#making this art made me realized that chase and jack have never paired up for a showdown

[izscha]

never pair them up in a showdown

reference to this post:

[nathanbatemanfucker]

Gin Eyre - Part 1

summary: reader and aaron have a fight where they seemingly break up for good. will this be the end or will that find their way back to each other?

pairing: fem!reader x aaron hotchner

warnings: explicit language, alluding to smut, angst

an: this is my first ever hotch one-shot (well technically 2/3 shot) and i’m so excited to not have to figure out an entire 20+ chapter fic. this will be 2, possibly 3 parts depending on whether I decide to include smut or not.

word count: 2.8k

You’re in the kitchen, rolling out dough for cinnamon rolls in Aaron Hotchner's kitchen. The two of you have been dating for a little over 6 months and you still can’t believe it. You met him at the art museum where you work. He was chaperoning a field trip for his son Jack when the two of you bumped into each other. You usually didn't go for patrons but there was something about his deep, honeyed voice and kind eyes that made you do a double take. The last 6 months had been amazing, and though he was taking things slow with you feelings wise, the sex was incredible.

Your phone starts to ring and your heart flutters in your chest. In the last few weeks you'd realized that you'd fallen madly in love with him. The age difference of 13 years had thrown your friends and family for a loop and that had kept you from being fully invested in the relationship but you couldn't deny your feelings any longer. You’re in love with him and when he gets home you’re going to tell him exactly that, plate of hot cinnamon rolls in hand. Excited by the idea that it would be Aaron calling to let you know he's on the way home you don't even bother to wipe your hands on your apron before reaching over to answer it.

"Hi, baby, I'm so excited to-"

"I won't be in tonight, Y/n." He cuts straight to the chase no greetings.

You know that the work side of Aaron existed. Supervisory Special Agent Hotchner was no one to mess around with and sometimes he could forget that he was talking to you, his girlfriend, and not one of his coworkers. It had been a long 5 years since he lost his wife Haley and he hadn't dated since; he’s out of practice. It doesn’t bother you much, you think its hot when he’s sharp and bossy but tonight seems different.

"What? Why? You said it was open and shut, that you’d be home. I alright started-" You start to sputter in protest but he quickly shuts you down.

"I know what I said." He mutters in a low voice.

What the hell is his problem?

"Aaron, what's wrong?" You ask softly, hoping that he'll snap out of whatever funky mood he's in. He's never spoken to you in this manner and you’re thrown for a loop.

"I've already got the chief of police and the press breathing down my neck, I don't need you to join them. You don't know what I'm dealing with." He just about sneers and you flinch at the sharpness of his tone.

"What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not breathing down your damn neck. And I've never once assumed that I know the shit you go through everyday." You shoot back angrily.

How dare he talk to me like that.

"Listen, I'm hoping I'll be home in a few days so you don't have wait for me until I get back. You can go home."

"Why the fuck are you acting like this?"

"I'd appreciate it if you watched your language."

"Two things Agent Hotchner. My potty mouth has never been a problem, in fact you've said on multiple occasions that I put it to good use. And two, you don't have to worry about seeing me ever again because we're done." You try to keep your voice firm but it wavers slightly from the tears that are pooling in your eyes.

"Fine." He says simply.

Was it really that easy for him to let you go?

"Fine!" You shout, hanging up. Letting out a frustrated sigh you clear the kitchen, throwing away the dough that you had just worked so hard on before you gather your bag and storm out. You drive home with tears streaming down your face, your hair whipping in the wind since you were driving with the windows down. The cold night air makes your tears like icicles on your cheeks and you angrily push them away. When you pull into your apartment complex you sit there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened.

It all gone to shit so fast you can’t believe it is real. You and Aaron broke up just like that. It didn't even take a full fledge fight, just the wrong words said in the wrong tone. The two of you had fallen apart like a poorly stacked Jenga and you felt like your world was coming to a halt.

There had always been a part of you that was waiting for the other shoe to drop when it came to your relationship with Aaron. He was too perfect, too patient, too attractive, too good. Too everything you wanted in a man. That coupled with the fact that you were so young sometimes made you feel like he would never take you seriously. Maybe this was just confirming that, maybe it was so easy for him to let you go because he never saw you as a real contender.

You shake your head and finally exit the car, entering your apartment. You thank the gods that you roommate, Candice, is already in her room. You didn't want to anything she had to say where there it was to comfort you with empty words or admonish you with hot and heavy I told you sos.

*

You wait until Candice leaves for work to come out of you room. When you amble into the kitchen there's a note on the fridge door.

Whatever he did, I'll shoot him with his government issued glock when I'm back this weekend. Rebecca & I are going camping after work but feel free to call. Love you. - Candy

She must've heard you sobbing last night. You'd tried to be as quiet as possible but the walls were thin and she was known to be a light sleeper. You shoot her a quick text telling her to be safe and that you loved her before you make yourself some lunch.

With a bowl of pasta in hand and bottle of white wine you sit down on the couch and attempt to get some work done for the class you were a TA in. You were in your last year of Creative Writing Master's at Georgetown and you had plenty of short stories to grade and emails to answer. As you settle in grading you curse yourself for selling romance as something you wanted to read about. You weren't shy in mentioning how fantastic you relationship was and how you drew it as inspiration and it definitely rubbed off on your students.

Four long hours later and you've cleared all your emails and graded over 10 short stories. You’re sick of reading and slowly had grown angry while thinking about your conversation with Aaron last night. The realization of how rude he was sinks in and you stand with new resolve. You gather everything he'd ever gotten or given you into a box; a few of his shirts and a sweatshirt, a moonstone ring you gushed over, a picture of you him and Jack, and lastly the copy of Jane Erye he'd annotated for you.

When you'd told him it was one of your favorites, he promised to read through it and tell you what he thought about it. You hadn't expected him to, mostly because he was so busy with his job and Jack. But three months into your relationship he'd brought it over to your apartment on a date night. You remember it like it was yesterday.

"One copy of Jane Eyre, read and annotated by yours truly." He throws the book on your desk before plopping down in your reading chair.

"Bullshit, Hotchner, you're bluffing." You hop out of the bed and take the book into your hands, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Take a look." He shrugs with a smug grin, his eyes light with mischief. You loved that you could bring this side out of him since he dealt with such horrible things day in and day out.

"Oh my fuck, you really fucking did it." You say in disbelief as you turn through all the pages. There are small notes and highlighted sections throughout the book and you feel a warmth spread throughout your entire body.

"You have the dirtiest mouth Y/n, but yes, I did it. For you." He sounds proud of himself and when you look over he still has that smug look on his face but there's a soft glow in his eyes.

"You read Jane Eyre for me, I think my dirty mouth might owe you something." You say with a sly smile as you straddle him. You rub your clothed core against him and he stifles a groan by biting his lip.

"Yeah?" He flicks his tongue over his bottom lip regarding you expectantly. Your lips capture his, and you slip your tongue into his mouth as you knot your fingers in his hair. He groans again as your tongues brush up against each other's, your hips grinding down on him to create the perfect friction between you.

"Mhmm." You murmur against his lips before you move your sweet assault to his neck, sucking the soft skin until there's a dark mark that claims him as yours.

"Oh, fuck, Y/n, please." He whimpers and you love that you can turn such a strong, dominant man into a needy messy.

"And you say my mouth's dirty." You tease before dropping to your knees. "I want you begging for me, is that clear?" You look up at him as you undo his belt.

"Yes, baby, whatever you want." He breathes.

You drop the book like it's burned you, not wanting to get caught up in the memory it elicits. Not even 24 hours ago you would've savored the memory but now it makes you feel hollow. You dress in a Georgetown sweatshirt and tight pair of jeans, one that made your ass look phenomenal; just in case.  You grab a duffel bag as well and the box of stuff that tells the story of you and Aaron. There was almost a 0% chance that he'd be home. Part of you had hoped he rushed home and was waiting for you to come reconcile but you knew better.

Aaron Hotchner was a stubborn man, one that always wanted to be right and rarely show weakness. The controlled intimacy cultivated between the two of you in these six short months was proof of that. He never said anything too heavy, never let you put too much stock in him doing nice things for you, never let you spend too much time with Jack. The only place he really let go was the bedroom, it's the only place he let himself be completely vulnerable. You know everything about his body; where his scars are, his most sensitive spots, the way he likes to be ridden, and how much he could take before he meets his release.

So when you open up the door to his apartment and find it empty you aren't surprised but you surely are disappointed. Grateful that Jessica and Jack aren’t there, you linger for a moment. There are a few things you needed to collect anyways so you had an excuse to. You start in the kitchen grabbing a pastry cookbook that you left here. Sometimes you would bake Aaron and Jack treats, they had become your lab rats.

