#the story flows perfectly fine. it's not rushed or its not slow

[etrobeauty]

Scarlet Nexus stuff I thought the XIII folks would have.

Lightning - Electrokinesis / also had power given to them. Serah - Short-term precognition / see the future reference Hope - Teleportation  Sazh - Pryokinesis Snow - Sclerokinesis or Cryokinesis / defense and ice manipulation Vanille - Clairvoyance or invisibility Fang - Aerokinesis 

BONUSES:

Yuel - Duplication / Cause you know... the many yuels.. Noel - Aerokinesis Caius - Teleportation or Genesis Raines - Psychokinesis or Brain Eater / Pretty much the Kaahren of the game

[beyondspaceandstars]

While You Sleep

Chapter 10

Relationship: Bucky Barnes x Reader Warnings: SMUT, NSFW penetrative sex, dirty talk, fingering - 18+, minors dni Summary: Soulmate!AU - Throughout life, you’re given glimpses of your soulmate through dreams. As you sleep, memories flash in your mind showing you the life your soulmate has lived. Everyone around you raves about how their soulmate reads great books or volunteers in their spare time. But you can’t relate as your dreams end up being more like nightmares. Through initial images of death and violence, you come to learn your soulmate is the Winter Soldier.

(a/n: if smut is not your cup of tea please skip to the page break [denoted by the ***] b/c the little pillow talk afterwards relates to the overall story!)

Masterlist | Series Masterlist

Your head was absolutely spinning as you returned the kiss as passionately and strongly as Bucky had started it. Your lips molded together as if made for one another - but that’s right, they technically were, and suddenly it felt like everything had aligned. Like Fate herself had succeeded.

Your hand came up to Bucky’s jaw, caressing gently as he hummed into the kiss. His arms were locked securely around your waist. He pulled you into him as if you two could get any closer.

But then he broke the kiss suddenly, letting you two gasp for air. Although, there wasn’t really a moment to compose yourself. Just as fast as he kissed you, his lips now found their place on your neck. He nipped and sucked at your soft skin.

“You know,” you gasped as his lips continued their pleasant assault on your neck, “I don’t normally sleep with people after only the second date.”

Bucky chuckled, lowly. Dangerously. “You can’t make an exception for your soulmate?”

You couldn’t help but moan from the way the word tumbled off his lips so perfectly. “Say that again.”

“What?” He chuckled, playing dumb. “Soulmate?” You shyly nodded. 

“Come one, make an exception for me, doll,” he whispered as his hand traveled to the back of your thigh. “Let your soulmate make you feel good.”

That, for some reason, was just right for you. “Bucky…” you sighed as his hand began making its way higher, just skimming the bottom of your dress. Instinctively, you ground your hips into his, already feeling his hard-on forming.

You thought you were getting somewhere as his hand was now gripping your thigh, sure enough to leave bruises, but then all his actions stopped. His lips left your neck, letting the cool air hit the now raw and damp skin. Your jaw dropped, ready to protest, but he spoke before you had the chance.

“Our first time is not going to be in the kitchen,” Bucky said.

“Then point me to the bedroom because I don’t know how much longer I can stand here before I combust.”

Bucky just playfully rolled his eyes before doing something even more unexpected: he picked you up like you were the weight of paper and threw you over his shoulder. You squealed in surprise while he just laughed and began walking down to an off-shoot room from the main area. Next thing you know, you’re being draped gently across his bed. 

Bucky hovered, hands on either side of you. His lust-filled eyes raked over you, taking in the sight of your ruffled dress and braided hair. Both would be severely messed up in a short amount of time but for now, he just seemed to be enjoying seeing you in his bed. A soulmate in their soulmate’s bed. It didn’t feel real.

“Are you okay?” You whispered, placing your hand on his bicep, trying to coax him out of whatever thoughts were bombarding his brain. His sudden silence had made you a bit nervous thinking everything was going to dissolve. 

But Bucky nodded and said, “I can’t get over how gorgeous you look here, in my bed. Like this is where you belong.” 

Everything was suddenly on fire for you. From the desire pooling with you to the heat of his words… You didn’t know what else to do but throw your arms around his neck and pull him in for another kiss. While your first kiss was hot and heavy, this was slow and passionate. You had never touched like this nor had you been touched like this. Everything was so raw and significant. 

As your lips work, so did Bucky’s hands. You felt fingers gliding up your dress, slowly pushing it up until your panties were exposed. You didn’t even have time to worry about the fact they weren’t the fanciest piece you owned before Bucky was pushing them to the side and inserting one finger. He groaned against your lips at the wetness now coating his hand. 

“You’re soaking, sweetheart,” Bucky broke the kiss to moan, his finger pumping in a steady rhythm. “Feel so good already. Can’t wait to feel you around my cock.”

His words went straight to your core, surprising you slightly that this bold Bucky was hiding under that timid man you just met a week ago. 

“Bucky, please,” you groaned, bucking your hips for him to speed up. He just chuckled and gripped your hip with his metal arm, forcing you down. You gasped at the feeling of the cool material on your hot skin. 

Bucky suddenly added a second finger, picking up his motions as his thumb came up to rub your clit. “Just a second, doll. Be a good girl and cum on my fingers first.”

You couldn’t verbally respond. All you could do was nod your head, your eyes fluttering as your orgasm built and built in you. Bucky’s motions picked up and the pressure on your clit intensified. His lips found their way to your neck again and for some reason, this entire combination was the hottest thing. You let go, squirming and whimpering as your orgasm engulfed you. Bucky worked you through it, his fingers not faltering. You whispered his name over and over before you even began coming down from the high. 

When your breathing got back to normal, Bucky removed his fingers, making you whimper just slightly at the loss of contact. He chuckled, feeling his hot breath hitting your neck. “You sound so pretty when you come.” A kiss. “I can’t wait to hear it again.” 

Without much warning, realizing Bucky is quite the spontaneous man when he wanted to be, he pulled your panties down and undid the front of his dress pants. You felt his hard cock spring free against your thigh. You moaned at the feeling and bucked your hips again, silently begging for him to hurry along. The strength of his metal arm came into play again, as he forced your hips back down. A bruise was sure to form but that was the last of your worries. You just needed to feel him. 

“So impatient,” Bucky tsked. He began pumping his cock a few times then lined up with your entrance. He didn’t push it yet as if wanting to torture you again. 

You rolled your eyes, “I’m impatient? You couldn’t even wait until we were undressed.”

“Next time,” he said and entered you in one swift motion. The connection was felt in every inch of you, the sensation and passion of it all. Your back arched as he filled you gloriously. Head thrown back, eyes shut, you let out a loud moan.

Bucky let out a low chuckle before reconnecting your lips. He moved in and out of you in such a wonderful rhythm. You had never felt so full. 

“Bucky…” His name was all you could muster up anymore but that seemed to please him just well. 

“That’s it, doll,” he whispered. “Let this whole apartment building know who’s making you feel good.” He pulled up then slammed back into you. “Let them know it’s me, your soulmate, making you go all dumb from pleasure.”

You groaned at his dirty talk, the words sinking to your core in just the right ways. Your hands found their way to his neck and back, gripping and tugging at the skin and material. He kept his motions as your mind went dizzy from the feeling. 

“B-Bucky-,” you moaned, quite loudly. He felt you begin to tighten around him. 

Bucky chuckled again, “You gonna cum, doll? Gonna cum again for me?”

You nodded, unable to form many words anymore. Bucky didn’t mind, still pulling all the way out then rushing back in. 

“S-So deep…” you sighed, tightening his grip on you.

He hummed, quite pleased with himself. “Almost there, doll, right?” You nodded and it was the truth. You were one second away from erupting in his arms. “That’s right, sweetheart. Cum for your soulmate.”

The word was too much for you and you were almost — just almost — ashamed at how it made you cum right then and there. Your second orgasm ran through you making you twist and turn, hips bucking up to Bucky’s, as you let the sensation flow through you. Bucky didn’t stop his movement, just faltered them slightly, working you through it and chasing his own. He wasn’t too far behind you, almost immediately filling you up gloriously with his seed. He groaned deeply in your ear as he released making you squeal. 

Bucky sighed contently, looking down at your fucked out state. Your eyes were just barely still opened, brain overwhelmed and spinning by the intensity of your lover. He moved his hips one last time just to hear your little squeals of protests in overstimulation before chuckling and pulling out. Warmness leaked out of you and onto the sheets but you were too wrapped up in the previous events to really care.

Bucky now laid on his side next to you, arm propped up watching you. He had a silly, goofy smile on his face. You gave a small smile in return, feeling warm again under his dreamy gaze.

***

“You okay, doll?” Bucky chuckled.

You rolled your eyes, moving up more towards his pillows and finding a discarded blanket to pull around you. Despite the prior actions, a bit of nervousness was coming over you again. “I’m just fine.”

“Just fine?”

“More than fine,” you sighed. “Complete.”

“Complete?” He asked. You hadn’t expected his pillow talk to be a round of twenty questions.

You shrugged. “I don’t know how else to describe it.”

Bucky studied you for a moment before nodding. “I understand.”

And you knew he did. You had felt it in the movements and passion that seeped through both of you as you finally gave yourselves to one another. Fate played such tricky games, you thought.

But a new thought suddenly came over you as the excitement of your orgasm drifted away. While you felt you knew so much about the man who had just been inside you, you were worried you also knew too little. It was only the second date, your anxiety reminded you. And now you were looking at each other like this was your entire world. 

“Bucky,” you broke the silence, “what do you do for a living?”

He looked at you, quite stunned at the sudden shift in tone. Whatever it was, you knew he felt some movement with you, thanks to the soulmate attachment. 

“I work with Steve on the... team.”

“So, you are an Avenger?” Internet searches had been all over that place on that, you remembered from your first virtual hunt. 

Bucky’s lip formed a tight line as if confirming or denying would be a curse. “I don’t consider myself that.”

You frowned, “Why not?” Maybe this was suddenly going off the rails. You were going for light get-to-know-one-another conversation, like, a date, but somewhere a nerve was struck.

He sighed, then looked away from you. “You know, doll,” he let out a humorless chuckle, “this is some heavy pillow talk.”

A master of sidestepping. Your heart began pounding at the words. “I-I’m sorry,” you said. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just…. I just wanted to get to know you better.”

“Do you feel like we’re strangers?”

You signed, defeated. “I-I guess yes and no. You’ve been a part of me for so long but it’s also been... I don’t think I can describe it, but what’s new, right? I think this bond and our… our actions tonight are going to my head.”

Bucky didn’t say anything as he threw his arm around you, pulling you tightly into him. His hand rubbed your back soothingly. You melted into his touch, face pressed into the crook of his neck. 

“Look,” Bucky began, “I get it, trust me, I know it’s a lot.” He sighed. “But I also believe if we do what feels right to us, we’ll be on the right path. You gotta remember, doll, in some ways, we’re it for each other. This has to make sense on some level.” 

You didn’t know what to make of Bucky’s words. You felt them, you understood them, but you also were just reeling in from tonight. You didn’t want him to think you were having post-sex regrets but you also felt drunk on the sensations. And you couldn’t turn it off. 

But you didn’t say any of this, you just nodded. “I understand, Bucky.”

He rubbed your back in acknowledgment. Master of trying to change subjects, he said next, “So, do I get to ask you now about your career?”

You let out a weak giggle. “I guess so.”

“Did you always dream of serving coffee?”

“No,” you shook your head. “It just landed in my lap after a not-so-successful college stunt. But I’ve made it work and, really, if I hadn’t kept it, I never would’ve met Steve.” A light bulb went off. “Then I never would’ve found you.”

Bucky’s grip on you tightened at your words. You could practically hear his heart pounding out of his chest. His hold on you felt so right, so at home, you realized as a little tug fell on your heart after your admission. 

“Never thought I’d be genuinely thankful for coffee.”

You gave a small laugh at that and got comfier in Bucky’s arms. Eventually, you two drifted off to sleep, totally engrossed in the feeling of one another. A feeling much more innocent, but just as strong. 

That night, as Bucky held you like you were his last lifeline in this world, you had no nightmares. It was like they didn’t even dare to come back. This gave you just the bloom of hope that everything was indeed falling into place as all makers of fate had intended. 

The dream was like a soothing lullaby. You were treated to a scene of Bucky shopping. He seemed to be at some fruit stand, picking out produce. The feelings were a bit odd, more like he was lost yet focused in the moment. But they were much milder, much more welcoming, than anything else from the past images. You accepted it. Took it in greatly. As you slept, you felt you two got closer. You heard Bucky at one point sigh in content.

[sassyhobbits]

for one night standards would you write a scene where aelin cant be found in the castle maybe bc shes doing sth ridiculous with her daughter like a mother daughter photoshoot to surprise rowan with later but when rowan can't find her he gets all panicked and out of his mind bc he still has unresolved trauma from when she was kidnapped and its all angsty until he has both back in his arms but also gives rowan a chance to talk and work through his experience with aelin gone? (because lets face it he probably ignores his feelings about that as much as possible in order to not burden aelin further and because it was just too painful)

