#prompted flic

[youvebeenlivingfictional]

More Than Enough

Pairing: Harvey Specter x Reader

Rating: T

Notes: Not beta-read because when is it ever. Technically part of my Men I Always Meant to Write For non-series series.

Length: 9.9K

Warnings: Angst. Angst angst angst angst, mentions of reader having anxiety, friends to enemies to lovers, has a happy ending

Summary: Mr. Ross (Mike, he’d insisted, but you knew that you had to keep the formalities up for your own sakes) introduced Beth first, giving you a chance to just—look. You’d never bothered to catch up with Harvey once he’d gotten a job in New York. You knew that he was there, of course. The few friends that you had kept in touch with from Harvard had told you. You’d heard his name every couple of months regarding some case that he had tried, some deal that he’d closed. But you couldn’t imagine what you’d say to him if you turned up, and you weren’t sure that you wanted to know what he’d say to you—if he’d have anything to say to you.

There were a lot of things that you remembered about Harvey. You remembered his dimples, and the freckles peppering his shoulders; you remembered the way his eyes lit up when he hit on something good; you remembered the casual, almost bored way that he answered questions in class. Most of all, you remembered how he looked at you.

Harvey used to look at you with warmth, and teasing. He used to watch you hunker over your books and notes, stare you down when he was determined to come out on top in an argument. He used to peer up at you as he tried not to fall asleep on your shoulder, sharing the train ride back to spend the odd weekend in New York.

You remembered the way his gaze used to send nervous butterflies swirling through you. The way his smile made your face go hot, and your heart pound in your chest.

You remembered so many things about how Harvey made you feel, things that you held on to for such a long time—and they were in direct conflict with the way Harvey looked at you when you walked into the conference room that morning.

Something funny had happened in your gut when you’d heard his voice, the way he was warning his associate that he would, “Handle this one, and we’ll be outta here in five minutes.”

As you rounded into the room, you could see that his associate wasn’t convinced; you couldn’t blame him. You’d put up a hell of an argument with Mr. Ross a couple of days before, which had no doubt prompted him to return with backup. Now, you felt the first stirrings of panic, faced with a past you'd tried to forget, but you were too close to the conference room to turn tail, and with Beth already two steps deeper inside, it was too late to bail out. You’d promised her that you’d stick to her side through this ordeal. She couldn’t afford a real lawyer, and the few that you’d spoken to about pro bono work just didn’t have the bandwidth to help her case. The rest of your coworkers had been overwhelmingly supportive, your boss included—you couldn’t think of any other employer that would let a lawyer come and speak with Beth at her workplace without raising a stink about it.

Mr. Ross (Mike, he’d insisted, but you knew that you had to keep the formalities up for your own sakes) introduced Beth first, giving you a chance to just—look. You’d never bothered to catch up with Harvey once he’d gotten a job in New York. You knew that he was there, of course. The few friends that you had kept in touch with from Harvard had told you. You’d heard his name every couple of months regarding some case that he had tried, some deal that he’d closed. But you couldn’t imagine what you’d say to him if you turned up, and you weren’t sure that you wanted to know what he’d say to you—if he’d have anything to say to you.

Harvey looked good. Self-assured, confident, wearing a bright, charming smile as he shook Beth’s hand. You could hear Mike introducing you, and had just a moment to brace as recognition his recognition swelled.

It took over his expression entirely as he met your eye.

Harvey’s gaze flickered, brow furrowing a touch. The dimples disappeared as his lips dropped from a smile to a stunned purse. You shook his hand where it had frozen, a quick, firm pump before you let go.

“Please,” You gestured to the small conference table before you set your things down. The space wasn’t at all grand, it was…Homey. Surely not the sort of spaces these two were used to, if the suits were anything to go by.

“I appreciate your persistence, Mr. Ross,” Beth started, tucking a stand of greying hair behind her ear as she tried to steady her nerves, “But my position hasn’t changed since the last time we spoke.”

You glanced from your elderly coworker toward Mr. Ross. Just out of the corner of your eye, you could see Harvey watching you closely. The feeling was at once familiar and foreign; it made your stomach turn.

“Ms. Owens, I recognize that our client has put you in a difficult position—” Mr. Ross started. You had to clench your jaw to keep from rolling your eyes as he went on, “But the valuation that we’ve offered for you to change the name of your LLC and sell the site is incredibly generous.”

You did smile, then. Hell, you couldn’t help it.

“You disagree?”

Your stomach lurched at Harvey’s question, and you looked toward him. Oh—you knew that expression. His eyes were narrowed; his lips were curled into a smirk that dared you to argue with him.

“Isn’t that obvious? If we didn’t disagree, none of us would be in this room right now,” You pointed out.

“We’ve spoken to our client,” Mike cut in, drawing your attention again, “And he’s authorized us to bump the offer up to $100,000.”

You let that hang in the air for a few moments, brows raising when Mike gave a small, encouraging nod.

“That’s it?” You retorted dryly. “You expect me to believe that a pharmaceutical company with a market value of over three hundred billion dollars is willing to drop a whole 100K? How overwhelmingly generous.”

“Do I need to point out that your cash-grab is standing in the way of medical progress?” Harvey argued.

“Oh, please,” You scoffed. “It's a dick pill, Harvey.” You tried to ignore the stunned, slap-shocked look when you used his name, pushing on—“And if you’d read the comparative studies that the company did, you’d know that it works with roughly a third of the effectiveness of the market leaders. This isn’t exactly going to blow the toupee off of Viagra, no matter what your client says.”

“We could bury you under fees and paperwork.”

“Whoa, Harvey,” Mike muttered beside him, casting him a wary look. You could feel Beth shifting nervously beside you as well. You forced yourself to be calm, and to smile a little, even as your stomach flipped. You’ve done your homework; you’ve prepped. You can do this.

“Yes,” You nodded, “You could. But you’d be doing so at the expense of a woman who has owned and operated a company out of her studio apartment under this name since 1995. What Beth has here isn’t just a little stumbling block for your client—it’s an institution, with hundreds of annual customers and testimonials speaking to the way her products have improved their lives. This may be a blip for your client, but it’s a significant part of Beth’s life. And considering the recent, sharp drop in the company’s stock price and the uptick in legal suits, I wouldn’t be surprised if you all need a win right now. If you railroad us, we will go public with your client’s intimidation tactics.”

“Intimidation—?” Harvey snapped.

“Oh, have they not mentioned the non-stop late-night phone calls, the people following Beth to and from home? The private investigators? The threatening letters?”

You watch Harvey’s expression mar with surprise. You can’t help but chuckle then.

“C’mon. You should know better.” You look down at the folder in front of you. “The fact of the matter is, my client has had to endure a mountain of shit for what is only a marginally effective aid for erectile dysfunction—one that’s projected to make your client nearly $18 million in its first quarter on the market. If you need to close anyone, it’s on your side, not ours. You either bump the offer up a mill, or we go to the press with what we have.” You drew two copies of an article out of your folder, sliding it across the table to them. “Just a little taste.”

“Excuse me?” You heard. The four of you turned your attention to the office secretary, who was lingering in the doorway. Right on time, just as you asked. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have a call. I can have them hold—“

“No, that’s alright,” You shook your head before turning back to the men on the other side of the table, subtly waving for Beth to stand. “We’re done here. Thank you for your time, Mr. Ross. Harvey, always a pleasure.”

You led the way out, holding the door open for Beth. Vindication shot through you as you just caught Mr. Ross asking, “What the hell was that?”

--  

She was all over the page. Harvey had given the article a couple of passes while he was in the car on the way back to the office, but reading it through again, he felt that even if she hadn’t handed it to him herself, he somehow would’ve known that it was hers. 

The argument that Mike was having with Craig Philbrook seemed almost muted to him as he read it for a third time. It was a concise presentation of the facts, but it hit the exact emotional points that it needed to. It was beautifully balanced. Harvey could almost imagine her curled over her laptop, drawing up a draft, editing it with expert precision. He’d seen her work like that before. Sure, it had been a long time ago, but the sight of her hunkered down in Langdell Hall had never really left him—not even when he’d done his best to push it away. 

“Harvey!” 

He glanced up, brows raising. Craig’s face was the shade of a cherry tomato, and seemed just about ready to pop. His chest was heaving from what must’ve been a spirited bout of argument with Mike. Glancing at his associate, Harvey found Mike wide-eyed and pink-cheeked, at an equal fever pitch. He considered for a moment more before he tossed the article onto the table. 

“We don’t have any choices here, Craig,” He admitted. 

“A million dollars? That’s insane!” 

“Actually, considering what the company expects to pull in almost a eighty mill in the first year, one million is pretty reasonable.” 

“Whose side are you on?” 

“I’m on yours, Craig. Look, if you wanna action your plan, we’ll sic the dogs on ‘em. But the press is never gonna side with a company that’s putting a little old lady through her extreme financial and emotional distress just for a landing page. If we settle outside of court, slap an NDA on top, none of this ever comes out. Keep it clean.” Harvey pushes himself out of his seat, standing and buttoning his suit jacket before taking the article up again. “Talk to who you need to talk to, but do it fast. Every incident that they noted is another ticking time bomb that we may have to worry about diffusing.” He rounded his seat, heading for the door before he paused and turned back. “Oh, and Craig? Quit having her called and followed. You’re just giving them more rope to hang you with.” 

He turned away, tucking his hands into his pockets as he strode down the hall, Mike in tow. 

“You think he’ll cave?” Mike asked. 

“He will. He has to.” 

“Okay—Question.” 

“Is it related to the case?” 

“Yes. What the hell was that?” 

“That was me doing my job. The job you were supposed to handle, and you're welcome, by the way.” 

“I don’t mean back there, I mean this morning.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Bullshit.” 

Harvey cast an irritated glance back toward Mike as he walked into his office. It was no surprise that Mike followed; once he got something in his head, he couldn’t let it go. Neither of them could. 

“She said seeing you was always a pleasure,” Mike added as Harvey settled behind his desk. 

“Maybe she was just trying to get under my skin.” 

“Seems like it worked, and I’ve never seen anyone but Tanner do that. How do you know one another?” 

Harvey considered. He didn’t know her, not really. Not anymore. 

“We went to Harvard together,” He finally admitted. 

“She’s a lawyer?” 

“No.” Maybe? He wasn’t sure. He hadn’t checked the bar for her name in a long time. 

“So she…Did what with her degree?” 

“As far as I know, she never got it. She dropped out, middle of our second year.” 

“Why?” 

“No idea.” 

“Come on, you can tell me.” 

“Don’t you have a brief to write or a motion to file.” 

Mike was quiet for a moment, gaze sweeping Harvey’s face before his mouth fell open in slight surprise. 

“...Oh, my god, you really have no idea,” He managed.

“Why are you still standing here?” 

“Does Donna know?” 

“Why would she?” 

“Because she knows everything.” 

“Well, I doubt she would know this.” 

“You’re deflecting. She definitely knows.” 

“Go ahead and ask her.” 

Mike’s mouth works wordlessly again before he turns his head just a little. 

“...She doesn’t know.” 

“She does not.” 

“Unless she does, and you’re trying to double psychy-psych me into not getting an answer.” 

“Then go ahead and ask.” 

“...She doesn’t know.” 

“Are you asking?” 

“If she does know—” 

“You could be doing this on the other side of the door.” 

“Okay.” 

Harvey relaxed a bit as Mike leaned back in his seat, then smiled as he heard Mike call out, “Donna?” 

He shook his head, taking up a baseball from behind his desk and turning his chair to gaze out of the window, turning the ball over and over in his hands. Mike wasn’t entirely wrong. If there was anyone in the city who may somehow know what happened, he was almost certain it was Donna. Harvey sure as hell didn’t know what had happened. 

Harvey could still remember the shock of it—turning up to goad her into going to get dinner with him, only to find that her half of the room was completely cleared out. Her roommate had told Harvey that she didn’t know where she’d gone, didn’t have a number to reach her. Harvey had chased answers down within his means. He’d gone after phone numbers that he’d used and found them disconnected; he’d stopped by her apartment building and asked the doorman for information, even tried to bribe him, but the man hadn’t let a single word slip. Harvey had waited outside for hours in the hopes of seeing her, but had come up with nothing.

No call, no note, not a word of warning or explanation. Harvey hadn’t been worth saying goodbye to then, and he apparently hadn’t been worth saying goodbye to today. 

His gaze dropped to the baseball in his hands, his thumb sweeping across the stitching as his chest fluttered with bitterness. Mike hadn’t come back in, so he was almost certain that Donna didn’t have the answers. Harvey eyed the article on his desk, frown deepening. 

Maybe Harvey would have to get the answers for himself. 

-- 

“Um—Did you happen to see Gerald’s email?” 

“Nope,” You hardly looked away from your laptop screen as Beth sidled up to your desk. “What’s up?” 

“He wants another SWOT analysis.” 

You closed your eyes in irritation, drawing in a deep breath. 

“Of course he does. Thanks for flagging.” You opened your email, glancing over when you realized Beth was still standing there. “Everything okay?” 

“...Just, I haven’t heard anything yet, from…” She cleared her throat uncomfortably. “I just wonder if we were too aggressive.” 

You nodded a little, offering her a reassuring smile. 

“If anything, they’ll counter, maybe for half a mill.” 

“But…What that other man had said about burying us in fees, and paper—”

You turned your chair, taking Beth’s wizened hands in yours. 

“He’s not going to do that,” You swore. “They’d screw themselves over if they did, and they know it. They’re probably just ironing out paperwork. It’s gonna be okay.” 

Beth’s eyes darted between yours before she finally nodded. You gave her hands a gentle squeeze before you let go, turning back to your laptop as she walked away. You bit your lip, peering at your laptop screen. Your eyes scanned it, but you weren’t really taking anything in. You were just as panicked as Beth was that you hadn’t heard anything from the firm. It either meant something very good, or very bad. But you didn’t dare let Beth know how nervous you were. If it hadn’t gone your way—if the company decided to take Beth down—you would never forgive yourself.

You drew in a deep, shaky breath, curling your fingers into your palms and trying to shake off the oncoming shivers trickling down your spine. You’d always hated this feeling—the fear of loss, the swell of hopelessness. You hadn’t felt either so acutely in a long time. You’d been happy for it; you hadn’t missed them. Arguing with Harvey had brought you back to the contentious moments in law school, the panic of not knowing who the professor would call on next, the fear of tripping over your words in front of a dozen of your peers—

You closed your eyes for a moment, drawing in another deep breath and forcing your mind calm. You weren’t in law school anymore. You were a manager at a marketing firm. You did good work. You liked your job. The life that you led was more than enough. The people that you answered to were satisfied with your results—and whatever happened to Beth could be overcome. You were certain. 

You opened the email from Gerald, reading it through before you CC’d Anne from finance, Jason from legal, and your boss before you typed out your response: 

Hi Gerald, 

Per our contract, we’ve completed the four SWOT analyses that we’ve been contracted for this year. Happy to take this conversation offline to discuss renegotiation.

-- 

“I’m going out.” 

Donna sprang up at the warning, striding to catch up with Harvey. 

“Going out where?” 

“I need some air.” 

“There isn’t enough air in your office?” 

“I like outside air. The exhaust, the cigarette smoke, the waft of salt from the hot dog vendor.” 

Donna arched a brow, folding her arms across her chest as Harvey hit the down button for the elevator. 

“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the woman that Mike asked me about last week, would it?” She asked. 

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” 

“Oh no?” 

“Nope.” 

“Too bad. Her LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bumble profile were very interesting.” 

Harvey arched a brow, glancing toward Donna before he stepped onto the elevator. 

“Since when are you on Bumble?” 

“I have a few profiles for research purposes.” 

Harvey shook his head, smiling and casting his gaze toward the elevator floor as the doors closed. 

--  

When someone came to a stop at your desk, you assume that it’s Beth, or your boss—someone that you worked with. When they didn’t speak, you glanced up, and realized immediately that it was a mistake. Harvey was standing there, his hands in his pockets as he waited to have your attention. You dropped your gaze back to the screen, clearing your throat.

“I’m assuming if you’re here in person again, it’s bad news,” You commented. Harvey’s lips pouted as he seemed to consider. 

“Depends on what you consider bad news.” 

“I consider Beth getting screwed out of her fair share as bad news.” 

“Well, then I have good news and bad news.” 

“Okay.” 

“The good news is, my client is ready to settle out of court for the requested amount, provided an NDA is signed.” 

“I’d need to see that before she signed it.” 

“Of course.” 

Your brow furrowed. 

“Then what’s the bad news?”

“There’s one more contingency to the deal being signed.” 

“And what’s that?” 

“Get a drink with me.” 

Your gaze narrowed, and you couldn’t help but lean back in your seat, arms folding across your chest. 

“Are you kidding me?” 

“Not at all.” 

“If I refuse?” 

“Beth will still get her settlement. But,” Harvey tipped his head from side to side, “It’ll probably take way longer.” 

“How much longer?” 

“Pff…Anywhere from a few months to a year. To be perfectly honest, my client doesn’t want to pay out. I mean, he will, because he knows that our advice is the right way to go, but I can gum up the works.” 

You pushed out a stunned scoff. 

“You’d seriously do that for a drink with me?” 

“We each have something the other wants.”

“What the hell could I possibly have that you want?” 

“Answers.” Harvey's critical gaze skimmed your rapidly heating face. “So? Are you busy tonight?” 

-- 

You felt out of place. The bar was nice, and everyone seems dressed for it…Except you. Well, your workplace was fairly casual. It was rare that you met with clients in person. You dressed up in those instances, of course, but your day-to-day work wear is jeans and a nice shirt. You were trying not to shift uncomfortably, or fidget to adjust your cardigan, or the shirt underneath. You glanced up toward the waiter, offering a small smile as he set your drink down. 

You picked up your glass, drawing in a long, slow sip. You’d spent the last five hours distracted at work, torn between trying to figure out what the hell you were going to say to Harvey, what sort of questions he could have. You already knew that this was more likely to be an interrogation than a friendly chat. 

He was drawing it out, too. He was taking a slow sip of his own, watching you like his gaze could drill through your skull. 

Maybe it could. He was certainly trying hard enough. 

“So?” You pressed, unable to help the silence. His lips twitched. Ugh, he’d wanted you to cave first, and you had played right into his hand. Bastard. 

“Did you ever finish your law degree?” He asked. 

Embarrassment prickled your skin. The conversation was going to be a roller coaster if that was where he was starting. 

“No.” 

“Never went back to Harvard?” 

“No.” 

“Why not?” 

“I had no reason to.” 

“Not even to visit? Maybe pick up something you forgot?” 

“I didn’t forget anything when I left.” 

“Why did you leave?” 

“Irrelevant.” 

“I find it very relevant.” 

“I disagree.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that.” 

“Are you?” 

“Not particularly.” 

“Move on.” 

“Speaking of moving on, you seemed to do that very quickly.” 

“I don’t know what you mean.” 

“You disappeared. No one could get in contact with you.” 

“I didn’t want contact with anyone.” 

“So you just dropped off of the face of the earth, for what? Fun?” 

You shifted in your seat a little, fingers pressing into your palms where they were hidden in your lap. 

“Trust me, nothing that happened to me then was fun.” 

“Why should I trust you?” 

Your stomach lurched; your hands tightened in your lap. 

“Take my word for it, then,” You corrected. 

“Your word isn’t worth anything to me.” 

You averted your gaze, jaw tightening as you leaned back in your seat. Maybe you could just slam the drink back and go. You could hear Harvey leaning forward in his seat. 

“Tell me,” He pressed, “What happened.” 

“Why does it matter to you?” 

“This has been a giant question mark for me for a long time. You know I hate loose ends.” 

You drew in a deep breath, leg beginning to bounce beneath the table as your nervous energy swelled. 

“I couldn’t do it anymore,” You finally admitted. 

“What?” 

“I couldn’t do…Harvard Law. That environment, I couldn’t do it. Look, I loved it at the start, I loved the feeling of getting in, but once I was in, it was too much.” 

You couldn’t meet his eye; his look was as heavy as ever. 

“Why didn’t you talk to me?” He asked after a moment. You scoffed a laugh, raising your brows as you finally brought yourself to look at him.

“Are you serious?…Harvey, you were allergic to feelings.” It was a little vindicating to see Harvey shift in his seat as you went on, “If I’d told you that I was struggling, you would’ve told me to buck up, that it wasn’t that hard, that I just needed to put my head down. You don’t respond weakness, you can’t fucking stand it.”

“You did just need to put your head down.”

Your mouth worked wordlessly for a moment, lips curling into a hysterical smile as you breathed, “Oh, my god—” Because there it was. There was the answer you’d expected years ago.

“You were top ten!” Harvey argued. “You were this close to knocking me off out of the top five.”

“I was losing my shit!” You lowered your voice, leaning in. “I couldn’t sleep. I was having panic attacks every time I left my room. I couldn’t handle it, alright? I’m not like you.”

“No, you’re not. I wouldn’t have given up.”

It was like a slap. You bit the inside of your cheek before you leaned back, nodding. You could feel your throat going thick as your eyes welled with tears.

“Okay,” You reached into your pocket, drawing your wallet out for a twenty as you stood. “Well thank you for this lovely trip down memory lane.”

“Sit down.”

“Fuck you.”   

You didn’t even care that your language drew the attention of the other patrons. You just strode out of there as quickly as you possibly could, hands fumbling for your phone to get a car. Maybe it shouldn’t have been so surprising that you heard his footsteps behind you moments later. It pushed you to walk faster, to keep him from seeing your watering eyes.

“Maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that you’re turning tail and running,” He sounds almost bored, “You’re so good at it.” 

“Leave me alone, Harvey.” 

“You know, I had the wildest theories back then. Kidnapped by a foreign government, taken by aliens, activated sleeper agent. It’s a bummer to find out that you were just a coward.” 

“Stop it,” You warned, shoving the door open and striding through it. You heard his palm hitting the wood behind you to keep the door from hitting him in the face, and you were desperate to escape it in the city noise. Harvey pushed on as if you haven’t said a thing:

“I used to think we were one and the same, but I would never have done what you did. I never would’ve just disappeared. Why didn’t you trust me—” His fingers curled around your wrist, tugging you to turn to him. His diatribe seemed to falter as he took in the tears slipping over your heated cheeks. You twisted your wrist out of his grip, tucking your arms around your middle and keeping your gaze anywhere but Harvey. 

“...You could’ve talked to me,” Harvey finally said. 

“You would’ve told me then exactly what you said just now, and that was the last fucking thing I needed back then. Frankly, it’s the last fucking thing I need right now.” 

“Look at me.” 

“No, you—You got your answers, alright? Get Beth her settlement.”

“You want me to get her settlement for you?” 

“I want you to get it for her. Because she deserves it. So, get her the money, the money she’s earned, and just…Just leave me alone.” 

You turned away from him again, getting just a little relief from the fact that you don’t hear him following you. 

You spent the night worrying that your answers won’t be enough, that Harvey would go out of his way to bury Beth in paper, screw her over to the point where you had to go back to knocking on the doors of firms willing to take her case on a pro bono basis. 

But when you turned up to work and Beth practically clobbered you with an excited hug, you knew that he hadn’t gone out of his way to fuck you over. You let out a sigh, patting Beth on the back and letting out a relieved laugh as repeated her thanks. 

--  

“Be nice.” 

That had been your boss’s only warning as you’d headed into a conversation with Gerald. And you had every intention of being nice. But you also wanted to be realistic. You glanced from the finance rep to the landline in the middle of the conference table as Gerald groused, “There's no need to be unreasonable.” 

“I don’t think us upholding our end of the contract is unreasonable," You argued. "We’ve done the SWOT analyses that you asked for in the past, and we’ll be happy to do them again. But we need to adjust the contract.” 

“You can’t just do a one-off and bill me extra?” 

“We could, but if we open that door, you’re just going to keep coming in, Gerald.”

“This is ridiculous,” He snapped. “I can cut this contract.” 

“Yeah, you can,” You nodded. “You are absolutely at liberty to do that.” You heard the sound of a door opening to the conference room, but you felt your focus locked-in to the phone. “But if you cut this contract, that’s going to cost you a lot of time and a lot of money. We have a guaranteed pay clause regardless of termination, so if you cut us loose, you’re still going to have to pay us for the full year. While you’re still shelling out cash to us, you’ll have to pay to bring on another firm. You’d be better off negotiating the additional SWOT analyses instead of paying two firms off at once.” 

You were quiet for a moment, brows raising as you and your associate waited in silence. You closed you eyes, holding your breath. Please, please please—

“How many SWOT analyses would I get with the increased cost?” He finally asked. 

“That’s up for negotiation,” Anne hurried to reply. “As it is, you’re averaging one per month. If we push it to a dozen, we could work with you to discount them at 25%.” 

Another pause. Another moment of you holding your breath, of please, please please please please—

“Send the revised contract.” 

“It’s already in your inbox," You admitted. "Thanks, Gerald.” 

“Yeah.” 

You reached out, stabbing the button to hang the phone up before he could change his mind. You sighed, slowly leaning back in your seat and peering up at the ceiling. Christ, you felt dizzy. 

“You can’t keep bullying our clients,” Anne grumbled.

“Our clients can’t keep bullying us. If we keep going the way we’re going, we’ll be the firm that does triple the work for half the pay. We’re too good for that.”  

“She’s right.” 

His voice made you whirl around in your seat, heart sinking into your stomach. Harvey stood just inside the room, his hands tucked into his pockets. Heat prickled along your neck. How long had he been there? Shit, you’d thought your boss had been the one to come in�� 

You glanced toward Anne with a guilty smile. 

“Can we get a minute here?” 

“Sure,” She nodded, pushing herself out of her seat. Harvey grasped the door handle, holding it open and shooting her a wide smile as she walked past. You stood as well, folding your arms across your chest before hurriedly lowering them to tuck into your pockets. You wanted to mirror him, look as nonchalant as he did, not all twisted up and shielded and defensive. Oh, you were cool as a cucumber. Definitely no reason to worry here, no way. 

Harvey closed the door, stepping a little deeper inside. 

“What can I do for you today, Mr. Specter?” 

“Thought I’d come see how Beth’s planning on using her retirement check, how you’re going to use your fee.” 

You frowned. “What fee?” 

“You didn’t charge her a fee? Standard in New York is 40%.” 

“I wouldn't take Beth’s hard-earned money.” 

“You earned it, too, considering how hard you defended your client.” 

“Beth was not a client. This was a favor for a friend.” 

“That’s funny, because you called her that during our conversation.” 

“No, I didn’t.”  

“Yes, you did. You said that your client had had to endure a, what was it…‘Mountain of shit’?” 

“Well, that is true,” You muttered. “It was a mountain of shit.”

“Could’ve been two mountains of shit.” 

“But it wasn’t, so. I thank you for that.” 

“It’s only fair. You did what I asked, you answered most of my questions.” 

“Most?” You scoffed, folding your arms over your chest. “What the hell else could you want to know?” 

“You wanna do this here?” 

“I don’t wanna do this at all.” 

“Why didn’t you come to me?” 

“Harvey.” 

“I didn’t have a clue—” 

“I am not doing this here.” You spoke more firmly than you felt. “This is my place of work.” 

“Well when I tried to do this elsewhere, you walked out on me.” 

“And yet you followed.” 

“Because I had a chance to this time. I didn’t get the chance back then."

You shook your head, averting your gaze. 

“Look,” Harvey stepped closer. “I’m just asking for a chance.” 

“Last night wasn’t enough for you?” 

“No, it wasn’t.” 

“Well, it was for me. Hell of a flashback, just like old times. Same old Harvey, not knowing when to back off. Strong, direct, painful line of questioning—all gas, no breaks.” 

Harvey was quiet for a moment, eyes skating over your face. 

“It won’t be an interrogation again.” 

“How can I know that?” 

“I was angry last night.” 

“And you’re not now?” 

“...Not in the same way.” 

“Oh, well. That’s a relief.” 

“I just want to understand. Help me understand.” 

“Understand what?” 

“How one of the smartest people I’ve ever known changed her mind all that time ago, and then flexed the hell out of her legal muscles to get me to close in ten goddamn minutes.” 

