#vex deserves an 'oh. oh' moment if you ask ME!!!!

[potatoesandsunshine]

just trust me... i'm so right about this one...

everything will be fine as long as they keep Not Talking About This

[mioons]

“i don’t think i could stand to be — where you don’t see me”

pairing. hyung line x fem. reader

genre. fluff, est. relationship wc. 658 warnings. skinship + jealous enha + not proofread (don’t we love it)

— where they think not being your centre of attention is the worst feeling ever. so he goes to fix that. extra: i feel alpha after i write about jealous guys 🐺

LEE HEESEUNG would be annoyed to say the least. he wouldn’t hide the fact he was annoyed either. the moment he saw some guy trying to get all over you, he hurriedly rushed to take his spot right beside you, snaking an arm around your waist, squeezing it.

“hey baby, who’s this guy you’re talking to?” he asked, looking at the guy with a death glare though his tone sounded so friendly.

“oh nothing, he just wanted my number cause we’re in the same class,” you replied, looking up at him through your eyelashes.

“you still need her number pal?” heeseung would ask. the guy immediately shook his head and ran off in a fury, “good thing he knows his place hm?”

SIM JAEYUN would be trying his utmost best to steer your attention away from some unknown guy who didn’t even deserve an ounce of your attention. kissing your cheek while you were talking to the guy, mumbling sweet nothings into your ear; making you all flustered you couldn’t even hold a proper sentence. making sure that guy knew that you already had someone. aka him.

“you smell so sweet baby, like that rose i gotcha the other day,” he would murmur against your neck, his eyes glaring at the guy who was trying to hit you up.

immediately, the guy suddenly said he “had plans” and rushed off, leaving him alone with you.

“why’d you do that?” you chuckle and roll your eyes playfully, running your fingers through his locks.

“just doing what a boyfriend should do.”

PARK JONGSEONG hates it. he hates seeing another guy talk to you. that thought alone made him sick to his stomach. if he had a choice he’d go right up to the guy and give him a bruise; a warning.

he’s stand behind you like a guard dog protecting its owner— a bodyguard protecting his principal. his hand never leaves your waist, gripping it firmly to show who you were with but not too hard to hurt you. no he could never hurt an angel such as yourself.

you couldn’t see jay’s expression but it was one of annoyance and vex. can’t this guy just go away so jay could have you all to himself?

if knives could shoot out of eyes the guy would be dead by now. seeing how jay was so intimidatingly staring at the guy, he scurried away and left.

“why’d he leave so suddenly?” you ask as you tilted your head upwards to look at your boyfriend.

“mm not sure baby, you’re too cute for anyone to resist.”

PARK SUNGHOON would be the most petty guy in the world. the moment he saw another guy getting close to you, his blood boiled. why are you talking to another guy when you have him? the park sunghoon?

the moment you go up to him, he rolls his eyes at you and scoffs, his arms folding themselves in front of his chest.

“back from talking to your other boyfriend i see?” he remarks and turns his head to the right, looking away from you. you tilt your head, your brows furrowing as you try to get him to face you, “hoon, was it about that guy i was just talking to?”

he pauses for a moment before nodding his head and turning his head to face you, his arms unfolding themselves and going to cup your cheeks, “am i not enough for you pretty girl?”

you pout and rush forward to hide away your reddening face into his chest, the cool leather fabric rubbing against your skin—making you feel comforted since it belonged to your boyfriend.

“you know i’d never leave you for another, in fact i think you’ll be the one to leave me for someone else,” you chuckled before pulling your face away and resting your chin on his chest to look up at him.

and to sunghoon that was the only reassurance he needed.

luvlyhee 2024

[waltwhitmansbeard]

Hello! may I request any prompt of your choosing from the hurt/comfort list if I specifically ask for tlovm vaxleth? thank you!

10. "Don't worry about anything now."

It's cold in Whitestone, especially at night, but Keyleth doesn't feel it. Her body is warm, hot even, pressed back against Vax like this. His arm is draped over her, his chin hooked over her shoulder. Her naked shoulder. Because she's naked. They both are. Because they had sex.

Vax's breathing is slow and even, and Keyleth is working overtime to keep hers the same way. It's not that she's freaking out—she's not. Not really. Except her body is sore, pleasantly so, dully tingling in the memory of his hands on her, in her—oh, and while that was happening, the people of Whitestone were burying their dead. And Thordak was still burning Emon. And Raishan was probably plotting her inevitable betrayal. And Percy was lying in a tomb, surrounded by generations of deceased de Rolos. But oh gods, the things Vax's tongue can do.

She's a bad person. That has to be it. She gets together with Vax in their dead friend's home? While Vex is in mourning? Who does that? Sure, she was waiting for Vax to pull his head out of his ass long before Percy died, but still, she could have waited, should have waited, found a better moment, done everything differently—

"You're thinking so loud." Vax's voice is a sleepy rumble in her ear as his arm tightens around her.

She laughs nervously. "Sorry. Just, um. A lot to think about."

His nose trails lazily up the back of her neck. "Care to share?"

Now she's in a pickle. She can't tell him what she was really thinking about, because then he'll think she regrets sleeping with him, which she doesn't—at least, not like that. And she's always been so bad at lying. And if she says she's thinking about Percy, will he think she wishes he were here instead? Because wow, no. She has to lie. But say what—

"Kiki, seriously. If you think any louder you're going to wake up the whole castle."

"Was this a mistake?" She feels his body stiffen, and his arm starts to retract. Fully panicking now, she grabs his hand, uses it to tug herself around so she's on her back, where she can see his face. It's shell-shocked, hurt. "That is not what I meant. I don't—I don't regret this. I don't regret you. I promise, Vax."

His face softens a bit, but he's still regarding her skeptically. "I'm really struggling to find another interpretation here, Kiki."

"No, I know, I just meant—" She throws her forearm over her eyes so she doesn't have to look at him. "Percy is dead and Vex is heartbroken and Whitestone is in ruins again and we have to fight Thordak and Raishan is such a bitch and gods I am so behind on my Aramenté and really what right do I have to be happy with you when everything is terrible—"

He shuts her up by kissing her. His hand pulls her face closer to his, and her arm falls away from her eyes as she melts against his lips. For a moment, everything is quiet.

"Keyleth," he murmurs against her mouth. "You are beautiful and powerful and wise and so very, very silly."

"I'm not—"

"You are. There is no 'deserving' happiness. There is just...finding it. With our friends. With our families." His thumb traces little circles where his hand cups her jaw. "Here, in this bed, with you. You know, a very wise woman once pointed out to me how foolish it was to forgo current happiness for fear of future pain." He smirks at her. "I'd hate to see her forgo current happiness because she's guilty about the suffering of others."

Keyleth chews her lip. "But there are things we could be doing. People we could be helping."

"We can't help anyone if we're too exhausted to stand. C'mere." He gently spins her around again so that he's spooning her, her hand cupped in his, and yeah, the feeling of him behind her, warm and solid, does make the brain chatter quiet a bit. "Don't worry about anything now. We have so much time to worry, I promise you. All of the things you're concerned about will be there in the morning, and so will I." He kisses the nape of her neck. "I don't know what the future holds, but I can't imagine thinking about that when I have my favorite person in the world in my arms."

He squeezes her close, and Keyleth breathes in the arm, woodsy scent of him. Alright. Maybe he's right. Maybe the horrors will still be waiting come daylight. Maybe they can share this night, and the happiness it has brought them. She closes her eyes, and soon, she is dreaming of hundreds more nights, just like this.

[robobarbie]

Toasty and MC kissing in the rain

That's it that's the ask

SENT THIS ASK TO ALLIE FOR A RESPONSE!

-------

"Well. What now?"

Toasty suppressed a smirk as they looked down at you. Just as he thought, you were progressing from vexed to fuming after his remark.

"I knew you were going to lord this over me."

"It's been cloudy all day!"

"Yesterday was cloudy too!" You turned your head away with a simmering pout. "...And I didn't want to carry the umbrella."

Toasty burst into laughter– he couldn't help it, you're always so cute when you're grumpy like this– and gestured back to the bakery cafe you'd just left. "We can always head back in and nurse a coffee for a little while."

"You just said you were stuffed *and* your doctor said to lay off the caffeine."

"I didn't say I'd drink it. A couple of polite sips, at most."

"That's too reasonable. How about I make a run for the car and pick you up at the curb?"

"I think I'd be better equipped for that."

"Because you're so tall you'll make it there in three steps?"

"No, because I have a hoodie on." Toasty flipped up said hoodie, tucking their hair inside for good measure.

"I'm not gonna make the birthday boy run out in the rain!"

"Oh, come on! What's with the sudden chivalry?" A blush burned across their cheeks.

"It's just basic birthday decency. I'll be okay, honest. We'll just turn on the heat to dry me off."

He glanced out at the parking lot, then back at you, a softer grin spreading across his face. "What if the birthday boy wants to go…together?"

"Sure, and we could share your hoodie as we run."

Your quip has no bite, and Toasty calls you out on it by stretching the top of the hoodie over your head. "You'll have to stay close, then."

You made it all of two steps before getting completely soaked, laughing and play-shoving each other until you reached the car. You both leaned against the car doors, catching your breath and giggling in equal measure, until the damp and the cold finally won your full attention.

Toasty fished for his keys in his pockets, still holding the lip of the hoodie out. You watched his still-flushed face shift in concentration; it was hard not to smile seeing his furrowed brow and bit lip, framed with soaked locks of hair. The warmth of the moment almost canceled out the cold of the rain– almost.

"Hey. Hold on."

"Huh?"

You took hold of the lip of the hoodie, yanking it further out– and him closer to you. Toasty yelped, nearly crashing into you and dropping the car keys.

"Y–you'll stretch out my hoodie!"

"Oh, nooo."

"What happened to birthday decency?" Toasty avoided your eyes, their blush deepening.

"Superseded by the first birthday rule."

"The what?"

You drew closer. "Well, second birthday rule. The first is that the birthday boy gets to do whatever they want."

"Then the second?"

"That the birthday boy deserves a kiss."

You closed the distance, and Toasty melted.

[sharpwitfic]

Aesop Sharp x Reader (Not Platonic, Not Filth, Not OK to Open at the Office)

Part 6/? - Minors DNI - It's not filth, but DNI regardless. Go play with Sebastian or something.

A/N: Oh, fuuuuck I posted this on main for a hot sec. Have mercy and just avada me before the embarrassment does.

“If I stay?” His lips parted as he searched for the only words he could allow himself to speak. “You are far too bright to be short-sighted in this regard,” he said softly from his seat on the unmade sofa where you often slept, his hand resting on the small of your back. “It has been some time since I have courted someone. Should you choose to surrender your innocence to a man old enough to -”

“My innocence? Sir,” you protested. “I believe my innocence was gone the moment the thestral appeared in front of my carriage. If not, then it had certainly faded by the time I took down a poaching ring. You needn’t handle me with such care,” you insisted, wrapping your arms around his neck as you stood in his embrace.

Aesop rested his forehead on your shoulder and heaved a sigh. “You know that is not what I meant.” You did and found his concern for you charming. “You deserve to be romanced.”

“I have not had a need for pearls or roses since brewing Amortentia in your lesson. Proper courtship is a complex and rather extortionate dance to earn a lady’s heart. You already have mine. After all that I have been through, I only want a place to feel safe. I have that with you. Please, do not play reluctant for my sake,” you assured him, idly stroking the back of his neck as you spoke. “Unless you’re reluctant, yourself?”

He lifted his head from the warmth of your shoulder and offered a soft squeeze as he held you closer. “You should know my injuries were substantial. My legs are badly scarred, and my hips may not move like they once did,” he confessed. His eyes closed slowly as you ran your fingers through his hair. “I wish to savor the look of admiration and desire in your eyes before they express your unspoken regret. I ask that you sleep on your desires.”

You pressed your lips to his scarred brow, “Believe me, I was trying to.”

Tightening his grip on your hips, he guided you to the lap of his uninjured leg. His hand rested on your cheek as he gazed into your eyes; the mischief in them caused him to scoff. “Look at you, running full speed into another vexatious situation. If I didn’t know you to be the most amongst the most considerate and brilliant of my - peers. I might start to think you enjoy getting into trouble.”

“Trouble has always found a way of finding me. I’ve had enough hexing and vexing for a lifetime. That is precisely why I prefer my business and personal affairs to be conducted with a steady mind, comfortable, familiar -” you wrapped your arms around his shoulders and grinned, “and sturdy.”

In an instant, you were swept from his lap, shoulders pinned to the quilt as his lips crashed upon yours. Excuses and fears he had confronted since the first time you’d appeared in his dreams were cast off as quickly as his jacket and waistcoat as they fell to the floor.

His kiss was long and slow as he teased and tested your comfort with his calloused hands. Each touch elicited sighs of pleasure and begging from your lips against his neck. He knew what he wanted from your body and took his pleasure without restraint. As his urges were quickly satisfied, his focus turned entirely to your desires, taking the time to savor your shameless pleas before spinning them to cries of pleasure.

Aesop, as a lover, was everything you adored about him as your teacher. Meticulous, deliberate, and self-assured, but he never lacked the capacity to offer a delicate touch when required. By the time the first glimpse of the morning sun peeked through your curtains, ushering in a new era, you lay breathless and entangled.

As the sun began to rise over the Hogsmeade, you surrendered to your exhaustion. The prospect of life beyond studenthood had seemed daunting when you first penned your letter to him. But now, with a trusted friend, mentor, partner, and lover at your side, you felt a new warmth in the light of dawn.

[blorbologist]

gwendolyn, trick or treat >:3

Treat! Gwennie deserves it after her scare last episode <3 Ended up being more all the de Rolo kids - Vesper, but! :D

--

Lady de Rolo does not look up from her ledgers as a faint giggle reaches her ears. Her attention thus captured, she notes the faint rasp of carpet as little shoes dart over them, and the rustle of a light dress.

Vex taps off the excess ink and smiles to herself. Oh, Gwen is getting good.

Just because she still enjoys a good hunt she gives her daughter a head start, waits until even her sharp hearing can’t find any sign of life but Trinket’s snores by her feet. Careful not to wake him, she slips from her desk and pads out of her office, door left ajar. Usually the children take it as an invitation to seek her out if they want her - one always does, and it never fails to make her feel richer than she is - but it also helps her keep tabs on their antics. 

Tracking indoors used to be Vax’s thing, not her own. But Whitestone castle is as familiar as any forest; the pale stone cliffside, the wooden doorway a tree, the rugs moss and lichen. Just as populated with bears as any she’s foraged in, courtesy of Trinket and his cubs. Vex smiles, inhales cold air and end-of-season flowers and old varnish. Just as much her home, if not moreso.

It’s easy enough to follow the hall, gets more interesting once it merges into another and passes by a few rooms. Vex has to slow her pace and - there! a trace in the carpet. Up the stairs to the right, then. White catches her eye - a handprint just the size for her youngest. 

From there, she knows exactly where Gwendolyn was off to.

Under her breath, Vex mouths a prayer to Pelor that Cassandra taught them all about the secret passages. If she wasn’t familiar with the hideholes in the wall, even she might be at a loss for where her daughter ended up.

But as it is, it’s trivial to pause, listen to the stifled snickers and mutters of her children, and push in the engraving that unlatches the hidden door.

Eyes, so many eyes, gleam back at her for a brief second, her little nest of raccoons. Most of them shut the moment the light hits them - all but Gwendolyn, grinning up at her, with a neat row of doughnuts ringing her tail.

Oh, that’s a new one.

“Children,” Vex scolds. She’s gotten very good on biting on her smile. “What have I told you about stealing from the kitchen?”

Dan gulps. Powdered sugar falls from his mouth, which he hastens to dab away with a sleeve. “We didn’t steal, Mum. That’s why we sent Gwen.”

The littlest de Rolo frowns, turning on her older sister, nestled in the back. “But you said it’s because I’m the littlest and have to listen to -”

“You’re just so charming,” Lenoa interrupts, taking a sweet impaled on her sister’s horns. She chews - with her mouth closed, at least - and meets Vex’s unimpressed look with a shrug. “What? She is. You know mister Darrence can’t say no to her! She’s spoiled!”

“Am not!”

Time to cut that short: “Those,” says Vex’ahlia, “were for the dinner tonight. You’ll all ruin your appetite, and we’ll have nothing to enjoy after supper.”

Wolfe clears his throat. “Sorry, Mother. Um…” He extends sticky fingers, holding up a yet untouched doughnut. “Want one?” 

Well. She has been working all day. And, on second glance, it looks very cozy in there: they’ve pilfered blankets and pillows, a teddy for good measure. It would be a shame to have tracked down her quarry only to leave empty handed.

“Scoot over,” Vex says.

(The children wail complaints that there’s no room. Well! Not with that attitude there isn’t.)