loved this idea!!! i also added the prompt “Because I know when I open my eyes this will all turn out to be a dream and I’ll lose you again“ Thank you to everyone who supported ONS!! i had such a fun time writing it and im always happy to come back to it. enjoy!!

~~~

Rowan Whitethorn was generally a patient man.

He knew how to wait his turn, to take his time. He was always one to raise a brow at those who seemed to be in a harried rush to everything. It seemed stressful, to say the least. He was perfectly content to sit back when needed.

Except for now.

He had made a trip back home to Doranelle to surprise Isolde for her graduation from her masters program. Aelin had wanted to come as well, but with the baby and the responsibilities she had back in Orynth, it just hadn’t worked out. Still, she sent her well-wishes to Isolde through a video chat, letting little Eliora babble into the camera and say hello as well.

Their daughter was just over six months now, already growing far too fast for Rowan’s liking. He treasured every moment he got to spend with his two favorite girls.

And although he was always happy to see his family back in Doranelle, it had been the longest he had been away since Eliora had been born. It made him highly impatient to return home.

His jet touched down in Terrasen in the early afternoon. It was summer, though the day was mild. The sky was a vivid blue, fat white clouds floating lethargically on the breeze. Absolutely beautiful.

Due to the time difference, he hadn’t been able to call Aelin before he had got on the plane. He tried to reach her as he slid into the dark sedan that would drive him from the airport to the palace, but all he got was her voicemail.

Maybe she was in the shower, or changing Eliora’s diaper. Maybe their daughter had a finicky night of sleeping and now the pair were trying to catch up on their slumber. It was fine. Or so Rowan told himself. He still hadn’t been able to stop the small clench of nerves at the pit of his stomach.

He scolded those foolish feelings. Of course his wife and daughter were safe. They were just waiting for him to return.

The drive was quick and easy and he was back at the palace before he knew it. His feet carried him towards the room he shared with Aelin, a small smile curling on his lips as he thought about having his wife and daughter in his arms once more. He missed the feeling of Aelin curled against him as they slept.

“Aelin?” he called, pushing into their room and nudging the door shut behind him. “I’m home.”

He was greeted by nothing but silence. No sound of running water in the bathroom to suggest a shower, so soft snores or shifting sheets meaning a nap. He strode into the bedroom, finding that the bed was already neatly made, not a thread out of place.

He dropped his bags by the dresser, noting that Aelin’s phone had been left there, face up. He picked it up, seeing that she still had the notification of a missed call from him and a few miscellaneous emails that hadn’t been checked.

“Aelin?” he said again, moving towards the nursery. He had gotten used to the sight of Aelin sitting in the rocking chair with Eliora, either when the babe was hungry or she just wanted to hold her daughter. Rowan had countless pictures on his phone of the two of them in that position. The sunlight streamed from the window and hit them just right in the mornings, making them look like a painting.

But the nursery was empty and the window was shut.

Those nerves reared their ugly heads once more. He had no reason to assume the worst, the palace was one of the safest places in the kingdom.

But… Aelin had once been snatched away from him on palace grounds. During their own wedding.

Rowan shook himself. No. That was the past. This was now.

Since his wife didn’t have her phone, he knew it would be fruitless to try and contact her that way. But, Rowan knew Aelin better than he knew himself.

He began a sweep of the palace, checking out her favorite haunts. The library was a bust, so was the gym. He had checked the kitchens to see if she had swooped in for a snack or something sweet, but she wasn’t there either. Rowan luckily ran into Aedion, asking the prince if he knew where Aelin was. But her cousin hadn’t seen her at all that morning.

With each failed attempt at finding them, Rowan’s fears steadily crept up. It wouldn’t be much longer before they had wrapped themselves around his throat and pulled him deep into their depths.

He took a long breath to center himself before striding out into the gardens. His heart started beating faster, not seeing any sign of her at first. Rowan’s fingers curled into tight fists as he stepped over fresh, green grass. Gods, where were they? If something had happened to them…

But before Rowan’s fears could conquer him, he heard a soft voice on the summer breeze. A familiar voice at that. Relief washed through him, heavenly and soothing, as he followed that melodic sound.

It was Aelin. It didn’t take him long to realize that she was reading one of Eliora’s favorite books to her. It was a silly tale, and it was made even more vivid when Aelin told it. She was an excellent story-teller. They didn’t know how much Eliora really understood, whether she just liked the brightly colored pictures or the faces her mother would make when she told it. Regardless, it always made the little princess smile.

Rowan rounded a hedge, a warmth spreading through his chest at the sight before him.

Aelin had spread out a large quilt under the shade of a willow. Some of Eliora’s toys were scattered about, but currently, the toddler sat in her mother’s lap, wide-eyes glued on the book before her.

Rowan couldn’t help but think Aelin looked stunning today. Her golden hair was left loose, swaying on the breeze, the summer sun bringing a healthy flush to her cheeks. She wore a silky, pale blue wrap-dress, bare feet tucked beneath her as she read. Eliora looked mighty charming too in a bright pink dress with a matching bow.

Rowan strolled towards them, Aelin’s eyes jumping towards him as she noticed his presence. A huge smile broke out on her stunning face.

“You’re home!” she greeted, putting the book she had been reading aloud down. Eliora, no longer entertained by her mother’s storytelling, crawled over the quilt to grab one of her brightly colored toys. “I thought you were going to call me when you landed?”

“I did, Fireheart,” Rowan said. He lowered herself behind Aelin on the blanket, his wife situated between his legs, before wrapping his arms tightly around her and tugging her back into his chest securely. “You left your phone in our room.”

Rowan placed a lingering kiss on Aelin's shoulder, breathing in her scent deeply. She was safe, in his arms, Eliora happy as can be, sticking her toys in her mouth. Everything was fine.

Aelin turned in his arms slightly, brows knitted slightly. Rowan knew she could see right through him.

“What is it, Ro?”

“It’s nothing, love.”

Aelin narrowed her eyes at him, as if to say, Don’t you lie to me, Buzzard.

Rowan heaved a sigh, reaching out and brushing some of Aelin’s silky hair behind her ear. “It’s just… you didn’t answer me when I called, and I couldn’t find you and Eliora when I got back. I just couldn’t help but think…” His hand drifted until it rested on Aelin’s abdomen, right over the scar she bore from fighting her way to freedom. He saw understanding on his wife’s face.

“We’re here, Rowan. We’re safe.” She placed a gentle hand on Rowan’s cheek, bringing his gaze towards her.

“I know,” Rowan whispered, jaw clenched. “But sometimes, I just worry that when I open my eyes, this will all turn out to be a dream. And I’ll lose you all over again.”

Aelin took his hand, giving it a firm squeeze. “This is real, Rowan. We both fought for this life, for each other. And nothing, nothing, is going to take it away. Ever.”

Rowan saw the determination blazing in Aelin’s eyes. She was right, of course. This was their life now, they had built their happiness bit by bit, even when so much seemed to want to go wrong. But Aelin and Eliora… they were everything to him. He didn’t know if he would ever be able to banish his fears entirely, but he would treasure every moment he spent with them.

Rowan leaned in, kissing Aelin softly before murmuring against her lips, “I missed you.”

She smiled, kissing him again. “I missed you too, Ro.”

They indulged in a few more slow, sweet kisses before loud babbling sounded, tiny hands twisting into Rowan’s trouser. He looked down, finding Eliora’s wide eyes looking up at him, flashing a gummy smile.

Aelin laughed. “It looks like someone else missed you, too.”

Rowan grinned, reaching out and picking up his daughter. He held her up high, making her release the sweetest little laughs, little legs kicking in delight. He kissed Eliora all over her little face before tucking her in one arm, throwing the other around Aelin. Immense love and devotion flowed through him, holding his two girls close.

No wonder why he had been so impatient to get home.

[equestrianwritingsstuff]

Ooh! I just discovered you from the Bad Things Happen Bingo and I love your writing already! Could I potentially request the Bleeding Out prompt as a prequel for the Soup for the Sick story you wrote?

Thank you for the ask! I had to look up prequel to make sure that you meant before the events of Personalized Caretaker Part 1, and not after 😂. Here you go! In reference to this post.

So, with that note, this piece happened before Part 1 of Personalized Caretaker.

Personalized Caretaker Part 2

Part 1

Warnings: blood, vomit, losing consciousness, faking an injury, drugged whumpee, fear, implied touch starvation

*not edited*

~

Civilian hopped onto her couch, legs resting on the armrest and flicked on the television, going straight for Netflix.

It was a normal day, serene and tranquil with the perfect amount of work that made Civilian feel good inside.

She lazily gnawed on a piece of beef jerky and selected The Kissing Booth for personal enjoyment. Something cheesy and romantic to vibe to as she decompressed- even the best days required a period of relaxation.

But, her period of relaxation was very rudely interrupted by a thud. Right outside her door.

Civilian froze, heart racing, as her mind involuntarily replayed every known horror movie. She was the victim, the bad guy was going to break in and slash her throat as she unceremoniously says, "Who's there?"

Civilian shuddered, turning off the television, and slowly standing up. She grabbed her remote control as a weapon and very, very slowly, like a ninja, stalked stealthily up to the door.

"Who's there?" Civilian asked. Crap, her fatal flaw. Now the bad guy was going to rush out and murder her, then the police would come and there would be ten more killings and then there would be a ghost that was a moaning lady with pale skin and black hair that was hung in the woods seventy-some years ago and then it is reincarnated to be a doll that haunts children and-

Civilian drew in a deep breath. Don't freak out, don't freak out. It was probably a bird that weighed the size of a man- a bad man- that crashed into the window and died. And died. And died. And died. It was gone. Instead of using a remote, she should be using a plastic bag.

"Stop it Civilian, you paranoid freak," she yelled at herself, very loudly, her voive taut with utter fear as she peered through the shades.

The first thing she saw was blood.

Smeared blood in the direction of downwards, leading directly to...

A body.

Civilian felt nausea rise in her throat as literally the blood drained from her face. She wasn't the first victim, the poor human in opening credits, she was the next victim and her house was the killer's stash.

Probably to blame her for the death. To redirect the suspicion.

She had to hide the body and burn it before the cops came. Oh boy, the killer probably already called them. Crap crap crap.

Civilian whisked the door open, tossing her grand weapon of plastic and onto a nearby table, and prepared to wrap the body in a black bag.

The body moved.

Civilian screamed.

The body was not a body, it was a living man.

"Oh my gosh sir? Sir! Are you okay? Sir! Sir!" Civilian grabbed her hair and started to paced. "This can't be happening. This can't be happening. There is a bleeding man on my fricking doorstep." She started to ramble, muttering nonsensical curses and words that weren't going to help the dying man.

She was panicking, completely hyperventilating, by the time the man moved more than a shaky, uneven breath.

His eyes opened, revealing a drop-dead gorgeous icy blue. Eyelashes fluttered in the most enearding way as the man struggled to keep his consciousness to himself. Lips quivered as he whole face bunched together in an expression of pain.

Civilian didn't know if she could handle it.

"Are you doing to die?" She asked, rushed and abruptly. The man looked his clouded gaze on her. It took a moment, but he spoke,

"Heroes. Heroes, they are coming. Run, get outta here. Get outta here!"

Civilian shrieked, glancing hurriedly around. An insane plot twist, the good guys were the bad guys and...

Wait, this wasn't a movie.

And why was this man so scared of the heroes? Unless, of course, he was...

A villain.

Civilian covered her mouth and dropped to her knees. A v-v-villain? Was at her door? Civilian pinched herself to see if she was sleeping, but the nightmare didn't vanish. She was stuck in reality. Someone go get her a soda...

Villain's eyelids drooped as he weakly extended his arm. "Please," he begged. "I need help." Then his arm went slack.

Civilian was close to hysterics.

But nonetheless, out of fear, she grabbed the man's arm and attempted to pull him inside. She silently cursed. Her twigs for limbs could barely carry a box of mason jars; what made her think she could drag a two hundred pound full-grown adult male?

It was a taxing project that left Civilian in tangled limps, just begging for sleep. The man didn't stir at all, not even when Civilian's fist went into the gaping wound in his stomach.

Aw man, that was disgusting. Civilian vomited into a nearby trashcan before returning to figure out WHAT THE HECK TO DO!!!

"Can you wake up?" Civilian asked. "Please? I-i... how do I... how do I do this?"

Civilian was on the verge of tears, but then she reminded herself. This isn't a movie, he won't be miraculously healed after a good night's sleep.

With a quick reference to Google, Civilian finally felt prepared. She ran to get a pillow and slipped it under Villain's head. His eyelids fluttered as his eyes cracked open, but then they slipped close again.

Next she removed his shirt and was quite awestruck at the sight. Other than the painted crimson, his abdomen really was the definition of ab-domen. Hard muscles were lined perfectly.

Okay Civilian, someone is dying, don't admire it.

She placed one hand above and the other in the wound to staunch the bleeding. After the blood flow slowed, she lifted his legs to rest on the armrests in a similar position that she was in earlier.

Next, she jumped some hydrogen peroxide in and bandaged the wound. The villain never awoke.

Once the looming danger was gone, Civilian just stood there awkwardly. Dried blood crusted on his skin, but at least it wasn't wet.

So she stood there, arms crossed as meaningless thoughts rushed through her head.

What do call a male ladybug?

Is grass the earth's hair?

Do pineapples come from pine trees?

Why is a villain on my couch?

Civilian sat down, keeping a good three feet distance from the assumed murderer, and turned on the TV to resume her movie.

She leaned her head back, exhaustion tugging at her eyelids, but she refused sleep. Especially when a villain was slumbering next to her with one arm over his face.

He looked like a monkey.

One of those pale faced, brown haired primates from Curious George.

Not that his ears were splayed out or anything, the monkey had very tiny, collected ears that hid under his fluffy brown hair. His nose also held that itty-bitty appearance, perfectly formed to his face with the faintest trace of freckles.

He was cute.

Like a monkey.

Or not, as Civilian found monkeys utterly disgusting.

So cute, like a kitten.

Civilian smiled, looking down at her lap. Another thing Wikihow said that Civilian scowled at and ignored before. Put the victim's head in your lap to calm and keep them comfortable.

It wouldn't hurt, right? The villain wasn't even conscious, and he lost so much blood that he probably wouldn't remember anything if he did wake up.

She just met him.

Stress can increase heart rate which may be detrimental. Civilian scrunched her forehead. Was that even true?

Who cares. Civilian scotted her skinny self over and laid the villain's head in her lap. Then, temptation started its charismatic monologue.

Stroke his head. Be nice, clean his chin. Wipe the dirt off his eye.

Civilian hesitantly put her hand on his grimey hair- ew, he needed a shower ASAP- and gingerly patted it. Patted it, like petting a dog.

It was embarrassingly awkward.

For the next few hours, Villain slept. Civilian also dozed off between getting yummy smelling candles to fend off the revolting scent od blood and crackers to aimlessly gnaw on.

She watched through the first Kissing Booth and the second one when a thought struck her.

Pain.

The villain would be in pain when he woke up.

And the only thing Civilian had was Ibuprofen.

Like those barely took the edge off a headache, much less a gash the size of a baseball.

She reached for her phone to call her friend at the local drug store. Putting on a squeaky voice, Civilian said,

"Can you, uh, get me something for pain?"

"Slow down, Civilian. What?"

"I don't know benadryl or a very strong pain reliever," Civilian bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut. Stupid stupid stupid...

"What did you do?"

"I, uh, sprained my ankle."

"You sprained your ankle?"

"Mhm hurts like-"

"Okay! I don't need your swear word dictionary. I'll bring you something after work."

"Thanks, oh owowowowowowo."

"Goodbye Civilian."

The line clicked.

Civilian smiled to herself and popped another cracker in her mouth. Problem solved.

The blood on the door.

Crap.

Civilian set Villain's head back on a pillow and ran to the frontdoor.

Great, just great.

Civilian flipped the middle finger at Villain's sleeping figure and walked out the door. She would meet her friend before she saw the splatters of blood.

Civilian sat herself on the curb, throwing her newly "spraind" leg out, letting out an insanely loud groan, and leaned back on her elbows.

"Oh my goodness! Civilian," her friend leaped from her black car and ran over. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Civilian waved it off. "Just wanted some air and the house is a mess, so."

Civilian, you are dumb.

"You sure? You asked to be hospitalized once because you stubbed your toe and the fact that a sprained ankle isn't bugging you... I am wholeheartedly worried."

"Don't be," Civilian chuckled. "How was work?"

Friend gave her a skeptical look. "Fine," she drawled.

"Good," Civilian nodded slowly, tapping the ground with her fingers. "So thank you for the painkillers."

"Mhm," Friend handed Civilian the plastic bag slowly. "How did you sprain it?"

"Uhhh fell out of the shower."

Friend looked genuinely concerned.

"Tripped and fell," Civilian repeated herself awkwardly. "On the ground?" Why did she have to say it as a question?

She was awkward and sounded hilariously awkward as well.

"Klutz," Friend joked, but her face was still taut with worry. "Need help getting inside?"

"No no!" Civilian exclaimed. Friend stepped back, so Civilian laughed to alleviate the tension. "I should walk it out."

"Ooookay," Friend said, nodding. "Good for you. I'm gonna go. I have a dinner date with this dude from Tinder."

"Oooo good luck," Civilian said, faking a wince as she stood up. Friend rushed in to help.

"Don't," Civilian cautioned, raising her "hurt" leg up. Friend looked at it and scowled.

"Dang leg huh? Well bye-bye. Don't fall out of the shower anymore. Got it?"

"Yup," Civilian said and fake limped back to her house as Friend sped away.

Missiom accomplished.

Villain was stirring when Civilian sat back down.

Perfect timing also.

She rummaged through the bag and grabbed a bottle of valium. She popped the recommended dosage out and approached Villain.

He was still too dazed and disoriented to stop Civilian from helping him swallow, but the second the water touched his tongue, he woke up fully.

"What are you doing? Don't touch me!" He yelled, pulling away. Civilian also backed away, a frown forming on her face.

"Me? I saved your life."

Villain was silent. "How much did you touch me?"

"Enough to save your life."

Villain jerked, looking around as if somone was in the shadows. Paranoid, Civilian copied him.

"What's wrong with you?" Civilian asked.

"You touched me?"

Civilian didn't say anything. She crossed her arms and shifted her weight to one leg, examining the villain.

Villain jerked to his feet, swaying madly. Civilian's heart jumped. He was so unsteady...

He fell, but Civilian swooped in to catch him.

For a moment, the villain melted into her half-embrace, head resting gently on her shoulder, before pulling away. He bit his cheeks, seemingly trying to keep tears back.

"What... are you? Are, are you scared of getting a hug? Sheesh."

"Mmm no," Villain shook his head quickly, then sat down as if the feat made him dizzy.

"Mmm yes," Civilian sat down next to him. The villain looked confused, but that may be the drugs kicking in.

Soon Villain's eyes starting to droop and he swayed in his sitting position.

"Whatdya give me?" He slurred, a faraway look in his eyes. "Mm tired." He collapsed forward.

Civilian steadied him and helped him lay back down. He groaned pathetically and grappled at Civilian's hand, desperate to hold it.

He held her hand until he fell asleep.

[maemi324]

The Love of The Mob Boss

hello there friends! here I am part two of the Mafia story. Well it’s a prequel. I wouldn’t have thought to make one if it wasn’t for @dorki-c​ so thank you! Also! I have @combat-wombatus​ and @lucyheartfilias-wife​ for taking a look at this story and editing! You can read part one here: mafia

Warnings: Kidnapping, gun violence, minor character death? i think that’s all. if anyone see’s that there needs to be another warning, please let me know and I’ll add it to the tag list.

@butterscotchbaku​ and @in-this-house-we-stan-izuku​ I hope you like part two! Enjoy!

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

Today was just like any other day. The 3pm sun was shimmering without a cloud to be seen in the sky. 

You eyed your nails, hardly paying attention to the rhythmic pounding of the dryer as you perched on the washing machine. You’d left your washing until the last minute, not having much of a will to do it earlier in the week. Thankfully, this was the last load. You smiled, faintly pleased; all before mom came home too. You glanced up from your nails to the open door that lead into the garage, summer air gently rustling your skirt.

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway caught your attention, hopping off of the machine. 

It was a bit early for your mom to be home, but you didn’t think much of it. Maybe today was just well executed productivity for the both of you.

The dryer slowed to a stop, as you grabbed your basket to fill up, footsteps approaching from behind you.

“Hey mom! You’re home a bit early!” you called, fingers flying to your lips as some static from one of your socks zaps you rather harshly.

“Sorry to disappointed,” a deep voice called, “ But it’s not your mom”  “Oh, hey.”

A strange sort of disappointment flooded you; it was only your dad. He was hardly in the picture while you were growing up, though managed to stick around like some fungus even after the divorce. He usually only came over to beg your mother for some cash, just a little to get gas even, the rest was going towards rent. 

You never really stuck around long enough to see the result of whether mom did or didn’t give into him, finding more interesting topics in your books or literally anything else. 

You closed the dryer with a bump of your hip, adjusting the laundry pile so it was equally distributed within the basket.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here for the usual. Though I do need some help. Could you come shine a light? I think there’s something wrong with my car. I figured I’d stop here rather than on the road”

You sighed, but set down the basket, so much for getting all the folding done, “Yeah sure, I’ll be right there” You walk into the garage, spotting your father, dressed casually with his hands in his pockets. He had dark circles underneath his eyes and (H/C) stubble that seemed to be growing out.

He gives you an awkward smile that you pay no heed to, walking towards one of the shelves where you kept a few extra flashlights, just in case.

That was your mistake.

Calloused hands grab your arms, shifting to hold them with one hand as he drags you to the car.

“Wait- what the hell?! What are you doing- Let go of me!” Your heart was pounding in your chest, blood rushing through your ears, everything was far too loud and yet so muffled and clear. You struggled against him, kicking back against his shin, but it only gave him a better grasp on you as his left arm grabbed you around your waist, his right fiddling with some old rope he found on the ground. 

“Shh, stop fighting- Stop! This will all be so much easier if you just hold still!” he wasn’t making any sense, what would be so much easier?! You didn’t care, you didn’t want anything to do with him and whatever sick joke he was playing.

“Mom! Someone! Anyone! Help me!” you shouted in vain, the rough material of the rope burning as he pulled tight around your wrists, tossing you into the passenger side of the car, buckling you in.

“Dad, please, what are you doing?!” tears blurred your vision, fear clogging your judgement. You wriggled in your seat as he closed the car door. Getting in on his side, he buckled and backed out. 

That’s how you found yourself standing in front of a warehouse somewhere downtown a few hours later. The jab of a gun in your back reminds you to keep quiet, your fathers free hand opening the warehouse door just big enough to get you inside. 

It’s dark inside, except for the sunlight that enters through the various windows scattered about. Aside from a few various, but large, rows of crates, boxes and a stack of fold out chairs, the warehouse is empty.

A whine tears itself from your fear clogged throat, your palms becoming more clammy in the cool air. The five snaps of the fold out chairs being set up had you wincing at each sound. 

Your father gestures towards a chair with the gun, another involuntary whine escaping. You sit down in the one furthest from him, though with the gun in his hand it hardly matters. 

“Now you just take it easy,” he says, settling into one of the other chairs, “You’re gonna help your old man with something. Gonna be over before you know it alright? I promise. Just sit here and let Daddy do all the talking alright sweetie?”

Anger settled over you, arms tense as it flows through your veins; no it wasn’t alright at all! This was insane, something that would happen in a bad dream! This had to be a bad dream.

The waiver in his hand, the gun still aimed directly at you, had your dreams crushed as reality continued to play out. You could only watch him, tears streaming down your cheeks.

“You can be as mad at me as ya like, I deserve it, and you can chew me out about it once it’s done. I promise” 

Another empty promise, just like all the promises to stop gambling, like all the times he promised to stop spending so much money on...whatever it was. All lies

The door to the entrance creaked loud enough to send ice down your veins, your heart beating in a tizzy as three forms entered the room. All three were dressed nicely, suits you come to notice, as they approach. Your father quickly put the gun down, putting it away and out of sight.

The first one had a dark blue tie, pristine and perfect, taking an easy seat in front of you and your father. He took out a cigar, holding it out for the other man- red tie- to light it for him. The last to take a seat was a man with a white tie, broad shoulders set in perfect posture.

Your father bowed his head, though you kept your eyes trained on blue tie.

Smoke spills from the man's lips as he pulls them into a slightly amused grin. “So (L/N), here we meet again. So nice to see you” his grin doesn’t meet his eyes, sarcasm laced in smoke. 

“A-and y-you as well, Sir” your father pathetically stammers out, raising his head again.

“Could I hope to think that you have what you owe?” he takes a deep drag, blowing the putrid smoke towards you. You scrunch up your nose in disgust. 

“N-no sir, h-however, I have a proposition for you, if you’ll please hear me out” he quickly gets up from his chair, the henchmen watching his move like hawks. He places an unwanted hand on your shoulder.

