#miss my grumpy police investigator

[except4bunnies]

24 x 500 (Die schönste Zeit des Jahres – Tatort Hamburg Christmas Collection)

Summary:

Julia Grosz und Thorsten Falke et al. machen erneut Sachen. In 24 mal 500 Worten. Drumherum schneit es, der Glühwein fließt, die Englein singen, es wird besinnlich. Vielleicht. Denn da gibt es noch diesen Toten im Schnee …

It never gets old: Tatort Hamburg-Vermissung mal wieder. Ich folge lose dieser Prompt-Liste. Und hoffe auf eine Punktlandung an Weihnachten.

Kenntnisse über Hamburg und seine diversen Weihnachtsmärkte: Vorhanden. Wissen über Polizeiarbeit: Still missing.

Wer noch ein bisschen mehr Vorweihnachtszeit mit Falke und Grosz verbringen möchte: Es gab da mal einen Adventskalender … Advent, Advent

Macht's euch schön, wo immer ihr mitlest und selbst schreibt!

[not-neverland06]

Broken Machinery

Pt. 1 (completed series)

Series Masterlist

Connor RK800 x fem!reader

A/N: If I tagged you it’s because you responded to a post where I asked if anyone was interested in Connor RK800 fan fiction (thanks for the support btw) As this is my first time actually “publishing” my writing, constructive criticism would be amazing. I just would love some honest feedback. I’m still working on figuring out navigation and master lists, so if you want to see all the parts for this series just click the tag Broken Machinery. The borders are the work of @saradika as is my navigation and masterlist images.

(I can’t be the only one that finds that gif ridiculously attractive)

Content Warnings: Cussing, Hank, Mentions of domestic abuse and brief mentions of crimes like rape (so brief, blink and you miss it), Carlos Ortiz’s house is a warning in itself that shit was nasty

Word Count: 3.6k

Series Summary: You and your grumpy partner Anderson gain a new addition to the team. He’s supposed to be CyberLife’s best, but there’s something not quite right with his programming, and the problems seem to revolve around you.

“Hi, I’m Connor, the android sent by CyberLife.”

Your head shoots up from where you had been filing a report. To your right an android was staring down at you, his hand outstretched and his head tilted to the side. He looked exactly like a puppy. Big brown eyes staring down at you in earnest sincerity, an eager tilt to his lips. Your eyes narrowed, CyberLife was getting a little too good at how life like these new models were getting. You shove the Manila folder into the filing cabinet under your desk and shake his outstretched hand. “Detective Y/N Y/L/N, why is CyberLife sending an android to me?”

Your feelings on androids weren’t as callous or as hate-filled as your partner’s Hank were, but the idea of them made you uncomfortable. They were so similar to humans, it was hard for you to believe that with all the intelligence and AI that went into them they were nothing more than a plastic doll. You had no android due to the discomfort of owning something so human.

So, why was CyberLife trying to recruit you into their trillion dollar cult?

“I’m an RK800 prototype designed to assist the police.” He pulled his hand back and fixed his head, his hands going behind his back. That ramrod straight posture he held himself with made your own back ache. “I’ve already assisted in hostage situations and have now been sent by CyberLife to investigate the increasing number of deviant cases.”

You couldn’t help but laugh to yourself, “Oh god, Anderson’s gonna love this.” Rubbing your hands across your face you leaned back in your chair, already dreading the pissy fit that’s gonna come from the drunk when he figures out he’s gonna have to work with an android.

“Are you referring to Lieutenant Hank Anderson? He’s the officer CyberLife sent me to.” Connor watched as you grabbed your jacket off the back of your chair and made your way to the front of the station. His footsteps immediately echoing yours. “I was told you were the best person to ask about his whereabouts.”

You grimaced, already knowing you were about to embark on a bar crawl, entirely too sober. “I’ve got a few good guesses, but if he doesn’t want to be found the bastard’s not gonna be found.” Connor’s long strides easily caught up with your own, he was fiddling with his cuff links as he turned his head to face you. Why the hell are they programming androids to fidget?

“I detect some hostility in your town. Is your relationship with the Lieutenant not agreeable?” You scoffed as you got in your car, Connor quickly getting into the seat next to you.

“Yeah, sure, that’s one way of putting it.” You ignored the head tilt and started driving.

Four bars later and you were struggling not to laugh your ass off at the sight of Hank face to face with an android. You couldn’t hear what they were saying, but you knew whatever it was, Hank wasn’t playing nice. It wasn’t until Connor bought him another shot that Hank finally got up and made his way to the door. He didn’t look very pleased to see you.

“You know about this?” You didn’t need to look to know what he was talking about as he pointed behind himself.

You shook your head, “He just popped up next to my desk like a stray puppy.” Hank rolled his eyes.

“There’s nothing cute about a plastic prick.” You chose to ignore him as you walked towards the exit.

Hank was already standing by his car when you realized he wasn’t following you. “Hey! What the hell are you doing?” Hank turned away from his car door and gave you a look that made you feel like shit on his shoe.

“Driving, the fuck does it look like I’m doing?” His words were slurred and he was leaning heavily on his car door handle. You stormed over to him and snatched his keys from his hand.

“You look drunk. I’m not gonna let you get yourself killed.” Before Hank could start another tantrum Connor interjected. You winced at the sound of his voice right next to you and Anderson. “Detective Y/L/N is right, your BAC is high above the legal limit. There’s a 75.76% chance that you would be involved in a car crash if you were behind a wheel.”

Dangling the keys in front of Hank you smirked, “See, even Connor agrees you’re a jackass.”

Connor’s head tilted and a little groove appeared between his brows as he frowned. “That is not what I said, Detective.”

“In the car, both of you.” You allowed no arguing from Hank, though he was still too angry at the android to actually focus any attention on you. Connor got in the back of the car as Hank took the passenger seat. You’d have to see if anyone coming off the patrol shift around here could come pick up your car. Jimmy’s bar wasn’t exactly the safest place to leave it, as beat up as the old Dodge was.

There was a flash of yellow in the rearview mirror as Connor’s LED worked before he was leaning into the front seat. “There’s been a body discovered, android involvement suspected, I’ve sent the address to your phone’s GPS.” You didn’t bother asking how he got your number or how he worked so fast, you just started driving as Hank cussed out androids under his breath.

“No comment.” You ignored the reporter's choice words on the DPD and made your way inside the house. You smiled to yourself at Connors voice ignoring Anderson’s order to stay in the car. “Your order contradicted my mission.” The smile quickly dropped as the rancid smell inside the house assaulted you. You’d seen a lot, and honestly the sight of a dead body bloated with gas wasn’t even that bad. But the smell was about to take you out.

“-dead about three weeks-” well that explained it. You tuned in and out of the briefing and made your way over to the body. Chris handed you a pair of gloves as you kneeled down and examined the stab wounds. “Talk about overkill.”

“Yes, he was stabbed twenty-eight times, which indicates a heightened level of aggression and emotion. If the android is involved it’s definitely deviant.” You jumped at the sound of Connor’s voice and slapped his arm.

“Jeez, give a girl some warning. I didn’t even hear you walk up.” Connor didn’t even flinch at the slap, if anything it might have hurt you more.

His head was tilted again and you actively had to shred up the thought that it was a cute habit. In reality, you were aware he was probably just recalibrating or scanning his environment. “Apologies Detective, I’ll make my presence known next time.” Then without warning he walked up to the murder weapon, dipped his fingers in the blood and-

Yeah, you were going to throw up.

“The fuck are you doing?” For once you weren’t opposed to Hank’s vulgarity. That was disgusting, you can’t believe Connor just licked the blood. Like it was fucking ice cream!

His LED stuttered from a calm blue to an alarmed yellow for a moment before settling back on blue. “I was designed to sample evidence detectives, my tongue has all the capabilities of a crime lab but with instantaneous results. Apologies for the alarm, I’ll make sure to give you a warning next time.”

Hank nodded, “Whatever, just… no more sticking evidence in your mouth.” Connor nodded and you asked if anything useful came out of that disgusting display.

“The blood belongs to Carlos Ortiz and is approximately nineteen days old.” You shook your head, “so nothing useful then?”

Connor frowned as you and Hank turned towards each other and effectively dismissed him. “There’s no fingerprints.” That gets your attention. “They could have worn gloves,” you and Hank both say it practically at the same time.

Connor shakes his head. “There’s no fibers or any traces of gloves used to cover fingerprints. I’m also seeing traces of thirium around the body.” You gave him a disbelieving look as you gazed at the ground. Blood, porno mags, old beer cans. No bright blue android blood in sight.

“Uh, Con, I’m not seeing anything. Hank?” He just shook his head and kept glaring at the android.

“You wouldn’t be able to see it detectives. After a few hours, thirium, what you call blue blood, becomes invisible to the naked eye.”

Hank nods, “You seeing anything else?” Connor nods his head and begins moving towards the kitchen. Hank goes back to the body to talk to Chris. Your curiosity gets the best of you and you follow Connor. He stops to look through the house before coming to a dead stop in the middle of the kitchen and just staring.

“Connor?” You wave your hand in front of his unseeing eyes. “Con-con? C-man? Connorific? Okay.” You had about a million more god awful nicknames up your sleeve but he was obviously up to something. You left him alone in the kitchen and turned down the hallway. It looked like Carlos’s bed was in a corner adjacent to the living room, you could only assume that this would be a bathroom.

Instinct stopped you in front of the curtains at the end of the hallway. To your left there was clear marking where a ladder should be. You slowly popped open your holster and reached towards the curtains. Your hands grasped the edges gently and you pulled-

“Jesus!” At the end of the hall you could hear some rookies laughing at you. You’d just gotten a heart attack from a bunch of brooms. Real professional Y/N, yeah you’re a real badass. You flipped off the uniformed cops and shoved your way through the bathroom door. “That was so embarrassing!” You screwed your eyes shut as your head thumped against the door frame. After a few deep breaths you finally looked around.

“What the fuck?” The words were whispered as you took in the decrepit bathroom. rA9 was carved into the walls and there was human blood surrounding a crudely carved deity. It looked almost like a sacrificial shrine. What could an android pray to? You kneeled down in front of the statuette to try and get a better look at it.

You didn’t realize you’d asked the question out loud until Connor answered and effectively destroyed your blood pressure. “Androids can’t pray or feel emotions. They deviate and experience glitches in their software that make them think they’re feelings.” You jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice. You would have fallen from your squatted position were it not for the gentle hand steadying your shoulder. Connor offered you a diplomatic hand up and you took it. Ignoring how nice his hand felt in your own. If an android is making me feel weak in the knees I really need to stop turning Reed’s offer down. The idea of actually going on a date with Gavin made your knees shake for other more insidious reasons.

“I believe that I have figured out how the murder took place, detective.” Connor was staring at you and you nearly mushed his face away so you didn’t have to look into his stupid puppy dog eyes.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got.” He led the way out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. “Hank!” Hank dismissed Chris and made his way over to the two of you. “Connor thinks he’s got it figured out.” A smug, almost amused expression came over Andersons face as he told Connor to give it his best shot.

“The struggle started here,” he moves towards the counter. “The victim attacked and damaged the android with a baseball bat. The android grabbed a knife and stabbed the victim. The victim struggled and tripped his way into the living room.” You’d made your way to the body and he kneeled in front of it. His head was tilted again as he examined Carlos and then he stood. “The android finished him off here and then used his blood to write this message ‘I Am Alive.’”

Hank seemed begrudgingly impressed. “Not bad, for a plastic doll.” You would have been shocked at his semi praise if you weren’t constructing your own mental image of what took place. Connor had said there were no prints going out the backyard, your mind went back to the missing ladder in the hallway.

Going to the kitchen you ignored Hank's questions as you set the chair up underneath the attic door. You’d seen the ads for the Eden Club, the disturbing pictures of nude women all over the victims fridge, his strange fascination with pleasure androids. You could only imagine the disturbing torture this poor android went through being under Carlos Ortiz’s care. It was hard not to have sympathy for it. If this was a normal case it’d be labeled as self-defense. Self defense after years of domestic and emotional abuse. A human would have an indisputable defense, an android gets deactivated and dissected. It didn’t sit right with you.

In fact, it really pissed you off.

“Detective, if I may?” Connor stopped you before you could climb the chair and instead got up and opened the attic.

“What are you two doing?”

Both you and Connor whipped around towards Hank like toddlers with their hands caught in the cookie jar. “Checking a hunch.”

“Uh-huh, just- just be careful.” Hank gave the both of you a disbelieving look and walked away. Connor made his way up to the attic and pulled himself up gracefully. He surprised you as you stepped up on the chair and offered you his hand. You grasped onto the edge of the attic entrance and prepared to pull yourself up, only to be cut off by your own yelp as Connor practically threw you inside. Android strength never failed to surprise you.

His hands were on your arms as he stabilized you before telling you in a hushed whisper to be quiet. “If you didn’t fucking throw me in here like I’m a flying squirrel I would be quiet,” you whisper shouted back at him. He ignored you as he moved through the attic.

You saw a shadow play across the curtain and on instinct alone your gun was in your hand. Your heart went out to the android but you weren’t risking anything with a deviant.

Connor motioned you behind him, you complied only because you thought a deviant would respond better to another android. A good call when out of nowhere an HK400 jumped out from a pile of boxes covered in blood. “Please,” he sounded so sad. So disparaged, your heart aches for him knowing what his fate would inevitably be. “Don’t tell them.”

“Connor, wait-“

“It’s in here!”

“Well I’ll be damned. Chris, get your ass over here!” You shook your head in disappointment, reaching for the android, ignoring the look of utter betrayal he was shooting at Connor, and you cuffed him. Connor grabbed him from you to direct him out of the attic. You ignored Connor and the strained praise Hank directed towards him as you directed the android to a patrol car.

“I’ll go in first, see how he responds.” Hank nodded as you made your way into the interrogation room.

“Hello, I don’t see a name in this file. Were you registered one?” Nothing, he just kept rocking back and forth. You’d seen this before in victims of domestic violence, rape, assault, other crimes of that ilk. It was jarring seeing something meant to be emotionless and empty showing such clear signs of PTSD. “Would you like to tell me what happened three weeks ago?”

He flinched at the mention of that night. “Or,” a brief look in your direction, “we could talk about something else.” That gained his attention.

“What is Detecive Y/L/N doing?” Connor was analyzing the androids stress levels and frowned at your method of interrogation. You were human, of course you wouldn’t be aware that you needed to stress the android out, not comfort it. Still, this wasn’t an efficient use of time or effort and Connor would prefer to deal with the deviant himself.

“She’s doing her job,” it was clear the Lieutenant was still not happy with Connors presence, briefly on the side of his vision he could see a new objective appear.

IMPROVE RELATIONSHIP WITH LIEUTENANT

He’d deal with that after the deviant. His attention moved back to you. “You were pre-owned. Were you a gift or purchased by Carlos? Do you have any memories of who you belonged to before?” Analyzing you he could see an elevated heart rate and a spike in your cortisol levels. You were quickly becoming frustrated with the one-way conversation. “Look, I’m trying to help you. They’re going to deactivate you and disassemble you. I’m trying to understand your side of things so maybe, just maybe, I can help you out. Get you out of this mess.”

The lack of response once again frustrated you. “I don’t even know why she’s bothering. Just shut the damn thing down and move on.” Connor hadn’t had time to deduce the reason Detective Reed had joined in the interrogation room, but judging on his elevated heart rate and testosterone spike when you spoke to him, Gavin was attracted to you physically.

“CyberLife sent me to catch deviants so they can better understand where the problem in their programming is coming from. I need all the information we can get from this HK400 to better understand the causes of deviancy and prevent them from occurring again.”

Before Gavin could respond you walked into the room. He’d been too distracted to notice that you had stopped interrogating the deviant. “Send Connor in.”

“Y/N?” You dismissed Hank with a wave of you hand and motioned for Connor to head to the other room.

“What’s the point? Why don’t you just rough it up a bit, it’s not human.” You rolled your eyes and tensed up at Gavin’s voice. Connor didn’t need an analysis to understand that you were uncomfortable around him.

“There’s no point, androids don’t feel pain. You would only damage it, and that wouldn’t make it talk. I could try questioning it, it might respond better to an android rather than a human.”

Hank and Y/N shared a look that Connor couldn’t analyze before Hank shrugged and waved his hand. “What have we got to lose?”

“They will deactivate you!” Connors' voice wasn't exactly made for threatening someone. It was kind of like a toddler threatening to tell their mom what you did. You could tell from Hank's face he was thinking the same thing and you were about five seconds away from caving Gavin’s face in if he kept making fun of Connor. You couldn’t help but want to defend him, he just had one of those faces you wanted to protect. Probably a purposeful move on CyberLife’s part.

“Do you understand that?” Oh, damn. You rescind all previous statements. Connor seemed to realize his method wasn’t working out, somehow his voice had gotten deeper, more husky. There was a small, eensy part of you that wouldn’t hate being in those handcuffs right now.

Android. He’s an android that’s probably built like a Ken doll. Get yourself under control.

You’d been a bit preoccupied being a pent-up horn dog to realize the deviant had started speaking. “I was scared… so I hid.”

“I’m done.”

“Well I’ll be damned, the bastard actually did it.”

Shit, you’d missed the whole thing. You’d have to go back and watch the tape later, and probably take a cold shower, because what the hell is wrong with you.

You made your way to the interrogation room, Chris took his cuffs out to take the android back to lock up. “Leave me alone!” He shoved away from Chris and curled up into himself.

“The fucks wrong with it?” Everything Gavin said made you want to run his face over a cheese grater.

Connor moved forward, “You shouldn’t touch it. It will self-destruct if it feels damaged.”

“Stay out of this, got it? No fuckin android is gonna tell me what to do.” You pushed forward and pulled Gavin back by the shoulder.

“Maybe listen to the fucking android dipshit, I think he’d have a lot more experience then you on the subject.”

Gavin shoved you off, “Get a fucking move on Chris!” Your hip slammed into the corner of the table and you were momentarily crippled by the pain. That’s gonna hurt like a bitch later!

You gently grabbed Chris’s arm and pulled him away from the android. “I can’t let you do that! If it self-destructs we’ll never get anything out of it!” Connor had positioned himself between the android and Gavin.

And then Gavin, supreme douchebag he is, pulls his gun, ignoring Hank's warning and completely violating protocol. You don’t even think before moving Connor behind you and drawing your own firearm.

“I said that’s enough!” Gavin looked towards Hank, both you and your partner had your guns pointed at him. Gavin pitched a fit before storming out of the interrogation room. Connor moved to comfort the android before giving Chris instructions on how to deal with him.

There was a heavy feeling of shame weighing upon your shoulders as you watched him walk towards the door. He paused and looked at Connor, “The truth is inside.”

Tag list:

@deviantsugaloaf @mechavee @cixteenyne @detroitbecomeonline @angellwingsss @fableworld @wannex @jokersscarrd @heart-full-of-gears @transparentwatertumbler @chickensandwich69 @blackholegladiator @sweeteatercat @androidposting @heiko-goes-detroit @leelany-world @lasisgood @harperhug @tictacno-stuff @bababoeey72

end. — I do not own the characters or the game Detroit: Become Human, but this writing is my own all rights reserved © not-neverland06 2023. do not copy, repost, translate & recommend elsewhere.

