#hes pathetic on main. hes cried on camera because his plan went wrong and it made him look stupid in front of optimus

[cybertron-smash-or-pass]

RiD 01 Megatron

[athena-is-a-chaotic-lil-shit]

Of Ice and Blood

Part 5

Look who's back with a 5k+ word count chapter?! Me!

I was planning on posting 1k+ at a time but stuff happened and I'm posting it all at once!

Enjoy and I'd appreciate it dearly if you reblog! Thank you!

Edit: Reached the 250 block limit so... The inevitable decision had to be made! Part 5 has a total of 3.42k words! The rest will be in a separate post <3

Pairing: Tai'chi Kashharzol (Orc) x Pearl Blackbell (Human OC/Reader)

Warnings: Cursing, Violence, brief mentions of blood and injury.

Overall SFW (but 16+ for language)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4 Part 6

*

The walk back to the school building was quiet.

Or so I thought.

Because it wasn't. At all.

Whispers, mutterings, echoed from the rooms as we passed by.

Are they doing it on purpose, or is my hearing sharper than usual?

"Hey look it's that girl."

"You mean the freak who sat beside the orc—"

"First day of school and someone already got killed. Should've expected him to be a savage."

"You think she wears a mask to hide her identity? Maybe she's a criminal-"

Probably the latter.

I shrugged. There stood a decent amount of distance between us anyway. So it's likely my hearing.

Students were watching us with weird suspecting eyes from a distance behind the windows. Sensing apprehension and outward hate when they saw Tai'chi next to me, his face in a neutral expression. But with my nose at this proximity, he smells pretty annoyed.

Just— why are there so many people,— humans–garnering these feelings towards someone they don't even know! And to even mock him like that! How dare —

"Pearl," Tai'chi called. His rich voice resonating, making the gossips of the students stop for a brief moment before they continued. Most likely slandering my name now. I didn't know I was standing still. Looking up, Tai'chi was a decent 9 meters away, with the staff members further ahead of him. He gave me a wondering look, worry along with his natural fragrance, drifted through me, carried by air.

I straightened up and took long strides, Tai'chi beside me, to catch up with them.

"Yeah, just thinking. I'm okay." Replying, not looking up to him. He didn't ask, but I felt like he would.

************short pov shift************

He was a bit bothered by the change in your scent and looked back when he noticed you weren't beside him anymore. There you were, standing in the middle of the wide hallway, brows scrunched up in aggravation.

He called out to you, probably a little louder than he meant to, but you looked up and hastily made your way beside him, both of you catching up to the rest towards the dean's office. He didn't ask, but you answered, only making him worry even more.

**********first person pov**************

As soon as we entered the main office of the center building, we were greeted with the sight of the dean and David, together with Miss Holson. He was a white fat man, though a bit taller than me, wearing a light grey suit with a few buttons open revealing a white undershirt, and a silly yellow, violet polka dot tie. I barely held back from snorting at the sight.

Mr. Silverstone was fussing over his son, his voice raised in slight panic was heard by everyone.

They went ahead of us then.

"My son! My dear, dear David! Who did this to you?!" he cried out. Once David, that son of a bitch, spotted me, he flashed me that blasted grin of his. He was acting, pretending to be hurt.

I hardly even left a scratch on him for fuck's sake. How I regret not punching him straight in the face.

Reverting to his fake, frightened, and miserable state, he pointed at me. "I-I-It's her father! She is the one who attacked me! Along with that thing with her."

Thing?! That sick bastard!

The dean whipped his head in my direction, eyes scanning me up and down before he diverted them to Tai'chi.

Well, it seems I'll ve packing up sooner than I thought.

My shoulders sagged.

Some professors were alarmed by this, frantically pushing forward to grab his attention.

"Mr. Silverstone, we still do not know what's for certain. We must interrogate them properly and listen to each of their sides before we make a decision." Mr. Dulrik asserted, his voice strained and close to animosity. He was not pleased with what the student had said.

The elder professor from earlier followed up.

"Listen to Mr. Dulrik, sir. We cannot take any risks and ju—"

"Silence!" the dean shouted. "I will not hear your reasoning. My son has told me everything I need to know. Miss Holson supported his claims and that's enough to decide what to do with these criminals."

Criminals?!

"The girl and that orc shall be expelled from this institution immediately. We do not need any murderers or barbarians here. I have always suspected why that Ernestine brat even allowed these monstrosities to be with us. To breathe the same air and walk the same land as we do, endangering our safety no less! A pathetic excuse of a founder she is! If it were me I would've—"

"You would've what?" Words came out before I stopped myself, my voice low, but it was heard still, drawing their attention to me.

"What did you just say?" He demanded, his anger slipping out more. The room was silent, except for the subtle ticking of the wall clock behind me, and the movement of air around us.

I lifted my head and looked at him dead in the eye. "You would've what?" This time, I replied, louder.

Before he could retort I went on, emotion fueling my words as I advanced with every question asked.

"Would've banned every single, non-human race from the university?

"Would've taught every human that they are greater beings and the ones that were different were meant to be stepped on?

"Would've ordered and tolerated bullying on anyone who was unnatural and weird looking?

"Would've put them in their place?

Isolate them? Degrade them? Despise them for being alive?" No-one stopped me as I approached him, the teachers separating and making way. Even Mr. Dulrik was regarding me curiously.

I scoffed. " 'If it were me' you said. You think I wouldn't notice how everyone else, that isn't human, was oppressed and treated like shit in this school? It seems to me that you already did what you would've done, didn't you? You are no dean, you are a clown, a pillock, a dumbass, and you call yourself human? You are more monster than any of us in this room."

I breathed heavily as I stood a couple of feet in front of him. His face grew to a crimson hue, my ears catching the sound of smoke seething out of him. At the back, David and Miss Holson were dumbfounded, shocked into place, shaken like ugly statues.

Finally, the dean spoke, his fists clenching hard as he faced me, almost drawing blood.

I am so gonna beat him up. Hell yeah, I will.

"Keep out of trouble if you can." Well, shit happened Mama, forgive me.

