#the losses on his own side weren't the only ones that were concerning him.

[cdroloisms]

c!Dream in the L’manburg Revolution really drives me a little crazy. Like this clip where c!Dream predicts the outcome of the entire revolution is making me so.....

Because here’s the thing with war, right. Someone has to give in. Either one side gets completely annihilated or they give up, and as c!Dream says in this clip, L’manburg was never going to give up. 

Retroactively, with canon lives adding even more Permanence to the damage done in the Revolution, just as the Final Control Room ended up permanently killing people, c!Wilbur’s “we would rather die” speech absolutely seems to point towards the idea of we would rather permanently lose our lives than give in. And this message backs c!Dream into a corner, because it means he has to either completely annihilate L’manburg or he has to let them have what they want. 

And the thing is, if c!Dream wanted the former, he could’ve done that. But he doesn’t want to! This is evident again and again from his repeated calls for them to surrender, from his saving their gear in the Final Control Room to return to them, from him making this prediction before the war’s beginning. c!Dream does not want to completely destroy L’manburg and especially the people within it. War is an extended game of chicken with higher stakes to match, and c!Dream has a hell of a lot more to lose. And this is obvious before the war begins. 

So by a matter of speaking, c!Dream is fighting a war he cannot win. Offensively speaking, unless L’manburg surrenders, he cannot progress to the point of completely destroying them because he does not want to. From his perspective, they were never going to surrender. Wilbur tells him they will never surrender. Going forward with the war is a defensive measure more than an offensive one--making himself and the DreamSMP seem like too much effort to try and fight in order to deter L’manburg from another war. And it’s one that he succeeds at, by a certain measure. But not without a steep cost. 

[envy-of-the-apple]

ive been really obsessed with your gojo/geto naga oneshots and asks lately it feels like literal brain rot at this point its so good. ive reread it 6 times lol

i was wondering though, what would Geto do if Gojo was just a little bit too heavy handed with you? to the point of a sprained or broken arm or leg. Would he get mad at Gojo or just mad in general that reader was hurt? Also how would they act in response to the injured reader who can't do basic tasks themselves, I personally think they would enjoy the fact she relied on them even more to even move now.

Reminder requests are still closed!!!! I just love this idea so so much holdon lemme-

Part one Part three

(Yandere, dark, implied forced relationships, noncon touching, biting, language barriers, drugging(?))

Top of the Food Chain pt2

Dark!Naga!SatoSugu x reader

Two days later, Satoru still wasn't allowed inside the cave.

You can hear him, hissing and clicking, right outside, hovering just behind the invisible line Suguru refused to let him pass. If you weren't already in so much pain, you would have found pity on the poor thing. He wasn't allowed in his own home, even though the incident wasn't entirely his fault.

Technically, Satoru saved you. It was yet again another escape attempt. Something you'd been doing a lot these days once you've figured out these beings' intentions with you. You'd gotten past the rock quarry this time, a new record. Your plan was filled with holes: there was no way to truly escape the island. You had no boat, no way to call for help. Still, you ran, forgetting that there were more dangerous things on this island other than two territorial serpent men.

It was a monster. There was no other way to describe it. Big, ugly, shiny spikes and sharp teeth, eyes dripping with bloodlust. You would have been eaten, killed, maimed, if Satoru hadn't caught up with you in time.

The only collateral was the loss of nearby plant life and your broken wrist.

That had been Satoru's fault. He'd pulled at you too hard at the hand. The remnants of adrenaline from the fight, his anger, anger made him too rough on your fragile body. He froze at the wet snap, and then you started screaming. That was how Suguru had found you. Despite how much Satoru clicked and hummed and tittered, from his mate's look, you doubted it helped his case.

Another lonely coo made you wince. Suguru only huffed, wrapping you tighter in his coils. They were already warm from your body heat. The numerous animal pelts helped your comfort too.

"Make him stop," you beg, "he's been going on for hours."

At that, Suguru lifts his head from the base of your neck. He tilts his head as he surveys you, and you can't help but think how awful you must look. Sickly-looking from the pain, clammy skin. He can't do much about your appearance, but the least he could do was shut Satoru up.

"What want?" Suguru asks, "water?"

At that, he picks up a sack filled with sea-smelling water. You wrinkle your nose, turning away, cocooning yourself within his coils. With the increased pain, your appetite has decreased, as well as your thirst. The stress of being trapped like this along with your broken wrist was starting to take its toll on your body.

Suguru makes a sound of disapproval, shuffling around behind you. You know he's still mad about the escape attempt, but he's concerned enough for your well-being to put his anger to the side for now. He'd helped wrap your wrist, using something stretchy and soft.

You raise your wrist up, inspecting the thin material wrapped around your wrist. You're not sure what it is, it's too silky to resemble cotton. It must be from the foliage around the island. Yet, another strange thing you'd never find the answer to.

There's another rumble coming from the Naga's chest. He wraps a hand around your chin, bringing your face closer. In his other, he holds the dripping sack.

"Suguru," it's too soft to be anything more than a whine, "it hurts too much to take anything right now. Stop."

"Hurt?" he asks.

To that, you gesture to your broken wrist. It may not have been broken, you were no doctor, so you couldn't say for certain. But considering you'd been in the same amount of pain for two days, it really didn't matter to you.

A click, before he's tossing a glare at the entrance of the cave. He'd already given Satoru a beating right before coming to coddle you. Despite being bigger than his mate, Satoru is docile enough to take them. Suguru had been acting more aggressive lately. You had a feeling it was your fault.

He'd been inspecting your wrist every so often, but you see a different look within his brown eyes now as he takes your injured hand. He carefully turns your palm over, pressing slightly into your wrist. When you yelp, he retracts.

"Hurt." Suguru confirms. You can only nod.

"Hurt. No drink? No eat?" You don't like the way he's talking. As if he's putting a puzzle piece together. Coming to a solution you won't like.

When you go to pull away, his grip only tightens.

"No hurt," he says it like a promise, as though you're a toddler and he's coaxing you into drinking a sour-tasting medicine. His lips part, revealing the fangs you've often seen him use on meat, on Satoru.

Never did you think he'd ever use them on you.

"Suguru," you're pleading, trying to move away when he bends down, his hair brushing your sweaty forehead. You can feel his breath on your neck.

"No hurt," he repeats, and then he bites down.

He lied, of course, he did. His teeth puncture your skin, tearing through like paper. You think you screamed, or maybe it was more akin to a pitiful whimper. In the background, you can hear someone hiss, Satoru maybe?

For a second, you feel everything, the pain, the puncture wound, Suguru lightly licking your neck.

And then, you feel weightless.

It's hard to describe, but your brain feels like it's turned to mush. Your body feels like you're on a soft cloud, just there, floating. In the back of your mind, you remember how dazed Satoru would get whenever Suguru bit him. At the time, you just thought he was lovestruck.

When Suguru pulls away, he's smiling. A trail of blood, your blood goes down his lip. You can barely keep your eyes on him, close to falling asleep.

"No hurt," he says. When he leans down to kiss you, you accept without a single fuss.

You don't remember much after that, but you remember accepting whatever Suguru put in your mouth. The panic in your body was non-existent as he held the water-sack above your lips, watching as your throat bobbed. You think he kissed you a few more times, but you're not too sure. You were a lot more averse to kissing before. It'd make sense he'd take advantage of it.

When you wake up again, you're in between two bodies. The pain in your wrist is still there, but not as horrible as before. You're still groggy, mind fuzzy. Whatever Suguru had given you was still in effect.

Satoru is the first to notice you're awake. Suguru and him must have made up during the time you were unconscious. He props himself up, peering down at you. With how dim the cave is, you can barely make out his features. He looks just as guilty as he had two days ago.

"Sorry," he mutters, "is sorry."

If you weren't still high, you might have laughed. When you continue to stare, he takes it in stride, leaning forward to kiss your cheek, then your lips. You wince in distaste, leaning back.

"Stop," you say but don't fight when he licks at your jaw. You can barely move your fingers.

Panic is still far away, a distant call than anything alarming. It should worry you, but you still can't feel anything.

Suguru is at your back. You can hear his scales move across the cavern floor. He gives a hum, content as he curls himself around you. He doesn't seem to mind Satoru's touches. Your theory that they must have made up is unfortunately starting to strengthen.

You could barely manage Suguru's coddlings. You don't think you'll survive Satoru's.

"Sorry," he mouths into your neck. You can feel the grip on your waist starting to tighten. He stops, rising up to stare at you.

Blue, almost glowing.

"But no more leave."

You're coherent enough to piece together what he means. You can't escape Satoru. You can't escape Suguru. You can't leave this island. Running away is useless.

The nagas understood it. It's time you did too.

"Yes," you finally say, "no more leave."

[thatfreshi]

Could I request an Astarion/GN!reader(Tav) where reader has trauma around their throat being touched and stuff but bears through the panic attacks just so Astarion can feed and Astarion only finds out after they make camp and confronts reader/Tav about their mental breakdown after a battle they had prior in the day?(reader got grabbed forcefully by the neck?) Essentially a bit of angst and comfort?

Set in act 2!!

TW - choking, panic attack, disordered eating behaviors

Recommended Song: Don't Invest In Me - Adam Melchor

Battle is horrifying, something Astarion never truly quite realized until he fell in love you with. He's talented, especially at killing people. He's never had to worry in a fight, because it was always just him. Now he has to worry about you, and it's painful, not being able to be by your side constantly, watching you in perilous situations, looking death right in the eye. When your group ran into a few violent adventurers yesterday, you weren't expecting any trouble. Suddenly, metal clashing, magic moving through the trees. Astarion moved quickly, offing one of the offenders almost immediately. When he turned to see who was next, bloodlust in his eyes, he saw you being held by the throat. You were frozen, running out of oxygen, tears welling at your eyes. He ran through the trees, running his blade through your captor's back.

"Tav? My dear, are you alright?"

You can't speak, utterly shocked. No one had ever tried to choke you in the throes of battle, and it reminded you of awful things, things that were better left unsaid. He checks you for any other wounds as you're trapped in your own mind. The fighting continues, but he doesn't care. All that matters is you, the others can handle themselves just fine. And if not, that's their loss, not his.

After thoroughly checking you over, he can't find anything else of concern. The bruising on your neck though, it's black and blue already. Racing thoughts, wondering if there's been any lasting damage. He can't decide if he should be more concerned about the fact that you're practically frozen in place or if your windpipe is destroyed.

"The fuck are you doing? We have shit to deal with!"

Karlach silences her complaints when she sees you lying on the ground. Astarion doesn't even look up at her, afraid. He's only ever truly had one thing, one thing that was his, and that's you. Everything else feels so impermanent, but you? You're constant.

"Astarion! Astarion!"

She yells out his name until he finally snaps back to look at your tiefling friend.

"Take Tav back to camp, we've got it covered."

Karlach then runs off, back to assist Wyll with a shadow-covered half-elf. You groan in pain, your neck on fire. As you start to come back to reality, you realize you're in the vampire's arms, a vampire currently moving through the dark as quickly as possible. Neither of you have lights on you, but he knows there are still torches lit at camp, he just has to get there before the shadow curse starts to take hold. You're light-headed, both from lack of oxygen and the panic attack.

"Where...?"

"Hush darling, it's alright. We're almost there, almost to camp."

Through a couple more feet of trees, the two of you make it, bathing in the warm light of the torches posted behind the brush. He takes you back to your tent, where your bedrolls lie side by side. He silently curses himself for not knowing any healing magic, promising himself he'll finally learn after this.

"Aster?"

You call out groggily.

"Yes my love, I'm right here."

Ceasing the nervous pacing, he sits by your side.

"What... what happened?"

He almost doesn't want to say, worried about how you reacted while it was happening.

"One of the shadow-cursed, they... they had you in a nasty chokehold, and I killed them."

You shift, wishing he didn't have to know about all of this.

"Sorry."

"About what darling? You've done nothing wrong."

"About not telling you- not telling you about it."

You're gasping to get your words out, your throat clearly damaged. He furrows his brow in concerned confusion.

"I- I really don't like people touching my neck, doing anything to it to be honest. Wasn't expecting one of them to grab me like that."

Coughing at the end of your sentence, you don't see Astarion's eyes travel through his thoughts, realizing what that means.

"Darling... you let me feed off of you almost every evening."

You smile a little.

"I know."

He grabs one of your hands, clasping it in both of his.

"I'll never do it again. I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

Frantic, worried he's done something irreversibly wrong.

"No, no Aster it's okay. Does it suck sometimes? Yeah, but I need you to be healthy. Besides, what's a better way to work through your trauma than exposure therapy?"

"That's not fair. I can find something else, some other way."

"And what, go back to forest animals? You know there's nothing for you out here, in the darkness."

"Then I'll simply starve! Done it before, I'll do it again."

Gods, he's stubborn. You don't blame him, he would never want to cross anyone's boundaries after his have been trampled a million times.

"My love, come here."

You reach out, beckoning to pull him down beside you.

"If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't. You need to feed, and I can provide that. You do plenty for me, let me do this one thing for you."

"But, but you hate it."

"Yeah. Those two things can coexist, my hate for people touching my neck, and my love for you. I can put up with the anxiety if it means you're okay."

"I would be okay though."

You cup his face in your hand, making sure he's looking at you.

"I'm telling you I'm okay, and that you deserve more than rats. Okay?"

You've been around him long enough, you know his logic. If he survived for two hundred years living off of flies and rats, he certainly doesn't need blood like yours. If he had starved for an entire year, he could take a few months before getting to Baldur's Gate. Sometimes you have to remind him that survival mode isn't living, that he's allowed to have nice things. Tears fall from his eyes.

"Are you sure my sweet? Absolutely certain?"

"Of course, and if I ever needed you to stop I would tell you, promise."

You put your pinky out, and he stares at it.

"What... what are you doing? Is this you offering me to feed off a singular finger? Because if so, that's uh-"

"No, gods! It's a pinky promise."

"A... a what?"

You start laughing, so hard that you start coughing again, tears falling down your face.

"You've never heard of a pinky promise?"

It pulls at your heart a little, realizing he probably never had anyone teach him.

"I guess I haven't."

You put your pinky out, and he does the same, and then you hook yours, interlacing the small finger with his.

"There, I pinky promise that I'll tell you if you need to stop feeding on me."

As you pull your hand away, he looks confused.

"And that's what, some non-verbal contract?"

"I guess so Mr. Magistrate."

You start laughing again.

"Okay, you have thoroughly scared me, and made me cry, and teased me, in one night! I'm not sure how much more I can take."

There's a hint of humor in his tone. Honestly, he also thinks it's ridiculous that he was a magistrate, considering he was terrible at it, at least from the small things he remembers.

"Well, it's over now. I'm okay, and we're safe."

He narrows his eyes.

"I'm still going to have Shadowheart look over you when the rest return."

"Well, that's your fault for not learning healing magic."

"Okay, you don't know any magic, so I don't want to hear it!"

The two of you stay up for hours, laughing at stupid jokes, hysterical from the tragedy that evening. Sometimes after something horrible, you just need a good laugh, especially with your easily provoked lover.

[dead-boys-club]

†  shadows : hawks.

❥ scenario: nightmares and being sad over kei having no wings. ❥ no triggers; not rated. ❥ i don't have any beta readers - you get what you get. ❥ not a request, just 'i can't fucking sleep' writing.

everything was peaceful, the faint bustle of the city from the open window mixing with the hum of the fan creating a perfect soundtrack to a summer night in the apartment. you and keigo had found peace and normalcy after the war, something he'd sought after for far too long. despite that peace, the memories never faded and continued to taunt you.

jolting awake, your heart was pounding and sweat soaked your skin, the fan no longer aiding in keeping you cool. the images from the nightmares lingered, flickering behind your eyes. the battlefield and bloodshed - it made you sick to your stomach. you glanced to the side to see keigo sleeping peacefully, features soft, his chest raising and falling. the sight of him without his wings twisted the knife deeper, nagging at your rage for a man who no longer existed. the loss of so many things, your own injuries and the loss of soft, bright red feathers - it all stood as stark reminders of the wars toll, a wave of too heavy emotions washing through you.

taking a breath to attempt calming yourself, you slide from the bed as careful as you could, spending a year honing your skills to not wake the lightest sleeper in the world. you hated the idea of waking him up. your steps were as light as you could manage, carrying you to the kitchen, the cold tiles keeping you anchored to reality. as you poured a glass of water, the tremble was obvious, making you take another deep breath. the water was nice but did next to nothing to wash away the mental horrors.

setting the glass down, tears began to blur your vision as you turned to lean back against the counter, knuckles white from the grip. you weren't sure what you thought it would do, like the hold on granite was going to stop you from sighing.

the war was long gone but the scars were still fresh; so tender it felt like they were going to rip open and weep crimson at any moment. tipping your head back, you close your eyes just to see your fiancé's wings, remembering the way he would wrap you up in them. it was like a safety cocoon that only the two of you could share and it was gone. your home, some of your friends and family - it was all gone. you couldn't ignore the fear you held for the fragility of the peace that you'd both found.

in every book, every movie and comic, the big bad always died but a new one followed. what if something or someone worse popped up? what if the peace you'd found would be in the palm of someone else's hand next week?

back in the bedroom, keigo began to shift around, shoulders rolling like they used to when he'd flex his wings, hands seeking out your frame that seemed to be missing. it took a second for him to realize you really were gone and it made him groan, eyes slowly opening. he blinked a couple of times, disoriented and trying to wake up a little quicker. sitting up, he pushed a hand through his hair and looked around, concerned gaze searching until he noticed the light from the kitchen spilling into the little hallway.

he wasted no time crawling out of bed, quiet in his trek to find you. what he found made his chest ache; you leaning against the counter, shaking with silent sobs. he approached with a gentle knock against the counter, not wanting to startle you.

'hey, love.. what's going on?' he asked softly, reaching to brush his fingers over your white knuckles, causing you to relax your hold a bit.

opening your eyes to look at him, new tears welled up. 'shit,' you mumbled, hands coming up to wipe away the tears frantically, 'i didn't mean to wake you.' looking away, you tried your best to collect yourself. 'just.. had another shitty nightmare.'

keigo's gaze softened before he was pulling you into his arms, hugging you tightly. 'it's okay,' he assured, voice working like a balm for your frayed nerves. 'i'm here, it's okay.' he knew where your nightmares came from, where the look in your eyes came from; he knew you constantly wondered if things would be different had you been fighting by his side.

you almost hated how easily you crumbled into his hold, face pressing into his shoulder to hide from the world. your arms wound around him, one hand circling the opposite wrist to keep him close, a part of you scared he was going to fade away and you'd wake up. he was quiet, tracing and tapping gingerly at your lower back. 'i miss your wings..' you whispered, sniffling as another wave of sobs hit, gentler this time. 'i miss them so much.. a-and i'm so scared. this peace we've found? were we even supposed to find it..? what if.. it doesn't last?'

keigo didn't say anything at first, squeezing his eyes shut when he felt the ache in his jaw and burn in his eyes. 'i know, beautiful.. i miss them, too,' he replied, finding as much comfort in your hold as you found in his. he found that missing his wings was more based on using them with you rather than what they'd put him through. 'a lot happened, i know but.. we're together. we survived. we have each other.. that's what's most important.' he wasn't afraid to let a few tears fall, not with you, but you knew he also shared the same fears and trauma.

you nodded against his shoulder, his voice echoing through your head and offering the same comfort it always did. 'i just want the nightmares to end.. i'm so tired, kei.' you frowned to yourself. 'i hate myself for missing these things.. things that stood in the way of us getting to have this life and i hate that i'm constantly being reminded about everything... i - i get that it was bad. it was traumatizing for everyone, those poor kids especially, but it's.. it's over. why can't i just - just keep that peace? is this my punishment..?'

he hated hearing you use that word. punishment. he wasn't sure how to respond, not knowing the answers that you wanted to hear. keigo brought a hand up to guide you back and lift your chin, making you look at him. 'hey now.. you didn't do anything to be punished for and why would you hate yourself for that? we met because of those things. because i was a pro, because of my wings. whether it held us back or not.. all of those things were pivotal in us ending up here.'

he was doing his best to keep his voice steady, even as tears blurred his view of you. he didn't want to make it worse. 'the nightmares eventually stop, i promise.. it takes time to heal,' he sighed, shaking his head as he had to speak from experience, 'we've been through a lot of things, some worse than others. but, it gets better. until then, i'm going to be here - i'm here for you, we'll get through all of it. together. because we made it.'

taking in and letting out a deep breath, he pressed a kiss to your forehead, lingering there for a moment. it felt like a weight lifted from your shoulders, leaving you sniffling with a thoughtful frown. part of you still wanted to cry but it felt silly. 'i don't know what i'd do without you.'

smiling, his eyes filled with love and determination, he reached to collect your hand in his own. 'i swear, you'll never have to find out. now, why don't we go back to bed, hm? try to get some rest.. i'll be here if the nightmares come back.'

you're reluctant to nod, letting him lead you back to the bedroom, hitting the light on the way. as you lie down together, keigo's arms wrap around you, his presence easing the anxiety of the possible nightmares waiting to plague your thoughts. you snuggle into his embrace, head against his chest.

'do you remember the first night you let me stay at your place?'

the question caught you off guard and you hummed in acknowledgement, wanting him to continue.

'your heater went out and it was freezing, could barely feel my feet,' he chuckled softly, bringing his hand up to smooth over your hair. 'it was the first time i got to sleep in your bed - i made fun of your sheets, you got mad at me. i'm also pretty sure you still have the shirt i wore?' he was hoping for an answer, even being playful, but he continued on. 'that night, it was really early on.. but, i was positive you weren't going anywhere. i knew that you'd always be here, with me. i wanted to think that the moment you looked at me and asked what the hell 'hawks' meant but, i was a little too excited over that.'

you laughed softly, shifting just enough to look up at him. you didn't say anything, just curious to see where he was going with his little impromptu story. you were just content to hear him talking as it worked to comfort your agitated brain waves.

'i remember pulling you close, pressing kisses by your ear, that little spot that makes you sigh.. it was the first night i wrapped you up in my wings and you told me how beautiful you thought they were. i don't know if you were really all that awake but you looked up at me and smiled, telling me that you hoped our kids got 'cute little wings', too.'

as you listened, you couldn't help the mental image that formed of your potential future kids. 'i remember that,' you finally spoke, nodding slightly, 'but, that's not possible now, so..'

as you trailed off, keigo smiled to himself, nosing softly at the top of your head. 'you're saying that because of the wings but my point is.. i think about that moment a lot. not because of the wings, not because of the comment.. but because you wanted to have kids with me. i know it wouldn't be the same, but don't you think it would be better to have kids in this stage of our lives? safer.. normal.'

it took a second for you to really understand what he was trying to say but you slowly got there, a soft smile forming on your features. you decided not to respond, letting it sit, knowing that your new life held plenty of perks. you would pout over the wings and cocoon hugs but at least you were both alive.. save. happy.

'i love you.' he whispered, pressing a few kisses around your crown. 'always will, dove.'

'i love you, too, kei.' the tension slowly melted away, content with being so close and your thoughts being replaced with kinder ones. having him by your side, you knew everything would be okay. the lingering shadows of the past slipped away from the time being and you reminded yourself that it was over; he was still there, so were you.

sleep was slow to claim you, clinging onto the warmth of keigo's love and promises, the comfort seeping into your bones. the future you were looking at was different from what the two of you had started with but it was still just as bright and perfect.