“I’m offering you my daughter, just until I can pay you back, which will be soon. You can do whatever you want, just upon my last payment, she comes back home with me, unharmed” His eyes were wide, smile stretched wide enough to hurt.

“What?!” You whirl around towards your father as best as you could, shock settling over your form. Whatever they wanted?! That wasn’t for him to offer!

Blue tied man stood up, walking over towards you. The hand on your shoulder slipped off, though its weight almost increased in its absence. A warm finger slipped it’s way under your chin, tilting your tear stained face up towards him.

His eyes were cold, though filled with a pleased tint that turned your stomach.

More tears leaked down your cheeks and he cooed, thumb swiping over it. As he pulled his hand away from you he licked his thumb.

“I think we can work with that”

Your tears fell faster now, as hiccups left you, how could this be happening. The hand returned to your shoulder, “Don’t worry sweetie, you’ll be just fine. It’ll all be just fine, thank you so much sir-” 

Bang!

The sound echoed throughout the room, sunset light blocked by three shadows. 

In walked in a young man not much older than yourself, bright green eyes, and matching hair, steeled with determination, gun in his hand. He was dressed in a black vest, green long sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows and dark pants. 

The second shadow belonged to a man with blonde hair and mean red eyes, a snarl on his lip as his gun aimed towards the red tied man.

The last belonged to a man with red and white hair, parted perfectly down the middle, the red side having a bright blue eye, the white having a brown one. His gun was aimed towards the white.

The blue tied man seemed surprised, blowing out another puff of smoke. He steps back from you, offering his most charming smile, “Ah, Deku and Friends. So sorry this warehouse is occupied. I’m afraid whatever business you have here is either not here, or should be dealt with elsewhere.  I’m afraid You’ve caught me right in the middle of business.”

What? That couldn’t be right...The Deku? Japan’s highest ranking mafia leader? Direct descendant of All Might?! What on Earth could he want? What sort of messed up deal did your father make?!

The other colored ties stood up from their positions, guns aimed at the newcomers. The green eyed one- Deku- stepped forward, gun held carefully in his hand.

“Actually, my business is with you, actually, with this lady here,” he stated, “She’ll be coming back with me to her mother.” His statement left no room for argument, no room for misinterpretation.

“Mom?” You turned towards them further, hope igniting in your chest for the first time in what felt like hours. He nods at you, a smile that reaches his eyes. 

“Just right outside,” he reassures. 

“With you?” Blue tie asks, eyes wide, “ What audacity you have Deku. Even amongst our kind, business doesn’t work this way-”

Bang!

With a shriek you turn your eyes away, scrunching them shut, the thud of the red tied man echoing over and over and over-

It all turns into gunshots, two more you recognize, but it feels as though they keep going, your eardrums ringing. There are hands suddenly at your shoulders, gentle and soft. You recognize them as others take off the rope at your wrists. 

You hesitantly open your eyes, immediately throwing yourself forward into your mothers arms. You sob, deep within your chest as she carefully wraps her arms around you, her whispers barely sounding through the groans of pain echoing throughout the room.

“It’s alright now, honey. It’s alright, I’m here now” She says, her own eyes watery. She pets your hair carefully, glancing up as a slightly scarred hand is placed gently on your mothers shoulder. 

Looking up, your eyes catch your hero, Deku.

“Dynamite, will you handle the rest of this? I’m going to escort Mrs.(L/N) and (Y/N) back,” He says, though whatever answer this Dynamite has is lost on you, your focus fading in and out. 

Deku beckoned the way forward with a gesture of his arm, a gentle insistence to get moving. You blinked and suddenly you were sitting in a car, buckled in next to your mother, your knuckles turning white with how hard you gripped. She made no expression of pain, only gripping your hand just as tight.

You blink again and you appear to be in a room, sitting on a soft, dull, mint green couch. The room itself is unimpressive, looking to be more like an office break room than anything, walls a soft cream color, the floors- although soft- an unimpressive soft blue. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw a fridge and some counter space that had a rather large kettle and two boxes of various packets. 

Down on one knee is this Deku, eyes carefully scanning over you as his mouth moves, saying words that you’re slowly being able to process again.

“...Think she’s coming back, (Y/N)? (Y/N), can you hear me? You don’t have to say anything, just nod if you can hear me” his voice is so soft, though solid, not even a waiver to it. It’s so nice to listen to, you find yourself nodding. The smile that you are rewarded with fills your stomach with a comforting warmth.

He adjusts so he’s sitting on the coffee table, offering you a cup of what smells like warm tea.

“Careful, it’s a bit hot. Also a little on the sweet side, though sweet is good for shock, or so I hear,” he rambled, eyes widening as he nearly spilt the drink in his animated gestures. 

You outstretched your slightly shaking hands, only vaguely recognizing that there was a soft cream blanket draped over your shoulders. You carefully take the cup, Deku only letting go once he’s sure you had a good hold of it. A sip has warmth you didn’t know you were missing flood through your system, the sweet taste bringing back some awareness.

He lets you take a moment to sit back and process everything that just happened, he and your mother sipping on their own cups of tea. The shaking decreased as you sipped your tea, though you had an inkling it would be a while longer until it was completely gone. You could still feel yourself fading in and out of focus, though now, it was more like a daydream, rather than being in a completely different place at each second.

“You must have quite a few questions for me?”

“A few to say the least,” you tried a hand at humor, though it fell sort of flat, you appreciated his soft laugh. “Let’s start at the beginning, how did the two of you know where to find me?”

“I knew something had gone wrong the second i got home,” Your mother set down her now half empty cup of tea, “I found it odd that the garage door was open, clothes on the dryer, but not a single sign of you, even when I called. My worry only got worse as I found this,” she pulled a worn wallet out of her pocket, “It’s your fathers, the bastard must have dropped it. It’s a good thing he did though, it let me know he’d been there. It wasn’t much but it was something.”

You narrowed your eyes at the offending item, as if you could set it ablaze with sight alone. 

“And...where do you come in? The media might not know your face, but your title reaches far.” 

“I can answer that too; I actually used to be a part of this group, back in the day. Though that was when All Might was still running the show. Even though I retired from this life after having you, I remained in touch, checking in every now and again. I knew that Deku could help me find you, he has eyes across the entire city.”

This was so much to wrap your head around, first your father was in some dealings with this gang- the Ties you’d decided to call them- decided to try and use you to pay off the rest of his debt, but now your mom was once a part of the gang that rescued you? Was the room spinning or was it just you?

“Whoa there!” a steady hand went to your shoulder, the other gently wrapped around the hands that held your cup. Concerned green eyes meet yours. Gently, he raises your cup to your lips, your hands still firmly wrapped around the cup. "Here, maybe take another sip of this, slowly.” 

You follow his instruction, taking a deep breath, exhaling through your nose, you take a slow sip. You try and focus on the taste of the honey sweetening your tea. Instead of syrup of golden hue, your mind is trained into a lake of turquoise and teal, green bouncing off rays of light.

At your reassuring nod, he let go of your shoulder and hands. You bow your head forward, “In any event, thank you for coming to my rescue. I’m not sure how to repay you-” he holds up a hand, fear spiking your heart...oh no, was he going to do something similar like The Ties? Just up to his standards?

“No need to thank me, it wasn’t any trouble. However, we do need to talk about what happens from here. If this were any other gang, I’d say that we would escort you home and you could go on your merry way. But this isn’t just any other gang, they’re called The Royal Devils.” Huh, that was definitely a more intimidating name than The Ties for sure, “They have a way of doing business that we don’t exactly agree with here. They’re a mean bunch, and they won't like the fact that we’ve interrupted a deal, especially one to collect on a debt. Which means that they’ll be looking for not just my gang, but you too”

It was a bitter pill to swallow, a pill that rattled with dried fear and misplaced resentment. Your emotions felt like a toddler who had just had enough, the ones who screamed in the stores because everything was just too much. But you kept your cool as best as you could, screaming and crying wouldn’t help the situation. 

“So...What do we do then? It’s not like we can just crash somewhere else?” No hotel or motel could keep you safe enough, as well as both of the two being too expensive to stay extensively.

“Well, I have a few ideas, a few options if you will. You see, I’ve been working to take down The Royal Devils, and we’re really close to doing so with the intel we have. Now that we’ve caught their attention directly, it’ll be a bit harder, like i said, they’ll be coming for us.” As he spoke, Deku’s hand gestures became quicker, more animated, his gaze looking far away as he focused. 

“So the first option is to have the two of you go home..but have some of my gang keep watch over your every move, just in case the Devils decide to strike there. It would be more comfortable for you to be in a familiar place, however, It paints a bigger target and leaves some of my guys out of where I need them. I’m not just putting any old schmuck to guard you. Your second option is to stay here, at least until I run the Devils into their graves. You’d be safer here and the target remains relatively small, no one knows the location of this specific base. The choice is yours.”

You hadn’t considered the thought of staying, but if it really was the safest option- as much as you would have liked to go home…

You looked over to your mother, you could tell what her choice was.

“We’ll stay here then, just until this matter is solved.”

And so he set you and your mother up in some makeshift rooms provided by this tall young woman named Yaomomo- or that’s what Deku called her. You were given the option to have a shared room, but ultimately decided that having personal space would be good. The first night there however, your mother cuddled underneath her sheets, holding you so close you almost couldn’t breathe. You hardly minded, preferring the safety her hold brought to you.

In the days following you learned that your father had died, though at whose hands, you weren’t sure you wanted to know-wanted to care even. Half of you wanted to be sad, he was your father and apart from the kidnapping, he’d never hurt you, not even once. 

The other half of you found contentment in your rage being satisfied, justified. He’d taken you from your home and tried to use you for his own gain- he didn’t even talk to you about it! Not that you would have said yes in the first place.

You would have found a different way, maybe once your mother knew how desperate your father was, she would have helped him. That’s what you thought anyhow, a frown etched on your face as you stirred your tea.

The door behind you swings open, Deku entering into the room, despite his tall stature, he seemed hunched, his energy quiet. “I heard about what happened to your dad...How are you feeling?”

You’re surprised that he even cared to ask, and you told him as such, as well as your actual feelings. He was incredibly understanding. 

“It’s okay to feel what you're feeling, you’ve been through quite a bit. It’ll take a bit for your emotions to figure out how to settle.” You only hum in affirmation, licking the honey off your spoon. The rest of your chat was filled with mindless things, whatever you had watched on T.V. books you read; he actually gave you some of his favorites-which were wonderful to read.

Surprisingly over the next two months, your emotions seemed to settle on their own. Your mother didn’t have to cuddle you at night, your own fear of someone coming to take you dwindling by the day.

Or so you thought.

It was the start of the third month into your stay, rain pouring down and thunder rumbling through the sky. As comfortable as Deku tried to make you, it was starting to wear down on you. You couldn’t leave the base, not when they were so close to pinpointing the main base of the Devils operations, not while the closer Deku got the more frantic the Devils became. You groan in sheer boredom, the knots in your back protesting as you lean on your fists. 

But even in your boredom, your feelings had become more than just gratitude towards Deku. Aside from the gifts of books, he also spent time with you, underneath the professional exterior, Deku was honestly the sweetest goof you’d met. He often ran away with his thoughts, hands becoming so animated you often had to duck- but he was just so cute when he was excited-

Since when had you fallen so hard?

As if he had an alarm for your discomfort, there was Deku, walking into the break room, which was unofficially your space to meet and chat. As far as you knew, no one else besides the two of you ever came in. 

“Rough night?” He asked, you only laughed in response, followed by another groan. He closed the door behind him, sitting beside you. “Tell me what’s on your mind?”

“Oh,” you sigh, your shoulder touching his, “Just this entire situation. I mean, you haven’t done anything wrong, it’s just, for three months now I’ve only been here, at the base. And it’s starting to feel a little…”

“You’re starting to feel a little trapped?” 

“Yes,” you cover your face with your hands, “I just want to be able to go outside, to go out and hang out with my other friends, to see something besides these walls. I don’t want to appear ungrateful-”

“Oh hardly, It makes sense,” he places a hand in the middle of your back, rubbing firmly, but carefully, working the knots there, “I think I’d go a little stir crazy too. But I promise, we’ll be done soon. We’re in need of just one more piece of the puzzle, then we’ll be ready to go. You can talk to me about anything you know, even this. I wouldn’t be surprised if you resented me a bit for keeping you ‘locked up’ as it were.”

“Nah,” you say softly, glancing up at him, “Mom and I made our choice, we knew it’d take a while. We’re just dealing with it as we go.” He was such a pretty image, cool light coming in from the streetlamp illuminating his features in a soft glow. Your eyes lingered over his lips a bit longer than you mean to. “Thank you for the offer, I’ll keep that in mind”

You lean forward, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, lips barely brushing. His brows shot up, surprised. Just as you began to pull a bit back, he took a chance, his lips brushing over yours ever so softly. Your heart lit up in glee; you lean forward more, your kiss no longer so soft and light.

He groans, his right hand moving to cup your jaw, the other at the small of your back, pulling your chests together until they were flush. He somehow slips his tongue in, your answering moan being swallowed by him as your hands run through his hair. Your tongues danced together, as if mapping every crevice to commit the appendage to memory.

Reluctantly, he pulls away, his freckles drowned by the pink blush on his cheeks, lips slightly damp. He presses a kiss to your lips, to your cheek and jaw, moving down towards your neck, licking at a particular spot that had your breath hitched. He nibbled softly before outright biting the area, a move that had your stomach doing flips that left a syrupy warm trail and a giggle escaping your lips.

As his nibbles and suckles became more intense, your grip on his hair tightened, your whimpers music to his ears. With one last suck he pulled away completely, taking in your image. You were now laying down on the couch with him above you, hair all mussed up and lips flushed a pretty damp color. 

He went down for another kiss, letting his weight rest on you slightly. As heavy as he was, it felt comforting to you, you could feel the beginnings of something stirring below. 

A knock at the door had jumped you out of your mood, like jumping into a pool of ice water. 

“Deku? We have some more info to relay to you”

You didn’t care to identify the voice, your disappointment evident on your face. He pressed a sweeter kiss to your lips before slowly backing off of you. 

“I’m sorry, I...I should probably-” 

You couldn’t be upset with him, not really. Not when he seemed just as disappointed as you. “No, it’s alright, it could be really important. We’ll talk later, yeah?” “Yeah, Definitely.” 

He stood up, giving you one more soft look, before exiting the room, closing the door behind him.

As much as the two of you had intended to talk the next day, it turned out that bit of information was incredibly important. For the next few days, the base had been buzzing like a bee hive, everyone working together to create the perfect plan of infiltration. 

You were so...You had thought that You’d be happy for the news, but now you were mixed. If Deku succeeded, then you had no more reason to stay, you were free to go home, to go out with friends. But it also meant that you wouldn’t be seeing Deku again. At that realization, your heart had grown heavy like stone and sunk to your stomach. 

Instead of waiting until after the take down, you asked to meet with him before he left, in the same spot you had been meeting.

You’d made two cups of tea, his just how he liked it. You nervously held onto the cup, staring into the liquid as if it had all the answers.

Not a moment later and in walked Deku, the door closing behind him. He seemed wired, energy radiating off of him as if it had nowhere else to go. But still, he kept quiet as he sat down next to you.

It was awkward, actually the first time you’d ever felt awkward around him. What were you supposed to say? ‘Hey, please don’t go after those people so we can be together, if we’re gonna be together at all?’

“Y-you know, I thought you’d be a bit more excited for today.” He broke the ice, melting it with a sip of his hot tea. 

“I did too... but then...I won’t beat around the bush, I like you, quite a bit Deku, and I really liked that we kissed. I’d like to do it again. But...when you win, we won't be able to see each other again. I really want to see you again.” Your neutral expression turned into a frown. 

Deku was quiet for only a few moments, you let the silence lay still- let him process what you’d just said. 

“I really want to see you again, too. To properly ask you out. We don’t have to stop seeing one another just because you’re leaving the base. It just means that...there will be some conditions, to keep you safe. Like being escorted home by either me or another trusted member, at least when it comes to coming to see me.”

“I can live with that,” you swear, taking his hand in yours, “ anything to see you again Deku”

He cups your jaw, bringing your foreheads to touch, “ You are just so sweet, Doll. There’s just one more thing”

“What is it?” “When we’re alone, call me Izuku. It’s only fair you know my real name.”

“Izuku,” you taste the name on your tongue, the smooth way it leaves your lips brings a satisfied smile to your face, “I like it” “And I like hearing you say it” he presses a quick kiss to your lips, “ I’ll be back soon, don’t you worry” 

It takes almost all day, but Deku wins, the last member of The Royal Devils was killed at midnight on the dot. All of their territory was now for Deku to fill. He comes home to you bloodied and bruised but alive.

After a few months, the two of you were going quite steady, having weekly date nights, going out on the town and having the time of your lives. But it wasn’t enough, you missed being able to see him as soon as you woke up.

Your mother thought you were moving a bit fast, but you couldn’t help it. You loved him, and he loved you just as much. You’d decided to move in with him.

So far you were going on two years strong, as you found yourself sat on his lap, your temple pressed against his neck as you listened to his voice rumble on towards the other members. You were hardly paying attention, far too busy reminiscing about how you ended up here.

[technoblades-tilted-crown]

fireflies to bring us home -chapter 1

techno goes home with phil after the battle of the artic empire. he’s still settling in and it won’t be easy.

words: 3.6k

warnings: intense zoning out, blood ment. 

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Every morning before the sun had risen and the dew had dried, Technoblade would get up, don his cloak and walk around the forest.

In the days of the Antarctic empire, he and Phil would patrol together. Two soldiers, together against the world, boots crunching through ice and snow to make sure their land was safe. As shitty and cold and awful as it could be, the tundra was their home, their base, a land they had claimed and were intent to keep.

The dew that coated the grass beneath his feet didn’t break like the snow used to, but the chill in the air and the gradient of the rising sun were reminiscent of what was once his home.

The war was over though; it had been for months. All that was left now was their stories and their scars.

Going home with Phil was more of a last minute decision, but it felt right. One adventure ending and another beginning so soon after, side by side with his only ally.

By the time he’d made his rounds, the sun had risen enough to wake the forest’s creatures, light filing through the tree’s canopy.

Music began to fill the air as Phil’s house came into view, low and sweet notes of his son’s guitar. Wilbur was sitting on the grass outside, eyes turned down on the strings as he played. Techno walked past, perfectly comfortable in ignoring the sudden stop in music as Wilbur watched him go.

A plate of eggs and toast were slid across the counter as he walked into the kitchen, Phil himself sipping at a cup of steaming coffee. Techno leaned back against the counter, giving Phil a slight nod as he lifted the plate and dug in.

As they stood in silence, Techno observed Phil through his peripheral. Since they returned, Phil had a new sense of peace to him. Not being on a constant battlefield would do that to someone.

It could also be the safety of home and family. Probably all of the above, Techno thought to himself while chewing on his eggs.

“I didn’t know you could cook.” The silence was broken with a tease, Techno lightly bumping his elbow against Phil’s arm.

“Bullshit. I’ve made us food every day for the past two years!” Phil returned Techno’s playful jab with his own, grins finding their faces as they fell back into their familiar routine.

“I don’t know if I’d call that cooking. I mean it’s not like there were a lot of other options-”

“Oh shut the fuck up!” Phil’s hand slapped against his forearm, the both of them breaking into laughter.

When silence fell back over the room, Phil shrugged.”I didn’t make those anyway. Will did.”

“Oh.” Techno looked down at his empty plate, feeling strange. “He did.”

Phil gave Techno a sideways look. “He did.” 

“Cool.”

“And he asked me to give that plate directly to you.”

“Cool.”

“Techno-”

The hybrid made a face, not enjoying the tone Phil was using. “Your kids are weird.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try and talk to him. They don’t bite.”

Techno was quiet, frowning as he set his plate aside. “Tommy might.”

Phil snorted into his coffee, nodding. “Tommy might. But you and Will would get along, I think. Just give things a chance.”

“...fine.” 

The older man seemed appeased at Techno’s reluctant forfeit. He took a sip of coffee and breathed out through his nose, causing light ripples in the liquid. 

“Your kids are weird.” Phil repeated, humor on his tongue. “He made you breakfast.”

“I’ll see you later, Phil.” Techno said as he left the kitchen, trying not to be obvious in how he was fleeing the conversation. 

As he entered the living room, Techno hung up his cloak and immediately walked to the reading corner, sitting on the padded bench that was built into the wall and examining the scene outside. While he had been eating breakfast, the world had woken up even more, the clear sky now more pigmented and the grass outside free from dew. Muted through the walls came the slow notes of Wilbur’s guitar outside, the boy himself still sitting in the lawn with an open notebook and his instrument.

Phil was right, as he usually was. Techno and Wilbur would probably get along, if they got to talking. That was the problem: Talking.

There wasn’t a lot that could openly intimidate him, but the idea of talking to Wilbur was something daunting. 

It was clear that the oldest of Phil’s children didn’t like him very much. Or he could’ve been socially awkward. Something they had in common.

He’d been staring out the window for a few minutes, eyes flitting between the sky and the occupant of his thoughts mindlessly. Besides the quiet sounds of Wilbur outside and Phil’s movements in the kitchen, everything seemed to be at peace. Clouds outside, as few and far between as they were, seemed to crawl along the azure horizon at a snail’s pace.

Just as Techno thought about the innate peace that quiet mornings could bring, Phil’s youngest son woke up.

“GOOD MORNING FAMILY!” A blur of blond hair and red pyjamas flew down the hall, Tommy sliding less than gracefully into view and diving into the kitchen the moment he had footing. Tubbo, Phil’s second youngest, followed a few seconds later in a far less energetic fashion. With a hand on the wall to guide himself down while rubbing sleep from his eyes, Tubbo stopped just outside the kitchen door, staring at Technoblade with a confused expression. 

If talking to Wilbur was daunting, interacting with the other two was a nightmare. There was something unsettling about talking to any of the three, but Techno wasn’t able to put his finger on what it could be. He liked to joke that it was because they were ex-orphans, but that was a distraction from the truth. Whatever the truth could’ve been.

“Good morning, Technoblade.” Tubbo gave him a little smile before trailing after Tommy. Techno felt his muscles tense as the child spoke to him, standing up after the brunet disappeared and fleeing out the front door.

He once again paid Wilbur no mind as he walked down the path from the house, head buzzing as he jammed his hands into his pockets and let his feet take him where they would.

Techno didn’t have much thought as he walked through the forest for the second time that day, stopping only when he came to the bank of a river, rocks clacking against each other under his feet. The sound of rushing water helped clear his anxiety a little, the sight of the water doing its part as well. There was a fallen tree a ways upstream, bridging the gap between the two banks. In a few moments Techno was sitting on the hollow wood, letting the cold water rush around his ankles and bring him back to reality. The river’s current was surprisingly strong, his legs being tugged more forcefully than expected.  

He felt pretty stupid, being so easily overwhelmed by something so small as a child giving him a greeting. His feelings didn’t change the reality of it though, and he was left to marinate in his thoughts. With the calming feel and sound of the river aiding him, Techno felt his mind calm and slow, the uncomfortable buzzing sensation of his head dulling to a low vibrate. Time became a contradicting pace, feeling bodily slow while the world around him moved at a lightning pace. 

The sound of rustling leaves and breaking twigs pulled him from his resting state. Techno twisting his head to the side so quickly it caused a twinge of pain in the muscles in his neck.

He was met with a wide-eyed look from Wilbur, the other teen looking just as caught off guard as Techno felt. He was making a lot of eye contact today.

Wilbur slid his guitar off his back, leaning it up against a nearby tree with the journal right beside it. The tree beneath Techno began to wobble as Wilbur carefully made his way along, sitting down next to him with his legs crisscrossed.

They were both quiet, unsure how to break the thick wall of silence that had already been built between them. The problem would always be talking, less getting the ball rolling and more pushing it through clay mud.

