#to secure it and go through everything their new prisoners left there

[raven-6-10]

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(I need a tag for this au)

(I'm taking suggestions)

@hamelin-born @moonraisedsunchild @ertrunkenerwassergeist @cactusprisms @aniseandspearmint @charlottedabookworm

So like. SG-1 is scouting around and they see a herd of weird animals that look like a cross between a unicorn and a gazelle of all things, except kind of weird. But also not the weirdest they have ever seen. And they try to keep their distance, really, they're not stupid enough to approach unknown animals.

Except suddenly the entire herd starts running right at them, so of course they also start running to try to get out of the way. Only it turns out the Space Unicorns are running from a bunch of predators that look like really really big cats. Like, big honkin' space cats.

And oh shit, the Cats decided that humans actually offend them on a personal level, so now the team is really hauling ass to get away. And maybe taking some potshots at the Cats, who basically just shrug it off what the hell, and also they can zap you like their grandma was an electric eel, seriously what the hell, and maybe the team is running in the wrong direction, Daniel! the base is the other way! except is kind of too late to change that.

So they make it to the shore and are running along the beach, at least it's rocky and not sandy that would have been really bad to run along. And it looks like the cats are bored of the chase because they all stopped further back and now are only growling and hissing in their direction and backing away.

. . .

. . .

. . . something is growling real loud behind them.

[luveline]

Hey jade!! i love your writing so much<3

Also what do you think of prison!spencer × Stripper!reader?👀

im not sure if this is what you meant but I hope you like it ♡ fem, 1.2k

"Too much," you murmur to yourself, tilting your head one way and then the other. The bags under your eyes have been dark lately from a severe lack of sleep, but all this makeup won't help make tips. "Way too much." 

You lean back to ask one of the girls for a wet wipe but the dressing room is empty. Swearing to yourself, you duck down for your bag. You have tissues, and they'll have to do it. 

Things have been hard since Spencer's… event. You don't sleep well without him, worse wondering what it is he's going through right now. His friends don't really know that you're seeing one another, and so being kept in the loop has felt akin to begging for scraps. You miss Agent Hotchner in times like this. He always had a soft spot for you. 

You hum a song under your breath as you rub the cakey makeup under your eyes. Washing your face would be nice. Going home would be better. You've been trying to make some extra money in case Spencer never comes home; you won't have his security to fall back on if things fall apart here. 

You don't want his security. You just want him to come home. Sighing, you pick up your phone and open the gallery app. It's a second hand thing you got at a pawn shop but it has enough storage to keep as many blurry photos of your boyfriend as you'd like. Pictures of him everywhere and doing everything, his big smile like a beacon. 

You stop scrolling when you find the one you want. It's favourited with a red heart at the bottom of the screen. Spencer took it, you remember —you were too busy kissing his cheek to navigate the settings. He looks happy. You could never understand how happy he is to be with you, how through everything, a long time of knowing one another and a hundred thousand acts of a kindness you didn't deserve, he's stayed by your side. He doesn't care that you're a dancer. He's proud of your choices. He loves you for you, even if he does get a little jealous every now and then. 

You lay your phone down on the dressing table, cheek flat beside it. "Time to come home, Dr. Reid," you whisper. 

Your phone pings and you ignore it. It pings again and you turn off your notifications. It's probably Spencer's nice friend Penelope, or one of the girls wanting to borrow something. 

You shed your robe to look yourself over in the mirror. The lingerie you're in tonight's not to your taste but a fan favourite, the bra and underwear both plum in colour with lace and black garters to be clipped. You turn to one side and narrow your gaze at a ladder running up your leg. 

You save a bottle of clear nail polish in your bag for this occasion. 

You're sitting on the floor with your leg out in front of you when someone knocks on the door. The girls don't knock. 

If it's a patron you have a taser, and besides, they don't usually knock either. A bouncer, then. 

"Come in, please!" you call lightly. 

You don't bother looking up, a creature of habit. It'll be the same thing as usual, insert man wants to buy insert dance from you for insert amount of time. Are you interested? 

You hum as you paint the rip in your garter. The nail polish will stop it from ripping any further, but you're going to need new ones. 

"You're prettier than when I left. How did you do that?" 

You tip the bottle over as you flinch, you don't care, you look up at the compliment and the familiar voice, and find Spencer standing in the doorway. 

You've pictured this moment multiple times a day since the day he was arrested, hundreds of reactions. In pretty much all of them you throw yourself into his arms and beg him not to leave again, but all those hours of missing him coalesce on top of you. You want desperately to touch him and you end up crying into your hands instead. Tears quicker than you knew they could arrive, hot and thick as your sob. 

"Hey," Spencer says, kneeling down in front of you. He takes your wrists into his hands. "Hey… don't cry." 

You can't help it. 

He wraps his arms around you and lets you sob. "I thought you'd be happy to see me," he murmurs. 

"I missed you," you say, the words dragged from you like agony on a hook. 

"I missed you too." He rubs your back. If he cares that you're in your underwear he doesn't have much to say about it. He eventually started making jokes about all of this stuff when he realised you wouldn't be offended, but he's never cruel about anything. He's far from it now, pulling your shoulder into his chest as he pats your arms. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm really sorry. It got out of control. But, on the bright side…" 

You sniffle and pull your gaze up to his face. When you see the hollows of his cheeks you almost start crying again. "What?" you ask. 

"Well, now I'm cool enough to be your boyfriend." 

You push him backwards and crawl into his lap, knees on either side of him, weight against his abdomen. Your arms weave behind his head and you push your cheek into his likely too hard to be painless. He just sighs in relief. 

"Do you have something in your pocket?" you whisper, your voice stuffy. "Or was prison very hard?" 

He laughs and digs in between you to pull the little box that had been digging into you out of his pocket. "It's for you." 

"Don't want it." 

"I don't care if you want it. I missed our anniversary." 

"I missed you," you say, clinging to him for dear life.

You can't stop hugging him long enough to look. 

Eventually, he peels you off of the floor and you get dressed to go home with him. It takes a long time —you keep stopping to hug him between items of clothing, checking that he's real, that's he's him, even if he looks different now. He has to take the reins or you'll never make it home, pulling your coat over your shoulders and zipping it closed. 

When he's done, he takes your face into both hands. "You've been safe while I was gone? No trouble?" he asks. 

"Nobody messes with me. My boyfriend's in the FBI." 

"Well, we're taking a vacation." He blows out a big breath. "Jesus, I'm sorry, but I really need to kiss you right now." 

"Even though I look junky?" 

"You look perfect." He kisses you before he's finished, his praise smothered by your lips. He kisses you so hard you can't breathe by the end of it. "I'm sorry," he says, pressing a softer one under your eye. "Prison was actually pretty hard." You lean in, lingering nose to nose with him. "I couldn't sleep without you near me." 

"You're only saying that 'cos you saw me in my underwear." 

"Yeah, that's exactly why." He practically giggles. "No, I just love you."

You couldn't sleep without him either. You get home and sleep for days, tangled with each other in bedraggled sheets. 

[draconic-desire]

A Dance With the Dragon II — Mates

Yandere Neuvillette x Reader

[Part I] [Part II — You are here] [Part III] [Part IV]

Neuvillette brings you to your new “home”, which also comes with new challenges.

Warnings: Emotional manipulation, forced imprisonment, Neuvillette accidentally goes a little feral here, brief non-con at the end

One of the first things Neuvillette did was move you from the apartment at the Palais Mermonia (your prison for the past four centuries) to his personal residence. Securing his palms to your waist, he teleported you directly into the foyer of the massive home.

The interior was splashed with blues and whites that matched the Chief Justice’s own color palette. The upper walls were decorated with friezes depicting various marine creatures, from floating otters (how ironic) to bobbing seahorses. A grand spiral staircase led to the upper floor, while a set of double French doors connected the foyer to a massive living room adorned with plush love seats and armchairs, tasteful artwork of Fontainian landscapes, and enormous windows that overlooked the sea. It appeared the house was set into a cliffside, with the waves battering the rocks far beneath you.

You paced into the living room, running your hand along the blue silk couch cushions. To your left, a door led out to what appeared to be an inclosed courtyard with a miniature fountain. To the right was a closed door, a familiar dragon carved into its exterior. Your arm burned in resonance.

Though you were loathe to admit it, the place was beautiful.

“Do you like it?”

Shifting your gaze to him, it was clear that Neuvillette was desperate for your approval. Ever since he let you outside to discover the true length of your imprisonment, you had rarely spoken a word to him. Clearly, your silence had done a number on him, as the normally composed man was fidgeting nervously.

When you kept quiet, Neuvillette cleared his throat. “I admit, part of why things took so long was due to my insistence that everything be perfect for your arrival. I rearranged our bedroom perhaps a dozen times, and I couldn’t for the life of me decide what your personal room should entail.” When you glanced out towards the fountain, he coughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Ah, that was a…sentimental addition. It makes me think of how we met.”

You’d never forget that Archons-damned fountain. If only you hadn’t been so naive. Hydro Dragon, Hydro Dragon, go away.

Neuvillette extended his palm towards you in what appeared to be both a peace offering and an order. “Shall I give you a tour?”

Suddenly your feet appeared very interesting. What were you supposed to say? This technically was your home now, like it or not. You’d become painstakingly familiar with it with time. Although you weren’t imprisoned within the Palais as before, your new life still promised shackles nonetheless.

“Could you just show me my personal room?” You sighed. “I’d prefer to just rest after that.”

Neuvillette smiled softly, relishing the sound of your voice. “Of course.”

Twisting his fingers through your own, he led you towards the dragon door. Once again, your hidden tattoo pulsed with energy. It felt like a pull forward, a welcoming embrace. You realized then that there must be some sort of warding spell on this room, likely meaning only you and your captor could enter.

Marvelous.

Pushing the door open, Neuvillette swept his arm gracefully through the entrance. “After you, my love.”

You stepped in and immediately went still.

For in every direction around you was rows upon shelves upon stories of books.

Neuvillette had build you your own personal library.

And not just that. You noticed that entire sections pertained to your personal interests—marine biology, photography, even your personal favorite genres of novels. A separate door labeled Dark Room promised an avenue for you to pick up photography again. Similar couches and chairs as the living room were arranged around a huge coffee table, and a cracking hearth added to the cozy atmosphere.

Your throat bobbed. You had always dreamed of owning a room like this, a place where all your passions converged. But to have it under these circumstances…you didn’t know how to react, torn between frustration and a grateful little voice in the back of your head that you buried at once. No, I didn’t earn this. I don’t want this. It was forced on me.

All you could choke out was, “This is…mine?”

“Down to the last book.” You could hear the pride in his voice. “I spent the most time on this room. Over a century to get it right.”

You startled. A century? Your heart stumbled, but your hands fisted by your sides. So much given, yet what had it cost you?

Shaking your head, you simply said, “I’d like to be alone.” Connecting your eyes with his, you could see his hurt, the expectation of a grand reaction on your part that you refused to indulge.

However, the look was quickly wiped from his face, for he must have seen something broken in your facade. A muscle in his jaw feathered as he approached you, a gloved hand stroking your cheek. “I understand you must be overwhelmed. I’ll leave you to explore,” Neuvillette said, placing a kiss on your forehead before heading for the exit.

“Neuvillette?”

Said man turned back towards you, a hopeful look in his eyes.

“Why me?” You grabbed your arm where the shadow of your draconic tattoo hid. “Why…all this?”

His gaze immediately softened. “My dear, we have centuries for me to show you.”

~*~

It was times when Neuvillette was vulnerable that it was hardest to hate him.

He had returned home after a long day at court to find you sitting in the courtyard on the edge of the fountain, peering up at the night sky as if the stars held some answers. Moonlight bathed you in an ethereal glow, and if he didn’t already think you a goddess, he would have pledged himself to you then and there.

You hadn’t noticed him yet, too involved in your own thoughts. True to his word, Neuvillette had given you time and space to enjoy your new (cage) home. You had to admit, it was a major upgrade from the Palais, and you knew the Iudex would continue to let you explore Fontaine, if you tolerated his presence beside you. However, you knew this dance wouldn’t last—it was only a matter of time before Neuvillette expected something in return. It was abundantly clear that he desired your affections, but how far would he go in order to sway you? To fully make you his?

A sea breeze whipped around you, eliciting an involuntary shiver to rip up your spine.

A sudden warmth enveloping your form brought you back to reality. Blinking in surprise, you peered up to see the Chief Justice smiling softly at you, his purple irises sparking with longing and care. His elaborate attire was gone, leaving only his pale undershirt.

He’d given you this coat.

“I…thank you,” you mumbled, averting your eyes from the man.

“Do my ears deceive me? Did my dear (Y/n) actually acknowledge me?”

Your grip on his robes tightened. “Don’t mistake my words for kindness. I haven’t forgotten what you are.”

A sigh. “Despite what you may believe, I’m not a monster.”

You deadpanned. “You’re quite literally the Hydro dragon.”

“Archons above,” Neuvillette whispered, glancing up at the sky as if it held the key to winning your heart. “I was referring to a monster in the definition you humans use.”

“What? You mean like a man who would kidnap and imprison an innocent person—”

“Considering you are not in the Fortress of Meropide, I’d hardly consider this imprisonment.”

“What, have I offended you?” A scoff left escaped you. “If you want to play house, at least own up to your actions. Don’t pretend you’re some sort of gentleman.”

Neuvillette was silent for a beat, his mouth a thin line. Unexpectedly, his muscles relaxed as he released his tension. He lowered his large frame, taking a seat next to you. “You’re right.”

You sketched a brow in surprise.

Neuvillette trained his eyes on his palms, facing upwards in his lap. “I understand neither what it means to be human, nor what it means to be a god. I was given this duty to protect and uphold the laws of Fontaine, and yet I cannot save those who need it most.” His fingers formed fists, and his lids closed solemnly. “Carole, Vautrin…all of the others I have failed…”

You worried your lower lip. Although he had already informed you of his friends’ fate in your absence, it was still a raw wound for the both of you. Yet the anguish in Neuvillette’s eyes twisted your heart. How could a man be so duplicitous, so capable of both justice and blind obsession?

As if sensing your conflict, Neuvillette gently took your face in his hands, tilting your chin so that your eyes locked once again. His eyes danced with silver sparks of emotion, like cracks of lighting across a dark sea. A thumb brushed away a tear you hadn’t even realized had fallen.

“So if I can protect but one thing, one person, I will do it.”

~.~

You often noticed that Neuvillette’s horns got stuck in his robes.

Honestly, it was kind of humorous. In the beginning, watching him struggle gave you a sick sense of satisfaction. You’d take any circumstance that inconvenienced him, however petty that might be.

But today, seeing the Chief Justice pouring over a case regarding the protection of Fontaine’s sea life at an ungodly hour, head propped on a fist to keep him awake, you couldn’t help but feel sympathetic when he emitted a low hiss as his horns tangled into the ornamentation of his attire once again. “Damned human attire,” he cursed.

Neuvillette wasn’t an inherently bad man. In fact, your own case aside, he had invoked significant and positive change in Fontaine’s legal system. He judged cases fairly and prudently, working himself ragged each day to ensure the nation’s safety. It would have been admirable to you in any other circumstance.

You didn’t know what possessed you when you stepped behind him and carefully untangled his twin blue horns.

At your touch, Neuvillette immediately froze. His heart rate skyrocketed and his mind went blank because you were touching him.

And not just anywhere, but his horns. Unbeknownst to you, a dragon’s horns were the most sensitive part of its body, only to be handled by itself or its mate. One brush was akin to a lovers embrace, the whisper of a kiss, the hot breath shared between partners in the thralls of passion. Not only was the touch intensely intimate, it was also an acknowledgement—an acceptance of the male’s advances onto his partner.

Oh, if only you knew how many times he had fantasized about this, your acknowledgement of him and his love for you. Although his rational, human side knew your touch as unintentional, the dragon within Neuvillette reared and roared against his skin, demanding to be set free upon its mate.

“Your horns were caught,” was all you said as you settled back into the sofa, flipping to the marked page of your novel.

If you had looked up, you would have witnessed the Iudex gently touching his horns in awe. He swore he could still feel the brush of your palm against him, shivering delightfully at the mere memory of your touch.

Little did you know that your simple act of kindness would unleash the storm.

~*~

The one unfortunate deviation of your current accommodations from the Palais Mermonia was Neuvillette’s unyielding insistence on sharing a bed.

You had foolishly thought escaping him, even if just within the confines of your shared home, would be simple. You believed the library, what he even referred to as your room, would be your bedroom as well. Despite the lack of an actual bed, the plush couches and ever-lit fire provided more than enough comfort to lull you to sleep.

But when you had opened your eyes, you were mere inches away from Neuvillette’s shirtless, sleeping form.

You had assumed it was due to the draconic symbol guarding the room; perhaps it linked you to him more than you had thought. So, the next night, you decided to sleep in the parlor instead.

Only for your hopes to be shattered the next morning when you awoke not only in bed with your captor, but with your limbs entwined.

Anger, shame, and a touch of something you couldn’t quite place—something not entirely unpleasant—flooded you as you tore yourself out of his embrace. How was he doing this? Was it magic, or would he physically carry you to bed each night?

This pattern repeated itself. You would pick various places around the huge house to retire for the night. However, you would wake up in bed next to Neuvillette each morning without fail.

You had even reverted to your previous stubbornness and slept on the ground a few nights, but to no avail. It seemed you were bound to his bed.

Tonight, you decided to face the issue head-on. You stormed up the stairway and into the spacious bedroom, ignoring the pain in your lower back due to all the errant surfaces you had tried to sleep on. The downy pillows and lush, cream comforter practically begged you to surrender to the king-sized bed and its occupant.

Instead, you halted at the foot of the bed and crossed your arms. “You have to stop this.”

Neuvillette immediately looked up from the tome in his lap, his reading glasses slipping down his nose. He hadn’t yet changed out of his white dress shirt, and the buttons revealed a hint of his toned chest as he set the book down. “And what exactly are you demanding I stop?”

You huffed a laugh. “I wish I could say all of this,” you waved your hands around, as if that would convey the entirety of the situation, “but I mean putting me in your bed each morning.”

“Our bed,” he corrected, as if that were the issue.

“No, your bed. Are you really telling me that with all this space, you can’t just let me sleep alone?”

He removed his glasses with a sigh, setting them on the nightstand. “I could, but I don’t want to.”

You seethed. “Well, I do.”

Neuvillette’s violet gaze pinned you with something like hurt. “Have I truly done something to upset you? It seemed as if you were settling into our new home quite nicely. Our conversation and touches were…” His throat bobbed. “Pleasant.”

You narrowed your eyes and bit out, “Don’t take any of that as complacency. You’re still a monster.”

Neuvillette flinched in response and, for just a moment, you felt a piece your heart falter. That is, until he whispered, “Mates don’t sleep apart.”

The room went utterly still.

Your voice came out as a breath of air, but the words were clear: “I am not your mate.”

It was then that you noticed the claws emerging from his fingertips, piercing into the sheets under his form. His eyes flashed silver, dangerous as knives. You could have sworn you saw a pair of elongated canines as he grit his teeth. “You have no idea how difficult it has been,” he breathed, voice tight, desperate.

On instinct, you took a pace back. You suddenly felt like a cornered animal, unable to avert your gaze from those claws that looked ready to tear into you. Clearly you had misjudged the situation—the Hydro Dragon was a starved, deadly predator, and you were practically served on a silver platter as its next meal.

Icy panic raced through your veins. You’ve never seen him like this, so out of control and inhuman. Trying to mediate the situation, you put your hands up in surrender. “Neuvillette, listen to me. Just calm down.”

You had hoped that saying his name would do just that, but it seemed to only rile him up further. The Chief Justice of Fontaine actually growled in response. You couldn’t tell if it was a warning or a plea. “You deny your mate, and now you’re telling me to simply calm down?”

Another step back. Just put out the fire and deal with the consequences later. “I apologize for being confrontational. I think it’s best if I just go—”

Before you could react, Neuvillette pounced forward and grabbed you by the shoulders, pulling you onto the bed. You released a cry and tried to scramble away, but he spun you around and pinned your back against the mattress with his muscular frame. He loomed above you on all fours, his hands gripping your arms and applying just enough pressure to hold you still without hurting you. The glint in his eyes, however, promised pain that was yet to come. You were the prey about to get its throat torn out.

“Wh-what are you doing?” You struggled, heart skyrocketing at the feel of his arousal pressing against your core.