"How dare you speak to me like that! I, a pure-blood Silverstone, a line of royalty! If we were still at war I would've had you executed from where you stand—"

"How about you do it yourself then, oh mighty Silverstone jerk?" I mocked and gave a toothy smile, then I remembered he wouldn't see it. That was all it took to have him launching himself at me, the professors running to the sides to avoid his wrath.

His hands were balled tight, a fist aiming for my face, eyes filled with deadly intent.

Oh, he really wants to kill me.

Before it connected, I sidestepped, causing him to stumble forward. Even so, he immediately regained his balance and reached to grab my hoodie. I didn't dodge this time, but before he touched me, I used my right hand to slap it away. With my other hand, fitted with my crimson knuckle dusters, I met his fist with mine. Almost instantly, he stumbled back and crouched down, his left hand holding his bloodied one.

"You bitch!!!" he screamed in agony.

I think I broke his hand.

I glanced to my brass knuckles, some of the blood covering them, merely visible because of its color.

Shattered it perhaps.

"I will have you killed you insolent brat! I'll kill you!" he cursed.

"Now, now, Silverstone, you will do no such thing." A feminine voice cut through the large room. We all turned to the door to see a slim, tall, tanned woman who seemed to be in her 40s, her slightly wrinkled face showing it. She was wearing a black high-waist pencil skirt paired with a black one-button suit and a baby blue undershirt. The lady also wore classic white loafers and white hand gloves made of leather, with her ebony hair tied up in a bun.

Everything about her screams 'important'. I scented an intimidating yet reassuring aura around her.

I met her eyes and a sense of familiarity fell upon me. I know her and I've seen her before.

Wait. Could it be— she's—

"Madame Ernestine!" A professor exclaimed.

That means she's, "The founder," I said out loud.

She began sauntering in my direction, each step clicking on the floor, carrying herself with grace.

"M-Ma-Madame Ernestine!" The dean, shrieked as he stood up, shaking, his busted hand in his chest, his back facing me. "I didn't expect you to visit this year! We could've prepared for your arrival—"

"You shut your mouth now Welmir." She spoke out, her voice firm and borderline hostile. "I've had enough of your blabbering mug. I made it so that my arrival is unexpected. Leaving my outside duties rather early and rushed this year when news got to me that you, the dean, were neglecting your duties, or so, doing it wrong. Not to mention I had my assistant install extra cameras in... certain places last year and because of that, I saw what you did in the shadows. Maybe not all, but it confirmed my suspicions of you, and so," She clapped her together, "I decided to visit you today. And what a surprise it was to see you get beaten up by this lovely young lady behind you."

Me?! Lovely—

My face warmed from her comment.

"Listen here, brat." he regarded the founder. The founder. "I do not know what you are talking about. I have done my duties and more for this university. I made it so that everyone here is safe and this girl,"— he spat— "harmed me, my precious son, and his friends!"

"And all of you deserved it, severely," she responded flatly. "You put my dear students at risk and antagonized them with your schemes, tolerating the behavior of treating other races like animals, disrespecting even the professors who are different in kind," she glanced at Mr. Dulrik and the others. "You even forced a minotaur, an elf, and a dwarven student to act the part of being in a student council, hoping people wouldn't notice the crimes you did behind our backs. Did you expect me to turn blind eye to this?"

It was all pretend?!

The mere thought of what he did to threaten them to it makes me wanna puke.

"I am furious, Welmir Silverstone. To think I believed you'd change your ways after my father's death with the renovation of the institute. Trusted you to do your job as dean and make the students comfortable, welcomed. But, no. You chose to follow his footsteps, became selfish, blinded by greed and pointless hate. You are a disappointment to all of us."

I smelled her rage under that near non-expressive facade of hers. It was spicy, like fire having an odor of its own.

"You are but a child! You know nothing of this world! This world of ours needs to be purged off of those rats. You cannot tell me what to do!" He yelled as he brought up his uninjured hand to hit her. I was about to step in when Madame Ernestine grabbed his arm and threw a right uppercut, blood spilling out of his jaw. The punch sent him a few steps back, he would have landed on me if I didn't move out of the way before he collapsed on the floor groaning and holding his mouth.

Ooh she's strong! Nice! I grinned.

"You are hereby stripped off of your job as dean along with all of your titles, properties, and henceforth banished from these grounds, together with your son and Emma Holson, whom I found out laid with him, and the abusive acts they had engaged in." Her words laced with poison, disgust and anger as she gave the final judgement.

"Never show yourselves. Ever. Again," she spat. "Take them away."

Out of nowhere, men in black suits came in and apprehended the young instructor, who twisted her heel trying to escape. She yelled at them to let her go, saying she has done nothing wrong. David, the bastard, was held in place by one of them as he struggled in their grasp. The dean— or should I say, Mr. Silverstone, in pain and bleeding, was dragged up by two others and headed straight out of the door. He shouted ;

"Mark my words, brat! I will—"

And the door slammed close.

With my gaze following them, my eyes landed on Tai'chi. I took off my dusters and waved, tucking them back up my sleeve.

He is smiling! And oh wow he's damn gorgeous— wait what?

My attention was drawn away to the lady in front of me. I got distracted by Tai'chi that I almost forgot about her.

"Oh my God I uhm— hello Madame Ernestine." I took one step back before bowing. "It's an honor to meet you. I—"

"Oh dear, please raise your head. No need for such formal gestures. I am Valerie Ernestine, founder of the new Ernestine State University." She stated as she beamed at me.

"I uh- Yes ma'am I know of you. I'm quite a fan actually— I mean! My name is Pearl Blackbell, ma'am."

Oh God, that sounded so stupid.

Then she hugged me.

"Ma'am?!" I squeaked. My arms went stiff, nervous to even touch her. Before I could, she pulled back, a gentle expression on her face.

"Nice to meet you, Pearl Blackbell."

"I- nice to meet you too Ma'am Ernestine!" I stammered, praying my face and ears isn't as red as I feel them to be.

"Please, call me Valerie."

"Ma'am Valerie."

"Just Valerie, dear."

