#his Thena needs to breathe!

[softquietsteadylove]

Gil gets hurt and Thena takes care of him. We need some soft content hehehe free choice and thanks <3

"You okay?"

Thena blinked. Her vision was fading on her. She looked back at Gil, who was staring at her with those big brown eyes of his. She smiled, moving away from the edge of the loft and leaning over him again. "I should be asking you that. You need to rest."

"I am," he pointed out weakly, moving his eyes around to indicate the thorough incapacitation of his body. They had gotten up the ladder on pure adrenaline. They just needed somewhere off the ground and safe for the night while the herd outside passed, or at least calmed.

The barn doors were holding, thanks to the plank of wood they had secured after all of them holding them with all their strength.

Thena had spread out some hay. They didn't bring much with them--this was supposed to be an easy day trip for supplies. She had laid Gil down, balling up her sweater under his head as the least she could do. "Let me see it."

It wasn't as if he was in a position to stop her. He grunted as she pulled on his good arm to help him sit up, although even that caused his bad shoulder some pain. "You checked it five minutes ago."

"It was not five minutes ago," she argued with him, their voices hushed. Despite the tense silence and the low shuffling of the herd outside, it was quieter in the barn than the sterile, smooth echoes of the hospital. Not that they didn't long to be back there at the moment.

Gil let her unbutton his shirt and look at his shoulder again. He had tried to save one of their own earlier, even letting his arm be pulled out of the socket. But the herd had won, and she had pulled him away before he could be swallowed up too.

The swelling was still prominent. She didn't have anything to help with that, and neither she nor Kingo nor Ikaris were knowledgeable enough to pop it back into place for now. She wondered if they would even be strong enough.

"I've dislocated my shoulder before, y'know."

"Is that so?" she whispered, pulling his shirt away from him as if it would cause the injury to worsen. Already his skin was starting to change colour.

"I was maybe 14?--my dad thought it would be a good idea to make me join wrestling. Thought I was too timid, especially for being kind of a husky kid," Gil continued as she traced the edge of his swelling with her eyes. She didn't dare touch it. "Obviously, I didn't wanna do it."

"Obviously," she added, because of course Gil didn't want to fight his peers as a growing teen, probably just as sweet and shy as he was now.

"So, my first practice I tried to just go limp and play dead, but the other guy was not having it," he chuckled. She watched the shadows of his breathing against the glow of the flashlight. "He ended up popping my shoulder out, he was trying so hard. I was just happy I got to quit the team."

"Gil," she scolded him with a smile. The idea of young teen Gil, shy in a wrestling leotard and just trying to make friends crossed her mind. "I imagine it hurt then, too."

He let out a breath. He was careful about it. He was putting up a good front, but she knew when he was in pain. She had seen it enough during their time on the road. "I guess it did."

She frowned. This wasn't the kind of injury they could disinfect and wrap up. They still had to get him back to the car and then back to the hospital without incident. And this was the open road; it wouldn't be easy to mow a path for them back to the cars from here.

But she could do it.

Gil wheezed as she helped him lie down again. He forgot to pretend he was fine when he was moving, his face twisted in pain. "Bill-"

"Hey," she cut him off. She didn't even remember his name. They had only gone on a run once or twice before. All she had known in the moment was that Gil was in danger. "Don't."

"He's got a girlfriend back at the hospital," Gil whispered to her. He opened his eyes, staring up at the room of the barn.

She moved to lean over his face, brushing his tears away. "I'm afraid it could happen to any of us, out here. We know the risks."

They all had to know the risks. What's-his-name had signed up for supplies duty just like the rest of them had. Ajak didn't assign people roles based on whim.

Thena leaned in, pressing her lips to his forehead. He still wasn't running a fever (good). "We'll tell her together--how hard you tried to save him."

Gil shut his eyes again. There was nothing they could do about it now. "You should get some sleep."

"Hypocrite."

"Really," he wheezed again. "You're not gonna stay up until dawn just because I'm like this. We need you at your best."

Thena looked out over the rest of the barn again. She could just barely make out where Ikaris was leaning up against a pillar, although she couldn't see if he was sleeping or not. Kingo was curled up on a stack of hay, already knocked out from all the effort they exerted.

"Thena, I'm fine."

He was far from fine. He was hurt, and suddenly their days on the road weren't so far away anymore. The sting of peril was hot on their heels again. She could remember holding onto him, willing to pull off his other arm if it meant not letting go. Kingo was the one to pull them both, yanking her backpack to get them both up the hill and towards the barn.

She opened up her bag. She should have packed for the possibility of being stuck out here, regardless. They were getting too comfortable at the hospital--too spoiled. There had to be something she could use to help Gil in some way.

"Thena," Gil sighed as she pulled out a blanket. It was barely a blanket, more some ripped old sheet for acting as a trampoline if they had to drop things from a height and stay quiet. It barely covered from his elbows down to his knees. "Really?"

"I said hush," she muttered, moving on to his bag as well. She dug out the spare shirt he brought.

Gil moved his eyes as he watched her. "It's a nice idea, but I don't know if a summer gingham shirt is gonna offer much warmth."

She made sure to huff at him, pulling it on over her white t-shirt. she didn't bother buttoning it, but she did pull it closed around her. It was big enough to feel like having a blanket around her. "No complaining."

She curled herself up next to his good arm, wrapping her arms around her knees. He was right, she would need to sleep, even if it was nodding off for a few minutes at a time. But she couldn't take her eyes off the opening to the loft. Even after she had worked her absolute hardest to pull the ladder up with her, the thought of seeing something poke a gnarled, nightmarish head up and look at her-

"Thena."

She inhaled sharply. She was falling asleep by the second. Her head tilted and she nearly flinched at the dry, borderline icy look Gil was giving her. "I'm fine."

"I'm not asking you to sleep," he pleaded with her. His good hand moved until he could tug at the shirt of his she was wearing. "Just lie down, please."

She buried her nose in the collar of it. In truth, she was exhausted, and being tired made her feel cold. But more than that, this shirt smelled like Gil, and their room at the hospital. And she needed to feel that, right now.

Thena shifted her weight, lying down next to him, still basically curled in the fetal position.

Gil was most certainly straining his eyes to look at her. But he smiled. "Feels like old times, right?"

Times when she would be unable to sleep because she had something far too precious to protect? Yes, it did feel remarkably like that. It felt like when she watched him sleep the entire night after he got grazed by a bullet, or when she watched him sleep as his fever get worse and worse.

Sometimes she still woke up from that nightmare, unable to stop herself from checking if his forehead was hot.

The thought spooked her again. The next time she fell asleep she probably wouldn't flinch awake after a few seconds again. Gil was lying flat on his back, his eyes closed. His breathing seemed even. She shimmied closer as best she could. Just once more couldn't hurt.

She touched the back of her hand to his forehead; no fever. She leaned up and touched her lips to his cheek; a little scruffy, but warm and living. With that, she could lie down beside him, not resting on him but pressing her forehead to his arm, just to have some contact with him. This was the only way she could rest.

Tomorrow, she could worry about getting Gil home again.

[do-androids-dream-ao3acc]

“Seriously. You want me to call your ex to ask him to join in on a suicide mission?”

Athena sounds inquisitorial, as if this were an interrogation; she’s cocked her head and looks at Buck from narrowed eyes. He understands that, he knows why she’s striking that tone. That’s her husband in this building, her friends, too – if she doesn't keep her cool now, if she doesn't at least appear competent on the surface, her house of cards will collapse. Buck’s is already in ruins.

“I-it’s not suicide,” he insists. 

“No? What would you call it, your plan, which obviously consists of bypassing the military?” 

“Well, if you put it that way…” Buck takes a deep breath; it doesn’t help at all, his arms swing out in a wild gesture. “But it's the only option, isn't it? The military just wants to leave them to die in there.”

“Buck,” Athena says softly. 

He doesn't know where she finds the kindness to do so. He wants her to be angry, too. He wants her to refuse to accept that Bobby and the others are stuck in that lab, and even more so that Howie is dying an unnecessarily cruel death. Not if they can help it.  

“No,” he shakes his head. “Look, that M-moira is crazy. I have no idea what she is up to, maybe it's not just frustration with her research director, maybe she's selling the antidote on the black market for pharmaceuticals.”

“You’ve read too many horror stories,” Athena says, but Buck hears the tone in her voice. 

“S-so it's true. It happens, right?”

“Of course,” she scoffs. “But that’s out of our league, Buck.”

“Out of our... ‚Thena!”

Buck laughs. It's not a particularly humorous sound, but one that causes a flicker of concern in Athena's eyes. It’s what Buck feels, too – sometimes, when you feel like crying, laughter is the only thing that can stop the desperation.

“You survived a sinking ship and a plane crash,” he says.

“This is different.”

“Yeah, but it’s not the first time you've bent the rules. And if you have to, you'll break them. Do you know that Ravi did that today? He risked everything for people he always claims are just annoying colleagues. They're not to us, Athena.” 

“Not to us,” she repeats slowly, almost sighing. A jolt runs through her body. “Still. Buck. Do you know what you’re proposing?”

“I��m only proposing you do your job, because catching criminals, that’s what you do. Moira…”

“She's definitely a criminal,” Athena adds grimly. “I'm not saying we don’t need to find her, regardless of the mess we're in. But you want us to actively defy the military with the antidote in our hands – should we even get it.”

“Tommy can get us in,” Buck insists. “If we come in through the roof, it'll take them a while to notice.”

“They'll never let us in, that's for sure.”

“Exactly. They want to let Chimney die so the virus dies. They can't do that,” he says, though it’s an impossible thing to even think about. 

“No, they can't,” Athena replies in a tone suggesting she’s thinking of Bobby now. “But do you really think Tommy will help us?”

It's a good question, maybe even an obvious one, considering how their last encounter ended. But Buck doesn't want Tommy to help him for his sake; he’s got no right to demand that kind of commitment. There is so much more at stake, and he believes, no, he knows that Tommy will understand. 

“It's not his problem, that's true,” says Buck. “But I know one thing. Even if I messed up, and even if the others haven't been exactly fair to him since we split up... he'll do it because he can't help himself, Athena. He's one of those guys who are too damn good for this world. He’s kind and compassionate.”

Athena looks at him for what seems like an eternity, even if it’s just half a minute or so. 

“Have you ever told him that, Buck?” she asks quietly, and he swallows.

He hasn’t, of course, he didn’t tell him this and so many other things.

“Well,” Athena says at last, wiping her hands on her trousers as if that would wipe away all the tension. Buck wishes it were possible, but there's no magic wand to solve their situation. “Maybe you're right. But, Buck...”

He watches her intently, there’s a small spark of hope in his heart again. Athena rummages through her pockets and finally pulls out her cell phone.

“I can't call him. I can't possibly ask the man for such a favor again, even if I were convinced, like you, that he would help us.” 

She holds out the phone to him, a small smile on her serious face. 

“But you know what?” she adds. “Seems like you’re the right person to call Tommy Kinard.”

[Hey fellow BuckTommies! I've got no time for more, but I'd like to throw this out in the wild for anyone who wants it. Make something out of it, if you like!]

[yanderefarm]

Can I request Ares finding out our co workers calls themselves or work wife/ other people calling them that (I hope this make sense)

yandere housewife ares

cw;; yandere tendencies

unfortunately no hot wife covered in blood this time.

ares is one of the most violent ones maybe even more violent than emil. he's just already showed you his violent side. you can't convince him to spare everyone but if you're really just friends with your "work wife" he can spare her. he just fixes it by giving her incentive to quit instead.

y/n: how do you make your voice do that.

ares: do what?

y/n: red.

ares: i don't know what you mean honey

ares overhead it when he came to your work one day. one of the line cooks said your wifey needed you to take some plates to table 5. he knew they sure as hell weren't talking about him. a familiar feeling washed over him, it was like all he saw was red. he left without ordering.

when you got home you asked him why he left without atleast having a drink. he didn't answer that, his eyes distant and cold and his lips were in an uncharacteristic frown. you figured he was just having a bad day so you fixed some leftovers for dinner for both of you.

it was over the reheated chicken parm that he finally said something after having poked his chicken into shreds. why is it always chicken parm.

"who's your wifey?" his tone was frightening and it brought up painful flashbacks.

you couldn't breathe. your hands were shaking. and the question hung in the air with the only sound afterwards being the jitter of your fork against your plate.

"...i'm not upset with you." he clearly noticed that he had freaked you out. he reached out a hand and covered one of yours with it.

"please." your voice was strained as you forced yourself to speak.

ares opened his mouth to speak before closing it again. he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down more. "its ok honey. im sorry i upset you."

there were tears in your eyes and your voice was barely above a choked whisper. "don't hurt her. please."

so there was someone. "i won't-"

"promise."

"... if i promise will you tell me more about her?"

you nodded rapidly.

"i promise i won't hurt her."

despite the promise you didn't immediately start speaking, clearly still shaken up. ares's heart hurt to see you like this, to think you were so scared of him. he pushed away the thoughts of this other woman and how much she must mean to you. well he did the best he could. he still bent his fork in his hand. he decided to get up and make you a cup of chamomile tea. the act of taking care of you always helped him calm down.

it wasn't until you were both sat on the couch, your head in his lap while he played with your hair, you finally spoke.

