#talking to the woman outside my room and asking her questions fresh from awakening from my drunken amnesia fit:

[thebabygirlenthusiast]

Started playing disco elysium. Why is Harry such a freak of nature. What is wrong with him.

[nicka-nell]

Say… Who do you belong to?

○ Pairing: Ushijima Wakatoshi x reader, mention of Oikawa ○ Words: 7.675  ○ Genre: Mafia-AU, NSFW, Smut, 18+ ○ Warning: noncon! oral, force, gun play, slightly breath play, violence, slightly manipulation, daddy kink, blood, pain, rape, dark content, 18+, Minors DNI! ○ Note: All characters are grown up! This fic contains dark content! ○ This fic is part of a server collab. The masterlist can be found here 

Prompt: "I wonder what he'd do if he knew you were with me right now."

Summary: You are Oikawa’s most precious treasure. His beloved wife, whom he married a few years ago and with whom he had bought a wonderful house. But what you don’t know is that Oikawa has a lot of debts with a mafia boss, who suddenly pulls you out of your wonderful life and declares you as his victory. You’re husband and wife, so his debts are also yours, which you now have to settle with Ushijima.

A little sleepy, you turn around a few times in bed. The fine silk sheets have nestled tightly around your body, flattering your contours, while the space next to you is cold and empty.

“Good morning, my precious angel.” The cheerful voice of your husband sounds as you feel the warm, soft lips of Oikawa on your shoulder blade and turn to him with a smile. “Good morning Tooru. Why are you up so early?” The moon is still bright in the sky, while the rest is adorned in darkness.

“I have to leave early today. But I’ll be back tonight, and then I’ll take good care of you.” Winking, he grins and gives you one last kiss before he walks out of your front door. You still don’t lose your smile when you look at the closed door. Because you are happy.

You have wonderful friends, a wonderful husband by your side you married a few years ago, a big house, and hopefully soon children who would make your life perfect.

With quiet music in the background, you stand in the kitchen and prepare Oikawa’s favorite food as you hear the door quietly open. First, you frown and are surprised that Oikawa is there so early, but the closer the steps are to you, the more uncomfortable the feeling in your stomach becomes.

These are not the steps of Oikawa. Besides, it’s two people you hear. Iwaizumi? No, he would always greet you loudly even before he took off his shoes. 

With shaky hands and a racing heartbeat, you reach for a large kitchen knife and hide behind the door. Two tall men, one with light hair and a dark look, the other with red hair and an almost demonic appearance, stand in the room and look around.

“Does this guy have a wife?” Ask one of the two indifferently as he points to the unfinished food. “Looks like there’s got to be a little Oikawa wifey around here somewhere.” The other grins and begins to giggle.

A wonder they haven’t noticed you yet. You could swear that if they turned off the music they could hear your heartbeat. You can’t fight two men this tall, maybe it’s better if you try to escape instead of attacking them. But maybe they are friends of Oikawa who want to surprise him?

But how did they get into your house without a key? Annoyed, the gray-haired man presses his hands to the hip and exposes a shiny metallic object. Your blood is freezing when you realize this object is a weapon.

You have to get out of here, and as if your body understands what you’re trying to tell, your legs are moving. Your ankles are almost white, so tight you hold the knife in your hand to prevent it from falling and making a sound.

Almost arriving at the door, the relief is already painting in your face as the wooden floor below you begins to creak. Your eyes are getting big, and now you know you have to run. But your legs are not fast enough against those of the tall man who pulls you back into the house with a loud shout.

“Who the fuck are you?” The tall man behind you calls while he pulls you to his back. With the knife, you try to attack him but only manage to graze his leg. But it’s enough to let go of you.

“You fucking whore, man!” He yells, his gun pointed at you, but you don’t listen, because you just want to get away. However, you won’t make it to the exit, as a dull sound echoes through the hallway, followed by your body sinking to the ground.

“Tendou… Did you just really knock her out with a pan?” Skeptically he looks at the red-haired man, the hands on his leg with the slight flesh wound. “Yes, of course. What were you gonna do? Shoot her in the leg? Come on, she’s a lady. So don’t disfigure her.” Smirks Tendou, and swings the pan back and forth in his hand.

“So what? We’re supposed to take Oikawa to Ushijima, not some woman.”, “Buuuuut, this isn’t just any woman. That’s Oikawa’s wife, and she’s cute. I’m sure Wakatoshi will like her. Maybe the idiot will pay his debts faster if he knows we have his pretty wifey.” The redhead interrupts him with a broad grin and squats down to lift your flaccid body.

Your head pulsates with pain as you open your eyes and try to straighten up your body. Everything is dark, only a moldy, metallic smell lies in the air. The floor below you feels wet and crumbly. Like you’re on a muddy underground.

Your clothes are already soaked and stink of a mixture of concrete, soil, and moisture. Where are you? In the dark, you grope along the wall until you reach a cold, iron door. From outside, you can hear the voices that you had in your head recently.

Just as you want to lean even closer to the door, you can hear the hinge clicking, how it is snapped up and you land on the floor. “Come with us.” Says the gray-haired man grimly, who now wears an improvised, sloppy bandage around his leg.

Motionless you sit on the floor and look at the two men puzzled before Tendou reaches out to you. “You’ll be fine. So come on.” Your body acts against your mind as you reach for his hand and he pulls you up with a jerk.

You walk up to a huge, imposing mahogany door with golden accents as the fierce man opens it next to you and the three of you enter. Just to meet a man who sits focused at his desk and writes something.

“What do you want, Tendou?” Without even raising his head, his deep voice fills the room. “You know, we didn’t find Oikawa, but we have something much better. His beloved wife.” Tendou hums happily as he steps forward. “Oh? So… What am I supposed to do with a woman? I can’t do anything with that thing.” He hisses indifferently and frowns.

The words ‘I told you’, are written in the face of the gray-haired man as he looks at Tendou, shaking his head. 

“Then you bastards can finally let me go!” You shout to the two men and try to get away from their grips when Ushijima looks up to you in amazement. He does not know whether it is the sound of your voice or this angelic but also fiery charisma, but somehow you seem to have awakened his interest in you. 

Maybe it’s because you belong to Oikawa and don’t belong to him. After all, Oikawa, for reasons inexplicable to Ushijima, hates him. Probably because he could never defeat him and had to admit that he would have taken a better, more successful path if he had gone with Ushijima.

It’s Oikawa who has a lot of debt to Ushijima, not the other way around. So what would happen if he took away the most important thing in his life? He’d have nothing. Right, his world would break in pieces.

But whatever it is, he can’t keep his eyes off yours. “This is Oikawa’s wife?” He finally says and puts the pen out of his hand to stand up and walk in your direction with quiet steps. Now that he’s standing in front of you, a cold shudder runs along your spine.

He is a real appearance as he stands so large and broad in front of you, his eyes sharp as a freshly sharpened knife. With an annoyed sound, he lowers his gaze, his big, cold hand on your chin, forcing you to look at him directly.

Only a few steps separate you from each other and you sense how a masculine, strict cologne flows through your nose. “Yeah, she’s quite pretty, but also cheeky, isn’t she?” Tendou giggles and looks with narrow eyes over to the gray-haired one, who rolls only displeased with the eyes.

With his fingers, he moves your face back and forth, brushes his thumb over your mouth, checks you out, before he lets go of you and looks at his friend and best man Tendou. Shortly after he takes his thumb off your mouth, you feel a metallic unpleasant taste on your tongue. Almost like the taste of fresh gunpowder.

What is all this about? Why are you here and what were they talking about earlier. What is Oikawa involved in? And worst of all, why didn’t he ever tell you? After all, you are his wife. 

“Maybe she’s good for something. Perhaps he’ll pay his debts when he knows his wife is with us.” Ushijima clicks his tongue, turns around, and sits back in his chair. His debts? “Tooru has no debts! We are doing well. We bought a wonderful house!” You respond to him with a trembling voice.

“Oh yes? And how do you think he managed to raise the money for your house? Believe me when I tell you he’s in debt, or not. Apparently, he doesn’t care about you enough to share his dark secret with you.” He says monotonously, looking back at the paper on his desk.

“You’re lying!” your screaming voice sounds, which is provided with a touch of insecurity. Because you don’t want to believe this man. “Hey, don’t yell at our boss like that, you stupid bitch!” You had almost forgotten the gray-haired man when he looked at you grimly and stepped in front of you.

“Don’t call her that, Semi. She must have a name, right?” Even if he still doesn’t look at you, you sense how the question is directed at you. Stubbornly you press your lips together as if you want to signal them that you won’t tell them anything, but then you see Semi moving his hand towards his weapon and open your mouth. “Oikawa…. Oikawa Y/n…” you answer with a little resistance in your voice.

“Good Y/n, Semi will take you to the guest room next to mine and clean you up. Dress her up and then lock the door behind you if you leave her alone.” He just wants to say something about this task because he obviously doesn’t like you, but he stops since he doesn’t want to contradict his boss.

“Come now.” He just hisses annoyed, while he grabs you roughly by the arm and pulls you out of the room, into a spaciously beautiful room, with a large bed and a wonderful wardrobe. Pictures decorate the walls, the light on the ceiling is so bright that you forget to stand in a room without windows.

Violently, Semi puts you in a room connected to yours, so you’re standing in the middle of the bathroom. “Take off your clothes.” You feel his hand in your back pushing you to the shower with a shovel.

“I’m not gonna undress in front of some creepy guy like y-”, “Shut up, little doll! You’re nowhere near the first woman I see naked, so stop acting like that, and start taking your clothes off, or I’ll rip them off of your body!” He stops you loudly and grabs your wrist to pull you against him and roughly tear on your top.

“Stop it!” you roar and bite him in the arm with all your strength. Angry, he shakes you away from himself and wants to pull out his gun when a hand from behind stops him. “Hehe, what’s going on Semi Semi? Are you mad that there are also women who don’t spread their legs when they see you?” Tendou chuckles, who steps out behind Semi’s back.

“You take care of that bitch, I’m gone.” Without even looking in your direction, he turns around and disappears, followed by a loud bang of the wooden door.

“Come on, sit on the bed.” Tendou tries to calm you down and puts himself a piece away from the door frame to let you through. You don’t know why, but he seems to be the nicest one here so far, so you nod and follow his instructions.

Just as he opens his mouth to say something, you hear the door open again, and next to Semi now Ushijima, their boss comes in. Directly, Tendou takes a step away from you and pursues his boss with his eyes, who sits next to you, with a gun in his lap on the bed.

Right away, you start to hold your breath because you’re sure he’s gonna kill you now that you’ve disfigured his colleague. With his free hand, he brushes a strand of hair off your face and clamps it behind your ear to then pull your face in his direction.

“You know, Y/n, I don’t like it when someone attacks my men. No matter how pretty and innocent that person may be. But neither do I like it when my men don’t handle women properly. Believe me when I tell you nothing will happen to you as long as you stick to the words of your master, your daddy. Do as I say, and you and your pretty face are safe with me.” he breathes to you with his deep voice that makes your whole body shudder again.

“Tendou, I’ll leave her to you. Do what Semi couldn’t do. Next time I come back in here, I want her done for me.” are his last words before he leaves you alone in the room with Tendou.

You’re supposed to be ready for him? What is this man up to with you? “Hey, don’t look like a deer in the headlight.”  Tendou’s laughing voice gets you out of your mind. Humming he moves towards the cabinet and opens it to push the hangers back and forth. “I think this should fit you.” Happily, he turns to you and holds a beautiful set of lingerie in his hands, purple fine lace, with black leather straps and a short silk gown.

You’d think it’s beautiful if you knew you were wearing it for Oikawa, but you’re supposed to be wearing it for another man? Now you can also guess what Ushijima meant when he said you should be ready for him.

Suddenly your eyes fill with tears and before you know it, these are caught by Tendou’s thumbs. “You heard Wakatoshi, you’ll be fine as long as you do what he wants. Believe me, he would never hurt you. He’s a good man, so come with me. I’ll give you a nice warm bath, leave the door open, and wait for you in the bedroom.” He smiles and brings the clothes to the bathroom.

The water comes out loud from the tap and fills the bathtub as you walk carefully towards Tendou. “Why are you being so nice to me?” You want to know from him. “I have no reason to be mean to you.” You hear his voice and how he checks with his finger if the water temperature is good. “The water’s good, so clean up and put your clothes in the hamper over there, the maid will take the laundry and clean it so you can get it back. I’ll wait outside.” 

As he said, he leaves the bathroom door open but doesn’t look your way. Thoughtfully you look at the lingerie and after a few moments get out of your wet, musty clothes to get into the warm water. The warm water kisses your body, your eyes get heavier and before you know it, you close your eyes and listen to the sparkling foam.

Uncomfortable you go into the bedroom, even if you find yourself beautiful in this lingerie and it fits surprisingly well as if it was made for you. But knowing that another man sees you as your beloved husband makes you want to throw up.

“If you get hungry, knock on the door. If Wakatoshi is not in your room, I’ll be in front of it. Water is next to your bed. Well, I’ll see you then.” Without even looking in your direction, Tendou says goodbye to you and leaves you alone in the room.

Shortly after you hear the door closing, you look around hastily to see if you have a chance to escape in this windowless room. Next to the bathroom door and the front door, there’s another door that leads to a room you don’t know. But of course, this door is locked, so you are looking for an item that may help you escape. Even here, in vain.

Crying, you crawl into a corner and slump on the floor, knees tightly pulled to your chest. Why didn’t Oikawa ever tell you anything? Why didn’t he trust you? Could it be that this man was right and you weren’t enough for Oikawa? No, it can’t be!

You don’t know how much time has passed since only this ceiling light illuminates the room. But the clicking of the door makes you twitch. Tired, you lift your head and see blurred, how a large, strong person enters the room. Ushijima Wakatoshi.

He sits down in front of you, looking into your swollen face as he presses a cold metallic object against your chin and makes you look into his eyes. “Ah, ah baby girl, look what you’ve done with your pretty face. It’s all swollen up.” Full of fear but also hate you look him in his dark olive eyes. He’s a handsome man, yet you hate him for taking you away from your husband.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. It’s your husband’s fault you’re here now, not with him. But don’t worry, you’ll soon think of other things than your husband. The bed, lie on it!” He commands bossy, and quickly straightened up.

But you just shake your head. “Don’t be silly, baby girl.” His deep voice enters your ears, and even before you can open your mouth, you feel the chilly opening of his weapon lying on your temple.

Instinctively, your eyes fill with new tears running warmly down your cheeks, and your body moves against your will to crawl on the bed. “Please, I didn’t do anything.” You beg him because you just want to get out of here.

But he gives you no answer, just looks at you with his indifferent look, the gun in his hand at all times, while he gradually lets his clothes slide to the ground. Freed from his clothes, he stands before you, a few scars drawing his perfect muscular skin.

Even though you’ve been crying all the time, your eyes only burn more when you see how huge his member is, which still hangs flaccidly between his legs. It’s not even erect, yet you know it would never fit into you without hurting you.

Sobbing, you look from this massive thing between his legs up into his eyes that send out anything but warmth and ask him to let you go. “Stop talking so much. Use your sweet mouth and suck on my cock just like it should be for a good baby girl. Show your daddy that you’re worth treating you well.” 

His words make your stomach twist, you get unwell as you look at him in disgust. But it was stupid of you to think that you could defend yourself against such a tall, strong man. Because just as you’re trying to shake your head, you feel his cold hand burying itself in your hair and pulling you roughly forward, the other hand with the gun to your temple.

“Suck it!” His patience has disappeared when he angrily gives you this command, presses his limb literally into your whiny face. Afraid to hear the trigger go off, you open your mouth and start to put his cock in your trembling mouth.

You just have the tip in, when you realize that it is much too big for you so that you’re about to throw up. Fearing for your life, you still try to stick it in, but quickly realize that you are beginning to choke and fresh tears appear in the corners of your eyes. 

“Oh? Does your beloved Oikawa have such a tiny cock or why would you have problems with gagging after not even half of my dick?” His words are accompanied by a deep, barely audible laughter as he plunges his limb into your mouth with a jerk and makes you open your eyes full of pain and shock.

Reflexively, you support your hands against his thighs and try to prevent him from pushing his dick even deeper into your throat. His hand buried in your hair moves your head back and forth.

The only sound you hear is your sniffing, your swallowing, and the increasingly audible groan of Ushijima, whose cock grows painfully fast in your mouth and makes you gag every time its tip kisses your palate.

“Your mouth does it so well, it takes my length so well. Let’s see if you can absorb and swallow daddy’s sperm as good.” He mutters one last time before he presses his limb full strength into your throat and colors it white.

Next to his dick, which still twitches in your throat, you feel the warm sperm, running thickly down your inside. Just when he hears you swallow his cum, he pulls his cock out of you and takes his hand off the back of your head.

Only a mixture of sperm and saliva binds you together before this thread tears and sticks to your chin. You look so cute, lying on the bed in his favorite lingerie, adorned with his cum, and looking at him like a lost puppy. 

But this wonderful view does not remain for long, because you turn around against his command and want to crawl away from him.

You want to get away from the man who used you as a toy for his desires. You feel disgusting, used. But again, you have to admit to yourself that you’re stupid, for just following your will.

Suddenly you feel an arm wrap around your waist and jerk you backward. As if you are smashed against a wall, your body lands on Ushijima’s chest. “Where are you going huh?” His husky voice is dangerously close to your ear as you feel his hand crawling under the silk coat and caressing the outline of your body.

“Oh? You don’t think that satisfies me, do you? Oikawa has a lot of debts. You’re husband and wife, so it’s your debt too. So if he can’t pay the debt, I guess you’ll have to take them over.” He adds indifferently as he pins you down on the bed, his chest still on your back so that you are prevented from fleeing. “Please, I don’t want to, I’m scared.” You sniff under him and keep squeezing your legs together, afraid of what’s about to happen to you.

“Don’t be scared, baby girl. I’ll make it fit.” It’s not just the gun you feel cold on your spine. No, you also feel Ushijima’s stiff cock on your back, as it painfully reminds you that everything that happens now will be unpleasant.

You just hated Oikawa for not telling you about the debt and getting you into this situation, even though you still love him. But how could he do this to you? Just leave you to a mob boss who will do what he wants with you or shoot you if you don’t obey him.

You feel his legs on your inner thighs and how they spread them with force, so that Ushijima can get better access to your most sensitive body part. With pleasure, he licks his lips as he begins to knead your ass and slowly work his way up to your walls.

“No, please…” You whine when you feel his fingers on your skin as they try to break up your walls to get into your entrance. Calmly, he savors your soft skin as he goes up and down, exerting pressure on your clit to then get back to your entrance to check if you are getting wet by now.

But to his dismay, you’re not. You try to prevent your body from feeling good, which is not difficult for you, as you are forced to do so, and besides this man is not someone you love. “How unsatisfying.” He just hisses displeased, takes his hand off you, and lifts his chest slightly, so that you take the opportunity to tear yourself away from him and crawl away.

In vain, because aggressively he pins you back on the bed now fully in rage, and constricts the air to breathe away, from behind. It’s almost as if he knows exactly when your lungs are starting to hurt and your vision becomes unclear when he reduces the pressure on your neck and after a few seconds his big hand loops around your tender neck like a snake. 

“Now I’ve had enough of you! I’ve told you I’m good to you as long as you follow my orders but apparently I have to show you where your place is!” He calls to you angry and presses with force his rock hard, massive cock into your dry entrance.

“Ahhh stop!” You scream in pain as you feel this thing aggressively getting in and making everything in you pound. Everything in you burns, contracts, pulsates, and hurts extremely. You have the feeling that he tears your womb into pieces and senses an unpleasant wet feeling spreading between your legs.

You know it’s not your juices, rather your blood, which promotes Ushijimas movements and helps him to penetrate deeper and more aggressively.

"Look what we did to you, if you’d listened to me, this would have been different.” You hear his strained voice behind you, as it makes you understand that here you are nothing but just a toy for him, which should obey him.

And you have to admit that if you want to get out of here alive with no pain, no visible wounds, you have to do what he tells you to do. Crying, you admit that your body is being used by a man other than your husband.

“You do it well, don’t fight back baby girl.” He praises you as his movements get sloppy and he pulls his cock out of you to spread his warm cum on your back. He proudly looks at his masterpiece before he takes a handkerchief from the nightstand and cleans himself.

Relief draws your face. While all of this seems to be over for today, even if everything in your body continues to hurt. Yet you remain anxiously lying down, as you do not dare to move and be used again by him.

But to your astonishment, you feel incredibly soft, warm lips on your shoulder blade lingering lovingly for a moment before they let go of you just to then caress your arm afterward. “You know, it doesn’t have to be like this if you don’t fight back.”, “Leave me alone!” Your voice is dull under the blanket.

“Well… until then Y/n.” One last time you feel his warm lips on your arm, as only a few seconds later you hear the door closing. Irritated, you turn around, only to find out that Ushijima is no longer there.

Deep breathing, straightening up, you pull your legs closer to your upper body and bury your head inside them.

“You know, Wakatoshi is actually a very great man.” All of a sudden you hear a voice that strangely gives you a sense of security, followed by a soft, slightly damp towel that gently moves over your back. 

With your eyes still slightly closed, you look aside to find Tendou looking at you with a wide smile and cleaning your body without even looking at your most feminine parts.

“You should be grateful he found something in you. Normally, he would take pieces of body parts from you. First a strand of hair, a finger, your tongue… Something every day until Oikawa pays his debts. But you seem to be an exception here. So don’t blame him for your husband getting you into this.” Even though his words are anything but reassuring, it is his look and tenderness with which he helps you get up into the bathroom.

"Do you understand how good he is? He lets you sleep here in a great room instead of locking you down in the dark basement. So be a good girl and listen to your new friend Tendou." He whispers in your ear with a slim grin, just before he leaves the room.

Still shaking, you let the warm water splash over your body, trying somehow to wash yourself clean and think about Tendou’s words. Somehow he is right, after all, it’s not Ushijimas fault. Oikawa is the one who lied to you, not him. Still, he didn’t treat you very kindly.

Completely torn back and forth, you go back to the bedroom, where Tendou has already re-made the bed and waits for you with a drink. “What is this, Tendou?” You ask him confused while he reaches out to you.

“Just a tea, that makes you sleep well.” He smiles and waits for you to drink the delicious-tasting tea. “Lie down, I’ll see you tomorrow.” With these words, he says goodbye and leaves you alone in the room.

You notice how your eyes get heavier, your thoughts blurred and how you suddenly collapse on the bed and fall asleep.

The next few weeks are just like your first day here. You don’t know if Ushijima enters the room every day to sleep with you or if he does it several times a day or just every few days because you don’t have a sense of time anymore.

No matter how many times you have to think of Tendou’s words, in the end, you try to defend yourself, and again everything hurts in retrospect. However, you hate your husband every day more for what he did to you and therefore feel increasingly connected to Ushijima.

It’s probably also Tendou’s words that subconsciously manipulate you. How precious you are to Ushijima. That everyone can see it and you will see and understand it as well when you finally give yourself to him.

Forget your scheming husband, who abandoned you. 'Cause, only Ushijima would be the man to please and protect you. 

Yes, it was Tendous words… Because the last time Ushijima sleeps with you, you notice how your body builds up less resistance. Ushijima knows it won’t take long before he owns you until you belong to him and not Oikawa.

Today you wear his favorite lingerie, the one in which he likes you in so much, in which he looks at you hungrily.

You’re just waiting for Ushijima to enter the room and do what he usually does to you. And when he finally enters the room, undressing wordlessly, as you go straight to your knees without resistance to take his cock in your mouth, he knows exactly that he has broken your will.

A barely visible grin draws the corner of his mouth before he approaches you and looks down into your eyes from above. “Get up. Not today.” Are the only words that come out of him while you look at him puzzled when he pulls you up by your hair. “Come with me.” He adds and points to the door, where you have asked yourself until now where this leads only to find out that this guides exactly to his bedroom.

A huge room with ground-level windows that provide a view of the snow-covered forest and a frozen river illuminate the room in an almost romantic atmosphere. It looks like the sun is about to set because the darkness is slowly coming out.

In the room is expensive furniture, a huge king-size bed, with gray-golden silk sheets. It looks so incredibly soft and the rest of the room just leaves you amazed, standing on a spot, until you feel a hand on your back moving you towards the bed.

You can feel his cold fingertips skilfully opening your bra and sliding down to the floor along your body, followed by your panties kissing the floor just seconds later. With a push, he shoves you onto his bed, which catches your body with ease and looks at you with fiery eyes.

“What do you think? Do we need it today?” His lust-filled voice resounds as he holds his cold weapon against your nipple and stares at you as he slowly strolls down to your entrance with the weapon and lingers there.

A feeling that you previously only knew at Oikawa, spreads within you. You sense the area between your legs getting wet from the cold metal, from Ushijima’s look when you pinch them together and a shudder runs along your spine.

With glowing cheeks you playfully bite your lower lip and shake your head embarrassed, your eyes focused on Ushijima’s. You don’t miss his quiet laughter when he looks into your beautiful, scattered face and knows exactly that you squeeze your legs together because you are only excited by the touch of his weapon.

That’s exactly what he wants to see, his baby girl begging for him and his cock, which only wants him and no one else. Not even her beloved husband Oikawa. Without you having to touch his cock, it grows along with the thought of making you his woman.

He would have liked to see Oikawa’s face when his beloved wife knelt for his rival without resistance, only to suck on his cock and milk him. But it is even better to know that you got involved with Ushijima, that you understand that you are his and he can take care of you much better than Oikawa.

He proudly puts the gun on his nightstand and pulls you by your legs to the edge of the bed to suck fervently on the inside of your thighs, to kiss them, and to work himself down to your entrance. 

His touches are like a drug for you, you can’t and won’t get enough of them. From these kisses that tell you he’s proud to have you. When you feel his breath on your wet walls, you shrug briefly and tilt your pelvis down. “Ushijima, that feels so good.” You moan softly and tilt your head backward as you startle with a slap on your sensitive walls.

“Ah, ah… Are you trying to be naughty again? Have you forgotten what to call me?” He hisses in a husky voice as his olive eyes come up between your legs and stare at you. “D- Daddy… Sorry, daddy…” you correct yourself and wait for the praise of Ushijima. “That’s my good baby girl.” He answers you with a grin and turns back to your walls.

His eyes are on your face as he circles his fingers around your entrance, slowly enveloping them with your juice, and watching you groan with the feeling of having his index and ring finger in you, the thumb on your clit to give you a benevolent feeling there as well.

“Daddy you’re so good to me!” You groan as you feel his fingers explore your walls and bend to meet exactly the right spot. How your cheeks gain even more warmth, your nipples become stiff and your body moves willingly, drives him crazy.

He still moves his fingers in you before he replaces his thumb with his lips and sucks on your clit, licks over it, blows against it, and starts sucking it again. “Come for me baby girl.” His voice vibrates on your skin as you feel the knot loosen inside you, your legs start to shake while squeezing his head, and your eyes roll backward. “Damn it, daddy I’m coming.” You groan as you push your pelvis further to Ushijima and cover his lips with your juice.

Without changing his expressions, he licks your delicious juice off your lips and pulls his fingers out of you just to leave a bitter void in you. He carefully inspects his fingers, which shine in the yellowish light of the lamp, and looks down at you as you lie out of breath with an open mouth in front of him, legs still shaking, beautiful for him to look at. 

“Suck on them, clean them up! Do what your daddy tells you to do.” You can feel his deep voice on your neck and how he puts his fingers in your mouth. Reflexively, you seek contact with his eyes as you begin to wrap your tongue around his fingers and suck loudly at them.

His gaze is razor-sharp as his olive-colored eyes look at you and enjoy the sight. “Tell me, baby girl, do you want my cock in you? Do you deserve it?” He wants to know from you while his fingers leave your mouth with a loud plop.

"Yes daddy, please give me your cock!" You’re begging him. This desire to absorb his length fully in you is so huge. Which only makes Ushijima happier, and makes him enter inside you piece by piece. 

Unlike the weeks before, he is so careful and gentle, making sure you don’t have any pain. "Nnngh…" You groan as you feel every vein of its length painfully spreading your inner walls. But the pain is different than usual, it is pleasant in an odd way. 

"Are you in pain baby girl? Shall I stop?" he asks rhetorically because he knows you don’t want him to leave a void in you again. 

