#welcome to the city where men use power and connections to try and corner you into things even when you are half their age

[freebooter4ever]

i hate this city so much, i am sick of these adults playing cliques and the way these people treat those they consider insignificant and the power trips and... everything. hate it.

[zapreportsblog]

❝the bet❞

✭ pairing : guy bellingfield x reader

✭ fandom : riot club

✭ summary : (y/n) is the newest student at University of Oxford . She’s got the looks and brains to back her up and it doesn’t hurt that her body draws attention too, so as a bet the men of the infamous riot club see who can bed her first

✭ authors note : this was requested by @piastripoets you send this specific request in to @fandomnationwhore a while back but I’m here to fill in for them and write. At any moment you wish to be untagged do inform me :) your request had been riot club guy × reader where the reader is new to the college and the guys all try hitting on her but only guy is successful?

The ancient stone buildings of the University of Oxford, steeped in centuries of history, bore witness to the arrival of a new student, (Y/N). Her presence was a disruption in the tranquil aura of academia that had enveloped the venerable institution for generations.

As the taxi pulled up to the entrance of the storied university, (Y/N) stepped out, her confidence radiating like a force of nature. Tall and strikingly beautiful, with long flowing hair that shimmered like obsidian and eyes that sparkled with intelligence, she was a captivating sight that drew attention from all corners.

With a suitcase in one hand and a backpack slung casually over her shoulder, she navigated her way through the cobblestone paths that crisscrossed the historic campus. Students whispered in hushed tones as she passed, speculation and curiosity following her like a shadow.

But (Y/N) was more than just a pretty face. She was a brilliant mind, a prodigy in her field. Her academic achievements had earned her a scholarship to the hallowed halls of Oxford, where she intended to immerse herself in the pursuit of knowledge.

Unbeknownst to her, there was a group of young, wealthy, and powerful men at Oxford known as the Riot Club. They were known for their extravagant parties, their old-boy network connections, and their penchant for mischief. The members of the Riot Club had a reputation for always getting what they wanted, no matter the cost.

As (Y/N) settled into her dorm room, the men of the Riot Club gathered in a dimly lit, oak-paneled room within the heart of the university. Their eyes were fixed on (Y/N) from the moment she had set foot on campus, and now they hatched a plan to make her the object of their desires.

Jonathan, a charismatic and wealthy member of the Riot Club, proposed a reckless bet that sent a ripple of excitement through the room. "Gentlemen," he began, a sly grin on his face, "I propose a wager. Whomever among us manages to win the affections of the new student, (Y/N), shall be rewarded with whatever they desire."

The room fell silent for a moment as the gravity of the bet sank in. These were young men accustomed to getting their way, and (Y/N) presented an enticing challenge. Their motivations varied from pure desire to a desire for power, but all were equally determined to pursue her.

Little did (Y/N) know that her arrival at Oxford had set in motion a high-stakes game, one where her beauty, brains, and body had become the ultimate prize. The stage was set, and the Riot Club had cast their sights on the enigmatic newcomer, ready to do whatever it took to win her heart, and in doing so, get whatever they wanted.

The night air in Oxford carried a crisp, autumn chill as (Y/N) and a few of her newfound friends from the university made their way to a cozy pub nestled among the city's winding streets. The warmth and camaraderie of the evening were a welcome respite from the rigorous academic demands of their first week at Oxford.

Gathered around a wooden table, they exchanged stories, laughter, and dreams for the future. These friends had quickly become (Y/N)'s lifeline in this new, unfamiliar world. Their friendships provided solace and a sense of belonging in a place where she had initially felt like an outsider.

Meanwhile, across the dimly lit pub, members of the Riot Club had taken notice of (Y/N) once again. Their curiosity and desire to win the bet burned within them. Jonathan, the charismatic instigator of the wager, leaned over to his companions and whispered, "There she is, gentlemen. (Y/N), the key to our desires."

As the evening wore on, (Y/N)'s friends reluctantly excused themselves one by one, leaving her sitting alone at the table. She watched as they disappeared into the bustling Oxford nightlife, each bidding her a warm farewell.

It was precisely at this moment that Jonathan and his cohorts saw their opportunity. With feigned congeniality, they approached (Y/N)'s table, their designer suits and confident demeanor setting them apart from the pub's regular patrons.

"Hello, (Y/N)," Jonathan greeted her with a charming smile. "We couldn't help but notice that you were here all by yourself. Mind if we join you for a drink? We'd love to get to know our newest classmate better."

(Y/N) surveyed the group of men with a mixture of caution and suspicion. She had heard rumors about the Riot Club and their reputation for mischief. While she had hoped to keep a low profile and focus on her studies, it seemed that fate had other plans.

Politely but firmly, (Y/N) declined their invitation. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll call it a night. I've had a long day of classes, and I could use some rest."

Jonathan's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. "Well, the offer stands whenever you're ready. We look forward to getting to know you better, (Y/N)."

With a polite nod, (Y/N) gathered her things and made her way to the exit. The members of the Riot Club exchanged glances, realizing that this challenge might be more difficult than they had initially anticipated.

As (Y/N) stepped out into the cool Oxford night, she couldn't shake the feeling that the Riot Club's interest in her went beyond mere curiosity.

A few minutes after (Y/N) left the pub, she was making her way down a dimly lit street when she heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind. Turning around, she was surprised to see a young man, his breath slightly labored from running, catching up to her.

"Wait up!" he called out, concern evident in his voice. "It's unsafe for a young woman to be out this late, much less a beautiful one like yourself."

(Y/N) raised an eyebrow, unsure of this stranger's intentions. She had been cautious about accepting help from anyone, especially after the encounter with the Riot Club, but there was something about the sincerity in his eyes that gave her pause.

He continued, "I couldn't help but notice you leaving the pub alone, and I thought I should offer my assistance. Would you like me to call a taxi for you?"

