get back into my apartment? You left your key."

"The spare key you keep under the fire hydrant."

"I had to trust you to tell you about that."

"You did Riley. You trusted me."

Riley stepped closer to him.

"Why can't I remember you?"

"Because your heart stopped. But mine didn't and I remember every moment you and I spent together fighting to save your life.

 The night of your accident Riley I was the blind date you were supposed to meet.  We were fated to meet, and we still did. While you were in a coma, your spirit came to me wearing a blue dress and heels.”  

Riley took another step towards him.  

“You were everything you just said about yourself, that you just highlighted as faults, but they are not and still somehow I fell love with you. You’re my Casper the cranky ghost.”  

Riley laughed out loud.

“That’s by far the craziest nickname anyone has ever given me.”

“Guess it’s fitting then because I’m crazy about you.”  

He heard Olivia’s voice say “Now Liam!”  

Riley’s breath hitched when Liam pulled her close. She closed her eyes as he closed in for their first kiss. 

 It was electrifying.  After a few moments Riley abruptly pulled away bursting into tears.

“Liam!!!!”  

She touched his face and then pressed her hand to his chest.

He rested his hand on hers.

“Finally I can really feel your warmth.  I remember everything.  Thank you and I’m sorry, I didn’t remember sooner.”  

“It’s okay.  We’re here now.”

Liam kissed Riley again.  

“Would you like to stay for dinner Liam?”  

“I’d love to.”  

“I haven’t been to the grocery store yet, so are you okay with pizza?”  

Finally Liam’s dream of a pizza night with Riley was coming true.

They went back down to Riley’s apartment where she ordered a large pizza.  

“I did leave you a few things though.”  

Liam opened the pantry door,  there sat a case of tahitian treats.  

“Um, two of those need to be in the freezer like right now.”  

“You got it.”  

She watched the two of them start to find their way together, as a new couple.  Both a little giddy after all they had been through and finally reuniting with each other once again.  Liam paid for the pizza when it arrived while Riley set the table and pulled out the drinks.  They genuinely looked so happy together.  It did hurt her a little watching how comfortable Liam was with her.  Riley was the remaining chapters in the book of his life. Riley would be the one that Liam would have children with and grow old with.  

 “Well Flea bag, my work here is done.  And for the record,  she’s not the only one you’ll do tricks for.  So Let’s Dance Chance!”  

Liam caught Olivia out of the corner of his eye for a split second before she disappeared, dancing with Chance, then only he remained dancing in a circle on his hind paws.  

He smiled back at Riley.  

“Got any plans for next week?”  

“I mean nothing firm set up yet why?”

“Let’s go to New York.”  

The trip neither thought they would be able to take together.

“I'd thought you’d never ask. "

Click here for the Epilogue of this Tribute Series!

[babymetaldoll]

So happy together (Spencer Reid / Reader)

Summary: Spencer bumps into an old annoying classmate, who brags about his perfect family, and Reader decides to pretend to be Spencer’s wife to shut him up.   

Warnings: As fluffy as you can get 

Word count: 2,3K

Part II

Masterlist 

. 

It wasn’t strange that Spencer and (Y/N) spent their free time together when they weren’t on a case. Their job at the BAU left them just a few weekends off, and though they were all day on each other’s faces at work, they loved going out whenever the opportunity arose. 

It might have been related to the fact they were best friends. 

Also to the fact they were in love, but neither of them had still said a word about it. 

Years had passed. Years. Morgan and Penelope were going nuts waiting for them to confess their feelings, but though they had literally pushed them together - once they were “accidentally” locked in a supply closet of the BAU for two hours- nothing had happened yet. 

Even Hotch was annoyed. He was happy Spencer had someone he loved around him, but all Aaron wanted to tell him was: 

- “You have to act on your feelings before it’s too late, ‘cos you never know what will happen tomorrow, not just in this job, but in life. Take what makes you happy and keep it close”. 

Of course, the day he tried to talk to Reid, all Hotch managed to say was: “Tell (Y/N) wheels up in thirty” and that was it, but he was planning on giving the kid a speech about love, as soon as he got a chance. 

Then again, when did he have time to do anything besides work? 

It was Saturday, and Spencer was taking a calm walk in a park with (Y/N). She had promised Mrs. Sanders from 307B she was going to take Lizzy - her five years old corgi - out to play for a while, ‘cos it was making the old woman insane. Mrs. Sanders was the only neighbor (Y/N) actually talked to…. mostly ‘cos she was never long enough in her house to meet the rest of them. (Y/N) took her dog for walks as often as she could, and the old lady always baked her brownies and cookies for her “and her boyfriend”

- “Your boyfriend is too skinny, take him these and tell him you made them for him, men love when a woman cooks for them”- the old lady smiled and gave (Y/N) a tray with freshly made cookies- “And tell him to cut his hair, he looks scruffy”.

(Y/N) never told her otherwise, a part of her loved the idea of Spencer being her boyfriend…. and besides, it would be rude to break an old woman’s heart. Right? 

- “Do you want an ice cream?”- Reid asked her and took her from her thoughts. 

- “Yes! I need sugar ‘cos I’m so tired I’m gonna fall asleep standing here”- Lizzy barked at them and left her ball on the ground- “You on the other hand, never get tired, do you?”- the young woman threw the ball.

- “Go fetch, baby!!”

Spencer walked to the ice cream truck and got her a chocolate chip cookie dough cone - he didn’t even need to ask- and a mint chocolate chip for himself. He stared at her playing with Lizzy and for a second, he imagined she was actually his girlfriend, and they were spending their day off together, walking their dog, eating ice cream, holding hands. It was perfect in his mind. 

- “Here”- he gave her her cone and smiled. (Y/N) was about to thank him when a stranger’s voice stopped her. 

- “Spencer!! long time no see! how are you?”- a man stood next to them, he was maybe five years older than them, tall, good looking, he was carrying a little girl in his arms, and holding a woman’s hand tight. She was pregnant and smiling happily. It was the portrait of a perfect family. 

- “Carl, hey, hello, how are you?”- Reid was surprised to see him, it had been years since he had seen his old classmate, and he could have lived a long happy life if he hadn’t seen him again. 

Carl wasn’t really nice. He wasn’t mean, or a bully, or anything like that. He was just… an asshole sometimes. He was always bragging about everything he had: grades, cars, girls, anything you might think of. Spencer always thought it was because he needed to be validated over and over again as an alfa male, which wasn’t really his problem. But still, after hearing him for years when he was younger, Reid had enough of him. 

- “It’s so weird to find you here, I thought you would still have your nose buried in books like you always did on weekends!”- Carl laughed at his own joke, and Reid just nodded, with an awkward smile. 

- “No, I… sometimes I go out now”- that was all he managed to say

- “This is my wife, Andrea, and our little angel, Anna, she is three… and Carl Jr is on his way”

- “Nice to meet you”- Spencer waved and couldn’t even introduce (Y/N), ‘cos Carl continued talking. 

- “Can you believe I got married? I always said I was never going to settle down and here I am! with a happy family! you should come and visit us! We just bought this fantastic house outside town, with a big yard and lots of space for the kids to run and play!”

(Y/N) stared at Carl and bit her tongue. She had heard about him a lot in the last few years. Spencer told her all about the classmate who kept telling him about the dates he had with the girls he wanted to ask out. And all the fun he had at the parties he wasn’t invited to. And how he managed to always make him feel smaller, though he didn’t actually mean to. Sometimes people can’t help being assholes. 

- “And who is your friend?”- the assumption (Y/N) was his friend and not his girlfriend (although it was actually accurate, that was another problem) made Reid’s blood boil. Why couldn’t he have a pretty girlfriend too? 

- “Hi! I’m (Y/N), Spencer’s wife”- she waved and smiled- “Sorry I can’t shake your hand”- she added and showed them the dog toy she was holding, and the ice cream cone.

- “Come here Lizzy! come here!”- the dog sat next to her and (Y/N) pet her sweetly. 

- “Wife! man! I never thought you had it in you”- Carl didn’t realize he was an ass, he didn’t mean to, but that didn’t stop him.  

Spencer just smiled, and in what seemed to be the boldest move he had ever made, he wrapped an arm around (Y/N)’s waist and moved her a little closer to him. 

- “Yes, we’ve been married for two years already”- she added, resting her head against his arm, feeling her stomach tighten. Spencer’s perfume was all around her, and she loved it. Besides, the fact he was now holding her close was killing her. Literally, she could feel she was about to have a heart attack, and it was completely worth it. It took her a few seconds to realize her ice cream was melting in her hands. 

- “Shit!”- she jumped and moved from her “husband” to clean herself. 

- “Here”- Carl’s wife handed her some baby wipes and looked at her hands for a second- “Did you lose your ring?”- shit, Andrea was nosy and annoying, just like her hubby.

- “I usually won’t wear it playing with the dog, or at work”- lies came out of (Y/N)’s lips as easy as breathing- “You know… we are both FBI, and you don’t know when someone might actually take advantage of any kind of information they have about you”

- “FBI? you?”- Spencer looked at Carl and sighed. Right, he wasn’t done teasing him yet. 

- “Yes, I’ve been working at the BAU for the last couple of years, profiling serial killers”- Reid made it sound like it wasn’t a big deal, and (Y/N) decided it was time to brag a little. 

- “Honey, don’t be so modest, you are the best profiler, we are the only team with a Doctor in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Engineering”- and Reid blushed- “Besides, you joined the FBI when you were 22 years old”- (Y/N) smiled and looked at Carl- “Did you know he is the youngest SSA the bureau had ever have? there was no psychological exam or test the FBI could put in front of him he could not ace inside of an hour”  

Carl looked at Reid and nodded, trying to find something to say. 

- “That’s great, I’ve got my own law firm by the way, in case you ever get in trouble”- he joked and looked at (Y/N)- “Or in case you want to divorce him ‘cos he ignores you over books”

- “I could never! did you know he has saved around 352 lives in the last two years? he actually got the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement a few months ago… I am so proud”- (Y/N) leaned in and kissed Spencer’s cheek. He looked at her blushing and just smiled. 

- “You look adorable”- Andrea finally said- “It’s like you just started dating!” 

- “Well, we have to go”- Carl didn’t manage being overshadowed very well- “It was very nice to see you, Spencer” 

- “Same! take care, nice to meet you, Andrea”- Reid waved and smiled. (Y/N) did the same and kept eating her ice cream. 

- “I hate him”- she whispered as soon as they were far enough not to listen- “I’m so glad we didn’t invite them to our wedding”- Reid laughed and shook his head

- “You didn’t have to do that”

- “Nah, I wanted to”- she really did- “He was being a jerk, just like you told me he was” 

- “He doesn’t mean to… I think” 

- “Well, he got what he deserved”- (Y/N) felt Spencer’s eyes on her, looking at her in adoration. 

- “Thank you, buttercup”- and she giggled

- “You are very welcome, honey bunny…”- and the silence seemed to last for ages until Lizzy started barking. 

(Y/N) smiled and looked away from him, knowing she was blushing. She really loved that nickname, and he didn’t call her by it as often as she would like. She grabbed the dog toy from the ground and threw it to Lizzy, who ran immediately.

- “Mrs. Sanders made you cookies”- she said after a few minutes- “But she said I had to tell you I baked them for you, ‘cos that what’s girlfriend’s do to get men’s hearts”- Reid’s cheeks were still red, and those words didn’t make it better- “But considering we are already married, I guess I don’t have to do that anymore”. 

They both laughed and then, stayed quiet again. Reid could hear Rossi’s voice yelling in the back of his head “Ask the girl out, for crying out loud”, but he couldn’t even open his mouth, petrified. 

(Y/N) finished her ice cream, watching Lizzy playing with other dogs, and sighed. They were standing side by side, both looking ahead. 

- “We should head back”

- “Doyouwannagooutwithme?”

The slur of words was so fast, not even Spencer understood what he had just said. But (Y/N) did. She stood next to him feeling her knees shaking, as well as her hands. It had happened. It had finally happened. In her head, she was screaming “YES, OF COURSE I WANT TO”, but her lips weren’t moving, and Reid was starting to panic. Maybe Morgan was wrong, and (Y/N) did like him that way. Maybe he had just ruined the best friendship he had ever had. Shit! what had he done. 

- “I mean, I understand if you…”- but she didn’t let him finish 

- “Yes, I do”- that was really all she could process. And he didn’t know what to say next. There was no random fact to kill the silence, they would always have a lot to talk about, but that time they were speechless. 

- “Tomorrow?”- he managed to whisper

- “Ok”- she nodded as the two of them kept looking at Lizzy 

 - “I’ll pick you up for dinner”- Spencer’s voice was so soft he was scared it was going to shake and embarrass him  (he was already embarrassed, but he didn’t want to make it worst). 

- “Sounds good”- (Y/N) slowly turned her head and looked at him, nearly holding her breath. Her best friend finally asked her out. The best friend she had been in love with for years had just asked her out on a date. And all she managed to say was: 

- “So… do you want a cookie?”

- “Sure…”- he nodded and smiled. (Y/N) called Lizzy and put on her leash. Gave Spencer the paper bag with homemade cookies she carried in her purse and smiled.

.

- “Did you know Christmas cookies date back to Medieval Europe?”- and there it was, Spencer’s random fact of the day, just on time to kill the silence when they were about to reach (Y/N)’s apartment. 

- “Really?”

- “Yeah, the traditional Christmas flavors, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, became very popular, and those are exactly the same spices medieval cooks would have used in their cookies ages ago”

- “I love Christmas cookies”

- “I know”- he smiled and looked at her- You bake them all year long 

- “I can’t help it, they are too good”- she giggled and stood outside her building door. They just stared and smiled, Lizzy trying to get (Y/N)’s attention rubbing her head against her leg. 

- “I’ll see you tomorrow then”- Spencer blushed at the hint of their date and (Y/N) nodded

- “See you tomorrow”- and neither of them moved. Lizzy barked again and forced (Y/N) to wave and open the door. Spencer just stood there for a second, staring at the empty space in front of him where (Y/N) was standing a few seconds ago, and suddenly, it all sank in.

- “What the fuck did I just do?” 

