#hoping to get out of my little writing rut soon and work more on ch 2

[smilebug]

@copypashy​ it’s called “on nodding terms”! theres a link to my ao3 in my pinned post, but i only got one chapter out so far :’)

also spoilers for my fic lol

lukas and aiden had a fight 😰

[jamesbuchananbarnesslut]

Pierce’s Maid - Ch. 1 - The Introduction

Paring: Winter Solider x Female Reader

Words: 2,517

Summary: You are Pierce’s maid but run into an unexpected visitor one day when going to clean.

Warnings: smut, slightly non-con, a/b/o dynamics, knotting, marking, mating

Tiny Tag List: @navybrat817 @whisperlullaby @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog @oloreaa

Notes: This is my first time writing smut or fanfiction please be nice. I also want to say a huge thank you to all the ladies who encouraged this! I love you all so much and hope you enjoy!! 

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I awoke to the sun peeking through my curtains, knowing it shouldn't be much after eight o'clock. Meaning I had just enough time to eat and get ready for work, without being too far behind schedule. I manage to haphazardly make my way down the stairs and putting together something to eat. Which per usual just happens to be a bowl of cereal, something to help scarf down my pills.  After that I manage to make it back to my bedroom and throw on some work clothes. Which just happens to be some leggings and a t-shirt. The entire dread of today seeping into my skin, I know this is the last day I have to work before I have a week off for my heat, but I just feel terrible already and know it's not going to go well. Even though my drive is peaceful, I still can't help that itching irritation at the back of my mind. Leading to a spiral of thoughts, that end at I have no other option than to make it through today as quick as possible and everything will be okay.  

I had originally worked for a larger company that outsourced maids and would typically clean multiple houses a day or throughout the week. That was up until I met my current employer Mr. Pierce, I cleaned his house once and that was it. He told me he'd pay me more than the current maid service I was working for and that I'd only ever have to clean his house. Which was an offer I couldn't pass up; I was starting to wear myself thin trying to clean so many houses and just scraping by. Mr. Pierce gave me the opportunity to get my life back together and finally have time for myself. Something I really couldn't complain about. Although he was a cleanly man, he was rather suspicious, only communicated with me through texts and notes, and hated my smell so much I could only clean his house during his work hours. So, I typically came by Monday through Friday and touched up different parts of the house every day.  

As I pulled up to his house another bout of eerie shivers ran over me, I couldn't help but feel as if I was being watched. Reminding myself I had a week off after this shift, I shook off the feeling and began to trudge my way inside. With Pierce being an alpha, I had gotten comfortable being around his scent and tried to limit how much I scented while I cleaned. But as soon as I unlocked the door an entirely new smell hit me, it was nothing like Pierce's, his typically mistress's, or business partner's. A mix of sage and pine, coming off what had to be another alpha and one close to his rut. None of this felt right nor did I think it would be a smart idea to clean the house. Pierce would really be furious if I scented his house during my heat and the scent of whatever alpha was inside was going to cause it. Right as I were about to pull out my phone and call Pierce to explain the dilemma a hand snatched my wrist yanking me inside.  

Even though I tried screaming a hand was over my mouth before I could even get any noise out, as if they were anticipating it. And then a gruff voice was in my ear, "Pierce said he told his little maid take her vacation early and yet here you are."

I couldn't help the shiver that ran up my spine, was I supposed to have today off too? I couldn't even think straight his smell was so overwhelming and even mouthwatering. With his hand still covering my mouth I couldn't reply, but he pulled me further into the house leading me into the living room. He sat me down on the couch and himself in the opposing armchair. The light partially breaking through the blinds, making his eyes and face just barely visible. I couldn't help but be enamored by him he looked angelic and smelled even better. But I also knowing that if this was one of Pierce's work associates that this might not go over well for me.

Neither of us expecting to run into each other and both caught in a stupor we sat there staring at each other. Nobody making a move to do or say anything more. His smell becoming more powerful as if he was purposely scenting the room. Shit, could he smell my impending heat or was he trying to trigger it? That eerie feeling, I had all morning was right, I should have just called off and gone into my heat vacation a day early. The scratch slowly beginning under my skin again and my mouth actually beginning to water as his smell became more powerful. It smelled like he was close to his rut; if he, is I'm really fucked now. I couldn't help but rub my thighs together, and finally will myself to speak. The words coming up jumbled, but there none the less, "I.... do you think..... I should get going."

He's still staring at me, eyes boring into me, as if trying to read me, like I'm in the wrong in this situation. Yet, maybe Pierce did think I would want extra time off for my heat. I can't help but run my mind through a million different scenarios while debating with myself how to just get up and leave. Will he even let me leave, I mean fuck it at this point, as I start to squirm my way out of the seat he growls. Immediately making me still my entire body and my underwear wet, I hadn't been near an alpha this close to my heat in so long I don't think it could end well.  

Which at this point I fully realize the mistake I've made Pierce had asked me to begin my vacation a day early, he had mentioned someone would be staying with him and wasn't sure how my smell would react to him. I had been so scatter brained this past week trying to get ready for my heat that it completely slipped my mind. I really needed to get the hell out of here. I slowly built my courage and cleared my throat trying to will myself to speak yet again. "I...... I'm... I'm sorry I just remembered Pierce had said somebody would be staying with him and to begin my vacation early." Continuing, stammering, "I should really get going, I didn't mean to."

And before I could even make a move to head towards the door, he had a hold on me again, yanking me to my knees in front of him. That's when I can finally see his eyes, pitch black, the tent forming in his pants and the smell of his rut drenching the room. I truly, truly fucked up and don’t think I can even talk my way out of this one, but I still stammer on anyways. "Please just let me go, Pierce doesn't have to know I came in today. We can just forget anything happened." Tears slowly forming in the corners of my eyes at this point and to my dismay I realize I'm scenting. My heat is coming and the panic of it sends me into a further spiral.  

All this strife finally causing him to speak again, "you smell real good mega, no wonder why Pierce can't handle you cleaning while he's here."

I can't even begin to ponder what he means by that, I'm too distracted by how nice he smells at this point. The smell rolling in waves slowly dragging me closer and closer to my heat.

"You like my smell, don't you?" He continues.  

As if attached to a string my head nods on its own, I can't help but want to bury my face into every crevice of his body and live in his smell.  

"So, sweet for me, aren't you?"

Before I can let this go any further, I snap back to my senses and begin plotting a way out in my head. But he's a step ahead of me and is already pulling me into his lap and burying his face into my neck, biting, licking, scenting, and kissing anywhere he can get his mouth on. I can't help the moan that escapes my mouth, which causes him to release a rumble, pleased that I like this.  

"It's okay mega, I can smell that you want this, me." He speaks in between the marks he's making on my neck, continuing. "Pierce said he was saving you as a treat for me anyways and it looks like this mix-up was perfect timing. Sweet girl, can't you smell we were meant to be." He begins to slowly grind his hardness up into me, only causing a flood of wetness to break through my leggings. "Oh, sweet mega that's it, just let me have you."

Little whines and whimpers still escaping me, I can't help but enjoy what he's doing after not having been with an alpha in so long. Still fighting within myself though and distracted he takes the opportunity and shifts us onto the couch caging me in. While continuing his endeavor on my neck. I finally find my voice again and try to beg "ple.... pleas... please stop."

"But mega I can smell how wet you are for me, you want it so bad, and can't you feel how badly I want it," which he punctuates by grinding his hardness into my core. Causing more mewls to spill out of my mouth. "Oh, sweet girl that's it, I promise I'll take such sweet care of you."  

Before I can protest, he's stripping me of my clothes the cold air bringing my nipples to a peak and my smell further spilling into the air. I try to cover myself up the best I can, but he just "tsks" and gives me a look that tells me I should cut my fighting short if I want this to go over nicely. Or at least as nicely as he'll make it for me.

"That's it sweet girl let me see you," he states while working off my pants and underwear too. Him still fully clothed in a rough tactical suit. As much as I want to resist my heat brain is slowly taking over and I wouldn't mind taking a hard knot at this point. I can't help but grind myself against him.  He begins to kiss down my chest, making sure to spend extra time sucking and biting on my nipples. Causing more moans to spill from my mouth and me to grind myself against him with more vigor, searching for some type of friction.

"You really like that don't you sweet girl?" Another shiver wracks down my spine and he chuckles darkly. "I knew there was a reason Pierce prevented this from happening anytime soon, because as soon as I knot you mega your mine, I'm putting my mark on that pretty little neck too."

Again, I want to protest, tell him I don't want any of that, but his fingers are already swiping through my folds. His thumb immediately rubbing my clit in small circles while another finger slides right into me. "That's it sweet girl, gonna work you open so you can take all of me." Which he punctuates by sliding another finger right along in with the first one. More mewls and moans spilling from my mouth and a heat slowly building over my body. He starts to rub my clit harder and pump his fingers faster, "yeah that's it mega, you gotta cum once before I can get my knot into you." His talking only building the fire in my gut further.

Willing myself to speak I let him know I'm close.  

"Yeah, mega I know com'on give it to me, so I can give you my knot and mark."

That shouldn't send me over the edge, but it does, my moans echoing through the room. While my heat filled brain and orgasm wracked body is just ready for him to fill me up. I start to make grabby hands at him and try to grind myself back into him. Which just causes him to chuckle, "hold on I'm working on it," he follows with unzipping his pants and pulling out his hard member. My eyes must bug out because he's laughing again, he's huge and I can't help but stare. From his physique I knew he'd be bigger but what he pulls out is like nothing I've ever seen. Above average in length and extra girthy, already leaking precum at the tip.  

