#sasha and rhys' faces.... i love them so much | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

damnitdoctor · 4 months ago

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AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

firstly, I BLESS THE RAINS DOWN IN AFRICA!

going into the rhys tag on tumblr can be scarce of material, so i don't actively check it. this morning, i woke up feeling a bit bleh and wanted to read something to make me feel better. rhys makes me feel better, but i thought there wouldn't be much new in the tag. when i saw your post with 9.1k words in the description... yeah perhaps i levitated from my bed like i was ascending.

your writing is awesome. i love how it flows so well. you give us so much insight to the thoughts of the characters, it's hard not to picture them as tangible. plus, the plot itself is so interesting, i hung onto every word. this was an absolute delight to read!

(you did a smashing job with the haikus btw)

“I’m loyal to Rhys,” you say, jaw set. “I owe that man my life.” Rhys, not Atlas, Zer0 notes.

i mean, i'd love to tell you what ran through my head at this point, but really it was just maniacal giggling as i grinned super wide.

"It still felt weird to drop all the "sir"'s and formalities after years of having to do it at Maliwan." VS "It'd taken half a month to get you to stop calling him sir, and even longer to convince you to address him as 'Rhys' rather than Mr. Strongfork." i really like that you linked these two together, one from the reader's perspective and one from rhys' perspective. it connects their story nicely.

zer0 is most certainly the type to one day smack rhys upside the head whilst invisible in his office just because rhys said something stupid.

Anxiously, he goes to check your face for a reaction, to see you judging him, or amused, or...or still staring at a wall, away from him. His heart sinks a little.

gosh man it's HIM! i feel like i'm reading rhys' thoughts!

He runs a hand through his hair. There's some gray streaks already beginning to form. Embarrassing considering he's only in his thirties.

i do love the taste of salt and pepper hehehahahoohoo

you mention it in the fic - about rhys asking your opinion on his mustache (nice reference btw) - and ooh golly gee i am a huge fan of the 'stache. rhys is the kind of aged-in-spirit man that i want to snap like a kitkat.

anyways.

Rhys looked even more uncomfortable now. He wears his emotions on his face. Something your former, much more homicidal boss never did. You don't consider that one of his weaknesses at all.

the reader in this fic has more self-control than me. if i saw rhys flush after asking me to dinner i don't think anything would stop me from going YES WHATEVER YOU WANT at the top of my lungs.

i'm writing this as i re-read the fic, and so i'm not sure where this is in the story, but i gotta mention how cool it is to see how much you enjoy the source material. you include all of his mannerisms (the OK gesture with his hand, etc.) and it adds to how fun and real this fic feels to read. good job, dude.

lol that comment about his tie being askew and wondering how rhys strongfork managed to be ceo of atlas... seriously. yeah. i've mentioned it in a fic (a wip, pray for me) and to my bestie that it's hilariously odd to see this guy wearing what he does and believing he's where he is at the top of the corporate ladder. but we love to see it.

"Rhys wants to take one of the monitors off a nearby desk and smash it against his head." i just love the way you write. 'nuff said.

oh my gosh and the moment with sasha's picture... i have to really applaud you here. you gave rhys a moment of closure, of accepting his circumstances and allowing himself to mend. maybe i'm too hung up on this fic but it was such a nice moment to add.

Rhys rubs at his eyes. He doesn’t want to be like Jack though. Or Katagawa [...] It's more than lust that tortures him. He wants you to like him.

(singing) preciousssss babbbbbyyyyyyyyy!! ♫

POUR ONE OUT FOR OUR BRO ZER0! LOOKING AFTER RHYS!

"Focus, Rhys, focus. The reservation hasn’t even been made yet." VS "Free food. Free food. Free food. Free food." love this, it made me laugh. chefs kiss.

this boy parted his hair differently... i am eating my knuckles.

Your work at Atlas is important to me. Say that. "You're important to me," Rhys says finally.

me to me: ok don't freak out, that was just a beautiful line is all

also me:

This...this isn't usually what he has in mind during his weaker moments where he can't help but picture you here, on his bed, with him.

tucks my hair behind my ear. but also. what a sweetiepie.

you mentioned rhys being able to see somewhat in the dark because of his echo eye and i, being too an anguished writer, went write that down. like. of course. that makes sense. sometimes i forget about the perks of his cybernetics.

ah yes, what other way to distinguish who you're cuddling in the dark with then feel for the mustache on his lip? i love how it's immediate: "—it’s definitely Rhys."

also again again i must praise you for your plot connectivity! we read rhys wonder about the pleasure yacht, then we get the reader mentioning how that's never happened. it's like throwing a question from one character and catching the answer with another character. idk man it's just cool the way you do that.

He suddenly feels your lips at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry, I missed,” you murmur, a bit embarrassed. “It’s dark in here.” Rhys can’t help but take your chin in his hand, adjusting your position so he can kiss you fully on the lips.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT I CAN SIMP EVEN MORE FOR THIS MAN?? i would've risked it all right then and there. he'd have to fire me and raise a restraining order. i mean-- GUIDING THE READER TO KISS HIM PROPERLY BY THE CHIN? i exploded. pay for my hospital bill.

i love this fic so much (as i'm sure you can tell from my lengthy reblog), thank you so much for writing this! instantly added to my favs. it's hard writing for a small fandom (or where the fandom base isn't very active) but i appreciate your time and effort so much!

bless.

sincerely, kara x

rhys strongfork x reader

9.1k words

“God, you’re the best,” Rhys says with a sigh. “Hey, you say the word and I’m here bossman. Anything you want or need, I’m on it. It’s the least I can do.” Zer0 eyes you from across the office. Or at least, you think he is. You’re still adjusting to the faceless mysterious thing that hangs around Rhys all the time. He probably still suspects you. Were you being suspicious? You suppose you’d gone out of your way to be especially good for Rhys and earn his favor. After all, if you had betrayed Maliwan to defect over to Atlas, what was to stop you from betraying Atlas as well? You didn’t exactly start here with a shiny clean record. But Rhys had been so kind and merciful, taking you in, giving you a decent position like this. You just want to express your gratitude anyway you can. Chances are his decision to let you into Atlas had saved your life. Thus, you figure you owe him every breath in your body. And a bagel. Anytime he wanted it. You don't think you'll ever repay your debt to him, and you don't think you want to either.

You think you could be happy here, at Atlas. And that's not something you imagined thinking about any one of the soul sucking greedy corporations that had their eyes on the planets in this system.

As you turn to walk out the room, attending to some other business you'd been assigned, Rhys's eyes follow you. Zer0's head tilts ever so slightly towards Rhys. He heaves a bit of a sigh, regarding the bagel on his desk. And you remembered the cream cheese he likes. He wonders if he's about to make a mistake. I mean, how could someone as nice as you possibly stab him in the back? He looks back up at Zer0, and the assassin just gives a curt nod.

Just do it. Gotta find out one way or another.

Rhys nods as well, before sinking down low into his chair and burying his face in his hands. If this is the right, smart thing to do, why does he feel so goddamn guilty about it? He finds himself wishing he was more like the other CEOs. Ruthless, calculating, business first, success first, able to actually watch their ass. Willing to do whatever it takes to hold onto that seat of power. But then he finds himself wondering how those men live like that, on the edge, suspicious of everyone, so sure death was seeking them out at every turn. It had to be miserable, right?

Meanwhile, you were making your way down a hall. Rhys said he'd wanted you to go check on the new maintenance guys and see how they were adjusting, and then report back to him personally. You don't mind having to run around headquarters all day, it's good exercise and you feel productive. It doesn't feel like he's just giving you busy work either, he's just having you act socially in his stead. The guy can't be in seven places at once, although you bet he wishes he was. He's never been a micromanaging type, but he is a bit of a chatterbox.

Suddenly, a firm hand grabs your shoulder, shoving you up against a wall. Momentarily, you're winded, gasping out, as the razor sharp tip of a sword presses lightly to the center of your throat. Zer0 suddenly appears out of thing air. Confusion is obvious on your face, but it's not enough to fool him so easily. Anyone, traitor or not, would have been shocked getting caught off guard like that.

"Talk," Zer0 commands. If it's not elaborate haikus, it's equally cryptic one word sentences.

You shift a little under his grip and his fingers tighten, to the point where you know he'll leave bruises. You wonder what the fuck is going on. Best communicate that.

"I don't...what the hell are you doing?" you ask, sounding less outraged and more afraid. Good, Zer0 can use that. It should make this all easier.

"You are still very new./ Where do your loyalties lie?/ Tell me the real truth."

Your brows furrow. "My...my loyalties?" you repeat back, a bit dumbfounded.

Are you being interrogated right now? Was Zer0 that suspicious of you this entire time? You couldn't get a read on the guy no matter what, even back when you'd first joined Atlas (at Rhys's own suggestion). You know it's his job to protect the CEO, and you figured he'd do it whether he was contracted or not, but what threat could you possibly pose to Rhys? You feel a bit stupid for not immediately jumping to your history--even if it had been months ago and the majority of the conflict and siege had settled, that didn't change how long you had worked for Maliwan before coming to Promothea. It didn't matter if it had been against your will to be sent here to fight, to die, for Maliwan's cause. All that mattered was that you had been initially taking orders from Katagawa Jr.

You take in a shaky breath, heart still racing in your chest. The sword point remains steady. It pricks at your skin, already warning you for taking such a long, rather suspicious silence. The visor hiding his face is blank. No stupid little emoticons, no text, just black. You can see your own terrified reflection in it. You don't know what to do other than to tell the truth, just like Zer0 had demanded. But what if he still didn't believe you? Doesn't matter. You come to realize you don't have a choice. You force your voice to be steady.

“I’m loyal to Rhys,” you say, jaw set. “I owe that man my life.” Rhys, not Atlas, Zer0 notes. He’s not sure how to feel about that yet. Slowly, he leans a little ways back. He steps away, giving you some personal space back. And the sword withdraws from your throat. Silently, Zer0 sheathes the sword over his shoulder, and the blade fades away into nothing. You know it will only be a few moments before he does the same. He lifts a gloved hand, holding up a stern finger. “Please do not forget/ I am always watching you/ do not fuck this up.” You know you could have not replied at all. You could have just looked away and let this nightmare of an interaction be over. But heart pounding in your chest, you can't help but give a response. “I won’t. Second chances don’t come around often.”

Zer0 regards you for a moment longer. Then, he vanishes. Creepy...you'll never get used to that. You take a moment to stand there, unsure if he's gone or if he's going to continue tailing you for longer, just to double check. All he'd be affirming is that you were telling the truth if he did that. You think about going straight back to Rhys's office and telling him what had just happened. But you remember he'd given you an assignment to do. As shitty as all this was...the least you can do is get that done before returning. Rhys should know Zer0 is suspicious of you. But he'd also asked about the new maintenance staff's adjustment, and that's important too when it comes to rebuilding and cleaning up some of the HQ.

A sigh leaves you before you resume the direction you'd initially been headed in. Lucky for you, the new maintenance guys seem pretty capable. It's not that you didn't trust Rhys's judgement in hiring (after all, he'd brought you on as some extra help), it's just...things had been hectic and desperate, and his priority had been to replace the former staff which had mysteriously vanished. Rhys said he knew nothing about it, and then mentioned there were no bodies, before promptly cutting off his ECHO device and never speaking of it again. None of your business, and frankly you're not nearly nosy enough to care.

You tried not to seem like your mind was elsewhere, still shaken from the encounter with Zer0. Instead, you politely smile and nod along to whatever the new guys are saying.

"Uh huh...well, good to see you guys are so eager to get started. The CEO decided to have some of the Crimson Lance join you guys as bodyguards. They'll make sure you're safe while you sweep headquarters, uh, no pun intended. Not all of Maliwan has been booted out yet."

They nod, murmuring their thanks.

"Great, the boys should be up here any minute. Feel free to mingle. Rhys wants the overall sweep done by about six. You can come back here and report the damages and body count to me and I'll pass it up to the big guy upstairs."

Rhys had always instructed you not to be too formal. He said it "ruined the vibe" he was going for. It was odd, you've never worked for a company that was purposefully attempt to maintain such a lax attitude. Especially right after an attempted invasion, takeover, and then additional total destruction attempt by Katagawa Jr. But if he said he wanted it done a certain way, you were going to make sure you adhered to his preference. The little voice in your head once again reminds you with a guilty twinge that it was the least you could do. It still felt weird to drop all the "sir"'s and formalities after years of having to do it at Maliwan.

You wonder if a company with that kind of hierarchy could last long against the other ruthless giants. With Hyperion gone, Dahl still getting back up on their feet from when Hyperion had initially come to power, there's once again a central power void waiting to be filled. Could Atlas actually do it? If Rhys could genuinely return Atlas to it's former glory, that would be incredible. You don't know if it's possible for mega corporations that primarily compete in the gun market to ever reach peaceful agreements, but you certainly believe Rhys might be able to pave the way to that new frontier.

Then again...he has his own shortcomings.

You hadn't known him long, at least, not before he became a CEO. But you're aware of his weaknesses. One of them, maybe being that his pet assassin slash bodyguard seemed to be allowed to free roam and terrorize whoever he wanted on a whim of suspicion...okay that one might have been a little personal. But, you've got the report and gave your little speech to the new maintenance team, so now you have time to go and talk to Rhys. You can communicate those feelings and hurt instead of letting it rot you inside, like you would have done at Maliwan. You still can't help but feel bitter, almost automatically in a bad mood whenever you're reminded of working for them...

Goddamn Zer0.

Of course it's not fair for you to be allowed to forget. Not with all the destruction and innocent lives Maliwan had cost Promethea. And you'd been on the payroll. You try not to fall too far into your own head as you turn away and head back to the elevator that ascended to Rhys's office. It's an uncomfortable wait, and an even worse silence. Usually, you stop to gaze a little at the massive aquariums lining the way to the CEO's office. But this is urgent.

Rhys looks up from his desk at you and smiles, although you feel like there's something...wrong.

You practice some restraint, and decide to give him that report on maintenance first.

"So yeah..."

Rhys pushes his chin into his hand. "I hope they don't find too much damage. I gotta be even more on top of it with the finances around here, what with how I'm gonna have to rebuild the city too. Or bodies," he gives a nervous laugh, "hope they find even less of those. Identifying, funerals, cremations, burials, finding the families, it gets pricey y'know?"

Right...that was the other thing about him. While he's not nearly as bad as the other CEO's you've heard about in your lifetime (you heard Handsome Jack was a total monster), Rhys can be a little callous at times. CEOs generally seem to have a disconnect between themselves and everyone else lower in the company. A special kind of corporate breed of lacking empathy that can be a bit disturbing. His isn't especially awful but...you worry. You hope he can keep himself on the right path.

At your lack of response, he shifts a little in his chair. "You...uh...are you alright, (Y/N)?" he suddenly asks.

Your eyes won't meet his. "Can we talk? Privately."

Rhys wonders if it's the smartest idea to grant that request. He knows Zer0 is in the office right now, being weird and invisible as usual. They're a great bodyguard, but Rhys sometimes feels a little nutty talking to thin air whenever Zer0 doesn't feel like uncloaking. The presence is usually comforting but...

You won't even look at him now? Uh oh...

Fix this, Rhys, fix this, come on... he tells himself.

"Yeah, totally, of course." He turns in his chair, to a corner he hopes Zer0 is in.

Sometimes they like to hang out near the bookshelves or the couch. He clears his throat. Zer0 promptly reappears on the opposite side of the room, prompting Rhys to embarrassedly swivel his chair the other way. Had the bodyguard been trying to make him look stupid in front of you on purpose? Anxiously, he goes to check your face for a reaction, to see you judging him, or amused, or...or still staring at a wall, away from him. His heart sinks a little.

"Just for a minute or two, Zer0," Rhys calls after him, having a feeling he won't be too far away.

"Later, bro," Zer0 replies, walking out the office, still keeping himself visible.

If the assassin wanted to he could easily cloak and sneak back in. Which Rhys sincerely hopes they don't. Even though Zer0 had reported back that you'd only reaffirmed your loyalties to him, Rhys knew they still didn't trust you completely. Which is...fair. Anyone can say anything if they're under enough pressure. And he's seen Zer0 work enough to know how terrifying the guy can be. As well as unpredictable. As much as Rhys trusts them, it always seems like they're thinking eight steps ahead...freaky.

Rhys returns his attention on you.

You give a soft exhale, like you're preparing to say something you don't want to. "Look, while I was going to get that update on maintenance, uhm..." Zer0 had attacked you, basically, was the truth. But you decide to play things safe. Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. God knows, Zer0 does his job incredibly well, and this is probably just part of it--you don't want Rhys suddenly not trusting his own bodyguard.