“People change, Harvey.” 

“You haven’t.” 

The two of you watched one another for a long, contentious, quiet moment before he said, “You need to come to my office.” 

“What for?” 

“To read over the NDA before Beth signs it.” 

Fuck, the NDA. You’d forgotten about that. 

“Fine," You nodded. "When.” 

“How’s tomorrow work for you?” 

“Tomorrow's a Saturday. You’re gonna do this on a weekend?” 

“Gives us time to turn around any edits you need before you give it to Beth on Monday.” 

You bit the inside of your cheek. Goddamnit. 

“Fine,” You agreed. “How’s seven?” 

“Sure. We can grab dinner—” 

“In the morning.” 

Harvey’s brow jumped, his chin tipping down a touch.

“Are you serious?” He asked. 

“Completely. You wanna get this NDA into your associate’s hands as quickly as possibly, right?” 

“You expect me to be in my office at seven in the morning so you can read something.” 

“You could’ve saved us both a trip and just brought it with you.” 

“It’s still being worked on.”

“Well, you can have someone messenger it over tonight and I’ll drop it off tomorrow morning. Or is it long enough that you’re going to, um…Gosh, what was that neat little threat, again? Bury me in paper?” 

You saw something flash across Harvey’s face. You didn’t know if it was remorse, or what—but it’s gone as soon as it appears. 

“Fine,” He bit out. “Seven. In the morning.” 

“Sounds good.” 

“Don’t be late.” 

“Oh, I won’t. I’m very punctual.” 

“I remember.” 

Your stomach flipped. Of course he did. He turned away, opening the door…And holding it open. 

“What are you doing?” You asked, raising your brows. 

“Are you coming?” 

“Are we camping out outside of your office overnight? You strike me as a glamping guy.” 

“I thought you were leaving the room.” 

“I’m not.” 

“Your meeting is over.” 

“I have a quiet room and a SWOT analysis to work on.” 

“You’re telling me you haven’t done it already?” 

Your face went hot at the accusation, lips pressing to hold in your irritation at the way Harvey smiled. You were relieved when he finally turned away. It gave you a chance to sink down in your chair and parse through what the hell just happened. 

--  

“Oh, wow. You’re early.” 

You raised your brows at the tone of surprise, eyeing the entrance to the building, and then turning your attention back to the young man that had just sprung up in your way. 

“Yes, I am. Good morning, Mr. Ross.” 

“Please, call me Mike. Not on the other side of the table anymore.” 

“Well, until that NDA gets signed, yes, you are, so. Excuse me.” 

You made to step around him, but he stepped into your way again. 

“I just wanted to say,” He added, “That I really admire how hard you worked for Beth, and I completely agreed with your assessment of the company’s value.” 

“...Thank you, I appreciate that. Now, if you could just—” 

You side-stepped him again—and again, Mike got in your way, pressing: 

“I honestly didn’t think they’d cave for a million, but you really showed them—” 

“Mike?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Did Harvey ask you to make me late?” 

Mike’s mouth worked wordlessly for a moment, panic marring his features. You smiled sweetly. 

“You know, I’m not sure what Harvey has told you about our past, but he probably didn’t mention that we were in an intramural dodgeball league. I can throw some mean elbows when I’m trying to get what I want, and you look like you bruise easily. So if you’d like to keep your ability to bend comfortably, please step aside and let me in.” 

Mike pursed his lips before he nodded once, stepping aside. 

“Thank you,” You cooed, sliding past him. 

“I really do admire what you did for Beth!” He called out after you. You snorted, shaking your head as you headed to the lobby to get a visitor’s pass. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t more than a little antsy, glancing at your phone as you waited for the elevator, then waited in the elevator. When you stepped off, you found a stunning red-head standing there. Her eyes brightened at the sight of you, and she took a step back as you stepped off of the elevator. 

“Mr. Specter’s office is this way,” She waved for you to follow. You raised your brows, falling into step. 

“Was that a lucky guess, or did you know who to look for?” You asked.

“I knew. I don’t operate on luck.” 

“Right. Did Harvey or Mike show you a picture of me?” 

“Nope. I found pictures myself.” 

“For what purpose?” 

“Curiosity.” 

“Sated?” 

“Very.” 

“Excellent. Do I get to know who you are, or do I have to go sleuthing on the firm’s site after this?” 

“I’m Donna.” 

“And what do you do here?” 

“I just told you,” She stopped, waving you toward an office, “I’m Donna.” 

You raised your brows before you turned, walking into the office. How the hell did he look pristine this early in the morning? Did the bastard sleep in a suit? His brow furrowed at the sight of you, shaking his sleeve back and eyeing his watch. 

“6:59? What the hell did Mike do down there?” 

“He made a valiant attempt, but I got past him.” 

“How?” 

“How did I get past him?” 

“Yes.” 

“Bullshitted him. Told him that we used to play dodgeball together, that I know how to throw a mean elbow. He crumbled like a bran muffin.” 

“Damn.” 

“You really should teach him how to lie. Second I called him on it, he blue-screened.” 

“Trust me, Mike knows how to lie.” 

“Whatever,” You shook your head. “Can I have the NDA so I can go?” 

“Go? Oh, no. This doesn’t leave the office.” 

“...Excuse me?” 

“This document doesn’t leave the building until it’s ready to go to Beth.” 

“You’re kidding.” 

“Do I look like I’m kidding?” 

Your mouth worked wordlessly for a moment before you snapped it shut. 

“....Fine.” 

Harvey took up the document, holding it out. You fought the urge to snatch it from him, instead taking hold of it before you sat down in one of the seats in front of his desk. 

“Need a pen?” He asked. 

“Nope,” You shrugged off your bag, rooting around in it before drawing out a red papermate felt tip pen. 

“You hungry?” 

Yes, you were. You’d been planning on getting breakfast and a massive coffee before going over the damn thing on your own, in your apartment, but no. Harvey had done what Harvey always does: turned the situation in his favor. 

“No,” You answered, uncapping the pen. 

“Let me know if you change your mind.” 

You didn’t answer to that, you just tipped your head into your hand as you settled in:

THE PARTIES: This Non-Disclosure Agreement (referred to herein as the “Agreement”) created on__________, is by and between…

You were quiet for a moment, tipping your head to the side as you skimmed your finger over the pages. 

“Harvey?” 

“Sure, we can do bagels.” 

Damnit, a bagel sounded so good right now.

“Why is this NDA…” You tipped your head to the side, flipping through the file, “Thirty pages?” 

“Because it needs to be.” 

“Ballpark, this should’ve been six, tops.” 

“You’re dealing with a big company. They want to make sure their bases are covered.” 

You shot Harvey a disbelieving look from under your lashes before you looked back down at the file. 

“Besides,” Harvey added, “It’s not the length, it’s—” 

“—It’s the content, yeah yeah,” You muttered. You heard him huff a soft laugh, but you forced the flutter of butterflies in your belly aside in favor of focusing. Hell, you needed to get through this, and fast. If you weren’t careful, your stomach was going to start grumbling. 

--  

“Here we go.” 

You glanced up, doing a double-take at the sight of the coffee tray in Donna’s hand. You looked back down at your work, finishing a note that you’ve been jotting before you turn the page. You went still when Donna held a cup out to you.

“Sugar-free iced dirty chai with a double shot,” She offered. You raised your brows, taking hold of the cup. 

“You’re good,” You nodded.

“I’m Donna.” 

“I remember.” You couldn’t help but smile at her before you took a greedy sip of the iced chai. Oh man, that hit the spot. You’d been there a while, and you were starting to get a headache. You hadn’t tried to parse through legalese like this in a long time, especially not on an empty stomach. 

“So? Are we doing bagels?” Harvey pressed. You glanced at where he was leaning back against an end table lined with basketballs. He arched his brows. “Come on, it’s been an hour and you’re only halfway through. You’re going to run out of steam if you’re not careful.” 

“...You’re paying for them.”

“Of course.” 

“Then yes, please. Bagels.” 

“They’ll be here in five,” Donna warned, striding past you and back to her desk. 

“She’s very good,” You commented, nodding after her as you turned back to your work, making another note. 

“You really are gonna run out of ink.” 

You fought the urge to mimic him, just going on about your business. 

“I’ve got plenty of pens,” Harvey added. 

“Law firm this big, I’d hope you’d have a few pens.” 

“More than a few. Hundreds.” 

“Mm.” 

“Thousands, even.” 

“If you’re not sure if it’s hundreds or thousands, then maybe you should go count them and get back to me.” 

“You just want me out of the room.” 

“I want you to stop watching me.” 

“Why?” 

“It’s creeping me out.” 

“Did it always?”

“Objection: relevance.” 

“If you allow me a little latitude, I can establish relevance.” 

“No thanks.” 

“Why are you going over this thing with such a fine-tooth comb?” 

“I wanna make sure you don’t screw Beth over somewhere.” 

“You don’t trust me?” 

“I don’t trust your client. You work for your client.” 

“I do what’s best for my client.” 

“And I’m doing what’s best for my friend.” 

“Your due-diligence.” 

“I’m just reading, Harvey.” 

“You and I both know it’s more than that.” 

You ignored the comment, turning to the next page of the NDA. 

“Food’s here,” Harvey spoke up after a few minutes of quiet.

“Thanks.” 

You could hear the rustle of bags as Donna unpacked things before leaving again. 

“...You gonna put that down?” Harvey asked. 

“When I’m finished with it, sure.” 

“What about the bagels?” 

“I’ll take it to go when I’m done here.” 

“Come on, I can hear your stomach growling from here.” 

“My stomach isn’t growling.”

“Not at the moment, but it has been.” 

“I’ll live through eleven more pages.” 

“The bagel will get cold.” 

“I’ll heat it back up.” 

“You’re going to reheat a toasted bagel?” 

“Yes, using the same apparatus that toasted it in the first place.” 

“A twice-toasted bagel is gonna be hard as a rock.”

“Oh well.” 

“And if you don’t eat now, I will use all of the scallion cream cheese.” 

“Knock yourself out.”

“I mean all of it. There’s a ton here, and I probably couldn’t fit all of it on a bagel, so I’d have to go in with a spoon. You want me to do that?” 

“Do whatever the hell you want, Harvey. You usually do.” 

Blessedly, that shut him up for a few moments. 

“So did you,” He countered after a moment. You didn't need a law degree to catch that insinuation.

“I didn’t leave Harvard because I wanted to. I left because I had to.” 

“You chose to.” 

“I made a decision that favored my mental and physical health over my career prospects. There's nothing wrong with that.” 

“You ever regret it?” 

You considered for a moment, gaze drifting from the papers. 

“...Sometimes,” You admitted finally, glancing toward Harvey. “When this whole thing with Beth cropped up, yeah. It was a bummer not to have the full force of the degree behind me. But…If I had become a lawyer, I probably wouldn’t have met Beth, or had enough time to help her, so…” You shrugged, looking back down at the NDA. “It’s not as easy as just regretting it or not regretting it.” 

“You regret leaving everyone behind?” 

“...Yeah. I could’ve been better about the way I did it, but at the time, cutting everyone off felt like the right thing to do.” 

“Even me.” 

“Harvey,” You sighed heavily, “I’m not saying that what I did was right for everyone involved. If I had reached out to you, to Scottie, to any of our friends, maybe I would’ve gotten a different answer, but the way that you reacted to me the other day? When you told me that I was a coward?” You lifted your head to meet his eye. “That was exactly what I was expecting. And you know what, it hurt like hell last night, but there is no way I could’ve handled hearing that from you back then.” 

Harvey’s jaw worked for a moment. 

“I shouldn’t have said that,” He admitted softly. “I’m sorry.” 

You hesitated before you nodded a little, turning back to the NDA. 

“If it’s what you felt—” 

“It wasn’t,” Harvey shook his head. “I was mad, and I let it get the better of me.”

“And you’re not mad now?” 

“Not at you for that.” 

“But you are mad at me.” 

“For making me get up to be in the office at seven in the morning? Yeah, I’m outraged.”

You fought back a smile, shrugging.

“Didn’t mean to fuck with your beauty sleep, princess.” 

You turn the page, twiddling the pen between your fingers. 

“You’ll make it up to me.” 

“Will I?” You arched a brow. “How exactly do you think I’m going to do that?” 

“You’ll pay for dinner tonight.” 

“Oh, we’re getting dinner?” 

“I’m fully aware of the vast difference in our salaries, so I’ll pick somewhere with only one Michelin star.” 

“What a generous smug asshole. Time really has changed you.” 

“It hasn’t changed either of us.” 

“I don’t know. I think you’re more of a dick than I remember you being.” 

“I’m blushing.” 

“Sure, Specter.”

“Put the NDA down and have a bagel.” 

“Bossy.” 

“It’s my office, I get to be bossy.” 

“Fine. I’ll take the NDA to a conference room and give us both some space.” 

“Keep your seat, have a bagel, and let me see what you have so far.” 

You didn’t look up until you saw a plate lowered into your field of vision. You arched your brows before you raised the NDA, holding it out to Harvey as you took hold of the plate. You shifted in your seat, sitting up just a bit. Crap, you hadn’t realized how far down you’d slid in your seat over the course of the last hour. You set the bagel aside for a moment, capping your pen and tucking it behind your ear. You twist the top off of the bagel, lapping at the thick layer of cream cheese before taking a bite. You can’t even help the soft, relieved groan that you let out at the taste. 

Damn, you were hungry. 

You glanced across the desk, met by Harvey’s smug smile. 

“Shuddup,” You mumble around the mouthful. 

“Didn’t say anything.” 

“Didn’t have to.” 

You took another bite as Harvey began to flip through the notes that you’d made in the NDA. 

“You’re having fun with this,” He comments. 

“I’m protecting my friend.”

“And you’re having fun doing it.” 

“Sure, Harvey.” 

“You are.” 

“So you’ve upgraded from not analyzing your own feelings to telling everyone else theirs?” 

“Not everyone. Just the people that I know.” 

“Bold claim.” 

“I told you—you haven’t changed. This NDA proves that.” 

“How so?” 

“Because so far, you have marked every single thing that I threw in there to trip you up.” 

You nearly dropped the plate, and the bagel. You completely froze in the middle of your chewing. Harvey’s smug smile widened as he closed the NDA and reached out, taking up another, far thinner file from his desk, holding it out. 

“Here’s the clean one.” 

You reached out, setting the plate down on the desk. You flipped it open, embarrassment beginning to well up as you saw entire passages from the previous NDA—the very ones that you’d spent your time marking—omitted. You nodded for a moment before you muttered, “Okay.” You dropped it into your purse, slung your purse over your shoulder, and stood, taking the remainder of the dirty chai and the bagel with you. 

“Hang on,” Harvey groaned. 

“Nice meeting you, Donna,” You commented, ignoring Harvey as you passed her desk. 

“You too!” She chirped over Harvey’s following, and his call of, “Would you wait a minute!” 

“Why, so you can keep making a fool of me?” You bit out.

“I didn’t do it to make a fool of you, I did it to make a point.” 

“And what point would that be?” 

“That you’re a damn smart person—” 

“I knew that already—” 

“And that you would’ve made an amazing lawyer! You could still make an amazing lawyer!” 

“That doesn’t mean that I want to be one!” You whirled around to face Harvey, face hot and close to his as he comes to a sudden stop to keep from ramming into you. “Just because my goals changed doesn’t make them any less important than yours. I am glad you’re a lawyer. I’m glad you have your corner office, your fancy fucking suits, your title, your position. But I’m glad that I have my life, the way I want it, without all of this. I get that what I did hurt you back then, and I am sorry. But I wasn’t fighting to knock you out of the top five when I was at school. I was fighting for my life. I know that I am smart. I know that I could’ve been an amazing lawyer, but I am happy just being myself as I am, right now. If that’s not enough for you, I don’t give a shit, because it’s my life, not yours.” 

You left Harvey standing alone in the hall, his gobsmacked, stunned expression remaining as you turned away from him and strode to the elevator. He didn’t bother to chase you down this time, which was a relief. You managed to hold it together as the elevator doors slid open, studiously ignoring Mike as he stepped off and greeted you: 

“Hey! Done already?” 

You reached out, jabbing the lobby and door close buttons as quickly as you could. 

--  

Mike’s brow furrowed as she disappeared from sight. He turned away from the elevator, peering around the corner to see who might be nearby. There wasn’t anyone there for a few moments, and then…Harvey, standing there looking stunned and lost. 

“Did she already finish her mark-up?” Mike asked. The question seemed to snap Harvey out of his reverie. He cleared his throat, straightening and turning away. 

“She got halfway. I gave her the clean version.” 

“What? I thought you were only going to give it to her if she caught 95% of the errors."

“She was on track to catch every single one. Spoiling the surprise didn’t seem like such a bad idea.” 

“Is that because this whole endeavor has been a bad idea?” Donna piped up as the two neared her desk.

“I don’t wanna hear it,” Harvey warned as he strode past her. 

“I wanna hear it, but I don’t have time, I have uh,” Mike pointed down the hall, “A 10-Q filing to comb through—” 

“Go,” Harvey nodded him away before he turned, heading back into his office. He reached out, taking up her half-marked NDA. His gaze skated over her notes, and it was as if he was transported back to Langdell, to the notes that she would scrawl in his margins, questioning his citations and methodology. 

“...She’s happy as she is.” 

“Donna."

“She said it herself!” 

“She’s not working at her full potential.” 

“Sounded like she preferred it that way. You’ve seen her at work. Is she bad at her job?”

“No.” 

“Good at it?” 

“What’s your point.” 

“My point is,” Dinna leaned in the door frame, “That success looks different to different people. For you, it apparently looks like rubbing someone's skills in their own face. And I think if you keep harping on what might’ve been, she’ll just resent you for it—and if you lose her again, you’ll resent yourself for that, too.” 

Donna raised her brows pointedly before she pushed off of the door frame. Harvey looked after her for a moment before he lowered himself into his seat, tossing the NDA onto his desk. What to do next? 

Bringing her there hadn’t brought him much luck, but so far, going to her had been far more effective. 

--  

“I’m going to file a restraining order.” 

“May as well do it on a full stomach.” 

“I don’t have the NDA here, I sent it back with my edits.” 

“I know.” 

You glanced between Harvey’s calm expression and the bag of takeout that he was holding up. You sighed heavily. You thought you’d been able to shake Harvey, at least for the day. As soon as you’d gotten home, you’d double-checked the NDA, and hadn’t been able to find a thing wrong with it. You’d sent it back with a messenger, unwilling to step foot in that damn office again that day. You’d been certain that that would be in, but there Harvey is. 

“I promised you dinner,” He adds. 

“I thought you said that I’d be the one paying for it.” 

“I take cash and Venmo.”

“Okay—” You drew your hand back to shut the door, but Harvey pressed his palm against the wood before you could. 

“Wait a second.”

“Harvey, I can’t do handle a repeat of this morning.” 

“I’m not asking you to. This morning, I wanted to understand what happened, I got that.” 

“Then what are you doing here?” 

Harvey seemed to have to brace himself. 

“The woman that I knew at Harvard…The woman that I thought I knew—” 

“Thin ice, Specter.”

“—I had a different perspective of you then. I know we can’t blank slate this, but I’d like to get to know you properly, and I want you to get to know me. As adults. I wanna know what I’ve missed.” 

You considered for a long moment, your gaze dropping to the bag of takeout. Letting him in wasn’t the greatest idea. If it went south again, you couldn’t just storm out—it was your apartment. But there were things about Harvey that you’d missed, too; things that you hadn’t been able to learn about through your mutual friends, and things that you couldn’t just get from googling the guy’s name.  

“What’d you get?” You asked finally.

“Chinese.” 

“Dumplings?” 

“Vegetarian, fried.” 

You sighed, stepping back and nodding over your shoulder with a concession of, “Alright.” 

-- 

There were a lot of things that you had remembered about Harvey. But sitting on the floor of your living room, leaning back against your couch as you ate dinner and drank beer was bringing back so much more. Harvard had held so many bad memories that it had nearly crowded out the good ones, the warm ones. But now, as Harvey busted your balls, teased you, ribbed you as he nudged your knee with his, or your arm with his, or your shoulder with his, was bringing back memories of vicious butterflies. 

Oh, you’d had the worst of crushes on this man. It had only been made worse by late nights spent in his dorm, all-nighters pulled at the library, nights spent dancing with him at parties. You’d been certain that there had never been anything there, and you hadn’t pushed it. Harvey had been your friend, a good friend. But now, with the way Harvey’s smiles softened and his gazes lingered, you found yourself wondering if there had ever been anything more, anything that the both of you had buried. 

“...I was sorry to hear about your brother.” 

Your admission came out of a quiet moment, and it sobered the both of you. Harvey nodded a little, lowering his head and looking at the beer in his hands. 

“I would’ve reached out,” You added, “But I didn’t think you wanted to hear from me at that point.” 

“I didn’t.” 

You nodded at his confirmation, and it was your turn to look at the beer in your hands. 

“You knew more about my life than I thought you would,” Harvey added, leaning back against the couch and shifting to face you a little.

“Well, some of our mutual friends kept me informed on the happenings of the great Harvey Specter.” 

“Why didn’t they tell me about you?” 

“I asked them not to.” 

“Why?”

“Figured you hated me.” 

You bit your lip as Harvey reached out, taking the beer out of your hands and setting it on the coffee table. Your stomach flipped as his hand raised, tucking two fingers beneath your chin to turn your head toward him. You hesitantly met his gaze, stunned by the warmth you found there. 

“I never hated you,” He murmured. “I was upset, sure. I was angry, and confused. But I didn’t hate you.”

“Maybe you should’ve.” 

“Couldn’t if I tried.” 

“Did you try?” 

“Yes.” Hervey’s thumb smoothed along your jaw. “But every time I got angry, I worried, too. I had no idea where you were. I didn’t know if you were alright, if you were at another school or dead in a ditch somewhere.” 

“I’m sorry—” 

“I know,” Harvey nodded, hand smoothing around to your nape. “But I’ve gotta say, if you ever disappear on me like that again—” 

“You’re done?” 

“I’m gonna send a hundred fucking Pinkertons after you.” 

You scoffed a laugh, brows raising.  “That a threat, Mr. Specter?”

“It’s a promise.”He shifted closer. “I’m not losing you again.” 

“You did fine without me.” 

“I would’ve done better with you.” 

“You didn’t need me! You had Scottie, you had Jessica, you have your career and your suits and your—” 

Before you could say another word, Harvey pressed his lips to yours. Your eyes went a touch wide at the sudden unexpected contact. It was a moment before you let yourself lean into him. You raised your hand hesitantly, resting it on his chest as he drew you closer. Your knees knocked against his as you cuddled against him, humming softly as Harvey sucked your lower lip between his. You leaned back a touch, smiling as he rested his forehead against yours. 

“I want you around,” Harvey murmured. “Can’t that be enough?” 

You nodded, sweeping your thumb gently under his collar. 

“It’s enough. More than enough.” 

Taglist: @missredherring ; @fantasticcopeaglepasta ;  @paintballkid711 ; @massivecolorspygiant ; @blueeyesatnight; @recklessworry ; @amneris21 ; @ew-erin ; @youngkenobilove ; @carbonated-beverage​​​ ; @lorecraft ; @moonlightburned ; @milf-trinity ; @nolanell ; @millllenniawrites ; @chattychell ; @dihra-vesa​ ; @videogamesandpoorlifechoices​ ; @missswriter ; @thembosapphicclown ; @brandyllyn ; @wildmoonflower ; @buckybarneshairpullingkink ; @mad-girl-without-a-box ; @winchestershiresauce ; @20th-centu-fairy-girl

[melobin]

hiiiii melo could you do dom sohee and wonbin but really they are just so needy for sub reader and everything is so intense to roommates au and prompts 11 and 30 pls? thank you so much !!! 🫶🏼

જ⁀➴ roommate!wonbin x female reader x roommate!sohee

cw. smut, fwb au, dom!wonbin, dom!sohee, voyeurism, praise, oral (f) recieving, very light m x m (sohee eats the reader out after wonbin came inside of her) wc. 1.4k

30. "want him to join us, baby?"

a/n. forgot to add the other prompt i’m sorry 😭👎

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being roommates with the man you were casually fucking had its perks. you could see him whenever you wanted and let him lay you down and fuck your stresses away whenever you needed him to. it was an ideal situation, wonbin was the idea man for you to have it with too.

the only barrier to your no strings attached relationship with wonbin was the fact the two of you shared a third roommate, sohee. you loved sohee, he was a ball of sunshine on your darkest days, but he was also the biggest cockblock you had ever met. granted, sohee had no idea about the sexual relationship that was on going between you and wonbin, but he had a skill at interrupting the two of you at the worst times possible.

there had been countless occasions in which sohee had returned home earlier than he said he would, the times when wonbin had his cock wedged deep inside of you and was fucking you vigorously, only being pulled away from you with the fear of sohee finding the two of you. it wasn't ideal having to finish yourself off in the bathroom and pretend nothing was happening before sohee barged into your room.

that's why today you made sure sohee would be out, in fact he had planned to be out for the whole night, staying at anton's house to do god knows what. you weren't really paying attention to what was going on once he said he'd be out for the night, too busy letting your thoughts wander about how well wonbin would be fucking you later.

and he did fuck you well. your fingers were pulling at his hair as he buried his head in your neck, groans falling from his plump lips as he fucked you. it had been a while since you'd had the apartment too yourselves, and far too long since you'd had the night alone. you didn't need to sneak into each others rooms and you didn't need to bite down on your pillow as he fucked you.

wonbin loved it, he basked in the way you cried out his name as he fucked you. cursing into your neck about how he was going to fuck you all night long, needing to feel you wrapped around his cock for hours on end.

the two of you were wrapped up in your own little world, filled with lust and pleasure, it left you both deaf to anything else that was going on around you, both too focused on each other. it explained why you didn't hear the front door open or hear sohee shout that he was back, you didn't even hear your own bedroom door open as sohee he walked in, freezing in his spot as he look at the way wonbin was fucking you. it was raw, intense, it seemed filthy. both of you covered in sweat, wonbin groaning into your neck as he chased his high and you crying out his name as he thrusted himself inside of you.

sohee didn't know what to do, finding it impossible for him to move. his eyes were trained on you, your eyes shut. he knew you didn't see him, he knew how easily he could leave the room and pretend he didn't see his two roommates fucking. but he didn't want to, he wanted to stay.

despite the fact you weren't aware of his presence, wonbin was. sohee wasn't sure how wonbin knew he was there, especially with the way his head was buried in your neck but he knew. sohee was taken by surprise when wonbin lifted his head out of your neck and looked over at him, hair falling in front of his eyes as he continued fucking you. he smirked momentarily before turning his head to you, fingers wrapping around your jaw.

“open your eyes” wonbin’s voice was rough, breathless as he panted out his words “someone’s here to see you” your eyes shot open, flicking from wonbin to sohee who was stood at the door. face now flushed from the sudden exposure of his presence.

“i can g-“

“want him to join us, baby?” you moaned at wonbin’s words, an extra harsh thrust knocking the words out of your mouth. you nodded, it wasn’t enough “use your words, be a good girl and ask him to stay”

“sohee please” your plead came out as a whine, wonbin was too close to his orgasm to stop fucking you now, whether sohee was watching or not, he was going to fill you with his cum “stay”

sohee gulped watching you lose your mind under his best friend, fingers digging into his skin as he fucked you. sohee was envious of wonbin, wanting to have you in that same position that he did. he wasn’t sure how he didn’t see the signs sooner, his two roommates fucking. but for now, he was sure that he wanted to join.

he was still frozen though, too engrossed in the scene in front of him. wonbin’s head pressed into your neck as he kept fucking you, groaning out about being close. you let him cum inside of you, hooking your legs around his waist and crying out as he emptied himself, clearly loving the feeling of it. sohee was incredibly turned on, his brain fuzzy as he approached the bed once wonbin pulled out of you and sat beside your head.

