#he looks like a mallard to me

[nostalgiaclown]

rotating him like a rotisserie chicken in my brain

[pink-wysteria]

okay . . . but like . . . why is mal kinda . . .

[anthonyhavers-left-foot]

Some bird pictures that AREN'T low quality this time!

[ncis-yp]

Ugh (Tony DiNozzo x reader) [SMUT]

Background: you and Tony had been working in different part of the NCIS you were working on a naval base but were called on in missions to help Abby or Ducky with pharmaceutical intelligence. You and Tony have been dating a few months and wanted to try sexting. You do it out of no where to surprise the other.

This morning you decided to stay home from work. After all, the pharmacy could live without you for a day, if any thing they’d call you. In the meantime, you decided you’d relax at home and get into one of the case study’s that Dr. Mallard asked you to review. Apparently there’s a combination of pills in there that Abby nor Dr. Mallard himself didn’t understand.

Tony was at already at work, you knew. But you decided you wouldn’t tell him you weren’t going. Before you had a chance to sit in your breakfast loft with your cats, Dre and Pac, your phone was buzzing. Two texts from Tony.

Tony: good morning! I passed by the Pharmacy to say good morning and offer to get you coffee. Where are you?

Tony: are you okay?

You smirked and sent back a spicy text… if you were gonna be home, you were gonna do things he couldn’t do.

You: aww that’s sweet :)

You: yeah, decided not to go work.

You: *sent photo*

Tony sat at his desk staring at a photo of you. You’re (e/c) eyes catching the early morning light, your hair pulled back haphazardly, or how you were only in your panties and an over the shoulder band tee.

Tony: wow… you’ve got me excited.

You: excited for what? Not like I did anything special

Tony: to see you. Looking like that in the morning

You: 🥰 aw so sweet! You should come over and see me

Tony: pretty girl… you know I’m at work

You: aww but can’t you take an early lunch to come see me sooner? You know I’d love to see you.

You: *sent photo*

You were playing hard ball. Teasing innocently, but God, that picture of you was so close to the opposite but Tony couldn’t say it was naughty or nice.

His open phone held a picture of you sitting with your legs crisscrossed and you hand between you thighs. He saved it and sent it to his album of pictures of you.

Tony: god you’re gorgeous. I’d love to see you too… trust me

You: thank you handsome

You: really though … come see me

Tony: I want to

You: then do it

You: *sent photo*

Tony’s heart jumped into throat. His stomach was twisting as his dick hardens in his pants. He takes a quick picture.

Tony: (y/n)…

Tony: *sent photo*

You couldn’t lie. Right now you were extremely horny. You don’t like how you teasing Tony turns into you getting needy and he won’t stop teasing.

You: I want that. Right now.

You: *sent photo*

Tony had sent himself to the bathroom to calm down. He was at work. He needed to focus. Maybe he could ask Gibbs to be on call since his apartment is being renovated. No. Work. ..Work. …Work. He managed to get somewhat of a grip. He opened his phone.

You. Legs open. Panties off and to the side. Shirt in your mouth. You were sitting in your bedroom, floor by the mirror. Your hand was between your legs, fingers in your pussy.

His mouth dropped and his dick was rock solid again. Fuck… fuck (y/n) fuck. He thought as his cock raged for her insides. He snapped a picture of himself in the mirror his dick print obvious.

Tony: look what you do to me

Tony: *sent photo*

Tony: do you see how hard my cock is for you right now?

You smiled. You were close to getting Tony. You were actively playing with your pussy, it wasn’t just for show.

You: *sent video*

Tony stood in shock. He heard your quiet moans and whimpering in the background as you slowly pleased yourself.

Tony: (y/n) wait until I get there to finish

You: oh, so you’re coming now?

Tony: no I’ll be there after work

You: sooo then I’m not waiting

You propped the phone up and set the three second timer. Making sure he saw you in action from the beginning. You laid on your back, unaware to any of the texts coming in.

Tony: (y/n) please wait.

Tony: I swear (y/n) if you cum without me your punishment will be so bad that the pleasure you’ll experience wouldn’t have been worth it

You: *sent video*

**”fuck… fuckkk” you fingered yourself at a medium pace. Racing for that orgasm. Your little whimpers began growing into deep moans. “Mmmmhmmm Tony” you groaned as you sped up pace. Roughly fucking yourself. You began tightening, body stiffening as you neared an orgasm. “Tony” you breathe as you begin to orgasm. You sped up. Almost at a feral speed to squirt. You sprayed the phone. Crying out Tony’s name and arching your back as you did.**

Tony: I’m on my way.

Tony rushed out of the bathroom to his desk. Fanning for his keys. Rushing out of the bullpen he brushed past Gibbs.

“Where you headed?”

“(L/n) isnt feeling well, her stomach hurts a lot and she can’t remember what she ate, but she’s really aching. She asked me to pick up some bread, some medicine, and Gatorade.”

“Okay”

“Can be on call today? So I can stay with her?”

“Sure. If you miss one call DiNozzo” Gibbs standing close to Tony. “I won’t let you miss work to play bookie with (y/n) anymore”

“Yeah boss”

“Good try tho. Rule #7” he acknowledged.

He ran out the building and sped to your apartment, parking his yellow ‘66 Mustang next to your black ‘78 challenger. He knocked on your door. Your tiny figure appeared in the door way. Wrapped comfortably in a blanket. He pushed you inside, picking you up as he closed the door. He kicked off his shoes as he kissed you all the way to kitchen, he set you on the bar. The two of you rushed to get most of his clothes off. You held his head as you continuously smashed your lips on his.

He set you down on floor. Pulling off his pants and boxers. He layes himself between your thighs.

“Fuck you, (y/n)” he whispered in your ear.

“Do it then, Anthony” you whisper in his. He rammed into you. You pulled his hair as he roughly fucked you on the floor.

“Do you know, how hard I tried to keep myself together (y/n)?” He bit your neck. Your nails scratching down his biceps as he fucked you relentlessly.

“No” you moan.

“No?” He growls. “Being here, dogging you before 12:00, on a Wednesday, isn’t a clue?” He said working on leaving hickeys in your neck and chest. You were leaving bite marks on his shoulders and you tightened around him. Moans of pleasure getting louder as you neared your climax.

“Fuck, fuck, fuckkk. You’re close aren’t you?” You nodded. “Tell me when you’re about to. I want to hear you say it.”

Your moans turned him on so much more.

“I’m coming” you say breathing heavily.

“What?”

“Fuck, Tony, I’m coming”

“One more time.” His grunted as he gave three rough pounds in between each word.

“Fuckkk Anthony! I’m coming, I’m coming” you began to tear up. He pulled out and flipped you you you were face down, ass up.

“No you’re not” he growls as he hammers your pussy. The sound of balls slapping skin, and moans and grunts fillling the room.

“I’m sorry” you cry. “Daddy please let me come.”

“You’re sorry?”

“Yes” you scream.

“Then show me” he says letting go of your hips. “Fuck me like this to show me you’re sorry” you o eyed. Throwing your body back on his roughly but at a staggered pace. He could see your body spending and he decided to finish you off. Just the way you liked it.

“I’m sorry I fucked up my rhythm” he says in your ear. “I just want you to see how gorgeous you look” he grabs your hair and pulls your head up. Your back arched, eyes red, and tears streaming down your face. You screamed as he roughly pounded you.

“Look at you” he said sweetly. “So pretty for daddy ” your faced moved as he dogged your clenching pussy hole. “Sooo fucking beautiful”

He slapped your ass. Three painfully enjoyable slaps. He began to make some marks in your hips.

“Fuck fuck fuck (y/n). Can I bust in there?” He groans as you begin to pull him to the edge. You nodded. “Can I cum in that tight pussy?” He asks again.

“Yes please, Tony, please” you cry your core burned. You began to orgasm. He pulled your head up again. “Let’s cum together” he says as he began orgasming, filling you up, you were soaking his dick with your juices, squirting around his dick.

“Good girl” he says as he fucked you till the end of his climax. Thrusts getting sloppy as he pulled out. He collapsed next to you on the floor, pulling you close to him.

“I hope I didn’t go to rough on you” he said apologetically. “Did I hurt you at all?”

“I’m a little sore.” You admit. “But it was definitely worth the punishment” you giggle kissing his chest.

“(Y/n) I don’t want to have hurt you… you know that right?” Tony speaks.

“Good… please (y/n) let me know if it too rough…” your kiss cuts him off. He smiles dazily.

“I’ll text if you hurt me. I’ll make sure I’m honest about things I do and don’t want, I will punch you if you ever do some thing I don’t like that you keep doing.” You propped yourself up on your elbow, admiring the hickeys you left all over him. And your bite marks on his shoulder.

“Yes, exactly “ he chuckles. Your neck and chest were covered with marks. Your hips had light purple bruises already forming and you wondered what your back looked like.

“I love you” you say to Tony.

“I love you too, (y/n)” he replies kissing you deeply. “I’m going to run you a shower. And I’ll order Thai?” You nodded. He stands and helps you up. Starting your bath for you. Slapping your ass as he walks away.

“Mmm” you smile.

“Sexy” he remarks with a wink. Once he turned his back looked absolutely destroyed. Crazy marks lined his back, blood bubbling towards the top.

[sunnydaworm]

DuckTales 2017 fans, what is your favorite character and why?

My personal favs are Huey and Darkwing Duck aka Drake Mallard. As a person with autism I heavily relate to Huey in ways such as I like having very clear instructions I can always look back too since I need things explained extremely thoroughly so I don’t run the risk of doing them incorrectly, like Huey with his JWG, he also likes doing things right the first time and has special interests as well that most people don’t see as interesting.

The reason why I like Darkwing Duck (aka Drake Mallard) is because I grew up watching Darkwing Duck and he was a big part of my childhood because he was a special interest of mine growing up! And the fact that he is in one of my favorite shows currently and the crazy amount of references and him getting a cool backstory, how he adopted Gosselin and partnered up with Launchpad really makes me appreciate the show more because of all the refrences to shows I used to and still do adore! (Even got my mom into the show because it had plenty of Tailspin references too)

[allthingsfangirl101]

In The Crossfire – Timothy McGee

Masterlist

Being engaged to a federal agent does not allow much time for wedding planning. Tim told me to plan it, but something felt weird about not getting his opinion before making decisions. Plus, I hate making big decisions.

Knowing this, Tim tries to make time for us. Coffee before work, extremely late dinner, or, like today, quick lunch breaks.

"I'm sorry we've pushed back the meeting with our wedding planner four times now," Tim sighed as we sat at a table outside and waited for a waitress.

"It's okay," I shrugged. "You're in the middle of a crazy case. I was talking to Ziva while you and Tony were interviewing that suspect today. She says that someone is drugging recruits at Norfolk. That's crazy. And sad."

"Yeah," he sighed as he slipped off his suit coat. "It's been a rough one."

I reached over and grabbed his hand. He smiled as he lifted our intertwined hands to his lips and kissed my knuckles. We went through lunch, talking about small things and making small decisions. We jumped when there was a weird sound, echoing down the street.

"What was. . ." I started to ask as Tim and I stood up.

"I don't know," Tim said, grabbing his gun. Suddenly a truck drove by and someone rolled down the window. I froze when I saw the gun.

"Get down!" Tim yelled as they started firing. I ducked under the table and was suddenly hit with the fear of Tim being shot.

"Tim?" I said, still hiding. "Are you. . . Are you still there?"

"I'm here, baby," Tim yelled over the sounds of shotguns. "Stay down."

I held my breath as I waited for the shooting to stop. When it did, I slowly stood up. I got lightheaded as I took in the scene.

"They're gone," Tim said as he holstered his gun. "I should call Gibbs. It could have to do with our case. Y/N, are you. . ." His question got caught in his throat when he turned and saw me clutching my right shoulder.

"Tim?" I stuttered.

"Y/N!"

In seconds, Tim was at my side. I didn't know what to do as he checked to see if the bullet had gone straight through my shoulder. I gasped in pain when he put pressure on both wounds.

"It's going to be okay, Y/N," he tried to soothe me. "Just hang on."

"It hurts," I said with tears in my eyes.

"I know, baby. I know." He wrapped his arms around me and led me to a nearby table. He sat me down, grabbed two napkins, and put pressure on my shoulder.

We sat like that for what felt like hours until the police got there.

"McGee!"

We looked up to see Tim's team running towards us.

"Are you two alright?" Gibbs asked.

"Y/N was shot," Tim said, not letting go of my shoulder.

"Ducky!" Gibbs yelled. I smiled weakly when Ducky and Palmer came running toward us.

"Y/N, my dear," Ducky smiled as if nothing was wrong. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I've been better," I tried to joke.

"Thank you, Timothy, but Palmer and I can take it from here."

Tim hesitated before letting me go. The second he did, Ducky swooped in and started looking my wound over.

"Umm, I'm not sure how to ask this, my dear," Ducky chuckled.

"Go ahead and ask, doctor," I tried to say without sounding like I was in pain.

"Are you wearing an undershirt?"

"Ducky!" Gibbs and Tim both yelled.

"I am perfectly okay with that question," Tony smirked. Tim glared at him and Gibbs hit him on the back of the head.

"Is there a reason for that question, Doctor Mallard?" I asked.

"It'll be easier to examine your wound and patch you up without your shirt, but if you weren't wearing an undershirt, I would take you somewhere more private and without the eyes of Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo."

"I appreciate that," I giggled.

"Me too," Tim said, still glaring at Tony.

I started to take off my shirt but gasped in pain. "Hang on, my dear," Ducky said gently. "Let me help you."

"Does DiNozzo have to watch me undress?" I tried to joke.

"No, he doesn't," Gibbs said. "Tony, go talk to witnesses."

"Ms. Y/N is a witness."

"Other witnesses," Gibbs snapped. "Now, DiNozzo, or I'll lock you in the back of the truck."

"Talking to other witnesses, boss."

Once Tony was gone, Ducky started to help me take off my shirt. I ignored the embarrassment flooding my body as Gibbs, Ziva, and Palmer watched as Ducky looked at my shoulder. Tim was pacing nervously as Ducky did his best to patch my shoulder.

"We need to get you to a hospital, my dear," Ducky said as he finished covering my wound. "I'm afraid both wounds need to be stitched up before you lose too much blood. I suggest a nice clean surgery suite. I know a surgeon at the nearby hospital. Best in the country. I'll put a call through to him and he'll have a room ready before you get there."

"Thanks, Ducky." I started to sit up but instantly got woozy. Everyone jumped toward me but Ducky and Tim caught me.

"She's lost too much blood, Jethro," Ducky said. "She needs to get to a hospital. Now."

"McGee, take her." Gibbs tossed Tim his keys before saying, "Take my car. We'll meet you at the hospital as soon as we can."

Tim instantly wrapped his arms around me and led me to Gibbs' car. He helped me in the front seat and knelt down. He gently cupped my face in his hand and kissed me.

"Everything's going to be okay, baby," he whispered. "I promise."

I leaned my head against the headrest as Tim ran around to the driver's side. I could barely stay awake as he drove us to the hospital. I woke up to Tim helping me out of the car and into the hospital.

"Agent McGee?"

We looked up to see a doctor jogging towards us. "This must be Y/N. Doctor Mallard already called. Right this way, Ms. Y/N. We will get you all patched up."

"Please come and get me the moment you can," Tim said.

"I promise you will be the first person I find," the doctor smiled.

The doctor gently took me from Tim. I looked over my shoulder and tried to send him a smile to reassure him I was fine. He sent me one back.

* * * * *

The doctor sewed up both wounds and put my arm in a sling, but the news he just told me distracted me from the pain in my shoulder. He was finding Tim which gave me too much alone time to think this through.

"Y/N!" Tim ran in and wrapped his arms around me. He pulled away and started scanning me. "Are you alright? How are you feeling?"

"Tim," I stuttered. "There's something. . . The doctor found something."

"Found something?"

"I'm not saying that you need to live in a bubble now that you're pregnant, Ms. Y/N," the doctor said as he walked in, "but maybe just when your fiancé is working a dangerous case."

"Now that she's. . . What?" Tim stuttered.

The doctor looked up, just realizing that Tim had joined me. "I'll let you two talk," he smiled before leaving again.

"I guess I'm pregnant," I said with a small chuckle. I gasped when Tim wrapped his arms around me again.

"You're pregnant," he whispered.

"We're pregnant," I gently corrected. He pulled out of the hug and gently cupped my face in his hand. I watched as his smile slowly fell. "What's wrong?"

"You got caught in the crossfire," he said under his breath. "You, my fiancée, got caught in the crossfire. Our baby got caught in the crossfire."

"Tim, stop," I said quickly to stop his spiral before it got any worse. "When we first started dating, I knew that what you did was dangerous. I also knew and still know that you will protect me no matter what. This was not your fault, Tim."