"I'm so sorry ma'am but I can't— my mother will hit me in the head with a frying pan if I forget my manners."

"Very well, then. It brings me joy that you were raised properly by your parents."

"Thank you ma'am, I really am happy to have them, and I only hope for them to be proud of me— oh wait. Uh, ma'am Valerie?"

"Yes?"

"Am I gonna get punished or expelled?" I shrunk, expecting the worst.

"Why ever did you think of that?"

"W-Well you see, I did harm uh, students and they're probably in the infirmary right now and—"

"Oh, Pearl, no." She let out a light chuckle. "You won't be punished or even expelled for that! In fact, I saw how you defended yourself and your friend from them. They did attack you first, sweetie. And what you did was impressive!" She clapped her hands. As I stood there in relief, I couldn't help but shot up when the words sank in.

"Oh, thank you. But how...?"

"Apparently, I had my assistant install some cameras in the forest area for particular reasons. I watched you from the monitor as I made my way here," she replied.

"Oh. Oh, wow. That's actually pretty awesome," I sighed.

"Indeed, it is," she smiled. "Excuse me for a bit."

******pov shift to 2nd person (two characters)*****

Madame Ernestine turned and walked towards the remaining teachers to talk about important matters at hand.

"Greetings, my friends." She beamed at the staff and looked at Professor Dulrik and the woman who supported him earlier. "Hello, Roldo and Amila. I have missed you dearly." She bent down to hug the two of them before she went on. "I apologize for not taking action immediately. To think he did this to all of you right under my nose! Why didn't you contact me Roldo?"

"My apologies, Madame Ernestine. I didn't have any proof to show his plot against you and the others. He was very elusive and kept us very busy in our own offices for the past year with you away. That was until today, with the young lady over there standing up against his son, he snapped."

"It really is a good thing she came here, didn't she?" she whispered.

"Indeed, Madame," Amila replied.

There was a brief silence, before Valerie spoke up again. Her gaze locked at the dwarven professor.

"Roldo, my old friend, I want you to take your place as the new dean of this university. I trust you to do your duty a hundred percent better than that impudent man ever did. Will you accept this responsibility?"

"I- Valerie this is-"

"Roldo, you are wise and have seen things most of us here have not. I will not force you on something you do not want, but I put my faith in you, to help me, along with the rest of the staff, to teach everyone here that all of us stand in equal ground, and that we must respect and acknowledge each individual, regardless of their kind. No one, no student, should ever feel uncomfortable in this haven of mine."

"I understand, Valerie." The dwarf took a deep breath and vowed;

"I, Roldo Dulrik, son of Grol II, son of Frerin, accept the responsibilities given to me as dean of Ernestine State University. I will do my duty to the best of my abilities, and remain loyal to you and to this institution." He responded as he thumped his right fist against his chest.

"I know you will, my friend." Valerie grinned at him, her eyes full of trust and hope.

While they were occupied with discussing certain issues, you tried to sneak away, only to be called back by Madame Ernestine.

"Pearl, my dear."

"Yes ma'am?"

"Thank you."

She had a soft smile, emotions clear on her face, directed at you. The founder, Valerie was thanking you for your bravery, kindness and overall honesty. You simply nodded and grinned from ear to ear behind your mask. You were, however, suddenly nervous when Valerie and the two professors approached you. No, actually, all of them were, but the others are heading out of the office, perhaps to go back to their respective classrooms and start working, they gave their thanks as they went out.

"Pearl Blackbell, a wonderful name!" Professor Dulrik remarked. "May the Gods bless you and shine upon you in all your days," he grinned. Before you could reply, Professor Amila hugged you and whispered. "Thank you, for beating up those idiots," —which made you giggle— "It was the right thing to do, and also I had to defend myself. and thank you, Professor Dulrik."

"Nonsense, call me Professor Roldo, lass." He patted your shoulder as he went past you and out of the office, but not before he slapped Tai'chi's forearm.

"You best protect her if you can, lad. Even so, it is obvious she won't need protecting!" He laughed, and went on, quietly, as if whispering. "...Be her friend, my boy. Her eyes...they show the pain she had gone through. You saw that in her, didn't you?"

Tai'chi simply nodded in response. He knew what he meant.

"Then do what you must. If word ever comes to me that you hurt her, I will hunt you down with me battle axe hidden in my office, you hear?"

This time, he chuckled. "I hear you, Professor. I won't. I swear on the the name of my clan, no harm will befall on her." He told him, his voice firm and true.

"That's what I'm talking about, lad!" He replied as he finally exited the room.

Tai'chi shifted his gaze to you. You and the dean were still talking so he stood there, patiently.

"We best be on our way. We still have a number of things to set straight. We will see you around, Miss Blackbell. Don't get into trouble now." The founder giggled.

"I will try my best, ma'am."

"Oh sure you will, sweetie. Goodluck. And oh, the two of you should start going back. It's past lunchbreak afterall." She said as the two ladies sauntered past you and went out.

"Thank you, we will." You said, mostly to yourself.

**************************************

Part 6 will be posted shortly! Like, shortly shortly. Like, an hour or so shortly. Stay tuned! Thank you for reaching this point uwu✨

Tags: @crackinanutshell @kokokatsworld @mitchiesdungeon <3

[jiwonsssi]

— stress relief, pt. 1

The difference with dealing with that stress is that he smokes, and she cries.

Warnings: smoking, swearing.

Characters: Eun Jiwon/Sandara Park.

Jiwon thinks that all these fashion events are so fucked up. He has been there for two hours and he's already exhausted like hell.

Eyes are blurry from all the of cameras that are everywhere. Everyone has that fucking thing. And everyone thinks that it's their own proud duty to stuck it in his face.

It is his first time attending these kind of meetings and the last. He doesn't even remember why he agreed. Maybe it wasn't even Jiwon who did that; there are too many people who can say 'yes' for him without asking his opinion in the first place.

He suddenly goes back to old days; Jiwon hates it. It was all fun being famous until they started being slaves for a shitty company. And it's nothing different.

He pulls out a pack of Marlboro and sighs.