[uncpanda]

Blood is Thicker Than Water:  Part 12

AN: When it comes to the timeline, I say screw it. It’s more fun to re-arrange stuff.  Also, I secretly call this chapter turning point and big steps. 

Big shout out to those who helped with the Spanish in the chapter! It meant I didn’t have to use google translate. I’m very grateful for their help in the picking out phrases, terms of endearment, and their opinions. You guys rock!

Please Let Me Know What YOU THINK!!!

Master List

You’re in the middle of cooking dinner, or to be more accurate Rafael is in the middle of cooking dinner. Benny is sitting beside his feet, and his tail is going a hundred miles an hour. You watch as Rafa sneaks him little pieces of meat. It’s possibly the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen. 

You take a sip of your wine, “So, what I’m hearing is it was a bad case from the start.” 

Rafa shrugs, “Whenever someone cries free speech in conjunction to rape you know it isn’t going to be pretty. I just can’t believe the girl had it in her to go film him. I have to admit, the look on Rita’s face when she saw the video . . . it was like Christmas.” 

You roll your eyes, “She’s your friend Rafa.” 

He steps away from the sauce he’s making long enough to kiss you, “True, which is why I told her we’d go out to dinner with her and Brian next week.” 

“Are we hosting or going out?” 

“Out. Some new restaurant Rita wants to try. She said it was her treat so I wasn’t in a place to argue. I plan to order the most expensive scotch they have.”  

You giggle, and kiss him again only for Benny to bark. Rafa turns towards your dog, “What? Are you still hungry? No eres un perro, eres un cerdo.” Benny runs towards him and bumps his head against Rafa’s leg. Immediately your boyfriend crouches down to pet him, "Un cerdito muy mono."  He looks up at you, “I found a place online that makes these really cute bandanas and bow ties.” 

He says the words as though he’s looking for penance and you laugh, “How many did you buy?” 

He groans, “Like five, they had a deal, and I couldn’t resist. At this rate the dog is going to make me go broke.” 

He stands up and goes back to cooking, and Benny goes to you. You kneel down next to your dog and love on him. In the three weeks that you had had Benny, you’d fallen massively in love with him. So had Rafa. The two of you made it a point to take him on walks together, and Rafa even had a framed photo of the three of you in his office now, and the background on his phone was a picture of you and Benny. The entire thing was terribly domestic and you couldn’t help but love it. 

“I got a call from my Abuelita yesterday.” 

Your head snaps up, at that. Despite having been together for seven months you had yet to meet any of Rafael’s family. His mother and his entire community in the Bronx were still giving him the cold shoulder over the whole Alex fiasco. Only his grandmother had stayed in touch. In fact he talked on the phone with her at least four times a week. 

“How is she?” 

“She has a cold, but says she’s fine. She says that the only way she could feel better is if she finally got to meet you.” 

You grin, “Really? That’s so sweet.” 

“Manipulative. The word you’re looking for is manipulative. It’s the classic abuelita guilt trip.” 

“And you’re the dutiful grandson who is going to give into it.” 

“This is true. If it’s okay with you, I was going to pick her up and have her spend the weekend with us.” 

“Will she have a problem with me staying the night, sleeping in your bed?” 

“She’s a realist. And if there’s a chance that you and I end up married with a bunch of babies, she’ll do anything to make that happen. And in her eyes, Benny is a good sign of things to come.” 

You just laugh, “Well it seems more than fair to me. I mean you’ve known Liv since day one, so. . .” 

“I’ll set it up then.” 

Before you can tell him how excited you are, the front door opens and a very frantic Liv and Ed enter. Benny, the loveable goofball that he is, goes straight to them. Your sister walks right past him, and Rafa shoots a glare her way, “Pet the dog, he’s happy to see you.” 

She shoots a glare back at him, “Not a good time Barba.” 

“I’m standing here, in your kitchen, making dinner for everyone. How is this not a good time?” 

“Because Ed and I may have done something impulsive.” 

You look over at Ed who currently has Benny climbing all over him, “It’s fast, not impulsive.” 

Your brow furrows, “What the hell did you do?” 

Your sister looks at you, opens her mouth and then closes it, “We did several things. Try to not be mad.” 

You watch Rafa turn the dials on the stove to simmer, and then your eyes flick back to your sister, “Liv, you’re scaring me.” 

“Ed and I got married.” 

You’re not able to find the words but Rafa sure does, “What?” 

Ed clears his throat, “We’re not done yet.” 

“We agreed to foster a baby. At the end of one year if no living relatives can be found we can formally adopt him. We got married, because it’s something we want, but we did it quickly because it strengthens the home environment, and made our case worker stop glaring at us.” 

You still can’t find the words, but your boyfriend has never had that problem, “Is this the baby from the trafficking case, Noah?” 

Liv nods, a smile on her face, “Ed and I have been going to his hearings for custody and the like. Judge Linden proposed the idea.” 

Ed smiles, “We didn’t hesitate.” 

Your mind is going a million miles a moment, “When does he come home?” 

“A few days, the case worker has to come inspect everything.” 

You nod, “We’re going to need a bunch of stuff. You two go change, put the guns in the safe, cause we’re going to have to go hit the baby stores now. I’m going to help Rafa put the food in containers.” 

They don’t hesitate, and the moment they disappear into Liv’s room, Rafa’s arms are around you, “Are you okay?” 

“I think so. A little surprised, but not really. Liv always said that if she ever got married she’d elope, but I always thought I’d be there.”

His fingers comb through your hair and you lean into the touch, “It’s alright to be upset.” 

“I’m okay. Right now I’ll focus on the fact that I’m getting a nephew.

He places a kiss at the top of your head, “Okay. But if you want to talk, just let me know.” He looks over at the food, “Recalentado no está tan rico.”

Liv and Ed come out a minute later, you put Benny in your room, and the four of you head out. You arrive at a baby store, and you link your arm with Rafael’s. You look at the price tag and feel your eyes go big at the prices. You turn to Rafa, “Babies are expensive.” 

He looks at the tag, and shrugs, “That’s not too bad.” 

“Exactly, how much are you paid?” 

“Esas cosas no se dicen.”

You spend hours in the store while Olivia and Ed look up reviews online before adding anything to their cart. About three hours in you turn to Raf and say, “It’s like watching you buy stuff for Benny.”

He shoots a look at you, “Eso no es divertido.”

You grin, and then something catches your eye. You move towards a little gray elephant. He’s soft to the touch, and you can’t help but think he’d be the perfect companion for your nephew. 

When you’re finally done, it takes four cabs to get everything back to the apartment, and several trips up and down the stairs. When that’s said and done you and Rafa collapse on the couch. After a minute he collapses face down so that his head is in your lap. 

“This better be one awesome baby.”  

You chuckle and run your fingers through his hair and sigh, “I’m going to have to find a new place to live.” 

Rafa sits up, “What?” 

You motion to all the baby stuff that is filling every spare inch of the apartment, “Where are they going to put a baby? They’re going to need my room for a nursery Rafa, and I don’t really feel like sharing a room with a baby just yet.” 

“And where are you going to go?” 

You shrug, “I’ll find a place.” 

“Or. . .” 

“Or?” 

“You could move in with me.” 

You blink owlishly at your boyfriend, “Seriously?” 

He smiles, and punctuates each reason with a kiss, "You spend most nights at my place anyways. I like having you around. I like waking up next to you, and coming home to you, and falling asleep with you next to me. Además, me será más fácil hacer esto.” He kisses you long and slow. 

“Are you trying to romance me Mr. Barba?”

He kisses that spot on your neck that you like and you giggle, “Siempre mi amor.”

“I would love to move in with you.” 

He pulls you into his lap, and you squeal, “Bien.”

----

The next day you break the news to a horrified Liv. You realize the situation didn’t even dawn on her until you mentioned it. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about that. I feel so bad.” 

You wave off her concerns, “It’s not a big deal Liv.” 

She takes your hand, “In the span of twenty four hours, I’ve gotten married, taken in a baby, and forced you out of your home. I may be the worst sister ever.” 

“You’re not the worst sister ever, I can guarentee it. You are however, scatterbrained.” 

Yes your life had been disrupted and yes, you wish you had been there when your sister had gotten married, but. . . “Weddings have never been your thing. You hated any movie that centered around them. I always knew if you found the right guy you wouldn’t have a wedding, I just always figured I’d be there.” 

She bites her lip, “You should have been there. I guess I got so caught up in everything, I wasn’t thinking.” 

You lean forward, “Do you mind me asking what spurred this?” 

She grins, “You did. After the negative pregnancy test, after you and I talked, I decided that I wanted a future with Ed, and we both wanted a family. We decided to start trying, and then . . .Noah fell into our laps. I’ve been with him since I found him. Ed went with me to visit him once, and he went every time since. Showed up to all the hearings with me. It was right. It feels . . .good. You don’t feel like I’m replacing you, do you?” 

“I’m twenty eight Liv, I’m in a serious relationship, this is a good thing. I want to live with Rafa, I want you to have a family, and I want us to keep moving forward. I’m happy. Are you happy?” 

She nods, “I’m so happy I can barely believe it.” 

The two of you smile like loons, “Look at us, all grown up and living fully functional lives.” 

Liv just laughs. 

You spend the next two days packing up your things alongside Rafa. “You have more books than I do. I didn’t think that was possible.” 

You smile, “I like to read.” 

He has a teasing grin on his face, “Most of them are romance novels.” 

You wrap your arms around his middle, “They’re a guilty pleasure.” You kiss him and nip at his bottom lip, “I haven’t read as many since we started dating if it’s any consolation.” 

“As many?” 

You wink at him, “You work a lot of late nights.” He laughs and continues to put the books in boxes. You move to your clothes next. You fold them neatly and place them in the boxes too. He’s surprised by how many pairs of shoes you have. 

“You’re questioning my shoes. You have ties to match your socks and your suspenders.” 

The laughing continues and you can’t help but think that with anyone else, packing up your life would be a chore. With Rafael it’s fun and easy. You decide to keep his bedroom furniture and put yours into storage. And being the wonderful man that he is, Rafael hires actual movers to get your stuff back to his apartment. 

You give your empty room one last look and move on to the next chapter of your life. 

[dr-spencer-reids-queen]

Extreme Aggressor: Part Two

Pairing: Eventual Spencer Reid x Reader

Word Count: 2.1k

Warnings: canon violence, canon language, canon talk of death, methods of kill, and angst

Summary: Jason Gideon is called back from a six-month leave from the Behavioral Analysis Unit to profile a killer. Meanwhile, the team flies across the country to Seattle when another young woman goes missing at the hands of "The Seattle Strangler," another serial killer.

Author’s Note: Here is it finally! After hard work, it is finally ready for your viewing pleasure! Please, feedback is always appreciated so let me know what you like about it and what you didn’t!

I do not own anything from Criminal Minds. All credit goes to their respective owners. If there is any warnings that exceed the normal death/kills from the show, I will list them. If you’ve seen the show, then it’s the same level of angst unless otherwise stated.

So without further ado, please enjoy!

After arriving at the police headquarters, you followed Gideon and the rest of the team inside the building. It still felt awkward between you and the rest of the team which is why you stuck to Gideon’s side the whole time. He walked fast throughout the building, and you did your best to keep up.

“He never stands with his back to a window. When I was between him and a doorway, he asked me to move,” Derek gossiped about your friend.

“That's hypervigilance. It's not uncommon in post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“Just how much disorder are we talking about?”

“Morgan, it's been six months. Everything's okay,” Hotchner calmed him down.

“And he brings along a woman we don’t even know? How do we know we can trust her? I’m sorry, but she doesn’t mean anything to me yet,” Derek asked just as you passed them.

Looking at them over your shoulder, you caught Spencer’s eyes before moving on.

“Give her time. You gave me time,” he said, catching up to you. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. He’s right. I’m a stranger to you guys.”

“Hopefully by the end of this, you won’t be,” he smiled, walking into the main room with you that was crowded with uniforms.

“This is special agent Gideon, special agent Morgan, our expert on obsessional crimes, special agent Reid—”

“Dr. Reid,” Gideon interrupted.

“Dr. Reid, our expert on well, everything, and the newest member of our team, Y/N Y/L/N. And after two years busting my ass in this office, I hope you all remember me,” Hotchner smiled with the laughter that ensured throughout the room.

“He's willing to travel with the body,” Gideon speaks, looking at the map.

“Then he drives a vehicle capable of concealing one,” Hotchner added.

“1 in 7.4 drivers in Seattle owns an SUV,” Spencer spat out.

“But how do we know it's his car? Ted Bundy drove a VW Bug. What about a Jeep Cherokee? Jeeps are more masculine,” Derek voiced his thoughts.

“We all know how an unsub feels about asserting his masculinity,” Gideon chuckled.

“When did the bureau become involved in the case?” Hotchner asked the lead police officer.

“After the fourth body. He dumped that one out of state.”

While everyone was conversing and talking, you walked up the board with the recent pictures of the latest kidnapped victim, Heather. She went missing about a day ago which means she has about 24 hours left until she is dead—and the clock is ticking. Her image and the photos of the abduction site certainly does something for you, but it’s not enough. Reaching up to touch the image of her, you closed your eyes to see if you can get anything from a picture.

A flash of an orange car here, her heart rate increasing while inside the car, but other than that, you got nothing. It would be better if you were touching some of her things since the human body leaves traces wherever they go, whatever they touch. Since she wasn’t murdered, there isn’t a dump site that would give you even more clues and answers.

“What are you doing?” Spencer asked when he saw you.

Opening your eyes, you lowered your hand before looking at him.

“I am trying to connect myself with her through a photograph. It’s not that common to get anything, but it does happen. I see an orange car and her fearful expressions, but that’s about it.”

“What do you need in order to get a clearer picture?”

“Her belongings. Every human leaves a spiritual trace wherever they go. It’s stronger with personal items.”

“Agent Gideon, where would you like to start?” one of the policemen asked.

“Let's start at the site of the last murder. Y/N, you coming?”

“I think I’ll get a better read on Heather and whether she’s alive or not if I’m with her things. I’ll go to her house.”

“Reid and I will go with you,” Hotchner announced.

Knowing you wouldn’t go alone, you bit your own tongue and followed the two men out the door. The fact that the Bureau provided government standard SUVs were pretty cool. It didn’t take long to go to Heather’s house, and when you arrived, you met her brother and the dog she owned.