(Y/N) hesitated for a moment, contemplating the offer. The night was indeed lovely, and the brisk air was invigorating. "Thank you for your concern, but I think I'll walk back to the dorms. It's not far, and I could use the fresh air."

The young man nodded, understanding her decision. "Well, in that case, may I accompany you? It's always safer to have company, especially at night."

(Y/N) weighed her options. She didn't know this man, but his gesture seemed genuinely kind. After a brief moment of consideration, she nodded in agreement. "Alright, you can walk with me. My name is (Y/N), by the way."

He smiled warmly. "I'm Guy. Nice to meet you, (Y/N)."

As they strolled together through the quiet, moonlit streets of Oxford, conversation flowed easily between them. They discovered common interests in literature, their love for exploring new places, and a shared appreciation for the beauty of the historic city.

Guy, it turned out, was a fellow student at Oxford, pursuing a degree in history. He was well-read and passionate about his studies, and his knowledge of the university's rich history impressed (Y/N). In turn, she shared her own academic pursuits and aspirations, and they found themselves engaged in a lively discussion about their respective fields.

As they approached the dormitory building, (Y/N) realized that the walk had been far more enjoyable and less intimidating with Guy by her side. She turned to him with a grateful smile. "Thank you for walking me back, Guy. I appreciate it."

He smiled in return, his eyes reflecting the warmth of their newfound connection. "Anytime, (Y/N). It was a pleasure getting to know you. Perhaps we could continue our conversation over coffee sometime?"

(Y/N) nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation about what the future might hold. "I'd like that, Guy. Coffee sounds great."

They exchanged contact information, and as (Y/N) entered her dormitory, she couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events. What had started as a night filled with uncertainty and caution had led to a chance encounter with a kindred spirit. Little did she know that this serendipitous meeting with Guy would become a significant and transformative chapter in her life at the University of Oxford.

In the weeks that followed their chance encounter, (Y/N) and Guy had grown remarkably close. They spent hours together in the university's picturesque gardens, lost in conversations that ranged from philosophy to their personal dreams and aspirations. What started as a simple walk back from the pub had blossomed into a genuine and deep connection.

As they shared their thoughts and experiences, (Y/N) couldn't help but feel that Guy was different from the other men she had encountered at Oxford. He was respectful, considerate, and genuinely interested in her as a person, not just as a beautiful face. She had come to value his friendship immensely.

Meanwhile, the members of the Riot Club, continued to watch the unfolding drama with anticipation. Their bet was nearing its climax, and Jonathan, the instigator of the wager, couldn't help but feel confident.

"You're totally going to win the bet, Guy," one of his friends remarked, slapping him on the back as they gathered in their dimly lit meeting room.

Guy Bellingfield, a member of the Riot Club who had set his sights on (Y/N), grinned triumphantly. He had taken to heart the challenge and had spent countless hours trying to woo her. He believed he was making headway.

As the men celebrated their impending victory, (Y/N) happened to overhear a conversation from the shadows. Her curiosity piqued, she discreetly eavesdropped on their exchange.

"Now all you've got to do is sleep with her, and boom, you've won," one of the Riot Club members whispered to Guy, a sinister grin on his face.

(Y/N)'s heart sank as the implications of their conversation became clear. She had been nothing more than a pawn in their game, a means to an end in their quest to win a bet. It was a revelation that left her feeling used and manipulated.

[burnedbyshoto]

bakugou leaving reader for the unknown, for his dream, because where they were wasn’t good enough, it was a hindrance on his future. it wasn’t so much that he hated his hometown, the people, or even you — he loved you, after all — but he just could never keep himself tied down to the place he was trying to outgrow.

he leaves for university, in the big city, a campus that is known for making the best, creating trailblazers in every field imaginable, and when he leaves at the age of eighteen, he doesn’t come back. all he remembers is the shocked look on your face and the helpless tears streaming down your face when he broke up with you.

it’s been twelve years, and he’s thirty now. he changed his number when he got to the new city, only keeping touch with his parents out of obligation than anything else. it’s short phone calls, three minute conversations of mitsuki scolding him for not calling enough, for never visiting, masaru trying to gently express their concerns for their only son, and of course, bakugou saying he needs to leave.

his parents are strangers to him, practically, and whenever they try to speak of his past life, the one he exchanged away for the current CEO position he’s found himself in, he hangs up. he doesn’t want to hear it, he doesn’t want the bitter pit in his stomach when they even begin to speak your name.

but they haven’t mentioned you in years.

but the thing about katsuki is, unfortunately, his attitude.

thirty years old and a prominent CEO of a company no older than four years old and yet already a billionaire? practically unheard of. sure, people, normal people, praise him for it, but the board? men who used to people like katsuki don’t praise him.

they hate his harsh attitude, his ridiculous will power, and necessity to do everything, and somehow… katsuki gets put on a leave of absence for a minimum of a year.

at first, it’s fine. bakugou spends the newfound free time traveling, seeing the world, doing things he never was able to because he was building his empire. but three months of nothing leads him to grow restless, bored, and the worst feeling in the world crawls into the pit of his stomach and he realizes in month number five what it is.

for the first time in his life, bakugou katsuki is: homesick.

so he goes home, trading the concrete jungle and modern technology for dirt roads and rusting machines. it’s just for a moment, he says as he sees the life he left behind ages ago.

it’s much slower in his hometown, people much more open and conversing with one another instead of cellphones like he’s grown used to. he isn’t quite ready to knock on his mother’s front door so he goes to the general store and walks straight to where he just knows his past time favorite snacks are.

to his total surprise (notice the sarcasm?) it’s right where he remembered it was through the cobwebs of his memory. there’s one bag of spicy corn chips left and as he reached for it, another hand goes for it too.

he freezes for a bit, eyebrows furrowing as he looks at the person who’s hand is connected to the bag of chips he wants.

but he stops breathing for just a moment.

it’s a young girl, most definitely no older than twelve, with your face. it’s exactly the same. but unlike you, the girl had ash blonde hair and deep red eyes.

the girl blinks eyes looking taken back and slightly lost, as does bakugou, and then as if finally caught up on the situation of things, she scowls.

