#he hears that snip snip sound in his nightmares

[twilightakiishi]

i’ve been giving myself haircuts since i was 12 and kokonoi hates it

[avocado-writing]

love drunk (tangerine’s path)

tangerine x f!reader tags: sex pollen; dub-con (bc sex pollen); love confessions; oral (f receiving); p in v sex

2k~ words

rated E minors dni

pt1

Tangerine shoves you out of the way, acting just fast enough to disarm the attacker by punching him in the gut with his knuckledusters. The machete skids across the floor but the man doesn’t stop. Instead he barrels into Tangerine and the two of them go crashing into one of the chemical setups behind them; there’s an almighty smashing of glass and the mystery powder is billowed up into the air. 

“Fuck,” you mutter, grabbing a disposable mask out of your back pocket and quickly pulling it on. You do not want whatever the fuck this stuff is getting inside of your lungs. You hear Lemon taking out the last couple of assailants as you rush to check Tangerine, putting a bullet in the skull of his attacker before he can get back up. 

“Tan, you alright?”

Tangerine seems… groggy. He blinks, slowly, as if the world is only just coming back into focus. His fancy suit is covered with whatever they’ve been making here - that’s a biohazard nightmare for sure. You pull Tan to his feet, careful to avoid making contact with the powder. 

“Yeah…” he mutters, dazed. You hear the sound of his brother approaching, and you and Lemon look at each other.  

“This ain’t good,” you surmise, looking at the way Tangerine sways on his feet. Lemon sucks breath in through his teeth. 

“Get him home. I’ll finish up.”

You raise an eyebrow. 

“You sure?” ‘Finishing up’ means spilling gasoline and torching the place. Though, judging by the relative newness of the operation, doesn’t seem like any backup will be coming soon. 

“Yeah. Look at him, he’s off his face,” Lemon states. This is true. With a sigh, you turn to Tangerine. 

“Come on, sunshine, let's get you out of here.”

Tangerine would usually snip back about you babying him, and the fact he doesn’t means this thing is bad. He just wanders behind you, pliant, unaffected by the cold London air outside. When you open the side door for him, he simply… sits down without complaint. 

This is most unlike him. 

You’re kissing the wrong side of the speed limit as you drive him back home, occasionally glancing over to see how your passenger fares. A light sheen of sweat has broken out on his skin and he’s getting flushed. By the time you pull into his driveway, you can hear how loud he’s breathing. 

“Tan?”

“Mm,” he replies. You reach over to place the back of your hand on his forehead and check for a fever, and he slaps you away hard. 

“Ow! What the fu-”

“Don’t fucking touch me!”

He practically spits it out, and you’re taken aback. Tan doesn’t talk to you like that. Not seriously. Sometimes there’s a bit of banter between the two of you, but never real venom. 

You look at him for a long moment, studying his face, his body, down to his lap —

Oh. 

Oh. You see the cause for the panic. 

Tangerine has the biggest hard-on you’ve ever seen. 

He’s straining against the fabric of his trousers, his hips twitching minutely, as if he doesn’t realise it. You meet the blown pupils of his blue eyes. 

“Tan - ”

But by then he seems to come to terms with the fact he just snapped at you, and more than that he’s sitting in your car while fully fucking erect, and he looks guilty for a fraction of a second before seeming to lose himself again. He doesn’t say anything but leaves the car and stumbles down his front garden path, where he manages to unlock his front door and disappear into his house. 

He leaves it ajar, which you take as an invitation to follow. You’re not going to leave him here like this. He could need medical attention, so it’s probably best to keep an eye. 

Although it seems what this drug was… was some sort of fucking aphrodisiac. 

You send Lemon a text confirming you’re staying with his brother, and get one back telling you that he’s about to start the blaze. With everything seemingly alright on his end you follow Tangerine. 

You hear the door you know to be his bedroom one slam above you. Carefully you shut the entrance behind you before walking over to his kitchen and grabbing a cold glass of water. 

Ascending the stairs you can’t help but feel trouble is on the horizon. 

“Tan?” You knock on his door, and hear a moan from behind it. You furrow your brow. 

“Alright, look, I’m coming in - ”

Too late do you hear the cry of, “no, don’t!” and you’re met with… quite a sight. 

Tan’s thrown off his shirt and waistcoat, his bare chest sweaty and heaving. He’s beautiful. His trousers and boxers are halfway down his legs and he has his cock in his hand, ruddy red and leaking from the tip. Again that look of guilt crosses his face, but it doesn’t stop him from working his shaft again in one long stroke. 

“Tan…” it feels like your throat has gone dry. You find the strength to out the water down before you drop it. 

“I’m sorry. Fuck, I’m sorry,” he manages, torn between touching himself and the shame of having you see it, “that drug… it did something to me…”

“Yeah, I can see that, love.”

“Don’t call me ‘love’,” he practically moans, his hips undulating gorgeously against his hand. “Sorry - fuck - look, just… just get out of here, you don’t need to see this...”

But you don’t get out of there. Instead you take a tentative step towards him. He eyes you warily, like a deer caught in the headlights. 

“I could… help,” you state, simply. Your eyes inadvertently drop to his lovely cock again and you lick your lips. “It looks like you’re suffering and I could offer some relief.”

“I…” Tan is torn. He’s clearly desperate to say yes, but seems worried about taking advantage of your kindness. But hey, you’re the one offering. 

“I mean, what are friends for, right?”

Tangerine groans, and steps forward to embrace you. 

You don’t expect the kiss. It’s messy and needy, his mouth open as he slides his tongue against your own. You hum at the taste of it, revelling in how hot and eager he is. It's always wonderful to have an enthusiastic participant in a kiss. You trace your fingers down his rock-hard ab muscles, grinning beneath his lips as he makes a little noise of happiness. Your touch meets his pelvis, then his cock -

And he comes all over himself. 

You’re so surprised you break the kiss to look down. Tangerine keels against you as thick spurts jet out the top of his head, covering the both of you. He remains heavy and hard in your palm. 

“You…”

“I’m not done,” he groans. You nod. Okay, yeah, understandable. This drug seems pretty wild. You let your head fall forward onto his shoulder as you continue your strokes, long languid movements to caress him. You don’t want to admit it but you’re enjoying hearing the little sounds Tangerine is breathing out into your ear. The way he rocks his hips to greet you is sweet, he seems to be restraining himself… but you really don’t mind if he’s a little rough.  

You feel the warm plain of his hand come to rest over your pelvis. 

“Fuck, ah, can I… can I touch you?”

Your breath hitches. 

“Yeah.”

He works at the buttons of your trousers, his work shaky from overstimulation, but his hand finds you wet. He groans lowly as he presses two fingers against your cunt, gathering the slick that’s formed there. 

“Fuck, you’re…”

“I know.”

He huffs out something that, despite everything, seems to be a laugh; and slips two fingers inside of you. You gasp at the easy intrusion and it turns into a moan when he crooks them against that sweet spot inside. 

“Do you like that, darling?” he growls out, “You look fucking gorgeous on my fingers.”

His voice is gravelly but he still manages to be so filthy. He pulls his hand back, and for a moment you’re disappointed, but it's only so he can suck the flavour of you from himself. His eyes roll back as his tongue slides lazily around his knuckles. 

“Christ. Please, let me eat your pussy. I need to know how you taste. Properly,” he chokes. His pupils, impossibly, widen further. His breathing is so heavy his nostrils flare. There’s something predatory about it, yet so vulnerable. 

You sit down on his bed and only manage to kick one trouser leg off before he gets on his knees before you, planting his face into your core. 

“Oh, fuck - !” 

He uses so much force it pushes you up the mattress, only stopping when his body hits the side of the bedframe. His mouth covers your dripping cunt and he licks a solid stripe up you, feasting on what you offer him. He moans as if you’re trying to drive him mad. 

“Perfect little cunt,” he mutters. Each hand comes down to clamp over your thighs and keep them apart - not that you were attempting to close them. His fingers press so hard you see divots on your skin. When he sucks on your clit you release on his tongue, and he keeps fucking you through it as he slides his cock up between the bedsheets and his stomach; coming in spurts for a second time over his stomach. You reach forward, blindly, tangling your hand in his already wild chestnut locks. 

“Oh god Tan,” you choke, “this was - ah! - this was meant to be for you.”

“Don’t care,” he replies between kisses, caressing your cunt with his attentive mouth, “fuck, I’ve wanted this for ages. I’ve been in love with you since Moscow.”

Oh. That changes things a bit. 

You use your purchase in his hair to yank his head back a bit. He looks annoyed, of all things. 

“But… Moscow was two years ago, Tan.”

He nods. There’s a sincerity on his face you’re not used to seeing, and you’re unsure if it’s aided or not by your wetness in his mustache. 

“I know. I’m sorry. Fuck, please, I feel like I’m on fire, let me fuck you properly.”

All you can do is nod, fuck-drunk. Tangerine grabs his cum-coated cock, rubs it against you a couple of times and pushes home. You both groan, delighted. He doubles his grip on your legs, sliding it up to your knees to make you allow room for his body to slot against yours, and he begins to pound into you relentlessly. 

“Fuck, I’m so sorry. I love you, I’m so sorry, I’m so fucking sorry - ”

“Tan - oh shit - ” his cock hit your g-spot there - “Tan, you don’t need to be sorry. I love you too.”

He pauses for a second, before rocking his hips into you hard, sheathing himself up to the hilt. 

“Wait, you do?”

“Yeah. So stop apologising.”

It’s something you’ve been fighting with for ages but well, it’s true. He’s perfect. He’s a hothead and a bastard and he’s got a mouth like a sailor but… yeah. At some point along the road you fell in love with him right back. 

Tan smiles, a real genuine smile, before he reaches down to kiss you along with his next thrust. This kiss isn’t as urgent as the one before. It’s real and passionate and true. You taste yourself on his tongue and sigh as he reaches up to caress your face, a calloused thumb stroking your cheek. 

“I love you,” he sighs, a couple more erratic thrusts making him come for the third time in quick succession. At last you feel his cock start to soften. 

“I love you too,” you reply, as fatigue begins to take over. Tangerine has the good grace to roll over before he collapses, meaning he doesn’t land on top of you. You can see the way his body shakes from exertion but it seems, at least, the drug has worn off. 

You grab the glass of water which you originally brought up for him and get him to drink. Now he’s back to himself he grunts a bit at being coddled, but obliges when you fix him with a look. His hand comes to rest on your hip and he holds you tight. 

You’ll have to do jobs like these more often, you think, as you settle into Tangerine’s side. 

tags from master taglist: @honestlywtfisgoingon​ @white-wolf-buckaroo @felhomaly @venusthepirate @lunarpansexual @wanderedaway​​ @georgiee-riviere @mushywutty​​ @apieceoffabulousshit @4ng3l-0n-34rth @minjaz @starl1g4t @earth-elemental18 @luhvbot @underratedboogeyman @july-is-summer @vocalvixen20cp @northerngalxy @tangerinesgf @chaoticroaddreamerpastaerpasta @rxcently @skrrten @nightmarefeast @lost-lila @hardcore-flower @kalli0pe @insanitia  @tvngerinescoat @assmaster37 @zuzusoosoo @oldyellowbricks2 @cockete @spidervee

[missjenca]

#hilariously enough!; I also imagined Satellite having a Local Hand Commmunication!#Love that we over lap on some thoughts here#this has a lot of some of the things I'd rotated in getting Yusei through a panic attack or just days too much like Bad Times#yell at me to post those

As per your tags, consider this me yelling at you to post about this because I genuinely would like to hear it, pLEASE, I live for this kind of thing, lol

Aye aye! Thankie for the reminder, lemme cook that up, big posr style.

So, Yusei is absolutely not walking away from the plot of 5Ds without being a lil bit fucked up. And while Satellite has given him the ability to simply say 'I will put my nose straight through the grindstone and ignore what is happening to me' (for better or for worse), he also has friends that think it important to help him out.

Leo, our wonderful ball of sunshine, can clock immediately when Yusei is in a certain kind of funk that he can handle. He calls it 'Old Paper White' or 'New Paper White' (if Yusei's freaked out enough to go pale). 'Old Paper White' means that Leo can generally goad Yusei into a duel on the work bench, and bemoan his loss in a way to get Yusei to focus on tips and assistance and generally just Big Brothering Leo until he relaxes. 'New Paper' is trickier, because it's probably a deuling related nightmare at the cause. Which means it's time for different games, be it activity books or putting together plastic models together. Leo would definitely enjoy the Duel Monsters Counterpart of Gunpla, and I think Yusei would find the gentle rhythm of 'Snip piece, connect piece' soothing.

Luna's tactics are fairly similar, though with a different approach. She's armed with fidgit toys and puzzles and big long words and her big wide eyes. She'll word tasks very specifically as 'can you help me with this' or 'can you do this for me', and generally weaponises her Baby Sister Status for his benefit. Because it leans on Yusei's 'Can and Will Do Anything For His Friends' part of his will power, she can get him to focus on small tasks like getting to a safe place or solving a rubix cube until he's calmer.

Crow has been spending years knowing the exact balance of 'filling silence' and 'engaging questions' for Yusei to steady himself to. Crow knows all the gossip, what friends are where, interesting mechanical news, all the safe topics. Crow also knows the exact tone of voice to use that signals that nothing is happening, because it's a very different and specific tone of voice to 'we're pretending to be unaware of cops/gangs/attackers' from back when they were younger. He's also totally clued in to what Yusei's different levels on non-verbal answers or non-answers mean, so he can focus on Yusei without focusing *so much* on Yusei that it stresses him out.

Aki's learned the exact levels and kinds of white noise helps Yusei out. Too much or the wrong sounds and he gets over-stimmed or stressed out, too little makes him anxious because actual silence means something bad is about to happen. She also uses a few meditation techniques with him; she may have learned them at Arcadia, but she controls what she knows now. They're both at least a little fond of it; panic attacks or nightmares aren't something that you can fight physically, but this is almost close. Aki's also the one most on top of making sure he takes a painkiller and eats something afterwards, because he always gets a huge headache from being so tense, and he *will* try and just work through it if left to his own devices.

Jack's the only person who can safely goad Yusei into hitting him without Yusei getting *too* wrapped up in being guilty about it. It's very much not a 'Jack deserves to be hurt' thing, but that it's equal measures of that Jack's Always Gonna Do What He Wants and years of Jack-To-Yusei wordless communication between the two of them. He asks for it because he can take it and Yusei can't. It's a Rivals Thing:tm:. It also helps when Crow rolls his eyes and tells Jack off about it like nothing happened. If they can hit a duel, great, but if we're at the bottom option, Jack is of course the one who knows how to be callous to be kind.

[imagine-knb]

Can I have Kise and Kagami trying to (and possibly failing??) win over or ask out a tsundere, self conscious, bookworm? <3

Kagami

“All the melon bread will be gone by the time I get to the front of the line…”

That had been the phrase to start all the chaos, elbows digging into his side and fists trying to push right through him. The lunch rush at school had always been – and would forever be – a nightmare. But Kagami had promised himself he would get you the snack you wanted, knowing it was worth literally risking life and limb for you.

He let out a low growl, the sound menacing, when someone tried to cut in front of him. They cowered away from his glare, slinking off and allowing Kagami to finally reach the end of the line that lead to the registers. Without even counting the yen in his hand, he slapped the money down on the counter before barging his way through the rest of the crowd, melon bread in hand. A few times he had to narrowly dodge grasping hands that were trying to get to the front, holding his purchase up high where nobody could reach.

By the time he made it back to the classroom, Kagami had more than his fair share of bruises marring his skin.

“Here,” he huffed out, sounding more angry than he actually was. In truth, his brows were pinching together and his eyes were narrowing not because of a sour mood, but because he always choked up around you. When his only response was a quirked brow from you, he felt heat rise to his cheeks as he further explained. “’S the melon bread you wanted.”

“That’s melon bread?” Your incredulous question caught Kagami off guard.

Looking down at the snack, he was momentarily mortified to find that the bread had been crushed on his way back to the classroom – likely when he was wading through a pushy crowd of students – resembling more of a rolled out pastry now with green chunks flaking off. Mentally, Kagami sighed. He had only wanted to do a nice thing for you.

Watching as you picked up the crushed pastry, Kagami wanted to wince when you ripped open the package, a few crumbs falling right onto your desk below. You took a bite and he could somewhat hear your satisfied hum.

“Yeah, I guess it is melon bread,” you murmured. A light flush of color stained your cheeks, your eyes glancing away from the tall basketball player in front of you. “Thanks, I guess,” you muttered, voice quiet.

It made his heart lurch with butterflies.

“I can get you more tomorrow,” he blurted out, cheeks on fire when he realized the words had come out before he could vet them.

“You really don’t have to do that,” you answered just as quickly, embarrassed by his offer. But when Kagami continued to look at you, staring as if he were begging you to give him another chance, you sighed. “Maybe… don’t crush it next time, then.”

Kise

He had spent all morning decorating, placing little paper cutouts of hearts and flowers all around your desk. He’d gotten you balloons, tying them to the edge of your chair like it was a beacon. There was a handwritten note, his messy penmanship curling around the syllables he’d lovingly crafted. He even went so far to find a bouquet of your favorite flowers, despite the fact they were no longer in season and it had cost him half his allowance. It was the perfect plan to ask you out on a date.

Or so Kise had thought.

He couldn’t deny how cute the way your cheeks heated up with color was. It was something he relished in seeing from you, something he was able to get you to do easily with his flirting antics, but something about the way you were flushing with color today was off. It took him a while to note the way your eyes shifted around the classroom first, finding the curious stares of your classmates, before finally settling on his. He returned your glare, your eyebrows pinched and lips set into a frown, with a confused smile of his own.

Your words coming out in a quick snip. “Idiot, this is too much!” And now Kise was realizing that the red staining your skin was not from joy over his endeavors, but embarrassment. Possibly even anger.

His confusion morphed into a sheepish grin as he tried to hand you the bouquet of flowers. “I thought we could go out on a date this weekend,” he muttered, deciding to push through with his plan anyway. Maybe it couldn’t get any worse.

You took the bouquet into your hands, eyes fixated on the soft petals of your favorite flowers. For a moment, your expression seemed to soften as you viewed them. But then a call from a classmate nearby – “well, aren’t you going to answer him?” – had the flush on your face returning full force. Embarrassed by the audience, you shoved the bouquet back into Kise’s arms before turning tail to run out of the classroom.

He looked on sadly as you left his sight, shoulders slumped and bouquet turned downward. The classmate who had egged you on came up behind the blonde, clapping a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

“Told you it wasn’t a good idea, dude,” his classmate said, feigning innocence in his part. “She’s shy. Maybe you would’ve had better luck if you’d done in it private.”

The words stuck into Kise’s mind like his thoughts were made of glue. Do it in private. The feeling of defeat was quickly taken over by a new determination and Kise gripped tightly onto the bundle of flowers in his hand, staring at them.

He would win you over yet.

