#like i was hut so bad in the jaw it almost popped out and they just numbed the area and sent me back into the game bc we had to win

[debushit]

i just saw inside out 2 and i watch a lot of hockey but i am hockey dumb, i’m there for the vibes, but is it me or was riley like insanely good? also why were the people so mad about the contact in contact sports

[stagbells]

For Me and You

From: @vivifrage

To: @superbellsubways

Written works under readmore!

Creatures called, chirped, and chirred all around. Foliage rustled; a nail tapped the heart of a fool eater and, as soon as it snapped, sliced its mock jaws free in a single slash. The nail’s wielder sighed hard, tugging the collar of his shirt to puff in some air flow. Not that getting all the same warm, sticky air to flow did much to alleviate the way his clothes stuck to his carapace, or to fan his overheated face.

As he stepped past the fool eater’s remains, the ground squished underfoot, acid diluted with pooling water and flecked with various pollens.

It was warm, muggy, and acrid, but it was home.

He readjusted the bucket’s seat in his arm. The handle was digging in, not too bad, but he’d be happy to put it down when he could. It wasn’t exactly light, and while it was like his entire body began to itch if he didn’t do some sort of training, he wasn’t as into it as he had been when he was younger. Which, really, did wandering around Greenpath not make up for it? Or gathering supplies for art?

Though he had to say, he did not mind how much more the delicateness and care of his touch came to mind these days. Precision, too, yes, as it had under Sly's tutelage, but not so much speed, nor strength. There was a new world to learn.

He rounded a corner and maskflies burst from the foliage, grey bodies flooding from green so dense it hid them completely. They chattered and clicked and darted away as Sheo waved around his face to stem off any who flew the wrong direction. Branches and leaves rustled in their wake, bobbing as if disturbed by strong wind.

Oh, if only a strong wind had passed through. Even the beat of so many maskfly wings didn't waver the heat or humidity.

Sheo sighed a hot, sticky breath, flapped his shirt again, and picked through the undergrowth. The occasional maskfly, late to the party, fluttered away before him, but he didn't hear anything trapped and unable to free itself.

Sure, sure, the dead were what gave the plants life, starting the cycle of life and nourishment all over again, but it was a rare Root priest among their already low numbers that wouldn't excuse the technical mild blasphemy of sparing an animal here and there. Compassion was a natural thing, too.

The foliage gave way to a rocky outcropping, overlooking a short drop into a small, acidic pool, dotted with boulders and lined with sturdy rocks. Only the hardiest, most acid-tolerant of Greenpath's life grew here, thin and fuzzy bursts of ferns and moss peeping out from between the rocks. The smell of it bit at his nostrils, harsh enough to make him rub his face and huff, but still, he eased himself down and sat, bucket clunking onto the rock, legs dangling over the edge.

Because he could, because the world was his to delight in and make purpose of, he swung his legs. Years ago, he would have accompanied it with a child's giggle, but that had long since deepened into a low, full chuckle.

("Matured," some would put it, but in his opinion, his voice was the least of things indicating that. Neither was the joy of swinging one's legs through the open air.)

While he was there anyways, sitting down and letting his arms ache it out for a bit, he reached around to pull his canteen from its sling on his hip. The pull of his shoulders and arms sung briefly, but not enough to warrant a grimace. Just a little scrunching of the mouthparts.

He twisted the cap off with a clean pop, threw his head back, and gulped down some of the warm, metal-tinted water.

There were ways to keep canteens and flasks cool, he understood. Pale ore, after all, with its inherent chill, served to combat the heat of the space the canteen was in, and all the actions taken upon it and its contents. But it was rare; it took either a wealthy noble or a lucky prospector to get the ore. And now, the last forge capable of handling pure ore had banked its fire and closed shop.

He would never had known this, not that long ago. Amazing, really, all the knowledge there was to share. His head swam and heart fluttered with it all.

Well, all right, the knowledge alone was not what made him feel so bubbly and joyous.

With a smile on his face, starting soft, then growing into something crooked and silly and from the heart as the idea of going home set into his head, he lifted the bucket, dropped onto the rocks below, and was off.

___

The windchimes clicked and sang their little song. It wasn’t much of a breeze, just enough to get a moment’s must off the shell, but it was something.

Sheo went out fairly often, gathering some food or potable water or things like that. So waking up to find him gone, his nail missing but a handful of fruit on the table, along with a heart painted on spare canvas, was no trouble.

The heart was signed, “Be back soon, love!”

He glanced at it again, and had to turn away for how much his heart fluttered at the sight.

He had a name, once. What one would call a proper name. None had called him it in so long, his skill had earned him the title of Nailsmith and that was it. Who he was, what he was, all he was.

Until he wasn’t.

And now he had so many names, he couldn’t keep track. Love. Dear. Darling. My love. My sweet. Cuddlebug, said with a laugh in the voice. Moss-Faced Sweetie, at times, which became Mossy. Kissums, whispered when they woke up tangled in bed in the earliest hours of the morning, and giggled themselves awake coming up with the silliest endearments they could.

He would find something again someday. Something proper, perhaps. Something for himself. Something to go with that solid thing, that realness in his core, that had been reborn upon casting the Nailsmith away.

Until then, he was more than happy to be Cuddlebug and for Sheo to be Sweetheart. To be an artist, a recluse, even, a partner, a wise soul, a someone all of his own.

Someone who leaned against the side of the hut he shared, eating fruit and letting the breeze tickle his beard.

They’d spent the day before tidying the hut, cleaning up all their art supplies, dishes, and making futile attempts to scrub some of the paint stains from Sheo’s apron and a couple from his cloak. Not for anyone, really, not besides themselves. The only visitor they ever got was their strange little friend with the pitch-black eyes.

But it felt terribly nice to do something for themselves and, in turn, each other.

A voice called out. His heart skipped a beat and he pushed off of the side of the hut, approaching the edge of the outcropping to look.

There was Sheo! Partway through the tangle of thorns serving as the front entrance to the place, his nail slung over his shoulder, a bucket hooked over his arm while he waved.

He waved back, laughing into his other hand. He knew perfectly well Sheo had no trouble traversing the course, but watching him do it with his nail and a bucket he had to keep from spilling?

Needless to say, his heart skipped a few beats as Sheo bounded along the way, using his nail for momentum, the bucket swinging this way and that.

With a whump! Sheo landed before the hut, triumphantly sliding his nail back into its sheath. He beamed, approaching with arms wide. “Hello, love!” he said, breathless. “Wonderful morning, isn’t it?”

“Muggy, that’s what it is,” he said in return, leaning in for a quick kiss and a hug. Sheo had definitely warmed up on his adventure, and the humidity clung to them both, but oh the strong arms around him and the hard breaths going soft as he listened, his head on Sheo’s chest. Even with the heat and stickiness, he couldn’t find the desire in him to part.

In the end, it was Sheo who let go to hold up his bucket. “I found some clay, it’s so fine to the touch. I just had to bring some.”

Oh, goodness. He heaved a lighthearted sigh, glancing back at the hut. “Dear, we just cleaned.”

“And we can clean again.” Sheo leaned in, mandibles brushing his temple. “But I know you’ve been thinking of modelling Dryya to finish the collection…”

“Hmm.” He couldn’t say he hadn’t been. And it would be nice, to sit together and make some more art, come up with new ideas, just hang out…

He returned the kiss, one claw cupping Sheo’s cheek. “All right. But maybe let’s set up outside today.”

“In this weather?” The look Sheo gave him almost made him laugh.

“In this weather together,” he corrected.

Sheo sighed, shaking his head. A slight grin crossed his face. “Well, all right, then. If it’s with you.”

[wiypt-writes]

Leave No One Behind

CH 9: Doctor’s Orders Part 2 Co written with @icanfeelastormbrewing​ing

Episode Summary: Hannah has a cold and of course Ari takes it upon himself to look after her. Once that little obstacle is out of the way trouble finds them once again on the morning of her birthday…and hell breaks loose at the Red Sea Diving Resort.

Episode Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut (NSFW no under18s)

Episode Pairings:  Ari Levinson x OFC Hannah Horowitz

Leave No One Behind Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Part 1.

Hannah stirred, stretching a little. She couldn’t feel Simon at the end of the bed by her feet. Expecting him to be behind her, tucked into the crook of her back as he sometimes did, she turned giving a small start as it wasn’t Simon behind her but Ari, the pup in question curled around his head. Hannah blinked again, Ari hadn’t been there when she had gone to sleep. There had been too many people out late last night and Sammy was still watching her like a hawk after her illness. She lay still, taking a few minutes to drink him in as he slept. His hair was falling slightly over his forehead, the moonlight falling onto his face highlighting his nose and bearded cheek a little where his eyelashes lay flush to his skin. Smiling, she poked Simon to get him to move.

“Sorry Si, but he’s my man. Move.”

Simon gave a little whine of protest but obeyed, getting up to move. But despite Hannah’s efforts to keep as quiet as possible, the noise and movement had woken Ari up. He stretched his limbs out, and then gave a little sigh as Hannah nuzzled closer, kissing his jaw line.

“You have a nightmare Lobo?” she asked softly.

“Yeah about Dogzilla digging his paws into my eye sockets.” Ari mumbled, as he could feel Simon flop down at the end of the bed. Hannah chuckled as he reached out, eyes still closed, one arm sliding underneath her neck, the other gently laying against her hip where it slid up her cami top, palm warm against her skin.

“What are you doing here Ari?” he heard her ask.

“Sleeping?” The inflection in his voice made it sound like a question.  He felt her shift again, her fingers reaching up and brushing through his beard. He leaned into her touch just like Simon did when he was scratching his ears.

“You know you could have just asked right?” she said gently “You didn’t need to sneak in in the middle of the night.”

“I didn’t sneak in…”

“Ok, whatever you say” she laughed.

Ari pouted a little “I just wanted to surprise you after midnight.” He cracked his eyes open and smiled at her.

She frowned “Midnight? What-“  and then it dawned on her. If it was after midnight, it was her birthday. Her eyes widen a little and Ari smiled and gave a little nod.

“Happy birthday Firefly.” He whispered.

Hannah felt herself welling up “Did you…” She choked a little “Did you just sneak in here to…”

Ari grinned, “I wanted to be the first person to wish you happy birthday.”

Hannah spluttered a laugh “You soft bastard.” She licked her lips and looked at him, almost shyly “Thanks Mi Lobo.”

A reached up to gently lay his palm against her cheek, thumb skating her cheekbone “You’re welcome. I had 8 missed birthdays to make up for. We’ve come a long way since that party on your 21st”

“1385 miles give or take…that is if you don’t count all the other stuff in between.” She grinned and Ari shook his head and let out a sigh.

“Don’t be a smart ass firefly. I was trying to be romantic.”

“Romance is overrated…” Hannah grinned, pushing closer to him and sliding her leg between both his, arching an eyebrow as she realised he was naked. His fingers flexed on her hip and he mimicked her expression.

“Is that so?” he teased. She nodded, her hand sliding up his arm.

“Yup.” She popped the p.

“Oh, well, I guess I’ll just go then…” Ari smirked, his face dipping towards hers.

“Don’t think so lobo…you’re my birthday gift.” Her hand slid back down his arms and she dipped it under the covers, and round to grab at his bare ass. “Although I’m pretty pissed I don’t get to unwrap it. Couldn’t you have worn a big red bow or something?”

“Ungrateful brat.” Ari mumbled as his lips press to hers. It wasn’t long before their bodies were melded together and soft breathy moans and gasps filled the air. Ari took his time, lavishing affection on his girl, his pace soft and slow right to the end. Exhausted and sated they fell back asleep, cuddled together, Ari’s arms wrapped around Hannah, her head tucked under his chin pressed into his chest.

She must have moved during the night as when Ari woke her back was pressed to his chest, his face buried into her hair.  Keeping his eyes closed, he snuggled in closer and she stirred a little, her hand moving and laying over his which was splayed on her stomach.

“Morning” Hannah spoke little groggily and he kissed her neck.

“Morning baby.” He greeted her.

The two of them lay there, Hannah’s fingers playing gently with his when voices drifted through the lattice covers over the window. Hannah stilled and Ari let out a sigh.

Fucking tourists…fucking people…damned it!

“Hannah…” he started to suggest that he needed to go before any of the team started milling about but she cut him off.

“I’m done Ari.”

“What?” Ari asked, his voice a whisper as for a split second he thought she meant with him. But as she turned to face him, he saw the expression on her face and knew what she was going to say before she said it.

“Sneaking around.” She shook her head “I’m done.”

Ari looked at her as the magnitude of what she had just said sunk in “You sure you wanna do this today?”

“Why?” she countered “Don’t you?”

“If it was up to me we would have come clean the day after our first night Firefly.” Ari brushed her hair behind her ear “But it’s your birthday. Your 30th…I don’t want it ruined by Sammy’s inevitable melt down.”

“Why does he have to be such a pain in the ass?” Hannah rolled her eyes and moved out of Ari’s arms. She climbed out of bed, pulling on her cami and sleep shorts as Ari sighed.

“He’s being a big brother.” He said, still feeling the need to defend his best friend. He watched Hannah for a moment as she grabbed a hair tie and pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail.

“Ok.” She turned to Ari, decision made. “Tomorrow. We tell him tomorrow. Then he has just over a week to chill the fuck out before the next mission.”

Ari nodded “Ok.”

Hannah smiled as Ari kicked the covers off himself, leaving them tangled by her feet. Simon gave a start and started to scramble out of them, glaring a Ari as he dropped to the floor shaking. Hanna smirked as she looked from Simon to Ari, biting her lip.

“Stop it.” He shook his head with a grin “I need to go��preferably without a boner because of the fact that I’m imagining the filthy thoughts you’re having right now.”

She grinned as he picked up his shorts, and slipped them on. He grabbed his shirt off the floor and she walked over to give him a quick kiss.

“See you at breakfast.” He smiled against her mouth. But Hannah was clearly in a playful mood, and it was hard not to get caught in it. She wrapped her arms round his neck and kept placing lingering pecks on his lips as he backed to the door, the pair of them giggling. “Firefly…” Ari laughed, scrabbling behind him for the door handle “Let me go.”

“It’s my birthday…” she pouted.

“I’m well aware of that…” he eventually found the door handle and pushed it down, moving slightly as he pulled it inwards, feeling it banging against his back, the warm breeze fluttering into the room. “And seeing as you’ve been a good girl, I’ll make sure your presents are waiting at…”

He trailed off as Hannah’s eyes widened and she took a deep breath, her face rearranged in shock and horror and Ari stilled, his face inches from hers as he heard Sammy’s voice.

“Oh fuck, no…just…”

Ari wheeled around so fast that he almost lost his balance, and he stared at Sammy who wore an expression as dark as thunder.

“What the fuck man?” Sammy shoved Ari in the chest “Tell me this isn’t what it looks like!”

“Sammy, I-“ Ari was cut off by Sammy’s fist connecting with his jaw. The forced of the punch sent him sprawling back into the room and he stumbled a little as Hannah gave a yell.

“Sammy!! What the fuck!” She turned to Ari, who had just regained his balance and was straightening up, his hand wrapped around his jaw, blinking furiously. Hannah’s hand gently moved to his arms and he shook his head

“I’m fine.” He mumbled wiping at the trickle of blood seeping from his split lip. She wheeled round to her brother who was stalking into the room.

“You fucking bastard, Ari! After everything….”

“That’s ENOUGH Sam!” Hannah’s voice was loud “And yes, this is EXACTLY what it looks like.”

Sammy fell silent, the only sound in the hut now was Simon’s growling as he positioned himself next to Hannah who was stood in between Ari and Sam, her face furious as she stared down her brother. Eventually Sammy made an angry noise through his nose and she took a deep breath, turning to Ari.

“Can you leave us Ari?”

Ari frowned, because that was the last thing he wanted to do, “Han, I…”

“Please Lobo.” Her eyes locked onto his and he sighed.

“Ok.” He pulled on his T-shirt and headed to the door, Sammy’s eyes following him as he walked. Just as he was about to leave through the door, Sammy couldn’t resist one final shot.

“What is it with you huh?” he demanded “Why can’t you ever fucking say no to her? You’ve never fucking been able to resist have you?”

Ari stopped, grinding his teeth together and turned to face Sammy “I wouldn’t have ever been in a position where I had to if it hadn’t been for you and Andy in the first place.

“Is this why you brought her here?” Sammy continued, fury clouding his entire face “Thinking you’d get her out to Africa and worm your way back into her fucking affections?”

“Keep going Sammy! Go on.” Ari’s voice was low, almost a growl “Keep fucking pushing me and I swear to God-“

“Ari!” Hannah’s voice cut over his, her tone stern “Just go.”

With one last glare at Sammy he did was he was asked. Once Ari was gone, Hannah rounded on her brother. “You done with you little outburst Sammy, or you wanna say fuck a few more times?” she fumed at him.

“Done?” Sammy scoffed “I aint even started yet Hannah! I-“

“Save it Sammy. I don’t wanna hear a single word you have to say.” Hannah cut him off “Not this time. You’re gonna listen to me for a change.” Sammy looked at her, his mouth snapping shut, eyes blazing. “I’m done with you babying me. I’m 30 today for crying out loud so I’m pretty sure I get a say in what I want and how I want it.” She pointed at him “And I’m not letting anyone, not even you get in my way and decide to me. You got it?” she took a breath “If I’m making a mistake only time will tell, but it will be MY mistake, not your fucking manipulation. And if I’m right then good for me.”

Sammy remained silent, his breathing deep. Hannah could tell he was itching to say something but he didn’t so she continued, swallowing slightly before she spoke again.

“Get yourself together and wish me happy birthday which is what you were obviously here to do, being a good big brother and all, and then go and apologise to Ari for being an utter prick. Again.”

At that point Simon gave a bark, punctuating her last sentence perfectly and Sammy frowned “I’m not apologising to that asshole!”

Hannah groaned “Yes, you are. Because that asshole is your best friend.”

“Best friends don’t fuck their best friend’s sisters!!”

“Well, breaking news Sammy, he has. Quite a lot actually.” Sammy growled a little as she shrugged “But if that’s the way you wanna play it, should I tell Rachel to stop fucking my brother? Should I go out there and slap her on her face?”

Hannah could tell from the look on her brother’s face she’d surprised him, a fact that was backed up when he spoke, his voice stuttering “That’s…how do you…” he stopped and shook his head “You know what, it doesn’t matter, it’s irrelevant as it is completely different.”

Hannah gave a derisive laugh and folded her arms “Why is it different? Care to explain Sammy?

Sammy opened his mouth and shut it again. “You just proved my point Sammy.” Hannah sighed and shook her head. “Look, I love you, you’re my brother, but I love him too.”

At that Sammy’s eyes widened and Hannah was pretty sure hers did at well as she’d just admitted that out loud.

“You love him?” Sammy looked at her, blinking.

“Yeah.” She swallowed and took a breath, “We’re not fooling around Sammy if that’s what you think. This is serious, for both of us. We’re not the same two people you messed with nine years ago so if you fuck this up for me again I swear to god I’ll never forgive you. Not this time.”

Sammy stared at her for a moment, before he made an angry noise in his throat and stormed from the hut, slamming the door behind him.

Max and Jake were walking down the beach towards the main building when they saw Sammy storm out of Hannah’s hut and head the opposite way of the resort towards Ari’s, the expression on his face was alarming to say the least.

"What the fuck is that about?" Jake asked confused.

Max was about to reply he had no idea when he suddenly realised what may be going on.

"Ah shit. ANGELA!!!!!" he yelled as he nudged Jake and the two of them set off at a sprint to Ari’s hut.

“We have a situation with Liam and Guy!" he shot over his shoulder at Rachel when she opened her hut's door, alerted by the rumble.

When they saw Sammy barge open the door, they picked up the pace, reaching the hut just as Sammy lunged at Ari again. "You son of a bitch!" he yelled at him once more as he went to throw another punch him, but his time Ari was ready. He anticipated Sammy’s attempt and thus was able to dodge it and gripped Sam's arm, pinning it up his back. Sammy jerked free, his anger propelling him, and went for Ari again. Only this time Ari lunged forward too, he had lost it. 

Jake saw Ari’s contorted face and grabbed hold of Sammy as Max stepped in between them, placing one hand on Ari's chest.

"Say that again. Come on, Sammy!" Ari irked him.

"You stupid, cocky bastard." Sammy spat, trying to wriggle out of Jake's hold. "I'm gonna punch your fucking face till my hand bleeds."

"Sammy, chill man." Jake, who was having a hard time trying to hold Sammy, advised.

"Chill, chill? How can I chill when he’s fucking my sister?" Sammy growled.

The entire place fell quiet. Jake frowned and looked at Sammy, then to Ari, who took a deep breath, and then to Max who looked back at him. The four men were snapped from the thoughts whirling in their minds when a voice could be heard from the doorway. 

“Or maybe your sister is fucking him?”

Everyone turned to see Hannah stood in the entrance, arms folded, with Rachel by her side.

Sammy took advantage of the general commotion and shrugged out of Jake’s hold. Max looked at Ari and he held his hands up, signalling he would behave. 

 "Shut up Hannah." Sammy groaned, rounding on her.

"Hey, don’t talk to her like that." Ari warned him.

Sammy gave a sarcastic laugh before glaring at Ari "Oh, that is so typical of you, isn’t it? Jumping in, playing the goddamned gentleman."

Simon started to bark as Ari and Sammy began their verbal bickering again until Rachel cut in loudly as she clocked the expression on Hannah’s face.

"Ok, that’s enough!"

Everyone looked at her, and she nodded almost imperceptibly in Hannah’s direction but enough for Ari to glance at her and see, to his horror, she now had tears in her eyes. Hannah shook her head and, feeling all his teammates’ eyes on her, looked at the floor before she turned to Sammy and then at Ari taking a deep breath and looking away again.

“Happy fucking birthday to me.”

At that, Sammy dropped his head as Ari pushed past, making no attempt to stop him. Though he was still dying to beat the hell out of his so called best friend, the sight of his sister crying had made him feel really guilty. 

Ari ignored everyone's stares and pulled Hannah into his arms. "Hey firefly, it’s ok…" his hand gently resting on her head as she pushed her face into his chest "Don’t cry, please. I’m sorry."

As he apologised to her his eyes fell on Sammy and shot the man a look. They were not important here, what was important however, was the woman in his arms. Her damned 30th birthday and they were fighting like a couple of school kids. Sammy swallowed and looked at the floor taking a deep breath.

 "Sorry Han."

Hannah pulled back a little and nodded, Ari cupped her face, his thumbs wiping her tears. "You ok?" he asked softly.

She nodded again but she was not smiling. It wasn't fair and the two most important men in her life were to blame Ari thought, as he dropped his hands and turned to Sammy, one hand resting on the lower part of Hannah’s back.

Sammy, whose eyes were fixed on Ari's hand, opened his mouth to say something, but Ari spoke first. 

"Look, I’m sorry you had to find out like this. We were gonna tell you…"

"Sure you were." Sammy scoffed.

"We were Sammy. Ari wanted to tell you straight away but I was scared of how you would react. Clearly with good reason." Hannah confirmed, her voice still shaky from having cried.

Sammy sighed and chuckled bitterly. "You know, now a lot of things are starting to make sense."

Max and Rachel shared a knowing glance. Jake frowned at them and then he opened his eyes wide. "Did you two know?" he asked looking at them.

Rachel sighed as she knew she was going to be in trouble with Sammy but it was not like she could deny it so she nodded.

Max made a noise and wrinkled his nose. "I guessed."

Sammy glared at Rachel, then at Max. “Did everyone know but me?"

"I didn’t." Jake spoke, somewhat pissed. 

Sammy’s eyes moved to Simon who had now jumped up, his paws on Hannah’s thigh as she reached down, scratching his ears. "Even the fucking dog knew."

Jake frowned at Sammy's comment. "What…you…oh shiiit, he fucked my leg…man that’s…" 

"Shut up, Jake." Ari said sternly.

"This isn’t happening." Sammy groaned.

Rachel took a deep breath before intervening again. "Ok, Max and Jake go supervise the breakfasts for the guests.  Some of them might have already shown up, see they need anything." She then turned to Sammy. "You come with me, let's see if your hand needs patching up." And before Sammy could protest she looked at Hannah, nodding towards Ari. "You better take care of that split lip."

"It’s fine." Ari shook his head.

 "I didn’t hit him that hard." Sammy scoffed.  "You hit him, that’s all that matters." Rachel stated, cutting any more potential bickering as she shoved Sammy in the back towards the door.

"And my hand is fine, I’m a doctor, I know."

"Well there are clearly a lot of things you don’t know." She couldn’t stop herself from jabbing at him, but his bratty comments had her on edge too. Sammy stopped and glared at her. "Sorry, that was uncalled for." she apologised sincerely.

The two of them stood, staring at one another and Rachel nodded towards Ari, almost as if Sammy was a child being told by his mother he had to apologise. But just like a small child would he refused and simply turned and left. Rachel shot them both an exasperated look and headed off after him, closing the door.

Hannah sighed and Ari turned to her, his hands on her hips. "Don’t worry baby, he’ll have to come round sooner or later, coz I’m not going anywhere."

"He might, with any luck." she groaned

"You don’t mean that Han."

Hannah sighed. "No, you’re right, I’m just….I don’t know Ari, I’m angry and upset and…"

"Hey, hey come on…" he comforted her, throwing his arms around her again and kissing her head. They stayed still for a while, his hand rubbing at her back before she eventually moved and looked up at him. 

"Does your face hurt? Do you want me to patch you up?"

Ari shook his head. "It’s ok, I’ve had worse. Now, let’s get you a big ass birthday breakfast. You’re getting old, Firefly." he teased her.

She snorted. "I’ll never be as old as you, mi lobo."

"Hey…" he said, pouting a little as he connected his hands round the bottom of her back, pulling her closer. "I think I’m pretty spry for my age, don’t you agree?" he asked, giving her a wink.

She laughed, her hands sliding up his chest, linking round his neck. "That’s one word for it."

"And there it is, that gorgeous laugh." Ari smiled and leaned down to give her a soft kiss. "Come on, let’s go. And I’m warning you, I fully intend on sitting next to my girl."

At that Hannah couldn't help but beam at him. "About damned time." Ari took her hand in his and led her out of the hut. For the first time they walked up the sand, publicly, with their fingers laced together and Ari could swear it felt good, it felt more than good actually.

When they arrived at the breakfast table everyone was waiting for them and Rachel had lit a birthday candle on a cinnamon bun.

"There she is, happy birthday!”

Max grinned and started singing, as did Jake and Sammy, some of the guests joining in singing and clapping from their tables. Ari stole a quick look at his best friend, whose eyes flickered to him and gave him a filthy look, before they moved back to Hannah. Ari understood that instantly to mean that this was simply a temporary truce for Hannah’s sake, but at that point he didn’t care. All he was bothered about was Hannah being able to enjoy her day.

"Oh my god this is so embarrassing." she said as she blushed and tried to cover her face with the hand that Ari wasn't holding.

Max grinned.  "Yup."

Simon, not at all amused at the lack of attention he was suffering that day, let out a whine and pawed at Ari’s leg. He looked down at him, releasing Hannah’s hand. “You hungry pal?” Simon wagged his tail in response. “I’ll just go feed him.” he offered and Hannah smiled at him as he headed off. She turned and shyly thanked everyone, sitting at her usual spot before she poured herself some coffee.

When Ari returned he dropped into the seat next to her, noticing it had been left empty, most likely on purpose. He reached for a pastry and leaned back, munching it, his right arm laying across the back rest of Hannah’s chair, making the most of ignoring Sammy stares at his arm which stopped when Rachel nudged him in the ribs.

All in all, the atmosphere was light, but there was an elephant in the room, and no one wanted to raise it for fear of setting Sammy off. Rachel, as always, provided a perfect distraction and reached down for a gift bag. She set it graciously on the table and pushed it towards Hannah.

"This is from us 4…" she said looking at Max, Jake and Ari.

"5." Ari corrected.

They all looked at him and he shrugged. "Simon chipped in."

Everyone chuckled and Hannah nudged him. "Idiot." 

He grinned, looking at her, for a moment debating giving her a kiss but he decided not to rub Sammy’s nose in it anymore. Hannah looked at him, sensing what he was thinking, and bit her lip reaching into the bag. They watched as she unwrapped her present, giving a little gasp as she spotted the Tag Heuer logo on the black leather box.

"You didn’t." her eyes flicked up in shock, looking round the tale.

"No you’re right, we didn’t Red. It’s just a box." Jake joked.

There were a few chuckles as she opened the case it and her fingers skated the silver and gold metal women’s divers watch nestled in the deep blue silk casing. "Oh my god…" she whispered, reaching in to pull it out. She then looked up again, smiling widely.  "Guys…I …it’s amazing, thank you."

"Try it on. Come on cracker, I wanna see what my money bought." Max demanded.

"Our money." Rachel rolled her eyes at him. Max shrugged, stuffing more toast into his mouth.

Ari gently reached for it and took it from her, slipping it over her outstretched hand before he gently fixed the clasp. Hannah turned her arm over to look at it and smiled glancing up at the table.

"This must have cost you all a fortune…"

Jake leaned back grinning. "Ah, you’re worth it Red." And then he grimaced and looked at Ari, almost apologetically but Ari just chuckled.

"You’re right."

"Thanks guys, I love it." Hannah said before standing and giving Max, Jake and Rachel a hug in turn before she sat back down and gave Ari’s hand a quick squeeze where it was resting on the table.

Sammy cleared his throat and slid a gift bag and another wrapped box over the table "The bag is from Mama, I collected it from PS the other day and this…" he tapped a box "This is from me."

Hannah reached over, placing her hand over Sammy’s on top of the box and giving his fingers a squeeze. "Thanks Sammy." She spoke sincerely, her eyes locked onto her brother’s and he gave her a smile. She pulled the box towards her, opened it and gave a loud laugh and a squeal as she eyed up the item inside.

"Fuck Red, that’s a polaroid. That’s fucking awesome." Jake exclaimed.

