#making serious accusations against someone also doesn’t help your fucking case

[rafeyscumangel]

LOOK LOOK LOOK

I’M DYING OVER HERE I’M SORRY

honestly a free comedy show

if you read the tags ily

[zodiyack]

In Regards Of My Ex

Pairing: Niklaus Mikaelson x Female!Reader

Warnings: Swearing, angst

Words: 2,125

Summary: Niklaus believes deceitful gossip from Aurora De Martel about his wife and takes his anger out on her. As a result, Y/n leaves and finds comfort with Cami and Davina, who call in backup to confront the big bad hybrid about his big bad dumbassery.

Note: I’ve been in a fluffy mood as of recently HOWEVER this idea was sparked when I was feeling angsty™ so...sorry but also not sorry?

Taglist: @matth1w​, @redspaceace-writes​, @fandom-puff​, @simonsbluee​, @darling-i-read-it​, @jenepleurepasbaby​, @sebastianstanslefteyebrow​, @dpaccione​

Masterlist | The Originals Masterlist

Part One. Part Two. Part Three.

“That wife of yours has been sneaking around with my brother. Breaking more hearts than just yours from what I can see.”

“I suppose some people just can’t see the worthiness of the king in front of them. If I were your wife, I wouldn’t be like Y/n. I’d be committed you and never give you fib tales like her.”

“You are aware that Y/n has been plotting something nefarious against you, aren’t you?”

“I know you wanted to marry someone just as sinister as you, but perhaps you should’ve checked where her loyalty lied before tying that knot.”

Aurora fed him stories such as these, and many more, each conclusion of the lies spewing from her mouth something appalling about Y/n. At first, Klaus didn’t listen, but as her stories grew worse and worse, the faux feeling of treachery intensified. He knew it was unwise to believe anything that came from the spiteful, jealous woman...yet, his distress caused pain to strike his heart and he yearned to know the truth.

Although, in this case, the “truth” wasn’t actually very truthful.

She often told him things like that Lucien was going after his girl for the second time, first with her when she had her chance and now, his beloved wife. Klaus merely brushed it off with an honest “he tries and I’ll stake him first chance I get”. However, Aurora wasn’t finished yet. She continued to lie and deceive Niklaus about the woman who she accused of replacing her in his life. The envy and loathing Aurora felt for Y/n was her motivator, but the woman was too far up a wall to need one in the first place.

“Are you telling me the truth?” He growled, keeping his eyes trained at the wall in front of them.

“Why do you ask?”

“I need to know I can trust your bold claims. So answer me, Aurora, are you telling me the truth?”

That smug little grin, masking her deluding ways. “Of course, Nik. I would never lie to you.” Her welcome into his trust was unsurprisingly taken advantage of  when she traced her finger down his arm and then brought her hand up his abdomen slowly. Klaus shoved her invasive hand off of his chest though, giving her a warning glare.

“Thank you for informing me.” That was all he said to her before he made his way out of the room in the most hurry she’d ever seen him in.

Aurora smiled conceitedly. Her plans were on the right track. Whilst Nik didn’t have the same feelings for her now as he did way back during the beginning of their story, but Aurora was determined to stir those feelings from the dead as vampirism did him and her.

She drawled under her breath, “I will have you again, Nik.” her mischievous smile grew wider, “I will have you again, and nothing can stop me this time.”

“Blasphemy!” Niklaus shouted, veins popping out from the rage coursing in his system. He neared Y/n again, the slight fear in her eyes drawing a pause for a second, guilt stilling him, but his anger took the reigns once more.

“It’s not blasphemy! I would never lie to you!”

“The falsity of your deception proves otherwise, love.” He smirked, raising his brows as to question if she would battle his words yet again. Proof was what he needed, but his vexation had drowned out all logic, including his ability to see the proof he wanted so desperately.

“What deception? What falsehood do you believe to have come from my mouth? When I married you, I vowed to be truthful and loyal. You of all people on this fucking earth should know I always keep a vow.” She narrowed her eyes at him. The betrayal he thought he felt was temporary and fabricated, but hers was 100% genuine and seething within her.

“You say that but if you were indeed an untrue person, your answer would be no different.”

“Why do you insist on proving me a traitor!? What has pushed you so far past your breaking point that you actually accuse me, your wife, as a viper?”

“Don’t you pretend like you don’t know the malicious schemes you’ve plotted against me or the affairs you’ve had with men who obviously aren’t your husband!” He couldn’t stop himself now; “I’ve loved you for centuries and you decide to be disloyal and ill-natured?!”

“Says who?!”

“Says Aurora!” After the words flew from his mouth, a tiny part of him realized just how fucked up it sounded. Just how fucked up it was that he believed her over his wife, but the hybrid was stubborn. He was too stubborn to change his belief or admit his fallacious accusations were unjust without proper evidence.

Y/n knew Aurora and Klaus’ story. Her knowledge of the ancient and long forgotten tale made her reaction thousands of times worse. “Aurora? ...Huh. You choose to believe her- that manipulative, lying bitch, over me? I thought you knew me better than that.” She wiped away a rebellious tear, “I thought I knew you better than that.”

Disappointment hung heavy on her features, drawing a feeling of shame from Klaus. Y/n glared at him one last time, her knitted brows and vaguely teary eyes evidence of the heavy-heartedness that overwhelmed her. She bit the inside of her mouth and shook her head disapprovingly before turning and walking out the front gate-doors of the Mikaelson mansion. Klaus was alone.

The sounds of Davina’s giggles echoed, Cami sitting in front of her and chuckling heartfully as well. Their laughter died off when they noticed Y/n sulking through the front doors of Rousseau's. The place was empty aside from the two women having drinks and a friendly chat. Then Y/n entered and found a seat. The atmosphere, once cheery, suddenly felt melancholy.

“Hey, Y/n, you alright?” Camille’s smile was wiped from her lips. She felt empathy for Klaus’ wife and, as a friendly person in general, she felt overcome with the need to help solve the complication that made her feel so down in the dumps.

“I’m-” She was ready to say fine, Davina and Cami knew it, but she broke down in tears before she could even shape an “o” with her lips. Both women jumped up immediately and sat in the seats beside Y/n. Though Davina couldn’t stand Klaus, she actually liked Y/n and seeing her hurt sent searing pain into her own heart.

“It’s okay, hun,” Cami wrapped an arm over Y/n’s shoulder, her other hand rubbing her other shoulder and arm comfortingly, “take as long as you need, there’s no pressure, no rush, none of that. We’ve got you.”

And so they did. The two women took turns holding Y/n as she cried, and before long, she was ready to talk. She explained Klaus’ anger and the source of their fight, the source of the fake news he’d lashed out because of. Davina and Cami shared a glance when Aurora was mentioned, both women already hating her but equally despising her even more now. Y/n sobbed, crying into Cami’s shoulder about wanting Klaus to just believe her. She said she loved him and because of that, she felt pained by his lack of belief in her.

“He’s not worth it if he can’t see how wrong that decision was-”

“I know, but he’s my husband. I vowed to love him always and forever, to never leave his side, and I intend to keep that vow...so long as he doesn’t do anything to fuck it up any more than he already has.”

The sun began to sink into the dark, not fully quite yet, but still creating it’s beautiful array of colors as a final act before disappearing for the night. About halfway through Y/n’s rant, Cami called Hayley and gave her a summary of what she knew so far. A promise of arriving as soon as she could was returned on Hayley’s end before the line went dead and Cami returned to the table.

Still not entirely after sunset yet, Hayley swung open the door to Rousseau's, catching Davina and Y/n off guard. Despite being the one who called her, Cami stayed seated. Y/n and the witch beside her exchanged confused expressions.

“Are you just gonna sit there or are you gonna tell me what the hell I need to do to Klaus?”

Y/n chuckled softly, wiping away more of the salty tears, before standing and walking over to Hayley, greeting her with a hug. “You don’t have to get involved if you don’t want to-”

“No, trust me, I have to and I want to.” She pulled away and dropped her warm smile, giving Y/n the most serious look she could muster. And as she was Hayley Marshall, it was effortlessly pretty fucking serious. “Now, I want you tell me everything,” the mom voice came out to play, “don’t leave a single detail out. Then, we can discuss what we’re going to do about it.”

“Where is he?”

Rebekah had been informed by the pissed off werewolf and bartender everything that had happened, resulting in her becoming equally upset. She welcomed Hayley inside the gates and nodded her head up the stairs. “I haven’t said anything to him, so you’ll be lucky enough to catch him by surprise.”

The werewolf nodded in understanding before pacing toward the stairs irritability. “Thanks.”

“Make it hurt!” Rebekah’s voice faded away as she walked out the gates, leaving Hayley alone to find Niklaus.

Atop the stairs, she found no sign of anyone whatsoever, but that was only on the outside. If Klaus happened to be inside on of the many rooms, she wouldn’t waste her time searching. Instead, she waited, leaning against the railing and doing a breathing exercise Y/n taught her during one lonely full-moon. 

After minutes of waiting, Klaus finally walked out of a door and started for the stairs. It wasn’t longer than a minute before he stopped in his tracks and realized he’d missed something. He shot a double take in Hayley’s direction, a puzzled expression quickly finding way to his face. It seemed as though he was contemplating whether or not her unexpected appearance was a good thing or a bad thing.

When he seemingly couldn’t make up his mind, staring a few minutes longer, a heavy sigh left her mouth. She was ticked off with him before, but after hearing everything Y/n had to say, she was furious. No, more than furious. The blood boiling rage was incessantly pounding in her head, all she wanted was cause destruction and pain. A rare thing for her.

But now was not the time to lash out, not yet. She inhaled and exhaled, Hayley shifted on her feet and looked around before turning her head to Klaus and beckoned him over to her with a come-hither motion of her index finger.

“What is it?”

She looked at him, flabbergasted that he’d even ask a question as stupid as that, “What is it? What is it, Klaus?” Hayley slapped him, the man doubling back and blinking in astonishment. And not the good kind.

“How dare you lay your hands on me, you-”

“So you’re gonna yell at me now?” She crossed her arms, and unimpressed look resting upon her face. “You know, personally, I think Y/n is better off without you but she’s broken and has been bawling her eyes out nonstop for hours on end, drinking away all the pain that you’ve formed into a stake and shoved into her chest.”

He stopped, fury fleeing his face as he experienced what felt like her words body-slamming into him.

“And guess who’s been there to pick out the splinters?” She poked her finger against her chest over and over again. “Me!” Her eyes never left his, telling him just how sincere about this she really was. “Me! Cami- even Davina!” Hayley threw her hands in the air, emphasizing the shock that came with the information. “Rebekah’s on her way over now, and I’m sure Elijah will see to it that he comforts his sister-in-law as much as he can, but you?”

“I-”

She cut him off, temper still unquenched, thirsty for vengeance. “Let me finish.” She growled. Hayley looked around the room in attempt to calm herself, but it was to no avail.

“You got her into this mess. I just hope you get both of you guys out of it.” She flicked her eyes back to his, giving him her infamous dead eyed glare. “I really hope you do. And you better do it soon. Because I won’t be there to pick the splinters out for you when she realizes she doesn’t need your sorry ass.”

[onlyhereforangst]

WWR

Alright y’all a likely final WWR coming at you, you know 3 months late the day of the dreaded s19 premiere. This definitely gets ranty and emotional, if you’re a Gibbs stan scroll the fuck away & don’t send me hate anon. This is bittersweet and it hurts and I’ve been living in denial for months but I needed this little bit of closure before the writer’s absolutely fuck it up in less than 6 hours. I hope you enjoy my emotional ramblings & I’ve absolutely loved writing these for the past two years, i’ll miss it & your reactions to it dearly ❤️

Badass Ellie is allllllways a treat, and protective nick contrasted to her making albeit slightly reckless decisions is top tier. And then followed up by him being impressed as hell??? He’s like damn my girl just did that and I am not turned on, no way, we are working I am not turned on, nope. Nick sitting at Ellie’s desk in the beginning PLS. Feet kicked up feeling mighty comfortable for someone who hates sitting at a desk 👀 only ok with it when it’s Ellie’s, huh Nick? Also I love that he’s sticking with the nonchalant approach like he did when he found her looking up Eastern Europe locations. He knows if he pushes too hard it won’t go well, but he is still concerned for her well-being. Those pieces slowly clicking into place that something isn’t just off- it’s worrisome off. Because while yes he’s still nonchalant he’s a touch more serious this time, ignoring her attempt at a brush off and claiming “he wants answers.” It’s a subtle step up from 18x14, but it’s there. His spidey senses are tingling and he’s getting less and less able to hide his concern for her 🥺 even if he tries to play it off as flirty banter because yes he’s still gd impressed with her moves and even tells Vance as such essentially. 

Flash forward to at the stash house and they find the files plus the mini debrief back in the bullpen…I truly am inclined to believe Ellie doesn’t know here. I mean sure she realizes that the timing fits to a certain extent—she was at NSA when this happened, but I don’t think she knows this is the beginning of her end. She’s like “oh they’re selling secrets too” and “my contacts are all gone” like…I just, she seems too casual and not at all on edge. Idk so far I’m just not getting that vibe. She even brushed off McGee with the whole that was ten years ago almost like she didn’t remember it? But then at the same time she did bring up the whole legal vs ethical- she hedged, but she did mention it. She was not super gung-ho about OMG THIS WAS SO UNETHICAL WTF HOW COULD THEY DO THIS so still……..idk lets continue haha

Ok her knowledge of guns is slightly concerning but also Nick finds it concerning AND hot, boy can’t help himself lets be honest. That “damn” that slips out please, so many sirens going off in that head but also you’re just like well fuck talk dirty to me some more babe. Aaaaand here we go, here’s why I know Ellie didn’t know that odette was going to plant that shit right now. “Whoever took them from the NSA’s code-level servers risked a lot more than their career” with a little like duh face from Ellie SCREAMS that she did not, would not, EVER do that. The leak was fabricated by Odette and the fact that it would be planted during this case was all Odette unbeknownst to Ellie. Or why the fuck would Ellie so casually and somewhat judgmentally be like “who TF would leak something like that, man they stupid, committing treason and whatnot.” And Ellie is SHOOK when Vance tells her it was her. Like shook as in, blinks several times, shifts her weight back, glances at McGee with a flash of surprise in her eyes. That body language screeeeeams being caught off guard. If she had leaked those documents and if she had known this was a plant, she wouldn’t be caught off guard. And no matter how well you can try and play the part, that body language is legit. She’s shocked someone would even think about that and oh man, Nick. Nick’s face hurts me (and I know this is just the beginning). Because a man who has always seen himself as the bad egg, the criminal so to speak, the one who would do something shady before any of the others. He is shook and angry that Vance could even consider accusing Ellie of this. And then there’s the genuine concern etched on his face (and I’d know, the screen is currently paused on his face staring at Ellie with a worried furrowed brow and pain clenched in his jaw) because he knows logical Ellie wouldn’t do this but also he knows he’s been seeing little puzzle pieces fall into place of suspicious behavior and this is just one more thing that doesn’t sit right with him- doesn’t fit the woman he’s come to know and love. And while I know he truly believes she didn’t leak the files, I would bet right here he’s concerned about what the fuck she’s gotten herself wrapped up in. 

And she continues to be adamantly against this, like Eleanor Raye Bishop would NOT ever leak intel, not as a baby NSA analyst who believed she was doing the right thing always in her role. Never once bringing up questionable ethics, she thought it was the greater good, that little patriot. She’s so adamantly against it and then Vance asks if she was framed, and I think that’s the point where Ellie realizes this is Odette. The word framed all of a sudden clicks it all into place and she picks up it might be “go time” for her. Her glances over at Vance have changed, they’re more cautious, calculating. She hears they’ve been leaked over ten years ago and she knows that she didn’t do it 10 years ago so this very well may be the notice of eviction from Odette. The “we’re coming for you, Agent Bishop” and her little look, oooooh Ellie is fired up. Her switch flipped and she’s now gotta hunker down and defend herself until she can confirm with Odette. Vance doesn’t even let her get a word in to “fight” for her innocence. But the fact that she’s getting sent home pisses her off, she wants to be close to the investigation, know what’s happening, and I’m sure a part of her still resists being dubbed that traitor of the state. Who knows, Odette may have never told her how she would become a disgraced NCIS agent, and this may have pissed Ellie off because her integrity is something she prides herself on. Her line, “I’m not Gibbs […] I’m innocent line” is like a tiny bright spot to chuckle in during this dismal finale. Gibbs hate train right hereeeee

Love that Kasie is immediately on the Ellie defense side, not looking forward to her reaction to Ellie leaving IF they even decide to show us. 

Gibbs telling Ellie “sometimes there’s nothing left to be said” when he fucking up and left the team without so much as a goodbye or sorry for committing police brutality like fuck outta here Gibbs. Ellie is CLEARLY vulnerable right now, she’s been accused of leaking classified documents aka committing treason, she’s suspended, she’s on the brink of going on some dumbass undercover op and is begging, pleading, for any sign from you- her boss and father figure- not to do it. That he shows remorse for leaving the team without a word, that he regrets his decision to just disappear on them, that he wishes he hadn’t or he had done it differently. ANY kind of sign to tell her not to go through with what she’s about to go through. Literally any sign, and instead Gibbs gets defensive and bites back that she’s picking the wrong time in her life (LIKE HELLO YOU JUST SAID IT RIGHT THERE IDIOT, SHE’S GOING THROUGH SHIT MAYBE YOU SHOULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS BUT NO YOU’RE WRAPPED UP IN GIBBS LA-LA-LAND AND HAVE SAID FUCK YOU TO YOUR SUPPOSED KIDS), so now Ellie is even more pissed and gets defensive back telling him he doesn’t even know what’s going on in her life and if that’s not a desperate cry for help I don’t know what is. like she is begging you Gibbs to pick up on it and figure it out, begging you to do your job that’s you’re supposedly so good at and save her from going through with this stupid mission. And then Ellie realizes that he stopped caring about them. He’d gotten so wrapped up in what he was doing, he stopped caring about their lives, the problems they were facing, anything. Him *not* realizing something was happening??? This is Gibbs, this is the man that always knows what’s happening before you even know what’s happening. So the words “I’m starting to realize that” hit like a fucking dump truck. He’s too preoccupied with his own boat-making nonsense that he can’t be bothered to have even an inkling of an idea of what’s going on in their lives. And he doesn’t seem to care that he’s dropped them from his life. And that’s when it hits Ellie, he’s never coming back. He’s cut the team out of his life and he doesn’t care. He has no regrets, he can’t even be bothered to have a single regret. And I think that, right there, is when Ellie decides she’s all in. I think there was always a small part of her that was hesitant to go along with odette. Hesitant to just upend her career and her relationships (aka Nick, but we’ll get to this), all of it. But hearing that the man she looked up to even though he’d made some mistakes, the man she viewed as a father, the one person who’d taken a chance on the nerdy analyst long ago, the one constant through all the turmoil she’d had, just left? Just left without a goodbye, without remorse, without even a parting thought for her? That was it for her. Whatever brainwashing Odette had fed her that she’d pushed back against from fully taking over finally broke free. And with it, Ellie grieves, she’s tearing up from knowing what she’s about to lose. Lose the man she viewed as a father, the coworkers that were like a family, the partner she’d found herself loving like she’d never loved before. 

Ugh poor hurt Nick, he’s willing to do all the grunt work that he abhors in order to free up McGee so he can save Ellie. Nick knows he doesn’t have the skills and I think that’s killing him even more so. He can’t just do it himself, he has to rely on someone else to clear her name (to which he bumped back to last name in a last ditch attempt to maintain distance and keep some semblance of emotions in check, which is failing miserably), and that is killing the doer we know and love. LOL “so you’re both wrong” this poor man I love him, I can’t wait for the tears that will come from me later 🥲 nick immediately taking Jessica’s help, I love it. He’s like I don’t give AF who will help us but I am clearing this woman’s name if it’s the last thing I do. And then she walks in and he’s frozen. All these emotions running through him and then she’s there?? And she ignores him??? Ignores all of them?? Rushes past and storms up to the director on a suicide mission??? Yeah this is why I said that conversation with Gibbs was her last nail in the coffin. She hadn’t decided to go through with it (hence why she hedged earlier with Vance) and then he went and was a piece of shit so she said the hell with it and went all in. She can’t even bring herself to speak at Nick, barely looks at him, because she knows, she knows if she speaks to him, if he gets a chance to try and talk her down in the heightened emotional state she’s in after talking to Gibbs, she won’t be able to hold it in. She won’t be able to deal with seeing emotionally charged and hurt Nick. So she ignores him and McGee and does what she thinks she has to do. How hard did it have to be for Ellie to tell Vance not to defend her, and that their intel was correct? 🥺🥺 it goes against everything she’s ever stood for and she just went and did it. She hates liars and yet she lied. She loves her country and yet she claimed she committed treason. Her body language once again screams uncomfortable but trying to play it off. She’d nodding and repeating it over and over because she needs to convince herself of the words. They leave a bitter taste in her mouth and she can’t stop it. All she can do is clench her jaw a little tighter and get it over with and convince herself. 

Nick is in disbelief, obviously. McGee looks like he’s five seconds from breaking down because his little sister is supposedly a traitor??? Like he can’t believe it. He’s hurt she would do something like this even though he still knows in his gut that it can’t possibly be true. And oh FUCK the part where Nick’s voice cracks asking if Vance fired Ellie. Fuuuuuuuck me. This man’s heart is breaking for what’s happening to Ellie and being completely in the dark about it. Sure they weren’t really clear on what “they” were after The Talk but still. He thought she was open with him. Ever since the jail cell, things had shifted and he thought she’d been honest with him. He’d picked up on those little things, but maybe it was just training or something, NOT committing alleged treason and quitting the one career she loved. Not leaving him in the dark and vanishing without so much as a word. Not that. Because she KNOWS his past, she knows how much shit he’s been through with people in his life leaving without so much as a goodbye. And his voice continues to crack asking about what’s going on because he’s literally in shock. McGee is desperately trying to keep it together, keep some sort of figurehead for the team. Nick is in shambles ok, just like I’m in shambles. He’s adamant she didn’t do it because he KNOWS her. He knows she would never in a million years leak classified intel and now he’s just confused like a lost and kicked puppy. She didn’t DO IT, and she’s not answering her PHONE. He just wants to talk to her, he just wants to know she’s ok, wants to comfort her, wants to convince her to stop and it’ll be alright and he’ll take care of her and he’ll save her because that’s all he wants to do and always has, right? Save her. Save her from everything in this world that could hurt her. Protect her from life’s dangers. Protect her because he can’t bear the thought of losing her. And that all is crumbling down around him. All of it, crashing down like an avalanche, ready to bury him alive in grief and guilt and despair and anger. How am I supposed to TALK to her, he just wants to fucking be with her. He just wants to be there. With her. For the rest of their lives.

Ellie looking at the hat, please. That’s a lifetime of regret packed into one facial expression right there. She’s looking at that hat, the one she cherishes from the moment Gibbs hands it to her, and knows it’ll be the last time she ever sees it again. It’s not something she can take with her, and it’s full of fond memories—most happy, some sad, a few bittersweet—but memories that have made her life whole the past 8 years. And there’s officially no going back, she’s admitted to treason, there’s no way out of that. She’s having to say goodbye to all of her career without saying goodbye to any of them, all of that is wrapped up in that hat. A hat that’s so simple but signifies so much to her. She definitely was not expecting McGee to come out and so her rebuttals to him are exasperated and grasping at straws initially. She tries sarcasm and then she tries to brush it off “it doesn’t matter, it’s done […] I get that, I don’t want to talk about it” when McGee voices that he’s hurt over this and her reputation matters to him. Because he’s like another brother to you dammit Ellie. Yeah he’s grown since he said Ziva was like a sister to him and just stomped on your heart, he didn’t say it then but you’re like a sister to him too Ellie. I love that he fights her on it, and Ellie is like shit I have to come up with something. I don’t think she expected McGee of all people to fight her on this and I’m so glad he did. A little bit of growth because he is not going to see another person he views as family leave him again. And Ellie’s half assed excuses please, all of it is just such BULLSHIT because when they first debriefed she was just like “ethical? Hmmm” nothing more, nothing about being a vigilante and being up in arms over this like she claims she was. Bullshit Ellie, bullshit. And the PARALLELS TO FUCKING GIBBS. THIS IS WHAT YOU DID GIBBS, THIS IS YOU. LOOK WHERE YOU FUCKING PUSHED ELEANOR BISHOP TO STOOP TO. McGee begging her to regret it and Ellie pulls a Gibbs and is like NOPE. WONDER WHERE THE FUCK SHE LEARNED THAT FROM HUH. Gibbs you are singlehandedly responsible for this shit and how Ellie broke Nick’s heart and whatever happens to her on this stupid mission. I’m glad your dumb boat blew up, you deserve it. 

“I don’t want protection” because I can’t have you all following me. 

“It kills me that I lied to the people I was closest to” not about what you think I’m lying about but what I’ve been hiding. It kills me that I can’t tell you the real reason for this. It kills me.

“It wasn’t years ago for us” McGee rip my heart out please it will hurt less. And Ellie just playing into all of it. Knowing that she needs him and everyone else to hate her and not trust her. Her entire livelihood and backstory rely on them hating her and not following her, believing she’s the enemy and she’s hid these kinds of secrets for so long. Believing she’s a criminal and it was all a farce. She has to play into it. She has to. It’s the only way she will survive, they’ll survive. Odette likely fed her this shit, cut all ties, make sure no one follows, make sure no one is attached, burn all bridges. 