[echoedcrosshairs]

Those Who Fight Together - Part 15

Summary: Undescribed Female Jedi nicknamed Reaper goes toe to toe with the Techno Union, mention of character death? and blowing a little steam with some restraints

Warning: Violence, Old Force Magic, Bondage if you squint, Techno Union, The Algorithm experiment, injuries, temporary blindness, restraints, drinking

Word Count: 11k

Part 14 Part 16

Masterlist

Echo paced back and forth on the Marauder, something didn't feel right but he couldn't place it maybe it was just being alone again in a sort of cramped space. He looked at the empty chairs before forcing himself to sit in one, I could just head to Kamino not that there's anyone there for me to talk too but I wouldn't be alone. I could met up with the 501st... She'd probably kill me if I got hurt. Echo's hand went to the crystal around his neck, I wonder if you've found them yet. Was it a formality or am I going to need this. He wrapped his fingers around it.

"GONK GONK GONK"

"You take forever to charge," Echo grumbled, "I need company."

"GONK GONK GONK"

"I don't speak power droid, add it to the list of stuff to learn. Do you mind me waking you?" Echo listened to a happy gonk sound and amused that it was fine, "There out on a mission... in the outer rim, the depths of the outer rim and I had to stay here," Echo heard the panic gonk sound, "Their going after the group that did... this, the group you guys rescued me from" he said waving at himself, "There with this incredible Jedi, we call her Reaper," Echo recounted meeting her and their assignments and apologized for not charging him. Gonky seemed to listen to him making distinction noises keeping him company. "Thanks Gonky, I think we're gonna be here all night."

Slick flew up and awake hearing the small rustling start, he flung the covers back see Crosshair and Tech attempt to wake her up. Crosshair growled but got up allowing him to get in. Slick climbed on top of the bed and rested on his knees holding his hand to her face, "Duchess, time to wake up," Slick gave her a couple moments but she wasn't waking, "One of those nights," he scowled getting up and gently pulling out of the bed feeling her start to shake and the sweat starting. He dragged her over to his bed folding his legs and rocking her in "Duchess, wake up," he said tapping her face a little harder.

You jolted awake in a panic, your head colliding violently against a hard object, "Ow! Hard-head," Slick complained rubbing his jaw. You tried to open your mouth but his hand was over it shaking his head, "Duchess, calm down" He said removing his hand, "Remember they're here. Breath," you slumped in his arms trying to lower your pounding heart, "Nightmare or a vision?" He asked. "Nightmare." Slick nodded knowing the repeated night, "Do you want to try to go back to sleep or go for a stroll? I can't obviously offer you fresh air or scenery however because someone just had to insist on white everything."

"More food?" you asked.

"Yeah come on."

You crawled out of Slick's lap rubbing your eyes and held Hunter's cool touch about your skin, reflexively you grabbed him and took him with you. The Duchess doesn't...

"Shut up, I just woke up," you groaned.

"Talking to yourself again?" Crosshair eyed.

"You can also shut up," you snipped.

Hunters hand tightened around yours as he saw the way your eyes slitted as you looked at Crosshair. He tugged you a little closer as you all finished the walk to the lounge. He found Reef already there cooking.

"I thought I heard an approaching disturbance," He said turning his head around but keeping his body on task, "I am preparing breakfast, do you need to partake of some early?"

"I'm famished," you said tugging your hand out of Hunters and crawled into the booth next to slick.

"Last time you said that, I had to insert Reef's other program and that was a long day," Slick leered.

"To be far we had just gotten back from a rough assignment I was very very hungry," you laughed slightly shoving him, "and if I remember correct you were eating during it anyway."

"I was starving, I'm not a desert before dinner type of guy and you had entertainment."

Wrecker asked "Are they talking about what I think they are?"

"Yes. I bet Echo would love to know," Crosshair rolled his eyes, "Told him she had a droid kink."

"It was the type of sex, Crosshair, that would make you jealous" you narrowed your eyes at him, "Now be a good boy and shut up, maybe you'll get a treat," you send slipping back into the cool waters of the Duchess.

Slick put his hand on your leg again and leaned in, "As much as that one deserves it, you don't need to be so harsh until we get there."

"Keep getting close, I'll bend her over one of these stools," Crosshair hissed behind you.

You jumped a little, "Cross! Maker you step as light as a loth."

"He's definitely crossed," Slick chuckled rolling his eyes taking his hand off.

"I expected his behavior from Tech not you," you squinted.

"Don't think that drink didn't effect him too?" Crosshair growled.

"Yet he drank it," you said turning back to the counter just to have Crosshair grab you and spin you back around.

Slick tried to hide the smirk on his face when Reef split his arms and pulled 4 guns on him, "Is there a problem Dutchess?" he asked pointing each of them at Crosshair who didn't even look phased.

"No, but thank you Reef," you said kindly watching Reef tuck everything away, you gave Crosshair a little shove and stood up turning the icy stare, "I know you're looking out for your brother but here? You need to watch out for yourself. Anything else?"

"No."

You lean forward looking like you were going to kiss him but very forcibly bit his lip, "Good, you're getting on my nerves," and sat back down.

"What did I say about playing nice?" Slick scolded, "even if he started it," he muttered, "I'm going to regret this," he groaned already seeing the spiteful wheels turning in your head.

You gave him a little coy smile, "You mean my favourite way to treat you when you irritated me? Then yes." You turned around and grabbed Crosshair by the throat gently then forcibly pushed him to the wall you flicked your fingers up and his arms went flying above his head, "I bet you've imagined this differently," you said running your tongue over your teeth which got  a snarl from him. Carefully you tugged his shirt up and flicked it over his head using it at a cushion for his hands.

"You can only keep my hands up for so long," he growled.

"You're going to be holding your own hands up. Slick, darling,  a black napkin and my tea."

"Duchess," he groaned staring at the glint in your eye knowing there was no change your mind. He grabbed the napkin and quickly put on the tea, "The tea will be done soon."

"Lovely," you said patting him taking the nap, "Crosshair," you gave him mischievous siren eyes, "You're going to hold your hands up until I say... Crosshair again," the compulsion spilled out then the pain and coughing. You covered you mouth knowing what next, forcing your self to stand straight as your throat tore a little and covered your mouth.

Hunter's nose flared as the smell hit him, the faint scent of blood. His hand tighten on the table and he felt Wrecker's hand come down his shoulder. Tech blinked rapidly looking between Hunter and the napkin. Crosshair's eyes went wide as he saw the discoloration and the faint stain, he tried to fight against it but couldn't, "Hold your hands up," kept replaying in his mind every time he tried.

"Was that really necessary?" Slick whispered handing you the tea.

"When the time comes... he has to know what it will do to him. At least this way it'll be kind. Duty above all," you whispered back after taking a few drinks of the tea and swishing it around your mouth before swallowing, "Much better," you purred, sipping it until it was empty and handing it back to him. You turned back to Crosshair who was studying you, you moved back in front of him letting your fingers walk up his chest, "You are so handsome."

He remained silent observing very movement and word letting the icy sniper underneath show tucking away the sliver of warmth he displayed. He watched as you trailed your fingers up his chest your finger tips spread wide to feel more of him. Crosshair felt you gazing into his eyes and he let himself bore back into yours with every ounce of ice even when your touches dance to tender places like his neck and his legs.

"Is he always like this?" Slick asked leaning against the table watching with Hunter, Wrecker and Tech, "There's nothing in his eyes."

"Crosshair is a sniper, our Reaper is currently the Duchess. He did happen to try to kill her when he saw her with Dooku so the fact that she has him... displayed is probably setting off was warning bells," Tech offered.

"He what?" Slick's head snapped, "I regret every word of trying to get her to be nice. He really did just toss her aside..." he voiced louder knowing he would hear as he scoffed marching over there. One handed he snaked his fingers over the ones you had on Crosshair's chest and pulled your hand back, "Let him go Duchess. He doesn't deserved to be worshiped like this from you and doesn't seem to appreciate it anyway there's no point." He saw the mask slip for a moment revealing defeat and sadness before being replaced with the pouty flirt that doesn't get her way, "Crosshair," Slick let your hand go, "You can do that to me anytime," he said swiping his finger up your cheek, "At least I can appreciate a woman seductively touching me, what man can't? Oh wait" he added purposely poking him before heading back to his stool taking the napkin and tossing it in the garbage.

"What happened to play nice?" You asked joining him.

"He apparently tried to kill you. I know you're not the same person around them you are with me but he doesn't deserve that slice of the Duchess, the tenderness under the rage and wraith. None of them would appreciate it."

Crosshair watched pulling his shirt back on tucking it in, he enjoyed it but it still felt wrong. He stuck a tooth pick in his mouth and walked back to the table with brothers questioning if his dignity was intact. I hate that fucking Reg.

"Once again your right."

"I know," his voice full of glee, "Food!" he said looking down at the steaming food Reef set before both of you. He watched you dig in and scarfed it before eating himself.

"Are you enjoying the food?" Reef asked looking down at the empty plate, "and soft enough for throat?"

"It was as perfect as always."

"Thank you, I must check in with our guest."

You laid your head down at the table, letting the tiredness hit you with the warm food, "Let's get you back to bed," Slick sliding his arms around your shoulders and knees, "We can have fun when you wake up."

"You're not going to sleep?"

"With Crosshair on board? Not a chance, I'll nap when your awake just so one of us are up."

"He's not going to-"

"The emptiness and hollowness in his eyes said different."

The rest of the walk was silent, he gently returned you to bed the and the squad retaking their position except Crosshair who sat in the corner floor so he could watch the whole room. Slick grabbed a pad and sat up in his bed occasionally checking in watching Crosshair's glare at him and heard Wrecker's snoring. Almost as bad as Chopper's, he scowled remembering his unit but still missed them. Wrecker didn't sleep either, he stayed up petting your head for the rest of the night ready to step between Slick and Crosshair if a fight broke out and he was pretty sure it was.

You felt Hunter's hand on your face and a kiss on your forehead making your eyes flutter open, "Good morning," you yawned sleepily stretching  into him, "mmm you smell good," curling up a little more.

"Don't get any ideas, it's still my time," Tech said to no one in particular noting Wrecker, Crosshairs and Slick's absence, "Obviously that's not a good sign," he said.

"Their fine, Wrecker and Cross are eating and Slick's on deck," Hunter replied, "Non of them slept."

You rolled your eyes sitting up, wiping them, "You guys shouldn't have come," you muttered.

"Why so you could have your fun with Slick and Reef?" Tech deadpanned.

"No, it would have been the last thing on my mind but at least Slick would have liked it, I have never been more degraded and insulted..." you sighed the anger deflating a little, "Slick's right, there was nothing when I touched no warmth.. no humanity, nothing. I shouldn't have even bothered. It was like looking in the mirror."

"Do you doubt Crosshair's affection?" Tech inquired.

"I doubt everything I have ever believed," you uttered grabbing another outfit and leaving them.  You changed walking down the hall without a care in the world as you headed towards the deck and climbed your spot in the chair in the center, BB-001 informed you that you still over half of an orbital's flight and you groaned. You knew Slick could see your bitter mood but neither of you wanted to discuss it and it was only made worse then Crosshair walked in shirtless.

"Do it again," he said leaning over you in the chair.

You scoffed "Why would I waste more of my time when you proved me to be uninspiring to a fine creature such as yourself?" You snipped trying to move him with your leg but failed with how firmly he was planted, "Move," you growled but he still didn't budge, "Go fuck a whore, Cross," you added shoving him back finally getting him to move, "if your so good in bed. Obviously to good to be interested in me and now your only doing it out of pride. Did you go to the med bay and grab some helpers? There was nothing last night between us, nothing... why would there be? I'm nothing but a barely hot piece of ass for you only when you want it," the words ripped from your throat as the tears came, "Just leave me alone." You ran from the room shaking locking yourself in one of the destruction rooms knowing after sadness always comes anger. You could hear Wrecker and Slick banging on the door you opened the panel and shot it a few times to keep Tech from overriding it. That should buy a least a while of peace and quiet. You curled yourself up on the floor and sobbed yourself back to sleep.

"Are you trying to break us up!" Crosshair shouted shoving Slick.

"You're doing that just fine on your own," he scoffed catching himself turning his attention back the door, "Going to have to blast it open?" He asked looking down at Tech.

"Yes, she has disrupted the signal on the other end."

"I'm not threw with you," Crosshair said yanking Slick again.

"We can have it out when I know she's okay, I actually care about her and I personally don't have time for your bantha crap until I know she's fine," Slick said walking over to the wall with a concealed Pod waking one of the droids, "Get the door open." Slick watched as droid punched the seam until there was a dent big enough for the droid to get his hands on and pry open.

Wrecker got to her first and checked her breathing and the undisturbed room, "She's asleep." Wrecker scooted you into his big arms, "You gave all of us a scare," he said listening to your breathing change.

"I just want to be alone."

"Well you can be alone in my arms but that's the most alone you're going to get."

"I rather be alone in bed, the floor isn't that comfortable," you said rolling your shoulder.

"I can put you in bed beautiful."

Crosshair watched Wrecker carry her off and how puffy her face one, "I do not know how to assist," Tech standing next him also watching.

"We'll deal with it when we go home," Hunter chimed in, "Just need to get our heads on straight for the mission ahead as much as I want to solve it now there's not enough time."

Crosshair took out the toothpick and flicked it into the room, "We're soldiers, we pick ourselves and move on," his words didn't match what was going on in his head. His trained cool demeanor refused to display his personal feelings. He felt the eyes on him but he followed after Wrecker ignoring the glare as he picked up his armor attaching it, after his helmet sealed shut he grabbed his Firepuncher taking a glance to see the silent sobbing. He took himself down to the shuttle letting himself have a single tear before focusing on his drilled in task of cleaning and prepping his weapon.

"Everyone is in the shuttle, we got to go," Slick said disturbing their slight embrace.

You had long since stopped crying and hoped your face was half presentable as you walked into the shuttle taking the seat next to Hunter as Slick and Reef took the pilot chairs. You fiddled repositioning your sabers time counting the minutes.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Slick asked hoping you hadn't lost your nerve.

"I can't wait to watch it burn at my feet," the cruel sweetness came back to your voice and he smiled.

"I'll happily watch anything that upsets you burn at your feet," he replied, "especially if your in heels"

"I wouldn't have it any other way my knight," you purred standing up resting your elbows on his and Reef's shoulder, "Everything is position?" your regular voice returning.

"The rendezvous ship is 25 minutes out of sensor range, that provides us with enough time to disrupt and destroy."

"For Echo," you whispered returning to your seat, pulling the other saber out of the nap sack with your armor, you kissed it placing it back in the bag, "Techno Union is about to learn you will reap what you sow", you whispered letting every once of rage lace it "I think I'm going to make an entrance, see you boys when you catch up!" You laughed skipping your way to the exit door and opening it, grabbing the lid off of a crate and stepping out tugging the door shut behind you.

"She is falling at terminal velocity towards a solid mass, she is going to die!" Tech said standing up but Wrecker shoved him back down. Slick clicked his tongue, "She'll be fine, she did it all of the time and usually from higher up. It's a very effective technique. Well you boys should know by now the Jedi like the fall and jump from deadly heights," wish more of them were finale, he mentally added.

"Effective in doing what? Running a high probability of dying?" Tech asked staring with his head slightly cocked.

"Intimidation," Crosshair said flatly.

"So he does still have a tongue," Slick joked, "Alright boys getting ready to touch down... She's fine... in more ways that one," He laughed watching her ass sway in the heels walking towards the main door with the two guards in tow, "Maker made that one just for us clones," he whistled, "Touch down. Waiting for her signal," almost on que the she pushed the door open, "Okay three minutes," Slick said putting on his helmet and jogging after her making some excuse as to what took him so long to catch up.

"You good, Cross?" Hunter asked as soon as Slick had caught up.

"Yes," he said tartly.

"You could just stay-" Wrecker started.

"Shut up."

The guard had bought the story about a surprise inspection given the possibility of contracting them for a new task. You casually looked at everything as he went through the tour noticing the exits, cameras and blind spots. The job seemed to easy, shouldn't this place be more fortified? Although we are in the most protected and dangerous place in the outer rim. Three minutes were almost up. You nonchalantly asked to be directed to the bathroom was Slick distracted the man. You reached the bathroom and hit the signal for Tech to tap in remotely as they made their entrance. Camera's should start rolling off. Now for business. You stride out of the bathroom and heard the fun at had started. Guards were running which ever way and Slick and the head of the building had made there way to you telling you go to safety. Slick winked and you followed after both of them.

Crosshair found you and sneaking up the crosswalk above, being up high was currently the only comfort he had. He'd always love being up high in secluded spaces, it always eased his mind but his brain was still rattled from earlier as much as he tried to shove it from his thoughts. He waited and waited until he saw the smile on your face and your sabers sizzle to life. Aiming he raised his fire puncher but within moments you had already cleared the room.

"Next room, darling?" You purred to Slick already kicking the door open.

"No one stood a chance," he chuckled.

"No one ever stood a chance against my resolve."

Slick joined the dance clearing every room of every living thing while listening to the droids start ripping up and destroying equipment, "Everything seems to be on schedule," Slick muttered as your face went white as both of you made your way to the lab, "Scratch that." Both you looked at the assorted Troopers hooked up to various machines more experimented on.

"Hunter we need Tech in the lab, now," You shouted he could hear you over the sound of blaster fire and the shredding of metal. Your fingers danced quickly over the keys able to disconnect a few of the disoriented soldiers. It seemed like forever but Tech and Crosshair stepped through the door.

"Is there enough room on the shuttle?" Tech asked working quickly.

"Slick, plan C."

"I farking hate plan C," he said jogging off.

When the technicians came for their experiments Crosshair watched you dispatch them ruthlessly mocking up as they were cut to bits. It made his stomach turn. His eyes flicked up to Slick waving, quickly he watched you move the troopers onto one of the beds and push the bed towards him working on the next set as Tech finished. Tech looked down at the last soldier pulled the plug and moved on. Crosshair eyes scanned the screen, there was nothing that could have been done. His lips twitched with bitterness but starting picking up stray guards as they came in from behind.

"May I inquire what plan C is?" Tech said putting his data away and grabbing his blaster.

"Mildly plummeting to the world below and hoping she's angry enough to play catch."

Crosshair cocked his head, I'm surprised the building isn't falling already. Hunter and Wrecker were catching up destroying everything that even looked remotely electronic on there way down.

"I think she's angry," Wrecker said looking at the carnage.

"They were experimenting on Trooper's, I do not think angry covers it," Tech said.

Hunter shook his head, the four of them jogging after them. Hunter used her scent to track were they had gone finding them in one huge lab like the one they pulled Echo out of, "It's empty," he said.

"Just means they were going to try again," you growled looking at the technology, "Grab any thing important you can off of it."

Tech went to work pulling information files off of it while deleting them afterwards, "Done."

You put your sabers away and unloaded your blaster in the machine, "Die," you said blasting more then Slick's hand went to your face distracting you, "We have to move," he said letting go, "Echo would be happy if he saw that."