“usually i’d make her cum too” wonbin looked over from where you lay to sohee “but you’re here, she wants you to stay, so you can instead” wonbin loved making you cum, nothing got him harder than hearing you crying out his name was you came around his fingers. but if you wanted sohee, he thought he’d let you have what you wanted just this once “do you want sohee’s tongue, baby?” wonbin’s voice was softer as he spoke to you, fingers brushing your hair out of your face.

you let your eyes wander back over to sohee as you nodded “please” the sound made sohee weak, you sounded so desperate and helpless, he wanted to help you.

that’s how he found himself laying between your legs, staring at your soaked, fucked out cunt that was dripping in wonbin’s cum. you didn’t expect him to go right in, you expected him to wipe away the remains of wonbin first but he didn’t.

sohee pressed his tongue against your clenching hole before licking up to your clit, drawing a circle around the nub before taking it into his mouth. he groaned at the taste. the slight bitter, saltiness of wonbin and the sweetness of you. he found himself addicted instantly. hands grabbing at your ass, pulling you forward so you were closer to his face. he would’ve been happy to not be able to breath, wanting to have you take over every part of him instead.

wonbin watched in amusement as sohee ate you out, fingers raking through the strands of your hair as he you fell apart on your roommates tongue. sohee seemed to know what he was doing, seemed to know how to flick his tongue against you to have you a wreck. wonbin took credit for at least sixty percent of your orgasm, having already fucked you, but he thought he’d give sohee at least some credit for making you feel good.

“ ‘m not gonna last” you whimpered, filthy sounds of sohee sucking on your clit filled the room as he continued what he was doing, wanting to feel you cum on his tongue and fill his mouth with you essence. his fingers dug deeper into your skin, tongue flicked harder against your clit. he found himself laughing at least against your cunt as your orgasm started.

your hands found his hair, fingers pulling harshly at it as your hips bucked up. he stopped you from moving, holding your hips a little in the air as he pressed his tongue flat against you, moving his head from side to side to stimulate your clit. the final motion that sent you over the edge was when he wrapped his lips around your clit. you found yourself spilling into his mouth the moment he sucked on your clit and flicked his tongue against it one final time.

wonbin held you as you came on sohee’s tongue, orgasm overwhelming the entirety of your body as sohee continue sucking on your clit to finish you off. a high pitched whimper fell from you as the overstimulation hit. sohee sat back on his knees, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before admiring the way your slick glistened against it.

“i’ve made her cum harder than that before” sohee laughed at wonbin’s words, eyes still trained at you as sohee looked at wonbin.

“oh yeah? prove it”.

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[seriouslyhooked]

Black (The CS Mixtape) Part 159/?

Series of CS oneshots inspired by music. Collection on FF Here.

A/N: This chapter brings to life a reader requested oneshot for the song ‘Black’ by Dierks Bently. It’s an AU where Emma and Killian have been dating for a while but Killian is terrified of making the move for further intimacy for fear of losing Emma (who doesn’t usually get attached to people), but by their fifth date Emma is done waiting and things escalate from there. Includes some confessions about how important they are to each other and rated M for all the smuff.

Getting back to the front steps of Emma’s place after a fifth consecutive date that blew every other one Killian Jones had ever known right out of the water, the anticipation was close to killing him.

Truly there was something in the air between him and Emma that crackled and sparked in a way he’d never been accustomed to with anyone else, but that magic was something he didn’t want to rush or take for granted. He was trying his best to take this thing between them slowly and not assume that Emma felt the same raw and seemingly endless need that he did, but that was bloody difficult to do when she looked at him the way she did in this moment, smiling and open and ever lovely in that sinful black number she’d donned for their dinner this evening.

“So I had a really good time tonight…” Emma murmured, her words trailing off in a tantalizing way and her green eyes flicking up to his, brightened by the lamp outside and the full moon out tonight.

“As did I, love,” Killian replied immediately, hoping beyond hope that she didn’t catch onto how quick his reply was. He could feel that not so subtle hint of desperation rumbling through him, but for the time being he was trying to keep that contained from this siren who had entranced him since their first meeting a few months ago.

That was easier said than done, however, when Emma took a step closer to him out there on the porch, her hand coming up to lay above his heart and her body coming close enough that he could feel the warmth radiating off her skin. The scent of lavender and vanilla that he’d come to identify as uniquely hers permeated through the space between them, and those luscious red lips of hers glistened in the moment where she wet them absentmindedly. God above was she temptation made flesh, and if he could possibly deny this craving low in his gut he deserved a damn parade.

“It was so good in fact I was thinking maybe it shouldn’t end here,” Emma whispered, her innuendo tightening the coil already forming low in his gut and commanding his body to full attention. She was now making it very obvious what she wanted, and since Emma Swan was anything but a tease, Killian knew that when she asked him to come in it would be for more than a spot of rum or an after dinner coffee. No, Emma was making the move for the next step between them since he had not, and Killian’s jaw ticked with the pressure building up inside him that wanted to say yes but felt compelled to beg for patience.

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea, love,” Killian replied and though he hadn’t anticipated it there was a flash of confusion and then something that looked too much like hurt in Emma’s eyes for him to ever be easy with. Immediately he tried to correct himself. “Not because I don’t want to, Swan, because God knows I want nothing more than to go inside with you.”

“So why don’t you?” Emma asked, her mostly imperceptible spike of fear seemingly behind her now allowing Killian to breathe a little easier even if this was still the most difficult of tasks.

It also didn’t help much that Emma’s hands were still on him and she was still so close, close enough to pull in for another of those damned enticing kisses he was hoping to steal all night. Since the first one she’d bestowed on him their first date Killian was nothing less than an addict, so how he refrained from just pulling her to him he didn’t know. Emma was the definition of distraction, and yet underneath that electric current she sent coursing through him with her nearness there was something else too, something comforting and emboldening that Killian chose to cling to as he fessed up to the truth.

“It’s just – bloody hell how do I say this? Look, Emma, I don’t want to muck this all up by rushing in. This thing we’ve got going here, it feels too important to undermine by hurrying towards next steps. You’re too important for me to lose and I’d hate for this to be over before it even began.”

Too late Killian realized what he’d just said and how much he’d given away. When he and Emma met months back, he’d been made aware both by her and by her reputation in town that Emma Swan didn’t do commitment. She was a one and done kind of person preferring to avoid romantic attachments at all costs so that she wouldn’t get hurt. So when Killian had not only taken her on one but five fantastic dates he felt more than blessed. Already he’d had all of this time to with a woman who outshone every other person he’d ever met, but he wasn’t ready for that to be over and if that made him greedy so be it. Where Emma was concerned he would always want more of her, and though he’d spent night after night dreaming of taking their flirtations further he’d held back for fear that when he finally tasted that bit of heaven she was offering she’d be gone and he’d be left devastated and still desperate for more.

“So you think that if we have sex you’re going to lose me?” Emma asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and something else, something warmer that reminded Killian of that beautiful laugh of hers. She found that idea funny for whatever reason, and that mixed with the fact that she hadn’t pulled away at his confession gave Killian a sincere sense of hope that he was terrified to let go of.

“Well maybe not in so many words, love, but -,”

Thankfully before he had to articulate that particular sentiment Emma closed the space between them, pulling him down by the collar of his jacket for a kiss that instantly washed away that lingering worry. In that kiss there was more than mere temptation and seduction too, there was a need there that Killian recognized and that he’d been trying to tamp down for too bloody long. Now that holding back was about to end though, because he could feel just how badly Emma wanted him, and whatever may come next it would be worth it to bring her any kind of happiness.

“I promise if you take me to bed right now it won’t be over, Killian. Honestly, I’m kind of hoping it will just be the start...”

“God I love the sound of that,” Killian agreed before surprising Emma by opening the door she’d already unlocked, whisking her inside, and pushing her back up against the closed door. “As long as you realize Emma that taking this step means I’m all in, we’re all in.”

“I do,” Emma whispered, but before their lips crashed down together to meet in that crackling fire of heat and built up tensions, Killian’s heart thumped loudly in his chest at her word choice. Never in his life had he even considered what those words from a woman would mean to him, but that was because he hadn’t found the right one, not until Emma, and now that he had her, Killian was intent on pleasing her in a way that showed her nothing and no one could compare to him and what he’d be willing to always give her if granted the chance.

The feel of Emma’s soft, luscious figure against Killian as she arched closer, kissing him back in a way he’d only dreamed of, was intoxicating and enough to have him near dizzy from the varying but all sublime sensations. He was caught up in this woman and not even remotely interested in breaking away in any form, so when his lips left hers they had to find their way to her somehow, moving down her jaw to her neck and teasing her into a frenzy Killian swore he could feel. Her shivers beneath him and the thready hums his Swan released as she caved to this feeling, submitting to his every touch and kiss and attention was the ultimate gift, but somehow even that wasn’t enough. He needed to see and worship and cherish all of her, and he had to do it now.

“Bedroom?” Killian asked, the word coming out gruffer than he’d ever anticipated, but as his eyes caught Emma’s he could tell she was just as far gone as he sounded. Her gaze was heated and intense and in giving way to this passion between them she’d let all of the walls slip low, walls that he’d been chipping at for weeks that Killian knew had been Emma’s safe guards forever. Now though, there was nothing between them except for these blasted clothes that Killian intended to shed as soon as bloody possible.

“Last door on the right,” Emma replied and no sooner had she said the words than they were in motion, partaking in an intricate and seductive dance that left half of their garments strewn almost in a trail to the bedroom, and by the time they were there, Killian was nearly overcome by the sight of Emma shed of that damned enticing black number she’d been wearing and now donning only the most delicate of lace in the boldest shade of crimson imaginable.

“You’re stunning, Swan,” Killian said, meaning it totally as he debated between taking her in in all her glory with her golden hair tumbling free along her shoulders and that knowing smirk of hers turning up her lips. But when she stepped back to him and her hand ran across his bare chest, thoughts of holding back fled. He was powerless to resist the pull to have her, but he’d fight tooth and nail to resist long enough to satisfy every last possible need Emma might have.

“So you keep telling me,” Emma whispered, her voice dipping low to a tone dripping with innuendo and desire all at once. It melted and washed across his skin, bringing that already prevalent thrum of need coursing throughout him to an even louder roar, but there was also a sweet sincerity to it and to the look in Emma’s eyes that stole his breath away. She might be a siren but she was still fragile behind her strength and worthy of every kind of protection after the past she’d led that Killian was beginning to understand more and more of with each passing moment they spent together.

“Tonight I’ll show you just how remarkable I find you, Emma. You have my word on that.”

With that promise offered, the two of them kissed again, and Killian stripped away the last of his clothes before making their way to the bed and falling atop of it with a coordination that only came with the realest chemistry. The two of them were so in sync and so understanding of the other, and for Killian this was everything. He could practically anticipate every sigh that passed Emma’s lips and every arch of her hips upwards trying to get the friction of his hard length that was still separated by the scrap of lace between her thighs. He’d purposely kept those sinful garments on her person, anticipating the moment he’d unwrap her to a degree that shocked even him.

Meandering the line between a slow, thoughtful teasing and rough need-driven attentions was a difficult proposition thanks to the dueling rationales that gripped at Killian. On the one hand he wanted hard and fast as a means of satisfying his hunger that had only grown and grown as weeks had gone on. He was too riled up and too desperate for her to think of anything but slipping into her warm heat and feeling that level of completion he knew he would find with this incredible woman, but even as he felt he might go mad from wanting her, Killian was addicted to the almost torturous sense of delight he could bring Emma by waiting and building up the already overwhelming anticipation even more.

He was gratified with her clear and unabashed approval of his ministrations as his hands roamed over and his kisses drew lower, and when he’d stripped her of the bra that had concealed her breasts and gave them the attention he’d fantasized about for weeks, his pride surged at her responses. The way she called his name as he wound her need tighter and tighter was music to his ears, but it wasn’t enough. What Killian needed was the sound of Emma falling into completion and giving way to an earth shattering climax before he could even think of taking this further.

This, luckily, was easily done, for though this was their first time, Killian felt this innate understanding of Emma’s body and her wishes. Perhaps it was the fact that he’d been an always vigilant observer of her before taking things to this level, but Killian was running on instincts and finding validation at every turn, like when his mouth took one of her aching buds and sucked deep at the same time that his fingers moved beneath the now soaked material of the lace between her legs.

“God, Killian, it’s – it’s too much. It’s too good,” Emma said, her thoughts coming out less coherently than they usually did. Emma was brilliant, and time had taught Killian that she was easily one of the smartest people he’d ever met, but right now she was mindless to his perusals and that pulled a growl from him and a need to push her further and to taste that desire she was giving way to right now.

As he continued to tease her sex with his fingers Killian moved down her body, dropping kisses and nips against her creamy skin all the way, inadvertently marking her with the scruff of his beard and the tiny bit of excess his bites bestowed. Come the morning there’d be signs of how he’d made love to her and that was as it should be as far as Killian was concerned. Each and every spot would be a map of sorts of where he could bring his Swan pleasure, and now that they had an understanding that this relationship was here to stay and grow and flourish, he had every intention of recreating this magic over and over again.

By the time he’d reached her sex, poised to bring her satisfaction of the purest kind, Killian’s control had snapped and no sooner had his tongue met flesh then Killian knew Emma was as gone as he was. All he knew was that he needed her to give way to bliss and that he had to be the one to give it to her. Killian wanted Emma to know just what perfection felt like because this to him was perfect. Emma in his arms and with this open sense of trust and need was his ideal and having her felt better than anything he’d ever known. She was every dream made real, but now he wanted her to garner that same sense of rightness and when she fell over the edge, crying out his name on a moan as her climax hit, Killian believed she might finally be getting on his page.

Kissing his way back up her body and murmuring words of praise against her flushed skin, Killian felt the way Emma fought to catch her breath again, coming down from that high he’d just bestowed upon her. He also felt the way her hands instinctively reached out to him, running across his skin, through his hair, and lighting up every spot they touched simply by seeking him out. By the time he was over her once again and their eyes were meeting once more Killian was practically vibrating with the raw energy of it all, and then he saw Emma beaming up at him and every thought other than that she was a miracle flew from his mind.

“You know why I was never planning to run from this?” Emma asked as her hand came to cup his cheek and her thumb ran across the corner of his mouth lightly. “Because at every turn you manage to look at me like I’m the best thing you’ve ever seen. Like somehow I’m the key to everything.”

Killian was startled a bit by how transparent he was, since that was exactly the way he felt about Emma, but since she wasn’t running from the intensity of that attraction and care he had for her, he might as well embrace the truth. He would always rather be honest with Emma, and with her superhuman ability to sniff out a lie it wouldn’t do much good to deny anyhow.

“And that doesn’t scare you?” Killian asked seriously, searching her gaze for some sort of faltering in her warmth and smile but finding none. Instead, however, she managed to surprise him by switching their positions so she was now straddling him from above and making quite the vision as she did.

“Oh it does,” Emma admitted as her hands ran across his chest and then lower and lower, her eyes trailing along his skin and making his muscles tighten even as he was worried about her answer. Then she looked up at him and smiled again before confessing something to ease that ache inside. “But the thought of leaving you or losing this… well that’s just so much worse.”

“You won’t lose me, Emma,” Killian vowed immediately and Emma’s grin only grew as she leaned down to press another kiss to his lips, this one soft and sincere and filled with the hope Killian himself could feel blooming in his chest at an almost more obvious rate than the lust that had been surging through him all night.

“I know I won’t,” Emma whispered when they broke apart, surprising him by trailing kisses lower and lower and moving down his body until she was poised to take his hard length in her mouth, pushing him over the edge of sanity and bringing to life so many fantasies at the same time. “And you won’t lose me either.”

That vow from Emma was enough to have Killian too close to falling over to his passion, but her mouth on him was a whole other kind of amazing torment and though he let himself linger in that mind boggling ecstasy for a while, he eventually pleaded with Emma that he wouldn’t last that way and mercifully Emma responded, coming back above him and allowing them both the chance to come together the way that they should on this first time neither of them would ever forget.

With her golden hair falling in a curtain around her, appearing just as soft as Killian knew it to be and her lips swollen from his kisses all night long, Emma was the realest, purest thing Killian ever seen and ever known, and though it went by too fast and yet still too painfully slow, the crescendo that built was magnificent and blinding, consuming them both with every thrust and motion between them. And when that moment of truth came when the two of them came crashing together, it was so strong and so powerful the world almost went black with the impact. Killian could feel his heart hammering, his whole body spent, and his mind swimming through a haze of pleasure, but more important than all of that was the feeling of Emma against his chest, tucked into him and holding him close just as he was holding her.

“And to think you thought this wouldn’t be a good idea,” Emma teased easily, reminding him of the earlier conversation on the front porch before they’d said what needed saying and gotten the truth of their feelings out there for good.

“I never in my wildest dreams would consider you and me together a bad idea, Emma,” Killian stated plainly as he felt her soft even breathing against the crook of his neck and the lingering heat of her body seeping through him at every point they were connected. “I only knew that if we had tonight and nothing else…”

“It wouldn’t be enough,” Emma murmured, filling in his thinking exactly.

“No it wouldn’t, love,” Killian confirmed as his fingertips trailed along her back, dancing up the curve of her spine and feeling her wriggle against him as he did. “I’m not sure that ‘enough’ really exists when it comes to you.”

“Well then, it’s a good thing we don’t have to worry about this being a one time thing,” Emma said, leaning up again to meet his eyes and kiss him rather chastely given how intimate they’d only just been. But to be honest it was just as tantalizing as this whole damn evening had been and made Killian feel just as much as every touch before it.

“Aye, love. It’s a good thing indeed.”

And with that the two of them spent the rest of the night reveling in this new found connection between them, before continuing on a path of love and hope that would make the both of them very happy forever after.

…………….

The moon outside Too bright, those blinds, yeah lets just keep them closed You know, my hands they know where to go, to find your finger tips Trace them back to your lips, take you on a trip, flip that switch

Make my world go black, hit me like a heart attack, knock me flat on my back, yeah Just keep doing that, that thing you're doing there, brush me with your hair, I swear I don't know how long that I can last Make my world go black, black Make my world go black, black

Like your dress on the floor, yeah the one you don't need anymore, Black like a sky with no stars, just find me and fall into my arms

And make my world go black, hit me like a heart attack, knock me flat on my back, yeah Just keep doing that, that thing you're doing there, brush me with your hair, I swear I don't know how long that I can last Make my world go black Make my world go black

I don't wanna see a thing, baby I just wanna feel your touch, feel your rush I don't wanna see a thing, I just wanna feel your love

Make my world go black, hit me like a heart attack, knock me flat on my back, yeah Just keep doing that, that thing you're doing there, brush me with your hair, I swear I don't know how long that I can last Make my world go black, black Make my world go black

Make my world go black I don't wanna see a thing I just wanna feel your touch, feel your rush Black Black

Post-Note: So this was a prompt I got months and months back (and I have to thank my reader for being so patient because really it was so long ago) but I have always liked this song and definitely wanted to write an AU to go with it as soon as I got the request. I also feel like it has been a while since I’ve done an AU like this and so why not bring the fluff and smut for a song of this caliber that so blatantly wants both? Anyway I hope that you guys enjoyed and thank you so much for reading!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9,Part 10,Part 11, Part 12,Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24,Part 25, Part 26, Part 27, Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31,Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38,Part 39,Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45,Part 46,Part 47, Part 48, Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53,Part 54,Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60,Part 61,Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68,Part 69,Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74, Part 75,Part 76,Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83,Part 84,Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90,Part 91,Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98,Part 99,Part 100, Part 101, Part 102, Part 103, Part 104, Part 105,Part 106, Part 107,Part 108, Part 109, Part 110,Part 111, Part 112,Part 113, Part 114, Part 115,Part 116, Part 117, Part 118,Part 119,Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123,Part 124, Part 125,Part 126, Part 127, Part 128,Part 129,Part 130, Part 131,Part 132,Part 133, Part 134, Part 135, Part 136, Part 137, Part 138,Part 139,Part 140, Part 141, Part 142, Part 143, Part 144, Part 145,Part 146, Part 147, Part 148,Part 149, Part 150, Part 151,Part 152, Part 153, Part 154, Part 155, Part 156, Part 157, Part 158

[upsidedownwithsteve]

44 and 50 from the touches prompt list with steve? 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶❤️

Here’s 44 for you my lovely! 🧡

It wasn’t like you never showed Steve any overly affectionate displays in public, it was just that you always limited them, toned them down when you were with friends. A kiss to the cheek instead of his lips, holding hands when you lingered behind the group, a head on his shoulder when you watched movies late into the night.

It’s why he was so surprised when you walked back into the Wheeler’s basement, the television set playing Beetlejuice to the tangled mess of enraptured kids who were sprawled on the floor, and placed yourself onto his lap instead of beside him.

It was dark enough that you didn’t see the look of shock cross his face and none of the kids even bothered to turn around from where they lay in the mess of shared pillows. But Eddie caught Steve’s eye from the armchair across the room, grinning knowingly when the boy just blinked owlishly. Nancy didn’t care and Robin, who was leaning against her shoulder, was asleep.

He waited until you settled into him, your back cushioned against his chest and the curve of the old sofa, tucked into the corner of it with him. Your legs lay across his, Steve’s hand only dropping to your thigh when he realised it wasn’t a prank and you weren’t going anywhere.

When everyone’s attention was stolen back to the screen, he squeezed at your waist with his other arm, pulled you closer still and smiled when he saw you flush in the low light.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” He made sure to whisper, lips at the shell of your ear and he grinned when you squirmed, embarrassed.

You tucked your face into his neck, smiling in a way that he knew you couldn’t help, your hands tangling into his own, his larger one between your two. You tugged at his fingers, thumb rolling over the balls of knuckles in a gesture he knew too well.

You were feeling a little shy, nervous around him still, even after four months together.

You shrugged, lips brushing the line of his throat in a way you didn’t even mean when you finally answered.

“Just missed you, that’s all.”

It was a silly thing to say, you felt. You’d been with the boy all day, traipsing around town fulfilling promises of arcade trips and ice cream for dinner, movies picked out at the rental store, the kids face’s alight with genuine joy for the first time in an age.

But you’d been surrounded by your friends all day and as much as you loved them, the constant company of others had left you aching for the touch and comfort of your boyfriend.

You missed him in a way you couldn’t really explain. But maybe, you thought - as you watched Steve’s eyes soften, his smile grow fond - you didn’t have to.

“Baby,” Steve’s voice was thick with affection as he pushed his face to yours, nose smushed to your cheek in an almost kiss and he grinned at the warmth he felt there. “Missed you too, shit.”

You didn’t object when he pulled you further into him, his arms wrapped around you to hold you close and he was a downright goner when you let out a little pleased hum, bringing one your hands to the nape of his neck to card your fingers through his hair.

The movie played out in a blur to him after that, Mike and Max’s commentary a dull fuzz of noise and he didn’t care in the slightest when Dustin looked back and caught sight of you both, screwing up his face in disgust.

You didn’t seem phased either, happy to just touch Steve and be touched in return, your hands constantly busy mapping out a different part of him in the most slow and fond way.

Fingers tracing the cuff of his sweater, a hand pushing underneath the fabric to trail down his ribs. Your nose pressed to his jaw, breath warm and soft over his neck, the palm of your hand curled into his collar, pushing over the muscle in his shoulder.

He felt a little dizzy from it, overwhelmed in the best way by your presence, like he was being rewarded for something he didn’t know. He felt sixteen again when the movie flickered into dark, shadows coating the room and you took the opportunity to press a fleeting kiss to his mouth.

Your lips caught his, his bottom sliding between yours, a quick press of warmth and cherry chapstick and god, fuck, Steve was overjoyed.

[internetgremlin-writes]

Obvious [Part Four]

Prompt/Summary: You’re an empath, he’s a telepath. You might not be able to know what he’s thinking, but it doesn’t stop you from feeling it.

Pairing: Charles Xavier x Female Reader

Warnings: s m u t [shower sex, oral sex female receiving]

Word Count: 6,500. This was supposed to be a pretty short chapter. I don't know what happened

Previous Parts: One || Two || Three

26 hours. 

It was supposed to be better.  You’d told yourself it would be better.  Now that you and Charles had established it wasn’t a one-time thing and that he did like you.  It had been 26 hours since your encounter in his study and the only thing you could confidently decide on was that it was most certainly not better. 

You were in the library, trying to read up on something - you couldn’t remember what - for Charles’ research.  It was cool and dark in your corner, the beams of light that usually illuminated the whole space were sliding down the far wall as the sun was setting.  Good you thought; you needed it cool and dark as you pressed your head against the wall you were next to with a groan.  Tracing the bruises along your collarbones you could have sworn he was in front of you, biting down on the soft flesh and your back ached as if he still had you pressed against the hard edge of his desk.  Images, filthy images, of what he had done to you just hours before were flashing through your mind on repeat and you felt drunk on the memories.  Your skin was still on fire, even after a cold shower and two naps. 

To say that you were plagued by Charles Xavier would have been an understatement.  The hold he had on you now felt inescapable, as if your entire being was tuned into his bandwidth and you were stuck there like a bug in a spiderweb.  So much so that you were just slipping back into your thoughts, replaying the study encounter once more, when you heard the heavy oak door creek and footsteps on the floorboards. You shot upright, hastily grabbing the closest paper to you and trying to neutralise your thoughts before you were caught red-faced.  However, the voice that called out to you wasn’t the one you were expecting. 

“Y/N, are you in here?”

Raven’s voice made you jump, much more than you’d have been willing to admit.  Papers slid off the narrow desk space as your knees smacked the underside with surprising force.  You scrambled to catch them, but even so, any composure you had was long gone so you kept your head down and busied yourself with collecting the debris surrounding you as you listened to Raven’s footsteps advance.  You knew you should have answered, but you couldn’t form the words; your mouth suddenly dry and tacky.  You decided you would rather face Charles after your sudden decision to run away a thousand times rather than confront his childhood best friend even once. 

Raven rounded the last corner and stood at the end of the tall row of bookshelves you had squirrelled yourself away into, and you knew that you were completely powerless.  She was taller than you, stronger than you, and a much better fighter than you.  If she’d come to give you a piece of her mind, you thought, dying in a library didn’t sound like the worst way to go.  At least you would look cool, you consoled yourself, your dead body sprawled out amongst the ancient books.  You decided to steel yourself for the worst, sucking in what you assumed to be one of your last breaths and concentrating everything on your power.  You were rusty but with all the distractions lately, you had not been practising as Charles frequently told you to do.  Calm and friendly, calm and friendly, calm and friendly you repeated the mantra in your head, hoping and praying that even if you couldn’t reach her you were at least able to manipulate the atmosphere around you. 

“Hi,” getting the word out took more than you were willing to admit.  Your voice caught in your dry throat and stuck to your teeth as you forced yourself to look up into her yellow eyes.  For a second you thought you saw a flicker of something that wasn’t pure hatred. 

“I just-” she started, but her voice caught too.  She coughed.  It was short and sharp, her face turned to look out of the window where there was no longer any sunlight, her profile thrown harsh contrast as she did.  “I came to tell you dinner is ready,” as much as you hated to admit it, you were stunned.  Of all the ways you had imagined this going, it was the last thing you had expected.

“Oh, er, thanks,” you mumbled, embarrassed.  You hoped she couldn’t see your red face, but you knew better. 

“We barely see you eat anymore, it’s worrying m- everyone…” she trailed off, but you knew she was right.  You had been regularly skipping meals, instead opting for snacks in the unsociable hours, and the few times you had managed to attend the group dinner times, you had spent them sitting picking at your food and waiting for it to end. 

“Yeah, no, I’m-” it was awkward, and you didn’t need to be an empath to work that out.  The tension between the two of you was palpable and both of you were speaking as if every word had been carefully and delicately selected.  “I’m just gonna tidy up here and then I’ll come,” Raven gave a stiff nod of understanding.  She cast a sweeping glance over the mess in your corner and turned on her heel to leave.  Something gripped you and you found yourself finally acting like a normal person and speaking before thinking.

