#nyla draws

[thatwolfnamednyla]

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Late upload but this is my 2024 Art Fight attack on @waywardstation with Warden Ingo and Akari from her Pokemon Mystery Dungeon AU! I loved drawing these two so much, their designs are perfect.

I also used this as an excuse to practice with backgrounds and trees. Excuse how poor that tree looks.

[nylasmokeyface-art]

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Art I did for a contest years ago but I'm still really proud of! Reblogs appreciated!

[sukidude]

I just know this was how Angel was when Husk said, “I guess you have changed?” And gave him that stupid flirty LOOK omfg-

[cannibalspicnic]

AEW wrestler, Nyla Rose, for a friend (and for me because she’s awesome)

graphite on paper

[nylarose]

[fluentmoviequoter]

Stood Too Close to a Devil

Pairing: Tim Bradford x fem!UC!reader

Summary: While investigating a human trafficking ring, you get in too deep. You're abducted and meet a group of women you can't leave behind. After months of fighting, you find your way home to the one safety they couldn't take from you.

Warnings: recommended 16+, human trafficking, child abduction and trafficking, allusions to SA, physical/emotional abuse, imprisonment, r is harmed numerous times, drugging, discussion of scars, depiction of corrupt politicians, comfort and early healing at the end

Word Count: 7.3k+ words

A/N: I used one of @nevereclipse 's fantastic ideas for this! The length clearly got away from me, but I love the idea of Tim being home and providing safety for someone that really needs it. Hopefully this is along of the lines of the original post and please feel free to let me know what you think!🫶🏼

You walk up the metal stairs of the cheap motel, feeling your shirt rise up on your waist with each step. The bag in your hands prevents you from pulling the worn fabric down, but it’s okay. Anything that draws attention is appreciated right now. You knock on the door with one hip pushed out to hold the bag.

“Hey, handsome,” you greet when the door opens. “I got everything you asked for.”

Stepping into the room, you set the overfilled bag on the bed and wait for the door to close. Your shoulders droop as you exhale heavily and pull your shirt down to your hips. “Twenty.”

Nyla’s eyes widen as she repeats, “Twenty? Two-zero?”

Nodding, you push your forefinger and your thumb against your eyebrows. “I know. This is way bigger than I thought.”

“It’s bigger than any of us thought,” the chief of Major Crimes agrees. “How’s your cover?”

Tim interrupts your answer and asks, “How are you?”

Licking your lips, you consider lying. “It’s rough,” you admit. “But I can do it. My cover is intact, no one suspects anything, and I’ve gotten more attention the last three nights.”

“What kind of attention?” Nyla inquires.

“Rich has been watching me while I’m working, and the guy at the front desk of the motel asks me about work every day.”

“They’re prying,” Major Crimes Chief Rodriguez says. “Trying to decide if you’re in a position to be asked.”

“Am I?”

“Not yet,” Nyla answers. “People with steady jobs and the income to stay in a long-term motel aren’t usually desperate enough to traffic.”

“Which we aren’t doing,” Tim reminds you. “We need proof, not for you to get sucked in.”

You nod, chewing the inside of your cheek. “Doesn’t make it easier to watch the twenty women they do choose get trafficked.”

“We’re doing everything we can to recover them,” Rodriguez promises. “Keep your eyes open, head down, get information, and we’ll go from there.”

“Rich got violent last night,” you tell them. “I didn’t see the knife but I heard he had one. Got up in a girl’s face because she asked if he was paying.”

“For?” Nyla asks.

“A dance.”

Tim crosses his arms tightly against his chest. He’d been against the idea of your cover job being in a sleazy bar, but there was no better option. You’re close enough to see what you need to see, yet separated just enough to not be easily pulled into it.

“Any idea when they’re planning to act next?” Rodriguez asks as he jots notes on a small black pad.

“I heard someone say something about ‘payday Friday,’ but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re pulling someone new in,” you reply.

“And it’s still too early for a hotel sting,” Tim complains.

“I’ll ask around with some of the girls, see what I can find out,” you offer. “Anything else?”

“Do you think you could get someone to take you to ‘payday Friday’?” Nyla asks. “I know it’s dangerous, but it they trust you enough, it could help.”

You nod and agree to try, though you know Tim is concerned about it. Tim wraps his hand around your arm as you pick up the emptied bag and prepare to leave. His touch is gentle and warm, and you wish you could melt into it and leave this undercover operation in the past. But you need to infiltrate this organization before they traffic even more innocent women.

“Be careful,” Tim urges you quietly. “This is way bigger than anyone knew, so if you need to get out, pull the ripcord.”

“I will,” you assure. “Thank you. You’ll be close?”

“Always.”

You leave the motel room with the promise that Tim is with you, and though it doesn’t make what you’re about to see any better, it makes your practiced confidence come a bit easier.

The black SUV waiting one block away is probably your backup. Tim’s metro team can’t be far, but as you walk deeper into an alley, following three armed men and their dates, your chest tightens. One of these women may be the target, or they could be compliant witnesses to the cruelty these men get pleasure and monetary gain from daily.

“You’ve met, right?” Rich, a regular at your cover job, asks as he gestures between you and his date.

“I don’t think so,” you answer with a smile. “I’m Jewel.”

“Do you speak Spanish, Jewel?” Rich inquires.

“A little bit.”

“Renata here doesn’t speak any English, but she’s very nice.”

You smile and introduce yourself in Spanish.

“No conozco a estos hombres,” Renata says. Her voice is strained, but her smile remains as she confides in you that she doesn’t know these men.

“What’d she say?” Rich's best friend Kol demands.

With an airy laugh, you answer, “She said she doesn’t know where to meet friends here.” Turning to her, you promise, “Te ayudaré. I told her I’d help her.”

Rich and Kol look at one another, then smile.

“I’m sure she’ll really appreciate your help,” Kol says.

His date snickers as she takes the other woman’s hand. So, they do know, you realize. And I just promised to help a woman who’s probably going to be trafficked while I stand here and watch.

“Hey, is Jewel your real name or just, you know, something you go by?” Rich wonders.

“It’s my real name,” you say, staying close to Renata.

“Sounds like a stripper,” one of the women whispers.

“Do you mind if I ask Renata for her phone number? I’d like to introduce her to some of my friends if she’s free sometime.”

Rich nods before he turns to converse privately with Kol and their dates. You raise your phone and text ‘Landlord,’ who is Tim, that something is about to go down and a woman is in immediate danger. You delete the text from your phone after it says it was delivered.

“¿Tienes un número de teléfono?” you ask Renata.

“Me dijo que la diera a la gente siete números. Me dará un teléfono antes de ayudarme a contactar a mi familia en Venezuela,” she answers quickly.

That’s not good. Rich told her to give seven random numbers and promised to get her a phone after she starts working for him to support her family in Venezuela. You know, like most cops, that if a trafficker thinks someone is willing to work to help their family in another country, they are prime targets.

Given that Rich and Kol are proven traffickers – in addition to committing other crimes – you know that you have to get Renata out of here before it is too late. She’s clearly scared, and if they catch onto her fear or realize that you’re not talking to her about meeting friends, this will go bad quickly. Tim hasn’t answered, and no police have descended on the alley, so you have to think fast. A truck approaches from the southern end of the alley, less than a quarter mile from the freeway. The men are still talking, and you take a deep breath.

“Huir,” you demand under your breath. Run away.

Renata looks at you, then takes off. Kol moves to chase her, but you step out to block his path. You’re too deep, and it will be too late to get out if Tim doesn’t bring Metro in now. But you had to help Renata. Her blood would have been on your hands if you hadn’t. Now, you’re risking your life to let her run to safety.

Rich steps forward and smiles as Kol asks what to do.

“Way I see it?” Rich answers. “We came down here to get another girl. I’m looking at one.”

“I’m not going with you,” you say, stepping back.

Kol pulls a gun from his waistband and replies, “Yeah, you are.”

You prepare to run, hoping that Tim will come around the corner. You’re still undercover, you remind yourself, and whatever happens now could save another life. Your arms are pulled tightly behind you, and you’re pushed into the back of a large white truck.

After the door closes and the truck lurches into motion, someone lights a match, and you see three women huddled in the corner, shaking and scared.

“¿Hablas ingles?” you ask.

“Yes,” one of them answers.

“I’m a police officer, okay? I’m going to do everything I can to help you and get you out of here. Are you hurt?”

“Ilsa is,” the woman with the match says. “They hit her with a metal belt.”

You move deeper into the truck and introduce yourself.

“I’m Maria, and this is my cousin Becca.”