"I...ran into Zer0. Well, they ran into me, more like it, but, whatever. And he-"

Rhys interrupts you. “I’m sorry, (Y/N). I asked Zer0 to do that. I just had to be sure-“ Your eyes finally meet his. The crestfallen look descending on your face is heart wrenching. Like he'd just kicked a puppy in front of you or something. Rhys wonders if it wasn’t the right choice after all to ask Zer0 to check your loyalties, to make absolutely sure you could be trusted. But lord knows he wasn’t brave enough to do it, not scary enough to get the truth out of you like the assassin could. He also couldn’t bare the thought of pointing a weapon at you, whether you were a traitor or not. Ironic, considering he's in control of one of many powerful gun manufacturers. He just…he knows he has to be careful from now and into the future. The bigger Atlas gets, the more enemies he makes. The Maliwan invasion had been a very quick, brutal lesson in that. You try to hide the disappointment on your face. Your voice comes shaky.

He knew.

You suddenly feel very stupid for coming in here in the first place. You shouldn't have said anything at all. You should have just kept it to yourself and moved on with your life, with your job, with your career at Atlas. It would have ensured this awkward, sad, stupid conversation never had to take place. “Oh that’s…that’s okay I guess. I just thought…I mean you always told me the past is the past and it’s all behind me. That you didn’t care and that it was all behind me.” The hurt in your voice makes this so much harder for him. “I know, I know what I said,” Rhys said, looking stressed. He runs a hand through his hair. There's some gray streaks already beginning to form. Embarrassing considering he's only in his thirties. “But…I needed to be sure.”

Even though he knows this was all for his own safety, and this whole test was initially Zer0’s idea to begin with, Rhys feels bad. Like, really bad. He still gave his bodyguard the go ahead. He scratches at his mustache momentarily, trying to think of how he could… “I understand, Rhys” you say a bit softly. He notices that there's tears beginning to form in your eyes. He starts to talk again, but you cut him off. “No, I really get it. I mean…only a few months ago I was basically under Katagawa Jr.'s thumb. You don’t have any reason to really trust me. Not yet, anyways.” Bitter but true. And an insecurity that’d always clouded your mind at night before you fell asleep. Sometimes you still had nightmares of bullets flying past your head and people screaming and dying around you. But you’d always wake up, knowing things were different now. That instead of racing to the training field, you just had to race downtown to grab some coffee or froyo or a bagel or whatever the hell Rhys wanted that day before work. That Rhys was different, that Atlas was different from Maliwan. He’d promised you that you’d never have to hold a gun again— once again, ironic as Atlas is still another soulless weapons manufacturer. But Rhys had promised and that’d been good enough for you.

Rhys looked even more uncomfortable now. He wears his emotions on his face. Something your former, much more homicidal boss never did. You don't consider that one of his weaknesses at all. “But I do trust you,” he insists, “I mean— I sent Zer0, but it’s -it’s, God, it’s complicated. I trust you so much I had to just see if that trust was for real, does that make sense?” It really doesn’t. If he trusted you there’d be no reason to suspect you in the first place, in your opinion. It hurts. He sees that little heartbroken look on your face still isn’t gone, even after his super smooth save. The tears are still gathering in your eyes and you still won't look at him. If he can't fix this, it's gonna drive him up the wall for the rest of the day. “Y’know what? Dinner.” He claps his hands together, grabbing your attention with another awkward laugh and you swear you see a flush creeping up his neck. “Yeah, let’s do dinner. On me. Food fixes everything, right? Best way to say 'sorry' ever.”

Could food fix a complete lapse in trust caused by his paranoia? He looks so earnestly at you, fingers still clasped together, almost like he’s begging you to say yes. Begging you to move past this with him and forgive this slight. Why not say yes? It couldn’t hurt. And it seems like it’s gonna make him feel way better than you would. Under any other circumstance you’d shoot this down. It's unprofessional to go out with your boss. It's wrong. It's not right to let him pay for your food. It's not rational to...to... The look on his face…he really does seem apologetic. You remind yourself that a boss like him is a rare thing during these times. You remind yourself that if there’s no Atlas, you’d be forced back to Maliwan or forced to try and make it on your own. Neither of those are options. You must have been thinking for a long time, because Rhys clears his throat and stands up from his desk. He approaches you, like he wants you to believe he trusts you not to snap and murder him. Because, hey, you used to be Maliwan, and that's all that you'd ever be to him-

“It’ll be super cas, no pressure at all,” he says, with another nervous breath of air, interrupting your rather horrible train of thought. “Uh, like a ‘yayy you’re not here to kill me’ thing.” “Alright. That sounds nice.” You smile at him but he feels like it’s not one of your real ones. It doesn't match the look in your glassy eyes. Was he shoving this onto you too fast?

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to, I just wanna make it up to you-“ “Rhys,” you say, and he stops. “It’s okay. We’re cool.” You hold out a hand for him to take, in spite of your racing thoughts. He does, giving you a firm squeeze. His hands are always so warm. He lets go after a brief moment. He takes a moment to fix his tie, which only skews it worse. You have to sometimes wonder how a guy like him holds a position like this one, much less built the formerly dead company up all on his own. “I’ll pick you up at six, okay?” He says, and you nod.

“But the maintenance team," you start and Rhys puts his head in his hand.

"Right...right. Uh...seveenn?" he tries again.

To his relief, you give another validating nod that didn't make him feel as stupid and dumb as he felt initially. "Can I ask where we’re going?” �� “Nuh uh. Ruins my surprise. You gotta tr-“ He pauses. “Uh you’ll like it, okay?” You give a light, exasperated shake of your head. Rhys breathes a sigh of relief at the bit of playfulness and the tiniest smile on your face. Seven gives you enough time to get that report to Rhys and go home for a few minutes. But until then, you have a slew of other shit to busy yourself with that Zer0's approach had totally distracted you from. The least you could do was throw yourself into your work for the rest of the day. There are some times where you spend most of your day at Rhys's side, waiting for a command or for him to need something. There are other days where you're out and about, in the halls of headquarters, or the streets of the city. Regrettably, you're relieved that it's the ladder today.

“Don’t worry, I do trust you,” you call out half heartedly as you leave. Rhys wants to take one of the monitors off a nearby desk and smash it against his head. That couldn’t have gone any worse. ‘You gotta trust me’ seriously? After what he just did to you? A bit of a groan escapes him and he goes back to his desk to sit down. Hopefully he can wrestle a reservation out of the place he had in mind. He figures you’re just telling him what he wants to hear— you’re a good employee like that. But before this all, you probably would have told him the truth. That dinner won’t fix him betraying you like this. That it’s not gonna magically put down the metaphorical middle finger he’d just put up to the months of time his relationship with you was built around. To the hours you spent basically at his beck and call. Doing whatever he told you to without a question or second thought. You'd always given off the impression you thought he was brilliant. And that made Rhys feel good. He's worried you won't ever look at him again like that.

He drums his fingers on the desk, resting his chin and mouth in his hand again as he shuts his eyes.

On the bright side…he’d finally had the balls to ask you out. Part of the reason he’d wanted Zer0 to interrogate you was because he’d really wanted to try going out with you. Obviously, he hadn't exactly jumped to let Zer0 know that. He still had a personal life! He was allowed to do that! CEO or not! He opens his eyes and reaches to the photo of Sasha on his desk, suddenly feeling guilty, and goes to place it face down. But he hesitates. It’s…kinda lonely at the top. He feels it tenfold lately. And… well your smile had started kinda being the highlight of his day. Now he fears he's never gonna see the real thing ever again. She’d want him happy right? He pulls his hand away from the picture. There’s nothing wrong with this. There’s nothing wrong with a guy like him wanting a girl like you. Of course there’s that pesky power imbalance, the fact that he’s your boss could make this messy… But other CEOs just do whatever they want, right? They don’t think about any of this shit. Although he doesn’t like thinking back to his time at Hyperion, even he remembers Handsome Jack’s reputation for fucking just about anything that moved. Whatever he wanted, he got. That was why Rhys had begun to admire him in the first place.

Rhys rubs at his eyes. He doesn’t want to be like Jack though. Or Katagawa with that stupid ‘pleasure yacht’, or any other nutcase CEO. He doesn't want to just...just bend you over the desk and fuck you, like you're just something to use, he swears to himself it's not like that at all! It's more than lust that tortures him. He wants you to like him. So desperately bad. He knows you like having him as a boss, that you like his stupid little jokes, that you like his mustache (he'd asked you once to be sure), that you enjoyed his company. At least once you did. But he wants you to like like him. The same way he feels about you. But it’d have been dangerous to let you in so fast without knowing for sure that you weren’t Maliwan’s last hurrah in an attempt to end his life. That you weren’t some super secret cute seductress spy attempting to exact revenge for Katagawa Jr. He wondered if it’d be rude to ask what your relationship with the other CEO had been. After how well everything else had gone? Yeah, probably.

You'd been pretty low ranked in Maliwan, from what little you'd told him of it. He doubts that you'd ever received the high honor of boarding that stupid fucking pleasure yacht. He felt himself get a little angry still, at the notion of something he'd likely made up in his head and had no ground to stand on whatsoever.

“Should I follow you?/ She could still try to kill you./I know I would try.” Rhys jumps a little as Zer0’s voice comes out of thin air. He’d forgotten that he'd sent the bodyguard out. And he certainly hadn't noticed him sneaking back in. Well not, sneaking, more like just sauntered right back in, plain as day and Rhys had been so lost in his incredibly frustrating thoughts he hadn't noticed. It'd been...a smart choice to have Zer0 leave the room. He’d have felt worse having him skulk around all invisible. Chances were the assassin had already listened in. And Rhys was none the wiser. What a powerful ally…He finds himself grateful Zer0 is on his side, even if he doesn't quite know what the answer is.

“Ah, no,” Rhys says. “It’ll be alright. She’s not a Maliwan spy or anything— you heard it yourself.” Zer0 gives him a look that needs no verbal explanation. “I mean, you did interrogate her yourself. I don’t think she’d lie to you. Or me, as a matter of fact.” Zer0 just shrugs. “I will still come with./ I will be outside the place./ Your foes still draw breath.” Cool, a bodyguard outside the restaurant. And Rhys promises he’ll tell you too. Nothing but transparency from here on out! He can be better for you. Rhys wonders if it’s bordering on delusional to think he still has a chance with you after today. He’s reminded that you don’t have anywhere to go but Atlas. Anyone else would have breathed a sigh of relief at that security. But it only makes Rhys feel worse.

What if you’d only said yes because you couldn’t say anything else? He’d never wanted you to feel as if turning him down wasn’t an option. You had seemed pretty genuine in accepting the offer. But if he brought up the idea of dating…should he just hold off on that? But he thinks about what Zer0 said, that poetic stuff about his enemies still breathing. He does have people out there who want him dead. So if he’s gonna die, he’s gonna die like a man, dammit! And he’s gonna tell you how he feels because that’s the manly thing to do! Emotions are manly! Sharing them is manly! So why does he feel like he’s gonna throw up on his desk? Focus, Rhys, focus. The reservation hasn’t even been made yet.

He hopes you'll like the place he picked. That is if you don't find an excuse by the end of the workday to flake out on him. He knows he might do something like that if he was in your position. Several hundred feet down, in the heart of the building, you do your best to stay busy and keep your mind off...everything. Every time you feel dread begin to rise, you beat the feeling back down.

Free food. Free food. Free food. Free food.

The repetition doesn't seem to help.

When the end of the day comes, time forever marching forwards no matter how badly you wish it wouldn't, you find yourselves at another crossroads. Maintenance had come back with their report. You knew you could take it to Rhys in person, as you usually do. It wasn't a formal policy or anything, it's just something the two of you had always done. In a company so absorbed in technology, it was important to have a little human contact. However you feel your stomach drop at the idea of jumping back on the elevator and going to his office...seeing him again. It's such a ridiculous turmoil--you have to see him again anyways later on in the night. But you just don't feel ready yet.

You need some time to yourself. You need fifteen minutes to go home and cry on your bed, to get all the nasty horrible feelings chewing away at your insides out. Let yourself fall apart so you can string yourself back together, good as new. Then maybe, just maybe, you could handle dinner with Rhys. The last think you want to do is break down crying in public. It had been so hard to bite back the tears in his office, harder with every word out of his mouth.

You make the difficult choice just to forward the report to him via ECHO. If he asks any questions you'll just tell him you needed a little time to get home and get ready. Luckily, as you begin to head out the door alongside other Atlas employees, you don't receive any incoming calls from him. You wonder if he's up there, with that guilty dog-caught-eating-trash look, probably kicking himself for all this. It takes a lot of restraint not to turn around and go back into the building to check on him, like you've gotten so used to doing.

Maybe that's the worst part of today--is that you want to go crawling back. You want to sweep this under the rug, pretend like none of it happened, pretend like it's normal for someone you trust and maybe even love to do this to you. But you just can't. It'll take time. Or a way bigger gesture than dinner, you guess.

Dinner itself started off as awkward as you had imagined it to be. It's Rhys, so you figured there'd be a level of awkwardness whether what happened today had gone down or not. He still hadn't called you, to your relief, and had simply forwarded the address to the restaurant and the reservation time to your ECHO. You'd told yourself before leaving the house that if you really wanted to, you probably could have faked sick to get out of this or come up with some other brilliant excuse.

But you don't. You don't have the heart to stand him up like that.

Oh also he's the CEO of Atlas and probably the man with the most power on all of Promethea. You'd weighed the possibility of him doing something drastic if you didn't show. You...you don't think he's that kind of man. But after the little loyalty test with Zer0, you're no longer sure. You're uneasy. So if sitting down for a little dinner with him takes that horrible feeling away, you'd do it.

He gives a bit of a weak, quiet whistle, hands in his pockets, somehow confident and nervous all at the same time. "Wow," he'd said to you, looking you up and down in your different outfit. "You look, uh, you look great."

He gives you his signature 'ok' hand signal, a habit he'd formed lately. You'd just responded with a curt nod, still not sure what to say to him. You hate this. He hates this too. It feels like the two of you are strangers all over again. He's briefly reminded of your first week at Atlas, at his side. You'd rarely spoken to him, you couldn't look him in the eye, you flinched when he did speak, and everything you did, you did absolutely terrified. It'd taken half a month to get you to stop calling him sir, and even longer to convince you to address him as 'Rhys' rather than Mr. Strongfork. Was it gonna be like that again?

What the hell was he thinking...

He visibly seems to deflate, the smile flickering on his face. You feel bad for your coldness--it hadn't been purposeful.

You clear your throat. "Y-You look good too, Rhys. Beautiful, as always."

That seems to perk him up a little. That dumb smile of his slips back onto his face. "Y'think? Parted my hair different, see?"

You honestly can't tell the difference or if he's joking. But either way, you just nod again. Whatever, as long as that horrible ice is broken. It shouldn't be there in the first place. You painstakingly remind yourself that it's his fault it's there to begin with. He lead you over to a table, near the back of the restaurant, towards a large window that gave a rather nice view of the city. Well, what was left of it anyways. He has a lot to rebuild.

"This spot used to be the best in the house," he explains a bit awkwardly. "It's been a...a little bit since I've taken anyone here so I totally forgot that the city's, uh, destroyed--you ever been here before?"

He has this way of talking where every thought just goes straight to his mouth. Like you can follow his train of thought alongside him. That's why you'd trusted him so fast and warmed up to him so easily before. Now it makes you wonder how he'd been able to keep his plan a secret from you. Had he planned to do that to you for long? Or was it a spur of the moment Rhys thing?

Stop thinking about it.

He was waiting on a response.

You shake your head. "No. I haven't had the chance to check everything out here."

Rhys wants to kick himself. Right. You'd practically spent most of your adult life working under Maliwan. You'd only come to Promethea to begin with because that's where you'd been ordered to go. Hopefully a waiter comes soon and saves him from this. Or...he could just be honest with you and say sorry. He'd been pacing the office, already planning out an apology in his head. He'd even written it down on a piece of paper, of all things, and then had promptly crumpled it up and threw it out. There's...there's a lot he wants to say to you and he doesn't have a clue where to start.

You watch Rhys call over a waiter with a rather brisk gesture that suggests the conversation is just as uncomfortable for him. Quietly, you put your order in. He orders wine-- a nice bottle from what little you know about fineries. You hadn't really imagined him to be a big drinker. He must be nervous.

"You can have some too. Obviously. As much as you want. My treat."

"Thanks," you say a bit blankly, finding your gaze wandering somewhere out the window.

He can wait for the alcohol to loosen him up a bit. To give him the courage to say what he need to. But he wonders if that might come across as inauthentic. If you'll think it's just the wine talking for him.

Fuck it.

"Look," he says with a heavy sigh, regaining your attention.

With your eyes on him, he's suddenly ten times more reluctant to continue. But he sets his jaw, he sits up straighter. His hand, the organic one, reaches across the table, in an attempt to mimic your forgiving gesture in his office earlier. You stare at it for a moment and Rhys heart stops in his chest. But then, gingerly, your arm lifts, and your place your hand in his. His fingers come to tighten around yours.

"I'm gonna be honest. No more lying, or hiding things from you. So I'll start by telling you that Zer0 is outside the building."