He pumps himself a few times, then settles himself over me, lining his member up with my entrance. I buck right into him, my heat filled brain ready for his knot. Slowly pushing in he causes more whimpers to spill from mouth, nobody has ever filled me this nicely, not even the larger toys I've bought before. I immediately cling to his body, wrapping my arms and legs around him, burying my face in his neck.

"It's okay mega, I'll take such good care of you." Fully seated inside me, he gives me a second to adjust, before slowly pulling out and pushing back in again. Beginning a smooth rhythm that just leaves me wanting more.  

"Please, more," I whimper into his neck.

"Yeah? My mega wants it harder?" He pulls my face out his neck so he can get a clear look at me.

"Please," I squeak staring right back at him. The lust in his eyes so enticing and pulling me in.  

He begins to snap his hips harder, breaking the trance and causing the heat to start slowly building in me again. "That's it mega, gonna take my knot so nicely. I know your close, tell me what you need?" He hikes my hips higher, pushing my legs onto his shoulders. Preventing me from even answering as this new angle has him drilling into that exact spot that has me seeing stars. All my thoughts are out the window but the need to cum.

"Please, please," I whimper.

"Fuck, I know your right there mega, just give it to me." Still pounding into me he drops his hand down and starts to swipe his thumb over my clit. Causing me immediately to tighten down on him, spreading the heat into all my limbs. "That's it sweet girl, I'm right behind you." I can feel his knot enlarging, catching every time he tries to pull in or out. The thought of his knot fulling being in me sends me over the edge. Which triggers his own orgasm, shoving his knot deep into me I'm wracked with shivers. Giving him the opportunity to bite into my neck just as he finishes pumping his cum into me. Sending me into another orgasm, like nothing I've ever felt before.

He rumbles, "mine."

[cacoetheswriting]

champagne problems, ch.11

Spencer is in love with you, but you’re engaged to someone else.

Chapter Eleven: I Know It’s Over: Things get a little more clearer as you deal with the pain Spencer caused. A/N: chapter is titled after this song if you want to listen while reading. Word Count: 1.4k Warnings: swearing, heartbreak, unrequited / unreciprocated love, jealousy, talk of breakup/s, mentions of alcohol consumption / intoxication, serious serious angst, this whole series is a real slow burn.

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A/N: everyone go thank @ellesgreenaway​ for getting me out of my writing rut just in time to get this chapter done! and as always, i wanted to reiterate how fucking grateful i am that y'all are reading, and liking, this little story! it means the world to me! also, i didn't reread this so there may some mistakes ill fix later, sorry!!

-

People love weekends. They’re like a mini holiday. A break from the tedious and repetitive cycle that is Monday to Friday. Weekends are time spent away from the office, your profession and whatever that entails. They are time spent away from completing menial tasks. A break.

Saturdays and Sundays help regain all of the lost energy. When people get caught up in everyday life, weekends remind them to enjoy the simple things. They gives the opportunity to try new things, visit family and friends, or allow to simply spend some time alone. People love weekends.

Your weekend however, was an utter blur.

Aiding a killer hangover on Saturday, you opted to spend the day in bed. A plastic bucket within your reach and a bottle of water on the side table. You slept a lot. Partially to ease the headache, but mainly to ease the pain you were experiencing in your chest. The heartache.

The only thing you could remember from the night before was Spencer completely shattering your hopes and dreams, and the first six shots of tequila you took after at a nearby bar. You weren't entirely sure how you got home; the next morning Ethan clarified he picked you up after the bartender rang him using your phone. Not one of your proudest moments.

Your lack of motivation carried onto Sunday. The grief you were experiencing was not unfamiliar, after all Spencer’s broken up with you before. Although this time the agony that accompanied it felt a lot more intense. You couldn't move, or eat, or even shower. You were frozen. Stuck to the bed as if it was your only lifeline.

Thankfully Ethan was working both days. In your eyes, he was too preoccupied to notice something was wrong. Unbeknown to you however, he knew exactly the reason behind your melancholy.

The weekend soon ended, almost as soon as it began. Monday morning rolled around and with it the encouragement to get out of bed. Not like you wanted to. If you had it your way, you would never leave the comfort and safety of your duvet again. You knew however, you couldn't stay home without at least some of your colleagues questioning your absence, asking what was wrong. No. It was time to face reality.

Time to face Spencer.

The brunette doctor was sat at his desk. He arrived to work today earlier than usual, about four hours early to be exact. He made his usual cup of coffee and since then he hasn't moved an inch, just staring silently at his phone.

It wasn't something he done often, honestly he only carried the thing around for work purposes. But something happened that he couldn't quite get over.

On Saturday morning, Spencer woke up to a message left on his voicemail. A message from you.

At first it was hard to decipher what you were saying, or rather what you were mumbling. Between the drunken hiccups, slurred speech, and obnoxious background noise, Spencer initially thought it was a butt dial. It must have been, right? He was after breaking your heart for a second time, why would you leave him a voicemail?

However, hearing your melodic tone just saying his name, prompted Spencer to listen to the message again. It was then he really heard the distorted words coming out of your mouth.

“Spencerrrrrr, I uh I don't believe yo-ou. I know-w in uh my hearrrt-t you d-didn't mean it.” Hiccup. “P...p-please let’ssss forgetuh abo-ut it.” Hiccup. “I-I love youh-uh anddd I kno-ow you love meeee. I jussst kno-w.” Hiccup. “I-I me-an you uh couldn't-t even look me-e in the eye when you sss-said it.... please-e S-Spencer-”

The message cuts off and he’s left dumbfounded.

Blood drained from his face. The voicemail registered in his brain and he suddenly felt dizzy. Nauseous even. His hands began to tremble in his lap, and he swore if he wasn't sitting down he would have fainted.

By Monday, Spencer had listened to the voicemail a painstakingly two-hundred and eleven times. He had it memorised, and yet he kept playing it over and over again just to hear your voice.

As he sat at his desk, waiting for his colleagues to arrive, he wondered whether you remembered sending it. Truthfully, he hoped you didn't. It would be easier to move on that way - as if moving on from you was an option.

The glass door opened and he heard a faint sound of footsteps walk across the bullpen. Footsteps Spencer would honestly recognise anywhere. Taking in a deep breath, he glanced up from his phone and slightly turned his head, his gaze landing on you.

The air caught in Spencer’s throat, the voicemail instantly replaying in his head.

He wondered what you were thinking. Simply by looking at you he could tell you were in pain. Pain he caused, and he hated himself for it. Having spent countless hours over Saturday and Sunday rethinking the situation, he knew he made a mistake. He should have never given into Ethan’s smug demands. And even if, he should have told you what happened. Leave the choice up to you, as it was in the first place.

It was too late now to fix this, Spencer knew even if you remembered sending the voicemail you wouldn't listen to what he had to say anyway. Selfishly, he wanted you to look at him. He wanted to gaze into your eyes as the drunken message replayed in his mind yet again.

And although you could feel his eyes on you, you couldn't bring yourself to meet his stare. No. The heartache would only intensify. This was a mistake. You should have stayed home. With a blank expression, you placed your bag on your desk and hurried in the direction of the office kitchenette.

Spencer on the other hand followed you with his gaze. Every fibre of his being screamed to follow you, to talk to you. But he was completely frozen and remained glued to his own chair. Once again, a true display of cowardliness.

By lunch time, the whole team picked up on the odd dynamic between you and the handsome doctor. Two people that spent every waking moment together were no longer speaking to one another.  It didn't take a profiler to see something was wrong.

You hid in Penelope’s lair with the bubbly blonde and Tara. Enjoying a couple minutes of peace away from the prying eyes of everyone you worked with, most importantly however, away from Spencer.

“So chicken, are you going to tell us what’s wrong?” Garcia enquired, taking a mouthful of her lunch. “Because a blindman could see something is off, and don't you dare telling me I’m delusional or something.”

“Penelope is right, Y/N. Last time you were this silent and upset was when Spencer was in prison.”

You let out a deep sigh at the sound of his name. It was no use hiding your feelings from them, they would figure it out eventually. Plus these were the people you trusted more than anything in the world. If you couldn't tell them, then who could you tell what was going on?

“It’s something similar.” You mumbled, avoiding their gaze. “Just much much worse this time...”

“Well whatever it is, you can tell us. We’re here for you.” Penelope chimed, and reached out her hand to grab yours. She gave it a gentle squeeze and shot you a reassuring smile.

“Yes, exactly. We will support you through anything, you know that.” Tara added nodding along.

You sniffled. What were becoming all too familiar tears formed in the corners of your eyes, and you knew you would break down at any given second. Taking in a long breath, you began to tell the two girls everything that’s happened since your engagement. They listened attentively, never turning their attention away from you. As they listened, they both held your hands and took turns whispering ‘it’s okay’ or ‘take your time’.

“I’m going to kill our resident genius. He won't know what’s coming.” Penelope murmured after you finished in an attempt to lighten the mood. The corners of your lips twitched ever so slightly upwards as you wiped the tears away from your face.

“What are you going to do?” Tara asked after a congenial moment of silence.

“Ehm...” You cleared your throat. “S-Spencer wants nothing to do with me, but uhm... I after everything I c-can’t, I just can't be with Ethan. I can’t-t.”

The girls both nodded their heads, and even though they understood exactly what you meant by what you were saying, you still felt like you had to say the words aloud. For your own sake.

“So, uhm, I-I’m going to break up with Ethan. I-I’m going to end the engagement.” You stated, and even though your heart still ached, you felt as if a weight was lifted off of your shoulders. You felt free.