You glance at Becca as you lift the back of Ilsa’s shirt. “How old is Becca?” you whisper.

“Fifteen, she just had her quinceañera," Maria answers.

Exhaling sharply, you examine the swollen red strip spanning Ilsa’s back. As you pull a miniature first aid kit from inside your boot, you say, “We’re going to have to work together, especially to keep Becca safe.”

“Of course,” Maria answers.

“They’re monsters,” Ilsa says. You notice immediately that her accent sounds Russian. “I’ll do anything I can to protect her. She’s only a child.”

“You’ve done more than enough.”

Looking away from Ilsa’s back, you face Maria, who says, “The man with the belt was trying to keep Becca from crying.”

“Least I could do,” Ilsa murmurs before hissing in pain when you swipe an antibiotic wipe across her wound.

“It’s more than that,” you say. “I won’t lie, I’m not supposed to be here, so this is going to get worse before it gets better. Do either of you have any idea where we’re going?”

“Tijuana,” they answer together.

Your eyes widen at the information that they’re moving you across state lines, country borders, and right out of your jurisdiction. The tracker sewn into the seam of your underwear only works for a few miles, so you’re completely disconnected from your station and the people who could help. Worse, you realize as you fall back, is that you have been trafficked. You’re no longer an investigator. You’re a victim.

As the truck shakes while you head south, you remove the jacket tied around your waist and hold it to your chest as you think. It still smells like Tim’s cologne, and you breathe it in as if it will disappear at any moment. Racking your brain for an idea of what to do, you try to think like Tim and Nyla. Every thought you have of trying to stop these men ends with you dead and the women beside you living in fear in a place where they’ll likely never be found.

“Do you need anything?” you ask them.

They shake their heads, and Ilsa’s chin drops as if she’s asleep.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Maria whispers. “You’re the angel we prayed for.”

She closes her eyes as the match burns out, and you tip your head back to look at the dark ceiling above you. I’m not an angel. I just stood too close to the devil.

The truck door rolls open loudly before a blindingly bright light greets you.

“Bienvenidos a Mexico,” Rich greets. “Send the little one, we’ve got someone here who wants to meet our newest helper.”

“Take me instead,” you reply, moving toward your abductors. “I’m new, too.”

“Not exactly what I meant.”

You jump from the truck and move to stand mere inches from Rich. “You just shoved that girl in the back of a truck and drove her to another country, you’re going to have to take it easier with her. She doesn’t know what you’ve done yet.”

“She’ll have to learn,” he seethes. “And we don’t have much time for teaching.”

Leveling your gaze on his, you wait for him to give. Kol mumbles something behind him, and Rich says, “Okay. Let’s go.”

Hours later, your face feels tight from all the dried tears on it when you are shoved into a damp room lined with cots. Ilsa recites a story to Becca while Maria braids her hair, but they look up at you when the door slams and locks.

“Have you seen any other women?” you ask.

“Two more. They came in for a few minutes, then the ugly man came and took them back out,” Ilsa answers.

“They didn’t speak,” Maria adds quietly. “Do you think their spirits are gone?”

You tug the roots of your hair and answer, “For their sakes, I’m beginning to hope so.”

“Are you okay?” Becca whispers.

It’s the first time she’s spoken to you, the first you’ve heard of her voice, and you smile at her. “I’m okay, and you’re going to be okay, too.”

“What is this place?”

“It’s a bad place, and they’re going to try to let bad people do bad things to us, but I’m not going to let them,” you promise.

“You can’t,” Ilsa argues.

“I took an oath to serve and protect, and that didn’t end at the border. They’re not going to do anything to you as long as I can help it.”

“Did…” Maria begins.

“No,” you answer. “He.. No, I’m okay.”

“Knock, knock,” Kol calls obnoxiously. He sets food on the nearest cot and asks, “How’s the little princess?”

Ilsa says something in Russian as Maria moves to sit in front of Becca.

“What do you want, Kol?” you demand.

“It’s a question,” he snaps. “I want an answer.”

“You want to know how she is? She’d be better if you weren’t around.”

Kol looks over his shoulder, then demands, “Come with me.”

“No.”

“Come. With. Me. Or I’ll come in there and get you.”

You clench your jaw as you stand and follow him. The moment the soundproof door is closed, he shoves you against the concrete wall and presses his weight against your back.

“I don’t like people that talk back to me,” he seethes in your ear.

“And I don’t like people who traffic humans,” you argue, pushing back against him.

Kol raises one hand to your head, pulling it back enough to slam your nose into the wall. You can feel it break, but you’re out of tears, and he doesn’t deserve them anyway.

“Beat me, sell me all day everyday, do whatever you want, but I’m not letting you put one more finger on that little girl,” you say though the blood running over your lips.

“Sounds like a challenge!” Rich exclaims. He comes to your side and adds, “I love challenges.”

“Who are you working for?” you ask. “You two morons are barely smart enough to drive, so there’s no way you’re the masterminds.”

“What does it matter to you?”

“When someone smarter than you comes along and gets free, I want to make sure she knows who the police should be looking for.”

“They’ll never find the Vaquero.”

“Doubtful you could find him either,” you reply, attempting to kick free of Kol.

He slams his foot against the back of your ankle, and you buckle forward at the pain.

“You want to work more? I’ll get right on it,” he says before pushing you back into your prison.

In a heap on the floor, you barely manage to tell Maria to back away from you before you puke. Sitting up, you see that Becca is asleep. Ilsa watches you lean against the concrete wall, and you point to the bucket of clothes beside her. There isn’t much in it, but a bra at the bottom catches your attention. It’s wireless, of course, because these people are smart enough to avoid giving scared women anything that could be used as a weapon. You fold it so the cups are together, making it thicker, then place it between your teeth. It holds your tongue down and catches your scream as you use the sides of your palms to straighten your broken nose.

“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Maria chides as she looks for something to stop your bleeding.

“Hand me the jacket?” you ask.

She passes you Tim’s jacket, and you watch a tear fall onto it before you hold it against your face. “I’m sorry,” you whisper into it.

“Will he come for you?” Ilsa inquires, walking toward you.

“I don’t think I left him enough clues,” you admit, though it’s muffled.

“You’re smart, I’m sure you did.”

Looking at Maria, you say, “If I get killed, don’t let it be for nothing.”

“We’ll protect each other,” she counters.

“No matter what,” Ilsa adds.

The following day, no one enters the room. There’s water in the corner and Becca snacks on the food from the night before, but nothing changes. Tim’s jacket still holds the scent of his cologne on the end of the sleeves, and you keep it beside you as you attempt to rest. It dries your tears and holds your blood, but it’s nothing like being near Tim. It’s a reminder that you can get home, and that’s all you need it to be.

“There’s a first aid kit,” Becca says, standing from the corner. “It looks new.”

You extend your hands, and she places the metal box in your hold. Opening it, you sigh at the sight.

“It is new,” you announce. “Ilsa, let me see your back again?”

She lifts her shirt, and you begin treating the stripe. “It looks better. Hopefully this will help more.”

“I can’t feel it,” she says.

“That’s not good,” you reply immediately.

“I should say, I choose not to. We have more important things.”

“Your health is important.”

“And yours isn’t?”

After a month of preventing Ilsa, Maria, and Becca from being removed from the room, you are exhausted. Rich has taken pleasure in coming to retrieve you every time, and when he opens the door for the eighth time in five days, you stumble as you stand.

“If you’re too tired,” he taunts.

“I’m fine,” you answer. “Get out.”

“We have guests coming tomorrow,” he says with a smile. “You’re going to have to get along with me, or they’ll show you a different kind of punishment.”

“It can’t get much worse.”

Rich walks toward you, and you notice a rope in his hand. “Trust me, it can. Now, let’s go.”

“What are you doing?” Ilsa demands.

“Leashing the dog,” he answers darkly. He steps behind you, his breath warm and too close to your skin. “Walk.”

You exit the room and decide not to fight back as he secures your wrists and up to your elbows with the rope. It’s uncomfortable and pulls your shoulders into a dangerous position, but talking too much will only feed his ego and endanger every woman in this bunker.

“Open your mouth,” he says as he walks before you. “Now.”

After you lick your lips, he pries your mouth open and pours something inside. He taps your neck, forcing you to swallow, and you feel your muscles weaken as he leads you toward the exit. You urge yourself to remember the route to reach the door where the sunlight shines beneath it, but each step is heavier than the last and requires concentration.

Rich uses your restraints to pull you to a stop. You tip back and can’t catch yourself with your hands, so you fall to your butt and groan. To stay upright, you cross your legs and wait.