-----

Don't forget you can tip in the link in my bio ♡ highly appreciated and comes with ✨️ perks ✨️

[inlovewithquestionablecharacters]

Hey,

Could you write an NBC Hannibal One-shot, where fem!reader was a surgeon like him, who worked along side him for a couple of weeks and later meets him after he nearly got crucified in Baltimore. After Hannibal get‘s released from the hospital, they start to get to know each other.Maybe in the end there is some fluff and smut (if you are comfortable)

Hannibal X Reader: Stitches and sweet kisses

Warnings: wounds, brief mentions of death, smut, fluff, penetration (p in v), mentions of oral, pet names, soft sex, rough sex, sub x dom (if you squint), praise kink, breeding kink, female reader, no use of y/n, female anatomy.

Word count: 2,7K

You were used to odd patients. It was a common occurrence in your line of work but you never expected this. He has been rushed in by an FBI officer and immediately taken to a room. He didn’t need any drastic surgery. His wounds were not extreme but he had lost a lot of blood and was having a hard time breathing. You should have handed him over to another doctor but the moment you laid eyes on him you’d recognized.

You only worked with him a week but you’d never forget him. You’d been one of the surgeons in the room when he lost his first patient. A little girl, no older than six. She had a tumor that needed to be removed but there had been complications during surgery. You couldn’t save her. Everyone took the loss hard but it seemed to have hit Hannibal the hardest. A day after the incident you saw him walk into the main office with his resignation. You never saw him again. 

Until today that is.

There were holes in his palms and a large purple bruise around his neck that told you that there had been a rope around it. Your curiosity peaked the more you worked on healing him. He looked awfully vulnerable like this. You couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pity. Once you’d fixed him up as best you could and put on some medication for his pain you made your way to the FBI agent outside his door. You expected they wouldn’t tell you what you wanted to know but it couldn’t hurt to ask.

“What happened to him?”

“Someone tried to kill him. Jack Crawford was the one who found him. They say the guy had him positioned like Christ on the cross. I mean what kind of sick fuck does that?”

You turned back to look at Hannibal through the small glass of the door. He was out cold due to his medication but his face held a deep sadness in it.

“What kind of sick bastard indeed.”

The days passed quickly. Whenever you weren't working on healing people or helping around the hospital you found yourself hanging around Hannibal's room. You’d go in to check on his vitals but you’d soon find yourself pulling a chair next to him, your eyes traveling over his face as he slept. He was always unconscious when you were around but you couldn’t help but talk to him. As weird as it sounds it felt easy to be around him. He was the small break in the chaos of your life.

One day when you’d been taking his vitals his eyes fluttered open. You watched him look at you, his eyes traveling around the room before falling back on your face. You gave him a small smile, continuing your work. He watched you take his pressure and jot some things down on his clipboard.

“I bet you don’t remember me.”

“I never forget a face.”

“Some memory you must have.”

“It normally doesn't fail me. Though I do have a hard time with names. I can't seem to recall yours.”

You introduced yourself to him with a smile. 

“Ah yes, how could I forget.”

Hannibal continued to look at you as you moved around the room. A small frown made its way to his face as he began to remember when he’d last seen you. He would never forget that day no matter how hard he tried. His heart rate spiked a bit at the memory causing you to look at him in concerne.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. Remembering is all.”

You seemed to understand what he meant immediately, your own face twisting to match the sadness he felt inside. He didn’t remember much about you but he knew you were a good doctor. He’d walked past you on the day after the surgery and had noticed the tears in your eyes. You’d felt the loss of the girl just as much as he had. But unlike him you’d continued your work.

“How do you do it?”

“Sorry?”

“How do you keep working after…”

He couldn’t even bear to say it.

“It wasn’t easy. I took a month off. Started going to therapy before finally feeling ready to come back.”

You tugged up a chair, taking a seat next to him. Hannibal turned to look at you, his eyes focused on your face. 

“I’ve lost a lot of people but I've saved a lot too. I guess that's just how it is, you know? Do what you can and try your best to keep going. Therapy helps a lot. I still go every week, it helps to talk to someone about your shit you know?”

Hannibal let out a small laugh causing you to look up at him with curiosity.

“Did I say something funny?”

“No it’s just that…well…i’m a psychiatrist.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I became one after I stopped being a surgeon.”

“How is it? I bet it must be hard.”

“It is. Some days are easier than others. But it’s like you said, I help people. That feels good.”

You move closer to his bed, your hand moving to grab his. Hannibal watches you tug his hand into yours. You look down at the bandages that cover his palm, slowly beginning to remove them. He observes the way you trace your finger over his stitches gently.

“You’re healing really well. I’ll probably be able to remove these in a couple days. How does your neck feel?”

The purple had faded but you could still see small marks where the rope had sunk into his skin.

“Is it still tender?”

You leaned over his body, your fingers moving across his throat. Hannibal lifted his head, giving you better access. From this angle he could see very little detail of your face. His breath seemed to give out for a moment, his mind entirely focused on your proximity to him. You turned your focus over to his face, your eyes meeting him. There was a deep gentleness in the way you gazed at him, it made him feel exposed. But not in a bad way. 

“You okay?”

“Yes. I apologize. I’m distracted.”

“It’s alright. I have to go but if you need anything just tell them to call me okay?”

“Alright. Thank you.”

A couple of days later Hannibal was finally released. You’d walked into his room expecting it to be empty but instead you found him standing near the window. You walked over to him, stopping beside him. He turned to look at you, observing as you watched the world outside for a moment before turning to face him.

“I must tell you that as much as I love your company we aren’t a hotel.”

Hannibal smiled at you, causing you to mirror his expression.

“I’m glad to leave this room. I couldn’t take the white walls anymore. Though I must admit I'm sad I will not be seeing you everyday.”

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. You enjoyed your time with Hannibal immensely but you’d always thought that when he was healed your daily chats would come to a bitter end. Never in your wildest imagination would you have thought that he’d want to continue your contact outside of the hospital. 

“Would you join me for dinner? It’s been awhile since i’ve had a proper meal and i would love your company.” 

“I’d be delighted to. What restaurant did you have in mind?”

“Actually I was thinking I could do the cooking. It’s one of my passions you see. I’ve missed it just as I've missed having some real food.”

“You’re full of surprises aren’t you Dr Lecter?”

“You can’t even begin to imagine.”

He had been right about that. After your dinner you and Hannibal continued to keep in touch. With time your relationship grew into a friendship and soon enough you found yourself falling for the doctor. He wasn’t anything like you’d imagined him to be. He had a seemingly unlimited amount of knowledge that he was always eager to share with you. He’d have you over for dinner whenever he could, always enjoying the company and your fascination for his cooking. He’d come to your apartment from time to time, it had become a place where he could have a break from the hard days. You were always more than welcoming to him. And then one day he found himself sitting on your couch one evening, nursing a bottle of wine as the two of you listened to music. 

You were sprawled out on the couch, your legs resting on Hannibals. The only sound that could be heard was  of the music that played from your radio and your voice humming along to the tune. Hannibal took in the sight of you. Your eyes were closed, lips moving to form the lyrics of the song. He couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to share a home with you. His feeling for you should have startled him, after all he’d only known you for a little while. But there was this sort of connection he seemed to share with you. He often wondered why of all the possible doctors that could have attended him that day at the hospital you had been the one to heal him. Perhaps it was a way of some greater force telling him you were the missing piece he’d been searching for. 

Your eyes opened slowly at the feeling of Hannibal's hand on your thigh. You gave him a lazy smile, shifting your body up.

“What is it?”

“Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“You.”

Your eyes widened, heart hammering inside your chest at Hannibal's blatant confession. Perhaps it was the wine you’d been drinking or maybe it was the adoring way Hannibal was gazing at you but in a flash you crawled over to him placing a soft kiss to his lips. It was a slow kiss, tender and full of emotion. Hannibal cupped your cheek keeping your lips attached to his until he felt like he couldn't’ breath. You break the kiss, panting for air. A giggle escapes your lips as you look at Hannibal watching the corners of his eyes wrinkle as he smiles.

“You’re so beautiful. Did you know?”

You flushed at Hannibal's words, head moving to look down at your legs. Hannibal placed his finger under your chin forcing you to look into his eyes. You gaze up at him through your eyelashes, a blush littering your cheeks.

“No need to be shy, pretty girl. It’s just me.”

You didn’t know what had come over him but this Hannibal wasn’t one you were used to seeing. He seemed much less put together than usual. There was almost a homey quality to him. You lifted your body off the couch. Hannibal watched you stand his eyes gazing up at you curiously. You placed your hand out to him. He looked at your open palm for a moment before giving you his hand. You tugged him off the couch pulling him towards the hall.

“Where are you taking me dove?”

You turned to look at him with a sly grin, legs never stopping their movements.

“To my bedroom. Obviously.”

Hannibal was used to seeing you in a specific sort of light. Whenever you two would go out together you were always soft spoken and quiet, often opting to listen to him talk rather than initiating conversation. In the bedroom however you turned into a whole different person. 

Your pussy fluttered around his dick as he moved into you. Your head fell back on the pillow with a moan.

“Fuck you feel so good Hannibal.”

He moved slowly, trying his hardest to be as gentle as possible. He knew your body was starting to become sensitive after all the hours he’d put into teasing you. He’d made you cum on his tongue and fingers twice before allowing you to take him in your mouth. And after fucking your throat in such a rough pace that he'd managed to make tears well up in your eyes he wanted to show you he could be gentle too. Your legs wrapped around his waist, the heels of your feet digging into the skin of his ass.

“Hannibal deeper please i-ah ugh- want to feel you.”

“Shh dove, take it slow. Can’t have you tiring yourself out.”

Hannibal leaned down, his teeth finding the shell of your ear. You whimpered as he nibbled at the skin. Your fingers clawed at his bare back trying your hardest to make him move closer into you. You were insatiable for him. Completely at his mercy and he knew it. It's why he was taking things slow. Whispering sweet nothings to you and telling you how much of a good girl you were being to him. Every time he praised you he felt your pussy grip onto him like a vice. He enjoyed the feeling just as much as he enjoyed seeing you cum. But there were limits. And you were about to discover Hannibals.

In truth you didn't expect your words to affect him so much. It was more something that turned you on then something you thought he’d enjoy but the moment the words left your lips you knew you’d hit a nerve.

In the best way possible.

He was moving at a glacial pace and you just couldn't take it any longer. You grabbed his face pulling him into a rough kiss. You tugged at his bottom lip a smirk appearing on your features as he gazed at you in hunger.

“Want you to fill me up Hannibal. Want you to put a baby in me.”

That had been the tip of the iceberg. In a flash Hannibal had flipped you around his hand shoving your face into the pillow as he lined himself up with your entrance again. Your body jerked forward as he began to thrust into you. He was going so harshly you couldn’t help but grip at the sheets. Hannibal had, all of a sudden, become more vocal than he had been the entire night. 

“Feel so fucking good dear.”

His groans and grunts followed your screams of pleasure and pretty soon you were feeling your orgasm sneak up on you. Hannibal seemed to feel your need to cum his hand moving to grip at the flesh of your hips in an even harsher manner. He tugged you closer to his body, holding you still for a moment. He took in the feeling of your walls pulsating against him, his eyes closing.

“Hannibal please!”

How could he deny such a sweet thing like you? He couldn’t. So he started moving again, his free hand itching towards your clit. He maneuvered you in a way his tip could hit your g-spot perfectly and in a matter of seconds you were cumming around him. He continued to fuck into your body even as you sagged into the bed. You felt him twitch inside you before he came with a grunt of your name. 

After a while Hannibal pulled out of you, throwing his body next to yours. You lifted your head off the pillow to look at him observing his chest rise and fall rapidly as he tried to regain his breath. You shifted your body so that you were lying on your side, your legs angled in Hannibal's direction. He turned to look at you, giving you a smile before tugging you closer to him. He buried his noise in your hair taking in your scent. The two of you fell into easy slumber, both completely spent.

The next morning you woke up to a sweet smell. You rose for your bed tugging on a robe before making your way to the kitchen. You smiled as you caught sight of Hannibal. He was wearing your apron but his ass was completely on display for you. You walked over to him, giving him a sharp smack on the ass. He jumped at the action, turning to look at you. You simply grinned up at him.

“You cheeky thing.”

“You know you love it.”

He did in fact love it.

Actually, he loved everything about you.

“Whatcha making?”

“Pancakes.”

“Yum. How can I help?”

“Grab the eggs from the fridge for me.”

“Okay.”

The two of you moved in perfect union as if things had always been like this. And perhaps they always would be.

[ghostboneswrites2]

Girl of Your Dreams || Part 1

New account! @ghostbones was banned! Transferring all my work here slowly!

Summary: Daryl's annoying female sidekick is pestering him.

18+ MDNI: WARNINGS: injury, aggressive Shane, profanity

        You were no stranger to pain. The world had been unfair to you from the time you entered it, but this was a whole new level of torture. You had survived the wake of the apocalypse with your only friend, but when you encountered a group of those undead fucks, she didn't make it, and you were left to run for your life all on your own. You were fairly certain you lost the hungry corpses some time ago, but now you had a new dilemma: how to free yourself from a bear trap?

        The metal dug into your flesh and crushed the bone beneath. You was beyond painful. You were shocked your cries didn't draw anything in to eat you, but you were ultimately alone until he came along. Wit the sleeves torn off a flannel shirt and a crossbow slung over his shoulder, he'd left the camp by the quarry that day to find some food, hopefully enough to feed everyone but chances of that were slim.

        "Ya bit?" Was the first thing he asked, with that raspy voice you would come to find comfort in. 

        "Gee, I'm fine. Doesn't hurt at all. Thanks for asking." You shot back. A woman of sarcasm, something he could appreciate.

        "Show me ya ain't bit and I'll get that thing off ya." He shrugged. You sighed.

        "Not bit." You said, holding your bare arms up, showing him the sides of your neck, and finally lifting your shirt to show him a bite-free midriff. He nodded and knelt down on one knee, setting his bow to the side so he could properly dismantle the trap. You winced and sighed in relief at the release of pressure from your ankle. "Thanks." You breathed, pulling up the leg of your jeans to take a good look.

        The bruising had already begun, and the flesh was chewed to bits. You went to stand but failed. The pressure on your ankle was too much.

        "Great." You grumbled. "Real fuckin' nice."

        "C'mere." He said, standing up now as he held his hand out to you. You took it, seeing little other options. Unless, of course, you wanted to wait for the next flesh-starved freak to come stumbling through.

        "Thanks again." You grunted as you pulled yourself up. You managed to stand on one foot, but there was no way you could walk without aide. 

        "C'mon. Got a camp not too far from here." He told you. And there it was, the beginning. Of course the other campers didn't take so kindly to a new mouth to feed, especially one that could barely walk, but Daryl made sure you had your place, and that earned your respect. It also earned your kindness, which was hard to come by for anyone. You weren't the friendly type, more of the shut-up-and-don't-breathe-in-my-space type. Shane, most of all, was your least favorite. The whole self-proclaimed leader thing got under your skin fast, and he was the first to voice his concerns about your presence among the others. After all, he had a girl and a kid to look out for, which you'd come to find out later weren't even his, but his best friend's, who he told them was dead. He wasn't, though, and he showed up a couple weeks later. Glenn and the others brought him back instead of Merle, Daryl's brother.

        Daryl was outraged to say the least, and when they went back for his kin, they only found a hand where he should have been. Walkers attacked camp the that night, when Daryl and the others were in the city, and you only fucked up your ankle more fighting the sons of bitches off. Still, you prevailed. You always did. You were a survivor. 

        In the following weeks, between burning and burying bodies, finding and escaping the CDC, and getting stranded on the highway only to wind up on a farm, you and Daryl had grown pretty close. You comforted him with your silent presence as he coped with the loss of his brother, and once you could walk again you aided in a lot of the search for Sophia. 

        You went with him on a particularly hot day, carrying the extra water for the two of you, telling him all about how you couldn't take anymore of Shane's pestering. Apparently now that Lori had pushed him away for Rick, he had taken up a newfound fondness of you and your smart mouth. 

        "It's like -- I tell the guy to fuck off and his heart eyes grow bigger." You complained. Scoffed a little laugh and shook his head. Not necessarily interested in your drama, but curious nonetheless. Any excuse to tell Shane off would've been a green light to him. You continued. "You know yesterday he tried to come in my tent when I was asleep?"

        Daryl stopped walking and eyed you intently, waiting for more.

        "Yeah, dude. I was asleep when it happened. Woke up to him running his hand up my thigh. So, if you notice any dark coloration around his eye, it's cause I kicked him. In the eye." You explained. 

        Daryl chewed on his lip and continued walking. You handed him some water to drink as you sipped some yourself. After pushing a little further he sighed.

        "Let's take a break an' eat somethin'." He suggested. You happily obliged, sitting crisscross on the forest floor, unwrapping a napkin with some nuts and dried fruit for the two of you to share.

        "He didn't hurt ya or nothin'?" He asked. You shrugged.

        "If he did, I promise he'd have gotten more than a foot in his eye."

        "Mm." He nodded. "You know I'd kill him, if he did."

        "Awe, are you sweet on me Dixon?" You teased, grinning as you bumped his shoulder with yours. He glared at you.

        "Ain't sweet on no one." He grumbled.

        "Except me." 

        "Shut up."

        "It's okay. I know you put that trap out to catch a girl like me. Lucky for you, I was dumb enough to step in it." You gloated. He got so flustered when you joked like that, but you enjoyed it. As gruff as he was, he was the shy type which made him all the more attractive. You loved a good mystery.

        "Nah, I placed that trap out lookin' for the woman of my dreams an' got stuck with you." He joked. You gasped, mocking an appalled expression.

        "You mean, I'm not the woman you always dreamed of?"

        Actually, you kind of were, now that he thought about it. He'd need a woman that could handle his brother, and in the short time  you spent with the man you handled him quite well. He needed a woman who didn't need to be coddled, a woman with a sharp tongue and an independent nature. Someone who didn't need him, who only kept him around because she liked him. You did check all those boxes.

        "You first." He grunted.

        "Me first what? Are you asking if you're the man of my dreams?" You asked. He shrugged, picking at the last of the food in his hands. "Well, I never dreamed of a man, to be honest. Just figured I'd find one, one day, that didn't get on my every last nerve."

        "Did you?" He wondered.

        "Nope." You laughed. "They all pissed me off. Except you. You're alright, I guess." You shrugged.

        "Guess you ain't so bad." He returned the compliment, if you could call it that. You smiled sweetly, staring down at the crunchy brown leaves.

        "Not bad at all, for someone you got stuck with." You said.

        "Stuck? Nah. I'd have got rid of ya by now if I didn't want ya around."

        "So you do like me."

        "Didn't say that."

        "Mmm. Ya kinda did." You pushed.

        "What if I do? Don't change nothin'." 

        "Nope. It doesn't." You chirped, before leaning in close to him and whispering; "'Cause I already knew ya did." 

        He sighed and pushed you away, you chuckling in the process.

        "Were you always this annoyin'?" He asked.

        "Yes, indeed. I'm vexing by nature. Is that a deal breaker?"

        "Depends how long it takes you to shut up."

        "Oof." You winced. "That was cold."

        "Please. You ain't that soft."

        "Only for you, Darlina." You said. Normally he'd snap at anyone who called him that. Only Merle ever got away with it and that was mostly just due to the fact he had no energy to argue with Merle. Getting a reaction out of him would have only pushed Merle to say it more, anyways.

        "You keep pushin' your luck, girl, and we're gonna have problems."

        "Oh?" You raised your brows. "Do tell."

        "Won't have to. I'll just show ya. Keep  tryin' me and find out."

        "Was that a threat? 'Cause I'll be honest with ya, you're just getting me excited."

        He shot you a sideways glance, smirking a little at the suggestiveness of your comment. This girl ain't got no idea what she's gettin' into, he thought.

        That night at camp, when Shane found you alone, adding your clothes form the day to the dirty laundry, Daryl was watching from afar.

        "Maybe you can talk some sense into everybody." He began. "You've been out there with him. You can tell them there haven't been any leads. We're wasting resources and manpower, here."

        "Sure! I'll do that!" You said with sickeningly sweet sarcasm oozing from your tongue. The prideful officer clenched his jaw tightly at your act of disrespect. "Only, I won't, because we've found two leads already." 

        "Oh, right, a doll he almost died for and a blanket in a cupboard." He scoffed. "What is it with you and him, huh? You out there fuckin'? Or do you really just enjoy wasting everyone's time and supplies."

        "Everyone?  Last I checked, it's just been me and him out there the last few days. Nobody else. And, even if we were fucking, it'd be none of your concern." You spat, stabbing your finger into his chest with malice. He gripped your wrist as you did so, hard, might you add. Tight enough that it actually hurt. You tried to yank you arm away to no avail. You were strong, but he was stronger.

        "Let me go, asshole." You said through gritted teeth. He didn't. Instead he held you still and leaned his face close to yours.

        "Let me make somethin' real clear to you, little girl--"

        "There a problem?" Daryl asked, suddenly appearing behind Shane.

        Shane grinded his teeth together, a blazing glare burning into you for only a second before he let go of your wrist and turned to Daryl. You held your wrist to your body, rubbing it.

        "Nah. No problem." Shane said lowly before he stormed away, maintaining eye contact with Daryl for some time as he did so. When Shane was far enough for comfort, Daryl stepped over from you and grabbed your hand, looking over your wrist. It was still white with Shane's finger prints and he wouldn't be surprised if it bruised later.

        "You alright?" He asked, letting your hand fall back down.

        "Yeah." You nodded, watching as Shane disappeared into the darkness. "Thanks."

        "C'mon." He told you, throwing his arm over your shoulder and leading you toward his own tent. "You're stayin' with me in case he tries anythin'."

        "A sleepover? So soon? No dinner  first?" You joked.

        "Shut up." He said, holding his tent open for you to climb in. When you were inside, he followed, and made sure you had a place to get comfy. "This alright?" He asked, referring to his sleeping bag that he had completely unzipped and laid out flat like a palette. 

        "Perfect." You smiled, laying down on one side. He laid down on the other side, on his back. You were on your side, facing him, still rubbing your wrist. He took notice.

        "Still hurt?" He asked.

        "No, actually. It's just weird. I can still feel his hand around me, you know?"

        "Well he won't get ahold of ya in here." He told you. You smirked. 

        "I know."

        "You know?"

        "Uh-huh." You nodded, smugly. "'Cause you wont let anything happen to the girl of your dreams."

        He scoffed, laughing silently to himself as he shook his head, eyes on the ceiling of the tent.

        "Whatever, (Y/N). G'night."