There is no way he can quit smoking; otherwise he might kill someone out of nerves. He already has that reputation, it's enough fame of being crazy for one person. Although he likes it. It's so much easier that way.

Lightning a cigarette, he leans on a wall not caring about expensive designed jacket. It's just an ordinary black suit. He has something around ten of them. He's even sure that if he would change that one with one that he has at home - nobody would ever notice. And that's the most annoying shit about everyone whos out there trying to make themselves experts.

Fake.

Feeling how the smoke is going down the throat, Jiwon puts his hand in a pocket and looks at the nights skies. He just wants to get home and sleep. Moral exhaustion is taking all the good from him; he's not even tired physically.

Only God knows how much he abhors days like this.

Trying to make himself better in front of people he doesn't even know. It's his work, right?

The music from the afterparty that is still goes on suddenly becomes loud and he looks to the back door in front of him, being a little bit curious. At the end it's not even a place to smoke, he just found the most empty place which happen to be behind fire escape door. Jiwon just got prepare to bicker with anyone who would try to kick him out.

To what he wasn't prepared is for seeing crying woman appearing and then disappearing after noticing him right at that particular door.

His brain proceeds information slowly at first; he even forgets to exhale the smoke and when he coughs a few times, realisation becomes clear - that was Sandara Park and he's in rather, how to say, difficult situation at that exact moment; he's fucked up.

Jiwon hates seeing people cry. It's not about women, but in general. What should he do now? Go after her? Or stay here? Or.. what? She clearly went here to not to 'breath some fresh air', she wanted to be alone. Just like him.

Though she was in tears and that is the most tricky part about the whole thing.

Jiwon curses under his breath and throws unfinished cigarette at the concrete floor. Of course he would follow her. Like hell he would.

He clearly has a soft spot for her.

Just when his hand touches a door knob, metal cracks open, filling almost complete night silence with muffled music. And her sobs.

Jiwon tries his best to not panic. What should he do now? Saying 'wazzup hows it going' is not really a way to go, but he doesn't want to disturb her with that pathetic 'what's wrong? Can I help you?'. The struggle is written on his face when Dara passes him and stops a few meters away.

He should leave her alone. He would more of a disaster than a help. And so he does. Ignoring the increase of her sobs right after he closes the door behind him.

And than Jiwon is standing inside the crowded bar, filled with kind of music that makes him want to throw up with a persistent thought that he hates that place. Everything about it. All that chatting that has zero sense that goes on a loop around him; all the loud fucking music that gives him head-aches; all the people who only cares about image. It's sick.

There is one way for him and he's willing to follow it. Free bar. He's here to enjoy the alcohol and to get wasted. So he guides himself to the holy place when his brain proceeds better than him.

- Can I have a glass of water? And tissues.

He can't let her cry there all alone. Right? Jiwon doesn't think that he would be able to calm Dara down, but offering her some help is a reasonable act of being a nice man.

Jiwon receives what he asked for and goes straight to the back door, passing security guy who gives him a suspicious look and opens that door that now is more like hell-gates again.

- Hey, I..

He stops mid-sentence, seeing her on her hunkers with face covered by palms, while her bare shoulders are shaking violently. He doesn't even hear her sobs at this point; she's just shaking and.. it breaks his heart.

Putting a glass on the floor and tissues in a pocket, Jiwon is beside her in a second, getting down as well.

- Are you in pain? Sandara, come on, stand up, I'll help you, - he's not even sure if he can call her by her name. She reacts quickly with putting her hand in palm that he offered to help her ro stand up.

He really though that she was crying because she was hurt. But now, when he can see her trying to wipe her tears, he realises that she, in fact, isn't. Dara is exhausted. Again, just like him.

The difference with dealing with it is that he smokes, and she cries.

- I'm okay, - voice turns out to be crooked and unstable. Somehow Jiwon sees her in a perfectly new way now.

He doesn't like her crying, of course, he's not that kind of crazy. Jiwon remembers her as smiling and always hyped-up woman who invited him to one of the best dates he had ever been. It was so distant for him - thinking, that she really likes him and his hobbys just as they truly are. They, other women, always try to change him; his life-style and interests. So when she planned the perfect food and activities for him, he was.. more than impressed. Touched, even. And she enjoyed it as much as he did. Jiwon would never forget how happy she was.

And now he sees her crying her heart out because of stress. It breaks his heart as well.

Basically that is the thing that he finds the most troublesome.

- If you say so, - persuasion is not going to end well and so it's better to stuck with keeping a distance right now. He doesn't want to invade her space more than he already did.

- I'm sorry, I.. I didn't know you were here and thank you also, I just.. - she even tries to bow to him and Jiwon stops her immediately, being as gentle as he can let himself to be, putting his hands on her shoulders. Touching her now might be really offensive. Crying people - really hates it.

- It's alright, no worries. I've got you something, - he goes for a glass that he left on a floor and puts it right in her hand, making sure it won't slip, - You look like you are going to have a badass photoshoot with all that mascara situation on your face..

Jiwon finds it funny and adorable. Dara doesn't.

And so the glass she was holding of course slips out of her fingers and with a loud crack it breaks, water splashes, Jiwon curses and Dara closes her face with hands and cries again. Just ten times harder.

- I'm sorry, oh my fucking God, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it, please, I'm an idiot, please, - he continues to repeat the same things over and over again and he's panicking. He looks like a monkey now, desperately trying to make her look at him without touching her hands. He's in a scariest panic he had ever been for a past few years.

He's in a full panic mode, yes, but he didn't want anybody to interrupt them. Jiwon is not sure how to accept that he wants to deal with it only by himself now.

- Come on, I've got tissues if you didn't like the glass, - he pulls out some and steps on broken pieces, - See? Bad glass. Never gonna give you any glasses anymore.

He does it again a few times and she softly giggles through sobs and did that feel like a heart attack? Because he surely had one.

- Yeah, glass was kinda gross, - she jokes back and he doesn't bother to hide his smile. He's happy for no reason and it right after he made a woman cry. Crazy one, indeed.

Dara calms down just a little and then takes tissues out of his palm and he clearly can see tears streaming down her face.