“Sandy, no, no, no. I'm so sorry,” Heather’s brother, David, apologized when the big dog started barking and trying to playfully attack you three. However, when it came to you, the dog just stared at you silently.

“No, it's okay. It's what we call the Reid effect,” Hotchner stated, causing the young doctor to be confused. “I'm agent Hotchner. This is special agent Dr. Reid and Dr. Y/N Y/L/N.”

“Y/N is fine,” you quickly added.

“You two look too young to have gone to medical school,” the man observed.

“They're PhD's. 3 of them. She has two.”

“Spencer,” you whispered softly to get him to shut up about it.

It’s not like you don’t want people to know you have 2 PhDs, but you just didn’t want the attention. Plus, if your dad knew you went to school to be a profiler in the FBI, he’d have your head.

“Are you a genius or something?”

“I don't believe that intelligence can be accurately quantified, but I do have an IQ of 187 and an eidetic memory and can read 20,000 words per minute,” he gushed. The man stared at him like he was crazy, so the young doctor just agreed. “Yes, I'm a genius.”

“Sandy, you get a lot of attention, don't you?” Hotchner asked the dog who just panted.

Instead of being with them, you took a look around the room to see if you can get a feel to the place. Heather’s spirit was here through certain items, but because there are more than one, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where it’s coming from. The conversation went on about her dog until it got back on track.

“David, does your sister drive a Datsun Z?” Spencer asked when he picked up a magazine.

“No, but she's in the market for one. How'd you know?” he asked, and Spencer held it up. David just shook his head and took his dog outside since she was getting antsy.

“There's an immediate relationship established between a buyer and a seller, a certain level of trust. If I want to coax a young woman into my car, I’d offer her a test drive,” you said, causing the two men to stare at you.

Their bodies were emitting tension, and you knew they didn’t trust you at all. You needed to do something to prove to them that you were worthy enough to be on this team.

“Let me show you what I can do, okay?”

“Alright,” Hotch said.

Taking the magazine from Spencer’s hands, you closed your eyes in concentration. A multitude of pictures flashed through your mind due to the residue that Heather left behind, until those pictures turned into film. Heather was seated on the couch right behind Hotch and Spencer, flipping through the magazine happily. When she got to the page she wanted, she grabbed the red marker on the table next to her and circled the orange car a bunch of times. She then grabbed her money and began counting it to see if she had enough money to buy it.

“Heather is sitting on that couch, super excited to buy the orange car I keep seeing. She circles the one she wants with a red marker, and she starts to count her money,” you open your eyes, and began to flip through the magazine until you found the page you were looking for. “If I’m right, it’s this page she was on. She found someone with this exact car, and whoever took her did it because they got her to test drive it.”

The page you landed on was the same exact page with the red marker.

“Nice job,” Hotch complimented.

“That’s amazing,” Spencer muttered.

“Thank you. I just want to help, Agent Hotchner.”

“Please, call me Hotch.”

“Okay, then how about the fact that on one hand, we have paranoid psychosis, but the autopsy protocol says what?” Derek asked.

Back at the office, everyone was talking about the case and how the MO of this unsub didn’t make any sense. Derek was the one who was freaking out about everything since apparently not having a profile ready didn't bode well for him.

“Adhesive residue shows he put layer after layer of duct tape over his victims' eyes,” Spencer answered.

“He knows he wants to kill them, but he still covers their eyes. He doesn't want 'em looking at him, apparently. Okay, but then he takes the body and dumps it right out in the open, murder weapon nearby.”

“Not the MO of a paranoid convinced he's being watched or surveilled,” Spencer added.

Gideon stares at the drawing board while the rest talked about the case. Just by the look of his face, he was drowning out whatever they were saying. Even though you can get a read on his spiritual energy, that didn’t mean you could understand what he is thinking.

“Jason? What’s wrong?” you asked quietly, making sure only he could hear you.

However, he didn’t answer you directly.

“Alright, enough,” he interrupted the chatter in the room. “Let's tell them we're ready.”

“We're ready?” Derek gasped as Gideon left the room. The young genius started to write something down on his notepad, but the older agent wasn’t finished. “Reid, you're good with this? We've got a woman who's only got a few hours left to live, an incomplete profile, and a unit chief on the verge of a nervous breakdown.”

“They don't call them nervous breakdowns anymore,” you noted.

“It's called a major depressive episode.”

“I know, Reid,” Derek sighed.

Walking away from the board, you looked at Spencer quickly right before you left the room. Gideon gathered everyone in a conference room to deliver the profile and stood in the middle of the room with the tables blocking him in on three sides like a square. The rest of his team stood off to the side, and while Hotch, Spencer, and Derek were listening, you were watching the reactions of everyone in this room. If your abilities told you anything, it’s how untrustworthy even the most highly respected person could be.

“The unidentified subject is white and in his late 20's. He's someone you wouldn't notice at first. He's someone who'd blend into any crowd. The violent nature of the crime suggests a previous criminal record--petty crimes, maybe auto theft,” Gideon began. Running your eyes over every person in this room, you tapped into their energies to see what the normal eye couldn’t.

“We've classified him as an organized killer—psychopathic as opposed to psychotic. He follows the news, has good hygiene, and he's smart. 'Cause he's smart, the only physical evidence you'll find is what he wants you to find,” Gideon continued. The person right in front of you wanted to pay attention, but all of his focus was centered on his phone. He’s got some private issues at home that you rather not delve into right now.

“He's mobile, and his car in good condition. Our guess is a Jeep Cherokee with tinted windows. The murders have all involved rapes, but rape without penetration is a form of piquerism, and that tells us he's sexually inadequate.”

The person to your right is paying very close attention to what Gideon is saying, but she is focused on his lips and the way he talks which says that she’s attracted to him right now. That made you want to laugh because you knew for a fact that Gideon was seeing someone on the down low.

“What is it?” Spencer whispered when he saw the hint of your smile.

“That woman over there wants to bone Gideon,” you whispered back.

“How do you know?”

“I’m psychic, Spencer. I know more about a person than you think. Want me to do you?”

“No, thank you,” he whispered and got back to what Gideon was saying.

“Psychiatric evaluations will show a history of paranoia stemming from a childhood trauma—death of a parent or family member, and now he feels persecuted and watched. Murder gives him a sense of power. Organized killers have a fascination with law enforcement. They will inject themselves into the investigation. They will even come forward as witnesses to see just how much the police really know. That makes them feel powerful, in control. Which is why I also think in fact, I know you have already interviewed him,” Gideon finished, causing the entire room to feel shocked at the news.

wanna be tagged? add yourself to this document! if your tag doesn’t work, find out why!

@averyhotchner​

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

HASO, “A little Race.”

So this is a little story setting up for some stuff in the future.

A few of you on the discord server mentioned an interest in learning more about the criminal element within my universe as well as a couple other ideas which I would love to incorporate, so I hope you like where this is going :)

Adam turned heads as he walked through the station. Glowing, grungy neon lights lit him up from either side though the forest of bodies parted before him like a sea. Everyone here looked more than a little unnerved at his presence, and hurriedly scampered away into the dark allies upon the station.

It wasn’t a big place, A trading hub  not so far from the metallic belt, so many of these people probably weren't here for illegal reasons, but based on his time getting to know the criminal underbelly of the universe, he also knew the station’s real reputation. And he knew the man he was looking for was likely to be here. 

He would have disguised himself as Kell, but thought better of it. He wanted to keep that disguise in his arsenal if he ever had to go undercover again, and this wasn’t a moment  he needed to be undercover.

Behind him Sunny walked at his shoulder, holding her pearlescent spear in one hand.

She really made an impression on people these days, and he found it more than useful to have a saint on his side.

He walked down the hallway through a set of doors and then into a wide cargo bay. Someone was playing rap music somewhere, and he could hear it echoing  off the rough metal. Graffiti tagged the walls on almost every surface, including the floor, and the rattle of metal on metal drowned out whatever lyrics there might have been. He stepped further into the room as out of place as he had ever been.

Adam had never been involved in criminal affairs. Beside his brief stint as Kell and his  accidental time in the Turma Prison, he had been a straight arrow all his life. He had never done drugs, never stolen anything, never been arrested. And it certainly didn’t help that he had to run here from an appointment with Admiral kelly, and so was still wearing his UNSC uniform, which was pristinely pressed, light grey  and caused him to stand out like a drop of white paint against a black background.

The music crew louder as he stepped inside.

The room was full of shuttles, or some of them were shuttles and others were more accurately jets. Some of them were old, held together by paint and duct tape, while others glowed sleek with outlandish new paint jobs that included skulls and flames and chains. A group of men and women sat off to one side. The women wore very little, just string bikini tops and cut off jean shorts. One of the women, with long dark hair tied back in a ponytail was wearing jeans and a spoked leather jacket.

A lot of the men wore baggy pants tank tops, with lines of tattoos crawling up their arms and necks.

Similar looking people loitered around the ships tinkering with the engines and polishing surfaces already too shiny to need polishing.

The  woman was the first to see him, sitting up straight with the rattle of leather and spikes, “You don’t have any business here, Get out.”

That caused the others to turn and look, and the group of people bristled like an angry dog, forming into a tight group shoulders wide, arms out chests puffed up.

Adam stopped a few feet away.

“I want to speak with the man called Donovan Red.”

“Ol Donni ain’t here.” One of the men said, spitting onto the floor, “New git!”

“I know he’s here. His ship is parked in the hanger on deck E.”

A couple more men had wandered up to join, and he spotted the tell tale sign of weapons shoved hastily into their pants.

He held his hands out to the sides, “Listen, I just want to talk.”

“Then come  back with a warrant, pig.” ONe of them snapped. The guy was an ugly looking thug with a completely shaved head and bare chest. He had a pot belly from drinking, but he still had one of the girls hanging off his arm shying behind him from for protection.:

He sighed, “I’m not here to talk with him about any of his activities as legal or illegal as they may be. I’m not interested in what he does or who he does it with. I am here to ask him a favor.”

There was a shift about the room, and the woman from before stood up resting a hand on her hip, “The golden boy of the UNSC wants a favor from old Donni.” She barked a laugh and the men and women behind her laughed too.

“”In your dreams, boy.”

The group turned laughing and he felt his insides churn a bit with rage. He went to take a step forward but took a deep breath and stopped, “He will want to reconsider.” they ignored him, “If he does me a favor that means I owe him, Think about that, one of the most powerful men in the GA or the UNSC and I will owe him a favor.” he raised his voice, “Your boss would have to be pretty stupid to avoid an offer like that.”

There was a pause around the room, and then Adam felt something cold press up against his temple, “And you have to be pretty stupid to call him stupid.”

Adam turned his head just slightly feeling the barrel of the gun pressed below his ear.

As he moved the gun moved. Sunny hadn’t bothered to deal with the guy, and he knew why almost immediately.

WIth one lightning fast move he reached up and slapped the gun out of the man's sloppy grip. It clattered to the floor and went spinning away under one of the shuttles. Adam then stepped back and elbowed the man in the face. The man staggered back and Adam finished him off with a kick to the sternum that sent him flying back into  a barrel, which tipped over with an echoing thud and rolled slowly away.

He turned back to the others who were hastily reaching for their weapons, “The next person who points a gun at me is getting a spear through the throat.” Sunny stepped forward with a hungry look on her face.

The group paused, “You’re UNSC, you can’t do that.”

HE crossed his arms, “I won't be doing anything, but I can’t guarantee that my partner here won’t.” 

There was a pause in  the room as everyone nervously looked between each other.

“Why don’t we all just calm down.” The voice echoed in from the back, and the entire group turned to see a man walk up through the isel.

Donovan Red was shorter than Adam had expected, but still fit. He wore a tight black T shirt that bulged around his biceps, and when he walked he walked with the confidence of a man not used to being out of control.

The man walked right up to him, unperturbed by their height difference  slowly looking him up and then down. 

“You shouldn’t have come here, Cinderella.”

Adam raised an eyebrow, “Cinderella/”

The man shrugged, “Yeah, you got that vibe, all dressed up like a princess.” He nodded to Sunny, “And hanging out with woodland creatures.”

Sunny did not look amused, 

“Actually that would be snow white, or sleeping beauty, as I recall Cinderella only talked to mice.”

The man snorted, “My apologies for now knowing my princesses better, Cinder-ellla.”

Adam didn’t respond, didn’t back up. Instead he inched forward so he was towering over the man, “Look I’m not here to bother you or your men-”

“Too late for that don’t you think, princess.”

The men and women behind him laughed.

Adam sighed, “If you will let me finish. I assume that you got off your ass and came over here because you heard what I was saying to your cronies?”

Adam stood his ground as the entire group inched in. It was partly out of show, and partly because he knew sunny and him together could take this crowd easy.

Red looked up at him with his head tilted to one side, “Tell you what.”

He stepped back and turned to look at his men, “I’ll talk to you about your little favor, but-” He held up a finger, “Only if you prove yourself worthy of my time.”

Adam sighed. This was going to be good.

“And how, exactly do I do that.”

“Simple,” The man said with a smirk, “You just have to win a little race.”

***

Eris looked up at the pictures on the wall. There were a lot of them to choose from, and she spent some time wandering around the living room looking up at all the images. She knew these people, or at least it felt like she did.. Through Adam’s memories she knew Martha: intelligent and protective, Jim: strong and loyal, Maya: sweet and adventurous, Jeremy: friendly and changeable, Davide: perfect and charming, Thomas: a general hot mess, but someone who cared deeply about things.

She remembered all of them, but at the same time that felt like invading their privacy. 

They didn’t know her, so it wasn’t fair of her to claim to know them.

She sensed someone behind her and turned to find Martha looking up at the pictures with her. She pointed up at one and Eris followed, “that was last christmas together before Adam went to space.” She sighed and shook her head, “A lot has changed since then.”

Jim followed behind and held out a cup, “Can you eat human food? Sorry if you can’t I just assumed.”

She took the cup, “No its ok, myst of my  insides are human.” She had taken off her hoodie and now let it rest on the back of Martha’s rocking chair.

Jim went to stand next to his wife and looked Eris over with his head slightly tilted.