And I know it's over - still I cling I don't know where else I can go 

-

A/N: as always i’d love to hear your feedback! if you would like to be added to a taglist, please let me know. thank you for your continuous support. with love, mal. x

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story taglist: @girloncorneliastreet, @haylaansmi, @rexorangecouny, @l0ve-0f-my-life, @obsssedwithjustaboutanything, @aperrywilliams, @sassy-hades, @rainsong01, @reverdevivre, @dracomikaelson, @softieekayy, @lunaofcrows, @andrewhoezierbyrne​, @blameitonthenight21, @lyl-26, @do-yr-research, @nazifa94, @stepsofthefbi, @chatterbug2-0, @calm-and-doctor, @halseysunset

spencer reid taglist: @no-honey-no​, @calm-and-doctor​, @idroppedmygourd​​, @averyhotchner, @wowitsel, @elldell1204, @hey-there-angels, @reidabookforonce, @ellesgreenaway

[shutupandshipit]

Sharpen Your Blades - Ch.11

Summary: “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

The thinning of Aizawa’s patience was evident in the twitching of his brow. “If you stop asking questions, maybe I could finish explaining.

”With a huff and roll of his eyes, Katsuki glanced away from their coach.

“City Hall and the SC want us to give them more variety. We are a team solely made up of single skaters. Every year, we dominate the rankings for single skate while Shinketsu dominates the pairs, so this year both cities are being required to split their skaters evenly between singles and pairs with at least one pair coming from out top five.” There was a collective intake of breath, but no one commented, choosing instead to remain silent. “Unfortunately, for us, it’s a lot easier to switch from pairs to singles. With our male to female ratio, alpha/beta/omega ratio, and those of you actually experienced with pair skating, we’re at a disadvantage. So, I’ve decided to choose your partners for you.”

…..

Or where Katsuki and Izuku are forced to be partners so they can continue to compete, but the blood in the water may be thicker than anyone realized.

Pairing: Bakudeku

Rating: T

Chapter: 11/20

Previously <- Chapter 10: Alpha Wanted

Chapter 12: Parents and questions they shouldn’t ask -> Next

Author’s Notes: So, there's songs in this chapter! Yay! They are Never Enough by Loren Allred and Tightrope by Michelle Williams (don't @ me about them being from the Greatest Showman, I know it's trending, these songs just fit them so well). You'll notice that there are also two links, and those are to figure skating videos that are the closest to how I imagine the programs to be. If you mute the video and play the song over it, they match up pretty well. I had a really easy time finding one I liked for Izuku, but a much harder time finding an example for Katsuki. I really like Yuna Kim as a model for Izuku and Yuzuru Hanyu as a model for Katsuki, but Yuzuru's style just didn't fit what I was trying to portray in this chapter. That's okay though! Of course, I don't own the videos. They belong to their original posters and creators. Let me know if the links don't work, and I'll find a different way to share them. I hope you guys like the chapter. I had a really fun time writing it, and I can't wait to post for next week!

Chapter 11: Solo

Izuku stepped onto the ice for the first time since his injury. Terror washed through him. His heart raced in his chest. His hands shook violently. His breath quickened. He clutched at the wall to keep himself steady. A fear weighed heavy on him, fear that as soon as he let go his hip or ankle or knee would simply give out. That the break that had healed months ago would suddenly shatter apart again.

Just because he knew it was an irrational fear didn't mean he knew how to fight against it.

“Just take it slow, young Midoriya, there's no need to rush. You've been doing strength training for a few months now, but being back on the ice is a different kind of taxing,” Toshinori said close by, hands stacked on his hips while he watched Izuku all but cowering against the wall.

“I'm not getting tired. Nothing hurts yet, I'm just...” He trailed off, unwilling to admit his fear.

“Scared? I understand. That's a normal reaction after an injury as severe as yours was. I was scared too the first time I got back on the ice after my injury, but it will get easier. Like I said, take it slow. Soon enough, you'll be sprinting and jumping just like you used to, but we've got to start small first.”

“Right,” Izuku whispered, squeezing his eyes closed. They remained there for long moments, and it was only when the scent of sweet spices assaulted his nose that he was able to open his eyes again.

He found Katsuki's familiar red eyes watching him. Katsuki who's hair was pushed away from his forehead with sweat and seemed to be in the middle of a training exercise with Mr. Aizawa. Katsuki who's scent of excitement was beginning to make the rink smell startlingly like snickerdoodles.

Izuku had forgotten what Katsuki's scent smelled like when he was excited, and it made his mouth water.

Embarrassed, he ripped his eyes away. Once upon a time, he had been the reason for that smell. He was desperately jealous of whoever or whatever had provoked such a reaction in his old friend. Whatever it was though, it had nothing to do with a useless deku like him. Maybe one day very far away, he could be the reason again, but he had a long way and a lot of work before then.

Swallowing, he struggled to stand up straight and push carefully along the wall. With each step and each second of feeling Katsuki's eye on him, he felt his confidence slowly inflate.

.....

November Week 2

Izuku stared down at his phone, mouth turned down in a frown as he waited impatiently for Katsuki to respond, but the little icon telling him that his partner had even seen the message remained blank. It was strange to say the least. Katsuki was the most punctual creature he knew and had ever known. The only time he'd ever skipped class or been late for something were times when his rut had hit suddenly or he'd been uncharacteristically sick. To put it simply, Izuku could count on one hand how many times Katsuki had missed something.

He was only holding up three fingers.

"Let's just go, Deku, I don't think he's going to come tonight," Uraraka suggested, still sitting in the same place on the bleachers that she'd been sitting since she and Kaminari had followed him from his apartment. Team practice had been early that morning instead of later, and the pair of omegas had made the unanimous decision to have an omegas' day. So far, they'd had lunch where the pair had pointed out every marginally attractive alpha to cross their paths, gotten mani-pedis, gone window shopping for potential Christmas presents, looked at venues for the team Christmas party, and gone into a sex store specifically catoring to omegas with a wide range of heat aids. Kaminari had been adamant about going in when they passed by, and after more than a little prodding from both of his friends, Izuku had agreed.

Now, a black bag was tucked away in his gym bag with an item that made him both hot around the collar and simultaneously hot between the legs. The item excited him, but he was loathe to admit that to either of them. He'd only ever had a few encounters of the sexual nature, and those hadn't been very good. Other than that, he really didn't think much about his pleasure. He didn't even really masturbate which had seemed to send the omegas into a frenzy. There had been so many noises of astonishment and disbelief from both Kaminari and Uraraka that he'd hid in the lingerie racks for the better part of a half hour until they'd coaxed him out with the promise of ice cream and figure skater themed lingerie sets.

He hadn't thought his lack of sexual appetite was all that strange. He'd been on suppressants for years. Katsuki had been the focus of all his attention since they'd been kids. He'd always just been more focused on figure skating. He wasn't the only one in the world who felt the same. The asexual spectrum existed for a reason, and he was a staunch believer that he was of that spectrum.

Uraraka and Kaminari had followed him back to the rink, fully intending to drag him away after for a sleepover and movie night.

"Yeah, man, let's just go. What's the point of waiting around any longer? We're just wasting time at this point," Kaminari piped up, head hanging back between his shoulders as he leaned against the wall. "This is just typical Bakugou. He doesn't really consider other people's feelings, you know?"

The comment set Izuku's teeth on edge, and with effort, he unclenched his jaw.

Izuku wasn't particularly annoyed. He loved his friends and loved the sense of community that being with the other omegas gave him, but he wished they would just stop talking. He tried very hard to remind himself that no one had known Katsuki as long as he had, and for a good portion of the time they had known him, Katsuki had hiding behind a mask.

Releasing a quiet sigh, Izuku smiled and said, "He'll be here. He just must have gotten tied up with something with his class. He'll be here."

Uraraka smiled, but he could tell that she wanted to sigh. Maybe she even wanted to roll her eyes. "Will you skate for us while we wait then? If he doesn't get here in time, at least you'll have had a chance to practice. You don't have to skate your program, but maybe something else?"

For a moment, Izuku just considered her idea. He smiled. "Sure. That sounds good." Connecting his phone to the speaker that Toshinori left in the rink for them to use on their off time, Izuku quickly found the song he wanted.

.....

"Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Katsuki hissed as he tore across the street, flipping off a car as they slammed on their brakes and subsequently on their horn. He couldn't stop though. He was fucking late. Really, really fucking late! He hated being late, always had and always would. Being late for his nightly practice with Izuku just pissed him off all the more. The worst part of it all was that his phone had died sometime during the day so he didn't even have a way of letting his partner know that he'd be late.

The situation had been unavoidable though, and Katsuki swallowed passed the thick lump in his throat.

Two of his students had gotten hurt, and memory of the blood splattered ice made bile rise in the back of his throat. He had turned his back for a single second to correct the form of the new five-year-old he'd taken on. Just a moment had been all they needed. Two of his students had tried the same lift Katsuki had tried with Mina off ice, and just like her, their foot had slipped. The blade had sliced deep into their would be partner's thigh and started gushing blood before either of them had really realized what had happened. There had been an ambulance and paperwork and worried parents and Katsuki trying to keep his head on straight in the mayhem. Now, the adrenaline was wearing off, and he could feel himself crashing. Crashing hard.

There was only blood and ice and screaming and green curls and pain twisting Izuku's face and pain twisting Katsuki's chest. He was having a hard time separating the two memories, and while he knew that was dangerous, he didn't know how to stop it.

So, he ran. Ran to catch Izuku before he left the rink, and ran to stave off the no doubt mount panic attack.