"its a joke among my coworkers. i'm always helping her with her tables and i cover her shifts when she needs a day off. so they just... started calling her my work wife." your voice was raw and broken like you were trying to hold back tears.

"... who is she?" ares tried to keep himself calm but he couldn't help the edge in his voice.

"her name is thena... she's my friend. just my friend." you turned on your back to look up at him.

"you've never mentioned her before." he cupped your cheek.

"i... i was worried you would get jealous. you-you're kinda intense honey." you reached up to cup his face in turn.

ares pouted a bit but he couldn't deny that you were right. even now it was hard to keep himself calm. he leaned down to give you a chaste kiss.

"I'll just get her fired."

"honey, no."

[myafterlifeisbetterthenyours]

hi hope you are doing okay this is my first time requesting sorry if i do something wrong if its okay with you i would like verosika,loona and velvet with an s/o that relapsed on an adicction sorry for bad English

One Step Forward...

(CW: this headcanon involves poor exploration of drug abuse and addiction.)

Verosika

Verosika knew addiction.

She'd never admit as much, but she knew what it was to be addicted. She knew that thirst. The one that burned in your chest, aching in your gut.

And when you told her you were fighting your own, well fuck yeah! She was all for it.

Of course she wasn't gonna ignore her own... desires, and funnily enough, she was a pleasant distraction towards your abstainment.

But, well, things weren't perfect on the home front.

Between her own addiction and a hate boner for a certain Imp Ex of hers, well, let's say there were more thena few fights between you.

And it'd be after a particularly harsh fight that you'd both walk off, heading to your respective spaces in your penthouse, the two of you needing space.

Itd be a few hours later, the girl walking into your space only to freeze.

She found you laid back on a beanbag, a warm smile crossing your face as you stared out the window.

Verosika would ask what the Hell you were doing, you telling her you were relaxing.

She'd barely hold back a snarl as she sighed.

She'd ask what was wrong with you... only to pause, seeing the substances on the table.

She'd ask if you really did that.

You simply turning to her, and with a mellowed expression, telling her she got to have a drink, why shouldn't you... indulge.

Verosika couldn't very well argue that point, even after rehab she was still drinking, so instead she just huffed, storming off.

Oddly enough, after you started using again, things mellowed out.

You fought less. You were more intimate. Eager and ready to roll with it.

Things looked good.

For a while.

Then you started needing regular fixes. Your 'controlled hits' became 'desperate regular hits or else you'd lose your shit'.

You and her quickly devolved into a myriad of fights, both from you and her, every fight devolving into her blaming your addiction, you throwing her own addiction into her face every chance you got.

It'd come to ahead, one night, the both of you fully indulging.

You high as a kite while Verosika drank like a fish, the both of you laughing, giggling, making out, enjoying the night together.

Of course, it'd quickly turn nasty, you and the girl breaking into a fight, the fight quickly becoming physical, even Vortex taking a step back from the encounter, letting the two of you sort it out yourselves.

And you'd lay back, faces bruised, scratched up, your eye swollen shut, both of you bruised as you lay back on an expensive couch, staring out at the city, the Hellish sun starting to rise as you leaned against each other.

Staring out at the city you'd sigh.

"We need help..."

You'd say softly, leaning against the woman.

Verosika would snort, softly nodding her head.

"Yeah..."

After several minutes you'd extend your hand, Veroiska, after a moment, extending her own, the two of you holding each other's hand as you sat there.

It wouldn't be perfect, but nothing in hell was.

If you were lucky you could get through this.

But this was Hell, neither of you held your breath, but you wouldn't give up...

Not yet.

Loona

When you met you held such a cool brooding persona. Even still, you clearly was holding something back.

You were a perpetually coin flip of cool, calm and composed, to agitated and short tempered. Honestly, it was kind of a turn on.

Not to mention it helped validate her own violent mood swings.

It'd be months of spending time together, the two of you growing closer and closer.

It was by no means a simple love affair, but the two of you grew closer before making it official.

And while initially she'd found your moodswings charming, once she started spending time with you outside of work it became kind of a buzz kill.

It'd be after a bad fight, like, you'd had plenty of fights but this was bad. Like, almost got physical kinda fight.

That being when you finally revealed you were currently in detox, trying to get off of some pretty bad shit.

She wasn't really the best at like 'squishy-feely-things', but she would try to support you the best she could. Mostly by just not being a bitch when she could help it.

You'd make some good progress, one day at a time and such.

It'd be after a particularly stressful day. It just seemed like everything was against you, not that you made it hard, lashing out at just about everything and everyone, you and Loona having it out before you'd storm out of the house.

You'd disappear for a few days, Loona genuinely concerned, more so every day you were missing.

Eventually you'd return. Walking in softly, sitting down besides her, rubbing your neck.

You'd apologise, telling her you needed to... fix things, promising to never speak to her like that again.

And much to her surprised you really did mellow out, things calming down massively, you always in a good mood.

Then found you with the needle.

You'd been extra careful not to do it when Loona was around, wanting to keep it under wraps, but she'd find out.

Of course she would.

She was pissed to say the least, asking how you could do this! How could you go back after all the progress you'd made.

You'd snap at her, growling out that you hadn't made any progress!

You'd compose yourself, apologising for speaking to her like that, but you just... you couldn't help it.

You fought and fought and fought, and in that fight you'd taken your anger and issues out on her.

You weren't proud of going back to drugs. It was the last thing you possibly wanted, but... it happened, and you'd been better for it.

Loona didn't like it one bit. Telling you as much, telling you you were only 'better' because you were high all the time and didn't have to suffer reality with the rest of them.

Thing would be icy, Loona telling you she didn't like you always drugged up, you were an entirely different person and she didn't like it.

She'd tell you she wanted the old you back, the one who tried. Who wanted to be better and suffered through every day with her.

You'd end up sat at the table, sitting in silence.

Loona getting up, placing a hand on your shoulder.

Velvette

She'd tell you she loved you. But the real you... the one not higher then a kite. The one in the real world.

And well, it'd be up to you how you handled it.

Dope, drugs, fashion and sex appeal.

All of these were Velvette's expertise.

Now, she didn't actively push drugs, not that she needed too, she sold so much just passively she gave Valentino a run for his money.

And when she heard you were going clean, she... well, she wasn't against it, she knew how drugs could fuck somebody up.

She'd watch you resist, doing your best to fight temptation, the overlord able to see the internal struggle every day.

And trust me, it wasn't easy.

Being with Velvette meant you spent plenty of time with Valentino, and that man practically lived off drugs, the tall moth demon eagerly pushing them on you like candy on Halloween.

Velvette would have to step in, ensuring you were off limits as you did your very best to stay true.

It wouldn't last long.

A year, maybe two at most.

It's Hell, drugs were more common then clean drinking water.

Literally, you could buy coke easier then you could get clean water.

And it'd be at one of the VEEs legendary parties that she'd find you caught up in the middle of a group.

Now you were always something of a social butterfly, and get a few drinks in you, and you could single handedly hold a parties attention with just that, silver tongue.

But this... this was different.

You were wired. It only took her looking you in the eyes for it to become clear, the girl feeling, well, off.

On one hand she wasn't all too perturbed by you using.

Sure, she'd rather you didn't, drugs weren't something she really promoted for herself or those under her, but you were a grown up and could decide for yourself.

But on the other hand, she'd witnessed just how hard you tried to resist.

Seeing that fire in your eyes as you rejected Valentino, gritting your teeth and composing yourself.

Not just to keep yourself clear headed, but to not fall under Valentino's spell.

But seeing you like this, it... it left her feeling off.

But it'd be in those early morning hours, you sat in the living room, still on that high, unable to sleep as you searched the room for the hundredth time.

Like, honestly, you were quite interesting on a high.

Charismatic, energetic, and well, you certainly ran her ragged in bed~

Finding you, it was clear what happened.

Velvette quickly lost any fondness for you using, but she wouldn't demand you stop, even if she'd bring up your relapse, the whole thing leaving a sour taste in her mouth.

So while she wouldn't demand 'better' from you, she'd be disappointed in seeing you slip back into a lifestyle you tried so hard to resist.

Given your lifestyle, being not only a sinner but in a relationship with an Overlord, so it's something of a 50/50 on whether or not your drug use would become an issue.

If it did Velvette would tell you off, sure to make it painfully clear that if you didn't pull your finger out, she'd be forced to either put you in your place, or cut you off.

If your relapse did become an issue, Velvette certainly wouldn't hesitate to tell you as much, demanding you pull your head out of your arse and get your addiction under control.

Not an easy demand for the woman to make, the Overlord knew how hard you tried before, but she truly felt it was necessary.

She couldn't tolerate you becoming some hazy minded junkie.

Couldn't afford a weak link in the VEEs, even if you weren't technically a 'V', if you were under the drugs spell it'd reflect on her poorly.

And while she cared for you, that wasn't something she could tolerate.

So it'd likely devolve into a simple ultimatum.

Keep your addiction in line or she'd make you go cold turkey once again.

Hey Y'all, got another one for y'all, I just wanna prefix this by apologising if my portrayal of addiction and drug abuse was offensive. I'm very limited in my addiction knowledge, so I really just did what I could with what I had.

I did the best I could, and with all that said, I really do hope you all enjoyed the headcanon.

[lavenderleahy]

took a break from my crochet project tonight to write a silly little thing inspired by a convo with @monsterrae1 @strawlessandbraless and @theeternalghost. if I had more time i'd flesh it out but right now all you get is... this. in all its unedited and underdeveloped glory.

Dean meets buddietommy on a case | 1,045 words

Dean knocks on the door of the modest LA home. The police sergeant, Athena Grant, gave him the address after he interviewed her.

He knows the house is inhabited by one of the firefighters who was at the scene, but he's completely taken aback by the man who opens the door. At six feet tall, Dean isn't a small man, but he feels dwarfed in comparison to the burly blonde in front of him. The man is only a couple inches taller than him, but he is built; toned muscles bulge from his chest and arms, and his legs are thick as tree trunks. And he has a jawline as chiseled as one of Michelangelo's statues. Subconsciously, Dean gulps.

Then he remembers why he's here. Clumsily, he reaches for his badge and holds it up in front of him. "Um, Agent Page, FBI. You must be Evan Buckley. Mind if I ask you a few questions?"

The man smiles widely, his eyes crinkling in the corner. "Oh, I'm not Evan. That's my partner. I'm Tommy. Kinard." He holds out his hand, which Dean shakes after storing his fake FBI badge back in his sport coat pocket. "But come in. I'll get Evan."

Dean steps in, taking in the very well lived-in home. The entry leads right into the living room, where a teenage boy sits on the couch playing Mario Kart.

From a room that must be the kitchen, another man appears, somehow just as large as the first one. Holy hell. What is it about LA that makes their firefighters so… well-built and handsome?

"Hi, Agent Page, I'm Evan Buckley. Sorry about the mix-up. So 'Thena sent you?"

"Yeah, that's right." Dean says. He has to speak slowly and take deep breaths to keep himself from staring too brazenly; however, he can't help but notice the blotchy red birthmark in the corner of the firefighter's eye. It suits him, though. He takes a breath in through his nose. "Is there somewhere we can sit?"

Evan jumps. "Oh yes, of course. Uh, the dining room is fine. Don't think you want to talk over the noise of the video games."

Dean chuckles. "Is that… your son?"

"Chris? I mean, yeah, he might as well be. He's Eddie's kid, but, yeah. I haven't adopted him or anything, and he doesn't call me dad 'cause it'd be weird at this point, but I love him like he's my own."

Warmth blooms in Dean's chest as he listens to Evan Buckley speak. He understands the feeling, as he feels the same way about Jack.

"In fact, do you want me to get Eddie? He was there, too. We usually work the same shifts. He's just in the garage if you want me to—"

"Oh, that won't be necessary, Mr. Buckley."

"Please, call me Buck."

"Well, Buck, I'd rather interview Eddie separately, if you don't mind. It helps me get a fuller picture of the situation, to hear different perspectives."

Buck nods, understanding.

The interview begins, and Dean attempts to ascertain details of the odd call the firefighters of the 118 responded to the day prior. There was certainly supernatural activity, but Buck's answers are insufficient in determining the exact monster. There were no smells of sulfur, no cold spots ("We're in LA in the summer, what do you mean cold spots?"), and no calls outside the usual, aside from the one.

Apparently, they've responded to weirder: once, a bus impaled the third story of a city building.

After talking to Buck for about ten minutes, Tommy walks back in with two glasses of water. "Thought you could use a drink," he says, "and I didn't think beer was acceptable since you're on the job." He nods at Dean, who laughs in assent, then turns to Buck and kisses him right on the birth mark. "Let me know if you need anything else, sweetheart."

Buck's eyes turn soft and he smiles as he watches Tommy walk back into the kitchen.

Dean has to swallow to prevent his jaw from dropping. Meeting gay couples on cases isn't anything new, but seeing two very masculine men together… surprises him. Makes him feel…. something.

A few minutes after that, an unfamiliar voice calls into the living room. "Chris, I told you thirty minutes ago to get off that video game!"

That must be Eddie.

He peers into the dining room, wiping grease off his moustached face, and says, "Babe, why didn't you— oh. Hello?" he asks as he notices Dean.

"Eddie, this is Agent Page. He's here about yesterday. Sorry, love, I completely forgot to have Chris turn off the game."

