#i'm chewing glass lads

[essentialthyme]

[laufire]

I listened to "Batman: The Lazarus Syndrome" for the second time; it's an audio drama from 1989 and here are some Jason mentions in it that make me want to chew glass:

Barbara: I could try to tap into his computer... it may still have my voice print on file, unless he trashed it when the Joker put me in this chair Gordon: Now Batman may seem a cold-hearted son of a gun, but I don't think he'd ever erase Batgirl from his files. Barbara (whispering): Yeah, I wonder... he's tried hard enough to forget Jason.

//

Dick: Jason's left him a hell of a legacy. First he throws himself into his work with a suicidal intensity, and now he's- he's planning to quit? Alfred: Um, Master Dick... Nobody knows that anything has happened to Robin. You know- I often think back to the sight of you both leaving to go on patrol- Dick: No! Never again! Alfred: He always seemed happier with you... Dick: Things are different now. I can't make this a fairy tale with a happy ending. Even if I came back, would that wipe away the pain of what happened to Jason? I can't change what's happened, and now that I've got my independence, I'm not sure I want to.

//

Bruce: Happiness isn't what I seek. Gotham city is where I belong! Where I'm needed! Maybe Jason was the only one who really understood that. Talia: Jason? The other boy who worked with you? The second Robin? Bruce: He knew Gotham city the way I do. He was a petty thief; he used to hang around here stealing the wheels off cars. On the day I met him, he was trying to boost the tires of mine. He'd been orphaned, like me. But whereas my parents' money shielded me from starvation, he had to live by his wits. I knew if I left him here I'd find myself running him in later on for something more serious... so I took him back with me, gave him a home, trained him the way I trained Dick Grayson... seemed logical. Nobody had guessed the original Batman-Robin team split up. Once Dick left to go to college, we drifted apart. Then Jason came along. He was young, fit, eager to learn... and apt student. For a while it was as if I'd never been without a Robin. But there were undercurrents; he had a dangerous amount of aggression to work off, he became moody, resentful, reckless! I began to realize I'd made a mistake. (flashback) Alfred: I've noticed some disquieting things about Master Jason myself. The lad never mentions his parents, yet I've come across him crying over his old photographs. Being your partner is hardly the best situation for a teenager still adjusting to such a loss. Bruce: Then I must try and rectify the situation. Jason's going off active duty immediately. Jason: And I don't have a word to say about it, huh? Bruce: How long have you been hiding there, Jason? Jason: You can't be serious about this! Bruce: I am. You've got a lot of anger and pain inside of you. Jason: I can handle it. Bruce: We can work this out. Jason: You want to talk? Talk to Alfred. (end flashback) Talia: The poor child... and both parents long dead... Bruce: So I thought. But then Jason discovered that his late father had remarried. His real mother was still alive. He used the computer to track her down, and set off after her, alone. He never thought she might be involved with the Joker; never guessed it might be a trap. By the time I got to him, I'd lost him. He was beaten half to death and then blown up trying to save his mother's life. Talia: You mustn't blame yourself. Bruce: He'd still be alive to day if I'd left him where I found him! In Crime Alley... Talia: How can you say that? You saved his life, my love. You delivered him. Bruce: I delivered him- right into the hands of the Joker. I've got to pay for that.

enjoy :)))

[critical-birb]

Bird traits I want to know if Rito posess:

-Hollow bones so they're light enough to fly. Wouldn't this make them kinda glass canon fighters? Fragile lads.

-The ability to see way more colours than humans/other species can because of their extra cones. Apparently birds can see patterns on Human skin we don't even realise we have. Is Rito vision also uber-colourful?

-Swallowing food whole because they have no teeth. Relying on their gizzard to do the breaking down of food. Rito clearly cook - are they making themselves cakes and pies and then just....swallowing them whole??? Does the concept of chewing make sense to them?

-They have significantly less taste buds than most mammals, and also lack the ability to experience spice. How bland is Rito food?

-Birds don't sweat, they release heat through their tongues by panting. Do Rito pant??? That's an unsettling mental image.

-Birds go to the bathroom and lay their eggs through the same opening, which is horrifying enough. Most bird species lay infertile eggs either periodically or via hormone stimulation induced by feelings of safety. Is laying eggs like having periods to Rito?

-I don't need to tell you how birds feed their young. I fear considering this.

-A lot of bird species will instinctively go to sleep if plunged into darkness (hence why people put little caps over trained birds eyes, or throw blankets over budgie cages at night). If you covered a Rito's eyes, would they doze off?

-Do you think they go through nesting periods like birds do when it's egg laying season? Desperately hunting for soft things by instinct.

Feel free to add more bird facts. It's the middle of the night and I'm just fascinated thinking of the logistics and just how similar or not they would be to real birds.

[manifesting-minerva]

Ghosts & Banshees (Simon 'Ghost' Riley x Reader) - Part 1

Author's Note: I welcome you all to my blog. It has been ages since I wrote fanfiction on here but I thought I should get back in it. I used to have a fanfiction blog back in 2016 where I wrote for multiple fandoms but ended up deleting my blog in 2021. I got obsessed with Call of Duty (I never played it but Ghost and König set a wild fire in me) so I thought I'd give it a shot. Naturally, I'm not an expert when it comes to the games or anything related to the military so mainly it's from research I did. Enjoy this piece (might write additional parts in the future if it does well). - Minerva 🐦‍⬛

Summary: An old friend of John Price joins the 141 team, by his recommendation.

Warnings: Mild language, alcohol ingestion, inaccuracies when it comes to military.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Monday morning. Bright and early, the men of Task Force 141 woke up at the crack of dawn. Their body's internal clock had gotten used to them waking up at 5am but the booze they indulged themselves in the previous night had taken a bit of a roll on the aforementioned "internal clock".

Nonetheless, with their bodies soaked in sleep and taking heavy steps, they made their way down to the base's mess hall, trying to eat away the hangover they manifested the night before. Johnny and Kyle were wiping their foreheads, trying to soothe the aching boom in the heads while walking languidly behind them was Ghost who seemed to be sober than them.

"Liver of steel you got there Johnny." Ghost teased the Scot, his British accent thick in sleep as he watched his friend fighting to keep his breakfast down. Gaz wasn't much help to Johnny either as he also chewed his food slowly. Too weak to reply and with little energy, Johnny shot a cold and annoyed gaze at his friend.

Ghost watched the men in front of him as he washed his breakfast down with a cup of black tea. Nothing soothed his soul like a nice cuppa in the morning (or any time of the day).

Minutes had gone by and they exited the mess hall, laughing about the moments they shared the previous night from Price's arm wrestling to Kyle's poor flirting techniques to Johnny's drunk dancing on tables. Ghost always considered himself as he is. A ghost. Watching from the corner silently, occasionally beating Price's unbeaten streak of arm wrestling to pulling Kyle in a chair after embarrassing himself in front of the ladies to pulling down Johnny off the tables and shoving glasses of water in front of him to sober up, convincing him it's a type of vodka (which Johnny took enthusiastically).

They reached Price's office who jumped off his chair when he watched his men enter, trying to compose himself with a big smile on his face. "Good morning gentlemen." He coughed as he settled with them around the table.

The men adjusted comfortably in their seats, waiting for the meeting to start. "Alright lads, I know last night was tough and thankfully today we don't really have a lot of work to do but we do have a mission coming up in the next few months that would need your undivided attention." He looked over to Johnny who was slowly dosing off in his chair. Ghost, "ever-so-gently", took the initiative to smack his friend in the back of his head, surprising Johnny.

"This should wake you all up." In Price's hand was a manila folder which he planned on the table. "Since this mission is sensitive to say the least, we need a pair of extra hands to help us complete it successfully. Hence why I asked an old friend of mine to assist us in the upcoming mission which she kindly and gladly accepted. She is one of the best snipers and combat fighters I've ever worked with...no offence gents."

"Did he just say 'she'?" Johnny whispered loudly.

"Ah so I do have your attention then Soap!" Price chuckled. "Now you all better keep it in your pants. She is also a medic and I'm sure she'll find a way to castrate you in your sleep if you try something funny. Come in Sergeant Y/N."

And there she was. Standing at 5"4 feet tall in black jeans and a dark blue t-shirt that hugged her body nicely. Her soft dark brown hair danced behind her as her brown eyes scanned the room.

"That's not a very nice way to sell me Captain." She chuckled as she made her way over to him. Jaws dropped.

"She has my undivided attention." Johnny whispered to the two men seated next to him. From his cold state, Ghost felt something inside him jolt, like a bullet just fired in his chest. A warm sheet of sweat covered his body, pupils dilated as he watched you and Price hug as he greeted you. No one ever took Price for the "huggy type" person but all formalities flew out the window when he patted her back gently afterwards.

"Welcome Y/N to Task Force 141. We are glad to have you with us. She will also be doing training with the new recruits," Price announced. "Just in case you get bored." He whispered in your ear, chuckling.

Y/N observed the men in front of her when her eyes fell on the only masked man in the room. But before she could introduce herself properly, Johnny bounced from his seat, finding his newly hidden energy.

"I'm Johnny but you can call me Soap." He shook her hand gently and beamed a smile. Kyle was up next.

"I'm Kyle but you can call me "yours"." He said with a small smirk on his face. She swore she felt Price's eyes roll to the back of his head as did the masked man's.

"It's too fuckin' early Gaz." Price scoffed.

"It's Gaz." He said when he received a silent response from the men. A heavy hand landed on Gaz's shoulder and was pulled back. And there he stood at 6"4 feet, dressed in tight fitting black clothes and a balaclava with a painted ghost mask on it with black shadows around his eyes. His fluffy blonde lashes never once fluttered as his eyes were stuck on her, like he's never seen a woman before.

Intrigued by the new member, Ghost approached silently, taking his hand out to introduce himself. Standing tall, towering over her tiny self, he shook her hand.

"Ghost." He said. Short and sweet.

"But you can call him-"

"That's enough Johnny!" Ghost barked.

Once they let go of the handshake, Price stepped in. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he gave her a tour of the base as well as showing her her sleeping quarters. Her place wasn't big but it was comfortable enough for at least 2 people to live in. A kitchenette, a bathroom, a double bed and a living room with a comfortable couch, TV and a balcony that led to the outside. All she had to do was spice it up with her taste in decorations.

"If you need any help or have questions, we don't bite we're literally next door." Soap offered as he placed her bags in her apartment followed by Gaz. Ghost stood at the frame of the door leaning as he scanned her apartment.

"Thank you gents. I appreciate the warm welcome." She beamed at them.

"If you want, tonight we're heading for a couple of drinks if you want to join us. It's a good opportunity to get to know you a bit more." Gaz said, hoping she'll say yes, to which she did.

***

That evening Task Force 141 gathered around the bar table, downing a pint of Guinness each, laughing along each other's jokes.

"So bonnie," Soap licked the froth from his lips. "What's your code name?"

Y/N raised her eyebrow. "You didn't read my Manila file? I'm impressed at your restraint Soap."

"I'm more of an upfront guy you know. Like to look people in the eyes when I talk to them. He smirked like.

"Do you want to take a guess?" Her lips landed back on her pint of Guinness as she looked around, her eyes landing on Ghost. He is thankful yet again for his balaclava that hid his blush.

"It's Banshee. Price actually suggested it years ago." She chuckled. Price patted himself on the back for this one. "Ay, you're fuckin lethal Y/N." He said sipping on his drink.

"Why do they call you 'Soap' Johnny?" Y/N asked, spinning the subject to the man next to her.

"Let's say I clean up well." He winked at Y/N. "I'm fast, efficient, accurate." While Soap continued praising his agility and the speed he can clean a room and his urban warfare tactics (as Gaz called it "jerking himself off with his own compliments"), Y/N's eyes get again landed on Ghost. His legs splayed open covered in dark jeans and a shirt that was two sizes smaller than his actual size. The way his muscles were ready to rip the sleeves of his shirt, his dark tattoos littering his arms and if her eyes served right, they landed on his crotch where a small bulge could be seen. Immediately averting her eyes when she noticed Ghost's hot gaze on her.

He must hate me. She thought to herself as she diverted her attention back to the rest of the team.

And nothing short could be said about Ghost couldn't take his eyes off her. The way she threw her head back in sweet laughter or the way she punched Soap's arm when he teased her. Or the way her lips gently closed around the rim of the glass and swallowed her beer.

Ghost knew something was about to change.

Ghost knew he was fucked.

[darkstrawberrytimetravel]

Why don't you just give in?Pt.4

Fem reader

Pt.3

You

I grab my drink and follow the girls to a nearby table, we’re seated midway between the bar and the back of the pub. I know the girls are watching the lads at the pool table, I can’t help myself either as I look up and watch as Simon loses his current round against Gaz. His movements around the table are sleek, like a panther, and practised as he lines up his next shot. His muscles flexing under his jacket, the hem of his jacket and shirt riding up just enough for my eyes to trail over his lower back. He’s trying, but he’s never been great at scoring, he’s just in it for the game. 

Images of us in bed together lazily flash through the forefront of my mind, him laid on his front as I straddle his bare thighs and massage his back. My thumbs working deep into the knotted muscles of his broad and muscular physique, the feel of my breasts brushing against him as I lean forward and trace my tongue up his spine. The taste of his skin, sweat and his own scent that I can never find elsewhere. 

I clear my throat and shake my head away, willing those thoughts to dissipate as quickly as they had appeared. I shouldn’t be thinking of him. We’re history. 

I stir my drink and make an idiotic point of counting the beads of condensation on the glass. Anything to distract myself. By the time I lookup again I realise he’s gone, I check the table with Soap and the others and he's not there either. 

Breathing a sigh of relief I settle in, despite my little speech in the taxi it looks like we’ll be staying here. Then again I can’t really go elsewhere in shorts, a hoodie, and trainers. The evening flies by, finally we actually start to socialise as a group, no more eye fucking the boys. Just as I start to feel that familiar easy going feeling of the alcohol working its magic on my body, my eyes trail up to the pool table and then the adjacent table and bench. Still no Simon.

I wonder why he's gone, he doesn't chain his cigarettes, and normally after a particularly long operation he parks himself out in the pub until last orders. The more I think about him in the present I can't help the past rear its ugly head. Though it hasn't always been ugly. I find my thoughts shift to us, our passion once upon a time. How fierce it had burnt, the feeling of our bodies, limbs tangled, comfortable and even serene moments in each other's company as we went about mundane ordinary hobbies and tasks. Hopes for the future. His hopes for our future. My inability to fully commit myself. His disappointment and hurt.

“Hey!” 

I feel myself being shaken lightly, blinking and looking around, I'm met with a pair of green eyes. Laura's eyes. Suddenly I'm back in the present, we're in the pub. I realised I'm chewing my thumb, removing it and wiping my thumb dry on my hoodie. I avoid her eyes.

“Yeah sorry, got a little lost there. You know…. I think I'm going to head off. Make my own way back.” 

Standing up, I make my excuses to the rest of the girls, citing plans for the weekend and needing an early night. As I step out onto the street and the pub door closes behind me I take a lung full of air. There's an autumnal chill, I realise how cold I am despite the alcohol coursing through my body. Standing there for a moment longer I make my mind up and walk further along to the taxi rank. My self control crashes, vanishes, and I know I can't fight the inevitable.

Settling into the taxi I nervously play with the cuff on my hoodie, I'm drunk. That's all it is. I just need physical connection. No other reason. I try to distract myself by looking out the passenger window, watching the dark houses fly past as we get ever closer to my destination. My limbs are tingling, I start to panic as I think about the last time we were in close quarters, alone. How he'd looked at him with dark eyes, disappointment and hurt morphing into something else. Anger. How he'd fucked me, lulling me into a sense of security only to pull the rug out from under me after we'd finished. Calling me a slag and practically kicking me out his house. 

His defence mechanism. What did you expect? You broke his heart, did you expect him to carry on with the arrangement as normal, as if he hadn't poured his heart and soul out to you? Only you couldn't reciprocate back could you. Those three words on the tip of your tongue but you're not brave enough to say them. Coward. 

The taxi stops and I'm pulled from my thoughts again. I barely register myself paying the fare and stepping out. I'm outside his home. Simon's home. I'm always awestruck with the mundanity of it. Just a simple two bedroom detached brick property on an unassuming street in Hereford. Close enough for a 15 minute standby, far enough for privacy and comfort away from the Garrison. I feel my heart race and my breath shudder out as I walk those few remaining steps to the front door, I don't even have to knock. The door opens and I'm met with his eyes, I can't tell how he's feeling. It's too dark to see any emotion written on his face.

“Hey” I don't realise how soft my voice is. How nervous I am.

Pt.5

[bloodbrown]

I'm gonna offer a little morsel to chew on that's been driving me insane😳 for your consideration, imagine on the off chance P manages to take an actual break at the hotel, not just a quick round of chats with everyone, or weapon/strength upgrades, but a full on extended break.

And during that break he discovers he's got a love of reading, and just so happens to gravitate towards the sweet and sappier type of books! (He of course reads anything that piques his interest, but for the sake of this thought I'd imagine that he keeps to these softer books as a sort of escape from the horrors beyond the hotel!🥺)

And in these books he keeps learning about all the ways in which humans and characters show affection: The plethora of darling terms of endearment or the meaningful warmth that comes from a special nickname, the endless tiny ways to show concern or care. It's the gentle kiss placed on the inside of a wrist, giving someone your umbrella/overcoat when the rain or chill is too much, looking into someone's eyes and being so whole heartedly lovestruck it makes your chest ache and heart thump a fierce pace.

(I think he'd get really caught up on the concept of when a couple is heading to bed one will often sleep on the side closest to the door, that even when asleep they want to shield their beloved🥺)

After his discovery I honestly think he'd become a bit of a mother hen, doting and even a dash fretful at that! He once saw you make your way down the stairs of the hotel without holding onto the railings, nearly tripping and straining your ankle. You try to pull that stunt after he's read his books? Right in front of lover boy? You are getting a glower and have a choice to make, either the railing or his hand, you have to hold one! >:(

I'm telling you, he may be made out of rigid cogs and unfeeling metal, has single handedly ravished droves of enemies and terrors, but this man has sugar glass ribs and a jelly heart, so unendingly sweet and warm, and if he could I bet he'd open his chest and give you his very own heart, hoping you'd see how the pace of its ticks speed up, just for you.

I have so so many more sappy sweet thoughts, and I hope it wasn't an annoyance to get such a behemoth of an ask, but from one P enjoyer to another I wanted to send something in! <:) I hope you're doing well, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night! ^^ (Oh and!! just wanted to say that I love all of the writing and hc's that you do for the mad lad, you capture him wonderfully!🥺)

I absolutely love the idea that P realizes he should get a day off like everyone else. He's worked to the bone every day, poor guy. And can't imagine Geppetto would be too happy about his Ergo-harvesting puppet realizing that he can take breaks lol

And P would totally take romance novels to heart, I bet he'd also take to writing little love letters and leaving them around for you to find... even if his handwriting is less than stellar 🥺

He is such a bleeding heart of a man, and I say this with the ultimate amount of affection.

Also I'm never annoyed by asks, even long ones, most of the time they make my day 🐸

[patrophthia]

just curious | theodore nott

pairing: theodore nott x reader

genre: angst, mutual pining (but they don’t get together boo 👎👎👎 me), theodore wears glasses (yes that’s it’s own genre), reader is called princess by everyone bc i didn’t want to use yn in this

wc: 2.2k

note: i wrote this in two hours while listening to super shy - new jeans (intended for it to be a cute fic) and ended up with this angsty little piece, it’s a wip i ended up abandoning but am putting it up for anyone who might like that sexy pining genre of not ending up tgt, also was gonna stay on my docs but got too emotionally attached to not post it (you better talk to me about this theo or i will cry)

Theodore is a friend of Draco. That's how you know him. Theodore Nott: the tall, cute, and quiet friend of Draco's who's eyes —when he smiles, like really smile, curves upwards in an adorable manner. Theodore who, whenever you were to hang out with Draco's friend group, keeps a closed off expression that is so hard to gauge and read that you gave up the second time you met the lad.

The door clicks open and you prepare yourself for what's to come next, taking in a deep breath as you try your hardest to play it cool. Theodore steps into Draco's living room, shopping bags in his hand as Pansy follows him from a few steps behind.

You try not to think too much of it, friends hold shopping bags for their friends all the time, it's only natural. Pansy smiles when she meets your eyes, her voice soft as she nags you on why she hasn't seen you in so long. "Draco ought to bring you around more, I know you're his friend before ours but there's no reason for him to keep you to himself like he does."

Draco scoffs at that, "it's not like I don't invite her, she just doesn't want to come to stuff."

That's not exactly true though. You do want to come to stuff —if anything you loved going to them, Draco's friends have always been very welcoming and accommodated to your every need; it's just that every time you were to spend time with them, it seems like you can't take your eyes off of one particular person (hint: it's not Draco himself).

And quite honestly, you doubted whether he even knows your name. "In my defence, work has been hectic," you deflect with a small laugh, your eyes betrays you and drift to where the real reason stood. Theodore meets your eyes straight on, and offers you a nod as if he's only noticing you now and was saying his greetings. Yeah, he definitely does not know your name. "But I'm here now so let's enjoy it."

Pansy pouts but let's up when Astoria calls for your group of friends from the kitchen, Blaise right behind her with an apron wrapped around his stature. "Well?" He cocks his head. "What are we waiting for?"

Dinner went by smoothly, mostly Blaise stuffing you with his cooking and Pansy catching up with; asking every question she could possibly think of. You didn't mind if for the most part, actually quite enjoying the attention as the group went on and on. "You're shy, aren't you?"

The question is weird, and not exactly directed at you so you turn back to your plate as you take a bite of Blaise's lasagna (Draco helped cook the noodles for this, he wants you to keep this in mind). You feel something kick mid-chew, looking up to the person sitting opposing you; only to see Theodore with his full focus on Pansy.

You turn to her as well and she laughs as she repeats her words. "You're shy, aren't you?"

"Not really?" You don't think you are, not really. You're just trying your hardest not to make it obvious that you're interested in someone at this very table who does not seem to be interested in you one bit. "At least I don't think I am."

Astoria laughs kindly, finding you cute as she says: "you've just been quiet today, you're never like this with Draco and I."

Yeah well Draco and Astoria weren't plaguing your every thought every time you were within one metres of them. "Oh." you murmur. "I guess I'm a bit tired today."

"Work?" Blaise suggests and you shake your head. "What is it then?"

"Just Boy problems," you say off-handedly, quickly regretting it when their faces turn to one of interest. "But it's nothing big, I promise."

"Are you seriously going to tell us that and not elaborate?" Draco looks offended, hell, he feels offended that you weren't elaborating. "What did that dickhead do?"

Your heart warms at the fact that your friend cares about you enough to immediately hate on whoever might be causing you boy problems but are quick to dismiss the situation. "Nothing, drop it."

