#the towel provided 2 armor it would have been fine

[itstimeforstarwars]

Pity I didn't get to keep the towel from visiting the king in witcher 3...I would have done the entire rest of the game with only towel equipped as armor.

[magpie-to-the-morning]

On Fire from Within

Rating: Explicit (18+ ONLY)

Pairing: Din Djarin x Fem!Reader

Wordcount: 3.8k

Tags: Self-Indulgent, I Can't Believe I Wrote This, the helmet comes off, Blindfolds, Sex Pollen, Dirty talk, Mostly in Mando’a, Hand Jobs, Oral Sex, PiV Sex, Din is soft and a mess, and so am I, so much Mando'a because I cannot be stopped, Please let me know if I missed anything

Summary: Reader is a newish crew member on the Razor Crest. She was helping out on a bounty hunting mission when she got hit with a laced dart at a shady brothel. It's a sex pollen fic lads, you know how this goes!

Read on Ao3

“Fuck,” you swore softly, pulling a small barb from the back of your neck. It’s only a little thing, a geometric pattern of angles and sharp points. Odd for a piece of shrapnel, but surely nothing to worry about. The small wound wouldn’t be worth the Bacta gel. You tossed it away before walking up the ramp into the Crest.

“Everything ok?” Mando stepped away from the controls of the carbonite chamber. You hadn’t realized he was so close, and startled when you heard the question crackling through his modulator.

“Yeah, it’s nothing. That bastard frozen yet?”

“Just about.”

“Good. That place made me want to scrub the inside of my skin.” You’d just finished helping Mando drag a bounty out of a local bar running an illegal “pleasure house.” It certainly hadn’t deserved the name, and you were more than happy to provide an initial distraction so Mando could come in for the kill. (The metaphorical kill, sadly. You would have been happy to leave the owner of that awful establishment a smoking crater on the floor of his bar, but apparently that was “not following the brief” and “wouldn’t bring in as much money for fuel.” Pfft). There had been a little static on the way out, and you assume that’s when you’d picked up that bit of metal. “I’m going to hit the refresher, unless you need it first?”

The bounty hunter shook his head and moved towards the ramp. “No. I’m going to trade in the puck and get us out off this rock. You go ahead.”

--

You checked the controls of the shower. Again. You’re sweating, and as much as you try, you can’t get the water cold enough to soothe your burning skin. You arch your back, moaning when the stretching movement sends a dart of pleasure straight to your aching cunt. Fuck, why are you such a mess all of a sudden? You slip a hand between your legs and are shocked to discover that you are already dripping wet. You rub the back of your neck and it hits you- that wasn’t shrapnel. It must have been a dart laced with something, and knowing the type of place you were in, you’d bet any amount of credits it was a nasty aphrodisiac. “Those bastards…”

You drag your hands through your hair and take a steadying breath. Ok, you can handle this, pull yourself together… Nice empty ship and a hot shower. Nothing you haven’t done before. You let your hands drift lower, massaging your breast and tweaking an already pert nipple. You’re already so close…

__

An hour later and you’re sobbing from want. Why can’t you just. Fucking. Come already? You’ve tried everything, every fantasy, every technique or touch, and nothing. You try again, stroking your clit and spiraling towards release before it slips away again, a jolt of pain rebounding through you. “Damn it!”

“Y/N? What’s wrong?”

You freeze. You hadn’t realized how much time had passed, of course Mando is back. What had he heard? “Um, nothing, it’s fine!” You wince at how falsely this rings, even to you.

There’s a pause. “Open the door.”

“… no? I’m not-“

“Open the door. Or I will break it down.”

Shit. You have a second to grab a towel before the door clangs open. Mando is through the door and into the tiny room in an instant, hand on his blaster. He checks all the corners which, takes about 2 seconds, before turning that implacable, visored gaze on you. “What’s going on with you?”

“Jeez, Mando, I-“ you try to bluff your way out of it for a moment before giving it up for lost. Even if you could explain away everything else, you know your flushed cheeks and glassy eyes will give you away. “Fine, just, promise you won’t laugh?”

“Is something funny?”

“No, it really isn’t.” You sigh. “So, I didn’t realize until we got back to the ship, but someone back at that hole in the wall hit me with some kind of dart. I think it was drugged.”

“Show me.”

“I chucked it just before I got on board, but this is where it hit.” You pull your wet hair back to show him the mark on your neck. Mando crosses the floor in one step, and you feel one of his gloved hands steady your shoulder as he takes a closer look. That small touch is enough to drive you wild, and you bite back a groan, leaning into his touch.

“Dank ferrik.” Mando pulls his hands away like he’s been burned, and your cheeks flame again, this time in embarrassment. “There are red marks at the injection site. I’ve, uh.. I’ve seen this before.”

You grit your teeth, finding it easier to talk about when you’re not looking at him. “It hurts, Mando and I can’t make it stop. How long am I going to feel like this?”

“Until it runs its course. Usually, a few hours. And it will get worse.”

You swear again, tears of frustration slipping down your cheeks. Mando stands there for a moment, flexing his hands and looking unsure of what to say. Finally, you hear a deep breath and, “let me help you.”

You startle, sure you’ve heard him wrong. It’s only been a few months since you signed on as his only crew member, a live-in mechanic and occasional extra pair of hands for certain bounties. You’d thought about it, of course. At first you’d seen this as just another short term gig. Some light repair work, the odd stint of standing lookout or patching up his wounds or acting as a distraction for a tricky bounty. The longer you spent with him though, the longer you started to see the man beneath the armor, his dark humor, his unexpected kindness, his tendency to throw himself into harm’s way for the sake of a code you can’t begin to understand. Stars, and that voice… but you knew he would never return those feelings. The idea of him offering himself to you now, out of pity or worse, obligation…

“No.” You move to shoulder past him.

He grabs your wrist. “Look, Y/N, I know I may not be your first choice but-“

You whirl around to glare at him. “Not my- damn it, Mando!” You kick the waste bin in sheer frustration. “I’ve wanted you for weeks and just because I don’t want you to feel cornered into sleeping with me you have the fucking gall-“

“Close your eyes.”

You blink in confusion. “Wait, what?”

“Do it. Now.” You shiver at the steel in his voice and comply without another thought.

There’s a soft hiss, and the clang of metal set down on metal. He couldn’t have. He wouldn’t… You start in surprise, feeling his leather-clad fingers cup your face and tip your chin up. “Are you sure you want this?”

You laugh, a little shakily, amazed to hear how deep and rough his unmodulated voice still is. “Are you?”

The next thing you know, he’s got you backed up against that wall. You gasp, reaching to pull him closer. His mouth slides over yours, lips warm and surprisingly plush. You deepen the kiss and moan, needing so much more. He responds by reaching down, pulling you up to straddle his waist. Trapped between the wall and a cage of Beskar, you’ve never felt freer. You card your fingers through his hair, marveling at the curls under your hands. Mando gasps, already sounding ragged. “How do you want me?”

You drag your nails down his scalp and lick your way up the column of his throat. You taste salt and pant into his ear, “in the cockpit chair.”

Mando groans. “You have been thinking about this, haven’t you, sweet girl?”

“Less talk. More chair sex.”

He huffs a laugh against your neck and pulls you from the wall, carrying you through the ship like you don’t weigh a thing. You make it through the corridor, with only a few brief stops against walls and doorways. Mando sets you down once you reach the cockpit and you whine at the lack of his touch, but still keep your eyes closed. He kisses your forehead. “Patience, sweet girl.” You give up the last shreds of your dignity and moan, rubbing your thighs together. “Can’t, I need you to touch me now.” You hear a few soft clinks, and realize Mando is removing his armor, piece by piece. Not wanting to be outdone, you toss your towel aside. Your eyes are still shut tight, but you add a hand to cover them, afraid you’ll forget yourself. You may not understand his beliefs, but you are damn sure going to respect them, even now.

There’s startle at a ripping sound, and Mando asking “Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” you breathe.

“Good. Keep your eyes closed.” Mando pulls your hand away, pressing a kiss to your palm before knotting a blindfold around your eyes. You feel yourself pulled down to his lap. You twine your arms around his neck and lower yourself until you’re straddling his hips, grinding as close to him as you can.

“Tell me what you need.”

“Touch me.”

He’s eager to comply, and you shiver as you feel his hands (his hands, not the gloves, stars) skim up your sides. Mando cups the back of your head, drawing you closer as he kisses and licks his way into your mouth. You immediately open your lips to his, stroking his tongue with your own, teasing the roof of his mouth to egg him on. You’re rewarded with a small groan, and Mando palming your left breast. He strokes your nipple with his thumb, rolling and pinching it to make you arch your back. “What else?”

“Maker, that’s so good… talk to me, Mando, don’t stop touching me.”

“Never, mesh’la.” Mando rolls his hips and makes you squirm against him. You can feel his arousal, pressed so close to your own, separated only by the canvas of his trousers. You mewl and buck your hips against him.

“Oh gods, yes…”

Mando chuckles as your breath speeds up. “You’re so gorgeous, Y/N, going to take such good care of you. Going to make this so good for you.”

He bends his head and sucks one of your nipples into his warm mouth, and you nearly black out. The sheer relief of such a touch when you need it so badly nearly undoes you completely. “Mando…”

“Din.” The word is muffled against your chest, and you have to ask “what?”

He rests his forehead against shoulder. “My name, Din Djarin.”