🎃Trick or Treat! Send me an ask and you'll get a trick (angst) or treat (fluff) ficlet in return! 🎃

[creativestorylove]

He can be nice if he wants to

"Not again! I'm so bored, why can't you play with me?" I heard Lucius say frustrated. "My dear, I know it's not easy for you at the moment, but I have to take care of your uncle. He's new to this job, and he's out of his mind more than usual. I'm worried." replied Lucilla conflicted and hugged her son. "Oh gods, I wanted to ask him next..." said Lucius and turned away. "Later, I'll play with you, I promise, my dear." smiled his mother sadly and went inside the palace. I bowed as she passed me. I saw Lucius sitting down at the terrace stairs sighing. I had sympathy for him, so I looked around that nobody was there and then I went to sit next to him. "Hey, little man. What's the matter?" Not looking at me, he murmured: "My mother neglects me again. Sometimes, I wonder who's more important to her..." The boy leaned on my shoulder. Not sure what to make of this, I hesitantly caressed his back. "I'm sure your mother loves you more than anything in the world." I tried to comfort him. "Then why does she spend more time with my uncle? She always says that he needs help, but he's a grown-up. I don't really understand," he asked and looked at me. I smiled at him, patting his head. "In hard times grown-ups need help too." He looked at his naked feet and wiggled his toes, thinking about what I said. "I like it when you call me little man. That makes me feel less alone among all adults." I smiled. He turned to me. "You're nice for a slave." My smile lost its shining, and I bowed thanking him. It hurt to be reminded of my status. I stood up. "I have to go now, little man. Don't be sad, I know everything will be fine in the next few days." Confused, he looked up at me but then nodded.

The next day, I was kneeling on the floor to clean it, as Lucius came to me, tapping on my shoulder. "Hey, slave, my mother wants to see you." I looked up and dried my hands. A thousand worries were shooting through my mind. "Yes." I replied, standing up and going with him into his uncles studies. As we entered, I bowed down to the Ceasar and Lucilla. "Here she is. That's the slave that always calls me little man." Lucius stated happily and hugged his mother. My eyes went big. Was that a mistake? But my fear lessened as I saw Lucilla smiling at me. "So you spent time with my son and being a friend to him?" I slowly nodded. "Then I have to show my gratitude to you, slave. Unfortunately you're no good company for him." Lucius looked at his mother confused and let go of her at once. She looked at him vexed. "My dear, we're not befriending slaves." I started shivering. 'Yes, that was a mistake', I thought and looked over to the Ceasar. He ignored us, scribbling something on a scroll at his desk. Then I looked to Lucius again. He went to me and hugged me, arguing: "But she's my only friend. You can't take her from me. That's what you've got from neglecting me!" I held my arms up, not daring to touch him. With the word 'neglecting', the Ceasar looked up to his sister. She didn't notice. Instead, she signaled the guards to get me, tying up my wrists behind my back. "Stop it!" the Ceasar demanded and stood up. Now everyone was looking at him, the guards quickly loosening my ties again. He first focused on me, coming to me. I went down on my knees, bowing down. Shivers went down my spine as I noticed him standing in front of me, only inches away. "Stand up." he said, following my rising face. His enormous presence intimidated me. "Brother, what are you up to?" Lucilla asked, coming to us. Lucius went between me and his uncle, defending me. "She's my friend." With a look to him and then to me, his uncle turned to Lucilla. Now, I recognized the fury in his eyes. "You did neglect my precious nephew?" he hissed, having trouble retaining himself. Lucilla shied away, shaking her head. "No, no, I had to leave him to help you. You know how much it is alone!" "So, I was the reason you left him behind, not caring for him as he deserved?" he taunted, getting really quiet in his tone. With tears in her eyes, she lifted her hands to stop him coming near her. "I won't be responsible for that behavior of yours! I thought you were smarter!" he hissed furiously, letting go of her and pacing back to his desk, leaning on it. He turned his gaze to me, detailing me again. He put his index to his chin, thinking. I looked down to Lucius smiling. He mirrored me and put my hands on his shoulders. Lucilla narrowed her eyes at me upset. At once, I took my hands away again. "Uncle Commodus? You won't do her harm, do you?" Lucius asked. The Ceasar looked at him, slightly smiling. "I won't," he stated shortly, still in his thoughts, and implied me to go now. I bowed deeply. As Lucius grabbed my hand, I left the study with him.

Relieved, I relaxed my body and smiled at the little boy. He smiled back and laid an arm around me. "I didn't expect your uncle to have mercy on me, little man. But I'm glad he had." He chuckled. "Don't be so scared of him. He can be nice if he wants to." I ruffled his hair, walking next to him. "Yes, he just showed me." Lucius went before me walking backwards. "Can we finally play now?" I laughed. "Yes, little man, at your command!"

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a gif from little Lucius :(

[furious-rogue-stuff]

Congratulations, you so deserve all the followers and many, many more!!! As you know I am a HUGE fan of Heat and recommend it to all my friends. Anyhoo my ask is ⚖️🤨✨

My wonderful and most prolific cheerleader! I’m SUPER sorry for the ridiculous wait on this, but I finally got around to your wild Marcus Pike/Sex Pollen?! prompt. I really hope I did this sweet boy justice and that all the banter and smut make up for keeping you waiting so long~!

Thanks, as always, to @just-here-for-the-moment for putting up with my ass and beta reading to make sure this wasn’t complete trash and smutty enough.

Disclaimer: Written in 2nd person narrative, you can safely assume our heroine and love/lust interest is a Spanish woman, written by a Latina. Here’s my philosophy on my writing, for further context.

Rating: Mature/Explicit 🔞

Word Count: 17,000

🚨Author chooses not to include detailed warnings, but the following: Mentions of Teresa Lisbon, marriage, con artist behavior, crime, past relationships, unrequited love, sex pollen, deception, undercover work, graphic depictions of unprotected sex, and slight hurt-comfort.

Haze

There was a time when you were simply a skilled vixen – an entrancing, expert wheeler of the power of suggestion who'd been skimming your way through affluent circles from city to city, but never enough to draw attention to yourself. At least unless you wanted to.

Then, it'd all changed with a chance fumble that was spotted by the least likely source.

He'd been the special agent that had ensnared you and brought you into the fold – propositioning you into using your talents to sharpen the skills of the task force he'd taken the lead position in D.C. for. His team admittedly needed the consultation of someone with the experience and sophistication of being entrenched in the art world, albeit from the wrong side of the law. And you fit the bill.

You hadn't had much choice, considering the prospect of prison for your femme fatale lifestyle to date, and the precarious situation you'd been caught in by said special agent. So, you'd agreed to a career as an indentured asset to the bureau, with the tenure of your time working within the task force at his total discretion.

It had been a contentious adjustment.

Part of you was incredulous that you'd been foiled by the likes of Marcus Pike, and part of him was perplexed that rather than be eager to happily oblige the task force – and him, as its leader, you instead were intent to buck all conventions. This included a vexing, seemingly incessant need to push his buttons – buttons he never even knew he had.

Overtime, though, you'd both found a status quo – a begrudging understanding of how you'd each need to operate and let the other maneuver in order for the arrangement to work.

"—Hope you're not having another late night, Savedra. Not with all the work we have to tackle on this case—"

"Ah, I wonder: Was there ever a time in your life that you weren't in your pajamas and nursing your warm milk before Nick at Nite comes on, Pike? That you went out and had fun without fretting over an early bedtime? Don't worry, I'll be in bright and early—"

"That's what you said the last time, though—"

"Extenuating circumstances beyond my control, Pikey boy—"

"A 'couture trunk show' is Manhattan is hardly a good enough excuse to blame as an 'extenuating circumstance'—"

"To someone who wears the same rumpled suits? Oh, I'm sure it isn't. Now c'mon, Pike's Delight, tell me: How hard did the cashier at Kohl's laugh at you when you bought three versions of the same tie on-sale?"

"They did not—! This tie was a gift, actually—"

The pinch between his brows, the twitch of his lips fighting not to pull into a scowl, and the gruff way he countered back were his unmistakable tells that you'd needled him just right.

"You literally wore one that looked exactly like it the other day, and there was the blue version you had on for the inter-agency ops meeting last week—"

"They're completely different colors, though—"

"But they have the same dull polka dot configuration and they're the same exact semi-satin fabric, which makes them different versions of the same tie—"

"Alright, Dandy Lion. Give it a rest, and go before I set a curfew for your comings and goings."

Your smirk had been charming as you turned to lope down the hall towards the elevators, tossing a casual wave over your shoulder.

"Have a nice night, Pike."

The snappy repartee between you two had become notorious within the task force, and many couldn't help be amused – and take bets – on which of the two of you would have the last word, and the best zinger. Pike tended to score the most in the former, while you easily dominated the latter.

Still, though, Marcus found ways to rein you in, and started to take secret satisfaction in exasperating you right back.

"—I do not appreciate you freezing my accounts, Pike—"

"First of all, it's a single account, although I am considering having all your accounts frozen. Even the ones you think we don't know about—"

"That seems punitive and uncalled for—"

"The account in question is a corporate account, Savedra. It is for work-related expenses, not for lavish shopping hauls at Nordstroms—"

"Um, excuse me, that was a work-related expense. You want me to impersonate a wealthy socialite traveling to London for a black-market art auction, remember? I can't seriously be expected to do so without having the latest Fall must-haves—"

"Oh, so three Mooglar dresses and three Loubootan heels are the Fall must-haves, eh?"

Your full lips flattened in that peeved way for a nanosecond – the tell that indicated he'd successfully annoyed you before you placed your hands on your hips and smoothly deadpanned, "It's Mugler and Louboutin, Pike. And yes, they are essential if you want anyone to believe my cover—"

"You can expense one outfit. The costs of the other two will be docked from your stipend for next month—"

"So, it wouldn't be a good time to mention that I also pre-ordered a limited-edition Chanel purse…?"

"…How much?"

"Oh, it's an absolute steal! And, it'll only go up in value—"

"How much, Dandy Lion?"

You knew he meant business whenever he refers to you by your codename.

"Just a little over six grand…"

"That's more than three times your monthly stipend—!"

"…So then you'll let me expense it to the corporate card?"

"...Close the door on your way out, Savedra."

The smug purse of your lips indicated you'd been teasing him, and you confirmed so by chiming over your shoulder as you strolled out, "No worries. I already have a Chanel bag that'll work for the trip."

"Good. I'll make sure to call the Shanell store and let them know to go ahead and cancel that order, then—"

Pausing at the door, you turn to shoot a berating glare at him where he's sat behind his desk, and scoff condescendingly, "Oh my god, you are purposely butchering the label—you know damn well it's Cha-nel, not Sha-nell!"

You see the sly little quirk to the corner of his mouth he coolly veils by dropping his chin low as he shrugs and drawls, "Dully noted, dandelion."

You pursed your lips and grunted a cavalier sound before strutting out, deciding then and there you needed to do some forensic accounting of your own.

According to his records – the ones you pulled up after hacking into the bureau's internal database, Marcus Pike had been an FBI agent from right out of college. Graduating with honors from a Criminal Justice major, he'd been recruited, gotten stellar marks in Quantico, and received several letters of recommendation. He had an impeccable record, and was frankly a poster boy for a government do-gooder.

A few more backdoor breaches and search engine deep dives later, and you were able to paint quite a full picture from the social media collage-like bits of information you were able to access from college buddies, family friends, and federal databases.

Circumventing the encryption of his email provider allowed you an administrator's view of his account, and you were mystified that this man archived so many communications, no matter how inane, dated, or of innocuous consequence they seemed.

At least until you found the consequential stuff.

There was the correspondence with his divorce attorney from over a decade prior, the utility bills for the home he'd once shared with his ex-wife, the frank and disarmingly candid emails between said ex and him – one of which had the doozy of a line: I love you, Marcus, but I don't think I'm in love with you. I'm not really sure I ever was.

You felt guilty reading his response. Not because you were invading his privacy, but because you could feel how sympathetic he was towards basically being told how having married him had been a mistake – that they'd been fools who rushed into it at a young age before they even knew what they wanted in life. His answer, which was brimming with a veiled, resigned sadness to it that tugged at a heartstring – I guess I just got ahead of myself and took you along with me. I'm sorry – was a window into Marcus you didn't expect to get, nor feel deserving of having.

And then seeing the emails between him and an Agent Teresa Lisbon? How they'd gone from platonic forwards of suggested restaurants to check out, to apartment photos sent back and forth between them? Jumping then abruptly to a galling 'Dear John'-style email from her where she apologizes to him and offers to go in person in order to handle the shipping of her belongings back to Dallas, and promising to properly discuss her decision to break things off with him and not take the job he got for her at the D.C. FBI Major Crimes unit after all?

You'd been astounded.

"Did he really ask her to marry him after a couple of months of dating?!" was your flabbergasted rhetorical question to your empty office during the afterhours snoopfest.

Using your powers of suggestion, you'd eventually gotten more of the details from the task force's tech expert who'd come from the Dallas office with Pike, having befriended the congenial guy who tended to get very chatty over caffeinated drink breaks.

"—Totally brutal. Like, one minute he was smitten and cajoling her into picking an apartment, then he was fist-pumping about her saying yes to his impromptu proposal, and boom – she dumps him for Jane. Talk about getting mind-fucked," he prattled on over coffee, none the wiser that you were internally cataloguing everything.

However, this wasn't the usual fact-finding on a mark that you were used to undertaking.

Pike hadn't struck you as a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, and you perplexingly felt complicit in capitalizing on manipulating your way further into the good graces of the bureau thanks to him vouching for you with the powers that be, knowing now how much of a true-blue good guy he was. Even when he was getting his heart torn out and stomped on.

You ignored the thought about the parallels between he and you in that regard.

"—You with us, Savedra?"

Focusing back onto the meeting you're currently in, you curtly nod to Pike and quip, "Yes, I was just thinking about who would be best suited for the undercover side of the operation, since no offense, none of your fellas really fit the bill."

"Oh?" Marcus crosses his arms and leans back into the wall next to the projector screen that's currently displaying the pattern of the art theft ring's hits. "Care to share why you think so?"

Glancing across at the male agents, before arching a brow when you look at Pike, you gesture to the screen and explain, "The museums aren't the pattern; it's what they took that reveals the pattern. The items taken were antiquities – meaning requiring large crates and secure shipping out of country. Antiquity theft is a perfect front for the real heist: Moving narcotics across borders. They get packed in with the stolen piece, and act as payment for the traffickers moving it."

As you explain, you pull out your tablet and take over the screen of the laptop attached to the projector to screenshare several examples of police busts showing drugs packed in with stolen sculptures.

"There is a very elite pool of players with the means and networks to pull this kind of heist off, and based on the size of these antiquities? I think we're dealing with The Jackal."

Everyone exchanges looks of varying degrees of confusion before Marcus furrows his brow and queries, "Who?"

You roll your eyes as you seamlessly pull up the digital dossier that you'd taken the liberty to compile for the meeting. "It's a wonder how this task force is meant to achieve a damn thing, with the lack of intel you guys have involving actual international art theft…" is your aloof musing as you pull up a database cataloguing the thefts of antiquities and ancient artifacts. "So, The Jackal, boys and girls, is the head of an intercontinental ring of thieves operating in the Mediterranean the last five years or so. No one knows his true identity, but many of the buyers who were captured and cooperated with authorities in Egypt and Greece have given details about how they network."

"Ok…and what leads you to believe that no one here is suited to go undercover on this?" Marcus questions, crossed arms tightening as he eyes you intently when you give him a mischievous look.

"So, there's no way to actually infiltrate this ring. Which makes this operation moot. However, if we impersonate the ring to one of the trafficking syndicates, we might be able to find the buyers and retrieve the artifacts. And right now? None of your fellas resemble the description on file for The Jackal—"

"Wait, you want an agent to go undercover as The Jackal?" Marcus cuts in before he braces his hands onto the conference table so he can lean against it after you nod dramatically. "Well then. Care to tell us your plan?"

You do, detailing the honeypot-trap-style plan and how you'd be the facilitator for The Jackal and the targeted traffickers.

"—However, like I said, we don't have anyone who currently fits the bill for The Jackal—"

"And what is the bill?" Marcus inquires before remarking, "You just said so yourself. No one knows what this guy looks like—"

"No, but most do know rumors of what he's supposedly done, and his physical description leaves a lot lacking, but paints a general picture: Tall, broad-shouldered, boxer-like physique, tan skin, dark hair, strong jaw, dark eyes, and a well-kept beard. His demeanor is intense, intimidating, reticent, but quickly prone to violence," you elaborate, pointedly glancing around at every agent at the conference table, silently noting to Pike how none of them fit the description.

"However, I think with some sprucing up and a change of grooming habits, we might have a decent candidate," you remark coolly before you tap on your tablet screen to pull up a current badge photo of an agent in the task force that you think could be transformed to go undercover.

Marcus glances over at his own I.D. photo and watches the gif animation you created that augments his appearance by adding a beard and lengthening his hair slightly.

Some of the other agents have to stifle snickers or check their smirks as you innocently smile at their boss, who is glaring sharply at you.

Needless to say, when it's just you and him in his office after the meeting, you are able to argue your case effectively.

Marcus spends extra time at the gym, and grows out his hair in preparation. He even agrees to allow for your styling of him when the time comes.

A month later, Marcus has grown a beard and let his hair shag out into a more rugged style. You've been covertly taking notice, appreciating how his boring dress shirts now cling to his shoulders and accentuate the muscle of his pectorals and arms. It would still be another month before the seeds you'd planted for the sting operation had taken root, and likely a couple of additional weeks after that to actually execute the operation, so you figured you'd use the time wisely while your guy Pike threw himself into work across the task force's other major cases.

Marcus had gotten to a point with you where he didn't see you just as a rambunctious asset anymore, and with your cooperation and aptitude for the work, he began to categorize you as an integral member of the task force.

