#oc water hose

[theboxfort]

Some OC refs :]

More info and a few alt designs below!

Kite, Ouija Board, and Chisel are middle schoolers

Egg Timer and Joe are in their 30s

Sword, Coco, and Spruce are in their 40s

Chicken Basket is like 60

The rest are in their 20s

Sword and Spruce divorced each other, Chisel is their daughter

Blendy and SL are childhood friends/current roommates

Blendy and Barbie are dating

Also yes, Chicken Basket is the only cishet here

[zenitsustherapist]

hmm i think you might scream ??? probably not though

since i’ve already drawn yuna once , should i draw another one of your ocs ? :3

I would scream and then probably scream some more, and maybe idk scream a bit

[suiana]

✎ yandere! ex headcanons . . .

✎ warnings . . .

― obsessiveness, possessiveness, stalking etc.

(gn! reader x male yandere! oc)

✎ yandere! ex who has been so lost without you. ever since you left, his whole life has just been falling apart :(

✎ yandere! ex who is literally the embodiment of that one meme where the guy is in front of someone's house with water spraying at them. can't you see? it's raining and he's still outside begging for you to come back! wdym it's not raining and that's just a water hose >:(

✎ yandere! ex who you broke up with because he was just too possessive! he still has those traits btw :) he always murders talks to the people whom you're courting after you left.

✎ yandere! ex who is constantly stalking you. he needs to know what you're doing 24/7. now that he can't call you without getting blocked, he has resorted to stalking.

✎ yandere! ex who's always embarrassing you in public. like get up! stop getting on your knees and crying in front of everyone!

✎ yandere! ex who has a whole room in his house dedicated to you. pictures all over the walls, text messages pinned to his computer screen, that shrine dedicated to you at the corner...

✎ yandere! ex who breaks into your house on a daily basis. he thinks it'll make you like him again! that doesn't even make sense but ok!

✎ yandere! ex who's always telling others that you're his significant other. god he's so annoying! you broke up 3 months ago, why hasn't he moved on?!

✎ yandere! ex who's just so utterly confused and lost without you. you are his reason for everything, always has and will be. and it's so pathetic seeing him act like a lovesick, broken hearted girl, so take him back already will you?

✎ "y/n... have you changed your mind on our relationship yet?"

[overrboarrd]

sanctuary: prologue

firefighter!roman reigns x azure clarke [oc]

warnings: death/mentions of death, sibling loss, spousal loss. please read at your own discretion. this story is for audiences 18+ so minors please dni.

word count: 1.2k

a/n: finally getting the ball rolling on this one! I don't wanna say too much but this is just the prologue, first chapter will be posted this week. it's a bit heavy, but I hope y'all enjoy it!

•───────────•

August , 2024

•───────────•

Azure stood in front of the memorial stone, the rain mingling with her tears. It had been three years since that day. The folded flag from his funeral was still tucked away in her closet, along with the wedding ring she no longer wore but still kept. The life they built together had become nothing more than shadows, painful memories she carried like an anchor.

The third anniversary of his death—a life taken by violence while serving in the line of duty as a police officer, leaving Azure a widow far sooner than she ever imagined. She replayed the warm afternoon in her mind, the way time stopped when she opened the front door and saw Officer Ford and Officer Hayes, heart shattering when she learned her husband wasn’t coming home. It was her undoing, that moment. The moment her world collapsed.

Every day since, she had felt suspended between two worlds—the one she had before him, and the emptiness that followed his death.

After years of sleepless nights and well-meaning condolences, Azure couldn’t stay any longer. The memories of him haunted every corner of their old home, every familiar street in the city. She could no longer bear to walk down the paths they had once strolled together. Her grief had become suffocating.

The papers were signed, her resignation submitted to the hospital where she had worked for nearly five years. In the morning, she would pack up the last of her things and drive away from this chapter of her life.

Azure bent down to lay a small Polaroid from their wedding day on the grave, her hand lingering on the cold stone for just a moment longer. She whispered her goodbyes, feeling the weight of her decision settle on her heart.

“I’ll always love you,” she said, her shaky voice barely above a whisper. “But I have to go.”

As she turned to leave, the wind carried her words away, and with it, the first step toward something new.

•────────────────•

October, 2021

•────────────────•

The acrid scent of smoke filled the air, and Roman’s heartbeat echoed in his ears, faster than he could control. The fire raged, crackling louder than the sirens blaring around him. Flames licked at the sky, casting an eerie orange glow over the street.

Roman watched helplessly as the house crumbled, swallowed by the inferno. Fire hoses sprayed water in all directions, but it felt like nothing could quench the flames. In the chaos, one thing was painfully clear—Daniel was still inside.

He had already gone in once, like the hero he always was, emerging with a small bundle in his arms: a little girl, no more than two years old. Daniel’s face was soot-streaked, eyes wild with determination, but Roman saw the flicker of fear in his brother’s gaze. He had saved her, pulled her from the flames in time.

Roman had rushed toward Daniel when he stepped out, relief flooding his body. “You got her, man, you got her,” Roman had said, barely able to hear his own voice over the sirens.

But Daniel wasn’t looking at Roman—his eyes were fixated on the burning house, the flames licking dangerously at what was left of the roof. He handed the little girl off to a paramedic, but his body stayed taut, muscles coiled as if he were preparing for another run inside.

Roman grabbed his arm, pulling him back before he could reenter the house. “Daniel, wait! The roof—”

“There’s someone else inside, I don’t have time, Ro!” Daniel turned to face Roman. Roman could tell something was wrong, but before he could question it, Daniel jerked his arm free, his eyes fierce and mind made up.

“Daniel, no!” He disappeared into the blazing house. Roman’s stomach dropped. He wanted to follow, but the walls of the house groaned, threatening to collapse. The fire chief shouted something over the roar of the fire, but Roman didn’t hear it. All he could focus on was the growing, gnawing dread that his brother wouldn’t come back this time.

The minutes dragged on like hours, each second ticking by with Roman’s heart hammering in his chest. And then—

A deafening crash.

The roof caved in, sending embers flying into the night sky like a thousand stars falling to Earth. Roman felt the impact in his chest, the air punched from his lungs. Shouts erupted around him, but all he could see was the house, now reduced to a fiery skeleton.

He knew. Even before anyone said a word, he knew.

Daniel wasn’t coming out.

Roman’s knees buckled, but he caught himself, stumbling forward, only to be held back by a fellow firefighter. “Roman, no! It’s too late!”

The reality of it hit him like a sledgehammer. His brother—his best friend, his blood—was gone. There was no heroic rescue this time. There was nothing left to save.

And then, a cry pierced through the night.

Roman turned toward the sound, eyes falling on the little girl Daniel had rescued. She was sobbing, her face smudged with soot, her tiny body trembling from shock and fear. The paramedic, wide-eyed and silent, stood holding the child out toward him.

Roman looked down at her. She was so small, fragile, barely able to understand the magnitude of what had just happened. In her eyes, he saw nothing but confusion and fear. She reached out, clinging to him like he was the only solid thing in her world.

Roman held her close, cradling her as her sobs wracked her tiny body. He could feel the heat of the fire on his back, the devastation surrounding them, but in that moment, everything went silent.

He was left holding this little girl, the last life Daniel had saved.

She didn’t know what had happened. Didn’t know that the man who had pulled her from the flames was gone. But Roman knew. And as he held her in his arms, the weight of it hit him all at once. Roman stood there, his own tears mixing with the ash on his face, unable to process the magnitude of it all. He had just lost Daniel, but in his arms was the symbol of his brother’s final act of heroism.

“I’ve got you,” Roman whispered to the little girl, his voice cracking, though he wasn’t sure if he was saying it to her, to Daniel, or to himself. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

As the fire continued to rage behind him, Roman realized that he had been given more than just the responsibility of saving lives. He had been given this child, this tiny piece of his brother’s legacy. She had no one left now—and neither did he.

From that moment on, Roman knew.

He was her protector.

•────────────────•

Dear Brother, I hope this letter finds you well. I’ve been thinking about you a lot, and I miss you. It’s been a long journey, but I’ve finally settled in my new place. It’s quiet, not too far from the ocean. I never imagined I’d end up down here, but maybe that’s exactly what I needed—a fresh start, from everything. Things are… complicated right now. There’s so much I want to tell you, but I don’t know where to start. Just know that I’m okay. I’m figuring it out, one day at a time. I hope someday we can see each other again, in a different world maybe, where none of this matters. Know that no matter what, I will always love you.

[chlorinecake]

🍌 forbidden fruit | j.sc

✼ plot: just the reader catching feelings for her younger sister’s swim coach and doing anything she can to get between his legs

✼ word count: 4.8k

✼ contains: swearing, an oc + anton, teasing with food, mild exhibitionism, unprotected sex (but he doesn’t finish inside), oral (m.r), fingering (f.r)

YOU WERE CONVINCED THAT that your younger sister was born into this world a mermaid, blessed with gorgeous locks and dazzling brown eyes that earned her the name Hazel at birth.

Though her hair now was often covered by a silicone swim cap with her honey-hued eyes shielded behind waterproof goggles, one thing that remained the same was her ability to swim as if the water simply carried her across its bumping waves.

You remember her first time in a pool like it was yesterday, her legs taking off with more ease than she ever had while walking, meanwhile, you sat idly in a donut floaty, cheering her on with smiles on both your faces.

Since then, Hazel never stopped swimming.

Though, you were more inclined to the creative arts rather than anything sporty.

Unless, the sport in question involved chasing after Hazel’s personal swim coach, Jung Sungchan: a former competitive swimmer himself until he opted to train after a minor injury.

You were careful not to let your eyes linger for longer than necessary whenever you stuck back to watch Hazel practice with him, despite the tantalizing view of Sungchan’s washboard abs poking through his swim shirt, or the way his wet hair clung to his sweaty forehead.

Well, with that description, it’s fair to say that your mind and imagination did all the lingering for you, his lower half being practically burned into your mind the moment you got a glimpse of his bulge one day.

Gosh, you felt like such a loser knowing that your main motivation to accompany your sister at swim lessons these days was for the sake of seeing Sungchan, despite how you'd barely even formed a decent relationship with him.

The key word here being decent-

“Breathe, Hazel, breathe!” Sungchan hollered, distracting you from your thoughts and drawing your attention back to your sister who had just beat her fastest 50 meter lap record of her life.

Sungchan met her at the end of the pool, “Less than 24 seconds,” she huffed proudly, just as he rejected their usual high five and instead, helped her out of the pool.

“What was that all about, hmm?”

“I’m not a baby anymore, Coach. I can hold my breath for a lot longer-”

“Don’t make anymore rookie mistakes, alright? It’s not always about time when we’re training, but efficiency.”

Hazel sighed at his words, taking off her goggles and letting them rest around her neck before looking back up at him, “Let me guess then… bobbing circuits as a punishment?”

“After break,” he smiled sarcastically, patting her on the shoulder while she chuckled at his behavior, walking off to the ladies locker room before passing a look your way, “Hey, ____?”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Would you mind getting me a snack from my duffel bag? It’s in the floral container.”

“Sure,” you said, uncrossing your legs and getting up from the bleachers while gathering each others things in a backpack.

Sungchan looked at the time on his watch, and it turned out that practice was already over for the day, “On second thought, how about I treat us all for lunch today?”

His offer caught the both of you off guard, “Seriously?,” Hazel questioned, “even after the little stunt I pulled?”

“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” he shrugged, washing some equipment down with a hose.

“Give me twelve minutes to get ready,” she said, skipping to the bathrooms and almost immediately turning on the shower.

You wondered how much you and Sungchan could get away with while your little sister showered.

In a perfect world, your desires would already be a part of your reality by now, instead of something that just kept you entertained during Hazel’s swim classes.

A smirk crept up Sungchan’s deer-like features, shamelessly peeking at you before directing the hose your way, splashing you with a bit of water while giggling to himself.

“What the- stop that, you big freaking dork,” you giggled back, covering your face with your hands while running over to him, grabbing the hose and turning the faucet off.

The way both your hands looked while wrapped around the dark green tube, your smaller ones contrasting with his much larger and veinier ones made your breath stop in your throat for a second, a certain memory of you two resurfacing in your thoughts.

He handed you a towel to dry off, shaking his hair out like a puppy as he took a few steps away from you, your mind finally coming back down to earth.

“My sister seems to be excelling with her training recently… you should really give her more credit for her hard work,” you started, knowing that he'd have a response to that.

“Uhuh,” he replied briefly, leaning down to loop the water hose around its designated hook on the wall, “last time I checked, motivation doesn’t start with fleeting praises, but notable progression.”

“She literally beat a record today, Coach,” you defended, tossing your old towel in the nearby laundry bin.

A bit of silence meddled between you two, your eyes trying their best to be normal as he walked closer to you, every muscle in his body standing out in your peripheral vision, almost making it pointless for you to even try looking away now.

“You already know you can call me Sungchan, ____,” he smirked, hooking a finger in the belt loop of your jeans, “and you’re still wet, by the way... ‘can see it outlining your panties…”

Gosh, you hated how your mind thought of something dirty when those words left his mouth, wanting to disappear as an unbeatable heat raised to your face, all over a brief moment between you two that started and ended with a water hose.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 Later...

The three of you were now eating lunch together at a newly opened seafood bar called Fin & Shell, just a few miles from the training center.

You were all making conversation about the quality of the fish and chips and their odd choice of placing a fruit bowl in the center of the table when Hazel got up to get more napkins, leaving you and Sungchan alone.

Your hand found his thigh under the table before stroking it, dangerously close to his private area.

“Interesting way to get your hands clean,” he joked plainly, making you laugh at yourself a bit before continuing.

“You know there's not a clean damn thing about what I'm doing right now,” you said, fingers tip-toeing around where you wanted to feel him most.

“I know what you want, ____, but I'm afraid you're out of luck these days...”

“And why's that?”

“Because, your sister looks up to me now... I've earned her respect, and it’d only hurt her if she found out about us, let alone our past,” he continued, taking a sip from his drink, “I don't wanna risk it interfering with her athletic progression.”

The fact that Sungchan valued Hazel's well-being more than you in this matter was quite baffling to be honest.

Though, you couldn't help but internally roll your eyes at his empathy, “We’ll just have to be sneaky about it, then,” you tried, hands going back to caress his now tense thighs.

“I’d rather penetrate you with this banana than my dick, ____,” he retorted playfully while picking one from the fruit basket, his cute little smile coming into show despite how you were hardly in the mood to joke around.

You took the banana from his grasp after watching him struggle to open it for a bit, looking him in the eyes while asking, “Can I have a bite?”

“Sure, but don’t be slutty about it,” he teased, looking as your teeth sunk into the banana's sweet flesh, plump lips seductively sealing with the bite before handing it back to him.

The image of you doing that would stain his mind for the next few hours, knowing deep down in the depths of his swim trunks that for professionalism or not, he was gonna get you to look at him like that again real soon.

“Uhhh, you two look strange... What’d I miss?,” Hazel chirped as she came back from her adventure to find napkins, sliding back next to you at the round table.

“Well,” you started, folding your hands over themselves, “Sungchan was just telling me about how he wouldn’t mind giving me beginner's swimming lessons tomorrow.”

“What?! No, I- ngh-,” he groaned, feeling as you applied pressure to his sensitive bulge, one of his hands flying over yours pleadingly as he redirected his initial sentence, “I mean,” he chuckled dryly, struggling to mask the way his facial features were twisting from your actions, “yeah. She’s um… really eager to develop some basic skills herself, y’know? For some sister bonding time…”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” you smiled, just as your sister began to speak.

“Oh… okay then! Sounds fun, I guess... Just don’t think I’ll be sharing my anti-fog goggles with you,” she giggled, looking at Sungchan before noticed the uncomfortable look on his face, your hand still pressing firmly against him, “you alright, Coach?”

“Yeah, just a bit... uhm...” he let out a shaky exhale, “sensitive… to my banana allergy...”

You felt his hand overcome yours with strength, making you retreat from your ministrations with a satisfied feeling in yourself.

“Okayyyy…” Hazel replied, raising her eyebrows dumbfoundedly as he got up from the table, pushing his chair in, “I’m gonna go get some water, but you two finish up. I'll be back in a bit.”

Hazel shrugged off the weird vibes y'all were giving off, taking a satisfied bite of the fish sandwich she'd ordered while you finished eating up your fries, finding immense pleasure in how flustered you got Sungchan to become.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 The next day...

You got up early the next morning, skipping your usual coffee run to avoid any 'pool cramps' while swimming as directed by myth Hazel.

You weren’t one to wear swim caps, so you just put your hair in a cute low-maintenance style, packing both you and her a mini snack to bring for the day ahead.

“Welcome, ladies,” Sungchan greeted, clapping his hands from all the energy pulsing through his veins, “There are de-fogged goggles on the rack over there… kudos to Anton for setting those up first thing, by the way.”

Anton?, you asked yourself, the name alone being nowhere near as familiar as the face you soon were met with, popping out of the water with a navy blue swimcap secured around his head, soft eyes meeting yours as an almost inaudible “hi” fell from his lips.

“Oh my God, Anton!” Hazel yelped, hopping in the water before swimming towards the later end of the pool to meet him, “last one back has to do the laundry.”

Almost immediately, your sister and him both took off with kicks like torpedos, meanwhile you tried piecing together where you recognized Anton from, and then it hit you:

He and your little sister used to train more often together back in the day, but after he got scouted for the swim team in New Jersey, you saw less and less of him over time…

Still and all, he looked quite similar to the sheepish boy Hazel used to crush on a few years back, excluding his now matured physique, of course.

They were already back to the wall by time your thoughts stopped, starting up some small talk between each other.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were gonna be back in town?” Hazel asked, out of breath from trying her hardest to out-swim Anton, who beat her by a landslide.

“Honestly I was surprised, myself. One of my mom’s coworker’s oldest son’s are getting married soon, so we flew out to celebrate... We don’t get back til a week from now, though.”

“Awesome! So that means we can spend more time together til you get back to your fancy New Jersey team,” she teased, shoving Anton’s shoulder playfully as he laughed off her words.

“Stop, you know I love it here, Hazel. This place made me who I am as a swimmer today...”

Sungchan suddenly blew the whistle around his neck, “Hazel, you’re supposed to be working on warm up’s and strength training right now. You can lallygag with Anton later, I’ll need his help and focus today.”

“His help? With what? I say this with all due respect, Coach, but aren’t you the professional here?”

“I indeed am… but he’ll be in charge of teaching ____ today.”

You and Hazel’s eyes widened simultaneously at Sungchan’s words, “You’re joking, right?”

“Nope,” he replied plainly, taking off his whistle necklace and tossing it on a nearby table, “Like you said, I’m the expert, and thus, my expertise is needed more with you, Hazel...”

Sungchan walked around the edge of the pool, keeping a steady pace as not to slip on any water as he met you where you sat, “____’s quite the handsy one, but I’m sure little Anton can manage her for the day,” he smirked, pinching your cheek before handing you a pair of goggles and walking off cheekily.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 ...

You’ll admit that your swimming lesson with Anton went well, though it was obvious you would’ve much rather spent that time with Sungchan, and you planned to give him a piece of your mind as soon as possible.

You had already showered up by now, approaching him in the pool area with every intent to get something out of him.

“So you making me splash around with a kid my sisters age was your way of getting back at me for the Fin & Shells thing, huh?,” you accused, watching as he put away some wet swimming equipment.

“You can’t make me back down that easily, y’know?”

He glanced at you for a quick second, “And what makes you think that’s my intention?”

“Just the plain fact that you’re scared to continue what we started…”

He narrowed his eyes, flicking the water off his hands before facing you head on, “No, but you should be,” he said, voice falling a little deeper, “you’ve seen me before, and that’s not something most girls are prepared for.”

“Please, don’t be so full of yourself,” you scoffed, mirroring his nonchalant voice as your eyes scanned his movements, legs following him all the way to the empty men’s locker room where he sat on a wall bench to relax, looking back at you with a slightly annoyed look on his face.

“You know?… All that stuff you said about professionalism was bullshit… we’ve crossed that line way long ago, and your size isn’t gonna get in the way… trust me...”

You made your way over to sit on his lap, straddling him with your hands at his shoulders.

“God, you’re so overbearing,” he sighed, your lips immediately finding his jawline, causing his words to fall out as hums instead of coherent syllables, “d’you understand what you’re playing with right now?”

“Mhm,” you hummed back, gently nibbling the space underneath his ear.

His hands clung to your loose top as a way to control himself, but also because he wanted more, your hips rocking against his being enough to make him feel needy.

Not that he’d ever admit that to you though…

Your hot and wet kisses started to trail from Sungchan’s neck and to his plush lips, your hands sliding under his shirt to feel him as he mirrored your energy, lips moving in sync.

He was giving in to your ministrations, and you could tell by his breathing, which had become jagged and heavy… not in a submissive way, but with desire.

Frustration, even.

The muscles in his abdomen tensed and relaxed as you went back to kissing his neck, hoping that your lips would leave a mark or two while you were at it, “We can worry about a backup plan later, Sungchan—”

He groaned faintly, just as you pressed your core harder against him, feeling his hardness grow between your thighs.

Sungchan’s mind was getting fuzzy to the point where your words became like background music, present to him, but impossible to really focus on.

And he didn’t like that one bit…

The way you persuaded him so easily, having his dry mouth on the verge of begging you to kiss him again.

If this was gonna happen between you two, he wanted to be the one in charge.

“Fine,” he said sharply, causing you to look into his dark brown eyes, which were still slightly watery from the chlorine in the pool water.

“I just need to make sure you can handle it first,” Sungchan continued, guiding you off of his lap by the waist before digging his thumb into your shoulder, forcing you down to your knees in front of him.

His hands found your hair, leading your cheek to his bulge and lifting his hips to grind into your face slightly, eager to explore the friction but still wanting to test himself.

Test his self-control despite how it was basically out the window by now.

You clung to his toned thighs to keep your balance, eyelids fluttering shut before he smacked you gently on the other cheek, making you look back up at him once again as he rutted a little harder.

“Too big for you, baby?,” he teased, all of that while snickering under his breath, biting his lip before a smirk appeared on his stupid hot face.

It was always strangely exciting honestly… watching him switch from hot to cold, turning himself on just from jumping your cheek.

Everything you’ve been waiting for.

“I can feel you twitching,” you hummed, turning your head to face his heat head on, giving him sirenic eyes as you poked your tongue out, licking a stripe along his clothed member, “can hardly taste you through these pants, though…”

He cooed at your words, stroking your hair as you kept licking him up, a dark spot forming on his pants from your spit and probably some of his precum.

“Can you at least pretend you’re not such an eager slut for me?” He tried teasing, even though his voice sounded a bit strained.

You trailed a finger from his clothed tip to the drawstring of his pants before pulling the bow a loose, “We both know that’s not what you really want, Sungie...”

Shimmying his pants down, you were not at all surprised when his cock sprung out like a hot stinger, slapping against his stomach with an angry vein trailing its underside.

“Fuck,” he cursed under his breath, watching as you didn’t hesitate to take him in your mouth, bobbing your head slowly to adjust to his size, but you could hardly fit more than half of him into your mouth.

“Easy there, ____,” he said in a deepened voice, feeling his balls tighten at the way you gagged around him, trying to fit it all in.

Releasing your lips with a pop, your jerked him with your hand, looking him dead in the eyes before reassuring him, “I can take it.”

“Prove it to me then…,” he challenged you, “or else this is all you’re getting…”

You internally scoffed at his words, “Having second thoughts?”

“No… Just don’t wanna risk breaking you before I even get started properly…”

The top of your tongue found his slit again, running rough stripes past it and suddenly asking, “We’re already taking a risk, why stop here?”

He let you continue fooling around with his dick for a little more until he pulled your chin away, looking you in the eyes-

“Get on your back.”

The voice you heard was enough to make you recognize what was really going on.

“W-what?,” you asked confusedly, having been snapped out of your mind, yet still feeling as though only half of you was present.

“I said get on your back? So we can stretch first?,” Anton said, mirroring the same dumbfounded look you had on your face.

“Oh... sorry, I uh... I got distracted...”

“Its okay,” he answered softly, leading you to the training mat on the floor, “let's just stay focused for now, alright? Once you fully lay down, start by pulling your knees to your chest to stretch out your hamstrings...”

Anton's voice faded into the background of your mind as your body continued to follow his instructions, somewhat thankful for the dark colored fitness clothes you wore considering how wet you'd gotten over your little memory about Sungchan.

It was the first time you actually did anything sexual with him.

It happened over four months ago, but you still remembered the whole thing like it happened yesterday.

Though, Sungchan eventually ended your secret fling for the sake of Hazel, not wanting to hurt her or risk ruining things between you two for 'fleeting feelings.'

Even so, you’d just been so down bad for him all this time that it was getting harder to respect that boundary of his...

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟 Later...

Hazel and Anton had ran off to get smoothies together after practice with your permission obviously, Sungchan having stayed back to put the lane lines back in the pool after y’all finished training.

You asked if it was okay for you to hang back in the pool til he shut down the area, just so you could 'work on what you learned.'

He didn't talk to you much, which only annoyed you, leading to your sneaky backup plan to get his attention.

“Sungchanie~,” you sang in a whiny tone, “I need your help!”

“What is it this time?,” he asked, not even looking at you as he busied himself with putting away the tool box he was using.

“My bikini top came off... it floated away…”

“____, stop messing around, alright?”

“I'm serious,” you pleaded facetiously, covering your chest with your arms to sell your performance, “I'd get it myself, but it’s in the deep, so I can't.”

He sighed with a stern look on his face before answering, "Alright, just- … gimme a sec."