He waits for you to snatch your hand away, to stand up outraged and storm away from the table, right back out the door. He feel him almost brace himself. But you don't move.

"I'll hear you out, Rhys," you say, voice still low. "But I'm not going to make any promises that I can just magically forgive you, or we can go back to how things were, no matter what you say. To be honest, I'm not even sure how I feel right now."

"Of course, of course," he says, just sounding happy you haven't stomped off yet. "But you deserve an apology. So here it is. I'm sorry, (Y/N). I really am. It was a mistake to ask Zer0 to interrogate you like that. It was a mistake to ever doubt your faith in Atlas, in me. I know you haven't been with me long, but I honestly don't know how I would have stayed sane lately without you around. You're..."

Your work at Atlas is important to me. Say that.

"You're important to me," Rhys says finally. "Which is why I couldn't risk losing you if Maliwan was still...well, y'know, in the picture."

You're quiet for a moment. His hand's warm around yours. You've made no motion to pull away.

"I have a question for you," you say.

"Yes, anything," Rhys says, practically halfway across the table, he's leaning in so intently.

"If I had been a traitor, er, a Maliwan spy...what would you have done?" The question had been burning in the back of your mind.

Rhys hadn't even stopped to think about that. Maybe it's because even when he gave Zer0 the order, he hadn't imagine Zer0 would come back with anything suggesting you actually were a traitor. That made him feel bad again. He should have trusted his gut...he shouldn't have questioned you.

"I...I'm not sure. I wouldn't have had Zer0 hurt you, if that's what you're thinking. I think..." What would he have done? "I think I would have tried to figure out why. Why you were still working with Maliwan. Wh-which you aren't! I know that! But I would have figured that maybe they were blackmailing you, or-or threatening to hurt you, or something."

Your head tilts. "Why?" For the first time that night your gaze meets his again and he feels relief thrum through him.

"Because I still wouldn't want to lose you," Rhys said firmly. He gives a bit of a laugh. "No, I wouldn't give you back to Maliwan that easily, c'mon now. Who'd bring me all my bagels with the extra cream cheese and coffee and whatever stupid thing I'm craving if you weren't around?"

Your shoulders also move in a bit of a laugh. You know that you do more for him than that. He knows it too. But he doesn't have to mention all that.

Rhy's thumb strokes over the back of your hand. "And...y'know when I first found you, hiding under my desk--which is where I was going, by the way--I figured...something tells me you were just as afraid as I was. Even if you'd been sent there to definitely kill me on sight. I don't think you'd secretly work for a corporation that scares you that much when there's a better option. Atlas is wayyy too nice to betray, right?"

You give him a half smile.

"Okay, Rhys, you don't have to keep going. That...hearing that makes me feel a little better," you admit.

Your chosen drink and Rhys's wine arrives at the table. When he offers you a glass as well, you accept almost immediately. His apology, although initially hard to start, seemed to set your mind more at peace. You seemed to relax more, especially after a few more glasses of wine. Before long, the two of you are laughing and talking like you used to, over various plates of food that he's pretty sure neither of you will finish. Leftovers...nice. His suite's pretty barebones when it comes to fridge content because of how busy he'd been lately.

He had not known before offering you as much wine as you wanted that you were a bit of a lightweight. He realizes when he signals for a check from the waiter that the night may get a little more interesting. Especially when you were hanging on his cybernetic arm, finally outside the restaurant. It's difficult to keep an eye on you, the to go bag, and trying to pin down a ride all at once.

He manages and makes sure you gets into the car safe first. As he settles down next to you with a sigh, he glances over at you. You already look half asleep. He'd hate to wake you up, you look so peaceful...He turns his head to give the driver instructions but finds his words stuck in his throat.

He realizes he has zero idea where you actually live. “Uh…..” Guess you could just come home with him? You’re practically asleep on his shoulder already, head leaned into the crook of his neck.

He tries to stay as quiet as he can for the ride over, not wanting to wake you until he absolutely has to. You naturally come out of it when the car rolls to a stop outside the building. You don't really ask any questions as he guides you in with him. Either you're too tired, or you don't care enough to ask what's going on. Rhys feels a glow in his chest. Which means maybe you trust him again...? For real? Not in the fake, amicable way from before?

Rhys shoulders open the door to his suite for you. He momentarily abandons the food from the restaurant on the marble countertop. He brings you to the first place he can think of, or at least the safest, the bedroom. Like you think it's your own room, you collapse onto the bed yourself, without any further prompting from him.

"Man, remind me not to go drinking with you," he mumbled, throwing some of the covers over you. "You get sleepy wayyyy too fast."

His response is just an unintelligible mumble. For a moment, he sits on the edge of the bed as you nuzzle into the pillow--his pillow. Somewhere in your mind, you wonder faintly why your bed smells like Rhys for some reason. His weight shifts, an attempt to leave. The couch in the living room is plenty comfortable. And so is his chair and his desk back in his office if he doesn't sleep well tonight.

He hears the covers shift. He feels your fingers suddenly wrap around his wrist, gently tugging him back to the bed.

“(Y/N),” he starts, but he sees the way your eyebrows furrow, like you’re in pain. Much different from the peaceful mini-nap you had been taking on his shoulder in the backseat of the car. “Please... don’t leave me here alone,” you say softly, eyes still shut. “I don’t... I don't wanna be alone.” He barely catches the last bit your slurring is so bad, but his mind quickly catches up and connects the dots. Slowly, Rhys settles back down onto the bed. You keep pulling at him and with a sigh, he gives in fully, laying down next to you. A bit clumsily, your arms wrap around him completely. He lays, flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling, as your hand rests on his shoulder, arm splayed put over his chest. You’ve turned on your side, face pressed to his arm.

Rhys is careful not to move the entire night, although he can't help dozing off a few times. He doesn't even know how it's possible to do that with the way his heart is racing in his chest. This...this isn't usually what he has in mind during his weaker moments where he can't help but picture you here, on his bed, with him. He finds his hand reaching up to grasp yours on his shoulder, holding gently overtop. Not wanting to move and wake you up, he manages to turn off the lights, from the bed. The perks of keeping his cybernetics and ECHO eye in such a high tech city, he supposes. The curtains pull, as if compelled, completely shut, to block out any further intrusive light.

Was this professional by any means?

No.

But then again, he thinks, gazing down at you, ECHO eye allowing him to see slightly in the darkness... when has he ever really cared about professionalism?

When you eventually wake, you feel like you just had the best sleep of your entire life. No screaming no nightmares, no clench of fear in your chest, no waking in a cold sweat. Could have been the alcohol, but it also could have been that you're not alone in the bed-...Wait a minute, where the fuck are you? Your fingers are resting on something, someone else’s shoulder. Your heart seizes in your chest. The last thing you remember was drinking with Rhys…his apology…wait. Slowly and tentatively, in the pitch black room, your other hand, the one that had been placed on his chest slowly drifts up to touch over a cheek.

You bite the inside of your own cheek, letting your hand travel slightly down until you feel thick hair under your fingertips, and a soft upper lip—it’s definitely Rhys. What the fuck is wrong with you? You both get drunk and the first thing you do is fuck him?! Completely unprofessional. Would you even be able to look him in the eyes ever again after this?! This was the exact thing you'd always been trying to avoid in Maliwan. It was all too easy to sleep with a boss open enough to the idea and get an easy promotion through that--you'd always sworn you'd never be one of those girls, as lucky as they were. And you'd especially sworn to yourself that you wouldn't do that with Rhys, even if he was cute and funny in that weird way and-

Jesus Christ. You suddenly feel a warm hand grasp over yours, the non-mechanical one. Rhys moves your hand down, hesitating over his lips briefly, before he decides it’s safer to just hold it at his chest again. He’s still wearing his shirt from the night before. His tie isn't even undone. Which means…you think about all the various ways you could have had sex…which means absolutely nothing. But…your underwear is still in place and your dress is only askew because you had likely shifted in your sleep. It’s like he can read your mind. “We didn’t do anything,” Rhys says, voice a bit rough from just having woken up. “You just…I was gonna go sleep on the couch, but you said you didn’t wanna be alone.” Your face heats with embarrassment. You said that to him? “Oh…sorry. I just…” You trail off. Just because he'd been honest with you last night doesn't mean you owe him the same thing. You don’t want to tell him that every night when you go to sleep you have to relive Maliwan. You don’t want to let him know that there’s a personal hell waiting for you every time you close your eyes outside the workplace. You don't want- “Why don’t you wanna be alone?” Rhys finds himself asking, interrupting your quickly spiralling train of thought. “Maybe it was just a drunk thing but-“ “Every time I go to sleep I’m back, working for Maliwan, people dying all around me,” you find yourself confessing anyways, like you can't help it. Like you're possessed by some obligance. “It’s awful. I kinda thought it would stop after awhile but it…I dunno.” Rhys shifts a little. You think he might be looking at you. You see his pale blue ECHO eye glow a little in the darkness, fixed on you. “Did it help last night? I mean, me staying?” he asks. You nod. “Yeah. It did.” There’s really nothing else you can say to him.

You can't see it in the dark, but Rhys frowns. Every time you close your fucking eyes you’re back, in the middle of a battle, being shot at? Being miserable because of your former corporation? And it follow you even today? It still haunts you? And here he was making an assassin go interrogate you, thinking you were going to betray him and go back to Maliwan? He could not possibly feel sorry enough. He heaves a sigh, one that moves your hand on his chest with it. “I’m so sorry, (Y/N). I feel like even more of an idiot now. I had no idea-“ You shrug. “How could you? It’s not like I was sharing my dream journal with you over lunch.” You have a…? He realizes you’re just making a little joke. Awkwardly, he stays quiet for a few more moments. You feel him squeeze your hand a little tighter to his chest. “I…I wouldn’t mind if you did. I want that. Uh…” The mental health of my employees is very important to me! He could save himself now. He could bail on this whole stupid crush. He could keep this professional and just find someone else. But he just... can’t. “I really really like you, (Y/N). And you don’t have to say it back or pretend to like me to so you can keep your job. You’ll always have a home at Atlast, with me, no matter what your answer is.” You’re quiet for a few agonizing moments that feel like hours to Rhys with the way his heart is pumping. It's too early in the morning for this shit. At least he thinks it is. He actually has no idea what time it is. He feels you shift in bed, sitting up. Are you leaving? Already his heart begins to sink. He’s glad it’s dark in here so you can’t see how red he is. He breathes out a soft sigh, shutting his eyes momentarily. You see his ECHO eye’s light disappear. At least he’d finally said something. At least- He suddenly feels your lips at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry, I missed,” you murmur, a bit embarrassed. “It’s dark in here.” Rhys can’t help but take your chin in his hand, adjusting your position so he can kiss you fully on the lips. The first is light, experimental at most. The kind of thing you can wave off as a mistake and walk away from. The second kiss… not so much. It's passionate, deep, your lips moving against his, like you want him in his entirety. Such a desperate, lonesome kind of need...the nature of your feelings towards him becomes just a little clearer to Rhys right then.

He’s breathless when you pull away, chest rising and falling somewhat quickly. “So…I’m guessing that means you like me too?” He asks, a hopeful twinge in his voice.

You fall back into the mattress, at his side, hand still grasped in his. You have no intention of pulling it away. With a sigh, you respond. “You have no idea.”

#borderlands #rhys strongfork #rottenstrawberrymilk #fic

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katagawajr · 2 years ago

Note

August….. 📮

HELLO EWBIE… sussy august…

-(favorite thing about them): EVERYTHING!!! he’s tied for my favorite tales character- i love his voice so much, and i love his story and his humor :’)

-(least favorite thing about them): his lack of popularity >:[ i was going to say “how cringe he is” but i actually love that about him

-(favorite line): all of them- my favorites though are “what are you gonna do, ROLL out of the way of a bullet? i just have to move my arm slightly and OOP! i’m aimin’ at your face again!” and “… plans change.” ;-;

-(brOTP): him and rhys :’) aue aue- also him and katagawa in atlas au >>>

-(OTP): ✨ VAUGUST ✨

-(nOTP): him and sasha, for the same reason i said in the sasha ask

-(random headcanon): someone at atlas introduces him to the idea of buying multiple pairs of shoes and he actually enjoys it- he doesn’t “collect them,” he wears them all and doesn’t really talk about them, but yeah he’s pulling up with the new expensive ass sneakers every month

-(song i associate with them): anything that sounds 90s alt rock, but right now its “sometimes” by gerry cinnamon

-(favorite picture of them): its a gif i know but cmon

#thank you bestie <3 <3 august love on main… feels great #asks #august the brawler

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much-obliged-timothy · 3 years ago

Text

Dad Tim & Uncle Rhys Part 11

I’m stressed again so here’s another entry for this. Gearbox where is Sasha???

“God, that guy's such a douchebag,” Tim said as Rhys ended the conference call they’d been on. He looked over his shoulder. “C’mere, pal. I’ve got a snack to hold you over until lunch time.”

Phoenix got up and went over to Tim, brightening as Tim handed him a packet of fruit snacks and a juice box. Phoenix looked up curiously and Tim nodded, holding his arm out so he could help Phoenix up onto his lap.

“What else do we have to suffer through today?” Tim asked as Phoenix tore open the packet and popped a fruit snack into his mouth.

Rhys checked his schedule. “Another conference call in an hour. After that, I made sure you had time to take a lunch break and rest a bit before your next meeting.”

“Great,” Tim said with a sigh.

“Just stay in here until the conference call. We can go over the outline of what we need,” Rhys said, pulling it up on his computer.

There was a knock on the door. Rhys glanced over.

“Come in,” he called.

A woman pushed the door open, giving them a sheepish smile as she held up a file. She was incredibly pregnant, waddling over to hand the file to Rhys.

“Here you go, sir. That should be everything, but I’ll be checking my email almost daily while I’m on maternity leave,” she said.

“Right, thank you,” Rhys said, taking the file. “Good luck, and congratulations. I’ll go through your team as much as I can. You should be enjoying time with the baby, not worrying about work. We’ll handle everything to make sure you have a smooth transition back.”

“Thank you, Mr. Strongfork,” she said gratefully. “I’m heading out now. I’ll be in touch. I left everything else with my assistant, if you need anything more.”

She left the office. Rhys set the file on his desk, then looked at Tim curiously.

“Would you ever have another kid?” he asked.

Tim’s eyes widened. “Hell no. I was with Ember from the moment she went into labor. She’s one of the toughest women I’ve ever met, and she was handling the contractions like a champ for a while. But, hell, the longer it went on, the more she screamed and told me how much she hated me and my ‘stupid, fucking non-sterilized sperm’.” He shuddered. “Thought she was going to break my hand when she was getting ready to push. Think she broke my eardrums when she did start pushing. Never again.”

He hesitated, then put a hand over Phoenix’s ear, pressing his other ear into Tim’s chest. Phoenix scowled, but popped another fruit snack and accepted that he was being taken out of this conversation.

“Plus, he would never handle it well. He wouldn’t be able to accept me giving my love to another kid. He’d feel abandoned,” Tim said. “I could never do that to Phoenix. That, and Ember made it quite clear we were never having another kid together. He would never forgive me if I had a kid with someone else.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he’s fine and healthy. But I’m surprised she had a smooth pregnancy in the casino,” Rhys said.

“I did what I could to make sure she had proper meals. Saved up health kits for when she went into labor, just in case,” Tim said with a shrug. “One of her friends from the vice district had helped deliver her sister’s baby a few years earlier, so she acted as a midwife. I wouldn’t say it went smoothly, but it went well enough that we had a fairly healthy kid. We’re not sure exactly when Ember got pregnant, but if my guess is right, Phoenix came two weeks earlier than he should’ve. He was on the smaller side. But there were no real complications with him in his infancy.”

Phoenix was a smaller kid, but Rhys had always assumed that was due to growing up in harsh conditions. Still, he did seem healthy enough, so that was all that mattered in the end.

“No more kids for me,” Tim said, shaking his head. “I learned my lesson damn well. Always, always use a condom. I love my son, but I’m a one and done with kids.”

“I’m...surprised you and Ember stayed on good terms through that,” Rhys admitted.

“Takes two to make a baby,” Tim said with a shrug. “To be honest, she was the one who usually came onto me the times we had unprotected sex. It was on me a few times, but even she admits she started it more often. Still, both our mistake. We knew that. We stepped up to face the consequences. God, women are incredible, though. I’m such a bitch about pain. No way in hell I’d ever survive what Ember went through with childbirth.”

He uncovered Phoenix’s ears. Phoenix rubbed at them.

“Just talking about how incredible your mom is,” Tim said, ruffling his hair.

“Dad, where do babies even come from?” Phoenix said.

Rhys choked on air at the question. His eyes widened in alarm as he looked at Tim, not wanting anything to do with this conversation.