"Oh my god I can’t wait to use this!!" She jumped up and rounded the table towards her brother. Sammy also got up and the pair of them hugged. Hannah closed her eyes, pressing her face into Sammy’s chest as his arms wrapped around her tight, and she recognised the hug for what it was. AN apology. Ari glanced at Rachel who gave him a small smile before he turned back to the siblings. Hannah stepped back and smiled as Sammy kissed her head and Ari could see Hannah was nearly crying.

"Thanks Sammy, I love it." she said, trying not to choke on her words.

"You’re welcome Han." 

She sat back down, wiping her eyes and reached for her mother's gift, letting out a little gasp at the white crocheted skirt and top.

"Woah, did she make this?" Rachel asked, admiring the items of clothing.

Hannah nodded proudly. "She’s awesome. She’s made me loads of tops and stuff over the years."

"Remember the shirt she made me out of the old paisley curtains from the lounge?" Sammy asked smiling slightly.

Hannah grinned back. "Yeah…that shirt was actually kinda cool."

"Wait, wait..back up…you actually wore a pair of curtains?" Max asked, visibly shocked.

"Oh no, tell me you didn’t." Rachel shook her head at Sammy.

"Scarlett O’Hara did, why wouldn’t I?" he shrugged.

The table erupted into laughter, Jake shaking his head and launching into an impression “As God is my witness, I will never be hungry again.” "Come on, that’s a Max line." Sammy protested.

As the banter struck up across the table Ari leaned down to whisper in Hannah’s ear. "Feeling better?"

She nodded. "Loads."  She then smiled and raised her wrist. "I know this was your idea. I told you I wanted one in Port Sudan."

 "Yes, you did." Ari flashed her the Levinson smile.

"Thank you." she whispered

"Anything for you, firefly." he whispered, lost in her eyes.

She looked at him, the way he was looking at her was making her feel dizzy, but they were broken from their moment by Max and Jake howling with laughter. They tore their eyes unwillingly from one another to see Jake was banging the table with his fist.

"You wore it to a club? Holy shit…hey Red, please tell me there is a photo of this douchebag in the curtains…." he said through a fit of laughter.

Hannah grinned.  "Mama will have one. I’ll get her to send it to me."

 "Don’t you dare!"  Sammy pointed at her. But she just grinned and shrugged.

Eventually, they made it through breakfast without any incidents and then Hannah decided she wanted to have some fun with the Polaroid, excitedly asking Jake to take one of her, Ari and Simon.

"Hah. Family portrait…yeah why not…" Jake quipped.

It took him 3 shots as the damned dog wouldn't play ball and kept looking anywhere but at the camera until Max walked up behind Jake with a pastry in his hands. Simons’ ears perked up as he eyed up Max’s food and thus Jake managed to get a nice shot of the three of them. Ari’s arm looped around Hanna’s shoulder, casually as hers was round his waist, Simon at their feet.

Hannah then offered to get one of Ari and Simon for him to send to Maya and Ari agreed. Crouching down, he gently posed with Simon, one hand round the dog as Hannah smiled and then whipped the Polaroid film out, shaking it furiously before she collected the ones Jake had made to look at them.

"Are you done with the photo shoot? Coz some guests are waiting for their diving tour." Sammy interrupted, being the natural buzzkill he was. Ari noticed the slight acidity to his tone but luckily, before Hannah did, Jake chipped in.

 "This is vogue Sammy…" he joked, striking a pose.

 "Yeah, like your curtain shirt." Hannah sniggered.

Sammy rolled his eyes, an unexpected soft smile on his face as he turned away.

"Is it me or is he being very calm?" Ari asked, squinting his eyes in the direction Sammy had left.

Hannah hummed. "Almost too calm. Anyway…" she said, handing Ari the stack of Polaroids she had taken as she turned to follow Jake.

"Where are you going?" Ari asked.

"Where do you think? I got a new divers watch to test out!" she chimed while raising and tilting her left wrist at him.

Ari smiled fondly as she saw her back away. Shaking his head Ari looked down at Simon who was looking at him and then turned to look at his owner.  Ari snorted. "Go on."

The dog trotted after Hannah, tail wagging. Ari watched them go, and for once he didn't feel a shred of bother at the sight of Jake tossing an arm around her. The confrontation with Sammy hadn't been great but it had blown their cover and now everyone knew she was HIS girl. He felt better, relieved.

He glanced down at the Polaroids and smiled softly at the one of him and Simon, then the 3 of them, but it was one of the outtakes that made him pause. Simon was looking off to the right barking and Hannah was looking down at him, laughing as she watched him, Ari sporting a huge grin on his face. But it was Hannah’s expression that struck him. Her eyes were crinkled, those dimples he loved were on full display, her mouth wide open, curved into a loud giggle.

Outtake or not, he was definitely keeping that one.

*****

Part 3

[fakefeltflowers]

Howdy, I rewrote Sam's back story for something unrelated and though to put it on here. Sam's full name is Sam Orion and they live in a small town known for it's spooky happenings. Also, warning for animal death, namely chickens and cattle.

---

The Orion estate is a patchwork quilt of crops and fields for livestock, passed down from generation to generation, growing like a benign tumor.The estate itself was just about as old as Sarton itself and became a fixture of the community, for better or for worse, and with the estate came the hunters. Back when the estate was little more than a ramshackle hut that leaned at a 45 degree angle, there had been hunters. When Sam was a child, they only had a vague understanding of the family’s history and the rumors. They knew that ‘back in the old days’, whenever that was, their family had been known for being reclusive and cagey. The old family shot at any animal or person that had the gall to come too close to the fence that encloses the scraggly wheat fields or to the miniscule coup. But that was back then, not like that was something that happened now. Then Sam turned 16 and the chickens began to die.

During the dog days of that summer, Sam was supposed to take care of the chickens. As far as anyone could tell, Sam had done a fairly good job, they even managed to raise a few chicks themselves. You could understand why they’d be concerned at the sight of a dead chicken just outside the coup. Fearing the worst, Sam rushed to survey the damage, but instead there was nothing. The remaining chickens were stressed and refused to come out of the coup, but otherwise fine.

Confused, Sam went back to observe the carcass, eyes raking over claw marks and feathers matted with a sticky black substance that burned their eyes. There were bite marks but there wasn’t anything eaten. It wasn’t the kill of an opportunistic predator, it was too sadistic and there was too little eaten. But the other chickens were fine and the carcass was disposed of. Still, Sam couldn’t stop themselves from crying all morning.

“Kiddo, they’re just chickens. We still have eight of them left, just leave it be. I’ll take care of it,” said their father, Arthur. He said to himself that it would just go away on its own, of course he was lying to himself and Sam.

8 chickens became 7, 7 became 5, 5 became 2. The cattle followed suit, one by one their blood mingled with the poisonous black fluids and smeared a trail through the grass leading to the woods that stood on the edge of the estate. It was a mocking trail of bait made specifically for the impatient and the naive Sam. So, they resolved to fix the problem, like they would ‘back in the old days’. Armed with a hunting rifle that had been just a little too big for them, they clambered out of their bedroom window. Following the trail of dead grass to the entry into the Whispering Woods. Then Sam waited, refusing to let the tiredness that weighed their eyelids down over take them. Eyes glazed over, Sam watched the warm wind shake the leaves that obscured their forum. They watched bugs lazily flutter by. They watched the unmoving dark lines of trees. They watched and they watched and they watched-

Sam woke with a start at the sound of snapping twigs. The moon hung high overhead as they scanned the tree line for the source of the sound. Hidden among the towering trees, a shaggy beast with a pale face paced along the forest floor, it’s long body blending in with the tall grass that bordered the treeline. Of course, not that Sam was paying much attention because at that point Sam had fired the rifle in the woods, shattering the nighttime silence. In response the beast galloped into the dark of the night, a taunting laugh echoing behind it. The hunt had begun.

‘How long has it been?’ thought Sam, a thought that had at first started as a dim whisper that only grew louder as Sam’s legs began to protest and thorns had cut through their jeans, staining their calves a rust color. The trees had managed to weave together so that barely any of the moonlight was able to illuminate the forest floor. Sam’s knuckles were white from clutching the rifle, the cold steel of the barrel sapping any residual heat from their body. They realized that they had begun to shiver despite the warmth of the summer air.

‘It’s too dark out here. I shouldn’t even be out here, what was I thinking-’

“Sam?” a voice called out, cutting Sam’s clarity short. Who was that? It almost sounded familiar, but it was hard to make out.

“Sam?” the voice repeated. Sam unconsciously began to follow the voice, it was their father after all. They needed to go home, they were so tired.

“Sam?” the voice called out, even deeper into the woods.

“Sam?!” the voice became panicked, ‘He’s hurt,’ Sam thought as they started running. The voice repeated their name over and over, becoming shrill and panicked, to a certain point it barely sounded like Sam’s father, but at that point it didn’t matter. At that point Sam was too scared to rationalize, too scared to think of anything but home.

“SAM!” the voice called out one last time before it suddenly stopped. Sam found themselves at a clearing with a creek running through it that was otherwise empty. A dawning realization was replaced by fear as they heard the rustling of leaves above them, shortly followed by the sound of something heavy softly landing behind them. Sam whipped around and locked eyes with the beast, its hollow eye sockets swimming in a sea of dirty white canvas and sharp teeth. Sam knew that they were too close to aim the rifle but nonetheless the barrel belched out a wisp of smoke with a pop of light. The bullet that was haphazardly spat out whizzed by the beast and lodged itself into a tree just right of the beast. Momentarily distracting the beast, the shattering wood gave Sam enough time to twist their body so that the beast’s long claws only managed to graze the flesh underneath their sweater.

The icy water that soaked through their jeans would be shocking if the gun hadn’t slipped from their grasp. Then the icy fear in their veins was replaced by a burning hot pain that radiated from Sam’s chest. Their vision began to blur as Sam saw their blood began to oxidize into a thick black substance that burned their skin and eyes.

The beast began stalking towards Sam, that familiar mocking laugh fell out of a maw filled with sharp teeth as Sam began to choke on the taste of hairspray and apple seeds.

Suddenly, the maw of teeth shattered with a deafening gunshot, abruptly jerking the beast’s head to the side. Sam scrambled to their feet, grabbing the rifle and aimed at the beast, shooting wildly until they ran out of bullets. Then they realized that there was still another gun firing, attached to their father, who was entirely focused on the beast. Of course, at that point the beast was little more than a shadow of its former self, it’s jaw hanging loosely by a scrap of canvas and its fur was slick with the stinking black that seeped out of Sam’s chest. Eventually, Arthur’s gun had run out of ammunition, causing the beast to chuckle lowly and began to back away.

“‘I’ll take care of it,’” the beast said in Arthur’s voice, though that didn’t distract him from reloading. But before the shooting could resume, the beast had already disappeared into the woods.

---

The sound of fizzing hydrogen peroxide was the only thing disturbing the dense silence in the kitchen. Sam did their best to not cry out as Tayna gently blotted the reddish-grey foam off their chest, instead they hissed in reply.

“I’m gonna clean this out with some alcohol, this might sting a bit,”

“Fuck!” Sam jolted away as the throbbing pain sharpened into a stabbing pain, “just, lemme do it,” they said as Tayna muttered an apology. As Sam gingerly blotted away at the claw marks on their abdomen, Arthur stared them down with an indiscernible mix of anger, disappointment and something else Sam couldn’t quite place.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he said as Sam began to dress their wounds.

“Arthur-” Tanya began, but was cut short.

“No, really Sam, what the fuck is wrong with you? Sneaking out at night with a gun like a moron, I told you I’d take care of it!”

“But you didn’t,” Sam said, avoiding eye contact with their father.

“What?” The clock above the stove top read 3:52 am, but Arthur’s voice continued to rise, “You have no right to go out in the middle of the night like that. Not only did you disobey your curfew-”

“No, you don’t get to make me the wrong one here, you knew damn well that what was killing the animals wasn’t normal!”

“And it would’ve killed you-”

“What if it went after Jack?”

“Don’t you dare bring up your brother in this,”

“I can’t believe you hid this shit from me after refusing to do anything about this, you’re supposed to take care of us!”

“I can't believe you have the gall to come into my house after nearly getting your ass killed, acting like I’m the bad guy,” the two’s voices overlapped, escalating into a shouting match. At this Tanya has joined, attempting to be a peacemaker, but it only added to the chaos, eventually waking up the whole house.

Every family member that lived in the house stood in the kitchen, tired, angry and confused. Even littlest Jack, who was only 5 years old at that point, stood at the bottom of the stairs that lead into the dining room with bleary eyes. They all stared expectantly at Arthur and Sam, who was beginning to put their shirt back on so they could avoid making eye contact with anyone in the room.

“Listen Sam, we’ll discuss this in the morning proper. Go to bed, all of you.” Arthur finally said, and people began to filter into their bedrooms, with Sam being the last one to fall asleep at the ripe hour of 5:30.

---

The sound of croaking magpies woke Sam up the next morning, though at this point it was closer to noon. Every fiber of their body screamed in protest as Sam rolled out of their bed. Not to mention the feeling of their bedsheets clinging to their still sticky body as residual sweat and blood coated their body. Unfortunately, the shower and the new set of clothes did little to ease the nausea.

The rest of the morning was less a blur and more a haze of events, a confirmation of some rumors, a disproving of others. Some monsters were real and others were made up to sell t-shirts and keychains and others were a little bit of both. A vague introduction to a house on the edge of the estate, a bed, a wall of weapons. Something about never trusting strangers and that the monsters would keep coming.

“Are the monsters ever gonna stop?”

“No, Sam, they aren’t. But you have to try,”

[what-is-your-plan-today]

Leave No One Behind C9: Doctors Orders Part 2

Co-Written with @icanfeelastormbrewing​

Episode Summary: Hannah has a cold and of course Ari takes it upon himself to look after her. Once that little obstacle is out of the way trouble finds them once again on the morning of her birthday…and hell breaks loose at the Red Sea Diving Resort.

Episode Warnings: Bad Language words. Smut (NSFW no under18s)

Episode Pairings:  Ari Levinson x OFC Hannah Horowitz

Catch up with Part 1 first…

Hannah stirred, stretching a little. She couldn’t feel Simon at the end of the bed by her feet. Expecting him to be behind her, tucked into the crook of her back as he sometimes did, she turned giving a small start as it wasn’t Simon behind her but Ari, the pup in question curled around his head. Hannah blinked again, Ari hadn’t been there when she had gone to sleep. There had been too many people out late last night and Sammy was still watching her like a hawk after her illness. She lay still, taking a few minutes to drink him in as he slept. His hair was falling slightly over his forehead, the moonlight falling onto his face highlighting his nose and bearded cheek a little where his eyelashes lay flush to his skin. Smiling, she poked Simon to get him to move.

“Sorry Si, but he’s my man. Move.”

Simon gave a little whine of protest but obeyed, getting up to move. But despite Hannah’s efforts to keep as quiet as possible, the noise and movement had woken Ari up. He stretched his limbs out, and then gave a little sigh as Hannah nuzzled closer, kissing his jaw line.

“You have a nightmare Lobo?” she asked softly.

“Yeah about Dogzilla digging his paws into my eye sockets.” Ari mumbled, as he could feel Simon flop down at the end of the bed. Hannah chuckled as he reached out, eyes still closed, one arm sliding underneath her neck, the other gently laying against her hip where it slid up her cami top, palm warm against her skin.

“What are you doing here Ari?” he heard her ask.

“Sleeping?” he said, the inflection in his voice making it sound like a question.  He felt her shift again, her fingers reaching up and brushing through his beard. He leaned into her touch just like Simon did when he was scratching his ears.

“You know you could have just asked right?” she said gently “You didn’t need to sneak in in the middle of the night.”

“I didn’t sneak in…”

“Ok, whatever you say” she laughed.

Ari pouted a little “I just wanted to surprise you after midnight.” He cracked his eyes open and smiled at her.

She frowned “Midnight? What-“  and then it dawned on her. If it was after midnight, it was her birthday. Her eyes widen a little and Ari smiled and gave a little nod.

“Happy birthday Firefly.” He whispered.

Hannah felt herself welling up “Did you…” She choked a little “Did you just sneak in here to…”

Ari grinned, “I wanted to be the first person to wish you happy birthday.”

Hannah spluttered a laugh “You soft bastard.” She licked her lips and looked at him, almost shyly “Thanks Mi Lobo.”

Ari reached up to gently lay his palm against her cheek, thumb skating her cheekbone “You’re welcome. I had 8 missed birthdays to make up for. We’ve come a long way since that party on your 21st”

“1385 miles give or take…that is if you don’t count all the other stuff in between.” She grinned and Ari shook his head and let out a sigh.

“Don’t be a smart ass firefly. I was trying to be romantic.”

“Romance is overrated…” Hannah grinned, pushing closer to him and sliding her leg between both his, arching an eyebrow as she realised he was naked. His fingers flexed on her hip and he mimicked her expression.

“Is that so?” he teased. She nodded, her hand sliding up his arm.

“Yup.” She popped the p.

“Oh, well, I guess I’ll just go then…” Ari smirked, his face dipping towards hers.

“Don’t think so lobo…you’re my birthday gift.” Her hand slid back down his arms and she dipped it under the covers, and round to grab at his bare ass. “Although I’m pretty pissed I don’t get to unwrap it. Couldn’t you have worn a big red bow or something?”

“Ungrateful brat.” Ari mumbled as his lips press to hers. It wasn’t long before their bodies were melded together and soft breathy moans and gasps filled the air. Ari took his time, lavishing affection on his girl, his pace soft and slow right to the end. Exhausted and satiated they fell asleep, cuddled together, Ari’s arms wrapped around Hannah, her head tucked under his chin pressed into his chest.

She must have moved during the night as when Ari woke her back was pressed to his chest, his face buried into her hair.  Keeping his eyes closed, he snuggled in closer and she stirred a little, her hand moving and laying over his which was splayed on her stomach.

“Morning” Hannah spoke little groggily and he kissed her neck.

“Morning baby.” He greeted her.

The two of them lay there, Hannah’s fingers playing gently with his when voices drifted through the lattice covers over the window. Hannah stilled and Ari let out a sigh.

Fucking tourists…fucking people…damned it!

“Hannah…” he started to suggest that he needed to go before any of the team started milling about but she cut him off.

“I’m done Ari.”

“What?” Ari asked, his voice a whisper as for a split second he thought she meant with him. But as she turned to face him, he saw the expression on her face and knew what she was going to say before she said it.

“Sneaking around.” She shook her head “I’m done.”

Ari looked at her as the magnitude of what she had just said sunk in “You sure you wanna do this today?”

“Why?” she countered “Don’t you?”

“If it was up to me we would have come clean the day after our first night Firefly.” Ari brushed her hair behind her ear “But it’s your birthday. Your 30th…I don’t want it ruined by Sammy’s inevitable melt down.”

“Why does he have to be such a pain in the ass?” Hannah rolled her eyes and moved out of Ari’s arms. She climbed out of bed, pulling on her cami and sleep shorts as Ari sighed.

“He’s being a big brother.” He said, still feeling the need to defend his best friend. He watched Hannah for a moment as she grabbed a hair tie and pulled her hair up into a messy ponytail.

“Ok.” She turned to Ari, decision made. “Tomorrow. We tell him tomorrow. Then he has just over a week to chill the fuck out before the next mission.”

Ari nodded “Ok.”

Hannah smiled as Ari kicked the covers off himself, leaving them tangled by her feet. Simon gave a start and started to scramble out of them, glaring a Ari as he dropped to the floor shaking. Hanna smirked as she looked from Simon to Ari, biting her lip.

“Stop it.” He shook his head with a grin “I need to go…preferably without a boner because of the fact that I’m imagining the filthy thoughts you’re having right now.”

She grinned as he picked up his shorts, and slipped them on. He grabbed his shirt off the floor and she walked over to give him a quick kiss.

“See you at breakfast.” He smiled against her mouth. But Hannah was clearly in a playful mood, and it was hard not to get caught in it. She wrapped her arms round his neck and kept placing lingering pecks on his lips as he backed to the door, the pair of them giggling. “Firefly…” Ari laughed, scrabbling behind him for the door handle “Let me go.”

“It’s my birthday…” she pouted.

“I’m well aware of that…” he eventually found the door handle and pushed it down, moving slightly as he pulled it inwards, feeling it banging against his back, the warm breeze fluttering into the room. “And seeing as you’ve been a good girl, I’ll make sure your presents are waiting at…”

He trailed off as Hannah’s eyes widened and she took a deep breath, her face rearranged in shock and horror and Ari stilled, his face inches from hers as he heard Sammy’s voice.

“Oh fuck, no…just…”

Ari wheeled around so fast that he almost lost his balance, and he stared at Sammy who wore an expression as dark as thunder.

“What the fuck man?” Sammy shoved Ari in the chest “Tell me this isn’t what it looks like!”

“Sammy, I-“ Ari was cut off by Sammy’s fist connecting with his jaw. The force of the punch sent him sprawling back into the room and he stumbled a little as Hannah gave a yell.

“Sammy!! Stop!” She turned to Ari, who had just regained his balance and was straightening up, his hand wrapped around his jaw, blinking furiously. Hannah’s hand gently moved to his arms and he shook his head

“I’m fine.” He mumbled wiping at the trickle of blood seeping from his split lip. She wheeled round to her brother who was stalking into the room.

“You fucking bastard, Ari! After everything….”

“That’s ENOUGH Sam!” Hannah’s voice was loud “And yes, this is EXACTLY what it looks like.”

Sammy fell silent, the only sound in the hut now was Simon’s growling as he positioned himself next to Hannah who was stood in between Ari and Sam, her face furious as she stared down her brother. Eventually Sammy made an angry noise through his nose and she took a deep breath, turning to Ari.

“Can you leave us Ari?”

Ari frowned, because that was the last thing he wanted to do, “Han, I…”

“Please Lobo.” Her eyes locked onto his and he sighed.

“Ok.” He pulled on his T-shirt and headed to the door, Sammy’s eyes following him as he walked. Just as he was about to leave through the door, Sammy couldn’t resist one final shot.

“What is it with you huh?” he demanded “Why can’t you ever fucking say no to her? You’ve never fucking been able to resist have you?”

Ari stopped, grinding his teeth together and turned to face Sammy “I wouldn’t have ever been in a position where I had to if it hadn’t been for you and Andy in the first place.

“Is this why you brought her here?” Sammy continued, fury clouding his entire face “Thinking you’d get her out to Africa and worm your way back into her fucking affections?”

“Keep going Sammy! Go on.” Ari’s voice was low, almost a growl “Keep fucking pushing me and I swear to God-“

“Ari!” Hannah’s voice cut over his, her tone stern “Just go.”

With one last glare at Sammy he did was he was asked. Once Ari was gone, Hannah rounded on her brother. “You done with you little outburst Sammy, or you wanna say fuck a few more times?” she fumed at him.

“Don’t?” Sammy scoffed “I aint even started yet Hannah! I-“

“Save it Sammy. I don’t wanna hear a single word you have to say.” Hannah cut him off “Not this time. You’re gonna listen to me for a change.” Sammy looked at her, his mouth snapping shut, eyes blazing. “I’m done with you babying me. I’m 30 today for crying out loud so I’m pretty sure I get a say in what I want and how I want it.” She pointed at him “And I’m not letting anyone, not even you get in my way and decide to me. You got it?” she took a breath “If I’m making a mistake only time will tell, but it will be MY mistake, not your fucking manipulation. And if I’m right then good for me.”

Sammy remained silent, his breathing deep. Hannah could tell he was itching to say something but he didn’t so she continued, swallowing slightly before she spoke again.

“Get yourself together and wish me happy birthday which is what you were obviously here to do, being a good big brother and all, and then go and apologise to Ari for being an utter prick. Again.”

At that point Simon gave a bark, punctuating her last sentence perfectly and Sammy frowned “I’m not apologising to that asshole!”

Hannah groaned “Yes, you are. Because that asshole is your best friend.”

“Best friends don’t fuck their best friend’s sisters!!”

“Well, breaking news Sammy, he has. Quite a lot actually.” Sammy growled a little as she shrugged “But if that’s the way you wanna play it, should I tell Rachel to stop fucking my brother? Should I go out there and slap her on her face?”

Hannah could tell from the look on her brother’s face she’d surprised him, a fact that was backed up when he spoke, his voice stuttering “That’s…how do you…” he stopped and shook his head “You know what, it doesn’t matter, it’s irrelevant as it is completely different.”

Hannah gave a derisive laugh and folded her arms “Why is it different? Care to explain Sammy?

Sammy opened his mouth and shut it again. “You just proved my point Sammy.” Hannah sighed and shook her head. “Look, I love you, you’re my brother, but I love him too.”

At that Sammy’s eyes widened and Hannah was pretty sure hers did at well as she’d just admitted that out loud.

“You love him?” Sammy looked at her, blinking.

“Yeah.” She swallowed and took a breath, “We’re not fooling around Sammy if that’s what you think. This is serious, for both of us. We’re not the same two people you messed with nine years ago so if you fuck this up for me again I swear to god I’ll never forgive you. Not this time.”

Sammy stared at her for a moment, before he made an angry noise in his throat and stormed from the hut, slamming the door behind him.

Max and Jake were walking down the beach towards the main building when they saw Sammy storm out of Hannah’s hut and head the opposite way of the resort towards Ari’s, the expression on his face was alarming to say the least.

"What the fuck is that about?" Jake asked confused.

Max was about to reply he had no idea when he suddenly realised what may be going on.

"Ah shit. ANGELA!!!!!" he yelled as he nudged Jake and the two of them set off at a sprint to Ari’s hut.

“We have a situation with Liam and Guy!" he shot over his shoulder at Rachel when she opened her hut's door, alerted by the rumble.

When they saw Sammy barge open the door, they picked up the pace, reaching the hut just as Sammy lunged at Ari again. "You son of a bitch!" he yelled at him once more as he went to throw another punch him, but his time Ari was ready. He anticipated Sammy’s attempt and thus was able to dodge it and gripped Sam's arm, pinning it up his back. Sammy jerked free, his anger propelling him, and went for Ari again. This time Ari lunged forward, he had lost it. 

Jake saw Ari’s contorted face and grabbed hold of Sammy as Max stepped in between them, placing one hand on Ari's chest.

"Say that again. Come on, Sammy!" Ari irked him. “You’ve had one free shot, you won’t get a-fucking-nother”

"You stupid cocky bastard." Sammy spat, trying to wriggle out of Jake's hold. "I'm gonna punch your fucking face till my hand bleeds."

"Sammy, chill man." Jake, who was having a hard time trying to hold Sammy, advised.

"Chill, chill? How can I chill when he’s fucking my sister?" Sammy growled.

The entire place fell quiet. Jake frowned and looked at Sammy, then to Ari, who took a deep breath, and then to Max who looked back at him. The four men were snapped from the thoughts whirling in their minds when a voice could be heard from the doorway. 

“Or maybe your sister is fucking him?”

Everyone turned to see Hannah stood in the entrance, arms folded, with Rachel by her side.

Sammy took advantage of the general commotion and shrugged out of Jake’s hold. Max looked at Ari and he held his hands up, signalling he would behave. 

 "Shut up Hannah." Sammy groaned, rounding on her.

"Hey, don’t talk to her like that." Ari warned him.

Sammy gave a sarcastic laugh before glaring at Ari "Oh, that is so typical of you, isn’t it? Jumping in, playing the goddamned gentleman."

Simon started to bark as Ari and Sammy began their verbal bickering again until Rachel cut in loudly as she clocked the expression on Hannah’s face.

"Ok, that’s enough!"

Everyone looked at her, and she nodded almost imperceptibly in Hannah’s direction but enough for Ari to glance at her and see, to his horror, she now had tears in her eyes. Hannah shook her head and, feeling all his teammates’ eyes on her, looked at the floor before she turned to Sammy and then at Ari taking a deep breath and looking away again.

“Happy fucking birthday to me.”

At that, Sammy dropped his head as Ari pushed past, making no attempt to stop him. Though he was still dying to beat the hell out of his so called best friend, the sight of his sister crying had made him feel really guilty. 

Ari ignored everyone's stares and pulled Hannah into his arms. "Hey firefly, it’s ok…" his hand gently resting on her head as she pushed her face into his chest "Don’t cry, please. I’m sorry."

As he apologised to her his eyes fell on Sammy and shot the man a look. They were not important here, what was important however, was the woman in his arms. Her damned 30th birthday and they were fighting like a couple of school kids. Sammy swallowed and looked at the floor taking a deep breath.

 "Sorry Han."

Hannah pulled back a little and nodded, Ari cupped her face, his thumbs wiping her tears. "You ok?" he asked softly.

She nodded again but she was not smiling. It wasn't fair and the two most important men in her life were to blame Ari thought, as he dropped his hands and turned to Sammy, one hand resting on the lower part of Hannah’s back.

Sammy, whose eyes were fixed on Ari's hand, opened his mouth to say something, but Ari spoke first, his voice as apologetic as he could manage.

"Look, I’m sorry you had to find out like this. We were gonna tell you…"

"Sure you were." Sammy scoffed.

"We were Sammy. Ari wanted to tell you straight away but I was scared of how you would react. Clearly with good reason." Hannah confirmed, her voice still shaky from having cried.

Sammy sighed and chuckled bitterly. "You know, now a lot of things are starting to make sense."

Max and Rachel shared a knowing glance. Jake frowned at them and then he opened his eyes wide. "Did you two know?" he asked looking at them.

Rachel sighed as she knew she was going to be in trouble with Sammy but it was not like she could deny it so she nodded.

Max made a noise and wrinkled his nose. "I guessed."

Sammy glared at Rachel, then at Max. “Did everyone know but me?"

"I didn’t." Jake spoke, somewhat pissed. 

Sammy’s eyes moved to Simon who had now jumped up, his paws on Hannah’s thigh as she reached down, scratching his ears. "Even the fucking dog knew."

Jake frowned at Sammy's comment. "What…you…oh shiiit, he fucked my leg…man that’s…" 

"Shut up, Jake." Ari said sternly.

"This isn’t happening." Sammy groaned.