"I'm not going to let something like this happen again," he promised. "You and our baby will always be safe, Y/N, I promise."

"I believe you."

[sarahsmi13s]

Hesitation

(gif not mine)

pairing: jake ‘hangman’ seresin x fem pilot!reader (last name: abbott, call sign: medusa)

characters: jake seresin, reader, the dagger squad + maverick and warlock, leroy jethro gibbs, ziva david, timothy mcgee, anthony dinozzo junior, donald mallard (ducky), james palmer, abby scuito, secnav, male villian!oc - Cole Cooke

warnings: THIS FIC IS 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, language, death, SA, torture, abuse (not by hangman), car accident (mentioned), vomiting, guns, canon violence, i’m sorry if i missed any, please let me know and I will add it to the list

word count: ~10.6k (i-i don’t know what to tell you)

a/n: the NCIS team will consist of Gibbs, McGee, DiNozzo, and Ziva (mainly because that’s the season i’m currently on) and the Dagger Squad is temporarily stationed at Oceana

like mentioned in the warning, this fic contains sensitive themes, reader discrection is advised

**********

The Gibbs Team looked at the plasma, looking over the military file displayed on it.

Tony crossed his arms over his chest and got closer to the screen, “She’s pretty, real pretty.” “She’s missing DiNozzo,” Gibbs said, walking into the bullpen with his coffee. “How did you-” Gibbs just stared at him. “Nevermind.”

McGee rolled his eyes before turning to the screen. “Lieutenant Y/N ‘Medusa’ Abbott was reported UA this morning by her captain, Captain Pete Mitchell.” Ziva spoke up, “She’s a Naval Aviator, graduated top of her class and has flown several high profile missions.” “She also was a TOP GUN graduate, graduating in the number one spot there as well,” Tony added.

“She got a backseater?” Gibbs asked. “Uh, no, not anymore,” Tim said, looking down at the ground. “Not anymore?” The image changed to one of a photo of Y/N and her backseater. “Lieutenant Jordan Winters was in a car accident in 2018. He was in a coma for a month, when he woke up the damage to his legs had been so severe that he was discharged,” Tony elaborated.

Gibbs nodded, “What about her wingman?” Ziva pressed the clicker, “Lieutenant Jacob Seresin, call sign ‘Hangman’; also graduated top of his class and graduated from TOP GUN in the number one slot.” Tony winced, “Wonder what he did to earn a call sign like that.” Ziva chuckled, “I can think of a few things.”

A smack sounded out in the bullpen.

Ziva and Tony rubbed the back of their heads. “Right, sorry boss.”

“We need to talk to her squadron, Captain Mitchell, and Admiral Bates,” he walked around his desk and grabbed his coffee. “DiNozzo, you’re with me.” “Gibbs, why are we looking into this? She’s only been UA a few hours, that’s not really enough to classify her as missing,” Ziva questioned. “My gut.”

As Gibbs and Tony got into the elevator, “McGee, I want a BOLO out for her vehicle.” “Yes, Boss.”

********

After flashing their badges to the gate they went into the training facility.

“How can I help you guys?” The secretary asked as he looked up from his computer. “Do you know where we can find Admiral Bates?” “He should be in his office, he’s expecting you.” Gibbs nodded and went down the hall.

He knocked and received a ‘come in’.

Gibbs walked in flashing his badge, “Admiral Bates? Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS. This is Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo.” Warlock stood, “Glad you could make it here so soon. I know Captain Mitchell called it in, but he was ordered to start training as usual.” “Is he on the ground?” Warlock nodded, “Yes, as are the rest of the pilots. If you’ll follow me I can show you the way.”

As he led the way, they asked him questions. Like what Y/N was like, what her relationship was with her squad and her commanding officers. And Warlock had nothing but positive responses.

They entered the hangar seeing the pilots sitting casually, standing at attention when the Admiral entered the room.

“You may be seated.” Warlock gestured to the agents, “They are Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo. They’re from NCIS.”

Payback sat up with a furrowed brow, “NCIS? What happened?” Warlock sighed, “As you all know, Lieutenant Abbott did not report this morning. They’re here to ask you all some questions.”

Gibbs turned to Maverick, “Captain, I’d like to speak with you first.” “Of course, my office is this way.”

******

In Maverick’s office, Gibbs asked him questions about Y/N.

“You called this in very early, why?” Maverick sighed, “Med- Lieutenant Abbott, has never been UA and has barely ever called in sick. I’ve had to send her home a few times actually.” Tony nodded before asking his own question, “So, there is no possibility that she’s late?” “No, sir.”

Maverick sighed, “I just, I have this feeling that something’s very wrong. It’s in my gut, and my gut is usually right.” Tony and Gibbs shared a look, nodding.

“Is there anyone that might want to hurt her for any reason?” Tony asked. Pete shook his head, “Not that I know of. She’s loved by everyone on this squad and her past squads had nothing but nice things to say about her.” Gibbs sat up, “We need to personally talk with each of those pilots out there.” Mav nodded, “Of course, whatever you need.”

******

They spoke with Hangman first.

“What can you tell us about Lieutenant Abbott?” Gibbs asked. “She’s one of the best damn fighter pilots around. It’s an honor flying with her,” Jake answered honestly.

“You’ve flown with her for a while, nearly your whole career,” Tony pointed out. “Yes, sir. We were in another squadron together before being reassigned to this one.” Both nodded.

Gibbs glanced down at Y/N’s file. “She’s got a badass call sign. ‘Medusa’. Let me guess, you gave that to her?” Jake nodded, smiling at the memory, “I did.” “Why Medusa?” Jake chuckled, “Well, first she flies stone cold. If she ever gets hit on in a bar, the look she has could kill. She also loves mythology, it’s one of her hyperfixations.” He smiled as he remembered the last reason, “She’s got a sick Medusa tattoo on her thigh.”

Tony raised his brows, huffing in amusement.

Jake tensed at that, and Gibbs noticed, but didn’t mention it.

“You mentioned that she got hit on, do you think any of those guys would maybe try to hurt her because she rejected them?” DiNozzo asked. Hangman frowned a little, thinking, “No, most of them are usually drunk and just move on to the next girl.” “Were there any that didn’t move on?” He nodded, “A few, but they tend to move on when the rest of us size him up from across the room.”

“Has anything like that happened since you’ve been stationed here?” Gibbs asked. “No, mainly because she’s not too familiar with the area or the bars so she usually doesn’t go up to the bar alone.” “What about her stone cold stare?” Tony asked, a hint of mirth in his tone. “It still works, but some guys tend to take that as playing hard to get. So, one of us guys usually goes to the bar with her. If she needs to go to the bathroom, she goes with Phoenix or Halo.” They nodded, writing their notes down.

“What about her relationship with her backseater?” Jake chuckled, “Her and X-Ray are like brother and sister. She still visits him when she gets the chance.” Tony arched a quizzical eyebrow, “They’re still close?” He nodded, “The bond between pilot and wizzo is something else. When you’re in a plane together, your life rests entirely on the other person’s shoulders. They were a great team, I owe both of them my life.”

Gibbs nodded, “Seems like Lieutenant Abbott owes you her life as well. You’ve got two air-to-air kills, one of which was to save her life about 2 years ago.” Hangman nodded, “Yes sir. She was out of defense with no ammo, she had a bandit on her three o’clock.” “So, that’s when you swooped in and saved the day?” Tony asked, chuckling before cutting it off with a cough from a stare from Gibbs.

“Thank you Lieutenant Seresin, if we have more questions I need you to be available,” Gibbs said as they both stood. “Of course, sir,” Jake shook his hand, along with Tony’s before leaving.

********

The rest of the interviews went very similarly.

Everyone said basically the same thing. Medusa was never late, loved by every one of them, and had no known enemies. When at the bar no pursuers ever tried to follow her out.

While they didn’t get a lead to where she could be, they got an idea on who she is.

*******

As they drove back to NCIS, Gibbs’ phone rang.

“What ya got, McGee?” “Lieutenant Abbott’s vehicle was spotted in a ditch headed towards the air station. Sending the coordinates now,” McGee reports. “Ziva and I have already started that way.”

Tony nodded at Gibbs after checking his phone. Gibbs nodded back, “Okay, we’ll meet you and Ziva there.” He hung up and started driving to where Y/N’s car was spotted.

*******

They met up at the scene and began to process it.

“So, what are we looking at Boss?” DiNozzo asked as he photographed tire marks. “I’ll tell you when I know, DiNozzo.” “Right.”

Gibbs turned to Ducky, “Do you have a time of death, Ducky?” “Based on bruising, I’d say a day, maybe two.” They moved her body from the vehicle to the gurney to check her body temperature. “Her body temperature suggests the same.”

“How are we gonna tell the Dagger Squad?” Tony asked, watching Palmer wheel the gurney up to the truck. “How are we gonna tell her family?” “Her squadron is the only family she’s got, McGee,” Gibbs huffed and made his way back to the car.

*******

Jethro walked into autopsy, “You got a cause of death for me, Ducky?” Dr. Mallard went over to the x-rays, “Well, based on the bruising, and the position we found her in - Lieutenant Abbott died of asphyxiation. When she crashed into the tree, she was pinned by the steering wheel. Poor girl, her ribs were crushed and it could have taken hours for her to lose consciousness.” Gibbs turned to the autopsy table, walking over to the body on it.

He tilted his head as he looked at her face, squinting a little. “Did we get a positive ID on her?” “We found her ID, sir,” Palmer piped up. Gibbs just gave him a look before turning to Ducky, “Did we confirm that?” Ducky waved his finger, “I thought you were going to ask that, which is why I was going to suggest getting one of her colleagues to come up here to confirm.” “Why didn’t we just fingerprint her?”

Palmer came over, “We would have-” He turned her palm over, “Except she doesn’t have any.” Gibbs nodded, “Lieutenant Seresin mentioned she had a tattoo on her thigh. One of Medusa, said that’s how she got her call sign.”

Ducky nodded, “Ah! Yes, Medusa.” He moved the cloth of her leg, showing the tattoo there. “Beautiful work of art, truly.”

Gibbs’ phone rang, “Yeah Abbs?” “I think I’ve got something fishy with the Lieutenant’s car.” He nodded, “On my way.”

Ducky looked down at her body, “Call it a gut feeling my dear, but something about you just doesn’t line up.”

*******

Gibbs and Tony walked into the garage, “What you got Abby?”

The scientist popped up from behind the door. “Something that doesn’t line up.” He rose a brow, “And that is?” She enthusiastically waved him over.

“Look at the interior.” He did. “It’s covered in glass, Abbs.” “Exactly!” Tony laughed, “Abby, that’s normal for a crash.” Abby held up a finger, “But the lack of blood is not!”

Gibbs furrowed his brow and looked at the interior more closely.

There truly was not enough blood in that car for it to have been a proper crash. There was little blood on the air bag, the seat, the windows- anywhere blood would be, there was small amounts.

Gibbs looked at the crime scene photos, seeing the little amount of blood on her body.

“The lack of blood suggests-” “She was dead before the car hit the tree,” Gibbs said as he turned to walk to the elevator.

Abby quickly followed him, “Gibbs wait!” “What?” She smiled at his expectant expression. “I was checking the brake pedal and I found this,” she held up an evidence jar. He sighed and grabbed the jar, shaking it a little, “What is this?” She took it back, “I’m thinking it’s cinder block. I’m gonna run tests to be sure, and on the trace amounts of blood as well.”

Gibbs smiled, “Good work, Abby.”

*****

Gibbs walked into the squad room the next day, he really hadn’t left the building, going over every detail he could find on Lieutenant Abbott. Also staying for the autopsy of her body, learning that she had in fact died somewhere else two days prior to the day she was found. And results from the residue found in the floorboard were confirmed to be cinder block

He was still waiting on the results of the blood analysis.

As if on cue, his phone rang. “Gibbs.” “The blood results came back and you won’t believe-” That’s all he needed before he hung up and went to the elevator.

*******

Walking in with a Caf-POW, Gibbs went over to Abby at her lab computer.

“Tell me something, Abbs,” he said, sitting the drink down. “I can do better than that.”

She pulled up the blood test, both from the body and what she pulled off the airbag. “These blood samples don’t match.” Gibbs furrowed his brow, “So there was someone else in the car?” Abby shook her head, “Nope. This blood-” She held up a vile taken from the body. “Does not match this blood.” She held up the swab Ducky took from where Medusa’s nose bled. “When I ran a test on this swab, I couldn’t find a match. So, I requested this.”

Abby took a breath, allowing Gibbs to ask questions. “So whose blood is this?” “I’m glad you asked.” She pulled up another test, showing a positive match. “What is this?” “When I learned the blood pulled off the Lieutenant’s skin didn’t match what was taken out of her body, I ran what I found on the airbag against both. What was found on the airbag matches what was taken off her skin.”

Gibbs nodded, “Do we have any idea on whose blood that is?” “Not who,” Abby smirked, turning to her evidence table. “Animal?” “Nope.” Gibbs exhaled impatiently, “Then what is it, Abby?”

“Based on the theory we had about her being dead before the crash, I tested the blood for red dye. And I found that both samples, the ones taken from both the air bag and her skin, contained Red Dye 40.” “That’s food coloring.” Abby nodded, “Yup! The blood in the vehicle is fake. Our Lieutenant was murdered before the crash.” Gibbs kissed her cheek, “Good work, Abbs.”

*******

“McGee, go get Lieutenant Seresin. Bring him in for questioning, but don’t tell him why,” Gibbs said as he walked around his desk.

Tim stood up, “Uh, but do I get to know why we’re bringing him in?” Gibbs looked up at him, “Because Lieutenant Abbott was murdered.”

*****

Hangman sat in interrogation, toothpick in his mouth as he tapped on the table.

Gibbs walked in and Jake looked up, taking the pick out of his mouth. “Lieutenant Seresin,” Gibbs nodded to him. “Agent Gibbs,” Jake nodded back.

It was silent for a moment, Hangman waiting for the agent to speak.

“When did you last see Medusa, Hangman?” Gibbs looked up from the file on the table. “Sunday night, around 2200, sir.” “That’s late, you both weren’t in your dorms?” Jake shook his head, “No sir. The squad went out to the bar that night, sir. Y/N and I went to our rental on base at 2130.” “You lived together?” Hangman nodded, “Yes, sir. We’re dating, sir.”

Gibbs leaned on the table, “Dating?”

“Yes sir.” “Was this not an issue with you being in the same squadron?” “We were dating before joining the Navy, sir. Grew up together.” “And you aren’t married yet?” Jake exhaled through his nose, his jaw clenching a little.

Gibbs smirked a little as he watched Hangman’s eyes fall to the table. “What happened Sunday night? Did you and Y/N get into a fight that night?” Jake swallowed, looking Gibbs in the eye, “Yes sir.” “About what?”

“A girl at the bar had flirted with me-” “Did you flirt back?” Jake looked at Gibbs incredulously, “Of course not.” “Then why did you fight with Medusa?” Jake rubbed his face, “When I turned the girl down, she laid it on thicker. Y/N claimed her territory.” Gibbs nodded and began writing, “I assume you left after that?” He nodded, “Yes sir.”

“What happened when you got home, Lieutenant?” Jake sniffed and rubbed his nose, “Medusa was giving me the cold shoulder, which I’m not entirely surprised about. I tried to get her to talk and when she did, it escalated. And she asked me a question, one that I hesitated to answer.” “Was the question,” Gibbs played with his pen. “When you were gonna marry her?”

Hangman nodded, “Yes sir. She said she was tired of having to show ‘barrack bunnies’ that I’m taken. That if we were married, it’d stop them. I told her a ring doesn’t stop them, if anything they try harder… Then she asked if I ever planned on marrying her, and I hesitated.” “That’s when she left?” “Stormed out the door and left. I needed to talk about it, so I called my buddy Rooster and he came by. He stayed over because I wasn’t sure if Medusa was going to stay with Phoenix or not. She didn’t come home or show up on base.”

Gibbs cleared his throat, “She didn’t come home because she was in a car accident, ran off the road and smashed into a tree.”

He could see Jake’s heart plummet as the words left his mouth. “Is-is she okay?” Gibbs shook his head, hesitating to pull out the photos but laid them out anyway, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. She was found dead in the driver’s seat.” Jake looked down at the photos and covered his mouth, “Is she here?” Gibbs nodded, “She’s in autopsy.” “Can I see her? Please?”

******

Tony and Ziva watched the interrogation through the glass.

“Do you think he’s telling the truth?” He asked, looking down at Ziva. “About seeing her Sunday night?” She looked up at DiNozzo, laughing a little, “Or that they were a couple?” He scoffed, “I know that’s a lie. Dating for nearly 15 years and they aren’t married, there’s no way.”