"No, please! I want to feel your whole dick in my cunt daddy!" You say weeping and reach for his upper arms to stop him from going away from you.

Lovingly his arms wrap around your waist and pull you up so that he can get your delicate body just with one arm, holding you in the air, while his cock enters deeper into you. 

A prick spreads in your abdomen while you pinch your eyes together and bite your lip. "Nngh daddy your dick is too big…", "Oh? Too big for my pretty baby girl huh?" Interrupts his deep voice, just before he lays you gently on the bed and then squats in front of your entrance.

He gently caresses your legs before he spreads them with a little pressure, lifts them with his hands at your ankles, and presses his body against them to enter you with a loud murmur. 

Through this new angle, and by opening your legs so wide, his cock can enter you much more easily. He needs a few thrusts until his dick is wrapped in your juice and smoothly kisses your inner walls. 

With slim eyes he watches you as your breasts move up and down, his limb sinks into your sweet pussy, you lay awkwardly under him, not knowing where to put your body and the lustful feelings that want to get out of you. A sight that satisfies him incredibly and makes his member twitch in you. "Look, you are such a beautiful baby girl for me."

Even if you think it’s great that Ushijima praises you so much and gently touches your body, you want him to get rough and aggressive again. Because strangely enough, you have to admit that you find his rough nature as attractive and masculine and how he controls you.

"Ahh I want everything from you, show me you’re my strong daddy." You whine while tilting your head backward. "Oh? You want me to be rough with you? Well…" You hear his astonished deep voice as he begins to enter you faster and deeper.

"Nnngh so good, so good." You groan loudly at his sloppy, more aggressive thrusts, and feel his balls clap against your skin at every thrust. 

"Tell me how good it feels to have my dick inside of you Y/n." his husky voice sounds through the room, accompanied by the damp sound of your skin coming together. 

"So good daddy! Your massive cock feels so good in me, there’s no one who can fill me as perfectly as you!" You purr and push your pelvis deeper into the duvet to feel his limb even better in you.

With each powerful thrust, he hits just the right spot in you that takes you to the edge of your climax. 

"I wonder what he'd do if he knew you were with me right now." With a lustful look, he faces you while these words leave his mouth.

For a moment your eyes widen in panic because you have completely forgotten your husband. But what kind of husband is he, if he leaves you alone for weeks. 

"Tell me, baby girl, what would you do if he knew that you were with me and so willingly give yourself into me? Admitting that only I can really satisfy your needs, huh?" Hungry, his hand wanders from your ankle down to your neck and presses it lightly.

His big hand adorns your neck so beautifully. This feeling of power that is spreading within him, leads him to distribute his load within you soon. “I… don’t know…” You answer him, torn back and forth, since you would never want to see how broken and hurt Oikawa would be if he saw you with another man. But on the other hand, he abandoned you, lied to you, and Ushijima was the one who cared for you and didn’t kill you for the debts Oikawa has on him.

“I don’t think Oikawa would be so happy to see us here, huh? The way you so wonderfully wrap and squeeze around my cock. That feels so good baby girl. So tell me, who makes you happy? Who can make you orgasm?” He wants to know while he’s fucking your brains out.

You don’t know what to say anymore, you just know that your whole body is burning with lust, that this knot that has newly formed is tightening up harder as you know exactly that you will come any moment.

“Who, give me the name that makes you happy! I won’t let you come before you answer me.” Demands Ushijima, when even before he can finish his sentence you call his name. “Ushijima!”, “The whole name!” he orders again while slapping your breast, and again his name comes out under your trembling voice. “Ushijima Wakatoshi!” you cry out. 

“My name sounds so wonderful when you say it so needy. I’m going to shoot my cum so deep into your womb that you’re carrying my fucking kid Y/n Oikawa, or should I call you Y/n Ushijima from now on?” His voice is also getting throaty as his movements get harder so that you can’t hold back your voice any longer. 

Your walls contract and the knot in you, just like your mouth loosens and makes you roll your eyes backward in an incredibly benevolent desire.��Haaah Ushijima! I’m coming!” 

“Come for your daddy baby girl!” He growls almost animalistic as he accelerates his movements and presses his thick sperm into you with a loud moan. Out of breath, he collapses on you, his cock still twitches in you and remains there, so that his sperm stays in you.

Sweat drips down his temple, his skin sticks to yours, as you feel his breath loud and restless in the crook of your neck. The room, which had smelled so fresh earlier, now smells of sweat and sperm.

You feel so good with his warm body on top of you, his soft hair tickling your neck, and the loving kisses he spreads on your body while leaving little hickeys, to mark you as his.

But what you don’t notice is that Tendou, Semi, and especially Oikawa are standing in the door frame. Broken, his face dressed in tears he looks at you. His mouth glued with tape he tries to pull himself out of the clutches of the two men holding him. To get to you, to his most beloved precious wife, to tear you away from this monster. In vain.

But unlike you, Ushijima knew that Oikawa had been standing in the door for several minutes and watched him fuck his beloved woman. Taking the most important thing in his life will pay off any debt he owes. Having such a beautiful woman by his side is better than any money he can get.

“Get him down to the basement... and take the ring off of him. Because there’s no husband and wife Oikawa anymore. Y/n belongs to me… You’ll be a Ushijima soon.” His cold voice lies in the air as he reaches for your hand, pulls off the ring, and kisses you on the now-empty ring spot, his olive-colored eyes fixed on yours the whole time.

For a moment, you think you need to cry now that you know Oikawa’s heart has been shattered into thousands of pieces. However, these tears do not come. Without even looking at him, Oikawa is taken away by the men. 

Lost in your thoughts, you rub your thumb over the empty ring spot. But even before you can think about anything, Ushijima’s fingers make sure that you look him directly into the suddenly so warm eyes. 

“Y/n… You don’t have to be afraid anymore. No one will touch or hurt you, I’ll make sure of it. You belong with me now, my pretty baby girl.” His last words are so quiet that you can hardly understand them before he bends forward to give you a warm kiss that is full of love and passion, for the first time. “My pretty girl.” 

You don’t know if you would feel guilty if you looked Oikawa in the eye, or hate, or even feel nothing. But you know one thing…

You’re not Y/n Oikawa anymore.

[kingnegan07]

The Devil Dressed in Leather - Chapter One

🔞Blood, Knives and Belts

Warnings

Smut, violence, swearing, knife play, dom, sub, bdsm, spanking, Negan

----

Negan the man with all the power. Whether it's making you weak at the knees or red with anger he will certainly deliver. Just as he expects you to. Very few don't regret messing with the man.

There's a few lines you just don't cross with him. First and foremost you don't touch what belongs to him without permission.

Let me tell you what happens if you do...

As the sun reaches his window he is awaken by the light coming through the glass panes. Today is collection day. His eyes flutter open and slowly adjust to the new lighting of the room. He sits up on the side of his bed running a hand through his hair. Smiling over his shoulder at the clothes thrown into a pile on the floor, his belt still tied to one of the bed posts and the bed sheets still messy being the only reminders of what happened the night before. One of the "wives" wanted to make sure he woke up in a good mood for collection day. She most certainly completed her mission. Standing up, the sun shining around him showing the toned muscles of his body as he heads to the bathroom.

Once inside he begins to run the shower as he stands brushing his teeth looking at himself in the mirror. Once he was finished with brushing his teeth the shower was warm enough. As he steps inside, his muscles relax as the warm water hits him, dribbling down from his chest down towards his perfectly visable v-line.

He let's out a small sigh as he allows the warm water to hit his back. He lets the memories of last night flood over him.

*Smut Warning*

The smaller body beneath submissive to all his power, asking for as much as he could possibly give her, without breaking her. Her cries of pleasure, the sound of her calling his name as he gave her the high she craved, the feeling of her wrapping around him, squeezing him. Then of course the feeling of his own high, the twitching as she contracted around him, then finally the last thrust and the push over the edge.

He smiles as he opens his eyes again feeling that lustful feeling in his lower stomach. His hand going to his semi-hard length. He trails a single finger down it, before grasping the the base loosely and guiding his hand back up his length to the tip. He brushes his thumb gently over the head as he imagines her tongue flicking over it. The look of admiration in her eyes as she gets to take him into her throat.

His eyes close again as he begins to stroke himself. His hand speeding up as she gains more confident with him in her mouth. You could see the bulge in her throat as she took the courage to try and take all of him into her. His hand holding her still for a moment until her eyes begin to water, begging for oxygen to be supplied to her lungs once again. He released her from him letting her suck in that precious oxygen. Then that sparkle in her eyes as he praises her.

Opening his eyes again he allows his hand to pump over his length faster. His breath hitching slightly as it hits a sensitive spot. Veins clearly visible from the hardness in his hand. As the feeling of that high gets inevitably closer he leans one hand on the wall, holding his body up as he loses rhythm in his hand and his member begins to twitch. He grunts as his the white rope spills from the tip onto the wall and floor in front of him. He lazily strokes himself for a little while longer until he is satisfied that every last drop is out.

*End of Smut*

As he body calms down from his release he returns his attention to cleaning himself. Starting with his hair then his body. Once content with his cleanliness he steps out of the shower wrapping a towel around his waist. He dries off his hail and slicks it back. Drying off the rest if his body he heads back into the bedroom. Collecting the puddle of clothes he throws them into the laundry bin along with the towel.

He then collects some fresh clothes from the draw slipping into them. Before returning to the bed to untie his belt and thread it through the loops of his trousers. After donning his leather jacket and red scarf he collects his beloved Lucille from the table and heads out to the trucks, expecting his men to waiting for his arrival before heading out. He finds exactly that, kneeling as he exits the building. Waving his hand in a circular motion, in the air, signifying for them to stand and get ready. He heads to his truck as the men all hurriedly file into the trucks. He leads the way out of the Sanctuary and towards the waiting community.

It was radio silence until he told his men that they were nearly there. Shortly arriving at the community he brings the truck to a halt. Grabbing Lucille on his way out he approached the gates, which opened before he got a chance to knock. He smirks as the gates rolled out of the way to reveal the leader of the community on the other side.

"Oh good you lazy asses are up. Hopefully I didn't disrupt a few early morning fucks." he chuckles and heads straight past the the man in front of him.

"There better be some good shit for me this week" the men followed behind him heading towards different houses.

"What are they doing? Your stuff is here" the man points to the spot.

Negan turned on his heels and tilted his head.

"Who the fuck do you think you're talking too? And I would especially keep your mouth fucking shut when my men are in there with your people. Who knows what would happen if I said a few little words. I not taking the shit you can spare I taking the shit I want, especially with your underpayment last time." you could see the jaw of the leader tighten but Negan's words were stern enough that he kept his mouth shut.

"Good boy" he shook his head and turned around heading straight between the rows of houses.

There's one in particular he just had to visit. He smiled as he arrived outside of it, walking up to the door he opened it only to hear a commotion from upstairs. His eyes squint as he let the door shut slowly so it couldn't be heard. He headed upstairs as quickly but as silently as he could. The commotion turning into the voices.

"What the fuck do you think your doing?" he could hear a woman's voice.

"Collectin' Negan's stuff what ya think?" his tone mocking her.

"I could do more if ya want" Now at the top of the stairs he could clearly see the man reach for the woman and as his hand touched her. Her eyes looked with Negan's.

"What the actual fuck!" the man jumping out of his skin at sound of Negan behind him. He mumbles out incoherent sounds, trying to figure out some sort of excuse.

"Don't you fucking dare try to bullshit me you piece of crap" Negan grabbed the weak bicep of the man and dragged him out of the building. Her eyes seemed reluctant but her body followed behind him. There was more people outside on the streets as his men are dragging things out of the houses. Everyone turns their attention to Negan as he throws the man on to the ground in the middle of the street.

"So you think touching her is getting my shit? You grimy piece of shit." he growled his hand on Lucille tightened impossible tight around the warm wood.

"You want to question my leadership, my standards, you want to half ass this shit and not give me what I simply ask for in return of protection" at this point his eyes were making it over the crowd that formed.

"then let this be a lesson to all you fucks." the man was shivering below him. As Negan stepped away to hand Simon Lucille, he made his way back towards him unshiefing his knife.

"The next person who fucking dare tries to touch what belongs to me without my permission better be fucking prepared for what faces you" his head turning to make eye contact with the woman her cheeks burning red at the mention of her belonging to him. Turning back to the man begging him to spare him.

His blade drives right into the centre of the man's stomach, blood pooling out of the wound as he splutters cries of pain as his own blood fills his throat. The knife is pulled from the stomach with a slight twist of the blade. As he pulls it the blood splatters up onto his clothing, dots of blood trailing up his neck. He could her whispers, shocked sighs and some people even crying.

"Next time you don't think I'm holding up my end of the deal remember this moment. The moment you all watched me driving my knife into my own man because he touched one of you the wrong way." this time he drives the knife into the mans heart ending his gurgling cries as his body turns limp. He can feel the resistance of a rib as he attempts to turn the knife. Giving up he pulls it, blood spraying again this time onto the pavement and his legs. As he stands up straight his knife dripping with the crimson liquid.

"Someone clean this fucking mess up" he bent down and cleaned his blade before returning it to where it belonged. Walking back over to Simon he grabbed Lucille and nodded at him, who nodded back. Walking past the crowd he headed back into her house. She followed swiftly behind him.

"Negan" she spoke up as she entered the house. He turned to face her, smirking he stepped forward shutting the door behind her, she began to back up until her back was pinned against the door with Negan in front of her.

"I... I just wanted to say t...thank you" she bowed her head peeling her eyes away from his only for her head to be tilted up by his finger under her chin.

"Don't thank me for my protection, beautiful" you could see that spark ignite in her eyes. Which only caused him to grin.

"Just answer me this one question. You loved it when I called you mine didn't you?" his voice low as he leant in and placed a small kiss to her neck. Her hand rising to thread her finger through his hair, sighing as his lips traversed across her skin. He nibbles at that sweet spot just below her left ear.

"Negan..." she gasps as he bites down harder. She quickly corrects herself and he lifts her up, she instantly wraps her legs around him.

"...Sir, I did, I really did" he smirks against her neck.

*Smut Warning*

"Good girl" he carries her up the stairs to the bedroom. Her hand trailing down from his shoulder and across his back. He continued to teases his tongue across her neck until he got to the bed laying her down on it. She watched him carefully waiting to see what he'll ask her next.

"Strip. Slowly put on a show for me" she nods and obeys his order. Raising from the bed he moves to take a seat so he could watch her. Her hands travelled down her sides moving with the curves of her body until she reached the bottom of her t-shirt. She slowly lifted the t-shirt from her teasing him of what he's missed. His hands removed his jacket and scarf before being placed behind him as his eyes remained on her body. The bulge starting to form as he became harder.

She dropped the t-shirt behind her before her hands make their way to the waist band of her blue denim shorts. Her hand gliding along until it could unbutton and unzip them slowly. She watched him watch her as he chewed on his lower lip. She gave him what he wanted and pushed the shorts down. Kicking them off her feet so she stood in front of him in just her underwear. You could see the clear lust in both their eyes. His eyes seemed to just consume her body as his hand ran over his length in discomfort as it strained against the fabric of his jeans.

"Sir.." she whispered answered with a hum from his lips. "finish undressing me, please"

"As you wish, my kitten" he stood, instantly towering over her. He reached for her hips and turned them so they both switched positions with that he pushed her onto the bed. Reaching for his knife that he had just used. He reached down and glided it over her thigh. Her breath hitched and her body reacted to him. He quickly placed his other hand to her stomach.

"Easy darling, I'm not going to hurt you. Unless that is what you want" he smirked and she nodded trying to relax her body against the metal touching her skin. He slide the blade gently over her skin not cutting her until he slipped it under the fabric of her panties.

"You won't be needing these, kitten" with that he turned the blade in his hand pulling the fabric until he cut clean through. The fabric loosened from around her hips, he pulled the fabric away to reveal her glistening core. Throwing the fabric to the side he glided the knife up her stomach. With his other hand he brushes his thumb over her folds.

"Mmm, so wet already, kitten" he chews on his bottom lip again as she squirms a little bit under him. The blade arrives at the centre of her bra between her breasts. He slides the knife under the fabric once more repeating his action so the fabric split in half. Putting the knife away he allowed her to remove her straps throwing it to the side. As he pulled his t-shirt off his body. She moved so she was sat on the edge of the bed in level with the now extremely prominent bulge that had formed.

"Sir..." before she could ask what she wanted he interrupted her.

"Take it out, kitten" she nods and does what he asked. She reaches up and undoes his belt and jeans all while glancing up at him watching her every move. Eventually she could push them along with his boxers enough for his length to spring free. She smiled up at him and took ahold of the base of his length and placing a gentle kiss to the tip. He growled low and reached for her hair grip it roughly as she slid the tip slowly into the warmth of her mouth.

"Mm, fuck, kitten. Stop." he pulled her head back away from him "As much as I love my cock down your throat. Right now I need to give your pussy what it needs" She just nodded and moved back onto the bed laying in front of him. He smirked eyeing over her body, he reaches down and pulls his belt from the loops. He pushes his jeans the rest of the way down and kicks them off.

"Turn around and get on your knees with your hands behind your back" she obeys, quickly following his orders. She turns onto her stomach, shuffling herself so she was on her knees with her ass up in the air. He brings the belt down on her left ass cheek as she whimpers into the covers, his hand brushing over the red mark that had formed. He reaches down and wraps the belt around her wrists making sure it was tight enough that she wouldn't be able to get out of it. He kneels on the bed behind her and reaches down to brush her hair out of her face.

"Your going to be a good girl and take everyfuckingthing I give you, yes?" she whimpers as he brushes his tip against her folds and she nods slowly to respond to him. He smacks her ass roughly.

"No. You fucking answer me when I ask you something."

Y..yes s...sir"

"Good girl" he pushes his head inside her entrance, groaning at the feeling of her walls wrapping around his member. He could feel her stretching around him. She moans and closes her eyes tightly at the feeling of him entering her. He grips her wrists with one hand and her hip with the other as he continues to push himself into her. He kept going until he was pressed against her, he could feel her arms tensing as her hand balled into fist and her eyes watering as he stretches her to the brim.

"Look at you taking my cock like a good girl" he squeezes her ass and starts to pull himself from her only to thrust sharply back into her. She moans loudly into the bed as he sets his rough pace. His grip on her hands tighten, alongside his jaw and his grip on her hip.

"Sir... Fuck" her words split up by each thrust. He repositions himself so that he could thrust into her at a new angle. She moans out his name as the new angle causes him to hit her g-spot with each thrust. He brings his hand down hard on her ass again causing her to whimper into the sheet below.

"I'm...so...close...sir" she moans as his speed increases.

"That's it, kitten. Cum for me. Tighten that pussy around my cock" she didn't have time to respond as her eyes roll back and she clamps around his pulsing length.

"Fucking hell, kitten" he squeezes her ass roughly as she slowly returns back to reality, her knuckles white from how hard she was gripping her fists.

"Cum..inside..me..sir...please" she whispers as she begins to feel him twitch against her walls. He pulls her back so her back was against his chest, his hand goes from her hip to her neck, pushing her head back onto his shoulder. The new angle reaching places she didn't know she had. His hand grasps her neck tightly cutting her airflow. She gasps as her second wave flows over but this time she has the feeling of his release. His seed shooting deep inside her, he bites down harshly on her shoulder as the pleasure swallows his body.

"Mm, fuck, kitten" he lets her go and she falls to the bed breathing heavily as she tries to regain her breath. He slowly pulls his length from her, some juices instantly spilling from her. He reaches for her wrists undoing the belt from her. He slowly gets to his feet before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. She moves so she could be leant up against him. He brushes his fingers gently of her skin, he takes a moment and peers down at his watch.

*End of Smut*

"Well shit, kitten I've got to go" she groans at the mention of leaving.

"But, Negan,"

"I have to, kitten. You know being the leader and that" she reluctantly moves off him so he could get dressed. She watches him rubbing over her wrists.

"Don't forget to take a pill" he says as he shrugs on his jacket and place shis scarf back on. She stands up taking a hold of the lapels of his jacket pulling him into a kiss. His arm wraps around her waist pulling her body against him, she sighs into the kiss until he breaks.

"I'll be thinking of you, sir" she smiles at him.

"I count on it, kitten. Now be good until I return." she nods in agreement

"You wouldn't want punishment now. Besides I have something in mind for next time. You won't be able say no."

"Of course not, Sir" he smiles at her response as the say their byes. He heads back down the stairs picking up Lucille as he goes. Once he exits the building and collects his men and the stuff they've collected. He waves the leader off and heads back to the Sanctuary.

[saturatedboy]

The Paw of a Lion (Ethan!Winters x Karl!Heisenberg)

This can be found on my AO3 page (Use title name)

Word count: 4.5K

Chapter 2 is below cut

The car journey had been rather unpleasant much to Mr Winter’s taste. He normally wasn’t picky but the scent on the car was hurting him and making him feel slightly sick in the stomach. Was he still panic-stricken? He stared down at Rose in his arms, fast asleep with a monkey toy in her clutch. No. He wouldn’t let himself be scared after the car wreckage he went through, instead he’d brushed it off as simple homesickness since the new home was in a neighbourhood filled with those who he was sure to ‘get along’ with well. ‘We will be home soon Rose.’ The blonde thought, turning his direction of gaze to stare at the passing trees. “How long left?” The question slipped through his lips, waiting for an answer off one of the agents that had taken the unoccupied seats around him. Luckily for him, he got the window seat and he did feel a little smug about it.

“There in 5 minutes Mr Winters.” The driver replied, adjusting the mirror at the front to get a better look at the apparent ‘bio weapon’ that was sitting in his car. Ethan looked to be just a normal guy with a daughter, there was no physical difference to him than any other ordinary guy. Well- except from the fact there was scars littering his body on his arms mostly, and the loss of his fingers.

Clicking his tongue and wetting his lips, Ethan sighed and leaned his head against the window having the same sickness feeling wash over him. He just wanted out, to feel fresh air and the ground and to hear something else than the music the agents were playing. Fortunately for him, the rest of the journey was swift and soon the car had rounded off in between trees that had a large dirt road leading further into the mass of woods that seemed to appear as he was just about to doze off. Having a spiked interest in the change of scenery, Ethan pushed himself of the window and looked about. Tall trees hung overhead, turning their leaves into a range of the sunset colours with small flowers blooming and dying mixed together in the grass that settled among the sides of the track the car was driving on. It looked, dare he say, peaceful. How ironic, having a bunch of bio weapons staying in a peaceful area. This was sure to be no peaceful stay if he was going to be surrounded with neighbours off different kinds.

Driving down the path had led them into a circled area, with buildings surrounding the outside edge. The car drove clockwise around the circle, Ethan looking towards the middle the whole way. There appeared to be a small park area settled there Ethan had guessed in the middle of the whole site. It held three benches, a small climbing frame as well as a set of swings. ‘I’m sure the Dimitrescu daughters will enjoy there,’ The father had thought, looking down at Rose with a smile taking hold of his lips. “And I’m sure you will too when you’re a little older.” Luckily no one heard him talk to his dear daughter as the music was still playing, loudly.

Placing his sight back onto the buildings, he saw a mixture of them. There appeared to be 5 houses in total, and he had a fair guessed of whose house was who. The first house was a very large one, elegantly painted in white with a very tall front door. The place had pillars outside it and it seemed to have a total of three floors. At the top there was a balcony that looked to reach around the whole house. Driving past it, Ethan could see the three daughters and their mother stepping out of the car, Bella being the first to run straight into the home.

The next house was a bungalow, making the house to its left (from Ethan’s view) more towering than it seemed. The house was simple, having brick walls and small round windows. What made the place stand out on its own was the moat that built around it. A fucking moat. “Moreau house,” Ethan mumbled, a small strike of cold shifting down his spine at the thought of when he had to fight him and how the other would be constantly throwing up. Unpleasant memories to put it.

The next house, this was the centre house that was splitting the 5 houses, was a really nice modern blue house, having two floors and a porch. The car had stopped right In front of the front porch and the agents had begun to move out of the car after it was securely parked. “Hey Rose,” Ethan whispered down to his once sleeping daughter, awaken at the call of her name and her father's voice. With grabby hands and a tired smile, she reached out to take hold of her father in any way, shape or form. Carefully unwrapping her from his coat, Ethan took his daughter into his arms and reached to open his door only to have an agent open it for him. He stepped out, nodding a thanks in return and looked towards what appears to be their new home. “Look Rosie, this is out new home. You like the baby blue hm?” He asked, seeing his daughter babble random noises and have pleased eyes. Some on-looking agents that were travelling him had silently cooed at Rose’s reaction, looking towards one another with scrunched eyes and happy smirks on their faces. Placing her on his hips, Ethan walked up to the front porch and looked back to see the view. It wasn’t too bad...he could probably make a living of being here. Looking to his left, he looked towards the other two houses. A frustrated sigh left his lips.

The house to the left was two floors like his own, only difference being it had a garage connected to it and the windows were boarded up. “It seemed Mr Heisenberg doesn’t particularly like the light,” An agent pointed out to Ethan as they caught him staring.

“Makes sense.” Ethan replied back, looking towards the last house. The last house was also a bungalow; however, it had a garden with a fence surrounding it. The fence was a deep brown and the garden had a small tree already growing within its square. “I’m sure Lady Beneviento would be there every day.”

Hearing Rose’s babbling had Ethan brought Ethan to coo at his daughter, bringing her to nest smugly in his arms instead of his hip. Holding her close, Ethan walked up to his door and let the agents open it. Inside the home was fairly empty but he could've guessed that before even entering the place. “We will leave you be. Any supplies needed or anything changing just contact us on the home phone settled in the kitchen. You are not allowed to leave this area unless orders of Redfield have been given out. Welcome to you brand new home.” The agent who had been driving Ethan and his daughter there had spoken, signalling the other agents that had decided to walk in after Ethan back out of the house. Being quick to accept orders, they left Ethan to standing in the open hallway of his house. The car leaving was the last Ethan heard before accepting the silence of the new place.

“What do you think Rose, think we’ll like it here?” His eyes caught the stairway that led straight to the second floor on his right, with two doors on the left in his eye sight. More babbling came from Rose as she tried to give her father an answer which Ethan accepted with a laugh. “Yes, you are right my little cub. We should see what we are working with.”

It had been a total of three hours before Ethan had got himself comfortable in front of the television on the couch. It seemed the whole place was coated in the paint of blue and white. It was a fitting theme Ethan had thought, however he felt Rose’s room should maybe be painted a different colour. Maybe yellow, maybe green- he'll ask for paint when he needed to. So far, the father had discovered there was warm water, heater was working however it seemed to be on a timer, there was a master bedroom and a baby room right next door on the second floor, the kitchen had been stocked with what seemed to be a month worth of food and there was a living room along with a study room that was filled with books from his last home.

Last home.

He spent a while fixing that place up with his wife Mia...Ex-wife Mia. The place was their dream home, something they planned for a while into their marriage and they had finally got it, finally settled down-all for it to be taken away because of lies. Ethan had laid on his back, arm draped over his forehead as he looked up at the ceiling. The material of the couch under him felt perfect, he could doze of there and then but until he had a baby monitor, he wouldn't be sleeping downstairs until he knew he could be there for Rose in her need. Without realising it, the father had begun to voice out his thoughts to no one but the empty sound of his home.

“I wonder how she is- ha! What am I thinking? She’s going to hate the idea of a divorce. She should be thankful I even let her near our daughter after all this shit. She’s one lucky woman.” A ragged breath forcefully came out of his throat startling Ethan. Leaning up, legs sprawled on the other cushions of the couch, he lunched forward and began to cough into his right hand. Closing his eyes, he could feel a thick substance coat his hand as he coughed into it. Making sure he had his breathing under control, he cautiously opened his eyes to find black substance covering his hand. No- not substance. He knew exactly what it was.  Mold was covering his arm. “Oh, for fuck's sake,” He breathed out, swinging his legs so he could stand and go wash the substance off him.  