“I said I wanted someone who could look the part of a cop,” someone with a familiar voice complains. “She can barely stand.”

“When the drug wears off, she’ll be fine,” Rich explains. “Did you bring it?”

“You induced myopathy to walk her to the door? What is she, a fighter?”

“She’s an annoyance. Remind her that we’re here alone with her friends. She’ll do whatever you want.”

You can hear the man's smile as he repeats, “Whatever I want.”

However, he doesn’t have to remind you of anything because you do what he asks. There’s a feeling in the air like something big is happening, and you want to be out of your cell for it. You can only hope that Ilsa, Becca, and Maria are safe while you’re gone, but believing they are makes it even more important to obey and keep them safe.

“Put this on,” the man – tall, older, and clearly not Mexican – demands as he tosses a small costume package to you.

You catch it, fully recovered from the drug’s effects, and look at the skimpy black fabric within. As you remove it from the package, you realize who the man is and why he sounded familiar in the bunker. Councilman Brek has been demanding in every interview he’s done, and it’s been rumored he has the city and government employees in Los Angeles in his wallet to stay in office so long.

“You’re Vaquero?” you guess.

“Maybe I am, which means you do precisely what I say. I don’t trust you, so you’re going to have to change here and now,” he instructs slowly.

Nodding, you begin to change as quickly as possible. The so-called police uniform is little more than a too-small vest and a tube-style skirt with a light badge hanging from it.

“Perfect,” the man applauds, blatantly looking at your body rather than your face. “Let me introduce you to the girls. Ladies!”

You follow him into another room where seven women are dressed in similar outfits, in different colors, and bearing agency badges.

“Tonight, you will be known as your badges. So, we’ve got DEA, NSA, CIA, FBI, LAPD, NYPD, ICE, and CSI, how needs some glasses.”

You look at each woman as he speaks and wonder where they’re from. You can't guess if they’re working for him legitimately or if they’re all like you. For all anyone knows, they could be undercover, too, though the pleased smile on CSI’s face after she receives glasses makes you think otherwise.

“Finish your shift without incident and we’ll talk. Anything happens, tell my assistant Mark and he’ll handle it. The rules are simple: You work, they pay. If someone tries to do anything without paying, Mark is your first contact. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” you reply with the other women.

The clock on the wall says four a.m. when you consider calling for Brek's assistant Mark, but remember Rodriguez’s advice: keep your head down. If you can get through tonight without causing any problems, maybe Rich and Kol will trust you enough to give you more freedom. It’s unlikely, but lives are at stake, including your own.

“Come to papa, LAPD!”

You turn and smile at the short Latino man beckoning you closer. Extending your hand, you wait for him to pay you with one hand on your hip.

“I said come here,” he repeats.

Rubbing your fingers together, you remind him, “I’m supposed to receive payment first.”

He twists his head to crack his neck and then extends his arms. His hands grip your barely covered hips before he pulls you into his lap.

“Let go,” you demand under your breath, looking around for Mark and wishing it was Tim coming to help you.

If you were undercover in LA, Tim would have already had this guy off of you, and tears prick your eyes when you remember how long it has been since you saw him and worked with him.

“Stop fighting,” the man says.

His demand is punctuated by the telltale sound of a switchblade. NYPD slows as she walks behind you, and when the man shifts his hand to squeeze your thigh instead, she screams Mark’s name.

Before he reaches you, you press your hands against the man’s shoulders and shove yourself away from him. You realize then that the knife was closer than you thought. Mark hauls the man out of his chair and disappears. NYPD and DEA escort you back to the room where you got dressed and encourage you to sit.

“Is this yours?” DEA asks, raising Tim’s jacket.

“Yeah,” you answer.

She presses it against your bleeding inner thigh, and you dig your fingers into the chair beneath you.

“This needs stitches,” NYPD says. She looks around before whispering, “Are you working here?”

You shake your head in a small motion, and she chews her bottom lip.

“We have a sewing kit,” DEA whispers. “But I don’t know if that would work.”

“I do,” you interject. “Bring it to me?”

She hesitates but does as you ask. NYPD threads the needle after DEA sterilizes it over a nearby burning candle. You remove Tim’s jacket and put the end of the sleeve in your mouth to bite down on. Each stitch burns worse than the last, and your fight to stay conscious makes your hands shake.

NYPD takes the needle, tugs the jacket sleeve free, and says, “Breathe, LAPD.”

You mumble your name, and she smiles as she says, “I’m Jessica. I’ve been watching, so I can try to finish them if you want.”

“Please.”

“You’ll scar her!” DEA argues.

“It’s going to scar no matter what,” you say. “I’m not that good. Please just help me.”

NYPD nods as you let your eyes close momentarily.

Tim could have kept it from scarring you think just before Mark enters the room to escort you back to work.

Kol doesn’t see the wound when he arrives to take you back to the bunker. Not that you think he’d care, but you covered it just in case he’d make you stop taking the “jobs” intended for Becca, Maria, and Ilsa.

Lowering carefully onto your cot, you let the pain in again and acknowledge it with a groan.

“What happened?” Ilsa asks, rushing to your side.

“I need the first aid kit, please.”

Maria turns away to distract Becca when she sees your patched-together stitches, but Ilsa kneels beside you to help.

“It’s gonna be a long night,” she murmurs.

“It’s been a long month,” you correct her.

She chuckles wetly, and you smile as she wraps bandages around your thigh. The bloody jacket is clutched to your chest, and you once again wish that it was Tim holding you, and not you desperately gripping the idea of him.

“It’s been months without a word, Tim,” Nyla says. “Rodriguez has other cases, but that doesn’t mean he’s giving up on her.”

“He closed the case!” Tim yells. “It has been weeks since he looked at anything related to the traffickers, and suddenly it’s time? She’s still out there, Nyla!”

“I understand, Bradford, I do, but until we can pick up their trail again, there is nothing we can do.”

“So, you expect me to just go back to work while one of our own is being trafficked?”

“I expect you to do what you need to do to make Rodriguez think you’re not undermining him,” Nyla says quietly. “I’ve been looking too. We’re not going to let her disappear.”

“And if she’s already gone?”

“We find the people who took her and make them pay with everything they have left.”

“Everybody pack up and drink up,” Rich demands as he kicks the door open.

“Drink what?” Maria asks, leaning up to look at the clear glasses on his tray.

“You’re going home.”

“What?” you, Ilsa, and Maria exclaim together.

“The Vaquero bailed you out. The drink is a celebration.”

“We’re going home?” Becca asks Maria, gripping her hand tightly.

“Three of you.” Rich looks at you, and you nod. Their freedom is your hush money, and it will work... for now. You'll stay quiet about Councilman Brek being Vaquero if it gets these women home.

“No,” Ilsa says. “I’m not drinking that if she’s not going with us.”

“Yes, you are,” you tell her. “You’re going home because that was always the goal.”

“What about the other women?!” she exclaims.

“I’ll work to free them next.”

“You’d die before you did that,” Rich says. “It took you over five months to free these three. You think we don’t have replacements for them already on the way?”

“You got what you wanted, Rich,” you say. “Ladies, pack and drink. I’ll cheers with you.”

You wrap Tim’s jacket around your waist, tap your glass against theirs, drink, set the glass down, and fall into darkness.

“Where are the tracking records?” Angela asks.

“From the underwear tracker?” Nyla clarifies as she leans over Tim’s table.

“That’s where her tracker was?” Tim asks, furrowing his brows.

“I guess Rodriguez didn’t put them in the file,” Nyla says, frowning. “Or they’re digital and he couldn’t figure out control-P. Let me check.”

Tim looks at surveillance pictures of you as Nyla clicks through the laptop before her.

“Printer is full if you need to use it,” he murmurs.

“Thanks.”

Angela stands to retrieve the papers as Nyla lifts your undercover phone from the charger.

“Tim,” Angela calls, looking at the top page. “Did you get a text from her the day she was abducted?”

“No,” he answers, raising his head.

“She deleted it, but the metadata is still there.”

Nyla extends her hand and reads the information on the page before looking up at Tim. “It says it delivered.”

Tim takes his phone from his pocket and checks, but there are no messages from you. Angela checks the other undercover phone, but there are no messages there either.

“Where did it deliver, then?” Nyla wonders. “It says she sent it to ‘Landlord.’”

“Landlord?” Tim asks. “On the last day she was here?”

“Right.”

“Rodriguez changed our covers the morning before. He told me he let her know. Landlord texts went to Rodriguez.”