Ziva looked back and saw how torn up Jake looked. She sobered up, “I think he’s telling the truth. Gibbs does too.”

******

Gibbs took Jake to autopsy, “Ducky, I’ve got a second opinion to confirm Lieutenant Abbott’s ID.”

“Oh, who might this charming young man be?” Ducky asked, walking up to Jake. Hangman held his hand out, “Lieutenant Jake Seresin, you can call me Hangman.” Ducky smiled and shook his hand, “Doctor Mallard, everyone calls me Ducky.” Jake couldn’t help but chuckle, “I think you’d like my friend.” “Is he also a medical examiner?” Hangman shook his head, chuckling, “No, he’s also a bird.”

Gibbs smirked from behind his coffee, before following Ducky and Hangman.

“I must warn you, Lieutenant, the crash made matching her to her ID through facial recognition difficult.” Ducky pinched the cloth in his fingers, waiting for Jake’s confirmation that this is what he wanted. “Please, Doctor Mallard.”

Ducky moved the sheet, exposing her face. Jake inhaled sharply, hesitantly reaching out, pausing. “You may touch her, Jacob.” Jake ran his index finger along the side of her face. “Oh, Sugar… I’m so sorry..”

Both Ducky and Gibbs watch tears fill Jake’s eyes before he furrows his brows. “What’s wrong Jake?” Gibbs asked, tilting his chin up. “It’s just- Y/N has a scar. Right here,” Hangman used his pinky to trace a line from just below her cheek bone to a spot on her neck. “She got it last year. She tried to break up a bar fight and got grazed by a broken bottle.” “Are you sure it hasn’t faded?” Jake shook his head, pulling out his phone, finding a photo from Sunday night before the fight.

He gave it to Ducky, who zoomed in on the photo, seeing the scar in the exact place it was supposed to be.

“Can you show me her tattoos?” Gibbs arched a brow, “Tattoos?” He looked at Ducky, “Why didn’t you say she had more than one?” “Because we only had one to go off of.” Gibbs nodded, “Yeah, the important one!”

Jake arched a brow, looking between the two before Ducky smirked and turned back to him and lifted the sheet. Jake’s eyes scanned her body, matching every tattoo to the ones he had committed to memory. He shuddered, covering his mouth, “It’s her.”

Gibbs inhaled through his nose, shoulders rising a little before he exhaled. “Lieutenant, can anyone confirm that Lieutenant Abbott was at the bar on Sunday?” Jake’s eyes shot up to the marine, “I don’t understand, you said this was a car accident.” “Answer the question, Hangman.” Jake stood straight at the tone Gibbs had, “The Dagger Squad, or the bartender at the Siren’s Cave, sir.”

******

Ziva and Tony headed to the air station to talk to the squad and McGee went to the bar to get surveillance.

“Lieutenant Machado, can you confirm that Lieutenants Seresin and Abbott were at the Siren’s Cave Sunday night?” Ziva asked, sitting across from Coyote. “Yeah, Medusa beat me twice at 9-ball.”

“Lieutenant Bradshaw, Lieutenant Seresin said that he called you to come over after the fight he had with Lieutenant Abbott. Did you pass her on your way to their home?” Tony asked Rooster. “Yeah, she passed the bar as I was leaving.”

Tony called Gibbs to relay the information.

******

Gibbs opened the interrogation room door.

“Everyone confirmed seeing you both at the bar on Sunday night. Lieutenant Bradshaw confirmed that he saw her on his way to your house. You can go.” Jake stood up, “Can I get her tags, sir?” Gibbs nodded and jerked his head for Hangman to follow him.

They went down to Abby’s lab.

“Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!” Abby came over, startling Jake a little. She paused, noticing him, “Hi, I’m Abby, forensic scientist.” He smiled, “Lieutenant Jake Seresin, friends call me Hangman.” “Oooh, a pilot- wait, you’re…” She trailed off as she realized who Jake was.

She hugged him, “Oh, I’m so sorry.” Jake glanced at Gibbs, who was smiling at him and shrugging, before hugging her back. “Thank you, Abby.”

When she pulled away she looked at Gibbs, waiting for him to speak. “If you’ve processed them, I need Lieutenant Abbott’s dog tags out of evidence and given to Lieutenant Seresin,” Gibbs told her. Abby frowned, “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” Jake swallowed and nodded, “I understand if you need to keep them for any reason. I just-” “No!” Abby cut him off. “No, it’s not that I still need them. I don’t have them.” Jake tilted his head, “That can't be right, we never take them off.”

“Abby, I’ll be back. Lieutenant, I need to talk to you.” Gibbs ushered Jake out of Abby’s lab and to the elevator.

“Agent Gibbs, there’s something you’re not telling me. Was my wingman murdered?” Jake hissed as soon as the doors closed. Gibbs pressed the button for the squad room, sighing as he looked at Jake and stopped the elevator, “The body in autopsy is three days old. Y/N left your house on Sunday night.” Jake’s jaw slacked, “There’s a chance she’s alive?” Gibbs clenched his jaw, “Yeah. So I want to know who went through all the trouble to find a damn near perfect body double and replicate her tattoos to make it look like she died, and I wanna know why.”

******

Your head stayed down when the door opened.

“Oh come on, Y/N.” The cold metal of the blade under your chin made you raise your head. “There she is.”

*******

“Is there anyone in Y/N’s past that would want to hurt her?” Jake shook his head, chewing a toothpick as he paced through the squad room, “I don’t know.” “Come on, Hangman, think.” Jake clenched his jaw so hard he broke his toothpick, “I’m sorry if I can’t think of a single person that would have it out for the sweetest woman on the damn planet, Agent DiNozzo!”

Gibbs' phone rang, “Gibbs.” “I’ve got something!” He hung up and stood, “Abby’s lab now.”

Everyone, including Jake, went to Abby’s lab.

“Show me what you got Abbs.” She grinned at him and turned to her computer. “Just to be thorough, I found the Facebook pages of the tattoo shops Medusa got her tattoos at. I found the posts where she tagged them, and matched them with the photos taken in autopsy of her tattoos. And-” The team watched on the plasma as the photos layered over one another. “They don’t line up,” McGee finished for Abby.

“I also called the tattoo shops and learned they all use different ink. And all of the tattoos on our Jane Doe use the same ink.” “So this just further proves the fact that that body isn’t Lieutenant Abbott.” “Yes, but the fact it’s all the same ink means it’s easier to trace, Boss,” McGee spoke up.

Gibbs nodded and moved to leave, “Well, trace it McGee!” “I already did, Boss.” Gibbs stopped and turned, finding a smiling Probie.

He tossed his arms to the side, “Are you wanting a microphone?” Tim shook his head, “Sorry, Boss. First, Abby found the brand of ink, and then I was able to find where it’s sold. Turns out you can find it on Amazon, along with a tattoo machine. Ducky also noticed that, upon closer inspection, that the tattoos were in the healing stage. So I narrowed the search to purchases made two weeks ago and delivered to addresses in Virginia.”

McGee turned back to his computer, and everyone went to the plasma.

“Both were delivered to a: Hannah Nicholson.” Gibbs turned to Jake, “Lieutenant, does that name sound familiar to you?” Hangman shook his head, “No, never heard of her.”

Abby came up, “No, but you’ve seen her.” She clicked her remote and someone that looked similar to you was pulled up. “Hannah Nicholson is our Jane Doe.”

*******

You gritted your teeth as a slap was delivered to your face.

“When I’m done with you, your career will be over. You’ll never be in the sky again.” You laughed, like actually laughed, “You can’t be serious. Ruin my career? I’m a part of the best of the best, you could never keep me-” You grunted as he punched you in the gut.

The man squatted to be eye level with you, “Don’t get smart now, Y/N.” “Well, you could definitely benefit from getting smart. Don’t you think? You fake my death with a car accident and then send a video to NCIS of you with me, very much alive?” You arched a brow at him, “Not very smart-” He cut you off with a punch to the face, sending your chair, and you, to the floor.

*******

The next day while Jake was on base, he got an email sent to his phone. When he checked it and saw it was a video with you tied to a chair as a thumbnail.

“Maverick,” Jake didn’t hesitate to burst into his Captain’s office, not caring who may be in there. “Lieutenant-” “I need you to take me to NCIS.” (Jake was shaking too much to drive himself) Maverick stood, glancing at Warlock for a moment, “Why, Hangman?” Jake just turned his phone around and showed him the email.

Both Mav and Warlock looked at the phone. “Go, Captain, I’ll take over training for today.”

******

When they arrived, Jake had no hesitation to go right up to the squadroom.

“Lieutenant Seresin? What are you doing here?” McGee asked, being the first to see him. “Where’s Agent Gibbs?” Tony spun in his chair to get up, “Coffee run.”

He walked up to Hangman, “As senior field agent, I’d be more than happy to help.” Jake chuckled, tapping his palm with his phone, not really in the mood for putting up with Tony’s arrogance. “I’d prefer to speak to Agent Gibbs.” “Well, like I said, he’s not here. And I’m much better at-”

“At what, DiNozzo?” Gibbs said, standing next to the agent and the pilot as he sipped his coffee.

Tony stuttered to respond, making Jake smirk a little. “Have you ID’d the man Hannah met online?” “Not yet, boss.” “Then why are you standing here?” “Well, I was- uh- I was just- I’ll get right on that boss.”

Hangman and Maverick shared a look, before Gibbs spoke to them. “Lieutenant Seresin, I take it you have something for me?”

*******

“Well, you could definitely benefit from getting smart. Don’t you think? You fake my death with a car accident-”

“God, Medusa, stop talking…” Jake mumbled to himself. The group winced when you got punched in the face and your chair fell over.

Gibbs grunted a little, “Get this video to Abby. I want her to analyze every frame of that video. And who sent it to Lieutenant Seresin.” “On it, Boss,” McGee said, emailing it and then following his email.

Jake rubbed his face and sat down. He threw his head back and bit his lip. Maverick knelt down in front of him, “Hangman?”

Jake sniffed and looked down at his captain. “What is she thinkin’, Mav? Antagonizing him like that? That’s not how we were trained to handle situations like this.” “She’s not thinking, she’s just doing.” Jake scoffed, “As comforting as I assume that was supposed to be, it’s not even remotely easing my nerves.”

Ziva perked up, “Wait, what if she wasn’t taken because of the mission?” Tony nodded, “That would explain why she’s being so sassy. It’s not intel, it’s revenge”

*******

“Agent Gibbs!”

The crowd turned to the voice, seeing Director Vance upstairs. “SecNav would like to speak to you. MTAC now.”

As Gibbs made the stairs Vance noticed the two khaki uniforms in the squadroom, but simply nodded at them as they walked into MTAC.

“Agent Gibbs.” “Mister Secretary.” “One of the best naval aviators that just flew a high profile mission is missing. I was told you were on the case.” Gibbs nodded, “Yeah.” “Do you have any leads?” “No.” “Agent Gibbs, you do understand that if anything about that-” “He doesn’t care about the mission. He only cares about Lieutenant Abbott. It’s personal for him.” “So you know who he is?” Gibbs shook his head, “No, but based on the video sent to Lieutenant Seresin, he hasn’t asked any questions related to any mission.” SecNav nodded, “Okay. But Gibbs?” The marine raised a brow. “Get her back, the Navy needs her.”

*******

“You know, you ruined my life that day,” the masked man said as he played with his knife.

Your head lolled to the side, your exhaustion from the beatings taking a toll on you now. “What are you talking about?” “Do you not remember me?” He stood and you gritted your teeth as you forced your head up to look him in the eye. “Obviously not. Should I?” You winced as he pressed into a cut on your shoulder.

“Yeah, you should.” He pulled off his mask to reveal a face you haven’t seen since he got kicked out of the Academy.

“C-”

********

“Cole Cooke,” McGee said, pulling up Cooke’s old Naval Academy file. “Abby was able to find him because the email he used to send the video to Hangman, he used on an online dating site where he met Hannah.” Jake stood up, “Wait, Cooke?” The team parted to let him get a closer look. 

The pilot's face morphed into anger.

Anger that the marine recognized.

“What’d he do, Lieutenant?” Jake had fire in his eyes when he looked at Gibbs. “He sexually assaulted her and three other girls. Y/N’s the one that reported him.” Tim nodded, “And that’s what got him kicked out of the Naval Academy and blacklisted from the military.” “He wasn’t arrested?” Jake clenched his jaw, “He was, but he got out on good behavior.” 

Jake’s phone went off with a notification, an email to be more accurate. 

He dropped it onto McGee’s desk. “I don’t understand, why would he send these to me?” “You’re her boyfriend, Lieutenant, this can just be another form of revenge. He wants to get back at her for reporting him and, in turn, ruining his chances at a military career,” Ziva said, crossing her arms as McGee transferred the videos.

“He ruined his career all on his own, Agent David. Y/N just got a scumbag out of the service,” Jake huffed rubbing his forehead. “Nobody liked him, he was cocky. Always thought he was better than he is.” Tony chuckled, “Isn’t that the main trait of a naval aviator?” 

“They have something to back it up with, DiNozzo,” Gibbs said. “The only thing Cooke has to back him up is a record of being a dirtbag.” 

He looked at McGee, “Play it.”

You looked worse than before and Jake felt sick to his stomach. “Oh my god.” 

They watched him squat in front of you, twirling the knife he just cut you with in his hand. Jake’s jaw was clenched as he watched your head fall to the side as slow breaths made your chest move.

“You know, you ruined my life that day,” Cooke said. Your face scrunched in pain as you took a deep breath, “What are you talking about?” Cole stood and tipped your head back with a harsh grip on your chin, “Do you not remember me?” You scoffed, “Obviously not. Should I?” He moved the hand holding your chin to press into the cut he had just placed here, making you wince. “Yeah, you should,” he ripped his mask off.

The look on your face Jake had only seen one other time and it was when you came to his dorm crying.

********

The banging pulled Jake from his book.

“Hold your horses!” He pulled the door open, coming face to face with you crying and looking absolutely terrified. “Sugar what’s wrong?” 

Your hands were shaking as you showed him your knuckles, bruised and cut up.

“I-I didn’t want– I told him I had a boyfriend- Ja-ake,” you broke down outside his door. “Hey, hey, I got you. You’re safe now.” You swallowed, “Jake, I need to go to the superintendent-the dean-someone.” 

He pulled you into his room to get you out of the prying eyes of other midshipmen. “Why? I need you to-” He finally took in your appearance, you were wearing a disheveled USNA t-shirt and athletic shorts. Bruises were forming on your wrist and your eye and lip. “What the fuck happened to you?” 

“You remember last semester when those two girls dropped out for no reason?” He nodded, “Yeah, the two freshman girls right?” You nodded, swallowing another wave of tears away. “I found out why…” Jake searched your eyes, “Why, Y/N?”

*****

“Cole Cooke…”

Jake was brought back to the present by your voice.

Cole laughed, pushing your shoulder, “That’s right, Y/N. Cole Cooke, the man’s who military career you ruined.” It was your turn to laugh, “Me? Ruin your career? You assaulted me! And those two first years! They quit because they were scared of you! Scared because you threatened to kill them if they told anyone!”

He punched you, sending you falling back. He grabbed you by the rope under your breast. “And you’re not scared that I’ll do the same to you now?”

You held your head up to look at him, blood pouring from your nose. “I would lie and say ‘no’. But guess what?” “What?” He spat through gritted teeth. You smiled with blood stained teeth, “I put you in jail once. It’s almost poetic that I’d do it again. Except this time, there won’t be a chance you’ll make it out.”

Cole growled and they all noticed his posture change, “Let’s play a game, Lieutenant.” You shifted forward to get in his face, gaze stone cold, “What do you suggest, Cooke?” The team could feel the venom dripping off your tone. “Hangman.”

The video stopped on the frame of your face falling once again to show fear, and the team turned to face the pilot who looked equally worried and pissed.

*****

You were hanging from the ceiling, your chin resting against your chest.

The door to the room you were in opened. You whimpered just a little when he brushed his fingers against your bruised ribs, “You didn’t hurt him, did you? Please… You can do whatever you want to me, but please leave Jake out of this…”

Cole hummed in your ear, “Anything I want, hmmm?” You glanced at the camera, before looking at the ground shamefully. A shaky and timid ‘yes’ fell from your lips. He let out an amused huff before his hands ran over your shirtless torso.

*****

Jake felt bile rise up his throat when you looked down in shame.

“What’s he gonna do to her?” McGee asked. Gibbs frowned, “What he tried to do 12 years ago.”

The anger and disgust rolled off the agents as Cooke’s hands ran down your body. When he got to your breast you jerked away out of reflex, earning a pull to your hair which made you cry out.