From the look on their faces, it looks as if they weren't going to drop it anytime soon. Pansy opens her mouth, ready to say something when Theodore clears his throat, letting you hear his voice for the first time tonight. "Why don't you tell them about who you saw at the shops today, Pans."

Her eyes light up suddenly, going off on how she ran into her scumbag of an ex boyfriend as she was shopping for a new dress. Your eyes found Theodore's, sending him a small smile as you mentally note down on how you'd have to thank him for it later.

And when he offers you a small smile in return, his dark eyes softening —yet not enough for you to see those half moons you hold oh so dear to your heart, you try to remind yourself that he is nothing but a man doing the bare minimum.

"Stay the night," Astoria says softly, "it's late, Princess. I can't have you heading back on your own at this hour."

As much as it sounded pleasant, you can't help but feel like you might be intruding their night (even though you've spent countless night crashing at their place after a bad break up before, you guess that it's just different now that you weren't staying to cure a broken heart with a comforting shoulder —Astoria— and someone bad mouthing your ex —Draco—). "I can't," you tell them. "And trust me, I'll be fine."

Draco isn't chuffed by your answer, looking apprehensive as he thought everything over. Blaise and Pansy left for their shared apartment mere minutes ago so it wasn't like he could ensure your safety with them. But someone else was still here though, "Nott, can you take her home?"

Theodore startles from his spot by the coat rack, pausing with one arm in his coat as he looks at Draco like a deer caught in headlights. Cute. He then glances at you before hesitantly nodding.

This is bad. Oh god. Okay.

"Great," Astoria says with a smile. "Take care of our Princess, please." She then turns to look at you. "Call me when you get home safely, okay?"

At your nod, she hugs you goodbye and sends you out the door. Theodore walking slowly by your side. He's silent when he opens his car door for you and you try your best not to swoon. "Thank you."

He hums in acknowledgment as he walks over to the driver's side, Theodore does a double check to make sure you had your seatbelt on before he started the car. The ride is quiet, save from the song playing from the radio; a familiar tune you can't place a finger on.

He asks for your directions and you tell him, sneaking glances as you did so. His hair is longer than it was the last time you saw him —but to be fair, it has been months since you did; a few dark strands cover his eyes and you resist the urge to reach out and push them away. Maybe even taking out a hair clip from your purse to pin it back just so he wouldn't have to deal with it again.

It's calm and overwhelming at the same time, sitting so still and tranquil next to Theodore like this. You want to say something, you want him to say something; anything if meant you get to hear his voice again. If it meant you get a chance to memorise it and compartmentalise it in a folder that is ardently his.

"Oh thank you by the way." He looks at you for a split second before turning his focus back to the road. "For switching the topic back there."

Theodore only nods and you try not to cry. Why won't he speak? It's almost like he doesn't even want you to be interested in him.

"I really do appreciate it."

He hums this time around, a low note vibrating from his chest. It's either a nod or a hum, that's all you're ever going to get from Theodore, huh?

You bite the inside of your cheeks, looking straight at the road as you did so. Should you even attempt to make small talk? All your attempts have been futile so far so why even try. You didn't mean to huff, or at least not as loud as you did, your arms instinctively as you looked out the window absentmindedly.

This catches Theodore's attention though, prompting to finally say something. "Thinking about those boy problems again?"

You don't answer him, you don't let yourself feel the satisfaction of finally hearing him speak for the second time tonight. You don't say anything related to that topic whatsoever. "Do you have a girlfriend, Theodore?"

You can hear the hitch in his breath, see the surprise in his rapid blinks, feel the shift in the air. The car pulls to a stop at a red light, the tail lights of a car a few metres in front of you shines your faces the same shade.

He looks at you and you hope —no pray, that he doesn't notice the sparkle in your eyes as you look at him. Or maybe you do, you can't tell anymore. The only thing you can tell is that you are so incredibly into Theodore Nott, and him driving you home is not helping your case at all.

"No," he says earnestly. You don't let your eyes flicker to his lips, you don't let your eyes flicker to anything else but his eyes, trying to gauge him for something; anything, only to end up finding nothing.  "Why are you asking?"

A car honks from behind, breaking the two of you away from your trance. "Just curious."

You thank Theodore as he pulls to a stop outside your house, he —just like you would expect from Theodore Nott, only nods at your thanks. And when you bid him goodbye with one leg out of his car.

He tells you, "Goodnight, Princess."

Princess, that's what your friends called you. That's what Draco Malfoy called you at the ripe age of ten years old where the two of you would play royalty and would later be his favourite nickname for you, then further on your other friend's choice of name for you. That's what Theodore Nott calls you because he does not know your name.

"Goodnight, Theodore." You shut his car door behind you, and take a few steps to your front door before turning over your shoulder. Looking back at him at once, finding him reaching for his glasses within his glove compartment; ones with round wired frames that settle flatteringly on his high nose bridge. He shuts his glove compartment box and you turn back to your front door. And unbeknownst to you, with your back to him, Theodore turns to look at you once, and then, twice when you finally enter your house, before finally driving off and into the night.

Curiosity kills the cat, that’s what Theodore thinks as he unlocks his front door. Curiosity kills the cat, is what he reminds himself time and time again as he sheds off his jacket. Curiosity kills the cat, that’s what he knows from the start. But how could curiosity really kill the cat if it was already dying? 

If it had already yearned for something for long; a clenching thirst yet to be fulfilled, if it was already wailing to just be held, would curiosity really kill it then? 

It's weird. It's weird how —now that he thinks of it, he can't seem to recall you ever going on a date. Not a single one. While him on the other hand; yeah, he can't exactly count the amount of dates he’s gone on in the past month on one hand. 

It's not entirely his fault though, he’s trying to put himself out there; trying to find the one despite knowing that said one is constantly running around the back of his mind and was sitting in his passenger seat mere minutes ago. But he chooses to ignore it because one, it's wrong and there was no way you could ever reciprocate his feelings. And two, even if you were to reciprocate his feelings, he will never cross the line between platonic and romantic. 

He’d take the endless yearning over any potential heartbreak any day because the second he crosses the line, there's no turning back. And no amount of romantic feelings you might have for one another will make up for the years of friendship between him, you, and most importantly, Draco. The blond was your best friend before anything else, and he doubts you’d ever risk ruining your friendship for someone like him.

So, for now, he’d settled for the guilt he feels every time he sees you; he’ll hold back on his urges even though it’s clearer to him now, in this very night, than ever that you are as infatuated with him as he is with you. 

He’ll take off his glasses, he’ll place them by his bedside table, he’ll lay in his bed, cold and alone, he’ll try to fall asleep and not think of you, he’ll try and try to make it through tomorrow, make it through the date that Blaise had set up (yet again) for him that will inevitably be the worse hours of his life and think about what it be like had his date been you instead. 

— from bee: yeah i wrote this theodore with jeon wonwoo in mind so what about it?? theodore is so wonwoo coded idc idc

[cthulhusstepmom]

Simon has been engaging in what he likes to call "exposure therapy"; in essence he'll go to Soap's room, usually when he's there, and stare at the snake until he feels his lips start to burn and twist. When he's feeling particularly brave he'll go sit on the bathroom floor and stare down the cobra, False cobra he reminds himself. That one is usually better, it's smaller and objectively otherworldly. It's hard to justify having a panic attack over a purple snake half as long as his arm. He's been getting better, the burning turns to a subtle itch to a barely noticeable twitch. It took five hours of sitting in cold tile to get even the slightest reaction last time, watching Hugo cruise around his enclosure while Johnny slept soundly in the other room. Hour six and he does something stupid.

He knows the falsie can't hurt him, no worse than a bee sting if he lets it chew him up, he read. He'd seen Soap handle him, seen the love in his eyes as he looked at him. He doesn't really realize he's done it until he hears the click of the glass door hitting home. And now Simon is frozen watching the snake come forward to investigate him, can feel the flicks of its tongue flicking over his gooseflesh. His lungs start burning, watching the snake flare out its neck hovering above his palm. His scales are wet from where he'd been swimming as he inches carefully onto Ghost's arm. The texture brings him back to the present, incredibly smooth and pleasantly warm to the touch from the warm water. Ghost shakes his head and looks down. Hugo is exploring his lap at a leisurely pace, poking his head into the folds of material in his sweats. Eventually he finds the stretched out pocket and in a flash he dives in and curls himself up as pleased as punch. After that, his exposure therapy takes a different turn and, with Soap's permission, he even takes Hugo to the break room in the dead of night to meet the goldfish (safely on the outside of the glass of course).

One day Soap approaches him with a pleased hop in his step and announces that he found someone for Hugo. Ghost isn't upset. He's not. He knows how Johnny's operation works, Hugo was never going to be a permanent resident...but it just feels so soon.

Soap gives him the details and a week later they've set a meeting in the parking lot of the local Tesco's. Hugo is leisurely curling through Ghost's fingers, distracting him from the exposed feeling of just a black medical mask, as Johnny watches with a small smile on his face that's slowly disappearing as the time crawls past fifteen minutes late. At half an hour late a loud car peels into the lot with a screech, making a beeline toward their borrowed pickup and pulling to a stop far far too close to Johnny for Simon's comfort.

The kid that gets out of the car is tall and lanky with dusty blond hair that's seen more gel than shampoo in the past several weeks. He's young, younger than Simon had expected and from the contemplative frown on Johnny's face younger than he expected too. He's early twenties, 24 at the oldest. He also reeks of cigarette smoke, not that Ghost himself is the perfect role model for lung health but he's not chain-smoked like that since he was a teenager with something to prove.

"Ay sup bruv! Sorry I'm late traffic's a fucking bitch." The kid claps a hand on Soap's back. "Where is it?" Soap is opening his mouth to answer but he's cut off by the next outburst. "Fuck mate you're holding it? That's fucking ballsy, mad respect! Big lad like you, probably take a while before it offed you though yeah?"

The urge to put a bullet through this cocky little wankstain is a loud chant in the back of his mind.

"Not worse than a bee sting." He growls under his breath.

"S' a Cobra innit?" The kid snarks.

"False Water Cobra." Soap corrects and Ghost can hear the click of his teeth as he spits out the words.

"...still venomous though right? Your post said it was venomous."

A pregnant pause fills the air as Soap and Ghost make eye contact. Silent communication flies between them, a language learned in a landscape of fire and death. The slightest twitch, a shallow nod.

"We're done here." Ghost snarls as let's Hugo slither into his pocket, crossing his arms.

"Oi! I dunno what you think you're doing freakshow but I'm not leaving without my fucking snake." The kid reaches ominously into his pocket.

The little shit makes it a single step forward before a heavy hand clamps down on his trapezius.

"Ah dinnae think yeh understand. We're done, aye?"

Ghost feels a grin twitching on his lips as he watches pain twist up the youth's pointed features, watching Soap twist him around and shove him into his car with little more complaint than a pained yelp.

When they're back on base Ghost lets out a small breath of relief when Hugo is safely returned to his palaudarium.

Laying with Johnny curled up on his chest later that night he feels more than he hears a small laugh.

"Yer attached to him now."

He heaves a great long-suffering sigh.

"Less of a brat than you are, made it easy."

His Johnny laughs loud and clear and if his brain is turning with plans of rearranging his room and researching plants then that's between him and god...for now.

[tara-the-quiet-bookworm-2016]

Cherish You Yandere! Gaz x Female Reader. Chapter Three.

Authors Notes- Here I am back again with Chapter Three Of Cherish You. As you know by now I like to point out the trigger warnings in the Authors Notes so this chapter will feature violence, stalking, non-con drugging, Rape. and one very delulu Gaz. If none of this is your cuppa tea then this is where we part ways but I'll remember our time fondly.

Now that we got that out of the way here is Chapter Three. I hope you enjoy.

"You okay. lad?" Price asked, staring at Gaz from where he sat beside his Captain.

Gaz glanced at Price, a glass of whiskey sitting untouched in front of him as he chewed on his bottom lip, it had been days since he had broken into James' home and saw how he had treated you, images of the tears shining in your eyes burned into his mind.

"I'm...fine..." Gaz murmured.

However, a look from Price told Gaz that there was no way the old man was buying that as he inched closer to Gaz. "No you're not." Price told him. "What's really going on?"

Gaz heaved a tired sounding breath. "Y/N..."

"Ah, the girl you've been obsessed with. According to Soap." Price piped up.

Gaz nodded, biting down on his bottom lip.

"She's okay?" Price asked, concern shining in the older mans eyes as he moved closer.

Gaz looked to Price, wondering if should really be getting his captain involved, but Gaz was at a loss. He didn't know what he should do, looking at his captain once more, taking a deep breath he told Price everything that has happened since he came home, about you, about James, a small part of him felt silly telling him all this, but when he was done he felt better.

"So," Price asked, leaning back in his seat. "What do you need from me?"

***

Gaz was exhausted, he had talked with Price well into the night about a plan the two of them had cooked up over drinks. A plan to get James out of the way and for Gaz to finally win you over. He would leave getting rid of James to Price, and once he was gone Gaz would work on winning you over. But for now, right at this moment he chooses to watch you as you walk down the street, unaware that he was watching you. Watching as you stopped at various stores and peered in the windows before moving on.

As he watched you he couldn't help but notice the bruises on your wrists no doubt from James. Gaz scowled at the thought of the man who had hurt you, he hoped that Price would hurt him him as much as he hurt you. Pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against, hood pulled up over his head, hands in his pockets, as he continued to follow you. Chewing on his bottom lip as he thought of a way this would all work out in the end. How he would win you over once you realized that James was no longer in the picture.

He had always dreamed of the two of you finally being together but he could never really think of a way to actually have it come true. Until now, now he was just going to come out and say it, no more being a coward he was going to tell you how he felt. He hoped you'd come to realize that you felt the same. Gaz watched as you peered down at your phone, a confused look on your pretty face. Obviously you were waiting to hear from James.

Gaz growled, eyes narrowing as he recalled the night. Hearing the fear in your voice. "Hey. Y/N! Fancy meeting you out here." Gaz greeted, as he placed a hand on your shoulder, making you jump.

"Oh, Kyle. Hi." You greeted, stuffing your phone back in your pocket as you smiled at him. "What are you doing here?"

Gaz shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, nothing just out for a little stroll. And you?"

"I was supposed to meet with James for dinner but he's not responding to me. He and I had a little fight the other day. Nothing big." You told him.

If Gaz had to guess he would guess that the nothing big thing you were talking about was your argument he had listened in on when he broke into James apartment. It would seem the boyfriend you so adored has trust issues, did you not see that?

Gaz seethed as he recalled that day, how it took all his strength not to barge in there and rip him apart before your very eyes. "Kyle?" you spoke, jerking him from his dark thoughts, realizing that he had zoned out he flushed slightly.

"Sorry, did you say something?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"I was asking what you were up to? James isn't responding and I'm hungry would you like to join me? We haven't really had time to spend together since you came home."

"I'd love to." Gaz said, holding out his arm to you, his poor heart skipping a beat when you rested your head on his shoulder, the two of you walking down the street arm and arm.

***

They had spent hours at the restaurant, eating, laughing, drinking the night away. And not once had Y/N heard from James, then again not once did he see you take out your phone during the entire evening as you talked about your jobs, the stories you were working on, your coworkers. And not one mention of James, that was how it should be. You and him, always.

However, time always seemed to fly when having fun and before long it was time to go, and Gaz noted that you were far too tipsy to walk home alone so he offered to accompany you. You leaning a little too heavily on his arm as the two of you walked away. While in the darkened alley of the restaurant the two of you had walked out of lay the broken and bloody body of James. Blood stained the ground around him, as did many of his teeth, now unfortunately poor James wasn't dead, not for a lack of trying on Price's part as the older man loomed over the body, blood covering his hands, splattered on his face. But Price decided to be merciful...sorta. He doubted the boy on the ground would ever truly recover.

Moving away from the body he leaned against the wall, chest heaving as he pulled out a cigar and lit it before pulling out his phone, moving towards the body again he crouched down and took a picture of the body. Before sending it to Gaz.

Gaz perked up as he heard his phone chime, glancing down at you he saw that you were off in your own little world, before pulling out the phone, and opening the message from Price.

"It's done." It read. Followed by a picture of a bloody and battered James. Gaz smirked as he tucked his phone away. Good. Now there was nothing in his way now. Nothing to keep you from him as he walked up the steps to your apartment.

But now poor Gaz had another problem, confessing his feelings for you. He always had trouble like this but he told himself tonight would be the night as the two of you reached your apartment door, and you turned to him, cheeks flushed, eyes bleary. "Well, goodnight." You said, as you pulled him into a hug, one Gaz returned eagerly.

"Good night, well Y/N wait." He called out, as you opened your door, and moved to step in.

"Something wrong?" You asked.

Gaz chewed on his bottom lip, cheeks flushing once more. "I-I know this is sudden but I've been meaning to tell you something."

You turned to face him once more. "Is everything okay?" you asked.

"Yeah, it's just. Well, for the longest time I've...had feelings for you..." God this was bad, why was this so hard?!

"Feelings?" You weren't going to lie. You had suspected that Gaz might have feelings for you. But in all the years you knew him he never acted on them.

"I...I love you, Y/N." Finally, god that was brutal. Gaz heaved a sigh, glad to have that weight off his chest. Looking up he looked to you, hoping to see that beautiful smile, to hear you say that you felt the same. But...

"I'm sorry, Kyle..." you sighed, dread formed in his chest. No, this wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. "You're a great friend, wonderful even but I just don't feel the same way."

You offered him a sympathetic smile as you placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him another apology you stepped into your apartment and locked the door, leaving Gaz out in the cold.

He loved you. And you...you so callously reject him?! Anger swelled in his chest as hot tears spilled down his cheeks, his fists clenched at his side. You never gave him a chance, why couldn't you just give him a chance?! What did James have that he didn't?! Swiping his hand under his nose he turned away from the door, and stalked down the hallway. He wasn't going to give up, you would be his.

***

Days had passed since you had rejected him and Gaz had finally cooked up a plan to get you. He hated himself for it sure but you weren't really giving him much of a choice now were you? So, here he was at your apartment door once again he had texted you not too long ago saying that he wanted to apologize so here he was. But apologize was far from what he was planning.

Knocking on your door he waited as you opened up the door you smiled at him. But Gaz could tell that it was strained, obviously his love confession was still haunting you.

"How are you?" you asked, as you lead him further into your apartment.

"I'm good, look I wanted to say I'm sorry-"

"No, I'm sorry." You cut him off. "I shouldn't have been so cold when you...yeah..."

Gaz blinked, well now this was different perhaps now that you had time to sober up and had time to think on it maybe you had come to term with your feelings for him? Hopefully?!

"Look, Kyle you're a great guy. A wonderful guy, in fact but all you and I will ever be is friends. Is that okay?"

Gaz was silent, anger swelling in his chest. "No," he growled, glaring at you. "It's not okay, Y/N. How can you say that?!"

You blinked as you turned to look at him, shocked at his outburst.

"K-Kyle?!"

Gaz stomped towards you, stopping when the two of your were mere inches apart. "What does James or any other guy have that I don't?!"

"W-well..." Something was wrong. In all the years you knew Gaz you never seen him like this, It scared you.

"Nothing, That's it. He has nothing. He's nothing! I saw how he treated you in his apartment. How can you stand for that?! The mistrust, the mistreatment, I'd never do that to you, Y/N. So why can you just see it?!"

You took a couple steps back terrified. "I love him-"

"Don't. Don't you dare say that." Gaz snarled. "He didn't love you, he never loved you he saw you as an object. I see you as more. I always have." He moved closer to you, fingers brushing against your cheek, only to have you swat him away.

"Get out." You growled. "Get out of my apartment. And don't you dare come back. You don't get to tell me what I should and shouldn't feel. And you most certainly don't get to tell me who to love. Leave Kyle. I'm done with you." And with that you turned your back on him.

A big mistake as the moment you did Gaz wrapped a arm around your neck, and pressed a cloth to your face. Your eyes widened as you struggled in Gaz's iron grip, but he was bigger and far stronger than you and before long darkness swallowed you up, and then there was nothing.

He didn't want to do this. He didn't want things to end up like this. But you pushed him. Holding you close he whispered an apology to you as he placed a tender kiss on your cheek . You would see it would all work out in the end one way or another...

***

Hours had pass and soon your began to rouse, blinking a few times you found yourself not in your room at home. Instead you found yourself in a unfamiliar room. But that was not the worst of it, for on the walls were pictures, pictures of you. Pictures showing you with your friends laughing and smiling. Others showed you at work on the phone and at your computer. And others were obviously taken from outside your apartment as it showed you in your living room reading a book or watching TV.

What was going on? Grunting you moved to sit up, only to find that you couldn't, looking up you saw that your hands were cuffed to the bedframe. Okay, now you were terrified. Tears welled in your eyes as you struggled to break free of your restraints. What was happening?!

"You're going to fuck up your wrists if you keep that up, love." A familiar voice spoke. Looking towards the door you saw Gaz standing there, a glass of water in his hands.

"You're finally awake, good." He said, moving to stand beside your bed. Placing the water down on the nightstand before looking down at you.

It was then you noticed that you were without clothes. Letting out a startled squeak as you tried to hide your nakedness from Gaz. Who only chuckled at your shyness.

Oh, you don't need to hide from my, my love." He said, fingers trailing down your shoulder, making you shiver. This was wrong, this wasn't your Kyle. This was a stranger that looked like your long time friend.

"Kyle...please, this is wrong." You pleaded.

"No this is right, this is the only way you'll see how much I love you." He said, cupping your chin he forced you to look at him.

"You don't love me, if you did then you wouldn't do this. Please Kyle come to your senses." You pleaded once more.

Gaz scowled at your words. Did you think he was delusional? No, Gaz hadn't been more certain of something in all his life. This was right, you would come to see it eventually. But, perhaps you needed convincing.

Pinning you on your back he crawled over you, pressing his lips to yours, only to have to jerk away from him. Always so stubborn. He chuckled, his hands sliding down your shoulders, down your arms as he peppered kisses down your chest until he reached your small breasts. Glancing up at you he took your right nipple in his mouth, while teasing the other with his fingers.

You whimpered as you tried to buck him off, your voice wavering as you tried to tell him to stop just stop. But Gaz wasn't listening, wouldn't listen. To lost in you to listen, his cock twitching in his boxers as he pulled off your nipple before biting down hard on other the other one, hard enough to leave a mark afterwards. You were his, and he would let anyone who tried to take you away that you were his.

Straightening he pulled off his shirt off, and tossed it to the floor. He moved off you briefly to tug down his boxers, revealing his cock to you. Fear gripped your heart as you looked to him, realizing what was about to happen. He couldn't, could he, you trusted him, he was your friend. Someone who had vowed to never hurt you. And now...how could you be so careless, so blind?

More tears spilled down your cheeks as he positioned himself over you once more. "P-please, Kyle, no..." you sobbed, hoping to get through to him, but he only shushed you as he placed a tender kiss on your trembling lips and tearstained cheeks.