[deandoesthingstome]

Night Moves

Chapter 3

Pairing: Walter Marshall x OFC (Alexandra Pierce)

Series Summary: When Walter Marshall is called to investigate a homicide by the railroad tracks, he quickly uncovers an unsettling pattern. Alexandra Pierce just wants someone to find out what happened to her friend. She has some secrets, too. And Walter’s going to uncover them.

Word Count: 2661

Series Warnings: In general, this series will depict assault, murder, stripping, hooking, rough sex, make up sex, fingering, oral (m and F receiving), p in v sex in various positions, self-loathing, failed relationships, smoking, drug use, drug addiction, general violence, and maybe some comfort. +18, Minors DNI

Chapter Warnings: Grumpy Walter, general police investigation discussion, social work, mention of failed relationships.

Disclaimers: I do not own Walter Marshall, Night Hunter (Nomis), or any other characters from that movie, but I do own this OFC (Alexandra Pierce) and these words. Do not repost as your own. Likes, Reblogs, and Comments are more than welcome. It’s how I get my nourishment.

Header made by me, with pics found from Pexel.com and the internet. Dividers are not mine, but check out the masterlist for credit.

Playlist:  Night Moves Songs 8 - 11 Direct Spotify link here.

Masterlist

Walter shakes his head at Rachel with a frown and a deep crease in his brow as he steps through the door.

“Who was I trying to grab?” he asks, striding over to where Rachel has situated herself outside the bullpen. “Do we need to send a squad car out?”

Rachel heaves a sigh and rubs the bridge of her nose. 

“Alexandra Pierce. Says a friend of hers is missing, says she already tried to report it yesterday but that no one “gave a shit”, and wants to know what we're doing about it.” 

“What are we doing about it?” Walter widens his stance and crosses his arms in front of chest, tilting his head as he waits for Rachel’s reply.

“Well, I took down the particulars, but Ms. Pierce wasn’t interested in the standard answer of 'have you checked with her family?' Because apparently that was the same response she got yesterday and also her missing friend doesn’t have any family.”

“She seemed pretty upset on the way out. What’s the relationship if not family?”

“Says they know each other from the women’s clinic downtown, the one attached to the shelter. Ms. Pierce is a regular volunteer and her friend, one, uh…: Rachel flips her notebook open. “Trixie, Trixie McCabe. Hasn’t shown up in three days.”

“Okay, way to bury the lede, Rachel. ‘Trixie from the shelter’ sound like someone we might want to know about?” Walter glares at her with raised eyebrows and waits for the realization to sink in.

“Oh, fuck!” Rachel exclaims, a beat longer than Walter would have liked.

“Oh fuck is right. You got a number, an address for me?”

Rachel tears the slip of paper out of her notebook and holds it out for Walter. “I’m sorry. I can’t believe this didn’t click when she mentioned it.”

Walter takes a deep breath, desperate not to overreact and blow his top at Rachel. She’s not who his anger should be directed toward and he knows it. He reaches for the paper as he digs his cell out of the front pocket of his jeans.

The call rings to voicemail and he leaves his name and number with a message to call him back that he hopes sounds urgent enough.

“Alright, does she have your card too?” he asks, but Rachel shakes her head.

“She freaked out and walked before I could hand it over.”

Walter gives an exaggerated shoulder heave and eyeroll before dropping his arms to his side. It’s taking everything he has to control his temper at this moment, knowing he’s only just beginning to win Rachel’s trust again.

“What’d you say to her, Rachel? It’s not like you to upset a civilian reporting a crime.”

“I just asked how they knew each other and if her friend was a volunteer as well. She accused me of assuming Ms. McCabe was homeless and wondered if that was why no one cared to look for her. She started to raise her voice and I told her no one was accusing anyone of anything. I asked her to take a seat and try to calm down, at which point I’m sure you heard her exclaim and rush out.”

“Alright, well. I’m headed back out tonight after dinner. Gonna review those new files first. I’ll stop by her place on my way home and see if she’s around. Try to get some more information. You need anything else from me?”

Rachel shakes her head and apologizes again, to which Walter places a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“It could happen to anyone. Let’s just keep working the case, okay?”

He can see that Rachel knows he’s sugar-coating for her and he can see she appreciates it. She gives a tentative smile and nod before he heads to his desk to grab the files.

He grabs some takeout on the way home and sits at the kitchen counter, inhaling the burger before turning his attention to the files. There’s nothing new. Same M.O. Same shady locations. Same outcome. Women harassed while trying to survive. His blood is boiling.

He’s got some time before the clubs really get going, so he stretches out on the couch and shuts his eyes for a bit, but the words and pictures in the reports are swirling in his head and he can’t sit still any longer. He realizes he forgot the drive-by, so he grabs his keys and heads back out, punching the address into his phone’s GPS.

He presses the buzzer for the apartment number and waits a solid minute before buzzing again. No answer. As he’s about to leave, the door opens and a young couple bursts through, giggling and paying no attention to the scruffy man lurking outside their building. He shakes his head, even as he grabs the door before it closes, sliding inside and taking the stairs two by two to the 3rd floor.

He knocks on 305 with heavy knuckles, then listens for any movement inside. He tries once more, then turns as 306 opens across the hall.

“What’s all the racket?” a little, old lady calls, head peeking around the door.

Walter flips open his badge as he steps across the hall and tries to make himself as small as he can.

“Ma’am, I’m Detective Walter Marshall with the Minneapolis PD. Do you know the woman who lives across from you? Any idea where she might be?”

“What do you want with Alex? She hasn’t done anything wrong. You just leave her alone. She’s a good girl.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m sure. I just have a few questions for her. Would you happen to know where she is tonight?”

“Tonight? Oh, dear. What time is it? Alex is usually home from school by now. Well, unless she has her other job to get to.”

“Do you know where she works?”

“Well, the University, of course.”

Walter takes a deep breath while he tries to make sense of what this woman is saying. She goes to school? She works at a university? She has another job? Or the university IS her other job?

“She works at the university this late at night?”

“Oh don’t be ridiculous. Of course not.”

Walter takes another beat.

“Okay, well, do you know where her other job is?”

“Well why would I know that? What kind of trouble is she in?”

“She’s not in any trouble ma’am. She came by the station earlier and I have a few follow up questions for her. Look,” Walter grabs a card from his wallet. “Could I ask you to give her my card next time you see her? And please tell her it’s about her missing friend.”

The old woman reaches a papery skinned hand around the door and grabs the card tentatively, looking back up at Walter.

“What did you say this was about? What’s she done wrong?”

“She’s done nothing wrong, ma’am,” Walter holds in an exasperated sigh. “I just need to ask her some questions about a friend she reported missing. Could you give her my card when you see her?”

“Well she’s a good girl and I know she’s not mixed up in any trouble, so you just leave her alone.”

“Alright, ma’am,” Walter backs away from the door, realizing he isn’t going to get much farther here. “You have a good night.”

He dials Mick on the way to his truck, but gets no answer and then remembers Mick had a family emergency. He also remembers how grateful he was that the commander saw fit to let him run the investigation with just Rachel and some other canvassing officers for now. He knows it’s probably because “it’s just hookers” but he doesn’t care. He likes to work alone anyway.

I have to get out of here. I can’t take this pressure anymore. All the nagging and questions. Where’ve I been? Why am I getting home later and later? Why don’t I answer the phone? God, she never stops. Acting like she was worried about me when she just called to see if she could pick me up something to eat. 

I didn’t mean to hit her, but if she won’t stop running her mouth, I’ll stop it for her.

I need to think now though. I did a shit job and fucked up royally. Couldn’t clean up my mess, which I shouldn’t have to make anyway, but now I’m worried. Worried they’ll start looking for more. 

I need to figure out a more secure spot for the others. Or at least see if I can camouflage the area a little better so no attention is drawn.

I put the bitch’s phone and purse where they belong in the river, but I kept a souvenir. Ten of ‘em actually. Just a little reminder of how no one gives a shit about these anonymous cunts but me. Once I take care of the others, I’ll go back for it. She won’t find it. She’s so oblivious.

“You lost, honey? You look a little lost." Sasha sidles up to the bear of a man sitting in her section, who couldn't look more unhappy to be here. 

She’s sure he’s a cop. He has that look that says he wasn’t exactly pleased with the shift he’d pulled and she also thinks he looks vaguely familiar but can’t place where. He has definitely not been to the club before. She’d remember this guy for sure cause he reeks of exactly the kind of virile, commanding masculinity she craves. The kind that’s just barely tempered with a tinge of self-doubt. The kind she doesn’t find very often and certainly not here. These guys all think they’ve got something solid to offer but it’s usually blatant insecurity and misogyny masked by bravado. Which can signify a little danger but never the kind she looks for.

"You know me?"

Well that was odd, maybe he isn’t a cop.

"Don't think so. I thought you might … I mean, you’re not from here right? You don’t sound like you’re from here. Now, you don't look like you don't know your way around, but like, are you here for ...?"

"It's not personal. It's business."

"Right, yeah. Well, listen," her lips breeze past his ear while she bends seductively to give a better view of her cleavage. "Buy me a drink, lemme treat you nice for a minute or two, maybe act like you're actually enjoying yourself. Perhaps whoever you're here looking for won't notice you sticking out like a sore thumb."

"I don't..."

"C'mon, one drink. What's it gonna hurt?"

Sasha takes advantage of his hesitation and nods to Vic at the bar.

"We'll start a tab for you," she smiles, easing herself onto his lap sideways, one arm wrapping around his shoulder and the other reaching across for his hand on the table. Sasha moves it to her hip and presses a little. "Hold me tight now, wouldn't want to fall off this steep cliff here."

Sasha jostles a little with his chuckle, but he stills just as fast.

“You don’t like my joke?” she purrs into his ear. “Doesn’t feel like a joke. Feels like I sized you up just right. Now sit and talk with me while I finish this drink before I have to get back to work, okay?”

Sasha picks up the watery vodka soda Janelle has placed in front of her along with a soda for her mark. If this bar knew anything, it was how to cheat a customer but Sasha isn’t complaining. If she had to actually drink the full amount of liquor she convinced patrons to purchase for her in the course of an evening, she’d be flat on the floor in an hour and would never be able to step foot on the stage, let alone twirl around the pole with any kind of grace.

“I’m Sasha, by the way. Who am I toasting here?”

“Detective Walter Marshall.”

Fuck. Sasha chokes a little on her drink as she inhales too fast in surprise. She thinks about mentioning Trixie, but she's nervous now because if this guy is anything like the rest of the pricks down at the station, nothing she says is going to make any difference when she’s dressed like this. Plus the DJ is playing her cue song and she needs to get backstage in about five minutes. 

“Oh,” she swallows another sip and clears her throat, trying to stay calm to figure out why he’s here. “You need to talk to the owner or something?”

“I need to talk to whoever can help. Wondering if anyone has gone missing lately or if anyone suspicious has been hanging around the club lately, making anyone nervous.”

“Well, not that I recall specifically. Between you and I,” she leans in a little more to whisper in his ear, “most of these guys make me a little nervous.” She closes her eyes slowly at the way he seems to reflexively grip her thigh a little tighter, but he relaxes when she pulls back to look him in the eye.

Sasha wants to continue her conversation with the only person who has ever made her feel remotely safe in this club, and is a little amazed it took him all of fifteen minutes to do so with about three dozen words, but her time is ticking. Plus he’d never take her concern seriously. He’s not here for Trixie. He’s here for someone else.

She takes a final drink and slips off his lap, dragging a hand across his chest and arm. It’s a standard move. The dancers do it all the time when they’re trying to convince a guy to buy some private time, but she just wanted to be connected to him a little longer. The muscles she feels send a jolt of heat to her already pulsing core. This guy could do some damage for sure. 

“I gotta get to work, but it was nice to meet you,” she bends low again and smirks as he finally breaks, glancing down to view what she has on display. “Detective.” She licks her lips a little at that one, then turns to head backstage, hoping he’ll stay for the show.

Walter Marshall isn’t one for strip joints. It skeeves him out watching all these lonely bastards leer and ogle at scantily clad women, knowing full well they won’t be getting anything real out of the exchange. Knowing full well these women deserve better than to be hustling for dollar bills from guys who probably couldn’t get it up if they had someone who actually wanted to be near them.

But he stays a little longer than he should. He wants to see more of her. And he knows it is completely unprofessional, using the department's dime to build a picture of a woman he doesn’t know at all. Against every instinct he usually has about women who put themselves on display like this, he wants more of her.

Her candy pink hair is obviously a wig, but her tits are all real and gorgeous at that. She also had an amazing smile and he sorta wishes he’d smiled back at her. It’s a fantasy, he knows it. But he stays a little longer and shifts in his seat when she comes on stage. 

He can’t be sure, but it looked for a moment like she was looking right at him, smirking to see him watching. When she spins, her gaze is directed elsewhere for what feels like forever until she drops her back against the bar, legs hooked high, arms stretched wide before gliding down along her sides, cupping her own breasts, and eyes staring straight at him from her upside down position.

He really can’t take it anymore. He stands and hands a couple twenties to the server just passing by and nods down at his table where his untouched coke and Sasha’s half-emptied drink sit side by side. This is gonna be a long fucking night.

Chapter 4 

Taglist:

Anything: @kittenofdoomage​ @mayloma​ @sillyrabbit81​ @fvckinghenrycavill​ @kebabgirl67​ @beck07990​  @mysweetlittledesire​ @summersong69 @mollymal (I can’t tag you two, sorry) (Also throwing in a few from the old days for old times sake - tell me if you want off please: @littlegreenplasticsoldier​ @anotherwinchesterfangirl​ @sebbytrash​ @feelmyroarrrr​)

Night Moves: @luclittlepond @geraltsyenn4eva (I can’t tag you, sorry) @enchantedbytomandhenry @kingliam2019  @henryownsme  @littlefreya @identity2212 @marantha @angelcavill66 @sweetdreamsofgelato​ @jeremyrennermakesmesmile​

[voraciousvore]

In the Belly of the Giant (11/39)

Chapter 11

Joey managed to get some sleep, and first thing in the morning he hurried over to the police station. He was grasping at straws, hoping for any sort of lead to help him track down his missing girlfriend. His throat tightened up every time he thought about her, and how scared she must be. He forced back his tears and clenched his jaw with determination. He would find her. 

When he arrived at the police station, the first thing he did was check with the officers coming off of night shift to see if there was any new information. Nothing. Soon after, the secretary showed up to look at more mugshots. She looked tired and upset, with her auburn hair unkempt. She was good friends with Eren, and the human’s disappearance had disturbed her greatly. She felt terribly guilty for leaving Eren at the clinic alone with that perfidious, disreputable giant. Perhaps, if she had been there, she could have prevented the abduction. 

Ray showed up to work with a truckload of cinnamon rolls to share and lots of coffee. He gave Joey a sympathetic pat on the shoulder with a cup of fresh coffee and guided him to the morning briefing. Joey, normally so punctual and sedulous regarding his work, was so distraught that he wasn’t paying attention to the time or any of his usual responsibilities. He couldn’t focus on anything that wasn’t related to his girlfriend’s predicament. 

After the meeting, Joey checked back with the secretary. He ran into her in the hallway on his way there. “Joey!” the giantess exclaimed excitedly. “We found out who he is!” 

Joey perked up. His blood started to flow. “Really?”  

“Yes!” They rushed over to the photographs and she pointed to a seedy, slovenly man who matched the police sketch to an uncanny degree. “That giant there.” Joey regarded the mugshot with a scowl. The giant’s name was listed underneath his photo: Jake “the Snake” Stiles. Joey quickly obtained a copy of the photograph and the criminal’s file detailing his long list of sordid crimes, which included multiple instances of burglary, auto theft, violent assault, and drug dealing. He reviewed the file, scouring it for any pertinent information. His blood was boiling. He wanted to find this man and slaughter him. 

He took the file straight to the police chief. The chief was a big, rotund, bald giant with ruddy cheeks who was perpetually sweating and grumpy. He was sitting inside his office, reviewing some paperwork, when Joey presented him with the updated news. 

“I have a suspicion that Eren’s abduction is linked to the other missing humans from the boarding school,” Joey explained. “If we find this man, hopefully we can find the others. Please, sir. Put me on the case.” 

The police chief regarded him with a skeptical eye. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m not assigning you this case. We’ll get someone else to handle it.” 

Joey balked. “What?! Why?! I’m heavily invested in this case! I know I can solve it! I need to find Eren!” He couldn’t keep the hysterical edge out of his words as he raised his voice with passion. 

“Exactly. That’s the problem. You can’t be objective when you’re this emotional. I can’t have you making reckless decisions and jeopardizing the investigation,” the police chief lectured sternly. 

“But… but, sir,” Joey protested, “she’s my girlfriend…” He balled up his fists so hard that his nails dug into his palms. “I need to have some involvement at least.” 

The police chief huffed, and leaned back in his chair in contemplation. He massaged his forehead with his chubby fingers. “Fine. Whatever. You can work with the officers whom I give the case. However!” He pointed his fat sausage of a finger belligerently for emphasis. “You’re not in charge, and you’re on a very short leash. You don’t make any moves without express approval first. And you’ll still have to work any other jobs you’re given. Do I make myself clear?” 

“Yes sir.” Joey straightened up and gave a terse nod. 

“Now go out on patrol with your partner, and do your investigating on your down time while you’re out. Remember, any calls you get on your radio, you answer.” 

Joey nodded again to acknowledge he understood and stiffly walked out. He was fuming, but at least he was still involved with the case, if not directly. He begrudgingly admitted, to a limited extent, that the police chief had a point. He would be more prone to riskier, perhaps even illegal and unethical, actions with how desperate he was to get Eren back. He certainly would be willing to break police protocols to protect her. If he found Jake the Snake, he wasn’t sure he could stop himself from murdering him in a fit of rage. 

Ray was waiting for Joey in the police cruiser. Joey sat down brusquely and slammed the door closed, a bit harder than he intended. 

“Everything alright?” Ray asked, pausing midway to sipping his coffee. 

“Besides my girlfriend getting kidnapped? No, not really,” Joey griped. “I wanted to focus on saving her, but the police chief claimed I was too emotionally involved and put someone else in charge of the case.” He gritted his teeth. “He said we could still investigate, as long as we didn’t take any rash action and didn’t have any other calls to attend to.” 

“Well, what are we waiting for then? Let’s go!” Ray responded. Joey was grateful to have a good, supportive partner like Ray. “We can patrol the rougher side of town and see if we can find anything. You never know, we might get lucky.” 

“Alright.” Joey pondered his next course of action. “I should probably call Eren’s father and update him on what’s going on.” 

Mr. Henderson didn’t bother to go to work that day. Work was irrelevant compared to the fate of his daughter. In fact, he didn’t even bother to get out of bed. He was miserable. He felt like a steaming pile of hot garbage. He had collapsed in bed the previous evening, hungry and depressed, hoping that he was just dreaming and he would soon wake up from the living nightmare he found himself inexplicably trapped in. The night came and went, and he was still here. He had slept a bit, maybe collectively a couple hours through the long night. He had no energy or motivation to move. His empty belly was cramping up with hunger but he refused to eat anything. His gigantic body needed food to function but he didn’t have the willpower to overcome his paralyzing inertia. 