Sungchan took off his shirt, tossing it to the side before diving in the pool to fish around for your bra.

He found it pretty quickly, swimming back to the surface while treading with it in his hand.

“This it?” He asked, regardless of how obvious the answer was.

“Mhm…” You nodded back with a lil too much enthusiasm, sitting at the swim steps and waiting for him to go back under the water as you sneakily took off you bikini bottom next, waiting to see his reaction once he came over to you.

Bubbles erupted from his nose underwater, the sight of your bare core causing him to stumble over his trained breathing pattern.

You giggled a bit at his reaction, still covering your tits as his head flew up, shaking the water from his hair in a way that only made you want him more, which obviously wasn't his intention given the look on his face.

“What do you think this is? Some kind of game?” He snapped sharply, tossing your bra to you and using the steps to get out of the pool, just as you reached for his wrist to pull him back.

“Sungchan, wait! I'm sorry—” you started, but his hand left yours anyway, feet moving in the opposite direction of you before a soft "please," left your lips, making him pause in his tracks.

He sighed, “What?,” but it sounded more like a statement than a question.

“Can't you see that I'm losing my mind over this?” you answered with a defeated voice.

“It's not a good time right now, ____—”

“God, would you stop being so uptight like you don't want this, too?”

“I never said anything like that—”

“Because you don't have to,” you interrupted, cutting him off as a lump formed in your throat, not from sadness, but from exhaustion: you didn't know how much longer you could keep chasing him…

Without hesitation, you started to put your two-piece back on, water splashing a bit with your movements as he stood there coldly, not even looking you in the eye as you continued to speak, “You're right, Sungchan... this is all just a silly little game, and I seriously should've stopped trying a long time ago-”

“Just shut up, alright?” he retorted, looking you in the eyes as his body inched closer towards you, your eyebrows furrowing at the harsh tone of his words.

“Excuse me—”

“You win, ____,” his voice was deeper this time, wet hands finding your neck before caressing up your face, everything going black once he found your lips, sealing the the tension with a kiss, “I'll let you have your way.”

HIs tongue tangled with yours as he pulled you impossibly close to him, your heart nearly beating out of your chest before he backed away, hands gripping at everything from your boobs to your hips as he kissed down your sensitive neck.

Your legs subconsciously parting for him as you felt him start to suck at the exposed flesh there.

You don't even remember saying much of anything once he found your bikini, sliding it over as his fingers came into contact with your folds, barely touching you before you started squirming.

“God, you're so dramatic,” he shook his head, applying pressure to your clit with his cold fingers, contrasted with your increasing warmth.

“It’s not my fault you make me this way,” you purred, letting him kiss on you so hard that he left little marks behind, already getting you so worked up that even the simplest of his ministrations seemed intense.

That was when he sped up the movements of his fingers, not even sure how long he'd been at that pace before you started to feel tantalized, wanting to feel his dick before he made you finish.

It was strange though, the way your slick stood out against the water, his fingers gliding in and out of your hole as his thumb circled your sweet spot.

He was making you fall apart, and at that, single-handedly.

“Sungchan~,” you whined shyly, thankful for his arm maintaining your balance as your hands remained around the loop of your bra, giving you something to grab onto as he kept fucking you with his fingers, “I wanna feel you...”

As simple as those four words were, Sungchan knew exactly what you meant and wanted from him, but decided to mess with you nonetheless…

“Baby? You're already falling apart… what makes you think you can handle any more?” he teased, trying to act all tough with you even though he was about to buss in his pants given how unreal you looked in this moment.

Lower lip swollen from the way you bit down on it to hide your sounds, neck sprouting with darkening hickeys, hands clinging to your own tits for leverage, and your wet hair sprawled all over your head...

This was a view that could never get old to him, if he was even lucky enough to see it every single day.

“Please... fuck, just- mmm,” you stumbled over your words, feeling lightheaded as moans fell from your mouth like rehearsed melodies, your back arching even more as his fingers were in knuckle-deep now, your approaching climax causing you to open up for him.

“Cum for me,” he whispered, putting his forehead against yours, thumb relentlessly toying with your clit as he grew more eager in his own pants.

As much as you wanted to refuse his words for the sake of saving your orgasm, you couldn't help but to release, creaming all over his long and slender fingers as you felt your high in every part of your body.

Sungchan didn't hesitate to pull his fingers away from you, sliding down his trousers and spreading your slick across his length under the water.

“You've got another one in you for me, yea?,” he asked, voice sounding rasp as he pressed his tip against you, your trembling thighs struggling to stay open.

“Gimme a sec to come down first,” you nearly begged, watching his eyes grow darker as he pushed through your thighs, hips meeting yours with a splash.

“You know we don't have time for that, ____,” he continued with a suppressed groan, feeling his dick warm up all your insides as he slid past your wetness and bottomed out, guiding your hands from your chest to his shoulders... “just hang on, okay?”

You barely even nodded before he started fucking into you, walls giving in to his size thanks to the water, but you'd be lying if you said it didn't hurt just a little bit.

He caught sight to your discomfort early on, catching your lips with his to keep your mind off the pain, both your breaths sounding shaky now from all the action.

He started to pick up the pace again, not bothering to hide his moans anymore as you clenched around him so hard, he didn't think he'd be able to get back out.

Your wet hands clung to his broad shoulders, glimmered with beads of the pool water from his movements.

Feeling your hips chase his as the pain faded back to pleasure, you knew you were close, especially considering how little time you had between orgasming.

His stamina impressed you honestly, given how he'd been working all day yet still had enough energy to fuck you like this.

A broken whimper fell from his pink lips, words getting lost in his throat even though he had no idea what he wanted to say in this moment.

He was practically intoxicated by the way you made him feel, cursing himself internally for pushing away so many times.

He panted your name out loud, teeth grazing your neck as his head hung in the space provided, feeling weak all of a sudden, “I'm close.”

“Then don't stop,” you huffed back, caressing his pretty face as he chased his high, the water rocking with his movements as he felt his stomach tighten, spurts of his sticky release barely having enough time to coat you before he pulled out, fisting himself in a failed attempt to catch his release.

“Aww, fuck... fuckkk,” he groaned, watching the strings of his cum slip past his fingers and into the water, some of it hitting your legs.

Of course he would've preferred to finish inside you, but he thought it'd be respectful to at least pull out.

You held him close with your thighs around him, giggling a bit at the way he struggled to contain himself.

“You really should've just came inside me, y’know,”you said, feeling a throb in your core after everything.

“Very funny,” was all he said before pulling up his swim trucks and splashing a bit of water on you.

It was interesting seeing how Sungchan could go from hot to playful in a matter of seconds with you.

After everything that'd just happened, the poor guy wasn't at all in the mood to re-clean the pool thanks to the mess you two just made.

So instead, he offered a hand to help you up before carrying you out of the pool, knowing that it wouldn't be easy for you to walk with your legs still shaking.

Neither of you knew how much time you had left til Anton and Hazel came back, but one thing for sure was that you and Sungchan would keep playing this game for a lot longer than planned.

You said so yourself... you'd just have to be more sneaky about it.

⚡︎ Special thanks to @wonbinisbabygurl for requesting this piece ~ (love you princess!!!)

⚡︎ Had to repost this story because the first time around, I wasn't satisfied with the engagement I received ;-; (only 14 notes in 24 hours), so hopefully people see this in the tags this time!!

⚡︎ 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 ( 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 ) @squoxle @nikisvanillaccola @ashgonedash @yourmomscuntis2tighy @watamotee33 @addictedtohobi @antonartic

⚡︎ Feel free to also check out my RIIZE masterlist

[hyunfilms]

blue side of the sky (lmh) | sixteen.

♡ spotify playlist | series masterlist

—summary: waking up after 3 months with no recollection of your past, your friends do what they can to help you remember. except, they omit an important piece to the puzzle - afraid you would remember the heartbreak and hurt all over again.

—pairing: lee know x f. reader

—genre: (18+) exes to lovers, bestfriends to lovers au | fluff, angst, smut

—word count: 5.0k

—chapter content/warnings: cussing, minho x oc have a big conversation and everything gets laid out, flashback to the hospital, flashback to that night, crying, yelling, arguments, brief mention of the accident but nothing too descriptive, this chapter is big sad and i'm truly sorry in advance 😞

You sit at your desk and look at the pictures hanging on the wall above, everything finally settling in your head and clicking for you.

You don't have pictures of Minho because of this falling out. 

Because of whatever happened.

You still don't know the details, and you still feel a bit afraid. But, after a few days, you feel like your head is clear enough to talk. You shift your attention back down to your phone, reading the unread texts from your friends. Your heart drops a bit when you see Jisung's texts, reassuring you that they never meant to hurt you. He apologizes time and time again for not pushing on this right away, and he promises he'll work to fix everything.

It's the next text that gets to you, making you let out a soft sigh as you slowly grab your things and mentally prepare for your day ahead:

jisung: i know minho hasn't texted you, but he's only doing that because he wants to respect your space until you're ready. i know he's worried about you, and he wants to fix this however he can. we all do, cielo.

When you gather the courage to step out of the house, you find your uncle watering his garden— picking at a few cherry tomatoes and blueberries. He tosses them into a silver mixing bowl, completely turning over his shoulder when he feels your presence behind him.

"You're home?"

"I'm just working from home for a bit."

"To watch me?" You tease with a playful tone. Your uncle chuckles and shakes his head, slowly setting aside the hose in his hand.

"Yes and no." He chuckles.

"Well, I'm glad you're home for a bit." You give him a small smile, holding your bag close to your side.

"Are you heading out? Pottery studio?" You shake your head and sit on a nearby chair.

"No. Not today."

"Mrs. Pak?" You shake your head again.

"I see her tomorrow. She closed up shop to attend a wedding." You subtly nibble on your bottom lip before following up. "I'm gonna see Jisung and them. To talk." He nods slowly and places his hands on his hips.

"Well." He sighs. "I'm glad you're going to. I just want you to know that they never meant to hurt you by doing this. It might be a lot for you, but take your time with it, okay? Your friends care a lot about you, and I know they will understand."

"Mm, yeah." Uncle Adrian watches as you comfortably look up into the sky, daydreaming while the clouds drift by. He remembers the night this happened, the night that Jisung came to him— basically pleading for him to just give you time with this, all of this.

That they would help you and take care of you.

He was hesitant. But, he let it happen.

☁︎ FLASHBACK | A NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL

Jisung steps outside and takes a breath, letting the cold air seep into his bones. He digs his hands deep into his pockets, sitting on the closest bench right outside the main hospital entrance. It's been a few days since you woke up, but Jisung still hasn't been able to process everything that's been happening.

You don't remember him.

You keep him at a distance.

You want nothing to do with him.

And it hurts. He knows it's not your fault, but it hurts. It hurts to see you this way, it hurts to see how much everything has changed in the blink of an eye. 

He sits, quietly watching the people that pass him by— wondering what their stories are like, and what they could possibly be here for.  Who were they here for? What were their loved ones here for? Were they okay? Jisung could ask all the questions plaguing his head; anything, really, to keep his mind distracted.

"Hey." Jisung is pulled out of his own mind game when Uncle Adrian takes a seat next to him on the bench, also letting out a small sigh just as he gets comfortable. "You doing okay?"

"Uh, yeah." Jisung looks at him with a tiny, toothless smile. "Sorry. I just needed to get some air."

"That's okay."

"I'm trying to process everything, truthfully." Jisung rubs his hands together, staring ahead. "It's alot."

"I know."

"She doesn't remember me. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to move forward with her." His head falls, and Uncle Adrian can't help but feel his heart drop. He can only imagine what he's going through and how lost he might feel— Jisung was glued to your hip, and knew you better than anyone [even more than your family]. Having his bestfriend be his other half to suddenly having a severed connection; it must be awful, painful.

"Give her some time, she will get there."

"But, what if she doesn't?" He's afraid to ask because he would never doubt in your ability to overcome this, but he does have to fairly consider every path here. What if you don't? What if this just remains the same and you will continue to treat him differently? The last thing Jisung wants to do is force you into anything that will make you uncomfortable. 

"She will. She will take some time, but she will. I know she will." 

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do." Jisung digs his face into his hands when he feels the tears beginning to prick his lids. "I'll be there for her every step of the way, but I don't know what I'll do if she doesn't want me there. She's the only thing I've known, you know? She's my bestfriend and I feel so stupid for letting her leave." He mumbles but Uncle Adrian is able to catch on. Jisung finally looks up at him as the tears continue to stain his cheeks, eyes tired but soft. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

"It's not your fault, it's not Minho's fault. It's no one's fault. Unfortunately, this is just life. Things happen, and it isn't easy."

"Still." He says softly. "I'm sorry. We never meant to hurt her."

"I know."

"I'm going to do everything I can to help her get better."

"I'm sure she'd really appreciate your company either way." Jisung shifts his attention to the night sky for a moment, wondering how else he could really be of help to you. The last thing Jisung wants to do is hurt you, so he plans to avoid it. He plans to make sure that doesn't happen. 

"Uncle Adrian, I don't wanna hurt her more than I feel like I have. I really don't. I feel like I didn't do enough to protect her or anything, and I need to do better." Jisung returns his attention to him. "I don't think I should tell her about all of this right away."

"All of this?"

"Her and Minho. Their fight, the accident. Kat." Jisung sighs and runs his hands through his hair. "Everything about them. I just don't want to hurt her. Not when she's adjusting and getting used to the world again." Uncle Adrian sighs and slowly nods, his attention now on the two children being playful and walking alongside their mother. It almost reminds him of how sweet you and Jisung used to be, how attached, fun. He knows Jisung means well, and he knows he would do anything to keep you safe. But, he wasn't sure if this was the way to go.

"I understand. But, don't you think it would be easier for her to know earlier than later? I mean, I know you mean well. I'm just afraid that it'll be harder after she's gotten used to you guys again."

"No, I know. We'll tell her eventually, I don't plan to keep it from her for a long time. I do plan to tell her. I just—" Jisung sighs. "I just want her to feel okay right now. That's all." Uncle Adrian's hesitancy continues, he sees the way Jisung is pleading through his eyes and he knows he can trust Jisung to help you, take care of you.

Chan, Seungmin.

Even Minho, though he has his reservations with him after everything. He would never hold a grudge against him, and he knows he is only human. He hopes he will learn from this and do better with you overall.

They will take care of you.

"What about everyone else?"

"I'll tell them."

"Okay, Ji. But, please take care of her. I'm trusting you to take care of her. All of you. Don't wait too long."

☁︎ END

"Need a ride?" Your uncle chimes in again, pulling you away from your daydream.

"No." You smile. "I'll be okay. I think." You stand to your feet and shrug. "Should probably get going."

"Text or call me if you need me to pick you up."

"Okay. Love you!" You call out as you turn on your heel and start walking out.

"Love you too." Uncle Adrian continues to watch you until you walk out of the side gate, letting out a worried sigh as he tries to imagine how everything will go down. He knows you'll be hurt, there's no doubt about that. He knows you'll be hurt because you had just been settling with everything, everyone, Minho. He knows you'll be hurt because of the love you have for him, because of everything you two have been through.

He hopes the only answer from here on out is growth.

He knows you'll navigate this well, though. And he knows Minho will, too. As with any guardian, he was upset with Minho for hurting you. But, he too, doesn't hold grudges. And he knows how much Minho means to you — accident or not. He believes in the opportunity to grow, he believes in the opportunity to learn from mistakes.

It will all be okay. Even if it takes time.

He knows it will all be okay.

To give yourself a little more buffer time, you take the bus down to Jisung's place. It's a bit of a ride, quite the detour, but you figured it could help you gather yourself together before arriving to their place. You plug in your headphones and silently listen to the music for the entire ride over. No matter what, you promised yourself you would give yourself time to process everything alone. You promised yourself you'd put up your boundaries until you were ready, you promised yourself you would let things fall into place how they should.

But you also promised yourself you'll cry, you'll feel the sadness, anger. That crying was okay, that your feelings were valid— no matter how many times you'd go through the cycle.

Once you've reached your stop, you hop off the bus and head further down the street before turning the corner and spotting the house. All cars seem to be out front and it suddenly makes you feel anxious. Maybe you shouldn't have told Jisung you were gonna come and talk about everything. Maybe you needed another day—

No.

You needed to do this instead of pushing it off. It was time to rip the bandaid, time to deal with re-opened wounds.

You dust yourself off before knocking on the door a few times. You hear Jisung coming down the steps, doing a light jog to the door before swinging it open. 

"Cielo." He says softly with a smile. He welcomes you into his arms and you take the hug— admitting that you did miss your bestfriends. 

"Hey." He gives you a silent nod.

"You okay?"

"I think so."

"You sure?" You nod.

"Mhm." You look around the house. "Where's Minho?"

"He's out back." Jisung looks at you. You give Jisung a tiny smile of acknowledgment before walking out to the backyard. Minho is sitting on the outdoor couch, leaning onto his knees as he looked out into the backyard. He's pulled out of his thoughts when he sees you step beside him, giving him a small smile.

"Hey you." He reciprocates the smile.

"Hey." You say lowly as you take a seat next to him, legs brushing against each other and Minho continues to lean onto his knees.

"You doing okay?" He shifts in his position and keeps his eyes on you, patiently waiting for your response. 

"Mm, I'm not sure. What about you?" He shrugs.

"I'll be alright."

"So.. can we get to the bottom of this and what Kat meant? Can you tell me what happened between us?" He lets out a heavy sigh before nodding. You silently sit as Minho begins telling you everything— starting from when you guys met in high school and got close through Jisung. He talks about how he started really developing feelings for you during your junior year in high school, shyly chuckling when he rencounters how he blurted it out and told you at the mall. It starts off sweet, and it really becomes difficult to imagine Minho hurting you. When that part finally comes, you feel yourself crumble— bit by bit, piece by piece.

"And then came a time where I thought we had run our course." He looks at you, shaking his head as he bites his bottom lip. "I was wrong, clearly. But we had been arguing and fighting about so, so many things. The smallest of things that never used to matter, mattered. And I was so confused, we didn't feel like we were going anywhere except backward. For the longest time, I wasn't sure how to fix us. And it frustrated me to the point where I gave up trying to figure it out. I got tired. You seemed tired. It all went to shit really quickly." He returns his attention to the grass, the tree. "I got close to Kat and—" He shrugs. "Truthfully, I was infatuated by her. I caught some feelings for her when we were going through it. And I just.. ended up leaving without thinking much about us. I called you and asked if we could talk. I told you I felt like we ran our course at first, but then you knew something else was up. So, you asked and asked about Kat until you finally got it out of me."

"Oh." Is all you say, your head dropping a bit as the information settles. Yeah, you were not expecting Minho to hurt you this way. 

"After that, we broke up. Kat and I had a thing going on for a bit. Jisung was mad at me for a long time, rightfully so. I stupidly realized how much I couldn't be with her, no matter how hard she tried to keep me there. I tried to give it time, but I couldn't do it. She ended up being someone who was there for me,  but that's all it came to. Someone who filled the void, I guess." He shakes his head. "I ended things with her, we slowly worked on us over time and we got back together after you felt like things were okay between us and until you were ready."

"Hm." You hum, fiddling with the hem of your top. You're not really sure what else to say right now. But, it sucks. It sucks because this entire time, Minho has made you feel like you were his number one, his top priority; his main priority. Which, sure. That's probably how he feels after everything. However, there was once a point in life when you clearly weren't— when you were second choice, the next best option; a priority at convenience.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I could tell you all about how I was wrong and how shitty it was, because it was wrong and shitty of me. I'm still learning from it, but you also needed to hear everything as it happened. Without any bias whatsoever."

"Yeah. It does hurt, I'm not gonna lie. And I can't even imagine you being the one person who could hurt me like that, who could treat me like that after all those years. I just.." You sigh. "I opened myself up to you, I laid my feelings out. I gave myself to you. You were safe, like home. And I'm not sure what I feel anymore. That's probably what hurts the most now." The tears are stinging, pricking your eyes, as you stare at him. Minho feels like a dark, cloudy day, and it hurts to look at him. You can't even imagine all the things you felt in that moment, how Minho could easily dispose of you [and Kat] like nothing. "What happened that night of the accident?" You ask him, quickly wiping at your tears. He lets out a shaky breath and licks his lips, not responding to you right away. "What happened that night, Minho?" You repeat more sternly. Minho feels the tears pricking his bottom lids the more he stares at you, but he licks his lips and lets out a sigh— tackling this head on.

"We got into a big argument over Kat." His voice wavers. "You saw her name pop up on my phone and asked why Kat was still texting. I tried to tell you that we weren't really talking, she was mainly asking for advice on something. I—" He pauses before he rambles on. "We blew up on each other, and it didn't help that we had been disagreeing again recently. You pretty much told me you were done. Which, at the time, I didn't really understand why it was a big deal. I let you leave even though I knew I should've tried harder. I'm so sorry, Y/N. I shouldn't have done that knowing how you felt about her. I was stupid for it, and I'm sorry. I never meant to make it seem like I chose her, and I was so stupid for it." He repeats.

"Were you officially seeing her after I woke up? I remember seeing her in the café upset, and it's all starting to make sense now."

"We weren't officially together, but I had been seeing her."

"Since when?"

"You were in the hospital." You nod just as he pauses, letting out a shaky breath just as the tears continue to heavily flow. "B-but, I cut her off for good. I'm done with all of that—"

"It doesn't matter because you're still wrong." You pause to barely look at him. "You're still wrong because you did choose. You did choose her, Minho. You don't even realize how loud your actions speak." Before you know it, the tears are steadily streaming down your cheeks and your first reaction is to cry into your hands.

You cry, you cry, and you cry.

☁︎ FLASHBACK | NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT

You sigh as you finally plop onto Minho's bed in his shirt, fresh out of the shower. You cross your legs and begin to scroll through your phone, with Minho walking in shortly afterwards— running a towel through his wet hair. He tosses his phone onto the bed near you before grabbing the remote to flip through the shows on Netflix, internally debating on what he could put on for the rest of the night to keep you two occupied.

"Anything you wanna watch?" Minho continues to flip through Netflix while he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Mm, nothing that I can think of. I'm down for whatever." You continue to scroll through your phone, eyes shifting to Minho's when it lights up. Of course, you can't help but pay a bit of attention especially after Minho and Kat had their fling. It still leaves a little sting when you think about it, but you've finally found it in your heart to forgive him, them. Though, it doesn't mean you'll forget.

You won't.

But, all that growth, all that slow healing, entirely goes out the window when you see her name pop up in his notifications again. You immediately see red, your palms instantly getting sweaty— anxiety bubbling in your gut. It doesn't matter what she says because you feel sick, and it doesn't help that you two hadn't been on the very best terms lately.

You want out.

"Baby, did you hear me?" Your eyes slowly flicker and meet his when he turns over his shoulder to look at you. Minho instantly catches onto the shift in your mood, the vibe in the room suddenly feeling cold, distant. His eyes dart to his phone when another text pops up, making you stand from your place on the bed and dash over to his closet where a few of your own clothing items sit. "Babe, what are you doing?"

"Don't talk to me." Minho quickly grabs his phone and glances at the texts, letting out a heavy 'fuck' when he realizes why you're acting the way you are.

"Hold on." He stands, gently grabbing your wrist just as you grab a change of clothes. "Wait, listen to me. Please. Y/N."

"No." You snatch your wrist out of his grip and brush past him, changing in another corner of his room to create some distance.

"I can explain—"

"Can you?!" Your tone slightly raises as you turn to him with a glare. "Kat is texting you and you think you can explain that?"

"Yeah, I can." Minho matches your tone, following by a low groan. "I swear, it's not what it looks like. She was just—"

"You sound really fucking pathetic right now."

"Just listen!"

"I'm leaving. I don't have time for this." You grab your things after throwing on your jacket, rushing out of his door and into the hallway.

"Y/N, don't jump to conclusions right now—"

"I don't care!" You turn, raising your voice even more. "You know how I feel about her, Minho! Why the fuck is she still coming up on your phone? After everything that we've been through, you think an explanation is supposed to make me feel better?"

"She's the one texting me because—" 

"You didn't think to block her? Cut her off completely?" You cut him off again and scoff. 

"Can you stop cutting me off? You're so fucking stubborn."

"I'm stubborn?" You chuckle. "Yeah, okay. I'm done with this. I'm not doing this again. You told me all this shit about trying and fixing—" You babble on, incredibly angry to the point where you just want Minho away from you, to the point where you don't want to be in a relationship where your anxiety is constantly bubbling because of her. 

You want out.

"What the hell is going on?" Jisung comes out of his room, confused over the two of you getting into an argument in the hallway.

"I need to get out of here."

"It's storming outside, Y/N."

"And?"

"Can you not be like that? It's not safe."

"Don't really care." Minho sighs again and runs his hands through his hair.

"Alright fine, whatever. Do you then." Minho throws his hands up in defeat.

"Of course." You scoff again as you slip into your shoes.

"Y/N, he's right. Can you just stay? It's raining pretty hard. You can stay in my room if you want, I'll sleep downstairs." Jisung adds.

"I don't think so."

"Why are you so angry?"

"Why don't you ask him, Ji? Maybe him and Kat can tell you more." Jisung gives Minho with a certain look before turning back to you.

"Let me at least drive you if you really wanna go home."

"It's fine, Uber is already outside." You throw your hood over your head, not sparing the two another look as you swing the door open. "I'll just text you tomorrow, pachi." You lowly respond before slamming the door shut.

"Dude, seriously?" Jisung turns to Minho. "What is she talking about?"

"Kat texted me but it really wasn't anything. She was just asking for help on something."

"Okay, but doesn't she have friends she can ask? Why is she still texting you?"