“Hey, Raven?” she stopped, didn’t turn but her shoulder twitched and you knew you had her attention.  “Thanks,” you hoped the word was enough, that it said silently all the things you needed to say.  You could have sworn you saw a minute nod before she continued on, and in two strides she melted into blue shadows.  You held your breath as you listened to her retreat until you heard the doors shut and alone in the library once more. 

You let out the breath in a heavy sigh and tried to roll the tension out of your neck and shoulders.  Deciding that not showing up for dinner and having Raven find you for a further one-to-one talk was infinitely worse than whatever awkwardness was to be dealt with over dinner, you stayed true to your promise and quickly organised your research into a pile of books and a pile of notes stacked neatly on the desk you’d claimed as your spot.  Plus, there was a little tightening in your stomach at the thought of seeing Charles again.  Whilst you were glad that you could finally think about him without the sad weight of knowing what you’d had with him was a one-off thing, now you couldn’t stop thinking about the next time you’d get to have him.  Shaking your head you left the library and decided to head up to your room to wash up and change clothes quickly. 

Dinner, as you discovered rapidly, was exactly what you needed to do.  Charles was finally out of the extreme absorption phase of his project and had decided that human interaction was necessary to some degree, so it was a full table.  Any nerves you had immediately faded when the chaos that was feeding a collection of late-teenage superheroes commenced.  Fighting for seats, fighting for plates, squabbling over serving sizes even though there was plenty to go around and then some.  You found yourself between Darwin and Charles himself.  You expected yourself to be haywire, as was the effect he usually had on you but instead you found a renewed confidence.  Maybe Raven knew you’d slept together, but as far as she was aware it was just the once and no one else gave any indication they knew what was going on between you and the young professor.  He acknowledged you with a warm smile, which you returned, before becoming engaged in your own spirited conversations.  Perhaps it was knowing that at the end of the day you were the one he was coming undone over, or maybe it was the way when his arm brushed yours you felt like you were full of static electricity. 

You had to admit it felt good to be able to be yourself in the group once more, even as you had to duck to avoid a swiftly placed soundwave from Sean aimed at Darwin.

“Hey now,” it was Charles interrupting the ruckus with his rapidly developing teacher voice.  “No powers at the dinner table,” Sean muttered an apology but you didn’t miss the shit-eating grin shared between the younger boys, and neither did Raven who caught your eye when she realised you too had noticed.  For a fraction of a second, she flicked a smile at you, before turning her attention back to Hank and Erik.  

“Actually, while I have everybody’s attention please,” Charles started again and you found yourself twisting in your seat to see his face better.  The knee that pressed itself against yours almost made you blush.  “As you will have noticed I have been rather preoccupied with some research, and I realise now that it was in error that I left you all to your own devices,” he cast a disapproving gaze around the small group, but there was a playfulness in him that told you he wasn’t serous “So, from tomorrow we will be going back to training.  One-to-one’s will be with me at the same time as we used to, and group training will be split between myself and Erik from now on,” there was a slight shift in the air at the mention of Erik’s name. 

“But surely we don’t-” Raven began, but she was quickly shut down.

“Yes, you do,” Charles gave her a knowing look and she quietened down with nothing more than an eye roll.  “Tomorrow morning, 10 am.  I want to see everyone on the front lawn,” 

You sighed internally, group training meant combat training and you had to admit that squirrelling yourself away and avoiding exercise in general had suited you over the last week.  Still, as the chatter died down and the group started to disperse after dessert, you found yourself with a pleasantly full stomach and looking forward to the following morning.

You weren’t sure what you were expecting from Charles that night, the exact details of your arrangement were still vague at least to you.  You knew he wouldn’t initiate in front of the others, so when you finally rose from the table and bid the remaining Raven, Charles, Erik and Hank good night you weren’t entirely surprised that you got nothing more than a ‘good night’ in return and eye contact that was held for perhaps half a second too long.  You waited around in your room for a little while, wasted time in the bathroom and then tried to occupy yourself with a book to see if he would come to your room, but he didn’t.  You supposed you could have called out to him telepathically, but you didn’t want to come across as desperate.  What you and Charles had established felt fragile, so early in its life that the slightest turbulence could shatter it.  You didn’t want to be constantly running to him, even if deep down that was what you wanted.  In the end, you could feel your eyes becoming so heavy that you slipped a bookmark into the leatherbound novel you were fighting your way through and drifted into an empty sleep. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You were glad you didn’t have any dreams that night because, much to your surprise, you woke up to your alarm clock on time and actually felt well-rested and ready to at least face whatever Charles had in store for you. 

Your enthusiasm quickly wore off when you found the group of grey-sweatsuit-clad mutants on the front lawn, all eyeing up a suspicious pile of clutter on the lawn that Charles, also dressed in his sports clothes, was in the middle of.  You followed his movements for a moment and realised that it wasn’t a pile of junk, but some kind of pattern.  When you spotted the dumbbells your stomach sank right through to the floor.  The only thing you hated more than combat training was plain workouts.  Before you could finish the half-baked plan to sneak around the back of the house an amused voice spoke from the back of your mind. 

“Don’t even think about it,”  You rolled your eyes, huffing playfully at the intrusion and deciding to show Charles that you were sulking with him by refusing to answer him, verbally and mentally.  You didn’t get a chance to see if he found you funny or not, and you tried to ignore the little twinge in your chest as he turned and said something to Erik, before calling the small group’s attention.

“Right, good morning everyone, I trust you all slept well,” Charles started, an almost alarming shine in his bright blue eyes.  There was an almost unanimous grumble.

“Why are we here, Charles?”  Raven cut him off, straight to the point.  Typically, Charles was unfazed and responded by rolling back onto his heels, hands folded behind his back, with a light chuckle. 

“Thank you, Raven.  I thought we’d get back into the swing of things with something nice and easy, so today there are no powers involved.  It’s just a simple circuit.  Now I need everyone to split off into pairs,” Charles explained the basic premise of the training circuit he had set up.  It consisted of twelve ‘stations’ that you were to work around in pairs, each station having a different workout exercise to complete.  You were to do the full circuit three times each.  You had a feeling that you and Charles had different definitions of ‘nice and easy’.

There was a tap on your shoulder and you turned happily, expecting to see Charles waiting to partner up with you, however, the hand on your shoulder was blue. 

“Wanna be my partner?”  You couldn’t stop the grin that broke out on your face, so relieved that Raven had sought you out once more, and was actually keen to work with you.  You accepted gratefully and moved to stand closer together.  You could have sworn you caught Charles watching the interaction from the corner of his eye. 

Much to your surprise, the circuit training was suspiciously enjoyable, although Raven was largely to take responsibility for that.  After a few minutes of awkwardly working in silence, you couldn’t help but snort as you caught Alex collapse onto his face mid-push up.  Raven had spotted him too and before you knew it the pair of you were struggling to control yourselves through stifled giggles.  Charles had come over several times to remind the two of you that you were supposed to be focusing on moving your bodies, not your mouths, but Raven morphed into his form when his back was turned and started mocking him in an uncanny way that had you almost unable to stand you were laughing so hard. 

It was the first time you had felt truly relaxed for as long as you could remember, and you were just having mindless, girly fun.  The exercises were none too interesting and you were capable of completing them all fairly easily, with Raven spotting you on some of the weighted exercises and then you did the same for her.  Charles passed you during the sit-up station, where you were actually pushing yourself and making good time.

“Nice form, Y/N,” his gaze felt suspiciously searing, and you had a feeling he was staring directly at your breasts and not your form at all.  The rapid wave of arousal that pierced the air around you and faded as he retreated was enough to confirm it.  Raven looked at you with raised eyebrows on your next rise. 

“He was so staring at you,”

“He’s training us,” you responded, trying and most likely failing to sound nonchalant as you rose again. 

“You know what I mean,” you tensed, trying to force yourself to continue and complete the set.  You weren’t sure how to react given that last time Raven had sussed out that there was something going on between you and Charles it had not ended well, so what came next completely threw you off.  “I think he likes you,” 

You were glad your set ended and you were able to get up and swap positions with Raven, supporting her whilst she began her set of sit-ups.  You managed a non-commital shrug at her comment, but didn’t answer.

“Do you like him?”  she asked, her face was set and she was starting to pant through the exertion of the exercise, but there was no malice coming from her and the atmosphere hadn’t changed.  You figured it was safe to laugh.

“What are we, middle schoolers?”  That made Raven laugh too and the pair of you moved onto another station with a new topic, this time ‘Is Hank Actually Ripped Or Can He Just Lift That Much Because He’s Tall?’ 

By the time the session ended you were exhausted, sweating profusely alongside your peers and all out of breath.  For some reason, Erik knew and was able to lead a series of cool-down stretches, and then before you knew what was happening you were being dismissed to the showers.  You fell into step with Raven, bunched in the middle of the group surrounded by the slightly younger boys. 

“It’s a shame there’s more than enough showers for everyone huh, Y/N?”  Alex caught your eye, a wicked grin making its way across his features.  If it was anyone else you would have panicked, but Alex’s room was close to yours on the second floor, and after two accidents where he had wandered into the bathroom that had been labelled yours instead of his, it had become a bit of a running joke that he was trying his utmost to see you naked.  You shoved his shoulder playfully and told him to try his luck with Hank instead.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Your bathroom was one of your favourite places in the house.  It wasn’t the biggest, but it was one of the few spaces that was all yours.  It, like most of the rooms in the house, had been decorated grandly, with black and white tiled floors and dark green walls.  You didn’t have a bath, but you didn’t mind because the shower space was plenty large enough and had two surprisingly tasteful glass walls to make up the corner.  You’d placed a plant on the high windowsill and opposite your shower was an impressive, inbuilt vanity with a large mirror across the back and a sink built into the white marble countertop.  

You were just relaxing under the pressure of the hot water on your used muscles, deeply grateful for the Xavier family’s seemingly endless supply of money and their ability to run eight hot, powerful showers at once.  You ran your hands over your face and back, scraping the water away from your eyes and slicking your hair back like a supermodel when there was a soft knock on your door.  You rolled your eyes, but couldn’t help the smile that broke out across your face and shook your head with a little laugh. 

“Go away, Alex!” 

There wasn’t an immediate answer and you assumed it was one of his silly games to wind you up.  But the sudden feeling that gripped you made you gasp and stop in your tracks; because there was only one person who could convince you that there was a second pair of hands sliding up and down your body, taking advantage of the feeling of your wet skin.

Your mouth went dry, but you couldn’t stop the way your stomach tightened in anticipation.  Without turning the water off you leant as far forward as you could and just managed to unlock the door before turning your back and going about your business as if no one was there.  You made a deliberate point of putting far too much soap on your loofah so that you covered your whole body in the soft white bubbles.  You heard the door click, and the sound of the bolt sliding back across, so you made a point of swaying your hips to some invisible music as you made your routine a display. 

“Quite the show,” he murmured, the soft English accent finally convincing you to throw your head over your shoulder, still not letting him see you from the front.  He had already discarded the grey sweater and was stood shirtless with the matching grey sweatpants slung low on his hips.  His eyes were completely trained on your body with his head tilted to the side and lips pursed as he appreciated you.  You sent him a soft smile, eyes half-closed in anticipation of the bliss soon to come.  

You decided to play the long game, refusing to acknowledge him further and instead turning back under the stream of water.  That wasn’t to say that you weren’t totally tuned in to his every movement.  You could have sworn you could feel everything he did behind you.  So you weren’t entirely surprised when you felt a hand land on your hip.  This time it was real, warm and tingly and rubbing circles into your soft wet skin, pulling at you gently.  You gave in to the pressure, because if you were being honest there was no way you could resist it, finally spinning around.

You came chest to chest with Charles, your hands landing on his shoulders.  He didn’t hesitate for a second, pressing kisses along your neck, working his way up and across your jaw as you sighed and tilted your head back to provide him easier access.  He trailed up the side of your face until his mouth was right by your ear.  His hand was still massaging your waist. 

“Is this all for me?”  He murmured, so close his lips just ghosted across the shell of your ear, his hot breath on your damp skin making you shiver.  Any facade of self-control immediately shattered, and yet again you were putty in his hands.  You managed a silent nod, swallowing hard, your heart hammering in your chest.  Charles pushed you slightly, edging you to take a step back and to the side so that he could submerge himself under the stream of water beside you.  The soap suds were rapidly sliding off you as you too ducked back under the shower.  Charles watched them work their way down your body. 

Something felt different, you noticed.  There was a palpable tension that you both seemed to be skirting around.  Maybe it was because it was the first time you had both been voluntarily naked in front of each other without immediately moving on to sex, maybe it was because this was the first time you’d found each other without at least one of you in urgent need.  Charles’ tongue darted out to moisten his pink lips.  He was still holding your waist with one hand, his free hand reaching up to push his hair back away from his eyes.  It looked jet black under the water, and you couldn’t stop yourself from reaching up to touch it.  You watched his Adam's Apple bob, and his pupils dilate in front of you.  Your hand stayed in his hair. 

Something snapped, you felt it, and before you could think any further you grabbed him, pulling him down into a heavy kiss.  Charles immediately sprang to life, pulling you into him as close as he could, his other hand wrapping around your neck to hold you in place.  He groaned lowly into your mouth, to which you responded by opening your own mouth and allowing him to slip his tongue inside.  You sighed in response, your hands roaming freely, enjoying the way the water made his skin slick to the touch. 

“God, you have no idea how long I’ve been thinking about this,” his mouth fell away from yours, the words punctuated by sloppy kisses along your skin.  He chased a water droplet along the grove of your neck with his tongue, an action that made your knees buckle as you let out a high pitched whine.  Charles tightened his grip on you with ease, refusing to let you fall.  Through the foggy cloud taking over your mind, you managed to pull out a retort. 

“About midway through the workout, by my estimations,”  you felt his lips curve into a smile from where they hovered just at the top of your breast, his hands now occupied with the newly lubricated flesh.  He rose at his own pace, painfully slowly, and pulled you close once more.  A well-placed thigh between your legs provided you with some pressure and you didn’t hesitate in rolling your hips down onto it, a wanton sigh escaping you at how quickly he could turn you on.  Charles looked at you, properly.  Deep into your eyes as if he were searching your face for something.  His eyes were dark, drinking in your appearance. 

“And then some,” his voice was low, an almost dangerous edge creeping into it.  He removed his leg from in between yours, ignoring the small noise of protest you made and walked you backwards with his hands on your hips until your back was pressed into the corner of the shower.  The water was hot enough that even though you were no longer directly under the jet you were perfectly warm.  Charles didn’t reward you with his thigh again, instead capturing your lips once more, but before you could cling to him he was away.  He sank down, leaving sloppy kisses full of teeth and tongue against your wet skin until he was on his knees in front of you, his mouth dangerously close to where you were aching for him most. 

He guided you softly, encouraging you to lift your left leg and hook it over his shoulder, forcing you to lean back and give him unlimited access to you.  The arm that wasn’t wrapped around your thigh was pressed against the softness of your lower stomach, keeping you in place with gentle pressure.  You weren’t sure what to do initially with your hands as you let yourself relax into the new position.  Eventually one of them tangled in his sodden hair, keeping a firm grip.  The other found a place on the wall, supporting yourself as best you could.  Charles interrupted you from where you were settling into things by dropping his head and blowing quickly on your sex. 

The shot of cold air against your exposed skin made you gasp, your head snapping forward to train your attention back on the man in front of you.  Apparently, that was what he wanted because he was waiting for you. 

“I want you to watch,” he almost purred “See how good you taste to me,” his mouth was inching closer to you with every word, the anticipation coiling tightly in the pit of your stomach.  You nodded, your skin burning with the request but you weren’t uncomfortable.  Charles never did anything to make you uncomfortable.  

“Shit,”

He started by licking an experimental stripe along the outside of your vulva, tantalisingly close but still not quite there.  You could tell from the warmth between your legs that you were already soaked, and he confirmed your suspicions by easing his tongue between your folds and swiping up towards your clit in one easy movement.  You gasped, your eyes instinctively closed and your head fell backwards as electricity crackled up your spine.  Just as quickly as you gave in to the feeling, you felt Charles pull back. 

“I said watch,” all playfulness was gone from his tone.  He refused to so much as touch you until he had your full attention once more.  “Good girl,” that was enough to make you melt, and you watched him transfixed as he moved back towards you.

Trying to focus on Charles whilst he ate you out like you were his final meal was a challenge.  He left nothing to the imagination, making a show of tasting you, swallowing any of your excesses and moaning as he did so.  He was perfectly focused, zeroed in on your clit with accuracy that had you unable to manage more than a string of curse words and his name on repeat.  His eyes were closed, leaving you to admire the thick lashes, flushed cheeks and dark hair that was now a complete mess and plastered to the top of his head.  He alternated between working you with his tongue and sucking you into his mouth in what was almost a kiss.  The sensation of his teeth grazing your clit irregularly had you tensing in the best way.  It took an alarmingly short time for you to grip him tighter, trying to utter out a warning as your breathing became more shallow and your voice trailed off.  Charles responded with a moan that vibrated through you, picking up the intensity even more so to the point where you were a trembling mess. 

His eyes opened, trained on your features and you felt paralysed, the intensity of the orgasm building within you too close to risk looking away.  Watching him watch you was enough to do it.  You didn’t even get time to warn him as you jolted, the orgasm crashing over you before you even knew it was hitting you.  Both of his hands were gripping your hips, guiding you in grinding on his face as his tongue worked relentlessly. 

“Oh my god, Charles!” 

You felt him chuckle against you at your volume, which only added to the sensations flowing through you, making your legs shake.  Your hands were fisted hard in his hair, desperately trying to find something, anything, to ground you.  You couldn’t maintain eye contact as much as you wanted to, your eyes rolling back into your head and your whole body trembling with the force.  Charles stilled, using his hands to guide your movements to a slowing stop.  He kissed you gently, tidying up after himself and even cupping a hand to collect some water and wipe away the mess that had spilled over onto your thighs.  

The second he rose back up to standing you threw yourself at him, arms circling around his neck and pulling him as close to you as you could.  Charles reciprocated the energy, pulling you towards him and kissing you with a desperate aggression, the taste of yourself faint in his mouth.  You could feel him then, hard and ready against your leg, unable to stop himself from moving against you.  He grabbed the back of your thighs, indicating for you to jump for him and you did. 

Charles tried to catch you from the jump and press you against the wall once more, this time level with him.  However, the addition of water on tiled floors caused him to lose the strength in his footing and the pair of you wobbled for a second.  He managed to pin you against the wall in a rapid correction, but your confidence was a little knocked.  Charles continued to attack you with kisses on any part of your skin he could reach but especially your neck.  You couldn’t help but imagine the pair of you tumbling to the floor in a tangle of sprained limbs and broken bones. 

“Hey,” it was Charles speaking in your head, “I won’t let anything happen to you,” you nodded against his lips, and he reciprocated but stepped back to let you down, reaching behind you as he did to turn off the shower.  You looked at him quizzically, not quite ready for the moment to end entirely, but he didn’t offer you any explanation.  Instead, he stepped out of the shower and held out his hand for you to take and he led you across the small space to the vanity.  Pleased to be out of the slip zone you understood what he wanted and allowed him to help you perch on the countertop just beside your sink.  The marble was cold on your skin, making you shiver pleasantly in comparison to the hot humid air surrounding you.

Charles stepped between your open legs, and for a second you were reminded of his office two days before, before he caught you in such a heated kiss that everything else left your mind instantly.  You felt one of his hands move downwards, and judging by the slight movements you could feel of his arm against your leg, he was stroking himself as you made out like a pair of out of control teenagers.  His other hand snuck along your inner thigh, his thumb making contact with your sensitive clit causing you to jolt.  His fingers danced between your folds, toying with you and winding you up as his tongue entered your mouth, easily dominating you.  Two fingers pushed into you, and you felt yourself gasp, the feel of something finally inside of you enough to make your walls clench.  Charles was making no effort to make you cum again, however.  He was deliberately playing with you, refusing to stick to a regular rhythm as he worked you alongside himself.  It didn’t take you long before you couldn’t stand the feeling,

“Charles,” you whined, capturing his attention.  He looked up at you, a mischievous grin on his features.  He didn’t remove his fingers from inside you, and he didn’t let go of himself either.

“Ask for it,” 

“I need you,” he raised an eyebrow, only half satisfied with your response. “Please,” you added with a breathy sigh. 

You thought he was going to lean forward to kiss you, but instead, he swerved past you.  You turned to watch with interest as he reached behind you and wiped a large patch clean in the fogged up mirror that made up the back of the vanity unit.  “Trust me,” he spoke in your mind at your clear moment of confusion, before helping you down from your seat.

Charles pressed a chaste kiss to your lips before smoothly spinning you around.  You caught sight of yourself in the mirror, and suddenly it clicked into place.  Charles walked you forwards until you were able to lean forward on the counter, his breath hot on your neck as he took his position behind you.  He pushed into you with ease and you couldn’t stop the moan that escaped you at the pleasantness of the stretch.  The sensation almost took your breath away, and before Charles even began to move your breaths were coming in shallow and the familiar sensation of an orgasm building within you began to swell. 

“Christ, Y/N,” he forced out through gritted teeth as he withdrew his hips and pushed back into you a couple of times before settling into a rhythm.  With your legs pressed together and your back bent over the counter he felt significantly larger than usual inside of you, and you could only manage small whimpers in response to the overwhelming sensations.  The air was virtually stifling, aside from the small seconds of relief as icy cool drops of condensation landed on your skin.  One of Charles’ hands had made their way to your front and he was gently rolling a nipple between his fingers, making the hairs along the back of your neck stand on end.  His other hand landed sharply on your backside, drawing out a soft “oh,” from  you and the warm tingling patch left had you almost blushing.  Charles was speeding up too, moving at an almost relentless pace. 

“Look at me,” the demand made you look up into the mirror once more and the sight before you was almost enough to have you collapsed screaming over the vanity in itself.  You were a mess, eyes blown wide with a blush across your cheeks that extended down your neck and across your shoulders, mouth open in pure pleasure.  If you were a mess, Charles was something else entirely.  Stood directly behind you, his hands firm on your hips as he drove into you, forcing you to stay still as he took control of everything from behind.  His eyes were trained on your face in the mirror, his breath coming in short from the exertion of forcing himself to last for you.  

“So beautiful,” he grunted, his voice ragged and almost broken in the effort to get the words out  “Such a good girl for me,” the hand on your nipple moved upwards further, wrapping very gently around your throat.  He didn’t even have to squeeze because you could already feel yourself coming undone with an unrestricted cry, but when he did apply a little pressure you all but screamed, your walls clenching tightly around him as your second orgasm rocked through your body, leaving you spent and sprawled out on the vanity without the strength to support yourself.  Your eyes found Charles’ in the mirror and you watched in awe as his thrusts became sloppier.  He was making direct eye contact in the mirror, making an almost obscene amount of noise as he reached his own high.  

He had to place a hand on your back to balance as he pulled out, before swiftly catching you and holding you close. 

“Are you okay?”  Charles was back, with a kiss pressed against your temple as he examined you carefully.  You nodded weakly. 

“Yeah, that was just….” you didn’t have the words.

“Intense,” he provided, and you agreed.  Charles helped you back into the shower to clean up, and sat with you on the floor like it was nothing as he massaged your shampoo into your head.  The soft kisses he placed along your exposed shoulder were not missed.  Once you were clean and had managed to recover yourself he helped you to your feet and handed you one of the fluffy towels that was hanging off the back of the door.  You watched as he dried himself off and pulled on the grey sweatpants from earlier. 

“I would love to stay, but I have a government meeting with Erik sometime soon,” he admitted, an almost sheepish grin on his face.  You nodded, understanding.  The trouble with Charles was that you never had his complete attention, his mind was always somewhere esle, at least a little bit. 

“That’s okay.  I think I need a nap before lunch,”  he chuckled and pulled you into him by your hip again, pressing another kiss to your temple.

“Good idea,” 

You were about to reach for the door when Charles caught your arm and pulled you to him once more, his hand on the back of your neck as he captured you in an urgent kiss.  If you hadn’t been so exhausted he could have had you ready and desperate for round two in a matter of minutes. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liked this? Check out my Masterlist

Well then, I hope this makes up for the little absence between parts! And as per usual I want to thank everybody for their incredible patience with me <3

Not too much to say about this part. It was supposed to be a bit of a filler that I'd done half of ages ago and then got bogged down with uni work (what's new?) but when I came back to it this week it took on a life of its own and I just had to give Y.N what she wanted

As usual, feedback is always HUGELY appreciated!! And if you'd like to be on a Charles/Marvel/Forever taglist literally just let me know however you'd like

I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing this one

Rage and Love

Le Gremlin

Forever tags: @graysonmalfoy @inumorph @lokilvrr @bookgirlunicorn @thinkwritexpress-official @samandstuffworld @faeriedelalune-blog @elthanin-sive-blog-blog @ispendmoretimehere-blog @drakesfiance @allonesharingonebreath @storm-howlett @daneel-the-sister-of-castiel @groovy-lady @skadivalholl @govazz @its-astrotea-love

Charles tags: @ilovetvshowsblog @lyn07 @commissioner23 @possessedxparrot @colourfulrainbowz @not-on-the-faceu @gyllord @lauraandradesblog @delightfully-anonymous @booyoubatch @chezagnes @pretteasmoke @slytherhoes @chickabeep @gloryekaterina @vividvioletta560 @ushiwakasthighs @buckdyer @monsterhighprincess99 @yunonaneko @safewithintheheart @lionsmessis @peanutbuttermoony @strangestephens @jamesbucketbuns

[holy SHIT I did not realise how many of you are now on the taglist that's insane i love you all so so much]

[sugarybisous]

HEY GIRL!! Ok so this account is amazing like honestly i love it. ok so i want to give myself a makeover. I love watching movies that have to do with makeover such as princess diaries and the devil wears prada. do you know anyway on how i can do that and where i can start?

hi love! thank you so much ♡

i just want to start off with regardless of how you choose to present yourself, you're still beautiful and it truly is what is on the inside that is the most important. beauty is represented in many different forms and it is not just one singular form. i wanted to make this disclaimer because i am a sucker for makeover movies, princess diaries and clueless are on my list of favorite movies i love a good chic flic but in this post i will be giving advice on how to give yourself a overall makeover to upgrade over onto the person who you feel like you have always been and little tips on how to care for your outward appearance and trying new styles that appeal to you. dont forget though, all change starts from within ~

(we are all princesses and queens regardless of how we choose to present ourselves.) now....

makeover on refreshing yourself and your life:

MENTALITY: where are you mentally? what are some of the things you know you are struggling with within yourself? it's time to dig deep and face these issues in a gentle nurturing way. i am an advocate for therapy because it is a very useful tool in helping you along your mental health journey but i do understand as well unfortunately not everyone has access to those resources so here are some ways you can take matters into your own hands at home.

JOURNALING: this is one of my personal favorites because there are so many journal prompts and so many ways to organize your thoughts. some of the journal prompts you can search on pinterest can be, self reflection, self discovery, gratitude, and self love.

MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION: this is another personal favorite because of how grounding this practice is. life can be very fast paced so much to a point where we don't stop and take in everything that's around us, or we hold so much tension within our body that we don't even realize until we take the time to meditate. when we bring mindfulness and meditation to our lives, it reduces stress, improves your relationships, (not to mention the one with yourself!) betters your memory and so on and so forth! there are lots of apps in the app store, as well as play store for meditation and videos on youtube on learning about mindfulness and how to mediate, i would suggest guided meditations to start you off! one youtuber i would recommend is lavendaire she has a lot of meditation videos and lots of life wellness videos as well! https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC-ga3onzHSJFAGsIebtVeBg

CLEANING YOUR SPACE: when your room is cluttered you can expect your mind to be too, often times the state of someone's room can reveal the things they might be going through at the time. cleaning your room doesn't have to be a scary, hard, annoying task you just have to allow your mind to be in the right mindset to tackle it on, you can do that by putting some of your favorite tunes, imagining all of the bad energy leaving as you throw things away, getting inspired to spruce up your room a bit as you clean and see new ideas on what you can add, cleaning can for sure be a way to reduce stress!