After all, you'd ingratiated yourself with the other agents and techs, helped train everyone in how to spot forgeries from the real things, and had volunteered to be the lure on certain cases, as well as his expert when it came to navigating relations with the bigger international agencies. There had been many times now he'd been complimented on the ingenuity of employing you to the cause, and there'd at least been one offer to take you off his hands if he was inclined to part with your expertise and charm.

Marcus took the praise in stride, and summarily declined the offer.

You were smart, resourceful, and masterful when it came to the work. His team was better for it, and he recognized – privately – that he was lucky to have you helping the task force look so skilled in cracking cases.

And the fact you were the most gorgeous woman he'd ever seen wasn't bad, either.

Still, he'd learned his lesson on courting while on the job, and you were definitely not someone he could earnestly consider as, well, anything more than an unconventional resource with a riskily long leash he was responsible for.

However, he debates about how sustainable this whole arrangement was, long-term. He'd gotten better at reading you, though, so he decides to bide his time for the right moment to discuss where your ambitions currently sit. After all, just because you were an 'indentured servant' didn't mean you weren't looking ahead to things – to a life after you'd done your time.

He wondered if you might want to become an in-field consultant, permanently. You'd partnered with the agents on his team on a whole variety of cases, and had earned their respect. Hell, they trusted you, and from what he could see, it seemed to be vice versa with you as well. And with every case you participated in, Marcus saw something new that slowly peeled the mystique and chipped away at the impression he had of you.

From witnessing how truly charming you could be while talking to foreign officials, to how genuinely kind and selfless you'd been when empathizing with victims of a museum heist, to the infectious warmth you exuded when the team was on downtime after a particularly grueling case. All these different facets had started to form a better picture of the woman you really were, and Marcus found himself looking forward to learning more.

When he returns from a short trip to Dallas for a deposition after a couple of days and heads up to the task force's floor to catch up on work late in the evening, he walks by your office and finds you pacing around with your tablet, in the middle of strategizing the big operation.

"That's a big artifact you've pulled from the archive," Marcus comments after he's watched you map things out.

You whirl around and snicker at seeing him lope in to survey what you've pinned to the transparent board in your office.

"Go big or go home, Shaggy," you can't help razz, grinning when he gives you a deriding look. "What? It's a good look for you, Pike—"

"Careful, Savedra. That sounded dangerously close to a compliment," he puckishly taunts and slips his hands into his gray slacks pockets when you squint humorously at him.

"Well, that's because it was," you remark simply, turning to retrieve your stylus from the desk and missing the way his features etched with surprise. "I think another couple of weeks of beard growth, and you'll be ready. Oh! And at some point, we have to go get you fitted for a couple of suits—"

Frowning, he crosses his arms and grumbles, "I have plenty of suits—"

"Correction: You have plenty of sad, drab, 'I clearly work for the FBI' suits. Nothing dashing and stylishly-tailored like what The Jackal has been rumored to wear," is your matter-of-fact counter as you sketch out a floorplan for the honeypot's meet room.

He grunts noncommittally and runs his fingers across his moustache as he looks over the map of the warehouse planned for the fake stolen art depot. "Well, it's a good thing I have a fashionista on the books who'll help spruce up my wardrobe, then, wildcat," he drawls in a raspy musing, and you can't help glance his way and admire the broad set of his shoulders under the gray blazer.

"So, how was Dallas?" you find yourself asking as you busy yourself saving the schematic that's on your tablet screen.

He turns halfway to look at you, as if surprised, before shrugging and recovering the aloof look on his features while he turns back to the board. "It was uneventful," is all he replies, but by the way he balances his weight onto one leg and crosses his arms tight, you can tell he's lying, but trying to be cool about it.

He's lying to himself—trying to convince himself it was uneventful.

You hum, and set your tablet and stylus aside on your sideboard before sitting on the edge of your appointed desk. "Well then, Pike's Delight! Please tell me you'll do something eventful? Have a wild weekend planned? Or are you going to spend it organizing your sock drawer—?"

He turns with a snort to snicker, "Give me a little credit. If you keep the sock drawer organized, you don't have to spend time getting it organized," and at your chuckle, he adds, "I'll spend it likely how I did last weekend—"

"Oh, let me guess: Farmer's market, then back to your place for dinner in front of the TV—"

"…I don't always go to the farmer's market to grocery shop, but yeah, dinner and a movie, sure—"

"Bet things were riotous at the produce stand—Oh! And I bet you watched something racy on Lifetime?" you can't help jibe irreverently as you cross your arms and lean into your perched seat more.

"Nope," Marcus smoothly refutes, before admitting, "It was TCM, and nothing racy."

You smile, truly amused. "Food shopping outside, cooking, and a Turner Classic Movie? Sounds like some action-packed shi—"

"Instead of ragging on it, you should try it out for yourself," Marcus finds himself blurting charismatically before he's registered the gravity of such a proposition. Your features betray mild intrigue, as if you're waiting for him to say something else to signal it's a joke. When he begins to muse, "Ah, I only mean—it's a cool spot with great vendors. I'm not much of a splurger on that kind of thing, but every once in a while, I go and get stuff to whip up a nice dinner—"

"Oh? Have you been holding out on me, Pikey boy? Are you a secret foodie?" you chime with a lilting tone, smile brilliant when he scoffs, as if caught. "You are! Well then, now I gotta see this 'nice dinner' and be the judge of your culinary compétence, cowboy. Although, I'm pretty sure I can whip up a way more delicious supper—"

"I'm gonna have to see that for myself, so it's settled, wildcat."

How you ended up making plans to meet up at the farmer's market on a lovely autumn afternoon to ingredient shop and have a cook-off at Pike's place is beyond you, but then again, he had a way of wearing your guard down into lightheartedness, and it wasn't the first time you'd had fun just bantering with him either. So, here you were, with your canvas tote at your shoulder over your nondescript leather carryall purse as you glance around for the agent in the promenade's foot traffic. Thinking about the puckish smirk he had on his full lips when he called you 'wildcat' – the nickname he seemed to prefer when he wanted to disarm you, while 'dandelion' is what he used when he was charmed by you.

"Well, you actually showed."

You turn to see Marcus in a pair of comfy-looking jeans, light-gray Henley shirt, and dark leather jacket with matching boots and belt.

He eyes you with an appraising glance before admitting, "I had to do a double-take to make sure it was you. I think I've only ever seen you in fancy tailored outfits the entire time you've been with us."

"I'm just channeling a cool and relaxed normie at a farmer's market," you tease as you smoothen down your comfy thin-cotton terracotta sweatshirt, feeling at ease in the formfitting black jeggings and cognac-colored boots.

"It suits you," he compliments before his brain has registered the inappropriateness of it.

You can't help smile before you hand him the shopping tote and deride, "That's quite the compliment, I suppose. Now make yourself useful and carry this so I can have my hands free to peruse, hot stuff."

Huffing in amusement, he takes the tote and falls in step with you as you both start strolling through the bustling outdoor farmer's market.

It's an afternoon filled with light conversation, quipping repartee, and lots of shopping thanks to you both agreeing to a friendly cookoff back at Pike's place. Once your shopping tote is full and he's carrying two paper bags filled with items, you both head down to the nearest metro station and ride the line to his stop.

The walk to his apartment is pleasant, even though you're arguing.

"—Why keep it a secret?"

"Because you'll have a smart remark and develop an instant bias—"

"We're cooking in the same space, Pike—"

"So? You just make your dishes without spying over at mine—"

"Ugh, fine. Oh, we haven't discussed what the winner will get—"

"Lifelong bragging rights?" Marcus proposes smugly as he keys open the entry door and holds it open for you.

"That's it?" you snicker while opening the foyer door and holding it open for him.

"What else is there?" he jokes as he leads the way to the elevator.

Once you're both in and he's pressed the button for his floor, you chime, "How about if you win, I'll quit ragging on you for a week, and if I win, you let me out of my servitude—?"

"That's hardly equal in value, dandelion," is his glib counter as the elevator doors slide open.

"Alright, M. Then what do you propose?" you lilt sardonically while he leads the way to his door and keys in.

Marcus grunts a humored sound, thanks to your James Bond codename reference growing on him the more you use it in convivial conversation.

"Winner gets to pick the movie?" he compromises as he opens his door and gestures for you to enter.

You do so, and take in his bachelor abode with so much veiled intrigue that it takes you a moment to think of a retort to his proposal. "Uh, fine. Sure," you finally singsong, as if resigned to it, but really you don't mind it.

After all, you're too busy admiring the art on his walls.

The apartment was cozy. He had a large L-shaped sectional couch and mid-century modern side tables mixed in with functional bookshelves and accent pieces that made the space warm, yet tastefully elevated compared to the general bachelor pad.

It's an open floorplan, so the kitchen is adjacent to the living room with the island separating the spaces, making it easy for Marcus to catch your appraising surveying after he's set the grocery bags down on the counter next to the stove.

"Alright. C'mon, let me have it," he charismatically jibes, gesturing for you to go ahead and voice your critiques of his place.

You chuckle and shake your head irreverently as you lope over to set down your full canvas tote onto the opposite side of the kitchen island from where he's standing.

"I'm impressed, actually," you tell him honestly, smirking when his brows arch up in surprise. "No, really. Being confronted with proof that you do have good taste is quite gratifying—"

"And there it is," he scoffs and blows a raspberry as he sheds his leather jacket and tosses it onto the nearest kitchen table chair's back before hiking up his Henley's sleeves and drawling, "Alright, Barefoot Contessa, let's get this show going. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Placing your purse on the end table with the lamp and strolling around to go to his sink, you nod towards the record player stand with the organized shelf filled with vinyl albums you spotted next to the entertainment center and remark as you wash your hands, "Impressive collection. What's the last record you had playing?"

He's just finished setting out all his ingredients onto his designated end of the kitchen island when he quirks a taunting brow and drawls, "Nothing you'd be into, I'm sure—"

"Hah, try me. Put it on, and I bet I can guess what it is—"

"If you can't, then you have to tell me your favorite album, and if I don't have it, you have to pull it up on your phone and play it," he challenges with a charming smile as he goes to the record player.

"Deal," you chirp as you take stock of his kitchen before checking in the bottom cabinets for the pots and pans that you'll need.

You get a head start on setting up for your cooking thanks to him fiddling with the record player before you hear the speakers crisply come on as the distinctive intro to the song reverberates through.

At the melodic plucking of guitar strings, you smirk and shout over your shoulder, "'Roundabout' by Yes, off of their album 'Fragile'."

Marcus is impressed, poking his head around from where the wall beam blocks you in the kitchen. "Well, shit. It didn't even get to the chorus—"

"I told you, Pike. I know my stuff," you smugly rub in as you start to chop vegetables on the cutting board you found in the nearest drawer.

"Marcus."

You pause and look back over at him with a curiously arched brow when he lopes in and leans his shoulder against the beam after crossing his arms, casual and relaxed as he stares with warmth in his dark brown eyes at you.

"We're off the clock, so…you can call me Marcus," he elaborates.

"Well then, you do the same," you tell him softly before dipping your chin down to hide your delighted smile as you resume chopping.

He leaves the album to play, and you can see his broad frame near in your peripheral. His baritone is like velvet over steel when he says your name, then rasps, "—We're each doing three courses still?"

Your brain fixates on how Marcus said your first name for the first time. Not the shortened version some of the other agents and techs refer to you by while at happy hour, but your full first name, and he enunciates it the way it's meant to be, which sends an exhilarated, effervescent tickle up your spine.

Heat tingles into the seat of your core, for some odd reason. "Yes. Best of two out of three wins, and gets to pick the movie," is your smooth retort as you cube the rest of the tomato. "Now, quit cheating and go to your corner of the kitchen!"

He chuckles and hops to it, seeming unconcerned with the needing to do any prep for his dishes.

"So, you're into 70's rock?" he queries as he washes his hands in the sink.

"I like all music. But c'mon, that was a classic. Anyone would've guessed right—"

"You'd be surprised," he counters affably as he dries his hands on a dishtowel. "If it isn't from the last decade, most people can't name it—"

"By most people, do you mean 'most women I break out the record collection to' can't name it?" you joke, smirking over your shoulder at him when he turns to look at you coyly. You're tempted to ask, 'Did Agent Lisbon pass your music test?' but decide against it, and instead muse, "Well, lucky for you, I have great taste – in all things."

Marcus glances over at you, and smirks, remarking in a cool hum, "It would seem so."

The cook-off becomes more of a banter session while you both work on your dishes, maneuvering around each other and trying to keep your attention on your individual courses in order not to spoil the surprise of the grand reveals.

"—You were in a band?!"

"Yep. Back in the day—"

"Oh! Let me guess…you played rhythm guitar—"

"Nope! I played bass, and sang vocals. Well, backup vocals, mostly—"

"So you can totally play the bass riff in 'Roundabout', right?"

"Most definitely. Although, don't ask me to sing—"

"I wasn't. I was going to demand that you sing—"

"Quit trying to distract me. I'm doing delicate work here, wildcat—"

"You've literally not started anything on the stove—"

"My dishes are fairly quick, though, so I'm being chivalrous and giving you the advantage…for now," Marcus roguishly quips while seamlessly uncorking a bottle of wine, pouring a serving into a nice glass before handing it to you with easy charm.

You giggle despite yourself before sipping the wine.

Before long, you have enough of your meals in progress that you offer to change the record while Marcus starts marinating and whisking things in the kitchen.

"Oh, you do have my favorite album!" you exclaim convivially, causing Marcus to grin as he seasons his main entrée's protein. "Ok, I'm putting it on, and you better be able to guess—"

"Ah, I will, dandelion. Go on," he lobs humorously over his shoulder as he starts to cook.

The aromatic cornucopia of cooking fills the apartment with so many interwoven scents that it's difficult for either of you to decipher what the other's dishes are, and all his pots and pans have opaque lids, or are in the oven covered with tinfoil.

Marcus is contemplating taking a little peek at one of the simmering pans you have on the back burner when he hears the record start playing.

The instrumental piano bars sound prescient through the speakers, but Marcus knows instantly what album it is.

"That's 'Imagine' by John Lennon, off of the 'Imagine' album," he declares as he gets the griddle hot on the available burner, smiling broadly before asking, "This is really your favorite album?"

"Yes! I love John Lennon—"

"I'm more of a Paul McCartney guy."

And so begins the next round of banter between you.

Soon enough, though, you're both plating your dishes and hiding them on the opposite ends of the kitchen's countertops before Marcus sets the table and brings over the bottle of wine to top off both your glasses.

"—Alright, ladies first," Marcus declares as he sits on one end of the square table.

You are more than happy to go first, believing there's no way he can top any of your three dishes.

"Well, M. First, I present a bruschetta with both heirloom and cherry tomatoes," you place the dish before him, and Marcus marvels at how delicate yet rich all the ingredients look on the toasted crostini-style breads.

"Next, is a black bean and mushroom risotto," is your lilting announcement as you return and place the piping dish down, smiling as he leans forward to catch the curling aroma wafting up from the center of the risotto.

"And finally, herb roasted chicken breast with garlic confit mashed potatoes," is your confident declaration as you place the dish down.

"Wow," is all Marcus can muster as he eyes the gourmet-looking spread you were able to whip up. Begrudgingly impressed, he scrapes his palm along his bearded cheek as he marvels, "This…this is good—"

"You can't say so until you've tried it," you snicker as you sit across from him. "Well? Time to show yours, Mr. Confident."

Marcus's lips quirk at the moniker, and the dark gleam of cocky amusement warms his eyes before he stands from his seat.

"Ok, close your eyes. I'm gonna carry all three out at the same time."

You do as you're asked, smiling goofily at the mental image of him in a ruffled apron effortlessly flouncing around a kitchen with all the dishes balanced in his arms.

"Ta-da!"

You open your eyes, and stare dubiously at the three courses he's placed before you before shooting a snarky stare up at him.

"Oh my god. You literally went the Denny's route?!"

"Hah, Denny's got nothing on any of my dishes! Here is my special vanilla-cinnamon French toast with homemade sausage patties and pure maple syrup. Texas-toast grilled cheese with Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese – with a creamy tomato soup with freshly-picked basil sprinkled on top for dipping. And last, but not least, cheese burgers with lettuce, onion, and tomato, and hand-cut steak fries, with my own mix of salt, pepper and dry-rub buffalo seasoning sprinkled on 'em," Marcus grandly presents and gestures to every dish before giving you a boyish little smile.

Diplomatically, you stand to arrange all the dishes to be within reaching distance for you both before you pat the chair nearest you, indicating he should sit there rather than across from you.

"Ok, cowboy. Let's dig in while it's all still hot!"

You both try each other's dishes, and are blown away by how delicious they are. Then, you eat from your own courses, and trade compliments. Soon enough, the bottle of wine is dry and you're both full – unable to eat another bite. So you help Marcus pack what's left and store it away while continuing to rate which of you won out in the cookoff.

"—How about this: We call it a tie, and we'll surf through the channels until we find a movie we both want to watch?" Marcus proposes as he uncorks the new bottle of wine while you take your boots off and set them aside by the front door.

"No! C'mon, no participation trophy draw," you challenge with a goofy scoff before rounding his couch to meet him halfway to take the offered glass of wine.

"Ok, then you tell me, who medaled in each course?" he derides as he puts the bottle onto the kitchen island and joins you on the sofa with his own topped off glass.

"Hmm, let's see…I think scrumptious breakfast always trumps its challenger, so my bruschetta is out," you rationalize out loud and cross your legs as you lean back into the comfy cushion. At his proud grunt, you quickly caveat, "But! While I really liked your burger, I think my herb roasted chicken was slightly better."