“hands off the chips, old man! I got here first!”

the magic is gone and bakugou feels his eye twitch as he reels backward.

“what the hell did you just say to—?!”

“I said hands off! arent you too old to be eating chips anyways?! you’re practically a million years old, eat the lame corn nuts or something,” she scoffs rolling her eyes as she tucks the bag of chips under her arm.

“aren’t you some shitty little brat!” bakugou hisses, his hand twitching with irritation. “don’t you know to respect your fucking elders.”

“ain’t nothing to respect from what I can tell!”

“aiko, hurry up,” a voice bemoans from behind the aisle and bakugou feels his chest constrict in the weirdest, most heart aching way as you walk around the corner with an armful of party supplies. “we have to get to your grand—”

bakugou stares at you, and you at him. the tension and silence so thick and heavy on the both of your shoulders and tongues.

in the twelve years he’s been away, bakugou has had other relationships. most of them due mostly to friends insistence, and others mostly just because he wanted a warm body nearby. but no one could ever match what you meant to him, not that he could have realized that because he could never think back to you. you were his past, not his present, not his future.

and bakugou was suddenly feeling a lot of things, thinking a lot of things as he looked between you and well… aiko.

“y/n,” bakugou’s voice is hollow, almost unbelievable. “i-is she — are we—?”

“this is my daughter, y/l/n aiko,” you say, steely calm and dangerous. the warm smile you were wearing moments ago clean off your face and your eyes were like glass — shiny, unemotional. “she was born after you left, so you never got a chance to meet her, did you?”

“y/n—“

“y/l/n!” you snap, face still void of emotions. “you don’t have that right anymore.”

bakugou stiffens for a moment, but he knows that you’re right. “y/l/n,” he tries again, your last name a word he’s never had to use in his entire life to address you. “how old is she?”

“mama,” aiko whispers, eyes glaring at bakugou as she stand protectively in front of you, fingers digging into your blouse. “I wanna go now.”

your eyes drop from bakugou, and he watches as a strained but kind smile is expressed to aiko as you press a kiss to her forehead. “okay, go pay for these things for me, will ya? tell tayo-sama we’ll pay him back tomorrow. i’m going to finish this conversation with… with my old classmate.”

aiko looks between you and bakugou, eyebrows furrowed with unsaid questions but she nods, grabbing the things from your arms and going to the cash register. bakugou keeps his gaze on the young girl until your fingers dig into his bicep and your pulling him into a corner that he had definitely made out with you in ages, lifetimes ago.

“what are you doing here?!” you hiss in a near terrible whisper, face frazzled and overwhelmed. “you’ve never been back home! what’s different?!”

“is she mine?!”

“no!” you shriek, fist hitting his chest. “she’s not yours! she’s mine! she’s not some claimable object you get to collect years later!”

bakugou stiffens but also feels like he melts with guilt under those words… youre right. he has no claim to her. all he did was give her life but it was a life where he was probably nothing more than an empty space in. but he looks at you, millions of emotions swimming through your watery eyes, and the snarl on your lips as you stand before him as if you could do anything.

“i’m… i’m sorry, you’re right,” bakugou says, lips pressing into a thin line.

“you shouldn’t have come back,” you laugh miserably, fingers massaging your temples. your tone is weak, defeated, as if for the first time in your life you felt the bottom of the pit. “why did you come back home?”

“mama!!!! let’s go already!!!” aiko whines by the entrance and you tremble in front of him before shaking your head.

“coming!” you call back to her.

bakugou steals another look at what is his daughter. a girl he never knew existed.

“do me a favor, bakugou,” you say passing him with small but domineering steps. “don’t do anything to make her suspect youre her father.”

it took a few hours, probably more, maybe less, but bakugou finally finds himself at his childhood home. he’s heart feeling like it was being swallowed as the front door opened and he saw his older mother and father standing at the entrance. bakugou couldn’t understand what they were saying as they welcomed him in, he could only notice how their home looked exactly the same… well except that the walls that were decorated with photos of him and only him were also covered with pictures of aiko.

“did you know?” bakugou asks before he can even say hello.

mitsuki stopped mid rant, her face moving from irritated mother to exasperated but pitiful silence.

“since she found out.”

“why didn’t you… why didn’t I know?”

“she tried telling you, called you multiple times only to be blocked,” masaru gently explains. “you always shut us down when we so much as mentioned her.”

“she even flew out there at one point but caught you making out with some dumb model too.” mitsuki inserts with a huff. “we tried, brat. you just…”

bakugou is silent, his heartbeat roaring in his ears at the thought of his initial monstrous attempt of deleting his past life. mitsuki sighs, sad and sullen.

“there was no point in telling you when you won’t listen.”

or the story of a one sided bitter ex as bakugou and reader are challenged at creating some semblance of a relationship because aiko pieces it together the moment they looked at each other. including a lot of angst, a six month time limit to rekindle a once in a lifetime love story because choosing between family and work is damn hard.

[angst-art-writing]

Ah, Shit- Here we go Again- Sinners and Saints(2)

TW: death, kidnapping, blood.

Six months later.

Artemis wiped her blade clean with a cloth before she placed it back into its sheath. She looked back at the bodies. Two men, late twenties with throats sliced clean. Silenced. With a sigh she pushed back her bangs, crossing the room to the window she had entered from and slipped out, balancing on the edge as she took out her grappling hook. She shot it and it attached to another building and Artemis dropped down, swinging back up onto another rooftop and rolling as she landed. Back on her feet, she straightened up and twisted the watch on her wrist. ”Who’s next..” she muttered to herself. A digital list sprang up, the names of targets she had that night springing up. Artemis’s job was a simple one; Kill those who had found out about what the Reapers do. Anyone who had found out about the extraction of Mythic’s powers (mythics are people/creatures with special abilities of any kind) or any other crimes were to be killed. The reapers slunk in the shadows and hid but Artemis knew they were building their way up and covering up their crimes. Artemis had always wondered how the Reapers were able to expand and have resources to do what they do, to have so many connections. Then she remembered money. People would do anything for a dollar in their pocket. It had been a cruel lesson to learn for Artemis.