“I’ve got to hand it to the river.” Wilbur was the one to break the silence, starting out sardonic. “Without the water, this silence would be oppressive.”

His words startled a laugh out of Techno, the piglin hybrid giving Wilbur a stunted nod. 

“Nature is really carrying this interaction right now.” He agreed, snickering when Wilbur let out a chuckle. A sense of camaraderie fell over the scene as they both let out a breath neither realized they’d been holding.

“What are you doing out here?” Wilbur didn’t look at him, eyes trained down on the warped rocks under the water’s flow.

What was he doing? Running from a child, mostly. Hiding from his thoughts. What appeared to be the usual.

“Felt like taking a walk.” Techno responded, looking off to the side and away from his companion.

“Mhm.” This was definitely Phil’s kid, what with the same tone that let you know he knew that you were lying through your teeth. If Techno could build up the courage to look, he knew Wilbur would have the same expression, too. Willing to let it go, but not with letting him think that he’d pulled the wool over his eyes.

“What about you?” Wilbur definitely wouldn’t see through such a transparent distraction.

“Felt like taking a walk.” Techno supposed that was fair, having his own rebuff thrown back in his face.

Silence fell back over the two, though it was comfortably strained. The type of quiet where nervous energy lit red embers underneath a crackling fire of fellowship.

“I heard you playing this morning.” When in doubt, change the subject. “It sounded good.”

“Thanks. I just started something new.” Wilbur looked over at the journal next to his guitar, fingers twitching a little from where they rested in his lap. 

“...cool.” What would Phil say in this situation? Something kind or witty, probably. A quip or phrase to ease the tension. “What’s it about?”

Wilbur looked back down into the rushing water, head tilted ever so slightly.

“I don’t know yet. I’ve got a few ideas but they don’t sound right when I put them to paper.”

Techno wasn’t much of an artist, unless you counted slaughter and murder a form of art. He wasn’t sure what to say in the face of Wilbur’s frustration, ear twitching as a bird took flight nearby.

“Well-”

“How old are you, anyway?” What would’ve been a pitiful attempt at comfort was overshadowed by Wilbur’s question. Techno couldn’t’ve asked for better timing. 

“Uhh…” He let the syllables drag on while thinking of an answer. How old was he? That wasn’t a question he’d ever need an answer to before this moment. No one had ever told him his age, and it didn’t seem that important anyway. 

“I don’t know.”

Wilbur gave him a deadpan look, faltering when he looked at Techno and saw the seriousness on his face.

“Oh. You really don’t know?”

Techno shrugged and looked away, swinging his leg back against the flow of the ice cold water.

“Didn’t seem that important.”

He was met with cumbersome silence, though Wilbur looked more contemplative than upset.

Was knowing how old he was really so important? He had never slowed down to consider something so small as how long he’d been around on the earth he had soaked in blood. There was always something more important. A battle to win, or something like that.

Quiet nights that could be used to think were usually reserved for a mental blankness, a type of relaxation he didn’t often get to partake in. A crackling fire nearby while he could stare into the stars, letting worries melt away as the swirling galaxies above became his only comprehension. 

“Are you hungry?” Wilbur shifted on the hollow log, causing it to wobble underneath them. The piglin hybrid looked up, shrugging lightly.

“Not really.”

“Well I am.” Wilbur shifted a small bag that Techno hadn’t seen before into his lap. It was a brown fabric, small patches stitched into the front. There was a set of poorly done stitching across the bottom of the bag that read, “Tommy wa here.” Techno figured it was supposed to say that Tommy was there, but over time the thread had been tugged out. 

There was a variety of other stitching in the brown fabric, like a nicely done letter P and a yellow W. Tubbo's name was there too, slanted down like a waterfall on the left side. The patches were all of trees, flowers, and similar nature depictions with a few musical notes placed here or there.

Wilbur pulled a smaller paper bag from his cloth one, grabbing a sandwich from inside and biting into it, legs swaying along with the current of the water below. The sight made Techno a little hungry, though he didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to, stomach rumbling loud enough to be heard above the river’s flow. Wilbur snorted around his bite of sandwich, pulling another out of his bag and offering it out.

Techno took it from him, holding it in his lap for a moment before unwrapping it to take a bite. Sweet strawberry jelly burst flavor across his tongue, a short hum leaving Techno’s lips as he chewed.

“You brought me food?”

“Mhm.” Wilbur was already halfway done, a bit of the red jelly staining the side of his lip. “It’s been a while since you ate, I figured you’d be hungry.”

It hadn’t been that long, had it? Techno looked up, startled to see that the sun had climbed into an afternoon sky while he had zoned out, bright rays cast over the forest.

“Huh…” Technoblade took another bite of his sandwich, a light breeze making the stray hairs that had fallen from his braid squirm in his peripheral. 

An unexpected consequence of coming home with Phil was that Techno had precious little to do. In the Arctic Empire he could patrol, or hunt down some poor idiot who was trying to sneak onto their land and show them a one way ticket to death’s door. But in Phil’s secluded little spot in the world, Techno had already gotten cabin fever. His weapons all had a spot in his closet and would be staying there until further notice. The closest he could get to his old self was finding an empty clearing and sparring with particularly thick oak trees.

Phil might be down for a round or two, something to pass the time and get their blood flowing. Techno made a mental note to ask him about it later, shoving the rest of his sandwich into his mouth and swiping his hands together to remove the crumbs.

“Aren’t your feet cold?” Wilbur asked, leaning slightly to get a better look at the warped picture of Techno’s boots under the warping water.

“Eh.” Techno lifted one of his legs out of the water, tucking it under his opposite thigh. He wouldn’t relay to Wilbur that he couldn’t actually feel his foot, the frigid temperature stealing his sensations. The second leg was moved shortly after, Techno following Wilbur’s example of seating.

“Well, I’m going home.” Wilbur stood up, making his way back to the solid ground and grabbing his guitar. “You coming?”

There was an underlying question in Wilbur’s tone as he looked back at Techno, the pig himself nodding as he stood. 

“Sure.” 

They walked side by side on the way back to the house, occasionally breaking the tranquil silence of the forest with short small talk. Mostly Wilbur, making comments about his music or memories that sprung to mind at the sight of a mark in the tree bark or a particularly gnarled set of roots. Techno didn’t do much in the way of responding, giving short laughs or grunts when needed. Wilbur didn’t seem to mind, enjoying being listened to for the fleeting time they had.

When they walked through the doors, it was to the sight of Phil reading on the couch, a snoring Tommy and Tubbo cradled in the curve of either wing. It was cute, but Techno felt strange watching it. He gave a wave to Phil and ducked into the hall, heading back for his bedroom to take a seat on the bed and undo his boots. By now he’d regained the feeling in his toes, but they were still damp and cold from the soak. He dried his lower legs off and replaced his soggy boots with some worn sandals he’d gotten as a gift from Phil. Probably better footwear for the summer’s day anyway.

Techno set his boots on the porch, counting on the sun to dry them out by nightfall. Wilbur was situated under the shade of a tree down the path, his yellow sweater easy to spot among the greens and browns of his surroundings. He waved at Techno, music stopping instantly as he provided the salutation. Techno, with nothing better to do, made his way over to the other, taking a seat a couple feet away.

“Hey.”

Wilbur gave him a half smile, plucking a string on his guitar. Techno wasn’t sure which one.

“Hi.”

When Phil said they should talk, he probably didn’t mean a hesitant set of greetings cushioned by utter silence like they’d been doing. Any progress was good progress though, right?

“I think you should be sixteen.” Techno shifted his eyes onto Wilbur, blatantly as he tried to figure out what that could mean.

“What?”

“You’re sixteen.”

“No I’m not.”

“You don’t know that!” Wilbur huffed, pushing his glasses up as he leaned onto the rough bark of the tree behind him. “You said no one ever told you how old you are! So there’s no way to know you aren’t sixteen.”

Was there really a point to arguing? The only real argument there was that Techno didn’t want to be sixteen. He would’ve preferred being ageless, as he’d always been. Wilbur met Techno’s silent deadpan with a strong look of his own, not budging. He seemed to take the silence as a victory, yet another trait shared with Phil. The human smirked, shifting into a comfortable position to keep plucking at his guitar.

“Your birthday is in three days.”

“That seems pretty specific.” Techno thought he might be catching on now. “Any reason?”

“Maybe, maybe.” So that’s how it was gonna be. Techno nodded, trying to feign ignorance.

“So...nothin’ special happening in three days?”

“Well there might be one thing.”

“Hm.” Techno felt the corners of his mouth lift in a grin, shifting slightly so he could lean against the same tree Wilbur was. He let himself fall back into the gentle daze of sleep as Wilbur began to play again, light and sweet notes guiding Techno down the path to rest.

The news that Techno was sixteen was a dinnertime topic, apparently, when Wilbur brought it up as Phil was handing out plates. The adult of the house seemed confused, mostly, as Techno had been telling him for as long as they’d known each other that he had no clue how old he was. He had to explain the situation immediately, how Wilbur was joking and had assigned him an age and birthdate. Phil simply laughed it off and grabbed everyone a glass of water, but Techno knew that it wasn’t the end of the conversation. 

“Tech.” The initial tone made Techno cringe, debating on turning around and getting into this talk or just throwing himself out the bedroom window. With one option far more preferable than the other, Technoblade turned around and continued fastening the golden buttons on his cloak.

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you and Will are getting along.”

Techno looked up, making eye contact with a grinning Phil. He didn’t think that this was how the interaction was going to go. Phil didn’t want to talk about anything else?

“Yeah...me too.” He wasn’t one for rocky conversations anyway. 

“How are you settling in?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I heard you leave pretty quickly this morning.”

Oh. Techno clenched his jaw and felt his chest tighten with the telltale feeling of defense, shrugging as he looked around for something to do. Phil, looking as relaxed as ever while purposefully blocking the doorway, tried to catch his gaze.

“Felt like taking a walk.”

“Mhm.” Techno felt an intense sense of deja vu, eyebrows furrowing. “One step at a time, old friend.” Phil’s hand on his shoulder was welcoming and warm, but despite that Techno still felt on edge. He felt drained from the day, even if it was majorly positive, and Phil trying to block him in and pry an answer out of him was taking what little energy he still had.

Phil seemed to recognize his discomfort, dropping the topic with a smooth distraction. If there was something they all had in common, it was avoidance tactics. 

“You should try sleeping in tomorrow.” Techno shrugged, patting Phil’s hand and following the other out of his bedroom.

“We’ll see.”

In the days of the Antarctic empire, he and Phil would patrol together. Two soldiers, together against the world, boots crunching through ice and snow to make sure their home was safe.

Techno had a new home now. A home no longer surrounded by ice and snow, but by tall oak trees and flowers. A home that was no longer filled with intent of blood and war. His new home was filled with the scent of warm meals, crackling hearths, and old books. 

On his evening patrol that night, Techno decided that he would be sleeping in.

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thanks for reading! have a good day, and feel free to drop a headcanon request in my askbox

[theheartsmistakes]

The Last Night Part VI

(Author’s Notes: I know how much you guys love reading my rambling thoughts when really all you want is to get to the story, so here I am giving you exactly what you all want… We take a big jump backwards in this section due to @daisy-myangel (who messaged me regarding a reference I made to Lucie and Cordelia walking in on Grace and James) so I thought I’d write a short(ish) part about what that incident looked like. It’s written from James’ perspective because I feel like we already have a clear idea of what Cordelia experienced.  Hope you all are doing well. Thank you for being patient with me. This is a long one, so hopefully I’ve made up for the wait a little. It’s not as dramatic as I had though because I’ve decided to split it up, rather than rushing towards the end.  I’m still not 100% happy with this section, it feels kind of rushed, because it was, but it’s all just for fun anyway. I hope you enjoy it. As always, if you liked this please hit the heart, the reblog, give it some love in the comments for me to look upon and cry happily over, and give me a follow for more updates.)

Here is Part I

Here is Part II

Here is Part III

Here is Part IV

Here is Part V

.Part VI.

James patted Balios’ neck as he asked the horse to drop from a steady canter to a slow walk up the cobblestone path of his aunt Cecily and Gabriel’s manor. Steady drops of rain splattered on his shoulders as the thick clouds in the sky threatened to open up above him. The night was newly dark with echoes of blue still present in the west where the sun had just set. Witch light burned in the windows at the face of the manor offering the only light to the cloud covered night. James looked up at the last window on the left glowing white and caught eyes with the shadow sitting on the seat below the window sill. His chest constricted and his breath caught in his throat as he felt the all too familiar invisible string pull taut in his center.

Grace.

Before he could dismount Balios, his earlier intentions for confronting Grace about his feeling for Cordelia were long forgotten and his body felt as if it were being pulled towards the window without his control. His boots crunched on the gravel as he ran past the front of the manor, abandoning the horse to eat from the perfectly manicured lawns.

James had grown quite skilled in ascending the ivy trellis due to the hundreds of times he and Matthew had done it to kidnap Christopher after his father banished him to his room after an accident involving one of Christopher’s experiments and something irreplaceable in the house.

It seemed Grace had been expecting him. The window was cracked open slightly. James was instantly assaulted with the smell of her: sweet vanilla, warm bergamot, and pear. It wrapped around him and nearly made his grip loosen from the windowsill. With a quick shake of his head, disheveling his hair further, he hooked his foot in the windowsill and pulled himself the rest of the way through landing flat on his back on the floor and staring up at the crown molding of Grace’s newly reformed bedroom.

“My knight.” A soft, sweet lilt came from his right. He turned his head to find Grace sitting on top of her thick silk embroidered comforter, stroking her loose, glossy, blonde hair with a tarnished silver handled hairbrush that she handled like a fine weapon. Her silver eyes held all the amusement of a judgmental cat.

James let out a gust of air he’d been holding in his chest. A smile broke across his face as he rolled back up to his feet. Once steady, he readjusted his vest around his waist and brushed his nervous hands on his trousers.

“You shouldn’t be here,” said Grace, and set the brush on her bed.

“I know.” Much to his dismay, his voice cracked. Quickly, he cleared his throat and took a hesitant step towards her. “Yet, you don’t seem surprised to see me.”

“I’m not.” She blinked slowly. “In fact, I’m glad you came.”

His eyebrows bounced. “You are?”

“Yes.” She stood and her light blue tea gown flowed down and gently skimmed the ground. The straps over her shoulders were slightly too big, sliding off her shoulders to expose her bare shoulders, her skin the color of flour and just as soft. James forced himself to stare at the cupid’s bow of Grace’s top lip; unfortunately, that wasn’t helping him.

“There is something I have been meaning to speak to you about.” She looked down at her hands. “I believe it might be the same reason that you are here as well.”

I’m here for you, he thought. To be with you.

“I’m to be married soon and you to Cordelia,” said Grace as she turned her shoulder to him and walked towards the fireplace burning low behind its gate. “I think its best if we don’t meet like this anymore. It’s not proper and think of the scandal if anyone were to find out.”

James didn’t care about the scandal. He had only one thought in his mind. “Why are you marrying him?”

“Why are you marrying her?”

James grimaced. “Cordelia and I, we’re only friends. I’ve told you that. She helped me, provided me with an alibi after I burned down… well, you know, and I felt I owed her a favor to keep her from ruin.”

“Is that really all?” Grace looked back at him and his chest ached at her expression. “It’s only I’ve seen the way that you look at her and the way she looks at you. It’s lovely. You seem happy with her.”

“It’s not real.” James took a step towards Grace, but stopped. “My heart is yours. It’s always been yours.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as if something pained her.

“Grace?” He reached for her, wrapping his hands around her arms, but just as soon as he did, she pulled free from him.

“Please don’t say that.” She moved away again. It seemed she was always retreating in some way or another. “I don’t want you to say that.”

“But it’s true.”

“It’s not.” Grace took a deep breath and wound her arms around herself. “It’s never been true. James there is something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Whatever it is, Grace.” James took a solitary step towards her. “You can tell me. It won’t change the way that I feel about you. Nothing will.”

“Will you do something for me first?” Grace asked, but her eyes remained cast down at her feet, as if she were ashamed of something.

“Anything.”

She hesitated a moment longer and he thought he might burst from anticipation. “Will you kiss me?” She didn’t look at him when she asked. If James was being honest, she almost looked angry.

But she was asking him to kiss her—here in her bedroom— something she hadn’t done in a long time. But there was a feeling deep in his gut, muted by his desire to kiss her, but telling him that this wasn’t right.

“Is that what you want?” James asked and moved towards her.

She nodded and turned so they were facing each other.

James pulled her arms away from where they were wound around her waist and let his fingers slid up her arms as he placed her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes were locked on where his shirt collar was undone and left open exposing more of his throat. He placed his hands on either side of her face, gently lifting her face with his thumbs underneath her chin.

She closed her eyes and lifted her face to him, waiting.

The corner of James’ mouth lifted slightly and he slowly lowered his mouth to capture hers.

He had forgotten how much smaller she was than him. He had to bend his knees to meet her mouth. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and for a moment as their mouths touched he remembered rich brown eyes looking up at him with admiration, silky tendrils of auburn hair, supple lips that moved hungrily across his, soft curves that arched into his hands as they explored. A maddening, all encompassing desire that nearly shattered all of his restraints at simply holding Cordelia in his arms.  

Stop this, he told himself, and oddly, he saw Cordelia in his mind, felt her hand on his arm, pulling at him. Stop.

He had been too late— the door to Grace’s bedroom had been flung wide, and Lucie stood on the threshold. Beside him was Cordelia, elegant in a champagne gown and matching jacket, looking from James to Grace with wide, surprised eyes. And just as quickly as they had appeared, Cordelia reached forward and pulled the door closed again.

Grace slid away from him. “I’m sorry,” she said and covered her face with her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

James hadn’t really heard her. He’d raced forward and opened the door only to find Lucie staring up at him. Her face flushed and outraged. He shouldered past his sister towards the stairs.

He caught Cordelia at the landing and pulled her to a stop.

“Cordelia,” he begged. “Please, let me explain.”

Cordelia blinked. “You promised.” Her voice broke as she looked up at him. “‘When I make a promise, I keep it’ that’s what you told me. But you broke your promise, James.”

He let go of her as if she had burnt him and stepped aside as she ran towards the doors and disappeared into the night just as the storm began.

* * *

James stared down at the bracelet around his wrist, twisting and turning it until his skin underneath had turned red from the friction. Will and Tessa had left with Magnus to contact the Silent Brothers in hope that they might have some idea to assist them in the removal of the bracelet. There was also the concern of an unpredictable, unstable, and possibly dangerous Grace Blackthorn living with Cecily and Gabriel that they felt should be addressed immediately. With Lucie off despondent in the kitchen, Matthew and James found themselves alone in the library.

“It’ll be off soon,” said Matthew and clapped a hand on James’ shoulder. “And then you can write to Cordelia and beg her for forgiveness. I’ll help you write it myself.”

James looked down at the bracelet, his expression impassive.

Matthew, trained to be in-tune with his parabatai’s emotions, felt James' turmoil as if it were his own. “That is only if you wish for her forgiveness.”

James moved out from underneath Matthew’s hand and sauntered over to the fireplace. His right hand still encircled the bracelet. “Of course I do, but…”

“But what?” Matthew asked. “If you so much as utter the name Grace, I will strike you with your own hand. Are you bloody daft? She manacled you, she put you under a spell for the past five years, you can’t seriously be considering—“

“I’m not,” said James, “but I still feel this unwavering need to speak with her. To let her explain herself.”

“That’s just the bracelet talking,” said Matthew.

“Maybe, but that’s just it, I don’t know what is real anymore Matthew and I owe it to Cordelia to be one hundred percent sure of my affections before I impose upon her life again.”

The memory of her standing in the doorway after walking in on him and Grace felt like an assault to his chest by a blunt object. He’d wanted to run after her. He could see himself doing it, chasing her out into the rain, climbing into the carriage with her so she would be forced to talk to him, forced to let him beg for forgiveness. He wanted to do it, but Grace.

“You two aren’t still quarreling are you?” Anna asked as she kicked open the door with the heel of her thick boot and sauntered into the library leading an exasperated Thomas and Christopher with the right lens of his glasses broken… again.

Anna picked up Church from the chair in front of the fire and curled him up in her arms like an infant. “Is this about Cordelia and Alastair leaving?”

James and Matthew didn’t look at one another.

“We’re not quarreling,” said Matthew with an obvious clip in his tone, “but if we were it’d have nothing to do with Alastair.”

“What’s the plan?” asked Anna. “How are we going to bring Cordelia back?”

“What can we do?” Matthew shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “Their carriage is probably halfway across town by now and there is no convincing them to stay.”

“Do calm down Matthew.” Anna waved her hand at the drink tray. “Make yourself a drink.”

“I can’t. I’m off it. Clean. A proper rung out cloth.” He dropped into one of the wingback chairs and let his head hang back to look at the ceiling.

“Bravo,” Anna chided as she scratched under Church’s chin. “What an awful time to attempt sobriety, but still, bravo.”

“What are you all doing here?” James asked.

“I sent word to them when Lucie and I arrived,” said Matthew lazily. “I figured if anyone could figure out the inner workings of that bracelet it would be Kit. Also, on the unlikely occurrence that you die from removing it, I thought you might like it if we were all together one last time.”

James scowled. “How thoughtful.”

“Turns out we know nothing,” said Thomas from where he leaned against the library desk.

“I’ve looked through every book on charmed bracelets,” said Christopher while adjusting the bent wire in his glasses. “I managed to find something on how to charm a bracelet, but I don’t think you want to hear about how that’s done.”

Both Thomas and Christopher grimaced; purposefully avoiding eye contact with James.

“And we wanted to check on Lucie,” Anna added. “Where is she?”

At the same time Matthew and James said, “Kitchen.” The door to the library burst open, catching the surprise of all of the inhabitants including Church, as Lucie appeared, half of her dress soaked and her face flushed.

“It’s Cordelia.” Lucie shouted, her hand gripped the wall to keep her stable. “She’s been attacked.”

A spark of pain traveled up his arm, like dipping his hand in ice cold water. He looked down just as a flash of silver spun through the air and hit the stone flooring and the toe of his boot. He stared down at the bracelet on the floor, waiting for a shock of pain or an anvil to fall from the sky, but nothing happened.

No one else seemed to notice. Matthew was out of the chair in an instant, running to meet Lucie, Thomas and Christopher behind him. Anna set Church back on his feet to follow.

“What do you mean Cordelia’s been attacked?” Matthew asked.

“How do you know this Lucie?” Anna followed.

“I—“ Lucie shook her head. “That doesn’t matter now. She has. We need to leave as soon as possible. How did you lot get here?”

“Carriage,” said Christopher, “But I’m afraid your father and Magnus took it to pay Brother Zachariah a visit and your mother took the other carriage to go speak to my mother and Grace.”

The name startled him a bit, but nowhere near the shutter that used to envelope his body upon hearing those syllables uttered. Now, the only name that went through his head was Cordelia.

Cordelia was in trouble.

Cordelia was attacked.

James bent down and picked up the bracelet, holding it delicately between his fingertips. He felt a chill, dull ache in his chest, just below his rib cage. Nothing terrible, more like the feeling after you eat something bad or had too much whiskey and wake up with no memory of the night before. He looked down at his hand again, it was red where the metal had skimmed his skin, but otherwise, he was unharmed.

He felt… normal.

“We’ll take Matthew's car,” said James and stuffed the bracelet in his trouser pocket. “Lucie stay here and wait for Mam and Papa to come back and tell them what happened.”

“No!” Lucie barked. “I won’t. I’m coming with you.”

“You’ll need to get changed into gear and there’s not enough time,” said James, grabbing his coat from the back of the winged back chair. “Matthew, do you have weapons in your car?”

Matthew grimaced. “Does a tire iron count as a weapon?”

“You don’t carry weapons with you?” asked Thomas.

Matthew’s shoulders rose to his ears. “Where would I store them? Would you like me to strap them to the ceiling? Perhaps the undercarriage? Store them in the engine? It’s an automobile, Thomas, not a trunk. And how would I explain them to the authorities if I’m inspected? Heavens.”

“Perfect,” said Lucie. “You lot go gather the weapons and I’ll go get changed. We’ll meet back at Matthew’s car. Anna, would you mind assisting me?”

“Lucie—“ James reached for his sister but before he could stop her she was out the door with Anna behind her. A headache pinched behind his eyelids.

“Come on,” said Matthew. “There is no sense in trying to stop her.”

With that, the four of them left the library towards the weapons room.

* * *