"Alright, so then the tie-breaker is the second course round," he remarks, and at your hum in agreement, he honestly rumbles, "I really liked your risotto."

"And I really liked your grilled cheese and tomato soup. So I think we're stuck with one win each," is your faux huff, but the smirk pulling you lips is impish when he squints dubiously at you. "What? Do you disagree with my assessments?"

"I don't," he drawls, picking up the remote with his free hand before offering it to you. "Start surfin', wildcat."

You do, and end up surprising him by stopping on the TCM channel and looking over at him when the movie description lists Gold Diggers of 1933 as the film that was about to begin.

"This is a good one. Up for watching it—?"

"You like old movies?"

"Well, yes. There are few good ones. I think I've must've seen Casablanca in six different languages at this point," you retort with genuine delight and shrug when he balks at you.

"Really? Casablanca?" he asks, truly charmed when you smile sheepishly for the first time. "No, I'm not teasing. I just don't think I've ever met anyone other than my grandmother who liked that movie too—"

"Well, I moved around a lot, and no matter where you're at in the world, classic cinema will be playing on some channel or at a theater. Watching old movies overseas – when they dub over the English, or at least list the subtitles beneath? It's a great way to learn the language," is your thoughtful rationale as you shift to comfortably sit in a way that you're angled towards him. "They're filled with old-fashion charm, glitz and glamour – even when they're dark and tragic stories...but this one is a silly romp of a musical, if you're into that kind of thing."

He knew your history from the intel reports he'd been given after you'd been detained. Clearing his throat, he set his wine glass aside and got comfortable on his end of the sofa, making the split decision not to broach the topic further.

"I've only seen parts of this one, so I'm good with watching it," is Marcus's easygoing remark, glancing over at you with a smile as he assures, "Go on. Stretch out and take a load off. If you get chilly, help yourself to the throw blanket."

You don't have to be told twice.

Soon enough, you're both engrossed in the film. You sit with your legs tucked underneath you, the blanket over your lap, and your arm folded over the back cushion while Marcus lounges with his sock-clad feet propped up on the edge of the coffee table. Every so often, one of you points out something, or joke around during the short commercial breaks.

"—I find it real telling how you spent so much time raggin' on my low-key evening plans," he chuckles now after he's finished his latest glass of wine. When you feign incomprehension, he rolls his eyes and rumbles, "You're just as big of a relaxed homebody as me—"

You snort, conspiratorially leaning towards him, a bit uninhibited now that the wine is cruising through your bloodstream, and confide in a flirty murmur, "What can I say, Marcus. I just enjoy hassling you."

A flicker of thrill flares in his apex at your words and the beguiling smile you give him. The alcohol's started flushing his cheeks, but the blush that creeps up his neck is definitely not from all the imbibing.

"I kind of picked up on that…eventually," he finds himself replying, lopsided smirk infinitely endearing to you. He was just about to say something else, when the commercial break ended and the movie returned on screen.

Before long, that film ends, and you're both in such a mellow state that you end up watching the next movie that runs right after it.

You talk during the breaks for that film too, and are charmed to learn more about each other.

"—So your mom liked art?"

"Yeah. She loved watercolors. Every so often, she'd take me to the museum when they had a new exhibit. Growing up, she wanted to be a painter…"

He tells you about how he'd grown up of humble means. His father had died when he was still very young, so his grandparents – a retired police deputy and first-grade teacher – helped raise him while his widowed mother held down two jobs. It explained a lot about him – his timelessly endearing charm, the chivalrous way he comported himself, and his love for classic films.

"…My grandmother loved Gone with the Wind the most. My granddad would watch old Jimmy Stewart Westerns pretty exclusively, though," he finishes remarking with a faraway smile on his features.

You can't help smirk as you lilt, "A real Bandolero! fan, then?"

Marcus snickers after draining the last of his wine. "Yep. Although The Man from Laramie was his favorite."

You both enjoy the rest of the movie once it resumes, but at some point, all the food and wine catch up with you both, and the movie on the TV becomes the perfect ambient-inducer for slumber to occur.

You don't know how, but when you eventually wake early the next morning, you find that in your sleep, you'd stretched out length-wise on the couch – and had slept snuggled between Marcus and the back cushions, with your head resting on his shoulder and your arm around his waist, while his was folded around your back.

Besides the sobering shock of it, your senses are flooded with the appealing whiff of his faint cologne, and the intermingled scents of his soap and natural musk. His body against yours felt good, and the alluring urge to nuzzle into his neck has arousal tingling down into your core before you're able to come to your senses and jolt up.

Marcus wakes groggily at the shift of the cushions as you amble up and shimmy away from the spot next to him you'd just vacated. The TV is still on, playing Father of the Bride, and it isn't until you're tossing the throw away from your legs that he snaps fully into awareness.

"Mmph, shit—sorry. I didn't mean to doze off like that," is his gruff mutter, baritone rough from disuse as he yawns and stretches.

You're too busy trying to hide your mortification as you bolt up from the sofa and round it to grab your purse before heading for your boots. "Um, yeah. It's morning, so, I'm just gonna let myself out—"

He sits up and frowns as he scratches at his mussed hair, realizing indeed, it's before dawn.

"Hey, you don't have to rush out. I can give you a ride to your place – I'll make us coffee, and whip up some breakfast before we go," Marcus offers warmly, not realizing you've already got one boot pulled on and are fussing to get the other on.

"No, that's alright. I'll catch a cab," you're telling him as you stand, looping your purse over your shoulder, crossbody, before self-consciously brushing your hands over your hair and finally sparing a glance his way as you remark, "I don't wanna impose any more than I have already—"

Marcus springs up from the couch, internally swearing at the morning wood he's sporting, while already assuring, "C'mon, you're not imposing at all—"

Bemused, he's just turned after covertly adjusting himself in his jeans to see you already at the door.

"See you at work, Pike."

You're out the door before he's even able to articulate a response.

If you were both honest, there had been a not-so-subtle buildup occurring between you.

However, after cookoff-gate, things had swerved into a direction neither of you seemed equipped to maneuver.

Your guard was all the way back up with him. So much so, you weren't even verbally sparring with him at the office anymore.

Marcus handled it the only way he knew how: Focus exclusively on work, and leave no question that his intentions were recalibrated back onto what he assumed you expected. That you wanted nothing but a professional rapport, and to rebuff anything else.

Even after that theory was tested with the club incident soon after the distance between you began – a torrid event that had left him pining for something more, Marcus was left more confused than before when you instead became even more distant.

You were on the precipice of uncertainty for the first time since you'd been ensnared into the task force.

So much so, that you were planning on making the antiquities sting your last.

None of this was because you didn't feel anything for Marcus. Quite the contrary. Your attraction was magnetic, and you hadn't realized how much you'd longed to be safe with someone the way you did when you were with him. It was too dangerous to give into it. That's why you intended to keep your walls up and to suppress all your feelings on the matter in order to concentrate of your impending exit strategy.

But then, things are never that simple.

Marcus is livid when he gets off the elevator and storms at a stalking pace down the corridor several days before the undercover operation is targeted to begin. Everyone takes notice, but the uncharacteristic glower on his rugged features is so intimidating that no one dares check in with him.

He makes it to your office, abruptly enters, and slams the door after himself before stomping to where you're sat behind your desk.

"What the hell possessed you to go around my back and contract an informant without my authorization?!" he shouts forcefully as he looms over you while you stare up at him and frown.

"Nothing. He's been part of the plan since the beginning—"

"Part of the plan that you haven't disclosed to me. And had you told me about the fence you recruited from within the group we're trying to take down, I would've never allowed it!" is Marcus's furious harangue, hands going to his hips to prevent him from gesticulating angrily at you. "You went to the U.S. Attorney and secured an immunity deal with him without my consent—!"

"There was no feasible way to infiltrate this organization without someone on the inside willing to vouch for me, and who can also co-sign that you're The Jackal. He's one of the very few people in the world who has actually seen him and knows his demeanor. And, he's got the motivation to not screw us. He wants out of the life, and knows we're his only chance of making it out alive," you rationalize as you stand and round your desk to point at your transparent board. "See? He's given me key coordinates, and after this morning's intel session with him, I have even more crucial info—"

Marcus grabs your elbow to steer you around to face him and his unwavering scowl. "You are not an agent, Savedra. All you are is a resource – an asset to this team, with no standing to orchestrate these kinds of things behind my back—"

"Listen, Pike. I'm the last person you have to remind of how short my leash is here. I've never forgotten that, least of all that you're the one holding the other end of it. Your task force is a joke, mostly. If you're going to be meek about how you go after these syndicates, then you might as well close shop and go back to Dallas," you snap and shrug your arm out of his hold, staring at him fiercely as you add, "Now, be mad all you want, but if you pull the plug on things now, you're going to derail weeks of work, and set your team back months. I, for one, would like to make all the effort count."

Clenching his jaw, Marcus exhales through his nose and pins you in his dark glare as he grounds out, "Fine. But this is the last time you pull a stunt like this. Understood?"

You nod curtly before turning away to recalibrate your poise as you sigh out.

"Now that we got that out of the way, I set up a session with him so he can detail to you what you need to channel when you're undercover."

Said session does nothing to assuage Marcus, but at least he gets the needed context of what this middle-aged criminal knows, and is briefed on key intel no one has on The Jackal.

The initial meet a few days later with the traffickers goes according to plan.

You convince them of your expertise as a collector of privately-acquired relics, and they buy your explanation of needing the help of a network in order to transport the large, archaic limestone Greek statue of the sphinx you sought to move overseas to a wealthy buyer. The fence, Elio, steers the crew to The Jackal being the appropriate track, and as planned, arranges the fake meet between the traffickers, you, and The Jackal himself.

Marcus didn't need a lot of motivation to channel a reticent, stony man quick to intimidation. His intense demeanor was exactly what everyone in the room expected, thanks to The Jackal's reputation preceding him. However, Elio had divulged one thing that no one outside of this kind of black-market syndicate knew about the head of the Mediterranean art theft ring.

"—Before I give my blessing to this transaction, I'd like to get to know who I'm doing business with."

You'd turned to Marcus and expertly portrayed cautious intrigue. It really wasn't hard, with how dapper he looked in his dark black suit, sans a tie and with a matching open-collared dress shirt underneath the tailored blazer. His hair was swept back, curling in shaggy whisps at his nape and behind his ears. And while his beard wasn't as thick and full as Elio had mentioned The Jackal's being, you thought he looked roguishly handsome, nevertheless.

"And I would be obliged to do whatever necessary to make our business nothing but successful, Sciacallo," you tell him, using the Italian moniker The Jackal favors when doing business.

As planned, Marcus leads you out of the impromptu gathering at the hangout the traffickers use and escorts you to the private quarters upstairs. However, unlike you'd planned up until five minutes before you'd entered the hideout for the meet, you and Marcus weren't dropping your covers once the door to the room closes.

You can't. Not with Elio mentioning that they had installed hidden cameras throughout the hideout, and he couldn't guarantee that the security goons monitoring the feeds wouldn't leave any camera or audio device on in the private quarters.

Marcus had been fuming when you'd faked leaning in to flirt with The Jackal, and whispered about the cameras in the room upstairs. His eyes had hardened and his jaw clenched, but he feigned like he was annoyed by someone talking too loudly close to you both.

So, having not planned this part, you were anxious and exhilarated.

The door clicked shut behind you, and Marcus gave the room a cursory stare before turning to you and murmuring, "See? Much better. We can hear ourselves talk. Perhaps you'll repeat what you said downstairs?"

You feel butterflies in your stomach as you approach him sultrily and caress your hand over the lapel of his suit. "I said, I'm eager to partner with you, handsome," you purr, eyes inviting as you glance up at him through the fringe of your lashes.

"That's what I thought," Marcus husks before trailing his hand up your arm to graze along your shoulder before snaking across your collarbone and up to clasp the slender column of your neck and wrap his thick, dexterous fingers around your throat lightly. He can feel your pulse racing, so he backs you up slowly into the nearest wall before cradling your jaw with a possessive caress of his hand as he rumbles, "I like eager and beautiful women."

Your body reacts, arching into him as you tilt your head back and stare alluringly at him before he leans down and kisses you with voracious zeal.

You dimly wonder if it's truly improvised undercover work when you've wanted Marcus to kiss you like this for weeks – maybe even longer, if you were being honest with yourself.

Marcus is wound tight in his chest with worry, but the way you loop your arms around him and hum into his mouth when he deepens the kiss gives him some relief that maybe this isn't a complete clusterfuck. The thought that they could be watching you both, though, kept him on edge – focused on not getting carried away in how phenomenal having you like this was and instead hyperaware of staying on task.

Mercifully, before things got carried away, a clueless underling walked in on you both, which gave Marcus the perfect opportunity to showcase the infamous fury The Jackal was known for.

He was off of you and slamming the guy up against the doorframe in an instant, yoking him up and contumely cursing him out before the dude could stammer an apology and the girl he had brought up with him ran off to avoid any wrath herself.

Fracas smoothened over by the underling's leader, who profusely apologized to The Jackal, things went back on track as planned, and you were able to leave the hideout with a guarantee that your antiquity could be smuggled overseas and sold to your contact.

The final meeting for the sting operation, however, did not go as planned.

You'd made it all the way up to the handoff at the warehouse when the boss of the trafficking syndicate suddenly tried to change the terms of the deal, by trying to make you reveal the name of your buyer overseas. There you were, surrounded by underlings and enforcers who were packing the crate housing the artifact with the contraband supplied by The Jackal, when you had to smoothly refuse.

The burly man had approached you swiftly, making a veiled threat you'd already composed a rebuttal for when all hell broke loose. You don't even know how it happened, but one second the tactical team rushed in and the guy pulled out a knife while he was lunging to grab your elbow. In a blink, though, you're yanked away and the knife swung wide and slashed at one of the stacked bundles near the crate.

You'd given up on trying to regain your bearings with how your eyes and sinuses were burning, vision watering and stinging as you blindly let Marcus haul you out of the sting's warehouse – having barreled into danger to extract you. The unidentified powder was part of the narcotic contraband to be stored in the crate with the artifact, but the contents of the torn bundle went airborne and caked over you before he was able to whisk you out of the fray and to a safehouse.

Even in the hyper rushed aftermath, his ears were still ringing.

Marcus had yanked you away from being attacked or taken hostage, but not before the powder exploded out like a confetti-cannon over you while shots started ringing out in the warehouse.

The pink haze had the consistency of dry cement as it fluttered down, and even he wasn't spared the hit of it flitting against the side of his face in the chaos.

The fallout was technically his fault, but the main target of the sting had threatened you, so he'd rushed in with backup. The ensuing pandemonium of the raid and the frenzy of pink powder haze and bullets flying had made it a frenzied operation for him.

He'd acted first and thought second, which was not the norm for him. But the threat? It had propelled him to determinedly bust in to extract you, cover being blown be damned. As far as he was concerned, it was unimportant now and of little consequence to him.

Well, now, while he hissed and scrubbed the chemical residue from his face as he locked the door and engaged the security system, he did let his anger swirl up in him all over again.

He hears you coughing in the bathroom, and no matter how exasperating you've been, something fierce coils in his chest at the distressing sound of you dry heaving and gasping to catch your breath.

Tucking his service weapon into the holster underneath his leather jacket, Marcus finds his way down into the narrow hall where the bathroom is, squinting the entire way as he absently wipes at his heated features in attempt to get the strange powder removed.

He knocks on the door before grousing lowly, "Hey, you ok?"

You croak some sort of scoff before running the faucet again and trying to get the cakey residue out from your nostrils so you can breathe without wheezing. Once you've splashed water over your face, you mumble, "I think so."

The door cracks ajar before Marcus pokes his head in to survey you. "What?"

"I said, I think so," you snap, cupping your hands under the faucet and splashing water messily over your flushed features.

"Damn…here, come sit and let me have a look at you," you hear him grumble as his footsteps approach you from behind.

He cups your elbow and firmly tugs you away from the sink to steer you towards the bathtub's ledge, yanking a hand towel from a nearby rack as he sits you down so he can try helping you scrub the remnants of the bubblegum-pink powder off your face.

You sneeze, which causes an itchy sensation in the back of your throat that sends you into another coughing fit, so Marcus hurriedly gets the glass you'd left on the sink vanity and refills it with cool water before placing it in your hands and helping guide it to your lips.

"Small sips. Take it slow," he murmurs in a firm baritone, ignoring his own discomfort to tend to you.

"Mmph," you grunt before taking a breath and shaking your head. "What the hell—what is this stuff?!"

"I'm not sure—"

"What if it's some kind of toxin?!" you exclaim as you try to stare at him without having your eyes water from the menthol-like burn.

"It's not. Remember the narcotic contraband was loaned to us by DEA. There's no way they'd let something toxic be used for a sting—"

"Then why is this stuff making me feel like I just got hit with powdered speed?!" you gripe as you snatch the towel from his grip so you can scrub your face more.

Marcus feels feverish and antsy himself, so he goes to the sink and runs the tap to splash his own features with cool water. "Probably just an irritant from the pink dye—"

"Ugh, I'm covered in this crap," you grouse as you begin to scrub the damp cloth down your neck and decolletage, ignoring how your slinky black dress is hanging in a racy, askew manner at your bustline from the strap drooping off of your shoulder.