He stared at the ceiling, watching phantasmagorical horrors parade through his mind’s eye as he imagined what Eren might be going through. He was terrified for his daughter, and felt weak and powerless in the face of the overwhelming obstacles before him. He had no ability to help her or overcome his own depravity. He just wanted to lay in bed and shrivel up and die, like a withering plant without sunlight or soil. Eren was the sunshine in his life: Without her, he couldn’t escape the darkness smothering him. 

He was brought out of his languid stupor by the sound of his phone ringing. He fumbled for the phone on his nightstand and checked the caller ID. Joey! He prayed for good news and tapped the call button. “What’s going on Joey?” he croaked frailly, his voice hoarse. 

“We found out the identity of the giant who stole Eren,” Joey replied. He sounded irritable and tired. “He’s known as Jake the Snake on the street. Now we just have to locate and arrest him, and hopefully discover where Eren disappeared to.” 

“That’s good,” Mr. Henderson responded feebly. He was hoping for better news, but he supposed any progress was a step in the right direction. He didn’t know anyone by that name, but he doubted he knew any human traffickers either. “Keep me posted.” 

“Alright. I gotta go. The sooner I get to work, the sooner we’ll find Eren,” Joey said, and hung up. Mr. Henderson let the phone slip from his hand onto the bedspread and sighed. He could feel another migraine coming on, so he gulped down some pills with a glass of water, straining not to envisage anything grotesque or throw up in the process. His stomach growled pugnaciously and he cringed. With his body fighting against him with such truculence, it was going to be a very long day. 

In the meantime, Joey and Ray piloted their police cruiser in the places where they were most likely to run into criminal activity. Joey didn’t like going to the more dilapidated areas of town, since they were dangerous hotspots for gangs and crime, and he definitely wouldn’t take Eren anywhere near them. They drove past run-down buildings and small shops with faded signs and iron bars on the windows. Scribbles of ugly, offensive graffiti were spray painted on walls and street signs. The bushes and trees were dead and scraggly, with gnarled branches devoid of green foliage. Stone and cement crumbled into unrecognizable, abstract shapes, like the devastated ruins of an ancient civilization. 

They wandered through this ravaged landscape, searching for breadcrumbs. The summer heat radiated off the cracked pavement in distorted ripples. Within the dreary wastes of brown and gray stalked Stygian shadows of people. Joey scrutinized these daytime ghouls as the police cruiser passed them, and the somber ghouls glared back with simmering resentment. None of them resembled the giant he was hunting. 

The relatively flat urban sprawl gave way to grimy apartment buildings made of moldy bricks that appeared mostly empty, with several busted windows. Weeds and dead grass sprouted in the alleyways and poked through cracks in the sidewalk. The cop car next entered a squalid industrial park that looked like it hadn’t seen any activity in decades. As they drove through a row of abandoned warehouses, Joey spied some cars obscured behind a building in a gravel lot nearby. The gleaming cars were conspicuous in that they were oddly well-maintained and expensive for the area. They lacked scratches, dents, broken glass, stolen parts, or damage of any kind, which was unusual for this part of town. Joey grew suspicious. 

“Hey, Ray, don’t you think those cars over there seem kinda suspect? Maybe we should-” Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the police scanner. The two cops listened pensively. 

“We’d better respond to that call,” Ray said. 

“Unfortunately, yeah,” Joey agreed. “The police chief ordered us to answer any calls. My inclusion in Eren’s case was contingent upon it.” Ray drove off, and Joey kept his eyes peeled for Jake the Snake. As the day wore on, and the officers continued about their business and scoured the town for the culprit, he soon forgot about the warehouses and the cars. 

Chapter 12

Chapter 1

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Bad River by Marc Cameron

Arliss Cutter #6

Excellent ~ Wonderful addition to the Series ~ Couldn’t put it down!

What I liked:

* Arliss: U.S. Marshall, ex-military, strong, capable, lethal, team player, there for his family and friends, hunter of men, lives by his Grandpa Grumpy’s rules and shares them with his nieces and nephews, a man I would want on my side

* Lola: U.S. Marshall, partnered often with Arliss, in a relationship with Joe Bill Brackett, strong, focused, great at her work, thinks of Arliss as a big brother, from “Down Under”, growing as the series progresses

* The prologue of missing Willadean and how it played into the plot – she had so much to live for and then was suddenly gone

* Catching up with Arliss’s widowed sister-in-law Mim, his niece and nephews, finding out how they are doing, and the way the relationship between Arliss and Mim is progressing

* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing

* The Dupree thread in the story and how he was eventually taken down

* Finding out how and why Arliss’s brother Ethan died/was murdered

* Tony Caprese: newbie pilot who finds himself and grows a pair in this story – would like to see him again

* Detective Jan Hough: strong, resilient, went through a lot, hope she shows up in the future

* The police procedural aspects of the story and the way everything was tied up

* Too many things to list, actually

What I didn’t like: * Who and what I was meant not to like

* Thinking about the ways a person can die in Alaska…oh my!

* Thinking about the evil people are willing to do for greed…and the crimes in this book

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

From a remote village perched on Arctic permafrost to the Badlands of South Dakota, searching for answers about his brother sets Arliss Cutter on an icy trail of murder and madness into the darkest heart of the Alaskan wilderness. In the Inupiaq village of Wainwright on the Arctic Ocean, two teenagers discover a frozen body in the permafrost wall of their family’s cellar. They recognize the face through the ice. It is the face of a young woman who went missing—two years ago . . . In South Dakota, Arliss Cutter searches for answers surrounding his brother’s mysterious death. But his visit only raises more questions without any leads. Until he returns to Alaska—and learns that his brother had something in common with the frozen body in the ice cellar . . . Inside the young woman’s pocket is a fossilized animal tooth—similar to the one Arliss’s brother picked up on a trip to South Dakota. A bizarre coincidence? Or are the two connected somehow? Before Arliss can figure it out, his brother’s widow and children become the targets of a brutal home invasion. Arliss arrives on the scene in time to save them—but his actions trigger a larger investigation that puts his own neck on the line. From South Dakota to Anchorage to the Inupiaq villages of the Arctic, Arliss follows this bloodstained trail of clues to a remote lodge on the banks of the Kobuk River. Here, in this unforgiving wilderness, he will find the answers he seeks. Here, in this untamed, often violent land, he will come face to face with the terrible truth—and the man behind his brother’s murder . . .

[toad-games]

@agentnatesewell you have enabled me. Brace yourself for some serious rambling.

Park ranger AU speed run

-Olive is a park ranger working for the national forest that surrounds Wayhaven. I have yet to come up with a clever name for this forest.

- The rangers are helping the police department in the search for a missing woman Janet Greenland who was last seen entering the woods with no evidence of any kind of hiking or camping gear

- Olive was supposed to wait for a police officer (Douglas maybe) so they can look together but after waiting twenty minutes for him she’s fed up and leaves on her own.

- She is also going to check on a trail cam the park service installed because there have been an increased amount of mauled animal carcasses that are getting worryingly close to town

- While she’s checking on the trail cam footage, she sees something… strange on the video. Before she can look closer she is knocked to the ground by something that she can’t see. She thinks she sees shapes in the trees, but whatever they are they’re gone before she can get a better look.

- Thoroughly spooked she runs for a defunct ranger station she knows is nearby and while she’s running trips over something

- Congratulations Olive you found Janet Greenland!

- She radios down to the station that she found the body, and she’s trying to give her position when she’s knocked to the ground again, she feels something at the back of her neck claws or teeth or something but the weight is gone in a moment, all she can see is two people rolling on the dirt fighting tooth and nail

- She decides that is wayyy above her pay grade and bolts for the Ranger station and locks herself inside. She’s eventually rescued by Captain sung. She asks him if he needs to take her statement about the body. He looks real grumpy and says that because the murder happened on national forest land this is no longer under his jurisdiction. She asks if she’s going to have to talk to the FBI. No, worse. You’re going to have to talk to your mom

- In my mind “The Agency” is almost like… a consultant for the FBI? If things get too freaky they pass them onto The Agency. This isn’t super important to the AU but it just makes some kinda sense to me

- UB is still charged with protecting olive cuz she still has the very special blood that Murphy craves so much, but instead of UB coming to assist Detective Olive, Ranger Olive is tasked with helping UB to search the forest, and be the main point of contact between the parks service as well as the local police force. Why? Because Captain sung has a soft spot for her despite her troublemaker teenage years, because I can’t stop thinking about how Sung was like Rook’s Tina and how that would affect his relationship with Olive. Is this how real investigations work? Who knows we’re here for a good time

More random details under the cut cuz this is already too long and I don’t have a firm grasp on a plot!

- First of all I wanna really lean into the more horrific side of the supernatural stuff. I need to take the spooky dial and crank it until it snaps off.

- Starting with Wayhaven itself. A thing that always bothered me about Wayhaven is the town is supposed to be a central part of the story, but it feels so unmoored because of its lack of concrete details. In a way that’s nice you can picture whatever you want but Wayhaven doesn’t feel real to me. And not in a fun spooky liminal space way, but in a kind of lazy storytelling way (pls don’t come for me). Which I can understand, researching is a lot when all we’re here to do is smooch vampires, buuuuuut what if Wayhaven wasn’t in a sense real? Like, what if no one outside of the town has ever heard of Wayhaven before?

- When Olive left for college she could never explain to her friends where Wayhaven was. She would try and the details would just kind of slip away. It’s very difficult to get to, people get turned around a lot and sometimes it just seems impossible. If Wayhaven doesn’t want to be found it won’t be. But at the same time Olive can’t seem to stay away no matter how hard she tries. 

- So even before Olive became a sort of supernatural magnet/beacon Wayhaven was just that, a haven for supernatural people because it was so easy to hide there.

- Olive went to university and double majored in biology and natural resource management. Verda was one of her professors, and she ends up as his TA and they become very close, mentor/mentee kind of relationship. Even after she isn’t his TA anymore Eric still insists she come over for dinner every other Sunday, and the girls adore her, so she ends up kind of adopted by them.

- in fact that when Olive can’t seem to get a job at any of the national or state parks she applies to (which doesn’t make sense she’s perfectly qualified and Verda gives her a glowing recommendation) and she can only land a job as a ranger in the park surrounding Wayhaven, Verda decides to follow her and moves there as well. He wants somewhere quieter to raise his family and even though Olive had a Not Great childhood there she knows it isn’t because Wayhaven is a bad place to live. I think Verda would still work for the police department in forensics, but Olive steers clear of the station she wants nothing to do with that place.

- Tina is Olive’s childhood friend, really the only one she had, and she is a firefighter :)

- Instead of settling into a warehouse, UB move into the old Ranger station/cabin olive hide from them in. Not quite as big as the warehouse, but big enough that no one has to share rooms at least. Nate has still made it very cozy. The library actually takes up most of the first floor, they knocked down a few walls to make it open and bright but there’s still a good social  area, pool table, and a much nicer kitchen than what the ranger station had before. The yard is transformed as well. It’s hemmed in by the forest, but there’s a good training area and a fire pit. The outside still looks shabby, until you cross some magic boundary thing. Most of the bedrooms are on the second floor, but Mason’s is actually in the attic, there’s a dormer window that you can get out onto the roof.  

- Olive drives a forest green 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee that used to belong to Rook. Its name is Hank. It is old. it is not particularly reliable. Olive loves it more than life itself and refuses to get another car.

- I’m not sure why Bobby is in Wayhaven, I haven’t quite figured out the extent of their relationship. Eternally on again off again situationship ever since college?? Serious enough that they were living together and then moved to Wayhaven together? I stay pondering

I have a billion WIPs (mostly Baldur’s Gate related sorry) but I am once again thinking of a Park Ranger AU for Wayhaven…. The possibilities….

[mmsapataoltda]

Heartbeat (PART 2)

check the tags for trigger warning. In case anyone is in doubt this happens in 146 so Lin is 26 and Tenzin 27

I don't know how to put a link here so part 1 is fixed in my page

fic under the cut

After Lin returned from her tour on the Island with Izumi close at her heels, Tenzin could notice her slightly swollen eyes and how she kept away from social interactions as much as possible. Kya was also watching her from across the room. The joy she felt when Lin and Tenzin announced the expected baby was slowly coming apart as she watched the earthbender interact with her baby brother. She didn't know if she felt worse because she was jealous of her brother or because she couldn't be overjoyed anymore by the little-announced news.

After all the guests had left, Lin and Tenzin said their good night to the family and retired to Tenzin's room. Lin's stillness was making Tenzin worried, he was used to her closing down when she didn't want to talk about something that made her uncomfortable, but this was different. She looked scared. But when she turned off the light on the lamp on her side of the bed said good night and then rolled over on her back to sleep, he figured it would be better for both of them if he just snuggled her body against his.

The next morning, right after breakfast, Lin was sitting on one of the beds at Katara's healing hut on Air Temple Island. Tenzin was sitting in a chair in front of the bed, watching Lin as serious as she could be. She was apprehensive, Tenzin knew, and made a point of staring at the wall behind him like it was the most interesting thing in the world in an effort not to look at him.

- Everything will be fine, Lin. - he said trying to calm her down, but she just directed her impenetrable gaze to him

- You don't know that. – she replied firmly – This child is growing inside of me, there is a high chance of her being born with three eyes.

The screen doors separating the room from the rest of the healing hut opened and Tenzin immediately rose to his feet to carry the basin of water Katara had brought with her and set it on the nightstand beside the bed Lin was occupying.

- Hi sweetheart – Katara greeted Lin affectionately as she approached the bed – Can you take off your shirt and turn to get started? - Lin nodded and did what Katara had asked, turning over in bed with only his bindings and sweatpants

Katara approached again with her hands covered with water and placed them on the metalbender’s chest, she opened her mouth to speak to Lin, but Tenzin interrupted her:

- Aren't you going to examine the baby first? - he asked anxiously

- I didn't know you were a healer, Tenzin. – the waterbender Master said ironically and resumed her consultation. Lin was pressing her lips together to keep from laughing at the face Tenzin had made at her mother's reply – I'll ask you some questions, okay? – the earthbender nodded – I need you to try to be as exact as possible with the dates. I assume you weren't trying to get pregnant. - was the first question

- No. - Lin and Tenzin replied together after exchanging looks

- When was your last cycle?

Lin pondered for a while, doing the math in her mind.

- 5 weeks.

- Did you have sex during this period? – Katara's question made Tenzin red

- Yes. - It was Lin who answered

- How long are you late? – she asked and moved the water to Lin's back

- About 15 days. My cycles are not regulated, I always end up missing one or two due to stress at the Police Station.

- When was the last time you had sex?

- Mom... - Tenzin objected, turning almost scarlet, receiving a reproachful look from his mother

- Two days ago. – Lin replied, ignoring Tenzin's objection and Katara nodded and moved her water-covered hands away from Lin's body

- You can lie down, I'll start examining the baby.

Lin did as the healer asked and soon Katara's hands were on her stomach.

- How did you find out you were pregnant?

- I can hear the heartbeat through the earth. – Katara smiled with this information

- I believe the baby was the person she was listening to last night. – it was Lin's turn to nod but Katara and Tenzin noticed her stiffen at the mention of Toph

Katara asked a few more questions about Lin's health as she moved her hands around her abdomen before stepping away and returning the water to the bowl beside the bed. Lin put on her shirt and sat down next to Tenzin on the other side of Katara's desk.

- Well... Lin, your weight is excellent for your height. The baby is approximately 5 weeks old and has a strong and regular heartbeat. – she paused in her notes – There is only one thing that worries me. – Lin shifted in her chair suddenly uncomfortable, she knew something wouldn't be right – Toph's pregnancies were very delicate, especially with Su. She had pre-eclampsia both times and with Su she went into premature labor because of it, thanks to the Spirits I managed to reverse the situation and Su was born close to the scheduled date. With that you have a genetic predisposition to have a risky pregnancy. As you said yourself, you are under a high level of stress at work and this is already causing changes in your blood pressure. This can cause complications for you and the baby's health. – Tenzin moved his hand to reach Lin's and squeezed it gently, but Lin didn't respond to the gesture – Under these circumstances I suggest you take maternity leave within the next few weeks. 

- No way! – Lin exclaimed, pulling her hand away from Tenzin's touch and crossing her arms, she should have seen it coming

- Lin, try to be reasonable. – Tenzin asked quietly

- Tenzin, no! I'll have to stay away for almost a year when the time comes, I won't be locked inside the house for another seven months doing nothing, this will end up leaving me more stressed than the Police Station. – she turned her attention to Katara – Katara with all due respect, but I will not stop working unless absolutely necessary.

- I knew you would react like that. – Katara made a few more lines of notes before addressing them once more – You can work until your fifth month of pregnancy… – Lin opened her mouth to thank her, but Katara raised her hand to interrupt – Dont thank me yet, i'm not done. But until then you will work in the office, no fieldwork.

- What? – Lin almost yelled and her eyes widened in protest, but Katara paid little attention

- No patrols, no field investigations, no stakeout for 36 hours and no operations. And I know this is important to you, but you're also going to have to start slowing down with your workouts.

- Katara… - Lin tried to argue, but Katara continued

- And that is absolutely necessary. I'll talk to Chief Song myself if needed to. - Lin snorted and tightening the knot she made with her arms - Due to the delicacy of the pregnancy I will also ask you to stop drinking coffee and take appointments every two weeks.

- Something else? – Lin asked completely grumpy

- That is all.

And in the blink of an eye, Lin was up and out of the room.

Tenzin found her in the living room crosslegged on the window sofa as she turned the pages of the book she was reading almost aggressively.

- Lin. - he called her gently passing through the small crack in the door, but she ignored his presence. Tenzin rubbed a hand across his forehead and sighed before approaching her with slow steps – Lin. – he repeated and knelt on the floor in front of her, gently lowered the book she was using to hide her face and rested his hands on the metalbender’s knees

- I'm scared, Tenzin. – she confessed almost in a whisper – I'm not sure of anything about my life right now and it scares the shit out of me. First I was scared to be like the Chief, now I have to be away from my job otherwise I might end up losing the baby. Tenzin… – he approached her, snuggling between her thighs and lifting a hand to caress Lin's waist – I'm so confused. I never wanted this, I didn't want to have a baby, but now I'm pregnant and I'm not hating it, but at the same time it has my job and Chief Song has nominated me for the Captain's exam...

Tenzin had to compose himself with the revelation of that information, she hadn't said anything about the nomination. Lin looked down to meet the airbender's eyes and he noticed that her eyes were filled with fear, that feeling looked so wrong in Lin's eyes, she was always brave, always gave herself to the things she wanted, he couldn't let her feel that way.

- You can be sure about one thing: I'm here for you and I will always be, no matter what. And I'm sure you're going to do what's possible and impossible for our baby because you're like that, you give yourself to the things you commit to. – Lin smiled gratefully at him and tilted her head to the side – Now about your work… – Lin tensed again – I'm sorry this isn't going the way you planned and that this will interfere with your work, I know how important it is to you. But I'm here for you and I know you're going to be Capitain and then AC and then Chief.  – he smiled  – We can make this work. You could move to the Island, you would be closer to my mother and I could take care of you. We can turn the room next to mine into a nursery, we'll let Kya decorate it with all those cute baby things… – Lin laughed at the same time a tear escaped her eye – We can get married.

- On that hill I like with view to the city. - she completed placing her hand over his on her waist and reaching for the other to intertwine their fingers

- On that hill you like.

- I could do that.