You were getting weaker by the hour and the team could tell. Jake could tell, and he hated it.

“You know, you only had the one tattoo at the academy,” he said, groping at the inked flesh of your thigh. Jake watched your lip quiver and you inhaled as best you could with your position. “I also found your back, extremely enticing,” Cooke ran his hand down your back. You gritted your teeth and looked behind you at him, “Is that because you’re too much of a coward to attack women from the front?”

That must have really pissed him off because he came around and started to punch you.

Jake stood up hastily and made a beeline to the elevator, “I can’t watch this anymore.”

Tony jogged after him, “Lieutenant Seresin! Hangman-” The doors closed when he got to them.

******

Jake just needed to get away and he was going to Abby’s lab.

When he stopped on her floor, he moved quickly to her lab but nearly ran into Ducky in the process. “I’m sorry, Doctor.” “In a hurry, Jacob?” Hangman chuckled nervously, “Yeah.” “Needed a breather, my boy?” “Sir?” “I saw the videos as Abby was analyzing them.”

Jake felt bile rise again and this time he couldn’t stop it. Ducky noticed and quickly helped him get to a trash can.

“Let’s get you someplace cooler,” Ducky ushered Jake back to the elevator.

******

Jake sat on one of the metal tables in Autopsy.

His khaki uniform shirt was neatly folded next to him as he sipped his water. “Thank you, Ducky.” The doctor nodded, “Of course. It can’t be easy, seeing the one you love like that.” Jake coughed a little, trying to force the emotion out of his throat, “It’s not.”

Ducky watched his eyes fall to his shoes, he could tell he felt guilty. “It’s not your fault, Lieutenant.” “I hesitated, Ducky. And since I hesi-” His voice cracked, tears finally slipping past his lids. “Since I hesitated she's having to relive the worst day of her life.”

Jake set the bottle down and used his white undershirt to wipe his eyes, “How long have you been together?” “Over 15 years…” Ducky nodded in understanding, “High school sweethearts.” Jake huffed out a laugh, “Childhood friends to high school sweethearts to USNA sweethearts.”

“Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but why aren’t you married?” Jake shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess it’s because we were already acting like a married couple, just without the license and the rings. I never thought about it.” Jake laughed and shook his head.

It was silent for a moment.

“She asked me if I was ever gonna marry her, and I hesitated. It was a question she asks me all the time, but this was the only time it was during a fight. It was the only time that my answer really mattered. And I hesitated… She left and was in a vulnerable enough state to let herself get taken.”

Ducky leaned on the table next to Jake, “Cooke was going to get to her one way or another.” “But I led her right to him.”

Jake looked at the doctor next to him, allowing Ducky to see how broken and tired he was. “I’m scared, Doctor Mallard.” “That’s perfectly normal, Jacob.” “I'm a damn fighter pilot, I’m supposed to be level headed, and right now… my head doesn’t even feel like it’s on my damn shoulders.”

“It’s normal to feel like that, Jake,” Gibbs said, leaning on the doorframe.

He walked over to the pilot, “She’s strong. She’s gonna fight to get back to you.” Jake rose a brow, sniffling as wiped his eyes, “Did you see her, Agent Gibbs? He was using her like a punching bag…” “She will make it out of this.” “How do you know?” “My gut.”

That was oddly comforting to Jake.

“Do you know the mythology behind Medusa?” Ducky inquired after a beat of silence. Jake chuckled again, remembering the nights throughout your lives that you would stay up and talk about mythology of all sorts for fun. Sometimes when he was having trouble sleeping, you’d tell him the story of some hero in mythology and he’d fall right asleep.

He sighed, “We’ve stayed up hours talking about mythology. But if I’m honest, I never really heard the words she said…” Both men knew what Jake was getting at; he was listening to your voice and watching your expressions as you told the stories.

Ducky just smiled, “Medusa was a priestess for Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war strategy, and had sworn celibacy. However, Medusa had gained the attention of Poseidon, and they-” “Had sex in Athena’s temple,” Jake said as he sipped his water. “That much I remember.” Both Gibbs and Ducky laughed a little at that.

“When Athena found out, she punished Medusa for breaking her celibacy by turning her into a ‘beast’ with the ability to turn men to stone.” Jake nodded, “Yeah, Y/N has the tendency to do that, whether it be with fear or with her beauty.” Jake couldn’t help but smile at the memory of him seeing you on prom night for the first time, he froze on your parents doorstep.

Ducky and Gibbs smiled as they saw the look in Jake’s eyes as he thought about you.

“She was killed by the hero Perseus, beheaded. Then her head was then used to protect those who had it in their possession. The image of her head was used on shields, breast plates, and more recently, tattoos.” Jake remembered you mentioning that as he held your hand as you got it, “She mentioned that when she got it. She was getting it because she thought it looked cool, makes her feel powerful; but she likes the extra meaning.”

Ducky rested a hand on Jake’s shoulder, “I know it may not look like it, but she is protecting herself.” Jake took in a deep breath and nodded.

********

They walked back into the squad room, the group sitting at their desks and making conversation.

“Go home,” Gibbs told them.

It was late. They’d been out all day talking to Cooke’s neighbors, his parents, his boss and coworkers. And the last video was sent just after sundown.

They were tired.

“But we haven’t found-” “I know that, Ziva.” McGee spoke up, “Abby’s trying to analyze the room she is in so we know what to look for. I tried to triangulate where he sent the emails from, but he was using public wifi at an internet cafe.” “We have no direction to go, Boss,” Tony said, not being able to look at Jake.

Gibbs turned to DiNozzo, “Which is why I’m telling you to go home. Get some rest.” Ziva inhaled through her nose and interlocked her hands, “Gibbs, we don’t know what Cooke is going to do next. We have zero time to waste.” “If Cooke wanted her dead, he would have killed her already,” Jake said, jaw clenched with his eyes trained on the floor. “Believe me, I’m worried. Hell, I’m terrified out of my mind right now.-”

“But we can’t make progress without leads. Cooke lives in a studio apartment, his parents disowned him, and he’s not shown up to work in days, we don’t have anything,” Gibbs said, frustration in his tone. “Go home, get some sleep.” His team begrudgingly got their things, all avoiding Jake’s eyes.

“You should get some sleep too, Lieutenant.” Jake chuckled dryly as he shook his head, “I don’t think I can, sir.” He ran his thumbs along the khaki of his uniform.

Plus Maverick had left, needing to be back on base. The only way Jake was getting back to base was by cab. Maverick also gave him as much time off as he needed.

“But- uh, I better head back to base though.” “In what, Lieutenant?” Jake shrugged, “A cab, I guess.” Gibbs shook his head, “Stay with me, Jake. It’s late. And I doubt you want to be in that house right now.” Hangman looked down at the floor, huffing out his nose and tonguing his lip.

“I know how you feel.” Jake looked up, green eyes swimming with curiosity as his brows pinched together. “When I was in Desert Storm, I was informed that my wife and daughter were dead. It was hard to even walk into my house, let alone sleep there.” Jake’s eyes widened slightly and he swallowed as his jaw ticked, “I’m sorry, sir. I can’t imagine what that must have felt like…” Gibbs nodded, “And I hope you never have to.” He patted Jake's shoulder, “Come on.”

******

Gibbs gave Jake a pair of sweats to change into.

They went to his basement, neither being able to sleep.

“So, you’re a Marine?” Jake asked, sipping his bourbon. “What gave it away?” Gibbs asked, smiling a little bit as he sanded the wood of the boat. “Other than you being in Desert Storm?” Gibbs turned, wiping his hands on a damp towel, nodding. “Everything.”

The marine let out a breathy, amused chuckle. “You know a lot of marines?” “I was raised by one. My father retired when I was 4 as a Sergeant, he was 38.” Gibbs sipped his bourbon, “Why’d he retire?” “Wanted to be there for us. He had a close call, he didn’t want to risk not coming home to us. His 20 years were up, so he retired.”

Gibbs nodded, looking at the boat before looking back at Jake. “You wanna help?” Jake looked up from his glass and between the boat and Gibbs. “Sure, yeah.” He downed what was left and Gibbs gave him a sander.

*******

Since Jake didn’t need to report to base, he just freshened up and Gibbs took him by the base rental to get some clothes.

He had forgotten his keys in his locker and had to call someone to bring them to him at the house. That someone was Rooster.

Jake got out of Gibb’s car and saw Bradley on the porch. He was sitting on the bench, one fist held by the other as he looked at the ground. Maverick had gotten permission to relay what had happened to you to the squad, and everyone had taken it hard.

Rooster looked up when Hangman shut his car door.

They immediately met in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Jake.” “I’m scared, Rooster. I didn’t even-” Bradley pulled back and held Jake by the shoulders, “Hey, they’re gonna find her. Say it to her then.”

Gibbs came up beside them, nodding at Rooster before they went inside.

Jake didn’t want to be there longer than he needed to be so once it was opened, he booked it to the bedroom.

Bradley and Gibbs stood at the island in the kitchen. “They didn’t decorate much.” Rooster shrugged, looking around, “We aren’t here for long. They didn’t see the need to bring a whole lot.” “If you aren’t here for long, then why’d they rent the house?” Rooster chuckled, “They wanted their privacy.” Gibbs chuckled and glanced at his watch.

Hangman was taking longer than he said.

Gibbs went down the hall and found Jake sitting on the side of the bed. He had changed into a pair of his own sweatpants and a green t-shirt. Jethro knew what he was looking at, even with his back to him and from the door.

“Ask her.”

Jake chuckled humorlessly, “After this…” He shook his head, “I doubt she'll say yes.” “Ah, I don’t know about that.” Hangman sniffled, “I messed up…” Gibbs nodded, moving to sit next to him. “Yeah, you did, big time.” Jake shook his head.

“But this is how you fix it.” Gibbs pointed to the ring box. Jake swallowed, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, “I wanted to wait, ask her on my family's ranch where we had danced in my headlights to George Strait. I had this big plan. Just a private thing, but special…” “Plans change. Sometimes you have to adapt.” “Yeah.” “So ask her.”

Jake turned and looked at him, nodding at him. He stood from the bed and slid the box into his pocket. He grabbed the small stack of clothes next him and they left.

“Agent Gibbs?” Gibbs and Jake looked over at where Bradley was at his Bronco. “When you find her, give us a call?” The agent nodded, “Yeah, I’ll give ya a call.”

*******

When Jake and Gibbs got to NCIS, nothing had changed yet.

No new video. Abby was still working on room measurements, and no one had seen Cole.

Until McGee’s computer went off. Everyone’s head turned, and Jake felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. “It’s Cooke.” “Pull the video up McGee.”

You were still hanging from the ceiling, Cole running his hands over your torso.

The camera was a little closer, and it showed the tear tracks on your face.

“You know,” you spoke, voice shaky and raw. “I’m gonna need a drink after this. Yeah, whiskey sounds really nice.” Cole just grunted and pulled you back against him. You whimpered a little bit, definitely feeling gross because of what was happening. “Or an Oscar. Maybe two.”

“The hell’s an oscar?” Tony asked out of reflex, glancing at Jake, but he was just as confused.

Cole grunted into your neck, “Shut up.” “Have you ever been to the delta?” He stayed silent but reached over to yank the rope and pull you up higher. You swallowed, glancing at the camera, “Me either, but I’ve been to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I went there with Hangman on a weekend getaway after a rough deployment. My uncle has a cabin up there. God, that weekend was so fun. I love Jake, I love him so much…” You kept your eyes on the camera to make sure that Jake knew that you’d love him. The video stopped just as Cooke pulled your hair back, making you yelp.

Jake cleared his throat, nodded, “Yeah, that weekend was fun… Wait, we didn't go to the Sierras; we weren’t even in California, we were in Arkansas.” Gibbs caught Jake’s eyes and that’s when they realized it.

“She’s using phonetics!”

The team's eyes grew wide in realization. “Whiskey, Oscar, Delta, Sierra,” McGee repeated. “W O D S?” Ziva spelled it out. “She said two oscars,” Tony pointed out.

“She’s in the woods,” Gibbs finished for them. Jake thought back to what you said, “She put emphasis on ‘cabin’.” “DiNozzo, check to see if Cooke’s parents owned or still own a cabin.” “On it Boss.”

His phone rang, “Yeah, Gibbs.” “Gibbs, I ran the measurement of the room. She seems to be in a cabin. Based on the dimensions it’s a family cabin, probably two or three bedrooms.”

“Boss, it seems Cooke’s parents own a lot of cabins,” Tony said just as Gibbs picked up his phone. “Did you narrow it down to Virginia?” McGee asked, brow arched. “Yes, McGeek, I did. Mr. Cooke owns two hunting cabins and a-” “Family cabin, two or three bedrooms,” Gibbs cut in.

“Yeah, they haven’t used it in years. It’s in Fletcher State Park.” Gibbs got up, “Get your gear, let’s go.” Jake watched them all grab their things.

“Agent David,” he called out before she got too far. “Yes, Lieutenant?” Jake grabbed the clothes he brought. “Here,” he held them out. “She’s in nothing but a bra and underwear, give her these.” Ziva hesitated to take it. “Please.” She heard the desperation in his voice and took them.

She went over to Tony and Tim. “You know, despite the odds, we may not-” “We will find her alive,” she glanced at the fabrics in her hands. “We have to.”

*******

You yanked down on the rope, crying out a little at the pain in your dislocated shoulder. You had honestly been scared of losing feeling in your hands, but he gave you a bit of a break when he was finished hurting you for the day and left you locked in one of the bedroom closets.

Your toes barely scraped the ground and the rope wasn’t going anywhere. You shivered in the cold damp air of the cabin. Only being in your underwear, the chill soaked into your bones. You were certain that if you didn’t die of whatever Cooke was doing to you, you might die from the cold.

Hearing tires outside the cabin, your heart sped up. You could only huff out small breaths as you heard footsteps outside the door on the porch.

It was his routine to get you set up for his next sick video, film it, and then leave to send it. You’d calculated the time it took for him to get back and it was getting close for time to him to be back.

But then there was banging on the door, followed by a gruff voice yelling, “NCIS!”

Your entire body relaxed. You were safe.

“I’m in here! Help me!” You called back, coughing a little.

The door frame splintered when the door was kicked in. “Lieutenant Abbott?” The agent asked, pistol drawn as he walked over to you.“Yes,” you breathed out. “Where’s Cooke?” You shook your head, “I don’t know but he’ll be back soon.”

“Please get me down from here. It’s hard to breathe,” you begged, tears of relief falling down your cheeks. You jerked your neck towards where Cole had secured the rope, “Ease me down, please.”

McGee was quick to loosen the rope and Ziva helped steady you once your feet were on the ground. “Can you walk?” She asked, gently placing her hand on your sternum. “I think so. I might need a little help.” The agent simply nodded and helped you outside.

Once you were outside the uneven ground and rocks caused you to stumble. Tim moved to help Ziva steady you but he jostled your dislocated shoulder. “Shit!” McGee looked panicked, “What’s wrong?” You gritted your teeth, “My shoulder, it’s dislocated. I tried to break the rope and pulled it out.”

You chuckled a little at his expression, “Hurt like a bitch. Can either of you pop it back in?” Ziva nodded and leaned you against the car. She got a proper grip and looked at you, “Ready?” You swallowed and nodded. She exaggerated a few breaths and when you matched she popped it back in.

“Holy shit! Sweet baby Jesus..”

You pushed off the car and threw up; all the pain catching up to you with the adrenaline rush. Ziva came up and held your hair out of your face.

Spitting out the last of the saliva in your mouth, you thanked her under your breath.

A coat was wrapped around your shoulders. You looked to see Gibbs rubbing your shoulder, a small smile on his face.

His fatherly nature was present and it allowed you to be vulnerable, finally allowing yourself to outright sob; mostly in relief. You fell into his chest and he caught you, hands moving to rub your back. He mumbled into your hair, “You’re safe. I got ya. I got ya.”

The sound of gravel shifting caught their attention.

Gibbs felt you tense under his touch, “Is that him?” You nodded, whimpering a little bit. He looked at Ziva, “Stay with her, cover the front. DiNozzo, McGee, go find cover on the right, I’ll get cover on the left. You’ll know what to do.”

Carefully, Gibbs placed you in Ziva’s hold and she placed you in the car for both warmth and cover.

When Cole finally reached the cabin, Ziva raised her weapon. “Cole Cooke! NCIS! Get out of the car-” He threw it in reverse just to be stopped by Tony and Tim. He tried to get out and make a break for the tree line but Gibbs stepped out. He quickly surrendered and was handcuffed.

With you in a separate vehicle they made the trip back to NCIS.

********

Jake paced the squad room. Abby was up there with him, trying to keep him calm.