But Tim seemed calm enough about it. “Well, that’s a heavy question, pal. I don’t think you’d fully understand yet. But babies grow inside their mothers. You saw how big that lady’s stomach was? There was a baby in there, almost ready to be born. You grew inside your mom, just like I grew inside mine.”

Phoenix frowned. “But how does the baby get there? And how do they get out?”

Rhys wanted to bang his head on the desk. He regretted bringing this topic up at all.

Tim just shrugged. “That’s the tough part to explain to you. A dad helps the baby get there, but I don’t think you’d understand that part of it yet. And when the baby is ready to come into the world, the mom has to...well, push it out.”

Phoenix furrowed his brow. “I don’t get it. How?”

“Don’t worry about it right now,” Tim said, taking a fruit snack out of the packet to hold out to him.

“Aren’t you just supposed to tell kids babies come from the stork, or something?” Rhys said.

“Why? There’s nothing wrong with him knowing,” Tim said. “Jeez, Rhys, didn’t your parents ever explain any of this to you growing up? Yea, it’s kinda awkward, but it’s not inappropriate or anything.” He leaned back and laughed a little. “Here I am talking about it. My mom would smack me upside the head if she knew I completely disregarded her safe sex talk and knocked a woman up.” But his laughter died down and he slowly looked at Phoenix.

“Tim?” Rhys said.

“I just...wish she could know about him, ya know? I think she’d really love him. We had this swing in the backyard she used to push me on when I was a kid. I think she’d like pushing him on it,” he said quietly.

“You could always tell her,” Rhys said, but he knew Tim’s family was a touchy subject.

Tim hugged Phoenix to himself. “No, I can’t. She’s better off not knowing what happened to me, even if it means she never knows about her grandson.”

“Ya mean your mom, dad?” Phoenix said. “I wanna meet her!”

Tim looked pained. “I know. I want you to meet her. But...we can’t, Phoenix. She doesn’t even know I’m alive. And I’m not...me. Not anymore. She wouldn’t recognize me. I wouldn’t want her to. It’s hard, pal. It’s really hard.”

“I could anonymously send her a picture of him?” Rhys offered.

Tim shook his head. “No. He’s so young. There’s no way he could’ve been born before I supposedly died. And even if you convinced her it’s an old picture, she’d go looking for him.” He kissed Phoenix. “I think...I think she’d go looking for him. She would think he’s all that’s left of her son now.” He sighed. “No, it’s better if she just goes on thinking I died all those years ago. Besides, I was a shitty son. No need for her to know I’m a shitty father too.”

Phoenix hit Tim in the shoulder. “Stop it, dad. You’re not shitty. I love you.”

“Language,” Tim said, but he cracked a smile. “Yea, pal, I love you too.”

“Hey boss guy, are you gonna have any kids?” Phoenix said.

Rhys rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh...someday. Maybe. I want kids.”

“Phoenix could babysit,” Tim said. At Rhys’ startled look, he laughed. “I’m kidding, Rhys, calm down. He’s not even old enough to be left by himself yet. Seriously, though. Have kids sometime soon so my kid can have a friend.”

“I was hoping…” He trailed off. Hoping what? To have kids with Sasha? They’d never even talked about it.

And she wasn’t here now.

“Is it the girl you have a picture of on your desk?” Tim asked, nodding to it. “Waiting on her?”

“Something like that,” Rhys said, looking at the picture. “You would’ve liked her. She would’ve been incredible with Phoenix. A hell of a lot better than I am with him, at least.”

“Is she…” Tim waited.

“What? Oh, no! No, she’s just-” He tore his eyes from the photo. “I trust she’ll come back one day. Even if she doesn’t want to be with me, I don’t think she’d ever leave me wondering what happened to her forever.”

“Did you love a girl, boss guy?” Phoenix asked curiously.

“I did,” Rhys admitted. “I still do. She’s just, um, not here right now.”

“Oh. I hope she comes back soon if you like her,” Phoenix said. He frowned up at Tim. “I don’t get adults, dad. If you love your mom, why don’t you find her? And if boss guy loves this lady, why doesn’t he find her?”

“It’s not always that easy,” Tim said gently, hugging Phoenix close. “Love is hard, Phoenix. Worth it, but hard.”

“But I love you and it’s not hard!” he said.

“Well, good. I hope love is never hard for you,” Tim said, running a hand through Phoenix’s messy hair. “And I hope someday boss guy here has a kid or two of his own for you to play with. You get to have a friend, and I get to watch him try to explain where babies come from to his own kid.”

“I hate you. We were having a moment and you ruined it,” Rhys said, shooting him an exasperated look.

“Socially stunted,” Tim reminded, grinning. “Alright, that’s enough deep talk for now. Phoenix, go read your book and finish your snack. Rhys, let’s get ready for that conference call.”

They did just that, but Rhys’ mind was too distracted to really focus. He couldn’t stop thinking about Sasha, and about the future they could have together. He saw Tim struggle through fatherhood, but he also saw the joy and love that it brought him.

“Tim?” Rhys said, interrupting their work.

“I know, Rhys,” Tim said, glancing up at him and giving a weak smile. “I hope you get the future you dream of. I really do. Parenting is exhausting, but it’s worth it. And even if you don’t have kids someday, I hope you have your girl.”

“I...thanks,” Rhys said, looking back to the picture of Sasha. He hoped so too. He really hoped so.

He was glad to be a part of Tim’s family. But it’d be nice to have one of his own, one day.

#borderlands #timothy lawrence #borderlands rhys #dad tim & uncle rhys #borderlands au #My writing

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nessiesspeakeasy · 4 years ago

Text

And Baby Make Free

“Mom’s not gonna like that.” Fiona said, drinking her juice box diligently as she watched Sasha push the step stool to the fridge. She stood on it and opened the door, except the stool was in the way. Sasha huffed and climbed down to pull it away. Then she opened the fridge wide and pushed the stool in front of it.

“I just wanna make Mommy some cereal. He hasn’t eaten yet.” She reached for the milk and yanked it out as best as she could.

Fiona jumped forward, but it was too late, her twin had dropped the milk. It broke open across the floor, spilling an almost full jug.

-----

When single parent of three, Rhys, gets home from the grocery store, he realizes that he's accidentally kidnapped a child named Angel.

You can read this on my AO3!!! And if you wanna leave me a ko-fi, feel free!

“I just wanna make Mommy some cereal. He hasn’t eaten yet.” She reached for the milk and yanked it out as best as she could.

Fiona jumped forward, but it was too late, her twin had dropped the milk. It broke open across the floor, spilling an almost full jug.

-----

Rhys had been getting Tim dressed when he heard a crash, followed by the scared screams of his daughters. He came running out, Tim in tow, to step in milk. He gasped. “What!? What happened!?”

Sasha sobbed, face red, snot leaking from her nose. “I JUST- I JUST WANTED-” The rest was unintelligible. Fiona came onto the scene with a broom. She began to push the milk away from Rhys, bending the bristles.

Tim babbled in Rhys’ arms. He quickly set Tim in his high chair and called to the girls. “Fiona, not a broom, get towels. Sasha, it’s okay, please help your sister!”

Sasha continued to cry, standing on the step ladder, the fridge door wide open. Rhys went with Fiona to the hall closet and handed her a towel. He grabbed several for himself and together, the two of them sopped up the milk. Sasha was sitting on the top step now, no longer screaming as she cried.

Only when the milk was cleaned and the towels, along with soaked blankets and stuffed animals he hadn’t been able to pick up the night before were in the washing machine, was the omega finally able to crouch in front of Sasha and give her a hug. He scooped her into his arms and sat on the stool himself. “Why didn’t you ask for help, Sasha?”

She took a deep, loud, shaking breath. “I… I… I wanted to-” but she began to cry again.

Rhys held her close, rocking her gently. “Fiona, do you know why she was getting the milk on her own?”

Fiona nodded as she poured some cheerios in front of Tim. “She wanted to make you cereal.”

Rhys ducked his head to kiss Sasha’s forehead. “Is that what you were doing? You were trying to make food for me? That’s very sweet, thank you.”

Sasha rubbed her eyes. “But I didn’t!”

Rhys rocked her again. “No, the milk was a little too heavy for you, wasn’t it?” Sasha nodded. “You know what, though?” Rhys continued.

“Hmm?”

“It makes me really happy that you were doing something nice for me. You saw that I hadn’t eaten yet today and you were trying to help, that makes me feel very loved. Thank you.”

Sasha nodded, her cries mellowing out.

Rhys looked at Fiona tending to Tim. “And thank you, Fi, for helping, that makes me feel happy, too. I feel very loved to have you two as my children.”

“What about Tim?” Sasha asked, rubbing her eyes.

“Hmm, what did Tim do to help me today?”

The three looked at Tim. The red haired one-year-old shoved cheerios in his mouth.

“He’s cute?” Fiona asked.

“Yeah!” Sasha giggled.

Rhys laughed. “Yes, Tim was very helpful to me by being cute.” Rhys kissed Sasha. “Feeling better?”

Sasha nodded.

“Good, cause we need to clean ourselves off and then go to the store.” As Rhys got Sasha and Fiona into a bath, he left them to shower off himself. He’d need a carpet cleaner for the areas around the kitchen, and they’d need a new broom, and milk. He didn’t even want to think about how much renting one would cost him. He sighed heavily as he got dressed. Fiona and Sasha were just getting out of the tub. Tim was still in his high chair, getting frustrated that he had no cheerios left.

Rhys scooped him up and blew a raspberry on his neck. “Are you girls getting dressed?”

“YEAH!” Fiona called.

-----

With a carpet cleaner in the trunk of his van, they had stopped at the grocery store and gotten what they needed. He was about to close the side door when he gasped, staring at the pale child with black hair on a booster seat next to Tim. Sasha and Fiona tried to move in their seat to see. Rhys frowned. “Sweetie, you need to buckle up! I almost started driving, that would have been really dangerous!”

The girl smiled sheepishly. “Right… I’m sorry!”

“Nothing to be sorry about, just remember you are very important, which means keeping you safe is very important.” He reached around her with the seat belt and strapped her in. “There! Alright, time to head home.” He slid into the driver’s seat and set off. “What should we have for lunch?”

“What do you want, Angel?” Sasha asked.

Fiona frowned.

“Grilled cheese?”

“We had grilled cheese yesterday,” Fiona said.

“Oh…”

Rhys frowned. “We can have grilled cheese again, that’s okay. Do you like tomatoes, Angel? I was thinking we could add some things to our grilled cheese to make it different than yesterday.”

“Yeah! I love tomatoes!”

“And turkey?”

“Yeah!”

“Perfect. We can eat in the backyard, it’s a nice day out.”

“I never get to eat outside!” Angel gasped.

“You’re going to love it!” Sasha gushed.

“It’s kinda cool,” Fiona said.

Sasha beamed.

Tim cooed and grabbed at his toes.

-----

All three girls helped unload the car, though, Rhys made sure he carried the milk. He cautioned them not to go near the kitchen just yet. He set Tim in his swing, setting a few toys there for him.

“Alright, we’re going to go through the front to the back.” He led the girls to the back, to the small jungle gym he’d saved up for. “I need you three to stay out here while I finish cleaning up the milk.”

“Okay!”

“Milk?” Angel asked. “I didn’t see any.”

“Sasha spilled it all over the floor and it got into the carpet and now Mom has to deep clean it.”

“I didn’t mean to!”

Rhys brought them out drinks in different colors, along with a bowl full of fruits and veggies. Then he got to work. It didn’t take long for him to shampoo the carpet, which was a relief. He set to work making lunch. He wondered how long Angel was going to stay, he should call her parents to find out. As he went to place a name to her parental figure, he realized he didn’t know. Rhys stopped, mid-spread of butter on bread.

He blinked out the window to the backyard. He didn’t know how to get a hold of Angel’s parents. He’d never met them before… Well, he’d just have to ask her… He frowned, his brain forcing his thoughts to what he’d been missing all day. He did not remember the girls talking about a friend named Angel and he did not remember picking her up… In fact, he did not remember when she had joined them at all.

Panic exploded inside of him. He did not know how Angel had gotten into his car either! He did not know who this Angel was, but more importantly, he had accidentally taken her from her parents. He had kidnapped her!

Setting the bread and knife down, he covered his mouth as Tim began to fuss, getting hungry. He swore and automatically went through the motions, getting his food ready. His mind ran a mile a minute, trying to think back to when he remembered when Angel wasn’t in the car with him. He needed to talk to her and get her to give him the number for her parents. If not, he was going to have to call the police. A sudden sob caught in his throat. He was going to lose his children for sure this time.

His hands shook as he placed the cut pieces of cheese out for Tim, tears blurring his eyes. His whole body ached with fear, but he tried to catch his breath. Tim began to fuss and cry, sensing and smelling the terrified pheromones Rhys could not help releasing. He had to hold and rock Tim while feeding him. By the time the grilled cheese sandwiches were done, he had managed to stop crying, but he knew the girls would all be able to tell something was wrong. He felt dizzy, but his stomach was too knotted to do anything about it.

He was going to lose everything. His children, the house, his job that let him work from home. All it would take is one report about an omega stealing a child and everything would be over. He would be labeled unstable and unfit. It was all too easy for an omega to lose their kid, and now he was going to lose his because of his carelessness.

He swallowed hard as he brought the sandwiches out to the patio table, carrying Tim. “Girls, it’s lunchtime.”

They all ran to him, but stopped as they got close. Sasha’s nose scrunched and she rubbed it harshly as Angel looked on confused. Fiona frowned. “Mommy, why do you smell like that?”

Rhys tried his best to stay calm. “I’m just really concerned because Angel’s parents don’t know where she is. I bet your parents are very scared.”

“Oh…” Angel said quietly, climbing onto a chair. “It’s just my Dad…”

“Do you know his number?”

She nodded slowly.

“You’re not in trouble, sweetie,” Rhys said gently. “What is his number? I’ll call him so he can come and get you.”

She shrugged. “I don’t want to…”

Rhys blinked back a frustrated sob. “How come?”

“Because he’ll make me go back to my nanny and I don’t like her.”

Rhys paused. “Is… Were you with her today?”

Angel nodded.

“Is that when you got into my car?”

Another nod.

He sighed. “Have you told your Dad that you don’t like her?”

She shook her head.

“Why not?” Sasha asked.

Angel twisted her hands in her lap.

“You can tell us!” Fiona said around a mouthful of grilled cheese.

“She said that Dad wouldn’t listen to me because I’m just a kid.”

Gut twisting in anger, Rhys bit it back and smiled.

“That’s stupid,” Fiona grunted. “Mommy always listens to us!”

“Yeah, I bet your Dad will too!” Sasha added.

Angel looked at Rhys, who nodded. “That’s right. Do you think you can give me his number now?”

“Okay…”

-----

Jack was hysterical. He yelled at the hired nanny. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE’S GONE!?”

The nanny cowered. “She… She was with me, but then wasn’t! Someone must have kidnapped her! I tried my best to find her, I really did!”

“If you had tried your best you would have seen something. So, what did you see? Who took my daughter?” The enraged alpha could honestly rip out her throat right now. His daughter was kidnapped and she hadn’t said anything until he had gotten back from his short trip to work. He’d only been gone four hours.

The alpha woman sputtered, sobbing into her hand. “I didn’t… I don’t…”

“You are useless.” He stalked away, dialing the number for his close friend, Wilhelm, who was a detective. “Wil. I need your help. Angel’s missing. It happened at eleven-thirty-eight at Shop ‘n Stock. The dumbass nanny didn’t tell me until now. Yeah, I’ll be pressing charges against her and whoever took my daughter.”

As he hung up and turned to yell at the nanny, a call came in. He glared at her as he looked at the unknown number. His heart began to race. It was probably the kidnappers. Or it was some rando. He answered it normally.

“Are you Angel’s dad?”

Jack’s heart went wild and he went feral. “Who are you? Where is she!?”

“I’m so sorry, I thought she was a friend of my girls!” An address was then given. “I’m so, so sorry!”

“You took her?” Jack was heading out the door and to his car.

“I didn’t mean to, I’m really sorry-” there was a sudden choked sob. “She was just suddenly there!”

“I don’t want to hear excuses!” Jack snapped. “I’m on my way.” He hung up and texted Wil the information. He didn’t care how many red lights he ran, or stop signs he ignored, his baby girl was in a strange place and probably terrified.

The house that matched the address was in a col-de-sac and looked very unopposing. He flew from the car and banged on the door.

He could hear voices from the other side of the door.

“Hang on, Angel, don’t open the door unless you know who it is, it’s unsafe.”

His ground his teeth. Who was this asshole to tell his daughter about safety when he had taken her?

“It’s dad!” he heard. The door opened and Angel appeared, grinning wide. “Dad!” She hugged his leg as a baby cried and screamed somewhere in the house. Behind her stood a man, tall, slender, and totally gorgeous if Jack wasn’t ready to murder him. The sour scent of fear assaulted his nose in a way only an omega could do. Good, this man should be scared.

In as calm a voice as he could, Jack spoke to her. “Get in the car, Angel.”