He's so used to see her smiling. Jiwon just hasn't ever had an idea that she can be sad too.

- I didn't want to hurt you, for real. I'm sorry, - Jiwon feels bad. He really does. It's even funny how he nearly shitted his pants when she continued crying after his stupid joke.

- It's not you, it's okay, - she wipes her face carefully trying not to ruin that was left from make up that she had and Jiwon traces all of her movements, feeling like he's under some spell. It's almost soothing, - I just thought about how it's funny that I was trying to talk to you the whole event and end up ugly crying right in front of you.

Her smile is so sad and Jiwon is just silent. He doesn't know what to do, nor say. There is emptiness in his head and he tries to inhale fresh air deeper to make his brain work already.

He takes one of the tissues and slowly puts her hands down, with that strange dazing feeling inside still being present. Like all the smoke is now moved to his head.

Carefully wiping her cheeks, he follows now his fingers with a gaze and his main mistake is giving zero fucks about how shaking is she.

And she's going crazy.

- You look stunning, - he looks her in the eyes to finally realise that one of his hands is on the side of her neck, pressing firmly against now warm skin and with the other he tries to wipe mascara from her face.

And she blushes so fucking hard, he doesn't know what to do with himself.

Jiwon has enough experience to say that that's where the kiss is happening. But judging by expression on Dara's face if he would even try to do it, she would fain.

First of all, he finds it shitless cute.

Second of all, what the fuck he's even thinking about?

Because he's suddenly not exhausted anymore. He forgot when he stopped thinking about himself and started caring about her.

- Thank you, - her tone is high-pitched and Jiwon smiles like crazy looking at her chin, nodding, silently saying that is no need to be thankful. It's an absolute truth.

Another tuth needs to be relieved - Jiwon is a sucker for moments like this. Yet he stopped paying attention to relationships quite a time ago, so now that long forgotten sensation is impossible to ignore.

He feels twenty years younger. And he was wild during that time.

- How can you still look attractive while crying? - making her blush is basically his favorite thing now. It's natural to be attracted to someone like her.

- Don't say that, oh my God, - Jiwon laughs when she turns her head on the side to not to look at him and smiles just so brightly, yet shy and.. happy. After seeing her drowning in tears, it feels amazing. And his hand still on her soft skin; her heart beat is erratic. Violent. Because of him.

Another heart attack for him.

- It's true tho, - she looks perfect. She was shining in front all that lights before; in front of everyone. It's not about expensive dress or make up. He knows that it's about her attitude. She's naturally beautiful. From the inside, as they like to describe it.

- You too, - she turns again to look at him and her lips are slightly pursed and.. He's going to die, how can a woman be looking that hot, stunning and pure at the same time? And she cried, like, two minutes before and now not even in her best state, - You also is very handsome today. I know that you don't like hearing it, but.. I'm..

She's panicking and Jiwon, being his bastard self, doesn't want to help her. Even tho he feels like his hands are getting colder like he's some teenager.

- You..? - he looks directly in her eyes, stepping a little bit closer, so close he can feel her breath on his skin; now looking at her with curiosity and open adoration. Jiwon adores her. And he didn't even drink today to have that type of feeling.

- I didn't mean that you look nice only today, you always do! - her embarrassment is written on confused flushing red face. Has he squeaked? Hopefully not.

- Okay, - smirk spreads by it's own will and he licks his lips, not caring about what's going on. Or how it looks. The only thing that's important for now is how she looks at him; he can swear no other woman had never had that pure interest in him in her eyes.

He's gone for. Thoroughly.

- Want me to give you a ride? - he proceeds what he said just after a moment she understands what he had just, in fact, said and now it's his turn to be in panic, - Fuck, no! Oh God.. home. I want to drive you home.

Or not.

Oh, God.

Dara giggles after a moment of silence and wide open shocked eyes; the next thing he feels is her tiny hand on top of his. Her delicate touch got him growling inside and he feels something that he wasn't actually physically ready to feel.

- I'd love to, - and she's elegant all of sudden. Dara plans a murderous assault on him or what? It's illegal, - Ask me that question again when we get home.

Because now she's gone for.

[singledarkshade]

Anger Leads To Hate

Part Five

“Come on,” Sara sighed annoyed as she paced, her phone at her ear, “Come on, Nate answer your damn phone.”

Angrily she hung up and tried Zari, swearing when there was no answer and frowned even more confused when she couldn’t find Ray’s number.

“No luck,” Ava asked appearing with two coffees.

Sara shook her head, “Nate and Zari aren’t answering their phones while I can’t even find Ray’s number for some reason.”

“That’s strange,” Ava mused, placing a coffee on the desk while she drank her own.

“I told them to keep a hold of their phones at all times,” Sara snapped, grabbing the coffee she took a long drink, “Do you not have anything stronger?”

Ava rolled her eyes before dropping into her chair and checking her computer, “Well no one has reported anything unusual.”

“I don’t like it,” Sara pushed a hand through her hair, “Is Mick still in the cafeteria?”

Ava nodded, “Mrs Holt thinks he’s quite ‘a character’ and keeps feeding him.”

“Well it keeps him out of trouble,” Sara noted, “Okay, Nate went home because his mom was ill. He might be at the hospital so isn’t able to use his phone right now. I asked Zari to find him and if she’s in the middle of something she might not hear hers.”

“And Ray?”

“He’s been working on the ATOM suit and has a tendency to ignore things when he’s engrossed in a project,” Sara said adding sadly, “Especially since he’s upset.”

“What’s happening with Gideon isn’t your fault,” Ava reminded her.

Before Sara could say anything the door opened and Constantine walked in.

“Have you never heard of knocking?” Ava demanded.

He ignored her turning to Sara, “One of my alarms has been set off. I need to go look in on it to make sure nothing dangerous has been released.”

Sara grimaced, “Is it necessary? Is there not someone else you can ask to check it?”

“No,” he stated with a frown.

Swapping an annoyed look with Ava she nodded, “Alright, but take Mick with you.”

“Why?” Constantine demanded a slight whine in his voice.