Rachel took a deep breath before intervening again. "Ok, Max and Jake go supervise the breakfasts for the guests.  Some of them might have already shown up, see they need anything." She then turned to Sammy. "You come with me, let's see if your hand needs patching up." And before Sammy could protest she looked at Hannah, nodding towards Ari. "You better take care of that split lip."

"It’s fine." Ari shook his head.

 "I didn’t hit him that hard." Sammy scoffed.  "You hit him, that’s all that matters." Rachel stated, cutting any more potential bickering as she shoved Sammy in the back towards the door.

"And my hand is fine, I’m a doctor, I know."

"Well there are clearly a lot of things you don’t know." She couldn’t stop herself from jabbing at him, but his bratty comments had her on edge too. Sammy stopped and glared at her. "Sorry, that was uncalled for." she apologised sincerely.

The two of them stood, staring at one another and Rachel nodded towards Ari, almost as if Sammy was a child being told by his mother he had to apologise. But just like a small child would he refused and simply turned and left. Rachel shot them both an exasperated look and headed off after him, closing the door.

Hannah sighed and Ari turned to her, his hands on her hips. "Don’t worry baby, he’ll have to come round sooner or later, coz I’m not going anywhere."

"He might, with any luck." she groaned

"You don’t mean that Han."

Hannah sighed. "No, you’re right, I’m just….I don’t know Ari, I’m angry and upset and…"

"Hey, hey come on…" he comforted her, throwing his arms around her again and kissing her head. They stayed still for a while, his hand rubbing at her back before she eventually moved and looked up at him. 

"Does your face hurt? Do you want me to patch you up?"

Ari shook his head. "It’s ok, I’ve had worse. Now, let’s get you a big ass birthday breakfast. You’re getting old, Firefly." he teased her.

She snorted. "I’ll never be as old as you, mi lobo."

"Ouch…" he said, pouting a little as he connected his hands round the bottom of her back, pulling her closer. "I think I’m pretty spry for my age, don’t you agree?" he asked, giving her a wink.

She laughed, her hands sliding up his chest, linking round his neck. "That’s one word for it."

"And there it is, that gorgeous laugh." Ari smiled and leaned down to give her a soft kiss. "Come on, let’s go. And I’m warning you, I fully intend on sitting next to my girl."

At that Hannah couldn't help but beam at him. "About damned time." Ari took her hand in his and led her out of the hut. For the first time they walked up the sand, publicly, with their fingers laced together and Ari could swear it felt good, it felt more than good actually.

When they arrived at the breakfast table everyone was waiting for them and Rachel had lit a birthday candle on a cinnamon bun.

"There she is, happy birthday!”

Max grinned and started singing, as did Jake and Sammy, some of the guests joining in singing and clapping from their tables. Ari stole a quick look at his best friend, whose eyes flickered to him and gave him a filthy look, before they moved back to Hannah. Ari understood that instantly to mean that this was simply a temporary truce for Hannah’s sake, but at that point he didn’t care. All he was bothered about was Hannah being able to enjoy her day.

"Oh my god this is so embarrassing." she said as she blushed and tried to cover her face with the hand that Ari wasn't holding.

Max grinned.  "Yup."

Simon, not at all amused at the lack of attention he was suffering that day, let out a whine and pawed at Ari’s leg. He looked down at him, releasing Hannah’s hand. “You hungry pal?” Simon wagged his tail in response. “I’ll just go feed him.” he offered and Hannah smiled at him as he headed off. She turned and shyly thanked everyone, sitting at her usual spot before she poured herself some coffee.

When Ari returned he dropped into the seat next to her, noticing it had been left empty, most likely on purpose. He reached for a pastry and leaned back, munching it, his right arm laying across the back rest of Hannah’s chair, making the most of ignoring Sammy stares at his arm which stopped when Rachel nudged him in the ribs.

All in all, the atmosphere was light, but there was an elephant in the room, and no one wanted to raise it for fear of setting Sammy off. Rachel, as always, provided a perfect distraction and reached down for a gift bag. She set it graciously on the table and pushed it towards Hannah.

"This is from us 4…" she said looking at Max, Jake and Ari.

"5." Ari corrected. They all looked at him and he shrugged. "Simon chipped in."

Everyone chuckled and Hannah nudged him. "Idiot." 

He grinned, looking at her, for a moment debating giving her a kiss but he decided not to rub Sammy’s nose in it anymore. Hannah looked at him, sensing what he was thinking, and bit her lip reaching into the bag. They watched as she unwrapped her present, giving a little gasp as she spotted the Tag Heuer logo on the black leather box.

"You didn’t." her eyes flicked up in shock, looking round the tale.

"No you’re right, we didn’t Red. It’s just a box." Jake joked.

There were a few chuckles as she opened the case it and her fingers skated the silver and gold metal women’s divers watch nestled in the deep blue silk casing. "Oh my god…" she whispered, reaching in to pull it out. She then looked up again, smiling widely.  "Guys…I …it’s amazing, thank you."

"Try it on. Come on cracker, I wanna see what my money bought." Max demanded.

"Our money." Rachel rolled her eyes at him. Max shrugged, stuffing more toast into his mouth.

Ari gently reached for it and took it from her, slipping it over her outstretched hand before he gently fixed the clasp. Hannah turned her arm over to look at it and smiled glancing up at the table.

"This must have cost you all a fortune…"

Jake leaned back grinning. "Ah, you’re worth it Red." And then he grimaced and looked at Ari, almost apologetically but Ari just chuckled.

"You’re right."

"Thanks guys, I love it." Hannah said before standing and giving Max, Jake and Rachel a hug in turn before she sat back down and gave Ari’s hand a quick squeeze where it was resting on the table.

Sammy cleared his throat and slid a gift bag and another wrapped box over the table "The bag is from Mama, I collected it from PS the other day and this…" he tapped a box "This is from me."

Hannah reached over, placing her hand over Sammy’s on top of the box and giving his fingers a squeeze. "Thanks Sammy." She spoke sincerely, her eyes locked onto her brother’s and he gave her a smile. She pulled the box towards her, opened it and gave a loud laugh and a squeal as she eyed up the item inside.

"Fuck Red, that’s a polaroid. That’s fucking awesome." Jake exclaimed.

"Oh my god I can’t wait to use this!!" She jumped up and rounded the table towards her brother. Sammy also got up and the pair of them hugged. Hannah closed her eyes, pressing her face into Sammy’s chest as his arms wrapped around her tight, and she recognised the hug for what it was. AN apology. Ari glanced at Rachel who gave him a small smile before he turned back to the siblings. Hannah stepped back and smiled as Sammy kissed her head and Ari could see Hannah was nearly crying.

"Thanks Sammy, I love it." she said, trying not to choke on her words.

"You’re welcome Han." 

She sat back down, wiping her eyes and reached for her mother's gift, letting out a little gasp at the white crocheted skirt and top.

"Woah, did she make this?" Rachel asked, admiring the items of clothing.

Hannah nodded proudly. "She’s awesome. She’s made me loads of tops and stuff over the years."

"Remember the shirt she made me out of the old paisley curtains from the lounge?" Sammy asked smiling slightly.

Hannah grinned back. "Yeah…that shirt was actually kinda cool."

"Wait, wait..back up…you actually wore a pair of curtains?" Max asked, visibly shocked.

"Oh no, tell me you didn’t." Rachel shook her head at Sammy.

"Scarlett O’Hara did, why wouldn’t I?" he shrugged.

The table erupted into laughter, Jake shaking his head and launching into an impression “As God is my witness, I will never be hungry again.” "Come on, that’s a Max line." Sammy protested.

As the banter struck up across the table Ari leaned down to whisper in Hannah’s ear. "Feeling better?"

She nodded. "Loads."  She then smiled and raised her wrist. "I know this was your idea. I told you I wanted one in Port Sudan."

 "Yes, you did." Ari flashed her the Levinson smile his voice adopting a sultry tone that made her stomach flip.

"Thank you." she whispered

"Anything for you, firefly." he whispered, lost in her eyes.

She looked at him, the way he was looking at her was making her feel dizzy, but they were broken from their moment by Max and Jake howling with laughter. They tore their eyes unwillingly from one another to see Jake was banging the table with his fist.

 "You wore it to a club? Holy shit…hey Red, please tell me there is a photo of this douchebag in the curtains…." he said through a fit of laughter.

Hannah grinned.  "Mama will have one. I’ll get her to send it to me."

 "Don’t you dare!"  Sammy said, pointing at her. But she just grinned and shrugged.

Eventually, they made it through breakfast without any incidents and then Hannah decided she wanted to have some fun with the Polaroid, excitedly asking Jake to take one of her, Ari and Simon.

"Hah. Family portrait…yeah why not…" Jake quipped.

It took him 3 shots as the damned dog wouldn't play ball and kept looking anywhere but at the camera until Max walked up behind Jake with a pastry in his hands. Simons’ ears perked up as he eyed up Max’s food and thus Jake managed to get a nice shot of the three of them. Ari’s arm looped around Hanna’s shoulder, casually as hers was round his waist, Simon at their feet.

Hannah then offered to get one of Ari and Simon for him to send to Maya and Ari agreed. Crouching down, he gently posed with Simon, one hand round the dog as Hannah smiled and then whipped the Polaroid film out, shaking it furiously before she collected the ones Jake had made to look at them.

 "Are you done with the photo shoot? Some guests are waiting for their diving tour." Sammy interrupted, being the natural buzzkill he was. Ari noticed the slight acidity to his tone but luckily, before Hannah did, Jake chipped in.

 "This is vogue Sammy…" he joked, striking a pose.

 "Yeah, like your curtain shirt." Hannah sniggered.

Sammy rolled his eyes, an unexpected soft smile on his face as he turned away.

"Is it me or is he being very calm?" Ari asked, squinting his eyes in the direction Sammy had left.

Hannah hummed. "Almost too calm. Anyway…" she said, handing Ari the stack of Polaroids she had taken as she turned to follow Jake.

"Where are you going?" Ari asked.

"Where do you think? I got a new divers watch to test out!" she chimed while raising and tilting her left wrist at him.

Ari smiled fondly as she saw her back away. Shaking his head Ari looked down at Simon who was looking at him and then turned to look at his owner.  Ari snorted. "Go on."

The dog trotted after Hannah, tail wagging. Ari watched them go, and for once he didn't feel a shred of bother at the sight of Jake tossing an arm around her. The confrontation with Sammy hadn't been great but it had blown their cover and now everyone knew she was HIS girl. He felt better, relieved.

He glanced down at the Polaroids and smiled softly at the one of him and Simon, then the 3 of them, but it was one of the outtakes that made him pause. Simon was looking off to the right barking and Hannah was looking down at him, laughing as she watched him, Ari sporting a huge grin on his face. But it was Hannah’s expression that struck him. Her eyes were crinkled, those dimples he loved were on full display, her mouth wide open, curved into a loud giggle.

Outtake or not, he was definitely keeping that one.

Part 3 COMING SOON!!!

[darkhorse-javert]

Something Sunday:

I wanted to practice writing inside Wing Commander Turner, and this idea presented itself.

Preface; This is completely AU to canon and my current stories. So don’t worry on that score!

Some of it, circumstances, lines may be borrowed for a future story, in another AU timeline.

That being said, guys, I’m so sorry for writing this... You’ll probably need tissues. Tw: Character Death (of a sort)

Messenger

The police sargent knocks on the door, then opens it enough to pop his head round “Wing Commander Turner and another gentleman to see you Sir.”

There is a murmer of assent from the other side. The Sargent steps back and nods slightly to them, pushing the door open properly. He steps across the threshold, J behind his shoulder. It's easy to assess the room, out of habit DCS Foyle is rising from his desk to greet them. The young auburn-haired woman in khaki, Sam, turning towards him, intending to leave them alone, her hand rising automatically towards her brow in salute.

The very second her eyes come to his face he can see she knows why he's there. Of course she will, her father is a vicar, she'll have seen the sombre eyes which come with bad news many times before.

Her face drains of colour, her hand freezing in place halfway to her forehead, her lips moving to start forming an involuntary, soundless, 'No'.

He hates it. So different from the laughing, life filled face she'd had the last time he saw her, walking on her new husband's arm. Andrew's face, the almost disbelief and joy

As if from far away there's the click of the door as the Sargent has pulled it shut behind them, and the sound of DCS Foyle's automatic salutation

“Wing Commander.”

Shifting his attention he sees the recognition dawning on the other man's face, formality being replaced by emerging fear that he tries to conceal...and realisation.

“Mr Foyle, Mrs Foyle. I regret to inform you that Andrew went missing-in-action yesterday. He's believed killed.”

How many times has he used these ritual words? They are foul, bitter and ice-cold, burningly so on his tongue. He'd give anything to not have to say them, the last ones..., especially now, especially to these two people.

The absolute stricken agony in eyes and faces, the almost visible collapse of their world written there. Yet both are so carefully contained and restrained. Mrs Foyle still stands to attention, though her hand has dropped to her side.

“What happened?” Mr Foyle asks the obvious question in an almost inaudible voice that can't hide the pain

He steps back slightly, letting Johnson explain, the pilot's voice cracking it into fragments, not quite able to look at either Foyle or Mrs Foyle “We were raiding on the coast, Andrew's plane was hit, smoking badly, The last we saw the plane was going down into low cloud... No-one saw a 'chute.”

Johnson gulps, “we did get the Blighter that had him.” He braces himself to continue but He's interrupted

“Isn't there a chance he's made it home, come down at an airfield somewhere, a field? Andrew is a good pilot. Greville made it back” The desperate, elemental, hope in Samantha Foyle's voice, pressed forward by her brown eyes, frantically alight.

He shakes his head slowly, meets her eyes“I'm afraid not, I've spent the last Twenty-Four hours since he didn't come in ringing every airfield from Broadstairs to Plymouth. No-one has him, and there are no plane crash reports to match it either.”

A part of him wants to die as the desperate light extinguishes like a candle under a deluge of cold water at his words.  she manages a tiny nod of acknowledgement then her gaze drops, her eyes closing tight, breath heaved into her chest. But she holds her stance. It tears his heart. You poor, brave, brave girl. He can't look at her any-more. Mr Foyle just looks stricken, utterly broken inside, his eyes showing pain beyond tears. This the man who had calmly stood up to him, when Rex Talbot's girl had been found dead, leaving him feeling ashamed as he stated the facts, until he was permitted to go on with the investigation, prepared to treat his son as analytically as he did any investigation. This was the man who had softly challenged him when he'd come looking for an AWOL Andrew, the man he knows in his soul would have fought tooth-and-nail for his son, if he, Turner, had not denied a court-martial and understood what Andrew was going through.

Andrew was all he had, Turner isn't sure how he knows this, gossip, next-of-kin files.

Why? He demands of everything in the back of his mind Why did it have to be Andrew Foyle? He hates himself, wishes he could unsay every word that has come out of his mouth, wishes he wasn't here at all. And yet, he couldn't let them know through just a formal telegram and a condolence letter. Not when Andrew flew from Hastings Airfield, so close to his home. It was the right thing to do.

Johnson starts to speak again, managing, though his voice is both hollow and tense, but he's managing to look at the Foyle's now  “We all liked Andrew in the Squadron, he was a good man, very fun. Kind too. He'd come and just sit by you if things went bad, a nod, a hand on the shoulder. Rarely ever teased anyone too far, happier being a pilot than an officer in some ways, but he looked after us there too.”  A swallow and a croak “We'll miss him.” Then  Johnson was offering the wrapped parcel forward, eyes raw.

Turner speaks for the boy “His things... If there's anything missing send a message - we'll find it.” If  everyone has to remove every strut of cladding in his hut and the mess, they'll do it willingly.

After a moment,  Johnson sets it carefully on the chair in front of the desk

He swallows a lump rammed in his throat, takes the envelopes from his pocket and holds them out “His letters for you both.” Somehow this feels worse still, like the slamming of a coffin lid. As long as these letters are in his possession, death is only a possibility, to hand them over is a certainty. Andrew Foyle, that cheeky sod, who felt everything so deeply to heart behind his bravado, is gone.

Samantha Foyle's eyes move and she starts to shake ever so slightly, even as her jaw clenches. Mr Foyle woodenly walks around his desk to stand next to Samantha and takes the envelopes. His eyes are bleak as he raises them to Turner's own and his throat moves before he speaks

“Thank you, Wing Commander.” It's a dry rasp.

“I'm so very sorry.” His own voice is still steady, just.

Mr Foyle nods once, reaching out a hand to Samatha's arm. She shudders, then collects herself again.

Catching Johnson's gaze he jerks his head towards the door. The pilot opens the door slips quickly through and Turner closes it behind them firmly. Johnson's face is drawn, shocked, his own tears starting.

He carefully doesn't notice the last fact “You did well.”

Johnson sucks in a breath, nods and swallows. Muffled by the door, there is a soft squeaking, possibly a bottled up wail. Together they walk back down the corridor, through the doors into the main waiting room. Johnson heads for the door,

“Sir?” It's a soft voice. Turner stops and looks towards the desk. The uniform Sargent is there, but it's the other main, in a plain-clothes grey suit who has spoken, his eyes searching Turner's face, but with a knowledge of what he'll find there. This man has been to war too, perhaps he's had to deliver news too. something in his face shows it. His voice is low, and expectant already “Is it Andrew?”

He nods his head sharply “Yes.” And it's all he can manage.

But he sees the pain in both faces, the uniform Sargent's eyes filling before he turns away. The plain clothes one nods, a swallow. Andrew was known and liked here.

Dilly. It has no relevant bearing on the current situation, but he's suddenly desperate for her voice, her hand on his cheek,  where are you when I need you. Why aren't you here?

Johnson is waiting in the car, passenger side. The young man still looks awful, hollowed out. Turner makes a mental note to see he's bought a drink next time he has a leave-pass. Then he takes a breath “At least she didn't break down and cry...” It sounds like the pilot is bolstering himself.

Oh, Johnson...I'd rather she had. He'd take screaming, wailing, pleas to be wrong, stinging blows to his person over Samantha's quiet acceptance a thousand times.

The image of her laughing with Andrew Foyle hangs in front of his eyes, His hand stings suddenly and he realises he's slammed it against the steering wheel hard enough to bruise. He wants to scream... to fly the next sortie and take down every plane in the Luftwaffe.

There isn't the air in his lungs. He wishes he was on his own, or with Dilly, then he could give in to the tears in his chest.

Why, why the hell did it have to be Andrew? Of all of them, why Andrew Foyle?

[writingsbychlo]

attention | thomas

word count; 7332

summary; thomas is a little on edge about sharing your attention, so you show him just how dedicated you are to him, and only him.

notes; I apologise, I’m really not good at writing sub!dylan, especially not tommy. I picture him pretty dom, so, take it with a pinch of salt but enjoy anyway. 

warnings; smut.

Thomas had really tried not to be in a bad mood. It wasn’t like he had slept wrong, or gone to bed angry, or had an argument that morning. He’d had a great night with you, the memories of your lips against his and his hands on your body were enough to wake him happily, from a very peaceful night of sleep.

Actually, it was the lack of anything that morning that had originally bothered him.

When he had rolled over, hands reached out to pull you into him, he had been surprised to find your side of the bed empty, and not only empty, but cold. You’d been gone for a while, and he could see around the little hut he owned that all your clothes were gone, and so you weren’t just popping out, you had left. Sitting up, he sighed, running a hand through his hair and getting ready in silence. 

He wasn’t sure why you had run off, normally you hung around in the morning, you basically lived together, you really went back to your own hut, only to change your clothes, or on the off chance you’d had an argument you’d sleep there, but it was rare, and as far as he was aware, you two were fine. You had been when you’d fallen asleep in his arms. 

He tugged on his boots, not even bothering with the laces as he trudged down the hill towards the main colony, eyes scanning over the tables, looking out for you. He could see all his friends, the early morning risers not normally who you were with, but then again, you didn’t normally get up early, you liked to sleep in now that you actually had the chance to do so.

He was just queueing up to get his food, picking from the fresh fruit in baskets when he heard you. Spinning on his heels, he watched as you laughed happily, your legs wrapped tightly around Minho’s waist, arms around his neck as you clung to his back, the bot running speedily, jostling you from side to side as you squealed. Your face was buried between his shoulder blades, but no matter how muffled your laughs were he could hear them clearly. While Thomas knew there was nothing between Minho, he couldn't help but be slightly angry at the way Minho’s hands gripped your thighs to keep you steady.

Only he should be able to hold onto you like that, and he knew that because he was holding your thighs like that yesterday, while his face was buried between them. When you were finally put down, you hugged the sweaty boy and chatted with him for a second, words that Thomas couldn't hear, before he’d left. 

When you’d looked around, you’d finally seen him, and you’d taken your time walking over to him, a smile on your lips as you did. He tried not to be angry, but for some reason, he was still a little mad about waking up alone and not being sure why. “Hi, Tommy! You’re up early!” Your arms swung around his neck, and instinctually, his hands settled on your hips, but he merely looked down at you, not nuzzling into you like he usually would. 

“Well, I woke up alone. I was concerned.” 

His tone caught you off-guard and you pulled away from him slightly, searching his eyes for what he was feeling. “I’m sorry, I went for a run with Minho. I was going to shower and come back to bed.” You knew his resolve was weakening, but you couldn't stop the small smile pulling at your lips. “I was maybe going to bring us some breakfast, we could’ve eaten in bed.” You sighed, and his lips finally tugged up in a smirk. 

“We could totally still do that?” His nose bumped against yours, a giggle on your lips as he did.

“Hm, no, I still need to shower Minho got me all sweaty and dirty.” Just like that, his anger was back, and he sighed, pulling away from you. “You could join me if you w-”

“I actually have work to get on with, but I’ll see you later, okay?” He knew his moodiness was irrational, but you seemed to be picking up on his spiked jealousy, because your own mood changed and you pulled away from him, avoiding his pouted lips to press a kiss to the edge of his mouth, agreeing you’d see him at lunch before grabbing an apple and jogging away from him towards the showers.

He should’ve suppressed his anger, but instead, he let himself fester in the anger, all the way until lunch. In fact, he dragged out his workload, angrily hammering nails into buildings as he helped build more little cabins for more people who would progressively come and join the community. He had expected to find you, but everyone eas crowded around the table, laughing and joking, and you hadn’t saved him a seat, presumably still angry at him for his crass behaviour this morning.

He wasn’t bothered by that so much as the way you were laughing with Aris, a tray of food shared between you both. He knew you shared food, you shared food with everyone, it was just normally him. Today, his anger was heightened, however, and that same bubbling irritation he had barely managed to suppress was once again coming up to the surface as he watched you interact with everyone else. You were willing to give him a second chance, however, he could tell from the way you were looking at him, a small smile on your lips and he placed his plate down, testing the waters by walking over to you. 

You leaned back, letting him lean down and place a kiss to the top of your head, your conversation continuing as everybody around you ignored the soft display of affection. Leaning into him, your hand cupped his cheek, pressing a kiss to his cheek before he sat down to begin his own meal. 

He was waiting, for the people around the table to finish their food and leave so he could move in to sit next to you. The two of you had made plans yesterday, and he was working on suppressing the bad mood he had worked himself all up into, an unnecessary jealous rage. He had long since finished his food, as had you, but you were still talking to your friends and neither of you were in a rush, so he waited patiently. By the time Aris was getting up, he almost felt better, a smile on his lips as he made to stand up, before Newt rounded the corner, hopping along in a flustered rush with an apple hanging from his mouth. 

His tray of food clattered down onto the wooden surface, and he pulled the apple from his mouth, taking a large bite from it as juice dripped down his chin, a grin on his lips as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to your cheek. A whine fell from your lips and you rubbed your cheek against your shoulder, but you had happily accepted his kiss on your skin and Thomas once again found himself shooting from peace to rage, standing from the table in silence as he walked away. 

You excused yourself, he had heard you, chasing after him up the track he was walking until your hand found his, turning him around, and he quickly retracted it from your grasp, a hurt look coming across your features as he did so. “Tommy, what’s wrong? I thought we were going to go for a walk on the beach an-”

“I have things to do. Besides, you seem to have no trouble finding people to keep you entertained.” He made to turn around, but the scoff you let out only made him angrier. 

“That’s a lie! We made these plans yesterday night, you don’t have anything to do! What are talking about?” He rolled his eyes, watching as your jaw dropped at the action. 

“I have better things to do than walk on a beach with you. Go and find another guy to keep you entertained, you seem to be having a great time letting the lot of them be all over you, so go have fun.” His words were spat at you, leaving you shocked and astonished as he walked away from you, fists clenched by his sides and you were left standing along, his harsh words echoing in your mind.

“Right, then.” You muttered, turning back to go and spend the afternoon with your friends, all of whom were looking at you curiously as you argued with the man you loved. Shrugging as you sat back down, you let them begin to spill all their plans for the afternoon.

Thomas felt bad after your argument, he really did, but he was still bristling. He trusted you, but he hated how much you let the other boys cuddle into you, touch you, be around you. As he thought on it, he only made himself spiral more. You were close with them, Newt often hugging you, lifting you, swinging you about or tickling you. You had no fear in wrestling with Minho or dancing around the kitchen while cooking with Frypan, but it all irked him just slightly because as selfish as it was, he just wanted you all to himself.

To be the only one that got to hold you and love you, that got to kiss you or know how sweet it was when you kissed him. By the time he’d come to look for you to apologise, you’d seemed far too happy to be interrupted by him and his petty jealousy. You were sat in the tall grasses of own of the fields up higher on the mountain, Sonya braiding your hair down your back in a loose plait as you weaved a flower crown, sitting it atop your head. 

The flowers you had chosen complimented your skin perfectly, and you were laughing as you chatted with the girls, your happiness radiating, and so he didn’t want to disturb you, choosing instead to walk back down the mountain and wait until he had the next opportunity to see you.

That opportunity just so happened to come in the form of a bonfire. He was concerned when he hadn’t seen you at dinner, and you weren’t darting about the camp, even as night fell. The sky had grown dark, and when he was worried his words had hurt you more than he’d predicted, he even checked the hut you stayed in at these rare times, but none of the candles were lit, it was dark and cold, and undisturbed. 

His worry was bubbling over, and it wasn’t until he saw Frypan leaving the open kitchens, packing up a large basket with enough food for at least ten people that he got a clue as to where you were. He asked his friend where he was going, the boy inviting him to join you all. Apparently, you’d gone exploring, finding a little beach alcove and deciding to have a bonfire out there. 

They could see the orange glow and hear the happy shouting and singing of you all long before they arrived, flames curling up into the dark sky, and lighting up the beach in the most beautiful way. The tall fire reflected off of the surface of the water, rippling quietly and silently as the calm waves lapped at the shore. 

You looked like you were practically glowing as you threw sticks and broken logs on the fire, driftwood and kindling you’d collected sitting in a pile not too far from you all, a hard day’s work to create a nice night. Your hair was rippling around your shoulders, dried in waves around your shoulders, the material wet along the front and back from the water dripping from your hair. Patches on your chest and hips soaking through your dress too, from where you must’ve stripped down to your underwear and gone swimming, everybody else seeming to have done the same as they all had similar hair and clothing situations. 

A pang of guilt shot through him at the thought of how much carefree fun he had missed out on, all because he couldn’t control his emotions. You had set up logs around the fire, and Fry was already passing out sausages and pokers, letting you all begin to stick the meat into the flames to slowly cook. Making his way down the track you had dug out, he skidded into the sand, greeting all of his friends happily as he made his way around to the log you were perched on. 

“Do you mind if I sit with you?” 

You turned to look at him over your shoulder, hair blowing in the breeze gently as your eyes met his, your lips pulled into a thin line as you shrugged. “Depends. Are you planning to shout at me some more? Make me feel bad for having friends?” He shook his head, mumbling a sad ‘no’ before taking a seat next to you. His shoulder rubbed against yours, and the tension was thick between you both as silence settled in.

He could tell you were still mad at him, but you weren’t too sure how to forgive him just yet, he had said some mean things, implied worse, and you didn’t appreciate being shouted at in front of everyone, when instead, he could’ve just talked to you. But, you could see he was trying his best, and so when the food on the end of the stick in your hands was ready, you pulled it back, blowing on it softly to cool it before holding it out in his direction. 

His eyes finally left the flames as he looked at you, a small smile on his lips as he leaned forward, taking a bite of the meat and chewing it happily. You shared it between you both, as you did the rest of the food that came around your way and he shuffled closer and closer to you as the night went on until eventually, his head was resting on your shoulder, fingers raised to play with the ends of your hair that were dangling in front of your body. 

He still wasn’t sure what to say, but it felt like nothing needed to be said between you. You were forgiving him slowly, the romanticism of the night healing the fight you’d both had. 

Until, Newt made his way over. The boy had a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, hair messy and eyes drooping tiredly, as he trudged over to the two of you. “D’you mind?” His words were slurring as he yawned, and Thomas wasn’t sure what he was talking about, until you patted you thigh, shaking your head as the boy moved from his place before you both.

He settled down into the sand, arms wrapping around your calf as his head leaned against your thigh, your fingers lifting to weave through the soft blonde masses on his head. You hummed lowly under your breath, a simple tune to the boy beside you as you played with his hair. Thomas stiffened beside you, and you felt his head lift from its spot where he was nuzzling into the space between your neck and your shoulder. Glancing at him, his features had hardened once again and he shot you a look, questioning you and you sighed.

He opened his mouth to talk to you, but you shook your head, turning your face away from him as he stood in silence, wishing everyone else a glum farewell before disappearing back up the path into the darkness. “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

“No.” 

“Don’t lie to me, love. It’s about all of us.” Even in his half-conscious state, the Brit could still call you out on your bullshit when you lied to him, and you chuckled lowly. “Aren’t you going to go after him?”

“No, he can get over his jealousy, and realise that none of us would ever go behind his back like that. You’re my friends, and he has to learn to be okay with me being around you all.” The boy resting his head on your leg laughed, and you pocked at the embers of the fire before you, stirring it into a little more life. “Besides, I’m having fun, it’s only going to end in an argument, and I’m not ready to deal with that yet.”