She looked at the last name on the list. Strangely, it looked familiar.

Paige Neoma.

She couldn't remember where she had heard it before . Must still be loopy from yesterday's training..

She tapped on the name with a finger, the address springing up with the directions to where she was located. Artemis peered at the time then. Since she was trusted enough to go on assignments alone again she had a curfew; Midnight. It was eleven. Better hurry this shit up.

The location was one Artemis hadn’t expected. It was an abandoned warehouse. The building loomed over dead grass, decaying and old. She had visited here many times before. It was an escape, a place she could sneak out of when her father was drunk or passed out. Why are the directions leading here? No one lives here. I barely come here anymore. She chewed the knuckle knuckle on her index finger, her foot tapping on the crunchy grass. It must be another one of Vincent’s tests.. Her heart pounded a bit faster at that thought. Oh, God. If he finds out- if he found out I snuck out here back then..

She held her breath and took a step back, looking back at the rest of the city. Her throat felt tight. It didn't matter how long ago it was, he would still be pissed. He could be pissed for no reason.

I could get away. She turned around and looked out at the other buildings. No, they'd find me..

She shook her head and swallowed, pushing the thoughts away. She looked towards the big doors of the warehouse. She knew it was a trap. But once again, there wa sno choice she had.

Whatever happens.. I can take it. Whatever it is..I’ll take it.

Artemis exhaled slowly and walked back up to the doors. She then forced the doors open with a loud creak before she stepped into the old building. The doors shut behind her with a slam.

Inside, it was dark. Only one light was turned on. Inside smelled of mold and dust. But it was.. comforting. Better than the cleanliness smell of chemicals, trying to mask the stench of blood and torture at the Reapers base.

Artemis sighed and walked towards the middle, towards the light. The rest of the warehouse was dark, and she hated the way it looked like the shadows were crawling towards her. Goosebumps rose on her arms and on her neck.

She walked up to the middle of the room and stood there for a moment, looking around quietly. Before, Artemis would come during the day, when it was oddly welcoming. But now it was just menacing and.. honestly? Scary. Maybe because it meant Vincent might be lurking inside.

There was a light ruffling noise heard and Artemis jerked her head towards where the sound had come from, her hand instinctively moving to her bow on her shoulder. But she knew fighting against Vincent wouldn't help, so she lowered her hand. Her hand curled into a fist and her nails dug into her palms. Breathe.

But then she heard footsteps behind her and she turned, to see...Not Vincent. A girl had stepped into the dim lighting. She had black hair and stood tall, dressed in a black long sleeve with the sleeves rolled up. Paige Neoma. The name came back to her then. She had seen it on the news back home- A girl who had gone missing. She was a Mythic- A dangerous one the reporter had said. But all Mythics were deemed dangerous. Artemis stared at the girl. So this wasn’t a trap. Still, the unease didn’t fade. Artemis was never meant to kill Mythics; They could be useful. So why was she on the list? And why was she waiting for her?

"Artemis.." Paige said. Her voice was calm and smooth. She took a step forward. Artemis took one back, eyes scanning over her. “How do you know my name?”

The girl didn’t answer her question. “I need to speak to you.” “Could you have done it in a less creepy way?” Artemis narrowed her eyes. “What’s going on here?” “I need you to come with me.” “Who are you, a fuckin’ cop? Cause if so, that’s a shame because you’re pretty cute.”

Paige looked perplexed. She just shook her head. “No, I’m not a cop-” “That’s exactly what a cop would say.”

“What? Wh- Whatever. You need to come with me. I’m not taking no for an answer.” “Sure, then.” Paige stared again. She looked surprised, but she nodded slightly. “Right, then.. Follow me.” She began to walk, turning her back to Artemis. Artemis could see a sword on her back in it’s hilt. “Just kidding! God, how stupid can you be? I have a curfew, miss.” Artemis pulled out her grappling hook and swung up to the rafters before Paige turned around. She balanced on a rafter, right beside a window. She turned and opened it, before the corner of her eye caught a blue flash. Artemis glanced back behind her and her eyes widened. There, Paige was below. But now she had wings. Her wings were large and the blue faded from them. The inside of her wings were black and the outside white. “Motherfucker-” Artemis turned and pushed herself out the window, her grappling hook swinging her away from the building. A line shot out from the gun and connected to the building, and Artemis soared into the air, swinging up high. When she was really up there the line retracted and shot out again, as she flipped and continued to 'fly' around the city. She moved smoothly in the air as she fled.

As she was swinging she glanced behind her and saw Paige, her wings spread, flying towards her quickly. Artemis grinned and turned back around, attaching to another building and making a sharp turn to the right. Her hair blew back out of her face. She hadn't had this much.. fun in a while.

She was grinning, weirdly. When she was swinging around the city like that, it was like the wind rushing against her simply blew all her worries and issues away. And her heart sped up, but always in a good way. Not in fear or terror like usual.

The chase continued for a while, and Artemis glanced back once more, to find that the winged girl was no longer following her. Satisfied, but a little sad at the end of the chase, she turned back around in front of her-

To find Paige directly in front of her, slamming into her. Artemis's eyes widened and she let go of the gun. She squeezed her eyes shut as they collided, wind rushing through her ears. In the next second her back slammed down onto something hard- a roof-and she tumbled with Paige.