SPENDING TIME WITH LOVED ONES: isn't this such an amazing feeling? when you are around people that genuinely love and care about you it is so healing. reach out to someone who you've been thinking about lately, and make some plans together! the weather is warming up, and will be even more soon perfect idea for a picnic with your loved ones and just a lot more things to do outside in general. (don’t be afraid to go on these dates by yourself as well!)

OUTWARD APPEARANCE:

EYEBROWS: let's start off with eyebrows, your eyebrows are what shape your face that's why i am so picky about how my brows are done and have mastered the way i prefer them to be over the years. personally i like threading the most because the hair will take a while to grow back compared to waxing or just cleaning up your brows and its so clean and precise. it can be uncomfortable if you're not used to it so i would also recommend waxing! and when it comes to makeup the anastasia beverly hills angled brow pencil and dip brow is amazing!

EYELASHES: if you have the budget for it eyelash extensions are a great invenstment, you dont have to do your lashes everyday because they are already done for you! some of my favorite eyelash extension sets are hybrid, volume or natural. but there are also regular false lashes that you can apply if thats not for you!

(here’s some inspo)

LIPS: exfoliating is key to having soft, juicy, lips! exfoilate before applying your favorite chapstick, lip gloss, lip-tint, lipstick, lip liner,lip oil and your lips are already looking good! (i make my own exfoliater with olive oil, honey, and sugar! i mix this mixture up then apply it with a separate toothbrush and gently exfoliate.)

SKIN: a simple routine to follow is to wash your face and follow that with a gentle toner then moisturize! also invest in a sleeping mask to keep your skin moisturized while you’re sleeping! i like the water sleeping mask by laneige, it’s made my skin-tone brighter and definitely helps to moisturize my skin, i wake up with it feeling soft. (i can make a separate post of my skincare routine whenever i have those pamper nights)

HAIR: there are so many ways to xpress yourself through your hairstyle! wigs, weaves, braids, different do’s. pinterest and youtube will be your holy grail. ive even seen some cute ideas on tiktok as well! not to mention adding a hair accessory is a simple way to elevate your look completely!

(here’s some inspo, and can i also say moesha braids are sooo versatile!)

NAILS: go with some of your favorite colors! mine is pink so i like to get different shades of pink whenever i buy nail polishes especially ones with sparkles. you could also get some nail art tools and they are some easy nail art designs to follow on youtube, french manicures are also classic and never out of style really easy to do as well! nail charms are sooo cute too! and you can get them off of amazon and etsy for good prices!

(here’s some inspo!)

now last but not least FASHION: your own fashion should be something that brings you joy and confidence. for some awesome fashion break downs, guides and analysis’s, a cool account on youtube is moderngurlz. not quite sure which ones your style? get inspo from your favorite shows or movies, or different time periods! https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCW_c5PzkvxMaBxqwjITW6-A

so there you have it babe! a quick little makeover rundown! hope this helps and goodluck! ♡

[justsomeclintasha]

“Open your eyes Natasha.“

The voice is enough of an order to obey. It’s Madame, pointing a gun at someone with a hood over their face.

She blinks.

The fabric is gone.

Clint. No. No.

“Breathe, Natasha.”

She blinks.

He’s lying motionless on the ground. Madame is gone. She reaches for him, almost drops the gun that’s slick in her hands. Covered in blood. Clint’s blood. Her stomach clenches and she starts to scream.

XXX

“I always knew in my gut she didn’t belong,” Coulson admits, watching her from the corner of the room.

“It was only a matter of time. Once a traitor, always a traitor,” Tony chimes in. Steve nods.

“It’s just a shame Clint had to die for us to see it.”

“Did you know she burned down a children’s hospital?” The rushing in her ears drowns out the rest of the conversation. She tries to get up, but handcuffs bite into her wrists.

XXXXX

Suddenly the room is dark and there’s a mirror above her. Her reflection laughs down at her.

“Pathetic. Useless. You thought you could be good? You are not good.”

The reflection morphs into Yelena, four years old and crying as their hands are ripped apart.

Sofia, her torso a mess of yellow and blue bruises, breathing ragged from the punctured lung she’ll die from.

Anya, looking her straight in the eyes, her own filled with horror as Natasha levels the gun.

A shot rings out and blood spatters the glass.

XXXXX

She’s floating and her cheeks are wet.

“It’s okay.”

But it’s not. She doesn’t deserve to live. There’s a knife in her pocket but she can’t move her hands to grab it. Everything is heavy and slow.

“Natasha.”

Something cool presses to her forehead.

Clint gave her the knife for their anniversary. How fitting. She knows the blade is sharp. It would be just like falling asleep.

XXXXX

“Breathe, Nat. Come on.”

She gasps, trying to suck in air. Her lungs are tight in her chest. Someone grabs her hand and squeezes.

She wants to pull away.

Wants to scream.

Wants to die.

“Natasha, breathe, breathe, come on sweetheart.”

Clint? His face swims into view above her. Frustrated, she jerks her wrists to get free.

“Shh, stop fighting. Hang on. Deep breath.”

But she can’t. The monitors behind her are beeping. Someone is yelling. An oxygen mask presses over her lips and everything fades.

XXXXX

The room is dark and quiet. A head of messy hair rests on the blankets next to her hip. He’s snoring softly, his fingers entwined with hers. She squeezes.

“Clint?” Her voice cracks, hopeful and desperate. His eyes blink open and he straightens.

“Hey. Nat, you okay?”

“You’re- you-“ Immediately, she’s wrapped in his arms, sobbing into his chest. One hand rubs her back, the other holding her tight around the waist.

“Shhh, breathe, Nat. It’s alright. Everything is alright.”

“I thought I killed you. They said so, Steve, and Tony, and Coulson, and I saw your body, I saw- I saw Madame and I saw Yelena-“

“It’s okay. You were drugged, do you remember?” She wipes her eyes and takes a moment to consider, forcing in a slow breath. “We were on a mission in Madrid,” he prompts. She shakes her head.

“I don’t know.”

“It’s okay. Come on, we’re going to lay back down. You have to try to rest.”

“Don’t leave.”

“I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

XXXXX

Coulson brings them breakfast in the morning. It’s been three days since she’s been dosed, fighting through a fever and hallucinations.

Tony has been analyzing the drug. While it’s out of her system, he’s recommended time off for her physical and mental health. Coulson is inclined to agree. They’re on mandatory leave for two weeks.

Steve comes to help them home from the hospital. He fusses about her wearing a sweatshirt- it’s cold outside- and insists on pushing her in a wheelchair to the car.

The short ride home is draining. Her favorite blanket is folded on the couch, along with a bottle of water and a small plate of fruit, crackers, and cheese. She promises to eat when she wakes up.

Clint wraps her in his arms and they settle on the couch. Tony flicks on a movie. Ten minutes in, she’s already asleep- safe, and surrounded by her family.

[caught-in-the-filter]

The Wallflower Waltz

For CS Halloweek 2021. Fulfilling the prompts: Dance/grey (masquerade | honour | “you’re trembling” | enraged)

Summary: Vampire!Emma has her way with Killian against a wall.

Rated: E; Words: 1653 ; read it on AO3

A/N: Once again, huge shoutout and thank you to the organizers of @cshalloweek for holding the event.

Also shoutout and thank you to @ultraluckycatnd for betaing this for me. ❤️

———

“I know what you are,” Killian said, a quiet reaffirmation of Emma’s suspicions.

“And yet you’re still here,” Emma teased, caging him between herself and the stone exterior of the tavern with her arms.

“What can I say?” Killian shuddered as Emma nuzzled his neck, inhaling his scent and letting her teeth tauntingly scrape against him. “I love a challenge.”

“You’re trembling,” Emma purred with a smirk, sliding her hand up Killian’s chest and against the side of his throat, her nails grazing his skin as she clutched at the hair on the nape of his neck. She mirrored the motion on his other side with her tongue, flattening it against his flesh and licking a long stripe up to the hinge of his jaw as she jerked his head back. “I can feel your heart racing.” Her breath was hot on his ear as she nipped at the lobe playfully. “What’s the matter, Captain? Not as courageous as legend says you are?”

“How can a man’s heart not race at the sight of a gorgeous woman such as yourself pressing him to a wall with her body?” Killian caught her wrist in the crook of his hook, lowering her hand and swapping their positions in one smooth spin, his hand poised a hair’s breadth away from grasping her throat. “And do not make the mistake of underestimating me, darling.”

“There’s the pirate I want to see,” Emma smiled triumphantly despite her position. “Shall we go inside and find a room?” Emma asked as she palmed him through his leathers. “Or do you prefer to be ravished in the open?”

Killian’s eyebrow raised at that as he answered, “A lady deserves a proper bed.” He thrust once into her hand as he stepped closer and pinned her arm between them. “But if a wench likes to be taken against a wall, who am I to deny her pleasure?” Tucking his hook beneath her skirts, he slowly lifted them to her hip, the cool metal brushing up her thigh. “Tell me, darling,” he said, their foreheads practically touching, his nose nudging her cheek and his lips ghosting over hers as he asked in a sultry tone, “which type of lass are you?”

“I’m the type that does the taking, Captain.” With her free arm, Emma shoved him back toward the building opposite them. Killian slammed against the brick with a grunt and shook his head to clear it as Emma sank to her knees before him. She wasted no time unfastening his belt and untying the laces beneath it, baring his cock to her eager hands. “Can you handle it?”

She proudly watched his expression shift from so suave to utterly wrecked as she stroked his length, feeling him swell and harden against her palm. Thumbing at the tip as precum leaked from his slit, she spread the lubricant down his shaft as she gave him squeezing pumps.

“Come on, Captain. I thought they said you were a talker. Can’t you answer a simple question?”

“Bloody fucking hell,” Killian barely managed to say through gritted teeth. “I can handle it,” he answered, his breathless tone rather unconvincing. “You certainly know how to handle a cock, love.”

Emma hummed at the compliment and made whatever he was going to say next catch in his throat as she took him into her mouth, flattening her tongue along the underside of him as she sheathed his full length and swallowed before releasing him with a wet pop.

“Fuck,” Killian groaned as Emma did it again, and again, sucking harder each time. “Gods, you fucking minx. Bloody hell. Fuck.” His hand fisted in her hair as he urged her to keep going. The pull of his rings tangling in some strands made her moan, the vibrations of which only caused him to echo her sinful sounds with his own. He almost lost his resolve when she flicked her tongue over his slit, the sensation just shy of too much, but Emma stopped before he could topple over the edge, keeping him agonizingly on the precipice as she got to her feet.

“You’ve a bloody brilliant mouth, darling.” Killian’s chest heaved in an effort to catch his breath, an effort which Emma thwarted as she rucked up her skirts and lifted her leg to lock it behind him.

“I can hear your blood rushing in your veins,” Emma said as she tore open his shirt and vest with ease, raking her nails down his exposed chest. “All of it gathering right here,” she squeezed his cock as she emphasized the word, weighing it in her hand before draping her skirts over them both and dragging the head back and forth along her folds, coating him in her arousal as he panted desperately.

“Gods,” was all he could manage to say. A moan clung to his tongue as she took him inside herself, the feel of her tight, wet heat unexpectedly warm considering the coolness of her touch.

“Damn, you’re fucking big when you’re hard like this,” Emma groaned, swiveling and rocking her hips, careful with her movements to keep him buried inside her as she rode him. Killian thrust to meet her, settling his hand and hook on her waist to steady her as she set the pace, grinding together in their own sort of dance.

“Perhaps you’re the one who couldn’t handle it,” he smirked, chasing her mouth with his as she teased him with an almost kiss before throwing back her head with a moan.

Emma pulled her lower lip between her teeth, worrying it as she canted her hips with determination until Killian’s cock hit the spot she loved the most. She writhed against him, one hand planted in his hair and the other grasping his balls.

“Tell me, Captain,” she purred, “can you be a good little pirate for me and stay quiet?”

“Yes,” he gasped into her mouth as she pressed wet kisses to his lips, his cheek, his jaw, his throat. “Gods, yes.”

“Good boy.” She ruffled his hair before clenching her fist and tugging it, tipping back his head and pulling the skin on his neck taut. “Shhh,” she soothed, tasting him again with her tongue.

A sharp cry caught in the back of his throat as she sank her teeth into his flesh. His hips bucked wildly as she sucked hard and drew the blood from his punctured vein with hungry, approving grunts. In moments, the pain had passed, replaced with an unexplainable sort of euphoria as Emma quenched her thirst. Killian chased his high as Emma continued to bounce herself on his cock and drink from his neck.

“Come for me, Captain,” she encouraged as she licked at his wound, soothing the sting and sealing the cuts. “I’ve had my fill of your delicious blood. Fill me with your cum too.”

“Gods, love,” he panted as his head fell back against the brick wall behind him. At that point, it was the only thing keeping him upright, his legs weak beneath him from the dizzying blood loss and building orgasm.

“I can feel your cock throbbing,” Emma smirked, knowing what her words had been doing to him all night. “Come inside me, sweetheart. I need it. I’m so close.”

Killian cupped her ass through her skirt with his hand and fucked her in earnest then. He met her thrust for thrust and nudged her hand out of the way with his hook to tend to her clit himself.

“Yes, that’s it, love,” he growled as her legs quaked and she palmed her breast through her top. “Now look who’s trembling.” He chuckled at that, amused by his own play on her words, before he could produce nothing other than staccatoed moans as her walls fluttered and clenched around him. His hips stuttered and snapped forcefully, and he lost himself in the feel of her tight heat draining his cock dry as she made him fall with her and spill his release deep inside her.

“Fuck yes,” Emma sighed contentedly as she leaned against his chest. Her fingers toyed with his chest hair as they came down from their highs together. Once she caught her breath, Emma let Killian’s cock slip from her core and unsteadily lowered her leg, balancing herself with her hands on his shoulders before sliding them down his open shirt to the waistband of his leathers.

“That was amazing, Captain,” she praised, palming his soaked cock and thumbing at the tip before gently stuffing it back into its leather confines. “You were amazing. Your blood tastes amazing.” Bringing her thumb to her lips, she sucked the wet pad into her mouth, making Killian’s cock twitch again at the sinful sight. “Mmmm, and so does your cum.”

“Do I get a taste of you, darling?” Killian asked, sounding more desperate than confident with still-labored breaths. “Turnabout is fair play, after all. I imagine you’ll taste as divine as you feel.”

“Maybe next time,” Emma teased, much to his disappointment despite the promise in her words.

“So there will be a next time, then?”

“Perhaps.” Emma smiled, smoothing her skirt as she backed away from him. “I don’t think I’ve had nearly enough of you yet. We’ll pass closely in the night again, I’m sure.” She bit her lip playfully as she took in how wrecked he looked, his shirt hanging open, his leathers unfastened, hair mussed, lips swollen, cock most certainly aching still. “Until next time, Captain.” She spun on her heels and left before she could have the chance to bite him again, knowing he’d need his rest before she could take any more from him. But she’d find him again, she promised herself she would.

“Until next time,” he echoed softly, fighting the urge to chase after her as he watched her leave. A beautiful mystery, one he knew he wanted to unravel, again and again.

———

Tag list  ❤️: @anothersworld @batana54 @darkcolinodonorgasm @deckerstarblanche @donteattheappleshook @elizabeethan @holdingoutforapiratehero @hollyethecurious @ilovemesomekillianjones @itsfabianadocarmo @jonesfandomfanatic @jrob64 @justanother-unluckysoul @karlyfr13s @klynn-stormz @kmomof4 @laschatzi @qualitycoffeethings @resident-of-storybrooke @sotangledupinit @stahlop @teamhook @the-darkdragonfly @thejollyroger-writer @tiganasummertree @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgoodwrites @wefoundloveunderthelight @whimsicallyenchantedrose @xhookswenchx @xsajx @zaharadessert  

[visionsofus]

I love your writing! May I please request an angst/pining fic where Vision wonders how Wanda would feel about being with him since he isn't human? This would before they get together. I always thought that something like this must have crossed his mind.

wow anon I really took this prompt and ran with it so it’s a little longer than expected but I really hope you like it! thanks for requesting something so interesting - it really gave me the opportunity to be creative. I took the opportunity to mess around with some headcanons about Vision’s emotions so there is that too. I absolutely agree that his nature would be something of a concern for Vision, and I think it’s probably an insecurity that would continue for a while into their relationship. Nevertheless, this is set sometime before Civil War at the compound with the rest of the team. I hope you enjoy! 

| read on AO3 here | mixtape playlist | send me an ask with your song/prompt request |

Wanda and Vision’s Mixtape #19: Feel Something by Jaymes Young

synopsis: Movie night at the compound isn’t going well for Vision, and that’s even before he decides to try and be a bit more human and eat food. He manages to drunkenly confess his deepest insecurities about his own existence before the night is out. Ft. angsty Vision, jealous Vision, pining Vision and basically Vision feeling a whole array of emotions he doesn’t know how to deal with. I love this man I am so sorry to put him through this 

It was supposed to be a nice Saturday, a celebration of the public holiday that blessed the team with four days off work, and yet Vision had been feeling strange all afternoon. It was difficult to place what was rubbing him the wrong way – it was even more challenging to process the feelings he had. Of course, he understood it logically, how his synthetic limbic system was able to replicate emotions based on feedback the outside world presented to his brain. But actually putting his feelings into words was far more difficult.

He had discussed this aspect of his development with Helen Cho two months earlier, as he so often did when he had challenges in adapting to a world that saw him as a simple robot. Her hypothesis, she had explained over lunch, was that Vision was bombarded with emotions in a way that any regular adult might be, except he had not had the years to develop ways to cope with them. Vision could feel all the feelings that he wanted, and he knew how they informed his decisions, but it didn’t make it much easier when it came to accepting those feelings. But Helen had explained there wasn’t a way to speed that process up without extensive surgery and the potential altering of his personality.

So, he read and read and read, consuming as much knowledge as he could to make up for all the years of emotional development that a being of his maturity was expected to have.

They were outside on the grassy lawn spanning out the front of the Avengers Compound. The immaculate lawns were at present occupied by two long couches that he had help carry outside, a barbeque and a long banquet table that was gradually filling up with food. Vision was surrounded by the teammates who had become his friends in the less than a year he had been living with them. It was a nice evening, so what was it that had him all hot and bothered?

“You all right there, buddy?” Clint said, slapping Vision on the back in a way he had seen the others do.

“I am well thank you, Clint,” Vision said managing a smile that satisfied the archer enough that he returned to his conversation with Thor and Natasha. The three of them were starting another round of beers as Vision awkwardly sat nearby.

“You want one, Vision?” Thor asked, holding one of the drinks out to him.

Vision opened his mouth in hesitation, wondering if he might be able to, just this once. “I can’t,” he said finally, knowing his systems wouldn’t be able to absorb the alcohol, or any liquid for that matter. The others didn’t question it, but Vision couldn’t help thinking that they still found him rather… odd.

As they returned to their conversation, sitting in an open enough group that Vision was included and welcomed into the conversation, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Everyone around him was engaging in the social act of consumption, and he couldn’t. It hadn’t really bothered him before, but now that he saw them all engaging in this normal practice together, Vision couldn’t help feeling a bit left out. What other countless things did he miss out on simply by not being a human?

Looking for a distraction Vision directed his gaze away from the conversation happening around him and instead looked to the rest of his companions. His eyes immediately found Wanda, he couldn’t help it. There was a pull between them that couldn’t but denied. The connection scared him, despite the synthetic nature of his amygdala. Even as he gazed at her from a distance now, there was a part of him that wanted to get up and go to her side. He’d grown used to the feeling and relished the time they shared together and all that she made him feel. The rush of dopamine when she smiled, the spike in serotonin when he was the source of that smile, the spark of adrenaline when her hand accidentally brushed his skin. None of these reactions scared him, not really. The attraction was too pleasant to truly fear. No, the scary part was that once he was at her side he never wanted to leave.

As he mulled this over Wanda felt his gaze and glanced over her shoulder, pausing her monitoring of the barbecue to give him a quick smirk. Vision, distracted as he was, panicked and quickly looked away in embarrassment. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her frown and turn back to Steve who was helping her with flipping the burger patties.

Frustrated at himself he returned his gaze to the pair at the barbecue. He watched as Wanda’s arm slipped trying to flip a particularly stubborn patty and Steve quickly grabbed her elbow lest it hit the hot surface of the grill. Even as Vision’s fear spiked a moment at the prospect of Wanda being injured, his irritation grew exponentially.

In reaction to Wanda’s near accident he had half risen from the couch and realised it would now look odd if he didn’t commit to standing up. Reluctantly he left the chattering trio he’d been beside and made his rounds to the other teammates. Tony was helping Pepper set out the cutlery down the long table and Vision decided this was a safe enough space to place himself until they sat down for food.

He absentmindedly made small talk with the pair and helped in gathering glasses from inside and bringing them out to be filled with beer and various other refreshments he couldn’t consume. As he did, he kept half an eye on Wanda and Steve, hating the irritation that grew as they laughed and joked. It was entirely irrational. Vision admired Steve a great deal and had only ever had respect for him in their training. He was proud to have established a good enough relationship with the Captain that he was able to be called a friend. But seeing the pair enjoying themselves made him upset, a little bit angry and…

And jealous.

Whether it was the shock or not he couldn’t be sure, but the feelings died immediately as he reprimanded himself for his own presumptuousness. What right did he have to feel jealousy of all things, watching Wanda getting along with the Captain. It was not his place to feel this way. They certainly weren’t at a point in their relationship where such a thing might be acceptable, or even desired by her. What are the chances that a human would fall for a synthezoid?

None. He replied to himself. Zero, nada, zilch. It was so impossible it didn’t deserve his attention and so he gloomily turned his mind to the table before him and continued setting out glasses.

The dinner itself was rather uneventful. Or as uneventful as things could get with the Avengers. Thor had challenged Steve to a drinking competition, a dangerous prospect given Thor’s immeasurable tolerance for alcohol and Steve’s high metabolism.

The rest of the team were content to behold the competition without intervening, instead chattering in small groups around the table.

As always, there was an ease to the conversation and Vision found it welcoming, occasionally joining in here and there. But he mostly listened, content to absorb that which was said around him without offering his input. If anyone noticed he was more quiet than normal, they said nothing. And if Wanda thought it was strange that he had placed himself at the opposite end of the table to her, she did not acknowledge it, save for a hesitant glance his way every few minutes.

Thor and Steve were well into their 15th drinks when the team wrapped up dinner.

“Can you give me a hand with the movie, Vision?” Tony asked, heading over to the large projector that had been set up on the lawn ready for the movie night that had been planned to end the evening. Vision tilted his head in surprise but followed anyway.

“What do you need me for?” Vision asked joining Tony at the projector.

“Oh no reason, actually.”

Vision frowned as Tony made a few quick touches on his tablet and the night’s selected movie appeared on the screen. Nat had chosen a comedy flic Vision didn’t recognise.

“I just wanted to see how you were doing,” Tony said nonchalantly and handed Vision the end of a beanbag to drag over to the couches which were slowly becoming occupied as the rest of the team milled over. “You seem quiet tonight.”

“There is nothing wrong with being quiet.”

“No, there’s not,” Tony agreed, “but there is something wrong with feeling like you have to be quiet to satisfy others.”

Vision averted his gaze from Tony’s piercing eyes. He was uncomfortably perceptive when he wanted to be.

“I assure you, that’s not what is happening.”

There was silence but Vision refused to meet Tony’s intent look, afraid of what he might see reflected there. Tony gave a mighty sigh and then Vision was left alone once more.  

Vision had perched himself on the end of the couch next to Clint, who had tried to insist on returning to his room on the grounds that he hated comedy films, but Nat had made him stay.

Beside Clint was Steve, still going strong on his drinking bet, with Thor beside him. The rest of his teammates were assembled on the other couch or occupying chairs and beanbags before the projector upon which the movie was just beginning.  

Lounging on a blue beanbag in front of the couch sat Wanda. Her legs curled up underneath her and with her already short stature she was practically absorbed by the enormous beanbag.

“Hey, Wanda,” Steve called over the sound of the movie, “chuck me some popcorn, will you?”

Wanda did indeed chuck some popcorn, throwing three pieces over her shoulder, one of them landing in Steve’s cup.

“No what I meant,” Steve said, and Wanda laughed. The sound made Vision smile, as it so often did.

Wanda turned around in her chair and met Vision’s gaze, the popcorn bowl extended to him before she caught herself and turned to Clint instead. Vision’s smile fell.

“Would you like some, Clint?” She asked sweetly and Steve grumbled something under his breath.

“Shut up old man,” Clint joked and took the bowl she offered.

Wanda’s attention was back on the screen as Clint held the popcorn out to Vision absentmindedly.

“Oops sorry,” he said pulling away, “I forgot.”

“It’s ok,” Vision sighed. As Clint turned away, he made his decision. “Actually, you know I will have some.”

“Uh okay,” Clint said hesitantly, and Vision plucked a single piece of popped corn from the overflowing bowl before it was handed down to the rest of the couch.

Eating was a strange experience and even as he chewed his body sounded off warnings and Vision knew then and there that he had made a mistake. But he so desperately wanted to fit in that he ignored it all, swallowing finally and shuddering slightly at the unwelcome feeling of the food going down his throat.

Within half an hour Vision was feeling as light and airy as the popcorn had been. His movements a little sluggish, his eyes seeming to slow down as he watched the movie. Distracted, he found it harder to not think about Wanda. The popcorn had somehow made it more difficult to fend off the challenging thoughts he was often so good at pushing off. Now, however, the little voice in his head telling him she’d never want him, was back. It was followed up by a second voice that made him feel stupid for even feeling this way for her in the first place.

In an effort to escape the cycle his brain had worked itself up into Vision decided to take a walk. This was challenging apparently, as he managed to bump into several chairs and the table before he made his way away from the noise of the screen. The movie was too loud, and he needed to get some more air.

“More air,” Vision giggled to himself, despite the fact he had never giggled in his life, “I am surrounded by air why could I possibly need more of it?”

“Vision?” Tony called, evidently having seen the way the synthezoid had stumbled away from the screen and followed him.

“Yessir,” Vision said standing to attention and then dissolving into laughter.

Tony stopped in his tracks with his mouth open in disbelief.

“’Scuse the language, but what the fuck?”

“You are excused,” Vision bowed but that made him feel dizzy and so he staggered over to the wall of the compound so he could lean against something solid.

“Yep you’re not okay,” Tony said coming closer and peering into Vision’s eyes. “Look at me, buddy.” He reached out and tried to hold one of Vision’s eyes open.

“What’re you doin?” Vision said, now aware that he had started slurring for some reason.

“Are you drunk?” Tony asked indignantly at this and pulled his hands away from Vision’s face  

“Don’t be absurd,” Vision said waving a hand, “I can’t drink.”

Tony looked sceptical.

“I can’t,” Vision insisted. “I can’t drink, I can’t eat, I can’t do anything!”

Tony looked more concerned at this, taking the synthezoid by the shoulders and leading him further away from the group at their back, all still very much preoccupied by the movie. Save for Wanda who had noticed Vision’s absence, as keenly aware of him as he was of her, and had followed at a concerned distance.

“I don’t know what’s going on with you,” Tony said patting Vision’s shoulder, “but you need to fix it.”

“Oh yes I can fix it,” Vision rambled, “I can do anything and everything, I am a superhuman except I’m not human am I?”

Tony sighed sadly. “Is that what this is about? You know no one here cares what you are, Vision. Half of us aren’t full humans anyway.”

“Yes, but most of you are at least a little bit human,” Vision said raising a hand to correct him. He then pointed at himself. “I am not human enough to be human, but not artificial enough to be treated like a robot. I am something else, not quite enough of either.”

Tony didn’t know what to say to this and so Vision took a few steps away, turning his head skyward and sadly admiring the twilight sky above them. The sun had set enough now that the evening had turned chilly, not the Vision minded it, not that he even felt the cold.

As the synthezoid stood gazing at the sky and the stars slowly coming to life, his brain supplied him with a piece of media to help process the strange feelings running through his mind. The movie Pinocchio.