"It's okay." He reassured you as he pushed himself inside you with no preparation for you, making you cry out as his thick cock stretched your ill prepared pussy, not stopping until he was completely sheathed inside of you.

A low groan spilled past his lips as he felt you clench around him, you felt far better than he had ever imagined. He bet you felt even better if you were willing. But Gaz was a patient man. Biting back another groan he began to move, pulling out until the tip was inside you before thrusting back in completely, Gaz buried his face in your neck as he fucked you, whispering sweet words against your soft skin.

As if sugared words would somehow make this better, make getting violated by someone you considered friend okay. Your sightless gaze remained fixed on the ceiling as he fucked you, your mind anywhere but here, where had you gone wrong with Gaz? Was it when he told you he loved you? Or had he always intended on this? You didn't know the answer, but you wished this was but a nightmare, to wake up safe in your bed beside James and to forget all of this.

But it wasn't a dream was it? This was real life. This was your life now. You were brought back to reality when Gaz groaned in your ear, breath hot against your neck, his thrusts becoming sporadic, dread forming in your gut when you knew what was going to happen, and despite yourself you felt yourself close too, Gaz slipped a finger between your bodies, finding you clit and circling it, making your hips buck, and you cry out. You wanted this to end, you wanted this to be over.

Your back arched as you came, your cunt squeezing around Gaz's cock as you came as he continued to pound into you at a bruising pace. "Good girl," he whispered to you. "So good for me." Then with a low growl of his own as sheathed himself in you one more time, teeth sinking into your neck as he painted your insides white. A fresh wave of tears spilled down your cheeks as he rolled his hips a few more times before finally, and somewhat reluctantly pulling out of you. His cum spilling out of you as he did so.

Rolling off of you and onto his side beside you he smiled sweetly down at you, fingers brushing against your cheeks lovingly. "I love you, Y/N. I always have." And with that he kissed you once more, as your eyes slid shut.

This was your life now. With Gaz, and there was nothing you could do about it. You were finally his. And always would be.

***

Authors Notes- Wooo *wipes sweat off of her forehead* this chapter was a doozy. I actually got most of it written in one sitting. Also safe to say that poor Gaz might have snapped wouldn't you say. But never less I hope you enjoyed it. Have a good day and I'll see you soon.

[paisholotus]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 6

Narrative

"So? What are your thoughts, love? Tommy asked Yuna as she walked around, holding Nova, appreciating Shelby's pub.

"I like it. It's quite old-fashioned, which fits you." Tommy laughed at her, saying, "Oh, so you think I'm old then, yeah?" She chuckled and headed up the stairs to find Arthur and her son.

"It has a very 20s vibe to it. Particularly with the leather chairs and stone walls. However, the lighting gives it a modern appearance." Aria said as she walked alongside Polly.

 

"That ain't so bad, right, Yun?!" Arthur said this while bouncing Alex on his leg, wearing his peaked hat. Yuna laughed as she saw her son giggle excessively while he was doing loud imitations. "Not at all, Arth," she responds. "You all might actually be my competition, though it isn't much competition." She teases as the Shelby family laughs.

 

"Oi! There's no need to be greedy, love," John says as he stands next to Aria, wrapping his arm around her and chewing on his toothpick. "Your business is all the way in London, and we're in fookin' Birmingham!" Aria snorts and crosses her arms as he goes to kiss her cheek, but she pushes his head away, smirking at him. "What does the location have to do with anything if the competition is fierce, Johnny boy?" She teased as she strolled back to the counter to sit.

 

"And, in any case, a pub is only as good as its drinks," Aria said as she shrugged John's arm away and walked over to the counter. "So give us something good, and we'll tell you our thoughts." She said this, smirking at Tommy. Arthur laughs and hands Alex to Polly, who is now also holding Nova.

 

"And, Ms. Walker, what will it be? Beer? Whiskey? Rum?" He inquires. Yuna and Aria looked over the drink menus. Yuna chose whiskey because she hated beer and wasn't in the mood for rum. Aria chose rum because she also disliked beer but didn't want to drink whiskey right now.

 

"Get me a glass of your best whiskey and Aria a glass of white rum on the rocks, Arth." She stated this with satisfaction as she and Aria walked over to the couches while John poured himself a beer and Tommy and Arthur went to get Yuna and Aria's drinks.

 

Alex leapt off Polly's lap and onto the couch, saying, "Mommy, I want something to drink too." Yuna sat Alex on her lap, smiled, and thanked Arthur for their beverages. "I'm afraid you're too young for these drinks, lad." Arthur said, bursting out laughing. "Get them some pop, Arthur." John yelled as he sat at the counter.

 

Yuna sipped her whiskey and hummed at the taste; it was really good. "Oi! Tom, are you up here?" A man yelled while walking up the stairs.

"Harry" Tommy nodded, and the other two Shelby men did as well. "Whatcha doin' here, Harry? John asked. "Well, I thought I'd come and get me a last drink since I'm not running the counter any longer," Harry said as he sat at the counter.

"Retired?" Yuna asked him. "Something like that. Harry sadly smiled at Yuna. Yuna frowned at Harry and gave a disapproving look to Tommy. "Forcible Retirement? Really, Tommy," she replied as she finished her whiskey.

"His pension was quite hefty, Ms. Walker. In his defense, he said Yuna gives him a "as if that's better" look.

Arthur slapped Harry on the shoulder and said, "Well, Harry, you're welcome to come by anytime." Harry nodded and rose up, preparing to leave. He nodded to the Shelby men, including Polly, and smiled goodbye to Yuna.

Yuna stepped back to the counter, picking up Alex and Nova as Aria set down their empty glasses. "He seemed to be nice." Yuna told them. "Yes, he's a nice bloke. Polly nodded and took Nova from her.

Tommy raises his brow at Yuna, who rolls her eyes. For someone who took pride in being monotonous in any situation, he constantly acted like a jealous caveman when any man caught Yuna's attention. Even as children, no one dared to look Yuna in the eyes.

 

"Mama, I'm getting hungry." Alex mumbled as he wrapped his arms around her neck. Aria went to grab their coats, and as John stepped up to kiss her again, she pushed his head away and waved her finger in his face, shaking her head. "Playing hard to get, eh? John smirked at her. Yuna approached Tommy and kissed his cheek, saying, "Bye, love; see you later." The ladies made their way down the stairs to Polly's for lunch.

 

Smirking at his brother, John slips onto the couch. "What exactly is it, John boy?" Tommy asks as he goes to light another cigarette.

"When are you going to ask her to marry you, Tommy?"

Tommy is taken aback slightly, mostly because he wasn't expecting John to ask him that. He just assumed John would make fun of him for how Yuna and his kids got him wrapped around their fingers.

"I'm not sure if she's ready for that. I mean, the kids just found out their father isn't dead; I don't want to rush things and it turns to shit." Tommy clenched his jaw as anger bubbled back in his chest. Yuna went all these years thinking that they were all dead. She had to take care of his two children without him. The things he missed out on he could never get back, and that angered Tommy the most.

"Well, whenever you decide to ask 'er, she'll most likely say yes." John says it confidently. "She'll never love another bastard like you, so I wouldn't be too worried bout it, yeah!" He said loudly, causing Arthur to laugh with John. Tommy smiled lowly and raised his mug, agreeing.

Even though Tommy wanted to believe John completely, a traitorous voice in the back of his head tells him it's because he's afraid to ask her because he's scared to hear her response, terrified that she'll reject him. Even though he knows Yuna loves him unconditionally and always has, he just doesn't think he's good enough or deserving of her. Tommy has always felt like that; even when they were kids, he felt as though he was never worth her kind soul.

Tommy cleared his throat, looked at John, and smirked at him this time. "How do you feel about seeing Aria again, John boy?"

John's face went blank, and he leaned back into the couch, deep in thought. "I didn't think I'd ever see 'er, again. Then us seeing each other again, and they told us they thought we were dead. All those feelings came back, and it made me realize I never stopped loving her." He said this, gulping down his beer with watery eyes.

"I'm just fookin angry!" He says he's slamming his mug onto the table. "We could've been married with a bunch of fookin kids. I-i mean, I don't regret marrying Martha; I loved her. But Aria was my first choice. We might have a chance now; I think she'll love the kids, but the lost time I can't get back." He said sadly.

Arthur pats John on the back and says, "Well, you and Tom can make up for lost time. NOW ENOUGH WITH THIS SHITTY, FOOKIN, SAD TALK! YOU BLOODY BASTARD, PLAY THE HAND!" The Shelby men laughed and continued to drink, smoke, and play cards.

[grimalkinsquill]

AT IT AGAIN LADS, got tagged by @kwamisalami

Rules: Pick any 10 of your fics, scroll somewhere to the midpoint, pick a line (or a few), and share it! Then tag people!

I won't be tagging people this time, as I'm in a writing hole.

The Five Times He Had to Engage in Purely Tactical Revision, While She Turned From a Fairy Tale

“I bet they could’ve made a plan, like the wolf and fox,” another of the children replied. “Enough people can fix any problem, yeah?”

Flannán was not one to jump at loud noises. But he felt...somewhere between panicked and...no that can’t be quite right-

-but she clapped a hand against her thigh and laughed proudly, entirely unaware of the tizzy the sound was putting him in, opening her satchel and taking out what looked to be a homemade biscuit (oh, he had smelled those this morning, he had thought them strange since they didn’t smell like the ones the kitchen staff made- that was one meaningless mystery solved). The druid gave it gently to the child, who eagerly bit into the snack.

“Exactly! More people need to think like that.”

Death of Winter

There is- there is another man that the others have been taking orders from. He shares similar dimensions, similar appearances, but you can tell by the way he holds his broad shoulders that he is not him. There is a pride to this new man that simply did not exist in him . There is a sense of-

-of invasion.

Lighting the Wick

“The story goes that you chose your people, who to give magic to. So...I’m not asking you to choose me for my whole life. That’s a big ask, and I don’t think.” She inhaled slowly. “I don’t think anyone would anyway? But um. I just need you to choose me for a little while, alright? At least until I can find a footing here. I don’t...I don’t want to kill anyone by apathy. If I can help...”

O' Neighbour Mine

But he knew himself. He knew his greed. His hand moved to a quill made of woven mothwing scales, dipping in ink of human blood.

“O’ neighbour mine,” he wrote in curling cursive. “O’ Luka of the Fairge…”

Illusion of Normality

His mom barked a laugh, giving him a one-armed hug. “I do. A friend once taught me that it was good to recognise how much your reach as a person extends. How much one should push. You can give a person water, but that doesn’t mean they’ll drink.” She hummed, her fingers playing with an old necklace, circular stainless steel with a piece of orange sea glass as the gem.

When they first realised their mom had this habit (playing with her necklace when thinking deeply), Nino recalled Mars theorising that it hadn’t been their mère’s necklace. “The way her fingers curl,” Mars had said, “maybe the necklace was another shape. Something swirly, maybe.” He replied slowly, “Sometimes, you don’t know what’s good for you until it’s gone.”

I was Broken; now We're golden

She looked up at him, eyes wide. “You-you’re not going to get mad for me asking that?”

“Stars, no,” Essek answered. “Has Sibil Tiria gotten angry with you asking questions?”

His apprentice nodded, and he mentally noted the sibil’s name down. 

“She-she said some knowledge doesn’t get to be told people like me,” she answered.

Day 12: Tooth and Nail

“From where did you steal thine gifts?” Ifrit asked in Amaljic (or so it sounded to her ears), hovering above her. He laid above her like a bored cavalry lizard, looking at her like she was something he was considering to chew on. “I cannot temper thee.”

“Sure, some folks are metal at their core,” Mahri drawled in Amaljic, “but you can’t make a fire harder or more elastic. You know as well as I that fire just is.”

“I suppose,” Ifrit replied. He lifted one of his claws (the length of one of his scimitar-like fingers was the length of her whole body and a primordial part of her mind reminded her of this, how he could so easily rip her in half) and put the very tip of it to below her right eye. “Where did thee get the spark of mine sibling, little coal thief?”

Do Something Crazy

“Oh.” Lillie started twirling a bit of her hair around her finger again. “Why do you hate your natural hair color? It’s very pretty.”

Jolene gave a small half-smile. “Thanks. I got it from my mom: dad’s got teal hair. You really think it’s pretty?” Hook, line, and...

“Yes!” Sinker? Lillie looked the most animated Jolene had seen her, somehow sitting up taller (she’d been sitting up straight before, perfect posture, but now Lillie seemed to have a bit of flare that she hadn’t had before) and utterly defensive. “Your hair color is very pretty. If you truly dislike it, you should change it, but I personally think it’s pretty.”

“Why’s that?” Jolene asked, tilting her head in true confusion now. Okay, this hadn’t been the reaction Jolene was expecting. Flustered shy sputtering, sure, but animated and seemingly passionate debate didn’t seem to be on the table until a moment ago. “I’m just a normal blonde-”

“It’s a nice and warm color,” Lillie replied, “that brings a nice warmth to your skin tone and gives a gentle aspect to your appearance.”

Jolene blinked. She’d been called many things, but gentle wasn’t anywhere on that list. “...thanks, kid. Maybe I’ll finally give it a chance. For the record, your hair’s pretty too.”

And with that salvo, the ball was back in Jolene’s court again as Lillie finally did the flustered sputtering she’d expected.

Kid had more surprises than Jolene thought she did.

Rooftop Romance

You snicker. “What, stealing from the fat cats to give to the starving? You know that I don’t steal from anyone who can’t recover from the theft in the first place.” His mind stutters for a response to that and you smirk under your helmet.

“It’s still- Macavity, you know it’s illegal,” Herald answers, hanging onto pure and simple ideology because it’s his armor.

You answer neatly in Latin that you know he doesn’t understand (he’ll look it up later, because that’s the sort of nerd he is), “Lex malla, lex nulla.”

Does it say?

“Again.” Danse Russe begins to play again.

You look up, squinting against the harsh white light. You look back down at the room in front of you. The hardwood floor, the mirrored walls (all reflecting you and your growing body, your lanky limbs, your blonde hair pulled into a bun, the black leotard stitched with orange that mimics the tattoos on your skin), the indifferent barre. You move back towards the barre, going through demi-plié, then grand plié...the bending warmups that you can do in your sleep.

Then you leave the barre, going to the center of the room, adage always meticulous adage, settle into first position. Then you go through the other parts of the routine, letting yourself grow comfortable in the way your body bends any way you want it to, how it responds so easily and casually. You smile, as your supposed to, as the role demands, but...it’s not hard. You’ll only learn the label for this emotion later in life, but you enjoy the grace you’ve been trained into. You always will.

But your foot lands wrong and so does the rest of you. Too fast, too free, you fall down face first into the hardwood, too quickly to have shut your smile down. Your teeth slam into the hardwood. You feel your mouth bleed as everything within it aches.

You slowly sit up on your own and bring a hand to hover right in front of your mouth as you assess the damage. You spit out a tooth into the hand, your tongue moving to stop the bleeding.

They do not replace the tooth for two months, making you feel its disappearance. Your mistake. You begin to hold your tongue there during practice, a biological reminder that forms into habit, even after the tooth is replaced. 

Ortega will tease you about it, when she eventually sees you concentrating without your mask on (she will lock herself out of her apartment, keys on the dining room table, and you will lockpick back into her apartment). You will not tell her the full story, only parts: the hardwood floor, the mirrored walls, the indifferent barre...

A Study in Cyan

“I refuse to make the cat in a tree metaphor,” Ada muttered, spinning in her chair. “I...but if the shoe fits? He’d like it.”

It was like she’d been stuck in a tree and he coaxed her down, branch by branch, until she’d made the choice to jump. That was more accurate than “falling”, it acknowledged her choice in it. She had jumped into his arms and had never regretted the choice to jump. He could’ve chosen to let her go, could’ve stopped all of his effort towards her once he had her, could’ve been lying about himself the whole time. But he hadn’t. He was so wonderful. She was letting herself indulge in the cat-tree metaphor, she could privately indulge in her poetic side to help her analyze this.

[the-letter-horror-lover]

Phantomhive!”

Chapter 12

Notes:

Greetingzzzzzzz!

Sorry for the delay! Just started vacation and now I have free time to spare!

Aside from this fic, I am still updating Rugged Hearts and Prepare Yourself. I also have an Attack on Tutan fic Three or Nothing which will be updating soon.

A reader approached me about writing a DRAMAtical Murder fic, I am very much interested but first I will be finishing up my other fics. If anyone had any requests or if you want to appear in one of my stories then let me know!

Anywhoooooo, I hope you enjoy this chapter, lots of sexiness and plenty of nonsense from our favorite pirate duo!

Love to all!

Chapter Text

“Oi! Finny! I've come to take my place!” Mey called up to the bleary eyed youth who had been nodding off for the last half hour during his turn on the crow’s nest. As per usual, the young woman had her trusted piece at her side and a dark brown glass bottle of water mixed with rum in her hand. The moon was illuminating the entire deck with a silvery shower and the sky was star filled and clear. It was favorable conditions for manning that post and Mey was eager to begin her night shift. Socializing during dinner was all well and good, but nothing placed her at ease more than the solitude and silence of the midnight watchtower position.

“Coming Miss Mey!” Finny called down, scurrying over the side of the barrel and descending the rope ladder. He was beyond tired and wanting dinner badly.”Do ye have my supper?” He asked over his shoulder as he clumsily climbed down.

Mey shook her head, held up her bottle and waved it from side to side,”Sorry, darling, just have my drink.” She replied apologetically.

Finny sighed, hopping from the ladder and landing squarely on two feet like a green eyed cat,”Aw, pity!” He whined, rubbing his belly,”I'm so hungry!”

“Relax monkey, I've got yer meal.” Bard stepped out of the shadows holding up a steaming plate of food. He chewed at his unlit cigarette and pointed towards the crow's nest with his chin,”Get yerself up thar, Mey, no use being the falcon if yer idling on deck.” He grunted.

“Blow it out your arse.” She snapped, making her ascension towards the nest,”I'm on my way!”

Finny stared, owl eyed and hopeful, at the plate of delicious smelling fare,”I-Is that for me?!” He timidly asked.

Bard felt his cheeks warm up at the cute response from his crewman, but hurriedly looked away, shoving the plate into the younger man's face,”Aye, it is.” He mumbled. Although he was pleased by Finny’s smile, he wasn't going to show it.”I've a couple o’ curry buns for ye!”

Finny inhaled the delicious aroma of spiced meat and seasoned oil, “Oh! I love it when Agni makes them curry buns!” He chirped happily, reaching for the dish.

“I figured ye’d like a few of these.” Bard held the plate away from Finny's grasping hands, unwilling to allow the petite strong arm to reduce the contents into pieces of broken glass and ruined food, ”But first sit with me by the quarterdeck so we can eat together and take in the night breeze.”

Finny nodded his head emphatically and followed Bard like a duckling to the quarterdeck where several crates had been nailed down to the deck to serve as makeshift chairs. Bard sat down heavily, brushing his pants down and motioning to Finny to situate himself on the crate next to him. Finny readily complied, folding his hands on his lap like an obedient schoolboy patiently awaiting his next directive.

Wrapping one of the golden buns in a piece of torn off linen, Bard handed it over to the hungry boy, “Careful there, the center’s piping hot.” He warned.

Taking small bites, Finny chewed slowly, savoring every morsel with great gusto. “Thanks kindly, Bard!” He smacked his lips and took another bite of the delicacy,”Mmmm! They're so crispy and chewy!” He raved.

Bard allowed himself to smile openly, figuring that Finny was far too engrossed in devouring the buns rather than notice his expressions, “Enjoy ‘em, lad. No telling when we’ll have more fresh meat for this dish again.” He pointed out.

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Finny looked up at Bard, “Ain't we off to Spain in a month's time?” He asked.

Bard gave him a side glance and swiped a crumb from the corner of Finny's mouth with his thumb, “Aye, but no tellin’ if the crew will be staying long enough to fetch provisions.”

Finny blushed and hurriedly shoved the rest of the bun in his mouth, chomping noisily at the meat and crust, “Barth-” he began.

“Don't speak with yer gob full o’ grub, idiot!”

Finny ducked his head and quickly finished eating. Finally swallowing the last bits of food, he lifted his head and stared intently Bard.

“Is Spain nice, Bard?” He ventured in a mouse like voice.

Bard would not meet his gaze, instead he stared out at the endless indigo waters and felt a warmth blooming within his chest, “Yes, yes it is.” He whispered, “One of the loveliest places I've ever laid my eyes upon.”

Finny clapped his hands with delight,“Are there castles? Real castles, Bard?” He asked excitedly, “Like the ones in them storybooks!”

Tearing his gaze away from the dark waters, Bard’s eyes alighted with memory and a past he had kept mostly to himself. The pain and rage over the betrayal handed to him by his own country could not bury the images of every beautiful area of the world he had been lucky enough to witness, “Castles like ye’ve never seen!” He gushed, spreading his hands out into the air to emphasize the enormity of their structures,”Big sprawling stone castles, elegant and ancient! Sitting on hill cliffs overlooking the ocean, it's a splendid sight, lad!”

Finny Looked at him with awe, “I've never seen a castle, I've never seen Spain!” He cried, clutching Bard’s sleeve and pulling at him, “Yer been everywhere, haven't ye? Oh Bard! It must be so nice to see the world!”

A sadness seemed to cloud over Bard's face and he gently placed his hands over Finny’s.“I would be one to answer you, ‘cept everywhere I went, there was war and trifling matters. Everything I saw was colored blood red, everything I touched, died.” He admitted gloomily.

Finny released his hold on Bard’s sleeve, cautiously unraveling his fingers from the material and realizing, to his horror, that he had punctured several holes into the fabric with his fingers. Frantically retracting his hands away from Bard, he tucked them underneath his arms and twisted his body away from his friend, “I-I know that feeling.” his voice cracked, tears instantly welling up in his eyes,”Mine own are no good, I'm sorry!”

Bard looked down at his arm and sent a quick prayer of thanks that Finny had torn the sleeve, and not his skin, but his heart ached over the pitiable state Finny had been reduced to. What was it about the fragile looking man that caused Bard insurmountable sympathy and an urge to protect? It was a mystery, a complete unraveling of the basic nature Bard exhibited in his daily life. Gruff, manly, confident, brave, unmoving, and unwilling to follow anyone except for their captain, Bard would never had thought himself to take on charity. But Finny was different.

He was special.

“I am assured these hands can be gentle, jus’ like yer eyes,” His tone had turned gentler and softer as he addressed Finny, resting his palm against the swell of the boy's cheek, “Nice and gentle.” He whispered, swiping away a trickling tear with his thumb,”in time yer hands will arch your heart, I promise, jus’ listen to me, and trust in me.”

Flushed faced and shy, Finny shook his head out of Bard’s touch, “I-I'm not gentle at all-”

The sounds of footsteps caught the pair by surprise, and even more so when their owner appeared before them.