The two girls rolled on the roof Paige had tackled Artemis upon, and when the two finally stopped Artemis opened her eyes and wheezed, and the two girls scrambled up onto their feet. Artemis whipped out her dagger and aimed it at Paige’s throat the same time Paige’s sword blade rested on hers. Artemis’s eyes ran over the blade and then to Paige’s face. The girl tilted her head and her eyes bore into Artemis. They were blue, the same shade as Vincents. Artemis stared at her nose instead.

"Go ahead and do it, Neoma," Artemis said with a playful smirk. "You won't get what you want if you do. But I will. I'll get death so it's a win for me-"

Paige's eyes narrowed slowly. She was covered in bright colors from the smoke bombs. "And if you kill me, you'll create extra problems for yourself, won't you? You aren't allowed to kill me.”

"No. But what makes you think I won't drag your ass back to my people? Huh?"

At that, Paige's eyes softened and she half smiled, matching Artemis’s smirk. "You won't. You don't even want to wear that uniform, do you?" With her other hand, she gestured to Artemis's white uniform. She moved her blade up and sliced the mask she was wearing. It fluttered to the ground in the cool night breeze.

Her eyes widened slightly and she flinched away from the blade slightly. She pressed the blade against Paige's throat tighter. Yet, the winged girl didn't move an inch. Artemis glanced down at herself, to the mask, then at Paige. She held the blade tighter. "You don't know anything about what I want, lady. Honestly, I want some mental stab-"

Paige sighed, cutting her off. "Look.. one more chance to come willingly."

Artemis tilted her chin up and arched one eyebrow. "Mm.." There was a silence. She could only hear the wind blowing in her ears, and the noises of the city below.

Paige smiled wider. “Come on. Don’t you want to come with the pretty lady?”

“We haven’t established if you’re a cop or not yet, so-” “What police department would let me be a cop? I’m a mythic, remember?” “That’s true.”

There was a small beep and Artemis’s watch flashed. Fuck. Midnight.

In the next moment, Artemis grabbed the sword blade and yanked Paige closer, despite the blade cutting her hand. As Paige went forward Artemis slammed her knee into her stomach, before shoving her down and turning. She ran to the edge of the roof and pushed off. When she was mid-leap, she heard a loud whooshing noise. In the exact same second, arms wrapped around her as a body slammed into her. Son of a-

Yet again, the two slammed onto the roof together. Artemis rolled again, coming to a stop on her stomach. She tried to push herself up, but then an arm hooked around her neck. Artemis coughed and struggled as she felt weight on her. The damn bitch had her in a chokehold. Artemis rolled, lying on Paige. She clawed at the girl’s arms. Still, Artemis could speak. “Let go!” The girl didn’t let go. “I gave you a chance!” “Let go! I said for you to let go! He’s going to be mad!” Artemis snarled, but then Paige squeezed and cut off her air. Artemis kicked uselessly and clawed at the girl. Panic was beginning to set in. Even as Artemis thrashed, the girl didn’t let go. Soon enough, black spots covered Artemis’ vision and she slipped away into unconsciousness.

[onthepageoftears]

Kill Your Darlings Ch. 5 (Jaskier x Assassin!Reader) || Witcher

A/N: Hello all! I hope you are having a good day and getting through these rough times okay. This chapter is nice and long, so hopefully you guys can distract yourselves with this story. As always, make sure to stay as safe as possible 💙

Your comments and feedback are always encouraged and mean a lot to me!

Summary: Trust can be built — but easily broken.

Warnings: language, mentions of death/killing, slight descriptions of violence, two dumbos being dumbos

Words: 3,549

Please Don’t Plagiarize My Work!

You realized as you stepped outside of the inn that you were in there overnight. Your injuries must have been pretty bad if you were knocked out that long, but you didn’t feel too much pain right now. Whatever those two did to patch you up, they must have used something powerful.

You breathed in the fresh air and closed your eyes, trying to collect your thoughts. Nothing like this had ever happened to you before. An assignment gone wrong, yes — there were multiple times where your target tried to fight back, but to no avail. But never in your experience had a case been...wrong. Or at least, not proven to be. You shook the thought as soon as it entered your head. No way Rauf would slip up more than once. It must have been a small error — one that you were glad you stumbled upon before killing a possibly innocent man.

But nothing was truly set in stone. The witcher and bard could have lied with no moral intentions other than getting away with the crimes they’ve committed. The thought made your head spin — if they were lying, somehow knew that you would be assigned to kill the bard, planted evidence of other whereabouts...well, it was a bit crazy now that you worked through it in your head. But if they did, just if, Rauf would be severely disappointed. Rauf’s disappointment was worse than his anger, as any guardians’ was. But his especially...it flipped your insides and ripped them out through the gaps in your teeth.

Still, something about the two strangers was compelling to you. The witcher was harder to read, but also somewhat easier. He said things simply, promised the truth with his words but also his eyes.

The bard was a whole other story. Frantic, strange, annoying, sure — but your mind couldn’t erase the way he acted before you held a knife deliberately to his throat. The kind blue eyes, curious but worrisome — that was one of the most foreign parts of the whole ordeal.

The city was already bustling as you made your way through the streets, nearly impossibly avoiding the crowds through different alleyways here and there. You stuck to the usual methods of keeping your head low and footsteps quick enough — but not too quick to draw attention to yourself.  The last thing you needed right now was for a guard to stop you and push you even further away from your task.

The Novigrad Guild was actually not far from the inn. It was a quick trip, though taking many detours to avoid guards and other people made the trip longer. The path there was almost second nature, a replaying from your memory of footsteps you needed to take. It allowed you to focus more on your surroundings, to observe the city around you and think about how the hell you would explain all of this to Rauf.

You couldn’t imagine him getting too mad. He seemed to always have a better mood in cities like this, especially when visiting old friends. The only reason your guild had its own space in certain cities was because of Rauf’s connections. In this case, he was long time friends with the well-known guild master, Arnet. They went way back, even worked together on cases before Rauf created his own guild. You were excited to see Arnet again as well, since he knew you since you were pretty young.