The weeks went by smoothly, and Lin's move to Air Temple Island was accomplished with two flying bison trips under the supervision of Sokka and Aang that wouldn't let her lift a pin, let alone a box. At each appointment with Katara, she would tell her that everything was running smoothly, that she just needed to pay attention to her stress level and her diet. A few days after completing the 12th week Tenzin was responsible for a big spike in her blood pressure.

- You´re showing! – he almost yelled when Lin appeared in the room among the steam from the bathroom only wearing her panties and her bindings while drying her hair with the towel, she almost left the floor at his sudden reaction

- No, I am not. - she said immediately pulling the towel from her hair and looking at her stomach

- Yes you are! – Tenzin jumped out of bed and grabbed Lin's wrist dragging her back into the bathroom

He doubled a gentle stream of air on the mirror to defog, positioned Lin in front of him, and turned her on her side. Lin fixed her eyes on the reflection of her belly on the mirror and found what Tenzin was referring to. It was a small bump, it was almost imperceptible, but it was there. The earthbender ran a hand over her stomach, feeling the lump and couldn't help the smile that formed on her face.

- It's our baby. – Tenzin said hugging her from behind placing his soft hands on the small bump and placing a series of kisses on Lin's exposed neck, who immediately started to feel hot and tilted her head to the side so that Tenzin had better access to her skin 

The kisses became wetter and firmer, then Lin moved Tenzin's hands to her breasts squeezing it lightly, which made her let ou a little moan. She turned and brought their lips together in a needy kiss wrapping one leg around his hip, Tenzin realized what she wanted and then lifted her other leg holding Lin firmly on his hip by the thighs and walked with her in his arms to the bed

Tenzin was definitely loving the pregnancy hormones.

Lin was lying comfortably on his chest stroking Tenzin’s sternum as he drew large circles on Lin's bare back.

- Do you think Kya can find out if it's a boy or a girl? – he asked after placing a kiss on Lin's black hair.

- We don't need Kya to find out. – she replied raising an elbow to look at him – I know it's a girl.

- Oh? – Tenzin raised an eyebrow as well

- Beifongs don't have male children.

Thinking of the Beifong family tree Tenzin realized that Lin was correct. Lao was the only male child among three sisters, Poppy had only one sister and had an only daughter, Toph, who also had only daughters.

- But we can talk to her after dinner, I'm sure she'll be more than happy to tell everyone that she found out. - Lin commented lying down again on the airebnder’s chest 

- I bet she will.

Unlike what they expected, Kya didn't show up for dinner. Katara said she was in her room packing her things to leave the next morning. Lin's heart clenched at the news, she didn't want her to leave, a selfish part of her wanted to keep Kya close so she could feel her heady presence that made her so confused. After Tenzin excused himself to take a phone call in his office, Lin did the same and went to Kya's room, something was wrong and she knew.

Lin knocked on the door, but loud music drowned out the sound, the metalbender opened the door a crack and she could see Kya stuffing clothes into her suitcase as she muttered to herself. Lin cleared her throat to announce her presence and Kya flew nearly three feet off the ground but didn't turn to her, the waterbender brought her hands to her face and took a few deep breaths before turning to face her. The waterbender didn't greet her with a bright smile as she always did, instead her eyes were sad and puffy and the tip of her nose was red. Lin raised her hand toward the radio and turned her fingers to turn off the device.

- Are you leaving. – it wasn't a question

- Yes. – Kya replied trying to sound firm and went back to stuffing clothes in her suitcase

- Why? – Lin asked entering the room, but Kya didn't answer her, just started to form a ball with the piece in her hand and threw it on the bed aggressively – Kya. What's happening? – Kya turned to her and once again Lin was surprised to see the piercing blue eyes filled with tears, Lin always knew that Kya cried at a drop of a hat but there was nothing that could explain it

- I can't be here right now. – Kya's answer only made Lin more confused – I'll come back when you enter the eighth month to help with the delivery, but I can't… – A sob escaped her lips and Kya covered her face to hide her tears

Instinctively Lin approached her, grabbed her wrists and gently pulled her hands away from her face. Still holding one of Kya's hands, Lin raised the other to the waterbender’s face and touched it with the greatest gentleness in the world, as if it would break with any careless touch. At first Kya was transfixed by the closeness she was from the metalbender, but she let herself feel comfortable as callused hands whiped her tears.

When Lin's hand lowered again, without noticing Kya mirrored Lin's gesture touching her face, she didn't seem bothered by the touch, so Kya ran her thumb over the twin scars on her cheek. They weren't smiling, they were afraid that any movement would break the spell surrounding them. The waterbender tried to absorb every detail of Lin's face, she wanted to kiss her. Lin's eyes were fixed on Kya's lips and she wondered if they were as soft as they looked. But suddenly Kya's touch faltered and she let out a soft breath.

- That's why I need to go. – Kya said fighting back tears and took her hand away from Lin's face.

The metalbender instantly missed the touch and watched silently as Kya closed her suitcase threw it over her shoulder and walked through the doorframe with just a "Good night Lin" and left leaving Lin standing and confused in the middle of her own bedroom.

When Lin returned to her’s and Tenzin’s room, Tenzin was lying on the bed while reading a book. She could feel that her cheeks were still hot and they sure were red. Tenzin lowered the book and sat up, noticing his girlfriend’s lost gaze.

- Lin, what's wrong? - he asked worried. 

Tenzin's voice brought her back to reality and she blinked a few times to clear her thoughts of what had happened, or nearly happened, in Kya's room.

- Nothing. – she replied with a brief smile – Everything is fine. – she watched Tenzin's shoulders relax immediately.

- What did Kya say? - he asked anxiously

- That's a girl.

The way Kya left the next day left Lin thoughtful and distant for the next few days. She didn't understand what they were or where those feelings related to the waterbender came from, but she knew one thing: she missed Kya. That didn't mean she didn't love Tenzin, of course she loved him, with every beat of her heart, so what Kya made her feel made her even more confused. So, as with all the feelings she wasn't going to talk to anyone about, she stuffed them inside a little box and pushed them into a corner of her mind where she could pretend they didn't exist.

Along with the 14th week of pregnancy came the exam to select the next Captain of the Republic City Police Department. The theoretical part for the Captain's exam was being applied and all the Lieutenants of the 15th Class were gathered in the brifing room with their faces buried in scrolls reading and writing, Lin Beifong was the only Lieutenant of the 16th Class present. After explaining the entire situation to Chief Song, he did not allow her not to take the test with the other Lieutenants of the 15th class.

- This test is a mere formality, I have already made my decision, you will be the next Captain. Yoy will take the exam and as soon as you come back from maternity leave you will assume the post. - he said

And that's how she ended up sitting in the back of the brifing room for a four-hour test. Occasionally her right hand would leave its resting place beside the paper to caress the belly completely imperceptible to outside eyes hidden under her armor, which was no longer being so comfortable. Her foot remained barefoot against the floor as the heartbeat of the small baby growing in her womb soothed her.

Later that day, Lin and Tenzin were sitting on their bed, their backs against the headboard, she had just told him about how the test had gone and about all her expectations in that matter, Tenzin assured her that there was nothing she should worry as Chief Song had already made his decision that she would take over after her maternity leave, his hands never leaving Lin's stomach as her cold hands covered his.

She reached over to her bedside table to pick up the book about pregnancy Katara had given her, which had been hers during her pregnancies. Lin was devouring the book. Each chapter talked about what to expect in each week of pregnancy and what was happening with the baby in that week, as she completed each week she read a new chapter and reread it several times until completing the next. That night Lin couldn't contain her anxiety and ended up reading the chapters about the next few weeks, while reading Tenzin lay with his face lying close to her bump, talking in whispers with the baby.

- Her eyesight will start to develop in a few weeks. Unless she's blind.

- She's not blind. He is not blind - Tenzin countered - But if he or she is blind, that’s not a problem.

- I already told you it's a girl. – Lin said looking at him – You can call it "she", because the baby will be born and she will think you were wrong all along. – Tenzin frowned at her confused and Lin shook her head – Suddenly she's not even listening, she might be deaf.

- Not a problem too. One of the monks who trained my father was deaf. - he commented trying to get around Lin's pessimism

- Okay, but what if it's not okay?! Two heads, three arms...?

- Stop. – Tenzin said horrified to her

- I'm just saying. If a woman has to have a child with two heads, three arms and 11 fingers, that woman is me.

- Lin... it doesn't even make sense, if she has three arms it will be 15 fingers and I don't know why I'm saying this. – he shot in sequence, getting ready on his pillow – Now go to sleep, please. – he got up to kiss her temple and Lin started to move to get out of bed.

- I just need to get something from the kitchen. - she said getting up from the bed and left the room

Tenzin knew she didn't need anything from the kitchen. The trip there was just an excuse to be able to put her bare feet on the floor so she could hear the baby's heart beating. He knew Lin was worrying too much and that listening to the baby's heart soothed her.

When she reached the kitchen, Lin placed her hands on her belly, closed her eyes and stomped firmly with her left against the floor. The waves of her seismic sense swept the entire first floor, but Lin was focused on the small square meter she was standing in, the waves crept up her body and she could see the outline of her baby in her womb. She stroked her tiny belly until the waves dissipated and the formed image faded from her mind.

One Wednesday night in the middle of the 16th week of pregnancy, Lin woke up with a terrible pain in her lower abdomen. She sat up in bed with her hand on her stomach and let out a silent scream of pain. Something wasn't right. She turned to Tenzin and shook him desperately, trying to wake him up.

- Tenzin. – she turned to him and shook him with all the strength that was left in her body, which wasn't much when he heard the tone of his girlfriend's voice he sat up immediately on the bed – Tenzin, there's something wrong... the baby. - she said through her tears, the only words that escaped her mouth and in the next second she was bending forward in a scream of pain

He immediately got out of bed to run to his mother's room, but as soon as he turned on the lamp to see his way to the door he froze in place as he noticed the pool of blood Lin was sitting in. In that moment she knew. Her baby was gone.

Tenzin entered his parents' room unannounced, they were sleeping peacefully facing each other, completely unaware of what was going on. The door hit the wall with the force it was opened, Katara was the first to get up and when she noticed the expression on her son's face she realized that something wasn't right.

- Lin is in pain. - he said breathlessly

In less than a second Katara was on her feet with Aang at her heels.

- Take her to my healing hut, your father and I will prepare the pool. – she said as she tied a robe around her waist and put on her slippers

Tenzin carried Lin to his mother's hut, her weight barely perceptible in his arms. She was terribly quiet and pale, the tears had stopped and now they were just damp, glistening memories on her cheeks. He walked quickly while trying not to pay attention to the bloodstains on her thighs. As soon as they entered the hut, Aang came to their assistance and helped Tenzin get Lin into the pool.

Aang moved to leave the room and let his wife work on Lin and put a hand on Tenzin’s chest to walk him out, but Tenzin didn't move a muscle, reluctant to leave Lin alone.

- Tenzin go with your father. - Katara asked in a professional tone

Then he left the room, his father closing the screen doors behind them. But the look on Lin's face was one he couldn't shake from his thoughts, and one he knew he would never forget. Her face was streaked with tears, but no new ones left her eyes, she stared at nothing with a blank expression. That was the word that would be used to write Lin at that moment. Empty. He had never seen her like that and wished he had never had that opportunity.

When the doors opened again, nearly an hour and a half later, Katara's devastated gaze confirmed what they already knew. Tenzin felt the air leave his lungs as he brought his hands to his head feeling his knees go weak, Aang held him in place helping him to control his breathing while Katara's hands rested on his chest whispering things he didn't register. Once he was merely steady on her knees, Katara said:

- Lin had a miscarriage. As it was in the second trimester of pregnancy I needed to clean the uterus so we need to move her very carefully and she will need healing sessions for a week. – he could see that she was on the verge of tears as she tried to pass on the information, he tried to move towards the closed door, but his mother stopped him, she opened her mouth to speak, but the words were not passing through her throat – She passed by a huge trauma, a  miscarriage after the 12th week is more aggressive and she is very fragile. Tenzin. – she looked deeply at her son – She needs you more than ever, you need to be strong for her, I'm not saying you shouldn't have your mourning period or block your emotions, but you need to take it slow with her.

The airbender nodded firmly and took a few breaths trying to get his emotions under control before entering the room. Lin looked smaller and more delicate than ever in the water, her clothes were soaking wet as were the ends of her hair that made contact with the water just below her shoulders. He didn't know what to say and before he had a chance to find out he heard Lin break into a sob:

- Tenzin. – at the sound of Lin's broken voice, he immediately strode to her stepping into the water without bothering with his pajamas getting wet and she hid in his chest while crying openly and clutching his shirt – I'm sorry. I am so sorry. – she kept repeating as he stroked her black hair and her back

- Shhh. – he said with his chin resting on top of her head – This is not your fault, you don't have to apologize for anything. – it was only at that moment as Lin clung to his clothes and cried desperately that he realized that his own tears were running down his face and falling into the black strands of his girlfriend's head

Five days had passed since that terrible Wednesday night, and Lin still declined to join the others at family dinners or eat a decent meal or receive anyone outside the family who lived on the Island. Including your mother.

- I don't care that she doesn't want to see me. She is my kid. – she argued with Katara, but the older woman refused to leave her position in front of the door – I swear Katara, if you don't get out of my way I'll bury you in a hole so deep that I myself won't be able to find you. She needs me! I am her mother!

After realizing that arguing with Toph in Lin's earshot would not benefit anyone at all, she relented and let Toph into the room. In a historic effort to talk about her feelings, she told Lin how she felt when she almost lost Su and what helped her overcome that trauma in an attempt to help her daughter. But it wasn't the same, Su was very much alive and walking around her new town living her private fairy tale while Lin went through hell. Toph left placing a kiss on Lin's hairline and he said goodbye with an empty "Thanks, Chief". Although Toph hasn't left town, appearing on the Island from time to time, she hasn't returned to visit Lin, content in just listening and feeling her footsteps across the bedroom floor.

Katara and Aang were being the pillars on which she and Tenzin could stand, they were also going through their respective griefs, but they didn't fail to lend their strength to the young couple. Strangely, the metalbender found great relief in meditating with the two airbenders in the first rays of sun and this was the only activity that made her leave the room apart from the healing sessions with Katara. At Lin's request, the waterbender had told her everything that had happened that night that no one would ever forget, assuring her that none of it was her fault, but Lin couldn't stop blaming herself. What if she had listened to Katara and stopped working? What if she had eaten better? What if she hadn't ventured into the training room? What if she had been more careful? The "what ifs" circled in Lin's head and refused to leave.

On the seventh day Kya arrived. Dropping her suitcase at the stairs and running into the house.

- I came as fast as I could. Where is she? – she asked exasperated to Katara who had her hands on her shoulders in an attempt to calm her down as Kya tried to cross the kitchen agitated

- She's in the bedroom, but first you need to calm down. – Kya stopped moving and took a few deep breaths, although Katara could still feel her daughter trembling against her palms – Better. – she said and released Kya who almost flew out of the kitchen and up the stairs

Lin heard a soft knock on the door. With her feet off the ground she was unable to tell who was knocking, so she simply replied:

- It's open. - in a weak voice

When Kya came into view she was overwhelmed with the urge to cry, but she pushed it deep into her chest.

- I'm sorry, Lin. – Kya said as soon as her eyes landed on Lin sitting on the bed, she crossed the room with long strides and open arms, enveloping Lin in a much-needed hug that wasn't refused. The metalbender could feel Kya's hot tears on her shoulder, but she didn't cry – It's okay to cry. – she said in a gentle voice when Lin wrapped her in her arms, burying her face in Kya's neck and smelling her scent

- I do not want to cry. – Kya knew that was a lie. Lin broke the embrace and got up from the bed, the younger woman turned to her, the tears she'd struggled so hard with finally leaving her eyes – But what I want to do now is scream. I want to scream until my throat hurts more than my head, stomach and chest. I just want to scream to relieve some of this pain and this anger I'm feeling at myself. – Lin said firmly through his tears, gesturing hugely as she walked in front of Kya

- Then scream. – Kya replied in the same tone – Scream. Let it out.

- I can’t do it. – Lin said, trying hard not to sob and shaking her head – I can't, I can't, I don't...

She slipped on the wall she was next to and as soon as her hands covered her face she let that sob escape. Kya sat beside her, silently humming a tune as she stroked her back in large circles and allowed Lin to cry all her tears. After a few minutes, Lin calmed down. Kya was the first to get up from the floor and reach out a hand to help Lin up, who accepted and stood up carefully and leaning against the wall. But Kya didn't let go of her hand, tucking it in Lin's so that their fingers intertwined and she started walking towards the door to leave the room. Lin hesitated.

- Where are we going?

- Do you trust me? – Kya asked with a gentle smile and Lin's heart squeezed and she nodded

The two walked through the living room and kitchen hand in hand, ignoring the eyes that accompanied them. When they reached the outside of the house Kya began to guide her to the covered pavilion where Tenzin and Aang trained when the weather was not favorable.

- Ok, Kya I'm not a child, I don't need a tour on the Island. – Lin said when they entered the pavilion and Kya's hand left hers to close the door

- Scream. – she said turning to Lin

- What? – Lin asked as if that was the most absurd idea she had ever heard

- Scream. – she repeated, encouraging the earthbender with a nod of her head

- I can’t. - she took a step back

- Do it.

- No, I can't do it...

But before Lin could continue her argument Kya leaned forward screaming.

- I can’t do it. – Lin repeated with a frown and turned to leave the pavilion

And then Kya screamed again.

In an unexpected move, Lin turned to her and finally screamed, with all the force in her being, a soul-shattering shout. When it was over she sobbed and the glass windows began to shudder as tears ran wildly down her face. She screamed again causing the glass of all the windows in the pavilion to break and crash to the floor, but this barely caught Kya's attention, who had her full attention turned to Lin and accompanied her scream this time.

Lin's third scream came hoarse but powerful from her throat, and the shards of glass lying on the floor near the broken windows flew towards the metalbender, forming a curtain of glass around her. The shards began to whirl like a hurricane around her without ever touching her. Kya watched the scene completely shocked at Lin's power, not knowing how to react. She is glassbending. When Lin's hoarse scream ceased she fell to her knees on the ground as the shards of glass froze in midair keeping Lin partially hidden within the tunnel. Kya stepped forward and reached out to touch them and the curtain fell away, falling around Lin, keeping her untouched in the center of a circle, and Kya quickly entered the circle.

She knelt beside her and Lin collapsed into her arms. Kya held Lin close as she cried and sobbed in her arms once more, while she herself silently cried trying to make the act go unnoticed by the earthbender.

Each of them deposited the feelings that choked them in their screams. For Lin the pain that had suffocated her from the moment she learned she had lost her baby, the overwhelming guilt she felt for thinking she hadn't been good enough, and the feeling that she had let everyone down. For Kya it was seeing Lin suffer like that and the inability to make her stop suffering, the guilt of leaving, the mourning for the more than premature departure of a niece she would never have the opportunity to meet and the pain that gripped her lungs from not being able to comfort Lin the way she desperately wanted, from not being able to be with her, from not being able to say the "I love you" that almost escaped her lips every time she looked at Lin.

[foodieforthoughts]

Show Me the Light - Part 2

Summary: Myra King, recently moved to Minneapolis and is a newly appointed sports teacher at Southern Cross High School, wanting to live life away from the big city of New York. On the first week of her arrival she (almost) crashes into Detective Walter Marshall which leads to his and her life being intertwined there on. It is not your regular meet-cute story but rather a tug of war between two people from opposite spectrum of life.