Ah and we’re back to pissed Nick. Nick who doesn’t like to be left in the dark ever, let alone when it deals with Bishop. Getting his edgy self being rude to Kasie but Kasie doesn’t even bat an eyelash. She knows Nick is hurting and she reaches out to him, she doesn’t take his tone to heart because she knows. Nick saying he wouldn’t know how she’s doing is just like a knife to the heart. He wants to know, desperately. He once thought he was the person she would go to in times like these but now all he’s getting is radio silence, a cold shoulder, and screened phone calls. He’s in visceral pain from the thought of her going through this alone, pain from everything he once thought true and good being destroyed in a day’s time. And Kasie is shocked that Nick hasn’t spoken to her. If that doesn’t tell you she knows that they are a thing and the gravity of all this, I don’t know what will. Nick should have spoken to her, clearly he wants to, in every other situation he would have already. But Kasie (and Jessica) just realized Ellie is shutting Nick out and that is Not Good. 

Back to Gibbs. Fucking asshole he is. McGee comes to you desperate to help his sister, Gibbs’ “daughter” and he goes “I think she’s at a crossroads” ???? Acting like he didn’t fucking encourage her at this so-called crossroads???? Like ???? The fuck???? Her crossroads was painfully obvious when she came to talk to you and YOU basically treated her like you couldn’t care less about her. That you had no clue what she was dealing with in her life and said as much. So yeah, she WAS at a fucking crossroads until you SHOVED her into oncoming traffic and said have a nice fucking life. AND THEN. McGee wants to help her and Gibbs tells him he can’t??? “Not this time” bitch this is YOUR FAULT. YOU COULD HAVE HELPED HER. COULD HAVE TALKED TO HER AT LEAST SOMEWHAT AND YOU DIDN’T. YOU SAID YOU DIDN’T REALIZE SHE WAS SPIRALING AND THAT YOU DIDN’T REGRET LEAVING YOUR SO-CALLED FOUND FAMILY IN THE DUST AND GUESS WHAT. SHE WENT AND PARROTED YOUR WORDS RIGHT BACK AT MCGEE SO FUCK YOU GIBBS. 

Ooooh Nick looks lethal, love that look, hate why he has that look though. Lol Nick getting ready to go murder the dude in interrogation because he set up Ellie and he’s just ignoring the fact that she claims she committed treason because he already knows there is literally no way on earth that she did it. And Vance realizing that Nick needs to stand down like fiiiiiiinally someone realized it. Obviously he isn’t gonna listen and poor Nick, this boy has it bad and he’s truly just SO WORRIED for what Ellie is about to do. Because right there, the confirmation that the file was a plant, that was the final puzzle piece falling into its perfect place. Every single thing he questioned, every little moment he’d replayed in his head, it all made sense. And he was so very pissed she hadn’t come to him- and honestly I think part of him is trying to ignore the WHY that’s behind that because he truly wouldn’t be able to think straight if he went there. I think that would be his end, going into the why she didn’t trust him, why she lied, why it hurts him so much. It would be the end, and yet…we’re just beginning here. And of course he knows exactly who is manipulating Ellie, he hadn’t trusted that scum from the start. So of course he goes straight to Odette’s cabin and lays in wait, probably pouring over all the documents and things Ellie did or didn’t leave behind there. 

Ellie pulling up in the truck and that heavy sigh? Yeah, she’s still not convinced this is a good idea. She’s running on emotions but that logical part of her (and deep down, her heart, knowing what she’s about to do- who she’s about to cut out of her life) is whispering of how very bad an idea this is. She still has to gather her willpower to get out of that car but when it’s Gibbs calling her? The same Gibbs that basically just kicked her out the door without so much as a wave goodbye? Yeah, the emotion just came rushing back, pushing the logic aside. She claims she can’t tell Nick because no shit if she has to look him in the face and lie and still say goodbye, it’ll kill her. She’s honestly not sure if she can go through with it. 

OH we back to a Gibbs hate novel, hold on. “I’M REALLY PROUD OF YOU BISHOP” WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK. I’M REALLY PROUD YOU’RE THROWING EVERYTHING YOU EVER WORKED FOR AWAY, PUSHING THE ONES YOU LOVE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LIFE, SACRIFICING YOUR ONE SHOT OF LOVE THAT YOU OF ALL PEOPLE DESERVE THE MOST. I’M SO PROUD OF YOU. Oh fuck OFF Gibbs. “Following your gut” oh shut UP. I just don’t understand this part. I don’t understand it, and I’m trying so hard for it to make sense, for it to be in character. Like does Gibbs have any clue?? I’m sure he recognizes the signs, I’m sure he has an inkling at this point. So how would he be proud? How the FUCK would he say he’s learned some stuff from her. Does he mistakenly trust Odette because of what she did for Ziva? Is he just so self-absorbed he doesn’t completely comprehend what Ellie is doing leaving Nick behind??? And Rule 91 is a load of shit. “When you decide to walk away, don’t look back” how FUCKING STUPID. Like Gibbs of all people, you should understand that is a SHIT rule. You’ve lost the people you loved dearly and you think she should just never look back? Like are you saying this so that Ellie has a clear head for the undercover op? Are you hoping she doesn’t get herself killed by being wrapped up in what she left behind??? What the actual fuck. Stupid ass rule honestly. It’s what you live by Gibbs and look how well that turned out for you. Look at the family you ditched. Nice fucking job. 

“It’s done” and “what are you talking about I did everything you asked” ok she’s 100% being manipulated and almost blackmailed somehow. There’s no other explanation. Eleanor Raye Bishop wouldn’t do this shit. Not willingly, not if she knew how much Nick loved her and how much she loved him (which if her words in just a minute are any indication, yeah she had a fucking clue). Odette calling Nick a loose end just SCREAMS how she purposefully fucking chose the moment Ellie and Nick started to get close to decide it was time for Ellie to go undercover. I just KNOW it. She’s a manipulative bitch and there is no limit to the rock bottom she will stoop to. 

Ellie knows who she’s talking about and the just look of fuck I have to actually tell him to his face. The doubt and grief and guilt and all of it, flashing across her face as she realizes she has to do this. She has to face this, she has to lie. She has to break his trust (not that she hasn’t already) something SHE made so painstakingly clear she needed from Nick. Nick is rightfully *pissed* I mean who can blame him. Ellie with her, “I have nothing to be sorry for.” I know Ellie is just doing her best to burn bridges, the hesitation and avoidance leading up to this lends itself to no other interpretation. She is going to say anything and everything to make sure Nick does not follow her. Make sure he stays as far away as possible from her. She can’t bear the thought of him getting hurt in some way from all this. Even though he may not get physically hurt, I don’t think she realizes the heart break is going to be worse. The painful part is Nick understands, he understands why she wants to do undercover. He had seen that glimmer in her eye when they were Charlie and Luis, he gets it, he’s been there. And he wishes so desperately he could impress every lesson he’s learned on her right then and there but at the same time he knows it won’t change a thing. He just wishes in vain that their love would change her mind, even if logic wouldn’t, their love surely could. I think Ellie starts to realize just how much Nick can see through her and that’s why she owns up to the fact that Odette planted the files, and also why I believe the leak was all an elaborate hack that Ellie didn’t know about. 

Then we get to the even more painful part of Nick giving us a glimpse of his raw heart. The why now with a voice crack and Ellie’s hedge at now wasn’t her choice with her own voice cracking, just is so so so telling. She could lie, she could really work at burning this relationship in a blaze of glory but she doesn’t, she owns up to the fact that she didn’t purposefully choose now (aka right when they were starting to figure things out between them), she’s not pulling the strings. Nick coming back with so you had a choice is like the little 5 year old boy whose dad is walking out on him again and it just HURTS. And at the same time Ellie is also the young, insecure agent right now who just wants to prove herself. She wants to be viewed as “ready” and the man whose opinion she bases way too much of her self-worth in didn’t say he was proud of her until she was upending her career to go on some deep cover op where she ditches everyone important in her life. 

“How long?” “Too long.” Yeah ok FUCK ME. They both know exactly what they’re talking about without even saying the actual words. Ellie’s voice cracks once again because of the emotion in Nick’s voice and what he’s implying. It pains her to leave him and what they’re becoming behind. It viscerally hurts her, you can see it on her face. She doesn’t want it to be too long, but she knows it will be. She can’t fathom that he’d stay or wait for her, she doesn’t think she even deserves that. 

Tbh it’s so hard to put this all into words. To fully convey to you how angry and hurt I am over this shit. Ellie’s being manipulated and hurt that she has to burn this bridge and push Nick as far away from her as possible. She thinks its her only out and what should be expected of her based off her conversation with Gibbs because then she parrots his exact words back at Nick when he begs, literally begs her to say something after she was willing to leave without saying goodbye (which we know is because she didn’t think she was going to be able to look Nick in the eye and still go through with it all), “sometimes there’s nothing left to be said” like fuck you Gibbs for planting that in her head. There’s PLENTY left to be said. Clearly Nick was not pleased you blew him off Ellie, he wants you to say anything that would make this make sense (we all are tbh) and she says you know my *favorite* line, “I didn’t mean for us to happen.” Nick is all of us with his “something else” because WHAT THE FUCK. This is how I know Ellie was going full throttle with her strategy of pushing Nick away. This was the one thing she could say that would hit hardest for Nick. The man who is insecure about anyone truly loving him and him being a person deserving of a love that “stays” and for Ellie to say she didn’t mean to fall in love and even though they did she’s still going to leave because it was never in the plan, just damn, stab him in the back and twist that knife Ellie. And just like her body language this WHOLE TIME 💀💀💀 she’s just shaking her head because she doesn’t even believe her own words, she doesn’t want to confront this, she doesn’t want to end this. There’s tears in her eyes because everything she’s saying is a lie and it hurts it hurts so damn much but she has to. She’s been manipulated into believing she has to do this, has to say these things. And his body language too, I mean he is tight. He is standing so rigid, hands clasped behind his back because he’s trying to convey openness and vulnerability and it’s so much growth for Nick, so much growth and Ellie is still ripping his heart out and stomping on it. And when she chokes out that goodbye you can hear and feel how final she believes it to be. She doesn’t think he’ll stick around or even want to. In this vein I think she underestimates his love for her here. And if the show goes a different way with it, they’re little bitches. It is in character for Nick to do everything in his power and outside of the rules to find & save Ellie. I will riot if I don’t see unhinged Nick some point early in s19 (I say like I’m going to watch religiously), because that is the only logical reaction to her leaving like this. 

The kiss. It’s a beautiful fucking kiss and it’s ruined by context. It’s an emotional kiss, Ellie throws her body behind it, gripping his face with both hands because she doesn’t want to let him go (even though she’s going to), she clutches to this memory like she clutches to his face. Nick’s clenched expression because he doesn’t want to open his heart up to more heartbreak but when he leans into the kiss and gives the kiss back you know he’s a goner. And maybe a part of him doesn’t care because this may be his last memory of her for a long time and he’s going to burn it into his memory too. It’s why he keeps his eyes shut after she’s left for so long, he doesn’t want to open them and the reality of her retreating back be the last thing he sees of Ellie. He wants the kiss to be the last thing, he doesn’t want to face his reality. His hands had even come out from behind his back, reaching out to her subconsciously willing her not to leave. Meanwhile, Ellie opens her eyes for that last kiss on the cheek to get one last long look at Nick, one last look that will hold her over for who knows how long. A look at his vulnerable face, a face she loves. A look that she hopes will keep her warm at night even though she knows she’ll never get it this close to her again because there’s no way in hell that Nick would entertain the thought of them together again after what she’s done. She doesn’t look back because she can’t. She can’t see Nick’s wounded face just standing there, broken or she won’t go. And Nick tries to stand resolute, the anger and pain flashing across his face before he grits his teeth together and *hopefully* resolves to find Odette and kill her I mean save Ellie I mean kill Odette 🙊

Anyways, there’s only a very specific way this entire finale makes sense. And I know Emily’s pregnancy threw it for a loop, but they can still SOMEWHAT fix this. Do I think they will? Hell fucking no. I have zero expectations, in fact negative expectations. I have a feeling what we were supposed to see is Nick going on an absolute swan rampage to find Ellie and clear her name throughout the first couple episodes of s19 and with Emily leaving the show, I’m not sure how they’ll twist this. I can see why they thought this was a fun cliffhanger because it would eventually be resolved and I do believe they would’ve eventually gotten ellick together after Nick found her. But unless Emily comes back at the end of the show, that won’t happen, at least not on screen. And with that I just 🥲 I’m still mad, I’m still broken inside but yeah. I’m a masochist before anything else apparently and so I made myself rewatch and write this out. A bittersweet pissed off adieu to the WWR. maybe one day i’ll find another ship & show that gets this level of meta out of me, but it’s been real ellick, it’s been really real ❤️

[remmushound]

Beyond the Bay chapter 17: What’s the word?

Tags: @brightlotusmoon @selfindulgenz @ilo-artistry

Summary: Donatello and Mikey bond and spy on their brothers

Content warning: swears

Once again, Mikey was excluded while his brothers talked about something he wasn’t allowed to hear. His heart wasn’t racing as much anymore and his entire body wasn’t tight and painful; if anything, he was just tired. Tired, but awake, because what he wanted more than anything was to know what they were keeping from him. At least he wasn't alone this time, even if the one keeping him company wasn’t exactly talkative.

Donatello hadn’t said a word the entire time he and Mikey were together, sitting on the edge of the bed with his nose shoved in his phone; occasionally his eyes glanced over to check on Mikey, but they held no emotion. Only simple, calm calculation before turning back to his phone. It was starting to become unnerving.

“I wish we could hear what they were talking about.” Mikey muttered bitterly, mostly just to fill the silent void that had swallowed the room. His eyes found the door, imagining what his brothers were discussing just beyond. He should be there too! 

It was almost as if Donatello had been waiting for those very words, for the second they left Mikey’s mouth, Donatello snapped his phone down on his lap and turned his full attention to the box turtle. A grin spread to shatter what had once been a tepid expression, chasing it into one of pure, devilish delight. A true Donatello expression.

“Perhaps we can, dear Angelo…” He tented his fingers, lips pulling even further back to flash his teeth. “Perhaps… we… can…”

“Were you just waiting on me to say that—?” Mikey’s eyes followed Donatello as the softshell stood to attention, tapping away eagerly on one of the many screens littering his body.

He didn't answer Mikey’s question, but seconds later a bang came from the vent shaft and made Mikey jump near out of his skin. He pulled back against the bed frame with eyes like saucers, looking at Donatello and expecting him to do something about it. Donatello only sat back down, crossing his hands over his lap and smiling as the banging continued, and then came whirling, and finally the vent cover popped off and out crawled what Mikey could have mistaken for a giant, metal spider. It was all he could do to stare as the spider beeped, scanning the room with red, flashing sensors before climbing down the wall with all the dexterity and cling of a real spider.

The spider gave a small, almost cute bounce as if declaring ‘look at me, i’m here, I exist!’. It then proceeded to climb up Donatello just as it had climbed down the wall, perching itself on Donatello’s shoulders. It held up its two front legs like an ant might, giving a series of excited beeps that earned it head scratched from Donatello.

“Oh my god…” Mikey drew his knees to his chest and his hands to his mouth as he stared at the marvelously adorable robot.

Donatello, with that same smile on his face that just screamed ‘evil scientist’, plucked the tiny android from his shoulder. A few button clicks and the legs of the spider curled and formed a cone, which Donatello promptly aimed at the door as he positioned himself closer to Mikey.

“Listen~”

Mikey leaned his head so close it was practically pressed against Donatello’s. The machine that had taken form with Donatello’s guidance started to speak, and the voice belonged to Leonardo, like he was speaking through a megaphone!

“You weren’t there!” Leonardo’s voice said through the machines, and he sounded almost like an accused pleading his case, “You didn't see how Mikey reacted!”

“I was there!” Donnie sounded like a lawyer, though Mikey would have much preferred to hear an ‘OBJECTION!’ at the start. “And so was your Raph, and we both saw how unstable Mikey was!”

“He was freaking out, saying that there was someone needing help—” Leonardo was almost breathless.

“Whatever Mikey said was the result of some freaky fever dream.” Leo sounded like a prosecutor, “Donnie, you said he was running, what, a 90 degree fever?”

“91.2.” Donnie said, and before another could speak, he continued, “But we’re mesothermic reptiles— it’s possible Mikey was just cold and his body naturally warmed itself. 91 is just barely beyond our normal range of 80 to 90, it barely classified as a fever!”

“Who’s side are you on?” Leo’s voice came a low rumble.

“I’m not picking sides, I’m stating facts!”

“Then you should stick to the fact that just because Mikey saw, or thinks he saw, that dinosaur doesn’t mean he gets to go with us!”

“Well…” Donnie’s voice was sheepish, “He never said it who it was…”

“Oh no Don noooo.” Mikey groaned and pinched his beak.

“And that is just another reason he shouldn’t go.” Leo stated, “Even if this was some trauma-induced omnipotence, Mikey is in no state to even leave his bed, let alone come with us to hunt a dangerous creature!”

“Maybe if we don't shout, we can all find some common ground?” Raphael’s voice was hopeful and like a member of a jury.

“Fuck that!” Raph, also, was like a jury member, only on the opposite side of the spectrum. “That’s my baby brother, man!”

“You think I don’t know that?” It didn't take much to get Raphael angry; he seemed to feed off of Raph’s agitation and reflect it in turn.

“If it’s any consolation,” Now Donnie’s voice was more like a mediator, “I think Mikey coming with us could actually be beneficial…”

“Are you fucking serious?” Raph’s voice carried venom, but not as much as had been directed at Raphael. “He just had a seizure, Don!”

“Let him talk!” Leo’s misplaced anger came with a slam of his hands, the impact reverberating through the megaphone.

“You guys never listen to me talk!” Raph’s venom had returned to full potency against Leo’s words.

“Of course we listen to you!”

“Oh really? We’re lying now? Or is it still compartmentalization?”

“We don’t need to bring that up—” Donnie was once more trying to be the voice of reason.

“No, let’s talk about that!” Leo insisted.

“Oh here we go.” Mikey didn't realize how much of his weight he was leaning into Donatello, but the softshell worked dutifully to support him.

“Haven’t I done better since then?” Leo asked.

“Doing better doesn’t make your mistakes go away.”

“Then what will?” Leo’s voice almost broke.

“Nothing.” Raph’s answer was short and sharp.

Raphael had enough and he made it known with no hesitation. Even without the megaphone, Mikey could feel Raphael’s growl vibrated through the air, penetrating through the walls and soaking through his shell and into his core. Even at this distance it made all of Mikey’s thoughts take a sharp turn to hide, and he found himself clinging to Donatello while the rest of him shrank into his shell. Donatello didn't have a similar reaction, but he did lower his head and give a low, almost inaudible hiss. The lapse of thought lasted Mikey almost a moment, but it felt like an eternity he was trapped in that frozen state.

“If you keep fighting, I’m going to knock both of you out.” Raphael’s voice carried the same deep threat as his growl, “Donnie, say your piece.”

“I…” Donnie started, then had to clear his voice to shake the tremble still clinging to it. “I think it would be beneficial for everyone if we bring Michelangelo along. Otherwise he’ll just try to sneak after us anyway.”

Mikey considered, and then nodded. “He’s not wrong.”

“It’s better for him to be out there with us then sneak out on his own and us not know where he is. That way we can watch him.”

“Mikey?” Raphael’s voice was still loud and in charge off the situation. “What do you think?”

“He’s clearly biased…” Raph muttered bitterly and offhand, like he didn't intend for anyone to actually hear the passive-aggressive remark.

“Actually, I don’t think it’s a good idea…” Michelangelo said.

Mikey felt as if he had been doused in ice water. “Little Mike…?”

“Wait, for real?” Raph’s voice came with a layer of disbelief.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea!” Hearing the statement again made Mikey sick to his stomach, but he couldn’t stop listening. “He’s— he’s sick! He should be resting!”

“Mikey!” Leonardo’s voice carried the same breathless disbelief as Raph, “How could you want to leave him behind?”

“I don’t want to!” Michelangelo insisted, “But it might be for the best with everything he’s gone through! Please don’t be mad, Raphie!”

“Alright.” Raphael’s voice was far from mad. “Me, Leo, and Donnie think that Mikey should be allowed to go.”

That was met with a murmur of agreement from Leonardo and Donnie.

“Mikey, Leo, and… and Raph think he shouldn’t be allowed to go.”

Another mutter of confirmation.

“Right. Then we need a tie breaker. I’ll get Donatello.”

In the seconds it took Raphael to reach the room, five by Mikey’s count, Donatello had folded his machine away, tossed it back into the vent, and resealed the cover before sitting down innocently, back on his phone like nothing had happened. Mikey didn't have enough time to react, so Raphael entered he was met with a wide-eyed, mouth-open Mikey and a calm, texting Donatello. He stared at the box turtle for just a moment before whistling.

“Donald, need you out here a sec.”

Donatello out his phone away in his pocket. As he stood and left, Mikey could have sworn Donatello gave him a passing glance and smirk. Raphael waited until Donatello was out of the room before looking back to Mikey and giving a polite smile.

“Donnie has that effect on people.” Raphael closed the door.

[uhhhhyandere]

thoughts on catboy light?? (idk he went to the party with yn and bOom catboy light)

HAHAHAHAHAAHAA

“send me ur heinous asks”

“can i have catboy light pls 🥺🥺👉🏻👈🏻” ik u just asked for thoughts but i had to write this out in a small drabble bc the temptation was too strong oops 

this is not yandere but pure... nonsense. also me practicing writing in present tense bc i realized i don’t do that lmao ofubnwofn 

...

...

“Don’t say a word.”

“I-I wasn’t gonna!” You were quick to hide your slowly deteriorating facade behind your jacket sleeve, biting the fabric to still your staggering, laughing breaths. Light hands stay still for the first time since he woke up and stopped accusing you of playing some part in this even though you have no means to surgically implant cat features. “Can I touch your ears?”

“No,” Light bites out. “Leave me alone.” He slams the bathroom door shut and you let your hands fall to howl out a silent laugh. 

You’re all too familiar with the fact magic lies in the intricacies of this world and the others it's adjacent to; though, usually, it’s tragic and in the form of a cruel black notebook. This time, however, after you and Light were caught in a particularly harrowing thunderstorm, you woke this morning with a line of fur around your waist and Light pressed up against your back, nosing into the back of your head with a purr. 

Light Yagami purred this morning. 

You couldn’t silence your second round of laugher, tears pooling in your eyes at the unabashed hilarity of the situation. Big bad Kira was a catboy. 

“Shut the hell up!” Light yelled from the other side of the door, followed by a fierce bang. You heaved into your pillow which poorly silenced your wheezing causing Light to reemerge from your shared bathroom. Even through the haze of his heaviest scowl, you could only focus on the brown and black striped ears and matching tail. “I’m glad you find this funny, really. How do you think I can go to work or anywhere in public like... this? How is this possible...?” Light scratches his chest with his sharpened nails with his tail swishing behind him. You bite your lip. “I’m going to call off the rest of the week and figure out how to... deal with this. Say I’m sick, but I’ll need you to pick up my case files from the office today.”

You return to find Light... or lackthereof in the seemingly empty space. Setting down the files on the kitchen counter, you call his name once, twice, three times, but only silence responds. You sigh. Don’t tell me I have a runaway cat already. You open the cabinet to grab a snack, but a devious thought protrudes your mind. Grabbing the box of crackers, you dump a few in a resealable plastic back and smash them. 

“Oh, Light,” you called, shaking the bag in the air. “Are you hungry?” You take some crumbs out of the bag and extend your palm. You knew a shit-eating grin split your face, but fuck, you couldn’t help it, especially when his footsteps bounded down the stairs, and he peered around the corner. “There you are.” It takes him a second to comprehend the situation, and he smacks the bag out of your hand. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? This isn’t a a joke,” he seeths, but for something not a joke, you can’t help the makings of another grin on your face. “Stop. I’m serious, Y/N.” Light scowled. 

“Awh, I’m sorry,” you move too quick for him to catch your movements and stroked between his ears. His hesitation to pull was momentary, but long enough for you to catch it. Light’s features, though pissed, are painted read. 

“Get away from me. I just need my files.” 

“They’re on the counter, kitty.” 

“Don’t call me that,” he snaps and snatches the folders from the counter, “and stay away from me.” You put your hands up in surrender and turn around, but you don’t miss him taking the forgotten bag of crackers from the ground to the back with him. 

You settle on the couch and crank on the television. Your mood is far too high compared to its usual dankness. You turn your head at every sound in hopes to get another peek at Light, but he doesn’t emerge from his office until...

About ten minutes later. 

He radiates reluctance as he joins you on the couch, on the complete opposite cushion. You keep your grin on the side of your face you can’t see until you turn your head his way. Light cannot sit still. He fidgets and adjusts his position like someone who cannot find comfort. 

“Everything alright?” 

“Yes,” he replied a moment too quick. 

“If you say so,” you said and bring your hand to your side, slowly stroking the cushion like you did to his head not too long ago. Light’s jaw clenches. “You sure?” You cease your verbal teasing, and only three minutes and twenty-three seconds later he scootches over just an inch. 

Five after that his thigh presses against yours and your hand is behind his new ear, digging into the line between fur and hair on his head, and he purred again. You repeat the motion and force his head to tilt towards your shoulder. He does pull back a few times, but ultimately Light ends up lowered until his head is on your thigh, tail swishing towards the ceiling. 

It took half an hour for him to abruptly fly off your lap. His head almost smacks into yours as he rises to his feet. 

“This? Did not happen.” He marches back to this office. 

You guess him snuggling up to you in bed that night, draping his body nearly on top of yours and intertwining his legs with yours. 

And he definitely didn’t purr. 