“I need my shoes.”

“I tried getting her to wear them, but-” one angry glare and the omega swallowed his words.

“Don’t be mean to him, Dad!” Angel whined.

“Get your shoes on, Angel.”

The omega opened the door wider and retreated into the house, scooping up the crying baby. Jack felt his inside twist tighter, how many of the other children here were taken from families.

“Dad!” Angel whined loudly. “Stop getting so mad, it smells gross! Rhys is nice! I really like him!”

“Enough, Angel, get your shoes on.”

When his daughter looked at the omega named Rhys, Jack wanted to scream.

Rhys nodded. “Listen to your dad.”

“But I don’t want to go!”

“Angel-” As Jack refrained from snapping at her, a door opened and two girls ran out.

“Mom! Fiona hit me!” she was crying.

“What? I told you girls to stay in your room so Angel can focus on getting her shoes on.”

“But Fiona hit me!”

“DID NOT!” the other girl, Fiona yelled over the crying baby.

Sighing heavily, Rhys lowered to a crouch. “Why did you hit your sister?”

“I didn’t!” Fiona yelled, starting to tear up.

“Fiona,” Rhys said quietly. “What happened?”

“She was throwing my stuffed animals that I told her not to, but she wouldn’t listen and she knocked over the snow globe and it broke!” Now Fiona was crying.

Rhys stiffened and Jack could smell the fear grow heavier in the room. “The snow globe broke? Did you two step in it?” The girls were crying loudly now. Rhys set the baby in his swing, which only made him cry louder. “Sit down, I need to check your feet.” As they cried, the two girls obeyed.

Angel went over to the baby, picking up a toy and setting it in the swing. “Angel,” Jack called to her. “Get your shoes on.”

His daughter glared at him. “NO! You’re going to be mad at Rhys and I want to help Tim!”

“Angel, your Dad wants you to go home, it’s time to go home now.” Rhys said, his phone’s flashlight pointed at the feet of the girls.

He watched Angel’s face grow red and her eyes well with tears.

Jack was quickly losing control of his anger. He did not know what sort of manipulation the omega had done to get Angel to want to stay. As the thought crossed his mind, he knew it didn’t sit right, the omega was not engaged in Angel, he was focused on the other children, and he kept telling her to listen to Jack. It didn’t matter. He was furious that this creep had kidnapped his daughter.

Rhys turned the flashlight off. “You guys look okay.” He pulled them into a hug, kissing each of their cheeks. “It’s okay, go play outside while Angel gets ready to go.”

Sniffling, the two nodded and headed outside.

“Wait for me!” Angel ran out with them.

“Angel, wait!” Rhys called at the same time Jack did.

The omega winced, cowering away from Jack. “I’m sorry.”

“You really think sorry is going to cut it?” Now that they were alone, he rounded on the omega, pointing a finger at him. The omega had raised his arm in defense. “You kidnapped my child! What kind of sick world-” The movement cut Jack’s anger off immediately. He blinked, automatically taking a step back. He stared, dumbfounded, the sour scent unbelievable worsening. He gritted his teeth and took several steps back, moving to the opposite side of the room. He glared at the man. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He had meant the defensive position, but Rhys didn’t seem to catch on.

Rhys avoided eye contact, closing in on himself to look as nonthreatening as possible. “She was just in my car and I didn’t think… I just assumed she was the girls’ friends… I didn’t mean for it to happen! I did call as soon as I realized!” He eyed the baby, looking like he wanted to pick it up, but then he glanced at Jack.

It was an action that made Jack disgusted. The pure anger inside him caught in his throat. The omega thought Jack would lose control and hurt the kid. “Fuck!” he hissed. “Pick up the damn kid, I ain’t going to do anything.” When Rhys did not move, Jack swore again. How had the situation turned so suddenly? Why was he trying to soothe the man when that baby had probably been kidnapped too? And why wasn’t Angel listening to him? He found himself crouching, raising his arms. “I won’t move, okay?”

The omega made no bones about how untrustworthy he thought Jack was, nevertheless, he did pick up the baby, rocking it and popping a pacifier in his mouth. “I didn’t intentionally kidnap her. The day has been crazy and I just thought she was a friend of my girls. I did call you the moment I realized.” His voice was quiet now, removed from the situation.

Jack’s gut twisted tighter. He sighed and went to the kitchen.

“Don’t step-” Rhys called, but Jack had already stepped on the wet carpet. Rhys sighed. “Never mind.”

Quickly stepping off, he opened the door to the backyard and called out. “I need you to come inside, I need to talk with you.”

There was a knock on the door. He heard Rhys sigh heavily under his breath. “Now what?” He gasped and hesitated before opening the door. “Hello.”

There was a pause before Wil spoke. “I’m here because a kidnapping was reported?”

Jack watched Rhys’ body grow tight and then retreat into the house. Wilhelm stepped into the house, nodding to Jack. Angel finally met him at the door and they went in. “You’re just in time, detective,” Jack said. “I was going to ask Angel a few questions.”

Angel’s eyes grew wide. “But… But…” She looked at Rhys. Jack frowned, how had there been enough time for the two to form a bond?

“Tell the truth, Angel, it’s okay.” The baby had calmed down now and the silence was blessed.

Angel nodded.

“Alright,” Wil said, looking between Rhys and Jack. “What happened today, Angel?”

She shrugged.

“Angel, you’re not in trouble, remember? Tell the truth, please.” Rhys said gently.

His daughter slumped. “I just… I just wanted to be with Rhys! He looked so nice! He held their hand when they crossed the road!”

Jack frowned, but Wil continued, crouching down to her level. “You saw Rhys with his kids?”

“Yes! They were so happy and I wanted to be happy.”

“What happened next?”

Angel looked at Jack, unsure. Jack crouched down next to Wil. “It’s okay sweetie, tell Wil.”

“I… I went over there and they said I needed a booster seat, so I went back and grabbed it.”

“Who said that?” Wil asked.

Rhys sighed and went to the back door. “Girls, get in here, please.”

Fiona and Sasha ran in. “Yeah, Mommy?”

“Did you tell Angel to get her booster seat earlier today?”

They suddenly looked nervous.

“Please answer my question.”

“Yeah,” Fiona said.

Sasha huffed.

“Why?”

“We knew you wouldn’t like it if she wasn’t safe-”

“- Cause she said she hated her nanny.”

“Thank you, girls, you can go back to playing.”

They looked at Angel. “What about her?”

Rhys smiled. “We need to talk to her a little bit more. After we’re done and if her Dad says it’s okay, then she can come out and play some more.”

They nodded and left.

Jack, meanwhile, looked at Angel. “You don’t like Ronda?”

Eyes on the ground, Angel shook her head.

“Why didn’t you tell me this, cupcake?”

Angel shrugged.

“Tell him what you told me,” Rhys said.

Once more, Jack was shocked by how open Angel had been with Rhys. He no longer felt anger towards the omega, but he still had frustration bubbling just under the surface.

Angel fidgeted even more and this time, Jack reached out and took her hands. “Angel, I want to hear what you have to say, please?”

That seemed to convince her. “She told me you wouldn’t listen cause I’m just a kid…”

He felt his anger begin to rise again. He glanced at Wil, who stood by, watching silently. He looked at his daughter. “Angel, I believe you. Can you tell me why you wanted to be with Rhys instead of Ronda?”

“Because she’s mean. She never lets me play outside or eat something other than peanut butter and jelly and she never holds my hand when crossing the street. She doesn’t like me talking or asking questions or playing too loud. Can I go play outside now?”

Jack sighed. “Yeah, you can.”

She smiled and ran out, making sure to jump over the wet spot on the carpet.

-----

The alpha stood up, sighing heavily. “I’m going to ruin that woman’s career.” He glared out the back door at the playing children. “She doesn’t get to treat Angel like that.”

Rhys hugged Tim close, chancing a glance at Wilhelm. The stoic man met his gaze and then looked at the man. “You can deal with that later, even file a report about it, but later, we need to decide what is happening now, with-” he gestured to Rhys.

“Oh.” the man waved his hand. “It’s fine. I’m over it. No harm was done.”

Rhys grunted.

The alpha turned to him.

Fear tangled inside Rhys and he smiled quickly. “Just clearing my throat. Everything’s fine.” He moved his attention to Tim who had finally passed out. “I’m going to put Tim in his crib.” He left to his room where Tim’s bassinet was, setting him down carefully. Rhys sat on the bed, trying to calm his breath. Everything was crumbling to pieces all over again.

As he quietly moved down the hallway, he became dizzy and stumbled, falling into the alpha.

“Whoa, you okay?”

His stomach fell and he jumped away. “Sorry!”

The alpha watched him closely, his eyes a stage light burning over Rhys. “We should go.” He collected Angel, grabbing her things and ushering her out to the car without waiting to get her shoes on. Rhys and Wil followed him out so they could get her booster seat. As they left, Rhys felt very, very tired.

“Jack is not a bad man,” Wilhelm said.

Rhys blinked, startled.

Wilhelm went back into the house. “Jack gets aggressive, but he would never do you any harm.”

Rhys nodded vaguely.

Wilhelm continued. “I’m going to take the rest of the day off. I will get boxes and food.” His hard, blue eyes pierced into Rhys. “I get the feeling you have had nothing to eat today.”

-----

Rhys woke up the next morning drained of energy. A sadness made his heart a thousand times heavier. He swallowed and then smiled as Tim cooed next to him. “Guess we should get up, huh?”

By the time he’d fed Tim and had breakfast almost finished, the girls had woken up. They looked groggy. They had spent the night packing their room up after Rhys had thoroughly cleaned the spill.

“Morning,” he called to them.

Sasha said nothing, rubbing her eyes and sitting at the table. Fiona yawned and grabbed plates and forks. Rhys served them up.

“And one for you,” Fiona said.

Rhys smiled. “Right. What would I do without you?” He kissed Fiona on the head and then gave one to Sasha. He got halfway through when Tim began to fuss. And after he put Tim down for a nap, he began packing again. The girls shuffled to their rooms in their pajamas and began to slowly pack.

Rhys’ heart ached for them, but it could not be helped.

A knock on the door called all of them to the front of the house. Rhys looked through the peephole and frowned. He opened it to see Jack and Angel standing there. “What-”

“ANGEL!” the girls screamed. They pulled her into a hug.

“What are you doing here?” Fiona asked.

“Dad wanted to apologize.”

Rhys looked at Jack. Jack smiled sheepishly.

“Let’s go play!” The three pushed past Rhys.

“Wait!” Rhys called, but they were already through the house.

“Whoa,” Angel said, slowing down. “Why do you have all these boxes?”

Sasha huffed. “We have to move so our dad can’t find us.”

“Girls!” Rhys snapped, his tone stopping them instantly.

“Sorry Mom!” They ran out into the backyard.

He swallowed, looking at Jack. He was holding a vase of flowers that had not been there moments before. He was frowning now, though. He looked at Rhys. “You know I hadn’t planned on sharing the incident with anyone? Not even the nanny will talk because it will lead to her discredit. You’re safe here.”

Rhys winced and sighed. “He… He has a way of always finding out…”

“Gotcha, well, in that case, you need help.” He smiled and handed Rhys the vase. “It’s a good thing I’m here.”

Rhys stammered. “What? No, it’s okay, really-”

“No it’s not. It’s my fault you have to move. I’m going to make this right. I’ll help get you packed and then you can stay at the beach house at no charge until you find a new place.”

“Beach house? I appreciate it, but-”

“Then let me help you. It won’t cost you anything.”

Rhys bit his lip, trying to ignore the fear that threatened to seep out, but he remembered what Wilhelm had said. He looked at Jack. Wilhelm had said he was a good man. He trusted Wilhelm’s judgement. He’d seen right through what was happening and had not rolled over when Rhys’ ex had demanded it. If he said Jack was a good man…

“Okay.”

Jack grinned.

“What’s this?” Wilhelm asked as he walked up the drive. He was in his normal clothes.

Jack frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“Helpin’ out, what’s it look like?” He indicated his clothes.

“Wil’s been helping us out since the beginning.” Rhys opened the door wide to let both men in. “Jack is letting us stay at his beach house until we can find a new place.”

“Good.”

Jack made a quick call, hiring movers. Rhys’ eyes widened, but he bit back any words to discourage Jack. He didn’t want to dilute Jack’s kindness, especially if it was to make up for yesterday.

“I also ordered lunch.”

“What!? You didn’t have to do that!”

“It’s fine, I’m beyond rich. Let’s get cracking!”

Rhys hesitated as Jack jumped in and began to pack things and Wilhelm worked on the kitchen. Rhys went to the rest of the rooms and began to pack them quickly. When Tim woke up, Rhys took a break to feed him.

As he began to, however, Jack took Tim from him. “The food arrived twenty minutes ago. The girls have eaten and I got a slice. Go get some food and I’ll feed Tim.”

Rhys faltered. “It’s fine, I can-”

“No, it’s not fine, how much have you eaten today?” When Rhys paused a little too long, Jack nodded. “Go.” He sat down with Tim and began to feed him.

Rhys watched from the kitchen, taking a slice of pizza. Jack had Tim laughing as he ate, cooing and talking with the infant. As he took a second slice, he realized it had been months since he had been able to have two slices in one sitting. A sudden gratitude began to grow for Jack. They went back to packing, letting Tim roam freely.

He heard Jack laugh. “Well, hello, nice of you to roll in.” Rhys knew he was talking to Tim and felt a small smile dare to touch his lips. “Here, hold this for me.” Tim garbled at him happily.

The movers showed up an hour later with two of the largest trucks. They were able to fit almost everything in. The extra items went into Wil and Jack’s cars and all the kids went with Rhys’.

“Say goodbye, girls.”

“GOODBYE HOUSE!” Sasha called. The others echoed.

With directions to their new home, Rhys set off towards it. His stomach was in knots, but his heart dared to be hopeful. Jack had been extremely aggressive yesterday, but he’d backed off when Rhys had gotten spooked. And he’d helped in every way today.

“Mom!” Fiona called. “I have to pee!”

Rhys sighed. “Alright.”

#borderlands #Rhack #rhys/handsome jack #rated mature #rated m #rated m for themes and possible future sex #abo dynamics #Alpha Jack #omega rhys #single parent Rhys #Fiona Sasha and Tim are his children #implied/referenced abuse #implied mpreg #Rhys is in hiding #Wil is a good cop #Tiny angst with happy ending

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xxrainbow-princessxx · 4 years ago

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Flowers - Leo x Isabella

A fluffy, sweet hearted fic - Leo and Isabella reminiscing on past traditions

Tagging: @drakewalkerfantasy @itslaniquelove @kingliam2019 @kimmiedoo5 @mom2000aggie @lorirwritesfanfic @lorircreates @hopefulmoonobject @rafasgirl23415 @texaskitten30 @rainbowsinthestorm @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @liam-rhys @choicesficwriterscreations

Bounding through the Palace hallways, Alessandra and Natalia squealed with happiness as they chased one another towards Leo’s study after they returned from grade school for the weekend “Papa!!!” They exclaimed in unison, opening the door with no regard to those in attendance. Leo shook his head as he chuckled towards the Prime Minister and the Kingdom’s secretary, “Sorry about that...” as Lia and Sasha threw their little matching backpacks into the corner, both wearing the same navy double breasted coats before running over to their father who happily propped each twin on each knee. “So where were we...” Leo tried to continue his meeting but the girls kept hugging him and whispering into his ear, “Papa...” Natalia whispered as Alessandra exclaimed, “Boo!” bringing them into a fit of laughter. Without even flinching, Leo opened the drawer of his desk taking out colouring pencils and with a scatter of pencils and paper, the Princesses happily coloured, allowing Leo to continue his meeting without as much interruption as the five year olds were distracted.

“Is that everything?” Leo questioned the Prime Minister and Secretary. Natalia on the other hand was busy showing off her picture to their visitors, “Mama... Mika.... Sasha... Me and Papa...” she confidently pointed to everyone in the picture as Alessandra stuck her tongue out in pure concentration scribbling a purple smudge, before looking at her sister angrily. The bottom lip was pushed out as her brows furrowed, “I was drawing Mika!” Yes... thank you, Your Majesty... I see...” the Prime Minister chuckled warmly, “... you have your hands full... we can pick this up next week...” Leo smiled, sighing heavily he thanked them for their understanding but he really didn’t care what they really thought, he was more interested in the twins’ day. “And how was school today for my two best girls in the whole world??” He cooed before his guests had even left the room. Alessandra began to giggle, “Lia has a boyfriend!” Leo’s sea green eyes widened as Natalia grinned up towards him proudly, “What do you mean you have a boyfriend?” Leo looked at his daughter with his nose scrunched up, “You know boys aren’t allowed!”