"I swear I never initiated it or texted her first. Y/N wouldn't let me explain. I wasn't going to respond." Jisung sighs heavily.

"Look, just give Y/N some time to breathe."

"Maybe I should just go to her house."

"No, give her the night. You two need to talk with clear heads. I'm sure it'll be fine once you explain to her, but for real. Do better and just delete her number. Block her. Anything is better than nothing." Jisung replies just as he pulls his phone out to try and text you. 

jisung: text when you get home pls. it's really bad out there. you should've just stayed.

You sigh at the text even though Jisung played no part in this. Truthfully, you're just mad at Minho and projecting it on everyone and everything right now. You're almost home, and the driver has been taking good care of you on the ride home so you don't find yourself being too worried in the storm. 

But, you do feel like you should have stayed.

You bring the phone back up to text Jisung back. You start typing away until the driver starts to obnoxiously honk his horn before swerving. 

"Sir, i-is everything—" You try to ask when he swerves, the oncoming headlights blinding you and cutting everything to black.

☁︎ END

"Y/N. I'm so sorry." Minho tries to reach out for you, but you shake off his grip and step back; not wanting to be in close proximity to him right now. "I should've told you sooner. I should've done so many things differently. I shouldn't have let you leave. I should've just been honest about Kat from the beginning." He repeats as he continues to race after you.

"That doesn't matter now. Why didn't you just tell me?"

"I was afraid to. I was afraid of losing you again. But I know that was—"

"Minho." You cry with a slight whine, hands going up in defeat. "Did you think I was too weak? I could've handled this, you should've thought about me first." You point to yourself. "I wouldn't have thought of you any differently if you had just been honest with me from the beginning. Things might have played out differently, but you are still my bestfriend. We don't do things like that to each other." You look at him, then Jisung. "You should have told me. I should've had the chance to move on, on my own."

"Y/N, you just woke up. I didn't want to ruin it for you.. I-I-" Jisung stutters a bit as he feels the panic settling in. "I don't mean to add onto it, but I just wanted you to be okay, I didn't want too much to be thrown at you at once."

"Jisung, you don't get to make those decisions for me—"

"Y/N, please. This all happened because of me and stupidity, Jisung was just—" Minho tries to chime in.

"No." Your eyes shift back to Minho when you cut him off. "None of you get to make these decisions. None of you. You don't get to hide things from me. Not when they matter the most. Don't you get it? I've trusted so much of myself into the both of you— all of you— after the accident." The tears start flowing again and you feel like the ground is about to cave in below you; like you'll continue to fall into a black hole, continue to sink to the unknown depths of the ocean water. "I trusted you because I felt safe." Minho feels deja-vu hearing you say this because it's not the first time you've said it.

And it's not the first time he failed you.

"I'm sorry. It's not his fault. It's all because of me." Minho's eyes are red even though he's been trying to hide the fact that he's been crying. "I'm sorry that I couldn't keep you safe, and I'm sorry I put you through this. Y/N, if I could go back in time and change all of this, I would. Just know that I would do anything to fix this, no matter how much time and space you need." You shake your head, bottom lip trembling as the tears threaten to spill again.

"Maybe I really can't do this at all. I can't be here, around you two." You respond before rushing out the front door. Now it truly feels like deja vu because this reminds everyone about that night in particular. The only thing that's different is the fact that it isn't raining, and Jisung rushing after you once you've stepped out of the door.

"Y/N, no. No." He gently grabs you by the wrist. "You're my bestfriend and I'm not letting you slip away again." You look at Jisung and somehow, some of the anger dissipates. Part of you truly does understand why Jisung might have done this, but the rest of you wishes he could've given you a chance to learn and grow on your own. Who knows what you might've felt in the beginning? Maybe you would've been a bit upset, but you don't think you would have looked at Minho any differently. Or, maybe you would've, but you would've been able to act appropriately, figure things out on your own. At least [in a sense], you would've taken the proper time to grieve and say your peace to that part of your past— move on accordingly, however that looked like.

Instead of this. A mess.

Now, you don't even know what you feel for any of them.

For Minho.

Maybe it was a sign from the universe that you two didn't belong together after all, and that kinda fucking sucks. You have so much love for him that runs deep; you're not even sure where to begin processing this.

Minho was the last person you expected to hurt you like that.

"Pachi." You say close to a whisper. "Please let go of me. I need some time away from you. From all of you. Please let go of me and at least give me this." Jisung pauses before you feel his fingers unwrap from your wrist, head dropping as he lets out a defeated sigh.

"You know I'm only a text or call away if you need me." He says. "I really am sorry, cielo. I never meant to hurt you or make you feel this way." You don't really respond to him. Instead, you tug on your bag and run to the bus stop— one that can take you to the only safe place you know of right now.

"Hello?" The voice on the other end picks up after 2 rings, the tears still streaking your cheeks.

"Can you meet me?" Your voice trembles as you try to keep your sobs to a minimum in the back of the bus.

"Let me know where. I'm leaving right now."

⇢ 16.5 [cloudy days]: here

♡ taglist: @ppiri-bahng @jihanlovic @meloncremesoda @sweetlikecherry @asjkdk @hoes4lino @skzddicted @skzho @edgaralienpoe @harui-zen @bestleeknowstan @havenwithleeknow @septicrebel @heesdazed @borahae-reads @yoontaethings @pearbunny @bintificreads @lukeys-giggle @ajxreads @everglowdaisies @allaboutsan @endzii23 @leeknowsramen @heres-your-ramen2000 @morningstardada @mal-lunar-28 @downbadreading @lilysophie @feelikecinderella @urmomma0324 @ddazed-lhs @djeniryuu @melanctton @i8rsie @maru-matt @sleepyleeji @taerifin @nattisbored @jisunglyricist @m111nho @drhsthl @nixtape-foryou @arminseas @guiltycoco @syuuji @sulkygyu @cadihyo @reianagarcia @leeknowyah @smndjdufuehr @dprkbyn @xxibreinaxx @mxnsxngie @reiheis @mellowmentalitydragon @vixensss

[20001541]

sometimes I like to think that AFO gets slight drawbacks from using his quirk, like he’d overheat, mumble into space, be a manchild because his body and mind are basically cooked after too much,

and I’ve even imagined my oc just hosing him with cold water

I mean technically he already acts like a man child all the time lol

You know what though, you reminded me of something that has been bothering me for a while. Which is that we know so little about how his quirk works and I want to know if there are any limits/draw backs to him using the All for One quirk.

I imagine there would be as we know he has to be in a stable mental state at all times or else he might lose his authority over the quirk vestiges in his head. We all saw what happened when Tomura's rage started overwhelming him.

So I wonder if he has some sort of limit to how many quirks he can have at a time. I think him overheating could be possible. We saw him push his quirk to his limit by unleashing all of them at once. Which didn't do much it just made him a bigger target that was easier to take down. We didn't see any visible drawback, but that doesn't erase the possibility that there might've been one so hm....

[lizmaximoff]

JIM HOPPER FIC RECS

An official list of Jim Hopper x Reader and Jim Hopper x OC recommendations (an update from this list).

Fics are arranged by one-shot or multi-chapter, then by rating, and then alphabetically. 

This arsenal contains 97 FICS as of 5/14/23.

To see a masterlist of my own Jim Hopper fics, click here.

LIZZIE’S TOP FIVE

Baking for Bang | E ( @daughterofthebrowncoats ) - The reader has been pining after the big, handsome Chief of Police since the day he walked into her bakery.  Using the wiles available to her – namely her baking skills – she sets out to slowly seduce him, culminating on a wintery day in Hopper’s cabin with a box of baked goods and an interesting confession. 

Pain in my Heart | M ( @flamehairedwritings ) - It’s your senior year and your best friend is still a dick. It’s your senior year and your best friend is still an ass. It’s your senior year and your best friend, Jim Hopper, is still trying to get you to help him with his homework.

Popsicles and Water Hoses | E ( @thebackseatofjimsblazer ) - The moment that you had seen what Jim’s shorts looked like with his hard on pressing against his jeans was the moment you realized that Jim could be a friend and a boy. That was also the moment you developed something for Jim you wouldn't be able to describe correctly for a while. Or where you and Jim are spending time together on a summers day after graduation.

Some Legs are Meant to Be Broken | E ( @boogiewrites ) - When Hopper breaks both of his legs, and you’re the newest employee at the station, it means you get recruited to be his babysitter. Would he be as frustratingly difficult to deal with as you imagine?

Hoping for Hopper | E ( @daughterofthebrowncoats ) - The reader runs a bar in town and her favorite customer Hopper comes in for a drink. The evening takes an unpleasant turn when a former classmate comes in and stirs up trouble for the reader, making her doubt herself.  Hopper steps in to help like the gentleman he is…n’t.

AMAZING HOPPER WRITERS

@bitchinsinclair

@boogiewrites

@empresskylo

@flamehairedwritings

@irrelevantwriter

saltedtears via AO3

ONE-SHOT FICS

Caregiver Prompt | K ( @thewintersoldierdisaster ) - N/A

Eggnog and Trees | K ( @darling-i-read-it ) - Request: Since it’s the Christmas season, can you write a Hopper x reader where he’s kinda a grinch and she’s just a little ball of love and light. They’re friends but then on Christmas he confesses or something like that.

At the Lake Prompt | T ( @thewintersoldierdisaster ) - N/A

First Date | T ( @flamehairedwritings ) - N/A

Handyman | T ( generallycynical via AO3 ) - You broke your ankle while chasing someone and now you're stuck on desk duty. You complain about your grass needing mowed and the next day, Hopper shows up at your door.

He Seems | T ( @kilyra ) - Running into an ex is always awkward, but when your ex is Hopper, you fully expect it to be awful.

Home is Where the Shitty Coffee Is | T ( underthenorthstar via AO3 ) - You’ve been tutoring Eleven for the year in between the Demogorgon and the Mind Flayer. You’ve managed to develop a massive crush on her surrogate father, Jim Hopper, in that time. One late night over cups of bad coffee, things finally come to a head.

Just What the Doctor Ordered | T ( underthenorthstar via AO3 ) - You fall and injure yourself. An overprotective but sweet Hopper takes care of you.

Kisses as a Distraction Prompt | T ( @clonecaptains ) - N/A

Ranking | T ( @psychiatristreturning ) - N/A

Sneaky Chief | T ( @hawkins-hoe ) - A parent teacher conference with the handsome Chief of Hawkins leads to a sneaky dinner date.

Sweet on You | T ( xfandomwritingsx via AO3 ) - You make Jim dress up as Santa for the Christmas party.

Weeknight Take Out | T ( pettifogger via AO3 ) - N/A

Without Filters | T ( adkinsmayo via AO3 ) - You and Hopper have been best friends since seventh grade. You can see right through his bullshit and that’s what he liked most about you. Through every relationship and every shitty situation, you were always there for each other. Now the junior prom was just around the corner and you both planned to keep your childhood promise of being each other’s date. That was until Ginger Peterson came into the picture. You tried not to be mad, but you absolutely were and something was telling you it wasn’t just because he had broken his promise.

Candy Hearts | M ( @flamehairedwritings ) - N/A

Cups | M ( @flamehairedwritings ) - Prompt: Character A and Character B, sworn enemies, are chosen to prepare the company Christmas Party.

Kisses on the Back Prompt | M ( @clonecaptains ) - N/A

Long Time Coming | M ( @xfandomwritingsx ) - You and Hopper finally give into each other.

Sunday Stroll | M ( TheOlderDixonBoy via AO3 ) - You enjoy taking walks in the morning by yourself, but when Jim Hopper starts to drive by and say good morning each day, you begin to truly look forward to them. It also doesn’t hurt that you’re pretty sure Chief Hopper enjoys these meetings as well.

A Very Hopper Birthday | M ( @daughterofthebrowncoats ) - It’s the reader’s 21st birthday and while out with her friends, comes across her good friend Chief Hopper.  Riding high on a little bit of liquid courage, she decides to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, with regards to her crush on Hopper.

Am I Tough Enough | E ( kitten_michael via AO3 ) - N/A

An Act of Nature | E ( @boogiewrites ) - You move back to Hawkins, luckily you hit it off with a friend of your step brothers. When Chief Hopper finally gets around to asking you out, what is it going to take for the two of you to find time alone? An act of nature?

Behind Closed Doors | E ( @tricksters-captain ) - You get into some trouble and Hopper hides you away in the cabin until it blows over but isolation isn’t for you.

Bloom | E ( @hoppersmut | DEACTIVATED ) - You trust your friend Jim Hopper completely. You’ve asked him to do something for you that no one else will ever be able to do again. You’ve trusted him to take your virginity.

Boiled Over | E ( adkinsmayo via AO3 ) - Hopper’s dominant side is usually his only side. But it rarely ever comes out in the bedroom, he’s always afraid he’ll hurt you. But when it does, Jim is ruthless. But it usually takes you being just as ruthless to get him to lose control. Or in this case, take control. And you know what they say: the heat can make you do crazy things.

Catch Me if You Can, Chief! | E ( My_Name_Is_Nobody via AO3 ) - It's the 4th of July in Hawkins, and while everybody's having fun at the amusement park, the only one who's catching your attention is Jim Hopper, Chief of Police — and he's looking at you, equally interested.

Caught | E ( @davidharbovr | DEACTIVATED ) - N/A

Chief Who | E ( @daughterofthebrowncoats ) - The reader is new to town and had a mildly awkward first encounter with the local chief of police.  Then, come to find out, his car is the one she’s working on and he needs a ride home.  Hopper wants to know why she’s nervous, is it all cops or just him?  The reader feels obligated to prove she’s not nervous at all and one thing leads to another and somehow they end up against the wall of Hopper’s trailer.  

Cherries a la Mode | E ( @alias-b ) - Summer of ‘83. Jim’s having a bad day at work and Lucy shows up to brighten his life. Only if he allows it. A game blooms when they’re alone in his office.

Christmas Miracle | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - You know how to make all the hours of Christmas shopping worth it. 

Clodhopper | E ( @daughterofthebrowncoats ) - Hopper gets drunk and horny…and hungry…

Come Away with Me | E ( @halfway-happyyy ) - You had the misfortune of marrying one of Hawkins sleaziest men, but when Jim Hopper enters your life, you realize that everything really does happen for a reason, and every choice has a consequence.

The County Fair | E ( @acciosnapes | DEACTIVATED ) - Barbeque grill outs, pool parties and more- late nights in Hawkins, Indiana was never really that dull, especially if you were the mayors daughter. And, especially fun if you were fucking your dads best friend.

Cuffed Up Chief | E ( saltedtears via AO3 ) - Prompt: There are so many fics out there with Hopper in control but like.. What if there was one where the reader has him in cuffs and is just teasing the ever loving shit outta him?

Dad’s Best Friend | E ( @empresskylo ) - hopper is your dad's best friend. you definitely should not be attracted to him. at the very least, he should definitely not be attracted to you...

Do Not Touch | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - A visit to Murray’s house of wonders provides a lot more than you bargained for.

Feral | E ( @irrelevantwriter ) - Jim was trapped in the Upside Down. He made it out and back to you. But all that time away without you means it’s only a matter of time before he snaps.

Good Girl, Bad Woman | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - You’ll get this round.

Golden Thread | E ( Verbo via AO3 ) - It’s New Year’s Eve, 1982, and tonight you might actually have a chance to act on your long-standing crush on Chief Jim Hopper.

Green | E ( mrs_squirrel_chester via AO3 ) - You’ve had your eye on Hopper for a while now.

Handyman | E ( Pnutbladdr via AO3 ) - Hopper stumbles across your private drawer of sex toys, and one in particular catches his eye

Happy Drinking with Hopper | E ( @likedovesinthewnd ) - After a grueling work week, you and Hopper decide to blow off some steam at your local dive bar.

Haunted House Prompt | E ( @chiefhopalong ) - N/A

Home Sweet Home | E ( @bitchinsinclair ) - Reader entices Hopper to fuck her by wearing his Hawkins PD jacket.

Hop to It | E ( @sherrybaby14 ) - Hopper arrests you for protesting.

Hopper BJ Fic | E ( @lucifer-in-leather ) - N/A

Hopper Can Have Nice Things, Too | E ( @irrelevantwriter ) - A funhouse leads to some fun. 

In the Back of the Truck | E ( @crewhonk ) - You and Jim Hopper have some fun in the back of his truck during the Snowball.

Imagine: Riding Jim Hopper | E ( @imagine-fandom-randoms | DEACTIVATED ) - N/A

Late for A Date | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - N/A

Late Night Talking | E ( @laureliciousdefinition ) - You visit Hop on a slow night at the station. 

Little Girl/Old Man | E ( DeathBecomesNerds via AO3 ) - After an all-too-adventurous day with Eleven and her friends, Chief Hopper and Eleven's new guardian get a little handsy with each other.

Long Day, Longer Night | E ( @boogiewrites ) - A long day turns into an even longer night after you find yourself alone with the Chief…yet again.

New Year’s Eve | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - Prompt: Character A can’t travel to see their family, so they invite their grumpy loner neighbor Character B.

Next Contestant | E ( TheCharleeMonstah via AO3 ) - Prompt: JIM HOPPER IN A BAR FIGHT AFTER SOMEBODY GRABS HIS GIRL'S ASS, BAD MOON RISING PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. SHE IS LIKE 'hopper no-' and he's like 'HOPPER YES' and she ends patching up his cuts and such, maybe a lil smut if you fancy?? ❤️

Not the Fun Kind of Daddy Issues | E ( @boogiewrites ) - Jim Hopper is your ex husband. The fire burned bright but you just aren’t good for each other, you know it. You both try to deal with divorce and trying to raise Jane together despite your differences. Will she end up bringing you back together, or tearing you apart? Or maybe a little of both?

The Main Course | E ( @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash ) - Hopper gets stood up on his date, so you decide to make a move.

Make Me | E ( @likedovesinthewnd ) - You’re Hawkins’ finest prosecutor, smart and resourceful, beautiful and cunning. With most of your time spent at the station, butting heads with the Chief of police, what happens when all that tension comes to a head?

Memories Made in the Coldest Winter | E ( bluetriangles via AO3 ) - When your car dies during the first blizzard of the season, an unlikely savior appears in the form of Jim Hopper.

Mouthful | E ( @eleanor-gillespie ) - Literally the entire thing is reader is giving Hopper a blow job. Hopper is encouraging and adorable and has a dirtier mouth than you.

Movie Night | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - N/A

The Outfit | E ( @eleanor-gillespie ) - You work retail at the local JCPenney in the men's section. You catch the Chief of Police flirting with a new look... You help boost his confidence.

The Photo Booth | E ( @flamehairedwritings ) - You and Hop need more… posed pictures together.

Picture Perfect | E ( @ssahotchswifemain ) - Hopper and his girlfriend make lasting memories together through photographs. 

Pursue | E ( @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash ) - How far can you push Hopper before he loses control?

Reconciliation | E ( @loveberrie ) - In which y/n and Jim Hopper have recently broken up, but when an incident requiring his presence arises, things may just reconcile. 

Role Reversal | E ( @davidharbovr | DEACTIVATED ) - N/A

Roughin’ It | E ( @glitteringroseangel ) - When Hopper takes off the weekend, The Reader convinces him to go on a camping trip together to help clear his head.

Soaked | E ( @hawkinswhores | DEACTIVATED ) - N/A

Slippery Hell | E ( saltedtears via AO3 ) - Prompt: Hopper trying to fit in the bathtub with his sweetheart.

Sweet Summer Lemonade | E ( @eupheme ) - You go to Murray’s for some help, you end up with a little more than you bargained for.

Tequila Sunrise | E ( MissFiction via AO3 ) - Jim Hopper encounters an office assistant he's been interested in at his favourite seedy bar and demands her attentions all to himself.

There’s More to Mornings Besides Coffee and Contemplation | E ( @irrelevantwriter ) - It’s a special wake up call for our Chief of Police. One that doesn’t include coffee and contemplation.

Three in the Morning | E ( @mikahowl ) - Set right at the beginning of season 1. Reader’s back in Hawkins after graduating from college a couple months ago. As she searches for a more permanent job, she works part-time at the police station. She loves the job, despite the... history between her and her boss, Chief Hopper. A troublemaker in high school, she’s had her fair share of run ins with Hop in the past. But, that’s just it: it’s all in the past. Or is it?

“Too” Big | E ( @bitchinsinclair ) - N/A

Truck Stop | E ( saltedtears via AO3 ) - Prompt: Fucking Hawkins' Chief of police in his truck.

The Upper Hand | E ( @ashlybee ) - working at hawkins police department has it’s perks when jim hopper is your boss, but after a day of you teasing him, he forces you to go to the annual picnic. you haven’t learned your lesson and you continue to tease at the event and hopper puts you in your place.

When It Goes Wrong, It Goes Right | E ( duchess_of_brighton via AO3 ) - Prompt: Where reader tries to make a sexy show for Hopper and it doesn’t go right and she gets embarrassed but Hop comforts her and sexy times ensue…

MULTI-CHAPTER FICS

The Boys in Blue | NR ( MB234 via AO3 ) - Police Chief Jim Hopper was not a man who believed in impossible things. In the pale stark light of the horrifying, awe striking things he’d seen last year, truly the stuff of goddamned nightmares, was it really so impossible that a small, graceful, fucking gorgeous woman half his age could want him?

Moonrise Radio | T ( @whirlybirbs ) - You’re Hawkins high’s new science teacher, faculty advisor for the newly reinstated Hawkins AV club, and crazy townie who overhears a Russian comminucae on a broken ham radio. Chief Jim hopper is into it. Joyce is a good wing-woman and the kids just want to listen the the buggles. 

Ours | M ( @alloftheimagines ) - in which the reader saves hopper from the russian prison camp, and after a soft reunion, shares life-changing news: a baby he had no idea existed awaits him in hawkins.

See You Tomorrow | M ( Teadum via AO3 ) - While you’re staying with your sister Karen and her family you meet a certain police chief when he arrives to drop off his daughter.

Slow Hands | E ( @thebackseatofjimsblazer ) - Robin talks you into going out to the bar for drinks and attention, but you meet Hopper & he promises you things no man has been able to give to you.

Coffee and Infatuation | E ( @likedovesinthewnd ) - Hawkins resident grump and messy Chief of police, Jim Hopper makes an unlikely friend on his quest for coffee. His tumultuous past keeps him from pursuing a relationship. But how long before his true feelings can no longer be ignored?

Don’t Call Her Annie | E ( @boogiewrites ) - Annette Horowitz is Joyce’s younger sister. She hasn’t been the perfect sibling or aunt but after she finds out Will is missing, she finds herself crashing back into Hawkins to do everything in her power to help, driven by a need to prove herself. She hasn’t been around much in the past 20 or so years, but when she comes back home she finds old friends, old habits and old feelings she’d thought she’d finally escaped. Can she really change or is she just kidding herself?

For Your Age | E ( @acciosnapes | DEACTIVATED ) - After graduation, you want one thing, and one thing only. And his name is Chief Jim Hopper. [ PART TWO ] 

Homecoming | E ( duchess_of_brighton via AO3 ) - You and Hopper first met when you were both in downward spirals, grieving and lost. For a while, you gave each other solace, but it didn't last. Two years later you return to Hawkins, hoping to make amends and walk away without regrets this time. Funny how life never turns out quite the way you plan it...

Hungry Eyes | E ( adkinsmayo via AO3 ) - You never thought older men were your type. Older men still weren’t really your type. Unless that older man happened to be Jim Hopper. And from the way you two dance around each other in the office, makes you think younger women just might be his type. Or maybe you just happen to be his type.

Looking for the Magic | E ( @alias-b ) - Nothing ever happens in Hawkins. Jim Hopper told himself that when he was drawn back to his hometown after losing everything. Lucy Garland would disagree. The monsters here are just cleverly disguised in fine suits.

Ride Home | E ( @empresskylo ) - you had always thought chief jim hopper was hot. and you knew he thought the same about you, he just tried to hide it because it was wrong–he knew your dad for fuck’s sake… (oh, and you were still in high school.) however, after hopper crashes a house party, you ask him for a ride home. hopper briefly loses his self-control promising to never do it again…

SPECIAL FICS

Santa Baby | E ( @trailerparkgrl ) - N/A (Based on Violent Night)

Three’s Company | E ( @irrelevantwriter ) - our coworkers decide to pop in for a late night visit.

[theboxfort]

Hose

[spirit-elementmaster]

Kaijudo ask! Can we talk about Ray siphoning Mana off of Infernus the Immolator? Like, they never really explored what went on there. He tries siphoning off just enough mana to duel, which turns out to be like trying to fill a water balloon with a fire hose and *permanently changes his gauntlet*. Do we see any other gauntlet change at all?! No! And it gives him *scales*? Scales that aren't directly connected to the gauntlet but seem to grow out of him anyway? And this isn't just an aesthetic thing. He accidentally communes with Infernus in the process of siphoning his mana, learns of the betrayal in keeping the rulers sleeping, and Infernus remembers him in the season finale! He remembers him! And says Ray "has the mana of Infernus". WHAT. Did the siphoning permanently change *Ray*? Did it give him a permanent power/mana boost? What else did it change! What does "having the mana of Infernus" *mean!?* Why does he have scales!? Why does no one in show acknowledge him growing scales!?

You rise very interesting questions! Questions I always think about too lol!

There's a lot of questions raised from the show and I wished we got a third season to explore it all😭

The way I always seen it is that Ray was very different from the very beginning since he was born in the Kaijudo Realm.

But here's my take and how I explore the lore of the show personally and what was given that I add on to it:

We see time and time again Ray has a connection with the creatures. He can calm them down, he can understand them, all in all he's basically the chosen one.