[nightswithkookmin]

Imo there is enough to support the possibility of a romantic relationship, but you are writing full on narratives with impossible specificity. You know what confirmation bias is but some young impressionable people dont yet . Forgive me but misleading with ' alt facts' can hurt someone even if you dont mean it. I think you are a good person not looking to hurt anyone. But the way you postulate without any evidence makes your actions a little but like those of a charlatan. Peace and kindness

All these kind words you spew...

It feels more like an advice than a question so I'm not sure how to respond to it...

Let me just say thank you? I never quite understood what the brouhaha was about with my posts but after talking to a few people, 'on the other side' lol and reading your Ask, I think I'm starting to get a better sense of what the problem is.

Something about young impressionable minds or people?

Let the council of elders know, those are not my audience please. I cater to a much more mature audience- at least so far. The people that I interact with and engage with on my posts on and off Tumblr are very mature and not impressionable at all.

They are People with brains who can tell an opinion from fact and can engage in deep complex controversial conversations without throwing up, shedding tears or cussing through to the heavens.

If there are 'impressionable people' reading my blogs- they do so at their own risk. If you know any such people or they run to you with my theories kindly point out to them it's just theory because that's what my opinions are.

I think the best thing you can do is to advice such people to grow up if they are going to sit at the adult table or not read my posts at all. I think you need to learn to hold the right people accountable for their actions.

The best I can do in this case- to hold myself accountable, is to put up a disclaimer on my posts to let people know what it is that they are reading- something I do quite often. But I will make conscious efforts to put up those disclaimers each time henceforth. Thank you.

That I write full on narratives with impossible specificity:

Is this Latin for, 'you write fiction get the fuck outta here?' Chilee.

I don't even know what you mean by this exactly so I may not be able to respond to it to your satisfaction. Bare with me.

So what if I write fiction? What is wrong with writing fiction? Do you hate fiction writers? I don't get what the hate is with these complaints honestly. Do you want me to put up a disclaimer stating my blogs are fiction? Would that help? I would glady do it.

If it helps you sleep at night think of my blogs as fiction- a rose by any other name. I've been keeping up with Shakespeare. Lol.

I don't think it's that deep. Listen, you gotta understand that just because we both 'ship' Jikook don't mean we are on the same team...

Most alt shippers I know and who read my posts and engage with it are not even Army to begin with, for your information. They could care less about these shipping politics of yours. Have you thought about that?

Some simply ship JK and JM and support them because they believe they are members of the LGBTQ plus community not because they are part of BTS.

There are different communities out there who are also into Jikook- for very different reasons. You gotta respect that.

To you, Jikook is just a ship within BTS that may or may not be real, but to some of us they have very much outgrown that description...

They are a brand of their own, a power couple and members of the LGBTQ plus community- Gay Icons extraordinaire. I think we take very different stock in Jikook. So stop trying to fit us all into one box.

It's disrespectful to try and control the way that people perceive their OTP and support them. Jikook don't just belong to Army Jokers, they belong to different communities outside Army. Are you aware of that?

And please don't confuse the intersect. I am an alt-shipper yes but I just so happen to be an Army too. But if I wasn't an Army, I'd still pretty much 'ship' and support Jikook- make no mistake. There are quite a few of us running around these streets, you know?

So you have every right to want to gatekeep your Army Jikook- but you have to do that without infringing on other rights of other 'Jikook communities.'

Throughout my blogs I have tried to shed light on what altshipping is because I thought it would help bridge the gap but clearly that hasn't worked. Sigh.

Misleading alt facts

Do you not know what it means or you are just being ironic?👀

Why is it ok for you to believe and proclaim that JK and BigHit lied about JK dating the Tattoo artist but it's not ok for me to believe JK is telling the truth when he says he didn't date her and that BigHit saw an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone- hence why they didn't press charges against the shop for breach of privacy like they had said they were going to do. Instead, they had asked the shop to keep calm till the scandal died down on it's own?

You start your piece off with the whole, 'there is enough evidence to support a romantic relationship' between JK and the tattoo shop lady- I assume.

For context, this Ask by this anon is in response to my recent post/ answer on the tattoo girl scandal where the topic of discussion was on BigHit, JK and the tattoo artist and not Jikook perse.

A statement that is in direct conflict with JK's statement, BigHit's and the lady in questions, all denying that there was a romantic relationship between her and Jungkook- and somehow I am misleading who- who now with my theory??? Chileee.

Do you see the problem here? Double standards- the hallmark of bigotry. Lmho. You are literally doing the very thing you are accusing me of. Making confident assertions and claiming you know more about JK and the Lady's relationship and even have 'enough evidence' contrary to BigHit, JK and the Tattoo artist's statements denying the rumors- at least when I theorize I admit I'm being delusional. What's your excuse? When you say charlatan are you referring to yourself? You must be. Lmho.

Now I'm confident in my comprehension skills and intelligent enough to know when you make an assertion like this- it is your opinion and you are just stating your opinion. If you are not then honey you'd be opening yourself up to some serious litigation... goodluck I guess. Lol.

You are allowed to form an opinion about a topic. There is nothing wrong with that. If to you, JK and this person dated that is fine. I am not going to cyber bully you, stalk you, throw slurs at you, harrass you, dox you, slid into people's Dms to spread hate and lies about you just because I don't agree with your opinion. And for the record, I don't agree with your opinion. Hehehehe.

I have stated my opinion on the matter. I said I think JK and this person did hang out, go on dates but that there was no romantic sexual relationship between them because I believe that would have had much serious consequences and effects on Jikooks dynamics no matter how much they tried to keep a cool facade. Whoever felt cheated on would have acted more insecure than usual post the incident- how does this make me a charlatan? Are you saying it's wrong it have an opinion? Chileee.

Now if you can produce 'evidence' of them having sex or even kissing, then I will gladly change my mind on the topic and not sweat it.

Jikook have done way worse questionable things in 7 good years and people still don't believe they are dating. Jk hangs out with a female friend a few times in less than a month and suddenly he is dating her? Lmho.

You don't need me to tell you people are more eager to accept a heterosexual relationship than wrap their heads around the fact that two male idols are gay and in a gay relationship with eachother. Don't you just love it when homophobia meets heteronormativity and stinks? I do. Lol.

I mean this is a fandom that thinks JK is 'too touchy' and doesn't respect his boundaries- they practically swear JK is cheating on Jimin with every member any time he hugs, kisses, wings at within the group. You think they will be 'objective' about JK hanging out with a girl? Even if it happened once?

You said something about confirmation bias.... I will not touch it. Lmho.

This is not the first time JK has gone on a date with a girl. This is not the first time he has 'dated a girl', he has hand girls on his laps or whatever- what is a back hug? I think people need to stop defining Jikook's lives by their own standards. If a backhug is intimate to you. Thats you. If you think a grown ass man cannot hang out with a female friend, that's equally you.

You think if he thought it was inappropriate and risky he would do it 'in public?' Get with Kpop Idol dating culture. Lmho.

Do you know the lengths they go through to keep their relationships a secret? Especially non celebrity girlfriends? Chen from EXO got married and where is his wife? They keep their flings tighter than Trump keeps his toupee on his head. Lol.

They hide them not out of shame but out of love and the need to protect their loved ones. These idols have family members who have their restaurants and businesses shut down because they want to keep their privacy.

You think JungKook's girlfriend would- on her own, issue a statement regarding a scandal that Jungkook's agency had specifically directed her and her shop to keep quiet about and lay low till it blew away on its own? And later, started liking couple posts about her and JK? If they were dating, certainly JK would have dumped her after that move. In my opinion.

You think JK would let his fandom drag the person he is in a relationship with to the extent she loses her Job- when in his Itaewon gay pub scandal BigHit referred to the issue as his private affair immediately it happened? They could have kept the same energy with her, no?

They handled his gay pub scandal much better, with much respect and consideration for his privacy- if he dated her sorry but she mustn't have meant much to him at all. And if I were her I would have dumped him for that shit and not stay liking couple posts about us. Damn- But do you.

Taehyung was in a scandal with a girl too- did you see her liking posts and shit and going out of her way to do the most? Did you see how BigHit handled that scandal?

Nothing wrong if JK is 'dating' her or had 'dated' her and whatever person he decides he wants to be in a relationship with I will support him- that's why I support Jikook.

But your opinion is equally valid my guy. Just don't call me a charlatan for mine. You believe they dated, I believe they didn't- and to your impressionable young minds, I hope you are not selling them anything contrary to BigHit and JK's statement. That would be very irresponsible of you. Lol.

What else did you say?

Oh postulating without evidence...

Next time I write a theory based on my observations about Jikook, remind me to break off a piece of my brain and attach it to it- I guess that way people would finally understand when I say things like 'I think' 'in my opinion' 'I feel' 'I believe' that these are just my thoughts and opinions and not facts.

Let me leave you with this:

Peace and kindness. Namaste.

Signed,

GOLDY.

[prouvaireafterdark]

A Father Like That

Walt Sanders comes home to find his son's boyfriend covered in bruises.

For obvious reasons, this one’s a lot heavier than the fluffy double drabble I posted earlier today about Michael being adopted by Sanders, but I hope you like it!

Also on AO3

***

Muffled cries greet Walt’s ears when he stumbles home, dead tired from a long day at the auto shop. The sound wakes him up immediately, his whole body on high alert until he spots Michael on the couch, Alex’s face buried in his shirt as he struggles to control his sobs.

“What happened?” Walt barks immediately.

Alex flinches away from Michael like he’s been burned, black makeup smudged around his wide, terrified eyes. It’s then that Walt notices the welt beginning to bloom on Alex’s cheek and what looks like fingerprints covering the side of his neck. Michael’s eyes are wet too, so much hurt shining through them that Walt feels a heady mix of rage and empathy twist in his gut. He takes a steadying breath and pockets his keys, closing the front door behind him as he thinks about what he should do.

First thing’s first, they need to put some ice on that shiner.

“Michael,” he says, voice gruff. “Should be some peas in the freezer. Why don’t you go wrap ‘em in a dish towel and bring ‘em in here?”

Michael opens his mouth to argue, but Walt cuts him off.

“He’ll be here when you get back,” Walt promises. “Go on.”

Michael nods reluctantly, and says, “I’ll be right back,” as he leans forward to press his lips to Alex’s temple. He gets up off the couch when he pulls away and heads toward the kitchen.

Alex is shaking where he sits, hunched in on himself as if bracing for another blow. It makes Walt furious to see such a sweet kid so upset, but he suppresses his anger as best he can—he doesn’t want Alex to think he’s angry with him.

Walt grabs the green flannel blanket from the back of his recliner. He takes a step toward Alex, but the kid freezes, eyeing him warily.

“Easy, kid,” he says, offering him the blanket. “Not gonna hurt you.”

Alex accepts the blanket slowly and wraps it tightly around his own shoulders. Walt takes a seat across from him in his recliner and leans forward, his elbows on his knees.

“What happened, son?” he asks as soft as he can manage.

Alex looks away and doesn’t say anything, his bottom lip trembling between his teeth, but it’s all the answer Walt really needs. He’s heard enough from Michael about Alex’s piece of shit father to make an educated guess.

Michael rushes into the living room a moment later, armed with a hand towel and a bag of frozen peas.

“Make sure the bag’s not touching his face,” Walt reminds him, and it’s a testament to how shaken Michael is that he doesn’t sass him about it.

Michael wraps the bag up and gingerly holds it up to Alex’s face. Alex hisses at the contact and Michael whispers a string of apologies. Alex takes the bag from him and holds it up to his own face, but he lets Michael draw him flush against his side with an arm around his shoulders.

Michael relaxes a little with Alex at his side, but Walt knows his boy—he can see how scared and frayed at the edges he is right now, and Walt needs to know what happened.

“You gonna be okay by yourself a minute, Alex?” Walt asks eventually.

“Dad,” Michael protests, sounding a little raw, like the very idea of leaving Alex alone right now is too much to contemplate.

“It’s okay,” Alex tells him, and Walt can tell the words take effort to get out. “I’ll be fine.”

Michael doesn’t look like he buys that.

“Come on, kid,” he says as he stands. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

Walt is leaning against the counter when Michael joins him a few minutes later, eyes shining with unshed tears.

“What happened?” Walt asks.

“It’s my fault,” he says, a tremor in his voice as he rakes his fingers through his curls. “His dad found a note I wrote to him in class the other day and he just lost it and it’s—it’s all my fault.”

Walt’s heart breaks along with Michael’s voice. He pulls him into a one-armed hug, lets Michael bury his sobs in his shoulder when his tears start to fall.

“None of this is on you, you got that?” Walt whispers fiercely into his ear. “None of it.”

Michael just cries harder, his hands coming up to grip Walt’s jacket.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he tries to soothe him. He’s never been great at this emotion stuff, but he made a promise a long time ago to look out for this kid and damn him if he isn’t going to honor it. He owes Miss Nora that and a hell of a lot more.

As Michael’s cries begin to subside, Walt pulls back to look at him, wiping his tears with grease-stained fingers, hands on either side of his face.

“I’m gonna say something and I want you to listen good, you hear?”

Michael sniffles and nods.

“That boy’s a good kid,” Walt tells him, “and there ain’t a goddamn thing wrong with you for loving him. With a father like that—if it wasn’t your note, it would’ve been something else. None of this is your fault, you understand?”

A few more tears slip down Michael’s cheeks, but he nods.

“Good,” Walt sighs.

Michael throws his arms around Walt’s shoulders, drawing him into a tight hug. Walt lets him hang on as long as he needs.

“Thank you,” Michael mumbles against his collar a minute later.

“For what?”

Michael pulls back to look at him. His eyes are still wet, but he looks better than he did a minute ago.

“For not being a father like that.”

Emotion wells up inside him. “Aw, hell, kid,” Walt says, unsure how to really respond.

Michael smiles at him like he understands. He sniffles again and steps out of the hug.

“Can I go now?” he asks, wiping at his eyes.

“Yeah, go on,” Walt nods.

He waits until Michael is out of sight before he picks up his landline and dials the sheriff’s office.

When he hangs up, he walks back into the living room.

“I just called the sheriff’s office,” Walt announces when he enters the room. “Someone will be here to take your statement in a few minutes.”

Alex’s eyes go wide and panicked. “What? Why?”

“Because I’m breaking the law if I don’t, kid,” Walt explains.

“Fuck,” Alex whispers to himself, lowering the bag of peas from his face. “He’s gonna kill me.”

“No, he’s not,” Michael says adamantly. “I won’t let him touch you again, Alex.”

“Michael,” Walt warns when he notices the old cup of water on the coffee table start to tremble.

Michael turns to see Walt’s patented You Better Calm Down Before You Start Making Shit Levitate look. He turns a little sheepish and nods.

“My dad is friends with the sheriff,” Alex continues, oblivious. “He has resources. He’s just gonna make this disappear.”

“We’ll see about that,” Walt says, eyeing the dark bruises on Alex’s throat. He’s never had a lot of faith in the system, but this case of abuse is as cut and dry as they come. At the very least, it should buy Alex enough time to turn 18 without his dad making his life a living hell.

Michelle Valenti knocks on his door right on time. Walt steps outside for a cigarette or three while she takes Alex and Michael’s statements.

She joins him on the steps when she’s finished to get his version of the story. He tells her everything he knows.

“Is Alex okay staying here tonight?” she asks after she’s filled out her form. “I don’t mind taking him to my house if you’re not comfortable with that, but I think he’ll be happier with Michael nearby.”

Walt sizes her up before he says, “Kid says your husband and his dad are pretty close.”

She bristles at that, eyes narrowing in offense. “I hope you’re not implying that I would bury an accusation of child abuse because of my husband’s alleged relationship with the perpetrator.”

“‘Course not,” he says, taking a drag from his cigarette. “That’d be a serious case of police misconduct, wouldn’t it.”

“It would,” she agrees.

They stare at each other a minute. Walt decides he believes her.

“Glad we understand each other then,” Walt says, flicking the ash building at the tip of his cigarette off the side of the stairs before he adds, “And Alex can stay as long as he wants.”

“Okay,” she nods. “If he needs anything, just let me know.”

“Will do.”

Her tail lights have long since disappeared down the dirt road leading to his single wide by the time he pulls himself out of his seat and goes back inside.

He finds Michael fast asleep with his head on Alex’s lap. Alex looks up at him when he enters, his fingers pausing in Michael’s hair.

“You want something to drink?” Walt asks him as he takes his boots off by the door.

“No, I’m okay, thank you,” he answers.

“You sure?” he asks, doubtful. The boy’s gotta be dehydrated. “It’s no trouble.”

Alex thinks on it a moment.

“I’ll take some water, please.”

Walt nods and heads for the kitchen, filling a glass with tap water for Alex and grabbing a beer from the fridge for himself.

He hands the water to Alex and then collapses in his recliner, taking a long pull from his beer. It’s ice cold and exactly what he fucking needs right now.

“He won’t just let me go, you know,” Alex says quietly a moment later. Walt doesn’t need to ask who he means.

“I ain’t afraid of your daddy, son,” Walt says, taking another deep drink.

“You should be,” Alex says, deadly serious as he watches his own thumb run along the rim of his glass.

Walt sighs. “Why don’t you let me worry about that?”

Alex looks up at him then, eyes searching.

“Why are you helping me?” Alex asks at last. “Why are you being so nice?”

Walt sighs. He tips his beer back and drains the rest of it before he leans forward to answer him.

“Because you are that boy’s entire world,” he says, pointing at Michael asleep in Alex’s lap. “And he’s mine.”

He watches Alex’s lips part as those words sink in, watches him swallow down his emotions a second later.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Alex says.

“No need,” Walt brushes him off. He stands up, empty bottle hanging loosely from his fingers. “Just make sure he gets to bed, alright? That couch is a lumpy piece of shit and he’ll bitch about it all morning if you don’t.”

That makes Alex laugh, soft and genuine. “I will.”

“Night then,” Walt says, and walks off down the hall in search of his own bedroom without waiting to hear a reply.

He collapses onto his bed when he gets there, feeling the weight of the day like a physical thing. He has no clue how long he’ll be able to support three people on his meager salary or what Jesse Manes will do when he finds out they’ve filed a police report against him, but that’s tomorrow’s problem.

Tonight, he can at least take solace in the fact that he’s somehow managed to raise a smart, compassionate boy who loves and is loved equally and without restraint. If he can pull that off, anything is possible.

[eviltothecore13]

Why are some callouts like "This person watches horror movies, clearly they're violent! They use drugs! They told someone to 'fuck off' once, that's abusive!" [12 pages of that kind of stuff] "Also they beat their partner!” And then back to trivial things like “Also they follow a comedian who said something offensive 10 years ago!"

I get that if someone’s done something horrible, you want to see consequences for them and draw attention to the bad things they’ve done. But spending huge amounts of time on trivial things that are either harmless or just slightly rude/unpleasant DISTRACTS from anything genuinely dangerous they might have done.

It makes people less likely to take you seriously.

“Oh, what’s this person being called out for? [reads the first page] Watching horror movies and doing drugs? This is ridiculous! [stops reading and misses the serious stuff]”

Stop looking for every minor thing that might make them seem worse in the hope it will get more people to listen to you--it will have the opposite effect. If you’re speaking out against a genuinely dangerous person--focus on that.

Linking genuinely horrific and dangerous things with things that are simply “frowned upon” is also very hurtful to other people with those stigmatised traits who aren’t dangerous. I see substance use get used for this a lot. Not everyone who uses substances, or even has a serious substance abuse problem, is a violent and dangerous criminal. Pointing out that someone uses substances doesn’t make you sound more believable when you’re speaking out about how dangerous they are (even if everything you’re saying is true)--it’s irrelevant in many cases and just causes collateral damage.

It’s a bit like those people who spend more time talking about how fat or unattractive a bad person is than talking about the bad things they’ve done. Or mocking their accent or education level. It isn’t relevant, it isn’t *evidence*, it hurts innocent people, and it makes you sound unpleasant. It does not help your case.

(Obviously I’m not suggest we should *dismiss* allegations just because the accuser makes comments like this. Just because someone is judgemental about people’s weight, or their accents, etc, doesn’t prove they’re lying about what they went through, because victims aren’t always nice people and they still don’t deserve to be abused. But...if you are trying to get the word out about someone...probably best to stick to the actual bad things they’ve done, and definitely don’t use the fact that someone in a stigmatised group did something bad as an excuse to be a bigot.)

[thefloorisbalaclava]

Everywhere - Chapter 1 - Javier Peña x fem!Reader

A/N: This is my first time ever writing for Javi so please be gentle lol. I was going to make this a one-shot but I want to try and do more with this. This was written with Black female readers in mind but it’s for any and everyone to enjoy.

Summary: Steve asks you, his partner still stateside, to come and help him in Colombia. You meet his new partner when you get there and things go just about as well as you think.

Warnings: some cursing

PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 PART 6 PART 7 PART 8 PART 9 PART 10 PART 11

When Steve first called you about coming to Colombia you laughed for a moment until you realized he was serious. You did everything in your power to convince him to change his mind, but it was set, and he also bribed you by telling you how happy it would make Connie to see you again.

"Why don't you just let her come back to the states and she can hang out with me all she wants."

"C'mon...we need you here. I need you here." Steve never pleaded this way so you immediately became serious.

"What the hell am I gonna do there? You already told me that we're very limited in what we're able to do."

"Just...get to Colombia. Please." And with that he hung up. You stared at the phone in your hand for a moment before hanging up.

Now you were in your bedroom packing a bag and silently cursing Steve. You were able to get a flight for the next day and that was that.

You slipped your sunglasses on as you stepped off the plane and made your way into the airport where Steve was waiting for you. "I was starting to think you wouldn't show," he said.

"Yeah, well, you got me worried so here I am." You put your bags down and hugged him. He wasn't your partner but he had become one of your closest friends since you became an agent. He had been one of the only ones who looked past your sex and your race and saw you as a fellow agent. "Tell me, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"And Connie?"

"We're both fine. She's gonna be so happy to see you." He picked up your bags and started walking. "Let's go. I'll catch you up on the way." You followed him outside and to his car.

"Looks like I dressed just right." You had a tank top on under your blazer and your favorite pair of jeans. On the way to the station, Steve told you the latest updates in the ongoing case against Pablo Escobar. He kept mentioning someone named Javier and your curiosity got the better of you.

"Who the hell is Javier Peña?" you asked, cutting him off.

"Oh, right. He's my partner."

"Okay so...why am I here?" You looked over at him as he stared straight ahead at the road.

"We need some extra eyes and ears," he said.

"And you couldn't find anyone here in Colombia?" You spread your hands out.

"Your accent and pronunciation is already better than mine," he joked. "You'll fit right in."

"What's this Peña guy like?"

"Uh...you'll see." 

"That really doesn't sound so good. Does he know about me?" You turned to Steve again only to see his eyes shift. "You didn't tell him?!"

"I...told him. Just not everything." He pulled over and parked, avoiding your gaze as he turned off the car and got out.

You swung the door open and followed him. "Just not everything? What the fuck does that mean?" Inside the building everyone seemed to go quiet when you walked in behind Steve. "Steve…" You played with the badge hanging on the waistband of your jeans.

"Follow me," he said quietly, leading you to a small office with windows that everyone could still stare at you through.

"What the fuck, Steve?! Did you tell them I was a woman?" No answer. You moved closer and looked up at him. "Did you tell them I was...black?"

"I didn't think it mattered."

"Didn't think it mattered? Did you see the way those men were looking at me? I can't believe you fucking-" Suddenly the door opened and Steve straightened up.

"Am I interrupting something?" Someone asked behind you. You turned to see who the voice belonged to and got a cocky smile in return. "Steve...does Connie know about this?"

"I beg your pardon. What-"

Steve stepped in front of you and made the introductions. "Javier, this is the agent I was telling you about…"

"Agent?" He looked down at your badge and you quirked your eyebrow.

"Yeah...agent. Problem?" So this was Javier Peña.

"No problem at all, negrita."

"I'm sorry...neg what?" You stepped closer to Javier and Steve had to stop you again.

"It's a term of endearment. I swear." He looked between you and Javier then put his hands on your shoulders and looked into your eyes. "Want to see where you'll be staying?"

You pulled your gaze from Javier to look at your friend. "Can't wait," you said unenthusiastically. You shrugged Steve's hands off and stepped around him.

"I look forward to working with you," Javier quipped. You couldn't tell if he was being serious or just being an asshole.

"I'm here to work with Steve," you reminded him.

"Well, sweetheart, if you're working with Steve you're also working with me. A package deal." He pulled out a cigarette and lit it before walking to his desk and sitting down.

"A package deal..." You scoffed and shook your head. "Can I go home now?"

"I'm afraid you're stuck with us for awhile." Javier winked at you and you rolled your eyes.

"Let's go, Steve." You walked out and heard a low whistle behind you.

"Kitty's got claws, hm?" Javier took a puff of his cigarette as you stomped your way out of the station.

"I ain't gonna work well with that Peña guy," you said without looking back at Steve. You got into the car and slammed the door. Steve drove you to the building that you would be staying in, carrying your bags for you. "You don't have to do that."

"I need to make you less pissed at me somehow," he said and you chuckled. 

"Just keep Javier away from me and I'll be fine."

Steve stopped in front of a door and handed you a key. "That's...gonna be a problem."

"I know," you groaned.

"You good from here? Gotta go check on Connie. I'll tell her you're here." You shook your head and Steve smiled. "Thanks for coming. I'll let you know more once you're all settled in. See you soon."

You spent the rest of the day unpacking and practicing your Spanish...and thinking about just how frustrated Javier made you. As soon as he saw you with Steve he assumed that you two were sleeping together. "Asshole," you whispered. "Pendejo." You giggled at the way it rolled off your tongue so easily. There was a sudden knock on your door and you jumped at the sound. No one but Steve knew you were here so it had to be him, right? You stupidly opened the door without checking who it was. "Steve, I thought-"

That ain't Steve.