Pairing: Walter Marshall x OFC

Word count: 2030

Warnings: Mention of suicide, triggered panic attack, mention of choking

A/N: I have finally gotten back to this fic and it has gotten DARK! After writing the first part, I had no idea how I wanted to proceed. But I have figured it out now and I am so excited for this one. Bringing back our sexy, grumpy Detective back! (No beta, so please don’t mind the mistakes)

| Part 1 |

Title: Show Me the Light - Part 2

Myra tapped her feet while looking around the police station. The two officers who had brought her there had already taken her statement. She was done with work on her side and since she didn’t actually hit anyone, the only charges she had against her was of driving above the speed limit. Myra should have been allowed to go, but grumpy detective Walter had asked for her to be held until he arrived.

Myra sighed angrily and looked at her watch. This is fucking ridiculous! I’m late on my second day at work.

One of the officers from earlier, Officer Grant, walked by her with a folder in his hand. She stood up quickly and stopped him in his tracks.

“I need to go. I need to get to work.” She hissed, not caring that she was talking to a person from the law.

“Miss, Detective Marshall has asked you to wait. So, you need to wait.” He bluntly replied and walked away.

Myra huffed and sat down in her seat. She rubbed a hand over her neck, the zipper mark hurt when she spoke. The person who had caused her the pain was nowhere to be seen. She had no idea what he wanted from her. Maybe an apology? Her mind also drifted towards the thoughts about her bike. She worried about the extent of the damage and if it was even left repairable.

If only grumpy detective could get here already.

The door to the station opened, bringing in a rush of cold air inside. Myra pulled her jacket close around her body and watched as the man himself walked in through the door. Walter had a frown on his face as he ruffled his head of dark curls to dust the snow off his hair. Myra noted yet again how the sweater stretched over his huge frame and still managed to look warm and snug. His arms looked big and strong with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow which made Myra think about how easily he had lifted her off the ground.

A very deep, primal instinct inside her urged her to think about how it would feel if he lifted her for completely different reasons, possibly even ending with them in the bedroom.

What the hell? She shook her head. She was confused how her thoughts had drifted to dirty shenanigans in the bedroom when she was actually angry at the hunky man.

“Come with me,” Walter instructed her, walking towards the section of the station that housed the offices.

Myra followed behind him, crossing her arms over her chest. “I have not killed anyone. I don’t know why I need to speak to a detective.”

She only heard Walter grunt as she stared at the vast expanse of his back. It was only now that she was noticing how tiny she looked in front of him. She was at least a foot and a half shorter than him, maybe even more if only he would stand up straighter. She frowned looking at his hunched shoulder, almost advising him to correct his posture.

Inside his office, Walter walked to sit behind his desk. “You may sit.” He said, his whiskers moving with his lips.

Myra was taken aback by his English accent and wondered how she had not noticed it before. Probably I was too caught up in admiring his body. She rolled her eyes at herself and pulled the chair to take a seat. She crossed her arms and her legs, annoyed at him and herself.

“You could have hurt someone today.”

“But I didn’t.” Myra shot back. “I don’t understand. I have already been slapped a fine for over speeding and I’m going to pay it without fail. So why am I still here?”

She watched as Walter’s upper lip twitched to form a scowl. His eyebrows knit together as he let out a slow breath through his nose.

“I wanted to apologize. I’m sorry for being…rough. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did.” He spoke calmly, choosing his words before speaking them.

Myra wasn’t expecting Walter to acknowledge his actions, much less an apology for it. She felt the red marks on her neck prickle, reminding her how easily he had held her in place. She blinked a couple of times and tried to disregard the slight feeling of arousal itching near her core.

“Apology accepted. Is that all? Can I go now?” She almost stood up, only to be stopped by Walter again.

“Are you hurt? You skidded along the asphalt. I don’t know if you got any medical assistance.” He looked even more apologetic now. Myra actually had no idea if she had suffered any injury. No blood was oozing out from any part of her body, so she was alright in that department.

Hopefully no internal injuries either.

“That’s okay. I am fine. What happened to my bike though?”

Walter fished out his phone from his pocket and scrolled through it. Myra remarked that the scowl and the knit eyebrows were Walter’s only facial expressions. He looked up and showed her his phone with the display showing her bike on a trailer car.

“They took it to the pound. You can pick it up from there.”

Myra nodded and zipped her jacket close. She saw from the corner of her eyes that Walter was staring at her. “Is Faye your daughter?”

“Yes.”

Myra smiled at him as his face brightened with the mention of his child. “She’s really good at soccer. A little more practice and I’m hoping she’ll make the team.”

The smile that appeared on Walter’s face, nearly took Myra by surprise. For some reason she assumed he didn’t smile a lot, owing to his line of work. But it wasn’t an expression that didn’t compliment his scruffy face.

She gulped, feeling her cheeks warm with admiration for the man. “See you around, detective.” She muttered before swiftly walking out his door.

***

Walter observed silently as Myra walked herself out the door. Her black hair cascaded down her leather clad back and swayed as she sauntered out of his sight.

He had not anticipated to lose his control when he had stormed out of his car. But his little baby, his daughter, had come inches from getting hurt. He absolutely couldn’t keep his cool when it came to Faye.

But when he saw that the person whom he had pulled up by the collar was a woman, he had instantly regretted giving in to his rage. He had watched her cough on the ground as she tried to regain her breath. His hands had tingled with the feel of clutching her by the neck so easily.

Walter looked down at his calloused hands as he thought back on Myra struggling to breathe in his grasp. In absolute horror, he realized he had actually enjoyed it.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Walter wondered if chasing behind criminals was turning him into one. He shouldn’t be getting pleasure from someone’s suffering, but it somehow fed his excitement and pushed him to hate himself more than he already did.

A knock pulled him out of his contemplation. He found Officer Grant with a stack of folders in his hand. “You asked for them?”

Walter nodded, clearing his throat and indicated the officer to place the folders on the desk. “Is Harper here?”

The man placed the stack on the table. “Not yet.” He informed before striding back out the door.

Walter pulled the folders towards himself and opened them one by one. He had been summoned for hearing on a suicide case. The woman who had killed herself by hanging, had been a rape victim. Walter had been the case officer for it. For months they had tried to find the accused behind the heinous crime, but the clues had always led to a dead end.

After his wife’s suicide, the husband had in turn filed a complaint against Walter and his investigating team regarding ‘negligence’ for which Walter had to appear in front of the court tomorrow. The husband of the deceased believed it was the lack of support from the police and their inability to provide his wife justice that had pushed his wife to take such a drastic step.

Walter opened the file and saw the pictures of the crime scene which showed the women hanging from the end of a rope. He stared at it, noting the limp body and it’s unmoving limbs. He thought about how he had failed the woman. She could have had a long, happy life with her husband. But it was his inability to do his job that had taken a soul away.

Walter quickly put it aside feeling dread beginning to seep inside his heart. He felt worthless and inadequate for having not solved the case. Like a tic set on alarm, his hands began to tremble. Walter felt his heart begin to race as his breaths started coming in short. He felt his chest tighten and an unnatural chill take over his body.

Leaning over his desk and clutching at his chest, Walter tried to even his breathing. He closed his eyes as the images of all the blood and gore that he had seen throughout his career flashed before his eyes. He could feel his heart getting crushed as the muscles constricted around it. Just like his therapist had advised, Walter took in deep breaths through his nose.

He had been told to think about happy memories when an attack came over him. So, he thought about Faye. He thought back on the feeling of intense happiness he had felt when he had looked at her tiny, newborn face. He smiled through his ordeal as Faye’s laughter ringed in his ears. He could feel the attack subsiding as he thought more about memories from Faye’s childhood.

Somehow, Walter’s mind pictured Myra’s face. The smile she had thrown his way before she left, warmed his heart. He thought about the frown on her face as she had sat in front of him and how it actually made her look cute. He wondered how she could be feisty yet look adorable as she demanded answers from him.

Walter let out a long, shuddered breath as his trembling stopped. He let go of his chest, heaving a lung full of air as his muscles relaxed. He sat back in his chair, gulping as his throat had gone dry.

The panic attacks had become more frequent since the whole case with Simon and his brother. He had feared so deeply for his daughter’s life and had come so close to dying himself, that the trauma from the case had stuck around. With the horror filled nightmares disrupting his sleep and his days sometimes interrupted with a sudden panic attack, Walter felt drained. He was seeking help, but medicines could only provide temporary relief.

He stood up from his chair and downed a glass of water before making his way out towards Commissioner Harper’s office. Without paying much attention to his surroundings, he bumped into Rachael as he turned the corner towards the main area.

Walter watched as Rachael stumbled back from the impact. She looked up at him, her cheeks went pink as she averted her gaze. With her eyes on the floor, Rachael walked away without looking back at him.

Their attempt at giving the relationship a try had gone down like a shit-show. With his instability and his liking towards certain kinks in between the sheets, had pushed Rachael away from him. Walter hated that he had possibly lost a friend, but the lost chance at forging a romantic relationship did not faze him. When he had reflected on their relationship, it appeared he had only been seeking her out as a companion, a comrade.

Despite all the interpretations in front of him, he still felt terrible about wasting her time. With a sigh, Walter looked away from Rachael’s retreating figure and headed towards Harper’s office instead. He already had his hands full with the case, he did not have time to mull over broken relationships.

Or establishing new ones.

[expectingtofly]

Angel in A Hoodie

~1.5k

also posted on ao3

@misha-moose-dean-burger-lover said the world needs more cas in oversized hoodie fics and i wholeheartedly agree, so enjoy some fluff, pining, and comfy!cas :)

“We really need to buy you an umbrella,” Dean said as he and Cas walked into Goodwill. He glanced at Cas, whose hair was still wet and plastered to his forehead from getting caught in the rain. His trenchcoat looked dark beige now, it was so soaked through, and water dripped onto the floor with his every step.

“I didn’t realize it was going to storm,” Cas said, his tone defensive. His shoes squeaked as he quickened his steps to walk next to Dean. “I wouldn’t have gone out to the woods if I knew.”

They had driven that morning to investigate a werewolf sighting in a town a few hours away. While Dean talked to the police chief, Cas went into the woods where the supposed werewolf had been spotted. It’d begun to pour rain, Dean had learned the werewolf was nothing more than a rabid wolf, and Cas got drenched for nothing.

Cas was leaving behind a trail of muddy footsteps, and Dean caught one of the employees giving them a dirty look. He smiled at her apologetically and she stalked away, probably to grab a mop. “All the dark clouds in the sky didn’t give you a hint?”

Cas shot him his own dirty look and Dean raised his hands. “Sorry, sorry.” He couldn’t help grin, though, at how bedraggled and grumpy Cas looked. Almost adorable—not that he would ever think Cas was adorable.

He hesitated for a moment, then lifted his hand to wipe a drop of rainwater from Cas’ face with his sleeve. Cas leaned into his touch and Dean tried to ignore the way that simple shift caused his heartbeat to quicken. “Maybe we should’ve bought you a towel first,” he said, dropping his hand.

Under normal circumstances, he might’ve argued in favor of Cas sucking it up and wearing the wet clothes—and that was not at all influenced by the way Cas’ white shirt was now see-through and sticking to his chest. He didn’t notice that at all, thank you very much. But they had a two hour drive ahead of them and sitting in wet clothes wouldn’t be very enjoyable. Seeing as neither of them had extra clothes packed, and Cas’ grace was too depleted to waste it drying himself off, Goodwill it was.

“Okay, pants are that way,” Dean said, pointing to a rack of clothes. He headed down another row where a sign read, Men’s Shirts. “I’ll grab you a shirt.”

The selection was sparse, and Dean scanned the rack before grabbing a t-shirt at random. A drawing of a man holding a fishing rod; the words, Mine is So Big I Have To Use Both Hands, emblazoned underneath.

Nope, nope, nope, Dean thought, shoving the shirt back on the rack. They were not that desperate. He didn’t want to have to explain that one to Cas. He selected instead a plain, light blue t-shirt, belatedly realizing he was choosing one to match Cas’ eyes.

At the squeak of shoes, he turned to see Cas walking over with a pair of jeans and what looked to be a grey hoodie, holding them away from his body so they didn’t get wet.

“This good?” Dean asked, holding up the shirt.

Cas nodded and reached out to touch it. “I like the color.”

Dean reddened. “Yeah, uh, great.” He took the jeans and hoodie from Cas. “Come on, let’s buy this stuff and get on the road.”

After paying, Cas went into a changing room to get out of his wet clothes. Dean was texting Sam to let him know they would be heading back soon, when he heard the sound of the changing room door open. “All good?” he asked, without looking up.

“I don’t think I picked the right size.”

Dean looked up from his phone to see Cas standing in the doorway wearing a massive grey hoodie. The sleeves hung down past his hands and the hem nearly reached his knees. Cas stared down at himself in disbelief and Dean stifled a laugh. “Yeah, I’ll say so."

“It looked so much smaller on the hanger.” Cas lifted his arms out to the sides—the fabric dwarfing his body—then dropped them with a frustrated huff.

“Well, at least you’ll be warm.” Stepping forward, Dean motioned to Cas, and Cas extended his arm, watched him roll the sleeve up to his wrist. “And everyone will think you’re part of a softball league, so there’s that.”

Cas frowned. “What? Why?”

Dean pointed to the purple text across the front of the hoodie which read, Wissahickon Softball League, along with a cartoon depiction of some sort of rodent in a baseball cap.

Cas sighed. “I liked the chipmunk.” He scowled at Dean. “Don’t laugh.” Dean bit back a smile and Cas let him roll up his other sleeve. “It is very comfortable, though. I like this store. I think it’s very considerate of humans to share their clothes.”

“Guess so. Though ideally you would wash them before you put them on.”

His hands now free from the confines of the hoodie sleeves, Cas put his wet clothes in a plastic Goodwill bag. “Who do you think wore these clothes before?”

“The hoodie? I’m going to assume a softball player.”

They walked to the doors leading outside and Cas pulled at the fabric of the hoodie to look at the design. “I wonder why they got rid of it.”

“Maybe they died.”

“That’s very dark, Dean.”

Pushing open the door to outside, Dean shrugged. “Alright, maybe they decided softball wasn’t their passion and quit, and are still very much alive. Speaking of which, we should go to a baseball game. You would like it.” He could picture it now: Cas's serious questions as he tried to understand the human pastime, his excitement as he completely missed the point and found some meandering way to connect it to a deeper, philosophical meaning.

Cas nodded thoughtfully. “That does sound interesting. I would enjoy that.”

They crossed the wet and shining parking lot to Baby. The rain had slowed to an icy drizzle and Dean hitched his shoulders to stop it from running down his neck. Cas blinked against the raindrops and Dean gestured to him. “Use your hood.”

"Oh." Cas pulled the hood up over his head, then slipped his hands into the wide pocket along the front of the hoodie. He smiled up at Dean, his eyes shaded. “These are very nice features.”

God, what a dork, Dean thought, though he couldn’t stop a smile. He almost put an arm around Cas, then quickly looked away, not sure where that instinct came from. He hurried his steps to Baby before the rain started pouring again and soaked through to his skin.

“Are you cold?” Cas asked as they got in the Impala.

“What? No. I’m good.” Dean turned on the ignition and rubbed his hands together.

Cas reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder and Dean froze, felt a warmth radiate from Cas’ palm down his arm, then spread across his whole body. He didn’t know how much of the warmth was from Cas’ grace or from the simple reason Cas was touching him.

The warmth suddenly faded and Cas sighed. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, pulling his hand away. “I wish I could do more.”

“It’s alright.” He felt the loss when Cas let go of his shoulder, felt now the cold radiating from the windows, creeping under his skin.

Cas frowned at his hands, palms up, and Dean hated the way he seemed so frustrated with himself, with his weakening abilities, so he tried to joke. “You know, I think it was your trenchcoat that gave you your super powers. This hoodie’s probably a cursed object that’s sapping them away. I should’ve tested for EMF.”

It was stupid, but a smile tugged at Cas’ mouth anyway. He met Dean’s eyes and, as always, Dean felt himself sinking into his gaze. The searching, intent look made every moment between them feel so weighty, like at any moment one of them might say something that would change everything between them forever. It was terrifying. Even more terrifying, the way the urge so often rose up in him to be the one to change it all. To say… he wasn’t even sure. He wasn’t even sure what he felt.

Clearing his throat, Dean tore his eyes away. Rain smattered against Baby and obscured the road as he pulled out of the parking lot. He glanced at Cas, who now stared out the passenger window, his hands tucked back into the hoodie pocket, the hood still pulled up over his head. He looked so warm. Dean allowed himself the fantasy of pulling over onto the side of the road, sliding over on the bench seat to press himself up next to Cas, both of them sitting silently as rain drummed on Baby’s roof, maybe Cas sliding a hand around him, running his fingers through his hair…

Blinking, he reached over and turned on the radio, turned it up too loud to distract himself from those thoughts. Cas glanced over and Dean motioned to him.

“I like this look,” he said. “You look very comfy.” His face heated giving the compliment, but Cas didn’t seem to notice, only smiled and ducked his head. Was Cas... blushing?

No, Dean decided, it was only an illusion from the orange glow of the lampposts outside. Returning his eyes to the road, he gripped the steering wheel and continued driving into the rainy night.

Tag List:

@becky-srs @xojo @marvelnaturalock @cas-you-assbutt-dean-needs-you @aelysianmuse @prayedtoyou @letsjustdieeveryone @spookyskeletonsandallthezombies @good-things-do-happen-dean

Let me know (message, ask, comment) if you’d like to be tagged in my other random destiel fics or removed from the list :)

[ultravioletqueen]

Quise publicar estos dibujos hace mucho, pero no tuve la oportunidad de hacerlo o el valor, ahora quiero compartirlos.

Me gusta mucho el au de @starcre8tor de lewis detective y quise dibujar a mis oc's principales versión de este au,ahora un poco más de información sobre los personajes:

Gabe jenkins

En este au nace siendo hombre(ya que por la época no habría gente trans).

Es parte de la mafia de Reverb por necesidad financiera y para que su familia tenga cierto grado de inmunidad.

Usa una máscara mágica que le dio Reverb como un "regalo de poder", cuando la usa su personalidad cambia haciéndolo más confiado, valiente, jugueton y astuto.

Antes de formar parte de la mafia era un dueño de un bar que tocaba música jazz y swing, sin embargo llegaron a tener una bancarrota debido a que ya nadie iba ahí.

Para su trabajo con Reverb básicamente roba varios objetos de museos, exhibiciónes y otros lugares, siendo básicamente una carmen sandiego pero en verde y con el alias de green fury.sin embargo también puede ser obligado a asesinar gente por Reverb.

Gracias al dinero ganado trabajando con Reverb pudo ser capaz de mejorar el bar y convertirlo en uno de los mejores clubes de la ciudad.

Tiene un pequeño flechazo por vivi pero sabe que no es correspondido(soy shipper de lewvi no puedes pararme).

Tiene una gran rivalidad con lewis, Lewis nunca logra atraparlo y eso le divierte a green fury(son casi enemigos).

Esta deprimido y aterrado de lo que le llegaria a hacer Reverb.

Vigilante de su barrio.