“Din,” you taste the short name, adding it to what you’ve learned about this man. This capable, dangerous, surprisingly gentle Mandalorian. How can such a hard man be so… This train of thought is interrupted as another wave of desire bowls you over, making you shudder with need and pain. “I need more, Din, please…”

You don’t even need to finish that thought before you feel his rough, calloused fingers drifting down your belly and lower, lower… You lean back to give him easier access, his other arm coming to rest around your waist, holding you up. You gasp when he strokes your folds. “Me’bana? You’re so wet, mesh’la. Is this all for me?” He doesn’t wait for a response before slowly fucking two of his fingers deep inside you, dragging the pads over your G-spot over and over. He’s a quick learner, adapting to touch you harder or softer, quicker or slower, as you gasp and buck your hips. “So good for me, so wet and ready. Do you want me to make you come?”

“Yes, yes, please Din, I’m so close…” you whine.

Din rubs your clit while fucking his fingers into you. He bites down on your earlobe, whispering, “Then come for me, cyare.”

You do. You cry out as you feel yourself coming apart under his hands, your hips thrashing despite you as you moan and call out his name. When you drift back to yourself, you’re grateful for his supporting hold as waves of pleasure continue to roll through you. Din strokes you through all of it, only backing off when your breathing slows and pressing a kiss to your forehead.

__

You exhale slowly, taking stock after that release. “That was… whew…” Now that you have a moment to think clearly again, you can feel your mind spinning up to overthink this. Will you ever be able to look at your employer (partner? friend?) again? Not that you can ever look him in the eye anyway, but what if he’s completely disgusted with you after this? Your racing thoughts pause when you hear what can only be Din sucking your slick from his fingers.

“Maker, you taste as good as I hoped you would.” Thoughts: gone. Brain: empty. There can’t be any room for overthinking when your head is suddenly full of HE THOUGHT ABOUT TASTING ME?! “How do you feel?”

You force yourself to consider this. You can already feel the fire in your core roaring back to life. “Good, but, I can already feel it ramping back up.” You blush. “Not that I didn’t… I totally did, but.. sorry…”

“Shh, k’uur. I get it. Just relax and let me take care of you.” He stands up, depositing you gently in his seat. You only have a moment to wonder at this sudden shift before feeling him kneel down in front of you. Without even thinking about it, you let your legs fall open to him. “That’s it, sweet girl, let me see that pretty pussy.”

If you weren’t already positive you were running a fever, that would have tipped you over the edge. Din runs his hands up your thighs, his breath ghosting over your throbbing core. “Ibac’ner. Ni copaanir dinuir gar ner lalat akay gar jair.” Is he… praying? You’re past the point of caring, all you want is for him to stop sucking marks into your inner thigh and finally move to where you need him most. You nearly scream when he drags his tongue up your slit. He flattens his tongue against you, humming appreciatively as your roll your hips. He wraps his arms around your thighs suddenly, jerking you closer towards him. “Jatisyc, ni larayc teh gar.”

You are glad of the blindfold because you are so far beyond controlling your face. Din’s tongue feels like it is everywhere at once, tonguing your cunt like it was your mouth one second, then laving your clit the next. You curl your toes and howl when he sucks your clit into his mouth and you feel the barest hint of teeth around you. “So close, so close” you chant, reaching down to hold his head right where you need it.

Din releases your clit, licking circles around it instead. “You liked that, didn’t you cyare? Do you like it a little rough?”

You shudder, thrilled to have been caught out so soon. “Gods, yes.”

Din chuckles and you hope you haven’t slipped up by confessing quite so enthusiastically. “Oh this is going to be fun. I am going to ruin you, mesh’la.” He dives back into your pussy, licking and sucking and nipping at your thighs like a wild thing. You whine and arch your back.

“Hold. Still.” Din’s arm clamps over your waist like an iron bar. “How am I supposed to finish you off, if you won’t stop writhing around, you etyc dala?” When you push your luck, trying to squirm free, you feel a sharp slap to your thigh. “Are you going to be a good girl and let me make you come? Or should I leave you here by yourself?”

“No, please, I’ll be good for you I promise!”

“Damn right you will,” he snarls. Without warning, Din shoves two fingers into your cunt and wraps his lips around your clit, sucking hard. You come in a rush, screaming his name.

__

You’ve barely come down from that high before chasing your next. While your first orgasm left you with some temporary relief, this one only stokes the fire even higher. You seize Din’s face from where he was resting his cheek against your thigh and pull him to your mouth. Reticence is a distant memory and you devour the taste of yourself from his mouth. When Din leans back and groans from this spectacle, you palm his length, spear-straight and hard as Beskar under your hand.  Din shudders underneath you, and you can almost see the effort of restraining himself.  You trace the shell of his ear and murmur “Why are you still wearing pants?”

Din rushes to his feet, pulling you from the chair and pushing you up against the nearest wall in one smooth motion. He holds you in place with one arm across your breastbone, panting with effort. “Hang on, I don’t want to rush you.“

You wish you could look at him, to show you the burning desire in your eyes, how much you truly want this. Alas. You settle for dropping to your knees and fumbling blindly with the fastenings of his trousers.

“Dank ferrik…” a muttered oath somewhere above your head. Din reaches down to help you, drawing his cock out. Once again, you wish the blindfold wasn’t necessary. You can feel the velvet-soft skin of him, trace the head of his cock and stroke up and down the length of him, but you wish you could see him. You breathe over him and, holding his shaft to help guide you (and madden him), lick just under the tip of his cock. You run your tongue around the ridge and lick your lips before taking him as far down your throat as you can. Din hisses and unleashes a stream of Basic and that same tongue he’d been speaking earlier. “Fuck… ori jate, ori jate, yes, Y/N. Parer, ke’pare, ah!”

You hum around him, loving the sound of him absolutely losing it. “Too much?” you ask, all innocence.

Din actually growls. “Yes. Don’t stop, please.”

You smile, hoping he can see you amidst his unraveling. You bob your lips over the head of his cock, once, twice, before sliding down the length of him as far as you can take. Din’s fingers tangle in your hair and you can feel him jerking his hips, holding back from fucking your face like he clearly wants to. You pull back again, letting go  of his cock with a wet pop. “Don’t hold back, baby, I want all of you.”

This is more than Din can stand. He hauls you roughly to your feet, kissing you with abandon. “Say that again?”

“I want you Din, please. I fucking need you.”

Din grabs one of your legs and holds it over his hip. He teases your entrance while you beg him, rubbing against your folds. You moan in relief when he finally thrusts home, stretching you and dragging against your walls. You rake your nails down his back, biting at his shoulder. “Gods, yes, that’s so fucking good. Don’t hold back. Unh, yes, yes, yes…” He is pounding into you now, setting a brutally quick pace- just like you need. You try to kiss him but you’re getting sloppy and your kiss is more just dragging your open mouth along his jaw, panting as he fucks you. “Din, I’m so close…”

“That’s good, you’re so good at taking this cock aren’t you, mesh’la? Me'copaani? Do you want me to tell you how I’ve fantasized about fucking you over the console almost since you came on board? Do you want to hear how good it feels to be buried in your cunt, with your tight pussy around me? Because it is good, Y/N, and I am going to fucking destroy you.”

You scream his name. “Gods, Din, I’m gonna come!”

He seizes you by the throat, not hard enough to cut off your air but more than enough to let you know who is in charge now. “I want to feel you come on my cock. Come on, cyare, give it to me. Come. Now.”

It’s the full on bounty hunter voice command that slams you over the edge. You come hard, shaking in Din’s arms and soaking his cock. You absolutely would have fallen without him holding you up. He fucks you through it all, and as the aftershocks roll through you, you realize the screaming urgency has finally quieted. You can just about remember talking him through his own release before slipping below the cool depths of unconsciousness.

—

“Y/N? Here, drink this.”

You blink awake and feel a cold glass pressed into your hand. You take a sip. The icy water grounds you, and you take stock of your surroundings. You’re curled up in the captain’s seat, warm under a slightly tattered woolen blanket, or maybe a cloak? It takes you a moment before you realize what else is different. You can see again. “Din?”

“I’m here.” His voice is distant, slightly fuzzed. You look around, seeing him once again hidden beneath the helmet. “How do you feel?”

You’re still restless, like some distant part of you needs to get up and run or fight or fuck, but your limbs are feeling a bit heavier now and it’s easier to breathe. “Better.” You lift the glass again, drinking the rest of the water like you’ve never tasted anything so sweet.

Din lays his hand on your cheek, and you’re relieved to find that at least this bit of him has not been covered up again. “You’re still running a temperature but it feels like it’s easing up.” He takes the empty glass from you, setting it aside before taking your hand and drawing you up. “Come on, let’s get you to your bunk.”

You rise, unsteady on your legs after several rounds of fairly vigorous sex. Din steadies your elbow, guiding you out of the cockpit. “Sick of me already?” You’re aiming for a light tone but you know you missed the mark.

Din turns you to face him and studies you for a moment. ��Yeah. Probably going to drop you off on the next planet we hit.”

You narrow your eyes at him, looking at your own skeptical face in the reflection of his visor. “Oh yeah?”

He presses his forehead to yours, stroking your cheek with his thumb. “No, ner kar’ta.” You couldn’t tell before, but now you’re almost sure he’s smiling. “I think you’re stuck with me for awhile.”

_________________________________

Mando'a Translations mesh'la beautiful

Ibac’ner. Ni copaanir dinuir gar ner lalat akay gar jair. This is mine. Going to give you my tongue until you scream.

Jatisyc, ni larayc teh gar. Delicious, I (am) drunk from you.

Etyc dala dirty girl

Ori jate so good

Parer wait

Ke'pare wait (emphatic)

Me'copaani? What's this?