"Hello neighbor," he said followed by an arrogant smile. There stood Javier Peña in all his frustratingly handsome glory.

"Neighbor?"

He pointed to the door across from yours. "That's me."

"Great." You rolled your eyes. "What do you want? Are you here to accuse me of sleeping with my friend again? How did you know I was here anyway?"

"Steve told me. We are partners after all." He stood there for a time just looking at you. It's like he forgot what he was there for. You started closing the door but he stopped you. "I actually came to apologize for assuming...that about you."

"Okay. Apology accepted." A giggling woman walked up the stairs and spotted Javier.

"Javi!" she cried and ran to him happily, wrapping herself around him.

"Gotta go," he said with a smirk.

"I bet. Bye." You slammed the door and went back to your spot on the sofa. "Neighbors," you repeated. It looked like you were stuck with Javier Peña whether you wanted to be or not.

[kingsuckjin]

The Enigma of Bunny |Pt. 11

Pairing: Jungkook, Yoongi, Jimin, Seokjin, Taehyung x reader featuring Namjoon and Hobi

Genre: mystery, thriller? Idk anymore.

Synopsis: You find a very sick young man in an alley and out of the bottomless barrel of kindness that is your heart, you decide take him home. Only then do you realize this stranger doesn’t speak, but that’s not the only strange thing about him by far. Who is he? Where did he come from? What happened to him? And why can’t he remember anything or even speak?

Warnings: None

Words: 4.5k

Prev // Next

➡My Masterlist

"So, the school definitely wouldn't be open right now- so here's what I have so far." Yoongi looked down at his phone as you sat in the driver's seat watching him and ready to listen to the information he had taken down so far. "Bunny was a trainee. He lived with his group. Went to an art school and juggled a night job. He was a happy kid until about a year before everything he began acting strange, depressed, he kept to himself, had to have had the girlfriend by then if she knew him well enough to supposedly help him through his family's death, he was on his phone a lot, probably with her. 'He had to call her all the time' those were the group guy's words, that's fucking weird but anyway... he got really bad after his family's death, seemed to cling to this weird Amanda girl, he cried a lot, showed up to work with cuts and then quit everything all at once, he didn't even show up to pick up his last check. There's two things I think we should do, the first being come back tomorrow and talk to maybe a professor and also talk to the police back home." Yoongi read off what he had typed up on his phone.

"Yoongs, I'm not driving all the way back here just to-"

"Call them you dummy. Call the school and see what you can find out." Yoongi interrupted you along with an added eye roll.

"I think we should go straight to the police, honestly this is getting weird." You admitted with a stressed sigh and ran your fingers through your hair..

"Oh so you believe my crazy theories now?" Yoongi tilted his head as he looked at you as if to say I told you so. But it was all beginning to dawn on you that his crazy theory could be right after all, you had never had a good feeling when thinking about where Jungkook was now, but you just couldn't fathom one of Yoongi's theories being right.

"It's not about who’s right and wrong, I just have a terrible feeling. I've- I've had it for a while now- I- I just didn't think it could be true..." You did, you had this strange sinking feeling in your gut that just wouldn't go away and it had only worsened as time went on. "Why didn't anyone see all this weird stuff and go to the police initially?! Why did no one care?!" You went off in frustration, pounding at the steering wheel as you drove.

"It's not that no one cared or didn't see it, it was the same reasons you had. Probably no one believed creepy shit could happen to someone they knew. See, everyone always sees this kind of stuff on the news to people they don't know, never to them or the people they care about so when it does happen it's probably hard to recognize the signs. But this does happen, it could happen to anyone." He explained

"What though? What exactly are we talking about here? What happened to him?" You asked feeling your hands already shaking. You just wanted him to confirm it one more time, to say it out loud again so it was nailed into your head.

"Y/n, I think he's been taken." The words made you feel sick. You began to sob uncontrollably and Yoongi made you pull over. You couldn't help but imagine Jungkook chained up around his wrist in the dark like he had explained in his dream once before.

"Oh god Yoongi, please don't say that." You wailed but he was was already leaned across the car console holding you.

You had let him go so long he could already be... you didn't want to think about that. Guilt ran through you as you thought about how you had made him go back, possibly to his captor. Your sweet Bunny might be somewhere hurting and dark and cold. That would mean he wasn't lying about coming back, he just couldn't.

"It will be alright, let's hope it's not true and just keep looking." Yoongi told you gently.

You waited until you your tears slowed down and dried your damp cheeks with your sleeve before beginning the trip back home. It was a long, quiet drive. You knew that when you get back you'd probably end up staying on Yoongi's sofa like you have the past few days. You hadn't really wanted to stay at your place alone because of Jimin, the psycho down stairs, the break up and now all of this. You felt like life was really starting to eat you alive and it was probably your own stupid fault.

The next morning after you woke up on Yoongi's sofa and he made you coffee, you headed home to have a moment to yourself to process all of this and make a decision as to what to do here. you sat there on your sofa staring at your phone on the table just thinking about it all.

This whole thing seemed just too much for you and Yoongi to handle, you weren't professionals, you weren't police, you weren't really detectives and this was not a game. Not only that, but you felt like time was ticking away, maybe every moment mattered.

You picked up your phone off the coffee table and made the call.

"Seoul police department." A vaguely familiar voice answered.

"I was wondering if I could speak to detective Namjoon?" Your voice cracked from nervousness a little but you cleared it and tried to push it aside.

"He's not here but can I take a message for when he gets back?" You could almost swear you had heard this officer's distinct voice before but you couldn't recall the name.

"Uh yeah tell him its y/n, y/l/n from-"

"Ohhh! Y/n or noona, I remember you. This is officer Jung, from the day you came to pick up that Jeon boy. I worked with detective Kim Namjoon on that case. Is there something I could help you with?" You now instantly remembered the cheerful officer.

"You did? That's great, then yeah there might be. Were you there when Jungkook’s girlfriend picked him up?" You asked. Was it okay to ask something like this? Did it go against some sort of confidentiality? Should you have even asked?

"Unfortunately not, we left it to the other officers, we really didn't feel the need to be there for that. Why?" He seemed curious now. You felt nervous about this and you were sure that he would just think you were crazy, but you had to do something.

"I think there's a problem."

"What kind?" He replied immediately.

"You're not going to believe me but... I was concerned."

You went on to explain everything, absolutely everything from the psychologist appointment to what the people who knew him had said.

His next words startled you.

"Do you think you could come down here? Detective Kim should be here by the time you get here. This is... it's rather strange." Officer Jung actually sounded like he might believe you.

After the phone call you got dressed but as you did so your phone began to ring nonstop. You picked it up and let out a groan at the word "boss" across the screen. You rid yourself of the annoyance in your voice and the slight fear of getting yelled at by this man for not working, and answered the phone.

"Hel-" your words were cut off by his stern, deep voice.

"Why have you not been answering my calls and texts?"

"I-I-uh…" you fumbled for an excuse.

"What more could you want from me? I've given you everything I could think of and you still refuse to do your job and you ignore me."

At his words a spark of bravery ignited inside of you.

"Frankly, Taehyung, you can take your job and shove it." You thought it would feel good to just say it, but unfortunately that spark of bravery had already abandoned you and died leaving you with nothing but nervousness.

"Is that so?" His voice seemed calm and almost amused by your little outburst. "If this is your resignation from your job then I don't accept, if you really want to quit then come see me and we can talk it over, if not, you're still employed by me and I'd appreciate it if you answer your calls and texts."

"Yes sir." You replied in defeat.

"Listen, I don't care how busy you are or what's going on in your life. When I reach out to you, you make yourself un-busy, you owe it to me, got it? I'm the single most important thing to you from here on out, understood?" His voice was firm and you could just envision him giving you that cold look of his.

"Yes sir." You replied with your voice far weaker than before.

"Good. Something needs to be done about this and we will be meeting before the week is over, I'll be in contact." And with that, the call ended.

You had a seat on the side of your bed for a moment to collect yourself until you decided to put the call behind you at least for now until you did what you needed to do right now, and that was to go to the police station.

You felt like you couldn't do it alone right now and decided that maybe Yoongi would be useful being there to so you headed right back to Yoongi's apartment and you didn't even have to beg for him to get dressed out of his pajamas at noon and come with you.

Officer Jung and detective Kim were already waiting for you when you and Yoongi arrived. Nothing was said, making you think that officer Jung had already filled detective Kim in on your story. They led you both into a small, basic white room with four chairs and a tape recorder on the rickety looking plastic topped table.

"Do either of you mind if we record this?" Detective Kim asked and you and Yoongi both shook your heads and had a seat across from them. He clicked a button on the recorder and a red light came on.

"Alright now, just start from the beginning, officer Jung has already explained everything to me but I just need it for the recording just in case this might be something very serious like you are insinuating." You were once again stunned and left wondering why and how they believed you when these accusations were even hard for you to believe.

"How much from the beginning?" You asked and looked between the serious faced officer and detective.

"To when and how you met Jungkook, I need to know everything from both of you." Detective Kim looked at you and Yoongi.

You both nodded.

"This is Sargent Jung Hoseok and Detective Kim Namjoon from the Seoul police department and we are here with Y/N Y/l/n and-"

"Min Yoongi." Yoongi replied.

"Go ahead." Detective Kim looked at you again with a reassuring smile which did nothing to settle your nerves.

You started from the beginning telling the whole story with Yoongi occasionally adding comments, and both the police officer and detective asking questions.

You had been interviewed for hours giving every detail you could, when you felt your phone going off in your pocket.You ignored it and tried to stay focused on what was being asked next, but it was hard when your phone just kept letting out little vibrations in your pocket.

"Now, this is a personal question, but we have to know everything." Detective Kim said "Did you and Jeon Jungkook ever sleep together or were you ever involved romantically during any point when he was with you?"

"Yes." You replied and swallowed hard but no one in the room seemed to bat an eye at your confession.

"When was this?" Officer Jung now asked.

"The night before he left." You let out a sigh after your reply.

"Did he say anything strange to you during that time? Did you two sleep together or did you just share your feelings with each other?" The detective asked.

You swallowed your nervousness once again as your hands shook a little. Why was talking about this so hard on you? You wiped your sweaty hands on your jeans and just left there on your thighs.

"Both. We slept together and he told me he loved me, I said it back. I guess all of that time together just... it made us close." You tried to reason why everything that night happened.

"That seems reasonable." Namjoon gave a confirming nod along with his words that helped urge you to speak more.

"He also left me a note for me to read after he left." You added, knowing you should mention it.

"Do you have the note?" Officer jung asked raising a brow at you, you could tell it had peaked his interest.

You pulled the note out of your bag and Yoongi gave you a weird look so you explained as you laid it on the table.

"I figured I might need it when you asked me to come down." You shrugged as the detective picked it up.

"May I read it? Out loud for the recording?"

"Yes." You replied to the detective who unfolded it and then began to read, making your cheeks feel hot.

"Y/n.

Please don't be sad. I understand that you just wanted to do the right thing. You wanted me to see if I loved her and you wanted me to find out who I am, but I promise you I'll be back soon. It hurts to leave, it's scary, I hate it, but it's okay, we'll both be okay until I'm home again. I only say I'll be back because I know there's no way I could love someone as much as you, find someone as giving and caring as you. Just hold tight for me for the next few days and I'll come home to you.

-love,

Your Bunny"

"So we now have it in writing that he promised he would be back." Officer Jung said. "That's important as proof of intent on returning."

"Y/n, do you have any enemies or stalkers or maybe ex-boyfriends that might not like the idea that he was staying with you?" Namjoon asked "I know you think it could be this Amanda girl, but what about on your end? I just want to be through."

"I just got out of a relationship and the guy and I kept running into each other before hand and he even met Jungkook but I don't think he would..."

"What was his name?" Detective Kim asked right away.

"Kim Seokjin, but as I said-" you wanted to argue that he was a nice guy, that he would never want to hurt anyone but in your paranoid mind you were now seeing everyone as potential suspects.

"Just trying to be thorough." The detective reminded.

"Jimin." Yoongi said out of nowhere catching everyone's interest.

"Park Jimin, your stalker. Or even your boss, he's rich and evil enough to do something horrible like this."

"Tell us about them." Officer Jung told you. "And it's important to remember to tell us if you were romantically involved with them and how."

You began to sweat even harder. How were you even supposed to talk about what happened with your boss? You looked to Yoongi beside you, as if to curse him for even bringing it up but when you did you felt a hand take yours under the table.

"It's okay, I've got you. No one is going to judge you here." Yoongi said softly and both the detective and officer agreed.

You didn't want to, but you told them everything and hoped Taehyung wouldn't find out about it.

As they had promised, no one in the room seemed to judge you as you told them everything about your boss, Jimin and Jin.

Office Jung and Detective Kim said that they'd look into the potential suspects, and talk to Jungkook’s former group, bar, and even the school and update you with any news.

But that wasn't enough for you. When you and Yoongi got back out to your car an overwhelming feeling of frustration and helplessness ignited in you and you once again found yourself sitting in your car with Yoongi looking at you expectantly, waiting for you to burst and spill your thoughts, and you did.

"There has to be something more I can do." You sighed.

"I don't think there is. The police can handle it from here, they can do more than we could." Yoongi told you as if that were supposed to stop this suffocatingly helpless feeling you had bubbling away in you.

"So what now? I just wait?" You said it with slight anger at this now being out of your hands. You didn't regret going to professionals but it felt so out of your control now and you hated the feeling.

"Pretty much." He shrugged.

"I can't do that... I've already waited too long! What if he's hurt?! what if hes-" you began to feel panicked and trapped from feeling so helpless, your eyes began to water up.

"Y/n." Yoongi interrupted you with a firm voice "it's best not to think about that right now. You did the right thing by going to them and they took it seriously. I'm sure they'll find him."

You closed your eyes, laying your head back against the headrest and took a deep breath to calm you but snapped your eyes open at the feeling your phone go off once more.

"Who the fuck is-" you had already taken out your phone but reading the name alone on the texts was enough to stop your sentence.

"Stop cursing, it's unlike you." Yoongi scolded but you were too deep in reading the texts to reply to him. He had most likely seen your lack of reply and eyes glued to your phone and finally took notice.

"What?"

You began to read some texts out loud to him.

"Jin: I'm so sorry, I didn't think things through before just leaving like that a few days ago. I was stupid. I thought about it and realized you would never do anything like that."

"Jin: will you please forgive me, baby?"

"Jin: I love you and I feel so guilty for leaving. I'll make it up to you if you let me."

"Jin: please reply, its breaking my heart. I just love you so much."

"Jin: you forgive me don't you baby?"

"What the heck?" You said in confusion.

"What? He misses you." Yoongi shrugged.

"Can you believe this guy? It's been four days and he thinks calling me baby and saying he loves me will somehow-" your confusion had turned to annoyance upon thinking about it.

"Wait." Yoongi paused and you looked at him in the now momentarily silent car as he looked to be thinking. "He told you he loves you? When did you two start saying that to each other? I thought we had a conversation about that not too long before the whole incident where you told me he hadn't said it yet and you didn't know if you were ready to." Yoongi seemed puzzled but so were you.

"Exactly. I think he thinks telling me now will get me back or something." You said with a scoff.

"And why is he calling you baby? I've been around you two enough to know he calls you cutie or lamb chop or cupcake." Yoongi pointed out.

"I don't know what he's thinking."

"Well either way you're not supposed to mention to anyone the police investigation so don't do that if you decide to take the idiot back." Yoongi, leaned back in the passenger's seat, crossed his arms and huffed.

"I know, I know. I just have a lot of stuff going on right now and I can't take him back." Your voice was weak, Jin’s texts had succeeded more than you'd like to admit at planting a tinge of guilt, or a small bit of longing for him in your mind.

"Well tell him that." Yoongi said so you began to try to write out a reply to Jin, but you deleted it and wrote out a new one before erasing that too and deciding on a simple reply. You read your reply to yoongi only after hitting send.

"I do forgive you but I just can't do this right now, Jin. I'm sorry."

Jin's reply back was immediate.

"Let's just talk this over, okay? Just come see me. If you don't want to do this right now then that's okay, I understand, but just come talk to me, baby."

Yoongi was now reading the text over your shoulder making you turn and give him a dirty look before he spoke one word quickly and rather urgently.

"Don't."

"Why?" You asked with your brows furrowed in confusion.

"Somethings not right."

"What? What do you mean? Don't be paranoid, Yoongs."

"I'm not, I just have a bad feeling." He said and you rolled your eyes "have I been wrong yet?"

"I don't know yet."

"Fine. Let's go see Jin. Right now. I'll stay in the car while you talk to him." Yoongi decided for you.

"It could be a while. Look, It will be alright-"

"No, what if it is Jin, huh? What if he was stalking you and that's why you kept running into him like that? You don't know what he's capable of when he's upset. What if he kidnapped Jungkook so he could run into you again and-" Yoongi spewed out his worries that felt like quite a reach to you.

"Yoongi, I've known him forever, he's not like that. Even when he gets upset it's not even that serious." You tried to reason.

"Or what if it's someone else entirely, what if its not even him texting you? Someone who doesn't know he doesn't call you baby?"

"You're being crazy! Why are you so protective over me anyway?! Why are you helping me with all of this when you like me?! What if it's you?! What if you're the only insane one?!" You went off now. You understood all of this made him worried but he was letting it make him paranoid.

"I'm helping you because I'm your friend and I care! I care about your feelings! Yeah, I like you but it doesn't matter because someone is missing and this is all so fucked up and weird! At the end of the day all I want is for you to be happy because you're kind and you've been through enough and you deserve it!" He yelled back.

You paused with your anger and frustration melting away. You stared at him in wide eyed shock until you felt tears in your eyes again.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell and make you…" Yoongi said with sincerity but you shook your head.

"No, I'm sorry. This is all a lot. Not what you said just now, everything, all these-these problems I don't know how to fix." You sniffled.

"I know." He laid a hand on your back for comfort. "But maybe if you go talk to Jin it will help solve maybe one of them."

You nodded.

"You can come with me, it shouldn't take too long." You started your car and gave into his worrying. What he was asking wasn't much, plus you felt bad for calling him crazy.

"What exactly is his address?" Yoongi asked and you told him but of course asked why.

"I don't know, I thought you mentioned he lived the other way across town, my mistake." He muttered while looking at his phone.

"I thought about moving there, those are some really nice apartments but now that... it's over with Jin and I... you know, I don't really want to live next to him."

"Well you don't know that. He seems to know he messed up. Maybe after everything settles down..." he trailed off.

"I-I can't." You admitted.

"I figured. I understand you're still waiting." Yoongi did seem to understand, just like he always did.

"Thank you." You announced before taking another deep and calming breath and to rid yourself of nervousness and worry, not only from everything today, but also from heading over to see your now ex boyfriend to talk.

"For?"

"For being so concerned about me all the time, for helping me every time I need it, for just being there. I know you like me and I'm sorry-" you wanted to try to talk about it, to let him know you hadn't ignored his confession, but he didn't seem to want that.

"No. No, it's no problem. You're kind of the only friend I have and I really don't want to ever mess that up. I've thought about it before and if you did like me and we did end up dating one of us would screw it up because that's honestly what we're good at doing in relationships from what I've noticed, so it's no big deal." He told you.

"I'm- I'm your only friend?" You asked with a bit of a smile.

"Yeah, I'm kind of not a people person in case you haven't noticed." He muttered ad you couldn't help but laugh a little at how true that was.

"That's kind of cute that I'm your only friend." You were now grinning.

"Shut up. I'm your only friend too."

"Oh. Oh yeah." You said in realization.

He then muttered something.

"What?" You asked him wondering of you said what you thought he did.

"I said and I like your polka dot umbrella, its cute! Damn, listen better." He said loudly and defensively.

"I can't when you mutter everything." You said but you laughed at what he had just told you about your umbrella. "I'll get you a matching one for your birthday."

"You better not." He replied dryly but with a hint of a small smile.

The car was silent for a little bit before he spoke again.

"You don't owe him a conversation, he left you like an idiot."

"I know Yoongs, I'd still like to be on good terms with him though. Not a fan of people hating me."

"If we just go home now I'll pay for pizza and let you pick the toppings this time." He offered but you just sighed and shook your head as you drove. "I'm afraid of you getting hurt, not even like me being crazy and accusing him of things, but...emotionally hurt from him again."

"I promise, I'm over it already. I'm over Seokjin." You assured him. "Plus we're almost there anyway, might as well go."

"Alright." Yoongi sighed in defeat.

Taglist:

@rikkafunthepureone @illnevertrustmyselfagain @sam-moss @minyoongi-infiresme @appreciatethefoolishness @sugajinny @loserjeonjk @im-emo-motherfuckers @savanna-1 @bulletproof-points @ddaengyoonmin @adelina1299 @hyungwonopex @jeonsclit @dinorahrodriguez @aaaaamnaaa @wildbeest55 @youraveragealto @weebasaurusrex @amudot @rhayad @m1lktae @arcofpiper @curlykoo @ilvebeenabad @liviaolivia @vampire-jimin @treatpeoplewithkindnesshoe @monsterwoosboo @obeythehemmings @jimintaelove @heyitsayjayy @peachy-bhun @ruinedbyjin @busansgloss @mikaisthicc @kassandravictoria @wifeofkimtaehyungofbts @a-kookie-with-my-tae @nooooooooona @exochanyeoltao @pastel-devil-06 @myownescapetowonderland @aylinruiz18 @madjammil @valleyvictoria @chloefran

[kob131]

https://itsclydebitches.tumblr.com/post/635993185636827136

The first slide that ISN’T a summary and we have serious issues.

The two examples given do NOT reflect on Ironwood’s viewpoint or actions. They’re one off mentions by OTHER characters. IRONWOOD is not reaching out to people here, Ruby and Ozpin effectively are. And Ruby and Ozpin are big on the whole ‘team up!’ thing (to the point Ruby tried to talk RAVEN into joining them.)

So? This is Volume 2, long before Ironwood faces the negative events than change him as a person. Acting like he’s the exact same person then and now is disingenious is a VERY extreme degree.

Glynda: Trouble sleeping?

Ironwood: (Looking back, gripping his shoulder with the other hand.) Arm was acting up.

Glynda: Of course, so logically, you got out of bed, dressed yourself completely and decided to gaze menacingly out into the distance. (Approaches all the way to his side, then looks at him concerned.) What's wrong?

Ironwood: I've trusted him for years. We both have. I just... I can't help but feel like he's keeping us in the dark.

Glynda: Don't be ridiculous! You know very well that we are not the ones in the dark.

Ironwood: (Laughs humorously.) That makes it worse! I refuse to believe that a man that I've trusted for so long would act so... passively.

Glynda: (Puts a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder.) You're a good person, James. You've always done what you think is best for the people, even against strong protest. It's admirable. But it's high time you stopped talking about trust and started showing it. (Drops her hand as they stare into the distance together.) Ozpin has experience that the rest of us lack. And I think that's something worth remembering.

This is the full conversation. Which is rather important given how much it emphasizes that Ironwood looks up to and respects Ozpin...who we all know is about to get cut off from his allies.

Skipping through a LOT here as it’s just a bunch of ‘Hey look! Ironwood’s being nice!’ along with tangents. I’d love to address them all to prevent any accusations of manipulation but I’m not repeating myself: Ironwood being nice is not a contradiction of what he will do (in fact, one can very well see that his empathy is a FACTOR in his decision).

‘Being cautious’. That is an important statement here. Because ‘being cautious’ would also include going for the decision that’s guruanteed to save a few people rather than the decision that MIGHT save a lot of people (a ‘safe bet vs. gamble’ if you will).

Ironically here, OP just displayed how Ironwood’s actions are consistent with his previous ones.

The man whose allies weren’t hacked?

Also note how this DOESN’T have anything to do with the actual argument at hand. It’s not about showing an inconsistency with Ironwood: it’s about making the character look good. It’s a tell from the OP that what they SAY they’re arguing for doesn’t match the actual ACTIONS. OP is not upset that Ironwood is inconsistent- She’s upset that Ironwood is being portrayed NEGATIVELY.

So you’re saying we should throw away all our tech based on the work by Nazi scientists because we disagree with how it was originally used? You try to call hypocrisy here and yet fail to address the distinct difference between the intention/moral implications behind tech and how it’s actually used.

Not to mention how a lot of this is fucking bullshit. Like the army point was about how bringing his army to Vale was a bad idea due to putting people on edge...and then the Grimm attacked, which pretty much made that a non-issue. Or how about the objection of the Aura experimenting wasn’t actually condemning Ironwood? Or how they sympathize with Ironwood and still CONDEMN his actions? Or how the Penny thing flat out wasn’t said?

My pattern senses are also tingling. Specifically the ‘manipulation’ part.

Now it’s all about arguing how Ironwood is actually totally and factually right, as if this isn’t a story.

Issue?

‘In This Story’. AKA The OP has already argued from a meta standpoint but is now trying to argue as if the story is real.

There’s also the complete disregard for the CONSEQUENCES of Ironwood’s actions.

Ironwood brings an army? Gets hacked, turns on the citizens, wrecks Vale and Atlas’ reputation is shot.

Ironwood doesn’t tell the truth about Penny? She gets used as a lynchpin in Cinder’s plan.

Ironwood closes off the border? Atlas’ reputation is further shot and it gives reason to Team RWBY to question him.

Ironwood doesn’t include the council? Their trust in him is dead and they get in his way.

Ironwood doesn’t help Mantle despite their fear, distrust and dislike of Atlas and the very real threat of Grimm? Helps Robyn rise to power who in turn openly distrusts him and conflicts with him, making things harder and causing a rift with his allies.