Natalia shook her head as Leo continued, “And what’s his name?” Alessandra giggled as Natalia rubbed her head into her father’s shoulder, “He is called Christian... he gave her a flower papa!” Leo’s brow furrowed, “A flower? Is your papa going to have to speak with Christian...” “Noooo...” the twins replied in unison, holding onto Leo as tightly as they could. Leo looked down at Alessandra, “You better not have a boyfriend too...” Alessandra didn’t answer him directly but giggled causing Leo to sigh heavily, “No... you aren’t allowed boyfriends until you’re fifty... how many times?” Lia and Sasha looked at one another holding up their fingers trying hard to figure it out, counting aimlessly as they could only count to fifteen. “Bella!” Leo exclaimed as the Laurentian Queen entered the room with her dazzling, bright white smile, “Sí mi amor...” she cooed, sitting down on the corner of Leo’s desk, the eight month pregnant Queen was content. As she brushed the twins’ loose hair from their faces, Leo acted shocked, “Did you know... Lia got a boyfriend today? He gave her a flower...” Isabella’s dark chocolate brown eyes widened as she tried to act shocked, “¡Qué... Mi querida!” she gasped, “And how is he your boyfriend?” Natalia stuck her hand into her pocket and pulled out a little squished up daisy, showing it to her mother, “Awwwwww” Isabella began to coo, looking across at Leo who was painfully rolling his eyes, “Isn’t that adorable...”

Even after the kids were in bed and the Royal couple cuddled into one another, Leo still wasn’t over it. “How the hell do they know about boyfriends?” Isabella bit down on her bottom lip, trying desperately not to laugh, “it’s innocent... don’t worry... we have another ten years hopefully to not have to worry about that...” Leo raised his brow slowly, “I wasn’t joking when I said they weren’t allowed to date until they were fifty...” Isabella pouted her lips, “Mi amor...” she giggled as she cuddled up beside him, “Do you not remember you gave me flowers...” Leo rolled his sea green eyes to the left, his lips slowly beginning to curl upwards, “That was different...” Leo began to reminisce, smiling to himself as he remembered each time that he gave Isabella a single ruby red rose every year that her and the Laurentian King and Queen visited Cordonia until he was fifteen. That was twelve bright ruby red roses; the first one presented when the Princess was born until the final year when her father and Constantine fell out. Twelve years, he faithfully presented that rare Cordonian Ruby Rose to her as a gift that only grew in the Cordonian Royal Gardens, never forgetting how the Princess looked back at him with those big brown eyes as she smiled bashfully, swearing never to have them near him again after she left, destroying the Rose bush, leaving nothing left.

Isabella was like Leo’s equivalent to the girl next door, falling in love with her more and more with each Rose he gifted her. “And how was it different?” Isabella raised her brow in question feeling Leo’s arms wrapping around her lovingly, “Because I knew...” Leo began to get lost in those dark chocolate brown eyes, picking out the golden specs that flickered in the candlelight, “... every time you looked up at me... you were mine...” Isabella smiled warmly as she grinned, looking up at the Sandy blonde haired Cordonian, “...and now we know that we know should have been together from day one...” Leo began to chuckle, “Can you imagine how it could have been?” Feeling Isabella’s fingers intertwining with his, he looked down at her wedding and engagement rings that glittered with flawless diamonds, “We could hold hands when we wanted to... kissed you when you were happy, sad, or just because we wanted to...” Isabella sighed heavily with a smile as she continued, “Celebrate each achievement, each milestone, each birthday...” Leo began to nod, leaning down to kiss the top of her head as Isabella yawned, “I’d get to kiss you goodnight...” he mumbled as his lips pressed against her head, “and tell you how much I loved you... always...”

Isabella peacefully slept, cuddled up in Leo’s arms whilst they were on the couch. The former Crown Prince of Cordonia sighed with happiness, his fingers delicately twirled through her chestnut brown curls in complete bliss. Leo sat up before he carefully carried his wife towards their bed as she sleepily wrapped her arms around him. Smiling as she cuddled into her pillow, Leo reached for his phone checking momentarily that the glare of the light wouldn’t wake her. He wanted to do something nice for Isabella. Grinning to himself, he sneakily cleared his and Isabella’s weekend calendars and sent an email to all their staff giving them the day off as the Royal family had made other arrangements. Isabella began to stir come morning as the sunlight began to flood their bedroom, her arm rolled over to hug her husband, but as she patted the blankets, Leo’s broad, muscular frame wasn’t there. The Laurentian Queen propped herself up, rubbing her eyes tiredly as she heard the rattling of silverware coming closer to her.

“Good morning sleepy head...” Leo began to grin as he pushed forward the trolley filled with pancakes, fruit, Cordonian chocolate that Leo made into a sauce and coffee. Isabella wearily smiled as her husband handed her a china cup filled with decaf coffee poured from a china coffee pot. “I could get used to you serving me coffee like this...” Isabella grinned as her eyes followed Leo’s naked torso, his silk pyjama bottoms grazed his hips, accentuating his abs and v cut. Leo began to chuckle, “I’m more than an object kitten... I should have known better!” before he gently kissed her. “What’s the occasion?” Isabella raised her brow, her dark chocolate brown eyes queried until her brow began to furrow, “Where are the girls?”

Leo handed her a stack of pancakes, drizzling the Cordonian chocolate sauce over them, “Don’t worry... they’re with your mother... I just thought you deserved a quiet weekend...” he was right, the Palace was very quiet, more than usual, “The staff are off today until Monday... it’s just us beautiful...” Isabella felt her heart melt and with a deep breath, she felt so content. He was right, it was what she needed and when she tasted those pancakes, an involuntary moan graced her lips, “mmmmm....” she smiled happily. Leo rolled his eyes to the left as he laughed, “Harry met Sally much?!” Isabella pursed her lips, desperately trying not to laugh as her husband teased her. The Laurentian King grinned, his bright smile dazzled as he continued, “I have a little present for you in the living room when you are ready...”

Isabella slowly turned, lowering herself from the Super King Size bed, draping her silk dressing gown around her. Isabella scrunched up her nose happily as she wrapped her arm around Leo’s bicep carefully before he kissed the top of her head, “I really hope you like it kitten...” as Leo escorted her happily. Isabella’s eyes widened in shock as she saw a large bouquet of long stem Cordonian Ruby Roses waiting for her. “But...” Isabella quietly murmured, “...how did you?” Leo took a deep breath as he handed her the bouquet, all fifteen stems adorned with a matching red bow. “I should have kept up this tradition a long time ago...” Isabella brought the bouquet to her nose, smelling the deeply perfumed flowers before looking up at Leo with those big brown eyes how she always used to, making his heart melt. Isabella sighed happily as she looked up at her husband, smiling at her as he always did, “Bella...” Leo whispered, “You are my everything... You always were and will be...” as he kissed her forehead gently. “Liam and I were able to find his mother’s notes and we were able to recreate the Ruby Rose... they’re only for you kitten...”

Isabella’s eyes began to water as happy tears began to roll down her cheeks, “Mi amor...” she sniffed, “I can’t believe you would do this...” as her eyes returned to the bouquet she held in her arms. Leo took the petite brunette into his embrace warmly, “There’s fourteen to cover the past and one for this year to represent our future...” he cooed, “I’m not going to ever take you in my life for granted again... I don’t think I could deal with you leaving again...” As Isabella looked up, she stared into Leo’s sea green eyes, “You’ve no idea how much that hurt me kitten when you left and I am never going to let you go!” Isabella’s chestnut brown curls bounced as she shook her head, “I’m not going anywhere...” giggling. The Sandy blonde haired Cordonian held the Laurentian Queen against him for what felt like an eternity, he didn’t want to let Isabella go, holding her a little tighter as she tried to step back, “Just a minute longer kitten... I don’t want this to end...”

#choices #leo x isabella #the royal romance #playchoices #prince leo #choices fanfiction #choices the royal romance #playchoices fanfiction #queen isabella #royal romance au

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monday-headache · 4 years ago

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1, 10, and 25 :D!!

Oh hi Ewbie, thanks for letting me do this ;D

Tell us about your current project(s) – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it?

Oh yes, of course <3

So the project I’m currently working on is called “Strays of the Pack” and it’s my very first Fanfiction ever written before, so that’s a huge thing for me. Not in a million years would I have thought to write such a big thing in a language that’s not my mother tongue, but hey here I am

So the story is basically a post canon continuation of the ending of Tales from the Borderlands, as the story is about Sasha and Loaderbot on the search for Fiona and Rhys. On a little side track they get involved in a mission for Mad Moxxi, getting her something important out of a lost Tediore facility. As they arrive at the facility, they get aided by Gaige who was sent out to help them on the job. The first introduction wasn’t as friendly for them but with time, Gaige and Sasha realized how much they have in common and with that growing closer to each other.

The Title works on several occasions in the story, that I think it wasn’t bad to choose it to begin with ;) my first intention to choose this title was because, Sasha is on a desperate search for her loved ones and felt lost without her group of friends being complete (especially with missing her sister), and Gaige ‌tired of Lillith’s way of leading and didn’t want to get invested more into the war she was hinting at. So in a sense, both of them are lost strays from their own pack, and try to fit in the world again, finding their own group maybe, hence the title :D

So it’s basically supposed to be a fun little friendship story, involving a headcanon of mine, with also a bit of Angst, since you can’t have fan fiction with a little of angst apparently XD

Progress is great so far, I’m having next week some time for me to relax, So I’ll try to gather as much inspiration right now, so that I can be productive next week ;D The reception was outstanding (from what I had earlier suspected) so far. Everyone saying so much nice stuff and telling me how good some story bits are from me were. And this is means so much to me, especially for a newbie like me T_T

What I love about the story, mmmh let’s see. I don’t wanna sound self praising, but I love that it’s so unique. Gaige, Sasha as well as Loaderbot and DT have such a great dynamic and they are very fun and lovely to imagine as besties. Also, I can finally go bonkers with all the head canons I have for my favorites and that is fantastic :D

How would you describe your writing process?

So the first thing I do is make myself a working situation ‌I feel comfortable off. Most of the time, I listening to some music to get in the mood, get a feeling for the situation, the characters, etc. Then I recall my HC/Idea and try to imagine how it would play out for these characters,I want to interact, (It happens rather often that I get a HC inspiration, when I least expect them to be, like at work for instance. Whenever that happens, I write it down immediately and come back to it, whenever time and motivation allow it. When all things are clear in my mind, I start to write the thing, and when that happens, I’m ignoring everything, Syntax, grammar, interpunction, ... everything, just clear raw thoughts. And once I have written out what I wanted, I recall everything, maybe fix some bits here and there and and let it spell check.

And that’s basically it :D

What part of writing is the most fun?

I love exploring headcanons through writing, especially imagining Ideas in my Head. Like seriously, the brainstorming on a project is so much more fun to me than the writing itself :D The other night, I imagined how Gaige and Sasha’s conversation would play out, when they address that they both had broadcasted a live show before, and I had such a wide smile on my face, thinking about it :)

Thank you for the ask and for the amazing support <3

#Strays of the Pack #Ewbie #Sorry it took me so long as well #ahhh thank you for this ask #I love to gosh about it but I don't want to spoil to much either ;)

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snappedsky · 4 years ago

Text

Borderlands: Skies the Bodyguard 3

Skies the crew finally find Rhys and Fiona...and a surprise guest.

*Links to previous and next chapter in reblog*

Chapter 21

Now

“Jack,” Skies snarls.

“No, it-it’s not possible,” Timothy stammers in disbelief.

“He’s right!” Claptrap exclaims, pointing at the computer screen. “How can Jack be in there? He’s dead!”

“It’s his AI,” Skies replies plainly.

Another word appears on the screen. ‘Bingo’.

Crying out with rage, Athena smashes the computer with one swing of her shield.

“What did Rhys do?” she growls.

“It can’t be his AI,” Sasha argues, “Rhys said he destroyed it.”

“Well…he never…definitively said that,” Vaughn points out, “just that he removed it from his head.”

Everyone is quiet for a second, trying to make sense of the situation. Then Skies takes a deep breath and continues walking down the tunnel. “Come on.”

“What?” Timothy questions.

“We have to find Rhys and Fiona, right?” she says, “so let’s go.”

Everyone follows her down the passage, now feeling tenser than ever. Soon they spot another light source up ahead, this one seemingly streaming out of a doorway. As they get nearer, two people scamper out and stand before them.

The group stops as their flashlights illuminate the figures and they stare at each other, shocked for second.

“Fiona!” Sasha cries.

“Rhys!” Vaughn exclaims.

“Guys!” Rhys and Fiona cheer.

The four of them race into a tight hug, talking over each other with excitement. Gortys and Loader Bot are quick to join in, Loader Bot patting Rhys and Fiona’s backs while Gortys whoops happily.

“Aw, ain’t that sweet,” Claptrap comments while Athena, Timothy, and Skies watch, smiling.

As the hugging starts to wind down, Rhys spots Skies and smiles at her. She smiles back, a bit more awkwardly.

Nudging her shoulder, Timothy says, “this is the part where you hug him.”

“Hu-!” she gasps then clears her throat. “Uh, that-that’s a bit…advanced for me. How about a handshake, or a fist bump? Or a friendly punch in the shoulder? I’m good at that.”

Claptrap suddenly shoves her and she stumbles up to Rhys. She glares back at the robot, who just waves innocently while Timothy shrugs, before facing him.

“Uh, Rhys, hey,” she stammers, “it’s-I-um…I’m glad you’re okay. N-not that I was worried or anything. I knew you’d be fine. B-but I mean I wasn’t just gonna leave you, obviously. And-and you know, I’m happy to see you. I mean we’ve been looking for you for days. B-but not just because of that. I’m not just glad to finish a quest or something-.”

“Skies,” Rhys says, stopping her rambles. She looks at him and he smiles. “I’m happy to see you too.”

Skies shoulders relax and she smiles back. “Thanks.” “Aw, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

The voice sends a visible chill up Skies’ spine and catches everyone’s attention. They all look into the brightly lit room while Fiona glowers and Rhys sighs heavily.

“So much for a happy reunion,” Fiona grumbles as everyone goes inside.

The room appears to be some kind of living space. In the center is a small kitchen table with a couple chairs; against the opposite wall is a small stove, mini fridge, and sink; and in the wall to the left is a doorway leading to a bedroom.

The wall to the right is covered in computers, consoles, and about a dozen different screens. And displayed on all those screens is the smug grin of Handsome Jack.

“Well, well, well,” he purrs, “what a reunion! Look at you all!”

“Bandit girl. Gotta say, liked your old hairstyle better. My old pal, Muscles! What’s with the get-up, you some kind of bandit king? I guess that’s an upgrade. Athena, looking as angry as ever. My first body double. I bet you were hoping I forgot about you, but Handsome Jack never forgets a bitch. And Skies…” “Wow,” he sighs, “so many people I hate all in one room. Rhys, I just-I gotta thank you for bringing us all together like this.”

Rhys groans guiltily as everyone glares at him. He opens his mouth, hoping to defend himself, when Athena suddenly rushes forward.

“Whoa!” he squeaks, barely dodging her punch.

“Athena!” Skies roars and swings at her. She dodges and they both grab their guns.

Two shots ring out as the bullets pierce the ceiling. Fiona, Sasha, and Vaughn struggle to hold back Athena while Timothy, August, and Loader Bot do the same with Skies, keeping their guns pointed upwards. Claptrap and Gortys roll around in between them in a panic while Rhys stays back and Jack laughs.

“I warned you Athena!” Skies barks, “I told you if you tried to hurt him, I would eviscerate you!”

“I should’ve known better than to trust either of you!” Athena shouts, “especially you, you Jack lover!”

“Guys, stop!” Gortys begs, “friends shouldn’t fight!”

“Aw, come on, let them go,” Jack says, “I’d love to see them go at it. An unstoppable force verses an immoveable object.”

“Shut up, Jack!” everyone yells.

“Alright, enough!” Rhys snaps, stepping in between them. “Look, this is my fault. You all deserve to be mad at me; you can even try to kill me later. But do it after we’ve collected our Vault prizes. Alright?”

“What prizes?” Vaughn asks.

“Sorry, did you miss all the Eridium in those tunnels?” Fiona asks snidely.

“Yeah, plus this entire Atlas facility,” Rhys adds.

“So this island is the real Vault treasure?” Sasha questions.

“I’ll explain,” he says and points at Skies and Athena. “If you two settle down.”

They glare at each other for a second and Skies drops her gun. “Fine.”

Athena huffs but does the same. Everyone lets them go and Rhys sighs with relief.

“Thank you,” he says and clears his throat. “Now. One of the theories about the Vault of the Traveler is that when opened, it would teleport its victors to their nearest place of desire.”

“So this island is your desire?” August questions, “how’s that?”

“Well, I wanna rebuild Atlas,” Rhys replies.

“And I wanna be rich,” Fiona adds.

“So the facility would be great for my needs once I get it running again,” he explains, “and all that Eridium will make Fiona filthy rich.”

“The filthiest,” she grins.

“There’s just one problem. Well, a few actually.”