You hadn’t stayed much longer as it was, only an hour or so perhaps, tiredness beginning to sweep in, the cold following as the fire burnt out, all out of wood to stock it up with. Once the last embers had dimmed, you packed away all your belongings, before making your way towards the camp once again. Minho had carried Newt back, the boy dead-asleep and snoozing in a peaceful slumber. 

You took your time, bidding each of them goodnight and ensuring they all made it to their beds safely. You then proceeded to head back to your own cabin, shuffling through your things and changing your clothes into a comfier set to sleep in, swapping out the salt-filled underwear for some new ones. 

Scooping up a stack of clothes under your arms, you finally decided to confront the source of your day’s problems, making the slow walk to the little bungalow that was a slight walk away, the chill seeping into your body, the firelight from inside still showing, meaning he was still awake. You didn’t bother knocking, choosing instead to just open the door and let yourself in. He glanced over at you from his position on the couch, a sour look on his face as he looked at you. 

“I don’t feel like talking to you right now.” You hummed at his words, adjusting the bundle in your arms as you walked further into the little home, an aggravated growl leaving his lips as he watched you walk further in. “I said I don’t want to talk, so could you kindly fuck off until I’m feeling up to it?”

You placed the items in your arms down on the end of his couch, turning to face I’m finally with your hands on your hips. “No. We’re going to talk about this like adults because we’re in a relationship Thomas, and that’s what you do.”

“Yeah, well you seem to be in a relationship with every guy on this island, so why don’t you go and find someone else’s bed to crawl into for the night.” He threw a pot of cold water onto the fire, smoke filtering up the chimney as the room fell into darkness, only the candles that he had scattered around kept it alight and he moved around to blow them out. Leaving you stood in darkness, you followed him through to his room. 

“Did you know Newt still had nightmares about his time while infected?” Thomas froze at the mention of his friend’s illness, his back still turned to you and you crossed your arms over your chest. “He can’t sleep unless someone is there with him, because he’s absolutely terrified that he’s going to wake up alone, having killed us all in his insanity, cranking out again.”

Turning to face you, Thomas’ lips were parted, and he closed them, pulling the bottom one between his teeth as he swallowed thickly. “I-”

“And, did you know that Aris still doesn’t trust food on a bad day. He lost basically everyone he knew in that WCKD compound, he sometimes relapses and doesn't trust food. Like today, he was jittery, and so I tried everything for him first, to prove it was okay to eat.” His shoulders sagged guiltily as he finally turned to look at you. “Minho. Still wakes up before dawn every morning, because his body doesn’t know any other way. Sometimes, when his panic spikes, he goes for runs. Just to be sure this is real, and you’re safe, and that it’s not another hallucination, that he’s not still trapped in that god awful city.”

“I didn’t know any of that.”

“Yeah. This morning, he came looking for you, he knocked and you didn’t wake up, even through all his racket. He said he didn’t like running alone, someone being with him made it more real. I could tell you were tired, so I let you sleep, instead, I said I’d go with him.” You shrugged, your arms still crossed as he made his way towards you. “I don’t run, Thomas. I was exhausted, and he carried me back because my whole body was aching.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was like that, and I-”

“My boyfriend. Has serious insecurity issues.” His words cut off, jaw snapping shut as his eyebrows furrowed. “The world fucked with him so badly that he can barely trust a friendly face, and sometimes, he has bad days, because it seems like everyone is going to slip away, or been torn from his arms, and he suffers with the idea that he might be left alone.” You let him place his hands on your waist, your arms sliding up along his to hook around his neck. “But I forgive him, because I love him, and I try every day to show him that it’s safe and reliable, and that I’m not going anywhere.”

“I love you, too.” His words were whispered, nose bumping against yours. 

“And myself. I try to fix everyone else, because knowing that I’m helping people helps me to fix myself. I don’t know how to say no, I have a pathological need to make sure everyone else is okay, because it makes me feel okay about myself.” He leaned down, cheeks wet as his lips met yours, gliding together softly. He poured all his feelings and apologies into the exchange, humming happily and you pressed back into him.

“I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Thomas. I’m here with you, and I love you.” He nodded, dipping his head again and you pushed him back into the room. His legs hit the edge of the bed, legs buckling as he sat back onto the mattress. With a knee on either side of him, hands on his shoulders, you leaned over him. Your hair draped around his face and you kissed him gently, his hands squeezing at your waist. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

He barely hummed in acknowledgement, his lips chasing yours again, having spent the day missing your kiss, missing your embrace at all, he was needy and chasing after you as you leaned away. Your lips dodged his puckered ones, choosing instead to trail kisses along his cheek and down to his jaw, moving slowly and leisurely across his skin, your tongue coming out to lick and swirl at sensitive patches. 

His breathing was already growing shallower as you reached his shoulders, pulling the neck of his shirt to the side so you could nip at his collarbones, his fingers digging bruisingly into your hips as you knelt above him. “Relax, Tommy. Let me love you, okay?”

You took his hands from your hips, pulling them around to grope at your ass as you settle yourself into his lap, his fingers squeezing at you through your pants as your own fingers skimmed down his chest, fingers scratching lightly at his skin through the thin material of his shirt. “You’re going too slow.” He mumbled, lips moving up to kiss as your neck as you toyed with the bottom of his shirt, and you laughed lightly.

“No, we’re just not fucking tonight.” You whispered, tugging the garment up and over his head, a pout on his lips as his wide eyes found yours once the obstructing garment was discarded. 

“We’re not?”

“No.” Your words were mumbled against his lips, your hands coming up to cup his cheeks as you pressed soft kisses to his lips, happy moans leaving his lips each time. “I’m going to make love to you tonight.” He practically whimpered at your words, grip on you tightening as you slowly began to roll your hips down into his. 

Little gasps left his lips as your touch trailed slowly across his chest, fingertips just barely brushing his skin but touching everywhere, your hips taking their time with each circular movement they made, teasing him, the fabrics between you rubbing him just enough to excite him, but not enough to give him any kind of release. His fingers left your ass, smoothing along your thighs gently until he was hooking his fingers into the edges of the sleep dress you wore, pulling at the fabric questioningly as your lips left his, eyes opening as he searched yours questioningly, and you gave him a small nod.

He eased it up over your body slowly, a moan falling from his lips when your breasts fell free for him to see, having not bothered with a bra at all. Your arms raised above your head, his hands throwing the material across the room, gone from sight, and you caught his hands in yours before he could lower them. Your head dipped down, lips pressing to his again as you licked along the seam his lips met, and he happily parted them for you, letting your tongue drag against his slowly, the sensuality of the moment had his hips bucking up into yours. 

Lowering him backwards, his back met the bed behind him, followed by his shoulders, his head, until you were leaning over him, holding his hands above his head as you pressed his wrists into the sheets. Tearing his lips from yours, his eyebrows furrowed, his head tilting back as to look up at the grip you held, as you instead moved to trail kisses along his chest. “You can’t be serious?” His words were mumbled, and you hummed into his skin, the tip of your tongue dragging over one of his nipples slowly and he shuddered at eth touch as you repeated it on the other side. 

Goosebumps rose along his skin at the action, broken moans leaving his lips in a higher pitcher than you were used to, almost a squeak, and a smirk curled at your lips. “I’m dead serious, baby.”

Your lips continued to move over his chest, leaving wet kisses and licks down his torso, teasingly trailing your tongue between the defined and toned muscles rippling on his skin, prominent every time he breathed in, skin taut and glistening. His fists were clenching and releasing in a rhythm as he tried to keep them above his head, veins in his arms showing as he tensed when you reached certain spots, panting already as you left wet kisses along the hem of his jeans, dragging your tongue along the skin next to the material. “Please..”

As the mumbled beg fell from his lips, you sat up, your feet sliding to the floor and he lifted his head to look at you, lips parted and cheeks flushed as his eyes scanned over the mischievous look on his features. “Please, baby. Give me something. I just want to touch you, feel you, anything.”

Your fingers looped into his jeans, his feet planting on the floor and hips lifting as you tugged the stiff material and his boxers away, tugged them over his feet and letting them pile on the floor. A low moan fell from his lips as his eyes closed, his cock twitching and bouncing in the cool air as it was finally freed. 

The tip was red and swollen, precum dribbling from the slit and leaking along his prominent length in thin trails. He was standing tall, and you gave in to his little whimpers, your tongue flicking out to lick at the salty residue leaking from him, before closing your lips around the head, sucking tightly. His hips bucked up into your mouth, praises falling from him as you swirled him in your mouth. “What do you want, Tommy? Tell me what you need.” Your hand took over for your mouth, your saliva coating him as your gip moved over him easily, tugging up and down as he thrust up into your hand.

“Wanna’ touch you now, please. I want to make you feel good.” You nipped at the inside of his leg gently, licking over the spot when he jumped, a chuckle on your lips as you stood up and dropped your panties down your legs, crawling onto the bed beside him and he groaned at the loss of your touch on him. “You’re driving me insane.”

His eyes flicked between yours as you leaned over him, a little laugh falling from you at his words, and you looked over his features, your index finger tailing over the bridge of his nose and down to his lips, which puckered to press a kiss to the pad of your finger as it trailed over them. “I’ll make you a deal, baby.” His eyebrows quirked up, a small smirk showing on his lips as his head tilted to face you more. The muscles in his arms shifted as his fingers wiggled, closing into another fist, his interest peaked. “If you can make me cum before you do, you can touch me, for the rest of the night.”

“How’s that gonna’ wor- oh, fucking hell.” His question trailed off into a moan as you swung your leg over his head, your dripping core directly in his eyesight. You bent over, your lips kissing along his pelvis as you dragged your wet mouth against his skin, just avoiding the place he really wanted you. “You have yourself a deal. Drop that pretty pussy down here for me, baby.” 

Despite his words, he leaned up, tongue sifting through your folds as a whine made itself known from your mouth, his head lowering back into the sheets until he was nuzzling into your core happily, lapping at every drop you had built up. His tongue circled at your entrance, feeling the way you were clenching for him already, before slipping the muscle into you. He slurped and sucked at you, obscene sounds filling the room and your hand came out to grip his cock, taking him between your lips and muffling the sounds you were letting out for him as you bobbed along his length. 

The minute you did, he let out a filthy groan, the vibrations echoing along you, your thighs shaking around his head and he pulled back slightly, moving his touch until he was sucking your swollen clit between his lips, tongue flicking over the bud, teeth nipping at it. You hollowed your cheeks, his grunts and moans reverberating along your skin as you worked at him faster. His hips were thrusting up into your grasp, unable to stop himself as he fucked up into your mouth. 

Your hands found his hips, pushing them back down into the mattress, pulling back for air, his glistening cock shining in the light, and you rolled your hips back into his face, his name falling from you repetitively as he worked. The way he moaned against you, sucked and teased at you, you were soon spiralling over the edge and he could tell. The minute you came, his hands had shot up, propping himself up on his elbows as he moaned against your core, taking everything you had to give. 

He pushed you away from him, just far enough to lick up the arousal dripping along your thighs before he was diving back in, kitten licking at your stimulated clit as your shook in his grasp, his fingers burning into your thighs. He let out a possessive growl, before pushing his tongue back into you, your walls clenching around him in your sensitivity as the sound only turned you on more. His fingers brushed at your clit, before pressing down on the little nub, rubbing side to side rapidly as you cried out, fingers gripping your thighs as you rocked back into his face.

The pleasure was blinding, your stomach tightening, your thighs clenching as a cry of his name left your lips, trembling in his grasp as you came again, the coil in your stomach snapping. You were whining in his grasp when he let go of you, falling back into the sheets and your hand moved over his cock again suddenly, a surprised yelp falling from his lips as you did, jerking him rapidly in your hand and his fists curled in the sheets. 

“You’re naughty, Tommy. I’m in control tonight, the deal was only to make me cum once.” You whispered, licking as the head of his cock as he twitched in your hand. 

“M’ sorry, baby. You just taste so good, and I love how you sound when you cum, I just wanted to make you happy.” His words were gasped out, and you turned over his body, a hand coming up to hold either side his jaw as he leaned up, balanced on his elbows. Pushing your lips onto his, a plea drowned between your lips as his tongue played with yours, the taste of yourself filling your mouth. 

Lowering yourself onto him, your palms were flat on his chest as you pushed him backwards until he was flat on his back, your hips sinking down until he was fully sheathed inside you, noises of pleasure leaving you both as your fluttering walls hugged him tightly, his thick shaft filling you perfectly, stretching you out as he always did. “God, I love your cock.” You whimpered, rolling your hips into him, finding his hands and lacing your fingers together as he held onto you, helpless under you as you held him in full control.

He couldn't even buck up into you, he tried, he was completely dominated and something between a growl and a whine tore from his throat as you began to set a fast pace, your hips grinding against his as you rode him. Your tits were bouncing above him, nipples hard and taut in the cool air and his mouth watered at the sight. Your name was falling from his lips, pleading gasp and whines as you squeezed around him, picking up the pace until you were bouncing on his cock, his eyes glued to the place he was slipping in and out of you. 

His own name was falling from your lips, his cock throbbing every time you said it, whining and calling out for him, and you squeezed at his hands tighter as your head in pleasure. Finally, one of your hands left his, moving to run through your hair as you leaned back, the ankle changing as he pressed to your g-spot, your clit rubbing deliciously against the skin at the base of his cock, just enough to tease yourself onwards as a loud cry fell from you. 

His hand slid up your chest, cupping one of your bouncing tits, fingers tugging at the nipple and pawing at the fleshy mound, only spurring on your moans. “God, please let me fuck you, make you feel good. I can make you feel so good. Let me please you like you’re pleasing me!” He begged, whimpered under you and you let his other hand go, his body shooting up immediately as his gripped your hips, your pace never faltering. 

As he sat up, you only go tighter in his grip, a loud shout of your name sounding out as your wetness only held tighter around him. “God, your pussy is squeezin’ me so good. M’ gonna’ cum already, please, let me make you cum.”

Your hands held either side of his face, thumbs resting on his lower lip and pulling it down gently, his hot breath fanning across the pads of your fingers as you leaned in, forehead resting on his and noses bumping. “No.” With your words, you sucked his bottom lip into your mouth, nibbling gently before soothing it with your tongue, your hips raising up until his soaked cock left you, head pressing against your clit and his whimpers went silent as the climax he was so close to fell away.

He was twitching and jumping against you, Thomas’ eyes snapping open as he pulled back to look at you, strings of saliva connecting your lips as you moved back, sitting in his thighs as his fingers dug into your hips. His cock stood tall, red and angry, throbbing as you trailed a single finger along him. “You won’t let me cum?”

His sounds were pleading, begging, a side of Thomas you had never seen before. His skin was covered in a thin sheen of sweat, hair matted to his forehead and skin slightly pink as he was covered in a blush. Purple marks were beginning to blossom along his chest from where you had sucked marks into his skin and his shoulders were rising and falling quickly. Brushing the hair back from his forehead gently, you kissed at the skin, lips brushing his sweaty skin as he leaned into your touch. “Not yet, baby. You’re so good. You’re being so good for me. I promise, when you do, it’ll be the best climax you’ve ever had.”

He whined, like a spoilt child only holding you tighter as his hands slipped to your thighs and you knew you’d be covered in fingerprints in the morning. “Every time I cum when I’m with you is fucking mindblowing, though.”

You chuckled, fingers slipping between your legs as you swirled your digits in the wetness, lifting them up for him, holding them before his face. “Get my fingers nice and clean for me? Nice and wet for me?” He nodded, happily accepting your fingers in his mouth as you pushed them between his lips, his tongue swirling around them and cleaning them, before you pulled them from his mouth with a pop.

His jaw hung open when you took his cock in your hand, a relieved sigh leaving him. He’d never been so hard before, yo were driving him over the edge, your nimble fingers setting a slow pace, picking up speed each time he moaned until you were adjusting yourself, moaning his name as you rocked against his thigh, working him roughly as you left slick trails up and down his thigh. 

He was utterly under your spell, all he could was bounced his thigh under you, jolting it up and down and enjoying the slight scream he got from you each time you bounced just right. His head was falling back, desperate breath barely being sucked into his lungs as the pleasure began to fill him once again. His stomach tightened, body pulsing as he hit the edge, and his lips pulled up into a smile.

Right before he came, however, you touch left him again and he cried out at the loss of his orgasm, his cock aching for release, muscles cramping and body shaking as he whimpered. 

“Please, I need to fill you up. Need to feel you cum around me, I want to be dripping down the inside of your thighs. Please, baby!” He cried out, frantic words as you stood on shaky legs, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips. 

“Okay, I got you, Tommy. I got you.” Lowering yourself back down, he groaned out in pure ecstasy. You didn’t hold back, needing your own release as you slammed yourself up and down on his cock. He rubbed against you just right, pressing against your g-spot every time you dropped yourself back down onto him and he was crying out, your name falling from his lips like a prayer as he grunted and moaned.

With a hand in his hair, you tugged his mouth towards yours. A sloppy, wet kiss, a clash of tongues and teeth as you moaned into one another’s mouths. He held your face tightly, and you reached up, dragging on of his hands down your body until his knuckle brushed across your swollen clit, your body spasming in his touch as he took the hint. 

Rolling the button between his fingers, he pinched tightly, your eyes rolling back as you came, shaking in his grasp. His hand wrapped around your waist, holding you to his chest tightly as he cooed at you, your walls splattering his member, buried deep within you, with juices and his own eyes crossed. 

It was enough to make him twitch and shake, his vision blurring as he dropped back onto the bed, weakly thrusting up into you as he came harder than he ever had in his life. He pumped spurts and spurts of cum into you, white-hot ribbons coating your walls as he shouted out, so loudly his throat was raw and your name echoed around the room, desperate pleas falling from him as he struggled to even breathe. 

When he could finally open his eyes again, he was still buried snuggly within you, twitching minutely against your walls as they fluttered, your forehead pressed to his chest as you panted happily, and he couldn’t even form coherent words, head still spinning from the immense and blinding pleasure you had brought him. When you knelt up, your legs were still shaking under you and his arms twitched, wanting to lift you up and help you but his whole body felt like jelly, his muscles floppy and weak and he could barely open his eyes and lift his head to watch you peel yourself away from him.

When you stood up, you tumbled slightly, catching yourself as your weak and trembling body scarcely functioned, and a mixture of both of your fluids were running down the inside of your legs, one of your fingers scooping up some of the mixture. Pushing the finger between your red and swollen lips, you winked at him cheekily, a groan falling from his lips.

You moved away, cleaning yourself up happily and returning to him, wiping a cool cloth over his skin and he shivered slightly, finally being able to lift an arm to sling over his eyes, the fog in his mind clearing a little. “That was the best orgasm I have ever had, what the hell did you do to me?”

“I did exactly what you do to me every time. I made you feel loved and cared for, and I showed it to you in actions, that you only belong to me, and you’re the only one who does.” You whispered, pressing a soft and chaste kiss to his lips as you crawled up to join him, tugging the blankets out from under him.

“That’s how you feel every time? I make you feel that good? That loved?” You curled into his chest, pressing a kiss to his shoulder as your legs tangled together, warmth filling the space around you as your skin pressed to his. His hand came up, running through your hair lightly as he twisted his head to press a kiss to your lips. 

“Every single time. I love everybody here, Thomas. But you’re the only one I’m in love with, and you’re the only one I’m ever going to be in love with.” Your words comforted him as you settled in for sleep, his eyes drooping as exhaustion and happiness filled his body. 

“I love you, too.” His words were mumbled tiredly through a yawn, and your hands came out to hold him as you snuggled further into his body. 

“I’ll be here in the morning.” You whispered, his grip on your only tightening as he let out a sound of satisfaction at the comment. “It’s only ever going to be you, Thomas. You mean everything to me.”

He didn’t need to say it back, you both knew he returned the sentiment, and the two of you drifted off together, peacefully.

[qhostqizmo]

If you had a chance to change your fate, would you?

“I need you all to remember two things: one is to be courteous, the other is to be kind. Their mind is not what it used to be; and they may say some things that could alarm you. Rest assured, they mean you no ill will or harm, and it is wiser not to dwell on their… misspoken words.”

As the man uncomfortably finished their speech, they tugged at the hem of their jacket to straighten the fabric. “Now, are there any questions?”

Penimra raised his hand. “When you say their mind is not what it used to be… Exactly how helpful are they supposed to be to us if they’re a little, ya know…” He circled his finger against the side of his head, indicating the ‘coo-coo’ gesture.

The gentleman’s face contorted into fury. “How dare you-”

“Pen,” Essätha hissed, offended by the high-elf’s deplorable behavior. Leave it to him to get them thrown out before they’d even been allowed in the building. She could slap that idiot with a Mage Hand real quick, maybe that would shut him up.

“Ignore our compatriot,” Adela rushed in quickly, offering a sweet smile. Her tail lashed out, striking the warlock on the side with a growl as she continued, “He has rocks for brains. Thank you so much for your assistance, we’ll be sure to be on our best behavior.”

Squinting, the young man looked them all over. His violet gaze did not seem convinced. Essie passed a glance to her nobleman, who uncurled his lip from Penimra’s direction long enough to pass her a reassuring smile. She pulled her regard shyly away to look pleadingly upon their Tiefling aid.

“Please sir, lead the way,” she encouraged, trying not to appear desperate. Her nobleman’s hand found hers, linking their fingers intimately. It gave her posture a chance to relax.

The Tiefling man sighed, and shook his head. He muttered something to himself, and turned to open the door to the small hut behind him as he pushed his silvery hair aside.

It was about what you’d expect to see inside: small, quaint, with a high ceiling and only the essentials. There was a single door on the far right; the only other space than the one they’d walked into. The party stepped directly into a sitting room which had a sole sofa, a coffee table, and a footstool. Behind it was a little kitchenette with pots and pans hanging from racks, and a wide variety of spices. The entire house had that ‘elderly folk’ smell. It made the Yuan-Ti wrinkle her nose a bit.

An older Tiefling sat with a hunched back in a rocking chair off to the left of the threshold. A trivial work table sat crookedly near them, filled to the top with knicknacks, tarot cards, bundles of herbs, and a dusty looking crystal ball. Their age was as undefinable as their gender; they simply appeared weathered, with heavily wrinkled purple skin and glassy pale yellow eyes. They raised their head, and the crown of four horns nestled in their skull caused their neck to creek and crane painfully. Each horn shimmered, and began to shrink and rearrange themselves with their movements to better accord themselves to their elderly body. A charm upon their neck flickered; the source of magic controlling their horns to better adaptability to their ancient form.

The old figure adjusted the thin wirey glasses on their face, and sat down the book in their lap upon their overflowing table. “Rolmxes,” they coughed, teetering their seat forward. “Have you come again today to visit, my pupil?”

Bowing, the young man carried himself towards the rocker; floating more than walking, he had a sense of grace that was inspiring. He took to a knee before the senior, and graced the back of one of their hands with a kiss.

The aged Tiefling chuckled merrily at the gesture. Their gaze snapped up as the shadows of the party shifted deeper into the dwellings of the house.

“Oh! You’ve brought friends,” they muttered, readjusting their spectacles.

Mindful of the small space, Sulhadur placed a hand to their chest and bowed. “An honor to meet you-”

“Yes, I see that you are doing quite well Sir Sulhadur,” they beamed in answer. “You appear quite comfortable around Caesar too, which is admirable.”

The group stiffened uncomfortably.

“Cimarron,” the young Tiefling man stressed, clearing their throat. They indicated to each group member in turn with an open palm: “This is-”

“The Hand of Jubaeta, yes yes, She has told me much about them!”

Pri’cha’s wide eyes sparkled with glee. “So it’s true! This one can speak with Her?”

Confusion passed over the old one’s face as they ignored the question, looking among them. “Oh dear. Is Sir Abernathy Harding not among you? No no, I see, you have gained Face already, then. I do not see the Tabaxi though…”

“We’re supposed to have a cat-person?” Rava inquired, glancing around the room. “Or are you supposed to have a cat-person?”

“Rava, don’t be rude,” Adela reminded her gently, nudging an elbow in the young Elf’s side.

Clawing their fingers into the arms of their chair, Cimarron rose up with popping joints and a gentle smile. They took hold of the Rolmex’s arm as they hurried to give aid, and shuffled their way over with a magic glimmer upon their horns.

“Now, let me get a look at you,” croaked Jubaeta’s follower, grabbing for the nearest body blindly. Their stiff-jointed hand grasped for the first person they could, and they happened to land on Amon’s forearm. The light in their eyes seemed to flash as they looked into his face. Their mind almost visibly jumped from one thread of fate to another in the blink of an eye.

“Oh! Lord Amon! I see you’ve brought your wife with you. Congratulations on your wedding, I’m so sorry I could not attend.” They let go their assistant student to reach for Essie’s arm as well. “You must be so proud dear! Many blessings unto you; I’m sure your sister-in-law is going to be so excited to hear you’re expecting.”

The sorceress jaw hung wide open. Expecting what?

“… Wow. Now that there’s some future-vision,” Face chuckled in a strained and uncomfortable manner.

Wheezing, the nobleman offered his arm out further to help steady the grizzled sage of Jubaeta. “It is… so very nice to meet you, Cimarron. I understand you already know of us…”

“Know you?” the Tiefling echoed, releasing Essie. They reached up to pinch the nobleman’s cheek, studying him with a critical gaze. “I’ve never met you a day before in my life.”

Essätha turned to look over at Rolmxes. They looked just as troubled, which did little to convince her.

“They must be having a… more difficult day than usual,” the apprentice lad offered. “I’m sorry.”

“You look so uncomfortable,” rambled the seer, still peering up at Amon uncomfortably. They gasped, releasing him to flutter their hand in the air. “Oh. Was I wrong? There are so few timelines you two don’t end up together, I was so certain. How could I be so off…” They hobbled slowly away, their unfocused yellow eyes blank.

Amon’s palm was sweaty as Essie squirmed her fingers against his. They pulled their hands free mutually. She looked to one wall, and he looked to another uncomfortably. She didn’t dare look to see if his face had as much color as hers had developed.

“Cimarron, these people are here to ask you for your help in contacting Her Radiance, Jubaeta-”

“Who wants my help?”

“The Hand of Jubaeta,” Rolmxes reminded her tensely as he stepped over to extend his arm once more.

The older Tiefling accepted. “The Hand?” they echoed, “What an interesting name. What were they wanting help with?”

“Perhaps we should come back later?” Sulhadur spoke up quietly, uncomfortably clenching his claws into fists.

Cimarron looked back at them. Their eyes lit up once more. “Oh! Hello! The Hand of Jubaeta, I’ve been expecting you! Face, I see that your arm has healed nicely. Or are you still having difficulty loading your crossbow?”

“This is so bizarre,” Penimra uttered, stepping back.

Adela gave him a warning glance. He snapped his horror of a maw shut.

“No, you’re all right,” Rolmxes murmured quietly, “we should try reconvening later. I’m terribly sorry for any misunderstandings, they aren’t always… aware and in the right place and time-”

“I don’t think they’re in the right parallel universe,” the high-elf snorted, receiving another elbow in the ribs from the pink Tiefling at his side.

“Where should we meet up?” Rava inquired. “Unless you just want us to wait outside for a bit instead?

“Oh, you’ll all meet up outside my house this evening, close to five,” the old one informed them pleasantly.

“That’ll… do…” Face slowly agreed, eyeing Cimarron like they had just sprouted a second head.

“Then we will see you both again this evening,” the cleric chirped, their antenna wiggling. They appeared the least unsettled by the odd and frankly, cryptic style of the elder individual’s speech.

Rolmxes gave a frantic nod of their head, guiding the senior citizen back to their rocker. “Alright-”

“Do tell that warlock that ‘it’s coming’,” the soothsayer panted, frantically grabbing at her protege. “He should know!”

“What’s coming-”

“You need to leave, now!” Rolmxes shouted, his eyes glowing. He raised a hand, the lights in the room flashing with the magic of Thaumaturgy.

“Yes sir!” Face agreed with a strangely chipper voice. They grabbed the closest person to them; being Penimra, and began to drag him backwards as he made for the door. “You heard ‘em, we aren’t welcome in the spooky house, no more tips on our fortunes and fates ya heard ‘em-”

“That was only a little freaky,” agreed Ravamora, also backing out the door with her hands raised in submission.

Head down, Essie followed just behind the young elf. Freaky was only the tip of the iceberg. They saw her married, to…

She glanced over her shoulder at Amon as he shuffled out in front of Sul, his complexion pale.

Her teeth dragged against her lower lip.

That didn’t sound so bad, but what if he…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Essie stared at her untouched wrap. She poked it, rolling it over from one side to another. Some of the stuffing on the inside had already fallen out on one end; bits of chicken and lettuce and a sauce, and now it was doing the same on the other end as it flopped over.

“You’re supposed to eat your food, not play with it.”

She looked up, gazing bashfully into Amon’s eyes.

The nobleman gestured at the open seat next to her. “May I?”

She nodded mutely. He took a seat.

“… Some wild predictions, huh.”

So he did want to talk about them. She’d been avoiding him entirely since they’d left the little hut, hoping they could brush what they’d heard under the rug for now. Instead she had a mess of her lunch piled up in front of her, and a sweaty-looking nobleman at her side.

“Yeah, crazy,” she agreed, pushing aside the cloth her food sat on.

Silence clung to them. Amon rubbed his arm tensely.

“I guess any future plans you have to propose to me are now dashed,” she teased awkwardly, slumping over in her seat. “You know. Since I know now.”

More silence followed. Her nobleman’s hand went for hers, caressing a patchwork of scales. She peered up at him beneath her lashes. He didn’t look quite so pale as he had earlier, and his hand was gentle against her hand.

Swallowing, Amon tugged at his collar and offered a sloppy, toothy smile. “They didn’t say the when, or where, or how,” he corrected in a rasp.

She returned the smile.

“… I didn’t even know you… liked me like that.”

“We just learned some forbidden knowledge Essie. Maybe we should… process it. Slowly.”

“Yeah.” Her teeth worried on her lower lip, staring at their hands. She curled her fingers, seeking the spaces between his. A quiet hitch in his breathing stirred her pulse as he accepted her invitation, his fingers caressing against hers until he found his spot.