Juliete jenkins

Es cantante en el mejor club de la ciudad gracias a gabe.

Ama la música en general.

Literalmente una jazz baby.

No tiene idea del verdadero "trabajo" de gabe.

Tiene un crush en arthur.

Aprecia mucho a su hermano y lo que hace por su familia(piensa que a lo mejor se ha vuelto militar o policía ya que gabe dice que su trabajo es similar al de lewis).

Alta y glamurosa.

Es una gran testigo o informante en algunos casos de lewis.

De vez en cuando ayuda a su hermano con el bar.

Frigg aesir

Investigadora paranormal de alto nivel casi retirada.

Sigue siendo una van helsing moderna.

Gruñona 24/7

En el pasado estuvo involucrada en la mafia pero lo dejó cuando su hermano y su esposa murieron en un accidente automovilistico.

Tampoco tiene idea del verdadero trabajo de gabe pero lo sospecha.

ODIA a lewis.

Detective en la comisaría y la encargada de tomar las fotos y las evidencias.

Tiene un gran conocimiento de lo paranormal.

Miss umbra

Una perra super alta.

Una bruja(literalmente).

Una mafiosa de alto nivel e influencia.

Sigue siendo una retorcida sádica.

Es una aliada leal de Reverb en todos sus trabajos.

Su cicatriz fue causada en una guerra de bandas por un miembro de la mafia sakura.

Reverb

El jefe de gabe y el causante de su dolor y depresión.

Sigue siendo un hijo de perra.

Aliado de miss umbra.

Tiene muchos contactos y mucho poder e influencia en el mundo de la mafia.

Un mafioso muy poderoso y temido.

Le da inmunidad a la familia de gabe porque según el:"solo el los puede lastimar si llega a hacer algo mal".

Fumador compulsivo.

I really like @starcre8tor au from detective lewis and I wanted to draw my main oc's version of this au, now a little more information about the characters:

Gabe jenkins

In this au he is born a man (since at the time there would be no trans people).

He is part of the Reverb mob out of financial necessity and to give his family some degree of immunity.

He wears a magic mask given to him by Reverb as a "gift of power", when he wears it his personality changes making him more confident, brave, playful and cunning.

Before joining the mafia, he owned a bar that played jazz and swing music, however they went bankrupt because no one was going there anymore.

For his work with Reverb he basically steals various objects from museums, exhibitions and other places, basically being a carmen sandiego but in green and with the alias of green fury, however he can also be forced to murder people by Reverb.

Thanks to the money he earned working with Reverb he was able to improve the bar and make it one of the best clubs in town.

He has a small crush on Vivi but he knows that it is not reciprocated (I am a Lewvi shipper, you cannot stop me).

He has a great rivalry with Lewis, Lewis never manages to catch him and that amuses to green fury (they are almost enemies).

He's depressed and terrified of what Reverb would do to him.

Watchdog of his neighborhood.

Juliete jenkins

She is a singer in the best club in town thanks to gabe.

Loves music in general.

Literally a jazz baby.

You have no idea what gabe's real "job" is.

Has a crush on arthur.

He appreciates his brother very much and what he does for his family (he thinks that maybe he has become a military man or a policeman since gabe says his job is similar to Lewis's).

Tall and glamorous.

She is a great witness or informant in some Lewis cases.

From time to time he helps his brother with the bar.

Frigg aesir

Almost retired senior paranormal investigator.

It is still a modern van helsing.

Grumpy 24/7

In the past, she was involved in the mob but left when her brother and wife died in a car accident.

He also has no idea of ​​Gabe's real work but suspects it.

HATES lewis.

Detective at the police station and the person in charge of taking the photos and evidence.

He has a great knowledge of the paranormal.

Miss umbra

Super sized bitch

A Witch(literally)

A high-level and influential mobster.

She is still a twisted sadist.

She is a loyal ally of Reverb in all its work.

His scar was caused in a gang war by a member of the Sakura mob.

Reverb

Gabe's boss and the cause of his pain and depression.

He's still a motherfucker.

Ally of miss umbra.

He has many contacts and a lot of power and influence in the world of the mafia.

It gives immunity to Gabe's family because according to him: "only he can hurt them if he does something wrong."

Compulsive smoker

[except4bunnies]

[bansept]

Protector

Part 3

It was long to come out, but it’s here! A few more moments between our love birds, but defintely more important things about what happened in this part.

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

For the next few days, life had been unsurprisingly blissful for both the officer and his protégée : Orihime Inoue spent her nights working on her computer, carefully being silent while Ichigo let sleep hit him hard as a brick, his documents all over him while his mouth was opened to let silent snores escape. Then, morning came, and a curious routine started to take place, with Ichigo doing his morning exercises in the room given to him, Orihime taking yet another sweet drink before heading to bed.

As if they had been friends since forever, they tended to their lives and watched over the other, stealing a few glances here and there. Orihime, once awake, would give more information on the bakery, the times she went there, the people she used to know. Ichigo, listening carefully, would note it down and try to think on it, before getting dragged outside by the arm.

That was something new too. Physical touch.

Ichigo, being the nice and respectful man he was supposed to be, had decided to absolutely not let his physical attraction to the young woman take over. Nothing would happen, because he was controlling his body and mind, and that was it. But that was forgetting how convincing gardening, sharing dishes or simply talking with her was complicated. She had touched his arm once, to ask a simple question, and it was an electric shock running through his body, from head to toe. The auburn haired woman had stared at him with a tiny blush before scooting away, apologizing immediately. Little by little, more touches, more arm grasping to prevent a fall, shoulder taping because, apparently, Ichigo was funnier with the woman then he ever had been with his friends and family.

So it didn’t surprise him when Orihime had asked him to help her change the light, since he was basically here to help. But… Well…

“You what?”

Eyes wide opened, mouth hanging, blush creeping on his cheeks, he looked like the perfect idiot.

“Could you please hold my waist while I change the light, please?”

It was ridiculous. For many reasons, as in, he could change it for her, or he didn’t need to hold her waist for that. But the most ridiculous thing of all was thinking about refusing her proposal. Ichigo wasn’t stupid enough to understand a basic flirting method.

“I… Yeah.. I can do that.” He muttered, letting the satisfied and overwhelmingly smiling woman take her time to climb on top of the chair. “Just… Be careful not to hurt your hands.”

If he could hit himself, Ichigo would, but it was impossible now, his hands very, very carefully placing themselves on the woman’s hips. They didn’t dare to do more than hover, digits sweating and face incandescent.

In such a situation, it was easy, and evident, for both the young people to hope for more : faking a fall and land in Ichigo’s arms, for example. But they were rapidly brought back to reality, the policeman’s phone buzzing loudly in the silence of the intimate scene.

“Ah… Sorry.”

Ichigo apologized, taking one hand off to dig in his pocket.

“Yes?... Hello. Yes, I am with Miss Inoue.”

The hand still lingering over her jeans was very much a reminder of it. She smiled at him, mouthing a ‘thank you’ before getting back on the ground.

His hand didn’t move much.

“Everything is going alright, there are no signs of any threats against her. Yes… Hm, I see. I will. Thank you.”

Orihime stared at the man on her side, watching him hang up and sigh before turning his face in her direction.

“Is everything alright? Was it the police station?”

“Oh, yeah. Everything is good, they have more intel on how the explosion occurred. They were suggesting me to go there to catch up on anything that might be interesting.”

He answered, shrugging, and placed his phone back where it belonged. Now it felt like things would really work : after days, 6 to be more precise, of knowing nothing and suggesting to the public it was but a mere dysfunctioning oven that had caught fire and exploded, the investigation could finally take a good turn. The culprit would hopefully be found soon.

Orihime had not answered, and Ichigo looked back at her to see her eyes darting to her hips where his hand had remained.

A beat.

“I’m sorry!” He yelped, pulling his hand away fast, the feeling of being burned coursing through his veins.

Orihime laughed openly, the blush on her face as evident as her timid smile.

.

.

.

What was left of the bakery was surrounded by tape to prevent any curious eyes, a few police officers gathered around a table to drink a coffee and discuss matters. The tallest of the team, a dude with brown hair and glasses, watched as Ichigo arrived with Orihime.

The light-haired man was dressed as a civilian once again, jeans with a blue shirt, and the other officers couldn’t help but notice he seemed… less grumpy then usual.

“Kurosaki Ichigo. I am here with Miss Inoue Orihime to ask a few questions.”

Ichigo told his partner, voice deep in concentration, while Orihime bowed shortly, looking around. This place, the memories she used to have… It was strange, and definitely painful to return.

After the fire was extinguished, nothing made much sense. What had been the place to expose the delicious friandises and cakes was gone, blown away by the wind of the explosion, the home made decoration all over the place, drawn and painted by the proud owners’ grandchildren had vanished. All the happiness had disappeared, only ashes and bodies left behind.

And the owners… A part of Orihime had wanted not to know the state they were in. whether or not they could be recognized. But the other part wanted to know everything. Because she knew she could have suffered the same fate.

“Miss Inoue?”

A gentle voice brought her back to reality, grey eyes blinking a few times before focusing on the brown ones she had come to get used to.

“Yes… Sorry, I zoned out for a bit.”

“It’s alright.” Ichigo gave a kind smile, one that made her heart and stomach roll together. “If you want to, you can go see inside. Just tell me whenever it is too much for you.”

Orihime nodded once again, turning around to slowly walk to the ruined building. She could feel a pair of eyes on her at every step, and it was reassuring to know that at any problem, any moment, Ichigo would come to help her.

.

.

.

“Is this a graduation picture?”

They returned to her house shortly after visiting the site, Ichigo with more info on the states of the other victims and if they had any memories, and Orihime with a new found resolution to help.

Five people had died. Numerous others had been injured. She was part of the very few with no physical injuries. Whoever did this needed to pay for it.

“Yes. When I used to sleep at night.”

She joked, face brighter than her thoughts when a smile grew on it, sitting down on the sofa next to Ichigo, crossing her legs under her.

Ichigo rolled his eyes playfully, shaking his head as he gazed at the picture, obviously focusing more on her than any other students.

“True, but the smile from the “now” you is better.”

“Ah, don’t tell me about it. If you think school is stressful and selective, then the NAOJ of Mikata is Hell. I was so stressed every living second, because I wanted the job so bad.”

“Competitive much?”

“I heard some students were taking drugs to not need sleep or food so they could study more. So yes. A lot.”

Ichigo raised his eyebrows at that, shooting up his eyes to stare at the woman.

“And I heard of people taking drugs to avoid studying…” He joked, and was so fucking proud to see her laugh at this. Damn if he loved it.

Focusing his eyes back on the picture, the man watched all those young and tired faces, none of them smiling, and placed his finger on the picture frame.

“This girl seemed to not like you much…”

A foreign blond woman, her hair cut at shoulder’s length, glared daggers at the younger Orihime, irritably holding the glasses in her hands while obviously mumbling something under her breath.

Next to him, Ichigo heard Orihime sigh.

“Ah, yes… All of us were aiming for the moon, a good job with a good salary. It was the same for her. At first, we were all friends, trying to help each other. But the competition got the best of us. And a good job wasn’t enough anymore. I wanted to be an astrophysicist to make my brother proud. She didn’t have any goal but to be better than anyone. But her methods were despicable, and she was rejected by the academy. While I had no business in this, she hated me in particular for that.”

Orihime sighed once again, rubbing her hands on her jeans.

“I hope she’s doing well… I can only assume how hard it must have been for her…”

Ichigo wanted to agree, but the frown on his face had returned.

Whoever this girl was, she didn’t have the same heart as Inoue, that was obvious. And he would investigate this.

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

What will happen next, oh as the writer of this, I wonder hehehehe

[deandoesthingstome]

Night Moves

Chapter 2

Pairing: Walter Marshall x OFC (Alexandra Pierce)

Series Summary: When Walter Marshall is called to investigate a homicide by the railroad tracks, he quickly uncovers an unsettling pattern. Alexandra Pierce just wants someone to find out what happened to her friend. She has some secrets, too. And Walter’s going to uncover them.

Word Count: 2486

Series Warnings: In general, this series will depict assault, murder, stripping, hooking, rough sex, make up sex, fingering, oral (m and F receiving), p in v sex in various positions, self-loathing, failed relationships, smoking, drug use, drug addiction, general violence, and maybe some comfort. +18, Minors DNI

Chapter Warnings: Misogyny, grumpy Walter, general police investigation discussion, social work, mention of failed relationships.

Disclaimers: I do not own Walter Marshall, Night Hunter (Nomis), or any other characters from that movie, but I do own this OFC (Alexandra Pierce) and these words. Do not repost as your own. Likes, Reblogs, and Comments are more than welcome. It’s how I get my nourishment.

Header made by me, with pics found from Pexel.com and the internet. Dividers are not mine, but check out the masterlist for credit.

Playlist:  Night Moves Songs 4 -7  Direct Spotify link here.

Masterlist

Well even if I didn’t have plans, I clearly can’t go out on patrol again for a while. Fuck. I went too far the other night. I just couldn’t control myself again. I've been doing so well lately.

But all these harlots, wandering the streets in their slutty little outfits, acting like we owe them something. Acting like they shouldn’t just be home, taking care of someone. Someone like me. It just gets to me.

It took so long to finally find someone who wanted to be mine. Years of hiding, years of swallowing the truth of what I know about who these cunts are, acting like I fit in. 

She’ll never know. About me. About where I really come from. About what I really do. But I'm gonna keep doing it. They deserve it. They all need to learn their lessons. 

That’s all it was ever supposed to be, no matter how many times I slipped. Just a lesson. A reminder that they aren’t the hot shit that they think they are. A push in the right direction. If I could get even one dumb bitch off the street, it would all be worth it.

But that last trick. She had a real fuckin’ mouth on her. Stupid girl. See what it gets you? Acting like you’re better than me? You aren’t better than me. You know it now, don’t you? 

And then that little asshole showed up so all I could do was hide the body and scram. Good thing he didn’t see too much. If she’d been found sooner, I could be in trouble. Still, I wanted to move her somewhere more private. Stick her with her cunty friends. 

Bitch.

“So tell me again why no one’s been looking for this guy when we know where he likes to hunt? I get it, the sketches aren’t much to go on, but fuck!” Walter slams the files on Rachel’s desk, leaning with his fists on the dark wood top and staring the profiler directly in the face. 

“Lieutenant Marshall, Walter, you… you know that’s not my call,” Rachel sighs with exasperation.

“Yeah, but you can strongly recommend…”

“Walter, this is going to get us nowhere. What do you want me to do now? Because at this moment, there is no search and the longer we argue about why there wasn’t one in the first place, the more opportunity someone has to repeat a crime. So can we cut to the chase? Please?”

Walter jerks his head back with a little shake, as if he can’t believe what he’s just heard.

“Alright then, I want you to review the details in these files and put out a BOLO. And I want you to get the commander to start a task force.”

“And I suppose you also have some ideas about who should be on that force?” Rachel quirks an eyebrow in question.

“Yes, right. I’m taking Jonas and we're going to canvasse the clubs to see if anyone knows someone missing who could be the tracks victim.”

Rachel drags the pile of folders her way, grabs the first file, and flips it open to begin scanning for details. “Sorry, how are these cases related?” 

“Read the descriptions of the attacks,” Walter nods his head toward the file in Rachel’s hand. “Almost to a tee, they are exactly the same. Except for the locations. Remote, disused bus stops. Little, or sometimes no lights from street lamps that have been reported out for three months or more. Late night. Victims say they had just missed the second to last bus of the evening, so they can’t walk away because if they miss the next one, they have to hail a cab and can’t afford the fare across town to their apartments. And then…”

“And then, jesus,” Rachel interrupts. “What the fuck? This guy starts taunting them, trying to goad them into a fist fight? In the middle of the night with no one around? No provocation?”

“Right. And our Jane Doe at the tracks was beat up. To a pulp. Like her face doesn’t exist anymore. Not in any recognizable way. We’re gonna have to hope her DNA is in the system, or look for dental records or something, to identify her.”

“So you think this guy is escalating?” Rachels asks as she grabs the second file to confirm Walter’s story.

“You tell me. You’re the profiler”

“Walter, don’t be a dick. I got these files two minutes ago.”

“You haven’t seen these before? Well, why didn’t you say so before I…?”

“Before you what, barged in here and demanded answers to a question I hadn’t heard yet?” Rachel holds Walter’s gaze with a knowing look and waits for him to back down before she picks up the third file.

Walter picks his fists up from the desk and slumps back into the chair across from Rachel, waiting for her to finish the rest of the files. He crosses his arms across his chest and stretches his booted feet as far forward as he can before they are stopped by her desk. 

His gaze shifts to the floor as he contemplates the change he’s seen in Rachel over the past year and a half. She’s grown so much more confident than when she first joined the precinct. Several more quick wins had solidified her stature with the department and while he always maintained a professional demeanor at the office, away he could do nothing but watch her slip through his fingers the way Angie had. He admired the strength of these women in his life, but something was always just a little off and he could never put his finger on it. He wanted to trust them, but how could he when he didn’t even trust himself?

Walter returns his gaze to Rachel when he hears the thud of the final file back to the pile.

“Yeah, okay. But you know, Commander’s gonna want it small. This guy is wearing a ski mask, which ought to stick out here in the spring, But this isn’t tourists or ladies who lunch or university kids. This is..”

“Hookers. Yeah. I know. Doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a fairer shot. Doesn’t mean they should have to walk around in fear for their safety just because this is the way they have to make a living. We good here?” Walter stands and waits for Rachel to nod before nodding back and rounding the chair to leave her office.

“And Walter? For the record, and for what it's worth, I agree.”

Walter half-turns back to accept her olive branch with a heavy sigh, nods once again toward Rachel, and leaves for real this time.

He stops by Mick’s desk and tells him they’ll meet up at 9 at the first club on the list. Early enough the smaller opening crowds should make it easier to take some of the dancers’ time without too much fuss from management.

For now, he has a dinner date with Faye.

“Alex!” Hannah exclaimed. “Thank goodness you’re here. We have a stack of new boxes of pamphlets that need sorting and then the meeting starts in 20. Do you have time to sort out the other volunteers and maybe get someone to run for donuts and coffee?”

Alexandra nodded with a big smile, leaning in to give Hannah a hug before turning to survey the small group of undergrads who showed up at her request. They were all in the one undergraduate level course she agreed to teach during spring semester. In return, her doctorate advisor agreed to her thesis subject and to keep quiet about the way she planned to gather her research. At least until the paper was written and her thesis defense was heard, at which time no one would be in the dark about her time at the club. 

She sent one of her crew off to the donut shop and explained to the rest how to sort and stack the handouts, where to replenish the displays, and where to store the rest of the stock. When the meeting began, she waited for Hannah to introduce her once again, knowing there are always new women who come for support or information. She smiled widely as she thanked Hannah and stood to take the podium. She was professional as she provided information about STD’s, the best ways to prevent them, and where to find the free clinics that can help with diagnoses and medication. 

But her eyes scanned the crowd. It was a larger turnout than normal, which would give her an opportunity to meet some new women and hopefully enlist them for supporting interviews. She glanced back and forth several times, hoping she was just tired and missing a face. Not that she’d ever mistake Trixie’s face. 