Rhys goes over to the computers and pushes a button. One of the screens change from Jack’s face to a view of the surface, where a large battle is taking place between the Crimson Raiders, the Guardians, and the Jack haters.

“That third group wasn’t there last time we checked,” Fiona says.

“Aw, jeez,” Timothy groans.

“If we want to take over this island, not only do we have to deal with all of this,” Rhys explains, gesturing to the fight. “But also the Prototype.”

“The Prototype?” Vaughn questions.

“This facility was one of the many that was working on the Gortys project,” he replies.

“Me?” Gortys questions.

“That’s right,” he nods, patting her head. “And they created a prototype of your final form.”

“I knew it,” Loader Bot states.

“The Prototype is unstable and dangerous,” Rhys continues, “and it’s being housed in the main control tower. I need to get into that tower to take control of the facility, but I can’t do that as long as the Prototype is up and running.”

“So, to summarize,” Fiona says, “we need to take control of the island by defeating those three groups on the surface and the giant robot.”

“Sounds fun,” Skies comments.

“How are we gonna do it?” Athena asks.

“I’m working on a plan,” Rhys replies and sits at the table. “In the meantime, why don’t you guys take it easy? You all look exhausted.”

“Well, it has been a stressful day,” Vaughn sighs.

Everyone splits off into groups around the room: Vaughn sits with Rhys, Fiona and Sasha go into the bedroom, and Loader Bot and Gortys hang around by the door, with Claptrap following them like a lost puppy. Athena and August keep to themselves while Skies and Timothy watch the screen displaying the surface.

Skies sighs heavily as she watches fight, rubbing the scar across her right eye.

“Maybe they’ll kill each other,” Timothy says hopefully.

“Not likely,” she grunts, “the Crimson Raiders will win. It’s what they do.”

“I’m rooting for the guys in the Handsome Jack masks,” Jack states, “they got good taste.”

“They hate you, y’know,” Skies says.

“Oh. Well, nobody’s perfect. ‘Cept me, of course.”

Skies scoffs with disgust. “Just ignore him,” Timothy says.

“I cannot believe I put up with him as long as I did,” she mumbles.

Jack huffs with annoyance and takes over the screen they’re watching, making them cry with surprise.

“Look at you two,” he snorts, “wearing cheap rags, covered in dirt and grime, like a couple of peasants. You both were living it up back on Helios.”

“Better alive and free than ‘living it up’ with you,” Timothy retorts.

“Ha! Yeah, tell him, Tim,” Skies guffaws.

“Free?” Jack scoffs, “is that what you felt after you ran away? Knowing I could blow up your head anytime?”

“Then why didn’t you?”

“Too easy and too quick. I wanted you to suffer; to live in fear, until the day I came after you myself.”

“But you didn’t. And then you died.”

Jack snarls furiously, unable to retort. His glare darkens at Skies chuckling.

“What happened to you two?” he asks, “you were two of my most loyal subordinates.”

Skies giggling stops and she glares at him. “Aw, are your feewings hurt? Do you miss the times when we worked for you in exchange for our lives?”

“What happened, Jack,” she says sternly, “is that we spent time away from you and we learned what you truly are: a sickness. And you infect everyone who dares get close to you.”

“You’re a virus, Jack.”

#borderlands #borderlands 2 #tales from the borderlands #borderlands au #borderlands fanfiction #myocs #myart

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timothylawrence · 3 years ago

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hi bestie if u still want prompts for ur drabble thingy im throwing out rhysha or lunchmoney where someone gets hurt and the other has to patch them up or smthing :') regardless ilysm lovely <3333

hiiii fillllll <3 !!!!!!! Got some good ol lunchmoney h/c coming up just for you :,)!!!!!

warnings: mentions of violence and nongraphic injuries.

War was something Yvette didn’t really see in her lifetime. Sure, up on Helios she had the numbers and cost of war, of the casualties on Hyperion’s end that only served to add another tally to the money and resources being sent down.

They weren’t casualties then. They were assets that drove the cost up and heightened tension on the horrid spacecraft.

But that was years ago and now Yvette sits in the Atlas infirmary with an ice pack to her head. She’s got some blanket around her shoulders that’s meant to ‘ground’ her but Yvette couldn’t give much of a shit.

Atlas had nearly been burnt to a crisp. Yvette saw war with her own eyes.

It was terrifying. It made her stomach twist into itself and her hands tremble worse than anything she’d ever seen before. The world shook with each explosion and each quake, the air pierced with gunfire and sky lined with smoke.

Yvette survived in one of the many bunkers Atlas had built in the event of an attack.

It took nearly two hours of radio silence before word got out that not only had Atlas survived, but her best friend had too.

She’s not a fan of how tight her throat feels. She hasn’t spoken to Rhys since the first gunshot was fired. She wanted, desperately, to hear his voice and the crack of uncertainty that always tainted his words when it came to mentioning the war and its casualties.

Maybe the blanket was helping.

The bruise on her head isn’t much cause for alarm, especially not with the injuries she’s seen wheeled past her in the last few hours.

But Yvette doesn’t really have anywhere to go. She’s not sure who was still alive and who wasn’t. She’s not sure she wants to find out.

If things went her way, Yvette would have no trouble going to her large office, fixing the no doubt crooked nameplate she has and resuming her duty as Chief Operating Officer.

“Yvette!”

She’s pulled out of her thoughts immediately, eyes raised up and locking onto the sole figure standing ahead of her.

She blinks slowly, her throat so much tighter as warm palms land over her cheeks.

“Shit,” Fiona breathes out, thumbing away some of the dirt and grime that no doubt collected on Yvette’s skin. “I-I was looking all over for you!”

Yvette can’t really manage much of a response but Fiona, the con artist turned vault hunter who always reads her better than Yvette thought possible, understands all the same.

“Hey,” Fiona whispers, “C’mon.”

Before she knows it, Fiona’s hand is in hers, leading her through Atlas. It’s mostly a blur but Yvette’s seated on some desk in one of the many labs soon enough, alone with just the other woman.

She has no gripes with that.

Fiona’s fingers gently place a bandaid over her temple, covering the bruise that Yvette isn’t even sure how she got. She’s gentle but Yvette’s always known that.

There’s no need for confirmation that everyone was alive. Fiona wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. Sasha was Fiona’s main priority, her very heart. Yvette’s known that since day one.

“Hey,” Fiona murmurs then, her palm holding Yvette’s face. Gentle, warm. “It’s over.”

Logically, Yvette knows this. The only way Atlas would still be standing is if it had won the battle. But the words still make her head spin.

Before she knows it, she’s being pulled into a hug, her cracked glasses riding up the ridge of her nose. It’s awkward with her sitting down and Yvette’s sure she smells like smoke and gunpowder, but the fabric of Fiona’s coat is soft and welcoming.

She doesn’t have it in her to hug back, her arms filled with what feels like lead, but Fiona’s lips purse in her hair and Yvette settles on it being more than enough for now.

#asks #filbort #lunchmoney #im tagging this onyl bcus they have NO CONTENT but gkhrhjh i went agianst the grain just for you <3 #i hope you like this i am still nervous abt them augh augh ugh gkhrhgk #i LOVE YOU! !!! SM !!!!!

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melancholiaenthroned · 4 years ago

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tales role swap au!!!! heck yeah!!!!!! can i ask - where do felix, august, n vallory fit in? and if fiona doesn't have the echo eye, how would jack enter the story? Your designs are so cool by the way i love rhys' coat w/ the pinstripes wowowow

THANK YOU FOR ASKING swap au my beloved <3 ok i have an embarrassing amount to say so im gonna stick it under a read more

ok for felix, I would replace him with yvette. im an yvette liker so i prefer not to have her betray rhys in aus but well. it fits. maybe she feels like she can do better without the bandit camp holding her back and using up resources, so she plans to strike out on her own with the $10 000. she would probably feel guilty and maybe hire athena just to pass along the message of what happened (couldnt face to do it herself) but it would end up the same with them assuming athena is out to get them and fighting/running from her. in the end shed either convince rhys and vaughn to abandon the camp and strike out with her or send them some of the money and not really stay in contact with them post game.

august and vallory fit pretty much the same role. in the con side of it, yvette would take the role of sasha (conning august and ‘dating’ him, though shed catch less actual feelings than sasha did) and rhys would fill fionas role as the fake archaeologist. all and all they stay pretty much the same as canon. i dont remember too much of august and vallorys role in the late game so if theres something that would need major shifting bc of character lmk. god i need to replay tales.

OK FOR JACK i talked about this a bit in the tags of the og post but i have ideas about this. fiona works in higher and more confidential levels of hyperion, developing tech and weapons and whatever. basically, she knows how slimey the company is and is not letting them put their tech in her body, she Does Not Trust Like That. sasha also works at hyperion, in a much lower position (im thinking tour guide), and shes only really there so fiona can keep an eye on her (she wants to work in the weapon manufacturing but fiona doesnt want her getting in too deep). she doesnt have the info that fiona does, and while she doesnt idolize hyperion to the extent that canon rhys does. she thinks its cool! and so sasha actually takes that part of rhys role, because she would be willing to get the echo eye/port. i havent decided yet whether or not she would be willing to get an arm like rhys. i doubt it BUT i could see her experimenting and adding some weapon upgrades connected to her echo eye/port so she could control them from her mind. maybe some kind of metal glove that can shock people that only she can control (but once jack gets in so can he)? idk im still workshopping that bit. but yeah sasha is actually the one jack gets into and while she isnt a jack fangirl she does work at hyperion and do tours of his office so she at least respects what he did and so there is conflict in her decisions to trust him or rhys.

SORRY i know this is a lot but thank you so much for asking my mind is full <3 im so glad u like the au and the art

#ask #borderlands #poison.txt

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tannithvibes · 4 years ago

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Fiona/Maya Headcanon Post

my first HC post for miona disappeared so i had to remake this >:/ but now its split into this (reasons Why i like them together) and a part 2 i'll post later which is just the fluffy stuff from before

• On Fiona's side, the attraction is purely physical at first. She takes one look at Maya and feels like a rugs been yanked out from under her feet, she's dangerous and beautiful (maybe not so immediately intimidating as Athena, but there's no doubting from a glance that Maya is deadly)

• Which is p much Fiona's biggest kryptonite really. She's a con artist who can fill any role needed for job with the snap of her fingers, but put her in front of a pretty woman who could kick her ass and suddenly she's just Fiona again

• Which is like...kinda refreshing for Maya. She's bored to death of everyone's first and only impression of her being "Oh a Siren", whereas Fiona's thought process (which was undoubtedly written all over her face) went more like 1. TALL 2. Ripped, like absolutely shredded oh shit 3. Those are neat tatt- 4. Hey Wait A Sec

• Maya, on the other hand, looked at Fiona and saw someone with an interesting story to tell. She just knew instinctively that this was someone she'd love to sit and talk to over drinks for hours

• and I mean yeah, there was physical attraction too, how can anyone look at Fiona and not go heart eyes?

• I think Maya was always going to need someone who could keep up with her, being a Siren and being a Vault Hunter are two very Big things in Borderlands

• and Fiona needed someone who was bigger than her, more thematically imposing than just a con artist. She didn't like the relationships she was in where she was the only Interesting one

• Plus Vault Hunting just really got into her veins after the traveller, so sort-of dating sort-of being taught by Maya just really made sense

• They also fit together perfectly in the sense that Maya tends to always be the level-headed one of whatever group she's working with, while Fiona is...well, the wildcard (she's smart, but fuck if she doesnt make bad decisions on a whim and need someone to drag her ass back to safety)

• Fiona tries so hard to be the cool one and impress Maya whenever they're out on a job, but no Maya is the badass and Fi is just the dork whose head-over-heels for her

• They also help each other in the sense that they're kind of opposite ends of the "orphan" spectrum too

• Maya was raised by the Brotherhood and absolutely has a lot of PTSD from that upbringing. She goes to Pandora to learn about who she is as a Siren, but has nothing and no one left that she can call family (before the events of bl2 that is)

• Whereas Fiona always had Sasha, and then had Felix for a good while. She was lucky enough to have something to hold onto even into her adulthood while still struggling w the whole raising herself and her sister thing

• It's something they can relate to within each other and help in their different stages of recovery, while also showing that neither upbringing is the sole Reason they became the people they are (Maya arguably had the worse childhood and ended up a hero, while Fiona had a luckier one and ended up a criminal). they just have a whole lot of baggage and it helps to have a partner who understands that

• Also if you ship them, then they get to go on double dates with Zer0/Rhys

• Also also Ava is like...a Very good mix of the two of them which means they can work together to parent their troublesome adopted daughter

• but that is like a Whole Other hc post I could go on and on about

tldr: Maya and Fiona make great parallels for one another and are in love that is all

#my writing #fiona/maya #miona #long post #headcanon post #fiona/maya hcs #if this one magically disappears for no reason too i will eat my phone #me banging pots and pans in your house: its rarepair time y'all!!!!#i know these two have literally never even laid eyes on one another in canon #but you see how well thats stopped me #im actually like incredibly tired today so if i dont talk much other than for this post that is why #ive had this drafted for a few days bc i knew i probs wouldnt have the spoons to do it at random #so...here it is! ive only half-looked it over today hope there's no typos

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nagy-bari · 5 years ago

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Maybe in time

so this idea was in my head for a long time but life and laziness was in the way - still are, it’s just a full sentenced list of headcannons, a half AU kinda stuff - but here is how i felt about the team of TellTaleGame’s Borderlands and mostly the dynamics between Fiona and Rhys. read it, use it, argue whit it, thank you for your time.

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

It was a bit sad really.

Starting in collage, a quick burning thing, a haphazard marriage and some time before the little kid... It was straight out of romcom, probably why it didn’t stick.

They honestly couldn’t point out why. But it just didn’t work. Too much friction, too much energy, maybe. Or the usual unmovable object and unstoppable force.

Whatever, it was over.

They tried everything for the sake of the kid, but as time passed and the problems started to show with her as well, not much really, any other functional couple could have worked around it, your average case of a bit of autism, but it proved to be too much for them, the final signal that it cannot and will not work out, no matter how cute or romantic it would be.

They didn’t have the patience for each other.

Or who knows.

But it’s in the past, right now they have this old gang, a strange constant awkwardness in the air all the time mixed with years of partnership and respect. They aren’t whole or functional as a random normal team should be, but they make it work.

Rhys and Fiona know when to leave the room so they wouldn’t fall back into old times shouting or sneering competition, when to stop before a friendly joke got toxic, and most of all what topics to discuss in the presence of others.

Fiona is happy for her little sister finding the healthy happiness with her ex-husband, she knows, they can do what the two of them couldn’t. Sasha is crazy enough to learn to love. She, herself was too selfish and cautious for that. She just cannot trust people. Sasha can and things seemed to work out like this.

Vaughn as the ultimate strangely badass uncle for the whole group the somewhat awkward nerd with the ridiculously buff torso, the awfully timed jokes and puns, but somehow always helping, taking the biggest for the group in every situation, be it literal, when some gang decided it was just not okay to walk on that street, or when they should have explained something to Gortys.

Strangely Vaughn is really good with the little girl.

Their marriage was a disaster, but this way, in a pseudo family friend team unit they can exist.

Fiona lives alone spare for the time Gortys visits, or when the whole group decides to crash at her couch.

Rhys lives with Sasha, a comfortable and ever lovely apartment, always expanding and growing just like their relationship.

And Vaughn in his mancave slash team hideout in the basement with everything they need, once they pass Gortys down to a friend and want to let themselves lose a bit.

It is funny how they have a different place for different problems. When they just want to forget and loosen up a bit they party at Vaughn, when some annoying work sucks out their soul they b!tch with Fiona in her living room and when they want some peace they huddle up with the lovers.

At the beginning it was something else of course.

Rhys was a well learned guy, of course he was no saint, and he knew how much dirt one had to take but compared to Fiona he was still a law obeying citizen. And unlike Fiona he had no problem with commitment.

It was the pink fog covering their heads that started this.

Some nights when he’s in the bed, Sasha softly snoring next to him he still wonders why on earth did she say yes when she was terrified. He’s still gathering his courage to ask her.

Fiona was in for the strangeness, the sheer stupidity they could display together, the fun and giggles it brought into her cynical life. He was a nerd, a goofy friend compared to her other connections - nothing serious but there is a reason why she hides her face every time a cop passes her on the street.

She wanted to see how far it will go. She had a nagging in her brain every step they took, when she noticed that she actually cares, that she would like to trust him, she closed her eyes and took a leap of faith against her better judgement. Deep down she always wondered when it will end.

Maybe this is why it was strangely easy to be as they are now. Friends, good even.

Sasha was with August when hell started to break loose. It was partly the reason why she broke up with him for good soon after. One drama was enough in the family and August sure didn’t helped to tone down things when it mattered.

Vaughn was on a life changing trip in the meantime but as soon as he was back, he offered all help without a sound.

It was still strange how peacefully the divorce went.

Not the whole process, of course. Just the legal part.