Ner kar’ta My heart

[tinyboxxtink]

Helpless *Part 4*

Well, this is where I decided to go! LoL. Let me know what ya’ll think....

Masterlist

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 5

@wanniiieeee

@chasingeverybreakingwave

@dumauier

@word-scribbless

“Why am I like this?!” You yelled to no one in particular in the kitchen.

“The doctors can’t explain it,” Arianna came from behind you, giving you a wink.

“Ha, Ha ha.” You laughed sarcastically. “Seriously, I did it AGAIN,”

“Your little ‘Rain Man’ routine? Aw honey…” Ari made a fake pout face, rubbing your shoulder like a child. “Did you find out anything useful?”

“Useful….?” Your panic attack of the moment was quickly replaced with questioning.

“Well, yeah. Honey if you’re gonna hook him you need a way in,” Ari dropped off her dirty dishes and grabbed a rag, acting completely nonchalant. You blinked several times, making sure you heard her right. When she looked to you for a response, you knew you had.

“A-Are you serious Arianna?!” You screeched a little too loudly, she pulled you into her bosom in  a corner of the kitchen.

“Are you serious?!” You whispered this time. “We haven’t done that since high school, when we were living in that car!”

“Right, and unless you wanna go BACK to living in that car, we’re gonna need a...helping hand,” She nodded towards the front.

“I-I can’t believe this, is THIS why you pushed this?! Was this your plan this entire time?”

“No! Of course not! I really think the little obsession you have with him is….endearing,” she put a hand to your face, but you slapped it away.

“But when I googled him last night, I figured-- I mean, why don’t we both get something out of it?” She shrugged.

“Wha--We-I--...” your brain was running faster than you could process words.

“Look what’s the big deal? You get to sleep with him, care about him, blah blah blah--  all I’m asking you to do is find a crack in that armor,”

“So you can exploit it,” you added coldly.

“Exploit’s such a dirty word Y/N, come on All I do is do some research, dig some skeletons out the closet. If they don’t want them to get out, all they have to do is, I don’t know, throw us a few thousand dollars, and boom! We’re set for another few months!”

“Except that I actually like him, Arianna. He’s a good guy, he doesn’t deserve--”

“Well if he’s such a good guy, then you won’t find anything right?”

“I...yeah, well--”

“He’s still a politician, sweetie. Don’t let the dimples fool you,” She chuckled.

“Look, I hate to rain on your little fairy tale babe I really do, but we need this,” She took your hands in hers.

“Do you remember how hard it was for us when we moved here? Not eating for days? Taking turns sleeping so no one would break into the car? Not SHOWERING?” She shook you.

“YES, okay? Yes, I get it. We need this,” you sighed.

“We need this,” she repeated, putting a finger in your face.

“ORDER UP! Y/N!!” The cook called you for Rafael’s meal.

“I--That’s his, I gotta go,” You moved past her and grabbed the plate with a towel and walked out.

---

Rafael was reading his phone when you came back and placed the steaming plate in front of him.

“Thanks,” He said half heartedly, not looking up from his phone. Well Arianna would be sorely disappointed that you’ve already fucked this up before you knew what you were doing.

“Well don’t eat it all at once,” You tried joking, failing miserably. Who said that?

Rafael glanced up at you, then the food, then you, then his phone with a chuckle as he put it away.

“You gonna make me eat alone?” he grabbed a fork and stuck it in the pasta.

“...I’m working,”

“I won’t tell if you won’t,” he winked.

You were starving, you had forgotten to eat before your shift. And the chicken parmesan looked delicious. You grabbed a fork from underneath the bar and after looking around, took a quick bite off Rafael’s plate.

“Mmmm….” you closed your eyes and licked your lips; their food was absolutely delicious, and your stingy ass boss never let you have any free meals. Finally you looked to see Rafael just beaming at you.  

“What?” you scrunched your nose.

“You make these cute little noises when you eat. Like you're savoring every bite,”

“Oh my god…” You instantly swallowed the food and put the fork down.

“No no no! It’s adorable,” he assured you.

“...Well that’s what happens when you’re used to going days without food,” you replied with an embarrassed smile. “You learn to appreciate food,”

“I hear that,” Rafael nodded, continuing to eat.

“Right...the barrio,” you looked to the sky, as if whoever up there was going to absolve you of anything.

“That must’ve been really hard,” you placed your hand over the one he wasn’t using to eat, giving him the softest eyes and a comforting smile.

“I thought we were past that, camarera,” He raised an eyebrow at you.

“Right. Yeah,” You moved your hand and turned away from him, cursing at yourself silently. Arianna was wrong about this, he was too smart. Even if you WANTED to manipulate something out of him, he made you too nervous. He could see through you. Still, the thought of going without food was too scary to ignore.

“I just thought, it was nice to finally find a guy that got what it was like growing up with nothing,” you turned back to him with a sad shrug.

“You know most of the people that come in here are full of money. Always have been, always will be. Then they procreate and give their money to their spoiled little offspring who just grow up and spend it and continue the bourgeois cycle. The rich get richer, and hood rats like us just run around trying to grab the scraps they drop on the floor,” You gestured around the restaurant angrily as you talked.

"Hey, this hood rat did pretty damn good for himself, thank you," Rafael said between mouthfuls of food.

"Right. Well, let me know how that goes for you," you rolled your eyes.

"Hey," He swallowed, "If I can do it, anyone can. Believe me," looked at you with those puppy dog eyes of his.

"Right, sure," you replied sarcastically with a laugh.

"I'm serious!" This time he reached for your hand underneath the bar.

"What about your voo--science?" he asked earnestly.

"What about it?" you raised an eyebrow.

"What if I could do something about it?" He asked, sincerely. Oh God, he was being so sweet.

"B-But I didn't win the game, we're tied," You pointed out, making him sit back and chuckle.

"....So we are," he licked his lips with a smirk.

"Alright then, ask me one more. But NOTHING about family, comprende?"

"Fine by me, I've got one already," you smirked.

"Hit me,"

"Do you want to sleep with Liv?"

His smiled faded to a shocked stare. You saw the thought of lying go through his mind, but apparently he was learning. There was no point in lying, you'd call him out either way.

"...Yes," He finally replied, looking down at the floor for a microsecond. He definitely did not want you to know that.

"But look-- we're better as friends. I know that, she knows that. We've just been friends for such a long time, and we just have chemistry. But nothing will ever happen, I swear," It was like watching yourself, the words just kept tumbling out of him. Finally, he stopped at looked you in the eyes.

"Happy now?" he shook his head, taking a gulp of his scotch.

"Hey I didn't ask for an explanation counselor, you provided that on your own accord," you put your hands up and giggled.

"I--You..." He went over the conversation in his head, realizing only just now you hadn't actually asked to elaborate.

"....You make me nervous," He shook his head with a smile, looking down at his food. His cheeks were the just the faintest shade of pink.

"You are right about one thing though," he spoke without looking up from the floor.

"What's that?"

"It's nice to talk to someone who knows what it's like to not know where your next meal is coming from, or if the next beating is gonna be the one that kills you--" He stopped mid sentence, the pink draining from his face. Actually ALL color for that matter drained from his face. Your eyes went wide, your own face feeling pale.

You hadn't braced yourself for that one, that's for sure. You thought maybe his dad took off on him when he was a kid, maybe he was an alcoholic who would come home drunk every night. Maybe a gambling problem. Not...that.

"I--I didn't mean..." Rafael barely coughed out, his eyes still wide with shock and confusion. How in the FUCK did he let that slip? He would absolutely never even mention things about his dad, let alone make a flippant comment about him. You made him nervous sure, but this was something else. He felt too comfortable around you, too safe. And he wasn't entirely sure he liked that.

"I...I need....I'll be back," He stammered, clearly freaked out. He stumbled off the bar stool and made a bee line to the bathroom.

Arianna took this moment to come out and check on you.

"Well now, did I miss something or were you the one making him nervous?" She giggled but you glared right back at her. "What?"

"I-I can't believe you made me do that!"

"I didn't make you do anything!"

"You--You got in my head, Ari. I lead him, I stroked his hand, I did everything to make him let his guard down, and I didn't even MEAN to do it!" You tried to keep a low voice but you were in moral turmoil right now.

"Babe, you need to learn to embrace this superpower," she took you by the shoulders once again. "You have this way of...enchanting people,"

"Now who's making it sound like magic?" you rolled your eyes.

"Ok for lack of a better word, hypnotizing? Better? People just TELL you things, unprompted. I don't know what it is about you. Your whole cute little "door mouse" demeanor, those big doe eyes. Whatever it is, you charm secrets out of people like snakes. That's why we're friends!" She giggled, but stopped when you made a look of disgust. Did she really just say that?

"I mean, that's one of the reasons we're friends. Not the main one, definitely not," she shook her head, assuring you the best she could.

"But I don't like doing it!!!" You stomped your foot, tears in your eyes. You hated doing it, you hated it. Your "door mouse" demeanor was really genuine, you hated hurting people. But Ari made you do it; and you let her.

"With great power, comes great responsiblity," Ari said in a bold voice, ignoring your eye roll.

"Look if I could do it you KNOW I'd be all over that. But you've got the silver tongue, so I gotta handle the silver,"  She winked, giving you a small hug, like that would make you feel any better. After a moment, she pulled back and gestured to the bathroom.

"So what crawled up his butt?"

"His dad used to beat him," You said it without thinking, instantly slapping your hands over you and hating yourself for just giving her what she wanted.

"OOOH!! Daddy issues, my favorite," she giggled, clapping her hands together.