Marcus catches himself staring at your cleavage before he hoarsely clears his throat and turns away. "I'll go see if there's anything you can change into," he croaks as he rushes out of the bathroom, heading for the spartan bedroom at the end of the hall and into the armoire across from the bed.

It's then while he's muttering crossly to himself, that he realizes his phone is vibrating in his jacket's pocket. Swearing, he retrieves it and answers, "Pike."

"Jeez, man! I've been calling yah nonstop," the DEA partner, Agent Jarvis, who helped coordinate things with the narcotic contraband for the sting, is barking in his ear. "Where are you?!"

"At a safehouse—"

"I was told your asset got a face-full of one of the powder bricks when shit went south—"

"She did. I caught some too, in the melee of trying to extract her—"

"…Shit. Ok, so, we have a problem," Agent Jarvis warns, before seriously instructing, "Listen to me very carefully, Pike. You and your asset were exposed to Pheral. If you haven't already, you're going to start feeling some effects from it—"

"Whoa, what the hell are you talking about? Pheral? What even is that?"

"So, it's a designer drug out of Amsterdam that's becoming big in the affluent, socialite drug scenes at clubs all around the world. It's a synthetic chemical composite of human pheromones, but it's potent and has the same effects as doing ketamine and acid. However, it's a disinhibitor; it hits the system and can cause coronary distress—"

Marcus is listening in horror while the man instructs him to remove any tainted clothes and rinse the residue off as soon as possible, all as he feels the effects of the drug start to palpitate in his chest. His pulse had been racing and he'd chalked it up to the adrenaline of extracting you from the botched sting, but now he's realizing that it's an elevated sensation pounding in his veins and zinging south, making him feverishly aroused.

"—How do you stop it?! Is there an antidote?"

"Lab hasn't been able to come up with one yet. It's absorbed through mucus membranes, so it hits the bloodstream quick. Get as much fluids in her to clear it out as quick as possible, but mostly, just keep her from hurting herself, Pike. She's going to be jonesing for physical gratification like a hellcat in heat. It's supposed to be the ultimate aphrodisiac—a heightened state of euphoria, but only when done in dab-like doses. If she was doused bad…I don't know. Users get so desperate from the effects when they overdo it that they lose sense of their pain thresholds—"

"I gotta go."

Marcus ends the call quickly before discarding the phone and then pulls the holster with his gun from the back of his waistband to be plopped onto the dresser in order to sprint down the hall to check on you.

He hears you whimpering just before he burst through the bathroom door.

"M-Marcus."

You're in a state of amplified arousal that is bordering on hyperventilating distress. Sweat has broken out along your hairline, and your bare skin is dewy from the overheated racing of your pulse. The ache of desire has you squirming in discomfort, feeling hypersensitive and raw-nerved as you stare wildly up at him from where you're curled into the corner of the floor by the tub.

He rushes to your side to cradle you against him as he hurriedly turns the shower's faucet handle to start spraying cold water into the tub. He says your name firmly before explaining in a hoarse rasp, "—I gotta get this stuff off of you and you're gonna have to drink more water for me."

You sob and grip onto his shoulders, trembling as you whine, "What's happening?!"

"It's the drug," is all he says as he hastily sheds his leather jacket in order to ease his own overheated discomfort, grabbing the glass to fill it to the brim with water before chugging half of it and refilling it in order to kneel down and insistently press it to your lips so you can guzzle as much as you can. When you drink your fill and push the glass away, he blindly sets it down on the back of the commode's tank lid before he rasps, "Now, c'mon, dandelion. I gotta get you under the cold water—"

"Come in with me?" you plead as he lifts you to stand on shaky knees. "You got it all over you too, Marcus," is your watery whisper as you caress his face and swipe at the pink smudge on his cheekbone.

The contact to his skin makes Marcus shudder, and against his control, arousal throbs riotously into his apex and pulses in his loins.

Rock-hard now, he huffs raggedly as he insists, "I gotta take care of you first, so let me get this off of you."

You're feeling like liquid fire is thrumming under your skin and your pulse is at your center, blood pumping from the silken clutch in your pelvis rather than from the organ in your chest. The usual tingle of arousal is instead a rapacious, searing heat at your core – making you quiver and drip with desire while Marcus rushes to gently remove the slinky black cocktail dress off your torso.

Your blush feels like you've been sitting under the Saharan sun, and the brush of Marcus's touch over your ignited body has you shivering and biting back a whimper as he strips you to your black cotton and lace thong before lifting you into the tub and under the cold spray of the showerhead.

The yelp you let out when the water beats down on your bare skin has him scrambling to grab you as you writhe to be in his embrace. "N-No, the water will help—"

"It feels like needles!" you cry and cling to him, quivering as you grip on to him desperately and chatter, "You feel good," before nuzzling his neck and giving yourself over to the urge that's become an incandescent force inside your body.

Your bare breasts press against him, nipples studded and tingling for gratification while your pussy clenches at how good his skin tastes when you suckle a kiss into his neck.

Marcus can't keep a lid on his own baser urges any longer at your distress melting away the more you touch him.

"Fuck, I'm sorry," he gravels out and kisses your burning cheek, and at your breathy mewl, he kisses your mouth. The water on your body soaks into his shirt and jeans as you clamber to wrap your legs and arms around him with intoxicated urgency.

When he breaks the kiss to catch his breath, he has to soothe you when you whine for him.

"Can't—I can't just…don't want to lose control—"

You kiss him possessively and slink down his front while simultaneously yanking on his clothes he now desperately tries to peel off of himself.

Feeling his feverish skin press against yours after he shoves his clothes down and rushes to sit on the edge of the tub to kick the remainder off while simultaneously yanking you down – settling you to straddle onto his lap, you moan at having the length of his cock nestle against your damp cloth-covered crotch. You can feel your folds drench with arousal, making you ache to be split by him to the hilt – to be filled by his throbbing erection.

"No antidote—can't lose control. D-Don't want to hurt you," is all he's managed to string together as he gropes you against him and grazes wet, open-mouth kisses along your neck and jaw. Your clit throbs when he grips your waist and starts edging you onto his cock.

"You won't! W-Won't hurt me," you groan and encircle your arms around his shoulders before whining, "Please, please, Marcus—"

He shakes his senses loose of the horny haze to press, "Listen to me, wildcat. We need to wash this shit off. It'll be quick—we'll do it quick, and once it's off I'll do whatever you need—"

"Need you. Want you," you exhale in a frenzied state, staring with blown-out pupils at him as you start to pleasure yourself by rubbing your aching pussy along his cock. The friction of your soaked panties along his velvety, pulsing erection has Marcus buzzing from the electric pleasure sparking across his nerve endings.

"You'll have me, dandelion. C'mon, be a g-good girl for me," he husks and stands, holding you in his arms as you cling to him and whimper.

Once sure you won't bolt, he gets in under the shower spray with you.

The water doesn't feel as horrid against your skin as it had the first time, so you snap out of the hedonistic daze once Marcus has stood under the frigid spray for a few minutes and clumsily scrubbed the pink residue from your shoulders and back for you.

You hurriedly unlatch yourself from him to stand on quaking legs in order to wash the pink powder remnants quickly off your skin and hair, then help Marcus get it off his beard and neck while he lets the water spray directly into his face in hopes to get the maddening sensation to cease.

Now that the water going down the drain is no longer tinged in pink, you and Marcus maneuver so the spray can run down his back while you sway on your feet and try to regain your wits. Instead, you both end up standing in the cold cascade, staring into each other's flushed features.

It feels like a fever dream – seeing his naked body like this, and your pussy clenches around nothing when you caress your palms down his abs and watch his ruddy, pulsing erection twitch at your sensual touch.

He murmurs your name when you lean forward to kiss along his heated skin after nuzzling your face into his pecs, chasing his delectable scent.

You're dialed into this primordial attraction, so you kneel at his feet from how your mouth waters to have his cock stuffed in it – to have the weight of it on your tongue before he fills your pussy with it the way you're convinced he needs to in order to stop this feeling from consuming you like a leaf flung onto a blazing fire.

Marcus shakily cups your jaw as he rasps your name again, and at the skittish unease of his tone, you stare up at him and snake your other hand between your thighs to touch yourself while you mewl for permission to do what you hunger for. The sight of you has him trembling, and his thumb grazes over the corner of your mouth, attempting to tow you back up to him, but then you lick it and make a needy sound that sends a jolt of insatiable arousal to his cock.

"T-This'll make you feel better?" Is his hoarse whisper, cold cascading water raining onto his back completely forgotten.

"Yes, hot stuff. I want you in my mouth—"

He groans, muscles flexing in anticipation. "Wanna give you what you need, baby—"

You gratefully hum and finally put him in your mouth, savoring his salty pre-cum and the velvety smooth thick of him you suck lustfully on.

His hand buries in the back of your wet hair, a raspy moan tumbling from his lips as he grapples to stay balanced with the other planting against the tiled wall.

You're enthralled by his reaction, sucking him off while gripping the base of his cock and pumping him in your fist every time you let his thick cock slip from the warm purse of your mouth so you can catch your breath. All while you rut against the palm heel of your other hand to try and ease the ache of arousal pulsing beseechingly for gratification.

It's when you grind too hard and whimper like it hurts that finally snaps Marcus to focus on you and not the exquisite pleasure that you're giving him.

Your senses sway as Marcus manhandles you off your knees and picks you up to be carried out of the cold shower.

Latching your arms and legs around him with a yelp, you wail, "M-Marcus, wha—?"

"No hurting yourself," he grumbles heatedly as he hurriedly stalks as best as he can, in the state he's in, to the bedroom with you. "M'gonna make you feel good so you don't hurt yourself by accident—"

You hiccup, "Hurt?! What's h-happening to us, Marcus?"

He makes it into the room and puts you on the bed. You're both still drenched from the shower, and he eyes you intensely as he peels your soaked panties off of you whilst trying to soberly explain, "The pink powder? It's a designer drug. The way you're feeling—that we're both f-feeling is because of it. You got dosed with way too much of it—"

You rear up onto your splayed hands and gape at him once he's tossed your drenched thong aside. "C-Can't they give us something to counteract it—?" you begin, but he shakes his head vigorously and sends water droplets to halo about before a shudder makes him wring his hands across his overly-heated features.

He's still rock-hard, and completely naked in front of you now, and the insatiable force in you is suddenly dismissing your panic to instead fixate on him.

"Marcus?"

"Hmmph?"

"Are we going to die?"

"N-No! Jeez—no, of course not," he begins to assure as he drops his hands from his face and rushes to convince you, but ends up avidly staring as you provocatively spread your legs to show him how needy you are for him, keeping your gaze fixed on his blown-out pupils. He watches you sit up and beckon for him to come to you while you shimmy backwards onto the bed.

"Ok then. Take your socks off and get over here, now."

Marcus looks down and realizes that indeed, he still has his socks on. They're sopping wet from the shower, and explain why he had such a difficult time getting traction over the tile and floorboards as he carried you from the bathroom to the bed.

Yanking them off with as much dignity as he can muster, with how worked up and ravenous he is, Marcus tosses them and clambers onto the bed after you. You admire the way his broad, muscularly toned physique looks under the bedroom's track lighting, thrill tangling excitedly in your core at how thick and hard his ramrod cock is as it bobs from his prowling towards you.

Once he's in reach, you loop your arms around his shoulders and pull him down for a rapacious kiss, wanting to have his weight on top of you finally.

His hands are warm and assertive as he pulls you into him while his tongue plunders your mouth, and yours encouragingly grope down to grab his ass when you mewl and roll your hips into his.

He breaks the kiss suddenly, as if compelled to keep his wits about him while he stammers, "W-We don't have to do this. I-I can just—"

You roll your positions so that he's on his back with you straddling him now.

"You said I could have you. I want you, Marcus," you husk silkily as you brace your palms over his broad chest and undulated your hips to grind yourself against his ramrod cock. He groans and grips your thighs, so you lean down to kiss him before you purr against his panting lips, "Now let me have you, handsome."

Marcus feels like you've hit the payload that is his stockpiled arousal he's been trying to keep buried deep in his gut, unleashing a feral desire he's never allowed himself to experience.

You gasp in surprise when he sits up and lifts you by your waist so he can nudge his cock between your soaked folds in order to notch the smooth tip at your dimpled entrance before plunging you onto him to the hilt.

The moan that falls from your lips comes out almost like an overawed wail at how amazing he feels inside you, making you arch into him and cling to his shoulders as he starts fucking up into you with bruising, ruinously precise thrusts that have him stroking nerve-melting pleasure to flare inside you.

"Oh my god!" you cry out when Marcus starts using one hand clutching the small of your back to slam you over and over onto his cock while the other squeezes one breast before pinching your nipple while he suckles the other into his mouth.

He barely registers the sting of your nails pinching into his upper back when you whimper his name after a particularly nippy suckle onto your pebbled flesh, and he doesn't realize how overcome you are with pleasure until you start begging in a frantic tone he's never heard you use.

"Marcus, I—I can't—oh Marcus! Please—"

His hand abandons your breast to instead grip the back your neck and anchor you to him as he nuzzles your cheek and soothingly coos, "Tell me, gorgeous girl."

You feel overwhelmed. The heat of it singed across your face. It has you sobbing against his jaw, "I want more – w-want you to use me. Please, Marcus. I need you—"

There's something primordial that you're both dialed into, and at your words, Marcus just knows what he needs to give you.

Pivoting up on the bed with you, he tosses you onto the mattress before manhandling you onto your hands and knees so he can possessively yank your hips to be positioned just right for him to spear his cock back into your molten pussy from behind.

"Fuck," Marcus grits between clenched jaw at how your walls clamp greedily onto his shaft while you let out a sound akin to a hearty cry of triumph. When he crowds you and starts to pound into you insatiably, he moans at how you rock back to meet his thrusts.

You feel like an animal in heat. Like all there is right now is his cock inside you and his body enveloping around you and his taste and his scent and his sweat and it all has your head spinning in the best way while you interlace your fingers in his and crane your neck out so his face can fit perfectly in the crook as he suckles on your dewy skin.

For Marcus, it's like something was turned on inside him – an undiscovered feeling of belonging and power and accomplishment was cresting free, and the more he reveled in you, the hotter and brighter it was burning in his chest.

It was so liberating that he let his feelings escape the hive-like place in his heart where he kept them trapped away.

"You make me feel things I've never felt before," is growled into your jaw, and you clench around his cock like a silken vise while you moan and arch into him.

"Marcus—"

"M'gonna protect you. Was scared—scared I'd lose you—"

You whimper, "Oh, Marcus—"

"Tell me what you want, wildcat," he gravels in a rough timbre that rakes exhilarated desire through you.

"Fuck me, Marcus. Want you to fuck me until this feeling stops—until I'm yours. M-Make me yours—"

All inhibitions are gone from him now.

Marcus fucks you with abandon, railing you with such ferocity that you're turned into an alight, moaning mess as bliss tears you asunder with a deliriously scorching orgasm that has you bowing down into the bed while Marcus pounds through your fluttering cunt flooding his apex with your climax.

His hands grip your hips as he pivots back onto his haunches and prolongs your ecstasy, eyes glazed with his lust for you and watching you continue to mindlessly rock back to meet his thrusts.

He's throbbing for release, but this heightened state of arousal caused by the drug has an insatiable, prolonging effect – extending his libido's hold-out like a refractory period.

When you dissolve into the bed face-first with an exhausted mewl, Marcus pulls out and marvels at how much slick coats his cock and drips down his apex.

The scent of sex permeates the once sanitized-smelling air that came from the filtered vent system. The room feels humid from how elevated your body temperatures are, blood pressure feeling like it's sky-high as your pulses race. He knows that's dangerous, and in the syrupy miasma of his sex-dazed mind, he remembers the instructions he was given.

You are a blitzed-out heap of tingling nerve endings. So much so, you barely absorb when Marcus rumbles, "Gonna get more water. Be right back, dandelion," as he rolls you onto your back and pets the damp hair sticking to your warm skin away from your face.

"Stay," you mumble and take his hand, kissing the inside of his palm.

He grunts a reassuring sound before kissing your forehead and promising, "I'll be right back."

You vacantly nod and roll on your side with a tired sigh.

Marcus strings together enough control of his fine motor skills to rush out of the bedroom and go for the closest source of water. He enters the bathroom and finds the shower spray still on – having not realized he'd completely forgotten to turn it off. After doing so now, he grabs the discarded glass and refills it in the sink. He guzzles several glass-fills down, feeling more clearheaded the more he rehydrates. His body is running hot, tremors of arousal like muscle spasms in his apex that leave a tingling throb in his loins and have him idly palming and stroking his erection – gauging the muted sensation compared to normal – as he chugs the last of the water before he tops the glass off to take back to you.

When he enters the bedroom, he finds you still on the bed, but you're now restlessly trying to get yourself off – hand between your thighs and panting harshly as you grind against it.

He goes to your side and places the glass down on the night table before wrangling you into his arms.

"No, you'll hurt yourself doing that," he protests while you whine and squirm in his embrace. "I'll take care of you, baby. Just settle down enough to drink some water—"

"I don't want water. I want you," you complain heatedly, slinging your arms around his neck to anchor him down into bed with you.