"I'll show him when we get home."

"Thanks, Tech," you said smiling, "I appreciate it."

He nodded. Tech watch you waltz from the room getting on your com to the droids when they started exploding, "We're out of time!"

"Slick, take them and go!"

"We're not-"

"Wrecker..." you asked looking at him, he gave a disappointed nod scooping up Hunter and grabbing Tech before he had time to move, "Get going, I'll get the injured." You noticed Crosshair didn't move as Wrecker moved to the door waiting, "Crosshair we can do this my way or Slicks way." Again he didn't move, "Forgive me," you begged watching in slow motion as Reef fell from the ceiling dropping him to the floor giving Slick enough time to hit the seal of his helmet and injected him. You saw the look of guilt hidden in his eyes before Slick put the helmet back on and tossed him over his shoulder.

Aren't I the one whose suppose to be apologizing? Crosshair thought as the tranq slammed into him.

Echo opened the priority hologram of Cody, "Echo? Where's Reaper... and everyone else it's morning?"

"There out on assignment, it's just me. Anything I can do to help you?"

"We just got a batch of injured from an outpost in the outer rim... They described her perfectly, a trader brought them in however."

Echo's hands tighten, "They were all out there," he said swallowing.

"Don't go getting any bright ideas, they'll turn up they probably just had to finish whatever it was. They just wanted to say thank you."

Echo looked down to see Hunter's homing button  blinking, "Have to go, they're back. I'll let her know, Commander," he said switching it off, "I don't have a good feeling about this," he muttered to Gonky who gave a concerned gonk.

Echo tracked the signal back to the border finding the white shuttle waiting. He docked the Marauder, opened the door and waited the moment he saw Hunter and Wrecker's faces he knew something was grow. However Tech's and Crosshair's were unreadable.

"Where's Reaper?" Echo asked staring at Slick's emotionless expression.

"With the soldier's... she's not back yet?" His expression going pale.

Echo fell in the seat next to him with a thud, "They made it... she wasn't with them."

There was a heavy silence between all of them before Slick broke it, "I'll get back and if I find her.. I know how to get ahold of you."

"If we find her, we'll let you know," Hunter confirmed, both of them pulling the doors shut to disembark, "We'll find her Echo."

"Unlikely, it was a two rotation journey. She most likely got incinerated catching them or succumbed to whatever injuries after getting them to safety."

"Tech!" Hunter snapped.

"I am not going to provide false hope, we all have to look at the facts and the statistics of her survival is less then minimal to none."

"For someone who was so broken about her leaving, you seem fine," Wrecker muttered.

"I am... adapting. We are soldiers, we adapt and move on. Its not that I am not hurt, but I know with our short lives if she has perished I will see her again one day and when that time comes I do not want to be lectured for letting my emotions get the better of me, again," he paused to collect himself, "If it was her final wish to get us to back to the republic... I will not allow her sacrifice to be for nothing. I will continue my duty as she would have wanted."

Plan 99, they all thought. Crosshair disappeared to his bunk. He sneered hearing Hunter behind him. He tossed his rifle in his bunk and plopped down next to it, "Leave me alone," he send pulling his privacy curtain.

"Crosshair, we both know she was upset when she said that. She loved you" Hunter said running his fingers along his bandana, even after all of that he could still faintly smell her on it, "We all saw it when she looked at you."

Wrecker bear hugged Echo, "We'll be okay." He tighten his grip as Echo tried to maneuver out of it, "Nope. Just accept the hug," that comment got through to him and he melted again, Wrecker finally set him down, "I'll go keep my eyes on brainy, since he still has stuff stashed on board."

Echo stood outside their room and rested his head on the door, I've lost so many brothers in this war and now possibly her. He pulled himself off knowing Tech was right about carrying on, he grabbed the crystal around his neck and put himself in his bunk which got a surprised look from Hunter. We're all hurting just in our own ways, I can't go in there yet.

Tech sat at the pilot seat putting his feet up with his arms folded over his chest as he stared out the window seeing a new message coming from Cody. He flipped it out not even nothing to look at him.

"I take it she didn't make it...?" Cody asked.

"Reaper is Missing in Action," Tech reported, "Yet to be seeped Killed in Action."

"What we're you guys even doing out there? There was no assignment out that far."

"We... brought down the Techno Unions Lab, the report should be available. Clone intelligence should already be investigating."

"I assumed but why?"

"Their was reasonable suspicion they were abducting clones in attempts to make another... 'algorithm' which we concluded to be true."

"Protecting us clones," Cody said shaking his head, "the only way I could have ever seen her going out. Has anyone told Wolffe?"

"No, it is our responsibility to tell him so, the others will probably want to refrain for a few days to confirm that she didn't find an alternate mode of transportation."

"Should still tell him, Tech."

"I will take it under advisement," Tech said before Cody cut off the communication.

"I'm not looking forward to that call," Wrecker muttered.

"I will do it, if there is not objections Hunter?"

Hunter commed that it would be the best if he did. He sat on his bunk listening to the anger in his voice then flatness when Tech mentioned duty. It pissed him off, but Tech was correct which passed him off more. Hunter heard him say keep him apprised and Tech signed off. He took off his bandana and clenched it in his hand, Hunter didn't want to give in to the possibility but knew there was no running from the truth that the probability was slim even for a Jedi. Hunter bolted up right and pulled Crosshair's curtain but to find his emotions rolling down his cheeks and fall down them to hiss pillow. He stepped back knowing the look of the coiled snake waiting to strike.

Crosshair yanked the curtain shut again but didn't say anything, already torn but aggravated at the lack of privacy from his brothers when he needed it. Move on, pick your self up and move on. You got it out of your system. He wiped what was left of his emotions off his face and pulled the curtain back hoping down to grab food. He felt Hunter's eyes when the hair on the back of his neck stood up but he wouldn't give him any further satisfaction of seeing him compromised. Grabbing food he sat down next to Tech and Wrecker staring out the view wondering if there a deeper meaning to Forgive me, what you said? Having Slick drug me? Knowing he'd have too? Not making up before the battle? He groaned his head swimming again, he moved himself to her room retaking his position on the floor staring at the bed and the fresh armor on it.

Echo spent the next three nights sleeping his bunk with his brothers, Wrecker this time seeking the solace of her room, even Gonky came in and joined them. He spent every day looking at the sensors for any sliver of hope whether it was his shift or not when he was finally going to give up a huge gold ship dropped in-front of them with the Tomb's crest. The ship put a tractor beam and pulled them to the docking port.

Hunter was the first to enter the ship to find Indel staring at him, surprised she's allowed to leave. The rest of the squad filed onto the ship unaware of what they would be doing all the way out here however the look in Indel's face gave him a sliver of hope. He watched her point her finger at Echo and extend her hand, he walked Echo freeze his hand holding it but he reluctantly gave it back watching Indel put the saber by together.

"Whole once again," she said looking specifically at Echo, "Balance requires two, saber and user or man and machine however together they make a whole," she said handing the saber to him, "once again you are whole."

Echo stared at the saber, "She's gone isn't she?" he whispered.

Indel let out a short laugh, "Did you not hear a word I said child. Come."

You groaned, "Touch each finger to your thumb, good, wiggle your toes," Asclepios repeated every motor skill practice several times a day then moved on to practical making you walk and eventually run a simple obstacle course, "I don't think you missed anything," you complained.

"Master, it is part of my training don't you forget," she jokingly snipped back making you do it all over again, "it looks like it is time to go home," she said looking up at the observation window to Indel and the Squad looking down, "Can you see them?" she asked.

"I don't need too, I can sense them. Any more test or can I get out of this.. hospital gown, this shade of yellow is not my color."

"Let's one through the test one more time, to put on a show as you would say."

"Might as well give you your second saber, you catch up fast," you said sarcastically, "Thank you for putting me back together."

"It is my duty, but I am glad I sensed it and came as fast as I could for my friend."

Hunter unknowingly put his hand on the glass, stepping forward staring down watching every bodily movement intensely not believing she was still alive. Tech wide eyed starred in disbelief wondering if she enjoyed rewriting the laws of physics. Wrecker jumped saying he knew it, she was to bad ass to be dead. Echo stared at the saber finally understanding what Indel meant, he saw her smile at his understanding. Crosshair stood there silently observing. They all followed Indel lead them to the medical room after you concluded your test.

"It will gradually come back more with time" Asclepios tried reassuring by the time the door opened, "just have patience, Master. You have guest behind you waiting."

"How could I not know their loud," you chuckled turning around, "Clone Force 99, Cody spoke a lot about you."

"Master, that isn't funny," both of you started laughing enough for Indel to cough, "well maybe a little."

"Do you think she is well enough to... go home?" Indel asked.

"No, but I grant her permission. I do not think this facility is equipped to keep her contained much longer," she said helping you off the observation table, "I think a familiar area... will help."

"So be it, you may... take her home."

Asclepios anxiously released her hold on you watching you take a few steps towards them. All of them were scared to touch you not wanting to break down and make a sense. You were thankful for the cluster around you using them as a guide by to the ship, you missed the step up and felt Crosshair's grasp on you to steady you then quickly release as you got into the Marauder. Your hand went to the wall of the ship, "Been awhile," you whispered guiding yourself to your room. "I think... She's blind?" you heard Hunter questionably whisper, but pretended to ignore it but your spike in heart rate proved to him other wise. Your hands grabbed your armor and moved it gently to the floor and sat at the end of the bed, "Did I miss anything fun?" you asked looking up at the them.

"No, however excuse me, I need to alert Cody, Wolffe and Slick you have been found," Tech said pulling himself away unsure how to proceed with Hunter's insight.

You felt Echo's arm snake around you and Wrecker pull you back into his abdomen, "My favorite pillow."

Hunter climbed up and joined them, he leaned forward and sniffed her. The calm relaxing scent of her finally letting him relax. He swiped the bandana back and forth on her head recoating the comforting smell back on it before burying his face in her neck.

You felt Crosshair still sitting over on the floor when you heard Tech join him down there. "What's with the silence? Did you honestly think that was enough to take me out?" You anxiously laughed trying to break the eerie silence when you felt Echo's fingers on your lips. Oh... they did. You kissed his fingers he moved grabbing you by the waist, "Well.. I'm home" You offered, "although I don't know how much longer I can lay down, when I wasn't doing stupid test I was laying. It get's pretty boring after.. well I don't know how many rotations it's been."

"Technically Six."

"It felt like forever... I need to get out of this gown, this is not a flattering shade of yellow."

"Reaper... it's red," Hunter whispered pulling up kissing the top of your forehead, getting up and digging through your civvies for something comfortable comforting.

"Of course that's what I meant," you scowled annoyed that she didn't correct you on the color, wondering if she had hoped that you would point it out and they would notice.

"We can tell," Echo whispered.

"It's temporary," you said giving up the charade.

"How bad was it?" Tech inquired getting angrily glared at at his poor timed question.

"I didn't ask. She would have to tell me the truth and I'm not ready to admit I'm mortal quite yet," you said smiling trying to be in good spirits over it, "Wait you contacted Slick?" you asked confused.

"Yeah, we've each spent the last 4 days looking for you," Hunter said sitting you up attempting to put clothes on you and failing.

Another set of hands gently touched and moved you, Crosshair wasn't ready to speak but was tired with Hunter's effable attempt. As much as it amused him to watch Hunter fail at such a simple task, he didn't want you to get cold given how cold their ship was compared to one you were on.

"How about 79's? It theoretically should be a slow day and it is... quiet familiar?" Tech asked getting up.

"I would appreciate it."

"You're quiet," you said touching Echo. He spotted your face in kisses, "I can't believe your alive" He offered, "You should have known," he blinked times "How?" You laughed feeling his neck for the crystal realizing it had probably been returned "It would have chipped and eventually broke," you said, "The balance destroyed."

Wrecker shifted and Echo pulled you tight against him wrapping his legs around yours, "I am glad you're alive, Riduur."

"I'm happy I am too, just no babying me. Every thing is hazy and colors are wrong but I'm not defenseless."

"You're taking the fun out of it," Hunter said caressing your cheek.

"Awwwe, can I carry you around at least?" Wrecker asked.

"Yes you can big boy," you smiled, "I can't see the ground anyway."

"But that course?" Hunter asked.

"It's a force sensitivity course, not quite your eye day training course."

"I love you," Echo whispered holding you a little tighter.

"I love you too but you're squishing me, Corporal," you said tapping his arm, he let go apologizing putting you on your back speckling more of your face with kisses, "You're cute when you worried."

"Not funny," he said grumpily.

You brought your lips to his wondering why he hadn't yet, putting your hand on his feeling the tenderness and longing. Every kiss was firm so incredibly soft, he pulled back and kissed your nose with a chuckle, "Is there something wrong with my lips, she said there only be faint scaring-" you said if then Hunter's hand grabbed your chin and pulled you towards him, "There's nothing wrong them, we're just to busy staring at your beauty thanking the maker your still fighting," he said giving one kiss. He watch the red creep into your face, "I was jealous that first time seeing the reg making you this pretty color," he whispered letting the back of his finger stroke the blush.

"Jealous? That's cute," you giggled like a little school girls pretty sure made him roll your eyes, "Okay I'm tired of laying down," you said making yourself sit up, Wreckers arms picked you up and you felt him drag you to the pit and set you down in one of the seats, "Can't see much but much better."

Crosshair was still quite but he cautiously handed you a cup of water and wrapped your fingers around it and returned to his position on the outskirts of the room continuing his perch observation. He saw her look down at the cup at him and down at it.

"Water," Echo said, "Drink it."

"I know what it is," you said before chugging it, "I just said not to baby me."

"It's Crosshair's day, let him have it," Hunter said.

"I can't believe I was gone that long..."

"We'll your back now," Wrecker said , "We're all glad you're back."

"I'm glad to be back." Even if there is still unspoken conversation that needs to be had. You felt Crosshair's eyes watching you as Echo knelt before and placed his head on your lap.

"I'm not sure if your outfit is 79's entire," he joked feeling the cool pajamas against his skin.

"Can pick something out for me then," you offered rubbing his shoulders.

You sensed Crosshair move out of the room, "Is there a reason he's not saying anything?" you whispered.

"He.. dealt with it in his own way, he's more quiet then usual," he said standing you up and guiding you back to where Cross was waiting

He picked a simple outfit and flat shoes, he left his gloves on as he moved about your body changing the poorly chosen outfit. He still didn't know what to say. He felt you grip him and pull him closer the moment he finished putting on the shirt, he went as stiff as piece of plastoid as she wrapped her arms around him. She took a few moments of just embracing that she pulled back navigating herself out of the room. He quietly followed after her positioning him in the further chair away from her.

Tech looked back and stared at her, studying the void expression in her face as she rested her head on her knee letting the other leg dangle down. He turned his attention back to his piloting, What do I even say that hasn't been said yet? Do I even need to say anything? What do you even say to some thing like that? I don't know what type of reaction I should have or what would be deemed suitable. Do I need to get adjust to having her around again?

"Tech, I know you think a lot but you're loud."

"Apologies," He felt her hands run through his hair, a simple pleasurable gesture acknowledging him, "Can I be of assistance?" he asked wondering if the touch was more for his sake or her own. He heard her mutter no and shuffle away, he was tempted to turn and ask if she understood but he was flying. If it was a miscommunication, I will correct it when we land. The rest of the flight was semi quiet besides the attention she was receiving from Wrecker, Hunter and Echo. Tech side eyed his aloof brother who was in thought pretending to clean his armor even if it was the twelfth time this week, it had become apparently it was his way of being be present yet alone with himself.

Wrecker carefully walked you off the Marauder before picking you up and placing you on his shoulder finally have head clearance, "I know you can't see that far.. or good? but does it feel nice?" he asked looking up.

You thumbed the back of his skull, "Feel on top of the world," you stated, you looked down observing the orange outline of him no features you returned your eyes back to the world around you, "Wonder how long it's going to last," you muttered missing people watching, enjoying the simple things outside of the battlefield.

"Hopefully not much longer," Hunter said guessing what you were talking about.

As Wrecker brought her down off his shoulder Hunter put his hands on her waist to stabilize her watching Echo grab ahold of her hand. Hunter kept a hand on her waist gently maneuvering her through the crowd to repeatedly empty booth, Probably because it's the one we sit in, he thought already noticing the Reg's expressions already. Echo kept their hands together sliding into the booth, Hunter smiled he's not going to let her go for awhile. He saw Tech's hesitation of sliding in next to her so he took the spot, the flash of relief in his face made him wonder what he was thinking about earlier but she didn't seem to notice. Wrecker slide in next to Echo letting Crosshair be the last to sit so he had to get drinks, opting for water for Tech and himself.

"Look what the loth dragged in," you heard the familiar cadence of Cody's voice. You step up unto the table, accidentally jolting Echo's arm up before releasing him to jump at Cody only half colliding with him, "When did you start missing?" He laughed but saw the tight faces, "I knew you would be fine," he said changing the subject.

"We'll I'm glad someone believed in my immortality," you joked, "A couple scraps and bruises but nothing major."

"Besides-" Tech started feeling a tug from Hunter, "the temporary blindness," he said feeling it was his responsibility to tell him because no one was apparently going too.

"Was wondering what saved my skull from throbbing for the next couple hours," he said, "Small price for immortality," he joked.

You threw an arm around his neck and got him with your knuckles, "Still got you, Commander," you laughed.

"Very funny, General," he groaned swatting at your hand until you quit, "Next rounds on me, mind if I sit with you boys? Someone's looking a little lonely without ya," he joked looking at Echo quickly realizing it wasn't a joke.

Wrecker stood up snatching you putting you back besides Echo, who's hand found yours, "Thank you," you said stroking Wrecker's receding hand, "Missed me that much?" You whispered, his squeeze answering. The boys chatted about the adventure, you occasionally chimed in but focusing on trying to make out the figures around you.

"Straining yourself is only going to be make the healing prolong," Tech said observing the occasional squints and stares.

"Thanks, captain obvious," you said rolling your eyes, "It's been a week, worried it's not going to come back."

"I don't think the Republic would have any objection to giving you cybernetic ones after all you've done," Cody offered, "Still mad I wasn't invited," he said darting eye between the both of you.

"None of us were invited," Hunter chuckled taking a drink squeezing his hand on your thigh, "However we were invited to the after party," he smirked.

"La la la la, shut up," Cody laughed, "She's practically my sister I don't need to know more than I already do."

"The only reg not interested," Wrecker laughed squishing him, "Is Cody defective?" he asked realizing how weird it was.

"I won't take offense to that," he breathed out while being squished, Wrecker released him apologizing.

Echo and Hunter silently communicated with a smirk forcing Tech and Crosshair to scoot to let the three of you out. You followed them intrigued until letting them guide you over the dance floor, "Wonder who was going to have first dance," you laughed.

"I'm your GAR issued backpack," Echo joked pressing himself up against your back as Hunter stole both of your hands, "I'm not the standard model however it comes with other upgraded perks."