“Are you alright?”

“I wonder if I’ve… lost you already,” she admitted hoarsely, unable to meet his penetrating gaze. “Just by knowing. I wonder if that has changed anything for us.”

He squeezed her hand tightly, and waited patiently. She finally found the guts to meet his lingering stare.

Another squeeze, and a lopsided grin just for her. “You’ll never lose me, Essie.”

A pink tint warmed her cheeks. The sorceress smiled nervously, rubbing her fingers along the back of his hand.

“Lets take this slow,” she conceded gratefully. Her head leaned towards him, tentatively finding a place to rest against his shoulder.

Amon let go of her hand to hug his arm around her instead, pulling her closer.

“I’m okay with that. We’ve got plenty time to find our own path.”

The sorceress nodded. “A steady pace.”

“Very steady,” he vowed.

“You promise you’re not… freaking out?” She whispered, “you’re not going to… run now, are you-”

“Never,” he retorted. “Never. I’ve got all the time in the world for you. I wish I would have gotten to say some things first, before I had a prophet tell us our future apparently, but…”

“Oh yeah?” she mumbled, placing a hand to his chest. She peered up at him, her chin nestled on the fur mantle of his cloak. “What would you have told me?”

“I thought we were taking things slow,” he jested.

“Humor me.”

“… Well I… That I love you, Essie.” He swallowed thickly.

Essätha hummed, offering a modest smile. “Jubaeta’s follower didn’t tell me you loved me.”

“She said we’d be wed,” Amon reminded her a bit uncomfortably.

“You do not have to love someone to marry them,” she countered, still grinning with a twinkle in her gaze. “I was wrong. You’ve still got plenty of surprises to reveal before you propose to me.”

His jaw dropped, and she laughed.

“I thought we agreed to go slow-”

“Oh we will,” she confirmed, resting her cheek to his shoulder once more. “I just had to pull your leg a little bit. I…” She inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. “I love you too, Amon. I don’t want to rush anything, but you told me how you felt, I think it’s only fair that you… know I feel the same.”

The corners of his mouth tugged higher. “I do enjoy hearing you say it.”

Her eyebrows dragged down. “You didn’t think I loved you?”

“I didn’t feel like I deserved your love, is more of the problem. I still don’t.”

She grazed her fingers through his hair. “It looks like I’ve got plenty of time to convince you otherwise.”

Amon tilted his head to rest his cheek against the top of her head. He shuddered, snuggling closer as her fingers continued brushing through his locks. His head nuzzled against hers, and she closed her eyes; at peace.

“Take your time, Ess. I’m willing to wait, however long it takes.”

[asrasbabe]

liron meeting muriel

liron isn’t too proud to admit that he got lost. he is a little embarrassed, though. he didn’t want to be caught stumbling through the overgrown woods, no matter how beautiful it was. no, liron was cold, wet and near the brink of tears. he was convinced he’d never find home and that the night, growing across the treetops, would eat him in this forest.

he was praying to the gods that asra would appear out of nowhere and guide him home like he normally pops out when he’s upset. but, it had been hours since he started feeling as hopeless as he did, and even longer since he water was being poured on him from the sky and he was freezing under his wet clothes. it wasn’t supposed to be raining today, what brought this on? he was angry at the universe, angry at himself.

he finally sat upon a rock and sniffled. his eyebrows knitted together, hoping that his tensing would radiate at least some heat. by looking at him, you couldn’t tell if he was crying or if it was just the rain, and he himself didn’t really know either. his forehead fell into the palm of his hands and he gave up on holding the posture asra was always so keen on him having. his eye lids wrinkled at the clenching of them. he let out a frustrated groan. he didn’t know what else to do.

after sitting for a moment, something warm fell in his lap. warm and hairy. he let out a small yelp and fell to the side of the rock at the sight of the wolf in front of him. this is it, he thought. this is really it. i’m going to die and it’s all because i can’t navigate myself for shit.

the wolf took another step forward and liron closed his eyes tightly with his back against a tree. the wolf only grabbed lightly on his sleeve and tugged a bit. liron slowly opened his eyes only to be met with two bright yellow ones. he flinched slightly with how close they were but after a moment of nothing he let his guard down.

the wolf in front of him ran away some large amount of feet but then sat and waited for liron to follow. liron quickly stood to his feet but approached the wolf slowly. the wolf continued to lead the way, surprisingly not harming liron in the slightest and even ending up helping him.

the wolf walked up to a door of a hut. liron felt safe near the area but the sharp winds distracted him from why and caused his focus to be set on getting inside and warming up. the wolf scratched at the door a lightly before it opened. the man in front of liron was shockingly handsome to him. the first thing he thought when he looked at him was, oh wow.

it took a moment not too long, not too short, for the man to notice liron standing next to what he only assumed was a familiar animal to him. his eyes widened at your shoes and even more at your face.

“why’re you here?” the words were bitter and sharp. the ‘you’ was exaggerated as if they knew each other and this was an unwelcome suprise visit between old friends.

“wha- i- i didn’t mean to, i’m sorry-“ he was not only glaring at me but had his nose up at the wolf as well. “he-“ liron gestured to the wolf.

“she!” the man’s eyebrows were sewn together even further if possible.

“sh-she brought me h-here.” liron couldn’t tell if he was stuttering from how hard his jaw was shaking or if he was nervous. maybe both. his eyebrows softened but his shoulders did not. “i-i’m really sorry, i’ll leave-“

“no, it’s freezing...you can stay until the storm is done with.” the man could see the obvious relief in liron’s features at the offer as he stepped aside to let both his wolf and the man in front of him in.

liron walked in, feeling bad about dripping all over the floor but the man didn’t seem to care about that more than the fact that he was in his area at all. he took in every detail of the cozy new environment. “go by the fire.” even though the man’s back was turned, liron smiled and nodded.

he quickly stripped himself of his wet shoes and jacket and shirt, setting them beside him in a neat pile. the man with a blanket in his arms turned around to find his wolf snuggling up next to the small man...who was half naked in his house. the man’s cheeks grew red as he tossed the blanket over to liron and turned away to the small kitchen (which was really just a stove and fridge in a corner) and began making something. “thank you,” liron spoke quietly, the fire almost ate his voice up but the man managed to hear him.

the two were silent. the only noise was the crackling of the fire and stirring of whatever the man was making. “what’s her name?” liron asked, a bit louder this time. the man was silent for a long moment to a point where liron thought he didn’t hear him and was debating whether he should ask again or keep quiet. “inanna,” liron smile at the response, mostly to the happy looking wolf next to him.

“that’s a beautiful name.” the man didn’t say anything, only continued stirring. “what about you? what’s your name?” he continued with his silence. “i’m liron,”

“i know.” liron’s eyes widened at the man’s words but he didn’t ask how, assuming he would tell him if he wanted. a quiet moment passed before the larger man spoke up again, “i’m... muriel.”

liron smiled immediately just as the man - muriel, turned around with a bowl of soup in each hand. “that’s a beautiful name, as well.” muriel only grumbled at liron’s words and handed him the soup. “thank you,” liron continued smiling.

they ate in silence, muriel sitting as far away as comfortably possible from liron but inanna continued to sit with liron by the fire. muriel couldn’t help but steal glances at liron’s exposed chest under the covers. he admired how his skin glowed under the firelight. he thought it was funny how his tan line was so obvious, he didn’t see how liron could be any paler but his torso showed it to be possible.

liron accidentally fell asleep in the uncomfortable silence. his energy was drained from running and freezing his ass off outside. muriel didn’t mind, in fact, he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. the blanket fell from over his chest at some point in his rest, muriel felt the strong urge to go and cover liron back up, not just for liron’s warmth but for his own comfort.

liron’s eyes opened. he knew he was somewhere familiar but he couldn’t tell why it was familiar or why he had his head resting on the side of a large wolf. he sat up quickly and looked around. the wolf didn’t even pick up her head, only snored slightly.

he coughed harshly into his elbow before his eyes caught on muriel, “ah- you’re up.”

“why am i here?” muriel’s eyes widened at liron’s words. he tended and walked over to a bookshelf and tossed a bag at liron, a familiar scent of myrrh flew into his lungs. “o-oh, muriel! i’m sorry, i don’t know why i forgot-“

“it’s- it’s a spell.” muriel’s face was red, he looked very uncomfortable.

“you’re a magician?” liron smiled lightly but muriel only shrugged.

the storm had stopped so liron put his damp clothes back on and slipped the myrrh in his pocket. “thank you, i’ll bring you some of your favorite food as repayment?”

“what? no, i don’t...need repayment.”

“of course you do! you’ve helped me when i needed it, you deserve something good! cmon, what’s your favorite food?” muriel couldn’t face liron with the words he was spewing.

“food is food...i’ll take whatever, i guess.” his grumbles made it difficult for liron to figure out what he was saying but liron managed.

he gasped lightly as a joke, “no favorite food! well, i cannot let that slide. food is a delicacy that must be enjoyed thoroughly. i’ll bring by an assortment and we will have a good taste testing!” liron smiled and began walking off before muriel could object. “thank you, again! i’ll be back soon!” liron ran off out of sight.

muriel closed the door and glanced at inanna who wagged her tail at the sight of muriel’s face. a quiet knock at the door startled muriel. he quickly turned and cracked the door open to see liron who was red in the face and refusing to look at muriel.

“uhm... which way is vesuvia?”

————————————————————

MY BOYS. THEIR STORY IS GONNA BE SO CUTE

[laserdog10]

Basically Cinder in my headcanon: part 50

Citrus: Thanks so much for letting me spend the night, Mrs. Fall!

Cinder: If by "spend the night" you mean sneak you out of your house, with the help of your mother, so your idiot of a dad won't bury my son six feet under, just so you two could be together with no worry, then you owe me.

Ash: She means thank you, as much as it would kill her to say it outright.

*In context, the youngest child of the Arc-Rose family has a crush on Kain, the eldest child of Cinder and Vlad. This would be a great thing, if her father Jaune Arc, didn't exactly...approve of the relationship. Neither did Ruby, but she was at least making an effort to believe Cinder has changed for the better, viewing the pyromancer's family as proof of such. So when Ruby heard her littlest daughter ask (moreso beg) to get to know the family better from the inside, Ruby and Vlad, Cinder's vampire bat Faunus husband, devised a plan to sneak Citrus out of the house without Jaune's knowledge, and have her stay at the Fall-Caliban's for one night*

Vlad: Please be nice, Cindy, it wasn't easy sneaking her out of there.

Citrus: Thank you Mr-wait, "Cindy?"

Ash: Dad's pet name for mom. *Citrus snickers at the information, earning a look of annoyance from Cinder* Your folks have any nicknames for each other?

Citrus: My mom calls dad "Vomit Boy," while he calls her Crater Face.

Vlad: Awwww!

Cinder: Ew.....

Kain: *coming downstairs in a gray t-shirt and black sweatpants* Alright, enough of the lovey-dovey talk, is dinner done dad?

Vlad: *gasp* The meatloaf!!! *speeds off to the kitchen*

Citrus: Wow, and I thought mom and Aunt Blake had fast Semblances...

Ash: No Semblance, just magic and weird physical prowess.

Citrus: Well alright then! *they two girls walk to the kitchen, but Citrus stops as she gets to Kain, just for a brief hug* It's good to be near you.

Kain: You too, Half-pint. *pecks her on the cheek, making her gasp in surprise*

*Dinner went wonderfully. Everyone made small chit-chat, jokes, or told stories of times past. Citrus went into detail about how she could communicate with animals, how it was a surprise for her, and how it was probably the greatest of her life, being able to speak to the family corgi, Zwei, and the five wolves Ruby adopted, Null, Drei, Vier, Funf, and Sechs. The table was a little speechless about the wolf part but laughed it off as it was just Ruby being Ruby. Kain and Ash told how they discovered their Semblances too, what they're weapons were, and that Ash was an unplanned baby, but a happy unplanned baby for her family. All in all, Citrus could tell that the family before wasn't as bad as her dad said it would be. As dinner ended, Kain had an idea before they all turned in for the night*

Kain: Hey Citrus, mind if I show you something?

Citrus, Uhhh, yeah, what is it?

Kain: Well, hang on. *gets up and pushes his chair in* I'll be right back, we're gonna have to go outside for this, lemme get some socks first. *he said as he jogged upstairs*

Ash: Oh geez, he can't be serious?

Cinder: This late at night?

Vlad: ...

Citrus: What, what's going on?

*The three family members looked amongst each other, very unsure of what to say*

Vlad: Citrus, sweetie, uh...a long time ago, when Kain was maybe eleven and Ash was 6, they...made a little friend, out in the woods.

Cinder: *irritated* It's an abomination is what it is.

Ash: Hey, Scarr only scratched me once, and it barely hurt or left a mark!

Citrus: *"Scarr??? Who-er, what is he and why did hurt Ash?!" Before her inner worries could go further, Kain returned in black socks and proceeded to the back door to put on his tennis shoes with a red flame decal*

Kain: Ready! Wanna come along? It's about time we fed Scarr something, poor guy must be starving by now. Mind grabbing the steak from the fridge, I'll be waiting outside!

Citrus: ...

-Later in the woods-

*The short huntress walked alongside her half-Faunus boyfriend, holding a cold steak in a tupperware container, the moonlight cascading in a wave of silver beams through the trees*

Citrus: Kain, if you don't mind me asking, and sorry if this comes off as rude, but who the heck is Scarr?!?!?!

Kain: You'll see. *he said calmly, hiding his childly excitement*

*They made it to a small clearing, moonlight illuminating the area, to the opposite of them was a gnarly looking hut, comprised of dead twigs, branches, dried leaves, and old stones holding the thing together. What stuck out to the young redhead, was the series of gashes and claw marks around the entrance and trees near the edge of the clearing, hundreds of red flags going off in Citrus' head*

Citrus: *gulps, "Okay okay, big scary ominous hut in the middle of clearing in the dense forest, but it could be fine?! Maybe it's just a homeless person living off the land and Kain and his family are taking care of him, yeah!"*

Kain: C'mere Scarr, here boy! *claps hands* Got some food for tonight, you want some buddy, c'mown out and get it!

... ... ...

Citrus: Kain, who. Is. Sc-

*Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

*Citrus froze, a deer in headlights, her entire body running cold as the blood-curdling growl broke the silence in the forest. She slowly and fearfully turned to face the hut...the world around her shattered, she stared face to face with the eyes, well, eye of a Grimm Creep, its right eye marred over by a hideous scar, two prominent canines on its lower jaw. It's nightmarish appearance didn't stop there, as it put forward one of its brutish claws the other following soon after, Citrus' heart ready to explode out of her chest as the..."Creep" was now in the light of the moon. It's back was practically a hunch, in its right shoulder was a dagger and broken arrow, the front-left of the creature's back was massive gash, presumably left by a massive blade form a previous Hunter encounter. It's legs were more put to the back, thought still on the sides and appearing like hands, in front of the larger hands were two smaller and forked claws, the outer claw longer than the inner one. Could she even call this...thing a Creep at all? She snapped out of her thoughts when the beast looked at her, maw drooling and lips forming into a snarl. With a lunge, it bounded towards her, Citrus responding by shielding herself with the tupperware, however...*

Kain: *leaps in front of the Creep, holding his hand out to stop it* Easy there, Scarr, she's not gonna hurt you...

Scarr: *growls but backs down*

Kain: There ya' go.

Citrus: ...h-huh...?

*As she opened her eyes, she saw Kain slowly and gingerly lowering himself to his knees, Scarr doing the same onto his belly, occasionally letting a short growl as he breathed*

Citrus: K-Kain...???

Kain: This, is Scarr. He's an...Alpha Creep? At least that's what my mom thinks. Ash and I met him when we were kids, er-I say "met" when we actually stumbled into his pack's territory, and mom and dad killed all but him, poor guy was so out of it and barely had any fight left in him. You can only do so much with a wounded eye and back, y'know? Go ahead an pet him, his face is really smooth!

Citrus: Okay...*she carefully walked towards Scarr, holding the steak in front of her in case her leapt at her again, but found he was staying on the ground,, calm as can be. Raising her free hand to pet his boney plated face, she found it similar to bone, but had a granite like smoothness to it* Wow, there's barely any friction...!

Kain: Weird ain't it?! Oh you can give him the steak now, almost forgot about that. We don't you want starvwing now would we, no we don't! *he said in a playful cooing voice, scratching the bottom of his beastly friends' chin.*

Citrus: Ah, right! *she pops the lid off, pulling out the frozen steak. Doing so, Scarr almost immediately broke out his comfortable trance, snapping at the delicious, meaty morsel and scarfing it down whole*

Kain: Damn, someone's been hungry!

Citrus: *giggles* And I thought Garnet was a fast eater.

Kain: *laughs heartily, but his smile fades a little* Hey, Citrus, I'm sorry if this scared you tonight. I was just really excited to show you this tonight. If I would've shown my friends at school Scarr, they would've almost immediately called some Hunter to come kill him. He may be on his last legs, but I at least want Scarr to pass knowing what kindness feels like, what with the "Grimm feed on negativity" mumbo jumbo.

Citrus: *goes quiet for a moment, but smiles* No, it's alright Kain. I had a wonderful night. I got to sneak out of my house, I got to meet your amazing family, and I got to pet a Grimm, name one person on Remnant that could do that! Well, besides you, heh.

Kain: Really? That's awesome. *pulls arm around her, causing her to blush* The best part tonight though? I get to look at you under the stars~.

Citrus: *red as a tomato* C-cool. *She stammered out. As they began to sit there, Citrus looked back to Scarr, still laying down, breathing more laxly. She then focused her sight on him, eyes glowing their lime green color as she used her Semblance to talk to Scarr...maybe. Right out the gate, she was bombarded with a million thoughts, all in a gravely voice, saying word after word, no sentence structure or pause to break*

"Master. Happy. Comfortable. Fed. Peaceful. Quiet. New person. Kind. No danger. Caring. Harmless. Loving."

*Citrus stopped, taken aback by the sudden rush of words, but smiled when she thought on it more. Scarr actually liked her and Kain's presence, and found no threat to them being there. Sure he could easily slaughter them right now, as could they, but...he didn't want to, he found no need to. That alone was enough for her to feel safe.*

[wonderlandmind4]

Delicate Stages Drabbles: 20

Without You...

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x OFC

Summary: Drabbles following Delicate Stages. Looking into the life of Bucky and Ana.

Warnings: Language. Angst. Sad. Fluff kinda. Trauma. 

Words: 7,330

A/N: Sorry this took forever to post, my life has had a streak of bad luck lately. But here it is! This chapter and the ones to follow will follow some canon from End Game (which goes to say, there are spoilers, but hopefully everyone has seen it by now.) I struggled a little with this one, so hopefully you like it! I feel like my writing in this one was a bit different to reflect how Ana reacts. (Do not read unless you’ve read Delicate Stages first)

Previously on Delicate Stages Drabbles:

Ana breaks eye contact, a thought crashing through the blankness in her mind. She looks down at her body, shimmering waves encase her. The rings aren’t activated. The glow is her own power source, her own energy shield. Protecting. Protection. Protection for herself. Protection to keep her safe. Protection for-

“Steve,” Ana exhales as her body begins to tremble all over. Her fists clutching at he dirt where her husband vanished before her eyes.

Her vision blurs, her head swimming. Her chest is utterly empty. She meets his gaze, a complex of emotions storming in his eyes. Ana wraps her arms around her middle. Protecting. Like she tried to do with…Bucky. Like he tried to do with her. Protecting her. Protecting them.

“I’m pregnant.”

***

Silence.

Utter, still silence. Silence is a numb caress over an empty shell; a numb empty chest, a vacant heart. Silence burns through veins like the horrors of torture. Silence is crushing. Silence is broken by mimicking sounds of thunder rolling in the thick air. Silence is tainted by horror, confusion, cries of anguish. Time slowly ticks by, seconds morphing into minutes.

Ana blinks the burning dryness from her eyes from staring unseeingly. She must have blocked her surroundings out, absently wondering if there’s an empty hole through her chest. It has taken her a good amount of time to barely register sitting on a fallen log. She must have been moved, taken her away from that spot and sat her down. Someone is next to her, their hand on her wrist; a solid comforting grip. Her right hand laid protectively over her stomach.

Fallen leaves and grass rustle to her right and a small, black hand touches her knee. Ana looks up from her lap. The talking racoon from early is there, gazing up at her with a disheartening expression. He removes his hand in favor of picking something up, holding it out to her.

It’s a gun. Bucky’s gun. He’s offering her Bucky’s gun. The one he had used to fight a war he didn’t truly want too, but did because people needed him. The one that dropped from his deteriorating fingers. If Ana could feel anything at the moment, she would probably cry.

She lifts her hands, the person beside her releasing their hold. Ana accepts the heavy M249 paratrooper gun, resting it carefully on her lap. She nods in gratitude at the little guy. He hops up next to her, placing his hand on her arm, something akin to another form of twisted comfort through grief.

“Rocket,” He supplies, speaking so quietly, she almost misses it.

“Ana,” She thinks she murmurs back.

She grips the gun with her left hand, then moves her right over her stomach once more. Tired footsteps heavily approach them, Ana suddenly staring at a dirty pair of combat boots in her line of sight. There’s a sense of failure in the stirring air, thickening the chaos; Ana ignores it.

“We should go,” Steve suggests quitely, a slight tremor in his voice. “We…we shouldn’t- I don’t think we should stay here.”

A wave of nausea curls through Ana’s stomach. Leave? Leave to go where? Leave her home? The home she and Bucky- Ana blinks. Her home is gone. Faded away. Crumbled between her fingers, helpless to prevent it.

“Ana,” That’s Natasha’s voice. Sitting to her left, squeezing her arm. How does she sound so gentle? “Do you want to stay here, or come with us?”

“Nat…”

“It’s her choice, Steve,” She tells him. To Ana she continues, “It’s up to you. I know your hom-“

“I’ll go,” Ana’s voice sounds strange in her own ears. As if someone else is speaking for her. Finally, she lifts her head to meet Natasha’s shinning green eyes. “I need to get…can I bring…”

She shakes her head, biting her lip hard. Waves of emotions rolls through her veins like ice. She ignores it once more.

“Gather some things?” Natasha supplies knowingly. “Of course.”

“I don’t want you going alone,” Steve input. He sounds so…broken.

“I can go with her,” Rocket volunteers. “Why not, I’m already hitching a ride back with you lot anyway.”

He jumps off the log, brushing his hands on his vest. Ana hasn’t moved, until Rocket firmly pats her knee twice; she feels waves of despair coming from him. Gripping the gun, she slowly stands up, swaying just slightly. Two pairs of hands quickly steady her.

Steve lifts his hands for the weapon. “Let me take this to the jet,” He coaxes gently.

She yanks it to her chest, eyes burning as she glares at him. His jaw clenches, chest stuttering. There’s a strange glow around the gun, as if a sunbeam enlightens the weapon. It takes a few seconds for Ana to realize, it’s her. Protecting a weapon. Protecting Bucky’s weapon.

A flash of hurt, pain, shines in Steve’s blue eyes. “I swear I’ll keep it safe,” He whispers.

Cautiously, he places his hand over hers. But instead of rebounding back from her own energy field, the light slowly envelops Steve. Odd. Finally, she nods and the glow fades away.

*

Walking feels like wading through a rip current, difficult and stumbling. Several times, Ana halts in her tracks, looks around, only to realize she is leading them the wrong way. Her lip quivers, her chest burns, her skin prickles, then Rocket calls her name. She inhales, her stomach churns, she exhales. Once more, her skin is glowing and everything she was trying to hold off nearly comes crashing down on her.

The entire country is in shock; horror-struck. The entire country is left in bewilderment. Left in mourning, in agony. Ana feels every single ounce of it, beginning to break apart her bones. Weighing her down into the depths of the Earth where she so temptingly wants to curl up under and never rise.

With trembling fingers, she twists each ring on, settling the chaos inside her mind, throughout her body. It only lasts a minute before the rings feel like it’s amping up her own dark energy. She doesn’t linger on the thought of how it happened, or why, she just turns the rings off, and continues walking.

They stop by the village first. Usually, a few baby goats will run right over in greeting, with older goats lazily grazing along the grass, waiting for their caretakers to return. None of the goats are in sight. No loud bleats of hellos, no soft headbutts, no inpatient baah’s.

Instead, there is only a few of the village people crying out in sobs to the sky. The children…Ana only sees two of them, in the tight clutches of not their parents’ arms, but of others. She turns away from the scene.

Walking into the hut feels empty. Quiet. Wrong. The last time she was here was when T’Challa brought Bucky his new and improved arm. Ana stares at their makeshift bed. Images of early morning giggles, mid-day exhausted cuddles and lazy nighttime kisses flash through her head.

Abruptly she turns on her heel. There is nothing but phantom memories lingering in the hut.

*

The trek to the apartment takes a longer. Twice, the heaviness of what happened, of what Thanos had succeeded in doing, finally overtakes Ana. She falls to her knees each time, digging her fingers into the soft ground of the earth. Dirt beneath her fingernails, gripping at sand and roots and the crying earth. Wishing, praying, hoping it’s all a horrible nightmare. Hoping that, when she grinds her knuckles into the ground, that she will be able to pull Bucky back from the same dirt he vanished from.

The field pluses with a wave of energy, disturbing the grass and trees in the near distance. The air ceases in her lungs, but she doesn’t try fighting to gain it back. Her husband isn’t there to help her. Her soulmate isn’t there to comfort her. Her Bucky…

Is gone.

Vaguely, she hears voices trying to speak to her, but she can’t make out the words. Instead, she attempts to focus internally. After a great deal of effort and some sort of willpower she didn’t know she still had, she pulls herself together. She channels everything she feels, the broken, defeated energy and chaotic emotions, and locks it inside. It sits heavy in her chest, but the ground has stopped shaking like an earthquake.

Finally, Ana breathes again, panting heavily. With stiff fingers, she releases the dirt, pulling her hands from the earth. She wipes at a wet itch on her cheek, her eyes glancing at Steve who knelt to her level. Some of the anguish Ana is feeling is reflected in his stormy blue eyes as he lifts his hand.

He gently swipes his fingers across her cheek, either wiping away the dirt track or tears, she doesn’t know. But that look in his eyes, the expression on his face; he gets it. He understands. He’s broken too. Beaten, bruised, dirty and broken. They all are.

With an odd grimace of despair, Steve offers his hand to her. Ana wraps her fingers around his, allowing him to help her up. No words are spoken, just a shared sense of heartbreak. Dropping his hand abruptly, Ana continues the way.

*

Stepping foot in the apartment feels like stepping out of her own body. Ana feels the emptiness the second she walked over the threshold. She begins to welcome it without resistance, moving through their home like she’s in a trance.

The first thing she does is enter their room, as if Bucky’s presence is beckoning her. The bedroom smells like him; strong from the shower they took just hours before. Ana clenches her fists. A pop of shattering glass snaps her out of it.

She looks at the lamp on their bedside table, broken pieces of white glass now lay at the base of the lamp. She blinks, unclenches her fists and continues. She carefully grabs Bucky’s pillow, her mind escaping as her fingers graze the fabric.

“Babe,” A chuckle leaves Bucky’s lips, “what in the hell are you doing?”

Picking her head up from his pillow on their bed, Ana grins at him. “Stealing your pillow, what does it look like?”

He lifts a skeptical eyebrow. “Looks like you were inhaling it. Creep.”

But his goofy smile looks like he found it endearing. Ana pokes her tongue out at him, climbing off their bed.

“I’m staying with Pepper for a week since she’s on bed rest and I’m going to miss you. So, I’m taking your pillow hostage. Don’t pretend you don’t do the same when I’m gone.”

Bucky catches her waist, pulling her closer and kissing her forehead. “Guilty. We’re both creeps.”

Ana smacks him with the pillow.

Swallowing the thick lump in her throat at the memory that invaded her mind, Ana moves on. She finds the small lock box they keep their marriage license, and passports in. She spots the kintsukuroi art piece, carefully wrapping one of Bucky’s shirts- the red Henley- around it. She slowly gathers a few more items and a mixture of both their clothes, ending with a stack of journals. She gently thumbs over the withered leather cover of the one she received as a gift.

Bucky hands a small, thin journal to her. Confused, Ana lowers her coffee mug and takes it. Bucky is blushing slightly as he sits next to her, a shy smile on his lips. She opens the journal to the first page, reading over the words scribbled half in cursive, half in print. Immediately her eyes begin to fill with tears. She looks up, lost for words.

“I know it’s not the greatest birthday gift, but t’s from my heart,” Bucky shrugs sheepishly. He nervously plays with her wedding bands, spinning the rings around her finger. “Not too long after I met you, Annie, I started writing letters…to my mother.”

“Bucky…”

“Sam suggested it. Figured it could help me in some way. He was right, but don’t tell him that.” He chuckles, lacing his fingers with hers. “Anyway, I started writing these little…notes, as if she could read them. I told her about you. How you made me feel, how I was beginning to fall in love with you.”

He scratches his chin. “I guess they’re really love letters to you, if you think about it. This was the only journal I never showed you. Until now.”

Ana lifts the journal, pressing it to her chest. She’s about to respond, when something falls to her lap.

“That too,” He mumbles, ducking his face into her hair.

She picks up the item from her lap, holding it between her fingers. It’s a thin gold necklace, with a tiny, delicate snowflake pendant. It’s simple, it’s beautiful, it’s making her feel emotional. Ana shifts, puts down the journal and lifts her husband’s head.

“James,” Ana sighs happily, cupping his neck. Bucky’s cheeks always turn darker and his eyes always flutter when she calls him by his first name. “This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing this with me, it means so much to you, and me. I love you so much. Snowflake.”

Bucky beams, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He presses his forehead against hers. “Love you too, Annie. In case you didn’t know,” He laughs along with her. “Happy birthday, my love.”

Ana lightly touches the necklace hidden under her shirt. Her Snowflake. Her chest aches. She carefully puts the journals in the bag she found and quickly leaves their room. His smell is everywhere, his presence lingers in the air, his laughter and words echo through her ears. The phantom caress of his touch fades from her hands.