"Something I’ve needed to do for four hundred years," he growled huskily, his breath fanning your lips moments before they slammed against yours.

The kiss was hungry, predatory. Obsessive. You could feel the release of each year, each century, as his mouth devoured yours. You arched your back in an attempt to get away, but Neuvillette was quicker. He lifted your form easily and slammed your back against the bed once again. At your gasp of shock, he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth.

You fumbled around for something, anything that you could take purchase of. Your arms were pinned, but you were just barely able to grab onto the first thing and tug: his horns.

Neuvillette moaned, a deep, throaty sound that sent heat flooding through you.

It was in that moment you realized your mistake. You recalled how some marine animals with horns had millions of nerves within them, making these appendages a source of sensory stimulation. When you had started adjusting his horns after they were getting stuck, it must have been like touching his—

Oh, fuck.

Neuvillette released you arms, grinding against your thigh. “Do that again,” he begged, though it came out as more of a growled order.

“Neuvillette, stop—” An involuntary whine escaped your lips.

Your lewd noises only instigated him. His movements became more erratic as he slid a clawed hand up your leg and to your core, which was protected by only a nightgown. You jerked as his finger pinched your clit, eliciting another whine.

Neuvillette’s eyes sparked with heat, dual purple flames that devoured your form. “That’s it, my dear. Let me take care of you.” He bit down on your neck, causing you to cry out. He was marking you before he took you fully.

“Tonight, you become more than my wife. You become my mate.”

~*~

You laid there limply in Neuvillette’s arms. He peppered you with kisses and whispered words of protecting you and lofty dreams of your future together, but it fell on deaf ears. None of it made you forget about the bites along your neck or your throbbing core.

You couldn’t believe you had let his kindness fool you for even a second.

You had to escape this prison.

[tojipie]

ma’am you mentioned slipping a guard a wad of cash for a quick closet fuck in your story so like…how often did prison toji have to bribe the guards? 😅

prison boyfriend toji series linked here <3

content: semi-public, intimidation, mentions of incarceration, facials

custodial wing at 11:30

that’s what he’d whispered to you before you parted during your day visit, hand reaching under the hem of your shirt to trace shapes into the curve of your spine.

you didn’t need to ask questions knowing how often the two of you pulled this off. if the state wouldn’t grant you two conjugal visits on account of you not being married.. then you’d just have to make your own. 

getting started wasn’t a challenge in the slightest knowing entry-level guards melted like putty once a little stipend was involved. money was everything in this system, and toji had left you a lot of money.

once every two months was the deal. frequent enough that you’d both get your fill of each other outside supervised visits, but not so often as to draw suspicion. 

naturally, you make a beeline to your destination as soon visiting hours come to a close, mumbling something about needing the bathroom to a clearly peeved officer at the front desk. 

toji comes into view just at the end of the hall, facing away from you. you realize his body is obstructing another person as you you near, bits of their conversation floating in and out. 

“you really should be in your cell fushiguro...”

“just wait till’ she gets here before you do something stupid.. christ.”

you pause just beside toji, peering over at the navy blue-clad stranger in front of you. 

“where’s..” you trail off, eyes flitting between the two men. great, your regular officer wasn’t on duty today. a fucking warning might have been nice. 

the new guard is probably half your boyfriend’s size—and age, not a firm bone in his body by the looks of it. if he did, you figure toji would already be in solitary for sneaking out of his cell. your shoulders relax at the realization. at least this guy wasn’t a threat. 

the inmate shoots you a knowing smile, sly as ever despite the high-stakes situation. you quickly move to rustle through your pockets at the sight of his outstretched palm, placing a wad of cash in his hand.

“why don’t we give our pal a little gift, hm?” toji coos, holding the money up between two fingers and shaking it like a dog treat. “wanna give me an hour with my girl?”

the guard frowns, looking around cautiously.

“we’re not really supposed to take bribes…”

the fake smile on toji’s face falters. “fuck does that mean?” he says in disbelief.

“well honestly, it means that i’m going to have to report this.” the younger man says, reaching for his walkie-talkie to alert the rest of the security team. 

“are you stupid?” toji seethes. sizing the smaller man up. regret instantly washes over the the guard’s face, eyes blowing impossibly wide as he’s backed up against the wall.

“no sir— I mean— i’m sorry!” a tattooed fist slams against the concrete, dangerously close to his face. 

“i could kill you right now. could snap your neck and keep you in that closet over there,” he whispers, jutting his thumb behind him. you know there’s no real intent behind his words, toji simply wasn’t that cruel. 

the paralyzed guard cowers at the threat, taking the two of you by surprise as a wet spot grows on the front of his pants. gross.

“you gonna piss your pants every time a real man speaks to you? huh?” he barks, laughing at the younger man’s misfortune. 

“no no no please,” the guard babbles, motioning toward the closet. “i’ll keep watch i promise, i— i don’t even need the money i’m sorry.”

“good cause you weren’t getting it,” toji sneers, pocketing the cash before picking you up bridal style. 

“that was mean,” you whisper, oddly impressed at the inmate’s intimidation skills.

“yeah? you like when i’m mean?” he mutters jokingly, hands already squeezing the curve of your ass from where his palms are holding your body up. the contact makes you shudder, sending bolts of electricity right to your core.

you loved seeing him like this, as sick as it was. possessive, short-tempered, commanding. it all made your knees weak. 

you find yourself propped up against the door of the closet moments later, held up by his hands as he wastes no time, leaning in to mouth at the curve of your neck. 

the way he maneuvers you without so much as a sigh only stokes the flames deep in your core. toji’s strength was something to behold, an absolute marvel.

the closet is dim, lit by a pull-string bulb older than the two of you combined. you’re so close that you don’t know where your body ends and his starts, making it seem like there’s not enough air for the both of you. 

you reach down with one hand, keeping the other on his shoulder for balance. deft fingers work up the scratchy fabric of his brown uniform, exposing his abs with a hum.

fuck, he was getting bigger, muscles chiseling deeper and deeper as each day went by. the barest hint of black ink peeks just under the hem of his shirt, grabbing your attention for just a moment.

“lift it up angel,” he rasps, mouth still working at the thin skin of your collarbones. purple blood vessels bloom under his lips, the trail of hickeys growing larger by the minute.

the inmate helps you strip his upper half, lips detaching from your body with a sly smile.

“toji, oh my god,” you gasp, running a careful hand over the barely healed tattoo. 

“didn’t want you to see till’ it was finished,” he explains, grinding the hard length of his cock against your clothed core. 

toji hadn’t taken his shirt off the last two times you’d snuck off together, opting fuck you through three orgasms with his pants around his knees, showing off the barest hint of his happy trail. 

you figured it was for the sake of saving time, a precautionary measure in case your situation was compromised. naturally, there was a much deeper reason behind it.

delicate swirled letters brand your name across his ribs, etched into tanned skin amid a background of black and grey mist. the skin around the edge is still pink and delicate. blushed by the spike of a needle over, and over, and over.

god.. how did he even get this done? and so well at that? the things he manages to achieve even while serving time never fail to blow you away.

you hadn’t even realized he’d stopped grinding into you, his palm just barely cradling your face.

“you okay?” he says it so gently, like you’ll break. 

“it’s perfect,” you tell him, basking in the shy smile he gives you. scarred lips finally meet yours, setting you down on the floor of the closet to shimmy your skirt down. toji pulls away with an audible hum, tapping the inside of your calf to get you to open your legs wider.

the inmate wastes no time, hooking a thumb under the fabric covering your heat, and pulling your panties to the side. you feel his hulking body drop to a knee in the dim light, running thick hands up the soft skin of your calves before pressing a gentle kiss to your clit. 

“beautiful,” he whispers, though the stars that dance across your vision keep you wondering if he’s talking about you, or your pussy. 

and then your thoughts come to a screeching halt as a warm, dexterous tongue licks up the length of your slit. the noise he makes is obscene, desperate, groaning low in his chest as he tastes you for the first time in months. 

you nearly forgot how good it feels to be taken like this, struggling to maintain your balance as toji laps at your hole, two hands settling on your knees should they decide to buckle. 

“tastes so fucking good,” 

he says it directly into your heat, shooting vibrations straight into your core. warm velvet sneaks up to lap at your sensitive bud, tracing hot, wet circles in the spot that matters most.

you peek down just enough to see him free his cock from his boxers. two fingers swipe through your heat, using your slick to ease the slide of his hand along his shaft. 

it’s filthy, the way he’s always been so readily able to shift how he acts around you. cold, unforgiving hands turning into warm fingers that bring you nothing but pleasure. 

you’re the only one who sees him like this— who will ever see him like this. on his knees in the back of a cramped closet, making love to your cunt like a man starved. 

the feeling of your approaching high rips you from your thoughts, hands tangling into his mess of raven hair.

“gonna cum,” you whine, pushing at his forehead to get his face away from your clit. the tiniest bit of relief floods your core as he pulls away, his mouth and chin dripping with slick. 

“turn around.”

you haven’t even fully pressed yourself against the door before the blunt head of his cock is sliding into your entrance, filling you to the brim in one fluid motion.

toji takes a second to palm at the flesh of your ass, humming in appreciation as you adjust to his size.

“please,” you groan, “please just fuck me toji, please.”

the inmate pauses, slipping a hand under the hem of your shirt to play with your tits.

“should i?” he whispers, groaning as you clench down on his length.

frustrated, you push your hips back into his shaft, swallowing him over and over while harsh pants ring out behind you. large hands squeeze around your waist to stall your movements, giving him space to rut into you like you need.

the feeling is seismic, explosive. sending you right over the edge and into the abyss as black streaks over your vision. you don’t think you’ve ever been fucked this good before, taking deep, thorough gulps of air as you’re humped and rutted into against the fragile wood of the closet door.

large fingers wrap around your wrist and pin your arm behind you as you reach down to toy with yourself.

“like this,” he tells you. the implications clear as day.

cum on his cock or don’t cum at all. 

and cum you do, shuddering as you flood yourself between your legs. his pace doesn’t let up for a single second, bucking up into that special spot over and over.

“knees,” he commands, tone as urgent as ever. “fuck, get on your knees.”

you don’t have to be told twice, sinking to the floor to face him as he pulls out of you.

“open baby, open up for me.” the noise his hand makes while her jerks himself off is absolutely debilitating.

you tiredly rest your cheek just under the jut of his hip bone, pressing soft kisses under the far edge of his tattoo. the aftershocks of your high leave you breathless as thick spurts of seed cover the left half of your face. 

toji takes you by the face and holds you in front of him, fingers squishing your lips into a pout as he paints your face with the last of his load.

“there we go, there we go, eat it for me,” he pants from above you, chest heaving from the force of his orgasm. you gather as much as you can with your tongue, letting him thumb the rest into your mouth.

“beautiful,” he says, letting you clean off his fingers with your tongue. and this time you’re sure that he’s talking about you, his girl. his everything.

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[secretsandwriting]

All Because of One Lie

A Bruce Wayne x reader

You weren’t quite sure what was going on. One minute you’re headed to cause some problems, seconds later you’re making out with Batman. They guy who had tried to put you in prison multiple times. To make it more confusing, he started it.

Shortly after it started it ended with Batman just leaving.If that was a new plan to get you to stop causing problems, it worked. You went home. How do you even proceed after that? The next day you saw the headlines, made an assumption, and went about your day, because what else were you supposed to do. 

BATMAN CAUGHT MAKING OUT WITH ANTI-HERO MONSTER. IS ANTI-HERO PINK VENOM LYING?

Last week, Pink Venom had told the press she was dating Batman. Guess he wanted to end that story but why was it by making out with you?

The next night you went out Robin ended up patrolling with you and when asked by reporters why he was with you he told them that Batman had told him he could only patrol with adults and you were one of the ones on the “safe” list, things got so much more confusing. If it weren’t for the fact you didn’t talk in costume, you would have told the press the truth but you weren’t quite ready to break your silence over this. Besides, it wouldn’t last long.

The next night you were joined by Red Hood who was at least more helpful than Robin when it came to your normal work. You didn’t really like the idea of letting a child kill people even though he claimed he had before. Then the next night was Red Robin who helped you break into a secure building to do a few things. Then Black Bat who followed you around like a quiet puppy.Then Spoiler, she talked the whole time. You didn’t really mind. Next was Nightwing who was like a mix between Black Bat and Spoiler but male. Overall, you were getting more confused every night that passed. 

After a week of being followed by random Bats, Batman himself showed up at the end of one of your runs. A quick soft kiss before he left. All you wanted was an explanation! Maybe a reason for why your life was suddenly going sideways. When you got home, you started getting ready to take a shower before going to bed, your jacket was the first thing to go. An envelope slipped out of it and onto the floor. There was nothing on the outside so you opened it and unfolded the paper. 10 $100 dollar bills fluttered to the ground.

Monster

I apologize for any confusion.

Two weeks ago Pink Venom claimed we were dating. Pink Venom is not someone I want to be associated with and none of the press would accept a simple explanation that we weren’t dating. So the next best thing would be to give them an actual candidate. All the others suggested you and since I found you before the other suggestion, we went with you.

Enclosed is $1000 as payment for everything. For every week this goes on, there will be another $1000 for you on that Friday. 

Batman

Well, it was an explanation. You weren’t sure how to feel about it though. But the money did help. You did like bribes. 

It continued for a month before Batman started staying around longer. He would hold your hand and make sure you got across the rooftops ok. One day he spent his whole patrol with you. You made sure to ignore the butterflies you got when he was offering you his hand to help you across something.

You weren’t really sure how to feel about it, but every Friday you got an envelope and every time he kissed you more butterflies would join the ones already residing in your stomach. Every time Robin spoke about his pets, you caught yourself smiling. Every time Nightwing showed you a new trick he had been working on, you found yourself excited over his accomplishments. Everytime Red Hood talked about the books he was reading, you found yourself making a mental note to look through it. Every time Red Robin had something he wanted to infodump about, you caught yourself paying more attention to him then your surroundings. Everytime Black Bat wanted to show you the new dance she had learned, you caught yourself being entranced by her movements. Everytime Spoiler would go off on a random tangent, you found yourself trying to keep up instead of just nodding. 

So when Red Hood mentioned his birthday was coming up, you spent hours trying to figure out what to get him. When he unwrapped the first edition Shakespeare book he had told you about, you found yourself wrapped into a hug, when he parted. You slipped a tissue into his hand before parting ways for the night. 

When Robin mentioned he was having trouble in one of his classes, you found and gave him a book about it and didn’t bring attention to the way his hands shook when  he realized the book made more sense than his teachers and textbooks.

When Red Robin mentioned having trouble with falling asleep, you brought him the remedy your late grandmother had taught you and made sure he had the instructions list so he could make it himself. When he almost cried in relief the next night, telling you how well it worked, you just accepted the hug and smiled. 

When Nightwing asked you how you handled guilt, you listened to him pour out his feelings and the next time you saw him, you gave him a copy of all the books that had helped you. You couldn’t stop smiling when you saw how his relationship with Batman and Red Hood started changing. 

When Spoiler had told you about the secret feelings she had that made her feel like she wasn’t girly enough to do or enjoy certain things, you brought her a basket of all the things she had mentioned and held her as she cried through everything she needed to. 

When Black Bat was quieter than usual, you brought some snacks and drinks and enjoyed some time just watching the city. You didn’t twitch when she leaned her head on your shoulder. Moving wasn’t an option until she got up. You made sure to ignore the wet streaks on her mask and continue on like normal. 

Because somewhere in the few months this had gone on, Batman’s kids had become your own. You celebrated their achievements, held them while they cried, listened to their darkest fears and thoughts, felt pride whenever they did something amazing, and their pain hurt you to see. These were your kids and you wanted the best for them. 

Batman started spending more time with you too. After a while you found some charm under all the gruff. When he softened up around his kids you felt your heart race, and the few times he cracked a joke it was a struggle not to laugh aloud. 

You were becoming too attached. When this ends you were going to be devastated. It wasn’t just one of them you were attached to, it was all of them. You thought about trying to avoid them but you couldn’t do that to the kids, so you took a night off to think things through and relax.

The next night you went out, you were alone for the whole time. Which had been unusual since this whole thing started. That was, until the end. Right before you started heading home, Batman stopped you. The oddest part about it was that he seemed a little nervous? That couldn’t be right, you were definitely looking into it too much.

“I know this started out of the blue and really wasn’t your choice, but I’ve been enjoying our time together. I was hoping I could convince you to go on a date with me tonight? A real one. We’d keep our masks on but maybe we could get to know each other a little better?” 

Oh.

Food was picked up at a random restaurant and and you found yourself sitting on the edge of a building looking over the city. Batman would ask you yes or no questions so you could just nod and then he would answer them himself so you would know more from him. The entire time, you never once revealed your voice and you didn’t feel any pressure over it. It was nice. 

One date turned into two, two turned into four, four turned into six, six was when you first spoke and Batman almost choked on his food. Six turned into ten and ten turned into twenty.

Robin started asking for help when he was stumped on his homework, Spoiler came to you with any and all the drama going on in her life, Black Bat came to you when her thoughts were too loud, Nightwing came to you when he needed help figuring something out, Red Hood came to you when he needed comfort, and Red Robin came to you when the remedies didn’t help and he needed a nap. 

You were getting closer to all of them. They would come to you for problems or just to talk or walk in silence. You never turned them away and always offered support. Pleading with any being out there that you could stay in their lives forever, as selfish as that request might be. They were your family now, and you never wanted that to end. 

You were on a walk with Batman after your meal, hand in hand, strolling the streets of Gotham. You could see people taking pictures out of their windows from the corner of your eye when you were gently tugged over to a stairway to a  building taller than all the others around by enough to give plenty of privacy.

“I understand if you don’t want to, just tell me if I’m overstepping. But I would like to go on a date with you. One without the masks where we can talk about whatever we want without worrying about what we give away. The kids love you and I want so much more than this.” He pulled you closer by your waist, his eyes searching yours. “So would you go on a date with me Sunday afternoon at the Italian restaurant on 3rd street?”

Oh. 

This was something you had thought about but had pushed away to the back of your head as a fantasy that would never happen. This was something you definitely wanted. Deciding you were at the point where you didn’t care and were willing to make dangerous decisions, you pushed aside the thought that this was a trap.

“I would love to. I’ll be there at 1. What name shall I give them?” You wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him a little closer meeting him in a kiss. He smiled against your lips and when he parted, he said the name would be your favorite color before pulling you back for another kiss.

Sunday afternoon, you found yourself at a private table set for two at the Italian restaurant on 3rd street and 12:59. When the waiter came over followed by Bruce Wayne, you weren’t sure what to think. You stood up and a bouquet of red roses was placed into your arms. You let Bruce pull you into a kiss, immediately melting against the familiar touch. 

When you separated, you had so many questions but now wasn’t the time for them. So instead of asking them, you ordered and talked about everything else. Later that night, back in the privacy of the same building he had asked you out on, you would get answers. But for now, you just enjoyed the conversation as it was. 

The next day, you found yourself in the headlines again. You liked this one better.

BRUCE WAYNE ON DATE WITH MYSTERY GIRL

Two more dates came and went before you were officially invited to the manor to meet the kids for the first time out of costume. Alfred greeted you when you arrived before your attention was stolen by Damian who wanted to show you his report cards and pets, Jason wanted to show you his book collection, Cass wanted to show you her personal dance studio, Steph wanted to show you her newly decorated room, Dick wanted to show you his acrobatic studio, Barbara and Duke wanted to meet you for the first time, and Tim who wanted to show you his most recent hyperfixation. 

Somewhere along the way, Bruce joined you for the tour. His arm wrapped securely around your waist. Once you got through the tour, you made sure to sit near Barbara and Duck so you could get to know them a little better.

The next night you went out, you had Barbara in your ear and Duke making rounds with you. As per usual now, your night ended with a kiss from Bruce.

A month later you found yourself attending Damian’s school concert and sitting between Bruce and Cass, you caught yourself watching only Damian everytime he was on stage. Your hand was gently held by Bruce the entire time. The next morning, you found out Bruce holds your hand in his sleep. 

A year later you found yourself moving into the manor. Everyone helped move your things and it wasn’t long before you found yourself comfortably settled in.

Two years after that you found yourself standing at the altar holding Bruce’s hands while you recited your vows. It was quite a story. One you couldn’t tell many, but a good one non the less. After all, you did end up with 7 kids and an extra one who went back to her dad every night, and a wonderful husband. All because of one lie someone else told.