There a couple of your favorite books sitting on the coffee table, ones that you hoped Aaron would annotate like Jane Eyre but it was too late for that. You then make your way into his bedroom, you grab the couple sets of clothes out of the bottom drawer. Hitting the bathroom you take out your toiletries, clearing the last of your presence out of his apartment. The only thing left would be the few toys and books you'd gotten for Jack. You realize while looking at his room that he'll never get to read the book you started writing for him. It was about his father being the ultimate hero as Jack worshipped the ground Aaron walked on. Maybe once you finished it you could just drop it off with a note.

Before you can get too emotional you leave your key next to the box of stuff and lock the door from the inside. The click of the door makes it all real.

*

It's been a week since you and Aaron last spoke. He never let you know that he'd made it home and while there was a chance he could still be working the tough case, you assume you're no longer clued in to his safety.

You'd thrown yourself into your work, ignoring the gnawing feelings of emptiness and sadness that were clawing at you from the inside out. Candice was doing her best to be bright and cheery but with her having Rebecca, you couldn't be around her much. You feel guilty to have the sour taste in your mouth when you saw them together but you'd been burned and are now reaping the consequences.

You're working in your room when there's a knock at your door. "Come in."

"Hey there's a delivery for you?" Candice frowns slightly, looking behind her.

"A delivery?" You look up from your computer, pushing your reading glasses up.

"Says you need to go down and sign for it." She shrugs before turning to go back in her room.

"Alright, I'll be right back." You pull on a pair of jeans before you make your way down the lobby of your apartment building.

You instantly recognize the back of his head, you'd know it anywhere by the way his hair curls at the nape of his neck. He must feel your eyes boring into him because he turns around. Crossing your arms you walk over to him, making sure to keep a good amount of distance.

"What, did I forget to take something home?" You keep your eyes downcast.

"No, Y/n, I came to say I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me that night." He says apologetically, pushing your chin up with a finger. You take a step back putting more distance between the two of you.

"Nothing got into you that night, the way you treated me was already there, you just felt comfortable enough to finally fucking show it."

"That's not true, I was stressed from the job and I took it out on you. I'm more sorry that I can say."

"And it took you a whole fucking week to decide that?" Your voice is infused with anger as you push away the tears that have betrayed you by falling.

"I wanted to talk in person. I just landed this afternoon, and well I needed to see Jack before-"

"You don't have to justify seeing your kid to me, that's shitty of me to assume, I'm sorry." You can admit when you're wrong, even in a situation like this.

"Don't apologize to me, I'm the one who fucked here." He takes another step toward you.

"Yeah, Aaron, you totally fucked up, at least we agree there." You chuckle under you breath, rolling your eyes.

"Do you think you could give me another chance?" He pleads, and you see the desperation in those deep brown eyes of his.

"Aaron..." You trail off for a moment. Of course you wanted to say yes. Every cell in your body wanted to be with him, but your mind was telling you to be cautious. You couldn't just forget how easy it was for him to let you go, and based on that fact you make your decision. "No, I don't think I can. I think it's better this way. Maybe we're just too different for this to work. The job difference, the age difference-"

"None of that matters to me, I just want to be with you Y/n."

"I just don't think it's a good idea. I fell too hard for you and I don't think I could handle being hurt again. It was too easy for you to let me walk away.”

"I don't plan on letting you go ever again."

"Did you plan on letting me go then?" You ask to prove a point.

He sighs, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "No, of course not."

"Look, I love you Aaron, but right now I have to love me more." You surprise yourself with your honestly, and him too by the way his mouth drops open and eyebrows rise to his hairline.

"You love me?"

"It doesn't matter. I have to go. Please don't come back here, it'll just make things harder. Stay safe and tell Jack that I love him too." You awkwardly pat him on the arm before turning to walk away.

"Wait, Y/n, please, let's just talk about this." He reaches for you, gently gripping your arm.

"I'm done talking, just please, stay away from me Aaron." You pull your arm from his grasp before walking towards the stairs. You make sure not to look back, not wanting your decision to falter if you look at him too long.

read part 2 here.

[pomegranate-belle]

For Day 3 of MattFoggy Week: Matt Murdock Appreciation/Favorite Matt Moment

This is... Kinda late in the day to post, but I waffled for a long time. The next chapter of the Netflix/616 crossover would’ve been perfect for today’s theme, but it’s just not done yet. Instead, have some little bits and pieces from my WIP for the Marvel TV Bang, including one of my favorite Matt moments (who could choose just one??) aka Baby’s First Act of Vigilantism; apologies to the mods if these are still supposed to be anonymous but I figured that was just for art claims purposes--

((The premise of this fic is that NYC summons Matt to protect itself from Fisk (also a demon). Since the City has no soul of its own to sell, it lets Matt choose any person he wants. ;) Three guesses who the lucky winner ends up being--))

--

When Matthew Murdock dies, his hands are inches from the throat of the man who ordered his father’s murder, close enough that he can feel Roscoe Sweeney’s body heat against the pads of his fingers, pulsing like blood. They get no closer than that.

He takes a single bullet to the base of his skull, and can still feel the burn of it when he no longer has a skull to feel at all.

Matthew Murdock falls through the cracks, the way he always has. His body is destroyed beyond recognition and dumped without ceremony or care into the East River. There’s no one to miss him. No one to wonder if his soul has passed on.

It hasn’t.

The devil in him claws to the surface, clings to the City, clings to revenge, laughs at the way the City – webbed with energy and darkness and pain like a cracked windowpane – clings back. And even when the rest falls away, all the senses that remain falling silent with no input at all, there’s a piece the City in Matt and a piece of Matt in the City. A seed of each one in the other, a place where they’re the same – ravenous, protective, wounded.

And so perhaps in the end that’s the reason – the reason that, eleven years later when the City feels its first stirrings of true fear, it pulls Matthew Murdock out of the nothing, out of the void, out of the Ether. Draws him like a blade from that empty realm of demons and offers him anything he asks for.

--

The first thing he hears as he gasps in his first breath is screaming. Everything screaming. Himself, screaming. Every sense warring with the unprecedented, sudden onslaught of information. It’s like being blinded all over again.

… All over again.

Because he was. Blind. Before, yes. Before the aching gulf of nothing, before the Ether. Before it, he’d been… He’d been…

Matthew, the City seems to sing, soothing him from its barrage of sounds and smells and textures. Matthew Michael Murdock.

Yes. It all comes back to him, leeching through him like blood through veins – Jack Murdock, the accident, the orphanage, Stick… The mobsters.

The gun.

One shaking hand reaches for the back of his neck, but there’s no scar beneath his sensitive fingertips. Just soft skin and the wispy, silken brush of hair. The City has made him whole again. Bright and shiny and new.

And older. He must… He must be older, he thinks to himself, because he had been only seventeen when he died and he feels sturdier, a little taller than he did then. When Matt rubs a hand across his face, shakily assessing the differences in his body, he feels the itchy rasp of stubble where before there had been nothing but smooth skin.

The clothes he’s wearing are different too, not the simple, threadbare things he’d had on – hand-me-downs from the orphanage. Instead, the fabric against his skin is soft, gentle. High in quality, fitted like a dream. A button-up shirt, a silk tie, a suit jacket and slacks. Dress shoes. There are a pair of glasses perched on his nose. He pulls them off slowly, runs the pad of his thumb along the edge of the frames. Round. Matt slips them back onto his face. He tries to imagine the picture he makes. Professional, maybe. Like the lawyer his dad always wanted him to be.

A strange, contented feeling fills him that he knows is not his own. It’s the City, taking pride in its work, telling him, Look what We have made of you, feel the strength We have given you. And there is strength. A well of power so deep it almost scares him, thrumming under his skin, between muscle and bone.

The power of a demon.

Because that’s what he is now, he realizes with a shudder. A demon. One of the more-than-human creatures that stalk the streets of the City, that leave black Marks on the skin of the people living in it like dirty fingerprints.

The City has always had demons in it, and they have always had magic, but this? It’s beyond anything Matt recalls hearing about as a child or a young man. What he’s been given is fathomless. He could do anything with this power. Rip the world apart and put it back together.

But even with so much magic at his beck and call, he’s— cold. It’s like a hunger but it aches in his fingers and his heart instead of his belly. He… Needs something. Something…

The asphalt is warm under his feet, hums with life and energy, but not enough. The City can’t give Matt what he needs. What he needs…

That’s right, he thinks to himself. That’s right. A soul. He needs a soul. But even if the City is full of souls, it doesn’t have one of its own to keep Matt warm.

What warmth it does have surrounds Matt, strokes a summer breeze against his cheek and says— It’s ok. Choose one. Any one you want is yours, if you do as We ask.

And Matt is so desperately hungry for that warmth, and he loves his City – remembers, from Before, having always loved it, having learned that love from his father and from the people around him – that he says yes without any hesitation at all.

The deal is struck.

The City needs a protector, and Matt needs a soul, and then… Then the screams inside them both will stop.