She stumbles into the living room, clutching at the counter of the kitchen bar for support. Her chest is constricting, her heart aching. Steve is by her side in an instant with instructions to breath slowly. His nearly bruising grip on her elbow is enough to shift her focus to the physical feeling rather than the internal ones.

Rocket has been inspecting the living room, trying to respect Ana’s space. He spots a rustic wooden frame, a date carved at the bottom. He studies the picture placed behind the glass, then carefully picks it up. He figures it’s something she may want.

“This important?” He inquires knowingly, holding the frame out.

It takes a moment for Ana to realize someone else spoke to her. She blinks slowly, regaining her breath, then turns to see what Rocket said. He’s holding up one of the pictures from their wedding day. Her favorite picture. With unstable steps and trembling hands, she reaches out to take the photo from him.

“Annie Doll,” Bucky sighs lovingly in her ear, his hand grazing her neck. She feels his ring against her skin, making her shiver. Of course, his lips grazing her skin don’t help either. “I don’t mind a few pictures.”

Ana turns her head, placing a light kiss to his jaw. “I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable, babe,” she pauses, then grins mischievously. “Plus, I spotted a supply closet earlier.”

“Шалунья,” Her husband breathes hotly in her ear. It nearly makes her moan. Abruptly, Bucky picks her up by her waist, suddenly spinning her around in the air.

“Bucky!” Ana shouts gleefully, laughing along with him.

The bright, elated smile on his beautiful face makes her heart melt. Their noses brush, Ana closes her eyes, the wind around them, making her feel like she’s flying. She’s been flying ever since she met Bucky.

“I love you, Mrs. Barnes,” Bucky says breathlessly.

Ana gently traces the picture, caught in the moment when Bucky spun her around. She grits her teeth, clenches one fist. If her heart hadn’t already faded with Bucky, it would shatter. She can’t speak, just gently places the photo it in the bag. The one filled with all the important stuff; his pillow, his soap, his journals, Nutella, their marriage certificate, five more pictures, the kintsukuroi.

Lastly, she moves to the kitchen, only taking one thing. The sonogram from the refrigerator door.

Ana can feel how soft her expression is as she stares at her husband, who squints confusingly at the picture. He tilts his head, first to the left, then right, then flips the picture over. Recognition dawns over his face, his mouth dropping in a small O.

“Now I see it,” Bucky announces, nodding determinedly.

Ana narrows her eyes, her legs over his lap and one finger playing with his hair. “No, you don’t.” She calls his bluff.

He groans in disappointment, dropping his head back with a sad pout on his lips. “No, I don’t.”

Tilting his head back up with her fingers, she takes his wrist to bring the sonogram closer to their faces. She circles the image with her finger after she releases his wrist.

“See this circle here?” She begins, then slides her finger over as he nods. “And this tiny little speck-“

“That? That little thing?”

“Yes, that little thing is the baby. Our baby.”

Bucky exhales. “Our baby,” His voice is thick with emotion. “It’s so small. Like a little bean.”

He turns to smile brightly at her, his pure blue eyes misty. Returning his smile, she pushes his hair back behind his ear, leaning forward to kiss his scruffy cheek.

“Exactly. Our little bean.”

“Ana,” Steve’s soft voice shakes slightly behind her, but he doesn’t say more.

Maybe he just called her name to comfort her, maybe he can no longer find any words to comfort her. Maybe he’s just reminding her that she isn’t alone. Whatever the reason, she’s broken out of the recent memory, pressing the sonogram to her chest.

Ana finds both Steve and Rocket staring at her with expressions she doesn’t want and can’t decipher. She nods once at them, carefully slipping the sonogram between he pages of the journal in the bag.

“Is there anything else?” Rocket questions cautiously.

Ana notices Steve from the corner of her eye, two smaller picture frames from the same display as the wedding photo. She catches a glimpse of the photos; one from the wedding of them, the other, a black and white photo from simpler times. Steve tucks them carefully his belt, his glistening eyes snapping over to her quickly before turning away.

“No,” She answers, the word barely making it past her lips.

As they silently make their way out of her and Bucky’s home, Ana spots his jacket in the corner of the couch. With her left hand over her stomach, she reaches out her right one, shaking as she grabs the jacket. It smells like Bucky. The whole apartment does. He’s everywhere and nowhere. He’s gone, vanished, faded away. Ana turns, and quickly walks out of their home, because if she stays there any longer, she will fade too.

Avengers Compound: 5 days Later

Steve stares at the holographic screens in front of him, watching as his friends, his family, pop up as missing. His eyes slide to the climbing red numbers on top of the screen; the count hasn’t stopped for days.

Shuri. Hope and Hank Pym. Peter Parker. Sam. Wanda, Scott Lang. T’Challa. The list goes on and on; , faces he’s heard of, face he knows.

An image catches the corner of his eye, moving his gaze to stare of the face of his best friend. Missing. Gone. Dusted right in front of him, right in front of Ana, and he couldn’t do anything to stop it. He lost. They lost. He failed.

His grip tightens over the edge of the table, only pulling away when he realizes his fingers made cracks in the polished wood. Steve drops his head, feeling the tension build in his shoulders and some bruises lingering from the fight. Blowing out a long breath, he pinches the bridge of his nose pressing into the corner of his eyes to fight off the sting of unshed tears.

Finally lifting his head, he looks at Natasha, staring at the screens with glassy eyes, chewing on her fingernail. Colonel Rhodes is sitting in another chair, keeping careful watch for any signals to pop up on a location device. Thor had agreed to come back with them, but the god has barely moved from the bench small back porch outside. He’s been nearly as quiet as Ana since they got back.

A new flutter of anxiety pangs through his chest, realizing he hasn’t checked on her in several minutes. He was too busy wishing the numbers would stop. Steve looks around the room to find her. She’s not in the corner she was sitting in three minutes ago, but that doesn’t surprise him. What does, is how utterly silent she’s become; entering and exiting a room without Steve even knowing. He shakes his head.

“This is a nightmare,” He sighs forlornly, his voice hardening. “A fucking nightmare.”

“I’ve had better nightmares,” Natasha mumbles behind her fingers, sounding as if she’s miles away. There’s a pause. “Ezra is gone.”

If there was one thing that could possibly give them a strange sense of comfort, it would be the cat. When they arrived back, Ana was slow to get off the jet, as if it pained her to do so. She didn’t speak a word, to anyone since they left her home, but Steve kept a close eye on her, extremely concerned about her well-being. He knew when she began looking for the cat, and he knew she couldn’t find him when she quietly sat herself in the corner by the window.

Her body keeps fading in and out of the golden light, as does some of the power. Steve wants so badly to comfort her, to give her a long overdue hug, assure her that they’ll fix this. But he can’t, because it could all be a lie. There are promises he can’t make, and he won’t give her a false hope, just to have her heart break again. She wouldn’t be able to handle it physically.

“Has she eaten?” Inquires a new voice entering the room. “Because she’s getting weaker.”

Steve turns his back on the screens, giving their new powerful friend, Carol Danvers, his full attention. She appeared up out of nowhere just two days after they arrived back to New York. She was baffled as to what happened to Earth and Nick Fury, especially after he sent her an emergency signal. Her unannounced arrival was the first time Ana spoke in 48 hours.

“Her energy…she’s powerful. Immensely. Maybe she can find Tony...if he’s alive.”

Natasha rubs her temples. “No. And she’s refusing any medical care.”

Hearing the anger in her voice, Steve speaks up. “Pepper is on her way. Maybe if Ana sees her…” He trails off, not believing his own words.

“Let’s hope,” Nat mumbles. Her eyes snaps to his. “Did you know? Did anyone know?”

Placing his hands on his hips, he swallows the thick lump in his throat, shaking his head. He’s not sure if Bucky knew.

“This isn’t healthy for her…or the baby,” Natasha finally collapses in one of the chairs.

“She’s powerful, you know,” Carol states, the tiniest smirk lifting her mouth. “More than she lets on. The energy levels admitting from her is chaotic right now, but she’s strong.” She squints her eyes in thought, appraising Steve. “Shouldn’t the baby be fine since half its DNA is from a super soldier?”

“It’s a possibility,” Natasha muses sadly. “Since a version of the serum was embedded into his genetic code.”

“But since this is the first pregnancy in this case, we won’t know unless symptoms show up,” He informs quietly. “With her or the baby.”

Before anyone else can respond, a sharp beep cuts through the air. A sense of pride and triumph flashes across Carol’s face before she across the room to another computer. She grabs the device she hooked up, turning to show them the screen.

“I found something.”

A week later:

Ana stumbles out of her bathroom, sweaty and wiping her mouth, barely making it to the bed she hasn’t slept in for two years. Pepper’s hands gently guide her down, so she doesn’t fall off. She forces a glass of water into her hand, and a piece of dry toast in the other. Her cousin doesn’t have to say anything, but the pointed glare with her pinched lips gives Ana the impression that if she doesn’t eat and drink, there will be hell to pay. So, she tries.

“I promise you’ll feel better after you eat,” Pepper assures her gently, taking away the now empty glass. “The toast really helped me when I was going through this at 9 weeks.”

Ana forces a breath from her nose, begrudgingly nibbling at the bread. She allows Pepper to hold her hand, squeezing for comfort. She’s been here for the past two days now, waiting. Waiting to see if Tony is still alive, if he didn’t get dusted like everyone else.

Tears burn at Ana’s eyes, but they don’t fall. Instead, she blinks rapidly, and takes a bigger bite. Pepper looks so stressed, worried, heartbroken. With a rather uncharacteristic like thought, Ana realizes she can feel Pepper’s emotions, and also realizes she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t want to help; use her ability to calm her cousin. She slowly pulls her hand away from Pepper’s.

“Parenting is hard,” Pepper states suddenly. Gone is her gentle tone. “It’s hard, and terrifying. You lose sleep, probably some sanity, and you might definitely need help. It’s usually a two person job, Ana.”

She takes another bite.

“But, sometimes, that second parent isn’t there, and the parent that is left has to step up and be both parents. That’s even harder. It’s double the work, double the sacrifice, and double the love. But it’s hard, and if that one parent doesn’t think they can handle it-“

“Pep,” Ana cuts her off with a warning tone. “Stop.”

Pepper’s eyes grow sad, but she keeps her words to herself. Instead, she pushes the damp hair sticking to Ana’s forehead aside as she lays back.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Or anyone else?”

“You didn’t,” Ana mumbles haughtily. “And, first trimester.”

“Please allow a doctor to look at you,” Pepper pleads softly, her eyes watering.

“Who’s that going to be?” She remarks bitterly, wincing as her stomach rolls again.

“You need to take care of yourself, Bug. All this…emotional stress can be dangerous to you both.”

“I’m tired, Pepper,” Ana sighs, only half lying as her eyes close.

She hears her cousin sigh in defeat, followed by the motion of her getting off the bed. Ana feels Pepper push back her hair once more before kissing the top of her head. She thinks she left after several long moments of quiet. Until she speaks again.

“You know Ana,” Pepper starts, a quiver in her voice. “Bucky wouldn’t want you feeling like this. He wouldn’t want to see you this sick.”

“Goodnight, Pepper,” Is Ana’s response.

The second the door clicks shut, Ana curls into a ball, hugging his pillow between her body. The sudden weight of her own feelings crushes down on her aching, empty body. The weight of the others adds to it, and rather than fighting it, she allows it to happen. For their failure to drag her down, fill her lungs with ashes until she can’t breathe. Smothering her with the phantom feel of her love between her fingers.

Ana gasps, wraps one arm over her stomach, and cries into the pillow.

*

Days pass. Nights linger. Ana can barely sleep. Every time she starts to drift off, she sees Bucky disappearing before she could even wrap her arms around him. She nearly forgets she’s pregnant one day, as she grabs on of the whiskey bottles and almost takes a long swig from the bottle itself. Until Bruce walked in at the perfect moment, quickly snatching the bottle away from her.

It resulted in a scolding, and threats of bodily harm from both Steve and Natasha, if she didn’t allow a doctor to evaluate her. It was only one day after that incident, did Ana finally agree. She gets checked over by a both a doctor and GYNO after Pepper was able to find the best of the best who had survived the Snap.

She’s put on bed rest for two weeks, as the emotional turmoil was beginning to become too much for her body. The baby, thankfully, seems to be developing perfectly. But there are times, where Ana is between being awake and sleep, she swears she hears Annie, like a whisper in the wind.

When those times happens, she gets out of bed and always ends up in front of Steve’s door. And every time, Steve always welcomes her with open arms of shared grief to sob into. Sometimes Natasha is already in his room, and the three of them sit in silence; misery loves company.

“Any word from Barton?” Steve cautiously asks one night.

Ana is half asleep, finding it just a tad easier to relax somewhat around Steve. He had set up a few pillows differently to help her get comfortable, and she had been resting a pillow on his thigh as she drifted off.

“No,” The tremor in Nat’s tone makes Steve drop the subject.

Blinking her eyes open, Ana shares a sad look with Steve. She spins her wedding rings around her finger as she shuts her eyes again, then reaches out to link her fingers with Natasha’s. She doesn’t change her energy around, but the small effort of comfort doesn’t go unnoticed.

*

Oddly, it’s Thor that seems to remain stoically calm next to Ana. So, she finds herself around him during the day. Neither say much to each other, but occasionally when she’s feeling like she’s able to, will reach out and touch him.

She feels his anger, his immense guilt, his failure in so many ways. He’s lost so much more than any of them have. But he understands their lost, he understands how Ana is truly feeling at times. Thor wasn’t around too much when Bucky lived at the compound, but when he was, he was always friendly and jubilant towards Bucky.

“He doesn’t seem to be bother by people’s past, does he?” Bucky had questioned after meeting Thor for the third time. They’re on the rooftop, lounging on a chair with his head resting against Ana’s chest.

“Not really. He’s not one to judge quickly,” Ana informed him, brushing her fingers through Bucky’s thick hair. “He must think you’re worthy.”

Bucky had held her a little tighter after that.

Ana blinks the memory away and wipes the single tear from her eye. Thor had caught this moment, his gaze lingering on her face long enough to be uncomfortable. He dropped his gaze, going back to pushing cereal around in the bowl.

“I must apologize, Ana,” Thor mumbles shamefully one day. “Your husband is gone because of me.”

“It isn’t your fault, Thor,” She responded. “I’m not the only one who lost someone.”

*

Without knowing how, another three weeks goes by. Ana didn’t really feel like it has, just trying to go through the motions of trying not to cry. She’s taken to screaming into a pillow more than not, and accidentally causes yet another power outage.

Pepper is back, by request from Bruce and Steve. A sharp pain had hindered Ana for two days, everyone concerned about her and the delicate life growing inside her. A 12 week sonogram revealed that the fetus was still developing perfectly, but Ana’s body was just taking a toll itself. Elevated hear rate, low iron levels, blood pressure going up and down.

She’s resting in bed, hoping to actually sleep, when Pepper brings her decaffeinated tea. She presses close to her cousin, Ana rubbing soothing circle over her small bump. They decided to watch a movie, something light, something uncomplicated. A quiet rattle from the window panels catch both women’s attention. Pepper stands to peak out, as Ana places the barely drank tea on the side table.

“Oh my god,” Pepper breathes. She pulls back the curtain to show Ana.

*

Everyone jogs out into the field, watching as Carol, a bright burning star in the dark sky, effortless lows a giant space ship down to the earth. Ana is the last to bring up the group, weaving through everyone to stand directly behind Pepper. The emotions from them all burns at her skin, and the relief and hope she can feel from Pepper is…painful.

The door of the ship opens with a ramp lowering down to the ground. When her eyes adjust properly to the two bodies walking off the ship, Ana gasps. It’s Tony, alive and….skin and bones. He’s being helped by a woman with blue skin, but Ana barely focuses on her as Steve rushes forward to assist them. Tony looks two seconds away from death. Their whispered words can’t be heard.

Pepper gently embraces him as he relaxes into her, grateful she’s alive. Tony’s eyes flutter open, gazing around until he spots Ana. He looks more relieved when he sees her, but his expression changes when he realizes who is missing.

As he’s helped to walk along further, he stops in front of Ana, nearly tripping over his feet to hug her. Despite everything, she allows herself to feel the amount of relief of Tony being alive.

“Bucky?” Tony questions, gripping her shoulders.

Ana shakes her head.

*

Tony is seriously malnourished and dehydrated, his muscle mass dwindled from being adrift in space for 21 days. Steve, Rhodey and Bruce quickly got Tony inside, checked his vitals and hooked up to an IV, sitting him in a wheelchair. They all gather in an open office area, close to the medical ward, while goes off to Pepper call Happy.

Ana sits quietly at the table, absentmindedly spinning her wedding ring around her finger. Murmurs can be heard if she pays close enough attention, but she doesn’t. All she’s been trying to do for the past month is ignore the near suffocating air of misery, to keep everyone else’s energies at bay. With each day that passes, it gets harder and harder, she even thinks the protective rings don’t offer much help anymore. Possibly got damaged in the fight.

“He did everything he said he would. Thanos wiped out 50% of all living creatures.” Natasha’s voice pulls Ana back into the room.

Tony’s had his hand over his mouth, as if he’s trying to hold something together. “Where is he now? Where?” He asks irritably.

“We don’t know, he just opened a portal and walked through,” Steve answers, crossing his arms.

Tony huffs, and spots Thor in the outside through the windows, sulking on a bench. “What’s wrong with him?”

Rocket pipes up. “He’s pissed. He thinks he failed, which of course he did, but ya know, there’s a lot of that going around, ain’t there?”

Ana mentally agrees with the shared failure.

“Honestly, until this exact second I thought you were build-a-bear,” Tony snarks. Ana knows it’s the trauma effecting Tony and the way he’s acting, even breathing. As if he’d ready to be strained once again.

“Maybe I am,” Rocket challenges.

“He’s not,” Bruce defends.

Steve clears his throat. “We’ve been hunting Thanos for three weeks now, deep space scans and satellites and we got nothing.” Steve pauses, “Tony you fought him.”

“Who told you that? I didn’t fight him,” He snips. “No, he wiped my face with a planet while the Bleaker Street magician gave away the stone. There’s no fight-“

“Okay-“

“There’s no people.”

“Okay,” Steve tries to be patient. “Did he give you any clues, coordinates, anything?”

Tony makes a pffft noise, motioning he’s got nothing. He looks around wildly for a moment. “I saw this coming a few years back, I had a vision, I didn’t want to believe it. Thought I was dreaming.”

Steve grits his teeth before remaing calm. “Tony, I’m gonna need you to stay focus.”

Ana feels a sharp shift in the air.

“And I needed you!” Tony snaps. “As in past tense. That trumps what you need. It’s too late buddy, sorry,”

“You know what I need?” He lashes his hand out, knocking over the glass of water and soup bowl. “I need a shave.

“Tony-“ Rhodey tries, being ignored.

“I believe I remember telling, live and otherwise,” He suddenly grabs his IV, pulling it out of his arm as he stands up. Ana winces, more so at the anger beginning to boil her blood.

“Hey, Tony-“

“That we needed was a suit of armor around the world, remember that? Whether it impacted our precious freedoms or not that’s what we needed!“

Steve doesn’t budge as Tony limps his way right in front of his face. He looks the weak man right in the eyes. “Well that didn’t work out did it?”

Tony sways. “I said ‘we’d lose’. You said ‘we’ll do that together too’. Guess what Cap, we lost. And you weren’t there” He pokes his chest. “But that’s what we do right? Our best work after the fact. We’re the Ah-Vengers, right? Not the pre-vengers!”

Tony stumbles, Steve’s hands twitching to help. The more Tony spews, the more Ana feels the energy.

“Alright, you made your point, just need to sit down.” Rhodey demands, attempting to bring him back.

“No, no,” Tony tries to push him off, as he points to Carol. “You know what, she’s great by the way! We need you, your new blood. Bunch of tired of mills, I got nothing for you Cap!” He breaks out of Rhodey’s hold, getting in Steve’s face once more. “I got no coordinates, no clues, no strategies. No options, zero zip nada. No trust. Liar.”

Ana can’t take it anymore. The high-strung emotions, the dark tainting energy, is beginning to drive her insane. The animosity and tension building in the room, between them. All Anger and hurt and disappointment. She can barely contain the tremors throughout her body, and if she accidentally loses her own control, it won’t be good for anyone.

“Tony!” Ana sharply cuts off his insults to Steve. He sways, nearly losing his balance to face her. A spike of concern flashes through her but she ignores it.

“I know how you’re feeling, Tony. I know. I can feel you,” She informs him, keeping her voice low. “I can feel everyone in this room. I feel it in the air. I know you think you failed. I know it’s hard right now. You were strained for a month. It must be so hard. But are you honestly telling me, you are not going to help us find him? We need you.”

Tony blows a raspberry, then scoffs. “I needed you too,” He slurs irrationally. “I could’ve used your help. Drained his life force or whatever the hell you do,” He wiggles his fingers. “Instead of you running off-“

“Tony-“ Natasha warns, being ignored.

“She risked her-“ Rocket begins angrily.

Tony doesn’t stop “-to hide out in a secret country with Barnes-“ The lights begin to flicker. “Who probably refused to-“

Ana abruptly slams her hand down the one table, standing up, the chair falling over. “I. Can’t. Feel. Him!” She grits vehemently through her teeth. The power surges around the room as her eyes water. “I can’t feel him!”

The wood beneath her hand begins to sizzle. Tony’s eyes flicker to the spot then back to her. Natasha moves to either comfort her or calm her down, but Ana slaps her hands away as her chin trembles.

“I can’t! It feels like I can’t breathe! I couldn’t…I couldn’t hold him…I lost him! We!” She gestures wildly around the room. “We all lost loved ones! And I feel it! The entire world! It’s in the air, in the ground, it’s in this room.”

She inhales deeply, paying no mind to the few tears that betray her eyes. “Are you telling me, you’re just going to walk away. Just take Pepper and leave? You’re just giving up!?”

The tension between them as they glare into each other’s eyes is nearly palpable.

“Yes!” Tony spits like a curse. “In fact,” He turns to Steve again. He grabs the arc reactor on his chest, yanking it from his fragile body. He takes Steve’s hand, slapping the reactor on his palm. “You take this. You find him and you put that on,” He breathes heavily, swaying, pointing at Steve. “You hide.”

Something snaps within Ana as she leans across the table. She snatches the arc reactor from Steve, glaring at Tony. The once powered down device suddenly lights up, glowing brighter and brighter. Her palm begins to emit a strange, faint orange hue, quickly enveloping her entire body. Heat raises in her, boiling her blood, and everything she’s felt since the snap comes to the surface.

Suddenly she launches the reactor forward. It soars right over Tony’s shoulder, narrowly missing his ear, and shatters against the wall behind him. Tony flinched slightly before matching a glare with Ana. They say nothing. Seconds of utter silence, seething silence, passes. Then, Ana spins on her feet, exiting the room in rage so tangible, it stings at everyone’s skin.

Tony turns back to Steve, panting heavily as he stumbles again, pointing in his face. “You’re on your, Cap.”

He collapses to his knees, Rhodes and Steve calling his name, right before he passes out.

*

The air in the living room grows hot as Ana paces around, the lights go out, the windows rattles. She’s vaguely aware her skin is glowing. That her powers are raging, and a voice in the back of her mind tells her mind that being this high stung is not good for the delicate life inside her. She stops pacing, then notices Natasha, Carol, Nebula, Steve and Rocket have all followed her.

“Ana,” Natasha begins softly.

“Don’t.” Carol demands calmly, moving closer to Ana with a understanding loo in her eyes. “Don’t tell her to control her emotions.”

“I wasn’t…” Nat’s words die off.

At Carol’s gentle touch with her hand on Ana’s elbow, the raging wave inside her chest slowly begins to regulate. It’s an unearthly amount of power, but the powerful energy emitting from the newcomer it doesn’t control Ana’s own. Instead, it comforts it.

But Ana doesn’t want comfort. She doesn’t want to regulate energies or feel the grieving world’s emotions. She wants to protect the shattered shell of her soul, of her heart. She wants to protect the only thing of Bucky she has left. Places her hands over her slightly bulging stomach, and does something she never thought she could.

Closing her eyes, Ana inhales deeply, feeling the chaos of energy within her and from others. She finds her own emotions and concentrates until she can feel it all gather in the center of her chest. Lifting her right hand to her chest, Ana presses down, then zaps her fingers over her heart. Then…nothing.

Everything stops.

When she finally opens her eyes, she feels nothing.

“What the hell was that?” Rocket questions, baffled. Nebula looks a little sad, yet curious.

“Ana,” Natasha speaks up cautiously. “You didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?” Steve demands, an air of urgency in his tone. “What did she do?”

“She…” Carol answers, clearing her throat and takes her hand off Ana’s elbow. “Didn’t control it. She did something worse.”

“Like what?”

Ana slowly meets Steve’s worried gaze. “I shut my emotions off.” She informs him, her voice an even tone. “Now I won’t feel anything.”

Ana doesn’t bother watching Steve’s concern grow into fear. She just walks out of the room. After a few minutes of stunned quiet, Natasha breaks it.

“She never told Tony she’s pregnant.”

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

Drabbles: Nineteen   Drabbles: Twenty-One

Tags:  @thecreatiivecorner @kat-lives @stressedasalways @watchoutforfrostbite @justreadingfics @keldachick @fics-i-read @eurynome827 @elatedmarvel @shesalatesh

[mst3kproject]

111: Moon Zero-Two

 In his review of Serenity, the late Roger Ebert defined ‘space opera’ as being like horse opera, but with space instead of horses.  I can think of no better description of Moon Zero-Two.

Captain Bill Kemp and his co-pilot Kaminsky were once heroes, the first men on Mars, but now that a proper colonization of the solar system is underway, they’re reduced to running a salvage operation.  The opportunity to do something more profitable knocks when Evil Businessman Mr. Hubbard asks them to help him crash an asteroid on the far side of the moon – an asteroid made of almost pure blue sapphire!  Meanwhile, Kemp is also trying to help a woman named Clementine Taplan, who’s supposed to be meeting her brother Wally, but nobody’s seen him since he sent her the invitation four months ago.  And isn’t it interesting that Wally’s lunar mining claim is exactly where Hubbard’s asteroid is going to hit?

I actually really like this movie.  The visuals are often silly, but it’s quite well-made and the ‘space western’ feel is fun. The actors are decent, the effects aren’t bad, and when you think about it, it’s surprisingly hard science fiction. The only overtly unrealistic things in it are the artificial gravity and the characters’ bad habit of going for spacewalks without a tether.

Moon Zero-Two’s overall aesthetic probably made more sense when the movie was new than it does now.  It is, indeed, rather painfully late-60’s, but nothing about it is just gratuitously weird – everything has a purpose.  The music, for example.  Tom Servo complains about the ‘free-form jazz’ but it’s as effective at suggesting the free-floating emptiness of space as the Jaws theme is at saying ‘shark!’.  Indoor scenes have a more grounded soundtrack and even the low-gravity barfight is not scored the way the parts that take place in vacuum are.

Likewise, the odd outfits and plasticky wigs serve to emphasize the artificiality of the environment.  The ‘natural’ late-60’s-early-70’s look, with loose clothing and long hair, would have been entirely out of place here.  This is a world humans have had to build from the ground up – nothing else is natural here, so why should the people be?  The moon colonists try to jazz up their world a little with their fanciful outfits and theme nights at the bar, but they can’t even make a dent in the relentless desolation of the landscape.  They barely even make one in the self-consciously futuristic white of their cities.  Kemp says ‘we will always be foreigners here’, and the sets and costumes reinforce his point.

In Clementine’s case, what she wears also serves to show how comfortable she is in this environment and in Bill’s company.  When she first arrives on the moon she is covered from head to toe. As she adjusts, she trades her weird headpiece for a wig.  Finally, we see her with her own hair hanging down.

On another level, clothing in this movie is about vulnerability. Bill and Clem come closest to being humans in the natural state (nude), when they are near death from over-heating in the un-insulated moon bug.  Bill’s two topless scenes are supposed to be about his dislike of vulnerability turning into a willingness to show vulnerability around Clem, but they don’t work very well because both of them are such clichés: she catches him coming out of the shower in what’s supposed to be a joke, and then there’s the ‘couple who won’t admit they’re falling in love have to undress because of the heat’. I can see what they were going for, but I wish they’d found a better way to do it.  Both scenes get some very powerful eyerolls.

(ETA: I probably should have said something about how Bill is in love with Clem like twenty minutes after his previous girlfriend died, but I only just dealt with something like that in the EtNW review for It’s Alive and I decided not to bother.)

The idea of vulnerability brings us to the movie’s main theme, which is that while space is a place of limitless potential, full of things like rich nickel veins and sapphire asteroids and other opportunities for science and profit, living there is always going to suck.  In the future of Moon Zero-Two, there is a large population of humans on the moon, but anything above and beyond a very basic lifestyle is rare and expensive. There’s the tiny hut we see that Wally Taplan was living in, Kemp’s complaints about the cost of drinks, and the difficulty of getting anywhere that’s not a tourist center.  Danger is everywhere – as one character observes, ‘nobody dies slowly on the moon.’

These dangers are mostly hidden from casual travelers so as not to frighten them (witness the monument, around a corner where only residents will see it), but vacuum, heat, cold, and radiation are ever-present.  It’s much like modern air travel, which is perfectly safe as long as everything works and everybody does their jobs, but all it takes is one mistake, one faulty component, and everything goes down in flames. This makes Moon Zero-Two stand out from other sci-fi movies that rely on alien monsters to scare the audience, forgetting that space itself is really far more frightening than any number of extraterrestrial teeth.

This isn’t a horror movie, though – Moon Zero-Two bills itself as ‘the first moon western’.  I’m not sure if it’s actually the first, but it’s definitely a moon western!  I mean, we’ve got miners, tycoons, shootouts, and untold riches in a wild new frontier with dangers around every corner!  As a bonus, setting it on the moon avoids the troubling questions of who has a right to this land, and doesn’t allow the writers to use ‘angry natives’ as one of their generic dangers.  Western clichés pop up repeatedly, but unlike the cliché nudity, these are actually entertaining as each one comes with a sci-fi twist. There’s a saloon, but the barfight takes place in microgravity!  Bill and Clem may overheat and die in the desert, but that’s because their moon bug has broken down rather than because their horse stepped in a gopher hole! These fun little uses of the tropes are a running gag in themselves.