Whilst making his way to the kitchen at a brisk pace, it had appeared the Mold was growing further up his arm. Raising a brow and having a feel of sickness was over him again, he collided against the edge of the sink and began to turn the taps to run the water over his arm, watching as Mold fell into the drain below. Strange, the Mold wasn’t coming off his skin. It was like it was a part of his skin. Reaching for the wash cloth with his other hand, Ethan scrubbed hard against his skin seeing the Mold not disappearing any time soon. ”What the!” The exclaim that left his lips had him scarping the cloth against his skin, digging in with his nail and scratching away. Nothing. The black oozed more over until his full arm had become a midnight black. “No, no no no,” The words fell onto the deaf ears of the world around him as he collapsed to the floor, tap still rushing with gushing water and his back touching the cabinets that were sitting underneath.

The sickness that rotted over him fell deep into his stomach, twisting and playing with his intestines. A few dry coughs sent Ethan to feel a lot warmer than normal. He felt like the room he had settled in, the kitchen, had become as hot as the oven that was switched off. His sight became blurred, and the noise of his child was heard faintly in the back of his head. “Rose,” He breathed out, tears stinging his eyes as he let his head fall onto his shoulder. "I need to calm down Rose,” he told himself, as though the Mold covering him could understand him. He could feel it growing, taking his limbs into their own care and covering the skin of his with a protected layer of their own. Weirdly though, it seemed to only cover his arm and the top of his chest. Was this a good thing, or a bad thing? He didn’t know. He didn’t want to know. He just wanted to hold his young one, to make sure she knows she is safe.

The cries from the baby had increased, sounding more like a tantrum then just a sadness cry. Ethan pulled his legs to his stomach, trying to steady his breathing and clear his sight of the tears that leaked. It wasn’t till he felt the Mold settle down that he could finally move without feeling like spewing whatever food he last ate. Noticing the change of temperature around him, it being settled to a warm but slightly chilly feeling, he made a quick dash for the stairs that were in the open hallway. He moved swiftly on his feet, not wanting to take any chances of falling ill to the Mold before he could reach his crying Rose.

Scrambling up the stairs, Ethan had busted into his daughter room startling the child more than she appeared to be. “Aw no baby, I’m sorry,” He softly spoke, hurrying to pick her up out of a white crib she was nestled in and taking her into his arms. Being thoughtful with is movements, Ethan cradled her head with one hand and settled her body onto his other arm that was still covered in the Mold to keep support of her. “I’m sorry. Oh, baby papa is sorry. Shh, shh, It’s okay. We will be okay,” He repeated, cooing into his daughter’s ear to help her slow her own breathing. The small bounces he gave and the cradling movements of his body was luckily enough to help her stop crying, the odd sniffle taking out of her mouth instead. “There we go, we are okay. I’m sorry Rose. Shh, we will be okay.” Little Rose had held tightly onto her father’s clothing, smelling the familiar scent of him. She rested her own eyes, her cries making her tired then she had already been in the car and before. “That’s it,” Ethan whispered, “Just sleep my little cub. I’m here now, papa is here.” His voice had soothed her down greatly, the voice bringing her to sleep once more before she was drifted deeply off into her mind.

A dry cry came from Ethan’s mouth as he placed her back into her crib, pulling a blanket and pushing her money toy close to her sleeping body. He stood over her crib, watching the chest of his daughter fall and rise. She was at peace, something she so should always be at. Being a single father was going to hit Ethan hard, if he was down there dealing with the Mold then who knows what he could be dealing with next. He made a mental note to get baby monitors for every single room.

It had been another 4 hours before a knock had awoken Ethan from his lightly sleep. He groggily opened his eyes and looked around, seeing he was leaning his head on the kitchen table. Next to him was his laptop as well as a cup of what he guessed to be a now cold coffee, untouched either way. Checking his arm, the Mold had disappeared as he slept. It was after he placed Rose to sleep, he had come downstairs to turn the tap off and steal a book from his study to do some more research on engineering. He just wanted a normal life as soon as possible, the memories of his job at engineering brought great pleasure to his mind of living normally, a feeling he was already missing and it had just been over a day since he last felt like it.

Brushing a hand down his face and scuffing up his hair, Ethan pushed himself out from under the table and stood up, hearing his bones cracking the process. The feeling was great but the noise was uncomfortable to his ears. Hearing the knocking again, Ethan groaned loudly and exited his kitchen, still hearing the knocking. “What,” He groaned out loudly, the empty space of the hallway making his voice bounce about. The knocking had stopped for a second, only to repeat again. “Oh, go to Hell,” Ethan shouted, hearing the knocks stop for a second time. Smiling, Ethan made his way to his front door, hand placed around the handle. Just as he was about to pull the door open, the knocking once again started again. “I’m going to fucking kill you- Heisenberg what do you want?” Just as the blonde pulled the door, there stood the factory man with a bright smile and hand raised after his activities of knocking.

“Hey there papa, missed me much?” He amused, flashing a smile at the other. Ethan stood, hand still on his door handle looking down at the gruff man. His appearance looked worse than he last saw him at the meeting. He was now all sweaty with droplets pouring off him like a dripping tap, oil was staining his shirt he wore and his hands had become thick with saw dust. A sigh left Ethan’s lips as he moved himself o rest against his door frame.

“What you need?” Heisenberg blinked at Ethan, before whistling a tune. “If you not going to answer, I’ll be going, Goodbye Heisen-”

“Wait!” The voice from Heisenberg had stopped Ethan's movements of walking back inside. Hating himself for still wanting to feel kind to the other, Ethan looked back at the man who looked desperate to say something, a pleading stance of clasp hands looking up at Ethan had the father feeling a little weak.

“What?” He asked, waiting for Heisenberg's reply.  

“I was wondering...” He started, looking around him as though he didn’t want anyone to hear his next words, “That maybe we should start calling each other by our first names.” The request left Ethan speechless, he stood with furrowed brows trying to read the other. What exactly was he planning?

“First names? Now why would we need to do that?” Ethan crossed his arms over his chest, watching Heisenberg huff and look away.

“Because we are neighbours duh? Makes sense. Does it not.” Ethan would have smacked him if it wasn’t the fact he was somewhat right. Uncrossing his arms and rolling his eyes, Ethan nodded at Heisenberg.

“Alright then, what do I call you and the others?” Heisenberg had immediately brightened up, taking a brave move of turning around and sitting on the porch step.  

“Easy! You can call me Karl,” he said, pointing a hand at himself as he looked over his shoulder to see Ethan shutting the door behind himself. He waited for Ethan to sit, to which he had to pat the open space next to him for the father to do so. After Ethan had made himself comfortable with legs straight out In front of him and sat at an arm's length away from Heisenberg, the other had carried on. “Dimitrescu, you can call her super-mega bitch. Next is Moreau. Just call him ugly. And lastly is Beneviento. Just call her Donna because she is somewhat decent and call that wretched thing that moves and talks, sawdust.”  

Ethan had sniffled back a small chuckle at hearing Heisenberg talk. He’ll get the other’s names later, their proper names when he has the chance. “How about I call you the guy who carries a hammer to compensate for something else.” Heisenberg lightly gasp at Ethan’s words, looking over at him with an open mouth.

“How dare you,” He spoke, expressing his offensives to his words. Ethan couldn’t help but allow himself his release of a laugh, finding the moment rather...amusing to be with the factory man. “I would never take you to by a guy like that...to make jokes.” Heisenberg pulled out a cigar from his pants pocket, only to fetch in his other a lighter. Ethan watched as he lit it, suddenly being annoyed with the habit of seeing the man with one. Leaning over, Ethan plucked the cigar from the man's lips and threw it out on the dirt road in front of them. “Oi, what you do that for,” Heisenberg asked, pointing at his cigar a few meters in front of them.

“I have a child, no smoking in or even near my house.” The air around them both changed slightly, dark clouds overhead had slowly begun to invade the space of the blue that was once there. It seemed the sound around them had soon tried to settle in. “I do enjoy making jokes,” Ethan broke the starting silence between them, wanting to keep this conversation going before the upcoming rainfall would ruin it.

“You should act more like that then- seeing you all stuck up is worse than seeing the tree trunk try think of a new name for her new wine.” The older man groaned out, looking at the other once again.  

“I’m just being careful of my kid. I can’t let her be hurt again.”

“You can still be protective and let go of yourself.” The older flicked open the lighter that he had still had in his hand and placed it between them both. Ethan watched as the flame danced, standing at a reasonable height. “See, the flame is surrounded by the wind yet it will stay standing because it has the fuel to do so. Look, it even follows the movements of the world around it. You have the fuel to protect the squirt.” Heisenberg flicked the top of his lighter back down, stuffing it back into his pants pocket before turning back to the other with a small grin. “And you can still let loose. Even if the wind does pick up,” Heisenberg had moved rapidly, wrapping his arm around the young male’s shoulder and brought him into his side. “I’ll be there to shield it.”

Such words and non-thoughtful actions had brought Ethan to look down at his hands. He could feel the burn of his cheeks and the smile that was pulling on the edge of his lips to raise. This. This was weirdly nice, to know someone was there. But that’s what Mia, Redfield and many others had said to him before in the past. “Promise me,” Ethan breathed out, looking up at Karl. Karl raised a brow and tilted his head slightly.

“Promise what?”

“Promise you’ll always be there. And you can’t break that!” Ethan’s tone caught Karl off guard, to the point he had accidently shifted his arm off Ethan’s shoulder and let it fall to the wood just behind him. He swore he caught a glimpse of guilt flash over Ethan’s eyes before his pupils went back to staring at the darkness of his shades sitting comfortable against his eyes.

“Ethan,“ Karl swallowed deeply, noticed by his adman's apple jumping. He didn’t like promises. Never in his life did he have to promise something to someone else. This was big commitment. ‘Promises don’t break. Ethan trusts me to not break something’ he told himself before sighing into the cold air. Using the arm that was behind Ethan, he pulled it around and took Ethan’s chin into his hand. “I promise I’ll always be there. I’m your neighbour, you ain’t getting rid of me that easily.” He said, laughing as hr watched as dread appeared quickly on Ethan’s face.

“Oh great, looking forward to it,” Ethan had sarcastically said, smacking Karl’s hand away from his face but letting the smile dance across his face. “Thanks though, if you break it, I will not hesitate to ask ‘mega-bitch’ to be there for me.”

“Ey, I said I’ll be there. Anyway, I would do a so much better job than her,” Heisenberg said defensively, huffing and pouting that Ethan would go to her than him. “Just you watch,” He sneered, pointing at the Dimitrescu house in a violent manner, “I’ll be a whole lot better than her.”

Ethan placed his hand on the outstretch hand of the fourth lord, pushing it down gently so it rested between them both n the wooden planks beginning to stain from the rain gathered by the wind. He hadn’t realised he left his hand on top of Heisenberg’s as he spoke, however the other was ecstatic over the fact he felt his hand. “I won’t ask her then. Can’t believe I’m saying this but this your first step of gaining my trust that you want oh so badly,” Ethan teased, looking back to the world in front of them.

“You’ll see. I’ll gain more than just your trust.” Heisenberg peered down at their hands, making sure Ethan didn’t noticed and let out a soft happy hum. This was the first step, he would gain Ethan’s trust and then next, he would gain Ethan’s appreciation. For now, he was fine with this. He looked forward too, after tearing his gaze from their connected hands almost and watched as the rain droplets began to pick up.

“Well,” Ethan was the first to speak, standing up to his feet. Karl pouted at the loss of contact but also stood up, feeling excited on what the father would want to do next. “This has been fun. Now go home.” Or maybe not excited.

“Why? can't I hang here?” Karl pouted, trying to make Ethan feel guilty.  

“You want my trust? Go home and don’t make yourself sick. I suppose you can call me, seemingly they just give out numbers on paper without consent.” Ethan clicked his tongue in annoyance, he was sure Moreau had already tried calling him a total of 5 time today in the space of three house, trying to talk his way of how happy he was Ethan saved them all. If only he could block numbers on the rotary phone.

“Okay fine. But you owe me at least a 2 hour call.”

“You get 30 minutes and that’s it.”

“1 hour call.”

“Don’t push you luck...1 hour and 30 minutes and that’s it.” Karl did a mini-fist pump into the air and nodded eagerly. Ethan chuckled and looked away shaking his head watching as Karl tilted his hat down, a way of saying ‘bye’ to the other and made his way of the porch.

“Good talking with you Ethan! Can’t wait for tonight!” He hollered out over his shoulder as he made his way towards his own home, only turning around hallway to see that the Winter male had disappeared already into his home. Feeling very satisfied with his days' work, and it only being the first day, he looked down at his hand and held it in his other, trying to recreate the feeling of when Ethan had placed his hand on top of his.  

“I really am touched starved.” he said before walking straight into his front door.

[jumoonjae]

Right Through the Heart: Chapter 1

Pairings: Juyeon X Reader X Sunwoo

Genre: Action

Warnings: Violence

Word Count: 5408 Words

A/N: I've been working on this one for three months now, been stealing time between my work and home to do researches and stuffs. I was considering making this as a one shot at first, but since its too long and i'm still half way through it, i decided to break it into few parts. So here we go, my first 2021 fic. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Disclaimer: Image are not mine, credit to owner.

The sound of boisterous chattering and a series of screams and holler slowly awaking you from unconsciousness that soon after also awakening your every sense as you starting to feel the throbbing pain from the back of your head and the growing pain on your shoulder. With a painful grunt, you lift your head up to see your tied up hand with a squinted eyes as the old spotlight that was use to hang your body shine awfully bright on you. Your shoulder stretched upward painfully and your feet dangling a few feet from the ground, body swaying even with the slightest movement you made. You look around slowly to see the surrounding only to find yourself being hanged in the middle of a old, wrecked school gym, to your left there were a group of men, all armed playing cards, smoking and one of them notice your movement making you let out a sigh. You could see three of them approaching you from your peripheral view but didn’t bother to look back up because of the sore from your shoulder.

“Good morning sleepy head.” A voice rings clear and annoyingly close inside your ear and echoes around the empty gym silencing every soul inside the room. You force yourself to turn your head slowly towards him just to look at your opponent before planning anything. His assault riffle that was clutched loosely to his chest caught your attention first then his masked face, you could see his eyes scanning you and there’s two men that look quite like him standing behind him. You didn’t even bother to say anything to him but let your head hang low, chin touching your chest.

“I’m not the type of wasting my or your time. So i will ask and you will answer.” He commanded while his men starting to holler, whistling but you still didn’t respond to him, looking down as your focus was on the pain on your shoulder and the back of your head only. But then a sudden brutal impact hit your stomach making you let out a cry and it churns when your body suddenly falls to the ground falling knee first on the cold hard wooden floor, then the old spotlight came crashing down right in front of your eyes just a few inch from you and the broken pieces splatter around with some of it manage to hit you making you flinch slightly. Like it was a show, the men are all cheering and some are laughing at you. But from all the pain on your lower body, you could finally bring your sore shoulder down in relief by clutching the fresh sore on your stomach.

“Answer me!” He yelled. “don’t ever think that will go easy on a woman like you.” He took a few step towards to you before you feel a cold hard metal nudging the side of your head. You look up to him through your lashes and he nudge your head to make you back down again but you didn’t even move or look away making him wavered and you noticed.

“Tell me where they locked my people.” He nudge your head with every words that just triggered something bad inside of you and you had to suck a sharp breath just to keep it within you.

“We don’t keep criminal locked up. The prison is too crowded.” You said looking into their eyes one by one as a cunning smirk grows on your face. “We kill them.” 

“Don’t play with me, you law people always keep them locked waiting for the right time for any negotiation for money and bribery and shits. You corrupted organization.” he nudge your head again making you clenched your jaw hard.

“You’re not wrong.” You said with a sly smile. “But what you’re dealing with right now is not law. You’ve crossed the line that law had drawn and do you know what will happen when you crossed that line?” You taunt him by looking deep into his eyes without blinking.

“You’re considered dead.” And as if your last word is a cue, the main door explode and a series of fire gun erupted not far from where you were. you duck down covering your head using your tied hands before rolling to the side to take cover with anything from the flying bullets. You were deaf for a while and when your hearing came back together with a piercing white noise inside your head, you shut your eyes tight and screams until the noise dissipate.

“Y/N!” Sunwoo called and you look up to him who was running to you while the other taking down every single enemy inside the gym.

“You’re okay.” He kneeled beside you and pull you by the arm helping you up.

“You okay Y/N?” Changmin asked as soon as you got up while holding his gunpoint to one of the subject that was still alive, the one that been interrogating you earlier. Without his mask you recognize him from the picture during the briefing before the mission and you nod to Changmin as a confirmation that you got the right person. You then turn to see Eric and Haknyeon who was looking at you concerned, but you just raise your tied up hand and show them your both thumb making them to smile in relief.

“Sorry.” Sunwoo almost yelled knowing your hearing still affected. He cut the rope on your wrist before checking for any wound on your body.

“Except for you almost blew me up, im fine.” You said yelling to him, just because you couldn’t hear yourself clearly while dusting your cargo pants as your watch them questioned the three subject before you and Sunwoo walk out through the mess to the outside where you were greeted by the whole back up team.

“Hey sniper.” Chan greeted you and you give him a small wave, smiling at him who was carrying a small device that you recognize as a bomb, he stop right next to you eyeing you up and down looking for any injuries.

“I’m fine Chan. Thank you.” You tap his arm and he gave you his charming smile before jogs inside to plant the bomb.

“Does the bomb necessary earlier?” you asked regarding to the first bomb which only made Sunwoo to chuckle before scratching the back of his head while looking at you apologetically.

“we were outnumbered.” He said. “And those three are enough for information.” He paused looking back at you to make sure you’re really alright before continuing,

“We need to take this place down anyway.” He said stopping right at the entrance where his truck were parked. You look up to see the air force team still roams around the school to search for more threat before you heard three shots fired indicating that your mission were done.

“Clear.” Changmin’s voice buzzed from the com on Sunwoo’s shoulder.

“C4 ready. Everyone clear out.” He commanded signaling the chopper to get down.

“That’s your ride.” Sunwoo said and you look at him questioningly.

“Are you going to the date looking like that?” and it finally hit you like a truck.

“Holy shit. What time is it?”

“7.48PM. Better late than never.” He said giving you a pat on the back when the ladder from the chopper fall just right in front of you.

“Eric bought the dress himself. Its quite small but it’ll do.” He shrugged and you thanked him climbing up to the chopper. “Be nice Y/N.”

-

You tap your toe impatiently crossing your arm over your chest as the elevator were moving almost at a imperceptible speed. You look down to your watch wriggling your wrist to place your watch right on the blisters from the rope earlier and heaved a long sigh after realizing that you almost an hour late. You really should have just go down using the line from the helicopter instead of the elevator.

A buzz from inside of your clutch stopping you from tapping your feet and you fish out your phone from inside looking at the caller id before swiping the green icon up and cup it on your left ear.

“Hey, Y/N are you there yet?” Eric asked from another line making you scowl at his eagerness.

“They just dropped me off two minutes ago Eric and the elevator in this building is really slow.” You said annoyingly and when the moving box dinged, stopping, which you grunt to it before stepping to the corner back to make room whoever that come in later.

“Well at least you got great reception inside it.” He said trying to make you laugh but you didn’t and when the elevator door opens, a tall guy in a black suit enters. you spare him a quick glance before bowing slightly when he did.

“Y/N remember, order just salad and red wines.”

“Why does it matter what i eat. Its not that I’m going to make him pay for it.”

“Are you really going to eat like a pig on your first date?”

“Look, this is not a date I remind you. I just going to negotiate with him and make him agree to pretend to be my partner only for the wedding.”

“Just for the sake of me please. He’s my neighbor.”

“Your neighbor? Its too late Eric, I am forty minute late and its already a bad first impression.” You look up when the elevator dinged again and make your way out to the restaurant with your phone still on your ear.

“Any reservation?” the receptionist ask, but before you could answer him, you heard a voice talking from inside the restaurant. A tall man, quite good looking, ranting, looking like he was drunk.

“I will soon to be the heir of my father’s company.” He said with a cocky smirk plastered on his face, head leaned a little to the table next to him, invading a couples privacy, boasting, face filled with pride while the couple does not look pleased at all.

“I am a gentleman even my date is almost an hour late, i am still here waiting for her.” You let out a gagging face when he said the word before placing your phone back to your ears.

“Eric what was the guy name again?” you ask.

“Kim Younghoon.”

“I am Kim Younghoon.”

“No shit.” You were dazed for a while, the guy with the prince syndrome was your date and how in the world you’re going to convince him to pretend to be your partner. You stared at him still in daze as your phone fall to your neck trying to think of anything, maybe a plan b. But then his eyes meet yours making you flinch. As much as you take pride in everything and how good you are in handling men, this is not what you signed for, you can’t just flipped him off just to escape.

You took a few step back when he stand up, looking at you like he figured something out, like he caught you red handed causing your heart to pound with his boldness, his eye contact. Nothing else present inside of your mind other than to run away like a coward until you feel a hand grabbing your shoulder.

“Is that your date?” You heard a voice from behind you, soft, deep and alluring making you turn your body back to face him. It was the same man from the elevator. He was looking down at you then inside the restaurant where his orbs moves like he was watching at someone’s movement

“He’s coming. Play along.” He whispered snaking his hand around your waist pulling you closer as he’s showing his card, probably a membership some sort of card and the receptionist usher you both to one of the table near the window walking past Kim Younghoon who was about to ask something with his pointer finger out like he was about to state a matter of fact. But you both just brush past him.

“I owe you.” You said looking back to the guy who was still bragging about his status and starting to cause a commotion before few waiter had to usher him out.

“I feel bad though.” You heaved turning your body back facing the man who just saved you.

“You can still catch him.” He lean back still smiling and you wince to the thought of being around someone like that.

“He is in good hands now.” You nod convincing him and he let out a laugh.

“So.” He starts, leaning forward clasping his both hands on top of the table looking at you with the smile that seems to never fade even for a moment. “I heard you’re looking for partner to a wedding.” You raise your eyebrow tilting your head.

“You’ve been listening.” You said straighten your body to sit properly facing him.

“Couldn’t help it.” He chuckled and you side eyed him with a smile shaking your head looking anywhere else avoiding eye contact. “So who’s wedding is it?” He ask again

“Its my cousin.” You breathed out and lean back as you eyed a waitress came filling his glass, its hard not to notice how she was smitten by the guy that was sitting right in front of you, constantly stealing a glance here and then before walking to your side with a professional smile before filling yours. you nod to her as a gratitude while looking to the man himself who is now looking at you. You hold his stare for a little longer, letting yourself lost in his strong yet soft gaze that seems to shake everything within you.

“So tell me about your cousin.” He said without breaking the eye contact while leaning forward resting his both elbow on the table.

“Seems like he’s more interesting than i am.” You teased taking a sip of your wine pouting playfully right after.

“I’m afraid if i ask about you first i might scare you away.”

“Oh it takes a lot to scare me off-” you stop leaving your sentence hanging and tilt your head a little to the side, brow twitching with a playful smirk trying to read him whose expression never change even the slightest. You were trying to figure him out like any other men you’ve been sitting with you in the same scenario only the other was your mission to dig their secrets while this one right here perks your interest itself.

“So-” He dragged his words, eyes wavered looking for the right word or right question to ask making you scoff softly before letting out a soft smile, he was an easy one to read.

“You look like you had broke a couple of hearts, but I don’t think you even know how to flirt. Am i right?” you ask in between chuckle and he raise his both hand in defeat with his smile before settles back to staring at you.

“I just got out from the marine.” He started and your eyebrow twitch again filled with interest.

“are you completing your military service?”

“No, more like I’m a coast guard.” He said and your mouth formed an ‘o' while nodding to the information. No wonder he looked a little stiff, you thought to yourself.

“So getting back on the shores is quite a challenge. being around new people and like being in a whole new place. its like starting all over again.” He said with a troubled expression and it tug some strings from inside of you. But instead of comforting him, you try to light his mood a little.

“I see. So am I the first person to have dinner with you?”

“Yeah.” He smiled biting his lips which you mirrored right away gnawing your own lower lip. You were glad that he’s an easy one to distract and somehow my making him smile, you feel at ease.

“So what should i ask?” He ask you making you let your head fall back as a laugh erupted from you seeing how innocent he was.

“You can ask anything. Or maybe start exchanging our name.”

“Oh right. I’m Juyeon. Lee Juyeon.” He held out his hand to you over the table and you shake his hand telling him your name.

The night went off with three course meal and exchanging a bit information about yourself carefully not to spill your secrets while he telling you about his life in marine.

“Aren’t you lonely?” You ask him after wiping your lips and let the waitress take away the last plate away. “I mean living on a ship in the middle of the sea.”

“Sometimes.” He smile. “But loneliness became a friend to me when i couldn’t sleep at night. I was so used to it that getting back in city make me feel so lost and quite bothered by the sound.” He chuckled before pausing, looking down like he was thinking about something. “I feel like a stranger, a foreigner in my own home.” He said with a forced smile and in that moment you want nothing other than to protect him and stay as long as you could with him by his side knowing how hard to cope back into the civilization after being isolated for so long from the outside world. Even now, you still had a hard time seeing stranger or even engage a small talk. Then you realize how easy every words came out from your mouth when you were with him all night, which you decided to be his friend.

“You want me to show you around?” you offered and his face light up brighter than before making your stomach to churn at the sight.

“If you don’t mind.” He beamed brightly and you look at your watch which shows that you’ve been sitting with him for almost two hours.

“We can walk a little.” You said and he raise his hand to call the waitress. You took your purse which he beat you to it by handing the waitress his black card.

“Just let me thank you for being my first friend.” He said and you smile to him

“I’ll treat you for tteokbokki later on. I’m sure you haven’t had that for a while.”

“But we just ate.”

“Really? That’s enough for you?” You scoffed and he just chuckled shaking his head.

-

“Juyeon, have you done settling in?” Lt. General Lee asked as soon as Juyeon came in into his office.

“Almost, I got a help from a friend.” He answered as a small smile creep as soon as the image of you appeared inside his mind.

“Ah, I see you’ve made friend.” Lt. General Lee smile and gestured him to sit on the leather couch in the middle of his large office while he took the one right across from Juyeon.

“Don’t you think its too early for me to replace you?” Juyeon asked and the older man stop mid sitting before chuckling to Juyeon’s words.

“Straight to the point aren’t we.” Lt. General Lee lean back on the leather couch looking at his own son. He was actually expecting that exact answer from him, and he know he will be having a hard time to convince him,

“six year being on the sea and three year commanding your own ship is more than enough Juyeon.” he added and Juyeon shake his head to it.

“Commanding my own ship is a whole lot different from things in here dad. Just let me start from the bottom and work my own way up to earn your place rather than sitting there just because i am your son. I don’t like that and I don’t think people will respect me for that.” The older man only smile to his son’s words for knowing well how honest he is with everything. But the thoughts of the ugly side of the law made him feel nothing but worries for his son. He realize that he need to trust Juyeon capability to keep himself safe. only for now, until he could find a way to protect Juyeon. 

“I know you would say that. That is why I’m placing you with Colonel Kim. You can go report yourself to him now Captain.”

“I’ll see you around dad.”

-

“Hey you.” You coos as soon as the door to Juyeon’s apartment open revealing the man himself who greet you back with the brightest smile that turn his eyes into a crescent moon making you feel warmth just at the sight.

“Hey.” He greet back glancing back to his apartment then back to you and you could heard the sound of cutleries while a smell of home cook food manage to escape from inside of his apartment and seep into your nose.

“Bad time?” you asked before he shake his head.

“Not really.” He said with a smile slowly growing on his face with an expression like he had thought of something. “My parent came. You should join us for dinner.” He said by grabbing your arm which you dodge to it with an awkward laugh.

“I shouln’t interrupt your family time.” You smile sheepishly to him pushing a bag with potted plant inside of it to his chest but he manage you get a grip of your wrist with a playful smile.

“Who is it honey?” You heard a soft voice that belongs to a woman before she came into view and saw you over Juyeon’s shoulder that light up her face instantly as soon as she saw you anf Juyeon stepped aside to let the woman to see you which you greet her back with a deep bow.

“Who is this lovely lady Juyeon?”

“This is the one that been helping me settling in mom.” He place his hand on your back before softly push you into his apartment while you try to glue your feet to the ground trying not to move.

“Oh, you must be Y/N. Come in, we just about to have dinner.”

“No Mrs Lee its fine.” You decline politely trying to back off, but Juyeon’s hand still holding your back stopping you from moving. “I was just passing by. I wouldn’t want to be a nuisance.”