Nyla purses her lips before she asks, “Which city council member endorsed Rodriguez for chief?”

“Brek,” Angela answers. “It fueled the pay-off rumors.”

“There’s something else going on here,” Nyla says. “And Rodriguez knows about it.”

“I’ll call-“ Tim begins.

“We don’t know who we can trust,” Angela interrupts.

“Wade,” he finishes. He pauses and looks up rather than making the call.

“Call him,” Angela and Nyla say together.

You blink your eyes open, realize you don't recognize the room around you, and sit up quickly.

“I gave you a very thorough description,” Councilman Brek complains. “She looks nothing like what I asked for. If I’m paying for you to bring them up to LA, I expect to get what I pay for.”

“Sir, we don’t have anyone fitting that description,” Rich explains. “And you liked her before.”

“But this isn’t before, is it? She's cost me enough money without this screw up.”

“Excuse me?” you interrupt. “I- I’m from LA, and I know a lot of women willing to do anything for money. Maybe I can help you get what you want.”

You bite your tongue after you speak to keep your stomach from flipping. You’re offering to traffic someone else, and even though it’s a cover to get these men in custody, it still feels wrong.

“I’m not sure I feel comfortable divulging that information to you,” Councilman Brek replies.

“Who is she gonna tell?” Kol points out. "She's been quiet about everything else."

Brek sighs, then says, “I want a dark woman with natural hair, shorter than me, relatively small, and mouthy.”

You manage to keep your eyes from widening at his precise desire and somewhat racist description. “Yeah, I know someone like that.”

“You do?” Brek and Kol ask together.

“I only know her first name,” you reply. “It’s Crystal. I know where she lives, like geographically, not the address.”

“I want Crystal,” Brek decides, turning toward Rich. “Take LAPD here to fetch Crystal and bring them both back.”

“Yes, sir,” Rich and Kol answer together.

You walk out to the car with them and slide into the passenger seat. They brought your clothes with you during the overnight transport back to LA. Now, Tim’s jacket hangs off one shoulder as you give Rich directions to an undercover residence. He parks, and you’re surprised when he and Kol unbuckle their seatbelts. Your hand moves to release yours, and Rich backhands you. His ring draws blood on your cheek.

“You didn’t really think I’d let you waltz up there, did you?” Rich asks.

“Just surprised you wear seatbelts,” you answer meekly.

He locks the doors behind him, trapping you in the car, and you watch as they walk to the door you pointed out and ask for Crystal. A nearby Metro team that was likely on standby ambushes them nearly immediately after hearing Detective Harper's previous undercover name. Without time to react, they’re cuffed and placed in patrol cars before they even realize what’s happening.

When more officers arrive to keep up appearances, you know you must get out of here. With Tim’s jacket protecting your skin, you break the passenger side window, climb out, and run through the night.

When you finally reach the door you’ve dreamed of walking through for nearly half a year, it is dark, and the city is as asleep as it gets. You haven’t had a home in too long, and thinking of going to the station to answer questions about every little thing you saw and did makes you nauseous. So, you linger outside the one place you can think to go. Raising your hand, you grip your stained jacket sleeve in your fist and knock.

The door opens harshly as if the person is grumpy from being woken or unimpressed by such a late visit. You forget to breathe when you see the man at the door and the first breath you force yourself to take causes a tear to roll over your cheek. Tim steps toward you, his shoulders dropping as his eyes widen and his gaze softens. He sees the blood on your cheek but doesn’t try to touch you.

“I didn’t know where else to go,” you admit quietly.

Tim nods and pushes the door open wider for you. With the sleeves of his old jacket grasped between your hands, you step into his home and wait.

“I… What do you need?” he asks.

You look down, unsure about where to start answering that question. “A shower would be nice,” you reply.

Tim leads you through his house and into his bedroom. He tells you where all of his clothes are, where the fresh towels are under the sink, and invites you to use whatever you want.

“I’ll be close, if you need anything,” he says before closing the door behind him. “You can lock the door,” he adds through the wood.

You lay your hand on the doorknob, then let your fingers slip off without locking it. Navigating carefully and quietly through Tim's room, you take a few pieces of his clothing into the bathroom. The warm shower feels good, but you hate that you can’t hear well over the falling water, so you cut your time in the cleansing stream short. Dressed in Tim’s clothes, you walk through his bedroom and open the door. Tim stands from his position on the floor, where he’d been waiting down the hall in case you called for him.

“I’m not going to ask if you’re okay,” he says. “Do you know what you want to do?”

“Can I just…” You trail off and gesture weakly in an around motion.

“Yeah, of course,” Tim answers. “I’ll be on the couch.”

He listens as you pace through his hallway and into his bedroom. You’re not the woman he knew before, and he understands that, but his worry about you and concerns about what you’ve been through threaten to overwhelm him.

Ten minutes later, you enter the living room and sit on the other end of the couch. You pinch Tim’s sweatpants between your fingers and avoid looking at him, but you’ve never been happier to be in his presence, to be sitting beside him.

“I’m here,” Tim says. “I don’t want to push anything on you, but whatever you need, whatever I can do – or not do – to help you, I am here.”

“Thank you,” you say, looking up to see him. “I missed you.”

“You had my jacket.” Tim’s eyes drop momentarily like he’s trying to place what else is different about you.

“I couldn’t look in the mirror,” you confide. “Is my nose crooked? Or crookeder than before?”

Tim hesitates before he answers. Not because your nose is crooked and he’s preparing to lie, but because he’s wondering what happened to your nose and who caused it.

“It looks perfect,” he says. “Like before.”

You place your hand gently over your nose and say, “Kol broke it.”

“I’m sorry,” Tim whispers.

You drop your hand and nod at him. Moving closer, you close some of the distance between you. “I want to feel like me again.”

“You will,” he promises. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“I might’ve used all that strength.”

“Then you’ll use ours. Everyone around you is ready to help you.”

“Until they find out what I did and have to hear my word against his,” you murmur.

Tim wants to know more about what that means, but your head drops against his shoulder, and suddenly, you are the only thing in the world that matters.

“How’d it go?” Tim asks as you exit the locker room a week later.

“Okay,” you answer carefully. “I don’t think the DA completely believed me about Councilman Brek, but everyone else in the room did. Hopefully Rich and Kol are cowardly enough to take a plea deal and testify against him.”

Someone calls your name as you enter the station’s lobby with Tim.

“Ilsa?!” you exclaim, rushing to hug her. “Are you okay? What are you doing here?”

“My father hired a PI after my return, and the man found more women. We are here to talk to the detective.”

“Which detective?” you inquire, hoping it isn’t Rodriguez.

“That would be me,” Nyla says. “Major crimes was stretched a little thin, and when I saw your name in Ms. Alekseev’s report, Lopez and I jumped on it.”

“Thank you. Ilsa, here’s my number,” you say, handing her a card.

She hugs you again and turns around just before she reaches the door. “Thank you for saving our lives. Maria and Becca went to the embassy when we returned. They’re with their family.”

Nyla mouths safehouse and you nod in understanding.

“You’re brave, Ilsa. Thanks for keeping me safe.”

“I don’t think one bandage makes us even.”

“We’re survivors, that makes us even.”

She waves and follows Nyla into the station as you and Tim exit. He leads you to his truck and opens the passenger door for you, repeating one bandage over and over in his mind. Realistically, he knew you had to have received injuries, but other than the broken nose, he doesn’t know exactly what you went through. Only that Councilman Brek was involved.

“Want me to order dinner?” you ask as Tim backs out of the parking space.

“Whatever you want,” he answers, meaning it in more ways than dinner.

An hour after you wish Tim goodnight and retreat to his extra bedroom, you knock on his partially open door. He invites you in, and you don’t hesitate to enter and tuck one leg under you as you sit on his bed.

“Can we talk?” you ask.

“Of course,” he answers, turning to focus completely on you.

“First, thank you for letting me stay here. I’m working on finding a new place, but I really didn’t want to be alone.” Tim nods, so you continue, “The day they took me, I texted who I thought was you, as you know, but when they put me in the truck, there were three women inside.”

“Ilsa?” Tim guesses.

“Yeah, and she had just been injured. And then Becca and Maria. Becca- She’s 15, Tim. I couldn’t leave them in there, defenseless.”

“Wait,” Tim murmurs, laying his hand over yours. “No one blames you for getting trapped. You were abducted, that’s not something anyone is going to be mad about.”

“I probably could’ve fought and gotten out. I couldn’t leave them.” Tim nods, so you tell him about your first few nights in Mexico, about the bunker and Rich and Kol, and about how you kept Becca as far from everything as possible.