You were now in a quieted alleyway, a bit aways from where a crowd had just recently passed. Suddenly, your ears perked up at a sound behind you — footsteps. Too clumsy for a guard, too obvious for another assassin. A beggar, perhaps, or a poorly trained thief. Either way, they were going to be sourly disappointed that they chose you to rob.

You picked up your pace and took different paths than usual — you went straight through a crowded square, then turned left into a path with merchants lining the walls. You continued forward and found an alleyway with multiple indented doorways. With a swift sidestep, you squeezed yourself behind one of the indents, making sure to listen for the person who was following you. Sure enough, the same sound of footsteps entered the quiet alleyway, this time more tentative than before. You slipped the knife from your sleeve as the person got closer to your spot — you only meant to scare them off, teach them to think twice about whatever it was they were doing; it was only when they walked past your spot that you let your shoulders go limp.

“What are you doing here?” The bard twisted his body around to face you, his eyes immediately traveling to the knife in your hand.

“Gods, you scared me. Watch where you swing that thing, would you?”

You let out a sharp sigh and slipped the knife back into your sleeve. “I could have killed you,” you said, though you knew it wasn’t true.

“You’ve tried before and failed.”

You tugged your sleeve down more aggressively than usual.“Next time you won’t be so lucky.” You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest. “Why are you following me?”

“Following? You? No, I was just on a stroll in the city. I never did give these alleyways the…appreciation…they deserved.” He smiled cheekily, placing his hands on his hips with way too much confidence. You only blinked at him, which was enough for him to give up the act and sag his shoulders with a sigh. “Fine. I was following you. Happy now?”

“No. But I am surprised you managed to keep up with me.” You pursed your lips, honestly impressed with the bard’s dedication. You managed to shrug off the expression quickly and instead settled on a frown. “You still haven’t answered why.”

“Right. Well, to be quite blunt, I don’t trust you.”

You raised your eyebrows. Blunt was right. “Okay. And you thought following me would do…what, exactly?”

“Make sure you were doing what you said you would. Checking in with your guild, or whatever.”

“Right. And the witcher just let you leave the inn?”

The bard scoffed. “Let me? No, I went out after Geralt left—“

“He’s here too?”

He frowned. “Well, I don’t know if he’s here, but —“

“Jaskier!”

Both of your heads snapped to the sound of the outburst — there, at the end of the alleyway, was the very witcher, his frown even more defined than your own.

The bard winced. “Okay, well maybe he is here.”

The witcher made it over to you two, directing his anger at the bard. “I told you to stay behind.”

You closed your eyes and shook your head, trying to piece everything together. “Wait, wait, wait. You were both following me?”

“Yes.” They answered at the same time, but the bard continued. “Quite sneakily, I’d say.”

“He was.” You pointed to the witcher, then to the bard. “You, not so much.” All the bard could do was scoff before you turned to the taller man. “And why are you following me?”

“I don’t trust you.”

“Wow. Okay. Great.” You placed your palms on your forehead — these two were more persistent than you realized. You took a deep breath and faced them both. “Look. The closer you follow me to the guild, the more suspicious they’re going to be. You’re just going to have to trust me.”

“Do you really expect us to trust you that easily?”

You clenched your jaw. “No. But like I said, you’re going to have to.”

The witcher watched you for a moment, then gave a curt nod. “Fine.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.” He turned to the bard and jutted his head to the end of the alleyway. “Jaskier. Back to the inn.”

The bard ogled between you two, “Wha—“

Before he could speak further, you shook your head. At this point, the situation was laughable. “No, you both have to go back.”

“I’m not taking the chance of more assassins coming after him.”

“Exactly. Which is why he needs someone to escort him back to the inn.” You waited for the men to get your point. Instead, the bard scoffed.

“He is standing right here, thank you very much.”

You had to physically hold back a groan. “You can’t follow me to the guild, or more assassins will try to kill you.”

“What? Why?”

You pinched the bridge of your nose with two fingers and took a deep breath. “I’m the one with the assignment, but the other members of the guild are notified of it. If they finish their assignments, and they find you before I do, they can claim the reward before I get it.”

The bard scrunched his nose. “What kind of rule is that?”

“An unfair one.” You back away from the two men slowly, praying that they would actually listen to you. “Which is why you both have to leave. I’ll meet you two back at the inn. Stay in your room. And don’t follow me.”

To your surprise, they actually nodded, though both of them looked like sad puppy dogs being left behind by their owner. You let out a sigh of relief as you neared the end of the alleyway, and began to turn around towards the street. Just before you did, the witcher called out.

“If you come back and try to kill him,” he paused just to let his next words sink in. “I won't hold back my sword.”

You took a deep breath and sent him a clear nod before rounding the corner. Under your breath, you mumbled, “I don’t count on it.”

—

The bell rang obnoxiously as you entered the merchant’s shop; it took you a bit longer than you would have liked to get there, mostly because you went an even longer way to make sure the witcher and bard were no longer following you. After being satisfied that they weren’t, you continued on.

The shop was empty except a man standing eagerly at the counter. He wasn’t the usual guy, and it seemed like he was pretty new.

“Welcome, welcome.” You walked up to the counter, where the man smiled proudly. “Fine goods we have here. Anything that peaks your fancy?”

The disinterest on your face was hard to hide. It was the same script every time, and it got worse and worse the more you heard it. “I’m here for the fellowship.”

The merchant's demeanor changed completely. “What’s your business?”

“Report.”

“For?”

You rolled your eyes. If this guy wasn’t so uptight, he would have let you through by now. “I just need to talk to Rauf.”

He leaned back with a grunt. “Patch?”

“For the gods sake.” You reached up to your collar and flipped it towards him — your guild patch was sewed on the inside. He looked at it, then back to you; after a moment of contemplation, he pointed a thumb to the door behind him. You thanked him with an obnoxious smile, fixed your collar, and pushed through the back door.