Out of the corner of his eye as he passed a store front, he caught the flash of forest green fabric. Screeching to a stop, he backtracked to the window. Someone had dressed mannequins in winter wear. It was clear that each had a theme and that each set of clothing had been handmade. One wore all pink. One wore woodland colors with a bright orange fox-eared beanie. Another was dressed from head to toe in sparkly purple fabric. The one that had caught his attention was the most subdued with the beanie as the only spot of color.

The beanie was forest green like the gloves he'd bought for Izuku. Floppy white lined bunny ears lay across the mannequin’s forehead with little tassels that hung on either side of the mannequin's cheeks. Minutes ticked by as Katsuki kept staring, imagining green locks poking out from beneath the edge as he tugged on the tassels to pull a smile from its wearer. Green eyes going wide as he handed it over, actually presenting his omega with a gift face to face. A whispered, "Thank you," as round freckled cheeks reddened-

"Evening, young man."

If Katsuki could have literally jumped out of his skin, he would have. Jerking his head towards the voice, he stared at the old man that stood in the doorway of the shop. He hadn't noticed, but unlike a lot of shops in the city, this one seemed to be part of a small home. The wood around the window was weathered and old with peeling robin's egg blue paint. Swallowing, Katsuki tried to find his words. If he'd just been staring into this man's home, it was no wonder he'd come out to find out what Katsuki's doing. "Evening, old man," he finally replied gruffly.

A smile cracked across the old man's ancient face, and he leaned out to see into the front window. "My wife's work. She knits all year long with the best yarn she can find so that alphas like yourself can gift something special to their omegas. Or betas, of course. Times are changing. It's more common to see alphas or omegas marrying betas or even their same dynamic. I think that's lovely." His smile only grew as Katsuki blinked at him nonplussed. "Sorry, I tend to ramble. My wife says it's a problem, but I don't think so. Did you have a special someone in mind? Would you like to take a closer look?"

"I'm... late... to meet... with the omega I'm courting," he said haltingly, unable to resist the other alpha's probing. That happened sometimes with the older alphas. It felt like a sense of community to him, one he resisted, but appreciated when he actually took their unsolicited advice.

"You're only getting more late, but this young omega might like a gift in return. It's not an apology, but it could be the start of one."

"I-"

"If you didn't want to take a closer look, you would have already walked away. You don't have to buy anything, but you could keep it in mind."

Sound logic, and with a sigh, Katsuki nodded. Only a few minutes later he had bought the beanie, and a few minutes after being gushed over by the old man's old omega wife, he was sprinting even faster than before. He felt lighter with the beanie clutched in his hand though, and the only thing in his chest was the anticipation of handing the gift over to Izuku.

It felt like there had been a lot of helping hands in his courting of Izuku, but it also felt like he'd been squandering the chances. With any luck, this would push the scales back in his favor. He hadn't heard anything else about the date Izuku had gone on, and sadistically, he hoped it hadn't gone well for the alpha.

When Katsuki finally shoved into the rink, he let out an explosive sigh of relief. Music played through the rink, and he seemed to have come in right at the crescendo. Not only that, but he immediately recognized the song.

' All the shine of a thousand spotlights/all the stars we steal from the night sky/will never be enough- '

Slowly, Katsuki stepped out enough for him to fully see the rink.

There was Izuku, occupying the whole rink with his presence if not his body. Whenever Izuku skated -really skated, not what he did in practice- it was impossible to look away from him. And in that moment, it was even more so.

Out on the ice, Izuku moved more elegantly than ever. There was no wobble in his stance, no hesitation in his jumps. There was a languidness to his movements that made something deep in Katsuki's chest ache to join him. And then he saw the look on Izuku's face.

He clutched the beanie even more tightly. "Why does he look so sad?" he whispered to himself.

He nearly jumped out of his skin for the second time that night when he heard Uraraka speak up from beside him. He hadn't seen her or Kaminari on the bench, too absorbed in his partner.

"I think you know, Bakugou. It might not be obvious to him, but you and I aren't dense."

On the ice, Izuku lifted his open palms toward the ceiling, staring up at them longingly. ' Towers of gold are still too little/these hands could hold the world but it'll/never be enough/never be enough- '

He watched Izuku until the end of the song before going to take the seat between Kaminari and Izuku's bag. As discreetly as possible, trying to make it look like he was getting into his own bag, he carefully slid the beanie into Izuku's bag.

Then he went to grab for his skates. An image flashed passed his eyes. Crimson blood on stark white ice. Fear and pain in forest green eyes. Tears on freckled cheeks. A young girl’s hand clutched in his as he used his pheromones to calm her.

"Kacchan, you made it!"

Sucking in a sharp breath and doing his best to calm the sharp rise and fall of his chest, he glanced at Izuku leaning over the wall. The omega's cheeks were flushed, pushed up high on his face from the force of his smile.

"I was worried you weren't going to."

There was a subtle undertone to his words, something that went along with the song that was now repeating through the speakers. Katsuki swallowed, and squeezed his hands into fists to keep them from shaking. He couldn't practice with Izuku tonight, couldn't touch him, not in his state. He'd fuck up. Make a mistake. Get them both hurt. He shouldn’t have come.

He pulled his hands away from his bag. "Had an emergency during lessons. One of my students got hurt. Phone died." His sentences were clipped, short, just fragments that lacked any of his usual harsh tone.

"Did you see my program? It's what I had been planning for this year before Mr. Aizawa's announcement."

"Most of it. Missed the first part."

Izuku's smile never faded, but it softened marginally. He pushed away towards the rink entrance, and slid on his guards before moving over to Katsuki to crouch in front of him.

"Do you want to talk about your student? Were they seriously injured?"

Katsuki felt his mouth begin to twitch into a sneer. He forced it down, ignoring the feeling of two extra pairs of eyes on them. This moment felt private, and he wished they were alone so he could just open his mouth and spill his guts. Instead, he just said, "No."

Still, izuku smiled. He didn't stand as he asked, "Will you skate for my blog? My readers are always asking for more videos of you. I'll stay on this side and just record. Can't trust these two to get the proper shots."

Katsuki hadn't known Izuku had talked about him on his blog, and the knowledge made his alpha purr contentedly. The meaning behind Izuku's words took a moment longer to hit. He was offering him an easy way out. Time on the ice alone and an excuse to not be on the ice together for the night. He didn't know if Izuku was doing it on purpose or simply just wanted to let him skate, but the thought sent a ripple of affection through him.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," he finally said, yanking his skates from his bag.

…..

Izuku could tell that something was wrong, and he could tell it had something to do with the student that had gotten hurt. He didn't know exactly what was wrong, what was going on inside that blonde head. If he could have opened up Katsuku's brain and climbed in, he would have done it when they were twelve. No, younger. When they'd first met.

But he couldn't. They're relationship was only just getting better, and he didn't think he was allowed to or should push for a more complete answer.

The ice was the only thing he could offer. Still, he was surprised that Katsuki had so easily taken it, but he was thankful that he had.

Standing on the side of the rink while Katsuki queued up the music and pushed out to middle ice, Izuku felt himself grow giddy with anticipation. While he was desperate to feel Katsuki holding him close like he always did while they skated, he'd been waiting for a long time to get a video of Katsuki that wasn't a competition video.

He was almost vibrating as the first cords of the music played through the rink. When the singing began, he sucked in a breath.

' Some people long for a life that is simple and planned/tied with a ribbon/some people won't sail the sea cause they're safer on land/to follow what's written/but I'd follow you to the great unknown- '

' Please, let me not be imagining this ,' Izuku silently prayed every time Katsuki's eyes met his across the ice.

Katsuki's programs were usually sharp and energized and to the point. He was beautiful and skillful when he skated, but he'd never been one for delicacy. Katsuki was almost savage when he skated, and Izuku loved that about him.

Now though, Katsuki was skating like he was dancing ballet, all strong purposeful movements. All flourishing hand placements and arm sweeps.

And the look on his face was one of painful longing. ' So I risk it all just to be with you/And I risk it all for this life we choose- '

Behind Izuku, his attention was drawn to his friends as they whispered.

"Is it weird that they chose songs from the same movie?" Kaminari asked, voice just above a whisper.

Uraraka snorted. "I think it's weirder that Bakugou has watched The Greatest Showman more than anything else."

Izuku allowed for just a bare second to glance over his shoulder at them. "Shh," he hissed before swiveling back. He fell back into the skating without trouble, but something in the back of his brain wanted to tell his friends to leave. This program felt far too personal for them to be watching. Not only that, but Izuku almost wanted to be the only one to ever have seen it. He wanted to have this part of Katsuki all to himself even if he knew he'd never be allowed such a thing.

When Katsuki glided over, cheeks glowing and eyes looking more grounded than they had before, he asked, "Is that what you were hoping for?"

Staring Katsuki straight in the eye, he whispered, "More. Far more."

[halictus-writer]

Welcome to Seattle (Ch. 3 of 5)

Remus deleted Tinder the second the app finished downloading. He was sitting at the dining table/desk combination of his studio apartment, and, unsurprisingly it was raining just outside the window. Seattle felt so new to Remus, although it had now been months since he moved away from his previous life. It took a lot of journaling and time, but he had begun to feel like what had happened–– his ex breaking his heart an hour before his twenty-sixth birthday party–– was meant to happen. His life hadn’t been his own. It was full of so much compromise, as is necessary for a life shared by two people, but the compromises that were made did not further his growth. He was stuck in a rut in his career, he was still in his college town, and he hadn’t even written a word of the novel he told himself he would write after the next big thing––graduation, holidays, birthdays, travel–– finished.