[accioscarheadthings]

↳ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝘁 - 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗸𝘆𝘂𝘂! 𝘅 𝗳𝗲𝗺! 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿

haikyuu x athelete!reader

summary - you have a bad practice session and you come home in a bad mood, mind buzzing with self-deprecating thoughts.

warnings - angst, self-deprecating thoughts, insecurities, anxiety attack

author's note: a little self-indulgent fic 'cause i had a bad day at volleyball practice. and ended up with a bloody nose:/

this is for all my athelete girlies who had a bad day at practice.

it sucks, i know. but the world doesn't end because of one bad day.

you are good enough. <33

featuring characters — SUGUWARA, DAICHI, KUROO, ASAHI, IWAIZUMI, OIKAWA, IWAIZUMI, OSAMU, AKAASHI

main masterlist !

the coach's decision to bench you during the previous match had hit you like a punch to the gut. you had stood on the sidelines, watching the game unfold without you, your mind swimming with self-doubts and insecurities.

the coach's words echoed in your head:

"what has gotten into you?!"

"you just weren't giving us what we needed then,"

the words stung, and you couldn't shake off the sense of worthlessness. you had watched your teammates play, and every mistake they made or point they lost had only fueled your doubts.

the feeling of not being good enough intensified, your confidence crumbling with each passing moment.

you felt your knee begin to bounce, worry bubbling within you. your breath coming out in low gasps and exhales.

you felt utterly worthless as if you didn't deserve to be on the team. the weight of your own failures and inadequacies seemed to pile up on you, pressing down on your chest and making it hard to breathe.

you couldn't help but believe that you had let everyone down, that you weren't cut out for this, and that everyone could see it.

you pressed down at your chest, inhaling and exhaling, trying to get your anxiety in check. you could feel your pulse increasing, a steady rise in thumping. sweat rolled down your temple, making its way down your trembling face.

the match was a tough one, with you making a series of costly mistakes that led to a 13-25 defeat.

it was a mere practice match, but that didn't make the loss any less brutal.

as you stood by the bench, watching the coach and your teammates discussing the strategy for the next match, you couldn't help but feel like you didn't deserve to be there.

your breathing became more shallow, and you wrung your hands at your sides, shaking them to drive the tension out of your body.

every failed play, every missed shot, every wrong decision replayed in your mind like a broken record.

for now, your pulse had slowed from the initial panic, but a new kind of pressure seemed to take its place.

your heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly, like a vice gripped it with relentless force. each breath felt labored, as though your chest was filled with a heavy weight that threatened to crush you.

you questioned your abilities and your place on the team, wondering if you were really up for the position.

you trudged into the apartment after the match, feeling utterly defeated.

"there's my girl!" your boyfriend greeted you with a warm smile, "how did the match go?"

but your mood was so low that you could only manage a brief, half-hearted hug and a muttered greeting, "hi. was okay,"

he frowned at your lack of enthusiasm, his concern deepening when you didn't kiss him in greeting.

you made a beeline for the bedroom, shutting the door behind you and collapsing onto the bed.

the solitude of the room allowed your thoughts to run wild, as doubts and insecurities threatened to drown you.

you were consumed with a sense of failure and the weight of disappointment that came right with it.

i'm so bad at this game

maybe i should quit

my coach must think i suck

the team is better off without me-

you sat up slowly, facing the full-length mirror on the side of the room.

your eyes raked over the jersey you were wearing, down to the number on it.

your vision blurred and you swiped at them angrily.

angry at your inability to perform to your fullest potential.

angry at your-fucking pathetic-self

"y/n," he came into the room and kneeled in front of you. he had an idea of what may have happened and reached your side at once.

you turned away, not wanting to be seen in this sorry state. weak and fragile.

what good am i for him anyway if I'm so broken?

you pushed away that thought, feeling your throat close up, "i don't wanna talk about it,"

everything annoyed you at this point. the air of failure and agony around you, the rapid beating of your merciless heart, low breaths that came out as huffs, the jersey number you wore with utmost humiliation.

he held your face in his hands, thumbs caressing your cheekbone, "hug or talk?"

it was a common phrase that you both used in a severe case of bad days.

"neither," you mumbled, not yet meeting his eyes.

he knew it meant you were in desperate need of a hug. you were just too prideful to ask for it.

"what is it, love? is it something i can help with?" he prodded, "is it the game?"

you stilled, pursing your lips, confirming your boyfriend's statement.

"it was so so bad. the worst by far. i don't know what the fuck i was doing. i was so shit-faced," you rambled, "i feel useless. I'm so behind others. maybe i should just quit, instead of making a fool of myself," you covered your face with your palms, fingers digging into your teary eyes.

his heart ached as he saw your lips tremble. he could see the doubt and vulnerability in your eyes, and it only served to strengthen his determination to make you believe him.

"hey, listen to me. it's okay to be disappointed about the game. but you didn't mess up. you did your best, and that's all that matters. everyone makes mistakes, and it's part of the game. you can't blame yourself for everything, okay?"

you shook your head slowly in denial, jaw ticking as you struggled to hold yourself together.

his heart broke at your devastated condition, "baby, don't do this to yourself. i know you're upset and probably blaming yourself for what happened, but you have to understand that it's not all your fault. it's a team sport, and everyone makes mistakes. you can't dwell on it and beat yourself up over it. that's not going to help anything,"

"i could've helped it!" you snapped, "i could've helped it if i-i-," you sputtered, searching for the right words, "if i wasn't such a fucking loser," you added the last bit in a shaky voice and the dam broke.

he rested his forehead against yours in comfort, watching the way tears cascaded down your cheeks, "that's not true. don't talk about yourself like that. you're not a loser. you're a determined and talented athlete. you just had a bad game, that's all. one day doesn't define you as a person or as a player. you work hard, and i know you'll do better next time,"

"i feel like i've lost myself," you mumbled weakly.

despite hearing the defeated tone in your voice, he noticed your bouncing knee, the rapid breathing, the rage- oh my god

"baby, i need you to take deep breaths for me, okay? i'm pretty sure you're experiencing an anxiety attack,"

"i have for the past 3 hours," you sniffled, knowing it very well. you screwed your eyes shut and forcing more hot tears down your cheeks, "i can't stop it. it won't stop. it hurts too much but-" you gasped for air, "i deserve all this pain don't i?"

"shh, shh," he sat on the bed next to you, pulling you onto his side and wrapping his arms around you.

his heart ached when you whimpered and he rested his chin on the top of your head. he could feel the tension and self-doubt radiating off of you, wanting nothing more to soothe your worries.

"no you don't deserve it," he held you tighter, feeling you sob silently against his chest, "don't carry this around," he peppered kisses on your hair, holding you against his large frame, "you're not alone, mkay?"

"i don't even know why i'm crying," you sniffled, "god, i need to get a grip,"

"no, it's okay. let it out. nothing wrong in that, you don't need to justify your emotions. i'll hold you through it,"

he held you tighter as you sobbed, his hand rubbing your back in slow, soothing circles.

he didn't say anything, just let you cry and release your emotions, his body serving as a source of comfort and support.

he talked you through it, whispering into your ear until you calmed from your anxiety peak.

"that's it. you're dooing so well. give me deep breaths, just like that. mm good girl," he whispered, his voice soft. "it's okay. just let it out. i'm here. i'm not going anywhere,"

he reached up a hand to wipe away the tear, his touch gentle and tender, "what do you say i draw you a bath, huh?"

"will u join me?" you looked up at him with hopeful eyes, red from all the waterworks.

"i want you to run me over with a car, if i ever say no to that question, ever," he stated in a monotone voice, causing you to let out a teary chuckle.

and so you and your lover were relaxing in the bathtub, surrounded by a warm, comforting glow of candlelight. the soothing heat of the water was helping to loosen your tense muscles, and the bubble-filled surface created a private, intimate space for the two of you.

as you sat nestled between his legs with your back to his chest, he listened quietly, his eyes fixed on you as you vented about your frustrations with the recent game.

he didn't interrupt, but rather offered a sympathetic nod or gentle touch, letting you speak your mind and release your pent-up stress.

"-and then the next thing i knew, i got benched," you shrugged weakly, biting your lip in thought.

he kissed your hair and you eaned back into his body, "s'okay, darling," he soothed.

you huffed in annoyance, waving your hand through the water.

He spoke gently, his voice soft and reassuring in the quiet intimacy of the bathtub. "y/n, you're incredible. I've watched you play and you become possessed by the game, completely pouring your passion into it. and i admire it. how much heart and soul you put into every game. I'm proud of you,"

his words caught you off guard, feeling how much it touched you. no one has ever told you that. and it felt foreign.

like you didn't deserve to hear it.

you hummed in response, grateful that he couldn't see the vulnerable expression on your face.

but he knew you well, and he recognized the underlying emotions behind your subtle reactions.

he gently tilted your head over your shoulder, looking at you intently. "look at me," he said, his voice firm but caring.

as you met his gaze, he repeated his words with a sincerity that resonated deep within your soul. "i'm proud of you," he said again, his voice filled with conviction.

as you processed his words, you felt a mixture of emotions stirring within you. you nodded, managing a weak smile, but the weight of his words and the raw vulnerability they stirred up made you inhale sharply.

it felt like he was touching upon something deep within you, something fragile yet beautiful.

gently, he shifted your position so that you were now straddling him in the water, creating a soft, rippling barrier in the warm, candlelit bath.

he caressed your thigh under the water, the contact sending shivers down your spine. his other hand held your chin, keeping your gaze locked on him, "I am proud of you," he repeated, the truth of his words reflected in his steady eyes.

you could feel tears welling up in your eyes. the variety of emotions building within you were almost too much to contain.

he pulled you closer, his arms enveloping you in a tight, loving hug, and pressed his lips to yours in a firm kiss.

you reciprocated the action, resting your hand on the side of his face. the bubbles and water were like a soft, warm cocoon around you both.

he hugged you, rubbing soothing circles on your back. he held you close, anchoring you in the moment with his love.

the water lapped around you both, creating a gentle, lulling rhythm. he trailed his lips down your jaw, cheek and to the column of your neck.

"but i'm not just talking about your skills," he continued, his voice growing softer as he spoke. "i'm proud of the person you are. you're strong, determined, and fiercely passionate. you never give up, no matter how tough things get." his words hung in the air, filling the quiet space with a sense of warmth and reassurance.

you could feel yourself starting to relax in his arms, the weight of his words and their implication slowly seeping into your heart.

you leaned forward and rested your forehead against his, letting his words into your hurting heart.

his thumb traced lazy patterns on your back and his other hand gently massaged your thigh, the contact creating a trail of sparks that raced under your skin.

he let the moment linger, giving you time to process the emotions his words had stirred up. the water continued to ripple gently around you as if echoing the turbulence within you.

"you're amazing," he finally said, breaking the silence, "amazing, and worthy, and strong. and i am proud of you for that. always,"

you felt a lump forming in your throat again, the raw honesty in his voice almost too much to bear.

but you also felt a strange sense of relief, as if his words were like a balm to the bruised parts of your soul.

the tears started flowing again, but this time they were different. they were born out of a mixture of gratitude, love, and a quiet acceptance of the truth in his words.

he held you through it, not saying anything else, but just being there for you.

and that was all you needed.

[moeitsu]

The Tie Which Linked My Soul To Thee

Summary: A well deserved hunt with Charles, met with an unexpected surprise back at camp...

Ao3  Wattpad Masterlist - All Chapters Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.4 Ch.6 Ch.7 Ch.8 Ch.9 Ch.10

Tags: Arthur Morgan/Original Female Character, Widowed, Original Character, Mutual Pining, Slow Build, Eventual Smut, Eventual Romance, Fluff and Angst, Hurt/Comfort, High Honor Arthur Morgan, Friends to Lovers, Child Loss, Trauma, Canon-Typical Violence, Arthur Morgan Does Not Have Tuberculosis, Arthur Morgan Deserves Happiness, Chubby Arthur Morgan, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

Ch 5 - My Heart Beats On As Warmly Now

“What began as a journey had become a retreat into the unknown. We were backing into the abyss; so worried our sins would follow us we didn’t bother watching where we walked. And behind us was a cliff.” ~ Elsa Dutton 1883

Arthur’s anger dissolved with the storm, replaced by a heavy sense of regret as he trudged back to camp that evening. All he wanted was to drown his shame in a few bottles of liquor, away from prying eyes, away from the disappointment he felt in himself. He hadn’t intended for Kate to see that side of him, not yet at least. And certainly not against a sickly innocent man. He let his anger and frustrations get the better of him. Like he switched on auto-pilot and let the outlaw in him take control. He worried now that Kate might actually leave, and he blamed himself for that.

Swiftly, he made his way to the crate of beer bottles behind the chuck wagon, grabbing a few before retreating to his tent. He craved solitude, a respite from the demands of camp life, from the weight of his own mistakes.

Seated on his cot, a beer wedged between his legs, Arthur opened his journal, the one constant in his life since Dutch and Hosea taught him to read and write. It was his confidant, his sanctuary in a world of chaos. John always gave him shit for it growing up, calling him a pansy and constantly trying to snoop in his personal entries. 

Despite being in a gang for most of his life, he still felt incredibly lonely. There weren't many people he would truly open up to. So his journal became that person. It was the one thing that did not judge him, ever. But even as he poured his thoughts onto the page, he longed for a human connection, someone to truly understand him.  

Hosea and Dutch had been like parents to him, raising him from a young age in the ways of the outlaw. They had their flaws, but they had also shown him kindness and guidance when he needed it most. He always saw Hosea as his father, he would consider Dutch his father too, although he was more like an older brother at times. Hosea was probably the only person who truly knew Arthur, and saw the things he wished not to speak about. Neither parent was perfect by any means, and Arthur could recognize that. But even as an adult, there is still a child inside that longs for the comfort of a father. 

It was that fatherly instinct that drove Hosea to Arthurs tent that night.

“Evening Arthur,” he greeted, holding open the tent flap, “may I come in?” 

He put down his journal and nodded. Gesturing for Hosea to join him on his cot. 

“I noticed Kate didn’t ride back with you, is she okay out in this storm?” He inquired.

Arthur smiled with a slight shake of his head, that's Hosea for you. Always worried about others, here he was checking on his son but was more concerned about the lady he left behind. 

“I’m sure she’s fine, saw her heading into Valentine,” he answered, taking a sip of his beer. He handed one of the full bottles to Hosea as the older gentleman sat down.

“I take it things didn't go well then,” he said with a hint of sympathy.

Arthur sighed, “when do they ever.” 

As they sat together in the dim light, the rain drumming softly on the canvas roof, Arthur felt a sense of comfort in Hosea’s presence. He didn’t need to explain himself, didn’t need to justify his actions. Hosea simply listened, offering silent support.

“I don’t know why I do it,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. “The man was sick and weak, I should've just given him a warning.” Arthur concluded with a shake of his head. 

Hosea sighed knowingly. “I think you can blame your fathers for that son,” taking a sip to clear his throat, “Dutch and I did what we thought was best at the time and well, you were quite impressionable when you were young. We used that to our advantage to turn you into a grade A outlaw.” He said gently with honesty. 

Arthur chuckled at the memories of his youth, before John came along he was the golden child. He used to love it when Dutch would teach him how to pick locks, or when Hosea taught him a whole book of curse words. Had he not been the son of outlaws, his life would’ve looked very differently. 

“We’ll always be thieves,” he mused with a hint of nostalgia, “only difference now is that the world don't want us no more.” 

Hosea nodded, silently agreeing, “We're doomed just like every other creature on this rock Arthur,” he remarked with a wry smile. “I just wish I had acquired that wisdom at less of a price.” 

After a moment of contemplative silence, Arthur spoke, his voice heavy with regret. "I just wish I’d done things differently," he admitted, his gaze fixed on the floor. His remorse mixed with his actions at the Downes ranch, and for every mistake he’s made in the past that led him here. 

Hosea laid a comforting hand on Arthur's shoulder, a silent gesture of understanding. "We can't change the past, son," he said gently. "All we can do is learn from it and strive to do better in the future."

Arthur nodded, the weight of Hosea's words settling over him like a blanket of reassurance. "I don't want to be the kind of man who hurts others for no good reason," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability. "I want to be better, for Kate, for everyone."

Hosea squeezed Arthur's shoulder affectionately before rising to his feet. “She’ll come around, son.” He offered a parting reminder, “underneath it all, you have a good heart.”

Before he disappeared into the night, Hosea turned back with a final piece of news. “By the way, your brother wants to speak with you about using that oil cart you found to rob the train tomorrow night.”

Arthur scoffed, shaking his head. “He ain’t my brother,” he muttered disdainfully.

Hosea chuckled. “Well, you two sure argue like brothers. G’night, Arthur.”

He tipped his head to the old man as he left, “night Pa.” 

Arthur laid back on his cot, tucking his journal into his satchel when something small and round fell out and made a soft pitter on the ground. When he looked down he saw the peach pit, the one Kate gave him on her first night. He reached to pick up the small seed. His thumb ran over its hard wrinkles. 

He held it tight to his chest, and silently promised he would make things right with Kate. If he ever saw her again. 

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

Kate took in a deep breath of the crisp morning air, reveling in the freshness that lingered after the storm had passed in the night. The scent of newly sprouted grass and moist earth filled her senses, while dew-kissed leaves sparkled under the gentle caress of the rising sun. A light breeze danced around her, carrying the promise of spring on its wings. It felt like the start of something new as if the world itself was awakening alongside her. It was the perfect day for a ride.

She met Charles in the early morning, exactly where he said he’d be. Waiting for her to begin their journey into the wild lands in hopes of finding a fresh hunt. They were a few hours into their journey now, heading north into Ambarino to hunt cow elk. Just one 200 pound elk is enough to feed the entire camp for a month. Maybe more. It was a day's ride there and back, short enough to keep the meat fresh in time. 

With a satisfied sigh, Kate exhaled the tension from her shoulders, “this is exactly what I needed Charles, thank you.”

Charles smiled warmly, guiding his horse closer to hers. "Thanks for joining me, Kate," he replied, his own gratitude evident in his tone.

With her face tilted to the sun, she savored the moment. Allowing Lorena to guide her. A silent trust shared between them, that her mare will take her where she needs to go. “You know, I always thought you preferred hunting alone. I never see anyone go with you.” Kate remarked, eyes still closed in bliss. 

Charles nodded thoughtfully. "Arthur and I have gone together a few times, but other than that, I don't seek much company from the others," he admitted, his words tinged with honesty. It was clear that while he valued his fellow gang members, solitude was his preferred companion in the wild.

“That why you’re always so quiet?” She inquired, innocently. 

Charles chuckled softly. "If the choice is folks thinking I'm dumb but not knowing for sure, and folks knowing I'm dumb because I sound like them, I think I'd rather keep them wondering," he explained with a grin. The confidence in his voice a testament to his strength. 

Kate chuckled, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I get that. Sometimes it's better to keep people guessing," she replied. Under her breath she added, “I know some of those men can be pretty dumb,” loud enough for Charles to hear.

Charles exclaimed in frustration, “tell me about it! All this death and for what? Just so we can have enough money to be able to run from what we've done?” 

Kate pondered for a moment, she still didn't know what happened all those weeks ago that drove the gang of outlaws here. It was the one piece of information they didn’t talk about around her. Perhaps Charles would share the missing pieces. “What happened to everyone to cause you to run?” Her tone colored with genuine curiosity. 

As Charles recounted the events of that fateful day, Kate couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for what they must have been through. The gang did not like to talk about Blackwater, and the consequences must have been devastating.

"It was a fucking execution," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "We thought it would a simple job robbing a ferry, carrying payroll. But there were civilians too." Kate could already imagine where this led. $5000 for his head alone, the words echoed in her mind. 

“We raised a lot of hell that day, and things got out of control. Next thing we know, the Pinkertons are on us along with the law. And everyone just starts shooting. I don't know which one of us shot first but that's all it took. There were passengers caught in the crossfire.” He shook his head with disappointment. She couldn't imagine the terror those innocent people must have felt as they found themselves caught in the chaos. 

“Dutch he,” Charles hesitated, “he killed a young girl. Just to get the law off him. And no one batted an eye.” His voice heavy with emotion. Her stomach churned at the thought of such senseless violence. “We lost three good people, and John barely made it out alive.”

He turned, facing her, "I don't kill for fun Kate; I kill when I need to," he urged, his tone pleading. It was clear that he was grappling with the moral implications of their actions, and Kate couldn't help but admire his integrity in the face of such darkness. One so hauntingly familiar. 

“Arthur came out different after Blackwater,” he added with a sigh. 

“Being an outlaw can’t be easy,” Kate added, trying to lighten the mood. She understood the hardships and turmoil that came with senseless violence. 

Charles huffed and shook his head at the memory, “easy certainly wasn't in the job description.” 

As they rode on, the weight of their conversation hung heavy between them. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were all running from something far greater than the law. A feeling she was not immune to. 

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

Their hunt had been successful, tracking and swiftly killing a massive elk. They settled in for a fire and camped near a lake for the night. Enjoying fresh fish for dinner. In the morning they tied their game to the back of Taima, and began their journey back to camp. Kate’s spirit felt lightened in a way, the two of them spent most of the night sharing stories. And she realized she and Charles had a lot in common. A gentle reminder that she is not entirely alone in her struggles. 

The ride home went by quickly, and with the sun tickling the horizon, they arrived at the great plains of New Hanover, and eventually, the familiar overlook. 

As they rode into camp, the air was thick with urgency, Miss Grimshaw's voice cutting through the chaos. "Alright girls, everything into the wagons, now!" she barked, her tone sharp. 

Charles swiftly brought their kill to the chuck wagon, while Kate hurriedly dismounted and rushed to join the flurry of activity. The girls worked frantically, packing crates with blankets and clothing, fear etched on their faces.

"What's happening?" Kate asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Mary-Beth paused in her task, her expression grim. "Arthur and John got into trouble with the law in Valentine," she explained, her hands moving quickly. "Dutch says we need to leave, fast."

A surge of panic swept over Kate at the thought of Arthur and John in danger. "Did they get caught?" she asked, her heart pounding.

Mary-Beth shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted, sympathy in her eyes. "But we have to go."

As Kate’s mind began to spiral with the worst outcomes imaginable, a voice rose above the commotion. Speaking of the man himself. 

Dutch's voice cut through the chaos. "Charles!" he called out, his tone urgent. "Find Arthur at Dewberry Creek, we need a new hideout." Charles turned on his heel with a nod, mounting Taima and taking off back down the trail they came in on only a moment ago. 

With his words she felt a sudden sense of relief, Arthur is okay. Their last conversation weighed heavy on her heart. And she would be damned if that was the last time they spoke. 

Dutch's voice commanded attention once more. "When they give us the all clear, we move out! Let's get to work, people!" he shouted.

Mary-Beth and Tilly went back to their work and left Kate alone with her thoughts. She returned to her belongings, packing quickly. But her moment of respite was short-lived as a sickeningly familiar voice cut through the air like a bullet.

“Well hello Kate,” Micah said with disdain and arrogance. 

“I don’t have time for your bullshit Micah,” Kate retorted, her patience wearing thin. 

Micah advanced, his eyes blazing with hostility. "Funny how you show up right when trouble finds us," he taunted.

Kate scoffed, the idea completely absurd, “you idiots robbed a fucking train, did you seriously expect a welcome home party?” She shot back, her voice filled with sarcasm.

Micah's gaze narrowed. "We were set up in Valentine, someone ratted us out," he growled, his words dripping with bitterness. 

“I was just hunting with Charles,” she explained, not bothering to hide the bite in her voice, she refused to play his game. 