Moon Zero-Two is also another movie where it’s a load of fun to look at what the writers and production designers thought the future would be like versus what actually happened.  The film-makers probably thought they were being very forward-thinking, with their personal computers and satellite communications.  Of course now we scoff at the briefcase-sized computers with their single-colour displays and giant keypads, but at the time it must have seemed quite futuristic!  It makes me wonder what people fifty years from now (if there are any left) will think of the interactive hologram technology we depict in movies like Avatar and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For all these things to like about it, Moon Zero-Two is a long way from perfect.  Everybody on the moon seems to be white and there are far more men than women, although the women we see are portrayed as competent and intelligent (except for Hubbard’s collection of bimbos, barely able to sound out the words on their Community Chest cards… though when we consider Harry, I suppose we’re meant to assume that Hubbard just likes surrounding himself with stupid people).  We relate to Bill as he seems like just a guy trying to make a living, but he’s a bit too much of a bitter grouch to really be likeable.  I would have liked to see some more personality for Clem and Kaminsky, too.

The biggest thing that just feels like it’s missing from Moon Zero-Two is any idea of what’s going on down on Earth.  This is not, of course, essential to the story – it’s notable that we never see Earth, only what’s happening on the Moon and in space – but considering when the movie was made I was curious what it would predict for the outcome of the Cold War.  In the opening, we see an America and a Russian astronaut who are rivals until they are both swept up in the (extremely capitalist) race to colonize the solar system.   In the movie proper, the Russians vanish.  Somebody sneeringly asks where Kaminsky is from, but it’s not clear whether this is a cold war thing or just garden-variety xenophobia.  What happened?  Have the Russians left the moon as the British-American colonization project got going?  Do they have their own bases elsewhere on the surface?  We never find out, and it makes me wonder why the opening sequence brought it up.

Speaking of the opening sequence, I do love the theme song.  It’s so cheerful and catchy, and it makes exploring the solar system sound like a really good time!

Outside of the Russian movies, which had been badly-translated and mercilessly cut down, I think Moon Zero-Two might be the best film ever featured on MST3K.  It is very easy to make fun of, being so obviously a product of its time, but it doesn’t have any of the egregious errors of acting, pacing, or cheapness that ruined so many other good ideas in such movies.  For the most part it uses its clichés in an entertaining way and we don’t really hate any of the characters except the smug, cackling Hubbard, whom we’re supposed to hate.  Its visuals, audio, and story never bore us, and the story has only one major coincidence in Clem and Hubbard both going to Bill for help – but what we’re told about Bill’s past and present doesn’t make this seem too unlikely.  As I already mentioned, it doesn’t need a whole bunch of technobabble to get the story going, and still manages to be pretty good fun.

Perhaps the highest praise I can give to Moon Zero-Two is this: it’s probably the only MST3K episode where the riffing actually annoys me, because I’m trying to pay attention to the movie.

[thejohnthatgotaway]

A DIFFERENT KIND OF 'KILIG' IN JOMALIG

[Exploring Jomalig Island on a DIY Adventure]

There seems to be a special kind of fulfillment in getting a chance to set foot in a hidden paradise long before the rest of the world gets to see its wonders — something that definitely makes roughly 12 hours of travel time worth the physical fatigue.

Home to unspoiled beaches, amazing rock formations and truly beautiful people, Jomalig — an island municipality in Quezon province which gained popularity after a KMJS feature — welcomes its visitors with a kind of love that weary souls [and hearts, too] will truly appreciate.

Day 0 × Sunday

Our group's original plan was to take the Manila-Real route through an Infanta-bound bus or van at Raymond Transport in Sta. Teresita cor Legarda, Sampaloc, Manila. Due to shortage of Manila-bound buses in Lipa City because of the Holy Week, however, we decided to hire a Lucena-bound van priced at Php1500. We departed at around 8PM and arrived in Lucena City Grand Terminal at 10PM.

From Lucena, we rode an Infanta-bound van which will drop us off at Ungos Port in Real, Quezon. We were on the road for at least four hours and the bumpy slash zig-zag way gave us all some sort of a headache. Fare is at Php250.

Day 1 × Monday

We alighted at Ungos Port at around 2AM and paid for the terminal fee [Php10 per person]. Luckily, we were way early for the first trip to Jomalig [which means that there are still plenty of vacant seats] which usually departs at 5AM. Ticket is priced at Php400 each. It includes a simple meal which the crews prepare and freshly serve during the trip.

The boat ride is physically tiring as it usually lasts for four to six hours depending on the boat's speed. Those who aren't really comfortable traveling on water should take Bonamine as it can really get bumpy. Waves, you know?

Finally, we alighted at Jomalig Port at 25 minutes past 10 o'clock, paid for the environmental and tourism fees priced at Php170, and headed directly to South Pacific Island Resort [SPIR], our home away from home for three days, through a habal-habal.

Habal-habal is the main mode of transportation in the island. Every habal-habal ride will give you the 'mapapakapit ka kay kuya' feels — the kind that will make you feel like your soul is trying to leave your body and there's nothing that you can do about it. Hehe.

Please note that it's essential to make the necessary arrangements with the resort of your choice before leaving for the island adventure. It's also important to note that supply of electricity is only available from 1PM to 5AM daily.

I chose SPIR after getting several recommendations from a few Jomalig travel blogs I read some weeks before our planned escapade. Jomaligins, a term used to call the locals of the island, also say that SPIR is among the top picks when it comes to homestays. Tejada's Resort, meanwhile, comes as a good second pick.

SPIR is also a top choice because it's situated along the coast of Salibungot Beach, right in front of a vast and amazing sandbar.

We did not bring any food — yeah, not a single pack of biscuit — as the travel blogs I've read made mention of how we can count on Nanay Lota for food. She's actually the cook featured in the Jomalig episode of KMJS. During our stay, she would repeatedly recall bloopers and joke about her experiences while being interviewed for the magazine show.

"Naglapel-lapel pa ako, tapos hindi naman pala ako maririnig sa TV. Nakakangawit kaya maghawak 'nung isda at lobster doon," Nanay Lota would always recall whenever she would be identified by tourists as the cook featured in an episode of the show.

Nanay Lota will cook any dish you want as long as main ingredients for your requests are available, and just charge each person Php100 each for a truly delightful and almost unlimited serving.

You may find her and her amazing family at SPIR. Just look for the kainan tagged as "Byahe ni Lota."

After lunch, we decided to take some rest in our assigned kubo overlooking Salibungot sandbar. We paid Php750 per night for a native hut which can accommodate 5-6 people. We all fell asleep and it was past 4 o'clock when we decided to head to the beach, experienced the crystal clear waters of Salibungot and played a set of 3 on 3 Beach Volleyball to determine who will lose and pay for our first dinner. Luckily, my team won the set. Thanks to my excellent sets and pancake saves. Haha!

We slept at around 9PM to prepare for the island tour which will start at 4:30AM. The guides told us we'll have to leave as early as that if we want to make the best out of the experience.

Day 2 × Tuesday

The habal-habal adventure with Kuya Bibi [my assigned driver and guide] began at almost 5AM. We had to start early so we could catch the beautiful sunrise 'diumano' of Jomalig. The trip to the first destination was quite long that the sun started to pop while we were on our way. It was indeed beautiful. You may check photos and video clips in the album.

First stop was at Jomalig Rock Formations situated at the far end of the island municipality. The place was so quiet, so calm that it will give you some sort of Batanes feels you may have seen in travel videos online. We needed to rent a boat that will take us to the hill which would allow us to trek and see how picture-perfect the island really is. Boat ride is priced at Php600 [for a group of six] on top of an entrance fee worth Php50 per head.

Next destinations were Pamana Beach Resort and Lingayen Cove which locals call as Little Boracay and Little Batanes, respectively. These were two amazing and unspoiled beaches that will force you to have hearty eyes all along. Little Batanes will make you feel wanted so bad — by the waves. The waves were like hugging you and shouting "Akin ka na lang." Awwwww. Entrance fees are worth Php30 and Php50, respectively.

From Little Batanes, we headed to Puno ng Walang Forever. This hugot tree (Dapdap, if I heard it right) gained popularity as 'tis situated alone in the middle of the plains. Tour guides will help you climb up the tree through a wooden ladder. A container for entrance fees [usually Php5 per head] is placed not far from the place. Locals and tourists have associated the tree to 'naiwan feels' of people who visit the place. Titos and Titas can well relate to this.

From the hugot tree, we headed to Sadong Golden Sand Beach for another beach experience. Entrance fee is priced at Php20 per person. This one also features an IG-worthy golden sandbar and a truly breath-taking view.

I think Jomaligins also know what it means to save the best for last. Last stop was at the 'We ❤️ Jomalig' marker in Salibungot Golden Sand Beach. It looks surreal, like a photo with an automatic filter. It was literally jaw-dropping and even if we don't really have plans of swimming because it's nearly 12 high noon, we just couldn't resist the temptation.

We left the place just in time for a boodle fight-inspired lunch which Nanay Lota promised to prepare for us. The serving of grilled pork liempo and adobong seafood sa gata on top of steamed rice was almost unlimited, and while we were expecting it to be more pricey than our usual meals, we only paid Php100 each. And we were like: "Seryoso ka ba, 'Nay?"

Besides the beauty of the place, Jomaligins are truly beautiful people. People will greet you with smiles on their faces even when you're trying to compose yourself while on a blazing habal-habal. We also expected commodities to be a bit pricey like in other tourist destinations, but no.

We spent the last hours of our second day in the island with a two-set beach volleyball match. The revenge-seeking team who paid for our first dinner used dirty tactics to defeat my team in two sets and forced us to pay for two pitchers of iced tea. Haha.

Day 3 × Wednesday

We don't want to leave yet, but we had to leave SPIR at 4AM to make sure we'll have tickets for the first trip back to Real. We all have commitments [meetings, training and the like] and we just can't stay longer this time, but we can come back. We will come back.

Indeed, there's a kind of kilig only Jomalig can give. 😉

#WhenInJomalig #SummerInJomalig #MahumalingSaJomalig #Jomalig2019 #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

[sithlordintraining]

Little Lucy II

A/N: This fic is old and I decided to FINALLY share it. It’s only four parts and will be posted on Wednesday. I’m taking a break from my other works because of midterms. So I hope you enjoy.

Summary: Everyday Kylo thanked God for sending you to him. You were something different, something fresh. Like now, as you two walked in the autumn breeze back to your apartment, your eyes were glued on him lovingly while everyone else stared at you: ‘The most beautiful being God himself created.’

Little Lucy Masterlist

Kylo stood in the middle of the room frozen and unsure of what to do. Was he really in hell? When the cab driver that he cut in front of today told him to go to hell, he really didn’t think that he would be taking his advice. Sweat began to form on his skin. Was it him or was it literally hot as hell? Awkwardly, he parted his feet and held his arms open in a stance just in case something would pop out. His eyes were glued to the door but every once and a while, he would jump to see if there was something behind him. This lasted for a good five minutes before he tired himself out. Like a worn down child, he slowly made his way to your massive canopy bed that rested on a raised platform. He sat at the edge making sure to not crease crimson and gold velvet blanket that covered the detailed mahogany silk sheets. His brown orbs observed the whole room taking in every intricate detail, from the golden furniture, large fire pit, chiffon fabric that bellowed over the bed, and the dome ceilings that appeared to fade from its old gold hue and disappear to never-ending darkness. This room was truly fit for a Queen. Queen of the Underworld to be correct. Kylo gently fell back and rested his sweaty palms against his stomach. He took in deep breaths as he recalled the past events. “This is all too much.” He mumbled with closed eyes before drifting off to sleep.

Something tickled against his cheek causing him to stir. Slowly, his long lashes fluttered open to see your beautiful face framed by your (y/h/c) hair. A smile lifted his cheeks as he closed his eyes once more. “Babe, I had the craziest dream. That red rotary phone by your bed rung and I answered it. You turned out to be the devil.” Kylo looked at you with hooded eyes as he began to shift up. “Then you took me to HELLLLLLLL!” Eyes widening as he let out a scream with varying, who he assumed were demons, staring back at him. They were creatures that haunted every mind, being able to ignite at least one fear. The larger ones with marred and seared wings clearly covered in large amounts of soot. Y/N’s hand pressed against his chest as she tried to calm him down. “Kylo, Kylo, calm down!” You shushed him. “Y/N wh-what’s going on? Whe-where are we? H-How is this real?” All these questions flew out his mouth as you still tried to calm him. “Kylo, Kylo, yes, it’s true.” You looked into his eyes. “We are in hell, I am the devil, and these are my demon lords.” You shyly turned to them. “And this is Kylo, my boyfriend...and he’s human.” A groan left their lips. Loud voices filled the room with some archaic language which he guessed was latin, mixed with hisses. He could see Y/N’s nose flare before she too was communicating with them in the language. “ENOUGH!” Her voice echoed off the walls; everyone composed themselves quickly, even Kylo. “Leave us,” She ordered and they filed out. One brave demon turned around and said “ It is in my power to do you no harm, but the Raphael spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Y/N.' “

Kylo saw Y/N’s jaw tighten as she stares down her subordinate down before he left. Silence filled the room as Kylo watch her chest heave. “Y/N,” He called out, but she did not answer. “Y/N,” His fingers hooked under your chin, but you didn’t budge. A sigh slipped past his lips before he begged once more. She gave in, allowing him to guide her to face him. “Look at me...please.” Her eyes averted his for as long as she could before her lashes fluttered up to reveal glowing eyes. Her normally (y/e/c) eyes were now black with streaks of gold and faint blood-red rings circling the iris. He wasn’t prepared for the sight, so he couldn’t help his reflexed jump. Y/N scolded herself as she looked down. This was the side of her she didn’t want him to see. Tears began to fill in her eyes. “What did he mean?” Kylo inquired. “I don’t know,” You sniffled. That sound wrenched his heart. Both hands cradled your face as he lifted them once more. For a moment, he just watched your eyes slowly revert back to its natural color as the tears seemed to build up even more. “I can’t cry.” You huffed, rolling your eyes. “It’s ok,” His plump lips pressed a kiss to your nose then your cheeks and the rest of the soft feverish skin on your face. “If I do I’ll cause another natural disaster.” Kylo stopped at your words and mulled it over. “So you're telling me every time you cry you cause a hurricane, earthquake, volcanic eruptions?” He inquired. “When I cry it’s tsunamis, hurricanes, and floods; when I’m mad it’s volcanoes, earthquakes, sinkholes, etc.” You sighed. His mind drifted back to the other day when there was a flash flood which, then, coincidentally you watched a documentary about children and war. “Well, then let’s make you happy!” A squeal left your lips as Kylo’s long fingers tickled up and down your sides. Giggles filled the room; a sound that was never heard in the Underworld. The tickling ceased as Kylo peered down at your beautiful face. “What happens when you’re happy?” He asked. You shook your head peering up at him with shining eyes. “Nothing,” You shook your head. “Because nothing bad happens when you’re happy.” Kylo pressed a kiss to your nose, before looking into your eyes.

“You’re the only thing in this universe that makes me happy.” You said softly. A blush began to form on his face. “There had to be something that made you happy before you met me.” Your eyes glazed over as you looked into the fiery abyss. “Once, but it was long before I met you. Long before you were even born.” You told him. A deep chuckle left his lips as he scratched the back of his neck. “Honestly, I knew you looked too good and young for your age but what are you like 2000 years old?” He joked. You rolled your eyes, “I don’t think I even qualify as a cougar, I’m more like the Felis Attica.” “What is that?” He asked. “Exactly,” You huffed. “So...you weren’t an angel like they say?” He asked. “No, not exactly.” You turned to him. “I wasn’t the first,” You gestured to yourself. “I was once human, like you. I lived in the area of what you now call East Africa that stretched up.” He watched as her hands delicately moved up. “I was born in a village, to a family that didn’t have much. We were simple people, farmers.” All Kylo did was blink and when he opened his eyes he was transported to your world. The sand that swirled around his feet as a herd of goats passed him by. He squinted under the hot sun looking at his surroundings, unbelieving that he was in a realm of Christ era. He felt a tug; an unknown force that pulled him towards a small hut. He did his best to avoid bumping into people, but it was hard due to his stature. He was surprised about how much he towered of them more the usual. But then, he stopped in his tracks as he saw you.

You were much younger, a child, maybe seven. Your face was fuller and your complexion darker from the sun, a thick cloth wrapped around your hair. Almost sensing him, your younger self looked up, eyes connecting. Just as fast as it began it ended as you stood up following the voice that called out for you. Although you were not with him, Y/N’s voice was strong as he heard you continue your story. “The village thought I was beautiful and offered my gifts and prayers as if I were a God.” Second Commandment: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.  “One night my village was raided and I was kidnapped by a man who had claimed he saved me. He offered me solace in this time in return of servitude. But in reality, my parents had sold me for more prosperity. And I cursed them since that day.” Fifth Commandment: Honour thy father and thy mother. The scene had changed before Kylo’s eyes and he saw you tending to your chores and growing into womanhood, and he wasn’t the only one that noticed it. The man who had saved you offered you freedom but only if you agreed to marriage. You were at the normal age but the man grew possessive, frequently he had men offering to buy your freedom for a hand in marriage. “I accepted, of course. He had shown me nothing but kindness and I didn’t think things would change. But it did.” Time seemed to move face as he watched innocence and light leave your light being replaced by fear and bruises that littered your body. Kylo felt his chest tightening just thinking about anyone doing this to any women, who was more child than woman, but more specifically you. It had happened to you and there was no way he could have protected you. “He told me he would stop once I bear him a son. But just the simple task of bearing a child was hard enough.” Your voice wavered. “But then there was Timbu.”

Kylo noticed how your voice perked up and he turned to see a man a few inches shorter than him, with bronze skin and thick dark hair. His body was marked with many tattooed ticks. “He too was also a slave, we had met when I first came, he was my friend. But he was carried off to war where he became a great warrior. When he came back, we both had grown.” Y/N’s voice played as Kylo watched the stolen look between the two. Surprisingly, he wasn’t jealous, yet routing for the hero to save the damsel. But of course, this was a tragedy and you were it’s tragic hero. He watched as one night Timbu snuck into your home, his hands were soft and loving before he woke you. “He had to leave around the time I found out I was with child.” Seventh Commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery. “It was blissful, those nine months and my husband was kind, even though my heart yearned for Timbu. But, I would find a way to love him just for the sake of the child.” Kylo could not help but stare at you in awe as you glowed with life and your swollen belly. And God, what an image to behold. “But then, he gave me freedom.” Y/N said and Kylo watched as your husband spoke to you. You were confused, hurt, and breaking. “My freedom meant leaving my child, he would just discard me after everything. He used me.” The scene changed to you giving birth. Layers of sweat covered you as painful screams filled the air. Now Kylo wasn’t an expert but even he knew there was too much blood. Y/N quieted down as the tiny cries filled the air. It was a boy, that’s what the nurse told you. Your husband walked in quickly swaddling the child holding him close. Kylo watched your lips move as your hand stretched toward the baby, each movement you winced in pain. “I gained my freedom that day and he gained a son.” Y/N’s voice was thick with sadness.

Kylo blinked and had returned to the present to see you fighting tears. “Y-Y/N, I’m-” Sadness and fury bellowed within him after what he had seen. He didn’t know what to say and hadn’t much time to think before you were continuing. “Before I died, I asked for forgiveness of my sins. I was granted access into heaven, given wings, became an angel. You would think I would be content.” You looked at Kylo, who wore a frown to hide his sadness. “I was able to watch over my son and over Timbu, even though I was supposed to only look over one. I would oftentimes visit my son in his dreams to let him know he was loved. My husband married someone else who bore many children, leaving mine in squalor.” Y/N spoke. “But then, Timbu returned and he came to me, only to find out I was dead. He saw my son, our son, and he knew. Timbu paid my husband a large sum to buy him, he accepted but the night he came to fetch him, he killed Timbu.” Her eyes cast down and she undoubtedly relived the scene as she watched from the heavens. “I couldn’t even be with him after death, God cast him here for the killings he committed in war. He didn’t deserve it, to be down here. He was a protector before he was a warrior. It seemed the only hope for my son was gone. I wept for days causing a monsoon.” Kylo’s mind pictured you in a beautiful garb with large white wings folded over covering your face, weeping. “Like the Angel of Grief,” Kylo said. “That I was, as I couldn’t find comfort anymore. I began to do things I shouldn’t until I was cast out and fell from grace. I was unable to look at my son out of fear of corrupting his soul.” You added. “And you ended up here, under the care of the previous devil?” Kylo asked. Y/N shook her head. “I was left to be with the fallen angels, some of them are now my lords.” Kylo looked you over; you confirmed yourself being an angel, yet had no sign of wings.

“Where are your wings?” He asked. Slowly lowered the back of your dress, he observed the two scars along your back. “The fallen angels plucked my feathers one by one, broke my wings because I was undeserving like every human. Even after everything.” Kylo had a bad taste in his mouth; he had seen those scars numerous times and would joke about them being your angel wings and in reality, they were. But, it was much more gruesome than he imagined. “Then what happened?” Kylo felt bad for pushing but he wanted to know. He would be lying if this wasn’t a story for the ages. “I was presented to Satan, stripped of all my dignity to be one of his many mistresses if I wanted all of it to stop.” Y/N scoffed. “Promised freedoms by men with power to trick young naive girls like me. But not anymore, I accepted on one condition: that I will be the one to collect my husband's soul. Only he and the demon lords could do that, he found it amusing but taught me.” Boy, was this a story, it was something you could only imagine, but he was sitting in front of you in Hell, it had to be true. “What did he look like? Was he a compilation of beast?” Kylo asked clearly, his imagination was running rampant of all the different creatures coming together to make one. “He was more beast than man, but only by nature. But he was beautiful.” There was a glint in your eye as you thought about Lucifer. “My husband died very soon and Lucifer was very impressed at my delivery. I surpassed many of his lords, so he took me on as a protege until I succeeded him.” Kylo was practically in your face begging you to tell him how. “I killed him and then I ate him.” His eyes widened at your statement.

“You...a-ate him?” He managed to get out and you nodded. “It was unexpected and caused a tremble in the underworld and in heaven when God found out. Evil incarnate, the enemy, Diablo, Satan; the court saw it as revenge. I saw it as justice. They said I truly embodied the name Lucifer.” Y/N shrugged. Kylo didn’t see himself as super religious, but after hearing you, he very much understood why you were the devil. That was incredibly...psychotic. “Wow, I guess you really are Satan,” Kylo said breathlessly. Y/N looked up at him, knees now pressed to your chest. To him, you looked just like the seven-year-old girl he had seen minutes ago. “Are you mad at me, you know, for not telling you?” She asked. “I don’t think I can be mad, it’s not like it’s a job you can just sign up for. Also, if I would’ve known you were the devil during my heavy metal phase, I would’ve definitely sold my soul to you.” Kylo joked wrapping his arms around you as you lightly hit him. “Stop, don’t joke about that! I would never want to have it.” A dark chuckle left his lips as his forehead leaned against yours. “Well unfortunately for you, you already have it. You have my mind, body, and soul.” He pressed lingering kisses down your neck. “Plus, I don’t want you getting jealous if I end up up there.” He quipped and you scoffed. “They don’t stand a chance.” Y/N laughed. “Is God a woman?” Kylo asked. Your nose ran along his jaw. “I can’t tell you that.” You kissed his jaw. “But you should go, you shouldn’t even be down here, at least not now.” You were pulling him up and leading him back to the room you came from. “Wait are you not coming back?” Kylo asked. “No, not now, I have to stay and finish up.” You looked up at him. “But, babe, what about our anniversary?” His large hands cradled your face as you sighed, forgetting it was a month away. “I’ll be back, I promise.” Your lips softly pressed a kiss to the inside of his wrist and lowering him onto the sofa before leaving him alone in the room. “Y/N wait!” He felt his movements get lethargic and it felt like everything was in slow motion as he walked to the door. When he walked out, he was in the hallway of your apartment.

P.S.: The devil is Kylo's soft smol immortal bean. Also, I feel like God is judging me for trying to make y'all sympathize with the devil.

[youcannotfindme-blog1]

Writing Prompt: Part 1

You come back from a holiday and find your best friend missing. you search desperately, but no one has any recollection of your friend ever existing. Eventually, you’re shipped off to a lunatic asylum, where you find your best friend, who claims the same thing happened to them, but it was you that no one remembered.

This honestly was so fun, I thought cheerfully, finally something off the bucket list. My family and I were coming back home from a very interesting trip to Spain. It can be said that I’ve had too much fun.

We were at the airport in Barcelona, and we passed by a gift shop and Storm came into my mind. Storm is my bestest of the best friends I have, and the idiot was enjoying her time in Brazil right now, we were to return at around the same time and it couldn’t be more exciting to see her again. I really should bring her a souvenir or she’ll eat me alive.

I went into the shop to grab her something, maybe a number of the hot clerk at the till will do. Dean popped his head in the shop, gave me a weird look and asked: “Maddie, what on hell are you doing in there?”

There were so many options for magnets oh my goodness, I can’t choose.

“Maddie,” my brother exclaimed, “don’t ignore me, idiot.”

“I’m buying this for my boyfriend,” I sarcastically told him, rolling my eyes at my idiotic brother, “duh genius, it’s for Stormie.”

“Who?”

“Dean, I told you how much I fucking hate it when you do this,” I huffed. They really like to pretend that she’s not real.

Talk about rude.

Turns out, the whole family is making the same joke. It annoyed me so much, to be honest, you can’t erase someone's existence like that. But my parents really took it up a notch, they talked to the whole freaking town to pretend that she’s not here. I really don’t get when the joke ends.

I just want to see my best friend.

It’s been three days since the joke started, and I have had enough. Too much is too much.

So what did I do?

I confronted my family.

We were eating dinner, a pile of pizza from Pizza Hut because my mom was not bothered to cook dinner and dad cannot make peanut butter sandwiches even if his life counted on it. Everyone was watching the TV, a pre-recording for the world cup games, and I found it to be the best time to ask them nicely to tell me where Stormie is.

Or as nicely as I can get.

“When does the fucking joke ends?” I ask hotly.

My parents shot me a disapproving look and both said at the same time “Language, Mads.”

I shake my head, I didn’t care, “I really mean it, where the hell is Stormie. Did you lock her up or something? You know she’s a nice girl.” Or as nice as she can be.

Yeah, we both are two peas in a pot.

My mom sighed “That’s our line. Maddie, it’s really immature of you to keep on bugging us about the whereabouts of this Stormie or Storm when she isn’t even real. I thought you were old enough for imaginary friends.”

If I did not have anything connecting my jaw with my skull, it would have totally hit the ground.

I’m the immature one here?

“I’m the immature one?” I voiced my thoughts, screaming at them, “you’re not allowing me to see my best friend and because what? Because you hate her for some weird reason.”

“Maddie,” my dad scolded, “watch your tone. Apologise to your mother. Now,” he stood up from his seat on the couch getting angrier by the minute.

Good, someone is also getting angrier by the minute, and that's fucking me.

“I’ve tolerated this for three days okay? Three days without seeing my best friend,” I angrily explained. I shouldn’t explain myself to them, they were the ones who didn’t want to tell me where she is.

And I will raise hell if I have to.

“That's it, Maddie,” my dad shouted at me, taking the tomatoes place of being the reddest thing on Earth, “I’ve had enough of your Stormie bullshit.” Oh, so he’s still playing the game. Well, two can play this. I raised an eyebrow and taunted him with what he hated the most, having his words thrown back at him, “Language.”

And that is, my friends, is how you tip the scale with my dad.

That earned me a warning for not mentioning Stormie for the rest of my life or he will personally deliver me to the mental asylum where I’m “supposed to be” in, not to mention that I am also grounded. No going out or having fun. He also took my freaking laptop. That one hurt real bad.

Guess what though.

I am not one to actually listen.

So, that very night, when everyone was finally asleep in their relative bedrooms, I snuck out from my second story window soundlessly. I love how I use what I learn in Gymnastics to save the life of my best friend. After school activities is actually doing me good. I would have never thought.

That bitch should really be grateful when I see her.

Scaling down from the window is actually the easy part. Not getting caught by the motion detector flashlight was the tough bit. But I’ve done this a million times, so I know the right places were I should go and where I shouldn’t.

I know what you’re thinking, but they were emergencies. They were Stormie emergencies.

I was about to reach the sidewalk in front of our house to turn left to start the trip to Stormie’s house when what I didn’t anticipate happened. Lucy happened, the little bitch. She started barking and wiggling her tail when she saw me from the lounge window that’s facing the road. I started panicking when I saw the light in my parent's bedroom on, and I did the only thing that popped into my mind. Run.

And so I ran and ran until the cops actually chased me down and made me stop.

But I was not going down without a fight because I knew that my parents told these cops to pretend that my best friend is imaginary and that I am mentally disabled. Once both cops got out of the car I made a run for it.

I tried really because they caught up to me almost immediately.

What the hell? I thought I was fit.

They handcuffed me, I’m not lying, and shoved all not too nicely into the back of the car.

I’m not going to lie, this isn’t the first time I was back here.

What? I didn’t say I was a saint, I made mistakes.

The car ride was getting longer than it should. Anxiety settled in, what on Earth is happening to this God forsaken town? Is time bending a thing?

I mustered up whatever courage and calmness left in me and curiously asked “Where are we going? Because you missed the turn that would take us to the Station.”

The cop driving looked at me from the review mirror and ignored me.

Uh, rude.

“Can you please answer my question?” I asked politely. Look, I’m making effort. My mom would be so proud.

The other officer, the one riding shotgun, answered instead of officer driving (I’ll call him Officer Egg because he rudely ignored me and I hate eggs) “no one said we were going to the station.”

Okay, officer shotgun (I’ll call this one Officer Kale because that grass thing is the nastiest thing on Earth, and because I hated vague people) did not make it any better.