Dean is trying to listen, but he barely registers their conversation. He just keeps looking back and forth between the two of them.

Eddie quirks a brow at him. "You all good there agent?"

Not for the first time that day, Dean gulps. "Uh yeah, sorry. It's just— you two? But I thought—" he points at Buck, "you and Tommy? Um. Sorry. 'S none of my business."

Buck and Eddie both grin. "Don't worry, we get that a lot," Buck says. "Yeah, the three of us are all together."

"All… three of you? At the same time?"

"Well don't you know it's rude to pry into the private affairs of couples?" Eddie responds with a wink. "Or in our case, throuples?"

"Listen, I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

But both of them start to laugh. "It's fine, Agent," Eddie says. "I'm just messing with you. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to trade places with Buck here so that he can be mean dad for the time being."

Buck rolls his eyes fondly. "You know how that usually turns out."

Eddie bumps his shoulder as he passes. "Well, try your best, dear."

It takes a moment for Dean to get his bearings after the exchange. It was… a lot to process. But he can't process it right now. He needs to focus. He needs to interview the firefighter in front of him.

As soon as he's done, though, he is going to make several phone calls.

____________________________________

Dean Winchester started a group chat

→ Castiel has joined the group chat

→ Benny Lafitte has joined the group chat

DW: so. something crazy happened today

[mer-acle]

Snippet: Slipping through my Fingers

The Bracelet

On Ao3

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Athena’s plans for the day had not included giving her little brother dating advice. In fact, she was very close to asking him why he had come to her of all people.

Then again, she supposed he’d be pressed to find anyone in a happy relationship on this mountain so maybe it was all the same.

“I wanna gift her something special,” Ares said. “Something I made, you know. You are the goddess of making things.”

She didn’t correct him on her domain. The truth was, she would take any excuse to ‘make things’ and he knew that. Her other domains rarely left her with enough time for crafting.

“Alright, what did you have in mind?”

Ares smiled, triumphant.

“I was thinking about a bracelet. I have no idea how though. Help me, oh great goddess of wisdom!”

Athena shook her head.

“You’re hanging out with Hermes so much you’re picking up his humor.” But she did bring out some of her beads that she thought would work best with Aphrodite’s usual clothing.

“We’ll do something simple. Pick three different sorts, two of the smaller kind, and one of the bigger ones.”

She cut some string as he was looking it over, easily calculating how much she would need. Cutting string with a knife was always annoying.

Athena narrowed her eyes, then picked up a piece of parchment, sketching something out. Maybe if you put two on a single joint…

“Thena?”

“One second, Ares.”

He looked over her shoulder, watching her quickly fill up the page with sketches and notes.

Athena tapped her sketch.

“I think that should work. I can figure out the details later with Heph. Do you have your beads?”

He nodded, holding his selection out to her. Athena hummed.

“I would replace the darker pink ones. With-“ She picked out a lighter shade. “These. It’ll look better.”

Ares shrugged.

“Alright, you’re the expert.”

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They really tried. Athena reigned herself in, trying to get away from the thought of perfection and more toward ‘actually making anything at all’, and Ares did his best to follow her instructions.

She was making a bracelet alongside him, showing him the moves over and over.

When a bead dropped for the hundredth time, Ares growled, throwing his work aside in frustration.

“This isn’t working! My fingers are too big for this!”

Athena finished off her own bracelet in two swift motions.

“Do you want to try something else? A woodcarving maybe? That involves cutting things. Or you can give her this one?” She held out the one she had made.

He huffed and shook his head.

“No, you made that one. I’m just not the creating type. You and Heph and Apollo do that. I just… I want something more personal, you know?”

Athena nodded.

“I see. Why don’t you do something nice with her instead?”

“Like what?”

Athena sighed.

“You’re asking the wrong goddess for this, Ares. But time matters more than material things. I’m sure the goddess of love will know that and appreciate you just being yourself.”

Ares nodded thoughtfully.

“You think she would like me showing her a place most people don’t know about? Like a secret?”

“That sounds like a good idea. I’m sure she’ll appreciate seeing more of her new home.”

Ares grinned in the characteristic way of ‘being about to ask a favor’.

Athena sighed.

“What?”

“If I asked you nicely to keep the younger ones busy while we’re gone, you wouldn’t refuse your favorite brother, right?”

Athena breathed out in a huff, but the hint of a smile passed over her face.

“I wouldn’t refuse such a great exercise of strategy. I might have to tie Hermes down.”

“Don’t tell Mom and I won’t tell her either.”

She chuckled softly. Ares puffed her shoulder playfully, but the triumph in his eyes was very real. It was hard to make Athena genuinely laugh, even for him.

She had been playing with the delicate bracelet she’d made earlier, pearls shining softly in the sunlight filtering into her study. She held it out to him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to give it to her? Additionally, I mean. I will never wear this. I wouldn’t tell on you.”

Ares shook his head.

“She’ll know I didn’t make this myself. You can give it to her yourself if you want. Nothing wrong with giving your sister a gift.”

Athena didn’t say anything to that. Aphrodite was her sister, and she didn’t want her to feel unwelcome, but the fact remained that it was different to every other one of her siblings that she had met when they were still relatively young.

Ares surprised her with a quick but hearty hug. For being the goddess of strategy, she way too rarely saw those coming.

“Thank you, Thena. You’re the best.”

It was a decent day, so she didn’t pull away immediately.

“Anything to make my idiot baby brother happy,” she teased.

“I am almost 500 years old!”

“As I was saying.”

She freed herself before he could start tickling her.

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Athena looked up from her map, cracking her stiff neck.

Her eye caught the glint of the bracelet, resting in its infuriatingly ‘non-place’ because she didn’t know where to store it. It felt wrong to put it with her own jewelry because she wasn’t going to wear it, and she had no designated spot in her chambers for ‘gifts that may or may not ever be given’.

The date had gone well, and she hadn’t even had to tie Hermes down because the twins had wanted to go to Delos and so the four of them had spent the day there playing tag.

Even without emotion-based powers, she had been able to tell how happy Ares and Aphrodite had been when they returned.

She picked up the bracelet, running it through her fingers. It felt nice. Of course it did, she had made it that way.

It was also definitely taunting her.

She put it back, doing her best to focus on her work.

She managed to finish her battle plan, then spend a half-hour on the pattern for the new kind of garment she wanted to make for Hermes because he kept complaining about his chiton interfering with his movement. The new tool she and Hephaestus had made still needed some refinement, she was taking mental notes while using it, but it already made cutting the fabric much easier and more precise.

She rose, looking back at the bracelet.

She definitely couldn’t have it in her study anymore.

It was distracting her.

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Aphrodite was in her garden when Athena found her. Her palace was not completely finished, but from this side, it looked just about perfect.

The younger goddess rose from the flowerbed, smiling brightly at Athena, grace as effortless as water flowing in a river. She had pinned her chiton above her knees to keep the dirt off it.

“Athena!”

Athena could never help feeling stiff next to her. She nodded slightly in acknowledgement.

“Hello, Aphrodite. How is the garden?”

Aphrodite chuckled.

“Oh, I am not a gardener, I’m afraid. It’s a constant fight to keep my poor flowers alive.”

“I’m afraid I cannot assist you there. The only plants living in my vicinity are olive trees and that’s hardly my achievement.”

“Oh yes.” Again, Aphrodite laughed. “Thankfully I love my roses, because they grow like there’s no tomorrow. I wish I could have more variety though.”

“Demeter can help you with the others,” Athena said. “Hera, too. Don’t be shy to ask, they’ll be glad to help you.”

Aphrodite nodded.

“Right. I’ll ask them.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, but I’ve chattered all over you. You’re probably here for something specific, right?”

Athena looked away. She supposed her reputation of not liking small-talk had caught on quickly. She almost said no.

“I suppose that’s right. I have something for you.”

Aphrodite looked up at her, burgundy eyes filled with a mix of surprise and anticipation.

“Really?”

Athena shrugged.

“Ares asked me to help him make something for you. He didn’t like how his turned out. It was decent, but he didn’t think it was good enough, so he didn’t want to gift it to you.”

Aphrodite blushed at the mention of Ares.

“Oh, but that’s so sweet… I would have loved it though! Oh, it’s so sweet he wanted to make something for me!”

Athena almost smiled at her excitement. She had figured Aphrodite would appreciate the gesture much more than the craftsmanship of the actual gift.

She supposed if anyone had to be her brother’s first love, she was glad it was someone with a good heart.

“And it’s so nice of you to help him,” Aphrodite continued. “I know you’re very close of course. He said you’re his best friend.” She smiled.

Athena cleared her throat. For a moment, she wasn’t sure if she would be acle to speak.

He’s my best friend, too.

“I‘m happy to show someone my domain if they ask,” she said quietly. “Either way, I ended up making a bracelet while showing him how to do it. I have no use for it, it is not something I’d wear.”

She held the bracelet out to Aphrodite, willing the gesture to be casual.

The goddess of love gasped.

“Oh, it’s beautiful! Athena, it’s so pretty!”

She ran her fingers over the skillfully woven beads, her divine glow brightening so much that is was almost blinding.

Athena watched with a simultaneously detached and deeply personal fascination. She knew what happiness looked like, of course, but she hadn’t wondered until that moment when her own aura had last flared this way. She supposed it had to have done so at some point during her childhood, but since then…

“I’m glad you like it,” she said softly.

Aphrodite beamed at her.

“Oh, I love it! It’s so… oh I can’t believe you made this for me! Thank you so much, Athena! It’s so beautiful, I didn’t even know these little pink beads existed but I love them so much! And it’s so perfect, did you really make this by hand? It looks like magic!”

“It’s part of my domain,” Athena replied. “I am more or less fated to be good at it.”

“Still, it’s so impressive!”

Athena looked down at the flowerbed, catching a young olive tree sapling between the flowers, clearly rejuvenated from her presence.

“Thank you. If you ever want something made… you know where to find me.”

Aphrodite smiled, somehow even brighter.

“Oh, thank you, I will probably take you up on that. It’s so kind of you.” She fiddled with the bracelet a little, trying to put it on.

“Let me help you.”

Athena made a small gesture with her fingers, closing the clasp for her from a few inches away.

“Thank you,” Aphrodite said earnestly.

“You’re welcome.” Athena offered a half-smile. “I should go now. My duties don’t like being kept waiting.”

“Oh, of course.” Aphrodite nodded. “Thank you for visiting, and for your gift, it means a lot to me.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Athena said, ignoring the little voice in her mind reminding her she had said that exact sentence in this exact intonation a few minutes ago, and turned to leave.

“Athena?”

She looked back at Aphrodite over her shoulder.

The goddess of love smiled at her.

“I’ll see you around.”

Athena nodded slightly.

“See you around.”

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[how the bracelet looks]

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notes: So this is like a few months after Aphrodite joined Olympus, hence why Athena is still working on that sisterly connection. She's better connecting with her kid-siblings bc then she can be what she is good at, the big sister, the protector. But Aph is grown up. She's new to Olympus, but she's a fully formed person who needs a different kind of guidance than what Athena is used to (Friend. She would have to be a friend. Athena hasn't had a friend in a while and even then that was two children with Pallas taking the older sister role) Ares the little shit just wants the two of them to bond lol. He's so precious.

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@sarnai4 you get war sibling tagged ;)

[redheadspark]

Can you write that Druig x Fem!eternal!reader have a fighting training moment, he tease her little bit during that so...😏 just fluff

A/N - Hey! Sorry for taking so long, I had to finish my prompt session! This was amazing to write, thanks for requesting this, anon!

Soft

Summary - Druig knows how to talk, but you know how to fight.

Warnings - Some teasing and some fluff :)

“Again.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, do it again,”

You eyed him as he was making fists at his sides, his icy blue eyes were watching you like a predator who was eyeing his game.  To him, he probably thought this was a game, which made sense since he was the one who wanted to spar with you and learn how to fight.  Properly fight, in his words.  

But for him to ask you?  That threw you off since you knew you weren’t the best fighter amongst all the Eternals.  That was left to Thena, she made fighting look so easy and almost like a dance.  Even Gilgamesh was better at fighting than you were, with his brute strength he would knock a boulder back as if it were a flower petal.

Druig was no fighter, being the mind reader of you all he stayed out of the physical fights against the Deviants.  He could control a crowd of humans instantly with a simple gaze, so there was no real need for him to get his hands dirty.  

But he was intrigued and wanted to learn, which is what brought him to you one afternoon on the Domo before you were going to go on patrol with Gilgamesh.

“You just wanna….learn?” You asked him, seeing him fold his hands behind his back and simply give you his signature smirk and a shrug.

“Better to prepare myself in case it’s needed,” He replied smoothly, you giving him a suspicious look.  Druig was always mysterious to those around him, whether he tried to be or not.  There was always something hidden within him that no one could pinpoint, and this was one of those instances.  You looked from him to Gilgamesh, who simply shrugged and chuckled as you looked back at Druig.

“Why me?” You asked, seeing him smirk at you as his eyes drilled into yours.

“I heard you’re an excellent teacher,” he smoothly replied.  Gilgamesh snickered behind you, and you felt the tips of your ears burning.  Something in your mind was telling you that he was playing games with you, wanting to get a rise out of you and make you sweat.  He was always like this with the others, with you, when it came to his own amusement.  Snide remarks, and jokes under the breath, but they were all harmless in a way.  Yet this time, just in the way he said it and in how he was observing you for your reaction, you didn’t feel like giving him the light of day.