“G’evenin’ Ali.” Bard snarled, placing the plate of food on the floor next to his crate. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the obviously irritated man standing before them,”Kicked out of the Cap’s quarters again, eh?” He snickered.

Alois clenched his jaw and threw Bard a menacing look, but he withheld his voice, instead catching Finny’s sight.

“What are you looking at, brute?” He snapped.

Finny recoiled backwards, nearly toppling off his crate, “N-nothing!” He cried.

“Belay your saucy remarks, Alois.” Bard rose abruptly and stepped forwards, looming like a fuming giant over the petite man,”I'm in no mood to toss your scrawny arse into the waters.”

Alois gritted his teeth, “You wouldn't dare!” He hissed.

“Care to give me a try?”

Finny scrambled to his feet and forced himself to carefully place his hands against Bard’s arm, mindful of how much pressure he was placing, “Bard! Let's go to the kitchen and help Agni put away the dishes!” He suggested.

Cocking an eyebrow, Bard gave his partner an amused look, “Ye want a lesson tonight?”

Nodding his head, Finny felt relief from Bard’s calm response, “Yes! I-I think I can put away dishes and cups even!” He grinned.

Bard narrowed his eyes at Alois, sending him a silent warning to keep his mouth shut, and gestured to Finny to lead the way, “Leg it, monkey.” He ordered lightly, aware that Finny’s touch had been featherlight and barely noticeable. Perhaps their practices were actually working and one day the lad would learn to control his monstrous strength.

What Bard felt the most, however, was the throbbing of his heart when Finny laid his touch upon him. It nearly arrested his senses.

As the duo left, Alois watched with a discerning eye and made mental notes about keeping a close eye on them. The relationships built within a pirate crew all had to center around the well-being of their captain and the acquisition of supplies and treasure. There could be no subgroups, nor any loyalties stronger that their loyalty to their Captain lest munities evolved.

But the loneliness of not belonging to anyone was quite debilitating for someone like Alois who never felt love nor understood why anyone would go to the ends of the earth for it. He looked up at the diamondesque sky and wondered if the stars too were lonely, for however plenty they seemed and however close they were, not one star was connected to another.

So close, so many, so far apart.

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

“Damned trickster!” Ciel angrily curled his lip and scowled, “What nonsense do you speak of?!” He barked, “Take a bath here? With you in the same room?!”

Sebastian grinned, “Would you rather I enter the bath with you?” He offered with a sly wink.

Ciel stomped his foot against the planked floor, “Have you lost your bloody head?!” He shouted.

Shrugging his shoulders, Sebastian sauntered over to the fuming boy and placed the tip of his finger underneath Ciel's chin, slowly lifting the boys face upwards, “If I were Abberline, would you be so vexed?” Sebastian challenged.

Ciel whipped his head to the side, his cheeks burning with rage, he could not allow Sebastian to know the extent of his relationship with Abberline! “Turn away whilst I undress.” He demanded.

“No.”

“Why must you insist upon this unseemly behavior?” Ciel raged, shaking his fist at the stony faced man, “Why are you so blatantly intent upon my humiliation?!”

“You are mine and mine alone.” Sebastian stated firmly, “I have fought and conquered the right to observe the landscape of your body. I may not have taken purchase of your pleasures, but I most assuredly have won any opportunity to gander at your charms.”

With nothing else to say, and quite astounded by his enemy’s cockiness, Ciel swallowed hard and decided that if he were to be placed in such a degrading position, he may as well cease in exhibiting his discomfort. Unwilling to entertain the pirate’s sadistic nature, pride took control over Ciel’s shame and allowed him to step back and immodestly remove his shirt, unbutton his pants and allow them, and the cotton underwear Nina had so graciously knitted for him, to fall in a heap at his feet.

Naked and shivering from the coolness of the room, Ciel locked eyes with Sebastian and boldly refused to cover his private area.

“So be it! Well? Speak!” He commanded haughtily. His hands rested against his aide and he dig his fingertips into his bare skin. “What ridiculous statement are you conjuring up in that thick head of yours?!” He snarled.

Silence.

Sebastian simply stared, studying the form of one who had been obviously nurtured and doted upon with loving care. A body caught on the precipice of adulthood, teetering between the lanky limbs of an older child and the trim mildly muscular cut of a burgeoning man. Delicate and stable, hairless but for a tuft of coarse navy blue pubic hair crowning his crotch, Ciel was a developing work of human art.

“Beautiful.” Sebastian breathed, unable to move for he was frozen by the ethereal sight before him,” You are a splendid and most exquisite young man.” He complimented.

Ciel blushed to the roots of his hair. “I-I am going in.” He stammered, turning away and awkwardly lifting his leg over the side of the tub. The moment his skin came into contact with the heated water, he hissed and tensed his entire body. Slowly, the young man eased himself into the bath and felt a rush of pleasure from the soothing mixture and aromatic scents of infused lavender and herbs.

It was certainly a luxurious bath, one he was very much accustomed to in his past lifestyle. It had been weeks since his last indulgence and his sore muscles seemed to melt into the medicated liquid. Settling his body against the back of the giant tub, Ciel sighed with contentment.

Opening his eye, he prepared to launch into a volley of complaints over the unfairness of his imprisonment when he immediately felt anger erupt upon the sight of Sebastian disrobing before him.

“Wh-What in Lord’s name are you doing?!” He yelled, quickly sitting up in the bath.

Tossing his shirt onto his bed, Sebastian gave the boy a quizzical look, “”Are you the only one allowed to be clean?” He queried, unfastening his pants belt and unceremoniously dropping his clothing at his feet.

Ciel nearly passed out from the rush of blood to his head.

Spending most of his waking days on the beaches of Port Royal, Ciel had grown accustomed to the bronze and deep chocolate nude bodies of his peers frolicking on the sands and swimming carefree in the turquoise waters. It never bothered him to see another fellow or lady naked, the constrictive norms of the English hierarchy could not thankfully reach him on the uninhibited shores of Jamaica. When attending Sunday mass, local festivals, the marketplace, and other such public occurrences, Ciel witnessed people dressed in their appropriate attire, but the ocean lent itself to a certain unrestricted freedom.

For the first time in his short life, Ciel felt a heated knot unravel in his groin at the sight of Sebastian’s body. Never had he ever seen a porcelain structure cut so elegantly and perfectly, Chiseled chest punctuated by round coin shaped deep pink nipples; long and toned arms and legs. it reminded him of the pictures from his mother’s art book collections from Ancient Greece. Bodies of sinewy supremacy and otherworldly beauty and strength. Sebastian’s height and manliness contributed further to his dominating appearance.

And it was all Ciel could do but not stare at the hanging massive cock between Sebastian's thighs. Mildly firm and with a coloring of soft blush and flesh, it was unlike any other private member Ciel could recall.

Noticing the path of Ciel’s gaze, Sebastian delivered a crooked smile, “Like what you see, Earl?” He taunted, “Perchance you would appreciate a closer study?”

Ciel snapped out of his daze and felt immediate shame, “Pervert! Scheming lowly pervert!” He fumed..

Walking slowly towards the bath, Sebastian took his time in unraveling his long braid, “Calm yourself, little Earl. On my honor I shall not force myself into you.” He promised, forking his fingers through the lengthy strands of his ebon hair.

“As if you wouldst be so honorable, knavish cad!” Ciel countered, drawing his knees up to his chin and encircling his arms protectively around his legs. He watched cautiously at Sebastian’s movements while the captain brushed the black waterfall of hair over his shoulder. It was quite lovely, he admitted to himself, the impossibly shiny mass of thick hair Sebastian sported.

“How do you find the temperature?” Sebastian asked, dipping his fingers into the water and swirling them around several bubbles,”It shalt not scald you.”

Turning his head to the side, Ciel refused to meet Sebastian's gaze,“I-It’s hot, very hot.” He muttered.

Stepping into the bath, Sebastian settled into the other end and took care to stretch his legs out just enough so to not rest his feet against Ciel’s body. It was a large claw foot tub made of cast iron and imported from his home in Spain, a luxury item afforded only to the very wealthy. Dipping his head back, Sebastian fully immersed his hair. Ciel chanced a side glance and caught a glimpse of Sebastian’s hair slithering through the water like inky tendrils.

“Does it pain you?” He asked worriedly, ruby eyes studying the flushed face of the young man.”This heat, can you stand it?”

A tad surprised by the concern in his demeanor, Ciel shook his head, still looking away, “it suffices, I do prefer heat over cold any given time.” He mumbled into his knees.

Reaching out his hand towards Ciel, Sebastian smirked, “As do I.” He whispered, brushing his fingers against the front of Ciel’s leg.

Waters splashed over the side as Ciel flinched from the uninvited touch, “Please, do not touch me in this way!” He implored.

“Why ever not?”

Ciel viciously glowered at the snickering man,“Is it not obvious? I am a man!” He snapped, “To be touched so by another man is-”

“Did Abberline touch you?” Sebastian interrupted, sliding his fingertips down to the top of Ciel’s foot. He watched his reaction closely, noting how the boy’s eye widened at the mention of Abberline. Nodding his head, Sebastian withdrew his hand and fixed Ciel with a steely look, “I see, and here I thought him as a gentleman.” He surmised.

“No! He-he never touched me!” Ciel cried.

Wagging his finger at Ciel’s direction, Sebastian certainly knew better, “From what your face reveals to me, he most assuredly handled you in some way.” He remarked.

“He did not!”

“He did so!”

Clacking his teeth in disgust, Ciel pouted and again looked away, “Why do you care?” He complained miserably, “It is none of your business what I may or may not have done with Abberline!”

Sebastian suddenly grabbed one of Ciel's arms and yanked him forward until the boy was perched between his legs. Ciel ended up on his knees, nearly diving face first into the water and he tried to pull back but the pirate had a vice like grip on him. With every pull, their faces were drew closer to one another. “You belong to me, Ciel.” Sebastian snarled, his deep voice sending a shiver throughout Ciel’s body,”The moment I took purchase of you, everything you may or may not have done became my business.”

Ciel was appalled by the declaration, “Purchase?” He echoed angrily, “Do not speak of me as if I were an item marketed off to you!”

Sebastian cocked his head and an amused smirk spread across his face, “Then what are you, Ciel? What will you eventually decide to be if you wish not to be a purchased ware?”

“I will never be your whore, Captain Michaelis,” He responded fiercely,”I can promise you that.”

A deep rumbling of laughter tumbled from Sebastian as he released Ciel and leaned back against the end of the tub,“You may find this unbelievable, but I do not fancy whores as my bed mates.” He chortled.

Repositioning himself at the other end of the bath, Ciel crossed his arms and sulked, “My apologies, but I cannot envision women of finery seeking out your pleasures.” He scoffed.

Ceasing his laughter, Sebastian leaned his arm atop the side of the tub and rested his head against his hand,“A virgin lamb such as yourself has no idea what a man of my caliber and experience has feasted upon.” He crowed with a self satisfied air,”Well regarded and elegant ladies, foppish gentleman of the court, young lads barely free from home and tight lasses willing to stain their bedsheets with their blood of innocence.”

Ciel blushed heavily from the intricate details of Sebastian's conquests and the older man thoroughly enjoyed the horrified expression on his prisoner’s face. Leaning closer towards Ciel, Sebastian slipped his hand into the side of the boy’s face and cupped the back of his head, squeezing his fingers into the damp crown as to make sure Ciel could not turn his head. Their gazes met, thunderous ocean into fiery Hell and neither one allowed the other to any hint of defeat.

“Dear boy,” he spoke in a husky voice laden with raw honesty,”I know only of the finest of partners who hungrily seek out my company.”

Ciel was unimpressed, “Your arrogance is unsettling.” He retorted.

“Some say the truth is unsettling as well.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Ciel waved off the arrogant Captain, pushing Sebastian’s hand away from his head,“The truth is, I do not want you.” He announced proudly.

Sebastian chuckled, “Not yet. But see here, I do want you, now.” He took purchase of Ciel's hand and, in one fluid motion, forced it down to meet with his hardened member. Ciel squeaked, shocked at the sudden action and was then arrested with shock, aghast at what he was being made to do. Thin fingers, against their will, wrapped around the sizable girth, the heat from his skin nearly burning Ciel's palms. Trembling from a deadly mix of rage, shame, and fear, Ciel closed his eye and willed himself not to pay mind to the pulsing veins throbbing against his skin, the silken texture of another man's want snugly clasped within his hands. Sebastian felt exhilarated, his desires piqued by the sight of the gossamer being currently clenching him in such a deliciously sinful way. The older man began moving Ciel's hands up and down the shaft, breathing heavily from the pleasurable friction. The water splashed lightly over the sides with every languid stroke.

Ciel’s face was dewy with sweat and soapy water, his cheeks round and rose bitten. The luminosity of his fair skin was highlighted by the soaked strands of his slate colored hair and it wa all an orchestra of perfection. His cotton patch had begun to drop down the side of his face, weighted down by water, and Sebastian wanted so badly to tear it off. He freed up one of his hands and slid it up the side of Ciel's arm, tracing his slender collarbone, and resting finally against the young man's delicate jawline. Sebastians thumb ghosted over the underneath of Ciel's bottom lip and he reveled in the velvet smoothness of the boy's skin. It was unlike anything he had ever touched before, tragic in its marring, but inexplicably haunting in its beauty.

“If you so dare to violate me,” Ciel whispered, fluttering his eye open and delivering a deadly glare at Sebastian while his hand continued its forced ministrations.”I will send myself straight to mine own death.” He threatened.

“I believe you would.” Sebastian released Ciel’s hand and watched as the boy recoiled from him, scuttling as far against the other side of the tub as he could, “Am I so vile? Am I so hideous?” Sebastian grunted, resting each arm atop the sides of the bath,”Am I truly a repugnance?”

Ciel's eyes widened, “No! Not at all!” He gasped and then immediately slapped his wet hands over his mouth, mortified over his impassioned reply.

A wide grin spread wickedly across Sebastian's face “How amusing!” He laughed heartedly, “You denied so enthusiastically!”

With his open palm, Ciel sent a wave of soapy water splashing onto Sebastian’s unprotected face, “I-I despise you!” He raged, delivering another round of water at the now sputtering man.

“Cheeky brat!” With his black soggy bangs hanging over his face, Sebastian caught Ciel's wrists and pulled him towards his chest, slamming their bodies together with Ciel pressed on top of him. Ciel fought to escape the iron grip but all he could do was keep his face from planting into the water.

“Cease this struggling!” Sebastian hissed, wrapping his legs around Ciel’s tiny frame, “Lest you harm yourself in the process!”

“Release me!” Ciel barked, digging his elbows into Sebastian's chest,”Lest I harm you!” Suddenly, he felt an instant heat explode in his lower half and he realized that his own cock was rubbing against Sebastian’s!

“You creature!” He snarled, balling his fists and kicking his feet out in an attempt to stand up,”Grotesque! You are nothing but a grotesque demon!”

Nearly half the contents of the bathtub emptied out from their frenzied scufflin and the image of Tanaka having to clean up after their mess had Sebastian quickly panicking, “Calm this temperament of yours!” He roared, jutting his hips up to keep Ciel from being able to stand on his own.

Realizing that Ciel was unwilling to give up his futile defense, Sebastian abruptly stood up, splattering water over the sides of the tub, and hoisted the now flailing prisoner princess style into his arms. He took great caution in stepping out of the bath and onto the soaked and slippery floor with Ciel kicking and screaming in his arms. In one swoop, he caught ahold of a cloth towel, tossed the boy onto his bed and began rapidly wiping his gleaming wet body dry.

“What in bloody hell are you doing?!” Ciel screeched, slapping Sebastian's hands away from his body and clawing at the sheets to cover up his naked body,”Wretched bastard! How dare you-ack!” Before he could finish his sentence, Ciel was completely smothered by Sebastian's body; his entirety had been shadowed by the dark crow and he could not see past the ebon curtain of hair surrounding his head. With one hand, Sebastian grabbed the duvet and cocooned both he and Ciel within its warmth and darkness, securing his prize and allowing him no means of escape. His other arm had snaked its way underneath Ciel’s back and hooked itself so that he could thrust the small body up against his own much larger build. They panted heavily into each other's faces, catching their breaths and gulping down air as the excitement of the risqué situation escalated.

Nuzzling his face into the crook of Ciel's neck, Sebastian inhaled the ripe smell of youth and he became heady with its sweetly musky scent,“You feign disgust of my advances, boy. I read you as a map, all wants and desires clearly checked against you exquisite face.” He whispered hotly, shivering at the tautness of Ciel’s bare skin against his own,”Place a mark upon my words, the time will come when you wish not to live without me, you will love no one but me, you will be mine in body and eternal spirit, and when that does occur, I will hold you and when I do, I will make you weep.”

Ciel kept his arms tightly crossed over his chest; squeezing his thighs together in a vain attempt to keep his arousal less prominent, but it was no use, his body was betraying him in the most humiliating of ways. The captain was handsome, alluring and all things sinful, even the savory aroma of sweat mingled with lavender was hypnotic. Ciel willed himself not to fall victim beneath Sebastian's spell for he could not be won over so easily.

“I may weep, Captain Michaelis, but there shall be no love upon my part.” His lips brushed upon the shell of Sebastian’s ear and his voice shook with emotion, “You will be left only with my cold corpse and a gaping bloody hole betwixt your legs and I promise you, oh great demon of the sea, I promise you will never forget my name!”

Sebastian shuddered at the coolly delivered threat, lifting his head and staring straight into the eye of the most cantankerous human being he had ever had the glorious pleasure to meet, “You are a killjoy.” He replied flatly.

Ciel bristled at the sour look on Sebastian's face, “If you find me so vexing, why don't you go and fetch your golden haired Whore with the twisted tongue?” He snapped.

Confused by his statement, Sebastian frowned,, “Alois? Why would I want him?!”

Emitting a bitter laugh, Ciel placed his palms against the pirate’s chest and began pushing him away, “Tired of him already? Is that a hobby of yours? To make young boys your playthings and then toss them aside when done?” He accused, resorting to pounding his diminutive fists against the rock hard chest.

Swatting the feeble attack, Sebastian rolled off of Ciel, curled up next to the fuming boy and supported himself up on his elbow while giving Ciel a quizzical look, “My playthings?” He wondered aloud, “Surely you do not mean Alois?!”

“Well of course I do, you stupid slag!”

Sebastian grimaced, “Were you accustomed to speak in such an uncouth manner before your mother?” He criticized, catching Ciel's jaw between his thumb and fingers and squeezing until his jaw dropped open,”The filth and insults spewing from such a delicate child is quite unbecoming!”

““Never, only you bring out the worst in me.” Ciel jerked his face away from Sebastian’s hand,”Quite laughable to be told this by someone of your low character!” He snapped.

“Your worst is far more enjoyable, is it not?” Sebastian brushed the back of his knuckles featherlight against Ciel’s cheek before resting it on the bed,”Low characters such as myself are quite entertained by people of your high stature.” He teased.

Ciel rolled his eyes, “You claim this to be enjoyable?!” He grumbled.

“Utterly.”

“I hate you.”

Sitting upright, Sebastian stretched his arms up above his head a yawned, “Untruth, you speak only from your bothersome state.” He looked down at Ciel “Perhaps you speak entirely from over exertion and in dire need of a nap, or a bottle of milk.” He chuckled.

“I am no child!” Ciel scrambled upright and pulled the sheets around his shoulder, covering his entire body while he tucked his feet underneath his legs. His skin was like ice without the warmth from Sebastian's body but there would be no conceivable way he would admit that to his tormentor,”I speak from being nearly raped by a criminal!”

The oddest part of their conversation was not how the two men were sitting nude and nearly soaked in the middle of a large bed hurling insults and threats to one another. No, that did not seem to bother the captain at all.

To hear Ciel accuse him of rape pierced his heart.

“I would never rape you.” Sebastian smoothed down the sheets between them and patted them gently, averting Ciel's eye as he spoke,”Never, in all my years, have I have thrown violence into my sex. It galls me to the core for it is an unforgivable and loathsome action.”

Ciel fell silent, watching Sebastian's pained expression and fretful body language. From the gnawing at his inner cheek to the nervous drumming of his fingers against the mattress, Ciel could tell that he had hit the nerve of something very dark and tormenting within the pirate.

“My deepest apologies, Captain Michaelis.” Ciel bowed his head, folding his hands neatly upon his lap,”I mistook your actions for something far less favorable and in turn, I have insulted your honor.”

Sebastian cocked an eyebrow at the sudden change in Ciel’s manners, to witness such a timid and humble person emerge from the hellcat he had just moments earlier wrestled with was worth every damnation Ciel had thrown at him.

He is inexplicably cute, he thought.

“Sleep here.” He offered,”It is far more comfortable than the cot you were previously provided with, is it not?”

“What? Sleep here with you?” Ciel scuttled towards the edge of the bed,”I would rather sleep amongst sharks and piranha!” He thundered.

He's not cute, Sebastian thought sourly, not one bit.

“Prideful brat! I fancy a bed partner, you will have to do!” He grabbed the sheets Ciel had wrapped himself in and yanked them back, sending Ciel flying backwards onto the bed. Landing with a thud, Ciel struggled to unwrap himself from the blankets.

“i will not sleep with you!” He protested.

Sebastian rolled over and pinned him down again with his body, “Behave and obey!” He ordered.

“No!” Ciel frantically whipped his head from side to side,”I don't want to-!”

“Please, I beg of you!” Sebastian dropped his head and pressed the side of his face against Ciel's chest. He listened to the fierce beating of the boy's heart and felt an immediate ease permeate throughout his body. “I do not sleep well, provide me with this comfort and I will cease manhandling you.” He swore.

Surprised by the pleading and admission, Ciel looked down at the crown of inky hair,“And why shouldst I take your word?” He asked quietly.

“Have I not told you?” Sebastian lifted his head and rested his chin upon Ciel's shoulder, “There are no entanglements in my speech, I cannot lie.”

“I see,” Exhausted and warm once again from the sultriness of Sebastian's body, Ciel gave himself in to temporary defeat, “Fine then,” He acquiesced,”I shall sleep here, and only sleep, nothing more but that!.”

“Most excellent!” Sebastian smiled and reached over to a small table next to the bed. Snatching a red ribbon, he dangled it in front of Ciel’s face.”Now, braid my hair.”he demanded.

“Are you daft?!” Ciel smacked the ribbon out of Sebastian’s hand,”Braid your own damned hair!” He miffed.

Sebastian pouted, “Tanaka usually braids it and I do not like the way it falls when I do it, so go on, braid it.” He insisted, once again dangling the ribbon in front of Ciel’s eye.

Sighing deeply, Ciel motioned for Sebastian to sit up and face away from him so he could untangle and separate the incredibly thick blanket of silken hair. His mother had often fed him a piece of coconut candy or licorice as a barter for a few minutes of brushing her hair. He had loved passing the finely bristled brush through her long hair and doing so for Sebastian left many conflicted feelings within the young lad.