The fact of the matter was, Trixie wasn’t here. Clinic visits were a time to check in with Trixie in a place where she felt safer and was more open to suggestions on where to turn for help, financial or otherwise. It wasn’t like her to not show at a meeting. And it had been a few days since she’d shown up at the club. Which wasn’t necessarily a concern. 

Except Alex knew Trixie was light on funds and would never miss shifts at the club, especially when doing so meant you might not pick up those shifts again. Alex had not forgotten the last conversation they’d had when she stopped by the police station the morning before to report her missing. She also couldn’t forget the way the officer taking her statement had shifted into judgment as soon as the story of who Trixie was and what she was likely doing the last time Alex had seen her came out. They’d given Alex the time of day because she showed up in civilian clothes and presented as a professional with university credentials. But a hooker not showing up for her stripping shift? Who cared?

Alex made up her mind before even finishing her community service spiel - she’d head to the station again and demand they follow up on her missing person report as soon as her clinic shift was over.

Walter tosses back the last of the coffee in his thermos before turning off the engine and heading into the precinct. He spent five hours last night hitting up clubs and speaking with women on the street, three of which were after he sent Mick home for some rest. He stared at the case files again for another two hours when he got home. His late arrival is going to be noticed, but detectives rarely keep regular hours when a case is new.

He and Mick spend the day calling the assault victims, checking to see if they can remember anything else about their attacker that didn’t make it into the file. The results are a nice mixed bag of voicemail boxes and apologies. Nothing new to go on. 

He grabs another mug of coffee from the kitchen and walks down to the file room to check if any more possible case matches have shown up in the database. The clerk tells him there are two.

“They’re just retrieving them now. I’m headed on break as soon as they get here. I can drop ‘em on your desk on the way out so you don’t need to wait.”

“That’d be great,” Walter thanks him and heads over to Rachel’s office to confirm the rest of the details about the task force the captain agreed to. 

They discuss a delay in confirming the ID of their Jane Doe, since the partials didn’t come out too clean and the coroner’s report mentioned the finger pads had been shaved off. Walter missed that on his cursory glance at the head when he visited the crime scene and he kicks himself mentally for the slip up. 

They’ll have to rely on the results of the blood and DNA work to match her if she’s in the system. That’ll be a few more days at least because no one is rushing this case officially. No rich daddy breathing down the commissioners neck or distraught mother pleading her case on national television. 

No, no one cares about who this woman was. But Walter does. He and Rachel flag a few more detectives to help with canvassing and Rachel says she’ll fill them in.

“You look tired already, Walter.”

“It’s nothing new,” he scoffs.

“True, but this case is new. Don’t burn yourself out already.”

His eyes search hers, looking for something deeper to match the intimate feeling he gets from her knowing comment, but all he sees is the friendship she offered him when it was over. He thinks this is good, since he’s mostly over it, too.

He’s ready to pack it in for the day. Mick’s already left to get some sleep before heading out again tonight. Walter holds the door open for a nice looking woman on his way out and she gives him a cautious smile in thanks.

He stops on the sidewalk to make a quick call to Faye and see if they’re still on for pizza this weekend. She’s chatting his ear off about some party or another she’s been invited to and he can’t make heads or tails if she does or doesn’t want to go so it’s another ten minutes before he can get her off the phone with a promise to have breakfast with him on Sunday instead.

He’s all the way in the truck before he remembers the files he left on his desk. He wanted to bring them home and compare them with the rest. So he climbs back down and does a light jog across the parking lot to retrieve it.

There’s a commotion in the detective’s bull pen and he notices the woman again. He can see she’s not happy. He hears Rachel offer the woman a chair and ask her to sit and cool down.

“You think I’m out of control?” the woman shouts. “Baby, you watch me freak out!” She shoves the chair out of her way and storms out of the building, breezing past Walter in the process.

“Walter!” Rachel calls to him as soon as she notices he’s stepped back into the building. “Stop her!”

But Walter’s running on about four hours of sleep that even the strongest coffee all day long isn’t helping, so his reflexes are slow. By the time he turns around and wrenches the door open, the only thing he sees is a shitty Nissan Sentra peeling out of the lot. Bold moves right in front of the station, but he reckons it’s technically going the speed limit by the time the car breaks at the corner and then turns out of sight. Nobody else is shuffling around, so he turns to go back inside.

“What the fuck was that?”

Chapter 3

Taglist:

Anything: @kittenofdoomage @mayloma @sillyrabbit81 @fvckinghenrycavill @kebabgirl67 @beck07990  @mysweetlittledesire @summersong69 @mollymal (I can’t tag you two, sorry) (Also throwing in a few from the old days for old times sake ;) @littlegreenplasticsoldier @anotherwinchesterfangirl @sebbytrash @feelmyroarrrr)

Night Moves: @luclittlepond (I can’t tag you, sorry) @enchantedbytomandhenry @kingliam2019  @henryownsme @geraltsyenn4eva @littlefreya @identity2212 @marantha @angelcavill66 @sweetdreamsofgelato

[gaillol-13]

ITTHIGSS AU

Cartoon encounter

The Thrilling Adventures Of Captoon Underpants. By George Beard and Harold Hutchins

Despite it's old appearance, it was made in 2021 by cartoonists George Beard(20 and 0/5 yrs) and Harold Hutchins(21).

They said that they made the cartoon in memory of their boss, Benjamin Krupp, who was tragically killed in a car accident(?). And despite his grumpy, strict, and sarcastic nature, they did miss him (in the interview they joked that black and white cartoons were played at his high school, despite that he was in his 40s, and technology didn't work like that back in the day). And it was also based off the comic books they made when they were young.

The Cartoon itself was about George and harold (as kids) and a chubby half-naked goofy superhero called Captoon Underpants. The trio go on wacky action packed adventures, stop alot of evil baddies, or just have a bunch of fun. It has a decent amount of potty humour, well-balanced in the adult jokes department, and was a hit for kids (and even some adults) everywhere.

The only unhappy customer was Theodore Murdsly, a rich businessman with a huge company (called Ted corp), and a ego to match. The main reason he found the cartoon unacceptable was that he was a major antagonist and Captoon's rival. And it potrayed him as a selfish, cocky, greedy, perverted (yes, I went there), and lying pig (what pissed him off even more was that George and harold dont regret it one bit, even enjoyed that he was annoyed). When he stated this problem, Harold simply said "Look if you dont like that we made your character so accurate, you don't have to watch it at all."

The viewers laughed their heads off, and no one seemed to cared about Theodore's complaint.

On December 4th, seven criminals who worked for Ted kidnapped George and Harold and took them to the abandoned Jerome Horwitz school (which was also where the two cartoonists got their education) to "end the production".

When people asked how George and harold got out alive, they didn't answer and looked at each other with worry. So the police (along with class S scientist Melvin sneedly, who also went to school there) went to the school to investigate, all the evidence they found was a room with 5 dead bodies (no doubt the criminals) and a small TV.

From what Melvin described, 1 body had their neck twisted off and skinned to the bone, 2 had been hung from handmade nooses (that were, strangely, just a bunch of briefs tied together), another one had the top half of their torso missing (with teeth marks,human teeth marks), and 1 looked like it was crushed by a heavy object. There was no trace of the other 2 criminals. Here's what he said in the interview.

"Do you think George and harold are responsible for these murders?"

"Of course not! Sure, those rusty water pipes are very clever, but they wouldn't kill a human, not even if its self defense!"

"You said one was crushed, can you define exactly how?"

"Actually, it seems that the killer crushed him using...some sort of weapon. *pulls out a small broken piece of the weapon out of his pocket and shows it to the camera* I got a sample of it right here"

"The weapon was made from...grey wood?"

"That's the thing! It has the texture of wood, right?! But-but it feels... *drags finger on sample* wet, like ink, just a little. But it's also static-like!"

"Static-like?"

"Y-yeah, and its definitely solid, but it feels like you can bend it too, sorta like rubber!"

"So...its moist rubber wood that feels like...static?"

"I know I know, it sounds crazy. But thats just how it feels, we ran some tests on it, all the computers (after some errors) could say was that it was "hammer wood". So we can confirm this person used a hammer."

"But you said it was rubbery, so how could this person smash them with it?"

"They must have swung it hard, and judging from this picture... *pulls out a picture of the completly smashed corpse* ...it must have been a pretty big hammer. *chuckles a bit*"

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. Just imagining this guy smashing someone with a hammer probably bigger than his body, while its obviously barbaric and gruesome...it kinda reminds me of the captoon cartoons George and harold make..."

"It does?"

"*Nods* mm hm. *pulls out the picture of 2 criminals hanging* And they also made a noose out of underwear! There was actually a Captoon episode where Captoon kinda did that."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, *crosses his legs and smiling* Theodore said to some people something about him winning a contest and gloated that he was gonna win Edith (like that's ever gonna happen), and-"

"Do you know who Edith is in the cartoon?"

"Of course! She's Captoon's love interest, her first appearance was in "Captoon's train troubles", and just like George, Harold, Theodore, and me (yeah, I'm in there too), she's an actual person in real life. And she didn't seem to mind the role those two gave her *leans foward* if you know what I mean. *winks and leans back to his original spot*"

"*chuckles*"

"So anyway. Theodore says that, but what he didn't know was that Captoon heard and saw the whole thing through the window, and boy, did he look pissed! So Captoon tapped the window to get Theodore's attention, then pulls out a bunch of underwear from his utility waistband (one of his powers in unlimited underwear), then ties them into a noose, points at him, then at the noose, and then does the "slit-throut" gesture, all while making direct eye contact with Theodore!"

"Woah...that's kinda dark for a family-friendly cartoon."

"I know!! Captoon didn't even say a word in that moment, but that was CLEARLY a death-threat!!! He had full intentions to KILL that smug rich douchebag!!! I mean, they ARE aware kids are watching these, right?!?! Anyway, my point is whoever killed these criminals are obviously a fan of the cartoon, that would definitely explain why he let George and Harold live. *takes a sip of tea*"

"Heh, your one to talk."

"*spits out tea* NONONONOITSNOTLIKEILIKEITORANYTHING I-*ahem* Its just those two keep bugging me to watch it with them, they really love how their work turns out in the end, and I respect that, a-and I seem to remember what happens in the episodes, heh. *nervous laughter* I think we're getting a bit off track. Back to the murders."

"Right, there were seven criminals who took George and harold, but you found five. What happened to the other two?"

"Oh that's...a great question, we couldn't find them, but... *freezes for a moment* remember that there was also a small TV in the same room as the bodies were?"

"Yes."

"W-well, when I was alone in there, it was on one side of the room, and there was a door to the storage room on the other, it was a big room. I noticed there was blood, coming...o-out of...the TV screen...

"W-was there anything showing on the TV?"

"*shakes head* The TV showed nothing but static on it, but bloods was oozing out of the corners...and...when I got closer...I could hear someone...humming..."

"What?"

"*shivers* The-they were humming the Captoon theme song...I could hear it...and...hands..."

"Wha?"

"I could feel...hands...reaching out toward me...from behind...I could hear the storage room door opening...the breathing...footsteps that repeatedly stopped to tap to the rhythm of the song he was humming...that was the moment I realized the man who killed the criminals was right behind me..."

"Jeez."

"His breathing seemed like it was coming from a radio, scratchy...static-like...but that wasn't the unsettling part..."

"What was?"

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I KNEW one person who breathed like that, it was too familiar...but...It just...couldn't be...he's been deseased for over a year now..."

"Who?"

"... *shakes head* never mind, I think it's time for us to end the interview anyway."

To be continued.......

[might-be-a-zygon]

Flat 40b

Chapter Four

What Choice to Make?

“Jenny.”

The Doctor stood stock still, just watching as the all-too familiar figure leaned easily against his doorway, as though she hadn’t been dead for centuries. He just about registered the other blonde he’d been talking to making a beeline for the door, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to care, because that was Jenny, and she was here, and she was alive. He wasn’t entirely sure how it’d happened, but frankly, he didn’t care.

Maybe, just this once, the Universe had decided to be kind?

“Hi dad.” She gave him a knowing smile as she repeated the first words she’d ever said to him.

“How-“

“I don’t know.” She admitted. “I woke back up. Guess I’m a bit more like you than we thought. I’ve been trying to find you but you’re not exactly easy to track down. I kept missing you.”

The Doctor’s grin turned sheepish for a minute, before returning to something between shock and awe. “I don’t like to stop running for too long.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” She replied, her voice full of mock-earnestness.

“Oh and you got cheeky!” Despite his words, the Doctor wasn’t a bit annoyed about that fact- he looked positively delighted. “Does that make you a teenager now?”

“Well, I was born as an adult and I’m not sure how aging works for Time Lords but-“

“Oh you’re definitely a teenager! What have you been doing all this time?”

“Looking for you, mostly. I went into the family business.” That one earned her a confused look from the Doctor, who made a vague gesture for her to sit down in the empty seat near his desk, though he didn’t sit down himself. How was he supposed to sit down when he was still fizzing with excitement? “And the family business is…?” “Running around. Saving people. Fighting the bad guys- all the stuff you’re best at. You know I-” The Doctor cut her off before she could finish that thought. “I should have waited.” He cut in quickly, needing to get the apology out there. He’d never been great with apologies (though judging by the notecards he’d found in his drawers he’d been trying to improve at some point), but this one felt too important to let slip past. He’d left her for dead and she’d been looking for him ever since. How was he supposed to ignore that and just pretend to have a normal conversation knowing how long she’d spent looking? “You didn’t know.” Jenny managed a smile, though there was enough of him in her that he could recognise the façade. “I knew you were like me. I knew how long it takes for a Time Lord to properly die. I should have stayed with you, made sure that they didn’t try to…” He cut himself off before he could get into anything too horrifying. Being buried prematurely was something Time Lord’s always had to consider when they weren’t with their own kind- it was something he’d narrowly avoided himself, when he’d worn his seventh face. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he smiled again, leaning against the edge of the desk. “So- how did you find me in the end?” “Well,” Jenny looked him over, “You attract attention. A mad professor who hasn’t aged in seventy years? it seemed like it was worth a shot.” “Mad professor?” He looked a little offended, but the expression was so comical it just made her laugh. “You’re not exactly teaching a standard curriculum in there are you?” “Curriculums are boring.” The Doctor dismissed. “I’ve gotta admit though- it’s not the face I was expecting. I was a little worried you wouldn’t recognise me yet, what with Martha not-“ The Doctor’s face suddenly fell, and he found himself leaning forwards across the desk slightly. “Martha?” “Yeah? She doesn’t know me yet, so I kind of assumed that this must have been where you met her, since-“ “She didn’t go here.” The Doctor cut her off again, too in his own head to worry about politeness. “The timing is off anyway, she’s been out of University for years! She- by now she’s married, they have a son. She definitely wouldn’t be here.” He turned to look at her, his expression grave. “You’re sure it’s her?” “I spent my first day alive trying to save her, remember?” Jenny raised an eyebrow. “It’s definitely her. She’s one of my flatmates. I don’t understand-” “And you live with Bill? Two of my friends and my daughter wind up in the same flat, and-“ He glanced at the photograph of River Song on his desk. “My wife is here to.” That girl from before had said that River Song had turned up at the flat to help her daughter move in. Her daughter. “How did you meet River?” He asked, not quite sure whether he wanted to hear the answer. As soon as she’d given it, he wished he hadn’t asked. “Who?” “Well that was-“ “Yeah.” Thea murmured, glancing back towards the office. Her and Bill had left pretty much as soon as Jenny had started talking, both unwilling to get stuck in the middle of the family reunion. There was a moment’s silence before the both of them burst out laughing. It wasn’t exactly what they’d been expecting to happen- though at the very least neither of the parties involved seemed particularly horrified by the fallout, so she supposed some solace could be taken in that. “So, plans for the rest of the day?” Bill asked once they’d both calmed down a bit. Thea just shrugged. “Might just go for a walk. I keep dreaming I’m walkin’ around campus so that’s probably my subconscious telling me to learn my way ‘round. She laughed a little at the concept, shaking her head. “How ‘bout you?” “Dunno, really. I was

supposed to have a meeting with the Doctor but it looks like that’s not happening now. Might just head back to the flat and-“ She paused mid-conversation, looking off behind Thea at someone she couldn’t see. “I wouldn’t go up there if I were you!” She called. Turning around, Thea nodded a bald man in a bright orange coat heading for the stairs up towards the faculty offices. “Why not? Is he being grumpy again?” The man began heading towards them when he spotted Bill. “Well-“ Bill laughed. “Yeah, when isn’t he?” “Fair point- Oh!” He seemed to have spotted Thea. “Who’s this?” “Oh! Nardole this is my flatmate Thea, Thea- Nardole he’s-“ “I babysit-“ he began cheerfully, before she cut him off again. “He works with the Doctor.” “Oh, uh. Nice to meet you?” Thea looked between the pair of them a little perplexed. They seemed pretty unlikely friends, but the man seemed friendly enough- she wasn’t about to be rude just because he’d come a little out of the blue. “Likewise.” He inclined his head slightly in her direction, drawing out his response just slightly longer than most people would have done. At that point he turned back to Bill. “How come I can’t go up there again?” “His daughter came to visit.” Thea explained, trying not to do so in too dramatic a fashion. From the look of surprise on Nardole’s face, that didn’t seem to have helped. “You didn’t know he had kids either, then?” Bill asked. “I knew he did but- I thought they were all-“ He glanced at Thea again, “I mean, I knew his wife but-“ “He had a wife?” Bill looked even more invested now. “He never mentioned he had a wife.” A noise which might have been a scoff left Nardole’s mouth. “Well he wouldn’t have, would he?” “Well you can’t just leave it at that!” “Well I can’t just tell you about his private business, you know I do value my life.” Sensing that things were about to devolve into a personal conversation, Thea began to back away, leaving the two of them to their bickering. “I’ll see you at the flat later!” She called to Bill, waving as she began to back away, walking a vaguely familiar path which cut across a grass bank and led her off in between two buildings. She must have picked up more of the geography of campus than she thought. She came up to a dead end, flanked by a rusty old door, some rubbish bags, and some discarded pallets. Maybe not. “Jack?” Yaz had dialled the number about as quickly as she could after shutting herself up in her room, any question of getting lunch long since forgotten. She needed to know what a young Jack Harkness was doing here- and whether it had something to do with whatever had been tracking them before they landed here. “Yasmin Khan! Well if it isn’t my favourite police officer.” She distinctly heard someone shout “Oi!” on the other side of the line, followed by the middled thump of a cushion hitting the phone, and laughing from Jack. “Okay- okay. Second favourite officer!” He said, his voice slightly distorted as he turned his head away from the phone, before coming back in clearer a moment or so later. “Sorry- she got there first. So. To what do I owe the pleasure?” “I just ran into you.” “You’re in Cardiff? Is the Doctor refuelling?” Jack asked, suddenly sounding a little more interested. “We’re in Bristol.” Yaz clarified, taking a seat at her desk, and grabbing the notepad she’d been using to scribble down all the unusual things that had been happening. With the Doctor out of action for the time being it was her job to investigate whatever had been chasing them. “I’m not in Bristol.” “Well I know you’re not now. I ran into a younger version.” That certainly seemed to peak Jack’s interest. “How much younger?” “I couldn’t tell, really.” Yaz shrugged, before trying to explain herself, not wanting to come off as apathetic. “The Doctor said you age slower so it’s not exactly easy to work out.” “I don’t remember ever going to Bristol- at least not in this time zone.” He admitted. “What was I doing there? Did you talk to me or just walk past me?” “You were looking for one of my flatmates-