Eris hid behind her long dark hair, hair that reached past her butt. She wore it long, not only to hid behind, but because she thought it might help to cover the starborn ribbons which trailed from her back.

“You know what Martha, she looks a lot like Maya doesn’t she.”

Martha turned to look and Eris shuffled her feet, “You know what, I didn’t see it before but she does. She elbowed him, definitely has the Vir family nose.”

He grunted, “Be glad she got the nose and not the ears.”

Martha motioned her to take a seat, “Why don’t you sit down and tel lus what brings you all across the galaxy.”

Eris sat shyly on the edge of her seat nervously running her hands through her hair.

“Well….. um , nothing really it’s jus that. I had been taking care of the other hybrids and…. And well I kind of got burnt out and couldn’t do it anymore, so I…. wanted to start living for myself you know?”

The two humans nodded sagely

“But I didn’t know where to start. So I thought I would get to know my roots a bit better. I am half human….. Well DNA says a little bit more than half human, so I thought I might start with you.  Iwanted ;to see Adam, but he seems to be gone, and I can’t reach him.”

Martha nodded, “It has been harder and harder lately especially after.”

Eris’s eyes widened as she read the thoughts forming in the woman’s mind, “Someone is trying to kill him!”

The two paused, but then got back into stride without so much as a look between each other. Eris kicked herself. People always hated being around her when they knew she could read minds. 

Here she was driving people away again.

“Yes…. someone has attempted to kill him in the past. We aren’t sure if it will happen again, but we dor worry about him.”

Eris felt her insides go cold, she could feel it through the mental link to his parents, and she could feel it inside herself as well.

Adam Vir couldn’t die, not before she got to know him better, and certainly not if it was going to hurt his parents, who were some f the nicest people she had ever met.

She had to do something.

[anoutlandishfanfic]

The Alaskan Endeavor: Ch1 - The Ballad of Roger Mac

This lovely wee fic has been clattering around in my brain for some time, earning the accurate nickname of The Balto!Frasers— so bestowed by beta @thefraserwitch. Thanks to Beta Fish @walkinginland for helping me solidify the title and generally being wonderful.

A little back story as to WHY THE HECK SLED DOGS: I grew up around them and was familiar with them, even though they were my cousin’s team. CousinPaul had spent a couple years up in Kotzebue, AK — yes, it’s a real place! — between his residency and being employed as the wonderful physician he is in a regular hospital AND FELL IN LOVE WITH SLED DOGS. Wisconsin, specifically NORTHERN WI where I’m from, is a great place to have sled dogs as it gets nice and cold but has pretty mild summers.

That’s the history — but RECENTLY, I stumbled upon musher Blair Braverman on Twitter and caught the Sled Doggo bug again. She’s from WI and qualified and RACED in the Iditarod last year. Give her a follow: @BlairBraverman on Twitter.

Also, the chapter posting is in honor of the FIRST FEMALE WINNER of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon since 1998! I feel like Claire would’ve be doin’ a lil dance.

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

June 11th, 2013 Kotzebue, Alaska.

Roger Wakefield.

I blinked down at the clipboard in my hand, then tentatively read the name aloud to the vet clinic’s packed waiting room.

Someone named their golden retriever Roger Wakefield?!

Looking up, I found a petite brunette making her way towards me with an expression of annoyance mingled with completely founded exasperation. The adolescent pup she was tugging along had absolutely no intention of leaving the new friend he had made and let out a series of trilling barks that kept up his end of the conversation… almost as if in song. I bit my lip in an effort to suppress a smile as I watched their labored progress — no pun intended as the woman was very obviously pregnant — and shook my head as Roger finally gave up, leaving his furry friend behind.

“Ah, yes,” I nodded and gestured for them to enter through the open doorway beside me, skillfully dodging the wet nose Roger tried to plunge between my legs in eager greeting.

“But, please, call me Claire.”

She stood there for half a moment, tipping her head to one side as if examining me. I did feel like I was being scrutinized, but it was rather mitigated somehow by the fact that the top of the messy bun piled high atop her head barely reached the top of my shoulders.

All of this was gone again in a second and she patted my arm on her way past, chuckling, “Aye, you’ll do just fine, Dr Claire.”

…

Roger nearly wriggled out of my arms in his effort to lick my face clean off as I tried to extricate him from my exam table.

“Yes, thank you,” I commented dryly, finally setting him down on all fours.

“He’s a bit of a lover, I’m afraid,” Jenny sighed, barely hiding a grin and taking no small amount of delight in my discomfort. “I don’t think my brother has quite forgiven him yet for impregnating one of his lead dogs.”

I stretched, taking a moment to shed my gloves and dry off my face, “Oh?”

“Mhmm,” she wrangled the dog back into a sitting position. “It was right before they started training this season and, of course, she can’t race if she’s whelping.”

I nodded, but didn’t comment, scrambling to gather the threads of what I knew about dog racing.

She can’t possibly be talking about greyhounds, Beauchamp.

Sled dogs.

Huskies.

I made an effort to shove aside my prejudice against dogs working in and being exposed to ridiculously low temperatures, forced to pull a heavy load and run on icy trails, but I apparently failed as Jenny interrupted this train of thought.

“You don’t approve of mushing, then?” her voice changed, dropped lower and became more guarded.

I hedged, trying out the new term, “Mushing?”

“Aye, that’s what sled dog racing is called,” Jenny clarified, not impatiently. “You’re against it?”

I sighed heavily, cursing my glass face.

“I’m not sure I know enough about it to be against it,” I confessed. “It’s just the concept seems terribly unfair to the dogs.”

A smile began to tug at one corner of Jenny’s mouth, “On the surface, aye, maybe it would seem so.”

I let out a sigh of relief, having seemed to have diffused the situation, and turned to resume my post-exam routine. I froze in place, however, my hands hovering over restocking some trivial item when she changed topics completely.

“Do you have dinner plans for tonight, Dr Claire?”

Where in the bloody hell did THAT come from?

Peering over my shoulder at her, I gaped, “Excuse me?”

“I’d like you to meet my family,” she explained, a full grin now on display. “To get a feel of how Kotzebue and Alaska really is… to see for yourself how a musher — a good one — treats his dogs.”

“I see,” I commented lamely, turning back around and sagging into my work counter, my mind still reeling.

“Can we expect you at, say, six o’clock?”

I took a good look at her then, her face awash with eager excitement. It made her eyes dance and hands tap nervously at her side.

I didn’t think they’d abduct me… hold me hostage somewhere until Joe — my business partner in the clinic — paid my ransom… and, actually, he’d been encouraging me just this morning to get to know more of the community members…

Why not, Beauchamp?

Oh, what the hell.

Geronimo, as they say.

“Of course,” I swallowed hard, accepting her invitation. “Can I bring anything?”

Jenny shook her head vigorously, beaming as she insisted, “Just yourself.”

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Gavin’s Dangerous Night Date (Eng Translation)

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 危夜之约, which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Do note that this date features S2 Gavin, but doesn’t contain S2 spoilers.

Timeline: The STF Filming Plan -> Dangerous Night Date -> Saving the Young Troublemaker Project

[ This date was released in CN on 28 Sep 2020 ]

Female Anchorwoman: Next, our focus is on breaking news.

On the television, the two words “Breaking News” are displayed on Loveland Night News. The female anchorwoman looks into the camera and starts presenting the news. 

Female Anchorwoman: Around 10pm today, a building in the suburbs of Loveland City collapsed for reasons still unknown. According to sources provided by eye-witnesses, the building was part of a certain estate development project, and has not been put to use. Typically, no one goes in or out. But this does not eliminate the possibility of people being trapped within. The municipal administration has expressed that this incident could have been caused by Evol. The STF has been engaged to carry out a rescue mission. Loveland Night News once again calls citizens...

Squadmate: Captain Gavin, we’ve contacted the base. The search and rescue dogs will be here soon.

Gavin sits on a chair, his legs crossed as he pulls the strings on his leather boots tightly.

Gavin: Got it. We’ll set out once the search and rescue dogs are here. 

Squadmate: Yes.

Gavin stands up, adjusts his equipment to a comfortable level, then picks up his phone on the table. 

The phone displays the time: 22:59. It’d take an hour to reach the collapsed building. 

Gavin taps on a message he received three days ago. The sender is MC.

Message from MC: Gavin, when I was out for location scouting, I discovered a slightly strange building in the suburbs of the city. There seems to be special Evol fluctuations inside. 

Message from MC: Does the STF want to make some time to investigate?

Message from MC: Just to be clear - I’m really not joking this time. 

His response was: I’ll take a look next week.

There’s a cute emoticon in the white message bubble opposite. 

And the conversation ended there.

The response section still retains the draft he didn’t send at the time: Don’t go there alone.

By the time images of the collapsed building appeared in the news, the surrounding area had already been cordoned off.

Gavin makes a call... “du”, “du”, “du”, again and again.

When the female automated voice resounds, Gavin hangs up.

---”the number you have dialed is currently unavailable.”

-

It’s dark.

I open my eyes, attempting to stand up in the dark. 

MC: ...I’m not dead. 

I rub the dull ache at the back of my head, panting while my heart flutters with fear. 

The collapse of the building happened so suddenly. I instinctively ran to a corner to hide. From the looks of it, that decision saved my life. 

I reach out to feel around my surroundings--

There’s a wall in front of me. It’s slanted, so it must have fallen. It just so happened to shield me from broken stones that fell.

But precisely because of this, I’m stuck in a narrow space and can’t really stand up.

MC: Cough, cough cough...

My mouth is filled with the taste of dust, and I don't know how long I've lost consciousness. 

The building was swaying very violently when it collapsed. I couldn’t stand steadily at all, and my entire body collided with a wall. 

I return to my senses, using both hands to feel the ground.

My phone... I remember gripping my phone the entire time.

No one knows that I'm here. This unfinished building has been left empty for several years, so no one might come to my rescue. 

I need to hurry and find a way to call for help.

Air is still flowing here, so there’s no danger of oxygen deprivation. But I can only survive for 3 to 4 days without a water source. 

Before the building collapsed, I was in the basement level. Logically speaking, it’s near the surface, but I can’t tell if the upper floors are crushing on it...

The wall above me doesn’t seem to be able to hold much more weight. If it gets weighed down slightly, there’s a risk of a collapse.

I frantically feel around the mess on the ground - it’s all pieces of rock, broken steel bars, glass shards...

Suddenly, I see a single, cold ray of light--

The phone touchpad recognises my fingerprint, lighting up the screen. I hurriedly pick up the phone, and on it displays: “2 Missed Calls”.

MC: Gavin. 

Upon seeing this name, the tautness in my heart suddenly relaxes. 

I immediately give him a call. The “du”, “du” of the dial tone resounds in the empty and quiet darkness, amplified infinitely. 

Countless thoughts fly across my mind--

Maybe Gavin is resting. Maybe he’s on an important mission. Maybe he isn’t in Loveland City now...

“du”, “du”, “du”...

When the fifth beep sounds, I’ve already set down the phone, preparing to hang up.

Gavin: Where are you?

MC: Gavin!

I suddenly hear Gavin’s voice. I stare at the screen and am stunned for a moment.

And react immediately!

MC: Gavin! The unfinished building in the suburbs I told you about just collapsed. I’m trapped in it, in the basement--

Gavin: Got it.

His voice is overly calm, which I find odd.

MC: You already know about the collapsed building? 

Gavin’s calm voice drifts from the phone, mixed with the clamour of his surroundings. 

Gavin: I’m in charge of tonight’s search and rescue mission.

MC: ...

MC: ...haha! That’s great.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

MC: Nothing much, I just feel the happiness of a disaster survivor.

Gavin: I haven’t even rescued you out yet. 

MC: With you around, there won’t be a problem. 

Gavin breathes composedly, as though not knowing what to say.

Gavin: If you were afraid of death, you shouldn’t have gone running around in the middle of the night. 

Gavin: ...I can’t leave out a single reminder.

Gavin raises his volume. 

Gavin: Where were you before the collapse? 

MC: The carpark in the underground basement.

Gavin: I’m looking for you now. Take care of your own safety.

MC: Hold on. Gavin, there’s no hurry to look for me. I was only here for a short while and there won’t be any danger. But I saw some vagabonds staying here at night. There are definitely other people in this building. Save them first!

Gavin is silent for a few seconds.

Gavin: The STF will not decide who it will save first or later. I’ll save everyone.

-

I don’t want to wait here alone, so I don’t hang up even after a long time. 

Neither does Gavin.

Sometimes, the sound of Gavin and other members of the STF would drift from the phone. 

Gavin: Do you have the plane figure of the building?

Squadmate: Got it. Captain Gavin, we’ve asked around the vicinity, and there are a few vagabonds living in this building. Most of them are on the third or fourth floor. 

Gavin: There’s been a rainstorm these two days. This building doesn’t have covered windows. Locations near the windows will be drenched from the rain. They should be in the middle parts of the floor. Two people per group - bring the search and rescue dogs and begin the operation.

Squadmate: Understood!

I hug the phone in contemplation.

Before sending Gavin the message, I had already visited this building a few times to investigate. 

I familiarised myself with all the entrances and exits to have the confidence to deal with any surprise situations. But I completely didn’t expect that this would happen.

Gavin: [with a gentle voice capable of making flowers bloom] Are you all right? 

After a moment, I realise that Gavin is talking to me. 

MC: Huh? I’m fine.

I look at the time displayed on the phone - It’s already 1am.

Gavin: Are you sleepy? 

MC: ...I’m not that brave. How could I be drowsy under such circumstances?

Gavin: The scope of the basement level is too large. I need a more detailed lead.

MC: Are you holding the plane figure of the building?

Gavin: Yes. Relate your route to me.

MC: I came in using the east entrance, and planned to take the stairs up from the fire exit. So I should have been heading west.

The sound of a finger gliding across the paper can be heard. 

Gavin: During the collapse, did you see the fire exit?

MC: I didn’t. It was probably around a hundred metres away. I’m currently trapped in a corner. The structure here is pretty stable, so it could be a load-bearing wall.

Gavin: I know your approximate location. Wait for me.

MC: Mm.

Hearing my soft sigh, Gavin laughs. 

Gavin: Are you afraid? 

MC: Maybe a little. It’s a new experience in life, so of course it’d scare someone.