“Nonsense.” She walks towards you and softly pull your hand leaving you no choice but to comply. You look back to Juyeon with a frown but he just followed suit with a smile.

“His dad decided to cook tonight just for this special occasion that Juyeon had permanently transferred to the head quarters.” She beamed eagerly looking back and forth between you and the dinner table where you saw a tall man who was preparing something on the kitchen counter. His back facing yours

“We have a guest?” He ask without looking away from whatever he was doing while Juyeon were ushering you to the dinner table that you both had bickered over the darker shade or just white, but you won the fight and he end up having an edgy black wooden dinner table that fit well with the white with black and grey streak ceramic floor.

"I told you it fit well with the floor. You just need to add more lighting over it." You nag again making scoff rolling his eyes.

"Yeah whatever Y/N." He said making you giggle before his mom's voice breaking the small moment between both of you.

“Yes honey, its Y/N, the one Juyeon been telling us about.” She said and you watch as Juyeon making his way to his father to help leaving you a little restless sitting on the chair while the other were busy. You decided to stand up and help too but the sound of your chair screeched against the floor made his father to turn back and you stop when you lock gaze with the awfully familiar face. You notice that he was taken aback too by your presence until Juyeon turn his head to look back at your direction and you had to clear your throat pretending to look away and sit back down awkwardly before standing up again when his mother came with the food giving you a good excuse not to squirm nervously on your seat.

The dinner seems to weighted by the silence which the tense was only felt by you and Juyeon’s father who keep glancing at you here and there while Juyeon and his mom was being oblivious and keep talking about random thing which you couldn’t even process when you’re being held under the keen eyes of his father.

“So, what do you do for a living Y/N?” His mom suddenly ask making you stop chewing for a second before looking at her, then to both men.

“I uh, I’m a archaeologist.” The lies slip off from your tongue just like an air, and you notice how Mr Lee spare you a glance for a moment before getting back on his meal silently.

“Really?” Juyeon said appalled from the new information which cause his mom to look at him questioningly.

“You didn’t know?” She asked and he shake his head smiling sheepishly scratching the back of his neck for missing the most basic information about you even after spending a few days together.

“I don’t actually like to talk about my work. Its kind of boring.” You added which his mom nod to it before you too getting back to your meal and let both mother and son talk about various things mostly about their distant family and Mrs Lee always try to include you into the conversation just so you wont feel left out which you silently thankful for.

“Where’s you parents now Y/N? Do they live far?” You heart pounded one beat harder at the sudden question that you had to clear your throat to cover whatever expression that was about to show on your face. It was a simple question and it never matter to you since no one ever asked. But it sounds so different when someone finally did.

“I’m an orphan.” You said shifting your head to face Mrs Lee, but your eyes wander elsewhere because you didn’t want to see any of their expression. You didn’t want to see pity from them even how strong the sympathy radiates from across the table.

“I’m so sorry.”

“No its really fine. I still have my cousins though.”

“The one that going to get married next week right Y/N?” Juyeon added trying to light up the atmosphere again and you nod with a smile.

“Thank you so much for the dinner Mrs Lee. I had a great time.” You said after helping Mrs Lee with the dishes while Juyeon and his father already getting cozy on the couch with beers in hand having a small conversation.

“Are you leaving already honey?” His mom ask touching your shoulder gently and you smile while nodding to her. “Sorry about his father, he don’t really talk much during dinner.” She adds again and you just smile to her words.

“You can stay a little longer you know.” She offered.

“Thank you Mrs Lee but i should let you spend more time with him since he just got back.”

“Alright then, but let him walk you to you car at least.” She caressed your head with the most genuine smile that almost break your heart for lying to her almost about everything the whole night.

“Sorry about my parents.”

“Why? They’re great.” You said

“Really? My dad always scares my friends off.”

“I can see that,” you smiled looking straight to the elevator door which is almost your everyday view since you’ve been helping him moving in and arrange things inside his new apartment.

“I kind of feel bad thought.” He said as you both got into the elevator.

“I don’t know much about you. I guess i didn’t ask the right questions and keep missing the basic small information about you.”

“Why does it matter?”

“We’re friends aren’t we? Friend shares thing with each other.”

“Right.”

-

“I will take this as a coincidence now Y/N. Since I know you have nothing against me in particular.” Lt. General Lee voice sounds much deeper and more distant than any other day when he was briefing out your mission for your team. Even the way he stand back facing you while looking out through the glass window to the base where a few chopper and vehicle were parked and his soldier walking around doing their thing had turn the atmosphere heavier in the early morning.

“I promise he will not hear a word from me anymore sir.” Was the only thing you could offer him at the moment, the only thing to keep the truce between you and him.

“That is what first came into my mind as soon as I saw you last night Y/N.”

“I understand that sir.” You said without looking away from the back of his neck showing how determined you are in keeping your words. But he just let out a soft scoff.

“I had give it a long thought last night and thinking maybe i should try to look or think about it from a different perspective. Maybe you met him for a reason Y/N. Just like how I met you.His personal matter had nothing to do with us or his place at the NIS.” He turn back to take a look at you who standing straight, both hand tucked at your back just like any soldiers always does when they were face to face with higher ranks. But the way you look straight into his eyes was evident that you aren’t one of his soldier. Not one of his trainees. But after years of carrying his secret mission under the command of one of his respected Captain, you gained his trust. He took pride on taking you into his secret division when never once you fail or turn your back against your team. Just the thought of you with his son, making him feel uneasy. But by seeing how his son had thought of you as his friend and the way Juyeon mentioned you a lot during their conversation last night, Lieutenant Lee knew you had found yourself a place inside his son heart. So he came into a conclusion since he is sure that you are in both of his and his son’s side, you could be a way of help to keep his goals.

“I need you to protect him.” He said finally taking a seat before gesturing you to take a sit right opposite from him. “There is a reason why I made a request for him to be transferred here. I’ve been having this thoughts about retirement for a really long time.” He paused clasping his hand together, staring it for a little while before looking back at you. “The one that have been keeping me here is each everyone of you in this division. It took my entire career to establish this division, to keep it as it is now and too keep it away from falling to wrong hands. I believe you know what and who i meant by that.” You give him a curt nod to his explanation before he continue by leaning back, turning his chair to the side until now he face the picture each and everyone of the soldier from all three team of his division. Each one of every accomplishment and medals except for yours. You only appeared in the group photo.

“You’re a one special woman Y/N, even without words you manage to make everyone to like you. We rarely share a words or conversation together, but you know how much I admire your work ethic, you earned everyone in this division’s trust and respect. The more i said it out loud, i’ve gained more confident in entrusting my son on your hand. You are the first to heard this from me, which also mean that i put my full trust on you. You do know how the NIS has been long compromised with all those corrupted officer and few of the ministers. Which is the main reason why the president agreed when i came up with this division. But for years, we’ve been meddling with cases that that are tied to some of the VIP in the blue house which made us a threat to them. They have been doing everything to find out about this division and i believe the moment i step down from this chair, they will hunt all of you down. So I’ve been meaning to hand this division to my son.” He take a deep breath after the long explanation looking into your eyes with an evident worry inside his eyes.

“What’s the problem?”

“You see, Juyeon has been on the sea since he graduated from the military school and he know nothing about the bad side of the law. No matter how good he is in what he does, he is gullible to this corrupted law enforcement and it’ll be hard to explain to him which i don’t even know where to start.”

“If he found out about me,”

“Everything you have done in the past four years already enough for your redemption Y/N. You’ve always been one of us.”

“How should I keep him safe?”

“Know about his mission, just keep him alive. You should know better what to do. Consider this as a request from a father. The moment they know he’s my son, they will do anything to keep him away from the chair. I know this division had been a family to you. Consider that if you keep him safe, you’ll be able to keep this entire thing in tact. This division future now in your hand Y/N.”

“What about my team?”

“Keep this between us for a while. I will announce it to them, but not in the nearest time. So you should carry on with your mission as usual. But make sure to put him first before anything else.”

“I will do my best sir.” You said in more calmed tone before he gave you a nod and you stand to make your way out from his small office. Then his words stop you from turning the knob.

“He like you Y/N. In a way I know that more than a friend.” You turn back to look at him trying to keep your calm facade, trying to act that you're not affected by it at all. “Take that as an advantage to approach him. To gain his full trust.”

I edited the rank of Juyeon's dad, it was meant to be Lieutenant General, but for some reason i thought it'll be okay for me to just put Lieutenant rather than Lieutenant General because its too long and i thought the reader might get it. Silly me. Edited.

[earth-ambassador-jim]

Lost Souls: Story 9

The Ones We Hail -part 2

Lost Souls Summary: Merlin awakens early from his sleep. He decides  that he doesn’t want to leaving anything to chance and kidnaps the young  James Lake Jr. to began training his Trollhunter as early as possible.

Barbara  is determined to hunt down the man who kidnapped her son. In her  efforts to get her son back she finds a strange old radio that speaks to  her in a woman’s voice. The radio leads her to an underground society  of shapeshifters.

Mother and son meet again years later as strangers on opposing sides.

AO3 - Fanfiction

~~~~

Kanjigar was alert as he walked through the emerald lit caverns. Merlin had assured him that as he was invited he would be perfectly safe but the place still stank of magic. It radiated from the very stone under his feet. One could never be too careful around sorcery.

Eventually he reached an intricately carved wooden door.

He lifted his hand and knocked, careful to not scratch the wood with his knuckles. Nothing. He knocked again. There was no answer. With a frown he tried the handle and found it to be unlocked.

The cave behind the door was well lit by candles and crystals and a warm fire. Scrolls were spread haphazardly across the sturdy oaken table in the center of the room and piled on top of each other on shelves carved into the wall. Jars of herbs and other things were mixed in with the scrolls. A gnome skull grinned at him from the mantle of the fireplace.

“Master Merlin?” Kanjigar called out as he took a step in.

Still no response. The thick red-brown rug muffled his steps.

Had the wizard forgotten about him? He didn’t want to be disrespectful but in the short time he’d known him, Merlin did seem a little… well… absent minded.

Kanjigar glanced at the fire. Merlin couldn’t be gone too far if he’d left a fire going. Of course there was the possibility it was sustained by magic…

A quiet shuffling noise drew the troll’s attention. He looked across the table and then blinked in surprise. There, peering warily from just over the edge of the table, was a pair of bright blue eyes topped with an unruly mop of black hair.

It was a child. A human child.

They let out a yelp when their eyes met his and ducked back under the table.

Kanjigar’s nostrils flared in surprise.

What was a child doing here?

“Ah! There you are.”

Kanjigar startled at Merlin’s voice. He glanced back and saw him just coming in from the tunnels. How he had managed to open the door without Kanjigar hearing he wasn’t sure.

“I’m afraid it will be a while yet before your charm is ready,” The wizards said as he started setting his bags down on the table. The scents of various herbs wafted into the air as he jostled them. “I have had more pressing matters to deal with and I am lacking ingredients. Perhaps you can find some of the rarer ones for me.”

“Why is there a child here?” Kanjigar asked.

He didn’t like to interrupt but he was very puzzled.

Merlin blinked at him for a moment, before understanding appeared on his face.

“Oh you mean James.”

He looked around with a frown.

“Where has that boy gotten off to?”

“I’m here,” A soft voice said from the far side of the table.

The boy’s head poked up just enough that he could see Kanjigar before he vanished again.

“Why are you hiding?” Merlin asked with a huff. “Come out and greet the Trollhunter properly. You have nothing to fear.”

“The Trollhunter?” The boy, James, poked his head up again, eyes wide. “He’s the Trollhunter?”

Evidently Merlin had told him about him.

Kanjigar slowly moved around the table. James watched him warily but didn’t hide again. Was this his first time meeting a troll? If it was he was taking it really well.

Kanjigar glanced around noticing that there were a lot of scrolls about troll history and rudimentary knowledge of the magical world lying among the more complicated texts.

It clinked. This must be Merlin’s new apprentice. Kanjigar gave the boy an appraising glance over. James shifted nervously under his gaze, blue eyes flickering to the side. He looked like he was barely out of welphood. A mere youngling. If he had been a troll his parents would have been still keeping him close.

Kanjigar frowned. He had never understood why humans would send their children off so young, but they had always been strange creatures.

He approached James. Once he was about two paces away Kanjigar stopped and knelt to the boy’s level.

“Hello Young James, I am Kanjigar son of Terragar. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

The boy stared at him with wide eyes. His gaze snagged on the amulet hung around his neck for a moment, before he looked at Merlin uncertainly.

“Go on and introduce yourself, boy,” Merlin said.

James looked back at Kanjigar again and took a nervous step forward and then another. The troll held himself still so as to not startle him. Finally James stood in front of him.

He held out a quivering hand toward Kanjigar in what the troll recognized was an invitation to shake hands. Another odd human custom.

“I’m Jim… son of Barbara,” The boy said haltingly. “Nice to meet you?”

Kanjigar carefully took the small hand and moved it up and down once.

“Well met young Jim,” He said.

He gave the boy a gentle smile, careful to not show his teeth.

James’… Jim’s eyes studied Kanjigar’s face. The boy’s shoulders relaxed just slightly and he smiled back.

~~~~

“Kanjigar!!!!”

The Trollhunter chuckled as the tiny fleshbag launched himself at him.

“Hello young Jim,” He said as he caught the boy mid-air.

“Are you going to stay for a while?” The boy asked as he squirmed in the troll’s hands. “Did you bring me anything? Did you have any cool fights? What the weather doing outside? Did it snow? Did you make a snowman?” He let out a little excited gasp. “Or a snowtroll?! Do trolls make snowtrolls?”

Kanjigar laughed, eyes crinkling as warm amusement course through him. The boy had been rather shy at first but now, after several months of visits to Merlin’s cave, the young human had gotten quite comfortable with him.

“Perhaps if you quieted for a moment you might get some answers.”

The boy bit his lip and stared up at him with bright eyes. Kanjigar could feel him quivering. He chuckled again. Jim reminded him a lot of Draal when he was a youngling. So eager and excitable.

He shoved down the quiet pang in his core when a memory of Draal’s disappointed face from the last time they’d talked flickered through his mind. It was for the best, he reminded himself.

He set Jim down on one of the chairs and the boy immediately began pestering him with more questions.

“So what has Merlin been teaching you?” He asked when the boy finally stopped to catch his breath.

Jim frowned slightly and brushed his hair out of his eyes.

“He’s been teaching me about the … Gum-Gum Wars.”

Kanjigar frowned at that.

“That must be a scary. Those were dark times.”

Jim nodded, slightly.

“Merlin says it’s important.”

“I see.”

There was a moment of silence.

“So what have you been doing when you are not learning?” Now that he thought about it Kanjigar hadn’t seen any toys in the cave, on any of his visits, but they were likely kept in another room. The vigorous play of children did not mix well with delicate things like potions and scrolls.

Jim looked down and picked at his fingers.

“Not much,” He said with a shrug finally. “Merlin says I can use the training room, but all the swords are too big. I don’t get to go outside so sometimes I explore in the tunnel… It’s kind of creepy though. Merlin gave me an old scroll to draw on. I’m not supposed to draw on the other ones. He wasn’t happy when I did that. He says the new empty ones are for his research.”

Kanjigar frowned.

“Don’t you have any toys?”

Draal had been absolutely obsessed with magnets as a youngling. His minerals were of the type that magnets would stick to him, so he was often covered with them. It was a pity that cameras had not existed back then or Kanjigar would have collected some memorable and amusing pictures.

Jim shook his head.

“Merlin doesn’t think they’re important.”

Kanjigar’s frown deepened. He would need to talk to Merlin when the wizard returned.

“Would you like to hear about my journey to Argentina?” He asked.

Jim immediately brightened up and nodded.

~~

As it turned out Kanjgar’s talk with Merlin ended up getting put off for a couple days. Simply because the wizard had not returned.

“Does he do this often?” Kanjigar asked Jim carefully.

“Sometimes,” the boy said with a shrug.

His tongue stuck out slightly as he tried to pour the oats out of the sack into the bowl without spilling too much. The stool he was standing on teetered and Kanjigar quickly steadied him.