"ARI, SERIOUSLY. STOP," "This isn't a game, this is people's lives!" The angry tears lining your eyes threatened to drop any second.

"YES, it is. It's our lives, that you need to save. Let the fancy abogado cry about his daddy for a minute, then suggest you go home and make it better," She told you in a completely serious tone and face.

"And do it FAST, we're closing soon," She warned, going to the back as you saw Rafael coming back from the bathroom.

Were you really gonna let her make you destroy someone you actually cared about....again?

[salmonthestoryteller]

Flowers and Hearts

Idea stolen from this post by @craashdowns

pls provide me with a fic about Maria being high school best friends with Rosa and Max instead of Liz, and Max still having that big ass crush on Liz and Maria having a big ass crush on Rosa, and DeLevans having sleepovers where they straight up giggle about the Ortecho sisters until 3am strikes and they talk themselves into a romantic comedy plot where Maria offers to help Max get a date with Liz while Max offers to find out what Rosa feels toward Maria and in the end they get their girls

Flowers and Hearts

High School Rom-Com AU Roswell Fanfic

“I will hurt you if you don’t go to sleep.”  Isobel appeared in Max’s doorway at 2:48 am.  To be honest, it was a Sunday night, so they did have school in a few hours.

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, Evans.”  Maria told her.

“Ugh.  Why is this my life?”  Isobel closed the door, and returned to her own room.

“She gets cranky on lack of sleep.”  Max offered.

“So she never sleeps?”  Maria asked him.

“She’s not that bad, you know that.”  Max defended his sister.

“To you, and for some crazy reason Michael Guerin, she’s not that bad.  She’s a terror to every other living creature.”

“She loves cats.”  Max interjected.

Maria rolled her eyes.  “Back on subject.  The dance is next friday - are you asking Liz?”

“Everyone knows she’s going with Kyle.”

“We’ve been over this, Max.  Everybody assumes that, but it’s not confirmed.  They haven’t been seen out together in over two weeks.  You need to ask her.”

“Because biology is the best place to ask someone to go to a dance?  While we’re discussing pig intestines, would you ever consider going to the dance with me?”

“Not what I would lead with.”  Maria told him.  “Look, you can approach her elsewhere.  You can meet up with Guerin after one of the AP classes they share and ask her then.”

“So I can be even more publically humiliated?”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

Max gave her a sarcastic look.  “Says the girl who refuses to ask out her own crush, even after she held her hand for forty-five minutes.”

“Max, you don’t get it.  Girls are way more touchy-feely than guys. They climb all over each other, and it means nothing except that you’re besties.  Rosa holding my hand when I was upset was just her being a good friend.”

“Maria, she had hearts in her eyes the whole time, okay?  She was looking at you like your crying was the end of her world.”

“Nah, that’s just the writer in you creating fictional scenarios where Rosa lending me her coat-”

“Which happened.”

“And holding my hand-”

“Which also happened.”

“After my latest bad dating experience means something.”

“Because it does, Maria.  C’mon.  This is not just the writer in me.  It meant something.”

“That she’s a really good friend.”

Max made a disagreeing noise, and fell back on the air mattress.  Maria looked down from the bed he’d sacrificed for her, and gave a small smile.  “Look, if we don’t get some sleep, you’re sister will commit homicide.”

“Fratricide.”  Max provided.

Maria rolled her eyes.  “That you know the official word for that is sad, Max.”

“Go to sleep, Maria.”

------

“You two look dead on your feet.”  Rosa mentioned when they entered the Crashdown Cafe.

“That’s what happens when you stay up until three am.”  Isobel glared at them pointedly, before escaping away to a booth.  Michael shrugged at them and followed her.

“Three am.  Wow, like out on a… y’know, date?”  Rosa seemed to find the notepad for writing orders down very interesting, even though Max was pretty sure he’d never seen her actually use it.

“What? Date?”  Maria stared at her.  “Me?  Date Max?”

“Thanks for the severe disbelief in me being dating material.”  Max told her.

“You’re dating material, just not my dating material.”  Maria reassured him, before turning back to Rosa.  “It was just a sleepover.”

“We kept waking Izzy up by laughing - she got cranky.”  Max added.

“Oh.”  Rosa looked relieved, and Max glanced at her suspiciously.  “Well, that makes more sense.  But there is a rumor you’re going to the dance together, y’know.”

“We’re each other’s failsafe for dance partner.  You know that.”  Maria told her.

“You two realize you’re seniors, right? You’re going to be a virgin forever if you keep going with a friend to dances.”

“I am not a virgin.”  Maria objected.

“I’m talking about Max.”

“What?  Hey, what makes you think I’m a virgin?”  Max complained.  Rosa gave him a sarcastic look.

“Well, speaking of virgins, is it true Liz is going to the dance with Kyle?”  Maria interjected.  Max gave her a nudge, which she ignored.

Rosa glanced over to where her younger sister was taking Isobel and Michael’s order.  “They broke up, actually.  He was being an asshole to Alex, so she told him to grow up. I think she’s planning on staying home.”

“Y’know, get us our usual - we’ll be over there.”  Maria pointed to a booth.

“Yah, sure.”

“Did you hear that?”

“Rosa and you picking on me and Liz?  I am not a virgin, by the way.” Max complained as they slid into opposite sides of the booth.

“Yah, as your bestie, I remember you calling me about that.  And, no, not the virgin thing - that Liz and Kyle broke up.”

“So?”

“So, now is definitely your big chance.”

Max looked over to where Liz and Rosa were now at the counter, laughing.  “She’s never going to say yes.”

“She totally will.”

“Okay, if I ask Liz to the dance - will you finally ask Rosa out?”

“How is that comparable?”

“Because she looked miserable  when she thought we’d been out on a date until three am?  Did you see her playing with her notepad? She wasn’t looking at us until we confirmed it wasn’t a date.”

“That doesn’t-”

“C’mon, Maria.”

“I can’t.  What if it ruins our friendship?”

“Rosa is right about one thing.”

“That we’re never going to get laid again if we hang out with each other all the time?”  Maria suggested.

Max rolled his eyes.  “No, that we’re seniors.  This is our last year, Maria.  If we want something, maybe we should go for it.”

“Look, if you can get out of Rosa that she is even slightly interested in me as more than a friend, I’ll ask her.  And... in return, I’ll help you find the perfect moment to ask Liz to the dance.”

“Pinky swear?”  Max held out his hand.

“What are we? Seven?”

“C’mon, Maria.”

“PInky swear.”  Maria latched her finger with his.

-----

“Please tell me you aren’t finishing assignments ahead of schedule.”  Rosa complained from where she was cleaning up dishes.  “Also, we’re closed in ten.”

“No, this is… it’s just a story I was working on.”  Max told her.

“Oh, yah, Liz mentioned you want to be a writer.”

“Liz mentioned that?”  Max couldn’t help but smile.  “I didn’t think she’d really remember that.”

“Liz mentions you all the time.”

“She does?”

Rosa rolled her eyes, muttering in spanish as she wiped down a different table.

“You know I know what you’re saying right?”  Max brought up.

“Good.”  Rosa told him with a pointed look.

“Okay, so if I’m a blind idiot, than… you are too.”

“Excuse you?”  Rosa turned around.  “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Maria.  I can see how much you care for her.”

“Yah, no kidding, she’s my best friend, too, remember?”

“C’mon, Rosa, you know that’s not what I mean.”

“And just what do you mean?”  Rosa glared at him, her arms crossing in a posture that was both angry and defensive.

Max held up his hands in his own defense.  “Hey, I’m not trying to start a fight, I can just tell.  You were upset when you thought we’d hooked up or whatever.”

Rosa’s posture remained aggressive.  “So?  You got something to say about it?”

“Just that I want Maria to be happy, and I think she could be happy with you.”

Rosa blew out a breath, and sat down at his table - her previous defensive stance melting.  “It’s not that simple.”

“Why not?”

“For starters, I’ve never been with another girl before.”

“Somehow, I don’t think dating would be that different, Rosa.”

“Second, she’s my best friend - what if this wrecks it?”

“Yah, but what if it doesn’t?”

“My father’s religious, Max.  My whole family is.  I don’t know how well he’d take me being with Maria, or any girl for that matter.”

“Your father loves you, Rosa.  I know nothing can change that.  He’s a great guy.”

Rosa twisted the dish towel in her hand, her look thoughtful.  “That’s just it, I recently found out some stuff, and… I just don’t know about people anymore.  Plus, this town, I mean, I don’t want Maria to get hurt.”

“Isn’t that risk partly up to Maria, though, not just you?”

“Not if I don’t ask her.”

“Yah, but this is… I mean, aren’t you the one always saying Maria and I play it too safe?  We need to get out there, and take risks? I mean, relationships are the biggest gamble ever, but isn’t that because they have the best possible reward?”

Rosa looked down at the dishtowel in her hand as if it might have her answers.  “It also has the worst fall out.  God put our hearts in a cage for a reason, Max.”

“I just don’t think people are meant to live without someone by their side.”

“I don’t know.  Maybe people need armor more than they need people.”

“Or maybe they need someone to be their shield when their armor breaks.”

Rosa gave a small smile.  “That a good line.  You should put it in your story.”  She stood up to go back to cleaning.  “We close in two minutes.”

-----

“I can’t do this.”

“Yes, you can.  Breathe.”  Maria adjusted the collar on his shirt.  “If you don’t ask her soon, she won’t have time to shop for a dress.  As a girl, I can guarantee you that is a crime you will be judged for.”

