#i wake up and giggle and kick my feet at the thought of vi

[thebigqueer]

“oh i don’t know if i have a fav arcane character theyre all so good!!” (my lock screen is the screenshot of vi eating caits pussy) (i have several posts about vis back tattoo saved) (i am constantly talking about how she’s the most gut wrenching character ever)

[kittyt-hexxed]

Book Two of Hexed - The Fury of Zaun (Vi/POC!Reader) - Ch. 12

Series Masterlist

Next Upload Date: September 8th

Act 1: Chapter Twelve - Blood Feud

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Blood, Death, Sad Sevika, Sad Vi

Summary: Before the big fight, you and Jinx discuss your first mission. When it's time for the fight, heads roll as you learn just how dangerous your crystal weapons can be.

Author Note: Pretend that Vi isn't in this picture... I can't find a good one of Sevika's glowing blade. Also, you're welcome to message me or send something through my asks! Thank you to everyone who has!

You sit on the lounging deck with a cup of hot chocolate in your hand. A pair of birds are perched on the railing next to each other. You glance down at the sketchbook in your lap and smile at how it perfectly captures the cute pair. You place your cup down and get comfortable on the couch. You look up at the sound of feet on the deck and smile sweetly as Jinx returns with more colored pencils for her drawing. She gives you a cheery wave and puts her hot chocolate down. You lift up your legs so she can sit and hand the sketchbook over to her. You return to reading the update Priestess had sent to you this morning.

“The number of people needing support has gone up.” You sigh softly, “They don’t have enough to give out, and the shelter we built is full… We need to figure something out and fast.”

“Have you gone over the shipment logs for this month?” Jinx’s eyes flick to you and back to the birds. You nod your head and pull the blanket tighter to your body. The mist from the waterfall kept the area chilly in the morning time.

“There’s a new shipment of food coming into Piltover along with fabric. Since there’s a surplus of that stuff Topside, there are only six crates of food coming in and five crates of fabric.” You watch as her pencil glides over the paper, “That’s a sixth of the usual shipments.”

“Do you know how much is sent in each crate?” Jinx shifts closer to you.

“Enough to keep the people from starving.” You count out the math on your fingers, “Theoretically if we do it right, it could last us a month. We’d have to ration, but we have to, anyway. These families are used to little to no food, so we wouldn’t want to shock their bodies with too much at once. Refeeding syndrome is something we’ll have to be mindful of. Janna’s Faithful can manage distribution-” You tap your chin in thought.

“-We’d need to get the crates first.” Jinx lowers her sketchbook, “The question is how do we do that without getting caught?”

“That’s why we have to come up with a plan, crow brain.” You kick her leg. Jinx huffs and hits you with the pencil in her hand. You giggle and take a sip from your drink.

“Have… you had any trouble sleeping?” Jinx bites her lip as she hesitates. You pause and reluctantly nod your head.

“I haven’t slept well since we blew up the councilor’s building.” You watch the marshmallows swirl around in your cup, “If I’m not having bad dreams, they’re nice ones that make me cry when I wake up. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my memories that I’m up too late and don’t get enough sleep.”

“It's been the same for me.” Jinx sighs and stretches her legs out, “The only good thing that has come out of it is that I’m spending more time upgrading my weapons.”

“I finished creating the masks within two nights because I couldn’t fall asleep.” You chuckle and swallow the rest of the liquid in your cup.

“Do you think… Vi is struggling to sleep, too?” Jinx finally turns to you, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“If she wasn’t, there would really be something wrong with her.” You say seriously, “You know that Vi has always struggled with her conscious.”

“I know, but I needed to hear someone else say it.” Jinx nods, “She’s probably having a horrible time Topside.”

“Probably, but who knows, her cupcake got promoted to Sheriff.” You shrug, “Maybe she’s living it up and forgot all about us.” Jinx scoffs before letting out a chuckle.

“Wouldn’t that be interesting?” Jinx turns the sketchbook to you, revealing her finished art, “Violet forgetting about the three most important people in her life for a Piltie. It sounds like one of those storybooks she used to read to me.” She says bitterly. Yet, her tone didn’t match the pleasant drawing of the lovebirds snuggling on the railing. Not even a single Jinx doodle was in sight.

~

Dawn sits at the entrance to the aisle as the rest of you file into your seats. The stone was warm underneath you as it usually was down in the pits. A thin veil of steam filled the air as it rose from nearby water geysers. Seated around you are open supporters of Sevika and her gang and the Furies. You can hear the soft buzzing of the Firelight’s hoverboards as they hang out above you. People are still filing into the rows and you glance down at your pocket watch.

“There are five minutes left until they start the fight.” You say as it snaps shut.

“Jir will be introducing them any minute.” Torx points out, “He doesn’t like being late.”

��They will succeed in this fight.” Dawn says with no concern, “They’re strong warriors.”

“Indeed. I was charmed to see how well they fight together.” Cassius nods his head, “They managed to hold out against Dawn and me for more than five minutes.”

“Others would have lost an arm by then.” Dawn smirks and your group giggles at the joke.

“Although her new arm may feel like a real one, I doubt Sevika wants to lose the other.” Fue snorts.

“Who knows!” Jinx shrugs playfully, “Maybe she’d want to duel-wield swords! I know I would!” You laugh and your conversation is cut off by the sound of a whistle. All noise in the stands goes quiet and Jir steps out on the podium. The giant man was covered in red fabric like the rest of the crowd, making his bushy hair stand out.

“When a life is taken in cold blood, it may be repaid in hot-blooded battle… So today, we will be witnesses to this repayment… or new debt.” Jir’s voice booms through the area, “Chem-Baron Finn was slain in cold blood by the Tiger of Zaun, Sevika!” Loud cheers sound but are quickly squashed when Jir raises his fist. You shuffle your feet as your excitement for the fight builds. With a glance at your company, you can see how jittery they are too.

“As an associate of Chem-Baron Finn, the Chem-Baron Renni has called for repayment… by Blood Feud.” Jir’s voice trembles slightly as he says this. Outraged screams break out as what he said sets into the crowd.

‘If I may be so bold?’ Umbra politely speaks up. You blink in surprise and clear your throat. ‘You may be.’ Torx puts her arm over your shoulder and you wrap yours around her waist. ‘Why are they so outraged by a blood feud? What is it?’ Your hand around Torx is grabbed by Jinx, who’s holding hands with Fue.

‘A Blood Feud means the action will not be repaid until the death of one of the parties. Most disputes are settled with a Body Feud. It’s a fight until the other is knocked out and unable to continue fighting.’ The crowd finally silences and Jir sighs. He told you that he had protested this course of action saying that it was too extreme, but Renni had insisted. As the Monster of the Pit, there were only so many decisions he could sway.

Jir clears his throat and indicates to someone out of sight. “The rules for this fight are simple. Melee weapons only. They’ve been pre-checked by me and are all cleared for battle. The fight will end when either one or both parties are dead!” A loud bell rings as the gates open and Sevika and her team stroll out. On the opposite side of the arena, Renni’s fighters emerge and you can’t help the scowl on your face.

“Fucker.” Torx hisses, “They’re ten to five. We knew this would happen, but that doesn’t make it any less shitty!” She throws her hands up, jostling you. You pay close attention as Jir steps off of the podium and shakes hands with Sevika and the leader of the other team. You didn’t recognize any of them, but that wouldn’t matter in a few minutes anyway. ‘Renni has sent these people to die. I think she expected that Sevika was cocky enough to fight on her own.’ You hum in amusement as Jir jumps out of the arena and the two groups face each other. ‘Unbeknownst to Zaun, things have changed for Sevika.’

“Furies - Don’t you dare die down there.” You chide them, “Or we’ll have to eat the spiced chocolate cake Dawn made without you.” They didn’t respond but you could see that they heard you from the way they perked up. Snickers sound next to you as the bell rings again and the Chem-Baron’s pawns rush forward. You tighten your grip on Jinx’s hand in excitement as they get closer to each other. There is no hesitation as Zara whirls around and lashes out with her whip. The light reflecting off of it is the only indication of where it’s going, as it wraps around the first guy’s neck. With an aggressive yank, blood pours down and you’re a witness to the man’s head getting torn from his shoulders. ‘I knew the crystal weapons would be different from regular ones, but… I didn’t see this coming. This is the first time we’ve tested them on people.’ The shocked look on Zara’s blood-splattered face was shared by everyone else in the pit.

“HOLY SHIT!” Someone screams and the crowd goes wild, including you and your group. The wild cheers jolt the fighters into moving and Sevika takes the attention as she intercepts the next person, swiping their feet out from under them and skewering them on her sword. Your eyes widen when you see a woman trying to sneak up on Sevika. That plan is ruined as Landon leaps over the headless body with a cackle and brings her axe down on her.

“Ah!” Cassius winces sympathetically as the axe cleaves her arm off. The woman’s scream pierces the air and you can’t restrain the laugh that breaks past your lips as it's perfectly cut off. ‘Oh my Gods, I didn’t mean to laugh but that was hilarious!’ Before her body hits the ground, you notice Auvern sliding across the gravel, slicing the ankles of two others as they run at her. Ran uses one of the falling opponents as a springboard, flipping through the air and planting her feet on an unfortunate vastaya beside them.

“I can see Ran and Auv have been training together.” Fue pipes up.

“Their styles suit one another.” You nod. Auvern springs up to her feet, flipping the sickles around and driving her blades through their backs and out of their chests.

“Woah! Sometimes I forget Auvern grew up in the assassin clans.” Torx gasps.

“She’s scary.” Jinx nods, “But it’s so cool!” You grin proudly as Ran springs off of the vastaya before plunging their swords into his eyes as they come down. Pained shouts come from the crowd as some people cover their eyes in sympathetic pain. If people didn’t know before, they now know that the Furies mean business. When Ran’s feet hit the floor, they’re already moving to Sevika and the others.

“KICK THEIR ASSES, SEVIKA! YOU’VE GOT BIG MUSCLES! USE THEM!” Jinx screeches as the group gathers into a wide circle around the remaining opponents. Their panicked faces bring you joy as your friends' smirks and grins contrast them. ‘It’s like a coyote toying with a desert shrew.’ Umbra muses, seeing through your eyes as they slowly move in. You nod in agreement, too immersed in the action to process what she said.

“A beautiful tactic.” Cassius notes, “They’re using their opponents' fear against them. A caged animal will attack in a last-ditch effort to kill or escape.”

“Be the predator, never the prey.” You quote Cassius’ words back to him, “Wait. And you’ll find your task is easier than you previously thought.” One of the people in the center lets out a wild scream as they rush Zara. Zara uses her whip to shield herself, the glaive bouncing off of the material with a clang, and makes the attacker stumble. She kicks them down, throwing her whip at their midsection as they fall. As that happens, the other four charge in and the screams that follow make the people in front of you recoil in horror.

The anxious silence in the pit is broken by deafening cheers as Sevika and her team steps away from the mess. You scream with elation and jump out of your seat with everyone, the adrenaline from watching the fight courses through you as you begin chanting.

“SEVIKA! SEVIKA! SEVIKA!” The crowd chants together, howls breaking through the screaming.

“AND SEVIKA’S CREW WINS THE FIGHT!” Jir roars over the crowd, “LET IT BE KNOWN THAT SEVIKA HAS PAID HER DEBT!”

~

You knock on the door to Sevika’s apartment, fiddling with the vial of Digitalis as you wait for her to open the door. You had delivered vials to the others, Ran giving you a hug in thanks, and Sevika was intentionally your last stop. The door opens and Sevika doesn’t say anything as she steps aside for you to come in. There’s dried blood on her from a few cuts, but the most came from the wound on her shoulder. You close the door behind you and give her a small smile.

“You look exhausted, Vika.” You lightly touch her shoulder, knowing that it’s injured, “Why don’t you let me help you take care of your wounds?”

“I don’t need any help.” Sevika rasps, exhaustion thick in her voice, “I can manage on my own.” She reaches for the vial but you shake your head. You grab her hand and lead her into the bathroom before she has a chance to complain.

“I know you’ve never had anyone to help you before, but now you do.” You close the door and cross your arms, “And to prove my point, strip.” You say bluntly. She rolls her eyes.

“I’m not going to strip. You should go finish your rounds and check on the others.” Sevika crosses her arms with a small wince.

“I already did. You’re my last check-in.” You mimic her and cross your arms, “Now stop being stubborn and let me help you.” She shakes her head and takes the vial from you, gingerly setting it in the rack made for it. You silently watch as she takes out her towel and avoids using her right arm. ‘Must she be so stubborn when she’s clearly in pain?’

“Sevika.” You say with a firm warning tone. You approach her, grabbing the edge of her shirt, “I’m going to help you. I see you avoiding your shoulder, which means it hurts more than you’re showing. This isn’t my first time helping an injured and stubborn person.” You chuckle. ‘Vi used to do the same thing until she learned I’ll help anyways.’ Sevika sighs heavily but silently lets you take off her shirt. You carefully ease it away from her wound and place it in the clothes basket. Now that you can see it properly, it was deeper than it seemed. Your eyes flick up to get confirmation, a small nod, before continuing to help her undress. You let her remove her wrappings on her own and set the bath.

The steam rising from the bath tells you that it’s a hotter day outside. ‘Summer is around the corner.’ You pick up the vial of Digitalis, uncork it, and pour it into the running water.

“It’s going to sting at first, but it should feel soothing after a few seconds.” You explain as you turn off the water and step over to her.

“I don’t care.” Sevika shrugs lightly, “As long as it does its job.” You help her into the tub, respectfully glancing away as she lowers herself down. The hissing sigh that she makes signals that it found some of her injuries.

“Close your eyes and let your body submerge in the water.” You instruct her. Sevika obeys, closing her eyes and relaxing her muscles. You watch as the pinkish water covers her shoulder and she flinches.

“I’ve… always done this myself.” Sevika whispers, eyes still closed, “I’ve been on my own for years.” You gently wipe away the dried blood from one of the cuts on her arm.

“I know.” You whisper back, “I want you to know that I’m here for you. There’s no need to be guarded around me… or the others.”

“I think I’ve opened up enough.” Sevika jokes as she cracks her eyes open, her voice returning to normal volume, “What more could you want from me?” You chuckle at her question and lean in closer to get her shoulder.

“I want you as you are.” You say simply and tenderly clean her shoulder wound. Sevika’s hand grips your wrist and you pause your actions. Her head was tilted down, hair hiding her face as she speaks up.

“You don’t realize how much you’ve done for me these past few months.” Sevika’s voice comes out low, trembling, “I’ve never really had a purpose. I knew I wanted to help others, but I didn’t see much past that. You helped me realize that there’s more to life than surviving.” You reach out, pausing briefly, before tucking her hair behind her ear. You make eye contact and a soft gasp leaves your lips as a tear slides down her cheek.

“Sevika, none of us know what we’re doing. I cling to those I love because I don’t have anything else. But, having each other makes surviving less unbearable.” You grab her chin, “My dream for Zaun is to give people a chance at life. No more surviving… and I want you by my side when that happens. You, you deserve to live, too.” Your heart breaks as Sevika starts crying. You embrace her as her sniffles turn to sobs and you run your fingers through her hair.

“I’ve always admired you, Vika.” You utter quietly, “Please, lean on me. You swore and put your trust in me. Your burdens are mine and your life is in my hands. I won’t let you feel worthless for as long as I live. That’s a promise.” Sevika meets your eyes one more time and gives you a teary smile.

“I’ve always admired you.” She chuckles, “Your brother, too. I remember Vander telling me about your home situation, and Ekko would run up to me with his new creations to show them off. You’re a resourceful duo, and it’s fitting where you ended up in the Zaun hierarchy.” You notice that the wound has started closing and continue to clean it up.

“Zaun’s hierarchy, huh?” You chuckle, “I never expected I end up at the top.”

“Well, you did… and not just because people are terrified of what you can do. They respect you.” Sevika stands up, wounds fully healed, “After today, you’ll really be able to tell… My Lady.” She gives you a teasing grin and you throw her towel at her face.

“That’s it! I’m telling Ran you like them!” You huff, crossing your arms.

“You wouldn’t!” Sevika gasps, “I haven’t told them anything yet!”

“Well, stop being so moody.” You stick your tongue out.

~

“How’d you feel seeing the Blood Feud today?” You approach Cassius and Dawn, who are enjoying a slice of the spiced cake. You sit down with them and yelp in surprise when Spear Hunter lands on your shoulder. The hawk tilts its head and chirps softly, nudging your cheek with its head. You giggle and stroke its breast feathers in greeting.

“It reminded me of the gladiator rings back home.” Dawn places her empty plate down, “We settle matters in a similar way, but it’s always one-on-one unless there are multiple offenders. The gladiator rings are typically for entertainment purposes only.”

“I’m impressed with your gang, Hexxit. If you’re going into battle, they will be valuable to you. The weapons you possess are also of interest.” Cassius raises an eyebrow.

“They’re created with metal and crystals that I… formed.” You blush, remembering the crystals growing along your hands, “I can have something created for the two of you. I’d have to make sure only you can wield your weapon though. I don’t want these weapons ending up in the wrong hands with how advanced they are.”

“Understandable. A weapon must be wielded in the right mindset or it’s a danger to everyone.” Dawn nods in understanding.

“Dawn has faced many opponents during her time with me.” Cassius chuckles.

“My greatest opponent yet is you, Sir.” Dawn waves him off, “I could not defeat you.”

“How did you end up swearing fealty to him, anyway?” Your eyes sparkle in interest.

“I was a warrior in one of the tribes he came to “conquer”.” Dawn snorts, “The tribe wasn’t aware and we geared up for a fight when we heard a Noxian was coming. Except, the day he arrived, he only requested to fight all of our warriors in a one-to-twenty battle… I didn’t last very long, and as a warrior, I felt shame.” She laughs but you can tell it still bothered her.

“In their culture, as a warrior, you don’t lose a battle unless it is in death.” Cassius clarifies, “When I learned, I approached them and told them a version of my secret.”

“I chose to swear fealty to him in hopes that I would learn to fight the way he does.” Dawn nudges Cassius with her foot, “While I have improved my skills, I have also found a new tribe. It is an honor to be friends with this man, even if he can get on my nerves.” She smiles happily.

“You put air quotes around conquer… That’s how you got your honorary title, isn't it?” You grin at Cassius as you connect the dots, “You lied.”

“I would be looked down upon by my fellow Warlords if they learned I only claim land to protect the tribes. Many of these tribes have ancient practices and ancient magic that Noxian conspirators wish to get their hands on. So, the tribes themselves lie and say that I am a wicked leader who hides behind a good image but only wishes for bloodshed.” Cassius mischievously clasps his hands, “These tribes are protected for as long House Pyre stands.”

“Wow, that’s… admirable.” You say with awe, “I hope to do that with Zaun, someday.”

“Speaking of your war.” Cassius suddenly has a serious look on his face, “Did you think I would come here and not find out how far you’ve come with your training?” He grins manically.

“Awe, shit.” You groan, “When do you want to do it?”

“We’ll do it in a week.” Cassius waves you off, “I’m enjoying my free time.”

~

Vi stumbles when she gets back into her room. She just so happened to be in Zaun when the fight between Sevika and Renni’s gangs was called. Intrigued, Vi snuck her way down to the pits and took her spot in the nook she used to hide in. She wasn’t expecting much from the fight since it seemed to be sudden, but that was before she found out it was a Blood Feud. Vi nearly choked on her own spit at those words. A Blood Feud hasn’t been called since Vander became the leader of Zaun. So, Vi found herself watching the proceedings with an intense interest, but her eyes couldn’t help but find her ghost in the crowd. Y/n. How could she miss the shocking white hair? From the distance, she couldn’t see much, but she could see her sister’s hair too. That made the ache in her chest worse. They were so close… yet so far.

Her mind was spinning from what she had seen. Carnage. She watched as Renni’s henchmen got torn to pieces in a matter of minutes. Those weapons were familiar to her, but the way they took those people down seemed too easy….with her sister and Y/n’s brilliant minds, they could have created anything from them. And, that was another thing… how did they learn to fight like that? So fluidly, so… skillful? That’s not something you pick up from living in Zaun.

Vi lets out a groan and falls onto her bed. Her eyes sting, vision becoming blurry as she shakes her head to chase it away. This was regular for her by now. Sobbing her eyes out into her bed as she yearned for the chance to see them again. She hated this. All she wanted to do was hold them again. Her sister. Y/n. Ekko. It hurt so badly, but she needed to make sure that they were safe.

“Vi?” Caitlyn knocks on the door, “Are you ready for patrol?” Vi glares hatefully at the Enforcer uniform hanging from the hook in the wall. She wipes away her tears, internally groaning at the fact that her makeup is probably a mess.

“Vi, hold still!” Y/n laughs as Vi tries to dodge her hand.

“You’re going to stab me in the eye with that thing!” Vi snorts, “I can do it on my own.”

“No!” Y/n pouts, pushing her down onto the couch and sitting on her, “You promised that I could do it the first time. You don’t get to tell me otherwise.”

“Oooh! Are we doing Vi’s makeup?!” Powder squeals as she comes through the door, “I’ll go get the tweezers!”

“Wait, Po-!”

“-Shhh! You said we could do it, so your eyebrows are getting done, too. You’re hot, cherry top. But these eyebrows need some work.” Y/n grins, making her laugh.

“Cherry top? Oh, no, I’ve infected you!” Vi cracks up laughing.

“Vi?” Caitlyn’s knocking jolts her from the memory. The grin that was on her face disappeared as the sorrow floods back through her.

“Give me a few minutes!” Vi calls back, “I… slept in late.”

[desertno3]

Violet – Epilogue (7/7)

When Sean finally meets his daughter, you wonder why you ever left him in the first place. Sean Wallace x fem!reader Epilogue: 1586 words

Prologue // Chapter One // Chapter Two  // Chapter Three // Chapter Four // Chapter Five

A/N: Here it is!! Some sweet, sweet fluff to wrap up Reader’s, Sean’s and Violet’s story 🥺 Thanks for coming along on this journey y’all and for being genuinely interested in it. I have appreciated every single one of your asks and comments 🧡 Til next time!

Also I do imagine there to be a lil time jump between the last chapter and this one but I leave it unspecified.

Taglist: @ysmmsy @prettyinpayne @the-a-word-2214 @peakywitch @danceyreagan @ella1grace03 @whenthe-smokeisinyoureyes @lovemissyhoneybee

--------------------------------

Sean drops tiredly onto the couch as you hover by the door, wishing the babysitter a good night. Letting out a long exhale, he leans his head back to catch a glimpse of you down the hall, admiring the way you looked in the dress you’d chosen to wear for the night.

The event you'd just come back from was run-of-the-mill for him - some iteration of a corporate mixer he’d been to countless times. It wasn’t unfamiliar to you either, having attended these events with Sean way back when. Even so, he did worry if it was a good idea to bring you right back into the midst of it all. It was one thing to have come to terms with the dangers of Sean’s occupation but another to have to physically mingle with the people most involved in said dangers. You hadn’t shown any reservations when he’d asked you to be his date to it, though, and selfishly, he was glad, knowing tonight wouldn’t have been half as bearable if you weren’t there with him.

Now, though, as he sat on the couch and watched you, he wondered what you were thinking after having done it. The last thing he wanted was for you to disappear and take Violet with you. Again.

Sean is jolted out of his thoughts when you turn around and meet his gaze, the babysitter having long gone now. You raise an eyebrow, having clocked the way his brow was furrowed.

“C’mere,” He says lowly, motioning you over.

You comply with a smile, walking over and settling yourself on his lap, kicking your bare feet up on the sofa. He snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you close.

Sean smiles languidly up at you, his eyes taking in your features almost reverently. You tilt your head to the side in silent curiosity, absentmindedly smoothing down the lapels of his suit jacket with your palms.

“What’re you thinking about, hm?”

“You,” He says without missing a beat. “You’re gorgeous, you know.”

You let out a surprised huff but you can’t help the warmth that pools in your chest. Sean smirks, knowing he’s flustered you.

“The most gorgeous woman in the world,” He continues and you take his chin in your hand, your eyes narrowed playfully.

“How much did you have to drink tonight?”

“Not much at all,” He replies, easily escaping your grasp to press a quick kiss to your lips.

You take in a sharp inhale as his mouth trails down your neck and starts nipping at your collarbone. Your fingers rake through his short hair, encouraging him, when he suddenly stops at the junction between your shoulder and neck. With the way his shoulders move up and down, you know he’s trying to stifle a yawn.

You lightly scratch at his scalp, chuckling to yourself, “Don’t start something you can’t finish, love.”

He sighs and sits back against the couch again and you follow him with your body, leaning lazily against him as you rest your arms on his shoulders.

“Let’s go to bed,” You murmur. “It’s been a long night.”

He hums but doesn’t make a move to do so. Instead, he continues to stare fondly at you, making you give him another imploring look.

“Was tonight too much?” He asks quietly.

"What do you mean?”

“Talking to Luan and his cronies didn’t make you want to up and run?”

“Of course not, Sean,” You say softly, sitting up to look at him properly.

“I’ve already made up my mind,” You continue, cupping his cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He gives you a small smile and leans up to kiss you deeply. You melt into it yet again, relishing in the way his arms wrap around your body, before a little voice interrupts the moment, making you both lean apart in surprise.

“Mummy?”

You and Sean both turn your heads and find a pyjama-clad Violet at the bottom of the stairwell, biting her thumbnail nervously.

“What are you doing up, Vi?”

“I can’t sleep.”

You frown sympathetically, knowing she had most likely been waiting for the two of you to come home. You knew she wasn’t a fan of being left with a sitter, especially when it meant that you and Sean were out together  without her .

“Come here, love,” Sean tells her and she pads over, climbing onto the couch and snuggling in beside Sean. He removes one of his arms from your waist to wrap around her.

“Why couldn’t you sleep, hm?”

Violet absentmindedly reaches for the hem of your dress, her little fingers playing with the fabric as she shrugs sheepishly.

“I was waiting until you got home.”

You and Sean exchange a knowing look before he turns his full attention back to her and hugs her close.

“Well, we’re home now,” Sean says. “And your mum and I are exhausted. How about I read you a story before we all go to bed?”

Violet nods enthusiastically, “Okay.”

“Alright then,” You say as you stand up, the idea of sleep becoming more appealing by the minute. “Up you get.”

Sean lifts Violet up into his arms with ease and you follow behind as they lead the way up the stairs.

“Can I sleep in your room tonight?” Violet asks, her imploring eyes darting between you and her father.

Before you could gently say otherwise, Sean is nodding his head, “Sure, but just for tonight.”

You roll your eyes at how quick Sean is to appease her but there’s a smile on your face nonetheless.

“Don’t complain when she kicks you in your sleep,” You comment, making Violet pout.

“I don’t kick!”

Your past experience would tell you otherwise but you don’t say anything more, just shaking your head as you enter your bedroom. While you head over to the dresser to put your jewellery away, Sean settles against the headboard, still dressed in his suit, with his arms around Violet who has settled on his lap.

“What was the party like?” Violet asks, looking between the both of you.

“It was very dull,” Sean replies, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Lots of boring old people like me.”

Violet giggles, “You’re not old.”

“Just boring,” You retort with a cheeky smile and Violet gasps mirthfully.

“Mummy!”

“Lots of pretty people, too,” Sean continues. “Like your mum.”

You narrow your eyes at him for retaliating with a compliment and he just grins back at you.

“Don’t you think she looks nice, Vi?”

Violet nods, wide-eyed and honest, “You’re very pretty, mummy.”

You come over to press a kiss on their respective cheeks. “Thank you, you two are very sweet.”

 ~

 It’s not long before the three of you are settled in, Violet already fast asleep between the both of you. You observe as Sean watches her, pure adoration in his eyes. It was times like these that made you regret the fact that he’d missed the start of her life and all the milestones that came with it.

He lifts his gaze to meet yours. “It’s overwhelming how much I care about her.”

You smile, knowing just the feeling.

“I want to be good enough,” He murmurs quietly. “For her. For the both of you.”

“We wouldn’t be here if you weren’t, Sean.”

He gives you a grateful look but you know it’ll take more than a few words to fully convince him of that. You knew he worried he’d end up taking after his own father but you'd known him long enough, seen him interact with Violet enough, to know that it was unlikely.

“She loves you, you know.”

He hums, absentmindedly brushing a stray strand of hair off Violet’s forehead face before his gaze lifts back up to meet yours. You hadn’t said it to each other yet but at this point, you both knew. It was inherent in everything you did - including now, curled up in bed with your not-so-baby girl comfortably squished between you. You meant what you’d said to him downstairs. You loved him and you didn’t plan on leaving, not again.

Sean smiles like he could hear the exact thought in your head.

“What?” You whisper.

He finds your hand where it rests on Violet’s side and threads his fingers through yours, his gaze never wavering.

“I love you.”

You blink as you process his words, feeling your heart flutter in your chest. You squeeze his hand in response.

“I love you too.”

 *

The next morning, you wake up to an empty bed and the chaotic sounds of Violet and Sean cooking something up in the kitchen downstairs. Snorting in amusement, you pad downstairs and find Sean carrying Violet in one arm while flipping pancakes with the other, the latter rattling off an endless list of foods she thought could be possible pancake toppings.

Your heart warms at the sight of them, Sean cheekily murmuring his own input and making Violet laugh out loud because it was sillier than all her suggestions put together.

All the dangers in the world would be worth it just for them, you think. The thought of threats looming around every corner didn’t rattle you as much anymore - not when Violet looked at Sean like he hung up the moon for her and not when Sean loved you both as fiercely as you loved them.

With your entire being overflowing with affection, you enter the kitchen ready to start your morning with your little girl and the man you loved with your entire heart.

Your family.

[shhhlikeme]

F*cked Out 💤

Ojiro Aran Domestic Smut (NSFW) part 2

A/N: I wrote this as a Part 2 to this fic, but it can be read as a stand alone!

18+, Explicit smut, praise kink, Aged up obvs, Timeskip spoilers

Tagging: @saitamastamaticsoup & @chunhua-s b/c these Aran stans found part 1 last night & their comments made me thirsty enough to write a pt. 2. Hope you like it!

also my lovely @qyuanon who I just read is back and I missed her💛

Futilely, you knocked on the door to yours and your man’s home office. Leaning on the frame, you crossed your arms. Being a literal isolationist when you had to work, you never understood why your man liked keeping the office door open. But then he told you once that he didn’t like the fact that he couldn’t hear you calling him if the door was closed. ‘What if something happened and I didn’t run to you?’ He had explained, pouting when you laughed at him. It warmed your heart, but you decided not to call his name tonight, instead opting to physically pay him a visit. You had to, because what lead you here in the first place was serious! You had just woken up in the middle of the night because his side of the bed had turned cold. Yeah, that deserved nothing less than a visit from you! 

From your spot in the doorway you could see Ojiro sitting at the grand desk, his back turned to you, the lights from his laptop playing some Team Canada highlights. The screen bluelight shone brightly on his gorgeous dark skin, the back of his head bobbed up and down as he dutifully wrote down any important plays he was seeing so that he could tell his coach tomorrow.

“Babe,” You announced your presence with a soft smile. Your man is such a hard worker and he really doesn’t get enough credit for it. You tighten the robe you were wearing because it was always kind of drafty on this side of the house. “You have a game tomorrow.” 

Your boyfriend, captain of the Japanese National Volleyball Team’s shoulders slumped when he heard you, but he didn’t turn around. 

He didn’t have to.

He never had to. Even though you’ve only been dating for a bit over a year, you two knew each other so well that you could accurately tell exactly what kind of expressions, feelings, and thoughts permeated the other without having to be vis-a-vis. When you first met, your dates were—objectively speaking—oddly silent for the most part. The waitress once asked you if you were uncomfortable through an inconspicuous napkin note, which was kind of her—but the truth was that on that date you were actually more than Okay! It might have seemed odd to an outsider or eavesdropper that no sentences were being finished, and both people on said date were constantly staring down, away, or into each others eyes in silence… but realistically, neither of them could grasp the fact that words weren’t necessary when there existed a connection like yours and Aran’s. 

‘It’s fate. He’s the one.’ You had told your friends after the second date when you realized your mind reading wasn’t a fluke. Because as corny as it sounded then and even now in your memory; it was true, tf. 

Doesn’t mean you weren’t going to kick his ass for letting his side of the bed go cold, though. You were used to Aran being gone for volleyball so you had no problem falling asleep alone, but when you were ecstatic to have him home it was important for him to REMAIN home, which means staying in bed if you fell asleep on his chest! He has never done it before, so This is not Okay!

“I know, baby, I know…” your boyfriend calls to you, scribbling on his notepad faster. “I’m almost done. I-I think their setter could be doing one of two plays to start tomorrow, and I don’t think it’s the one I was sure about before we went to bed. And I mean, we play them until 12pm, so—“

“So nothing. You still have to be up by 6. The stadium is far and knowing you, you won’t sleep on the Team’s bus, you’ll still be watching these videos even then. I’ll—“

“Please don’t tell Iwaizumi-san, he will kick my ass! We’re playing Team Canada tomorrow and they are ranked just under us but—“

“Not by a lot, I know. I understand, but you guys will still pull the win. I know it....because Your team has you.”

Aran chuckled heartily, continuing to scribble with his back still turned, but his voice turned a little more endearing. “Thank you, baby. But.... I can’t seem to sleep tonight... I just can’t. I’ve been up this whole time so I—” As your boyfriend babbled on, you quietly interjected, 

“I know a way to get you to sleep.” 

“—won’t use my laptop in bed and wake you up when you’re sleeping so….wait….what did you—?” 

You smirked, knowing that your man knew why your voice had dropped a few octaves. He knew you were up to something, not because you two could practically read each other’s minds—moreso because you two had already established that that specific tone of voice of yours made his dick hard. The pen he was scribbling with stopped moving, finally, and you could just picture the way he gulped just now. 

“I know you can’t sleep, Ar…..” You made sure he could hear you clearly now, in the voice you only reserved for fuck-me-o’clock. 

A sexy smirk that Ojiro could see without looking at you played in his mind and on your face simultaneously. 

“Yeah?” He asked, his deep voice cracking. 

You kept speaking in that voice with one goal in mind.

“Yes, baby…” You hummed thoughtfully before stating,

“So why don’t you come over here and fuck me so hard it puts you to bed, then?”

Drunk off horniness caused by the amount sex dripping from your voice, the captain of Japan’s National Volleyball Team slowly turned the office chair so that he was facing you. 

Boldly, you turned your back to him at the same time and fiddled your hands that just tightened your robe. This time, instead of tightening it, you loosened the strings fully so your robe was wide open, facing the emptiness of your house. Knowing that your boyfriend was checking out and admiring your ass in that short silk robe and desiring the shock factor—in one motion you tossed the robe over your shoulders so that it pooled at your feet, exposing your completely nude back and backside to your man. 