“I wish I may, I wish I might.” Vision’s voice was barely audible as he quoted the story, certainly too quiet for Tony to hear. “Have this wish, I wish tonight.”

“I wish that I were more.”

Tony heard this last part. “Is that all this is about?” His voice was hesitant and both of them appeared apprehensive of the answer.

But Vision didn’t want to hide the truth, not anymore. “I wish that I could be more,” Vision said, “for her.”

Vision’s hand came to his mouth as the words left it, as though he could somehow capture the truth and hold it close once more. He didn’t need to specify that Wanda was the subject of his aching heart as he turned back to see Tony’s knowing gaze.

His gaze was a little hazy now, a little frayed at the edges as he tried to look at Tony properly. Instead, he found his eyes locking on the shadowed figure over his shoulder, Wanda.

“If you don’t mind,” Vision said, slurring his words again, “I will be seeing myself to bed now.”

He started forward, away from the concerned pair who both reached for him at the same time. Vision waved off their worry, “I am perfectly fine I assure you.”

He reached the back door of the compound and went to phase through the steel, startling himself when his forehead collided with cold metal. Vision tried again and shook his head painfully as it thudded against the door once more. He hesitated the third time, instead extending his hand and trying to phase. He managed to get his hand through but then lost control of his power and his fist became trapped. He sighed grumpily, yanking the door off its hinges and cracking it in half in order to free his hand. The discarded pieces of steel thudded to the ground at his back.

Vision stomped up the stairs, doing his best to hold onto the balustrade when the ground started to sway beneath his feet. He could hear the footsteps of someone hurrying after him.

“I assure you, Mr Stark,” Vision said shaking his head, “I am perfectly fine, I just need some rest.

“You’re not fine.”

Wanda’s voice made Vision stop in his tracks.

“Please don’t lie to me,” she said sounding slightly miffed. Vision hung his head shamefully as she took his arm, not even able to relish in the physical contact as she guided him down to his room at the end of the corridor.

Wordlessly, he let her sit him down upon the bed.

Perching next to him, she raised her hands. “May I?”

Vision nodded and Wanda’s hands glowed a soft red in the darkness of his room.

“Well that definitely shouldn’t be there,” she muttered, and Vision felt a repulsive feeling as what was left of the popcorn started to resurface.

“I’ll just be one tickety-boo—” He managed before running from the room. He thought he heard Wanda laugh as he left.

After getting rid of the single piece of popcorn that had managed to cause such damage in one evening Vision felt infinitely better. Or at least, much more himself. A little more in control, a little calmer and thankful that the room had stopped spinning for the time being. He swished water in his mouth and spat it into the bathroom sink – an activity he had only ever seen done on the television, never having reason to do so himself.

He was dismayed to find that Wanda was still in his room when he returned. Vision looked away from her even as she extended a hand that he reluctantly took.

She guided him to the bed and pulled the covers back, waiting for him to get in. He didn’t really feel like explaining that the bed was mostly an illusion and that he didn’t need it to sleep, that his sleep wasn’t the same kind of sleep she needed. Just a cheap rip off that his artificial brain demanded.

Sat against the headboard with the covers pulled up around his waist and Wanda sat on the edge of the bed next to him, Vision still refused to look at her. “Forgive me for my unseemly behaviour tonight,” he managed, hoping that she would take this as invitation to leave him to his humiliation.

“Now that I know there was nothing seriously wrong, it was actually kind of endearing.” Wanda shrugged. Vision felt a little better at this.

“Why did you try to eat popcorn?” She asked dipping her head so she could meet his downturned gaze. “I know you don’t eat.”

They sat in silence as he stoically refused to answer. He was quite sure that Wanda had heard at least part of his blabbering down on the lawn. There was no need to reiterate the deep dark secret he’d managed to keep hidden for the last year.

“You know I’d never ask you to change right, Vis?” Wanda said quietly.

“If I could be human though,” Vision murmured not sure where the sentence was going.

“It doesn’t matter, because you can’t.”

His brows drew together in consideration. But he knew she was right, no amount of wishing on stars would change that.

“And I wouldn’t want you to either,” she said quietly.

Vision met her eyes at this, and she smiled warmly.

“You’re perfect just as you are.” Wanda hesitated a moment but then leant forward quickly and gave him a hug. It only lasted a moment, but Vision felt as though every nerve lit up along his skin at the points she touched. Her hand lingered a little longer on his shoulder and he almost reached out to hold it there, to confess something much more serious than that which he had already admitted to. But there was no amount of malfunctioning he’d be able to blame that revelation on. Instead, Wanda took his hesitation as her cue to leave and rose before he could say anything more.

“Well, I’ll let you rest.”

Vision managed a small smile. “Thank you, Wanda.”

“Don’t feel like you have to change for any of us,” she reminded him as she hesitated at the door. “You’d never need to change for me, Vis, I like you just as you are.”

He dipped his head once more, worried that the intensity of his affection would come across in his gaze. He remained that way until the last slither of light from the corridor disappeared and the door was shut softly at her back.

Vision sat up in bed for hours, turning over the events of the evening in his mind again and again. And every time he came back to her words, holding them close to his heart in reassurance. He didn’t need the stars or fairy tales to be there for her. He didn’t need to act like something else, to become someone else for her. And he was gradually realising that she’d never asked him to anyway, that anxiety was a product of his own overthinking. As he realised all of this, her words repeated again and again in his ears, a comforting mantra as the night passed on.

You’d never need to change for me. I like you just as you are.

[starsfic]

Here’s a promt for any show…

He falls back onto the couch, popcorn in hand. After a long day he sighs, finally able to get a break. He flics on the tv and… that’s him. He waves his arm around and sure enough the exact movement is broadcasted

Yakko glared at the TV screen. “Seriously?” he mumbled, dropping his arm to grab a handful of popcorn to stuff it into his mouth, watching as the movement was mirrored on the screen. “We’re pulling this?”

There was no answer except his sibs’ snores from their sleeping places.

Yakko growled, placing the popcorn bowl aside to stand up and glare at the ceiling. “Hey!” he yelled- as quietly as he could because Wakko and Dot deserved sleep, dammit. “We agreed I would do a set number of hours and this?!”

He gestured to the screen, his reflection doing the same.

“This is out of my working hours. So, you’re gonna undo whatever you did to the TV, turn off whatever camera you got, and leave me alone. Got it?”

There was silence.

And then the TV let out a beep. Yakko disappeared from the screen, replaced by his favorite comedy show. The eldest Warner let out a sigh, collapsing back onto the couch. 

“Goodnight everybody.” he mumbled to himself, stuffing a handful of popcorn in his face.

Send me a prompt, please!

[talpup]

Summary: Yami Sukehiro just wanted to join the Magic Knights and make his mentor proud.  He knew there would be trails.  He knew trouble would come his way.  Knew he would be faced with discrimination for being a foreigner and a peasant.  What he didn’t know.  Didn’t expect.  Was that literal Chaos would come his way.  That he and his mentor’s sister would be at the center of world ending trouble.  Or that he would fall in love with his mentor’s sister and face more than discrimination; but the jealousy of Nozel Silva who loved the same woman he did.

Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).

Chapter 101

Teris sat down at a table with her friends.  Excited for their much needed girls day, Venice and Teris had decided to leave early and have breakfast at a restaurant in Raque.  Since Abril and Bran weren’t meeting Ricte till later in the afternoon, the two had joined them.

With the restaurant crowded, they took the first available table.  At first Abril had complained about sitting out on the balcony, muttering about the salty sea breeze.  Then she made Teris move, saying she wanted the seat with a view of the water.

Having seen the view from higher balcony’s at much fancier restaurants, Teris let Abril have the seat without a fuss.  Hopefully giving Abril the seat would better her mood and allow Teris and Venice to finally get Abril to open up about what was going on with her, Gendry, and Ricte.

But apparently Venice had other ideas since as soon as the waitress took their order and left, she looked at Teris and demanded to know. “What’s going on?”

Teris blinked in surprise.  “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb.  Spill.”  Abril ordered.

“About Yami?”  Teris’ eyes darted to Bran.  She wasn’t adverse to girl talk; but there was no way she was doing so with Bran there.

“No, silly.  How are you holding up?  First Bran and I bring in that guy from those Crazies, only to have him die five days later.  And the day after Bran and I bring that guy in, you and Yami are abducted. Never mind Nozel and Fuegoleon getting taken the night before that and ending up in Healers Hall.”  Venice frowned, worried about her friend.  “It’s no wonder Jax gave you and Yami the day off.  You two have been through a lot.”

Teris huffed.  “When aren’t we going through a lot?  I have a feeling that’s what they’re going to put on my headstone.  Here lies Teris Nova, she went through a lot.”

“Hey! Don’t talk like that!  Your name’s gonna be Teris Sukehiro by the time there’s need for any headstone.”  Teasing as she was, Venice was also deadly serious.  There was no way her friend was dying anytime soon.  Not if she had something to say about it.

“I know you can’t say much.  But at least tell us you all learned something useful before that guy died.”  Abril said, hopeful tone filled with disgust for Flic and the Agents of Chaos.

Teris glanced a Bran once again, knowing he knew the sad truth that they had learned little to nothing of use from Flic.  Looking between Venice and Abril, she sighed wondering what she could tell her friends that would give them hope but wouldn’t be a lie.

101.2

Yami hadn’t needed his sense of Ki to be able to tell Bran had been disappointed he wouldn’t be spending the day off with the guys. Bran’s guilt over his boyhood friend sweetening up to Abril, when Gendry had been the first Black Bull to befriend him, likely hadn’t helped.  At least Gendry wasn’t the kind of person who took his hurt and jealousy out on others.  Yami doubted he would’ve been so dispassionate if in Gendry’s place.  In fact he had taken his fair share of anger and jealousy over Nozel out on Bran by kicking the younger man out of his room so he could sit at Bran’s window and wait for Teris to return.

Teris… Yami smiled at the thought of her.  He had teased her early this morning, feigning hurt feelings and saying she couldn’t wait to be away from him.  Teris had laughed at his toying act and silenced him with a kiss, promising to make it up to him later.  That promise made Yami eager for the days end so he could return to her.  But first, he had some mana to expend in the hopes that it would ease the building force inside him and help with the constant undercurrent that made him want to destroy somebody just for breathing in his direction.

Seated on the ground along the perimeter of the Green Mantis’ training yard, Yami drank from a water skin and watched Jack and Tobin start their fight.

“This should be interesting.  Jack’s slash magic can cut through anything given enough time to adjust but against Tobin’s giant magic it won’t make much of a difference.”  Yami turned to Gendry thinking of the battle they just had.  “You’ve progressed further since last time we fought.  Who have you been training with?”

Gendry shrugged, eyes on the match.  “Who ever I can.  Mostly Bran.”

Yami nodded.  Bran and Gendry were both Third Class Intermediate Magic Knights.  Though his and Teris’ influence might've encouraged the rest of the Black Bulls to be a little more engaged and proactive about their duties.  It had been Gendry's friendship with Bran that had prompted Gendry into wanting to become a better Magic Knight. Sadly, Abril hadn’t been all that enthused about Gendry’s newfound interest.  Instead of seeing it as something they could do together, Abril complained about the time Gendry’s new focus took away from their usual activities.

Yami pushed the cork back in the stopper and tossed the water skin aside. “We should schedule a regular sparring session.  Nothing too frequent.  Every other week or once a month maybe.”

“I would've thought you had enough going on with being Vice Captain and dealing with the Agents of Chaos mess.”  Gendry said.

“If you don’t want to just say so.”  Yami said, eyes on Jack and Tobin.

“That’s not it at all.  I’d like to have a set sparring session with you. I could use the practice.”

“Then?” Yami questioned.

“It’s exactly as I said.  I thought you’d be bogged down and busy.  I don’t want to add to the pile of things pulling at you and become a nuisance.”  Gendry said.

Yami huffed, eyes following the fight.  “Don’t think you’re capable of being a nuisance.”

“Tell that to Abril.”  Gendry muttered.

Yami raised an eyebrow.  He was no closer to understanding Gendry and Abril’s relationship then he had been during his first year as a Magic Knight.  Not that he had bothered trying to understand it. Still, Gendry was a friend and friends had to occasionally show they had an interest in the others hopes and lives.

“Still wanna marry her?”  Yami asked.

“I said I think I might want to marry her.  And yeah.  I still think I might.” Gendry said.

“Then fix things with her and see that she’s happy.  If that’s too much trouble then let it go and be glad you have your answer on that ‘might want to marry her’ thing.”  Yami told.

“You and Teris make it look so easy.”  Gendry sighed, his complaint both envious and amazed.

Yami’s hearty laugh bounced off the surrounding trees.  It echoed so loudly through the sparring field that it gave Tobin pause.  Jack took advantage of the distraction, sending out a slash that knocked Tobin on his ass.

Gaining control of his laughter, Yami asked.  “Which part looks easy? Dealing with a group of crazies?  Or being unable to go out and do anything together because Bird Braid’s father might send more people to try and kill me?  Or maybe it’s the likely future fight I’ll have with her brother to free her from her family that looks easy to you.”

“I don’t mean any of that.”  Gendry said.  “I know none of that can be easy.  But that’s all outward stuff you have to deal with. I’m talking about the two of you.  As a couple.”

Yami’s humored grin turned dopey as he thought of Teris.  “Yeah.  I really lucked out.  Teris is an easy woman to get along with.  Pig headed, prideful, overly curious, too caring brat that she is; she’s perfect.”

“Abril’s great too.  I just wish she thought I wasn’t so inconsequential.” Gendry said.

“If she thinks that then she stupider than I thought.”  Yami said, seeing that Jack was leading Tobin to make the kind of strike he wanted in order to serve up a good return.

Gendry scowled at Yami.

Sensing the change in his friend, Yami said by way of apology. “Fine. No bad talking the Inch Worm.  So what’s the problem between you two anyway?”

Gendry ran a hand through his hair.  Other than Abril’s complaints about the time his training took away from them, there was the matter of Ricte.  But Ricte was a secondary problem.  A causal result of an underlying problem he had been unable to name.  “I don’t know.”

“Then find out.  If it’s something you think is worth working on, work on it.”  Yami said.

“What if it’s me?  What if there’s something about me that she doesn’t like?”  Gendry asked.

“She wouldn’t be your constant shadow and complaining that your training was taking time away from her if she wasn’t interested in you.” Yami told.

Gendry nodded at that, feeling better.  “So what do you say to every other Monday morning?”

Yami’s brows pulled together.  “For?”

“Our sparing sessions.”  Gendry said.

Yami shook his head.  “I got way too much going on.  You’d only become a nuisance.”

“Every other Monday it is.”  Gendry grinned.

101.3

Breakfast long since finished Teris, Venice, Abril, and Bran still sat at the balcony table.

“Betrothed?” Teris blinked at Venice.  “When?  How?  Kess and Jon haven’t been dating that long.  Have they?  It’s not like they had long held feelings for each another the way Tobin did for you.  Did they?”

Venice shrugged her shoulders.  “Don’t know.  I didn’t think he liked anyone else while we were dating.  I only heard about the engagement yesterday afternoon.  From the sound if it, they had some big fancy dinner between their families the day before that.  I don’t know anything more.  But since you know how all that stuff works.  I was hoping you could tell me if this was Jon or his parents doing.”

Teris shook her head in disbelief.  For it to be official and celebrated with a dinner, Jon and Kess’ parents would've had to have agreed to the match.  But was it their parents who had made the match?  Or Jon and Kess seeking one, and gaining approval?  Jon might've been a bastard son of Lord Denwulf.  But the Denwulf’s were quite a ways up the noble ladder from Kess’ family.  And with Kess being the youngest of three daughters, it wasn’t too far fetched for Lord Yates to look to wed Kess to Jon.

“What’s it matter anyway?  You’re with Tobin.”  Abril said.

“I just think it’s a bit sudden and am worried for Jon’s sake.” Venice snapped.  “I mean, he and Kess just started dating what? Back near the Star Awards?”

“Far as we know.”  Teris nodded.

Abril shrugged.  “Well, when you know.  You know.”

Teris and Venice turned to her.

“What?” Abril demanded, shoulders stiffening under their gaze.

Bran’s eyes darted around the three women.  He had been quiet for so long, he wondered if they had forgotten he was there.  Having been the first son, Bran was use to being forgotten while his seven older sisters talked.  In his experience, being forgotten was far better than being remembered.

“What do you know of it?”  Venice scoffed.

Abril crossed her arms, scowling.  “Apparently nothing.”  Before talk of Jon and Kess could continue, Abril exhaled loudly.  Resting her elbows on the table, she whined.  “How does one know?”

“How does one know what?”  Teris asked.

“That someone’s the one.  How do you know?”  Abril asked.

“I thought Gendry was your one.”  Venice teased.

“So did I.”  Abril mumbled.

Sharing a look with Venice, Teris prompted.  “But?”

“I don’t know!  He never talks of the future.  How can I know Gendry’s the one if I don’t know if I’m his one?”  Abril asked.

“Because the only other person Gendry regularly talks to is Yami and Bran, and I don’t think he wants to end up with either of them.”  Venice played.

“It doesn’t really matter how Gendry feels.  I mean, it does in the end.  But it doesn’t change the way you feel at the start.  Think about how torn up I was during that time Yami refused to speak to me before we got together.  Him being an idiot ass didn’t change how I felt about him.  Or how Tobin felt about Venice.”  Teris gestured to her friend.

“The man was persistent.”  Venice nodded of Tobin.

“I finally told him how I feel.”  Abril muttered about Gendry.

“In words?  With your voice?”  Venice questioned, in disbelief.

Abril nodded.

“What did he say?”  Teris asked.

“What he always says.  Nothing.”  Abril answered, exasperated.

Venice huffed.  “Sounds about right.  Guys are stupid.  They either won’t shut up when you want them to be quiet.  Or they refuse to talk when you want them to speak.”

“They’re not some pet that obeys.”  Teris chuckled.

“I know!  They’re incapable of obeying.  Though it’d be nice if they at least tried to listen.”  Venice complained.

Teris shook her head smiling.

“Ricte proposed.”  Abril said.

“What!” The two girls and Bran exclaimed.

“Why?” Bran demanded in guilty horror.

“When?” Teris asked.

“How?” Venice questioned.

“In his last letter.”  Abril answered.

“He proposed in a letter?”  Venice asked, incredulous.

Teris stared, dumbfounded.

Bran frowned, unhappy with his friend.

“That’s her there.”  Someone said, pointing to their table.

For a second Teris thought their waitress had complained to the restaurants manager about them lingering at the table till noon and was pointing them out.  She had a moment to think that they should leave a hefty tip for taking up the spot and the waitress’ chance of further customers when a magical burst of air exploded at their table knocking them back.

101.3.2

“When you insisted I take some time off, I didn’t expect you to pay call and ask for this.”  Nozel murmured, uncomfortably.

Walking beside her Vice Captain, Kess glanced out over the sea shore.  While not blatantly obvious, it was clear Nozel had been struggling with some inner turmoil since his release from Healer’s Hall after his abduction by the Agents of Chaos.  It was why Kess had given Nozel three days leave as soon as his debriefing about those events was done.

“Neither did I.”  Kess tucked her hair behind an ear, betrothal ring glittering in the sunlight.  “And I’m sorry to take you away from your family on your last day off, but I could use some help.  And, well… I thought this might be a way for us to bond outside of work.”

Nozel’s father wasn’t even here.  And after three days with his siblings, Nozel wasn’t all that sorry to be called away from them.  He usually avoided Noelle at all costs anyway, and Nebra wanted to do nothing more than lounge out on the family’s private beach; where all Solid had done the entire time was complain about everything. Funnily enough the one thing Solid hadn’t complained about was Nozel leaving them to help his Captain in her ask.  Instead Solid had taken advantage of it, saying if Nozel could go off without them then he and their cousin Kirsch could leave Nebra, Noelle, and Mimosa at the Silva’s beach estate and come into town for the day.

That’s where Nozel was now, walking the bustling boardwalk of Raque with Captain Kess.  A part of him wondered why he and his Captain needed anything more than a working relationship; an all business approach had seemed to work well enough for Captain Pyter.  But since becoming Vice Captain, Nozel had discovered that, though not necessary, some kind of acquaintance outside of work was of helpful use for the productive betterment of work.  That’s not to say he was going to turn into Captain Kess and seek to be warm and inviting, encouraging his subordinates to come to him with their personal problems.  But he didn’t want to be like Captain Pyter had been either, completely distant and uninterested in his squad members troubles.

Yet even after coming to the conclusion that developing some kind of friendly acquaintance outside of work was of benefit, Nozel thought his Captain's request was too much.  More than that, he didn’t think he was anywhere near qualified to help her.  Personally, Nozel wouldn’t have even asked his closest friend to help choose a betrothal gift; though Fuegoleon likely would’ve invited himself. Yet here Nozel was, at Kess’ request, helping her pick out a betrothal gift for Jon when he barely knew Kess or the Azure Deers Vice Captain outside of them being capable Magic Knights.

Nozel cleared his throat to say as much for the second time when a small explosion from a balcony down the way had them rushing to see what happened.

101.3.3

Coughing, Teris blinked through the dust and tried to focus her blurred vision. Though the ringing in her ears muffled most everything out, she managed to hear someone talking.

The voice said.  “We only need the light magic user.”

Hearing the same, Venice shouted.  “Teris!  Get out of here!”

Teris was loathed to leave her friends.  But if all they wanted was her, chances were it would be safer for her friends and trapped civilians if she left.  Heart hammering, she thought of Yami.  If they wanted her, did that mean there were others looking for him?

Her friends were close enough that she could light travel them all. Hoping she didn’t burn them too badly, Teris attempted to light travel them all to the Green Mantis sparring field where she knew Yami to be.

A cold prickle ran down her spine when she wasn’t able to.  It was different from the negating effects of Calen’s magic.  This felt more like a constraining barrier.

She looked up and saw herself crouching twenty paces away.  Surreal as the sight was, Teris instantly realized Abril had used her transformation magic to take her form.  So whatever was stopping her from light traveling wasn’t blocking all magic.  That was good to know.

Teris shook her head at Abril trusting she would understand the message that they were stuck here.  Never did she expect Abril to answer Venice in her stead.

“I can’t.  They must have some sort of blocking thingy.”  Abril hollered.

Knowing Teris would never refer to a magical block as a blocking thingy, Venice's face scrunched up.  She turned, the two Teris’ giving her pause for a fraction of a second.  Seeing Bran near the real Teris, she gave a tight smile and nodded.

Eyes on Abril, Venice said.  “Guess we’ll have to make a run for it, Vice Captain.  On your order.”

Abril blinked.  As accustomed as she was to yelling about how she wanted things done, no one ever listened.  She finally understood Gendry’s reasoning for wanting to become a better Magic Knight.  It wasn’t because he had sold out to the system and wanted to move up the ranks.  It was because he wanted to be of help to his friends.

“Now!” Another female voice commanded.

The four Black Bulls turned to see Kess and Nozel.  Teris’ eyes widened, realizing what the newly arrived Silver Eagles were about to do.

“Move!” Teris ordered Venice and Abril as she grabbed a hold of Bran.

Thankfully Bran was already cloaked in mana skin.  It made Teris feel less guilty for shoving him over the broken balcony railing.  Without a moments pause, she jumped after him.

Nozel’s mercury rain could be made dense or sparse.  The one thing he could not yet do was direct it so as not to strike comrades who were in the field of the silver drops.  Kess used her shadow magic to form long arms that pulled and pushed citizens out of danger.  The Silver Eagles Captain created a shield that blocked one of Nozel’s liquid metal drops from hitting Venice.

“Nozel. Cover the other one.  Venice and I got Teris.”  Kess ordered, moving to Abril.

Nozel wasn’t sure if his Captain realized that wasn’t the real Teris, but he did.  Abril might be able to make herself look like Teris; but she moved nothing like Teris.

A magical eagle of mercury waiting to catch him, the Silver Eagle’s Vice Captain leapt over the balcony’s edge.  He saw Teris battling someone a couple blocks away and flew over to assist.  Knocking the man out from behind, Nozel made sure to cut the assailant with his mercury.  If the man managed to regain consciousness before things calmed and he was arrested, mercury poisoning would slow him down.

Pulling Teris onto the mercury eagle with him, Nozel took back to the air. “Where’s Bran?”

“I sent him to the nearest Sentries station to contact Headquarters for back-up.”  Teris answered.

Nozel shook his head.  “Doubt they’ll have better luck.  Captain Kess already tried to use her communication crystal to call for reinforcements.”

Teris cursed, having feared as much; but Bran was clever.  He would know a communications block when faced with one and order whatever Sentries had magic capable of flight or other swift travel to get outside of the block and contact Headquarters.  Till then--

Teris frowned.  “Where are you taking us?”

Eyes scanning for attackers, Nozel told.  “Outside of whatever block they have in place.  I’m guessing that’s why you haven’t light traveled to safety; because whatever they’re doing to block communications is also blocking transportation spells.”

“No!”

“No?” Nozel glanced at her, brow furrowed.

Teris shook her head.  “I mean, yes, they’re probably blocking transportation spells; I can’t light travel.  But you can’t take us away!  My friends--”

“You’re the one they want.”  Nozel cut in.

“And Abril was left behind looking exactly like me!  Nozel, we can’t run.  I’m their Vice Captain.”

Ignoring her, Nozel kept flying.  Did Teris think he wanted to leave the others behind?  It was his duty as a Magic Knight to protect the Clover Kingdom and its people, yet he had left injured civilians in need back there.

“Your Captain's back there.”  Teris tried.

“Captain Kess ordered me to look after you.”

“Nozel—“

“My Captain's on the scene therefore my orders superseded yours.” Nozel snapped.

In that second of distraction, Nozel didn’t see the whirlwind that knocked his magical eagle off course.  Crouching lower, Nozel widened his stance to keep his balance and fought to right their ride.

Unsteady from the tumbling eagle, there was nothing Teris could to when a lance of condensed air struck her.  The world spiraled at a dizzying speed as she was sent flying off the eagle and through the air. Barely cloaking herself in mana in time, Teris landed on a tiled rooftop and rolled.

101.3.4

Bran was desperate and torn.  He had to help his comrades.  He had to help Teris.  But his Vice Captain had given him clear instructions.  After realizing a communication block was in place, Bran had ordered the Sentries capable of quick magical travel to get out of the communications block and inform Headquarters of the attacks; while commanding the rest of the Sentries to help the citizenry to safety.

Riding with a Sentry atop a large magically created lizard, Bran looked over his shoulder at the battling team of Sentries he had left behind among the sand dunes just outside of Raque.  Guilt weighed heavy on his shoulders.  He had now left not just his friend's and comrades, but two fights.

“If we come across more hostiles, you need to keep on going, sir.  I’ll do my best to distract and hold them off.”  The Sentry told Bran, sweating as he urged his magic to make the green glowing lizard move faster.

Though Bran understood it was because he was the only one who could give Headquarters more information about the attack; the thought of having to leave someone else behind made him feel even more like a failure.

Clutching the communication crystal the Captain of the area Sentries station had given him, Bran tried to think.  This wasn’t like the Wild Fire and battle with Sorcery Lances from a couple months ago.  Bran couldn’t assist his friends by battling these people with a deer. Even if a large sand cat or mid-sized sea fox had been near enough for his magic to seek out and control, it wouldn’t do much good. Not when the fight was in a large town.

Other than insects, Bran couldn’t control multiple creatures.  He needed something more; but he had nothing more.  All he could do was leave his friends and allies to fight, and hope he was able to fetch real help in time.

Yami had been wrong to show any interest and trust in him.  He was weak. Even with all his training and all he had done.  He was useless.

Tears stung Bran’s eyes at his own hated inadequacy.  Some Magic Knight he was, left riding with a Sentry for help.  With all the large fleet footed animals scared off further than his magics reach, he couldn’t even quickly get out of the communications block without assistance. He was undeserving of the promotion he got for his efforts a couple months back during the Wild Fire outbreak.  He didn’t deserve to be a Third Class Intermediate Magic Knight.  He didn’t even deserve to be a Magic Knight.