[raya-hunter01]

Not My Sister's Keeper Pt. 13 Final

Not My Sister’s Keeper

Jey Uso X OC (Kayla)

Roman X OC(Regina)

Rating: 18+

Warning: Smut; sex, fluff, couple arguing, Jealousy, infidelity, pregnancy

Roamn’s wife recently left medical school and returned home to save her marriage. Upon her return, she finds out things are not what they seem. Her sister is pregnant by her best friend Jey Uso, who is also Roman’s cousin, and her husband is acting suspiciously.

What happens when a conversation overhead on a baby monitor blows her world apart?

Five Months Later

Rebecca’s House

Rebecca’s POV

“Sweetie I’m just glad you agreed to come over to help me cook thanksgiving dinner.”

“I know you trying mama and I’m going to try to meet you halfway.” Kara said with a tired sigh rubbing her belly.

“Wait were you using the bathroom?” I asked seeing the shower in the background.

“Yes, the baby keeps sitting on my bladder and I’m peeing constantly,” Kara moaned washing her hands.

“I guess I didn’t help calling you at 7:00 a.m.,” I joked as Kara genuinely smiled.

“It’s no problem, I be up with the chickens these days trying to get comfortable.”

“It will end soon enough and then you’re going to be tired from lack of sleep.”

“I can’t wait either.”

My daughter was going to be an amazing mother. “Uh, is Josh still leaving later on today?”

“Yea, he’s gotta film some stuff but he will back tomorrow night in time for thanksgiving. Tani is going to drop me off at your house and come back and get me when I’m ready.”

“Well, that’s nice of her, I know how I ain’t on her list of people she likes.”

“Karbug, who on the phone?” I heard Jey asked as I chuckled seeing Kara turn the camera on him.

“Hey, Josh sorry to wake ya’ll up so early.”

“Nah, you good I got to get up soon anyway,” he said waving at me.

 “I know ya’ll want to spend a little more time together, so I’ll let you go. I love you, Kara and be safe coming out in this weather.”

“I love you too mama, and I will. See you a little later.”

“I felt joyful, I had my baby back and was about to become a grandma again. While fixing breakfast for Logan, our local news alert interrupted my favorite morning show. “What the hell goin’ on now in the middle of a fucking hurricane.”

Channel 10 news

“I am April, and this is Channel 10 news. Early this morning before daybreak we’ve been told three inmates escaped the Pensacola Women’s State Prison. A security breach occurred, and caused the prison to go into lockdown, but three prisoners managed to bypass the system and count of inmates.”

“Oh my god,” I gasped in shock…This isn’t happening…Not now.

“Through an emergency investigation it was discovered Taylor Green, a newly hired guard was having sexual encounters with the three women. In exchange for the sexual encounters, Green helped the inmates escape.”

“Lord, please don’t let it be her...Don’t let it be her.”

“As of 7:00 a.m. two of the women have been captured but Tia Morris is still at large and is armed and dangerous. Please be safe everyone and if you have any information, please call 911.”

“Tia…What are you doin’?”

Cutting the TV off, I rushed to check the doors to make sure everything was locked and secure.  The storm raged outside and within me as I rushed upstairs to check on Logan.

 I signed in relief seeing her still asleep. Gently kissing her forehead, I then went and checked the rest of the upstairs before going back downstairs.

“Calm down Rebecca, she probably on the road trying to get the hell outta town. Your safe and Logan is safe,” I whispered trying to calm down but deep down I felt something bad was going to happen.

--------

-Jey’s & Kara’s House

Jey’s POV

These last five months had been a dream, and it was getting harder and harder to leave Kara. She had been traveling with me some during her pregnancy, I even bought us a bus. I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible when she was with me.

She had been doing great up until these last two months though. Our son or daughter was determined to make his or her arrival early. We had been spending a lot of time at the hospital lately stopping her labor.

 Then the baby, won’t cooperate at all during the ultrasounds so we still don’t know if we’re having a boy or a girl. We don’t care though as long as he or she is healthy.

“Jey, we will be fine, you’re coming back tomorrow night.”

“I don’t want to leave ya’ll though,” I said kissing Kara’s belly. The storm raging outside making even harder to leave. I wanted to stay home in this bed with my wife.

“Well daddy, you gotta go so you can film. Then you get to come home and be with us for the next nine weeks.”

Damn right I was, my mom was going to stay with us, but I wanted to be home to be with Kara and the baby. I was going into a feud with the new bloodline so we were going to film some stuff that would air over the next two months. Then when I come back, I will be rejoining Roman and Jimmy to reunite the original bloodline.

“Doody, you heard me?” Kara said running her fingers through my hair.

“Yea, I heard you baby. I know I gotta go, but I don’t like it.”

“We will be fine, I promise.”

 “Hey, I’mma need you to stay in mama’s belly while I’m gone kid. No hospital visits, please.”

“I know right, these hospital visits with these contractions ain’t been no joke but I haven’t had any for two weeks.”

 Feeling a strong kick, I smiled and kissed her stomach. “I will take that kick as you telling yo’ daddy you gon’ be good,” I chuckled getting up and grabbing my bag.

“Let me get up-” gently pushing her back against her pillow, I shook my head.

“Nope….. Stay there, Ma will be here soon.” Leaning over to kiss her I knew I had to leave now, or I wouldn’t. “Fine, I’ll sleep a little longer,” she whispered against my lips. “Thank you for your cooperation, Ma.”

I suddenly had a nagging feeling, but I don’t want to scare her. It probably was me just not wanting to leave her.

“Be safe, we love you, daddy.”

“I love ya’ll too, and I’ll be back soon.”

Walking out of our bedroom I looked back one last time at my family quickly taking my phone out and snapping a picture of Kara laying in bed her belly on full display.

“Bye, Josh.”

“Ok, I’m gone…Love ya’ll.”

“We love you too!”

I felt like I should have stayed but I tried to push down the feeling that I was making a big mistake leaving.

---

Two hours Later

Kara’s Parents House

Rebecca’s POV

Still no updates on Tia but the prison assured me they were looking everywhere but told me to stay put. I tried to call Kara but no answer, I even called their house phone. It was best if she just stayed home and didn’t come over. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her or the baby. “Come on Josh, pick up.”

“This is josh, you know what to do. Leave it at the beep..Yeet.”

“Josh, its Rebecca. I’ve tried to get Kara on the phone, but she isn’t picking up. Tia has escaped and they can’t find her, don’t leave the house or if you have go back!”  

CRASH

“Oh my god, No! Logan, sweetie, are you ok?!” I yelled running upstairs. Peeking in on her again I saw her still sound asleep. What the hell is going on?

Once again, I cautiously headed to check out my room.  As I opened the door, I heard a loud bang followed by a sharp pain shot through my stomach.

Tia’s POV

That was so easy, I didn’t think it would be this simple. “I told you that you’d be sorry.” I didn’t want to hurt my mother, all she had to do was listen and help me. She turned her back on me so as far as I’m concerned she’s collateral damage.

T-T-Tia, don’t h- hurt the baby,” my mother cried collapsing to the floor in pain. Not a care in the world about her own self.

“I would never ever hurt her; she’s coming with me.” I couldn’t leave without her; she was my ticket to getting what I needed out of Roman.

As my mother lay gasping for breath, I grabbed her cellphone as she tried to reach for it.

“Oh, you want help? Well, go find the phone,” I said throwing it out of the room as she sobbed in defeat. Just as I was about to go get Logan I heard the front door open.

“Ma, you ok? My phone is acting up and I saw I had some missed calls. Tani dropped me off and went to run a quick errand but will be back in a bit to take me to Verizon. I swear Jey will lose his mind if he can’t get in touch with me,” Kara rambled as she walked around downstairs looking for mama.  I couldn’t believe my luck right now.

“Oh, this is too good. I swear God loves me,” I chuckled as my mother lay gasping for breath pulling at my legs.” N- No, T- Tia.”

“Get off me,” I hissed kicking as I heard Kara coming up the stairs. “Ma, Logan, ya’ll ok?”  

I heard her go into Logan’s room down the hall. “Yea, come on in here next bitch, I got a surprise for you.” I could practically smell the worry on her from down the hall and I loved it.

All I had to do was wait for her to come down here to check on mama.

Kara’s POV

“Logan,” I whispered shaking her a little as she moaned opening her eyes. “Tee Tee, you here,” her tiny innocent voice said stretching her arms out wide.

“Yea, sweetie it’s me. I need you to get up ok, but don’t make a sound.” Making that statement alone in a mere whisper seemed to wake her up as she nodded, giving me a hug.

“Mommy here?” her tiny voice asked with worry as I nodded, holding her close. “Yea, I think so, and I need to get you out of here. Remember what we practiced?” I asked as she nodded.

“I run to Ms. Ruby house, her light on.” She whispered rubbing her tired eyes. “Yes, that’s right pretty girl, her outside porch light will be on and she will get some help for us.”

“I scared Tee Tee.” Logan cried, my heart breaking. Logan was an innocent child who didn’t deserve any of this mess.

“I know baby, but I got you and I’m not gonna let anything happen to you.” I felt helpless, that we had to teach a four-year-old how to run for help but thank God she was smart and understood.

Tia thought she was smart but the eerie silence when I came in and seeing mom’s phone laying in the hall. I knew something was up and I knew we needed help.

“I left the front door open, and when I go down the hall, I want you to tip toe down the steps, try not to make a noise. Once you get to the front door start runnin’ and don’t stop till you get to Ms. Ruby’s house, ok?”

“Tee Tee come wit me?”

“No baby I can’t run, I’d never make it. That’s why I need your help and no matter what, don’t look back or stop running until you get there. Tell her grandma is hurt and we need help.”

The fear in her tiny face broke my heart but I had to be remain calm on the the outside, inside I was losing it. After I put on her shoes and coat she once again wrapped her tiny arms around me. “I love you Tee Tee Kara.”

“I love you too baby, I want you to always remember that.”

Putting her hood on I took a breath, trying to dial 911 once again but to no avial.. we had no choice it was now or never. As I left her room, I signaled for her to go downstair. Seeing her follow my directions as she tip toed down the steps, I had a hard time controlling my tears.

“Logan, try to get dressed and I will look for grandma sweetie,” I said closing her door. Glancing over the rail, I saw she was finally at the front door. She quickly turned on the porch light and glanced back up at me.

Her tiny face filled with determination as she nodded at me and took off running as fast as her little legs would allow. “Thank God,” I whispered thankful she had escaped.

 Slowly going down the hall I could see Tia’s reflection in the huge hall mirror that was adjacent to my mother’s room. There she was standing in our mother’s room with a gun. I  felt my heart drop hearing my mother crying in pain.

“Run! Kara, get Logan and run!” My mother screamed as I took off back downstairs trying not to fall.

“Uh, not now ,” I cried feeling a sharp pain shot through my stomach. “Not yet please, just give mama a little time,” I pleaded looking for my dad’s gun.

“Looking for daddy’s gun Kara?” Tia’s cold voice sending chills down my spine. It was either me or her and in this moment and I will do anything to keep my child safe, even if it means killing my own sister.

Logan’s POV

I was tired but I couldn’t stop running. Ms. Ruby house was close, I just had to keep running.  “Ms. Ruby!” I cried finally seeing the blue house with the front porch light on. “Ms. Rubby help!” I cried knocking and kicking her door trying to make sure she heard me.

I ran into her arms the minute the door opened. “Ted, call 911 Tia’s at Rebecca’s!” she yelled as I continued to cry. “Please help my grammy and Tee Tee.”

“We’re getting help sweetie, you did so good our sweet girl,” Ms. Ruby whispered, holding me close as I cried.  

Ruby’s POV

“You ok, I got you, sweet girl,” I reassured Logan carrying her inside as my son called the police. “The lines are busy; the hurricane is messing with towers and phone lines.”

 “Keep trying Ted!” I screamed as he nodded once again trying to get help.

“Finally! Yes, we need the police and an ambulance at 1254 Greer Road. Tia Morris, an inmate that escape earlier this morning is there and is dangerous. She has two hostages.”

“I want my daddy,” Logan cried as I pulled out my cell and tried to dial Roman and after a couple of times my phone finally dialed through.

“Hey, Ms. Neslon-”

“Roman have ya’ll left yet?”

“Uh, no we are grounded at the airport until the weather slacks off, is everything ok?”

“Roman, Tia has escaped and is at Rebecca’s.”

“Logan-”

“Roman, she got out, but Kara and Rebecca are still in the house with Tia. Rebecca is hurt from what Logan is telling me.”

Putting the phone on speaker I continued to comfort Logan. “Logan, your daddy is on the phone.” Her tiny head perking up at the new information.

“Daddy, she hurt grammy,” she cried as I could hear the worry and relief in Roman’s voice.

“Daddy’s coming my baby, we are so proud of you.”

“Tee Tee help me runway,” she cried as I could hear Roman crying. “Grammy and Tee Tee Kara are going to be ok. I promise.”

Jimmy’s POV

“What you talkin’ bout Uce?” Jey asked hearing Kara’s name. “Daddy loves you and we are on the way to you.” Roman said in a panic hanging up the phone.

“Kevin, get the car back up here we need to get off this plane!” Roman yelled as I felt the room starting to spin.

“Stop and tell us what the fuck is going on!” Jey demanded as Roman wiped his tears. “Tia has Kara and Rebecca hostage. Logan ran to get help, and they have the ambulance and police on the way.”

“Kara…My Kara?” Jey asked in disbelief reaching for his phone as I placed my hand on my shoulder. “She’s gon’ be ok, they both are,” I tried to reassure him.

“Roman, call Regina and warn her,” I advised trying not to freak out as Jey kept redialing Kara’s phone, the color draining from his face each time he got a busy signal or no answer at all.

“Regina it’s me baby, I need you to listen to me carefully.”

Jey’s POV

“We gotta get there!” I yelled pulling away from Jimmy and grabbing my coat. I had to get to my wife, this isn’t happening right now.

“No, I want you to stay at the house and lock everything up. Logan is ok with Ms. Nelson. I don’t need you in any danger, Tia is insane.” “Jimmy, have you heard from Trin? I know she was supposed to help Kara and Rebecca with the food today.” I asked, the realization hitting him hard that Trin was once again in danger of being hurt because of Tia.

The silence as we all tried to call our loved ones frustrating us more and more by the second as each call was met with a busy signal or no answer.

“Pick up, pick up Trin,” he whispered dialing her number again.

“Come on baby, pick up please.” I pleaded. Damn it, where is the fucking car? I kept trying to call Kara but no luck.  I even took a chance calling Rebecca’s house phone.

 “Fuck!” I screamed getting a busy signal, but I kept calling as we made our way to the car.

“Please keep them safe.”

I knew I should have followed my first mind and not even left. The darkness, wind and rain were a blessing in disguise, and I was thankful we were still here when Ms. Nelson called.

“I knew one thing, I was going to Kill her…I was going to kill Tia if Trin didn’t beat me to it.

Rebecca’s house

Trin’s POV

Whoo, I made it. I had gone to the store to get a few more things to help make dinner for tomorrow. I even ran into Tani and told her I would take Kara later on to get her phone looked at and for her to just go home and get out of this weather.

 Hell, I really believe it’s just the weather messing with the towers. After the weather passes, I think we will be good.

“Why the hell is the front door open?” I muttered. “Kara where you at?  I saw Tani at the store and told her that she could go home,” I said walking in and placing the groceries on the counter in the kitchen.

“Trinity, we good, just leave and turn on the porch light. I’ll hit you up later.” I heard Kara yell causing me to pause.

Trinity?.....The porch light?…Why was Kara calling me by my first name, she always calls me Trin…The porch light is already on, what is sh-. ….Oh shit, Tia is here. She was giving me hints, to get the hell out and get help.

“Uh, yea sure, I’ll make sure to turn it on. I love you girly and I’ll holla at you later.” I said going back out to the car. Picking up my phone I tried to dial out and no luck.  

I then drove out the gate and parked my car out of sight a little way down the road and headed back up to the house. I had to think of a way to get back inside, I couldn’t leave Kara.

Kara’s POV

“Where is mama, Tia?” I asked rubbing my stomach as another pain jolted down my spine as she smiled. “Upstairs in her room, hopefully bleeding out or already dead,” she smiled as I gasped seeing Trin’s reflection in the patio window.

We had to get the drop on this crazy bitch, and I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I knew I was going into labor because the pain was different than the Braxton hicks I had experienced before.

“I got to get up Logan and pack her a few things. Go over there and have a seat. Looks like you’re in labor sis.”

She still didn’t know Logan was long gone and I had faith she made it to Ruby’s house by now and the police were on the way. I had to believe that. “You sure you ain’t gon’ shoot me in the back again?” I groaned trying to breathe through my current contraction.

“Nah, you safe this time, my niece or nephew is your only saving grace right now,” she whispered watching me closely as I steadied my breathing.

Suddenly another sharp pain it. “The contractions are too close,” I cried collapsing to the floor as I saw Trin looking at me with worry before taking off towards the side of the house.

“You betta hold it in, I ain’t delivering no baby. You on your own with that shit. Just let me get me kid and I’ll leave you to it.”

“I don’t want you touching me anyway, let alone passing your evil ass spirit onto my baby,” I snapped as she kicked me in the stomach. “Now watch yourself,” she hissed as I rolled into a ball.

“Ugh! Fuck you!” I cried cradling my stomach as I felt another kick, this time across my lower back.

“T-Tia stop,” I heard my mom cry as I refused to uncurl my body. I had one job and that was to protect my child.

 “Oh, mama so nice of you to join us. Look at you clawing your way down the stairs to help your baby girl,” Tia laughed as I heard the sound of glass shattering from the side of the house. Trin….Trin was back inside the house.

“What the hell?!” Tia shouted running towards the sound as I pulled myself towards my mother.  “Ma, are you ok?” I cried truly terrified seeing her covered in blood and holding her stomach.

“Yea, get Logan,” she coughed, fighting to keep her eyes open. “I did, she’s gone to get help, just hang on.”

“End it Kara….Keep Logan safe,” she moaned before she passed out from the pain. Feeling her chest rise and fall under my hand I gently kissed her forehead.

“Mama, just hang in there,” I cried. Suddenly, I heard another crash followed by a gunshot.

“Trin!” I screamed, willing myself to my feet in spite of another powerful contraction tearing through my body. I had to help her. “Come on baby, just hang in there for a little while longer,” I pleaded making my way down the hall. I saw the broken window but now sign of Trin or Tia.

“I told you bitch! I warned you didn’t I?” I heard Trin yell as I got closer. Thank God she was ok, they had apparently fought their way up to the second floor.

Grabbling the railing I slowly made my way up the back stairs to the spare bedroom.

Trin’s POV

This bitch really tried to shoot at me and then dodge up the back steps to hide. Nah, not today, you gon’ learn to head the warning.

“I told you I was gon’ show you crazy!” I yelled throwing Tia against the wall as she tried to protect herself. “I’ll kill you!” Tia screamed as I grabbed her by the throat choking her.

 “Not if I kill you first,” I hissed as Tia raked me in the eyes and punched me in the stomach. “You gon’ have to kill me!” Tia screamed, tackling me to the floor as I returned the favor by kneeing her in the stomach and elbowing her in the throat.

Her gasping for breath bringing me great joy. “I’ll be happy to make your wish come true bitch!” I yelled climbing on top of her wrapping my hands back around her throat as I slammed her head against the floor. “Ow,” she hissed grabbing the back of head as I kept on. “I told you not to touch my sister, you just don’t listen.”

“Trin, I can hear the cops” Kara said as I punched her again for good measure before getting up to check on Kara who was now bent over in pain.

“Are you ok?”

“What do we do Trin?” Kara cried as I hugged her closely. “I’mma whoop her ass till the cops get here, and they gon’ take her ass back to jail,” I said trying to calm her down as Tia writhed on the floor in pain.

“She could get out again Trin! We can’t keep doing this! What do we need to do?!” Kara cried as I felt helpless. I knew what we needed to do for us all to have some peace, I just hoped Kara felt the same way.

 Grasping her chin, I made her calm down and look at me. “I’ll tell you what we do. We end it, Kara, you hear me? We end this shit once and for all, that’s what we do,” I said making sure she understood what I was saying.

As we both looked down at the gun in her hands, we knew what we had to do. “Ya’ll ain’t got the balls, don’t worry though, I’ll find a way back out,” Tia gloated as Kara put down the gun.

Kara’s POV

“Kara, what you doing?” Trin asked as I stood up trying to gather myself. “It has to look like an accident,” I mumbled not believing the words coming out of my mouth. I said it so low; I didn’t even know if Trin heard me or not.