"ECHO!" You said falling forehead in Hunter chest with laughter until your face hurt. You felt both of their amusement seeing you genuinely happy, "Death by humor, not the way I thought I'd go," you laughed feeling the tenderness in your ribs.

"I thought you'd like it," he said watching you weakly compose yourself, "I love your laugh Riduur... I missed it."

"It's a beautiful sound," Hunter agreed looking down at you, you must have sensed him because he saw you look up to him, "Missed you."

"I missed you too, Hunter... how many people are staring?"

"A few, you are between two men-," Hunter's eyes flicked up barely hearing Crosshair voice at the counter then a woman talking to him.

"They've been there for a while," you said, "Crosshair can do whatever he wants."

"I think you two-"

"It's fine, Hunter," you said pulling him close burying your face in his chest, "I told him too remember?" You whispered.

"You didn't mean-"

"Didn't I? The Crosshair I met would have yelled at me for telling him something like that.." you said trying to convince yourself you were okay, "I think we can figure out something if he ends up with other plans," you offered.

Hunter and Echo exchanged concerned glances, "if he does," Hunter finally said to fill the gap in silence. He knew his brother use to be something of a player and wonder if he was just up to old behavior or just being Crosshair trying to make her jealous, "I think I'll leave you two alone for a little bit, I need some water," Hunter said leaning down kissing you, "I won't be gone long," he added spinning you towards Echo, "Keep her entertain, Corporal," he laughed making his way to the bar.

"With pleasure," Echo got into the grove with the music stepping and twirling you when he saw openings that wouldn't lead into you crashing into someone, "Tech showed me the footage," he said pulling you close, "All of it.."

"Hope you enjoyed watching the show," you rolled your eyes not liking where this was going, watching the seriousness spread across his face, "There is nothing Asclepios can't fix, I'm okay Echo," the seriousness stayed, "I promise, no more nightmares."

"Okay," he said pulling you tighter resting his chin on your forehead, "Are... we okay?"

"I don't know... the lack of kissing is kind of frustrating," you admitted touching his face feeling the doubt, "We're okay, Riduur," you felt the kiss at the temple and he slowly worked his way down. His lips were cool to the touch seemingly to barely be breathing as he finally kissed you in earnest. It sent a little shiver through your body, it wasn't fluster or want by his but need to have himself by your side and to know you were okay. You gently put your hands one the sides of neck gently rubbing your thumbs on his cool skin, "Are you okay?" you asked feeling his heart beat pick up.

"All of you left, the moment they came back I knew someone thing had gone wrong... I had four long days of trying to come to terms with the fact I would never see you again."

"It wouldn't have been your fault, Echo, protecting you and this squad is my duty. I would do it again in a heart beat regardless of what happened to me at the end of it. Bond or not, it would have just been a matter of time before I handled them anyway."

"I know you would, that's who you are Reaper," he staring at Crosshair brooding next to them with his arm crossed waiting, "We can pick this up later, I think someone wants to cut in," Echo gave you a little spin towards him kissing your neck, "I'll go see where Hunter wandered off too," he said hoping the two of you would make up.

The dance was silent and slightly out of sync, which was fitting for the situation. Date didn't want to dance with your poor attitude? You bit your tongue not to make the situation worse.

Hunter watched the bar waiting for the next round of drinks, I don't who looks more uncomfortable. He peaked over at the table watching Cody entertain Tech and Wrecker with cards smiling at how simple it had been to finally get them all to relax, well almost all of them.

Crosshair rolled his toothpick side to side in his mouth before lowering his mouth sliding the dry side into your mouth. He never shared his toothpicks with anyone. It was a small deeply intimate gesture that didn't go unnoticed by his squad, "That's never happened before," he heard Tech's shocked voice in the distance. He wanted to smirk but he kept himself composed watching you roll it accidentally drop it. His hand flew to catch it and returned it to your mouth.

"Seeing Crosshair.. soft, might scare me more then when she's angry," Echo joked.

"That makes two of us," Cody said pulling his eyes away, "Surprised she didn't punch him for talking to that woman at the counter."

"I would assume she is only entertaining him because it is his day, presumably she is more then likely fuming underneath," Tech offered, "Although he had not said a word to her since we picked her up she might also be under the assumption they are over given their last interaction therefore dancing with him as a way to conclude their relationship. It is an odd thing some people do that I have found from my research a good bye kiss or one last date, I don't understand the behavior but I could hypothetically see why it could be therapeutic."

"How do you even breath when talking so fast?" Wrecker asked.

"I am accustomed to giving long winded speeches."

"I hate to tell ya Tech, but I think your dead wrong for once," Wrecker said watching them, "Ha, Tech being wrong that would be a first."

"I said assume, I didn't say it was it was fact therefore I wouldn't be wrong but nice attempt."

You could feel Crosshair's eyes staring at you, your heart was still racing and your mouth was dry. You tilted your head up offering the toothpick back feeling him take it hesitantly. He noticed how dry your end was and cautiously pulled you back through the crowd motioning the squad to scoot together and pouring up us glass of water. You took it and sipped on it, feeling all of them still staring between you and Crosshair. It's going to be a long day... or night whichever it is. Anxious about the tension you ended up coughing, water going down the wrong way which ended up making you cough more. You felt his hand firmly patting you until the water dislodged. Can today get any more embarrassing? It did you ended up spilling the part of the water on the the table. "Ugh!" You spatted. One handed Cross brought your wrist together holding them above the table while he wiped it up. Your face was burning.

"Yeah it's scarier," Cody coughed up trying to hide the smile to Echo.

Crosshair squinted glaring at him as he released your hands watching them quickly pull into your lap. Ah, it's me. He let out a long exhale forcibly moving Tech in between both of you. He scowled watching his brother to busy on his pad to care, he stomped his foot and stared at him which made him finally put it down.

Looked at you abnormally shut in, Tech turned side ways and covered you with one leg wrapping his arm around you, "It is not as uncomfortable as it looks," he whispered, "I am... unsure how to proceed it seems like I have to re-adjust to you being alive."

"It's okay, Tech," you said leaning your head on his shoulder, "I am glad you didn't cave to... past habits."

"I assumed as much. Being scolded in the afterlife didn't seem like a pleasurable way to spend it."

"I only would have spent.. maybe a year scolded you," you joked, "I could think of quiet a few other pleasurable ways to spend it," you whispered.

"I think I may need a reminder at a later juncture."

"I haven't been that long," you poked.

"No however I thought it would be prudent to get accustom to repressing that.. need again" he said quickly adding "Nothing of ours was deleted, Cyar'ika."

You turned his face towards yours kissing him, he fumbled at first before slipping his leg off and sliding you into his lap allowing himself to enjoy it. You ran your fingers to comb his hair tracing the band his goggles, giggling a little when you felt his tongue press again your lips. You parted your lips allowing him to enter and his arms hold you a little tighter, once he was satisfied in his inspection he ran his tongue over your teeth one last time before detangling your mouths. As much as he was trying to hide how hard he was breathing but you could feel it and something else pressing into you.

"How's that repressing working for you," you murmured.

"Breached," he whispered, "I will attempt to gather myself... apologies again if it's uncomfortable."

"It's cute," you said wiggling a little bit hearing him exhale a tiny moan, "I hope you recorded that just for me."

"It is always recording," he said tartly taking a drink of water hiding his embarrassment about the outburst.

"Get a room," Cody joked just to get glared at by Crosshair, "on second thought more drinks?"

Hunter patted his big and followed him over the counter, "Wolffe joining us?" he asked.

"No he's out on assignment, but he'll meet up with you as soon as possible. I suspect all of you are going to get an earful even if you didn't let her go alone."

"Next time he can go with her," Hunter chuckled, "It was... quiet the nightmare," he admitted, "Out there..."

"She becomes a different person?" Cody arched an eyebrow, "I am quiet aware. She is balance... there's our side of her and then the side you never want to be the target of.  After Wolffe got injured... it took a whole squad of us to take her down after chasing Ventress across the planet it made the battle itself look like hologame."

"What a woman," Hunter said leaning against the counter watching her tease Tech and watching Crosshair feign indifference, "Glad to know she's on our side and came back to us."

"I'd hate to know what would happen if she wasn't."

Hunter carried the drinks over, wrinkling his nose at the arousal coming off them. He scolded them and told them to knock it off. You laughed at the expression on Tech's face as he dug his fingers into your thigh taking several deep breaths. You brought your hand to his face feeling the relaxation wash over him and he unburied his hand, fiddling with his goggles. Wrecker laughed at how normals things seemed to be and how happy all of them seemed. On a whim Tech put you between him and Crosshair, you wrapped your ankle around Tech's. Hunter looked at Tech scoldingly but understood what he attempting to test. Echo covered a groan watching the woman Crosshair talked to earlier walk over towards them.

"Pleasure doing business with you handsome," she winked pushing the package and drink towards Crosshair before waltzing off.

Crosshair gridded his teeth and slammed the drink, pushing it towards the edge of the table and felt the smack from Wrecker, "Not your usual type maybe next time don't do your business with her around," Wrecker said pointing at you.

"He doesn't need to hide it," you said crawling over Tech, "I need to go to the refresher."

"I'll help-"

"I know where it is, Hunter," you said letting your finger tips touch the wall counting foot steps between booths towards the quiet part we're the refreshers we're.

They all sat there staring at him for several minutes before the tension finally erupted "What we're you thinking," Hunter growled standing up putting his palms on the table to stare down at him, "You didn't need wipe it in her face, I don't care how good you are in bed but you don't need your flings to wipe it in her face-."

Crosshair growled sliding the box towards him, "Open it."

Hunter glared at him but grabbed the box and sat back down and carefully opened the box exposing a locket. He carefully picked it up, staring at it seeing the engraving of all of their names on it and opened it to a hologram picture popping up of the five of them together some time after that rescued Echo. Hunter tucked it back in the box and slid it back to Crosshair, turning his head to the refresher and then back to him, "Do you realize how bad that looked?" he said frustratedly.

"I can't just walk into the women's refresher, Hunter," Crosshair growled.

"I believe that was more words than you've said the past four days," Tech remarked, "Do you love her or not?" he said turning to stare scooting himself out of the booth.

"I don't run," Crosshair growled grabbing the box and headed to the refresher, "Coming in," he knocked ignoring the stares. He looked down to find you sitting on the floor, he knelt down next to you, "Not that type of business."

"He speaks," you said rubbing your eyes getting up hearing him do the same, can't even get a slice of privacy in the refresher, you purposely ducked through the crowd occasionally bumping into a few people attempting to sneak out for a moment alone.

Hunter watched you bolt from refresher and cut in the crowd, his heart skipping a beat before he saw Crosshair dart out his eyes finding you an instant and following after you. He slumped his head on the table and rolled it side to side, "Blind and still manages to cause problems," he muttered.

"Technically Crosshair caused it," Tech corrected.

"Shouldn't we go after her?" Wrecker asked, "ya know her eyes."

"Crosshair has exceptional eyes, he will not lose her," Tech countered, "however Wrecker may have a point" he said his eyes finding the door with a raised eyebrow.

"That didn't last long," Cody snickered watching Crosshair walk in carrying her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes with restraining bolts around your wrist and ankles, "He wasn't playing around."

"Rarely ever does," Hunter said looking up at the spectacle as he plopped her down at the booth, "Last I checked we're soldiers not bounty hunters."

Crosshair took off the wrist restraints and placed the box in your hand, "Made with pieces of our armor."

You were silent as you opened the box, feeling the heart shaped object. You brought up to your eyes squinting at it looking at the outline of possibly letters. You clicked it and a picture appeared, "It's of us," Crosshair said closing it and putting it around your neck and clasped it on.  He returned to his silent behavior pouring himself a glass of water.

They all waved as Cody said he had to head in for inspection wishing you a good rest of the evening. Echo coughed motioning for you to be placed by him, Wrecker obliged him. "Riduur," Echo smiled wrapping he arm around you and put his face in your neck, "Scare me again and be I'll be restraining you to me... or the bed," Echo laughed but the edge in his voice betrayed his concern.

Purposely you brought your fingers to this connections and stroked it once watching him shiver, "Is that even a punishment?" you laughed. Echo grabbed the restraints off of Crosshairs belt and put back on your wrist smirking, "It's going to be... at some point," Echo added seeing Crosshairs silent threat across his face.

The rest of the night Wrecker, Hunter and Echo had a little to much to drink finally relaxing after the days of stress leaving you, Crosshair and Tech sober. Drunkily Wrecker still managed to carry you to the ship laughing about the restraints. Crosshair scowled but took them off once he put you down letting Wrecker crash face first into the floor of the ship and pass out. Idiots. Tech helped Echo to his room placing him on the huge bed before proceeding to watch Crosshair carry Hunter to his bunk, "Don't do anythiiiing stupid," he tried to scold before laying back.

"Was I that annoying?" Tech asked.

"Yes."

They both looked at you, "What?" you asked feeling it.

[wonderwolfballoon]

I miss The Child. I understand why you did what you did. But let me tell you I followed that story from probably day 1 and got so fucking attached to the characters. Can’t wait to hear any updates bout it and any other stories you have in the making.

hey! Sorry it took me a while to answer you, it’s been a rough couple of days. I don’t know when or if I’ll ever make the child public again but I can share with you this little snippet I wrote a long time ago.

It’s Anakin’s birthday and it deserves a celebration, after all, the war is over and they’re all together again

hope you like it

(2.7k words)

Obi-Wan’s kisses were addictive. Anakin had never believed himself to be able to become addicted to anything, but every time he touched Obi-Wan’s lips, when he got to taste his Master’s mouth, that initial belief proved itself to be wrong.

They were in a meadow far away from civilisation, lying peacefully on the grass. There was nobody around for miles and they had the whole area to themselves. They were lazily exploring each other's mouths, making out slowly in order to learn how the other liked to be kissed.

Anakin wasn’t a religious person by any means, but he would gladly worship Obi-Wan, kissing him wholly, at any given time.

“Dear one,” Obi-Wan said between kisses, his voice sounding drunk to Anakin’s ears. “We… need… to… get… going,” Obi-Wan replied, breathless as Anakin kept on kissing his neck before putting a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Meira is waiting for us.”

“Why would you bring up our daughter now, Obi-Wan?” Anakin said, trying very hard not to whine as he rested his head on the crook of Obi-Wan’s neck. “She’s safe with Snips and there’s no one around. We can do whatever we want,” he added as he pressed himself harder to Obi-Wan’s front, eliciting a moan from the older man.

Anakin had spent almost ten years pining for his Master. He would enjoy the man for as long as he could.

“Because we both know they kicked us out so she could prepare a surprise for you, my love,” Obi-Wan said before kissing Anakin with all he was feeling, leaving him with the feeling of having been hit by a speedster. “She was so excited when she learnt it was your birthday.”

"I know,” Anakin sighed while he separated himself from Obi-Wan, a hand running through his hair. Meira had lit up when Obi-Wan had told her that, even though Anakin’s birthday had passed they could still celebrate it when she was out of the Halls of Healing and they had found a home.

Memories of her lying on a med bed, her fate unknown, made Anakin’s stomach clench uncomfortably… They had been so close to losing her.

Obi-Wan kissed him softly once more, pulling him out of his thoughts. He cradled Anakin’s face between his hands, making him feel safe and loved.

“Come on, dear one,” Obi-Wan whispered softly, kissing the frown between Anakin’s eyebrows, “we can continue where we left on when she goes to sleep.”

Anakin made a face at that, still uncomfortable with leaving her alone at night for long. She wasn’t having as many nightmares as before, but the idea of her waking up in the middle of the night and unable to reach them seemed wrong to him.

“Maybe another time, Master,” Anakin said as he softly kissed Obi-Wan, intertwining their Force Signatures as he did so. “Let's go home and be with our daughter.” 

Obi-Wan’s blinding smile was response enough, making Anakin’s heart sing with love. They made their way back to their little house, hand in hand, at a leisure pace, enjoying the cool breeze of the night.

Finally, they reached their home, where they were greeted by Ahsoka opening up the windows as smoke poured out of the hypersonic oven. For her part, Meira was sitting on top of the table while throwing sprinkles at a container with a strange mixture of burnt pieces and leaky substances of unknown origin. Both of them had patches of flour on their cheeks, while the entire kitchen was covered in flour, eggshells, with splatters of milk and butter.

“You felt like redecorating the place?” he asked after exchanging a look with Obi-Wan, who had raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “Meira? Ahsoka?”

“Happy Birthday, Daddy!” Meira exclaimed when she looked at him, throwing her arms up in the air in delight, pouring sprinkles all over the kitchen table. Anakin couldn’t hold back his smile as his love for his daughter grew, even if he sighed at the mess she had created in the kitchen.

“Thank you, sunshine,” he said as he grabbed her in his arms before placing a soft kiss on her hair, smelling her shampoo. At least Ahsoka had bathed his daughter before they decided to destroy his kitchen.

“We made you cake!” Meira said as she pointed at the container, making Anakin’s eyebrows raise in surprise and confusion.

From up close, the burnt pieces and leaky substances looked even more dubious than from afar. Anakin wondered how they had managed to have it both burnt and raw at the same time. 

“Why is it… oozing?” Anakin asked, eyeing the ‘cake’ with a dubious look on his face.

“‘Cause it’s still warm, Daddy,” Meira said seriously as she nodded, Ahsoka barely holding onto her smile after she was done getting rid of the smoke. “Warm and oozy.”

“And what are those lumps in there, sunshine?” Anakin asked as he peered at the ‘cake’, doing his best to put back the eyebrow that had lifted itself up in questioning.   

“...” Meira hesitated to say as she looked up at Ahsoka, her eyes wide open in questioning before looking back at him, her entire face bright as she smiled at him. “Texture.”

“Texture,” Anakin deadpanned, ignoring Ahsoka’s snort coming from behind them.

“Yes, Daddy, texture. From the eggs and flour,” Meira said with her bright smile. “Do you like it?”

“I love it,” Anakin replied, a lump on his throat. Memories of his mother’s cakes for him on his birthday playing on his mind, each and every single one of them done with love for him. 

His daughter wanted to make him cry.

“Are you gonna eat it, Daddy?” Meira asked excitedly as she jumped in his arms, making Anakin straighten his hold on her. The last thing he wanted was for Meira to end up in the Halls of Healing so soon after leaving it.

She had to be better than her fathers on that front.

“Oh… well…” Anakin hesitated to accept, dubiously looking at what Meira called ‘cake’. Why did his daughter want to kill him on his birthday? From the corner of his eye he could see Obi-Wan’s softest smile – the one that belonged to him and Meira – as he leaned against the counter and an idea popped into his head, “I would love to, but only if Papa helps me.”

“No!” Meira exclaimed as she elongated the o before she turned to look at Obi-Wan, who was frowning at him before putting a smile on his face as Meira faced him. “Papa has his own cake. Auntie ‘Soka said it was his birthday and we missed it, so… cake!”