“🤤 Shit,” Ojiro groaned, sounding as if he couldn’t believe his eyes. You just knew your man was biting that full and juicy bottom lip of his.

Swaying your hips to give your man a tiny show, you sauntered precisely where he didn’t want you to: away from him; heading towards the master bedroom. 

You kept yourself from giggling when you heard the aggressive shutting of a laptop, a volleyball announcer being cut off, and a certain volleyball player’s stumbling and cursing because Ojiro was practically chasing you out of the office.

***

“Mmmm…. Fuck..”

A few minutes later, your mind displayed a valiant effort by attempting to guess how your boyfriend looked right now, but it would be in vain. You couldn’t picture your man like you usually could because you were currently being fucked way too fucking well. Ojiro was filling you completely with just half his length, whispering horny-nothings to help you understand his feelings anyway:

“God damn, Y/N… Every. Time. Feels. So. God. Damn. Good,”

Now, If your mind was clear you’d be able to perfectly visualize how Ojiro’s face was scrunched up in pleasure right now, a coat of sweat coating his nude dark skin, the skylight over his head allowing the moon to reflect an insanely sexy glow sheen over his muscles due to the perspiration. 

“Auuh there’s nothing better than this, baby…”

If your mind was clear you’d be able to perfectly visualize how Ojiro’s head was tilted backwards right now, his mouth slightly ajar as he focused on not cumming inside you within the first few minutes of this because he needed to feel you cum around him first. As always. 

“Not when I hitting a line shot, not when I get a service ace.... nothing feels—auuuh f-uck— better than your pussy, baby girl..…”

If your mind was clear, you’d be able to see Ojiro on his knees behind you, holding your hips in his giant hands while he drove into you from behind, inserting only half his cock in and out like a pro, then surprising you with a fully thrust every now and then when he sheathed all 10 inches inside your heat.

“Mmm, so ti-ight, always so wet… damn,”

Despite your mind being clouded by immense pleasure, however—you did know that you looked absolutely wrecked with your face pressed in the pillow, blindly reaching behind you to tap or wave or pinch or do something to him since you couldn’t speak. You could barely made any sounds other than choked out moans because it felt so spectacular… but you didn’t have to! Aran knew that you wanted your boyfriend to stop playing and give you full strokes. His half thrusts filled and pleasured you more than any one ever could because he was huge and skilled in bed, he knew just how your insides liked to be stroked, but that didn’t stop you from silently pleading to him..

Even if Ojiro wasn’t holding back like always because he was very aware of his size and girth, even if you both knew that it would hurt you the next day like after a good workout, even if you walked funny when you had to attended his Olympic game several hours from now—you fucking needed it.

HE fucking needed it!

“Harder, Ar,” You commanded, “Deeper!”

“Fuck,” Your boyfriend panted, still not giving you what you asked 7 amazing strokes later. 

“Harder, now!” You cried as if you were whispering to the fucking pillow. You hadn’t the strength to lift your head. Your orgasm was fast approaching because HALF your man’s dick was too good and there was no way you weren’t bringing him with you. “Deeper, baby!”

“Y-you su-sure?” He asked worriedly. He always did this shit 🙄. He always worried way too much about your body soreness and way too little about both of your impending orgasms tonight rocking your motherfucking worlds. 

Ugh!

Good boyfriends and their fucked up PRIORITIES, amirite?!

Needless to say, you didn’t have time for compassionate Aran tonight. You needed him to fuck the both of you to sleep the way you knew he was capable of if he stopped holding back. Besides, he should have been in bed hours ago. You had to do this for the sake of the National Team! You had to this for JAPAN! (A/N: lucky b*tch shut your horny ass up)

So that’s why, in response to his asking if you were sure or not, you responded by clenching your insides so that your slick hole squeezed around your boyfriend’s cock. 

As soon as he felt you pulsing impossibly tighter around him as he fucked you halfway, his eyes rolled back in his head. 

“Fuuuuuuuuuuck…” He moaned deeply, so of course you continued doing it.

“Shit, Y/N, Okay, Okay,”

Without having to beg for mercy, your man did as you asked him to. He moved his hands from your waist to splay them on each of your ass cheeks, spreading them apart to make more room for his member that already barely fit (with your hasty prep and not his tentative one), but especially when your pussy clenched around him like that. With a loud moan from both of you, he bottomed out and stayed there for a bit to get you used to the size. You almost passed out by how good it felt pressing against your g-spot.

When Aran couldn’t take it anymore, and he started giving it to you: hard, fast, and deep. 

“Ye, baby, make room for me just like this…..” He moaned, gripping your ass tighter. “You want all of me? You think your tight hole can handle all of me?” He asked, no growled, still giving shallow but gratifying thrusts.

You whimpered, knowing that Ojiro knew the answer to that. Even so, you egged him on, “Sh-Show me why you’re the best top,” playing into your dirty talk from the last time y’all had sex like this but he was under you. 

Your boyfriend let out a long groan in his smooth deep voice and picked up his pace in reaponse, sending a new wave of wetness to your private. You were so soaked down there that it sounded like y’all were having sex in the bath tub, fuck. 

Your man loved it. 

“Mmmm, —m’ close beautiful,” He called, snapping his hips forward to meet you g-spot again and again. “It’s you, baby, it’s you,” Your man groaned. “Your pussy feels too fucking good……. I’d never pull out if I had to co-couldd,” 

“Oh, God. Aran!" You moaned loudly due to his dirty talk and praise, teetering on the edge of your release. Knowing that you maybe had 30 seconds left if you focused, you must have decided that you didn’t want to walk tomorrow at all because being the weakness of your bf you are, from your position being pounded into the sheets, you propped yourself up on your weak arms so that you could use the fact that your elbows were digging into the mattress as leverage to push your body back so that you met Aran’s deep thrusts. 

Like your boyfriends does every rare time he’s able to see your glorious ass bounce on his hard dick, his eyes flew open and he felt as though he’d been transported to heaven itself. 

“Y/N—auh, s-so sexy, aah, ooh, ohhh, fuck, Y/N,”

entranced, Aran couldn’t even last another second before he was stopping your movements with his hands, sliding them back on your hips to hold you still as his orgasm took his muscular frame by storm. He saw stars.

Of course, his orgasm triggered yours immediately, and you cried your man’s name as you came on his dick. He whispered yours as your insides milked him without influence this time, effectively lengthening your man’s finish. Panting, Aran just barely caught himself before his now exhausted body toppled over you. 

His last wakeful act, being the gentleman that he is, was to roll over so he wouldn’t crush you with his body weight, pulling out at the same time. 

You wondered if he registered that he said, “thank you baby,” before he began softly snoring—a sign that he was completely worn out and sleeping.

You smiled softly to yourself when you heard his snores, finally turning when you caught your own breath, to fully see your boyfriend’s stunning face. You endearingly brushed his goatee with the tips of your fingers, turning his sleeping face to yours so you could peck his lips. Then, you just barely had the leg strength to stand up on limbs that barely worked, removing his condom for him, then using the furniture in your room to support you as you cleaned the two of you up. You almost fell asleep standing up as you used a cloth on the two of you. Five minutes later, you were back in bed, under the covers with your lover and amazing man. 

Usually, Ojiro Aran slept like the dead (when he first moved in you occasionally have to check if he was still breathing...) , but you knew now that if he snored, that was a sign that he was so fatigued. You knew about the snoring, but the talking was new to you. Ojiro was so deep in his sleep after that round, that he was talking to himself in his slumber, whispering sweet-nothings about you that you’d never let him know he vocalized to spare him the embarrassment.

Besides, he didn’t say anything too embarrassing.... and you knocked out as soon as your head met his chest, not even feeling his arm sweetly wrap around your waist to pull you closer. So, you didn’t even hear most of his sleep-talk.

And maybe you were right when you called it fate, that drove the two of you.... because if it wasn’t fate that had you place your head on Aran’s chest at that exact moment, if it wasn’t fate that made you fall asleep at that exact moment..... then, I mean, you would have heard Ojiro not a second later declare aloud that he’s hiding your engagement ring in the office’s cabinet drawer. You would have heard theis the real reason he wasn’t able to fall asleep: because he was so nervous about asking for your hand in marriage before his Japan vs. Canada game tomorrow, when you least expected it.

Cause like, well, that totally would have ruined the surprise.

But you did fall asleep. Fate did that. So him sleep talking honestly never really happened.

And you know what else never happened? 

You never had to feel the cold side of the bed again where your man should be, at least not that night, because Aran Ojiro your new fiancée’s body kept it warm all night, because you were great and helping him fall asleep like a baby....making him just that:

 f*cked out. 

[zeldasayer]

Loving Dyn VI - Life As We Knew It

Pairing: Mandalorian/Dyn Jarren x Reader

Summary: Another fluffy day for you, Domestic Daddy Dyn and the green bean until in an instant, everything changes.

Warnings: Angst, (very) light smut, language, death, implied violence, mentions of trying to conceive.

“Ready for lunch, Baby?” You sing, pushing the door to the cottage open with your shoulder.

“A-aaa,” Baby coos.

You have Baby on one hip, and a bag full of things from in town around the other shoulder. You set the bag and your boy on the counter and remove your brown fur coat. You smooth out your dress, one of your favourites. Long and black with a scoop neck and long bell sleeves.

Baby waddles toward the canvas bag on the counter as you start pulling out its contents.

“We’ve got bread, and cheese, and grapes, and your favourite...” You say pulling out a pomegranate.

Baby’s eyes widen and he reaches out his arms, making grabbing motions with his hands.

You laugh, “Hang on, I have to cut it open first.”

You tear pieces of crusty bread, pluck some grapes and cut cheese into cubes before cracking open the pomegranate for it’s insides. You put it all in front of Baby and he squeals again, holding a whole grape up in his tiny green hand.

“Eat up, Baby and then we’re going to have a little nap.”

As Baby starts to eat, you pull the rest of your purchases out of the bag - flowers wrapped in brown paper, chocolate chip cookies from the bakery and books from the market.

The front door opens and you’re pleasantly suprised to find it’s Dyn.

“What are you doing home?” You coo, walking around to give him a kiss.

“Thought I’d come home for lunch,” he smiles.

Baby gets up to his feet, one hand still holding the grape, and the other full of bread as he shuffles slowly to the edge of the counter.

Dyn picks him up and Baby immediately tries to push the grape past his moustache and into his mouth.

“Mm thank you, Baby.” he says, taking the grape and the child smiles sweetly before bringing the bread to his own mouth for a chew.

You tear up more bread, scoop out more pomegranate and cut more cheese for you to eat together.

“I knew you were sleepy,” you sing, finishing up lunch as Baby has laid straight on his back right on the counter. One hand on his stomach, the other stretched out as he yawns. Your heart swells at the little noises as you scoop him up, “We had a very busy morning.”

You nuzzle Baby all the way to his room, then set him down in his bassinet, tucking him in with a soft blanket.

When you come back, Dyn is absentmindedly eating Baby’s leftover pomegranate, flipping through the pages of your new book. You watch him intently. You’re always so mesmerized by his beauty, and you love telling him how you think he’s beautiful, much to his embarrassment. His exquisite nose, his eyes - as dark and starry as the galaxy itself, even his fluffy hair.

You notice a few pomegranate seeds stuck to his fingers and you feel alive with an idea. You take is wrist, and delicately bring his fingers to your mouth, licking off the seeds. Tongue flat against him as you lick up. He turns his body to you, his eyes burning into yours as you bob your head back down, now taking his thick fingers right in your mouth. He spreads them so your tongue is in between and his mouth falls open.

“You are so pretty,” he whispers.

He pulls his fingers out of your mouth and dips down to kiss you. You deepen it instantly, as one of his hands weaves into your hair in the back of your head. He can’t get you close enough.

“Alright then, come here.” In one swift movement, Dyn throws you over his shoulder.

You squeal, “I was just teasing! I’m sorry!”

Dyn smacks your ass a few times, “Sure you are.” You can hear the devilish grin in his voice.

“Dyn Jarren!” You giggle hanging down his back, “I can barely walk anymore because of you!”

Dyn carries you to your room and kicks the door shut behind him.

You and Dyn decided you weren’t not trying for a baby. After he so nonchalantly expressed his desire for a daughter at Christmas, you couldn’t think of any reasons not to. There was no one you would rather have a child with, there was just a part of you both that was concerned for Baby. How would he react? Would they be able to coexist? The child you’d conceive with Dyn would be a baby for only a short time, but Baby is going to be a baby forever. Your forever, anyway. As a compromise, you’re trying casually. Though you aren’t too sure how casual it is as Dyn throws you over his shoulder almost three times a day.

Later that day, long after Dyn and Baby have gone to sleep, you are still up powering through one of your new books. The cottage was deafeningly quite tonight, and you took enough notice in this to spook yourself into deciding to turn in.

You pad quietly around the bedroom, as not to wake your love, slipping out of your clothes and into a big t-shirt. The glow of the moon lit up the room just enough to find Dyn’s jaw and give him a kiss as you crawl into bed next to him. You hum softly against him, as you settle into the mattress.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Dyn startles you by jolting up in bed and you are faced with the bone-chilling realization that the incessant beeping you were hearing wasn’t part of a dream.

Dyn practically leaps out of the end of the bed and goes straight for the closet.

“Dyn...” you say groggily, sitting up. “What is going on?”

He rummages for a moment and turns with his rifle.

“Dyn, what the fuck-“ You scramble up the bed, against the headboard.

He stands there, bottoms hanging loosely off his hips and his chest heaves subtly. His demeanour has changed in an instant, his eyes have gone dark, lip almost up in a snarl. You have never even seen him like this before, but you know the man standing before you is not Dyn, it’s Mando.

“Do not leave the room, do you hear me?” He orders, and you nod.

There’s a loud sound coming from the front of the cottage, and you know it’s the front door smashing against the wall in an aggressive pursuit to get it open.

“Do not leave the room.” Dyn slips out, closing the door behind him quietly, your heart racing so hard it’s all you can hear. There is shuffling and grunting of a fight on the other side of the wall, then suddenly the sound of a blaster? Or the rifle? You can’t tell and quickly jump out of bed, for Dyn and for Baby.

You pull open the door and there’s a body laying on the kitchen floor, the sight alone feels like a punch in the stomach and you stumble back with a gasp. Dyn emerges from Baby’s room, the child held against his bare chest, the rifle on his back.

Dyn puts him in your arms and takes your face in his hands, “Go back in the room and lock the door. You know where the blaster is, I taught you how to use it. If anyone gets in there that isn’t me, be the hero.”

“W-what?” You stammer, searching his face.

“You can do it. Be the hero.” His hands fall from your face to your shoulders and he pushes you softly but swiftly back into the room as Baby starts to get fussy and he closes the door.

“It’s okay, Baby.” you lie, your voice breaking and you lock the door. You shuffle to the back of the room to the closet, moving Dyn’s armour out of the way to retrieve the blaster. You sit on the floor in the closet, shushing Baby and keeping him close to you. With the blaster in your lap, you trace the space between Baby’s eyes as he whines and whimpers. “We’re okay, Baby. We’re okay.”

You look up into the darkness as tears well in your eyes and you close them in hopes the wetness will retreat back in their ducts. You don’t know much about Baby’s “powers” but you’ve always sensed he knew yours and Dyn’s emotions. You didn’t want him to know you were terrified.

You don’t know how much time has passed, as the darkness has left you confused, when suddenly there is a light knock on the bedroom door. Your heart pounds from the sudden sound and you grip the blaster as a reflex.

“Y/N” Dyn’s soft voice calls from the other side.

“Oh god,” you sigh, getting up on you feet in a moment.

When you open the door, you notice the body in the kitchen is gone and Dyn rushes in.

“My moon.” He breathes, wrapping his arms around your shoulders. “I’m so sorry. I am so sorry.”

You weep quietly in his arms as you finally feel comfortable releasing your terror.

“Promised I’d always keep you safe.” He mumbles, taking Baby from your arms then pulling you back to him. “So we must leave.”

“Why?” You sniff.

“I don’t know if that fob was for me, or...” his voice trails off and in realization you sob into your hands.

Baby brushes through your hair with his hand, not knowing what’s going on.

You try to regain your composure, wiping your eyes and pushing your hair out of your face as Dyn rubs your back. You nod, “Okay, let’s go.”

He pauses for a moment, searching the room. “You are in no state right now. We can leave in the morning.”

“What? Are you sure?” You ask.

He nods, “Yes. I’m sure.”

Dyn removes the rifle from his back and props it up next to the door. You feel like you’ve aged 20 years in the last hour and you know you should still feel afraid, but with Dyn back in your arms, it’s impossible. He follows you back into bed and you curl up next to him as Baby rubs his face into his chest, settling in. As you feel his warmth and hear his & Baby’s synchronized breathing, you feel grounded. As long as you’re together, it’ll be okay.

You wake with a gasp as the room fills with grey morning light. Your heart is already pounding as you reach out next to you and are met with nothing but cold sheets. Your stomach churns. The bed is empty.

You scramble up, sitting for a moment before you leap out of bed. You rip the door open and it swings into the wall, you hear the sound of puncturing drywall but you don’t care. You run to Baby’s room, the door is ajar and you practically run right through it.

You think you’re going to be sick. The bassinet is gone.

“No, no, no, no, no.” You yell, out of breath as you turn on your heels back to yours and Dyn’s room.

You trip over the edge of the bed as you cry out, getting back up to your feet. You push the closet doors open with such force, one comes off of the track.

“Oh god,” you cry. Tears filling your eyes. The helmet, the armour, the blaster - all gone. You whip your head back to the door way, and there is nothing in the space where Dyn propped the rifle up the night before.

You slam your hands into the closet doors and through the stinging you feel something, paper. A note. You read it. You read it, again. No matter how hard you repeat the words in your head, you don’t know what you’re looking at.

You feel like you’re going to collapse and you wonder if maybe you’re slipping into death. That would be easier than this. You let yourself fall to the ground, crumpling the note once you’re on your side.

I’m sorry. I love you.

- D

Dyn and Baby are gone.

Tags: @otherthingsinhead @aeryntheofficial @maryan028 @readsalot73 @osric-the-l3m0n-l0v3-demon @capsironunderoos @antclottz @intense-sneezing @igotmadskills @applesislife @fahhhhq

A/N: I hope you “enjoyed”? Eeeep. Love, Zelda

[fragmentedink-archived]

Hell to Pay: Chapter Fifteen

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV

cowritten by @lux-scriptum

A/N: warning for smut and past mentions of abuse

Lev only stirred because Nik’s weight vanished. By the time he was awake enough to look up, blinking lazily against the morning sun, Nik was already pulling on a pair of pants. The fact that Nik even had a pair of pants in here, since this was Lev’s bedroom, was mildly impressive. Lev didn’t remember wearing clothes before they fell into bed the night before, tangled around each other and heedless of anything else.

“Where are you going?” Lev finally managed, yawning into the pillow as he arched his back, stretching his arms in front of him and wiggling in an attempt to wake up more.

“Amara needs me, but I mean, I can be.... persuaded to not go” Nik said, clearly eyeing Lev’s ass. “Because that is an invitation and I’m trying to leave, what the fuck.”

Lev snorted, flopping onto his side. “If Amara needs you, you should go. And that wasn’t supposed to be an invitation, but... consider it an open one for when you get back?” He blinked innocently, hiding a smile. “Just don’t be gone too long? I’ll miss you.”

Nik jabbed a finger in Lev’s direction. “This is dirty. You’re playing dirty.” That didn’t stop him from leaning over and kissing Lev quickly.

Before Nik was even fully out of the room, Lev was stifling his giggles with the pillow. He could hear Nik groan as he stormed away, his muttered Spanish floating back to Lev. That only served to make Lev laugh more, but eventually he calmed down. The bed felt empty without Nik there, and the room too large, and a creeping darkness to Lev’s thoughts he didn’t want to deal with, and there was only so much silence Lev could take before he slid out of bed. After some searching, he found one of Nik’s shirts. He tugged it on, pleased to be wearing Nik’s scent since Nik couldn’t actually be here, and then trotted off to find Cameron.

It’d been a couple of days since Cameron’s rut ended, and things were back to normal. Whatever that was. The sentries were back, Cameron was... Cameron. Mostly. Lev wasn’t completely convinced, but he wasn’t stupid enough to ask about it.

His first guess was right: he found Cameron in the kitchen. Lunch, Lev assumed, judging by the time. He pattered over to one of the empty counters, close enough he could talk to Cameron without getting in the way, and hoisted himself up. Cameron flicked him a look, but didn’t say a word, so Lev braced his hands on the counter. The only reaction Lev got from Cameron this time was some hand sanitizer thrown his way. Lev wasn’t even sure where it came from, but he got the message, loud and clear.

“Nik left,” he said, as soon as it occurred to him to do so. “He said Amara needed him?”

All he really got in response was a curt nod and a brief, “Okay.” Which- Lev didn’t really know how to continue the non-existent conversation for that, so he swung his feet back and forth quietly while he waited for Cameron to finish cooking.

Eventually Cameron told him to get ready to eat. Assuming that was a request to get off the counter, Lev slid down, and settled at the table in time for Cameron to put a bowl of some sort of stew in front of him.

“Thank you,” Lev said as he closed his eyes and took a big sniff. “It smells delicious.”

Cameron, who had settled across from him, just said, “I know. I cooked it.”

Lev blinked at Cameron. It took a couple of seconds to recognize the satisfaction in Cameron’s expression, but when Lev did, he smiled a bit. After a few bites, he tapped his spoon lightly against his bowl. “Did you have any plans today? Especially now that Nik has abandoned us for Mar?”

Cameron shrugged. “Paperwork from the club. Unless you needed to do something.”

“I forgot you owned the club,” Lev said, more to himself than Cameron. He shook his head. “No. Now that I- I dunno. Since I’m not living with the angels, I really don’t have anything to do. I was still training.” Even if he was far too old to be. At least on the level that he was.

The sweeping look Cameron gave him was both unimpressed and unsurprised. If Lev didn’t know any better, he’d say Cameron was awkward, just a little, as he said, “Do you want to come with me to the club?”

Startled, Lev just stared. He swallowed his usual replies, and just simply said, “Yes, please.” He paused, and then couldn’t help adding, “I need to get dressed though.”

Cameron nodded. “Finish eating first.”

“I planned on it,” Lev promised earnestly. To prove as much, he took another bite, swinging his feet back and forth absently. It really was good, but he didn’t want to seem insincere by repeating as such over and over again. After all, Cameron already knew he was a good cook.

---

Nik swung off his bike the moment it was in park and made his way through the apartment building to the second floor and went to knock impatiently on Amara’s door but the door swung open before he even got to the second knock. Amara dragged him inside before he could even protest.

Nik swatted her away. “Okay, Okay, I’m here. What did you want?”

“I’m hungry and out of cereal,” she said. “Make me something.”

Nik glowered at her. “I could be fucking your cousin right now,” he accused. “Are you incapable of making meals? Don’t answer that,” Nik said, pushing his way into the kitchen. He opened the cupboards and then went to the fridge when he didn’t find anything. There was spoiled milk and mayo in the fridge. His blood ran hot. “What is this?” he said, offended. “How are you still alive? I cannot believe we are friends. How dare you.”

“Well, I had cereal. And you can’t burn sandwiches. Usually. Sometimes,” Amara said. “Renee’s been cooking. But she’s spending the week with a friend.”

Nik made a pained sound. “You are so lucky I am not Nate.” Nik pulled out his leather wallet and went through it before shoving it into his back pocket. “We’re going grocery shopping. Where’s Cináed?”

Amara shrugged. “Couch. Napping. He’s been useless for the past three days, unless he’s helping me demolish what food I had.”

Nik shouldered his way over to the couch and grabbed Cin’s feet and pulled them off the cushion. “Get up, we’re going grocery shopping.” Cin grumbled, fangs flashing. Nik was unimpressed by the empty posturing. “Come on. Get your ass up before I kick it.”

Amara threw Cin’s shoes at him. “Put on a damn shirt.”

Cin flashed his fangs at her too, but pattered off to find a shirt. Nik arched a brow and plopped down on the couch, crossing his ankles. He dragged his eyes over her before looking at where Cin had gone. “So. How long have you been preheat?”

“Shut the fuck up, I’m not.”

Nik snorted. “Mar, I’d think you were above denial.”

“And that is why we don’t let you think. Maybe if I ignore it it'll go away." She paused. "At least Cin and I have synced up. Its a pain in the ass to go through it two weeks in a row because one of us triggered the other."

Nik snorted. “Sounds like a you problem. Two weeks of a heat sounds like a good time to me. I guess you just don’t have my stamina,” he lied.

"You don't have a kid to take care of, Nikky."

Nik looked pointedly towards her kitchen. “Seems like the kid takes care of you, Amara.”

"Fuck you, low blow,” Amara said, glaring at him. “I take care of her. Food's only part of the equation."

A cheeky smile graced his face. “Didn’t mean to offend your delicate feelings on the subject. Get ready.”

“You’re a dirty, rotten liar.”

Nik winked at her. “It’s what you love about me. You’re just as awful as I am.”

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." Amara reached for her jacket before yelling to Cin, “C’mon Cin, let’s go!” Only then did Cin appear, dressed and rubbing his eyes, clearly still half asleep.

Nik held out his hand when he got to his feet. “Give me your car keys.”

“I don’t have a car, Nikolas. Just the bike.”

Nik sighed, bitterly. “And what about Cin?”

Cin dug into his jeans and tossed him a set of car keys. Amara frowned. “Wait. Is that how we get groceries? I thought you got rid of that.”

Cin blinked at her. “I still have my car, Marmar.”

Amara’s mouth opened and closed. Nik laughed at them both. “Stars, you’re both disasters. Come on. I want to get this over with. I’ll feed you but then I’m going home. I have prior engagements that I dropped because I am a nice person.”

Amara pouted at him. “You can fuck Lev whenever you want, Nikky. You spend more time with him than me now.”

“Awe, I didn’t realize you were clingy. Just come over to the house. Cameron isn't going to just kill you.”

“Won’t he though? Besides, I can’t come over until I remember to get Lev’s shit or he’ll look at me real sad and I hate that shit, man.”

Nik rubbed his thumb and forefinger together. “Can you hear that whine? It’s not my fault you’re afraid of Cameron and that you’re too lazy to bring Lev his shit.”

“I am not afraid of Cameron, Nikolas,” Amara said. “Just haven’t been in the mood to fuck with him lately. Just distracted. And I don’t really want to step foot in that house. I’m pissed enough and I’m annoyed with Nate, too- not letting me know when he handed that pile of shit over. I wanted a piece of him too, you know.”

Nik frowned. “Blame me if you want. Nate’s not at fault for anything.” He looked towards the open door. Cin was probably wearing a hole into the concrete by the car by now. “He has a lot going on.” He flicked her a look. “You’d think you would know that since you’re raising a kid.” Nik started for the car, knowing that Amara would be following him. He found Cin leaning against the back of the car, waiting for him. Unlocking the car, Nik said, “Get in, loser, we’re going shopping. And I’m driving.” Enough hurt flashed across Cin’s face, Nik knew he didn’t get the reference. He sighed. “I really need to get you both to sit down and watch movies.”

Amara climbed into the passenger seat next to him. “Good luck.”

Nik electively ignored her and started up the car while Cin snuggled into the back seat. “We’ll get some easy shit that not even you can get wrong, and then I’ll get some things that Renee can cook for you because I know for a fact that you will burn down your apartment.”

Cin was sound asleep by the time they got to the store. Nik put the car in park and leaned over the seat to flick Cin’s nose. “Hey handsome, we’re here.” Cin grumbled at Nik. “Come onnnn. If I have to, so do you.”

Nik got out of the car and into the frigid cold air, shoving his hands in his pockets, waiting for both Amara and Cin to get out. The cold air seeped into his holey jeans and did nothing for Nik’s sour mood. “You ready yet?”

Amara was already dragging Cin towards the store when she said, “I was born ready, grumpy pants.”

“Hmph.” Nik followed after them. “If that was the case, you would have bought more food before you ran out. But sure.”

“I’m broke,” she replied. “Didn’t have any money for groceries.”

Nik side eyed her. “Uh huh.”

“What?” she said. “Don’t believe me? I didn’t have a single bottle of alcohol in the apartment either.”

Nik snorted when he grabbed the cart. “Probably because you drank it all.”

“Wow rude.”

Nik shrugged while starting for the grocery section. He started putting things in the basket that even Amara would be able to use, and if she couldn’t, he was sure Cin would. Hopefully. Stars, they’re both useless. At least when Nik was dating her he could make sure she didn’t die from food poisoning.

Amara wandered off while Cin moved between sticking close to Nik and following after Amara like a lost puppy. When he was close enough, Nik had him get the items he was too lazy to get himself. When Nik was satisfied there was enough food in the cart to feed them all for at least two weeks, Nik started for the register. He gnawed at his thumb nail until he could put the groceries on the thing. When Amara didn’t come back, Nik told the clerk to call her. The kid gave him a considering look, judging his age before, “Amara? Your father is waiting for you at register nine.”

Nik choked. “Oh gross. Do I look like someone’s father? Daddy, maybe. But not a father.”

The clerk pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing. She gave him the cost and he dug a few hundreds Cam had given him out of his wallet and paid for the food. Beside him, Cin said, “I can pay you back?”

Nik waved him off. “It’s not like it’s my money. It’s all Cam.” Cin seemed displeased as he made a disgruntled sound. He just shrugged. “I mean, you could make it up to him. Though, it wouldn’t probably pan out well. Not sure how Lev would react.”

Cin’s only answer was rolling his eyes. When Nik opened his mouth, Amara rounded the corner, eyes puffy enough Nik arched a brow. “Do you feel better, honey?” Nik asked in an overly sympathetic voice.

“No, fuck you,” Amara snapped. She shoved a stuffed koala at him. “Buy this too.”

Nik looked down at the stuffed animal in distaste. “Get enough snot on that?” The store clerk closed her eyes in defeat, clearly wishing to be put out of her misery. Nik grunted when Amara kicked him in the shin. “You don’t have to kick me because I’m right, you know. I just bought you three hundred dollars worth of groceries.” Nik leaned over and snagged the tag off the koala and tossed it to the clerk. “The least you could do is be nice to me.”

“The least you could do was not make fun of me during my emotional breakdown,” Amara said, sharply. She paused before kicking him again. “Talk shit, get hit, motherfucker.”

Nik pointed at her. “That’s rude, it’s not like I can just find some random hot mom, Amara. My mommy issues aren’t that bad.”

The store clerk choked. “Sir… the line?”

Nik looked around Amara to see the decent line of humans. “Ugh.” He rolled his head towards the clerk. “Keep the change.” He started grabbing the groceries and shoving them in cart alongside Cin. “Come along, children.”

Nik got them out to the car, the groceries in the truck and the snot-covered koala back in Amara’s arms. It didn’t take long for Cin to fall back asleep in the back, curled against the seat. Nik got them back to the apartment relatively quickly before poking Cin in the face again. “Hey, make yourself useful and carry these up.”

Cin didn’t bother reacting and just got out of the car and carried up the groceries. Nik waited at the counter in the kitchen while Cin finished. He spent three hundred dollars on them, he wasn’t doing the leg work. As soon as all the groceries were inside on the floor, Cin just disappeared back to the couch to sleep.

If Nik hadn’t just spent the last week in bed with Cameron, he might have joined him on the couch, but he wanted to get home soon. But first, he needed to feed them. Amara was still at the counter, clutching the koala to her chest when Nik said, “Put everything away except for what I’m cooking.” He rattled off the ingredients while he dished out the pans and utensils he needed to make empanadas.

Unsurpisingly, Amara just walked off, probably to go clean off the stupid koala. He had the ground beef dethawing and a few of the veggies cleaned and cut up when he opened a bottle of tequila he had found hidden behind the pans. When Amara came back, she frowned at the bottle. “What the fuck? I thought I was out.”

Nik snorted, taking a drink from the bottle before moving on to start with the dough. “This is why we don’t let you think, Mar.”

She just flipped him off before starting to put things away. When Nik was done with the dough, he started on the egg mixture he mixed with the dough. He looked her over after putting it in the fridge for thirty minutes, messing with the timer on his phone. “So, clearly you’re feeling the preheat. Do you think you can help me- wait, no, never mind. You’re not touching my food.”

Nik started back up with food prep when she wandered over and looped her arms around his waist, pressing her forehead against his back. He fell into a rhythm, singing under his breath while he filled the dough with the meat he cooked, Amara moving with him in sync. He was making a mess of her kitchen, which he usually did whenever he cooked, but she didn’t seem to notice. It was one of the reasons why Cam didn’t let him cook.

When the empanadas were frying, Nik took that as an opportunity to make the aioli dip. Nik was half sure that Amara was asleep on his back, but he just smiled a bit and mixed together the mayo, adobo sauce and lime juice before shoving it in the fridge to boost flavor while the empanadas finished.

When they were finished, Nik turned his head to the side. “Mar, they’re done,” he murmured. “You need to let go so you can eat. Even if it is hard.” Amara bit into Nik’s shoulder before letting him go. Nik grinned at her. “Was hard, wasn’t it?”

“Next time I’ll go for the jugular.”

NIk arched a brow. “I’m spoken for. But I’m sure you can work it out with Cam.”

Amara ignored him and went to go wake up Cin. Nik used that time to get the empanadas out on plates after taking another swig from the tequila bottle. When they came back, Nik shoved their plates to them. “Go nuts. I accept payment in forms of blowjobs or alcohol.”

Amara just rolled her eyes. “I’m not blowing you when you’re dating my cousin. You can keep the tequila.”

“And you say I’m the grumpy one,” Nik retorted, taking a bite from his own plate. “But fine. I will, and unlike you, I will not lose it in my stash of pots and pans.”

“Renee probably hid it from me,” she said, making a face. Amara took a bite from her food, before frowning. “Fuck you, this is so good.”

Nik grinned. “I know, I made it.”

------

Lev was pretty sure his back would never forgive him for how he’d squeezed himself awkwardly into this chair. There were plenty of reasonable ways to sit, but this felt more comfortable, and he could brace his sketchbook on his knees as he doodled. That's all it really was, honestly. Doodling. He did not consider himself an artist, but a little practice never hurt, and he was bored, in all honesty. It was better than being alone, but he was still bored.

He’d filled a couple pages with sketches of, well... Cameron. Not really him. Sort of. His hands. His mouth and jawline. His eyes. What else was Lev supposed to draw, though? All he really had to look at was Cameron, who for the most part was engrossed with his paperwork, though it didn’t escape Lev’s notice any time Cameron glanced over at what Lev was trying to draw.