They all met at Matthew’s car where he’d parked it half on the lawn and half on the brick driveway. James felt heavier with the weight of his throwing knives tucked into the gear vest that was strapped tightly across his chest. The burn of a fresh strength, speed, and agility rune stung underneath his skin: one on the inside of his arm, one on his shoulder blade, and another on his left hip. He felt the effect of them almost the instant Matthew applied them with his stele.

While Christopher contemplated taking a machete or a saber with him, Thomas applied Christopher’s runes. James climbed into the passenger seat of Matthew’s car and put his boot up the straight dashboard to tuck another knife into the lip of his boot.

Matthew glared beside him. “Can you please remove your shoe from Algernon?”

“Algernon?” James dropped his foot back to the floor. “As in Algernon—“

“Moncrieff,” said Matthew. “As in Algernon Moncrieff, the charming, decorative, idle bachelor of Oscar Wilde’s wildly popular play The Importance of Being Earnest.” He reached across James and wiped the dashboard with the fabric of his forearm. “You’ve scuffed him."

“Does this thing run properly?” James asked, eyeing the exposed engine covered in black dust and dripping oil.

“It runs splendidly,” said Matthew as he stroked the wheel. “My father helped me fix it.”

“Somehow that’s not reassuring.” James eyed Thomas and Christopher as they finished fixing their gear.  

Matthew ignored James’ gib and continued to stroke the wheel. “One day you won’t need to be a secret, my sweet, one day we will drive in freedom without the disapproval of the Clave.”

“From the Clave?” said Anna from behind them. “From the public more likely.”

Anna stood beside Lucie, both dressed in black women’s fighting gear, which didn’t look altogether different from men’s except theirs tailored to their specific curves, complete with straps and buckles across the chest and around each thigh for weapons. Each had on a long waist coat that had a spit tail that ran down the back of their legs. Lucie’s hair was twisted back in a long braid that hung over her shoulder.

It was odd seeing her there without Cordelia. How familiar James’ had grown to finding them both together and now that they were apart it was like an incomplete painting. A sky with no ground. A tree with no branches. A lake with no water. A sharp pang hit him between his eyes again. He hissed and pinched the bridge of his nose when something caught his eyes. He drew his arm away and saw a faint green ring around his wrist where the bracelet had been. He pulled the sleeve of his gear down and retrieved his glove from his pocket and promptly slid them on before anyone could notice.

“Don’t listen to her, Algernon,” said Matthew. “She’s a woman of poor taste and even worse manners.”

“Don’t you forget it,” said Anna and slid into the back row of the car.

“We should really be going,” said Lucie. “There isn’t much time.”

Matthew pressed down on one of the peddles at his feet and turned the key in the ignition. The car rumbled to life as Christopher slid in-between Lucie and Anna and Thomas between James and Matthew.

All of them let out a chorus of groans except Matthew who smiled happily to himself as he examined the gages.

“What is that smell?”

Matthew adjusted his driving gloves and pulled down his goggles to shield his eyes. “The fumes of freedom.”

The engine rattled as he adjusted the gear and suddenly they were off.

[spinelwritings]

May I request a Siren Spinel serenading a shy reader, please?

I ended up writing a bit more than that, lol. This one is a bit long.

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

You had always been told to stay away from the sea, but you never understood why. The fishermen went out to the sea all the time and they were just fine. So why couldn’t you go? Your parents wouldn’t even let you walk on the beach!

Which is probably why you tended to sneak out of the house at night when your parents were asleep. You were quiet as a mouse as you snuck through the village and down to the sandy beach. You could sit there for hours, just watching the moonlight glistening off the dark waves. You would look for seashells, draw in the sand, and try to make little boats out of the driftwood. You would swim, too, as far as you dared go. You loved the sea, despite the warnings of danger. 

So when you were old enough, you left. You joined the crew of one of the big ships, the ones that carried all sorts of good to different towns. And at first, you were a terrible sailor. You didn’t know a thing about working on a boat and it was a lot of hard work, but it was work you loved. You learned quickly, got better, and loved every moment you spent on that ship.

Then there was a storm. The ship was on its way to the last stop, the crew growing antsy, eager to return to the land and have a night of fun, when the clouds appeared on the horizon, dark and foreboding. You’ve been through storms before, learned how to deal with the sudden rush of activity, what you needed to do and how to stay calm. But this storm was worse than the others had been. The winds whipped against your face, the rain stinging as it pelted your skin. You desperately clung to the side of the ship, just trying to get through. 

It was then that the ship was hit by a large wave, smacking into the boat and making it rock, the water rushing over the deck. It was enough for you to slip and shove you through the banister you had just been clinging onto. You panicked, desperately scrabbling for something to hold onto. Your heart lept into your throat as you fell, then you hit the cold water.

It felt like slamming into the ground and you gasped in pain, instantly drawing the cold water into your lungs. You sputtered and gasped for breath, clawing at the water desperately, but was only met with the burning of your lungs as they filled with water and you sank deeper.  The cold water sapped all warmth out of your body and in moments you were growing weaker and weaker. Finally, you stopped struggling, an odd warmth spreading through your body and the pain fading. It was actually kind of peaceful now that the extreme pain was gone. 

It was just as your vision began to fade that you thought you saw something pink flash brilliantly in the dark of the ocean water. Then everything went dark.

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

You were sure that, had you been able to think properly, you would have been completely shocked to find yourself waking up on the wet sand of a small beach, the ocean’s cold water lapping at your feet, the sun high above beating down on you. The first thing you felt was the exhaustion like you had run for miles, every muscle in your body screaming at you for daring to use them so despicably much. It didn’t help that you felt so thirsty, thirstier than you’ve ever felt before, and just as hungry.

You groaned, managing to move your heavy limbs just enough to sit up and look around. 

It looked like you had washed up on a tiny island or sand bar, nothing there but the tiny beach and one large rock, big enough for you to stand on. On all sides was the endless ocean, calm for now but who knew how long that would last. Yeah, it wasn’t looking very good. You couldn’t even tell which way the mainland was, let alone if you’d be able to swim that long distance. In the state you were in, you probably couldn’t make it any distance.

You sighed, hefting yourself onto your feet, staring into the distance blankly. What were you supposed to do? Maybe your village had been right. Maybe you really weren’t meant for the sea.

Your thoughts were interrupted by a flash of color in the distance. It was like when the sun shimmered off of something shiny. Your brows furrowed in confusion and your eyes searched the ocean intently, trying to find the source of the flash. And there it was again, closer. You could just catch the glint of what looked like scales. Was it some kind of fish? Whatever it was, it was big and it was getting closer and you were certain that was not a good thing.

You stumbled back, crawling up the rock and getting yourself away from the water. The area around the little island looked to be shallow, too shallow for such a large fish, but you didn’t want to risk it. You searched the distant water, looking for any sign of the beast. 

You were confused when, just on the edge of the shallows, you saw what looked like a woman in the water. A moment later you felt the blood drain from your face as you realized what exactly was in the water and your thought was only confirmed when the woman disappeared below the surface with a flash of her brilliantly pink fishtail.

You were being stalked by a Siren, in the middle of the ocean, probably hundreds of miles away from safety.

You really were going to die.

You were frozen to the spot, only able to watch as the Siren entered the shallow water, dragging herself towards you before pausing, intense gaze trained on you, body frozen before moving a bit closer and pausing again. It wasn’t long before she got close, only a pace or two from the tiny beach you had woken up on. 

Even as fear clawed at your chest you had to admit she was really pretty. She had long dark pink hair that she somehow managed to tie back into two pigtails, pale pink skin, and a long, bright pink fishtail that glimmered perfectly in the sunlight with long fins that flowed like cashmere in the water. Her eyes were a bright magenta lined with black marks that also dripped down her cheeks like tear tracks.

And she was looking right at you, her gaze intense. You didn’t quite understand what was happening, but as you met her intense gaze you felt yourself relaxing, mind going blank. You had heard from story after story about how Sirens were able to hypnotize people with their songs and lead them into the water where they were drowned and eaten. A part of you wondered if they could hypnotize people with their eyes, too, as you slowly calmed down.

The Siren smirked at you, tail slowly sweeping back and forth in the shallow water.

“Heya, doll. How ya feeling?”

You blinked at her, taking a moment to process that she was talking to you and another it took another moment to process what she was saying. You were distracted by how beautiful her voice was.

“Uh… not good.”

You didn’t know why you didn’t lie. You probably should have told her that you were feeling great, maybe convince her that you could fight her off. 

The Siren hummed, looking like she was thinking. 

“Alright then, guess I don’t have much of a choice here. No point leaving someone as pretty as you out here to die, right?”

She winked at you and you felt your face heating up. With a flash of her beautiful tail, she was gone and you marveled at how fast she had been, gone in an instant. You decided to sit down on the rock and wait for whatever happened next.

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

The sun was setting now and you felt absolutely terrible. Not only were you still exhausted, but now it felt like you didn’t have any moisture left in your body. You were so thirsty you were eyeing the saltwater. You knew it wasn’t good for you and would kill you faster, but you were starting to get desperate. 

It was then when you noticed something on the horizon. As it got closer you realized that it was a rowboat! It stopped on the edge of the shallows, getting stuck in the sand. It was then that you saw the Siren from before, her head popping out from behind the boat. She waved you over.

You hesitated, weighing your options. On one hand, you could stay on this little island and slowly die of thirst or exposure, no doubt a long and painful death. On the other hand, you could go over to the Siren and risk being drowned or eaten on the off chance you actually helped you and got you home. 

You decided that a quick and painful death was better than a slow and painful one.

You slowly climbed off your rock, forcing yourself to trudge through the water towards the boat, stopping only when you stood next to it. The water was almost at your waist now and you were certain that was enough for the Siren to drown you right there. You eyed her warily, but she only stared back, that smirk on her face like she could almost taste your fear and it amused her. 

You got in the boat.

The moment you did the Siren vanished under the water the boat started moving very fast. You fell back and hissed as your elbow collided with one of the seats. You decided it wasn’t worth getting up. You layed on the bottom of the boat, watching the sky above grow dark and the stars start to show up, shining bright. It started getting cold, the heat from the day quickly vanishing with the sun. You were shivering hard, could almost feel the hypothermia taking hold, but that didn’t stop you from falling asleep, the exhaustion finally taking over.

You just hoped you would be okay.

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

When you woke up you felt much better. You were warm and comfortable. Your muscles still ached but not nearly as much and your mouth wasn’t dry anymore. 

You blinked your eyes open, glancing around the odd room you found yourself in. It was a small room with a roaring fireplace, a stool, and the bed you were huddled on. But how did you get here? The last thing you remembered was being on the rowboat, being pushed across the water.

Just then, a door opened and a woman came through, smiling at you. 

“Ah, you’re awake! We were really worried.”

“How… how did I get here?”

The woman had a pitcher of water with her and poured you a glass while she spoke.

“Some fishermen found you on the shore, washed up in your little rowboat. You’re quite lucky, my dear. These waters can be very dangerous. Infested with sirens, they are.”

You just nodded and accepted the glass she handed you. 

“Right …”

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

It was a very small fishing village, much like home. The people were more than happy to let you stay in the inn while you recovered, giving you everything you needed. They were truly kind and you appreciated all their help.

The moment you were deemed well enough to go out and about, you went on a walk by the ocean, the sound of the crashing waves a comfort. You found yourself gazing out into the water, scanning the horizon time and time again. You weren’t quite sure what you were looking for or what you expected to see. Still, you couldn’t bring yourself to stop.

It was during one of your nightly walks when you heard something, just barely louder than the crashing waves. You froze, a frown on your face as you tried to make out what exactly it was. Was that… a song?

You found yourself following the sound, drawn towards it. You told yourself you just wanted to find the source of the sound but deep down you knew something else was going on. Your mind went to the Siren who rescued you and her intense eyes, the ones that seemed to force a calmness into your mind. Maybe she was singing. Maybe you’d get to see her again. The thought made you speed up.

You came to a section of the beach that was far rockier, large smooth stones jutting out of the ground here and there. And close to the water, the waves lashing against one side was one of the larger rocks. And on top of that rock you finally found her. The Siren. She lounged on the rock, one arm hanging off the side and waving idly and the other curled under her head. Her hair hung limp around her shoulders, dripping with water. Her tail glistened in the moonlight, idly, swaying back and forth off the side of the rock, her fins limp without water to flow beautifully in. Her whole body glistened with little droplets, making her look like some sort of shimmering illusion.

And she was singing, her voice more beautiful than you could possibly describe. There was something more about it, something beyond what humans could do, maybe even more than they could comprehend. The pull wasn’t as strong as it was anymore and you could feel nervousness starting to build up. You hid behind one of the rocks, hoping she hadn’t spotted you. 

What were you even doing? What exactly were you going to say to her? Why did you even care to see her again? You huffed, putting your face in your hands. You had wanted to see her again, but now what?

She kept singing, the sound weaving its way into your mind lazily. You couldn’t quite pinpoint what exact words she was using but somehow you understood the meaning well enough. She was singing about someone she met, something about only knowing them for a moment, not even speaking much, and how they were almost always on her mind. She didn’t understand why, there was nothing special about the person, not at first sight. But still, the thoughts remained. There was a feeling of confusion and longing for something she couldn’t quite name.

It was an odd song, one you felt in your heart. You knew the feelings she was singing about, though you couldn’t quite recall feeling them or at least you never acknowledged them. 

You noticed when the song ended, the silence suddenly suffocating. You heard movement, the sound of scales against stone. Was the Siren leaving? You felt a kind of sadness but still couldn’t bring yourself to leave your hiding spot and talk to her. You were too nervous.

“Come on out.”

You jumped at the voice, didn’t expect the Siren to speak up like that.

“I know you’re there, human.” She hissed, sending a shiver down her spine. “What do you want?”

You were shaking, knew that this was probably stupid, but you got up and slowly walked out, staring at the ground as you stood out in the open. You could feel the Siren’s eyes on you instantly, felt naked under her intense gaze.

“I-I just wanted to talk to you...”

You winced at the weakness in your voice. There was a long, tense silence.

“... It’s you.”

Her voice was softer than before and you couldn’t stop yourself from looking up to her. Her arms were propped up on their elbows, her head in her hands as she looked down at you. You couldn’t quite place the look in those brilliant pink eyes but it felt warm somehow. 

“I was wondering if I’d see ya again.” 

You just looked at her. Your tongue felt heavy in your mouth and you couldn’t move it properly to form words. The Siren waited for you, making you even more nervous. Finally, you were able to form a few words. 

“T-thank you.” 

The Siren cocked her head to the side, eyes sizing you up.

“You’re welcome, Doll.” She finally said, voice warm and a smile on her face, flashing her sharp, shark-like teeth at you. You thought it was beautiful, her smile. 

“I liked your song.” You said, immediately cursing yourself for sounding so stupid. The Siren laughed, a sound that wove its way into your head just like her singing did, happy and warm and beautiful just like everything else about her. 

“It was about you, ya know.” She said, crossing her arms on the stone. Your heart lept into your throat and you tried to fight the smile that wanted to take over your face. She had been singing about you? Really? That’s what she thought about you?

“Come here.” She said, motioning for you to come up to her. You didn’t even hesitate, taking only a moment to figure out how to climb the rock properly. You sat next to where she was laying, looking at her expectantly. You were expecting her to say something but she didn’t. She just stared back, eyes roaming over your body and face, examining you. This time, you didn’t feel uncomfortable. 

“I like you.” She said suddenly, looking like she had just made a decision. “You’re really cute for a human.”

You felt a blush take over your cheeks and you looked away. You heard her giggle.

“Look at me, Doll.”

You did, her eyes catching yours and you couldn’t look away, didn’t really want to. She leaned closer to you, sitting up till her face was right in front of yours. 

“My names Spinel.” She said, her voice like silk. “What’s yours?”

“Y/N.”

She hummed at your answer, giving an odd trill of satisfaction. 

“Perfect.” A hand trailed over your cheek, cold and smooth. “You want to come with me, don’t you?”

And she was right. Of course you wanted to go with her. You knew that as you stared deep into her mesmerizing eyes that you would follow her anywhere. She gave another trill, a smirk on her face.

“Come on then.” She purred, backing up slightly. You frowned, following her. You caught you by surprise when there suddenly wasn’t any ground left and you were falling, Spinel’s arms wrapping around you. The water hit you, cold and suffocating. You panicked and gasped, water entering your lungs. It was an all too familiar feeling and the panic only got worse and worse, you thrashing in the Siren’s hold.

Then Spinel began to sang and you felt a calm fall over you, even as the water filled your lungs to bursting, the pain unbelievable. You stilled, looking into those pink eyes. A hand caressed your face, comforting you even as your body started to give out, black dots taking over your vision till you couldn’t see anything anymore and your consciousness faded.

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

You woke up. A part of you hadn’t really expected to, thought you had died. But you woke up and opened your eyes.

You were still underwater, everything tinted a shade of light blue. You could see better than you thought you would, everything as bright as though it was daylight on the surface. You frowned and tried moving but something was wrong. You couldn’t move your legs properly, not the way you wanted to. And for a moment you panicked, thought you couldn’t swim and would surely drown, but that didn’t last long because you were breathing just fine.

You propped yourself up on your hands, the sand below you soft, and looked around. You were in some sort of cave, a decent-sized one, the stone walls smooth with an occasional ledge. On the ledges were an array of trinkets, seashells, bits of coral, seaweed, stuff like that. You were settled towards the back of the cave in a little divot in the sand lined with soft sponge. 

You tried moving again, the sand below you shifting in an odd way. That’s when you finally noticed it. You gasped, freezing in place. You didn’t have legs anymore. In their place was a brilliant fishtail. That was it then, wasn’t it? Everything made sense. You had somehow turned into a Siren. 

It took you a while to wrap your mind around that realization but once you did you realized that you didn’t actually care too much. You had a whole new world ahead of you now and the thought made you giggle. You moved your tail, watching it flow through the water. Your fins weren’t quite as frilly as Spinels. 

You tried moving, slowly learning how to use your new tail and fins. You had just figured out how to move forward when you heard something else moving through the water. You froze, staring intently at the entrance to the cave, a hole on the far wall. You felt yourself relax when you saw a head pop through the entrance, hair flowing around in the water. It was Spinel.

She smiled when she saw you, swimming over to you in an instant. You smiled back. 

You should be able to handle this, you thought. This would be fun.

[captainchrisbaby]

Electric Touch Chapter 2

Summary: A young girl winds up abandoned and unconscious on the doorstep of the Avengers HQ. She has no memory of who she is and no idea what she is now capable of. Steve Rogers stands by her side as she attempts to rediscover her past and how she ended up there but she soon discovers she’s a lot more than the girl she use to be. She is now faced with learning to control her new abilities.

My hands shake while I let the doctor cover the small holes left from the tubes I ripped out. I sit in silence trying to recall the wild events from only 30 minutes before and when the last one is done I remain still. Did I kill that man? The thought haunts me. The doctor makes eye contact for a brief second and exits the room through the door behind me.

“He’s afraid of me.” I whisper as I sense Steve behind me. I turn my head and lock eyes with him, he stands against the door frame so perfectly postured and my heart skips a beat.

“Didn’t realise you heard me come in.” He raises his eyebrows and walks over to the chair opposite me to take a seat. We briefly lock eyes but the overwhelming rush of guilt causes me to shy away. “He’s not afraid of you, he was just being professional. He’s not usually the chattiest doctor either.” His reassuring smile doesn’t meet his eyes nor does it convince me.

“Whatever.” I whisper, dropping my eyes back to my hands.

He watches me for a few silent seconds making me squirm slightly from nerves.

“He’s ok.” My eyes dart to his.

“What did you say?” My voice shakes as relief flows through me.

“Sam’s fine. You gave him a bit of a shock, it knocked him unconscious… but he’ll be fine.” His eyes never leave mine. “You want to tell me how you have the ability to electrocute me?” His voice turns from soft to stern. “Not many people can drop me with a single touch.” His head tilts slightly to the side as he encourages my answer.

My head shakes, “I don’t know.” He reads me for a second then satisfied that I’m not lying he looks away deep in thought.

“What’s your name.” He questioned.

The question makes my stomach drop. It’s the last thing I thought about before the panic episode I had earlier. A tear wells in my eye and my shaky hands pick up their pace.

“I don’t know.” My voice is so quiet and cracks as the words leave my mouth.

“You don’t know your name?” He puzzled.

“I don’t know. I don’t remember anything.” My words fumble as I struggle to get them out. “I really don’t remember anything from before I woke up here.” The tear finally falls and I quickly wipe it away in hopes he didn’t see it. I know he is just as confused as I am… I can feel it.

“Alright, you get some rest, I have a few things I need to sort out.” He finally says, he stands and starts for the door when you quickly raise. “Can I have a shower or something? I smell soggy and burnt which is really bothering me right now!” I beg.

“Well we don’t really have a shower in this section…” He informs me. He watches the disappointment fall over my face and straightens up. “You can use the shower in my room but you have to be quick. Stark is on his way and he won’t be impressed to hear you aren’t in here being restrained.” He presses.

“Restrained?” I question, a frown furrows on my face.

“He has access to everything… including security footage from this building.” I can feel he sympathises for me and it makes me soften.

———-

I wipe the water from my face with the clean towel Steve had folded on the bench for me. The bathroom is steamy from the long shower I couldn’t bring myself to end. In there all I could hear was the running water and all the chaos outside was muted. I walk over to the vanity and start to get dressed with the clothes Steve left out for me. He said they belonged to a friend that also stays at the HQ occasionally but she won’t mind. As I slip the grey tight shirt on I look up into the mirror for the first time. I let out a shaky breath as step towards it. I pick up my towel and push it against the mirror wiping away the fog and it reveals a small fragile girl behind it. I stare at my reflection and take it all in. My long dark hair falls well past my breasts and my hazel eyes glow with their bloodshot background. I reach up and touch my small narrow nose and I bite my lip as I glance down at it. My face is pale and I look just as exhausted as I feel. My arms are skinny and don’t hold much muscle, I must not be much of a sporty type. I keep staring at myself, I know this is my body and even though I feel like I’m rediscovering it all over again there still is some familiarity with it.

A loud knock at the door causes me to jump and swing around. “One minute!” I shout as I finish putting the last of my clothes on. When I’m finished I fold the used towel and place it neatly on the bench before exiting the bathroom.

“Are you ok?” Steve queried. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He gave a soft friendly smile and for the first time today I managed one back.

“Maybe I have.” I tilt my head to the side and smile bigger. I watch as he turns and heads into the kitchen, he begins putting the dishes away and I step slightly closer as I watch him. He looks so handsome in the reflection of the window, his strong features and broad shoulders are becoming more indented in my brain and the thought of him being the only person I know makes me want to stay close to him no matter what.

“Steve.” I hesitated, “Why are you being so nice to me?” I probed. “I attacked you… I somehow electrocuted you and your friend, I’ve given you no information on who I am or why I’m here and you’ve just trusted me from the start? Why?” I shake my head with confusion. “I fricken electrocuted you! It literally came out of my hand!” A wave of panic rushes over me as the reality of what I’m saying sets in. “That’s not even possible. I’m going crazy! I must be!” My voice trembles in worry as I look down at my hands. I watch them waiting to see if the electricity pulses through them once again, I wait for confirmation that I am in fact going crazy.