“And Brek bought their freedom to keep me quiet about him being Vaquero,” you finish, leaving out the worst of your experiences. “I think about it a lot, but the worst memories come when I’m trying to sleep.”

“I get it,” Tim assures you. “I’ve got a past that plagues me too. It gets better, and you’re not alone.”

“I feel safe with you,” you admit, dropping your eyes to where Tim’s hand rests on yours. “When I convinced them to let me lead them to Crystal, I was scared I’d never find who I was before.”

“And now?”

“I know I can,” you say. “With you.”

“Can I ask something?” Tim requests. “You can say no, and you don’t have to answer.”

“Of course.”

“There was dried blood on your clothes when you showed up. Was it all yours?”

You nod and unconsciously shift closer to Tim.

“Some of it was from the broken nose. Tim, your jacket kept me alive. It held a lot of blood and tears, but it reminded me of home, of you, and it helped me fight when I thought I had nothing left.”

Tim swallows, and his eyes drop. You follow his gaze, then lay your hands over the jagged scar on your thigh.

“You’re safe,” you repeat. “I can be me again with you. And I can never thank you enough for that.”

Tim slowly raises his hand to your face to catch the escaping tear with his thumb. You lean into his touch, and Tim promises to stay close.

“Brek has some illegal strip club or bar, I don’t know exactly what it is, down there,” you begin. “I was there for a night, dressed – which is a generous term for the uniform – like a cop, and some guy didn’t like the order of how things happened.”

“You’re okay,” Tim promises.

You lean into him, resting against his chest as he shifts his arms to hold you. With your shoulder tucked beneath his, your face on his chest, and your legs pulled over his, Tim holds you like he never wants to let you go. You’re a cop and are far from naïve about the dangers and the evil of the world, but right here, you feel completely safe and more at home than anywhere else. Tim’s finger drags lightly over the scar as he kisses your forehead.

“We’re going to get him, and get all of those women home,” you say. “Nyla told me that you didn’t give up on me, even when Rodriguez tried to sweep everything.”

“Of course not. I knew you’d be fighting even harder to get home.”

After a moment, Tim asks, “Did you get a tetanus shot?”

You laugh. For the first time since returning home, you truly, joyfully laugh. “Yes, I did,” you answer with a smile. “Thank you for seeing me through the scars.”

Tim smiles, gently tracing your cheekbone and jaw, and silently promises to make every single person involved pay for what they did. He'll start with the man who assaulted you with a knife and work down the list.

“Tim,” you say. It draws his attention back to this moment. “Do things have to go back to exactly how they were before?”

Tim looks down your body, then raises his brows. Clearly, your position says no, but you want confirmation from Tim that you’re more than you were before.

“Can I show you?” he asks.

“I’d love that.”

Tim flattens his palm against your cheek and drops his chin to kiss you. It’s slow, and though his hands are on you, it’s different than before. You’re not scared of touch, you realize, leaning into his hands. Tim Bradford is home, he’s safe, and you love him. Despite the scars, the trauma, and the unforgettable horrors you’ve seen and experienced, he loves you too.

“Does that answer your question?” he whispers against your lips.

His hand drops to your leg once more, and when he doesn’t hesitate to brush it over your scar, you smile and say, “Maybe repeat it? Make sure I got everything?”

Smiling, Tim says, “If anything ever feels wrong, or brings up something you don’t like, promise to tell me?”

You offer your pinky to promise, and Tim takes your wrist gently in his hand. The scars circling your wrists and forearms have lightened, but the deep rope burn carved into them will never disappear entirely. After Tim kisses a darker scar, he hooks his pinky in yours.

[whumpbug]

IM SOSSORRY FOR THE LATE REBLOG BUT I AHD TO TAKE A MINUTE TO LAUNCH VIOLENTLY AROUND MY ROOM OUT OF ACTUAL PURE JOY

mello’s dubious camera quality art dump #1

HELLO @whumpbug WAVES AT YOU. LEANS ON TABLE THEN SLIPS AND FALLS DRAMATICALLY. YOUR SILLIES TOO SILLY.

happy waking up to this i guess

first up!!!!!!! they!!! all of they!!!!!

+ two sketch dumps of varying quality (finished the first in a hour and the second in like. two. i am on a roll) (should i tag the second image as spoilers because uhhhhhh. hm)

(cw extremely mild gore 2nd image)

first one completely unplanned i just had to 😭 and the second one is just. a whole load of ooc dialogue probably. i was so obsessed with the prompts you gave for zel i just ‘fuck it we ball’-ed through this sdkhfkjdsh. hope you like it i guess

annnnnddd that’s all for today-night hope you slept well :3 (watch out /j)

[lostintransist]

Secrets are for Grownups | Part 7

Part 1 can be found here. AO3

The knock at the door tensed all your muscles. Your fingers are interlaced and buried between your thighs to keep them from shaking.

The bus had left with your boys twenty minutes ago.

John had sat you in the middle seat below the wall of pictures. Larsen’s smiling face gave you comfort, knowing he would have your back had he lived. John sat to your right and Nyla had claimed the space to your left, flanking you, for everyone’s safety. Nyla patted a hand at your elbow before rising from the couch.

When she opens the door Johnny and Simon greet her with a kiss on the cheek and a nod respectfully to you. John stood and offered them a hug, the love they shared fierce even in the short gesture. They sit where directed. Johnny and Simon are thigh to thigh. Simon’s arm stretches along the breadth of Johnny’s shoulders, thumb stroking the side of his neck. Johnny reciprocated by settling a hand on Simon’s thigh. The prominent black band on his hand draws your gaze.

Only the hum of your really old refrigerator breaks the silence as they stare at you and you at them.

John looks from you to his men and back. With a sigh, he edges to the front of the couch and begins as if he were leading a mission briefing.

“The goal here is to come to an understanding regarding the boys. I have spoken with you all at length about this. The boys know about their fathers,” he nodded to the men before turning his gaze, “and you are willing to allow Simon and John time with them correct?”

The question is directed to you. Nodding, you swallow hard. He turned back to the men on the other couch.

“You would like to meet and develop a relationship with the boys, is that also correct?”

Johnny must tighten his hand on Simon’s thigh because Simon settles his free hand on top of his husband’s.

“We would like an opportunity to meet our boys,” Simon replied evenly.

Rage prickled at the back of your neck. Jace and Mac were not their boys, they were yours. Yours and Larsen’s. Squeezing your fingers tighter and staring at your lap allowed you a moment to breathe past the bile rising up your throat.

“What are you expecting this to look like?” John asks.

Unsure if he who he questioned you look up. Finding his eyes on the men sitting on the opposite couch you turn to look at them as well.

“We aren’t sure yet,” Johnny starts, gaze connecting with yours. “We would like to become a stable and consistent part of their lives. They are our sons.”

“Will you tell us about them?” Simon glances at you before looking down at his hand on Johnny’s. His band is the same dark metal as Johnny’s.

Your breath shudders in and out as everyone looks at you. John sinks back into the couch, eyes watchful. You look to him for something, guidance maybe. At his nod, you turn back to the men and start from the beginning. Nyla settles a hand on your back, soothing in the way it moves back and forth.

“Jace Riley was born first at a healthy seven pounds two ounces. Noah MacTavish followed within five minutes and came in at a decent six pounds five ounces. My late husband, Larsen, helped me pick their first names since I knew what their middle names would be when some genetic testing confirmed different fathers. " You rush on, expecting judgment. Everyone had an opinion on pregnancy. “My midwives were concerned about the vastly different gestational ages and referred me to a specialist. They also sent off the genetics to test for lots of things including for general origin of ancestry. When the information arrived it confirmed that the older baby, Jace, had mostly English DNA, and the smaller one, Noah, had English and Scottish DNA. I delayed submitting their birth certificates for as long as I could to confirm that their personalities and features lined up with what I expected.”

Johnny is fighting back tears, face turned and mouth scrunching and relaxing. Simon coughs into his hand before squeezing Johnny.

Running your tongue across the back of your teeth you allow them a moment.

“If it works for you I would like to invite you over sometime this week to meet them. It will be a low-pressure situation for them and for us. I won’t be making them call you anything but your names until they decide what to call you.” You pull your hands free of your thighs, letting the blood flow back into them. “They like legos if you want to bring a small set to build with them. "

Both men nod in agreement, you assume to both the scheduling and the toys. When they have collected themselves Johnny inches forward on the couch, elbows on his knees.