“Let’s do it,” she said without hesitation as I nodded as we looked at each other knowing if we wanted this to truly be over Tia had to go.

I wanted no room for error or a trial.  Suddenly Trin attacked Tia again as I wiped my fingerprints off the gun and put it in the center of the floor.

I knew Tia would go for it and put her prints back on the weapon. “Stupid bitch!” Tia yelled trying to grab Trin by her hair, coming up short as Trin gripped her by the neck and threw her onto the dresser shattering the glass. “Trin now!” I yelled as she looked at me taking a step back as Tia crawled towards the gun and grabbed it.

“Don’t move,” Tia gasped trying to point the gun at Trin but couldn’t focus. Trin had rocked her and she was unsure of her surroundings. I managed to sneak behind Tia as she stood up preparing to try to attack Trin with the gun. Quickly I grabbed her from behind extending her arms in the air as the gun went off again.

“Trin now!” I screamed as Trin ran towards us.

Jey’s POV

“Uce, there’s the cops,” Jimmy said pointing at the three cop cars surrounding Rebecca’s house. “Thank god!” Roman cried as we jumped out trying to get closer.

“Hey, we got a situation, now stay back,” a cop said as felt myself losing it. “My wife is in there and ya’ll need to get her out or I’ll do it my damn self!” None of us giving a damn about the storm at the moment as the rain seemed to be falling even harder than it had been all morning.

“No, no, no, Kara! Trin!” Roman yelled as I looked up to see Kara, Trin, and Tia tussling over a gun on the small balcony. One of the cops was trying to get a clear shot but Kara was in the way.

Tia suddenly lost her footing, going over the railing still holding on to Kara. “Kara, No!” I cried as Kara cried out.

“Pull Trin!” Kara yelled as Trin tried to pull them both up but this crazy bitch started laughed trying to pull Kara over the rail with her. “It’s over Kara!”

“Shoot her fuckin’ ass!” I screamed as Roman, and I tried to get past the cops.

“Let go, Tia!”  Kara screamed as Trin held on to her tight, trying to pull her back as the rain continued to bombard us all.

“I know ya’ll seeing this shit, she trying to kill’em both! Shoot her ass, what ya’ll waitin’ for?!” Jimmy pleaded as it seemed to be a tug of war with Trin having a tight grip on Kara, and Tia trying to pull her over the railing with her.

“I’m taking you with me bitch! You don’t get a happy ending!” Tia screamed. “Shoot her ass!” I yelled my eyes bouncing between Trin struggling to keep a grip on Kara and Tia’s joy at Kara’s pain.

Seeing Kara’s belly pressed up against the railing as she cried out in pain was all I could take. My wife and my child were hurting, and nobody was gon’ stop me from getting to them.

“Bite her ass Kara!..... Is ya’ll gon’ do something or not?! You know what? Move out the fuckin’ way!” I yelled, pushing through the cops and running inside as Roman blocked their path.

As I made my way in the house, past the EMT’s working on Rebecaa, I heard a blood curdling scream and a huge thud.

“Help us!” I heard Trin scream as I took the back steps two at a time trying to get to them busting in the room and seeing the wreckage. I knew a war had taken place in here and I knew Trin had held it down for Kara.

“I- I- Its….. It’s over,” Kara sobbed as I breathed a sigh of relief seeing my wife curled up in Trins arms as they held each other tight sobbing.

“It’s over, sis.” Running over to them I did the only thing I could and that was hold them both in my arms. It really was over…It was finally over.

“I am so sorry I left you, I should have followed my gut,” I cried as Kara shook her head. “You’re here now and you couldn’t have known baby.”

“I was so fuckin’ scared, Kara I had to get to you.”

“We’re ok.”

“Is Logan, ok?” Trin and Kara asked at the same time as I smiled at them. “Yea, she’s fine. She did everything ya’ll told her to do and got help.”

“I knew she would, is my mom, ok?”

 “Yea, the EMT’s are working on her,” I whispered as Kara nodded, wincing in pain.

“Are you good?” I asked rubbing her stomach as she groaned.

“Yea, I’m good but I’m in labor.” Kara hissed trying to breathe through an apparent contraction.

“Wait what!!”

Roman’s POV

She was dead, Tia was finally out of our lives and I felt bad at the relief that filled my body as they covered her up with a sheet. Logan was free of her, we all were free of her.

“Daddy!”  

Nothing ever sounded so sweet than to hear her voice. Smiling, I turned just in time to catch her in my arms. “Daddy you here!” She yelled as I cried, holding her close. “Daddy is here baby, and I’m so glad you ok Lo Lo.” I said walking down the driveway, and away from the crime scene. Last thing I wanted was for Logan to be traumatized seeing her mother’s dead body under a white sheet.

I know she didn’t know her well but that wasn’t something a four-year-old should have to see. Thankfully the rain had finally stopped for the moment.

“Tee Tee save me daddy.”

“I know baby, I know. ..Thank you, Ms. Nelson,” I said giving her a hug as she scoffed. “No need, this little one is everyone in this neighborhood’s grandbaby. You ain’t never gotta worry when she’s here.”

“I still can’t thank you enough.”

“Gram hurt daddy,” she said pointing as the EMT’s loaded Rebecca in the ambulance as we moved to the side of the road to let another ambulance in.

“Yes, she is but the EMT’s are taking care of her. I don’t want you to be scared,” I said as Jimmy embraced us both. Before running to meet Trin as she came out of the house.

“Jurdy!” she screamed jumping in his arms as he held her close. “Don’t ever do this to me again,” I faintly heard him say they cried together. Where was Kara?

A few seconds later I saw the other EMT wheel Kara out on a stretcher with Jey holding her hand coaching her through a contraction.

“No way,” I said as Trin smiled. “Yes way….Kara’s in labor,” she said giving Logan and I a hug.

“Tee Tee be a mommy?” Logan asked as Trin kissed her on the check. “Yea sweetie, your Tee Tee is about to be a mommy.”

---

Pensacola General Hospital

Jey’s POV

“Come on baby you got it, just bear down.”

 “I can’t, wait I can’t push!” Kara screamed laying back on the bed as I wiped her forehead.

"Kara, the baby’s head is almost out. On your next contraction I need you to take a deep breath, bear down and push with all you got," Dr. Rivers instructed. “No, I wanna take a nap. Tag you it, you take over, Jey,” I cried as Jey gently kissed me.

“If I could, I would baby, but only you can do this. I know you can do this, and I’m right here wit you.”

“I know and I love you.”

 I love you more, now let’s meet our baby. I bet he or she has your beautiful eyes.”

“And your nose,” Kara whimpered as I kissed her forehead and then her lips once again for good measure.  “Let’s go Mrs. Fatu,” I encouraged as she grunted through another contraction pushing with all her might. “Look Kara, it’s the baby. Come on baby, keep pushing.” I had never seen anything so amazing.

“Ahhh! Get it out! Get it out!” Kara screamed, and finally after ten hours of labor the most beautiful sound I have ever heard filled the room.

“Congratulations, it’s a boy!”

His tiny wails bringing forth my own tears without shame as they placed our son on Kara’s chest.

“He’s so beautiful, look at him Jey,” Kara cried as I fell in love all over again with her, and our son…. We have a son “I love you so much… I love ya’ll so much.” I cried just full and so happy as I kissed my wife and son.

“We love you too, daddy.” I don’t know how Kara knew, but I really needed to hear that. I had almost lost them both today and I just really needed to hear it.

“What are we gon’ name him?” I asked as Kara looked at me and smiled.

“How about after his dad?” she asked as I felt like my heart was about to explode. “Joshua? Like you really want to name him Joshua?” I asked as she nodded placing him in my arms.

“Yea, I can’t think of any better name…Can you?” She whispered reaching up and wiping my tears.

“Joshua, daddy loves you very much and I promise you and ya’ ma gon’ have the best of everything,” I promised as he opened his eyes and looked me.

“He’s looking at me Kara, and he looks just like me,” I said my voice breaking. “I know baby, I know.”

__

Roman’s POV

“Ms. Regina, can we go eat?” Logan asked as Regina scooped her up in her arms. “Of course, you deserve a hero’s dinner after what you did today, lil lady,” she said as Logan gave her a hug.

“Thank you for taking her,” I said as Regina gave me a chaste kiss on the lips. “You stay here and find out about Rebecca, I got Logan.”

I felt thankful, thankful that Rebecca and Kara had a plan in case Tia came back. Thankful for Regina coming into my life and loving Logan. These last five months just kind of hit me out of the blue. I wasn’t looking for anything or anyone and up pops Regina.

Very headstrong, has her own business and she puts my ass in my place when I need it. She met Logan last month and since then they have been joined at the hip. “You want to join them, Bill?” I asked as shook his head.

“Nah, I’m ok. I mean we’re on the outs, but I need to be here to make sure the old bat is ok,” Bill said as I chuckled to myself.

“Ok, I see your point.” I said spotting the doctor heading towards us.

“Oh, I know him…Tim how is she?” Bill asked shaking the doctor’s hand.

“She’s good, we got the bullet, and it didn’t hit any main arteries. She’s in recovery but will definitely have to take it easy for awhile.”

“Thank you so much, and we will make sure she does just that,” Bill said as I looked up and saw Jey coming from labor and delivery.

“How is Kara?” I asked as he smiled pulling out his phone. “She’s good and so is our son.” He said showing me a picture of Kara and the baby.

“A boy…How about that,” I said smiling. Kara looked so happy. “Tell her I’m happy for ya’ll.” Jey nodded, giving Bill his phone.

“There’s my boy,” Bill gushed as Jey beamed with pride. He was going to be a great dad and husband to Kara. That much I knew, and I wished them well.

“How is Rebecca?” Jey asked as Bill scoffed. “That old bat is tough as nails, she’ll be ok,” he said as Jey laughed. “Well, that’s good to hear, Kara was worried.”

“Tell her that her mama has eight lives left,” Bill said as I shook my head.” I will even though she gon’ wonder why in so many words you calling her mama a cat.”

“I prefer the term bitch in heat, but enough about that. What did the cops say?” Bill asked as Jey smiled. “No charges for Kara and Trin, it was self-defense.”

“Thank god, last thing we needed was another trial,” I said as Bill and Jey agreed. It was over…It really was finally all over.

Kara’s POV

Watching Trin with my son, I knew I couldn’t have asked for a better sister or aunt for my child. She took control and kept me grounded. Geez, I can still hear Tia’s body hitting the ground.

“Jey’s coming, I saw him push pass the cops. It’s now or never, let her ass go,” Trin whispered as I screamed for good measure making it seems as if Tia was slipping.

The look of shock on her face as I let her go was things instant karma is made of. She knew she was about to meet her end and the only thing she could do was scream.

Closing my eyes, I cringed hearing her body hit the ground bellow as Trin pulled me back in the room as we collapsed on the floor in an exhausted, thankful heap.

“Trin, thank you,” I cried as she shook her head engulfing me in a hug. “Don’t thank me….We did what we had to do.”

We walked away with some bumps and bruises, but the most important thing is that Tia is gone.  She’s gone and can’t hurt the people we love anymore.

“Trin-”

“Don’t say it Kara…It’s ok,” she whispered placing Joshua back in my arms.  

“But we-”

“Did nothing wrong, and the cops agree. That’s why there were no charges filed.”

“I know, I just hate I had to involve you in my mess.”

“I told you a long time ago you my sister, and I meant that.”

“Trin, I’m just-”

“Overthinking, when you should be enjoying my nephew,” she said as I smiled looking down at my son.

“To the grave,” I whispered extending my pinky out as she chuckled. “To the grave,” she said as we pinky promised to never talk about what happened again. After I fed Joshua and put him down I noticed Trin on her phone.

"What's got you smiling?" I asked climbing back in bed.

"Dear brother posted the baby, let me comment," Trin said full of excitement.

"Glad he didn't post me, I look a mess."

Girl, shut up, you look as beautiful as ever," she scolded giving me a hug.

 In the end, I guess I really was my sister’s keeper after all…And I didn’t mind it at all.

Trin was my sister in every way that mattered, and I would always have her back like she had mine.

-----

Four Years Later

Pensacola Pediatric and Internal medicine

Kara’s POV

“I want to thank you all for coming today as we get ready for our grand opening next week. I want you all to know that without you all there is no me. Thank you all for loving and supporting me.”

The happy faces of my family as I stood in front of my first practice is something I will never forget. Residency was hard but the completion and certification was well worth it.

“Hey lil man,” I whispered picking up Joshua as Jey put his arm around Logan making sure she was ok. “Mama, we eat now?” Joshua asked as I sighed. “In a few minutes we will eat lunch, ok?”

 His little pout as he laid his head on my shoulder making me smile. “Tee Tee, this is so neat,” Logan said giving me a hug. "Thank you sweetie."  Logan just turned eight a few weeks ago and growing up so fast and is already an amazing young lady.

 After Tia’s death, I felt responsible but every time I looked at this beautiful little girl, I knew. I knew we made the right decision for her, and I would always be there for her and so would Trin.

She also had Regina who has been a huge bright light in her life as well. She was good for Roman, and Logan. Hopefully one day he will take that step and try marriage again.

“Are you staying with us tonight, Logan?” I asked as Roman smiled at Regina. I knew he was loving the possibility of them having some alone time.  

“Yes, I wanted to spend the night if it was, ok? Is uncle Jey still grillin’?”

“Yea, I am, and you can stay whenever you want Lo,” Jey said hugging her as she smiled. “Thanks, uncle Jey.” Logan always relished in the attention and love that Jimmy and Jey showered upon her and I can’t say that I blame her. They loved her dearly and she loved them.

“Well, you can get Janiya too while you at it,” Trin said pointing at her three-month-old daughter, who currently had her father wrapped around her little finger speaking baby talk to her.

“Uh, no that baby is spoiled and gon’ holla for Jimmy all night. No ma’am, we pass until she gets a little older sis,” I said as Trin shrugged her shoulders. “It ain’t me, it’s him. See what you did Jimmy?”

“Aye, get off my back. It’s our first one,” Jimmy said smiling at his daughter.

“I guess you get a pass.. You look so cute being in Daddy mode,” Trin teased as my mother gave me hug. “I’m proud of you baby,” she whispered as I held her tight. “And I’m proud of you.”

“Ya’ll proud of me too, right?” my dad asked, jumping in our hug as we laughed. “Yes, we are very proud of you too, dad.”

My parents never got back together, but they are nice to each other and survive our family get togethers. That’s a plus for me.

“Ok, can I love on my wife now?” Jey asked, tapping my dad on the shoulder. My dad couldn’t get out of the way fast enough for me as I jumped into my husband’s arms.

“ I love you so much and I'm proud of you,” he whispered as I smiled truly happy that I had did everything I set out to do. Everything had been worth it, and a new journey was beginning for us.

"I love you more and like I told you, we did this together." I reassured him as my mother picked up Joshua.

"I was just about to pick him up Rebecca."

"Tani, you snooze, you lose. And how bout you finally admit that you don't hate me as much as you used too?"My mother asked as Tani rolled her eyes. Shaking my head I buried my head in Jey's neck.

"I can admit it, doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Please, you love sharing grammy duties with me."

"Them two a trip," Jey said shaking his head at their exchange. It's never boring, I can tell you that much.

"Think we should tell'em they're going to have another baby to spoil in a few months?" I asked as Jey smiled at me.

"Nah, they can wait a few more weeks. I ain't ready to share you just yet."

"Agreed, we need some peace and quiet for awhile."

"Damn, we really made it here,huh?" he asked still in somewhat shock, caressing my face. "Yea baby, we really made it."

The end.

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[xxkiller-muffinxx]

You and me, Against the world

Floyd x reader (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)

Summary: once saved, Floyd can't help but still feel uneasy about losing you. It doesn't help that he's been thrusted back into reality surrounded by trolls who he doesn't exactly know, nor does it help that a mysterious figure in a black cloak is looking for something in town. His anxiety is through the roof, until a familiar face reappears.

Words: 1393

Warnings: just some slight angst.

A/N: this could've been better, but I just got too excited to share this one with you guys. Thank you all so much for your feedback! You guys make writing enjoyable! So please, enjoy this part! I cant wait to see you in the next story. Stay golden, and enjoy.

✦✧✦

Floyd looked out on the world as he thought deeply about everything that happened, he was safe. His brothers saved him. He should be happy, but something is holding him back.

He was so lost in thought that he couldn't hear footsteps approaching behind him. He closes his eyes and looks up at the sky, ignoring the sounds of a troll sitting beside him. He took a deep breath, smelling the refreshing air of the outdoors.

“Hey Floyd,” Branch said, leaning forward to look him in the eyes. “Everything alright with you?” he said while putting a hand on his shoulder. Floyd’s eyes opened and he looked at Branch. His eyes tired, and his smile deeply saddened.

“Yeah, yeah I'm okay.” Floyd’s feet swung over one another criss crossing his legs to feel a little more secure.

Branch raises an eyebrow and elbows him, “Come on. You can tell me.”

Floyd looks forward and then down at his hands. “You probably don't remember them, but there was this person back during our Band days. They were so sweet, and kind. Gentle. So much so that…” He stopped, capturing his breath back into his throat before he continued,

“They got trapped in the diamond prison with me, but…they didn't make it.” He brought his knees up to his chin. Sniffling slightly as the moments played through his head again, your exhausted face. Your laughter, your pain. He was tired of thinking about you, but he couldn't help it.

Branch looks up to where Floyd was looking beforehand and grimaces. How the hell is he supposed to comfort something like that? What angle does he go with? Poppy is usually good with comforting but she's with her sister right now and-

“I'm sorry, I'm burdening you,” Floyd said, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.

Branch shook his head. “No no, I just…I want to say you can get through something like that but… it's easier said than done. They would want you to enjoy your freedom.” He said, placing a hand on Floyd’s shoulder once more.

Floyd glanced at him and smiled sadly. He took another deep breath. “Yeah. They would, wouldn't they.” He takes a deep breath and stands up with Branch. The two head home shoulder to shoulder.

✹✺✹✺✹✺✹

About a month had passed, and news about Brozone had spread like wildfire. Pretty much everyone knew about their adventure and Floyd’s tragic mistreatment, but no one knew about yours. That upset him the most,

You died, in that room, you were thrown out of a window. However, he couldn't bring himself to be mad. He knew you wouldn't like the attention anyway. Even then, he didn't care if he was in Brozone or you were, you both deserve equal recognition for what happened.

He woke up and brushed his teeth, patting himself down. He did his hair quickly and then walked to the exit to go outside. The branch must've already left. Along with Clay and John Dory. When he got outside he let his eyes adjust and immediately walked into town.

The sun basically screamed into the ground which hurt Floyd’s eyes. He walked until he found his usual spot and sat down, watching the world go by. He still has to get used to people again. Especially used to trusting people again.

His eyes wandered until catching the sight of a cloaked figure. Which was new for most of Pop Village, they seemed to be looking for something Floyd, out of his nervousness, reached for the closest troll. “Uh, hey-” He mumbled, causing the troll to turn around. It was Guy Diamond. “Do you know who that is?”

Guy Diamond looked in the direction Floyd was pointing and simply shrugged. Saying maybe it's someone new and it wouldn't hurt to introduce themselves. He then walked off to do just that. Floyd watched from the sidelines as the Glitter Troll made himself known.

Floyd’s attention fell out of pure secondhand embarrassment. Standing up and walking off to go sit down elsewhere. He sat down and took a breather, for some reason he felt like a kid again. Right after a concert when everyone's trying to talk to him but he doesn't want to talk to anyone else. He'd only make time for one person, and that one person’s gone.

He sighed and leaned into his seat, then suddenly he heard a voice. He didn't dare turn around, he liked imagining it was you. “Hey…you okay there?” this voice was quiet, raspy, almost as if they lost their voice. Floyd felt a shudder of deja vu run down his spine.

“Yeah yeah. I’m okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,”

“You’re not sure.”

“Okay fine.”

Floyd flinched when a hand grazed his shoulder, and another troll sat beside him. A part of him was confused while another was genuinely frustrated that this person sounded so much like you. There was silence before the other troll spoke again.

“Talk to me Floyd.” The troll said. That woke Floyd up fast.

His head shot up to meet the face of his Companion. So familiar and yet so new. Something about how you looked took him back. Post show stuff and all that. His first instinct was to reach out and touch the troll's cheek to see if they were real.

“That’s a weird way of talking-” you snorted. His hand pressing into your cheek and you simultaneously leaning into it. “Hey there.” You said, squeezing his hand on your cheek.