“I just…maybe this isn’t a good time.  I mean, she didn’t break up with Kyle that long ago.”

“You said Rosa said Liz mentions you.  That’s a sign, Max.”

“Am I supposed to be this nervous?”

“Everything is going to be fine.  You even got flowers.  Did you ask Rosa’s advice on the flowers?”

“No, should I have?”

“Well… you know what?  Don’t worry about it?”

“Are those flowers?”  Liz and Alex had approached his car without them realizing it.

“Uh, yah.”  Max glanced down at the small bouquet in his hand.

“So, um… you two are going to the dance together, I guess?  Making it official?”  Liz studied the books in her arms.

“Making what official?”  Max asked her.

“This is such a trope, I can’t even watch.”  Alex rolled his eyes.  “I’ll see you at lunch, Liz.”

“What?  Alex, wait, I’ll walk to class with you.”

“Liz, hold on,  I wanted to ask you something.”  Max spoke up.

“After biology, okay?”  She told him, hurrying after Alex.

“Oh, that didn’t go as planned.”  Maria groaned.

-----

“Max and I aren’t together.”

“What?” Liz looked at Maria, where she’d appeared by her locker.

“Max and I aren’t together.”

“He brought you flowers.” Liz reminded her.

“No, he brought flowers to school to ask a girl to the dance.  I was just pep talking him.”

“Oh, I guess I just thought… sorry.  It’s none of my business either way.”  She shut her locker.

“Aren’t you a genius?  How are you this dense?”  Maria lamented.

“It’s a town malfunction.  I think it’s something in the water.”  Isobel leaned against the lockers next to them.

Liz rolled her eyes. “What can I do for you, Isobel?”

“Explain why my brother threw away the lame bouquet he bought and is currently moping with Michael on the sports field bleachers?”

“Why should I know?”

“Is she for real?”  Isobel asked Maria.  Maria shrugged helplessly.

“Okay, well, fun chat.”  Liz moved to leave when Isobel spoke again.

“The flowers were for you, Liz.”

“What?”  Liz turned back.

“His lame romantic gesture was for you.”

Liz glanced at Maria, who nodded.  “Max was going to ask me to the dance?”

“Emphasis on ‘was’.  Now that you congratulated him on getting with Maria he’s convinced you don’t see him that way.”

“But I do.  I mean, I would have said yes.”

“Sucks to be you.”  Isobel straightened and turned to leave.

“Wait, what do I do?”  Liz looked between Isobel and Maria.

“I mean, maybe talk to him?”  Maria suggested. “Let him know it was a misunderstanding?”

“How?  How would I even bring them up?”

“Oh my god.”  Isobel turned back. “What century are you living in?  The solution is simple.  And my brother is a sunflower type of guy, not a rose type.  Kay?”

“What do you want in return for being so helpful?”  Maria was suspicious.

“Maybe Liz can convince Alex Manes to ask my best friend out?  I’m getting tired of Michael dragging me to your mother’s lame ass bar on amateur night so he can make heart eyes at him while pretending to be there for me.”

“I thought they were dating.”  Maria mentioned.

“No, they broke up at the end of summer and have been friendzoning each other ever since.”  Liz provided.

“But they haven’t dated anyone else.”

“Nope.”

“I feel like I’m in a teen movie all of a sudden.”

“Welcome to my life.”  Isobel turned and strode away.

-----

“Look, maybe she was jealous.”  Michael suggested.  Max gave him a sarcastic look.  “Just because she misunderstood you and Maria’s friendship doesn’t mean she’s not into you.”

“How would you know? You barely ever talk to Liz.”  Max sighed.  “This whole thing was a really bad idea.”

“Or maybe not.”

Max glanced over at him, but he was looking past him.  When he turned, Liz was walking toward them up the stairs of the bleachers.  She had a single sunflower in her hand.  “Hey.”  He greeted when she got close.

“Hey.”  She greeted in return.

“That’s my cue to leave.”  Michael grabbed up his books.

“But-”  Max began.

“Let’s study at the crashdown tonight, if you’re free.”  Michael told him.

“Hey, Michael, can you do me a favor?”  Liz asked him.

“Me?”

“Yah, can you swing by the music room and tell Alex I can’t listen to his new song today, but I’ll call him tonight?”

“Don’t you have a cellphone for that purpose?”

“... out of battery.” Liz excused.

“Yah, sure.”  He headed off.

“That sounded like a set up.”  Max told her.

“It totally was.”  Liz assured him.

“So, was that-”

“Maria told me you two weren’t, y’know, together.”

“I would have set you straight on that, but you were kinda in a rush.”

“I know.  I just jumped to conclusions because you two have always been so close.”  Liz explained.

“Maria’s my best friend, but we’re just friends.  She feels the same way.”

“I ran into your sister, too.”

“Isobel?  Now, I’m really worried.  I know how she gets.”

“She was actually really helpful.”  Liz admitted.  “She made me realize that if I keep waiting, time is gonna run out.”

“Waiting for what?”

Liz took a deep breath, then held up the sunflower.  “Max Evans, will you go to the dance with me?”

Max’s eyes widened.  “You really mean that?”

“I mean, I did bring you a flower.”  Liz teased, but then grew serious - stepping back.  “But if that’s too-”

“Yes.  Liz, I’d love to go to the dance with you.”  Max spoke up before she could backtrack too far.

“Really?”

“Yes. I was going to ask you, but after this morning I thought… you weren’t interested.”

“I just didn’t want to interfere if you were happy with someone else.  I should have heard you out, though.”

“...Is the flower really for me?”

“It is.  Someone reminded me what century it was.  So if I was going to ask you to the dance, I should bring flowers, right?”  She offered the sunflower, which Max took.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been given a flower before.”  He admitted.  “I kinda like it.”

“Yah?”  Liz smiled up at him, stepping closer.

“Yah.”  Max reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, his hand lingering.  Liz leaned into the touch, eyes bright as they gazed at each other. Right when Max stepped closer, leaning down towards her the bell rang.  “I guess that’s our cue.”

“Or we could… skip the rest of the day.”  Liz suggested.

“Skip?  Where’s Liz and what have you done with her?”  Max grinned.

“C’mon, for once, we can be rebels.  Screw the rules, right?”

“Yah, screw the rules.”

They gazed at each other for a moment, before breaking into laughter.  “Or maybe we can just be tardy for this one period?”  Liz suggested instead.

“Just this one.”  Max agreed.  The two allowed their lips to meet in a kiss that slowly deepened, ignoring the world around them for just a little while.

-----

“I thought I’d find you up here.”  Maria wandered over to where Rosa was lying beneath the Crashdown Cafe sign.

“The sheer level of disgusting cuteness downstairs drove me away.”  Rosa complained.

“It’s not that bad.”

“It kind of is. Max and my sister are sharing a Little Green Man Shake.  With two cherries.  Which I could make a really rude comment about-”

“But you’re not going to, because that’s your little sister and her new boyfriend.  C’mon, scoot over.”

Rosa curled her legs up, but didn’t sit up.  Maria sat next to her, and Rosa promptly stretched her legs out over her lap.  Maria laughed, but placed her hands gently on her legs.  “I bet they’re going to get married and have two kids and three puppies.”

“I’m not sure I trust Max with a puppy.  He’d never train it properly.”

“You’re right. Plus, Liz forgets to feed herself, she’d never remember to feed a dog. They’ll have to settle for goldfish.”

Maria laughed.  “Well, Manes and Guerin can have the puppy.”

“What is in the water?  Rosa lamented.  “Love Potion Number Nine?”

“If I recall the lyrics right, love potion number nine did not have good results.”

“You would know that.”

“I could probably sing it.”

“You’re voice is beautiful, but please don’t.”

Maria paused.  “You think my voice is beautiful?”

“You could probably sing someone commercial jingles and they’d fall in love with you.”  Rosa offered.

Maria took a deep breath.  “Rosa, can you sit up?”

“You okay?”  Rosa swung her legs off her lap and sat up.  Her eyes were concerned.

“I just need to say something.  And I need to look at you when I say it.”

“Well, you’re looking at me.”  Rosa took her hand in hers.  “C’mon, talk to me.”

Maria pulled her hand away, causing a frown to mar Rosa’s features.  Maria took a deep breath as she stared at her friend’s confused expression.  “Rosa, I… I thought about not doing this.  I mean, I didn’t plan on doing it ever, but this past week I was going to do it, and then I thought about not doing it. But…”  Maria stood, and paced away, before turning back.  “I can’t stand not knowing.  I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what if.”

“Maria?”

“I like you.  As more than a friend, and I keep thinking maybe you like me back.  Then I just wonder if I’m reading into this what I want to read into this.  So, just, if that’s true - then okay.  I’ll be okay, we’ll be okay.  But I have to know one way or the other.”  Rosa looked down at her hands, not replying.  As the silence stretched, Maria blinked back tears. “Got it.  I won’t ask again.”  She turned to go back downstairs, but was brought up short by Rosa’s voice.

“You’re so beautiful sometimes that it takes my breath away.”

Rosa wasn’t looking at her when she turned back - her eyes were still on her hands, which she’d clasped together.

“I want to reach out and touch you, but I’m afraid if I do I’ll shatter you like I shatter everything in my life.  You’re light and hope and laughter, and I don’t want the world to destroy that.  I don’t want to destroy that.”

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”  Rosa stood up, finally looking at her.  “That’s what this world is like - it chews you up and it spits you out and every day is a struggle.  Our hearts are caged because they’re stupid, fragile things and the world breaks them and us.”