“Johnny,” Simon growls, as if warning him.

“No Simon. We deserve answers and I don’t want to ask when the boys are here,” he snapped at his husband—pinning you with his ice-fire blue eyes. “Why didn’t tell us when you found out? You still had John’s number. We deserved to be involved, to have a choice.”

“You made your choice, both of you. Anything that happened after you found exaltation is none of your business.” You can’t help but snarl at them, fingernails biting into your palm as you curl and uncurl your fingers.

Unable to remain seated you stand and take to pacing the space between the wall and the window.

John spoke up now.

“Can any of you tell me how this happened? How did I miss all of this going down?”

Despite the years and pain between, you, Simon, and Johnny share a moment of understanding as you all glance at one another.

You reply, feet slowing your frantic pacing.

“It started after your ex-wife asked for a divorce. The night Gaz invited everyone to the bar and you elected to stay back and drink alone in your office.”

John pinked and readjusted in his seat as Nyla raised a brow at him.

“It’s alright dear, we all need a nip from time to time,” she offers him a kind smile.

“Johnny had flirted since I arrived but it really changed that night,” you twist your fingers as you pace.

“She slept with both of us until she had a ‘family emergency’ and was never heard from again,” Johnny glances up at your family photos as he drops his snide comment.

The glare you level on him would melt glass.

“It was a family emergency. I needed my family, emergently. I was in over my head and I was scared.”

“You knew what you were doing, you were grown.”

Simon’s hard words caught you in the neck as you paced. His folly found him in saying it when you were close enough to reach him. Not even God and all the angels would have been able to still your hand. It connected with a resounding crack.

“How old was I?” You shout at him even as John leaps from his seat and hauls you away before Simon can recover enough to return fire.

“You’re only a year younger than me!” Johnny is pushing to his feet now.

A quiet but firm ‘John’ from his mother pauses his standing. Sinking back into the cushion he glares at you.

John has you around the ribs, not wincing as your nails bite into his arm.

“I am five years younger than you. Do you know how old that made me when you both cornered me and dragged me into bed? Twenty-four! My brain hadn’t even finished developing yet.”

You want to, need to, move. John holds you tighter.

“We didn’t drag you to bed, we would never force someone,” Johnny’s glare hardened.

The eye twitch is uncontrollable.

“What about a situation where I was alone in a foreign country with no support system except a boss who was too busy dealing with the single worst divorce I’ve ever seen to actually check in on me? Hmm? He barely ate and certainly didn’t notice two men both older and in positions of power over me pushing their interest. What part of me had any impression other than force John MacTavish? You tell me that! How could I say no? Did you ever once make it clear to me that I had a choice?”

Simon and Johnny both open their mouths to defend themselves. Before they can utter a word you continue, vitriol flying off your tongue like spittle.

“No! You know what you did? You poured your hatred for yourselves down my throat. Choked me with it because you couldn’t admit that you were in love with the other. Do you know what I did in return? I stole the best thing you could ever create and fled the fucking country.” John tightened his grip on you when he felt you shift. “You know nothing of what I suffered under or because of you. You don’t get to sit on my couch and tell me you did nothing wrong. I would have let it go on until my visa ended but no. Both of you had to fuck up and call out for the other while balls deep inside of me. That’s when I ran.”

Wrenching yourself from John’s arms you stalked into the kitchen. Bracing your elbows on the counter you focus on breathing. Them being in your house dredged up a lot of emotions and thoughts you had assumed were gone. If only you could soothe them as easily as you do the boys.

Steps reached your ears.

“John, I just need a second okay?” Your voice cracks on the last word.

“Ah me dearie, I left the boys to chat.”

Whirling you find Nyla looking you over with compassionate eyes.

“I know I shouldn’t have slept with them both at the same time, but I didn’t feel like I had any way to say no,” you crush your arms to your chest, the pain helping keep you present. “I thought I could enjoy the time until I had to go home.”

“I am no here to judge you. My own dear husband had to fight off three other suitors I was sleeping with before I would agree to marry him,” she gave you a wink as you processed that bit of information.

Four men? Mama MacTavish was sleeping with four men at once? Damn. Guess you know where Johnny got his charisma from.

Her face took on a serious cast.

“They will never understand.”

Your eyebrows pulling together is all the response you can manage. Nyla knows what it means though. The pain ratcheting through you is the only thing keeping you from breaking down.

“The boys.” She runs her hands down her front as if smoothing an apron she left in Scotland. “Simon might understand a bit better once he thinks about it, but Johnny won’t. They have never had to balance the scales of safety of their bodies or safety of their souls anywhere that didn’t involve gunfire.”

A distant look comes over her face as Nyla’s memories play across her eyes. A deep breath and the closing of her eyes pull her back to the present.

“We know the constant battle we face as women. Embedded in our bones by our mothers, the need to comply, to capitulate.” She focuses on you now, eyes boring into yours. “I am proud of you for running, child.”

The tears slid down your cheeks without your permission. When you are gathered up in her arms you wonder if the decision to call her might have been a good one for you, and not just the boys, after all.

Secrets Masterlist | Masterlist

@love-kha1 @sweetlike-sugarplum @vmaxis @splaterparty0-0 @momowhoo @talia-the-gemini @redkarmakai @aethelwyneleigh27 @asexualbuthorny @sleep101 @callsignbumblebee @lucienofthelakes @sirbonesly

[nyrasburnttoast]

Snakes. Tim bradford

Summary: Tim Bradford and Reader get a call at a reptile store..

Pairings: Tim Bradford x (fem) reader, (Platonic or Romantic)

Warnings: none

a/n: It's set around, season 6ish. not proof read lmao

“7 Adam 19, we have a report of a disturbance on the corner of La Brea and 12th, possible 211.”

“Copy that dispatch, show us in route.” Tim puts the radio back down. Y/N opens her mouth to say something, but quickly closes it, focusing on driving. She purses her lips, glancing over at Tim. A few moments of awkward silence fill the shop.

“What???”

“Nothing!! Nothing- “

He cuts her off, “You’ve got that look you get when you’re thinking. Spit it out.”

“Isn’t-“ She pauses, turning to look at Tim. “That address is an exotic animal store.”

“So…?” He side eyes Y/N. The car begins to slow as they arrive at the scene.

“A 211 at a store that sells dangerous animals???” Y/N says slowly, looking at Tim as she parks the shop. “I’m just saying, not the place you think would get robbed at 10am on a Tuesday.” She mumbles, shrugging.

They both exit the shop, Tim alerts dispatch that they have arrived on scene.

The store was trashed, you could see that from the outside. The lights were out, and a few windows were smashed. There were a few steps down, if it wasn’t for those, water would probably be flowing down the street.

Tim reaches down for his radio, “Dispatch, this is Sergeant Bradford at the disturbance on LA Brea and 12th, requesting back up,

Y/N leans forward, grabbing Tim’s radio. Without taking it out of his hand, speaking into it. “And animal control.” She looks Tim straight in the eyes. She lets go of his hand, entering the store.

There was an inch of water covering the entire floor. A few dead animals were scattered around, mostly tarantulas whose small containers were knock onto the floor from their shelves, and other insects. Snakes slither across the selves, and frogs happily hop around. Very few animals sit inside their actual enclosures.

A snake slithers across the floor at Tim’s feet. He draws his gun, pointing it at the snake. Y/N spins around, instinctively reaching for her own gun. She frowns at Tim, dropping her arms to her side.

“Put that away.”

“Why would I do that?” He doesn’t look up from the curious snake at his feet, his gun trained on it.” She gives him a warning look.

“What?! That thing could easily kill me. I’m not going to risk my life!!”

His eyes widen as Y/N bends down, picking up the snake. Tim’s eyes widen, he hesitates, but doesn’t follow the snake with the gun. “The hell are you doing?? It could be venomous!”

“It’s a rainbow boa- Boas are nonvenomous dumbass.” Tim frowns, but finally puts his gun away. Y/N safely puts the snake on the counter before walking to the back of the store, looking around with her flash light. After a few seconds she walks back out, radio in hand.

“Dispatch, we’re code 4. Stores empty except for a bunch of snakes and stuff.” She walks over to the racks of cages, looking over all the snakes, just examining the types of snakes and reptiles. “I don’t think they have any venomous snakes out front. They’re all in the back- and not a single smashed cage back there.” Y/N shoots a glare at Tim, feeling his worried gaze shift from her to the backroom door.

“Cmon, let’s just wait outside until animal control shows up. So, you don’t shoot any innocent snakes.