Was it possible, in any way shape or form, to not want to leave this man’s side? He thought, separating the hair into three parts. How could this egotistical man possibly fathom Ciel falling in love with him?

Ciel shook his head, pulling each section and intertwining them evenly. There would be no chance of him preferring the life of a pirate's lover over freedom. The very idea was ridiculous!

“You are a child,” Ciel scolded gently, much to the amusement of Sebastian who only snorted his reply,”An overgrown, useless child.”

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Chapter 13

Notes:

Greetingzzzzzzz!

Thanks to all for the wonderful feedback! I've been blessed with having such caring and wonderful readers and I promise to respond to everyone as soon as I can!

A little shout out to a guest character, Jovana! Please welcome our newest pirate with open arms and legs! Woot woot!

If you'd like to appear in the next chapter as a character, or in any of my other fics, then let's see who leaves a comment PLUS the symbolism behind a flower mentioned in this chaoter.

Good luck my loveys !

Oh and you know AnimeCujo, right? My right hand girl, the love of my life and the light in my dark soul. She just updated The Ninth Life!!!!!! Read it and puuuurrrrrr!

Chapter Text

The twittering of birds….

A long lost echo of the past.

Sebastian stood in the middle of a large circular room, it's perimeter lined with floor to ceiling French door styled windows dressed with sheer ivory curtains. The ornate decor spoke of finery with its Muslim plasterwork painted in muted colors of soft blue and gold leaf trim, arcades of semicircular arches, and triangular pediment tops. Colorful dishes painted in the style of istoriato, majolica (enamelled pottery), and medium sized bronze figures fashioned after mythological creatures, aligned exquisite carved wood cabinets made of cypress and ebony which were inlaid with curving designs of ivory and shimmering mother of pearl.

A large oval oriental rug of deep blue and green hues set in a background of beige and light rose shone brilliantly against the depthless brown of mahogany floor planks. In the far corner near the double entry doors stood a statue of San Isidro, the patron Saint of the Laboring Man, and in the other far corner were two large wrought iron bird cages.

One was painted in gold and it housed at least ten chirping and vibrant lemon yellow canaries. The other was of its natural black casing and it boasted an equal amount of bustling and noisy bluebirds.

Sebastian walked hesitantly towards the cages, glancing sideways to the castle gardens outside one of the windows. The sun burned brilliantly and the gardens were breath-takingly beautiful, filled with elaborately clipped hedges, trickling water, and fragrant, colorful flowers. He breathed slowly, inhaling the clean scent of red carnations, and felt a longing stir deep within his heart. Fitted in his pirate attire, he felt out of place and criminal, knowing that his presence was an eyesore for his royal blooded family.

“Sebastian, why do you fancy the bluebirds?”

The childlike voice came from behind him and he turned quickly to discover a small boy with jet black shoulder length hair and amber eyes hidden behind a pair of silver rimmed spectacles. He was slight in form; dressed in a braided black doublet, black velvet breeches, white cuffed shirt, and leather slip ons. A miniature version of their father, Claude was every inch the aristocratic noble, even at the tender age of seven.

Being only three years older than Claude, Sebastian found his situation strangely amusing and quirked a smile. “It is their color,” He responded gently, kneeling down in order to speak upon his brother’s level.“It reminds me of the ocean.”

The boy scowled, tugging at his fingers. “They are not very nice, brother,” he grumbled as he held out his slender fingers for inspection. Sebastian noticed a cloth tied around the pointer finger and he shook his head in amusement.

“If you keep sticking your finger in their cage, they will nip you,” He chuckled, taking purchase of the diminutive hand and examining the expertly bandaged digit.”Sharp beaks are capable of cutting to the bone.”

“Your birds are mean, brother!” Claude pouted, his cute face crumpling up like a piece of paper.”I wanted to say hello and they were very mean to me!”

The Captain sighed, pulling carefully at the hand and silently beckoning the crank child to come closer. ““Did you know that bluebirds bring happiness?” He drew Claude into his arms and held him closely to his chest, feeling adoration emanating throughout his body as his brother rested his head against his shoulder.

“But my birds make me happy too!” The boy stubbornly countered.

“Yes, they sing much prettier than mine.”

“B-But your birds are very strong, right?” Claude drew back and stared at his older brother with wide eyed wonderment.”I have seen them chase other larger birds away from the gardens!”

“Yes, yes they are, little brother,” Sebastian laughed, lovingly ruffling the ebon nest of hair.”They will protect what they love with every bit of their might!”

“Just like you, brother!” Claude grinned, hopping up and down excitedly.”Just like you protect me!”

His heart clenched painfully at the innocent remark.“Claude, your birds look like the sun and mine look like the ocean,” Sebastian remarked. “Do you realize what that means?”

The child shook his head “no”.

“It means whilst the ocean keeps its movement, the sun will never leave it alone”--Sebastian pointed towards the window, where a soft breeze had begun to sift through the billowing curtains--“Even if the night comith, even if the clouds and storms cover the light, the sun will eventually brighten the ocean.”

Claude smiled broadly and clapped his hands. “Oh! That does sound lovely!” He squealed happily.

“And just like you, Claude”--Sebastian looped his arm around his sibling’s neck and enclosed the tiny figure within his larger self, holding him tightly--“You bring light to my dark waters.” He affirmed.

“I do?” Claude whispered, digging his small fingers into his brother’s shirt.

“Yes you do, negrito.” Sebastian choked out, feeling the ice cold trickle of tears against his cheeks as he began to weep for.a time he could no longer retrieve. “Yes you do.”

The flapping of wings and musical trills of the birds filled Sebastian's ears as he closed his eyes and succumbed to the familiar comfort of his beloved brother.

“Get your bloody arm off of mine throat you behemoth oaf!”

Drowsy scarlet eyes popped open at the shrill voice thundering in his ear and the sounds of birds dissipated like smoke. Sebastian lifted his head up from his pillow to discover a purple faced Ciel desperately clawing at his arm. Without realizing, Sebastian had fallen asleep on his stomach with his arm hooked over his prisoner's neck.

The room, the birds, even Claude, were all gone; except for the empty cage.

“Your morning disposition leaves much to be desired.” He muttered, rolling over to his back and releasing his hold on a now gasping Ciel.

“I was requiring air!” The young noble coughed, glaring murderously at his captor.”however, I shall cease to be so selfish the next time you decide to strangle me!” He hissed as he gulped for air.

“It would have served better if you had moved over into my arms and lay still within my embrace.” Sebastian smirked, tucking his hands behind his head.”Such ill mannered bed mates are of no thrill to me.”

“Oh, do pardon my ill manners!” Ciel sarcastically spat. “You could have just granted my freedom and allowed me mine own bed.”

Sebastian frowned. “How boring.” He yawned.

Ciel sat up, pulling the sheets around him to cover his naked form. “It is common courtesy to allow a guest their own sleeping arrangements!” He miffed.

Turning his head to the side, Sebastian held up one finger in Ciel's flushed face. “Do not mistake this, you are no guest, you are my prisoner.” He reminded the flustered man. “Aside from that, I allowed you a proper sleeping arrangement.”

“This is far from proper!” Ciel cried, his open hands frantically gesturing at his clothless chest.”I am bare and without appropriate arrangement!”

Shrugging his shoulder, Sebastian grinned. “I, for one, slept exceptionally well.” He drawled with an air of self satisfaction.

Ciel regarded the man with dubious contempt.”Balderdash!” He exclaimed.”You tossed about like a fish out of water! Tossing and thrashing about, nearly sending me to meet my end to the floor!”

“I did not.” Sebastian snorted, “You merely exaggerate.”

“Yes you did!” Ciel insisted. “As if your movements were not enough to rob me of my sleep, you kept murmuring nonsense about birds!”

Sebastian froze, his body tense with dread. “Birds?” He feigned ignorance, keeping his eyes fixed upon the wall in front of the bed.”I know not what you speak of.” He lied.

“Yes….birds.” Ciel's voice went small for he had immediately noticed the change in Sebastian. Somehow, he had entered a dark territory in which he was most unwelcome to and he thought it better to retreat as quickly as possible lest he trigger some other outlandish behavior from the rogue man.

“But, it matters not.” He muttered, looking away.”As long as you slept well, it is all that matters.”

Surprised by the sudden shift in Ciel’s demeanor, Sebastian wondered if his prisoner was actually aware of the concern he had just displayed. Studying the sleek figure of the noble, it was obvious that he had become a bit more comfortable in his presence. Ciel was naked but was not trying to scramble away from his side, instead he had simply gathered the sheets at his waist.

“Nina had befitted you with clothing, yes?” Sebastian questioned the now visibly trembling boy.”If you remain in this state, surely you shall catch your death soon enough.”

“I wish to be clothed.” Ciel shivered, rubbing his arms with his hands as goosebumps littered the pale surface.”I am chilled.”

Without a word, Sebastian whipped off the sheets, revealing his own nakedness, and padded over the tall dresser at the foot of the bed. Ciel blushed heatedly at the incredible sight of the captain. He was unable to fully comprehend the exact magnificence of an adult male body intricacy sculpted in sinewy muscle and long graceful limbs wrapped in alabaster skin. Sebastian's dark braid swung like a black cat's tail behind him and Ciel found himself surprisingly pleased that his handiwork had kept its shape throughout the night.

It would have done me well if he had wrung himself dead with that braid, he thought sourly.

“I shall fetch you your clothes.” Sebastian announced, pulling out several articles of clothes and a pair of cloth underwear.”And have your provisions secured in my quarters.”

“Pardon?” Ciel was taken aback by the statement so quickly offered.”Why would you have my provisions brought here?”

“You shall board here with me.” The Captain turned around and brazenly revealed his full frontal glory to the now furiously blushing Ciel. His chest was smooth and none too broad and it led into a muscular flat abdomen. The V cut slant of his groin area held a healthy and deliciously fleshy pink cock crowned with only a small nest of coarse black hair. Even flaccid, Sebastian member was far larger and of a sizable girth compared with Ciel’s own young sapling still developing and finding its own shape.

“Have you not a bit of shame?” Ciel hissed.

“You say that yet you continue to stare at my dick.” Sebastian bluntly pointed out.

“Lecher!” Ciel shouted before diving under the covers and curling up into a ball.

Amazed by the childish, and unbearably cute, response, Sebastian held off from anymore teasing remarks and instead began to dress himself. “Remain here, do not move from these quarters lest you be punished.” He warned, hurriedly buttoning up his shirt.”Tanaka shall bring you your morning meal.”

“Shall I not eat with the crew?” Ciel’s muffled voice was barely audible from under the covers.

Red eyes narrowed.”Why ever would you wish to share a meal again with them?” Sebastian belted his pants and gave the bundle a suspicious once over.”Be there someone you fancy already?” He snarled .

A lone dark blue eye peeped out from between the sheets and it immediately clouded over.”Are you daft?” He angrily shot back, balling his fists into the mattress.”All I would be fancying at this moment is a clean pair of britches and freedom from the likes of you!”

Oddly pleased with Ciel's answer, Sebastian nodded and bent over to snatch up a pair of leather boots from the floor.”Mind yourself here on my ship.” He cautioned lowly.”Behave and obey is all that I ask.”

“You request far more than that!” Ciel sniffed indignantly, allowing his face to pop out from the covers so that he could fix the man with a contemptuous glare.”You think yourself so highly, with that baudy affect of yours, making outrageous demands of me. It defies all sensibility!”

“It would behoove you to adhere to my demands, Ciel.” Sebastian sauntered over to the side of the bed and sat down besides Ciel. The bed creaked and for an instance, The smell of crushed lavender wafted into the salt kissed air.

“I wish not to punish you.” He smirked, slowly leaning over the young man.”Pleasure is far more enjoyable than pain, is it not?”

Ciel looked up, holding the captain’s leering eyes with his own steely blue and offered not a hint of fear nor an intimidated air.”I do not fear mine own death.” He remarked coolly, shifting his weight to his arms and propping himself up so that he could be at equal height as Sebastian.”If you wish for acquiescence from me, barter my freedom with me. Offer an end to this misery either by a quick expiration or my eventual release. I am not your slave, your crewman, nor your lover so refrain from expecting such blind obedience from my person for you shall be sorely disappointed.”

A slow and sensually sly smile crept wickedly along the path of Sebastian's face.

“You are no disappointment, my esteemed noble Ciel Phantomhive.” He soothed, tracing a lone finger along Ciel’s sleek jawbone until it rested underneath his chin.”More and more you delight me with your senseless courage and upstart manners.”

Ciel dismissively waved away the backhanded compliments, “How odd, because more and more you disgust me with your lascivious behavior and devilish over confidence!” He scoffed.

“Such untruths pouring from such a pretty mouth.” Sebastian leaned in, tilting his head slightly to the side.”shall I silence it for a bit?” He breathed.

Ciel's eyes widened and he drew his face away from Sebastian's,”I will not allow that.” He whispered.

“Why ever not?”

“It is an action….for lovers.” Ciel could feel heat rising from the base of his neck to the tips of his ears. Surely he must have appeared like a human tomato, blushing like a young silly girl. The very thought made him suddenly shy and it was so bothersome to think that the pretense of a kiss could send him into such a state after he had bathed with the molesting pirate Captain.

“Have you ever kissed?” Sebastian inquired, his fingers now seductively ghosting over Ciel's collarbone from one end to the other.

Shivering from the delicious ministrations, Ciel squeezed his eye shut and felt his stomach flip over. His hands fisted the sheets around his ain't and he could feel his skin quivering with pleasure. A want so achingly painful coiled in his groin and he thanked God that the sheets were able to cover up his shame.

“I say, have you ever kissed?” Sebastian repeated, stealthily flicking one of Ciel’s pert pink nipples.

Releasing a mouselike squeak, Ciel felt himself stumbling towards haziness,“Y-Yes.” He admitted in a tiny voice.

Pleased with his expert handling, Sebastian lightly scraped his nails along the rounded swell of Ciel's shoulder and made circles against the soft skin.

“Was it Abberline?”

“Ye- No!” Ciel's eye shot open and his body jolted back from Sebastian's touch. He had been so immersed by the feather light touches that he had been lulled into allowing his guard down. Slapping his hands over his mouth, he suddenly realized the tremendous mistake he had just committed.

Sebastian slid his hand up Ciel’s neck and encircled his fingers around the swan like shape. Before the young noble could react, he felt a pressure nearly crushing his airways while Sebastian's eyes glowed like hellish rubies.

“I knew it.” He growled.

-----------

“Oi! Jovana! Did Miss Hopkins finish stitching up me pants?!” Dagger scrambled up the stairs towards the main deck with Jumbo, Doll, Snake and the twins right behind him. The morning had called for the small group to swab the deck before breakfast in order to clear the dirty water puddles and dirt collected during the night. Upon daybreak, Dagger had realized he was down to his last pair and had sought out Jovana the Stitch, one of Nina Hopkins’ prized apprentices. After a bit of a search, he finally found her straddling a lower beam while mending one of the sails.

Putting the last few threads through the tear, Jovana bit the thread and expertly knotted the end.“She is almost done with the mending,” She called out from above. The ocean breeze whipped her bright red hair about her angled face as she cocked a questioning eyebrow at her crewman. “Curious,” she pursed her lips at the shamefaced man,”how did you manage a hole in your crotch?”

A chorus of poorly muffled snickers from behind made Dagger turn beet red “Beast caught me sneakin’ a peek while she was bathing,” He answered sheepishly.

Jovana smiled widely.“Oh?!” She exclaimed, rolling up her ball of thread and poking it with a needle. “And you lived to tell the tale?!”

“More like it lived to tell the tale.” Peter snickered.

Scratching the back of his head, Dagger offered no excuses. “Well, she said if I do it again, she’ll finish the job and cut off my dick!”

Unable to withhold their sputtering breaths, the crew finally burst out laughing, guffawing loudly and slapping their knees at the expense of Dagger’s pride. Wendy attempted some form of courtesy by covering her face and giggling into her palms but her brother Peter nearly tumbled to the ground as he bent forward and held his stomach while wildly horse laughing. Snake snickered in a lisp sort of whisper--his snakes hissed their own amusement--and Jumbo emitted booming chortles as his giant body shook with hilarity.

“That’ll do it!”

“His dick?! How can ya cut off a nub?!”

“She'll ask Mey ta look fer it”

“Dagger has a nub? asks Milton.”

Whirling around with teeth bared, Dagger furiously shook his fist at the raucous display,“Blow it out yer arse!” He yelled back at his group who were now near hysteria and rolling against each other while gasping for air. Irritated by the immense humiliation, the young pirate angrily kicked his boot against the side of the stairs and cursed his poor luck.

“What's with all the row?” Mey shouted, scurrying down the rope ladder of her crow’s nest. Bleary eyed and wanting for her bed, she glanced at Dagger’s face and scowled,”What did you do now, little brother?” She tiredly demanded.

“Nothin’ that ain't been taken care of,” He mumbled, casting his eyes down at his feet.”They've a right to make fun of me.” Jerking his head in the direction of the still sniggering lot.

The falcon eyed lady despised bullying of any sort. “That may be so, but enough is enough!” Mey barked at the cackling crew--quickly quieting them down--”If you got time to heckle the lad, then you got time to wash out the chamber pots!”

Jovana dusted her hands against her pants and swung one leg over the beam,.”I'll go get your pants, Dagger,” She hopped down from the beam and made her way past the group. Doll, who had been holding on to Jumbo’s massive arm, stepped forward and smiled up at the pretty faced woman.

“Did ya do the stitching on Jumbo’s arm?” She inquired with wide eyes, pointing to a long and neat scar which traced from the man's wrist all the way up past his elbow.

Jovana nodded,“I did. Miss Hopkins taught me how.” She proudly affirmed.

Dagger coughed into his hand. “Miss Hopkins’ musta really taken a liking to your fingers, seems like she be teaching you lots o’ things, eh?” He sneered, delivering a mischievous wink at the unamused pirate.

A slew of new chuckling rose from Peter and Jumbo but Mey only rolled her eyes.”Oh for the love of Mary!” She bristled.”Shut your gob before you lose your teeth!”

With the dull sound of her thick heeled boots pressing against the creaking planks, Jovana calmly sashayed past Dagger, her shapely hips swaying in rhythmic step, “Miss. Hopkins only has eyes for Mey.” She informed him, sending Mey a seductive side glance.”but if there is anyone on this ship worth putting my shoes under their bed, it would be The Captain.” She purred.

“Stand in line, missy, ya ain't the only one.” Dagger snorted.

Stopping in her tracks, Jovana turned around and placed her hands upon her hips.“You're looking to be shagged by him as well?” she quipped.

Dagger's jaw dropped. “Wait, what?! No! That's not what I be meaning-!” He cried.

Peter was just about to add on his own insult to the conversation but something else caught his attention. With Wendy at his side he had barely noticed Doll leaving her place behind Jumbo and taking a seat atop a water barrel. His lip curled in disgust as he watched the fair skinned girl settle herself into a comfortable sitting position.

“Close yer blasted legs, Doll!” He spat, “I can see yer feckin’ bloomers!”

Doll had dressed herself in a simple white linen dress complete with lace ruffles at the hem and puffed sleeves with delicate blue rosebuds sewn into the cuffs. It was certainly not attire suitable for swabbing the deck, but being she was the youngest of the crew, they indulged her whims.

Peter would have chewed her ears off if he had noticed her leaving the sleeping quarters dressed in the pretty garb. He indulged no one, unless it was Wendy.

“Quit looking!” She shot back, pulling the front of the dress down between her legs.”I walked with ya and now ya notice, ya blind blaggard?!”

“You ain't anything I should be noticing!” He snarled venomously.

“Peter, please!” Wendy begged plaintively, tugging her brother's sleeve.

Ignoring Peter’s acidic remarks, Mey stood aside Doll and fingered the intricately stitched lace pattern. “Doll, why’re you wearing a dress?” She asked sweetly, mindful not to upset the girl. “Didn't Nina make that special for when we go ashore?”

Nervously looking away, Doll began to fidget with her fingers upon her lap.“I-I wanted to show Ciel my pretty dress!” She replied in a small voice.

“Doll’s got a sweetness for his royal highness!” Dagger teased.

Doll wrinkled up her nose at the mocking man, “Shut up Dagger!” She yelled.

“Speaking of your highness,” Jumbo’s deep voice interrupted and he gestured with his chin for everyone to look towards the lower deck, “here comes Alois.”

All pairs of eyes trained themselves on the spritely figure of the infamous Tongue Twister. His buttery yellow hair shone brightly and it was tousled in such a way that his eyes were partially hidden from view. Dressed in black breeches, a white Henley and bright purple vest, he carried himself with such a cavalier attitude that seldom did a pirate dare to approach him for friendly conversation.

Trotting up the stairs which connected the lower deck to the main deck, Alois halted his ascent and observed the group of pirates before him. A whisper of wind kicked up amongst the sails and his bangs were swept briefly to the side, revealing eyes the color of the gentle morning sky. An azure shade so uncommon and breathtaking, that no one could speak.

Well, almost no one.

“Oi! Oi! Par Ley Voo Frenchie!” Dagger crowed, delivering an exaggerated bow as if he were humbling himself before an emperor.

Alois clacked his teeth with disgust.“I am not French, you stupid troll,” He snapped.

Jumbo placed his enormous hand protectively on Dagger’s head. “He's just teasing you, Ali,” he counseled gently. “Keep it in good jest.”

“Where do ya come from, Ali?” Doll cut in, swinging her legs excitedly from side to side.”Ya never want to tell us but ya know where we all come from!”

Stomping up the stairs, Alois gave the girl a contemptuous glare.“It matters not where I am from.” He responded curtly

“Snake won't tell us either!” Wendy complained.”And Beast won't spill where's she from as well!”

Jumbo shook his head. “A ship full of secrets is a doomed ship.” He grunted.

Doll stopped swinging her legs and gaped at the hulking man with fear in her eye. “Really?” She squeaked.

“Come on, Jumbo, don't go spooking the little lass.” Mey tsked.

“But Jumbo makes a good point.” Jovana nodded.

“Instead of standing here, sniggling like school children and wasting time, you all should be following the morning schedule!” Alois roared, pointing at the collection of buckets and mops lying untouched on the upper deck.”Idle banter, nonsensical prying into the business of others! Have you all gone mad and stupid all at once?!”

“That will suffice, Alois.”

Tanaka’s stern voice caused everyone, even Alois, to jump in their place. The elderly man had been waiting to pass out orders on the upper deck the entire time.

“Mary and Christ!” Dagger clutched his chest and gawked bug eyed at the steward.”Ya nearly gave me the end!”

“My deepest apologies.” Tanaka smiled tightly.”But as you see, your time of levity had expired. Do resume your rounds of responsibility before our dear Captain walks upon a filthy deck and decides to dole out punishment for disobedience.”

Before the end of his sentence, they had all scrambled to their post and taken upon their chores with ferocious devotion.