Maria tilted her head up, determined.  “You’re wrong.  Our hearts aren’t caged because they’re fragile.  They’re caged because they’re wild and dangerous and stronger than the world around us can ever be.”

Rosa gave an aborted half laugh..  “That is so like you.”

“Broken things mend, Rosa.  They’re never the same, but they mend.  And that’s beautiful, too.”

“Aren’t you even a little afraid?”  Rosa asked her, moving forward toward her.

“I’m terrified.”  Maria admitted, moving forward to meet her in the middle..  “But I don’t want to let that stop me. I want this.”

Rosa met her gaze, then slowly raised a hand to caress the side of her face.  “I want this, too.”

Maria placed her hand over Rosa’s, watching her a moment before leaning in.  Rosa met her, her lips melding with hers and making her heart beat with something wildly different than fear.

Fini

I will have you know this is not the fic I needed to write today. XD  And it’s simultaneously way longer than I intended, and way shorter than this fic idea deserves.  My muse wouldn’t leave me alone, though, so here we are.

[empounce]

Brock Rumlow x Reader

Chapter 27

Chapter 1 .  Chapter 2 . Chapter 3 . Chapter 4 . Chapter 5 . Chapter 6 . Chapter 7 . Chapter 8 . Chapter 9 .  Chapter 10 .  Chapter 11 . Chapter 12 . Chapter 13 . Chapter 14 . Chapter 15 . Chapter 16 . Chapter 17 . Chapter 18 . Chapter 19 . Chapter 20 . Chapter 21 . Chapter 22 . Chapter 23 . Chapter 24 . Chapter 25 . Chapter 26

You pad through the living room and out onto the balcony, running a towel through your freshly washed hair before relaxing into one of the chairs. You lift your feet and rest your heels against the railing, leaning back in your seat as you watch the city go about their daily lives, completely unaware that any of this was going on. You close your eyes to breathe in the fresh air, and try to piece together some of the things Steve told you with the events that have unfolded.

You tilt your head to the side, noticing Brock approach as you peek out of the corner of your eye. “They’ve found Cap. He, Natasha, and some guy named Sam are causing a whole hell of a lot of trouble in the middle of the city.” He runs a hand down over his face before placing both hands on his hips, his signature stance of authority. “I don’t think you should come.”

Standing slowly, you ring your hair with the towel one more time before grabbing your gear pack and padding towards the front door. You glance back to see Brock’s questioning stare, and simply snap your fingers twice before pointing to the door in mockery of his favored commanding gesture.

He cracks a cocky grin before moving to stand before you, and pulls you close to press his lips possessively to yours. “That’s my girl.” He moves his lips against yours again, and his teeth playfully nip at your bottom lip before he caresses your cheek to look in your eyes. “We’d better get going.”

You nod in agreement and follow his lead to a waiting group of SUVs, the rest of the team already awaiting his arrival.

“The mission is simple: Pierce wants them brought in alive if possible and the Asset is keeping them busy until we arrive. Let’s move out.” The men all nod before climbing into the vehicles, leaving you and Brock last.

You face him questioningly. “The Asset?”

He purses his lips and glances around before stepping closer to speak in a low voice. “He’s also called the Winter Soldier. It’s mostly classified, but what I can say is that you need to stay away from him. He’s unpredictable and extremely dangerous.” He gives you a small kiss on the cheek, and smiles reassuringly as he nods towards the front SUV.

You climb into the passenger seat, as usual, while Brock gets situated in the driver’s seat. He tosses your pack in the back, and you glance around questioningly as you realize the SUV is empty other than Brock and yourself.

He shrugs. “You said you’d change on the way, so I ordered an extra SUV for some privacy.”

You chuckle softly and give him a quick kiss on the cheek as you climb into the back seat, and quickly begin changing into your combat attire.

Only a few moments pass before you’re fully changed, and crawling back into the front seat, making only last minute adjustments to ensure your vest is properly secured.

You notice Brock glance over as you pull your hair back into a bun, his eyes dragging over you slightly before his attention turns back to the road.

You shake your head, noticing the rear view mirror had been adjusted down slightly. “You watched didn’t you?”

The corner of his mouth twitches up slightly before he looks over to meet your gaze. “Why would I do that?” He raises a sly brow and slips his bottom lip between his teeth in an unsuccessful attempt to bite back a grin.

You smile and shake your head again, readjusting the rear view mirror as Brock turns his attention back to the road.

The SUV lurches to the side slightly, and you look forward to see wrecked cars lining the street. Brock speeds up slightly, the sound of gunshots sounding off to alert that you’re nearing your destination.

You see two figures standing amongst all the wreckage and smoke, and the other SUVs speed around to help block off the area. Brock throws the vehicle in park and jumps out, gun drawn, with you following close behind. Almost immediately, you recognize one of the figures as Steve, and your chest tightens with an almost unbearable pang of guilt as you close in around him with the rest of the team.

All guns are pointed at Steve, who is now kneeling with his hands behind his head. One of the men move forward, but Brock motions for him to stay back, instead glancing at you. He purses his lips slightly, and you understand the message clearly.

Steve won’t fight back if I’m the one to restrain him.

You take a deep breath, and holster your gun in exchange for a set of restraints as you move behind Steve. Glancing over your shoulder, you see Brock nod reassuringly, and the rest of the team pointing their weapons, all ready to shoot your best friend. Time seems to slow as you glance back down at Steve, and kneel down on one knee behind him. You hear your team shuffle slightly behind you, but no one approaches as you gently move Steve’s hands down behind his back to place the restraints. Looking up you see that he’s turned his head slightly in order to see you, tears in his eyes as you click the restraints to lock them.

You feel your own eyes start to sting as you comb your fingers through the back of his hair, taming some of the stray tuffs before placing a soft kiss against his temple. You feel a tear run down your cheek as you pull away, Steve’s eyes meeting your own and conveying a pleading helplessness that you’ve never seen there before.

Another tear streams down your face as Steve turns his head away, you place your hand hesitantly against the back of his neck to run your fingers through his hair once more in an attempt to provide any sort of comfort you can. He glances back at you for a moment, but then turns away again to look forward. You stand slowly, feeling as though you’ve lost him, and look forward with a sense of numbness as men move forward and take him away.

You notice Brock waiting patiently out of the corner of your eye, but you can’t seem to look away from the pair of eyes straight ahead. They were locked with Steve’s until he was taken away, and then they bore into yours with a sense of confused anger that left you standing paralyzed. You recognized this man, and suddenly your eyes widen with the realization that this was what Steve was trying to convey. He wasn’t looking away from you in disgust; he was trying to tell you something about this man.

Feeling someone touch your cheek, you’re jolted from your trance, and turn slightly to see Brock.

“Are you okay? I was calling you and you were just standing there, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He brushes his thumb over your cheek, but your silence causes him to follow your gaze. His jaw clenches as he sees the Winter Soldier staring back at you, and he steps in your line of sight, placing a hand on either side of your face for you to look at him.

You blink a few times before focusing on Brock, and then nod your head numbly. “I-I’m fine.” You glance over his shoulder to see the man again, and your eyes widen with disbelief.

Brock forces you to look him in the eyes again. “Hey, look at me, don’t look at him.” He kisses you softly, and grips the back of your neck with his thumbs along the edge of your jaw to hold your gaze. “That’s the Asset, trust me when I say you don’t want to be the center of his attention for too long.”

You nod numbly and allow him to lead you away, your head spinning and heart pounding as you approach the same SUV from which you had arrived. Pausing just short, you turn to Brock. “Can I have a minute? I just- I need to breathe.” You tug at the edge of your vest, feeling as though it was tightening around your heaving chest.

His features soften as he helps loosen your vest, and presses a gentle kiss to your temple as he nods to a med truck parked not too far off. “Go get checked out, see if they can’t give you anything to calm your nerves.”

You manage a half smile before making your way towards the med unit. You sit patiently on the trunk of one of the abandoned cars as one of the nurses takes your vitals, and glance back to see that Brock is too busy giving orders to pay much attention. You chew at your lip, and thank the nurse as she gives you a small bottle of pills before leaving you to sit alone. You glance back at Brock again to see that he’s still busy, and quickly pull your phone out at your side to type out a simple message to Agent Hill. You aren’t sure if she will believe you, or even get the message at all, but she was one of Fury’s most trusted agents, and you’re out of other options.

You lean back, as though stretching, and discretely place your phone back in your pocket just in time to notice Brock walking towards you.

“Transport is ready to move out; we have to escort it to the drop location.” He pauses for a moment, noticing the small container of pills in your hands. “I can have someone drop you off back at HQ.”

“The hell you will.” You shake your head, pocketing the container as you stand and tighten the straps back on your vest. “I’m going with you; I have to see this through.”

He smiles softly and wraps an arm around your waist, leading you back to the SUV. “Yes ma’am.”

You climb in the passenger seat, watching out the window, as Steve is loaded into the back of an armored transport. Brock starts the SUV, and glances over to ensure you’re ready, but remains silent as he traces your line of sight.

He reaches over and gently squeezes your hand. “What do you say, after this, we go home and watch some movies? I’ll even cook.” He studies your features, waiting for any reaction.

You manage a small, sincere smile, which seems to be what he was looking for. He presses his lips to the back of your hand and laces his fingers with yours as he moves forward to take lead on the escort.

You turn to him, opening your mouth to speak, wanting to tell him everything in hopes that he would be at your side to help Steve; you decide against it, staying silent instead, knowing the overwhelming odds against you.

Brock notices. “I know you’re confused and hurt right now, sweetheart, but I promise I’ll do anything I can do help you feel better after all this.”