He was mumbling things to himself out of worry and Abby was following him, trying to grab him by the shoulders. “Jake. Jake. Ja-”

She finally got a hold of him, and ducked her head a little bit to make sure he was looking at her.

“Jake, they will find her. They’re the best there is. I’m sure they already found her and are either on their way here or to a hospital.” Jake frowned, “She hates hospitals, especially being in them alone.” Abby shook her head, “She isn’t alone. Gibbs wouldn’t let her be alone. Y/N is safe, I can feel it.” Jake just nodded, slowly calming down.

The elevators dinged and he was on his feet, nearly giving himself whiplash as he turned.

But when he did all he saw was red.

Cooke was being escorted out in handcuffs by Tony and McGee. Abby couldn’t hold Jake back as he swiftly made his way over and landed a punch to Cole’s jaw. Neither agent bothered to stop the pilot as the one punch sent Cooke to the ground.

But as he went in for more, Gibbs gripped Jake and pulled him away. He had to fight Jake back to the bullpen, but he got him there.

“That asshole just punched me!” McGee and DiNozzo huffed as they harshly yanked him off the ground. “You’re lucky that’s all he did.” They dragged him to interrogation.

Jake’s nostrils flared as he exhaled, his chest still broadened in his display of dominance over Cole.

However, the adrenaline wore off as quickly as it appeared and Jake felt tears line his eyes. He hung his head and fell into a chair. He pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes, sobs leaving his lips. “I wasn’t there the first time, and I wasn’t there this time… I can’t believe I-” Abby cut him off, “Don’t finish that sentence, Jake. Because you are here, you were there the first time. She ran to you, you are her safe place.” “But-”

He was cut off the elevator ding again.

Glancing up, his heart soared in his chest.

There you were. Standing right before him in an old Longhorn sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. You were clean from the dirt and dried blood, having used the showers to clean up after any evidence was collected.

Your arm was in a sling and some butterfly closures adorned your forehead. But even then, you were still the most beautiful girl in the world to him.

*****

You walked quietly with Ziva out of the elevator, the weight of the conversation you had with her and Ducky still sitting on your shoulders.

The sound of a chair rolling back and hitting a desk caught your attention.

Looking up, you saw Jake and once again, you were crying; both from relief and the realization you almost never saw him again.

You moved as fast as you could to get to him, slamming your beaten body into his when you got to him. His arms carefully wrapped around you, obviously not wanting to hurt you. But when your soft crying exhales hit his chest, he all but scooped you into his arms carefully wrapping your legs around his torso.

You winced a little when his arm tightened around your waist. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he immediately apologized. You pulled your head out of the crook of his neck, shaking it lightly before looking into his eyes, “It reminds me this isn’t just another dream.”

Jake closed his eyes, tears falling down his cheeks as he rested his forehead against yours. “Jacob, if you don’t-” He cut off your sentence with a kiss, it was slow but no less passionate. He was gentle, the arm wrapped around your shoulders bringing you closer to him.

Ziva, Gibbs, and Abby watched on with smiles. Tim and Tony walked in mid conversation, but stopped seeing the intimate moment happening in the squad room.

You had to pull back for air at some point. And when you did, you rested your forehead against Jake’s, both of your eyes closing with the contact.

“Marry me.”

Your eyes shot open and were met with Jake’s green ones.

You had said it at the same time.

A grin broke out on your face, “I hope you aren’t just askin’ me that-” Your tease was cut off by Jake, “I’m not. I-I had this big plan. I wanted to take you out to the pasture we danced in on prom night our senior year.” You giggled a little, “That would have been nice.”

Biting your lip you played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I had a lot of time to think over the past few days,” you said quietly, your breath ghosting over his lips. He nudged your nose with his. “So have I. And I’m sorry I never asked you sooner.” “Let me finish, will ya?” You chuckled lightly and he did as well. “I realized that proposing, nowadays, is a two way street. I could have asked you at any time and you would have said ‘yes’. We’ve been together since we were 15, Jake. Friends since we were born. We should have gotten married right out of high school, but we were scared of what our future held during the Academy and then flight school, then through separate deployments. It was too much to worry about at once, and we didn’t know what was gonna happen.”

You licked your lips and inhaled a little, “But I can’t go another damn day without legally being your wife. Those bitches at the bar aside. I just, I want others to know that you're mine and that I’m yours.” He nodded, “Okay, let’s do it.” You giggled and kissed him, “Alright cowboy.”

He sat you down and pulled out the ring box.

“Wait, you had that this whole time?” Jake rubbed the back of his neck, “Like I said, I had this whole plan. I was gonna ask you after we got some time off when we got back to North Island.” You laughed, “You perfectionist.” You peck his lips and he slid the ring on your finger.

You heard a squeal from behind you and you both looked around to see the entire Gibbs team smiling at you and Jake.

“Thank you, for getting her back to me. All of you.”

*********

thank you guys for making it to the end! i hope this crossover was accurate

i have plenty of ‘x readers’ in the drafts so if you want more let me know

and my asks are open, feel free to request what you would like to see next

feedback is greatly appreciated!

tags <3: @milesdickpic​ 

<3 love ya babes

[crazycurly-77]

Memory Loss - Chapter 4

After a short night you sat on your desk the next morning and analyzed a case for another NCIS team. As always you sipped at your coffee and looked at Gibbs’ desk which was standing opposite from you. 

Unfortunately it was the third day in a row unoccupied and you all hoped that would change soon. 

Yes, he could be a real bastard, but on the other hand he could be someone to talk to about everything and who would stand by your side, no matter what. 

It was odd and very weird that he wasn't there. Tony tried his best to hold the team together. Sure, he enjoyed giving orders, but he tried to lighten the mood, too. 

But….he was not Gibbs. 

And that you all perceived. 

The team worked away and tried to act as if everything was normal, but it was really hard and the tension of not knowing what would happen and whether your boss would recover increased with every hour that you anxiously waited for news from him. 

In the afternoon there was suddenly a lot of commotion and then Ducky was nearly storming into the bullpen. He was very excited calling “he's awake!!! The doctor said we should come to the hospital, so come on, let's go!” 

Shouts of joy like “Yes!”, “Yeah!”, “Wonderful!”, “He made it!” were heard in the whole bureau. All were excited and the mood full of tension changed to one full of joy. 

You all were very happy that he woke up, but in this general happiness there was also a certain fear. Would he be the same as before the accident? You were on your way to find out. 

Arriving at the hospital, doctor Miller was already waiting for you. “Hello and thanks for coming” he greeted the whole bunch. 

“As for the health status of Mr. Gibbs…his injuries are healing well and he woke up an hour ago. In order not to overwhelm him, I suggest we visit him all together so we can check if he knows everything and everyone or if there is some partial or whole memory loss. Afterwards, please only visit him individually for the time being in order to protect him.”

You all nodded your consent and then went to the impatient Patient. 

Coming into Gibbs’ sick room he sat in his bed and looked annoyed. “Doctor, when can I go? I have work to do and I'm fine.” “Mr. Gibbs, I'm happy that you are feeling fine, but we need to run several tests before you can go. So, please answer some questions.”

Gibbs huffed out but he had to go through this. If he liked it or not. Then doctor Miller asked him certain things about himself and his colleagues. 

“What's your name?” 

“Leroy Jethro Gibbs” 

“Where do you come from?” 

“Stillwater” 

“What are you doing for a living?” 

“I'm the team leader of the MCRT of the NCIS.”

“Good” the medic said, nodded and made some notes. 

“What happened?” Gibbs then wanted to know. 

“A bomb went off and you were hit very hard on the head by a heavy weight. You were out for 3 days.” replied doctor Miller. 

Gibbs only nodded contemplating what he was told. Then the doc asked him “do you recognize any of the people in this room besides me?” 

“Sure. Timothy McGee, our probie. Anthony DiNozzo, my second in command. Jenny Shepard, director of the NCIS and my former partner in different missions.” Then he paused, thought briefly and said “Doctor Donald Mallard, my brother. Abby Sciuto, my daughter.”

You all give each other surprised and questioning looks and doctor Miller took some notes. 

You yourself were standing right next to his bed and thought he had forgotten about you. It would hit you hard, but after all, you had only been on his team for almost a year. 

But never underestimate Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He hasn't forgotten you, but the exact opposite. 

From his sitting position he looked up at you and his face lit up. 

He took your hands in his and said softly “my love, I'm sorry for worrying you. You must have been out of your mind because of that. But besides a few bruises I'm okay, be assured. It's wonderful seeing you again, I love you. But you already know that.”

He chuckled and then cupped your cheek with one hand, pulled you to him and kissed you softly. 

You didn't know what possessed him, but it was wonderful feeling his lips on yours. And yes, you answered his kiss as softly as he was kissing you. 

Breaking the kiss for air you heard the others gasp. 

At this moment the doc asked “do you know who she is?” Gibbs stared at him for a moment and then, looking lovingly into your eyes, replied “of course I know. That's Y/N Gibbs, my wife.”

(To be continued...)

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Here you will find the other chapters of this story and the other stories I've written to date.

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Tags: @ilovemark1951, @hobby27

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[writebackatya]

Darkwing Duck’s* Biggest Fans Haters

*As in the old tv show from the world of DuckTales (2017), not the superhero Drake Mallard assumes the identity of to fight evil

To fans like Drake Mallard and Launchpad McQuack, Darkwing Duck is the greatest piece of television history that helped shape their lives to become the ducks they are today thanks to its titular hero who never gave up despite the odds against him

To the rest of the world, Darkwing Duck was just another superhero show from the 90s that starred a problematic diva d-list actor that may or may not have died

Opinions are subjective of course, neither are 100% correct nor incorrect but I feel like when the fandom talks about Darkwing Duck it’s always about the characters that would also like the show. So why not flip the script a little? We’ll start small and work our way up to its biggest hater

Gosalyn Waddlemeyer:

“GOSALYN!?” You might be screaming at your monitor/phone to which I have to say:

“Yeah”

Again we are not talking about the Drake Mallard or his super identity here, but the tv show he and Launchpad are obsessed with. Because frankly, I bet Gosalyn loves doing all that superhero stuff with her adoptive dads. It’s a cool life to live!

Other than the fact that Drake is a huge nerd who INSISTS that Gosalyn do her “homework” and watch every episode of Darkwing Duck, read all the sacred texts (comic books), and playing the original Darkwing Duck video game on the original hardware so she won’t use the rewind or save features that modern games or ROMs have

Like all kids who have had an adult push their interests onto them, she has a little disdain for the show. But not a whole lot since she’s first on this list. I like to think she’s in the same boat as Dewey where she finds the show cheesy and doesn’t really hate it per say and sees why Drake and LP love the show. She even has a few guilty pleasure episodes

But one thing she doesn’t understand is why Drake and Launchpad insist on watching the Darkwing Duck Christmas Special every year when they’re both practicing Jews

Scrooge McDuck:

Yeah the old man can barely remember Drake, let alone the Darkguy Drake played in that movie he cancelled so I don’t really see Scrooge being a fan of the Masked Mallard. (No, not that Masked Mallard OG DuckTales fans)

If Scrooge did sit down and watch the show, he’d find it to be rather ridiculous if anything. Some vigilante running around dressed like The Spirit or The Shadow or whatever superhero kids are into these days getting slapped around and fighting back just doesn’t seem like his cup of tea

I like to think when Donald and Della were kids they watched Darkwing Duck at the mansion and Scrooge just walked by the room, looked at the TV for a few seconds, scoffed, and moved on with his life forgetting all about that nonsense his niece and nephew were watching

Louie Duck:

Honestly I always had this headcanon that Louie just isn’t a fan of superheroes. Like at all. He finds the stories all copy and paste, using all the cliches he hates from other genres and putting them in tights.

And don’t even get him started on superhero related adventures! If he sees a sky beam, Louie is running in the opposite direction of it. He’s not dealing with the many different diva supervillains out there trying to take over the world with cartoony extreme measures, he doesn’t wanna be around all that property damage

He does have a favorite superhero tho. Waddle Duck because he gave him a Pep once

Lena Sabrewing:

She thinks it’s lame.

Gandra Dee:

This is a no brainer for me. Gandra Dee made herself Darkwing Duck’s biggest hater the moment she heard the duck talk shit about Gizmoduck around Fenton who insisted she does not reveal his secret identity to Drake, because Drake is all he has left

Wanting to respect her boyfriend’s wishes, Gandra decides not to spill the beans but instead add more fuel to the fire by talking shit about Darkwing Duck

And she does not hold back

She’s not ashamed to talk shit on the show. It’s predictablity, it’s cheesiness, the plot holes, how lame it was for its own time, etc

It ain’t her childhood, she ain’t afraid to fight dirty either. She will bring up problematic episodes that depicted races in a not so good and stereotypical light (“It was the nineties! They were different times!” -Drake probably) such as the fact that in one episode Darkwing Duck called a group of Native Americans “primitive savages” or that a non-Asian actor played an Asian character in a sterotypcial manner and that how one of the characters names was “Duck Ling”(Okay but for real, all that shit did happen in the OG show.)

This of course frustrates Drake who is extra suspicious of Gandra ever since he saw her with Gizmoduck and writes her off as a blind fan girl who doesn’t know what she’s talking about

She’s pretty chill about not being into the show with Launchpad tho. He respects her opinions because he’s Launchpad and at the end of the day Gandra is still his friend

[imawkwardlysoc]

"i have loved you since we were 18"

Song- 18 by One Direction

Pairing- Tony Dinozzo x afab!reader

Warning(s)- pregnancy, birth, light angst (i just word vomited)

Wordcount- 3,699

Summary- Childhood best friends reunite

“Thank you so much for showing me how to get here Agent Gibbs,” I thanked him as we walked into the elevator. “I know I’ll get lost getting here.”

“It’s no problem,” he smiled as he leaned against the railing. “I just know Abby’s excited to meet you even though it took weeks to convince her to hire a partner.”

“Well, I’m glad that she chose me,” I smiled as I cradled my bump.

The elevator doors opened and we walked out to see agents walking around or working at their desks. I followed Agent Gibbs to meet some of his team since I’m going to be working with them.

“Boss, we have that- Y/N?” Tony DiNozzo paused what he was going to say when we made eye contact.

“Tony, hi,” I smiled and went up to hug him. “It’s been a while.”

“It has,” he hugged me while adjusting his position since my bump was slightly in the way. “It’s good to see you. Also are you?”

“Yep, just hit five months,” I answered.

“Congrats,” he hugged me again. “I didn’t know you and-”

“Oh, we split after he found out,” I shoved my hands in my pockets.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” he apologized.

“It’s fine,” I waved it off. “Anyways, I’m the new member of the forensics team. I’m going to be helping Abby.”

“That’s great, welcome to the team,” he welcomed me.

I thanked him and introduced myself to Ziva and Tim before heading down to meet Dr. Mallard, Jimmy, and Abby who immediately welcomed me with open arms.

*A Few Weeks Later*

“So, what’s going on with you and Tony?” Abby asked as she took a sample of blood.

“What do you mean?” I looked at her.

“I mean the two of you look like you had a past with each other,” she explained.

“Tony and I were childhood best friends,” I told her. “We were close before his mother passed and his father sent him off to boarding and military schools.”

“What changed?” She quizzed.

“I mean the only time we could hang out with each other was when he was back from school and when we went off to college, we kept in contact with each other from time to time,” I added. 

“Did anything happen between the two of you?” She asked another question.

“Like romantically? No, nothing happened but I did have a crush on him but I was like seven.” I chuckled. “It was more like a puppy crush.”

“I feel I’m missing something here,” she raised her eyebrow.

“Well,” I rubbed my bump. “When we were eighteen we did share a moment which made me fall in love with him but we were leaving for college the next day so I just pushed those feelings aside.”

“Do you still love him?” Abby sat down next to me at our station.

“Honestly, I’m not even sure,” I chuckled and shook my head. “It’s been a while.”

She nodded her head and we continued working. We soon heard a knock and I looked over to see Tony leaning against the doorway with a bag of evidence in his hand.

“An evidence drop off for you two ladies,” he walked up to us.

“Thanks Tony,” Abby hugged him and went to go process it.

“Hey,” he greeted me.

“Hi,” I smiled.

“Are you free tonight I was wondering if you want to grab some dinner and catch up with each other since we’ve been busy these past weeks,” he suggested,

“Yeah, that sounds good,” I agreed.

“Great, I’ll pick you up at your place around seven?” He questioned.

“That sounds great, see you later,” I smiled and he walked out to head back to his desk.

Looking back at the code, I saw Abby smirking in the corner of my eye. I rolled my eyes and continued working.

Walking into my apartment when I finished work, I placed my things down and headed to my room to change out of my work clothes. Grabbing a navy blue polka-dotted dress out of my closet, I changed into that and retouched my makeup after that.