--

It’s not long into his summoning that Matt hears the girl crying. Every night, crying. Her father comes into her room at night, and terrible things happen, and she cries.

The City is used to those sobs, even if it doesn’t like them. To Matt, though, they’re grating. They fray his nerves, rub them raw. But this isn’t in his deal, this isn’t part of the plan.

Still, it… It doesn’t always take demon magic to fix the world’s problems. Matt phones in an anonymous tip. He waits, he hopes.

The crying doesn’t stop. It actually gets worse – silent and gasping and painful. Helpless rage burns in his stomach like cold fire, only enhancing the chills that shiver through his body. But there is nothing he can do, no part of this that he can wrestle under the heading of the City’s deal. And the City is used to the crying, even when it hates it. It has to live with every person in it, the girl’s father included – the City doesn’t love him, but he’s still a part of it, one flickering flame among millions. And the only ones Matt is allowed to harm are the ones the City summoned him to. There’s no cruelty to the way it ushers Matt far from the girl’s window, but it still hurts. Aches inside him like a festering wound that Matt worries will never be healed.

Until the girl does something new. Until the night that she sets a book, dank with mildew, on her bedroom floor with a heavy thump. Scribbles something into the wood of the floorboards in firm strokes of what must be, by smell and sound, chalk. Dark energy fizzles in the air that night, a summoning to be done, a deal to be made. A deal born of vengeance and terror and the desperation of a child betrayed. A deal that sings for him. And Matt is clever, and he’s powerful, and he’s the City’s favorite. The deal is his almost before he can think to ask for it.

--

Matt’s hands are wrapped with cloth but the man’s blood seeps through them. It’s hot and soothing against his skin. He wants to bathe in it, use it to drive away the chill that still haunts his bones. When Matt flashes his victim a smile, his teeth are fangs and there are huge, twisted horns sprouting from his skull.

“Touch your daughter again and I’ll know,” Matt breathes, pressing a burning hand to the man’s jaw and leaving behind his Mark; a warning, a brand – equal and opposite to the one hidden beneath his daughter’s sleeve, a jagged mirror of Matt’s Mark that flares with malevolence instead of protection. “Touch her again and you die.”

“W-who are you?” the man demands, terror laced through every breath.

Demons don’t have names. Don’t remember them. They choose new ones, when they surface. And even though the City returned his name to him, Matt knows what he wants to say. Knows the message he wants to send this man and anyone like him.

Those Murdock boys, he remembers his grandmother saying, can almost remember the way the wrinkles creased her face, they got the Devil in ‘em. There’s nothing in Matt now – not even a soul – so he knows there’s no Devil in him.

Matt grins, savors the stinging, already-healing pain of the split in his lip.

“Me? I’m the Devil.”

And as long as that means he can keep the City safe, keep people like Eva safe… Well, Matt’s just fine with that.

--

Karen’s companion smells heady and sweet, enough that Matt can almost taste it on his tongue. Enough that his fingers twitch with desire when he considers burying his nose in the man’s neck to better inhale his scent. Even more alluringly, the man’s soul swirls with magic – Matt is put in mind of photos of the galaxy that he saw as a child. It’s blazingly warm, like sunlight on the skin, and it dances when the man laughs a perfect, glittering laugh. A tremble born of arousal, of hunger, chases its way through Matt’s body at the sound.

 --

“Are, um,” Karen asks hesitantly. “Are demon Marks always black?”

“What kind of question is that?”

The stranger sounds puzzled, concerned, and the tone of his voice – so full of care, love – sends another shiver of pleasure down Matt’s spine. He wants that tone with a greed that borders on terrifying. Wants it directed at himself.

“Well.” Karen’s voice breaks Matt out of the trance. “Well, say one was… Red. What might that mean?”

The rhythm of the man’s steps stutters, halts.

“Karen, I have literally never heard of a red Mark in my life. Is there… Something you want to tell me? You didn’t, you know, make a deal or something, did you?”

“No!” Karen lies. “No. Just, you know, curious, I suppose.”

“Right.” Her companion doesn’t sound at all convinced. “Well, you know… You know you can tell me anything, right?”

“Yeah, Foggy, of course. Of course I do. Really, it’s nothing.”

 --

Foggy, Matt mouths to himself, feels the shape of the name on his tongue. Foggy Nelson. It’s… Silly. Whimsical, and gentle, and sweet. Like the man it belongs to. Perfect.

Franklin Percy Nelson, the City purrs proudly – first-middle-last with no hesitation, not even considering the power that name could give Matt over the man strolling, unaware, down the street below him. The power to break free of any spell he casts, to thwart any exorcism he attempts… Even to bewitch or enchant him. It’s an intimate knowledge, but it’s not one Matt wants from the City – it’s not something he wants to use or exploit.

And anyway, he… He likes ‘Foggy’ better than Franklin.

But while Matt might be— enamored, he’s not a fool. Very rarely is anything as it seems at first— Er. Well. Matt isn’t much for glancing. But the point is that people aren’t always what they seem. And as much as he doesn’t want to think that this could be the case with Foggy… Matt’s not used to good things falling into his lap. He wants to be sure, to be absolutely certain, before he makes his choice.

He’s got a little recon to do. The City seems amused with he whole thing, and it doesn’t protest. Actually even seems eager to find out what Matt will do next. He takes this show of interest as the gift it is, and temporarily shifts his focus, from the City’s deal to Foggy.

[soapberryspringsrpg]

Forbidden Fruits

Hello Berries! The nights are getting longer, the air is getting crisper, the lattes are getting pumpkin spicier so you know what time it is. Time for the third ever Soapberry Springs writing prompt!

This prompt is meant to appeal to that part of many of us that once devoured cheesy romance books, thrilling over cliche after cliche so long as the right people ended up riding off into the sunset together. To play along, please choose one of the scenarios under the cut inspired by the brave harlequin romance writers and their specific books. 

You are free to change genders and names, of course; the only two things that must remain as posted are a) the title and b) the plot.

As always there is no time limit and no due date. Players are welcome to write self-paras, blurbs or novellas, poetry, chatzys or threads, to edit graphics, make playlists, etc. All creative takes on the theme are welcome and encouraged! 

Select below from prompts!

Feyness By E.S. Carter In this dark and sexy story, Faye’s cruel, powerful father forces her to marry wickedly gorgeous Cole. She’s convinced that Cole is pure evil — and he’s determined to break her…

Delicious Temptation By Sabrina Sol

After years of keeping her family’s struggling bakery afloat, pastry chef Amara is tired of being safe and predictable. Can she convince Eric, her brother’s ex-best friend, to make good on his bad-boy reputation? A smoldering erotic romance!

An Unconventional Courtship By Scotty Cade

Personal assistant Tristan and his CEO boss, Webber, both struggle to hide their true feelings from each other. But when the pair travel to the Caribbean on a business trip, they discover they can’t hold back their desires forever…

Grayson’s Mate By Tamsin Baker

An alpha werewolf in search of his mate is led to the last person he expected: the handsome stranger he rescued from a car accident. Their desire is undeniable, but can a werewolf and a mortal man find a way to be together?

Make Me Want By Katee Robert

Lucy is a confident, high-powered lawyer — but her ex-boyfriend gave her self-esteem issues in bed. Can her friend Gideon help her realize she has the power to drive him wild?

Bound by Honor By Cora Reilly

To fulfill her father’s promise, Aria must marry notorious, coldhearted Luca. But can she break down Luca’s walls and find the passion within him?

Bad Neighbor By M. O’Keefe

Sparks fly when Charlotte meets her sexy new neighbor Jesse. He’s an alpha bad boy who isn’t afraid of anything — except for his growing attraction to Charlotte, as their desire for each other rages out of control…

London Calling By Clare Lydon

A charming, witty romance: Jess never expected to be moving back in with her parents at the age of 32. But just as things seem hopeless, she makes an unexpected connection with a gorgeous woman. Could happily ever after be on the horizon?

Three Wrong Turns in the Desert By Neil Plakcy

Aidan can’t stop thinking about Liam, the alluring bodyguard he met in a Tunisian bar… When a high-octane chase takes them into the desert, their desires reach a boiling point in this steamy adventure!

Tempting Boundaries By Carrie Ann Ryan

Decker has always lusted after his best friend’s little sister, the woman he can’t have. But when Miranda decides she wants him, he may not be able to resist any longer…

Camp H.O.W.L. By Bru Baker

A sexy shifter romance! When Adrian finally turns into a werewolf — eight years late — Tate, a counselor at a camp for new werewolves, is ready to guide him. But cynical Tate never expected Adrian to be his destined mate…

Roller Girl By Vanessa North

When newly single Tina joins Joanne’s roller derby team, their friendship ignites a steamy passion behind closed doors…

The Shop on Main By Kay Correll

Bella is devastated to learn that she may lose her small shop — and an attractive businessman is the root of her worries. When they clash, can she settle her financial woes on her own and embrace a second chance at love?