Turning to stare out the window, you see that the vehicles are slowing to a stop amongst what looks to be abandoned buildings.

Brock shifts the SUV into park and clicks off his seatbelt. “Stay here, I’ll handle it, okay?”

You give a slight nod, watching him open the door, but he pauses for a moment. He turns back to you and leans over the center console, pressing his lips to yours for a long and soft kiss. As he pulls away, he notices the tears in your eyes and purses his lips. “I love you, beautiful. It breaks me to see you like this.”

You study his eyes, seeing no deception or lies in his words, and again you consider telling him everything. You close your eyes and pull him towards you for a longer, more passionate kiss. When he finally breaks away, he’s left slightly breathless, and kisses your forehead down to your cheek before getting out of the SUV.

You watch him move around to the other agents, who are awaiting his orders to open the back of the transport. He readies his weapon, and everyone else follows his lead in readying their own as he signals two of the agents to move forward and pull the doors.

You lean forward in your seat, heart pounding as you hold your breath in anticipation. The doors swing open, and you release your breath in disbelief; the back of the transport is empty aside from one unconscious guard and a large hole cut into the floor.

Brock slams the doors shut and you can hear his angered voice, although you can’t quite make them out. He paces back and forth, but is interrupted when one of the agents approaches him, pointing back towards you in the SUV. Furrowing your brows, you squint your eyes and attempt to read the agent’s lips; you can’t quite make out all of it, but you know he’s accusing you of having something to do with their getting away.

You study Brock carefully, trying to gauge his reaction as the agent continues his argument. Brock listens carefully, glancing at the SUV from time to time.

Looking down, you notice that you’ve subconsciously drawn your gun and gripped the door handle, every nerve in your body screaming for you to run as your heart pounds painfully against your chest. Taking a deep breath, you slowly release your grip on the door handle, and turn your attention back to Brock and the agent’s conversation.

The agent has finished talking, and Brock’s hands are on his hips, deep in thought. Suddenly he grabs the agent by his vest and slams him up against the side of the transport, yelling something about you that you don’t quite catch. The agent holds his hands up defensively, shaking his head, and Brock throws him to the ground before making his way back to you in the SUV.

You holster your weapon, and hold your breath as Brock pauses at the door before jerking it open and sliding in the driver’s seat. He slams the door shut behind him, and grips the steering wheel until his knuckles are white as he takes a deep breath. Waiting patiently for him to say something, you decide to remain silent. You hear him take another deep breath, and turn to face him as he runs his hands back through his hair to tame the strands that had fallen across his face.

“Do you know anything about this?” He doesn’t look at you; he just waits impatiently for an answer.

“Brock I-“

“Think long and hard about what you say, because I will find out if you’re lying to me.” He still won’t look at you, his face hard and rigid with a cold anger you’ve never seen directed towards you before.

You clench your jaw, and narrow your eyes at him. “I didn’t know this would happen, and I’ve been with you this whole time.” Technically not a lie, you think to yourself.

Sitting back in your seat, you cross your arms and stare out the side window, ignoring the feel of Brock’s eyes on you.

“Baby…” His voice softens, and you almost feel your resolve melt away, but you manage to keep a strong appearance as you continue facing away. “I had to ask, you know that. I trust what you say completely. Please don’t be mad at me.”

He moves to brush his fingers against your cheek, but you shrug him off and lean your seat back, closing your eyes as you get comfortable. “Wake me when we get back to HQ.”

You can feel your heart breaking at your own words, and you know you’re being cold towards Brock, but you also know what you’re about to have to do. Agent Hill obviously got your message, and she acted on it to save Steve and the others. You know you have to get some explanations, that man, the Winter Soldier, you know exactly who he really is; you’re pretty damn sure Pierce knows exactly who he is too. Something was terribly wrong here, and you knew now that whatever was going on, Pierce’s side wasn’t the right side to be on.

(Not my GIF)

Chapter 28 . Chapter 29 . Chapter 30 . Chapter 31

[biolumitranslations]

The Unicorn Legion -  Chapter 20

Miracle Forest

It was done.

Julian double-checked the bowstring. There could be no doubt that this weapon was perfect. Although he had no way to test it, it was expertly weighted and the bowstring was strong, to provide unerring accuracy. In all honesty, it had turned out better than he’d anticipated.

The body of the crossbow was metal, and the prod was made of high-quality yew wood, which gave it a vibrant feeling.(1)(2)

I’ll call it “Rosanna,” Julian decided. Of course, it wasn’t as spectacular as “Morning Star,” but it had its own charm.

In the past, he’d always felt joyful when he’d successfully completed a project, but now his feelings were very complicated.

Tomorrow, the Unicorn Legion was leaving for the forest in the Sunset Highlands, the ‘Miracle Forest.’

If he used Rosanna, it would mean giving up on becoming a mage, instead joining the ranks of the Unicorn Legion as an arbalist.(3) However, in exchange for giving up on his dream, he could become an official member of the Unicorn Legion. The two couldn’t even be compared.

The dwarf looked at the light armor to his side and nodded to himself.

“Come on, Rosanna,” he said. “Show me what you can do.”

That night, the students and guests of the Mage Academy slept soundly, kept safe inside ancient stone walls. However, tonight there were two members of the adventuring party suffering from insomnia- one out of expectation, and the other out of tension.

At dawn, a heavy mist had settled in, accompanied by drizzling rain. Rain in early spring was good news for forests and fields, but it was a burden on travelers. To walk from the Mage Academy to the Sunset Highlands would take a little more than an hour. They could easily travel there and back again in less than a day, so the party would be able to take their time traveling.

After three full days of rest, the Unicorn Legion was in top condition. The only exceptions were Julian and Rowenna.

Julian was too wound up to eat much of his breakfast, and Rowenna seemed to be in low spirits as well. Earlier, Cain had politely pulled her chair out for her, but she’d only murmured a soft thanks before sipping her tea and gazing at the wall.

Shelly was bursting with excitement, but he remembered Rowenna’s warning and carefully avoided the topic of magic. Out of respect for Rowenna, he also avoided saying anything to embarrass Cain.(4) Unfortunately, he didn’t know much outside of these subjects, and soon ran out of things to say. Most of breakfast was spent in tense silence.

After saying their goodbyes to the Grand Mage and his wife, the Unicorn Legion set off. Rowenna was acting as their guide, and led the pack with quick and light footsteps. The atmosphere was too intense for conversation, and thus they traveled in silence as well.

An hour later they arrived at the base camp of the Miracle Forest. This was where mages undergoing their trials came to rest, so it was kept well-maintained. They took shelter in a cabin to build a fire and dry off before settling in to check their equipment and supplies.

Rowenna finally broke the silence.

“My teacher probably already told you this, but this forest is divided into three areas from the edge to the center. The apprentice-level and mid-level constructs have been shut down, and the high-level constructs have been completely destroyed, so we only have to deal with the magical creatures.(5) There’s no mention of creatures like these in any textbook, so we’ll have to be careful.

“Also, the magical constructs were designed to imitate magical creatures from the Legendary Age. In other words, to have defeated the most powerful constructs in the forest, these unknown magical creatures must be very strong. I suggest that Shelly and Julian stay on either side of the group, to act as lookouts.”

“No problem!” Shelly answered proudly, his head hidden under a towel. Julian nodded quietly.

“However, as we head deeper into the forest, the situation will become more dangerous, so it’s important that you listen to Captain’s orders.”

“Mm,” The elf hummed. He wasn’t sure how he’d ended up as the leader, or why Rowenna deferred to him so respectfully. Honestly, he didn’t think he was suited to lead. A nervous expression appeared on his face. Cain glanced at him and smiled before clapping a hand onto his shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Remember how well you handled the rebel army? You’ll do fine.”

Hearing Cain mention the rebellion, Rowenna looked at Ellen in shock.

“The Unicorn Legion is a neutral party. Why did you participate in the civil war?”

“Back then, I was only a mercenary. The legion had to be rebuilt.”

“He wiped out 50 enemy soldiers without breaking a sweat,” Cain interrupted. “He-”

“Cain!” Ellen shushed him, embarrassed. “You think that’s worth showing off to someone who ended a war single-handedly?”

“No matter,” Rowenna looked at Ellen, her tense expression somewhat eased. “I’ve heard of your deeds. If you hadn’t helped, I’m afraid even my master’s recovery efforts would have been in vain.”

“Well, getting back to the task at hand,” Ellen coughed, “I’d like for Cain to look after Shelly, while Miss Silva and I back up Julian. Is this alright?”

“I don’t mind either way,” the half-elf said, “and please, call me Rowenna.”

“Sounds good,” Cain smiled. “Shelly, if things get dangerous, just hide behind me.”

“Okay,” Shelly said. “Cain, are you sure it’s not you who’ll hide behind me?”

“. . . I’m too lazy to argue with you.” Cain turned away.

“I . . .” seeing both Ellen and Rowenna looking at him, the dwarf’s face grew red. “I . . . I’ll try not to cause trouble, so . . . you won’t have to take care of me . . .”

“We’re not taking care of you,” Rowenna said. “In this regard, we aren’t quite that skilled. We’ll be relying on you as well.”

“I . . . I’ll do my best,” Julian whispered.

“Then it’s settled.” Ellen stood up. “We’ll double-check our gear and head out.”

The Miracle Forest was an ancient one, filled with lush trees that had been steadily growing for hundreds of years. Fortunately, there were plenty of gaps between branches, and the atmosphere of the forest wasn’t too dark.