Gavin: Knowing what it means to be afraid is a good thing. If I didn’t come, how did you plan to rescue yourself?

MC: There’s no such “if”. The moment I felt something was amiss, I gripped my phone and wanted to give you a call.

I hold onto the phone, staring at the light on the screen, and staring at the word “Gavin” on it.

Just this name alone harbours the ability to make one feel at ease. 

Gavin: You’re so certain that I’d come rescue you?

MC: Mm! Captain Gavin is someone who will never leave a single Loveland City citizen in the lurch.

Gavin ignores me. 

MC: ...

MC: Have you found the other people who are trapped? 

Gavin: We’ve found two. They’re being rescued now. 

MC: That’s fast...

Gavin: STF’s search and rescue dogs have undergone professional training. They can accurately locate people who are trapped. 

MC: Search and rescue dogs? 

??: Bark!

A bark suddenly drifts from the other end of the line. 

Gavin: Little Grey should have found you.

MC: Little Grey? What a careless name... Were you the one who named it?

Gavin: What’s wrong with the name?

...I don’t give him a response.

In the darkness, I seem to hear sounds from above. 

Tiny rocks are pelting from above. The steel bars seem to be weighed down by something, releasing a whimpering sound.

Gravel and dust rustle as they fall...

MC: Gavin!

MC: Leave quickly. Bring your men and leave immediately, it’s dangerous! There’s going to be a second collapse--

Gavin breathes, as though he’s about to speak, but doesn’t. He quickly issues out orders. 

Gavin: Everyone, take note. Evacuate immediately. I repeat - Evacuate immediately! 

I hug the phone, not sure what I should say to Gavin.

Gavin: [with the gentlest of voices] MC, you’ll be okay.

His voice carries with it his usual confidence.

Gavin: I guarantee. 

I press the phone to my ear, capturing every breath in his voice. After adjusting my breathing, I raise my volume.

MC: You have to leave quickly, don’t stay here! I’m very safe where I am. Shouldering another collapse is no problem!

The creaking of the steel bars grows closer. I’m not sure if it’s just my misperception, but the wall above me seems to have caved downwards slightly.

Already set to the lowest brightness, my screen becomes even dimmer.

A few large rocks pelt down in front of me, channelling large gusts of dust. 

MC: Just bring Little Grey to look for me later, I...

Rumble!

-

The building collapses once again, causing dust clouds to billow.

The STF team members have rescued two elderly folk who are in their fifties, who collect scraps for a living. 

Gavin stares at the ruins in front of him wordlessly.

His eyes are mixed with imperceptible, repressed emotions. It’s as though underneath the tranquil ocean hides turbulence and fierceness. 

The searchlights illuminate the location he was standing at just now, and the search and rescue dogs had already sent a signal to him -- it meant that his target could have been under his feet.

Maybe only five metres away. Maybe three metres.

Gavin: Everyone--

He squats down, rubbing the nape of the rescue dog, pulling on its leash again.

Seeming to sense something out of the ordinary, they wag their tails at Gavin, as though comforting him without words.

With a heavy gaze, he looks towards the two rescue dogs, as though he’s handing over all his trust. 

Gavin: Recommence the search and rescue operation. Be sure to rescue everyone who has been trapped.

-

The phone has already exhausted its battery, and has shut off automatically.

I’m huddled in a corner, trying to reduce the amount of energy expended.

I know that the slanted wall has already collapsed, and is hanging above. Maybe the steel bar didn’t snap, which is why only half of it has weighed downwards.

There’s a wall behind me, and a gigantic fallen rock in front. I don’t have any space to move.

But it’s far too dark. I can’t check the condition of the wall behind me, and I don’t know how much longer it can hold. 

MC: Gavin. 

There’s nothing I can do. I lean on the wall and wait patiently. 

I know he’ll come.

MC: ...

A few hours pass, and I hear some sounds from above, but they disappear into the darkness quickly. 

Perhaps knowing that Gavin will definitely appear, the fear and anxiety in my heart dissipates with the passage of time. 

The most distinct feeling is tiredness. 

Maintaining my posture of sticking close to the wall, my back is hunched, and I’ve been sitting until my bottoms hurt.

Time passes so slowly here. Every second is elongated. 

The physical fatigue I’m experiencing tells me that an entire night has gone by.

In the middle of sleeping and waking, a bright light suddenly appears before my eyes...

I immediately turn my back towards it -- as expected, in the next instant, a strong wind suddenly lifts the tiles and bricks in my surroundings.

I lift my head to see Gavin standing above the ruins. 

The sun is faintly discernible behind him and the layers of clouds, illuminating a faint glow in the blue horizon. Wind brushes his fringe, revealing that pair of resolute amber eyes. 

Gavin: Are you okay?

His voice is very light, and exudes a rare fatigue. It seems he has been busy the entire night. But a faint smile still hangs at the corners of his lips. 

...as compared to the wry smile I’m wearing now, Gavin seems more like the disaster survivor.

Gavin: Give me your hand!

He takes a step forward, reaching out to me. I hurriedly hold onto it, but I don’t want my entire self to be towed away by him.

My vision is turned upside down. Gavin suddenly hoists me onto his shoulders.

MC: ...Gavin?!

I see that under his protective gear, his shirt is drenched with sweat, sticking to his broad back.

Reason tells me to put up a bit of a struggle. But after hanging by a thread between life and death for an entire night, I seem to be unable to triumph over the tiny greed in my heart.

The doctor from the ambulance comes over to help, but Gavin waves a hand at him, signalling that there’s no such need.

He walks forward by around ten metres, leaving the site of the ruins. He sees me down on the hood of a STF car. 

His brows are furrowed, looking as though he’s suppressing his emotions. My gut feeling tells me that he’s angry.

MC: ...I was wrong! I was wrong because I shouldn’t have gone running around in the middle of the night, and troubling the STF to rescue me. As for using the community’s resources, I’ll be sure to do a serious self-reflection.

MC: I guarantee that this is the only time. There won’t be a next time! 

Gavin was probably about to say those things to me, and didn’t expect that I’d acknowledge everything. So he remains silent for a period of time.

Although are elements of a joke in my words, I shoot him a resolute, apologetic and sincere expression.

I know that he’s worked hard for an entire night, and has been worried for an entire night. 

After a moment of silence, he releases a faint sigh. 

Gavin: You said it yourself - there won’t be a next time.

While he speaks, he reaches out to place a hand on my head--

MC: Ah it hurts...

The back of my head suddenly hurts, and I exclaim softly. When I reach out to touch it, I discover that there’s a big lump on the back of my head.

Gavin: You’ll only learn your lesson after experiencing some pain. I’ll send you to the hospital for a check up later.

MC: No need, I...

Information must have been sent through his earpiece. Gavin lifts his hand to signal that I should be quiet. He leans his head to the side, listening seriously.

Thinking that the search and rescue operation has yet to be completed, and that he definitely has other things he’s busy with, I hop down from the hood of the car, making a “I’m off” hand gesture towards him.

The world around me suddenly darkens a few times--

My legs grow weak, and my vision dims. Dimmer and dimmer...

Just before I lose consciousness, I seem to feel Gavin’s hand on my cheek, the rough fabric of the military gloves, his calloused finger pads...

I feel it all.

-

Doctor: The nuclear magnetic resonance shows that it’s just a mild shock of the brain. It’s nothing serious. The loss of consciousness is only temporary. It could also be due to low blood sugar levels and insufficient rest.

Doctor: If you’re worried, she can remain in the hospital for observation for two days. Are you a family member of the patient? I’ll bring the documents over in a while.

Gavin: All right.

With a sound of acknowledgement, the doctor leaves the ward.

The girl lying on the bed hasn’t regained consciousness. The IV on the back of her hand is strung to glucose.

Gavin walks over, reaching out to brush aside her fringe, which is damp with sweat. His brows furrow slightly, as though he’s angry. As though he doesn’t know who he should be angry with.

Gavin: ...why are you so bold - daring to go anywhere on your own.

He sits on a chair in front of the bed, leaning against the back of the chair in fatigue.

His deep gaze sweeps past her pale cheeks and haggard shoulders, stirring up great waves within his eyes which differ from usual.

After a while, deep breathing fills the quiet room.

Sunlight pours in through the curtains, chasing away all the darkness and unease of the night before.

-

Phone call: here

-

🦮 MOMENTS 🦮

Gavin’s Post: The team received a box of canned dog food.

MC: I don't know the address of the base for search and rescue dogs, so I could only send them to you.

Gavin: Got it. I’ll send it to the base.

-

Gavin’s Post: The team received a box of canned dog food.

MC: I sent it - it’s for Little Grey.

Gavin: They don’t eat outside snacks, but I’ll convey your kind regards to them.

-

Gavin’s Post: The team received a box of canned dog food.

MC: Only cans of dog food? Captain Gavin, check the box again...

Gavin: A silk banner for Little Grey? All right, I’ll accept it on its behalf.

[quickspinner]

Damsel in Distress for Hire

I wrote this for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers sprint challenge ages ago, but life happened and I never got it edited and cleaned up. Now I have, so here it is! I used the @mlweeklyprompts prompt Bard. 

Luka reined in Sass before the gelding could clear the shadows of the trees, and eyed the keep tower with some satisfaction. It stood alone on a hill, with ground cleared around it and a wall around the courtyard, and only a single tower rising out of the fortifications. It looked like their information had been good, then. Their opponent didn’t have a large force, hence their underhanded approach. They were depending on the seclusion of this place to keep them safe, and not strength of arms. That made him breathe a sigh of relief. He of all people knew how much harm misinformation could do, and though he had done everything in his power to be sure of his information, there always was that worry in the back of his mind. 

Luka urged Sass forward at a walk. 

“Hail and well met!” he called cheerfully, waving. “I am but a single traveler, of no threat to you!” He dismounted from Sass and spread his arms wide, hands far from the rapier hanging at his side. The guards exchanged a look, but didn’t move. 

“I am a minstrel on my way from the capital to cities in the south,” Luka said, with a little bow that still kept his hands well clear of his weapon. “I’ve been travelling all night to get through these woods, and as I’ve stumbled on you here, I was hoping I could perhaps share your fire and the protection your company would afford me from the local dregs so that I may take a short rest in peace? I have some goods of my own that are better shared, if you would be so kind to allow me to sup with you.” He leaned over and reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a large bottle that glinted appealingly in the sunlight.

The guardsmen exchanged grins with each other, and invited him at once to come and share their watch, on the condition that he give them all the news he had and play a little for their entertainment. 

“Shall I not be detaining you from your duties?” Luka asked, glancing up at the Keep as he tethered Sass. “I’ve no wish to get you in trouble, nor be chased away for causing undue distraction.” He winked at the guards, who chuckled. 

“It’s light duty today,” one of them said easily, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Any force large enough to breach it will be seen from the tower long before we spy it from here, and nothing here to tempt anyone except a fine lady who barely even had any baggage. Come and give us the news!” 

It was amazing, Luka reflected to himself as he sat down, opening the bottle and pouring generous measures into the cups they they held out for him, what you could get away with when you carried a lute and some good wine.

“Aye, she was a nice one to look at though,” the second guard observed with a sigh. “I was on duty when they escorted her in this morning. A highborn lady, that, worth her weight I’m sure. Not that the higher ups tell us much.” His companion elbowed him and gave him a dark look, before turning back to waggle bushy eyebrows at Luka. 

“Ye seen many pretty ladies?” he asked, and a smile twitched at Luka’s mouth at the obvious attempt to deflect the conversation. “Bet ye have, a court songbird like you.” 

“Oh, many,” Luka agreed, hiding his distaste at the epithet. Court songbird, indeed. “Duchesses and princesses and high court ladies of every kind, but there is only one lady that holds my heart, no matter how much my eyes may wander.” He winked and the two men guffawed. Luka disguised a roll of his eyes with another deep drink from his cup. He’d been around this type enough to know what kind of humor they enjoyed. Luka turned his eyes up in the direction of the keep, hiding his scrutiny behind a dreamy expression. 

“My lady is as lovely as any princess I’ve ever seen,” Luka continued. “Clumsy, sometimes, but all the more joy in catching her, ey?” Another round of laughter. “She has beautiful dark hair, and the sweetest, most beguiling eyes you’ve ever seen, and her mouth was carved by the gods.” He sighed longingly. “And I’ve been apart from her much too long. I’m on my way back to her now, and I appreciate you sharing your fire with a lonely minstrel.” 

“There, there,” the taller man said, not without genuine sympathy, and patted Luka’s shoulder roughly. “Ye’ll be with her again soon, no doubt.” 

Luka looked toward the Keep gates and smiled as shouts began to rise in the courtyard. “I do believe you’re right,” he said, finishing the last of his cup. “It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen, but my lady awaits. I leave you this medicinal powder and my sincerest apologies for the headache you’re going to have in the mornings.” 

He set a small pouch on the ground, where it would be in plain sight of the men who had just slumped to the ground, unconscious. 

Luka tsked as he picked up their empty cups and examined the residue at the bottom. “More than enough to keep them out most of the day,” he murmured with satisfaction. He leaned back against his pack and waited.

Eventually, the heavy keep doors swung open, and a petite figure in a lovely velvet red dress came striding out. Luka couldn’t help his smile, or the sigh of relief and longing that passed his lips. 

She caught sight of him and scowled, completely ignoring the passed out guards that lay on the ground. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded. 

“Well met, to you as well, Marinette,” Luka laughed. His roguish smile made a mockery of his courtly bow. 

“Why are you here?” she asked again, crossing her arms. “You were supposed to wait in the capital.”

“I am no court bard, to find inspiration in perfume and flattery and empty love affairs,” Luka sniffed affectedly. “I am a seeker of adventure, and I follow my heart.”

“You dog my heels,” Marinette accused, reaching down to pull out the hidden ribbon she had worked into her gown. The dress split on the sides, and Marinette straightened, rolling the ribbon carefully around her fingers even as she glared at him. “Admit it.”

“Admit that you have my heart? Gladly.” Luka swept a bow, and Marinette rolled her eyes.

“Don’t flatter me,” she snorted. “You’re not any good at it.” 

“Shall I compliment you instead?” Luka asked pointedly, and Marinette blushed, looking away. His compliments were always far worse than his flattery, because he meant them. 