“Fine,” You replied shortly, seeing him grin widely in return.  

“Fine,” he echoed.  But you were already thinking of a great way to teach him how to fight.

By breaking him.

“Druig, I’m not gonna keep going if you’re on the verge of breaking an arm,” you advised him as he was souring off again, his feet planted on the ground and the adrenaline still seeping through his skin.  You could see it, his energy draining him with every round you two were doing.  It was making you want to ease and pull back a bit, but the other times you tried he was pushing you to not hold back with him.  From the very start, he wanted you to be hard with him, which surprised you when you both met up together in one of the smaller rooms in the Domo that was turned into a makeshift training room.

“I don’t want easy, understand?”

“You sure you wanna request that?”

“Yes. Don’t hold back with me,”

“I can do It,” he said to you, but even his voice sounded out of breath with his hair plastered to his head.  You rolled your shoulders, feeling some of the strain yourself since you both were sparring rather hard this day.  It was getting hard for you to find a good spot to pin him down, he was a faster learner and was picking up on questions and punches quickly.  Compared to the very beginning, you would be throwing him over your shoulder within two moves or knocking him off his feet with a swipe of your leg.  He wasn’t quick or light on his feet, he mostly had lead feet and slow hands.  

But if there was one thing Druig would never do, was quit.  

He took every beating and every defeat, his skin would be covered in bruises and his muscles would scream out in strain as the days rolled by.  But he would always show up, you think that he would fold after the first week or two.  Not that you had no faith in him, you did to a certain point.  But Druig was never a fighter by nature, and for him to go against his nature didn’t seem like him at all.  

“I’m not saying you can’t, I’m saying I won’t.” You changed your wording, though now he was giving you an inquisitive look while you placed your hands on your hips.

“Sounds like you’re going soft on me,” he teased to which you raised a brow.

“This coming from you who is about to collapse in exhaustion,” You countered back, though he cracked a big grin.  You knew this was part of his game, using his words as a weapon to try his opponent off.  He did it with Ikaris so many times, along with Sprite when those two would get in a spat.  But now he was trying it with you, and you were trying your best to not let it show.

“You would like to see that, wouldn’t you?” He hummed, maybe hoping that you would smile.  But it was only giving your more adrenaline, to wipe the smirk off his face and to make him eat his words.  He saw your fists at your sides getting tighter and tighter, your legs locking in, and your eyes training in on him.

“Fine, we’ll go one more round,” You replied shortly, Druig’s smirk getting a bit bigger.  Perhaps he thought he got the best rise out of you and was going to win this little game he liked to play. But then again, he must not have known the side of you that you rarely showed the others, only in the heat of battle.  

“You know, softness does look good on you,” He said lightly.  You felt the lick of adrenaline come back over you again from his words, which were trying to shoot you like darts and trying to penetrate you.  But all you wanted to do at this point was shut him up, to somewhat put him in his place with how he was treating you.  There was no doubt you two were friends, but he also knew how to use his words to make himself feel superior.  It worked on Ikaris, on Sprite, and now he was trying to work it on you.

No. Not gonna happen

You made it across the room in a few strides, dodging the first punch he threw out with ease, and threw one back.  The sparring was brutal now, both of you going swiftly and with ease as punches and kicks were being thrown left and right.  Neither one of you were holding back, some cheap shots to the jaw or to the ribs and you dodging everything he gave you.  You did the same with him, noticing how quick he was now and simply not just trying to avoid a punch. 

But he got you in a good enough hold with both of your arms, his own arms wrapped around yours tightly as he was pressed against your side.  You tried to shrug it off one or twice, but he had some strength against him now as he chuckled right against you, almost in your ear.  His body heat longing for yours, his sweat mingling with yours, and simply being this close was enough to make you almost forget the position you were in.  The kind of intimacy that you had with the others being on the ship for so long together, you all had a connection of family and of leaning on one another.  

But this, this was different, this felt like a different kind of intimacy that you never felt before. The kind to make your heart beat a bit faster, to make your head a bit lighter, and that sense of safety being close to him.  But it was odd since he was always there, from the moment you all came to Earth.  Yet now, it felt like a shift.

“I like seeing this side of you, you know,” he said against your ear, making you almost shiver as you were still trapped in his hold, “And to think I got you all soft too,”

You glared.  That did it.

Pivoting with your leg, you pushed it up to be parallel to your body, then pushed Druig a bit to have your foot hit him square in the head as a distract him.  It worked, his grip on your arms loosening slightly but enough to have you move.  Throwing your leg back down as he stumbled from being kicked between the eyes, you know him back with your body and turn to back him.  You knocked him off his feet with your leg within a millisecond, seeing him fall on his back and you perched over him.  Grabbing his arm to pin it down with one hand and the other hand on his neck, right on a pulse point where you knew was his weak spot.

It all happened so quickly, one minute he had you pinned against him and the next he was pinned beneath you on the ground.  But something inside of you snapped, something animalistic and that wanted to prove that you weren’t going to be swayed by him.  You knew your own strength, your own worth when it came to being in a fight, and your ability.  But the way Druig was looking up at you, pinned to the ground and having no way of getting out of it, you saw something in his eyes.  There wasn’t hate, nor was there rage that you won at his own game.

Shock?  Astonishment?  What was it?

“Am I soft now?” You asked, your hand on his neck still soft enough to let him breathe but there was still a grip to keep him in control.  He gulped, you feeling it along your fingers as his blue eyes were searching yours.  Now he was hard to read, which was bothering you now since you felt like you went too far in both kicking him in the head and slamming him to the ground.  But then again, he was keeping his eyes on you.  No longer was he looking at you like some prize, there was another way he was looking at you.  Yet you couldn’t pinpoint it.

“No,” He gasped, not in pain, but out of breath.  Slowly, you were moving your hand away from his neck, right where you were feeling his pulse dancing against his skin and along your fingers.  This was a new sense of intimacy neither of you ever experienced with one another before, and it was fresh and raw and new.  Something inside of you was frightened by this, but it also felt….right. 

You released his arm and his neck, moving quickly to go back up on your feet and holding your hand out for him to grasp.  He was still sprawled on the floor, frozen like he was stuck against the ground, and had his eyes still on you in amazement.  You surprised him plenty of times in sparring sessions, yet this didn’t look like a surprise.  It looked like he was….having an out-of-body movement.

“We’re done for the today, okay?” You asked gently, seeing him finally move his arm up to grasp your hand.  You hoisted him up, seeing him nod his head and still silent as you smiled.  The mood was still tense amongst the pair of you, but it was better than how it was a moment before when you two were tangled in each other’s arms.  

“Come on, let’s get some food,” You said to him, seeing him smile in return for the first time.  It made you feel better to see him smile, not to see him scowl or seem angry with how you handled him. But then again he did ask for you not to hold back, to not reserve your strength to him.  You walked on, thinking he was behind you as you were feeling rather flushed from what just occurred.

You didn’t realize that you left Druig there, speechless with one of his hands reaching up to touch his neck where your fingers were.  You didn’t realize that his mind was turning and wandering to new thoughts, and new feelings.  

You especially didn’t realize that he was suddenly enraptured with you.

The End.

Tagging - @a-lumos-in-the-nox @botanicalbarnes @virtueassassin @saradika @heartofwritiing @pemberlyy @heliosphere8 @reader6898

[girlsn0t]

rest - ep/ic snz, t/elemachus and a/thena

baby's first (published) snzfic. i'm not proofreading this and you can't make me <3

rest- telemachus has come down with a cold. athena keeps him company.

contains: non-graphic mess.

“Is it not standard for mortals to rest when their bodies are weakened by such ailments?”

Lady Athena’s question is rhetorical, but Telemachus answers anyway, though he does not look up from the chlamys on his lap. “It is, but the mending will not complete itself!”

The aforementioned pile of garments could easily be tended to by any number of the palace’s servants, but Athena knows that the prince is loathe to depend upon the servants. Not to mention, many of these garments and pieces of training armor are in rough shape because of his sudden interest in combat. Queen Penelope has never discouraged Telemachus from learning the swordsmanship that all young Greek men ought to know, but given recent events…well, it is no surprise that she would want her son to stay away from the training ring for a bit. Telemachus’ shoulder is still healing from his encounter with Antinous.

“Besides, what else would I be- snf!- doing right now? Just…laying around…” Telemachus’ sentence trails off, syllables becoming wandering, congested exhales. His expression goes lax. Tired blue eyes close and the prince’s reddened nostrils flare as he hitches. “Dhh…hheh…doiih…hhh- hhH’EEHHGTSHHh!” 

A violent, spraying sneeze is caught in a rapidly-snatched handkerchief, already damp from several previous fits. Congestion crackles in his sinuses with each sneeze, warping the sound and soaking the handkerchief. “HEHHGHT’SHhhu! Hh’GHshhh!”

Telemachus blows thickly into the handkerchief. Lady Athena has become quite accustomed to this cycle in the past day or two. With his immune system occupied by the myriad of lacerations and bruises left by Antinous, the prince had caught a dreadful cold that had gone straight to his nose. Athena was not vulnerable to such afflictions and studied this one curiously. What a maddening condition it seemed to be- Telemachus could hardly go a few minutes without being seized by drawn-out, torturous fits of loud, spraying sneezes. Speaking but a handful of sentences would make him cough, and he was frequently overtaken by bouts of fatigue, during which he would fall asleep propped upright by several pillows, a damp handkerchief still clutched loosely in one hand, breathing laboriously through parted lips. 

At least there was no fever, and therefore no reason to suspect infection festering in the wounds. Just a truly terrible head cold. 

With the itch in his inflamed sinuses temporarily mitigated, Telemachus is finally able to complete his thought. “Amb I just mbeant to lie around, doing ndothing?” 

“I believe that is how resting is oft defined, yes,” Lady Athena replies, a bit exasperated. The grey-eyed goddess sorts through the mending pile and examines one of the gauntlets, thin leather in need of patching after a training blade had cut through it. “You’re still raising your forearms to block.”

“I kdnow.” Telemachus sniffles harshly and yanks the thread through his chlamys. Athena purses her lips, observing the subtle signs of frustration. The prince always had a sword at his side, but had insisted upon training for a scenario in which he was unarmed, against an armed assailant. It was indeed an important skillset, and Athena had begun training Telemachus privately some nights- but the young prince often reacted with impulsive fear, throwing up his arms to block his face when a blade came towards him.

Fear, frustration, colds…what curious mortal experiences. Athena tilts her head and watches as Telemachus ties a knot at the end of his stitches and cuts the thread with a small knife. The mended garment is set aside and another one is selected.

“You will learn, in time,” Athena says softly. Telemachus does not look up at her. 

He lowers the needle and thread to his lap, each breath slow and defined. His shoulders quiver, and Athena instinctively moves forward to place a comforting hand on the back of his neck.

“I-”

“HH’AHHTSHUU!”

A violent sneeze tears through Telemachus. He wrenches to the side, away from Athena, but she can still make out some of the spray in the afternoon light. Athena sighs, lips quirking upwards in fond exasperation, and she steps away to rummage through a drawer. 

“Mby aaahh- ahh!- a-apo…” Telemachus ducks forward again, half-folded handkerchief pressed hastily to his flaring nostrils. “HhAHH’DTSHHuu! AHHDD’TSHhh! Hh’AHGSHhhh!” 

“Here.” Athena extends a clean handkerchief to the prince. He manages to open one teary eye for long enough to see it and grab it before another sneeze overtakes him.

“EHHG’Hhhtsh!!” A thick, crackling cough interrupts the fit, now muffled into the folds of the handkerchief. “HhhhHH- HHhh! Nhh…”

A final sneeze seems to slip away at the last moment, leaving Telemachus hitching into the handkerchief, bleary-eyed and breathless. Athena watches with sympathy as he catches his breath and blows with a loud, undignified gurgle. The prince folds the handkerchief over and blows his flooded nose a couple more times before finally raising his head. His nostrils are a deep, angry shade of red, trailing down to his upper lip, and a sheen of moisture clings to them. 

“Mby apologies…”

“Keep them,” Lady Athena responds with a dismissive wave of her hand. After a moment of calculation, she continues, “I know you wish to be productive, but perhaps some rest is in order. You cannot return to training until you recover, after all.” 

“...perhaps,” Telemachus concedes with another marshy sniffle. He rises, a little unsteadily, and retreats to bed. Athena draws a heavy curtain over the windows of his chambers as he settles under the covers, handkerchief still in hand. “Thangk you, Lady Athenda.”

“Of course,” The goddess responds, soft- almost tender, almost caring. “Rest well, prince. I shall be here when you wake.” 

[racerchix21]

Contagion

This is what I did with @do-androids-dream-ao3acc’s spec post from last week

Droid I know this definitely isn’t where you wanted this to go but I hope you like it.

“Seriously. You want me to call your ex to ask him to join in on a suicide mission?”

Athena sounds inquisitorial, as if this were an interrogation; she’s cocked her head and looks at Buck from narrowed eyes. He understands that, he knows why she’s striking that tone. That’s her husband in this building, her friends, too – if she doesn't keep her cool now, if she doesn't at least appear competent on the surface, her house of cards will collapse. Buck’s is already in ruins.