Anakin barely caught himself from snorting or cooing at the way Obi-Wan’s face went through a myriad of emotions before settling in gentle surprise and love as Ahsoka pushed towards him another container with a mixture of burnt pieces and leaky substances. But whereas Anakin’s… cake was soft yellow, Obi-Wan’s was bright pink. Both with sprinkles in them.

“Yours is funfetti and Papa’s starrberrie,” Meira explained as she pointed at the ‘cakes’. “Auntie ‘Soka said you would like it.”

“And we love it, my darling starlight,” Obi-Wan said happily, tears in his eyes, before he scooped Meira from Anakin’s arms, lifting her in the air as she giggled. “But not as much as we love you,” he added before placing a kiss on Meira’s forehead, making her entire Force Signature lit up with her love for him.

Anakin’s chest was about to implode with all the love he was feeling for his Master and their daughter. 

“You should grab a bite then, Masters,” Ahsoka said with a playful smile on her face. Oh, Anakin just knew that she knew the cakes were indelible, but she was having the time of her life as she pushed the containers towards them. Like Meira, she was covered in flour, but whereas on Meira it looked adorable, on Ahsoka it only ever meant trouble. “While it is still warm and oozy.”

He doubted his daughter wanted him dead, but his Padawan definitely wanted him to suffer through what would be a very dreadful food poisoning endeavour.

As he looked at the cake he once again marvelled at Ahsoka’s and Meira’s ability to both burn the cake and have it undercooked, thinking of it as some kind of special skill. Even Obi-Wan fared better in the kitchen, and Anakin remembered when they first started living together back when he was a kid, how Obi-Wan would burn water at a moment’s notice.

But on Meira’s defence, she was four.

“Only if we can share it with you, Snips,” Anakin said with a smirk, his arms crossing as he looked at his Padawan. “You have to enjoy all your hard work after all.”

“Oh, no, Master. This is all for you both,” Ahsoka replied, crossing her arms in a similar posture as Anakin. “I wouldn’t want to rob you of enjoying your cake.”

“I insist, Ahsoka. Is the least I could do.”

“Master, really. Is all for you.”

“Can I have some?” Meira asked, interrupting Anakin’s banter with Ahsoka. Anakin quickly turned his eyes away from Ahsoka to stare in horror as his daughter crawled on the table towards the ‘cakes’, her little hand reaching out to them.

When had Obi-Wan put her on the table?

“No!” All the adults in the room exclaimed as Anakin swooped in and gathered her in his arms, startling her.

“Why not?” Meira asked, a small pout appearing on her face. “Am I in trouble?” she continued, her eyes opening up as tears pooled in them.

Oh, kark.

“No, no, my sunshine, no,” Anakin soothed as he looked at Obi-Wan, who had the decency to look sheepish. “It’s just that lumpy oozy cakes are for Daddies, Papas and Auntie Sokas only and Meiras get to have a whole plate of strawberries for themselves!”

“I do?” Meira asked as her eyes lit up in joy, her tears forgotten.

“Of course, sunshine,” Anakin said before placing a kiss on her head. “All the strawberries you can eat.”

“Until I barf!” Meira exclaimed excitedly, making Anakin want to sigh.

Why did she have to be so much like him? Why couldn’t she be less… Skywalker and more Kenobi when it came to be measured and calm regarding the things she loved?

“Preferably not, my darling starlight,” Obi-Wan said, taking her from Anakin’s arms as Anakin went to the conservator, where they kept the fresh clean strawberries for Meira. “We don’t want your stomach to hurt, do we?”

“No, Papa,” Meira said as she shook her head, her red hair falling into her eyes. “Tummy aches are the worst.”

Obi-Wan chuckled softly as he pulled Meira’s hair out of her face, making her smile at him. Obi-Wan then placed a kiss on her head, right next to where Anakin had before and, unconsciously, Anakin’s lips began to tingle with the memory of Obi-Wan’s kisses.

Soon, a voice whispered on his head, making him smile.

“They are, aren’t they?” Ahsoka asked Meira 'conspiratorially’ as she grabbed her hand, making her giggle. “The worst of the worst.”

“Uh-huh, Auntie ‘Soka,” Meira said with a nod, her face stern and serious. “But when I had one, Count Dooku would give me a bubbly drink, and it was good and made me feel better.”

“Bubbly drink?” Ahsoka asked, her Force Signature echoing her surprise. Like them, she still got surprised whenever Meira revealed Dooku’s kindness throughout the first years of her life, making Anakin wince at how cold he still was towards the Count.

But on their defence, the Count had been a Sith until very recently.

“Uh-huh,” Meira said, “he called it gingerale.”

“Ginger ale?” Anakin asked, his smile growing as Meira talked. 

“That’s what I said Daddy, gingerale.”

“Good to know,” Anakin said as he approached Meira and placed the plate full of strawberries in front of her, making her smile grow.

“Starrberries!”

Obi-Wan put her on her booster seat for the table, sitting down next to her as he grabbed his container and looked at it with a dubious look on his face. Anakin sat down on his seat between Ahsoka and Meira before exchanging a look with Obi-Wan, mentally preparing themselves for whatever the ‘cakes’ would do to them.

‘Master, remember that I love you,’ he said through their bond before grabbing a spoon full of cake and eating it, holding back the way his throat wanted to push it out and spit. He smiled at his daughter after doing so, swallowing it forcefully.

It tasted worse than it looked… somehow.

‘I love you too, my love,’ Obi-Wan said before he too ate a spoon full of cake and made a face of pain before swallowing down the concoction, wincing at the taste.

“Your turn, Snips,” Anakin said, trying to hide the awful taste the cake had left him with as he pushed it towards Ahsoka, just with a little bit of malice in his actions. “You wouldn’t want to disappoint Meira, would you?”

“Oozy cakes are for Daddies, Papas and Auntie Sokas only,” Meira recited before eating another strawberry, her entire face covered in its juices. 

She truly was Anakin’s daughter, and in desperate need for a second bath.

“Of course, kiddo,” Ahsoka said with a subtle wince before taking a bite of Anakin’s cake, making a face as the mix passed her mouth into her throat. 

Anakin could relate to her pain.

As Meira finished her plate and Ahsoka, Anakin and Obi-Wan managed a few more ‘bites’ of ‘cake’ before calling it quits, Anakin couldn’t stop the warm feeling spreading through him at the sight of his Master, their daughter and their Padawan all together in one place after so long, making his chest feel far too small for all the love he was feeling. It had been a long time since he got to have a birthday as happy as the one he was having, with the people who loved him as much as he loved them.

Hours later, while both he and Obi-Wan fought for who’s turn on the vac tube it was — because their delicious ‘cakes’ had messed with their digestive systems —, Anakin couldn’t help but feel in awe and full of love. Obi-Wan was busy being sick, and to Anakin he had never looked more beautiful.

“Marry me,” Anakin said as Obi-Wan straightened up from bending on the vac tube, sighing dreamily when his Master looked at him with a raised eyebrow. 

“What?”

“Marry me, Obi-Wan. Let me be your husband and show to the galaxy that we belong together, forever.”

“Dear one, is this the right time?” Obi-Wan asked, an amused smile on his face. “I don’t believe this is…”

“What better time to tell you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you than after puking our guts out because our daughter and our Padawan tried to poisoned us? There’s no one out there, in the infinite galaxy, that I’d rather be, puking and all, than with you.”

“Yes,” Obi-Wan said with a soft smile as he crawled towards Anakin. He sat down next to him, both of their backs pressed to the wall, his head on Anakin’s shoulder. “In every lifetime, the answer is yes.”

“I love you, Obi-Wan,” Anakin said as he pressed a soft kiss on Obi-Wan’s hair, delighted in ways he couldn’t explain that Obi-Wan had agreed to marry him.

“I love you, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said with a soft sigh.

And they both knew their peace was short lived, for the fight for the toilet would start soon enough. But as they were both pressed together, they also knew they would do it again if Meira asked – for how happy it had made their daughter when they ate her cake. 

Anakin just hoped that she and Ahsoka would learn to bake if they wanted to give them more cakes in the future.

Obi-Wan ran towards the vac tube once more as Anakin contemplated that he was finally the happiest he had ever been. He had a family the way he had always dreamt of, and he would enjoy them for as long as he could without fear. He was finally free to love and be loved in return, he was marrying the love of his life and they had a daughter that each day grew to be kinder and braver than they were. His Padawan was back with him, even if they were no longer Master and Padawan, and life was good.

Even with all the food poisoning, it had been the best birthday Anakin had ever had.

[dvarapala]

“  time is a dangerous enemy ”

a seafarer's aesthetic // @isleloyalty

magica de spell strikes. but she does it slowly; she’s learned, see, from maleficent, from uma, and even from that audrey girl. yes, she’ll bide her time, make them think that the threats have subsided, that they’re entering an era of peace and prosperity and - above all - justice. and then, when they lower their guards as they so evidently will, she’ll strike.

(remember, though, that magica’s magic is nearly invisible to the eye unless one is adept at sensing magic, or one has magic of their own. remember, though, that it is odor-less and tasteless.) 

mister william smee would be the first. tiny tendrils of magica’s magic wrap around his ankle and nestle into his sock when he leaves the isle on visiting day. magica’s heard whispers; there’s talk to bring him over to auradon permanently so that he can be with his younger sons.

there’s a magic check in auradon but they don’t catch it. (after all, who would suspect sweet mister smee?) and so magica’s plan continues for days, weeks, months, even a year: each person who leaves the isle, whether it’s permanent or not, gets a parting gift from her.

sleepy’s daughter is the first victim. she’s a sweet kid, albeit perpetually exhausted, and that sweet soul tried. oh how she tried to fight off magica’s magic and influence. she tried really hard. but really, it wasn’t hard enough and in the end, the girl is overpowered by magica’s magic. 

sleepy’s daughter’s the first puppet, and so it continues. the tendrils become shades and the shades jump from person to person, passed along like one would pass along a designer bag. magica gets more powerful, gets more puppets, and her shades grow stronger by the day.

because of nightmare based magic. incredibly potent and dangerous if left unchecked. it takes whatever you fear and multiplies that by ten or fifty or a hundred. 

and by the time the alarm sounds, it’s much, much too late.

"i know you're there, mal. i can smell the brimstone and magic in your veins. and what an interesting little gift you've brought me. she doesn't belong here, does she?"

magica’s voice was smooth like velvet and it seemed to come from everywhere around her at once and udyati hates it. it reminds her too much of kalindi. 

"but i suppose," purrs magica, "it’s a good thing that you brought this delectable gift with you. a good thing for me. ‘cause i can use her even if she doesn't belong here, oh yes, i can. she's got experience with being puppeted and taking lives, i can tell. splendid."

suddenly, a slender hand shoots out of the dark and pins udyati against the wall. 

udyati coughs and splutters, trying in vain to get that hand away from her throat. 

"don’t worry, darling, i’m not going to kill you." it was like magica could read udyati's mind. "i’ll take my sweet, sweet time with you. i’ll turn you into one of my shades, strip off your mortal skin and snip away the useless parts of you, like that heart of yours, beating incessantly for those pirates." quiet laughter escapes from magica’s lips as the hand on udyati's throat vanishes, as if it's made out of smoke. "and the little demi-fae abomination gets to be the one to tell the pirates of the lost revenge that they're one beloved storyteller short." magica giggles: "oh, i do hope they spill your blood for that, little abomination."

time is a dangerous enemy, mal says, swears, and udyati recognizes a vow of revenge and retribution when she hears one, though she's unsure whether mal swears the vow for mal or for her.

it's the last thing udyati hears - the last thing she remembers - before magica's fainting spell takes her.

[queen-of-the-avengers]

calming hypnotic music is playing in vixens earbuds as she manipulates a couple of yards of fabric. an hour passed and with her nightmares usually coming up she isn't in bed all she can hear is the faint hypnotic sounds from the ambience of scissors snipping, fabric folding or drape. steve visits her seeing she is not in bed and sitting facing a dress form with a bracelet that has a pin cushion then an amazing sculpted and textured appeal. much to steves appreciation of art in all forms he's worried his gal will exhaust herself too much sides her hobbies are good vent . he is able to get her to sleep with him being with her nothing bad then she nuzzles on him in her sleep

the morning someone check on he in her cell or room to find her close to steve and the floor with messes of fabric and paper from pattern work then the person saw the dress form stunned

this sounds so sweet! i can add this to my requests! i love the love vixen is getting <3

[sipsteainanxiety]

when pro-hero dynamite saved you for the first time, it was raining ash and fire.

you didn't know what was happening. you'd just wanted to grab a candy bar from a konbini. that was all.

just a candy bar, you thought brokenly as you stared up at the imploding building before you. debris shot out into the air similar to the way dust was blown from a flat surface, falling to the earth like a heavy hand. the darkness of the crushed concrete and rigid steel beams stood out against a sky coated in a blood-orange haze. your lips trembled, your feet frozen in place as flickers of fire danced in the gleam of your eyes and the debris loomed steadily closer, unrelenting in their path towards your body.

run, you begged in your mind, move! move!! but you couldn't. you couldn't. you'd never escape in time—you were no pro, had no power to save yourself with. your life thread had been snipped by fate herself and you could only close your eyes and hope death would be swift.

there was the boom of thunder that rattled your chest, a swell in the air. something—hard, heavy—slammed into your abdomen. you couldn't even let out a sound. a whoosh whistled past your ears and made your hair whip forward. hot air slapped its hand across your face, unforgiving.

then you were falling—skidding across a rough surface. you choked out, your back collided with something hard. you rolled and rolled and rolled, until finally, you came to a stop. your heart was frantic, running on the adrenaline that coursed through your veins. you could hardly see anything past the dust that coated your lashes, and your hair that tangled itself around your face.

and then you realized you were laying on something warm.

you opened your eyes—squeezed shut to the point of your eyelids melding together—and stared down at the bruised, battered figure of dynamite. his eyes flickered behind his mask, fighting against unconsciousness. you could only slap a hand over your mouth in horror at the fractured steel pipe that stuck out from his shoulder—from the falling debris. blood saturated the material of his shirt, coated your hands in ruby when you pressed them to his wound to aid him in some way. your lips shook with the thanks you desperately hoped he'd be able to hear.

you were the one he almost didn't manage to save in time. but he did.

your hero in the light.

when you saved bakugou katsuki for the first time, it was the middle of the night—dark, quiet.

you woke up with a start, a feeling of unease creeping over your shoulder to grip tightly at your throat. you blinked in the void of your room, then turned around once you felt the bed shake minutely. the gleam of your eyes mirrored that of a cat's in the darkness as you watched katsuki with bated breaths.

his face, hardly visible with the new moon in the sky, had the color drained from it as though someone had used a sponge to suck it all up. sweat lined his brows, soaked the soft strands of ash-blond that were stuck to his forehead. his lips quivered like a bow's wire after an arrow had been shot from it.

you reached over and ran a gentle hand over the rough scar on his bare shoulder—a slight touch that shouldn't have meant anything at all. but he suddenly shot up, awake, panting as though he'd suffered through miles and miles of desert heat.

you froze, then slowly sat up when he continued to breathe heavily, sporadically. you crawled forward when he didn't move a muscle and peered around him to stare up at his face.

his eyes were eclipses, covered by the things that haunted him in his dreams—nightmares. his hands clenched and unclenched from atop his lap. there was a popping sound, accompanied by the briefest flashes of white light that came from his palms. you waited until the popping stopped, then reached out a hand to hold onto his own. tight. reassuring. he squeezed back after a long, long moment, hesitant.

and you held him like that until he collapsed back onto his pillows, a deep breath leaving his lips. asleep once more.

he was the one you saved every night.

his hero in the dark.

[deadqueenz]

Eddie Gluskin x Female Reader: The Perfect Bride Part One- A Mother's Love

The sound of scissors snipping fills the air as Eddie hums a song his mother used to sing to him when he was a young boy. It was calming for him, always reminding him of his lifetime goal.

To have the perfect wife, and a loving family.

The tall man exhales happily through his nose before placing the bloody scissors on his right side and looks down at his work, pleased with what -no who- he created.

"Darling, you look so beautiful."

Eddie runs his hand over the bare sickly pale thigh, squeezing the flesh before looking up at the equally pale woman with dried tears staining her face.

"P-Please, let me go. I won't tell anyone, I swear."

Eddie laughs as if the woman had told a funny joke and carefully lifts her left leg in his hands, turning away from her to walk towards the darkness. The woman couldn't see but she could hear; the sounds of metal scissors snipping - a fresh pair that wasn't sticky with deep red blood-.

Him humming a different song as the sounds of squelching flesh reached her ears, a broken sob leaves her lips as she shuts her eyes tightly and looks away. She wanted to curl up into a ball, pretend that this was all a horrible nightmare and that she would wake up soon.

But no.

Sadly, this was her new life.

And just like the two women before her, hers would soon come to a horrible end. How did she end up like this? Why did she end up like this? The woman whimpers as the man hits his hand on something metallic, cursing loudly at himself.

"Damn it! You fool, try it again."

The voice sounded different from the tall man; roughing and older. If she only heard the voices without seeing his face, she would say it was two different people.

But when she was first brought here, when he was cutting the red-headed woman's hands off.....She swallows hard and struggles to keep the stomach acid down.

The man mumbles to himself, his lisp barely noticeable as he walks back out the darkness and towards the woman again, she shudders, a numbing chill going over her spine as he picks up the mask for the sleeping gas again.

A broken wail spills from her dried cracked lips, dear God, he was gonna take off her right leg now! Her body had became immune to the gas somehow, it would only put her under halfway. She could still feel everything.

"No, please." Despite knowing he wouldn't listen, she still pleads with him. The man smiles, leaning down to give the woman a kiss on her cheek before running his thumb over her bottom lip.

"Don't worry Darling," He says soothingly, far to calming for her liking, it was bone chilling. "I'll try to make it hurt less, just think calm thoughts, I'll make you beautiful."

Without waiting for her response, he lifts the mask close to her face and turns the gas on. She whimpers, eyes pleading as tears roll down her face into her matted hair. She chokes and coughs as she feels her eyes roll to the back of her head, struggling to stay above the black sea of unconsciousness.

It was futile, soon she went under once again, welcoming the unwanted embrace of darkness.

Eddie Gluskin slowly gets to his full height, letting his large hand roam over her arm and down to her small hand, giving it a light squeeze before pulling away.

He looks down at the medium sized tray table beside his waist, his tools were starting to rust again from the blood, and he was running low on sleeping gas again for the second time this month.

He sighs, running a sticky hand through his hair. He needed to make another run outside and soon, otherwise it would be more troubling than he liked.

He would work with what he had for now, and go out later this week for the supplies. He picks up a rusty scaple, the blade had seen better days, he'll have to get more or at least find a way to clean them again.

He walks to the woman's right side, tightening the restraints around her arm before focusing on her right leg. He grips her thigh, squeezing with just enough pressure to get enough blood flowing through.