The rain had finally stopped. The leaves were coated in small droplets which occasionally dripped down to the forest floor. Except for their footsteps, there was no sound; even the birds were silent. For about ten minutes, all they saw were a few small slugs. There was no sign of any magical creatures.

“When all this is over, we should have a picnic here!” Shelly said.

“Usually, the constructs are active here,” Rowenna said. “You don’t want to fight giant rats and living thorns while you eat, right?”

“Woah!” Shelly exclaimed. “Hey, what are living tho- wah!”

“Shut up,” Cain flicked his forehead.

“Rowenna, are you sure the constructs have been shut down?” Ellen suddenly spoke.

“Yes.”

“Well,” the elf pointed ahead of them, “One of them’s woken up.”

Before any of them had the chance to ask what he meant, the others realized what he’d seen.

Coming down the path from deeper inside the forest, dozens of snake-like vines were writhing towards them.

“Shelly, Julian,” Ellen nocked an arrow, “The first round of attack goes to you.”

With a whisper from Cain, a white light blazed out of the dwarf and the siren.

The “prod” is the bow part of the crossbow.

The term used for “yew wood” is “紫衫木” which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

An arbalist is someone who wields a crossbow.

Shelly’s such a gentleman! I guess Rowenna’s made a really good impression on him!

The magical creatures Rowenna is referring to were mentioned in Chapter 15; the Grand Mage suspects that the constructs were destroyed by them, and asked the Unicorn Legion to investigate.

They’ve finally set out on their quest! How exciting! I feel kind of bad for Julian, he’s a nervous wreck in this chapter . . . let’s hope he and Rosanna do well in the next chapter!

<< Chapter 19                    Chapter 21 >>

[chaldeaposting]

Musings of the Teacher

Dust fills the air.

The sky is filled with dark clouds, covering the land in complete darkness.

No signs of life can be found in this desolate wasteland.

This realm is known as the Land of Shadows.

To serve as a contrast to the barrenness, a castle stands near the edge of the land. Atop one of the ramparts, a single woman stands. Her flowing red hair is the only thing that provides contrast to the darkness.

She is Scathach, the Warrior Maid and Queen of the Land of Shadows.

Scathach casts a disinterested gaze over the dark land before her, and a sigh escapes her lips.

Day to day, for more than a millennium, she has served as a gatekeeper for this realm. Slaying countless beasts and other abominations from crossing over from the Land of Shadows.

During that long period of time, her skills have improved to the point that all her students now pale beside her, but in exchange she lost her humanity, and many emotions along with it.

“How long?” she mutters. “How long has it been since that time?”

Her memories drift back towards the time she took in pupils under her wing, especially when she had Setanta under her wing.

Then she remembers about what happened to him in the end.

“I wonder...was it because I was too involved with him?” she muses.

“Maybe if I had been a little more distant, maybe things could’ve changed….”

For more than a millennium, she has been agonizing over Setanta’s death and blames herself for his fate, thinking that if she had not become personally invested on teaching him, he would not have to have suffered through the disgrace he went through.

“......”

Scathach grits her teeth in frustration.

Suddenly a guttural howl sounds through the night.

Without a second thought, she holds out her hands and two resplendent crimson spears appear. She clutches them tightly, and attempts to leap from the castle.

A tiny pinprick of light appears near the edge of the rampart. Immediately, Scathach goes on guard. However, she notices a somewhat familiar presence emanating from it.

“This sensation reminds me of...Setanta. The feeling is similar but….”

A myriad of thoughts floated through her mind as she slowly approached that tiny pinprick. She wonders if it’s actually Setanta, and if it is, what should she do? And if it is not, then what?

She reaches out towards the light, and on the moment she managed to make contact with it….

Her consciousness gets cut off.

After what felt like an instant, Scathach finds her on a magic circle. She notices two individuals in front of her. One is a half naked man in gold armor. Scathach can sense the divinity emanating from the man in golden armor. She suspects he’s a god or has the blood of the gods flowing through him. The other is a bespectacled young man in a suit. Judging from the flow of mana, Scathach guesses he must’ve been the one who summoned her.  

“Fufuhahahaha! Interesting! Very interesting, Shǒu!” roars the man in gold .

“It seems you’ve summoned someone pretty powerful this time. I daresay she can rival even ME.”

“Really, Gil?! I wonder what kind of hero she is!”

The young man then turns to face Scathach, or at least tries to. He fidgets as if unsure on where to look.   

“I swear you need to get over this inability to look at women.”

The man in gold sounds exasperated.

“I-it’s not the women! It’s how they’re dressed or their lack of clothing…”

The man in gold smirks.

“I know. It was a jest.”

“Dammit, Gil.”

The boy then faces Scathach properly.

“I’m really sorry about that. It’s, uh, a bad habit i guess?”

“You need to sleep with a woman. Definitely the fastest way for you to get used to it.”

“I’m also sure a lot of your female Servants will be fine with it if you just ask. Fufuhahaha!”

The boy presses on, ignoring the man in gold’s jibes.

“Anyway, Welcome to Chaldea. I’m the Master for this group. The Servants usually call me Shǒu. It’s nice to meet you.”

“This noisy golden bastard is Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes.”

The man’s crimson eyes stare at Scathach.

“Well now, woman. Introduce yourself. My master and I have already given our names.”

Scathach was amused by the duo. The banter between the two reminded her of the times when Setanta and Ferdiad were conversing together.

“My name is Scathach. Queen of the Land of Shadows. It seems my class is Lancer”.

Scathach speaks for the first time.

She casts an appraising gaze on the young man.

She notices potential emanating from him, not dissimilar to Setanta when she came to train with him.

(I see. So that’s why I appeared before this boy.)

“Boy. Shǒu, was it? I sense great potential from you but you are far too unskilled.”

“Do not fret. I will take it upon myself to make sure you don’t waste it. So prepare yourself.”

(I wonder if this fate? Do i get the chance to make amends for what happened before? If so, I will not make the same mistakes as before. I will wholly dedicate myself to his education, and nothing more.)

Scathach quietly hardens her resolve. Eager to not repeat her prior mistakes.

And thus, The Warrior Maid joins Shǒu’s Chaldea.

……….

“I can’t believe it’s been a few months since then.”

Scathach chuckles to herself while walking through Chaldea’s hallway, thinking back to the times she had spent with Shǒu and his band of Servants during the last few months.

“It has certainly been an interesting turn of events.”

She thinks back from her immediate jump into action on the Shinjuku singularity, having helped the gang in the final showdown with Moriarty. She was quick to prove her worth to the old Chaldea Servants.

To roaming around Chaldea and seeing the various Servants and their way of life after being summoned. While most of them are from different places and time periods, they don’t let that stop them from getting along well. Although quarrels pop up from time to time, it seems like everyone is used to it. (Especially fights between a certain golden hero and a certain pirate).

And….. by spending time with her young fledgling of a Master.

“Good grief, in some ways, he’s more of a handful than Setanta.”

She remembers the first time she trained with him. His skills were so unpolished that she felt she was going to have a migraine. Plus it took a while for him to stop averting his eyes.

But, he made up for it by pure eagerness and diligence. Scathach was impressed by his undaunting spirit.

“In this, he surpasses Setanta. He was gifted from the start but this boy does not have the raw talent he has. He is making strides through his own effort.”

Scathach couldn’t but feel proud about her hardworking student.

“Though he tends to become a handful at times.”

Scathach has given more strict lectures than she can count to her student, mostly for trying to pull some stupid stunt or another. The most memorable one being trying to cope a feel on her. Needless to say that did not end well for him.

“I suppose that is only natural for someone of his age.” Scathach says with a smile.

“How strange. At first I just wanted to die but now…..”

“Master…?”

Scathach snaps out of her reverie to find herself in front of Shǒu.

Shǒu is in sports clothes, towel in hand, trying to wipe his perspiration.

“Fancy to see you walking around, Master. We seldom see each other in the hallways after all.”

“Oh, hello, Shǒu. Just finished training?”

“Yeah, I just came out from a workout session with Kintoki. Gotta keep myself strong and healthy so I can support all of you, after all.” He grins.

(Good grief, I sure have gotten mellow.)

Scathach reaches in and pulls Shǒu close to her chest.

“W-w-wha? Master?!”

Shǒu’s head is almost sunk into Scathach’s voluptuous breasts.

“M-master, I’m all sweaty….”

He tries to give a feeble excuse.

She reaches out and touches her head.

“I’m glad that you’re keeping up with your training, but remember to not overexert yourself. Rest is also important.”

(Whatever the case is, I do not dislike my current situation. It’s through Shǒu that I’ve come to enjoy living again, and it’s all because of that weird charisma of his.)

(So much for just dedicating myself to his studies. I’ve gotten myself very involved again.)

Shǒu quicks moves away from Scathach’s embrace.

“D-duly noted, Master! Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go get a shower now. BYE!”

He quickly scampers off.

Scathach watches his retreating back with a smile.

(I suppose I deserve a little happiness again, don’t I?)

Extra 1:

“Hey, Fran-chan?”

Artoria Lily exclaims.

“Wasn’t that Shǒu just now?”

“Uuh.” Frankenstein nods once.

“I wonder what happened? His face was all red.” Lily says with concern.

“Uuuuh?”

Frankenstein just tilts her head in curiousity.

“Maybe we should pay him a visit after our patrol!”

“Uuuh!”

Extra 2: Shǒu is quickly returning to his room.

“I wonder what came over Master today. She was acting strange.”

“But still…..those were soft….”

Shǒu quickly shakes his head back and forth. “GOTTA GET THAT SHOWER NOW.”