“What? How? How did you- I watched you- you're here!” Floyd asked, his thumb caressing your cheek. Then almost in an instant his arms wrapped around your neck in a tight hug. So cozy that you ralax into his arms.

You laughed quietly, inhaling his scent into your nose. “Well, it’s a long and troubling story, but let’s just stay like this for a while okay? I need it.” You mumble into his shoulder, and when Floyd nodded you both took a deep breath together and let it out slowly.

The waves of weight on their shoulders now a distant memory. They were together again, nothing else mattered. As long as they were together it was okay. That’d usually be the end, but there’s something they’re forgetting to do.

After about 2 hours of just holding one another, they finally pull away. Floyd has tears in his eyes and you've probably cried too many times to cry now. You’re very dehydrated. Floyd wipes his eyes and looks at your cloak.

He pulls on it to look at it some more. “You were the new troll in town? You were looking for something? Did you find it?” He asked, raising an eyebrow and smiled once your eyes made eye contact. “Did you meet Guy diamond?” he’d lightly chuckle.

“I was looking for you! And yeah he was really nice. He did introduce me to anyone he could, which is why I knew you were here. Because Branch was here. Speaking of which he was also looking for you and-“

Your words turned into ringing as Floyd stared into your eyes, you were real. Rambling the way you used to, your eyebrows furrowed as you kept remembering things. Your hands move every now and then to display your point. Then by the time you snapped out of it, Floyd’s face was super close to yours.

“Woah- you okay?” You wound up asking, your cheeks flushed to the nines. Floyd shook his head and leaned back.

“Sorry. I just uh- I just- I missed you.” He said, looking down. You pull his face back up to meet yours. He looks between your eyes then your lips, his cheeks matching yours. “Uh…can I…can I kiss you?” He asks nervously.

You’re taken off guard by this, then you look at his lips. You're on autopilot when your lips meet his. You hold eachother like that for a while then pull away. “Does that answer your question?” You smile slightly then hug him tight. “Thank you.”

Floyd’s eyes are wide and his cheeks are red. He hugs you back. Then in a fit of emotional breakthrough he mumbles “I love you.” He said with a smile, and then in response you say.

“I love you too.” You pull apart, pressing your forehead against his. “It’s you and me.”

“Against the world.”

❀✿❀✿End❀✿❀✿❀

[antiquepearlss]

Angsty headcanons because why not (cw in tags)

Rapunzel had days in the tower where she just couldn’t motivate herself to get out of bed. Life just felt so boring and monotonous, pointless and endless, she felt no reason in moving, eating, breathing…

Moving to the castle and living a fast paced royal lifestyle was such a shift for her that she had regular breakdowns.

Eugene and Stalyan had a mutually toxic relationship but she was slightly physically abusive at times. Not horrendously, but enough that Eugene still flinches when he’s around her again. 

Lance has never been in an actual relationship. Just situationships and hook-ups. He doesn’t have much time to date outside of raising two kids and having a job. He doesn’t let the loneliness set in but if he looks at Rapunzel and Eugene with some jealous bitterness on occasion..well, that’s his business. (The guilt is worse than the loneliness)

Quirin’s father died when he was 14 and was very emotionally distant. As Quirin felt death looming over him in the amber, he realized he was repeating the cycle.

Neither Hector nor Adira ever knew their parents.

Rapunzel still harbors some body image issues from Gothel repeatedly making comments about her weight and appearance. As much as she loves sweets and trying new food, sometimes she restricts her plate when she feels like she’s gained too much weight lately.

Honestly, Rapunzel, Eugene, and Varian all suffer from eating disorders to an extent.

Werewolf transformations are painful for Catalina and can be borderline unbearable. Somedays it’s seamless, some days it feels like her skin is tearing itself. As an adult she’s covered in stretch marks.

Kiera has a tendency to be too controlling because she feels like she has no control over her life

Varian still suffers from anger issues, he tends to bottle everything up so he isn’t as angry as he used to be, and so he doesn’t dwell on the anger like he used to; but it backfires in tantrums and outbursts- mostly on his loved ones.

Eugene can be incredibly overprotective of the ones he loves, as he has never had a family before and he doesn’t want to risk losing what he’s dreamed of his entire life.

One day when Eugene had pissed Varian off with his hovering, Varian yelled at him to “just lock him up in a tower” and the two didn’t talk for a week after that. Mostly because Varian felt too guilty to be around him and vice versa.

Arianna and Frederic tried for more children after Rapunzel, solely just to secure their lineage, but she miscarried everytime. Arianna feels guilty, but, she’s glad she did.

Cassandra made multiple attempts on her own life after she left Corona. Luckily they all failed.

Varian has an incredibly weak immune system due to his time in prison.

A plague swept through Corona the first official year of Rapunzel’s reign. Luckily she didn’t get sick, but Eugene, Catalina, Kiera, and Varian did. Eugene almost died.

Out of everyone, realistically, Eugene and Varian are going to be the first to die. Rapunzel is the last.

[anastasiaskarsgard]

can you do a one shot where the Marquis likes to play piano but he’s always been a lil shy about it. One day while the reader roams the marquis’s estate, she catches him playing and quietly listens until he’s finished before applauding

ALMOST

Today had been one of the most frustrating days the Marquis had to endure, for as long as he could remember. As he swiftly made his way down the halls of his sprawling mansion, he tried to clear his mind of all thoughts, but for the first time, could not.

Considering his greatest strength was his perfect control over his thoughts and emotions, he was barely keeping himself together. Even though he had never had a panic attack, and until today, didn't even believe they were real, he knew without a doubt, he was on the verge of having one.

And that was unacceptable.

Slamming the doors to his music salon open, he didn't acknowledge the maids that practically ran out of the room, at the sight of their distressed master. All who worked in his home, knew to give the Marquis the room, if he is in a mood. He was known for being temperamental and cruel, and often preferred to be left alone. He was immune to female and male charms, and had no close attachments to anyone. As far as the staff was concerned, he was a soulless machine, but he paid better than any other house, as long as you minded your business.

The Marquis began to play the antique Grand piano at the center of the room. Worth more than most people would earn in an entire lifetime, it had a haunting quality to its sound that couldn't be found in the newer models. Losing himself in the music, he was able to temporarily forget what had been plaguing him most of the day. As the song came to an end, he felt calm once again until someone had the audacity to start clapping.

Taking a deep breath, he turned around and stood, prepared to tear into what ever soon to be ex employee lost their fucking mind. Instead, he was met with the reason for his loss of control he'd been suffering since he first laid eyes on her.

"what are you doing out of your quarters?" He snapped glaring down at the young woman he had been saddled with earlier today. She was the daughter of a new business associate that was off doing a job for the Marquis, and since he was new, the Marquis often held collateral in the form of people's loved ones to make sure the job got done.

Usually, he'd put them in a room and lock them in for the duration of their stay, but he at least made them comfortable. If wasnt like he put them in the dungeon, which he totally owned since his mansion was very old. The suites he used for their stay were luxurious and had various forms of entertainment to pass the time. His staff kept them fed and even fulfilled any requests they had, so they hardly could call themselves prisoners. But that's what they were in truth, and he'd never cared how they felt about fhat. They were not allowed to roam freely through his home, and hardly ever saw him beyond the initial introduction.

For whatever reason, when he was introduced to this young woman, he hadn't wanted her to be frightened. When she had asked if she was free to explore his estate, he'd given her permission to do so, to everyone present shock.

To his dismay, she had decided to spend the day following him around, asking about his extensive art collection, and making him feel like they'd known one another for years. Never had he been so comfortable in another person's company. For many years people had spread the rumor he was a real psychopath and he had always thought they were likely correct. He had always considered his lack of connection with others to be a positive attribute. In his line of work, attachments were weaknesses.

Deciding he was being far too familiar with her, he excused himself, and made a beeline for the security room, to see how everything was going.

Upon entering, he was informed that everythibg was going as planned, and all endeavors so far had proven successful. This was almost unheard of in his life, and his mind quickly returned to his guest. He couldn't help but wonder what she would do to amuse herself. There were many ways she could get herself in trouble, and as he sat there thinking about how stupid he'd been giving her free reign, he ordered the staff to locate her and then make themselves scarce.

After only a few moments, they found her, and immediately exited the room, leaving the Marquis to sit in front of the screens and observe her. He could see the confusion on their faces with his behavior but he couldn't care less. Their opinions hardly mattered to him.

She was currently in his equestrian facilities, outfitting one of his favorite Andalusian stallions for a ride. Watching how easily she made the normally high strung animal feel at ease was riveting. Although he was a gorgeous animal, hed always been stubborn and difficult with new people. Not so with this woman; you'd think she raised the damn horse the way he was cooperating.

When the traitorous beast actually lowered his head, to make it easier for her to put on his bridle, the Marquis scoffed aloud, and sprung from his chair. Leaving the room without thinking where he was going, he found himself exiting his mansion, walking towards the stables.

Just as he was almost inside, she rode out on a different horse than his favorite stallion. When she spotted him, her face lit up and she smiled one of her disarming smiles and made her way over to him.

"I'm so glad you're done! I asked the stable guy which horse was your favorite, and got him all ready for you to go riding together." She stated enthusiastically. "Do you need to change or can you ride in a suit?"

The Marquis just stared at the girl completely dumbfounded for a few moments. Had she honestly prepared his own horse, and decided that he was going to go riding with her? The absolute audacity of this woman! He didn't know how to respond, so he didn't.

Honestly, he had been wanting to ride as of late. He'd been neglecting his horses, and even though he employed a small army of people to take care of them, he felt a bit guilty when too much time passed between interactions. Because of his guilt, he would go ride with her, not because of her he justified to himself. "I have riding gear I can change into inside. Give me a couple minutes." He'd said before storming off.

He had planned on taking longer than necessary to get ready to make her wait, but decided that was childish. He refused to hurry though, making a point to keep a relaxed pace.

When he'd rejoined her, shed surprised him again, when she took off on her horse at a break neck pace. Chasing after her, he couldn't help but admire her form as she seemed to become at one with the animal. When they effortlessly cleared a fence, he had to veer off to the side, knowing full well his horse was not a fan of jumping.

He slowed his horse to a trot, and looked around at the beautiful scenery. Sometimes he got so absorbed into work, he forgot what a beautiful world he lived in. His work wasn't pretty, so he'd always tried to make up for it, by surrounding himself with as much beauty as possible.

As he came through the trees and found his companion barefoot and splashing around in the small lake he had created on a whim last summer, he couldn't help but smile at her antics. She was the most free spirited, uncomplicated being he'd ever come across. The way she displayed her emotions so freely, and genuinely seemed to enjoy life was intoxicating. Deep down, he knew he should turn around and never go near her again, but he almost didn't care.

Almost.

"come in the water, it's lovely." She shouted out to him "do you mind if I strip down to my underwear? It looks just like a bathing suit, I just don't want to offend you."

"Don't flatter yourself, you couldn't offend me if you tried. If you want to prance around in your underwear, I won't stand in your way." He said with an air of nonchalance, even though internally he was having a celebration.

"you're going to join me right? Do French men wear boxers or briefs?" She asked as she took her dress off and stood before him without a smidge of insecurity. "Unless you aren't allowed."

"why wouldn't I be allowed to swim in my own lake? That is a ridiculous notion." He scoffed, sliding off the horse and storming over to the frustrating woman. "Do you think so little of me, that I am not my own person? Do I seem weak to you?" He asked lowly as he glared down at her. He knew he was over reacting, but he didn't know what she meant and he hated being confused.

She looked so adorable peering up at him with her big doe eyes, as she chewed on her plump bottom lip. "I was just trying to be smooth, and find out if you had a wife or girlfriend or something." She said quietly. Her eyes lowered to her hands as she fidgeted. "you couldnt possibly be single. You're too perfect. Supermodels probably fight over you on the daily."

He smirked and gently lifted her chin to look in her eyes. "Maybe being perfect scares them all away." He gazed down at her thoughtfully, before coming to the conclusion she wasn't kidding. She actually thought he was perfect.

The idea that someone thought he was perfect and desired by hordes of women was extremely amusing. While it was true, some women had satisfied his natural male urges, he never laid with a woman more than one time.

Chuckling to himself, he took his clothing off and neatly placed it on a nearby bench. He knew he had a visually pleasing form, and stayed in top physical form for his own vanity and his career choices. He wore black boxer briefs, and ignored the way she was checking him out as he passed her and dove into the water.

She squealed and immediately followed, swimming gracefully beside him as he cut through the water. Coming to a stop, he turned to her and tried to ask her a question, but couldnt think of what to ask. Not one to ever be afraid to speak up or get answers, he tried to be logical and ask himself what was his issue. Did this slip of a woman make him nervous? Did he care what she thought of him? Or was he just having an off day, and she so happen to be here for it? Was he attracted to her sexually? Did he want to touch her, and in turn allow her to touch him? It wasn't like he was a virgin.

So caught up in his contemplations, he failed to notice, till it was too late, and he'd been plunged beneath the surface. Using her weight to dunk him, she had her hands on his shoulders as she pushed him down her body, underneath the surface. Continuing down by his own ministrations, she lost contact with him when he continued deeper than she was able to go. He opened his eyes underwater, and watched as her shadow rose up to the surface. Swimming swiftly behind her, he made sure to remain behind her where she could not see him. Sneaking up behind her, he grabbed her by the waist and took them both beneath the surface.

She was a very capable swimmer, and he enjoyed their rough housing. He could not recall the last time he had played with someone.

"what's in your hair?" She asked with a look of concern on her face. Reaching up, she ran her hands through his hair, before grabbing his face with both hands, and kissing him square on the lips. It was an aggressive move, but she still remained gentle somehow. Nothing else existed in that moment. He was left breathless when she pulled away, and then realization set in.

He liked her. He really liked her.

Without saying a single word, he swam to the shore, gotten dressed without even attempting to dry off, got on his horse and left her there. He knew he was being a coward, but he hadn't gotten so far in life by following his heart. He was strictly a brain user, and it was telling him to run.

So he had, all the way to the piano.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have kissed you. I read the situation completely wrong and it won't happen again." She stated earnestly.

Looking in her eyes, he could see she really believed she had made an error. He knew nothing good would come from getting involved with him, and she'd likely end up regretting ever meeting him. He was self aware enough to realize he was not a good person. Anyone that he got involved with would suffer in some way whether at the hands of his enemies, or from something he would do, or not do.

Pulling her close, he smirked before kissing her forehead. Placing his chin on her head, he chuckled at the two of them. "Sometimes the hardest thing, and the right thing, are the same."

"do you know the most sad word in the world?" She asked him.

Thinking through many words in several languages, he knew many sad words.

"almost." She sighed, snuggling closer in his arms. "He almost loved her. She almost was good for him. He almost stopped her. She almost waited. They almost were happy. They almost made it."

She pulled herself free from his arms and turned for the door. "my father is here and said everything went well. I just wanted to come say goodbye and apologize." With those parting words, she was gone.

A few days later, when her father told her the Marquis had almost been able to kill the legendary John Wick, but had been killed in the end, she almost laughed out loud.

Almost.

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

chapter xi - gust & flame

Eris Vanserra x Reader

Eris Vanserra has been a prisoner in his own home since the day he was born. He has done what he had to in order to survive and protect the few he loves. And he is playing the long game. Waiting, waiting, and waiting for the right time to make his move, to usurp his wicked father and become High Lord of Autumn Court. But things become even more complicated when a human girl drops into his life. Perhaps Eris can wait no longer to take his throne.

Word Count: 3,700+

Warnings: spoilers for entire ACOTAR series

masterlist

“Eris…” She hummed to him. “Eris Vanserra.” 

Then her voice grew more urgent. “Eris…Eris…ERIS!” 

He finally shot up in bed. 

Sweat covered Eris’ naked torso as he awoke. Yet goosebumps covered his skin. 

Eris looked to the windows in his bedchambers, and saw that one was open, and there was a strong wind coming through. 

He paused, not remembering leaving it open before he went to bed. 

Slowly, he emerged from his bed and walked to the window. 

Eris stood at the opening, hands gripping the sill. 

A part of him waited for her voice to call out for him still, even now that he was awake. But the wind was quiet, only slightly brushing by him, and cooling the sweat on his muscular chest. 

It was hard to decipher what was actually Y/N calling to him and what was the bond messing with his head. Everything about the two of them felt unprecedented due to Y/N not being merely mortal. 

Eris looked at the block on his nightstand. He had only been sleeping for barely two hours when he’d awoken. That was the most he'd gotten in weeks. 

Go to her, his soul begged. 

Eris suddenly found himself considering his responsibilities in the next couple of days. They were lesser than usual. Why did his heart lighten at that realization? 

Eris closed the window slowly, making sure to secure it this time. 

–🍁–🍁–🍁–

Rhysand and Feyre had granted access to Velaris to Eris not long after his first visit to the Night Court where he left Y/N with them. They hadn’t really known what to expect in regards to Eris actually taking advantage of the privilege. 

Eris had never explored the mystery city. But the bond or perhaps Y/N’s magic – maybe both – seemed to be guiding him. 

He finally turned a tight corner and stopped in his tracks. 

Y/N sat outside what he presumed was her shop. She’d pulled a chair out and seemed to be taking in the morning sun with a large mug of coffee. 

It took Eris a second to realize that there was a spoon in the mug that was stirring itself, while Y/N’s hands kept warm by cupping the sides. He smirked at the little bit of magic. 

Then he noticed that Y/N was mumbling under her breath, as if trying to hide it from anyone who might be wandering past. 

A part of Eris wanted to turn around and forget this whole idea.

But it was nearly impossible to ignore how much better he felt just seeing his mate. The tension in his shoulders was gone, he stood up straighter, the migraine had finally weakened, and the exhaustion had been replaced with a sudden pierce of energy and awareness. 

Eris’ body moved on its own accord. 

It was only when he was a few feet away that Y/N’s eyes met his and they widened in surprise at his appearance. 

Y/N had been talking, mid sentence, when she noticed him. 

“Sorry,” she blurted out without even meaning to. 

“Never apologize to me, Y/N.”

Eris blinked, suddenly realizing he’d never addressed her by her own name before. 

But then he remembered what Cassian had told him: that many thought Y/N to be crazy due to her gifts in witchcraft. And Eris’ hands clenched into fists at his sides, thinking of anyone saying such things about his mate. 

“What are you doing here?” Y/N blurted out. She blinked rapidly. “I-I-I mean, what are you doing in Velaris?” 

“News of your store has reached even Autumn Court…” Eris said. But then added, “But I have business with the High Lord and Lady.”

Though he caught how his words came through his mask still – cold and emotionless. 

And Y/N caught it, too. For she shifted in her seat with discomfort, unsure of how to respond to the clashing of his words with his tone.

Eris cleared his throat and looked at the ground.  

Damn himself. He couldn’t even talk to his mate without sounding like some arse. 

“Are you quite well?” 

His head shot up at the question. 

Surely she wasn’t talking to him. 

But she was. 

In fact, Y/N's gaze studied him with genuine concern. He caught how they lingered on the deep shadows beneath his amber eyes.

While Eris never dressed and groomed less than perfection every day of his life, it appeared his exhaustion was impossible to hide.

Eris bowed his head. “It seems a good night’s sleep has rather been a challenge for me, as of late…”

He didn’t see the point in trying to lie to Y/N. The truth was quite clear and he did not wish to seem like he thought her some fool. 

Y/N gave him a sympathetic look. “I’m familiar.” 

Eris wouldn’t meet her gaze now. 

But he heard her slowly stand from her chair and walk to him. 

“Would you like to come in for some tea?” 

Eris’ gaze once again shot up to meet her’s. 

Y/N stepped even closer with an encouraging smile. “P-Please, I insist.” 

Eris shifted his weight. “I will not be in your way? Your shop has just opened.”

Y/N shook her head. “Business is usually slow in the mornings, especially this early in the week. I promise it is no bother.” 

Eris finally nodded and put a few steps between them as he followed her into the store. Just before stepping in, he looked around them, half expecting that Spymaster to be watching from the darkness or perhaps even one his his shadows. 

Y/N led them to what appeared to be a backroom in the the store. 

A fire was already kindling in the small hearth. Above it hung dozens of herbs drying from being upside down and hanging in front of the warmth. There was a desk shoved into the corner, with a dozen quills and some notebooks strewn across its surface. 

Eris assumed this was where Y/N did all of her conjuring and casting for her merchandise. 

Despite it being her place of work, Eris still felt like he was tainting her personal space, her closest thing to home and sanctuary. 