Fucking hell, a lot of Ironwood’s mistakes are REPEATS of his past mistakes, like his unilateral action in a team effort or him excluding people. Not to mention his preaching of Ozpin’s morals then proceeding to trample all over them and expect everyone to follow him. Stuff that OZPIN got punished for in the previous Volume and Ruby and co. got punished for in the SAME Volume as Ironwood.

He was never portrayed as power hungry. He’s STILL not portrayed as power hungry.

I’ll go ahead and destroy this entire slide show with one quote from one episode, a quote you seem terrified of given how you completely gloss over it despite addressing literally EVERYTHING ELSE with Ironwood.

Volume 4 Episode 11 ‘Taking Control’

Ironwood: (sighing heavily) Winter is one of my best. If she's telling me there's a threat in Mistral then I am not going to take that news lightly. She's been there for weeks, people are mobilizing, sudden spikes in weapons and Dust trades. Someone is about to make a play and I do not trust Leo to stop them.

Weiss is listening outside.

Jacques: You've never trusted anyone other than yourself!

Ironwood: (shouting) And for good reason!

Weiss covers her mouth with her hand as she gasps at the sound of Ironwood slamming his fist onto the desk.

Ironwood: If Oz had just listened to me from the start...

Jacques: You need to get a grip.

Ironwood: That's exactly what I'm doing. Our people need protection. By this time next week, the Kingdom of Atlas will be officially closing its borders. No one in; no one out. Without the council's permission.

Jacques: You mean, without your permission?

Ironwood: And if that becomes the case, I would think you'd want to be on my good side.

Suddenly your whole narrative fails apart. because here we see the core of how Ironwood became who he was-

The sorrow at his failure at Beacon.

His paranoia confirmed.

His belief that his way is the best.

All things he displayed before then- Now worsen by perceived failure. All thrown out into the open for the audience to see. All things he repeated in Volume 7, worsened AGAIN by betrayal and Salem’s arrival.

You can call out all you want about the good things Ironwood has done and how he’s ‘right’- it doesn’t matter because it doesn’t disprove what he showcased here. His empathy in fact would MAKE IT WORSE because he feels responsible for people’s lives so he can’t hesitate to save them. Like say, hesitate to listen to a person whose lied to him or a perceived obstacle *cough* Oscar and Slate *cough*.

He’s not a deconstruction of a cold hearted dictator or a sudden evil villain.

He’s a deconstruction of the Well Intention Extremist trope, showcasing that his intent matters not in the face of his actions and the flaws he fails to overcome. He’s a depressingly real person (I’ve certainly felt like him before) but that doesn’t justify his actions or make him right,

And no woobie pandering will change that.

[sneyrwrites]

|4|  |Ace|Levi Ackerman X Reader

✘Ace: The Mighty Fall.✘

|WordCount: 6275|  |CH. 1: ✘|  |Previous: ✘|

Once I recovered from the initial shock, I was able to think straight.

Without waiting around, and with the money I earned in the last fight, Hale and I rented a cart to go back to my house. Forty minutes later, the driver left us at my door. Without a second glance he grabbed the money and left in a hurry, the dust rising behind him.

Hale's eyes were swollen and red from an interminable night of crying and judging by the throb behind my own I was in the same condition. Hurrying, I opened the door to my small house, and I let her go in, locking behind us. Hale's eyes traveled across the room, stopping at the table where my dad had left a shoe, as if it was the most casual thing in the world. The corner of her lips lifted a little bit as she sat in front of it.

"Dad?" I called, silence responding me. He had already left for his shift at the wall. "Hale, we're alone, you can start explaining if you're ready"

She nodded, shifting her eyes to her hands, frowning.

"The officers said that during the raid, a noble which I assume was Lord Reiss, came to them stating that a dark figure came out of the tunnel and tried to rob him, but he made it out thanks to the sacrifice of a valorous Garrison soldier who saved him. The mysterious girl stabbed him and flight the scene." She wiped her eyes. " In his deathbed the Guard said he recognized the girl as one fugitive of the basement they were raiding, and that Lord Reiss should get help..." Her fists were clenched.

I would have thought after twelve hours of straight crying there would be no tears left in my body, but turns out humans are surprising.

A headache that began to spread earlier now pounded heavily on my temples. Walking to the kitchen I filled a glass with water, finishing it in two gulps, hopefully it would help. I filled one for Hale and left it in front of her.

"(Y/n)... That fucker was able to turn the story in his favor... " She reached for the glass, sipping it. " Ivo had to lie and agree with him, the police that was surrounding the area found him with Ann's body... They were going to hang him up if he contradicted Reiss..." Her voice came out strained. "If we come out with the truth, it's our word against his... He's got money, and the influence... Judging by how he accused you like that he wants your head on a stick." Her lids drifted shut, looking as defeated as I felt.

My soul sank to my feet. I was so dead, but that wasn't the problem. The thing that hurt the most was the fact that they blamed me for my friend's death,  while the actual killers were laughing in my face. I already blamed myself enough, and the injustice of everything left a bitter taste in my throat.

I flopped on the couch, lost in thought, reviving the Annton's last moments. The tears wetted my cheeks once again and I covered my eyes with my arm, leaning my head back, waiting for something to show this was only a dream, an awful nightmare. But the throbbing on my knuckles let me know it wasn't the case, that Annton was gone, I beat up Kenny, and  that Lord Reiss stated a hunt for my head.

"It's not the end..."Hale muttered, catching my attention. Did Ann's passing finally broke her mental strength? Her capability to stay in control of her emotions in the hell we were living amazed me. " They are searching for Ace after all..." I uncovered my eyes and looked at her, her gaze focused on my own. She seemed to think out loud.

"Yes Hale, I'm aware they are searching for me..." That detail was clear enough.

"No... I'll (y/n)." Her eyes were bright, realization clear on them. "No one on the basement knows your actual name, they only know your nickname... No one has a portrait of you. The only solid clue is a description that fucker gave of you..." She got up from the chair, clapping her hands, making me jump a little in my seat."You can still survive this... I couldn't protect Ann. But  like hell I'll let those motherfuckers take you away too." The determination in her voice made my heart ache. The only one to blame for Ann's passing was myself... But if this gave her some sort of distraction from all the grief, so be it.

What she was saying made sense, but her plan was unclear. I could practically see the wheels turning in her brain.

"So what's your plane Hale?" I asked.

"Join the Military" I choked on my spit. A coughing fit later I managed to look at her wide eye. Now I was sure she blamed me for Ann's death as much as I did. "Don' look at me as if I'd lost my mind and think about it."

"Hale, there's no place inside these walls where I won't cross path with a garrison or a military police eventually. And if there's money involved, they won't think twice before handing me to Reiss in a silver platter. And you want to speed up the process by sending me to the lion's den?" I asked, trying to hide de waver of my voice.

"Just listen to me." The intensity of her eyes made me halt. She was serious about this plan of hers. "Not all the soldiers took part on the basement, not even a five percent of the garrison knew about it before last night. And they are the only ones that knows how you look like, the others depend on a description provided by someone else." She said. " No one knows  '(Y/n)', and Ace doesn't exist. You can sign in using your real name and papers, and nobody would notice. The branch of the military that's in charge of the training barely interacts with the rest, and I'm sure no officers from it are involved with the basement. The plan is perfect," Her face fell suddenly "well... almost perfect"

"What do you mean? " I asked. The plan made sense, and I let myself feel a little ray of hope.

"If you join the forces, you can't go into the military police like me or to the garrison like Ivo for obvious reasons... " her face held a severity that was out of character in her. "Your only option is the Survey Corps. Someone there owes me a favor... I could ask him or help ."

"So... what you're saying is that my options are; either die a horrible death because of Reiss, or Die a horrible death because of a titan?" The little ray of hope extinguished.

"You wouldn't die necessarily... You train for three years to be prepared to face the titans, you learn to maneuver on the ODM gear and the technique to slice them with the blades...."  She said " You're strong, and you have fast reflexes Ace, you'll be just fine." Te seriousness was clear on her voice, as if she wanted to imprint her next words into my brain. "(Y/n), you need to fight in order to survive, and joining the corps is your best chance."

When the word Fight left her lips, my mind wandered to Annton's words, his last request for me. I looked at my hand, where his ring stayed since last night, and I caressed it tenderly. My gut constricted, and I nodded looking at her, my decision plastered all over my face.

"I'll do it" Her eyes softened with relief

"I'm proud of you (Y/n)" She said, sighing. "I need to settle everything with my friend in the corps then, and I also need to meet with Ivo to plan the lie about our whereabouts last night, we also need to take care of Ann's..." She said, a flash of pain behind her eyes.

An ugly sensation of dread filled my body when I thought about Hale leaving me alone, but as she said to me on the cubicle, It was time for me to put on my big girl's pants. With shaky fingers I took a loose hair strand from my braid and placed it behind my ear, wincing when my battered knuckles brushed my cheek, a shiver raising the hairs in my arm. That stung like a bitch.

Hale noticed and came to me. Careful not to touch my bruised hand too roughly, she examined it.

"What the hell happened to you?" She asked, horrified at the poor state of my torn skin.

"After Kenny..." I didn't dare to mention what happened again, a knot constricting my vocal cords. Hale nodded, letting me know she understood what I meant. "I just... Floored him and fucked his face up... I was so furious I was about to kill him... But Ann called my name."

"Kenny the ripper?" She asked, a little incredulous. " Ace, the man killed a hundred of military police, I don't even know what he is doing with Lord Reiss. The guy is a butcher, How did you even manage to get close enough to him."

"If I knew, I would've grabbed the tooth I knocked out of his stinky mouth at the basement. Coul've been a good luck charm." Hale's warm laugh made its way to my ears, and it felt like a decade had passed since I last heard it.

"I know Ann is so proud of you wherever he is" She said, eyes trained on his ring, gently caressing it. "But enough crying for now, I'll have time to do it later." She said, but still sniffled, wiping her eyes, trying to avert the tears. "Let me clean your hands"

And I did, telling her where everything was I complied, being selfish, needing her care and gentleness to keep me from breaking down. With care she cleaned my wounds, blowing gently on them when the antiseptic burned. She finished wrapping them up as she did my hand wraps so many times in the basement and then she hugged me.

We stayed like that for a long time, both needing the comforting, and when she had to go the longing to keep the embrace was pulling at my heart, my hand twitching with the desire to reach out and beg her to stay.

Hale walked to the door, stopping with one foot out, turning to me.

"Wait until I come back to go outside. Once everything is settled, I'll come to help you out. And maybe you might want to talk to your dad about enlisting, if he can help you out with the ODM gear you'll have a head start. " She smiled sadly at me, the tears glistening in her waterline, threatening to spill. "Take care of yourself (Y/n), be careful and don't forget the three of us love you." She closed the door behind her back and didn't wait for an answer.

My heart ached and I broke down until dad came back and I had to pretend my heart was just fine and not the mess it was.

I surprised dad when I commented I was thinking to join the army just like him. I tried not to feel bad because of the proud expression he showed me,  I wished he could be proud of me for something I chose freely, but that could never be the case, his daughter was a runaway, a criminal, an illegal wrestler accused of killing a man. I tried to pretend I could really make him proud, that it was indeed my choices that sparked the joy in his expression, as he congratulated me on my morals and values.

During the next three days I advocated myself to cleaning the house, keeping it spotless, organising the book we had by title, then by color, then for extension and then by title again. I even went ahead and organized the pantry by the same criteria.

It was just an attempt to calm the anxiety that nibble my insides, making my nights long and sleepless, the dark and silent hours stirred my brain, the gruesome death of Ann chasing me, making the waterfalls in my eyes to cascade down until I passed out from exhaustion, holding Annton's ring tight to my chest. If I was I lucky enough I had two hours of dreamless slumber.

On the fourth day, my dad had a day off.

He woke me up only an hour after I drifted off, with the tea already made, the small white flowers that grew on the garden floating around in the cup. All morning was spent talking about his work, and laughing at his tales from the new recruits, fresh off from training. Until he asked me to be careful if I went out, because there was a killer girl running around as if nothing. A city runt that tried to rob a noble and respectable man and killed a brave guard in cold blood.

"I knew Annton" He said. My cup halted midway to my lips. "He was a good boy, he used to live with his mom around here. She died when he was around twelve. She was sick just like your mother. "His eyes were distant, remembering the old times when things were simpler " His father left his mother when he found out he was on his way. " I tried to remain nonchalant, which was really hard when the only thing I wanted to do was break down sobbing, a usual occurring in the last few days. "It's a shame... That Ace girl took an outstanding man from this world." I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs it was not me, but that filthy motherfucker and that heartless assassin were the ones who took his life away. I wanted to cry until I dried up, to hit the wall until the break apart, I wanted Annton back. But  I remained in my chair, trying so hard not to react, not to show how broken my soul was.

The rest of the day went flying after that, and the night came back. Sobs rocked my body in the shelter of darkness once again. Annton's story showed me how ruthless the world could really be, how money and being born in with a powerful last name gave you the right to decide on other's people's life.

That night a kid skinny as a corpse and with Annton's eyes haunted my dreams, his lifeless gaze staring straight at me.

The fifth morning after Hale left was the same as usual. My eyes burned when I tried to open them, swollen and redden.

After lunch dad left, kissing my cheek goodby and hugging me tight, almost as if he had an instinct, just knowing I needed it. It lasted a little too long to be a normal one, and I felt cold when he left. I resumed my routine, a weeping session as I punched the bag in the yard. I had bought it with the excuse it was for dad, but I used it more than him, training when he was on duty.

Each blow was stronger than the one preceding it, the violence behind them growing with every falling tear as I tried to get rid of all the rage and sadness within me, trying to consume me leaving nothing but ashes behind.

I would end Lord Reiss when I had the chance, Kenny the ripper next on the list, at any cost. I owed it to Ann.

With one last hook to the bag I left a broken sigh out as I pressed my forehead against the cool leather, letting the tears run free. I wasn't sobbing, those were reserved for the night, when no one could hear them.

"I'm glad to see you're still in good shape." Hale's voice broke the sad spell I was on.

I looked up and there she was, a smile on her lips, her uniform was clean and void of Ann's blood, and an ODM gear was strapped to her body, she must've gotten to my house on that. My lip trembled.

"Let's go inside..." I said, noticing how glad I was she was safe. I gave one step to the door.

"I was thinking we could walk to the market. It might do you some good, you've been inside for a long time.  I can see how much you've paled from here. When was the last time you saw the sun, Kid?" She sounded like Annton, and she had a weak smile on. Hale had aged so much in just a few days. Tired lines and dark bags covered her face.

I changed quickly out of my sweat filled clothes, grabbing a green cape to hide my face just in case.

Hale was waiting for me at the door, and once it, she grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers and we started to walk to Rose's gate, in our way to Shinganshina, hiding my face from the guards as we passed by.

When we made it through, Hale spoke

"How are the knuckles" she asked, a casual tone in her voice, her thumb brushing the bandages.

"They're good. I keep opening a few of the cuts when i hit the bag thou, but they'll heal, eventually." One more scar on them wouldn't make a lot of difference. I looked at her from the corner of my eye. She was staring dead ahead. "How's Ivo?" I haven't seen him since we separated at the tunnels.

"He's a little better. We buried Annton in one of his favorite places after the Military police gave us his body back. They interrogated him, but he's an excellent liar, so he made it out in one piece. He always cheats when we play cards, in case you didn't notice." I hadn't, actually. I smiled, thankful he was safe.

"I'm glad." I whispered, my voice drowned by the murmur of the multitude. A few teens fere sitting around a font and sellers were screaming about their products. Everything kept going, while I felt like my life had ended less than a week ago. "And ab..."

"I got you something." She interrupted, "They called me to search the basement the day after I took you home. They had to wait until the smoke dissipated to go in," She reached in her pocket. " Since nobody had touched anything I could bring this back for you" She extended her opened palm, a golden chain in it, and Kenny's tooth was the charm on it. A laugh bubble out of me when I saw it.

She placed it around my neck.

"Don't worry, I washed the blood off" she winked, but I could see something bothering her.

"Thanks Hale"

"(Y/n)... " Her was suddenly serious " The news traveled, almost everyone knows what happened, and  who to look for. So unless there's a fucking Titan invasion every fucking soldier within this wall will hunt you down, and to make matters worse, this year's recruits already started their training, and they are not allowing extra ones until next year. " The stress was clear as she passed a hand trough her hair with exasperation. " Do you think you can hide that long? I already talked to my friend, and he said he would help, I might or might not have said you would be an amazing addition to the corps, so please try your best and don't make me look like a fool. " Her half hearted joke held some truth behind it. I could tell she was worried sick.

I stopped a few blocks into Shinganshina and rubbed my face harshly

"Fuck!" I exclaimed, the thing couldn't get worse.

"Come on Ace, leave the worry to me, everything will be fine. We're not going to leave you alone in this." Her eyes glistened in the warm sunset light.

"Yeah right, how do you plan to distract a whole fucking army?" I didn't want to be harsh to her, but she was way too hopeful, all things consider.

"We could..." Her voice got stuck on her throat when a clap of thunder shook the earth, blinding us momentarily

Startled scrams sounded all around us as people exchanged confused looks. My eyes turned to the mighty wall, smoke rising behind her.

"What the fuck? A storm? There're no clouds in the sky..." Hale thought out loud, and a unsettling feeling fluttered in my stomach.

The ground shook beneath us, making everybody at the marked wobble, some falling to the floor, their groceries rolling away. An almost primal instinct tightened my chest. I felt like I was staring dead in the eyes of a predator. The hairs on my neck raised. Something was wrong.

Exchanging a brief glance with Hale  i knew she felt the same way. I could see her hand twitch, and feel a buzzing course through my legs, I wanted to flight from there as fast as I could, and I was about to suggest it when the unimaginable happened.

A head rose above the top of Maria. It was a fucking titan, and a huge one at that. He must've been at leas fifty meter high, if not more.

His face lacked skin, the muscles and teeths on full display. Pure, cold and gut wrenching terror filled me.

I felt the blood leave my face, and how my muscles locked up, eyes glued to the beast ahead. A few persons started to run, and a small part of my brain, the one still functioning, told me to imitate them and to run as fas as I could, but somehow I couldn't. Until a harsh and unforgiving wind sent me flying a few feet back. I landed hard on my back, the air knocked out of me. A few pieces of stone missed me by a fraction, and hell broke loose.

Hale was by my side in a few seconds later, as my brain tried to process what the fuck had happened. Connecting the dots, I realized the bastard kicked a hole in Maria.

I was on my feet, and grabbing Hale's hand, I ran. A survival instinct I didn't know I had drove my body. I was convinced that if I stayed even one second longer, we would be a titan's snack, and I was not down for it.

We crossed the gate, but I couldn't stop running. They trespassed one, they might as well trespass two. Hale's hand was still in mine as we ran trough the stets, dodging people who just stood there waiting for a horrible death to claim them.

"Shit (Y/n)... You have fantastic luck or a fucking curse, it depends if you want to see the glass." How could she joke at a time like this?

What were the odds? A hysterical laugh bubbled up, and my legs burned, but i was not about to be eaten.

Hale's sudden stop made almost made me fall on my ass, I turned around to urge her on, but I noticed she was grabbing the handlers of her OMD gear and was snatching a fresh pair of blades in it. With a gesture of her head she told me to go on her back.

"Try not to move too much, this thing depends on balance. We might fall." She warned me, before shooting a hook to the nearest building, propelling us forward. I'm sure I choked her from how hard I was squeezing her neck.  The mechanism of the ODM Buzzing against my leg as the wind slapped me in the face.

We soared the air, towards my house.

"I need to go back to Rose and warn them. We need to get the evacuation protocol going, you go to the ships and you get on them right now okay?" I nodded, and she hugged me once,  leaving right after. I could only watch as she disappeared, flying.

I tried to calm the erratic beating of my heart, I looked at the Maria's Gate, the imponent door separating Shinganshina from the rest of Maria, I was going to be just fine, besides when dad noticed the commotion he was going to come straight for me.

I waited for him outside, there was nothing important inside the house, Ann's ring and Kenny's tooth were on me. But in the last moment I remembered my papers inside. If I was evacuated for safety issues I might need them. Rushing inside I grabbed the stack of documents and I also grabbed my handwraps from the table. Those were my favorite.

I pulled my hood up and went outside, waiting for dad to appear in any moment.

I wasn't even outside for a minute, when another shudder broke the earth. Horrified I turned to the Gates, where a cloud of dust was dissipating. When it disappear I saw another titan, smaller than the one who breeched Shinganshina, but with something hard covering his body. Those two differed from the rest, the managed to break down our first defense, it was almost as if they had intelligence, the focus on their eyes.

Titans swarmed Maria's territory, and a massacre begun. Unfortunate persons were devoured in front of my very eyes, blood staining the streets, limbs flying in the air. Whoever was in charge of collecting the death bodies would have a heavy load of work.  I scolded myself when I noticed the grim humor in my words. I tried to think. What should I do? Wait for dad inside or go to the boats. The titans that got in were still pretty far away, it all depended on my dad and on how fast he could come. I shuffled on my feet, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins, my breathing was heavy and the fear was making me heart beat in my ears.

A titan turned a corner, and it saw me. It was huge, at least ten meters high. Ann's words ringed in my mind and I took off, trying to stay alive for as long as possible. And if I died, it wouldn't be for lack of effort.

The boats where across the town, I turned to the right, the thundering footsteps of the beast trailing behind me, closing the gap between with each passing second. I turned behind me and almost screamed in fear as I noticed it was only a few feet away, its empty eyes and a sinister smile sending shudders down my back. The shadow of the titan leaned over me, and I knew I was dead, it was about to grab me, and I could already feel the searing pain of its teeth sinking into my flesh. Tears poured without me noticing.

I was ready to kiss the world goodbye and to join Ann in the afterlife, when the figure of a soldier flying in the air, too fast to recognize, disappeared behind the titan, the sound of blades cutting through flesh filling the air.

The titan fell to the ground, shaking the floor beneath me, and I recognized my father standing tall on its neck. A cloud of steam raising from his clothes, the blood from the titan sizzling. Shit, he was in good shape, even tho he finished his training years ago he still got the fast reflexes and strength to go.

He got down from the lifeless steaming body and rushed to my side. Grabbing me by the shoulders he inspected my face, searching for any kind of injury. Hands cupped my cheeks and I gripped them tight with my own. He was alive and I was glad I was too.

Dad hugged me and I could almost feel the relief filling his body.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked me. Not fiscally I thought but I shook my head. "We need to get you out of here, we lost Maria." With one last glance at the defeated wall, he grabbed my hand and ran.

Hand in hand we crossed the city. I thought he would use the ODM gear, but he settled for running. My dad was amazing. Sadly it skipped a generation.

I still had blisters on my feet because of the long night walking the tunnels, and this running session would not help. But I clenched my teeth and held on, better hurt feet and all my limbs still attached.

The boats were filled, and the line to get into them was immense, everyone crowding around the guards, trying desperately to get on them. The screams and cries of the kids rang in my ears, my heart aching as they called for their parents. I squeezed my dad's hand tighter, and he returned the gesture. The distant howls of pain and the insults to the guards raised in the air, and you could almost feel the collective fear on your skin, like an oily substance that stuck to your clothes. Some desperate enough people jumped, not worried about the possible fall to the canals. Hysteria had taken over Maria's population, and if the titans didn't kill us, we would kill each other, the persons in the front of the line were being pushed against the metal bars, the air squeezed out of their lungs.

I didn't want to get into one of those deathtraps, I'd rather run to Rose, but obviously dad was against it.

He looked at me, and his eyes were tearful. I didn't like that look in his eyes at all. I frowned, and he smiled sadly at me.

"(Y/N), I Love You so much... An I'm sorry, but I'm not risking you not going into that boat." Determination shone on my eyes, and I knew his resolve was as strong as steel.

"What do you mean? " My voice trembled as I asked " You're getting in with me. How is that a bad thing?" I tried to smile, but my frown was deep.

He didn't answer and just shook his head. He grabbed me and as if I weighted nothing he put me over his shoulder.

"My duty is to protect the walls (Y/n)" His voice was steady" When all of this is over I'll go back for you, and we'll play cards like we do every morning, I'm going to give you advice for when you go to the army... I'm so proud of you, honey." His grip on my back tightened. "I will miss you so much, but wait for me. Okay?"

"Dad, don't do this... Please " My body was unmoving, the tears free falling at his feet, and I could only focus on the heels of his boots as he made his way through the crowd, pushing people aside. And just looking at his boots were better that acknolodging the searing pain on my chest, as if Ann's passing wasn't enough y dad was about to risk his life. "There's got to be another way... Please don't leave me...I love you please don't do it" I said trying to negotiate I refused to let him go just like that. "There must me something we can..." He shushed me.

"An I love you too, but it's my job. Understand, I swore to give my life for the sake of humanity if it ever came to that." His hands were shaking, and I tried to chase away the thought of him being afraid. It was something normal, but that meant I should've been terrified, dad was never scared. But the only thing that I had on my chest was a hole, filled with pain and grief, as if I was incapable of feeling anything else. "I'm sorry honey, i love you so much... And believe when I say I'm coming back for you"

I was going to answer, and plead some more, but suddenly I was no longer on his shoulder. An empty feeling filed my body before I landed on the wood from the boat's floor. I got up to try to see my dad in the crowd, but he was no longer there. The boat sailed away, tearing me apart from the place and streets I grew up, tearing me from one of the only people I love that was still alive... for now.

Angry with myself I pinched my arm, I was assuming he would die. My dad would survive and he was going to come back as a hero, saving the life of a thousand of humans, and destroying a thousand of titans, more titans than the whole Survey corps toghether. I had to believe it for my own sanity, or for what was left of it.