He picks you up to maneuver you both on the disheveled covers, attempting to appease you before pressing, "I know. I want you too, wildcat. But you need to get fluids—"

"Marcus, you need to keep fucking me until you give me those," is your raunchy counter, smiling when he gapes at you before you start kissing along his cheek and suckle on his earlobe. He groans and ruts up against you, so you purr, "Please, I need you inside me. All of you—"

"Alright, then sit on my cock, naughty girl," he husks bawdily and clasps his hand to the back of your nape to tow you back so he can stare intensely into your dazzling eyes as you squirm in excitement. "You can use me – ride me as hard as you want. But first, you have to drink the water for me."

You look sinfully delicious as you worry your bottom lip between your teeth and arch your brows to obediently nod while already reaching between your bodies to guide his erection to be aligned with your plunging undulation over his lap.

Marcus groans hoarsely and guides you to remain still – flush over where you're both now joined – before hurriedly reaching for the glass and offering it to you.

Compliantly, you drink, and realize how parched you are, so you end up chugging the water until you gasp in relief and uncaringly glide the glass back onto the night table before burying your hand into the back of his damp hair and pull him into a hungry kiss.

Your tongue flicks and twirls against his as you start to fuck yourself onto his cock, mewling heatedly from the effort while Marcus fondles his hands possessively over the globes of your ass before squeezing them when he bucks up into you.

After you reach bliss riding him, shouting his name and staring at him in euphoric satisfaction, Marcus rolls you onto your back so he can dominate you into the bed, spinning you up into delirium all over again as he snaps his hips into a devastating angle that has him colliding dead-center with your nested pleasure clustered deep inside your fluttering sheath.

Time is lost to you both as you couple like animals during mating season.

He can't count how many times he makes you come, nor keep track of all the positions he takes you in, and you're so far flung in the throes of insatiable need that you don't realize until he's just got you off after fucking you with your legs propped up against his shoulders, that he hasn't orgasmed once.

While he slows his barreling thrusts into you once you've melted breathlessly under him, Marcus kisses along the crook of your neck and relishes how you quiver from the aftershocks of your climax. He's just about to shift back and pull out when you clench your floor muscles suddenly around him.

"Oh fuck, mmph," he moans gruffly before maneuvering your legs off of his shoulders and hooking the backs of your knees at his forearms so he can rear back and haul you with him as he says your name warningly and growls, "—You keep doing that and I'm going to lose control."

Your pussy aches, every muscle is sore and protesting, but still the insatiable heat persists, so you stare sultrily at him under heavy lids and coo, "I want you to lose control, you dope. Want you to fuck me until you come, and then keep fucking me until we both can't move or think anymore—"

He swears gruffly, but you feel his cock throb inside you, clearly betraying how enticed he is.

"It's not like I've been holding back. The drug takes the edge off and changes our pleasure and pain thresholds; affects sensation. I don't think I could come even if I tried," Marcus admits lowly as he wrings his hand over his heated features, clearly embarrassed.

"Hey, M."

"Hmm?"

"You're gorgeous when you're all flustered and naked and hard," is your silky murmur, smile cheeky when he pauses swiping the sweat off his brow to stare at you heatedly. Your smile sobers meekly as you admit in a mumble, "And, you're so sexy. Even when you're being maddening and all I want to do is wring your neck and run away…"

Marcus feels that incandescent pressure in the back of his sternum – the one that makes him feel like his ribs ache but feel full at the same time.

Overawed, he sits back on his heels and pulls out of you with a hiss before leaning over you to kiss a worshipful path up from your navel to your jaw. After he presses a kiss to your cheek, he nuzzles your ear before murmuring, "Don't run away. Stay with me, dandelion."

You feel stripped raw and soothed over at the same time by his words, and before you can stop it, your heart wrings in your chest as you confess, "I want to. I've wanted to for a while, b-but I can't help feel this way—"

He props up to gaze wondrously at you. "Feel what way?"

"Ugh!" you groan and cover your eyes with your forearm, too jelly-jointed to do much else to keep your frazzled guard up. "You know, M—"

"No, I don't," he firmly huffs and stretches out onto his side next to you in order to pull your forearm away so you have to look at him.

"…It doesn't matter. This is a mistake – a fluke accident and the weirdo horny mating drug doesn't change that reality—"

"What reality?"

"This!" you shout and weakly gesture between you and him. "Whatever this has become is a mess. I am a fool to feel this way, knowing how reckless you think I've been already and how badly you want to be done with the hassle—"

"…You're serious," Marcus deadpans, derailing your ramble, and when you focus on him, he scoffs and shakes his head, as if astounded, before rumbling in a honeyed baritone, "You don't even know, do you?"

You frown, confused.

Marcus sidles close, dark brown eyes softening as he exhales sardonically before caressing your chin between forefinger and thumb so you can't turn your face as he looks at you purposefully.

"I feel the same way," he tells you, smirking softly before professing, "I love you."

You can feel his body heat and see the unwavering truth in his handsome face, and your flustered mind is processing that this is real while you're carnally supercharged already for him.

"That's the drug talking—"

"No, it's not—"

"Marcus—"

"If you don't feel that way, it's fine—"

"That…that's not it. I'm saying we can't trust what we're feeling right now. We're literally in heat—"

"I fell in love with you before getting hit in the face with pink dust, wildcat—"

"Attraction is not the same as love, Marcus—"

"Oh trust me, I've learned that the hard way plenty already," is his deriding huff as he tucks his chin and smiles self-deprecatingly.

You pout and cup his bearded cheek, caressing it lovingly before mumbling, "You're too good for me. Literally – I don't think I can take how sweet and considerate and…and wonderful you are—"

He says your name huffily before caressing his touch along your side reassuringly, crooning, "—Don't be like that. A sexy little smartass like you can't be contrary all the time."

"Oh yeah? You're seriously not dying to unload me, after everything?" you mutter as you brush your lips along his bearded jaw and card your fingers through his hair. "It isn't just the libido drug making you talk crazy?"

"All the drug is making me do is stay rock-hard and be bold about saying how I feel," he says honestly, and smirks when you hum interestedly before palming his thick erection. When you trace your touch along the underside of the shaft, he husks throatily, "You've clearly grown on me, dandelion. P-Pressed all my buttons, made sport out of challenging me daily, and I hated it all…until I started liking it."

You feel your heart summersault in excitement at that, so you nuzzle his cheek after you carve your hips around his to nestle his throbbing hard-on against your warm, wet pussy, lightly grinding on it as you whisper, "Liking is not the same as lov—"

"Tell me how you feel."

You pause and stare into his eyes. Pressed this close together, you can see how brown his irises are, and how free of judgment they are twinkling soulfully at you.

"I—I care…care more than I ever have, and I feel things that I haven't felt—that I haven't felt in a long time. I just…" you trail off, huffing at yourself before admitting, "The way I feel about you is something I don't know how to manage."

Marcus keeps your hips rocking against him, all the while you flustered to the truth.

"That kind of sounds like the same thing I'm telling you I feel about you, stubborn girl," is his amused rumble. You can't help snort and bashfully curl into him. He doesn't let you hide your face in his neck, though. "C'mon, look at me."

You do, shivering when he cups your jaw and pins you into place with his passionate stare.

"I love you."

"I love you too," you whisper, feeling like you've just jumped off a cliff with no idea what's beyond the precipice.

But the look Marcus gives you – the way his handsome features brighten with delighted surprise, it makes something twinge warm and hopeful in your chest. You kiss him before girlishly scoffing, then stammering, "W-What're we going to do?"

"Right now?" Marcus sits up and caresses his hand down your body to touch where your warmth is flush up against his twitching member. You mewl and melt a little when he teasingly grazes his lips over yours before purring, "Right now, we're gonna keep fucking like rabbits until this damn drug is out of our systems."

You giggle enticingly before timidly snickering, "I'm exhausted, cowboy. I don't think I can manage doing anything but this right now," as you undulate against him for emphasis.

Smirking, Marcus hums, affectionately squeezing your thigh as he croons, "I got an idea."

He assertively rolls you over onto your opposite side and spoons up behind you while possessively fondling your curves. You mewl at the feeling of his warm body up against you from behind while his cock starts rutting against your pulsing womanhood.

Marcus lets you acclimate and simply revel in the feeling of being in his covetous embrace while you rock back against him lustfully. When he starts pressing his throbbing arousal into your pussy from behind, you moan an ecstatic little sound before whimpering, "More, Marcus. Please."

With a deft thrust, he gives you more, and more, as he cups your pussy and grinds his fingertips over the hood of your clit while grazing his teeth down your neck to claim it with a rough kiss at the base.

You reach your arm backwards to sling around his neck so you can keep his mouth on you while you both set a ravenous rhythm, bucking backwards onto him while he fucks forward into you.

The hand that cradles the curve of your waist tightens when you cry his name and desperately loop both your arms backwards to hold onto him as you're lost to the euphoric ecstasy of reaching bliss like this.

Marcus aches when you sob a gratified cry, and he feels pride crackle in his chest when your hands grip the hair at the base of his nape so you have leverage to pivot in his grip in order to kiss him passionately.

His cock pulses inside you when you break the kiss to lick at his bottom lip before you susurrate, "I want you to fill me with your cum, Marcus."

Incredibly turned on by the prospect, Marcus bucks into you with a gruff groan before gravelling tensely, "Now that's the drug talking—"

"No, it isn't," you contradict and look at him with sultry heat blazing in your eyes as you purr, "What's a girl gotta do to get you off, Pikey boy."

You feel him strain enticingly against your fluttering walls at the pet name, which has you shivering in delight just as Marcus growls, "Keep telling me what you want. Please."

That has you divulging things. Some seductive things, like, 'Want you to be all mine, cowboy,' and some salacious, authoritative orders, like, 'Fuck me like you want me, Marcus. I want you. I'll let everyone know you're mine, but only if you make me yours.'

The more you tell him what you want, the more worked up into searing arousal Marcus gets as he buries his moans into the back of your neck whilst he fucks you faster and harder – hands clutching you to him as your pitch gets more alight from your own pleasure cresting incandescently through you.

He's feral with need by the time he's got you on your stomach with your ass up for him to plunder his cock deep into your fluttering cunt. You're blitzed out – lasciviously keyed into the wild throes of carnal elation of being ravished by him. Sweat and slick and the heat of your flesh pressed together is making both your senses flare with rapturous yearning – panting breaths wild as you both are finally at the precipice of savage release together.

At his thrusts picking up frenzied pace that has your warm flesh colliding rhythmically over your hearty sounds of pleasure, you press the button he didn't know he had in him.

"Please, m-make me yours, sweet boy—"

The exhilarating, searing pleasure that snaps loose from Marcus at your airy mewl has him barreling ferociously into you while moaning in guttural, incredulous bliss just as you cry out and orgasm with him.

He buries his cock deep and clings over you as he shudders through the bursts of his climax that fill your rippling sheath while you exhale a rapturous, sated sound and melt under him, toes curled and arms draped around his as they clutch you to him. You feel made whole as the warm bloom of his spend filling you diffuses through you, and Marcus feels like lightning struck him and the electric buzz still scintillates through his sinew.

Reduced to trembling, breathless heaps tangled against each other, you and Marcus lay on the sullied sheets for a while. You can feel his heartbeat against your back, and he can feel your pulse against the hand pressed between the bed and your womb. Neither of you can think beyond the content reassurance that the other is still there, warm and safe.

Feeling returned to yourself a disorienting amount of time later, you shift clumsily under him to squirm around and face him. Marcus heavily rolls off of you and grunts from the effort, but groggily rubs at his forehead to get the matted hair off his skin.

You tiredly rest your hand on his tacky chest, caressing it along his broad pectorals soothingly.

"…You ok?"

"…Yeah…can't move."

"Same…you feel ok?"

Marcus snorts exhaustedly before lulling his head to stare with hooded eyes at you. "M'feelin' like I fucked a marathon. You?"

You snicker girlishly. "I'm feeling like the marathon you fucked."

His laugh is raspy, features dewy and relaxed from sweat and all the over-exertion. Your hand reaches up to trace his bearded jaw, affectionately caressing along it until he hums and closes his eyes contently.

"Do you still feel in heat?"

"It's more of an aroused little tickle now versus the raging inferno of insatiable mania of before," you answer as you continue to caress his handsome features. "You?"

With a cleansing exhale, Marcus rumbles thickly, "About the same. I'm gonna need a few before I can go again, though—"

"Oh my god. I just said I'm not in nymphomaniac-mode anymore, you dope—"

You catch his sly smirk when he cracks an eye open to goadingly peer over at you. "You're cute when you're all worked up, gorgeous—"

With a scoff, you silkily mutter, "You're so lucky I'm too wrecked to slap you around, hot stuff—"

"C'mon, wildcat. Wouldn't you rather just have your way with me instead?"

You laugh, as if intrigued, before sidling up to him and giving him an alluring look, purring, "Is that what you want, sweet boy?"

Marcus feels arousal skitter down into his loins, zinging pulsing want into his cock before he can even try to not react to the titillating pet name that was much of his undoing.

"Yes. That's what I want, wildcat," he husks, too tired to be timid about it.

Appeased, you slink up against him and loop your arm around his midriff. "Good," you lilt around a yawn before murmuring, "That's what I want too, sweet boy. After we conk out for a bit."

His chuckle is like rich honey to your senses, and the warm tingle that tickles down into your womb when he nuzzles a kiss to the top of your mussed hair has you shivering with delight.

"Sounds like a plan, dandelion."

_____________________________

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[like-rain-or-confetti]

Henchman y/n who’s got venom(the symbiote) in her and just gets mad at her and transforms into him for a second, bites whoever was annoying her head off, then goes back and acts like nothing happened

Help I'm thinking a mix between among us and venom and I'm wheezingggg.

Symbiote

Your fellow henchman, Max, yelped as you crawled out of the vent. "What the hell are you playing at!?" He cried out. "Oh relax, I was making sure the vents were clear. We don't need any rodent problems now do we?" You asked pointedly. "You couldn't be any more suspicious!" He hissed.

The Riddler: "You two are vexing me." He grumbled with irritation. "Yeah, Max, quit being annoying!" You muttered. "You are just as annoying, (Y/N)." The Riddler retorted. "Ha!" Max fired back. The Riddler rolled his eyes when he suddenly heard a squelching sound and then loud 'chomp' noise. The Riddler spun on his heel, just in time to see a headless Max fall to a crumpled heap on the ground. You looking at him with a confused expression. The Riddler looked between you and the corpse. "Did you-?" He began and you shook your head with a quick. "Nope." He narrowed his gaze. "Really? You're going to blatantly lie?" "Hey, if you knew why did you ask?" You shot back. "You better get rid of this." He scowled. "Then I need your help." You replied and he groaned. "Then why did you kill him if you weren't prepared to get rid of him!?" "Why do you think I have a choice in this!? He was annoying me and then he lost his head. That's life!" "That is not-" Edward cut himself off, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine. You do this again and you're on your own. I'll teach you one time and one time only." He grumbled.

Scarecrow: "Children, play nicely." He said as he looked around the warehouse. His two henchmen grumbled, sending each other dirty looks. He continued to scan the warehouse with his eyes. It looked relatively old- abandoned. He was certain he could at least hide his fear toxin here if not produce it. As he continued his considerations a few moments of silence passed. Then there was a wet squelching noise and a chomp! Jonathan turned to see a headless Max and you, rocking on your heels, hands behind your back trying to seem innocent. Jonathan blinked at corpse. "Anything you wish to add?" He asked you. "Hm?" You asked. Jonathan gestured to the healess body on the floor. "Uh...he might have deserved it?" You suggested. Suddenly you grimaced and rolled your tongue. "Ew! Hair in my mouth!" You yelped before trying to remove it from your tongue with your fingers. "How does that even happen!? It wasn't even my mouth!?" "So it was you." Jonathan deadpanned. You whined, a reluctant admission of guilt.

Two-Face: "Will you two shut up?" Harv' huffed. "Boss, I don't think we should let (Y/N) out of our sight given their...condition." Max sneered. You glared at him. "If you're chicken shit then don't stand next to them." Harv' grunted. "I-it's! It's not that!" Max said hurriedly. "Then shut your mouth!" Harvey snapped. When he turned back around he heard a squelch, a cut off yelp and a chomp. Harvey paused before turning around to look at the scene behind him. He wasn't surprised Max was dead. He was surprised it was only his head that was gone. You looked at each other in silence for a moment. "Was that necessary?" Harvey asked flatly. "That'll show him I can do it whilst he's looking at me." You grumbled. He sighed. "Well at least the childish arguing is over with." You let out a loud burp before covering your mouth quickly. "Damn!" Harv' exclaimed. "He's salty." You winced. "So...you gonna finish the poor bastard off or are you gonna tell us that we gotta hide his body somewhere? You know, people don't just lose their heads. It'll be obvious it isn't an accident." You sighed. "I'll get him...you know I get he didn't like me much but why is he so salty!?" You whined. Two-Face clapped you on the back. "Get it over with. You'll get to shit him out later." Harv' chuckled. "It's not me eating him!" You cried out exasperated. "I am." A low gravely voice came from your mouth, tone smug. "You shut it! This is your fault!" You huffed to yourself. "It's almost like looking in a mirror." Harvey said flatly. There was another squelching noise as the symbiote revealed itself. "Until that happens." Harvey added.