Inside was a small area full of stock items. Secondhand swords, jars of alchemy ingredients — what you were interested in was the large barrel in the corner of the room. Moving it was only slightly difficult. It was only when you fully pushed it off the hatch door that the merchant came in the room — he probably wanted to let you suffer by making you move a barrel full of who knows what. You shook it off and opened the hatch, not bothering to use the ladder as you dropped down into the underground area.

As soon as your feet landed on the ground, the hatch above you was slammed shut, leaving you in almost complete darkness. You rolled your eyes at the new merchant’s attitude, but luckily, you knew your way around the room that, at first glance, looked like just another basement full of wares. You placed a hand on the stone walls and followed it all the way to the back corner, where a gate led to the sewers. But to you, it was more of a…glorified sewer.

You opened the gate and closed it behind you, then continued down the dark corridor. Rauf and the rest of the assassins were grateful for a place to stay in the city, no matter what senses they would have to sacrifice — in this case, the sense of smell. It definitely wasn’t the best temporary guild (not like the Oxenfurt one — that was a luxury compared to this), but you all dealt with it.

It took a couple turns through the underground area when the sound of laughter finally echoed against the walls; as you made a final turn, you were greeted with the main room where three other assassins were sitting at a table playing gwent — their assignments must have gone well, especially since they had time to play around. You walked past them with only a nod and turned another corner.

After the main room, there was a short walk to Rauf’s office. Office was a strong word. There was a table and some barrels, and it was one of the only places that didn’t have sewage leaking on the floors. The only thing that separated this area from the rest of the corridor was another iron gate whose door had been ripped off the hinges and was never replaced.

When you got to the ‘office’, Rauf was sitting at his desk, writing a letter intently. You knocked on the iron just next to what you all pretended was a door.

Without looking up, Rauf spoke. “You don’t need to knock, Y/N.”

You stepped inside but decided to lean against the gate. “Has Arnet stopped by?”

“No, he’s busy. Like me.” You stiffened. If Rauf hadn’t caught up with Arnet yet, it explained his sour attitude. He sighed and looked up to you from his desk. “I would hope for some good news, but your face tells me otherwise.”

You clenched your jaw. It always bothered you how well Rauf could read you. “Depends on how you look at it.”

“How should I look at it?”

You shifted. “The bard—my target. He could be innocent.”

Though Rauf could always read your expressions, you couldn’t read his. “What does that mean?”

“He wasn’t in Oxenfurt when the victim claimed he was.”

“And you know this because…?” Rauf leaned forward with false enthusiasm.

“He showed me a poster. For his event in Velen.”

Rauf put his pen down and leaned back in his chair. With just that movement, you could feel the disappointment shooting out from every part of his being. “And you gave him the chance to talk instead of getting the job done?”

“It’s…more complicated than that.” You felt yourself become defensive, almost predicting what Rauf would say if you took your emotions too far. But deep down you knew you did the right thing. You swallowed your harsh tone and tried to mask it, keeping your face as resigned as you could. “It’s a good thing I did. I might have killed an innocent man.”

“Might have.” Rauf stood up and placed both hands on the desk, his head falling down as he let out a sigh. He lifted his head, speaking slowly as he tapped his finger down on the desk with each word. “Why didn’t you bring the target here?”

It hadn’t crossed your mind to take the bard to the guild, partly because he seemed so…clueless. Almost annoyingly so. Bringing him to the guild would be more of a mess than was already made. Besides, there was the witcher.

You perked up, trying to hide your lack of response. “There was a witcher.”

Rauf’s eyebrows shot up, then quickly came down in another frown. “A witcher?”

“Yes. A friend of the bard.”

Rauf searched your face for a lie, though you rarely ever told one. You watched him shake his head once again, this time with concern. “I thought this might be too much for you—“

“It’s not.” You straightened up and took a step forward. “I got out alive, didn’t I? You just...worry too much, Rauf.”

“That, I do.” He nodded with a sad smile, then sat back down in his chair. “I’ll deal with the payer, see what happened there. It will probably take me some time to figure something out, but I’ll need you back here for the update—“

“I’ll go back and stick around them until you talk to the payer. They trust me enough—for now.” You couldn’t help the eagerness that radiated from you; something in your gut told you to get back to the inn as soon as possible.

You went to leave the office but turned around once more. “When you meet the payer, ask for some details about the target. Eye color, hair, other specifics. So we can be sure.”

“You got it, boss.” Rauf winked at you with his charming smile. You smirked and stepped out of his office, letting out a sigh of relief as you walked back through the corridors. Knowing Rauf wasn’t completely over the edge from work and the annoying inconvenience that was this assignment made you feel a little bit better. Now you would just have to stick around the two men who didn’t really trust you. Not that you blamed them.

“Y/N!” You were already down the corridor away from the main room when you heard the voice. Joneta, one of the other assassins, was running towards you, trying to catch up.

She eventually ran up next to you, walking with you as you both rounded the corners of the sewers. “Haven’t seen you since you lost gwent to me in Velen. Twice.”

You quirked a brow, “And I haven’t seen you since you shoved ale down that woman’s dress and got us kicked out of the Crossroads Inn.”

There was a sharp glare that you aimed at each other — what some would call deadly — but both of you soon broke into laughter. Joneta was the closest thing you had to a friend, despite rarely seeing her. She was also the closest one of the guild to your age, only being older by a couple years. You two had always been a bit competitive with each other’s assignments — she was the only one in the guild who didn’t treat you differently because of your closeness with Rauf.

“How have you been?” She asked as soon as your laughter had died down.

“Could be better.”

She sighed, “As usual. But at least we’re back in the wonderful city of Novigrad.”

As if on cue, a rat scuttled by your feet.

You snorted, “Wonderful.”

The two of you walked in comfortable silence, with only the sound of the sewers and your quiet footsteps echoing against the stone walls.