After shift later that evening, Tim went out with Lopez and harper. Something that has become a regular thing for the trio. Just have a beer or two, decompressing after work for a few hours before they get home.

A familiar voice behind Tim speaks “You seriously pulled your gun on a snake??” Tim chokes on his drink, turning to Lucy wide eyed.

“No! Of course not!” The man voice betrays him, as his voice cracks a little. Nyla snickers behind him

“Tim Bradford!” Angela exclaims teasingly. “You’re scared of snakes???” Tim just sighs in annoyance. He’ll never hear the end of this. He glares across the bar. Y/n winks at him, smirking as she takes a sip of her drink. Oh, it’s going to be a long night…

Tim made y/n pay his bar tab, but everyone’s reactions were so worth it.

[nixnephili]

A bundle of stuff

My sleep schedule is non-existent

I feel so down

I enjoyed drawing Nyla again~♡

-Nix🌙

[rookieoneil]

Nyla: Angela what is this email?

Angela: oh I got bored with my regular email send off

Nyla: so instead you thought to write “Nyla, please hesitate to reach out- Detective Lopez.”

Angela: clearly you didn’t hesitate so back to the drawing board

Nyla: 😐

[deexchanel]

Golden.

Word Count: 2,650

Pairing: Geralt of Rivera x BlackFem!OC

Warning: Swearing, Fluff, Angst, Fighting, Arguing

Summary: Geralt is known to everyone that he is not the relationship type. After having an recurring dream, one woman is stuck on his mind and he can’t let this one get away.

A/N: Another Geralt oneshot uh ohhh. I know that this timeline is in 1210 but I'm not going to try hard to have it that way, meaning it will be some modern things in here. It is not edited, but since I'm on break, it won't take me long to do. Aside from that, Thank you for reading!

The fire brew nicely keeping both him and her very warm for the night. Geralt laid next to the girl that made him forget about everything else he dealt with. He felt content with having her close to him and nothing mattered at the moment.

He rolled over to smell her warm vanilla scent but there was no head. Geralt snatches the cover off in shock to see her body except with no arms or legs. He scoots back kicking the cover,”AH!”

A deep howl sounds off behind him and he quickly draws his sword, looking in every direction. His heart pounded in his chest as an animal come rushing towards him. Geralt stood up ready for battle and the Barghest jumped to him.

That’s when Geralt awoken from his slumber. He swung his feet to the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes. He then began grabbing nearby items to get dressed for leaving. When finished, he nudged Jaskier with his foot. “Jaskier, meet me at Kaer Morhen. I will be there but I have to go somewhere first.”

Jaskier, who was sleeping on the floor, heard him perfectly but still waved him off because it was still early in the morning. Geralt walked out the door, making way to his horse, Roach.

“Good Morning.” He spoke lowly while rubbing his favorite spot. Geralt climbed on, beginning his trip to Town of Odin. This dream occurred to him the previous night as well and he didn’t want it to be a third time.

——

“I need to make sure I grab some fresh bed linens while heading to work.” Nyla mumbled to herself as she folded her now clean clothes. After placing them on top of her vanity, she pulled apart a few of her curls to give her hair a fuller look.

Spending a couple of minutes in the mirror to make sure her face is clean and smooth. Nyla got up from the vanity making way to the bed where her outfit laid. It was a white dress with a green flower print all over, pairing that with some white sandals. Once smearing her melted cocoa butter against her lips, she made way to the kitchen.

Nyla picked up things around the house, wanting to organize her little home. It was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath cottage style home, it's perfect to her. The record player spun tunes that she loved which gave motivation to clean up her home. She is a single 23 year old with no intentions of having a man any time soon so the small size is great.

“Good Morning, Ms.June!” The chocolate woman waved over to her neighbor with pure happiness.

Ms.June waved back, “Morning Nyla! I made croissants, would you like some?”

She gave her a smile, “Yes ma’am, I would love one.” Nyla looked both ways before crossing over the rocky road. She would never turn down any baked goods from Ms. June. She was the only woman that made her feel welcomed in the group.

The Town of Odin was a big well known town, from the fabulous boutiques to the nice food places. The beautiful garden at the entrance of the town , ropes tourist in.

Nyla lived on out skirt of the town, living in the house her grandmother once lived in. Our beautiful Nyla is a people person but loves being alone when it comes to her living space.

Getting that trait from the fact that she grew up with two older brothers and older sister. When having siblings there is no definition of personal space. Her parents moved to New Asgard under rightful leadership of Queen Frigga. She visits quite often but this month she was going to miss their plans.

After eating the warm flaky croissant, she straightened her front patio from any fallen debris. She also had a huge flower garden that she tended too frequently.

Tending does have her outside all day which she then spends her evening going to Ms. June house. One person is writing while the other yells out fictional story ideas to write down. Tonight she did have a shift to pick up so she wouldn't be able to spend majority of time there like she always does.

Today shall give her peace.

Or so she hopes.

Eyes set upon Geralt as he stalked through the city of Odin. The city didn't have a hate relationship with Witcher's unlike surrounding places but his guard was still up. He held on his needed things and the leash that connected to his horse, Roach.

By time he arrived in the city, it was past night fall. Geralt was pretty tired but determined to save his love. He knew the path to Nyla’s house, so he kept his distance from everyone until...

"GET THE FUCK OUT MY PUB!" A feminine voice was heard in the streets from this pub that was on his left. That voice sounded very familiar. Too familiar.

He made his way over to the pub curious on what the chaos was about. Geralt stood tall at the door, scanning the crowd looking for a certain pair of brown eyes. A guy stood in front of him with his back facing the door, arguing with someone. That someone landed a clean punch across his face making him forcefully bumped into Geralt.

He pushed him back making the guy now face him. "The fuck is your problem!?"

Geralt expression harden," You bumped into me." his eyes shifted to the person behind him. It was Nyla. His Nyla. Their eyes made contact, setting off bombs of love within him.

It's like nothing else mattered but her.

Reality kicked in when the drunk guy continued his yelling, getting closer to Geralt. "You stood there fuck tard! This low down pub took my money."

Nyla crossed her arms, not even phased by the insults. She just wanted him out of her pub quickly. "Oh my gosh, you're complaining but still here! I been said get the fuck out."

"I can leave whenever I want bitch." The drunk guy spat into her face, sizing her up. This stupid act got his ass punched the first time. Nyla balled her hand into a fist, lifting her arm but Geralt instantly grabbed his shoulder forcing him to turn around.

He landed a smooth punch to the side of his face. The strength made the guy blacked out and Geralt dragged his limp body out the door, tossing him in the road.

Making it back in, his focus was 100% on Nyla. In that swiftness, she was back serving food and drinks to customers. He looked around the room then settled on the table in the corner.

His eyes instantly locked back onto Nyla, noticing every little detail. Seeing the gold jewelry she wore brought out her brown eye color. Nyla's dark brown curly hair bounced as she walked around. Her outfit didn't reveal much but a man has an great imagination. Noticing her smooth brown skin as it glisten in the light. Nyla's nice plumped lips had him wanting to kiss her every second if he could.

"You're staring." Nyla's firm voice broke him out of his trance. Gosh, she looks more amazing up close. Geralt gave her small smile, "I know."

"What do you want Witcher? I haven't seen or heard from you in years." She sat the piece of paper down, placing a hand on her curvy hip. Taking this time to notice some of his features, he definitely looked different then he did four years ago.

"I came to save you..." He couldn't even finish due to protest.

"Save me? I can take care of myself perfectly fine." She raised an eyebrow. Questioning herself, what does she need to be saved from? him obviously. He left the first time, that mean he's bound to do it again.

"I can see that very clearly but whatever's after you, I just can't let you be here alone. You need to come with me Nyla." Geralt points to her, his face held the determination. Letting her know that he is serious.

"So you only came because something is after me. I appreciate that you care but Geralt like I mentioned, I haven't seen you in years. I do not feel comfortable skipping town with you."

"Nyla listen!"

"I'm listening Geralt! You don't have anything else to say other than you came to save me. If it wasn't something after me, I would've never heard from you again. Am I lying?"

Geralt trailed off in silence knowing what she was saying is very true. After a couple of seconds he spoke." What you speak of is not true. I'm wanted by many, I didn't want to put you in harm's way."

"Geralt that is bullshit!" Nyla claim as shook her head in disbelief. Is she really hearing these words come out his mouth

"I'm sure you'd do a much better job of killing it then." He stood up from table, feeling regret and frustration. His tallness made Nyla melt but she had to keep her composure.