temporary flatmates.” Yaz corrected herself, quickly. She didn’t plan on staying here without her Doctor for any longer than she needed to. “It’s a long story,” “Isn’t it always?” She could practically hear the smile in his tone. “Who’s your flat mate?” “Rose-“ She didn’t even get a chance to finish saying the name- something about it seemed to have flipped a switch for Jack, pushing the joking note right out of his voice, and leaving him sounding serious, and a little sad. “Rose Tyler?” He asked quickly. She could hear worried tones coming from whoever was in the room with him, but couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. “Yeah?” “Man, okay. You ran into a real young version of me.” There was a slight pause, before he asked, “Did the Doctor see Rose?” “Well.” Not really. Thea Smith had seen Rose- but was that the same, on some level? The Doctor had said that Thea was her, even though they weren’t exactly the same person- Thea was the human version of the Doctor, so did that count? “…Sort of?” She eventually settled on, sounding wholeheartedly confused about the whole thing. “Is she okay?” He asked, sounding surprisingly earnest. Yaz was reminded briefly of walking with him, talking about the Doctor. She realised, again, that deep down, Jack really did love the Doctor. Then again, she didn’t really see how anyone could meet the Doctor and not come away with half of their heart forever stuck in the bottomless pockets of that stupid coat. “Why wouldn’t she be okay?” Now it was Jack’s time to sound baffled. “Well. Rose? I mean, she lost her a really long time ago but-“ “She lost her?” Yaz glanced behind her, as though she could see straight through the wood and across into Rose Tyler’s room. “They used to be close. Did the Doctor not mention that when you saw her?” “She’s- Not really herself right now.” Yaz glanced out of the window, pushing her fingers through her hair. She should braid it to keep it out of her face, if she was going to be dealing with stress like this. “What do you mean?” He sounded worried, and she suddenly felt a little guilty for trying to be cryptic. It wasn’t as though she was the only one who cared about the Doctor. “She- Something was tracking her- she used a-“ Yaz tried to think of the name of the thing the Doctor had used, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever given it a real name. “A machine thing, in the TARDIS to make herself seem human. I’ve just gotta look after her and lie low until whoever was looking gives up. She said if they’re looking for an alien man, we’re pretty safe.” “She used the chameleon arch?” Something about the tone of Jack’s voice showed that that was serious. “Where in Bristol are you?” “St Luke’s University. The TARDIS set her up as a PHD student- she’s going to love that when she wakes up properly.” She laughed, more of a nervous tick than anything. The seriousness that he was treating the chameleon arch with made it all feel a lot more real to her. “Oh! I do remember that. We sent Rose in undercover because of the UFO and stuff- I guess that was probably you guys?” He asked. Laughing, Yaz nodded as though he could see her, before actually speaking. “Yeah, I think it probably was. The Doctor was out cold and I don’t exactly know how to land the TARDIS properly.” “Nice to finally have an answer on that one. I think the Doctor just gave up in the end. Unless…” He trailed off, calling out to the person on the other end of the line. Yaz heard a couple of muffled voices respond, but she still couldn’t understand the conversation. A minute or so later, he came back to the phone. “What year are you in?” “Uh-“ Yaz actually had to glance over at the university calendar she’d pinned up on her wall to check. Going back such a short jump was disconcerting to say the least- it wasn’t like jumping into the far past. She was living through the same time twice. “2017.” “ Oh, great- not a big jump. I don’t exactly have access to reliable time travel right now but…” He paused, clearly thinking. “I know a guy who can probably help me out. I’ll be there in the

morning.” Thea glanced at the dead end she’d steered herself into with a sigh. She’d been so sure there was something down here. Glancing at the door, she frowned slightly. There was something off about the heavy-looking ring of the handle. It was faintly worn, and much too clean, as though it saw a lot of use, but the patina on the door suggested it was rarely opened. What could even be behind it in a building like this? She was no architect but with the number of offices inside it couldn’t be much more than a cupboard. Impulsively, she reached forwards, mostly just intending to pick the ring pull up and let it fall again, though when she did so it proved oddly stiff, and she wound up pulling the whole thing forwards rather than lifting it. It clicked into place with an odd mechanical thunk, and then the whole door began to open without her needing to touch it. It was a pretty odd design for an automatic door- almost like someone had wanted to hide whatever was inside. Then again, if they were hiding it why wouldn’t there be a lock? She stepped inside cautiously, moving down the stairs and towards an odd blue glow at the end of the corridor. There had to be something down here, else the place wouldn’t be lit up- but it wasn’t on any of the maps. Maybe she was just trespassing in somebody’s office but- Well, Thea had always been a little too curious for her own good. “Hello?” She called. There was no response. The door at the end of the corridor was odd to say the least. Well, it was more doors than a door- two huge silvery things covered in a pattern that looked a little like a series of clocks. “Bit ornate for a Uni basement…” She muttered, pushing lightly on one. It didn’t budge- however when she touched one of the odd glowing panels at the side of it, a little hatch did spring open, asking for a password. She stared at it for a moment, somehow doubting that ‘Password123’ would work here. She didn’t know the password. There was no way she could know the password, and yet something was nagging at her to try it anyway. No harm in trying, right? Reaching out a hand, Thea began to press buttons mostly at random, the thirty-two digits which popped into her head first. The string didn’t mean much to her, but the door began to open with a satisfying whirring noise. Pulling her hand back as though she’d been burned, Thea watched as the double doors peeled back, revealing the room behind them. “Are you guys coming to the- what is it tonight?” Rose glanced up from her cooking to look back at the other two women still in the kitchen. “It’s the comedy club thing, right?” Amy was already eating, so it was Martha she got a response from first. “Yeah, not really my scene, sorry.” Rose looked a little dejected, picking at the purple band tied around her wrist. She was already beginning to regret buying it. “Amy?” “Hmm?” She glanced up from her lunch, “Oh, not tonight, sorry. My-“ She hesitated for a beat, before continuing, “My boyfriend is coming round.” “You’ve got a boyfriend?” Rose asked, suddenly a little distracted from the congealed pasta in her pot, and the thought that she might wind up walking to the campus chippy. “What? Oh, yeah. Rory. He’s a nurse.” Amy picked her plate up, moving to scrape what was left on it into the bin before dumping it into the sink to be a problem for later. “What about you? Got anyone back home?” Rose played with the wristband guiltily. Should she mention Mickey? Were they even really still together? She still cared about him, but it’d been months since she’d seen him, and after she’d disappeared for so long- well he had to have started moving on, right? And then there was the Doctor… “Sort of.” She eventually settled on, though that somehow earned her an eyebrow raise from the Scot that let her know she was about to be pressed for further information. She decided to volunteer it before she could be asked, “I’ve got a boyfriend back home, but we’re- I think we’re sort of on a break? I don’t think the long distance thing is gonna work for us.” Amy had hopped up to

sit on the side by the time she emerged from the kitchen with her unappetising pasta-blob, leaving the whole table free. She swung her legs slightly, her boots clicking against the dodgy cupboard door. “And it doesn’t have anything to do with the handsome fella who was round here looking for you earlier?” She asked, a teasing note at the end of each word. Rose scoffed, “What? Jack? No. He’s just a mate- good mate, but no.” “But there is someone else.” Martha hadn’t spoken in a minute or so, but now her voice held enough of a knowing tone that Rose couldn’t exactly argue. It wasn’t as though there wasn’t someone else she cared about- even if it couldn’t actually go anywhere. “There’s- a guy I’ve got a bit of a thing for,” She started off, before quickly adding, “but we haven’t done anything. It’s not like anything’s ever gonna happen- don’t think it could.” “Why not?” “He’s just not that sort of bloke.” Rose pulled a face. It was hard to imagine the Doctor ever settling down- not that she’d need him to, really. She’d have liked to have a real relationship with him but- well. He was more than worth settling for. “Is he gay?” Amy asked. “What? No. Well, I don’t think so.” She thought briefly to how he behaved with Jack, “Bi, maybe, But- he likes to run around showing off for girls, I just don’t think he’s the dating sort.” “I’m starting to think I’m the only single one in the flat.” Martha remarked, looking as though she’d rather be off the topic of unattainable lovers. “Nah- I think Bill’s single. Jenny, too. At least I haven’t heard her mention anyone. ” Amy remarked. “Ash mentioned having a girlfriend- not that I’ve spoken to her much.” “Yeah, I don’t think she stays here much.” Rose glanced towards the door to the main hallway, making sure nobody was listening. She didn’t want Ash to think they’d been gossiping about her. “I’ve never seen her in the kitchen or anything.” “What about the other two?” Martha asked. “Thea and Yaz? I don’t think they’re together,” she broke into a smile, leaning across the table towards Martha, “But I give it a month.” “A month?” Amy cut in. “No way. Two weeks, tops.” Rose gave her a challenging look, “You want to bet on that?” “Oh you know I do. Twenty quid says they’re together within two weeks.” “You’re on.” Martha looked between them, “Isn’t it a bit weird to bet on our flatmates?” She asked, earning herself two sets of raised eyebrows in return. “…I say three weeks.” Of all the things Thea had thought could hide behind doors like those, this wasn’t one of them. A woman sitting alone at a piano, in Edwardian dress, giving her the most disdainful look she could manage. “He’s sending his pets to look after me now? As if this couldn’t get any worse.” Thea blinked, glancing at the woman, and then the doors behind her, clearly apprehensive about stepping any closer. Somehow, this all felt very, very wrong. “Sorry? Is this your office or something? Nobody sent me here I just-“ “Nobody sent you?” The woman cut her off. Thea nodded, and that grim look on her face suddenly transformed into a wicked smirk. “Oh now that is interesting. How did you get through the doors?” “There- Are you stuck down here? Should I call someone?” Thea looked genuinely concerned, but the woman just laughed. “Oh no, poppet. It’s not like that.” She looked at Thea expectantly, and when she didn’t get an answer she spoke up again, clearly a little exasperated. “Well are you going to answer my question?” “There was a code. I just- guessed.” Thea knew it probably sounded suspicious, but- well, nobody could accuse her of lying. She wasn’t sure how she’d known the code, it was just a very (very, very, very) unlikely guess. Well, that or there was something wrong with the system. “You guessed the code?” The woman gave her a disbelieving look. “You’re not one of his pets he’s sent down here to test me?” “One of his- who’s he?” Thea gave her another blank look. Who on earth was this woman and what was she doing in this mostly barren room? “Oh- Doesn’t matter. Since you got down here all by

yourself, why don’t you and me sit and have a wee chat?” The woman gave her a smile that showed far too many teeth to be comforting. Thea resisted the urge to back away. “I don’t bite- much.” As much as she wanted to just leave- to come up with an excuse and go back home as though none of this had happened, Thea had always been a sucker for a mystery. What could be more mysterious than a sinister woman in a hidden vault under the University? She felt rather like she’d stepped into a ghost story. Moving with some caution, she took one of the two seats near the little platform the woman’s piano stood on, getting ready to ask a question, which the stranger beat her to. “Call me Missy- what’s your name? Can’t promise I’ll remember it, but I’m told it’s polite to ask.” There was a moment’s pause, before Thea spoke again. “Thea. Thea Smith.” Missy faltered for a moment or so. “Thea.” She said, her fingers tapping a strangely familiar beat out on the lid of the piano. “Pretty name. I had a friend with a name like that, a very long time ago.” “You’re going to have to spend the night there sometime, you know.” Clara half-heartedly chastised, setting a cup down in front of Me, who was once again using one of the diner tables to go through what they’d gathered. The sky outside the windows was already dark, and yet Me seemed to be in no hurry to return to the flat- honestly she didn’t know why they’d bothered basing her there. She could have just as easily claimed to be an off-campus student and snuck in during the day to examine the odd readings. “No I don’t.” She replied quickly, waiting for Clara to slide into the booth opposite, before pushing a little pamphlet across the table towards her. “I’ve worked it out.” “What?” “All the funny readings. I know what they’re coming from.” Clara seemed to perk up almost immediately, leaning across the table with both hands wrapping around her mug as though she was cold- not that she could ever really be cold anymore. “It’s a handbook for new students- it has a full faculty list in the back, and-“ Me flicked through a few pages of the book, before pointing to one face in particular. “The Doctor. Doctor.” Clara read, smiling a little at the description. Where every other facilty member had ‘Doctor of’ with whatever they studied following their name, and in most cases, a department, he’d somehow gotten them to forgo that. “Wonder how he managed that- probably just refused to give a real answer til they stopped asking, actually.” “The readings are consistent with repetitive TARDIS landings.” Me tried to explain, but Clara shook her head. “It’s way too much, though. He’d have to be taking off and landing it six times a day.” “We’re probably skewing the readings a bit.” “Not that much.” Clara took the pamphlet from her, smiling just a little at the black and white picture of the Doctor. It was clear from the look in her eyes just how much she missed him. Me leant across the table slightly, taking one of her hands with an uncharacteristic gentleness. “We can just go if seeing him is going to hurt too much?” Clara shook her head quickly. “No- I want to figure out what’s going on here. Maybe he’s in trouble or something.” “He can-“ Me began, but Clara gave her a look that quieted her. They so rarely agreed where the Doctor was concerned. As much as she’d gotten past it, Me had a mix of guilt and resentment and some degree of affection for the man Clara so adored, and it was one of the few things they’d never really be able to reconcile on. Deciding, for once, to concede, she nodded, “We’ll work it out.” Clara flicked through the pages of the book idly, before stopping at a particular one. “What’s wrong?” “I-“ She traced a finger over the page. “I know her.” “Well, this was pretty much your time, before Trap Street.” Me reasoned, “You could have known her from anywhere.” Clara paused, looking at the picture a little closer. “No but-“ She was trying to think. Everything about what had happened that day was hazy- something about being scattered across the Doctor’s

time stream had ravaged her memories. “I met her. She was-“ Me glanced over her shoulder at the picture. “She’s just a professor. Archaeology, I think she said. Her daughter’s in my flat.” “She’s his wife!” Clara eventually said, startling Me to the point she very nearly spilled her drink. “She’s the Doctor’s wife- I met her once.” “I’d heard stories about him being married- I didn’t really believe them. Still, I don’t see the big deal- he brought his wife with him when he came to teach. That seems normal enough.” “She’s dead. He told me she was dead. She died years ago.” Clara tore the page out of the booklet, adding it to the file she’d been using to map their progress. “In fairness-“ Me gave Clara a look, gesturing between the two of them, “I don’t think either of us can talk about staying dead.” “She has to have something to do with all this.” Clara insisted. “I- We have to talk to her.” She picked up one of the red whiteboard markers which should have been for writing out specials. “What was the name again?” “River Song.” Me read off the sheet, still sounding less-than-convinced, though the revelation that the Doctor was indeed married had gotten her a little more invested. Clara wrote it down. “She came in with her daughter to help her unpack. Do you think that means-“ “That the Doctor has a daughter?” Clara gave her a startled look. “I know he had children once. A long time ago.” One thing was for sure. They really had to meet this woman.

[fics-of-culture]

4 Ways To Show Someone You Love Them 2/5 *Complete*

Summary:  Gabriel, Lucifer, Balthazar, and Cas all consider themselves fairly adept when it comes to the art of romance. They all have their own unique approach when it comes to wooing someone. And, unfortunately for you, all four of your beloved angels seem to have their sights set on you.

Words: 849

A/N: I am reposting all of my old fics because my old account accidentally got deleted.

Part 2: Lucifer

Step 2: Do something your love enjoys, even if you’re not a fan

You wouldn’t really say that you enjoyed hunting very much, per say. But at the end of the day, it’s the only job for you. Hence why you find yourself trudging through the forest in the middle of the night investigating the disappearance of several locals. The only thing you could not explain about the situation however, was the grumpy looking archangel following you around.

“I think it’s very clear that the people you’re looking for are dead. Can we go now? I’m bored.” You sighed at Lucifer’s incessant complaining. This hadn’t been the first time Lucifer voiced his displeasure in the hour and half you’d spent searching the forest. You turned to meet Luci’s petulant stare as you debate what to do with your whiny angel.

“You can leave any time you want, Luci. I didn’t ask you to come with me.” It’s true. You had intended to go on this hunt on your own due to the boys being occupied with some other world ending situation. You wanted to be there with them, but the truth is, someone still needed to be around to take care of the little things like this. That was the plan at least, until Lucifer appeared halfway through the car ride to South Dakota. He’d insisted rather adamantly that he join you on the trip. He then spent the entire car ride going on and on about how “inefficient” cars were (apparently flying is much more convenient) and critiquing everything from your driving to your choice in music. You were halfway to throwing his divine ass out of the car when you finally got to your destination. Similarly, he’d continued to bitch all throughout the interview process (sometimes being downright derogatory towards your interviewees) and through the past hour and a half you’d spent in this forest. Which leads you to now.

“And leave you alone without my magnificent presence,” Lucifer gestured you himself and gave a wry smile. “I think not.” You sigh in annoyance for what must have been the twentieth time since this all started. You keep walking, refusing to give Lucifer the pleasure of seeing your frustration towards his antics. You jolt back in fright when Lucifer pops himself in front of you, forcing you to meet his cool gaze. His too blue eyes staring you down causes you to snap.

“Why are you even here if you’re just going to make my job difficult? ” You’d barely been able to pay attention to the case with Lucifer constantly lobbing complaints at you. You stare him down and to your surprise he looks away. For the first time since he had unceremoniously popped into your car this morning, he seemed to be at a loss for words. If you didn’t know any better you’d say the devil looked a bit... embarrassed. He quickly regained his composure and started to speak.

“Well I couldn’t exactly leave you to do a hunt like this by yourself.” You huff at Lucifer’s lack of faith and stomp past him. “Besides,” Lucifer continues, falling into step with you. “It is my understanding tha-“

“Wait!” You stop suddenly and Lucifer just sighs at being interrupted. But whatever he was saying would have to wait as you step towards a mangled corpse, half hidden by leaves. You crouch down and brush the leaves from the face to better identify it. It was Kyle Isaccs. One of the first victims to go missing. He was practically shed to pieces.

“I think I know what we’re dealing with here.” Lucifer is silent. Waiting for you to continue. “A Wendigo. I don’t know how I didn’t realize it before. The police had even reported hearing voices and what more-“ You turn around to realize that Lucifer was gone. A wave of disappointment runs though you as you realize Lucifer had probably taken your advice and left. It’s not like an all powerful archangel would be interested in a simple Wendigo case. You rise from your crouched position, determined to finish the case without the help of your angel. But before you can take two steps in any direction, Lucifer again appears before you, dead Wendigo in hand.

“Case closed.” Lucifer drops the body at your feet looking quite proud of himself. “Can we go home now?” You stare in shocked silence, unable to think of a response. Lucifer doesn’t seem particularly interested in your reaction as he begins to make his way back to the direction of your car. You jog to catch up with him as he leisurely strolls through the forest. Looking much more at ease than he had for the entire hunt.

“If you could’ve done that this entire time, why didn’t you.” Luci rolls his eyes as he looks down at you walking next to him.

“It’s not like I knew what we were dealing with. Besides,” Luci stuffs his hands into his pockets and throws you a lopsided grin. “That would defeat the purpose.”

“And what purpose was that?” You look up at him expectantly.

“To spend quality time with my favorite human.”