“Please, do sit.” Y/N gestured to a small table with three chairs opposite the room from the fireplace. 

Eris watched Y/N as she started moving about the room. He studied her outfit: a full quilted skirt and a simple white, button-up shirt with the sleeves already rolled up for her work. It looked less Night Court than the other outfits he’d seen her in. 

A few moments later, Y/N placed a large mug of tea in front of Eris while she had poured herself another mug of coffee. 

“You are quite frustrating, you know?” Y/N smirked at him before taking a sip of coffee. 

Eris tilted his head. “How so?” 

“You save my life, bring me here – a court where you hold no true friends. Your own brother doesn’t seem fond of you. And even he seemed confused that you helped me at all in the first place.” 

“Anything else?” Eris quipped. 

Yes,” Y/N huffed as she sat back and crossed her arms. “T-They tell me too little.” 

Eris couldn’t help but smirk. “They as in the wind?” 

She hesitated before nodding. 

“The Night Court is the safest court in the fae realm for a mortal,” Eris finally explained, as if it were obvious. “I do not have connections in the mortal realm.”

That was not entirely true. He could’ve brought Y/N to the Exiles’ manor. But he didn’t see Jurian or Vassa as capable enough to protect his mate. Furthermore, they owed him nothing.

Y/N’s voice was almost a whisper as she asked, “Are things really so terrible in Autumn Court?” 

Eris only nodded. 

“It may seem hard to believe and though my circumstances were menacing…” She took in a shaky breath. “There was a moment where I couldn’t ignore how…beautiful it was.” 

Eris froze at such a confession. Y/N was dragged and tortured like a slave through his court, yet she still found the beauty in it, same as him. 

“It is not the land that is terrible,” he corrected. “But its ruler and those who stay loyal to him, despite his evil.” 

“And that is why sleep evades you?” Y/N asked carefully. 

Eris lifted his tea again and simply said, “Perhaps.” 

A peaceful silence settled between them. There was only the crackling of the fire, something brewing in a cauldron above it, and the soft ticking of a clock on another wall. 

“You speak of overthrowing your own father so carelessly…I cannot help but ask: what will you do to make it better?”

Eris was rendered speechless. He realized that no one had ever asked him that – mostly because his plans to usurp his father were a dangerous secret. And the few that knew – which was mostly Rhysand’s inner circle – saw him as no less evil than Beron. 

Y/N interpreted his silence as offense. 

“Excuse me,” she quickly apologized. “I’ve f-f-finally spoken out of turn.” 

Her head bowed in shame as she sipped her coffee more. 

“The farmers,” Eris muttered without realizing it. 

Y/N looked at him with confusion. “The farmers?”

“My father pays them poorly. He does it so they’re competitive, desperate, and will do anything for more money or his favor. I would pay them the wage they deserve.” 

“What else?” Y/N encouraged. 

Unbeknownst to Eris, she had seen a spark light in those amber eyes of his. And she wanted to make it burn even brighter. 

“I would banish all the courtier’s who did nothing to stand against my father’s malevolence, all because they gained either power or riches from it. I would view the other court’s as allies, not enemies who would strike Autumn at any moment.” 

Eris took in a deep breath, as if sharing such a thing was the greatest relief. “Autumn Court would become prosperous from my people’s contentment and harmony, not from their fear and pain.” 

Y/N watched him in shy wonderment. 

“But perhaps I am no better than my father,” Eris muttered, staring into his tea. 

Y/N surprised him by leaning forward with utter determination on her face. “The winds say nothing but hideous things about Beron Vanserra.” She hissed his father’s name as if it were venomous. “Was it not him who allowed my trading through his court?”

She huffed and leaned back, her face softening. “You are not your father. There is much I must learn of you, Eris Vanserra, but that I am sure of. Because you saved my life in the woods that day.”  

The breath had been knocked from Eris’ chest. He could not breathe, he could not speak. All he could do was feel the heavy beating of his heart and the string between him and Y/N get pulled even tighter. 

If Y/N saw the impact her words had on him, she didn’t show it. 

But their moment was interrupted by the shops entrance bell dinging. 

“Excuse me,” Y/N said politely as she stood. “I will be right back.” 

As soon as she left the backroom, a gasp left Eris. It was like he had been drowning until that very moment when those words left Y/N’s lips. Now his lungs were fighting for every breath. 

It took a few minutes for him to gain control of himself again. 

And then he suddenly felt a crest of fatigue. 

Now that Eris was finally in the presence of his mate again, surrounded by her scent and her safe space, could his body finally find rest?

Eris didn’t mean to, but before Y/N returned, he slumped back in his chair and allowed his eyes to slowly close. 

–🍁–🍁–🍁–

Eris awoke to the sound of something lightly hitting the table in front of him. 

He jolted awake, quickly remembered where he was by catching Y/N’s sent. 

Before him on the table, a bowl of stew had been placed. 

He looked up to see that it was Y/N who had placed it there and she was ladling another portion into a bowl for herself. 

“How long was I asleep for?” Eris asked hurriedly. 

Y/N smirked. “About 6 hours.”

Eris’ eyes snapped to the now empty tea he had been drinking. 

“You put something in my drink,” he accused. 

Y/N sat across from him with her own bowl of stew. “I did. But it should not have been that strong. You are more tired than you let on.”

It was not the tea, Eris thought. You. You are the magic. 

“Are you upset with me?” Y/N asked before taking her first bite of stew. 

He narrowed his gaze, the mask slightly returning. “I suppose it would not matter if I was.”

“I promise you were perfectly safe back here,” Y/N added. “I checked on you throughout the day.” 

That’s when Eris realized that there had also been a blanket placed on his lap. 

He looked at the bowl of stew in front of him again. 

“Do you need to return to the House of Wind?” Eris asked, expecting one of Rhysand’s bats to interrupt them at any moment to fly her home. 

“They had an important meeting in Day Court...or Winter Court. Can’t remember.”

But Eris knew she did remember. Y/N just didn’t trust Eris enough with that information. It could be nothing important, yet she still protected her friends and the Night Court from him. 

“Thank you…for the stew,” Eris told her softly. 

“I’m sure it doesn’t compare to the food at your Court,” she admitted. 

Eris didn’t correct her. He was too busy thinking of this happening once she felt the mating bond, once it had been awoken for her…and she made him this same meal to accept their bond. Eris knew this didn’t answer the magic, he would’ve felt it. But that didn’t stop him from dreaming of the future. 

“You know, Lucien actually asked me to dinner not too long ago,” Y/N said through a smile before blowing on a spoonful of stew. 

Eris’ spoon clattered to the table as he growled, “Stay away from him.”

The growl alone made Y/N laugh at the male, “What ever for?” 

His reaction was exactly the one she had been fishing for and came out triumphant. It seemed rather easy to taunt Eris. And for some reason, Y/N got such joy from it.

“I’ve seen many a female fall for his hollow charm. You can do better.” 

Y/N smirked at that. “Oh, can I?” 

Eris refused to elaborate, choosing to take another bite instead.

Yes, he wanted Y/N to find someone else to love – someone better, safer. But to love Lucien would be the Cauldron’s greatest tortures. And she would be no safer from Beron with him. 

“If I’m being honest,” Y/N started quietly. “I rather pity him.” 

Eris made a noise of disgust. “What for?”

“I do not know much about these mating bonds of faes. But is it not heartbreaking that Elain will not so much as give him a chance?” 

Did Eris dare ask the question that was screaming in his mind to be let out?

“And what do you think of it all?”

“What?”

“Mating bonds.” 

Her brow furrowed in thought. “At first it seemed so…magical.”

“Spoken from a witch...” Eris answered gruffly. 

She glared at him, but continued. “But then Feyre said it didn’t guarantee the two would be happy or in love. And it seemed…r-rather cruel.” She blinked and shook her head. “Look at Lucien…I fear he is lonely. Will he just live the rest of his immortality unloved? And that…that is the true dark side of it all.” 

Eris felt sick at the her words. 

Y/N was so unaware that she spoke of the same thing to her own mate. But to her, it was impossible to have one the begin with. 

“Your mother and father are they…?”

Eris cleared his throat in attempt to push back all the emotions that threatened to expose themselves. “No. No, my mother’s marriage to my father was arranged. No female with any sense would ever agree to marry my father.” 

“And do you have–”

But Y/N’s question was interrupted by the shop bell dinging once again. 

“Oi!” Cassian yelled into the shop. “Are you sleeping in the back again?” 

“Cassian, must you always be yelling?” Feyre giggled. 

“Back so soon?” Y/N called back through a smile. 

“Why?" Cassian laughed. "Did you think we forgot about yo–”

Feyre and Cassian froze in the doorway when they spotted Eris. 

Y/N shrunk in her seat, not sure how to handle their reaction to her guest. 

Feyre recovered first. “Eris, we were not expecting you.” 

“I had already warned him that you were all on court business,” Y/N answered. 

“Ready to go home, Y/N?” Cassian asked. 

“Yes. Store has already been cleaned. I just have to put out the fire and lock up.”

With a wave of Eris hand, the fire extinguished, as well as every candle in the store. 

Y/N paused in awe at it. 

She had assumed Eris had some abilities due to being High Fae and the heir to Autumn Court. But it was still amazing to see. 

“Perhaps we shall wait for you outside,” Feyre answered as she shoved Cassian in the direction of the entrance. 

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Y/N jumped to her feet and handed Eris a wicker basket that was covered with a grey linen cloth. 

Eris squinted. “What is this?” 

“Sleep candles,” Y/N answered as if it were obvious. “They’re enchanted, but filled with mostly lavender and then some mugwort, rose petals, and rosemary.”

She pointed to a bundle of waxy leaves. “Eucalyptus. Hang it near your bathtub. The steam will impel its relaxing elements.”

Finally she pointed to a jar filled with tea leaves. “This is the poison I gave you earlier today,” she explained with a mischievous smirk. 

“Very funny,” Eris cut.  

He tried not to let his heart warm from her handing him such thoughtful gifts. 

So, instead, he coldly asked, “How much?”

“Free,” Y/N answered, clearly expecting such a question. 

Finally, she realized how dark it had gotten in her shop after Eris blew out every flame. 

“I never really properly thanked you…for what you did for me.”

“I didn’t do it for your gratitude,” Eris answered harshly. 

But at least his words were true. 

Y/N shook her head at him, almost amused by his severity. “Take the candles and tea, Eris. I have to lock up.”

He started walking out the back room when he paused. “Thank you…for dinner. And for the sleep. And for the…company.”

Eris didn’t look at her as he finally finished with, “I am sure you could see how much I needed it.” 

Y/N looked at him with such sincere sympathy. “You are welcome to rest here anytime.” 

Eris walked outside to find Cassian and Feyre talking hurriedly, yet quietly, between each other. It stopped as soon as they spotted Eris walking out of the store. Both their gazes snapped to the basket in his grasp. 

“Testing the merchandise?” Cassian asked with a playfulness in his eyes. 

Feyre elbowed him in the ribs. 

Eris had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at the two of them. “I shall take my leave.” 

“Wait,” Feyre stepped forward. 

Y/N emerged from her store, starting to lock it behind her. 

“We have matters to discuss,” Feyre added, ignoring Y/N’s presence. 

Cassian stepped to Y/N with a knowing smirk and his arms held out. 

“Shall we?” He asked with a tilt of his head. 

Y/N groaned. “I’m never going to grow to like flying, you know.”

Cassian lifted her into his arms like she weighed nothing. And Eris tried to push down the feeling of jealousy and rage he had at seeing another male holding his mate. 

“I know,” Cassian laughed before launching them into the air. 

Y/N yelped and Eris caught her hiding her face in Cassian’s neck. 

“She’s fine,” Feyre told him as she had closely watched Eris’ reaction to his mate being flown further and further away from him by another male. 

Eris ignored the High Lady’s comment and turned to her, already knowing he would not like this conversation. 

“What is this about?” He asked with cold annoyance. “Have we changed our minds about my visiting rights to the Night Court?” 

“I don’t know what you’re doing,” Feyre began. “Though I wish I didn’t have to care, I do. Because Y/N has become one of us.” 

“Yes,” Eris growled. “That has become abundantly clear.” 

“I’m going to show you something. Something she said. Lower your shields.” 

Eris wanted to refuse such a request, but did as she asked. 

Images of Y/N flooded his mind. She was drunk and beautiful, warming the room of what looked to be a pleasure house. 

“I-I’ve had my fair share of lovers during my travels – with mortal men…”

“Lovers,” Y/N repeated her own words in a giggle. “As if they were even worthy of the title.”

Y/N’s face suddenly became somewhat sober, twisting into something almost sad. 

Her eyes grew distant. “It never really ended up feeling how I wanted it to. I was always left feeling…used.” 

She let out a drunken, huff of a laugh. “So I stopped bothering…”

Then Feyre was out of Eris head and his shields returned. 

Eris was breathing heavily, nostrils flared. His chest expanded quickly. And his hands were in fists at his side, both surrounded by a ball of deadly flame. 

Whatever males had ever touched Y/N to make her feel such a way…

Everything in Eris’ being wanted to find each of them and torture them until they were begging him for death. 

Feyre stepped closer and lowered her voice as she uttered, “I do not know what your intentions are with Y/N. But understand…if you do anything to treat her in a similar matter, my Court will counter accordingly.” 

Eris held the High Lady’s glare, not backing down. 

And then he winnowed back to Autumn Court. 

––––––––

please, please, please be nice and leave a comment. leave a book report. dissect what you must. it would bring me such joy.

chapter xii

[narcissistshandler]

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟 𝗜𝗜

𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿. male reader x lee jinho (how to fight/viral hit)

𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. dom!amab reader, sub!jinho, top reader implicit, assassination attempt, talk about murder, paranoid jinho, reader calls Jinho "deer" (not in a very affectionate way), captivity (?), blowjob, deep throat, spanking implicit. minors dni.

𝗮/𝗻. lee jinhoo argh. I lied, that shit has 2.9k words. I'm rewatching hannibal, what inspired all this erotic murder talk, I can't help it. likes and reblogs are welcome. Part one here.

You insisted he wasn't a prisoner, the rickety glass walls, the Internet access, all the doors to the luxurious penthouse in central Seoul open at his leisure. Jinho disagreed. Your control was smooth, mischievous, so light that anyone else could agree with you and surrender to your meticulously placed words. Jinho knew better than that. The chip removed from his phone prevented him from making or receiving calls, and the tight, armed security at the front door and the rest of the building prevented him from having contact with the outside world. He could not be trusted, was your argument, he could slip through your fingers at the first opportunity and to stop that he needed to be trained. Like a damn house dog.

Jinho wasn't going out of his way to please you, despite seeming to have accepted his new routine, between eating, sleeping and exercising, he occasionally found time to kill one of the men you put to watch him. He would spend two or three days quiet, peaceful, and the next day he would cook a human tongue for you. You were hard to piss off, you weren't bothered by his silent teasing, with the body left like a gift spilling blood on the living room carpet, and you weren't bothered by the scar cutting your stomach that Jinho had given you with a kitchen knife. Instead you smiled at him, brought him expensive gifts, treated him to fine dinners and started to keep your promise ── he watched the news slowly changing public opinion about him, about how everything was a big conspiracy against him and how he had only been a pawn used in a larger game, a political power game. And so, as the image of the politician who previously helped him became more and more dirty and How to Fight's subscribers dropped, Lee Jinho found himself able to step out into the sunlight again. At least could, if you didn't keep him locked up.

Jinho thought he could live a little in the role you wanted, until you trusted him enough to give him an opening, until you gave him the power that would be your own downfall. It wasn't hard to wait months or years, he'd done it before. Sitting in front of a whiteboard that was slowly taking shape, wearing sweatpants and a black t-shirt, Jinho was trying to stay on paper. Your eyes were on him, he could feel it. The silence in the empty room you had given him to serve as a studio was only interrupted by the soft strokes of the brush in his hand and the rustling of the pages of the book you were reading. But even after two weeks, Jinho still didn't know exactly what your intentions were. Keep him like a trophy wife? Use him as a sex toy? Or was this all an excuse to keep him trapped, cut off from the outside world and unable to exert any power, against you or anyone else? Maybe the news was fake, created to deceive him. Maybe you never intended to help him. Maybe he should kill you, right here and now and be done with it all ── stick the wooden brush across your eye and revel in the dread on your face, smear himself with your filthy blood and and…

"What are you thinking about? Your gaze turned dark." Your voice woke him up, amused. Jinho doubted you would still find it amusing if he spoke his thoughts out loud.

"I'm thinking about what it would be like to kill you," he tried, as normal and placid as talking about the weather.

"Oh?" you exclaimed. "And how would you kill me?"

Jinho turned around on the stool to face you. Sunlight burst through the glass wall, spilling like liquid gold over your tranquil figure as you sat on the turquoise sofa in the huge room filled with only two paintings on the wall, a deer took shape in one, and what looked like the animal's ribcage split open and filled with bloody flowers painted the other. Your watchful eyes were already on him, seeming to bore right through him. Book discarded next to crossed legs, face resting against hand, entertained, comfortable, confident… Jinho wanted to rip all those positive emotions out of you with a knife.

"With this brush." He turned the object between his fingers, the perfectly manicured brown wood gleaming in the light, the Kolinsky sable bristles at the tip stained dark blue. "Simple and quick, I'd poke your eye out before you even had time to blink, maybe the brush would break if I wasn't careful with my strength, but that would only make everything even more painful for you."

Your mouth opened, then closed, as if searching for the right words, before finally speaking. "And then?"

"Then I'd prick the other one with my fingers and hang you with the same hand smeared with your blood, wood sticking shallowly into your eye so the fun wouldn't end so soon." Your eyes dropped to his hand, the fingers long and elegant, deft even as they closed around that knife, touching it with as much mastery as when he held his tools of art. Your tongue darted out to wet your dry lips. An electric current shot through Jinho's traitorous body, he continued, unable to make the words stop coming out, "You would scream, beg me for mercy and I wouldn't have."

You didn't look scared, your calm made him uneasy.

"They say there is no murder more intimate than one committed with one's own hands," you said.

"There's nothing intimate about killing animals, whether with your bare hands or a knife."

The clock on the wall ticked, the low sound deafening in the silence that filled the room. Their eyes met, turbulent with strong and unusual emotions. None of you dared to dodge, feeling as if a war would be lost if did.

"Do you think about hurting me often?" You broke the silence, voice sounding low and deep.

Jinho looked at your pretty face, not a hint of anxiety or dread, the soft lips and vulnerable neck, the skin so so easy to crack and tear. And he replied, feeling as if were confessing his darkest sins:

"Every day."

"Good."

Jinho chuckled, the sudden sound surprising even himself as it reverberated in his ears. A smile of its own spread across your lips, free hand slipping over the linen fabric of your pants. Unconscious, Jinho followed the movement, his mouth suddenly dry as your hand slid between your legs and up, squeezing the obvious erection there. Unable to look away even when you rubbed your cock, Jinho didn't know what he was supposed to feel. You weren't normal, he was feasting on images of you in pain and suffering and dying and there you were ── hard, hard for him, hard for the aggressive words that came out of his mouth, hard for the image of Jinho above you, cold face and blood painting his clothes, like a holy painting. The blood seemed to run faster in Jinho's veins and he forced his feet against the ground, afraid to fall.

"It turns you on," Jinho said in disbelief, realization hitting him hard. "Sick bastard, do you want me to kill you?"

Your brow furrowed, finally looking displeased with something he said, but your hand didn't stop moving against the hardness in your pants, thumb stroking the wet stain growing in the fabric, breath coming out in soft puffs. Something in Jinho's body wanted to reach out and touch you. He stifled that desire.

"Get too close to my eyes and I'll break your fingers. No, I don't want to die." You snorted, opening your legs to give Jinho a better view. He wanted to look away, to mock you, but he couldn't, swallowing hard as a groan escaped your mouth, fingers pressing your outlined cock against the fabric. "But the idea is exciting, isn't it? You're hard too."

Jinho's legs pressed together against your gaze, suddenly very aware of the heat in his body, the hardness in his sweatpants, and the hungry look on his face. He wanted to devour you, touch you and hurt you with the same need.

"Come here," you said ── an order, because you didn't ask and didn't like to be refused, the scarred marks on his thighs and ass reminded him well of that.

Jinho blinked, trying to get his head back in place, it was difficult when in your presence. Putting the brush in place and getting to his feet, he walked towards you, taking his time, the pride still there despite how many times you've worked to break it. Your hands worked on the button and zipper of the pants and even before the next order, Jinho already knew what you wanted from him.