“I-it’s not suicide,” he insists. 

“No? What would you call it, your plan, which obviously consists of bypassing the military?” 

“Well, if you put it that way…” Buck takes a deep breath; it doesn’t help at all, his arms swing out in a wild gesture. “But it's the only option, isn't it? The military just wants to leave them to die in there.”

“Buck,” Athena says softly. 

He doesn't know where she finds the kindness to do so. He wants her to be angry, too. He wants her to refuse to accept that Bobby and the others are stuck in that lab, and even more so that Howie is dying an unnecessarily cruel death. Not if they can help it.  

“No,” he shakes his head. “Look, that M-Moira is crazy. I have no idea what she is up to, maybe it's not just frustration with her research director, maybe she's selling the antidote on the black market for pharmaceuticals.”

“You’ve read too many horror stories,” Athena says, but Buck hears the tone in her voice. 

“S-so it's true. It happens, right?”

“Of course,” she scoffs. “But that’s out of our league, Buck.”

“Out of our... ‚Thena!”

Buck laughs. It's not a particularly humorous sound, but one that causes a flicker of concern in Athena's eyes. It’s what Buck feels, too – sometimes, when you feel like crying, laughter is the only thing that can stop the desperation.

“You survived a sinking ship and a plane crash,” he says.

"This is different."

“Yeah, but it’s not the first time you've bent the rules. And if you have to, you'll break them. Do you know that Ravi did that today? He risked everything for people he always claims are just annoying colleagues. They're not to us, Athena.” 

“Not to us,” she repeats slowly, almost sighing. A jolt runs through her body. “Still. Buck. Do you know what you’re proposing?”

“I’m only proposing you do your job, because catching criminals, that’s what you do. Moira…”

“She's definitely a criminal,” Athena adds grimly. “I'm not saying we don’t need to find her, regardless of the mess we're in. But you want us to actively defy the military with the antidote in our hands – should we even get it.”

“Tommy can get us in,” Buck insists. “If we come in through the roof, it'll take them a while to notice.”

"They'll never let us in, that's for sure."

“Exactly. They want to let Chimney die so the virus dies. They can't do that,” he says, though it’s an impossible thing to even think about. 

“No, they can't,” Athena replies in a tone suggesting she’s thinking of Bobby now. “But do you really think Tommy will help us?”

It's a good question, maybe even an obvious one, considering how their last encounter ended. But Buck doesn't want Tommy to help him for his sake; he’s got no right to demand that kind of commitment. There is so much more at stake, and he believes, no, he knows that Tommy will understand. 

“It's not his problem, that's true,” says Buck. “But I know one thing. Even if I messed up, and even if the others haven't been exactly fair to him since we split up... he'll do it because he can't help himself, Athena. He's one of those guys who are too damn good for this world. He’s kind and compassionate.”

Athena looks at him for what seems like an eternity, even if it’s just half a minute or so. 

“Have you ever told him that, Buck?” she asks quietly, and he swallows.

He hasn’t, of course, he didn’t tell him this and so many other things.

“Well,” Athena says at last, wiping her hands on her trousers as if that would wipe away all the tension. Buck wishes it were possible, but there's no magic wand to solve their situation. “Maybe you're right. But, Buck...”

He watches her intently, there’s a small spark of hope in his heart again. Athena rummages through her pockets and finally pulls out her cell phone.

“I can't call him. I can't possibly ask the man for such a favor again, even if I were convinced, like you, that he would help us.” 

She holds out the phone to him, a small smile on her serious face. 

“But you know what?” she adds. “Seems like you’re the right person to call Tommy Kinard.”

He knows she's right as he paces across the tent they've sequestered themselves in away from prying eyes. As he spins on his heel and makes his way back towards her Buck can see that Athena's almost done with him.

Selfishly he hopes she'll make the call to Tommy herself because he can't trust himself to not say the wrong thing to him again. Not to manage to blow the one chance that his team has to survive. Maybe the last chance he has of getting Tommy back in his life even it's just as a friend.

"You're gonna call Tommy and see if he'll help us commit domestic terrorism," Athena whispers to him shoving his phone into his stomach when he gets close enough to her again. "If he agrees to helping us save our people, you Evan Buckley are never allowed to let that man go again. We're gonna get them all to the hospital to get checked out and then you and Tommy are getting married if I have to forge the paperwork myself."

"Married," Buck asks horrified at the notion of forcing Tommy to marry him but also intrigued. "Why married?"

"That way you two don't have to testify against each other," Athena states like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Look Buckaroo we're probably all gonna get charged with domestic terrorism and if you and Tommy are married they can't force you to testify in each other's trials."

"Evan," Tommy answers on the third ring. His name drips in sheer exhaustion and Buck lets his mind wander for a moment about the last time he heard Tommy mumble his name in that tone of voice. He snaps back to himself and the crisis at hand when he catches Athena's eye and her unimpressed look.

"Tommy, I need a favor and I'll completely understand if you say no," Buck rushes not wanting to give his ex boyfriend a chance to say no. "It's important and you're the only one I trust to help."

"If it's important to you Evan then of course I'll help," Tommy says and Buck can hear him shuffling around like he's getting dressed. His suspicions are confirmed when he hears the springs creak when Tommy sits in the old armchair he refused to throw away. "Where are you right now?"

"The SOCAL Tech Biomedical Research Laboratory. There was an explosion and the safety protocols activated. Hen and Howie both need medical attention immediately the Army's refusing to do anything about it." Buck knows he's rambling and he sounds hysterical if the looks Athena's sending his way are any indication.

"Evan,breathe sweetheart." The pet name falls so easily from Tommy's lips and Buck involuntarily shudders at how sweet it sounds. "I'll be there as soon as I can, okay? What do you need me to do?"

"Just bring you and maybe some digging supplies? I haven't quite figured out how exactly I'm gonna get in there to save our people but I'm gonna save them myself."

"I'll see you soon," Tommy repeats stronger and quieter than before. Almost like it's something precious that only they're supposed to hear and it gives Buck enough strength to start coming up with the rest of his plan.

"Evan Buckley, I don't like the look on your face right now," Athena states glaring at him. "Whatever you're think-" she's interrupted by Colonel Hartman walking in looking angry a short stout man following him in.

"Sergeant Grant, Firefighter Buckley," Hartman starts watching both of them wearily. "This is FBI Special Agent LaSalle. He and his team are heading up the investigation into Moira Blake. Agent LaSalle, this is Sergeant Athena Grant and Firefighter Evan Buckley. The people in the lab right now are the rest of the 118."

"We're trying to track Miss Blake down as we speak to get the antidote to save your friends," LaSalle tries to reassure before he and the Colonel take their leave.

"So what's your plan Buck? It's pretty damn obvious we're gonna have to save them ourselves."

"Tommy's bringing digging supplies and I'll grab the first aid kit out of his truck when he gets here. You think you can see if Karen can whip up some algorithm or something to help us figure out how long we have until Chim dies?"

"Sure but what are you doing," Athena asks pulling her phone out to call Karen.

"I'm gonna kidnap Tommy and we're stealing a chopper. If we can figure out where Moira is we can get the antidote long before the FBI can get their hands on it."

"Kidnapping me? Why kidnap me when I'll go voluntarily," Buck hears Tommy ask behind him and he feels a little relief that his ex boyfriend actually showed up. "Addams from B Shift owes me a favor. We can head to the helipad over by the pier and pick up the chopper."

He can't blame Athena for looking at them like they're crazy. He feels crazy but he still doesn't see a way out of this situation with every single one of his family members walking away no worse for wear. He can't say if Tommy's feeling the same but he does know that Tommy's fiercely protective of everyone he cares about.

"So Karen and I need to figure out how long you and Tommy have to find Moira and get back here to save everyone?"

"Exactly. Also hope that we don't actually need the digging supplies Tommy brought with him," Buck laughs again no more humorous than before.

"You ready to go save the day Evan," Tommy asks quietly bumping their shoulders together as they follow Athena out to where their cars are parked.

He doesn't get the chance to answer before their intercepted by Colonel Hartman and the man looks angry the vein in his forehead throbbing. "Where do you think you're going? I understand the people still inside are yours but I can't have you interfering with any of our plans. You'll both have to stay here where we can keep an eye on both of you."

Tommy's the first one to recover, "Sir, they were just on their way to inform the wives of Firefighters Han and Wilson of the situation. We all thought it best that their families hear from familiar faces rather than strangers about their loved ones."

Hartman looks stricken for a moment before he concedes the point and releases them reluctantly. "Don't try to be heroes. Any of you," he stresses watching them walk away.

**

"Alright how are we going to find Moira," Buck asks as they head towards the pier and their once again stolen municipal property.

"I know a guy," Tommy states as if it's obvious and maybe it should be Buck thinks. "I got off the phone with you earlier and I called him to see if he knew what was going on. He said he'd heard rumblings of something going down at the lab and about a researcher wanting to sell a new virus."

"So what he told you to go confront her," Buck questions incredulously. "This guy wants to put you in danger and have you confront a crazy woman?"

"He's gonna buy it from her Evan. I need you to call Athena and have her meet him up with him."

"If Athena is gonna meet up with 'your guy'," Buck says complete with air quotations, "what are we doing?"

"Distracting the FBI and the US Army."

"I'm sorry what? What do you mean distracting the FBI and Army, Thomas," he screeches looking at Tommy like he doesn't know who he is anymore.

"We're doing Buck stuff and making it Tommy and Buck stuff instead Evan. You really thought you were the only reckless one in this rela-friendship?"

"No no say what you were gonna say," Buck demandingly urges because he can't trust his own ears at the moment.

"Relationship," Tommy corrects himself sounding shyer than normal refusing to even look over.

"It almost sounded like you relationship," Buck repeats dumbly. There's no way that Tommy can still want anything to do with him after his comments the morning after their drunken hookup.

"I did," Tommy confirms glancing over at Buck. "We save the day and then maybe we can sit and talk about us. How's that sound?"

"Sounds perfect. So what's your plan once your guy gets the antidote and it gets handed off to Athena? We're just gonna fly around and make menaces of ourselves?"

"As soon as Athena tells us she's got the antidote in hand dispatch is gonna get a call that the virus and the antidote are in the black chopper flying over the lab. The guy I know also knows a guy that used to work at that bio lab and he knows how to get into the labs when they've been locked down," Tommy explains as he parks in the alley behind a dumpster.

"So it's a hope and a prayer that nothing goes wrong?"

All he gets in response is a hum and Tommy leading the way inside a building then to the roof.

**

5 hours later Buck has absolutely no idea how the hell they pulled it off but they managed to save everyone. His team are all lying in a quarantine unit at Rampart General but they're alive.

He parted ways with everyone earlier and he wants to sleep but there's one last thing he feels needs to do.

What are you doing Saturday? I was thinking we could get coffee and talk.

He hits send on the message and plugs in his phone in before laying down on Tommy's side of his bed.

Read on AO3

[calicomarie11]

Evan and Tommy are sitting at the table in Evan’s loft, a couple of beers in front of them and relaxing now that the clean up from dinner is done.

“So, how’s Bobby handling retirement?” Tommy asks.

“Still fighting to come back, but he does start a temporary gig tomorrow.” Evan answers. “He’s going to be a technical advisor on Hotshots.”

Tommy looks impressed. “That’s a big deal. That show is huge.”

Evan shrugged, “I’ve never seen it.” 

“What do you mean, you’ve never watched Hotshots? How could you miss it. It’s been the hottest show on TV for the past 2 years.” Tommy’s voice is filled with incredulity as he stares at Evan. “We have viewing parties at Harbor, even the off shift crew comes in if they don’t need to sleep.”

Evan lifts a hand to rub the back of his neck and shrugs sheepishly. “I know it exists, I’ve seen the billboards, it’s just….” he trails off and looks towards the ceiling, his go to move when he’s being evasive. 

“What, did you sleep with the star during your Buck 1.0 days?” Tommy teases him.

“Not the star.” Buck takes a breath and fiddles with his beer bottle, tearing strips off the outside as he talks. “So, you are not the first TK that I’ve dated. I used to be off and on with Taylor Kelly.”

Tommy interrupts “The Taylor Kelly who wrote a tell all about the 118? That was your ex-girlfriend? What a bitch.”

“Yeah, well, we weren’t a good fit. Anyways, after she published the book it got picked up for development and Hotshots was the end result. I think she’s even working on the show as a consultant. I didn’t read her book and I’m not about to watch her show.” 

“I can’t believe I didn’t put that together.” Tommy sits back, a thoughtful look on his face. “So does that mean the characters on the show are based on the 118?” He cocks his head and studies Evan and then slaps his hand down on the table. “Holy shit, you’re Sandy.”

“Sandy?” Evan asks, his nose wrinkling adorably in confusion.

“Blaine “Sandy” Sanderson. He’s kind of the show’s punching bag. Last season an ambulance rolled over on top of him during an earthquake and crushed his arm.  This year the season opener had him trapped in a mudslide with his best friends kid.”

Evan takes a slow pull on his beer as he processes that. “Why do you think I’m Sandy?”

“Well, he gets hurt a lot, he’s a daredevil, he’s got a heart of gold, he’s a bit naive, and he always has a collection of fun facts that relate to the rescue at hand.”  

“And that’s what you think of me?” Evan asks with a frown.