“Hey calm down!” Steve marches over to me and grabs both of my wrists. I look up into his eyes then straight past him to the window, I let out a gasp at my reflection. It was the same as a few minutes ago in the bathroom only this time as I felt the now familiar course of energy running through my veins the only thing that has changed are my eyes. Blue, they were glowing blue so brightly it was completely unnatural.

“You need to calm down or you’re going to shock me again.” His voice brings my attention back to him. “Breath!” He orders and as I stare deeply in his eyes I know I’m safe. My breathe deepens and slows as he guides me through it. “Good, in and out.” He encourages as he breathes with me.

“I like to think I have a good judge of character.” He whispers as I finally calm myself. I look up at him and he is smiling.

“That’s it? All this craziness and you trust me because of your judge of character?” I raise an eyebrow.

He lets out a small chuckle. “You didn’t attack us, you defended yourself. I did the same thing when I woke up.” He empathised.

“Woke u-” Steve cut me off.

“That’s a story for another day.” He ushered us out of his room and down the hallway.

____

I sit in the large office chair Steve had directed me too and I wait for him to return. I look around taking in my surroundings… there wasn’t much to look at. I was in some sort of meeting room with a large table and eight large chairs cuddling it. I sit in mine so spaciously and it reminds me how small I am. So fragile and I hate it.

I tap my foot with impatience as I wait for Steve to return. After a couple of minutes I hear his swift footsteps echo down the hall nearing the meeting room. He walks in and places a bottle of water and a grilled cheese sandwich on the table. I thank him before guzzling half the bottle then begin with the sandwich. I rub my eyes as the tiredness is creeping up with me. I check the clock on the wall and seeing the time instantly makes me yawn. 1am! No wonder I’m so exhausted.

He sits across from me in silence keeping an eye on his phone while I finish eating. Right as I finish we heard a DING.

“Tony is here.” He warns then stands and walks over to me.

“Who is Tony?” I wonder.

“Tony Stark, he’s a friend. Just let me do most of the talking. You’ll be fine.” He assures. I can sense there’s a bit of uncertainty in his words. Then outside the room through the glass wall I see am man marching down the hallway towards the meeting room entrance. I furrow my brows as I study over him trying to work out what I am seeing. Below his neck he is wearing a large suit that looks like its made of metal and in his hand is a brief case. I stand from my seat and move next to Steve.

“What the hell is that?” I hiss. The familiar feeling of fear washes over me.

“It’s his suit. Think of it like armour, there’s no need to worry.” His eyes stay on the man as he enters the room. “Stark.” He welcomed.

“Cap.” Tony responded, but other than his one word he didn’t acknowledge him at all. Instead his eyes studied me. “Who are you?” He snapped in an almost mocking manner. I silently gulp. I can feel his anger and fear from across the room and it immediately makes me uneasy. I take a breathe and step backwards enough so that Steve is slightly shielding me. I feel embarrassed that I feel I need him to protect me but this has been one crazy night and to say that I’m a little unsure of myself right now would be an understatement.

“Tony take it easy, she’s had a rough night.” Steve pleads.

“Rough night? She put Wilson in the hospital, what the hell is she doing in the meeting room. We have cells for a reason.” Tony growled before turning his attention back on me. “You turn up out of no where, put a man in the hospital then stroll around here like nothing happened?” He takes a step closer and I flinch stepping further behind Steve. Tony stops and takes a second to breath, his eyes remain on me. I must look like a damn lost puppy.

Tony looks at Steve and the frustration is clear on his expression. He walks over to the large boardroom table and swings his briefcase up, his eyes still on me. He clicks it opened and pulls the lid up to reveal its contents. I wrinkle my nose and draw my brows together as I try to work out why he has a set of gloves in a brief case.

“Tony don’t-“ Steve begins.

“It’s a precautionary measure… Because we are the Avengers and we would be stupid not to take precautionary measures given our history of attempted hostile takeovers…” He taunted.

“She is not going to hurt anyone, she was just scared.” Steve argued, his voice stern and powerful.

“She already did hurt someone!” Tony cautioned.

“It’s fine.” I interrupt. “He doesn’t trust me and he’s afraid of me, I would be too.” I add. “He doesn’t know who I am and for goodness sakes neither do I!” I walk over to him cautiously and put out my hands.

“I’m not afraid of you.” He proclaims with a scoff.

I look him dead in the eyes and say with completely certainty, “Yes you are.”

________________________________________

Next Chapter

Special Thanks to my girl @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho for being so helpful and supportive <3 

@donutloverxo @sweater-daddiesdumbdork​ @stop-obsessing-over-those-actors​ @nbarnes​ @iguessweallcrazyithinktho​ @goavengers​

[smuttymess]

a simple dinner | 01

pairing: jung hoseok x female reader x jeon jungkook (brief mention)

genre: angst, smut, idol!hobi x jk  

rating: 18+ 

word count: 2,000

warnings: jealousy, degradation, casual sex, public sex, dom!hoseok, explicit language, mf fingering, cum play

about: you knew flirting with men other than your boyfiend, hoseok, came with consequences - but that didn’t stop you from giving jungkook all of your attention at the group’s reunion dinner. after all, consequences doled out by a jealous hoseok can sometimes be good thing.

navigation: part two

::::::

Hoseok could barely look at you. His eyes were fixed on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel, clenched around it so tightly that the skin around his knuckles were losing color. The two of you had been sitting in silence ever since you left the restaurant, and the tension was impenetrable.

You were smarter than to push him when he’s so visibly upset, but the silence was insufferable, and you were desperate for even a hint of kindness from your boyfriend. 

“Please forgive me.”

Hoseok stares blankly over the steering wheel, his eyes laser-focused on the road ahead. It was as if you weren’t even there.

You knew you had been flirting too much with Jungkook at dinner. 

This evening was special, a reunion for the members and their guests after their first extended break since debut. Everyone was dressed to the nines: Hoseok in a crisp white button down and a sports jacket, you in your favorite little leather black dress that he had purchased for you while he was shooting in Los Angeles. He always knew exactly how to spoil you, and it turned him on to know he would be tearing it off later on. He couldn’t keep his hands off of you underneath the table as the members recounted the adventures from the break, the wine flowing and the mood high. 

While the boys were always gorgeous, Jungkook looked particularly attractive tonight. He radiated a post-vacation glow that can only come after some time away from a grueling schedule, his skin perfectly sun-kissed after spending some much-needed time in the sun. He wore a white button down that showed the definition of strong biceps, strengthened further by the countless hours at at the gym during his time off. You didn’t think he could get any hotter, yet you never failed to be surprised every time you saw him. Tonight it was almost impossible to peel your eyes away from his body: his biceps flexing as they moved against the confines of his shirt, his strong, gripping hands, his back muscles as they rippled with every subtle movement.

He was also growing out his hair - now past his ears - and it looked fucking good. You noticed each time the lush dark brown locks fell across his face as he laughed at one of Namjoon’s poetic ramblings. His youthful mannerisms were more noticeable as his hair tumbled over his eyes, his hands in constant motion as they repeatedly rushed up to sweep it away, making for a perfect view of his stunning facial features. 

It was hard not to adore is boyish charm alongside the innate sexiness that emanated from him without really trying: how his nose scrunched and lips curved in delight as he enjoyed the night’s meal, his eyes widening as he entertained the group with stories about his time at home. 

You knew Jungkook had a thing for you. Even with a perfectly fine date by his side, you would often catch him staring from across the table, your eyes momentarily locking in a flirtatious stare as you flashed him a teasing smile. He hadn’t yet developed the ability to hide his crush, his cheeks immediately getting flushed and eyes jetting down to his plate. His hands would toy with the silverware, steering his attention to various inanimate objects on the table as he regained composure. It was adorable. 

Things had been this way for years, and you knew it would be so easy (and fun) to fuck this man, but you always kept your distance. However attractive he was, to you he was simply an amusement for you - a welcome, shameless flirtation that did not extend after the night was done. 

Jungkook was fun to play with, but you only had eyes for Hoseok.

If only you could get Hoseok could see it that way.

Hoseok’s stern expression never wavered, even at the sound of your pleading voice. Exasperated, your eyes stare straight ahead into the darkness of the single-lane road, the iridescent lights of the downtown skyscrapers disappearing in the rearview as you moved into the quieter, more exclusive neighborhood of Hannam-dong. 

The sound of the motor revved, ascending up several steep, winding hills, at an extremely rapid speed. After several more agonizing minutes, you finally arrived at Hoseok’s complex, the front gates opening as you move up the final patch of road leading to his apartment building. The door to the garage opened at an agonizingly slow pace, swiftly closing behind you as the car made its way into the dimly lit garage. 

This wasn’t the first time Hoseok got jealous - far from it.  He was the nicest guy, known for his charisma and optimistic nature. But he was also possessive of you - he always has been. He chose you, quickly and feverishly claiming you and sweeping you up into the world. Anything you wanted - clothes, shoes, apartments, trips - were yours so long as you asked. He was the most devoted, caring and generous partner a woman could ask for. 

He asked one small thing in return: complete ownership of you. 

You loved him deeply, but you had always been naturally independent, flirtatious, social butterfly that could not be simply kept. Admittedly, there was a part of you that enjoyed seeing him tense up, in knowing that you weren’t fully his. 

With each passing moment in the speeding car, you grew more and more nervous, yet equally excited, about what consequences tonight’s discretion would bring. 

::::::

Pulling into the designated parking spot, Hoseok shut off the car, quieting the engine and but leaving the keys in the ignition. The headlights flickered off, leaving you with only the subdued lights from the garage.

Still looking over the dashboard, Hoseok finally broke the silence.

“You know, you were flirting with Jungkook the entire night.” 

“Hoseok, I -” your face turned to him in an attempt to make the eye contact you’ve been yearning for throughout the ride. 

You immediately paused as you see his lips press together, the intensity of his anger building with every second.

"Acting like a total slut at the restaurant,” he hissed. “Smiling and batting your lashes at Jungkook in of the hyungs, in front of me, like you’re not my fucking girlfriend.”

Your eyes widened at the accusation, though you knew without a doubt that you were guilty as hell.

“I’ve told you before how I feel about that, so I can only imagine that you knew this would get a rise out of me, hmm?” Your right palm began to scale the side of your left arm, your fingertips combing the leather fabric of the dress, desperate for the comfort of physical touch. 

You recognized a familiar warmth building in between your thighs, your arousal growing despite the tension of the moment, or perhaps because of it.

He abruptly turned to you with a stare that instantly made you feel powerless against him. The severity of his gaze pierced right through you, his eyes narrowing and growing darker as they examine your frazzled state. Your lips open with a shortened breath, a faulty attempt to appeal to his softer side. 

You could recognize that you were no longer talking to your boyfriend, Hobi. This was Hoseok: jealous, intimidating, and extremely demanding. 

"My girlfriend is such a little slut. You love to taunt me, don’t you?” His domineering tone combined with the sheer potency of his emotion had you on edge. And he knew it. 

“Knowing how much it pisses me off, knowing you’re going get punished,” he snarls. “Look at you - I bet you’re already wet.”

Before you could even process a next step, Hoseok abruptly opened the driver side door, exiting the car. You can feel your heartbeat racing as your eyes darted around to follow his movements through the dark. He crossed the front of the car to your side, hastily opening your door before leaning in and giving you a menacing stare. He looks especially devilish standing over you, his left arm leaning against the front seat while the other swiftly moves beneath the fabric of your dress.

A short gasp escapes your lips as two fingers move up your inner thigh and swiftly shift the lace of your panties before, landing directly on your throbbing clit. You tense up in response to his touch, his fingers covered in your wetness almost immediately.

“See how well I know your body? How I know just how and where to touch you? Nobody knows it like I do - no one ever will.” He wet his lips before pursing them together in smug delight, your body fully melting into his grip as your eyes reflected your desire.

“Is this what you wanted from Jungkook? Were you thinking of his fingers in your cunt just like this?” 

His eyes never leave yours as his fingers tease you. It is clear that he is attempting to pry a confession from you as you sit there, fully exposed and at his mercy. The hard, cool metal of his rings firmly indented your skin sends noticeable shivers through your body as your head leans back to meet the headrest of the front seat. His right index and middle fingers begins to circle your clit, pressing firmly between your lips and sliding in. You to let out a loud moan as enters you, your eyelids falling shut as you sink into bliss your walls tightening around his fingers as they sink deeper into your warm cunt.

The brief moment of ecstacy is interrupted by Hoseok’s left hand at the back of your head, grabbing a fistful of your hair and forcing your eyes back open to meet his. Though slightly hidden by his honey brown locks and the angular shadows of the garage, his deep stare permeates through you. He is a dom, wanting to see tell you just how much you are enjoying the pleasure he is exacting on you. His voice deepens, immediately commanding control. 

“Don’t you fucking close your eyes while I’m here. You haven’t paid attention to me all night, even as you’re wearing this dress I bought for you. I need you to remember who you belong to.”

You can only whimper obediently a his fingers slip in and out of you, the speed ramping up and causing your walls to clench tighter against his fingers, essentially rendering you speechless. You feel your wetness building, dripping onto his palm as he curves deeper into you, steadily dripping onto the interior of the front seat. He leans in to meet your face, his stare deepening and lips gently touching you as he growls into your ear.

“I need you to understand that what happened tonight cannot continue to happen, do you hear me?” 

You cannot even begin to formulate words as his pace continues to build in ferocity, a tightening deep within you forming in response to the stimulation. His thumb moves up to rub your clit, his fingers continuing to pulse in and out. His left hand comes down to tilt your chin up towards him, his eyes signaling that he demands a response as he brings you closer to your edge.

“Tell me Jungkook could never fuck you like I do.”

At your failure to respond quickly, his movements come to a complete stop - his grip tightening against your chin as stares into you. You buckle against the stillness of his fingers, shaking out of sheer desperation for him to continue to get you off. He smirks at you in your pathetic, anguished state - you will get no mercy for him.

“Speak up, princess. You had plenty to say earlier. No need to be quiet now.”

“J-jungook could never, ever fuck me as good as you do,” you stutter.

A deliciously sinister smile forms on his lips, his feverish pace resuming and bringing you back into the heat of the moment. You look to him, eyes pleading to finally bring you relief. The vengeful gaze he returns, void of any leniency, makes your legs buckle beneath his touch. 

“Tell me who you belong to.”

Your pleasure rests in his hands as he continues to spread you open, increasingly more more aggressive as your breathiness intensified. Swallowing a shallow gulp, you are able to muster the words needed to satisfy him - the words he always wanted to hear from you.

“You, Hoseok. I’m yours.”

You flinch as a smirk forms across his face, his eyes glimmering with innate satisfaction of knowing that in this moment he has you, fully and completely.

“Good girl,” he whispers. “Now, cum all over my fingers. Show me how much you love me.”

The forcefulness of his tone, the depth of his fingers, the coolness of his rings pressed directly against your dripping cunt - it is all too much. You immediately lose control, coming undone in the front seat of this public parking garage. Your moans are loud and feverish, your back arching as the beginnings of your orgasm rages through your body, sending blissful shock waves through the length of your spine. The euphoria consumes you, leaving you all at once breathless, disoriented and hungry for more as his movements slow inside of you.

Before you can process the last few moments, Hoseok quickly removes his fingers from beneath your dress, slipping them into his mouth before planting a kiss on your lips and gently brushing the back of his hand against your cheek. You look at him, entirely disoriented and reeling from this pleasure, entirely unsure of his next move. 

The shadow shifts, darkness covering his face entirely as he leans up out of the car and into the stillness of the parking lot. You can't see his expression, but you can feel him staring down at you with simmering, knowing glare. You watch as his mouth curves up into a smile, his hand slowly extending out to you - the long-awaited act of kindness from the man you love, the man who knows just how to ruin you. 

“Let’s get upstairs. I’m not even close to being done with you.” 

[thedarkbluelake]

The Clone Sisters Story Part 13

Part 13: Energy Burst

Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7 Part 8  Part 9  Part 10 Part 11 Part 12

Rem (c) @dreadangel

Rem slammed several guys against light polls.

“Damn this women is an army of one...” Cecil thought to himself, suplexing one into a table. Springing back onto his feet. Getting knocked back “Damn it... Reaching my limit....” He said gripping his shirt.. “Goddamn it... At this rate I’ll have a heart attack...” He stood up as another goon readied to hit him again. Rem rushed up close lining him.

“Ya already? You look like you’re about to pass out” She helped Cecil up. “My heart isn’t the best, If I keep going it’ll stop...” He admitted. “Oh dear... Better end this quickly then!!!” She replied, kicking up a chair. “Enjoy the show, love!!!” Cecil sat down. “Can you really take them all on?” He asked Creaking her knuckles “Oh, I was holding back before.” She ran towards the remaining goons  “I hope you’re not joking....” He said.

Mean while Cell and Mercury were hiding inside the food stand. Mercury sat starring on with the biggest grin on her face. Cell huddled in a corner, shivering, looking like she’s about to cry. “I-I’m s-scared, I-I want it all to stop, why’d I agree to come here?!?!” She said. The food stand worker kneed down “Hey, its okay. Your Dad and that lady has got it covered..” He said to Cell “D-Dad?” She looked up tears rolling down her face. “Yeah, Cecil is your Dad right?” He looked confused. Mercury started giggling uncontrollably

“T-Thats s-so awesome!!!” She stated, both Cell and the worker looked at her “A-All those flips, kicks, punches, slamming those jerks into things.... All of it... ITS SO AWESOME!!!!!” She said as if something inside her snapped. “M-Mercury? Please don’t get back into that...” Cell said “But Cell, look at it, It looks like so MUCH fun!!! I just want to get that rush again, it felt like I was flying, like a spark inside me a lite into a raging inferno!!” She replied.

Cell got up grabbing on Mercury, Mercury looked surprised. “P-PLEASE DON’T ABANDON ME!!!!” Cell said crying “Y-You’re the only one that truly understands why I’m the way I am, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME BEHIND, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!” She bagged. Mercury starred at her  “C-Cell....” She said looking back to the fight, then back to Cell.. “Please don’t cry, I... I’ll stay right here...” She replied hugging Cell. The shop keeper grabbed some napkins “Now, Now. Its okay...” Wiping Cell’s face “Looks like The fights it almost over...”

Rem socked charged into the group, knocking them over. Before kicking one into the air, grabbing his foot and then using him as a club began to slam him into his allies before throwing him into a tree. Cecil watched on. “S-Shes one of the Squid Sister’s f-friends? They befriended a fucking monster..” He thought to himself, slowly blacking out. “Administrating shocked” A  robot voice said, soon Cecil shook several times before coming back to his senses  “Damn it, my heart stopped again...” He looked around seeing Rem standing in front of the last goon.

“Tell your boss if I see you all harass this man or try to kidnap his daughters again, I’ll beat him till he can only eat things out of a blender!!!” She yelled at him, causing him to run off in fear. She turned to look at Cecil then running over to him “Ya okay, love?” She asked helping him up “Y-Yeah, my defib got my heart going again...” He said  “Well, you’re back to reality plus, your daughters are safe!!!” Rem pointed to Cell and Mercury walking out from the food stand. “D-Daughters...” He said to himself.

Cell ran up to him, crying “That was so s-scary!!!” She said, hugging Cecil. He knelt down. “I’m sorry for scaring you, are you alright?” He asked her  “N-No, I.. I wanna go home, PLEASE!!!!” She begged. Cecil nodded in agreement “Alright, Let me check on Mercury first and get the food.” He got up “mind keeping an eye on Cell while I check on Mercury?” He asked Rem. “Sure thing” Rem replied nodding. “Thank you...” He replied walking up to Mercury

“Are you alright Mercury? You’re not hurt are you?” He said kneeling down. “T-That was... WILD, ALL THAT FIGHTING!!! SEEING YOU KNOCK THAT GUY AROUND, A-A-AND HER!!!! ONE WOMEN ARMY, SEEING HER THROW THOSE GUYS AROUND LIKE THEY WERE CHEAP DOLLS AND BASSING THEM INTO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHIN-” Cecil shook her “Did you hit your head?” He asked. She starred at him, shaking and smiling. “I’m perfectly fine!!! Its just in the moment when I jumped on that guy, I felt like I woke from a dream covering in shadows and I see my path forward!!!” She jokingly pointed as she said that.

“Great... I think she mentally snapped....” Cecil thought to himself. “Go to Cell and wait for me...” She nodded, and skipped over.

Cecil got up and walked over to the stand “Thank you for keeping them safe and sorry for the trouble” “Nah, it an’t your fault.” He placed the food on the counter. “Made it to go, since I imagine she wants to leave.” Cecil sighed  “Threw in an extra for your battle buddy too!!”  “Thanks...” He paid for the food grabbing the bag.. “See ya, Father of the year!!” The worker said jokingly. Cecil slightly blushed then turned and waked back to Cell, Mercury and Rem.

“SERIOUSLY ALL THOSE MOVES WERE AWESOME, I THINK YOU BROKE THEM IN HAFT!!!!” Mercury said to Rem making her laugh. “That wasn’t even me trying, love!!!” Rem stating then getting up as Cecil got closer. “Hey there, she loved the show.” “I think something inside her snapped.” He replied handing Rem the food “The worker made you something too..” “Oh, Cheers. Thank you!!!” Rem Yelled and waved at the worker who smiled and returned the worker. before turning back to Cecil.

“Oh nearly forgot, where’d you learn to fight like that? It feels familiar...” She asked. “From my Mother, shes an Octoling.” He replied. Rem clapped “Oh rrrrriiiigggghhhhhttt, well it looked more... complete? Yeah, like you knew how it was meant to flow!”. Cecil sighed “Well she an elite....” “Well, next time I wanna try it for myself!! Lets spar sometime!!” Rem replied. “Sure...” Cecil said picking Cell up, Cell hugged him tight, then handed Mercury the food then holding her free hand. “I’d better get these 2 home before something else happens....”  “Cheers!!” Rem replied walking back towards the studio.

Soon they reached the car. Placing Cell and Mercury in the the back seats, got in and began to drive, soon reaching home. As soon as the doors unlocked. Cell ran out and inside. followed by Mercury. “Slow down speedy!!!” She yelled... Leaving Cecil sitting alone in the car. “Daughters....” He thought to himself before grabbing the food, getting out and entering the house.

TO BE CONTINUED

[clareguilty]

A Crusader’s Patience

This is a request fic for @siarlas-s-bliss! I take full responsibility for the unedited nasty at the end! I was drunk and it was requested I leave it in so uh yeah Reinhardt/Reader Word Count: ~2000 Rating: Explicit | No Warnings, just super smutty

Reinhardt always loved being out in the field. The middle of a fight was one of the few places he felt most alive. Knowing his fellow soldiers were standing at his side as he shielded them from impossible danger gave him a sense of honor. Every battle won was another story to be told. Every life saved reminded him what he was fighting for.

Victory always put Reinhardt in a good mood. His blood rushing through his veins, hair swept back, eyes bright. He couldn’t stop smiling as he unloaded his gear from the drop ship.

His team was celebrating. High fives and cheers, the occasional clink of glass as Reinhardt pretended not to notice the bottles his men were hiding in their jackets. The party would grow even more raucous over the course of the evening. The soldiers would drink and sing and fight and repeat the process all over until Captain Amari showed up with that frown of hers and shooed everybody to bed.

Reinhardt would have loved to join in on the fun, but he had something very important to do first. Once the crew was finished unloading and disarming, he made his way directly to the engineering labs.

Reinhardt always had to be careful when he was in the labs. He was a large, strong man, and the technicians were always afraid that he would knock into the machinery or accidentally break something. Ducking his head under the small doorway, Reinhardt carefully navigated between the desks and worktables. A few of the techs waved, and he greeted them with wide smiles and gentle ‘hellos.’ He had learned early on that his regular speaking voice was much to loud for the quiet white noise of the labs.

Reinhardt spotted you quickly. You were peering into the eyepiece of some equipment he didn’t know or understand, but you looked delightfully focused. He waited patiently for you to finish up with your observations and write down some notes on the data pad next to you.

You turned to face him once you were done. The sight of your smile made Reinhardt’s heart flutter, and he couldn’t help himself as he scooped you into his arms and hugged you close.

He held you for several long seconds, relishing in the feeling of home that you always brought with you. You kissed his cheek sweetly as he set you back on your feet.

“I’m glad things went well out there,” you said, squeezing his bicep gently. He rumbled with laughter and wrapped an arm around your waist.

“I live for the fight, liebling; I love for you. It is good to be home at last.” He brushed a kiss over the top of your head. “We were planning to celebrate tonight; you are welcome to join if you want.”

You began cleaning up your scattered materials. “Time for me to drink Briggs under the table?” you asked.

“Time for you to drink all of us under the table,” Reinhardt began clearing up your desk, putting everything back in its rightful place and shutting down the holo screens you had hovering about your space. He helped you out of your lab coat, walking with you to check out at the front desk before the two of you began wandering back towards the soldier’s quarters.