And now, here he was. Living in a big city, alone, but doing it the way he wanted. He had a job that furthered his growth, he had supportive friends, and he had already filled entire notebooks with the ideas, character charts, and plot diagrams that would eventually become his novel. Suddenly realizing that no one was here to complain about the cold, he cracked the window open, letting some of the fresh, rain-scented air in, and shrugged on a sweater.

He was at peace with himself, and for that reason he felt he was ready to give dating another shot. He re-downloaded Tinder, chose a few random pictures of himself, and typed out the bio that Dorcas had helped him draft, cringing the entire time. He closed the app without viewing the other Tinder users within twenty-five miles and two years of his age.

As a treat for his bravery, he decided to get a margherita pizza for lunch. If he exercised self-control, he could save half for tonight’s dinner as well. It was really a matter of simple economics.

***

Remus immediately noticed that the restaurant looked a little different in the midday light, but he also immediately noticed that Sirius was not on the clock. He ordered his pizza to-go.

As he walked back to his apartment, one hand tucking the pizza close, the other brandishing an umbrella, he tried not to think about the fact that he had so far only received free–– and unsolicited–– dessert items when Sirius was working.

***

An hour later, Remus had made his first matches on Tinder. He had also accidentally “super-liked” a person named “DL Top” with a gray image as their only picture, frantically looked up how you could “un-match” with someone, read a very patronizing how-to article on basic Tinder functions, and decided to choose “block” for good measure.

One of his matches was a graduate student at the University of Washington, and Remus liked that his profile said he loved to read. They exchanged normal greeting messages, before the man asked Remus if he was “a LTR kind of guy.” Remus answered him by saying “Tolkien is an amazing writer, obviously, but I have to admit the movies were kind of long.” The man didn’t reply, and Remus figured that his opinions on the Lord of the Rings franchise must have been a deal-breaker for the other man.

Dorcas and Marlene were adamant about hearing his progress with Tinder, so he sent a group text to the two of them.

Remus: Tinder day one is a thing, I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong yet

Dorcas: Yes! Proud of you

Marlene: what’s the weirdest thing that’s happened so far!!!!???

Remus: well, someone asked me what I thought about lord of the rings on the second message, does that count?

Dorcas: haha seriously? What did they even say

Remus: “so are you an LTR kinda guy or what?”

Marlene: HAHA

Dorcas explained that LTR in this context likely stood for “long-term relationship,” with intermittent texts from Marlene such as “how in the heck even” and “you are my favorite person oh my god.”

Remus decided to give Tinder a break for the rest of the day.

***

He made a good deal of progress within his first week of online dating, especially when considering that he started so low, with the misunderstanding of slang and accidental super-liking. It was now a Friday night, and he had a real-life, in-person date set for six o’clock. On Wednesday Remus had met a different match for coffee (but only after Dorcas had cross-referenced his story, friended him from a blank Facebook profile, and found pictures of him at his high school senior prom from nearly a decade ago. “You should be arrested,” Remus had said, horrified but a little grateful). Coffee had been perfectly pleasant, but both men agreed that they would rather be friends than anything more. They even friended each other on Facebook so that Remus could be added to his book club.

Meeting new friends was a welcome side-effect, but Remus was still in the market for a boyfriend. Hence, the anxious shuffling as he waited for the clock to get closer to six. Remus wished his apartment was larger, if only for the chance to have more space to clean. He had already Swiffered the floor, cleaned the bathroom mirror, and remade the bed, and it was still only a quarter past five. The cleaning was just for something to do with his hands and nerves, he knew that his date wouldn’t be seeing the inside of his apartment tonight. As per Dorcas’s prescriptions (and his own self-preservation), Remus’s first dates with strangers met online would take place completely in public.

At 5:45, a message from his upcoming date announced that he was being held a bit late at the office, and asked to reschedule for 6:30 instead of 6. Remus, wanting to be easy-going and amicable, kindly agreed, wishing him luck with his pressing work matters. Internally, however, he was frustrated that he had already taken the garbage out, since now there was absolutely nothing left to clean.

6:30 turned into 7:00, and by 7:15 Remus had taken his shoes off and was laying on the top of his neatly-made bed. The excuses changed from finishing at work, to a friend in need, to traffic, and Remus was beginning to consider just preemptively cancelling it himself.

At 7:45, the match asked if they could just skip dinner and maybe move straight into watching a movie “and cuddling” at Remus’s place instead. It was the final nail in the coffin Remus already saw, so he wasn’t even too disappointed.

Remus sent a polite but clear no, and knew that whoever this person was, he was not someone Remus would be building his life with. His stomach growled suddenly, reminding him that he still hadn’t eaten the dinner he was supposed to have hours earlier. Instead of going to all of the trouble to devise a meal at home, Remus decided that his troubles with the cancelled date warranted a very cheesy, doughy, and effortless meal. He quickly changed from his date clothes–– button down shirt, khakis, and tan buck shoes–– into a more comfortable, eating-pizza-alone-on-a-Friday-night ensemble: cozy sweatshirt, old blue jeans, and nikes.

When he got to the restaurant, he was still moping about getting blown-off from his date. He had sent a quick text to Dorcas and Marlene to let them know that his date was cancelled (otherwise they would have been checking his location religiously every fifteen minutes), but said he was doing okay since he didn’t want to interrupt their own date night plans with his sorrows.

Truthfully, Remus was pretty upset about what had happened. So far, online dating had not been a success, and Remus found himself returning to his secret fear that he wouldn’t ever successfully date again. Maybe it was because he was just too old, or perhaps he was out-of-touch, or it was simply because he had no real experience with dating since he had only ever had to go on one first date, and everything afterwards seemed to fall into place. If Lily was right, and he needed to meet someone organically for a relationship to work, he hoped it would happen soon.

Just then, his inner wallowing was interrupted by Sirius, carrying silverware and a glass of water. Somehow, Remus had forgotten that Sirius may be here, and hadn’t had time to prepare himself for the sight of the attractive waiter. His hair was swept into a loose bun, seemingly held together with a pencil.

“Hey there, how’s your Friday night going?”

Remus almost laughed at the question. Clearly, his night was not fantastic, because if it was, he would not be sitting in the booth of an Italian restaurant, alone, at 8:30 PM. He tried to shake off his own self-pity before answering. “Fine, thanks. How about you? Has it been busy tonight?” One of Remus’s favorite tactics when avoiding conversations about himself to his friends was to get them talking about themselves instead. Or, in the case of James, talking about Lily.

“It hasn’t been too busy today, or at least not since I got here at 5. Although,” he said, smiling almost conspiratorially, “I’ve had three different tables tell me ‘you too’ after I brought them their dinners.”

Remus laughed, and filed away the knowledge that Sirius remembered their inside joke from last time to the back of his mind for unpacking later. “I’ll have to see if I can get that number any higher then.”

“Oh, but you won’t be able to if I change up my script when I bring you your small margherita pizza. I’ll just say something like ‘here it is,’ no wishes of enjoyment included.” Sirius said, with faux sincerity.

“And what if I changed up my order on you?” Remus was surprised but pleased that Sirius remembered not only their jokes from last time about customers stumbling over words when presented with their food, but also the very food that Remus had ordered.

“I hope not, since I told the kitchen to start making it right after I saw you walk in.” Sirius grinned, but then suddenly looked almost bashful. “Although if you wanted something else, you still can order something else, that would be fine, I just thought, well, since it’s kind of late, we might as well give the ovens a head start?” His voice tilted up at the end as the statement turned into a question.

Remus liked this more approachable version of Sirius. He made him feel at ease. “No, you were right, I came here specifically for that margherita pizza. Thank you for starting it early for me.”

Sirius’s nervous smile turned soft.

***

The pizza was delicious, and succeeded in making Remus feel slightly better about the cancelled date. After all, he wouldn’t have been able to eat this much on the date, hindered by an abundance of good manners.

When Sirius dropped off the check, he also let Remus know that they would be closing soon. “You’re welcome to sit as long as you like, but the kitchen did just close.”

“No worries, I’m ready to head out. Thank you!” As Remus signed the receipt, a small to-go box was placed in front of him.

“Kitchen is closed, but you may want that for the road.” Sirius smiled warmly at Remus. “Have a good night!”

As Remus left the restaurant, carrying the small box, he reflected on Sirius’s parting words. He did have a good night, all things considered. Comfort food is one for addressing his emotional turmoil, but having a light conversation with a few inside jokes with another person is another thing entirely.

He also happily noted that he would get to bring the enclosed tiramisu with him to his breakfast with Dorcas and Marlene tomorrow. Pawning off the soggy dessert on them would be good for both reducing food waste and generating karma.

[davidcarner]

Chuck vs The Uprising Ch 1, Friends and Enemies

A/N: If you are looking for fluff, leave now. This, I'm not kidding, came to me in a dream. It is insane. I'm not sure anyone is going to like it, but I can't get it out of my head, so I'm writing it, and if you don't like it, you're not hurting my feelings. It's a mashup of so many things, but the easiest one to describe is Chuck in the Terminator Universe, but that's not even right. Let's just start there, and see how this goes. Let me know if you hate it, I have no idea how I even feel about it. You're still here? Okay, here goes nothing. Ch 1, Friends and Enemies.

A/N 2: Steampunk .Chuckster is the BEST! She helped me figure out a few things the dream didn't provide, and adjust some that didn't work. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, Terminator, Norse Mythology, or anything else that pops up in this story. Also I might have eaten a fragment of underdone potato…

"Bartowski? Are you sure about this?" Casey grumbled.

"No, I've not been sure about anything in a few years," Chuck replied. Casey grunted. "You promise you'll give Doc Awesome the medical supplies he needs?"