I always felt in my mind Ray is connected to the Kaiju Realm spiritually in some form. We even see the Mystics themselves trust Ray more openly.

I explore that part of Ray with my oc, Kei's lore more on that, but I want to leave it separate.

So the episode where Ray siphoned Infernus' mana. I mentioned in one post about Ray's dueling method and how every creature around can sense Ray's mana.

Ray has a natural calming effect on creatures and creatures are more open to let his mana flow through him. Creatures can see Ray's pure intent and see his emotions at face value.

I would say even though Infernus was still asleep, he could sense Ray and his intentions to want to help, not just humans but creatures as well.

Infernus allowed his mana to flow much more easier through Ray than compared to how a Master might has to forcibly take it from Infernus. I also mentioned, Ray's dueling method is drastically different from traditional dueling in my previous post about this.

Mana flows through both creatures and duelist willing and built on trust. I would say Infernus trusted Ray in that moment and enough to allow that same method and that also allowed Ray to connect to him to a level so that Infernus can communicate his and the other Monarch's story.

Monarch's mana are also extremely powerful on a whole othee scale compared to any other creatures. We can see that since their mana literally separate human and the Kaiju Realm.

And since Ray's method is so drastically different from other duelist, where mana flows through both freely, Infernus's mana must have left an imprint on Ray's mana permanently because of how powerful Infernus is. So the change couldn't have been avoided because how Ray just easily lets his and other creatures' mana flows.

It's also probably why Infernus most likely remembers Ray because they shared mana together and Infernus can also sense the impression left on him.

In turn that changed Ray's gauntlet because we see gauntlets are a reflection of a duelist.

We can take Ken for example as well. His gauntlet also went through a change in episode 18, gauntlet went through a drastic change as well.

It's also why most don't question the change too, maybe Ray, Allie and Gabriel at the beginning because they are fairly new to Kaijudo, but the Masters don't question it because they know that gauntlets change to users.

But they do question what happened to cause the drastic change.

Ray's chang is based on Infernus imprint on his mana, but Ray's perspective on the whole story of the Order as well. Ray's attitude at the end of the episode showed he was angry for the creatures and the betrayal that the Monarch's went through.

So his gauntlet took thoses changes and turned into the reflection. The scales are the impression that Infernus left and the drastic color to gold.

Gold can have association to not just power, but also a sacred reasons like light, purity and enlightenment. Ray has a much more significant understanding of creatures after learning learning about the betrayal and is much more empathetic to them than before the episode and solidifies his stance more.

Would it have been better if this hasn't happened? Who knows. Ray's stance wouldn't have changed on creatures. But most likely changed ending for season 1 and how Ray may have approached Infernus.

As for Chavez and the other Masters, no I don't think they have that change, as I said they use a different method than Ray, they control the creatures and use their mana one sided to get the creatures to listen. So they forcibly take the mana from the monarchs. They do not get that lasting effect compared to Ray who lets it free flow.

They also release the energy to the barrier, we saw Ray didn't release the energy, he did give some of it to Tatsurion, but I would say most of it also stayed with him as well. So that could have also contributed to his mana changing as well and why we heard he has the Mana of Infernus as well.

So did this at all give him any kind of boost?

I don't think so personally. We never seen anything changed after this episode besides his gauntlet. He still stays the same, but I think he might be more sensitive to mana now or things around him, contributing to my first statement in how Ray is connected to the Kaiju Realm spiritually.

A lot of this also connect to my oc lore as well, so I like thinking about these questions too! That's why I came up with so much already and how I interpreted it all so far. But let me know what you personally think!

If anything doesn't make sense, let me know as well so I can explain better!

This was fun to answer! I love talking about Kaijudo!! We need more lore for it!

[momolady]

War on the Mists :Author April #2

(This was another novel I was working on. The characters are ones I have used before and would love to use again. Heloise is one of my favorite OC I've ever created, and she's stayed with me forever. I was also super-duper into Revolutionary Girl Utena at the time. Anyways, this was my take on the Arthurian legends. There is a lot more to this if you all want to see the rest.)

Chapter One:

Just beyond the gates of Cleatom Academy is a wide polished stone with a slit in it’s center. It sits in the center of a wide, shallow pond. Water pours continuously from the slit, filling the pond and creating a simplistic work of art for all those you come to the school to see. The students referred to it as Stone Lake.

I had seen Stone Lake first through a brochure that I had come across when I had finally convinced my father to take me off home schooling. It took some hard work and heavy screaming to convince him to let me attend Cleatom. But I already knew all about Cleatom Academy. It is an academy was for the children of powerful people, people like my father. It was a place to turn the children of said people into equally powerful people, the kind of person I was afraid of becoming. Despite my dislike of the place and it’s populace I am looking forward to the transfer. There was a reason I had been needling my father for years about Cleatom. Not only is it a boarding school, which meant I would be able to breathe, I’d be out from my father’s oppressive, suffocating house. But there was something much more. Something I had been fighting for since I was a child. I would be able to see my brother Ty. The most beloved person in my life and someone who has been kept too far out of reach from me for too long.

The moment I was dropped off at Cleatom, I couldn’t help but smile as my father’s limousine pulled away from the boarding house. I laughed out loud even as I stood in the center of my room. I wasn’t even mad when they told me I’d have a roommate within a few days. Please, I begged the air, let it be someone normal! I didn’t have much time to celebrate though, as I wanted to get some sleep for school. But when my mind keep whirring and clicking, thinking about Ty and how I’d get to see him everyday. I just couldn’t turn off completely. I got up extremely early the next morning, the light outside gray and fog as far as the eye could see. I got into my school uniform, a white blouse with a form fitting black vest over the top of it and then a gray plaid skirt. There was also a silvery gray tie and the school’s emblem emblazoned as a pin at my throat. I got to wear whatever shoes and accessories I wanted the head master had explained to me like it mattered. For me, clothes were just the armor I put on for my father and the people he surrounds himself with. Since that was no longer necessary for my defense, I had my attendant back home help me order a pair of high top sneakers in my favorite color, red. I also bought for myself an assortment of odd and colorful knee socks. I was only ever allowed to wear tights or hose before.

Then put on my sneakers for the first time. I never knew comfort like this. I then slipped on the beaded bracelet Angie, my attendant, made for me and went out the door.

The hall was quiet and I heard no activity from the other rooms. But as I began descending the stairs I came across several girls who I assumed to be the attendants of the girls in the dorm. They seemed surprised to see me on the stairs, or just even there. I now wish I had allowed Angie to come with me, but I’m glad she’s getting some respite. Maybe I’ll call her here next semester.

I walk outside, shrouded in mist and cool damp air. I walk through the garden that surrounds the girl dormitories. They have all sorts of plants growing, its very beautiful in the light. Several classes have the students raise and cultivate their own plants. I made sure to sign up for one. I stop just before the gate leading out of the dormitory village and walk off towards the herb patch. The ground is freshly upturned and sprouts are peeking out all over. I think of the little clay pot that sat on my balcony. Angie and I began it when I was twelve. I’m sure she took it home with her to take care of it. At least I hope she did.

I look up, fairly sure I sensed a presence around me. I saw the swaying of the willow trees branches, but nothing else. I stood, looking forward, knowing I could feel eyes on me from somewhere in the mists. I take a cold breath. My lungs freezing as I turn and unlock the gate into the cobble stone path leading to the school.

Stone Lake was much smaller than I pictured. Then again, compared to the castle the school had been built into, everything looked smaller. The stone rested slightly above me. And the small shallow pond wasn’t even deep enough to hold fish. By the time I had come to the pond and sat for a moment students were arriving, not just from the dormitory village but in limos and cars coming through the front gates like I had yesterday. I watched as these cars pulled up at the doors, letting out their pristine cargo. I watched my new classmates. I watched for Ty.

I then heard laughing from around the other side of the stone and when I leaned out slightly I saw a group of girls walking away. All laughing and tossing their hair. It was a victory lap for them. I walked around to see what was so funny and saw a girl sitting in the water, her head down low.

I went towards the girl, standing up on the rocks to get level with her. “Are you alright?” I held my hand out towards her.

The girl looked up, her berry red hair plastered to her face. Her eyes were wide and gold, peering out frightened behind strands of shining hair. I tilted myself down towards her.

“Did they push you in here?” I held my hand out to the girl again.

The girl opened her mouth then closed it, lowering her head and began shuffling her hands through the water. I stepped up onto the platform and kneeled down beside the girl. “Did you loose something?”

“My glasses,” the girl murmured.

I began looking around too. “What do they look like?” I was feeling about the water beside her.

“Silver, with pearl accents.” The girl said.

I looked down to her left and saw the glasses hanging on a shrub. I picked them up and cleaned them with my sleeve. Smiling, I extended them to her. “Here.”

The girl quickly took then and placed them on her face. She looked up at me and nodded, pressing her lips firmly together. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” I replied. “Are you ok? Do you need me to help take you back to the dormitories?”

The girl stood up and smoothed her hand down utterly soaked skirt.

“You must be freezing.” I moved to remove my coat and the girl began stepping out of the water, moving quickly away from me.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.” She picked up her bag from the ground. “You’re an Emerald, you shouldn’t have to.”

I touched the jeweled bauble on my throat, attached to the top of the school uniform tie. It was the school emblem, but encrusted with emeralds. “What do you mean?” I followed after her.

The girl lifted her chin, touching her tie pin. Instead of emerald, her pin was pearl. I arched my brow at this, thinking that all the pins would be the same. “I’m a Pearl,” the girl continued. “And you are an Emerald.”

“I’m sorry,” I was shaking my head. “But I’m new here. I’m not sure what you mean.”

The girl pulled her wet hair and placed it in a heavy bundle on her shoulder. “I am beneath you.” She said simply and walked away. I wanted to follow after her but I had a feeling she‘d be even more humiliated if I did. I decided instead it would be best to find Ty.

Cleatom Academy had been built into and expanded from a castle made of white stone. I’m sure all the students felt even more superior because of this. True royalty! I walked up the ramp into the doors and into the commons area. It was like the food court in a mall. There was a coffee bar, a cupcake place, many tables and chairs as well as several large overly stuffed sofas and recliners. It certainly didn’t look like an antiquated castle.

“Good morning Cleatom!” A voice sang from the speaker system. “It’s another lovely day and I have just a few announcements before we all go to home room. We have three new students joining us today. Gregory W. Mansfield, Diamond. Heloise E. Boniface, Emerald. And Samantha B.D. Lewis, Ruby. Let’s be sure to greet them warmly!” I did not like the sound of my voice being introduced. “Students with birthdays today make sure to make your way to Sweetie Belle Cupcakes today for your complementary birthday cupcake. Today’s special is a chocolate, strawberry glace cupcake with an extra large chocolate covered strawberry on top. Yum!” I also didn’t like how scripted the yum bit sounded.

I walked around a gaggle of girls heading for the cupcake shop then and began zigzagging my way through the tables and chairs. “Also, would Heloise Boniface report to the sound booth.” The over head voice said.

I froze, what did they want with me?

“You can find your way there by heading to the glass elevator and pressing the button labeled SB3.” The voice continued with it’s wide awake voice. “You are in for a surprise.”

As I made my way to the elevator I knew I was the topic of the hour. Most heads turned and looked my way. Girls bent to whisper into ears, their eyes trailing me. Luckily the elevator was unoccupied when I entered. I pressed the button, a shiny chrome one with the letters and numerals illuminated behind it. Once the button was pressed the lettering flashed bright green. I was jostled for a moment as the elevator sprang to life, pulling me up above the crowd and through the levels of the castle until I reached the third floor.

The elevator opened up into a dimly lit room full of dark furniture. Beyond this I saw a huge white room behind glass brightly lit and glowing compared to the room before it. There someone inside talking into an old fashioned microphone and working a control panel of buttons. He removed the headphones he was wearing and pressed a button. Behind me, I could hear music playing in the elevator.

The man inside came out of the white room, running his fingers through his brick red hair. “It’s been a while.” The voice from the announcements said.

I furrowed my brow at him. “Excuse me?”

He turned on a light, illuminating the dark room. “Surely, you remember me a little.”

I stared, recognizing the freckled face, the deep brown eyes. Mainly the toothy smile. “Ty!” I flung my bag aside and ran into his open arms. I noticed that Ty’s pin was ruby.

“I’ve been waiting on you forever.” Ty said, stroking my hair. He stepped back, bracing his hands on my shoulders. “You haven’t grown an inch!”

I scowled at him. My height had always been an issue with my father and a joke with some of the staff. “Some heart warming greeting.” I brushed his hand away and began pacing the room slowly. “What is this?”

“The sound booth where I make all the announcements.” Ty said, following behind me. Mimicking my posture and how I held my hands behind my back. “Normally I have groupies, but I chased them off so I could have you by myself.”

“How kind.” Rolling my eyes, I smile. “Why do they let you make the announcements?”

“I’m the House Speaker,” Ty replied. “I’m an elected official.” He mocked snapping suspenders.

I turned towards him, raising my eyebrows. “Elected?”

“Student government,” Ty said, putting his hands on his hips and cocked his head to the side. “I’m a pretty powerful person around here.”

“I bet Mrs. Jerrick is so proud.” I sniffed.

Ty laughed. “Of course not. Not when my sister is  the VP!”

I looked back at him. He was talking about his half sister Cordelia Jerrick. Poor Ty was born between worlds. The bastard love child of my father and Mrs. Jerrick a world renowned business woman of the cosmetics industry. “So, are you meeting me illegally then?” I looked back towards the elevator doors then, just expecting Cordelia Jerrick to burst forth with soldiers, ordering I be tar and feathered.

“I made the announcement over the intercom, she would have been here by now if that was the case.” Ty replied, a smile in his voice. “She knows she has no control over me here.” He then reached out, taking my pin gently between his fingers. “Lucky you. You’re an Emerald.”

“I don’t get that.” I tap the expensive bauble on my throat. “What do these pins mean?” I had thought my father had simply chosen the Emerald because it was the most expensive.

Ty sighed, leaning back against the wall. “This school has a sort of…caste system.” My eyes widened at this. “It goes all the way from the working class students who serve the higher students, up to the most elite.”

He explained it all to me starting with amber, said working class. Most Amber students are actually the staff of the higher up students. That explained the maids I saw this morning.

He went on to the Pearls, which are students who are children of teachers or have scholarships. The girl this morning was a Pearl. This probably also explains why she was the victim of those girls. She was beneath them, like she said.

Then there are the Diamonds, students who are at the top of their classes or students who have celebrity. He explained that even Pearl students who have worked their way up can become Diamonds.

Rubies, like Ty, are next and they are the children of people who have donated a large amount of money. “Bought students, we’re called.” Ty smirked, somewhat proudly.

Then there was my group the Emeralds. A good combination of Diamond and Ruby. Students whose parents have donated large sums of money. These students could have been Rubies at one point, but moved up the rank because of celebrity status, grades, and etc.

“Then there are the Sapphires, like Cordelia.” Ty hesitated for a moment, gauging my somewhat disturbed expression to it all. “Sapphires are the elites, those who have all of the above and then some.”

I cleared my throat after a moment of it sinking in. “How is she a sapphire when you’re just a ruby?”

Ty laughed “You forget, I’m a bastard.” He put his arm around my shoulder and began leading me out the door. “I had to be bought.” As we approached the elevator it dinged and the door swished open, revealing the young man inside.

“Just in time,” Ty looked at the young man. “Heloise, this is John Whitney,” I saw that the boy’s pin was diamond. “He is going to be your guide.”

“Oh?” I looked from Ty then at John. “That isn’t necessary.”

“I think you’ll find it will be,” John said, a gentle chuckle to his voice. “This place isn’t easy to navigate for a first timer. It’s code that the Student Government assign a guide to each new student for as long as they need them.”

I nodded. “Well then, if it’s mandatory…” I looked John over. He looked like he was a football player from his build. His purposefully tousled dark blonde hair, hiding a scar on his forehead just so. His eyes were the a sort of hazel and gold color. His teeth bleached white. But there was a crookedness to his tie I liked, showed he wasn’t perfect.

“I was chosen because all our classes match up.” John replied, extending his arm and allowing me to stand in the elevator. “The Student Government normally tries to match up girls with girls and such, but I was the only one who matched.”

“It’s quite alright.” I waved to Ty as the doors shut. “I get along better with boys anyways.”

“So,” John said, pushing a button for the fifth floor, “what school did you go to before Cleatom?”

“I was home schooled actually. Well,” I set my bag at my feet. “My father hired tutors.”

John bobbed his head politely. “So what made him send you here?” He looked me over then, knowing Ty couldn’t see his eyes wander. “Excuse me if I’m being a pest.” His eyes immediately snap to my eyes.

I smiled, still looking forward. “No, you’re fine. But, I asked to come here. I’ve been fighting my dad about for a long time.”

John furrowed his brow. “What made him change his mind?”

“My dad is a gambler,” I looked over at John and his raised eyebrows, “so I made him a bet.”

John looked surprised. “What kind of bet.”

I put my finger to my lips as the elevator doors whooshed open into a crowded hallway. I gently dipped to grab my bag and slung it back over my shoulder. John walked a good few paces behind me, like one of my father’s bodyguards.

Turning and looking at him I snapped, “what? Student Government doesn’t allow you to walk beside me?”

“Well,” John blushed. “You are an Emerald, Ms. Boniface.” I arched my brows high at the fact he had referred to me in such a way. “It is not normally-”

I took a step back, aligning myself with him. “It’s not a rule is it?”

“No,” John swallowed, looking around. “Just…tradition.”

I then snapped my fingers, surprising him again. “Oh, do you know a lot of the students here?”

John nodded, swallowing. I was making him nervous. “It’s part of my role in the Student Government.”

I slide my bag down into the crook of my elbow. “Do you know a girl with really, really bright red hair? Almost like a lip-gloss color?” I motioned with her hands the style of the girl’s hair. “Also, wears glasses,” I mimed glasses.

John smirked at my monkeying and thought for a moment. “Maybe that’s Den Anais.” He said. “Why do you ask? You know her?”

I shook my head, looking towards the floor. “No, I just saw some girls push her into the fountain out front this morning. I tried to help her but she brushed me off.”

He nodded, sighing somewhat sadly. “Then that must be Den.”

I must of looked disgusted because his eyes took on an apologetic look. “Does that happen to her a lot?”

John shrugged, opening a door for me. “Sometimes. But I don’t work in her department of the Student Government.”

I balked. “She’s in the Student Government?”

“Hand picked by Head Master Emrys. She’s the Advisor.” John shrugged. “She’s sort of like…a personal consultant. She plans all the school events and dances and the like.”

“You think with a role like that people would like her.” I mumbled as we walked into the classroom. History was my first class, a class the dean of admissions said I would enjoy.

“Oh welcome, you must be Heloise.” I looked up sideways as a man in a dark green suit approached. “I’m Professor Lourdes.” He held out a thin pale hand to me.

“Uhm, yes.” I took his hand, it was warm and smooth. “Thank you for letting me in. I had been told you were full up.”

Professor Lourdes smiled, removing his thin wire glasses. He was an exceptionally striking man, young and beautiful for a teacher. “History is a much more popular a field than I anticipated.”

Something about his smile though told me he knew it was because of his looks.   “But I was more than happy to make a spot.” He waved his hand out. “Please, take a seat anywhere. I’m not picky.” He left, walking up to the white board and his desk.

John leaned to whisper to her. “His class is so popular because-”

“Because he’s so good looking?” I finished for him. “Easy to see now why history would be packed.”

We took our seats at a two chair table in the back. The seats were overstuffed rolling chairs. I had one just like it at home. Father had got it for me when I began complaining about my back during lessons.

“Ari is a good teacher though. He’s also the one who over sees the Student Government.” John explained quickly. “He gives a lot of extra credit and he takes us out on a lot of field trips. They’re mainly trips to museums mind you, but he makes the experience interesting.”

I found I couldn’t take my eyes off Professor Ari Lourdes. He was a lithe mover, and his handwriting was impeccable. “Put a long wig on him and he’d pass for a girl, he’s that pretty.”

John snorted. “I’ve actually heard several girls trying to convince him to do such a thing for the costume balls.”

We both exchanged smiles and then began taking out our text books and such.

My attention turned to Cordelia as she walked through the door at that moment. John continued talking, but I didn’t hear him.

Cordelia was tall and blonde, the kind of girl my father wishes I was. And she sauntered right over to Professor Ari’s desk and sat on its corner like she owned the place. She tousled her hair and laughed, slightly turning to see who was watching her, because she knew everyone was. That’s when her gray eyes fell on me. Her expression becoming instantly blank. Her eyes almost bleeding disgust.

John tugged on my sleeve. “Heloise?”

I didn’t move. “Yes?”

“Are you familiar with the Jerrick family?”

Cordelia was turning and whispering to Professor Ari. I looked at John then.

“I’m only close to Ty.”

John gave me a wary smile. “Cordelia certainly doesn’t seem happy to see you.”

I laughed. “That’s putting it gently.” I cupped my hand under my chin and looked at Professor Ari, trying his best to act genteel with Cordelia.

“She’s the vice president of the Student Government.” John whispered.

I scoffed, rapping my fingers against my jaw. “Now that, I did know.” I smiled back at John. He raised his brow. “She’s part of that bet I mentioned earlier.”

John raised his brows. “Oh?”

I laughed. “Oh, indeed!” I leaned closer to John. “I bet if I acted like I was flirting with you, Cordelia would swoop in and steal you away from me.”

John smiled somewhat deviously, his eyes glancing over to Cordelia and then back to me. “You’re that confidant in her evil, are you?”

I nodded. “If there is one thing I know about Cordelia Jerrick, it’s that she absolutely hates me.” I then reach out, adjusted John’s crooked tie, my fingers lingering ever so.

“Sorry about this.” I snicker.

“Oh please!” John laughs. “I don’t mind at all.”

I then reach up, playing with John’s bangs. “What’s she doing?”

John glances aside for me then looks back at me as I drop my hand. “You should be dead.”

We both burst out laughing, and in that moment Cordelia is standing beside me.

John blanches some, but I look up at her like it is the most casual thin in the world. I am more than prepared to deal with Cordelia Jerrick, in fact, its what I’ve been planning on.

“Why,” Cordelia gasps prettily but it sounds more like a war cry. “Heloise Boniface! What a splendid surprise.” She says splendid like it’s painful, like she’d rather wretch bile.

I nod softly. “Hello, Cordelia.”

Cordelia’s eyes flicker over to John then back to me. “I had no idea you’d be attending Cleatom.” She seems to be running out of nice things to say. “Is Whitney here your escort?”

I look over at John and smile charmingly, he blushes some. “Why yes! He’s a lovely boy, isn’t he?” I reach out, putting my hand over his. “I’m thinking about asking Daddy to hire him as my valet for the summer.”

Cordelia’s tongue to captured between her cinched teeth as she smiles. “Oh? Well how wonderful for you, Whitney.” She then squints her eyes at me in an attempt to smile, but it comes out all wrong. “I will have to talk to you later, Heloise.” She turns on her heel just as the bell rings.

“I feel sick.” John whispers to me.

I look at him apologetically. “I am so sorry.”

“I’ve never felt anything like that!” John chuckles, relieved. “I knew she could be something of a bitch, but I had no idea it was anything like that.”

“If she gives you any trouble, just let me know. I can handle her.” I quickly tack on, “Ty too.”

He nods at me. “You’re the bravest woman in the world.”

A smile perks up at the corner of my mouth. “It’s just one blonde girl.”

We both look up in attention as Professor Lourdes begins speaking. He’s writing on the board in his lovely script and we all follow his instruction. My eyes glance over at Cordelia who is also stealing look at me. She turns away, and whispers to the girl beside her.

John elbows me. “And thus one becomes two.”

We both snicker.

“Quite in the back!” Professor Lourdes chuckles authoritatively.

John and I cover our mouths, trying to surprise our huge grins.

I look to John and nod. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

I shrug. “Just for being on my side I suppose.”

Chapter Two:

I didn’t go with John to the cafeteria at lunch. Instead I walked back out to the front gate and sat by Stone Lake.  I pulled an apple from my bag and took tiny bites out of it. I was neither hungry nor interested in mingling with my fellow students. At least not yet. Considering the only ones I’d want to sit with would be Ty or John, are a Ruby and Diamond respectively. They are both technically beneath me. I doubt I’d be allowed by this ridiculous Caste system to even sit by them.

“It’s you again.” I turned to look up above me at the stone. Standing there was the girl from this morning. I stood, standing back up on the platform and waving to her. She smiled back, nodding gently.

“You seem attracted to this place.”

“It’s peaceful.” I put my hands against my hips. “And I love being around water.”

Den stepped down from the stone and into the water of the fountain, pulling her long skirt up as she did so. “Thank you for the help this morning.”

I bobbed my head slightly. I was unsure of what to make of her newfound friendliness. “Of course. Umm-”

“Sorry if I was a bit rude.” Den waded through the water until she stood before me. “I was scared, so I wasn’t much of a people person.”

“No, of course.” I was shaking my head. “I’m Heloise.”

Den beamed. “Heloise Boniface, yes! You’re new today.” Den stepped out of the water and onto the cobblestone surrounding it. “Ty has been anxious.”

John had mentioned she was on the Student Government. It had actually never occurred to me that she and Ty might know one another, talk to each other as friends. My surprised expression has Den explaining.

“Ty and I talk a lot during meetings.” Den twirls slightly. “He says you came here against your father’s wishes.”

I fold my arms behind my back. This is a gesture I take from my father. A gesture that Angie says makes me look like an old man. “That’s right.”

“But you are meant to be here.”

“Excuse me?”