Officer Egg chucked at my annoyed expression. I huffed and kept on asking because everyone hates that one person who keeps on asking questions, whether they were idiots or did it to spite the ones questioned. And I am no idiot.

“Where are we going?

Are we lost?

Can you take off my handcuffs cuz they hurt me, plus, it’s pretty kinky, don’t you think?

Hello? Is there a brain somewhere in that skull of yours?

Cuz you both sure look like you need a brain transplant soon.

Ooo have you seen the zombie movie Warm Bodies? Nicholas is a hottie, I would so tap that,”

Honestly? So much respect here.

“Who’s your celebrity crush? Oh wait, are you two married?

You don’t happen to be married... like to each other, are you?”

My trump card.

“NO,” they both shouted. They stammered and tried saying that they were just partners.

I grinned like the cat from Alice in Wonderland, they so like each other.

I approve honestly.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone,” I assured them.

“There isn’t anything to tell about us,” Officer Kale exclaimed, his voice a few notches higher. Officer Egg just gave him a pointed look to tell him to shut up.

This is very interesting.

I love this.

“I won’t tell anyone,” I repeated, but felt more than I saw, my smile turn as dark as the night sky, “unless you tell me where we are going.”

The silence that followed was so thick you could have probably cut it with a butter knife. The tension was so obvious on both of their shoulders. Was really any relationships between partners that bad? I personally find it cute.

But that's my opinion, one that I wouldn’t speak about right now.

Officer Egg sighed.

Victory to me bitches.

He stayed silent for a long time, and it irritated me to no end.

“Well?” I asked eagerly, “Where are we going?”

Officer Kale looked at me and then back to Officer Egg and then back at me, obviously at a loss.

“Speak up,” I scowled. This is taking too long.

Officer Kale sighed “You’ll see it soon. We’re near.”

“No,” I fumed, “I want to know now.”

I sounded like such a brat.

“Don’t be a brat,” Officer Egg shot back.

He reads my mind, crap.

I was about to retort a reply to Officer Egg but then I saw the sign outside and it stopped my brain from functioning.

The Jensen Mental Hospital.

A freaking lunatic asylum.

“No. Fucking. Way.” The words were breathy, my throat is actually closing on me.

I’m going to faint.

I am shipped to a mental asylum.

To the freaking Jensen Asylum nonetheless.

We were pulling into the entrance, a team was waiting.

Waiting for me.

“No, no no no there must be a mistake. I can’t go there. I am not crazy.”

The car stopped and the officers got out.

“There is a mistake,” I screamed repeatedly.

“Please do not make it harder on us, Ms Fallon,” Officer Kale tried calming me when he opened the door to pull me out.

“There is no way in HELL that I am admitted into a lunatic asylum,” I shouted at his face, “I am not crazy.”

“Said all the crazy people,” Officer Egg muttered as he pulled me out.

“My parents,” I shouted. My parents will tell them that I am not crazy. “Talk to my parents, they’ll tell you I’m not crazy.”

“Ms Fallon,” a doctor in his white coat greeted at the entrance as the officers kept on dragging me into the asylum, “your parents were the people who called us to admit you here. You were showing some disturbing signs of mental disorders.”

I froze in my place. My mind a mess, not being able to process the fact that my parents did this to me.

This joke is not funny.

“This is not funny,” I screamed, “it’s enough that no one believes that Stormie fucking disappeared from the face of Earth like she never existed in the first place. This is taking is too far.” My throat is burning with the shrilling.

This is too far.

“We will take care of you, Ms Fallon,” one of the nurses that strapped me into a hospital bed when I was in my frozen state. I thrashed at the table, trying to get one of the straps to loosen up so I could escape.

Fucking run out of this place.

Nothing prepared me for the harsh pinch of a needle going into my arm, immediately drugging me to the point where I saw nothing but darkness.

Betrayal, cold darkness.

[thelittlestkitsune]

Big Game. [Lacrosse Week Smut]

A;N: I want to formally apologise that it has been so long. Y’all have been so patient and I love you guys! Anyways, this is for the wonderful @sarcasticallystilinski and @rememberstilinski ‘s Lacrosse Week! I hope y’all are ready. xoxo

Pairing: StilesStilinskixOC

Author: thelittlestkitsune

Warnings: Filth.

Word count: 5,933

Listen to me.

Pre game parties were a ritual in your town. It was always at Daryl Janson’s house, if you could even call it a house, he basically lived in a mansion. It had 18 rooms for fucks sake and each room had an en suite. He pretty much wiped his ass with 100 dollar bills. He was also the only one who’s parents didn’t give a shit if he threw a party. You couldn’t stand him, but you had to admit, getting some stress off before a big game was always a plus. Your game with Beacon Hills Hurricanes was tomorrow night but tonight was your one escape from the pressures of your sadistic coach. He made you swear that you were all gonna take it easy tonight, early nights for everyone and plenty of rest. But the pounding music coming from somewhere deep within Daryl's house told you that you probably weren’t going to sleep too well, these things tend to go on for a while.  

Of course the other team got an invite, your teammates slipping flyers underneath hotel room doors announcing where and when. You didn’t think they’d show, most of the teams didn’t really show, only to show face before disappearing into the night. Pussies. You walked around the island in the kitchen, grabbing a red cup with a questionably fizzy drink inside it. You sniffed it before you drank it, a cautionary measure you’d picked up after one too many a few games ago. The doorbell rang behind you, hollering voices announcing new guests, visitors from a few towns over. You didn’t know what to think of them, a few scrawny looking guys, one barely older than twelve; even though his biceps were the size of your thigh. A tall curly haired boy with blue eyes and a wicked grin. You shrugged, bored with the talent already, you could work with it surely but you didn’t think it was worth it. You returned to the island, your attention turned to making a suitable drink, one that didn’t smell like gasoline and death. A stocky redhead appeared next to you and by the smell of his cologne you could tell who it was instantly.  

“If I have to slap you again Mark then I swear to god the Jawa’s will hear it on tattooine.” You snapped, Mark’s hands slipping over your waist before you walked to the other side of the island narrowly avoiding his grubby hands. “Sophie, you know talking nerd isn’t going to get you a boyfriend. But I’ll happily sub in for the night” He winked as your stomach turned. You rolled your eyes as he walked towards you, a game of cat and mouse around the island. “I’d literally rather suck Jabba the Hut’s dick than have you any where in my vicinity.” You scoffed, reaching for a bottle of vodka in the center. “You do yourself no favors, I mean I'm a catch, if you’re so repulsed then list three reasons why you wouldn’t wanna tap this.” He gestured to himself as you looked on with a look of complete and utter contempt. “Fine, remember that you asked for this-” You paused taking a deep breath. “One, you’re hairier than a Chewbacca. Two, I'd rather be choked to death by vader. Three, you’re a complete and utter blockhead.” You finished off, your breath running out as Mark stood there flabbergasted. He waited a moment before a grin spread across his face, his eyebrows raising. “Kinky.” You reached for your cup as he spoke, threatening to chuck the contents of it all over him. “Fuck off Mark.” He threw his hands up in defeat, backing away from you.  

You breathed a sigh of relief, finally pouring yourself a drink. You settled on a bar stool, crossing your legs as you took a deep swig, getting lost in the music and the taste on your lips. Somebody reached over behind you, grabbing a bottle of Jack and a cup as they took place beside you to pour it. You paid them no attention, too lost in your own thoughts. It wasn’t until they tapped on your shoulder that you even noticed they were talking to you. “I heard Chewbacca and kinky. Please don’t say you’re a furry” You laughed, almost spitting out your drink. “Oh god no, why who’s asking?” You giggled, the stranger grinning back at you. “Stiles, I’m the guy with the abominable snowman fursuit in his jeep.” He laughed, his whiskey brown eyes lighting up as he noticed your face fall. “I’m joking god.” He chuckled, before stopping dead. “It’s actually a werewolf one.” He smirked, his lips curling up in the corners. “Oh that’s a damn shame. I’m totally a sucker for abominable snowmen.” You struggled to hold back your smile as he looked over you. “So what’s your name?” Stiles asked, his eyebrow quirked as he waited for a response.

“Sophie, you’re Stiles right?” He nodded, pouring his drink quickly before raising the cup to his mouth. He took a long swig, much like you had before, his eyes scrunching up at the bitter taste. “Take it you’re not a drinker?” You nodded towards his cup and the obvious dislike on his face. “I can take it or leave it. Tonight i’m taking it, even though it tastes like burnt ass.” He pouted as you laughed, swinging your legs so you could talk to him properly. He was kinda cute, moles scattered all over his face, a crooked smirk and dangerous eyes. You lifted your drink only to find it empty, a blush rolling over your body as you reached for the glass bottles once more. “I see you’re drinking too?” He joked as you rolled your eyes. “It is a party dumbass.” You poured the clear liquid into the bottom of the cup, necking it without a second thought. Stiles’ eyes widened as you slammed the cup on the table, a new stranger entering the kitchen, behind you. “Stiles! Where the fuck have you been?” A guy you didn’t recognize shouted.  

“Scott! Hey man, I've been having a rather interesting conversation with Sophie here-” He paused looking at you for approval. You nodded before he continued. “Yeah Sophie's a real firecracker, she likes Star Wars, unlike some people!” He shouted the last bit as Scott came into view more. He was cute in a puppy kind of way, the kind of guy you’d bring home to meet your family. Cute but completely not your type. Stiles however was completely you’re type. Nerdy with a heavy dose of sarcasm. You looked over him again, watching him over the rim of your cup, the liquid burning your throat as you laughed, a joke exchanged by the two boys. You could tell they were best friends, probably since they were little. “You’ve never seen Star Wars Scott! I don’t know if I can continue to be your friend to be honest. It was nice knowing you but I'm going to go talk to Sophie about the importance of Leia’s slave scene without you!” He threw his hands in the air as you jumped back into the conversation, shaking your head in disbelief.  

“Wait, you’re telling me that you’re best friends and you can’t even convince him to watch a true cinematic masterpiece?! Dude.” You mock shouted at Stiles, his eyes glinting as he smiled at Scott. “To be fair though I have seen one, I fell asleep but I still watched it!” Scott laughed, reaching for a cup. “Not the same. I had higher hopes for you Stiles but it seems like you failed to convince your best friend to watch Star Wars!” You mocked, Stiles’ eyes growing wide at your accusation. “He totally watched it?! But sure mock me all you want, but I could convince my way out of jail. I learnt from the best.” He chuckled, shooting a look outside towards the curly haired boy you saw earlier. “Well I'd have to see it to believe it. You talk a big game Stiles and i’m not sure you could convince me.” You flirted shamelessly, your inhibitions lowering with every sip of the concoction you had made in your cup. “Bet’s on Soph, what am I to convince you to do?” Stiles joked as you pondered over the options.

“Whatever feels right, you’ll know when it gets to it” You winked as his jaw hung low, your feet reaching the floor as you stood, adjusting the hem of your shorts, Stiles’ eyes glued to your hands. “Come on, let’s actually be sociable.” You quickly refilled your cup before walking out into the garden, throngs of sweaty bodies moving to the beat of some lyricless song. Stiles followed you out, his chocolate brown hair bobbing to the beat of the music, a grin on his face. “I don’t really do dancing. I’ve got what some people would call Rhythm Displacement.” You looked on at him quizzically, his expression deadly serious all of a sudden. “I have no rhythm. None whatsoever actually.” He joked, looking around at the crowd of people, moving almost in sync with one another.

A giggle escaped your lips, a hiccup rising to the surface. “Well at least you dance to your own beat Stiles.” He laughed at your words, nodding his head. “Maybe I can convince you that maybe my dancing isn’t so bad?” He chuckled. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” You swung your hips to the bass of the music, watching as Stiles bopped off beat, his hair bouncing as he grinned. “See?! I’m a fantastic dancer, just look how I move!” His arms flew wildly as you laughed, your body shaking uncontrollably as you looked at his dancing. “Stiles you dance like my dad after a gazillion drinks. That’s code for fucking awful.” You could barely get your words as you struggled for a breath.  

“Hey! I’m not that bad! I mean I don’t think your dad could match these sweet moves.” His arms stretched out by his side as he badly attempted a move straight out of step up. He failed miserably, his long fingers knocking a drink out of someone’s hand. They turned irate to find Stiles there looking petrified, his arms now safely tucked by his sides. “What the fuck man!” Daryl shouted, his eyes almost popping out of his head cartoon style. His face flushed bright red and you couldn’t help but giggle. “Janson chill, it’s just a drink, you’ve got plenty more and you have your dad’s credit card to order more.” You jumped to Stiles’ defense, quickly smothering the fire that was Daryl’s anger. “Keep him out of my way Hills.” Daryl spat, turning back to the girl he was dancing with. “Maybe you’re better dancing with a partner Stiles. Come here.” You beckoned him closer to you as he swallowed thickly. The song changed, a deep bass rocking through the floor, reverberating through you. He moved closer to you, his body almost but not quite touching yours. He moved to the beat as your hips swung again, the liquor buzzing through your veins. “Stiles, have you ever danced with a girl? Put your hands on my hips or something damn.” You giggled, his face blushing red. “I’ve danced with plenty of girls, loads in fact.” You gave him a knowing look, your eyebrows quirked.  

“Well okay, maybe that’s a lie. Maybe it was only 4.” You batted your eyes slowly, waiting for him to cough up the truth. “Okay one, she took pity on me!” He laughed as he downed his drink, abandoning his cup in favor of your hips. You shivered as his hands touched you, his fingertips sending electric up your spine. He pulled you closer to him, your arms instinctively wrapping over his shoulders. Your body crushed to his, his chest surprisingly hard against yours, as you begun to dance once more. He stirred your hips, figure of eights to the beat, his hands trembling over your bare skin. “This is better. Not quite enough though.” You whispered, your lips coasting over his ear as you whipped around, your hair pulled to the side. You backed up against him, your hips tracing the rhythm he had set as his hands settled on your waist. You could feel his breath on your neck, warm but cooling your burning skin. He pulled you closer still as the bass rocked through the both of you, the taste of vodka on your lips. You smiled as his hands moved, trailing over your goosepimpling skin. His lips whispered against your ear, his tone dark as he pulled you to face him. “If you keep moving like that I’m going to plead insanity and spank it.” His eyes were dark, molten caramel and something else as you caught your breath. “Well do it then.” You taunted, your hips moving to the beat as you pressed yourself to him, your mouth almost touching his. His hands moved over your lower back, every nerve in your body raw and set on edge. “Don’t tempt me.” He growled back, his lip catching between his teeth. You smiled as you pushed away from him, his eyes on your body as you danced solo to the song blasting through the sound system. “Would this be tempting?” You turned away, your hips rolling again, his eyes almost boreing into your skin.  

“Yes.” He whispered in your ear as his hands slid over your ass, fingers gripping the skin as the music changed. You struggled to catch your breath as he pulled away, his hand coming back down against your ass, a shiver of excitement going straight to your core. You moaned at the action, unsure if he heard you. “I like that sound baby girl.” He whispered again, his lips pressing against your neck, your head rolling to the side. His teeth grazed the sensitive skin there, before they bit into the skin, his hands roaming over the stinging skin of your ass. “Seeing as though I couldn’t convince you of my dance moves, maybe I could convince you of something else.” He muttered against your skin, your arms finding his as you spun around. “Drink first, convince later.” You spoke out of breath, your skin ablaze from his touch.  

“Anything you want baby girl.” You shuddered at the pet name, his voice silky sweet with a bite to it. Appearances were deceiving with this one and you were sure that he would be the death of you. You grabbed his hand, marveling at the size of it, his fingers long as he clasped it. You led him back to the kitchen, grabbing two cups from the side, and a bottle of whatever you could get your hands on. You trembled as you poured the liquid into each cup before handing Stiles one and keeping one for yourself. “To convincing me of anything!” You bumped your cup against his, raising your cup to your lips before downing the liquid within. You sucked in a breath as it burnt down your throat, your inhibitions falling again, a fresh buzz through your body. Stiles looked at you over the rim of his cup, his eyes darting over your skin, leaving scorching hot trails on your chest and everywhere he looked. “You know, I don’t think I convinced you that I could dance.” He smiled, placing his cup on the side before leaning against the island. “You’re right, you didn’t.” You replied, your eyebrows knitting above your eyes. “So what are you going to convince me of?” You asked, his lips pulled up in a smirk, a dangerous glint in his eyes.  

“Well, I see a lot to drink, but not a lot to drink it from.” You looked at him as he pointed to the abundance of cups, but the masses of bottles that scattered the island. “What’s your point?” You asked, shrugging although you knew the answer. You would normally turn any opportunity like this down but the way his tongue moved over your lips had you thinking another way. “Let me have a drink. The old fashioned way.” He winked, your legs trembling as you played hard to get. “No way Jose, if you haven’t noticed there is plenty of cups.” You gestured to the cups that littered the floor, Stiles ignoring where you pointed. “But nothing would be as sweet to drink from but you.” You sucked your lip between your teeth, your nerves on fire as his fingers played with your shirt. Your hands stayed firm against your side, but his fingers coaxed your shirt over your stomach, a chill hitting your burning skin. “Come on baby girl. I’ll make it your worth while.” He whispered against your skin as you gingerly lifted your arms away your shirt moving higher up your torso. You only played hard to get to see the look on his face when he got what he wanted. You lifted your arms above your head as he pulled your shirt off you, his hands moving to your hips to lift you onto the island. You shivered as the cool marble hit your skin, your breath coming shaky as Stiles grabbed a bottle of whiskey, the dark liquid swirling in the glass bottle. “Lie back baby girl.” He coaxed, his voice soft but demanding. You moved your hair from your shoulders, laying back as Stiles poured the liquid in the valley between your breasts.  

You sucked in your breath at the feel of it, sticky to the touch, only for the feeling to be quickly swept away by the feeling of his tongue on your skin. His teeth grazed your lips as you felt his tongue flicker over the edge of your bra, his lips sucking purple bruises into your skin. You moaned at the touch of his hands on your waist, his fingers gripping you to him, his lips moving over your chest, licking every drop of the whiskey from your skin. He pulled from you, his lips red and dripping, his breath coming in short bursts. “I knew I could convince you of something baby girl.” You shivered again as he pulled you up, hoots and hollers from revelers in the kitchen, Stiles’ friend Scott looking on in amazement. Stiles winked as he helped you down from the island your legs stumbling as you hit the floor. “Get a room you two. If you’re gonna re enact porn at least do it on camera!” Someone hollered behind you. You spun round, flipping them off as Stiles handed you your shirt. You took it gratefully, quickly sliding it over your head much to the dismay of the crowd around you. “Oh fuck off guys.” You shouted as the crowd dispersed, everyone heading back outside much to your happiness.  

Stiles turned to you as the room died down, his lips pulled back in that smirk that could make you drop your panties at just a word. He looked over you, your chest rising and falling in rhythm with your heart beat, a thudding in your chest. “Just as I thought, you were sweet to drink from.” He stated matter of factly, his smile reflecting your own. “How about you keep drinking?” You questioned, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise as you grabbed the bottle of whiskey and his hand as you made your way out into the hallway. You looked around as you headed up the stairs, your legs shaking as you made your way down corridors, heading through a wood paneled door. You knew people hooked up at Daryl’s parties, but you never thought you’d be one of them, but Stiles had you feeling brave. You placed the bottle on the side as you peeled off your shirt, chucking it into the corner of the room. Stiles smirked, his fingers moving over the buttons on his checkered shirt. “Straight to the point I see.” You joked as he walked towards you, his arms flexing as he rid himself of the shirt. You swallowed thickly as you looked at him, your body raging with lust for the lanky boy in front of you.  

“You don’t need to be convinced of this baby girl.” He spoke, his words making you tremble as you backed up against the bed. “You’re right.” you smiled as his hands found your waist, his lips crushing against yours, the taste of whiskey and cherries on your lips. Nails raked against your spine, fingers trailing against the spot that made you arch against him. You moaned as his tongue swiped against your lips, begging for entry before his teeth gripped your bottom lip, pulling it from your mouth. He palmed along your spine, prying you from the bed to stand you in front of him. “You know, I love shorts. I love how they cover everything but at the same time they cover nothing.” He whispered, turning you away from him, his hands moving over your ass. You whimpered as he pushed you against the bed, fingers in belt loops pulling the denim over your thighs. Your shorts pooled at your feet, as Stiles’ fingers trailed over your core, his breath slow as he felt the slickness already pooling there. “Is this all for me?” He whispered, his thumb circling over your clit, the lace of your panties heightening the feel of him. You nodded, your mouth hanging open as your legs twitched.  

“Good.” He spoke, his other hand moving over your ass, kneading the skin as his fingers dipped between your legs again, pushing against your entrance as you moaned out, holding back slightly. “I know you can moan louder than that baby girl. Let me hear you.” You whimpered as he pressed against your clit, his thumb circling the sensitive spot. You moaned, louder this time as a growl ripped through him. “That’s better.” He spoke and you could almost see the smirk on his face. He pushed you forward onto the bed, your knees sinking into the mattress as his fingers hooked into the band of your panties. He dragged them down your ass, pausing as you heard a rustling behind you. He returned to your body, dragging your panties off you completely. His hands smoothed over your ass as his breath fanned over your thighs, the air hitting your cunt as you whimpered. “Do you want it baby girl?” He whispered, his lips grazing the skin of your thighs. “Yes please.” You responded, your voice hoarse as you panted. “As you wish.” He responded before he ran his tongue down your folds. You bucked against him, your hips slamming back against his mouth.  

“Am I going to have to tie you up baby girl? Stay still.” He whispered, his voice dripping before he sucked your clit into his mouth. You cried out, burying your head into the duvet in front of you, your hips rolling against his tongue. “One more time and you’re getting tied down.” He warned as your body set alight, need rolling over you like a tidal wave. He paused, the clinking of a belt being undone as he gripped your hips, burying his face between your thighs once more. Your eyes rolled back in your head as his tongue dipped into your entrance before rolling down and over your clit. “Sti-” You choked, your hips shaking free of his grip as you bucked against him once again. “I warned you.” The words were lost as his hands grabbed you, pulling you up the bed, turning you onto your back. He fed his belt through the gaps on the headboard, your wrists pulled above your head as he pulled the leather taut against your skin. “I warned you baby girl.” He cooed, his hands smoothing over your hair as you moaned, desperate for his touch.  

He moved down the bed, his khakis falling low on his hips, his cock straining against the material. You looked over him with lust blown lids, gazing at the smattering of freckles on his shoulders as he moved, his biceps curling as he settled between your legs. “Now stay still.” He warned, his hands pressing on your hip as he kissed over your stomach, his tongue swirling over the skin. He bit quickly, sucking purple bruises into the sensitive skin of your inner thigh, his nose pressing against the skin of your cunt. You breathed heavily, allowing your eyes to close as you lost yourself in his touch, the way his mouth moved over you. Your eyes flew open as he licked a stripe along your core, his tongue circling across your clit before sliding down and into your entrance. You cried out, moans filling the room, curses falling from your lips like a prayer. He smiled as you looked down on him, wishing you could run your fingers through his messy hair, pushing him closer to where you needed him most.  

He paused, watching you writhe beneath him, his eyes trained on the way your chest rose and fell. He licked over his lips, returning to you to suck your clit once more, his teeth grazing the skin as the coil within you tightened. You hadn’t felt this way in a long time, your body on edge with every flicker of his tongue. He continued to flicker his tongue against you, flattening it only to dip into your entrance, moans reverberating against your skin. You pulled against your restraints, desperate for more than just his tongue. “Stiles-” You managed to choke out as he sped up his tongue, his fingernails digging into your skin. “I know baby girl.” He spoke quickly, never moving from his spot, one of his hands letting up from their place on your hips. He smoothed over your thigh before pulling away, the tip of his finger suddenly circling your entrance. “This is what you wanted baby?” You nodded, sick of his teasing as the coil tightened further. You were on edge, panting as he pressed a finger inside of you, curling at just the right place to stroke against the spot that had you screaming. “Let it all out baby.” He coaxed, adding another finger as his tongue rolled over your clit.  

It came in waves, crashing over you with such a ferocity you felt your soul leave your body. You arched against your restraints, your skin white from the pressure as you stopped breathing, the world going blurry around you. Stiles didn’t stop his fingers as you trembled, his fingers pistoning against you with quite a speed. “Come on baby.” He demanded, his thumb moving over your too sensitive clit as you struggled to catch your breath. Your hips bucked as you came again, barely even down from your first high his name stumbling from your lips. You fell back against the bed, your arms aching as your heart hammered in your chest. You opened your eyes to find the world swimming around you, your head falling slack against the pillows behind it. Stiles moved beside you, his hands undoing the restraints that bound you. Your arms fell slack against the bed, a sensation of floating as the muscle stretched out. “You were so good babygirl.” Stiles spoke, his fingers running through your hair as you stretched out, rolling onto your front.  

“I didn’t do anything, you did all the work.” You giggled, your head spinning as you clambered to your knees, your hands finding the planes of Stiles’ chest, your fingers smoothing over the skin. “But you sounded so good.” He said as his hands found your hair again, his fingers entangling in the strands. “Well that’s on you.” You winked as Stiles looked down at your body, his cock twitching in the small space between you. “I think it’s time I pay back the favour?” You smirked, dropping on all fours as you undid the button his khakis, your fingers pulling at the fabric of his boxers. “Not necessary baby girl.” He shivered as his cock sprung out of the material, his head already glistening with precum. “I know.” You looked up through your lashes to see him looking down on you, his mouth hung open as you licked over his head. His eyes fluttered shut, his hips bucking against your mouth. “You wanna know a secret?” You muttered as you licked along the vein on the underside of his cock.  

He nodded, his hair falling over his forehead at the action. “My pussy feels better.” You stated matter of factly, your lips wrapping around his cock as he moaned, his hips jarring against your mouth, his cock sliding back towards your throat. You rolled your tongue over him, hollowing your cheeks as you swallowed him, his breathing coming fast. His hands still knotted in your hair, he pushed you to his base, tears pricking your eyes as his cock hit the back of your throat. “Fuck baby girl, if your mouth is this good, and your pussy is better then i’m a dead man.” He stuttered, your tongue swirling over him as you bobbed your head. He pulled you back, his hands free of your hair as he pushed your shoulders, only satisfied as you hit the mattress, your hair splayed around you.  

Your legs wrapped around his hips as his cock teased over you, his head pressing against your clit before teasing over your entrance. “Fuck baby girl.” He stuttered, your legs pulling him closer to you. He pulled back, adjusting himself till he was lined up with you, his hips easing forward until he’d buried himself inside you. You cried out as he stilled, letting the both of you adjust. “Well you weren’t lying.” He joked as he began to piston against you, his hips rolling in the most delicious way. You gripped onto his shoulders as you pulled him flush against you, quelling the moans that fell from his mouth with your own. He licked into your mouth, his tongue sweet as his hips slammed against your own. His hands gripped onto the duvet next to you, his knuckles white as he reached for your chest. His fingers tore the lace from you, his mouth leaving yours as he licked against your collarbones, his hips never stopping moving against you, his cock stretching you in ways you didn’t know were possible. You were in ecstasy as his lips wrapped around your nipple, his free hand twisting the other between his long fingers. You cried out, your walls clenching around his cock. “If you do that again baby girl, I’ll make sure you can’t walk straight for a week.” He warned, his words punctuated with heavy breaths.  

He licked again, your body tingling as the coil inside you tightened, almost on the verge of snapping. You clenched again, as he sped up, his warning coming again. “One more time.” You smiled, his hips now slamming against your own, his cock hitting that sweet spot. You looked him in the eye as you did it again. “You talk a big game Stiles.” You teased, your breathing heavy as he pulled his chest from you, hitching your leg higher on his hip, his hands anchoring you to him. You cried out as he sped up tenfold, his cock hammering into you as you saw stars unfold in front of your eyes. Your breathing stopped as your orgasm crashed over you once more, curses and moans falling on deaf ears as you arched from the bed, your hands flying out for any grip on reality. You bit your lip as your body soared, Stiles’ hips jarring against yours his own orgasm imminent. “Cum for me Stiles.” You cooed, your body ebbing as you tensed around him. Stiles’ eyes fluttered shut as he slowed, his cock twitching inside you.  

He stopped there for a moment, his breathing coming slow, his mouth hung open. He moved off of you, his back hitting the duvet beside you. You rolled, stretching out your muscles, before standing from the bed. You winked at him as you crossed the room, grabbing the bottle of whiskey and placing it next to the bed. “Recharge and drink.” You winked as you headed to the bathroom. When you came out, Stiles sat on the bed, his boxers slung low on his hips. “I wish I didn’t have to play a game on Monday and that you lived closer. I could get used to that.” You nodded, settling into the covers next to him. He turned to you, bottle in hand a hopeful look on his face. “Will you be at the game on Monday, I’m playing your schools lacrosse team, that’s why I’m here.” He laughed as you chuckled nervously. “Yeah of course I’ll be there!” You shook as you grabbed the bottle, quickly downing the contents. “Do I get another round for luck?” He asked, his tongue rolling over his lips as he looked at you. You nodded, placing the bottle back on the nightstand for the rest of the night.  

GAME DAY.

You spent an entire night with Stiles and never once did you lie to him. You were at the game, but not in the capacity he thought you’d be there in. He expected to see you in the stands, not in gear on the opposing team. You sighed as you put on your helmet, running out onto the pitch, cheers filling the open air. You ran into position only to be greeted by a familiar face. Stiles, stood in maroon, his smirk visible through the cage on his helmet. “Are you ready to get absolutely annihilated today Shark?” He taunted, his eyes not recognising your own. “You talk a big game Stiles.” You replied, his eyes widening as he recognised your voice. “Sophie?!” You nodded, removing your helmet as he removed his own. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” He near shouted, his eyes bewildered. “I play for the sharks, I thought you knew that?” You shrugged, knowing fine well that he didn’t know. “No, I didn’t know that!” He spoke exasperatedly, his hands rolling through his hair. “Yeah, well now you know, now you need to convince me that you don’t just talk a big game.”