“Don’t change the subject. You were worried about me,” she accused, waving a dagger like an admonitionary finger. “I can handle myself.” 

“You can handle yourself, and me as well,” Luka grinned, and then softened his tone, dropping his courtly pretense. “But I’m always worried about you. That proves nothing except that I care about you.” He held up a furled parchment between them. “However, this is actually why I’m here. I also bring Lady Kagami’s thanks and her appreciation for your very convincing performance of a helpless highborn princess being carried off, although she feels it wasn’t a very accurate imitation of her.” 

Marinette snorted. “Kagami could have easily handled these idiots herself if her mother wasn’t such a stick in the mud. It probably would have been more entertaining for everyone if they had managed to kidnap her.” She sheathed her dagger and took the parchment, unrolling it as she added, “I hope she sent her payment as well as her thanks.” Her lips pursed as she read, and then pushed out in a pout as she looked up at him. “Okay. That’s a good reason.” 

“No point in riding all the way back just to traverse the exact same route again,” Luka agreed. “And since I was coming all this way, why not meet you at the door? I’ve stashed our supplies in a nice little campsite far enough away from this mess,” he gestured at the tower. “We can spend the night and set out in the morning.”

“We?” Marinette asked, eyebrows raising. Luka shrugged.

“I’ve no mind to let you get that far away from me for that long,” he told her, only half joking. “I’m sure there’s a noble house somewhere in the city looking for entertainment, and if not—” Luka shrugged. “Then there’s certain to be a tavern."

Marinette grimaced. “I don’t like it when you play taverns,” she muttered. “You’re far too good for that.”

“We take the pay where it comes,” Luka reminded her, plucking the parchment from her hand and tucking it back in his saddlebag.

“It doesn’t have to come with tavern wenches hanging all over you,” Marinette complained. 

Luka barked a laugh. “The noble ladies are just as bad, only more subtle,” he chuckled, mounting his horse. He extended a hand down to Marinette. “Shall we? I’m sure Tikki’s getting hungry.”  

Marinette looked up at his tall gelding and sighed. “I can get up myself,” she muttered, but she let Luka grip her wrist to give her a little extra boost. She landed across Sass on her belly with a small grunt, and then scrambled into place behind Luka. She could see the curve of his smile just before he faced forward. 

“I’m glad you’re coming with me,” she murmured into his shoulder blades. “And I’ll gut anyone who touches you.”

“My thanks, my gallant lady protector,” Luka said, patting the hands clasped around his waist. “I need fear nothing as long as you are with me, except the hour of parting.”

Marinette huffed, her breath tickling his neck. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Luka looked over his shoulder and winked. “If my heart grew much fonder of you, you would never be rid of me.” 

Marinette was silent for a moment, and then said, “Maybe I don’t want to be.” She said it very quietly, and held her breath after. Luka’s big hand covered hers again, his thumb caressing the back.

“Then maybe you should say yes the next time I propose,” came the teasing answer, and Marinette’s mouth dropped in outrage. 

“You propose every time we pass a church!” she scoffed. 

“Yes,” Luka agreed shamelessly. “How many churches do you think there are between here and the Jewel of the Southern Wastes ?” 

“Not enough to convince me to marry you,” Marinette shot back. “I like the way things are.” 

"As do I," Luka chuckled.

Marinette sniffed. "I knew you weren't serious."

"Of course I am. I will wed you the moment you say the word. But if you are content, then so am I."

"You're infuriating, you know that?" Marinette huffed. 

“There, there,” Luka laughed, patting her hand before putting his own back on the reins. “We’ve a long way to go to get there, and through some pretty sketchy territory. Maybe if you’re really lucky, we’ll get robbed.”

“You think?” Marinette perked up. “Bandits?”

“Possibly even ruffians ,” Luka teased, and laughed when she smacked his shoulder. 

“Ruffians are always broke,” Marinette complained. “I want bandits. I’m going to have to buy new dresses when we get there, I can’t wear dresses from the Northern court in the South. I’d look ridiculous.” Her eyes widened slightly. “Luka, what did you do with my dresses? You didn’t pack them yourself, did you? They’re much too delicate—”

“I had them professionally packed and sealed and sent to Lady Alya for safekeeping,” Luka reassured her. “I would never dare let harm come to your wardrobe.” 

Marinette slumped in relief. “Oh, good.” After a moment she added, “Thank you.”

Luka lifted one of her hands from his waist and kissed the palm softly. 

[preciousthingsareprecious]

Finding Us Chapter 20

Insert Mushu’s I liiiiive gif here because Finding Us is back! My goal for this year is to get this fic finished, because as surprising as it may seem I don’t think there are that many chapters left waiting to be written. 

I hope you guys enjoy it, and I am so sorry for the just wildly long delay between chapters. 

AO3 Link

~

Titus moved at a faster pace than Damian was willing to run. He watched as his dog scampered ahead on the sidewalk, pausing here and there to sniff at trees or examine bushes and flowers, but always darting forward to something new and interesting. Still, he stayed within Damian’s line of sight, and even paused to look back at him every so often with an inquisitive tilt of his head.

Damian had allowed the dog off his leash after Titus’s excitement had almost pulled him off his feet. It had been a few days since he’d been able to take him out for a proper walk, and the dog was eager to stretch his legs and explore. Damian wasn’t worried about Titus getting into trouble, he was well trained and the chance of meeting someone else was slim, especially since they were walking the path between home and Drake Manor. It was private property, and far enough from most civilization that few bothered to wander out here for fun.

He was happy to follow the animal at a slower pace. He refused to admit that Pennyworth’s reminder that he was not fully recovered yet had been accurate. His inability to balance properly earlier, had nothing to do with his head. Neither did his lethargy. He was simply tired from the stress of having to worry about Drake.

Everything was Drake’s fault, even Damian’s escape outside. Damian had needed to get away from the tense atmosphere filling the house, and the tension there. So he’d claimed Titus needed a walk, promised to return soon, and scurried away from Father and Grayson’s grumpy voices, irritated with their lack of progress. Damian was frustrated himself, having worked from the early morning and past lunch alongside everyone.

Damian bit his lip before huffing, Drake was an imbecile.

Honestly, did he not realize this was an issue he should have spoken of before now? It was as if he thought he could ignore weirder than normal stalking and it would simply go away.

He kicked at a pebble, sending it arcing through the air to thump against a tree trunk. Drake had not learned anything apparently. It was one thing to hide it from Damian, he could understand that. They still did not have the best relationship (little relationship at all if Drake could have his way and Damian did not want that), but he would have expected his brother to have spoken to Grayson or Father at the very least. But no, Timothy had not even considered how his family would see the situation, had not thought of what allowing that psychopath to get close to him would do to any of them.

“The fool.” Damian mumbled.

At his voice, Titus stopped his examination of a stump and ran back to him to butt his leg for a moment. When Damian did little more than give him a quick pat to the head, Titus ran forward again.

Damian wished he were still home, digging through information. Part of the reason he’d taken his walk was because he’d been banned from doing just that. He had been outvoted. Father, Grayson, and even Todd had insisted it was time for Damian to take a break and see to his growing headache. As if any of them were resting. It was too much fuss over injuries that were paltry. He might not be as irritated if Grayson had been forced to rest as well.

The man was as stubborn as Father. While he had been partnered with Grayson, Damian had been told of his brother’s famous hard head, but he had not truly realized it until he began to work with the man. He wondered how the two ever worked together when disagreeing, their attitudes were so similar. When they got it in their heads to do something, they were almost unmovable. Like Titus when he refused to give Damian his favorite stuffed toy.

Damian could be that stubborn. He had many times, but when faced with not one but two people wielding such power, well he’d much rather find an alternate means of helping. He did make a mental note to sway Father to his side in forcing Grayson to rest later. He would not be the only one bullied into a break.

Drake Manor came into sight as Damian and Titus moved out of a tree line. The building was not as stately as Wayne Manor, but it was kept up well, even with Drake spending hardly any time there anymore. Damian liked to think that if he had a whole mansion to himself he’d use it more than Drake did. Though that might get lonely. Perhaps he would use it the same way his brother did: as more of an escape than anything.

Now that he was here, Damian’s reasons for coming felt shaky at best. He had been so sure of himself when he’d snatched the keys to the estate from Drake’s room and decided to secretly investigate. He’d hoped that-- well Damian wasn’t sure what he’d hoped. To find the stalker here? Camped out at Drake’s childhood home sifting through his mail or something? It felt silly. Like he was grasping at straws.

It would be even sillier to turn on his heel and leave, so Damian stomped ahead. He turned the gate key in his hands, Drake had probably already been out here, searching the grounds for any signs of his stalker. Father too would have come to look. And Todd and Cain and Grayson and the whole lot of his family. Damian was simply last to come up with the idea.

“Tt,” he said, and put the key into the lock, turning it until he heard a click.

The gate swung inwards, giving Damian access to a spot he was sure would lead to nothing. But he would not give up. Grayson used to-- and sometimes still did -- give him cases to read over that he thought he’d solved but wanted ‘fresh eyes on’. When Damian had asked why, when they were already solved, Grayson had said that everyone saw things differently, and a new perspective could reveal things everyone else missed.

Damian was going to be the new perspective.

He decided to check the inside first, and circle around the grounds after. That way if he took too long and someone came looking for him Damian would have managed to explore most of the spot he was most curious about.

Titus darted through the open gate off to explore the new area. Damian let him frolic for the time it took him to approach the house then called the dog over to him. He’d rather have his friend close by through the exploration.

Only his whistle didn’t catch Titus’s attention, and when Damian didn’t see the dog coming close, he looked up to search for him, the keys dangling in his fingers.

Titus stood close to the front gate to the driveway, growling, with his ears pulled back, at a man. The man stood very still, even separated by wrought iron.

Damian hurried over to stand near Titus, “Hey boy, it’s okay.” he said, resting a hand on the dog’s head and frowning at the person Titus had decided was no good.

The man looked to be in his late forties, with dark hair speckled with some grey, and deep lines on his face. He was dressed plainly, and in a coat and gloves that were appropriate for the weather only if he’d planned to stay out late. Everything was done in dark tones, with nothing that really stood out. What was most interesting was the fact that a small envelope was held tightly to his side in one of his hands.

Damian did not glare at the man since he did not wish to make him bolt, but every fiber of his being said there was something very wrong about this guy.

“Can I help you?” Damian asked, raising himself up and filling his tone with as much authority as he might have in addressing one of Grandfather’s men who’d stepped out of line.

“Hi, you wouldn’t happen to be Tim Drake would you?”

Damian’s heart sped up, and he squeezed his hand around Titus’s collar, “I do not think I should tell you. I don’t know you, and so far you have not introduced yourself.”

“Oh, sorry, I’m Joe, I’m an old acquaintance of your dad’s.” The man gave Damian a smile that felt a little too bright, “Listen, I’ve been out of town for a couple years, and well I came by to give my condolences and just say hi. We used to be pretty close back in the day.”

He thought Damian was Timothy. Well then he couldn’t have been that close a friend. Damian shared a hair color with his brother, that was it. It should be obvious he was not the son of a supposed ‘old friend’.  

“Timothy is my brother, and he would not appreciate you snooping around. Now I would kindly ask you to leave.”

Titus’ growl turned into a bark, and he tried to pull away from Damian to lurch at the man. Damian held firm, but did not hush his loyal friend.

The man glanced down at Titus and back up at Damian, “Alright, okay, I’ll try calling ahead next time. Have a nice day.”

“Wait--” Damian called, as the man turned, “Did you not have a letter you wished delivered?” he pointed to the envelope clasped close to the man’s side.

“Oh! Yeah.” The man smiled, “Will you give this to your brother? I wasn’t sure if I’d catch him or not, so I thought I’d say hi with it.”

Damian stepped a little closer to the gate and took the offered letter. It did not seem to weigh much, and might have been what the man said. He gave him a sharp nod of dismissal.  

Once the man was gone, Damian turned and hurried back to the manor at an almost sprint. He would have run, but moving quickly was making his headache return and he was not certain the man he’d just run into was Drake’s stalker or not. It could be a false alarm.

When he returned home he came in the back he quickly examined Titus’ paws for mud or any pebbles he might have picked up on the walk then let him run into the house. He paused in the kitchen where Pennyworth was enjoying a cup of tea.

“Back so soon?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I have brought news.” Damian told him, “Where are Father and Timothy?”

“Downstairs with the others. Might I ask what this news is?”

“I ran into a strange man on my walk. He was attempting to enter Drake Manor.”

Pennyworth straightened at this, and looked Damian over. “That is news.”

Something told Damian that the butler was not just reacting to the man, but Damian’s involvement. He seemed concerned, but in that way that said he was trying to hide it.

“I was perfectly safe.” Damian said, “Titus was there and the gate was between us. I had planned to examine the house for clues to help the search.”

Now Pennyworth’s lips turned up in a smile, “I see. Well then, head downstairs. I’m sure the others will be interested to hear of your news. And I expect you back up here in a reasonable amount of time. Breakthrough or not, you are still recovering, and I could use a hand with dinner.”

Damian nodded, “Of course.”

He made his way out of the kitchen and down to the cave at a more sedate pace, knowing Pennyworth’s eyes and ears were on him, alert for any sounds of Damian “exerting” himself. Thankfully it was not long before he was exiting the elevator and moving into the cave proper.

There, he found Father at the computer, with Richard leaning over his shoulder as they both read something. Todd and Drake were sparring on the mats while Cain watched, and Brown did handstands. Damian stopped just between the practice mats and computer to watch them all.

Upon seeing him, Brown dropped from her handstand to wave, “Back from your walk?”

Richard turned to frown at Damian, but before he could send him back upstairs Todd spoke up, ducking under Drake’s fist.

“Nope, you are not supposed to be down here, Squirt. Upstairs before Alfred figures out you’ve snuck down.”

Damian huffed, “I did not sneak anywhere, Pennyworth is aware of my location. While you all have been dallying I have made a breakthrough in Drake’s case.”

Todd froze, and took a kick directly to his stomach for it. He oofed and doubled over while Drake scrambled to make sure he was fine. Father and Richard both turned fully in Damian’s direction.

“What do you mean, Dames?” Richard asked.