Could he tell? Lev wasn’t sure. If he could, he hadn’t told Lev to stop, so there wasn’t anything wrong with it. Probably. Maybe?

Lev realized he was staring at Cameron as he pondered, and slowly flushed. He couldn't remember what he’d been trying to draw. He’d definitely been staring blankly at Cameron for a good amount of time, and now he didn’t know how to stop. Stopping was a good idea. And yet he kept staring.

“If you're bored I can give you something to do.”

That was such a Cameron thing to say. Lev pressed his lips together, wishing he could force himself to stop blushing. “I’m fine,” he said automatically, rubbing his face and narrowly avoiding poking himself in the eye with his pencil at the same time. “I’m just- dunno, lost my- my groove? I was distracted.” He sat up, tucking his feet underneath him as he leaned closer, trying to deflect. “What are you doing?”

Cameron looked back down at his papers, rifling through them. “Club ratios. Alcohol and admissions.”

Lev scrunched up his nose. “Okay,” he said, unsure of what else to say. He blinked at the papers, trying to make heads or tails of it all.

“Do you want to suck my cock?” Cameron asked bluntly.

Lev was mortified how quickly he perked up, eyes dropping to Cameron’s lap briefly, before flicking back up to Cameron’s face. “I-” there was no point in lying. Yes, he was interested. “Yes. Please. If that’s- here?” Lev could have groaned at how awkward he was being. How much he wanted it.

“Do you see me moving?”

Lev shook his head. He unfolded from the chair, almost tripping over his converse in his haste as he stood. He sidestepped them this time and dropped his sketchbook on the chair he’d abandoned as he rounded the desk.

Cameron pushed back from the desk, just enough. “Crawl.”

Without a second thought Lev was on his knees. If Cameron wanted him to crawl, he’d crawl. Cameron hadn’t turned towards him, leaving Lev a little confused. He sat back on his haunches when he reached Cameron’s side, but Cameron just nodded towards the desk.

“Under,” was all he said.

Even Lev couldn't misunderstand that. He slithered underneath the desk, twisting until he was peering up at Cameron again. Cameron didn’t miss a beat and moved right back to how he had been, and judging by the rustling of papers, he was right back to working. This time Lev didn’t hesitate. Fumbling with Cameron’s belt, Lev managed to pull Cameron’s dick out.

It was tempting to go right for it, but Lev took his time, wanting to make it last. He kissed and licked his way up the shaft before sucking on the tip, sliding all the way down once before going back to his curious teasings. There was- there was something to the idea of seeing if he could get a reaction from Cameron. Something tempting. It rankled, just a little bit, in a way Lev couldn’t quite put into words, that Cameron could just go back to his paperwork like Lev wasn’t under his desk with his mouth on Cameron’s cock.

Not once after that first time did Lev even try to go all the way down again. He explored at his own pace, thoroughly enjoying himself. Already he’d forgotten why he’d decided to be a little bit of a tease. He just liked doing whatever came to mind, and trying to figure out what Cameron liked as he went.

After a few minutes Lev discovered Cameron definitely liked it when Lev dragged the tip of his tongue along the underside of Cameron’s dick. Lev got caught up in trying it over and over again, pausing only to occasionally lap at the head of Cameron’s cock to catch the precome leaking from it.

For the most part he kept his hand either on Cameron’s thigh or wrapped around the base of Cameron’s cock to keep it steady. The space beneath Cameron’s desk was cramped, even with the ridiculous size of the desk, and it was just easier to hold onto Cameron, absently stroking the inside of his thigh with his thumb as he licked and teased his way up and down Cameron’s length repeatedly.

Lev wasn’t actually sure how long he’d been lost in what he was doing when Cameron’s fingers found Lev’s hair and yanked firmly. A high pitched moan came from Lev in response, and he almost pulled away. He would have, if Cameron hadn't tightened his grip on Lev’s hair. Right. Message received. Lev slid down Cameron’s length, working his way down to the base determinedly. He kept a careful rhythm, bobbing his head as best he could without smacking his head on the desk above him.

It took several minutes before Lev managed to make Cameron come. The only signs he’d been getting anywhere were the way Cameron’s breaths had sped up, and how his fingers were all but fisted in Lev’s hair. Occasionally, Lev had been rewarded with the rustling of Cameron’s papers going silent, but other than that it was radio silence, at least until Lev heard Cameron give a low sound. That, and the way Cameron’s hand clenched reflexively in Lev’s hair, was all the warning Lev got before Cameron came.

Lev sucked him through it, fighting the instinct to hum smugly when he pulled off. He wiped his mouth off with the back of his hand, before wiggling closer. Only after tucking Cameron’s dick away again did he settle, folding his arms on Cameron’s lap and resting his chin on them as he listened to Cameron’s breathing slowing. The weight of Cameron’s hand in his hair was soothing, and Lev was more than tempted to see if he could possibly fall asleep like this without sliding down to the ground. Instead he gave a contented sigh, hesitantly pressing his face against Cameron’s stomach before he looked up.

“Cameron?”

“Hmm?” Cameron barely glanced down before continuing what he was doing.

Lev debated how to word what he wanted to say for a solid minute before he finally said, “I really was curious about what you were doing.” He furrowed his brows thoughtfully. “I just- could you explain it again? I want to understand.”

“Do you?”

Lev grimaced. “I’m not a liar. I wouldn’t say it just to- I want to know. I don’t like not understanding things.”

Cameron looked irritated this time. “I wasn’t calling you a liar.”

The comforting weight of his hand was gone, and Lev wasn’t sure where he’d gone wrong. Panic fluttered like a bird behind his ribs, and he had to stop himself from retreating underneath the desk. There was no reason to get that worked up, and he knew it.

“I was asking you for a yes or a no,” Cameron said.

Lev blinked. “Oh.” He swallowed, and then nodded. “Yes. I want to learn. I don’t- I don’t like feeling stupid, and when I don’t get things I feel really dumb.” He settled against Cameron’s stomach again. “I just want to understand.”

Cameron watched him for a heartbeat, but he did start to explain, and that was all Lev wanted, really, so Lev was content to tilt his head up and listen intently.

---

Nik was about ready to pull his jacket to leave when Amara demanded, “And where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

Nik looked over his shoulder, stopping before he could get his second arm in. “Well I was going to go get fucked, if you must know, since I am done feeding you.”

Amara whined. “Noooo. I want to snuggle. I missed youuu.” She wrapped her fingers around his wrist and pushed his jacket off his shoulders. “I never get to see you, I deserve this. And even if I don’t, I’m a selfish bitch.”

Nik frowned. “Snuggle with Cin. That’s what he’s here for.”

“He’s not you though, and he’s boring when he’s comatose.” Nik was this close to whining too. He could feel his body protest, but he ended up letting her drag him over to the threadbare couch to be smooshed between her and Cin. Cin didn’t seem bothered to have two bodies on top of him; he really was sleepy.

“You know you missed me,” she crooned, putting her face in his neck.

“Not right now I don’t,” he grumbled, wrapping his arm around her waist. “What am I getting out of this forced cuddling? Besides your radiant company?”

She playfully nipped at him. “You can keep the tequila.”

Nik pinched her ass. “I was already planning on keeping the tequila as payment for cooking you food, Mar. But whatever. Since I am a good and kind soul, I will keep you company free of charge because it’s the right thing to do in your hour of need.” He put his boots up on the arm of the couch. “Lucky you.”

She snuggled deeper into him, arms wrapping around his waist. “Lucky me indeed,” she mumbled into his chest. “You’re mine for the foreseeable future.” Nik’s body was rebelling against him. He could feel himself half hard against Amara’s stomach. She seemed unbothered and perfectly aware. “Not my problem.”

Nik groaned, wiggling helplessly under her. “Why are you doing this to meeeee.”

"I didn't ask for you to show up horny and bitter. I just needed a friend in this trying time."

“Honestly, Amara, for someone supposedly so intuituve, you sure do know shit about how I am horny all the fucking time. And when you wake me up,” he groused. “But sure, you’re the one in need.”

Amara said, “"Would you rather me have starved?"

“Do not ask questions you do not want the answers to,” Nik warned.

“Wow Nikolas, I thought we were friends.”

Nik yanked on her hair. “If we weren’t, I’d have let you rot. But here I am, hard and under a woman I can’t fuck. So. I am a saint.”

She choked on a laugh. “Saint Nikolas.”

“Okay you know what-”

Nik rolled over and let her fall on the floor. She stared up at him, half shocked and half amused. “Bullying people is my thing, Nikolas.”

“Talk shit, get thrown on the floor,” Nik shot back.

She sat up on her elbows. “You left yourself wide open for that, Saint Nikolas.”

Nik pointed down at her. “Keep calling me that and I will walk out that door right now. Then we’ll see how hilarious you are when you keep whining about what a bad friend I am.” Cin grumbled from under him, pulling his pillow over his head, muttering about them talking too much.

Both he and Amara ignored Cin’s whining. “Okay, okay. Someone’s touchy today.” Before Nik could even call her a hypocrite she was up on her feet and flopped on him. “Don’t leaveeee.”

“Well, I can’t very well do that with your big head on my chest, now can I?”

"First of all, that was the idea, and second, who are you calling a big head, big head?"

“At least my big head is full of things,” Nik said, poking her in the forehead.

"Yeah, weed and booze, maybe."

I mean, yes, Nik thought. “At least it has something in it other than air.”

“Fuck you,” she said, cheerfully, snuggling deep into him.

“You can’t,” Nik whined. “I’m dating your cousin, remember?”

“Not my fault,” she mumbled. “You were just supposed to fuck him, not get attached.”

“Ugh.”

“Now I have to break in a new fuckbuddy.”

Nik slipped a hand in her back pocket, unable to stop himself from grinning. “Sorry you had to downgrade. Can’t relate.” He oofed when she jabbed him in the side. “That’s so mean, stars, Amara. I thought we were friendsss.”

Amara had opened her mouth to counter when Nik found himself on the ground, landing on top of Amara, her own head smacking against the threadbare carpet. The next thing Nik registered was Cin on his feet and stalking back to the bedroom, grumbling about not being able to sleep. Nik looked down at Amara, feeling laughter bubble in his throat. “Well, that was nice. I went out of my way, making him a home cooked meal and he nearly gives me a concussion.”

He had rolled over onto his back, with Amara’s face pressed into his chest, laughing, when he wheezed, “The audacity.”

Amara just snorted. “You ruined his nap.”

“Me?”

“Yes you.”

“Wow,” Nik said, pushing her onto her back. “The blatant disrespect. I cannot believe this.” He sat on her and looked down while brushing his blue and black hair out of his eyes. “Lying straight to my face. Hmph.”

Amara smacked his chest. “Get oooooooff.”

“Or else what?” Nik asked, roguishly.

“I’ll whine.”

“You mean you haven’t been whining this entire time?”

She threw her arm over her eyes. “Why are you bullying meeee.”

“Because I’m horny and I am mean when I am horny. It’s your own fault.” Nik got to his feet and held out a hand. “Take it or I’m taking this opportunity to escape.”

"I can't help that I’m so sexy," she said, taking his hand. She straightened her shirt, before: "If you need to jerk off the bathrooms down the hall."

Nik frowned. “Damn right you are, and I’m annoyed.” Nik considered her offer, though. Stars knew how long she was going to hold him captive, and he was only going to get more irritable the longer he wasn’t able to get off. “I am not getting blue balls for you.” He turned on his heel and went to the bathroom.

--------

Cameron was finishing locking up the office, half ignoring Lev hopping around the hallway trying to tie his shoes. He slid the key in his pocket and watched Lev for a few seconds, before flatly saying, “Are you done?”

Lev smacked his shoulder into the wall and crumbled to the ground. “Yeah. Just. Give me a second. It’s easier from down here.”

Cameron looked down at him, unimpressed. “Nice coordination, Levant.”

Lev just stood up. “Never once implied I was coordinated. Or graceful.” He gave Cameron a pained smile. “I really am a terrible angel,” he said, mechanically enough it was obvious he was just echoing someone else.

Cameron shrugged slightly. “You make it sound like a bad thing. Come along.” He didn’t give Lev a look, seeing if he was following him as he started for the main floor of the club. The only noise was the bartender quietly working, getting ready for that night.

He went straight for the grand piano in the middle of the room, on the raised dias. He ran his fingers across the glossy black of the keyboard cover as he sat. Lev shifted. “May I sit next to you..?”

Cameron debated for a heartbeat, not wanting to break his routine, but eventually moved over just enough for Lev to sit. Wordlessly, he opened the keyboard cover while Lev sat next to him, curiously listening to Cameron start his warm ups. His fingers glided over the keys while muscle memory took over; he didn’t even have to think about what notes to play before he played them. He had music drilled into his head since he could barely walk. It was expected of him from a young age- it was another appealing thing that attracted people to him. Cameron just hadn’t outgrown the habit, and despite being forced to learn, he did find some kind of solace playing the piano.

He could feel Lev staring at him with big golden eyes. Cameron almost told him to stop, but just kept focused on the piano, his own eyes closed. It was easier playing than it was dealing, and this was something he was good at. Though, Cameron thought, he was good at many things. He didn’t have the luxury of failing.

After a while, Lev asked, “Do you play every day?”

Cameron kept playing, going back and forth, deciding if he wanted to answer or not. He finally said, “Yes. Two and a half hours every day after paperwork.”

“That’s a long time,” Lev murmured to himself.

Cameron’s lips twitched. “Not really,” he said, after a bit. “Fucked Nik for longer.”

He almost didn’t hear Lev mutter under his breath, “Nik’s so damn lucky.”

Cameron snorted, and tilted his head, listening to the music. “All you have to do is tell me.”

Cameron rarely, if ever told Nik no, and when he did, Nik just went elsewhere. If it was what Lev wanted, Cameron would feel compelled to give it to him, just as he was compelled to give it to Nik. All he had to do was say the word. It was what he was trained to do. “That’s easier said than…. Oh.” Cameron could almost see Lev make a face.

“If you’re going to speak, stop mumbling,” Cameron said, half annoyed. “I can barely hear you over the music.”

He could feel the bartender silently watching them. Zareth knew better than to speak while Cameron was playing and he was not going to be that stupid now; not unless he wanted his tongue ripped out.

Lev fell silent for a while before asking, “Can you teach me to play? Not today, but… one day?”

Cameron inclined his head, enjoying the smooth keys at his fingertips. “I can teach you now, if you want.”

“I don’t want to interrupt your playing anymore than I already have,” Lev said, “But… I do want.”

Cameron finished his song before, “What do you know about music? Can you read it, write it? What all have the angels taught you besides not actually being able to teach you how to fight.”

Lev shook his head. “I can sing along with the radio. Gramma says I’ve got a good ear, but no one ever taught me anything.”

“Hmm.” Cameron went over the major keys, the minor keys; explaining the difference between white and black before saying, “I’ll get you a keyboard. No one touches the piano but me. And I’m sure there are song books you can look at to learn music notes. I’ll look into it.”

“Okay,” Lev said. Then he added, “Thank you.”

Cameron went back to playing, letting himself try to fall back into rhythm. He tried to not get aggitated at his routine being altered too much. It wasn’t Lev- it was literally anyone that stopped him from being able to work seamlessly.

After a while, Cameron barely registered Lev getting up and wandering over to the bar. He didn’t bother looking to see what Lev was doing, and kept playing.

----

Lev slid into a seat at the bar, tapping his fingers on the smooth wood silently. He twisted in his seat, peering at Cameron, but Cameron was still playing, hadn’t even looked up. Good. that meant he wasn't too bothered by Lev leaving. He felt a little bad he’d kept bugging Cameron, but he didn't really know how to be still and quiet for long, for all he was a quiet person.

After a few minutes, Lev hesitantly waved at the bartender. After a moment the bartender flicked him a look. Lev waved at him again, widening his eyes and what he hoped was a plea. The bartender kept cleaning the glass in his hands for longer than Lev thought was necessary before coming over. Once the bartender raised his eyebrows, Lev realized he hadn’t thought this far. He knew Cameron probably wanted quiet, even if Cameron had been remarkably patient with Lev’s talking.

“Can I get some water?” Lev whispered, as quiet as he could. “And a pen?” There were napkins nearby, and Lev’d forgotten his sketchbook in Cameron’s office. He wasn’t stupid enough to bug Cameron for that.

The bartender flicked Cameron a look over Lev’s shoulder, and then turned away. Lev thought for a moment he’d been ignored, but the bartender slid a glass towards him. Lev mouthed a “thank you,” before holding the glass in his hands. He sipped it occasionally, and blinked gratefully at the bartender when he got the pen he’d asked for.

Lev swiveled on the chair, and then started sketching Cameron. Or his piano, at least. Lev kept himself busy that way, wiggling to his heart's content. At least the stools didn't squeak. Lev couldn't imagine Cameron allowing his stools to squeak.

It was almost a surprise to hear the music stop. Lev wasn’t sure if it had been two and a half hours or not, but he was pleased to see Cameron settle beside him.

“My usual,” was all Cameron said.

The bartender hopped to, something Lev decided not to think about. Instead he kicked his feet back and forth lightly, and sipped his water. After a minute, he looked over at Cameron. “Is there anything else on the schedule?”

Lev almost missed the tiny smirk the bartender had when Cameron looked at Lev. “Do you want to be fucked?”

Lev blinked. “I-” He really should stop being surprised by Cameron offering. “Yes? Yes.”

Cameron set his glass down, and then leaned over, pressing kisses to Lev’s neck. Lev’s breath caught in his throat, and he tilted his head up to give Cameron more room. Oh. Cameon really meant right now. He hooked his fingers in Cameron’s sleeve. It wasn’t long before Cameron started unbuttoning Lev’s jeans, and that was enough Lev twitched his hips upwards, giving a soft moan. He hadn’t expected to be fucked today, but he was absolutely down for this.

Cameron was pulling at his jeans, so Lev lifted his hips again. Too far, it seemed, because he slid right off the stool. He flung his arms around Cameron’s neck, squeaking. Cameron’s arm was around his waist, keeping him from falling any lower. In the next moment, Lev found himself swung around, back against the bar, and Cameron pulling his pants and underwear down efficiently.

The next thing Lev knew, Cameron was on his knees and taking Lev’s half-hard cock in his mouth. Lev jerked forward with a gasp, one hand going to Cameron’s hair. Cameron’s hand found Lev’s hip, pinning him in place against the bar. More than anything Lev wanted to squirm, but Cameron was firm as he teased Lev to full hardness.

-----

Cameron only pulled back when he knew Lev was close to coming. He didn’t even want to think about whatever was on the floor as he got to his feet. Lev’s whine was suppressed when Cameron flipped him around, and bent him over the bar. But Lev wasn’t able to stop the second whine when his fingers traced down Lev’s spine before pressing inside. Two fingers in and Lev was already moaning.

Lev was leaning on his forearms, head bent over as a flush worked its way down his back. Cameron took his time stretching him out as he worked himself up to his own hardness. Cameron kept using just his fingers until Lev was whining enough he started wiggling. Cameron’s only warning to stop moving was his teeth in Lev’s shoulder.

“Cameron, please,” Lev was already pleading. “Please fuck me?”

“Hmm.” Cameron added another finger, finishing stretching him out, before pulling them out one by one. He stroked himself lazily, halfway ignoring Lev’s small whine; completely ignoring Zareth’s half hearted attempt to keep himself busy. Wasn’t the first time he fucked someone in front of the demon, likely wouldn't be the last.

Cameron pressed inside Lev, eliciting a moan from the angel. He took his time deciding what he was going to do before sliding his hand up to the back of Lev’s neck and bending him forward on his toes with his cheek pressed against the cool black bar.

Cameron wrapped his hand around the back of Lev’s neck, his other hand digging into Lev’s hip, pulling back as he fucked into him. Zareth had forgotten his duties and was watching them blatantly enough Cameron debated on giving him a look to get back to work, but ultimately decided to put his energy into what he was doing. Lev’s eyes lifted to the demon staring at them, but instead of protesting, his moans unsurprisingly only got louder, his fingers curling into fists.

He only twisted Lev’s arm behind his back when it went between his legs to the dripping cock. Cameron leaned over him, teeth pressing into Lev’s almost healed shoulder. “Don’t touch,” was all he said to the angel.

That got a loud enough whimper from Lev, Cameron felt his lips ghost into a curl. Lev’s legs were trembling when he said, “Please let me come? Please.”

The part of his brain that was hardwired to give what was wanted was tempted, but Cameron wrapped his hand around the base of Lev’s cock hard enough Lev gave him a choked moan. Cameron lightly pressed his teeth into Lev’s throat enough to just barely break the skin. “No. You come when I feel like it. Not the other way around.”

Lev’s only response was a whimper. Cameron kept fucking into him hard until he felt his knot catch at the rim. He pressed Lev harder against the bar when his release barreled out of him. Cameron barely suppressed his pants against Lev’s shoulder when he finally was able to pull out. Cameron cleaned himself off and was rebuckling his belt when Lev, clearly sounding desperate and fucked out, said, “Can I come? Please?”

Cameron considered it. “Did I say you could?”

Lev gave a broken whimper but didn’t argue. Cameron flicked a look over to Zareth who was already pulling the black box from under counter out and sliding it towards them. Cameron selected a black and silver plug and pressed it into Lev’s leaking ass. “Pull your pants up,” he said, pulling back from the angel and straightening his shirt. “Make sure to clean up the bar,” he added, to Zareth, slipping the plug's remote into his pocket.

Lev clumsily did as ordered, his face flushed a bright gold. Cameron only looked to his watch before starting for his office to gather his things. He heard Lev eventually catch up to him by the time Cameron was already unlocking his office to get the remaining paperwork and his phone. Lev slipped inside to get his sketchbook and had it pressed to his chest when he followed Cameron out to his car.

------

Lev squirmed again. He’d thought it was awkward enough walking with the plug. He’d been very aware of it’s presence then, and he was very aware of it now that he was sitting in the front seat of Cameron’s car. He couldn't find a good way to settle that didn’t have it pressing against him.

“Sit still.”

Lev stilled obediently, swallowing a whine. Home couldn’t come soon enough. If he was home he could at least stand up. Cameron didn’t expect him to keep it in forever, did he? Lev wiggled, and then froze again. He leaned against the door, giving another excited wiggle when the manor came into view.

“Do you think Nik is home yet?” Lev asked, switching his gaze to Cameron.

After a moment, Cameron said, “Maybe.”

Lev hummed softly, and then said, “I missed him. Is that stupid? It was just a day.”

Only after Cameron had parked the car did he finally say, “No, it isn’t.”

Lev was out of the car in a heartbeat, but he leaned against it to peer at Cameron across the roof. “I had fun today.”

Cameron flicked him a quick look. “Good.”

Lev watched him circle the car, and slunk after him. Stars, he was super aware of that blasted plug. Sure it was keeping Cameron’s come from getting everywhere, but at what cost? That didn’t mean Lev wasn’t going to wander after Cameron. He wasn’t sure what else to do. Besides, he liked being around Cameron. Even if he wasn’t much for conversation most of the time.

It shouldn’t have surprised Lev that Cameron headed for the kitchen. Lev followed after him, eyeing the counter. No, he wasn’t going to settle there today. He’d had enough sitting for now. He leaned his hip against it instead, watching Cameron move around.

“What are you making for dinner?” Lev asked, just to break the silence.

“Steak and potatoes.” Cameron nodded at the potatoes. “Cut up the potatoes?”

Lev wiggled happily, and sidled over to them to start. He paused only long enough to wash his hands when Cameron reminded him, and then kept himself busy. He was just about done when hands grabbed his hips, and a face pressed against his neck. Lev squeaked, but he recognized Nik’s scent a heartbeat later. After setting the knife down, Lev squirmed until he was facing Nik, sliding his arms around Nik’s neck.

Nik’s mouth was on his before Lev could say anything. Lev arched into the kiss, moaning softly. He pulled back just a little, blinking up at Nik. Before he could get a word out, Nik was kissing him again. Well. Lev couldn’t really argue with that. He kissed back enthusiastically, opening his mouth for Nik as he leaned close.

Without warning the plug in his ass started... vibrating. Lev jerked, pulling back. “What-” He flicked at glance at Cameron, eyes wide. Cameron hadn’t even looked up from the steaks he was cooking.

“You kept yourself occupied, Cam,” Nik said, drawing Lev’s attention again. Nik looked amused.

“Finish the potatoes, Levant,” was all Cameron said.

Lev blinked again, before pressing a chaste kiss to Nik’s lips. “Missed you today,” he promised, before wiggling around to finish up the potatoes.

Nik wrapped his arms around Lev’s waist and pressed a kiss to Lev’s neck, despite Lev’s squeak. “Clearly you kept busy in my absence.”

Lev shrugged. “I went to the club with Cameron. I had fun.” He wasn’t near as neat with his chopping as he had been before, but he couldn’t imagine how Cameron could expect perfection when the plug was still going and Nik was pressed up against him.

“I can smell that.”

Lev flushed, pausing. “That wasn’t- He showed me some of how his paperwork works. And he promised to teach me how to play the piano.” He set the knife down, and added to Cameron, “Potatoes are done.”

Cameron took the potatoes from him, putting them in the pan. Nik just said, “You and I clearly have different views of fun.”

Lev considered that. He turned around, sliding his arms around Nik’s neck. “I mean I liked the sex too, but I just also liked the other stuff. Maybe I have a broader idea of fun?” He pressed his nose to Nik’s to let Nik know he was teasing, even as he pressed his hips against Nik, absently seeking friction.

Nik’s hands settled on his hips, holding him still. “I resent the idea that you are more fun than I am. Take that back.”

Lev whined softly, squirming in Nik’s hold. “I didn’t say I was more fun, just that I have more ideas of what is fun.”

“Hmmm. Sounds the same to me, Levant.”

Lev shoved his face in Nik’s neck, whining, “Niiiiiiik.”

Nik bit Lev’s shoulder lightly. “Saying my name like that does not move me.”

That wasn’t fair. The feeling of Nik’s teeth in his shoulder went straight to Lev’s aching cock, and did nothing to help with the frustration of having the plug vibrating incessantly inside him. He whined in the back of his throat, saying, “Is me admitting it under duress really me admitting it, though?”

“Oh is this duress? I hadn't realized you were that delicate.”

“You call me delicate all the time, I’d think you knew this already.”

Nik’s response was to slide a hand between them, grinding the heel of his palm against Lev’s crotch. Lev gasped out a whimpered protest, squirming. The counter behind him kept him from going anywhere.

“Okay, okay, you're more fun, Nik, please."

Nik grinned. “Am I?”

“Yes,” Lev insisted, his flush creeping lower. “Nik.”

Cameron’s sharp, “Nikolas,” made Lev jump. He’d forgotten Cameron was still here. It made Nik step back, though. Lev wasn’t sure if he liked Nik not touching him at all, but it was a relief to get a brief respite. Other than that damned plug still going. Cameron was moving about, starting to set the table. He barely looked over as he said, “Go wash up.”

Lev eyed Nik suspiciously, waiting for more teasing, but Nik was heading for the bathroom. Lev slunk after him. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the teasing; normally he would have loved it, in an overwhelmed sort of way. But he would have felt very silly coming in his pants, and besides, dinner was almost ready and he didn’t want to annoy Cameron by delaying it just to change his pants.

After shuffling up behind Nik he pressed his nose to Nik’s shoulder, hoping Nik wasn’t annoyed. Judging by the wink, he wasn’t.

“Get washed up, Lev.”

By the time Lev was done, Nik was hovering in the doorway. Lev dried his hands quickly, and snuggled into Niks side as they headed back. Lev slowed a little bit when they got back to the kitchen, eyeing the table. He did not want to sit again, especially since Cameron still hadn’t turned off the plug.

Lev must have lingered too long, because to Lev’s surprise, the plug started vibrating harder. Or more. Or something. Lev snapped his gaze to Cameron, eyes widening.

“Sit down.”

Nik snorted as he sat down himself. Lev sank down in his chair, sitting gingerly. He poked at his plate, before starting in on his potatoes. He eventually glanced at Nik. “How’s Amara?”

“Depriving me of dick,” Nik said.

Lev blinked. He didn’t want to think about dick, not with how turned on he still was, and so he pressed, “I take it she’s okay? Is she bringing me my stuff?”

“Not any time soon, she isn’t. She’s in preheat.”

Lev stifled a groan, wiggling. “I don't know why she couldn’t-” He made a face. “Do you think one of you two could take me to get the stuff?”

“I’m sure if you ask nicely I might be so inclined,” Nik said.

Lev widened his eyes. “Could you? Please?”

Nik smiled at him a bit, letting Lev squirm until he finally said, “Yeah, sure.”

“Thank you,” Lev said, squirming again. “Tomorrow? Or is that too soon?”

Nik grinned. “I think I can manage to fit you into my schedule.”

Cameron spoke up. “Your schedule of fucking and sleeping and eating?” He arched a brow.

“In that exact order, yes.”

Lev snorted softly. He shifted his weight again, and began to cut up his steak. If nothing else, he was hungry. He’d been hungry at lunch, too. Maybe his body was finally catching on that someone was making sure he ate regularly. Didn’t quite distract him enough to keep him from wiggling in his seat. No matter what he did, he couldn’t quite settle in a way that let him ignore the plug.

Nik went on, adding, “I can fit him in between sleeping and eating, it should be fine.”

Cameron rolled his eyes at that. Which, fair enough. Nik was being ridiculous.

Lev ate a few more bites, wiggling a bit more before he said, “What did Mar-Mar need so desperately?”

“Apparently to not die of starvation.”

Lev opened and closed his mouth a few times, blinking at Nik before sighing. “I suppose that would be a very boring way for her to go,” he finally said.

Nik dropped his head in his arms. “If I wasn't such a good person I would have strangled her for the state of her kitchen. How dare she not have any food.”

Even Cameron looked disgusted. Lev just shrugged. “There’s a reason she always came to my house for dinner, not the other way around.” He squirmed a little, shaking his head. “That and only Reneé can cook in that household.”

Nik said, “I am offended,” right as Cameron said, “And yet she’s still alive.”

Lev wrinkled his nose. “Takeout is a thing,” he reminded them, standing.

“Disgusting,” was all Cameron had to say about that.

“Depends on the takeout,” Lev said. “I’ll be right back.”

As Lev was leaving, he heard Cameron mutter, “Considering the booze she drinks, I’d not hold my breath,” but he chose to ignore that.

Lev slipped into the bathroom and let out a small breath. Standing did make it a bit easier, that neverending buzzing that was the plug deep in him, but it didn’t do anything to ease the arousal constantly simmering under his skin. How long exactly did Cameron expect him to wear this?

He pressed his hand against his boner, but that just made it worse. Giving in, he fumbled with his pants, pushing his zipper down and out of the way so he could pull his cock out. Stroking it almost made things worse. He was so damn horny.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” Cameron’s voice startled Lev so bad he jumped. Cameron was leaning against the doorway, and something about his heavy stare made Lev flush.

“I was- jerking off?” Lev blinked, a realization building in his mind.

“Did I say you could come?” Cameron asked coolly.

“N-no?” Lev blinked again. “I thought that- oh. I- oh.”

To make matters worse, Nik appeared beside Cameron, looking amused. “What did you do?”

“I- I don’t-”

Nik’s grin grew. “Did you talk while he played the piano?”

“I- yes? I didn’t know-” Lev paused, frustrated.

Nik burst into laughter. “Oh you poor bastard.”

He glanced at Cameron, and then back to Nik, who was still laughing. “I’m starting to gather I wasn’t supposed to?”

Cameron’s brows rose fractionally.

“You could have just told me you didn’t want me to talk,” Lev tried.

“Do you not know how manners work?” Cameron asked.

Lev opened and closed his mouth several times before giving up. “I’m- I didn’t know. Won’t happen again,” he finally said helplessly.

Cameron pushed off from the doorway, turning to head back to the kitchen. “See that it doesn’t,” was all he said.

Nik gave a low whistle. “At least you got fucked.”

Lev pulled up his pants, making a face. “Can we go back to dinner? I’ll dig a hole to hide in later.”

“I think your holes are quite occupied, princess,” Nik said as he headed back. Lev scampered after him, grumbling.

----

The kitchen was clean, and Lev had this feeling that Cameron had something planned. Didn’t stop Lev from shuffling after them both to Cameron’s bedroom. He’d barely set foot in the bedroom when Cameron ordered, “Go put your collar on.”

Lev backed out of the room, touching his throat absently as he slipped down the halls. He hadn’t worn it once since Cameron had bought it for him, hadn’t been sure if he’d earned it, and the idea of wearing it now sent a hot thrill of desire through him. Which... didn’t help, really, because he was still so damn horny, and that plug was still going, and he was well aware of Nik following behind him.

It was right where Lev had left it, on top of his dresser. Lev picked it up, running his fingers along the smooth leather before turning to Nik. “Help me put it on?”

“Sure thing, princess.” Nik wandered over, taking the collar from Lev’s unprotesting fingers. Once it was in place, not too snug but not loose by any definition, Lev reached up, running his fingers along the leather again.

“Thank you,” he said faintly, letting out a small breath.

He flushed the moment he realized Nik was smirking at him. Ducking his head, he headed back to Cameron’s room, shoving his hands in his hoodie pockets. Cameron was waiting, still dressed and sitting in his chair.

“Strip. Slowly.”

Heat coiled deep in Lev’s gut. He shrugged out of his hoodie awkwardly, and fiddled with it. “I- where do you want me to- to put everything?” He asked hesitantly.

“Floor,” Cameron said simply.

Right. Well then. Lev dropped the jacket on the floor, and then fumbled with Nik’s shirt until he got it off. He plopped down and started picking at the laces on his converse, wondering why in the hell he’d tied them so tight. The weight of the others’ eyes on him just made him flush deeper. He eventually managed to kick them off, and dropped them with the growing pile of clothes before he stood, pushing his pants down awkwardly. He hesitated only a moment before squirming out of his underwear last.

Only then did he lift his gaze to Cameron again, reaching up to touch the collar anxiously. There was something... he didn’t even know what, to be the only naked one in the room right now.

“Touch yourself,” Cameron ordered.

Lev’s brows furrowed. “...where?” he finally asked.

Nik snorted from where he’d drifted to settle behind Cameron to watch. Cameron arched a brow at Lev. It still took Lev a few moments to get it.

“Oh. Oh. Right.” He was pretty sure his blush was well below his chest by now. He didn’t think he’d ever touched himself in front of anyone before, and it was as awkward as he’d feared. His hand was jerky and unsure, but he was so turned on even that was enough he was quickly short of breath and tense. Holding Cameron’s gaze proved impossible, so he dropped his eyes to the floor as he did his best to obey while not pushing himself over the edge.