"You thought I was going to welcome you back with open arms? I'm angry with you Geralt! You're so self-absorbed. You only care about yourself!" Nyla voice started to raise not caring if it caught the crowd attention.

Geralt lets out angry groan. His icy white hair flowed as he walked pass her leaving. Nyla didn't want him to leave, honestly she was happy to see him but her anger got the best. She lets out an angry groan herself, " Fine!"

She balled up the paper that she used to take orders and tossed it to the back of his head. It hit his back, obviously not feeling it he continued walking out the door.

"Nyla can you refill-" Her manager starts as Nyla get closer to the bar. The manager doesn't likes her for whatever weird reason and uses every moment to patronize her.

"Shut the fuck up talking to me." Nyla cuts her eyes, grabbing the full beer glass so she can pass them out.

-----

It's hitting midnight which is what time the pub closes. As usual Nyla is the last to stay doing her normal. Consisting of wiping tables down, cleaning the windows and sweeping. When finished, she grabbed her things and locked the doors.

The night sky was clear as she saw the full moon above while walking out the town of Odin. Nyla loved the light from moon as it brighten the pathway home. Weirdly the town was quieter then usual, normally it would plenty townmens standing around the bonfire.

Maybe it was something in the air. It's only a ten minute walk from town and the surrounding forest area isn't too thick so Nyla isn't scared to walk by herself at time. It's just something about tonight that gave her this weird eerie feeling.

Hearing a dog whine astray her from being lost in thought. Nyla stopped so she could hear clearly, "Hello?"

The whining started again and she turned to her right, taking one foot off the path to get to the injured dog but the whine turn into a slow growl.

Nyla instantly stopped in her tracks beginning to speak out again, "Hel-"

She catch sight of a pair of orange eyes staring back, oh shit.

For a second out of fear, she stood there. A monstrous Barghest, orange eyes glowing with predatory intent, lunged. Its gnarled claws reached for her, the air crackling with its otherworldly power. She lets out a blood-curdling shriek beginning to run down the path.

Not to far from Nyla's home, stood Geralt as he was staking out behind her house. That scream grasps his attention, shaking him to the core. Without thought, he takes off towards the sound.

Nyla ran til she couldn't, as adrenaline rushes through her body. Nothing could make her look into the eyes of death. In the matter of what felt like hours, Geralt eyes of cat-like yellow, materialized from the shadows running towards. His silver sword gleamed in the moon light, he yelled for her "Nyla!"

That grabbed her attention, losing focusing on running, she tripped over a stone. Geralts leaps over her, sword drawn and at the ready.

"Your hunger ends here." Geralt growled, his voice a low rumble.

The Barghest roared, its attention diverted from Nyla. With a swift, graceful motion, Geralt sidestepped the beast's clawed attack, his sword dancing in a deadly ballet. Each strike was precise, each parry flawless.

Nyla, though terrified, found herself awed by the Witcher's skill. She'd heard tales of his prowess, but witnessing it firsthand was a different experience entirely. The battle raged, a symphony of steel on bone, of snarls and grunts. The forest echoed with the clash of the two adversaries, their every move a deadly dance.

--------

Nyla's small arm wrapped around Geralt's buff frame as she helped him into the house. Both covered in blood, she flung them to the couch. Tired is the understatement.

Whatever position they landed in, Gerald sat there with his eyes closed holding on to his bleeding torso. Nyla sat there as well til she relized that the couch was covered in blood. Oh well, she'll get him to throw it out in a hour or so, just not right now.

"Geralt."

"Hmm."

"We have to get you stitched up love."

"No it's fine, I'll heal."

"Geralt..."

"Nyla I'm fine, I promise." He opened his eyes, the yellow in his eyes didn't glow like when he's upset. Nyla expression softened as she grabbed his free hand. He squeezed her hand a little but, "Let's just get cleaned up."

Nyla doesn't respond but lets out a breathe she didn't know she held. She made way to the bathroom, prepping the hot bath water. Once finished, she got into the water then called for him. "The water is ready!" In two minutes, Geralt walks in the bathroom, getting in the tub. Nyla looks away in this moment, not it the mood for anything sexual.

Right now she just wants to cuddle this man. When he settled in the water she moved closer to him, placing a head on his shoulder. "I shouldn't have been so stubborn earlier. I'm sorry Geralt, thank you for saving me."

"No need to apologize Nyla." He wrapped his arm around her, placing a kiss on her forehead. "I will aways come to your rescue." In this moment, the world was silent and all that matter was the steaming water against their skin.

"And I will always appreciate you for that." She spoke gently, her hand rubbed against his scars, amazed at his healing ability. Nyla leaned up from his loving brace, facing him. " I've really missed you Geralt."

" I've missed you too Nyla."

His deep voice made her heart flutter and Nyla averted her gaze, nervously . The Geralt of Rivia claim that he misses her. He gently placed a finger under her chin to make Nyla look to him.

Her heart pounded as their eyes locked, his golden eyes burning into her soul. She felt breathless. Not wasting a second, Geralt placed his lips onto hers.

Their bodies pulsed with the raw energy of their passion, every touch, a testament to their love. Nyla places her hand against his face, deepening the kiss. Geralt pulled her closer wishing he could mold their skin together so they never parted. He wanted to devour her, kissing her ever so passionately, wanting her to feel his love.

She meant everything to him.

As their lips parted, their foreheads rested against each other, their eyes filled with unspoken promises.

They were bound by a love that transcended words, a love that consumed them entirely.

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

I know Geralt didn't have many lines, but remember he might not be the most expressive lover. It's his actions and unwavering dedication that speaks words.

Wow, I love the motivation I had for this cause it's crazy how I started on this in 2022 lol. I hope every one enjoy, I wish you the best holidays!

Stay slutty my friends!

[nylasmokeyface-art]

(Click for quality!)

Tangy is TRAPPED by the beasts! They are not moving anytime soon.

Revenge attack on @tangential-hooligan (Tangential on Art Fight) with their characters Tangy, Nyabori, and Katdari!

This is probably the most points I've gotten from an Art Fight attack. I'm really proud of myself!

And yes, Nyabori and Katdari are Neko Atsume versions of Ingo and Emmet from Pokemon.

[sukidude]

sorry guys new muse is the demon twink from hell, yeah it’s terminal, shut up-

[elitehanitje]

Anthony Bowens is the future of Pride and a shining example of the power of being out & proud

When you think of professional wrestling, queer acceptance might not be the first thing that comes to mind. In reality, progress towards changing that perception is being made, in large part thanks to PRIDE’s Grand Marshal, Anthony Bowens, and his decision to be out and proud — in and out of the ring.

“I feel extremely welcomed. That was actually one of the drawing points of coming to All Elite Wrestling [AEW], back in 2020 when I was trying to choose between two companies,” Bowens recalls to PRIDE. “It was how welcoming the locker room was and how free the performers were, because AEW had the first ever trans woman to win a major national title named Nyla Rose, and they had Sonny Kiss, and both were just walking around being themselves and there was no issues. It was just we're all one big family, it didn't matter who you were. And I thought that was so impressive.”

Bowens says that this spirit of welcoming and acceptance is mirrored by his fellow performers, the management, and, of course, the fans. There was a time when being an out gay wrestler would have been an oxymoron, but the sea change is occurring and has never been more evident than in a truly stunning moment of solidarity shared by a crowd of wrestling fans. If you’d been at the AEW Dynamite show last June at Chicago's Wintrust Arena, you’d have seen (and heard nothing but) a sold-out crowd erupt into chants of “he’s gay” in support of Bowens.

While Bowens is the first to admit that pro wrestling still has a ways to go in terms of its queer acceptance, he can’t help but see positive signs everywhere he looks. “We have shows on the independent [promotions] like Effy's Big Gay Brunch that features all LGBTQ athletes, I think he runs it multiple times a year now; it used to be every WrestleMania weekend. And then also on AEW, I think that at one point one of our shows had I think seven or eight out LGBTQ athletes on the show. That doesn't happen anywhere else. And that certainly didn't happen when I first started,” he says.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW

[katrotica]

I saw this picture of Nyla Moon and was instantly smitten with her striking beauty, and uhm, her specacular tits. Might as well be upfront about it. When I started on the poster I thought something moon related would work on account of her name, so I started there. And I also had my tablet out bc I'd been doing some drawing, and I was inspired to try something a little arty on this poster, and so I just kinda doodled basically. I'm not totally sure what it all means or why I made it look like that—it just felt right and I rolled with it. Did you notice? I know… it's a little hard to look past those tits, but there are a few other things to look at there ;)