"On your knees, hands behind your back." He ground his teeth, but obeyed. Your hands were close to his face, reaching into your pants to pull a thick, heavy cock out, head glistening with precum. It had been inside him before, an irritating little voice reminded him. Once, the day he took that ridiculous deal. His ass clenched at the memory. Kneeling between your legs, erection dangerously close to his face, Jinho squashed the instinct that screamed to bite your cock off as soon as you tried to put it in his mouth. It wouldn't kill you, but it would be painful enough, an everlasting memory searing your skin. "Open, deer."

The pet name make him grind his teeth, managing to see the painting of the deer on the wall out of the corner of his eye. If you were trying to tease or humiliate him, he didn't know.

Against whatever primal instincts screamed in his mind, Jinho opened his mouth, almost eagerly as you brushed the tip of your cock against his thin lips, wetting them. Contrary to his thoughts, his body seemed to have other ideas, tongue darting against his lips to capture your taste, moan catching in the throat as salty pre-cum flooded his senses. He pursued your taste, leaning forward so he could lick the sensitive head, seeking more of that taste, unlike anything he'd felt before. A sigh fell from your mouth, heavy hand falling against the back of his neck, something in that sound drew him in, soft lips closing against the bulbous head in a careless suck. Everything about his movements was sloppy, it was obvious that Jinho had never sucked a cock, but the inexperience of that powerful and dangerous man only seemed to make you even harder.

You grabbed a handful of his hair, pulling him back. "Open it for me, sweet." You guided your cock with the hand to his willing mouth, tip sliding easily into the wet heat. Fingers tangling more tightly in the strands of his hair. "I'm going to teach you everything you need to know, so relax for me."

Jinho rolled his eyes, that superior attitude still untouched even with your cock pressing into his mouth.

"Use your tongue," you ordered, hips slowly pushing your length into his mouth. Your cock filled his mouth, hot and heavy against his tongue, salty with sweat and pre-cum, the tip against his cheek. He found himself moving his tongue, following its length and dragging against the prominent veins near the head, curious about how it would feel. You moaned above him, one hand slumped against your thigh, squeezing the fabric of the pants, the other caressing the skin at the back of his neck. "Suck it for me, deer."

Lips pressing against you, Jinho sucked, the wet, obscene sound echoing in the silent room, his skin heated, cock twitching between the legs. Spit pooling in his mouth, he made an attempt to move the head, spittle running down the length to your full balls as part of your cock pulled out of the heat of his mouth. His breath huffed against your damp skin.

"Breathe through your nose. No biting." His eyes were sharp, letting your length fall from his mouth to catch breath, even with his cheeks flushed and moisture pooling in the corners of his eyes, there was wit there. Do not tell me? He would probably say it if he wasn't afraid his voice would crack. You held your cock, stroking yourself through all the saliva Jinho had wet on you, thumb squeezing the sensitive head carelessly. Heat blooming in his stomach, it took everything in Jinho not to squish through the sweatpants, he didn't want to give you that satisfaction. He dug his nails into his arm hard behind his back, trying to anchor himself to something so he wouldn't sail away.

"Let's try something different," you said, voice steeped in pleasure as you slowed down stroking yourself close to his face, legs tensing as you stopped the movements, dick visibly twitching.

You took a deep breath, directing your cock to line up with Jinho's mouth. Parting his lips, Jinho couldn't help but groan as that thick, heavy cock slid back over his tongue. He closed his lips around and sucked, but you were already pushing farther back, into his throat. His hands were shooting out before he knew it, pushing your legs, head pulling out of your grasp. He was immediately released, coughing and wheezing, saliva running down his chin.

You pushed his hair back, seeing the sight of tears falling down Jinho's flushed face before he wiped them away, throat still fighting involuntary contractions and the feeling that he was going to throw up. You waited until he recovered before pulling him back to the front. "Let's try again."

"I'm going to kill you," Jinho threatened, voice low and husky, broken.

"Until then, you're going to make me come, so open your pretty mouth for me."

The words of protest stayed on his tongue, but Jinho couldn't voice them, opening the mouth to take your cock back, more eager than he would ever admit to anyone, even though anxiety not felt in years gnawed at his insides. Jinho breathed in through his nose, relaxing his throat as you began to slide deep, slowly, thick cock threatening to choke him. His throat constricted immediately, gag reflex kicking in as the head of your cock reached in too deep. His eyes closed in an effort not to cough and gag, tears running down the cheeks, not realizing he had moved the hands to press against the front of his pants.

"That's it, deer. Stay open for me. Just relax." Firm hand holding him in place and forcing him to stay still as your length pressed deep, fucking past the tightness of his throat, Jinho didn't expect his body to react so strongly, heat under his breath and an unknown pleasure bubbling in his stomach. He made the most beautiful sounds as your cock slid down his tight throat, but all he could hear was you ── your heavy breathing and soft moans and words of "you are so beautiful like that", "good boy", "touch yourself for me" and "you've been made for my dick", clouding his senses. He rubbed himself into the pants hard and fast, groaning against you each time the thick fabric dragged against his cock head, making a mess on his underwear.

Jinho willed his throat to relax, feeling your thick cock twitch as his throat flexed around it. Lashes grew heavy and wet, nails squeezing his length through the fabric until the stab of pain had his feet squirming against the floor. He dragged his teeth against your cock, lightly, in a threat or a tease, none of you knew, but the movement had your hips stuttering, groin pressed against his nose as your cock twitched one last time thrust deep into his mouth, before cum in his throat, forcing him to swallow so he wouldn't choke. Jinho whimpered, thumb squeezing the damp head of his cock, hips rocking against his palm in search of his own release.

"You can come Jinho." Jinho wanted to say that he didn't need your permission, that he would come even if you said otherwise, but the words make something inside him snap. With the salt filling his throat and your cock softening inside his mouth, Jinho's breath hitched for a minute, his whole body tensing… His cock spilled into his pants, saliva running down his chin and moaning around you. His ears go numb and he thinks he might need a few minutes to get back to reality, his legs shaking, his whole body shaking.

You gently pull back, cock sliding out of his mouth and Jinho lets his head fall against your thigh, teeth pressing into your skin hard enough to draw blood. For a second you think he might be looking for an artery in an attempt to make you bleed to death, the thought makes your flaccid dick twitch. You let him dig his teeth into you, fingers stroking his sweat damp hair and head against the back of the couch. You knew you made the right choice, Jinho would soon become your perfect pet, attempts to kill you or not.

[skyward-floored]

Well I have been unmasked as an enjoyer of IAU/DIAU. Not that I was trying to hide it. XD

If you'd like a little prompty ask, maybe consider an extra villain/hero posted outside the Forester residence as the whole Arrest Thing goes down, watching, waiting to see if anyone emerges.

XD Hey I'm really flattered you like them!! It means a lot, especially since this au is... a little complicated by merit of it being several alternate universes in haha. I tweaked your prompt a little, and my allergies and/or cold is hitting hard today, but I hope you enjoy regardless XD

...

It had been fifteen minutes since he'd heard any noise.

Yuga blew out a breath through his nose, tapping his foot impatiently. He'd wanted to keep an eye on this mission, not be assigned directly to it, but here he was, waiting for the squad to come out with the targets in hand. Apparently this was something of a big deal, and Dark had insisted on him being here.

Yuga didn’t really care. Dark had his agenda, and Yuga had his.

Admittedly though, a part of him was eagerly anticipating getting to see that idiot teenager Ravio be dragged out, maybe even begging for mercy and apologizing for ever daring to work under his nose. But he'd wanted to do it from the comfort of his office. Not... here.

Yuga wrinkled his nose as he glanced around the neighborhood again, the drab domesticity of it making his gorge rise. There was certainly no beauty to be found here. Well, apart from his own, anyway.

At least he was just here to monitor the situation. He wouldn't have to get his hands dirty, though he was technically prepared to do so if the situation arose. He'd rather prefer not to though.

"Sir?"

Yuga whirled around, one of the soldiers that had been sent inside having come up on him without his notice. "What is it?" he snapped, and the man swallowed, trying to surreptitiously wipe some dirt off his uniform.

"We've successfully arrested Malon Lon Forester, code identifier "Malanya". Cryonis has secured her," he reported.

"Is that all?" Yuga sniffed suspiciously, and the man shuffled his feet, looking awkward.

"No, sir. The uh, other targets are... currently unreachable."

"What?" Yuga hissed, and the man shrank back.

"W-well sir, the targets escaped down to the basement area, but a stray shot from Cryonis blocked off the door... we have no way of entering the area until the ice melts," he admitted, and Yuga gripped his hands into fists so tight that he was sure they left marks on his palms.

"Well then why aren't you calling HQ and requesting someone with fire powers?" Yuga growled, his eye twitching.

"B-because, uh... we got the prisoner to reveal that there's a secret exit, and the targets are likely nowhere near here by now?" he squeaked.

"YOU COULDN'T HAVE LED WITH THAT?!" Yuga roared, and the man squeaked again, fumbling with his weapon. "GO CALL IN A PYROKINETIC! I WANT THEM FOUND!"

"Yes sir!" the man said with a yelp, and scurried away, leaving Yuga to fume at the news that Ravio had escaped him again.

That child... that idiot, tacky-clothed child... had somehow gotten away?

Yuga shook in place, so mad he almost considered going after the soldier and firing him on the spot, but then the main group came out of the house, and he turned his ire on them instead.

"Cryonis!" he snarled, and stomped his way over to the man. He had blood running from his nose and his hair was far from the neat style it usually rested in, but Yuga for once didn't care. "You lost us more than half of our targets! You couldn't even capture a couple of children?"

"I can't control everything that happens in battle," Cryonis said in a somewhat stuffed-sounding voice, giving him a cool look. The prisoner glanced between them, and Yuga noted that despite the blood and mess on her face, at least she had some beauty to her. "I got one of our two main targets. Ravio and the other children were second priority, and the healer wasn't even here."

"It was still your fault they got away," Yuga said in a low voice, and leaned in close to his face. "I will be reporting this to your superior."

Cryonis shrugged, looking exhausted. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Yuga glared at him, but Cryonis returned his attention to their single prisoner, taking her by the arm and forcing her away from the house. Yuga watched them go with narrowed eyes, still furious at the less-than desirable results they'd ended up with, and then strutted away towards the building.

Idiot super. It seemed like Cryonis especially was making more and more mistakes like that. At least he’d managed to do one thing right, even if it wasn’t the one Yuga wanted done.

He huffed as he strode through the ruined door, his boots crunching across broken glass. If it came to it, he’d chip that ice away himself.

He wasn’t letting that brat get away from him again.

[green-eyedfirework]

Jason, wriggling through a too-tight vent, cursed everything that led him here.

He was supposed to be spending time with Dick and his Titans, but the majority of them had gotten called away for an off-planet emergency—Jason, on Batman’s orders, wasn’t allowed to leave the planet yet—and any hopes of having a fun weekend with his sort-of older brother and his friends was spoiled by the fact that they were the only two left in an empty tower.

Give the golden boy his credit, he’d tried to engage Jason, teaching him some moves on the trapeze set-up that the Titans had, but it was also really fucking obvious that Dick had wanted to go with his friends, and definitely wished he could’ve just shoved Jason back through the zeta to the Batcave.

Jason could tell when he wasn’t wanted.

So both of them had jumped at the news of a trafficking stop in upstate New York, only to realize when they got there that it wasn’t so much a stop as a full-fledged base in the mountains, complete with signal jammers to block outside communications.  Which, of course, Jason realized only after they’d split up.

“Stupid Dickhead,” Jason muttered under his breath, “Stupid Bruce, stupid Titans, stupid goddamn paranoid traffickers.”  Every vent grate he’d squinted through was empty—it wasn’t a very big operation.  Their main goals were to free any prisoners and to collect data off the mainframe.

Jason didn’t know where Dick was, if he’d found an alternate route in after they determined he couldn’t fit in the vents, and if he’d found the mainframe or the prisoners.  The mainframe was Jason’s best bet—hopefully disabling whatever signal jamming tech they had and restoring communications.  He couldn’t entirely suppress the prickling tension at being alone.

He supposed he should just be happy that Nightwing had actually taken him along with him.  Some days, it felt like Dick was trying his best to pretend like Jason didn’t exist.  Jason had only pieces of why Dick had left, gleaned from shouting matches between Bruce and Dick, but he knew that Dick felt like he’d been replaced.  It wasn’t far off from what Jason felt—like everyone who looked at him, who looked at Robin, was expecting someone else.

Wriggling through a vent he only fit into by virtue of being small and scrawny certainly didn’t help matters.

When he peered through the next grate, he found a computer bank.  Thank fuck.  Getting out of the vent involved a whole lot of squeezing and creaking metal noises, but the room below was empty and Jason dropped down with a relieved sigh.

“Note to self,” he muttered, “Find a different way out.”

The computers were all in sleep mode and a wave of the mouse woke it back up.  Overconfident, Jason dismissed easily, and scanned through the different windows.

Security cameras, data logs, spreadsheets, financial transfers…looked like he hit paydirt.  Jason grinned as he retrieved a flash drive from his pouch and set about transferring the contents.  While it was downloading, he flicked through the security cameras to find Nightwing and the prisoners.

There were a lot of empty hallways.  He found the feeds of the guards outside, then a couple in what looked like a break room, but most of the place seemed to be empty.  There was a large warehouse-type room with threadbare bedding in a corner—Jason swallowed.  The room was empty.  Looked like they were too late.

The garage was empty too, only a few small vehicles.  Whenever they did their transfers, it appeared as though he and Nightwing had just missed it.  Jason set his jaw and check on the file download.  Wherever they went, he’d find out, and they’d thoroughly destroy this operation.

Nightwing had managed to make it inside—Jason spotted him skulking around in the north hallways—and he tried to figure out how to send a message to him.  The signal jammer wasn’t in this room, and Jason didn’t know what channel the traffickers were using.  Maybe if he flicked the lights on and off—

Movement.  In one of the formerly empty corridors, and Jason had no idea where this guy had fucking come from, but he was armored head-to-toe, he had a goddamn mask on, and he was in the same wing that Jason was.

Jason hurriedly checked on the file transfer and yanked the drive out as soon as it was done.  Taking one last look to remember where Nightwing was heading, Jason closed out of the open applications and headed for the hallway.  He needed to find Nightwing and get out before the alarm was raised.

Unfortunately, he ran into trouble on the way there.  Literally ran into, a huge block of mass stepping abruptly out of the shadow of a corridor and Jason twisted to quickly redirect his momentum, pressing against hard armor and swiftly putting distance between them.

Armored and masked.  Color scheme like he’d mugged a Halloween store.  A whole bunch of weapons, guns and knives, including what looked like a sword sticking over his shoulder.  As tall as Batman, as big, except Jason didn’t think his suit was padded in the same way.

“Robin,” the man said, voice low and deep and unmodulated.  His mask was half black and half orange, split evenly down the middle, and it made him look inhuman.  “But not the original.”

Crap.

“Long way from Gotham, aren’t you?” Jason said, sidling further away from the guy and discreetly palming a few birdarangs.

“What makes you think I’m from Gotham?” Discount Two-Face asked.

“Freaks dressed in masks tend to be from Gotham,” Jason shrugged.  And there aren’t a lot of people that know that there were two Robins, he added mentally.  “And you recognized me.”  Jason inched further down the corridor.  His smoke grenade was in his pocket.

“I don’t need to be from Gotham to recognize a target when I see one.”

Okay, that was Jason’s cue.  He yanked the smoke grenade out and threw it, running before it even hit the ground.  He needed to get to Nightwing and get out of here, he wasn’t in the mood to engage someone that looked like a walking armory.

The smoke grenade didn’t hit the ground.  Well, it did, but in front of Jason, a clink as it bounced and Jason barely managed to get his cape up to cover his face before it exploded in a thick wave of acrid smoke.

He stumbled free, coughing, and barely managed to catch sight of the approaching figure in time to dodge the kick.  The man was relentless and fast, pushing him back towards the smoke, but Jason was smaller and he ducked and spun away, twisted to the side to avoid being pinned.  The kick he couldn’t avoid sent him crashing to the floor, feeling like he’d been sideswiped by a truck.

Jason coughed and weakly struggled to his feet.  “Who are you?” he wheezed, dizzy with more than breathlessness.  Alarm bells were beginning to sound in his head and when the man got closer, Jason realized that the eye hole on the black side of the mask didn’t blend really well with the color.  It wasn’t there.

That—that narrowed down the list.  World’s deadliest mercenary, Jason distantly remembered the file saying, but a rare visitor to Gotham.  The closest Deathstroke the Terminator had gotten to facing off against the hero community…had been a note about an appearance against the Titans, almost a year ago.

“Didn’t the original Robin tell you?” Deathstroke made a low, harsh chuckle, “Or did he send you out in his colors without a clue of how many people were gunning for your head?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jason retorted, the familiar anger burning at yet another person who was talking about Dick.  “I’m Robin.”

“Are you,” Deathstroke said, slow and considering.  “Do you know what your legacy is, boy?”

“Don’t call me that—”

“Robin,” Deathstroke said, unsheathing his sword and fuck was it bigger than Jason had expected.  He skittered back another step.  The corridor abruptly felt too small.  “Killed my son.”  Deathstroke’s voice twisted to a snarl.  “And I’ve been waiting all these months.”  Deathstroke strode forward, unrelenting.  “To get my revenge.”

“Robin doesn’t kill,” Jason said, breathless, because Dick—Dick would’ve told them, it wasn’t true, Robin didn’t kill.  The first slice of the sword was almost lazy and Jason dodged it easily, but it reversed direction faster than he expected and Jason was forced to fling himself to the floor to avoid it.

“Is that what he told you?” Deathstroke growled.  The kick sent Jason skidding away, a roar of flame in his chest.  “That it wasn’t his fault?”

“Look, mister—” Jason rolled away from another kick before it could take off his head—“I don’t know where you’re getting your information from—” springing back to his feet made his ribs ache in the please-ice-me kind of way, but Jason felt better on two feet—“But the Bats don’t kill.”

Jason flexed his wrist, birdarangs comfortable between his fingers.  Deathstroke was massive and fast, he had enhanced strength and speed and healing, and this was clearly a fight Jason couldn’t win.  What he could do was disable the man long enough for him to catch up to Nightwing so both of them could book it, and then he could give Dick a talk about why you should always let your successors know about any near-invulnerable mercenaries you’ve pissed off recently.

“I’m sorry about your son,” Jason said, “But it’s not Robin’s fault.”

Deathstroke sheathed the sword.  The movement wasn’t conciliatory.  “I held him in my arms,” the mercenary said, voice low, “And watched him gasp out his last breaths.”  Gloves creaked as they curled into fists.  “And the Titans stood by and did nothing.”

Jason threw the birdarangs, moving on instinct, faster than his consciousness recognized that Deathstroke had lunged, but even instinct wasn’t as fast as an enhanced mercenary and Jason choked when the kick slammed into his stomach and momentarily robbed the world of air.

“I promised my son that I’d make them all pay,” Deathstroke snarled, “Especially Robin.”

Jason did his best to stagger out of the way of the next punch but it still caught his cheek, a glancing blow that sent his whole head ringing.  He was uncomfortably aware that he was in a fight he couldn’t win.

“And here you are.  All alone.  No Batman in sight.”

Jason weaved out of the way of Deathstroke’s next hit and grabbed the man’s gauntlet.  He was intending to use it to spring off and drive a kick in but Deathstroke just grabbed his arm and yanked him off like Jason was nothing more than an annoying pest.

As an afterthought, he twisted.

Jason stifled the scream as he cradled the broken wrist, stumbling back, blinking furiously against the budding tears as he kept Deathstroke in his line of sight.

“I thought about killing him,” Deathstroke strode forward casually, “But that would be too quick.  Too easy.  He needs to suffer.”

Jason swallowed.  “Have you thought about anger management—”

He’d fought Batman numerous times.  Bruce was a good teacher, frequently pausing to explain to Jason why a move hadn’t worked, or showing him a new technique, or congratulating him on a successful move.  He went easy on him, he had to, because tire iron or not, there was no way a scrawny, underfed twelve-year-old posed any kind of serious threat to Batman.

Jason had asked him once to spar for real.  Just a taste.  He’d begged until Bruce had given in, and he barely remembered it, just a desperate, unending onslaught until he was on the ground, staring up at the Cave ceiling, dazedly thanking anyone listening that he wasn’t an actual criminal.