The Road to You By Harper Bliss

Serious Katherine and free-spirited Ali have been enemies since college… but fate keeps throwing them together. As the years go on, will they see another side to each other — one they could learn to love?

Road to the Sun By Keira Andrews

When his eight-year-old daughter is kidnapped in Montana, single dad Jason Kellerman enlists the help of park ranger Ben Hettler. Suppressing their burning mutual attraction, the two men begin a wild and desperate hunt through the wilderness…

Captive of the Hitman By Alexis Abbott

When Alicia gets caught up in a dangerous situation, Mikhail takes her captive for her protection. But their sexual chemistry is off the charts — and he refuses to let her go…

Feeling Hot By Elle Kennedy

Home from deployment, Navy SEAL Cash McCoy forms a tantalizing connection with a mysterious blonde. Little does he know that she’s Jen Scott — his commanding officer’s sister! Can he keep his hands to himself around the one woman who’s off-limits?

Professional Distance By Silvia Violet

Heartbroken Thornwell swears off love — until he hires aspiring chef Riley as an escort! Though the two men couldn’t be more different, they begin to fall for each other. Can Riley convince Thornwell to set aside his doubts and live deliciously?

Black By T.L. Smith

Left heartbroken by his first and only love, hit man Liam Black is surprised to find her a decade later. But Rose isn’t the woman she used to be…

Training Sasha By Becca Jameson

Sasha is eager to explore her submissive side, but BDSM club owner Lincoln — who’s also her brother’s friend — won’t admit his attraction to her. Can she convince him to help her explore her sexual desires?

Stalking Buffalo Bill By J. Leigh Bailey

From the moment coyote shifter Donnie spotted buffalo shifter William at his cafe, he was smitten. When deadly figures from William’s past come back to settle unfinished business, the pair team up to ward off danger — and protect their future together.

Dog Days By TA Moore

Apocalyptic weather conditions are wreaking havoc across the globe. But weredog Danny has more immediate problems — including his wolfish ex-lover, Jack…

Dirty Girl By Meghan March

When Greer is drunk one night, she posts an embarrassing personal ad — and now she has thousands of takers! But bad boy Cavanaugh is a cut above the rest…

Tonight’s Encore By Parker Avrile

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The Longest River By Hildred Billings

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Dirty Daughter By JB Duvane

Emily is determined to seduce her mother’s former psychologist, Max. But she doesn’t realize that he has his own plans for her — and soon she’ll be locked up in his remote cottage, forced to satisfy his every desire…

Mr. So Wrong By R.C. Stephens

A searing, sexy romance! After finding wealthy bad boy Al caught in a blizzard, Samantha brings him to her ranch to nurse him back to health. She doesn’t want to let anyone close to her heart, but why can’t she keep Al out of her bed?

Tempt the Playboy By Natasha Madison

After arrogant playboy Noah has a one-night stand with Kaleigh, he’s determined to claim her again. But she may not fall for his charms so easily…

One Last Heist By Dahlia Donovan

Partners in love and in crime, Toshiro and Mack plan to get their crew together for one last heist. It was supposed to be easy — but as they become embroiled in a deadly conspiracy, the stakes will rise out of their control…

Little Liar By W Winters

With so much pain in her past, there’s no way Allie should be drawn to bad boy Dean. And yet she can’t seem to stay away from him…

Seducing Cinderella By Gina L. Maxwell

Physical therapist Lucie needs help wooing her crush, so she asks her brother’s best friend, Reid, to teach her the art of seduction. But their arrangement leads to an unexpected chemistry, and Reid can’t give her up…

Tormentor Mine By Anna Zaires

In this “darkly addictive and hauntingly beautiful” romance, assassin Peter comes to torture Sara. But then he becomes obsessed with her…

As Sure as the Sun By Elle Keaton

After a brush with death, retired US Marshal Sacha starts anew in a small town. As he works to restore an old building, he crosses paths with history enthusiast Seth — and discovers a sizzling attraction that may persuade both men to risk their hearts.

The Endgame Duet By Cleary James

When her life takes a turn for the worse, Lisa offers herself to wealthy Grayson in exchange for the money she needs. For seven days he can do whatever he wants with her — but will they be able to control their sensual desires?

The Beat of Love By L. Loryn

In this passionate gay romance, brooding musician Wolfe and handsome actor Miguel court the media by pretending to be a couple. Will their fake celebrity relationship crash and burn — or turn into a connection more powerful than they expected?

The Isle of... Where? By Sue Brown

When Liam Marshall travels to the Isle of Wight to fulfill his best friend’s dying wish, Sam Owens helps him through it. They swiftly develop a connection — but does their budding relationship have an expiration date?

Ruthless By Dani René

Dangerous bad boy Callan always gets whatever he wants — so when he sees sweet Madison at a BDSM club, he must have her. A darkly delicious erotic tale!

Fire and Flint By Andrew Grey

When single father Jordan turns to sheriff’s deputy Pierre with his concerns about a corrupt judge, the two men discover they’ve made a powerful enemy. They’ll do whatever it takes to protect each other in this stirring and suspenseful read.

Entangled by Nikki Jefford

Two months after dying, Gray wakes up in her twin’s body. She’s forced to spend every other day impersonating snobby Charlene — and only warlock Raj notices the difference. Can Gray be saved, or will she fade altogether?

Southern Spirits by Angie Fox

When Verity discovers the power to commune with the spirit world, she teams up with local bad boy Ellis to evict some undead tenants.

Witch Slapped by Dakota Cassidy

Stripped of her powers, ex-witch Stevie Cartwright teams up with the ghost of a sexy British spy to solve a murder case involving a bogus psychic medium.

Issued to the Bride: One Navy SEAL by Cora Seton

Navy SEAL vet Brian has always dreamed of owning his own ranch — so when he’s asked to marry a general’s daughter, Cass, in exchange for a share of her land, he can’t refuse.

Sit… Stay… Beg by Roxanne St. Claire

Garrett, a dot-com millionaire turned dog rescuer, keeps his heart on a tight leash — until journalist Jessie is hired to write a profile on him…

Earthrise by M.C.A. Hogarth

On a mysterious rescue mission, no-nonsense ship captain Reese Eddings commands her vessel Earthrise straight into danger, battling pirates and slavers to save elf prince Hirianthial…

Chez Stinky by Susan C. Daffron

Kat inherits her great-aunt’s dilapidated house, which is filled to the brim with pets and complications. As she adjusts to her new surroundings — and connects with Joel, who’s as handy as he is handsome — will she embrace her new start?

Rumor Has It by Elisabeth Grace

When an embarrassing video goes viral, Ellie Wagner’s reputation pays the price. Her life seems ruined, but a fresh start awaits when she falls for Mason Nash…

Smart Tass by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Hunter has been tormenting his bookish neighbor Tass since they were children. But when she’s challenged to date him — and he needs to take her virginity to win a bet — can a fake relationship solve their problems and reveal their true feelings for one another?

Once Upon a Time by Blair Babylon

When princess Flicka decides to flee her violent ex, her bodyguard Dieter is the only one who can help her. But their irresistible attraction heats up in ways neither of them expected…

Malevolent by Jana DeLeon

PI Shaye Archer takes on the baffling case of Emma Frederick, a woman convinced that her abusive husband is out to get her. Except Emma killed her husband weeks ago…

Club Shadowlands by Cherise Sinclair

Stranded during a storm, Jessica takes shelter in a nearby house. But when she discovers it’s actually a private BDSM club, she begins to explore her fantasies with a sexy dominant…

Stripped by Stacy-Deanne

Baltimore cop Dee Quarter investigates a cult whose charismatic leader, Jonathan Wild, is determined to ensnare her…

Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethington

Joclyn just sent her high school bully flying through the air! Could her phenomenal power have something to do with the strange new scar on her neck? Her handsome best friend Ryland holds all the secrets…

Heaven in His Arms by Lisa Ann Verge

Forced to take a bride, André chooses sickly Genevieve, assuming she won’t survive the harsh winter. But Genevieve is not the frail noblewoman she appears to be, and André soon realizes that he needs her more than he ever expected…

In Search of a Love Story by Rachel Schurig

Tired of losing at love, Emily undertakes a research project: she’ll binge on romance novels and chick flicks until she learns their secret. Handsome Greg could be her Prince Charming — but why is Emily’s friend Elliot so unhappy about her plan?

The Chef’s Mail-Order Bride by Cindy Caldwell

Tripp trained at an elite culinary school, but he can’t get a loan for his restaurant without a wife. Raised in a bakery, Sadie agrees to head west as Tripp’s bride. Can the two learn to work together as they open their new restaurant — and find love in the process?