Den stepped off the fountain and into her shoes just below. “Oh nothing.” She giggled, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Are you busy at the moment?”

I shake my head.  “No. Why?”

“C’mon, just follow me.” Den waved her hand to follow and began walking back towards the school. I sling  my bag back over my shoulder and walk off after Den.

“We have a special gallery here at the school.” Den explained as we walk, bypassing the glass elevator and going behind it to a small service type elevator. Den pulled open the little iron gate and allowed me to step in first. She closed the gate behind her and locked it.

“Professor Lourdes helped piece it together, but not a lot of students know about it. It’s mainly a sanctuary for the Student Government.”

I tilt my head to my shoulder “Then why tell me?”

Den just smiled, pulling hard on the lever that began dropping the us down and down. “This place has a basement?” I ask, amazed.

“This old place has a lot of hidden places inside.” Den replied, looking up at the darkening ceiling.

I could feel the air dampen and chill around me. I wrapped my arms around me,  wondering just how far down Den was going to take me.  I pictured a cave below the school, massive caverns and alters like the Phantom had under the PAris Opera house.

The lift came to a jolting stop and Den unlocked the little gate and opened it wide, stepping out before me this time. I looked around, it was a massive round room. The walls decorated with tapestries and elegant paintings. Between these hangings were suits of armor, and in the center of it a wide, round table.

“Wow,” I murmured as I looked around, setting my bag on the table. I walk around the table, my fingertips gliding along the smooth, gilded edges.

“The student government meets here most of the time.” Den said, walking around the table, aiming herself at the suit of armor at the very back of the room. It was different from the rest, for one, it was on a raised pedestal and it was more golden. Also, although it’s hands were posed in such a way, it was not holding a sword.

“This one is my favorite.” She said, dusting at the helmet with her hand.

“What is all this stuff?” I asked, approaching a suit of armor that had long green feathers coming down from the top of the helmet.

“It’s a story,” Den said, folding her hands behind her back and turning towards me. “A history really.”

I had the long green feather between my thumb and forefinger. “Of what?” I gently rub the feather, a feeling of nostalgia washes over me and I feel warm and proud inside. The feeling disappears as I release the feather.

“Something that is thought to be make believe these days.” Den sighed, still dusting at the suit of armor. She places her hands over the gold golves, like she reassuring an old friend. “But, it is all tribute to a great king.” She smiles sadly.

I shrug, sitting on the edge of the table and pulling my apple back out from my pocket. “Like King Arthur or something?” I bite into the apple.

“The very same.” Den exclaimed. “Do you like Arthurian legend, Ms. Boniface?”

I grimaced at her formality. “Heloise, please.” Den looked surprised. “And yeah, I’ve heard a bed time story or two about King Arthur.”

Den seemed disappointed. “Only bedtime stories?” A hand slips away from the armor as she turns to face me.

I slide back off the table and walk towards her. “They were the only ones my dad would actually read to me.” I touched the shining helmet of the suit of armor before me. It had a blue, tartan sash going across its chest. “I always wanted Excalibur.”

Den smiled brightly at this. “Oh?”

“Dad said I couldn’t have it though, because Dagonet threw it into the lake.” I looked back at Den. “Is this whole school based on those stories? Castle and all?”

Den shrugged. “Perhaps.” She then sighed and looked down at her watch which had begun beeping. “Excuse me for a moment.” She turned off the alarm then disappeared down a hallway next to the lift.

I walked around the table, looking at each suit of armor and the paintings between them. Knights brandishing their swords, bowing before a king, being awestruck by ethereal women. I then stood before the gold armor, missing it’s weapon. Its mate. I reached up, cupping the helmet in my hand. It felt warm to the touch.

I was so captivated by the armor I didn’t hear the elevator churning behind me. I only noticed it when the creaky gate opened and shut with a tight clang. Turning I found Professor Ari Lourdes standing behind me, a book in one hand a sack lunch in the other.

He saw me. Even though he was some ways away, and his glasses covering them, I could see his green eyes widen.

“Ms. Boniface,” he took a tentative step forward as my hand slipped from the armor and turned from it, and folded my arms behind my back.

Ari removed his glasses. “What are you doing down here?”

I dipped my head to the side. “Den was giving me a tour.”

“Den?” Ari pocketed his glasses. “That’s odd, she’s normally so…shy.” His breath seemed to falter, seeing me posed before the golden armor.

I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. “What happened to it?”

“Pardon?”

I turned back towards the suit of armor. “This suit is missing it’s mate.” I say,  laying my hands over those of the armor. “Den said you helped piece together this exhibit.”

“Ah yes, well, that is said to be a replica of King Arthur’s armor.” Ari replied as he walked around the table towards them.

I cup my hands around the gold gloves, thinking that they seemed small. My hands could fit inside them perfectly. “Then where is Excalibur?”

“At the bottom of a lake.” I looked up, Ari standing a few inches behind me. He smiled, “or so legend has it.”

I smiled back. “I believe that is the main theory, yes.”

“The head master of the school has always been fascinated with the stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. His whole family in fact, dating back to the founding of this school.” Ari said, taking a seat at the table. “They wanted to be able to teach children to be chivalrous and brave like Arthur and his knights.”

My smile turns smug for a moment as the idea dawns on me. “So then, the Student Government is very much an attempt to copy the Round Table?”

Ari laughs looking at the table. “You’ve caught on to that, have you?”

My hand glides across the back of Ari‘s chair as I walk by. “A round table surrounded by suits of armor.” I want to tousle his hair but I draw my hand away. “It isn’t hard to catch the drift.”

“I read your records your tutors provided,” Ari said, watching me as I stopped two chairs away. “You’re…you’re actually quite brilliant, Ms. Boniface. You’re father is breeding you to be a great leader.”

“A leader of companies.” I spat hatefully.

Ari looked taken aback by this. “Do you not want to inherit your father’s dynasty?”

I whirl around in a viciously cyclone. “I want my own dynasty!” My hand slams down on the table.

My wild hair flying about my head, falling on my shoulders. Catching myself in his eyes I straighten my back, regaining myself. “I want to build something…with my own…two hands.”

“You could do it.”

I glance quickly at him and then away again. I felt near tears. “He, my father, would never allow it.”

I comb my fingers through my hair then tossed it back over my shoulders. Now that I didn’t have stylists to fashion my hair sleek straight or into to corkscrew curls it was beginning to return to it’s natural wild lion’s mane.

“He didn’t even want me to come here. Afraid I’ll learn to fight him.”

Ari chuckled. “Looks like you already know how to do that.”

Aside from his beauty, it was easy to see why his classes were always filled up. He could see me. Behind all my armor and father’s make-up he could see me. He knew how to reach people by that, too.

I laugh. Covering my hand with my mouth. “Yes. I suppose so.”

“I was surprised when I first saw you,” Ari said, opening his sack lunch. “You and Ty look an awful lot alike.” He pulled out an apple. “The only thing he shares with Cordelia is a name.” He said Cordelia’s name with an acidic bite.

I smile. Not just because he said Ty and I look like siblings but because he could also see through Cordelia. “That’s probably why Cordelia hates us.”

Ari laughed. A knowing glint glowing in his eyes. He looked up though as Den came back into the room.

“I’m done now.” Rather than seem surprised by Professor Lourdes, she smiles knowingly and quite brightly. “Oh, Professor Lourdes, how are you?”

He nods towards her. “I’m fine Den. Glad to see you befriending Ms. Boniface.”

“Heloise.” I corrected him.

Den smiled, not answering him. She turned to me and waved her hand to the elevator. “Ready to go? Classes will restart soon.”

I go back and pick up my bag. “Thanks for the chat, Professor Lourdes.”

He smiles. “Ari.” He corrects. I turn but he touches my elbow. “If you need help catching up to the rest of the students, my door is always open. I’ll help you in any subject you need. Heloise.”

“That’s very nice of you.” I feel my cheeks warm at his touch. “Might take you up on it.” I nod then head back to Den who is smiling at Ari. She follows me into the elevator and shuts it tight.

As the lift clatters back to the student commons, John is waiting for me. He is leaning against the wall reading a book. He stands in attention like a soldier as Den and I step out.

Den tilts her head at me. “Did you enjoy the gallery?��

“Very much.” I nod. “Thank you, Den.”

Den nods then flits off without a word. I stare after her, confused.

“She’s an odd one.” John says. He begins to say something else when the music for the student announcements comes on. “Oh bother.” John huffs. We stand in the middle of the commons.

“Hello Cleatom Academy!” Ty’s voice echoes. “Afternoon classes have been canceled for today.” A low roar comes from the commons as students cheer for their good fortune. “I know? Isn’t that just the bee knees?” I smile picturing Ty in his box. “But feel free to use the rooms for study. Also, it’s happy hour at The Creamery Coffee Shop. All drinks half off!”

Another low roar.

“Want some coffee?” John asks.

I shake my head. “Uhm, no thank you. I think I’ll just go back to my room for now.” I say. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, though.”

John nods as we begin to separate. “I’ll meet you in Professor Lourdes classroom.” He waves and vanishes into the growing crowd aiming for the coffee shop.

I turn on my heel and head back towards the lift. I go to wrench it open when I realize it is gone. I hear it below, churning and working it’s way up. I step aside and watch is rise. I see inside a couple inside. I recognize the sleek golden hair as Cordelia and I step further into the shadows. I see the man she’s with, tall and slender with dark hair. My jaw drops as he walks out, pulling Cordelia with his lips. They separate briefly before she has him locked again.

“I really must go.” Ari is breathless.

“Oh fine.” Cordelia pouts girlishly. She stays in the elevator. “I’ll see you later then, darling?”

Darling?

Ari smiled. “Of course.” He waves her off as she turns the elevator back on.

Disappearing below again. I look at Ari and watch him adjust his tie and collar. He wipes at his mouth and smoothes out his hair. He produces the apple he had been eating when I left him and takes a bite. He then walks away and into the glass elevator.

I’m not sure what to feel. Shock definitely. Betrayal? But why? I don’t even know Professor Lourdes. I only had a brief chat with him a moment ago. But he was nice to me. He listened to me. I thought he saw me. I thought he saw Cordelia.

Why Cordelia?

I slide to the floor. Bewilderment sweeping over my brain. I think about Ari’s apple and decide to throw mine away. It’s probably brown by now. I go to reach for it and notice a little red book in my bag. I take it out. It was the book Ari had been carrying when he first came into the room. How did it get in my bag?

The cover it soft cloth. Once it had been deep red but it was faded now, but the gold emblem emblazoned on the front was just as dazzling as it must have been when it was first published. The gold lion on the front matched the one on the school pins. I opened it up and a pressed flower fell out into my lap. Picking it up I realize it’s a lilac. I read the title page.

Merlin’s Arthur

I flip through the pages and something else slips from the pages. It’s heavy and cold. When I hold it in my palm I see it’s a key, a lion head serving as the top. It’s mouth gaped open, the key serving as its tongue. And engraved on it’s tongue was my name.

Chapter Three:

The academy has long since emptied out and I sit alone at Stone Lake. I thumb the key in my hand, wondering what it means. Did Professor Lourdes give this to me? I hold it against my chest, looking up at the dim windows of the academy. I wonder if he is still in his room? Was he expecting me to take him up on that study session?

“I can see you out there.”

I let out a yelp as a voice booms out over the empty campus. I huff, flustered. Realizing Ty has seen me some how.

“I’ll meet you in the commons.” Ty says and then the intercom goes quite.

I stand. Placing the key in the pocket of my vest before I walk back to the academy. I go in and wait before the glass elevator for Ty. I keep finding myself glancing at the little iron elevator behind. Why do I care what Professor Lourdes does? I convince myself its because it was Cordelia. Nothing more.

The glass elevator swings open and Ty comes out. He’s out of his school uniform, weAring only a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt. “Wanna have some fun?”

I shrug. “Depends.”

Ty loops his arm around my neck and leads me away. We walk for a long time in silence. It’s hard to think we’ve been separated from one another for ten years now.

“I have a wonderful evening planned,” he tells be just before we reach the dorms.

I look up at him, his arm serving as my scarf. “Oh really?”

He smiles impishly. “You are a very lucky lady. Many women fight for the hand of Ty Jerrick, but only you can have it.”

I scoff at him, knowing him all too well.

He squeezes his arm tighter. “Go up and get changed, quick.” He commands me, pushing me to the front door of my dormitory.

I look back at him before I walk inside, slightly afraid when I come back out he’ll of disappeared into the golden autumn air. It’s where he belongs anyways, my flitting leaf.

He shoos me and I smile at him. “Ok, ok, just a second.” I call to him and rush inside and up to my room. I hurry myself into a t-shirt dress and grab my jacket. I don’t want to miss a moment with him.

We then walk to the school garage. A lot of the students who stay in the dorms have cars they use to go into town. We get into Ty’s car, a 1969 olive-green Mustang, and drive off.

He has the last picture taken of us together taped to the rearview mirror. I’m six, he’s seven. We’re hugging in front of the old cinema.

“I thought I’d take you to the docks.” Ty puts on a pair of sunglasses. “I know how you like the water. Plus, there is something I want to show you.”

“Sounds fun.” I lean back in the leather seat. “Why were afternoon classes canceled?”

He shrugs. “Silly reasons. Works in our favor though.” He says with a grin. It’s the kind of grin that makes me think he had something to do with it. But I know that’s just Ty. Everything he says sounds mischievous. He used to get in so much trouble back when he lived with father and me. I think that was one of the reasons Mrs. Jerrick and my father decided he’d be best with her.

Ty parked his car on the street and we got out to walk. He put his arm around my shoulders again. He probably thought I was cold in the wind.

We stopped at a sweet shop and got hot coco. I got marshmallows and cinnamon. Ty got whip cream and sprinkles, and another with marshmallows and caramel.

I crook my brow at him. “Why’d you get two?”

He mimics my eyebrow, then flips it to the other brow and back. “Too keep me sweet.”

I couldn’t wait to get to the dock. I loved the smell of the wind off the ocean. Even now I dream of the summer house in France, an old chateau overlooking the ocean. I’d fall asleep in the box window, just watching the sunset melt into the waves.

The dock is made of old but hard and sturdy wood. I love it instantly. The sun reflects in glittering cascades off the water. As I race Ty towards the end of the dock a small girl comes into view. The sun glows off her golden hair like she has a halo. I think of the extra coco Ty bought, marshmallows and caramel. I feel like such an idiot for not realizing it sooner. She turns, her pale face flushed from the breeze. I raise my hands to my face and race to her.

“Nissa!” I cry as I scoop her up in my arms. “How on earth?”

She clings to me, gripping on as tight as she can. “Heloise,” she whimpers into my chest.

I cupped her face in my hands, beaming into those blue-gray eyes. “I thought you were in America!”

She was almost crying. Then again she always had tears in her eyes when she was happy. “Grandmother convinced Mama to send me back here.”

I pinched her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She bit her lip. “Grandmother doesn’t like you.”

I laugh and pull her into another tight hug, cupping the back of her head. “I’m so happy to see you. I don’t care what that old bird thinks.”

Behind us, Ty laughs. “I told you you’d like the docks.”

“Are you attending Cleatom then?” I ask, reluctantly pulling back.

She nods. “Yes.” She pulls out her Diamond pin. “Isn’t it pretty?”

I feel upset she is only a Diamond. Her miserly old grandmother is a modern day Ebenezer Scrooge. Plus you add in both her mother’s celebrity and her own, she should be an Emerald. I cup Nissa’s hands in mine, ignoring it.

“I saw your last movie. You were so wonderful.”

Nissa beamed and asked about our father. I told her he was the same as always. I obligatory asked about her mother. Nissa answers that she’s been so busy, with movies, TV, and even a book in the works.  I have no idea what that woman would write about but I nod and smile. I’m just happy to have Nissa back in my arms again.

“How long have you been in Cleatom?” I asked.

“A year,” Nissa admits guiltily, biting her bottom lip. “But I’m moving into the dorms soon. Grandmother’s health is failing and she said it would be best for me to stay away from it.” Poor sweet, darling, Nissa.  She’s covering for the world’s oldest hypochondriac. I bet the bat sent Nissa away, complaining that she was the cause of her warts or something idiotic like that.

“I have us reservations set up.” Ty says, tapping the face of his watch. “I figured we Boniface children should have our long, over-do family dinner.”

Nissa squeezed onto my hand as we walked, she caught Ty’s and we walked in a row down the street. One thing I am grateful to my father about is this, my siblings.

Once we sit down at the restaurant Nissa and I begin peppering each other with questions. She asks me about home. Ty asks her about what celebrities she’s met. I ask her about her travels.

“Oh!” Nissa suddenly exclaims. “I haven’t told you the best thing!” She giggles excitedly. “I’m Ty’s assistant!” She says, touching his hand. “I’m part of the Student Government.”

“Really?” I gasp.

She nods. “Yes! I never thought Ty would hire me.” She blushes some. “I thought for sure he’d pick some pretty girl.”

Ty scoffs. “I did pick a pretty girl.”

Nissa rolls her eyes, same as me. “You know what I mean, Ty.” She looks at me and we both crack up.

“I see what you think of me.” He scoffs, slapping his palm against his chest and turning his head over-dramatically away. “I am saving myself for marriage.”

Nissa and I laugh harder. I’m squeezing Nissa’s hand, not realizing how hard, but she offers no complaint because she squeezes right back.

We leave just as the restaurant closes. Ty drives us back dropping me off at my dormitory. I kiss Nissa goodbye, almost wanting to cry as I watch them drive off.

I suddenly feel exhausted as I get to my room. I strip as I walk to the bathroom where I shower. As I dry my hair with a towel I pick up my dirty laundry and toss it in the allotted bin. One of the staff would collect it in the morning. I picked up my uniform and the key fell out of the pocket.

I had almost completely forgotten about it. I roll it through my hands then set it in my bedside table. I get into my sleep shirt then return to the key. I look up at it as I lay on my bed. I drift off to sleep soon with the key clutched in my hand.

I’m standing on a boat, my body badly injured and bleeding. I’m screaming. Fighting against arms holding me back. I know I have won against these arms many times in the past, but my body is so badly beaten they are winning.

I’m screaming someone’s name. Someone I don’t want to leave. Someone I love.

I finally collapse to the floor of the boat, sobbing their name over and over. I’ll never see them again will I? I look up at the one who was holding me back and he shakes his head sadly. He gently wipes away my tears and leads me into the boat. He sets me down gently on a comfortable chair and he extends my legs, removing the heavy metal boots from my feet.

I’m still whispering the name, over and over.

Two soft hands gently cress my cheeks and pull back my hair, tying it up and away from my face like I like. I look up into her warm, familiar eyes. She is crying too and I am comforted there. I lean my head into her arm as she removed the metal gauntlets from my arms. She’s singing a song to me.

I look down at the man tending to the wound in my belly and I ask him something. He looks at me and answers, “Your loved ones cannot follow you here, my lord.”

I’m baffled.

He doesn’t allow me to argue. I whisper the name again and he shakes his head.

The woman pulls a locket out from around my neck and opens it before me. I preciously cradle it in my hands. Inside is a lock of raven black hair. It sends me into shuddering tears.

I awake from the dream, still whispering the name, still crying. I sit upright and rub hard at my eyes. The name has already been forgotten, but the heart break I felt in longing for it still haunts me.

I realize I’m still holding the key. In the darkness I think for a moment it is glowing, but I decide it is merely the full moon reflecting off it. It is half past midnight and despite that I decide I must act crazy and go for a walk. Anything to subside the pain of my heart breaking.

I put on some jeans and a plain shirt. I stuff the key in my pocket and walk out of the dorm. I walk up the cobblestones of the dorm village. I walk past the boy’s junior dorm. The female senior dorm, and I walk further. I walk past the student garage and into the forest.

I think, perhaps if I keep walking I’ll reach the cliffs over looking the ocean. Instead, I come across a massive cast wrought iron gate. It looked like a palace itself with all the intricate works and towers to it. In the very center, where the gates open up, was a lion’s head. It’s mouth gaping open and it’s tongue serving as the latches.

I touch the key in my pocket. It is iron too. I take it out and compare the lions’ heads. They look like they match but in the moonlight it is so hard to tell. I stand closer to the gate, looking for the keyhole. I suddenly have an idea and hold the key in my hand and insert my hand into the large lion’s mouth. Sure enough, the key slides right in and I turn to unlock it.

The gate creaks open by itself, first slow then it suddenly blows open, sending me back a few paces in fright. I hold my arms before me as I am greeted by a cold burst of air, strong enough to almost knock me over, but I manage to hold my ground.

As I peel my arms away I see a thick, heavy mist pouring out from the open gate. I hold my breath and look all around me. I decide maybe I should head back. Then I think that the key had my name on it, perhaps Professor Lourdes meant to tell me about it and forgot. Perhaps, since I was Emerald, I had special privileges to certain areas on the campus. The campus was massive enough to allow such a thing. So I stride into the mist. I hear the gates close behind me and I am suddenly tight inside with dread.

I take a few steps, barely able to see anything around except for the cold, white mist. My toe hits something and I fall. Breaking through the mist I fall and hit on a set of stairs.

Stairs?

The mist is so thick around me I can barely make them out, rising through and going up in a gentle slope. So I begin climbing the stairs, I remember there being mist in my dream, it completely engulfed the boat I was on. Who else was there with me? A man and a woman of unearthly beauty. It is so funny how you can forget a dream so powerful so fast.

Above me I see the beginnings of a building rising above the trees, but the deep fog is swallowing me up.

Am I in another plain of existence?

At the top of the stairs I see not a building but a huge marble platform surrounded by tall statues of women bearing shells and children, massive lions with their mouths wide open, men wielding swords or embracing a woman. All of them an Atlas, holding up the a massive dome covered in tiny fragments of glass that glittered and glowed in the moon’s radiance.

“Oh wow…” I whispered. I am aware my toes are freezing, and the cold begins climbing its way up my body. Tiny frozen fingers ripping through my clothes and sending my skin into gooseflesh. I shuddered and hold my arms across me.

“Are you cold?” I look up in response to the voice. Before me, coming down from a platform at the far end is a man. “I see you didn’t need my help finding this place.”

I’m confused. The cold seems to be stabbing at my brain now. “John?”

I then see two more appear behind him, a tall figure that remains in the shadows and the second comes out farther than John. She smiles shyly at me.

“Den…” I shake my head. “What is this?” I ask, taking a step forward.

John raises his hand out of the fog and I was stunned to see him holding a sword.

“John!” I exclaim, jumping back.

My back hits a wall, cold as ice. I whip around, there were stairs here just a moment ago. Instead there is this cold wall. A wall of solid ice. My breath comes out in thick white puffs now, fast little ghosts leaving me. A warm hand touches my shoulder and I spin around to face Den.

“Hold still.” Den commands and I stand rigid, her hands touch my chest and I fell a small weight against the collar of my shirt. It is an Emerald pin. Den then puts her cheek to mine.

“Never let go of your key.” She whispers into my ear and then she steps behind me, her warm hand lingering on mine.

I look back up at John, squeezing the key tighter in my hand. “John, what’s going on?” I try to stay calm, but my voice is noticeably shaky.

“What is going on is a rite of passage.” The man behind John responds. His voice is deep and I don’t recognize it.

“For what?” I snap.

“If you have a name on the key.” The voice tells me. “John,” he says in a commanding voice.

John was suddenly charging at me. I hold up my arms, bracing myself. He knocks me upside my head with the blunt end of his sword, and I fall, hitting the frozen ground.

“Get up!” John yells.

My head in throbbing and words and pictures are mixed up in my head. My vision is whirling and spinning.

“Get up!” John barks again. Using his foot he flips me over onto my back. He then takes his sword and touches the tip to my pin. “I’ll break it if you don’t get up.”

“Heloise!” Den whispers demandingly.

I whimper a loud, choking sob. “For the love of God! What?”

John circles me, the tip of his sword pointed at me. “Draw your weapon.”

I swallow and roll to my side, wobbly standing to my feet. I still have my key clutched in my hand. “Tell me what’s happening.” My speech is slow.

John holds his sword up. “Draw your weapon.”

I grip onto the side of my head. “Weapon?”

John sneers. “Draw it, now!”

Confused, hurt, and angry I scream out. “I don’t have a weapon!”

I raise my hand, attempting to throw that damn key and then the sound of steel hitting steel resonates like a gunshot, and a bright flash of light that blinds me.

The mist clears. The light dims. Looking up I see a sword in my hand where the key was.

In my stupor John easily forces my sword down and he raises his against me again, bringing it down towards my neck. I swing upwards, hitting John’s wrist, ripping away at his starched sleeve. He jumps back and I run away, a stupid move because his sword is slicing by my leg, cutting into my thigh. I cry out and fall to my knees.

Den cries out. “Get up!”

I shakily move to stand and I hear John charging towards me. The fog is closing in, engulfing me, swallowing me whole.

I drop back to my knees and suddenly I am gone.

John’s sword hit’s the floor before me and I jump away, still low and in the fog. If I remain hidden in the fog, I think, perhaps I can regain my footing, regain some of the sense John knocked out of me. My ears are ringing, blood rushing to them and to the throbbing lump near the back of my left ear where John had hit me.

What was happening to me?

What the hell was wrong with the people at this school?

I then hear a scream. It’s Den. I jump out of the fog instantly, seeing John approaching Den with his sword ready.

Without a second thought I lunging through the fog and the air. I am flying. I am swinging my sword. As I swing at John, for the briefest flash, I see someone else. I see a man with long golden curls, and a strong yet angelic face. He is wearing shimmering armor almost pearl in color.

I strike him.