“You weren’t supposed to be doing case work upstairs either.” Father reprimanded.

“I was taking Titus on a walk.” Damian defended.

Yes he had been planning on sneaking case work into the walk, but it really hadn’t come up, so technically he was still telling the truth. He had only really managed the walk before he’d run into “Joe”. It was pure luck he’d come across the man at that time. If he had been any slower or faster he might have missed him altogether. Or perhaps even been mistaken for Timothy inside the house. That might not have gone over nearly as well as the meeting at the gate had.

“Well what did you find?” Drake asked.

He and Todd had straightened and were moving closer. Cain and Brown kept back, they were interested, but leaving things up to those who’d been closest to the investigation so far.

Damian held up the letter, “A man gave this to me outside Drake Manor. He initially mistook me for Drake despite claiming to be an old family friend. From his manner and way of speaking I suspect he is either Drake’s stalker, or someone hired by them to drop off the latest threat. In either case he was a terrible actor.”

Drake snatched the envelope from Damian’s hands and tore it open before anyone could stop him. He removed a single sheet from within, stared at it for a moment, then silently handed it over to Father.

Father read it, his face darkening with every line he scanned. Damian resisted the urge to stand up on his tiptoes to peer over the sheet and read what was on it. Whatever it contained, he was certain it was more of the same creepy and unsettling information Drake had been receiving for a while now.

Part of him thought he should have opened the letter himself before presenting it to the family. It had been an oversight to just hold it out as he had done. What if there had been something dangerous inside? And to have put more threats upon Drake like this, after they were trying to stop everything--it was embarrassing. He should have checked.

But then again, Drake would have insisted on reading it. Everyone would probably insist. Still, it wasn’t the letter that was important. It was the person who had delivered it.

“Damian, you said you saw the person who delivered this?” Richard asked, looking up, concern on his face.

He nodded, “Yes, I can sketch him, and we should be able to use it to identify him.”

Todd moved over beside Damian, and ruffled his hair, “That’s great! Even if he’s not the guy, he’s connected with him, this is a good lead.”

Damian scowled, and ducked away from him, “It was simply luck. I was in the right place at the right time. If not, we would only have another creepy letter.”

“And boy is it creepy.” Todd said, yanking the letter away with a whistle, “He said he likes the smell of your shampoo on your pillow? Ew, and also totally false unless he somehow got in here.” Todd looked up with a frown, “He couldn’t have gotten in here right?”

“It is most likely a lie intended to be built upon a truth. Either he believed Timothy was still staying at Drake Manor or it was supposed to come here and the hired hand chose the wrong home.” Damian said.

Both Richard and Drake’s attention shot up to look at Damian. He frowned at them confused for a moment, then realized his mistake. He turned the frown into a glare.

“Pennyworth asked me not to be too long. I will return upstairs to aid him then draw the picture of your stalker.”  

With that he turned on his heel and left them to glean whatever they could from the letter

[second-chance-stray]

RP Log: Cravendy and Lin whittle the time away. @lettersnorth

Cravendy Hound sits on the balcony with an assortment of knick knacks spread around her. All kinds of wood, with and without bark, as well as knives of different sizes and shapes. She takes in a deep breath as she leans back against the railing, practically melting in the warm sun. But no matter how relaxing this might be, little worries spring up like weeds in the back of her mind...will Lin join her today? Did she get her note, and will she know how to get here?

Cravendy Hound groans. Brain, hurry up and remember how to loosen up.

Aislinn North It had taken Aislinn a moment to work out Cravendy's note, particularly in regards to where she would be setting up. This balcony at the back of Heartwood's grounds was tucked away and unless a person frequented the spot it was easy to remember it existed at all. Barring that, the woman also had been juggling a lot recently, both in mind and body. Though things with Cravendy had smoothed out somewhat, 1/2

Aislinn North she held an inkling of nervous energy as she made her way out to the balcony. If anything, this should take her mind off other matters for a time. "Alright, then?" she asked as she arrived. "Almost forgot this existed." 2/2

Cravendy Hound jumps slightly on Lin’s approach, and then turns to watch as she steps up the ladder and onto the balcony. She blinks - what is there to be so cautious about? They’re here to enjoy the daylight and carve some wood, simple as that. Cravs nods to herself, and then tries to smile at the other woman. It looks more like she’s baring her fangs.

Cravendy Hound: “Nice place. Secluded, and the view is ‘ard to beat, though if the wind becomes too much we oughta pack up our things and move indoors. But it’s good right now.” She picks up a rod of wood and a knife, and begins to scrape away ribbons without a moment's hesitation. Then she remembers why Lin came. “......Oh, right. ‘Ere, let me show ye.”

Cravendy Hound hands Lin a piece of wood. “It’s pretty simple. Carve away from yer ‘ands, and go with or across the grain. Why don’t ye give it a shot?”

Aislinn North At Cravendy's insistence she leaned down and took the block of wood being offered. After a quick study of the tools the Seawolf had spread out, Aislinn picked up one of the work worn carving knives. It was obviously a well-used tool and therefore likely to be a good one by Aislinn's thinking. She watched Cravendy a moment and then, ever the mockingbird, began to emulate her. Needless to say, Cravendy made it look much easier than it was. 1/2

Aislinn North Aislinn's knife kept snagging but she was nothing if not patient. "What sort of things do you carve?" asked idly as she hacked away at her poor block of wood. 2/2

Cravendy Hound: “Mostly small figures, like birds. Sometimes eatin’ utensils, if I feel like makin’ somethin’ that’ll be of some use. I don’t really think about it until I’m ‘olding the wood and knife in my hand.” Cravs carefully digs into her piece again, whittling another curl of material away. So far, she was lacking in inspiration, but it was satisfying regardless.

Cravendy Hound eyes what Lin is doing to her block with a grimace, but doesn’t comment on it...directly. “Maybe ye can start with somethin’ simple. A spoon, or a ‘air pin?”

Aislinn North Aislinn paused, glancing at Cravendy over the rim of her glasses. "So you don't actually know what you're going to carve until you're already carving?" For someone like Lin, the idea that there were no blueprints, no schematics, no advanced planning was almost an anathema. In her experience going along with her intuition and acting in the moment only got her into trouble.

Aislinn North Better that everything be carefully thought out and planned for. The exception being, in the heat of a fight, of course. Even then a good strategist should be able to foresee most possibilities and plan for them.

Cravendy Hound: “Yeah,” she answers nonchalantly. It, of course, sometimes led to her sharpening the wood into a simple spike or creating something equally unplanned, but for her, the point was to go with the flow. Cravs looks at her half-carved piece of wood with a hum.

Cravendy Hound shrugs. “No right or wrong way about it. I wouldn’t think too ‘ard about it...and if ye mess up, the wood shavings make good firestarter.”

Aislinn North Right. Aislinn gamely continued on in her endeavor but it was clear the woman was better with a firearm than a blade. And as much as Cravendy said not to think too hard about it, Aislinn had already decided what would be the best course of action. "A spoon can't be too hard, right?" she murmured, almost to herself as she concentrated on trying to steer the knife smoothly down the block. A comfortable sort of quiet settled between the women as they worked.

(Cravendy Hound) fdskjlf for some reason...I'm imagining Lin's spoon to be dual purpose in some way )) (Cravendy Hound) spoon end, and...stabby end is a thought xD )) (Aislinn North) ((She'll end up inventing the spork in Eorzea)) (Cravendy Hound) omg yES ))

Cravendy Hound lifts her work-in-progress up to the light. The curves cut out from it remind her of a fish, and she decides to keep going with it. Without realizing it, she begins to sing - a whisper of a song that is almost lost in the wind. It starts and ends without ever registering in her memory, and afterwards she grins at Lin.

Cravendy Hound: “The woods are nice when they aren’t sendin’ bees or other nasty buggers yer way. Feels...too nice, sometimes. A salty old dog like me is used to a lot worse.”

Aislinn North Her head bent over her work, Aislinn is lost in the minute details of blade against wood until Cravendy's lilting song quietly fills the air. Blinking, she lifted her head in surprise. She never pegged the woman as the type to sing. Though now she wasn't exactly sure why that would be. Sailors sang all the time, didn't they? But what Cravendy said seemed to flummox her even more. "The woods sent bees after you?" she halted as the realization came to her. 1/2

Aislinn North "Ohh. The Shroud. Aye, it can be touchy." she ran a jerky blade down her block of wood once more. "What did you do? I mean, to annoy it?" she clarified. 2/2

Cravendy Hound sucks in air through gritted teeth, and a light blush spreads over her face. “Oh, I don’t know...ye know. The Elementals are very, uh, mysterious.” She then slices away at her wood and, flustered, accidentally takes off a large chunk of the fish’s tail. Damnit. It’s starting to look more like an eel.

Cravendy Hound: “Okay, I’ll come clean. Ye know ‘ow I was practicin’ my aim, but I kept ‘ittin’ the trees instead of the target? I kept doin’ that and...I mean, that could be it.” She presses her lips tightly together. “Maybe.”

Aislinn North: The roundabout answer had Aislinn suppressing a small smile. It sounded as though Cravendy knew exactly what she had done. Aislinn wasn't going to press the issue but she didn't have to, either. Her face lit with silent laughter in the light of Cravendy's confession. 1/2

Aislinn North "Aye, I may have done that once or twice. Learned my lesson though. If I'm going out there in the wilds and not to the range, I'll pack my stunning ammo and a little target node instead. Seems to annoy the Shroud less that way. Or. ..at least I haven't got chased out since doing it that way." she paused in her work and looked Cravendy over. "Glad to see you don't look any worse for wear though. Looks like it was just a polite warning." 2/2

Cravendy Hound grimaces further as she recalls the swarm of bugs and plants that chased her from Peacegarden all the way to Hrystmill. “To be ‘onest, I probably would’ve been carried off by the buggers and thrown into the sun if it weren’t for..er. What was ‘is name...” Cravs waves her knife around, as if the physical motion of twisting her wrist would get the cogs in her head going. “Uhh, some mailman who goes by ‘Windy’ or somethin’. He got the worst of it off my back.”

Cravendy Hound: “Stun ammo...I’ll ‘ave to find some for myself. Don’t want a repeat incident.”

Aislinn North Aislinn had to stop her carving. If she hadn't she was liable to slip and make a bloody mess of one of her fingers. Her shoulders shook from the effort to keep her laughter quiet and contained. "So. ..let me make sure I understand. You were chased off your target practice by a swarm of bees. And then. ..saved by a mailman named 'Windy'. Out in the wilds of the Shroud. A mailman." she could do little more than shake her head. 1/2

Aislinn North "You do seem to end up in the oddest situations, Cravendy." 2/2

(Cravendy Hound) aaahahha xD )) (Cravendy Hound) it's gonna be hilarious when everything snaps into place )) (Aislinn North) ((assuming it ever does. But yes! xD)) (Cravendy Hound) it will!!! I'll make sure of it xD ))

Cravendy Hound nibbles the bottom of her lip. It was...an approximately accurate retelling of what had happened. Ridiculous, but maybe the bees in her hair had rattled her brain and shuffled her memory around. Swiving elementals. “Guy was as stiff as a board, but would say wild things with such ease. Claimed that ‘e could outrun a chocobo. Funny bastard, ‘ope I find ‘im again.”

Cravendy Hound is done carving her fish...eel...thing. Looking at it, you can’t quite tell what it is, though the swirling lines criss crossing over the wood are pleasing enough. She puts it down with a sigh. “I’m a fish out of water ‘ere, but it beats bein’ in Limsa or Ul'dah by a long shot.”

Aislinn North "Snorted "Supposin' if he could, he'd be the kind of mailman you'd want." she glanced down at Cravendy's work. She couldn't rightly say what it was but it was malms ahead of whatever she herself was doing. She looked down at her lap and picked up the block again. "I'm not gonna argue with you about Ul'dah. Neither one of us needs to step foot there. And Limsa. ..I can see why you might be avoiding it." she paused briefly. 1/2

Aislinn North Her block was beginning to resemble some sort of rudimentary spatula of some sort. Perhaps one drawn by a child. "Gridania just takes some getting used to, is all. It's...different." she shook her head. "It's not my favorite place either but there's good things about it." 2/2

Cravendy Hound looks over at Lin’s work, and then searches the array of tools scattered on the deck for one that has a small, curved blade at the tip. She picks it up and offers it to Lin. “This one is better for carvin’ out a ‘ole...so yer spoon is more spoon, and less spatula.”

Cravendy Hound then returns to crossing her arms, looking into the distance with a scowl on her face. She tells herself that by avoiding Limsa, she does everyone else a favor. With everything that had happened...No one wanted to itch that wound open again. But the truth is that she’s scared of what she’ll find. She’s not ready, not yet. But back to Gridania. “......The drinks’re good ‘ere, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Aislinn North She set aside her knife and took the proffered tool. "Right." she eyed the curve of the blade and then set to work. "And you know. ..when the bees aren't chasing you it can be downright pleasant." there may have been a facetious note to Aislinn's voice. She looked over at Cravendy with a brief smile. "Today's not a bad day, anyroads." she waved her tool out over the view the balcony provided, the sound of the wide river rushing below them. 1/2

Aislinn North "But I know what you mean. The forest can feel. ..confining. Closed in. It's not the wide ocean and it certainly isn't Gyr Abania." 2/2

Cravendy Hound: “I’m not pleasant, I’m...” Cravs trails off, her fire blowing out as quickly as it had flared up. Her days as a rough and tumble pirate were long behind her, despite it feeling like it was just yesterday. She snorts. “Bah.”

Cravendy Hound: “Never been to Gyr Abania.” She peers over at Lin, an assumption hanging in the air. She was Ala Mhigan, she probably went there all the time, right? But then again, Cravs was a Sea Wolf avoiding Limsa like the plague. “It seems...dry?”

Aislinn North "Ahh." Aislinn thought she understood now. "Well, the Shroud isn't exactly pleasant either. It has it's moments. That's all. Can still turn on you if you're not careful." She set down her knife. Maybe she'd ought to take stock and pause for a moment. "Dry's a good word for it." she nodded. "Though I haven't been back for..." she paused. Not since going to see the monks. She glanced away as a sadness seemed to settle over her, one she took an effort to shake off. 1/2

Aislinn North "Well, it's been more than a few moons. There's rivers and such but still. ..it's a dry, hard, beautiful place." 2/2

Aislinn North: "Maybe we wander that way one day. Just for a change of scenery."