The Witch Hunter by Nicole R. Taylor

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Ignite by Kaitlyn Davis

When Kira discovers her mystical powers, she must fight for her life — and choose between sweet, goofy Luke and gorgeous, blood-hungry Tristan.

Crash by Drew Jordan

Stranded in the Alaskan wilderness, Laney takes refuge in the arms of the stranger who rescues her. But will he be her savior — or her destroyer?

Going Hard by Kelsey Browning

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Hers to Take by Talia Ellison

When Octavia gets caught in a dangerous situation, her rival, Aaron, offers her a deal she can’t refuse — to escape with her life, she must pretend to be his sex slave. But they don’t expect a forbidden attraction to ignite…

Claimed by Evangeline Anderson

The Kindred race is primarily male, and must choose among human women for their brides. When Olivia is drafted into marrying broken and tortured Baird, she’s determined to resist — but she hadn’t counted on falling for her alien warrior husband…

Forever a Soldier by Genevieve Turner

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Liam by Kimber White

Though forbidden to be with his fated mate, sexy shifter Liam will stop at nothing to claim Molly, the spitfire who sets his heart aflame. But is Molly ready to embrace his wolfish identity?

The Second Sister by Rae D. Magdon

When Eleanor’s father dies, she’s left with her unhinged stepmother and two stepsisters, Luciana and Belladonna. Eleanor must prevent wicked Luciana from bewitching a prince — but meanwhile, beautiful Belladonna stirs up feelings she can’t resist…

Time to Upsize by Graeme Aitken

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Playing Games by Liliana Rhodes

Cassie gets her dream job working for billionaire Gabriel — and she’s determined to remain professional. But their irresistible attraction ignites after she’s caught trying to watch him in the shower…

Kindling Flames: Gathering Tinder by Julie Wetzel

After landing a job as assistant to a handsome CEO, Victoria feels like her life is finally on the right track. But when she discovers her new boss is the city’s most powerful vampire, she’ll have to decide whether her attraction to him is worth the risk…

Switching Hour by Robyn Peterman

After a stint in witch prison, Zelda is on magic probation — and if she can’t finish a mysterious task in the next month, she’ll be stripped of her powers forever. But a gorgeous werewolf may prove to be a tempting distraction…

Sacrificed to the Dragon by Jessie Donovan

Dragon shifter Tristan has despised humans ever since hunters killed his mother. But his clan insists he needs an heir — and a human mate. When he meets gorgeous Melanie, a slow-burning fire ignites deep within…

The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter

Running from the mob, Delaney becomes a mail-order bride in the spooky town of Nocturne Falls — only to learn her fiancé is a 400-year-old vampire!

Haunted on Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase

When empath Jade Calhoun moves into a haunted New Orleans apartment, she must use her unique abilities — and the help of her sexy landlord — to ward off a powerful spirit.

[arc852]

Friend or Foe?

 Hey! So @hiddendreamer67 and I decided to an art trade with the wonderful @ashiftingworkshop! She drew us an amazing picture and we wrote her a story! Hope you enjoy!

 Jack regretted ever leaving Ireland.

 He should have listened to his family when they told him how dangerous it would be; how he would be all alone with every other supernatural creature out there. But, he wanted an adventure. Unlike other leprechauns, Jack wanted to see what else was out there instead of just staying in the same old forest in Ireland.

 Don’t get him wrong, he loved Ireland. There was no way he could hate it; it was coded in his genes. But he wanted- no, needed something more. So, he packed up and stowed away on a plane to America. He found a nice forest and started exploring. It was amazing how different and yet the same it was here than in Ireland.

 He had gotten so distracted by the things around him that he failed to notice the scent of a marked territory. And it wasn’t long after that when he heard a deep growl coming from the shadows.

 And that was how he found himself being chased by a pair of werewolves. How did he know they were werewolves and not normal wolves? Well, supernatural creatures had this sort of tell with each other. A sort of sense that certain creatures had.

 But now was not the time to be thinking about that.

 He ran with all his might. He was glad leprechauns were fast, especially for their size. But the wolves had the stamina and were slowly gaining on him. He looked behind him to try and make out how far away they were when he hit something in front of him. He went down and looked to see he had hit a tree.

 The growls were closer now and Jack stood and turned, seeing that the wolves had closed in on him. His back hit the tree bark and Jack quickly realized that this was the end.

 He stood there waiting with his eyes closed, waiting for his end when he heard a different type of growl. He looked up and saw that one of the wolves was now facing the other one and was growling at him. Jack couldn’t speak wolf, but they seemed to be arguing.

 And then, before Jack could even blink, the wolf jumped and attacked the other wolf. Jack watched in horrified awe as these two giant beasts fought. He would have taken this opportunity to run, but the only way to go would put him right in the middle of the fight and he did not want to get caught up in that.

 Jack saw the brown wolf bite down hard on the other wolf’s shoulder area and the other wolf sent it a quick glare before running off. Jack almost sighed in relief before realizing he still had another wolf to deal with. They had probably been fighting over who was gonna eat him and now the winner would take his prize.

 The wolf turned to him and lowered its face. It opened its huge maw and Jack closed his eyes, waiting for the feeling of teeth digging into his body. Instead, much to his surprise and confusion, he felt the collar of his shirt bunch up and he was suddenly lifted into the air. He opened his eyes and saw that the wolf had grabbed him by the collar and was now carrying him off the who knows where.

 Jack tried his best to not look down. He hated heights and the feeling of nothing under his feet, but he wasn’t about to say anything to the beast that could eat him at any moment. It was a bit later when Jack noticed a house in the distance. They were still technically in the woods, but the house seemed right on the edge.

 The wolf walked up and Jack wondered for a moment how it was gonna get in, before the wolf pushed open a little doggy door. They entered the large house and Jack stared in shock for a moment, never having seen the inside of a human’s house before. It was so...neat. He supposed. Nothing like the naturality of the forest.

 The wolf made a noise behind him, causing Jack to jump. It wasn’t a growl, really, though Jack couldn’t describe what it was. Jack was wondering when he would be put down and when he would be eaten, but the wolf continued to move around the house as if looking for something. The wolf apparently found it in the closet as he made a little happy noise and started pushing the object with his paw.

 Jack tried to get a better look at it, only to realize it was a medium sized cardboard box. He blinked in confusion as the wolf pushed the box over to the desk in the room. The wolf made a slight whine before raising himself up against the desk and setting Jack down on its surface. The wolf then moved back to fiddle with the box.

 Jack stared at the wolf before realizing now was his chance to escape. He started moving toward the edge, thinking maybe he could climb down, when he heard a deep growl. Jack froze and looked to see the wolf glaring at him. Jack gulped and took a seat right there. The wolf huffed and went back to work.

 Jack sighed and watched the wolf walk over to the bed and grab one of the pillows. It placed it inside the box and then bit the edge of the box, lifting it up and placing it on the desk next to Jack. Jack stood and backed a few steps away from the box, but was quickly lifted into the air again by the wolf. He found himself being placed in the box on top of the pillow.

 The leprechaun blinked, and looked up, only to see the wolf holding a lid in its mouth. The lid was placed on the box and Jack was shrouded in darkness. From within his confines, he heard the bed shift and then all was silent.

 Having nothing else to do, Jack laid himself down against the pillow and curled in on himself. Wondering what the wolf had planned for him exactly.

 ---------------------------

 Mark felt the warm morning rays shine down on him as he slowly began to wake up. He stretched out his limbs, still sore from all the activity last night. He looked down at his hands, once again fully in control. As a werewolf, Mark’s memory was always foggy after a full moon. Still, the cardboard box on his desk indicated that last night was more than just a weird dream.

 From what he recalled, he and Thomas had been chasing down a supernatural form of prey that wandered into the pack’s territory. But when Mark saw the look of fear on the creature’s surprisingly tiny human features, Mark knew he couldn’t do it. He turned on Thomas and rescued the little guy, bringing him back home so the other wolves wouldn’t harm it.

 Mark sighed, rubbing a hand over his tired eyes. The pack wouldn’t be happy with him after this. Why couldn’t Mark ever be a true wolf? Why did he always have to get so sympathetic to prey? Mark had always made a terrible hunter.

 Mark gave another glance at the cardboard box, deciding it was best to explain himself to the tiny person who was probably still terrified out of his wits. Mark quietly made his way over to the desk and lifted the lid.

 Light hit Jack’s face and he opened his eyes slowly. He briefly wondered where he was before the memories of the werewolf came back to him. He blinked and looked up, but instead of a wolf he saw the face of a human.

 Of course, what else was he expecting? Werewolves had human forms, why was he so surprised? The now human face of the wolf didn’t help his fears, though. In fact, this just might be worse. With his heart pounding rapidly against his chest, Jack curled back into a ball in fear.