“No, baby. But superficially it matches up.” Tommy reaches out to cover Evan’s hand with his own.

“Okay.” Even still looks put out, but a little intrigued. “So, what about the other characters?”

Tommy sits back and purses his lips. “Well, Bea is obviously a stand in for Hen, and Shaft must be Chimney.”

Evan interrupts “Shaft?”

“A nickname they never bother to explain.” 

Evan nods. “Yeah, we never did tell her how Chimney got his name. Who else?”

“Well, the captain’s name is Billy, but everyone calls him Cap and he’s married to a police detective named Artemis.” 

“And you’re just now putting this together?” Even quirks an eyebrow at Tommy.

Tommy holds up his hands in defense. “Hey, I wasn’t exactly expecting to see my old house on the hottest show on television. I started watching before I met you.” 

“So is that it? Me, Cap, ‘Thena, Hen and Chim?”

Tommy looks away and shifts in his seat. “There’s also Ricky.”

“Ricky?”

Tommy sighs. “Ricardo “Ricky” Noches. Air Force veteran, single dad to an autistic kid, and Sandy’s best friend.”

“She made Chris autistic?” The outrage is clear in Evan’s voice. “I know she didn’t spend much time with him, but that is supremely uncool.” Evan sinks back in his seat, a look of frustration on his face.

“There’s more.” Tommy says matter of factly.

Evan huffs. “Alright, lay it on me. How much worse can it get.”

Tommy hums and looks around the room, avoiding eye contact with Evan. “There’s a significant portion of the fan base for the show that “ships” Sandy and Ricky.”

“Ships?” Evan says, his face a mask of confusion.

“It means they think they should be in a romantic relationship. Their ship name is Randy.” Tommy says.

Evan sinks into his seat, his brow furrowed. “So, the people who watch this show, based on my life, think that I should be, what, dating Eddie?” 

Tommy holds his breath and nods. 

Evan stares at him for a long moment, a riot of expressions crossing his face, before he bursts out in laughter. It takes him a few minutes to get himself under control, the giggles rising each time he thinks he’s ready to speak. 

He finally wipes away the tears from his laughing jag. “That would be an epic disaster. Don’t get me wrong, I love him like a brother, but he has more trauma than me, and that’s saying something.” 

 Tommy lets out a breath of relief. “I’ll pass that on to Donato.”

“Lucy?” Evan shoots him a look of confusion.

“Oh, yeah, she’s a big Randy fan.  Spends way too much time on shift reading fan fiction.”

Evan lifts an eyebrow at him. “Do you think she knows?”

“That it’s based on people she knows?”

“Yeah.”

Tommy hmphs. “I’ll be sure to tell her.” 

Comments and Kudos AO3 are greatly appreciated

[jstarr86]

Pt 2

I won my match walking to the back with a smirk on my face. After the show I saw the new bloodline watching me, this new version of Solo I wasn’t sure I could trust he’d changed. Jacob scared the hell out of me forreal and the other two I didn’t know what to think forreal.

“Athena!” I turned seeing Jimmy and Jey

“What’s up with you”

“Hi.”

“Aye that was a good match.”

“Yeet”

“Thanks.”’

“Man here go dem fools.”

“Leave it alone let’s go.” I stole a look over my shoulder as I pushed the twins to go. We went to eat and was kicking it when my phone vibrated pulling it out I saw a name I know damn well I didn’t put and I knew immediately who it was Daddy I rolled my eyes opening the text

Where you at

Eating chillin

With those fools

Those fools are my friends

Don’t make me punish you

I might like it and why is your name daddy

You know damn well why baby

I’m not your baby I didn’t get a reply and put my phone down seeing two sets of eyes staring at me

“What.”

“Who the hell you talkin to.”

“No one.”

“Mhmm, you been in your phone straight ignoring us.”

“Yeah and you got a goofy lil smirk.”

“Forreal it’s nothing.”

“Sight, but like we was sayin you need watch yourself”

“Whatchu mean Jimmy.”

“You ain’t blind hell we’ve seen the way Solo and em be watching you.”

“Yeah I don’t trust it.”

“Me either.”

“He ain’t gonna do anything.”

“Thena he knows you close with us shit he use be wit us he knows our bond.”

“Don’t worry I’m fine ok, yall worry bout you guys and fixing this shit with ya cousin.”

“As long as he respectful we will be good.” Josh said.

“You know they gonna try get yall with wargames, yall need figure out a fourth and fifth person yall outnumbered.”

“Don’t worry we got it.”

“Yo rumor is yall bout get a new title tho.”

“Hope so.” We finished up and headed back to the hotel I showered and had just put lotion on when persistent knocking hit my door. I tossed my clothes on opening it as I saw Tama “can I help you .”

“Yeah.” He pushed past me and I let the door shut. Turning I was met by his lips as he lifted me in his arms my back against the wall. In little time he was buried inside me my face in his neck muffling moans “been thinking bout you all damn day”

“Tama.” I whined out his breathe in my ear. My thong dangling precariously from my ankle as his dick drove into me, hitting that spot that damn near had my eyes rolling back into my head. “I’m gonna cum.” I moaned head in his neck kissing it hiding my moan as my hair fell in my face. My ass in his hands as he gave deep grinding strokes that left me a shaking mess in his arms his breath in my ear as he lowly growled as he released lightly grunting out my name. “Mm hi to you to.”

“Hi.” He chuckled. He pulled back letting me down as I held his shoulders my legs a little shaky. Shit I don’t know if I’d be walking straight after that one. I walked to the bed where he pulled me into him and in his lap. “Hope you ain’t think I was done mama, lemme see you ride my dick.”

“Mmm.” I moaned out shit I don’t know if I could take him. My fingers weaving into his short hair as we kissed him grunting as I gently nipped his lip with my teeth the action making him slap my ass. His hands gripping my hips as I rolled mine against him, moaning at the feel of him inside me. He sat up wrapping his lips around my nipple. “Fuck.”

I woke up the next morning sore but relaxed. The sun waking me as I curled into the warm body next to me.

“Morning sexy.”

“Mm morning.” I muttered. I peeked a eye at the clock seeing the time. I was tired we were at it for hours and it felt like I’d just went to sleep

“You sleep ok.”

“Mhmm.”

“You gon have let me go. I got a flight.” I silently let go as he stood kissing my head before I heard him leave.

I got stopped by H.

“Hey I need to see you.”

“What’s up?”

“You are gonna be part of the women’s wargames match and we are debuting a new title the women’s US title and we will have a tournament you will win.”

“What?”

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I smirked leaving his office bouncing down the hallway.

“What you so happy for.”

“Dammit.” I said jumping looking over and seeing the new bloodline. “Stop doing that creppy shit asshole.”

“Who you talking to shawty.”

“Clearly yall damn fuckin creep in like a horror movie.”

“Athena.”

“What Solo.” I said annoyed

“Watch yourself.”

“You sound like your brothers.”

“Oh really.”

“Yeah they say the same shit but I think if you was gonna hurt me you already would have but whatever your playin at I ain’t a part of. All that family drama yall can have fun with I got my own shit to do.”

“Ya know Thena you could be really successful, hell we both know you got talent, drive-“

“Solo I’m not joking the bloodline; either of them.” I walked off

A FEW WEEKS LATER

Tama and I had been fucking for weeks now. Hell his smart ass had even cornered me at work and took my in the backseat of Solos precious SUV. I couldn’t really get enough of his sexy ass and the way he could be gentle yet rough was addictive. He could make love to you or slam you against a wall with his hand around your throat until you couldn’t function. They’d been beating the OG bloodlines ass and Roman had been pissed. I saw him call Paul as it went to voicemail and he tripped and I stopped by his locker room.

“What’s up Athena.”

“Can’t get ahold of your wiseman.”

“No he it’s -“

“Breathe and chill first off you got this you just gotta not let your ego control your actions and secondly in case you haven’t really been paying attention he tried calling you one night, Solo took the phone and smashed it, he can’t answer a broken phone Ro.”

“Shit I didn’t even think of that, thank you.”

“Cause you’re stressed and you’re welcome.”

“See your in the tournament for the new title.”

“Yeah”

“Maybe once you win you can come join-“

“No, like I told Solo I’m not in this shit it’s y’all’s drama I’m not going to join either version of the bloodline. Later.”

Raw was going good. We had wargames coming up. Liv, Raquel, Nia, Tiffany and Candace against myself, Naomi, Bianca, Jade and a returning Rhea. I did hate that the way the new tournament was set up it could be myself versus Bianca and Jade vs Naomi and the winners facing each other. But it was what it was and that friendship could resume after. The bloodline stuff was crazy but Tamas wild and sexy ass. Late nights and early mornings I knew we were walking on thin ice.

“Sup princess”.

“Tama.” I said swatting his arm. He’d pushed me into a room and I’d quickly deduced what room it was. “Let me go.”

“Fuck that they doing something anyway.”

“So.”

“So.” Before I could fathom he had me on the couch in the locker room. Groaning as he slid inside me. “Fuck Athena.” He grunted. “Wet as fuck.” I smirked sliding my hands down his stomach before wrapping my arms around his shoulders and moving my hips making him hit deeper.

“You don’t have time to be gentle you can do that later.”

“Hmm just try to not be loud.”

“Fuck daddy.”

“Damn right.” He kissed me roughly “mmm I feel you, you bout cum.”

“Shut up.” I moaned.

“WHAT THE FUCK!” We pulled back looking at each other wide eyed before our heads snapped to the door

[leahnardo-da-veggie]

The Tragedy of Love, Death and Maggots part 6

Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

We were at the border to the cultists' territory when Mrin stopped us. “Athena was here,” she told us. “Look at the markings on the wall.”

Indeed, there were nasty little marks on the off-white walls, in the shape of rather inappropriate and anatomical figures. The only person who would have the immaturity to do such a thing, as well as the guts to do it in the heart of the cultists' lair, would be that damned girl.

I sighed. “Of course it's her. Who else would draw dicks on the walls of hell?” I shook my head. “Fool child. Do you have any idea how long ago she passed through here?” For all that she had one eye, Mrin's sight served her better than the rest of ours combined. If anyone could figure it out, it would be her. 

“What am I, your blood hound? I can't tell-” she stopped and took a closer look at the markings. “Oh. She was here not long ago. Look, the ink on the wall hasn't dried yet.” 

“Oh, thank the heavens! We might be able to catch her if me hurry,” Brett exclaimed. “Come on, come on! We've gotta get to her before something else does.” His breath hitched, and that sunny smile of his cracked. “If- if ‘thena got hurt, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself!”

Ah, the follies and passions of youth. I shook my head and gave Mrin my signature grin, the one we used to exchange two years ago, back when it was the two of us and she had two eyes. She returned it, hesitantly, showing off yellowing, chipped teeth. 

Before anything could pass between us, Brett put his hands on our shoulders and pushed, sending me careening down the hall. “Hurry up,” he demanded. There was a wildness in his eyes, like an animal being chased down. “There's not much time left.”

Mrin sighed. “There's never any time, Brett. I know you're worried about her, but we can't afford to rush in. The cultists are dangerous, and if we get caught unprepared, we'll be unable to save ourselves, let alone Athena.” 

I nodded in agreement. “Besides, we don't even know where she's gone. Sure, she's here, but here can be in the congregation hall of the cultists or in some random corner, and we need time to work out which exactly it is.”

He held that look of cornered terror for a moment longer, begging us to change our minds. Then he gave up and nodded. “Alright. I take it we're scouting the lair first? Knowing her, that's where she'll be.” 

“Yeah, sure.” I started forward again, keeping up with Brett as we made our way towards the home of the greatest monsters in our little hell.

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@evilgabe29, @glitched-dawn, @rivenantiqnerd, @dragonhoardesfandoms, @xenascribbles

@drchenquill, @everythingismadeofchaos, @owldwagitoutofyou, @dimitrakies, @beloveddawn-blog

@riveriafalll, @the-golden-comet, @rascaronii, @trippingpossum, @real-fragments

@unrepentantcheeseaddict, @the-inkwell-variable

(Anyone else who wants to get added can tell me in the comments, pm me, or send me an ask about it!)

[themculibrary]

Family Masterlist

A Little Bit of Mischief (ao3) - asgardianavenger M, 59k

Summary: Loki's kids were monsters. Odin made sure that nobody knew that. A curse was put in place but since Odin's passing, the curse has been lifted. Two of the four children would stop at nothing until they find their younger siblings and make things right. (During Thor Ragnarok)

And All the Vegetables Too (ao3) - Chiauve G, 3k

Summary: At first, Frigga paid little mind. Afterall, boys grew at different rates. It wasn't until Loki was a good head taller than his elder brother that she began to worry.

Bouncing Baby Sniper (ao3) - vain_glorious clint/natasha, peggy/steve T, 5k

Summary: Clint Barton is Peggy Carter's grandson.

Congratulations, It's a (Spider) Boy (ao3) - tony_starked pepper/tony T, 6k

Summary: When Maya Hansen shows up at Tony’s mansion over a decade since they last met, she isn’t exactly lying about that thirteen-year-old kid in the car.

Don't Touch A Pregnant Man's Snack (ao3) - catnip_coffee steve/bucky T, 4k

Summary: Bucky's learned to let go of things that he's particular about. Except for his late night cravings. Those are not something to be messed with or forgotten. Especially when it comes to Steve's stubborn baby.