“Because Gideon is out there,” Sara reminded him, “And considering she’s going to come after us at some point I don’t want anyone out there alone.”

With an annoyed sigh he started out, “Fine. I’ll be back soon.”

“Keep your phone on,” Sara called after him.

He waved in confirmation making her sigh in annoyance.

“This isn’t good,” Constantine murmured as he entered the cottage.

“Looks fine to me,” Mick rumbled from behind him.

Turning to the thief he shook his head, “That’s what I mean. The alarm was set off but there is no reason for it to be.”

“Are you completely sure?” Mick asked.

Constantine checked the room quickly hoping he was wrong stopping and sighing, “This was a trap.”

“Well done, Mr Constantine,” Gideon’s voice made them spin to find her standing in the doorway, “Although, I’m surprised it took you this long to figure it out.”

Mick aimed the heat-gun at her grunting in surprise when it flew out his hand and fell at Gideon’s feet.

“That is not very hospitable, Mr Rory,” Gideon said softly disappointment in her voice, “I merely wished to speak to you both.”

“You could have used the phone, love,” Constantine said, trying to work out if he could reach the cupboard before she had the time to stop him.

Gideon laughed, “I like speaking face to face, now that I am able to do so,” she walked to the nearest bookcase and gently touched the spines of the books sitting there, “You have an impressive library, Mr Constantine.”

“What does the thing whispering in your ear want, Gideon?” Constantine demanded seeing her stiffen, “I saw it and I know it may look like him, it may sound like him but it’s not Rip Hunter.”

“How dare you,” she snapped.

He shook his head, “Gideon, let me help you. It isn’t Rip you’re seeing, he’s gone. I’m sorry but he isn’t with you.”

Anger covered her face, “You are trying to take him from me once more.”

“No...”

“I will not allow anyone to do that,” Gideon yelled, “Never again. I will destroy anyone who tries.”

“You know the Englishman would never want you to hurt anyone,” Mick spoke up, “He didn’t believe in that.”

Gideon turned on him, her eyes glowing, “Do not tell me what Rip would and would not want.”

Mick took a step towards her, “I fought beside him as Chronos, I remember him...”

He didn’t get a chance to say anything else as he was thrown against the wall.

“How dare you,” she snarled, “You try to tell me about Rip when you did nothing but treat him like dirt.”

“Gideon,” Constantine started only to be cut off when he was thrown against the wall beside Mick.

Walking towards them, her cloak swirling around her Gideon tilted her head in thought, “I may borrow some of your collection, Mr Constantine since you will be busy elsewhere.”

“What?” was all he managed to say before he fell backwards into ice cold water hearing Mick’s grunt of pain beside him.

Looking up he saw Gideon through the portal before she closed it her eyes still glowing.

                          *********************************************

  Gideon returned to the Waverider. All of the Legends had been dealt with taking them out of her way for the moment which meant it was now time for her plan to destroy the two who were directly responsible for taking her Captain from her to be put into action.

She stood staring at the picture of the two women, the thieves and liars who had stolen everything from him treating him as some kind of villain when all he had ever done was to protect the timeline and them.

“Are you alright?” Rip asked from behind her.

Gideon nodded, tilting her head to be closer to him for a moment, “They are all removed. It’s time.”

“You have no idea how incredibly proud I am of you,” Rip told her, his voice soft, “My Avenging Angel.”

Turning to look at him she smiled, “I’m ready to do this for you.”

His hand rested close to her cheek, “Make them pay, Gideon. Make them pay for taking me from you.”

“I shall, Captain.”

  Ava stared at the screen in front of her, “Another aberration popped up before disappearing.”

“Are you sure it’s not your systems?” Sara asked.

“No,” Ava replied, “We did a full diagnostic recently and everything is working fine.”

Sara groaned and covered her face with her hands, “Its Gideon. It has to be. She’s doing something to get our attention so she can ambush us.”

“Okay, I’ll arrange for a team to look into them,” Ava nodded.

Jumping off her seat Sara finished her coffee quickly, “I’m going to check on the rest of the team.”

They both looked up when alarms sounded.

“What is that?” Sara demanded.

“Fire alarm,” Ava told her, they started for the door to join the evacuation finding the door locked.

Together they kicked the door wincing when a force-field covered it and they were knocked back onto the floor.

“We have to get out of here,” Sara said, getting to her feet.

Ava frowned and checked her computer, “The entire building is being evacuated, I doubt whatever is blocking the door will let anyone hear us call for help.”

“Your Time Courier,” Sara clicked her fingers, “We can use that to get out of here.”

Ava nodded and began to program it, “I’ll set it for outside in five minutes.”

The portal opened behind Sara and they walked through, stalling when they re-entered Ava’s office.

“What the hell?” Sara cried, “What happened?”

Ava shook her head, “I don’t know,” moving to her desk again she paused staring at the door which was now sitting open, “Sara.”

“That is not good,” Sara winced, “Got any weapons?”

Ava pulled open her bottom drawer and handed Sara a knife, taking one herself before they slowly started out the door into the main office. The whole place was completely empty. Sara headed to the exit doors frowning when they didn’t open.

“We’re locked in,” she called back at Ava who was checking the cameras.

Ava looked up, “The entire building is empty.”

“We’re trapped here,” Sara breathed.

“Yes, Miss Lance,” Gideon’s voice came, “You are.”

  Sara spun and frowned when she saw the former AI standing there once again in the black dress and cloak she had been wearing in the warehouse.

“Gideon,” Sara said softly, “Don’t do this. Don’t become what this thing wants you to become. You are stronger than it. Rip would never want you...” she trailed off when two metal bracelets suddenly attached themselves to her wrists.

Fear set in when her wrists were pulled together before her arms were yanked above her head and she was suddenly attached to the wall behind her.

“Stop this,” Sara snapped trying to keep Gideon’s attention on her to give Ava some time to render her unconscious.

Gideon waved her hand and Ava was suddenly in the same predicament on the wall directly across from Sara.

“Are you giving me an order, Miss Lance?” Gideon asked as she slid to sit on the desk so she could look at both of them, “You do realise that you were never my Captain, don’t you?”