Lev was damn close to losing his self control when Cameron said, “Stop.” He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or not. After he lifted his eyes back to Cameron’s face, Cameron said, “Put your hands behind your back.”

Lev obeyed automatically. Even just watching Cameron slowly undo his tie had Lev’s breath catching in his throat. That wasn’t... that wasn’t supposed to be as hot as it was. Right? He tracked the tie as Cameron pulled it off and handed it to Nik.

---

Nik wordlessly took the black silk tie from Cameron and slipped behind Lev. He had his thumb on Lev’s quick pulse, his mouth on Lev’s neck while he watched the minute changes in Cam’s face as he tied Lev’s wrists together.

Nik could smell the amount of arousal on Lev and he wondered how much Cameron moved today’s events into place to get to this exact moment. This was what Cameron did, and he did everything with the razor sharp precision of someone who has been trained in these kinds of things for centuries.

Nik lightly bit into Lev’s neck as he finished knotting the tie. Lev trembled beneath his lips, his entire body holding back restraint. Nik could not blame him, he had been in this exact same position before- several times. And it was hard to not crumble beneath Cam’s icy eyes. All three of them were aware that there was one person in this room calling any and all shots and it was neither him or Lev.

Cameron tilted his head slightly to the side, pale blue eyes on Nik’s before sliding to Lev’s. The cold calculation in Cameron’s expression did not do any favors for the hardness between Nik’s own legs and if he wasn’t so damn afraid of ending up on the receiving end of Cam’s next punishment he’d whine about not being able to be fucked in this moment.

The fact Lev was the only naked person in the room only served to make him harder, and the small black remote in Cameron’s hand almost escaped his notice. The fact Nik wasn’t being filled right now had every complaint he had been building since this morning on the tip of his tongue. The only thing that stopped him was sheer self preservation and knowing Cameron would make the next solid week hell on earth.

Lev’s small, cracking, “Cameron, please?” had Cameron only notching the vibrator up another setting. Lev slumped back against Nik, his entire body trembling as he pressed his face into Nik’s shoulder, moaning.

Nik slipped a hand down Lev’s side, eyes still on Cameron’s borderline neutral face. Anyone would have thought Cameron looked uninterested, but Nik saw the amusement, the pleased look at Lev’s response, as if that was Cameron’s intention from the beginning. Nik bit into Lev’s shoulder before saying, “Can we move to the bed?”

Cameron seemed to consider it before nodding once. Nik turned Lev’s hips and propelled him forward onto the bed. “On your knees, Princess. Face in the bed.”

Lev almost seemed like he was made entirely out of jello as he did as ordered. Those golden eyes closed as he gave a low whine, turning and pressing his face into the silky black sheets. Nik looked in time to see Cameron taking his sweet time getting up from his seat. It was purely calculated and Nik was both horrified and impressed at the level he was willing to make Lev get to to be fucked.

Been there, Nik thought, dryly.

---

The sheets smelled like them both. That was all Lev could really think. He could barely think that. There was too much of everything, and Lev thought he might cry with how turned on he was. Another low whine built in the back of his throat just thinking about how much he wanted to come. There couldn’t be a higher setting on that plug, could there?

Lev hadn’t even noticed the bed dip under Cameron’s weight, but he certainly noticed when Cameron’s fingers tightened on his hair, pulling him up until he looked at Cameron. It still took a second for Lev to really focus on Cameron’s face. Only then did Cameron say simply, “Blow Nik.”

After processing what Cameron said, Lev sat up, twisting to peer at Nik. He slid off the bed, sinking to his knees in front of Nik. Faced with the fact that Nik was still fully dressed, Lev paused, blinking hard several times, before he hesitantly started using his teeth and tongue to undo the button on Nik’s jeans. It took him a couple of tries, but when he got the button undone and zipper pulled down, he was faced with another challenge. He had no idea how to get Nik’s dick out without his hands.

He stared too long, lost, and the plug’s vibration kicked up another notch. Lev lurched forward, his moan half a sob, his face pressed against Nik’s crotch as he panted. After gathering himself, he did his best, eventually managing to pull Nik’s cock free. Without hesitating, Lev dove in, working his way to the base quickly. He would have gone at it with reckless enthusiasm if Cameron hadn’t spoken up.

“Slowly,” Cameron said, voice silky smooth.

Lev whimpered, but slowed his movements, taking comfort in the hand Nik slid into his hair. Lev pulled back a little, licking and kissing his way up and down Nik’s shaft before going down on him again. He bobbed his head, slowly as Cameron had ordered, dragging the blowjob out. Nik’s fingers tightened in Lev’s hair, a low moan coming from both of them. It was easier, having something other than how fucking horny Lev was to focus on, and Lev took that to heart. Still, though, by the time Nik came down his throat, Lev was breathless and keyed up even more.

Eventually Nik moved out from under Lev. Lev all but slumped against the bed, breathing hard and whining softly. He wanted to come, or at least some sort of respite, and instead he was kneeling on the floor, face half smooshed against the side of the bed, gasping for air, and he didn’t even have anything to thrust against.

He slowly started to tense, realizing he had no idea where Cameron and Nik were. A shudder went through him. Was that it? He got Nik off, and now they were done? He... maybe that was part of the punishment? Lev could... he could handle that, he was used to that, but panic rose anyway, leaving him tense and trembling.

The plug went still without warning, and hands started pulling at the tie binding his hands together. Lev twisted a little, staring up at Nik and Cameron in confusion. His confusion only grew when Cameron asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I- I don’t-” Lev flicked a glance between them. They were both mostly undressed, which only made him feel worse. They hadn’t been leaving. He took a couple of gulping breaths, and then tried again. “I’m used to- I thought- or, I was- I was rememb- he used to just... leave me. Once he was done. I didn’t know- I didn’t know where you’d gone, and I just- I panicked.”

Cameron crouched, grabbing Lev’s chin as he said coldly, “I am not Remiel. I do not leave anyone unsatisfied and I do not take my own pleasure first.” Lev couldn’t read Cameron’s expression at all.

“We’re not leaving you, Lev. I promise,” Nik said.

Lev flushed, tears welling up. “I know you’re not him,” he said in a small voice. “I know. I wasn’t thinking, I was just- I’ve never reacted like- not ever with him, it wasn’t- I knew it wasn’t safe to- I know, and I know I’m safe with you. I just- I didn’t mean to. It was stupid.”

Cameron’s fingers slid into Lev’s hair. The action was awkward, but Lev took comfort from the contact anyway. “It’s not stupid, it’s a response.”

Nik pressed a kiss to Lev’s shoulder. “You’re safe with us.”

“I know. I- I know.” Lev took a shuddering breath, and wiped his cheeks hastily with his newly freed hands. “I didn’t- I didn’t ruin... this, did I? I don’t want to- I don’t want to stop, if you don’t.”

Cameron helped him up, settling him on the bed. “Then we don’t stop.”

Lev gave a soft sigh of relief, sniffling a little. “Okay,” he said faintly.

“How do you want to pick up? Do you just want to be fucked or do you want to go back to what we were doing?”

Lev blinked. “I want... I want to keep going. I liked it, I just- yeah. I want to go back.” He managed a smile, a little small but genuine. “I did talk a lot while you were playing.”

Cameron’s mouth quirked, just enough Lev couldn’t deny it was there. Something warm fluttered in Lev’s chest. He watched Cameron and Nik exchange looks, a conversation he couldn’t really follow, and then Nik took Lev’s hands, carefully tying them together again, in front of Lev this time.

Lev jolted a little when the plug buzzed to life again. Not near as intense as it had been when he fell apart, but it still startled him. He watched with wide eyes as they finished pulling off their clothes. Nik finished first, and was on the bed beside Lev in a heartbeat, mouth pressed to Lev’s skin. Cameron was a lot more deliberate, and Lev couldn’t help the way he tracked every single movement Cameron made. Between both of them and the plug going cheerfully, Lev’s erection, which had flagged somewhat, was back in full force. He moaned softly when Nik nibbled on his earlobe.

Nik’s hand dragged down Lev’s side, distracting him. Lev looked over as Nik stroked the inside of Lev’s thigh. When Lev leaned close, Nik kissed him. Another moan escaped Lev when Cameron climbed onto the bed beside him, his hands dragging firmly across Lev’s skin. He was getting lost in kissing when the vibrator kicked up a notch. With a small groan, he ducked away, pressing his face into Nik’s neck. Someone’s fangs pressed against his shoulder, making his breath catch harshly.

Lev found himself sliding into Nik’s lap, almost immediately rocking against Nik. Hands immediately held him still, drawing another whine from him. “Please?” he asked, plaintively, deliberately. “I just- I want- please?”

The only response was the plug’s vibrating growing more intense, and then even more so. Lev whimpered, shoving his face against Nik’s throat, squirming. Cameron’s teeth latched onto Lev’s shoulder- hard. He gasped, jerking, and then stilled obediently. He kissed up Nik’s neck apologetically, nuzzling under his jaw.

Cameron tugged at him until he slid off Nik’s lap. Lev quivered, breaths picking up in anticipation, especially as Cameron’s hands slid up his thighs, spreading his legs. Cameron tugged on the plug, sending a spark of arousal fizzling through Lev, only to shove it right back in. Lev swore he saw stars, and a low moan punched out of him.

Lev arched his back, trying to lift his hips in encouragement. Cameron simply pressed his hand against Lev’s hip, holding him still. Lev didn’t get a chance to protest. As Cameron set up an uneven, unpredictable pace, one Lev couldn’t adjust to, Nik hooked two fingers in Lev’s collar and dragged him up until Lev was in kissing distance again. Not even bothering to do anything but kiss back, Lev braced his bound hands on Nik’s chest, gasping for breath between kisses.

At some point it just became a blur of hands and touching and kisses and that damned plug, and being stretched one way, or another. Nik fucked him, he remembered that, and then Cameron pinned him to the bed and had his turn, his hand wrapped around Lev’s neck the whole time. Only when Lev was stuffed full of Cameron’s knot did he let Lev come. Lev damn near sobbed in relief, and it was probably the best damn orgasm he’d ever had.

It was only after he’d caught his breath, still locked together with Cameron that Lev realized he really had started crying. Silent, steady tears were sliding down his cheeks, the first real tears he’d had in weeks, and now he wasn’t sure how to stop.

Cameron hooked an arm around Lev’s side, his face pressed against Lev’s neck. Lev wondered if he should try to scoot closer, or pull away, but in the end he just... cried. Nik’s hand in his hair was a comfort, but it didn’t really do anything to stem the flow of tears. As far as crying sessions went, this was pretty mellow, his sobs soft. He wasn’t... it wasn’t hysteria, he just. He needed this.

Eventually they tapered off, and Lev was left sniffling softly. He tucked his face in Cameron’s neck, breathing deep. The scent of his alpha was steadying, calming. “I’m okay,” he said thickly. “I think- I think I’m done.” And now that he was he was exhausted.

Cameron looked down at him. “Are you?”

Lev considered that. “I mean... I think so? I’m always good for more crying, but... I think I’m done for now. I’m- I’m kinda tired, honestly.”

“I mean, you better be,” Nik said. When Lev looked over, Nik was smiling.

Lev turned his attention back to Cameron. “Yes. I’m done. I’m... better.”

Cameron hesitated, and then nodded. He pulled out, getting up. Lev winced a little, but couldn’t be bothered to move even a little bit. Instead he closed his eyes, letting out a tired sigh. He barely noticed when Nik cleaned him up, undoing the collar and untying his hands. At some point Nik lifted him from the bed and set him on the couch. Lev didn’t even whine, barely even opened his eyes.

When Nik scooped him up, he looped his arms around Nik’s neck loosely, sighing against Nik’s neck. The sheets he was settled against were cool, and clean. He let Nik shift him around however Nik needed, and then snuggled close. Behind him, he could feel Cameron getting in bed as well. Something clicked into place as Cameron settled. Lev didn’t even flinch as he felt Cameron’s fingers brushed along the scars on his back. This was right, was safe, was home, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

------

@idreamonpaper @livvywrites @incandescent-creativity @solangelo3088 @halstudies @firesidefantasy

[ancientwastedlores]

The Support System (Ch: 12)

STORY SUMMARY: The Avengers have managed to collect all the infinity stones across the universe, and are currently keeping them in far corners of the world, only for research and to see if they can improve the planet and its people. Reader is a researcher with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, as well as a field agent. Loki is currently serving time for his actions in New York City in 2012, and struggling to gain acceptance from the Avengers, when reader decides he just needs a PR manager of sorts.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER AO3: The Support System. Find this chapter on AO3 here. 

Warnings: none

Audience: general.

______________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 12:

‘You dated Raunverkuleiki!?’ you shout, walking into the dining room.

Loki is the very picture of relaxation, with his boots off and his feet up on the ottoman, reading his book and sipping a green tea. You are amused and irritated at the same time.

‘When the hell did this happen!?’   ‘It was before I met you’ he grins.   ‘Yeah NO SHIT’ you kick his feet off the ottoman and sit.

He laughs and sits up straight.  

‘How did you… I mean. HOW?’   ‘You see, when a two people meet each other, and they like each other...’  

You glare at him and he shuts up, an insolent grin still across his face.  

‘She’s so beautiful’ you say.   ‘She really is’ he agrees.   ‘Why’d you break up?’   ‘Oh, it was never serious. She had her duties to her people, I had pranks to play on mine. It was very amicable’.  

You still wish Loki was a little excited, or at least sharing your enthusiasm, but the magnitude of how okay he is with this annoys you. But there was nothing more to say about it. You shrug and stand up to walk away.  

‘Oh, but we did have excellent sex, specifically because she can manipulate reality, so when she was close to…’   ‘La lalalalalala’ you shut your ears, ‘Bye’.   ‘No, wait...’ he gets up, shuts his book and walks over to you. ‘That was like a million years ago. It has nothing to do with my present, I hope you know’.   ‘Um…’ you don’t understand why he feels the need to tell you this. ‘Yes, I know. I was just curious. It seemed interesting’.   ‘Right’ he looks relieved. ‘Well. Bye then, I’ll return to my book’.  

He sits back down, and you give him a confused look and walk away.  

xx

‘Where is this camp?’ Clint asks.   ‘I don’t know’ you respond. ‘Only Tony knows, and he won’t tell anybody. He says for security reasons’.   ‘It’s just a refugee camp’   ‘Which has the Power stone, yes. Tony doesn’t want anyone but him to know where it is’.   Clint rolls his eyes. ‘He’s a control freak’.   ‘You’re surprised?’ you laugh. But you’ve Tony long enough to know that he won’t tell anyone else just so they can’t be threatened by Hydra.  ‘Ready?’ Tony walks into the lab. ‘We leave for the airstrip in ten’.   ‘Roger that’ Clint gives him a small salute.  

Everyone is curious to meet Chikara now, after seeing Raunverkuleiki. Natasha is absolutely captivated, much to Bruce’s jealousy and amusement.  

Cars carrying Clint, Nat, Bruce, Tony, Vision, Loki, Raunverkuleiki, and you leave the Tower for Tony’s airstrip. You’re sharing a car with Raunverkuleiki, who is sitting in the backseat with Nat. You can’t help but keep looking back at Nat, who is staring at Raunverkuleiki so obviously, and Raunverkuleiki, who you are sure notices it, looks like she enjoys the attention. You smile to yourself and look ahead again, and start a conversation with the driver.  

xx 

Raunverkuleiki floats into the jet, her hands running over the leather fabric of the seats. She takes a seat by the window, and wiggles, possibly trying to get comfortable. You see the vigorous shake of her head as she promptly stands up.

‘She doesn’t like the seat’ Vision says. ‘Yeah, I figured, I got the statis cube’ Tony says.

As if on cue, two men wheel in a large statis cube. You spot them wheel it in, and swear that you saw Raunverkuleiki clap her hands from the corner of your eyes. She runs into the cube and curls up.

‘She really loves that cube, huh’ Nat remarks. ‘You think you’d keep her warmer, Nat?’ you nudge her. ‘I…’ she looks at you in shock, then frowns. ‘Shut up’ she walks away. You grin. ‘What’s the joke?’ Tony asks, buckling his seatbelt. ‘Nothing…’ you say innocently, taking your seat.

xx

14 hours later, you arrive at the undisclosed location. Tony is the first to disembark, and he is greeted with howls and cheers. You watch from the window as little children run up to hug him. He has practically adopted the whole planet at this point, and you chuckle to yourself.

He continues waving and hugging little children. He whispers something to the guards, and the guards motion for the people to go back to their homes. A few more cheers and howls later, the square is cleared, and the rest of your crew disembarks. Raunverkuleiki is still in the cube, which Tony figured, so he just got the men to wheel it into the house kept ready for your crew.

‘When do we see Chikara now?’ you ask Tony. ‘After everyone sleeps. No one here knows what’s powering their camp, I don’t want to draw any attention to us’. ‘So… what’s your cover story for coming here now?’ ‘Bruce has been working on advancing some medical tech, so our story is that we’re here to upgrade the facilities here. Which isn’t a lie’. You’re impressed. ‘So is Bruce at the clinic now?’ you ask. ‘Yup’. ‘I’ll see what I can do to help then’ you wave goodbye.

xx

Night falls. There is total darkness in the camp, not even a streetlight on. You walk out of the house and look up at the stars clear in the black sky. You stand there, letting your body relax as your head hangs back.

‘Hello’ Loki comes up behind you. ‘Hi’ you say, without looking away from the sky.

He grabs your arm gently and pulls you down with him to lie on the ground. You laugh.

‘What are you looking at’ he asks. You point at the stars. ‘Do you see that star over there?’ ‘Yes?’ ‘That’s Andromeda. And the constellation to the left is her mother, Cassiopeia’. ‘Really’ he says. ‘No, I have no idea, I just slapped some Greek names on that’ you giggle. ‘You try’ ‘Okay’ Loki points to a star far left. ‘That’s Hades and…’ he trails his finger down, ‘…over there is Perseus, who is running from Hades’. ‘Oh, why is that?’ you ask. After a pause, Loki says, ‘He stole Hades’ favourite flute’. You laugh out loud. ‘Okay, okay, over there…’ you point far right. ‘Is Zeus’. ‘And the constellation below is a goat’ he continues. ‘Oh yeah, I totally see it. So that’s the goat, that’s Zeus and’ you trail your finger across a line of stars, ‘that’s Zeus’ dick’. ‘Oh my god’ a horrified laughter escapes Loki. ‘And what’s that over there?’ he points to a star above them all. ‘Oh, Hera. She’s watching over this whole thing, plotting her revenge’. ‘I see. I suppose the star below is Dionysus then’ he grins. ‘Drinking his wine and watching all this tomfoolery unfold before him’.

The two of you laugh for the next few minutes, enjoying your jokes and each other’s company. You aren’t aware of how long you’ve been laying there like that, but you know quite some time has passed.

‘Enjoying ourselves?’ You sit up to see Tony. ‘Hi! We’re just stargazing’

Tony extends his hand to help you up and you take it. Loki gets up as well.

‘We’re taking Raunverkuleiki to Chikara’ Tony says. ‘Thought you’d like to come’. ‘Of course. Is everyone?’ ‘Not Bruce, he wants to work in the clinic still. But the rest. We’ll head out in five’. ‘Copy that’.

xx

It’s quite a walk, and Tony refused to take a car for fear of waking someone. Once you’ve reached the outskirts of the camp, he stops. He takes out a dial from his pocket and punches in some numbers, and it looks like an invisibility cloak has fallen.

‘Fury helped set it up’ Tony explains, answering everyone’s question. ‘It’s the same tech they use to hide the heli-carrier when in surveillance mode’

Behind the “cloak” is a machine that might possibly be the size of the Hulk. It doesn’t make any noise, but lets out a bright purple light that you hope people in the camp will not be able to detect.

Tony goes closer and opens up the statis cube, similar to where Raunverkuleiki was kept, and opens the door. You don’t know how, but you can feel the power die in the camp. Tony steps back and motions for Raunverkuleiki to come forward.

She cocks her head to one side, an action you find extremely endearing, and suspect you will dearly miss when she leaves, and she walks ahead, her body again moving like liquid. You steal a glance at Natasha, whose eyes are locked on Raunverkuleiki’s hips. You shake your head at Nat’s blatant gayness and look back at the expected reunion.

‘She’s trying to wake her up’ Vision says. You put a hand on his shoulder. ‘Let it play out, Vis. Like a beautiful, silent film’.

Her hand extends into the cube to touch the stone, and immediately, a power surge hits the camp, with lights in every house switched back on to its maximum and machines that make noise roaring through the silent camp. The rest of your crew is also knocked a few feet back. The power has died now, but you hear people start to wake up and screech.

‘I’ll just put them all to sleep, shall I’ Vision says, and leaves. It sounds sinister, but you know he’s just about to use the Mind stone to make people fall into a deep sleep.

You stand back up again, waiting to witness a reunion. The purple light gets bigger. A head pokes out of the statis cube first, then arms, then a torso, and finally legs. You don’t believe in a god, but are prepared to make this whole experience your religion. 

Chikara is bigger, MUCH bigger than Raunverkuleiki. Raunverkuleiki is slightly taller than the average female, but Chikara is towering over everybody, glowing purple. You notice her movements aren’t fluid like Raunverkuleiki, but somehow more authoritative.

You can’t believe you kept her locked up in a cube this whole time.

You see Raunverkuleiki float up to be face-to-face with Chikara, and try to decipher their conversation through body language alone.

Raunverkuleiki points below her, at your group, and they continue making hand gestures and moving their shoulders. It looks heavenly, but you do want to know what they’re saying.

‘Loki…’ you whisper. ‘What are they saying?’ ‘She’s just asking her if she would like to go back’. ‘Oh…’ you seem a little disappointed, but you knew it would happen.

Loki puts an arm around your shoulder. ‘We’ll find a way to help these people’. You hope so.

Vision returns finally, and stands by Tony. Raunverkuleiki comes down to face Vision, and puts her hands on his shoulders. He nods.

‘She says since you agreed to let Chikara be free, Chikara will remain and power this camp until you find an alternative source. She does want Raunverkuleiki to stay with her, though, and keep her form’. ‘We… no one at camp can see them like this’ Tony says.

Chikara sits down on the ground cross legged, which results her now being about four feet above eye level to everyone. She leans forward towards Tony, and Tony takes a step back.

‘Chikara thanks you for freeing her, but says you cannot control her anymore. She wishes to keep her form’. ‘Just gonna be bullied into it, huh’ Tony says.

He looks to Natasha, who usually handles the diplomacy stage of things, but quickly decides she is going to be completely useless in his quest to get them to change back. He sighs.

‘You have to stay behind the cloak then. If people here see you, there will be trouble. I’m just trying to protect everyone’. ‘She agrees, and says she will stay under the cloak’ Vision says. ‘Well…’ Tony shrugs. ‘Guess that’s it then’.

You feel it’s quite anti-climactic. But you aren’t sure what else you expected, really.

Raunverkuleiki and Chikara sit by the machine, and Chikara sticks her hand inside the cube. Even though there is no indication for this, you feel the power come back on.

‘I uh… I gotta put you back under the cloak now’ Tony says.

Vision nods for him to go ahead and Tony removes his dial to hide them. As the shield goes up, you spot Raunverkuleiki excitedly wave at you. You wave back laughing.

[sugarsnap-caely]

Ego Origins: The Mute

I am not entirely sure on how to start this. I suppose most would begin with their birthplace, and while I guess it would be fairly normal, there’s something that’s a tad off. You see, I was not exactly born in this...era.

Let me explain.

I was born in Reading, Britain and was born to two parents which became one. I believe my mother became ill once...she never recovered. I believe I was merely four. I can’t be certain, my memory is a bit fuzzy.

Anywho, where the confusion comes in -- and I am not talking malarky here -- is that I’m from the 1920’s. You see, I was born in 1900.

I grew up in a home that was pretty regular, for me at least. I preferred going out though. As a young troublemaker, I loved going about town to see all sorts of people. I was very interested in them.

I always loved dancing for them, making them smile. I was a regular Oliver Twist I was, and I earned a surprising amount of clams sometimes too. I remember how I always ran off to the soda shop and bought as much candy as I could with it afterwards.

For a time after my mother passed, making other people smile was about the only thing that could put a spring in my step.

I did well in school…I made friends despite the fact I didn’t really talk. They always stood up for me when I was getting razzed. I wish I could see them again…

I remember how I loved stopping to see pictures when I got older too. I always loved seeing the cartoons. They were my favorite and made me laugh a lot. And it wasn’t just the cartoons that I loved, I also loved the pictures. I was especially fond of comedy. Sometimes it was the only thing keeping people happy during those times. The war I mean. I was only thirteen when it began...

When my dad had to go and fight I was sent to my aunt’s place in London. My older cousin and uncle were off in the war too. I…I thought it would be safer.

I remember seeing the Zeppelins…we would hide in the basement. Everything wa shaking…and it was so loud. I had never been so scared in my life…

But…I…I heard it was much worse…later…in the second war…

And…and when my uncle got back…he said my-my cousin died…

When my dad got home he was never quite the same…

I wondered why my uncle’s foot was gone. I didn't pay it too much mind, I was just happy everything was over. Then I saw the picture…there…there were…

Oh god…there were holes…i-i-in his feet!

S…sorry…where was I…

My…my favorite comedy films had to be from Charlie. Golly he was funny! He was a darb actor! I honestly wanted to be one too. So I practiced, I observed movies and I found a mentor once.

After that I moved to London to try and become an actor. I landed a few minor background roles and I didn’t really care too much that I never got a major part. I was just happy that I was in anything at all.

It was sad though, as I got older we started making less films. Hollywood over in America was making all the films and there were times I wanted to move over there just like Charlie did. I never got the chance.

When I wasn't acting I was working at the local bar or library. It was getting harder to keep earning money sometimes. Either way, I liked both of my jobs. I met lots of swell chaps!

Well, I've certainly talked an earful about my past. I bet you're still thinkin’ how I ended up here in the 21st century.

Ya see, I’d say it all started one day at work. I was at the bar one evening, serving giggle water as usual. It was all going fine until this one fella—he was mighty drunk—came up and tried to steal some of the alcohol. I told him to buzz off and he did not take it very well. He landed a few hits. Golly did it hurt but I was alright. Thankfully someone else managed to kick him out, but I had lost my pocket watch in the scuffle.

I’m willing to bet he stole it. Good thing I found another one…

Jameson Jackson finished wiping down the counter of the bar. He put his hands on his hips as he admired his handiwork. He quickly double checked everything, making sure everything was where it was supposed to be before heading to the door. He used the key to lock up the tavern and stuffed back in his pocket.

It was a pleasant, sort of chilly evening and he shivered. As he walked down the street towards home he took note of his surroundings. Despite passing them many, many times it always made him smile.

He passed under the branches of a tree and touched one of the tiny leaves. Summer was just around the corner and he couldn’t wait to see what the season held this year. Maybe he could go out and dance again. It would be a good way to make a little extra money, and he really needed to get a new pocket watch.

He turned a corner and saw the park across the street. He smiled as the moon reflected against the grass. Wait. He stopped walking and looked across the street again. Sure enough, he saw something shining on the ground.

Curious, he crossed over to the twinkling object. He bent down, kneeling before a pocket watch.

The watch was a gold color and had tiny, swirl-like engravings. He did not notice, but it appeared to be smoking and there were small, dying flames burning in the grass.

He smiled. It looked like today was his lucky day.

He reached out his hand to pick up the object. The second he had the watch in his grasp his vision went black.

His body ached. He didn’t know where he was. For a moment it had felt like he was falling, something sharp scraping his skin, before the wind was knocked out of him.

He did his best to open his eyes but they were cloudy. He was surrounded by blurry, tall shapes.

He wasn’t even fully aware of his movement, only that something told him he should get up.

Home. He had to go home.

He had the vague feeling of standing up and he began to walk.

He saw light and walked towards it.

His vision was going dark. His legs did not want to work. His world went black once more.

“Dr. Schneeplestein to the ER please.”

Henrik jogged to his destination. He had been working a late shift lately because someone had gotten sick. He did not mind though, it gave him more of a chance to help other people. Speaking of which, this was one of those times.

He rounded the corner to the Emergency Room and saw a stretcher.

“Vhat does it look like?” he asked his co-workers.

“Multiple lacerations on his arms and torso, and a particularly nasty one on his back. There also appear to be multiple burns. It’s hard to tell but it appears his throat may have been damaged. He is un-conscience and losing blood. The ambulance team managed to patch up the smaller wounds but he still needs treatment.”

Henrik nodded, following the stretcher into the ER. He donned his mask and gloves as they laid the man on the table.

He stopped as he saw their face. ‘Oh dear, vee have anozer one…’ He thought. He pushed it to the side as he began to work; it was something they could worry about later.

Henrik opened the door, leading Jack, Marvin, Chase, and Jackie inside. “He’s in here.”

“I still can’t believe you managed to get us in here. Didn’t you say he was a John Doe?” Chase said as he sat in a chair.

“I cannot believe it eizer, but I’m very lucky I managed to pull a few strings. Also yes, we cannot identify him yet. I said I vould ask him vhen he voke up, but he’s been out for a vhile.”

“I just hope I don’t scare him when he wakes up. I know you guys have your disguises but I’m stuck like this.” Jack said, sitting in the corner.

Jackie sat down next to him, “Don’t you worry. Everything’s gonna be fine, you’ll see.”

“Yep,” Marvin added, “we’ll be sure to give him a good explanation.”

Jack raised an eyebrow, “Dude, we still don’t know why this has happened.”

Marvin sat down as well, “Yeah…Well, we can at least help him calm down.”

Henrik closed the door, “Agreed. All vee need is for everyone to stay calm.”

James stirred, causing the others to snap to attention as he sat up in the bed. He blinked his eyes, trying to get his bearings. Where was he? What happened? As his vision came to he saw all the people around him and jumped.

“Oh good, you're avake. How are you feeling?” Henrik asked.

James was about to answer but there was a strange beeping noise next to him, and he turned, curious. Something was stuck in his arm and he panicked.

“No no, it's ok. It's alright. You are in a hospital.” Henrik assured him.

Once James had calmed down a moment, he turned to them. “W-where am I? What…what happened?”

Everyone in the room gaped at the speech bubble above his head.

“Well, that's different.” Marvin stated, breaking the silence.

James tilted his head, confused, before looking up himself. He had no idea how that had gotten there or where it had come from. Who were these people?

“Now, I know you have questions so to answer zee first one, you are in Brighton, England in a hospital.”

James nodded, he had heard of that town before. Wait, why was he here in the first place? What happened?

“To answer your second question,” Henrik continued, sitting in the chair next to James, “according to zee ambulance team, zee person who found you said you had come stumbling out of zee forest vis various vounds on your body and no shirt on before collapsing on zee ozer side of zee street.

“Sankfully, zey called an ambulance and zey rushed you here. Zey managed to patch up some of zee smaller cuts and burns but zee ozer doctahs and I had to do zee rest. You had no ID on you. Nosing but zat pocket vatch and your pants.” He motioned to the side table where the watch lay.

James looked at the watch. The last thing he remembered was picking it up and now he was here. He looked back at Henrik, still confused, “How did I get in the woods?”

“Vell, of zat vee are not sure but a team trying to figure out vhat happened came back and told us zat you seemed to have fallen from a tree and zat is vhy you have some of zee cuts. To me zough, it does not seem right.”

Now that James thought about it he had fallen. He looked down at the bandages on his body. He was a wreck but at least he was safe. Something still bothered him and he looked at the strange thing in his arm and the people in the room. “I still don’t understand. Who are you? What is this thing? What’s going on?”

Henrik scooted a bit closer, clearing his throat, “Yes, I believe introductions are in order. My name is Henrik Von Schneeplestein. Zat,” he pointed at the thing, “is an IV. It helps heal you.”

James nodded, he still wasn’t sure what that was but he did not want to be rude and interrupt.

Chase waved on the other side of him, “Hey...I’m Chase Brody. Nice to meet you.” Chase held out his fist and James stared at it. Reluctantly, he took the fist in the palm of his hand and shook it.

Marvin burst out laughing and Jackie elbowed his leg.

“Right, sorry, sorry. I’m Marvin Hayes. AKA Marvin the Magnificent!”

Jackie waved his hand in a saluting gesture, “I’m Jackie Wayne.”

James gave a timid smile as he waved back. Foolish, that’s what he looked like. Foolish.

With a sigh Jack finally decided to stand up from his corner. This whole ordeal had to come up eventually. “Hello there, umm…” He cut himself short as he saw the exclamation point above James’s head. He ran his hands through his hair. God, he still wasn't used to any of this. And he doubted he ever would be.

He cleared his throat before continuing, “Now, I know this doesn't make any sense. Trust me, I know. But you are not crazy. We don't know much but we can try to explain anyways.

To continue on names, my name is Sean McLoughlin. Most people call me Jack though.” He rubbed the back of his head as he sat down. “If you have any questions just…just ask.”

Question mark after question mark appeared above James’s head. He had no idea how to process any of this. They had answered his questions but rather than answer them it only brought up more.

There was a sudden beeping noise coming from Chase’s pocket and James jumped, his eyes snapping towards the sound. Chase pulled out a strange rectangular object that glowed. He pointed at it, an exclamation point and a question mark popping above his head.

Chase raised an eyebrow, “What’s wrong? It's just my phone.”

That was not a phone. He shook his head before looking around the room again. His ears picked up on the constant beep next to him and he gestured wildly at it, “What is this thing?”

There was a pause, and the others looked at each other. They were all concerned as they started to put the pieces together.

Henrik leaned forward in his chair, “Zat is a heart monitor. I don't believe vee got to hear your name. Truthfully, no one knows who you are. You had no ID. If you can, vould you mind filling us in?”

Biting his lip, James sighed, “My…my name is Jameson Jackson. I am from Reading. I was born on the 31st of October, 1900.”

For the second time that night they were all in shock. Tonight was far more surprising than they had expected it to be. And they had seen or done some odd and impossible things.

“N…nineteen hundred?” Henrik finally began.

James nodded his head slowly. He had a feeling he had said the wrong thing and he slouched.

“Dude…” Chase gave a half chuckle, “It’s 2017.”

What? He…how…but he had. The beeping next to James quickened alongside his breathing. He couldn't understand. He jumped at the feeling of a hand on his arm, wincing at the pain.

Chase drew his hand back, “Sorry! I’m sorry if we’re scaring you, but…I mean…it's the truth.”

James looked around the room, watching everyone give some form of agreement. He put his head in his hands. He needed time to think all of this through. Golly, what was he gonna do? How was he going to get back home? Could he even get back in the first place? He was overwhelmed.