When we got to the refugee center I sat at a corner and just waited. The soldiers were coming back from Maria, one after the other, injured and with a broken spirit, witnessing horrible things, and traumatized for the rest of their lives. I prayed to whatever god there was for my father to be among those soldiers it didn't matter if he was missing a leg or arm, I just wanted him by my side.

The cold evening air was biting my fingers, and I tried to cover them with the pocket of my hood, that covered my face, feeling the unmistakable cold of metal against my skin. I pulled out my hand, and in the middle of my palm there it was.

My dad's engagement ring.

Letting the golden band slide down my finger, the tears fell again. The hours passed, transforming into days, but there was no sign of him. God had laughed at my childish hopes.

My heart ached for my lost loved ones, and to add up on top of it, the amount of kids sleeping on the floor by themselves was devastating. We were all in the same boat, orphaned for the rest of our lives. The resources were low and  Sina's infrastructure wouldn't stand for long. We would be seen as leeches instead of refugees, only sucking on their food and water.

No matter what age, kids to elders, all of us were hated and mistreated equally, the garrisons insulting us to dirt. A few of them were familiar, being in the basement's underground world.. The constant threat of being discovered kept my mind away from the grief. I couldn't even mourn Dad in peace.

I wasn't even sleeping anymore, tormented nightmares that portraited Kenny's laugh, Annton's at his feet as Lod Reiss's hands grabbed my clothes, or my dad's dismembered and broken body. So I had given up on resting. I barely had a nap here and there. My body functioning only for the sake of it. The  food was sparse and not enough water made it to my mouth.

We used old blankets as mattresses, trying to soften the stone floor where we slept, leaving our bodies vulnerable to the cold. It was only a matter of time before someone died of hypothermia.

A week had passed, and I haven't talked to anyone, staying at the sidelines, silently watching.

The children were a heartwrecking sight. A lot of them barely knew how to walk, and they were all alone, the few unlucky ones old enough to understand the severity of everything had somber expressions all day.

Next to my improvised bed, two kids slept together every night.

One night in particular, the temperature had dropped insanely low, and they were trembling in their sleep, the tears making their faces red and puffy, wet trails shining in the moonlight. The little girl's black hair got stuck to her cheeks, and I noticed her dirty and worn out red scarf. She gripped it tightly in her small fist, trying to hold on to whatever it represented to her. She reminded me of myself,  as I had my own habit of stroking the rings in my left hand as I cried. The boy was immersed in a restless dream, twisting and turning, quiet whimpers slipping out of his parted open lips, tormented by whatever they had witnessed the day Maria fell.

Fuck it I thought.

Sighing, I untied my cape, slipping it out of my shoulders,  covering their sleeping bodies. I glanced at the fabric laying on the ground. Sleep had left me a while ago, it wasn't like I would use the blanket. I picked it up and dust it off, placing it on top of my cape, building the layers, hoping it would be enough.

After a few minutes later the shudders that traveled their bodies disappeared and I smile appeared on my lips. I glanced at the boy, hopeful that his nightmares had stopped, but a pair of black eyes captured mine. Her intense glare paralyzing me, I felt like she caught me doing something wrong. The corners of her mouth lifted, and she went back to sleep.

I breathe out the air stuck in my lungs and I sat against the wall, tilting my head back, eyes on the ceiling.

Those two kids couldn't be older than ten years old, and their life were destroyed, losing everything. I wondered if they had an adult that took care of them and what would happen with them if they didn't.

Could I do something else besides giving them a shitty blanket?

I shook off the idea as soon as it came, I had more urgent problems than taking care of two orphans, like hiding from Lord Reiss for example.

[spaceskam]

The Desert Three (2)

ao3

Maybe he’d had better ideas.

“What kind of man do you think I am?” Jesse accused, “I have never affiliated myself with any of those things! Neither have my sons! How dare you accuse me of that, Valenti!”

“I didn’t accuse you, Manes,” Jim sighed, rubbing his temples, “I was simply asking if there was a reason why both the handprint and your son’s DNA was at the crime scene.”

Jesse paced, face angry. Jim had to give it to him. This was quite possibly the only time he’d ever seen him go to bat for Alex. Rather than call him weak or demean him, he was insisting that he could never. Alex would never.

"Listen, I don't know how his DNA got at the scene, but he didn't have anything to do with that handprint, Valenti. There's evil out there and my son makes questionable decisions, but he's smarter than to get caught up like that," Jesse spat. Jim huffed, shaking his head.

"If you're so sure, then why didn't you say that in your interview?" Jim asked, "Manes, what happened that night?"

Jesse stared at him with cold eyes for a moment before shaking his head. He dismissed the whole situation and stalked out of the bunker, leaving him there to wonder what he was supposed to do next. Who else knew about aliens? 

 After a few minutes of brainstorming, he decided he was sort of at a stopping point. He needed to talk to someone else. Someone who knew more. There was clearly an alien on the loose and it was dangerous. He needed to find it before anyone else turned up dead.

He slowly started making his way out of the bunker and towards his car. He let his mind slip a bit as he thought about Rosa. The one night she wasn't with him, the one night she was vulnerable, it'd gone so bad. Was this because of him? Was she targeted because of what he knew? Was this really his fault?

"Excuse me, sir?"

Jim turned quickly towards the voice and saw a tall, thin man. He looked weak and desperate, clothing tattered and face sunken in. His skin was clearly a shade of brown, but he looked sickeningly pale. 

Most importantly, there was a handprint on display on his neck.

"Good God," Jim breathed, trying not to drop his things. Instead, he sat them on the hood of his truck and went near the man. "What happened to you?"

"Someone– Something attacked me," he said, somehow looking up to Jim even though he was taller, "I heard I should come talk to you."

Jim thought about questioning who he heard that from, but the thought vanished from his mind almost as quickly as it entered. He became much more focused on this man.

"Can you help me?" he asked.

"Yes," Jim said honestly. He wanted to know everything. "What's your name?"

The man leaned on Jim to steady himself.

"Noah," he said, "Noah Bracken."

-

"This is so fucking illegal."

"Yeah, but it's kind of a rush, isn't it?" 

Alex shook his head with a smile as he typed. They were crouched behind the police station, trying not to seem suspicious as Alex quickly tried to dismantle the cameras just long enough for Kyle to get in and get out.

“If you become a criminal, don’t blame me,” Alex snorted. Kyle flicked him in the arm.

“Says the guy who literally got arrested.”

“For something I didn’t do!”

“Don’t yell, we’re trying not to get caught!” 

“Okay,” Alex said instead of arguing, finishing one last little bit on his computer before looking over to Kyle, “You’ve got twenty minutes to copy everything.”

“I only need fifteen,” Kyle bragged.

“Don’t test me.” 

Kyle grinned, body pumped with adrenaline as he slipped in through the back door.

It was 1:10 PM. Half the officers were on their lunch break (including his father) and the other half were too wrapped up in the Desert Three case to notice young Valenti walking around. He got lucky and anyone who did see him didn’t think anything of it, thank god for both of his parents being on the force. It also happened to be the day that Mr. Kahn was on camera duty and Kyle knew from personal experience that he was more than likely doing crossword puzzles instead of watching them enough to see that they were frozen.

Kyle looked both ways before using a key he’d taken off his mom to open his dad’s office. It was dark and Kyle wasn’t going to risk actually turning on the lights. Instead, he pried open the bottom drawer of the desk and searched through the files until he found his father’s copies of the case papers. He flipped through them, taking papers he didn’t recognize.

He stopped when he saw the post mortem photos.

“Oh my God,” Kyle breathed, eyes focusing on the handprint on Rosa’s face. He’d never seen anything like that before. How did they happen? How did they think Alex was capable of doing that? 

Instead of thinking too hard about it, he shoved the papers into the waistband of his jeans and went to get the hell out of there. His mind was racing and he needed to go show it to Alex. Maybe he would know who could’ve caused that. 

“Kyle.”

Kyle’s back hit the door and he tried not to act suspiciously as his mother walked near him. She eyed him and he smiled, sucking in to make sure she wouldn’t be able to see the papers down his pants. She looked him up and down anyway.

“What are you doing here?”

“I was coming…” He hesitated for a moment too long. “To see if Dad wanted to go hunting this weekend! But he wasn’t in.”

She pursed her lips and nodded. “Okay.”

“I’ll ask him when he gets home, I guess,” Kyle went on, “I’ll see you later, Mom.”

“Be home for dinner, you hear me?” she said. Kyle nodded and quickly fled before she made him crack. 

He made it back to Alex with a minute to spare.

“Here, put this in the back,” he said, lifting his shirt to get the papers. Alex made a disgusted face.

“Ew, I’m not touching those, they’ve been down your pants.”

“Such a baby.”

“Says the homophobe.”

Kyle rolled his eyes and put them in the bag himself. Alex made sure there was no trace of him tampering with the cameras before he closed his laptop and stood up. 

“Now what?” he asked. Which was a valid question. He couldn’t exactly read over stolen police documents at the Crashdown or Bean Me Up with a suspected murderer. Bringing them back to Alex’s could seem sketchy if they got caught and bringing them to Kyle’s sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. 

“I… I don’t know where to take them without risking getting caught.”

“Well, where’s somewhere that no one goes?” Alex asked, “Also somewhere that isn’t sketchy for us to be. Also close enough for me to get home quick so I don’t get caught leaving my house. I am supposed to be on house arrest, you know.”

Kyle knew he wasn’t trying to be complicated, but he was.

“Okay…” Kyle breathed, looking around as if an idea would just pop into his head. Which, it sort of did. “Wait, we could go to my dad’s hunting cabin. He barely ever goes there anymore.”

Alex looked at him like he’d lost it. “That isn’t close.”

“Look, do you want to be close or be caught?”

They glared at each other for a few minutes before Alex finally realized he had a point. Kyle liked when he thought of good ideas before Alex. He had to be a genius to out-think him.

“See, I’m really smart,” Kyle grinned. Alex glared at him.

“I’d hit you weren’t literally breaking the law to help me.”

Kyle felt awfully proud as they snuck towards his car.

-

“You both are going to give me a fucking aneurysm.”

“We haven’t done anything!”

Max grabbed Michael’s arm, pulling him back so he didn’t react badly to Isobel. But Michael was already fucking angry. She kept bitching at them, kept scolding them for simply existing. The more that was said about the case, the more she lost it even if no signs were pointing to them.

He was beginning to think maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling guilty.

“Isobel, you can’t lock us away,” Max said calmly, “We have to act normal or we’re going to be suspicious.”

“Then stop going to places where you’re more likely to fuck up!” Isobel said.

“I went to The Crashdown for a fucking burger!” Michael snapped back. Isobel glared at him and went to say something before she winced and grabbed her head.

“Just be careful,” she said calmly.

“Iz, what’s wrong?” Max asked, letting go of Michael to go towards her. She shook her head.

“I’m fine,” she insisted, “Fuck.”

Michael caved just a little bit, his head tilting to the side as he watched Isobel slowly move to sit down against the bed of his truck.

“Isobel, what’s going on?” he asked. She just held her head and let herself fall against Max.

“My head hurts.”

Michael stopped arguing. He always stopped arguing.

-

Max moved Liz’s hair off her shoulder.

“Thanks,” she sniffled. He managed a small smile and watched her take another bite of ice cream.

He knew she was off-limits, that being around her was a bad idea, but she’d called him and he couldn’t say no. Now, as he sat with her and listened to her, he was glad he hadn’t.

“I’ve never felt so confused in my life, Max,” Liz admitted, “I mean, Alex is my friend‒one of my best friends. I’ve known him since we were little and he loves Rosa. Or, I thought he did.”

“I don’t know Alex all that well, but he doesn’t seem like the killer type,” Max said. Then again, Isobel didn’t seem like it either.

“I know! He’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met!” she groaned, laying her head on his shoulder, “He literally couldn’t even kill a roach. But then how did his DNA get there? It was the middle of nowhere.”

“I don’t know,” Max answered honestly. Even though Michael had confessed that he liked Alex, it still didn’t explain his DNA. how would Michael have even gotten it on him in the first place?

 “Sometimes I just want to talk to him, hear his side, you know? I’m so tired of not knowing,” Liz said. She molded into him closer. He stared at her for a moment and got a serious urge to push her away. Why did she have to wait to get so close until after he had something to hide? “But I can’t even look at him.”

“Uh,” Max said, shifting in his seat just a little, “I can… I can talk to him for you.” Shut up, Max, shut up!

Liz lifted her head off his shoulder and looked him with wide, thankful eyes. She trusted him so much. Why did she have to trust him so much?

“You could?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh my God, that means so much to me. Thank you, Max.”

He let her hug him even though he knew he wasn’t going anywhere near Alex Manes.

-

“Dude, did they even look into anyone else? It looks like they decided you did it on day one and just looked for evidence to prove them right instead of looking for the actual killer.”

Alex sighed and dropped the thick stack of paper, rubbing his eyes. There was something about reading pages and pages about why you killed your friend that was really disheartening. Stupidly, he wished Michael was looking through it with him. Even though he’d made it clear he was only in it for sex, he wanted him. He wanted to be held and kissed like he wasn’t racing against the clock to prove his innocence. Was that so much to ask?

“I don’t know,” Alex said. When he looked up, Kyle was half-way through a pretty shitty murder board. “What the fuck is that?”

Kyle whirled around with a wounded look on his face. “I worked hard on this.”

“You look like you watched too many Unsolved Mysteries episodes.”

“Jokes on you, they didn’t use these in Unsolved Mysteries.”

“Yeah, because that’s where the joke is.”

Kyle rolled his eyes and turned back to his murder board. It had borderline-comical red string connecting things, but a bunch of sticky notes on it to mark the parts that didn’t connect. On the side were all the questions. Who had a motive to kill Rosa? Who had a motive to frame Alex? Who was capable of putting those handprints on the girls? How did this person get Alex’s DNA at the crime scene? 

“I just… I don’t understand how you connect,” Kyle said, huffing softly. Alex stared at the board for a few seconds longer, almost forgetting that he was involved and becoming super interested in that handprint.

“What the hell could cause that handprint?” he asked, “That… That barely looks human. Like, it’s human-shaped, but why is it that color? It doesn’t look like a bruise.”

“Alex,” Kyle said, sharp enough to steal his attention, “It says your hair. Who the hell got a strand of your hair?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, think,” Kyle pushed, “Anyone you’ve gotten close enough to that they could’ve gotten a strand of your hair?”

“I would’ve noticed if someone pulled my hair out.”

“Fine, anyone you’ve, like, gotten in a fight with? Or like ruffled your hair? Something like that, something where you might not have noticed,” Kyle rambled. Red flags struck Alex and he felt painfully uncomfortable. He shifted and looked very seriously up to Kyle.

“What if, whoever is framing me, isn’t framing me on purpose?” Alex said. Kyle furrowed his eyebrows. “Like, what if my hair got on someone’s clothes and they were at the crime scene and it fell off?

Kyle seemed to be holding his breath as he asked, “What do you mean?”

“Okay, if I tell you this, you can’t say anything to your dad or anyone, okay? Promise me,” Alex said. Kyle nodded, becoming gravely serious alongside him. “The night of the murders, I had a guy over and we… Well, you know. What if… What if my hair got on him and he went there?”

“Alex,” Kyle said seriously, stepping closer, “Who?”

Alex started to feel sicker and sicker by the minute, tears brimming his eyes as it made more sense. No wonder he wouldn’t be his alibi. Alex blinked them away before he could let his emotions get the best of him. If someone was able to fucking frame him, they weren’t worth his tears.

He looked up at Kyle with newfound determination.

Questions:

Why would Guerin kill the girls?

How did he put the handprints on the girls?

Did he act alone, or did he have help? 

“Still can’t believe you slept with Michael Guerin of all people. Why not Zach Little? He’s hot and he’s into dudes and he doesn’t murder girls in the desert,” Kyle said, “Sounds like a catch to me.” Alex rolled his eyes.

“I didn’t know he was going to murder people when I slept with him,” Alex retorted. He didn’t add that he’d slept with him after the murders, nor did he ask how he knew Zach Little wasn’t straight when, last Alex had heard, he was firmly in the closet.

“Well, have you heard from him since then? Did he seem suspicious?” Kyle wondered, already prepping his marker to add any new information.

“I mean, yeah,” Alex sighed, “I asked him to be my alibi and he pretty harshly rejected me, but I took it as him being scared to outed, you know? Plus, with his personal situation, it’s not a good thing to be putting himself under the eye of police. Or… that’s what I thought, I guess.”

Kyle let out a motherly hmph and wrote on the board that Guerin was “a sketchy murdery mofo”. The whole thing had Alex feeling jittery and anxious, so he stood up. He needed to have something on his mind other than the guy I love is framing me for murder, the guy I love is a murderer, the guy I love somehow murdered someone with a broken hand and‒ 

“Wait,” Alex said, “Michael couldn’t have done it. Or, at least, not done the killings. Maybe he was there‒he was probably there‒but his hand was broken.”

“Was it already broken then?”

“My dad broke it that night,” Alex said. Kyle’s eyes widened and he clearly went to ask about that, but Alex wasn’t about to receive any questioning on that. “I’m gonna go get some water, do you want water?”

“Um, okay,” Kyle said, voice softer than it’d been since they’d decided to look into this together. 

Alex made his way into the kitchen and began getting two glasses of water. Only, as he checked for ice, he realized there was fresh fruit in the refrigerator. It didn’t really make any fucking sense, but Alex tried not to think too hard about it as he got the two glasses.

“I thought you said your dad never comes up here,” Alex said as he walked back into the living room.

“He doesn’t.”

“There’s fresh fruit in the fridge,” Alex said. Kyle looked over to him with genuine shock on his face. 

“What?”

“Yeah.”

Alex followed Kyle back into the kitchen where they both stared at the fruit as if it was going to solve the world’s problems. It didn’t. They began looking around the kitchen, suddenly more concerned as to why his dad was coming all the way to the cabin enough to have fruit. 

Which is when they found an entirely different file.

“What’s that?” Kyle asked, looking over Alex’s shoulder as he opened it. 

It left little to the imagination. Detailed accounts of everything, even down to the handprint. It described things that Alex had presumed to be fiction. Some of them were things Alex hadn’t even thought about, even in a fictional sense.

“Aliens.”

-

Jim looked at all the new information Noah had given him. It was too much information.

“How do you know all of this?” Jim asked. Noah was sitting across from him at Mimi DeLuca’s bar in a back room she’d let him use when he asked. He explained he wasn’t really eager to bring a sketchy man to any place that he could be around his son and she’d complied.

“I got attacked by one,” Noah explained, “Could I get some more water, please?”

“Sure,” Jim said, “But that doesn’t explain how you know so much. Did this alien tell you everything?”

“No, I saw him kill a girl. It made him stronger, I saw it,” Noah insisted. He was clearly affected by whatever happened. 

“And that handprint… It didn’t kill you?”

“No, but it almost did,” Noah said, shaking his head, “Don’t you believe me?”

Before Jim could say maybe he didn’t, he suddenly did. He believed him quite a lot. But he was smarter than that. He had to be. Jim excused himself to get water, trying to clear his head as best he could despite the cloudiness that had overcome it. 

He passed Mimi and she gave him a tiny pendant to slip into his pocket.

Suddenly, his mind felt a lot clearer. He put on a smile and went along with whatever Noah said.

-

“Alex, let me in.”

Something was wrong. Michael knew he was supposed to stay away from Alex, but the guilt was weighing on him; he wanted to make sure Alex knew he was on his side. If Max could support Liz without outing themselves, then Michael could sure as hell show Alex that same support. He just needed Alex to know he wanted him for more than sex. 

He was going to be his alibi.

But the problem was Alex wasn’t answering him. He knew he was in there. The light was on, but he wasn’t answering. That was a fucking problem.

“Alex, open up,” Michael repeated, knocking a bit harder. He just wanted to see him. He wanted to protect him. He was willing to sacrifice himself for that.

When the window finally opened, Michael had to reroute his entire thought process. Alex stood there in nothing but low-hanging sweat pants that Michael hadn’t actually seen before. His hair was wet and his chest was glistening. Michael could smell the distinct scent of his body wash.

“Get in here,” Alex demanded. Michael blinked at him twice before he clambered through the window.

He didn’t actually have time to ask him how he was or tell him that he would be his alibi because Alex just grabbed him into a biting kiss. He could feel his brain malfunctioning as Alex stripped him of his shirt, ripping it halfway through.

Getting a proper breath in wasn’t an option. Alex pushed him into his bed, climbing on top of him and pinning him down before he could think. Things moved so fast and, honestly, he didn’t mind. He kept kissing him deeper, biting harder, distracting him more and more from whatever was in his head.

Distracting him so much that he didn’t realize he was tied to the headboard until the knots were so tight that it hurt even his undamaged hand.

“Whoa, Al–”

He was cut off by Alex shifting all his weight onto his chest and a fucking toy lightsaber was shoved under his chin, pinning him in place.

Alex was staring down at him with wide eyes, mouth set in a hard line. He looked more than a little betrayed and Michael quickly realized that maybe he should’ve expected this. Alex was one of the smartest people he knew. Of course, he would figure it out. Of course.

“You’ve got five seconds to tell me why you fucking framed me or I’m calling the cops.”

Michael was frozen with a fear he wasn’t used to having with Alex. However, it became very, very obvious that Alex knew a lot more than he could’ve ever imagined. Alex looked sort of scared, yes, but he’d decided he was going to put up a fucking fight. Because of that, Michael relaxed as much as he could, trying to show he wasn’t going to hurt him.

“What do you know?” he asked softly. Alex shoved the lightsaber harder under his chin, forcing him to make eye contact.

“Doesn’t matter, does it? Tell me everything then I can see where the lies are,” Alex said. Michael took a heavy breath, but it was hard with Alex on his chest. He seemed to notice that and lifted his weight just a little. It was super conflicting, honestly, because Alex looked hotter than ever. You know, despite the fact he looked like he would kill him.

“Okay,” Michael agreed. He knew Isobel was going to fucking kill him, but he was running out of options. He had no idea what Alex knew or didn’t know. If he lied and it didn’t match then he was fucked. “Okay. I didn’t frame you.”

“Oh?” Alex asked, his tone showing he didn’t believe him. Thankfully, his eyes betrayed him.

“I swear to God, I would never, ever put you in harm's way. I didn’t mean for your DNA to get there and I am so, so sorry that it did,” Michael said. Alex didn’t let up on the lightsaber. “But, yes, I was there that night.”

He could see Alex gulp. He knew he was right, but hearing the confirmation didn’t make him feel better. Instinctually, Michael tried to move his hands to grab ahold of him, but it pulled against his restraints and he let out a pained groan as it rubbed his damaged hand the wrong way. Alex pushed harder on the lightsaber, pushing Michael’s head into the pillow.

“Why?” Alex demanded, “What do you get out of killing Rosa? How did you do it with a broken?”

“I didn’t kill Rosa, Alex, I swear I did not kill her or any of the girls. I promise you,” Michael insisted, trying to show Alex how sincere he was. He could take Isobel and Max thinking he was a killer, but Alex? No.

Yet, Alex didn’t seem to buy it.

“You expect me to believe that?” Alex scoffed.

“Yes,” Michael said definitively, “Alex, I am so sorry. I should’ve been honest with you from the moment shit got bad for you. I wanted to. I really, really did. I’ve never felt so fucking guilty in my life. I was coming to tell you I would be your alibi.”

“So, what, you feel guilty about framing me, but you don’t feel guilty about killing three girls?”

“I didn’t kill them!” Michael insisted. Alex gave him a look that said ‘shut up, my dad’s home’. Michael took a deep breath. “I didn’t kill them. I saw who did and I fucking bolted.”

“Why wouldn’t you go to the police?” Alex asked, his cold exterior breaking just a little as his eyebrows twitched towards the middle, “Unless it was someone you care about and you were trying to protect them‒Max or Isobel. And, their hands weren’t broken, so they could’ve done it… So, they’re the aliens? Not you?” 

Michael felt his blood run cold and he stopped breathing, surely looking like a deer caught in headlights.

“Or… are you? Is it all of you?”

Alex’s accusatory tone was switched out for sheer curiosity. It reminded Michael that he was still a kid, still a boy who was curious about the world and not a man trying to interrogate him before he turned him over to be killed. However, the lightsaber didn’t move, so it was kind of up in the air.

“You look scared of me,” Alex said out loud. He moved the lightsaber, but Michael still couldn’t breathe. “You’re an alien.”

“Are you going to kill me?” Michael breathed. Alex blinked a few times, the thoughts behind his eyes shifting and readjusting to the situation. 

“Your friends killed three people and you let the police frame me. Even if you go to be my alibi, if you don’t say anything, I’m fucked. You fucked me over and you let me sit with that for weeks. You let me trust you and… for what?” Alex scoffed. “I don’t give a shit if you’re an alien or not. I do care that you’re a liar and an accessory to murder and that I’m going to get life in prison for it. Or, fuck, the death penalty is still a thing in New Mexico. I could die because of you.”

Michael closed his eyes, trying to remember how to breathe for a completely different reason now.

“You’ve ruined my life, Michael,” Alex said, that cold tone coming back, “You ruined my life to save an actual fucking murderer. Even if I get off, people will still think I’m guilty. I’ve done my fucking research, I know how this ends.”

“I made a mistake.”

“You and your friends destroyed my life, destroyed the lives of Rosa and Kate and Jasmine’s families, and you don’t even care because it saves yours. You only want to cover you and your friends’ asses,” Alex went on, “And everyone else be damned. I should turn you in.”

“Please, Alex… Please, if we get caught, it’s worse than jail. If they find out what we are… what I am, I’m done for. I’m a science experiment. I’m sorry, I am, I just‒”

“I’m not going to,” Alex said softly. He slowly untied his hands from the headrest, somehow being gentle even after everything. “I’m not as cruel as you.” Michael felt like he’d been punched in the gut. “But if you ever try to talk to me again, I’ll tell my dad. And, trust me, he’s a lot scarier than any cop.”