You could hear the music and chatter before you even reached the doors of the rec room. Soldiers were milling about, laughing and playing as they enjoyed a night without worries. Drinks were flowing, and someone had even thought to set out a few tables of food.

Several soldiers cheered when you walked in. You had become notorious among the fighting men for out drinking even the toughest of the strike team. You had also been pried from one of the brawls at a party a few months back.

When you first started seeing Reinhardt, you worried what the other people on base would think of you. You were just a circuitry tech working in the electronic research department. Even you hadn’t believed it when Reinhardt first asked you out. You thought it must be some kind of mistake.

But you loved Reinhardt. It had been years since you were nervous or shy around him, and you had grown close to the members of his strike team. They welcomed you like family.

A beer was pressed into your hands, and you took part in a toast that was thoughtfully lowered to meet your limited reach as you milled about among the celebrating soldiers. They asked about your research in the lab, nodding along as you tried to explain what you had been working on lately. They regaled you with stories from the field, anecdotes that ranged from horrifying to hilarious. You felt perfectly at home, glad to be among friends.

The evening carried on, and somehow you wound up sitting on Reinhardt’s shoulder, one hand running through his hair while the other held your nth beer for the night. You were laughing and shouting down to the soldiers who kept reaching up to hand you snacks and clink your bottle with theirs.

Reinhardt surprised you by excusing both you and him for the rest of the evening. Usually, he was one of the last people to leave these kinds of celebrations. He gathered a handful of unopened beers, passing one up to you so you could tuck it safely under your arm, and began making his way to the door. He crouched low so you wouldn’t hit your head against the doorframe and did the same once he arrived at his own room.

You descended from his shoulders and flopped onto the bed. “Turning in early tonight, lieutenant?” you asked teasingly.

“I wanted a few hours to spend with you, liebling.”

“Oh, and what did you have in mind?” If your voice didn’t give away your desire, your expression surely did. Heavy-lidded eyes and pouty lips turned upwards as Reinhardt towered over the edge of the bed. He met your gaze with equal intensity, lust burning in his eye.

You surged forward, flinging your arms around his neck as you placed a kiss on his scar. Reinhardt had always worried about his scar when you first started going out. You had to assure him many times that you were not scared of his injury, that his bravery only made you love him more.

He took your face in his large hands, bringing your lips to his. The kiss was slow and passionate, patience learned after years together. When you first slept together, Reinhardt had been zealous and wild. Those few months were wonderful, but exhausting. Now, you had time to give to each other.

You tugged at Reinhardt’s shirt, a silent plea for him to undress. He pulled away to remove his clothing and you made short work of your own. When you met again, he pulled you in close, lifting you so you could latch your legs around his waist. You pulled his bottom lip between your teeth. He groaned in response. The rumble of his chest seemed to spread through yours as well.

Reinhardt set you gently on the bed, running his rough fingers down your entire body as you sank into the mattress.

“Can you take my cock tonight, leibling?” he asked. Your only response was to moan and spread your legs, one hand already slipping down to spread your slick over your clit. Reinhardt couldn’t fuck you every night, a sorrow to you both. You had tried years ago, when you were both young and horny. It had been too much for you; he was just so big. You had both worked together to find other ways to please him, and that had been fine. But tonight, you wanted him to give you everything.

“You’re such a good girl for me,” Reinhardt crooned. He had already retrieved your well-loved bottle of lube. You moaned as two of his enormous fingers pressed into you. The stretch was so good, everything you were looking for.

“Impatient tonight, are we?” you teased. Your loving soldier usually took more time preparing you, but you had no complaints about him moving a little faster. It reminded you of all those years ago, when both of you were too caught up in pleasure to care for patience.

“Are you okay with this?” he asked, pressing a kiss just below your navel. He was always so considerate in the bedroom. He knew that if he wasn’t careful, he could accidentally hurt you.

“Of course,” you pressed your hips down, forcing his knuckles even deeper inside of you. He marveled at the sight before curling his knuckles, dragging along that perfect spot to make you cry out. One of your hands flew to Reinhardt’s arm, nails dragging along his skin hard enough to leave scratches. You knew Reinhardt would wear them with pride.

His fingers moved inside you once more, and you gasped and writhed as he pulled you apart so easily. You came with a cry, gushing over his hand and arching off the bed as he forcefully pressed his fingers exactly where you wanted them. He worked you through your orgasm. His lips trailed over your thighs and stomach and hips, each kiss followed by a soft praise whispered into your skin.

Impatience overtook you, and you grabbed him by the hair, winding the long strands in your fingers.

“Give me your cock,” you whined. “I need it – all of it.”

Reinhardt couldn’t deny you when you looked so utterly desperate. He spread a generous amount of lube over his thick shaft before lining up with your slick entrance. You were already trying to slide down to meet him, grinding against the head of his cock where it pressed against you.

Reinhardt pressed forward slowly, jaw tensed as he held such perfect control, doing everything in his power to keep from hurting you. You moaned as he worked his way inside of you, filling you just past what you thought you could take. He would always test your limits like that, taking you far enough that you succumbed fully to the pleasure, but never past that. You loved being able to trust him so completely.

He moved slowly, sinking in inch by inch until his hips met yours. You dragged him in for a sloppy, heady kiss as you adjusted to his enormous size. Your hips rolled experimentally, testing the waters before you let Reinhardt take control once more.

Your hand drifted down to your stomach, resting over the taut skin of your lower belly where it was stretched tight around Reinhardt’s cock. You pressed down on the bulge, reveling in his gasp of shock at the new sensation. His hips jerked involuntarily, and you nodded to let him know you were okay as he began fucking into you with the exuberance and ardor of a Crusader returned victorious.

Your hand remained on your stomach, pressing against Reinhardt’s cock with each thrust and causing your eyes to roll back as pressure mounted in that perfect spot deep inside.

He came. His hands on either side of your face as he pulled you in for a desperate kiss that covered his choked off moan. You felt a slight swell under your palm where his cock was buried deep inside of you. But not even a moment later, his seed was gushing past his cock and dripping down between your legs. There was so much of it. Reinhardt’s cock pulsed again and again in a seemingly never-ending stream of come.

You lay together for several minutes, not minding the sticky mess that you had become. Reinhardt carefully slipped his softening cock out of you, murmuring apologies and praise when you cried out as his thick head stretched your oversensitive pussy. You were going to ache tomorrow, but you would love every minute of it.

You tried to sit up, only to be scooped into Reinhardt’s arms and carried into the bathroom. Even after a long day of fighting, followed by and evening of fucking you senseless, he carried you with ease, as though you weighed nothing. He deposited you on the toilet and turned on a shower for the both of you.

As he gently washed your skin, Reinhardt’s finger slipped between your legs once more. You gasped as he brushed your oversensitive clit, one hand flying to catch his wrist and try and pull him away.

“Let me make you come one more time,” he spoke lowly in your ear, “I know you can do it for me, liebling.”

You hesitated only a moment before pulling your hand from his wrist and nodding, leaning back into his broad, solid chest. He started slow, gently circling your clit and kissing along your jaw and neck. Your arm flew up to grip him for support, knees threatening to give on the slick tile.

Reinhardt took things into his own hands, hoisting you up with one arm and rubbing your clit in faster and faster circles with the other. You fell limp in his hold, whimpering and gasping as he drew your orgasm out of you.

When you opened your eyes, you were on the bed, wrapped in blankets and nestled into Reinhardt’s side as he scrolled absently on his datapad.

He kissed the top of your head when you stirred. “Do you need anything, dearest?” he asked softly. You shook your head and tucked yourself even closer to his body. “Get some sleep,” he urged. “I will be right here.”

[sophisticateddesign]

And The Oscar Goes To?

INVOLVED:  Mercedes Jones, Titus Wilkerson, Brent  LOCATION:  Office buiding: Atlanta, Ga. TIME FRAME: March 14th, 2020 NOTES: Mercedes and Titus decided on new office space. 

Mercedes stood in the middle of the building’s lobby. She had shopped for offices before. Usually the 4 offices variety with a conference room max. This time, however, it was the whole damn building. “And you really think we should buy the whole thing?” As far up the side of the building as her eyes could see, windows dominated the space. Which opened out to the office’s own personal courtyard. Critically, her eyes flowed over the staircase to the right of the reception desk.  She loved its lines; truth be told she loved everything about the build. But was it right for their purposes? She mused tapping her finger against her full perfectly lined lips.

“It has everything. And I do mean everything,” Titus said, turning a circle. “If this was a man…” He twisted his lips, grudgingly eyeing the woman, “It would be your damn fiancé.”  He finally said, turning his nose up, as he let his still bruised ego show.

Mercedes chuckled, turning the ring on her finger. Then tried to rush, but flinched and shortened her gate, walking over to her long-time friend. She took his hands and turned him in respectable, but slightly slower circle.  “It’s perfect. I think the training room is a bit too much. But considering we can rent out office spaces to other companies, the place is a steal.” She shrugged, thinking it over. “You know the training rooms could come in handy. Maybe I’ll do some seminars. The sky's the limit.” She said grinning ear to ear.

Titus raised an eyebrow at Mercedes wince of pain. Loosely holding her hands, he indulged her in her unhurried semicircle. “Right…” he agreed, his voice full of unasked questions.  “Let's take the stairs back upstairs.  I want to flip over our offices.” He said already pulling the woman towards the steps.

Immediately, Mercedes nether regions screamed in protest.  “Ummm, let’s take the elevator.” She said, pulling him off, in the opposite direction. And no way am I flipping over anything.  You sir are a cheat. And I’m not going up against that double-sided coin of yours. I can’t believe Abraham still falls for that mess.” She tisked.

Titus let himself be pulled in the opposite direction. Smirking knowingly the whole time.  “Abraham isn’t fooled by anything.  He lets me win. It’s the mark of a happy and healthy relationship.” He smiled, still eyeing the woman liberally. Once in front of the polished elevator doors, he pushed the button for the top floor and the doors slid open immediately. “Something you must have mastered considering your current set up…” He said with a click of his tongue.

Mercedes frowned and stepped on the elevator.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Titus pursed his lips, striding onto the elevator behind Mercedes.  “Girl, Goodbye and goodnight. You got that man going and coming. Now I was going to say it was your winning personality.” He popped his tongue. “But…” He turned his head, looking down the front of her body. “Somebody has clearly been using other ASSSets.” He stressed, patting a nonexistent curl on the side of his head.

Mercedes faced heated to a hundred wonderful degrees. She could deny the charges, but Samuel was the only man, to dick whip completely. And she’d only slept with him twice. Hell, she was whipped from the first if she was being honest with herself.  Unable to help herself she smiled sticking her tongue out childishly and sang, “Somebody loves me baby, woah, woah. Somebody loves me baby and you know who it is.”   With a laugh.

Titus’ whole face dropped to the floor. “That is not funny. I hate you bot -” He paused, feigned doing a complicated math problem in front of his face, including carrying the one.  Then used that same finger to wind up and point directly at Mercedes. “No, I hate you.” He said as the elevator slid open on the top floor. 

Brent leaned casually across from the elevator, waiting on Ms. Jones and Mr. Wilkerson to return. He pushed the stroller, softly checking it every so often to see if Nouvel was still a sleep. He looked up as the elevator opened and smiled as he saw Ms. Jones.  “Hey.” He said confused at seeing Mr. Wilkerson so close to Mercedes face. “Is everything okay?” he asked with a frown.

Mercedes giggled, then grabbed Titus’ finger and kissed it quickly. Smiling kindly at Brent then took Titus by the hand pulling him off the elevator. “Everything is fine. How is my baby, girl.”  She cooed moving over to look in on Nouvel herself. She bent and stroked her child’s chubby cheek then tucked her blankets closer around her middle.  “So, what did you think of the space?” She asked Brent. “I figured if we added another restroom it would be the perfect place for an in-office daycare?”

Titus wrinkled his nose as she kissed his finger then, turned to see Brent standing there, “I swear girl, you sure like to collect cute blond nesting dolls.” He gave the man another slow once over doing his best catwalk as he was pulled over to his Godchild.

Brent ran his fingers back though his hair and cleared his throat under the other man’s scrutiny. He nodded as Mercedes dismissed what he’d seen with a laugh. “No. You’re absolutely right. It is far enough away from the main office to keep the kids calm. While being close enough to keep the parents happy.  I can make you a list of suitable people I know who could run the place. If you’d like?”

Mercedes rolled her eyes and gave Titus a warning look. She stood up straight once she saw the baby was napping peacefully. “That would be perfect.” She said nodding her head. “Mr. Wilkerson and I have a few more things to discuss and then will be ready to go. Text the driver and have him bring the car around.’ She told the man, moving off down the hall. “Well take one more look at the corner offices.”

“Aren’t you quite the little helper.” Titus purred, pursing his lips. He followed Mercedes, throwing small looks back over his shoulder. “I think I’m going to have a baby too. Just so I can get all the fun accessories.” He slowed his pace to match Mercedes raising his eyebrow. “Good peni really did bring the boss out? Call the driver.” He said, waving his hand out dismissively.

“Titus.” Mercedes warned, “Stop making that man uncomfortable, before I get hit with a sexual harassment charge.”  Despite herself she chuckled, only raising her eyebrow at his final comment.  “Anyway. Have you had any word on Patty? I don’t like how quiet she’s been.” she said hips swaying as she entered her new office.

“Patty is a ghost. Near as I can tell, she might still be in Texas. She went there to visit family then poof she fell off the map.” Titus said mechanically. “Is that all boss? Or is there anything else you need from me today?” He asked from the office's doors, making a show of looking down at his nails. 

Mercedes gazed out the window chewing her lip. “That’s not good.  I could ask Samuel, but I’ve been avoiding that topic for a while now.” She turned at the odd sounding question, Titus just flung at her.  Mercedes sighed and moved back to the doorway pulling the man into the room. “You want to talk about the elephant in the room?’ She asked, taking his arm. 

“I wouldn’t know much about the temperament of Mr. Evans.”  He said formally. Titus turned his nose up but let himself be pulled along behind Mercedes. “I wanted you to become a lady of leisure. However, I failed to realize I was to become your man servant. I am not sure if I should change my name to Alfert or Benson.”

Mercedes twisted her lips. Hands going to her hips. “Now wait-”

“No, you wait!” Titus said trying to cut her off.

“No! You wait!” Mercedes said right on top of the man. “For years you have been my biggest cheerleader. ‘Mercedes there will be good guys in your future if I have to find them for you.” She said patting the side of her hair, in a great impression of the man. “And now that I have you want to pout and throw a fit because I don’t run to you immediately. “That’s bullshit, Titus.”

“Bullshit!” Titus asked hands going to his chest. “Waiting days to tell me your engaged is not bullshit.”

Bullshit.” Mercedes repeated. “I am not the first person you come to when your happy or sad.  It’s Abraham. And I love you to death. But I’m happy. I mean, that story book kind of shit. I didn’t tell you right away, because I needed to accept it for myself. I sit up at night worried that all this shit is some kind of a dream. And that, I’m going to wake up to a reality where I’m scrubbing someone's toilets.”

“Your dramatic ass.” Titus huffed, rolling his eyes. “And what you’re point? Ain’t nobody mad about you being happy.”

‘I know!” Mercedes said, taking a deep breath. “You’re mad because you are not the number one man in my life. I am not your broken little woman sized doll, whose life you need to put together anymore.” She grabbed him by the cheeks. “I want you to be a part of my life. I’ve just grown up. And our relationship has to change.”

Titus snatched his face away and crossed his arms in front of him. He eyed the woman he’d seen through thick and thin for a long time before he smiled broadly. Opening his arms dramatically, he announced in a voice meant for the stage. “My work here is done.” Then bowed hard from the waist to an invisible audience. Standing, he then accepted invisible roses from an adoring public. He winked at Mercedes. “I guess I’ll stop being mad. After all, I have a whole wedding to plan.”

Mercedes shook her head and exhaled tiredly. “You’re ridiculous. You know that?” If this man ever became serious, hell might actually freeze over.  Or maybe pigs would fly. She thought shaking her head, “Titus..” She said in a concern voice. “I want something small. I’ve already worked up some ideas. We can go to lunch and I’ll show you my budget? Let’s go.”

Titus looked at the woman as if she was an alien. All the while thinking, what does she mean by budget?

[petri808]

The Wishing Well

Whew, I made it lol.  This is my story for the awesome @nalufever for the Nalu server’s secret Valentine’s Exchange.  LoL we had each other!  Omg, I hope you like it, I was trying to come up with a story around the idea we once talked about.  It ended up being a fluffy short story lol.  Okie here we go.

“Miss Lucy!” the little girl waves her hand excitedly from across the room.  “Miss, Miss, Miss!”

“Yes, Wendy?” the teacher’s aide walks up to the table and kneels, “are you finished with your drawing?” Nodding her head with a small blush upon her cheeks, the child holds her drawing up for Lucy to see.  “That’s wonderful Wendy!  Is that your cat?  But why is it blue?”

Wendy smiles wide, “name’s Happy!  Don’ know why he blue tho but it’s cute!”

“Yes,” Lucy chuckles, eyes brimming with delight, “he’s very cute!”  

Content with the response, Wendy goes back to doodling a new cartoon while the teachers aid floats around the room checking on other students.  Lucy loved this part time job even though it wasn’t quite in the field she was studying for, the credit still counted, the pay was decent, and not to mention the students were adorable most of the time.  Of course, there were a few that could be a handful, but nothing the bubbly 22 yr old blonde couldn’t handle and besides, the teacher Mirajane was also a blessing to work with.

Storytime was probably Lucy’s favorite part of the day.  Books had always been her sanctum even from a young age and to impart that same love into these children was like paying it forward for the new generation.  They would gather round her with their snacks, the eager little faces and once a week she even delighted them with original little stories she would create just for them.  Filled with characters like Princesses and Dragons, of mythical elves and other magical creatures, even using their names mixed in to make it come alive for the awestruck youngsters.

Lucy smiles from her desk, this school year was shaping up to be a great one.

Across town at Magnolia University, a young man hurries out of class.  Checking his phone, he’s got 30 minutes to get to the primary school and pick up his sister, but traffic is often a pain at this hour.  His sister-in-law Mavis usually picked Wendy up but today she had an appointment leaving Natsu to rush.  It’s been a struggle for the 24-year-old, being thrust into the role of guardian at the age of 20, to drop out of college and take time off to raise a 2-year-old.  Not that it mattered, there was no way he was going to allow Wendy to be sent to a foster home after their parents died.  It wasn’t her fault tragedy struck and left her an orphan, so he was going to lavish that little girl with all the love and affection their parents would have given her.

He thrums his fingers on the steering wheel, as the car slowly crawled its way towards the front of the school.  The line of parents patiently waiting to pick up kids was pretty typical, however annoying it may be, but a requirement for the students in kindergarten and first grades for release at the end of the day.  Teachers and security waited with the children, handing them off as each car pulled up.  Natsu smiles when he finally sees the tell-tale blue hair of Wendy bouncing as she waves to him.

“How was your day at school Wendy?” popping the question as the first grader buckled herself in to her booster.  

With a click and a bubbly response, “lots’a fun!  We drew and Ms. Lucy read us a story!  Ms. Lucy always has awesomest stories to tell!  Yuck, then Mrs. Dreyar gave us reading to do.”  

Natsu chuckles, side-eying through the rearview, “What’s with the pouty face?  I thought you like reading?”

“Not for homework.  I wanna read for fun!”

That only makes him laugh harder, “tell ya what, how about we get some ice cream at the mall, then I’ll read with you, sound better?”

Wendy’s face lights up, “Yay!  Ice Cream!”

“Kozmic Cones it is!”

On the opposite side of the mall nestled near the food court, Faeries Café was a popular little hangout.  Good food that even a college kid could afford drew them in at all hours of the day. Lucy was no exception and today was her weekly meet up with her best friend Levy McGarden for coffee.  It had become a routine ever since they’d finished their undergraduate programs and moved on to graduate work, she in the field of English Lit while Levy focused on Ancient Linguistics.  Between classes and working jobs they rarely had much time anymore to hang out.  

“How are things going with Gajeel,” the blonde stirred at the slowly warming coffee, “did you guys pick a date for the wedding yet?”

“He said not until after I graduate, which is only one more semester, so I agreed.”

Lucy leans onto her propped hand with a light smile, “You’re so lucky you found someone already Lev, I’m really happy for you two.”

“Aww, Lu you’ll find someone,” the bluenette reaches over the table and grabs her friend’s free hand, squeezing it before retracting back into her seat, “and I bet it’ll happen when you least expect it to.”

But the blonde just sighs, “Doubt it, I’m so busy I don’t have time to meet anyone unless they are under the age of 7,” chuckling lightly, “and no one in my college classes are very interesting to me.”

“You haven’t dated anyone since him that I can recall.”  Levy taps her chin, “maybe it’s not that you can’t but won’t look at anyone else.”

“What are you my psychiatrist now?!”  teasing at her friend.  “I’m fine, really, not like I don’t have enough on my plate to deal with, right? And as for my ex,” Lucy shrugs her shoulders, “we lost touch in college…”

The girls spend about an hour chatting and catching up, planning that upcoming weekend when another friend will be dropping by town.  Cana Alberona was never one to stay still for very long but luckily her job in fashion fit her personality well, jet setting around to photograph models and actors for Sorcerer’s Magazine.  She was so different in personality from the other two girls and yet the trio were inseparable in high school.  It wasn’t really their thing, but for Cana, hitting a bar or club was definitely going to be on the agenda.

Which was fine, she guessed, nothing wrong with hanging out with a couple of girlfriends at a bar.  Hopefully no one bothers us….  Ugh, but some guy always does!  As she walked away from the café, Lucy hangs her head wondering if her love life would always be a struggle.  She was sick and tired of even trying to meet guys when it usually turned out they only wanted her, sighing, for my assets….  It wasn’t her fault she was born with these curves, even thought about getting a reduction one day just so she didn’t have to deal with them anymore.  

There had only been one serious relationship in her life and while the guy definitely loved her body, Lucy knew it wasn’t the reason he’d asked her out in the first place.  Back then surrounded by so many friends, she’d never cared much about having boyfriends or being in relationships but funny how things change and now 5 years later, it was kind of lonely.  

She sees the wishing well a few feet away, absent mindedly pulling out a coin as she walked towards it. It was such a silly thing to make a wish and throw away a perfectly good quarter but well, flicking the shiny metal into the water, what could it hurt, right?  To have someone like him back in her life again, maybe the false smiles she wore would finally be real.

“Ms. LUCY!!!”

“Wendy?”  The young blonde turns around to the voice of her student, semi-surprised though this was a mall and all, just in time to have the little girl hugging to her legs.  “Wendy, what a nice surprise to see you here!” Lucy hugs the girl back, “but who are you with sweetie?”

The little girl, with eyes practically shining, bounces on her feet pointing behind her, “my brother gots me ice cream.”

“Your broth…” As she follows Wendy finger, Lucy cannot believe what she’s seeing.  “N-Natsu!” a light gasp as her hands fly up to her mouth and moisture clouds her vision.  “Oh my god! I-Is it really you?”  

Sporting the trade mark goofy grin that she knew better than most plastered on his face, “Yeah it’s me, heya Lucy,” scratching his head, “Didn’t realize you were the teacher she always talks about.  How ya been?”

Tears trickle down her cheeks and before she can stop them, her feet carry her towards him, hands flying into fists.  In that moment Lucy’s surroundings fade away and all she can see is Natsu, standing there in the flesh.  No Wendy, no shoppers, just him.  “Why!?” She beats at his chest, “no calls, no texts, no goodbye!  Four years! Y-you just left me hanging how could you Natsu!”  

“Luce…” he had no idea what he could say to the sobbing woman in his arms to slow her tears, grabbing her hands to stop their fury but keeping them held tightly to his chest. She was right, everything she said was the truth.  Natsu was an asshole for not making the effort to contact her as soon as he could, and he knew that.  So, he did the only thing he could and held her quietly, whispering soft apologizes and hoping it would be enough to soothe the pain he never knew she had held onto.        

Eventually Lucy slumps against him, liquid still flowing but her sobs withering into lighter exhalations. “I’m sorry,” her voice strained and muffled, “I didn’t mean to break down like that.”

“No,” Natsu pulls her head against his shoulder, cradling the back of her head, “don’t be sorry, I should have reached out to you too it’s just that…”

“I know about your parents….  I ran into Gray a couple years ago and he told me that’s what happened.”  Lucy pushes away just enough to look up at the taller man. “Natsu I would have been there for you if you’d have let me, you didn’t have to do it all alone.”

“I know Luce…. We…”