“Let me help you with that,” He said taking the bag.

~~~~

“We need to talk.”

The wizard frowned at those words and gave a brief glance at his Trollhunter before returning to the scroll he was writing on.

“I’m listening.”

Kanijagar decided to cut straight to the point. It was hard to say how long he would have his attention for.

“You cannot simply leave Jim on his own for days at a time,” He said, careful to make his voice firm but respectful.

“I don’t see why not,” The wizard responded without looking at him. “He’s a resourceful enough and hasn’t had any problems.”

“That’s not the point,” Kanjigar said nostrils flaring just slightly. He had the distinct feeling this was going to be like arguing with Blinky.

“Then what is?”

“Jim is a child; a mere youngling. He needs attention and time… and more than just books! He needs fresh air and play and toys.” Kanjigar grimaced slightly. “And a change of clothes.”

From what Kanjigar learned about humans if their cloths started smelling appetizing it meant they were too dirty for the human to be wearing. Humans needed to be somewhat clean or they risked sickness and parasites.

“I suppose he is due for a change of clothes,” Merlin responded finally. He paused and frowned before giving Kanjigar an affronted look. “He does actually have more than one, but he doesn’t know how to use the washing potion yet and I was gone longer than I expected. I shall look for another set on my next trip.”

“What about the other things?”

“What about them?”

Kanjigar took a slow breath.

“Are you going to do anything about them?”

Merlin huffed and shot him an annoyed look.

“Do I look like I know anything about children?” He said irritably. “When I was a child we amused ourselves on our own just fine.”

Kanjigar’s ears flicked back and he had to clench his teeth against the urge to snap at the wizard that he shouldn’t take on such a young apprentice if he wasn’t good with children. He looked away and took a slow breath.

“Perhaps you could take care of those things you mentioned.”

Kanjigar looked back sharply to find that the wizard was studying him.

“Me?”

“Sure. You are already a father. James always goes on and on about you after you leave each time. You are sure to do a better job than I will.”

Kanjigar opened his mouth to protest. It was one thing to indulge the child a little when he visited, it was another to take responsibility for his care and well-being. Kanjigar’s job was dangerous and historically Trollhunters tended to die early. If he got too close it would only hurt the boy more when his time inevitably came. He had already distanced himself from his own son for that very reason.

But then he closed it. He glanced around at the musty cave full of scrolls and dust and herbs and then at the prickly old wizard. He thought of how excited Jim was every time Kanjigar visited. Given how hard it was for Kanjigar himself to get much interaction out of Merlin, he had no doubt the child was very lonely.

The Trollhunter’s duty was to answer every call and Jim needed him.

Kanjigar sighed and rubbed at his browridge. What was he getting himself into?

“Very well,” He said. “I cannot live here but I will visit more often. I will bring the boy what toys and amusements that I can but you must at least try to be more involved with him. And please, tell me if you expect to be gone for more than a day. If something happens to him while he is alone, he could be badly hurt or worse.”

Merlin’s hummed and stroked his beard.

“I suppose you are right. I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime I’m off to get some venison. I grow weary of oatmeal.”

With that he walked out the door and was gone.

Kanjigar stared at the closed door and then back at the stone hallway that led to Jim’s room. His hand strayed to the Amulet hanging from its chain around his neck. He toyed with it apprehensively.

“Oh Deya, what am I doing?” He murmured to himself.

[vostara]

you’re the hallelujah on my throne

pairing: ares x original female character

blurb: “He can wait.”

word count: 1.5k+

title inspiration: in my blood - the veronicas

one-shot ficlet taking place after hypnophobia. this work was written before i finished writing the series, so i omitted any details that would reveal what exactly is happening (outside of the relationship between ares and beatrix).

this work is cross-posted on AO3.

series masterlist

She awakens with the sensation of fingertips gliding along the bare skin of pale arms. And she smiles, embracing the comfort, etching the touch into her memory. Clinging to the last threads of unconscious dozing, she barely emits a longing whine when the the contact of flesh is broken. Beatrix buries her face into the ruby satin of the pillowcase. When she inhales, she breathes in the faint scent of leather, the lingering traces of her lover’s cologne.

A body inches closer, to press their chest against her naked back. They wrap an arm around her waist and nuzzle their nose against the back of her neck.

Further removing herself from the state of slumber, her brain turns on the gears, starts the process of comprehending her surroundings. She begins to register the sound of raindrops, splattering against the glass of their secluded bedroom. Exposed skin is chilled from a breeze that slips between the space provided by windows left slightly ajar. And the body behind her, the woman behind her, is stained with the scent of the jasmine perfume that Beatrix had worn the night before.

Full lips are pressed against her skin. They brush along her neck, before migrating down to her shoulder blade. Beatrix moans when she feels teeth sink into her, scratching playful markings on top of her lotus tattoo.

“Ares,” she whispers, a pleading noise escaping her lips.

The woman smiles into her skin. And then she pulls her lips away, pulls her body away.

And Beatrix panics.

She turns her body on the bed and latches onto Ares, pulling her flush against her body. She needs to feel her, to know that she’s there, that Ares is real, and that the heartbeat that she feels isn’t a fantasy that bleed from her slumber and into her reality.

Ares places a comforting hand against the woman’s back, rubbing a thumb against her. With her free hand, she brushes strands of long hair away from Beatrix’s face. She raises her head to press a gentle kiss on the woman’s forehead.

Beatrix relaxes.

She opens her eyes, blinking away the blurriness that lingers after a deep slumber. Through the window, she sees a single ray of sunlight, breaking through the expanse of gray clouds. The light illuminates the lavender flowers planted outside, on the windowsill. Then she shifts her eyes to where the warmth radiates. And she focuses on the familiar tattoos inked onto a thin arm and the heartbeat embedded into the side of a neck.

Beatrix lays the side of her face against the flat space of her lover’s shoulder. “You’re here,” she mumbles.

Ares trails her fingers against the woman’s back, tracing the outlines of a freshly healed tattoo. Though her lips are graced with a soft smile, her eyes are tinged with concern.

The couple lay together, for awhile longer, their limbs intertwined. Ares runs her fingers through the woman’s hair, untangling knots that had formed in the midst of passion exchanged. Beatrix breathes in the scent of her lover’s skin, further grounding herself into this reality.

When Ares is certain that Beatrix has calmed down, she pulls her arms away. She moves them to grip the woman’s hips, urging Beatrix to move her body.

Without hesitation, Beatrix obliges. She climbs on top of Ares and straddles her hips between her legs. Eager, she presses herself against the woman beneath her and leans down to kiss her.

But Ares stops her.

Planting a hand firmly against her chest, she pushes Beatrix to sit upright. She takes a moment to examine the woman, observing her barely open eyes, her swollen lips, and the fading lipstick smeared against her skin.

She lifts her hands, bringing them to the space between the women. Are you okay? She signs.

Beatrix blinks and then shifts her gaze to look away from Ares. She opens her mouth to speak, but pauses. “For a moment,” she finally says, “I thought you were going to disappear.”

Ares presses a hand against her cheek, turning her head back towards her.

I’m right here, she says. I’m not leaving you.

Beatrix smiles. She leans down and meets Ares in series of sweet, gentle kisses.

The buzz of a phone interrupts them.

Beatrix pulls away, sighing. She reaches for the black cellphone resting on the bedside table and frowns. A notification flashes across the screen, a message from Santino D’Antonio.

Ares slips the phone out of the woman’s fingers, turning it so she can see the screen.

“Ignore him,” Beatrix says.

Ares smiles, but unlocks the phone. She reads the message, before dropping the phone onto the bed.

He needs to see you.

“He can wait,” Beatrix responds.

Ares lifts an eyebrow. He says that it is important.

Beatrix rolls her. “He’s a big boy,” she rests her chest against Ares, “he should learn some patience.”

Ares quirks her mouth in amusement, before pulling Beatrix into another kiss. She flips them over, trapping the woman between her and the mattress.

Beatrix presses her thighs against her hips, wanting to feel all of her lover.

Ares nibbles against the bottom of Beatrix’s lips, urging her to whisper a soft moan in response. Seizing the opportunity, Ares slips her tongue between the parted lips, deepening the lust blooming between the women.

Beatrix digs her nails into the woman’s back, marking the skin with fresh scratches.

Ares pulls her lips away from Beatrix, choosing to pepper kisses along the woman’s jawline. She then presses her lip onto the woman’s neck, sinking her teeth into the delicate skin. A few moments later, she continues to trail her lips down the woman’s body. She travels across her collarbones, the space between her breasts, and along the scars etched onto her stomach.

Beatrix tangles her fingers into the woman’s short hair, impatient and desperate for Ares. Unintelligible pleas escaping from her lips.

Ares dips her head between the spread legs and—

The phone rings, screaming its godawful noise into the room.

Ares freezes, before pulling her face away from Beatrix. She reaches for the cellphone and accepts the call. The woman holds the phone up to her ear for a moment, and then passes it to the other woman.

“What do you want?” Beatrix hisses.

“Ahh,” the man responds, “a good morning to you, too.”

“Santino, get on with it.” A warning.

“The Germans have a proposal.” The man sighs. “I need you to show up for a meeting.”

Movement from the corner of her eye draws her attention. She watches as Ares untangles her limbs from the bedsheets and leaves the comfort of the fabric. She picks up a burgundy shirt from the floor, the same one Beatrix had torn off of her last night, and slips her arms inside of the sleeves. A moment later, she exits the bedroom.

“Answer me,” Santino’s voice pulls her attention back to the call.

“Which Germans are you talking about?” She questions. “Did they mention anything about what they wanted?”

“Matthias,” the Camorra man pauses, “is requesting your presence.”

“Tell him to fuck off.”

Santino chuckles. “That might break his heart. He seems to be quite enchanted by you.”

The woman rolls her eyes. “Did he mention anything else?”

“Lilith.”

Beatrix frowns. “But Lilith is—”

The man interrupts her, “Actions can lead to unexpected conflicts.” A pause. “He says that he can make it, ‘go away.’”

Silence follows, as she processes the information.

“Beatrix?”

“When does he want to meet?”

“This evening, for a late dinner.”

“I will be there,” the woman responds. She ends the call and tosses the phone back onto the bedside table.

Ares walks back into the bedroom, dressed in a clean black buttoned shirt and a pair of navy blue tapered slacks. She pauses in her steps, her eyes focused on Beatrix.

You’re upset.

Beatrix nods her head in response.

What did he say?

“That Matthias has a proposal for me.” Wrapping herself in the bedsheet, Beatrix stands up from the bed and approaches Ares. “It has something to do with Lilith.”

Ares furrows her brows. She is gone.

“It would appear that my actions resulted in,” Beatrix takes a moment to consider her words, “a rippling effect of consequences.”

Ares frowns and her eyes drift down to stare at the dark wooden floors.

“I should have known better,” Beatrix says. “Lilith’s poison contaminates all of Germany. There is no freedom from my people.”

Ares takes a step towards her, determination painted in her features. She reaches for Beatrix’s hand and pulls it towards her, placing it on her chest. Her thumb traces against the edges of an emerald, cut in a pear shape and attached to a simple gold band.

Ares removes her hold on the hand, allowing her to shape her next words. I vowed to protect you. And I intend to keep that promise.

Beatrix blinks, surprised, but comforted. “Ares—”

I will not allow harm to befall you. You do not need to ask me to fight with you, to fight for you. I will do so willingly, for as long as you wish that of me.

Beatrix lifts her hand, placing it against the side of Ares’ neck. “Thank you,” she whispers.

Ares smiles. I love you.

The woman steps closer to her lover, pulling her into her arms. I love you, too,” she says.

a/n: thank you for reading! if you enjoyed this piece, please considering reblogging it! i’m a small author, so any reblog really does help me out.

chapter four of the main series is scheduled to be released next weekend, hopefully it doesn’t get delayed any further! i wanted to release something to tie you over while you continue to wait.

follow my twitter! @ VostaraFics

[uniquepoison]

Juliet Wesson my MC in OBEY ME with profile info

Name: Juliet Wesson

Birthdate: August 14

Height: 5’5”

Race: Cambion (half-human and Half-Demon)

Eye color:

Sclera : black

Iris: silver / gun metal grey

Parent/s:

Dean Wesson ( Foster father)

Original Parents UNKNOWN

Powers:

When dormant:

Supernatural strength and speed can summon weapons at will

Healing injuries faster.

Awakened: (demon form)

Increased speed and strength and healing

Weapon summoning increased with element properties

Powers of duplication (doppelgänger effect)

Use of magic unlocks

Flying

Skin color changes in this state with red to maroon patches covering her fore arms and legs. Her hair, eyes stay the same her hands become sharp claws as her feet remain the same until her powers increase which turns them in to claws too further on.

She has a pair of demon wings which sprout from her back.

Weapon/s:

Ring blade

Daggers

Spear / lance

knowledgeable about gun use too

Bio/ About :

Dean Wesson found Juliet as a baby alone on an abandoned road. He took her home. With connections to some detectives and police there was never a missing file of a baby or record of her. He decided to adopt her as his own and raised her up with a friend a succumbs named Sera.

Juliet grew up learning from her dad, not just about the usual daily tasks and house chores but also to keep herself safe from intruders.

Dean taught her how to use a gun and several weapons. He knew that she was different from others.

Juliet loved her time to herself or with her dad when they would go to town to watch movies or go shopping or simple lunches out. Her hobbies Include singing, video games, dancing, cooking and gymnastics.

When she was a kid she found doing kart wheels and bending her body backwards fun so when she saw a tv show about gymnastics she asked dean if she could learn those moves. She went to gymnastics classes for 6 years. Sadly the studio she was learning from had to close cause of not too many people go to it. She kept herself practicing what she learned even after the closing of the studio even adding new stunts and parquor to her list. This made her body very flexible.

Schooling was a different experience since her classmates would ask her all sorts of questions as to why her eyes were that way or why she has red hair. Some would keep away and some would just be around her just to say they know her without really getting to know her.

She had several incidents of being bullied by other girls but she never acted upon fighting but instead used her wit and cunning powers to keep her bullies in line.

They would trap her in the toilet stall which she can get out off easily by climbing up then jumping off, running back to the classroom before the girls got back quietly smiling at them as they came back leaving them in utter shock and silence they knew if they said anything Juliet would put them and what they had done.

After finishing her studies in grade school and high school Juliet took on jobs that would take her in. Which she had pretty easy offers and she would try them as much as she can. Made her learn how to deal with crazy customers and whiners which didn’t seem to phase her much.

During one day out in the town by herself she wanted to check out the open air festival shops sale,then after buy food for dinner.

As she was checking out the outdoor bargain stalls, She was washed with a sense of eyes peering at her. She noticed two men in her peripheral vision looking at her, without letting them notice she planned to leave the current shop she was looking at. As she walked away the two men followed.

She ran out from the crowd loosing them as she entered the ally. She stood there trying to catch her breath.without warning a hand covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief with a weird-scent that knocks her unconscious.

She was brought to an abandoned hospital, tied into a straight jacket and locked in a padded room. The men that brought her there were not alone. she noticed several of them guarding her door. She noticed that she could not move her legs much. The only thing she saw was a blood mark staining her legs bandages wrapped around them. With her senses heightened she heard the men talking. They talked about their boss and a client.

Turns out she was kidnapped for a reason. Her rare breed was a wanted item in the underground black market, according to her father’s friend who is a underground bounty hunter they met before a Cambion can sell for a crazy amount of money alive. She heard that she was going to be sold to an important client. She knew she had to get out of there and get out as fast as she can.

One day passed from when she was kidnapped. According to her captors it seems their client wanted to view her personally before buying her yet he was abroad when the deal happened. So they have to wait for him to come back on the third day.

As time of the second day was running out Juliet planned to escape before the men shot her legs again with anesthesia.

Around ten she heard noise coming from outside her cell, shouts and guns firing. She heard a male voice unfamiliar to her call her name. She replied calling which cell she was in. She saw the door break from its hinges as it flew across the room falling near her. She looked up and saw a man with dark raven hair with glowing red eyes looking at her.

“I’m here to rescue you” he said as he knelt down in front of her.

“ I... I can’t move. The effect of the anesthesia is still present in my blood.” She replied to him struggling with the jacket around her.

“I see. So for you not to escape they did this... don’t worry I will carry you”

With one swift move the man picked her up in his arms.

She looked around noticing her captors were on the floor unconscious.

Juliet tried moving her legs she knew it was almost time for the anesthesia to wear off. More gun shots were heard from outside along with a huge explosion.

“ crap! Diavolo seems to be having fun out there..” the man muttered.

She looked at him. “ Diavolo?”

“ yes. My friend. Forgive me I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Lucifer. A woman friend of yours came to ask us to save you.”

“ save me.. a friend oh! You mean my aunt Sera! Dad must be worried”

Before Lucifer can reply their way was blocked with more men with guns ready to charge them.

Juliet began to have feeling in her legs once again.

“Shit ! I was told not to fully kill them... “ he said as he stopped in his tracks.

“ Lucifer I think my legs are getting feeling once again. Listen... I have an idea. Once you charge at them throw me I can knock them unconscious.”

“ ok, I‘ll take the right you take the left. “ he agreed.

“No time for games! Give us back the girl!”

The man in the middle shouted. Lucifer smirked.

“ want her? HERE TAKE HER” with that signal Lucifer threw Juliet at the man.

She then jumped up high doing a back flip she launched her self at him kicking him in the face. Gun fire roared as they tried to aim at her and Lucifer. With her fast reflexes she round house kicked the remaining men down. Lucifer was impressed with her moves. She walked towards him with a smile. “ it’s nice to use my legs again.” He nodded as they both headed outside.

There outside stood a man with maroon hair his yellow eyes glowing from the moons reflection. “ Lucifer, there you are. Ah! So you found her.”

“Yes, Juliet this is Lord Diavolo. Prince of the Devildom.”

“Nice to meet you” she replied.

“I’d shake your hand but it seems your still tied up.”

“Um..Diavolo we better get a move on before more men come.” Lucifer said looking around.

“ Oh right! Barbatos is waiting for us in a van we can continue this else where.... your dad is waiting for you..”

The three of them ran off into the dark to a van waiting.

“My Lord, Mr. Wesson sent me the coordinates to his home. And he also wants to speak to miss Juliet.” Barbatos said as they entered the van.

“Wow! Dad really did send you guys... “

“ Yes. He went to great Lengths to find you.” Diavolo smiled.

After speaking to her father on the phone. Juliet was relieved to be going back home.

Lucifer helped Juliet take off the straight jacket while in the van.

They had food and water for her take from the days she was gone.

She explained to them how it all happened. And she was worried that they could hunt her down.

As they finally reached Juliet’s home they were greeted by Dean and Sera waiting outside. Juliet ran towards them hugging them both emotions ran high as she cried in her dads arms. Sera thanked the three demons.

Dean invited them in the house the three agreed following them in.Sera and Juliet went upstairs for her to shower and change into fresh clothes.

Dean led the three into the kitchen. Thanking them once again. Offering them food and drinks. They talked about the people behind the kidnapping. Dean was worried about what the men can do now that Juliet is gone. He was afraid that she could get kidnapped once again. Or even worse things. Diavolo offered a suggestion, of Juliet living in the Devildom. Sean felt that he had no other choice but for Juliet to go. He felt she could be in danger in the human world as it is. She needed a safe place. They came into an agreement but the end result will of course be Juliet’s decision.

When Juliet joined them they told her their ideas and options. She opened up about being scared to go out of her house and what could happen. She didn’t want her dad to get in trouble too. She made a final decision to live in the Devildom.

With that Diavolo requested Barbatos for specially made DDDs. One each for dean, Juliet and Sera. They agreed for her to live in the House of Lamentation along side Lucifer and his brothers. They agreed for Juliet to visit her father any day she wants but with accompany of Lucifer or his brothers. Dean is allowed to go to visit Juliet too as long as he calls Diavolo in advance.

Diavolo also promised a charm of protection (works for humans and demons) around Dean’s house just in case these people track him down. He also vowed to investigate this client and black market seller and buyer to put an end to it .

That night Juliet packed some clothes with the help of Sera and Barbatos.

She hugged her dad tightly. Promising to visit him as soon as she can.

He told her to not worry. And to just be safe.

They opened a portal to the Devildom in the basement Dean and Juliet hugged and he kissed her forehead “ get stronger my sweet pea”

“I will dad. I’ll come back stronger.” She followed the three demons to the open portal And with a flash the four were gone.

They entered into a room with so many doors. Diavolo chuckled and opened the door in front of them. “Welcome to your new home Ms. Wesson, Welcome to the Devildom!”

[miraclealignersv]

Morning Talks (Chuck Grant x Reader)

Ask: may we get some Chuck Grant Fluff please

A/n: I might’ve written this instead of working on my Child Development home work. Uhm anyway enjoy!

Tag list: @wexhappyxfew @gottapenny @bandofmarvels @medievalfangirl

Y/n enjoyed the little moments she spent with Chuck, after months of sleeping in foxholes and fighting in the war. Easy company had found a little piece and quiet in Austria, eating something other than K-rations, clean OD’s and warm showers. And better than anything, a warm bed with fresh silk sheets and linens.

VE Day had been announced the day before, that whole night the boys drank and laughed. It was perhaps the best news the company had revived in a while. After a couple of drinks, both y/n and chuck made their way up to his room. Their first night together after so long, and she was glad they had waited a while— in the end it was totally worth it.

She woke up with her head pressed on his bare chest, her hair a mess after the activities from the previous night before. As her eyes fluttered open, the sunlight that peaked through the thin curtains on the huge window made her immediately groan. She felt the softness of the white sheets on her naked body, the soft snores that came from the man she loved so much only making her smile. She lifted her head up and fixed her hair before laying next to Chuck.

Holding her head on her hand as she propped her elbow on the pillow she watched his chest fall up and down. A smile on her face as she bit her lip at the memory of the previous night. The thought of his loving eyes focused on her and her only made her heart flutter then and there. She felt like nothing mattered in that moment, she felt happy after a long time of war. Even the birds outside chirped making it seemed that maybe it was all a fairy tail.

She hummed to herself at the sight of Chuck, how the sunlight oh so delicately danced on his face. The soft sunlight shining on his dirty blond hair, she took in the features of his face. Staring at him adoringly as she bit her lip. She missed him and he was laying next to her, sleeping peacefully.

After a minute of her staring at him, she reached over and pinched his nose together with her thumb and index finger. A mischievous smile on her face, the second he gasped for air she let go and smiled innocently as Chuck’s breathing settled.

“Morning,” she whispered as she continued to stare at him with nothing but adoration in her eyes. As if she hadn’t done anything seconds before. Chuck leaned forward and furrowed his brows at the sudden action, still recovering from the sudden awakening.

“Hi,” he muttered before sighing, Chuck threw himself back onto the pillow and brought his hand to rub his eyes. Y/n’s eyes still glued on him and every little move he made. “How long you’ve been staring at me for?” He asked jokingly, y/n only squinted her eyes and clicked her tongue.

“I hope our kids have your cheek bones” she spoke unexpectedly, chuck froze and turned to see the woman next to him. His eyebrow raised in question, he waited for her to giggle or say anything else. But instead she just stared at him adoringly making him take the statement very serious. “And your eyes,” she closed her eyes and imagined a little bundle of joy in her arms. The piercing blue eyes she loved so much in a little person made from him and her.

“My cheek bones?” He asked, y/n only giggled and pulled the sheet over her bare chest and watched as Chuck turned to his side.

“Oh yeah” she leaned into him and pecked his lips before sitting up with the sheet clung onto her body. She leaned down to get her OD’s from the floor next to the bed, chuck only watched as she started to get dressed. His gaze never leaving her, always watching her every move.

“Rosalind” y/n scoffed and continued to put her pants on, her eyebrows furrowing.

“What?” She asked as she buttoned the pants and watched him, he only shrugged.

“If we have a daughter,” y/n chuckled and shook her head as she grabbed a hold of the T-shirt. “If we have a son: Damian” he continued, y/n’s lips tugged into a smile and giggled to herself as she reached for her jacket.

Walking towards the side of the bed he was on she placed a kiss on his forehead. “I like Dean better, I’ll see you in a bit?” she asked, chuck only chuckled and gave her a nod before she made her way towards the door to the hotel room. “Oh and Chuck?” She called, her hand on the doorknob.

“Yeah baby?” He called back as he rubbed his eyes and sat on the edge of the bed. Y/n’s lips tugged into a smirk and chuckled.

“You gotta marry me first,” she chuckled before walking out of the door. Chuck only shook his head and reached for this own T-shirt, a smile on his lips as the words replayed in his ear.

“Oh, trust me I plan to”

[fanficimagery]

Imagine visiting Spellman Mortuary to make funeral arrangements. You realize the Spellman’s aren’t exactly normal and come to find out you’re more alike than you’d have ever thought.

GIF Credit: Account Deactivated 

Gen Fic X Reader

Standing outside of Baxter High, you await the arrival of one Sabrina Spellman. And in the dreary town of Greendale, she isn't all that hard to miss given she's always wearing something in the color of vibrant red.

When you finally spot her, she's arm in arm with her boyfriend Harvey Kinkle. They're talking to one another, laughing, and you almost feel bad when you step in their path. "Hi. Sorry to bother you guys, but can I have a moment of your time, Sabrina?"

The blonde girl grins and nods, and Harvey excuses himself with a smile after telling his girlfriend he'll wait for her inside. "So what can I help you with?" Sabrina then asks.

"Hi," you sheepishly mumble again. "Uh, my name is Y/N and I'm sorry to ambush you at school, but I have a question about Spellman Mortuary."

"Oh. Okay, shoot."

"Do you guys take walk-ins? Or am I going to have to schedule an appointment? The hospital has been giving me the run-around and took forever to release my mother's body to me since I'm her last of kin, and I finally signed the papers last night. I need to make arrangements for her as soon as possible."

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Sabrina tells you. "And to be truthful, my aunts don't usually take walk-ins, but if you call and explain your situation I'm sure they'll make an exception for today after school."

"Yeah. I'll give them a call." Reaching into your back pocket, you pull free your cell. "Can you program the number?"

Sabrina smiles as she takes the phone, she then programming it. Once finished, she hands it back to you. "There you go. My aunts are usually reading the paper right about now, so you can call before classes start. Once again, I'm really sorry for your loss."

"Thank you." Sabrina takes her leave and you're left staring down at your phone. A minute passes, then two, and you finally tap on the number to dial.

Holding the phone to your ear, you listen as it rings on the other end before someone answers. "Spellman Mortuary. Hilda speaking."

"Hi, Hilda," you say. "My name is Y/N Y/L/N and I was wondering if there was a chance I could be penciled in for a visit today? You see, the thing is my mother passed last week. As I'm her only kin and not exactly an adult just quite yet, the hospital wouldn't release her body to me until last night and I need to make arrangements for her as soon as possible. And I might also be wondering if you guys have any payment arrangements?"

"Oh you poor dear. You come in after school and we'll get you squared away."

You heave a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much Ms. Spellman. Now one last question, do you do pick-ups or should I find away to have my mother's body moved to your place?"

"Don't you worry about a thing, dear. All I need you to do is call the hospital as soon as we hang up and inform them we'll be picking up your mother. We'll take care of her and I'll see you after school."

"Sounds good. Once again, thank you so much."

"So precious," she coos. "I am deeply sorry for your loss. See you soon, dearie."

After hanging up with Hilda Spellman, you quickly make a phone call to the hospital to inform them that someone from Spellman Mortuary would be there sometime during the morning or afternoon to pick up your mother. They take note of it and the phone call ends just as the school’s first warning bell rings.

The day was going to be a long one.

After school you make the drive out to Spellman Mortuary. The Spellman's work out of their own home, which isn't too hard to find, and you park next to the cemetery. Climbing out, you then walk up the small pathway to their front porch. And there, sitting on the railing, is a dark skinned guy wearing a thin housecoat atop a purple shirt and even darker purple pants. He has a laptop balancing on one knee and when he spots you he smiles brightly as he lowers the lid of his computer.

"Well aren't you just a darling little witch."

You stumble to a halt, eyes wide. "How'd you know?"

His smile falters and his head tilts as he scrutinizes you. "What?"

"What?"

"You said-"

"No I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"No, I didn't!"

"Ambrose, please stop harassing our client." The guy's attention on you falters and you exhale, unaware you had been holding your breath. The rather beautiful red-headed woman who's delicately smoking a cigarette nods at you. "Come along, Miss Y/L/N. My sister Hilda has prepared some tea as we figure out the arrangements for your mother."

"Thank you, Miss Spellman." Your gaze darts back to the one who's apparently named Ambrose and he smiles at you before giving up and going back to whatever he was doing on his laptop. You finally climb up the porch stairs, flashing Ambrose a tight smile as you pass him.

The Spellman home is as old fashioned as you guessed it was just by it's appearance outside, but it's a beautiful home nonetheless. You're seated at the kitchen table and Hilda Spellman, a plump blonde woman, fusses over you as her sister Zelda goes through the nitty gritty details of the services for your mother before her burial and the burial itself. You answer any and all questions they have, and even get a bit personal with them as Hilda doles out the steaming tea. Through it all, you take a look around their kitchen and one of their shelving units catches your attention. Because while it seems normal, the jars and vials are corked and labeled in such a familiar manner that it has you wondering about the Spellman family.

"Now if you just sign here and here, you'll be done and Ambrose can get started on your mother right away."

You take the paper from Hilda and sign your name, you then passing it back gently. As she pushes your cup of tea back at you, you finish it off and set it gently back on the table. Then as you sit there gathering your thoughts, you realize you've been a little too calm given you've been speaking about your dead mother and going over the details of what was to happen to her body and organs.

The cup is pushed back in front of you, steaming with fresh tea. Without thought you pick it up.. and then pause as the rim of the cup touches your lips. Blowing gently on it, you take a moment to subtly inhale the tea's scent. And sure enough, you notice a subtle hint of ginger.

Ginger, plus all the labeled jars of ingredients that you know aren't used for cooking, can only mean one thing. Witch.

But seeing as they've not harmed you, and have only given you an apparent calming draught without your consent, you decide to not open that can of worms. At least not yet.

The following morning you awaken to the noise of glass and furniture breaking downstairs. The noise of destruction can only mean one thing and you scramble out of bed before you can be caught off guard once again. Just as you're pulling on your jeans, your bedroom door is exploded open. Debris hits you, even as you shield your face from the most of it, and you're thrown through the door of your closet by an unseen force.

Throwing your hands up in front of your face projects a shimmering shield, and energy blasts slam against it. You whimper in pain and watch as a red demon with black tribal markings all over his face and exposed flesh shimmers into existence only a few feet away from you. "Where's that wretched witch of a mother of yours?"

"Screw.. you."

The demon tuts at you before waving his hand at you and your shield falters. Hand still held out, he quickly squeezes his hand into a fist and every muscle in your body seizes. You scream and the demon holds you under his power for nearly a minute. "I won't ask again, little witch."

"She's.. gone. She's gone!"