Even a Miracle Needs a Hand (ao3) - victoria_p (musesfool) clint/darcy G, 11k

Summary: When Darcy takes Clint home for the holidays as her fake boyfriend, he charms his way into the family, and into her pants heart.

"Have you ever gave yourself you time to suffer?" (ao3) - lonieine T, 4k

Summary: Peter has lost a lot of people, but he never really gave himself time to process that pain, and that has consequences.

him without his dad (ao3) - iron_spider T, 3k

Summary: Peter wakes up before his alarm goes off because the door slams open. He was in a dream somewhere but it disappears as soon as the door opens because Happy is rushing in and grabbing him up.

“Wait wait wait,” Peter says, feeling dizzy and sleepy as he reaches down and grabs the phone from the charger. He doesn’t remember plugging it in, and he guesses someone else did that for him. “What’s wrong? What’s wrong?”

Happy doesn’t say anything and just holds onto him, carrying him out of the room.

“Happy!” Pepper’s voice yells, and she’s there in the hallway and her face is all red and Peter is starting to get scared. “We—we don’t think there’s any threat to him—”

If One Be Gone, We Carry On (ao3) - the_sentient_duck G, 4k

Summary: Rebecca Kaplan is an ordinary woman living through extraordinary times and trying her best to deal with a son who seems like an entirely different person sometimes.

Ikaris and the Dumpster Flerken (ao3) - Sternenstaub_Orca ikaris/sersi, druig/makkari, gilgamesh/thena, phastos/ben G, 49k

Summary: Instead of flying into the sun after the failed Emergence on Earth, Ikaris wanders across the universe in self-imposed exile until the Flerken Distribution System finds him.

A bit of chaos ensures.

I'll Call Your Mom (ao3) - SkyeRomonoff N/R, 11k

Summary: Officer Melinda May just wants one day where she isnt dealing with stupid petty crimes, unfortunately thats not possible because as soon as she meets a teenage girl named Daisy every single call is about her

I'll do all I can to heal you inside (ao3) - Velocity_Owl87 T, 3k

Summary: Loki's left his dysfunctional family life behind, or so he thinks. Then his little brother Thor shows up on his doorstep, badly injured and Loki ends up taking responsibility for his little brother to raise him properly and hopefully give him a better future than he otherwise would have had.

Just a Million Little Gods (ao3) - orphan_account T, 4k

Summary: Loki responds with a level six glare and, “Arcade Fire.” Upon Thor’s bemused face, Loki sighs so hard he almost feels out of breath and adds, “You’ve probably never heard of them.”

Memories That Never Fade Away (ao3) - Peridot_Garcia agatha/rio, teddy/billy M, 179k

Summary: A purely self-indulgent fic about Agatha and the coven learning how to work through their trauma even if they tend to get on each other's nerves.

Never or Forever (I can’t remember) (ao3) - That_other_koi N/R, 8k

Summary: What if Thor handed Loki over to HYDRA?

Paper Planes & Playground Games (ao3) - Barkour loki/sif G, 14k

Summary: When Sif was but a girl, she met two princes, one like the sun, the other like the moon.

Take It All, It's All Yours (ao3) - LilaLuna agatha/rio T, 104k

Summary: After a lifetime of suffering, young Wanda finds an unexpected haven with Agatha and Rio. Bound by their love for each other and their commitment to Wanda, Agatha and Rio create a sanctuary for healing, determined to help Wanda face her deepest wounds. Together, they become the family Wanda never thought possible, fiercely protective of her—and each other—as they navigate the painful layers of trauma she carries.

OR: Agatha and Rio take in a young Wanda in and do everything to help her heal from the layers of trauma she has endured in her life. Slices of life, established relationship and found family.

these things, they were promises (ao3) - Mira_Jade frigga/odin G, 4k

Summary: "In her visions, she sees two sons born to the Allfather; it never occurred to her that one would not be of her womb." Three moments that the future struck deep.

the smile that's on my mouth (it's hiding the words that don't come out) (ao3) - pouringinsheets G, 1k

Summary: Six months ago Sam walked back into the Wilson family house for the first time in two years. Except it hadn’t been two years, it had been seven.

Sam tries to find his footing.

Viduidae Child (ao3) - RunRabbitRun frigga/odin G, 4k

Summary: When her husband presents the babe to her, Frigga's first thought is He doesn't look like a Frost Giant.

[redheadspark]

20. whispering to them like they’re alone in the world Freburary Prompts with...Druig (No surprise here from me lol)

A/N - STELLA! I love this for our favorite Mind Controller! Thanks for requesting this, bestie!

Braid

Summary - Druig seeks you out after the near Emergence

Warnings - Angst and fluff mixed together

“Has anyone seen her?”

“Last I saw, she snuck to the second floor.  Probably needed to be alone,”

“Thanks,”

Phastos with a hint of amusement watched as Druig was making his way up the wooden stairs, rolling his eyes as he spoke up again from the loveseat where he was perked, “You know she might have gone off to be…I don’t know…alone?”

Druig ignored him, though Phastos only smirked and went back to talking to his husband and son on the first floor.  Druig was merely thinking of you and where you went off to as soon as you all made it to Ajax’s farmhouse.  You were mostly quiet on the Domo when you all left that beach, battered and yet still breathing.  Druig’s condition was still on the mend, the massive bruise in the middle of his chest thanks to Ikaris and his beams was making it hard for him to breathe at times.  He was glad to have dressed out of his armor in his regular clothes.  He knew he needed a good night's sleep, maybe a few cups of coffee to at least function, but that could be done later.

He needed to find you.

Once he made it to the second floor, he spotted one of the bedroom doors perched open and the view of an open window that showed the prairie landscape.  A crisp breeze came from the window, the white window drapes blowing by with the wind as Druig saw a flicker of hair from the outside of the window.  There was a person outside the window on the roof, making Druig walk through the bedroom door and right to the open window.

He sighed in relief at the sight. You, his wife of 400 years.

You had your knees tucked to your chest, and the sweater you were wearing made you a bit warm as you were sporting leggings and boots as well.  Your long hair was still somewhat in a Dutch braid behind you, though strands and snags were floating in the wind as your eyes were on the horizon.

“Darlin’,” he said in concern, his head poking out of the window as you were looking over in his direction.  He saw your bright eyes, looking rather calm and relaxed a bit as he smiled, “You alright?”

“I just need some time alone,” You replied, then grinning at him as you held out a hand for him, “Join me?”

Druig would follow you to the ends of the earth if you asked, even through intense pain or flowing fire if it meant you would be on the other side with him.  Druig took your hand willingly, crawling his way out from the open window to sit on the roof right next to you as you clutched your hand in his tightly.  He scanned your appearance, seeing the few scabs and scratches from the battle and yet you still look beautiful to him.  The softness of your cheeks, the brightness of your eyes that seemed like diamonds, Druig never saw anything so beautiful in his life on earth.  

“Here, let me fix yer hair,” Druig said to you as he moved to sit behind you, moving his fingers in your hair as you were looking at the horizon again with softness in your eyes.  You hummed, the sensation of Druig’s fingers along your neck and shoulder while he was fixing your braid was one of your favorite things he would do with you.

It started back when you two were tip-towing around each other, you asking Druig to fix your hair since there was a larger snag that was hard for you to reach.  Neither Thena nor Sersi were around to help you since they would have helped you in the past, so to ask Druig to help with your hair was a bit embarrassing.  Yet to your surprise, Druig was willing to help.  Feeling his fingers go through your locks, was almost a calming sensation that was almost hypnotic.

It was safe to say that Druig would do your hair and has been ever since.  

After you left with Druig when he separated from the family, you felt more at peace with your life with Druig at your side.  You two were head over heels in love, though you never shared it with the others.  In fact, you both were married in secret, wanting it to be shared with just the pair of you under the stars in the Amazon.  It was one of the best nights of your life on the planet.  

Druig was easily moving the locks of hair, knowing how to make the braid to your liking since he’d been doing it for so long.  At that point, he could do it with his eyes closed, but he loved watching your highlights in the sun as you finally spoke for a long moment or two.

“I was scared today,” You admitted, Druig pausing on his movements with your braids as you clutched your legs a bit tighter to your chest and watched some of the clouds go by thanks to the wind, “For the first time in a long time, I was scared that you were going to leave me,”

“No no, don’t think like that anymore,” Druig said in earnest as he kissed your clothed shoulder, wrapping you in your arms to lean against him and keep you secure, “I’m right here with ya, I’m not goin’ anywhere,”

You nodded, feeling him tuck his chin on your shoulder as you two held one another on the rooftop.  Druig loved having you in his arms, whether it was when you two were in bed together or simply watching the stars high above you back in your little village, Druig found peace with you.  No matter how dark his thoughts were or how lost he seemed, you were his safe space and true happiness. 

“We’re going to go to the stars, remember?” Druig whispered to you as you softly smiled, feeling his press his head against yours as he kept talking, “We’re gonna find others like us and tell them how to live like we did,”

“Like we did?” You breathed, Druig grinning widely as he snuck a kiss on your cheek.

“Living our best life,” He answered in a whisper, “Ajak would want that for us, and she’ll want that for the other Eternals that could be out there,”

“As long as you’re with me, I don’t care where we go,” You hummed, Druig squeezing you a bit tighter while you both were watching the sun hide away behind the gray clouds.  You were no longer thinking back to that small flicker of a moment when Druig was almost killed, you were not drinking in that joy that he was there with and not willing to let you go.  You both leaned and relied on each for for so many centuries, almost as if you both were molded together and would rather die than be split apart.  

To think it all started with a simple request to braid your hair.

The End

[fanficapologist]

Of Dragons and Maelstroms

Themes and Warnings: slow burn, enemies to lovers, blood, violence, explicit language, sexual violence, period-typical misogyny, sexual themes, smut, tension, marriage, jealousy, pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, attempted sexual assault, breastfeeding, major character death, divergent timelines

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the House of The Dragon/Fire & Blood/Game of Thrones characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

Chapter Twenty

Maera's footsteps echoed softly in the corridors as she walked back to her room, her thoughts consumed by the letters she needed to write to her sisters, full of words of congratulation and encouragement, masking her own inner turmoil. She felt a mixture of concern, responsibility, and her own lingering sadness about the situation. But as she entered her chambers, her attention was abruptly diverted from her thoughts. A knot of unease formed in her stomach at the sight that greeted her.

There, cornered by King Aegon, stood her maid Thena, clearly uncomfortable and trapped. Her ginger braids tumbling out of her cap, her chest heaving in panic. Aegon wore a sly, lustful expression, the same one he wore during Maera’s encounter with him after the family dinner, and it set Maera's blood boiling. Her voice dripped with both irritation as she demanded, "Why are you in my chambers, Your Grace?"

Aegon's smirk remained firmly in place as he responded, his words dripping with arrogance, "It's my castle, my dear Lady. I can go where I please."

Not one to back down, Maera stepped forward, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Release my servant, Aegon" she demanded firmly, her eyes narrowing as she faced the king's brazen advances.

Aegon's gaze locked onto Maera, his tone carrying a weight of authority as he questioned, "Did you just dare to command your king?" There was a challenge in his voice, a dare for her to defy his power.

Maera's mind raced but she did not outwardly flinch. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes at his arrogance, knowing that any further defiance would only worsen the situation. Instead, she quickly recalibrated her approach, sensing the potential for this situation to escalate dangerously. “I would never presume to command my king," she responded with a calm yet assertive tone. "I believe, Your Grace, that you were seeking my presence when you entered my chambers. Might I suggest that you allow Thena to continue her duties whilst I assist you?" She hoped her diplomatic approach would quell Aegon's temper.

Aegon turned to Maera, his eyes narrowing as he considered her words. After letting out an an exasperated scoff, the King slowly released one of his arms from the wall, allowing Thena to slip past him. There was a hint of irritation in his expression, but Maera forced herself to smile at him. Thena began to scurry towards the chamber doors, mouthing a desperate "thank you” to Maera, who then immediately thought of her own safety. She instructed Thena in a hushed whisper to find a guard and have him stationed outside her door, knowing that the situation could easily take a turn for the worse.

Aegon watched Thena go, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure before he turning his attention back to Maera. There's a smug, almost predatory grin on his face. "You're quite the protector of your servants, aren't you, Maera?"

She clenches her jaw, choosing her words carefully. "I treat those who serve me with respect, as they deserve.” Maera then gestured to a chair at the dining table, her voice still even, as if she were hosting any other guest in her chambers. "Please, Your Grace, have a seat. How can I be of service to you today?"

As Aegon sprawled in the chair, his wine-soaked breath wafting through the room. His figure was draped in resplendent deep green robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery of dragons, the unmistakeable sigil of the Targaryen dynasty. Surprisingly, he inquired about Maera's adjustment to life at court, which immediately sets Maera on edge. Wary of the conversation's direction, she replied courteously, "I've settled in well, Your Grace, thank you. I find great satisfaction in serving Queen Helaena, and I've had the pleasure of growing close to the royal children.”

Aegon leaned back with a satisfied grin, revealing his intentions. "Excellent," he said. "I wanted to discuss something with you. The Harvest Moon Ball is approaching, and I plan to go hunting a few days before it. I’ve invited some of the other Lords and Ladies to join me as well.” He reaches across the table and pours himself some wine, gulping it down and wiping his face on his sleeve before continuing. “I'd like you to join us on the hunt, Lady Maera. I'm sure the fresh air and excitement will do you good. And your King has not had the pleasure of your company since you first arrived here."