Micah approached with malice, his fist twitched at his side, ready to pull his pistol any moment. "Well Charles ain't here now,” he gestured around the camp, “and we think it was you," he hissed, the accusation cutting through the chaos.

Realization dawned on her that he was setting her up, but the reason why was still unclear. “And when Charles comes back he can testify to that,” she spat, turning to continue her packing. 

He closed the distance between them with predatory grace. In one swift motion, he raised his pistol. Before Kate could react, the butt of the gun connected with her temple, sending a searing pain shooting through her skull. Stars exploded behind her eyelids as she stumbled backward, the world spinning dizzily around her. Darkness threatened to engulf her. 

As she struggled to regain her bearings, Micah loomed over her, a twisted smirk playing across his lips, “we’ll be long gone by the time they come back princess.” 

With a sickening thud, Kate's head hit the ground, the impact reverberating through her skull. As the world faded into blackness, she felt herself being pulled into an abyss of darkness. The last sound echoing in her ears was the distant whinny of Lorena, a mournful cry that seemed to fade into the void. 

━━━━━༻❁༺━━━━━

The commotion of the camp kept her drifting in and out of consciousness for the next hour. She heard Abigail's voice call out to Kate in concern, and Micah snapped back warning her to keep her distance. She also realized her wrists had been bound along with her ankles, with Micah standing guard over her like a dog. Like she could run away in this state anyways. 

The darkness began to creep in again, and in a moment she awoke and Micah was gone. It was almost dark and she was in a different spot now, away from the center of camp and behind the tree line. That fucking bastard tried to leave me here. She thought with bitterness. 

In the midst of the chaos, a familiar voice pierced through the camp, but Kate's mind was still swimming in a fog of confusion. Wagons rattled as they hurriedly departed the overlook, leaving Kate struggling to make sense of the commotion. Summoning all her strength, she pushed herself up onto her knees, squinting through the haze.

Then, like a beacon in the night, Arthur's horse appeared, Belle’s white coat gleaming amidst the darkness. With a surge of relief, Kate locked eyes with Arthur, who rushed over to her side, his expression etched with concern.

Her consciousness flickered like a dim candle in the wind as she slowly regained awareness. The throbbing pain in her head was a harsh reminder of what had just transpired. Blinking away the haze, her vision blurry.

"Kate? Are you alright?" Arthur's voice cut through the fog, filled with concern as he took in the sight of her bound wrists and ankles. Swiftly dismounting Belle and pulling a knife from his belt to cut her free. 

Her head throbbed as she recounted what happened and she felt sick in the stomach. She couldn’t stay with them anymore, not after this. Micah was a real problem, and if what Charles told her about Blackwater is true, then Dutch is likely the same. 

“I’m okay,” she answered wearily, “Micah set me up,” a hint of fear mixed with rage creeped into her voice. Arthur helped her rise to her feet, just as the last wagons were leaving the overlook. Without missing a beat she turned to find her horse. 

Arthur was slightly taken aback, unsure if she was still upset with him from the nights before, all while trying to make sense as to why Micah had set her up. 

“I-I’m sorry Kate,” he pleaded, “I shoulda been here,” his voice was laced with remorse. His strides quickened as he closed the distance between them. Kate's heart clenched at the sincerity in his voice, but she knew she couldn't stay.

“It’s not your fault,” she reassured, “but I have to leave.” She decided in the moment, ripping the bandaid clean off. She longed to stay with Arthur and the gang, but she no longer wanted part in this trouble. “Goodbye Arthur,” she bid him a solemn farewell.

“Kate,” he called out, desperation filling the air. He wanted to stop her, to grab her and beg her to explain what happened with Micah. But the look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know, she had made up her mind. So all he could do was stand and watch as she rode off. 

She clutched at Lorena’s reins, taking off in the same direction as the wagons, intending to ride past them and make her way to Rhodes, hopefully putting enough distance between them so she could get her bearings and be on the move again. Her heart raced with adrenaline and disappointment. Things could not have taken a turn for the worst. 

She used the darkness to her advantage, slipping away from the wagons as they took a path down following the railroad tracks, while Kate veered off towards the twin stacks. As she climbed altitude she watched the wagons below, specifically watching Arthur take off behind them, his mare flying through the train of carts and horses like a butterfly dancing between flowers. 

She paused for a moment, letting herself consider that perhaps she wasn't just running away out of fear, but something else as well. She thought about the girls, and Charles, who had just become a dear friend after their hunting trip. She thought about Abigail, who must be clutching little Jack close to her heart at this moment, praying John will see his family out of this alive. Her last conversation with Arthur still ate at her heart, so many words went unspoken that she wished she had said that night. 

Memories of her past came back in waves along with the painful throb of where she had been hit with Micah’s gun. Her fear, mixed with her disappointment and anger. A reminder of her own weakness. 

Yet, she decided long ago that she would never live in that kind of world again, where the weak would rather guilt the strong than become strong themselves. This world doesn’t care what the weak want. This world eats the weak. Therefore, she became strong. 

The sudden sound of gun fire dragged her from her thoughts, she rode farther up the slope looking for the source of the noise. She saw in the distance the tiny images of wagons and horses, and a group of raiders descending to their location.. 

Gripping the reins with such ferocity, Lorena reared on her hind legs as Kate spun her around and took off back down the slope. She would not let death sink its venomous teeth into the belly of another. 

[mapofthemazeinthemirror]

𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 - 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢 𝐘𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐧

royal reader x royal guard Yeonjun

Warnings: descriptions of punishment that are akin to torture, mentions of wounds, I think that’s all but please let me know if not!

Note: This is kinda all over the place and not much happens really but it’s something to read? I've been sitting on this since February and I just want it out of my drafts lol. Inspired by a scene from my favourite book series.

Word count: 833

It had been somewhat of an ordeal to be standing on the outside of the castle gates this night. It had involved sending the personal guards posted outside your bedroom on a wild goose chance for invisible intruders and outsmarting the watchers who patrolled the great gates. You had gone to a lot of trouble to leave the castle walls, but with urgent cause.

The night was chilly, the freshly fallen snow covering everything in a layer of white that glowed in the moonlight. Beneath your cloak, however, you were stiflingly warm, with both the stress of your mission and the pace you had set, though your heart was pounding at a much quicker speed than your boots on the cobblestones. There were few people on the street at this late hour, but you did not wish to attract the attention of those that were—you would surely be recognised if anybody stopped you to enquire of an emergency.

Once you had passed the light of the tavern and slipped into an alleyway, you felt assured you were safe from curious eyes and broke into an almost run, careful still of the frosty surface beneath your feet. You weren't all that concerned with your own safety at this time, but still aware that if you were to slip and break, say, your neck, your little expedition would not go unnoticed.

As the alley came to an end beside the baker's shop on the corner of the square, the scene unfolded before you just as you had imagined it. Still, it stole your breath more than the exertion and the cold air combined. In the center of the square, on one knee, arms shackled outstretched above his head like a bird's wings prepared for flight, was your oldest companion and object of your heart.

You had grown up beside Yeonjun; your fathers were the closest of friends and he had been the only other child inside the castle walls. The two of you had shared everything, been there for each other through everything - from the death of your mother to the the loss of his father, from his initiation into the royal guard as he followed in his father's footsteps, to your father marrying again and, most recently, his death. Yeonjun was the only person you knew was a genuine friend. He never asked anything of you, always told you what he really thought, only ever saw you for who you were. There were no pretences.

As you approached him your concern grew stronger. His raven hair hung in his face, his head drooped low against his chest. His shirt, too thin to be of any use against the dropping temperature, was stained with blood and torn in places, revealing shredded skin. The evidence of his punishment, forty-eight hours of penance in the square and one hundred lashings. Your mouth grew dry at the realisation that these were only the injuries you could see; most of the lashings would have been delivered to his back.

At the sound of your footsteps, he stirred, his head lolling to the side to see who might be coming—his punisher or a sympathizer. You lowered your hood, and it seemed to take a few moments before he recognized you—or maybe that you were really here—having gone without food for so long and likely being in a great deal of pain. His arms, which had been shaking, suddenly stopped. You knew he was trying to protect you from seeing the state he was in.

Yeonjun's eyes focused as you stood in front of him, and you could tell that his lips had been bitten right through; blood glossed the otherwise dry skin, and you imagined they weren't only dry from from the cold air but from panting and gasping with pain. He looked pale even in the soft glow of the warm lamps that lit the square. You knelt so he wouldn't have to strain his neck any further to look at you. His breath came out in a fog as your heart wrenched. This was just one more thing the queen had done to break you.

“I thought I might see you here,” his voice was gravelly, not the one you were used to. This was the most ragged you’d ever seen him. "Though I had hoped I wouldn't. You shouldn't be out here alone—"

"I'm in better shape than you," you quipped, trying to lighten than the mood. He always put your wellbeing above his, but in this situation you couldn't bear to hear it.

He tutted, but his eyes looked a little brighter. “You always are. Where’s your new guard?”

“I outwitted him,” you replied, proudly.

Yeonjun scoffed. “I knew I should have gotten the job. You’ve never been able to outsmart me.” It was good to see that in this condition he still had his good humoured nature about him.

Your mouth twitched with a smirk before you changed the mood with solemn words. "I would've been there. I tried to come to the trial as soon as I heard, but Stepmother had me barred.” You watched as Yeonjun awkwardly tried to bring his other leg forward to take his weight, noticing the holes that had formed in the knees of his pants from kneeling all day. "I tried to talk to her but—“

Yeonjun’s eyes flashed with worry. “You need to be careful around her."

"I know," you said quietly, looking away from his eyes while trying not to look at his wounds. “What did she sentence you for? Nobody would tell me.”

“I spoke against your betrothal," he sighed, more fog filling the air between you. Your eyes met his again hearing this. “I thought I was in good company, but I guess even friends can betray you for the chance of earning the queen's favour." Now he was the one to look away. “Forgive me, princess."

"There's nothing to forgive. You know how I feel about him.” Glancing around to check there was no one close by, you placed your hand on Yeonjun's knee. It was freezing and the skin that peeked out through the ripped fabric was almost at breaking point. You wished you could have brought something, even just a blanket or some food, but coming here was a risk in itself. It was more than likely that if anyone helped him in any way, Yeonjun would be the one punished for it.

"I was gone for some days. I knew there was a chance that…”

Your hand gently patted above his knee. “I’m still as indifferent about him as when you left." A hint of a grin flickered in the comer of his mouth.

Yeonjun had been chosen by the king, your father, to be one of the guards to escort his coffin to the royal crypt. Your father had always had his own love for Yeonjun, as if he was the son he never had. He was favoured among the guard, and the other men knew it. They also knew he held your favour.

Your stepmother, the queen, on the other hand, held no affection for him. With your father gone you were her bargaining chip to forge alliances with. You would marry whoever she saw fit, whoever offered the most advantageous union. It was clear she held no love for you, either. But of course, your heart belonged to Yeonjun. You were certain he knew, deep down. Sometimes you were sure he felt the same. But then he would switch to his professional persona, completely change his demeanour and leave you second guessing yourself.

“We should both be more careful,” you thought aloud.

You realised his arms had begun to shake with the strain again and you wished you could do something, anything, to soothe him. You wanted to reach for him further, but you thought better of it.

"Yes," his voice was serious again now. “You shouldn't be alone with a man, especially at night."

A burst of laughter broke from you and you spotted a flash of the whites of his teeth. “You’re not a man, you’re the boy I’ve spent my whole life with. Besides, what are you going to do? You can't move your arms.”

“You always aim for the low hanging fruit,” he chuckled.

A rush of wind came, causing Yeonjun to tense and wince, closing his eyes tightly. You moved your hand from him, afraid of adding to his struggles. "Is it unbearable?”

He looked up at you under the tips of hair that the wind had tousled into his eyes. "Not while you're here."

The sound of laughter came from a nearby establishment as the door opened, capturing both your attention. The light that spilled out from inside was warm and inviting, and you turned to see your dearest friend’s eyes laden with longing, probably picturing the blazing fire in the hearth, as were you.

You looked up at the long board that held his wrists in shackles. You had seen it before, of course; it was a permanent fixture in the square since your father had married that terrible woman and submitted to her views on punishment. Perhaps these punishments had never been necessary before she became queen, as nobody had ever had any treasonous feelings towards your mother or father, and neither of them were the kind to use torture as a method of penalty. You had never attended these new dealings of punishment, always scheduling your tutor at the same time to be in order to avoid being made to go. Thus, this was your first time seeing a person in this position. “I wish I could get you out of here.”

Coughing brought you from your thoughts, racking Yeonjun’s exhausted frame. “Only, what? Thirty-six hours to go? I’ll survive.”

“You’d better,” you quipped, doing your best to keep the worry from your voice as you felt you needed to keep up with his humour to help him through.

“Was it terribly boring without me?” The question was delivered with a hint of mischief.

“Oh yes,” you looked away casually. “There’s been no excitement whatsoever. Except the queen making plans for celebrations we can’t afford and firing staff who have worked in the palace since before I was born.”

Yeonjun wasn’t only trembling from the stretch of his position but also the cold of the night; his breathing beginning to shudder harshly. The thought came to you—the only thing you could do. Grabbing the ends of your cloak between your fingers, you knelt up to wrap your arms around his neck and pulled yourself in close to him.

“What’s this?” he asked, voice sounding both caught off guard and tired.

“Body heat,” you replied. You were thankful he couldn’t see your face as you said it. This was the closest you had ever been to each other, pressed so flush together this way.

He hesitated for a second before dropping his chin to your shoulder. You heard him sigh, before playing it off as a cough, ever the stubborn one. “You’re so warm.”

It was obvious that he wasn’t putting much of his weight on you, though he probably needed the relief after holding himself up like that all day, still on bent knee for the queen long after she’d gone back to the castle and gone about her day.

“I would stay with you all night if I could.”

Though the words had not passed between the two of you, you were certain he knew how you felt. Sometimes you were sure he felt the same way; adoring eyes and inside jokes, a hand lingering on your own longer than it took for you to step down from a carriage after your father had lead ahead. But then doubt always whispered in your mind. Could these not be the feelings of a close friend? A brother to a sister? A subject to royalty?

“I’m sure a princess has better things to do,” He teased over your shoulder. Suddenly his body tensed slightly against you. He pulled himself away from you, breaking the circle of your arms around his neck. “You’ve got company.”

You followed Yeonjun’s eyes to see the man who was now named your guard entering the square, the cloak of those in service to the queen recognisable even in the dimness of the moonlight. “Drat.” It took quite an effort not to roll your eyes as you turned back to your friend with a regretful air. “I’ll come back tomorrow night.”

“I don’t want you getting in trouble.” His eyes, full of sincerity but with that familiar sharpness that conveyed he really meant it, followed yours as you stood.

You wanted to make a joke, but you couldn't find it in yourself to lighten the mood at this moment. Instead, you simply nodded your head to show you understood, making no promises. Then you steeled yourself, gathering the strength to hold a neutral demeanour as you head towards the guard who would lead you back to the castle, hoping against hope that your stepmother had not been informed that you had been out of its walls. She would know without questioning that you had been to see Yeonjun. You didn’t let yourself look back as you left the square, though every part of you begged for you to turn around just once.

Back in the castle, guards posted outside your door, you couldn’t rid yourself of the shivers that wracked you. It wasn’t the cold—your chamber was still toasty from the fire the attendants had set earlier in the evening, still crackling gently at this hour—but the reality of the situation that weighed heavily on you after your outing. Looking around the room you were engulfed by an emotion you could not name—anger, guilt, sorrow?—on finding yourself amongst warmth and luxuries while he endured the bitter cold and harsh penalty beyond these walls.

Maybe the queen could sleep soundly tonight, but you would not. You couldn’t face the bed, the sight of the plush blankets and pillows tightening the ache in your chest that had only intensified with your visit. Shaky hands untying the cloak around your shoulders, you set yourself down on the floor, pulling it over your frame as you stretched out, your arm the only semblance of a pillow. The cloak was still wet where it had dragged through the fresh snow, but you didn’t care. Staring vacantly into the glow of the fireplace, your mind replayed what you had seen. You couldn’t help but feel that this was only the beginning of your troubles, as if you were on the precipice of something you were set to fall from. You would not let your stepmother take Yeonjun down with you.

written by mapofthemazeinthemirror - do not repost my work in any form

[fantasies-fairytales-n-fics]

Code Blue Pt. 29- Hungry Like The Wolf

Summary: Ethan and Johnny converse. More shocking revelations come to light. Elizabeth is cornered as Johnny's dark side arises. Jo and Lee get steamy. Orlando becomes detached and makes plans.

*Warnings* DARK! - language, angst, mentions of murder plots and death, smut, sexual gifs,

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Ethan, Johnny, Elizabeth, Orlando

Salem, Massachusetts

February 28, 2023

6 pm

As Ethan rested on the couch in the high rise of the Metro Court, drinking scotch after scotch to numb his pain, Johnny paced about on the phone trying to do damage control with his mob boss and father, Anthony Zacchara.

"Yes, understood. Look, I can handle Ethan. He's not going to be a problem with things. Yes...yes I know but...ok but...if you would just list...."

Johnny scoffed as his father hung up on him and gave Ethan a not so pleasant look.

"What man? Let me guess. Anthony's pissed."

"Oh he's more than that. Luckily I was able to get you covered on that shipment, but my father is more than concerned about the reason you weren't there."

"Dude, I got my ass kicked if you haven't noticed. I can barely walk let alone handle business at the moment."

"Yeah well, that's exactly it. From what you told me, you got your ass handed to you by your own brother because you handed your other brother's ass to him and it was all over a man you can't have, a man who happens to be dating Jason Morgan's sister, who's ex fiance is a fucking cop. You see, in case you've forgotten what went down with Morgan, this don't look so good for you. You're too close to a potential problem."

"Dude man, Jason's dead. What does he have to do with my personal issues? No one is going to know what happened. Especially that bitch."

"Is that so? Funny you say that because you also have seem to of forgotten that Julian Jerome was found swimming with the fishes after the explosion...and we all know who was responsible for that...Corinthos, a mutual enemy of the Jeromes. Jason has everything to do with it. He was not only Sonny's right hand man but his best friend as well. Sonny found out Jerome was involved and you can bet your ass it's only a matter of time before he will find out we were too. You need to stay away from that girl and anyone she's involved with, most importantly that doctor. I can only defend you so far when it comes to my father...and Sonny."

"Look man, Julian set that bomb off, not you, not me."

"Do you really think that will fucking matter to Sonny?? We organized it! He's out for blood and he's going to take any he can get. And if you hurt that girl, he'll come after you for that too. Cut your losses man before you get us both killed."

"Can't do that man. They're both going to pay for turning my brother against me AND for putting me in fucking jail. There's no way Lee and his barbie doll could ever know I was involved anyways."

"Yeah, well it would seem you brought all that on yourself and you should take it a huge lesson before the reaper comes calling for you. Your brother Luke, I know who he is and what he does. He let your ass off easy. Having him AND Sonny Corinthos on my ass is not my idea of a good time."

A knock sounded upon the door, making them both jump. Ethan then laughed.

"That's what you get for talking about reapers and shit. Calm down, it's only Lizzy. I texted her when you were on the phone."

"You what?? You brought Lee's ex here after what I just fucking told you?? She's a loose end with her involvement!"

"Dude, her and I are good on that and she's a fucking nurse. I kinda need some help man."

"Un-fucking-believable..." Johnny huffed as he reluctantly went to get the door.

"Elizabeth, wish I could say it was a pleasure.." Johnny quipped as he let her in.

"Johnny Zacchara, long time no see." Elizabeth riposted.

"Not long enough. Take care of him and be on your way. I don't need this shit right now...or ever."

Elizabeth went straight to Ethan and sat down, pulling out her stethoscope to listen to his heart.

"EEEooowww! Ow ow! easy!"

"You're such a baby."

"Yeah, well not when you're pushing on something that's broken."

"It's not even broken. Maybe cracked ribs, but there's nothing I can do about that. All I can do is give you pain meds and some peroxide for your facial wounds."

"You brought her over here for something I could have done? Nice." Johnny reeled.

"What's your problem Johnny?" Elizabeth snapped.

"My problem?? It's you. In case you've forgotten, I know who you're ex is, both of them actually and I don't associate with anyone that had had dealings with people close to Jason, which includes you."

"Wait huh? Lee don't even know him." Ethan asked in confusion.

"Maybe not, but he's fucking his sister yes? Close enough...."

"Johnny, what the hell does Lee have to do with anything??" Elizabeth retorted.

"Are you really asking that question mommy dearest?? For starters, Lee is part of the reason Ethan here is in the shape he is in....and now Ethan wants revenge on him and that girl of his."

"So? Let him get his revenge. Lee deserves it. You know his petty ass cut my seatbelts to make some statement to me about Jacob? And I don't care about who he's fucking. SO what if she's Jason's sister?? I can't stand her either or that friend of hers Britt aka the britch who both think, like you, that my business is theirs."

"Ahhh yes. Britt Westbourne, Jason's love interest that you were insanely jealous over because he wanted her and not you, which aided in your decision to help off the guy. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned....If I can't have him, no one can.... Hello Ethan! Just another reason Elizabeth shouldn't be here. Not to mention... Britt is her boss! You're the entire reason Elizabeth ever even knew Jason in the first place... And yes, your son Jacob...I am sorry to hear about what happened to him by the way. Poor kid didn't deserve what happened to him. Such a tragic accident....or was it....Lizzy?"

"Would somebody tell me what the fuck is going on here??" Ethan shouted. "Seriously, what does that poor kid have to do with this and why did you say something like that to her about him?? It's bad enough Lee blames her."

"Don't go getting all sentimental now Ethan because we both know that's not you....Goes to show how much you really know your Lizzy here. I think Lee had just cause to blame her."

"Shut up Johnny!!" Elizabeth shouted. "My son is none of your business and has nothing to do with this!!"

"Doesn't he? Do tell Ethan here who little Jake's real daddy was..."

Ethan winced in pain as he swiftly stood up. "What the fuck is he talking about Liz?"

Elizabeth went to pour herself a drink and knocked it back, then slammed the glass down.

"I don't know what you think you know, but you are sadly fucking mistaken Johnny Zacchara."

"Am I? You really shouldn't drink so much Elizabeth. It's how you're secret was revealed in the first place one night on the Haunted Star, you know, Jason's yacht his father left to him. The same boat that held many gambling events that Ethan and I attended and will soon again. But, back to the matter at hand...Ethan...your bff Lizzy here...I overheard her spilling her drunken guts to Jason during an argument they were having, telling him that he was little Jakey's papa. I never spoke of it to anyone because I actually understood Jason's reasoning for keeping it unknown considering his lifestyle, you know, to protect his son and well, I'd do the same if I had a kid... but I suppose the secret don't matter now just between us. With that said...Jason still chose Britt and so Lizzy Borden here decided to punish him, but she didn't use an axe no...she simply just didn't buckle the kid's seatbelt and then purposely started a fight with Lee while he was driving to make him wreck on that dark stormy night. Of course, she had her belt on though. Maybe Jason's ghost decided to recently cut yours because he knew what you did?? I don't know Lee, but from what I do know because of Ethan, it just doesn't seem his style. Just my theory on it anyways from the talk that went around...I mean, Liz here did conspire to off Jason with us, although we had different reasons for wanting him gone. You never did say why Elizabeth. Did Jason figure out what you did and so you killed him before he could kill you?? Because we all know he would have. Tell me, Elizabeth, am I getting warm??"