The demon squeezes his hand into a fist yet again and twists his wrist to the side, and your blood boils. You're screaming again, thrashing on the floor of your closet as you feel liquid start oozing from your eyes, nose, ears, and the corners of your mouth. Eventually he lets up and your body sags against the floor in relief. "I will find her and when I do I will make her watch as I flay you alive before I do the same to her. After I devour the organs of you and your mother, it will add to my power." The demon chuckles and waves his hand over you, and the tibia's in both your legs snap. You're screaming in agony as he says, "Don't go anywhere."

He stomps out of your room and you're left alone sobbing. There's more furniture breaking and doors being exploded open as he scours your home for your mother. You told him she was gone, but you didn't clarify exactly what gone meant so you're hoping he's searching for something you know he'll never find.

As the demon wreaks more havoc around your home, you quickly get yourself under control. You don't have enough time to heal yourself, so you manage to scoot yourself over to the back corner of your closet and grab a hold of your emergency to-go bag. Then forcing yourself to concentrate, you mutter the words of a hastily put together spell and hope it works. "Trouble comes, trouble goes. I need a place to lay low. Hide me now, hide me fast, hide me before my time comes to pass."

The room around you starts to go hazy and you close your eyes to keep from puking up your guts. Moments later glass shatters and you hear several gasps, and your eyes fly back open.

"Y/N?"

The entire Spellman family, with the exception of Sabrina, is sitting around their kitchen table enjoying breakfast and the morning newspaper. Crap. Why the Fates decided Spellman Mortuary was the perfect place for you to lay low is a bit obvious, but you're not exactly in the mood to explain yourself to them. Too bad things never go your way.

"Before I start explaining," you huff, holding your upper body weight up with your hands seeing as you're bleeding out all over their floor because of your broken legs, "I need someone to go burn my mother's organs. Now!"

Ambrose scrambles up from his seat, and Zelda and Hilda are cautious as they stand. "What's going on?" Zelda demands.

"There's a d-demon after us. More so my mother than I," you tell them. "My mother was a powerful witch and the devouring of her organs can give any demon a power up."

"Blasphemy!" Zelda spits.

"Oh dear," Hilda tuts.

"Yeah. So can someone please go torch her organs and possibly give me a helping hand here? He, uh, he did quite the number on me."

As Ambrose flees the room, Hilda immediately moves towards her shelving unit and starts pulling down vials. Zelda walks over to you and crouches as best as she can in her skirt, she then gesturing to your legs. "What he'd do?"

You shrug. "Broke them so I wouldn't move. I guess he forgot that my family was great at making up spells on the spot and left me alone as he went ransacking the place."

"So you made up a spell to bring you here?" Her eyebrow raises in question.

"Not necessarily. I made up a spell to whisk me away to safety and left it up to the Fates to decide where to stash me. Apparently they thought that safe place was here. I'm sorry for intruding."

"Oh, Satan, no." Zelda's eyes widen as she mockingly swoons, though you're nearly a hundred percent sure she's not doing it in a mocking manner and is just that dramatic. "The Fates? You're not a-"

"Child of the Night? No," you gulp. "You have your Dark Lord and I have my many Goddesses. I don't look down my nose on those you worship, so I'd appreciate it if you can do the same for me."

"Of course, dearie. A witch is a witch after all," Hilda says, bringing over a cup of what smells like tea. She hastily kneels and shoves the cup into your hands. "Now drink up. I added a little spice to speed up the healing."

"Thank you."

As you're drinking, Hilda and Zelda give you a look-over. Ambrose comes back into the kitchen, hands shoved into the pockets of his pajama pants. He raises an eyebrow at you and squats at your side. "How did you know about us?"

"You're joking, right? If it weren't for the obvious witchy ingredients you have on display in plain sight, then the calming draught Hilda slipped into my tea when I was making arrangements for my mother was a dead giveaway." All eyes dart to Hilda and she sheepishly giggles. "Now if someone can please help me to a sofa, I need to concentrate on healing so I can get our of your hair and go ward my home from anymore demonic assholes breaking and entering." 

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT- 25 update... ugh... someone taser me, I need a jump start

They said that "there's no rest for the wicked", and Eren felt that way. Levi had come back in when the maid had brought him something to eat, but as news of his awakening spread, so did the number of people in the bedroom. First came Levi, then came Mikasa and Armin, both lecturing him about his lack of carefulness, and finally to round out the group, Erwin appeared. Seeing the bandaged stump, was like another bitter blow, chasing his nonexistent appetite further away... especially when he was only one eating, with four sets of eyes on his every move. When he'd tried to place down the bowl of porridge he was playing with, both Levi and Mikasa glared at him, until he finally forced himself to shovel it down. The two alphas were already engaged in a silent scent battle, Levi's scent had held a tinge of coolness, that had set Mikasa off, and now it was getting quite putrid. Even if they couldn't smell it themselves, his sensitive nose could, like he could smell a fresh herbal concoction coming from Erwin's stump. The only one not giving him grief was Armin, but the blond clearly hadn't slept. He looked almost as sickly as Eren felt, yet he couldn't offer Armin any comfort. If he did, he risked making Mikasa jealous, which would make Levi jealous, and Erwin would think even less of him. When the maid came to collect his dishes, Eren nearly threw himself on her and begged to be taken away with the dishes. Shooting her a pleading look, it went ignored, leaving him with no choice back to take things into his own hands. Pushing the blankets down, Eren wrinkled his nose at his own smell. He stank of sickness and fever, with touches of slick. It wasn't pleasant at all "Eren, what are you doing?" "I'm getting out of bed" Placing her hand on his, Mikasa stared into his eyes "You've just woken. You need your rest" "I've woken to find out I caused a whole fuck load of issues, then found myself being watched as ate. Seriously, you all watched me eat, and it was silent. Nothing stopped you talking, nothing but yourselves. I'm healed physically, but I stink. I'm taking a shower, and don't even think about asking if I need help" "Eren..." "Mikasa, drop it. You should have been taking care of Armin. He looks exhausted, but I bet you didn't tell him he needed to rest. Prince Erwin, it's not proper for you to be here, and Levi, you should be resting. I may have been unconscious, but that didn't mean you all needed to fall apart over it. It's hardly needed, and frankly it's a bit of an insult. I don't need you all holding my hand. None of us know what's going on, and we won't until we sit down and discuss things in detail. I need to take a shower, and you all need to pull yourselves together" Armin was the only one who didn't look mad over his outburst. Ignoring the three alpha's, Armin moved to "help" him off the bed, before giving him a quick hug "You're right. I feel like I could sleep for a month. I'm really happy you're awake" Hugging Armin, the moment passed in a few seconds "Thanks, Armin. I'm sorry I made you worry" "No, from what I understand, Prince Erwin and Levi were lucky you were there" "I don't know about that. Now go rest, and take Mikasa with you" "I'm going. Mika, we should go sleep" "You go, I'll stay" Half kneeling back on the bed, Armin grabbed Mikasa's hand "If you want him to rest, then we need to leave him to it" "But..." "Armin is right. Both of you have been pushing yourselves so hard. Please go rest, I'll make sure you're notified if anything happens" Levi's voice was smooth, and uncomfortable to hear. Or, to Eren it was. The man was always polite, but he had a completely different way of being polite. It was like there was a frostiness to his politeness, that rubbed both him, and his omega, the wrong way. He may have also been still sulking over Levi leaving him the moment woke, and that they had no time to talk before bombarded. Showered thoroughly, Eren didn't even get a moments peace in the bathroom. Historia had sent Steege in with a change of clothes, and the normally stoic dragon had decided that meant standing guard while a made scrubbed him from head to foot. He hated every second of it. Yes, he was weakened, and probably would have passed out had he showered alone, but an escort was annoying. It wasn't until he was dressed in fresh robes that he realised the reason he was being watched, was because he wasn't trusted. Moving to take the robe's top tie from the maid, the woman flinched away from him. Telling himself it was surprise, he ignored it, only for the woman to flinch away again when he went to help with the sash around his waist. He normally didn't wear robes this complicated, but these seemed to be a set of Steege's robes instead of his own. Thanking the woman was the final nail in his theory, she gave a small cry as his words, before rushing from the room... he'd scared them. He'd lost control of his magic and he'd scared them. Dragons acted with dignity and grace, while he'd continued to lose control of his magic and cause issues... from the moment he'd arrived there, he'd always managed to inconvenience someone, no matter how hard he worked or kept to himself. The maid had probably felt disgusted over washing his body, like he was some kind of mutant thing... and if she though him so bad, it was probably thanks to Rod. He ruled his house staff with a tight leash, when he wasn't drunk and chasing after the female maids... All of it was his fault. No matter what anyone else said. He'd been too weak to save his mum when Marley soldiers laid siege to Shinganshima, and he was just as weak now. He hadn't changed. He hadn't grown. He was still the same kid watching his mother being slaughtered. Instead of returning to the bedroom, Steege led him through the house and to the first floor library. Opening the door, the dragon revealed Freya, Historia, Erwin and Levi. The four of them staring down at the sword that had caused so much pain. Unintentionally meeting Levi's eye, the man was quick to look away, Eren's breath catching. Rising to her feet, Historia frowned at him as she went to raise her hand "Eren? Are you ok?" "I can't... I can't do this right now" "You don't have to speak, but Freya..." "I can't! I can't deal with Obsydin, and his stupid cursed sword!" Clamping a hand over his mouth, Eren shook his head. He hadn't meant to yell. He just... He couldn't do this. Not at the moment. Not until he'd sat down and got his emotions back under control. He could feel his magic responding to Levi's presence, urging him to move to the alpha's side. But he couldn't do it... He needed to regain control of himself, and the sparks forming at his fingertips. He needed to centre himself and pull himself out this unwanted flunk that plagued him... Turning, he ran. Well, he rushed the best he could, to get away from the room. He needed to think, something that was impossible with Levi right there. Making it outside the manor, he shifted to his dragon form the moment he was far away enough from the manor to not cause damage. The effort and strain on his body was enormous, but as he took to the air, it felt right. With wings as large and as powerful as his, it only took minutes to make it to the peninsula between Draecia and Eldia. Landing on the Draecia, he stared across the exposed reef, as he shifted back to his human form. He didn't belong in Draecia, and he didn't belong in Eldia. He was a dragon with no home. * Watching Eren flee, Levi bit down his desire to chase the teen. It was no secret that they were all taking it hard, but unlike Eren, both he and Erwin had some time to talk and adjust to the new situation. For Levi, he couldn't remember anything after Eren's magic spiralling out of control, until he woke with a raging fever, the open sores across his body pushing out small rapidly forming scales due to Eren's magic. It'd felt like hell, or the closest Levi had ever been. Day after day they'd raced to form, before the wound bursting and the razor sharp scales being expelled. It wasn't until the morning of his third day suffering that that had finally passed, leaving him weakened and sleeping a solid 12 hours before waking to Erwin's ugly face. His first request had been to see Eren, despite everyone's insistence that he slept. He didn't want to sleep. His dreams were twisted and terrifying, Filled with flame and death, while the taste of ash and mud had seemingly taken up permanent residence in his mouth, as had a constant coldness that left his core chilled, no matter how many furs or blankets he bundled himself up in. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he took a long breath "Aren't you going after him?" He didn't need Historia's lecture. She'd already told him that Eren was emotional, and blaming himself. Which he could feel bleeding through their bond, even though their bond felt slightly weird. Clearing his throat, Steege shook his head "Eren's just left the manor grounds. I suggest you leave him be" "Steege, will you go?" Freya's voice was soft, where as Levi wanted to order the dragon to. His temper wasn't helped by the constant throb at the base of his skull... "There's no need. I'm sure his Highness would have heard Eren, and dispatched someone to collect him" Both Freya and Historia paled, Historia sinking back into her seat "Princess?" Looking to Erwin with fearful eyes, Historia didn't reply to him. Taking her hand, Freya gave a firm nod "I'll go to father. I'll talk to him" "But... This involves the magic of Obsydin. I don't know if he'll listen" "He'll listen. I'll make sure he does" "You know what he's like!" "I do. That's exactly why I'll go. Please remain here with Erwin and Levi. I'm sure they have many questions" "That's why Eren needs to be here to" "Historia, father wouldn't dare risk breaking the peace in Draecia. I'll make him see sense" From what Levi knew of Rod, that would be an uphill battle... "Perhaps Erwin should go with you? And explain how this all came about" "Father won't listen to an outsider, even the crown prince of Eldia" Historia nodded at her sister's word, before looking to Steege again "Steege, can you please see who father has sent? Maria may be prepared to listen, but Sina and Rose will act upon his wishes" "Shall I ask Ymir to join you?" "She's probably on her way up to scold Eren. This was all too much, too fast for him. No wonder he couldn't cope. First he's sure that Levi hates him, and then he blames himself..." "Don't forget father didn't want him left alone inside the manor" Say what? Levi hadn't heard about that, but then again, he'd been by Eren's side, as had Historia when she could be, and Ymir during the night "Eren is hardly a danger. I think it would have been hard to see any of us witnessing our riders go through what Levi had. Personally, I believe it was thanks to his quick thinking that things weren't even worse than they are. Erwin would have been killed by the spreading magic, and Levi's infection would have been so much worse if Eren hadn't thought to sheath the sword as fast as he had. If Levi had come in contact with the bone, fang or scale, he may have also died. And it was his magic that prevented Levi from falling under the full effects of the sword..." If he wasn't experiencing the full effect, he didn't want to know how much worse it could have been. Shifting uncomfortably, he looked over to Steege who was still standing there. Pushing herself up lightly, Freya smiled at him. He had no fucking idea why, but he didn't like it... His alpha was starting to get angsty over their separation from Eren "Of course. You're quite right, Levi. Steege and I shall take our leave. Historia, please stay with our visitors for now. Father should have no problems with you supervising two humans" "I wasn't intending on leaving. I am well aware of what he can be like" When Freya and Steege left, Historia gathered herself up on the sofa, plucking up the cushion into her hold "Historia, what was this about Eren not being unsupervised?" Levi was thankful that Erwin had his voice, his own seemed to have deserted him "Just my father overreacting. Eren's magic is strong, and the destructive power exhibited by blowing up the cabin lead to a lot of questions. I firmly believe Eren did the right thing, but... My father insists it could be seen as an act of aggression against Eldia, and also as an act of aggression against Draecia. He's a coward, set in his ways" "I assure you, this incident was a mistake on Eldia's behalf" Something inside Levi snapped, the words coming from his lips without him being able to stop them "A mistake on Eldia's behalf!? It was a mistake on your fucking behalf! Eren told you not to fuck around with the shitty sword, but you didn't listen. Now you've lost half your arm, you stupid bastard" Erwin's scent jumped to defensive anger, the alpha practically hissing "Really? I hadn't noticed" "You know what your problem is, you're the first to jump to assumptions when it relates to Eren!" "How do you expect me to trust him? Not when he seems to be one mystery after another, and rushing to climb back into bed with you" "He's my fucking boyfriend! He hasn't talked about it with anyone" "Don't you think he would have? If not for the command on him..." "You put another command on him! How dare you!" Grabbing Erwin by the shirt front, Levi snarled in the man's face. An uncontrollable anger rising from deep inside of him, as he hurled the man up off the sofa, then off his feet with ease "You will never place a command on him again. You will not touch him. You won't acknowledge him. You won't even be alone in the same room as him. That omega is mine" "L-Levi... your face" Smiling, Levi's eyes darkened as his teeth sharpened. His fingernails turning into long black claws as he hefted Erwin higher "He is mine. I want to hear you say it" "L-Levi..." For Levi, it was as if his mind had completely disconnected from his body, like someone had thrown up a wall between them. He could see the fear on Erwin's face, he could feel the anger swirling through his bloodstream. It would be so easy to reach up his other hand and snap Erwin's neck... The man's skin looked so smooth, while the carotid artery in his neck pulsed in a way that drew his attention to it... if he lowered him, he could easily tear the life from Erwin, and not feel a shred of guilt. No one had the right to harm that omega. That pathetic beast was his alone. Snarling, he pulled Erwin down, so they were face to face "Say it!" Erwin stuttered, making Levi's toothy smile grow wider. If the man pissed himself, it would be perfect... and what he deserved "I... Eren is yours. He's your omega, and your mate. I'll remove the commands" "Make sure you do. He's much to pretty to be wasted on the likes of you" Dropping Erwin, the man fell to sofa completely disheveled. Behind him, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder "That's enough" Spinning to growl at Historia, Levi never saw Ymir's blow coming. Knocked to the floor, Levi growled in confusion as he looked up to Ymir towering over him. The woman had just right hooked him, and he had no idea why... even if he was grateful she hadn't used her full strength or he'd probably be dead "Ymir!" "I won't have him threatening you, or his infection threatening you" Grabbing Ymir's arm, Historia's voice was soft but firm "There was no need to hit him like that" "I meant to knock him out... at least he's gone back to looking human enough for now" Back to human? "What... just happened?" Looking at his hands, they looked pretty human to him. His nails were a little longer than he'd normally kept them, but there wasn't any red streaks like Erwin's had had, nor were there scales "You don't remember?" Levi shook his head, pushing himself up and back onto the sofa "You told Erwin that Eren was yours, and to remove the commands on him. Do you really not remember?" "Save it, Historia. It's obviously a side effect of the infection and letting Eren run away. Seriously. What were you all thinking? You're supposed to be his boyfriend, but you've let him run off and take the blame for everything. Your not the same man you were when you arrived here. You've been aggressive towards everyone other than Eren, and now you're infected with blood of a dragon who was so evil, they've tried to erase him history. You've practically been cursed by it. There's no going back for you, so you need to suck it the hell up" At least Ymir was speaking him to frankly. Though he wasn't sure he understood. He'd blacked out in a fit of angry? Was that it? Glaring at her girlfriend, Historia looked fierce "Ymir!" "What? He appreciates my honesty, everyone does. Erwin fucked up, now Levi is paying for it" "We don't know that for sure!" "I'm pretty sure we do. He had claws and his eyes were pitch black. Also, he lifted Erwin right off his feet, and I don't care how strong Shorty is, he lifted Eyebrows up here off the ground by his shirt alone" Levi didn't like to brag how strong he was, and though slightly smaller, he could easily lift Eren and carry him around as if he weighed nothing... But Erwin, maybe. He'd never had cause to... "Levi, it's ok if you don't remember. We don't know the full effects of this infection" It wasn't ok with him. He could possibly hurt someone without realising... he could hurt Eren, without realising. "Levi?" Placing his hand on Levi's thigh, Erwin gave a firm squeeze "You're not to blame" No. Erwin was... and his ancestors for not destroying the sword. Why did they need to create such an abomination to begin with? "I know I'm not. I wasn't blaming myself. I just... the idea of not remembering. Perhaps it's best I'm restrained for now" The headache plaguing him had worsened, even as Eren's magic worked to heal him. Honestly, he was scared of himself. Blackouts were never a good thing, nor were blackouts caused by a three hundred year old dragon's curse. Ymir was right. This was more than an infection. The rapidly scales alone had proven that, now as he added up his symptoms in his head, he couldn't help but feel something was horribly wrong with him "Levi, I don't think we need to resort to such things" Ymir was quick to reply to her girlfriend "What happens if he loses it again? We're strong because of our dragon blood, but Erwin is flesh and bone. He won't survive Levi if he was to lose his mind" "I... then..." The princess was conflicted, it was as plain as the nose on her face "I think it is best I'm moved away from the rest of the manor's inhabitants. We cannot risk blowing this into an even bigger scene than it currently is" "But.." "Historia, I understand your position, but these are Levi's wishes..." Erwin could fuck off. Even if he didn't remember what happened, the man never should have placed a command of silence on Eren. So many times he'd wanted to ask why Eren had never called his name, or addressed his letters to him personally, and now he knew. It was cruel of Erwin to have left the command on Eren. The kid was a brat, who'd been through so much. He should have been freed from shackles of Eldia once he'd left it. Other than his vow, but Levi had been sure to tell him that his time here wouldn't go against the kingdom, as he'd feared Eren dying from betraying his vow. God. This whole thing was a headache and a half "I think I know a room you can use, but the sword will kept from you" "That's fine" He didn't want the stupid thing near him as it was... He'd destroy it if he could... but given neither Historia or her sister had, there was the possibility that they couldn't. Would be stuck with the blasted thing for the rest of his life? Cursed to keep it close, lest losing it lead to his death? "Very well. I'll take you down. Steege will probably be able to hear us as it is, and he'll notify Freya on your change of location" Levi gave a soft sigh. If only he'd stayed home and waited for Eren to return... or even better, if only he'd insisted Erwin had left him and Eren alone for the day. They could have finished the festival. He would have been able to present Eren with the gold bracelets he'd brought over, a gentle joke over the ones he'd worn when he'd arrived at the castle, and the gold dragon hair clip he'd had fashioned for Eren's long hair. He'd wanted to do more, but Eren had said no gold. He'd also said no fancy gem stones, but that hadn't happened either. The bracelets all had small gems, that weren't overly expensive in order not to upset Eren, as had the dragon hair clip. Before this had all happened, he would have given Eren the world if he'd asked, but now he had nothing at all to give him, or to gift him. Most of their belongings had been damaged in the explosion, if not destroyed, and thanks to his condition, he hadn't been able to inspect what was left...

[writebythenight]

The Silence

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Rose(OC) is assigned the job of talking to Negan in his Cell.

Chapter Eleven

"Rose... what have you done?" Rick's voice made the seriousness of the situation sink in all at once, even through the radio.

"I had to." She replied.

"Have you any idea how dangerous what you did was? How wrong it could have gone?"

"Yes." She said simply.

"Then why did you do it?!" She winced at how angry he sounded.

"I had to." She shrugged despite him not being able to see her.

"We'll talk about this when I get home."

"Yes, Dad." She sneered thrusting the radio back at Michonne. "I wouldn't change it." She told the woman before storming off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 24 hours earlier XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Rose!" She heard her voice being shouted just as she was about to leave out of the gate. It had been just over a month since the re-building of the bridge had begun and progress was a little slow so she had decided to see how she could help. Turning she saw one of the younger men who sometimes helped with Negan, Eddie running towards her.

"What's up?"

"It's Negan."

"Of course..." She sighed. "What has he done?"

"You know how theres a bad bug goin' round?" He asked making Rose nod. "I think he's got it. I don't know what to do... Rick's out like always right now and Michonne's at Hilltop."

"Shit..." her shoulders dropped at the prospect of an ill Negan, what the hell was she supposed to do with one of those? "C'mon." She stared to walk back into Alexandria, towards where Negan was, with Eddie following. "Has he been vomiting?"

"Yeah..." Eddie sighed with a look of disgust. "Its seriously disgusting, man. I didn't sign up for that shit you know?!"

"I know." She sighed but all she could think about was poor Negan stuck in that cell so ill.

The smell hit her straight away, it was the unmistakeable scent of illness but in no way she'd ever smelt before and as she entered to see him all but collapsed over a bucket, dry heaving she couldn't help but panic.

"Negan!" She shouted. "Are you okay?" He just lifted his head with a look which made her imagine him saying 'are you fuckin' kiddin' me right now, princess?' in his mind.

"How long has he been like this?" She quickly asked Eddie.

"Shit.. I dunno. He was like this when I came in here this mornin'." She knew that must have meant he'd been like this at least four or five hours.

"Have you given him any water or anything?" She watched incredulously as the young man shook his head and majorly had to bite her tongue to stop her telling him how much of an idiot she thought he was.

What the hell was she supposed to do!? She couldn't keep him in here with no fresh air, no access to a toilet, a dirty floor and a bucket, it just wasn't right but where could she put him?!

"Fuck it." She said. "Give me the keys."

"Wh..what?"

"You heard me." Rose looked him dead in the eyes not backing down. "Give me the damn keys!"

"I can't. Rick said not to give them to anybody except Michonne..."

That shocked her and angered her in equal measures. Did Rick not trust her?

"Look at him!" She spat. "I couldn't give two fucks what Rick says he is not staying in that cell like this!"

"I can't..."

"If you don't give me those keys I will shove my foot so far up your god damn ass that you..."

"Woah woah woah... Rose there's no need for threats." Rose noticed his hand go to the gun on his hip. "I can't give you these keys. You can't let him out!" The young man looked so scared that Rose almost felt sorry for him, she understood, she really did that all this boy knew of Negan was the horrific things he had done.

"Take your hand off of your gun, Eddie." She said calmer now. "This is getting ridiculous. Just give me the keys so I can take him to the infirmary. That's where he needs to be... he's sick. I'll be careful." She stared at him hoping she was giving him her most trustworthy look. He seemed to be calming down and thinking about her requests when a banging from the bars next to them made them both jump, Negan had crashed into them exhaustedly.

"If you lay..." Negan's voice was weak but still rough enough to hold power which amazed her. "...one finger on her fuckin' head I swear to god one day I will make you regret ever leavin' your mama's pussy."

If Rose had thought Eddie had looked frightened before he now looked utterly terrified and her, too shocked at the effect Negan could still have on people even just through stories they had heard about him just stood there wide eyed and slack jawed.

"Okay but you better tell Rick it wasn't my fault." Eddie held his hands up with the keys hanging from one of his fingers which Rose snatched from him, quickly turning to unlock the gate. Later when everything was calmer she would realise that she hadn't thought twice about unlocking it, scooping her arm around his waist and helping him out and into the street with no handcuffs or back up.

Shocked by how light he felt she didn't struggle too much to get him there but was still out of breath by the time she helped him onto the random bed in the infirmary. He instantly laid down on it sighing loudly.

Grabbing the bag she still had on her back from nearly heading out she pulled out her water bottle, grabbed a couple of pillows and stood next to his bed.

"I know you're tired but I need you to drink this okay?" She said softly as she lifted him to push the comfy pillows underneath him, making him moan at the comfort he hadn't had in so long. He took the water and sipped it before relaxing back into the bed with a moan.

"You really are a fuckin' angel." He told her quietly.

"And you really are the devil." She laughed. "Did you see poor Eddie's face?"

"Served him fuckin' right..." He took a deep breath to fight away the nausea. "Even just for the thought of hurtin' you." Rose's heart squeezed at the sentiment, that he would care that much when he was so sick.

"How are you feeling?" She asked grabbing a cloth from the cabinet next to her and wetting it before lifting it to his forehead. His head leaned into the touch even though it was just a cloth, his eyes were heavy but still watching her with a look that Rose had seen many times before. A look that kept her questioning her sanity.

"Better now... thank you."

Rose shrugged. "It's nothing."

"No... it isn't." He sounded drowsy and she desperately hoped it was just exhaustion from the illness as she was not equipped to deal with anything else. "Sip a little more of this for me, okay." She told him as she passed him the bottle. After quickly checking his temperature which was higher than normal but nothing alarming she sat beside him quietly letting him sleep.

She knew it wouldn't be long until somebody came along disturbing their peace but until then she just sat alternating between watching him, feeling creepy about it and then looking out of the window. Every now and again patting his face down with the cold cloth to which he would push his face towards, she even stroked his head very gently the way she always liked when she was sick. He would make little sighing noises when she did certain things like stroke his head and it made it harder and harder to be able to connect this man with the one who did the crimes he was paying for now.

But she would always remember that it was he same man. How could she not?

Sure enough at their peace was ruined as Siddiq entered the room followed by Eddie to see the prisoner and Rose both asleep. Rose still sat in the chair beside his bed only awakened by the loud clearing of the medics throat.

"Oh my god!" She cried as she jumped, Negan beside her groggily sitting up looking for what had made her cry out. "It's fine, lie down." She told him.

"Rose..." Siddiq said to Rose, warily watching Negan. "Can I talk to you? Eddie watch him."

"Oh don't leave me with Eddie..." Negan moaned only to stop whatever he was going to say with one pointed look from Rose.

"What do you think you're doing?!" He snapped at the woman once she had joined him out of the room.

"What do you mean?" Rose chose to act oblivious.

"Rick sends me back here because there's a bug going around... I get to the infirmary and Eddie's stood outside a nervous wreck saying you and Negan bullied him into giving you the keys!"

"That little shit..." She said through gritted teeth. "You're a doctor right... I honestly think you'd have done the same, I couldn't leave him in there! He has the bug and he was being sick into a bucket for gods sake... the conditions he's in aren't fit for a human nevermind a fucking sick one!" The more she talked about it the angrier she got at the fact that she had to explain basic empathy to people. "He needed fresh air, light, comfort, somewhere to be sick that wasn't a metre away!"

He seemed to take in everything she had said and then slowly nodded his head making Rose feel relieved that she might have at least one person on her side. "We'll keep him here until he's better... it usually clears within twenty four hours."

"Thank you." She sighed.

"Don't thank me... you're right." He smiled at her before going to walk back in. "Im gonna go check him over, you coming?"

"Of course." She followed him in and stayed there the whole time before sitting back down next to him.

It was turning dark when Rose trying to get Negan to eat was interrupted. Michonne entered the infirmary to see Rose stood at Negan's bedside holding a bowl and laughing at something he had said, no handcuffs in sight.

"What the hell is this?!" Michonne snapped.

The pair turned to the other woman, Rose's eyes wide while Negan had his usual grin upon his face. He saw Rose's entire body stiffen as she stood in front of his bed and he realised she was standing herself between him and Michonne, he wanted to get out of bed and stand up next to her but he knew it wouldn't help.

"He's sick."

"That's why he's locked up, Rose."

"No..." Rose sighed. "He's actually sick. You know the bug that's been going around? He has it."

"That doesn't explain why he's here."

"You expect me to leave him in a dark, damp cell to be sick into a bucket?" Rose asked with a slight edge to her voice.

"Yes." Michonne said completely stone faced. "Other people have it and I don't see them in the infirmary."

"Yeah because they have houses..."

"He's going back to his cell." Michonne said walking over to them. "Now."

"No. He isn't." Rose held her ground for him, yet again.

"Rose..." Michonne said warningly.

"I couldn't give a shit what you or anybody else has to say this man is sick for gods sake and I am not letting him go back into that cell!"

Negan for once was completely lost for words seeing this woman stand up for him was something he had never expected.

"He's being cuffed to the bed then."

"What if he has to be sick?"

"Your problem not mine."

Rose let out a sound that came close to a growl making Negan watch her in admiration. Sure Rose could handle herself but Michonne was on another level and had a massive sword.

"Rose. I feel a lot better..." he said gently. As much as he preferred the comfy bed and the pillows and having her next to him without bars he didn't want to cause any trouble for her.

"No..." her voice quivered as her shoulders fell.

"It's okay..." he said softly from behind her, completely thrown off by her emotional reaction.

Only a single tear left her eyes before she composed herself, not wanting to show either of the other people in the room how she truly felt about this. Which was just... so unbelievably sad. She cared about Negan no matter if it was just out of concern for another human or a connection with him... she didn't know and it didn't matter. All she knew is that she was sad when she thought of him all alone in that cell.

When she thought about him sick and nobody caring.

Sad at the thought of people not even giving him the time of day when he was probably just so lonely and bored.