 Mark winced, noticing how scared the guy seemed. “Uh, good morning.” He tried greeting the little guy. “It’s okay, i’m not gonna eat you or anything.” He set the lid down to the side. “Sorry for leaving you in this box last night. Do you want to come out of there?”

 Jack winced at the loud voice, but tried focusing on what he was saying. Right, like he actually believed him. Werewolves were predators and though they didn’t have any in Ireland, he had heard plenty of stories. One of which was they sometimes liked to play with their food. Well, Jack wouldn’t fall for it.

 He shook his head at the question. There was only one way out of this box and Jack did not want to be anywhere near those hands.

 “Okay.” Mark tried not to look disappointed, but he understood. This little guy was probably terrified. Mark slowly pulled up a chair, knowing this could take a while. “Well, as you probably guessed, I’m a werewolf. But what kind of creature are you? I’ve never met someone like you.”

 Jack blinked at the question and at the fact that he hadn’t just been grabbed. He was still not any less suspicious of the guy’s actions, though. He rubbed his shoulders, contemplating on whether or not to tell him. He sighed, figuring it would just be best to cooperate.

 “I’m a leprechaun.” Jack said softly, his Irish accent evident.

 “Whoa, really?” Mark leaned in to hear his quiet voice, happy that the guy would talk to him. “I’ve never met a leprechaun before.”

 Jack scooted back a bit at the closer proximity. “Makes sense. We’re only native to Ireland.”

 “Ireland?” Mark frowned slightly. That did explain the accent. “What are you doing all the way out in California then?”

 Jack shifted. “Um, needed a change of scenery.” He said vaguely and hesitated before saying his next sentence. “I-I didn’t mean to go into your territory.” He said, trying his best not to shake.

 “Well, I kinda figured.” Mark rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Most people don’t willingly try and enter a werewolf pack’s domain.”

 “Yeah…” Jack went silent after that, not knowing what else to say to his captor.

 Mark took a second to clear his throat. “I’m sorry if I startled you with the whole taking you here and putting you in a box thing. I just had to make sure the other members of my pack didn’t come after you.”

 Jack hummed. “Right, cause you want me all to yourself.” He muttered softly. His arms were wrapped around himself. If the wolf was gonna eat him, he just wanted it to happen already.

 “What? No!” Mark’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates. “No no no, that’s not what I meant. I really just wanted to keep you safe. I swear, I’m not here to hurt you. I’m just trying to protect you.”

 Jack glared up at him. “Why?” He asked simply. “For one, you don’t even know me. And two, you're a predator and whether I like it or not, I’m prey. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out how the two get along.”

 “Well, I've never been much of a predator.” Mark admitted, looking down at the floor. “Even in wolf form I have trouble killing other creatures. It’s just not in my nature.”

 Jack blinked. He sounded...genuine. The leprechaun bit the inside of his cheek. “Prove it then.” He looked around the box he was still in. “Get me out of the box. Without touching me.” Jack said, figuring he had nothing to lose if it turned out this was all, in fact, a lie.

 Mark looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Uh, okay.” he shrugged, not sure what that would prove. “Hold on.” Mark grabbed the edges of the cardboard box. Slowly and carefully, he tipped the box so the side closest to the leprechaun became level with the desk.

 “How’s that?” Mark asked.

 Jack flailed a bit as the box was turned on its side, but was glad to finally have a way out. He slowly came out of the box and stepped onto the desk. He looked over towards the wolf and backed away a few steps. Honestly, he wasn’t sure if this really proved anything, but he was glad to be out of the box. All without having to be touched.

 Jack nodded. “Thanks.”

 “You’re welcome.” Mark smiled at him. At that moment, Mark’s stomach gave a particularly loud growl. Mark winced, remembering that he hadn’t eaten all night and knowing that the sound probably scared his new friend even more. Oh,and things had been going so well...

 Jack was startled when he heard the growl and at first he thought it had come from Mark’s mouth. Only to realize it was the sound of his stomach. Heart beating fast, Jack backed away in fright, staring up at Mark with fear. This was where the game ended, he supposed.

 “I, uh, guess it’s breakfast time.” Mark gave an awkward laugh, backing up a few paces. “I should probably go grab something to eat. Are you hungry?”

 Jack looked at the wolf in confusion. “I-I guess?” He stammered out.

 “Great, I’ll just-” Mark was at the bedroom door by this point. “-I’ll just grab something and be right back.” He turned and quickly made his way to the kitchen, wondering what exactly leprechauns eat.

 Jack could barely believe it when he suddenly found himself alone. He smiled, this was his chance to get the heck out of there. He ran to the edge and looked down. He felt a bit dizzy at the height, but pushed it away. He couldn’t let his fear of heights get to him now of all times. He glanced at the chair the wolf had been sitting in and quickly judged the distance. Before he could talk himself out of it, he jumped.

 He landed on the chair with a roll and stood up. That hadn’t been so bad, now he just needed to climb down to the floor. He somehow managed to grip the chair’s leg and shimmied down so he was now on the floor. Now to find a way out of the house, without having the wolf see him.

 -------------------

 Mark quickly threw some sausages, bacon and ham into a pan to cook. His werewolf instincts gave him a strong craving for meat at all hours of the day, but Mark’s human side still preferred the meat cooked rather than raw. Mark glanced around his kitchen, having a feeling that the leprechaun wasn’t a big fan of meat. He gathered up a small sampling of the limited fruit in the house, making sure to cut it into tiny pieces. Satisfied, Mark put a few pieces of bacon in his mouth, put the rest on a plate and walked back towards the bedroom.

 Jack froze when he felt the ground shake, knowing the wolf was coming back. He looked around for a place to hide and practically dove underneath the desk, pushing himself into the far corner. Hoping against hope the wolf wouldn’t find him. Who knew how he would react to him trying to run away.

 “I’ve returned with food! I wasn’t sure what you liked so I just…” Mark trailed off, noticing the leprechaun was no longer on the desk. Mark panicked for a moment, slowly coming closer before a familiar scent hit his enhanced nostrils. Mark placed the plate down on the desk, then took a few steps back. Carefully, so as not to startle the little guy, Mark laid down on his stomach and peered under the desk.

 “Hey.” Mark smiled at him in what he hoped was a kind gesture, eyes quickly finding the small huddled form in the shadows. Mark didn’t blame the guy for trying to make a run for it, but it did give Mark a good frighten. “Do you want to come out? I brought food.”

 Jack tried to press himself more into the wall when the wolf suddenly lowered himself and found him. How had he done that so fast? Jack mentally smacked his head, of course. He was dealing with a werewolf here. They had a keen sense of smell. Jack silently cursed himself for not thinking of that.

 He could smell the food the wolf brought out, something he’s never smelled before, but it did not at all smell the least bit pleasant. He shook his head no.

 “Are you sure?” Mark pressed. “You must be hungry. I brought some fruits. Some apples and bananas mainly, but there’s some mixed berries as well. Will you at least try?”

 “That doesn’t smell like fruit.” Jack said, pointing up. Was the wolf trying to trick him?

 “Well, uh, that would be my breakfast.” Mark gave an awkward smile. “I kind of figured you wouldn’t like it.”

 “It smells awful.” Jack said, shifting nervously.

 “Yeah, well, a wolf guy’s gotta eat.” Mark shrugged. His stomach growled a little more, and Mark decided this was going nowhere fast. He pushed up from the ground and stood up, walking closer to the desk.

 Jack watched the wolf stand with confusion, but figured now was as good of a time as any to try and book it. He eyed the still open door and glanced once more at the wolf before making a run for it.

 Mark, sensing movement, looked down to see the little guy dashing out from under the desk and towards the bedroom door. Using his quick reflexes, Mark reached the door and shut it before the guy could even get close.

 “Really?” Mark raised an eyebrow.

 Jack stopped short when the wolf closed the door, quicker than what he could keep up with. And now he was trapped in the middle of the floor, the wolf looming over him. He was trembling but tried to cover it up with anger.

 “S-Screw you.”

 “That’s a bit harsh.” Mark commented, making his way back towards the desk but making sure to give the leprechaun plenty of space so as not to startle him further. Mark did feel a little bad about keeping him trapped, but it was for his own safety.

 Jack silently watched the wolf move around him, thinking for sure he would be grabbed that time. He sighed. He was very confused and scared and he just wanted to leave. His stomach growled just then and he placed a hand over it, blushing a little. He was also very hungry.

 Mark grabbed his plate of breakfast and sat down on the ground, facing the little dude. He began to eat his meat, deciding to wait until the little guy calmed down. Mark didn’t want to scare him any more than he already had.

 Jack backed away a bit when the wolf sat down and winced a little as he watched him eat. The wolf was taking bites bigger than he was, and all Jack could think about was that could be him.

 He looked away from his face and down at the plate, seeing the pieces of fruit. So the wolf hadn’t been lying then…

 Jack came a little closer, his hunger fueling his bravery for the moment. “Can…” He paused and cleared his throat. “Can I have some of that?” Jack pointed to the banana, face turning red.