Gortys was starting kindergarten when Rhys realized they cannot talk to each other like normal human beings, that they always argue, if the kid is not there. Autism was starting to show, demanding patience from both of them and all that little energy they spent to tolerate each other was gone, leaving old routines and bad jokes filled with anger over things they didn’t really mean, and frustration with the unchangeable.

It was after a particularly ugly fight when both of them just stared ahead tired from the whole thing, a tiny part still hoping for the make up part, when one starts to turn this to the sweet part, the kisses and hugs, the reassuring that it seems and feels hard but…

He felt like he could see for the first time, looking at himself and the woman across him, hands crossed over her chest, clatching her upper arms, brows furred and eyes piercing a vase they got for their marriage from an old friend, next to that a photo of them hiking with the tiny baby, and right then all he could see was a frightened and utterly lost woman. She was out of her element completely. And he was the reason why.

And he had no energy left to help her as well. He never really saw how much she needed his guidance in this whole mess, and now it was too late. He dragged her into this, and he will leave with significantly less scars than her.

That evening they were silent. Before they went to bed, he uttered the quietest ‘I’m sorry.’ and he could sense that she got it.

A week after she gave him the filled divorce papers.

They argued for months.

He knew from the start that it was the only way, still… He felt guilty for giving up on her back there, in the kitchen.

It was more sad than ugly or anything.

Years had passed over them, he is in a lovely relationship with the other craziest woman he knows and he wouldn’t change a thing…

Still, some times when they are left alone in a kitchen or a corridor waiting for a cake to finish or for Gortys to run with hands in the air, hugging both of them like always, some nights when Sasha and Vaughn are long under the table because of some drinking competition, or when the two have some job to deal with and it’s only them and a glass of fine liquor he wishes for the briefest moment.

Wishes that he could just kiss away that worry from her forehead, the distrust from her eyes.

Maybe it’s guilt. Maybe it’s something else.

Maybe there was cheesy, sloppy happy end waiting for them on the long run.

Maybe he’s just missing her sister.

Maybe he has a weakness for untamed crazy.

Because she didn’t change much.

Over the months, years even she’s still the same, distrusting, cautious, shady woman he saw the first few times they met in collage. He just learned that she has some soft spot. For her sister, for her daughter. For those she considers family, and family only.

Some sleepless night he still wonders if he ever was in that circle.

This whole wreck of marriage left Fiona even more guarded than before. Blind dates for simple hook ups - no names, no attachment - when she felt lonely, always somewhere else, always leaving before they got up. Leaving no traces of her presence other than memories, but frankly she couldn’t care. She wasn’t in it for the drama.

Keeping an eye on Gortys half the time was big enough of a task, the little ball of sunshine in her life with all her problems was enough to keep her going, enough to find something to live for at the moment.

Money problems solved with business she wasn’t always proud of and the only reason she was still somewhat open about it with the ragtag team of family because they already knew.

Work and Gortys.

This summed up her days.

It was enough. It was safe.

She wasn’t miserable. She wasn’t ecstatic. She was okay.

There was a time of their relationship when they were both cautious, both watching for the tiniest signals. As in who admits anything first. It was a matter of pride, honestly.

When she looks back, she sees a pattern.

Rhys being himself, doing something stupid which makes her do something similar stupid, which translates to the nerd as some convoluted encouragement and he does something personally stupid which forces her to choose between her brain or her… it wasn’t her heart. That would be too cheesy even for them. It was more of logic and the absurdity of dreams. And she enjoyed them. Even when it was clear it wouldn’t be that easy, that this is not normal, they aren’t normal like this, this won’t last forever and so on. She enjoyed her dreams he made her believe in.

Some days she wakes up with the ache for these dreamlike days. Some nights when it’s only him rambling about paperwork and numbers and money, because he just needed someone to b!tch to, she almost slips and offers something distracting, something stupid and absurd, then she catches herself.

She made a promise It may have been the reason it didn’t work out like a romcom, but she made a deal with her logic, her brain. She swore to never be the one initiating.

When was this, she can’t remember. The why is obvious.

So she bits back her urge to escape again into the dream world, because he’s in love with her baby sister, because that would just ruin the thin balance they have, because honestly it couldn’t work out, it hurt last time, why would it be different and so on. She sits in silence, listening and drowning her ideas in the mismatched pool of his eyes.

#borderlands #tales from the borderlands #fiona borderlands #sasha borderlands #rhys borderlands #vaughn borderlands #gortys borderland #kinda au #robot turned into human #i mean #come on #it's there you can't just ignore that metaphore #sorry for any grammar mistakes

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cruddyborderlandstheories · 5 years ago

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Fanon characterization of the Calypso twins between me and The Wild West Pyro:

We both have the strong sinking feeling that the twins are slowly going to lose it as the game goes on, so here’s our collaborated analysis of the two:

I’ll be in non-cool text, while The Wild West Pyro will be in italics, for easier distinction between us. [There will be slight edits and changes for cohesion]

“It would be pretty interesting if we found out the Calypsos/the cult started out with 'good intentions'.”

“Hell, you can see the populism kicking in there.What did the writers say? Ah. "Your poor bandits! You're kicked around and nobody likes you, but we can give you a purpose in life! We can make you feel appreciated and loved!" [This is a reference to the Danny Homan interview] Something of that line.”

“oh yeah! the twins are also providing them with food and weaponry. i mean i can see why a bandit desperate for something better would follow them.”

“I'm guessing how this goes: The Twins start off by winning people over by talking about how they want Pandora to be finally at peace after endless war and giving the bandits a new life where they're treated like actual people. Then once they've got enough people, they say that the Raiders have to go, the corporations have to go, with the Vaults seized the universe will see no more war. Actually, I'm predicting rn that they have a very, very cult-like end goal in terms of IRL parallels.What if they choose to "cleanse" the universe with whatever power Tyreen possesses? And once everything standing in their way is gone, they can create this ideal utopian peaceful universe where there's no corporations and no more fighting. Meanwhile the Eridians are panicking because they know it's a doomed plan and the Vaults do not work like that.”

“[this is very much a] large scale Opportunity situation. literally reverse uno card as to what jack was attempting”

“Yep. Paradise for the common man bandit. OTL parallels to what usually sparks communist revolutions or popular revolutions in general. So yeah, Tyreen could very easily justify herself in that she genuinely wants to bring peace to the universe, with all means necessary. Of course, internally, the Twins just want to be gods and play at being them and hold onto their power as absolute rulers presiding over an eternally-grateful populace.”

“definitely sounds like two teenage cult leaders to me ngl. i could see them not being too secure in themselves (behind the vvv confident personas they put on) and constantly second guessing themselves and reassuring that they're doing this for everyone's own good even as things just keep getting worse and worse. could [have] a tie-in to whatever tragic backstory they might have”

“Yep and yep. And there's this internal fear that they don't know what being a god entails, if they'll lose sense of who they are or not... but put that aside. All for the greater good! I'm actually thinking about this. People note that the Twins are basically streamer critiques, which is a yes. But if you want to take them to serious universe-spanning villain territory, I think that they'll absorb the knowledge from Elpis at one point. And they start to become more detached and more frightening, and a lot more eloquent as they really start becoming gods in the BL sense. While still being narcissistic attention whores who actually like killing people off with their powers but pretend to act benevolent. Essentially, you have the Greek Gods except there's two Zeuses, one is a girl and they've both got all of Zeus's worst traits cranked up to eleven.”

“oh god are they gonna dick everything that moves? oh no... cover ava's eyes! joking aside, that sounds accurate. especially given the borderlands universe loves to tie in its greek mythology. also also i am glad someone else agrees the twins are going to elpis. i refuse to believe they'd destroy it/blow it up before going there for the info. that shit is valuable! especially if you want to convince people you're gods?? accurately predicting the future is insanely good for doing that! plus all the other cool shit you can do by knowing exactly what's going to happen.”

“It also makes the Twins much more dangerous if they can see every outcome...unfortunately, Lilith is very good at playing 4D Chess by now.”

“lilith, putting on her sunglasses and cracking her knuckles: it's time to show them what a real military organization can do. ellie is her hype woman with the drink and a towel. also also lilith is probably kicking herself for not being fast enough this time to punch the vault symbol into tyreen's face.”

“Honestly, I'd love Lilith to turn out to be this really crafty, really charismatic guerrilla warfare commander. Like an Innie leader but they're hypercompetent, not a terrorist and also have Keyes's sheer talent for analyzing battles and tactics and adapting accordingly. Lilith sitting up in Sanc-III being BL!Keyes except a lady and specializing in ground warfare would be sick.”

“yes. fucking. please. gearbox please give lily all the character development, your girl deserves it. im glad because it does seem like she's getting there when you crash land on Promethea. and even the way she handles herself on the bridge is very smooth and confident.”

“tfw you can see the future and, yet, the lady you robbed of her siren powers is outsmarting you 24/7, 365 days a year despite you being able to see the future. also you're trying to fight fate and desperate to change reality so that you can't lose like the future said you would. joke's on you, you cannot fight it.”

“There is no changing it. bonus points if ty only saw the very end, so she is utterly clueless on how the middle bits play out. so lilith is kicking her ass across elpis and she's like ‘this is NOT how i saw this going’.”

“I'd seriously imagine that life in BL corporate society really is like life in Rapture or Columbia. The upper class profits immensely and reaps all the best goods, but they refuse to do the dirty work themselves so they rely on this huge workforce who they constantly cheat, lie and exploit. The few achieve huge power and stuff at the expense of the many. Looking at the Twins in the parallels of how revolutions go, they'll basically go from recruiting the bandits to recruiting the huge lower class of every planet. Looking at records from all the planets, we've got people being screwed over again and again, corruption and other nasties. The Twins claim that they want all corporations to go, to bring some form of unified government back to the galaxy. And it works- their army size quadruples overnight and goes from there. By the time we get to Promethea, the COV are already recruiting everyone dissatisfied with corporate life. If they successfully seize control of Maliwan like I predict, they'll be a force to be reckoned with. The Twins will use the masses to achieve some sort of theocratic revolution, [they] claim that it's all for everyone's good. But in reality, they want to be absolute rulers of the universe, gods worshipped and feared by all.”

“Oh yeah, the twins are definitely feeding (maybe literally) off the huge numbers of dissatisfied people across the universe- the mega corporations are evil, no doubt there are millions of people waiting for something better. tbh, if gaige wasn't booted from the main game, I could see a whole side story of her having started a revolution somewhere, and then joining up with the Crimson Raiders once her entire party just up and joined the CoV. And [I would] 100% bet the twins started a campaign against DAHL and Atlas and suddenly nearly every bandit on pandora joined up with them. (also Athena was sitting in a chair clutching at the armrests and janey was like "don't you fuckin dare, hon" and athena is like "but... Atlas...")”

[We talk more about Gaige’s anarchist revolution and trying to topple the mega corporations in a less cult-y fashion here]

“... Bonus points 2: The COV fire up the memories of Jack to rally everyone into opposing Hyperion and suddenly Athena is like "OK I'm not going, mobilize the army." And Janey is like ‘Here we go...’.”

[we joke around a little bit more about Athena and Janey here]

“I can imagine Rhys's internal conflict, knowing that he has to make the galaxy a better place but at the same time, maintain his corporate power and control because without it, he's doomed. Then again, Rhys is no stranger to doing shady stuff. I think a lot of the Twins's evil will be in how they treat their followers.There's all the smooth-talking and promises of the future. And then when you actually get there, you're brainwashed into being another unthinking, 100% loyal attack dog for them. And you follow everything they ask you to do for 100%, even if they use you for power experiments or cannon fodder. And the game will remind us that these people weren't all bandits - over the course of the story, the COV includes people like former corporate execs, entire families, people who were just trying to get by day to day. And now we as Vault Hunters have to kill all these ordinary people to save the universe. Tough choices, eh?“

“Oh geez, you know that's a really fair point. i know borderlands likes to push the 'morally gray' aspect of things, but holy shit that's dark. (not saying i don't love it though, i totally do lol) You’re probably 100% right that rhys is struggling internally. especially after being so closely tied up with hyperion and even fiona and sasha, seeing exactly what hyperion did to people not just on helios but the people trying to live their daily lives and survive on pandora. im sure he has a similar reasoning to himself as the twins: im doing this for the better of the people. i can help so many more people with this money and power. somewhat similar to handsome jack, but hopefully lorelei (if she's not evil) helps ground him and keep him from jumping into the middle-to-deep end.”

“I'm still betting that Rhys will remain on the good side, if a teensy bit unscrupulous. I mean, the whole thing about the Twins is that they're social commentary of livestreamers and influencers and the incredibly toxic influence they can have. There are countless aspects of that to explore. If streamers can mobilize their entire loyal fanbases to bully the crap outta some poor chump or buy things or let their fans believe that they know the streamer 100% as a person and not a persona, the Twins can convince people to go to war.”

“Oooh yeah, it's not hard to imagine they probably don't even need the brainwashing for a majority of their cult, just the select few who are either on the fence or against it, but are [still] 'available'. irl streamers can be seriously fuckin scary, man, im not surprised this is the route gearbox is going for. now, it would be severely fucked up if there was a scene where tyreen demands someone kill themselves on the spot and they do without hesitation. if you watch the moze gameplay there seems to be a hint of something like that going on over the radio/TVs, she mentions something about their sacrifice or something, then you hear a dude screaming/gurgling.”

“Everyone's thinking that Tyreen will be this laughable, entertaining villain. But I'm constantly seeing hints and estimating that she is going to be far, far more scarier than we give her credit for. For one, Jack was a presence largely relegated to audio. We only physically saw him in BL2 twice. The Twins run a cult, which itself is frightening already. And it looks like we'll be seeing them in person very often.”

“Oh yes, tyreen is fucking terrifying. i mean even that she can steal siren powers is already a huge "whoa what the fuck" in my book. that one line at the end of the HBC where she's like "you're my most loyal follower vault thief, you just don't know it yet"? fucking scary, how her voice drops and gets all serious for a split second and then the hologram just cuts out. i was like "wh- wait hang on-???" i definitely think she is putting up a persona and as the game goes on we're slowly going to watch her lose it. troy will probably grow a bit distant from her as well if he doesn't lose it, too. definitely think ty is going to try and kill him once he's of no use to her, because he's just been a pain in her side because she had to keep him alive as the brains of the operation. but once the operation is done... whoops. sorry pal. don't need you anymore. they're the main villains, i can't see her holding the bonds of family in high regard at all. she could totally write off his death as like ‘he sacrificed himself for the Great Vault, now we pray to him every day and sacrifice ourselves in his name’ or smth”

“She puts up this fun-loving persona as a streamer, but she then decides the Vault Hunters get to see her true self. It is not pretty. It makes Jack look like a kitten-cuddling fluffball, that's how bad the real Tyreen is. It makes Piston and Vasquez sound like friendly guys you'd take out for lunch after work. It makes Hector's goals look very reasonable and sane. Also, perhaps she kills him and we never see how she did it, which ups the scare factor. It's like Troy disappeared and we have no idea how she killed him and how long it took for him to die. We just find a lot of irreconcilable proof that Troy is dead now and we don't know how. That is the amount of horror I'm estimating.”

“Oh man I love this. That's so horrible (in a good way), I can 100% see it happening. Jack swore revenge for us killing the person he 'loved'. Tyreen herself kills the person she 'loved' and we start to realize holy shit this is the real deal. She can't even pretend to care like Jack pretended to care (he didn't actually care about Angel as a person, but he did say things to try and make Angel think he did, just putting that out there cuz I don't wanna sound like I support him lol). There's just a complete contrast between her and Jack during the final levels of the game. Jack stops joking around "you feel that, child killer?", he's dead serious and ready to kill vs Tyreen laughing or just being off the rails bubbly for her 'streamer persona' while looking utterly unhinged”

so yeah, the convo teetered off after this a bit, but the general gist is that Tyreen is going to go absolutely off-the-wall by the end of the main story. this is somewhat supported by the Danny Homan interview that states the twins are going to have their relationship warp and twist.Tyreen is going to start going crazy with all the powers she absorbs and realize once the plan is over she won’t need Troy’s expertise anymore, and Troy is going to get sick of being relegated to the side when he’s the one with the master plan. We both have the deep feelings the twins aren’t going to stay as charismatic as they are in the little bit of promo material we’ve gotten of them. which i get, because in a lot of the official trailers, Troy looks pissed. Tyreen is always super smug no matter what shot she’s in, but Troy... he looks very angry in some shots we get. even when Ty is holding his forearm in that one shot, he rips his arm out of her grip. For example: “How many IRL streamer "friends" get into ridiculous drama and feuds with each other? Answer: a lot. Could be mirroring that with the twins. A lot of people are saying that the new villains will never match up to Jack. This is our take, and we're proud of it, and very confident in Gearbox's new writing team. ”

EDIT: some edits made by The Wild West Pyro

#borderlands #bl3 #borderlands 3 #the calypso twins

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