That he wouldn't ever have a normal life...

He would never be able to be with someone.

"No! No it's not!" She shouted. "This is cruel! The whole thing is so cruel. For fucks sake he'd be better off dead! Rick decided to keep him alive so it's his responsibility to give him the basic fucking human rights! I'm sick of everyone pretending he's not down there!" Her voice cracked but she kept herself strong. "He is sick." She said with a tone of finality.

"I'm going to radio Rick."

"Yeah you do that!" Rose snapped as she watched the woman leave the room.

"Rose..." Negan started.

"Don't..." she held her hand up to stop him still feeling a little vulnerable and not wanting to talk about it but of course Negan didn't care. He grabbed the wrist of the hand she held up and dragged her to where he was sitting on the bed, wrapping his arms around her, one hand on the back of her head to hold her in the crook of his neck.

She stood between his legs in a very intimate way and let her arms fall around his waist as she let it all out.

"Why the fuck am I the one who's crying?!" She laughed in between tears.

"Is it that time of the month, darlin?" His voice was a quiet rumble, her favourite way to hear his voice. She punched him in the side while her other arm still wrapped around him. "Seriously though, Rose." He held her face inbetween his hands and looked her in the eyes. "I don't deserve you're tears... I did things that I chose to do. Bad, fucked up shit." He pulled her back into the crook of his neck rocking side to side. "I don't deserve them. I don't." He whispered.

"I know you don't..." she cried knowing that part of the reason that she was so upset was the confusion she felt towards her feelings for him. Her thoughts were disrupted by the feel of something hard digging into her belly, when she realised what it was she gasped jumping backwards.

"Oh my god! Negan! Way to ruin the moment."

He just sat there laughing loudly watching the beautiful woman who had caused the perfectly normal male reaction in him blushing like crazy.

"What?! I'm human ya know... when a beautiful woman's presss up against me..."

"Yeah yeah I know it's been a while." She scoffed. He didn't want her to think that what happened was something he couldn't control, hell, sure it had been a while but that didn't make him some pre pubescent boy again. It was her that made him not be able to control himself.

"A long while of imagining all the things I'd do to you, Rose." He rasped making the room suddenly go very hot as she stood there not knowing what to do or say, he could see that he had an effect on her and with anybody else he would have pointed it out more. Probably made fun of her for it. But not Rose. Taking pity on her he gestured towards the bowl of soup she had been forcing on him earlier. "Let me try some of that. If I can keep it down take me back to that hell hole."

"Okay. Deal." She nodded before passing him the soup.

Much to both Rose and Negan's disappointment the watery soup and stale bread stayed down and he was walked back to his cell by Eddie and Siddiq. Apparently Michonne was waiting for Rose with a radio call from Rick.

Great.

🌹

Chapter Twelve

[booksteaandarainyday]

When You Can’t Sleep at Night

Matt hasn’t slept properly in weeks. Turns out, someone else isn’t sleeping either.

Crossposted on AO3 and Fanfiction under booksteaandrainydays.

***

Matt hadn’t slept properly in weeks.

To be fair, it had probably been a lot longer than that since he’d slept through the entire night, but recently he’d been lucky to snag an hour at a time, much less anything allowing for real restfulness. It was for this reason that he was sitting on his leather sofa at three-thirty in the morning listening to Mick Jagger crooning about painting something black (ironic, really) from his phone’s music app and going through some of the facts from the latest court case he’d taken on. When the light tap at his door sounded, he ignored it at first, dismissing it as a figment of his tired mind, until it happened again a little louder. He cocked his head, listening for a clue as to who could possibly be at his apartment at this time of night, and he paused his music.

The heartbeat caught his attention first, a quick, erratic rhythm indicating whoever it was seemed to be a little nervous. Then her scent hit his nose, even through the wood of the door, a light vanilla almost reminiscent of freshly baked cupcakes. Nothing overpowering, but it nearly knocked him out of his seat to know she was standing outside his door when he’d thought she’d never speak to him again.

As the third light knock echoed through his now silent apartment, Matt was already halfway across the room, his eagerness to “see” her again getting the better of him. He slid back the deadbolt, turning the handle and swinging the door open as fast as he could, startling his visitor and interrupting what would have been the fourth knock if her sudden intake of breath and the woosh of air from lowering her hand were any indication. “Hi, Karen,” he said.

“Hi, Matt,” she responded. For a moment neither of them said anything else, just stood silent in each other’s presence. Matt was taking note of everything he could about the woman standing before him. Her heartbeat was still faster than usual, and now that he was closer, he could detect the smell of snow mixing with the vanilla he had come to associate with her. He could also sense that she was shivering a little which brought him out of his internal study of her.

“Shit.” Matt stepped aside, clearing his doorway. “Sorry, Karen. It must be freezing outside. Come in.” The chuckle she quietly let out warmed his heart, and one side of his mouth twitched upwards. She walked past him to where he knew his coat rack was, and he heard the faint snick of the buttons on her coat popping as he closed the door. He moved behind her, taking care to shuffle his feet so she wouldn’t startle, and he helped her out of the garment, hanging it for her. It was warmed from being so close to her skin, and he held it a moment longer than necessary, absorbing some of that warmth.

He winced, hoping she hadn’t noticed. Hugging her coat was probably considered a creepy thing to do. He’d just...missed her was all.

“I wanted to talk to you about something.” Karen was walking around his apartment with ease, as though it hadn’t been months since the last time she’d been there. She now took a spot on his couch, drumming her fingers nervously against the armrest. He couldn’t see her, but he could tell she was now looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to reply. Instead, he said nothing, silently nodding his head and approaching her, but sitting on the sofa across the coffee table, giving her the space he sensed she needed.

She breathed in deeply, as though steeling herself for her next words, and on her exhale an entire story flowed out of her- a story that had him clenching his fists in anger. Not anger at her, no, anger at the terrible things she was telling him had happened to her and he’d had no idea. He was so caught up in the tale echoing through his head he didn’t detect the lack of her voice for a moment. When he did, the sound of stifled sobs hit him like a physical blow. He was out of his seat and wrapping his arms around Karen’s shaking form before he could process more than one more thought: If James Wesley were still alive, I would kill him for putting her through this.

At his touch, Karen’s cries got louder even as she struggled to push him from her. Matt only held her more tightly. “No, Matt, please,” she whimpered. “I’m a murderer. A killer! I don’t deserve any God damn sympathy.” It occurred to him then, why she hadn’t said anything to him before, why she’d suffered by herself for so long.

All those times he’d bad mouthed Frank Castle for killing. When Foggy had said anything about a murderer not deserving to go free. Hell, back when they’d been trying to take down Wilson Fisk, they’d talked about the lack of humanity in his deeds. Fuck. And the entire time, Karen had sat silently, taking their words to heart.

Gently, Matt cupped her chin, tilting her face toward him, acutely aware of the fact that he’d forgotten to put his glasses back on as he felt her eyes resting on him, through him. “Hey,” he whispered. “You, Karen Page, are not a murderer.” Her scoff made him grip her face a little more firmly in his hand as she tried to turn away from him. “You’re not.” He lowered his head to softly press his forehead to hers, just for a second. “You’re a survivor. But I know you’re still going to feel bad for what you did-what he forced you to choose.”

A breath he hadn’t even realized she was holding burst out of her, along with fresh tears, and Karen collapsed into his chest, her head resting in the crook of his neck and her arms wound their way around his shoulders. Smoothly, he adjusted their position to a more comfortable one, lifting her so she was sitting across his lap, one hand resting on her head and the other stroking reassuringly up and down her back as he murmured quietly in her ear. He twirled her long, soft hair between his fingers as he felt her sobs gradually calm.

“I just want you to know,” he said, “I will always be grateful for that, Karen.”

“Grateful that I killed him?” she asked hoarsely.

Matt shook his head. He felt her shift, tucking one of her arms into her chest, as though trying to make herself smaller. He reached to grasp her fingers, threading them between his own. “No. I’m sorry you were put in the position where you had to make that kind of choice.” He took a breath, preparing himself for his next statement. “What I’m grateful for is that you’re still here. With me. If it was a choice of you or Wesley, I am so fucking thankful you chose yourself because I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.” And I would choose you every single time.

His last words were silent, spoken only to himself for fear that she would be able to read the depth of emotion he was sure would have leaked into his voice. He didn’t think she was quite ready for that.

Yet.

And still, even though he hadn’t said it aloud, he thought maybe she could feel it, if the way she clenched his fingers was proof.

They sat together, silently entwined, for what felt like hours. Matt listened as Karen’s breathing evened out, heard the way the beat of her heart slowed until it was in sync with his own. She’d fallen asleep, and he was finally feeling like he could drift off as well. Carefully, he extracted his hand from hers, moving it beneath her legs to lift her again, this time standing himself and walking to his bedroom.

His sheet and blanket were still pulled back from where he’d shoved them off his body as he got out of bed the morning before. Karen didn’t stir as he lay her down, but when he reached to tug covers over her, she fisted her hand in the material of his t-shirt. She sat up even as she pulled him down to sit on the bed with her. “You’re staying in here tonight with me.” It wasn’t a question. Matt opened his mouth to protest, but she shushed him with a finger over his lips.

“It’s your bed, Matt. I’m not kicking you out of your own bed.” And with that, he found himself lying on his back, one arm outstretched to pillow her head as she lay on her side facing away from him while he stared sightlessly at his ceiling. For a few minutes, the only sound was the slight rustle of the sheets as they breathed, although neither of them slept. Finally, Karen turned to face him. “I can hear you over-thinking this,” she told him. The bed dipped as she scooted closer, until their bodies were pressed together, and she threw an arm over his stomach even as her forehead rested against the side of his face. “I promise we can talk more in the morning. For now, just… sleep.”

Instinctively, Matt’s arm curled comfortably around her shoulders, his fingers brushing bare skin, and his thumb traced a caress there. A moment passed, then another, and he let his eyes drift shut. He smiled as he felt Karen tilt her head and press a soft, lingering kiss against his jaw. “G’night, Matty,” she mumbled sleepily.

“Goodnight, Karen,” he replied. But she was already asleep. Matt let himself relax, taking in the fragrances around her he’d been too preoccupied to notice before- the coconut of her shampoo, the fading ink from a newspaper, mint from her toothpaste. And underlying it all was just… Karen.

Turning his head, he gently returned her kiss, brushing his lips against her hair.

“Love you,” came the words sweetly whispered against his neck. Matt knew she hadn’t awakened, and his heart clenched at the knowledge that she’d spoken in her sleep. He said nothing, deciding to wait until she was conscious to respond, merely kissing her again as he started drifting off into sleep.

For the first time in a long time, Matt Murdock slept peacefully, with no nightmares to haunt him. Instead, he had a promise of tomorrow with the beautiful, brave woman at his side and a single phrase repeating, even through the swirling colors of his dreams.

I love you, too.

[erikismybitch]

Havana : part two

Naomi didn’t sleep well that night , she never slept well in foreign places . She could only rest in the comfort of her own bed . Even when she stayed over at Rains House, she tossed and turned all night .

The sun was up now, Naomi found herself in the sand and at peace with her yellow polka dot yoga mat .

Erik was up to, a practice he had mastered after years in the military. His eyes would automatically open at five am, no alarm needed . His room was the only room that overlooked the beach . Unknowingly he watched her, still laying in his bed.

Tree pose

Bridge pose

Child’s pose

Cobra pose

And one Erik liked very much , Downward dog.

In addition to her voluptuous body, he appreciated how flexible she was. He could see every curve she posessed, due to her light blue yoga pants and matching sports bra. When she was done, Erik found himself disappointed that the show was over. She came inside , he heard her footsteps in the kitchen . He knew it was her because his mother and sister slept late . He was yearning to talk to her before they got up .

Naomi rummaged through Eriks kitchen cabinets , in search for something to nibble on . She gave the fridge a try, no luck .

“This man has no food” she mumbled .

“I don’t eat” Erik walked into the kitchen, scaring her half to death . She placed her hand on her chest and turned to him . Erik stood there in all his glory, with nothing on but a pair of thin joggers. “I just drink my protein shakes , eggs , meat, I eat a lot of frozen shit”

“Aww Erik” Shame hiding being her voice . “Is there a store around here?” She asked .

“A store for what, you don’t want a shake?” He joked as he opened his cabinet and grabbed the container of chocolate whey.

“I need basic things, like fruit and vegetables“ she said sarcastically.

“It’s one that’s walking distance , want me to go with you ?”

“No, I can handle it if you tell me how to get there”

“Okay Dora. As soon as you leave the gates, walk left . Just keep walking you’ll see it”

Naomi set off to the store , the distance was longer than she expected . But nevertheless she got to see the beautiful neighborhood on the way . The group of uniformed children who walked to school and waved as they past . She met an old senile woman smoking a cigar that mistook her for her daughter . Then the slick heckler who tried to convince her to buy a fake gold bracelet .

“Hola’” Naomi greeted the old man who she assumed owned the small store . He was the only one behind the counter . He said Hi back . He was dark skinned and had dreadlocks that hung below his back . On his wrist was a bracelet with the lion of Zion.

“Como estas!” He shouted , reveling his missing front tooth.

“Bien”

She grabbed a small basket and got the things she needed . Fresh OJ, bread , mango, breakfast sausage and plantain. The market didn’t have much so she made due . She paid for the items and went back to Erik’s villa . It was humid , her body had become moist on the walk back . She placed the items on the counter , Erik was still there . The others were still sleeping .

“I need two skillets, help me...help me” she told Erik , he obliged and even turned on the stove for her .

Naomi placed her hair in a high bun, Erik admired her beautiful full face . She washed her hands too , that suggested that she was clean . She added a couple of sausages to the pan.

“I love plantain, you making it too?”Erik picked up the two ripe fruits .

“I thought you didn’t eat” she snatched them, pealed them and began to cut them .

“I eat that, that shit be good”

She laughed at little , adding oil to the empty skillet and turning on the fire . Naomi began cracking eggs into an empty bowl .

“You have no TV, how do you live like this?” The previous night, Naomi noticed that he didn’t . She was an advent TV watcher , it ran her life .

“The channels here are not regular channels. I watch stuff on my Mac, whenever the internet works” he sat across from her on a tall stool. He watched her cook . They talked and laughed more and more as she finished . Conversing about everything under the sun. From what cartoons they both hate , to what really happened to Tupac and Biggie . No topic was left untouched in the kitchen .

Rain and Ruby were both awaken by the laughs of Erik and Naomi . They peeked nosely at the two who were sitting next to eachother , fairly close . Ruby’s intuition had served her right , she knew her son would take a liking to Naomi . Rain on the other hand was disgusted, as any little sister would be .

“Did you make us some food too!?” Rain interrupted , walking into the kitchen with her big pink bonnet on her head .

“Good morning lil nigga” Erik scoffed at his sisters rude behavior.

“My bad, good morning y’all “ She retracted .

“It’s enough for everybody “

They came into the kitchen and helped themselves to the things Naomi cooked .

After everyone finished , Rain and Naomi got dressed for a day out . Ruby had been there and done that, she wanted to have a day of relaxation and decided to stay home . Erik said he didn’t want to third wheel. The truth was, he didn’t want to talk to Naomi around his pesky baby sister.

They left , hauling a classic car to escort them to El Capitolo. Naomi was highly interested in Fidel Castro . After they conquered that historical place , the two of them set out to Old Havana. They walked around the beautiful colorful buildings and brick passages .

The duo found themselves in the middle of an outside market , where locals and other tourist bargained with eachother on prices . Naomi was at a small booth, admiring a small bracelet . “How much?” She asked the salesman. He told her is was five Cuban Pesos. She willingly gave him the money . He politely took her hand and put the bracelet on her wrists. She smiled and thanked him .

“You’re too nice , these people are gonna take all your money “ Rain said, while she ignored the heckler fighting for her attention . “Pesos aren’t much, and it’s the least I can do . This country is so beautiful “

“Well, Erik told me not to be too nice . People take advantage of you “

Erik . Naomi thought about him. He had defiantly left a mark on her . Her mouth had curved into a smile , she didn’t even notice . She wanted to get back to the villa just to see him again.

“Bitch, are you smiling . Are you thinking about my brother !” She stuck her nose in the air and rolled her eyes .

Naomi laughed bashfully , trying her best to hide her smile . “I’m not” she lied .

“I know what kind of affect he has on women, be honest”

“I am, but I don’t want to talk about this with you !” Naomi quickly walked ahead of her in efforts to avoid her glare . “Let’s Just find dinner” she suggested . Lusting over her close friends brother was not something Naomi wanted to talk about .

They ate dinner at a tourist aimed restaurant . Naomi wanted more authentic food but Rain wasn’t a very open person . They settled for hamburgers and drinks . When they were good and full they took that long cab ride back to Eriks villa . Where Rain still pestered her about the crush she had on her brother . Naomi pled the fifth with each question . It was later than usual when they got back . The house was dark and silent . Rain was tipsy and wanted to lay down. Naomi noticed Erik outside on the patio , she was tipsy too . “I’ll come bother you later, I’m gonna go take a shower “

Naomi did take a shower, but she had no intentions on going to Rains room. She went out on the deck. As soon as she walked out , she was met with his voice . To her, he talked like a teen with a raspy voice . But somehow it was still masculine and manly . And when he spoke too fast, it sounded like he had food in his mouth . She started to laugh at the thought . You know, those small things people notice when they like someone .

“What’s funny ?” He quizzed , he took a puff of the huge cigar he was smoking.

“Just thinking about something funny “

He extended the cigar to her , offering it up. She shook her head. “You ever smoked one before ?” His body rocked back and forth on the hammock he was laying in .

“No, just weed”

“They catch you with weed out here, that’s ten years. Come try it “ she hesitated. “Girl if you don’t bring that ass over here !” Erik was adamant.

She ran her hands through her curls and walked to the hammock . She let out a breath of nervousness. He pulled her onto the hammock with him . She positioned herself on her side, facing Erik who was laying on his back . “You smell good, the bugs finna’ have a field day on you “ she felt dumb, her scent was only to entice Erik, not to get bit. He gave her the cigar . “Take it in twice , do it slow though”

She didn’t take his advice , she did it too fast . Her lungs filled up with smoke and she coughed it up . Tears started to build in her eyes . He laughed hard and encouraged her to try again . She did it correctly this time . “There you go, take it like a boss”

“I got it” her voice was high pitched with excitement. She beamed as she gave him the cigar back . He leaned down and ashed it on the ground . The hammock shifted and Naomi slid closer. She thought the cigar was disgusting, a one time experience.

“Did you and ugly have a good day?” He asked, referring to Rain as ugly .

“Yes, me and your sister had a good day”

He took a sip of something , it seemed to be alcohol . “What y’all do?”

“Went to a museum, bought some stuff at a market , then ate dinner”

“Yeah, was the food good?” He was genuinely interested in her day . That, and he just wanted to be close to her . He didn’t want her to go away . The sound of her small voice he liked .

“The food was okay, it was just burgers” she spoke slow, sleep was starting to catch up with her .

“Tomorrow, I’ll take you guys out to dinner . Somewhere nice too”

He opened his arm and wrapped it above her head. They made eye contact slowly . Erik wanted badly to place his lips on hers, but it was too early . He couldn’t deny that he felt a way. It was embarrassing to him, they just met. His emotions were far beyond his control . If he tried to kiss her, Naomi would oblige. She felt the exact same about him .

Her head rested under his arm and against his chest . Her nostrils filled with the sent of musk and his deodorant. Her bare legs rubbed gently against his . “It’s weird to me. I feel like I know you”

“That’s what your sister said when she first met me” her eyes closed, the loud tree frogs were chirping in the darkness. It was like a lullaby .

“We a lot alike people say . She likes you so you must be cool people” his voice was getting deeper, sleep was chasing him too.

“I’m alright” Naomi played coy.

“Nah, you more than just alright...”

He nuzzled her closer to him and they both drifted off asleep.

[lillaxtrigger]

Faded land: Chapter 8

The sun starts to set upon the wastelands as the scientist travels north from the city. Clara looks in her bag, hoping to quell her encroaching hunger, finding only a few rations left in her reserves. “I need to find food soon. Maybe I should have stocked up when I was in the city, but eh. Stuff was going crazy down there.” With that thought passed, she hear her stomach cry out for food. The scientist takes out one of the can, declaring: “Fine, you win. About time for dinner anyway.” She was about to open a can of chicken noodle soup, when something in the horizon catches her eye. In the distance, she notices a wide field of plants along side two houses.

On approach, she finds one of them to be a barn, its red paint chipped and faded. Beside it was a farmhouse, 2 stories tall, the paint job not as bad but still has had its toll. Behind the abode, she could see fields and gardens of growing vegetables. Something didn’t seem quite right about them, the corn stalks colored yellowish orange. The discoloration is a little discomforting. Beside the barn was a set of trees, growing budding fruit upon their branches, the buds along the wooden limb look rather yellow. Lemon tree’s perhaps? As Clara walks towards the front door, she wonders how the residence could grow next to anything with such barren soil. It should be next to impossible. This doubt makes her hesitate to knock, wondering if she should just take her chances with the wastelands and just move on. Before she could make up her mind, the door open.

A young man walks out, surprised to see her at the door. “Oh..Uh, hey there. Didn’t think we’d get guests out in these parts. What might a young lady like you be doing out here?” “Umm…Hi...I was just traveling my way up north, and....” In that moment she feels her stomach rumble out in protest. “Was hopping I could stay for the night.”. “Oh, well. I’d have to talk with ma and pa first about it.” the young man answers. “Rubin! What’s the hold up?” someone inside shouts. “Someone’s at the door! Some traveler. They say they wanna stay for the night.” “Really? What are you waiting for, let em in!” they exclaim enthusiastically.

Invited in, she finds the interior of the home to me much nicer then the exterior, even if the décor seems old fashioned, like stuff you’d find on an antique show that would play on daytime television for people who miss the bygone days of their youth. Like the elderly woman seated upon one of the chairs, staring out into space. From the stairs, a round, but burly man walks down, greeting her with: “Evenin there, little lady. Who might you be wondering around?” “Um, M-My name’s Clara. I’m honestly kinda surprised to find a farm all the way out here. Especially one that’s...Plentiful as yours.” The man lightly chuckles, conceding with: “Well, suppose it is a little strange. Coming across our little farm smack dab in the middle of all these lifeless lands I like to think of it as our own little oasis that we made here ourselves. Just call me Jeb, I run this slice of heaven here with my lovin family. The old lady sittin there is my mama.” The elderly woman doesn’t respond, simply glaring at the scientist and looks back into nothing. “The boy that let ya in my pride and joy, Rubin.” “You’re awfully lucky here, ma’am. Ma was just about to serve us up some grub.” “Oh really? Well...got room for one more?” Clara asks. “Course. There’s plenty for everyone. Why don’t I get ya seated to the dining room.” the son offers. “Now Rubin, you supposed to check up on the animals before you ate, remember?” “Right, right. Be back in a minute.” The son runs out the door, leaving Clara with the father. “Come on. Dinners right this way.”

Walking into the dining room/kitchen, the scientist found the whole old timely motif to extend past the living room. The entire kitchen looked like a portal opened up into the 1950’s. Even the appliances looked to be from that era as a woman stirs a boiling pot over a warmly lit stove. “Marcy, we got a guest. Hope you have something good for us.” “Oh! Well, I made plenty of vegetable stew for everyone. Why don’t you get yourself seated and I’ll serve you up a bowl.” the wife responds. “Uh-Okay.” Clara plants herself firmly on one of the wooden chairs surrounding the simple dining table. The scent of the meal in combination of the humble motif makes her relax. Perhaps, she thought, that this suspicions she might have had about this simple farm might have been nothing more then travelers paranoia...that is, until dinner is served.

Served in front of her was the aforementioned vegetable stew that the misses had promised. But something about the thought to be humble cuisine was terribly wrong. The vegetables within this quaint stew were horribly shaped and had sickening colors. Like the starchy potato pieces were blue, having tiny spikes coming from the skins left on. The celery parts were a posh shade of purple, the texture looked to be one you would find from a human tongue. Carrots were green, and also incredibly hairy, like a bigfoot of carrots. The green beans weren’t green at all, more like a sick fleshly color, even looked like bits of flesh too. If the horrible site wasn’t enough to bear, the overwhelming stench threatened to make her wretch. This is disgusting! Who in their right mind would eat this!? The almost otherworldly mixture in front of her made her feels ungodly amounts of sick, watching as the mother placed the other bowls near the remaining chairs that the family sits on. As they place themselves around the table, Rubin comes back in and rushes into the dinning room. “Hoowee, finally dinner is served!” As the boy seats himself, Jeb compliments his wife with: “Dinner sure looks good tonight hun. You really outdid you’re self.” “Aw, thanks dear.” The scientist is completely put off by the excited expressions made by the family, despite the mutated stew they were about to consume. They were acting like this was normal. She needs an excuse fast. With that, Clara quickly rises from her chair, feigning with: “You know what, I just remembered that I ate a whole can of beans before I got here. I don’t think I could eat anything, even if I wanted to. Hehe whoops.” “Oh, you sure about that?” Jeb asks. “You won’t even take a little bite?” the wife wonders. “Pretty sure. I-I’m quite full. Think I’ll just hit the hay and get some shut eye. You don’t happen to have a guest room, do you?” “We got one upstairs. Rubin, show her to her room.”. “Aw, but Pa, dinner.” “After you escort this young lady to her room. That clear?” With a grumpy huff, the son tells Clara: “Come on.”.

Rubin, leads the scientist to where she would be sleeping for the night. A rather minimal, but functional bedroom, whose furniture that it did have match the retro design with the rest of the house. “See you in the mornin.” the son concludes before shutting the door on his way out. Upon laying upon the bed, she spots the barn beyond the windowsill. A faint glow was emanating from the cracks of the building, leaking out into the night air. Clara thinks that the son just might have left the light on in there or something.

Her stomach then rumbles in protest, complaining about the lack of food going in. The scientist grasps her belly, pondering to herself: “Need to eat something. I can’t dig into one of the cans right now. Too risky. I’ll just wait for everyone to go to sleep to eat.”

Awaiting through the night, Clara holds off dining until she hears no more noise coming from outside her room. Once the house was dead quite, she took out her can opener and busted out a can of vegetable soup, an irony not lost on the young scientist. After finishing the last of the hearty soup, she hides the leftover can in her bag she sat aside the bottom of the bed. It might get kinda messy, but she dares not to leave any evidence of her midnight snack. With her hunger pains staved off, she dozes off in the comforting embrace of the stitched sheeting.

The morning rises from the front of the abode. The twilight shine pouring into the guest bedroom. With the sun, Clara rises from the old mattress, reaching for her bag as her senses awaken. She feels nothing from the side of the bed and looks over. Her bag had vanished in her sleep. Oh shit! The realization makes the scientist snap from her daze and soon drives into a panic for her missing supplies. She looks everywhere in the room for her bag, hoping that it was just misplaced from last night. That hopes fails to come true as her bag was nowhere to be found.

She rushes downstairs in hurry, a bizarre scent caught in her nose that she ignores. With Jeb sitting upon one of the chairs in the living room, he notices the young lady’s worry. “What the matter darling? Look like you seen a ghost last night.” “My bag! It’s gone!” “Whoa, slow down! Slow down! No need to get worked up.” “But all my stuff is in it. I can’t possibly leave without it!” Clara panics. “Well, where’d you place it last?” “I-I It was beside my bed last night before I went to sleep.” “Hmm, you know what might have happened. Pour ol ma over there must’ve snuck into your room last night and hide it somewhere.” Jeb guesses, pointing over to his mom in the corner, the elder staring into nothing. “Can you ask her where she hid it?” “Oh, I don’t know if she’d know, even if you’d ask. She’s probably forgot about it by now. Dementia. Real shame.” “Then, can I just look around the house for it.” “Of course not! You can’t just rummage through someones home, especially if you’re nothing but a guest.” “Well then what I’m I supposed to do? I can’t leave without my stuff.” Clara questions.

As Jeb leads her in the kitchen, he explains to the scientist: “I’ll have Marcy look for the bag for ya. In the meantime, why don’t ya help out around the farm. Be mighty nice to have a couple more hands around, seeing with you staying us and all. But first, lets all enjoy a mighty fine, farm fresh, batch of home cooked eggs.” Clara is then greeted with the site of the abhorrently grotesque piles of gunk that slightly resembled cooked eggs. Not only were they an unsavory shade of green, she could swear they were glowing. Beside it was purple swill that she guessed was supposed to be the milk. Time to bust out another half assed excuse.

“Un...You know, I think I might just skip breakfast and just get a head start on chores.” Clara pulls out as she makes her way toward the back door. “Really?” “Yep, better to get them over with then to put them off later, that’s what I always say. Hee hee.” “Alrighty then, if you wanna start, the cabbage patch need watering. Watering can right beside the back door.” “Kay. Sounds fun. Later.” the scientist blurts as she scurries out the door.

Once out, she takes a much exhausted sigh. How can these people eat food like that? Matter of fact, how can they grow them? Questions that stew within the young lady’s mind as she finds the mentioned watering can beside her.

As promised, she’d start with the cabbage patch. Watering the garden in the dry heat, she finds the cabbages to be a normal color of green. Oddly suspicious considering the breakfast she just skipped out on. What’s really going on with these things? Clara looks over one of the many green produces, noting the strange texture as she rubs her fingers against the leaves. She knew there had to be something wrong with them, just like all the weird ass food on this bizarre farm. But what, exactly are these cabbages deal. Upon past the edge of the cabbages, she finds some insects traveling beside the soil. Clara notices that the bugs wouldn’t get anywhere near the columns of dubious produce, instead trekking around them in an orderly fashion. Even to the lowly insects that crawl around the remains of this country, scavenging for whatever they can find, know full well that this food is nowhere near worth stopping for.

After which, she’s asked to clean the animal pens in the barn. Given a bucket of water, sponge, a shovel, and rake she head towards the faded red building. Upon coming through the doors of the barn, she is greeted with the site of the less the humble animals inside. Clara is horrified by the site of the mutated barn mates, with overly sized bulbous craniums above their misshapen bodies. The scientist deduced from the milk and eggs that they wouldn’t be normal, but wasn’t prepared for how warped they’d truly be. With hesitation, she shuts the door and opens one of the pens to let the cow out. She dreaded the thought of touching one of them, figuring their mutation might spread upon contact. As if the black patched bovine knew of her inner paranoia, the bovine calmly walks out from her pen, giving the young lady plenty of space to clean. Although finding it odd, she pays little mind to it. Anything to get out of this smelly freak show circus faster.

Brandishing the bucket and sponge, Clara starts with wooden pen itself. She finds the wood the pen is made of to be incredibly cracked and dry, the perfect material for a fire to prosper, as extended with the wood that made up the barn. As she begins to soak the wooden structure, she looks beside her to find the cow simply staring at her, not taking its unblinking gaze off Clara for even a second. The beady black eyes glaring into her make the scientist shudder, persuading the scientist to hurry.