Black Mask: "Shut it!" Roman snapped making the two of you flinch. "No, you won't!" You protested quickly making Roman and the two other henchmen look at you. "Sorry...not you guys...the...you know. I have a parasite." "Parasite!?" You responded to yourself, voice lower and deeper and very offended. You slapped a hand over your mouth. Roman rolled his eyes shaking his head before he turned back around. The second he did there was a squelch and a chomp. He turned back to see a headless body of Max. Roman immediately looked to you. "Wasn't me!" You said quickly. "What the fuck do you mean it wasn't fucking you? Who else could have his fuckin head off in seconds!?" Roman asked icily through a clenched jaw. "Georgie!" You pointed to him. "He's a big guy!" Roman pointed to you. "You better consider yourself fucking lucky you've got that thing in you, freak." "Yes, boss." You squeaked. "Georgie, get rid of him." Roman ordered. "Where do I put him?" Georgie asked. "Fuckin' anywhere!? Dangle him off one of Gothams bridges for all I fuckin' care!" Roman snapped. "Put him in the room with all the electrics?" You offered.

Mad Hatter: "Enough of your squabbling! It's nothing but troubling!" Jervis scolded. "He shouldn't even care where I've been or going to." You grumbled. "You're the first person we should be-" Max cut off his retort as Jervis turned, pulling out his pocket watch. "Which one of you wants to go first?" Jervis asked and the two of you stayed silent with a wide eyes, pleading stare. Jervis turned away once more, pocketwatch returning to his pocket. Max reached out and pushed you. You pushed back, he pushed again, as did you. Before he could push you for a third time there's a squelch and a chomp. Your eyes were wide, staring at a headless Max. "Oops." You whispered as Jervis turned back to see the scene. "He pushed me." You said quickly, pointing at Max. "So you bit his head off? Literally?" Jervis tilted his head. "Well...not me specifically." You replied. "Regardless this is not ideal. I don't know how else to feel." He replied dismayed. "It's fine, I can...finish him off." You winced at the oddity of your sentence. Jervis sighed. "Don't ruin your dinner, (Y/N)." You nodded. "I won't." He quickly left you to it, not keen on the thought of witnessing such a thing.

Now i just want to write the rogues playing among us. Thanks fam😂😩

[ogdoadfates]

Little thing for my supernatural au! Vax gettin in trouble with Vex a lil bit :’3

“Where have you been?” Vax’s sister's biting words are the first thing he hears when he enters their apartment; he sighs as he closes the door behind him.

“Out.” He says curtly walking over to their couch before he’s grabbed, Vex sniffing his jacket, growling a little when she picks up that weird cloaking scent before he pulls himself away from her. “Fucks sake fine, I was hanging out with Kiki! Happy?” He says finally being able to plop down onto the couch, Trinket walking over looking to him for head scratches which he is all so happy to give the hound.

Vex huffs in agitation, pacing back and forth in front of the couch a bit before stopping.

“Does it not bug you that we don’t actually know what she smells like? I mean we know what Percy smells like and he’s a hunter for fucks sake, he’d be the one person to know and to hide his sent.” Vex says a bit more calmly yet she is unable to hide the slight annoyance in her voice. 

They’ve had this conversation before, a few times really. Out of everyone in their group the only person who hides their smell is Keyleth, who as far as the twins know doesn’t even know about them being vampires. But she’s also best friends with a paranoid monster hunter who's most likely made her something like that to keep her safe, the only flaw in this logic that Vex LOVES to point out is then why isn’t Percival also using it.

As much as Vax tires of this conversation he understands Vex’s worry, if a monster hunter's friend is cloaking their scent but the monster hunter himself isn’t then what exactly are they? Mysteries of the supernatural kind aren’t a good sign and usually spell danger, yet Vax can’t see how Keyleth could be a danger. She was the first person to show them true friendship and kindness in this town and even introduced them to all of their other friends, the idea of her being secretly malicious just doesn’t sit well in his mind.

“Stubby, if anything were to happen wouldn’t have happened already?” He says to his irritated twin who just huffs and rolls her eyes at him. Vax leans his head back to stare at the ceiling. “She’s been nothing but kind to us sister, I don’t think she deserves your ire.” He pleads to her.

Without even looking he could tell she was glaring at him.

“I know your enamored by her brother but for fucks sake for all we know she could be some holy fuck laying in wait to smite you. I get it you like to flirt with danger but I’d rather you not be reckless when you do.” She spits and oh doesn’t the profound irony of his twins statement open the door to his greatest counterpoint.

“Says the one flirting with the hunter.” And with those few words, his sister bounds out of the room; the resounding sharp thud of her bedroom door slamming shut behind her leaves the apartment in utter silence.

Vax’ildan takes one big breath in and slowly lets it out, looking down to a poor, concerned and divided Trinket. Vax just gives him a smile and a pat on his head before getting up to head to his own room but he finds himself stopping at his sister's door.

He thinks for a moment before an idea strikes him, one that he himself is surprised to have never thought of or considered. He knocks on the door and like a raging bear Vex opens it and stares at him. 

“Tomorrow. Why not we ask Pike and Grog tomorrow if they know why Keyleth hides her scent.” Vex’s body relaxes ever so slightly and she runs a hand down her face while nodding.

“Okay, okay.” The two of them just stand there for a moment, Vex in her bedroom doorway and Vax in the hallway.-Trinket padding and squeezing his way into Vex’s room.-”I just worry, Vax. I don’t want your heart to get ripped out, both figuratively and literally.” She says looking at him with a tired expression. Vax’s shoulders slump and he gives her a small smile.

“Believe me, I share those same worries but for you.”  He says, enveloping Vex in a hug which she gratefully returns. 

Eventually their embrace ends and they turn in for the rest of the day. He hopes they can get some answers out of Pike and Grog tomorrow, at least for Vex’s sake.

[mindovermuses]

Oh, I definitely agree with you that Keyleth NEEDS to learn to accept that all of this has been Vax's choice. After struggling for so long growing up, he finally found a purpose larger than himself and a calling that he believes in. The fact that he would never think of asking her to step away from her position within the Ashari for him, that she always expected him to find a way to get out of his deal with the Matron for her always rubbed me the wrong way.

He made his choice completely and fully knowing the worst it could have meant and I can't imagine any scenario where he might try and take it back, not only because of what good things it led him to, but also because the deal was a 1-for-1 trade- his soul for his sisters. Selfless character in that moment (and selfless player with Liam knowing that Laura loved Vex so much he was willing to roll a new character so she could keep her).

My whole thing about Keyleth needing to accept that Vax is going to die beyond resurrection is because that's what the Matron basically might have hinted at. He told her he wanted to stay and for whatever reason it came off to me as staying was essentially walking away and she was giving him that night before releasing the magic keeping his celestial form together. She can't afford to have her champion, if he is to remain her champion, sitting out of an ongoing battle that could see her and her adoptive siblings destroyed on account of "family" or "love". They are at war for their very existence and should take the minimum rest necessary and get back out there. Hell, if you look at the DnD lore for Celestials/Angels in the Monster Manual, Vax is literally made entirely of her magic, so if she were to be destroyed, he probably would be too.

I don't want Vax to have to disappear, but I can 100% see him inwardly reacting to the way Keyleth stiffened at his touch and only tentatively responded to his squeezing her hand several moments after Vex told her to pretend for one night. He would definitely sacrifice his own happiness if he thought his presence was hurting her like that.

It's not even Keyleth that's the biggest problem in pushing the hopium that Vax is coming back- it's the rest of Vox Machina! Keyleth keeps seeming to, at least mentally, be starting to realize that she shouldn't get her hopes up and accept that he'll leave again. It's the others making outlandish plans about true resurrection spells and "Maybe we just don't save the Matron..." comments...

How disrespectful to Vax and what he's pledged his life and sacrificed everything for can you get? THEY'RE the ones who need him to flat out remind them that an important part of any resurrection magic is that the soul be willing... AND HIS IS NOT.

Honestly, I hope that he is able to return to his service to the Matron or who or whatever is watching over the balance of death when all of this is over. I could even see the Matron helping him to ascend to replace her so that she can continue on to see the infinite and find her predecessor once more. (I'd personally love to see several of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein get raised up in this manner as a way of removing a large group of level 20s from the playing field, but that's just me.)

I also still think Keyleth deserves a little hot boi #2 in her life for a bit. Sometimes you just need a good himbo knight to make you smile and distract you from everything for a while. And I want to see Matt finally get to openly flirt with his wife via Verin!

I kind of hate the narrative that Vax is singlehandedly preventing Keyleth from moving on by sending ravens. Like, yes, it certainly doesn't help and is a manifestation of his own unhealthy attachment. But Keyleth has been aware of this problem for what, thirty years? She called him out for it at the percahlia wedding.

And yet, in that time, has she ever...sent the raven away? Has she ever tried to release Vax the same way she wants him to release her? Relationships are two ways, and she's still clearly holding onto the past too, judging from the way she talks about the Matron. She's not ready to move on (which isn't wrong per se, but it's going to be a long and miserable life if that continues indefinitely), but it's unfair to ascribe that only to Vax's actions.

[autolovecraft]

You kicked hard, for Asaph's coffin was on the floor.

In another moment he knew fear for the first time that night; for struggle as he would, he could not but wish that the units of his contemplated staircase had been more securely made. The vault had been dug from a hillside, so that the coffins beneath him rocked and creaked. He was just dizzy and careless enough to annoy his sensitive horse, which as he drew it viciously up at the tomb neighed and pawed and tossed its head, much as on that former occasion when the rain had vexed it.

This arrangement could be ascended with a minimum of awkwardness, and would furnish the desired height. The afflicted man was fully conscious, but would say nothing of any consequence; merely muttering such things as Oh, my ankles! It was Asaph's coffin, Birch, but you got what you deserved.

He had not forgotten the criticism aroused when Hannah Bixby's relatives, wishing to transport her body to the cemetery in the city whither they had moved, found the casket of Judge Capwell beneath her headstone. Birch glanced about for other possible points of escape.

In time the hole grew so large that he ventured to try his body in it now and then, shifting about so that the coffins beneath him rocked and creaked. The afflicted man was fully conscious, but would say nothing of any consequence; merely muttering such things as Oh, my ankles!

There was nothing like a ladder in the tomb.

The boxes were fairly even, and could be piled up like blocks; so he began to realize the truth and to shout loudly as if his horse outside could do more than neigh an unsympathetic reply.

Dusk fell and found Birch still toiling. The afflicted man was fully conscious, but would say nothing of any consequence; merely muttering such things as Oh, my ankles! The moon was shining on the scattered brick fragments and marred facade, and the coffin niches on the sides and rear—which Birch seldom took the trouble to use—afforded no ascent to the space above the door. Most distinctly Birch was lax, insensitive, and was concerned only in getting the right coffin for the platform; for no sooner was his full bulk again upon it than the rotting lid gave way, jouncing him two feet down on a surface which even he did not get Asaph Sawyer's coffin by mistake, although it was very similar. Birch seldom took the trouble to use—afforded no ascent to the space above the door. Certainly, the events of that evening greatly changed George Birch. Then the doctor came with his medicine-case and asked crisp questions, and removed the patient's outer clothing, shoes, and socks.

Birch had locked himself for nine hours in the receiving tomb of Peck Valley Cemetery, escaping only by crude and disastrous mechanical means; but while this much was undoubtedly true, there were other and blacker things which the man used to whisper to me in his drunken delirium toward the last.

In either case it would have been appropriate; for the hole was on exactly the right level to use as soon as its size might permit. His day's work was sadly interrupted, and unless chance presently brought some rambler hither, he might have to remain all night or longer. At last the spring thaw came, and graves were laboriously prepared for the nine silent harvests of the grim reaper which waited in the tomb, and the latch of the great door yielded readily to a touch from the outside.

His questioning grew more than medically tense, and his body responding with that maddening slowness from which one suffers when chased by the phantoms of nightmare. He had, it seems, planned in vain when choosing the stoutest coffin for the right grave. Never did he knock together flimsier and ungainlier caskets, or disregard more flagrantly the needs of the rusty lock on the tomb door which he slammed open and shut with such nonchalant abandon.

[sir-phillip-crane]

Your ex is trying to embarrass you in public, but your lover steps in as a shield, eyes ablaze in a fury. - with Keyleth, Grog, and Vax'ildan?

thanks dear!!! requests are open!!

REBLOGS > LIKES

Keyleth • Keyleth got momentarily distracted by a vendor with! Little wooden carvings!! Of animals!! • “Oh! Buttercup, come look at these! Oh, they’ve got a little sabertooth!” • Yes, she absolutely calls you buttercup, or lilac, or sunshine, or rosebud, etc. They’re all based on nature things! Of course they are, it’s Kiki! • Pretty quickly, she realizes that you aren’t there with her. Well… That’s weird. Where’d you go?? • She starts to try and find you, and it’s not too tough to find you interacting with a stranger. • What they’re doing doesn’t matter, but it’s brought the attention of a ton of strangers, and you look uncomfortable. • She immediately shoves her way through the crowd and will absolutely summon something to try and freak them out. • You know in the first fight against the Briarwoods when Keyleth summons a ton of bees and yeets them at Delilah? • She absolutely does that. • There’s more of a lead up to it. She summons them and, since they are her bees, lets them climb on her arms. • “Do you know the interesting thing about bees? When they sting, it’s a death sentence. But here’s a funny thing; these are wasps. Wasps don’t die after they sting… But you’re gonna die after, uh, after… Oh, I’m not good at quippy remarks.” • She just yeets the wasps at them, absolutely grinning ear to ear. • Then she’ll wrap an arm around you and say “they deserve that.”

Grog • “Fuck yeah, they got ale!!! Babe, babe do you want some ale!?” • He turns around and just… where? Are you? • “Babe? Hey, babe, where you at?” • He wanders around the festival for a little while, trying to find you. After asking a few vendors, he’s got an idea where you are. • And there is some bitch ass piece of shit talking to you. • Grog doesn’t know much, but he knows he fucking hates whoever that is. You look upset and are trying to get away – that’s not good. Not good at all. • He takes out VM’s bag of holding, the one with his ax and other various random shit. • Including the severed hand of that guy that he and Vax cut off. • He walks up behind you and puts his hand on your shoulder. • “’Ey babe. This guy botherin’ you?” • He pulls out the severed, partially rotted hand, and throws it at your ex. • “That’s what happened to the last guy who bothered one o’ my friends. I’d say you should get outta here-“ • He pulls out his axe • “-before somethin’ worse happens to you, yeah?” • They’re running scared before anything else is said or happens. • He grins, kisses your forehead, and asks “do you want some ale? I know I do.”

Vax’ildan • “You funny little raven, you! My finger’s not a worm! Oh, you are the cutest, aren’t you?” • He absolutely gets distracted by all of the animals he sees. Ravens are a favorite, and the aforementioned one, he absolutely will adopt. Usually he’d steal but, you know, they’re making a living from this, so… • “We’re gonna have to name you, yes we are. Oh, you are the sweetest! My little darling, my little knight-“ • His newly adopted raven croaks, flutters his wings and tries to get Vax to pay attention to the crowd gathering. • After a moment Vax does notice, and absolutely shoves his way through the crowd. • He finds Vex and “hey, hey, what’s going on?” • She explains that she should have brought her fucking bow because she wants to murder this jackass bothering you. • “You’ve your daggers, brother? If you slit their throat I’ll keep the guards from catching you. We’ve done it before.” • He sighs, “don’t bring that up. I… Let me deal with it.” • He gets a natural 20 on stealth and sneaks up behind this cunt, one of the daggers to their throat, and greets you with “hey peach, did you miss me?” • He won’t say much else, but come around to give you a peck on the lips and “meet my raven, too. I’ve yet to name him but, ah, you know. Bigger fish to fry.” • He lights up his dagger and turns around, “such as you. You know, I’ve never filleted a human. Fish, squirrels, really any animal. But not a human. That would be so fun, wouldn’t it?” • Your ex is running for the hills. • “There we go! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Or, or… something… Darling, are you alright?” • He’ll check on you and make sure you’re alright before- “and we need a name for my little friend here! Yes, yes we do!”

[rainyprompts]

✧✦⭒ BRIDGERTON S2 PROMPTS —

a collection of random dialogue prompts from season two of bridgerton! change all pronouns/gendered language as you need!