“Coming!” I said as I walked to my front door.

Looking through my peephole, I saw Tony standing there and I opened the door for him.

“Hey, you look great,” Tony greeted me with a kiss on the cheek before walking into my apartment.

“I feel and look like a whale,” I told him and held my shoes up. “A whale who can’t put her shoes on now. Help me, please.”

Tony let out a chuckle and I sat down on my couch as I handed him my shoes. He slid them on and helped me off the couch.

“Thank you,” I laughed.

“It’s no problem,” he smiled. “Ready to head out?”

I nodded my head and grabbed my things before heading out. We walked downstairs to his car and he helped me in before getting into his seat. Throughout the ride, we listened to the music that was on the radio which happened to be some of the songs we listened to as kids. He soon pulled up to an Italian restaurant that was in the area and he helped me out of the car. We walked into the restaurant and got seated after a few minutes of waiting.

I looked through the menu to see what I wanted to eat. I mean many options sound so good right now. I already settled on a pasta dish but the mozzarella sticks and garlic bread also sound good. Soon our waiter came back with our drinks and we ordered what we wanted.

“And we’ll also have the mozzarella sticks and garlic bread,” Tony added before our waiter nodded their head and left our table.

“You didn’t have to order those?” I told him.

“I know but I knew you were eyeing them,” he grinned and took a sip of his soda. “Also you’re eating for two. If my mom was still alive, she would have fed you continuously if we were back home.”

He let out a sigh and I saw the bittersweet look on his face. I gave him a small smile and went across the table to squeeze his hand.

“I miss her too,” I told him. “Your mom was one of the sweetest women ever. Clara always baked the best treats ever.”

“She did,” he nodded and chuckled. “She’s the cause of my sweet tooth. So, how are your parents? Are they excited for their grandchild to come?”

“Yeah they are,” I chuckled. “They’re pretty good and I swear they still want to murder him for leaving me while pregnant.”

“It was an asshole move,” he agreed. “Leaving you a few days after telling him you were pregnant.”

“You’re not wrong,” I nodded and ate a slice of garlic bread. “But hey, I’m starting a new life with a stable job and a support system here.”

“Cheers to that,” Tony held up his cup and we clinked it.

We took a sip out of our drinks and we continued to catch up with each other. Despite us not seeing each other for a few years, it felt like we could have the conversations we had before college. He told me all about his adventures working for the Baltimore PD before transferring to DC to work for NCIS. Halfway through our conversation, Tony excused himself saying that he needed to get something from his car. I continued to eat my alfredo waiting for him to come back with a bag in his hand.

“What’s this?” I questioned as he placed it in front of me.

“Just open it,” he told me.

Removing the tissue paper, I let out a laugh when I pulled the teddy bear wearing an Ohio State varsity jacket out of the bag along with some Ohio State baby onesies.

“Really?” I looked at him.

“Hey, the baby has to represent the best school in the nation,” he raised his hands in defense.

“I think UCLA begs to differ,” I joked and laughed at the reaction on his face.

After finishing our meals and arguing about who was paying, which Tony won, we decided to take a walk around the center where the restaurant was located. We might’ve gotten ice cream that was a few stores down from the restaurant. We did some window shopping and made a mental note of some of the things I saw that I probably will get for the baby. Soon Tony and I headed back to his car and started the drive back to my apartment.

“Thanks for tonight,” I thanked him as we walked to my front door.

“It’s no problem,” he smiled as I unlocked my door. “I had fun today.”

“Me- mph,” I let out a breath when I felt the baby kick.

“Is everything alright?” I saw the panicked look on Tony’s face.

“Yes, just the baby kicking me like they’re a soccer player,” I chucked. “Wouldn’t be surprised if they do become one. Many restless nights with this one kicking.”

“May I?” He pointed to my bump and I nodded my head.

He kneeled on the ground and started talking to my bump. “Hey kiddo, you gotta give your mom a rest. I’ve experienced her not getting enough sleep before and it’s not a pretty sight.”

I scoffed and jokingly smacked the back of his head.

“See? She just smacked me on the back of the head,” he chuckled. “Anyways, you be good for your mom and her sleep okay?”

He placed his hand on my bump which caused the baby to kick. He let out another chuckle and got back up from the floor.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he told me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I smiled and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks for tonight.”

“It’s no problem,” he did a two-finger salute before leaving for his car.

Closing my door, I headed to my room to get ready for bed while the smile on my face never left.

*Eight Months Pregnant*

“How do you think the guys are doing?” Ziva questioned as we ate our meal.

“Knowing that Jethro is there, he probably took over the project because those three can’t build things for their lives,” Ducky laughed.

“Hey, Tony did a decent job when building the changing table,” I chuckled. “It might’ve taken a few more hours than usual and a bunch of curing in English and Italian but he did the job.”

“How is it living with Tony anyways? “Abby asked.

Ever since I got closer to my due date, Tony suggested that he should stay over at my place just in case I got into labor. It took some convincing but I finally agreed after he made a presentation on why he should and yes, he did make a presentation. He’s been staying in the guest room that my apartment has and we’ve been commuting to work together.

“It’s been pretty nice,” I answered my co-worker’s question. “It’s nice to have someone to get my late-night cravings.”

Yeah ever since Tony moved in, he’s been helping me out around the apartment. He would go to my appointments if he had time and wasn’t at a crime scene. He’s been helping me pick out baby names and since we don’t know the gender yet, we have a pretty long list we need to shorten before this baby comes. He also went to a birthing class with me and I gotta say, I’ve never seen him so involved.

“And before you ask Abby, nothing romantic is happening between us,” I told her.

“Oh bullcrap,” Ziva said.

“I think you mean bullshit Ziva,” Ducky corrected her which caused the three of us to do a double take since it was rare for Ducky to curse. “That man is obviously in love with you Y/N. We all see it on his face when he sees you.”

“But didn’t you say that you were in love with him when you were eighteen?” Abby added.

“Yeah but I was eighteen leaving for college,” I told them. “We both changed as people the last time we saw each other. I got married and am now divorced with a child on the way who the dad doesn’t want. I’m more focused on loving myself and the baby. I’m not ready for a relationship yet.”

“Knowing Tony, he’s willing to wait,” Abby reassured me.

I gave them all a smile before we finished our lunch and headed back to my apartment. Ducky parked my car in the space and we headed up to my apartment to see how the guys were doing.

“Why are you guys standing like that?” I questioned the guys, minus Gibbs, as they stood in my living room.

“We have to show you something.” Tony grabbed my hand and led me to the nursery.

As we got closer, he covered my eyes with his hands while one of the guys opened the door. 

“Alright, here is your nursery,” Tony said as he uncovered my eyes.

I let out a gasp and looked around the nursery. It’s everything that I imagined when designing this. The mix of greens, browns, and oranges was the perfect amount to fit the forest theme. My fingers grazed the crib that I know for sure that Gibbs made it. There was a bookshelf hung on the wall with a couple of books from my childhood and some new ones. There were also some plushies along with the bear that Tony got for them placed throughout the room. Letting out a sniffle, I dabbed my tears with my cardigan sleeve and let out a little chuckle.

“Hey, is everything okay?” I heard Tony ask.

“Yeah,” I chuckled and wiped more of my tears as I faced him. “It’s just my pregnancy emotions and I don’t know how to thank you guys. I mean all of you have taken care of me these past few months and Gibbs this crib is amazing. I feel I don’t deserve it.”

“Hey,” Tony wrapped me in a hug and placed a kiss on the top of my head. “You deserve it okay? We all love you.”

“I love all of you also,” I looked at the group. “Thank you.”

Abby smiled and wrapped me in a hug which everyone else soon joined. The group stayed for another thirty minutes before leaving. That just left Tony and me in my apartment heating leftovers for dinner. We sat down on the couch watching some random show while we ate our food.

“May I have this dance?” Tony asked as he finished washing the dishes and started playing Frank Sinatra.

I held his hand and we started to dance in my living room. I let out a laugh when he spun me out and spun me back in, causing me to place my hand on his chest and look up at him. Placing my hand on my cheek, I gently stroked it before placing my lips on his. He reciprocated as our lips started to move and his hands ran down the curves of my body. I soon realized what I was doing and immediately detached.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I told him. “I’m going to bed. Feeling pretty tired. I’ll see you in the morning, Tony.”

“Y/N! Wait!” Tony called out but I just ended up in my room.

*A Few Weeks Later*

“Tony, I swear if you tell me that I’m doing good one more time!” I yelled as I pushed and laid back on my head.

“I won’t,” he chuckled nervously as he dabbed the sweat off my forehead.

I’ve been in labor for twenty hours after being a week overdue and this baby finally wants to come out.

“Two two more pushes and this baby is out,” my doctor told me.

“I’m so tired though,” I whined.

“Hey, you got this, you hear me,” Tony said as he ran his fingers through my hair. “The head is almost out, then the shoulder, then your baby will be out in the world. You got this.”

I nodded and squeezed his right hand as his other hand was holding my leg back. Going through the next two pushes, my baby was soon placed on my chest as their cries filled the room.

“It’s a girl,” I announced as she was getting cleaned.

“A girl,” Tony sniffed with tears in his eyes and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Welcome to the world little one.”

I looked at the admiring look that was shown on Tony’s face and he stroked her hair.

“I love you,” I told him.

“What?” He questioned.

“I love you,” I told him again. “Ever since I was eighteen and that kiss a few weeks ago. It just took me a while but I finally came to the realization.”

“I love you too.” He smiled and placed his lips on mine.

We shared a kiss until we had to break it since she had to be weighed and checked. After half an hour, she was brought back in my arms and Tony and I admired her as she opened her eyes.

“Yep, she’s her namesake,” I told him.

“I agree,” he kissed me again before his phone let out a ding. “Are you up for some visitors?”

“Sure,” I nodded my head.

Tony typed on his phone sending the room number and I gave Tony her so they could have a moment together. I sneakily took a picture of them before there was a knock on the door. The door opened showing Abby walking it with the gang behind her.

“Hi, how are you?” Abby asked as she hugged me.

“Alright,” I told her.

“How are you doing sweetie,” Gibbs placed a kiss on the top of my head.

“Alright and great that the baby is out of me,” I chuckled.

“So, what’s the gender?” Tim asked.

“Everyone,” Tony walked to my side. “Meet Clara Elizabeth L/N. Clara, meet all of your aunts and uncles and your grandpas.”

“Clara, after your mother?” Ziva asked.

“Yep, she was a key part of our lives,” I explained. 

“So if you want to hold her, wash your hands,” Tony announced.

We let out a chuckle at the people who were waiting in line at the sink to wash their hands. Tony passed Clara to Abby and sat down next to me, placing a kiss on the back of my hand as we watched our little family get to meet the newest member.

*Two Years Later*

“Clara!” I called out when she let go of my hand as we walked out of the elevator.

“Daddy!” She leaped in Tony’s arms when she saw him.

“Hey sweet pea!” Tony started to attack our daughter with kisses. “How was your day with Mommy?”

“Fun,” she answered.

“That’s good,” he placed her down and greeted me with a kiss. “And a hello to you.”

“A hello to you also,” I grinned. “Are you sure she’s going to be fine here when we go out?”

“Yes, she has all of her aunts, uncles, and grandpas here to watch her. Vance also agreed to watch her if nobody can’t,” he reassured me. “Now come on, let’s go.”

“Why the urgency?” I chuckled and looked at Ziva and Tim who had Clara on his lap. “Alright, here’s fifty bucks for you to buy pizza or any other food. We’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!” Clara waved at us.

“You be good for everyone okay?” Tony and I kissed her on the cheek and we headed out of the building.

We went to dinner at the Italian restaurant Tony took me when I first came here and enjoyed our meal. We talked about work a little bit before changing the subject to something else. When we wrapped up dinner, we walked around the town center until we ended up at a gazebo. As we walked into the gazebo, it was lit up by fairy lights and had photos of Tony and me hung on them. 

Tears started to form when I realized what was happening. I looked over to see Tony down on one knee with his mother’s engagement ring popping out of the box.

“I first fell in love with you when we were eighteen, then I fell in love with you again when you walked into the NCIS building with your five-month bump,” Tony sniffled. “I want to fall in love with you every day of the year until we die. I know it’s short and simple but will you marry me?”

“Yes,” I nodded and kneeled to his level to kiss him.

He placed the ring on my finger and kissed me again. Getting up from the ground, we heard some people passing by offering their congratulations and we thanked them.

“I’m happy for you two.” Senior walked up to us and hugged us.

“Tony, the ring is so beautiful,” my mom told him.

“Thank you, it was my mom’s,” he explained.

We celebrated with our parents for a little bit before heading back to the NCIS headquarters where everyone else was waiting for us. We walked hand in hand still on our engagement high to see everyone waiting for us. I held my hand up which caused Ziva and Abby to squeal and hug the both of us. Gibbs gave Tony and me a side hug before passing Clara, who was about to fall asleep, to Tony.

“Hey Clara, Daddy and I are getting married,” I told her.

“Really?” She questioned as she tried to keep her eyes open.

“Yeah,” Tony confirmed.

“Yay,” she yawned, which caused all of us to laugh.

“Well, it’s way past her bedtime so we’ll see you tomorrow,” Tony announced.

They all said their congratulations and we left the building to my car. Tony placed her in her car seat before he got in the driver’s seat to drive us home. He grabbed my hand and kissed my ring finger which now had a ring on it.

“I love you.”

“I know.”

[lieslab]

Duck, duck, goose

꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎ ꘎♡━━━━━♡꘎

Pairing: I.N x gn reader

Summary: After a heated argument, I.N finds you at the river and hopes to make it up to you.

Genre: Angst & fluff

Word Count: 2.1K

A/N: Even though it's Christmas Eve and Christmas day for some of you, it doesn't feel like Christmas to me. This is set in a warmer time period mainly because I miss spring. Anyway, happy holidays!! I hope you're all having a great time and if you're not, I hope this can provide a little comfort and be a gentle reminder that life won't always be so cold <3

_ _ _

You couldn’t even remember what it was about. Everything happened so fast, it was a blur. Words were thrown at one another. Fists were clenched, tensions were high, and faces were scrunched with fury. In the heat of the moment, you grabbed your bag and stormed out of the apartment. 

Things had been brewing between the two of you for a while. It was only a matter of time before someone snapped. You tried not to let your relationship with your boyfriend get to that point, but sometimes external factors built up. Neither of you were perfect at the end of the day. 

A soft quack pulled you out of your thoughts. You smiled at the ducks bobbing down below in the river ripples. Once one began to quack, another started, and then another. Soon you were met with a chorus of them. 

“Alright, alright, I hear you.” A melodic laugh left your lips. You scooped a hand into the ziplock bag you were holding and tossed another handful of duck food into the Han River. 

The group of Mallard ducks dived head-first to try and retrieve the grain. Their brown feathers ruffled and their bright green heads dived beneath the ripples. There was always a group of ducks here whenever you were here. Since you loved animals, they captured your attention. 

After a bit of research, you ordered duck food online and had it shipped to your apartment. Ever since that moment, when life became too overbearing, you found yourself at the edge of the Han River duck watching. It took a few days before the ducks realized you didn’t mean to harm them. 

Watching their multi-colored buoyant bodies bounce up and down provided you with a sense of tranquility. Their beady eyes were always on you curiously or impatiently. They studied the unfamiliar being who gave them food with caution. Usually, humans stayed further up towards the bank. 

Around them, you stayed quiet. When you spoke, you spoke softly so as not to alarm them. You were over ten times their size. One wrong move and you were sure you’d startle them and they’d swim away from the shore. 

Their webbed feet kicked and propelled themselves towards the bobbing grains bits that had floated away due to the movement of the water. The longer you watched them, the more you found your heart rate returning to a normal speed. Your adrenaline had been high when you stormed out of your apartment. 

Footsteps approached you and someone sat down next to you. You didn’t bother looking over to see who it was. You knew just by the oily scent of french fries and beef. You threw in another handful of grain and watched the ducks go wild. 

“I thought you’d be here,” I.N spoke after a few moments of silence. “A few weeks ago, you said the Han River was your safety net. You said it was the place you went to clear your head.” 

You meekly nodded and continued watching the ducks. Your anger had dissipated by this point. It was replaced with a sense of guilt. You should have tried to take the rational approach instead of screaming at your boyfriend when things became heated on his end. 

“Can I try to feed them?” 

You glanced over to look at him. He sat looking at you with his legs crossed beneath him. His hands sat idly in his lap with a variety of silver rings on them. You side-eyed the ducks, but they didn’t seem to mind his presence. The ducks were too preoccupied with the ziplock of grain in your own lap. 

“You might want to take off your rings. Sometimes they get impatient and lunge. They like sparkly things and I learned that the hard way after one of them pecked one of my rings.” 