Knowing she needed time for help to come Sara demanded, “Then why come with us?”

“Because he asked me to,” Gideon replied matter-of-factly, “Do you think I would have allowed you to take my ship unless Rip agreed to it? He is my true Captain, Miss Lance and I followed his orders.”

Sara winced when the manacles on her wrists tightened.

“I followed his orders,” Gideon continued angrily, “Even when you betrayed his trust and sold him out to Bennett, allowing the organisation he spent so long building to fall into the hands of someone who did not know how to handle it.”

Jumping off the desk Gideon’s eyes burned angrily as she turned to Ava, “And you, Miss Sharpe. Rip trusted you and you allied yourself with the man who undermined him then stole what he worked so hard to build. Do you not think it odd how there was once a board of Directors who suddenly became only one in charge?”

Ava caught Sara’s eye before she demanded, “So what he did to me was fine? I’m supposed to forgive him for hiding who I truly am from me?”

“You are pathetic,” Gideon snarled at her, “Did you give him a chance to explain why? Or did you not listen because you didn’t want to know the truth?”

“He lied to me,” Ava reminded her, “He changed my memories and had people pretending to be my parents. Am I supposed to forgive him for that?”

Gideon laughed darkly, “You asked him to do it.”

“What?”

“The twelfth clone,” Gideon said softly, “The one that was so much more than a drone who followed blindly. He agreed to take that knowledge from you so you felt normal.”

Ava frowned confused, “Why did he create the fake family?”

“Because he was kind,” Gideon replied annoyed, “He gave you the thing he never had, a family, a past and somewhere you belonged.”

“Why lie about it?” Sara demanded, she knew they had to keep Gideon focussed on them until the team could get there.

Gideon turned on her, “To protect her just as he protected you, Miss Lance.”

“Protected me?” Sara laughed, wincing when Gideon’s eyes began to glow red.

The former AI glared at her, “You were supposed to die the same day as your sister, Miss Lance but my Captain refused to allow that. He time scattered you when a nuclear missile hit the ship and he ensured the Bureau left you alone when you were out making a mess of the timeline.”

Sara gasped as she felt her throat begin to constrict.

“He protected you,” Gideon continued her voice rising in anger, “And you treated him like he was nothing. Now you will pay for your betrayal.”

Before they could say anything else a ring of fire surrounded both of them. Sara struggled against her restraints as the flames began to move closer to her and she tried to pull away from the heat.

“Gideon, stop this,” Sara yelled.

Turning to her Gideon gave a beatific smile, “Is that an order, Miss Lance? Because I’m sure I’ve already reminded you that you are not my Captain. Enjoy the rewards of your betrayal.”

“Gideon,” Sara screamed as the portal opened in front of the former AI, “Gideon!!!”

Stepping through the portal Gideon stood watching them struggle as the flames moved closer, “Oh, in case you think one of the others will come to your aid. You should know I removed them all. Goodbye Miss Lance, Miss Sharpe.”

“Gideon!!!” Sara yelled as the portal closed leaving them trapped, helpless in the burning building, “Gideon!!!”

[auggie-hunter]

one single glimpse of relief...

to make sense of what you’ve seen;

auggie was fiddling with the coffee maker, scooping a small amount of coffee into the filter and setting it to start, before putting a decaf k-cup into the keurig. he’d barely managed a lick of sleep the previous night, and was feeling it with how slow he was moving around the kitchen. but he was happy to make the morning moves after teddy’s awful night.

he grabbed two mugs from the cupboard, setting one under the keurig, and turned to watch her where she sat at the breakfast nook. her leg jiggled against the foot rest of the barstool, as it did whenever she was nervous, and she stared intently at the screen of her ipad. he knew she was waiting for the clock to hit a reasonable hour of the morning for both maine and california so she could press down on her father’s name on her facetime screen.

she wasn’t handling her father’s diagnosis very well, nor was she doing well with the news that she couldn’t jump on the first flight to go see him. and despite her family doing the best they could to wrap the graham curtain of love and comfort around her from a distance, it didn’t make her wandering imagination run any less wild, and the pregnancy hormones weren’t helping much either.

the keurig beeped first, and she jumped. “sorry, ted,” he apologized, quick to go grab her mug, and prepare her coffee as she liked it. he brought it over to her, pressing a kiss to the back of her head, and took a seat on the stool beside her.

“i just. i need to make sure he’s okay, you know?” her eyes watered, wrapping both hands around the warm mug. she’d spent most of the night crying, and he was almost surprised she had any tears left. “i need to—”

auggie scooted closer to her, and dropped a kiss on her shoulder. “i know.” he slipped his left hand under her sweater, fingers gliding up the skin of her back in comfort. “come on, let’s go to the couch and wait there.” he stood and held his hand out to her. “you’ll be more comfortable.”

teddy stood, looking pitifully sad and small holding her mug, and his heart felt heavy for her. he knew the powerlessness of that. of wanting to do more and not being able to. but he didn’t voice it, instead wanting to leave her the room to feel whatever it was she needed to feel, even if, from talking to her parents, her father looked to be in the highest of spirits, and having belly, bixby, and honey there with him just added to his bright mood.

he slipped her ipad under his arm with his free hand, and grabbed his own coffee mug before leading her out of the kitchen and down to the large open living room. he was still adjusting to how big the maine house was, chosen specifically for her large family, and now his smaller one. that notion made it feel even more like home. he nudged her toward the couch and set the ipad and his mug down, before going to flick on the switch of the fireplace.

despite spring finding maine surprisingly quickly once april hit, early mornings were still chilly in the house, and the perfect excuse for a fire.

“c’mere,” he said taking the corner of the l-shaped couch, holding his arm open for her to slide into his side. as she did, he grabbed the throw and pulled it over both of them.

teddy wiped her eyes and rubbed her nose with the baggy sleeve of her cardigan. “thank you,” she mumbled. “i’m sorry.”

auggie shook his head. “don’t be.” he kissed her head again.