Jack felt an impulse to comfort James and walked over to the bed. At first he wanted to give him a hug but he saw the bandages on his body and decided against it. Giving a sigh, he gave his free right hand a squeeze. “It's alright. We’ll figure things out. You are not alone.”

James lifted his hands away from his face, sniffling as he wiped the tears from his eyes. He looked up at Jack and felt a warmth push some of the confusion away.

“There’s more we will have to tell you, but I can see you have enough to deal with already. Besides, it can wait.” He gave James’s hand one more squeeze. “Come on guys,” Jack said, tilting his head to the door, “we should let him rest.”

The others got up, saying goodbye as they walked to the door.

“You guys go on home,” Henrik said, “I have to finish my shift. Plus, someone should stay here to keep him company.”

“Alright,” Jack said, “We’ll see you later Henrik.” With that they left the room.

Henrik stood up from the chair, “I have to go take care of some sings, but Jack is right: you need rest. I vill be back to check on you later but if you need anysing press zat button, alright?”

James looked where he indicated and nodded.

“Good.” Henrik walked over to the door and opened it, “Sleep vell Jameson, everysing vill be alright.”

James lied down, questions continuing to float in his mind, yet he felt that warmth return as he closed his eyes: everything would be alright.

Hey there everyone, I bring you the next installment of the Ego Origins stories. Well...kind of. You see, I am writing this out of order. The reason? Well...we’ll get to that later... ;) Also I am testing a new format. As I have observed, on mobile the horizontal lines I use to chage scenes does not show up. So, to make it easier for those on mobile I am bolding each sentence/word that begins with every new scene change, as well as bolding my end and/or beginning notes. As always, let me know what you think and I hope you enjoyed the story!

1)The Doctor

2)The Magician

3)

4)

[chocolatemillkk]

Kid Brother VI

A/N: It's here! It's finally here! The last chapter. That took ages but I'm done. Read the rest here :)

I sit on the floor of the living room crossed-legged in the small space between the sofa and the coffee table; I tended to do my best work when I was on the ground. I type on the laptop resting on the coffee table as a mute Harry Potter movie plays in the back.

"Oh I forgot to mention," Joe says from where he lay on the sofa behind me. "I found a really funny picture my mum took of the three of us when we were young."

Joe was the only one left staying up late with me-kind of like old times. Zoe and Alfie had left for bed and Mike went home an hour ago.

"I'm not sure if I'm ready to see it," I groan. "I already know your mum's kept all the embarassing photos because she was always taking her camera out."

But I abondon my laptop and perch myself up on the coffee table since Joe hogged the sofa entirely. The screen shows a zoomed in picture of my face next to Joe's on the grass. I'm sticking my tongue out awkwardly and Joe puffs his upper lip like a monkey. As far as embarassing photos went-the pink streak in my hair and sticky pink lip gloss rated pretty high.

"Burn that picture!" I toss the phone onto Joe's chest. "I hated that stupid pink streak I convinced my mum to let me get!"

Joe gets up, laughing. He sits facing me and holds up his phone. "You haven't even seen the best part. Look at Zo!"

He zooms out and Zoe has her eyes crossed and her tongue poking out the side of her mouth. The unexpected addition to our photo forces a giggle from my mouth which leads to a full blown laugh when Joe recreates her funny face. But somehow, Joe still looked good looking doing it. The bags under his eyes were starting to form and his eyes looked tired-I tried to convince him to go to bed-I was used to staying up, but he insisted he wasn't sleepy. Joe Sugg was as stubborn as the day I met him.

"Shhh," I giggle. "Zalfie's sleeping!"

But we crack up anyway, wiping the tears from our eyes and settling back into the quiet night. I drag my laptop up to where I sit and go back to working. Joe stays seated across from me so our knees touch-serving as a good table for my laptop. The clicking of the keys becomes the only sound as I work. I glance at the time: 1:40.

"You can go to bed," I remind Joe.

"I know I can," Joe smiles sleepily at me. "I want to stay up with you. For old time's sake."

"If this was like old times we would have ice cream or crisps and laying on our bellies whispering to not wake your parents."

Joe laughs. "I reckon we can still recreate that. Sometimes I feel like Zalfie are my parents when I come down here."

That makes me laugh. "Don't let them hear you say that!"

I go back to my laptop but I sense Joe is still looking at me. I pause and make eye contact.

"Yeah?" I ask under his curious gaze.

He shakes his head. "How are you still this pretty at 2 in the morning?"

Time feels like it slows to a stop and the only sound I'm aware of is my heartbeat.

"Don't butter me up for a favour," I try to make light of the situation. "If you want me to record another video just ask."

I nudge his knee but the expression doesn't leave his face.

"I know I'm just Zo's brother but I-"

"Please don't do this," I cut Joe off quickly-the realisation already setting in. If Joe was going to confess he had feelings for me I would be over the moon! But that also meant I would have to confess my feelings, and saying them out loud just made it more real...especially saying it to the person involved.

"Just let me. Please. I've carried this around for a long time and if you don't feel the same way that's fine. I just need to get this off my chest so if you don't, I can move on."

I stare at Joe, shocked at the words coming out of him. How long had he felt this way?

"Y/N," he starts, picking up the laptop between us to rest it beside me. "I like you a lot. Honestly, I don't know if I ever saw you as Zoe's friend because the moment you came into our lives I thought you were the prettiest girl I'd ever seen. Every girl I liked at school I would just compare them to you-maybe that's why I don't have a girlfriend," Joe chuckles to himself. "Anyway, you were always around. Especiall when your parents were going through their divorce and we got close. You opened up to me and-and I fell hard for you. I wanted to help you fight all your battles back then-I still do."

Joe leans in towards me and I feel the urge to lean away but he moves his hand up to my knee.

"I used to fight with you all the time because I was an idiot. But also cuz I really liked you and it made me angry seeing you date all those dickheads who treated you like shite."

"So you took me to our dance," I whisper.

"I did," Joe's hand is pure heat against my legs and I feel it spreading to the rest of me. His words were a confirmation of what everyone always told me but now I had to believe it. "And of course I had to let you go when you went off for uni in London and you made new friends. I didn't want to ask you out back then and just be your boyfriend from back home. The timing just didn't feel right."

Joe licks his lips and I watch him weigh his words.

"I want you to be mine. And I want to be yours too. I don't know if you just see me as Zoe's kid brother-I really hope you don't or this would be really fricken embarassing-but give us a chance? And-and listen I know you don't date younger-"

"Joe," I stop him from rambling because his nerves were obviously kicking in. "Your timing is fine now. Perfect actually...I would want to be-love to be...I guess...I didn't face the reality until recently," I sigh, bracing myself to finally put these feelings into words. Joe watches me intently. "I really do like you and who you've become these past few years."

The smile spreads slowly on Joe's face-one part relief and nine parts pure joy. I feel the relief too, of not hiding my feelings anymore and admitting the truth out loud. It felt liberating.

"That's good," Joe laughs in relief as he falls against the sofa. "That's good." He repeats.

"It is," I repeat back. It was like we were in a trance now that we confessed for each other our feelings.

"That's really good," Joe remains against the sofa but our knees still burn where they touch.

"Yeah," I can't stop the smile on my face. Joe reaches his hand out to me and sits up straighter.

"Come here," he says. I look at him, almost having an out-of-body experience with everything that'd just happened in the last few minutes. But when I take his hand he tugs me to his lap and it jostles me back into myself. Who cares if Joe was younger than me or any of that? We'd held flames for one another for long enough. We owed it to give it a try.

Joe snakes his hands around my waist and I put an arm around the back of him with another on his chest. We look down at each other-the mood growing very somber. This felt like primary school when your first crush admitted to liking you too and now you were going to sneak a kiss behind the football field. It was like the anticipation of the drop before a roller coaster, the build-up making your heart race and your mind scream to stop but your body ready to hurtle down at full speed. It was also a strange calm, like being at the beach with a storm on the horizon-everything standing absolutely still for a moment; the world stretching out for a small infinity.

Our foreheads come to rest on each other's and there's a lightness in Joe's eyes like a shared joke between us. My hand reaches up to cradle his cheek, brushing the short strands of his hair. His own hand mirrors mine and slowly-so subtly-he brings his lips to mine, and then, we're kissing.

It's a gentle kiss that only two people who hold this much tenderness for one another could have. It's a kiss like one I'd never experienced before and when we break apart we take one look at each other and can't stop laughing. Relief-the kiss confirmed what we'd felt. This was real. This was happening.

Joe's expression grows serious once more as he takes my face in his hands and studies it. He places a gentle kiss on my closed eyes, and then the other, and I allow myself the sensation of being kissed by him, the only one I've ever wanted to kiss. When I open my eyes, Joe gives me a cheeky smile before pulling me in to a passionate kiss.

It's an intense kiss that only two people who have ever wanted each other this bad could have. And we wanted each other, very much.

"Joe," I whisper as he lays me down on the sofa. His hands roam down the sides of my body and his lips take over my neck-sure to leave a mark.

"Hm?" He hums. The sound makes me forget what I was going to say but when his hands slip under my shirt the cold of his hands shocks me into remembering.

"Joe!" I whisper more urgently. "This isn't a good place."

"So come back to my room," he mumbles against my skin and I wanted to do it. Ever cell in my body was screaming in unison yes, do it!

"Not like this," I manage to get out. Joe pauses and looks up at me. He seems to understand what I'm saying because he rolls over to lay beside me.

"Okay," he says after a while. "You're right. I should take you out first. Not shag you on my sister's couch."

I burn bright, "When you put it that way..."

"No, no!" Joe sits up chuckling. "Sorry that's not what I meant. I was just getting carried away but you deserve better-we deserve better. This has been a long time coming. We should ease into it."

I sit up and smush Joe's face against mine in a kiss. He looks confused when I let go.

"We've known each other for years, we don't need to ease into anything! I just meant there'll be a better opportunity for this."

"So you'll come back to my room then?" Joe asks hopefully.

I laugh, "No but I'll spend the remainder of the weekend at yours once we get back to London?"

"I'd love that," he kisses my forehead and we get ourselves to our feet.

"Guess I should put my laptop." I laugh.

"I've been saying that all night," Joe says.

I respond to his I-told-you-so tone by flicking him on the arm. He looks up in shock and tries to get me but I jump back. When he advances, I run as silently as I could to my room so Joe couldn't get me back. I lock the door behind me just to hear footsteps on the staircase. I sense him standing outside my door and then my phone vibrates.

Joe: This isn't the end of that Y/N Watch your back ☠️

I stifle my giggle and respond something equally threatening.

Just because we were now two adults in a relationship wouldn't mean we were going to be adults all the time. It wouldn't be "Joe and Y/N" without a little bit of childishness after all. It was hard to believe there was a "Joe and Y/N" to begin with. But it definitley felt right. And it was about damn time.

[savemefromanepicoftimewasted]

Don’t Be Sad

Chris Evans X OFC Sebastian Stan X OFC A/N:This is a personal fic for a friend and i, i won’t be tagging 

It was only seven thirty and both the kids were up and running around.  It's like there internal clocks don't want to let any of their parents sleep in.  Chris was groaning next to me, reaching over to calm down Lily who was crawling into the bed.  So if she was here, then where was Violetta?

There was a loud crash in the living room, followed by a quiet giggle.  Found her.

“Seb, or Kait.  Whichever one of you is awake right now, your daughter is getting into something out there” I rolled into Chris's side, relishing in the warmth that was exuding him. “Goddamnit, I thought she was still asleep” Seb pushed himself out of the bed, footsteps fading until he was in the living room.

Her giggles echoed through the room until she was crawling into the bed, plopping down between Lily and Kait.  It was a good thing everyone was dressed this morning, or else we were going to have to answer some awkward questions.  

“Daddy!” Lily was rubbing her little hands all over Chris's beard, giggling when he wrapped an arm around her. “Daddy's awake sweetheart, but you should still be in bed right now” It was too early, and all I wanted to do was sleep at the moment. “no seep, befast!” She was squirming between our bodies while Violetta crawled all over Kait. “C'mon ladies, I'll make breakfast while these lazy butts sleep” I pushed myself out of the bed and grabbed Lily, Violetta abandon waking up Kait to follow me into the kitchen.

The girls were sitting in their seats within seconds, each excited for what I had to offer.  And unfortunately it wasn't much, we had to do a much needed grocery run. Add that on the to do list before we get started on the day.

“Mama, baby?” Vi was pointing at my belly, I smiled and rested a hand against the side. “Mhm, mama's having a baby” Lily was still fascinated at how big my belly was getting. “Baby!” Vi clapped her hands excited.

They had both been born around the same time, much to the boys disappointment.  They were each becoming fathers at the same time, so no one could go to the other for advice. They had to go to their own parents for advice, though Sebastian's mom was more than happy to help.  Sure they were a little put off by our relationship at first.  But they saw how happy we all were and wanted what was best for us, and once grandkids were introduced, it was all over.

I plated the eggs for Lily and Vi before making myself a bagel.  Everyone else were on diets for roles, or too picky in the morning.  Myself included.  But the doctor told me not too many sweets this time around, and I wanted what was best for our second child.

“Papa!” Lily scooted down from her chair and ran over to Sebastian who had emerged from the bedroom. “Hi pumpkin, you being good and eating breakfast?” Seb walked over and sat her back down in her chair, kissing Vi's head before walking around the kitchen island. “Morning, the other two still asleep?” I asked before taking another bite of my bagel.  The cream cheese was a little off putting, but I needed to eat. “Chris jumped in the shower, but she's still out like a light.  How's jr doing?” Seb placed his hands on my belly, rubbing the sides ever so gently.

I nearly moaned from how good it felt, this baby had been kicking and moving a lot more.  And normally it wouldn't bother me, but when they did it while I was trying to sleep. Well, it was becoming a lot harder to stay relaxed.

“Trying to break my ribs, one by one” I held my free hand over one of his, sighing as he pressed the tips of his fingers along my belly. “He's just excited is all, can probably hear us all talking and thinks it's time to get some attention” Seb was smirking, and I wanted nothing more than to slap him.  Not too hard of course. “He gets attention from Chris all the time, kids gonna have an ego as big as yours” Seb feigned hurt, clutching his chest as he looked at me. “I take that as a compliment, he needs to have an ego the size of mine” I rolled my eyes, of course. “We need to go grocery shopping later, so let the other two know that” I kissed his cheek and went back to my bagel.

Sebastian saluted me before heading into the bedroom, laughing at whatever scene he walked into.  Living with the three of them could be interesting at points, and with the addition of the two little ones, with one on the way, it was wild. It was easier when Chris and Seb were home, they could help take care of the girls so Kait and I could sleep.  Or at least try and sleep that is.  There was never a promise of taking a nap when it came to any of us.  Which is how I had gotten pregnant so quickly after Chris came back home.

“Mommy!” Lily was holding up her plate, showing me she had even all of her breakfast. “Very good baby, what about you Vi?” I glanced over to her plate, she had eaten most of her eggs, her eyes on me then. “Done” She pushed the plate away, wanting nothing more than to go play with Lily. “Go and play girls, we gotta go to the store later” I took their plates and set them into the sink.  I could wash them later after everyone ate.

Kait was the first to walk out of the bedroom, muttering how Sebastian and Chris were both huge jerks in the morning.  So either they had been loud enough to wake her, or they resorted to tickling her awake again.  Even I knew not to do that, she would reach out and smack you with the strength of ten men.

Chris walked out after her, wiping at the tears in his eyes.  His smile was wide and bright, so something happened in the bedroom to piss off Kait.  And with no sign of Sebastian just yet, that clued me in to that he was also in on whatever happened.

“Seb said the babies been kicking a lot” Chris's hands were warm, rubbing gentle circles all over. “Mmm, he has.  I secretly think he wants to kill me before he's born” I rubbed his arms softly, resting my forehead against his chest. “He won't be able to, he'll be too sad” Chris was treading a thin line.  One he liked to cross just to annoy me at times. “Lily wasn't even this bad, and you were hovering all the time back then” I pressed myself tighter to his chest, groaning as his arms wrapped around my shoulders.

The kitchen was silent, save for Kait making herself breakfast with the limited amount of food we'd had. Thank god she was the chef of this family, because if it were up to me I'd of killed everyone by now.  Not because I had no idea how to cook, but cooking for four adults and two kids?  Well I'd be burned out before I even got the chance to eat myself.

“Daddy!” Vi ran over as Sebastian walked out of the bedroom, pulling his shirt down. “Hi baby, you gonna be good when we go to the store?” Sebastian lifted her in his arms, holding her close as he walked over to kiss Kait good morning. “Yes daddy” She was swinging her feet, her cheek resting on his shoulder. “Well we better go soon, the Pats are playing at one and I refuse to miss another game because pissy pants Stan wants to hide the controller from me” Chris raised a brow at Seb, they were always being petty with one another.

I held a hand up letting Seb know that if he said anything back to Chris that all hell would break loose. It was still too early in the morning to be dealing with anything other than sleeping.

***  

“Chris, put her down before you hurt yourself” I glanced over at Chris who was carrying Lily on his shoulders. “She wanted to go for a ride on daddy's shoulders though, I couldn't tell her no” I rolled my eyes and headed into the grocery behind Kait and Sebastian. “Just be careful please, last thing I need is either of you getting hurt” I set my purse down into a cart, going over to the produce first.

Chris was trying to keep Lily from ordering him to the bakery.  She loved getting a cookie, and all of us knew that the baker thought Chris was cute.  She would always blush when he went over with Lily or Vi.  She saw the wedding ring on his hand though, and never tried to flirt with him.  So I didn't mind if he made her day a little better, as long as she didn't try and flirt.

“She's got him wrapped around her little finger” Seb was standing beside me, picking out apples. “He's been whipped by her since the moment I gave birth” I couldn't help but laugh, Chris was now carrying Lily and Vi, one girl in each arm. “How do you think it's gonna be with a newborn?  For Lily I mean” Seb set the bag into the cart, his eyes locked onto the side of my face. “I think she'll be excited, but we're gonna have to keep an eye on both of them for the most part” This pregnancy was a lot harder on me than my first.  The doctors were amazed I had even been able to get pregnant.

It had been a shock that I had been able to get pregnant the first time, seeing the test stare back at me with the words pregnant written across the label.  Kait had come to me not even three weeks later, showing me her own test.  We waited for the boys to come home to give them the news, Chris was ecstatic, his arms wrapped around me so tightly I thought he was going to suffocate me.  Sebastian was in tears, hugging Kait close to himself as he whispered pregnant over and over.

She was due a month after I was, and that was the hardest month for any of us.  While I was home with Lily, Sebastian and Kait were out trying to get everything ready for Vi.  Lily had been a complicated pregnancy from the get go.  Morning sickness, fluctuating weight, mood swings constantly.  And that was before I hit my third trimester.  After that I was put on bed rest by my doctor, not allowed to do much of anything until the baby was here.  But once she arrived, it was as if time stood still, our little family was growing.

“Kait wants to try for another one, but I think she's already pregnant” Sebastian kept his voice low, he was attuned to how Kait acted around her time of the month.  And for the most part she wasn't acting normal at all. “I think so too, she's been eating my ice cream.  And everyone in the house knows she loathes mint chocolate chip ice cream” I rubbed my belly as the baby kicked gently, clearly lacking the attention he deserved. “I'll bring it up to her tonight, I'm sure she'll be even more excited for baby number two” Sebastian smiled, sneaking over to where Kaitlyn was looking through the peppers.

Her squeal was loud, causing Sebastian to laugh loudly as he wrapped her tight in his arms.  Chris set Vi down next to her parents before walking over with Lily still holding onto his side.

“Let's finish up getting our groceries so we can go home please” My ankles were already swelling, and my back was aching.

Chris nodded and set Lily down, holding onto her hand as he lead her through the store.  Maybe shopping would actually be easier this time.

*** So, grocery shopping had gone alright for the most part, until Lily and Vi ganged up on the boys and demanded ice cream for dessert after dinner.  And who was going to tell them no?  Surely not me, they wouldn't want to be around me anymore.  So we got them ice cream, which lead to Kait and I getting even more junk food.  Which in then lead to the cart being full of somewhat healthy food, and more junk than we were proud of.

Chris's road rage came out when we were driving back home, the car filled with the soft music as he drove down the pike.  Until someone cut us off at the last minute, causing Chris to jerk the wheel, his hand pressing over my belly.  He was absolutely fuming, yelling at how the asshole should've paid attention to where he was driving.  Lily and Vi put in their two cents, Vi saying how the guy was an asshole, which got a reaction from everyone.

“I didn't teach her how to say it, so it was one of you three” I looked over at Chris who was shaking his head.

And I knew that even though Kait swore like a sailor, she refused to have her little ones swearing all the time.  That left Sebastian, of course.  To be fair, I was happier that she didn't say the guy was a fucking asshole, as Chris had so lovingly called him.

The neighbors were staring when we pulled up, unloading the groceries into the house while the girls ran around outside.  They were all skeptical of what exactly we all had going on, making bets on who was actually married to whom.  We liked to switch it up from time to time, some days I would leave with Chris and others I would leave with Sebastian.  Of course there were even times I would leave with Kait, hands locked together as we headed down to the little corner store.

It was no secret they all thought we were originally roommates, that was until we caught wind that they had heard us enjoying one another. Nothing wrong with being in a happy relationship.  That is, until one of us gets pregnant.

“Shit, I missed the first quarter” Chris plopped down onto the couch, his elbows resting on his knees as he watched the tv with close precision. “No one's scored at least” I sat down on the arm rest beside him, rubbing my hand along his back gently. “Doesn't make me feel any better” The Pats were playing the Steelers.  And I knew Chris was trying to keep himself composed.  This was going to ensure who went on to the Superbowl.

Sebastian was plopped down on the opposite side of the couch, his brow furrowed as he read through an email his manager had sent him.  Violetta looked over, gasping as she saw the wrinkles on Seb's forehead.  Her little feet carried her across the floor as she slapped his forehead.

“No winkles!” I couldn't help but snicker, it was something that Kait had taught her, and it was adorable. “Oh, I'm sorry baby.  Daddy didn't mean to make his angry face” He smiled and pulled her into his lap.

Chris was frowning, the Steelers were pushing towards their goal line faster and faster.  His own brow furrowed as the ball was thrown, the player losing grip before he could make the touchdown.

“Winkles!” Vi was in Chris's lap now, slapping at his forehead until he laughed, grabbing her sides gently. “It's the game sweetie, why don't you go play with Lily for now?” He set her back down onto the couch, eyes glued to the screen.

She had crawled back, into Sebastian's lap slapping at his forehead until he chuckled and tickled her sides.  Lily was asleep next to Dodger. I smiled and looked around the room at everyone, whether they were napping, reading emails, watching football, or reading a book in the corner, it felt homey.  I couldn't imagine my life without these people, or their wrinkles.

[artificialqueens]

I Look Spooky but I’m Really Nice; the Saga Continues (Vatya/Sashea/Katlaska) - Remény

If this somehow gets posted twice, I’m sorry!!

If you want to read where the story all began, which I suggest, you can find it here. If you want to read the first part of this continuance, click here. 

TW: illicit drugs by names, character death (well technically she is already dead but I’d rather put it in just in case) blood, hospitals

Just a few words of thanks, if you’ll bear with me, and then we’ll get back to Sasha being possessed by a HOMOcidal (hehehe getit?) maniac

Thank you to Tiff and Vixen for tirelessly running this blog, it’s really appreciated and I don’t say it as often as I should.

Feedback really makes my day, I really love talking with people, so I wanted to say thank you to @civonumist and @leelovesbelli, sorry for scaring the crap out of you Lee! Well I’m kind of sorry but I’m glad you liked it!

Thanks for the constant encouragement from my squad of awesome nerds who write about drag queens and play ACPC with me.

Ok I’m done, not back to the story!

Love and Glitter,

Remény

I just laid there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. Then I remembered Aja, they still weren’t moving. I pulled myself over to them and shook their shoulder, “Aja! AJA! Wake up!” I put my hand on their chest, thankfully they were still breathing. I lay flat on the floor so my mouth was beside their ear. “C’Mon Aja!”

They sat bolt upright, coughing and breathing like the wind had been knocked out of them and looking around frantically and hugging themselves around the middle. I made them jump when I said, “over here Aj!”

They looked at me, blinking a few times in confusion. “Where’s your chair?” They asked in a gravelly voice, grimacing and rubbing their neck.

“Sasha…er Sharon took it!”

Aja mouthed the word “BITCH!” and let out a grunt of frustration.

“Aja, we got bigger fish to fry. I need your help, we have to warn Katya, can you find my cellphone? It should be on my bed.” Aja tried to scramble up and fell back with a cry of pain. They tried again, gritting their teeth. “Easy Aj! You’re injured. Just stay down! Do you have your phone on you?”

They shook their head, “no, I forgot it. Otherwise I would have called you before I showed up.” They tried to get up again and grunted in pain.

“Just stop it! Lay down! You’re gonna hurt yourself worse. I have an idea.” I dragged myself over to my bed and yanked on my blanket until it fell, my phone clattering down with it. I reached for it, fumbling it before getting a better grip. I managed to roll myself onto my back, jabbing in Katya’s number.

Aja laid on the floor again curled on their side, pulling in ragged little breaths as they tried to control their breathing. I didn’t know if they were hyperventilating from shock or if Sharon had done some kind of damage to their throat.

Katya’s number rang and rang and finally clicked to voicemail. “Hey Kat! Listen, this sounds crazy but trust me, DO NOT tell Sasha where you are! Call me back please, it’s an emergency. I’m so scared. I love you!”

I hung up and texted her, Don’t tell Sasha where you are! It’s important! Trust me! Please call me!

I wiggled my way the few feet over to Aja. I put my hand on her back and she jumped, “it’s just Violet, she’s gone Aja.” They nodded but didn’t say anything. “Where are you hurt? Do you need me to call an ambulance? Oh shit, you’re bleeding.” I don’t know why I didn’t see it before except that side of their head was turned away from me before they had laid down again. There was a slick dark puddle by my bed that was slowly seeping into the lavender coloured blanket I had pulled to the floor. My stomach lurched.  I reached over and pulled a dark T-Shirt out and pressed it to the side of Aja’s head, they let out a little hiss of pain. “Sorry! Sorry! Shit! Hold that!” They raised a shaky hand to hold the cloth in place.

I reached up, barely reaching the bed bar as I labouriously pulled myself to sitting, switched on my bedside lamp and then dragged myself backwards over to my large closet, pulling the folding door open. I swear I heard the hallelujah chorus go off in my head as the light shined onto my old beat up chair that I used to play wheelchair basketball.

I was pushing it out of the closet when my phone buzzed. I abandoned the chair and scooted back to my phone.

There was a text from Katya.

Katya - Why? It’s too late anyway, she offered to drive me and whoever else could fit in Shea’s car back home. She was acting kind of funny, like she might be drunk or high, she refused to speak in Russian. Was she drinking? Is she unsafe to drive? I’m confused because I thought she was supposed to be taking care of you!  Did you guys have a fight?You didn’t kick her out, did you?

I hit redial and it went directly to voicemail. “Dammit Kat, call me back!” I threw my phone in my hoodie pocket and went back to Aja, who was still laying on their side, mouth open and staring blankly ahead but their unblinking eyes weren’t focusing on anything. “Hey Aja, what can I do? Do you need me to call an ambulance? AJA!” They didn’t respond for a second and I had pulled out my phone to dial 911 when they shifted and took a deep breath, eyes darting all over. “Shhh hey hey hey, easy Aj! Are you ok? Talk to me? Do you need me to call someone?”

“No sis, I think I’m ok, I think the wind got knocked out of me. I’m just in shock. I got a wicked headache and my neck is killing me.”

“No wonder!” I opened a drawer and grabbed a few of the instant ice packs Katya insisted I keep on hand after my foot injury. I smacked them and passed them over before going back over to my chair and hefting myself into it. I rolled over and held a hand out to Aja, “do you think that you can sit up? Slowly!”

They nodded and with many grunts and moans, we managed to get them propped against the side of my bed, both of us out of breath.

I was just passing Aja a wet cloth for their bleeding head when my phone rang, making us jump.

“Hello? Katya is that you?”

“No it’s Shea, how ya feeling?”

“I’ve been better but much better than this afternoon. Listen, I have to leave the line open because Kat is going to call me about one of our friends who was in surgery.”

“Oh ok, no problem. It’s just…” she paused and I expected her to hit on me or something, “is Sasha there? I’m sorry for calling so early but I’m kindof worried, she’s not answering her phone and I was hoping if you were feeling well enough, that Sash could run out real quick and drive me home. I hate working nights and I’m exhausted because I worked a 14 hour shift. If I go on the bus, I’m gonna fall asleep and miss my stop.”

“N..n..no she had to go grab a few things at the store for us. Maybe her phone died? I mean she was probably on it when she was bored out of her mind during the day while I was sleeping.”

“Good point. When she comes back, can you have her call me?”

“How about I do you one better, I’ll go on my Lyft app and get you a ride? I’m happy to help since you helped me this afternoon. I don’t know when Sasha will be back, she just said she had to pick up a few things and was going to grab me some soup and ginger ale. Does that work?”

“The good ol’ you wash my back, I’ll wash yours kinda thing?” She purred and then yawned loudly. “Yeah, just text me the deets, I know you need to get off the phone, I hope your friend is ok!”

“Thanks Shea! Bye!”

“Bye gorgeous.”

@@@@JAX@@@@

“Do you have anything for pain?” Aja asked.

“Yep. Are you sure we shouldn’t get you to a hospital?” I passed them water, a bottle of Advil, a bottle of tylenol and then passed over my percocet. Ok I know I shouldn’t share meds but one of my best friends was just thrown across the room like they were a rag doll, some of the most gruesome bruises I’d ever seen were blooming around their neck from a friend possessed by a sociopath.

“Nah sis, I’m fine. Just a little beat up. Ask me again when the adrenaline wears off. Holy shit! That was unreal!” The somewhat rye look on their face slid off to be replaced by a look of sheer panic.

“What?”

“If Sharon’s soul or whatever is in Sasha’s body, where is Sasha’s?” They asked in a high pitched squeak.

I ran my hand through my hair, “shit, I don’t know! I’m calling Katya again.”

I fished my phone out and pulled up my Lyft app and quickly ordered Shea a ride before I could forget. Just as I finished, my phone rang, startling me so bad that I almost dropped it.

“Katya, is that you?”

“Da is me! Vhat is wrong? Vhat happened?”

“Ok listen, I’ll explain it but first you need to know that you CAN’T let Sasha see or talk to Alaska! Do you still carry around that little bottle of holy water?” I always teased Katya about carrying it but she promised her devout Christian Orthodox Mom that she would keep it on her and I hoped with every fibre of my being that she had kept that promise.

“Yes, of course! I promised my Mama. Vhy?”

“Ok when Sasha gets there, you need to throw it at her.”

Katya laughed, “vhat are you even talking about?”

“Ok this sounds crazy but Aja is my witness that this really happened!”

“Oh Aja’s there? Tell her ayo sis!” Katya giggled.

“Kat FOCUS!” I snapped.

“Ok, ok!”

“So the girl in the mirror came back.”

“Vi, you had really bad fever today, are you sure that you didn’t dream it?”

“Yekatarina no. Listen to me! Unless it’s some kinda weird shared dream bullshit it happened! So Sasha and I were sleeping and Aja woke us up when she knocked on the window.”

“Why vas Aja at house in middle of night?”

I sighed in frustration, “Pearl kicked her out for the night but that’s besides the point!”

“Ok! Ok! Take deep breath love.”

“There is no time for breathing!” I said panicky, “so Sasha had brought her Ouija board and we were talking to the girl in the mirror and then Sasha said she would just channel her because she had done that before for her aunt and then Sharon, the girl from the mirror, kinda jumped Sasha and took off! She said she had to reach Alaska but I don’t know if she wants to hurt Alaska or not!”

“I know it’s October but it’s not hallowe’en yet.” Katya said with a little chuckle.

“IT’S NOT A JOKE! If you don’t believe me, can you at least trust me please!” I begged, “she is really strong, I mean Sasha is a twig but it’s like Sharon is strong. She threw Aja across the room by their throat and hit me and knocked me out of my chair and she stole my chair so I couldn’t come after her.”

“VHAT!! And you are promising me that this isn’t a joke?”

“No it’s not, I swear to you! You have to trust me Kitty Kat, please believe me!” I started crying in frustration and panic. “I really want to make sure you and Alaska are ok. I’m so scared,” I sobbed.

“Ok shhh love, please don’t cry, I believe you. Are you ok? Did you do your checks to make sure you didn’t hurt yourself when you fell? Is Aja hurt?”

“She’s pretty banged up,” I looked over at a slouched over Aja, I think they may have fallen asleep, “I’m worried that they are really hurt. Sasha…I mean well Sharon technically really threw them and they have some really nasty bruises on their neck and they split their head open, I haven’t been able to see how bad it is. I’m just really more scared she’s gonna hurt you or Alaska so you have to hit her with the water when she gets there and keep her from Alaska but be careful! Promise me that you will videochat me when she gets there?”

“I promise, go look after Aja, call an ambulance if you think you should! Do your checks please and don’t forget, you have a spare chair in your closet.”

“ I will, I promise, I remembered about my chair. Please be careful and keep you and Alaska safe. I’m so scared. I love you!”

“I’ll go to Alaska’s room now. I will keep her safe. I’ll tell you when she gets here.”

“By the way, where are you?”

“We’re in San Mateo.”

“That’s only 25 minutes away so she will be there soon! Get to Alaska Kat. Right now! Lie and say that you’re her sister if you have to to get in to see her because I guarantee Sharon is going to fight dirty. You will know Sasha is back by asking her what her nickname for me was today. She called me kukolka.”

Katya let out a little giggle but quickly got somber, “I’m on my way to Alaska. I’ll video chat when I get there. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I went to Aja, they were asleep but there was still a trickle of blood seeping through their light purple hair. They stirred when I slipped the cloth out of their hand and parted their hair so I could get a better look at the cut. It was only about an inch across, about an inch and a half above their right ear. I grabbed the water bottle off the floor and poured some in the cut, using the cloth to catch the drips.

“What are you doing?” Aja whined, pulling her head away to give me a dirty look. “Did you get a hold of Katya?”

“Stay still!” I commanded, putting pressure on the cut, making them grimace. “Yes I got a hold of Katya, she is going to call back once she gets to Alaska.”

“Good! Do you have to press so hard sis?” Aja complained.

“Yeah I do because you won’t stop bleeding SIS!”

Aja yawned, their eyes were drooping, “I’m so tired.”

“Do you think you can try to get into my bed?”

“I can try.” they took a deep breath and turned so they were on their knees, holding themselves up with one arm, letting out a little grunt.