John’s arm is braced against mine, his hand pressing hard against my shoulder. I’m staring at him, wide eyed and frightened. I hadn’t been in control of myself.

Someone else had.

“Heloise-” Den gasps.

I hear the slight tink of something hitting the marble, echoed by tiny droplet-like sounds raining on the floor. Looking down I see I only have the key in my hand, the sword has gone away in John’s hand as well. He pulls away from me and the mist begins to recede.  Looking down I see John’s diamond pin on the marble, all the individual tiny diamonds scattered like so many drops of rain.

John is looking at me, hard and long. I look back at him, confused and afraid. Was he going to hit me now?

John lifts his head, looking away from me and towards the back. “You were right.” John says to the man at the back.

“I don’t…” I murmur, slowly shaking my throbbing and confused head. “What do you mean?”

“We’ve been waiting a long time for you to come back.” The man in the back replies.

John is then bowing before me. “The one true king.”

I’m confused beyond reasoning. I clutch my head in my hand. “John stop. What are you doing?”

“Look at your key.” Den is behind me, putting one hand on my shoulder and the other on my waist. “You’ll see your true name written upon it now.”

I lay the heavy key flat in my palm. Engraved where my name used to be read the name: Arthur.

[the-name-is-z]

SKELETONS | ch. 7

daryl dixon x f!oc

masterlist

a03 link

Summary: The group encounters some obstacles on the way out of Atlanta, and none they were expecting. Warnings/Information: AMC's The Walking Dead OC Insert | 18+ Advised | strangers to lovers; the slowest of slow burns; gore; angst; horror; humour; m/f; descriptions of explosion, violence, threat of violence, suicide, entrapment, ethical arguments

Chapter 7 - Outlands

They hopped between buildings on the way out of Atlanta. Rick kept talking into his radio every day, and when Iris asked, he explained that he was speaking to a man who saved his life, in hopes he could hear him.

They decided Fort Benning was their goal, and even though they had to siphon gas along the way, abandon cars, the journey would get harder still. Shane and Iris joined the group in the RV, while Daryl switched to his motorcycle.

It was the first time Iris had left the city since the outbreak. She was uneasy, out of her comfort zone, but comfort seemed to be a concept of the past. Shane was driving Iris crazy cleaning his gun and taking the pieces apart. Though, Andrea seemed to take a liking to him.

“Oh, jeez. Ah, no.” Dale grumbled. Iris turned to see the entire road blocked up ahead, cars flooding the highway. Daryl came back from scouting ahead, having an easier time weaving in between on his bike. “See a way through?” Daryl nodded, motioning for them to follow him.

“Maybe we should just go back.” Glenn suggested, analyzing the map in his hands. “There’s an interstate bypass—“

“We can’t spare the fuel.” Dale grumbled. T-Dog rubbed a hand down his face as they watched Dale weave carefully between the cars after Daryl. It was ominous, all these abandoned cars, all these abandoned lives. A few of the cars had corpses inside, but it was hard to tell whether or not they were walkers.

“Can we get through here?” Glenn asked as they came up to a particularly thin gap. His question was answered with a loud hiss and a pop as something in the engine broke, steam flooding Dale’s field of vision. He stopped the RV abruptly, wincing as it sputtered.

“Damn.” Iris muttered. Everyone filed out of the RV as the others walked over from the car.

“I said it. Didn’t I say it? A thousand times. Dead in the water.” Dale huffed.

“Problem, Dale?” Shane asked, walking around with a shotgun.

“Just the small matter of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no hope of… okay, that was dumb.” He shrugged, looking around as Daryl started to loot the car in front of them.

“If you can’t find a radiator hose here…” Shane trailed off.

“There’s a whole bunch of stuff we can find.” Daryl stated, elbow deep in someone’s trunk.

“I can siphon more fuel from these cars for a start.” T-Dog hurried off with a jerry can. 

“Maybe some water?” Carol asked.

“Food.” Glenn nodded.

“This is a graveyard.” Lori stated, frowning at their surroundings. There was a long pause as they considered what she meant.

“Then make sure you say thank you before you put a knife in their skulls. They have no use for it, might as well benefit us.” Iris replied, wandering into the fray of abandoned vehicles. Lori scowled after her, shaking her head. Daryl snorted.

“C’mon, y’all. Just look around, gather what you can.” Shane called. Dale stayed and showed Glenn what he was doing, teaching him a thing or two while the others dispersed.

Iris was happy to dump out a duffle bag and fill it with things she liked, clothes, jackets. She found toiletries she collected as well as a few boxes of tampons. Someone was prepared when they left home. She turned as she heard some frantic whispers to see a hoard of walkers heading their way. She swore under her breath, pulling herself underneath a van. She watched as dirty shoes and feet meandered past, the others underneath cars all the way back to the RV.

She spotted T-Dog running between cars, his hand pressed tight to his arm that was bleeding profusely. She swore again. They would smell his blood. And, depending what he cut himself on it could be infected. He could get tetanus. He could bleed out, right there in the street. He stumbled, leaving a trail of fresh hot blood as he made his way closer to the RV. 

A few walkers caught his scent, coming toward him as he sat back against a flipped car. Daryl slipped quietly behind one, making quick word with a knife. Iris made to get up, but she watched as Daryl laid the dead walker on top of T-Dog, pulling another on top of himself. They walked past without a second look, and Iris was impressed.

After a few minutes the shuffling had subsided, and she waited for a few more before beginning to crawl out from under the car. She ran over to Daryl, helping T-Dog up and braced on their shoulders. Iris hauled open the door of a welding truck, hoping she was right in assuming it was equipped with a first aid kit. It was, alongside a bag of clean clothing. Iris grabbed a scarf, tying it over the wound as Daryl used his bandana as a tourniquet. They brought him back to the others, who stood by the edge of the highway.

“My baby, they’re after my baby.” Carol sobbed into Lori’s shoulder. Iris followed their gaze to Rick’s silhouette whisking Sophia off into the forest, a group of walkers on his tail. With T-Dog in safe hands, she and Daryl quickly jumped the barricade, going in after him. They followed Rick’s shouting to a creek where he stood by himself.

“No, no, she was here. I left her right here.” He muttered.

“Where’s Sophia?” Iris asked, jumping down into the creek next to him. He was staring into a tree well, shaking his head.

“She’s gone. I left her right here, told her to hide. She’s gone.” Rick explained, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Sure this is the spot?” Daryl asked, examining the tree well. Rick nodded.

“I left her right here.” He repeated. “I drew the walkers off in that direction up the creek.” He pointed.

“Without a paddle— seems where we’ve landed.” Daryl stated humourlessly. Iris raised an eyebrow. Shane and Glenn broke through the brush, scoping the tree line around the creek.

“She was gone by the time I got back here.” Rick shook his head again. “I figured she’d just took off and ran back to the group. I told her, go that way, keep the sun on her left shoulder.”

“She probably got lost.” Iris muttered. “Hard to see the road from here.”

“Hey, short round. Why don’t you step off to one side, you’re mucking up the trail.” Daryl chastised, tutting as Glenn shuffled off of the trail. Iris didn’t see much of a path, but Daryl seemed to know exactly what he was looking for.

“You’d make a terrible Indie.” Iris stated, coming up behind him. He straightened, giving her side-eye before turning back to tracking. Glenn turned to her with a half-grin and she flashed one back.

“Assuming she knows her left from her right—“ Shane started.

“She understood me just fine.” Rick snapped.

“Kid’s tired and scared, man. She had her a close call with two walkers. Got to wonder how much of what you said stuck.” Shane thought aloud. 

“We’ve got to consider all possibilities. She can’t be moving too fast, not tired and hungry like she is.” Iris argued.

“We’ve got clear prints right here.” Daryl agreed. “She did like you said, headed back to the highway. Let’s spread out, make our way back.”

“She couldn’t have gone far.” Rick nodded. Daryl pulled himself out of the creek, offering Iris a hand. She took it with a nod, Rick following behind her.

“Hey, we gonna find her.” Daryl assured, Rick nodding with uncertainty.

“She’ll be tuckered out, hiding in a bush somewhere.” Shane mused. Daryl led them down her trail, following her clumsy kid footprints. She’d been going straight, but started to veer off.

“She was doing just fine till right here. All she had to do was keep going. She veered off that way” He mumbled, pointing west.

“Why would she do that?” Glenn asked.

“Walker spooked her, she ran off.” Iris proposed.

“I don’t see any other footprints.” Daryl frowned. “Just hers.” Walkers made messy trails, that was for sure.

“So what do we do? All of us press on?” Shane asked.

“No. Better if you and Glenn get back up to the highway. People are gonna start panicking.” Rick denied. “Let them know we’re on her trail, doing everything we can. But most of all, keep everybody calm.”

“I’ll keep ‘em busy scavenging cars, think up a few other chores. I’ll keep ‘em occupied.” Shane assured. He nodded to Glenn, the two of them making their way back off to the highway. Daryl stood, rolling his shoulders as he led Iris and Rick further into the woods.

It was interesting, to watch Daryl work. He was fast, easily following whatever trail Sophia was leaving. Iris had to fight the urge to call out for her, but even if she was close by, drawing walkers was too risky. They slowed, weaving between trees, leaves and other litter layered heavy on the ground.

“Tracks are gone.” Rick mumbled.

“No, they’re faint, but they ain’t gone.” Daryl corrected. He pointed into the dirt. “She came through here.”

“How can you tell?” Iris asked.

“You want a lesson in tracking or you wanna find that girl and get our ass of that interstate?” Daryl asked. Iris and Rick exchanged a look, the former rolling her eyes.

They continued onward through the forest until the rustling of leaves caught their attention. They each fell into a crouch, raising their weapons. Rick gestured to the noise’s apparent source and they crept forward. They stopped, seeing a lone walker wandering through the brush at the bottom of a small slope. Rick turned back and Daryl gestured to them both to surround the walker. They ran down either side of the slope, Rick drawing it’s attention with a small whistle. It roared at him before Daryl put an arrow through it’s forehead.

They waited for a few seconds to see if that drew out any more, and when it didn’t, Rick leaned down to inspect the walker.

“Sophia!” Daryl called. Iris watched as Rick pried open the walker’s mouth.

“What are you doing?” She asked, recoiling.

“There’s skin under the fingernails. It fed recently.” Rick said lowly. “There’s flesh caught between the teeth.”

“Yeah, but what kind of flesh?” Daryl asked.

“Only one way to know for sure.” Rick said, in a ‘fuck-it’ sort of tone. Iris watched with baited breath as Rick opened its shirt and flicked open a knife.

“Here. I’ll do it.” Daryl offered, stepping over the body. “How many kills you skin and gut in your life? Anyway, mine’s sharper.” He flicked open his own knife and Iris shook her head. Everything was a damn dick-measuring contest. 

He cut open its gut, sawing through the muscle and fat and began to loot through the intestines. Rick recoiled, groaning and covering his nose with a hand at the smell. Iris watched as Daryl pulled a handful of tendon and sinew and chucked it aside as if he was carving a pumpkin. He was almost elbow deep in the damn thing.

“Yeah, hoss had a big meal not that long ago. I feel it in there.” He murmured. He ripped at a piece of flesh, pulling out the stomach. “Here’s the gut bag.”

“I got this.” Rick stepped in, slicing open the delicate flesh and stretching it open. He poked at a mushy lump of half-digested something, flicking it off the end of his knife. Daryl hummed in recognition, using his own knife to spear through the skull of an animal.

“This gross bastard had himself a woodchuck for lunch.” He mused.

“Great. Can we stop playing operation and keep looking now?” Iris grumbled, taking a big step back from their cadaver. 

“At least we know.” Rick stated.

“At least we know.” Daryl echoed. Iris nodded, using her bandana to tie her hair back as a bead of sweat ran down her neck.

They turned back once the sun began to set. There was no use stumbling around in the dark when they couldn’t see the trail, and none of them would be any use dead in a ditch like that gutted son of a bitch. Rick immediately went to Carol, the dejected expression on her face making Iris feel guilty for not staying out longer. 

“You didn’t find her?” She asked, resolve crumbling.

“Her trail went cold.” Rick replied. “We’ll pick it up again at first light.”

“You can’t leave my daughter out there on her own. To spend the night alone in the woods.” Carol sobbed. 

“Out in the dark’s no good.” Daryl shook his head. “We’d just be tripping over ourselves. More people get lost.”

“But she’s 12. She can’t be out there on her own. You didn’t find anything?”

“I know this is hard, but I’m asking you not to panic.” Rick consoled. “We know she was out there.”

“We tracked her for a while.” Daryl added.

“We have to make this an organized effort.” Rick said, addressing everyone. “Daryl knows the woods better than anybody. I’ve asked him to oversee this.”

“We’re not gonna stop looking, Carol.” Iris assured.

“Is… Is that blood?” Carol asked, looking down at Daryl’s clothes.

“Walker blood, Carol.” Iris said quietly, trying to keep her calm. “No sign it was anywhere near her.”

“Walker? Oh, God.” She sobbed.

“How can you know that?” Andrea asked, frowning.

“They gutted it to check.” Iris said, wincing at Carol’s alarmed reaction. She sat down on the edge of the barrier and Lori rubbed her back comfortingly.

“How could you just leave her out there to begin with?” She wailed, glaring at Rick accusingly. “How could you just leave her?”

“Those two walkers were on us.” Rick explained. “I had to draw them off, it was her best chance.” Carol began to hyperventilate.

“Sounds like he didn’t have a choice, Carol.” Shane said quietly.

“How was she supposed to find her way back on her own? She’s just a child. She’s just a child.”

“It was my only option. The only choice I could make.” Rick pleaded. Iris wondered at how sheltered Sophia must be that at 12 years old Carol was so worried. By the time Iris was 12 she was shopping for her dad’s cigarettes and sewing him up after he got too drunk at the bar and made a few mistakes.

“I’m sure nobody doubts that.” Shane stated. It was unclear from his tone whether or not there was any sarcasm there, but Iris wasn’t blind to the contempt Shane seemed to have for Rick. 

“My little girl got left in the woods.” Carol sobbed. Andrea came to her other side to comfort her as Rick walked off, presumably to do some soul searching. Iris walked over to T-Dog to check on him as they all made plans for the morning.

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tag @somethingclevermahogony!

OC Questionaire

My questions:

What is one embarassing memory from your childhood that you can't shake?

What would you take with you if you were trapped on a desert island for one week?

What is your favorite animal?

Hm, let's do the Outcasts quartet for this one

.

1. What is one embarassing memory from your childhood that you can't shake?

Izjik: "Oh spirits, there was this one time back when I was a kid, I'd just started my apprenticeship as a hunter for my enclave, and one of our patrols found a drakeling carcass. Now, that's a pretty big deal - a drakeling will feed the enclave for weeks - and this one was really fresh, as it'd just been killed in the spring rut. So, Dzako - my old mentor - decided it'd be a good thing for me to learn to butcher it. ...Let's just say I didn't listen super well to where he told me the acid glands were. I'm lucky I didn't lose my hands, but damn if everyone wasn't mad at me. A whole week of fresh meat, gone in one mislaid swipe of a cocky teen's knife..."

Sepo: "Ugh, just one? I wasn't the most attentive child, so be it romantic or malevolent attention, I usually didn't notice. There was this one boy - I was maybe eleven at the time - who kept leaving notes in my bag. I'd usually toss them out, but the one I happened to read held a place and time to meet. I asked Saius about it, and he said the other boy probably wanted to hang out because he wished to be friends. I thought that was stupid, but Saius pressured me into going. A day later, I went to this random park, and turned out, it was not a friendly invite. Apparently, according to the other boy, I had 'marred his honor' by implying his sister was a prostitute and then repeatedly ignoring his confrontational notes. To be perfectly honest, I don't remember saying that about his sister, but then again, I might’ve not meant anything by it. Growing up in a high-end brothel tends to warp a child's view of things. Anyways, long story short, the other boy beat my ass. I never let Saius live that one down, even when he shaved the other boy's head in the dead of the night for me."

Twenari: "I mean, I'm twelve, so I have some more childhood to go, but I do remember one incident from when I was very little. I was probably around seven, so before I'd started working for my mother. She and I were on the deck of The Promise and I was showing her the magic I'd been learning. I'd just figured out the ice sigil and I was terribly excited. Excited enough that I ended up freezing her shoes to the deck. Imagine it - the most terrifying smuggler to ever stalk the Janazi Sea, swearing up a storm as her seven-year-old giggles because her mom's shoes are stuck. Yeah, I'm really not surprised my training doubled after that."

Djek: "Gods, this must've been... my first year on the street? No, my second, cause I'd had some teeth knocked out by then. I was out hunting rats with my little shiv. Fayuki rats are good eating, I'll have you know. Nice and fat, but as mean as dogs when you have them cornered. I was chasing this really chunky one through the alleyways, and I was super intent. Not only were rats food, but there was this guy I knew who'd buy the pelts off of you for two whole tuec. I chased this thing for almost a quarter mile before it squeezed its fat behind into a building. Of course, I followed it, not realizing that the building it had ran into was a fancy boutique. Yeah, you can imagine. A whole flock of uppity ladies started screaming as I ran out of a storage closet after this massive godsdamned rat. Someone got a hose from somewhere. Don't even know why they had one in the first place, to be honest. They tried to force me out with the cold water, but frankly, that was the first bath I'd had in months, so I didn't mind. It was the dye they threw that was kinda fucked up. I caught the rat in the end, but when I turned in that pelt, it and I were both splashed in a lovely permanent spring green hair dye. The kids on the street called my Greenie for months."

2. What would you take with you if you were trapped on a desert island for one week?

Izjik: "My washava. It's a weapon and a tool, great for hunting and trapping. It's been a trusty companion of mine for many shitty situations."

Sepo: "Only a week? Some books. I can drink seawater and fish for food in my siren form, so if survival is no issue, I'd love a quiet week to catch up on my reading."

Twenari: "A boat. Then I wouldn't be there for a week. Duh."

Djek: "Cucumbers. I think those count as food and water, so I bet I could survive off those for a week."

3. What is your favorite animal?

Izjik: "I like a lot of animals, but probably leopard seals are my favorite. Twenari told me about them and I'd love to see one in real life!"

Sepo: "Landhorse, but just her though. All other horses can get fucked."

Twenari: "This is going to sound stupid, but seagulls. They're so fun to watch fly and play, and if you see one over open ocean, that means land is close by, which is always welcome indeed."

Djek: "Pine martins. You ever seen one of those little bastards? They're just so damn cute!"

.

I'll tag @mk-writes-stuff @tryingtowritestuff24 @sergeantnarwhalwrites @bunnymermaidwrites and anyone else who wants in :)

Your questions are:

1. What is (or would be) your favorite subject in school?

2. Have you ever played a prank on someone?

3. If you could swap bodies with anyone you know for a day, who would it be?

[miscfandomgifimagines]

Okay so I am currently sick af and this is purely comfort writing for myself. I kinda wrote it for myself but in a way that you can insert yourself or your oc, whatever you wish. Also posting this on my fandom blog vs my main because my roommate has called me out for my blue person hyper fixation lmao. Human reader x Lyle Wainfleet, Lyle being a caretaker.

* Lyle isn’t too fond of scientists. They tend to be boring and super serious and he can hardly understand most of them. But there were 2 scientists in particular that were assigned to the recon squad that he actually enjoyed. Two young kids in their mid twenties from Earth who got the chance of a lifetime to get shipped out to space to work with avatars.

* Your partner/ coworker was low key a genius at understanding Na’vi biology on a totally different level than everyone else. When offered the job he demanded that he be able to take his lifelong best friend with to act as his second hand man and that’s how you got in the picture. You were smart, but everyone could tell you weren’t really a scientist. You had loads of skills from welding, to navigating the stars, first aid training, and being an a pretty big nerd on Pandora flora and fauna. So you had your uses to the team.

* From day one you were labeled as sarcastic and a smart ass which didn’t bother you too much. In fact you were kind of happy to inflict yourself on others, especially the recoms. You and Lyle butted heads from the first minute you met with insults and burns flying both ways.

* He’ll never forget the time he asked you a question and you tried to make him figure it out himself. It wasn’t that he was stupid, but he wasn’t exactly book smart either. Eventually when he got his answer he was quite proud of himself. You on the other hand gave him a snort and shot another comment his way.

* “I’m really surprised! I didn’t think you’d actually get it. I just wanted to see how many brain cells you were capable of using at once.” *Ouch*

* Once you got to know each other a bit better the comments and roasting turned humorous and mildly affectionate. Lyle and you would take turns coming up with burns for each other and eventually the recom team as well.

* “When he wears his sunglasses he looks like a little league coach.” Lyle snorts and gives a little nod.

* “Wainfleet you are so god damn bald I can see my reflection off the back of your head.” You snickered. “Oh really? I didn’t think you could see that high Short stack.” Lyle shot back.

* Your laid back attitude and nonchalantness about wrangling an entire team of marines was kind of impressive. Lyle remembers the first time you got on Colonel’s temper and you were so offended when Quaritch hissed at you that you sprayed him with the water bottle you were holding while gardening.

* “Colonel, you are a grown ass man and I know you have better manners than that.” Quaritch started to growl and was about ready to fire back some insults when you held up the bottle again towards his face. You raised a defying eyebrow at him and said in the most stern voice you could possible manage, “Don’t make me get the hose.”

* Lyle couldn’t hold back his laughter anymore and the pair of you turned to look at him. Colonel scowled and you had such a mischievous sparkle in your eyes. “Short stack you got some balls.” Was all Lyle managed to say before Quaritch was angrily stalking towards him.

* While there weren’t a lot of humans that the recoms interacted with on a weekly or even monthly basis, the scientists still had to get supplies from the main bases. Lyle would accompany you to the commissary shop and watch in curiosity to see what you would pick. Mainly shower supplies, some new clothes to replace your tattered ones, some impulse snacks that get shipped up to generate cash for the base. Okay, mostly snacks like sour gummy worms and chips.

* You even snuck away for a brief minute and came back with some other goods, which upon smelling turned out to be edibles. He just shook his head and laughed while trying not to draw attention. You smiled and winked at him, “I gotta keep myself sane somehow!”

* After about a week and a half of returning from base you started to complain about not feeling good. You were restless at night and didn’t get much sleep so you were extra crabby. For the most part you were alright but when Quaritch pushed you out of bed ridiculously early to make breakfast for everyone you let him have it. There was yelling and a fair bit of cursing about how men are so helpless they can’t even cook for themselves for one freaking morning. You looked everyone straight in the eye and in a hoarse voice you told everyone you were going back to bed.

* The colonel was miffed to say the least, Lyle had never seen him so angry at you before and he grabbed the Colonels arm and said “I’ll handle this.”

* Due to part of the mission objective was to “become Na’vi” the RDA custom built a shack and transported it out to the middle of the forest, a few miles away from main base. The shack everyone lived in was one level for the most part with a sectioned off sleeping quarters for the crew. There was also high ceilings to accommodate the recoms height. There was also a kitchen and what you could call a living area of sorts. A few chairs here and there but that was about it.

* For the two humans, there was a second floor added- almost like a horseshoe shaped loft. There were two bedrooms on opposite sides that had curtains for privacy. There was also a middle living/ work area that was were you and your colleague had set up your equipment and offices. There was a open section leading into the loft that Avatars were able to stand up in, which came about chest level for them. This was where many of the recoms physicals and vitals took place since the humans could reach the avatar faces without the recoms having to crouch down.

* You had your curtains drawn shut and he almost hesitated. Lyle knocked his knuckles into the floor and called out to you. “What’s up Short stack?” You didn’t respond but he could hear you rustling in your bed. His ears flicked at the nose and he waited for your response.

* “I don’t feel good, I think I’m getting sick. I have had a headache for the past 2 days and nothing has helped. I also have a sore throat. All I want to do is sleep.” Lyle felt sympathy for you and reached out one long arm to pull the curtain back. You were sitting up, propped against your pillows with the blanket wrapped around you. Lyle could see the redness in your eyes and assumed you had cried a little bit either out of frustration or pain.

* “Is there anything I can do?” Lyle offered and you took a deep breath in. “Well I’d love to get some more sleep honestly. But I think picking up some cold medicine from base would be a good idea.” You huffed angrily, “I can’t believe I go to another freaking planet, I’m hardly around other humans, and I *still* got sick! This sucks.”

* Lyle nods understandingly. “I’ll get you your medicine, so you can go back to sleep. Just try not to piss the Colonel off anymore okay? And make sure you drink some water too.” You nodded but rolled your eyes a bit. “Okay dad.”

* When Lyle came back to the group in the kitchen he cleared his throat and addressed Quaritch. “Sir she’s sick. I think it would be a good idea to let her rest and pick up some medication before it gets any worse. So it doesn’t spread to the other human.” Quaritch huffs but doesn’t say anything other than “Alright.”

* Lyle goes to the commissary like the two of you usually did. The person behind the counter asks what he can do for him. “I need cold medicine.” The man behind the counter laughs. “Good luck finding that around here. I haven’t seen a new shipment of that in a while. Come back in a week and we may have some. In the meantime here is some cough drops and electrolyte replenishers.”

* Lyle’s tail flicked in disappointment. He knew that timing was important and in order to make this better you needed treatment sooner rather than later. So he looked down at the man with sharp eyes and said in his best threatening voice “I’ll be back next week. You better save 2 bottles of whatever you get for me or I will not be happy.” The man’s heart rate spiked and he nodded frantically.

* Lyle came back home with the meager supplies he could get and called to you from the kitchen. You came down wrapped in a big sweater and pulled his tail gently as you walked past. “Did you get some?” He shook his head and sighed. “They’re all out, maybe next week. I promise I’ll go as soon as the shipment comes in. In the meantime drink one of these.” He places a bottle down in front of you, which looks ridiculously small compared to his hand. You drink most of it down and place the cold bottle to your forehead in hopes of persuading your headache to go away.