He made the mistake once, he would never make it again.

He cuts into her flesh, blood trickling from the cut he made as the woman whimpers, face etched in pain but Eddie didn't hear, he was focused on the task before him. He needed everything to stay intact, he needed everything to be perfect.

Beads of sweat appear on his forehead as he cuts through the muscles and tendons, being mindful of the nerves and soon after a few hours reaching her bone.

Pleased with his work so far, he steps back and wipes the sweat from his forehead, he looks down at the woman. Eyes widening when he sees her forest green eyes staring up at the light as she gasps for air feebly.

She was dying. She was taking away his dream!

"No...."

He walks towards her head slowly as she chokes on her stomach acid. She turns her head towards Eddie, her lips parting to plead for help when suddenly, she vomits all over him. Staining his black vest and white dress shirt with stomach acid and blood.

He grinds his teeth together, hearing the woman gag and choke before vomiting again. In a blind fury, he grabs the scaple and stabs her repeatedly; stomach, chest, arms, throat, and finally her face.

"YOU....FILTHY FUCKING WHORE!"

He exclaims, yelling at the top of his lungs as he stabs into her flesh over and over.

"DAMN YOU, LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, YOU RUINED EVERYTHING!"

After a while, he stops, breathing heavily as sweat drips off his face. He drops the bloody scaple on the ground, the metal clinking against the floor once before falling silent.

He sways slightly on his feet, exhaustion covering him like a thick blanket during a blizzard and he stumbles away from the body, making his way towards the darkness.

He falls to his knees, reaching a hand out to touch his half finished creation, he kept it on ice for now until he was ready for the next step. But he was far from ready to do it, all because those whores gave up to early.

He wasn't ready to give up, his mother always taught him to never give up. To be strong and push on when things get tough. "Mother..."

He whispers before getting to his feet with a small grunt, his tall form leaving the attic and making his way down the hall and stops in front of her door.

He knocks three times, and waits for a few seconds before opening it, covering his eyes as he stood in the doorway. "Mother, are you decent?"

A smile appears on his face as he smells his mother's perfume, he lowers his hand, seeing the woman laying in the bed with the covers pulled up to her chest. "How was your nap?"

He asks as he gently closes the bedroom door with a soft click, making his way over to the bed and sits on her left side, letting his hand rest on her bony one.

He closes his eyes, laying down beside his mother, her hand moves to rest on his cheek and he sighs softly. "Soon mother, you'll get to meet her soon. She'll be beautiful, just like you."

He mumbles tiredly, the candle on the bedside table burning dimly before going out as a voice hums softly in the darkness of the room.

To Eddie Gluskin, nothing was better than his mother's love. A mother's love is all a child ever needs, nothing less.

[queenquinzel715]

18+ Bjorn 

Flashback:

"Please come back in one piece. I swear if you don't I'll kill you when I get to Valhalla." I snip at Bjorn as I tie his vest on. 

"Don't worry (y/n) I'll be back." He pulls me to his chest. "You know I can't stay away from you long." He smirks at my giggle.

"May the Gods be with you Bjorn Ironside." I cuddle my face into his chest as I hug him. 

Present:

It's been a month since Bjorn left, and I'm getting worried. I've been having dreams, mostly nightmares, of a bear following me through the woods, but then there's a scream causing me to jump awake. Last night's dream was different. I actually saw Bjorn in my dream this time, but it was him when we were kids he was running to me. I knew I had to ask the seer what he saw, and as I'm toward his hut I'm praying to the Gods he is okay. 

As I'm about to walk around the little hill someone grabs me covering my mouth, dragging me back, and I'm thrown at the big rocks, hitting my head, knocking me out. When I wake up I'm tied to a post, in a cold room with straw, on the ground, and there's a little window giving some light. From the colors in the sky it is either sunrise or sunset, but that's the least of my worries. How am I going to get out of here? How long have I been knocked out? What will happen? So many questions, and by the sound of footsteps walking toward the door I'm sure I'll get my answers. The door opens revealing Erlendur and some man, I must be in Hedeby. 

"Finally you are awake. You've been out for 3 days." Erlendur says with a smirk. 

I glare at him watching as he walks around the room, and the other man just stands at the door. 

"Oh right you haven't met yet. This is Kalf..." I jerk toward Kalf only hurting my hands.

" I'm sure you have heard of him. We aren't going to hurt you, just need you here long enough." He scoffs as if thinking of his plan. 

They leave once they notice I'm not saying anything. I know I won't have to worry about Kalf long, because Lagertha will kill him once she learns of his treason. I still can't stop thinking if Bjorn is okay, or if he will find me, if he will look at all. I lean my head back against the pole. I'm tied to closing my eyes, and getting some rest. 

For the next 11 days, 2 weeks all together, I hardly eat, only drinking water, the only noise I make is when they hit me for not talking, and of course the constant ear torture from Erlendur about how he is going to end the Ragnar family. The longer I'm here the longer I doubt my release, and how long Bjorn will be alive. 

This morning I woke up differently, I woke to screaming, swords clashing together, and a lot of feet stomping. After a while I hear someone running toward the shake I've been in, and my heart can't stop pounding as I think of how I will die. I'm looking down at my lap as the door flies open with a boom, and I can't move.

"(Y/n)" a deep but soft voice says.

My head snaps up to see Bjorn standing there with a shocked expression, blood covering his body, and him standing on the door.

"Bjorn" I gasp. "Thank the Gods you're alive."

"Me? Look at you." He runs to me. "You look like you fought in Paris. I can't believe I left you unprotected." He says as he cuts my hands free.

Once my hands are free he holds my to his side as I start to fall forward. I start moving my hands, trying to get feeling back, looking up at him. He just picks me up as he stands, I put my hands on his neck, and he carries me out. As he's walking I see what the battle has caused, and I lean my head on his chest finally able to relax. 

The next time I come to I'm laying in a bed with my wrists wrapped. As I go to get up Bjorn comes in with a bucket, and when he notices me awake he drops the bucket. 

"You're awake." He runs to me holding me to his chest. "I'm never leaving you again. You'll even go on raids."

I giggle. "Bjorn I'm fine now. Calm down." I play with his braided hair. 

"(Y/n) marry me. When I came back, and they told me you were gone I lost my mind. You have been there my whole life." He runs his nose in my hair. 

"Bjorn." I whisper. "Yes...YES!" I jump on him hugging him hard as I straddle his lap.

He chuckles as he holds my hip with his left hand as his right moves my hair back behind my ear. He slams his lips to mine as I grab his shoulders, and he pulls me into him. I moan against his mouth as I feel him start to untie my dress, and he pulls my dress down his hands down my shoulders to my arms. He lays me down as he kisses down my body, pulling the dress the rest of the way off, and he throws it behind him. I lean my head back, biting my lip, as I feel his fingers run up my legs softly. He pulls back pulling his clothes off before he slides back above me. I run my legs up to his hips as he kisses me hard, and lines up to my center. I gasp against his lips as he pushes all the way into me. 

"Bjorn." I moan

After a moment he starts pounding into me causing me to scratch down his back, and me moaning loud. I can't believe how good this feels. He grinds into me, making my back arch, and he holds my hips into place. He grunts, watching me enjoy the pleasure he is causing me, and he starts pounding into me. I grab his arms, my nails digging in, moaning loud with my head falling back. I feel his hand run up my body, in between my breasts, and he grabs my throat. My eyes roll back as I cūm hard, my body shaking, and my eyes see black spots. 

"(Y/N)!!." Grunting as his head falls back. 

I catch my breath as he falls next me.

"Gods" I gasp.

He pulls me to him as he pants, and when I lay my head down on his chest I feel his heart pounding. I smile as I fall asleep with his fingers brushing against my arm.

[arcadejohn127-9]

Okay so I have a personal head cannon that demon hunters are a thing in the Obey Me World. So I wondering if you could do the brother and undatables finding out that a bunch on demon hunters kidnapped MC while they were in human world because they found out of MCs packs. Your writing is so good, honestly this is one of my favorite Obry Me accounts.

Thank you! It gives me pride for being one your favourites!

I love expanding the world of obey me and idea of hunters is one that seems realistic in a world of demons and angels and just in general, really interesting. Before I joined writing on Tumblr I was actually a Wattpad author and one my books was about a monster hunter who got in a love square with Frankenstein's monster, Dr Jekyll and Mr hyde

Never finished it but it was fun concept so any type of supernatural hunter already just wins in my department

Do I have a thing for making the demons violent and showing off a more aggressive and bloody side to them? Yes, I really do

Warning: kidnapping, gore-ish, violence, religious themes, angst, guns, mentions of torture, long

Your breathing grew heavier as the crushing feeling on your chest continued to grow, your heart slamming against your ribcage. Begging to be released from its suffocating prison. If it weren't for the lump in your throat you were sure your heart would of leapt out of it. 

your feet pounded against the street beneath you; you were running faster than you’ve ever ran before. How did it get to this situation? well, you didn't have time to reminisce but to make a long story short - a group of demon hunters revealed themselves to you and are now chasing you down as you refused to cooperate. they wanted to use you for your pact and you didn’t want to be involved, especially seeing as they were literal demon hunters! they were going to kill your friends! 

but sadly, fate was not on your side. your ankle twisted to the side, pain shooting up from your ankle all the way to your knee. rope surrounded you, you thrashed against the net as your body slammed to the floor. The last thing you saw was the hunter tower above you, the butt of their gun coming down on your head. 

when you finally woke up you already had a gun back in your face, you tried to escape but you were forced backwards. chains rattling behind you. you looked behind you to see you were chained to a cross, both your wrists and ankles were bound.

Your situation only grew worse when the hunter Infront of you snarled down at you. Demanding you used your pacts, spitting on your face. You thrusted forward, matching their snarl as you bared your teeth at them. Demon mannerisms have rubbed off on you but it wasn't doing you any good. The gun clicked, unlocking off safety mode.

Your heart sunk immediately.

"Use your pact or else."

You could only hear the blood rushing through your ears. Trembling as their finger slowly pressed on the trigger. You knew they were going to kill the brother's if you did but you were terrified that were going kill you. You shook your head, letting it hang low as fat tears rolled down your cheeks.

You kept refusing to use your pact and summon the seven demons. Every time you refused they'd hurt you; kicking you, slamming the guns butt down on your head, throwing your head back on the cross. You could barely hear what they said, they just kept screaming at you. Calling you filth and a traitor to mankind.

Despite all the pain you were grateful they weren't killing you. You just had to keep pushing your luck. You couldn't summon them no matter how scared you were. You refused. You couldn't do it.

But fortunately, Magic doesn't always act the way you want it to. Your soul - your entire being BEGGED to be saved. You wanted to save yourself, you desperately tried to spark at the chains and remember any spells but your mind was at a blur. nothing was processing.

You cried out when you saw the large magic circle appear on the floor. You tried desperately to close the summoning circle, cursing to yourself. You demanded your magic to listen to you but it wouldn't work. The brothers symbols appearing in each part and soon enough, they appeared in full demon form.

"FIRE-!"

Lucifer:

his wings blocked at the rapid bullets going their way

His whip quick to come out and wrap around a hunters wrists, he twisted his hand around it and pulled the poor hunter towards him

"This isn't very welcoming, now is it? How bold."

the hunter went flying, the brothers dodging in time

Mammon:

He smirked, a bullet between his teeth and more between his fingers

Steam was drifting off them but he just crushed the metal bullets with no other thought

"How nice of ya to give me a gift~! You really know how to make a demon happy."

He spat out the last bullet and it went flying, hitting a hunters eye

Levithan:

The ground shook beneath you, many hunters missing their shot at his brothers

A crab like beast bursted out of the ground, sewer sludge splattering on the floor

It swiped and grabbed at the hunters, screams filling the space, bodies snipped in half in seconds

"You're all worse than Normies! You took the wrong human from the wrong demons!"

he back hand slapped a hunter that approached him, growling

Satan:

He leapt off the crab, grabbing the nearest hunter to him by the head

Their neck snapped to an odd angle and they immediately dropped

"This isn't how I expected to spend my evening but you took my reading partner....you won't receive my mercy."

He shoved his clawed hands through their chests and spines, ripping out the first organ or bone he could grab

He didn't lie, he didn't show an ounce of mercy

Asmodeus:

His wings flapped behind him, he dragged his claws along the backs of the hunters he flew past

Giggling as they screamed in pain

"Aww I'm just flirting, was it really that bad?"

He pouted before swiping at their faces

Shoving another hunter towards his more violent brother

Whilst he had no issue letting himself get wild, he saw how scared you looked

He didn't want to get too dirty or else how could he comfort you?

Beezlebub:

Beel could be ruthless if TRUELY provoked

And hearing your whimpers when he arrived stirred furious anger within him

When he finally saw your beaten state it made him snap

Hungry for blood

Hunters head being crushing with ikr hand

"You don't even look appealing to eat, you're worst than Solomon's cooking."

He took a chunk out of one hunter when they aimed at one of his brother's

Refusing to let his family get hurt

Belphegor:

We all know he's cold blooded

So it was no surprise blood was gushing everywhere

His dream dust filling his area and nightmares surrounded the hunters

"They're mine....and yet you stole them and hurt them, you're disgusting."

hunters would disappear into the mist and not come back out alive

Bodies littering the floor as he swooped through

As soon as things got gory your eyes were sealed shut, trying to shut out the sound of flesh tearing and screams of agony. Whimpering as you thought about the brothers smiling faces, how gentle and soft they usually were. Chanting in your head that they were here to save you, you were safe, they're still them.

You screamed as your body was lifted off the platform you were on, the cross rising. You were now fully crucified; feet slipping as you struggled against the cross. The chains were barely supporting your weight so you just dangled, fear rising in you.

Mammon charged towards you, his brothers continuing to fight against the hunters. He ripped the chains out of the cross, you fell right into his arms, your heart thumping against your chest.

"look at what they did to you....I shouldn't of protected ya, I hope you'll learn to forgive me - they busted you up real bad."

He caressed your cheek; eyes glaring at your busted lip and the many bruises forming on your face. You winced when his hand touched the side of your head, he recoiled feeling something warm on his palm. It was blood. YOUR blood.

He almost broke down right there and then, looking at how hurt you were - he couldn't handle it.

"thanks...that makes me feel so much better." You let out a pained laugh, hoping to make him feel better.

He only frowned more, softly rubbing his thumb on your cheek. It was obvious he was struggling to keep himself calm. You held his hand, showing off your best smile.

"i don't blame any of you, the hunters did this, okay? You didn't do anything wrong."

Your sweet moment was ruined when the 6 brothers backed all bumped into the two of you. Forming a protective ring as the hunters surrounded them; it seemed like there was no end.

You raised your shaky hands, magic swirling around your wrists and to your fingertips. You barely had enough strength to put on a little light show but you weren't going to just let the demons defend you without even trying to help.

It your lucky day as suddenly, the hunters hideout doors bursted open. You could barely make out the outside but there was blood coating every wall, steam coming off dead bodies. Soon enough four figures emerged and your heart almost leapt out of your throat.

Lucifer growled as he strangled a hunter, turning his attention to the new comers.

"I'm surprised you came so late, espically with the company with you, my lord."

Diavolo laughed, his hands coming together as his magic flared brightly. Barbatos had his arms behind his back, smiling to all of you.

"Forgive our tardy timing, these hunters are determined."

"don't forget us, though I may of caused us to take our time, it's been so long since I've fought this many people."

Solomon adjusted his sleeves, his many pacts glowing against his skin. Simeon, unlike the others, looked completely untouched by the chaos. Smiling as he kept his hands together.

"I beg for your forgiveness (Y/N), It appears we've angered Lucifer more than the hunters have."

UNDATEABLES↓

Diavolo:

Time slowed down within the room, only the hunters going still

Their movements frustratingly slow

"I think it's best to clean up this situation whilst you take (Y/N) back, they've seen enough."

He looked at Lucifer, both men nodding

The prince moved freely through the frozen room, eyeing the amount of hunters

Barbatos:

He bowed to the brothers, offering you a comforting smile

"I must agree with my lord, things will get rather unpleasant."

He slowly slipped off his gloves

He approached you, gently handing you his gloves and patted your shaky hands

A silent request to keep them safe for him

Solomon:

The wizard blew the steam off his wand

Smirking as he pointed it towards the magic still present around your wrists

"Isn't it good I came along? You're going to fall sleep if you keep using your powers, little apprentice, let me open a portal for you."

Just as he finished talking he summoned a portal to the devildom

He gave you a small salute

Simeon:

He hastily rushed towards you all

Checking on each brother for any serious harm, thankful they were okay

He turned his attention to you, doing the same

"all is going to be okay, I promise, I'll bring over some desserts when we get back - tell Luke I won't be long, I know he's anxious about your safety."

He walked you to the portal, caressing your hands

You got a gentle push towards the portal

Once you were all through the portal, you completely shattered. Crumbling to the floor as you broke down sobbing. The brothers tried to approach you again but your nostrils flared, face scrunching up in disgust. They reeked of blood and guts.

Beels mouth was covered in blood, flesh between his fangs. Levithans hands trembling from adrenaline red and stained with blood. Belphegor was showered in the red liquid, a feral look still in his eye. Mammon was the most clean out of all of them but he had blood dripping down him. Asmodeus had flesh on his nails and blood on his cheek. Satan looked just as drenched as belphegor, his shoulders shaking with anger. And finally, Lucifer was the second cleanist but he still was no better than the others.

"i need time to- time to calm down....just.... please just wash."

They all accepted your wishes, hesitant but they understood your predicament.

You laid on the floor, chains still on your wrists and ankles. They felt so tight on your limbs, you whimpered as they scratched at your skin. It took one small burst of magic to make them drop; you were finally free.

You continued to just lay on the floor, shakily grabbing a nearby pillow. Inhaling the sweet comforting scent, letting it fill your scenes. Everytime you even smelled a faint swift of the gore-ish scene from before you just took in another deep inhale.

You laid there for what felt like hours. Silently crying as you hugged the pillow.

You grounding yourself. Reminding yourself you were safe and back in your room. The brothers were safe and they weren't mindless beasts.

You rolled on your side, something poking your hip. It was your phone. You pulled it out from your pocket and began to type, messaging Luke that Simeon was okay aswell as you, apologizing for not seeing him in person. You sent him a quick selfie of you smuggled into your pillow and tried to look somewhat happy. Hoping it'll comfort him.

It wasn't a moment later until you heard a knock at your door. You questioned who it was.

"we're all clean now, meet us in the living room if you want....I made your favourite drink~" Asmo's voice was soft, gentle on your ringing ears.

A small smile appeared on your face. Shuffling out of your room still hugging your pillow, trailing after the lustful demon. Soon enough, you were both entering the living room.

The room was dim, the fireplace being it's only lighting and warming the room up nicely. There must of been something with the wood as it smelled so comforting. The brothers all sat along the sofa, Some on the floor. Everyone had their own drink, blankets and pillows surrounding them.