Elizabeth turned back to the booze with her hand shaking as she poured another drink, feeling like a caged animal being prodded with a stick.

"Jesus Lizzy?? Is that fucking true???" Ethan fumed as he went over to her. "Tell me you didn't do something like that to Lee and his boy, or your own son for christ's sake."

"Hence why I referred to her as mommy dearest earlier in case you didn't catch that." Johnny jested as he casually paced around with his drink, loving that he had the upper hand.

"Which now brings me to the other ex I mentioned... whom she also has a kid with, can you believe that??. What, is she four now? Almost the same age as Jacob was. Hope that's not an omen. Got married and popped her out right after your son died. You wasted no time eh? Blaise...is that her name? Perks of my profession. I know things. I do my homework. The marriage didn't even last a year. He probably realized what a psycho bitch you are. I know who your ex is...so do you Ethan....so did Jason. In fact, he and Jason were extremely good long time friends. Probably how he had the misfortune of meeting Casey Anthony here. Parker ring a bell? Crazy huh, how big Salem is and yet how small it is."

"P..Parker...oh hell, you don't mean...Craig??" Ethan asked after he sprayed his drink from his mouth from the incredulous shock.

"Do you know any other Craig Parkers that knew Jason?" Johnny sarcastically asked.

"I know I haven't seen you in ages since I've been away Lizzy, but...it would have been highly nice to know that's who you married AND had a kid with...are you fucking kidding me??"

"If that's even his kid as well." Johnny quipped. "Now do you get it Ethan?? He's one of Corinthos's boys. Everyone's tied together. Lee, Josie, Jason, Sonny, Gerry, Craig, you, me, HER! Shit, we may as well add Britt in there too..I mean shit, she lives on the floor above me....hell, even Luke could be an issue. But it seems to me, only one of them could be a real problem and I'm looking right at her."

Johnny's face fell into something sinister as he walked towards Elizabeth.

"Oh come on Johnny. I would never say anything. It would incriminate me." Elizabeth assured as she backed away from him with wide eyes.

"Oh, of course you won't because that would mean I would relay all your secrets as well. Even without proof, they would be quite believable and valuable to a lot of those said people...and then, I'd have to take care of you if Sonny didn't first. Maybe I should just do that right now because I really don't like loose cannons or links...and you are both of them."

Ethan then stepped in between them as Elizabeth hid behind Ethan, clinging to his waist. "Oh come on man, you aren't going to get rid of her??? She has a kid man..."

"That kid has a father to raise her, so your point is invalid. She'd be better off without a mother like her. What part of that did you miss??? I can make it a lot prettier than what Corinthos will do to her. Get out of the way man."

"Jesus Johnny, are you...serious??" Ethan reeled with out moving an inch.

"As a heart attack, which is about what she's having right now."

Johnny pulled out his gun from the back of his pants and aimed it at the two of them. "Move Ethan. It's your only warning. I'm not above collateral damage."

Urine began trickling onto the floor from the bottom of Elizabeth's pants as she hysterically begged Johnny for her life.

Johnny's brows narrowed for a moment, then he spun the gun back in his hand and put it away as he chuckled.

"I'm just fucking with ya. I think I've made my point. Now get the fuck out of here before I change my mind...and don't come back now, ya here?"

Elizabeth scrambled to get her stuff and ran out in tears as Johnny raved, pouring himself another drink.

"What the...fuck man. I really thought you were going to...god. My ribs, I can't breathe..." Ethan panted and drank a huge swig of scotch straight from the crystal bottle.

"Nah...didn't have my silencer handy or I just may have. Now...is she the only one I have to worry about?"

"What's...that supposed to mean?"

"Oh Ethan...you didn't hear much of what I said tonight at all, did you? I know things....such as...a girl you're fucking named Megan....Jason's other sister...."

The Farm- 7 pm

You sniffled as you gently freed yourself from Lee's loving hold to look at him.

"I...I also worried about if, that I could have children...would you...even want or could you love...another child after...Jacob."

Lee stroked your cheek with the back of his fingers as he sweetly smiled. "How could I not? He or she would be a part of you...ok, well that was just stupid to say considering. Jo, if someday, it ever came to thinking of something like that, there are other options. There are plenty of children that need a home or there's surrogacy etc etc etc...I would love any child I would have with you, no less than Jacob. I'm just so glad you trusted me enough to tell me but I'm sorry it had to come out this way. Jo...is that what was wrong that night when Dash was at the house? When he and I came inside from goofing around in the backyard, you just..seemed different and then later you became all upset and left and...."

"And I left you all alone wondering what you did wrong...god Lee...I am so sorry! Yes...seeing the two of you...you were so good with him and I don't know...it just triggered me I suppose, knowing I could never give you that. I... I should have just told you. God, I wanted to...I was..."

"Afraid I wouldn't want you anymore...I know. That could never happen, trust me, I had tried once to stay away from you, thinking that you were better off without someone like me. But nope. Epic fail. Couldn't do it...didn't want to. I want YOU Jo...that's all I have ever wanted. Just you."

Your face crunched up into a frown as you began to cry. "I'm sorry." you squeaked.

Lee stroked your hair as his own eyes teared up. "Shhhh....don't be sorry my girl. You have nothing to be sorry about. Come here."

He softly placed his lips over yours, making you cry more. You brought your hands to his face and gazed deeply into his glassy blue eyes.

"I...I love you so much...so fucking much..."

You kissed him again, intensely, wanting to be with him again so bad, it hurt.

"Lee...please...take me upstairs. I...I need you so much..." you lightly panted through your tears.

His dilated eyes spoke the same words and he pulled you up to stand, then reached behind your thighs and hoisted you onto him, kissing you all the way up to his room.

Things became instantly heated as he carried you through the doorway. You stripped your shirt off and, then helped him remove his. Lee spun you around so fast while kissing you, that your phone flung out of your pocket and your foot hit a vase, sending it crashing into pieces on the floor, but that didn't stop either of you, nor did the beep of a text.

Lee laid you back on the bed and yanked your leggings and panties off as you both laughed, then you sat up before him and his very prominent arousal.

You teasingly undid his button and zipper with a grin, then slowly pulled his jeans down, revealing his beautiful erection. You could only imagine the look upon Lee's face by the sound of his deep hard gasp as you took him into your mouth, for he certainly was not expecting that.

Lee's head arched back and his fingers entangled into your hair as he groaned your name with a few f bombs inserted before and after, only making you go deeper on him. His scent was invigorating, partly of his cologne that was traced in the small patch of hair that laid just below his happy trail and a fresh clean soapy aroma clothed his cock, but his taste...it was so natural and you couldn't get enough.

As your hand gripped his base, you began to slide your lips faster, His panting became more intense and his cock rock solid.

"Jo...Jo baby, you gotta stop...I can't..."

You could taste his precum, so you reluctantly took him out of your mouth.

Your phone beeped again, annoying you. "Let me shut the volume off."

Quickly, you went to get your phone, but Lee grabbed you from behind and pulled you to the ground, spreading your legs wide open and taking his turn.

You whimpered and mewled as he wasted no time thrusting his warm smooth tongue into you and twirling it about. His thumb massaged your clit, making your hips shake and twitch as you laid on the cottony soft rug.

"Lee...oh my god...." you panted as you clutched his hair in both fists. "I...I want you now...please....god please..."

Your begging for him drove him mad and he happily gave you your wish. Lee shoved into you, both of you releasing exuberant gasps as your nails dug into his back. His thrusts became harder and harder as he gripped you tightly between his strong arms until he was fully inside of you. He then began rocking his hips so gently as his moans of hot breath plunged over and over into your ear.

You didn't want it to end. They way he felt inside of you was indescribable. A perfect union, not only of your bodies, but of your souls. A feeling you had never felt with anyone through intimacy...but it was going to end because he was he soon found your spot and you couldn't stop it if you tried.

"LEEEE!!!! AHH...I....I'm going to...."

"Me too baby..." he grunted and sped up, sending you into a shaking and screaming starlit climax.

"God!!! Ahhh!!...fuck...ahhh!" Lee harshly shouted as he released. It was so strong, you felt every vigorous pulse.

Lee cupped your face as you both gazed in each other's eyes, softly panting.

"I love you Josephine Leeann March. You will truly never know how much."

"Right back at ya babe." you grinned and kissed him deeply.

Lee chuckled. "Maybe we should try the bed next time. I don't know what came over me. I just had to have you right here and now."

"I'mmm not complaining." you giggled. "This...this was amazing. YOU are amazing."

It happened again...the smoke alarm went off.

"Shit...the pie!!!" Lee shouted and flung up to his feet. You tried not to laugh, but failed as he almost tripped stepping into his pants and hopping to pull them up.

"I'll meet you downstairs." he chuckled and ran out.

You laid there in absolute bliss for a few moments, taking in how real he was, that he was no longer just some dream.

You then remembered your phone beeping, so you got dressed, then check it. There three of them...from Orlando. Apparently, Luke kept his word and got him a phone.

"Josie, it's me, Orlando. Text me when you can."

"I'm home now. Just wanted to talk for a bit. I heard you came to the hospital."

"Where are you?"

You quickly replied so you could go help Lee.

"Hey. I'm so glad ur home. Are u ok? I'm at Lee's farm. Sorry, we were making dinner." you slightly lied.

You then went downstairs and told Lee about the text, then sat at the table to wait and see if he would reply. Meanwhile, Lee was trying to save his pie by scraping the burnt pieces off the top while cursing under his breath.

"I think it's official baby. We cannot have food cooking while we are...enjoying each other." you laughed, trying to cheer him up while thinking about the bacon incident. He had worked so hard to make that pie for you and you felt bad.

"Ya think?" he chuckled. "I think it's salvageable. You ready to eat sweetheart?"

"After all that, I am famished."

You helped Lee set the table with a candle lit in the middle, then you both sat side by side and enjoyed the pot roast, potatoes, carrots and salad with more wine....and after that, some slightly overdone homemade cherry pie in which you both ended up picking all of the outer crust off of. The begging dogs sure liked it though.

An hour went by and the storm became stronger. Still, there was no text back from Orlando, so Lee called him, but still, no answer, so he left a voicemail.

"Hey banando. Jo said you're home. I'm glad to hear that. I see you texted me too. We were...uh...cooking." Lee grinned as he looked at you, then continued on. " So...call or text back. Let me know how you're doing and if you need anything. I hope Luke or your mom is there. Talk soon. By man."

"Well...we were cooking, were we not. Just not in the kitchen." Lee jested with a curled smirk as he came over and kissed your forehead.

"That we were." you laughed.

"Come on babe...let's go down to the basement so you will feel more comfortable. Movies and more wine?"

"That sounds perfect."

Orlando sat at a desk in his dimly lit room, living inside of his messed up mind, while his mom and Luke were downstairs making them dinner and both not pleased that Orlando had left the hospital. He could hear them talking about him, so he cranked up his music to block their condescending voices out.

He saw your text and listened to Lee's voicemail, but became even more frustrated to know you were at the farm with him, so he didn't respond. It only proved to him once more that he would never be with you. Instead, he downed some beers while he carved the word "father" with his left hand into the wooden handle of a small sledge hammer as he blared the song "Hungry like the wolf."

As he finished up, he then mumbled two words. "My turn...."

'

@redeemer46

[dreamerlucifer]

A sleep deprived Dove was curled up onto the couch of the hotel; the nightmares wouldn't stop plaguing her, and it was taking a toll on her. Tear stains covered her cheeks, tucked into a ball as she struggled to stay awake..

"Another long day..." Gasped Lucifer as he finally got the chance to leave that ungodly boring, and most one sided argument heaven had given him so far to date on extermination and why it should still remain even after a soul from Hell was able to Ascend... "I mean, what was the point of dragging it out for 3 hours when they weren't even going to give me a word in edgewise??"

His disdain grew well past his normal breaking points this time, but somehow, this situation was starting to feel a tad more dire than situations of the past.. What with everyone now aware that Angels could be killed, there were bound to be those getting ready to uprise against heaven, while at the same time, Residents of Hell were being able to Ascend to the pearly gates... Surely the inner workings of the world were slowly being turned onto their own head!-

--OOOP-- came the odd noise from Lucifer, as he had been completely taken by surprise when he literally bowled over the younger Cannibaltown couple he normally spied hanging out near the quarry... Normally, he would have stopped to offer some apologetic form of assistance.. But, NO, not today, as he was already WAY MORE concerned about the possibility of missing Charlie's game of cards over at the new hotel...

Now, hmmmm, which form of cards was it they were planning on tonight..

"Ughhh.... Damnnn.." No matter how many times he placed reminders about the mansion for the month, or took the time to remind himself of the game by name, there was just no way Lucifer could get it right DX...

FLASHBACK 1- A devastating loss at poker when He thoroughly believed the game to be played had to do with Bullshit!

FLASHBACK 2- Yet another devastating loss when he had mistook Egyptian Ratscrew for Slap-Jack

"Welp, Luci, third time's a charm, right??" He said to himself as he ran down the many streets towards the new hotel, his hope being to trick himself back into having some form of confidence when it came to card games at all.... Card games were never really quite his strong suit..

Soon enough though, he found himself close to the entryway to Charlie's Hazbin Hotel. Rounding his way past a cute memorial to Sir Pencious, he slowed his pace just before slamming into the large double door entryway...

"Well well well, fancy meeting you on this.. FINE night, My shortest of Kings!!" --

"Can it, Alastor!!" He said smoothly, barely a tinge of his usual rage for the Radio Demon.. "Where's Charlie at, anyway?.." his tone immediately lifting into a melody as her name left his lips..

"Ohhh, your little 'Char Char' won't be here tonight, I'm afraid.." The smile growing ever more sinister, as if beckoning Lucifer to ask--

"Woaa, wait wait, waiiiitt, what?" His face was NOT amused in the least as he attempted to question why...

Not even giving Lucifer the satisfaction of a glance, Alastor continued, "Ohh, wellll, it just so happens that we've gotten some new recruits pretty late in the day today." His head cocked slightly as he watched Lucifer with great amusement, Luci's brisk walk slowing to a halt...

"Aww, REALLY??," he sneered at the radio demon...

In walked Angel, his slow movement only acting to accentuate the overall lefthand sided limp, "Guys, Charlie told me to pass the message that she'll be really late," Obviously worn well out, all onlookers automatically assume it to have been a studio day with Val...

Passing Lucifer slowly, Angel reached a hand out unbeknownst to the Small King.. At full arm's length, Angel dropped his hand onto Lucifer, the Fallen Angel's casually dressed left shoulder...

-ACK!!!- He exclaimed, completely unexpectant of the grab on his left shoulder, "Angel DUST!!!" He yelled, barely able to coax himself back down to a normal tone.., "What on earth was that for??"

"Woaa, now, Easy Mr. Short King!!" played Angel, though still very visibly in great pain from the days events, "Charlie had a special message for you!!"

But before Lucifer could shoot back, Angel continued, only, seriously this time, "Yea, she wanted you to check on one of the new arrivals. It seemed like the two had come together at first, but after talking to the one guy, Charlie's pretty certain that the girl still here in the hotel was by herself." He said as he motioned down towards to Guests' signature book in the great hall. "Her room number is written in the Guest book, so uhh, don't go screwin' it up, kay?" Angel took a minute to motion to Husk, I mean, it WAS his time to relax, right?? Short King can wait a hot second, sure he could.. "Look, its easy, just check in on the kid, see if they're hungry or something, and we'll take care of the rest, "he said, "SIMPLE!" And with that, Angel's focus was back on Husk as they seemed to have just struck up an argument on the strength each drink should be, naturally..

Woa.... He thought to himself, with renewed vigor!! Charlie trusts me... ME???? with one of their precious hotel screw ups?? "NO, don't just screw this up, Luci," He scolded himself as he wondered over to the guest book. This has to run smoothly, no.... PERFECTLY!!!!!... I'll just have to show Charlie what she's been missing while depending on that drowned rat, Alastor, as hotelier...

Looking from line to line, Lucifer decided that the one he was looking for HAD to be in room 1408... So before anyone else could stop and pester him, he took straight off for the 14th floor, 8th room ♥

He knew it wasn't necessary, but hey, why walk when you have the full on outright usage of a form of teleportation! Right? That's exactly what he thought...

He went to hop right in front of 1408 and knock loudly, but something down the hall had caught his eye first..-

To his sad surprise, was what looked to be a beautiful young woman laying on one of the great hall couches... His expression softened greatly as he approached her further, though... as he watched intently... small tremors seemed to be overtaking the poor girl..., "Uhmm, excuse me," He began, his voice light yet smooth.. He waited for a response, but none came, so he tried yet again.. "Miss? Are you alright?.. Because it seems you have been--" She still didn't stir...

Thinking to himself, Lucifer then decided to touch her lightly, perhaps helping her to awaken from what appeared to be.. this deep, dark Nightterror... So ever so gently, he shifted her with the use of his staff's magical properties, so as not to distress her. But once his spell had been set in motion, he realized much too late, that this was most certainly the wrong approach, as she was indeed already AWAKE!

Taken aback by that, Lucifer opened his mouth to apologize.. but then stopped-- His expression much warmer, concerned, and ready...

The ever darkening stains on both of the beautiful girl's cheeks spoke so much just to begin with..

Lucifer waved his staff in a circular manor, not a huge spell by any means, but this very small one would suffice ♥ The spell conjured a medium sized blanket, made of the finest microfibers. It was a pretty little blanket, adorned with small white and yellow ducklings, and its texture was that of the softest of furs... Warm enough to make one feel safe, yet light enough to allow them to drift amidst the endless astral planes..

Once close by, he easily spread the blanket out over the poor lost soul, careful to tuck the edges as he slowly leaned back to sit on the couch beside her.. "You know," Lucifer started, "I was terrified when I came to this place for the first time too..." His warm smile aided him as he caressed the hair on her head, "But just as I thought it was the end of the world..," He took a deep breath, a tear in his eye, "I found out not a day later, that I had been entirely wrong!!" He sniffled lightly, his eye immediately finding a portrait of Charlie on the great wall.., "Now, tell me, small teary one, What brings you here, to our very own, Hazbin Hotel?" ♥ ....

[ktkat99]

Two Weeks Of Whump Challenge Day 11. Hanging (By A Thread)

TW: Depression and loss of apatite.

"It feels like breathing is a chore. Like something you have to do. Like something you should be able to do on your own, but you just keep forgetting. You… you feel like you're walking, trying to just keep moving forwards, but with every step, someones adding more and more weight. But you know you can't stop. You're not allowed. Because everyone always says that if you just keep going, it will all get better. And so all your focus is on just… moving. One foot in front of the other. Again. And again. And again. But it keeps getting harder and harder. And then sometimes you wake up and realize you've been so focused on just moving that you've blocked out literally everything else. Your life, your friends, your family. The whole world. It's all kept moving without you. You weren't necessary."

Tim shifted and looked at his hands, leaning against Bruce's side. "It sucks." He whispered. "I know it does."

Mad Hatter had set off a device earlier that night that amplified all of Batman's most negative emotions until they overwhelmed him and left him disoriented.

"But, please, just… come back?"

Tim, having only been Robin a few months by this point, had frozen in place. He hadn't been sure what was more important at the moment, catching Mad Hatter, or helping Batman.

He'd decided to stay and help Batman.

He'd gotten him into the Batmobile.

He'd managed to drive the both of them back to the cave.

And now, hours later, he was seated on the edge of Bruce's bed, trying to talk to his mentor as the man sat, still as a statue, staring at a photo of himself and his last Robin.

"I… I don't know what the right thing to say is. I don't… I don't know how to help you." Tim swallowed the lump in his throat. He'd been talking for hours, and had barely gotten any reaction.

"Jason's gone, and I can't change that. I can't fix that. And I'm sorry." He felt hot tears as they fell.

"But, if it helps at all, I'm here. I know I'm not who you want, but… at least you're not alone. I always…" Tim trailed off rubbing his eyes with his hoodie sleeve. "I always hate being alone."

Yyyyy

"Hey, Bruce?" Dick knocked on the open door of his father's home office.

"Hey. What's up?" Bruce greeted, eyebrows drawing together in concern.

Dick leaned in the doorway, worry written all over his face. "It's Tim." He nodded down the hall. "He's not eating."

Bruce frowned. That wasn't good.

Tim had been struggling for a while lately, but a few days ago a case had gone sideways and he'd gotten a nasty dose of Fear Toxin.

He'd gotten through it after about half a day, but whatever he'd been forced to see…

"I'm sure he'll eat when he's hungry. Why don't you leave the plate on his nightstand?" At least, Bruce hoped he would.

After waking up, Tim hadn't spoken to any of them beyond a few hoarse whispers about being tired and just wanting to sleep.

They'd helped him upstairs to his bed, and that's where he'd stayed.

At first, they'd all just been happy to see that he was resting and actually taking time to recover.

Then, they'd been relieved and even joked when it seemed he was taking some time to just relax and be lazy for a bit.

But now?

Now they were starting to get worried.

"I don't… Bruce, I don't think he will." Dick sighed. "I brought him dinner last night and the plates still on his nightstand. He didn't touch a damn thing."

Bruce nodded and stood. "I'll see what I can do."

He made his way down the hall to Tim's room and knocked on the closed door.

No response.

"Buddy, it's Bruce. I'm coming in." He called.

No response.

He opened the door and walked in. The light was off and the window closed, making the room dark enough that his eyes had to adjust.

Dirty clothes lay all over the floor, dropped and left where they'd fallen.

His desk held a closed laptop and several stacks of papers and files, all stamped with the familiar Wayne Enterprises logo.

The skateboard he used to ride everywhere was leaned against the wall, coated in a visible layer of dust.

And the small lump under the blankets on the bed hadn't so much as twitched since he'd walked in.

Bruce walked closer, seeing that Dick had been right. The plate they'd made for Tim the night before hadn't been touched. Balanced beside it, hanging over the edge of the nightstand, was a bowl of oatmeal.

Dick had sliced a peach into it, the way Tim loved.

He hadn't even taken a bite.

"Tim." Bruce sat carefully on the edge of the mattress. "Are you awake?"

No response.

"Can I get you anything?"

No response.

"Do you want something else to eat?"

It was starting to feel like Bruce was talking to a wall.

Sighing, feeling helpless to protect his child from this invisible foe, Bruce gently set his hand on Tim's shoulder, rubbing it slowly.

"I don't know what you need."

He, again, didn't get a response.

"I don't know what you saw. I don't know what you went through, or if that's even what triggered this."

Bruce reached out with his other hand and felt the bowl of oatmeal. It was room temperature, and starting to dry out.

How long had Dick sat here trying to get his brother to eat something?

"Please, let me help."

He begged softly.

"Please tell me what I can do."

Tim still offered no response. Bruce would almost have thought he was asleep if it weren't for the fact that he could see that Tim's eyes were open. He was staring blankly at the wall, back facing his father.

"You told me once… what it felt like. When you got like this."

Tim blinked.

"You said that it felt like the world and everyone in it just kept moving without you."