“Use my chair.” I said, throwing on the brakes so they could grab the side of my chair to heave themselves up, they crumpled on the bed. “You ok?”

“Yeah,” they panted as they struggled to stay awake, “I’m ok. Wake me up when you hear from Katya?” I nodded and their eyes fluttered and closed.

So I sat silently, waiting and worrying with my phone in my lap, clutched in my hand so hard that my knuckles were white. What was taking Katya so long to call me back and should I take Aja to the hospital?

My facetime rang, Aja didn’t even stir so I let them sleep. Katya’s face popped onto the screen, she had an arm around a shaking Sasha.

Alaska was sobbing in the background and screaming “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT! DAMN YOU KATYA!” Monitors were going off and several medical people rushed in. It was sheer pandemonium as they punted Sasha and Katya out of the room. Sasha needed to be supported to walk and she slid down the wall outside Alaska’s room. Katya followed suit and I got a brief glimpse of Alaska, red faced and sobbing while the nurses tried to calm her and hold her down.

“Hello Kukolka.” Sasha breathed, wiping at the steady stream of tears that cascaded down her face.

Katya was just opening her mouth to speak when a deep male voice said, “you have to move ma'ams, you’re upsetting the patient in there and I’ve been asked to escort you to the waiting room. Is she ok?”

Katya rattled off a string of Russian to Sasha who responded shakily. “Da, I mean yes, she is ok. Just upset. Can you help me get her up?” A big black mountain of a man in a dark blue security uniform came into view on the other side of Sasha as they heaved her up. The blinds in Alaska’s room were drawn but I could still hear her raging, although she seemed to be winding down like a toy with a run down battery.

Katya and the security guard sat Sasha down, she was still shaking so violently that her teeth were clacking together.

“So what happened?” I asked after a moment of stunned silence.

It looked like the waiting room was virtually abandoned but Katya’s voice still dropped to a whisper. “Vell vhen I go to Alaska’s room. Sasha or I guess Sharon was standing over bed. Sharon vas saying something to Alaska. Her eyes were really wide, she looked taken aback at vhatever Sharon vas saying. I said something in Russian and vhen Sasha did not respond but she just kind of growled at me and turned back to Alaska. So I dumped the bottle of holy vater on her head and told Sharon to leave in Jesus name. Sasha fainted but I caught her. Then-” Katya trailed off for a minute, looking nervous because the guard was back but he had just brought Sasha a blanket that he draped across her shoulders and set a styrofoam cup of steaming tea on the table beside her. Sasha smiled sweetly and thanked him and he left again. “Then Alaska started to freak out, I tried to explain that Sasha vas not herself, that even though it sounded unbelievable that she vas possessed by girl from mirror of room 121 and then Alaska just freaked out more! I mean you saw her, she was enraged. I do not understand what happened.”

Sasha was quiet through this explanation, just sadly staring off into space. A nurse came over to them and asked, “Is one of you Sasha? Are you ok Miss?”

“Yes, I’m Sasha.” Sasha responded, smiling slightly at her. “I’m ok.”

“Um Alaska is asking for you to go see her, but she made it clear that she wants only you. She’s a little drowsy because we gave her medication to calm down but she insists that she won’t rest until she can talk to you. It’s really important that she rests so if you could come see her for a moment, I’m sure it would set her mind at ease to make sure you are ok. Do you know what got her so worked up to begin with?”

“I think that she vas maybe upset about the bus accident?” Katya offered.

“Maybe, don’t worry about your friend, I’m sure she’ll be fine in a few hours. Sometimes anesthetic can have the side effect of making people feel angry for no reason. She may be asleep by the time you get to her room but she was quite adamant she needed to see you first.”

Sasha looked pale, she turned to Katya and they had a quick conversation in Russian and Sasha pulled the blanket off herself. She was still very shaky so the nurse put an arm around her waist and slowly walked Sasha away.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea for her to go in alone Kat?”

She nodded, “Sashinka said she had to go and hear her out, find out vhy she was so upset. See if she could get the story of vhat happened between Alaska and Sharon out of her.” Aja stirred and let out a little whimper behind me, making me jump as I’d completely forgotten they were there. “Is Aja ok? I haven’t told Sasha about vhat she did to you both, she just seems so shaky and upset already and everything happened so fast.”

“Tell her once she calms down a bit, it wasn’t really her, we both know that. I think they are ok. I’m not entirely convinced that I shouldn’t take them to a doctor to be honest.”

“Vait a minute, isn’t one of Aja’s friends doing a med school residency? Maybe he could come over and check them over?” She let out a little noise of frustration, “We met him that one time but I forget his name. Charles? Chandler? Chad?”

“Charlie, that’s a good idea. They forgot their phone at their house but maybe I can get his number from Pearl. I don’t want to wake Aj up if I can help it. I’m just worried they did some damage to their throat, the bruises are horrible,” I fretted. Aja had turned towards the wall so I couldn’t see their face and but their sides were rising and falling with their breath, so at least things were not swollen so much that it was cutting off their ability to breathe.

Sasha came out, still unbearably pale but looking reticent and reserved as she took a sip of her waiting tea with only slightly shaking hands.

We both just gaped at her but Katya was the first to break the silence, “vell? Vhat happened?”

“Well, I spoke to Alaska and she made a convincing argument so I said yes.”

Katya’s look of confusion mirrored my own. “Yes to what exactly Sasha?” I asked wearily. I was feeling weighed down and I was sure that the fever I’d been too preoccupied to notice was raging once again.

Sasha remained stoic and announced like it was the most normal thing in the world, “when Alaska is well enough to return home, I am going to channel Sharon again for her so they can talk.”

“WHAT? NO!” I shouted. Katya was immediately red faced with anger as she started yelling and swearing in Russian. I knew she was swearing because I had gotten her to teach me some of them when we first started talking.

Aja sat bolt upright, wheezing out, “Wazappenin’?” and letting out a grunt of pain and a cough. Their wide eyes darted around the room.

“Nothing Aj, go back to sleep.” I said calmly and patted their knee. They noticed I was on video chat and sat up and swung their legs so they were sitting on the side of the bed.

“M’ok! You were supposed to wake me up!” They mumbled. The bruises on their neck were turning deep purple. “Ayo sis’!”

Katya and Sasha stopped arguing for a moment, they both gasped, Sasha’s hand raising to her mouth. “Aja! Wha…what happened to you!? W…who attacked you?” Sasha stammered.

“Didn’t you tell her?” Aja said, sounding miffed and giving my shoulder a little cuff.

“Sorry, we hadn’t got there yet!”

“Tell me what?” Sasha asked, worry furrowing her brow so deeply it was almost a unibrow.

Katya reached over and held Sashinka’s hand and gently spoke in Russian. Sasha blanched even paler and her hands covered her mouth in shock as tears pooled in her eyes and trickled down her face as she let out a little sob. “I…I did that?”

“No Sasha, it wasn’t you. We both know that.” Aja said softly.

“I actually threw you across the room? How? And I don’t know where your chair is Violet, I hope it’s not lost. What have I done?”

“This is vhy you can not do that again Sashinka!”

“But I have to. I promised! She needs help.”

“WAIT! Hold up sis,” Aja waved her pointer finger in the air, “you mean to fucking tell me that you are thinking of letting Sharon highjack your body AGAIN? Naw sis! No! That is NOT okay!” Aja said, immediately incensed.

“I never meant to hurt anyone but I made a promise to Alaska,” Sasha dropped her hands and then put them over her heart, “there’s so much heartache there, such loss, I can feel it. How can I not help if I have the ability to? I AM so sorry! Next time, maybe it can just be Alaska and I but I have to do this! My heart. My heart. I can’t say no! I can’t tell her no. I just can’t!” She sobbed and Katya pulled Sasha in for a hug as she blubbered onto her shoulder.

“Don’t cry Sasha, ve’ll figure something out.” Katya soothed, cupping Sasha’s little bald head in her hand as she held the distraught girl close while we exchanged worried looks. Katya murmured in Russian and then looked at the camera, “Vi, vhy don’t you take care of some things there,” her eyes momentarily flicked over to a groggy looking Aja who was barely staying upright,” and then ve vill touch base soon. My phone is going to die anyway so I vill have to find a plug in. I vill let you know vhen ve know anything about Alaska or vhen ve vill be home.”

“I have Shea’s car here,” Sasha offered as she sniffled. “Oh dammit, Shea!!” She smacked her head, “I don’t know where my phone is, she’s probably worried sick! I don’t even know where the car is!” Sasha puffed her cheeks out and blew out a breath of air.

“You are in no condition to drive silly Sashinka. Vell, ve vill just go have a look around and see if ve find it. You can call Shea from my phone. Violet, ve vill keep our eyes out for your chair. Let us know how things go there.”

“Ok, I love you both!”

“Ve love you too.” Katya said with a small lopsided smile, Sasha was back to crying.

“I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” An anguished Sasha pleaded and then Kat’s battery must have died because the screen abruptly went black.

I opened up my texts and sent Shea a text.

Me - Shea, Sasha went to go see Katya and bring back some of the girls on the team, she said she can’t seem to find her cell so I just wanted to let you know she’s ok.

Then I turned and passed my phone to Aja, who just looked at it dumbly. “Call your friend Charlie and see if he can come and check you over. Your neck is looking gruesome and it needs to be checked out.”

“I don’t want to bug him.”

“Ok, you have two fucking options Aj,” I said firmly while I glared at them, “you can call Charlie and see if he can come check you out or we can go to the hospital where they likely have to report it and I don’t think they will take the whole my friend was possessed plea.”

“Riiiight!” Aja sighed and tapped away at my phone while I pulled up my fuzzy pant legs and hastily checked my lower limbs over. I had good sized bruises blooming on my knees, which must have hit first. My wrists were a bit sore from taking the brunt of my weight when I fell to protect my face and head. My ribs hurt and I wondered if my knees ran into them on my way down, I couldn’t remember how I fell because it happened so fast. I lifted up my shirt a little, sure enough I had two faint bruises.

“You still in one piece? What happened after she tossed me?”

“I think I’m ok, my wrists are a bit sore from bracing myself when I fell. I tried to stop her from leaving, she said she didn’t want to hurt me but she would if she had to. Well apparently she felt she had to because when I wouldn’t move she backhanded me really hard which caused me to fall out of my chair and then she grabbed my chair and said she was taking it so I couldn’t stop her. That she was unstoppable.” Goosebumps multiplied on my arms and down my neck, making me shiver and wrap my arms around myself.

“Hopefully your chair is just in Shea’s trunk. It better be!” Aja grumbled. “Charlie said he’ll be here in 15 minutes or so, I was kind of vague so he’ll probably bring way too much stuff until he knows what he’s dealing with. Does Sasha wear rings by any chance?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You might wanna check out your face sis.” They suggested with a grimace.

I sped over to my vanity and sure enough there were 3 long angry scratches across my red and purple cheek. “Fuuuck! Now how the fuck am I gonna cover THOSE up?”

“I dunno sis, how the fuck am I gonna cover THIS up?” They said, flailing their hand at their neck before going back to hugging themselves like they couldn’t get warm. They had a point.

“I have some scarves, I mean most are bandanas from my neckerchief phase.”

“I remember that!” They said with a little chuckle, “not your best look sis!”

I pretended to be shocked, “how DARE you!! I was young and stupid back then! I didn’t know any better!”

“Back then? Biiiiitch, it was like a month ago!” They laughed and then screwed up their face in pain, pulling the ice packs up to their neck.

I was opening my mouth to ask if they were ok when there was a soft knock on the door, it reminded me of the tap, tap, tap on the mirror and a shiver ran through me. I couldn’t help glancing nervously at the mirror, Sharon wasn’t there. I didn’t think she would be but it never hurts to check. There was a more insistent knock and I realized I was probably too busy staring at the damn mirror. I shook myself like a pissed off cat that got stuck in the rain and opened the door.

Aja was not joking about Charlie bringing a shit tonne of stuff! He had a bag in one hand and a red fucking suitcase on wheels with a giant white cross on it. Subtle. Reeeal subtle!

“Hi Violet and Aja.” Charlie said with his faint british accent. He was a bit older than most of the other students but he had a ready smile and a certain charm about him. “Bloody hell! What happened to you Aja?!” He exclaimed, he grabbed their chin and turned their head to get a better look at the side of their head where the blood was a stark contrast to their light purple hair.

Aja sucked air, they let one of their ice packs go to whack his hand away. “Jesus! Easy Charlie!”

Charlie sat down hard on the side of the bed, “what the hell happened to you Aja?!” We were both silent, “no, I need to know who did that Aj, what happened to you? What happened here?” Charlie looked from Aja to me and back.

Aja and I both spoke at once.

“Rough foreplay?” Aja blurted.

“Their ex!” I babbled.

Aja thought quick, thank God! They tried to keep their face serious but the corners of their mouth twitched, “Yes ok, I have an ex who’s into some rough shit. We just got carried away? Vi’s just a giant worry wart and made me call you.”

“She was right to! And this cut on your head?”

“Wellllll, I kinda passed out and they’re a bad catch?”

“Hmmm.” Charlie said but didn’t say anymore.

He cleaned Aja’s cut and used this weird glue to shut it which made them yelp as they exclaimed that it stung like a bitch. He noticed they were holding their arms against their stomach, “may I?” Aja nodded, biting their lip as they pulled up their shirt to reveal a long bruise across the same side they fell on. Charlie felt around while Aja tried and failed to hold in their whimpers of pain. I had a sinking feeling in my gut and felt like I might throw up, I didn’t think they were hurt anywhere else and cursed at myself for not noticing. No wonder they couldn’t get up.

Charlie had a deep look of concentration as he listened to their chest, getting them to breathe in and out a few times. He sighed, “You definitely bruised or possibly broke a few ribs. I think you are ok all things considered but I would lay off of that stuff. ” Charlie said with a disapproving glare at Aja, “you’re going to be hoarse for the next few days or you might temporarily lose your voice all together. I wanna check in on you in a day or two or sooner if anything gets worse but I’m glad you called. Now what happened to you Violet?” Charlie turned my scratched face so he could scrutinize it in better light.

I brought my hand up to my cheek. Once again Aja and I spoke in unison.

“Jealous ex!” Aja spat out.

“Bar fight?” I interjected but it was more like a question than a statement, now it was my turn to think fast, “yeah I guess my ex didn’t know I was dating someone new and kinda lost it and backhanded me across the face.”

“Hmmm,” he said again, “well make sure that you put something on it at night to keep it from drying out. There will be less chance of scarring. I have to go but” Charlie shot a dark look at me but sternly spoke to them, “Aja tell your ex to knock it off.” He turned his withering glare to Aja, “and Violet, I would recommend you stay away from your ex too. Do you need a ride home Aja?” He added gently.

Aja and I looked at each other, finally cottoning on to what he was talking about. We both burst out laughing.

“He thinks…” I giggled.

“We’re each other’s exes!” Aja wheezed and coughed, holding their side as they laughed.

“No?” Charlie asked looking simultaneously amused and confused, a cute little flush of pink creeped up his neck.

“Charlie, I like boys! And I’m pretty sure that my good sis over there is not a boy. And Vi is totally not my type anyway!”

“Ditto!” I squeaked out, still trying to hold my laughter in, “I mean about Aj not being my type, not about boys, ew!”

“More for me!” Aja teased.

“Ok, answer me one question.” His face turning worried as his voice dropped to a whisper, “are you both safe?”

Aja grabbed Charlie’s hand and looked at him seriously, “it’s a really long story we don’t to get you involved in it because it’s a dramatic mess right now but we’re both safe. I promise. That person can’t hurt us again. They’ve left and they’re not coming back.”

Charlie gave us some parting instructions and sighed deeply again, “ok, I’ll check in with you later,” before wheeling his suitcase back out with a dorky little wave.

We both let out a breath of air. I went over and grabbed a few more ice packs, “lay back and put these on your ribs fool.” A whine crept into my voice as I grabbed their hand, “why didn’t you tell me you were hurt so bad?”

“I was worried that you would make me go to the hospital.” They panted as they laid back with a loud groan.

“God!” I exclaimed, “now I know what you and Katya must feel like when I’m too much of a dumb ass to go to the doctor!”

“I know right?”

“The emphasis is on YOU being a dumb ass right now, just to make it clear!” I cracked.

They giggled and then sucked air like the wind had been knocked out of them. “Well at least you know what it feels like now!”

I grabbed the throw pillows at the bottom of my bed and lifted their legs a few inches to shove the pillows underneath before setting them back down slowly.

“Thanks sis.” Aja mumbled, sounding half asleep.

“No problem sis,” I chuckled, “go to sleep!”

They lifted their head up, “wait, where are you going sleep? Get up here,” they patted the bed beside them.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.” I reassured them, wiping a hand across my sweaty forehead, “I don’t want to make you sick!”

“Sis, I just got thrown across the room by a fucking supernaturally charged Twiggy. Perspective bitch.” They chuckled and grunted in pain again.

I guffawed, “True! True!” I went over to my nightstand and pulled the anti-nausea meds over, hoping to calm my rolling stomach. “What if I lay with my head down at the bottom, maybe that will help you not get the plague? I don’t mind sleeping on the floor! Actually I could just sleep in the ugly orange chair, it reclines,” I looked over at Aja, their face was relaxed with one hand resting across their ribs, soundly asleep already. They looked so young as I pulled a fleece Stanford blanket over them.

I grabbed a hoodie out from my drawer for a pillow and pulled my bathrobe down from the hook to cover myself with. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep with my whirring mind but as soon as I leaned back in the chair, my eyes drifted shut.

I woke up to a key being put in the lock of my door, I felt my eyes get huge as the handle of my door seemed to turn painfully slow, they flicked over in Aja’s direction but they were still knocked out.

The door creaked open and my chair was rolled in, I expected to see Katya peek her head in and was surprised at who it was.

“Max? What are you doing here?”

The long grey haired beauty put a hand on her chest, saw Aja and whispered, “gracious! You scared me! I’m sorry that I just let myself in but I heard you weren’t well and then someone found your chair in the quad and I got really concerned. I was going to knock but I didn’t know if you’d be able to get to the door, I suppose I should have knocked though. I’m sorry! Did someone take your chair? Are you ok? You look awfully pale,” The classic beauty fretted and looked completely scandalised, but to be honest, she looked like that a lot!

“Someone must have taken my chair! I didn’t notice!” I said dumbly but Max’ eyes flicked to my beat-up chair beside me and she pressed her lips together and gave me a look. Well fuck!

Max sighed as she hovered in the doorway with a hand on her cocked hip, “may I come in?”

I waved her in, “of course!”

She pushed my chair in and picked the chair Aja was sitting in up from the floor where it had fallen when Aja stood up so abruptly earlier and sat down facing me.

“So what happened? Gracious! What did you do to your face girl? Is someone harassing you? Did someone attack you?” She exclaimed, bringing a hand up to her pearls. She looked over at Aja, her eyes widened and she did a double take, staring at their neck and then down at the drying puddle of blood that I must have rolled through at one point as there was now a gruesome tire track of crimson across my floor. Well shit! Max’ brow furrowed, she wrung her hands and murmured gravely. “It’s clear that we should be speaking with campus security and the police Violet. When they tracked me down to bring me your chair, I said I’d take care of it but I think that you need more help than just I can provide and you both need to see a doctor!”

“We both got checked out by a doctor and I’ve seen two doctors in the past like 12 hours, you know how anxious they make me, please don’t make me!” I begged, hoping I looked the right enough amount of pitiful for her to relent but not pitiful enough for her to insist.

“I know you don’t like them but it’s clear that SOMETHING went on here. Anyone horrendous enough to attack two girls in their dorm and steal someone’s wheelchair should be arrested and brought to justice!” She said, passion igniting in her eyes. “Did you fill out a police report when you got checked out?”

“No, I had a friend of a friend come here to check us out. They’re in their last year or two of residency. It’s hard for me to get around in this old clunker of a chair, it weighs like 3 times my normal chair.” I was purposely vague as the last thing I wanted was for Charlie to get into trouble over all of this.

She crossed her arms, “well thankfully, you have your chair back so you can go.”

I knew what I had to do, I am not proud of knowing Max’ weakness. I burst into tears, I had been through a bunch of shit the past day. I was worried about Katya and Alaska and Sasha and this crazy idea of hers that she should pull that shit again. I was worried and scared and so it wasn’t hard and my breakdown was only partially fake. “Please Max? I can’t! I just can’t. I can’t explain what happened, I can promise that it won’t happen again and I can promise we’re safe. Can’t that be good enough?” My stomach lurched and I managed to get out an “uh oh” and then promptly ralphed all over the floor.

I don’t know if it was the crying or the barfing but Max seemed to relent, her face softening as she handed me the bucket, “shhh it’s ok! Don’t work yourself up so much Vi! Deep breaths.” She disappeared out the door momentarily and came back with a bucket, rag, dish gloves and cleaner and started to clean the floor.

“Max, you don’t have to do that!”

“It’s no bother! I don’t mind at all! But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about you Violet and I’m not someone who lies.” She said primly, “Did you want me to take this to the laundry?” She asked in a whisper, holding the bloody lavender blanket out at arm’s reach, giving it a dirty look like it had offended her.

“No, I don’t think it’ll come out and it’s making me nauseous just looking at it. Just throw it in the closet please, if you don’t mind. I’ll take care of it later.”

“No it’s ok, I’ll take care of it.” Max disappeared out of the room again with the bucket but returned in a moment. Max still looked worried, her angular face looked pinched. “What else can I do for you? What do you need?”

“Can you pass me my meds please?” I asked, pointing to my bedside table, “I think there might be a ginger ale in the back of the fridge too, if you don’t mind.” I felt bad asking her but maybe if I could keep her busy, she wouldn’t over think not calling the police. I let my head flop back and turned to look at Aja who was still out cold. Max looked down at them for a moment with pity in her eyes before rustling around in the fridge, finding a ginger ale and handing it to me.

“Thanks, ugh I’m sorry Max,” I said, as she handed me everything.

“You can’t help it love, are you sure I can’t convince you to report this? I’m worried.”

“I know you’re worried, I don’t want you to get into trouble and I know you don’t like to lie but can we just say my chair being out in the parking lot was a prank or something? I dunno…or anything?”

She pursed her lips and looked unhappy but sighed, “I truly don’t think that anyone will ask me about it, I reassured the girl that found it that I would make sure it was reported if it wasn’t an accident.”

“It was definitely an accident, the person wasn’t in their right mind when they did it.”

Max hurrumphed, “so it was someone you know?” Oh shit!

“Not really, I mean only in passing, I spoke to them today and they were very remorseful and I just don’t want to get them in trouble for something they really didn’t have control over.”

“Are they ok? Because someone who is sick or an addict is more likely to get help if they get reported.”

“Max, would you please just let it go? We’re safe, I promise you that. Okay?”

She sighed, “okay but if you change your mind…we can always report it. Do you want me to stay with you?”

I shook my head and yawned, “no I’m ok, I’m just going to go back to sleep I think. I’m so tired.”

“Well I guess I will check in on you in a wee bit, you have my number so please use it if you need anything. Do you want me to get you some soup or tea while you’re still awake?”

My stomach lurched at the mere mention of food, so I shook my head. “No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to give my stomach anymore ammo if you know what I mean?”

“True, true. Well I hope you feel better,” Max leaned over and kissed the top of my head, “take something for your fever and tell your friend I hope they feel better.”

“Yes mother,” I said sweetly and batted my lashes.

“Smart ass,” Max mumbled and chuckled on her way out, closing the door softly behind her with a click.

I must have passed out again, the next time I woke up, the door was being unlocked and turning again.

The door opened a bit and then paused, people whispering out in the hall, “come on in Max, I’m awake.” I called.

A familiar blonde face appeared, wearing a giant grin, and whispering, “hey! Sorry, ve vanted to peek in and see how you vere. You look terrible love!”

“Gee thanks! Please don’t come any closer. And we?”

Sasha poked her head in, she looked like she’d been crying her eyes out. “Hi,” she said in barely a whisper, she looked from Aja to me and burst into loud sobs, running into the bathroom and locking the door.

Aja stirred and let out a little moan.

“Oh dear, Sasha’s been doing that all afternoon.” Katya shook her head.

“Any news on ‘Lasky? Is Farrah ok?”

“Farrah is well drugged, Kimora is taking care of her. Hopefully she’ll be nice but if she isn’t Farrah probably won’t remember it anyway. Alaska should be back tomorrow, she has a bit of a hard road ahead of her with the pins in her leg. She can’t even put any weight on it for a few weeks, she’s actually going to be moving in two doors down in the accessible room for a bit since she’s on the 2nd floor of her apartment and there is no elevator. It’s kind of lucky that girl dropped out.”

“Poor ‘Lasky! That’s horrible,” I frowned.

“Hey you found your chair! That might help cheer Sashinka up?” Katya put her mouth up to the door and said in a slightly sing-song voice usually used to calm the very young, “Sashinka, they found Vi’s chair, I told you that it vould turn up. Pleeease stop crying dear. It’s not your fault.” Sasha seemed to cry even harder and louder.

“Oh shit, mother fucker!” Aja exclaimed with a groan. “Ouch!”

“Good morning sunshine.” I said in a bright sunny voice, “Kat, can you give Aj these please?” I handed Katya my prescription pain meds and she gave me a questioning look but took them over, helping Aja sit up seemed to be difficult but Katya pulled a bunch of pillows behind them so they could sit up before taking one of the pills gratefully from her.

I dragged my carcass out of the orange chair and into my own, going over to the bathroom door and putting my hand on it, “Sash, please come out. Please? I can’t talk to you through a door.”

“Ayo sis, get out here!” Aja tried to yell but it came out a gravelly, squeaky mess. It seemed to have some effect because the door slowly creaked open and Sasha hesitantly peeked her red, tear streaked face out. Aja smiled and patted the bed beside them, Sasha took a deep breath and then slunk out of the bathroom like an animal that got caught doing something wrong. Aja pulled one of Sasha’s hands away from her face, I rolled over and patted her knee. “Listen sis, I know I don’t know you well at all and half of that time, you were possessed by an evil, raging, bitch-monster.” That earned Aja a little watery chuckle from Sasha, “bottom line, we both know that this wasn’t your fault. I gotta be honest though, the idea of you putting yourself or us through that again is pretty damn scary to me.”

“Ve have a plan for that!” Katya announced triumphantly. We gathered around like a football team while Katya shared her and Sash’s plan.

Needless to say, I did not stay in my room after dark for the next 2 nights. I slept at Katya and Trixie’s, who’s new nickname was Tracie since old Professor Tempest couldn’t seem to remember her name.

We helped a miserable and pale looking Alaska move into her new digs the day she was released from the hospital 2 days ago. She was using a wheelchair and had to keep her leg propped up on pillows. I showed her a few tricks to getting around, just in case she wanted to go out. Alaska was pretty much despondent when she did reply and I knew nothing of what anyone said to her before tonight’s gathering with Sasha would sink in.

We went out with Sasha and Aja for a late night snack before we were due to meet Alaska at 2 am. Aja looked horrible when they joined us at this greasy lil diner we’d discovered the other day, they were still walking slightly hunched over. Thankfully between some theatre grade foundation and powder, the cold snap and a guilty Sasha’s very ample turtleneck sweater collection no one seemed to see the dark bruises on Aj’s neck. Some of them were fading out to shades of green and yellow. As Charlie had predicted, Aja was completely horse still. I also had on a thick layer of foundation and I’d been wearing my hair so it hung over that side of my face instead of my usual ponytail.

Sasha was chasing her Julienne salad around her plate with her fork but not really eating any of it but a few pieces of tomato and a bit of the chicken, she was wearing a long thick cable knit grey sweater and red tights with little rhinestones on them. It was strange to see her head covered by a matching grey cap when it was normally so proudly and defiantly on display. She had dark bags under her eyes and a sallow tone.

“You know the food works better if you actually eat it, right?” Sasha didn’t appear to hear them, so Aja raised their voice, “AYO SIS!” Sasha’s head snapped up, “did you stone those tights yourself?”

Sasha smiled and shook her head. “No Shea’s friend Val made them. She’s obsessed with AB stones.”

“Vhat’s wrong Sashinka?” Katya put her hand on Sasha’s arm and she jumped out of her skin.

Sasha sighed, “Sorry. I am just worried that this won’t work, that somehow I won’t be able to do it or it will go wrong. Or that I will hurt someone again. Or Shea will find out, she already knows I’m upset about something and she keeps apologizing like she has something to be sorry about. Did you turn up the heat in your room Vi?”

“Sash, you’re not going to hurt anyone, our plan is good. It wasn’t your fault the first time either. And yes, I turned up my heat.” I smiled at her.

Sasha managed a weak but queasy looking smile and nodded, she pushed her plate away, “I can’t eat anything. I’m just too nervous.”

Katya pushed the plate back, “how about you eat some protein? Just eat egg or meat or cheese,  c’mon 3 more bites? Please Sashinka? Shea said you haven’t eaten much in days, I’m vorried. Ve are all vorried.” Katya needled her just like she’s done with me countless times, Sasha sighed and picked up her fork, skewering a tiny piece of cheese but with a look from Katya she added a half a boiled egg.

Katya and I had gotten a slightly panicked facebook call from Shea yesterday.

“Hey guys, has Sash been acting weird lately or is it just me? I know she’s been hanging out with y’all a lot since I’ve been working so much and spending such long hours at the studio getting ready for the show and I’m glad that she is! Don’t get me wrong! But, has she been eating with you? The groceries in our apartment have hardly been touched, she hasn’t used her meal card in days either. I went to see if I should put some money on it since I got paid and it was still full. I made her her favourite sandwich the other day and I found it in the trash without one bite taken out of it!”

Katya and I exchanged looks, Sasha hadn’t been hanging out with us much.

“Uh…you know that she looked after me the other day when I had the stomach flu, maybe she picked it up? I hope not! I would feel so bad.” From what I’ve seen of Sasha, she didn’t seem sick. Withdrawn and stressed, yes, but not sick.

I think she had been spending a lot of time with Alaska, who did nothing but stare out the window. As far as I know, she hadn’t told Sasha much about who Sharon was to her or what the story was, just that something happened and she needed to talk to Sharon.

We couldn’t do the seance thing until tonight because Sasha insisted we wait for a night when Shea was for sure working and not just at the studio where she could leave and pop in at any point. For some reason Sasha was adamant that Shea not find out, it had taken some pleading with Alaska but what could Alaska do? It’s not like she could MAKE Sasha get possessed or whatever.

“Hmm I don’t know,” Shea scowled. “I mean you were completely out of it when you had it Violet. I don’t think they’ve had a fever, I would have noticed.” Shea chewed her bottom lip, she did look really worried and I wondered, not for the first time, why she flirted with me or anyone else when she seemed to really love Sasha.

“I promise, ve vill keep a better eye on her.” Katya said from over my shoulder.

I nodded, “we will make sure she eats something.”

“Ok, thanks. Just let me know if she says something, I mean, I feel like she’s keeping something from me. Like she’s upset about something? I don’t know, maybe I’m bugging out about nothing? I mean, I’ve never hoped I was bugging out about nothing til now.”

“Ve vill keep our eyes and ears open.”

“That’s all I can ask, I gotta jet but I’ll talk to you guys soon? Take care of my girl for me ok?”

I guiltily looked away, but I heard Kat murmur “ve vill,” before Shea hung up.

Katya nudged my ribs, bringing me out of my memory, “you need to eat something too Missy!” Sasha and I rolled our eyes at each other, a small but genuine grin turned up one side of Sasha’s mouth. Another nudge and I sighed and picked up my own fork, Aja was staring at me.

“What Aja?”

“Nothing. It’s ok sis!”

“No say it.” I stabbed a fry with so much force that the fork scraped across the plate, making us all cringe. “Sorry.”

“Maybe I’m just used to you having your hair back but you just look like you’ve lost weight.”

“Gee thanks! Anyone else wanna tell me I look like shit?” I asked sharply, throwing my fork down with a clatter that made Sasha jump. “Maybe I did lose weight, three days of barfing can do that to a person!” I knew I was overreacting but I couldn’t seem to do anything about it.

Aja pouted, and flailed a chicken wing in my direction, they rolled their eyes, “no sis you’re right!” Then they added sarcastically, “you’re perfect, you’re beautiful, you look like Linda Evangelista, you’re a model! Everything about you is perfect!”

I let out a little surprised bark of laughter and it seemed to break whatever mopey spell had been cast on our table. Even Sasha looked up from pushing her food around her plate and let out a little chuckle.

“Smartass,” I muttered, nibbling at the corner of a chicken strip.

“Are you feeling any better kukolka?” Sasha asked quietly.

I nodded, “definitely but I still have no appetite. But I haven’t had a fever in the past day or so.”

“Glad to hear it.” Sasha pushed her plate away again and said something sharply in Russian to Katya when she opened her mouth to tell her to eat more.

A cute girl came to our table to give us the bill, we were the only ones left and it was obvious that the staff were wanting to close up for the night. They were upturning chairs onto tables, sweeping and mopping the floor but leaving a path of dry floor for us to leave by.

Katya had to drive Shea’s car after we decided Sash was too distracted to drive when she tried to get in someone else’s car. On the way back, Sash kept nodding off.

When I opened my dorm door, the stifling heat was like a smack to the face.

“Jesus!” Aja exclaimed, immediately peeling off their sweater.

“I think you’re thinking of the other direction!” Katya joked as she striped off her own sweater.

“I should go change, Alaska will be here any moment. Do you have the…uh…things Vi?” Sasha sighed yet again.

“There’s a bag in the bathroom, there are a few to choose from. There’s a housecoat on the back of the door but I doubt you’ll need it with it being this warm. At least I know the heat works!” I unravelled my scarf and took off my hoodie, putting my hair up in it’s usual ponytail.

There was a chair in the middle of the room, the beat up ouija board box on the table beside it. There was a soft knock on the door, Katya answered, swinging wide the door to let a pale and slightly green Alaska wheel through.

“Hi.” She said but it was little more than a puff of air, “thanks for doing this Violet, I really appreciate it.” She smiled weakly.

The door to the bathroom opened and a bashful and red faced Sasha poked her head out. “Oh good, you’re here Alaska!”

“Mmhmm, thanks again Sash but uh why are you in a bikini? And why is it so fucking hot in here? Someone should open a window for God’s sake!”

“You didn’t tell her the plan?” Sasha said, looking between the other three of us in the room. When none of us said anything, Sasha sighed and sank into her seat in the middle of the room, she had her hands splayed to hide as much of herself as possible.

“So I really hurt Violet and Aja last time when Sharon…uh…borrowed my body and I just don’t feel comfortable putting you all at risk again. So the plan is Katya, Aja and Violet have super soakers filled with holy water. So if it seems Sharon is going to get physical again, they can pull her out of my body.”