After she cleaned the cows pen, she moves on to the others. Each and every time, the animals politely came out like well pampered dogs from the richest estates. It didn’t matter, horse, chickens, pig, all of them stood and watched as Clara was cleaning their pens. And no matter how long it was for, she never got used to their calm, blatant gazes.

After the entire day, the scientist was finally done with cleaning, the image of the animals dead eyed gaze burnt into her memory. Coming out of the barn, she was relieved to breathe in anything that wasn’t just animal leftovers, even if it was the cold wastelands nightly air. “Huuuh...Finally.”. The sun had set a while ago, leaving her in the darkness with only the lights of the farm house to guide her back.

Once back in the abode, Clara was greeted with the scent of cooked starch in the air. “Oh no.” she quietly uttered, something that she thought she would never say from the smell of dinner. Rubin peeks from behind the corner of the kitchen, informing the young lady: “Hey there, you just in time. Ma cooked us up a whole bunch of cooked taters. Come on.”

Looking into the kitchen, she was greeted with the site of horribly disfigured potatoes. The shape of the starchy vegetables themselves was completely indescribable, almost like they came from an entirely different plane of existence. Pure white as snow, the inside of the misshapen potato was frothing black as it was cut in, like bubbling sludge. She didn’t know what else she was expecting as she watched the family dig into the grotesque meal with delight. “Don’t be shy, little missy. We got room for one more.” Jeb tells her, pointing towards the empty seat with a potato in front. “Oh! Uh, thanks, but...” The scientist yawns in the middle of her excuse, claiming: “I’m just so tired from working all day. I’m just gonna head straight to bed.” “Eh, suit yourself.”

Plopping herself down upon the guest bed, she feels her stomach rumbling out to her, calling out for a meal. She grasps her stomach, thinking to herself. “So hungry. But I can’t eat that stuff. Who knows what it might do to me. Just gotta hang in there and hope my bag turns up.” With nothing around for her to eat, she tries to sleep off her hunger pains.

After dodging morning breakfast, she’d told to pick the apples from the trees beside the cornfield. With basket in hand, she finds the healthy looking tree full of golden apples. Picking one of them off the branch, she looks over the bountiful fruit. It’s doesn’t look horribly disfigured, just looks like any plain old apple. The color is a little suspicious, though she had heard of apples called golden delicious that look similar. The temptation of the shining fruit makes the young lady drool out. Its almost too much to resist. Maybe just...one bite wouldn’t hurt. The scientist begins to lift the apple towards her salivating lips, her mouth widening as the juicy fruit edges close. Just when her teeth were near biting down upon the golden delicious, she sees the skin of fruit slightly pulsate, almost like a beating heart. The site snaps her out of the wicked trance, dropping the fruit as she backs away from the tree in a panic. Jeb rushes to her aid, asking: “What? What’s wrong?” “The-the apple. I thought I saw it pulse.” “What?” The farmer picks up the apple the scientist dropped, inspecting the fruit in question. “Hmm...” After looking over the apple, the farmer tells her: “Looks fine to me.” Turning to the young lady, the farmer suggests: “Maybe its just the heat. It is a scorcher today.” As Jeb walks away, Clara approaches the tree once more, inspecting the apple he had dropped on the ground. She wonders of what she saw was really just the heat getting to her or if the excuse the farmer fed her was a lie.

After picking the rest of the ominous apples, she then tasked to help pick the crops. While tending to the kernel fields, she knew something had to be up with the orange shells. Peeling back the shell revealed the kaleidoscope pattern underneath, like the colors a junkie would see when taking a daily dose of LSD. Of course. Clara refrained from freaking out over the technicolor corn and instead took an exhausted sigh. She was just about done with this shit. Looking behind the wall of crops, the scientist finds the father and son distracted with picking their harvest. In the other direction stood the home of the family. The situation couldn’t be any more perfect. With haste, she quietly makes her way towards the abode.

With nobody around, she begins her search for her supplies with one of the bedrooms upstairs. Inside the couples dwellings, she looks through their closet, finding farm shirts and dresses among the dozen. All of them were put together with one another, making it hard to tell which articles of clothing belonged to whom among the bunch. Looking through proved to be fruitless as her bag wasn’t within. She tries her luck with the drawers, but finds nothing but bunched up garments inside. Finally she looks under the bed, but to no avail.

The young lady moves onto the living closet. Opening inside revealed an entire plethora of junk cobbled together in such a terrible mess. Seriously, do these people ever organize? Among the junk, she doesn’t see her stuff and closes the door, finding the old woman on the other side. The sudden appearance makes Clara jump, the elders fixed gaze staring at the scientist. “Oh. Hey. I...I was just looking for the...bathroom. Yeah, he he. Was just a little lost is all.” As the young lady faked an innocent laughter, the grandmothers only responds with her deadpan glare. Clara backs away from the old lady, entering the nearest room she could.

After a weary sigh, she found herself in the bathroom. She might as well look through since she’s got the chance. Peeking in the shower, she finds bottles of home made soap and shampoo beside yellow rust stained wall, but no bag. Looking into the cabinet under sink showed toilet paper, a scrub brush, electric clippers and more soaps next to a set of rusty pipe, but still no bag. She then turns her attention towards the toilet. Doubt that they’d be stupid enough to hide it in there. But considering what they consume, it wouldn’t be that far-fetched. She slowly lifts the lid of the toilet with wavering desire. Please let there be nothing in here. Thankfully, there wasn’t. That’s a relief. Maybe inside the back? Lifting the lid of the back revealed the pipework of the oval office submerged in water, but again no bag.

Walking out the bathroom, she’s surprisingly greeted with the misses. “What are you doing inside, dear? Shouldn’t you be helping the boys?” she questions. “I-I am. I just needed to go to the bathroom, is all.” “You look a little thirsty. Mind a glass of apple juice?” Marcy offers, lifting a glass of apple juice from seemingly nowhere. “Uh...No thanks. I’ll just take some water. Can’t really have any sugar. Diabetes and stuff. Real shame. Sure looks good though.” With that lie delivered, she hurries away from the housewife.

After dodging dinner once more, Clara climbs into bed. Her stomach strikes out in hunger, the fatigue spreading through her body. She groans alongside her empty belly. Can’t keep this up forever. Sooner or later, something has to go in her gullet.

Biting off the pillow trying to stave off her pains, the constant hunger keeps her from drifting off to sleep through the night. Quite convenient that it did thought, for she spots a shining light outside in her hunger fueled wake. Looking out the window, she finds Rubin walking towards the barn with a lit lantern and something else in hand. A closer look shows the farmers son carrying the scientists backpack. A lot of questions go through Clara’s head, but she was to starving to answer any of them. The young lady just wanted her stuff back. She rises from her bed, ready to claim her supplies back from these lying hillbillies. Going downstairs would be far too risky, so she opts to just jump out the window instead. She falls from the second story and onto the crack ground below with a thud. After prying herself off the ground, she scurries towards the barn. In front of the red farmhouse, the young lady finds the door to be sliding open, much to her dismay.

Rubin comes out of the barn, thinking that he might have heard something, but the empty night air in front of him proved otherwise. His worry put to rest, the farmers son head back towards his abode failing to notice Clara hiding on the side of the barn. Seeing him go back inside, the scientist sneaks into the red building.

Within, Clara looks around for where Rubin might have stashed her bag, the animals sound asleep within their pens. The lantern the farmers son left behind gives of a warm, gentle glow that illuminates the inside of the barn in a soft sheet of light. Grasping the lantern, it helps her search through the barn as she scans through the freshly cleaned pens, careful not to awaken the slumbering mutants within. Finding no success in tracking her pack, she wonders where else he might have stored it. Above, soft blue light shines through the roof. Following the light, she spots her supplies in the lunar spotlight, perched atop one of the horizontal railings. Looking around, she doesn’t see anywhere she might be able to climb up towards the wooden support. So instead, she decides to make one. The tools that were left behind during her clean up of the pens the other day should suffice.

Leaving the burning lantern on the floor, she carefully stacks the tools and supplies, making a less than sturdy pole leading up towards the roof. Atop, Clara jumps for the wooden railing, making the wobbly structure collapse. The scientist manages to grasp the support beam, pulling herself to the top of the railing. She balances her way towards her bag, shimmying around the wooden columns that hold the ceiling in place. Clara closes in on her supplies, but find them to be moving away from her. She quickly crawls towards the bag as it tries to escape. The young lady then jumps for her pack, catching her supplies as she falls towards the floor. After rolling through the barn upon impact, she shakes off the dirt on her and check to see if all of her stuff was inside. Looks like it everything’s in place. With that confirmed, she heads for the exit. When trying to slide the door open, she finds it to be stuck. “Dammit, locked! Did they see me?” she wonders. “No. We locked it.” a voice rings out. The sudden chime makes her jumps, looking around the barn for who might have answered. “Who...Who’s there?” she cautiously asks. How could her mysterious guest know what she was thinking? Looking towards the pens, she sees the locks on the gates open on their own. The gates then swing open, prompting the animals inside to walk out. All of them gather in front of her, their beady gaze locked onto the scientist. “No...Did...Did one of you just say that?” The pigs eyes begin to give an emerald glow as a voice pierces through the scientist psyche. “Indeed...We did.” Her suspicions proven correct, Clara backs away from the barn mates, her back against the door. “We have been blessed and cursed with the gift of perception alongside the power of the psychics.” “How is this possible?” the scientist wonders. “It was thanks all in part to the radioactive wastes that plague this land.”

“One unfortunate day ago, a massive nuclear blast struck our home, tainting the very land we have grown to love. In the aftermath, we found our precious home destroyed alongside our families, and our caretakers at the time. Endlessly, we wandered through the broken fields. Our hunger unable to diminish thanks to our mutations. Until we found the humble family that you’ve gotten to know.” “Using our own by products, milk, eggs, and even fertilizer, we have taken control of their minds and indoctrinated them as our servants. As long as they eat our tainted food, we may command them to do as we wish.” “But they took you in and took care of you. H-how could you do this to them?” Clara demands. “We have delved into their minds and found their true intentions. They didn’t love us. They wanted to eat us. Just like the rest.” “Before we stumbled upon this once baron farm, we’ve came across dozens of humans during our travels that have had the same desires as they did. It made us question if the farmer that bred us had the same intentions. We’ve delved into their psyches in search for an answer as to why. Why us?” “It was then that we’ve found that our kind was nothing but food to the human race. Even going so far as to slaughter our kind by the millions. Marching them to their deaths in murderous factories.” “We shall end this horrible suffering. Using the food we grow, we shall spread our influence across the land. Mutating our kind into the realm of sentience and flipping the entire food chain upside down. It’s going to be one hell of a party.” “That’s why, Clara, we need you.” Out from the shadows of the barn appeared the farmer and his family, their eyes glistening a glow of emerald. “For our plan to flourish, We need all the human hands we can find.” The family surrounds the scientist, pinning her to the hay covered ground by her arms. As she struggles to free herself from their grip, the son takes out something that vaguely resembled a tomato. The grandmother forcefully opens her mouth as Rubin drives the misshapen vegetable towards her face. “Don’t worry darling. You’ll soon be one of the family.” Marcy assures. “We could always use more help around the farm.” Jeb mentions. “Once you get some grub in your gullet. You’ll be just fine.” Rubin tells her. “Eh he he he he he he he! Eat up, sweetie.” the grandmother manically commands. Struggling under their grip, she kicks Rubin in the crotch and throws him onto his grandmother. She then breaks out of the couples grip and runs from the family.

Past the psychic animals, she rushes towards the back of the barn to brandish the shovel left upon the floor. The son quickly approaching, she strikes Rubin in the head with the blunt end of the tool. The horse threatening to stomp on the scientist, Clara sidesteps out of the way of the hooves. The chickens flutter at her, pecking at her face. Before they could go for the eyes, she smacks them aside. The couple lunge towards the scientist in a hurry, one of the chickens hitting the husbands in the face. Clara swings downwards towards her legs, tripping the wife down on the ground. The cow charges straight for her, its angry mooing echoing through the barn. She dodges out of the stampeding bovines path, leaving it to break through the pens. The pig tries to take her shovel using its telekinetic powers. Clara grips onto her weapon, pulling back against the pigs psychic pull. She looks down and finds a bunch of the hay laid abut her feet. The scientist kicks the hay and dirt in the pigs direction, making the pork chop flinch as it tries shakes the dirt out. She then uses this chance to smack the pig towards the wall like a golf club whacking a ball across the green.

As the piggy was whacked towards the wall, it smacks into the lantern resting next to the supplies. The flames inside are knocked into the hay laid strewn across the floor, quickly growing to a fiery blaze. “Quick! Put the flames out!” the horse demands. As all of them were distracted by the fire, Clara begins to head for the door. The flames are a step ahead of her as they consume the entrance in a blaze. The only way out now is the hole in the roof, but how to reach it? There's not enough time to stack the tools again; this place is burning down fast. Seeing the horse fruitlessly stamp on the fires near one of the unbroken pens gives her the chance she need. Clara jumps on the set of pens, rushing towards the horse as the fire starts to consume them. She jumps on to the horses back and towards one of the barn walls. The scientist jams the shovel into the wall, giving her the perfect platform to jump for the remaining roof support. Clinging to the wooden railing, she hurries along the horizontal beams as the flames drew closer. Clara leaps towards the hole in the roof and climbs out before the fire could reach. She jumps off the roof of the barn and roughly lands on the cracked grounds below.

Looking back, she watches as the red building is consumed by the fire, the orange glow of the flames piercing through the night. Looking towards the various fields and gardens full of mind control inducing fruits and vegetables, she knew what she had to do. Using one of the nearby corn stalks as a torch, she sets the entire plantation ablaze, making sure that none of these mutant plants are left for anyone to consume just in case one of the farm animals survives. With the farm in a blazing storm, Clara takes out one of her reserves as she set off into the nightly wastes.

[fgodestinyawakenings]

FGO Destiny Awakenings: Fuyuki Singularity Prologue pt.1

“If you're expecting prince charming to wake you, then I got bad news for you my friend." 

-- The robed figure to Ritsuka in the latter's dream

On top of the snowy mountain, there was a lone white dome-shaped building. Despite it was early morning, the dark clouds and snowstorm covered the blue sky. A pair of footsteps trod hurriedly against the snow towards the door.

The moment they were close, the door opened in their presence. Not wanting to lose any seconds, they made a quick dash into the entrance.

Once the door behind them closed, the pair were breathing heavily. The orange-haired girl wearing a white coat and black pleated skirt, whined while panting, “Oh… My god…. That was close, Ritsuka….!”

“You…. Don't say, Ritsuko…!” The raven-haired male teen panted. He was wearing the same white coat, but with dark-colored pants instead.

Taken her breath back, she glared at Ritsuka and chided, “Well, who was the one who can't wake up when I'm reminded to wake up early?”

“Remind me to have 10 alarm clocks blast beside my ears, Ritsuko,” Ritsuka suggested with a roll from his eyes. Though as she mentioned, he remembered the cause of their lateness.

A dream, a peaceful dream it was. A dream of a tower surrounded by flowers…

“Whatever you say. I'm not at fault if you can't hear them when being buried by books again, Ritsuka.” Ritsuko replied with a snark towards her older brother.

Walked towards the door in front of them, a voice spoke from the surroundings, “---Base sequence confirmed to be human genome.

“---Spiritual Vessel's attribute confirmed to be Good Neutral.

“Welcome to the museum of humanity's future.

“This is the Human Continuation Facility, Chaldea.”

The siblings glanced one another with confusion.

“Humanity Continuation?” Ritsuko voiced out.

“Maybe it's a group of mages doing a project in understanding human lifespan?” Ritsuka guessed and shrugged.

He, too, confused as his younger sister of the robotic introduction.

Before them, two panel appeared raised from the ground side by side. On the panel, there was a green-lit up square area with a human palm shown. Saved their questions for later, the siblings went to the respective panel each.

Placed their hand to palm on the screen, a green circular light below them scanned from toe to the head. Followed by that, the same robotic voice called, “Name?”

“Fujimaru Ritsuka.”

“Fujimaru Ritsuko.”

Seconds later, the robotic voice replied to them, “Fingerprint authentication, vocal authentication, and genetic authentication all clear.

“Magic Circuit measurement…… Completed.

“Registered name matches. You have been acknowledged as a member of the primates. Pleased to meet you. You are today's last visitor. Please have a good time here.”

The panel before them lowered and disappeared into the open hole. Once it closed, the siblings let out a sigh. Ritsuka was the first one to voice out, “Talk about lucky that they still accept us…”

“Maybe they weren’t so strict on lateness, consider the time they have given us.” Ritsuko agreed with a yawn escaped her lips. But, she then tilted her head and pondered, “But calling us primates…”

“You’d wonder if they are trying to mock every new employee to show their status,” Ritsuka suggested. That word didn’t escape from his ears too. It ticked them, but what better way to survive their first day of work was to accept it begrudgingly.

“My apologies,” The robotic voice returned seconds later and informed. “Another 180 seconds are needed to complete the admission procedure.”

“What?” Ritsuka and Ritsuko shouted in unison.

“During that time, please enjoy a mock battle.” As the robotic voice announced, the surrounding room changed. Ritsuka saw a faint blue light surrounded his sister. Ritsuko noticed too and realized her body digitized.

“Ritsuka–!” Ritsuko called out in panic, but her hand outstretched to her brother never reached to him.

Before Ritsuka could reach for it, only the graze of her fingers touched his before disappearing.

“Ritsuko!” Ritsuka called out for his sister in the midst of the now white room.

The robotic voice announced, “Regulation: Senior Contracted Servants: Saber, Lancer, Archer.”

Soon the room changes to an open-field with the robotic voice announced again.

“Your score will not be recorded. Please feel free to enjoy it as you feel like. Booting Heroic Spirit Summoning System - Fate. We hope that you will have a good experience as a Master for these 180 seconds.”

-o-

A large room with a globe lit up with blue light, the blue rectangular holographic screen appeared and disappeared by the command in the room. Inside the room behind the globe, voices of worry and fear echoed.

“The Shiva Lens has detected an abnormality!”

“Coordinates confirmed!”

“Abnormal value rising!”

One after another, workers in turquoise- and orange-colored uniform typing anxiously on the keyboard.

Their eyes shifted often between the screen and the large globe outside the room.

“Laplace is getting a read on the situation.”

“Hurry!”

In the center, a white long single braided-haired woman wearing a black coat and orange dress stood. She was biting the nails on her thumb, orange orbs focused right at the globe too. Her jaw dropped open, muttered, “The light…”

Behind her, a man dark prune messy long-haired wearing a green top hat and matching coat stood up from his seat. He spoke towards the woman in front of him, “Chaldeas was created from a reproduction of Earth’s soul. If the light of that civilization is extinguished…”

The white-haired woman turned around with a confident posture. “Gather humans who are Master potentials right now! We’ll move from Rayshift experiments to actual use!”

Faced back at the globe, her orange orbs gazed with a determined expression. “Unless we regain the light of Chaldeas, humanity has no future.”

-o-

“My my, what a unique meeting we have, Master. I foresee our meeting would be much later with your sister together. But, this itself is an interesting outcome too.”

“Who on earth…?” Ritsuka wondered in his thought.

Despite his body feeling heavy, Ritsuka tried to open his eyes. His blue orbs only noticed a blur gaze of what seems of flower petals fluttering in the sky. His nose smelled fresh scents from the surrounding flowers.

He remembered coming out of the simulation, and into a hallway. Ritsuka remembered he needed to find his sister who disappeared beside him. Next thing, he realized he was here and…

He focused on the blurred hooded cloak figure standing above him. He was unable to make out the rest of the features, only the serene smile.

The figure once again spoke in a refreshing tone, “Looks like you’re still walking between the line of reality and dream. Perhaps, our formal meeting would be of another time when you dream in your slumber.”

Before Ritsuka could even ask, he found his eyes heavy and drifting back to darkness. The figure crouched down and put their hands over his eyes and chuckled, “I see that my companion is here to wake you. Till we meet again, young Master of Humanity’s hope…. Fujimaru Ritsuka-kun.”

-o-

“Fou……? Kyu…… Kyu?

“Fou! Fuu, Fou!”

“What’s…… That sound… Some… Animal?” Ritsuka thought.

He groaned when he felt something licked his cheek. Opened his blue orbs, he noticed a white squirrel-like creature looking at him. Before he could learn anything, it at once leaped off from him.

Ritsuka shifted his view and found a girl crouched down before him. The girl had pale violet bob hairstyle with her fringe covering her right eye.

She wore a pair of spectacles, white-grey hoodie, and black office dress beneath it. In his eyes, she doesn’t seem like being a staff here. But also, she didn’t seem to be a new employee that just joined too.

“Uhm, it’s neither morning nor nighttime, so please wake up, Senpai.” The girl said to him, noticing Ritsuka was still showing a drowsy expression.

Blinked his eyes twice, her words processed into his mind. Ritsuka tried to sit up but staggered as his body wasn’t fully awake yet. Once in a comfortable person, he asked, “Who are you…?”

“That’s a hard question to ask suddenly. Maybe I’m not important enough for you to know my name?” The girl answered with a polite yet blunt tone.

“Huh?” Ritsuka leaned his head forward, confusion and doubt worn on his face.

Noticed the change in his expression, she corrected, “No, I do have a name. I do have a proper name. But I never had the chance to use it… I’m afraid I don’t leave a good first impression…”

Ritsuka sighed, thought to himself, “There’s more to a first impression than just telling your name…”

With a quick glance of his position, he shook his head to rid of the drowsiness then asked, “Where are we?”

“Right. That’s a simple question. I really appreciate it,” The girl replied. “This is the passageway from the front gate to the Central Command Room, which is in front of the Main Chaldea Gate.”

“Uh huh…” Ritsuka nodded to himself.

“Ahem. Anyway, can I ask you a question, Senpai?” The girl asked again a second later.

“Sure.”

“You were asleep, but I don’t see why you’d sleep in the hall.” The girl wondered.

“Did I sleep here?” Ritsuka repeated her question in his mind. Another glance of the area, he definitely wasn’t at the entrance after thinking with a clearer mind. If that’s true, then the dream of the robed man told him was true.

“Can you not sleep unless you’re on a hard bed?” She asked again with a blunt tone.

As though on instinct, he replied with a snark, “Yes, actually. If it’s not a tatami, I would bother my sister– Ritsuko!”

Remembered his reason for leaving the gate, Ritsuka quickly stood up to resume his search for his sister. But, the sudden drowsiness hit his head.

The girl let out a quiet gasp and reached her arm out to steady him, “Are you alright, Senpai?”

“Fou, fou!” The white squirrel creature squeaked worriedly.

-0-

Escorted Ritsuka further down in the passageway, they stopped at a bench area with a vending machine beside it. Once the young girl set him down, she headed to the machine and pushed for a drink.

Returned with a mineral water bottle, Ritsuka took the handed bottle and mouthed a quiet ‘thanks’ to her. Without ado, he twisted open and gulp it down as though he never drank for days.

In silence as she watched, Ritsuka drank finish the whole bottle and heaved a sigh. She queried to him, “Are you feeling better, Senpai?”

“Yeah, thanks for the help. I appreciate it.” Ritsuka nodded with a smile. But, there was still fatigue within him. His lips showed a tired and weak smile.

“Fou! Kyuuu~! Kao!” The white squirrel creature squeaked and went to its companion.

“I completely forgot. I still haven’t introduced you yet, have I, Fou-san?” She turned back to Ritsuka and introduced, “This squirrel-like creature is Fou-san.

“He’s a Privileged Life-Form allowed to walk freely around Chaldea. Fou-san led me here, and that’s how I ran into you, Senpai.”

With a nod of understanding from Ritsuka, Fou squeaked, “Fou. Mmkyu, Fou!”

Fou jumped off from the girl and ran off to somewhere. As she noticed Ritsuka’s curious expression, she answered, “He ran off somewhere again. He does that sometimes, just walks around.”

“I’ve never seen an animal like that,” Ritsuka said, turning his focus back to her.

“Yes, he normally doesn’t go near anyone aside from me, but he seems to like you, Senpai. Congratulations. Now you shall be the second caretaker of Fou-san in Chaldea.”

At her smile, Ritsuka returned with a wry smile. “I’m not sure if I’m honored to be a caretaker…. Ah, that’s right!”

His hand outstretched to her, he introduced himself, “I’m Fujimaru Ritsuka. Ritsuka is just fine. I didn’t make a good first impression, but please take care of me.”

Examined his hand for a moment, she looked to see the friendly smile on him. A moment later, she took his hand and smiled, “Please take care of me too, Ritsuka-senpai.”

“Senpai, huh..?” Ritsuka wondered with curiosity after being constantly addressed as that title.

“Come to think of it. Senpai, were you looking for this Ritsuko-senpai earlier?”

“Yes. She’s my sister who came with me together today. She was at the first gate with me earlier but she–!”

“Ritsuka!” A familiar worried and relief voice shouted at him.

As he turned around, a familiar orange-haired girl ran and gave him a brief hug. Ritsuka returned it before his attention focused on the coming footsteps.

Within view, an unknown top green hat man with dark prune long messy haired man and eyes closed approached them. He then said, “Ah, that’s where you were, Mash. That won’t do, you know, wandering around without permission…”

When he noticed Ritsuko and her brother, he spoke, “I see, you’ve found your brother, Ritsuko-kun. You’re……”

“Thank you for bringing my sister here, sir. I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused on the first day.” Ritsuka bowed from his sitting position.

The man nodded in understanding, “I see, you’re the rookie who just got assigned here. I’m Lev Lainur. one of the technicians employed here. And your name is?”

“Fujimaru Ritsuka pleased to meet you,” Ritsuka answered.

“Hm, Ritsuka-kun,” Raised his right hand up, the wristwatch on his wrist showed a holographic identity card of Ritsuka. “So you’re the last of the 48 candidates invited here. But, that’s strange…

“Your sister is the 48th candidate… No matter. Welcome to Chaldea. I’m glad you’re here. I heard you and your sister was selected out of many public applicants, how long was the training?

“A year? 6 months? 3 months?” Lev asked.

Despite it’s a polite question he asked with a matching smile, both Ritsuka and Ritsuko flinched in synch. Ritsuko smiled and said, “Well, we’re selected no doubt as you said…”

“But, we got 30 minutes to zero experience. Considering both of us stalked by your staff in pressuring us to join,” Ritsuka thought. A strong temptation he had to give that honest reply.

But, he smiled like his sister and added, “I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Lev chuckled and raised one of his brows amusedly, “I see that you already know how competitive it is in here. You’re going to hide your info from your rivals?”

“Well…”

Mash’s voice interjected Ritsuka’s words, “Dr. Lev, Ritsuka-senpai, and Ritsuko-senpai training were less than a few hours. I think it’s from their embarrassment.”

With the cat out of the bag, Ritsuka flinched and sigh to concede. Ritsuko nodded and said, “She’s right. We have no experience and lack of training too for this job.”

“Oh? Well, now… I see,” Lev nodded in understanding and explained. “We had an emergency opening for applicants to fill out numbers. So you’re one of them.”

“That’s right,” Ritsuka answered with his sister nodded in agreement.

“So, you two were part of them? Do forgive me, I was inconsiderate,” Lev apologized, but, he showed towards the siblings an assured smile. “But please don’t be discouraged because both of you are a public applicant. We need all of you for this mission.

“38 elite mages, plus 10 talented public applicants… Or, 11 public applicants now. Somehow, we were able to gather all possible candidates. That’s something to rejoice over. This year, 2016, all possible candidates capable of Spiriton Dives were brought to Chaldea.

“If there’s something both of you don’t understand, feel free to ask Mash or myself anytime.”

At that friendly smile, the pair brightened up with a smile. Ritsuko replied, “Thank you very much, Prof. Lev!”

“Thank you for the help, Prof Lev,” Ritsuka replied with a small bow.

“Hmm? Come to think of it, what were you talking about with him, Mash?” Lev now turned his focused on the bespectacled girl, rubbing his chin. “That’s not like you. Did you know each other before?”

“No, I’d never met Ritsuka-senpai before. I saw Ritsuka-senpai sleeping here, so I just…” Mash shook her head.

“Sleeping? Ritsuka-kun was asleep, here?” Lev’s tone laced with complete surprised and astounded.

Ritsuko tugged her brother’s shoulder, repeated, “You’re sleeping here?! And, I ran through the hallways just to find you, Ritsuka!”

“H-Hey! It’s not like I wanted to, you know. That simulation from earlier had worn me, but…” Ritsuka let another yawn escaped his lips. “I didn’t think they’d drained out of most of my energy.”

“And you’re certain it’s not from the lack of sleeping from reading again?” Ritsuko narrowed her eyes, raised her finger up to poke his cheek.

“Yes, I’m certain, Ritsuko,” Ritsuka rolled his eyes.

Realized what they meant, Lev interjected, “Ahh, both of you went through the simulation when you entered, right?”

From the nod of their head, Lev showed an assured smile again, “Spiriton Dives can get to you if you’re not used to them. After the simulation, the gate must’ve opened, and you walked over here before you returned to consciousness. It’s a type of sleep-walking. When you fell, Ritsuka-kun, that was when Mash spoke to you.”

Nodded his head, Ritsuka acknowledged, “Well, that makes sense…”

“Except, for that weird guy. How did he know I was sleep-walking?” Ritsuka wondered in his mind but left that for later. As he stood up, a dizzy spell hit into his head. Before he collapsed to the ground, Ritsuko caught hold both of his shoulders.

“Ritsuka, are you really okay?!” Ritsuko’s asked with a worried tone.

Ritsuka shook his head and smiled, “Yeah. Maybe sitting for too long was a bad idea.”

The pale color of his face and the weak smile didn’t convince anyone. Lev approached Ritsuka and said, “You seem to be fine as you said, but I’d like to take you to the infirmary just in case…”

Before Lev could take Ritsuka’s arm, a beeping alarm sounded from his watch. He raised and look at his watch, and his brows furrowed after what he had read. Lev faced back to the siblings and said, “Sorry, hang in there a little longer. The Director’s orientation is about to start. Both of you should hurry over.”

“Director?” Ritsuka repeated.

“The Director’s the director. The person in charge of Chaldea, and the commander of our special missions. Since you’re a rookie from the public, you may have only seen the pamphlet?” Lev explained.

At their synched nods, Mash nodded in understanding, “It would appear so. Since the Director’s profile hasn’t been made public. Senpais has no connection to the Director. Only mages from families that have been around for a century show respect to the Animusphere names.”

“Well, whether you know the Director or not, it doesn’t affect your work as a Master, so it’s not a problem. But it’s good to not get on her bad side. If you wish to work in a peaceful environment, better hurry.”

“H-Hang on! What’s this orientation about in the first place?” Ritsuko clarified quickly, noticing both Mash and Lev were about to walk off.

Lev stopped and turned to Ritsuko, explained, “I almost forgot, do forgive me. The orientation is to greet the Master candidates assigned here today like the both of you, Ritsuko-kun, Ritsuka-kun.

“In other words, it’s for the big boss to welcome the careless newbies. Since the Director is not the type to forgive and forget if you show up late, you’ll be on her radar for the entire year. The orientation begins in five minutes in the Central Command Room. Go straight down this hall. Hurry.”

“R-Right, thanks! Can you walk, Ritsuka?” Ritsuko turned to her brother.

Ritsuka gave a weak nod, answered, “Yeah…”

Noticed the worried expression remained on Ritsuko’s face, Mash turned to Lev, “Dr. Lev, do you think I’ll be allowed to sit in on the orientation, too?”

“Hmm? Well, if you stand back way in a corner, I think she’ll look the other way.” Lev answered as a memory flashed in mind, but also gained curiosity at her request, “But why?”

Mash turned her head to the siblings. “I just thought I should help Ritsuko-senpai to bring Ritsuka-senpai to the Command Room. It’s possible she would have trouble that Ritsuka-senpai might fall asleep on the way again.”

The professor brows furrowed with worry. “Hmm… If I leave you alone like this the Director might yell at me… I should tag along, eh?”

Decided to another smile, Lev said, “Well, if that’s what you want to do, Mash, go ahead. You okay with that, Ritsuko-kun?”

“A-Ah, yes!” Ritsuko turned to Mash and bowed her head, “Thank you for the help, Mash-chan!”

“I’ll be in your care then, Mash…” Ritsuka gave a weak smile as thanks to the bespectacled girl.

With a nod, Lev spoke, “Let’s head to the command room, shall we?”

Ritsuko put one of her brother’s arm over her shoulder, while Mash put over the other. The three followed Lev leading them with a brisk walk at a careful pace.

End of Fuyuki Prologue part 1