It was strange, looking up at Alex. He seemed so sure of himself and of his statement. He was using his father as a weapon and he didn’t seem to even notice. For a moment, Michael was scared for him, scared for whatever was going on that he was blind to. But then he remembered that he’d destroyed a boy he loved and it didn’t matter.

“Get out.”

-

All he needed was this.

“I can’t believe those girls got murdered by that monster. Rosa must’ve been special, huh?”

Three days. Jim had been talking to this man‒this thing‒for three days. He already knew he wasn’t human, he caught that quickly. He just needed proof that he was the one who hurt his daughter. 

And now he was getting it.

“I mean, why else would that boy separate her from the other two? Must’ve been special.”

How proud of himself must he have been to brag about that? Brag about details that weren’t even released to the public? Jim knew that aliens all had some level of pride about their race, but this? The audacity.

He stared down at the piles of evidence and every detail of the case, trying desperately to piece shit together. He needed something to directly tie this man to Rosa’s case. He needed proof that he did it and not Alex. A motive for why he did it wouldn’t be so bad either.

“Jimmy, come to bed,” Michelle said. His eyes looked up to where she stood in the doorway. 

Sometimes he forgot how lucky he got. Sometimes his mind would slip and he would get clouded or distracted. But then she would stand in the doorway of his home office in nothing but one of his shirts, her hair down and face bare and he remembered. 

He put the files down, giving her his full attention. She smiled at him and came closer. When he pushed away from the desk, she sat in his lap and he held her close. He liked moments like this. Quiet, normal moments. No aliens, no work, no infidelity, no addiction. Just her and him. It didn’t take much to remember Kyle’s little feet padding through the halls to find them and acting all disgusted when they kissed. The disgust stopped when the kissing happened less.

“I need… I need to figure out how to fix this,” he admitted to her. His eyes closed as she cradled his head, massaging his scalp. “I feel like there’s no answer.”

“You need to relax. Overdosing on information isn’t going to help you,” she told him, “I want you to solve this as much as you do, but you haven’t slept in days. Come to bed.”

“I know, I know, I just… I need that one thing, you know? Just the one thing to make it all fall into place,” Jim said. Michelle breathed against his skin and he thought about just falling asleep right there with her on him.

“Well, maybe talk to your son,” she whispered, voice reluctant. Jim blinked out of his thoughts and craned his head to her.

“Excuse me?”

“I caught him coming out of your office the other day and then found my key to the station in his pocket when I was doing clothes. Not to mention he made it no secret that he was talking to Alex on the phone last night,” she informed him, “He thinks he's so slick.”

Jim blinked in confusion. Kyle? Kyle was putting himself in this? Why the hell would he do that?

“As much as I don’t want him to be involved in this case, I think he already is,” she went on, “I’d rather one of us steps in before he does something we can’t fix. So, talk to him, see what he knows, and then ask him to stop.”

“What the hell could he know?” Jim asked out loud.

Michelle lifted her head and she looked at him in his eyes, really looked at him. She said nothing, insinuated nothing, but he knew. He didn’t know what she knew or how she knew it, but her silence spoke volumes. He felt a little sick.

“Okay, I’ll talk to him,” he agreed.

“Thank you.”

They sat there for another moment and then he took a deep breath, grabbing a hold of her before standing up. She held onto him tighter.

“Let’s go to bed.”

-

Isobel knew something had changed for the worse.

“Hey, what happened?” she asked softly. Michael was laying on her bedroom floor, trying his damndest to act like he wasn’t crying. He was relatively silent, but his breathing had changed and she’d been way too good at noticing little details lately.

“Nothing, leave me alone,” he grunted.

She watched his back intently. Something had gone very shitty, but she wasn’t sure. Well, she could guess. Last they’d actually talked about anything serious, they’d agreed no Liz, no Alex, and no talking about it. Sure, every new detail had her on edge, but… still. 

“You’re crying, that’s not nothing.”

“Isobel, leave me alone,” Michael said firmly.

Isobel considered it but instead chose to reach out to him. If they couldn’t talk about what was going on, they were going to explode. She was already dealing with the worst headaches of her life every five seconds.

“Don’t touch me!” he snapped when she reached for him. She jerked her hand away and watched as he turned to her, face tear-streaked and angry. “You just can’t leave anything alone, can you?”

“Wh‒”

“This is your fault, everything that’s gone wrong with Alex is your fucking fault,” Michael continued, “I-I finally found something good and it’s all fucked up because of you. He won’t even look at me.” 

“I only said not to talk to him because I don’t want you to feel guilty or tell him! It was for your own good!” she argued.

“Jokes on you, he’s a fucking genius,” Michael laughed, a new wave of tears showing in his eyes. Isobel could feel her blood turning cold.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“That he knows. And he figured it all out on his own,” he told her. She felt like the air was stolen from her lungs. “He knows it all. All except…”

“Except what, Michael?” she asked, horror more than clear on her face and in her voice and he didn’t even seem to notice. “Except what?”

“Except that you’re the one that killed those girls,” Michael told her. The bed seemed to drop out from beneath her as her mind swarmed.

“Wh-what? No, I‒”

“Killed them. I saw you,” he said, “You didn’t look right, but it was you.” 

Isobel didn’t know what happened after that.

-

“Have you talked to Alex?”

Max wanted to put his head through a wall. He didn’t know exactly what to tell Liz. Could he feel bad about not doing something he had no intention to do? It didn’t matter, he did anyway.

“Um, Michael did,” he said. Liz was holding onto his arms and she tilted her head to the side, no less interested even knowing that he didn’t speak to him himself. He gulped softly and tried to think of what to say. He should’ve prepared for this moment. “Alex didn’t do it, Liz.”

“How do you know?” she wondered, clutching his arms for details. He didn’t know what the hell to give her.

“Just… Just trust me. Alex didn’t do it, I know for a fact that he didn’t.”

Max watched confusion flush over her face and she held onto him tighter. He wasn’t really able to get out of her grasp without literally prying her off which he didn’t want to do, so he stayed put and stared at her. 

“How?” she asked him softly. Liz watched as he gulped and looked anywhere but at her. She’d watched enough true crime documentaries to know the signs of a man trying to figure out a good lie.

“I just do. Please don’t let this ruin your relationship with Alex, okay? He’s innocent,” Max begged.

Liz felt a little sick and she slowly let go of her grasp on him. She felt more sure than ever that Alex was innocent and that Max… wasn’t.

“Okay, thank you,” she said. Max smiled and he looked so sweet. And yet, not quite. “I’ll see you later.” He blinked a few times before realizing she wanted him to leave.

“Yeah, okay, I’ll see you later. Bye, Liz.”

Liz waited until he was outside before pulling out her phone. She dialed the number that she knew by heart and it picked up on the second ring.

“Liz?” Kyle asked. She took a deep breath.

“Are you in contact with Alex?” she wondered. She knew they weren’t exactly friends, but she knew Kyle was nothing but loyal when it came down to it.

“Uh…”

“Figured. I need to talk to both of you. Where do you guys meet?”

“Alex is on house‒”

“We both know Alex figured out how to fuck with that day one, so where do you guys meet?”

Kyle was silent for a moment before he said, “My dad’s cabin.”

Liz held her head high and watched Max drive away. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

-

“She’s what?”

“Drunk! She’s drunk, help me.”

Michael scoffed and turned his truck around, quickly heading towards the crash site that he really wasn’t that far away from. He hadn’t seen Isobel since their argument a few days prior purely for self-preservation reasons. He wasn’t expecting her to go in the desert to get wasted.

When he pulled up behind Max’s jeep, he wasn’t all that surprised to see them both just sitting in the sand. In fact, he was a little annoyed that they were just sitting all calm.

“What’s going on?” he asked as he walked closer to them. Max looked up to him with eyes that could kill.

“Michael, I thought we agreed that‒”

“That what? That it was totally fine as long as I took the fall?” Michael asked. He meant to have a lot more anger than it actually held. He was just so drained. However, Max didn’t have a reply to that. Michael sighed and plopped into the sand beside them. “I get it though. There was just… a lot of weird shit about that night.”

“I think,” Isobel said, voice higher and louder than usual as a reminder that she was definitely intoxicated, “I think I should just turn myself in.”

“No, you’re not going to do that,” Max sighed. He seemed to have lost the fight too.

“Why not?!” she asked, voice quivering slightly. Michael frowned as he watched her eyes fill with tears. “Michael’s right, I’m ruining everything for both of you. If I just… come clean, you can be with Liz and Michael can be with Alex and I can be where I belong. I don’t want to hurt anyone else.”

“Honestly, I’m pretty sure Liz is mad at me,” Max sighed.

“And Alex basically threatened to get his dad to dissect me if I ever talk to him again,” Michael added. They both looked to him with wide eyes. “But, listen, Iz. I know I said a lot of shit to you, but… Honestly, it didn’t look like you that night. Like, it was you, but there was just this look on your face. It didn’t look like you.”

“I don’t remember it at all,” she whined, falling against Max’s shoulder with a pout on her face, “I swear I would never do that. I-I’m not a killer.”

“I know, Izzy,” Max said, hugging her close. Michael stared at them both before locking eyes with Max. They had a short, silent conversation that ended with them both on the same page.

They were all in way over their heads.

-

“So we’re in agreement that Isobel did it.”

“Well, Max’s hand is too big and Michael’s hand was broken and they both have reason to cover for her, so yes.”

“Fuck.”

Alex couldn’t help but smile as Liz leaned against him to get a better look at the murder board. He hadn’t realized how much he missed her. Well, that’s a lie. He definitely realized, he just didn’t want to. But now he was more than a little thankful that she was on his side. 

“Now we just have one piece left of the puzzle to find,” Kyle said, marveling at his masterpiece, “What was the fucking motive?”

“I don’t know,” Liz groaned, raking her hands through her hair. They both turned to watch her collapse on the couch. She was clearly thinking hard, thinking of something to piece it together. “This is all just so weird and so much. I mean, Max and Michael were still trying to be on our sides while covering for her. They tried to be good while loyal, right? So maybe there’s a piece we’re not seeing because we’re not in the situation.”

“But they’re aliens and all the files make it pretty clear that they’re evil,” Kyle said. Alex looked at him for a moment and they were both only sure about the fact that they weren’t sure. It just didn’t sound right that Max and Michael were evil. Even if they did assist in murder.

“Michael’s a dick, but… I don’t know, I think they’re all scared,” Alex said, “Whenever I last spoke to him, he was genuinely scared I was going to turn him into a science experiment. Maybe Isobel felt threatened?”

“Okay, but Michael didn’t kill you when he felt threatened,” Liz interjected, “And Max… Well, fuck, I basically cornered Max and he was too out of it to even think of a lie ahead of time. I think there’s something off, something we don’t know.”

“Color me impressed,” another voice said which caused them all to jump. They all looked to see Sheriff Jim Valenti standing in the doorway. Alex felt his blood run cold. Of course, of course, he gets caught by the fucking Sheriff. “Lot of strings you put together.”

“Um, sir, I‒” Kyle started. Sheriff Valenti held his hand up to silence him.

“You don’t need to explain to me. Like father, like son, right?” he chuckled, stepping forward to look at the murder board. Alex stayed a few steps away, ready to run if he had to. “Tell me. Where does a Noah Bracken fit in on this board?”

“Who, Sir?” Liz asked. Sheriff Valenti gave her a kind smile.

“He’s the man who I believe is guilty. He knew much more about the case than was released publically and he seems emotionally attached to not only the case, but Rosa in particular. He’s guilty, I just need one solid piece of evidence,” he chuckled. Kyle, Alex, and Liz all shared confused glances.

“But… But Max and Isobel and Michael…” Kyle started, “They’re guilty. Look, that looks like a girl-sized handprint. That guy…”

“Is attached to the case,” Sheriff Valenti said, confusion on his face as he tried to piece it together. Alex felt like his brain was short-circuiting. “How do they fit together?”

“Sir, I don’t think he was there,” Alex managed to say. Sheriff Valenti looked at him. “Michael would’ve told me if he was there.”

Sheriff Valenti took a long, deep breath. It made Alex both uneasy and like he finally had a shot at fucking being free all at once. Finally. 

“I guess we’ll just have to have a talk with them and see.”

[nekojitachan]

How to Steal a Million (part 4?)

I think it’s part 4. We’re going with part 4

Find previous part here

This is really along the ratings of ‘T’. Mentions of forgery, stealing, threats of bodily harm (it IS Neil and Andrew, after all) but nothing serious. Lots of snark.

*******

Neil pressed against one of the doorways which led into the main gallery of the Kleber-Lafayette Museum, where the Cellini Venus was currently on display; he’d heard so much talk about it at the party he’d attended with Allison that he couldn’t resist coming to see the exhibit. After a minute of surveilling the room (checking the exits, any signs of cameras, the position of the guards, etc.) he stepped away the room… only to bump into someone a moment later due to the crowd of people.

Only to bump into L.A.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Neil hissed as he recoiled in surprise (and forced himself not to pull a knife).

“Huh, funny how we only meet under the most ‘artistic’ of circumstances’,” L.A. remarked as he gestured to the artworks hung on the walls around them, his deep voice sarcastic yet expression impassive; he was dressed in black pants and a black dress shirt which actually looked expensive and showed off his muscular build.

“Funny how I always feel the urge to stab you when we meet,” Neil muttered as he smoothed down the front of his dark blue jumper; Allison had dressed him before he’d left her house that day, so at least he appeared presentable.

Why did he suddenly care if he appeared presentable?

There was the tiniest twitch to the left corner of L.A’s mouth before he stepped forward. “You might want to look into that.” While Neil glared at the asshole’s back, the American nodded toward the crowd. “Lot of people here to see your statue, seems it’s famous.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Neil accused the man as he reconsidered the whole ‘no stabbing’ thing.

L.A. held up his hands and shook his head. “I’m off duty at the moment. What about you?”

Before Neil could question why the asshole had asked that, someone called out his name; he turned with a fake smile and nodded to Aldritch, who held out his hand to be shook.

“I’m fine, how are you?” he asked in return, then motioned to L.A. “Uhm, Monsieur Aldritch, the director of the museum and….” Well, he couldn’t exactly say ‘Larcenous Asshole, semi-decent thief’, could he?

“Minyard,” L.A. said without missing a beat as he gave Aldritch’s extended hand a very brief shake. “Josten and I are old friends, we used to spar together.” He leaned in as if to share a secret. “I usually won,” he said in a mock whisper.

While Neil glared at the asshole and Aldritch chuckled, L.A. continued. “Beautiful exhibit you have here, lots of valuable things.”

“Oh yes,” Aldritch agreed as he turned to Neil. “Please notice all of the security precautions we’ve taken with your family’s statue.” Then he turned back to L.A., who somehow managed a semi-interested expression on his usually impassive face. “Are you interested in art, Mr. Minyard?” When L.A. nodded, Aldritch smiled. “And are you interested in security?” the middle-aged man asked.

“Oh yes, very much so,” Minyard assured him while Neil wondered if there was a suitable place to hide the asshole’s body (after it was perforated to his heart’s content).

“Wonderful, let me show the two of you around.” Aldritch didn’t wait for their agreement before he walked away; since L.A. followed, Neil gritted his teeth together and did the same.

Aldritch headed straight for the Cellini Venus; L.A. made a mocking bow then held out his left arm in a clear sign for Neil to take it. At first he was about to ignore it, then Neil ‘smiled’ and accepted it, just so he could ram his elbow into the bastard’s ribs.

L.A. stumbled but otherwise remained on his feet and didn’t make a sound, but gave Neil a narrow look as they reached the pedestal which housed the Cellini Venus. Aldritch, oblivious to what had just happened, smiled at them and motioned to the blue lights which circled the base of the pedestal. “These are infrared beams which surround the Venus.” When L.A., acting like a proper idiot, went to touch the Venus, Aldritch gasped and swatted at his hand. “No, don’t touch it! That will trigger an alarm if the beams are broken, it’s an E.E.D.A. system.”

“That’s so impressive.” L.A. somehow managed to put a little emotion in his voice while Neil fought not to roll his eyes over what was really a common security protocol. “What happens if a thief somehow manages to turn off the system?”

“No, not possible,” Aldritch insisted with a slight frown. “There’s guards here all the time, and only myself and two other people can disable the system. We have back-up generators in case there’s a power outage, and it’s offline to prevent anyone from hacking into it.”

“Amazing,” L.A. drawled. “You’ve truly thought of everything.”

“Yes, I feel that my family’s statue is in perfectly safe hands,” Neil said with a slight inclination of his head. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve an appointment I can’t be late for.”

“Oh, of course! I’m pleased you were able to stop by.” Aldritch wished him well, and somehow Neil wasn’t surprised when L.A. followed him out of the museum.

“Look, stay the hell away from this place or I’ll report you to the cops, whoever you are,” he insisted as he went over to where he’d parked the MG. “Go find something else to ‘liberate’.”

“Minyard, Andrew Minyard,” L.A. said with an offending sniff. “It’s like you don’t trust me or something.”

“Might have something to do with you breaking into my house,” Neil muttered as he climbed into the MG.

“That was us meeting cute.”

Neil stared at the insane American for a couple seconds before he shook his head. “Do me a favor?”

“Hmm?” Despite Andrew’s (was that his real name?) curious tone, there was a hint of wariness in his hazel eyes.

“Stand in front of my car,” Neil asked as he motioned at the hood of the MG.

“Why?” Now there definitely was a gleam of wariness in Andrew’s eyes.

“So I can run you over and not have to worry about you bothering me anymore.”

The American radiated disapproval as he crossed his muscular arms over his chest. “As much as I find this flirting routine somewhat amusing, I need to talk to you about-“

Once Neil heard the ‘f’ word, he started the car’s engine then took off, unfortunately without hitting the asshole.

*******

Andrew collapsed on the bed in Kevin’s hotel room and sighed.

“If you’re about to rant about the coffee again, I don’t want to hear it,” Kevin said as he henpecked at the keyboard, his attention focused on the monitor.

“As if you’re bundle of joy until you get a few shots of espresso in you,” Andrew muttered while he scrubbed at his face with the palms of his hands.

“I don’t need ten spoonfuls of sugar and a pint of milk to go along with them,” Kevin argued before he turned to look at Andrew. “Now tell me you did something today other than haunt several bakeries.”

“Fuck you.” Andrew gave his partner the finger as he sat up. “Only two bakeries today, and yes, I did.” When Kevin gave him an expectant look, he rolled his eyes. “I talked to one Bernard Grammont, who is certain that Stuart Josten is a forger though he lacks any concrete proof. Also, I ran into Neil Josten again, who was checking out the display at the Kleber-Lafayette Museum.” He did his best not to wince as he felt a twinge in his ribs from where the sneaky bastard had hit him. “Didn’t seem to want to run into anyone there, which was rather odd.”

“Hmm, it does seem suspicious, but remember we’re not being paid to prove anything with Josten, at least not yet.”

Grammont would have hired Andrew to investigate Josten… but for some reason he didn’t want to work for the man. Maybe there was something to Renee warning him about the family… or maybe the game he’d started with Neil Josten would be ruined if money was involved.

Whatever the reason, for once Andrew found himself interested in something other than cracking a case or catching a bad guy. The more he interacted with Neil Josten, the more he couldn’t stop thinking about the enigmatic young man with the pale blue eyes and sharp tongue.

He’d most likely be disappointed once he got to the bottom of the mystery, but until then… until then he’d let things play out as a rare break from boredom. What could it cost him? Other than some bruises and a bit of blood loss, that was.

He might want to stop by the nearest pharmacy the next time he was out.

*******

Neil took a sip of the red wine he’d barely drank all night and managed one of his ‘fake’ smiles everyone except those who knew him (a rare few) fell for. “It’s a very nice wine.”

Riko grinned and tapped a finger against the base of his own wine glass. “My family owns the vineyard.”

“Oh really?” Neil managed to look impressed by that declaration, even though he knew very well what all the Moriyamas owned (and that the Hatfords owned a vineyard or two as well). “But it doesn’t have the Moriyama name on it.”

“It’s under one of our subsidiary holdings,” Riko explained, as if he held any real power when it came to the Stone Mountain corporation.

“It’s always good to diversify.” Or so Neil had been told – that’s why Stuart did his art forgery thing, Uncle Will and Henry oversaw the main business, Jamie was expanding into online money laundering and had offered for Neil to help (something he was considering, if he could extract Stuart out of this most recent mess), and Ally… eh, Ally was Ally.

Riko beamed at Neil as if he was a pet which had done a particularly clever trick. “See, you’re different from the others, I can be myself with you and not have to talk about silly stuff.”

No, not really; Riko hadn’t started screaming and throwing a temper tantrum yet, which was his ‘real self’ by all accounts, but Neil merely ‘smiled’ and had another minute sip of the wine (which was so-so) while Riko rambled on (more like bragged) about how rich and powerful his family was. All the while, Neil glanced around to make sure that Matt and Dan were seated on the other side of the room, his ‘back-up’ for the night.

As soon as Riko paused for breath, Neil ‘smiled’ and poured him more wine. “I’ve a feeling that there’s something you’re holding back.” When Riko stared at him in interest, he tilted his head to the side. “Something… something to do with my uncle, perhaps?”

He knew that Riko had bought a painting from Stuart a few years ago, and was renowned for his own collection; the Moriyamas were famous patrons of the arts, and Riko had believed himself to be something of an artist while growing up – him and his foster brother, Kevin Day. From what Stuart had told Neil, Kevin was the one with the real talent, but there had been some sort of accident which had left the young man unable to paint anymore, and Riko had eventually gone to work for his uncle, Tetsuji.

Yet Riko had said nothing to Neil when they’d met at the party the other night, had done his best to flirt with Neil until he’d agreed to a date. That behavior had made Neil suspicious as hell, made him want to figure out what was going on with a scumbag like Riko Moriyama.

Well, and it was always nice to get on Renee’s good side, which would happen if he and Allison could figure out some way to get Riko in trouble while helping out the man’s assistant, Jean Moreau, whom Renee had somehow befriended….

Riko appeared startled for a moment, and then tried some sort of shy act which Neil could see through with ease. “Well… to be honest… yes, there is something I wanted to talk to you about in regard to your uncle – your uncle and his collection.”

Neil managed to retain the mild smile while he braced himself for what might come next, if it had anything to do with Stuart’s ‘little hobby’ or not (had Riko figured out that the Monet he’d bought was a fake?).

“That is, I-“

One of the servers approached the table and gave a short bow. “My apologies, Mr. Moriyama, but there’s an urgent call for you.”

Riko frowned as he patted his right thigh as if to check his phone, which hadn’t rung or vibrated during their meal. “That’s odd, I shouldn’t be interrupted tonight.” He then gave an apologetic smile to Neil. “I’m sorry, but it has to be important if they tracked me down here.”

“That’s okay.” Neil watched him leave before he slumped back into the velvet-covered booth… only to jerk upright when Andrew slid into it a few seconds later. “Oh for fuck’s sake, really?”

The slightest of frowns tugged at the corners of Andrew’s full lips. “Is that any way to greet me after the trouble I went through to arrange a few minutes alone with you?”

Neil’s smile took on a sharp edge. “Well, I can do the usual way when you startle me.” His hand crept toward the butter knife on the table while he spoke.

“I thought you French people weren’t supposed to be so violent,” Andrew said as he leaned away a little.

“You’re certainly living up to Americans being rude cliché, now go away.” Neil made a shooing motion with his napkin. “My, uhm, dinner partner isn’t known for his even temper.”

“Your ‘dinner partner’ is a known psycho. Nice taste in dates there,” Andrew said with blatant disapproval.

“He’s not my date and I’m not interested in the opinion of a barely competent thief, now go away before you need more than a simple bandage,” Neil hissed out.

For some reason, Andrew’s left eyebrow raised the slightest amount. “I’ve something important to tell you, if you’ll stop trying to kill me for five minutes.”

“Where’s the fun in that, and leave before he returns!” As annoying as the American could be, Neil didn’t want to deal with the mess Riko could leave if he returned and found someone sitting at his table with the person he’d asked out for the night.

“I will, if you agree to meet me tomorrow afternoon. Suite 136, the Ritz.”

Andrew showed no sign of leaving, while Neil could see Riko across the room; luckily, Matt had gotten up and currently was running interference. “Fine,” he gritted out, conceding that Andrew had won for the moment with ill grace. “Now go before you really do get stabbed.”

“Tomorrow,” Andrew said before he grabbed Neil’s wineglass, managed to gulp down its contents in a couple seconds then slipped away.

Neil really should stab the bastard, he thought as he fought not to grin.

His amusement vanished when a scowling Riko sat down beside him. “I think it was a prank call, there was nothing but gibberish on the line,” Riko muttered as he pulled out his phone and typed something on it. “I’m going to have someone look into it.”

Neil hoped that Andrew had done a good job of covering his tracks and mumbled something soothing until Riko was finished. “Now where were we… ah yes, your uncle’s collection.” Riko summoned what he probably thought was a friendly smile but was ‘off’ enough to make Neil want to shiver. “I have to admit, I’ve always admired it, especially one piece in particular.”

“And that is?” Neil asked, no longer certain that Riko had realized that he’d bought a fake.

“The Cellini Venus.” Riko’s gaze grew unfocused as he discussed the statue. “There’s something about it, something that haunts me. I admit, I was happy to meet you since I’d hoped you might be able to intervene with your uncle on my behalf since he’s refused all offers to buy the statue before now, but I’m enjoying our time together.”