"Bartowski, we pull this off, we'll have enough supplies for three years and the ability to start producing our own," Casey replied. "I made a promise, Doc will get the supplies." Chuck looked at Casey, and truly believed if Casey promised you something he would always follow through.

"Do you two want to hug?" their blonde partner asked.

"I'm always open to hugs," Chuck said grinning. The blonde rolled her eyes.

"I should have known," she mumbled, and headed off, her destination in mind. Chuck silently berated himself, and thought back to a simpler time.

"Are you sure, Dad?" the little boy asked.

"Of course I'm sure," his father answered. "Machines will make things so much easier."

"Didn't you watch that movie? The ones where the machines took over the world?" the little boy asked, worried.

"Charles, it's science fiction, emphasis on fiction," his father replied.

"But, Dad, some of the work you do is pretty out there," the son rebutted.

"Charles, you can't be scared of technology."

Chuck sighed, and looked at the blonde agent in front of him, and knew what he had to do. He slowly made his way towards her. He didn't want to spook her, she was the Valkyrie. It was more than a callsign, she was a warrior, and she was beautiful. In this world, women normally had one use, procreation. After the rise of the machines, and the depopulation of humans, love was no longer a factor. There were three reasons for intercourse; procreation, lust, and release. The fact Valkyrie was currently in the field spoke to her abilities.

"I apologize," Chuck said softly behind the blonde. He could see her stiffen. "I sometimes forget where we are and how things are said to you." She turned to tell him that was the stupidest/craziest thing she had ever heard. She looked into his eyes. It took all her training, but she didn't gasp. There was truth there, and he looked ashamed. "It won't happen again." She was shook, and she did the only thing she knew to do in these situations, she fought back with what she had. This man…boy in front of her, had probably never seen anyone like her, and he surely had never been with anyone like her.

"Think I'm not good enough for you?" she asked with a challenge in her voice. Instead of fleeing in terror, or completely losing his composure, he did the one thing she never thought he'd do. He gave her a soft smile. For a second she got lost in those brown eyes.

"I don't think there's anyone out there that is good enough for you," he said gently. She felt herself swallow. She had been propositioned by many men, men much more attractive than this boy…man in front of her. She had been promised untold riches to sire children, and never once did she feel one iota of attraction to any of them. And then, here, in the middle of a mission, in the heart of enemy territory, this man, does nothing more than apologize and she feels something. Something she hadn't known was in her since this hellscape existed. "The entrance is over there," he said softly, nodding to her destination. She returned his nod, and turned, silently cursing herself for losing control on the battlefield.

"I'm going with him, Hogun," she said to Casey. "He needs protection, and you are more likely to get spotted than I am."

"Hogun, really?" Chuck asked grinning. "Can I be Fandral?"

"I was thinking more ergi," Casey said, grinning. Valkyrie grinned at the exchange, and wondered if the wonder boy…man…ugh, he was bothering her, had any idea.

"Ergi?" Chuck asked. "I'm unmanly? It's true I do have some girlish screams."

"Quit insulting girls," Valkyrie said before she could catch herself. Chuck grinned at her.

"And here I thought you didn't have a sense of humor," Chuck said to her softly.

"Maybe if you say something funny, I'd laugh," she said, as she silently took off to her destination.

"Watch it, Bartowski," Casey said to him softly. "You aren't in her league."

"That is something I'm well aware of, Hogun," Chuck said, grinning. Casey grunted as Chuck followed behind Valkyrie. They made their way to the entrance.

"Think you can get in, Ergi?" she asked, grinning. Chuck returned her grin.

"I don't know much in life, but I do know computers and code, I'll get us in," he replied.

"But can you do it without the machines knowing we're here?" she asked. Chuck shrugged, and Valkyrie's eyes widened.

"Well, that answers that question," Chuck said, working.

"What's that?" she asked, with venom in her voice. Chuck turned to her and grinned.

"Does the Valkyrie frighten?" Chuck replied. An irritated look crossed her face. Chuck punched a button and the door opened with no alarms.

"Of course I frighten, you idiot!" she snapped. "This whole world should frighten anyone."

"Then that means you're human, just like the rest of us, and not part robot," Chuck responded. She stared at him. "In case you're wondering, that's a good thing," he said as he slipped inside. She stared after him. Casey caught up to them.

"What's bugging you?" he asked.

"He might be insane," she said, gaining control. Casey gave her a look.

"He's survived this long, I'd say he has to be insane," as he slipped inside as well. Valkyrie shook her head and followed the two. It was slow going, avoiding patrols of the bipedal machines, but they managed to not be spotted as they slowly advanced through the base.

"The EMP will take them out?" she asked. Chuck nodded.

"We just need to be inside to take over the system once the computers reboot. At that point, we'll take control and the governor will control the entire sector," Chuck responded.

"That's hard to imagine," Casey said. Chuck shrugged.

"It's been Heaven's gameplan for years," he replied. "They control three sectors, the governor will control one, that leaves six on the continent. In ten years we've taken back nearly 40% of the US, Canada, and Mexico. We can win this war."

"Patrol," Casey said. "I'll go up and scout, you two stay here." Chuck and Valkyrie sat in silence.

"Why is his name Awesome?" Valkyrie found herself asking. She wanted to berate herself. She found herself talking on this mission more than ever. She knew why. She didn't like it either, but she wanted him to trust her. She needed him to trust her. She looked over at Chuck and he was grinning.

"He was Ellie's boyfriend, my sister," he began. "Everything he's ever done is Awesome, even flossing." Valkyrie grinned.

"You said was, they broke up?" Chuck shook his head.

"They took her," he said softly. "The machines took her, I can only assume she's dead." He was quiet for a second. "Most probably think she deserves it, same as me," he said so quiet that if Valkyrie hadn't been listening intently she never would have caught it.

"Bartowski," Casey hissed. He looked up and saw Casey waving him over. He snuck over and made his way into the control room, Valkyrie right behind him. "Guard him Valkyrie, he's our only shot." Chuck looked over at Casey.

"Casey, promise me, Doc gets what he needs," Chuck pleaded, one last time. Casey looked him in the eyes.

"God, country, family, Bartowski, I keep my word," Casey said. Chuck nodded. Valkyrie scoffed.

"God…have you seen this hellhole?" she spat. Chuck looked up.

"I've seen an angel," he replied simply. He turned to go back to work. She grabbed his arm and spun him toward her.

"Why?" she asked. "Why are you being nice to me? There is no love here. It's dead. There is no courtship, no dating, no love at all. It's about surviving and procreating, and that's all there is."

"If we don't have love, why are we even fighting?" Chuck asked. She was stunned. "If we don't have someone to live for, to love, are we any better than the cold emotionless machines we're fighting? No one deserves to be treated like an incubator or something to rut with. We are human beings, and we all have feelings, some of us just hide them better than others. That includes you, Valkyrie." He turned and went back to work.

"Sarah," she whispered after a moment. Chuck turned to her, confused. "Sarah…my name is Sarah." Chuck held his hand out. She eyed it, and then shook it.

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Sarah," Chuck said grinning. "Now, I have to get back to work before cold, emotionless machines kill us."

"What are you doing, Bartowski?" Casey asked. "Just set off the EMP!"

"Well, if I turn off some of the sentries and those robots without AI, it might mean we only have to fight off half of the machines here instead of all of them," he said, furiously typing. Casey nodded, his bottom lip out.

"Not bad," he admitted. Chuck hit a button, and an alarm went off.

"Hope you're ready," he said. Both nodded, and he hit the EMP. Everything went dark.

"How long?" Sarah asked.

"Two minutes," Chuck replied.

"As soon as that computer comes up, do your thing," Casey said. "I don't want to be here holding my jock when those machines come to find us."

"Neither do I," Sarah and Chuck said together. They both looked at each other and smiled.

"You can do this," Sarah said softly to Chuck. Casey watched them. In the past three years, he had never seen this side of Sarah. He shook his head, he knew if they got through the next ten minutes their lives would never be the same again. The lights slowly began to come on.

"Do your thing, Bartowski," Casey growled.

"Come on, come on," Chuck said, encouraging the computer to boot up. The computer came up, but they heard the steps coming their way. "I need two minutes."

"I can only promise you thirty seconds," Casey replied, opening fire.

"Really?" Chuck asked. "You couldn't meet me halfway?"

"I'll get you two," Sarah said opening fire as well.

"I like the way you negotiate," Chuck said, his fingers flying. Sarah glanced back when she heard his fingers stop.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Promise me about Doc," he said.

"Chuck, I promise," she replied. Chuck nodded, typed a little, hit the enter button, and the machines stopped moving. "You did it!" she yelled, standing. She was sure this was suicide mission. "They won't come back on?" she asked, turning to him.

"Nope," he said. "They're off." She nodded with a sad smile, and pulled a gun on Chuck.

"I'm really sorry, Chuck," she said. "I like you," and then she fired. Chuck looked down at the dart, not really surprised.

"Greater good?" he asked as he began to fall. She nodded and watched him collapse.

"Greater good," she replied. She turned to Casey. "You never repeat my name."

"All I know you by is Valkyrie," he answered. He looked down at Chuck. "Shame about the kid. He had something." Sarah nodded.

"Yeah, he has our freedom, the entire district is saved," she replied.

"Then why do I feel like a traitor?" Casey asked. Sarah looked at him, a storm brewing in her eyes.

"Having lady feelings?" she asked.

"Not as many as you did," he answered. She scowled at him, as Casey reached down to pick him up and they returned to their base.

}o{

The taste came to his mouth first. It was like cotton had taken away all of the moisture in his mouth. He opened his eyes and saw things that were blurry. There was a specific blurry thing he saw sitting outside of his cell. A blonde halo seemed to surround her.