 Mark smiled, pausing in his eating to grab a chunk of banana and hold it out to him. “Go ahead.”

 Jack hesitated before slowly making his way over to the offered fruit. He glanced up at the wolf’s face before grabbing the piece and backing away again. He sat down and began to nibble on it, the sweet flavor filling his taste buds.

 “Thanks.” He said as an afterthought.

 “You’re welcome.” Mark looked pleased that he had dared come so close. He took another bite of sausage.

 Jack finished off the banana, finally feeling full. A feeling he hadn’t felt since coming to America. He glanced up at the wolf, who seemed close to finishing his meal as well. He hadn’t even tried to make a meal out of him. Maybe what the wolf was saying was true.

 “I-I guess I should also thank you for saving me from the other wolf last night.” He said after a long stretch of silence between them.

 “Oh, yeah.” Mark’s smile was bittersweet. “You’re welcome. Thomas is probably pissed at me, but all that matters is you’re safe.”

 Jack frowned. “Why do you care so much?” The question held no bite, he was genuinely curious.

 “Well, I dunno…” Mark scratched lightly at his ear, similar to a dog. “It’s just that, I saw how scared you were and I realized that I felt bad. It wasn’t really your fault for coming into our area, but other wolves don’t see it that way. So I wanted to protect you from them. I never like seeing others suffer.”

 Jack smiled. “I’m the only leprechaun who’s ever left Ireland. The only one who wanted to go out and explore the world, screw the dangers. I guess we’re both a little different.”

 Mark gave a small laugh. “You know, I never really asked you your name.” Mark realized. “Hi, I’m Mark.” He slowly put his hand out for a shake.

 Jack tenses as the hand came closer, but when he realized he wasn’t gonna grab him, he relaxed. He smiled and reached out, grabbing hold of Mark’s finger.

 “Nice to meet you Mark, I’m Jack.”

[zxtsubxu-moved-blog]

Mastermind! Naegi Playlist

I can’t put music on my blog for some reason so we’ll just do it this way lol

MAMA - MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE

Mama, we're all full of lies. Mama, we're meant for the flies. And right now they're building a coffin your size, Mama, we're all full of lies. Well, Mother, what the war did to my legs and to my tongue, You should've raised a baby girl, I should've been a better son. If you could coddle the infection They can amputate at once. You should've been, I could have been a better son. And when we go don't blame us, yeah. We'll let the fire just bathe us, yeah. You made us, oh, so famous. We'll never let you go. She said, "You ain't no son of mine For what you've done. They're gonna find A place for you And just you mind your manners when you go. And when you go, don't return to me, my love." That's right.

KILL THE LIGHTS - SET IT OFF

You reside in grand disguises Just to get, get away from it all Falsify the life you're hiding Just to get, get away from it all But the truth we pursue as we all beg you to Kill the lights, kill the actor, kill the actress I'm afraid that the spotlight dried you up, whoa, whoa oh Shut your mouth, you make me sick with All the lies, all the lies that you spill Slip and fall, I'll watch you drown in All the lies, all the lies that you spill As you're tongue-tied, did you believe it? False pride never existed Now I am cutting ties clean off And I can breathe at last

I CAN’T DECIDE - SCISSOR SISTERS

Oh I could throw you in the lake Or feed you poisoned birthday cake I won't deny I'm gonna miss you when you're gone Oh I could bury you alive But you might crawl out with a knife And kill me when I'm sleeping That's why I can't decide Whether you should live or die Oh, you'll probably go to heaven Please don't hang your head and cry No wonder why My heart feels dead inside It's cold and hard and petrified Lock the doors and close the blinds We're going for a ride

LET IT BURN - RED

I watch the city burn These passions slowly smoldering A lesson never learned Only violence Is your world just a broken promise? Is your love just a drop of rain? Will we all just burn like fire? Are you still there? Tell me now... ...can you stand the pain? How long will you hide your face? How long will you be afraid? Are you afraid? How long will you play this game? Will you fight or will you walk away? How long will you let it burn? Let it burn Let it burn

COPS AND ROBBERS - THE HOOSIERS

We're at a revolution And we're baying for your blood We're laying down the law And your name's mud You'd like to be a member of the human race You want to be a good boy But you couldn't stand the taste Blame Simon Because he said You've got two lives down And one life left Blame Simon Because he said You could think better with a hole in your head You could think better with a hole in your head 

DEUS EX MACHINA - BURIRU-P

Deus ex machina, oh please spare me Flowing, flowing the blood just won't stop coming out Deus ex machina oh please save me It hurts, it hurts... it's mostly your own damn fault This false utopia mercilessly continues to spin round & round Drop the notion of good or bad, wipe it from your mind Uninstall Then you just become a mindless idiot Oh whatever, your mask starts to peel off revealing your true persona Those who seek are refused, those who run are chased Acknowledge what you desires, what would you do for someone else's sake? Thanatos, the god of death, Is slowly climbing up that rusted ladder Vomiting out rotten metaphors as he climbs The object of everyone's prayers, screw it!

WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING - SET IT OFF

Aware, aware, you stalk your prey With criminal mentality You sink your teeth into the people you depend on Infecting everyone, you're quite the problem Fee-fi-fo-fum, you better run and hide I smell the blood of a petty little coward Jack, be lethal, Jack, be slick Jill will leave you lonely dying in a filthy ditch So could you Tell me how you're sleeping easy How you're only thinking of yourself Show me how you justify Telling all your lies like second nature Listen, mark my words: one day (one day) You will pay, you will pay Karma's gonna come collect your debt

THE DISTORTIONIST - GHOST

Tears laced with cyanide flow through the cracks of a Mirror shattered long ago And, sure, I’m the one who swung the metal bat But, hey, I can’t control the urge! Nobody’s gonna blame me for that Impossible, impossible Twist ‘n turn it right around The details never safe or sound The truth projected through a lense With nothing proving otherwise Now take the time to realize Despite what you believe The victim of a massacre Was none other than poor me Surely you can see the problem I don’t wanna lose my own reflection A deplorable perception of me Was none other than an image of you

PARTNERS IN CRIME - SET IT OFF

This, the tale of reckless love, living a life of crime on the run, I brush to a gun to paint these states green and red, Everybody freeze, nobody move, put the money in the bag or we will shoot, Empty out the vault and me and my doll will be on our way, Our paper faces flood the streets, And if the heat comes close enough to burn then we'll play with fire 'cause... You'll never take us alive We swore that death will do us part They'll call our crimes a work of art You'll never take us alive We'll live like spoiled royalty, lovers and partners Partners in crime Partners in crime Oh, just try and catch us! 

THE GAME OF LIFE - HATSUNE MIKU

In this life is a game played by a flaky god He gambles every life Try to escape but you know the path you’re on is game and set See how the game of life is playing all of us for fools Dancing a string around us, making all these silly rules See how he looks down on us like we’re acting out a show Throw the dice and let’s see which head will roll…

See how the game of life is never won, you only play Bore him and you will find you’re crumpled up and thrown away Clinging to fate and blaming it when life won’t go your way Such a laugh HA! Life is just a game

Sickly grinning downward, tosses out a pair of dice Cheating way around the board “Ah this is paradise” People praying on their knees but no there to hear Ah look down at all the puppets here Ah look up at all the puppeteers 

FEMALE ROBBERY - THE NEIGHBORHOOD

I think I found hell I think I found something. I think I found something in my TV screen. I think I found out that I have nothing, That I have nothing in this place for me. I watched it all in my head, perfect sense. Don't take me from my bed, Leave everything that is worth a single cent and just take me instead. That TV show, I saw as I fell asleep. Had me on both my knees, Praying to whatever is in heaven please send me a felon, And don't let the police know. Anything, anything, Don't tell them anything, Anything, please.

[rndomdragon]

The fine lines between Love and Hate -part 1

this was supposed to be for gency week day 2 but life got in the way.

one month late but…

-

It never occurred to her how beautiful Genji was until now, twisted in her bedsheets, gasping her name like a prayer. The lights on his body blazed a flickering red, shining off the black armour plates on his body, the only source of light in the room. Steam expelled from his vents as he shivered underneath her. The carefully crafted, carbon fibre strands of synthetic muscles were warming up with her touch. His back arched, exposing his neck and she bent forward, nipping at each cord to see what reaction she could get out of him. The unremovable parts of his helmet scratched against the bed frame. He was so touch starved, and she was so eager to please.

Angela looked down at the cyborg, licking the thin coating of prematurely applied lipstick off her lips. She decided she like the way it left red marks on his obsidian black armour. He was hers. He belonged to her, every part of him. No one else had her permission to touch. She knew his entire body, inside and out, after all, she had created it.