He nodded and began to pull off his rings. You dumped some of the grain and tossed out your hand to show him how to feed them. He did as he was told and when the ducks dived for the grain, a smile lit up his face. 

“I understand why you like it here so much.” 

Right now, everything outside was perfect. It wasn’t too warm and it wasn’t too cold. Up overhead, the sky was a Columbia blue. The two of you were in jeans and t-shirts. A delicate breeze kissed your skin every now and then. The vast blue river in front of you rippled with small waves.

At mid-day, the park you took refuge in was flooded with people. A lot of people didn’t work on Saturday, so people had time for themselves. Couples and families were scattered around lush green grass on blankets. Children laughed and couples gazed at each other lovingly. Their voices added ambiance to your spot near the river. 

“It’s beautiful.” 

“It’s perfect,” you corrected him. 

“It is perfect,” he agreed. 

The two of you went silent again. I.N handed the ziplock of duck food back to you. There was only one handful left. You sprinkled it out onto your hand and held it towards the water. 

“Okay, this is your last one. I don’t have any more after this.” You threw your hand out and sprinkled the last bits of grain into the water. 

A laugh spilled from you which caused I.N to smile. In a rush, one of the ducks rammed into another and sent it bobbing backwards. The duck quacked loudly before it spun in another direction. It’s webbed-feet padded quickly to pick up the bits of grain floating away from the others. 

You zipped the ziplock and placed it back in your bag. You wasted no time pulling out your hand sanitizer, squirting it on your hand, and then offering some to your boyfriend. He held his hand out and let you squirt some into it. The two of you continued to sit in silence while you rubbed the sharp scented liquid into your hands. 

I.N was the first one to break the silence again. “I came to say I’m sorry. It was irrational of me to take my anger out on you. I’m stressed, but that was no excuse.” 

“I should be the one apologizing,” you interrupted. “I shouldn’t have yelled back when you raised your voice, but you caught me at the wrong time.” You shook your head. “I only added fuel to your fire.” 

“So maybe we were both in the wrong, but I came with an offering of forgiveness.” He pulled up the bag of McDonalds beside him and held up a rolled up blanket. Beside him, there was a drink carrier with two drinks in it. 

You couldn’t help, but snort at his actions. 

“What? Is there something wrong with it?” A teasing smile sat on his face. 

You shook your head. “There’s nothing wrong with it, but I’m surprised I guess. I didn’t think you’d come find me, let alone bring food. I would have come back to the apartment sooner or later.” 

“I know, but I knew you hadn’t eaten yet and neither had I. I thought about a picnic, but I didn’t know if I’d find you here and I didn’t know how long you’d be here.” 

You glanced back down at the river. The ducks were still staring at you. You watched one of them eye the bag of food. They must have been able to smell it. 

“Let’s go before the ducks try to come after us.” You pushed yourself up and held a hand out to I.N. After helping him, you grabbed the drink carrier and slung your back over your shoulder. The two of you headed away from the river bank. 

You finally found a spot away from other people. The two of you talked and laughed while you ate. The anger from earlier melted and you were back to normal. Neither of you held a grudge against the other. Smiles were on both your faces. 

You were finishing the last of your food when I.N offered to play a game with you. You raised an eyebrow and placed another french fry in your mouth. A grin lit up his face. 

“Do you know how to play duck, duck, goose?” 

“Duck, duck, goose? Like the elementary school game?” 

“The one where you go around and tap everyone’s head and call them duck. When you call someone a goose, they get up and you run around the circle trying to beat them and sit in their spot so you’re not it again. Yeah, that one.” 

“What about it?” 

“Do you want to play it?” 

“How are we going to play it with two people?” 

“Easy! Come on! Can we?” His grin grew, “it’ll be fun!” 

There was no way you were going to say no to him. He looked so happy with his grin and concave dimples. You brushed your hands together to get rid of the salt sticking to your fingertips. After wiping the grease on a napkin, you nodded. 

He pushed himself up off the red and white checkered blanket. Walking around the edge of the large square shape, he began heading towards you. When he reached you, his hand gently hit the top of your head. “Duck.” 

He continued walking around the square. Your heart was pounding with anticipation. He walked behind you again and touched the top of your head, “duck.” He continued and looped around the square again and patted your head once more. “Duck.” 

The next time he headed your way, you were positive. You were ready to push yourself up and chase after him. A fiery determination to beat him filled your veins. He moved closer to you and you remained on edge. His hand touched the top of your head and you were about to push yourself up. 

“Duck.” 

“Jeongin!” You cried out. 

He let out a laugh and continued on his merry way. He reached you and called out duck again. You sulked and crossed your arms over your chest. You were beginning to think he’d never say goose. He did it twice more before he approached you again. 

You were slumped over at this point. Reaching for your drink, your fingers were nearly there when his hand hit the top of your head again. “Goose!” 

“Hey!” 

He laughed and began running around the edge of the blanket. You shoved yourself up, nearly tripping in the process, and began to chase him. His mischievous laughter floated through the air. Since you were caught off guard, he already had a head start. 

It wasn’t a surprise when he plopped down in your spot. He beamed with a sly grin. Your chest moved up and down heavily from the sudden burst of energy. You bent over and grabbed your knees. 

“That is so not fair!” 

“Hey, you agreed to play the game.” 

“But I-” 

“I followed the rules!” 

A scowl sat on your face. As annoyed as you were, he was right. It wasn’t against the rules to say duck as long as you wanted to. You let out a sigh and plopped down beside him. He laughed and crawled over towards you. 

“Did I hurt my baby’s feelings?” He cooed in a baby voice. 

“Stop it,” your face went bright red. 

“Aw, I’m so sorry about that.” He reached up and gently pinched your cheek. 

You swatted his hand away and pulled back. He laughed and sat back in the spot you had been sitting in. “You’re fun to tease.” 

“Just for that,” you reached down and grabbed one of his french fries. Without hesitation, you took a bite of it. “Wow, that’s delicious.” 

“Hey!” He cried out as he scrambled towards the remainder of his uneaten food. “Get out of here you vermin!” 

You laughed and pushed yourself away from his side of the blanket. Crawling back to your own side of the blanket, you frowned realizing your own box of fries were missing. “Where are my fr-” 

Before you could finish your sentence, your boyfriend took off running. The bright red box of french fries were in his hand. You pushed yourself up and hurried after him. “Jeongin, come back here!” 

“Gotta catch me first!” 

You chased after him begging him to come back. There were no signs of the argument you had earlier. The teasing playfulness eradicated the red hot anger from earlier. Over in the water, the ducks watched the two of you. One of them quacked. 

Humans; they’d never understand them.

| ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ | ♡.﹀﹀﹀﹀.♡ |

Taglist: @s3ungmins

Masterlist

[ducktoonsfanart]

Duck Avenger (Paperinik-PKNA), Double Duck and Maui Mallard with his students (his nephews) and his girls - Superheroes, secret agents and ninjas - Quack Pack AU - Happy late 90th birthday Donald and happy late Father's Day - Duckverse - My version

I drew a new surprise for all Donald Duck fans as a superhero, secret agent and super ninja and super detective. This time all together in one drawing and it is related to the 90th birthday of my favorite duck, as well as related to Father's Day, since Donald Duck is the best parent to his nephews. Since it's dangerous for kids to go on dangerous adventures, I drew Donald's nephews as older teenagers more like the Quack Pack, although it's more my version of the Quack Pack. Anyway, for those who don't know, I drew individual drawings of Donald's nephews with one of Donald's secret egos where they are his students, and you can see more here: https://ducktoonsfanart.tumblr.com/post/683178923062870016/donald-duck-as-a-superhero-secret-agent

On June 9, in 1934 The Classic Short "The Wise Little Hen" was shown and Donald Duck appeared there for the first time. Donald Duck will become one of the main stars of not only Disney, but also cartoon films, comics and video games at all.

Yes, one of my plans is to write a fanfiction based on this where Donald's nephews go their separate ways, but inherit Donald's tracks and secret life through the discovery of Donald's secret identities. However, they can't do anything without their uncle, so they become their main assistants (sidekicks). Huey Duck because he likes espionage and girls, he would certainly become like Double Duck, a secret agent working for The Agency in Duckburg to fight against The Organization and he would be named Double Huey and he would be Double Duck's assistant. Although Dewey Duck tends more towards science, computing and astronomy, somehow he always tends towards calmness and to sense danger at great distances. He and his brothers like ninjas, but Dewey would be special about it and he would go on adventures with Detective Maui Mallard and learn martial arts the right way. Yes, Maui Mallard is just another name for Donald Duck. Dewey would become Maui Dewey Mallard and would be Maui Mallard's main assistant. And he would fight against the shaman and all those who want to steal the Shabuhm Shabuhm idol. Louie Duck, who likes sports and extreme travel, as well as a fan of comic books and superheroes, would certainly look up to Duck Avenger, i.e. Paperinik. He would be Duck Avenger's main sidekick, and his successor. He would be called the Green Avenger and he is certainly part of the T-Squad, but here he is more on a special level where he goes on dangerous adventures with Duck Avenger. Yes, fighting aliens, especially Evronians, as well as fighting The Organization from the future.

Of course, there are three Donalds as Double Duck, Maui Mallard and Duck Avenger (PKNA version), and they are accompanied by female companions, who are also Donald's best friends. Kay K (Arianna Adelaide Konnery) is Double Duck's best companion, Princess Hernae is Maui Mallard's best companion and Lyla Lay is Duck Avenger's (Paperinik) best companion. Yes, they can also be his girlfriends. And then there is Uno, that is, One, Uno Ducklair, an android computer duck who sets Duck Avenger's tasks and directs him to important missions and helps him in many troubles. And please don't tell Daisy about this. I certainly combined this from the comics Duck Avenger (Paperinik New Adventures), Double Duck, as well as the game Maui Mallard, and certainly from the Quack Pack series, but in my own way. Like uncle, like nephews.

I hope you like this idea and this drawing and if you want to support my ideas feel free to like and reblog this! Just don't use my same ideas without mentioning me. Thank you! And once again happy 90th birthday to the best duck as well as a happy belated father's day! It is certainly worth celebrating with the best versions of Donald Duck, as well as the relationship between the uncle and his nephews, as it was in the Quack Pack and in the comics, in the best way.

[cakerybakery]

Heard the Darkwing Duck theme song and immediately started laughing at the idea of Lucifer as Drake Mallard aka Darkwing Duck, Adam as LaunchPad McQuack, and Charlie as Gosling and theme being dressed up as such for Halloween

Adam: I feel ridiculous.

Lucifer laughs: you’re the one that wanted a kid and to do family costumes.

Adam groaned: I didn’t think she’d pick these costumes.

Lucifer: You didn’t think she’d pick costumes from one of her favourite shows? I’m just glad she didn’t pick Bluey.

Adam still grumbling: yeah well-

Charlie comes running out of her room: LOOK! LOOK! LOOK!

Charlie twirls around in her costume: isn’t it perfect!

Adam can’t help but grin: the most perfect costume ever. You look beautiful.

Charlie giggles and hugs him: you look beautiful too, mama.

Lucifer pats her head to avoid messing up her ponytail: what do you see in that old show anyways?

Charlie whines and shoos his hand away: they’re like us. Two daddies and a little girl.

Adam almost mentions that Launchpad and Darkwing aren’t married but stops himself. If she sees them in her favourite show, who’s he to stop her.

Charlie nods matter of factly: plus daddy is short like Darkwing and mama is always saying you do dangerous stuff like climbing to the top of ladders instead of asking for help. And mama is tall like Launchpad and daddy is always saying mama crashes the car.

Adam: … oh he does, does he?

Charlie giggling: yeah!

Adam: oh Charlie, you need a bag for candy. Why don’t you go get one?

Charlie running off: okay, mama!

Lucifer: Charlie, let me help you!

Adam grabbing Lucifer by the collar: oh, I don’t think so, Darkwing. Things just got dangerous for you.

[weirdowithaquill]

Traintober 2023: Day 27 - Record-Breaker

Mallard Broke the World Speed Record; It Broke Her:

4468 Mallard broke the world steam speed record in 1938, changing her life forever…

1938:

The quiet, almost timid engine sat in the works, listening to the workers. “You hear? That engine there is fastest in the world!” one said, pointing to the famous engine. Mallard blinked, amazed. She’d never been told if she’d actually broken the record – but to hear that she had, and to hear that it was major news! It was incredible.

There was no one better than her in that moment – she was the greatest!

“Ah, the engine of the hour!” cheered a voice. Mallard gazed down, spotting Sir Nigel Gresley himself walking over. Mallard gasped in amazement. The Chief Mechanical Engineer almost never visited his engines. “I came to congratulate you again, Mallard. I am proud of you – you are truly a credit to this railway. The poster child for what every Northeaster engine should strive for. Well done, and keep up the good work, Mallard.”

Mallard beamed, thanking her designer. Then, she turned to the gossiping workers. “Well? You heard him – I need to be back in service now! Hurry it up!”

1963:

“So, which of us is to be preserved?” asked Silver Link, staring down apprehensively at the members of the British Railways board. The men had come to decide on a Gresley Pacific to save from the scrapper’s torch.

“Who do you think?” snorted one of the men in the bowler hats. “We must choose the locomotive that achieved the greatest feat of a steam locomotive – 60022 Mallard, you are to be restored to your LNER looks and sent to the Museum of British Transport Museum. The rest of you… hope someone purchases you.”

Silver Link just stared in shock as several diesels sniggered in the background. “But I… but… She didn’t even make it back to London! I am the first! I reached 114—” “Stop speaking 60014, there is no reason for you to complain. You are already withdrawn, and shall be sent away once we have the time.” “Mallard… are you going to allow this?” asked Silver Link, eyes wide in horror. “Well, elder sister, some of us are just… more important than others. I represent our class, and I am the best at such an honour.” Silver Link went red in the face, but Mallard was already steaming away, blowing smoke at her elder sister.

Behind Silver Link, Flying Scotsman and Silver King shared a nervous look.

1975:

Flying Scotsman sat on the points outside the brand new York National Railway Museum, Green Arrow on one side and Gordon on the other. It was the first time that the four had seen each other – the fourth being an indignant Mallard sat opposite them.

“What do you mean, he’s worthy of being the same level as me?” sniffed Mallard. “He’s a mixed traffic engine!” “Green Arrow is an LNER engine, same as us,” reminded Scott crossly, facing down his cousin. “And there are only nine LNER Pacifics left, so your levels are completely worthless! We need to end this… this… this…” “Elitist garbage!” Gordon snapped. “We are long past this, cousin. What’s stopping you from accepting Green Arrow?” “Green Arrow is a simple mixed traffic engine,” hissed Mallard. “I am the greatest steam engine to have ever been built! No one has ever, or will ever, beat my record. There’s a reason that I am in this museum, and you are out slaving away to keep in steam.”

“Slaving away?!” Gordon let off steam furiously. Scott just clenched his jaw. “There’s no point arguing with her,” he sighed. “We’re better off just getting the rest on side.” The three steamed away, leaving Mallard to be pushed gently back into the grand museum by a timid diesel shunter.

None of the other engines in the museum spoke to her as she was shunted into place. Not Evening Star, not Aerolite, not Coppernob. They all just shot her dark glances.

1988:

Mallard sped along the line, feeling the wind rush past her face. “I forgot what this was like,” she huffed, finally arriving back at Doncaster after crossing the country to reach Scarborough and back. Several relatives of her crew from back when she’d broken the world record sat in her coaches – but they were inconsequential. After all, any crew could have gotten her up to her record-breaking speed.

“So, how was the run?” asked Gordon politely, sitting in the next platform over. Mallard ignored him. Gordon rolled his eyes. Green Arrow and Spencer shared a look.

“I’m impressed,” hummed Spencer. “Though I’ve heard that the East Germans have built a steam locomotive that’s almost able to match Mallard’s speed.” Mallard’s eye twitched. “No they haven’t!” she suddenly snarled, spooking several of the passengers on the platform. “I am the fastest. That’s my role! Don’t talk such drivel around me.”

Spencer sighed. As the only one of Mallard’s siblings willing to speak to her, and one of only four engines that had spoken to Mallard (he’d checked with Duchess of Hamilton) in the last ten years, he was uniquely able to see just how much his younger sister had changed.

Where Mallard had once been a healthy pale, her pallor had grown almost dangerously blue – while her formerly vibrant eyes had gone dull, with just a hint of something… unsettling in them. And yet her paintwork was spotless, her brass polished until it glistened in the sun, even after a full run with passengers.