Ah, that’s what it was – another person enraptured with the Venus. Neil gave him a sympathetic smile and dared a slight pat on the hand. “I understand, it is a true masterpiece and I wish I could offer it to you, but my uncle is adamant about it remaining in the family. If that ever changes, I’ll reach out to you first.” Not that it ever would.

“It was worth a try, wasn’t it? And at least I’ve you as a consolation prize.” Riko grinned as he twisted his hand around to capture Neil’s.

Not quite, but Neil was still for a couple of seconds since he noticed the server returning to the table and used the young man asking if there was anything they needed as an excuse to tug his hand free and order a cup of tea rather than jab the assuming asshole with a fork. That was the signal for Dan to call him soon after the drink arrived so he’d have an excuse to end ‘the date’.

Unfortunately, he had to agree to see Riko again, but he was free of the man’s presence for the night. After thanking Dan and Matt via text and assuring Allison that he was safely on his way home, he ensured that he wasn’t followed to the small mansion he shared with Stuart and Davis, where he gladly collapsed into his own bed.

He wasn’t in the mood to leave his home the next day, but he’d promised Andrew to meet up with him, as well as brunch with Matt and tea with Renee. After lounging around for part of the morning, he finally got up and dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and an old sweatshirt of Matt’s then went downstairs. Davis shook his head at his appearance and handed him a cup of tea before Neil went into Stuart’s study.

“There you are, interested in some breakfast?” Stuart asked as he motioned to the plates of food set out on the small table.

“I don’t have much time, I’ll eat something at Matt’s,” Neil said as he grabbed a small croissant to hold him over until then. “You’ll be happy to know that you can keep selling your artwork to Riko Moriyama since he has no clue about them being fakes. He asked me out because he was hoping I could get you to sell him the Cellini Venus.”

A predatory grin spread across Stuart’s face. “That’s a relief, he’s terrible at bargaining.”

“He’s terrible at a lot of things,” Neil muttered; during their conversation, the doorbell rang and Davis admitted the guest.

Stuart put aside his own cup of tea to go see who it was and Neil followed; there was an older gentleman dressed in a suit who nodded when Stuart greeted him, then pulled out a notepad to ask him about being the owner of one ‘twenty-nine inch marble statue named Venus by the artist Benevento Cellini’.

“Yes, that’s my statue, on loan to the museum,” Stuart agreed with a hint of suspicion. “What is this about?”

“It’s in regard to the insurance loan,” the man responded as he tapped the thick folder held beneath his left arm.

“What loan? I’ve never insured it since it’s priceless,” Stuart insisted while dread grew inside of Neil, thick and cold and slimy.

“It’s a precaution that the museum has taken for all the pieces in the exhibit,” the man explained, “except somehow your signature was overlooked on the Venus’ document.” He glanced around went over to the nearest table (18th century French) so he could pull it out, the intent clear for Stuart to sign it. “There’s no cost to you, it means that the work of art is covered until it’s returned to your possession in good order.”

Stuart approached the man with his hands clasped behind his back; Neil could tell that his uncle did his best to appear unruffled by this sudden complication. “That’s it? I just have to sign the paper?”

“Yes, and the statue will be fully insured for one million. It’s required of all the items for them to be in the exhibit and really should have been done weeks ago.” The man held out a pen for Stuart to use to sign the document.

It would look odd if Stuart refused and suddenly pulled out the Venus, especially when the exhibit already started. Still, Neil felt that sensation of dread grow as his uncle signed the paper. “Is there anything else? Any other requirements?” he asked as he approached his uncle.

The man nodded as he folded up the signed document. “As part of the insurance verification, the statue will be examined to ensure its authenticity. The company will send someone to do that on Friday, if you’d like to be there when it happens. This should have been explained already.”

Neil could barely nod, the same for Stuart, as the man promised to send them details before he left and apologized for the confusion. As soon as the door closed behind him, Stuart started to curse up a storm while Neil slumped against the wall.

“I can’t believe this, they told me nothing about authenticating it! How dare they not trust me!” Stuart ranted once he stopped cursing.

It was on the tip of Neil’s tongue to say ‘I told you so’, but how would that help the situation? Instead, he went back for his unfinished cup of tea then put on his shoes so he could leave.

“Where are you going at a time like this? We need to figure something out, to come up with a plan!” Stuart called out from the salon, where he was busy pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

“I have,” Neil said as he stood up. “I’m going to steal the damn thing back.”

*******

[safetypinkerton]

Hollywood Propaganda by Mark Dice 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollywood-propaganda-mark-dice/1137833508

Christianity Under Attack

In order to destroy America, the conspirators are determined to eradicate faith in God and dismantle organized Christianity. Attacking Jesus and Christianity is a sacrament in Hollywood because the far-Left hates Jesus and everything He stands for. It’s not an overstatement to say that many in key positions of power in the entertainment industry (and politics) are Satanists who will someday openly embrace Lucifer as the rebel angel kicked out of Heaven for defying God.

  “I’m glad the Jews killed Christ,” ranted comedian Sarah Silverman in one of her comedy specials. “Good. I’d fucking do it again!” she declares, as her audience agrees in laughter.158 While accepting an Emmy Award one year Kathy Griffin said, “A lot of people come up here and they thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. He didn’t help me a bit…so all I can say is suck it Jesus! This award is my god now!”159

I’m not saying people shouldn’t be able to make fun of Christians, but no mainstream celebrity would dare make such insults or jokes about Muhammad because Muslims (and Jews) are vigorously protected against any criticism or mockery and only wonderful things can be said about them. Even a slightly edgy joke ignites a barrage of attacks with cries of “Islamophobia” or “anti-Semitism” and gears start moving in the well-funded and massive smear machines like the ADL and the SPLC which quickly move to destroy the person’s career before they can utter another word.

Hating Christians is almost as necessary as believing in climate change if you’re going to be a mainstream Hollywood celebrity. There are very few open Christians in Hollywood, most of them are has-beens like Kevin Sorbo and Kirk Cameron who have been basically blacklisted since being open about their faith.

  Kevin Sorbo was banned from Comicon because he’s a conservative and “pals with Sean Hannity.”160 He and other Christian actors are stuck doing low budget films that get little attention. They’re allowed to exist (for now) as long as they never point out the Bible’s teachings on homosexuality. Only watered down and generic Christian messages are allowed to be said.

After Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and happened to discuss his “spirituality,” many online began attacking him for being a Christian and attending a church. Actress Ellen Page (a lesbian) from the X-Men and Inception tweeted, “If you are a famous actor and you belong to an organization that hates a certain group of people, don’t be surprised if someone simply wonders why it’s not addressed. Being anti LGBTQ is wrong, there aren’t two sides. The damage it causes is severe. Full stop.”161

Singer Ellie Goulding threatened to back out of her scheduled performance at the 2019 Thanksgiving NFL halftime show if the Salvation Army didn’t pledge to donate money to LGBT causes. She got the idea after her Instagram comments were flooded with complaints from her fans because the Salvation Army was sponsoring the game to announce their annual Red Kettle Campaign (bell ringers) fundraiser for the homeless.162 Since the Salvation Army is a Christian charity, Goulding’s fans freaked out, accusing them of being “homophobic” and “transphobic.”

They quickly bowed to the pressure and “disavowed” any anti-LGBT beliefs, which basically means they’re disavowing the Bible because even the New Testament denounces homosexuality in Romans 1:26-27 and 1st Corinthians 6:9-10. Many critics claim that only the Old Testament does, but the Book of Romans makes it clear that just because Jesus came to offer salvation doesn’t mean God’s law regarding homosexuality changed.

The Salvation Army also removed a “position statement” from their website that had made it clear “Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex,” and replaced it with one saying “We embrace people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”163 One of the world’s largest Christian charities whose very name “The Salvation Army” refers to the salvation of Christ, cowardly bowed down to the Leftist activists out of fear they would be branded “homophobic.”

Christians are easy targets since they’re much more passive than Jews and Muslims when attacked, and Hollywood loves to stereotype them as a bunch of superstitious bigots who don’t know how to have fun. In the rare case that there is a movie favorable to Christianity that gets widespread distribution, that too is attacked.

Passion of the Christ was deemed “anti-Semitic” because it depicts the story of Jesus’ arrest, sham trial, and crucifixion.164 It was the most popular film about the events to be made and wasn’t a straight to DVD release like most others. With Mel Gibson behind it, the film became a huge success, which caused a tremendous backlash.

The ADL [Anti-Defamation League] denounced the film, saying it “continues its unambiguous portrayal of Jews as being responsible for the death of Jesus. There is no question in this film about who is responsible. At every single opportunity, Mr. Gibson’s film reinforces the notion that the Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob are the ones ultimately responsible for the Crucifixion.”165 That’s because that’s what happened!

Technically, the Romans did it, but at the behest of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem at the time. The Bible makes it very clear what led to Jesus being crucified. Pontius Pilate is quoted in Matthew 27:24 saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” and “It is your responsibility!” meaning the Jewish Pharisees. They were the ones who conspired to have Jesus arrested and killed for “blasphemy” and being a “false” messiah. Pontius Pilate even offered to release Jesus, but the crowd demanded he release Barabbas instead, another man who was being detained for insurrection against Rome, and for murder.166

A critic for the New York Daily News called The Passion of the Christ, “the most virulently anti-Semitic movie made since the German propaganda films of the Second World War.”167 Many others angrily denounced the film when it came out in 2004. Some in the media even blamed it for a supposed “upsurge” in anti-Semitic hate crimes.168

When the History Channel miniseries The Bible was released in 2013, the same cries of “anti-Semitism” rang out.169 The New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss went so far as to say that it’s a “conspiracy theory” that Jews killed Jesus.170

Even though most Christmas movies aren’t overtly Christian and instead focus of the importance of families reuniting and spending time together, that doesn’t mean they’re not going to come under attack. As the war on western culture continues, the Marxists have set their sights on Christmas too.

Online liberal cesspool Salon.com ran a headline reading “Hallmark movies are fascist propaganda,” and complained they promote “heteronormative whiteness” because there aren’t enough LGBT characters or people of color in them.171

“Hallmark movies, with their emphasis on returning home and the pleasures of the small, domestic life, also send a not-at-all subtle signal of disdain for cosmopolitanism and curiosity about the larger world,” Salon said, “which is exactly the sort of attitude that helps breed the kind of defensive White nationalism that we see growing in strength in the Donald Trump era.”172

The article went on to say that because the Hallmark Channel airs so many Christmas movies, it is promoting, “a set of patriarchal and authoritarian values that are more about White evangelicals defining themselves as an ethnic group, and not about a genuine feeling of spirituality…The very fact that they’re presented as harmless fluff makes it all the more insidious, the way they work to enforce very narrow, White, heteronormative, sexist, provincial ideas of what constitutes ‘normal.’”173

The article wasn’t satire. Salon.com has a deep-seated hatred of Christianity, conservatives and families, and is another cog in the Cultural Marxist machine working to destroy the United States.

Comedian Whitney Cummings was reported to the Human Resources department of a major Hollywood studio after she wished the crew of a TV show she was working on “Merry Christmas” when they wrapped up for the year. She made the revelation while speaking with Conan O’Brian the following December. “Last year, I was working on a TV show, [and] got in trouble with Human Resources for saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to an intern,” she began.174

Conan asked her if she was being serious and she said it was a true story, elaborating, “I was leaving, like on the 18th or whatever…and I was like, ‘Bye guys, Merry Christmas.’” When she returned from vacation after New Year’s she was called to HR and scolded. She joked, “I don’t even care how your Christmas was. It was just a formality. It’s what you say when you leave.”175

Conan O’Brien then replied, “In these times we’re in, that could trigger someone or offend them if it’s not their holiday.”176 She didn’t say which network it was, but she’s been involved with some major shows like NBC’s Whitney (where she played the main character), as well as the CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls, which she created and was a writer for.

While today it may seem impossible that Christmas movies may become a thing of the past, nobody could have ever guessed that reruns of the classic Dukes of Hazzard would get banned after the Confederate flag was deemed a “hate symbol” in 2015, or that Aunt Jemima pancake syrup, Eskimo Pie ice cream bars, and Uncle Ben’s Rice would be deemed “racially insensitive” and pulled from production a few years later.177

Once someone reminds liberals that the word Christmas is derived from Christ’s Mass and that it is actually a commemoration of the birth of Jesus, they may finally go over the edge and deem Christmas just as offensive as Columbus Day or the Fourth of July. And with the Muslim and Sikh populations increasing in the United States, the American standard of Christmas music playing in shopping malls and retail stores all month long every December may one day come to an end because it’s not “inclusive” and leaves non-Christians feeling “ostracized.”

[lovelyirony]

I just came here to say, can you imagine after endgame Sharon finds Nat's white suit in her belongings and decides to wear it and make it her own as a reminder of what she lost and what is left to fight for?

When Sharon Carter first came to SHIELD, she wanted to be just like the other agents. 

And yet that was hard for her. It was hard to act like every other agent because she wasn’t like the other agents and they knew it. 

She had someone in the organization before her. That’s why she was Agent 13. There were always members of family, but it was usually only the agents that either posed an individual danger or a family danger that got the number. 

In the first two weeks, the rookies had figured out that Sharon and Peggy shared the same harsh gaze when they were frustrated. 

They scorned her, leaving her to fend for herself. 

“You got in because of Carter,” they sneer. “I’d rather have someone who actually earned their spot.” 

“Even if that did happen, do you think my aunt would’ve let me into this profession if I wasn’t as skilled as you?” Sharon fires back. “I can finish this mission in twenty minutes on my own if I really wanted to.” 

“Then do it,” Agent Riker bites, smirking. “Go ahead and prove yourself, Thirteen.” 

Nineteen minutes and twenty-two seconds. 

And she does it all in a white t-shirt and jeans, the worst outfit that could’ve been. 

“So what, you’ve proved yourself,” they shrug. “Doesn’t make a difference to us.” 

So Sharon scraps the idea of having people who are friends at work, friends that she can talk to and go to the bar with after work. 

And then she does perhaps the ballsiest move. 

She orders a custom white jumpsuit. 

The SHIELD tailor laughs. He’s an old man who goes by the name Joe. 

“You’re crazy,” he tells her, sweeping a measuring tape across her shoulders. “Maybe they need a little crazy.” 

Sharon nods, looking at herself in the mirror. 

She shows up to work in white, ponytail out of the way. 

Fury gives her a look. 

“Really, Thirteen?” 

“Everyone’s already criticizing,” Sharon answers. “Why not get some for the suit as well?” 

White really is her color. It’s what she’s known for, and a lot of agents still criticize her for it. 

“You trying to show off even more?” one sneers. 

“Why would I have to after your last mission?” Sharon answers sweetly. “It’s clear to me that you obviously need more tips on how to be inconspicuous.” 

It’s bitchy. She knows that. But she also can’t be bothered to give a shit if they’re judging her by family and not by skill. 

And then Black Widow. 

Natasha Romanoff takes one look her and scoffs. 

“Got something to say?” Sharon asks. 

“I don’t get the white suit.” 

“You will,” Sharon responds. “Just wait.” 

Romanoff hears the rumors. Sharon Carter only got into the organization because of her connection to her great-aunt. 

“You really think SHIELD would be that stupid?” She asks Agent Riker. “To hire an agent off a basis of family? I thought they hired people smarter than you.” 

Sharon’s surprised. 

She also makes her first friend. 

Natasha Romanoff is deadly, has horrible humor, and wears fun socks after Sharon takes her to get some color in her wardrobe. 

“You cannot tell anyone,” Nat makes her swear. 

“Who is there to tell?” Sharon asks, grinning. “Besides Clint.” 

“Clint doesn’t count, I’m not even sure if he’s human. He ate a paper plate because he was too tired to differentiate it from the pizza in the fridge.” 

“I love that man,” Sharon deadpans. “I think if I ever dated men, he would be my type.” 

Natasha laughs. 

They’re friends. Sharon’s there with coffee in the rough mornings and Natasha is there with words that have lost their edge as she sheds her reputation at the door. 

- 

The Avengers is a new thing for Natasha. She loves it because she tells Sharon that it makes her feel like she finally has a family and she’s doing something that’s worthy. 

Sharon ignores the jealousy and envy and sadness burning in her gut as she takes a sip of her wine glass and asks Natasha how it is working with Captain America. 

(She knows who he is. She’s always known. But that kind of connection is one that she’s not sure she’ll ever flaunt because Steve does not know that she knows Steve.) 

Natasha gets more involved with the Avengers and still texts Sharon, but she knows. This friendship is fading and Sharon turns back to a white jumpsuit lying on the couch when she gets home and gets out of her shower. 

Natasha can’t make it to lunch. Or dinner. And their shopping trip gets cancelled by an Avengers mission. 

Then Sharon loses SHIELD, which in some cases was everything to her. It’s the last connection to family, to a place where Sharon did what she did best: her job. 

And now it’s razed to the ground and the Avengers are still there and Natasha--

She has her hands full. 

Sharon bitterly looks up at the sky to see the Iron Man armor and for a brief moment, hates the team that has taken her friend from her. 

But Sharon has shit to do. She has to decide if she wants to work for the FBI or CIA, and which one can offer her more security. 

CIA agents don’t give a singular shit if she came from SHIELD or what her last name means. They’re mostly concerned with making sure that the Congress and the Senate don’t fuck everything up and that they catch whoever the hell is eating all of the leftovers on the third floor fridge. 

Sharon gets paid for this. Real, actual money. 

And they know that she’s good and they send her on protection missions and she misses Natasha’s calls and she doesn’t feel quite bad about it. 

It’s when she’s assigned to survey Germany because some idiot used facial recognition software and Steve’s making boneheaded decisions that she reconnects with Natasha. 

“Your hair got longer,” Natasha says. 

“Nice of you to notice,” Sharon says tersely. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’re about to be in? You won’t be able to go anywhere.” 

“Anywhere, really?” Natasha asks, amused. “I’m sure I can think of someone who would welcome me back with open arms.” 

“Clint doesn’t count,” Sharon fires back. 

“Not who I meant.” 

“I know exactly what you meant,” Sharon says. “No calling, no plans, all of it cancelled. You’re a family kind of girl, Nat.” 

“You’re part of it.” 

Sharon turns, incredulous. “Really. You’re doing this now?” 

Sharon knows Natasha like she knows her apartment. She could walk it with her eyes closed. And she knows that Natasha is never this open, not in public. 

“Either you’ve changed how you approach your emotions or you’ve gotten sloppy in how you manipulate people,” Sharon says, casual as can be. “I know that you want to go against this. I understand that because chances are later on down the road this will blow up in your face.” 

“And now you’re going to pretend like you didn’t slip that file to Steve?” Natasha accuses. 

“I slipped it to Steve because as much as I don’t like this, I don’t want an innocent man to die,” Sharon hisses. 

She has her white jumpsuit. But she hangs it up in her closet because for something like what they’re planning, she can’t afford to be in white. This isn’t like the twenty minute missions. 

And then it gets more serious and she’s fighting like hell against Thanos and his aliens and the fact that everyone is gone. 

But not Natasha. Not she’s still on this earth and Sharon knows it kills her because she’s never thought she was enough for that. 

They make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and sit on the floor in a sunroom. It’s a beautiful day, probably one too beautiful for how many memories they both hold. 

“I don’t know if it’ll be okay,” Natasha says. Her voice is thick with unsaid and unheard emotion, and Sharon pulls her into a hug. 

“It might not be,” Sharon says quietly. “But we’ll have to keep going anyway.” 

So Sharon is introduced to Steve, the guy with a beard who still keeps fighting and looks at Sharon as if he’s expecting someone else. (She pretends like she doesn’t know what he’s doing.) 

She starts looking at sightings and patterns and helps people who she’s never met help keep the world safe. 

Natasha and Sharon tell stories to each other of people they’ve known. Sharon listens as she grieves and Natasha finds out that Sharon’s own family has been gone. 

They spend Christmas together and Christmas kind of sucks right now because everyone is crying and the only thing that’s sold out at stores are tissues. 

Sharon wonders if Tony got dusted. No one knows. He was up in space and they haven’t found him yet and she can’t say it doesn’t hurt. 

But then. He comes down in his spaceship, Carol Danvers finding him on the verge of death. 

He can’t stand the sight of Steve, and Sharon can’t say he blames him. She’s in charge of getting him to in-house care and making sure he doesn’t stray off the nutrition goal. 

Pepper and Rhodey sit by his side all the time and they give Sharon looks because she’s Tony’s cousin but not really, not in the sense of a traditional cousin. 

She met him that one time when he was probably a little bit buzzed, definitely over having small children look up to him and ask if they can have him play, and probably brushed her off. 

Or something. 

He’s angry with Steve and tells Sharon right off the bat that he refuses to have anything to do with what’s going on. 

“This is my second chance and as shitty as it is for all of you, I’m keeping it,” Tony says firmly. 

Sharon says okay because she really can’t blame him. 

(Not when six months after he gets back and gets himself better, Pepper announces that she’s expecting.) 

Sharon visits often. She brings Pepper her first supply of diapers and formula and Pepper smiles and says she’s welcome for lunch if she’d like. 

Natasha doesn’t talk to Tony. Sharon thinks she kind of resents her own position in this whole thing, but Tony nods to her and they understand each other on a level that’s changed. 

“Do you think you’ll ever want a family?” Natasha asks one night. They watch the stars and come up with new names for them and sometimes talk about emotions. Like tonight. 

“I’m not made for that,” Sharon says. “Work and all.” 

“Me either.” 

Sharon looks at her. 

“No, you are. Because you care so much. You just learned it a little bit differently. You’ll get your family, Nat.” 

Natasha gives her that pained smile, the one that holds so much wisdom and hurt in it, and they drink their beers in silence as Sharon contemplates the next mode of questioning that doesn’t have to do with loss or the future. (Possibility: cats.) 

And then Scott Lang makes a fucking appearance. They’re not sure how, but he gets out and starts rambling about time travel and they take it to Tony who says “no thank you and goodbye” and Steve tries to get him to help but he won’t. 

(It’s bitter in Sharon’s mouth, but it’s the kind of bitter you understand that you can’t spit out.) 

Natasha thinks about all the people that are lost. 

Sharon asks Scott how well he can do math. 

Tony passes along a note, and it seems that Scott gets it, because they’re going to time-travel. 

Clint and Natasha leave together, because they’re like two peas in a pod. 

“I’ll see you soon,” Natasha says, grinning. Her smile is so nice. 

“You better,” Sharon teases. “We still need Margarita Mondays.” 

And then Sharon is also gone on a mission to go see her aunt and see Steve witness what he’s lost. Sharon looks at a young picture of her great-uncle. 

“She had a good life, didn’t she?” Sharon murmurs. “She got to have somebody she loved and she got to have kids.” 

“Yes, yes she did,” Steve says quietly. 

It’s heavy for him but he relaxes and they run into Howard Stark, who doesn’t quite understand why Sharon’s there but doesn’t really push it because he’s excited for a new baby. 

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for that baby,” he says with a gentle smile that’s so fake Sharon can’t believe it. 

So she says something. Because she can’t keep her mouth shut. 

“You practice that every night in front of the mirror?” 

Steve scolds her, but she thinks it’s worth it. She can’t wait to tell Natasha. 

- 

Natasha doesn’t come back. She died for a fucking rock and Sharon breaks because that was her friend. That was someone that she would’ve given the world for, and now she won’t get to tell her about her sick one-liner or about how time travel kind of feels like you’re going on a loopy roller coaster. 

She’s gone. 

But then Sharon can’t focus on it because she has to fight against Thanos who apparently is from a different time zone and has come to destroy everything again, and Sharon really can’t let Tony do his whole “self-sacrifice” shtick he pulls. (Jesus, if he couldn’t have just pulled a Dean Martin maybe they would’ve had televised roasts instead of a universal fight...) 

Tony doesn’t die. She doesn’t think he deserves that. But he falls to his knees, the stones fading, and she’s holding him to stabilize him as he falls and his family comes and he gets rushed to the nearest medical facility Dr. Cho can find. 

And Sharon is alone. 

She doesn’t particularly like being alone in this instance but sometimes you have to be because those are the cards out of the deck. 

So she helps relocate families, tells those who were gone the news, and buys herself a pint of ice cream. The news is talking about all these new accommodations and what it’ll do to the price market. She finds that she doesn’t much care and she thinks that all those conversations will be a thing of the past. 

And there things to go through. Things from the dead. Clint has his family to focus on, and so it is up to Sharon to get Natasha’s things. 

Then she finds it. 

A white jumpsuit. 

Natasha had called Sharon’s “stupid” for years, with no real explanation to why except for the fact that she would get caught easier. 

(“Maybe that’s my intention,” Sharon says, body leaning in too close. “Maybe I want to get noticed so that I can get it done quicker.” 

Natasha gives her a dim smile. 

“Doesn’t always mean you get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.” 

And then Sharon didn’t ask her about that. Figured it wasn’t her place.) 

A white jumpsuit is something she didn’t know connected them. And she remembers having her own, but this one...this one has to be used. Has to be reinstated because someone needs to carry on who Black Widow is. Or rather, who Natasha Romanoff was. 

It’s a slow start. But Sharon starts wearing the white jumpsuit that’s a little bit loose around the shoulders and looks for criminals, because god knows there will be a plethora of those. 

Bucky and Sam join her in this. They were both gone and still look stupidly gorgeous, although Sam has the shield because Steve has decided it would be utterly convenient to go on a little time travel trip. 

(Sharon’s not sure what’s up with that, but so long as she doesn’t start remembering a Great-Uncle Steve, she’s fine with it.) 

It’s hard, definitely. Because sometimes she pulls out her phone to send something to Natasha, and she’s...well. She’s not there. 

Sharon will sometimes wear her old jackets with outfits and cry, but she still has the memories. 

A cute white jumpsuit can’t hurt either.