That was what this felt like.  A relentless assault that he wasn’t staying ahead of, losing ground with every block, a wave of battering punches until Jason’s block was too slow and Deathstroke’s punch hit his broken wrist and the world went white.

When the overwhelming agony receded, Jason was on his tiptoes, held up by the collar of his uniform.  Deathstroke waited until Jason managed to look in the general direction of the eye-hole before slamming him against the wall.

The world was starting to look distinctly fuzzy.  His limbs felt like they were moving through molasses.  Deathstroke let go, and Jason gracelessly slid down the wall, muscles not moving fast enough to catch him.

There was something around his throat.  Deathstroke’s hand.  No.  It was cold like metal and it made an electronic beep and when Deathstroke moved away, the weight remained.

“Now for the other one,” Jason fuzzily registered Deathstroke saying before the world become too much.

[seriouslysam8]

Could you share a snippet of #6 or #7? I’m curious in what state Andy and Ted find Harry, and I want to know what Ginny’s reaction is when she finds out Harry’s sick!

I’ll give you seven because I have more of that written.

If you read the MIT series, you’ll see a familiar name. 😁

It has been ten months and four days since Sirius Black had seen the outside of his cell in Azkaban when two human guards practically dragged him from his cell, his feet fumbling to walk but they only felt like jelly from lack of use. Nobody said a word to him as they made their way down a long corridor, prisoners screaming in their own despair all around him. It seemed to take days to get to their destination. Some windowless room with only a table and two chairs opposite of each other.

Sirius grunted as they forced him to sit down. Grabbing his hands, they fastened them to manacles attached to the table before they bent down to click manacles on his ankles as well. Sirius didn’t bother to look at what his legs were attached to. He just wanted to sleep as Padfoot, to be left alone.

The guards left. Sirius leaned forward, his hands carding through his knotted hair. His eyes slid closed, wondering if this was some new form of torture he was going to be subjected to. The door opened to the right but Sirius didn’t even bother to look to see who it was. All he knew was that it wasn’t a dementor because he wasn’t seeing James or Harry in his head.

“Sirius,” a familiar female voice breathed.

Looking up, Sirius saw Andromeda Tonks standing there dressed to the nines in an emerald green sheath dress and black robes. Her big gray eyes searched his, a watery smile crossing her features as she stepped forward. Her heels clicked against the stone, echoing in the small space. She knelt down beside his chair, her hands cupping his bearded face.

“Merlin, Sirius,” Andromeda whispered, a stray tear escaping the corner of her right eye. “Is this how they treat all the prisoners?”

Sirius felt a lump in his throat. He didn’t know. He was on one of the highest floors in maximum security. Nobody there was afforded the luxury of leaving their cell. Maybe those on the lower levels were given more freedoms. Sirius didn’t know nor did he really care. He had lost everything, so the sun seemed trivial.

“Sirius, can you hear me?” Andromeda pressed, her hands sliding down his face.

“Yeah,” he croaked, his voice sounding so foreign to his own ears.

Andromeda let out a sigh as she stood up. “We should sue. The condition you are in is appalling! I mean, I expected it with the way I’ve seen those on trial looking, but it’s… I’ll get you cleaned up. I’ll push for it. You’ll need to look presentable for your trial.”

Sirius’ eyebrow rose. “Trial?”

Andromeda huffed. “Do you know how much time it took me to secure you one? The so-called Minister of Magic said it was an open and closed case. Reeks of corruption and incompetence. I didn’t take that lying down. I went to every single magazine and newspaper who would listen to me. Took ages to get people to care enough.”

Sirius nodded, trying to comprehend what Andromeda was actually saying to him. He felt weak and his head spun. Part of him just wanted to lie down but he couldn’t thanks to the manacles. He glanced down at his hands.

“Sirius!” Andromeda exclaimed. “Are you still mentally there? Did they, Merlin, did they damage you beyond repair? You need to be competent to stand trial! To be able to speak full sentences!”

Sirius blinked, his thumb brushing right above the manacle. “How…” Sirius cleared his throat. “How’s Harry?”

Andromeda let out a scoff, causing Sirius to look up at her. “Harry? You’re concerned about Harry Potter right now?”

“He’s my godson,” Sirius replied, stating the obvious because Andromeda knew all about Sirius’ love for his godson. He had sent Andromeda countless letters filled with stories about the little boy, not to mention the pictures. Merlin, he had sent her so many pictures before everything went to shit.

“I don’t know how Harry is!” Andromeda exclaimed as she sat down across from him, her arms crossing over her chest.

Sirius licked his cracked and dry lips. “Can you find out?”

Andromeda pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. “I’m sure he’s fine, Sirius. He’s off doing normal toddler things.”

Sirius shook his head. “He’s with Lily’s sister.”

Andromeda sighed and glanced across the table at him. “Then I’m sure he’s having a blast with his aunt.”

Sirius sneered. “Her sister hates magic. She hated Lily. She hated James.”

Andromeda’s eyes softened. “You’re worried she’s not treating him right?”

“Either she grew a heart or she’s the same bitch I met a few years ago,” Sirius replied. “Can you check on him? Make sure he isn’t…”

Sirius snapped his mouth shut, his gaze falling back to his hands. He couldn’t say the words out loud because he feared they might be true.But a trial meant he had a way to leave Azkaban, to have the Hit Wizards look for Peter, and to be reunited with Harry. Sirius had never wanted anything more in his life than to feel Harry’s chubby little arms wrap around his neck again.

Andromeda’s hand touched his. He stilled at the touch, as odd expanding feeling filling his chest. He forgot what a nice touch felt like. Sniffing, he blinked rapidly a few times.

“Nobody is as bad as Walburga,” Andromeda whispered. “I can’t believe anyone would be as cruel as she was.”

Sirius swallowed. “You don’t know that. He’s so little. He lost everything that night and he’s with a woman who despises magic.”

Andromeda sighed, her eyes searching his. ���Do you know where she lives? Her name? Anything?”

A weight lifted off Sirius’ shoulders. “Petunia and Vernon Dursley. They live in Little Whinging. Somewhere on Privet Drive. That’s all I know.”

Andromeda squeezed his hand. “All right. I’ll stop by after I leave here and before I meet with the lawyer.”

“Lawyer?” Sirius asked. “You hired me a lawyer?”

Andromeda snorted. “Of course, I hired you a lawyer. I wasn’t going to let you defend yourself. What a disaster that would be.”

Sirius narrowed his eyes. “Who did you hire?”

Andromeda pursed her lips.

“Andy,” Sirius pressed.

“Humphrey,” Andromeda said in a cagey tone.

Sirius blinked at her. “Humphrey who?”

Andromeda cleared her throat. “Humphrey Slughorn.”

“No, no, no, I’m not having some Slughorn defend me in court,” Sirius protested.

“Look, Hugh said he’s made a lot of deals for-“

Sirius scoffed. “Wait, Hugh? You mean Hugh Slughorn? Your old Hogwarts sweetheart?”

Andromeda narrowed her eyes at him. “Yes! Humphrey is Hugh’s brother.”

“So, he’s Horace Slughorn’s nephew?” Sirius clarified. “No, I refuse.”

Andromeda arched her eyebrow at him. “Do you want to see Harry again or not?”

Sirius’ heart hammered in his chest at the very prospect of seeing Harry. He wouldn’t just want to see Harry again. No, he’d want full custody and a nice place to keep him safe. If Humphrey bloody Slughorn was the best chance he had… Sirius rubbed his chin as he listened to Andromeda continue singing her praises.

“Humphrey is your best chance. He was Lucius Malfoy’s lawyer and he’s sitting free and happy, drinking wine in his fancy Wiltshire estate. Humphrey also represented Macnair,” Andromeda continued as she held up two fingers. “Yaxley.” She held up another finger. “Do you want me to continue? There’s about five more I can give references for.

Sirius rolled his eyes. “So he basically got off actual Death Eaters.”

“If he can get actual Death Eaters off, imagine what he could do for an innocent wizard,” Andromeda stated.

Sirius sighed. “Does Ted know you’ve been talking to Hughie?“

Andromeda scoffed. “Ted and Hugh are good friends.”

“Right,” Sirius replied, his hands clasping in front of him. “Can you come by tomorrow and let me know how Harry is?”

“Merlin, Sirius, you have a one track mind! There are other things you need to be worrying about!” Andromeda protested.

Sirius shook his head, his jaw clenching. “Where would your mind be if you were in prison and helpless while Dora was off with some magic hating Muggles who hated you?”

A pounding sounded on the door. “Five minutes!”

Sirius sighed, hating that he would only feel alive and human for five more minutes before he was dragged back with the dementors to rot and become a shell of a person again.

“Andy, please,” Sirius insisted.

“Fine. I’ll find him,” Andromeda assured him. “I’ll make sure he’s all right.”

Sirius chewed on his bottom lip. “You’ll help him if he’s not?”

Andromeda stiffened. “What exactly are you asking me to do, Sirius? Kidnap the boy?”

Sirius scratched his yellowing nail against a groove in the table. “If you think they’re hurting him, then yes.

“You can’t be serious!” Andromeda hissed, leaning forward. “You cannot ask that of me!”

Sirius swallowed and looked up at his cousin. “What’s the date?”

Andromeda blinked. “The fifth of September. 1982. You’ve been here for nearly a year.”

Sirius nodded, a lump as solid and hard as a rock settling in his stomach. “So Harry is a little older than two. Two, Andy.

Andromeda sighed, her lips pursing to the right. He blinked at the only family member he still liked, willing her to understand his anxiety and fears for Harry. He didn’t know if it was magnified because of his long exposure to the dementors or because there was a very real cause for him to be so alarmed. Would Petunia actually hurt a child because of her jealousy and bitterness towards Lily?

[mythalism]

knowing now that killing the evanuris leads to the veil falling what was actually solas's plan at the start of veilguard? it couldn't have been placing the evanuris into a more secure prison cause wouldn't that be counterproductive? do you think he was planning on killing elgar'nan and ghilan'nain and then moving just the blight to the new prison?

honestly i dont think veilguard gave us enough information to figure this out LMAO. i do think that solas genuinely meant to move them to the regret prison, i dont see any reason for him to have lied about that. he also reiterates that as his plan to mythal before he kills her, which we see in his memory. i think he was going to move them and take down the veil, and either through the process of moving them or the process of taking down the veil, their blood/life connection to the veil would be severed, so they would be left to loiter in the regret prison and be psychologically tortured for eternity i guess? first interesting thing about that plan is that it implies that the life force veil connection is one-sided, meaning that while killing elgar'nan would have brought down the veil, bringing down the veil would not have killed elgar'nan. i would assume that the same is true for solas, and means his own connection to the veil can be severed without his death. what also sticks out to me is that... ghilan'nain and elgar'nan never express any regret for anything. unless im forgetting something? but i do not recall them ever expressing regret. they are actually deeply unapologetic for literally everything. so i do find it odd that he planned to trap them in a regret prison when they seem pretty fucking unconcerned with anything they've ever done. so that is definitely suspicious. as for the blight, you can ask him what he planned to do with it in one of the early convos with him, to which he says something along the lines of "i had plans" LMAO so i assume that would be classified under "future spoilers" and thats why we got a non-answer. i have no clue what his possible plan could have been, but we know he is genuinely terrified of the blight so i would anticipate it was a pretty good one? but i dont think we literally get any suggestion of what the plan might have been. hopefully this is all intentional vague-ness and not true plot holes :D

[spookyspecterino]

New You

Sam Coe x GN! Reader x Delgado

GN! Reader. No pronouns, no use of Y/N, or reader descriptions used. Reader is called Rook a few times, like in some Crimson Fleet quests.

Some angst. A lot of explicit language. Implied sexual relationships. Pining for a criminal. Poor Sam. Sam is supportive but worried. Delgado is a warning all by himself.

You're there to watch as the pirates you've worked beside for months are taken to prison. They have a few things they'd like to say.

This is about the Crimson Fleet Undercover plot.

I just started the questline. I have no idea how it ends of if anything along these lines even happens. My brain literally bullied me into writing it 😭 I stopped everything to write this lmao.

I really love the theme of going undercover, assimilating, and then having to deal with who you've become and how you've changed after everything. So there's some of that in here.

“You sure you wanna be here for this?”

“I have to see it through, Sam. After months of being undercover, it wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t.”

He grunts softly. “Alright. Just prepare yourself for pirates to be, well, pirates.”

Doors open on the other side of the transport deck. A squad of UC security and Naval troops, all decked out to the nines, file in, holding mean looking rifles.

The sounds of trouble already echo through the open door.

“Ya fuckin’ bastards! Let me go, I didn’t do jack shit!” A mane of red-brown hair comes in the doorway first as Mathis is quite literally shoved through. It was no surprise that he’s giving everyone trouble.

It doesn’t take much time for him to notice you standing to the side. “You!” He snarls. “I’m gonna put a bullet through your head if it’s the last thing I ever do!”

The laugh that comes out of you is rough, full of vile, and cruel delight. “Shut the hell up, Mathis. The last thing you’ll ever do is rot in a two-by-four cell. I hope they make it cold just for you!”

Mathis screams more explicit insults, most geared toward your mother. The guards fight and yank at the man, rifles raised. Still, they manage to subdue him, robbing you of a chance to put Mathis down yourself. You’re laughing until he’s well past the other doorway and out of sight, you hoped he could hear it from down the hall.

“Seems like a real winner. Good friend of yours?” Sam asks, studying you.

“Fuck no. Hated that asshole from the moment he opened his mouth, to be perfectly honest. I’m going to sleep well knowing he’s going through his worst nightmare.”

Sam’s face pinches together, you only catch a glimpse of it from the corner of your eye. His mouth twists, as if he has more than just, “Ah, I see.”

“Have something you wanna say?” The response is snappy, challenging, automatic—something you had to adopt in the midst of pirates, and you regret it immediately. “I…I didn’t mean that…” You sigh, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of your nose.

“It’s alright. I get it. Just try to remember you’re not a pirate anymore.”

“Yeah...I’m working on it.”

His eyes linger. You can feel his thoughtful gaze. It makes you itch.

Pirate life was at least simplistic. Somebody had a problem? You’d know about it immediately. A short knife fight or a brawl and it’d be over. Done.

Being around Sam again was…well it would take an adjustment period.

Months of pirate life, a life you’d adapted to very quickly, and you’re spit back out into civilization on the other side. There was no guidance on how to go back to “everyday life”—on how to shed this new person you’d become.

It’s infuriating. Everyone expects you to pick back up from where you left off…but you can’t. You’re not the same person anymore. Sometimes you wake up and think you’re still on the Key.

Sometimes you wish you were still on the Key.

“I can see you thinking behind that wall of silence.” Sam gently says. His voice sounds so loud on the empty transport deck. “Just know that I’m here for you—always will be. You wanna talk about what happened during those months, you can come to me, judgement free. Promise.”

When you don’t respond, Sam chuckles. “You’re always so quiet now—which is fine,” he’s quick to add, “I just want to help.”

“Yeah…thanks.” Is all you can manage as the transport deck’s doors open again and more armed personnel file through.

Naeva is silent, head held high…until she catches sight of you.

“Oh, it’s on when I get out of here, Rook!” She spits through her teeth, trying to lunge for you. The guards stop her, pull her back into line, but her body remains tense.

“Looking forward to it, Naeva.” A cruel grin breaks free. “You know, I never killed that other Rook you sent me after. Austin Rake. He’s at some Starport, drinking for free right now.”

“You fucking traitor! You’d better be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your damn life! ‘Cause when you don’t, I’ll be there to put a knife through your back!”

“We’ll see about that. I’m sure you’ll get a knife through yours first. Delgado probably isn’t happy that it was your recruit who brought his empire down around him.”

She grins, something dangerous lurks in her expression. “Oh, I’m sure Delgado has some plans for you, Rook. After everything, I can’t imagine how you’re gonna look him in the eyes.” They’re nearing the other doors, Naeva’s trying to twist back to face you, fighting the pushing and pulling of her security escort. “You know he trusted you. Honest to God. Have fun living with that for the rest of your life, traitor!”

Her words hit a nerve. You were very careful not to let it show. Still…it hurt.

As the doors close, Sam turns to face you. “Listen, why don’t we just go? This isn’t healthy.”

“Not really focused on whether it’s healthy or not.”

“That’s part of my point. You have to get away from this stuff, away from the Fleet. This whole thing is just going to give you more to think about and keep you awake at night.”

Lashing out and snapping back a retort is what you want to do. But instead, you take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

His voice turns soft, pleading. “Don’t go silent again. Please, talk to me.”

“Sam,” you start, very carefully, “I need this. This is my closure.”

“Are you sure?” His blue eyes were soft, full of worry.

More questions—and feelings. It agitated you. Made you grind your teeth together. “I’m sure.”

He looks away, frowning. He’d probably bring it up again, but future you would have to deal with that. Right now, you were more focused on—

Doors slid open. Your heart skips with that familiar flutter while a hard knot forms in your stomach.

Delgado walks, freely, without any guards touching him, through the doorway. He’s given space and walks leisurely as if he owns the Vanguard. There’s no hassling, there’s no pushing.

You’re expecting the worst—or for him not even to look at you. Instead, he holds your stare with a faint smile. “Hold up.” And the guards around him actually stop.

You know that look in his eyes, you’ve seen it a hundred times, your feet move without any command or thought.

Delgado. Leader of the Crimson Fleet. Even if you tried, you couldn’t spare him.

He steps away from the security unit. One last private meeting with the man who owned you, heart and soul, for the last few months.

“I was wondering whether I’d see you here.”

Why are you smiling? “Couldn’t resist the urge to tell Mathis one last time to go fuck himself.”

He chuckles. It sends your nerves out of whack. “I’m very impressed by you. Playing the part that well…” he tilts his head, a secretive smile just for the two of you catches at his lips. “…certainly had me fooled.”

Late nights in dim lighting. Cigarette smoke. Legs tangled up in sheets. Whispers. Rare laughter. It floods back, threatening to break your tough façade.

“Tell me, mi tesoro, are you prepared to go back to the life of normalcy? With your,” He leans over, looking Sam up and down with open distaste, who stands further back—arms crossed and glaring, “little Vaquero?”

“I’m working on it.”

Delgado barks out a laugh. “I know this person you are now. You’ll never be satisfied again.” There’s a teasing glint in his eye that you’re stubbornly avoiding.

“My life before the Fleet was just as exciting and satisfying.”

He hums, his smile turning darker. “I doubt that very much. There isn’t anything so thrilling as robbing a GalBank transport and returning home to celebrate with drinks and…” He pauses, eyes scanning you. “Well, that last part is just between you and me, eh?” His eyes flickered to Sam, then back. “Can he give you that?”

You chuckle, it’s forced. “Delgado. Jealous to a fault. Some things never change.”

“You know he can’t.”

“He can give me something else. Happiness. Security. Maybe even be a life-long partner.”

“And I couldn’t? You insult me, my dear. I would have given you everything.”

“Just as long as you had what you wanted first.”

He holds up a finger. “We obviously know one another very well. So, I offer you this. If you ever get tired of playing nice in a universe that is anything but, you know where to find me.”

“You’re serious?” Your voice lowers to a hiss. “And what, break you out of high security prison just for you to kill me? No thanks.”

“On my word, all debts and grievances would be squared. Think of it. I’d have you by my side—we could build something better than the Fleet ever was. Be free of the UC, the Rangers, everything. Like we always talked about.”

A guard behind him starts walking over. “Alright, time’s up. Let’s go.”

You’re frowning, eyes flickering anywhere but his. “You’re insane.”

Delgado’s expression turns. The light fading from his eyes. “You’ve never been satisfied. It’s something I really like about you.”

He lets the guard corral him back to the others. Your fists are tightly gripped. “The person you knew was undercover.”

“Tell yourself whatever makes you feel better.”

As he’s escorted away, you want to follow. Your legs tense, trying to keep still. His parting words before he passes through the door are, “I’ll be seeing you.”

Then he’s gone. The transport deck feels emptier than it ever has been.

Never satisfied. A life of normalcy. Going back to surveying planets and doing odd jobs for the Rangers. The idea claws at you. Your mind battles with the concept, with the unspoken feelings. Remnants of your past self against whoever you are now.

We could build something better than the Fleet ever was.

You know where to find me.

Sam walks up, standing by your side. Watching. You hadn’t moved. Still staring at the closed doors.

“What did he mean, ‘I’ll be seeing you’?”

The lie is easy. “No idea.”