* You look up at him and see a small frown forming on the corners of his lips. “I’m sorry.” “It’s not your fault, you did what you could. I appreciate it dude.”

* Over the next few days your symptoms end up becoming worse. Now with the sore throat you are congested, coughing, and running a fever. Due to safety concerns your friend is temporarily set up in the recom quarters to prevent contamination. So while you were suffering from a cold you were also isolated too.

* What made it a little better was that your colleague was certain your sickness couldn’t be passed to the recoms so you could still hang out with Lyle. Lyle was hanging out by the railing each day, doing what he could to cheer you up. He brought you some cool rocks he found outside, told you a few funny stories about the shenanigans he got up to in the marines, and of course brought you snacks and water.

* One morning your fever broke 102 and Lyle was seriously freaking out. Unfortunately all he could do was give you acetaminophen and some cold rags to hopefully lower your temp. At this point even the Colonel was worried. They both looked at you on your bed and then at each other. “How many more days until the medicine gets here?” Quaritch asks, worry dancing in his voice. “Day and a half.” The Colonel puts his hand on Lyle’s shoulder and looks at him in the eye.

* “We just got word from base that Jake Sully has been sighted outside of the mountains. I’m getting the team together to go find him. I feel bad about leaving her in this state, but I’m going to put my trust in you that you can take care of her by yourself. We are leaving in an hour.” Lyle’s heart sinks a bit. He wants so badly to get revenge on Sully too but right now his biggest worry is you. Lyle nods and Colonel starts packing up supplies.

* The team leaves and it causes enough noise to wake you up. You head down the stairs slowly, your head bobbing up and down on each step. “Hey Short stack, you hungry?” You look up at Lyle, his hand comes down to rest on your forehead. You put your small hand on top of his and nod your head gently.

* Lyle gets to work heating up some soup and makes you each a sandwich. You eat in silence and when you finish he puts another drink in front of you. Without saying anything you open the bottle and take a few chugs.

* “So,” Lyle’s tail flicks to one side and then another, “What do you want to do now that everyone is gone?” A small smile on his lips, hoping it’ll spread to yours. You put the bottle down and think for a minute. “We could watch some movies or something.” “Okay just no chick flicks.”

* Lyle gets the two of you set up in the den with blankets and pillows and tries to make a comfy spot for you to lay down. You grab your tablet and settle into the pile, leaning against his side for support. You choose something to watch from a list, something animated. He watches it with you somewhat, getting engrossed in the plot. He feels you get heavier against his side and glances down at your now sleeping body. He pick you up gently and sets you in the curve of his arm in a more comfortable position for your back.

* He’s surprised at just how warm your fever is making you. His skin feels like ice compared to yours. He places one hand on your forehead again and you mumble in your sleep a bit. He turns on his side and peers at your sleeping figure.

* Lyle’s ears perk up when he hears your friend come in. “Hey so good news! The medicine is in early, I’m on my way to go get it now. You hold down the fort while I’m gone.” Lyle nods and turns his attention back to the sleeping girl in his arms. For the past few days you had been a shell of who you usually are. No quippy comebacks, no sarcastic interruptions, not even a joke for the past week. He was worried about you. After everything he had been through in his human and avatar life he had not had a relationship like this with anyone else.

* He loved you- platonically of course. He didn’t realize how much he missed the roasting and cursing and well, the normal you. He saw you as his closest friend and he hadn’t had one in so long. Without thinking the words start to fall out of his mouth.

* “Come on Short stack, hurry up and get better so you can kick my ass again.” He lets out a small laugh, lowering his lips to the top of your head. He places a small kiss to your temple. You curl into his body as he pulls away. “I miss you. Please.” He whispers. He moves a pillow under his head and relaxed his body. With the background noise of your wheezy breathing and the show you picked Lyle eventually fell asleep himself.

* He woke up when your friend came back with the medicine and he gently woke you up. Your eyes fluttered open and you reached out for his face, still groggy. He scoops you up in his arms and sits you on his lap so you can drink the medicine. You shudder as it hits your tongue, the nasty taste shaking the sleep from you. You finish it all and within a few hours your fever is gone and so is most of your cough.

* You were still in the pillow nest Lyle had made for the two of you and you turn towards him with a smile. “I think I was hallucinating or dreaming or something.” “Oh yeah?” Lyle smiles, happy you’re doing better. “Yeah I could have sworn you kissed me.” You let out a laugh and cover your mouth as you begin to cough.

* “Yeah Short stack, you were definitely dreaming.” His ears flutter for a brief second after being called out. He was so sure you were asleep when he did it. Whatever, at least you were getting better.

[sofasoap]

Lastochka - Espionage

Pairing : Nikolai x F!Reader ( OC/Mini MacTavish)

Summary: Your first covert assignment after you return to duty. Prequel to A quiet moment - Lastochka

Part I , Part II, Interlude,Part III,Part IV,Part V,Epilogue, Night,

TRIGGER WARNING: explicit scene. talk of PTSD, non-consensual touching. Smut. Slight Jealous! possessive and Dom! Nikolai.

Thanks to @homicidal-slvt for planting ideas into my brain. this whole series is all for you :)

My usual thanking @saltofmercury, mother of Mini, for lending me the character :) Please go and check out her fics!

“masterlist” for Mini MacTavish expanded verse

“I said NO.” Nikolai threw the files back into Price and Laswell’s face, not even trying to contain his fury. “Nik….” Tugging on your husband’s arm, trying to placid him to sit. 

Shrugging off your hand and ignoring your plea he stepped closer to the desk, snarking at the two commanders. “Have you two forgotten what happened last time when she went into the mission ALL BY HERSELF???”  he roared. There is no way Nikolai is going to see you, his precious wife going through hell again.

You wrap your arm around yourself, biting your lip. Not a memory you want to revisit . Slashed. Kept up for days straight, exhaustion. Only a piece of bread and sip of water for you to sustain on for weeks. Darkness of the chamber, contrasting with the bright light shining right into your face, demanding information. The animalistic look when the soldiers try to tie you up and……

Soap was the first one noticing you stumbling back into the chair, hyperventilating. He dashed forward, steadying you. The unfocused eyes and lack of response when he calls out to you, head rolling back and mumbles incoherent words, he knows you are suffering from another episode. Putting his arm around your shoulder, he whispered words in Scottish, calling out your full name, trying to guide you back into the present. While Gaz and Ghost standing on each side, ready to assist.

Argument stopped as Laswell held her hand up, stopping him from talking, he was about to protest, when she went around the desk with a motherly concern on her face.  Nikolai turned around and realised what had happened to you. “... Remember when Da and Ma were angry with both of us when I let you roll in the peat? Da had to hose both of us down… and your first time making scones but nearly burnt down the kitchen…..” Soap’s gentle and soft tones as he tries to recall childhood stories of both of your mischiefs, luring you out from the unwanted traumatic memory of time in captivity. Slowly blinking, you slowly came to.The warmth of your brother’s arm around your shoulder, as your eyes came back into focus. Nikolai was kneeling in front of you, his big hand enveloped yours, thumb slowly caressing your hand, grounding you back into reality. Eyes full of worry and guilt. One by one, the muscles of your body relax again as you realise you are not back in that horrible prison. You are safe, and sound. With your team family around you. The room was quiet, apart from the sound of your brother guiding you to slow down your breathing as he sees you coming out from the flash back, and your still uneven breathing. “I am sorry.” You choked out after a long while. You feel guilty as the centre of attention, having the team worry about you. The feeling of incompetence, that fear again of getting kicked out of the team again comes careen down the hill. 

Tightening the grip of Nikolai’s hand, he notices your distress coming back again. He stood up, guiding you to stand up and pull you into embrace. “Meeting over.” Nikolai’s curt tone leaves no room for argument. “Nik.” Price growled. “We need an answer soon as possible.”

“Give us a few minutes.” You interjected with a whisper.. Price’s softened gaze lands on you. Running a hand down his face, he nodded. He cares about you like his own daughter, but he knows the urgency of this mission will require him to get all the final details sorted as soon as possible. 

Closing the door as you tow your husband out of the office before he can say anything , two of you walk down the corridor a few metres away from Price’s office, it’s late at night, no one else is around apart from people on night shift and patrol duty. Stopping around the corner of the corridor and out of everyone’s earshot, Nikolai turned around, voicing his opinion on the matter again.

“I am sorry I shouldn’t have mentioned .. The Incident. “ He apologised, choosing his last few words carefully.  “But I am not letting you into danger again. You are NOT going.”

“Nik.” Closing your eyes, trying not to let your mind astray again, “Love. At least let see what they have to say about this mission. And we can decide how we can help out?” You suggested meekly. 

A scowling expression appeared on his face. You wonder between Price and Nikolai, these two can have competition to see who has the most variations of unimpressed or displeased expression on their face. You snorted at the thought. “You are a stubborn one aren’t you. .. Why are you laughing?” “And you love me for it.” dismissing him lightly, tip toeing up to give him a kiss on the cheek, “Come on. Let’s get back to the office.” Walking back to the office after the reluctant discussion with Nikolai, everyone was relieved  you have decided to rejoin the briefing. “Shall we?” Laswell gave you and Nikolai a look, asking permission to proceed with the details of the mission. You gave her a nod, allowing her to continue. 

Flipping open the folder, Laswell and Price started the briefing.  Typical international criminal rings trying to stir up war and have a dab in money laundering and  illegal weapon sales. Nothing new, you thought to yourself. Their latest stint was trying to dab into investment into businesses. Whisky business. To be precise. 

That had you and Soap’s full attention. 

The MacTavish family had been around the highland area for generations. Started off as humble crofters all the years ago, and by luck, manage to own the piece of land they have farmers on for centuries, trying their luck in the whisky operation ( illegally, you remember your grandpa’s words as he winked at you.). They built their empire from the ground, bit by bit, and now the reputation of the MacTavish whisky is well known in the business circle and around the world for top quality but wide varieties and ranges of drink. Gaz joked once when you mentioned the family business. He whistled, even though someone like him isn’t totally into whisky, he knew about the reputation of quality of MacTavish whisky. “So you two are posh rich kids? I always thought it was just coincidental that you two share the same surname with the famous whisky company.”  You laughed. Even though two of you were sent to the best private school and had anything you could have wanted when young, your Ma and Da made sure you and Johnny knew money is not grown from trees and two of you always had to prove your weights around the farm to earn pocket money.

“We were used as free labourers during school breaks.” you rolled your eyes. “Johnny had to help the crofters cut up the peats and put them out to dry. While I get the other dirty job, look after the farm animals and clean their poops.” 

(You did see Price’s eyes glint when you mentioned the cellars you and Johnny used to explore as children. Even Ghost, who is partial towards bourbon, his eyes drifted towards you, as he pretends not to be interested at all in the topic of conversation. You made sure every Christmas you asked your parents to send some vintages for the team as presents). 

“I have a feeling this will be about Johnny and me. So what is the catch?’ You sighed as you lean back in the chair, crossing your arms. "We need someone who is Scottish, obviously,” everyone’s eyes zoomed in on both of you and Soap,  “In the Whisky business….”

“Send Soap.” Nikolai frowned and cut in. Price eyed his friend, shaking his head. “ I will send him if our target is interested in male.” That leaves you. 

Pressing your lip together, tapping your foot. Do you really want to do this? Grabbing your dog tag, you pull on the chain. Agitation setting in. There is really no point of sending Johnny in anyway, you thought. He hardly dabbed in your parent’s business, as he joined the military straight out of school, while you hanged around home more than him, during semester breaks, even attended a few business events and meetings here and there when your parents decided there are more hope for you to take over the family business than Johnny. You knew how the distillery runs, how the farm functions. It makes more sense for you to attend the mission. 

“Let me see the file.” You extended your hand, as you sigh in resignation. Your eyes open wide with slight shock as you flip through the target info. Leaning back to show the photo of the target to Soap, 

“Didn’t you go to school with him? Or was he a few years above you…” The name and the face were vaguely familiar. You search through your brain where exactly you have met him. But you were pretty sure he was at the same boarding school as Johnny. Soap let out an amused hum, “Oh the Witherington boy? Spoilt brat he was. Always try to boast about his achievement. So now he is in the illegal business aye?” Tapping the photo, “He tried to flirt with you once, at the family day. Da wasn’t impressed.” Ah. Now you remembered, it still sends chills down your back at the disgust. That boy wasn’t subtle with his advancement, and you nearly punched him if it wasn’t for Da and Johnny trying to pull you back. “You are still not going.” Nikolai said in a clipped tone. “And this is why You are going with her.” Laswell replied with a conspired tone. Both you and Nikolai stared at her, confused.

Taking a deep breath, you look at yourself in the mirror. Hoping you have everything all done up right.

Thistle shaped floral hair accessories, secured and staying in. Make up, seductive but not over the top.Perfect for an evening function. Earrings, necklace, bracelets,all in place. Laswell’s wife helped you to choose the evening dresses and accessories. Armed with the card Laswell handed over to her,she dragged you out shopping. “No need to worry about the cost. Let’s go all out!! Leave it to me to turn you into a seductress, making sure that husband of yours will fall head over heels for you again.”  She smiled at you. 

Laswell gave her wife a concerned look, you laughed nervously, promising her you would try your best and make sure the two of you don’t overspend. She found a perfect dress for you at a high street shop, something elegant, suitable for a cocktail party, but still shows enough skin to seduce the target. A beautiful cabernet colour sweep train dress with a V-neck design at the front, showing a bit of cleavage but leaving enough just for imagination, and thin cross straps around the back holding up the top part of your dress. Split on one side of your dress, stop up to the top of the right thigh, well, that will make escape more easily, you thought, also means it is harder for you to hide anything underneath. Best of all, the dress hugs your figures perfectly. She certainly had good eyes for fashion.

Growing up with Johnny and no other female siblings, you two were labelled the wild children of highland by the neighbours for all the daredevil stuff he dragged you around to participate. You were never good at the so-called “girly stuff”.   Everytime there is a special outing it’s always your Ma or your other friends that help you to get dolled up. You haven’t done this for a while. There was no need for dressing up and playing the part of socialite since you have joined the military. The only piece of jewellery you own nowaday was the simple wedding band you and Nikolai gave to each other when you exchanged the vow in secrecy.  You reach automatically around your neck where you usually have the dog tag and the wedding band around, a habit you developed when you are deep in thought or in need of comfort when Nikolai isn’t around with you. 

You know you are not bad looking, but you didn’t think you are stunningly beautiful in comparison to your friends. “Plain looking???” Johnny Scoffed. “Do you know how many boys and girls I had to fend off for you?” You were oblivious to the fact how many people were trying to chase after you until your overprotective brother complained to you once over a glass of whisky. 

I CAN DO THIS. You assure yourself. Everyone is here to back you up. It won’t be like last time.

Opening the door of the rented hotel apartment, you stride towards the living area, where everyone was waiting. Your breath hitched when you saw Nikolai, dressed to the nine with a dark tailored suit, sitting on an armchair, with a glass of whisky in one hand, rolling an unlit cigar in another, deep in thought. Oh lord have mercy. You thought while feeling that familiar pool of heat in your core. You still don’t know how this charismatic and handsome man is your husband. You recite in your brain the whole Lord’s prayer in your mind three times, trying to dispel your unholy thought (Never expected your religious study at Catholic boarding school was useful until now), Concentrate on the mission Mini, don’t be such a horny teenager. You can have your husband anytime he wouldn’t run away. You chastised yourself. “And this is why You are going with her.” Laswell replied with a conspired tone. 

“ME?” Nikolai wasn’t sure if he heard her right. Pushing the details of the operation towards the front  of the desk, both you and Nikolai leaned forward to have a good look.

“Well, this role suits you well.” you smirked. “Russian businessman slash possible mafia boss. Looking for possible new investment to expand his territory.” 

Nikolai hummed. Not a bad idea. He has a valid excuse to be by your side. 

“And our little spoilt brat will be eager to try and impress you to try to beat whatever offer you,” pointing at Nikolai, “had on the table.”

“Wait, so this isn’t as straight ‘go-in-and-steal-whatever -I-have-to-grab-and-exfil ‘ kind of mission I used to do?” you pointed out.

“No.” Price tipped his chin down, “ It’s more of a lure and capture mission. We are going to try and see what our pretty rich boy knows about this illegal weapon ring.”

Now you feel like a bond lady. This will be an interesting challenge. You cleared your throat, getting everyone’s attention. Heads turned, and Gaz whistled. Nikolai lifted his head up, you saw a flash of surprise,clenching of his jaw, nearly dropping his cigar that he was twirling in his hand. Quickly regaining his composure, he set down his drink on the side table as you walked up to him, swaying your hip slightly. Extending out your hand, he grasps it lightly as he stands, keeping his eyes on you all the time as he brushes his lip against your knuckle. You can feel his hand warmer than usual, and he is already a furnace, and with his dark and lustful look,  you are certain you have successfully turned him on. Side mission completed. You smirked. Now just hoping the main mission will be just as successful. “You certainly polished up well Mini.” Soap chimed in. You rolled your eyes. Trust your brother to break the moment. “Well thank you for saying I am not ugly my dear sibling.” Turning to face him as making a face, you feel Nikolai’s hand snaking around your waist, pulling you closer to him. “Final check. We will be stationed just outside the venue until you two give us the go ahead when you lure the target into the designated area. You got the sedative?” holding up your wallet, waving it around a bit indicating to Gaz everything is in there. “Good. All the communication equipment is on Nikolai. Sorry Mini, there is just not enough coverage on you to fit you with an earpiece or microphone discreetly. “ He looks at you apologetically. You shrugged, “Well, Nik is going to be sticking by my side most of the time anyway. I am not too worried. At least there is a tracker in my wallet.” 

“Alright. Let’s roll.” 

Nikolai couldn’t take his eyes off you. 

When you walked out of the room, he just barely held back a groan that was threatening to escape from his throat. 

You look absolutely stunning in your dress. His Goddess. His beautiful Lastochka. 

Half of his mind wants to abandon this mission straight away, kick everyone out of the room and devour you right on the spot.  

The knowing smirk on your face shows you knew exactly what he is desiring and the deliberate sway of your hip and the stride you made showing most of your skin off your right thigh and leg? Blood was rushing down towards where it shouldn’t be. For once he was glad for Soap’s distraction. While you and Soap had a little back and forth sibling banter, he pulls you in by the waist. Trying to get you close as possible, to touch you,to breathe in your scent. The beautiful bright citrus smell mixes with jasmine and orange blossom, yet there’s the mysterious calming sweet patchouli and amber scent. How can a perfume describe your personality so perfectly? Nikolai thought. Bright and passionate , and yet,you can also be so intense and fearless. 

He is falling in love with you all over again. 

He wasn’t even listening to the last check over Gaz was conducting, all his focus was on you. Until you gave him a little tug, he noticed the team was piling out of the room. “You alright Nik? Your mind seems to be somewhere else.” 

Shaking his head. Carefully not to ruin your make up,he pressed a light kiss on your temple. “Sorry, your beauty distracted me so much I was floating away.”

Ducking your head, face heating up, embarrassed by his compliment. You gave him a little poke for his flirtatious words, “ Well that makes two of us. You look very dapper tonight.” 

Pausing for a second, you lean into his chest, speaking in a soft and vulnerable voice, “Thank you for coming with me to the mission.” 

Running his hand down your bare shoulder, “I want to be there to protect you, my Ненаглядная ( precious ). I can’t let you plummeting into danger again. I nearly lost you once. Never again I am going to let that happen.” Tightening his grip on your shoulder as he tries not to think what will happen if the mission fails tonight. “Come on, let’s head out. We are going to be late.” 

Grabbing the long coat, he draped it over your shoulder, making sure you are all tucked in nicely before putting his own overcoat on. You murmured a word of thanks before looping your arm around his, searching for that bit of comfort to ease your nervousness. Time to get some work done. Quicker the better. To have you away from the danger, and he can have you all by himself. 

Sipping on your champagne while scanning the room, trying to spot the target. So far, no sign of him…  yet. “Any luck?” Nik appeared behind you, enquired in a low voice. His hand slowly glides down the spine, coming to rest at the small of your back, drawing circles. You swear he is doing it deliberately, to see your reaction. This man was here to distract you more than keeping a close eye on you or potential enemy. You decided to pull a surprise on him. 

“Nikolai,if you don’t want me to jump on you right here and now, you better behave and concentrate on the task ahead.” you murmured as you pretend to take another sip of your drink. 

He was taken aback. Not by the context or the tone of your voice. 

You were talking to him in near-perfect Russian.

You felt his finger halt his movement, before dipping his head down, looking at you with raised brows. You tilt your head up meeting his eyes, grinning like a Cheshire cat. 

“Had too much time on my hands while recovering at my parent’s. So I thought I picked up a new skill.” 

“We need to talk about what else you've been hiding from me later on.” Oh, he is definitely getting turned on with the way he is eyeing you, his low voice thick with lust. “Oh my love, I have a lot of hidden talents waiting for you to explore at any time.” You purred.

Before he could reply, both of you heard a boisterous greeting with a heavy Scottish accent from a short distance away. 

“Well! Isn’t this Miss MacTavish?? Look at you all grown up!” You and Nikolai parted slightly and before turning around, put on a well schooled smile on your face and greeted the man with an overly cheerful voice. 

“Ah, Mr MaCleans, what a pleasant surprise!” you extended your hands and leaned forward to give the older man a light embrace. You half expected to run into some of your parent’s associates and connections, but you are genuinely surprised to see this person here. 

“I see you haven’t retired yet?” You asked half jokingly. This man was already quite old when you were growing up, and you remember him as a very energetic man, always travelling around, never seeming to stop for a second. 

Letting out a laugh, “I will only retire the day I die! Now, what are you doing here? Where are your Da and Ma? And that daredevil brother of yours?” You let out a real chuckle, “Ma and Da are on holiday overseas at the moment, that is why they send me in for the event instead. And my brother?” waving your hand around, “off on an adventure, somewhere. He’s always floating around. I am not sure.” Trying to make an excuse. No one really knows you and Soap both joined the military and in the special forces. Your parents always use the excuse of you being sent around studying and Johnny off somewhere travelling like a nomad. 

“Your parents did talk about making you take over the family business a long while ago.. Ah, where are my manners and ignoring your companion, so who is this fine young man here.”

You manage to hold back an unladylike snort as Mr Mcleans called your husband a young man. You suppose anyone else is relatively young in comparison to him. “This is Nikolai…..” “ Oh! Your husband?” Mr MaCleans interjected with a glimmer in his eyes.

Your smile falters slightly but you quickly cover up by a fake giggle.  “Oh, no, Mr Belinski is Ma and Da’s .. um, new friend and possible new investors. They ask me to show him around to get more connections.” it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth not being able to call him your husband openly. 

Nikolai introduces himself, as the two men engage in conversations about business and serves as a good distraction as you make an excuse to grab more drinks from the bar and to search for the target again.

Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw a younger man approaching. 

Bingo.  

As you considered your next move, you saw him walking up towards Mr Mcleans. Taking a quick glance at Nikolai, you notice the subtle change of his body language, aware that the target is approaching towards the group.

“There you are, young lad, where have you been? Let me introduce you to my old associate’s daughter and her companion.” Hearing Mr Mcleans' comment, you quickly thanked the bartender as you grabbed your drink, returning to the group.

You feign surprise as the target holds his hand out and introduces himself to you and Nikolai, grasping and feeling your hand a tad bit longer for your liking. You pull your hand back, trying not to show your disgust.

“Benjamin Witherington?”  

He raised an eyebrow, confused how you know him.

“You know him?” Mr Macleans asked, curious.

“He went to the same school as John. But I don’t believe they were in the same social circle.” You turned around to face Ben again, putting on your most flirtatious smile as you introduced yourself with your full name. 

You can see a sudden recognition in his eyes as he heard your surname.

“MacTavish? Ah, you are Johnny MacTavish’s sister? I remember we met once during the family opening day.” You are half impressed with his memory, since it has been some years ago when that happened. The day you wanted to punch the hell out of this man for being inappropriate to you. Biting the inside of your cheek, you try to suppress the anger from the memory.

“Look at you, all grown up and beautiful.” and you are still as slimy and frivolous as ever, you thought. 

Letting out a little giggle, pretending to be bashful with the comment, “Well thank you, my mother will be pleased someone finally has something nice to say about my appearances.”

“Well I mean look at you…” Eying you up and down before landing his eyes on your tits, you strategically turned slightly to pick up your drink from the side table, covering yourself and changing the subject. “So, what are you doing here? Seems like you and Mr Macleans came together.”

He puffed, “My father wanted me to attend the function with him and try to gain some business connections and learn some social manners,” he rolled his eyes and puffed, your lip twitched slightly at the new information. Hum, this could prove interesting, there might be bigger fish to catch than him here. The young naive Witherington boy might be a tool for his father, but you doubt he will be all innocent like he is trying to present himself.

You lean forward, fingers on your chin, pretend to be empathise with him,

“Well we are in a similar boat then. Ma and Da are overseas at the moment, so couldn't attend the event.. And Johnny being Johnny, we have no idea where that nomad is, floating around the world with no care so, here I am,” sighing dramatically as you point to Nikolai, who standing on the side, pretend to listen to conversation Mr Macleans and few other gentlemen he had introduced him to, “babysitting duty for one of their new friend.” 

Lowering your voice as if you were telling a great secret into his ears, “I heard through the grapevine he is very rich back in Russia though, and possible association to the Russian mob. But that is just rumours.” you lean back. “He did shower me with gifts when he first arrived. So who knows? I might keep him as a sugar daddy.” 

Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw Nikolai’s hand twitching as he heard the last bit of the comment. Have you gone a bit too far?

“Well, let’s forget about these old men, boy, is it a bit hot in here?” you pretend to fan yourself, trying to dissipate the heat. 

“Let’s go somewhere with less people“ Ben eagerly offer to escort you out of the main ballroom, “ I think there is rooms down the hallway with a balcony, Maybe we can talk more there.” he tries to loop his arm around your waist, you back away slightly, making excuse you have to let Nikolai know where you are heading to.

Shuffling yourself towards your husband, turning as he immediately notices you approach.

“Mr Belinski, Mr Macleans, sorry to interrupt your gentlemen’s conversation, but Ben and I are going to retreat somewhere with a balcony to get more fresh air.” You look at Nikolai right in the eyes.  Target moving, ready to extract

“Ah, balcony. That is a good idea.” he repeated your location, relying onto the team through the concealed microphone. You can see his jaws clenching. This is the part he is worried about. You will have to be out of his sight, alone again. 

“We will be back in five minutes!” send in the team through my tracker location in five minutes.

Out of the ballroom as you walk down the corridor, you grab tight onto your clutch wallet, hoping the tracker in there is working correctly. You try to calm yourself down, half listening to some outlandish stories Ben is currently rambling on about, trying to impress you. 

Stopping in front of a room, you pushed it open. The room was dark and musty, the only source of illumination was the balcony and street light from outside the window.

As soon as you walk in, you feel Ben grabbing you from behind, trying to force a kiss on you.

“What…?!! Get off me Ben!!!” You try to push him off you, elbowing him.

“You slut!!! I thought you wanted this!!!” 

“Oh don’t flatter yourself, you lavvy-heided wankstain.''You sneered. Pulling out your sedation needle from your wallet, you jabbed right into his neck,  “I would prefer Nikolai over you ANY DAY. Sweet dreams.” And with that insult thrown at him, he dropped to the ground in an instant, passed out as the drug took effect. You threw the needle onto the ground, as if it burnt you and stumbled back until your leg hit a couch.

A minute later, Nikolai and the team bursted in, ready for a confrontation. They immediately relaxed as they saw the target on the ground, snoring away and you safe and sound. Nikolai strided towards you, currently collapsed on the couch, looking dazed and out of breath, he immediately gathered up into his arm, murmuring words of assurances.

“I am fine Nik… I just need a minute to catch up on my breath.” you let out a big breath as you lean into his chest. Soap came up towards the two of you, with a small smile on his face. “Thanks Mini. Couldn’t do it without you.” Giving him a weak smile, you held out your hand to give him a hi-five. 

“Now you two love birds go back to the hotel, I’ll get Gaz to drive you two back. Rest of us will clean up the scene and cover the rest.” You peek over Nikolai’s shoulder, seeing Ghost hauling the unresponsive body of Ben over his shoulder without any care,  you begin to wonder how strong the drug is to knock him out instantly. It’s probably one of those answers you don’t want to know. Gaz gave you a wave, indicating he is ready to move. Nikolai helped you to stand, wrapping you up in the overcoat before leading you outside to the van waiting. Passing by Price, you gave him a salute, he returned with a warm smile, happy to know the mission has completed without much harm being done to you.

Now you just have to face your husband. You were certain he would be fussing over you once the two of you are alone. Or maybe he will treat you with something better… to reward you for the job well done. 

Your hands were still shaking from adrenaline as you tried to open the door with your key card. You can feel Nikolai’s body heat radiating off him as he is practically sticking right against your back. 

You had told him what happened after you left the ballroom while in the car ride back to the hotel. His hand around your waist tightened, and the hardened look in his eyes says it all. He is angry. And pissed off. Not at you. But at the dirty, filthy, piece of lowlife target that has touched you without your permission. 

As soon as the door is closed, he pushes you flat against the wall, nibbling your earlobes as his hand drifts down towards the slit of your dress, sliding this callous hand between your inner thigh. “Do you know how hard it was for me to watch that Мудакl (asshole) touching you? Tainting my wife.. MY GODDESS with his dirty filthy hand…” he growled as he pushed himself closer to you, feeling his hard and thick arousal on your back. As you arch yourself back towards him, giving him more friction.He grabbed your throat lightly, and caressed the line of your jaw with his thumb. “I couldn’t do a thing. Watching him flirting away with you, ogling at your breasts like a hungry wolf…. “ Grabbing one of your butt cheeks, squeezing it lightly, “ No one, no one else should be touching you but ME. you belong to me.” he hissed. “I will not let any other despicable, wretched low life lay a hand on you ever again.”  

“Nik…” you whispered, aching for more. More of his touch. To erase the filth and dirty feeling Ben has left on you. “Please...” 

“Shh…” now he moved his hand towards the slit of your core, “I will give you what you want, soon. Be patient, my little bird. Oh?” Ah he noticed. You bite your lip, waiting for his reaction. 

“No underwear? How daring of you.” cupping his hand around your pussy, inserting his middle fingers in, prodding. “So you walked around all night like this, what were you thinking?”

“... I… I was thinking..” Whimpering, trying to get your words out. Gosh your mind is like a muddle right now,  all you can think of is how much you want him to move his finger, make you feel good. Your pussy clenches around his finger, wanting to get a bit of relief. 

“Louder. I can’t hear you” He commanded as he licked the back of your neck, from the nape of your neck right up to the base of your ear. 

“I was thinking how pleased my husband will be when he finds out.” you blurted out, whole body trembling with anticipation. 

You can feel his amusing smirk as he planted a kiss on the back of your head. 

“Well, he is indeed pleased by it. But what he wasn't pleased about was how a scum had been touching you..ah. It’s not your fault.” his tone changed from slightly harsh to a softer genuine loving tone as he senses you shrinking away slightly. “You did well on the mission. And now,  the good girl gets the reward.” he started moving his fingers languidly, his thumb rubbing ever so often circling around the sensitive nub of yours.  Rolling your head back onto his shoulder, moving your hip in sync of his movement, silently begging for more. 

“Already dripping wet thinking of me, hmmm?” 

“Only you. It’s only you..” you moaned. 

“MMM… and you are the only one,” As if to emphasise the point, he started grinding his hip into your back as he sped up his ministration, “That can get me this hard. Can you feel that?”

You nodded your head eagerly, 

“Good. keep that thought. Because…” moving his hand from your throat, moving down towards your breast, kneading it through the thin fabric of your dress and pitching the nipple. “This is the cock that is going to fuck you until you scream out in pleasure for me, fill you up again and again.” 

With that thought, it topped you over the edge. You didn’t even bother  suppressing your loud moan as you felt the intensity of the orgasm hit you. Feeling the hot liquid gushing on from your fold and onto his finger. He murmurs words of praise into your ear as he slows down his pumping and lets you ride out the rest of the high. 

You feel you are about to collapse after he just drew such an intense orgasm out of you. You tried to grab onto the wall, searching for some friction to hold yourself up right. He pulls away from you slightly, one arm supporting you around your waist, as he undresses with a quick tuck of the strap and unzipping the fastener on the back of the dress, letting it drop on to the floor. 

Now you are standing there in front of him,with nothing but all your jewellery and heels still on. facing the wall in such a vulnerable position. 

Hearing him undoing his belt and watching him kicking his pants to the side, he moved closer to you, one hand intertwined with yours, the other turning your head, facing him as he leaned down and giving you a deep, passionate yet loving kiss, before slowly pushing himself into you.

No matter how many times the two of you made love, you still can’t get over the delicious sensation of how his large cock stretches your pussy, with each pounding you see stars in front of your eyes. 

The room is full of the sound of his low groan and your sobbing and begging, for him to give you another release.  Lifting one of  your legs up to change the angle, he ordered you to move your hand down towards your swollen bundle of nerves.

“I want to see how you pleasure yourself, my little bird.” 

You began to rub your own clit intensely, trying to relieve that need that is bubbling up again, all of sudden he sped up with his pace,  hitting right into the sweet spot that made you scream out with pleasure. 

“That is … sing out for my lastochka… I love it when you show me how much pleasure my cock is bringing you. Now, why don’t you be a good girl and come for me?” 

Your hand falters as the second orgasm hits you,your pussy clenching uncontrollably around his cock. Closing your eyes and letting out a stream of incoherent babble, followed by the sensation of Nikolai’s hot cum filling the inside of you. He buried his head into the crook of your neck, trying to ride out his own orgasm.

You moaned out with frustration with the emptiness that he left you when he pulled out from you, you felt both of your cum dripping down between your legs and the drag of wetness between the crack of your ass as he drew his cock back. 

Turning you around, he runs his fingers between the fold of your pussy, and gathers up a bit of the cum.

“What a mess you have made… Now, how would you suggest we clean this up?” 

With an innocent smile, you draw his hand up towards your mouth, licking and sucking each of the fingers clean. 

“Like this?? “ you batter your eyelashes as you cheekily replied. He let out a laugh and bent down to kiss you, getting a good taste of your and his own cum. “What a brilliant idea.. Now , why don't we move to somewhere more… comfortable, so I can perform the cleaning procedure, and maybe, “ his eyes dart down, you can see him getting hard again, “you can clean up mine too?”

The two of you didn’t check out of the hotel the next day until the team came pounding down on the door, and silently retreated back out again as they saw all the clothes scattered along the floors of the living room, leading towards the bedroom. 

“You love her don’t you?”Nikolai looked at Mr Mcleans with surprise but said nothing.“Ah, don’t look so surprised. I have lived twice as long as you, I know that look. The same look I give my lovely bonnie Linda. Bless her soul in heaven.” he took another sip of whisky. 

“ I only agreed to take that bampot bairn because his father Lord Witherington begged me to do so. Now,” Slapping Nikolai’s back,”Go and get her back.”

And People, this is the story of how Anya MacTavish was produced. My inspirations : Again, nothing beat's @shkretart's beautiful Nikolai from this post NIKOLAI IN SUIT . so hot and delicious. I just couldn't get over it! tag list:

@homicidal-slvt,

@roosterr @preciouslittlecreature

@siilvan @floral-force @kaplerrr @captainpriceslover

[asirensrage]

there's a heaven above you (don't you cry) - Part 14

Rating: M Pairing: Lost Boys/OC Fandom: The Lost Boys Warnings: violence, arson, swearing, breaking and entering, sex…

Summary: The thing no one ever tells you about time travel is that you don’t have any control over where you end up or when you leave. It just happens. It also hurts like a bitch. Notes: This will be a poly pairing, so if you’re not into that, don’t read. It’s not beta-read so I hope you’ll forgive me but enjoy!

previous/masterlist also on ao3 and ffn

Chapter 14: Don't Get Mad, Get Even

Now that she had forgiven the vampires, Darcy had a feeling she was never going to get rid of them. It was bad enough when she first met the men. Now that she was actually letting them in, she was pretty sure she might have to spray them with a hose filled with holy water to keep them away. 

“What happened to you?” 

She looked up to see Clark walking into the store. “What do you mean?” 

His face scrunched up like he didn’t want to answer. “Nevermind. I don’t want to know.”

Darcy grinned. “You sure?”

“Very. I just came by to warn you that those surf assholes are looking for you.” 

Darcy sat up straight. “Me?”

“Yeah. They’re saying you're the reason their place burned down. You and one of those bikers.” 

She didn’t stop the smile that grew at the reminder of the night before. The encouragement of her violence was so deeply pleasing to her that she could barely put it into words. She had always been told she was the problem, something to use and to fix. It was never like that with these men. “Oh…well, that’s because we did.” 

Clark’s eyes went wide. “You did?” 

Darcy leaned against the counter, resting her arms on it. “Wouldn’t that be a story? Imagine if we just Molotov cocktailed the place, once we made sure it was empty, of course. But that would be crazy…after all, we’re pretty distinctive, aren’t we?” She probably should have felt bad for what she was doing, but Darcy had enough run-ins with the police to know that if there was no actual proof, they couldn’t pin anything on. Witness testimony from other punks didn’t hold up, especially if no one could say she actually confessed to them. 

He frowned slightly, unsure if she was telling the truth or not. “So…did you?”

Darcy tilted her head, watching him. “Do you think I would?”

“I think they would.” She knew exactly who he was referring to. 

“Probably,” she agreed. They were going to have to do something about that though if the surf assholes were looking for her. She wasn’t worried about them going after the boys. The whole vampire thing worked in their favour. Darcy just wanted to make sure any retaliation against her wasn’t going to impact Sampson, Clark, or the innocent people at the motel she lived at. 

Clark left without a word now that his warning was given. Not unusual. Darcy settled back in her chair and started planning. 

The boys were waiting for her as soon as the sun set. Of course they were. Darcy made a note to talk with them about the concept of boundaries and what hers were. This time though it saved her a trip from trying to find them, especially since they preferred to hang around the boardwalk and she preferred to avoid it. 

“Don’t you have anything better to do?” she asked as soon as she was close enough. 

“Then wait for you? Nah, girl.” 

David held out a hand for her, inviting her to his bike. She was tempted to choose someone else just because but she decided to throw him a bone. She let him guide her behind him. The engine under her was warm and she wrapped her arms around David’s waist before he took off without warning. 

The good thing about riding with David was that despite his mullet, he had less hair than the others, allowing her to easily see what they passed. Pedestrians dove out of the way as they crossed the boardwalk. They drove through the sand, laughing as they sprayed some of the people hanging around bonfires. 

Darcy recognized the cliffs that made up the entrance to their lair. Paul swept her up off of David’s bike into a hug, before she dug her fingers into his ribs. She had no clue if it hurt but it was enough that he squirmed before Marko yanked Paul into a headlock and he was forced to let her go. Dwayne was at her side, offering to help her down. She stood at the top of the rickety metal stairs before she turned. “You’re going to have to carry me. I’m not walking down this.”

She heard someone laugh but Dwayne was dutiful in the way that he carefully picked her up and held her firmly against him. She closed her eyes but it only took seconds before she could feel that they were in the cave. Dwayne set her down gently. 

“Thanks,” she told him. 

“Don’t have to thank me, rosy-girl,” his fingers brushed her cheek. She was suddenly reminded of that night in the cave when he brought her funnel cake to celebrate karma hitting that animal abuser hard. 

“We told you,” David’s arm wrapped around Darcy’s waist, drawing her away from Dwayne. “We’ll take care of you, Darcy.” He dropped down on a chair, pulling Darcy with him. 

“Yeah? What does that entail?”

“Whatever you want, babe!” Paul called out as he made his entrance. Marko followed behind. The two of them playfully shoved each other. 

She focused on the way David’s arm wrapped around her waist, holding her against him. He pressed his face into her hair, grip tightening slightly. “Are you hungry?” 

“A bit,” she admitted.

“Marko! Go get some food.” 

“Darce! Anything you want?”

“I’m not picky,” she called out, leaning back into David. Marko grinned before disappearing. 

David’s hand slipped under her shirt, softly stroking her stomach as he kissed her neck. It was strange to feel so comforted by the action considering what he was. She can’t stop the flinch though as his thumb presses against the surgical scar on her left side. He paused. His thumb stroked the scar again and Darcy forced herself not to react to it. 

“What happened?” His voice was low, laced with a threat that she knew wasn’t aimed at her. 

“It’s from a surgery,” she answered, trying to keep her voice steady. It’s not enough as the others seem to hear. She found herself quickly surrounded. 

“Surgery?” Paul asked. “What happened? Wrong side of a knife after you swung a bat at them?” it was playful, but the same threat was in his voice that was in David’s. “

She smiled at the promise in them. It was an odd thing to know that there were people who were prepared to fight for her, especially considering why she had that scar in the first place. “No, I had to donate part of my liver.” 

There was a moment of silence that suddenly felt suffocating. 

David’s grip tightened. “Had to?” 

“Yeah,” she said. “My sister needed it.”

The men look at each other, a silent communication she wasn’t a part of. She tried not to let it grate. 

“You offered?” Paul asked, his voice uncharacteristically quiet. 

Her throat tightened, a familiar lump growing in response to the question. There was never a chance to offer. She simply had to. She can practically hear her family telling her that she should consider herself lucky, that she should be grateful she can help, that she is so selfish!

“Darce?” A hand tilted her face up, back towards David who was staring at her with a slight frown. He seemed to read something in her expression because the next thing she knew, he moved his hand off of her stomach and was pulling off his glove with his teeth. Her eyes were drawn to the scars that littered it, the reminder of her conversation with him. Fucking fathers. 

“My sister has been sick my whole life. I had to give her whatever she needed: marrow, plasma, liver…whether or not I wanted to. That was the only reason they’d had me after all. They told me themselves. Everything had been perfect before me. By the time I was old enough to say no, they guilted me into it again and again, carving more of me away until I’d had enough. They turned everyone we knew against me for being selfish, for not wanting to help my own flesh and blood. I refused to be anything they could use ever again.” 

Someone was growling.

It took her a moment to realize it was all of them. 

“Never again,” David said, voice lower and rougher than usual. “No one’s ever going to force you again.” 

Darcy smiled and leaned forward to kiss the ridge of his brow. “They haven’t forced me into anything for years. Not since I crashed their car and stopped staying in their house.” His face smoothed into the human one she knew well. 

“That why you’re living in a motel?” he asked. “In Santa Carla?”

“I told you,” she teased. “I’m a time traveller.” They laughed at that and Paul and Dwayne finally eased up, moving away from them. It likely helped that David motioned them off. 

His thumb smoothed over the scar one last time. He reached up, brushing her hair back and tucking it behind her ear. He paused and she felt him pull the backing off of her earring. 

“Hey, what are–” 

He put a finger on her chin, turning her face back away from him. He took out her earring and tossed it. She heard it bounce off the ground. She sat there for a moment before feeling him press an earring into the space he had made. When his fingers moved, tracing a path down her neck, she turned to look. It took a moment before she realized what was missing. 

“Did you…give me one of your earrings?”

“Looks better on you,” David said. “Now you’ll have a piece of me wherever you go.” 

“Thank you.” It was a sweet gesture and something told her that David didn’t usually do sweet. Maybe it was the way they tended to interact, ready to tear each other's throats out at any given time. 

He leaned down and kissed her. It wasn’t soft. David kissed her as though he was trying to consume her. He burned himself into her. He finally pulled back when Marko returned with food. 

Darcy was a little high from the way Paul kept shotgunning his joint with her. She was lying on their couch, listening to the way the boys were rambunctious around her. 

“Hey, rosy-girl,” Dwayne murmured as he knelt next to her. “I got an idea.”

“Hmm?” she turned to look at him. He was lit by the fires in the cans that they had burning. It was a good look on him. Made him seem more human somehow. Maybe it was the warmth of the light on his skin. 

His hand slipped up under her shirt. He found one of the surgical scars easily, fingers brushing against it. He didn’t move higher as she expected. “You want to erase those scars? Make something beautiful on you.” 

“Like a tattoo?” 

He grins at her. “Better. I’ll make some new scars, a reminder of who you are.”

Darcy frowns slightly. “You wanna cut me up?”

“Just a little,” he says. “It’ll hurt, but you’re not afraid of a bit of pain, are you?” 

“Pain’s never stopped me before.” 

His grin turned a bit sharper. “Knew it wouldn’t.” He flipped open a knife. She eyed it carefully, but it looked new and sharp. “Let me?”

She considered it carefully. She wasn’t exactly a fan of knives near her, but it wasn’t like he’d put her to sleep through it and the idea of changing those scars into something she chose was appealing. It would shift from something taken to something given. “Yeah,” she breathes. “Yeah, okay.” 

Despite being high, and Paul shotgunning more into her mouth, she felt everything. Dwayne was extremely skilled. The pain wasn’t as strong as she expected it to be. He spent his time carving into her and distracting her with his mouth and tongue pressing against her skin. 

She fell asleep, feeling someone's hands stroke her hair and Dwayne murmuring that she’s been so good for him. 

Darcy woke to the sun hitting her face. She moved automatically, trying to roll away from the brightness. The sharp pain across her abdomen made her gasp and bolt up, instantly regretting it. She breathes through the pain, a practice she’s all too familiar with and has long tried to forget. A quick glance showed that the boys had managed to properly bandage and wrap her stomach. It was tempting to undo so she could see how far Dwayne had gotten, but experience has drilled into her to leave her bandages alone. 

Darcy pushed herself to her feet before leaving the cave. There was no point in sticking around bored out of her mind waiting for the sunset so the vampires could wake up. She had better things to do. Like finding a way to get to her job that she was probably late for. 

It took her longer than she wanted to get up those fucking awful metal steps. She mentally cursed the fact that she was attracted to a bunch of vampires who had no consideration for the humans they stole. Not that she could blame them. She wouldn’t make an easy exit for anyone she decided to kill, but it was a fucking pain to deal with now. Especially when the wounds on her stomach were killing her. Figuratively. 

She considered stealing one of their bikes. They didn’t actually need it and it would’ve served them right to have to share when they left her alone in their cave. The only thing that stopped her was the fact that she wasn’t entirely sure she could balance properly. Not with how her stomach twinged with every movement. 

So she walked. 

She saw the smoke first. 

It took a moment before she realized where it was coming from. She took off running. There was a small crowd on the street. She shoved her way past the tourists and the few familiar citizens until finally, she was close enough to see it. Sampson’s shop was burnt down. A still smouldering wreck that was hollowed out and collapsing before her.  

“What the fuck?” Darcy exclaimed, looking at the chaos she knows she didn’t cause. “What happened?”

“Darcy!” 

“Darcy!”

She turned at the sound of her name. Camila, Sampson and Clark came barreling toward her. Clark hit first, hugging her tightly before he realized what he was doing and let go. Camila took his place, hugging her before pulling back to cup her face in her hands and turning her head so Camila could look her over. 

“Dios mio, you’re okay! We thought you might have been caught in it! No one’s seen you! You weren’t at the motel!”

“What happened?” Darcy asked again, looking between the two adults.

“Surf Nazis came for revenge like I said they would. Everyone knows you work here, Darce,” Clark said. 

Anger burned through her, as hot as the fire that lay dormant in front of them. “They did, huh?” That’s fine. She could deal with those assholes. She knows if she asked, the vampires will help. Still, that does not erase the fact that her work is destroyed. It wasn’t even hers. She looked over at Sampson. “I am so sorry.”

“Nah, Darce. It’s a bummer but it’s just threads. The man is already asking ‘round. More important that you’re safe. We were buggin’ out thinking you were inside.” 

“The boys picked me up after work,” she said. “I spent the night with them.” 

Camila muttered a prayer before hugging her again. “Where are you staying?”

“The motel?” Darcy answered.

“Is that safe? Mija, if they know where you worked, they know where you live.” 

That was an excellent point. Still, Darcy hated that they were forcing her into this position. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’ll figure it out.” Worst case scenario, she’d stay in that stupid cave. She wasn’t about to let that happen though. She’d deal with these assholes first. 

“You can stay with me,” Camila offered. “Come, let’s get your stuff. Even if you find somewhere else, you can have your stuff somewhere safe until you decide.” 

She barely knew Camila but Sampson did and she trusted him. “Sure, thanks.” 

“Don’t worry ‘bout the store, Darce. I’ll let you know when I have something else set and I’ll come by Camila’s, drop off your pay, ya dig?”

She tried not to smile. “I dig,” she agreed. Clark disappeared again but Darcy let herself be led away from the wreckage by Camila. 

She gathered her meagre belongings from the motel and dropped them off in the spare room at Camila’s house. The older woman seemed ecstatic that she was there, taking the time to show her around and, more importantly in her words, feed her.  

Fuck everything else. This made it worth it. Camila apparently hadn’t had anyone to feed in ages because she seemed enthusiastic and determined to find out what Darcy’s favourites would be. 

Darcy was free to roam the house as she waited but she stayed close and kept up the conversation. 

“Is this your husband?” she asked, pointing to a picture on the mantle. Camila was younger, but the smile on her face was the same. The man next to her was a little taller, his grin wide and holding Camila close next to him. He looked like a good man, but Darcy knew how looks could be deceiving. 

“Ah! Si, that is my Ernesto! That picture was taken the day we met our guardian angel.”

Darcy looked over, bemused. “Your guardian angel?”

“It was in Los Angeles, Nineteen…sixty-five I think. Ernesto and I, we were struggling. I was thirty,” she went back to cooking and Darcy followed her into the kitchen. “When I met him. Smart man, handsome, but it was not so easy then. Our angel, sh-they helped us find our home. Gave us money for a proper start.”

Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “What did they want in return?”

“Nothing.” Camila laughed when she turned to look at the expression on Darcy’s face. “It’s true. Said it was payment for the future, that they wanted to…invest in our happiness. Never asked for anything in return. And we’re not the only ones in town who have received their help. Our angel would come by sometimes, just to sit with us. I think…they were lonely.” 

Darcy had never considered herself lonely at any point in her life. Being lonely meant that you were giving others power over you, that you were setting yourself up to be indebted to someone for their company. She refused to part with anything of hers that she wasn’t fully willing to give. 

Before night fell, Darcy started walking back to the bluffs. Her stomach burned with the movement but she needed to find the boys before they saw the burnt down remains while looking for her. If they were going to be as pissed as she was, she wanted to aim them in the right direction. The Surf Nazis stole something from her, from people who helped her. She would steal something back.

taglist: @raith-way @arrthurpendragon @zeleniafic @jvstjewels @veetlegeuse @chickensarentcheap @residentdormouse @endless-oc-creations @stanshollaand @wordspin-shares

lost boys tag: @phantomenby @avengers-fixation @artaxerxesthegreat @henhouse-horrors @charlizekkelly @makepastanotwar13