Astounded by the efficiency of Tanaka’s austere command, Alois wordlessly observed the Pirates frantic need to accomplish their duties. Yet, even with being awestruck, the fact that the steward had to step in infuriated him. “I had it under control.” Alois seethed, turning to face Tanaka with anger filled eyes,”Yet once again you wish to undermine me!”

“You undermine yourself with your lack of respect for your crew.” Tanaka firmly chided.”Emulate your Captain’s approach towards his people, is that not your purpose here on this ship?”

“My purpose is to do whatever my Captain wishes for me to do!” Alois barked, his body shaking with rage.”Orokana no rōjin!”

“Muchina gaki,” Tanaka smoothly countered, descending the stairs and staring down at the pint sized first mate.”Your accent is quite rough, however the pronunciation is spot-on.” He complimented.

Unable to respond, Alois huffed and walked away, his clomping boots signaling his sour mood. Tanaka watched, dismayed by their encounter, and wondered if Sebastian truly understood what he had gotten himself into when he had picked up the young man.

It was so long ago, well within the first first few years of Sebastian's foray into the world of the buccaneer, when they had come across a scrawny boy not quite free from the arms of youth. They had purchased provisions from several black market merchants on Saint Mary’s Island on the Northeast coast of Madagascar and were preparing to spend several nights relaxing and keeping low after several highly successful lootings of trading vessels when they came across a slave trader.

A roly poly and seedy looking man by the name of Trancy.

“I've a lovely jewel for you gentlemen.” He leered at Sebastian, ogling the handsome man with glassy eyes filled with lecherous want.”A rare find which only comes once in a lifetime!”

They had been approached by the sweat soaked man at a local inn during their evening meal. The lanterns burned a golden glow which set off long dark shadows, allowing the “questionable” clientele to eat in peace and in anonymity.

“Absurd.” Tanaka had disdainfully turned up his nose at the man whose clothes fit him so tightly, he was assured they were stolen off a dead man's body.”We do not tangle ourselves with slave traders!”

“What type of rare jewel?” Sebastian asked, placing his fork down and and taking a sip of his frothy beer..

“Lapis Lazuli,” He tittered, crooking a finger and beckoning them to follow him,”and Citrine.”

Tanaka exchanged side glances with his ward and saw that the curious nature of the boy he raised was going to send them, yet again, into another adventure. They both rose at once, tossing several coins upon the table, and silently took their leave.

What they discovered, upon following the slave trader to an inconspicuously hidden shanty house several doors down from the inn, left them nearly breathless.

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

Chapter 14

Notes:

Greetingzzzzzzz!

Things are getting hotter and hotter! The tea is boiling!!!! Do you hear me?!?! THE TEA IS BOILING!!!!!

Hope you loveys enjoy this latest update, I adore your feedback and your support❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Love and kisses!

Chapter Text

Sebastian stared keenly at a covered lump on the straw floor and caught a whiff of something ripe and pungent in the stale air. A small fireplace crackled with meager flames in the corner of the one room shanty and an empty chamberpot stood on the other corner where a worn chair and distressed table were placed. His nose twitched from the remnants of fecal smell and he found himself more and more repulsed by Trancy as seconds rolled by.

“There it is.” Trancy crowed proudly, gesturing with his dirt riddled hand at the formless pile in the middle of the cramped room.”It's sleeping but I'll wake it up for you right quick!”

“Is this a child?” Sebastian asked quietly.

Tanaka glanced at his master “Captain, what are you thinking?” He spoke in a hushed voice as they watched Trancy lumber over to the still lump and gave it a swift kick to its side. A waifish boy, shrouded in a filthy brown burlap blanket, emerged dazed and looked up at the trio with a groggy face. Unconcerned with the boy’s condition, the pig faced man yanked the soiled blanket away from the his shivering naked body to reveal a frail boned and pale faced youngster of around 13 years. His matted hair reached the top of his shoulders and one could see beneath the dirt that. It was blonde. His wrists and ankles were rubbed raw, indicating that he had been shackled at one point, and the sides of his arms shone bruised imprints of abuse.

But what caught Sebastian's attention were the youngster's eyes.

A pair of wide and elegantly shaped eyes of crystal sky blue. They spoke of a strange beauty coupled with great suffering and vacant thoughts. He was lost, so very lost, and his unmoving lips seemed to appeal to the pirate for they quivered slightly as if silently begging to speak out loud.

“It be fair of face and fine in form.” Trancy cackled, brushing his stubby hand up and down the boy’s bony back.”After a good scrubbing, the lad gives off a nice flavor, trust me, I know.” He sniggered, reaching down and squeezing his prisoner’s bare rump.”I fetched it when it was pure, but youth allows for them to keep their shape, if you catch my meaning.” He winked.

“His name.”

Both Tanaka and Trancy were startled by Sebastian's austere tone. His deep voice cut through Trancy’s jovial mood and gave Tanaka an idea of what he was about to do. From the very start, he could sense Sebastian's distaste for the Trancy. His lips were pressed into tight white lines and his face was set in a stony expression which revealed nothing. But Tanaka knew better than that for his young master was more of a badger lurking beneath the cool shades of still flowers and brush. Once his ire had been provoked, the peace would be broken and the punishments would be generously doled out.

“Its name, sir?” Trancy appeared confused, rising to his feet and stepping towards the taller man.”I found it on the street begging for food on the island of Malta, what care for I of its name?”

Before Tanaka could stop him, Sebastian drew his sword from his side, retracted his arm and delivered a savage thrust straight into Trancy’s heart. The rotund slave dealer could only stand in his place, impaled by the long sword, and cough out a spray of blood before finally crumpling to the floor in a messy heap. Placing his boot against the now convulsing man’s chest, Sebastian kicked him free of his blade and swiftly wiped his weapon clean against his victim’s shirt.

“What shall we name him, Tanaka?” Sebastian piped cheerfully at his stern-faced steward while sheathing his sword.”I prefer something elegant.”

“Of course, young master.”

“A refined name, don't you think?”

“Refined would suffice, young master.”

“Isidro is proper, so is Catilan.”

“Well thought of, young master.”

“Rodrigo-”

“By our Lady! I despise that cowardly name!”

“Alejandro?”

“Yes, master. That is most elegant.”

“I-I have….a name.” The men turned slowly and looked down where the mouse-like voice had emerged from. The boy did not seemed the least bothered by the murder of Trancy, yet his face still wore the same blank expression. He had pulled the blanket back onto his lap, something which proved to Tanaka that a sense of pride still existed in this shell of a child.

“Speak then, what is your name?” Sebastian kneeled before the boy and peered into his eyes, observing the angled features and porcelain colored skin peeking through crusts of dirt.

The boy stared back.”Alois.” He whispered hoarsely.

Tanaka removed his long black overcoat and placed it gently over Alois’ shoulders.”This should be sufficient until we reach the ship.” He motioned for Sebastian to fetch another cleaner looking blanket from the single bed in the room.”My captain, what is your plan with this boy?” He asked seriously, taking the blanket and tying it around the boy's painfully narrow waist.

Scarlet eyes studied the woeful state the boy was in.”He is indeed a jewel which must be polished.” Sebastian mused, resting his chin atop a balled up first. “A shame that only his looks may make him special.” He smirked.

“His looks?” Tanaka sighed.”Bocchan, the child is weathered and worn. Do not make light of his pitiable state.”

It may have been the haughtiness in Sebastian's tone or the sympathizing looks from Tanaka, but something irked Alois to his deepest core and in response he raised his head, eyes blazing furiously, and bared his teeth like a hissing cat.

“Fotti tua madre!” He spat.

Astounded by the sudden surge of strength behind the boy’s voice, Sebastian's jaw dropped,”Did he just curse me?” He gaped, pointing at Alois while staring owlishly at his servant.”Did this miscreant actually curse me?” .

“Yes he did.” Tanaka grimaced.”In Italian, to be exact.”

“Italian!?”

Tanaka shrugged. “Though he does not appear so, he must hail from Italy.” He surmised.

“How amusing!” The pirate snickered, wagging his finger at Alois.”Behave yourself, little Italian, else I shall send you to work in a brothel!” He warned.

“Blödes Arschloch!” Alois snapped, lifting his chin in defiance.”Fick dich!”

“Alas, he is now cursing you in German.” Tanaka noted.

“Va bouffer ta merde!”

“French, how impressive.”

“Pichacorta!”

Tanaka nearly doubled over in laughter.”Ho! Ho! Ho! That would be Spanish!” He chortled gleefully. “The lad has accused you of shortcomings!”

“I know precisely what he just called me!” Sebastian shouted angrily, his face contorted in rage. He abruptly stood and began hurriedly untying his belt. ”I shall show this cheeky brat my so called little di-!”

“Bocchan!” Tanaka raised his eyebrows and delivered a scolding look at the fuming pirate.”I beg you, do not lower yourself to such despicable behavior!”

Hesitating for but a second, Sebastian buckled his belt.“Understood!” He huffed, eyes narrowing into menacing slits as he glowered over Alois. ”As for you, moldy lout, reign in that churlish tone and take heed of your new master! It would behoove you to watch your filthy mouth!”

Alois merely rolled his eyes and snorted with contempt. “rövhål!” He chirped.

Sebastian’s face went white,”What in damnation was that tongue?!” He cried.”Is it gibberish?!”

Tanaka frowned.”It may be Nordic of some sort? The lad has accumulated curses in various languages, how tasteless.” He tsked.

Whipping his head around to catch Tanaka's attention, Alois glared murderously at him.”Watashi o bujoku shinaide kudasai!!” He snarled.

The intricate and melodic echoes of his homeland came tumbling effortlessly from the boys small lips and it arrested Tanaka in his place. His dark eyes searched Alois’ face for signs of his own ancestry, but he found none. “Anata wa Nihon no hanasu koto ga dekimasu ka?” He asked quietly.

Visibly annoyed, Alois blew a wisp of hair away from his face and nonchalantly met Tanaka’s intense gaze. “Baka yaro! Watashi wa, nin'i no gengo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu” He responded casually..

And that was how the two gentleman realized that the scraggly young man coated in a year’s worth of muck, was indeed more special than they had originally thought.

Grabbing the boy around his neck with one hand, Sebastian hoisted him up onto his stick thin legs and gave him a few sturdy shakes until Alois had ceased flailing his arms. “I am now your master, Captain Sebastian Michaelis, El Demonio Del Mar!” He hissed, hovering over the young man like a towering sentinel.”You behave and obey, in turn, I shall clean away every bit of grime and feculence which had been forced upon you. I shall erase your tarnished past, raise you from the dregs, and give you a new life. Aboard my ship, you shall prosper as you shall do as you are told!”

Alois shook his head frantically, finally breaking down in tears as the act of being brave wore him to the bone. “No! I will not! You will do to me what that beast did!” He wept, his hands clawing at Sebastian’s arm as he struggled to free himself.”You will harm me as he did!”

“I shalt not.”

“Liar!”

“I do not lie.” Sebastian released Alois and motioned for Tanaka to help hold the weakened boy up. “You will learn of me, of what I do and do not do. Be mindful and follow me, for this world beyond the walls of this foul place shall be yours to witness if you obey me.”

Tanaka could feel the fragility of the boy’s limbs and worried inwardly whether or not he would survive even a few days on the ship. He smelled of rotting flesh, rashes littered his limp body and it was very likely that he had never eaten well. Such a tremendous responsibility to take upon a charge so malnourished and sickly that the elderly man wondered if his ward had indeed thought this through.

“Master, I believe there is a convent of Our Lady of Lourdes several leagues from this island.” Tanaka eased Alois’ arms into the sleeves of his coat.”Perhaps it would be best if-”

“No.” Came the curt reply.

Buttoning the front of the coat, Tanaka disapprovingly shook his head.”This child is not a pet.” He pointed out.”The sisters will care for him, educate and feed him well.”

“I shalt not abandon him.” Sebastian announced firmly, crossing his arms over his chest as if to punctuate his decree.”That is my final word upon this matter.”

Tanaka bowed his head.”Yes, young master.” He murmured.

Alois stared dumbly at the black haired man, his legs trembling terribly and his stomach aching from nerves and hunger. Why would such a stately man care to save him? He wondered as they stepped over the cooling corpse of his previous owner and led him carefully outside of the shanty house.

“Y-You will not….hurt me?” Alois twisted his diminutive hands into the front of the coat.”Y-You promise, yes?” He asked hopefully, unable to meet Sebastian's eyes.

The captain placed his hand on top of the boy’s grimy crown and patted him lightly.”I have far better plans for you.” He grinned.

The night air was damp and humid with the sounds of loud raucous laughter and clinking glasses echoing in the musty air. Golden lantern strung up by fisherman’s wire were connected by long poles lit the way down several pebbled trails. The scent of roasting meat and stale beer intermingled with the dank earth and heavily perfumed flowers of the jungles surrounding them. It was a pirate's paradise, safely hidden away from both manmade and religious law, but it was Hell for those without money nor power. Slaves were often brought here to the small island, traded for various wares and used as momentary pleasures to drown in and then toss to the side. No one rebuked those who sold or bought slaves, it was as natural as purchasing a vat of oil or a barrel of spices.

Tanaka loathed this particular practice of the so called “modern society”.

In silence they headed towards the shore where El Cuervo Negro was docked. Under the silver light of a yellowed crescent moon, the trio slinked onto the sleeping boat.

At the time, only A few crew members had been employed and Alois was informed that as soon as his health improved, he would be trained to become a first mate.

The moment Sebastian had declared that he would not abandon him, Alois had decided that his entire life was to be given up to the service of the one person who saved him. No one would ever come before Captain Michaelis and if anyone so dared to raise a violent hand against the pirate Captain, Alois would be right there to protect and defend until he met his own end.

The years became filled with adventure and purpose. Having acquired a crew member with the uncanny ability to decipher any language, Sebastian made countless highly lucrative transactions and trades with merchants and fellow pirates. No one could pull a sly one since Alois could understand any language being spoken in secret amongst the traders. He helped in opening the doors to numerous business opportunities and aided in Sebastian becoming well fitted with loot.

And thus, The Tongue Twister came to be.

Tanaka stared at the tea pot he had been brewing in the kitchen while recalling the memory of their acquisition of Alois. It was quite amusing how the young terror seemed to mirror the newest terror on the ship. Ciel and Alois were far more similar in nature than they both would probably care to admit. Fiery tempers, proud dispositions, haughty natures, and courageous in the face of daunting situations. Indeed, they were only two years apart and bore exquisite features uncommon among most men. What connected them most, however, were their past experiences which were steeped in suffering and torture. It was no wonder whenever they were in each other's company that they would end up clashing.

For years Tanaka watched Sebastian mold the Alois into an excellent sailor and loyal dog, but he also took notice of the boy’s fervent behavior towards his ward. Whenever a crewman grew close to the Captain, Alois was there to effectively stifle any further development. If Sebastian were to somehow find favor in his company with Ciel, what would Alois think of it?

At some point it was going to end, he thought tiredly, at some point Alois would have to let go of his obsession with the dark haired captain because, just as he had promised, Sebastian had “better plans” for him.

“No more thoughts.” He sighed loudly, dropping spoonfuls of honey into the tea cups he had prepared.”I do hope my Bocchan is taking proper care of the Earl.”

One could only hope…..

“Kiss me!”

“No!”

“Kiss me!”

“I said No!”

“I command you to kiss me!”

“Never!”

Sebastian released his grip on Ciel’s throat and wrung his hands in utter frustration. “You gave entrance to that jelly boned thumb sucking gobshyte and yet you have the gall to refuse me?!” He roared, lunging after Ciel who swiftly rolled over to the other side of the bed and nearly crashed through the French paned window.

“I wouldst kiss a goat’s arse before I allowed your filthy mouth to touch mine own!” He spat, kicking his feet out in front of him in an effort to connect with Sebastian’s jaw.”Heel! You dog! Heel!”

“Dog, you say?!” Sebastian caught both ankles and squeezed them tightly until Ciel let out a pained yelp.”What else did you do with that syphilitic bastitch?” He hissed,

“Ow! Release me, you goblin!”

“What else did you do?!?”

“Release me!!!”

Sebastian shook him until Ciel’s teeth rattled. “Did he embrace you?” he thundered angrily. “Answer me! Did Abberline take you and make you his own?”

“How dare you treat me in such a way!!” Ciel protested vehemently, trying to kick himself free.”I am The Earl Ciel Phantomhive!”

“Answer me!”

“I will never lower myself to reply to such disgusting and loathsome interrogations!”

“You think of me as lowly?” Sebastian sneered..”Yet you tangled with that white washed liverless rapscallion!”

“It is of-Ow!-no concern to you what I did!” Ciel braced himself and placed all of his efforts into swinging his fists up at Sebastian. Somehow he was able to reach and scratched the seething man across his cheek.

Letting go of one of the ankles, Sebastian wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and noticed a paper thin line of blood on his skin.

Ciel immediately stopped kicking and stared up at the pirate.”I-I did not mean to do that!” He squeaked.

“You black spotted nattering wrench!” Sebastian swore, raising Ciel’s high leg up until the young man's bottom had been lifted clear off the bed “Did you mean to give that scurvy baboon your body as well?!” He viciously ripped the sheets off of Ciel and dangled him like a gasping fish on a hook.

“Monstrous swine!” Ciel screeched, his head bobbing in the air while slamming his fists against Sebastian's thighs.”Put me down this instance!”

“Answer me!”

“I did no such thing!”

“Liar!”

“I have done nothing! Nothing!”

Dropping the hapless prisoner on his back like a sack upon the bed, Sebastian grabbed the boy's shoulders and pinned him down with his body. Ciel gasped for air, feeling his chest constrict with fury and fear all at once. Desperate tears collected in his eyes, but he refused to weep.

“What did he do to you?” Sebastian's voice went low and husky, as if he were trying to lull Ciel into telling the truth, but for Ciel this was already a lessened learned. He glared at Sebastian with his one good eye; disgust was painted all over his face.

“Unlike you, you perverted cad, I am untouched.” He hissed. Crimson spread from his neck up all the way to his ears as he felt his immense shame.”Abberline kissed me, he was gentle and kind and I was afraid and alone and yes! That man kissed me- but nothing more! I adored his advances, I adored him and if he continues to grace this earth alive, then I adore him even more! He protected me and mine honor and wouldst not further do me any harm.” Ciel's chest heaved with emotion and he swallowed hard after his rant for it had stolen his breath.

“Adore him?” Sebastian gritted his teeth as a fresh helping of rage washed over him.”In my presence you dare to spew such heartfelt sentiments?” He growled.

“You are truly unkind.” Ciel’s face crinkled into despair and he willed himself to not fall apart lest be seen as a child. “For it is plain sight that I have been butchered both in body and spirit and yet you handle me in such mindless and brutish ways, is it no wonder I felt at peace with Abberline who never laid harm upon me?”

Sebastian studied that one haunted sapphire eye and drew up his hand to Ciel's face, caressing the side where the dead orb lay hidden under a sewn socket. That large hand framing Ciel’s pixie face did indeed look monstrous. He recalled his vicious assault against Ciel when they first met on the Collingwood, how he had kept him locked up in a bare bones room and threatened his life initially. If he so chose to, he could force himself on the lad, break his spirit and mind, turn him inside out until there was nothing left but a husk and a pulse.

But he couldn't; he would not. No stranger to violence and mayhem, Sebastian's blood burned with grand ferocity and powerful inclinations. He feared no one and yet he wanted desperately for Ciel to willingly unwrap himself before him, to become undone out of want and not out of fear. To think that Abberline had been able to do this further ignited his desires.

“Kissed you, is that all?” He whispered, fingering the few lashed still attached to the marred skin.”Nothing else? He merely--kissed you?”

Flinching at the tender ministrations, Ciel took a shuddering breath. “Yes, that is all. I have neither been with man nor lady.” He admitted in a small voice.”Neither have I done such things…..to myself.” He averted his eye, mortified over his spoken admission.

“I see.” Sebastian cupped the boy's face and rubbed his cheek with his thumb, it was velvety soft and even with the disfigured portion of his face, Ciel was still an ethereal beauty. But the devilish temper and inability to acquiesce to even the simplest of his demands, made Ciel all the more desirable.

Add to that, the noble was also a pristine virgin.

“Kiss me.” Sebastian demanded.”For it is clear that I am a far better man than Abberline.”

“Clear?!” Ciel scowled.”Acquire yourself a better argument than that!”

Dropping his head onto Ciel's chest, Sebastian took a deep breath. And decided that he was not going to win over the Earl in this manner. Raising his head up, the pirate eased his weight off of Ciel and laid on his side, still resting his hand against the boy's face.

“Please, kiss me.” He entreated softly. “I beg of you, allow me this honor, my most esteemed Earl Ciel Phantomhive.”

“Wha-What?”

“I beseech you, offer me a kiss, please?”

It may have been the childlike yearning in his scarlet eyes, or the handsome face framed in a waterfall of black silken hair, or perhaps the solid and manly shape of his body, whatever it was, Sebastian was making it difficult for Ciel to look away. The baritone voice, like liquid honey poured warm and sweet into his ear, trickled over Ciel’s skin and he felt himself give in just a bit.

Sebastian watched as pink lips slightly parted, like a budding tulip, and Ciel's head tilted slowly upwards, coyly granting wordless permission. His heart quickened at the supple swell of the muted mouth and its silent promises. Should he latch on and feast? Should he devour and conquer? What way would allow him to endear himself to this young man? Sebastian felt his own conscience gnawing at his senses, chewing away at the animalistic urges and thus commanding restraint. A gentleman’s kiss, he inwardly decided as he brushed his fingers down the narrow bridge of Ciel’s nose and pressed a lone fingertip against his cupid’s bow.

A look of confusion swept across Ciel’s face but he spoke not, instead he kept his eye trained solely on Sebastian's heated gaze. Licking his bottom lip, the pirate traced the outline of Ciel’s lips and was about to continue down to his chin when the unthinkable happened. Without thought, without reason, Ciel’s tongue peeked out from between his lips and flicked the tip of Sebastian's finger. They stared at each other in utter shock.

“Good morning, young master! Did you sleep well?”

The high pitched creak of the door opening and Tanaka’s cheerful voice entering the room instantly murdered all beautiful and bright things for Sebastian. He twisted his body around towards the direction of the door and for the first time in his 25 years walking upon this earth, he cursed the existence of Japan.

“I did, Tanaka.” He snarled, glaring at his steward with unfiltered sarcasm.”Thank you ever so much.”

Tanaka met the hateful look with an unaffected one of his own.“I was addressing the Earl, Sebastian.” He stated matter of factly.”Do allow our guest to sit up, he must have his tea.” He held up a tray of steaming tea cups complete with a small platter of strawberry scones and a small cloth sack hung by strings on his arm.

Ciel slapped away Sebastian's hands and gathered up the sheets around his waist as he attempted to comport himself. “I slept as well as one could under such dire circumstances.” He grumbled loudly.. Sitting up, he scooted a few inches away from the sulking man.”I am accustomed to far more reasonable bedding conditions.”