"Told you, you were an angel," he said.

"Don't," she said. "I have my orders."

"I know," he said. "You're the perfect soldier, and you do what you're told."

"Why did you volunteer?" she asked.

"Same as you, greater good," he replied.

"But the people you're trying to save are dying," she replied.

"But now with the medicine Doc can save them," he countered. "You are keeping your promise, right?" She nodded.

"He's got the medicine," she said solemnly.

"Tell me you told him I died during the mission," he said. She nodded. Chuck sighed a sigh of relief. If Doc thought he was alive, he'd do something stupid.

"You knew," she said softly. "You knew what would happen and you did it anyway." He shrugged.

"I didn't know," he said, trying to grin, but realizing all of his muscles weren't working right. "I suspected."

"You're an idiot," she said, standing up. Why was she so mad at him right now?

"Yeah, but I saved some people," he replied. "At least my family did something right in the end," he said softly. She heard him, and that was the second time he made mention of his family and their shortcomings.

"Valkyrie," Casey said, coming in. "The governor wants to see us." He started to leave.

"Thank you," Chuck said. "Both of you. You kept your word. That's something rare these days." Casey turned to look at him, and gave a nod of respect. The two headed off to see the governor.

}o{

"It's not right," Sarah said. What was she doing? Why was she pleading the case of this commoner? He was no agent, or warrior.

"I made a deal with Frigga," the governor responded. "I don't like it any more than you do. Why didn't he include his protection as part of the deal?" She slammed her hand on the desk. She was a short woman, but she seemed to tower over the two tall agents in front of her. "If he had only asked, I could have protected him."

"Frigga is going to give him to the machines," Casey replied. "You're signing his death sentence."

"We don't know that," the governor replied, but the look on her face said she suspected as much.

"When's the pickup?" Sarah asked. The governor looked uncomfortable. Sarah rolled her eyes. "No," she said simply. The governor looked down. "You want us, to take him cross county, through machine controlled sectors to Heaven?" The governor nodded. "Governor, I'm a fighter, but this, this is madness. Do you know how many men we'd have to fight off? Not to mention any machines we will encounter along the way."

"There's more," the governor said, taking a breath. "There's a child here that Frigga would like returned. The mother has passed, and the father is in Heaven."

"No," Casey said softly, realizing where this was going. Sarah looked at him and then back at the general. She shot out of her chair.

"NO!" she screamed. "I will not do it!"

"It's for the greater good, Valkyrie," the governor said.

"We can't take a child across the wastelands." She snarled.

"I could order you," the governor said softly. "Or I could just put the child in an orphanage." Sarah grabbed the table and flipped it. The governor moved out of the way in time. She stormed out of the office. "Well, that went better than I expected."

"I would be their bodyguard?" he asked. The governor nodded. "Let me talk to him."

"Do you think that would do any good?" she asked. "I mean he can say whatever he wants, but out there…he'd have to care for the child, while possibly going to his grave."

"He's different," Casey said. The governor just looked at him. "I trust him."

"It doesn't matter if you do or not," the governor replied. "Does she trust him?"

}o{

"I hate you!" she screamed at Chuck, who was cowering in his cage.

"I thought you liked me," he said, terrified. Sarah stopped screaming and looked at him.

"You heard that?" she asked. He nodded.

"Unless I shouldn't have, and then I didn't," he said, scared he was going to lose a limb. She sat down outside the cage and put her head in her hands.

"You have to go to Heaven, and we have to transport you," she said softly. She looked at him. "They want us to take a baby.

"Across the wastelands!" he yelled. "Do you know what would happen to that child? The odds of making it are…I don't know….but not good." She stared at him, incredulous.

"I captured you, put you in a cage, and you're worried about a child?" she asked. Chuck shrugged.

"There's worse things than being captured, and you're keeping me company," he added. She just shook her head and chuckled.

"I am supposed to go," she said softly. "I'm to be married…to you." Chuck's eyes widened.

"That's not right!" he yelled. "They can't do that to you, or the child! I will not stand for…well, I don't like it, there's not much I can do since I'm trapped in here. I know, let me out, and I'll go to Heaven by myself." She turned to look at him again. Again in shock.

"You're not kidding," she said softly looking into his eyes. "You're really not."

"No one should be forced to be with another person," Chuck said. "No one, gets to tell someone else when to…I'm not even going to finish that." Sarah stared at him.

"You know we wouldn't actually be married, right?" she asked. Chuck looked away.

"Oh…my bad," he said.

"You understand if we don't take the child home, they'll put the child in an orphanage." Chuck looked away.

"I'm going to assume like everything else in this world, orphanages have gone downhill since the uprising?" Sarah nodded. Chuck sighed. "So we have to do this for the kid or…." Sarah nodded.

"You understand why I can't trust you, right?" she said, not knowing why she would even care. She glanced over at Chuck, who smiled.

"You don't know me well enough," Chuck said. "Plus, I suspect the male species has not given you a whole lot of reasons to trust men in general." She smiled in spite of herself and shook her head.

"The governor said she could order me to go with you," Sarah admitted. Chuck's face fell.

"That's not right," he said. "It's not. Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but if she ever forced that to happen to you, I would never forgive myself if something happened to you, because she ordered you to take me and the baby to Heaven." She looked at him, and nodded.

"I believe you believe that right now," she said. "But out there, it's kill or be killed…" she looked away.

"Sarah," he said softly. She looked back. "Never."

"And the marriage cover?" she asked.

"I would be completely respectful of you," he said.

"Well, you sure now how to make a girl feel good," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"That's for scaring you, isn't it?" he asked, grinning. She nodded. "I had to make sure the EMP wouldn't hurt you."

"Uh-huh," she said.

"What are you going to do?" he asked.

"Don't have a lot of choice, do I?" she replied. She turned to him. "I'm going to make this real clear Bartowski, if you ever do anything to me that I don't want you to, and we make it to Heaven, I will make your life a living hell." With that, she got up and walked away.

"What exactly do you mean if you don't want me to?" he yelled. She ignored him and kept walking. "Maybe I don't want to, you ever thought of that!" She continued to ignore him and left the room. A few minutes later Casey opened the door and walked up to the cage. He stared at him.

"I will kill you if you do anything to her," Casey said. Chuck nodded.

"What did she mean if she didn't want me to?" Chuck asked. Casey just stared at him. "You know what, never mind." Casey shook his head.

"This ain't right, kid, I'm sorry." Casey looked torn.

"Casey, things aren't always as they seem, and maybe I deserve this," Chuck replied.

"You having this kid and fake marriage with Valkyrie or you getting turned over to Frigga?" Casey asked. Chuck blanched.

"Casey, no one deserves to be put in orphanage or be fake married to Valkyrie," he replied. Casey grunted. "And Valkyrie doesn't deserve to have that happen to her."

"She's right," Casey said. "I think you are insane." With that he turned and left, leaving Chuck alone with his thoughts.

"Dad, is it alive?" the teen asked.

"It is, Charles, it is!" his father answered. "It's starting to move through the internet. It's thinking!"

"Dad, what's it accessing?" the teen asked. His father's face fell.

"No, it shouldn't do that. It shouldn't…Charles, get downstairs. Get your sister and get downstairs, NOW!"

"Maybe I deserve everything Frigga is going to do to me and more," Chuck said to the empty room.

}o{

"Mr. Bartowski, you understand what you'll be doing?" the governor asked.

"I'm going to take a child with my fake wife, make it to Heaven, and turn myself in to Frigga," he replied. The governor nodded. "By agreeing to this," he continued, catching the governor by surprise. "You are going to make sure Doc Awesome always has the medical supplies he needs, and protect him." The governor stared at Chuck for a moment and nodded. "In writing," he said. Casey chuckled. "One more thing, Governor." She raised an eyebrow. "The name of the child?"

"Molly," the governor answered. Chuck looked at Sarah, who looked at him and nodded. They both looked down at the ring in each of their hand. "Would you like me to say a few words?" she asked with a smile on her face.

"No," Chuck replied. "Valkyrie's luck you'd say something and make us legally married." Sarah snorted.

"You are legally married," the governor said. Both of them jerked their heads up. "All paperwork has been filed. When Valkyrie returns, the paperwork will disappear, but in case something happens along the way, we thought it would be best to have all bases covered." Sarah nodded. She felt Chuck's eyes on her. She turned and she could see the apology on his face. She shook her head. It wasn't his fault.

"Did I take her last name?" Chuck asked. Sarah grinned. For someone that thought he deserved a lot of bad things to happen to him, he sure did make a lot of jokes.

"No," the governor said, trying not to grin. "Her last name is now Bartowski. My apologies Valkyrie." She shrugged.

"At least it wasn't Johnson," she replied. Casey coughed to cover a laugh. "Ready?" she asked Chuck. They both slid their ring on their finger. Chuck looked at it.

"Don't feel any different," he said. He looked over at Sarah who was shaking her head and grinning.

"How do we feed the baby, Governor?" she asked. "It's not like there's a lot of places to get baby food." The governor handed over a map.

"This is the best map we have of towns and places you can find supplies," the governor said.

"Don't worry Valkyrie, I make sure Bartowski is a gentleman if you have to…you know," Casey said grinning. Sarah thought for a second and then she realized what he was trying to say.

"You do know that a woman doesn't produce milk just because a baby is around. The baby would have the same luck with you as I in that regard," Sarah said coolly.

"I don't know, I think the baby might find the experience less traumatic with you than Hogun over there," Chuck said, trying to keep a straight face. Sarah turned and looked at Chuck. She was quiet for a second, then a slow grin covered her face.