Maera hesitated, internally wrestling with her feelings of reluctance to spend any more time than necessary with the king. She chose her words carefully, aiming to maintain a façade of respect while trying to gauge his intentions. "Your Grace, I am deeply honored by your invitation, but I believe I should seek permission from Queen Helaena before making such a commitment. Her well-being, and that of her children, are my priority.”

Aegon's voice hardened as he replied, "I am the King, Maera. My authority supersedes Queen Helaena's in this matter." Aegon takes another drink from the goblet, some of the wine splashing onto his robes. “My mother will stay with my wife and children on the day of the hunt.”

Maera felt trapped. She knew that Aegon's pursuits on a hunt often involved excessive drinking and debauchery, and the thought of being there to witness such a site made her uncomfortable. Maera attempted to diplomatically voice her concern, "I am not certain if joining a hunt would be considered appropriate for a Lady of my station, Your Grace."

Aegon's laughter was almost mocking. "Oh, I assure you, Lady Maera, I won't be the one to inform your father of your unbecoming behavior. Consider it an exception for the sake of your King.”

Maera was uncertain whether Aegon was aware of her secret sparring sessions with Aemond, and she wisely chose not to press the matter. Reluctantly, she agreed to the king's request, unable to decline outright. "Very well, Your Grace. I shall do as my king commands and accompany you on the hunt."

Aegon grinned at her response before leaning back in the chair, studying her with a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "I’m curious, Maera. What does a Lady who is experienced with swordplay and hunting wear to such an event?" he mused, a subtle edge to his tone.

Maera knew that the King’s conversation was beginning to turn. so she responded with a forced smile, to end the conversation quickly. "I shall wear my riding leathers, Your Grace, as they are most suitable for a hunt."

Aegon's smile widened, and she could practically see the wheels turning in his mind. "Of course," he purred. "I do hope they cling to your figure so I may get a better look. Seven Hells, the Gods have blessed you with such curves. Although, I’m sure riding leathers won’t give me as good of a view of your breasts as this lovely dress does.”

Aegon's unwelcome lewd comments about her body sent shivers down Maera's spine, making her acutely aware of her vulnerability. Her instinctive reaction was to cover her chest, where the small white scar bore witness to her first sparring match with Aemond. As she moved to excuse herself, Aegon's demeanor suddenly darkened and he also rose from his seat.

“I do love a hunt, Maera. The anticipation of the chase is so thrilling.” Aegon took a step closer, and Maera instinctively took one back. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her, and spied around her chambers for the quickest way to the exit. She knew how unpredictable Aegon could be, especially when he'd been drinking.

As she tried to step away, Aegon gripped both of her arms with his hands, applying an enormous amount of pressure. Maera tried to shake them off but she could not. She then tried to step around him but could not. Maera's heart raced, but she maintained her composure.

Aegon backed her against the dining table, and Maera's eyes widened with fear as he continued to speak inappropriately.

“You’ve been avoiding me since that night, when you refused me. But I will not be refused again.” Aegon’s gaze wandered over her form with an almost predatory intent, his iron grip on her arms crushing.

Her voice trembled as she spoke, "You're hurting me." Ignoring Maera’s pleas, Aegon continued with his vile advances, her words only seemed to inflame his twisted desires. The King's intentions were becoming unmistakably sinister.

Fear gnawed at her as he threatened her modesty, reaching for the ribbons of her dress. Panic set in, and Maera attempted to push him away. Aegon responded with brute force, shoving her so that she tumbled to the floor, the corner of the table colliding painfully with the back of her neck as she hit the stone. He descended upon her like a predator, his hands clawing at her dress. Maera's mind raced with terror as she grappled to free herself, but Aegon's strength was overwhelming. Fear coursed through her veins as Aegon attempted to lift her skirts. Maera struggled, writhed, and fought against him as hard as she could, but to no avail.

"Get the fuck off me!" Desperation clawed at her throat, and she screamed for help, but her cries were stifled as Aegon covered her mouth with one of his hands.

In her darkest moment, as she feared the worst, salvation arrived. The door swung open, and Ser Arryk, the knight, burst into the room, his eyes narrowing as he quickly assessed the horrifying scene. Without hesitation, he intervened, pulling the crazed king away from her, potentially preventing a terrible violation. Maera remained on the floor, trembling and clutching the front of her dress, her breaths coming in ragged bursts and she felt an overwhelming urge to vomit from the sheer shock of the encounter. The world around her seemed to blur, her thoughts consumed by the harrowing ordeal.

Thena swiftly arrived, wrapping a shawl around Maera to preserve her modesty, offering the only comfort she could in such a horrifying moment. Maera's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she huddled beneath the fabric, grateful for the small sense of protection it provided.

Meanwhile, Aegon's fury erupted as he berated Ser Arryk with a venomous intensity, demanding an explanation for his interference. Maera could hear their voices, but their words seemed distant, as if she were underwater. Maera could still feel his grip on her, his foul intentions weighing on her like a nightmare. Ser Arryk's voice cut through the fog in her mind, explaining the urgency of his intrusion. “My King, the lord Hand has called a small council meeting urgently. There is news that Daemon has been spotted in the Vale on Caraxes.”

The news was unexpected, and the gravity of the situation managed to pull Maera partially back to reality. Aegon's demeanor shifted abruptly, his attention torn between the small council meeting and Maera on the floor. He looked down at her, his eyes narrowing, and a twisted smile curled his lips.

With a chillingly sly tone, he remarked “I look forward to see you on the hunt, my Lady,” a stark contrast to the horrifying incident that had just unfolded. Without another word, he exited the room with Ser Arryk in tow, the doors closing behind them.

Maera could no longer contain the emotions that engulfed her and let out a guttural scream, the sound echoing through the chambers, mixed with her cries of distress. Thena rushed to her side, holding her, trying to provide some form of comfort amidst the chaos. Maera screamed and screamed, as her thoughts raced around in her head. Maera grappled with the feelings of being trapped, violated, and weak, reduced to a mere plaything for the King’s amusement. The helplessness she experienced during Aegon's attempted assault haunted her, and her fists clenched involuntarily. Thena held her trembling form, rocking her gently in an attempt to provide some solace amid the storm that has enveloped her Lady.

Maera sat on her bed, parchment and quill in hand, but her thoughts were a turbulent whirlwind of anguish and anger. Her body bore the physical marks of Aegon's assault - bruises on her forearms and the back of her neck, grim reminders of the traumatic encounter. Tears continued to flow silently down her cheeks, her eyes unable to cease their stream. She wanted to write to her sisters, to offer them some comfort and guidance, but her thoughts were consumed by the horrors of what had transpired.

Beside her, Thena dutifully applied salve to the discolored bruises on Maera’s arms and neck, hoping to soothe the painful reminders etched into her lady's skin. Her touch was gentle, an attempt to bring some relief to the shades of black and purple that had now formed. Concern etched across Thena’s face, she wished desperately to comfort her lady.

"Perhaps some stew from the kitchen would do you good, Lady Maera," Thena suggested softly, placing a hand on Maera's trembling shoulder, causing the lady to flinch slightly. Maera shook her head, her appetite nonexistent. She could feel the nausea churning in her stomach, the mere thought of food making her stomach turn. Thena persisted, suggesting a slice of blackberry pie instead, perhaps a sweet treat to lift Maera's spirits, but the lady shook her head once more, staring blankly at the parchment in her hand.

Thena's eyes filled with concern as she continued her work. "My lady, you need sustenance. It's been hours since you've had a proper meal. You need to keep your strength up."

"I don't want to eat," Maera replied, her words a mixture of frustration and sadness. "I can't even think about food right now."

Tears welled in Thena's eyes as she looked upon her lady, her heart aching for the pain she saw. "I'm so sorry, my lady," she whispered. "It should've been me, not you."

Maera's eyes snapped to her maid, a fierce look of opposition flashing in her eyes. "Don't you dare say that," she retorted, her voice firm. "No one should endure such cruelty. It was not your fault."

Finally, the application of salve was complete, and Maera wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She took a deep breath, her mind filled with a whirlwind of emotions. She looked at Thena and managed a small, appreciative smile.

"It’s been a challenging day for all of us. Take your leave and get some rest, I need to be left alone for a while," Maera requested. She also asked the maid to inform Queen Helaena that she had fallen ill and needed a few days to recuperate. The excuse would allow her the solitude she needed to come to terms with her pain.

Thena agreed to carry out Maera's wishes and as prepared to leave the chambers, Maera had one more request. "Find a knight, Thena, someone trustworthy, and have them stand guard outside my door. I… I worry Aegon might return to finish what he started.” The servant nodded in understanding and left the chamber.

Left alone in the dimly lit room, the tears still wet on her cheeks, Maera sat with the parchment before her. With trembling hands, she finally put quill to paper, writing words of congratulations to her sisters, words that masked her inner turmoil, words that would hide her pain. A bellowing roar was heard and Maera could see Ēbrion from her window, emerging from the immense cavern that served as his lair on the beach. Even from her chambers, Maera could see the moonlight reflecting off of the beasts’ scales, a mesmerizing blend of deep blues and inky blacks.

Flapping his wings sending the sand dancing across the shoreline, Ēbrion ascends into the heavens, his form silhouetted by the veiled moon. He pierces through the thick, grey clouds, and his majestic silhouette swallowed by the darkness.

[candlelightreader]

Bear with me: I wrote a Bathena plane episode drabble!!? I am obsessed with that episode so there. My way of getting it out of my system. It has no title for the moment so I welcome ideas. Be gentle. This is the first ever thing I've written of the sort that I can remember. Certainly first for Athena x Bobby or this universe. Here it nothing after the cut!

"Maddie! Talk to me!" Bobby yelled. Trying to navigate the 110 while trying not to yell into the phone at Buck's sister was killing him. But he call on to all his experience. He had to stay calm: for himself, for Athena most of all, and for his passengers and LA motorists. This damn city and its nightmare traffic! When Maddie suggested Athena was fine but that she just couldn't raise her on the cell because the Airline Traffic Control was monopolizing her line, he started to feel ill. He could not not talk to her. It was not an option. This was not going to happen--not again... He was frightened out of his mind. His thoughts wanted to scatter into a million directions. He was once again happy for his training. The years on the job had taught him to keep it locked, even in highly stressful moments. As such, he pushed all of that out his head to focus on the road and on convincing Maddie to try the whole manifest if she had to.

He knew he had to focus on what he could control. That was the key to his sanity. Frankly, this was one of the gems from AA. He needed to reach his wife somehow, and this was something he could--or Maddie could do for him; everything else would fix itself. He would not give up. Bobby was not one to give up in any other situation and certainly not on the best thing that had happened to him since he decided to truly live. And he had promised her, after that terrible fight they had. Following the sniper, they had promise each other that they would never throw in the towel so carelessly again. While this was mostly about their communication and overall relationship, it also applied to situations such as these.

The first trial had been the cruise and that whole fiasco had been largely a hallucination anyway. He once heard May use an expression that he found surprisingly fitting, even as a monotheist: the gods were playing with them. It had definitely felt like there were indeed too many cooks in the kitchen. Neither of them counted that whole episode. They were lucky to make it out alive and that had been thanks to just keeping their heads when it mattered.

If he really let himself think, he would spiral for sure. I mean, fuck. What have I done to God to deserve this, he asked himself. The minutes it took for Maddie to come back to him were endless. He couldn't stop himself from going to very dark places and it took all his might to just pull himself back. Perhaps if he focused on the idiot in the back seat, it would help. This man infuriated him to the point of hilarity. And he just couldn't understand how he had just jumped into the truck like he thought this was a cute little adventure and not a nightmare. Yes... That was working. Then Maddie came back to him with the best news he had heard today. He had her on the line.

"Thena! You've been all over the news, baby," he said, with more calm than he felt. He didn't see the need to panic her by adding to her stress.

***

In the pilot's seat, Athena's heart somehow settled a little at hearing his deep, calm, and lovely voice. She was always delighted to hear it, it always washed over her with his energy and warmth. It's timbre could raise her heart rate and goosebumps over her skin just as easily as it could soothe her and make her melt into him to feel it vibrate in he chest... But it had never been this visceral before.

She thought perhaps she should take a breath and say a proper goodbye now that he was on the line. Earlier, with everything going to hell, all she could think of was sending him her love. He needed to know he was loved everyday, especially if she wasn't there to show it to him anymore. She was very confident that her children would persevere if the worst happened. They would be okay, eventually... But Bobby would not. Also, she had a child in the cabin with her and she would not panic him with morbid thoughts. Truly, she had a child--a foetus, as May would melodramatically interject--for a co-pilot. Go figure! She was sure that she would laugh about it, eventually--if they survived this fuckery.

Most of all, she would not panic Bobby. Like him, her training gear was engaged. She had to find yet another solution to another damn problem--and fast. Bobby was perhaps the most pragmatic person she knew, but he could not help her right now. What he did, however, was provide her with an opportunity to cool her head and maybe she could think of something. Soon. She was focused on one thing. Getting herself and a plane full of passenger home safe. Home and safe. It was her mantra.

Fin (... for now)