He was her creation and she had every desire, and right, to test it. She ghosted her hand down his side, to his hips and beyond, frowning in thought. He didn’t react to her touch like the rest of his body. Maybe she should add a setting to change the amount of stimuli he felt during, and after fights. It’s should lead to a better result for both of them.

She wondered how her past self would find her now. She pretty much broke all the morals she had made back in Overwatch when she accepted Talon’s offer.

-

Blackwatch. She didn’t like them, no matter how much McCree was her friend, she couldn’t help but wince every time she heard Genji’s body hit the floor, and the rough voice of Commander Reyes telling them to go again.

The inevitable was coming. She knew that much. The cyborg was getting used to his body fast, and may not ever need her again, lest he managed to get severely damaged. She had spoken to him and they both waited. Perhaps he would be placed in the same unit as her, with Captain Amari and Commander Morrison.

No such luck.

-

Overwatch had wanted to take him away from her. Her cyborg, her masterpiece. Bring him down, and chain her dragon in the slums of Blackwatch. Not Overwatch. There, she would never be able to talk to her cyborg again. He just wouldn’t exist. She wouldn’t let that happen, so they ran. Far, far away. He came with her of course. He had nothing there, no friends, no allies. He lived for her, and her only.

She made sure of it.

Angela trusted him, and he trusted her. He watched her back, while they ran. Overwatch sent people after them, and Genji, the loyal dragon he was, slaughtered them with his two swords, always a shaky mess afterwards. She would clean him up and comforted him, making it seem like she was the only person in the world who saw him for his beauty. The stares of distain thrown their way from passing civilians, didn’t help his mood either.

The cyborg clung on to her at nights, always afraid that if he let go, she would disappear, or decide that she didn’t like him for his omnic counterparts.

It was perfect.

They ran, and Overwatch chased, picking up the interest of other organizations as well. They both knew they couldn’t keep running forever. When someone finally caught up to them, it wasn’t who the expected. Talon knew of her betrayal to Overwatch and offered a safe place for them, knowing that there were bounties on their heads. They assured her that they would be more useful together, alive, then dead, and that they had all the money in the world, so they had no interest in their bounties.

Angela had agreed, taking upon the name ‘Malice’, within their ranks, with the promise that she kept all ownership of her cyborg. She fit in easily, donning a twisted devil version of her Valkyrie suit and continuing her nanotechnology research through almost unlimited funds, finding, with satisfaction, a new and more lethal way to wield nanotechnology. She gave her cyborg and clean new paint job, red and black, contrasting hugely to his previous greens and greys.

Genji hated himself, and she knew it. He thought no one else would like him, accept him in this world. Too omnic to be man, to man to be omnic. There was a program, imbedded deep into his thoughts, made by a hacker that she had befriended in Talon.

Sombra had asked her twice, making sure that this is what she wanted for her lover, before creating it. It was not so much of a reprogramming, than was it a seamless second voice in his head. He’d probably never tell them apart. She tested the authenticity of the program, telling him to stay in her office while she ran an errand or asking him not to follow her, but she always saw a shadow at the edge of her vision, just out of sight. He was always there when she came back.

-

Once, she had purposely provoked another agent, wanting to know it he’d retaliate. They scowled at her, saying that she was nothing but Overwatch’s delicate angel. She watched in disappointment as Genji stood silently behind her, doing nothing. The next day however, that same agent showed up, bloody and half dead, for seemingly no reason at all.

Angela smiled when she saw a pair of wings carved into the agent’s bloody back. Ouch. That’ll leave a scar. Looks like Genji took the angel insult to heart. She cleaned the wound with alcohol and wrapped the wound carelessly with a bandage, then calling a nurse send them to the infirmary. She wouldn’t waste her nanotechnology on an expendable foot solider.

That agent would live. Definitely not without repercussions of course.

-

That night, Angela mentioned the agent’s back injury, while watching Genji’s face carefully. He had discarded his mask long ago, when they had fallen into their shared bed.

“Sounds unfortunate for the soul who wished to harm my angel,” was his mere reply. Disappointing, yet satisfying at the same time. She was assured that the programming was working at least.

-

“Genji,” Angela called out to her cyborg, who was standing in the middle of a massacre of bodies and dissembled limbs. He had come back into the Shimada Clan seeking vengeance during a mission with Talon. They had assigned him onto this mission, knowing he had a personal vendetta against the Clan that was no longer of any use to them. “Lets go.” She tugged against his arm, and he followed with no resistance.

On the ride back, he spoke up. “He wasn’t there.”

“Who?’ She already knew the answer.

“Hanzo.” It was the name that she hated at first. He had reduced Genji to this, needing to be hooked up to a permeant mechanical body in order to live. But when she started to pick him up, piece by piece, she realized that Genji wouldn’t be who he was without him. He wouldn’t be with her, or her greatest work of art, that he is now. A flawless blend of cybernetic enhancements and human parts. Needless to say, she wanted nothing more than to thank her cyborg’s killer, before snapping his neck.

-

Sometime later, she had put Genji into an induced coma for a routine checkup, when another scientist came in. She knew that he was the one she replaced as Talon’s head medical officer and that he probably wasn’t happy about that. “You’re a worthless scrap, you know,” he growled as he approached her. “You should be working under me, not the other way around.”

“Doctor, I request that you leave right now. As you probably can’t see, with your declining eyesight, I am in the middle of an operation and you do not have my permission to be here.” Angela smiled sweetly, pulling the lab goggles up to rest on her forehead. Keep this strictly professional. “Do you need me to hold your hand and lead you out as well? I can always call the guards.”

“You’d be long dead if your monster wasn’t here to protect you,” he snarled.

“Monster?” She mocked incomprehension. “Then what do we call your life’s work? The Reaper, if I recall correctly. A psychopathic smoke demon, that you created with my stolen research.” She watched his expression carefully, which turned from surprise to anger. “You think I wouldn’t notice? Reaper literally has nanites wafting off of him. I also noticed that my files were misplaced that night and Genji informed me of your trespassing.”

“But I—”

“My greatest life work is originally by me, listens to me and is loyal to me. What about yours?” Her smiled widened dangerously, showing teeth. “Who should be working under who?”

He backed away, like a dog with it’s tail between his legs. He lost and he knew it. There seemingly was no way to beat Angela Ziegler, ever with her own work. She was simply the best of the best.

-

Overwatch’s delicate angel. That nickname had almost been faded to myth ever since Talon found something else she specialized in.

Torture. Interrogation.

Angela knew the human body better then the back of her hand. She knew which parts would make someone bleed, and the most painful places on the human body. She would decapitate limbs, tear off fingernails, yet keep them alive long enough to extract the information Talon required.

She was feared among the Talon operatives and even more so among her enemies, which knew they couldn’t escape her lulling presence if they were caught. Her blue eyes were thought to be so cold that if looked into, she would see all your intentions and thoughts. Overwatch had surly caught wind of her existence in Talon by now, but that was no matter. She and Genji were safe. The organization was dying, with the two leaders, Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes, assumed dead, Overwatch, in all of its glory, began to crumble.

She knew for sure that they weren’t.

-

Angela stepped into the large mansion Talon had given her. The property was owned by a wealthy, but paranoid, old man, who had turned down one of Talon’s offers. He was dead now, to Genji’s blade. The cyborg in question was perched stiffly on an expensive leather armchair, next to the blazing fireplace.

“Overwatch is back,” he spoke, monotone.

“I know.” She held her hand out for him, caressing his head when he leaned into her touch. He reached for the faceplate but she stopped him. She never really like his humanoid parts that he remained. They were imperfect and not made by her, meaning that she had no control of what happened there. She slid smoothly into his lap, straddling his hips. “Have you been behaving yourself?”

“Y-yes,” the cyborg stuttered, gasping when she nuzzled his neck with her nose, occasionally nipping at the synthetic skin.

Touch was a strong bond in their relationship, and Angela made sure that he loved it by limiting it to him for days at a time. She had all the time in the world to play with her cyborg, after she had perfecting her nanotechnology, now retaining the ability to keep her youth, as long as she wanted. She looked the same age in the early Overwatch photos, when she still had morals, not changing a single bit visually.

“I heard Jack is back as well as Ana,” Angela continued, sliding her hands down the length of her cyborg’s back making him shiver. His stimuli settings were definitely a notch too high. “I wish to see what this new Overwatch is made of.”

“Perhaps it would be a fairer fight then last time,” Genji commended. “And I’ll finish what I started with McCree. For you.”

She remembers watching the two fight, saying that she wished to know who would win a duel after so many years, since the first time in the training room with Reyes overlooking them. She also remembers with satisfaction of Genji bringing back McCree’s shooting arm for her as a prize. Ever since that, they have fought, trying to get even.

She doubts that all the members would come back, and the ones that did, should prove for some fun. Maybe, she could try out her some of her experimental nanotechnology.

Resurrection. Sounds fun.

-