Tanaka smiled. “Well said, Bocchan.”

“Do not refer to him as that, Tanaka!” Sebastian barked, sitting at the edge of the bed and watching as Tanaka served Ciel a cup of tea with a fruited scone on the saucer. “He is my prisoner! And why in bloody Hell is he served first?!”

Ciel rolled his eyes.“Overgrown brat.” He snipped.

Handing Ciel a linen napkin, Tanaka turned to glower over his ward.“Mind your tone with me, it has already been a tedious morning for a man of my advanced age. Whilst you frolic here in the comfort of your room. I have been regulating the early day chores and crew with Alois.” He chided.

Aware of the man's aging health and the fact that he still had not met with his crewman, Sebastian grabbed Tanaka’s hand and rubbed it between his two. “Shall you require a respite?” He asked worriedly.

Tanaka shook his head.”That will not be needed, Master.”

“Perhaps we should dock at the nearest port and allow you days of rest?” Sebastian offered.

Smiling genially, Tanaka patted Sebastian's head and waved away the suggestion. “Heavens no! And veer off from your course? No, my dearest boy, we shalt do no such thing.”

Kissing the back of Tanaka's hand, Sebastian felt immense guilt over his servant’s current state. “My apologies, Tanaka.” He spoke with reverence. “I wish not to bring you troubles.”

“Dressed as you are, the crew awaits to see their captain inspecting the deck.” Tanaka slipped his hand free and retrieved a cup of tea for Sebastian to take. “I will feed the young boy, educate him in the ways of our ship, and dress him in appropriate attire. Do allow me the responsibility.”

Sebastian gladly sipped his tea and nodded. “That will do fine, arigatou sensei.” He bowed his head.

Again waving his hand dismissively, Tanaka wiped the corner of Sebastian's mouth with his pocket kerchief. “Ie, ie, now run along, Sebastian.” He smiled.”Alois awaits your orders.”

Downing the rest of his tea, and complaining once again about the copious and unnecessary amount of honey in his beverage, Sebastian grabbed his long black cloak and hurriedly left the cabin. Ciel was quite surprised in witnessing the interactions between Tanaka and the all mighty pirate captain. It was obvious that their relationship was exceptionally close, but Tanaka appeared to have little to almost no boundaries with Sebastian. In turn, the Captain had no problems with expressing his affection and care for his servant.

Nibbling on the last crumb of his scone, Ciel wiped his hands clean with the napkin and addressed Tanaka. “How are you able to reign in that wild beast?!” He asked.

Tanaka took Ciel's empty cup and gave the boy a discerning look.“I raised that wild beast, do mind your tongue, Ciel.” He responded gravely.”Aside from the occasional nonsense he exhibits, Captain Michaelis is an intelligent and exceptional man.”

Ducking his head, Ciel felt instant regret over his unintended insult. “Yes, sir.” He mumbled.

Tanaka cleared the cups and placed them on a silver tray.“Though he is not of my blood, he is most dear and precious to me.” He admitted, taking out several articles of clothing from the small sack he came in with. “I will allow no harm to befall him, nor ill-will nor cursed word to be spoken towards him. That is my lot, Bocchan, to serve that man until my mortal coil is disposed of.”

Ciel shivered as he watched Tanaka place a shirt, underwear and pants on the bed besides him.“It it most admirable of you, such noble intentions.” He said, reaching out to snatch up a long sleeved white cotton shirt.

Tanaka offered a wry smile.“I am a man of high esteem.” He motioned for Ciel to get dressed.”Today I shall allow you knowledge of the ship, be mindful and pay attention to my instructions.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you fear the dark waters?”

Ciel knitted his brows at the strange question. “No, not at all. I was partially raised on an island.” He replied.”I was often called to venture out into the ocean on small boats for fishing excursions with my friends.”

The elderly man nodded. “I see. Be mindful of walking about the ship.” He warned. “One rogue wave will send you stumbling overboard to your death.”

“I can swim.” Ciel retorted while pulling up his pants which stopped short of his calves. “If need be, I know how to remain afloat.”

“Do not test these waters, Bocchan.” Tanaka observed the delicately sculpted arms of the boy as he slipped into his shirt.”To survive the freezing void of the open sea is an arduous challenge.”

“Yes, sir.” Ciel relented, pulling his cord belt tightly around his waist.”I shall be most careful.” He assured him.

The tingling sensation of what he had almost done with Sebastian still resonated throughout his skin. Ciel felt some form of mortification over having nearly succumbed to Sebastian's pleas for a kiss and yet he knew that if Tanaka had not interrupted them, he would have most assuredly kissed the pirate.

And why in heaven’s name did he lick that beast’s finger?!

Unlike Abberline, Sebastian ignited a rhythmic pulsing through Ciel’s veins and straight into his lower region. The heated throbbing he experienced in his groin while pinned like a bug beneath Sebastian's sizable frame left him nearly breathless. As much as his pride fought tirelessly to thwart the captain’s advances, something primal unfolded within Ciel and it beget a natural bodily reaction he did not want to accept.

Sebastian Michaelis aroused him.

“Dear lord.” Ciel coughed into his hand as his cheeks flushed bright red. Tanaka raised an amused eyebrow and made a mental note to add more iron to the boy’s diet.

“You shall certainly be in dire need of it.” He chuckled under his breath as the pair headed out the door.

----------

Chapter 15

Notes:

Greetingzzzzzzzzz!

Hope you loveys have been well!

More adventures to post, more stories to write and yeah it's been awhile but things are slowly getting back into order for me. Writing is the healing remedy for all of my ailments so I'm just thankful that I have an outlet for the pain and misery of reality. It's a beautiful world, but there's so much ugly in it.

Let's enjoy a time of delicious sexually charged pirates hungry for companionship and booty!!!!! This chapter is a bit more on the emotional side but I hope you all enjoy it! Thanks for the constant support and love! ❤️

Chapter Text

The afternoon sun burnt bright and vivid as the ship rolled through the deep blue waves. Seagulls screeched high pitched greetings, hungrily scanning the ship for morsels and scraps, while the crewman squinted at the skies and went about their chores. A steady hum resonated amongst the crew, gruff banter and laughter circulating betwixt the deckhands. From younger pirates swabbing fish scales and dirty water oft the planked floor to the carpenters mending distressed points between the mast and bulkheads, all hands were occupied with their tiresome work. Doubtless it was back breaking most times, with muscles sore and aching by the day’s end, but everyone understood their place and welcomed the security of having notched their bodies into the Pirate's life. Food was aplenty and a warm bed awaited them at the end of their shifts and all eyes watched each one’s back.

[malyen0retsev]

nothing quite makes you realise how much brain rot twitter is capable of than watching someone you know, in real time, spiral down the hole of anti-trans propaganda under the guise of ‘women’s rights’

[izupie]

Seeing companies posting these sweet little images in memory of the Queen after her death and I'm just sitting there like, clearly they didn't JUST make them - so how long have they been sitting on these 'just in case the queen dies' images?

I just find it funny to imagine that theyve just, had them ready to go at any time, for months, maybe years ? (She is very old, we all expected it sooner)

"Alright lads, it happened, what was the folder called we put the sad memorial artwork in ?"

I don't know it just throws the whole media circus thing into such a silly light

All these companies suddenly like Oh rip Queen we will miss you love you mwah mwah

And what for???

I don't care about the royals and I don't know anyone my age or younger who's going to care

What I DO care about is how much all this "national mourning" is going to cost the country, and by extension, everyone who pays into the taxes - because with the cost of living crisis I will literally chew on glass before I have to also pay anything extra to put towards a monarch's funeral or whatever

[ohholyfanfics]

11 w/ Brad please. Thank you

Prompt(s): 'you seem like a bad boy/girl type.'

Prompt mastlist: x

She sucked in the inside of her cheek as she eyed the man sitting across from her. Her eyes traced the rim of the wine glass that was placed before her, she hummed softly in agreement as her date when on about some subject she had no interest in. Sighing, softly her eyes drifted along the the room before they landed on a head of full brown hair.

"What do you think?"

She blinked rapidly turning back to him with a soft smile. Chewing on the inside of her cheek as she parted her lips lightly to speak before being cut off.

"I think we should-"

"Um, don't you think that's a little much?" she mumbled as he looked her over with a blank expression. She fought the urge to roll her eyes as he went on to explain whatever point it was he was trying to make.

"So you get it? It's really not that big of a deal.." he mumbled with a shrug as he picked at the salad that was placed before him.

"I'm gonna go to the bathroom.." she muttered as she stood up slowly placing the napkin on the side of the plate.

Tugging on the ends of her dress, she let out a breath she didn't even believe she was holding. Her hands calming as she entered the small hallway.

"You know, you seem like a bad boy type of girl.." a voice came from behind making her jump at the sound. "kinda disappointed in you.."

She looked over her shoulder to be meet by the same pair of brown eyes that caught her attention earlier. He most definitely more handsome up front, he looked her over with a small smile as she chuckled.

"Hmm what makes you think that?"

He let out a chuckle shoving his hands in his pocket. Her eyes trailing over his body.

"well for once, you didn't seem the slightest big interest. Also he is the most proper lad you'd ever walk through that door with.."

"For the record, there's nothing wrong with shopping the market.." she mumbled picking her nails. "Plus, how would you even know?"

"darling, I own this bar and from what I can tell you aren't the least bit interested in that block over there. So how about you ditch him and come with?"

[viking-raider]

Seals of the Lost - Chapter I

Summary: You and Henry cross paths, and the truth behind the disc Henry has is revealed.

Pairing: Henry Cavill/Reader

Word Count: 8,080

Warning: PG - RPF, Language, Magic, Stalking, Deception, Death, Light Bullying

Inspiration: This comes from several sources. XD

Author's Note: Thanks to @wondersofdreaming for her wonderous Beta skills and helping me world build and world out my idea for this story!

Tag List Blog: @viking-raider-taglist

After nearly a week of searching for information on the disc that came in the box his mother sent him, Henry finally found someone in central London, with a doctorate's degree in archaeology, that could potentially shed some light on what it was, and drove out to meet them.

“Mr. Cavill?” The archaeologist asked, coming out of his office.

“Yes.” Henry replied, politely extending his hand.

“I'm Dr. Rick O'Connell II.” He introduced himself, shaking Henry's hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise.” Henry nodded, smiling softly.

“Your message said, you had a strange little artifact in your possession and would like to learn anything you could about it.” Dr. O'Connell said, showing Henry into his spacious and bright office.

“Yes, sir. I do.”

Henry confirmed, his eyes going to the glass cases, picture frames and artifacts hanging around Dr. O'Connell's office. The small spark inside of Henry that had once wanted to be an Egyptologist and Historian, before becoming an actor, flared to life as he approached one of the tall glass display cases, filled with artifacts from Egypt and a few that looked to be from Asia; one of which was a pale stone and gold jar with the head of Anubis.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” Dr. O'Connell smiled, seeing Henry had been drawn to it, many people often were. “My grandparents were on the expedition that uncovered them.” He commented, stopping beside Henry.

“Seriously?” Henry replied, shaking his head and blinked at Dr. O'Connell with surprise.

“Yes.” Dr. O'Connell nodded, proudly. “My father, Alex, named me after my grandfather. My grandparents met shortly before the expedition and fell in love during it, married, and had him. They made a life of it and these are some of the artifacts from their expeditions together.”

“The others are from yours?” Henry asked, moving to another case.

“Yes, they are.”

Henry stared at the other objects for a moment longer, before turning towards him. “I'm sorry, I came here to talk to you about my object and I'm busy gawking at yours, like a schoolboy on a field trip.” He chuckled and blushed, quite abashed.

“It's quite all right.” Dr. O'Connell laughed, motioning towards a chair in front of his desk, before taking his own behind it. “So, let's take a look at what you have, Mr. Cavill.” He said, holding his hand out over his desk.

“Yes, right.” Henry nodded, taking the disc out of the protective pouch he had put it in and handed it over to him.

Dr. O'Connell frowned at the disc, turning it over in his hands as he observed it. “Well, I can tell you it's made of granite.” He said, pulling open a drawer in his desk to remove a small tape measure, then set the disc on his desk and took measurements of it. “Thirteen centimeters by thirteen centimeters.” He stood up next and crossed the room and gently laid the disc on a padded scale.

“And just under a kilogram in weight.” He returned to his desk and sat down, pulling out a magnifying glass next. “This symbol is quite strange.” He commented, holding the magnifying glass up to it.

“I was thinking the same thing.” Henry agreed with him, biting his lip as he watched him examine the disc. “It looks like some strange lizard.” He commented on it.

“Yes, a lizard.” Dr. O'Connell agreed, looking up from the magnifying glass and disc, in thought. “A dragon.” He nodded, looking back down at it. “A dragon's head, breathing out fire.”

“Does that mean something?” Henry asked, licking his lips and feeling his heart start to pound.

Dr. O'Connell set the disc and magnifying glass down. “There's this ghost story you hear, if you're in my line of work long enough, especially if you're out in the field digging around. My dad told it to me once, when I was a lad.” He started to explain to Henry, leaning back in his chair and staring out the large wall of windows to their left, with the muffle of traffic coming through from below.

“There used to be this group of people, an ancient civilization, that believed, heavily, in Dragons. It was said they were real-”

“The people or the Dragons?” Henry asked, lifting a brow at him.

“Both.” Dr. O'Connell chuckled at him. “As I was saying, they were real, and these people and Dragons lived together, as one. They supposedly did everything together and held highly sacred bonds to one another, giving the people powers, the ability to do magic, long life and many other things.”

“But, their main task, they kept the world at peace.”

“So, what happened to them?” Henry asked, shaking his head, not completely believing him, but enthralled by the story nonetheless.

“No one knows.” Dr. O'Connell shrugged. “There are theories. But, very few things have ever been found about them. I could fill a shoe box with what's been found on them. Most of what we know has been a story from an odd book or scroll, mythology or lore from some culture all across the world, pieced together. A few dusty unexplained bones that some scholar, archaeologist or theorist thinks belong with them.”

“Do you think this has to do with them?” Henry frowned, his brow pinched in conflict.

Dr. O'Connell rubbed his face, twisting back and forth in his chair, and stared at the disc. “I'm not sure.” He replied, honestly. “But, something in my gut tells me otherwise.” He admitted, letting out a huff of air.

“Is it all right if I take some photos of it, Mr. Cavill?” He asked, lifting a brow at him.

“Of course, anything to help you identify what it is.” Henry nodded, eagerly.

Dr. O'Connell removed his mobile from his pocket and snapped several photos of the disc. “I'll contact some of my colleagues and send them the photos, see what they have to say about the artifact and what we can find out about it.” He said, picking it up and holding it out to Henry. “Once, and if,” He laughed, smiling. “we come to a conclusion on what it is, or isn't, I'll give you a ring and tell you.”

“I would really appreciate it.” Henry replied, taking the disc and tucking it back into its little pouch, before standing up and extending his hand out to Dr. O'Connell again. “Thank you.” He smiled, squeezing his hand.

“Have a good day, Mr. Cavill.” Dr. O'Connell smiled back.

“You as well.” Henry replied, before parting ways with him.

Dr. O'Connell moved over to his windows and watched the street below, chewing on his bottom lip until he saw Henry appear in the crowded sidewalk and turn down the street towards the parking garage he had parked his car in, then turned back towards his desk, grabbing his coat off the back of his chair.

“Molly, I'm going out.” He called out to his secretary, rushing down the hall towards the elevators.

Riding the lift down to the main floor, O'Connell rushed onto the street and the opposite way Henry had gone, frantically dialing a number on his mobile, before pressing it to his ear. “It's Rick O'Connell.” He said, when the line picked up. “You told me to call you, if I ever found anything that looked Dragonic.”

“Have you?” A raspy, deep voice replied on the other end of the line.

Dr. O'Connell pulled his mobile away from his ear and sent the connected number the photos he took of Henry's disc, then put the phone back to his ear. “I'm pretty sure.” He replied, out of breath.

“Do you have it with you?”

“No. I wasn't sure if it was the real thing or not. So, I let the guy that brought it to me, take it back with him.” He explained, getting a sick feeling in his stomach, stopped in his tracks and turned around, but didn't see anything behind him, but Londoners going about their daily business. “I can contact him and get it back, if you like?”

“That's not necessary, Dr. O'Connell.” The voice replied, their tone never changing. “Just give me their name and I'll take care of the rest.”

“His name is Henry Cavill.” Dr. O'Connell informed the voice, before the line went dead.

The air in the small meadow was cool and shaded by the clustered ring of trees that surrounded it, as a soft breeze stirred the short stemmed wild flowers in the tall grass, before a shimmering blue light glowed softly in the center of it, and a moment later, with a small rush, you stepped through and the glow dissipated.

You sighed, rubbing the glowing mark on your forearm, before pulling your sleeve down to cover it. A bark filled the air, before a massive black and white dog came tearing into the meadow through the trees and right up to you, his long pink tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

“Hey, there.” You smiled at him, as he barked several times and ran several circles around you. “You're a playful, little guy.” You chuckled at him, bending over to pet him as he came up to you, but turned sharply and ran off again. “Oh, you faked me out.” You roared, thoroughly amused by the dog's antics.

“Kal!” A deep voice shouted through the trees in the direction the dog had come from.

“Is that your name?” You asked, turning to see the dog busy going number two. “Kal.”

“Oh, hello.”

You looked away from Kal and faced the owner of the voice. “Hi, I'm guessing this is your dog.” You said to him, motioning behind you.

“Yeah. Kal, are you bothering this nice lady.” He asked the pup, a feeling of shy apprehension in his chest as you looked him over, waiting for your brain to click and realize who he was and start freaking out, asking for a photo and autograph from him.

“Oh, not at all.” You replied, chuckling as Kal ran up to you again, actually letting you pat him on the head this time, before dashing over to his owner.

“I'm Henry, by the way.” He introduced himself, with a sweet smile, realizing you either didn't recognize who he was or you were being polite enough not to freak out on him.

“Pleasure to meet you, Henry.” You replied, offering him your own name.

“I don't think I've seen you around before.” Henry commented, tilting his head at you. “Then again, I have just moved in a couple of months ago.” He blushed, biting the corner of his lip.

You chuckled at him, brushing your fingers through your hair. “I live just across the way.” You said, pointing in the opposite direction of the trees. “Welcome to the neighborhood.” You greeted him.

“Thanks.” Henry smiled at you, leaning down to rub Kal's ears. “What are you doing out here?” He asked, motioning around the meadow.

“Oh.” You blinked around the meadow, grasping for a reason. “I went to the little park that's nearby and dropped my house keys.” You grinned, giving off the vibe that you felt like a complete idiot for your mistake. “I've come looking for them, when I ran into your adorable pooch.” You said, looking at Kal.

“Do you need any help looking for them?” Henry offered, politely.

“I would hate to put you out.” You said, shaking your head at him, gulping.

“It's no issue at all.” He replied, shaking his head back at you. “It's not like I'm not going back that way.” He chuckled, tilting his body in that direction.

“Shit.” You mumbled under your breath, then flexed your fingers at your side, like a wave, and the mark on your forearm warmed. “I suppose an extra pair of eyes would make the task go faster.” You giggled, biting your lip and berating yourself for not being more careful.

“Never hurts.” Henry grinned at you, laughing as Kal jumped up on him, putting Henry's forearm gently in his mouth and tried to pull him down. “Come on now, Bear. Let's help find her keys.” He said to him, wrangling his arm out of Kal's mouth and corralled him through the trees, where there was a small dirt path that edged around the ring of trees and his property.

“So, where did you move here from?” You asked, eyes glued to the ground in your key search.

“London.” Henry replied, his own eyes searching the tall grass at the edges of the path. “So much of my life is busy, fast paced and noisy, I just wanted a nice and quiet place, where I could go, that was relatively secluded, so I could relax and decompress.”

“I can understand that.” You nodded, licking your lips and glancing over at him. “There's something about having your own little world. A place to yourself, so you can be yourself, without the worry of others judging you and disrupting your peace.”

Henry paused and looked over at you, dumbfounded that you had nailed precisely how he felt about why he moved out of London and into the English countryside. “Exactly.” He replied softly, blinking and licking his lips, his heart pounding.

“Ah-ha!” You exclaimed, seeing the glint of sunlight on the silver ring key ring and hooked your finger through it. “Found them.” You grinned at Henry, holding them up for him to see. “Thanks for helping me.”

“No problem.” He smiled back at you, even though it didn't quite meet his blue eyes. “Um,” He bit his lip and glanced over his shoulder. “Would you like a cup of coffee or maybe some tea?” He asked, looking back at you, with a brow lifted in hope.

“I just live right there.” He said, pointing a thumb to the two story house behind him.

You looked between Henry to his house, then glanced down as Kal barked and bumped into your legs, like he was begging you to take his owner's invitation. Letting out a soft chuckle, you reached down and scratched Kal's back, making his back leg go wild.

“Sure, a cup of tea sounds nice.” You replied, looking up at Henry, kindly.

“Cool.” Henry grinned, relieved and excited.

The pair of you crossed his backyard and stepped onto his patio, before Henry politely excused himself and rushed through the sliding glass door into his house, leaving Kal to entertain you for several minutes, while he threw together a cup of coffee for himself and a mug of tea for you. He brought them out, setting down a little thing of sugar and creamer, unsure how you took your tea, before the two of you sat down at the little patio table he had set up out there.

“So, how long have you lived in the neighborhood?” He asked, sipping his coffee and lifted his brows at you.

“Not long.” You replied, holding your warm cup in your hands and giggled as Kal frantically dug a hole a short distance away. “A little more than a year.” You explained, taking a gulp of your tea, turning your eyes back to Henry.

“City life is not for you either?” Henry laughed, setting his coffee cup down on the patio table.

“I try to avoid it as much as possible.” You grinned at him, your eyes guarded.

“You're not from around here, are you?” He asked, tilting his head at you, brow drawn together. “Your accent is nothing I've ever heard before.” He commented, he had been trying to place it since encountering you in the meadow.

“No, I'm not.” You shook your head at him, shyly dropping your eyes to your teacup. “My family are kind of like gypsies. They travel around Europe a lot, living their own life, on their own terms. So, I've picked up bits and pieces growing up and it sorta mashed into an accent that doesn't really belong to a specific place.” You laughed, shaking your head.

“People always try guessing where I'm originally from with it, but never get it right.” You added, amused.

“So, what made you settle in England?”

You shrugged your shoulders at him, then smiled as Kal trotted over to you, dropping a filthy tennis ball into your lap. “I wanted to put down roots.” You replied, taking up the ball and tossed it for Kal.

“Plus, I got a good job here.”

“What do you do?”

“Mainly, I'm a dog walker.” You replied, taking the ball Kal brought back to you. “But, I do some dog sitting on the side as well.” You told Henry, throwing the ball for him again.

“That explains a bit of why Kal likes you so much.” Henry commented, watching Kal's mad dash for the neon yellow ball across the yard. “He usually doesn't bring his favorite ball to people he's just met.” He explained, watching Kal charge back towards you with the dirt and slobber covered ball in his mouth.