His grimoire, glowing and hovering beside him, suddenly brightened.  The pages flipped of their own accord.  A blank page came into being, added to the tome.  Writing sparked into existence as a new spell appeared.

101.3.5

Breath knocked out of her, Teris coughed.  Her rolled landing stopped at the feet of a scruffy faced, red haired man.  Sucking in a gulp of air, she squinted up at him.

“Teris Nova.”  The man said.

“If you think I’m Teris Nova you’re in for a disappointment”  Teris said, noting the sword of swirling air he held.

“We’ll sort out which of you is the real one later.  For now surrender and come with me, and I’ll see no one else gets harmed.”

“And who might you be?”  Teris asked.

“Commander Fanzell.”  Fanzell said.

It was then that Teris noticed the diamond on his grimoire.  Chastising herself for not catching it immediately, she said.  “You’re a Magic Warrior.”

“I am.”  Fanzell inclined his head.

Wondering how a team of Magic Warriors had gotten this deep into the Clover Kingdom, Teris said conversationally.  “You’re a long way from home.  Lost?  You know you could’ve simply asked for directions.”

Fanzell’s blue eyes narrowed.  He opened his mouth to tell her to stop wasting time when Teris shot out a beam of light.  The hit knocked Fanzell back to the next roof over.

Teris turned and sprinted in the direction of Nozel.  She had wondered at his delay and now saw why.  The Silver Eagle was still flying threw the air, only he was fighting a man on a cloud of smoke.  Teris lept to the next buildings roof.  As soon as she landed she was sent flying by a condensed burst of air.

Shaking his head clear, Fanzell rode a whirlwind after Teris.  It was a chaotic way to travel, the wind tunnel difficult to control.  As soon as he reached the roof she had landed on he hopped off the mini tornado and let it fade.

Pointing a magically created sword of wind down at her, Fanzell told.  “I have no wish to harm you.”

Teris rolled over with a groan.  Even cloaked in mana the hit had hurt. Fanzell watched her carefully, mindful of where Teris pointed her hands.

Acting as if she was still battling the pain and an unclear head, Teris quickly glanced at his stance.  A large undulating shadow crossed overhead.  It was a massive flock of seagulls, and they were descending.

Teris’ legs swung out just as Yami had taught her.  She cloaked her legs in mana at the last moment, least the cloak alert Fanzell to what she was doing.

As Fanzell fell, Teris jumped to her feet.

Stunned, Fanzell looked up expecting Teris to have made a run for it again. Instead he saw Teris’ fist right before it met his face.  Fanzell heard a crack.  Nose broken, his hands cupped his bloody face.  He cursed the pain and spotted vision, loosing sight of Teris.

Teris backed up as the mass of birds swooped and attacked Fanzell with claw and beak.  Somewhere in the back of her mind, she wondered at the sight.  The birds were surely being controlled by Bran; but he was only able to control a single, what he called, higher mind creature at a time.  Not having the time to ponder it, Teris hoped this meant Bran was safe and would soon get passed the block to contact Headquarters.

She spun around and looked for Nozel.  She caught sight of him moments before he was knocked off his mercury eagle by the Smoke Mage.  The eagle swooped and struck the side of a manor house in an attempt to catch him.  Nozel, the eagle, and the Smoke Mage disappeared behind a canopy of trees growing on the hillside.

“Nozel!” Teris shouted and cursed when she tried and failed to light travel to him.  Leaving Fanzell to Bran and the attacking seagulls, she took off running and leaping from roof to roof.

101.3.6

Venice glanced to the door where Abril and two Magic Warriors had disappeared, cursing that she and Kess hadn’t been able to hold all of them back.

Kess used her shadow magic to shield Venice from a magical attack.

“Thanks.” Venice called, eyes darting back to the enemy.  She created a mirror that deflected an attack and directed it at one of the Magic Warriors.  “Congratulations, by the way.”

Kess scowled as she sent a shadowy mass of arrows at their attackers. “For what?”

“Your betrothal.”  Venice said.

“I don’t think now's the time for that.”  Kess snapped.

“Well.” Venice shrugged, trapping a Magic Warrior in a mirror, “seeing as we may die.  I didn’t want go to my grave having you think I was upset and not happy for you and Jon.  You are happy about it, right? This isn’t something your parents are forcing you to do?”

“Will you shut up!”  Kess shouted.

101.3.7

Running away from two Magic Warriors, Abril lept off a second floor landing. Her calculated drop was disturbed by two young boys.  She landed on them, the three of them falling to the ground.

Abril got up only to trip and fall when her foot caught on some billowy fabric.

“Ow! How dare you!  Let go!”  A silver haired boy snapped when Abril tried to use him to steady herself.

“Get off!”  Abril barked.  She kicked the billowy, over-sized sleeve that belong to the shirt the red haired boy was wearing.  The fine fabric tore as she ripped her trapped foot free.

“Will you—Teris?”

Abril blinked.  Precious seconds wasted as she stared at the red haired boy before remembering the form she wore.  “Yes?”  She said, uncertainly.

“It is I.  Kirsch.”  The red haired boy placed a manicured hand gently to his chest.

Moment broken, Abril shook off the torn piece of silk.  “Good for you. Now get off.”

“There she is!”  One of Abril’s pursuers pointed down at her.

Abril’s head darted up.  She rolled to her knees and pushed to her feet. “Nice to see you, Kirsch.  Bye.”

Only she didn’t get very far.  Feet tripping over the other boys legs, Abril fell again.  Looking up at boy, she recognized a familiar familial stare of cold blue eyes and distinctive silver hair.

“Silva.” Abril growled.

“You’re not Teris.”  Solid accused.

The echoing sound of footfalls descending the stairs rang loud in her ears.  Abril planted a hand on the silver haired boys shoulder and pushed to her feet.  “Don’t tell them that.  Stay outta their way and get somewhere safe.  Nozel’s orders.”

Solid blinked at the fake Teris who took off at a run.

Kirsch looked after her and declared.  “How utterly unbeautiful!”

Neither young man noticed one of the Magic Warriors break off from the others and stalk toward them.

101.3.8

Teris slid between Nozel and Lotus.  Nozel barely created a shield of mercury before a spatial attack hit, taking a large swath of mercury.

Lotus balked at the attack and turned.  Seeing Galleo, he put his hands on his hips.  “The order was to take her into custody.  Not wipe her from existence.”

“She’s still alive.  Isn’t she?”  Galleo said.

Lotus looked down at Teris.  “Sorry about that.  Care to surrender?”

Teris kicked out trying to trip the Smoke Mage the same way she had done with Fanzell.  Ready for either a physical or magical attack, Lotus saw the strike coming and hopped over her swinging leg.

“Figured that burly mate of yours would've taught you some--”  Lotus’ voice cut out.  He stumbled, Teris having kicked his left knee, hyper-extending it.

Nozel pulled Teris to her feet.  His knees trembled under his own weight, much of his mana having been drained during his fight with Lotus.

“You alright?”  Teris panted.

“Fine. You?”  Nozel asked.

“Not dead yet.”  Teris answered.

“Not funny.”  Nozel grumbled.  “That one has smoke magic.”

“Mine can spatial attack.”  Teris said.

“I noticed.”  Nozel replied.

“Care to switch?”  Teris asked, figuring Nozel could block a few strikes till help came, or his mana recovered enough for him to do something other than defense.  In any case he wasn’t going to last much longer if he continued fighting the Smoke Mage.  “Or, I could take them both on--”

“No.” Nozel said, sounding as fatigued as he felt.  Though he didn’t like the idea of not finishing a fight he started, Teris, though out of breath, seemed far from tired.  If anything she seemed excited by the challenge; that had to be Yami’s and the Black Bulls influence he though in disgust.  It was the fact that he had already lost so much mana in his fight with the Smoke Mage that decided it for Nozel. “I got the Spatial Mage.  Just—don’t get too close to the Smoke Mage.  He’ll siphon off your mana.”

Lotus smiled at Teris as Nozel stepped to the one called Galleo.

“I was beginning to wonder if I would ever meet the other half of the famous duo.”  Lotus said.  “Not much about work gets me excited. It’s more of a necessary hassle in order to keep the family housed and fed.  But when the order came for this…  I must admit to having some interest.”

“You’re the one Yami faced during the Battle at the Border.”  Teris surmised.  She wished Yami was here, and that they could still feed off each others mana the way they had back then.  “He said you talked too much.  Is that the only play you have?  Disarm and delay with mindless chatter till your magic renders your opponent useless?”

Lotus shrugged lazily.  “It’s worked for me thus far.  Why change what isn’t broken?”

Teris released bit of her mana, magically heating up the air around her to the point that it burned off Lotus’ smoke.  The man’s smoke had been so sparse and thin that she hadn’t been able to see it.  But she sensed it as her mana made contact with it and it burned it away.

His siphoning smoke burned off, Lotus gave a weak smile his brow beading with sweat at the heat radiating from Teris’ magic.  “My wife is pregnant with our second child.”  He told.

“I’ll see you have a quill and paper so you can write to them from your cell.”  Teris said.

“That would be appreciated.”  Lotus said, readying his attack.

“Stand down or these two die.”  Came a proud booming voice.

Teris turned, eyes widening.

“Solid!” Nozel blinked.  His magical shield lowered, spears of mercury dissolving.

Still wearing Teris’ form, Abril struggled against magical bindings. “You leave Kirsch and my Intended’s brother alone!”

“That’s not the real one.”  Galleo told his comrades.

The one holding Abril shoved her to the ground in disappointed disgust.

Fanzell dropped onto the scene, the whirlwind that brought him dissipating. Knowing the one he faced had been the real Teris by the light magic she had used, Fanzell ignored the bound woman his subordinate had pushed away, and took in the two other hostages.  He didn’t like that innocent children had been brought into the mix and threatened. But now that it was done he had little choice other than to use it.

Ignoring the stinging cuts and gashes the flock of attacking birds had left, Fanzell gave the Spatial Mage a directive look through eyes made red and swollen from his broken nose.  “Galleo.”

The man opened up a portal.

Fanzell turned to the real Teris.  “Step through and I promise these two will be left unharmed.”

“Your promise means nothing to me.”  Teris sneered.

“Brother!” Solid called, frantic eyes full of fear.

“It’s alright.  Stay calm and quiet.”  Nozel soothed.  He looked at Teris.  There was no way he was going to ask her to submit to the Magic Warriors commands; but these people had his younger brother and were threatening his life.

Teris glanced at Kirsch and Solid.  Even if Kirsch wasn’t an extremely distant cousin or Solid Nozel’s brother, she would have submitted to protect them.  She was a Magic Knight.  The lives and well being of the Clover Kingdoms citizenry went before her own.

The tension in Fanzell’s shoulders eased when he saw Teris’ shoulders sag in defeat.

“Fine. But you and the rest of your squad of Magic Warriors have to leave the Clover Kingdom without harming another person.”  Teris relented.

“No! I’m Teris Nova.”  Abril shouted.

“Enough.” Teris ordered.

Abril fell silent, wide eyes stinging with tears at her worry and failure.

Teris turned to Fanzell.

“You have my word.”   Fanzell swore.

Teris sighed.  She didn’t know what the Commander’s word was good for; but it was all she had.  Giving one last look at Abril, she ordered. “Don’t struggle or fight unless they break their promise.”

“Step through the portal.”  Fanzell told Teris, eager to see his mission complete and his squad safely out of the Clover Kingdom.

Teris moved as slowly as she dared, hoping that someone had gotten through the communications block and assistance would appear.

The mage holding Solid by the throat squeezed causing the young royal to gurgle.

“Solid!” Nozel took a step toward his brother.

Fanzell made a noise of warning halting Nozel in his tracks.  He scowled at his fellow Magic Warrior for choking the young innocent but turned the expression on Teris and instructed.  “Hurry it up.”

Nozel glanced at the open portal and Teris, gauging the distance.  Turning back to his brother, he told.  “It’ll be alright, Solid.  Just stay put.  Don’t do anything.  Listen to Abril until they leave and help arrives.”

Finding Nozel’s words curious, Fanzell turned to him.  But he was too slow. Teris had just stepped through the portal and Galleo had begun to close it.  Fanzell’s muscles tensed as the Silver Eagle rushed toward him.  But the Magic Knight had no interest in him.  Instead, Nozel sprinted passed him and dived through the closing portal.

Fanzell blinked at the portion of the mans royal blue cloak that laid on the ground where the portal had been.  If Nozel had acted a split second latter he would have been cut in half.

“Brother!” Solid yelled, hand outstretched.

“Damn it!  I’m sorry, Commander.  Shall I open it back up and pull him out?”  Galleo asked Fanzell.

Jaw tense, Fanzell tore his eyes away from the blue fabric.  So much for a seamless mission.  Not wanting to stay longer than necessary and chance facing further hostility, he told Galleo.  “No.  Inform the other teams we have our prey and get us out of here.”

“Sir.” Galleo nodded.

Fanzell looked back at the sliced off strip of fabric thinking that the Magic Knights were a loyal and amazing group.  It made him wistfully envious.  He doubted there was a single Magic Warrior that would take such a risk for one of their fellows.

“The teams are falling back and headed to the meeting point.”  Galleo informed his superior.

“Good.” Fanzell bent and picked up the blue fabric, wrapping it around his hand.

“What of these three?”  The Mage holding Solid and Kirsch asked.

“Bind the boys.  We’ll leave them and the Magic Knight to be found.” Fanzell said.

The Mage gripped Solid and Kirsch tighter.  “But, Sir--”

Voice dangerous, Fanzell looked at the man.  “I gave my word.  You’re not suggesting I go back on it out of sheer malice, are you?”

The Mage straightened.  “No, sir.”  He shared a look with Galleo the two thinking that the rumors were true.  Their Commander had begun to weaken.

Fanzell stepped in front of Abril.  “I need you to listen and relay a message to your superiors.”

“You give her back!”  Abril yelled.

Fanzell used his magic to take just enough air out of Abril’s lungs so she couldn’t speak but was still cognizant.  “Tell your superiors not to come for Teris Nova unless they want another war.  You will have your Magic Knight—s,”  He drew out the added ‘s’ of the amended plural, “back by the morning of the twelfth.  If you cross the border into our kingdom, King Morris will not broker a peace as he did last time.  He will not stop until your kingdom is purged of life and left in nothing but rubble and ash.”  He saw the fearful turn in the her eyes, and felt the same at such a prospect. “Remember.  The morning of the twelfth.  My King just wants some time with Teris Nova to understand how she works.  It is up to your kingdom to decide whether that is worthy of war or if you will keep the peace and wait four days.”

101.4

“Are you really that tired, Yami?” Jack taunted sending out a slash that sent the Black Bulls Vice Captain skidding backwards several meters.

“Hardly.” Yami grunted.

“He’s toying with you, Jack.”  Tobin called, from the sidelines.

“More like letting you get a couple shots in as apology for the beat down you’re gonna get.”  Yami corrected.

“Quit pretending your doing me any favors Bull Brains.”  Jack cawed sending out two more strikes.  “You’re faltering and trying to cover.”

“If I were faltering would I be able to do this?”  Both hands gripping the hilt of his katana, Yami sent down a slash of darkness that had the Green Mantis leaping out of the way.

Rolling on the ground, Jack squinted at the kicked up dirt.  He looked back to see downed trees and branches for more than six hundred meters.

Tobin stepped forward, worried Yami had lost himself to the Darkness.

Gendry’s head jerked back, eyes wide.  Was that what he would be facing every other Monday?  He knew Yami was powerful, but to send an attack like that during a simple sparring session…

Yami half lept, half rushed to his opponent and pointed his dark cloaked katana at Jack’s chest.  “You were saying?”

Jack looked up at the Black Bull and cackled.  “You’re insane!”

Yami lifted and sheathed the katana in its scabbard.  “Thought your bony butt would appreciate that move.”

Jack pushed to his feet.  “Let’s try it again!”

“No.” Yami shook his head.

Jack lifted his forearm, the magical scythe-like blade pointing at Yami’s neck.  “Try it again or I slice you up.”

“You’re both insane!”  Tobin declared, making his way onto the field. “Jack.  Stand down.”

Sounding bored despite the magical weapon at his throat, Yami waved Tobin off. “Let him be.  Beanstalk’s just embarrassed he lost.”  He met Jack’s eye, all but daring the man to make a move and prove him wrong.

Jack cackled again and lowered his arm.  “You act all tough, but one day I’ll slice you up, Yami.  Only I want you to be at your best when I do.”

Yami made a derisive noise.  “Yeah, yeah.  Keep saying that—Jack.” Yami’s tone changed as he said the name.  His right hand reached, gripping the hilt of his katana.  “Don’t stand down.”

Jack’s eyes turned to Yami’s right hand, thinking the Black Bull decided to continue the fight.  “What?  You--”

Yami pulled the katana free.  “A large group just appeared.”

“It’s probably some fellow Green Mantis’.  En and Nix are expected back from a mission.”  Jack said.

“No.” Yami said.

The Ki Yami suddenly sensed was far too near.  These people hadn’t walked or flown closer; but simply appeared as if portaled.  Never mind the fact that one of the mana sources coming from the group was massively powerful.  There was no way the person was a member of the Green Mantis, not even the squads Captain.

“It’s Alowishus.”  Yami cloaked his blade in darkness.

Alowishus Spade rose up out of the ground.  Yami sent out several consecutive slashes which were blocked by a swirling mass of earth.

“Quick on the attack.”  Alowishus praised, noting how fast Yami’s movements had become.  “Not exactly the act of a hero though.”

“I’m no hero.  I’m a Magic Knight Vice Captain and you’re a threat to this kingdom.  Jack, with me.  You two.  Give the others a harsh welcome.”  Yami told Tobin and Gendry.

“The others?”  Tobin echoed.  His face hardened at the sight of five others appearing through the overgrown tree line.  “Right.”  His size doubled as he stepped in the Agents of Chaos’ direction. “Gendry.  Let’s go.”

“They want Yami.  We should focus on getting him out of here.”  Gendry said, glancing at his Vice Captain as Yami and Jack charged and attacked Alowishus.

“And how do you suggest we do that without taking out some of their number?”  Tobin snapped.  “Don’t question the Vice Captain's orders!  He’s not Bronn.  Yami will do more than have words or a well placed fist if you disobey.”

Yami and Jack tag teamed.  One getting in close while the other made an opening.  Still it wasn’t enough.  Alowishus was just too strong. Yami shot a quick glance seeing Tobin and Gendry struggling and cursed.  He should have known better than to think the four of them had a chance.  The Negation Mage, Calen, was nowhere in sight meaning that Alowishus was secure in his victory and merely toying with them. That only served to make Yami angrier, his grip tightening on his katana’s hilt.  Exhaling, Yami forced his hands to loosen letting the rage filled emotion flow through him.  Acknowledging his anger while not focusing on it cleared his mind and centered his thoughts, emboldening his movements with decisive determination.

“Your getting your way, Jack!”  Yami lept back, trading places with the Green Mantis.  He planted his feet, gripping the katana’s hilt in both hands and raising it over his head.  “Let’s try it again!” He repeated Jack’s earlier words right before he brought the dark cloaked blade down.

Jack, who had been in front of Alowishus, between him and Yami, lept to the side at the last moment.  Despite being cloaked in mana the Green Mantis was dragged back a bit by the gravitational pull of the dark slash.  Then blown out and away as Yami’s attack hit.  Jack tucked his arms and tumbled, rolling up to his knees and skidding to a halt.

Seeing the devastation and power of the attack, Jack silently cursed; Yami must’ve just been funning with him in that first dark slash.  Wait for me, you over muscled idiot, Jack thought.  Don’t leave me in your shadow.  I’ll rip you to shreds if you do.

“Master!” The Agents of Chaos yelled.

Yami didn’t even pause to take in the damage he might have caused Alowishus.  He spun around to Tobin and Gendry, and commanded. “Tobin, go get back up.  Gendry, to me.”

Tobin turned and sprinted away before Yami had even begun to say Gendry's name.

“Oh, no you don’t.”  Misandre roared.  She created a portal, hands reaching through the open gateway.

Tobin didn’t slow, trusting his comrades to protect his back.

Snarling, Yami sent out a slice of darkness that cut Misandre’s hands off so fast and clean it took the woman  several heartbeats to realize what had happened.  The hands, once belonging to Bronn, dropped to the ground, never reaching Tobin.

Glaring at the Spatial Mage, Yami growled.  “Told you I would have those off you.  Now, I can be done with that bastard and he can rest in peace.”

“Yami...” Gendry breathed, face losing color.

Yami turned in the direction Gendry was staring, his own eyes widening. Now that just wasn’t fair, Yami silently complained.

Jack moved closer to the two Black Bulls.  “What is he?  An earth mage or something.”

Or something, Yami thought watching the earth swirl and condense to form an arm, replacing the one Yami’s massive dark strike had taken from Alowishus.

“Ash to ash.  Dirt to dirt.”  Alowishus intoned, stepping out of the spiraling earth as it dissipated and fell.  “The moral form is nothing but earth, and to the earth our weary husks eventually return.”

The solid ground the three Magic Knights were standing on became sinkhole.  Before they could do anything, they were trapped up to their mid-thighs and stuck.

“You have your late Vice Captain's hands back, Yami.  Now further prove your honor and come with me so your friends may be spared.” Alowishus stopped several paces in front of him.  “You need my help, my boy.  You won’t make it to the Ritual of Darkness without it.”

“I’m not your anything.”  Yami sneered.  He sent out three quick, successive dark cloaked strikes.

Alowishus held up a hand.  The dark slashes stopped and hovered.  Frozen still for a moment before they broke apart crumbling and fading to nothing.

Alowishus shook his head and sighed.  “Difficult child.  Come with me or your friends die.”

“Why not just take me by force?  You’ve done it before.  Could it be you’re afraid to awaken what’s inside me?”  Yami asked, feeling the Dark force begin to stir.

“You may not be the cleverest, Yami.  But you are a smart one.  Do you truly think I fear you?”  Alowishus asked, well aware Tobin had almost reached the Green Mantis’ base.

“Probably not, but you should.”  Yami said.

“Master.” Clint called.  “Misandre is losing a lot of blood despite Slade’s bindings.  If she’s to be able to get us out of here, we must leave.”

“Then leave.”  Alowishus snapped.

“Master! We can’t leave you!”  Clint expressed, face full of concern.

“Return to Sanctuary and await my arrival as you were told.  I will tend to Misandre after my return.  Till then she will simply have to endure.” Alowishus looked at his followers.  “Now.”

Reluctantly, Misandre opened a portal.  The gateway took a couple seconds to form and was slow to expand large enough for a person to fit through.

Yami couldn’t help a perverse smirk of achievement at seeing the Spatial Mages difficulty in creating something that should have been as easy as taking a step or any other function that occurred by mere will.

“You enjoyed that.”  Alowishus commented, watching Yami.  “My followers hardship.”

Yami eyes snapped back to Alowishus.  “With the amount of hardship she and the rest of you have put us through, it’s about time you got some in return.  I’m not going with you, by the way.  So you can crumble to dust and die.”

Alowishus frowned.  “Why must you make things so difficult, my boy?”

“I already told you.  I’m not your anythi—oui!”  Yami snapped, Jack and Gendry's muffled gags stealing his attention.

Dirt gathered and rose up from the ground, entering Jack and Gendry's mouths and nostrils.  The two coughed and gagged.  But it was no use, the invading earth was choking the life out of them.

“Stop it!”  Yami barked.  He tried to pull his legs free but the ground held firm.  He swiped at the swirling mass as it entered Jack, but the mass only reformed and continued to obey Alowishus’ will.

“Can’t you see that I am only trying to help you?”  Alowishus asked, tone wounded and sympathetic.  “If you go on like this, you will lose yourself to the Darkness inside.”

Yami glared murderously at Alowishus.  “Isn’t that what you want?”

“Eventually.” Alowishus admitted.  “Right now, we both want the same thing.  For you to fight this force off and remain yourself.”

Yami’s eyes flicked black.  Gritting his teeth he battle down the Darkness about to boil over.  “Let them go.”

“Will you come?”  Alowishus asked.

Yami saw Gendry's eyes roll and begin to glaze.  “Fine!”  He yelled. “You have my word.  Now let them go!”

With a victorious grin, Alowishus lifted his hand, palm up.  His fingers curled one after the other in a beckoning motion.

Yami watched the earth change its course and fly out of his friends lungs. Jack and Gendry sagged, gasping and coughing.

“Let’s go.”  Alowishus smiled.

Before Yami could say or do anything, he was swallowed up by the ground.

101.5

In the quietness after Nozel and Teris’ argument the Silver Eagle had difficulty meeting Teris’ hard, angry glare.

Once they had figured out they had been portaled to a mana blocked cell with no means of escape, Teris had chewed Nozel out.  In her fear for Nozel, Teris had called out his stupidity in following her through a closing portal.  Her concern for her friends, and worry over Fanzell keeping his word had her chastising Nozel for his lack of care in his duty to protect the citizens of the kingdom.

Nozel naturally snapped back.  No one questioned his dedication to his duty.  His brooding emotions over what he had walked in on three days ago, the image of Yami and Teris still haunting his mind, had Nozel responding harsher than intended.

Surprised by his vehemence but not one to back down, Teris had snapped back at him.  A heated argument had devolved from there.  When Nozel called out her hypocrisy, saying she would’ve done the same in his place, Teris had changed tactics.

Teris had been glaring daggers at him for what felt like forever, though realistically Nozel knew it couldn’t have been more than a couple minutes.  Much as Nozel hated being scolded like some child, Teris’ silent treatment was so much worse; leading him to ask.  “What would you have had me do?  Let you to come here alone?”

“Yes! That’s exactly what I would have had you do!”  Teris expressed. Her eyes drifted to the missing part of Nozel’s squad cloak for the thousandth time, her fear and anger at his foolishness reigniting.

“It’s always the same with you, isn’t it?”  Nozel complained.

“What’s that suppose to mean?”  Teris questioned, heatedly.

“You’re always judging me more harshly than anyone else.  As if I’m suppose to be some perfect person.”

“You’re the one who constantly presents yourself as a perfect person.” Teris accused.

Nozel sighed, this was getting them nowhere.  He looked about the cell, unable to look at Teris any longer.  “So what do we do now?”

“Why ask me?  What was it you said?  Your Captain's on the scene therefore your orders superseded mine.”

Nozel glowered and muttered under his breath.  “Ill tempered, hot headed brat.”

“What’s that?”  Teris asked, not having heard.

“I said you’re an ill tempered, hot headed brat!”  Nozel snapped.

“If that’s how you feel then why did you follow?”  Fanzell questioned, from the other side of the cell door.

Teris and Nozel turned to the Magic Warrior, neither having noticed his appearance in the heat of their argument.

“It sure would have saved us some trouble if you had stayed behind.” Fanzell went on, thinking of the discipline he would endure for letting the Silva Prince throw himself into custody; as if he had known at the time that the young man was heir to the Clover Kingdoms second royal House.

“If you’re looking for an apology for your troubles look elsewhere. You’re not getting one from us.”  Teris told.

“Figured as much.  Ill tempered, hot headed brat that you are.”  Fanzell teased.

“Only he gets to call me that.”  Teris said, head tilting toward Nozel.

“Who? Your Prince?”  Seeing the Magic Knights expressions, Fanzell nodded.  “Yeah.  I know who you are...  I do now.”  He mumbled.

“Then you know they will come for me.”  Nozel said.

“For both our kingdoms sake's, I hope not.  I hope those two kids and the Magic Knight that was trying to pass as you,” Fanzell inclined his head toward Teris, “relayed the message I gave, and your superiors believe and heed and my words.”

“What words were those?”  Teris asked.

“That you will be released and returned on the twelfth.”  Fanzell answered.

“You lie.”  Nozel challenged.

Fanzell’s eyes hardened.  “My King, unlike yours, doesn’t posture and lie.”

Teris wanted to ask about Yami but was afraid to.  As if bringing him up would remind their captors of his existence and endanger him.  She couldn’t sense Yami’s mana and hoped it was an effect of the spell put on the mana blocked cell.