Bruce gave Tim's arm a firm squeeze.

"Tim, I'm not moving. I'm not going anywhere."

He rested his forehead on Tim's shoulder.

"Not without you. Because you're my son, and I love you."

Tim's next exhale was shaky.

"I don't care how long it takes. Just, please. Come back to me? I-,"

Bruce trailed off when Tim shifted ever so slightly.

He reached up and grabbed the hand that was still resting on his arm, squeezing it tight.

His hand was shaking, but Bruce chose to focus on the fact that he was moving at all.

"I'm here, Tim." He whispered. "I promise, I'm here."

Tim gently tugged the hand, and Bruce let him move it.

He pulled it to his chest and hugged it tight with both arms like a child afraid to lose their security blanket.

And then he broke.

Silent tears streamed down his cheeks as he ducked his head and curled up into a ball, still desperately clinging to Bruce's arm.

Heart breaking, Bruce wrapped his other arm under Tim's body and hauled him upright, pulling him into his lap.

Tim let himself be moved, but his grip didn't waver.

His entire body shook with sobs, which quickly dampened Bruce's shirt.

Neither of them cared.

"I'm here, son. I'm here. I've got you."

If Tim heard what Bruce was whispering, he gave no sign.

[sonnburn]

I've got way more thoughts on this episode than just my initial reactions, but I'm gonna get a little reactive first just to get it out of the way. For the record, these thoughts don't encapsulate my full opinions on the Day & Night backstory. I just wanna vent a little.

Okay? Okay.

Day confirming out loud that Night is at fault for him going blind. We all guessed it, but now we know (score one for us theorists!)

Finally telling Mork the details, Night was drunk and Day went to bring him home. Night's not even a mean drunk in the flashback, at most he's a little passive aggressive

Day was driving the night of the accident. And he got in the crash because Night was almost sick in his car and Day was busy looking around for something Night could throw up in instead of focusing on driving

First emotional reaction, this level of reckless driving ticks me off. Like Day, pull the fuck over! Stop driving and let him be sick on the side of the road, even SIX-LANE HIGHWAYS have a designated shoulder for people to pull over in case of emergencies. What are you doing, you could have gotten both Night and yourself killed!

Also, now I understand why Day keeps bringing up the car so much. He was so concerned with it getting dirty that it literally cost him his eyesight. Maybe it's a materialistic rich-person thing but like, who cares? You can get your car interior cleaned, hell you can probably afford to get it re-upholstered if it matters that much to you. Just letting Night throw up would have been another, safer alternative to taking your eyes off the road and nearly killing yourselves OR SOMEONE ELSE!

Okay, we need to talk about what he says next because I'm still seething a little. Day admits to Mork that he knows it was an accident. He knows it wasn't Night's fault. What he said to his father at the wedding wasn't true and he knows it, he was just lashing out (glad Day knows that much, at least). The reason Day treats Night the way he does is because of how Night changed after the accident. He feels replaced, he thinks Night used Day's disability as an opportunity to become the favourite son. He feels like he lost everything and Night gained it by proxy. He doesn't believe that Night feels sorry for even guilty about what happened since he received so much because of it. That is his reason for why he hates Night (Whether he actually believes this or is just weaving a narrative to justify his anger/bitterness is up for debate)

I'm sorry... but what? What? WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!? Day is a flawed character and we love him for that, but holy shit Day this is the most spoiled-brat ass thing you've said in the entire show! You are so wrapped up in your own grief that it NEVER occurred to you that the reason Night changed is because he FEELS BAD!? You immediately jumped to the conclusion that it's all a facade— an act he's putting on for your mom to gain her favour, are you kidding me!? WHAT IS YOUR LOGIC, RICH BOY!? WHO THINKS LIKE THIS!?

I want to shake this man and tell him— DAY, the accident CHANGED YOU. You are a different person now than you were before, not because you're blind, but because you lost something and were traumatized by it. Loss changes us, for better or worse. But you weren't the only one in that car! Is it really so impossible to believe that you weren't the only one changed by what happened!? That you weren't the only one traumatized!? That Night acting different isn't just proof that he was changed by the accident too, as YOU were, but is proof of just how guilty and sorry he feels about it!? That just because Night didn't lose his sight, and "gained" everything you lost as you claim, that means he didn't lose anything!? HE LOST YOU, DUMBASS!!!

A little later in the episode when Day talks to his dad about whether Night really feels sorry, I fail to see why he even asked the question when he'd clearly already decided on his answer: he'll never forgive Night. And he has nothing to say when his Dad tells him it doesn't matter whether he forgives him or not, Night will never forgive himself. Then Day goes on to say he missed his dad and felt like something was missing his whole life. Day forgives his dad (who if you recall left his mom for another woman and went no-contact for like two decades) after a simple apology and an expression of regret for hurting his mom. You don't even remember this man, and you forgive him so easily!? Day, if you were at least consistent in not being able to forgive those who wronged you, I'd accept that, but REALLY!? You'll forgive him but not Night!? Fuck ALL the way off.

I'm glad to finally know what happened in terms of the accident, it's giving me a lot to think about. But despite my thoughts and feelings, we've got to keep in mind that we still don't know how Day and Night's relationship was before the accident. Everything about their past dynamic is up to speculation and therefore can't inform either of their reactions. If there was open resentment between the brothers, that would explain the conclusion Day jumped to regarding Night's personality change, but we don't know that's how it was. For us, the car crash happened in a vacuum and we still don't have all the facts.

We've only got three episodes left. We'll just have to wait and see.

[galaxyedging]

Joel Miler x f!reader

WC:2.8k

Warnings: character death, angst, virginal fingering.

Summary: Finally getting back to Joel, you witness events that shake you all to your core.

More of Us Part 6

Masterlist

Coming to, your body checked in with your brain. Head, throbbing. Legs, aching. Hands, pins and needles. Mouth, metallic taste. Blood? No, not copper, something else. As your brain started to be more aware, your surroundings became apparent. Grey walls covered in dirt and mould. The smell of damp, dust and decay. The tiles and fixtures of the small bathroom, damaged and cracked. Broken, just like the rest of the world and the people in it. You were back in their nightmare world.  

When you reached for the towel rail to pull you up, it came off in your hand with a clang. A clang that alerted Joel. His pistol came into view before he did. 

"Joel! It's me." In a panic you tried to shrink away from him. 

"Shit." Tucking his gun away he made his way over to you. "Baby. You're alive. You're here. I…" he blinked tears away as his hands skimmed over you, checking for injuries. "I thought I'd lost you. It's been days."

"I know. I thought I'd never get back to you. I kept moving forward though." Clinging to him, having his arms around you, even with all the insanity of the last few days everything felt right. No matter what universe you were in. In Joel's arms was where you belonged. The notion made you laugh, you barely knew the man but somewhere in your heart you knew it was the truest thing you had ever felt. You knew it with such conviction and clarity that it was actually more terrifying than anything you had been through the last few days. Now, you had something to lose that you valued more than your life. If you died, that was it. There was no pain. If Joel died, that pain would be worse than death. A loss that would leave a wound inside of you that would never heal. 

"I'm so glad you did. Come on, let's go wake Ellie. She's been asking about you nonstop." Giving you one last squeeze, he helped you up from the floor. 

The moment held so much joy and promise and that all changed in the blink of an eye. Joel opened the door then bolted out across the room. Henry stood in front of you, his gun at his side, his eyes wide in terror. The sounds of a struggle, of Ellie struggling, moved you forward. Standing just behind Henry as he moved forward you saw what was going on. The whole scene had you rooted to the spot. Sam. The little boy you'd met a few days ago. The one with bright brown eyes full of concern as you lay on the floor. The one who still hadn't seen enough in the cruel world he lived in to be desensitised to it all. The one who looked afraid for you, a stranger he had just met. That boy. He was attacking Ellie. 

"Shit. He's turnin'!" Joel rooted for his gun.

Henry shot it from his hand before he got a chance to use it. "That's my fucking brother."

As Joel dove for his bag again, Henry raised his gun. Just as you stepped forward to try to protect Joel, Henry fired. This time at his brother. The boy choked on his own blood as Ellie crawled away from him to the safety of Joel's side. There was so much blood. It spread over the floor so quickly. He was only a kid. How was there so much blood? 

"Sam?" Henry took in a ragged breath. "Sam?"

"Henry?" Joel stepped towards the younger man. "Henry. I'm gonna get that gun from you. Okay?"

All the while Henry had been muttering while softly sobbing. It took everything you had not to reach out for him. You couldn't imagine what he was going through. The cruelty of this world held no bounds. To lose his brother twice in mere minutes. He posture folded with the weight of it. It only straighten when Joel moved to take his gun. "It's your fault!"

Joel bowed his head. "It's nobody's fault, Henry."

"It's all your fault!" 

The tension rose in the room, the hairs on the back of your neck stood up, electricity zipped underneath your skin. No. Not now. You weren't going anywhere. Unless. Maybe you could take Henry with you so he couldn't hurt Joel? Your whole being felt like it was being split in two, the part of you that wanted to get as far away from here as possible and the part that wanted to stay with Joel. The sound of a gunshot merged the two back together. They both stood just behind Henry's dead body.

There should be so many emotions inside your chest. Fear. Sadness. Regret. Not one made an appearance. There was just a cold void. Looking down you saw your hands shaking. Hands that Ellie was soon grabbing at. "Take us back! Take us to your world. Do it!" Her anger at you soon melted into her sobbing in your arms. The two of you slid down to the floor. Numbly, you tried to soothe her while you watched Joel. 

The deep brown eyes showed so much sorrow looking at the two dead boys in front of him. To Joel, Henry was still a kid himself. Joel didn't blame him for not being able to handle it. Shit, Joel himself had…his eyes landed on you and Ellie, looking even more sorrowful. For a moment, he stood over you. His hand hovered over Ellie's head as if he was going to offer the comfort of his touch. Clenching his fist, he thought better of it. Deciding to offer a different type of comfort he moved to Sam's body. 

From your position on the floor, you watched as Joel lifted the young boy. He cradled him as if Sam had just fallen asleep on the couch and needed to be carried to bed. That's all Joel was doing, just letting the child finally rest. Tears flowed from your eyes, your grip on Ellie tightened as the shock wore off. You could have stopped this, you should have.

 

"Your turn." Ellie nudged your arm. 

After nearly a week of spending most of the day walking, Joel decided you all needed a rest. He'd seen your reluctance but he hadn't addressed it.

Tapping the tiny pencil against your paper, you looked at the word staring back at you. "I really suck at this game. I'm gonna get some air. Maybe that will help me think." With the best smile you could muster, you made your way to the door.

Ellie silently urged Joel to follow you. While he did she looked down at your Boggle sheet. 'Fault' was neatly written at the top of the page. 

"Hey. It's getting cool out here." Joel draped his jacket over your shoulders. 

"Thank you." Tugging it close you revelled in the scent of him for a moment. 

This past week, you'd kept your distance. He'd held you, as he'd escorted you out of that room. The room with their blood still fresh on the floor. Past their fresh graves. He leaned you against a car as Ellie went back to pay her respects. She returned looking just as determined as ever. He gave you a comforting squeeze as he helped you up then that was it. If Ellie can stand on her own two, you could too. The weight of feeling responsible for the loss of Sam and Henry was taking its toll. How long until something happened to one of them that you could have stopped? That thought kept you up at night. Then it branched out, spread like an infection. What if, just by being there, you changed everything? The game was based on a future that someone saw. What if that future was changing more and more with each second you were with Joel and Ellie? What if you caused things to deviate so much that you got one of them killed? Or both of them? What if it was left up to you to keep Ellie safe? What if Ellie dies because of you? It was all too much for you to take.

After a while passed in silence, Joel gently lay his hand on your shoulder. "What's going on in that beautiful head of yours? Talk to me."

"I…I need to leave Joel. If I stay I could get you or Ellie killed." Heartbreak laced your tone.

"I could get me or Ellie killed. He'll, chances are Ellie will be the death of me. Whether by running off and getting into trouble or her attitude, I don't know." He leaned on the railings next to you, looking out onto the deserted motel parking lot.

"Joel. I'm not joking!"

"Neither am I."

"The game in my world is one possibility of your future. What if me being here changes that? What if I change what happens and you get hurt?"

Joel cupped your face in both of his hands. Flashes of raw emotion crossed his face before he setted on a smile. "What if you change it for the better?" 

The kiss he pulled you into was all consuming. It pulled you out of everything. Out of your head until all you could think about was Joel.

A dull thud from inside broke you two apart. Ellie's face was in the window. Giving it a hard tug, she slid it open."Sorry. I knocked over a lamp. Anyway I'm going to my bedroom on the opposite side to yours. With me headphones in so I won't be able to hear any…stuff."

"Ellie! There won't be anything to hear." Joel authorities tone was undercut by the blush of his cheeks.

"Do you need one of Bill's magazines to remind you how to…?" Ellie had the good sense to retreat as she made that comment. 

The two of you laughed, when it petered out there was a comfortable silence. Joel had made you feel comfortable since the moment you met him. Tugging the lapels of his jacket, he pulled you in for another kiss. Just a soft, fleeting touch of his lips. 

"Come on. Let's get you inside." 

Joel went around securing the room, some previous occupant had already done a pretty good job. Ellie was already asleep when he came to your room. 

"You alright? Do you need anything?" The room was relatively clean. It felt secure. The mattress on the floor could have been thicker but it was better than the floor. 

"I'm okay. I don't think I need anything." One thing did occur to you. The comfort that Joel brought. "Can you sleep in here?" Joel had planned to sleep on the sofa in the living room. 

The room you were in was at the end of the first floor. Ellie's room was on the outside, the windows were all barricaded. The window of your room was right next to the front door. It would be safe enough for him to sleep in here. More importantly, he wanted to be in here with you. It had been a long time since had let himself want anything.

He let that want reach out for you. He kissed like you were the last good thing in this world. His hands trembled as he he used them to memories your curves. Nothing good lasts in the world. Joel understood your fears about getting him hurt. He carried the same one's about you. Was it him that was keeping you trapped here? He saw the weird energy snapping around you when Henry had his gun pointed at him. He saw you take a breath and it dissipated. It was something he was going to have to face but not right now. Not with you, warm and eager under his touch. Not while cock swelled so quickly at your soft gasps.

"Can I touch you?" His warm breath tickled the hairs on your neck as he kissed up it. 

Your breathless reply of "God, yes." pulled a chuckle from him. 

His wide palm slid down across your stomach until his fingers smoothed across your pubic hair. Suddenly, thoughts of your personal grooming invaded your head. It's been a while since I neatened up. The man lives in the apocalypse. I'm sure he's seen worse on other women. I wonder how many? Will I compare…ooh. 

Joel's finger tips parted your folds. They found the slick gathered at your entrance before spreading it around. He lightly traced your lips to warm you up, before seeking out your clit. Softly circling it until he was satisfied, he dipped his fingers lower, finding you open for him. Two thick fingers searched for your sweet spot as his thumb swiped your clit. There was nothing else you could think of in the world. No one had ever touched you like this. It was perfect. He was perfect.

Your shoulders lift off the thin mattress as your orgasm rolls through you. Turning your body towards the source of your pleasure, you covered your mouth with Joel's broad shoulder to muffle the sounds. When he didn't stop his movements, making every delicious feeling even more intense you bit down on the soft flannel of his shirt. The europhia caused you to giggle uncontrollably.

"Better?" Joel asked, kissing your temple. Easing his hand out from between your legs, he did your jeans back up. Then he pulled you closer. Close enough for you to feel him heavy against your thigh. 

"Much. Do you want me to…?" Your fingers traced the outline of him straining against his denim while stifling a yawn.

"Not tonight. You just sleep." 

[matamisin]

Hair Troubles

Stardew Valley Fanfic 

One’s actions will always show their true intentions. Effort is a language of love and care. When Leilani is hospitalized after coming from the caves, she’s put into a rare bad mood for some reason. Dr. Harvey, sad to see her so distressed, sets out to learn how to help her with her new problem.

A one-shot of Harvey falling a little bit for farmer Leilani <3

Emily, Haley, Leah, Sam and Gus play a hand in this story (have lines and add a little bit to the story), and Maru, Sebastian, Elliott, and Abigail are in it as well but have smaller parts (no lines I believe) :)

CW: small details of injuries, a little bit more detail on a broken arm.

The clinic was having a slow day. Maru kept herself busy by doing maintenance on the patient rooms and the checkup room. Harvey stayed in the front, doing paperwork. Suddenly, the door was pulled open, and Marlon rushed in with Leilani in his arms. She was battered and bloodied. The man claimed he found her unconscious in the entrance of the cave- it seemed that she was able to climb out of danger's way in time, but wasn't able to make it much farther to get help before she fainted.

Harvey and Maru quickly brought her in to be treated. Multiple abrasions, bruises, and lacerations decorated her body. Her hands were just as battered, and told of the young farmer's attempts to fight off and escape the monsters that inhabited the caves.

Luckily for her, her injuries weren't too severe. The loss of blood was one of the major concerns, as well as preventing any of her wounds from becoming infected. Her right arm being fractured was among her other major injuries. The doctor treated it, and splinted it accordingly within a cast.

Harvey determined that she should stay in the clinic's care for a few weeks, at least until she feels good enough to be on her own.

It was only the next day when Leilani would wake up. Her eyes fluttered open as the sun rays coming from the window behind her bed climbed up her face. She looked around, dazed and confused. What happened? Where is she? Why does her whole body hurt like hell? Her mind buzzed around for a few minutes as the fluff was just starting to clear from her conscience. When things started to clear up, she tried to sit up. Before she could make it up at all, a hand, gently but firmly, placed itself on her shoulder, and nudged her back down.

That was when Leilani fully jumped back to reality, and syarted to tune into the atmosphere around her.

"I know you're a little disoriented right now but I'll have to ask you to please take it easy," a concerned voice commanded.

Leilani's eyes shot to her side where the voice came from, and there stood Harvey as his hand lingered on her shoulder. How long had he been there?! How did she not notice him??

"How are you feeling?" Harvey asked, giving a gentle laugh. He pulled a seat up to the bed and sat down. Leilani observed  his face, and despite his attempts to be comforting, he couldn't hide his overbearing concern very well. His face looked tired, and there was a strain in his voice, even through his laugh.

"I.. I'm okay," she replied, after a brief pause. She looked up towards the ceiling, groaning. "Actually," she started, "everything kinda hurts, actually." As time passed, she was becoming more and more aware of her senses. The air was cold, and hit her nose a little too harshly. Her eyes squinted slightly as the sunlight continued to travel up her face, and her body ached a tremendous amount, with the most awful pain radiating from her arm.

Harvey gave a sigh. "That's to be expected. Marlon brought you to the clinic after you fought your way out of the cave with your injuries," he explained, while he fiddled with a pen that he pulled out of his white coat's pocket.

Leilani listened to the doctor's words. The mines, she remembers now. She was trying to look for ores to bring to Clint. As she climbed deeper into the caves, more monsters would pop out. Eventually, she was overpowered at a floor level that was just RIDDEN with monsters. A haunting shadow form had her cornered and before she could escape from its grasp, all she could remember was a loud snap from her arm and an intense pain following suit. There were no memories of making it out of the mines- her mind just jumps to being back on the surface, right before everything became blurry and blacked out.

She glanced her head down, and could clearly see the cast that her arm was in. Her brows furrowed as the pain seemed to keep getting worse by the minute.

Harvey was watching her again, as she still seemed out of it. Her eyes began to wander as if she was lost in thought. And after a minute, he watched as her gaze went towards her arm. The man got up, and made his way to the other side of her bed, where her arm was connected to multiple lines.

"How bad is your arm hurting?" he questioned.

"I'd say on a scale of one to ten, a million in hell," Leilani responded, trying to joke but the slight shake to her voice portrayed the discomfort growing too much for her to bear.

She struggled to contain her pain any longer, and could feel her breaths start to shake and become unsteady. She could feel a stinging in the corners of her eyes, and felt warm tears start to escape. Feeling ashamed in being unable to hold her pain back, she brings her good arm and lays it across her eyes to hide the welting tears.

The immediate pain in her body language and the change in her demeanor worried the doctor. She would come into the clinic frequently to get treated from her injuries sustained from the cave, and even in her other worse states she could laugh most of the pain off. He always assumed she just had a strangely high pain tolerance. Harvey could just barely see her biting her lower lip to try to hide her signs of pain from him.

He started twisting a valve in one of the tubes connected to her arm , before catching her gaze. "I'm sorry, I know it hurts a lot right now. I'll up your pain medication and we'll see how it feels, okay?" His gaze saddened as she seemed committed to hiding her pain. He sat back down on his chair, and rubbed her shoulder with a gentle hand.

"I'm gonna do what I can to make sure you're comfortable while you're healing, I promise," he told her as he gave a warm smile.

Finally, she peaked her eyes out from under her arm. The corners of the doctor's mouth tightened slightly at the sight of the distress in her eyes.

He smiled again, softening his face. "Let's get you some rest okay?"

---

A few days pass, as Leilani continues to stay in the clinic. Other villagers would come in to visit her and bring her small gifts, hoping for her health to improve. Harvey would find himself smiling at seeing her laughing with her friends who come to check on her. He loved seeing that the farmer that came out of nowhere was now a big part of the community. When she was feeling better with the meds, she had asked Harvey for a pen, and then handed it back to him, asking if he would do her the honor of signing her cast first. In just 2 days her cast would be full of notes and signatures from the others. It seemed that they had found a good place for her pain killers to keep her comfortable.

However, as more days passed, the doctor would come in for her checkups and find her in a very rare mood.

When visitors weren't around, she would have a strained expression on her face. She'd be quiet, which wasn't like her as she would almost always be in a chipper mood, at least in the face of others. Sometimes, the doctor would hear frustrated groans before coming inside the room.

Finally, he tried to investigate.

One afternoon, Harvey comes in to do his checkup and change her bandages. Again, it seemed like another off-day. She didn't try to make any kind of small talk with him, and would answer his questions very short.

A little nervous, he gulped before clearing his throat. "Can I ask you if there's something wrong?"

His eyes widened slightly and he grinned awkwardly as she shoots him a nasty glare. VERY unlike her.

Almost immediately, her eyes become regretful at his reaction. She looks away.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I just.. My- it's stupid.." she trailed off, trying to brush off the issue. She blew a puff of air up towards her forehead, trying to get some strands of her hair out of her face.

Harvey stayed silent, trying to think. He watched as the hair that flew up would drift back down to her face. Her lips tightened and her brows furrowed as she hastily used her good arm to swipe the hair away and tuck it behind her ears. Shorter strands would come out and teasingly slide down towards her face again. She frowned harder, and Harvey swore he could have heard a faint whimper of frustration.

For a minute, the doctor stared at her with wide eyes. Inside his mind, he's connecting the dots just from the little bit he's seen.

Hesitantly, a hand subconsciously starts to make its way to her face, before he realizes and pulls it back. "Is it your hair?"

"Huh?"

"Your hair," he repeats. "Is your hair bothering you?"

She looks down at her lap, and avoids his eyes. "It's stupid but yeah.. My hair's been bugging me and I can't fix it." She pulls her broken arm forward a little bit to bring attention to it. "I can't fix my hair cause my arm's broken.. It's just in these messy buns from when I first came in and it keeps getting in my face and I keep laying on it and-" she starts to rant, before coming to a full stop. "I'm sorry. It just really annoys me."