“I've always had an affinity with animals.” You smiled, gently wrestling the ball out of his mouth and giving another throw, a bit further this time, then shivered.

“Are you all right?” Henry frowned at you, seeing the soft tremor rock your body. “Are you cold?” He asked, it was a bit brisk outside.

“No, I'm fine.” You chuckled, sitting your almost empty cup down on the table in front of you and stood. “I should really be going. I have some work I need to be doing.”

“Oh.” Henry replied, saddened, and stood with you. “I shouldn't have kept you so long, I'm so sorry.”

“It's quite all right, Henry.” You assured him with a soft smile. “It was a pleasure meeting you both.” You told him and Kal as he returned. “And, thank you for helping me find my keys.”

“Of course.” He nodded, forcing a smile. “The pleasure is all mine.”

“See you, Kal.” You smiled at the Akita patting him on the head, then nodded to Henry and started back off towards the meadow.

You were just inside the ring of trees and about to roll up the sleeve of your shirt, when you heard feet on the path behind you, then the sound of Henry calling out your name, and yanked your sleeve down and turned around to see what it was he wanted.

“Are you all right?” You asked, lifting your brows at him.

“Yeah, yeah.” He nodded, a little out of breath from running after you. “I was wondering, if you weren't busy and didn't mind, since he seemed to have really taken to you and everything.” He babbled on. “If you could take Kal on a walk for me, tomorrow?” He asked, biting the corner of his lip with shy uncertainty. “I have a bunch of work meetings I have to make and I don't want him to just get stuck around the house or digging even more holes around the property.” He explained to you.

You grinned at him, touched. “Sure, I'd love to.” You agreed, filling him with relief. “Do you have a specific time you would like me to come?”

“Um,” Henry frowned, his brow pinched as he looked at his smartwatch. “The main bulk of them are around noon. So, any time between then and one, if that works for you?” He said, looking back up at you.

“That'll work out fine.” You nodded, smiling.

“Excellent.” Henry grinned, his face lit up with excitement. “Just come round and knock.”

“Will do.” You assured him, amused that you could easily read his face and eyes. “I'll see you tomorrow, Henry.” You chuckled and turned on your heels and continued on into the meadow.

“I can't wait.” Henry replied after you, giddy and nervous.

You continued on through the meadow, unsure if Henry would still be standing in the ring of trees watching you walk in the direction you had told him you lived in. All you needed was for him to see through your ruse. So, you stepped into the furthest set of trees, glancing around to make sure no one was around to witness or stumble upon you leaving. Seeing the coast was clear, you yanked up your sleeve, rubbing the mark on your forearm with the heel of your palm and took a deep breath, closing your eyes.

“Open the way and return me home, Occam.” You called out through an invisible bond that connected you to your true home, like an umbilical cord between a mother and her babe.

The glitter of blue light illuminated the cluster of trees and brush around you, like it had in the middle of the meadow not an hour before, and taking another deep breath, you stepped through it and let it close behind you.

“Did you get it?”

You sighed and rubbed your face. “No, I didn't get it.” You replied, looking at your father. “I ran into an unseen issue.”

“And what issue was that?”

“The guy that has it.” You answered, rubbing the back of your neck.

Your father's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at your words. “He caught you in his home?”

“Thankfully, no.” You chuckled, patting him on the chest and walked by him. “I crossed through the pocket door, where we suggested I make it.” You explained as the both of you walked towards home. “But, no soon after I arrived, so did his dog. He's adorable too.” You quipped, smiling at the image of Kal in your mind. “He looks like a black and white bear, with a long curly tail!”

“Oh, if I could have brought him home with me-”

“Sweetheart.” Your father snorted, amused and patted you gently on the back. “I'd have to build a whole new world for all the animals you keep wanting to bring back with you.” He laughed, shaking his head at you.

“Tell me what happened.” He gently pressed you back onto the subject.

“Right.” You laughed, shyly. “Well, his dog showed up and he came after him.”

“You're sure it's the same man?”

“I am.” You nodded, heaving a tired sigh. “I saw him outside of that archaeologist's office yesterday morning.”

“Master Simperwill, we've gotten intel on a possible subject.”

Darius looked up from his desk. “A possible subject for what, Vena?” He replied, lifting a brow at her.

“Serpents.” Vena answered him. “An agent in the field, who's been tracking a known Serpent, Tate Forester, followed him to an office in London, England.”

“What kind of office, exactly?” Darius questioned her, his interest peaking.

“From what my agent gathered, he's an archaeologist with a doctorate's degree in the field.” Vena read off a tablet she was holding in her hand. “His knowledge is quite extensive as well, coming from a long line of archaeologists, explorers and historians. It seems he might even know some things about our culture.” She said, glancing up at her boss.

Darius leaned back in his chair and drummed his fingers against his thigh. “Do we know why this Forester went to see the archaeologist?” He asked her, troubled.

“No, he lost track of Forester when he went inside the archaeologist's office.” Vena shook her head.

“What's this archaeologist's name?”

“Um...” Vena flipped through several of the papers clipped to her tablet. “Dr. Richard O'Connell.”

Darius let out a heavy breath and ran a hand through his graying hair. “We'll need someone to go and investigate this Dr. O'Connell to find out what it is the Serpents want with him and what he knows about us.”

“I can get one of my agents on it right away, Sir.” Vena nodded at him, turning towards the door.

“No.” Darius replied, shaking his head, having already made up his mind.

“Sir?” She frowned, turning back to him.

“Have my daughter come to my office.” He told her, nodding his head. “Yes, have her come see me.”

“Right away.” Vena nodded back at him, finally leaving his office.

A knock sounded on Darius's door several minutes later. “Come in!”

“You asked for me?” You said, stepping into his office.

“I did.” Darius replied, grinning lovingly at you. “I have something I need you to do.”

“All right.” You nodded and approached his desk, plopping down in a chair in front of it. “What's on your mind?”

“I need you to go into the base world and learn what you can about an archaeologist, Dr. Richard O'Connell. Follow him and learn whatever you can from him.” Darius explained to you.

You blinked at your father, then shook your head at him. “Why?” You asked, frowning.

“Vena thinks he has dealings with the Order of the Serpents.” He replied, biting his lip, worriedly.

“You think a human is in league with the Order of the Serpents?” You echoed, leaning forward in your seat.

“I don't necessarily believe the Doctor is in league with them, but I'm sure they're using humans for their own means.” Darius sighed, rubbing at his eyes. “We need to know what they're using the human for. That's where you come in, daughter.” He explained to you, dropping his hand and looking over at you.

“You're the only one I trust to do it and who knows so much about the Serpents and the base world.”

You rubbed a hand over your face, holding your father's eyes. It was true, you knew a great deal about the Order of the Serpents and the base world, and not from sitting around your people's sanctuary world of Moros reading about them; though you have done your fair share of reading about them. A great deal of your knowledge about your people's enemy came from running into them, while in the human world, or what Morosians called it, the base world. Your job in Moros was keeping them safe, doing recon work in the base world and making sure the Serpents didn't find a way into Moros.

While it was assumed that Alaric had collapsed the world cave on all of Christos's followers the day Darius led the refugees through the door that Marcus, Coda and Ian had opened and closed behind them, before separating, scattering for the safety of the Seals they carried with them.

One man had actually survived, and would go on to create what would become the Order of the Serpents.

Knox Steelmane was ordered to be one of the four to stand by the mouth of the world cave to await Alaric Saintwatcher's arrival. He bounced from foot to foot beside his creature, Kayda, his bladder screaming, as they waited in the brisk air.

“Going to piss yourself, Knox?” One of the other Riders teased him, digging his elbow sharply in Knox's side, with a hearty laugh.

“Go to hell, Jonas.” Knox grumbled back, shoving at the older man away.

“Seems like you're already in it.” One of the other Riders ribbed him, grinning.

“Look!” Jonas yelled out, pointing to the skies overhead.

The group looked to where he was pointing and saw Alaric and Tila making their descent toward them and the mouth of the world cave. They clustered around Alaric and his creature after they landed and approached, closely following them inside.

“Where are the rest of your brats?” Christos's voice echoed over to Alaric.

Knox listened to Christos and Alaric bicker back and forth with each other, still fidgeting and trying to ignore the fact he still had to piss. But, it quickly became clear to him that he couldn't hold it any longer or he would be peeing his britches. So, pretending to look at something behind his creature, Knox sneaked outside, quickly rushing behind the nearest tree, pulling open the strings at the front of his trousers and started relieving himself. He was mid-stream when he felt the first tremor rock the ground, making him stumble and stagger on his feet, urine getting on his boots.

“What the hell was that?” He snapped, fumbling to quickly retie the strings of his pants, as another shock wave rocked the earth beneath his feet.

Abandoning the rest of ties to his pants, Knox tripped and fumbled back towards the world cave his companions and leader were still in. But, as he rounded the corner of a tall rock formation, sprinting down the path to the cave, he heard the screams of his friends and the creatures inside, he was forced to skid to a halt as the entrance collapsed, blocking his only way inside.

“No, no no!” He screamed, rushing up to the dusty rubble, tossing what he could lift out of the way, desperate to get back inside. “Kayda!” He screamed for his creature, feeling her terror and injury through their bond, like it was his own agony. “Jonas! Christos! Kayda!” He wailed, still tearing at the rocks blocking the entrance, cutting and hurting his hands on the jagged granite rocks.

“No.” He whimpered, dropping to his knees and slumping against the landslide, tears streaking through the dirt and dust covering his face, sobbing as he felt the painful flickering of Kayda's life force inside of him. “Don't go.” He begged her dwindling life, clawing at the dirt and rock around him, as if he could keep Kayda alive by sheer will.

“Please, don't go.” He whimpered. “I need you.” He sniveled, but felt the last thread of Kayda's life break and fade.

Knox dropped his head back and let out an agonizing, heart wrenching howl, his eyes glowing the moss green of Kayda's scales. Taking a few moments, Knox dragged himself onto his feet, his arms limp at his sides, but his shoulders were stiff with grief and anger, as was his dusty and tear-stained face.

A dark hatred encrusted Knox's heart that day, he vowed to make those that had followed Alaric and opposed Christos pay for killing them, turning Christos into a martyr and championed his cause. He drudged through the roads to the sanctuary Alaric and the others had stayed in, while the two sides battled. But, when he reached the gates, he found no guards, no one alerted to his presence and reacting to it.

Suspicious and careful, in case it was another ambush, Knox moved around the tall, stone wall of the building; he didn't see a single living soul, not a single Rider or Creature in sight. He made it to the south gate and found it ajar, his suspicion growing as he approached. Closing his hand around the pummel of his sword and slipping through the open gap, Knox pulled his sword, gripping it tight, as his eyes scanned the stone and wooden structures, the worn leather soles of boots squelching as he moved slowly through the ankle deep muddy pathways, but the only things that stirred were things blown by the wind. Lowering his sword, Knox let out a roar of anger, kicking a wooden crate and sending it flying across the street, then staked his sword in the mud.

“Where could they have all gone?” He huffed, pacing in his agitation.

Yanking his sword out of the ground and sheathing it on his hip again, he began picking his way through the buildings, looking for any clues to the group's whereabouts, when he found the war room Alaric, Darius and Marcus had been using during the conflicts, finding the maps and open books they had been referencing and studying before they put their plan into motion to stop Christos and take everyone to safety through the door into the new world.

Leaning over the table, Knox picked up one of the books and lifted a brow at the page it had been left on.

“Edward William's Theory.” He read at the top of the page, blindly pulling out a chair and sitting down as he read the material. “They can't possibly think this could work.” He huffed, tossing the book back onto the table, leaning forward to look at the maps, drumming his fingers on the table as he studied them. “But, where could they have gone, without people noticing that many Riders and creatures were on the move.” He reasoned with himself, reaching out to take up the book again, tapping his finger against the page.

Hell bent on finding out where the others went, Knox gathered every scrap of material that was on the table, every book, map and sheet of paper, whether they had connection to their plans or not. He studied them in and out and became convinced they had managed to replicate the theory. So sure of it, Knox created his own group of followers, the Order of the Serpents, to keep Christos plan alive to grant rightful control over the Riders and creatures, to rule over the world, as they felt they should.

But, first, Knox and his group of Serpents needed to discover where Marcus, Ian and Coda had vanished to with the three Seals that would open the door to Moros, and they had spent the last few centuries trying to track them down.

To no avail, until, a fated phone call from a certain archaeologist.

“All right, I'll leave right away, then.” You sighed, nodding your head at your father.

“Excellent.” Darius nodded back at you. “Try to stay out of trouble, hm?” He grinned at you, a mischievous spark in his eyes.

“Who, me?” You grinned back at him, a similar sparkle in your own eyes. “Always.” You chuckled, standing. “I'm as troublesome as a church mouse.”

“Of course you are.” He echoed, huffing with amusement. “Now, I want you to go and see Vena, she has a majority of the details on the subject and she can suggest a place for you to pocket into.” He instructed you.

“Will do, papa.” You nodded, heading for the door.

“I want you back, as soon as you find out anything!” He added, calling out after you.

You made a motion with your hand, signaling to him that you heard what he said, before finding your way to Vena's office down the way. “My father said you have the details for my mission into the base world.” You said, lifting a brow at her.

“Yes.” Vena nodded, looking up from a map. “I was just looking for a place you could pocket into.” She explained, looking back down at the map, which you recognized as a map of London. “The archaeologist's office is just here.” She said, sticking a pin near the central part of London.

“I've been to several places around that area.” You commented, leaning over the map and narrowing your eyes at it. “I've created a pocket door into an establishment that's just here, more than once.” You explained, taking up a pin and poking it into the map several streets down from Dr. O'Connell's office.

“It's a big box store of theirs, they never notice me coming in and out of it.”

“Great.” Vena smiled up at you. “Then, that can be your point of entry and exit.”

“Is there anything else I need to know about this guy?” You asked, studying her.

“The archaeologist or the Serpent?” She asked, lifting a brow at you.

“Either? Both?” You replied, shaking your head.

“Well, the Archaeologist is one Richard O'Connell, he's quite distinguished in his occupation, as are several in his family. He doesn't seem to have any criminal or nefarious deeds and background that I or my agents could find.” Vena answered, shuffling papers around. “As for Tate Forester, the Serpent, his record is extensive. He has several arrests, some for theft, breaking and entering and assault. He's even done time.”

“So, he's a nasty one.”

“I've dealt with worse.” You commented, offhandedly, then glanced at one of the two clocks on Vena's wall. “It's almost seven am in the base world, I should get going.” You said, making a few calculations in your head.

“Yes, you should.” Vena nodded, biting her lip.

“Right.” You nodded back at her, smiling softly. “I'll see you later, Vena.” You chuckled, seeing yourself out of her office, then went to the house you lived in and changed into an outfit that would allow you to blend in with the humans, and a small backpack of items you might need. “Hey, Occam.” You smiled, stepping outside and happily greeting your creature as he landed before you.

“I've got some business to do in the base world.” You told him, stroking his snout. “I shouldn't be gone for too long.” You said, opening the bond between the pair of you. “You behave and don't go bullying Mundu, while I'm gone either.” You added, smirking at his huff and the rattle of his scales as he shook his mighty head at you.

“All right, Occam, let's open a portal.”

You pulled up the sleeve of the hoodie you were wearing and pressed your palm to his head, both your and Occam's eyes closing, feeling the warm tingle of your shared magic undulating between you. A gentle breeze stirred around the two of you, the mark on your forearm grew warm and glowed as the bright blue pocket door opened beside you. Patting Occam, you turned and stepped through the portal, then with a rush and a pop in your ears, you found yourself in a cramped dressing cubicle with mounted full-length mirrors on three sides and discarded clothes and hangers strewn about.

Turning, you opened the latch to the door and stepped out of the changing room, pausing for a moment to watch the oblivious shoppers, pushing their carts, stopping at racks of clothing or purchasing their items. Sighing, you slipped into the flow of the crowd and out the front doors to the street, taking a moment to orient yourself and headed in the direction of O'Connell's office.

You looked up at the tall office building and headed inside, checking the nameplates for what floor the archaeologist was on, then bypassed the lifts, having no trust in them, and took the several flights of stairs to the third floor. Coming out on the floor, you glance around, finding a young blonde woman sitting behind a desk, flipping through a magazine, seemingly unaware of your presence, as you approach her, forcing you to clear your throat twice to get her attention.

“Can I help you?” She asked, sticking her nose up at you with extreme distaste.

“Is Mr. O'Connell in?” You asked, narrowing your eyes back at her.

“No, he is not.” She huffed, picking her magazine back up. “He won't be in for at least three hours. He's teaching a two-hour class in Oxford's School of Archaeology this morning at six am, then it's an almost hour and a half train ride back here to London for him.”

You looked up at the clock on the wall above her head, it was just past seven, meaning you had hours before O'Connell showed back up at his office for regular work. “Thanks.” You sighed, but she was already absorbed in her magazine again.

Making your way back downstairs, you popped back out onto the street and turned left, following the flow of foot traffic and shops down to the local Starbucks, to order yourself a tall, blended Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino with whip cream, paying for it with the money you made from a few business dealings you had done, using your skill for tracking and finding people to your advantage in the base world, since Moros didn't have any money or currency. They shared, grew or created what they needed to survive and thrive. It enabled you to have real human money in your pocket, so you could buy things, like coffee from the famous Starbucks, you had seen countless humans carrying around with them, or to buy something to eat, even bring things back to Moros, even different clothes and books. Many types of technology from the base world didn't work in Moros, so you never bothered buying a mobile phone or a laptop.

Though, you had always yearned for one.

Having your coffee in hand, you went back to O'Connell's office building, opting to sit in the building's lobby to wait for his return. Putting your backpack on the floor between your feet and pulling out the novel you had been reading, you slowly sipped on your drink as you thumbed through it; killing the time until Dr. O'Connell arrived from Oxford to his office.

Your coffee was gone and your leg and butt-cheek were starting to fall asleep by the time the door to the building opened, admitting a group of four people, two men and two women. You lifted a brow at them, but kept your eyes on your book, not wanting to draw attention to yourself.

“Your lecture was amazing, Dr. O'Connell.” One of the women commented as the group approached the lifts.

You lifted your eyes, watching the two males, to see which of them answered.

“Thank you, Kimmy.” The taller of the two men, with graying blond hair and a pudgy middle replied, smiling at her and pressing the button for the third floor.

You shifted in your seat, watching the group pile into the lift and ride it up. Now that you knew what the good archaeologist looked like, it made your job of tracking him a lot easier. A few minutes later the two girls and the guy came back down in the lift, chatting and holding a copy of a book with O'Connell's face on the back of it; no doubt something written on his career and life. Watching them go out the door, you got up and used the bathroom that was in the lobby, before coming back out and took your seat again, intent on waiting there until O'Connell left for either his lunch break or to go home.

An hour later, the ding for the lift doors echoed through the lobby, catching your attention, as a tall, dark and curly haired man stepped out of them. He was handsome, for sure, but that wasn't the tingle that drew you to him as he walked by you, towards the front doors. There was something about him that called out to you, that made you want to stand up and follow him out of the building, to wherever it was he was going; and you didn't understand why. But, as soon as he was out of the building and you could no longer see him, the tingle flowing in your spine vanished, leaving you dizzy and lightheaded.

It wasn't five minutes later that Dr. O'Connell came flying through the lobby, his long coat billowing behind him as he yanked his mobile out of his pocket, frantically dialing a number on it. You waited a moment for him to get out onto the street, before stuffing your book back into your backpack and got up, swinging it onto your back, slipping your arms through the straps, and looking left and right, before catching sight of him and dashing in that direction.

You kept at a reasonable distance from Dr. O'Connell, but still close enough to hear him speaking to whoever it was he called.

“It's Rick O'Connell.” He was saying, walking quickly in his agitation. “You told me to call you, if I ever found anything that looked like Dragonic.”

“Dragonic.” You mumbled to yourself, frowning.

“I'm pretty sure.” Dr. O'Connell was explaining to his caller. “No. I wasn't sure if it was the real thing or not. So, I let the guy that brought it to me, take it back with him.” He said, suddenly stopping and turning around, but you casually walked by him, as if nothing was amiss. “I can contact him and get it back, if you like?” He said, frowning to himself and started walking again.

“It was a disc shaped object, with a dragon on it.” He described the object he had called them about. “A man brought it to me, his name is Henry Cavill.”

Your ears perked up at the name and the description of the object. Biting your lip, you picked your pace and headed back towards the department store you had used to enter the base world, sneaking back into the same dressing room and opened a pocket door back to Moros.

“Father!” You shouted, rushing into his office.

“I'm here, I'm here, daughter!” He called back, appearing. “What is it? What's happened? Are you all right?” He asked, looking you over, urgently.

“I'm well.” You assured him, out of breath. “I come with news.”

“Well, sit and catch your breath first, child.” He told you, ushering you to a seat and bringing you a warm cup of tea, with a splash of something stronger in it. “Now, tell me. What is it you've learned?” He asked, leaning back against his desk in front of you.

“I found the archaeologist in his office building, it was easy enough.” You told him, slowly sipping your tea and taking slow, deep breaths. “I had to wait some time for him to show up, he was doing work for one of the base world's schools. But, once he did arrive, it didn't take long for something to happen.” You explained to him.

“And, what did you find?”

“The man, a Henry Cavill, he said his name was...”

“You talked to these men?”

“No.” You shook your head at him. “I talked to only his secretary, to see if he was in. That's how I found out he was not in, at the time. But, Dr. O'Connell wasn't back in his office long after his teaching engagement, when he apparently had a client bring him something. I didn't see the meeting or the object. But, when I saw the man leaving, I felt oddly attracted to him and not because he was handsome either.” You chuckled, hiding your shy smirk in the rim of your cup.

Darius rolled his eyes at you. “The object, did they describe it?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning forward.

“Dr. O'Connell left his office soon after the man, Mr. Cavill, left. He made a phone call to someone. Apparently, he's meant to call them, if he encounters anything, Dragonic, and described the object Mr. Cavill brought to him.”

“It was a round disc with a dragon on one side of it.”

Your father's face fell, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat. “Dragons.” He whispered, pushing off his desk and began pacing his office.

“It's what they call our creatures.” You said, watching him. “Dragons.”

“Yes.” He nodded, stroking his bearded chin and pinched his bottom lip, as he brooded. “Did the archaeologist have the disc on him?”

“No.” You shook your head. “He said, Cavill still had it with him, because he wasn't sure if the object was the real thing or not.”

Darius turned back to you. “You said, when this Cavill was leaving, you were drawn to him, and not just because of his looks.”

“Yes, I wanted to follow him, to go with him. There was a tingle up my spine, like the feeling I get when I use my magic with Occam.” You explained to him, frowning and tilting your head at him.

“By the Order,” Your father gasped. “He's in possession of one of the Seals.”