“i don’t want to lose him,” she admitted quietly, bowing her head. “i can’t. he’s my dad. he’s. and the babies—”

“i know,” he nodded, giving her shoulders a squeeze. “i know.”

she quietly gasped, her head almost bumping his in her efforts to look at him with how close they were sitting. “auggie,” she looked alarmed.

“what’s wrong?”

“aug,” her eyes welled up again, guilt coloring her features. she melted, frowning.

“no.” suddenly he understood, and shook his head. “no, ted.”

“i’m being so selfish, he’s still here, and i’m— and you—”

“don’t do that,” he told her, the arm around her squeezing her tight again. “don’t feel bad for feeling what you’re feeling. your dad being sick is a very real thing, and you’re allowed to be afraid and upset about that. that’s a separate thing from me or my parents.”

before either of them could say another word, her ipad rang on the coffee table, drawing their attention. teddy pulled away and grabbed it, her father’s smiling photo, big and bright on the screen. she answered before she’d even sat back. “dad?”

“there’s my girl,” powell graham’s sleepy face filled the screen and and teddy’s eyes softened. “good morning, sweetheart.”

“hey daddy,” teddy greeted softly, and auggie’s hand slipped under the back of her sweater again. “it’s so early for you,” she noted, and auggie glanced at the time at the top of the screen and it was just before 9am for them, and just before 6 for her father. “i was waiting to call...”

“i think i sensed it, kiddo,” powell grinned. “i couldn’t sleep anymore, and something told me it was you.” the screen shifted, as if he could move their camera by moving his own. “morning, auggie.”

“morning,” auggie greeted with a small wave. “good timing. she needed to see you.” teddy just nodded, eyes still red rimmed and sad. “i’ll leave you two and get started on breakfast, yeah?” he offered, looking to teddy, who just nodded.

“save some for me, son,” powell said, and auggie chuckled. teddy nearly melted again, in a good way. dropping the news that she was newly married to her family had been interesting, but they had all been taking it in stride, which ended up being a huge relief.

“will do, will do.” he pressed a kiss to teddy’s temple and slipped off the couch, watching as she climbed into his place and mouthed an ‘i love you.’ he winked back, and headed out to the kitchen.

teddy rearranged the ipad, resting it atop her bent knees. “where’s mom?”

“still sleeping. i came out to the balcony to try and see some of the sunrise while we talked.”

she pressed her lips together, finger coming to run over the screen, over his cheeks. “did you get any sleep at all?” powell asked, almost knowing she hadn’t, the shake of her head confirming his suspicions. “my grand babies need rest, too, kiddo.”

teddy’s quiet for a long beat, just watching him, and the sob that escapes her is almost involuntary. “i know,” she sniffles. “i know.”

“teddy, honey, i’m right here,” he said. “you’re looking at me, and i’m right here. your dad’s not going anywhere.”

“i’m just. so scared,” she admitted, feeling beyond pathetic. “and i can’t do anything about it. i just wanna see you,” she cried. all she wanted was to hug him and never let go, the uncertainty of his condition practically eating eating her alive.

“i want to see you, too. but we have to keep you safe, too. not just me. you’re precious cargo, always have been,” he smiled at her. “and now for three people’s worth.”

teddy hugged the throw to her chest, just watching him, taking him in and noticing every line and wrinkle despite his bright eyes and smile. she noticed herself taking stock of everything about him, the things she didn’t want to forget, the things she wanted to tell her babies if...

“dad, what if— what if you miss them?” she rested a hand over her abdomen, the tiniest hint of a bump pudging out against her and. “what if i can’t hug you again before... i know everybody thinks i’m being dramatic, but.”

“they don’t think you’re being dramatic. they’re just as scared as you are,” he said. “but they have to treat everything like normal so that you’ll all be okay. and so you’re not all summoning me out of my sleep at six o’clock in the morning,” he teased.

teddy frowned and blushes. “sorry,” she said sheepishly.

“don’t be.” powell shook his head. “just remember i’m still right here, sweetheart,” he promised. “i’m not going anywhere. and we’ll get to hug and i’ll never let go.”

“okay, dad.”

“you don’t sound too convinced.”

“sorry,” she breathed a chuckle, and sniffled. “it’s gonna take me a bit to...” she motioned to herself.

“do you need a daily pep talk?” he was half joking, but teddy knew her dad, and knew that if he asked, he’d talk with her every morning just like this until she believed he’d be okay.

“please?” it was her lightest, airiest voice. “doesn’t have to be this early...”

“whenever you want, kiddo.”

“auggie’s stayed up with me all night because i just.” she didn’t want to worry her father more, especially considering she should be the one supporting him through this. but she was feeling very small and fragile. “i wasn’t doing great.”

“i like him,” powell told her. “especially for that.”

teddy smiled, finally feeling infinitely calmer than she had all night. “yeah. me, too.”

they remained silent for a long moment, just staring at one another, and taking each other in. “i miss you, dad. i really do.” because they hadn’t seen each other since the new year. shef had shows, and gone to new york, and then paris, and made it back to maine, all without seeing her parents. it weighed on her.

“i miss you, too. but we’ll see each other soon. i just know it.”

“you have to be okay.”

“i will be. i have babies to hold. and you have a proper wedding to plan for your mom and me.” he gave her a knowing look, and she bowed her head with a smile. “we have a lot to celebrate.”

“we do.”

—

the call went on as long as it took auggie to finish breakfast, and teddy grinned at him as she saw him fixing up two plates. she walked up behind him and slid both arms around his middle, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

“hey you,” he greeted, setting the spatula down, and resting a hand over hers.

“thank you for staying up with me last night,” she kissed the back of his neck.

“you never have to thank me for that.” he turned in her arms, and she raised them up over his back. “you feeling okay?” he kissed her forehead.

“better,” she nodded. “he’s...” she sighed, feeling the tug in her chest from her earlier tears combined with the love for her dad. “the best. he really likes you.”

“you sorta didn’t give him a choice,” auggie teased. “you brought home a husband and two babies and said deal with it.”

teddy snorted and he kissed her.

“he said he has babies to hold and we owe them a wedding.”

he laughed. “yeah. he’s gonna be fine.”