Harvey shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck. "Is she getting overstimulated?" he wonders to himself.

"No, no! I understand. Well I don't- but I get it. You're already in pain and dealing with something like that probably doesn’t help."

Leilani sighed, scooping her hair up before laying in the bed and setting her hair back down. "Yeah.."

Harvey finishes the rest of the checkup before leaving the room, and going in to the other room to have an appointment with one of the other villagers.

---

Like routine, whenever a patient stays in the clinic, Harvey heads out in the evening to grab some homemade food from Gus' saloon. Nothing helps someone heal up better than food made with love! (except for medicine of course)

Harvey thinks back to earlier in the day, as he pulls his hand out of his jacket's pocket to pull the door to the Stardrop Saloon open. A chilly breeze dances by his hand, and he quickly shoves it back into his pocket once he's inside.

The atmosphere of the saloon is very lively. Conversations flooded the air, and music from the jukebox played in the background. He could hear some people being a little more rowdy in the other room as they played pool.

A *clink* from the stick hitting the cue ball, followed by an anticipating silence, and suddenly a big uproar.

"I WIN!! I FINALLY BEAT YOU, SEBASTIAAAAN!!" Harvey could hear Sam screaming loudly as he cheered loudly for himself.

Harvey peaked into the room while he waited in line. Sam was kneeling on the ground, air-boxing with ecstasy. Sebastian was leaning on the pool table, taking a sip from his drink very calmly as his friend continued to holler. Harvey couldn't help but laugh a little at the scene.

"Hey doc! What can I do for you today?" a friendly voice exclaimed. Harvey turned and approached the counter as Emily waved at him.

"Hi Em. I'll take 2 orders of tonight's special please."

"Gotcha!" She sang and rang it up on the register. She turned back to Gus, and before even saying anything, the man nodded with a grin and went off to prepare the order.

"Soo, how's Leilani doing?" she asked, as there was no one else in line.

Harvey took a seat. "She's doing good. She should be about ready to be discharged after a few more days," he answered.

She cheerfully clapped her hands in front of her a few times. "That's great to hear!" she chirped and beamed brightly.

Harvey took a small pause, and events from earlier ran through his head again. The man stared at the blue-haired woman in front of him, but was feeling too shy to raise his question. His head tilted slightly and his mouth slanted across his face.

Emily noticed quickly, and leaned against the counter. "What's up? Is something wrong?"

"Ah-" Harvey stumbled. "Yeah. Yes. Could I.. Could I ask you for a favor?"

Emily laughed, curiously, "Sure, what can I do?"

Harvey looked away, running his hand through his hair to ward off some of the awkwardness.

"Do you have any advice on.." he trailed.

"Oooon??" Emily tried to spin the gear to get him to spit it out.

".. On doing hair?"

Her expression went in awe, as her mouth dropped slightly open, before the brightest grin reappeared.

"Yeah!! I can do that! Here-" she exclaimed, getting other patrons' attention.

She looked around really quick, spotting Haley sitting in the booth on her phone. "Haley!! Come here!!!" she beckoned.

The blonde looked up, a very confused look on her face. Nonetheless, she stood up and made her way to the two up at the counter.

Emily made her way out from behind the counter. She took her sister by the shoulders and led her to sit on the bar stool next to Harvey.

"Harvey asked me to teach him some hair stuff, so you're gonna be my doll head Hales!"

Haley nodded, giving an "ohhh okay," understanding what was going on now. Though, she did question why Harvey had such a request, but whatever. She spun her chair around to face the man. "You're in good hands," she laughed before spinning back around.

For a few minutes, Emily quickly ran through some simple hairdos that she would do to Haley's hair. She showed him a simple ponytail, a topknot bun, and a simple braid. Other patrons would watch and approach, also just watching the blue-haired woman just run through hairstyles.

Leah, sitting from her table, got up and approached while Emily undid the last hairstyle.

"I can show you some more braids too!" she interjected.

Emily happily stepped aside and let the redhead take a turn at Haley's hair. Harvey watched as she effortlessly did an extravagant braid. Some of the people watching awe'd at the beautiful braid.

Emily gasped and smiled, laughing cheerfully and exclaiming at its grace.

Haley pulled her phone out and put the camera on, looking at herself and admired the hairstyle before turning to Leah. "You have GOT to do my hair for me when I go to Zuzu City next week, Leah! This is so beautiful!"

They look back at the doctor and realize he's practically steaming from his ear as he's overwhelmed with all the hairstyles done too quickly.

Harvey is trying to keep track of all the notes he took mentally, but was dragging along once the more-complex styles came.

"Haha, sorry Harvey! Let's get you to practice the simpler ones!" Emily chuckled, patting the doctor on the back.

For the next while, Emily and Leah lead Harvey as he attempts the hairstyles on Haley's hair. The results were a little rough at first, as the doctor has never really dealt with making clean and neat hairstyles on long hair, but he stays determined to get it down.

Meanwhile, other patrons have become part of this.. Hair class? Abigail was taking her hand in doing Sebastian's hair, putting his hair into two little buns that sat on his head.

Sam, on the other hand, also decided to partake in this activity as he tried to braid Elliott's gorgeous long hair.

Gus laughs to himself as he places Harvey's order on the counter next to him. He watched his beloved patrons and friends having a good time in such a spontaneous event.

As Harvey tries again, his attempts have improved drastically! Or, well, at least on the simpler hairstyles. The complex braids that Leah and Emily showed him were still coming off rough. He attempts those braids a few more times, but decides maybe next time, after having to work knots out of Haley's hair for the 3rd time.

Emily and Leah continue to give him more pointers as he runs through the hairstyles again. Harvey tries his best to keep up with all the information that's being said to him while he's braiding.

At some point, Harvey's asking questions, wondering if there's a recommended style for the situation. "I'm doing this because Leilani's been frustrated at her hair recently. I didn't notice it until this morning but her hair's been becoming a mess since she's been here, and she hasn't been able to fix it herself because of her arm."

Leah and Emily brainstorm together, and come up with a few different styles he could try. They try to consider both something that can keep her hair tamed, but also is something that would be comfortable for her to sleep in. Again, the doctor takes many mental notes, and tries his hand with practicing those styles on Haley's locks.

For about 20 minutes, Harvey is so immersed in improving as much as he can. Before long, he realizes that he still has a patient to feed!

"Oh, shoot! I'm so sorry!" Harvey suddenly blurted out as he looked at his watch. "I've completely lost track of time! I got to get back to the clinic and get Leilani her food!" He stands up quickly, and before he can grab the bag of food on the counter, Gus swipes it off the counter first.

Harvey gives a confused, slightly alarmed, smile at the restaurateur. The shorter man grins too, and hands him another similar bag. "I figured the original order would get cold. Can't have her eating a cold meal, can we?"

Harvey takes the bag graciously and slightly bows himself towards Gus. "Thank you so much! I'm so sorry to waste an order!"

Gus laughs, playfully punching Harvey's arm. "Don't even worry about it! This order won't go to waste. Now go get her that meal before it gets cold."

Harvey smiles again, and thanks everyone immensely before turning to head out.

"Wait! Wait doc!! Can we visit her too?!" Sam asked excitedly.

"Yeah, I'd love to see her!" Emily interjected.

The doctor thinks for a moment, and hesitates. "I'm sorry but I'm not sure if she would be okay with visitors right now.."

"Awww, but-" Sam starts, before Emily pulls him away and pats his shoulders. "It's okay!! Just let us know if you ask her!"

Harvey smiles softly, and thanks them all again before running back to the clinic.

---

Leilani is flipping through the channels on the TV in her room. Nothing seems interesting, and also there are only like 4 channels available. She decides to turn it off, just not finding any interest in it and would rather save the clinic some money on their electric bill.

She turned to look at the clock hanging up on the wall. It's been about an hour since Harvey left. He's usually back really soon when he picks up dinner, but tonight was different. Maybe it was busy in the saloon?

After being in the clinic for about a week now, the pain in her arm hasn't reached unbearable like when she first woke up. The only thing that has been getting to her in the recent days is the boredom when people aren't around. A lot of the villagers had their own schedules and, of course, couldn't always be there. She was sure some of  them would have some better things to do anyways, but she was always so touched on the inside when she would get surprise visitors. It comforted her thinking that some days, some of them would make some time to visit her and keep her some company.

*Knock* *Knock*

Leilani is pulled out of her thoughts by the sudden knocking. She looks up to watch the door slowly swing open as Harvey walks in with a bag of food. The smell of the hot food suddenly fills the air, and Leilani's excited to eat tonight's special from the saloon.

"Hey Harvey," she greeted, "was it pretty busy tonight at the saloon?"

Harvey chuckled, "Ah, not quite. I was just talking to some of the people there."

Leilani gave a slight nod. "Oh." She tried to hide her sadness, as her FOMO started to kick in a little. "What's for dinner tonight?"

Harvey gives her disappointed response a quick thought, before brushing it aside. "I think it's eggplant parmesan tonight."

Leilani perks up a little- anything that night sounded good. She was ready to eat and sleep the night away.

"Um, very quick question," Harvey starts, "don't feel pressured to say yes, but some of the others were asking if they could come visit you."

Leilani's eyes gleam up at Harvey. "Like. Right now?"

"Yes I believe so."

"They want to visit me?" She asks. "Like, they asked you specifically if they could visit me, tonight?" she presses.

Harvey can read how touched she feels from everything she was in that moment. Her eyes gave a certain look to them, her voice was trying to hide a gratitude in it, and her body language changed in a snap.

He laughed gently. "Yes, they were asking if they could visit you right now. They love coming to see you and make sure you're doing okay. Hell, Gus even made you a new order because the first one got cold while I was learning to do hair."

"You what?"

"Ah-" Harvey catches himself- WAY too late. He stands there, flustered and red in the face and ears. Leilani swears she could almost see his glasses practically steaming up.

"Ahaha.. I was. Learning to do hair," he admits, shyly looking away and kicking a foot out. "I wanted to help you with your hair. Because, y'know, it was really bothering you earlier," he finished, finally looking at her again with a sheepish smile.

Leilani giggled, finding amusement in the doctor's fluster.

---

Back at the saloon, the phone rings and Emily answers.

"Thanks for calling Gus' Stardrop Saloon, how can I help you?" she welcomed.

"Hey Em! This is Harvey."

"Oh hey! What's up?"

"I'm just calling to let you know that Leilani said she's more than happy to see visitors," Harvey explained.

"Ohhh, haha awesome! See you soon then!" Emily chirped, hanging up.

She turned to Gus, and once again, before she even says anything, the man says "go on ahead, Emmy. I'll handle the shop for the rest of the night. Just tell Leilani I said hi!"

Emily thanks him and gives him a quick hug, before grabbing her coat and leaving the counter.

"Hey guys!" She called out to the group of people in the other room. "Harvey just called- he said we can visit Leilani!"

Sam grinned big, and shot out of his chair. "C'mon let's go!! Let's go see her!" as others got up and they headed to the clinic together.

---

In just a little bit, the clinic was a little bit more lively. Emily, Sam, Haley, Leah, and Elliott had come  to visit the farmer.

Everyone sat around the bed as they all conversed. Emily took it upon herself to help Leilani eat her food, giving her a bite every now and then.

Harvey sat beside the other side of Leilani's bed, eating his own order of the eggplant parmesan. He couldn't help but soften his gaze, watching how happy everyone was, just hanging out and talking to each other. But more so how happy Leilani seemed to be that these people were here right now to give her company.

When Leilani finished eating, Harvey began to work on her hair. He gently combed through all the knots that formed since she's been in clinic care. When he finally got through it all, he tied her hair into pigtails and braided them, before spinning them into secured buns. Surprisingly, he only needed Emily's assistance a few times.

Haley pulled out her phone's camera again and let Leilani look at herself in it as everyone wowed at Harvey's work. It wasn't bad for just learning it earlier that night!

Leilani turned her head in different directions to get a really good look of Harvey's work.

"This is so cute! And you just learned it today too?!" she exclaimed at Harvey, in awe.

"Thank you so much," she said, with that soft gleam in her eyes again.

Harvey laughed, brushing off his blush. "I can't take all the credit, they gave me a lot of help to get me to this point!"

The night continued to progress, and before the clock could hit 11:00 PM, Leilani had drifted off to sleep while the others continued to converse.

Upon noticing, Emily pulled the blanket up on Leilani, making sure she can stay warm at night. She gave the farmer a gentle rub on her shoulder, before getting up and signaling to everyone to keep quiet with a finger over her lips.

The others hushed up and looked at her, then down at Leilani and noticed that she had fallen asleep. After putting all the chairs back in place, everyone snuck out the door and into the lobby, where they all hugged Harvey goodbye and goodnight before they left and walked each other home.

Harvey locks up for the night, and ensures Leilani is comfortable, before turning the light off, and heading to bed himself in one of the other patient beds- a habit he picked up because Leilani couldn't sleep well for the first few nights at the clinic and asked for company.

[ninjadeathblade]

Everything Moves (A Hat In Time fanfic)

Summary: Empress decides to put an end to things, once and for all, in a battle that will shake the foundations of the Metro.

Beginning | Previous | Next

Word count: 6,878

Warnings: Swearing, death, murder, gun violence, gang violence, gore, brief medical stuff, trauma, grief, near death experience, a couple characters take advantage of Empress' blindness

Author's notes: Well this is the chapter I've been waiting to do since the beginning of this AU. It's been rewritten at least three times now but I finally settled on something and hey it isn't half bad. You've read the warnings, you know this chapter isn't going to be pretty. Title is "Everything Moves" by Bronze Radio Return. Good luck with this chapter.

Empress tried to ignore the flash of pain down the side of her face as Radiance threw her onto the ground outside the Demon base.

“Give your leader my verdict,” Radiance hissed.

Realistically, there weren't meant to be any Angels this side of the metro.

But things had only grown more tense in the recent months, so keeping up appearances was probably for the best.

Empress slowly dragged herself up off the floor, dozens of injuries over the past year making her body ache and protest at such meagre movement.

The grey and white cat slowly walked back to her own gang's base, dreading what she would find.

She'd been missing for two days now, along with Phantom, Cookie and Cody.

The main door opened as she approached, a pair of concerned yellow eyes trailing after her as she stepped inside.

“I'm fine, Shield, just make sure you don't let anyone else in,” she growled, tail lashing behind her.

Practically everyone here had to listen to her; if they didn't, they'd face Majesty's wrath.

Although she suspected that many already had the past couple of days.

Empress trudged along the hallways, her remaining eye skimming over her surroundings.

The blood marks on those walls were new. The claw marks that scraped across the floor. The acrid stench of something that hung in the air.

She didn't bother with knocking when she reached Majesty's office, letting herself in.

She turned her head for a full view of the office, gaze eventually landing on her boss.

“Where… have you been?” The tabby hissed, voice low, shoving his chair back as he stood and stalking over to her.

Empress tried to ignore the shaking in her arms, the unsteadiness of her stand, the way that she could only see half of him while directly facing him.

“The kits wanted to go out so I thought I would take them for a small walk. But there was a patrol of Fallen Demons. They took us hostage. I've only been let go to deliver a message,” Empress lied, paws clenching into white knuckled grip at her sides.

The corner of Majesty's mouth twitched in annoyance, or perhaps rage.

Either way, Empress had been on the receiving end of his fury before and wasn't looking forwards to the inevitable fallout.

“What's the message?”

“That if you don't back down and give Radiance your territory then she'll kill your kittens.”

A low growl rumbled in the back of the gang leader's throat before he let out a stream of curses.

Once he was finished he turned back to her.

“One of the Demons did this?” Majesty asked, almost as an afterthought.

Empress nodded, seizing up slightly as he traced his claws down the side of her face.

Majesty's amber gaze was cold as it met her singular eye. “I knew that Radiance was cold-hearted but this is taking it too far. Threatening what's mine and taking my kits.”

The tabby dropped her face, spinning around and picking up a chair, throwing it at the wall.

The metal wall dented at the impact, crumpling harshly.

He stalked over to his desk, hitting the button on his announcement system.

“Angels. I'm afraid that we've had a little mishap. You see, one of our own has been deformed by a Demon.”

Empress shivered, still uncomfortable with her loss of sight.

“On top of that, my heirs have been taken. Prepare for war. The cat who brings me Radiance’s head gets as much food as they want and four times the highest bounty.”

Empress shifted her stance, muscles tense.

“And don't forget - all Demons must be purged from our streets. Kill on sight.”

She shivered as Majesty walked back over to her.

“That includes you. No favouritism for your little friend. All Demons must be purged.”

Empress nodded, praying that by the end of this she wouldn't be following orders from Majesty anymore.

“Good. Now get out there and help start the extermination.”

Empress moved against the waves of armed Fallen Angels, pushing further back into the facility, away from the exits.

If the Chosen Demons were going to have any chance of winning, then they would need a diversion.

She was so close to what she would need, just a few more halls-

“Where do you think you're going?”

Empress froze at the paw that had clamped down over her left shoulder, breath quickening.

Her mind scatter-gunned names at her, trying to match it to whoever's voice it was instead of turning her head.

Eventually she gave in and moved her face to whoever had interrupted her.

Rex glared at her, blue eyes a stark contrast against his dark fur.

“Armoury,” she mumbled, hoping he'd believe the excuse and let her go.

“The armoury is five intersects back,” Rex snarled, shoving her up against a wall. “What are you plotting? Treason against our leader?!”

His free paw came up to turn her face so her right cheek was held against the wall, limiting her sight even further.

A scared whimper escaped her, paws scrabbling blindly at Rex's arm, trying to dislodge his hold.

“I always knew you were rotten, ever since you arrived! You and that pathetic little shit who barely ever shows their face down here!”

Empress kicked a leg out, revelling in the brief relief in pressure against her face as Rex staggered slightly from the blow to his stomach.

But soon enough it was back again, teeth clacking together painfully as her head was roughly shoved back into the metal wall.

“I'd be doing everyone a favour by getting rid of you. You never even contributed anything to this gang. You're just a weak, pathetic, two-faced, lying-”

Empress dropped to the ground as Rex was suddenly flung sideways, seemingly pushed by a beam of blue light.

Empress gently reached up to massage the left side of her face before jerking her paw away.

No, her pain didn't matter right now.

It could be dealt with later.

Radiance's members needed that diversion.

She craned her neck to look down the hallway at where the beam had come from.

“Good thing I came back, huh?” Badge quipped, twirling a bat in their grip before resting it over one shoulder.

Empress dragged herself upright, looking in the direction that Rex had been sent careening. “You shouldn't be here. You should be with the kids.”

Badge shrugged, very suddenly beside her - having snuck up in her blind spot - and Empress had to hold back another scared whimper from escaping her.

Badge hesitantly rested a paw on her shoulder, both of them wincing as the appendage glitched with the movement. “I wasn't going to leave you when you needed me most.”

Empress blinked away a wave of tears, instead beginning to quickly continue her journey to her destination. “If you want to help then you can go outside and help Radiance's forces.”

Badge skipped to catch up with her, mock saluting before seemingly dissolving into shadows.

Empress tried not to look at the charred corpse she had to step over when she reached where Rex had landed.

One paw flicked on the overhead lights, staring around.

She had never had any reason to visit the enclosures before - they were only used for the lab experiments that Majesty forced to fight against each other.

Empress slowly stepped forward, one paw tentatively brushing against a bar and peering into the shadows at the back.

Soon a large ginger cat lunged forward, a paw the size of her body sweeping out to try and clock her.

Empress stumbled backwards, staring up at a pair of yellow eyes. “Hi there. Remember me? From when I was little?”

A curious chirp as the pair of eyes blinked slowly.

“Maybe it wasn't you, maybe one of the others.” She looked down the hall, a shiver going down her spine as dozens more eyes stared out of the darkness.

Empress moved to the closest end of the large building, opening up the door there, watching as it cranked upwards with flaky pain dropping to the floor, leading to the outside.

Gunfire and screams drifted to her ears and Empress sighed.

“I sure hope this works.”

She crossed back over to the doorway, letting out a grunt of effort as she moved the rusted switch.

Red lights flashed and horns blared as every cage’s door opened.

Tremors went through the ground and a couple dozen heavy pawsteps moved out before beginning to race out of the building and towards the battle.

Empress stood in the wake of it, coughing slightly at the dust that had been kicked up.

It had better work as a diversion. For all their sakes.

After quickly swinging by the armoury and picking up a couple of pistols, Empress ran back to the main area of the metro as fast as possible.

Chaos was everyone, both from the fighting and her decision to try and help Radiance's forces.

The lab experiments thundered around the larger streets and open spaces, making the ground shake with their very pawsteps.

On the plus side, more gunfire was being focused on the large ginger cats now, distracting Demons and Angels alike from fighting one another.

The grey and white cat stuck to the left side of paths and spaces, keeping as much in sight as possible.

“Hey! It's the traitor!”

Empress winced as dozens of Fallen Angels turned their heads to look at her, swinging guns to face her.

Before any of them could even fire though, a bright beam of red light blasted through the lot of them, reducing them to ashes.

Her jaw dropped open as pawsteps skidded up on her left.

“C'mon Em, where are we headed? I've got your back.”

Empress floundered for a reply, still trying to wrap her head around what had just happened. “The- the Chosen Demon base.”

She had to rescue the crèchelings that probably hadn't had time to be evacuated.

“Okay,” Badge affirmed, tugging at her arm. “Em, we've got to move.”

Badge killed them.

Badge.

Badge who never hurt a fly.

“What did you do?” Empress choked out the question as she let herself be dragged along.

“Stopped them from killing my sister,” Badge growled, neck glitching so their face was turned a hundred and eighty degrees to face her before setting back on in the correct direction.

As they got closer to the base, more Angels swarmed them, backing them towards the building.

Badge was firing smaller beams off their baseball bat, lucky to even hit one or two with each blast.

Empress did the best she could with her couple of pistols but her aim was off - it seemed like every shot went wide.

She backed further towards the wall as she tried to desperately reload the guns, breaths coming in short and panicked puffs.

“Emily! Where are you?”

The words were mere static in the background of her hearing.

“Empress!”

That name.

She detested that name but it was her's.

Majesty wouldn't let her respond to anything else.

It was her name whether she liked it or not.

And she had to respond every time it was called.

She ditched the pistols, grabbing a bat off of a fallen for and dashing back into the fray, swinging it towards one of the oncoming enemies. “We have to get inside!”

“And I'm meant to be a miracle worker?” Came Badge's short and sharp reply, cutting into her.

Empress gritted her teeth, yanking Badge backwards by their hoodie when someone nearly hit them. “No but I expected better of you when you decided to come and help me!”

Badge hissed up at her. “Fuck you, I may have suffered on my travels but that doesn't mean I can do everything, Emily!”

“Don't call me that,” Empress growled, hating the way her birth name sounded.

The only person she might ever let call her that again was Scarlett.

She ripped a badge off of the younger cat, haphazardly pinning it to her own jacket, before spinning around and charging a beam.

Red light hit the doorway and sent it splintering, the sound of cracking glass and brick above them.

A bullet zoomed past her, cutting into her arm.