“What is it you want?”  Teris asked.

“That I don’t know.”  Fanzell said, thinking he didn’t want to know either.

There were things going on in the Diamond Kingdom.  Rumors.  Whispers like the barest of breaths and breezes.  Things that hinted at augmented magic and mutilated grimoires.  Of groups of kids taken from the training grounds and never seen or heard of again.  To all this Fanzell turned a blind eye and deaf ear, not wanting to know even a hint of what might be going on.  His soul was tormented enough as it was.

“It doesn’t matter what threats you gave.  They will come.”  Nozel said.

“That’s what King Morris believes as well.”  Another voice said from down the hall.

Fanzell stepped back from the cell door and turned.  “Lotus.  What is this?”

“Sorry, Commander.”  Lotus apologized, expression truly sorrowful. “We’ve been told that His Majesty has decided to send the Prince back.”

Fanzell looked from Lotus to Galleo who walked behind the Smoke Mage.  “Why wasn’t I informed of this?”

“Why indeed?”  Galleo responded with a disapproving stare of accusation at Fanzell.

Fanzell swallowed, throat bobbing. There was only one reason why his superiors would skip informing him when he had just come from their offices.  The open display of lack in faith was chilling.

Fanzell cleared his throat.  “If you have orders, I suggest you carry them out.”

“I’m not leaving her.”  Nozel told, voice commanding in its volume and timber.

“You don’t have a choice, little Prince.”  Galleo smirked, clearly enjoying carrying out his commands.

“Morris doesn’t want a war.  He merely wants the girl.”  Lotus said.

It was difficult for Fanzell to tell, but it appeared as though Lotus didn’t care for this any more than he did.  Then again it could simply be Lotus’ usual tired lack of interest in anything.  It was hard to say.

“You can’t have her.”  Nozel told, positioning himself in front of Teris.

Fanzell noticed the way Teris merely stood by, appearing to have already accepted her fate.

“We already do have her.”  Galleo taunted.  “It’s you we no longer want.  Didn’t and shouldn’t have had you in the first place.” Though it had been his portal the young royal had jumped through, he cast an accusatory glance at Fanzell.

“Morris has been told that with just one of you taken, your King Agustus and Wizard King will wait until the twelfth to act, in hopes of staving off a war.” Lotus said.

“Told by who?”  Nozel questioned.

“Especially if we give back the heir to House Silva.”  Galleo put in.

“I want to know who told King Morris that.”  Nozel demanded.

“You will be portaled back to the gates of your Castle City.  Unharmed.” Lotus said, turning to Galleo at the final word as if to remind the man.

Seeing Lotus step near the cell door, Nozel readied his stance.  “Good luck with that.  The moment you open that door the mana block on this cell breaks and your--”

Teris placed a hand on Nozel’s shoulder causing him to fall silent.  He glanced back at her.

At her sad expression, Nozel questioned.  “Why are you looking at me like that?  We’re getting out of here.  Just don’t kill or knock out the Spatial Mage.  We need him to get us home.”

Teris hugged him, tightly.

Nozel was so shocked that he remained still and speechless.

“Tell Yami, Julius, and the Bulls not to do anything stupid.”  Teris breathed against his ear.

Nozel felt her give a humorless smile.

“At least not until they’ve clearly broken their word about returning me.”  Teris pulled away and meet his eyes.  “Then, if you want, you can do all the stupid things you wish to get me out of here.”

Nozel stared at her in confusion.  “Teris.  I’m not leaving yo--”

“It’s not your fault.”  Teris said over his words.  “You did all you could.  Going so far as to jump through a closing portal.  Stupid as it was.  Thank you.”

“Teris. It’s not over--”

Teris placed her fingers to Nozel’s lips, silencing him.  “I don’t want to be the cause of a war.  If you stay and get injured or killed while we’re trying to break free, there will be one.  House Silva’s pride will demand it.” Nozel gripped her wrist, tearing her tender fingers from his lips.  “I’m not doing this with you right now!  Get ready to fight!  That’s an order.”

He turned around to face the three Magic Warriors.  It was then that he remembered a magic blocked cell didn’t necessarily block outside magic from entering.

Teris stepped back.

Nozel’s head snapped back around to her, hand outstretched.  “Teris!”

Nozel disappeared, swallowed by Galleo’s portal. Teris’ eyes squeezed shut, willing herself not to cry.  Her trembling lips pressed together.  As fearfully angry as she had been at Nozel for his thoughtless action in following her; she had been selfishly grateful not to be alone.

“You’re a brave one.”  Lotus remarked.  “I wonder how I might’ve fared at the Battle at the Boarder if faced against you and not your counterpart.”

Thinking she was anything but brave, Teris asked.  “You’re not after him. Are you?”

“Yami?” Lotus questioned.  “Our only orders were to capture you, little miss.  Now, if you don’t mind.”  He dangled a spelled cuff that blocked magical transport.  “Put your hand through the bars.”

I’ll be recovering from my monthly infusion of “poison juice” this week, so if you wanna make a blah week brighter and bring a smile to my face I’d appreciate some feedback.  Thanks!

Thank you to those who have left hearts.  And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently commented or re-blogged. It really means a lot.  Also, I’ll be taking a week off.

Next chapter snippet:

Tears prickled Teris’ eyes. Her entire body felt as if it were engulfed in Wild Fire.  The palm of her hand so hot and seared that it was incapable of feeling anything.  Anything other than constant dull burning pain with the occasional sharp, gut wrenching stab that kept her mind from being able to tune it out.

[hannahshattuck]

Wine y Pants

Pairing: Chris Evans x Reader

AN: This is written for a challenge. This is the first time I have written something like this so I hope it flows well. The prompt I chose was “Do we need wine?” “No, I need wine, you need to put your pants on.” I changed the wording slightly but it is still the same. Hopefully no grammar mistakes but even though English is my first language I still struggle with it. 

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When Scott told you that Chris was feeling a little down with not being able to see you since you lived in California and him in Massachusetts, you knew what to do. You and Scott coordinated to surprise Chris. You work for a small business run by a family you know from growing up. Your boss, who treats you like a daughter, made sure to give you as much time off since you work hard every day and help her close up even though your shift ends way before closing. 

You told her you would only need a week, maybe a week and a half to account for traveling, but she gave you the look all mothers have and you chuckled and said you’ll take as much as you need. You booked a flight for Friday after your shift and felt guilty as you informed her that you wouldn’t be helping her close like you usually would. “Dear, I’ll be fine for the time your gone. Enjoy your time off and don’t worry about me. Just as long as you tell Chris hello for me and give that beautiful boy Dodger these.” She said as he handed you a small paper bag no doubt filled with homemade dog treats. “I will. Thank you for the time off. It means a lot.” You gave her a hug and grabbed your suitcase case called an Uber to take you to the airport. 

Once you got to the airport and through the security check, you texted Scott saying you were waiting for you flight and if Chris knew anything. He replied back quickly saying Chris was still in the dark and for you to have a safe flight. You thanked him and as you were about to play a game to pass the time until you board, Chris called you. Not a Facetime call luckily. You were quick to press answer anxious to hear his voice. 

“Hey there hot stuff.” You said as you answered, “How you doin’?” Hoping to channel your inner Joey from Friends. You heard him chuckle on the other end, proud at yourself for being able to make him laugh a bit.

“Hey babe. I’m okay.” Chris replied in that beautiful Boston accent of his. “Just miss you is all. Dodger misses you too. He has officially taken to that stuffed otter you got him as a present. His devoted lion got benched.” You always found it funny how he would throw a football reference in but you understood because you’re a big football fan too, however not Patriots fan which makes watching games entertaining for everyone around.

“Really? That makes me happy. Maybe I’ll get him a whole zoo.” You replied with a giggle. Chris let out a small chuckle and then a sigh. Now you understand what Scott was saying about him being down in the dumps. You would always make him laugh, usually at the most inappropriate time and place, and you never failed to get him to do his chest grab laugh thing that he always does. “What’s wrong, hon?” You questioned, with a gentleness in your voice that seemed to only be reserved for him. 

He let out a shaky sigh and sniffled, “It’s just hard to be on the other side of the country from you when I have all this down time. I took a break from some of the projects I’m doing just to take some time to clear my head. And my anxiety hit me hard the other day and you’re usually there but all I had was a t-shirt of yours that you left the last time you visited and-”  “Baby, breathe for me please.” You could here his breathing pick up and knew if he got himself worked up it wouldn’t be good. You heard him take a couple deep breaths and the tension in your shoulders eased. You knew you surprising him would do you both good.

“Okay. I’m good now. Sorry about that.” 

“Don’t be. I’ll always help you even if it’s not in person.” You knew you had to end this call soon but also didn’t want to ruin the surprise. You sat there in silence a little bit longer before he spoke up. “Well, I have to go. Scott and I are having a movie night and we need to get snacks. I’ll call you later okay? I love you.”

“Love you too, America’s ass.” You heard him let out a chuckle and mentally high fived yourself. 

“You still aren’t letting that go huh?”

“Nope. I love it too much to let go. Wait....were you talking about the nickname or your ass because I’m not letting either one go.” 

“I’m hanging up now before anything happens. I will talk to you later.” Chris said with a laugh. 

“Okay. Talk to you later!” 

Not even ten seconds after hanging up, you heard the announcement that your flight was boarding. You made sure you texted Scott and not accidently Chris, letting him know you were boarding. You found your seat fairly quickly and put your headphones ready for the five and a half hour flight to Boston. You managed to work it out to where you would arrive between eight and nine at night which worked since Chris said him and Scott were having a movie night. You knew at some point Scott was going to be hungry for something more that movie snacks and would use that excuse to pick you up from the airport. 

You finally landed in Boston and immediately felt at ease. You knew this was going to be good for both you and Chris. You felt your phone buzz in your packet and checked who it was. 

Hey! I’m outside! - Scott. You let out a little chuckle at how he signed his name at the end. You grabbed your suitcase from baggage claim and walked out the front doors of the airport. You saw him leaning against the passenger side of his car and picked up your pace.

“There’s my favorite person.” Scott said as he gave you a hug. “How you been?”

“Good. Could use a drink right now to unwind from the flight but other than that I’m excited to see my man.”

He helped get your bag in the car and both of you hopped in. 

“What excuse did you give him this time?” You questioned.

“I needed McDonalds.” He said nonchalantly. “Oh and I got you some so don’t worry.” 

“Oh my god you are the best.” You smiled. “Shall we go surprise Chris?”

“I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HIS REACTION” Scott screamed. You laughed and put on you seatbelt and made the journey to Chris’s house. 

Once Scott pulled into the driveway, you could feel the butterflies start. Whether it was from seeing Chris for the first time in a while or for hoping to pull this off you didn’t know. You and Scott go out, you’ll grab your stuff later, and made the way inside. 

You both walked to the kitchen and saw that Chris had his head in the refrigerator digging through it, completely oblivious to the fact that you where standing behind Scott. 

“If we are watching a chick-flic do we need wine? If we want to be that stereotypical.” Chris asked thinking just Scott was there as he stood up and closed the fridge. He turned and saw both of you standing there, Scott with his phone out recording. Once you saw Chris, you almost doubled over in laughter. He had no shirt on and was wearing Patriots underwear which was most likely a gag gift from one of his friends because the logo looked like it was a certain part of the male anatomy sticking out of his underwear. 

“Oh my god.” You said laughing. “I need wine. You need to put your pants on.” 

He looked down, back up at you, then back down, and ran to his room to put pants on. Meanwhile you are doubled over in laughter with Scott. “I totally forgot he was wearing those.” Scott said. Once you caught your breath, Chris came back wearing sweatpants but still no shirt to which you weren’t complaining about.

“What are you doing here?” He asked as he pulled you into a big hug. 

“Surprise!” You said as he let go. “Scott told me you were feeling a little bit sad without me and my boss gave me time off. Oh speaking of she says hello and gave me homemade treats for Dodger.”

His eyes start to well up with tears, “Oh no. No crying mister. I did not fly all this way for you to cry.” “Happy tears baby, these are happy tears.” 

He put both his hands on your cheeks and pulled you in for a kiss full of passion and love. When the two of you broke away, you just looked at each other and smiled. “And they live happily ever after.” Scott said. 

You two looked at him not knowing he was still recording (Scott himself probably didn’t realize he was still recording) and just laughed. 

“So now that you have pants on, wine time?” 

[tiredlittleoldme]

Le requin

Basé sur ce prompt de @visualwritingprompts2

Quand ils arrivent, les curieux ont déjà envahi la petite rue du village. Elle échange un regard avec son collègue qui bronche à peine. Il est renfrogné depuis la veille, depuis qu’ils ont été rappelés de leur congé pour aller gérer... ça. Il relève le nez de son portable quand elle arrête la voiture. Cette dernière est suffisamment imposante et quand ils en sortent, dans des costumes noirs que personne n’a vu ici depuis des années, ils sont immédiatement reconnus comme une autorité supérieure par les flics du coin. Un s’approche, casquette en main, ouvrant la bouche pour parler. Son collègue lui colle son badge sous le nez sans un mot et elle plaque une expression de circonstance sur son visage.

-Montrez-nous., demande t-elle une fois que les platitudes d’usage sont dites.

-Ce n’est pas loin.

Effectivement, moins de trente secondes de marche plus tard, ils tournent tous les trois le coin d’une rue pour s’engager dans une ruelle plus petite en face d’un champ.

Quand elle voit la raison pour laquelle on les a appelé, elle ne peut s’empêcher de s’arrêter.

D’accord, c’est assez inhabituel, suffisamment pour que son collègue lève des sourcils étonnés derrière ses lunettes noires et plisse ses lèvres en une moue fine.

-Vous ne voyez pas ça tous les jours, hein?

Pourquoi est-ce que ce flic a l’air content que ce soit particulier? Il a une prime si c’est bizarre même à leurs yeux?

Elle force un sourire sur ses lèvres, qui ressemble plus à une grimace dédaigneuse et l’air ravi du flic meurt sur son visage.

-Merci. Nous allons prendre la suite. Il n’y a personne dans les maisons d’à côté?

Il confirme que non, n’osant plus croiser leurs yeux et son collègue le pousse doucement en arrière. Il n’a pas besoin de se le faire répéter, au moins et ils l’observent quitter la rue.

Puis, ils avancent. Son collègue récupère son portable dans sa poche.

-La mer la plus proche est à deux cent kilomètres.

-Mouais..., grogne t-elle.

Peut-être qu’elle aussi aurait voulu profiter de vacances. Peut-être qu’elle avait prévu d’aller se détendre sur une plage de sable chaud et boire des cocktails en lisant des livres...

Son collègue la pousse gentiment, épaule contre épaule.

-Allez., se déride t-il enfin. On règle ça (il envoie une main en avant pour désigner la maison en briques claires dont le toit est brisé, la queue d’un requin dépassant de deux bons mètres) et puis, on peut peut-être tout de même aller en vacances.

Elle grommelle quelque chose d’inintelligible et soupire. Autant s’y mettre tout de suite.

-Comme d’habitude?

Il lui envoie un regard, remettant ses lunettes noires sur son nez.

-Comme d’habitude.

Ils sortent les fusils.

[colour-outside-the-liness]

Damie Prompt: Jamie is tired of having "one night girls" trying to be part of her life. She's a busy CEO of a rich company, she can't allow distractions - she's always cold with the girls, passionate in bed, cold in words, to keep them away. She decides to call a escort agency and ask for a girl for some months (if the first week worlds).

It would be simple: no feelings, just a professional to be with Jamie during the business parties/dinners... And on her bed. That's when she meets Danielle Clayton, a maybe a bit too pretty woman who is very professional, elegant and respects Jamie's limits.

(Jamie in women's suit/suspenders. Dani with long and short and elegant dresses. It's something like lesbian version Pretty Woman lol)

Omg I LOVE this idea I love this idea so so so much!! Pretty Woman is one of my favourite chick-flics and I just NEED to write this prompt!! Thank you so much for sending it to me!! I love it!! Gonna go watch Pretty Woman and start planning this fic idea because my god this just sounds like an incredible idea!! ☺️

[claudehenrion]

Vous avez dit ''dérogatoire'' ?

  Ainsi donc, le Président de notre République laïque s'il en est (devinez qui est le sujet de ''s'il en est'' ?) a réuni autour de lui un peu plus de 30 millions de français pour... confirmer (en un seul mot, contrairement à ce que suggère le bon sens), qu'il maintient le principe républicain de l'Ausweis auto-sado-maso, en self-sévice. Et ne soyez pas surpris par ce ''républicain'' : c'est le vocable qu'emploient nos ''maîtres-à-penser-tout-de-traviole'' à chaque fois qu'ils veulent nous enfiler un suppositoire (je demande sincèrement pardon d'en être réduit à employer de tels mots et de telles images. Mais n'étant pas membre de la Conférence des Evêques français, j'ai le droit (républicain lui aussi) de crier, de hurler mon indignation !)

  Depuis le début de cette crise, qui semble n'avoir eu pour principale utilité que de ridiculiser l'Etat, le personnel politique, et (à peine moins, pour une fois) les journalistes toujours prompts à diffuser ce qui n'en vaut pas la peine, nous avons vu s'empiler en permanence les mensonges, les approximations, les contre-mesures perverses, les mauvaises décisions, les bobards, les erreurs grossières et les élucubrations anti-scientifiques d'un comité qui croit l'être... voire des accusations de charlatanisme (''à mort, le Raoult !'') ou de complotisme-par-système qu'on appelait, à la maternelle, le ''c'est çui qui l'dit qui l'est'' (''à mort, Hold-Up !''), au point que certains, dont le système de référence est plus ouvert ou moins confirmé, en arrivaient à douter parfois d'eux-mêmes, de ce qu'ils voyaient, de tout bon sens, et de l'existence-même de ce qui était, il y a bien longtemps, l'intelligence humaine...

  Mais là où le titre de ce ''billet'' prend toute sa ''vis comica'' (= son pouvoir drôlatique), c'est, précisément, dans l'usage répété ad nauseam de ce mot : ''dérogatoire''. Nos ''Ausweis'' sont ''dérogatoires'', et  ça doit être vrai, puisque c'est écrit sur l'imprimé idoine (et ad hoc, tout-à-la-fois). Chaque citoyen majeur et vacciné doit être traité, chaque fois que faire se peut, en ''mineur... à vacciner'' (fut-ce contre son gré). Mais un bon énarque est, avant toute autre chose, soucieux de la forme administrative de tout document, même inutile, pervers et humiliant : pour être valable, un document DOIT être au format ''A 4 à en-tête'' et orné des mots : ''Devant nous, soussigné Détenteur de l'Autorité toute puissante, a comparu...'', figurant vers le haut et centré à gauche (Eh ! Oui...), juste au dessous du profil de Marianne et au dessus du coup de tampon. Et donc, pour éviter toute contestation ultérieure du Conseil d'Etat et du Conseil Constitutionnel réunis, il était obligatoire que le mot ''dérogatoire'' figure dans l'en-tête de cet outil sadique pour sadiques.

  Pourtant, le mot est intrinsèquement beau ! Cette ''Attestation dérogatoire'' est une des plus belles manifestations de ce génie énarchien que le monde entier nous envie (comme il nous envie notre système hospitalier, notre sécurité sociale, ou –racontent les plus gravement atteints-- notre système de ponctions fiscales confiscatoires. (''L'Ena, disait mon très cher et très regretté ami Georges Elgozy, enseigne la pratique l'énanisme ''!). La France est le seul pays qui ait éprouvé le besoin (administratif) de faire figurer en grosses lettres le fait que cette mesure honteuse et l'attestation qui va avec sont dé-ro-ga-toires. Mais comme dans une démocratie digne de ce nom, il n'y a nul besoin d'une autorisation pour aller acheter du pain, cette mesure, essentiellement humiliante, ne peut exister que si elle est dérogatoire, même si ce mot n'est agrémenté d'aucune date d’abrogation.

  Et il faut reconnaître que, chaque fois que je sors de chez moi muni de ce passeport-du-pauvre masochistement rempli par mes soins (et soyez certain que je fais bien attention de cocher n'importe quelle case, de préférence), je me sens être un autre homme, une grande personne dans toute l'acception du terme, un vrai adulte : j'ai le droit... je suis en  règle... je peux marcher la tête haute : j'ai un acte dé-ro-ga-toire à brandir devant le premier flic venu qui a le droit, lui, de m'asséner avec la morgue de celui qui a le droit, LUI... que je dois être de retour chez moi dans les 43 minutes qui suivent... ou dans les 2 heures 17 depuis le généreux et bienveillant assouplissement présidentiel d’avant hier, faute de quoi... c’est pan pan cucul et 135 euros en moins dans ma poche (et par personne).

  Mais n'allez surtout pas croire que cela me donne le droit d'aller à la messe, dérogatoire ou pas ! En une heure ou en trois, l'autorisation d'assister au culte est concédée (cette fois, ce ne peut être qu'en deux mots !)... dans la limite (''stricte'', a bien précisé, menaçant, le maître du ''20 heures'' !) de 30 personnes. Comme je vais à la messe à la Chapelle des sœurs de Bethléem de la Place Victor-Hugo, tout près de chez moi, je calcule : il y a là 20 sœurs permanentes. Si on y ajoute le célébrant, l'organiste, le bedeau, la meneuse de chants et les trois enfants de chœur, il reste, en gros, deux ou trois places ! Ouinn ! Ouinn ! Il va falloir se lever drôlement tôt ! Mais même hors de ce cas un peu spécieux, vous rendez vous compte qu'il existe un énarque (car il ne peut pas être autre chose... et celui-là est sans doute franc-maçon, en plus !) qui a osé penser puis écrire une telle insanité ! Mais comment ose-t-on ? Mais comment osent-ils ? Moi... j’en mourrais de honte !

  Il y aurait bien une explication : Macron a mal lu le prompteur où était écrit ''30 %'' --oui, TRENTE POUR CENT, et non pas juste TRENTE-- qui était le chiffre demandé par les Evêques. Et ensuite, l'orgueil a pris le dessus, comme d'hab', et la crainte a paralysé ses sbires : pas question de revenir encore une (n + 1) ième fois sur un truc annoncé solennellement : les gens pourraient croire que le reniement est un besoin, une manie ! Alors, plutôt que de se retrouver face à des migrants qui n'hésitent pas à ''casser du flic'' quand ils se croient maltraités et à ces mafias qui vont facilement au pénal...  mieux vaut affronter des cathos : eux, au moins, ils ne cassent rien, et leurs pasteurs ne cassent vraiment pas trois pattes à un canard...

  Devant ces deux dernières gigantesques manifestations de ce que sont la bêtise administrative crasse, la parfaite incompréhension des réalités, et la stupidité érigée en mode de vie, il ne nous reste, chers amis qui voulez ne pas ramper devant les faux puissants qui nous mènent à l'abattoir, qu'à leur opposer une synthèse de leurs ignominies qui, à force d'imbécillité, en deviennent criminelles : DIMANCHE MATIN, REMPLISSEZ SOIGNEUSEMENT VOTRE ''AUSWEIS'' EN COCHANT LA CASE ''EX-N°2 '' (puisque des ponctionnaires surchargés de travail inutile vont, n'en doutez pas, pondre un nouveau modèle d'imprimé dérogatoire réf. CERFA n°6598318752-B-6e où les cases auront ''migré'' –c'est très bien vu, chez les syndiqués), et donnez rendez-vous à votre Curé... au Super Marché du coin, où les gens peuvent dérogatoirement se réunir par tripotées entières : nos ministres ont enfin compris que le virus force la porte des églises, pas celle des superettes.  

  On en profitera pour acheter du vin et du pain : quand on va à la messe, ça peut toujours servir ! Et on demandera au Bon Dieu pourquoi il y a tant de cons, sur terre… et pourquoi la France a été si généreusement pourvue, le jour où il en avait fait la distribution. Ah ! si seulement la connerie avait pu être… dérogatoire !!

H-Cl.

[personne-reblogs]

17 parce que c'est le meilleur numéro et que le prompt est cool ! DBH, le ship au choix, en 500 mots ;)

17. I remember kissing you... Why do I remember kissing you?

AAAAH cette phrase m’a donné tellement d’idées sombres! Mais elle est dans la catégorie mim’s, ce qui en fait un vrai challenge, du coup. J’espère que c’est plus doux qu’amer! Merci pour la phrase @caffeinatedjimmie, c’était vraiment fun. J’espère que ça va te plaire!

***

- Reed, faut que tu bouges maintenant ! aboie Hank. 

- Sans dec’ ! grince Gavin entre ses dents. 

Ca va mal. D’abord l’androïde mort, puis l’absence d’ADN humain sur la scène de crime, et maintenant le putain de déviant armé qui leur tire dessus à l’aveugle depuis un canapé crasseux. De quoi ruiner une heureuse journée. 

Tous les flics sont à couvert, mais Gavin est douloureusement conscient de la précarité de sa position - pile entre le suspect et la sortie. 

- Je te couvre, l’informe Connor, caché quelque part sur sa gauche, et rien qu’au ton posé de sa voix, Gavin devine que l’androïde est angoissé. Il n’est jamais si calme dans ce genre de situation. Terminator serait-il inquiet pour lui ? Possible, en particulier après - 

C’est pas le moment, abruti, s’admoneste Gavin mentalement. Son propre flingue en main, il jette un œil autour de lui avant d’arrêter son regard sur un pilier qui ferait un abri acceptable. Il s’apprête à sprinter quand quelque chose bouge en périphérie de - 

“GAVIN !”

Le cri - soudain beaucoup moins calme - de Connor est tout ce qu’il entend avant que quelque chose lui cogne la tête, puis, c’est l'inconscience. 

***

Les draps sont bizarres. Il n’est pas dans son lit. Au lieu de l’habituelle odeur de clope froide, tout sent le… neutre. Le neutre stérile. 

Putain. De. Merde. 

Gavin parvient à entrouvrir un œil seulement pour qu’une lumière vive le lui fasse refermer avec un grognement irrité.

- Gavin ? Tu m’entends ? 

Une voix basse, inquiète, sortie de lèvres dont il sait qu’elles sont douces - 

Attends, quoi ? 

- Nnhmouais ? marmonne-t-il, plissant les yeux. 

Un hôpital. Il est dans une connerie d’hôpital, sans aucune idée de ce qu’il y fait. Et Connor est là. 

Pourquoi Connor est là ? 

- RA9 merci, dit l’androïde en s’approchant, la ligne fière de ses épaules affaissée par le soulagement. Comment tu te sens ? 

- Ca fait un bail que j’ai pas passé une nuit si merdique, grommelle Gavin en le fixant. Qu’est-ce qu’il s’est passé ?

- Nous étions sur une scène de crime et les choses se sont compliquées, lui explique Connor. Il y avait deux suspects, l’un d’eux t’a porté un coup à la tête. Tu… ne te souviens pas ? 

- Je… 

Envahi par une vague de chaleur, Gavin détourne le regard. Il se souvient seulement vaguement de... mots chuchotés. De mains froides. D’un regard bien plus chaud… 

- Je me souviens… t’avoir embrassé, murmure Gavin, abasourdi. Pourquoi je me souviens t’avoir embrassé ? demande-t-il, et son appréhension ne l’empêche pas de rencontrer le regard de Connor. 

Il n’y trouve rien d’autre que de la tendresse. 

- Parce que tu l’as fait. Avant la mission, répond l’androïde, visiblement un peu mal à l’aise. 

Gavin se sent rougir furieusement. 

- Je - je t’ai…? 

Connor hoche la tête et lui offre un sourire timide. 

- Ce n’est pas le meilleur moment pour en parler… tu as besoin de repos, dit-il, et il semble prêt à partir. Je suis content que tu ailles bien. 

Gavin se sent fatigué, c’est vrai. Trop fatigué pour… en parler, là, maintenant. Mais il ne veut pas rester seul, alors il saisit la main de l’androïde. 

- Reste, implore-t-il doucement. 

- Bien sûr, murmure Connor affectueusement en pressant ses doigts, mais Gavin dort déjà.