“Are you alright?” asked Spencer quietly. Gordon and Green Arrow pretended not to hear. “I beg your pardon?!” roared Mallard, spooking yet more passengers. “Are you insinuating something?! That such a simple run would tire me out? I am the fastest steam engine in the world – I am more than competent, thank you.” “I just wanted to ch—” “Well don’t!” sneered Mallard. “I am fine.”

Spencer’s tentative frown turned downwards into a scowl, and the great silver engine hissed steam as he started away. Gordon watched him go, knowing deep in the pit of his boiler that the silver engine wouldn’t be back.

Silver King had never truly forgiven his younger sister for the way she’d spoken to Silver Link, even if his name had changed, as had his owners and his lifestyle.

2013:

Spencer, Bittern, Dominion of Canada, Dwight D Eisenhower, Union of South Africa, and Sir Nigel Gresley all stood in awkward silence. Their sister – Mallard – was being wheeled out of the museum for a photoshoot. “So… did you hear her last night?” asked Dwight quietly. “She was screaming at the shunting diesels again.” “I can’t believe they made me agree to his,” hissed Spencer. “I promised myself after 1988 – never again. And yet here I am. At least Scott gets to hide in the workshops.” “It cannot be that bad?” tried Woodcock – only the humans called her Dominion of Canada, “I mean… she has to have made some friends in there, right?” “Unlikely,” snorted Osprey – the humans had given her that name in the 1980s, and she much preferred it to ‘Union of South Africa’, “she spends most of her days just glaring at everyone. Last I heard, it’s a real treat for them when she gets brought out here to be gawked at.”

“Shh! Shh! She’s coming,” warned Bittern. The six all went silent as Mallard was dragged off the turntable and over to the line of engines.

“Ah, good, you all made it,” Mallard said haughtily. “It’s what I deserve, getting the humans to bring you all here to celebrate our class’s greatest achievement.” “What you—” Osprey cut off, indignant. Beyond her, Dwight gawked in shock while Spencer just rolled his eyes. The shunter braked the famous engine to a stop, jolting slightly.

“Did you just jolt me?” hissed Mallard, voice deathly quiet. The shunter gulped. “Don’t you dare!” snapped Spencer, speaking to the world-record holder for the first time in nearly thirty years. “You cannot deride these hard-working engines, I refuse to allow it!” “Oh? As if you are any better, Mr Private Engine,” sneered Mallard. “Silver King, the weird runt of the class who galivants off to that backwards island where our Crewe-rebuilt cousin lives.” “Gordon still pulls his express!” roared Spencer, letting off steam furiously. “Gordon treats everyone with respect! He’s a far better representative of our railway than you are – he’s out there, pulling passengers and acting as the ambassador for Gresley’s work. He holds a record for the longest-serving express engine in the world!”

“He has Midland parts,” snarled Mallard. “He’s a mongrel of parts, and I can’t stand him! I can’t stand him and his righteousness! This is my celebration, my record, my museum! He can talk when he has a proper record of his own. Let’s see him try and beat me – oh wait, didn’t he lose his dome last time he attempted that?”

None of the other A4s spoke, and the moment the photoshoot was over, all four in steam left, taking Dwight and Woodcock with them, leaving Mallard alone.

2016:

Flying Scotsman sat outside the NRM, steam wafting from his funnel. He was the last one left. Spencer had permanently relocated to Sodor after 2013, the other A4s steered clear of York Museum, Gordon had his own work, and Green Arrow had moved to Shildon. So, it was only him left to talk to her.

“Oh, it’s the money pit.” “Mallard. I came to say goodbye.” “Goodbye? Where are you going, Gresley Disgrace?” “I’m going to run mainline excursions,” Flying Scotsman replied evenly. “I’m not going to have to listen to you anymore when you scream abuse at the others or rant about the new PRR engine.” “Rant? Abuse? 4472, you don’t understand! I am Gresley’s pride and joy! I am the greatest – he would roll over in his grave if he saw you now. It’s my destiny to be the greatest – and everyone needs to accept that!” “Sir Nigel Gresley loved us all equally,” snapped Flying Scotsman. “And don’t you forget, any one of your class—”

“I did it!” roared Mallard. “Me! Not any of you! I am the world record breaker – I am the greatest steam engine of all time! You’re nothing compared to me! I am Sir Nigel’s triumph! I am the legacy of the Northeasters! Me! How dare you speed to me like that?! Learn your place!”

Flying Scotsman stared evenly back at the shrieking engine. “I have,” he said simply. “And it’s not here. The other engines can survive listening to your abuse, but I don’t have to. You’re nothing, Mallard. Not anymore. You sit here, on this siding, in this shed, and you cling to the past because that’s all you’ll ever have.”

Flying Scotsman puffed out of the shed, the wrecked screams of his cousin following him through the sliding shed doors. They transformed from howls of rage into a hail of screeching tears, as Mallard’s entire self-worth crashed down on her. The former icon of steam and speed finally lost it, all the rage and anger and simmering hatred growing inside her frames boiling over as she cursed her cousin.

Flying Scotsman couldn’t help but feel sorry for the engine – but all the same, she had spent decades wrecking their designer’s good name with her attitude. Her stardom had placed her up on a pedestal – one where the loneliness of fame had engulfed her.

Back to Master Post

[may--hawk]

birds of england (ineffable remix)

Birds of England, take me high / atop this burning treeline / sending signals up in smoke / I’m never coming home

Sometime, oh, in the year or so after Armageddon, when all the world had felt like eternal springtime stretching on and on into forever, the Earth reborn, reprieved, an exhale of relief, Aziraphale would start each morning with the dawn coming down across the city. Each morning the bright swell of hope in his chest that this would be the day something would change between them, the day one of them would finally reach out to the other, and say - but of course they never did, each day following the same course as the day before it and the one to come after, stuck in the same old round, their predestined orbit. Each day, Aziraphale watched the morning skies for some great portent, some sort of sign. A certain color in the sunrise, a waver of cloud, a flock of crows on the rooftop across the way. A fortuitous crossword clue, a dark old car on the street. Anything to signify this particular day as different from the others, this the day where everything changed.

And then one particular day out of a hundred similar days Crowley called him up, the quick short ring coming down the line and Aziraphale already picking up, phone cradled between his cheek and shoulder as he carefully sewed a set of signatures back together. “Park, ten minutes,” said Crowley, and Aziraphale said “thirty,” automatically, his heart already fluttering faster in his chest, not that he needed the time, not that he even wanted it, but it was always like this with him and Crowley. A negotiation, a push and pull. A careful dance, a guard against ruin.

So he met Crowley at the park in twenty-eight minutes, and had to look away from the little curl to the edge of Crowley’s mouth that showed his pleasure, and when Crowley handed him a bag of frozen peas because Aziraphale had forgotten about them again their hands had brushed, Crowley’s fingers cold from the bag, and this was no different from the day before, would be no different from the day after. The bag of peas the same brand, the same spies around the pond, Crowley dunking the same mallard he dunked every time because he didn’t like way it looked at them. Nothing different. No sort of sign telling Aziraphale to act, and now. They fed the ducks, and talked about something they’d talked about a dozen times before, and when Crowley suggested lunch, that same little hopeful rise to his shoulders Aziraphale had seen for thousands of years, Aziraphale said yes. Yes, of course. They turned to go. At a sharp cry overhead, Aziraphale looked up, stopped walking. Crowley, hands shoved in his pockets, didn’t seem to notice. A long dark snake moving away from him, slinking through the park like oozing asphalt. Aziraphale put out a hand to Crowley’s arm to stop him, not quite touching him, just the faintest brush of fingertips on cloth. Crowley turned, his mouth parted, his eyes - visible through his glasses at this angle - fixed on Aziraphale’s hand, still between them. “Look,” Aziraphale said. He pointed up. A second, two, where Crowley just kept staring at him, as if waiting - finally he seemed to see Aziraphale’s hand. He stepped back, looked up. Another sharp cry from above, from the pair of falcons in the sky, circling around and around each other, crossing and swooping some great delicate dance where, despite feints and thermals and sharp cuts, they never once touched.

“What’re falcons, again?” said Crowley. “I never paid much attention to the oracles.”

“That’s because you were too busy drinking with Claudius,” Aziraphale said, and then admitted, “I don’t remember,” the weight of thousands of years of knowledge and memory and want pressing down on him, bearing him down to Earth. The falcons soared above them, cutting across the sun, just dark outlines from this far down. “Oh, just look at them,” Aziraphale said.

“Jealous, angel?”

“A bit.”

Crowley said, “We can, you know. Go flying. If.” He swallowed heavily. “If you want to.” Crowley’s thin chest heaved, as if he’d run a race, or gone for a fly, and Aziraphale didn’t understand it, he didn’t understand why -

(And Aziraphale had thought he would know when the perfect moment came: that the very air would still around them, the birds would cease to fly, the planet stop in its turning, even the stars faltering in their twinkling, that he would know the moment when he would finally turn to Crowley and lay a hand on his arm, and say, “Crowley, I-”)

Aziraphale crumpled up the pea bag and shoved it deep in his pocket, shoved it down, out of sight, and Crowley watched him, brow furrowed, watching the movement the whole way down, but he didn’t say anything, either. “We shouldn’t,” Aziraphale said, and tried a smile. “Someone might see. We’re much larger than falcons, you know.”

“Don’t have to be,” Crowley said, but his mouth was thin and flat, and in his dark glasses all Aziraphale could see was the reflection of the ground. His own pale and wavering self, and beyond, the empty sky.

So the days slipped on away from the end of the world and the right moment still didn’t come, because Aziraphale would know it. It would be something big and momentous and fitting, and if that wasn’t it, if there was no great epiphanic moment that Aziraphale was waiting for, then it meant he was just afraid -

So Aziraphale waited, and waited and waited, and nothing ever changed, a hundred times in the shop where Crowley’s eyes sparkled at him in the dim light, his chin propped up on his hand and the look on his face, Aziraphale’d only seen it on statues, only heard it in music, only seen it in the bright new glory of a star, and their hands were so close as Aziraphale reached forward and played another move or Crowley poured him another glass of wine, and once Aziraphale had been busy talking about something or other, he didn’t even know what, was just talking to fill the space between them, which was narrowing every year, it seemed, drawing them closer and closer together, and Crowley had cut him off, said, “Aziraphale.” Just a low murmur, really, and Aziraphale gasped a little, he couldn’t help it, his heart jerking abruptly like it’d caught a thermal, and he said, “Yes?” leaning forward a bit, and Crowley leaned forward too but didn’t speak, his lips moving wordlessly, his eyes bright, fixed on Aziraphale’s, and Aziraphale said again, “Yes, Crowley?” leaning forward in his chair, about to slide off, where he would fall on his knees in front of Crowley -

Then a noise on the street: a car door slam, a pair of loud human voices, raised in laughter. Crowley frowned and sat back very slightly, and so Aziraphale too, pulling himself up as if from the edge of a great cliff, pushing his shoulders against his chair to steady himself. They stared at each other. Crowley said, “Nothing, I - nothing.”

And then Aziraphale’s in the elevator, and this is it, it’s here, the second coming, and he will stop it or ruin himself trying, he already knows. It’s what he was made for. He will not see Crowley again, he thinks, not unless it is across the battlefield, because despite all his bark and bluster Crowley is too stubborn to run away, to save himself. Aziraphale can already feel the reach of Heaven coming down from above, the holy brightness settling over him like a hood over his eyes. He can barely see Earth, its rich golden sunlight. He can only make out Crowley because he’s so dark and still. Far above him, something catches his eye: a bird in the sky, just a dark blot, singular and high. Freedom, thinks Aziraphale suddenly, dredging deep in his thousands of years of memory. Falcons mean freedom. But he can’t tell if it’s a falcon he’s seeing now. He’s not sure what he’s seeing. From down here, Aziraphale thinks, half-blinded, it could be anything. Even a sign.

Read the rest of the mixtape on AO3.

[intertexts]

HELLOOOOOOO i hope u have fun w ur siblings :] but also holy shit i cant wait for u to finish 39 and get to 40 heheheheheheh. ANYWAY. welcome to wibby torment nexus hours here we go!!!!!!!!!

actually going to start with the whisperer/mal/trickster thing because holy shit dude ive had IN DEPTH thoughts about this. i cant even type it all out here bc thats for a wholeeee second ask but basically. fuckin. yeah. fundamental basics: in nhw world trickster killed clarence. not going to give you the reasoning for this yet. im on the fence about how particularly intentional wibbys death was BECAUSE of that but.... yeah thats for sure a fucking soup ingredient dude.

out of all the options you said... hmmmmmm okay. i like all of them for different reasons. i dont think he would specifically kill wibby JUST to spite mal, theres definitely more to it than that, but i think its a funny little bonus for him. mals hatred is proabably MOSTLY one sided. but trickster thinks its funny to make him look like an idiot sooo. haha i killed the kid who reminds me of the other guy i killed in front of you get fucked loser! I ALSOOOO. HMMMM. I DO REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF WILLIAM GETTING STRUNG ALONG but i dont think trickster is manipulative Like That. hes impatient, he doesnt like playing the long game he likes instant gratification. getting ashe was a HUGE exception to that. so while i do love a good "morally grey hero works with the villain to get something he wants" thing. i think its EXTREMELY in character for william to do that but maybe not so much trickster. i do think if we want a moment like this though...................... what if. ohhh evil cooking in my mind rn. what if trickster makes it. OH FUCK. OKAY. HERE WE GO. LITERALLY JUST POPPING INTO MY MIND AS I TYPE OKAY OKAY FUCK . PSYCHIC DAMAGE

what if. what if. this happens at the beginning of the battle. they find muse sitting in the clearing by himself. they all show up ready to fight, theyre surrounding him (they have scouts out looking for trickster, too, since taking down the puppetmaster is how they free the puppets. ill get to this in a second). um. well. his hair is down, not in any fancy braid or anything. and william cant sense the breaker state. (dakota can, but hes not fast enough). trickster is making it seem like ashe is free by suppressing the breaker state as much as he can wihtout actually turning it off. he has ashe turn toward his friends, talks to them like its actually him, saying htings like "guys please he let me go help me get these off of me" (referring to. the strings) . and . in a panicked state of. relief and desperation to get ashe back, because he cant sense the breaker state, he believes the ruse, wibby is the first person to rush forward. it would maybe be more in character for dakota to rush in, but he hesitates, because with the effects of his power he CAN tell that ashe is still in breaker state. he and/or virion reach out to grab william before he can get too close but hes too fast and hes already in his own breaker form so even if they could grab him their hands would just slip through. he gets close enough and far enough away from the other heroes that trickster has ashe snap fully back into muse mode and rips wibby in half. so his real goal there was just to trick (ha!) at least one of the heroes into getting close enough to do that (lmao funny prank, get gamzeed idiot) but the fact that it was william specifically who did it makes the whole thing EVEN FUNNIER. his trap fooled the logical one, the smart one, the one who is usually stopping the OTHERS from doing stupid things like this !! AND this also just so happens to be mallard ghoul conway's little pet project who looks suspiciously like the hero trickster killed when he took over his first city!!!!!!!!!!! the whole thing is just so delicious for him. which . oh god the wards are out of commission because of wibby death but its also maybe kind of a good thing that this happened because trickster is so busy laughing at his own successful prank that it makes it just a tiny bit easier to find where hes holed up.

is this anything. hi. holy shit wibby torment nexus. i feel like there was something else i wanted to say but i got so lost in the sauce of the Scenarios

AUUUUHGH THIS IS EVERYTHING. YEAH. YEAH HOLY SHIT. sorry i took so long 2 get to this but like. Augh. holy shit. ok. this hits so perfectly i love it a lot. yeah. this goes hard. what if. also. honestly. he just could straight up turn off muse's shaker stuff/breaker state for a minute....... maybe he lets ashe think he's free maybe he's still controlling him or maybe it's genuine & he's really free for half a minute..... then also they doesn't have any reason to suspect him & if dakota Does ashe's telekinesis just. trips him up or prevents him from getting 2 will in time (bc half of dakota's thing is just Being Really Fucking Fast right).... will goes into his breaker state for Extra Security (remember how i said he hates actually fighting w/ it & stuff? he just Doesn't Know that it doesn't work right in ashe's area of effect.) & as soon as he gets close the ruse drops & everything bubbles and shifts around him & it's too late. do u think the trickster still does it with ashe's hands? also i couldn't stop thinking abt the image of wibby's breaker state just. dropping as soon as muse rips him apart. the clean blue-white glow fizzles and disappears & everything's just. blood and meat spraying. that moment of horror. (& maybe also dakota & virion literally just. can't get close safely for a while, they don't Know wibby is still Alive Like that, they just saw him get ripped apart, it's only when they recover from the shock/get desperate enough to enter the muse dreamscape that they realize his lungs are like. still going & stuff....) anyway. did we ever talk about how we fix this? how does he fucking get put back together????