A meek voice breaks through the din, “I-Is Ms. Lucy okay?”

“Oh my!” Lucy pushes away and drops to her knees beside the little girl, followed quickly by the elder brother.  Still wiping away the streaks of salty liquid, Lucy takes the child’s hand, “I’m so sorry you had to see that Wendy.  I’m okay really, I am I promise.  We,” glancing to Natsu who nods, “we went to high school together and haven’t seen each other in a long time.”

The poor child’s face is still sullen and full of worry.  “Are you, are you mad at my brother Ms. Lucy?  Did my brother hurt you?”

“He…”

Natsu put his hand on Lucy’s shoulder, cutting off her response.  Turning to his little sister, “I did, a long time ago when you were still very young, I made Lucy very, very sad.”

“But he didn’t mean to sweetie,” Lucy chimes in trying to comfort the child, “your brother was going through a lot of things and it just happened.”

“So, you really aren’t mad at my brother?”

“No, I’m not,” the woman smiles.  “I rather like your brother a lot.”  Lucy feels the warmth tingling in her cheeks but does her best not to show it.  “He’s, you know like how we learned about the bad guys and the good guys in class?”  The child nods.  “Your brother is one of the good guys.”

That brings a delighted smile back to Wendy’s face.  “I think so too!  He takes really good care of me after mommy and daddy died.”  

“I’m sure he does,” Lucy smiles back.

“Wendy, honey,” Natsu steps in handing out some change to the girl, “would you like to go make some wishes while I finish talking to Ms. Lucy?”  The child looks to her teacher, then back to her brother nodding, taking the change and skipping off to the wishing well.  “What’s the odds that she’d end up in your class?” turning to the girl still crouched, Natsu helps Lucy to her feet, “or running into each other at the mall’s wishing well?”

Lucy shakes her head rather than respond.  Magnolia wasn’t a large city, it was bound to happen sooner or later so there was no point in making it out to be anything more than mere coincidence.  “I-I sh-should probably go so you can get back to Wendy.” Lucy turns away.  “I must look like a mess right now…”  

“You are still just as beautiful as the last time I saw you.”

The blonde stiffens. His words…. His tone… sends an electric shock through her frame.  Tingling along her skin when his hand comes to rest on her shoulder and the heat radiating from his body infringing upon her space.  

“I’m such an idiot for letting you go once.  You must be settled down by now with someone….”

She shakes her head, refusing to turn around, and answering in a soft tone, “there hasn’t really been anyone since you.  No one’s ever treated me…. the way you used to treated me…”

One hand on her shoulder turns into two around her waist.  “I don’t expect you to forgive me Luce, but if it’s any consolation, I still love you, maybe even more now, knowing how much Wendy adores you too.”  Lucy squeezes her eyes shut, willing back the tears again. “Would you give me a second chance?”

“Please say Yes!”  The young man and woman’s heads whip around to see a beaming Wendy practically bouncing.  “Please say yes Ms. Lucy!”

Natsu let go of Lucy’s waist, turning her to face him.  “Well, Ms. Lucy?”  A large grin growing on his face with the thought of buying his sister that new dress she’s been fawning over.  “You wouldn’t want to make your student sad, would you?”

“Gah, you really haven’t changed,” she punches his arm, playfully with a smirk.  “Lucky you,” grabbing his shirt, “I still love that goofier side,” and pulling him down for a kiss….  

[echoes-of-the-clockwork]

Book One: Death (Noctis x Reader) Chapter Fifteen

A/n: I think I forgot to mention this, but this is a short series that will include four books in all. Each book will have around 15-20 chapters and you can tell this one is coming to an end. There will be a large time skip soon, but I will make sure this story has a happy ending! Love you all!!! •••••••••••••••••••• Not able to catch up to (Y/n), the boys lost sight of her. "Shit... How can she outrun us in heels?!" Noctis shouted as they came to a stop. There were two paths and no one knew which one Death took. The prince tried to follow the scent, but the smell drenched the entire area and nearly caused him to gag. "Should we split up?"

"No. With (Y/n) truant, the creatures in the vicinity will strike without warning," Ignis responded. "We will venture down both paths if necessary."

"Eenie... meenie... miney... mo..." Prompto started, determining with path they should take first. After finishing the jingle, the sharpshooter chose the path to their right. "That way!"

"Guess we're goin' right," Gladio mumbled as they took off.

Halfway down the path, the four were attacked by a couple of Mandrakes. It wasn't a grueling task slaying the creatures, but it did put more distance between them and (Y/n). Once the monsters were slain, the group continued down the path.

The four spot a familiar figure as they stood on the other side of a tunnel that led to an open area. Noctis was the first to reach the Horseman as her body appeared stiff. He followed her gaze as he heard the cries of a Wendigo and something else. Prompto stood a few feet behind the couple as he saw two creatures fighting. "Is that a...?"

"Bandersnatch and a Wendigo," Ignis responded. "Skirmishing against one another."

As the five watched the battle, they could tell the Wendigo had the upper hand even with its smaller stature compared to the Bandersnatch's immense one. Blood poured from the larger creature's side as it tried to attack the other worldly monster. The Bandersnatch's steps were wobbly, the blood loss causing its large body to sway with each step. The Wendigo pounced and landed on its opponent's back, lodging its claws into the larger monster's thick, though skin. Without hesitation, the smaller creature hissed loudly before biting into the Bandersnatch's flesh. Blood spurted from the fresh wound as the creature wailed out in pain as it no longer could stand. It tipped over, landing on its side and shaking the ground when it made impact.

The Wendigo retracted its claws and teeth from the now dead Bandersnatch, crying out in victory. (Y/n) glared daggers at the rotting, bloodied monster as it began eating the corpse of the large creature. From behind her, she could hear Prompto gag at the gruesome sight.

"What a vile creature," Ignis muttered with a scowl.

"Just be glad you don't live in the Inner Sanctum. There're monsters far worse than the Wendigo that reside in the world between life and death," the Horseman commented as she summoned her scythe.

"Gotta admit-it made our job easier," Gladio commented as he followed (Y/n)'s action and summoned his broadsword.

"Yeah, but now we've gotta face that creepy, nasty thing!" Prompto cried out, gripping his pistol tightly.

"It's an easy kill, Prom," the Horseman reassures. "The only way to kill it is to chop its head from its body. If you cut off any limbs, it won't slow it down-that'll only anger it and its movement won't be affected at all."

"Let's begin, shall we?" Ignis inquired with a dagger in each hand.

"Ready whenever you are," Noctis responded, eyes bouncing over to (Y/n).

"Let's just hope I can fight in these contraptions," she responded, glancing down at her dress and heels.

Without waiting another second, the five engaged the Wendigo. The monster easily sensed their presence before they could land a hit and swiftly dodged. It wailed out in anger-its meal being interrupted. Blood covered its entire body as its red, glowing eyes bounced between the boys and girl in front of it. The creature set its sights on Prompto, earning a scream of fear from the boy as the Wendigo pounced in his direction. (Y/n) acted quickly and outran the monster, standing protectively in front of the blonde boy and raising her scythe just as the Wendigo landed a few inches in front of her. Its bloodied claws rammed into the blade, the strength behind the attack causing her to slide back in the dirt.

Prompto took the chance to fire a round at the Wendigo and managed to take out the monster's left eye. It bellowed in pain and jumped away from the two, only to be attacked by Noctis, Gladio, and Ignis. (Y/n) and Prompto joined in as they recovered and surrounded the creature. It knew where the five were aiming and protected its head as it managed to break through their defenses and gain some distance. Noctis was the first to react and charged at the monster. The Horseman saw what it had planned and quickly ran after the prince. "Noctis, stop!"

The raven-haired boy heard her shout, grabbing his attention and distracting him from the monster standing only a few feet in front of him. A menacing glint flashed in the Wendigo's remaining eye as it raised its claws and swiped at Noctis. Before the prince could feel his skin being shredded, he was pushed out of the way and to safety. His body went rolling through the grass before he came to a stop. When Noctis heard a scream, his azure eyes widened as his head shot up.

Noctis watched in anger and fear as the Wendigo tore into (Y/n)'s flesh with its claws. With the immense force of the hit, her body was swatted away and flew through the air. Her body slammed against a stone structure, which Noctis recognized as the tomb they were searching for. Stumbling to his feet, he dashed over to (Y/n) while the others handled the Wendigo.

Noctis reached (Y/n) and called out her name. When he didn't receive a response, he checked on her injuries. The ones she received from the impact were healing, but the one she received from the Wendigo wasn't and blood was pouring from the large gash on her arm. He patted his pockets, hoping to find a curative on him. When he didn't, he clicked his tongue in frustration and gathered (Y/n)'s body in his arms. "Dammit... Ignis!"

"On my way!" The tactician responded as he dodged one of the Wendigo's attacks to reach the couple. Ignis grabbed a curative from his pocket and tossed it to Noctis-who crushed it over the immense gash on Death's arm. The prince watched as the skin mended together and prevented anymore blood from flowing out.

Noctis held (Y/n) tightly, her head resting against his shoulder. He waited for her to open her eyes, signaling she was well and didn't need further medical attention. Ignis remained by the prince's side as Prompto and Gladio finished off the Wendigo with a combined attack. The two rushed over and gathered around Noctis and (Y/n), hoping the unconscious girl would wake.

A few minutes of silence passed when Death opened her eyes. She inhaled deeply before sighing heavily as she tried to sit up, but the hold Noctis had on her prevented her from moving an inch. "Is it dead?" Was the first thing she asked when she decided to let Noctis continue to hold her.

"Yeah. You alright?" Gladio asked.

"Just peachy."

Noctis was glad to hear she was fine, but one question buzzed in his mind. "How come the injury inflicted by that thing didn't heal? Your back healed perfectly fine and even when you grabbed Ravus' sword, the wound healed within seconds."

"That's because the Wendigo is from the Inner Sanctum. Injuries caused upon my being from a monster that I share a home with don't heal with mana from this world," the Horseman responded.

"That's what happened when Noct summoned you after we found the last runestone," Prompto said.

"Yes, except I wasn't only injured by that attack. By the time you summoned me, I had lost too much blood and my heart stopped."

Prompto swallowed hard at her response. "So, you were... dead?"

"In simple terms-yes. But, I am immortal and also happen to be the Horseman of Death. Kinda ironic, isn't it?"

"Never heard someone be so casual about death before," Gladio stated with a small frown.

"Well..." (Y/n) started. "When you're a being with the power to swipe someone's soul with a single touch, you kinda lose yourself to the darkness in you and end up laughing at the darkest things any man or woman could think of."

The boys were silent and couldn't think of anything to say after such a heavy statement. (Y/n) realized how she dampened the mood and decided to break free from Noctis' hold. She stood up and brushed off her dress. "You better go claim the royal arm." Not able to meet any of their gazes, Death headed towards the tunnel.

With a sorrowful gaze, Noctis watched as (Y/n) walks away from them. He wanted to chase after her and say something, but he couldn't think of anything to say. Sighing heavily, the prince opened the entrance to the tomb and claimed the royal arm.

<------<<<<<<<<

(Y/n) reached the Regalia and waited patiently for the boys to return. She examined the area she was scratched and saw the tear in her dress. "Guess I'll get rid of the sleeves before taking the photos."

"I think it suits you," Death heard a voice laugh from behind her. Spinning on her heels, she was greeted by the spectral image of one of her sisters-Famine. Unlike Death, she had blonde hair and green eyes. A smile was etched on her face as she stood a few feet away from (Y/n).

"What're you doing here, Famine?" (Y/n) questioned her sister.

"Pestilence, War, and myself have been watching the Wendigos. There's only one left and you'll be able to return home! The three of us miss you, Death."

(Y/n) glanced down at the ground, her (e/c) eyes becoming dull. "What if I wanted to stay here?"

Famine's emerald eyes widened. "What? Why would you want to stay in the land of the living?"

"There's someone I care about very dearly and I can't bring myself to return to the Inner Sanctum and leave him here."

Famine sighs in disbelief. "I understand, but you know your presence is needed to prevent another incident like this from happening. Before you slay the last Wendigo, please say your "goodbyes" to this boy. The moment the last monster is slain, the portal to the Inner Sanctum will open. Please, do not get yourself tangled any further in the living or your departure will only be more difficult."

(Y/n) remained silent as her sister vanished. She knew Famine was right and she needed to distance herself from the boys, especially Noctis. It hurt her to do this to them even after she had confessed her feelings to the prince recently. Biting the inside of her cheek, she steeled herself and made up her mind.

<------<<<<<<<

When the boys returned to the car a few minutes later, they didn't see (Y/n). Noctis searched the area, wondering if she had just wandered off a little ways. "(Y/n)?"

Prompto helped in the search, but he couldn't find the Horseman. Gladio and Ignis joined and searched further from the car. Noctis pulled out the summoning orb and curled his fingers around the ornament. When (Y/n) didn't appear, he grew worried for her safety.

"I don't see her, Noct," Prompto confesses as he returns from checking down the road.

"Neither do we," Ignis stated as he and Gladio returned from checking the foliage.

Noctis gritted his teeth, staring down at the sable orb in his hand. "Where the hell has she gone?"

[creative-frequency]

Connor|RK800 x Reader: Ocularity Ch. 11

Word count: 2440 Warnings/Categories: Eventual mature content, romance, friendship, fluff, light angst, explicit language, uncle Hank Notes: So much for finishing this ch during the holidays, so apologies for the delay. Again. My time off work was actually more stressful than relaxing as a lot of family stuff has been going on recently. Hopefully it’ll even out soon.

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November 2nd 05:43 PM

Your home feels numb and cold as you pace around – a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotion swirling violently inside you. You can’t stop moving, the storm needs an outlet. You’ll drown in it if you stop, so you continue pacing and glancing at the clock on the wall. It’s been two minutes… five… eight… an eternity. Enough time for a proper goodbye but you couldn’t have known.

Markus and Liara are safely gone and hopefully on their way to Jericho – wherever that is. A sense of overwhelming relief is mixed with worry so strong it’s making you feel sick. As soon as you’ve gotten rid of Connor, you can have the much needed breakdown, but until then you need to keep it together.

The doorbell chimes just as you’re pouring the cold cup of coffee into the kitchen sink.

“We need to talk,” Connor declares and practically pushes past you into the vestibule. He doesn’t look you in the eye but instead his head is turning around, eyes rapidly investigating the scene.

“Okay?”

You close the front door and it feels like you just caged yourself in with a lion.

In the matter of seconds, Connor is done with the vestibule and the living room. You follow him, forcing yourself to stay calm even though you can hear your own heartbeats in your ears. Connor is in detective mode and you need to brace yourself. Unless you manage to switch him off from it.

“I’ll go get the pad so we can begin,” you say, reaching for a light tone. “Did Hank show up today?”

“No. He asked me to file his paperwork – which I did – but he never arrived at the station. He wasn’t at Jimmy’s bar either,” Connor explains. His demeanor somewhat relaxes. The LED on his temple is calm.

“I’ll let him know you’re not his personal assistant,” you try joking, but it sounds hollow. Your hands are slightly shaking as you grab the datapad.

Connor nods. “I would appreciate that, Doctor.”

He sits down on the couch, hands resting on his knees, looking at you expectantly. He seems normal and you dare to relax slightly. Maybe he hasn’t noticed anything suspicious after all, despite the inspection after his entering. Maybe there’s nothing to worry about beside your own behavior. Maybe he’s just waiting for you to slip.

Maybe you’re being paranoid and need to calm down and stop thinking about the worst.

“So, umm…” You tap at the pad, opening the checkup sequence and ready the application to run it. It was wiped cleaned of all traces of Markus’s data on the previous day.

“Where is Liara?” Connor asks suddenly as if only realizing she’s not present.

The reaction of surprise is hard to contain and, despite your best efforts, trouble crosses through your features for a flash. You look down at the datapad.

“At the… I don’t know, I gave her away.” You sigh out a wavering breath.

Connor tilts his head and leans forward, now definitely interested in hearing the whole story. “Away?”

“Yeah, she was a prototype of sorts, too. I’m thinking of actually buying an AJ700 – it could better aid me in my research,” you speak whatever comes to your mind, hoping Connor will buy it.

He nods slowly. “Is that why you were acting strangely this morning?”

You blink and can’t think of anything to lie.

“I was… worried?” Connor continues. His eyes dart away. He sounds surprised by his own statement, but not more so than you.

“I… well. I guess.” You shrug as nonchalantly as you can, clutching the datapad in your hands for safety. “I’m sad to see her go, but it is what it is. Just another part of the job.”

“She left yesterday?” Connor looks troubled.

You nod slightly and the crease between his brows deepens.

“Doctor, I can’t help but be worried for your safety. Since the beginning of this deviancy issue, the crime rate in the city has gone up four point fifty-one percent – and it’s constantly growing,” he says while leaning forward to add impact to the words. The tone is intense and clearly upset by your decision to send Liara away now out of all times.

You look at the detective android, utterly dumbfound and head empty of any replies you might use.

Looking after you is definitely not a part of his mission.

“I could stay the night here. For surveillance. You’ll be safe.”

You blink and realize the datapad is slipping from your grasp as the pull of the gravity takes its chance. Spending the night alone with Connor? A terrible idea under any circumstances. Your heart jumps into your throat and you fall too close to a breakdown before regaining control of the storm of emotions.

An inhale does nothing to calm you.

“Um, it’s fine, really. I don’t think you should– I mean, I’ll be fine,” staggering string of words comes out of your mouth. “I can ask someone to come over… or borrow Sumo if that’ll make you feel better.”

Connor tilts his head and leans back. His hands are still resting on his knees. His LED is swirling and you’ve never wanted to swallow so much in your life, but fight the urge to not appear any more suspicious.

“Did you have a guest last night?” Connor’s gaze x-rays straight into your head.

You freeze and by the way you feel the color drain from your face, you’re absolutely certain Connor can see or sense it too. After the fraction of a second, your pulse jumps and you know the jig is up.

“How did you..?” you ask.

Connor nods towards the front door but otherwise stays perfectly still. “There are shoe prints on the vestibule floor. They don’t match your size.”

Fuck.

“Uhm. Yes. I did actually. A friend,” you reply hastily, trying to imply as heavily as possible that Connor should drop the personal topic. There is no way you can come up with a lie about who could’ve been your mystery guest.

“Oh. I see.”

If Connor wasn’t scanning your every bodily function before, he definitely is doing it now. “Were you alone before I arrived?” he asks calmly, back in the detective mode.

Panic starts rapidly gaining territory inside you. Focus on breathing. Appear calm. But it’s easier said than done.

“…Yes. And I don’t think this has anything to do with our scheduled meeting, so–” You lift the datapad. Your hands are shaking. Your throat is dry. Is there a way you can convince the Deviant Hunter there is nothing suspicious going on?

“We should begin,” you say.

Connor looks like he isn’t paying attention to what you’re saying and stands up.

“What’re you doing?” you ask in a tiny voice, eyes following the android’s every motion.

He looks to the side and makes a contemplative expression. “I need to check something.”

Without any further explanation or time for you to react, Connor starts to head towards the stairs with determined steps.

“Wha– now, hold on! Connor? Connor!”

You jump after him even though staying put to appear more natural seems like a better option. The checkup meeting is going as poorly as it can. You’re assured Connor won’t and scared that he will figure out what has happened in your home for the past few days.

There is nothing to–

Connor opens the door to the upstairs bathroom. Where the laundry basket is. Where Markus’s old clothes are. With Thirium on them. Because you’re an idiot and were going to wash them to hide the blue blood traces before getting rid of them. Because you thought it would be more likely for someone to go through your trash than the dirty laundry.

“STOP! You can’t go there!” you yelp in an irrationally panicked tone, breathing labored thanks to running the stairs up three at a time.

Connor’s eyes snap into you. His hand is still on the door handle. “Why not?”

Think, think, think…

“I, uh, I was about to take a shower! There’s uhh, something private I’d prefer you didn’t see.” You mentally facepalm at the stupidity flowing from your mouth. Connor is going to get very weird ideas about your personal life, but it doesn’t matter as long as you’re not getting arrested for helping out deviants.

Connor hesitates and looks at you carefully. Technically, he has no right to do a search around your house and you know that. He would need a warrant, not to mention an actual enforcer of the law, which he is not. Uncle Hank might not be as eager to investigate your home since, as far as you know, you’re not a suspect in any of the ongoing investigations.

Connor lets go of the door, attention fully on you but expression infuriatingly neutral.

“Private?” he asks in a tone that signals you have almost won.

Spurred on by the rush of victory at your grasp, you politely motion him to move towards the stairs and leave the suspicious bathroom alone.

“Yes. Private. I expect the most advanced android ever created to know the meaning of the word.” The exasperated chuckle dries into your throat.

But how did he know where to go? You don’t really want to think about it, but will have to consider it carefully when Connor is miles away. Maybe Thirium traces leave a trail or a scent that is stronger than you knew? Maybe Markus visited the bathroom for some reason before leaving? Or maybe it was just a lucky guess, or something you enabled by panicking?

Then why did he respect your request and stopped going after the trail?

Connor halts at the base of the stairs and turns to look at you. You’re standing a few steps higher, mildly shaking from the excess of anxiousness and exercise.

“They were male shoe prints,” he says resolutely.

The accusing tone slows down the processing of the words. You stare at him, but he still has a painfully neutral expression. He is trying so hard to imply something without actually saying the thing – a notion all too familiar from earlier.

Comprehension clicks inside your head.

“Wait. Is this somehow about Nin– I mean, Detective Reed?” The incredulous voice sounds like it belongs to someone else.

“No,” Connor replies instantly and looks away.

That one simple word sends a flock of butterflies flying in your stomach. It feels like you’re just hovering somewhere by the ceiling, looking down at the impossible scene because it shouldn’t be happening. Ever. And certainly not again.

That stupid worrywart of an android. You can’t have that gentle confusion that makes you feel something so tender it aches. Not the curious, warm brown eyes or the small frown on his perfect lips.

The spiraling is about to start, and you need to hit the brakes.

You make a mental roll on what emotion to pick from the myriad spurring in a spin inside you. Irritation. Hurt. The violated feeling of having your privacy invaded. Most of those emotions are fake, passing flukes that will burn out by one rational thought, but you need something to find the strength to emerge as a winner.

You march past Connor towards the front door in silence, careful not to look at his face or accidentally inhale his dizzyingly sweet scent. The day of kicking androids out of your house isn’t over.

“Whatever is going on between me and Gavin has nothing to do with my work,” you state in a dire tone, hoping that desperation doesn’t seep through the words.

You yank the handle down and push the front door open; a clear invitation for Connor to remove his presence from your home. Your eyes are burning from the suppressed need to cry.

Connor stands still by the stairs but his LED swirls into yellow. He doesn’t even blink. “I know it’s not my place to–”

You lift a hand to silence him. “You know that, so next time maybe remember that too, hm?” Your voice almost breaks and you can’t look at him. You need to get rid of Connor before the storm of repressed emotions breaks out.

“Sorry, Doctor. I’m simply worried about you.” The android pure logic tone. Polite and simple. Stating only the facts. Maddening in the distance it creates in an instant. Even still, the words are heart melting. Something you need to hear so badly right in that moment, but just not from him.

“Thank you. Now, I’d like to get back to work. You should leave,” you say. Your voice is already trembling.

Connor starts walking.

“…As you wish,” he murmurs.

The faint whiff of his scent is all that’s left after the RK800 prototype. You make sure the front door is locked and rush into the living room to close the curtains.

Twice now Connor has exhibited actions that should make you doubt his integrity. It’s impossible to admit it out loud, but you wanted to take those chances he offered – even when you know they might not be intentionally made. The sly invitations to feel something you’ve been yearning for months now are difficult to resist and just thinking about them starts another irregular rhythm of heavy beats inside your ribcage.

Why is Connor so goddamn interested in what’s going on between you and Gavin?

You haven’t even revealed your real names to each other yet or talked in anything else but written form. You’re practically strangers flirting via chat messages. And here you thought you were starting to find some kind of connection with the badmouthed Detective.

You slump onto the floor under the living room’s large windows, back against the wall and bury your head into your arms, resting over your knees. The last few days have been long and mentally exhausting. Carl, Markus… and Liara… All those people you lost on such a short notice. The pain on the surface is sharp and brutal, but there is a deeper underlying agony that keeps pulling your heartstrings worse than anything.

Thinking about what you had with Connor, what you could’ve had or still could, always pops into your head whenever you lay eyes on him. It’s eating you alive.

Maybe you should just give up and quit. Everything would become much easier.

You huff in self-pity.

The dam is starting to crack after the pool of emotions has finally gotten too deep. A couple of dry sobs get through before all the walls come crashing down and you desperately wish Connor is far enough to not hear your breakdown.

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