“She won’t hurt you again, Sharon would never! She was just worried when she heard I was hurt. Sharon wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Alaska said, scandalised at the very thought that Sharon could be violent.

Aja strode over to the vanity and plucked up one of my makeup wipes, removing the thick layer of cake makeup and powder and going over to Alaska and craning her neck so Alaska could see the full extent of the damage. Alaska grimaced and looked away. “She threw me across the fucking room so buzz, buzz, mother fucker because here is proof that she can and will hurt a fly. She could have killed me!” Sasha opened her mouth to apologize yet again but Aja brought up a finger and shook it in her direction, “and stop saying you’re sorry Sis! It wasn’t you. I know that and so does Vi.” Sasha closed her mouth again.

“I still don’t get why Sasha is in a bikini though.” Alaska mumbled.

“We need the largest amount of skin available to shoot at because we are all bad aims.”

Alaska’s eyes were already brimming with tears and a fat one splashed onto her lap. “Please just give her another chance?”

“So what is the story between you two?” Aja asked, sitting carefully on the edge of my bed.

The lights flickered and Sharon appeared in the mirror, her face totally changed at the sight of Alaska. Her face softened and lost it’s hollowed out look and her eyes sparkled. She put a hand flat on either side of the glass, a glowing tear trickled down her face.

“Ok let’s go. Vi, I think you need to start at the ouija board since it’s your room.” Sasha said, letting out a breath of air from her puffed out cheeks as she swirled the heart shaped wooden planchette around the board while Alaska and I rolled over to the table. Katya stood by the door and Aja stood opposite with their water guns pointed at Sasha.

We added our fingers to the board, Alaska hesitated for a fraction of a moment before adding her long, spindly fingers as Sasha said, “we invite communication from the spirit world, specifically from the girl in the mirror of room 121.”

The planchette almost sprinted around the board, “she just spelled out I’ll be good.” Sasha said, she looked up at Sharon sternly, “you better or I won’t be doing this again.” Sharon nodded emphatically. “Ok let’s get this over with.”

I backed up and grabbed my own gun from my bed as Sasha lowered her head to her chest. There was a moment of still before Sasha took in a huge inhale of air and lifted her chin.

The three of us with guns shifted, I couldn’t talk for the other two but I felt a jittery energy sweep through the room.

Sharon slowly lifted her hands, palms out. “I am not going to hurt you.” She said calmly, it was eerie how much Sasha’s voice changed into this high pitched whine. Sharon turned her eyes to Alaska, “Lasky?”

“Hi,” Alaska breathed, pulling Sharon’s hand into her own and asked in a small voice, “why did you have to leave me all alone? I’m sorry, it should have been me. It was my stuff, it’s all my fault.” Alaska wailed.

“Stop it!” Sharon barked and squeezed Alaska’s hand, shuffling the chair closer. Then her voice softened, husky with tears. “You didn’t know it was bad. I’m glad I got to it first. You can and have and WILL do so much more good in this world than I ever could.”

“But the last thing I ever said to you was that I hated you. ” Alaska sobbed and flung her hands in the air, “and then I just left you. I was so mad but if I hadn’t left, you’d still BE here. I could have saved you, I could have. I should have stayed.”

“No,” Sharon shook her head, “I hate you isn’t the last thing you’ll ever say to me. We have this chance, right now. I love you so much but you have to stop blaming yourself. You have to let yourself move on because that is the only way I will ever get to.”

“I love you too but you…you forgive me? You should hate me, you have every right to! I wouldn’t blame you. I killed you!” Alaska looked down at her lap and broke down, crying harder than I’ve ever seen anyone cry. She looked like she might come apart with the force of her shaking.

The three of us with waterguns gasped at Alaska’s confession.

Sharon’s head snapped up and she looked surprised to find us there, like the only thing that existed in her world was Alaska. “She didn’t kill me.” Sharon scooted closer, lifting her chin with a crooked finger to make Alaska look her in the eye, tears streaming down her own face. “You didn’t. There’s nothing to forgive. NOTHING! I need you to do some things for me.”

“Anything. I would give anything to go back in time and change things.”

“But you can’t Alaska! You can’t! I wish I could too but if it meant you would die, I wouldn’t do it. You can fulfill my dying…er…dead wishes.”

“Anything.” Alaska murmured again.

“I need you to stop wishing you were dead, I need you to NEVER try to kill yourself again. Promise me!” Sharon said firmly, running her hands over Alaska’s collarbones.

Alaska nodded and sobbed out, “I promise, I’m sorry. I can’t help it, I just get so sad and I miss you so much.”

“I know you do babe, I miss you too but you have to realize you’re supposed to be HERE! I’m so, so proud of you for getting sober, I wish we could have done that together. I just want you to know, when you’re ready, that it’s ok to move on. You deserve to love and be loved by someone as special as you are.”

Alaska shook her head and mouthed “no. I can’t.”

“You can! I need to know you’re going to be ok. Promise me?” Sharon pulled Alaska into a hug, running her hand down Alaska’s platinum hair. Aja, Katya and I had all lowered our guns, I swiped at the tears cascading down my face.

“I…I promise, I’ll try but I don’t think I can ever love anyone like I love you. I can’t put my whole heart in it because you took a piece of me with you.” Alaska wailed and held onto Sharon harder, blubbering into her shoulder.

“Shhh I’m so sorry baby. Shhh. I love you so much but I can’t stay. You won’t be able to move on and I need that for you. I need to know you are going to be ok. Shhh. I’m so sorry beautiful.” Sharon cooed, pulling back to cup Alaska’s face in her hands, pressing a kiss onto the sobbing girl’s forehead before pulling her back in again.

We sat there, paused, frozen in time while the two girls in the middle of the room held onto each other and cried out their heartbreak together. We didn’t know the whole story but you didn’t have to know it was a catastrophic loss for both of them.

“Dawn is coming. Can you do one last thing for me?” Sharon asked with a wobbly voice, sniffling and wiping at Alaska’s face with the pads of her thumbs. “Can you sing me to sleep one last time?”

“I can’t. I haven’t sang since you left me all alone.” Alaska whimpered.

“You have to share that gift with the world Lasky and I’m…I’m so tired,” Sharon’s voice cracked and she ended with a sob, sounding child-like, “please? Sing me to sleep.”

Alaska looked conflicted, a gamut of emotions running across her face. She would obviously want to help Sharon find peace but would feel like she was losing her all over again. She finally sighed and nodded, between sniffles she asked, “can you help me onto the bed please Katya?”

While Kat and Aja helped a sobbing Alaska who grunted in pain onto the bed, Sharon came over to me. She looked nervously at my gun so I set it down on the table beside me. Sharon got down on her knees and pulled me into a strong hug, whispering in my ear, “can you please tell Sasha thank you? The words thank you are not remotely strong enough to voice my gratitude but it’s all I have. She’s let me finally rest. She’s given my girl peace. I’m so sorry for hurting you and Aja, when I heard Alaska was hurt, I guess I just lost my damn mind for a minute.”

“Shar?” Sharon’s body stiffened against mine at the sound of Alaska’s broken voice, “I’m ready as I’ll ever be.” Alaska patted the bed beside her.

Sharon sat beside Alaska, a wry smile on her lips as she looked over at me, “also tell Sasha’s girlfriend I’m sorry.” I was about to ask her what the hell she was talking about when she wrapped her arms around Alaska’s neck and pulled her into a long, passionate, open-mouthed kiss as tears streamed down their faces. I looked away, thinking that maybe the two girls would want some privacy in their last moment.

“I don’t think I can do this. I’m scared, I don’t want to let you go.” Alaska admitted tearfully, I turned my head to look at her, Sharon was laying on her side, head in Alaska’s lap, curled around Alaska carefully to avoid her injured leg. Alaska was stroking the back of her fingers down the side of Sharon’s face as she sobbed.

Sharon caught her hand and pulled it to her lips to kiss it and then whispered “please baby? Let me finally rest in your arms, sing me to sleep Lasky?“ Her eyes pleaded with Alaska as she repeated, “I love you but I’m so tired. Please don’t forget me.”

“I could never!” Alaska swore, leaning down to kiss Sharon’s forehead. “I love you so much.”

When Alaska started to sing, my mouth flopped open with surprise at the rich tones of her voice.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Black bird singing in the dead of night

Take these sunken eyes and learn to see

All your life

You were only waiting for this moment to be free

Sharon let out a sigh, a small smile on her lips. Sasha’s body went slack and Alaska let out a mournful, keening cry. She cradled Sasha’s limp body against her own and screamed and wailed.

Sasha’s eyes fluttered a few times before they opened. She sat up straighter in Alaska’s arms and pulled the still inconsolable Alaska into a tight hug. “She’s gone, isn’t she? Oh Alaska,” she breathed, “I’m so sorry. Shhh darling.” After a few moments she looked around the room at us, “Katya, I think Alaska could use a nice cup of tea from the cafeteria. Aja, could you run down to Alaska’s room and get her a warm sweater, she’s shaking like a leaf. Vi…uh…”

I could tell Sasha was trying to get rid of us to talk to Alaska alone but was uncomfortable ordering me from my own room, “I will do whatever you need me to, but I have to go to the bathroom first.” I offered.

“Yeah, no that’s good. Yeah go do that.” Sasha stuttered out, giving me a sweet little thank you smile.

We scattered and I pulled the door shut. I wasn’t trying to listen. Occasionally I heard a word or phrase here or there, Alaska was wailing again at one point and I winced. I turned the tap on to drown out what Sasha was almost having to yell to be heard over Alaska but I still heard Sasha repeat the phrase, “you loved her enough to let her be at peace. There is no greater love than that, no greater gift that you could give her Alaska!” Minutes that felt like hours ticked by and Alaska was slowly winding down.

There was a knock at the door to my room and I heard Aja say they got the sweater and then ask if they should come back. Sasha said no so I took that to mean they were done their talk and it was safe to come out, so I poked my head out.

Sasha was sitting cross-legged beside Alaska, her arm around the lanky girl who was rubbing her red rimmed eyes. They both looked absolutely exhausted.

Katya came in shortly after with 4 large paper cups of hot water, pulling milk and sugar and a plethora of different tea bags out of her coat pocket. “I forgot to ask vhat kind.”

For a few minutes Alaska stared at the tea she held in her trembling hands while we all stared at her. She cleared her throat and whispered, “I can feel you staring at me, I’m going to tell you. I just need a minute.”

Sasha patted her hand, “you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to dear.”

“No, you especially out of all people, deserve the truth. I just ask that you not judge me too harshly once I’ve told you the whole story.”

“We wouldn’t do that.” Aja promised somberly and Katya and I murmured sounds of agreement with them.

Alaska sighed, “ok, so before this was an accessible room, it was our room. Sharon and I were roommates, I kind of hated her at the beginning to be honest. She was all doom and gloom and grumpy exterior and I was an independent, overachieving, tightly wound gymnast and cheerleader prone to temper tantrums when I didn’t get my own way. But when I hurt my foot, I saw a whole different and gentler side of Sharon, she took care of me without being asked to. At first it was annoying to me but she kept taking care of me and I eventually admitted to myself that I liked it. I liked being taken care of.” Alaska admitted as if it were a crime to want to be cared for. “I got better and Sharon and I went our separate ways…well…as much as roommates could anyway. Sharon hung out with a different crowd than me but we somehow managed to land at the same pharm party.”

“What’s a farm party? Is it held in a barn?” Sasha asked innocently. Aja let out a snort.

Alaska looked down and turned red. “No no, Pharm with a PH, it’s a party where you go and the entrance fee is usually a couple bucks and whatever prescription meds you can get your hands on. They put them all in a fishbowl and then you take some.” Sasha gasped. “Yeah it’s dumb because you don’t know what you’re getting but I never claimed to be smart. Whatever I took, fucked me up, bad, and Sharon rescued me yet again. She probably saved my life that time too. She made me throw up and watched me through the night even though she was tripping balls herself. When I woke up or came to or whatever, she was in the corner of the room, hugging her knees to her chest and rocking back and forth, muttering to herself that she was a horrible person and I was dead. Not the most amazing time for a first kiss but it calmed her down.” Alaska let out a little chuckle. “I wish I could say that we were never that stupid again, that we vowed to never take drugs again and lived happily ever after but that would obviously be a lie. We did swear off pharm parties, sticking to the drugs we knew so to speak, pot and E, meth a few times but we had the best time with coke so we started to do coke exclusively, somehow trying to convince ourselves we weren’t really drug addicts if we didn’t do the supposed hard stuff or start injecting. It got so bad that I would cut out of class early to do a line before the next one, my grades started falling, I got put on academic probation. I was still secretly chasing a bigger high to avoid my problems. The high from snorting coke could no longer fuel my need and so I started sneaking behind Sharon’s back to inject amphetamines, which were great for my grades as I studied frantically but I wouldn’t sleep for days and Sharon was anything but stupid. Our regular dealer got busted, I had to search this other guy out. I was the one that got the drugs because I figured that way Sharon couldn’t find out how much I was doing or that I was veering from our coke-only plan.” Alaska sagged, “she came home early after I had just picked up a new supply, she walked in our room to find me laying on the bathroom floor with a needle in my vein, half of the drugs still in the syringe. Her walking in on me was the second time she saved my life, I woke up the next day to all my stuff packed and by the door and an irate Sharon who had had 18 hours to think while I lay unconscious on the bed she dragged me onto. I was going into withdrawals at this point and feeling the worst physical pain I’ve ever felt which seemed to go with the worst emotional pain I’ve ever felt. Sharon wasn’t an angel, she had a temper as you two both saw, but I’ve never seen someone so angry.”

Alaska shuddered and held her tea to her chest while Sasha covered her in a blanket. “You can stop Alaska, it’s ok.”

Alaska shook her head and gritted her teeth, “no I’ve come this far. I have to finish it. Sharon gave me an ultimatum as I lay shaking in a pool of my own sweat, get clean or get out. Things were said that shouldn’t have been but in the heat of the moment, I couldn’t take it back. I screamed at her I would do one better and leave without the drugs. She could have them. That I hated her and then I threw the 3 bags of coke in my pocket at her and left. I didn’t take anything with me so I didn’t get her texts. I didn’t know she was in trouble! I would have come back!” Alaska broke down as she pulled up her phone and passed it to Sasha who read it and passed it to me, she had saved the messages from Sharon.

9:42pm Alaska, baby please come back. You’re sick, you can’t spend the night on your own. At least tell me you are somewhere safe, that you aren’t out on the street. Come home.

11:32pm I tried not to do it, but I used some of the coke you threw at me. I think it was cut with something, I feel different.

11:35pm I’m scared something is really wrong ‘Lasky, my heart feels like it’s going so fast it might stop. I think I need to call for help but I’m scared. Can you?

11:40pm HELP ME!

11:41pm I will always love you.

I spent the night at a friend’s house getting wasted, I went back to the room to get some things when I knew Sharon would be in class except she wasn’t. She was laying on the floor dead with one hand over her heart. I’ll never forget how dim her eyes were without their usual sparkle, she was gone.” Alaska stopped for a minute to drink her tea.

Aja, Katya and I all had tears trailing down our faces. I folded in on myself and Katya came over and held my hand. Sasha was weeping loudly, her breath coming in ragged little gasps.

“I freaked, I called 911 and tried to revive her while they got there but she was pronounced dead at the scene, she’d been dead for hours, there had been no chance for survival. Our room was a crime scene until they could figure out what happened. They tested the coke and it came back that Sharon was right, it wasn’t even coke, it was white heroine which looked like coke but was much more potent and since Sharon often did at least two lines, she didn’t have a chance at survival, it stopped her heart and breathing after 10 minutes. The drug dealer didn’t know what he was doing, he was caught and charged with involuntary manslaughter and possession with the intent to traffic. I moved out of our room, Sharon’s memory was everywhere. I spent the first 6 months after Sharon’s death getting coked out until my friend and new roommate nicknamed Jinkx was forced to call 911 because I purposefully ODed. I missed Sharon too much, she was gone  and it was my fault so I felt it was only right for me to die too.”

“Oh Alaska,” Katya whispered from right by my ear, making me jump.

“My parents made me go to rehab, I got out and relapsed within 12 hours, confirming my worst fears that I was worthless, hopeless and should be dead. I almost drowned coked out in the bathtub one night, I think maybe Sharon saved me that time because I made sure Jinkxy was out for the night before I did it. I remember going under and feeling at peace but I woke up freezing with the water drained out of the tub. I got thrown in rehab again but this was a different program, they recognised that they needed to help me with underlying problems not just sober me up for 30 days. A year and 3 months after her death, I was sober. I still struggle everyday with cravings and the guilt, which I’m going to try to forgive myself for. It was a horrible accident. When I heard about the girl in room 121, I was glad I wasn’t living in there because I was afraid of what Sharon would say. I knew it was her, of course it was. After graduation, I left the country for a few years, trying to run as far away from this room and the memories it held. When I got offered a job, I was reluctant to take it but I felt like I had to, i was being called to. That there was a deeper purpose and I was right, I just wish I wasn’t such a chicken because I would have been able to give her peace earlier. Thank you Sasha, for giving us both peace.” Alaska said, punctuating the end of her sentence with with a yawn, “if you guys don’t mind, I think I should go to bed.”

“I’d like to come with you and watch over you, if that’s ok.” Sasha asked timidly, “I just have the feeling maybe you shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

Alaska thought for a moment and I recognised that internal struggle between independence and allowing someone in. She smiled a little and nodded, “ok, I’d like that.”

Aja decided to head out too until it was just Katya and I laying in bed with our arms wrapped around each other.

“I love you so much, I don’t know what I’d do or who I’d be without you.” I whispered when I thought Katya was asleep.

Katya pulled me closer, “I love you too. I don’t ever vant to find out how I’d ever live vithout you.”

I relaxed in her arms and let sleep carry me away.

[ilyasvieltrevelyanshepard]

58. “Am I dead?” with Shoker, pretty please? And to enable you...a funny one? xD

Thanks, luv! After working almost 12h, I needed a distraction ;)

Obviously, with my brain turned into a puddle of work-words related and hate about my life and the situation of my region… well, not my brightest work xDDDD but I enjoyed writing it and laughed with the idea ^^

Hope you like it!!

The night cycle began several hours ago. Shepard walks across the C-Sec building, dragging her feet, followed by Liara and Kaidan. They have had another endless session with the Council, to decide… NOTHING, as always. These meetings always left her feeling tired, angry and frustrated. The few guards they find give them a curt nod or let them be, the dark clouds over their heads in plain view to anyone who looks at them. The elevator seems to need a full century to arrive, and Shepard is already groaning to the crystal walls before it reaches them. “Damn, I need my bed and a beer. Ideally at the same time.”

Liara sighs behind her, making her neck crack with a quick movement. “At least tomorrow we are free of them and their games. I need to send a gift to the Elcor ambassador. Goddess bless him and his stage play.”

His fingers are massaging his temples when the elevator arrives, and Kaidan follows them inside, leaning on the wall with a grunt. “And more important. Goddess bless whoever has decided that the Normandy team didn’t need to be there. I don’t know if I can survive a King Liar performed by Elcors.”

Shepard is beside the button and is pushing it insistently, with the feeling that doing it the elevator will move quicker. “I know. Sorry for dragging you with me.”

Dismissing her words with a move of her hand, Liara gives her a tired smile. “No way we will let you go there alone.” A soft hum of agreement is Kaidan’s answer. Luckily for the poor button of the elevator, the doors opened to the docks and Shepard storms outside, strolling directly to the airlock of the Normandy. She initiates the protocols before the other two reach the door. The VI of the ship gives them the welcome aboard after the decontamination process.

Being docked, the Normandy runs with the minimum required, and in the middle of the night cycle, there are only a couple of soldiers guarding the CIC. They salute Shepard when she passes near them. Returning a quick without stopping by, she reaches the stairs, waiting for the door to open. “Fuck, why are those damned doors so slow?” A chuckle from one of the soldiers is her answer, and she has to join him, head falling. The doors finally open, and she goes down the stairs, with Liara and Kaidan behind her. As soon as they reach the main floor, Liara wishes them a good night before disappearing inside the med bay. Kaidan tries to stay with Shepard, but she shoos him away in the direction of the crew quarters. His face is almost hidden completely behind the hand that is nursing his temples, but she can see the little grateful smile on his face. The tiredness on her body makes her ignore even the idea of storming the mess in search of beer. She is moving in autopilot and didn’t see that the lock of her bedroom is opened. Stepping inside and not bothering to turning on any light, she begins to peel off the clothes from her body. When she reaches the bed, she is in her underwear, and lets her body fall on the bed without any care. To her surprise, a low grunt sounds from the other side of the bed. With a quick movement, she readies the blade on her omnitool. The light of the activated weapon let her see the origin of the grunt. Joker is laying on his back on the bed, the cap resting on the nightstand with a smiley sticker on it. Folding the weapon, she lays back, leaning on an elbow while she works with the light controls. Soft light begins to shine behind the headboard. When the change of illumination didn’t disturb the pilot, Shepard begins to poke his shoulder.

She needs almost a minute to enter his foggy mind, but at last, he grunts and tries to slap her hand, making her giggle. She feels still tired, but this moment is too good to let it pass. Moving the hand down, she keeps poking his ribs, making him twitch with a swear. “Damn, whoever you are, let me sleep!”

Another giggle from her part while she moves the hand away. “I will do if you weren’t trying to sleep on my bed.”

Her voice seems to have the desired effect, and he opens his eyes, looking at her with a confused look. When he sees her lying beside him in her underwear, he grunts, closing his eyes again and letting his head fall to the bed. “Shit. Am I dead?”

“That will depend, Flight Lieutenant Moreau. Do you have a good reason to break into your Commander’s room and fall asleep in my bed?” She tries to sound stern, but the situation is so hilarious that she can’t keep the laugh away. “Speak, Lieutenant, or I will have to get the truth from you with some tickling torture.”

He covers his eyes with a hand but opens the fingers to let him see her. “Commander, I must remember you that you are almost naked?”

“I’m in my room, in my bed, in the middle of the night. Deal with it. Now, spill it or feel my tickling ire!”

Another grunt with a muttered ‘shit’. Shepard can see his eye moving up and down her exposed skin from behind his fingers, but instead of saying something, she begins to drum her fingers on her hip, feigning impatience. At last, he answers her, “I don’t know, ok? I remember leaving the Normandy with Garrus and Williams. We took a bite in the wards before moving to the DarkStar, but is the last thing I remember.” Grunting again, he let the hand fall back to the bed. “Can I kill Williams before you kill me or kick my ass away from the ship? Or better, I can pay Wrex to do it.”

Shepard falls to the bed, laughing hard until tears begin to roll over her cheeks. “Oh my gosh, Joker. Williams pranked you! That’s the best prank I’ve seen ever in an Alliance vessel.” Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, she turns on her side to face him again. “That explains the smiley on your hat. That girl is a demon.”

“And I will kill her tomorrow if my hangover lets me think about it.”

Seeing how frowned his brows are, she lowers her voice. His head must be killing him. If he can’t remember the long way to the ship from the wards, he must have drunk enough booze to put a Krogan tipsy. “Instead of killing her, we can pay her with the same coin, if you want.”

“What are you thinking about? Breaking into Udina’s home will be more complicated, but utterly fun.”

A new chuckle escapes her control, “Damn, you are evil, my friend. But no. I have the perfect one. Stay here tonight, and we can emerge from the room together. She will fall on her ass.”

Joker’s hand returns to his face, to rub his eyes hard enough to make him see stars behind the eyelids. “She and the rest of the ship, Shep. But if you are alright with tainting your reputation with someone like me, I’m in.” Several seconds later, his own words reached his brain, and he hits his forehead. “Shit. I’m drunker than I thought.” Turning to look at her and her raised brow, he begins to stutter. “Is not, ehm– like I believe that��that you can, want… well you know– with me.”

“No. Don’t worry. I’m aware that no one wants to bed me.“ With a sigh, she lowers the light of the room to a soft glow. "Anyway, that’s not a discussion to have in the middle of the night and with you still half drunk. If you want to stay, the boots didn’t have my permission to snuggle with my sheets, so shoes off.”

Sitting on the bed with a grunt, she expects that he steps away from the bed, leaving the room. Instead, he takes off his shoes and shirt and lay on the bed, after moving under the sheets. She slips below the sheets too, giving him her back. When he stops thrashing with the pillow, she turns off the lights completely.

The soft hum of the Eezo core is the only sound inside the room besides their breathing for several minutes. But before she falls asleep, Joker’s voice reaches her. “I will do it. Bed you. I know I’m already doing it, but you know what I mean.”

Blushing deeply but with a big smile on her face, Shepard covers half her face with the sheets. Even in the darkness, she feels timid and vulnerable. “Let’s talk about it when your brain isn’t swimming in booze, Joker. Rest well.” The darkness around them, together with the silence, makes the sleep come soon for the both of them.

The sounds of mugs and plates moving over the counters and tables of the mess, together with voices of the crew, wakes Shepard. She still feels tired, but know that once awake she can’t fall asleep again. When she begins to stretch under the sheets like she always does, her feet touch someone beside her, the memories of the passing night filling her mind. He didn’t even stir when she touches his leg or when she turns to face him. Using the controls on her omnitool, she turns on the lights again to a soft glow. After several minutes of just enjoying the show of having a man that handsome on her bed, she sighs, shaking his shoulder. “Joker, time to wake up.” He mutters something like five minutes more, making her giggle before keeping moving him. “We can’t. Come on, Joker. Open your eyes.”

With a low whine, he opens his eyes, just to close them again when he sees her. “Shit. It wasn’t a dream.”

Shepard’s hand falls between them, and she moves her eyes away from him with a sigh. “No, it wasn’t. Feel free to leave if you don’t feel comfortable or don’t want to follow with the plan.” Sliding from the bed, she stands up before recovering a pair of comfy sweatpants from the wardrobe and a shirt. Moving to the desk, she decides to ignore him until he decides what to do. Sitting on the chair, she turns on the screens, selecting the mess’ security cams. Wrex, Garrus, Ash and Kaidan are there, and she can see Chawkas sitting in the med bay, working. The sound of him putting on the boots reach her, and she spins the chair to face him, crossing her arms and waiting for his answer.

Once he has the boots laced, he stands, grunting a bit. Taking a look at the screens, he sees them there, and it seems that seeing Ashley laughing with Garrus makes his mind. “Fine. Let’s do it. How?”

A devilish smile creeps on her face. “Let’s give all of them the surprise, and I will explain it later. We can leave the room together, being as loud as possible without sounding exaggerated, and you can hug me or kiss my cheek as a goodbye.”

He takes a deep breath before putting on the shirt and picking up the hat from the nightstand. “Ok. Showtime.”

Standing from the chair, she extends a hand to him, and when he grabs it, she walks decidedly to the door. Opening it, she begins to laugh, and Joker has to join her. She is hiding in the doorframe looking at him while laughing, like a mischievous child playing hide and seek. When the sound of conversation outside dimmed, she steps outside, with him on her tail. Stopping near the door, and in clear view of the mess, she squeezes his hand and waits for his movement. He closes the distance, his free hand sliding up through her back to cup her nape. Lowering his face to hers, he plants a soft kiss on her cheek, but close enough to her mouth to tickle her lips with his beard. And before moving away, he whispers in her ear. “And now that I’m not drunk, I’ll repeat myself. I’ll do it.”

Taking a step back, he disentangles his hands from her before moving to the crew quarters, followed by the deep laugh of Wrex. Garrus is trying to save Ash from choking with her coffee, and Kaidan is in shock, the pad he has been reading falling from his hands. Moving closer to them, she crosses her arms, waiting until Ashley stops dying on the table. “And that, my friends, is what you obtain for using me and my room to do pranks. Hope you have learned your lesson, Ash. I didn’t kill you yesterday because I was utterly tired.”

Williams’ face is a poem, blushing deeply and with the little trails of tears that had fallen when choking. “Aye aye, Skipper. Sorry. I think we drank a bit too much yesterday.”

“I can say. I’m not against pranks, as you can imagine. But finding my pilot on my bed wasn’t a funny one, Ash.” Seeing the other woman lowering her eyes, and the worried frown beginning to form on her face, Shepard pushes her shoulder. “No worries there. It was fun. I have to admit it. But try not to prank me after a long meeting with the Council.”

The rest of the meal passed with Garrus and Ashley talking about what they have done and drunk yesterday, and how Ash came with the idea when they returned to the ship. They spent almost an hour sitting at the mess, taking and laughing. But soon duty calls and they have to finish with their breakfast. When all the team stands to start working or to do some shopping at the Citadel, Wrex stays behind. Once they are alone, he moves closer to Shepard, trying very hard to talk as low as possible for a Krogan. “You two need to have a chat, Shepard. Your hormones are beginning to make me nervous.” When she looks at him with a surprised frown, he just laughs. “Humans and their stupid noses. Listen to old Wrex. Maybe you can learn a thing or two.”

His unique laugh fills the mess even after he has disappeared behind the elevator door. But yeah, even without his counsel, she has already decided to talk with him. Maybe they can find some light amidst the darkness that surrounds them.

[dreamypassionprecure]

Dreamy✰ Passion Precure Ep 1!

                      Lovely Performance! Cure Pointe's Debut!

                                        Also available on ffnet

  A young boy, no older than fourteen, ran through the crumbling halls of Remina Palace. His footsteps echoed off the walls and mixed with the sounds of his frantic breathing, his pale blue hair disheveled. In his arms, a baby girl slept soundly. He burst through the doors to the throne room.

   “Mother!”

   A tall woman with long white hair looked up from the conversation she'd been having with a guard. She rushed over to her children, a worried expression painting her soft features. She crouched down to talk to them.

   “Luna, I thought I told you to stay in your room with your sister. It's not safe out in the open. What are you doing here?”

   “They attacked us, Mother! They're in the castle!”

   The queen gasped. She stood up to her full height and pointed her hand to the guard.

   “You! Go gather the rest of the soldiers! And alert the Precure while you're at it! We're going to need everyone we can get!”

   “Yes, Your Majesty!”

   The guard left the throne room in a hurry. The queen turned back to the children.

   “Luna, I want you to run. Take Sol and run to the Dream Gallery. I want you to go through the main veil and hide until I can come to find you.”

   “But Mo-”

   “That's an order! I promise you'll be safe there. I'm going to go help the soldiers.”

   Luna nodded, taking his sister and running out of the room. Once he left, the queen readied herself to face her subjects.

                                                   Snap!

   Temura Akiko shot up from her desk, a loud noise having woken her from her dream. Said noise had been her teacher whacking a ruler to the surface of her desk.

   “Temura-san, I understand how tiring basic mathematics can be. But I would appreciate it if you at least made an attempt to stay awake.”

   Muffled giggles resounded from the class as Akiko apologized, her cheeks matching her maroon hair much closer in shade now. She sat down and proceeded to hide her face in her hands. This had to be the third time this month she'd fallen asleep in class and had that exact dream.

                                             Insert op here

   The rest of the class was uneventful. Akiko kept her head down, toying with her single side pony tail nervously, until the bell rang. Then she packed her things and approached her best friend, Ishikawa Jin.

   “Jin, ready to go?”

   “Yeah,” Jin said, straightening her large glasses. “Do you have ballet class today?”

   “Mhm,”

   “Okay then, I can walk you there, but I need to get home so we should go fast.”

   The two looped arms as they traveled down the hall and out of the school. They chatted about this and that until-

   “Whaaaaaa!”

   “What was that?” Akiko stopped, looking around. She'd heard a tiny scream, almost like a child falling from the sky!

   “I didn't hear anything. Come on, Akiko, neither of us can afford to be late.”

   “But-”

   “You can check it out but I'm not coming with you. I need to get home!”

   Akiko paused. She wanted to see where the voice came from, but...

   “Help!”

   There it was again! Okay that was it, she needed to check it out.

   “Just go on without me, Jin. I can make it to ballet class on my own.”

   “Fine, I'll see you later then.”

   Jin jogged off on her own while Akiko went searching for the source of the voice. There was a small cluster of rustling bushes just a little down the road. That seemed like a good place to start looking. She got down on her knees and started rustling through the leaves

   “Anyone there? I know I heard something... Aha!”

   Akiko felt her hand hit something small and definitely breathing. It was a humming bird! A humming bird with odd proportions and a pink ribbon...

   “Wha?”

   The humming bird opened it's big adorable eyes and looked up.

   “Ah! A human! I knew I'd find one! Now, take me to the Precure vi!”

   Akiko stared at the bird.

   “...You talked?”

   “Of course I did! What do you expect me to do vi?”

   “Tweet, I guess. Or do whatever humming birds do.”

   “Humming birds? I am not a bird vi! I am Vivid, Royal Fairy of Remina, servant of Queen Stellia!”

   Akiko sat in silence for a good minute before pinching herself, hard.

   “Ow!”

   Vivid responded with a shocked squeak.

   “Vi! Why did you do that!?”

   “To make sure I'm not dreaming.”

   “...You humans are so weird vi...”

   Akiko shook her head a little, just for a bit of extra reassurance that she was definitely awake. There was just a talking humming bird, claiming to be a fairy, asking her to take them to the “Precure”. Wait, hadn't she heard that term before?

   “Earlier, did you say 'Precure'?”

   “Yes I did vi! Do you know where they are?” Vivid perked up a little.

   “Um, maybe. I might remember if you tell me about them.”

   Vivid looked at Akiko disappointedly.

   “Fine, vi, I'll tell you. Humans are so forgetful... The Precure are legendary protectors of Remina! Their powers allow you humans to sleep without having your dreams stolen! Geez, how disrespectful of you to forget about them. Honestly-”

   Akiko tuned out at that point. So the queen in her dreams had called for legendary protectors of dreams...

   She absentmindedly glanced at her watch while Vivid continued to shame Akiko for supposedly forgetting about these important figures. And she noticed the time.

   “Uwhaaahhhh! Late! Look, I'll show you whatever you want later! I need to get to my ballet class!”

   Akiko picked up Vivid and shoved her in her school bag. She ran down the street as fast as she possibly could, yelling about how she needed to go fast.

   “Viii! W-what are you doing vi!?”

                                         Insert eyecatch here

   “So your kingdom was taken over by...?

   “Queen Mara vi!”

   Akiko sat in the corner of  the ballet studio, holding Vivid in her hands while other students arrived and changed into their leotards. Turns out Akiko had been early for once. So now she had a chance to talk.

   “But didn't you say you were a queen's servant before?”

   “Yes, but I'm Queen Stellia's servant! Mara is a usurper! She stole the throne from Queen Stellia after her disappearance!”

   “...I'm confused.”

   Vivid groaned, face-palming, or wing-palming? Whichever. The ballet teacher entered the room and Akiko jumped.