Cravendy Hound fidgets with the fish-eel figure in her hands. Was that sadness, or perhaps longing in Lin’s voice? She wasn’t sure, except for the fact that there was -something-. But as the sun sets over the mountains, Cravs decides that it’s time to head back in, where they could continue whittling the time away in comfortable silence by warm fires and a well-stocked kitchen.

[evabellasworld]

Storm of the Republic

Chapter 16

AO3 Link | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

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Summary:  When Tup murdered General Tiplar during a battle, Anakin Skywalker and Captain Rex dispatched Ahsoka, Fives, and Yara to solve the mystery that was plaguing the Clone Army. Meanwhile, Senator Padme Amidala contacted Commander Fox, Commander Tori, Riyo Chuchi, and Dipper to help her continue investigating the death of Palpatine, suspecting that Dooku was behind the evil plot. But when Dooku send an ISB agent to stop them, the team had to race against time to search for the truth, which could alter the course of the galaxy.

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“How the fuck did they find us?” Odd Eye shouted through her helmet, as she blasted at the battle droids with her twin pistols, along with Mina and Tarot, who were by her side.

“I don’t know,” Mina answered, her eyes fixed on the enemies in front of her. “Our intel was secure. How was it possible that they figured out our location?”

“Maybe they had a spy,” Tarot guessed. “I mean, how else would they know we were here on this part of the island?”

The ARC Trooper made a good point. The 212th and the Coruscant Guard were supposed to be the diversion while they could land peacefully, but the plans seemed to fall through, as usual. Odd Eye wouldn’t be shocked, as this wasn’t the first time for their well-formulated strategy.

They were on their way to the rendezvous point until the droids caught them off-guard. Luckily, both the 666th and 197th Battalions were prepared for battle, otherwise, they would be dead by now. I guess there’s every reason General Almarez-Guttierez is always cautious.

“Hey Raul,” Erina yelled for his name, as she shot a Super Battle Droid by the centre. “Are you doing okay back there?”

“Today is a very interesting day, Eri,” Raul snickered. “We were supposed to get to the rendezvous point of time, but we ended up joining the party.”

“I didn’t really ask how your day is, but thanks for the update anyway,” she rolled her eyes as she blasted another droid from her left.

“You’re very much welcome, dear,” Raul gave a wink, as he punched a B1 unit with his enormous arms.

“I’m being sarcastic, in case you can’t tell.”

“Really? You don’t sound sarcastic at all.”

Erina slapped her forehead. “We have been together for more than a decade, and you still can’t tell whether I’m being sarcastic?”

“Well, you were screaming in this cross-fire that it’s pretty hard to tell,” he shrugged, grinning from ear-to-ear.

“Fair point,” she acknowledged her partner, as they both continued to focus their fire on the Imperials in their surroundings, hoping to end this as soon as possible.

With a droid popper in his hand, clone trooper Nygma of the 197th tossed one towards them, deactivating them. Avoiding the blasts, he crawled on the ground as his comrades were shielding themselves behind the trees.

“We’re almost there,” Mina barked, as she threw a bomb 6 feet apart from her current position. “We can win this one.”

“Yes, commander,” Bouncy replied, before jumping from his hiding spot and fired multiple times with a rotary blaster, screaming with glory. “Eat lasers, you clankers.”

Odd Eye covered her ears as she dashed through the enemies, tackling them with Tarot and Draco. Despite feeling a slight pain in her pack, she continued with her duty and responsibility as a clone trooper.

With the Imperial droid army calling for reinforcement, her head was spinning on the battlefield as one of her best troops, Draco, was shot in the shoulders. “Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling by his side.

“I’m alright, commander,” he bobbed his head. “It’s just a flesh wound, that’s all.”

Her eyes scanned for their medic, Sabrina, who was treating the clone from Mina’s battalion, Brake. Their medic, Rosie, was a civilian who volunteered for the war effort and joined them after the death of Hana on Coruscant. She was currently busy treating another clone, who couldn’t move his leg at all.

This is madness, she whispered underneath her ears, as she crawled on her elbows and knees and spotted General Almarez-Guttierez from afar, who was occupied with another batch of droids with General Gomez. I need to warn them.

“General,” Odd Eye reached them. “We need to retreat right now. We need our troops to take over the city of Mendes and we can’t lose them right now.”

“She’s right,” Raul agreed with her plan, helping her up on her feet. “Our mission on Mendes is more important if we’re going to win against the Empire. What do you say, Eri?”

She let out a small groan, nodding her head. “Alright then, commander. We’ll do what you suggested. Besides, the others are waiting for us at the rendezvous point, anyway.”

“Thank you, General,” said Odd Eye, as she ran back towards her troops, who were still engaged with the opposing side. “Guys, we have to retreat right now. Come on.”

“Right behind you, commander,” Mina saluted, as she got up and gestured to the others to follow them. “Hurry, we have to get out of this hellhole.”

As they turned around and marched together, the Republic remnants’ army avoided getting hit by their blasts, despite not having a lightsaber. ARC Trooper Tarot, who was all the way behind, defended his brothers and sisters along with the other Mina.

“So, did your predictions come true?” she raised her questions towards him. “Was your tarot reading accurate?’

“Yes, it happened,” Tarot admitted. “The Temperance card upright represents patience, and this situation is perfect for our generals and commanders to remain calm, even when the situation is stressful.”

“Well, looks like the commander made a wise decision after all,” she dragged her lips downwards. “It really came true.”

“What can I say? Tarot readings never lie, unless you’re incompetent in the arts.”

“I have a question though,” the other Mina raised her finger. “Will we stay alive after this?”

Before the former could take out his cards from his utility belt, Commander Mina cleared her throat, showing that they need to stay focused on their current goals, which is to stay alive. He couldn’t argue, since she made a good point and also, he doesn’t want to end up like his best friend, Fortune.

“I’ll answer your questions once things have settled down, so be patient.”

Meanwhile, Erina and Raul were holding each other’s hands as they checked on their troops behind them every few seconds, making sure that no one was missing. The medics, Sabrina, and Rosie were carrying their patients on their back, making sure they weren’t left behind.

The injured clone cried in pain as his body was quivering, making Rosie push herself to run faster. “It’s alright, Wren,” she soothed him with a hushed tone. “I know you can make it. Just hang in there, alright?”

“How long till we reached our destination?” Odd Eye asked, looking at Rosie’s struggles with her patient.

“We’re almost there,” Erina informed her, opening her holomap. “Just try to be patient.”

If you say so, the commander forced herself to agree, not wanting to blow up in her face. The sound of droids shooting in their direction was intense for her ears, and it was not a good time to fight with her superior officer. Just like what Tarot said, just be patient and things will go smoothly.

They continued their journey on foot for a while underneath the dark sky. The rain stopped pouring from the sky, leaving the forest floor full of puddles and mud that stained their armour. The surrounding air grew colder, which was a stark contrast to the humidity during the day. Gunfires had waned in the distance, leaving a tranquil surrounding for the soldiers.

But Commander Mina felt her gut was twisting inside. With sweat pouring underneath her helmet, she slowed down her pace, sharpening her eyes on her surroundings. Odd Eye noticed her odd behaviour, prompting her to question her comrade. “Are you alright?”

“I have a feeling something terrible will happen once we reach our rendezvous point.”

Odd Eye hummed to herself as she pondered on her thoughts for a while. She has a point. I feel odd too.

Before she could ask her best men, Tarot, the cavalry had arrived at their destination, only to find Boil, Faven, and Hyewon underneath a tree, their hands tied behind them. Mina recognised them as they were part of the 212th and Coruscant Guards, making her take off her helmet. “Are you guys okay?”

“Where’s your commander?” Odd Eye demanded, looking at a deserted spot. “Why are you guys the only ones here?”

“Well…” Boil dragged his words, when the Imperials revealed themselves with their blasters pointed towards them, leaving their jaws hanging. “We were caught by the Imps.”

“Surrender, Republic dogs,” the droid commander ordered, catching both the 666th and the 197th off-guard.

[sanemis-eyelashes]

Hello! I loved your rengoku x reader cherry blossoms fic! It was written incredibly well! Can I request a part two for that- and in this one the reader has been his Tsugoku for a while and they start to develop feelings for one another?😳👉🏻👈🏻 Thank you!🥺💕

ur wish is my command :) sorry this took me a few days to get to. Does kyojuro live with his family? or just visits often im not sure but i can’t really imagine him housing a tsuguko and training them while angery papi is in the house lmao so he’s gonna have his own house. sorry if this is like anticlimatic but i want to keep my writings as realistic as possible! Hope this isn’t too disappointing :(

Cherry Blossoms Pt.2 (Kyojuro Rengoku x reader)

Gentle taps against Rengoku’s door, identical time everyday, accurate as clockwork. 

The door slides open, he turns around as you shuffle in, tea in hand. You close the door behind before kneeling in front of the man, placing your blade on the floor beside you and bowing slightly.

“Good afternoon Master.”

His grin is bright as always, eyes shining when his gaze lands on you.

“Afternoon my young successor! I trust your morning round of training went smoothly? You’ve really improved, I can’t even tell anymore!”

You sigh has hints of exasperation and defeat in it. Of course he was reminding you of the days where he first started training you. After completing your assigned exercises in the morning, you would look somewhat like a fox that had been digging its den, except it had been digging for 3 days straight, and also got attacked by a dog sometime during that.

After two years of hard training though, the morning drills were no longer a bother. It was still challenging, the point is to push your limits after all, but your body has long gotten used to exertion, and your movements are far more graceful. Your uniform barely tainted after rounds, nothing but a faint flush on your cheeks to prove of the efforts.

Days has gone like blurs since you became the Flame Pillar’s successor, Rengoku would be out patrolling at night, return in the morning, catch a handful of hours of rest before training you for the rest of the day, then heading out again as the sun barely begins to sink below the horizon. This meant that while he took your technical and sparring training in the afternoon, the entire morning and evening is left for you to work on basic flexibility, fitness, endurance and breath techniques.

You once thought the Pillars were all monsters, freaks of nature that can somehow consistently run on 4 hours of sleep, and you were right. They had not even a second of spare time, like a machine being constantly wound, there was simply no rest for the wicked. However, after years of grinding, you find that your training can push further and further into the night, your constant Total Concentration Breathing somehow easing the the fact that your body isn’t resting. Before you even realized, you were tagging along on Rengoku’s patrols, or swinging your sword until the first lights of dawn stroked your hair. Rengoku a constant pillar of support behind you, smiling passionately at your improvements.

Despite your exasperation at him poking fun at your rookie days, you reply with perfect politeness.

“Of course, I look forward to your guidance this afternoon.”

He hums while sipping his tea. A hint of mischief drips through his tone.

“No need to be force yourself to be so formal now! I know you hate it when when I mention your baby days!”

He barks out his loud laugh as your eyelid twitches slightly. Rengoku is a fascinating one for sure. He is many things, a mentor who is unforgivingly strict, a pillar who is amazingly powerful, a friend who is mischievous and teasing, a brother who is fiercely supportive.

A man who has unlimited passion, someone who burns like intense flames.

His fire just might have consumed you.

You follow behind him into the training grounds, audible but not uncontrolled breaths come out your mouth. Your Master made you spar your way up a mountain, then back down. Afterwards he had presented you with a gourd the size of your torso while exclaiming proudly that he managed to get one after nagging Kochou multiple times for it. It was a pretty thing, polished and sturdy, you almost felt touched that he would give you a present before he said that you must burst it by blowing into it.

Hours later he is now leading you to a cherry blossom tree. Petals are flowing down just like that day. He looks just as stunning as that day too.

“Now, I’ll be stirring up all the petals on the ground, when they land, I expect to see them all sliced in half!”

What a tremendous task, but a challenge sure is exciting.

As Rengoku watches your form, he can no longer lie to himself. Lying to oneself is a childish thing to do anyways.

Rengoku is no fool, he is no foreigner to emotions such as love, although romantic is slightly out of his league, denying it achieves nothing.

The tea you bring seems to taste better than any other, when he’s away on missions, he finds that the image of your face manifests into his mind more and more often, when you were away on missions, his stomach always sinks when a crow glides by.

But you were both demon slayers, especially since your role specifically was to replace him when he dies. Love between you is just like a fire. Passionate, fierce, dangerous. Getting close would bring warmth, but sooner or later pain will follow. Rengoku never expected himself to live as long as his father anyways, he would die before retiring, before watching the fire in his own heart fade. As a pillar, that was his duty. And while he knows you didn’t like to think of such things, he trusted you were smart enough to be on the same page.

You land steadily, blade in hand, Rengoku can see that only about half of the petal were sliced in half. He clicks his tongue gently, not enough yet, but he isn’t surprised, this is a long road indeed. His smile comes back and he’s walking up to you.

“Not yet huh, “

You pout slightly, his heart flutters for a moment.

“don’t fret, look what I have for you!”

“I swear if it’s another gourd-”

Lies in his hand is a delicate hairpin, a shining flame engraved in some kind of gem lies as the centerpiece. You’re speechless as he carefully weaves it into your stray hairs, rough calloused hands gentle like he’s handling the most precious thing in the world.

He pats your head gently, before giving you a genuine smile, it seems different than his usual one, less like the confident passion, more soft, the fierce flame toned down to a warm ember.

Rengoku is suddenly surprised by the clash of a blade against the ground, then someone pressed against his torso. His tsuguko almost pounced on him, face pressed firmly against his chest, he knows it’s to hide the shining tears in your eyes. He barks out a laugh again, and wraps his arms around you, tight and secure, you feel like you were made to be in his embrace. Rengoku decides that he is not going to die until you are truly ready to face this merciless world, and tightens his hold even more.

And so they stand, beneath the cherry blossom tree, arms around each other so perfectly, feelings unspoken but understood all the same. The sun is warm in the sky, petals dancing around them, everything is so familiar, just like that day two years ago. As the Flame Pillar made his decision, you realize that as long as you are here, beside him, alongside him, and he is here, beside you, that was simply enough.