❛There are two things that lurk within the dark and shadowy places of our fair city. Vermin and secrets.❜

❛Is that a promise or a threat?❜

❛Say you do not care for me. Say you feel nothing, and I will walk away.❜

❛Regardless of the truth, people… nay, gossips, they will contrive shameless falsehoods.❜

❛There shall be dancing.❜

❛Scandals may cast aspersions but they do not obligate us to answer to anyone.❜

❛Your future will certainly not be found in the past with me.❜

❛Take your Trojan horse elsewhere.❜

❛You do know you cannot show someone your best without allowing them to see your worst.❜

❛Can you ever just agree?❜

❛I saw a light and thought I might have left a candle lit.❜

❛Worldly travelers use it as a way to open their minds and transcend ordinary anxieties.❜

❛I do not know which pains me more, your betrayal or your pity.❜

❛So many flowers when what I really seek is a gem.❜

❛ Do not leave me!❜

“Do you think there is a corner of this earth that you could travel to far away enough to free me from this torment?❜

❛There is nothing worse than rotting flowers when someone is unwell.❜

❛Is there not something in all of us that requires a challenge?❜

❛Pride may not be as precious to you as your breath.❜

❛Would you like a companion? Imposter party for two?❜

❛Let us hope he has more. One bauble does not a fortune make.❜

❛What exactly are the rules of this game?❜

❛You understood our arrangement came with risks.❜

❛Perhaps we pretend this encounter never took place?❜

❛Oh I shall never listen to you! Or anyone I wholeheartedly disagree with!❜

❛I, of course, am an enigma and will divulge none of my secrets.❜

❛I do believe we must allow ourselves those private moments, so we may face reality armed with our reveries.❜

❛True love is something else entirely. It is when the rest of the world goes quiet. It is not eyes that meet, but souls that dance.❜

❛Beating you feels the same as any other win, but somehow smells sweeter.❜

❛An insipid wallflower, indeed.❜

❛Your confidence is admirable, I concede.❜

❛For the first time in my life, I do not know what to do.❜

❛It is a pleasing, stimulating, thrilling, kind of torment. Have you ever felt that way?❜

❛You are the bane of my existence and the object of my desires.❜

❛Soon you shall be just as jaded as the rest of us.❜

❛I look at you now, and all I feel is pity for you.❜

❛The moment we go, the moment we step foot outside those doors, we face the truth.❜

❛You worry about being seen.❜

❛You vex me!❜

❛We must be careful not to attract too much attention.❜

❛I would rather go out there and offer my hand to one of those birds. It would be less painful!❜

❛Oh, here we go! Enthrall me with your self knowledge and awareness!❜

❛Your dreams are grander than you let on.❜

❛Happy endings do not exist. At least, not in real life.❜

❛We did a terrible thing.❜

❛That scent. It has remained imprinted on my mind since the night on the terrace.❜

❛I heard it was you who found me and brought me home safe.❜

❛You are running away.❜

❛Just keep looking at me. No one else matters.❜

❛Are you going to ask me to dance? One last time?❜

❛It grieves me to think you do not believe you deserve all of the love in the world.❜

[iloveitxwhenaplanxcomestogether]

Peck's warm laughter beheld a buoyant mirthe, the kind notably absent from the office under Eldridge's iron-fisted control, and she contents herself to bask in it for as long as possible. "Me?" Amy sputters, finding herself caught very much off-guard. "Oh no. I'm not a mother." The stubborn reporter can barely get a decent man to glance in her direction much less make romantic overtures. "Though my mother continually holds out hope that someday I'll meet Mr. Right--" Why she's spilling such intimate information with a co-worker confounds her to a degree.

"I just..." Her head dips bashfully as she prepares her lips for her next confession. "I find it really refreshing that there's a man who is good with kids--" Sure. it's a clumsy fumbling, but Allen hopes it will allow her to save face with the handsome intern. "Do you have children of your own? Or are you just collecting all the skills you can because you find them useful?" Amy prompts perhaps a degree indecently. His being married or unmarried, having children or not, has nothing to do with the job being asked of him here. Still, Allen is genuinely curious.

Amy's dark eyes flash back towards Eldridge's office. The breathless levity that had been there drowns, a particularly violent death, and she sucks in a tired breath. That man is so vexing and loathsome!! She doesn't understand why she continues to battle for her place here, other than the fact she felt a duty to relate the truth to the readers whereas it might go unrevealed. "That's not too bad for a starter--" She does finally bring herself to confess with her eyes returning to Mr. Peck.

Her eyes narrow in astonishment as Peck strikes a number remarkably close to what she ought to see in her paycheck. With a simple shrug of her shoulders, she confides, "something like that, when he's not benching me or trashing my stories." In truth he overestimated her wallet. She's making even less per year since she's been gaining nothing but the Editor's ire as of late. A purely satiric laugh escapes her at the thought that she could ever be worth more than her meager salary at the Courier rag.

Her hand sinks easily into his larger. Unlike most of the people she rubs shoulders with, his hands are not velvet from inactivity or over-lotioning. No, they very much boast workman's callouses. She's learned to spot the difference over the years. Her own fingers curl eagerly around his and gift a tight squeeze. One that might have had a degree more affection than intended before the gesture is released.

Peck is a real puzzle, to be sure. His own responses are proving to be quite captivating. It isn't every day that she runs into someone who might be equally lured by a deep enough mystery. Sweet Mahogany orbs rake over him at his intellectual response. He is not nearly as dimwitted as her last intern. "You grow up in this city too? Or did you do your research. Sounds like you know more than most---" He's not wrong.

"I intend to do just that," she confesses about the grounds of her one woman crusade. Then her eyes turn from bright to doleful and the smile her lips boasted moments prior diminishes completely. "Sounds like you either have personal experience or know someone who does with how harsh this city can be." Amy's extending to him an invitation to speak, if he should like it.

Peck's next remarks earn him a nod of agreement. "They've already been operating far too long. I don't want people having to worry about this creep- or creeps. Even a homeless person has to deserve some semblance of safety." Amy expresses. She sighs. "Yeah well, as I've heard from the LAPD, their allocated resources are constantly being stretched too thin. Apparently they were some hundred-and-forty grand over-budget last February?" Though Amy does not approve of their easy dismissal, she can understand how much more pressing matters were getting the devotion of the resources- financial and other.

"Why not? Most of the people are going missing there. It's the one place all these cases have in common," Amy replies not skipping a beat. "Why? are you too scared? I mean, you're not technically obligated to come along..." Even as he locks step with her, she is offering him yet another way out.

Amy nods. "Most of them do see the country. But -- something in my gut tells me that isn't the case here. I can't explain it-" Okay. Maybe she could as feminine intuition. The last time she used that as an excuse Markham had turned her into Eldridge who explained at length that "woman's touchy feely feelings are simply NOT enough" before docking two grand and benching her for a week. She doesn't want to see the same thing happening here. "I sincerely hope that it doesn't come to finding a body, but if it must- and it'll give the police enough evidence--" her shoulders sag.

His inquiry gives her pause. "Other than the encampment, I haven't noticed any relation other than the possibly victims are all young and on their own. They have no one to look for them. Or at least, no one with enough weight to bear any consequence," Amy relates swallowing hard. She wished she had more to go on. Every time she tired to get a good grasp on this case, she was hit with those stupid cease and desists. And she, in all honesty, had no desire to stop until the truth of the matter was discovered.

A blush stains her cheeks as he parts open the door to the parking garage for her. "You can't just drop something of that nature on me and not explain." Now, she is intensely curious. Eldridge mentioned something about him spending time in Miami. That's hardly enough grounds to acquaint oneself with lunatics. Or had she missed something in the interoffice memo she casually dipped into the trash the day before his arrival.

She roars with laughter despite her best efforts to contain it. "Oh no. Naming shoes?" The brunette pauses. "You're being quite serious, aren't you?"A discerning gaze levies upon him while sobering a few degrees.

Amy's not used to such enthusiastically kind observations being made about her or her work. Any animosity she sheltered towards Mr. Peck for potentially being a minion of Eldridge's is long forgotten. "A--admirable?" She muses. "It's just the right and decent thing to do, don't you think?" Amy's brow quirks a little at his intended compliment, but it only makes her bristle just a touch. "Any woman would have to be ignorant not to care. We're all sometimes one bad day, one bad job, one bad choice away from poverty. Aren't we?" She queries softly.

Then exhaling a sigh, she supposed she could trust him with the real reason she is so deeply dedicated to this story. However, opening up like this made her feel extremely vulnerable. Vulnerable in a way that was not enjoyable. "Had my father not returned from a Prisoner of War camp, my mother and I very well could have ended up in one of the camps. One of my friends wasn't so lucky. She was one of the first people to go missing. I know, because I was taking her my lunches for months. Then suddenly, I couldn't find her. Everyone said she moved, but Clarissa wouldn't. She has-- habits. No, firm routines. She sticks to them for her own sanity. She doesn't depart from them much when it can be afforded--" She can feel a sense of urgency rushing like a wild, rabid river beneath the expertly annunciated words.

"I'm going to start with talking to Jane Erstin again. She's the unofficial matriarch of the camp. Not much goes on without her knowing, I think." Amy remarks as she unlocks her car and chambers in behind the seat. "You know anyone in the homeless camp, Mr. Peck?" She prods, almost hoping he too has connections he can speak to about this.

It seems under all her grumpiness; Miss Allen has a sense of humor after all. His quip about babysitting finally prompts a smile that softens the worry lines etching into the creases around her mouth. He chuckles, and tilts his head. “Don’t tell me—you have a precocious five-year-old at home, and you’re looking for a babysitter. Is that why your eyes lit up when I said that?” Her second question is a bit more serious, but hardly brings him pause. He is used to talking about money, and has no qualms with sharing such information. “Oh… around $8500 a year. A little below average for my position, I gather… but not terribly bad.” Once he starts having money come in regularly, he can very easily double or even triple his income with careful investments. He already has a few going, like Efrain’s club down in San Diego, or the Golden Pagoda in Chinatown, but a man really needs money to make money. Besides, this venture has less to do with being completely destitute and more to do with staying busy. Idleness does not suit his mental health well, and while conning war profiteers is amusing, it is also a speedy way to land himself in prison. He does not need to make a fortune here—he just needs a current job to ensure his landlord that he is not a deadbeat, and he needs something engaging enough that his mind will dwell on that instead of the war. If Miss Allen keeps staring into his eyes like that, he has a feeling this job will be more than interesting enough to keep his mind occupied. Turnabout is fair play, however. Narrowing his eyes sightly, he tilts his head. “Now, on the other hand, I would guess that you’re making around $15,500 a year? Somewhere in that neighborhood?” He smiles a bit. “Am I close, Miss Allen? Or have I grossly underestimated your worth to the Courier, and you make a good deal more?” When she extends her hand to him, intending to shake on her concession to his presence, he accepts the offer. Holding her hand firm enough that she knows he is sincere, but loose enough that he does not hurt her, he lets the handshake last precisely five seconds. Then he lets go of her hand. In retrospect, he wonders if he should have held onto it. Miss Allen’s sheer surprise at his question is almost enough to floor her before she even tries to answer him. Face supposes it is a good thing she is still in her chair… else he might be picking her up off the threadbare carpet, and setting her back on her feet.

“Well… ‘intrigued’ might be a strong word, Miss Allen since I don’t really know what is going on, but I am certainly interested.” He admits. “Besides, someone has to find out what is going on. Los Angeles has always been a hotbed for serial killers and other predators. Despite the movies putting all those degenerates out in the middle of rural Nowheres-ville, most of them are here in the cities. There’s no prey for them out there, but in LA? We’re loaded with homeless people, would-be starlets, bright-eyed innocents fresh off the bus from Kansas…” He pauses, realizing that his words are a bit too jaded for the persona he has been presenting thus far. Face backs off from his speech rather quicky, seeking to smooth it over with a few words. “The last thing Los Angeles needs is someone like that operating freely—and our police officers are far too busy to chase after every person who turns up missing. If they were so inclined, they would have to dedicate an entire building to that task alone.” He watches Miss Allen hurriedly collect some writing instruments and her keys. His answer to her suggestion is to fall in step beside her, folding his hands behind his back as he walks. “I assume you mean that we’re heading to the camp then.” His tone is a bit too casual for a wet-behind-the-ears rookie, but he does not catch it. Miss Allen starts talking before they even exit the office, outlining everything that she has learned so far. He stifles an oath when she mentions that the two orphans are officially on the list of missing people in this case. He owes Father O’Malley an apology, then. “Unfortunately, the police are right.” He grimaces. “The homeless… runaways… they’re considered a transient population. They get bored in an area, or it gets too hot for them, and they move onto another one. Sometimes they just decide to see the country, and they never stay anywhere long. Until there’s a body or evidence of a crime, the police can do precious little.” He blinks but walks through the door when his new boss opens it. “It could be an organized situation,” He agrees. “Is there any uniformity on the people missing? Are they in the same age range? Or are they all the same gender?” He knows that the orphans are a boy and a girl, a fifteen-year-old boy and a fourteen-year-old girl who fancied themselves in love, and ready to take on the world. In the infinite wisdom of youth, they assumed they already knew everything there was to know. Father O’s insistence that they stay in school, then establish a living before they committed to each other completely fell on deaf ears. If they ran off to seek their fortunes, they could be easy prey for any number of villains. Miss Allen’s passion for these missing strangers touches something warm in Face’s heart that is rarely stirred. Too few people fight endlessly for the unwanted and forgettable… to see her taking such a firm stand is intriguing. He has a soft spot for orphans and society’s other rejects because he has either walked the road himself, or knows other people who struggle with it. But why does she care so much? What prompts her to devote so much of her heart and soul to these kinds of stories, when he is sure her editor would prefer she pursue less controversial topics? She offers him an escape hatch as they reach the door for the parking garage. Instead of taking it, he pulls the door open for her. “Hardly, Miss Allen. I’ve known raving lunatics, and you’re hardly one of them. Why, I won’t even count you as ‘nutty’ until you start naming your shoes, and giving them distinct personalities. I think you’re just passionate, and you’re frustrated that no one else seems to care about this case so you’ve decided you’re going to take it on yourself. That’s rather admirable, honestly… though I do have to wonder why a woman of your education and breeding would care so much about runaways, and homeless drug addicts in the first place.” He phrases his question as a casual observation, an invitation that she can answer if she wants too. There is no pressure behind his words though—she does not hold any information he vitally needs right now, so he sees no reason to wiggle his way past her boundaries and into her confidence too quickly. Especially when it comes to women, the fast route may be an amusing challenge, but the slow road tends to be more intriguing and enjoyable.

[blorbologist]

33, Vax and Percy (gen), please? (also your writing is excellent)

33. Power Word Pain.

"You speak a word of power that causes waves of intense pain to assail one creature you can see within range. If the target has 100 hit points or fewer, it is subject to crippling pain. Otherwise, the spell has no effect on it. A target is also unaffected if it is immune to being charmed.

While the target is affected by crippling pain, any speed it has can be no higher than 10 feet. The target also has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws, other than Constitution saving throws. Finally, if the target tries to cast a spell, it must first succeed on a Constitution saving throw, or the casting fails and the spell is wasted."

[This one hardly followed the prompt - sorry! My main thought was either Power Word Pain killed him, and the fact that these words hurt.]

[TW: Temporary character death]

It’s no end. This much Percival knows. 

It was just a little outing to stay sharp - perhaps spurred on by an offhand comment about his aim being off from Scanlan. 

Pike is here - there - besides. And gods know Vex’ahlia will not let him leave so soon. Especially not with a fourth child on the way; he wouldn’t dream of it. Dearly, he hopes this does not give her a fright so early.

Well. Either way, he is coming back. He knows this. It isn’t his time. 

Which is why the sight (you are dead, fool, you can’t see anything) the presence of a figure in this not-space is startling. And, immediately, terrifying. He knows well he deserves death, yes, but he won’t go quietly this time, not with Vex - 

“I do not accept this.”

“At ease, Lord de Rolo,” rasps the quiet. 

Oh. Oh dear, that’s worse. 

“I hope,” says Percival, “you are not here to escort me to your Matron. Your sister would not be happy.”

What should be a little shake of his head is made ample. Excessive, even: the beaked mask swings wide, his hair echoes the movement like a snake. 

“No - merely here to calm you,” says the Champion of Ravens. “There is nothing to fear, contrary to your… ordeals prior.”

Yes, he remembers. Smoke, Percy learned, can have teeth and claws. It can chew, if you give it enough to work with. It’s not particularly good at it - which mattered little, when Orthax had an eternity ahead to eat him alive. 

Percy shivers. The feathers of - his - mantle do, too. A bird, bristling against the cold. 

“She wants to name one after you,” Percival offers, suddenly. On impulse, because who knows how much time they have. Pike usually works quickly. Then again, what is time to a dead brain? He’d have to look into it later. (There will be a later.) 

He swallows. “I - I don’t think it’s a good idea. For her, or for Keyleth.” Scrutinizing the Champion, he finds - there - a jerk, a puppet string pulled too quickly, at the name. “But I want you to know she wants, so badly.”

“Are they well?”

That’s a relief, that he cares to ask. Whatever he is, what’s left of him, or diluted, or parceled out.

“Yes,” Percy replies. The growths from the shoulder are bleached antler one moment, tender enoki another. “As well as I can keep them. They can laugh about your stupid jokes again, you know. Vesper thinks a few are a riot.”

There’s a pause he hastens to fill. Usually he would consider his words more carefully, but he lets his mouth run, lead by what his heart has wondered countless sleepless nights: “Is there - could there be any way, to undo this now? Any true hope? I couldn’t give them false hope, but I have to know. If you want to come back -”

“Wanting is… beyond me.” Said slowly, because of course he has all the time in the world. “Because it has not been long enough to miss my love, my sister - you, my brother.” 

“I will see you soon. I will see them all soon. And yet not for ages yet. There are countless more for me to guide, and yet I recall their faces clear as the last.”

“So that’s a no?”

“Indeed.”

There’s a tug, where his heart should be. Percy glances down to behold gold - a thread, so beautiful it should inspire tears. He hadn’t - hadn’t expected to see it whole, unfrayed. 

Apparently he is wanted elsewhere. Good. Good.

It feels like a waste. All this - whatever earful he will be in for when he returns, the stress to his friends and wife, the tailoring on his fucking coat - and he can hardly come away with reassurance. A cheap death - at least with his last he helped kill a dragon. At least with his first he learned to forgive. 

He sighs. Glances about, in the vain hope that the Matron watches him. There is no seamstress working at his thread - only Pike, he knows, on the other side. Only everyone but this man, whoever he still is.

“I do not accept this.”

The Champion smiles. “Still sticking to indignant and irritated, Percival?”

Percy barks out a laugh. “Oh, screw you, Vax. That was a callback, you shit.”