   “Okay okay, I need to do class now. Stay quiet please.” Akiko placed Vivid on her folded clothes and stood up, going to line up with the other students. The teacher took role call and they launched into warm-ups, and then to the basic routine.

   “Akiko-chan, posture!” The teacher scolded. “Akiko-chan, watch your foot placement! If you don't you'll-”

                                                  Crash!

   “Owowowoww...” Akiko whimpered, now lying on the ground. She really should've paid attention to where her feet were, as well as the feet of the other students...

   “Oh dear, this is the fourth time this week... Why don't we take a break?”

   The students all milled about, getting water and talking with friends. The teacher left the room. Akiko limped over to Vivid and her things, disheartened by her mistake.

   “Wow, you're really bad at this vi!”

   “Shut up!” Akiko said, grabbing her water bottle and taking a long drink. She sighed, trying to listen to her classmates' conversations to make sure they weren't laughing at her.

   “Sensei is so nice! My old teacher would have made the whole class start all the way over if someone tripped like that.”

   “Oh yeah, I remember her! You were so afraid of her!”

   “I was not!”

   The girls giggled, teasing each other. Akiko was just glad they weren't making fun of her this time...

   “How silly,” said a mysterious voice.

   The room went silent. The source of the voice relieved itself as a boy with spiky red hair and teal skin, floating in the air.

   “Such a simple fear. An old teacher, ha! But it should be good enough.”

   The boy pointed at the girl.

   “Sleep tight!” The boy said, snapping his fingers. The moment he did, the girl fell to the ground, her eyes closed and her face contorted in fear. Her friends rushed to her side, trying to wake her.

   “She won't wake up, silly. Not until I'm done with her.”

   He held out his hand, to which a cloud of dark glittering... something seemed to fly from the girls body to his hand. At that point, the rest of the students ran from the room in fear.

   Vivid flew up and around the boy angrily.

   “Brux! You stop that, vi!”

   The boy, Brux, apparently, waved his hand around, trying to hit Vivid.

   “What? You're here too, feather duster? What are the odds?”

   “Leave that girl alone vi!” Vivid pecked at Brux with her little beak.

   Brux just laughed, swatting Vivid away from him. Akiko caught her in her hands. Vivid groaned, rubbing her head with her wing.

   “You gonna stop me with that little beak, feather duster?”

   Akiko looked around worriedly. She had absolutely no clue what was happening, who this kid was, what he was doing, or what that stuff was.

   “Vivid, what's going on? Who is that guy and what is that stuff?”

   “That's Brux! Queen Mara's evil servant! He's stealing the energy from that girls dreams!”

   “Her dreams?”

   Akiko paused, considering her options. Vivid was too small to do much and her classmates were all gone. She took a deep breath.

   “Hey! You leave that girl alone! Dreams aren't something for you to take for yourself!”

   Brux looked at Akiko like she was an annoying pest. But he seemed to be weighing his chances against her. She was a lot bigger than him, so a fist fight would go to her. Oh but he had another idea.

   “You want her dreams back so bad, take 'em.”

   He reached into his pocket and pulled out an oddly shaped crystal. He took the sparkling cloud stuff and somehow placed it inside the crystal.

   “Hallusion! Make this world a living nightmare!”

   The crystal started to glow and shake. Then it started to grow, cracking, more and more. It exploded in a flash of light!

   When the light cleared, there was a large monstrous thing. It had long teal legs like a ballerina, arms even longer than the legs, and a greyish old lady bun and glasses. It all connected by a pale blue, devilish mask.

   “Take care of her for me, 'kay?”

   “Hallu!”

   The monster advanced towards Akiko. Yeah, she'd lose a fist fight to that thing.

   “Run, vi!” Vivid squawked, flying away.

   The beast threw a kick at Akiko, who dodged, causing the kick to collide with a mirror, breaking it.

   “I can't run! I can't let her dreams be used for this! And this is my dance studio! This place is important to me! I can't just let this thing run around causing destruction!”

   Just then, a bright light began to emanate from her chest. It formed itself into a heart-shaped ornate lock.

   “What is?...”

   Akiko brought her hand up to touch the lock. But then another light appeared in her palm, forming into a key.

   “Vi! It's a Passion Key! Quick quick, put it in the Dream Lock!”

   Akiko warily placed the key in the lock and turned it. Nothing happened.

   “Why isn't it doing anything?

   “You have to say something vi! I... forget what though.”

   Well that was helpful. But Akiko felt something in her heart. Something was calling to her.

   “Precure! Stardust Unlock!”

   Light surrounded Akiko. She waved her hand, a ribbon of light and sparkles trailing behind. With it, she made a dress. A red tutu-like dress that faded from red to magenta at the skirt. Then she made a pair of ballet shoes and frilly gloves. Finally, her hair lengthened and turned from maroon to bright red. Her single side pony tail turned into two with a red ribbon connected to a gold sparkle emblem. The same emblem appeared  by her collar with another ribbon.

   “A preformance worthy of applause! ” Akiko said, twirling and striking a pose. “Cure Pointe!”

   The light faded, leaving Akiko, or Cure Pointe now, posing without really knowing what had just happned. She looked down at herself and saw what she was wearing.

   “W-what happened!?”

   “You're a Precure vi! Go, fight!”

   “P-Precure? Me?”

   Brux grit his teeth. This would be a bit harder now.

   “What are you waiting for? Get her, Hallusion!”

   The monster advanced. It didn't seem to care about what the girl in front of it looked like. It threw another kick, sending Pointe through the window and into the park next door.

   To Pointe's surprise, she wasn't really all that hurt. Any normal person would probably have cuts, bruises, and broken bones from that attack. But She felt fine, maybe a bit scuffed up, but nothing she couldn't handle.

   The monster jumped through the broken window, ready to attack again. But Pointe wasn't going to sit by and take another blow.

   “Take this!” Pointe yelled, leaping high into the air. She kicked the monster in it's mask-face, making it stumble back.

   “Hallu!” The beast came right back at her, punching at her. Pointe flipped backwards, landing on it's arm as it hit the ground. She ran up the arm and kicked it with a pirouette.

   “Oh! How did I do that?”

   Vivid flew to Pointe's side frantically.

   “Who cares about that? Just purify it already!”

   “Purify it?”

   Pointe put a hand over her heart. She felt like she knew exactly what to do now.

   “Precure!” Pointe shouted, holding her hand up.  Light surrounded her body and she began to dance. She pointed her hand at the monster in a finishing pose. “Pirouette Burst!”

                                                Boom!

  As the words left her mouth, an explosion enveloped the monster. It yelled before dissolving into dust.

  “You jerk!” Brux growled. “I'll get you for this!”

  Before Pointe could say a word, he disappeared in a puff of smoke. She sighed, at least things were done now.

  Pointe changed back into Akiko, the fancy clothes dissolving into sparkles.

  “You know what... I think I need a nap now...”

                                           Insert ed here

   “What do you mean I have to fight now? I can't fight alone!”

   “There are more Precure vi! You just need to find them!”

   “More? Cool! I'll start looking right away! Hm... I wonder where they could be...”

   “U-um, e-e-excuse me?”

   “Not now, Shimizu-san! I'm looking for Precure!”

   “Next time on Dreamy✰ Passion Precure!  An Artistic Encounter! Cure Mural's Creation! See you next performance!”

[illyriantremors]

Beneath the Stars Chapter 19

Chapter: I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII

AO3 Linkage

Summary: Feyre arrives home from Starfall after spending the night with Rhys and finds a horrible shock waiting for her concerning her father.

Chapter 19

I woke to the scent of jasmine and lemon tickling my nose. I inhaled deeply, shifting in the bed to find Rhys, but came up empty. When I blearily opened my eyes, he was standing next to the bed setting two cups of hot tea on the nightstand. My rising panic quickly subsided and all that was left was the blissful happiness of last night.

“There’s more where this came from,” Rhys said, “if you’re hungry.”

I tugged the hem of his boxers low enough to slip beneath them and grab his ass. “Oh I think you’ll find I’m always hungry for more.”

“Feyre, darling,” he purred, leaning down to kiss me, the tea completely cold by the time we returned to it.

It was still early when we left the house. I only hoped and prayed dad hadn’t realized I never came home. And I had promised him I would come back too.

The weight sank heavier and heavier on my heart as we drove to my neighborhood.

If Morrigan had been around to hear us through the night, she didn’t say. She didn’t even give an indication that she was even home herself, though I was pretty sure I heard a soft giggle up the stairs from her room as we left, but that could have been my imagination.

“Do you want me to go in with you?” Rhys said as we came up to my street. “It’s my fault you were out. I can take the heat.”

Every time my chest rose too sharply, Rhys looked over and re-tucked the hair behind my ear to reassure me. It was the only thing keeping me calm at the thought of how my dad would react if he found out. I’d never crossed the line with him before, done something quite so reckless of a typical teenage kid. And if how he had yelled at Nesta when she had gotten too drunk at parties or Elain when she snuck out with her latest beau was any indication, then I was in for a world of hurt.

We parked outside the house, Rhys cutting the engine quickly to dim the noise.

“I’ll be fine,” I said. “But thank you. No matter what he says, last night… last night was, ah-” I was cutoff by the breathless smile that took over me, I couldn’t help it. Rhys’s dipples stood out as he beamed at me. “Last night was perfectly wonderful. By far the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“Hmm, I’d have to agree and it wasn’t even my birthday.”

“Oh, you don’t wanna know what we’re doing on your birthday, Rhysand darling.”

His face lit up and he smacked his lips once, hard. “I’d love to find out, but perhaps it’s best we not talk about that until after you’ve spoken with your father.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, darling. It’s a promise.”

I laughed into the kiss I laid on his lips, deep with a passion lurking beneath the surface ready to explode at any minute. “I’ll wait outside until you text me the all clear, okay?”

“Thank you.”

With one last quick peck, I got out of the car and sprinted up the lawn. There was a hazy dew hanging about, a morning fog we sometimes got before the sun had risen too high. It was still that time of morning, quiet.

My pace lapsed as I reached the door and tried to unlock it as quietly as possible. The living room was empty and not wanting to find out if the rest of the downstairs was as well, I darted straight for the stairs.

Dad’s door was closed at the end of the hall, but I’d have to pass it to make it to the attic. The old hardwood creaked cruelly beneath my feet as I walked. If he was awake, I prayed he was already downstairs in the kitchen and hadn’t noticed me sneak in. If he was asleep - well, mother help me that he didn’t wake up.

I was ten feet from his door when a voice laughed behind me behind closed doors - a deep, rich and distinctly male voice. I froze not sure which direction it would be better to dart in when Nesta’s door swept open and out stepped -

“Cassian?”

I whisper shouted his name across the hall. The momentary look of surprise turned quickly into a smug self-satisfied grin as he flexed his arms and leaned against Nesta’s doorway. Nesta’s shock at my disheveled appearance remained fixed perfectly in place, her eyes growing ever wider as they took in my dress, the paint stains…

“It’ll come off,” I blurted instantly, still keeping my voice down. Cassian kept his down as well, but he was definitely upping the volume on his teasing levels.

“Well look what we have here,” he said, enjoying this moment way too much.

“Is that paint?” Nesta growled.

“I can explain!”

“Yeah, I’ll bet you can,” Cassian said, silently laughing to himself.

“You two are ones to talk.” I flippantly gestured at them and Cassian shrugged, leaning down to kiss Nesta roughly, sucking on her lower lip before grating it between his teeth. A lazy, indulgent expression crossed over Nesta as she let Cassian lick at her.

“What, Feyre?” Nesta snapped. “He’s over 18.”

I was going to keel over and be sick. First Rhys and I, now Nesta and Cass. And if that giggle I thought I’d heard this morning was any indication… shit, this was like some weird ritualistic orgy you’d read about in a book about faeries or something.

“You two did - with dad right next door?!”

“Relax, we kept it quiet - sort of.” Nesta’s lips curled wickedly. “He never said anything.”

“He never…” It was then that I realized just how quiet the house was. I could suddenly hear my heart beating rapidly away in my chest as I considered what Nesta had said, innocent enough, but… surely dad wouldn’t have…

He’d been so aloof before I left, so void of a fight or energy. I had even contemplated staying behind to make sure he’d be alright.

But I’d told myself it wasn’t real. He was fine. We were all fine. For once, everything was absolutely fine.

“Feyre?” Cassian asked, stepping towards me, all joking gone. “What is it?”

“Nesta,” I said, my voice no longer a whisper, but a creeping, growing thing of panic. “When did dad go to bed last night?”

“Like a half hour after you left. Chill, the liquor’s in the kitchen and he didn’t drink any before he went up. He’s fine.”

Fine. He’s fine. We’re all fine.

I closed my eyes and inhaled as deeply as I could. Standing so near his door, I could smell it - that rotting stench of dried up booze and, and…

“He has whiskey in his room.” I opened my eyes and the same look of cold, dark dread passed over both our faces as Nesta and I realized. “He hides it behind his dresser. Oh my-”

I ran. Kicked open the door and threw myself on the bed where dad was lying unmoving in a puddle of his own vomit. I might have stepped on broken glass as I crossed the floor, but wasn’t sure in the haze my mind was quickly becoming. Pain, if I felt it, was nonexistent compared to what my hands found.

“Dad,” I shouted. “Dad? DAD!”

I rolled him over, straddling him and my knees sank into a wetness. I wasn’t sure if it was from him or the empty whiskey bottle at his hand. When he didn’t budge, I slapped him hard across the face.

Nothing.

“Dad!” I shook him as the tears came violently. His skin was so pale - all white and blue and blotchy.

Don’t you dare leave me, I thought. Not you too.

“C-Cass-sian, Rhys is - he’s outside.”

Cassian was gone before I had time to look. Nesta stood stock still by the bed and gently grabbed dad’s wrist. I closed my eyes and shook while I waited for her to tell me.

“I think he still has a pulse.”

Think?

Nesta got her phone out and dialed 911 while I kept shouting and shaking furiously over my father - just anything to get him to wake up. Rhys pulled me off him at some point, I wasn’t sure how long it was, and held me while Cassian tried to do what little medic training his dad’s army parenting had taught him.

I sobbed as the paramedics took him away. Nesta insisted on riding with him in the ambulance and for once, I was happy to let her do it. Happier to let Rhys drive me to the hospital.

If he didn’t make it. Fuck, if dad - died. I had no idea what I was going to do. We had only just started healing and now. Now…

“Call her,” Rhys said next to me. “Feyre, call her.”

“W-what?”

I looked at him and his face was one thousand different levels of heartbreak as he brushed the tears away. He shoved my purse at me. “Get your phone out and call her. You need her right now.”

For the first time in months, not only was he right - I needed her - but I also wanted her. I wanted to feel her kindness as she hugged me tightly. I wanted to remember her smile as she told me how beautiful I was. I wanted to hear her voice as she reassured me everything would be okay, the way she used to.

Hands shaking, I opened my purse and dug out my cell phone. She was still starred on my favorites even though I hadn’t called her since before summer started. Without hesitation, I hit call. She picked up on the first ring.

“Feyre?”

“Mom,” I said and my voice broke into a sob. “I need your help. Dad’s in the hospital and I think he might be dead.”

xx

[fightevilandthengetblownup]

ASOIAF AU VI

---

It was the fourth week of waking up with a headache as foul as any he had had before. The sound of the servant feet pattering along the stone floors was enough to make him want to cry for mercy, and the quiet in the gardens was almost quiet enough. If not for the constantly singing songbirds, chirping away and driving daggers into his skull.

He gave a weary sigh, glasses of juice and several plates of picked at meals were on the table before him, nothing other than dry toasted bread and the thick black coffee making him feel even a little better. Perhaps he had best refrain from drinking before bed that night, other than a light red his daughter preferred.

“Good morning, Lord William!”

The cheery greeting got a pained groan in response, as he slumped down in his chair and covered his eyes as if he did not see her would mean he wouldn’t have to acknowledge her. Just one day without having to complete the needed court niceties was all he wished.

“Lord William.. Are you alright, my lord?”

/Gods does she ever give up for even a second/, he groused to himself, another groan all the response he could give for the time being. It felt like his head would be split open, and had been for weeks, nothing so bad since the last time he had travelled North to visit his friend and they’d drank almost all the wine and spirits within the castle within the month.

A gentle touch of a hand on his arm jolted him upright again, eyes burning as he stared widely and startled at her. The light behind her made his eyes water as William tried to focus on the dark eyes and pretty features looking at him in as polite a fashion as he could. Her face swam a little, the edges slightly blurred from the strain and the bright light, angelic almost.

“Please are you qui-”

He did it without thinking, without minding his manners and without giving the due respect her title required. The surprised squeak hurt just as much as her voice had, but thankfully this time it was muffled by his hand over her mouth, so much so that his thumb rested on the top of one cheek and his pinky still reached the back of her jaw line on the other.

“Shush.. Just...please, be quiet a minute.” William Lannister looked back at the princess for a long second, pleading with her for silence. The confusion and shock in her eyes would have been amusing just focusing enough for that didn’t hurt his head. “Shhh.”

The dark haired girl appeared to think for a second before a gentle nod let him remove his hand, back to rubbing at his temples as if it may help at all as he lay his forehead against the cool table top.

For a second time she surprised him, small fingers rested and pressed sharply against a point at the base of his skull. The thrumming appeared to calm with a wave of relief for the pain within moments as if by magic. Her fingers didn’t move until he let out a relieved sigh.

The next sounds of the birds and scrape of the chair across from him moving did not make him wish to shove a pick through his own head to relieve the pain. Just simple bird song and the quiet clink of cutlery as the girl made her own plate of small cakes and fruit pieces. Silent however, as he’d asked her, while she began to eat her fill slowly waiting for him.

Feeling slightly better, William Lannister sat back as he took a long drag of sweet citrus juice. As he drained his cup, he finally pushed himself to a stand and performed the required bow to the younger woman with a grimace. “Apologies, my lady. Thank you for the help.” He sat again, looking around them for any of the girl’s friends or his daughter. There were none aside from a manservant at the entry of the courtyard. “Where are the little sheep?”

The laugh he got in response to the rude comment made him relax slightly. The girl had been surprising him and accosting him over the last month on a semi regular basis, thankfully usually only for a few minutes before his niece or others would distract her from him. While the gaggle of women she surrounded herself with seemed to find him reprehensible and without manners, and yet the damn spoilt princess didn’t seem to leave him alone.

"We are playing a game, ser, taught to us by your daughter. Perhaps you know it?” The princess’ smile almost made his headache come back again as he looked at her carefully. She had seemed to be out of breath and her footsteps into the quiet courtyard had been rushed. /Of course Joanna is playing this with these simple girls/. Her smile got wider at his nod, before she popped an extra strawberry in her mouth. “Any idea where it may be best to go?”

“Whose the hunter? Play the hunter, not the prey.”

“It’s Rachael Kenning of Kayce who is doing the hunting this round.”

William knew of the girl, and his daughter had played previously with her on the rare occasion that his father held a large event at Casterly Rock and Joanna had actually attended. The girl played by the rules, and would be methodical in her chasing of the other hiders.

“Where did you leave her originally? Your best approach would be to go there and hide, she will not return until she has searched every other place.” He shook his head as he thought over the wildness entering court with Joanna teaching the girls this game. Skirts would be flying and sheer chaos if there were enough at play. He frowned a second, realising that if the princess was hiding in the courtyard off of the Lannister rooms, his daughter must be elsewhere. “Did you see which way Joanna went?”

“Probably went to the training yards or my brother the maester. She’d be able to convince any of those to hide her all afternoon until dinner.” Princess Shada tucked away a few cakes and fruits into a handkerchief and that into her skirt pocket with a giggle. Watching the girl gulping down two goblets worth of drinks, he had to bite back a laugh. To be young and ridiculous again, always running here or there in a hurry. As the girl stood, her arm went out expectantly, though his legs felt heavy and stomach was still not fully settled, William rose as well. “If you would be so kind as to assist me through to the main hall where we began, I’d be ever so grateful, Lord William.”

“As..as you wish.” He grunted the words out as he took her arm, as he hid the smile that wished to return her bright look.

---

The doors of the hall were thrown open with a bang, the nobles jumped slightly at the clang. The whole court was already on edge given the actions and reactions of the king of late.

His temper had been monstrous the last month, despite the first week where he appeared to grin like a dragon that burned a whole field of enemies beneath it’s flaming jaws. The servants had had a week with not a single chaining or whipping commanded to any of them, and some were even able to sing while completing their duties.

And then like milk left out too long, his mood had soured and it was like the brief respite was purely for his wrath to grow worse. A maid had her head shaved after she’d forgotten to change a pillowcase upon his bed. One of the stablehand’s had had his own removed after the king saw a mud streak left upon his horse’s flank. Not to count those that had been dismissed of their service or thrown into the cells beneath the Red Keep. The kingsguard had started standing two feet closer than previously as the king made his way around the castle.

Every night for the whole month the girl had arrived at his room after the dinner hours and was gone by the next morning, surprisingly friendly to the interchanging guards that would let her into the room and just as friendly as she left before the hour of the owl changed on. Sometimes she’d make a joke or stop to laugh with the men as well, night or morning or if she happened to see them at the training yards. And that had been the only woman they had seen coming or going alone since it started; a peculiarity in and of itself during the time he had been in the kingsguard or guarding the royal family in general.

Despite the nightly activities, he’d never once had to shoo the girl off during daylight hours for being too close to the king or for trying to intercept him; unlike some of the other women at the court. Bela Wynwood was the current perpetrator of such things, even more so since she had been turned away twice before the blonde had even arrived at the room on several nights. The prior worst had been a tenacious red head whom was sent from the capitol in the dead of night by her parents, back to their fiefdom near the Twins.

As he straightened his back at the group parading in through the open doors, Victor of Qarth knew the exact cause of the king’s new sourness to be the lack of simpering adoration that was expected from a paramour, but as he spotted the leader of the bawdy collection he hoped that the mood would be lifted soon enough.

“Enough of this noise,” the decree from the king came, sharp and sounding almost as unfriendly as he had been the past month. Victor tried not to notice how the king appeared to glance for a moment at the woman plaguing him before turning to the new arrivals. “This is the Throne Room of the Red Keep, of Kings Landing, capitol of Westeros. Not some market to be caterwauling like fishmonger’s.”

“Here I thought I was simply coming to visit an old friend.” The joyful call came back as a tanned man stepped forward, every bit the Westerosi picture of a Braavos native. “How is it, I get here and there isn’t a jug of ale and a warm slip of a woman waiting from me as always? Has your hospitality gone down such since becoming your grace?”

The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard sucked in a breath, not certain regarding how the relaxed tone that was acceptable when they were both simply the son’s of rulers will be received now, especially with the king’s mood.

Laughter was the unexpected, as the king kicked his feet around and rose to meet his friend halfway. Victor found himself falling in step with his sworn brothers, stepping forward as well, hands on the hilts of their swords. Both men exchanged a hearty hand shake and a half greeted hug before King Jeffrey returned a step up from the other on the dais stairs.

“Gabriel Antaryon, the Sealord’s Palace must be treating you very ill if the first thought upon arriving is between a woman’s legs. Though, it is a very nice place to be.” There was another glance, and a definite scowl upon the king’s face when it was not matched with a smirk or demure smile. He turned back to the Braavosi man, the closest thing the country gets to a prince, scowl still in place. “However you are right, this hasn’t been much of a welcome!”

The king looked around the hall at the assembled nobles and court members, his look darkening even further until no one would catch his eye. He himself had moved back into position to his side, surveying the whole space for any sign of danger. “Well, what are you all waiting for? This bores me and my friend alike. Be gone, unless you’re a lady with somewhere warm for either of us to enjoy.” Victor remained blank faced in the face of the words, used to the crass words to come from the king and to avoid reacting to such things. He noted the blonde girl had herself the same schooled look, though a red flush across her chest gave her away as the crowds left, her swept up within them.

The Braavosi group and the king, along with a few of the braver, younger men of the court, headed down towards the king’s suites - kingsguard dispersed around and two already dispatched to locate trustworthy, nubile young women to arrive as soon as the wine and spirits had been passed around enough. Victor took his position against a wall five feet from the king and his friend, son of the current Sealord and looking to be the candidate after his father’s death, in a more private alcove.

Both men simply drank, with the foreigner sharing tales of his travels with hearty laughs from both until the entertainment arrived. Enough for a woman each and some spares circulated around the room, sitting on knees and laughing at jokes of all the men around the group. Two girls, buxom and giggly, entered the alcove to flirt with the king and his friend; and for the first time in a while the king seemed more interested in the drink in his cup. If Victor didn’t know better, he would believe the king in love. He did know better, and whatever was on the king’s mind would likely not end well as he continued the party long into the evening - though not quite so long as to reach the hour of the wolf and the change of the guards.

---

The ride back to Kings Landing had been even more unbearable than leaving it, the distance seeming to have taken longer to return over than away. However ahead of him at each castle, fief and keep there had been a letter awaiting him. Occasionally a small item also, such as the sewing thimble shaped after his shield symbol and a new quill, edged in gold, would be waiting in them for him. Practical items from a practical woman, though the cost alone would have made them precious to any other man, that the thought for his practicalities was the guiding point made his heart clench.

It had taken him far too long to return, and the small quarters he once had were no longer for the lowborn knight. That he had to stay outside of the Keep, further and further away from the firery lioness, pained him. However the first morning he had arrived, William Baelish found himself outside the gates to the Red Keep just in time for the blonde woman to emerge.

“My lady.” It came out as a gasp, as he fell into step beside her on the way through the crowds coming in and out of the castle. “May I join you?”

He was not sure what her look meant as she span to him, pleasure or confusion or something else, but all he cared about was the slight shadows under her eyes and the quirk of her lips into a small smile as her hand rested in his elbow. It wasn’t until they were out from the shadow of the Red Keep that her smile truly grew to the size it had once been, though the carefree laughter and taunts didn’t come so easily as they previously had.

As they turned along the Street of Flour towards the Cobbler’s square, her pestering him with questions regarding his travels and the mummer troupe he had returned to Kings Landing with. They had finished their play at last and were intending to present it at the feast in honour of Gabriel Antaryon’s arrival from Braavos. His personal involvement in the tournament had helped the play greatly, and he found the gentleman playing the role of “undeserving knight” who does not dub the Princess as the One True Beauty to be an amusing fellow during their discussions. He’d been asked where his winners laurel was eventually gone, but William had said nothing of it.

Joanna stopped them once to buy pastries, enough for the both of them, filled with custard and dusted with expensive sugar. He hadn’t had something so sweet in so long, and the sugar got all over the girl’s hands and lips as they walked. The tall knight found himself swiping the white dust off of her bottom lip, and as he trailed after the blushing girl he found that it was even sweeter still from her. His heart clenched again, as if stuck in his throat and trying to beat its way out of his chest.

They talked of nothing and of everything, and the other stopped regularly to speak with people on the street of whom even a lowborn like he wouldn’t have approached out of the blue. Many appeared to know her name, and even asked after his health in politeness for the girl. More than one little boy approached with flowers for her, given a coin in exchange and a promise of a prayer on her way back past the Sept. William helped her fasten them throughout her hair properly as they went.

At the Cobbler’s Square it became even more hectic, yet he kept a tight grip on her hand with one hand and his sword pommel with the other. Together, the fair haired pair made their way around the square into various shops and stalls. William watched as the girl moved around, asking him his thoughts on various items as they made their rounds. He himself paused at a small jewellers store, a golden headpiece with small pearls caught his attention as Joanna pressed on to he next store. The cost was just shy of his tourney winnings, but he emptied his winner’s purse to the craftsman and pocketed the headpiece in return. /It would look so lovely with her golden hair./

He’d wanted to ask her about his letters, if she felt as he had felt, missed him as he had missed her. If he had any chance towards her, but he knew that lady from a noble family such as the Lannister’s would never have a choice. It pained him to know it, but William would not ask any promises from her himself. /If she offers them.../ He caught up to the girl quickly, laughing off her question about what had caught his eye as if anything else would.

“Ser William, do you take the Seven? I never learnt who those across the sea prayed to.” Joanna queried as they turned along the Street of Sisters, her hand fully wrapped around his arm. “Are there weirwood trees in Braavos do you know?”

“My mother was from Westeros, my lady, so I was raised under the faith of the Seven,” he replied, his other hand covering hers on his arm, with a gentle squeeze. “However my father was a follower of the Many Faced God.” A shudder ran through his shoulders speaking of him aloud, the god praised to by his father regularly when he would return home from a mission.

The blonde woman looked at him curiously, before they entered the Sept for her to light her candles and say whatever prayers she felt necessary. William stood three feet behind her and waited for her patiently to complete her turns. “Seven gods..always seemed a bit of an over kill.” Her murmur as they left brought a smile to his face, and the tall knight fell on the topic to speak with her longer, their feet both dragging as they grew closer to the Keep.

As they reached the main gate, the taller knight grabbed her arm at the slowly dimming smile on her face - backing the both of them into a dark corner near the gate’s entrance. “My lady, I know this is presumptuous and I know I am but the son of a sellsword, but-”

“I’m not a maiden, Ser William. Before you ask for anything of me, I’m not innocent and I’m in love with another.”

The knight had been sliced with a sword on the battlefield before, been beaten bloody in combat, but this pain felt as if his very heart had been torn from him and held, bloody and pulsing still, in her hand. As if her fingers were crushing it tighter and tighter, and that he’d never receive it back until she added even more softly than his words, “I cannot have what I want, so I tried something I did not; and I made a foolish choice.”

“No more foolish than I, my lady.” He swallowed thickly, hoping to shake the feeling in his chest back before he went on. “I’m not one to question the choices another makes, Joanna Lannister, and I’m not of a family who cares regarding what your choices might have made.” William brushed his thumb against her lip again, as he dug out the headpiece with his other. It looked as good on her head as he had thought it would, gold clips holding fast in her hair. “I only.. I only wish you to think of me, before you make any further decisions. No promises, just a thought.” He waited for a small nod from the girl, and he wished to do more, to lean in and claim her, or throw her over his shoulder and take off for the countryside away from whoever was her first choice, but instead he simply stepped back with his arm out to accompany her inside once more.

---

It had been tense between them since the first time she came for tea, and while she still came once a week since then for that purpose, they were both pretending carefully that nothing had happened between them. Jackson still accompanied her into the city in a morning when he could, however he could also see who he believed to be her and their tall knightly friend on the days that he was not available. Ser William would always be near the gates when they left, as if he hung around there just in case he wasn’t there to join her instead. Jackson still had her arriving a few times a week to claim she’d help with his filing and research and sorting the ravens, though he often found her more of a distraction than not.

That afternoon was definitely one of those times, as the blonde girl paced back and forth around his workroom, arms waved around in a flurry of silk behind her.

“It’s like I’m just a fucking brood mare, for them to sell off to the highest bidder!” This wasn’t the first time she’d been worked up about her future prospects, according to her both her beloved father and standoffish grandfather would discuss options at length in their solar, as if she was not sat right in front of them. The talk however had moved to behind the closed door of the master of whispers, and the few times she could hear her father’s raised voice had set her on a knifes edge which now the grandmaester himself had to deal with. “God knows who they’re whispering about, I should just stop drinking my tea and ruin my prospects forever. Then maybe I could-”

“You’d never be able to do that, Joanna, and you wouldn’t want the problems that would come with it.” His own blood ran cold at the idea, having heard whispers of what happened to the few women who had claimed to be carrying the king’s child. However, none of them had been of a noble family such as her’s, but Jackson didn’t think that would stop his brother ending it one way or another. “It’s not a smart idea.”

“I never said it’d be a smart idea.” The frenzied look in her eye concerned him, and he found himself reaching out for her hand as she took another pass back past him. She felt small in his hand, small and delicate and fragile, though the feral grin on her face undermined that feeling and made his stomach turn. “But it’s an idea. My father would send me home before I could show, and I could live back at Casterly Rock and avoid court. No noble would marry me and I could make my own decisions!”

“And look how good your own decisions have been.” Jackson found himself muttering as he stood from his chair and spun the girl to sit in the vacated spot. His hands held her wrists down upon the arm rests, and he tilted his head back at her defiant look. “Joanna, you know what he would do-”

“Like I’m scared of him! The only reason anyone listens to him is cause of some stupid crown on his head and who his father was!” He felt himself cringe as the blonde girl turn her head away from him, and had his assistant been there, her words could put that blonde head into a basket. “I’m not scared of the king of assholes, Jackson.”

“You may not be scared of him, but I’m..” He sighed, the wrists under his hands jerking to get free and let the girl start pacing again but he kept her down. She was wild and passionate and never stayed still long enough for him to get through to her before, but Jackson would get her to listen to him this time. “I’m scared of what he may decide to do to you, even if you’re not. Please do not do something stupid like skipping your tea, or running off before your grandfather tells you what he is planning.”

They were too close, talking about too dangerous a topics, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Her brown eyes were focused on him, no longer struggling to get away from him but closer as she moved to lean into him for the first time since that afternoon. His eyes flickered down to her lips, slicked as her tongue flicked across them, that were so very close to be taken. With a shaky breath, Jackson tightened his grip on her wrists, speaking softly. “That’s something stupid too, Joanna. Very stupid.”

After a moment, the girl looked away from him again, a pout reminiscent of his sister when she doesn’t get her way on her face. This situation wasn’t good for either of them, but he praised the Mother that they were both sick enough not to leave it. At least he could help her in some ways, such as finding her a better alternative and stopping the worst outcome possibly coming to fruition.

Coughing and rubbing his neck, Jackson stepped back from the other and moved to look out the window, watching the servants running about and his sister holding court over the other young ladies in the gardens.

“Perhaps I should just ask Ser William to propose." The pensive tone, almost wistful, surprised him; though the older man made no move to turn about and look at her at the suggestion, waiting for her to add to her thought or explain herself better. The soft rustle of silk sounded behind him as the girl came to lean beside him, warmth radiating from the tan skin pressed up against the thin fabric of his shirt. “He’s a good man, right? Do you think so?”

“You could do far, far worse. Station be damned.” It was the only answer he could give her, it wasn’t as if he could say anyone else beside him would be wrong, that she shouldn’t be marrying without love, but that wasn’t what a noble girl or a maester got to choose. Swallowing thickly, Jackson wrapped an arm around her shoulders for a second, adding gently. “Perhaps you could speak with your father, and then you could both convince your grandfather.”

“Perhaps.” The beat of his heart skipped as her head leant against his chest, and for a moment he could close his eyes and pretend everything was different, at a different time and different place, without any of the restrictions against them, before her next words made him freeze in terror. “Grandfather has been speaking with your brother more than normal, and my father was in on the last meeting too.” /That could not end well./

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