You curled up in the middle of the sofa, letting yourself be engulfed in multiple hugs. Everyone touching you in some way and you all just sat there. In peaceful silence as you just hugged.

You really needed this....

"thank you for saving me."

"We'll always save you"

"you can always count on us-!"

"I won't let this happen to you again, I promise to protect you better."

"no one is allowed to touch you like that, I won't let them."

"You don't need to thank us, darling."

"I will always make sure you're safe, no Matter what."

"I won't fail you again."

you all hugged each other even tighter, embracing each others comfort and warmth. Tears falling and soothing words shared, each brother did their best to be strong. But even they couldn't stop themselves from shedding tears when the adrenaline died.

They almost lost you. You were kidnapped and hurt because of your connection to them. They were never going to let you get harmed again, no matter the cost.

[jobean12-blog]

My Girl

Pairing: Bucky x reader (red henley super delicious beefy bucky) 

Word Count: 1,360

Summary: Bucky wants you to be his girl but he’s a chicken. That is, until someone makes a HUGE mistake and he goes into protective!bucky mode! 

Author’s Note: This is for the HBC’s @the-ss-horniest-book-club drunk drabble clean up and the prompt below! Love when Bucky swoops in to save the day especially when mutual pining is involved! Hope you enjoy this anon and thank you all so much for reading! Much love always! ❤❤❤

Warnings: soft, fluffy shy Bucky, lots of the sweet stuff, Bucky being a doofus and tiny angst for a second but protective!bucky fixes everything! :) 

Bucky quietly removes his hoodie and drapes it over your sleeping form, tucking the ends around you before gently brushing the hair from your face.  “What are you doin’ Buck?” Steve’s question surprises him, and he swings around to glare, “will you keep it down punk! Y/n is passed out, don’t wake her up!” 

Steve shoots Bucky a knowing look and shakes his head, “come on man, when are you gonna ask her out!?” Bucky immediately covers his lips with a finger, hurrying over to Steve and punching him in the arm. “Shut it. If you wake her, I’ll knock you out. She’s been working so hard this week.” 

Rubbing his bicep Steve snips back, “skirting my question again I see.” Bucky pulls the bag of chips out of Steve’s hands and takes a handful, whispering through his munching, “when I’m ready. Every time I try and bring it up, I sound like a bumbling idiot.” With a quiet laugh Steve agrees, punching Bucky back before grabbing the chip bag and walking off.

“Hey Buck, what are you snacking on?” At the sound of your voice Bucky whips his head around to see you walking over with his hoodie wrapped around you. “You look really cute.” It slips out and before he can stop himself he keeps going, “you had no blanket and I couldn’t find one and I didn’t want you to be cold so I covered you with that. I hope we didn’t wake you. Did we wake you?”

He takes a breath and dips his head, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed. “Thank you! It’s perfect and warm and it smells nice.” He looks up and smiles, that sweet smile that crinkles the corners of his eyes and makes his nose scrunch up. “And no. You didn’t wake me. My stomach did!” You giggle and start to rummage around the kitchen, searching for something to eat.

“Want some pancakes? I’ll make ‘em!” You perk up at Bucky’s offer and ask, “what can I do to help?” The next two hours go by in a flash while you cook and eat way too many pancakes, really enjoying your time together. Bucky walks you back to your room, shuffling his feet and looking awkward again. “Thanks for eating with me. That was fun.” You smile, “it really was, and you make delicious pancakes! Thanks!”

You start to take off his hoodie, but he stops you, “you can keep it, this way you aren’t cold tonight.” Your cheeks warm at his sweetness and you take a step closer, letting your eyes drift to his lips, “thanks Buck.” He reaches out a hand and pulls the hoodie higher onto your shoulder, lingering a moment longer before pulling away and saying, “sweet dreams. Goodnight!” With those last words he rushes down the hallway and you sigh, deflating and pushing the door open.  

“Nat, he had the perfect chance last night! I even leaned in and took a good look at those beautiful lips and nothing. He practically ran off! He’s just a nice guy. He would have given his hoodie to anyone. It’s not because he actually likes me. I don’t have a chance.” Nat makes a disgruntled sound, clearly displeased with how your night went. “I’m going to ask that cute agent, Chris, if he wants to come hangout and watch a movie tomorrow. What have I got to lose?” She agrees and wishes you luck as you hang up and get ready for the day. 

“I’m telling ya Steve, she was literally waiting for me to kiss her and I chickened out and literally ran down the hall. It was awful. She probably liked the pancakes more than me! Argh!” Bucky drops his head, letting his hair fall in front of his face to hopefully hide some of his shame. “She definitely thinks I’m a total idiot now.” Steve pats him on the back, looking apologetic but not disagreeing, “come on punk, let’s go train. Maybe you’ll feel better if you punch me some more.”

They head down to the gym and Bucky perks up when he sees you there, talking with one of the agents. He watches as you smile and chat, your hands moving this way and that. “Wait, what? Are you asking me out?” Bucky’s stomach sinks when he sees you shake your head yes, confirming his worst nightmare. “Ugh no, you’re ugly. Not interested.” With that Chris walks away, still looking shocked until he sees Bucky.

You rush by them in a blur of blue and before Bucky can even think to chase after you, he has Chris pinned to the mat, a heavy knee on his chest and his metal hand at his throat. “What did you just say to her?”  Chris can barely speak with Bucky’s fingers tightening around his neck and Steve quickly jumps in. “Take it easy Bucky, let him explain himself.”

Steve stands next to Bucky looking equally as intimidating, “well.” Chris sucks in a breath and tries to get some air before he rasps out, “she’s wearing your hoodie and I saw you guys hanging out last night. I figured she was your girl, and I didn’t want you to kick my ass for hanging out with her.” Bucky’s look softens at the thought of you being his girl, but it quickly disappears when he says, “and you thought telling her she was ugly was a better way to handle it. What the fuck?”

Bucky’s voice is loud, booming through the gym and Steve has to calm him down again. “You’re right Buck, just don’t kill him.” Chris tries to sit up, but Bucky pushes down harder with his knee, “do you know how upset she must be right now. You better go apologize and explain yourself before I do fucking kill you.”

The second Bucky eases up Chris scrambles away and runs up the stairs, Bucky hot on his heels. He waits while Chris explains what happened and apologizes profusely, adding in that he thinks you’re really beautiful. He gulps and looks to Bucky, cringing at the now murderous look on his face, “see, now he’s gonna kill me anyway because I said that! But it’s true! You are beautiful! I was just so scared of him kicking my ass I said the opposite because I wasn’t thinking.”

You start to giggle, much to the surprise of both men, “ok Chris. I get it. He can be pretty scary. But it did hurt my feelings, even if you were just trying to save your life.” Chris apologizes one last time and goes to hug you, thinking better of it and waving before he runs off. You pull Bucky’s hoodie tighter around your body and shift your weight, hoping Bucky will talk to you now.

Thankfully, he walks over, wrapping you in his arms and crushing you to his chest. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles into your hair, sniffing it before pulling away. “Did you just sniff my hair?” He laughs, tucking it behind your ear, “yea, sorry again. I just can’t seem to get this right, can I?” Your fingers play with the hem of his tee shirt, “get what right?” 

Your coy look has Bucky cupping your cheek and brushing his thumb along your jaw, “I think you’re amazing and I’ve been wanting to ask you out for weeks but every time I try I just can’t seem to get it right. I end up sounding like a total idiot. And then when I heard what Chris said I just lost it. I never want you to hear those words again, there is nothing further from the truth. You’re gorgeous.”

Your hand wraps around his wrist and you rest your cheek against his palm, closing your eyes. “He thought I was your girl, and he was so scared. It doesn’t excuse what he said but it is kinda funny.” Bucky backs you up to the wall, leaning closer to your lips when he whispers, “would you be my girl?” Tilting your head forward you brush your lips to his, “I thought you’d never ask.”

@addikted-2-dopamine @bugsbucky @bisousbucky @book-dragon-13 @buckstaybucky @buckys-henley @breezy1415 @chuuulip @eurynome827 @harrysthiccthighss​ @hawksmagnolia​ @hiddles-rose​ @hailmary-yramliah​ @ikaris-whore​ @jhangelface0523​ @jewels2876​ @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​ @loricameback​ @lookiamtrying​ @lokilvrr​ @littledarlinhavefaithinme​ @littleredstarfish​ @lorilane33​ @marvelandotherfandomimagines​ @marvelgirl7​ @nano--raptor​ @pinkdiamond1016​ @randomfandompenguin​ @sallycanwait68​ @tuiccim​ @the-wayward-robot​ @this-kitten-is-smitten​ @yansi1923​

[dulcetash]

9-1-1 Newbie Binge: Thoughts and THOTs

Preamble Ramble: Why is it so hard to jump on mutuals' fan-wagons even as I'm pining for them to jump on mine? I know I'm not the only one who experiences this phenomenon. What is this Imp of the Perverse, and why is he such a recalcitrant little shit? I DON'T KNOW. HE THINKS HE'S FUNNY, BUT HE'S A COCKBLOCKER.

Anyway! After 2 years of skimming gifs and keyboard smashes about Station 118, I found myself some time this weekend to dive in. I had some vague expectations of pretty firefighters who eye-fuck each other, Angela Bassett being Queen of Everything (naturally), Casey from Sports Night having time-warped into a dorky DILF, and apparently JLoHew is being allowed to age like a normal human woman? How goddamn refreshing. Okay, let's check it out.

I'm 8 episodes in so far, and holy shit:

Stream of consciousness impressions so far:

Oh, this is Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck, I had no idea! I have watched so much American Horror Story. Oh, that's the Angela Bassett connection, and - sonofabitch - there's Connie Britton, OF COURSE. And then Frances Conroy is an AHS regular, and she starred in Six Feet Under with Peter Krause, OOOooo-kay, I see the shape this is taking.

Reader, I did not see the shape this was taking. Murphy and Falchuck were also the show runners for Pose, which while fabulous and fun, also displayed heartfelt dignity and thoughtful sensitivity to various social issues, with a gritty touch of realism amongst the madcap adventures and pageantry. I figured this might be the same.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" "I hear crying in the walls."

Normal Show: Oh dear, a kitten got trapped in a vent somewhere.

9-1-1: Clearly, someone flushed a premature baby down the toilet.

NO, REALLY. I thought this was a batshit theory for questionable comedic effect that would be scoffed at as the kitten was dug out of the insulation. They tried to tell me with a straight face that the bones would be soft enough to slither through the u-bend, the baby would have survived the flush, and it would have enough lung capacity for a stoner to hear it though iron pipe and purple haze. And nobody in the entire apartment building has tried to flush in the last hour. I was not buying this for a second.

And MORE FOOL ME, because next thing I know, they're crouched around a length of pipe that's crowning like a steampunk industrial vagina from the land of nightmares, breathlessly delivering something straight out of the American Horror Story prop department's S4 leftovers, using the lube from the defibrillator kit (why that last detail sent me so hard I could not say, but my gawd). And "she" LIVED. Of course. Yep, uh-huh. And then absolutely no follow-up on what would happen to the traumatized teen mother and the... dad who raped her? I'm inferring? NOPE, this ain't Criminal Minds, this ain't Law & Order, all plot threads are snipped at the sliding doors to the ER.

(Oh yeah, JLoHew was also in Criminal Minds for awhile, hey girl hey!)

Okay, it's gonna be THAT kind of show. All righty then. I'm oriented. I'm prepared now.

(I was not prepared.)

I thought I was. I was taking nothing seriously. I went with it when Buck chopped the head off a 12 foot python, then comforted its owner with his own trouser snake. I lol'd when his therapist tripped and landed on his dick. I was still cackling over the bouncy house full of rich brats flying off over a cliff in the high Santa Anna winds, when suddenly, this happened RIGHT ON MY TV SCREEN:

THIS. HAPPENED. And the funniest part is, this is the ONLY thing that the character didn't whine about for the entire episode. Is his name... Chimney? Really? Like, that was his name before his skull was vented? LOLLLLLL More AHS props were dug out for the close-up brain surgery, the squelchy sound effects when they pulled the rebar out were DELIGHTFUL, truly, even better than when the fetus was schlorped out of the toilet pipe, well done FX crew, A+++ all around. In a lovely bit of hand-waving, Chimney (*snerrrk*) suffered no pain, no evident psychological trauma, the rebar seems to have reamed out his self-pity, and in a few episodes he returns from his hospital vacay into the welcoming arms of his co-workers, and - just in case we forgot why he'd been gone - there was cake.

KEEP IT CLASSY, Y'ALL

Oh god, what else. The insane plane crash rescue sequences were *chef's kiss*. Athena getting her Fast & Furious on to deliver a kidney transplant was super fun, all Queen Athena assumptions are being fulfilled as expected. The attempted date between Abby and Buck was OHMYGODREALLY lolforever with the tracheostomy, A+ reversal of expectations as to who would be penetrating whom, bitch, you thought. And again, he pops up next episode without even a scar on his throat, and you know what, after cleaning my mother's tracheostomy twice a day for 7 months in 2008? I'LL ALLOW IT. ESCAPIST FANTASY FOR ALL, NO CONSEQUENCES, GIVE IT TO ME, AMEN. Who was the hottie in the wheelchair who talked Abby through it on speakerphone, though? I hope we get more of her.

During the toilet-pipe birth scene in the first episode (no, I'm still not over it), it occurred to me that maybe they wanted to do an Oh My God the Baby's Coming trope, but they didn't want to have to bother with actual vaginas with women attached to them? Episode 1.7 says, louder for those in the back: BITCH, YOU THOUGHT, LULZ. But the best, the absolute crowning achievement of everything I've seen so far (pun definitely intended) was THIS:

YES. MINE EYES DIDST NOT DECEIVE ME. That is Evan Himbeau Buckley cheerfully pulling a 3-foot tapeworm out of a groaning twink's ass. Y'all. I filter MPreg out of my fic searches for a reason.

NO, BUCK, DON'T LICK IT. Although props to how delighted you were to get in there and root around, this bodes well for later. I love that he took an axe to a giant constrictor but is treating this Horror from the Deep with tender loving care.

I'm sorry, y'all, if I had to see it, you have to see it.

*whew* Okay, that's enough for now. I'm all in, though. I'm ready to find out how in the Goddess Athena's name Hen is going to make her fuckery up to Karen (whom I also recognize from a brief stint on Criminal Minds, hey girl, what's up). I think I'm only 2 eps away from the first season finale. I'm braced ready.

(probably not)

[thewidowsghost]

Daughter of the Sea - Chapter 1

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

(Y/n) stands in the kitchen of her mother and step-father's apartment, making the bean dip Smelly Gabe liked so much.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the counter but then she lets out a yelp as something hits her in between her shoulder blades.

"Hurry it up, girl!" Smelly Gabe snarls.

"Yes sir," (Y/n) murmurs.

A few minutes later, Gabe stalks into the kitchen, takes the dip without so much of a thank you.

(Y/n) fixes her gaze on the shoe on the ground before she moves to her room. She climbs into her bed, getting under her covers. (Y/n) turns, facing the wall.

She closes her eyes, falling to an uneasy sleep.

(Y/n) watches, disconnected from the others in the dream, as one of her brother's teachers turns into something that reminded her of a demon, or something similar that she'd read books about. The woman had bat wings, claws, and a mouth of yellow fangs.

Then (Y/n) looks around, her eyes widening in shock as she sees her brother holding a bronze sword.

Percy swings the sword, the demon exploding into yellow powder, vaporizing on the spot.

A hand on (Y/n)'s shoulder has (Y/n) jolting awake. "Honey? Are you okay?" Sally Jackson asks.

Catching the wide-eyed look of horror on (Y/n)'s face, Sally wraps her daughter in a hug.

(Y/n)'s breathing steadies, and she breathes in her mother's familiar scent - chocolate, licorice, and all the other things she sold at the candy shop in Grand Central Station.

"Did you get all your work done?" Sally asks softly, her thumb brushing over a slightly visible bruise that had appeared at the base of the back of her neck.

(Y/n) hums in reply.

. . .

The next day, (Y/n) is once again lying in her bed, not wanting to have to deal with Gabe throwing more shoes or glass bottles at / near her.

. . .

Percy walks into the apartment, dragging his suitcase behind him, hoping his mom would be home from work. Instead, Smelly Gabe is in the living room, playing poker with his buddies. The television blares ESPN; chips and beer cans are strewn all over the carpet.

Hardly looking up, he says around his cigar, "So, you're home."

"Where's my mom? (Y/n)?"

"Mom's working," Gabe says. "The girl's in her room. You got any cash?"

"That's it. No Welcome back. Good to see you. How has your life been the last six months?

Gabe had put on weight since the last time Percy had seen him. Gabe looked like a tuskless walrus in thrift-store clothes. He has about three hairs on his head, all combed over his bald scalp.

"I don't have any cash," Percy replies.

Gabe raises a greasy eyebrow. Gabe could sniff out money like a bloodhound, which is surprising, since his own smell should've covered up everything else.

"You took a taxi from the bus station," he says. "Probably paid with a twenty. Got six, seven bucks in change. Somebody expects to live under this roof, he ought to carry his own weight. Am I right, Eddie?"

Eddie, the super of the apartment building, looks at Percy with a twinge of sympathy. "Come on, Gabe," he says. The guy just got here."

"Am I right?" Gabe repeats.

Eddie scowls into his bowl of pretzels. The two other guys pass gas in harmony.

"Fine," Percy says. He digs a wad of dollars out of his pocket and throws the money on the table. "I hope you lose."

"Your report card came, brain boy!" He shouts back at Percy. "I wouldn't act so snooty!"

Percy slams the door to his room, which isn't really his room. During school months, it is Gabe's 'study.' He doesn't study anything in there except old car magazines, but he loves shoving his stuff in Percy's closet, leaving his muddy boots on the windowsill, and doing his best to make the place smell like his nasty cologne, cigars, and stale beer.

Percy drops his suitcase on the bed. Home sweet home he thinks.

Gabe's smell is almost worse than the nightmares about Mrs. Dodds, or the sound of that old fruit lady's shears snipping the yarn.

Percy sits, lost in his thoughts.

Then he hears his mom's voice, "Percy?" She opens the bedroom door, and his fears melt. "Oh, Percy," she hugs him tight. "I can't believe it. You've grown since Christmas."

Sally had brought Percy a bag of 'free samples' the way she always did whenever he'd come home.

The two sit together on the bed. While Percy attacks the blueberry sour strings, she runs her hands through his hair, demanding to know everything that he hadn't put in his letters. She doesn't mention his getting expelled. She doesn't seem to care about that.

Percy tells his mother that she is smothering him, but secretly, Percy is really, really glad to see her.

From the other room, Gabe yells, "Hey, Sally - how about some bean dip, huh?"

Percy grits his teeth. My mom is the nicest lady in the world. She should be married to a millionaire, not to some jerk like Gabe.

(Y/n) pads into Percy's room, and the dark haired boy brightens at the sight of his younger twin.