"Now that, that was funny," Sarah said, and left the room. Casey followed behind, while Chuck stood there a second.

"Mr. Bartowski, I am sorry," the governor said. Chuck shook his head.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one," he said. The governor grinned.

"I seem to remember that line gets changed around in the next movie," the governor said. She extended her hand, and Chuck shook it. "Thank you, Mr. Bartowski."

"My pleasure, Governor Beckman," he said, and he walked out of the room. Beckman watched him leave.

"I sure hope he makes it," she said to the empty room.

A/N: Okay, that's how it starts. That's probably 15 to 20% of the dream. No, I didn't dream all parts that I put on paper, or if I did I didn't remember them all. What I remember are huge sections but my brain has easily filled in the rest of the holes. I know, it's super-weird. Let me know what you think!

[noblessewerewolfloner-blog]

Loner~A Noblesse fan-write.

   Chapter 1

   “Well, this is just great.”

   Matthew found himself stuck in a rut, tied up by the 1st elder, held captive. Not only that, but they were planning to do experiments on him, when he just wanted to live a free life. Free from the scum of the earth who like the trample those who are even weaker than them to gain power....

   That’s why he left the werewolf tribe in the first place. Because Maduke kept on pressing him to get the power, as Captain of the warriors. Like heck I would choose to do that.....I’d rather die than gain power that came from killing our own tribe members. I can’t just stand by and watch while keeping this position. That’s why I left. Why did I make the stupid mistake to go back when I heard those explosions.....?

   “Hey, you should be eating, you know.”

   Well, what the heck. The 1st elder.

   Matthew looked up from the place where he was chained on the wall, and scowled at the 1st elder and his bodyguard. “Nutrition comes from eating. Eating is essential to life. And we need you living for our experiments. You are the only werewolf worthy of surviving, after helping the humans so long. And we want to make you stronger, make you part of the union so you can fight with us and destroy the Noblesse. But we need to trust you first. Can't you do this much for us?”

   “.....No.”

   “Pardon?”

   “I said no. I don’t want power. I don’t want to gain something from trampling on weaker humans, the weaker members of my tribe. And I don’t want to join your union. You’re just like Maduke, looking down on us. You say we’re terrible because we looked down no you? Well, you’re doing the same to us. I’d rather die than join forces with trash like you, b!+ch,” Matthew shot at him.

   “My, my, you’re rather feisty, despite being severely wounded. Oh well, if you won’t listen to reason, we’ll just make you listen,” the 1st elder said. He put a piece of meat in his mouth, chewed on it a little, and then suddenly kissed Matthew.

   Even his bodyguard was surprised. But, Matthew quickly shook for the shock, turning his head so the kiss ended and spitting out the meat, coughing. “What the heck dude? You’re sick!! If someone say they don’t want to eat, they don’t want to eat, so don’t force it on them!!”

   “If someone doesn’t listen to reason, I will force it on them,” the 1st elder replied, standing up. “Well, I have to check on Muzuka, and if you want to hear how he’s doing, eat a little bit,” the 1st elder said, before leaving.

   Muzuka, our former lord. he left before the the heavy responsibilities. I remember how devastated I was, although not surprised. He wasn’t the type to want to gain power. He was like a brother to me. And he still left. I hate him, and yet.....I forgive him.

   Matthew sighed, looking upwards. Now, how am I going to get out of this blasted place? Seems almost impossible.....my strength is down, and I’m badly injured. I think my legs are permanently damaged.

   Oh well. I have to try. I must. Then I’ll get Muzuka and get out of here. I’ll get him back to his friend Rai, the only one he seemed to care for. He even sacrificed himself so Rai could live a little longer. I bet Rai feels terrible because of that. I mean, almost killing your best friend in a fight where you allowed him to manipulate you? Just terrible, dude.

   Man, Muzuka really changed a lot.

   Matthew chuckled as he recalled the old days. Muzuka and him were step-brothers, since Muzuka’s mom died and Matthew’s mom died, and then the remaining parents met, and fell in love. Muzuka was fine with it-he could do with another family member. Matthew, it took a little time, but he soon got used to having a new mom and brother.

   Now, everything’s changed. I’m stuck in this hole, with no way out. I’ll slowly die here, this is my death place. I never was able to even pay back Muzuka what I owed him, for always being there for me and doing everything for me..... 

   Muzuka, I’m sorry..... For being a useless, unworthy piece of trash.....I hope Rai finds you and you are freed.....

   Please, Noblesse.....if you can hear me, please free my brother.....save him from the Union. On behalf of my blood and life, please save him.

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

   Many days passed by since. Since he refused to eat, Muzuka was in no condition to get experimented on. The 1st elder kept trying for days to get him to eat, always coming at noon to press him of the matter.

   But one day, he didn’t come.

   It’s 12:34, has he given up? No.....he’s not the type to do that. Rather, I think something’s wrong. Maybe Rai is finally rescuing Muzuka. Maybe Lunark or Kentas survived, and they’re proving their worth in rescuing him. Maybe Frankenstein’s dark lover to swallowing the 1st elder whole this very instant. Yes, I love picturing that. The dark spear would do it in a refined way, since it’s the 1st elder after all.

   Matthew chuckled at the thought, smiling. It felt weird, smiling as he was now. He hadn’t smiled in a while. Not even before he was captured by the Union. No, the last time he smiled was when Muzuka was their lord. That was the last time. The last time he laughed. 

   “Heh, it’s been so long since he was lord of the werewolves. Then Maduke had to ruin it all. Heh, funny how life works, how the bad guys are always stronger than the good guys except for this one guy who’s using his life force to save the other good guys and defeat the bad guys.....heh.....”

   “I hear a voice!!”

   “Huh? Where?”

   Matthew snapped his head up. He heard voices-both female, one of them very familiar. But who.....? Who could it be.....?

   Suddenly, two females, one that was short with pink hair in a braids, with the air of a nobles, and a werewolf with green hair. “Mir..ai.....?”

   “Matthew? Is that you?? OMG, I thought you were dead!! You left the clan so long ago, I didn’t think it was possible that you left, that you had to be dead!!! It wasn’t possible for you to be dead, but I didn’t think you would leave!!” Mirai gasped, shocked. The noble next to her raised an eyebrow at Mirai. “You know this kid?” “Claudia! This is no kid!! This is Matthew!! Once the Captain of the warriors!! He even beat Muzuka in a fight!! He taught Muzuka to be as strong as he is!!” “Well, now he doesn’t look so strong. He’s got fire in his eyes, but his body’s worn and injured. Wow geez, hope his legs aren’t permanently damaged.....”

   “Help.....Muzuka.....”

   “The Noblesse is freeing him along with that creepy human. They’ll be fine, we need to stay here and free you. Hmmm.....how do you do this.....?” Mirai prodded and poked at the metal around my arms and legs. “Geez, if you took the power that Maduke offered, you could at least heal. Well, I can’t say anything. after all, that power was just to make him stronger,” Mirai spat, obviously getting enraged because she was getting nowhere. “D’aww, HOW DO YOU TAKE THIS G**DA*N HING OF?!?!?!”

   “Don’t cuss,” I said to her.

   “Mirai? Claudia?” Lunark came in, along with 3 modified humans as well as two more humans. Matthew squinted his eyes. If I’m current, the modified humans are called M-21, Tao, and Takio, and the nobles are Seira and Regis.....geez, they should be helping with freeing Muzuka, not me!!

   “Lunark, help me get these g- stupid things off!!” Mirai yelled. “Better,” Matthew said. “Pfft. I see Matthew still has fire. So, our former Captain really didn’t die, he just left. Well, I’ll free you-afterwards, run out. I heard that once Muzuka’s freed, this place will be blown up, so let’s hurry,” Lunark commented, before pressing a few buttons on the computers.

   Then Matthew felt himself being freed. He fell to the ground,rolled forward, then got up. “Quite the way to go after being freed,” Tao joked, and Matthew rolled his eyes. “Of course my legs will be asleep. I’ve been in here for who knows how long.....well, that doesn’t matter. Save the rest of your strength for Muzuka, alright?”

   “Ohhhh no, you’re not leaving. You don’t have to join, but you should at least spend some time with your rescuers. We saved you from dying in here.” “Well, i never wanted to be rescued. I just wanted Muzuka to be rescued. So thank you, but I don’t owe no one any favors.” “Muzuka wouldn’t have wanted you to stay here, now would he? You’re coming with us,” Mirai snapped at Matthew, barking like a dog to him. Matthew rolled his eyes. “Still the same as ever, I see. Well no matter.” 

   “Wha-hey, get back here!!” Mirai yelled, running out as Matthew walked out of the room. “Do you even know how to get out?”

   “I’ll figure it out myself,” Matthew scowled, pushing her off him. “Oi, this place is gonna explode soon, ya know!! Ya gotta let us lead you out!!” Mirai pressed on, still barking her mouth off.

   “Matthew, Mirai has a point. Just, let us lead you out and help you heal your wounds, alright? We saved you from getting that power the union was going to put on you,” Lunark said. Matthew hesitated. “Come on!!! We’re worried about you!!”

   “It’s just for your good. And you’ll see Muzuka again,” Claudia pointed out.

   Matthew hesitated again, then sighed, nodding, giving in. “Yessssss!!!!! Finally you see some sense!!! This is just for your well-being, and you’ll see Muzuka again!! Think how happy he’ll be once he sees you!!!! He talked about you, his brother, quite a lot!!!!” Mirai said, her arm around his. Matthew glanced at her, still walking.

   “Hey hey hey, this waaaaay!!”

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