She barely noticed it, her working eye widening as rubble began to fall down on top of them.

She pushed Badge out the way, unable to get herself to move as concrete smashed into her spine.

With a pained cry she was flattened against the ground, unable to move as more rocks and plaster dropped down on top of her body.

Everything seemed so dark.

Her paw loosely held onto the bat still as dust swirled in the air in front of her.

A wail came from somewhere in front of her. “Emily!”

Empress managed a weak cough before forcing words out of her throat, trying to not focus on how much blood was in her mouth. “Not… my name…”

Badge rushed forward, shifting a bit of the debris around her with a relieved sob. “Just- just hold on! I'm getting you outta there!”

She shot him a wry smile, pain lancing through her body as she did so. “Yeah, I don't think it'll be that easy. I can shift around a little here but I can't feel my arm.”

She wasn't going to mention the fact she couldn't feel any of her body below her ribs, everything just fading into pain without any proper feeling.

“Your arm is broken?!” Badge shrieked, working harder to get her out.

“No, don't worry, it's probably just dislocated. Nothing that hasn't happened before. Besides, I'm not the priority right now,” Empress said with a slight grit of her teeth.

Badge dug her limp arm out. “What do you mean you're not the priority right now, you're going to die if I don't get you out of there!”

She reached out with her working arm, gently swiping at him with almost all of the energy she had left before dropping her paw back to her bat.

Bit down around the scream that wanted to escape her.

“I mean that there are more pressing matters,” Empress amended, extending one finger to feebly point at where she'd opened a chasm in the doorway. “There are crèchelings in that building. I need you to get them to safety, no matter the cost. Help them, not me.”

“I'm not letting you be the cost! No!”

“Badge-”

Badge glared at her, tail lashing behind them. “No! I don't care about some crèchelings I've never met! I'm not losing my sister!”

Empress softened her expression, unsure as to whether it was from the kind words or her exhaustion. “Badge…”

Badge paused in their motions to try and dig her out, crouching down in front of her and pressing their head against her's, eyes drifting shut.

Pain lanced down her spine and she stifled a groan of pain.

“I'm not leaving you. I'm not losing you again.”

Empress picked up the bat, aiming it towards the remains of the building above her.

“I know. And you won't. I just hope you can forgive me.”

Badge's eyes sprung open and they looked over at where she was holding the bat.

Badge scrambled back to safety as she let it fire.

In the few fleeting moments she had left, Empress wondered if there was a god out there.

Matilda had believed in one.

She'd prayed often for the three of them when they were little, that they would grow up to do something important.

That they would all go to the good place somewhere up there, not the bad place.

I'm going to that bad place.

I'm sorry Matilda.

I hope you're enjoying that good place.

Maybe it was praying.

She doubted it.

Please let Scarlett live out her life.

Let the kittens grow up happy and healthy.

I know I've done wrong.

I understand that.

I'm sorry.

I'm ready to go now.

I'm fine with dying.

I've made my peace.

I just hope this place gets better.

Empress drew in a deep breath, blinking her eye open, looking around.

The rubble pile was behind her.

And she-

She could move her legs.

Her arm was relocated.

Her body was in infinitely less pain.

Her eye was still damaged.

Was she dead?

The cat tried to press her paw through a nearby brick, eye widening when it didn't phase through.

“I should be dead.”

Had her sort of praying worked?

No, it couldn't have.

There were powerful beings in the world, but none could bring anyone back from the dead.

The grey and white cat got to her feet on slightly shaky legs before entering the building, trotting through it quickly.

Swung by the crèche.

Was relieved to find no one there, nor any blood.

Empress walked towards where Radiance's office was, navigating her way through the different complexes without much issue.

Had to stifle a gasp once she reached her destination, lurking in the doorway at the top of the stairs that led up to the tower.

Majesty stood over Radiance, blood slowly pooling around the grey cat.

The tabby flicked his gaze over to her, beckoning with a paw for her to enter. “This is what happens to those who cross me.”

Empress swallowed thickly, willing away tears that forced themselves into her eye.

Majesty would kill her too if he knew she was deeply affected by the leader of a supposedly opposing gang.

A vice-like grip clamped down around her throat, forcing her back against a wall.

Empress let out a whimper as another paw roughly forced her head against the wall, a claw roughly prodding at her eye.

A scream tore itself from her lungs.

“And I guess you'll get to experience firsthand what happens to those who cross me.”

Empress sniffed, good eye streaming with tears as he continued.

“You thought I couldn't tell?” Majesty laughed cruelly, claw sinking into her eye more.

Wrenching another guttural scream out of her hoarse vocal chords, sounding far too loud for anything human to make.

Too loud inside her skull, rattled with pain.

“You didn't think I would check the camera feed?”

The tip of his claw brushed over he edge of her tear duct, coaxing her screech to a brief halt - filled with heavy breaths - before digging it in a line down where she'd first cut across her eye, tearing another roar of pain from her.

“I knew it was you. Who took my children, my kits, my heirs.”

Empress let out a strangled sob, praying to any powerful entity out there that she would somehow survive this agonising experience.

“And you're going to pay for it. I don't even care if you get them back for me - I gave you a chance to fall in line. And yet you've repeatedly defied me. So now I'm going to let you experience true suffering.”

She can feel her blood. Coating her fur, sticking to it. Staining the white with every second it ran down her body.

The claw moved back up, trailing circles around the outside of her eye.

Just shy of damaging her further.

She'd prefer having stayed dead.

The air around her felt too thick to be a gas, clogging her lungs like a liquid.

She was drowning, she was drowning, she was-

The sound of bullets ringing out across the room, pressure removed from Empress as she crumpled to the floor.

Her bones felt like paper, so close to breaking.

“Motherfucker,” Majesty hissed out from somewhere in her blind spot before more rounds of bullets pummelled into something.

Hopefully Majesty.

Maybe her.

It was hard to tell where the pain started and ended at this point.

The sound of pawsteps dragging across the room before someone dropped down beside her.

“H-hey kid.”

Empress strained to move her head, turning to look at her saviour. “Radiance?”

The leader of the Chosen Demons smiled weakly, slumped over while sitting up, a tommy gun hanging limply from one paw. “I'm sorry I was out cold for so long.”

Empress coughed weakly. “You've lost too much blood, you shouldn't be moving.”

Radiance shrugged with one arm, the other hanging limp at her side. “This? This is nothing.”

Majesty's body twitched from where it was splayed about a metre away.

The older cat swung the gun around, releasing another volley of bullets into their enemy before dropping it and wiping blood away from where it splattered against her face.

“Besides, every day I keep on living is a day my siblings never got,” Radiance sighed.

“I thought you had Splendour. Back when Matilda had first died, you told me she was a double for you when you had to leave.”

Radiance snorted. “Splendour’s real name is Jane. She's an acting double I hired a couple decades ago.” She smiled gently. “Probably around the time you first cropped up on my radar. When Claw first arrived I never thought he'd shut up about his best friend, called Emily.”

Empress started to roll her eyes before letting out a pained whimper.

Radiance's tail flicked out to entwine with her own.

“That sounds just like Claw,” Empress managed when the pain died down a little.

“When I found out that Majesty had shown special interest in one of his members, I started trying to keep tabs. And then I met you a little while after and,” Radiance paused and smiled gently. “And I guess that you reminded me of myself in some way. Always wanting to do the best you could and prove yourself, while also being able to tell how fucked up the situation you were in was.”

Radiance shook her head. “But that's a conversation for another time. Right now, we need to get the metro under control.”

Empress somehow found the strength to drag herself upright and follow Radiance, offering herself as a support for the gang leader.

Radiance smiled weakly and Empress shot a glance at where blood was steadily ebbing from her middle.

“Your-”

“It doesn't matter, kid,” Radiance gritted out as they reached the stairs. “What matters is securing power.” A small smirk graced her features. “That's why we did this whole thing to begin with, wasn't it?”

Empress foot slipped as she tried to descend the stairs, both of them tumbling down the concrete together before slamming into the wall.

Pain blossomed in the back of Empress' head, even more darkness swelling and threatening to overtake her vision.

Radiance let out a string of colourful curses before trying to coax Empress to stand. “Come on kiddo, only a little further.”

Empress couldn't move even if she wanted to.

Her brain screamed yes at her limbs, trying to force them into movement but they wouldn't comply.

She tried to speak but her mouth wouldn't move, tongue feeling heavy in a mouth full of iron tasting liquid.

She was drowning again.

Drowning, drowning, drowning.

Darkness seeping into the edges of her vision, threatening to pull her under and make her drown quicker.

Empress was upright suddenly, jaw hanging open and the blood inside her mouth poured out and down her face.

“It's okay, I've got you, just try and stay awake,” Radiance said, but it sounded so far away.

Everything felt limp.

Nothing was working.

She couldn't move.

She didn't think it could get any worse than the sacrifice of her vision.

What a fool she was.

Empress tried to scream, to twitch a finger, to roll her tongue in her mouth but nothing seemed to register in her body.

It was as if she'd been entirely disconnected, a puppet with its strings cut, nothing to do except be a broken toy that no one wanted.

Her lungs still worked, taking in rattling shudders and letting out short raps.

“Just stay awake,” Radiance repeated beside her.

If she was still breathing it meant her heart was still pumping.

For now at least.

More dark haze cloaked over her vision until everything went dark, mere murmurs and the sounds of battles supplying her with detail of what was happening.

Pawsteps thundering towards them, a scream of both their names.

“Holy shit, Radiance, what happened? You're bleeding- Emily's eye!” A voice that sounded distinctly like Claw's shouted.

It had to be him if he'd called her Emily.

“It isn't safe here anymore. I've estimated that at least fifty percent of the population across both gangs and the metro as a whole has been killed,” Badge supplied from somewhere in front of her.

Blood didn't plaster against her side quite so much, passed between arms and held against someone else.

Small round shapes pressed into the side of her face, cool against the warmth of her body.

Probably Badge.

“Claw, I need you to get me to the plaza. Then Badge, I need you and Claw to take Empress to the surface.”

“That's not her-”

“That is her name!” Radiance snarled.

Empress smiled, or at least she thought she did. It was hard to tell if anything she tried worked at this point.

“It is her name, Claw! Stop trying to cling to a past version of her and just move on! The Emily you knew is buried six feet under so just fucking stop!” Radiance continued before retching.

After the sound of heaving stopped, heavy breathing picked up, before eventually getting back to speech.

“You are going to take my daughter to the surface and you are going to get her straight to a hospital while I take over down here,” Radiance instructed. “Claw, fetch the medkit from Empress' room; I don't think that section of the building has been raided. Nothing there to steal anyway.”

“On it,” Claw replied, followed by the sound of receding footsteps.

“Badge?”

“Yes?”

“Look after you sister while I deal with things down here. Once she's better, I need her back.”

Empress tried to move her mouth, form words.

I'm scared.

I'm sorry.

I miss you.

Don't leave.

I can't lose you too.

I'll be fine, you should worry about yourself.

It's dark here.

I can't see.

I'm tired.

Radiance, I'm going to take a little nap.

When I wake up, I'll help out with sorting out our home, okay?

Okay?

Radiance?

…

Mum?

“I've never seen any injuries like this before.”

“Me neither.”

“What d'you think happened?”

“If the person who brought her here was being honest, she got into a fight with a local gang.”

“What the fuck?”

“Yeah. Apparently she was just trying to protect her family.”

“Poor thing.”

…

“We need to remove her left eye or that thing is an infection waiting to happen. Clean and stitch up all of these wounds, maybe restitch a couple of the others. They're all going to scar. The one at the back of her head is particularly nasty.”

“It's better than her bleeding to death. I'm not even sure how she got this far.”

“What about the other cat that was brought in at the same time as her?”

“The black one? Their heart had stopped before we even got them to the surgery room.”

“Shit.”

“Yeah, they couldn't even save them. I think they're disposing of the body at the moment.”

“Well, best get to work on this one then.”

“I can't even tell what colour her fur is meant to be, there's so much blood.”

…

“Just hand me the equipment already. If we can stitch that head injury, there's less of a chance of brain damage. The quicker we finish this, the more likely it is that she'll survive.”

Empress slowly cracked open her eye, gaze roving around the blurry room.

“The patient is awake.”

“Good, that means she's stabilising more.”

A light shining into her good eye, blanking out her vision before disappearing almost as quickly as it turned on.

“She's been slow to come around.”

“She lost a lot of blood, what were you expecting?”

Empress' vision cleared, looking a bit less blurry.

A couple of doctors were standing either side of her bed, a penguin to her left and an owl on her right.

“It's okay, you're safe here.”

“Don't worry kid, you're safe now. Majesty can't touch you here.”

“Radiance,” Empress croaked out. “Where is she? I'm meant to help her.”

The two doctors looked between each other.

“Radiance?”

“Do you think that was the other cat brought in at the same time as her?”

“You mean the one who…?”

“Yeah.”

“Where is she?” Empress tried again, attempting to push herself up before letting out a cry of pain as everything in her seemed to scream with protest.

“Don't move, you'll reopen your stitches!”

“Fucking hells, stay still!”

Empress dropped back the couple centimetres she had moved onto the pillow behind her head, a wave of overwhelming exhaustion overtaking her.

“Radiance…”

“Do you have any family?” One of the doctors questioned.

“Scarlett,” Empress murmured, trying to force herself to stay awake.

“Does she have a last name?” The other asked.

“She's a famous actress, married to Conductor.”

Her eye closed.

“The Scarlett?”

“The owl who won last year's acting award?”

“She's married to Conductor, right?”

“Yes but she's on maternity leave.”

…

“The Scarlett though?”

“Hey, it's the only thing we've got at the moment.”

“That's true. Try to get on the phone with her, I'm going to stay here with the patient.”

Empress stared up at the ceiling.

She hated it here.

Ever since being able to properly formulate thoughts again, she'd decided she hated it.

The food was crap.

It was boring.

She wasn't allowed to leave her room unless one of the doctors went with her.

Michael, the penguin doctor from when she first arrived, was the one checking on her most.

The owl, named Patience, was anything but what their name claimed and seemed to be unable to accept how long it was taking her to heal.

Empress didn't blame the owl, she was frustrated with how slow things were moving too.

But today had some vague bright side to it.

Scarlett was visiting and bringing the kids.

Her kittens and her sister's own chick.

Her children and her niece.

Empress looked up as the door to her room opened, Michael offering her a smile as he stepped inside.

“Morning Empress.”

“Hello again doctor,” she replied.

The penguin moved to her side, gently moving her to sit forward before stacking pillows behind her back. “You have visitors.”

“Here already, huh?” Empress murmured, mostly to herself.

She couldn't do this.

Her kids were going to be repulsed by her appearance and Scarlett was going to shout at her and she couldn't properly move as it was and she needed to be back at the metro and she needed to be out of here and-

A flipper rested over one of her shaking paws. “Empress.”

The cat dragged her tired gaze to Michael.

“It'll be fine,” he soothed. “They're your family.”

Empress nodded weakly, not really believing his words but too tired to care.

She wanted to go home.

But Michael wouldn't discharge her until she could walk across her room without help of some sort - whether that was another person or crutches.

The door shutting vaguely registered in some distant parts of her mind.

Empress moved to pick up the notepad and pen on the desk beside her, letting out a small frustrated growl when the tube feeding into the back of one paw snagged as it reached as far as it could.

With her other paw she picked up the items, placing them in her lap.

She picked up the pen, trying to write her name down on the paper.

The pitiful scrawl that she managed didn't look anything like her name.

The cat took a deep breath, willing the tears in her eye to go away.

She moved the objects back to the table just as the door reopened.

Three small figures dashed up to her right side, all crying with relief.

“Ma!”

“You're okay!”

“We missed you!”

Empress gently stroked their heads one by one before looking up at the other person standing behind them. “Thank you for looking after them.”

“It's fine,” Scarlett said, a ball of yellow feathers cradled in her wings.

“Is that-”

Scarlett smiled, moving the little chuck in her arms. “This is Roxie. Roxie, say hi to your auntie.”

A small chirp emitted from the baby and Empress couldn't help but notice how similar her physique was to Conductor's.

“She's beautiful, Scarlett,” Empress commented before looking back down at where Cookie was tugging gently against her arm.

“Ma?” Cookie whispered. “Can I have a hug?”

Empress shifted in her seat, trying to make herself more comfortable. “Okay sweetheart, come on up.”

The ginger kitten clambered up the side of the bed and snuggled against her, pressing her face into the crook of Empress' neck.

“Your eye patch looks super cool! Like a pirate in that movie that Auntie Scarlett showed us!” Cody butted in, waving their paws animatedly as they spoke.

The cold plastic covering her empty left socket seemed too obvious all of a sudden and Empress squirmed slightly in her bed.

“Um, what movie did you watch?”

“Muppet Treasure Island,” Scarlett supplied.

Empress nodded. “That's a good movie.”

Phantom signing repeatedly caught the corner of her vision, the white kitten trembling as he repeatedly signed.

-after them. I looked after them. I looked after them. I looked after them. I looked after them. I looked after-

Empress purred gently, reaching out with her right paw for him.

Phantom moved quickly, smaller paws clinging to her wrist as he nuzzled his face into her palm.

Empress strengthened her purring, praying that her son could feel her purring despite the pain it caused in her chest.

Small purrs emanated from Phantom as he nuzzled more against her.

Cody clung onto a higher bit of her arm.

“We missed you,” Cody explained quietly around tears. “You said you'd see us again soon. And we were scared that you weren't coming back and that Majesty had done something to you.”

Majesty.

Empress shook at the mere mention of that dreaded name.

It didn't matter that two months had passed, she could still feel that claw digging into her eye, claws around her throat, drowning in her own blood.

Cookie was scooped off her lap with a hiss of protest and she felt two pairs of paws let go of her arm.

“No! Ma!”

“You can come back and be with your ma in just a minute.”

Michael.

Michael was here.

The door opening and closing.

“Empress, can you look at me?”

The grey and white cat slowly looked up at the penguin, hating the short puffs of air that filled up the sound of the room.

“In and out slowly, like this,” Michael instructed, demonstrating the pace of breaths she should be taking.

Slowly she adjusted back to normal before pointing at the needle in her hand.

“I want it out. I want to walk.”

Michael nodded, taking out the needle from the back of her paw.

Empress stood, gesturing for the doctor to move away when he tried to stand beside her.

The grey medical clothes she’d worn for two months felt heavy on her body but she walked across the room, stopping halfway for a breather before continuing across the room.

Once she reached the opposite wall she paused and took a shuddering breath before speaking over her shoulder.

“So? Can I get discharged now?”

Michael still kept her in for three more days to prove her walk across the room wasn't a one time fluke before letting her go.

And so, slowly, she walked with her three kittens back to the tunnels she used to use to get in and out of the metro back when she still worked for the Fallen Angels.

How long ago that seemed now.

After stopping for however many times, Cody finally spoke up. “Ma? Are you sure you should be moving?”

“I'm fine,” Empress growled, the words coming out harsher than intended.

She sure didn't miss the way that the kitten flinched away from her.

“I- I'm sorry Cody, I just want to get home.”

“It's fine,” Cody mumbled.

The rest of the journey took place in tense silence.

Hours later when they finally reached the metro - after a journey that should have only taken half an hour at most - Empress let out a gasp.

Neon lights, friendly chatter and food stalls filled her surroundings, overloading her senses as she tried to get used to it.

Multiple nearby cats turned to look at her before murmuring to one another.

“They're talking about us,” Phantom stated.

Empress motioned for him to translate.

“Some of them are referring to you as- um- something I'd rather not repeat. Others are using simple slurs and curses. One of them is saying- oh, they've turned away,” Phantom relayed.

Empress looked around, letting out a sigh at the grey cat approaching them. “It's okay, Radiance is here.”

Upon closer inspection, Empress' blood ran cold.

Radiance was missing half of her right arm, the appendage ending in a lump around where her elbow should be.

Radiance beamed a smile at her. “Em! You're doing better I see!” The older cat looked down at the kittens. “And how are you three?”

“Good.”, “Tired.” and “Hungry.” echoed back.

Radiance let out a chuckle before looking back at Empress. “Come on, I've been looking after a place for you and the kids. And your new gang awaits your lead too.”

Empress' mind was sluggish on the uptake and it took a few moments for her to properly register the words.

“New gang…?”

When the three kittens passed out from exhaustion, Radiance and Empress talked.

About the serious matters they didn't dare mention in front of any of the children, hoping to spare them from the types of upbringings they'd both had.

“You said earlier about my new gang,” Empress whispered, trembling slightly on the sofa that they were sitting on. “Radiance, I can't-”

“You can,” Radiance interrupted. “You know how to handle a gang in a way that won’t be toxic like the Fallen Angels were but still be stronger than the Chosen Demons were. You know how to create the perfect gang.”

Empress swallowed and looked away.

Silence hung between them.

“How's your eye?”

Empress rubbed her arm with the opposite paw. “I'm meant to be getting a glass one next week. Doctor Michael thought I'd be in the hospital until it happened but I wanted to leave. So I have to go back up next Tuesday to get it put in. And I don't want to leave the kids but I don't want them to come with me.”

Radiance's paw gently rested over her own. “I can look after them. And you don't have to take over the gang for a while, I can manage it until you're ready.”

Empress nodded. “Yeah, thanks.” Offering a weak smile she continued. “So… your arm.”

Radiance shook her head. “It doesn't matter too much. Got shot pretty good in the arm and we couldn't properly clean the wound. So, we have amputated it.”

“When I take over, I'm making sure you go to the surface and get a prosthetic.”

Radiance sighed. “Alright.”

“And it'll be a super cool one, like the one Edward has in Fullmetal Alchemist,” Empress explained.

“Fullmetal Alchemist?”

“It's a great show, I'll introduce you to it next time the kits are asleep. Not too appropriate for the age they're currently at,” Empress responded.

“Alright. We should get some sleep too though.”

Empress relaxed back against the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. “Yeah.”

Radiance settled down as well.

After the grey and white cat thought the older one was settled, she spoke.

“I think I died.”

Radiance's tail flicked and she gave a questioning hum.

“I was crushed by a pile of rubble. I couldn't move anything except my arm. And then I woke up and I was mostly fine and-”

A white knuckled grip held onto the sofa.

“And I'm scared. Why am I alive? It's not like I deserve to be. Radiance, I should be dead. My spine was broken and I couldn't sense anything below my ribs. My arm was dislocated. I don't even know how I survived long enough to get to the hospital, I should've bled out from that wound on my head. I was in a coma for a week.”

Radiance listened in near silence up until then before speaking.

“Maybe some angel saved you.”

Ah, so Radiance was religious.

“Not a religious one or something.”

Okay, not religious then.

“But a family member who's looking after you. Watching you and protecting you even though they aren't here anymore.”

Matilda.

It couldn't be anyone else if that was true.

Empress began to cry, hot tears sliding down her right cheek.

Radiance sat up and pulled her into a hug, one paw skimming gently up and down her spine.

She couldn't be with some of her family anymore - Badge was missing, Matilda was dead and Scarlett had her own life.

But Radiance and her children were still here.

And maybe that was enough.

(Hi guys, it's the author again. If you want to find out what happened to Empress after she was crushed with the rubble then I wrote what happened a while back - the link is here for anyone who is curious)