"I've got the dip, Mom," (Y/n) says softly. Sally gazes at her daughter for a moment, her gaze sad.

"Wait, (Y/n)," Sally says, and (Y/n) turns back to face her mother. "I've got a surprise for the two of you," she says. "We're going to the beach."

Percy's eyes widen. "Montauk?"

"Three nights - same cabin," Sally replies.

"When?" (Y/n) asks, looking excited.

She smiles, "As soon as I get changed."

(Y/n) can't believe it. Mom, Percy, and I hadn't been to Montauk in the last two summers because Gabe had said that there wasn't enough money.

Gabe appears in the doorway behind (Y/n) and growls, "Bean dip, Sally? Didn't you hear me?"

Percy wants to punch him, but he meets his mother's eyes, and understands that she is offering him a deal: Be nice to Gabe for a little while; just until she's ready to leave for Montauk.

"I've got it, Gabe," (Y/n) says.

"Sorry, honey," Sally says, looking at her husband. "We were just talking about the trip."

Gabe's eyes get small. "The trip? You mean you were serious about that?"

"I knew it," Percy mutters. "He won't let us go."

"Of course he will," Sally says evenly. "Your stepfather is just worried about money."

(Y/n) turns to face Gabe, smiling as kindly as she could. "What if I make a seven-layer dip that'll last the whole weekend?" she asks. "Guacamole. Sour cream. The works."

Gabe softens a bit, then turns back to face Sally. "So, this money for your trip . . . it comes out of your clothes budget, right?"

"Yes, honey," Sally replies.

"And you won't take my car anywhere but there and back."

"We'll be very careful."

Gabe scratches his double chin. "Maybe if the girl hurries up with the seven-layer dip . . . and if the boy apologizes for interrupting my poker game."

Maybe if I kick you in your soft spot, Percy thinks. And make you sing soprano for a week.

"I'm sorry," Percy mutters. "I'm really sorry I interrupted your incredibly important power game. Please go back to it right now."

Gabe's eyes narrow. His tiny brain is probably trying to detect the sarcasm in my statement, Percy thinks.

"Yeah, whatever," Gabe decides; he goes back to his game.

"Thank you, Percy," Sally says. "Once we get to Montauk, we'll talk more about...whatever you've forgotten to tell me, okay?"

For a moment, (Y/n) can see anxiety in her mother's eyes, but then her smile returns, and (Y/n) figures that she must've been mistaken.

. . .

An hour later, the three are ready to leave.

Gabe takes a break from his poker game long enough to watch (Y/n) and Percy lug the bags to his car. He keeps griping and groaning about losing her and (Y/n)'s cooking - and more important, his '78 Camaro - for the whole weekend.

"Not a scratch on this car, brain boy," Gabe warns Percy as he loads the last bag into the car. "Not one little scratch."

Like I'd be the one driving. I'm fourteen, Percy thinks.

Watching Gabe lumbers back towards the apartment building, Percy gets so mad that he does something he can't explain. As Gabe reaches the door, Percy makes the hand gesture he'd seen Grover made on the bus, a soft of warding-off-evil gesture, a clawed hand over his heart, then a shoving movement towards Gabe. The screen door slams so hard it whacks him the the butt and sends him flying up the staircase as if he'd been shot from a cannon.

. . .

(Y/n)'s POV

Our rental cabin is on the south shore, way out at the tip of Long Island. It is a little pastel box with faded curtains, half sunken into the dunes. There's always sand in the sheets, spiders in the cabinets, and most of the time the sea is too cold to swim in.

I loved the place.

Mom, Percy, and I had been going ever since Percy and I'd been a baby. Mom had been coming even longer. She'd never exactly said, but I know why the beach was special to her.

It's the place where she'd met my Dad.

As we get closer to Montauk, Mom seems to grow younger, years of worry and work disappearing from her face. Her eyes turn the color of the sea.

We get there around sunset, open all the cabin's windows, and go through the usual cleaning routine.

Mom, Percy, and I walk on the beach, feed blue corn-chips to the seagulls, and munch on blue jelly beans, blue saltwater taffy, and all the other free samples Mom had brought home from work.

I guess maybe I should explain all the blue food.

Gabe had once told Mom that there was no such thing. They had had this fight, which had seemed like a really small think at the time, but ever since, Mom went out of her way to eat blue. She baked blue birthday cakes, mixed blueberry smoothies, bought blue-corn tortilla chips, and brought home blue candy from the shop. This - along with keeping her maiden name, Jackson, rather than calling herself Mrs. Ugliano - is proof that she isn't totally suckered by Gabe. She did have a rebellious streak, just like Percy.

When it gets dark, we make a fire. We roast hot dogs and marshmallows. Mom tells Percy and me stories about when she was a kid, back before her parents had died in the plane crash. She tells us about the books she wanted to write someday, when she had enough money to quit the candy shop.

Eventually, it seems that Percy gets the nerve to ask about what is always on our minds whenever we come to Montauk - our father. Mom's eyes go all misty. I figure she would tell us the same things she always did, but neither Percy or I ever got tired of hearing them.

"He was kind, Percy," Mom replies. "Tall, handsome, and powerful. But gentle too, like you, (Y/n)." Mom says and I soften. "You have his black hair, Percy, and you both share his green eyes.

Mom fishes a blue jelly bean out of her candy bag. "I wish he could see you two. He would be so proud."

I wonder how she could say that when I'm the girl who cowers from her stepfather. The girl who hides in her room to get away from said stepfather.

"How old were we?" Percy asks, pulling me from my thoughts. "I mean . . . when he left?"

Mom watches the flames. "He was only with me for one summer, Percy. Right here at this beach. This cabin."

"But . . . he knew us as babies."

"No, honey," Mom replies. "He knew I was expecting twins, but he never met you. He had to leave before you were born."

I try to square that with the fact that I seem to remember . . . something about my father. A warm glow, maybe a smile.

Percy and I had always assumed that our father had known us as babies. Mom had never said it outright, but still, I'd felt that it must be true. Now, to be told that he'd never even seen us . . .

I feel angry at my father. Maybe it is stupid, but I resent him for going on that ocean voyage, for not having the guts to marry Mom.

"Are you going to send me away again?" Percy asks. "To another boarding school?"

Mom pulls a marshmallow from the fire.

"I don't know, honey," her voice is heavy. "I think . . . I think we'll have to do something."

"Because you don't want me around?" Percy says and I flinch, avoiding both his and Mom's gazes.

I glance up to see that Mom's eyes had welled up with tears. "Oh, Percy, no. I - I have to, honey. For your own good. I have to send you away."

"But you never send her away," Percy says and I look up, eyes wide with surprise.

Mom looks at Percy, eyes wide with shock.

Finally she says, "I have to keep both of you away from each other as much as possible. I thought you'd finally be safe."

"I tried to keep you as close to me as I could," Mom says. "They told me it was a mistake. But there's only one other option, Percy, (Y/n) - the place your father wanted to send you two. And I just . . . I just can't stand to do it."

"Our father wanted us to go to a special school?" I ask.

"Not a school," Mom replies. "A summer camp."

My head spins. Why would my dad - who hadn't even stayed around to see me and Percy be born - talk to Mom about a summer camp?

"I'm sorry, (Y/n)," Mom says, seeing the look in my eyes. "But I can't talk about it. I - I couldn't send you two to that place. It might mean saying goodbye to you for good."

"For good?" Percy asks. "But if it's only a summer camp . . ."

Mom turns towards the fire, and I know from her expression, that if we asked any more questions, she would start to cry.

Word Count: 2413 words

[ace-din-djarin]

*peaks over counter* could I possibly have....some Luke whump with Din being protective? *Ducks back under counter*

@ameliajessicawilliamspond

Hi!! Sorry for the delay... I hope this fill meets your expectations!! It's so fun to write Luke whump, tbh. Poor bby. I went a little nuts with it, like always...

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When they finally found themselves cornered, Grogu cowering in Din’s arms and Din weaponless, ready to defend the child to the death-- it wasn’t much of a choice for Luke to step forward and surrender himself, and let them take him. They descended on him like the birds on Tatooine that would wait for a creature to be close to death, and then swoop down for the kill. The troopers dragged him forward, away from Din and Grogu, and the last thing he saw before they hit him with a stunner was the look on Grogu’s face. The last thing he felt was Din’s fury and fear, roaring from him through the force like wildfire, before it cut off abruptly along with the rest of Luke’s awareness.

He had no way of knowing whether what they were doing to him was what they would have done to Grogu, or if they were devising new and even more cruel methods just for him. He found it didn’t matter much. If what they had planned for Grogu was even a sliver of what they did to him, it was worth it. Even if they hadn’t been planning to hurt or experiment on the child at all— and he doubted that— but even if they hadn’t, just keeping Grogu from feeling alone and scared, the way he had way back when Moff Gideon had kidnapped him and held him on that huge star destroyer, it was worth it. It was all worth Luke’s sacrifice.

The cruel med droids, stripped of all personality and wielding scalpels and hypos full of unknown substances; the cold-eyed officers and scientists who wouldn’t come near unless Luke was trussed up, force suppression cuffs on his wrists and a double dose of suppressant drugs burning in his veins; the troopers who stood, silent and unmoving, at the door to his cell, two inside and two out, watching him, never giving him a moment alone, even when he screamed and retched and shook… All of it was worth keeping Grogu safe. Keeping Din safe. Their family, their small clan, it was what mattered. Nothing else.

In the dark of the night, when he lay on the cold durasteel bench of his cell under the eyes of two stormtroopers, blasters held across their chests in warning, Luke felt that perhaps this was penance as well as sacrifice. He stared at the troopers, the white of their armor gleaming dully in the dim lights overhead, and considered just how many of their brethren he had murdered. There were those who had been aboard the Death Star, of course — by far his worst, most heinous act — but there were also those who had fallen by his blade, or his blaster, or by Rebel plots he helped to fabricate. He reached out, in the small gaps of time when the suppressants started to wear off and circumnavigating the cuffs was bearable, and felt the troopers’ small threads of light brush against his mind, considering just how many other threads he had snipped. Surely enough to weave hundreds of miles of fabric, within the Force. So many beings— and in the Force, it did not matter their affiliation or creed, they lived just the same— whose lives he had cut short.

The officers who presided over the scientists’ experiments definitely knew who Luke was. They watched with stiff shoulders, with hands fisted in rage... but they hesitated, and they didn’t look him in the eye. Din had told Luke about Gideon, how he had tried to kill himself when he realized Luke was there on his star destroyer, and he supposed these officers viewed him in much the same way. A power both feared and respected, something strange and monstrous, a dark cloaked figure that flitted through Imperial nightmares. A truly fitting form for Darth Vader’s son.

Time passed in hazy, half-acknowledged spurts. The artificial light of the cruiser’s cell block never shut off, and the trooper’s schedules seemed to be random; he watched them with as much awareness as he could muster, but never seemed to be able to latch on to a system that would tell him how long each day was. Even their experiments and interrogation seemed to be done at random intervals. Sometimes he would go what felt like days with only the two troopers for company, and at others he was shaken awake in the middle of sleep and dragged off hours after their last session.

It was during one of these sessions-- woozy from drugs, from lack of sleep and food, from the constant blank nothingness the cuffs forced on him-- that something changed. Luke was strapped to a table, doing his best to ignore the scientist speaking into a voice recorder by his side, not thinking about what they were planning, when the room shook violently around them, his stomach rolling with the movement.

The officer standing at Luke’s head looked up, frowning. “What…?”

He was cut off by another shudder and a distant boom that reverberated down the cold steel hallways outside their room. The officer’s eyes, from what Luke could see, were wide-- he was worried.

“Keep going,” he snapped at the scientist, and stalked out of Luke’s view. He heard the door whoosh open and closed again, and they were alone.

Luke had long since stopped trying to fight the straps that held him down, but now he couldn’t help but thrash against them and hope that somehow they were looser today than usual, somehow he could pull himself free…

“Stop that!” the scientist snapped, even as the room shook yet again and a tool rolled off his tray of instruments and clattered to the ground. He lacked the fear that the officer had shown; he was brutally efficient, continuing to measure out a hypo full of an unknown substance, holding it up to the light with calm, unconcerned eyes. He grasped Luke’s arm and injected the hypo as the sounds of explosions outside got closer, and the sound of booted feet running on durasteel echoed louder and louder down the hallway. He turned and looked Luke in the eye, as he had never done before, just as whatever he had injected started to burn.

“You killed so many, Skywalker.” He said, still calm and collected, but now with eyes that shone with fury, “It’s only fair, don’t you think, that we get to strike back?”

Fire was in his veins, under his skin, burning him from the inside out.

Luke screamed.

______

The scream that echoed down the hall froze Din in his tracks.

He felt, rather than heard, Leia stumble to a stop behind him. He could hear only that scream-- unending, agonized, and horrifically familiar. It sent ice down his spine and through his heart, and he felt himself running again before he really realized it, sprinting flat out towards that voice, Leia on his heels.

He skidded a bit when the ship shook with another explosion-- Boba, Fennec, and Axe were having a bit too much fun with the explosives, but as long as Bo-Katan and Koska were still able to keep the ship flying, Din couldn’t find it in himself to care much. The door opened with a quick blaster shot to the keypad, and he and Leia ran in and stumbled to a stop as one. Horror welled up in his throat.

Luke was strapped down to a table, thick bands around his forehead, arms, and legs, and his hands were bound in front of him in what looked like force-suppression cuffs. He was screaming, thrashing against his bonds, eyes open and tracking some unseen terror. A man stood over him, arms crossed and an expression of sick satisfaction on his face as he watched Luke writhe. He turned to face Din and Leia with no sign of fear.

Leia raised her blaster and stepped forward, face twisted in a snarl. “What have you done to him?”

The man-- a scientist, judging by his clothing and the room, which held instruments and tools that turned Din’s stomach to contemplate-- looked at Leia with cool, calm eyes.

“Only what he deserved.” Behind him, Luke gasped something that may have been a “No!”

Din snarled and before Leia could react, lunged towards the man and punched him full in the face. He howled, hands flying to his nose, and Din hit him again, and again, until he sagged in his grip, unconscious, and Din dropped him to the floor. He stepped over him and reached out to cup Luke’s face in his hands, watching him breathe through clenched teeth, whines and moans of pain slipping through. He didn’t seem to see Din, but he seemed to register something; he turned his face towards where Din stood, even as his eyes rolled in their sockets.

“He shot him with something-- it’s probably causing him pain,” Leia said, holding up a spent hypo-syringe, face grim. “I’ll see if I can find what this was; maybe we can figure out how to help it.”

She turned towards a cabinet along the wall that held all sorts of horrible things, chemicals and liquids that seemed distinctly menacing. Din looked down at the cuffs around Luke’s wrists. It was so wrong, seeing him cuffed and bound like this, and he couldn’t stand it. He pulled the Darksaber from his belt and thumbed the activator.

Leia whirled at the sound of the blade extending, and barked “Wait!” just a second too late-- the Darksaber cut the connection between the cuffs, and a wave of energy exploded outward. Din dropped.

There was a presence all around him… slimy, oily, uncomfortable darkness, brushing up against him, making him shudder even as he walked calmly next to a hulk of a man in black armor…. Rage filled his thoughts as he struck out with his blade, struck the figure that taunted him, that threatened his sister…. His blade sliced through his father’s wrist, a mirror of his own maiming…. He tossed his saber aside, facing the Emperor, watching rage twist that horrible white mask of a face…. And then, pain, everywhere, he couldn’t breathe, couldn’t do anything but writhe underneath it, couldn’t get away…. And his father looked on, watched as he died….

Din gasped as he was wrenched out of the vision, sitting up from where he had fallen onto the floor, staring up at Leia, who was slumped slightly over Luke, hands on his wrists. When Din pulled himself to standing, he saw that she had managed to get another pair of cuffs around them. She seemed to sense his disapproval, and shook her head, eyes never leaving Luke’s face.

“He’s too out of it to shield, right now, and he’s too powerful to have the cuffs off while he’s unaware. I’m guessing you saw what I saw?”

Din nodded slowly, and she sighed, reaching out to brush trembling fingers across Luke’s cheek, doing nothing to smooth out the agonized expression he still wore.

“He’s told you about our… our father? About the Emperor?”

“That--” Din’s voice cracked, and he tried again. “That was a memory.”

“I believe so. I wasn’t there-- I was leading the fight on Endor with Han and Chewie. But he told me afterwards. And I would know Palpatine’s face anywhere.” She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked back up, steel in the set of her jaw. “Let’s get him out of here.”

They made quick works of the straps, and it was worryingly easy to lift Luke into his arms. He still struggled against whatever he saw and whatever he felt, but Din held him fast to his chest as they hurried back down the shining steel hallway and towards where they had entered. He could hear the sounds of blaster fire as they got closer, and Leia moved to block the two of them, blaster in hand. Din shifted Luke in his arms, tucking him a little closer so that he could reach his vambrace, and primed his whistling birds. He sent a quick, silent prayer of thanks to the Manda that he had found the Armorer again as he felt them rise and click into place.

They hurtled around the corner, Leia already firing at a stormtrooper who was grappling with Boba, and he whirled around as the trooper dropped. Din’s whistling birds flew, and five other troopers around the room-- one about to slam Axe into the ground, another huddled around a corner taking shots at Fennec-- fell with howls of pain.

“Djarin! Princess! You found him?”

Boba seemed to notice Luke writhing in Din’s arms as he said it, and he cursed even as he ducked a shot from another trooper. “Get him to the ship! We’re nearly done here. I’ll comm Kryze, we’ll meet you there.”

He clapped Din on the shoulder as he passed, and Din nodded his thanks, hurrying after Leia.

The Falcon was waiting for them, and Din quickly laid Luke on one of the tiny bunks, stuffing a blanket along the edge of the wall so that Luke, if he thrashed too much, wouldn’t hurt himself.

Leia slid down the wall opposite, coming to rest with her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands.

“I’m never letting him out of my sight again,” she groused, looking up at Din through her hands, flinching when Luke groaned again. Her eyes were so weary, it hurt Din to look at them. He looked down at Luke from where he sat at the edge of the bed, and brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes, watching him flinch and gasp.

“I… he told me about the Emperor, and what happened on the second Death Star. But I never guessed it was that bad... “ Leia trailed off. They sat together for a few long minutes, the only thing filling the silence of the ship the sound of Luke’s pain. He seemed to be tiring-- he hadn’t screamed for a while now, and his thrashing had quieted some. Din prayed that it was just the drugs wearing off, and not exhaustion forcing him under.

“I’m going to go get ready to take off as soon as the rest of them are back,” Leia said, rising to her feet and brushing soft fingers across Luke’s cheek once more. Din felt himself slumping a little as she left, closing the door behind her, and he reached up and released the seals on his helmet.

“You’ll be okay,” he whispered to Luke. He gathered Luke into his arms and kissed his forehead, ready to wait out the rest of this nightmare along with him.

————

Now with part two here!