It didn’t take long for Joneta’s nosiness peak, though she tried to mask it with curiosity. “Heard you got the case of that bard, Julian—something.”

She was holding back, waiting for you to give her more information. But she knew you better than this — you hummed in response.

“Must be hard to go after such a ‘celebrity’.”

This time, you shrugged. But Joneta wouldn’t let up.

“Did you finish it yet?”

You avoided her eyes, instead staring at the path ahead of you. “Not quite.”

“Oh.” Knowing Joneta, her sentence was far from over. You peeked at her from the corner of your eye. 

Any second now.

She let out a dramatic sigh.

Bingo.

“Well, be warned. I’ve been keeping an eye out for him.” Your heart nearly stopped. “If you don’t get him soon, one of us will. Probably me.”

You halted in your tracks, turning yourself to face her. Despite her cheeky smile, or the mischievous glint in her eye, you couldn’t match it like you usually did. Your stomach felt like it was flipped inside out, the heat in your veins filling to a brim. Despite your change in demeanor, Joneta kept on smirking — you clenched your fist.

“The assignment is on stand by right now. Until Rauf gets more information.”

“Whatever makes you feel better about being behind.” You could barely move before she winked and began walking backward.“I’ll see you soon?” 

Without waiting for you to answer, she turned around and jogged back the way you came. Her figure disappeared in the darkness, leaving you to let out a shaky breath.

You finally released your clenched fist, barely looking down at the red marks your fingers had left before continuing through the sewers.

If Joneta was looking for the bard, he wasn’t going to be safe for long. A part of you couldn’t help but wonder why this made you so angry — you barely knew the bard, for the gods' sake. Maybe it was your anger at Rauf for not being more careful with assignments, or anger at yourself for getting into this mess. Either way, it was a good thing you made the witcher and bard go back to inn, or he would surely be at the end of another assassin’s sword. Still, the inn wouldn’t be safe for long — you had to get back to them, quick.

———————————————————————————————————

Let me know your thoughts :)

[talatomaz]

i’m home | maggie sawyer x sawyer!reader x lena luthor

a/n: i’ve been rewatching supergirl and i love maggie and lena so much (this is super long so sorry in advance)

this is based during s2/s3 so lena is 23, maggie is in her late 20s and reader is 20/21 so when maggie was kicked out of her house at 14, r was 5/6

warnings: mentions of torture, abuse, scars

word count: 4.7k

masterlist | request list | request rules

i do not give you permission to repost or translate my fics on any platform - likes/reblogs are okay and are much appreciated

A home is where you feel comfortable.

A home is where you’re able to share your deepest thoughts and feelings.

A home is where you’re supposed to feel safe.

A home was something you never had.

You thrashed in your captors’ hold. Their hands were firmly gripped on your arms, holding you in place as they dragged you back to that room. You shuddered at the thought of it. It was barely a room. More like a dungeon filled to the brim of weapons used to torture the inhabitant.

Your hands were bound behind your back. Now had it been rope or even cable ties, you would have been able to free yourself. But because of your nature, they had placed metal cuffs around your wrists, preventing you from escaping.

When you reached the room, they placed you on the metal table and bound your legs to the table and then removed the cuffs from your wrists and repeated the movement. Now chained to the table, they pressed a button at the side of the table which you knew would help prevent you from escaping.

The two men then moved to either side of the door and turned to face the woman who entered.

“Well, if it isn’t my favourite experiment.”

You gave her a cold look and remained silent.

“Quiet today? Don’t worry. Soon we’ll have you screaming.” She chuckled.

She then turned swiftly to the door where another man stood, “We’ve got a problem in cell B.”

She inaudibly whispered something to the man who nodded and left before turning back to face you.

“I’ve got something to take of but don’t worry, I’ll be back.” She then told the two men to stand guard and keep an eye on you.

When she left, you rested your head against the cold metal and then jumped at the sound of shouts.

This was it. It was time.

You looked over at the men who had their backs to you and then closed your eyes and concentrated. Immediately, a key appeared in the lock of your cuffs. You twisted your hand so you could turn the key and free your wrist. Then you did the same to the other as the men in front of you were none-the-wiser. Once freeing your arms, you pressed the button and suddenly felt the rush of your energy coursing through your body.

The power barrier was broken.

You quickly removed the cuffs around your ankles and jumped off the table. At the sound, the two men turned and, after their moment of shock at seeing you liberated, they ran towards you. As much fun as it would have been to fight them, you didn’t have time so you teleported away to another part of the warehouse building you were in.

You found the room you were looking for and teleported in and held the man sitting at the desk in a chokehold before he lost consciousness and slumped against his chair. You began typing on the computer and with a few clicks, you heard numerous buzzes and couldn’t help but smile.

Everyone was free.

When you were about to leave, something in the corner caught your eye and upon realising what it was, you pocketed it and teleported outside the building. What you saw brought another smile to your face. Everyone was running out of the building, using their abilities to overpower the guards. You roamed the crowd and then locked eyes with her.

You ran to an isolated area and waited for her to follow. Low and behold, out from the shadows she came, alongside two of her goons.

“Now, now, back down Miss Sawyer. You know you’re no match for us.”

“On the contrary, it appears you are no match for me.” You brought the small device, that you took earlier, into view and channeled your powers through it.

Grinning at the woman’s face dropping, you spoke, “Goodbye, Lillian Luthor.” You pressed the button and teleported away.

***

Opening your eyes, you were stunned at your surroundings.

You were stood next to a modernised coffee house called CCJitters. You entered and the noise of numerous conversations filled your ears. You chose a high table and sat down, sneakily listening to the two people sat at the table beside you.

“Cisco, I don’t wanna hear it. You and your meta-human names are driving me crazy.” A brunette said, shaking her head.

“But Cait, it’s a good one. Please.” A long-haired man replied.

“No, Cisco. Tell Barry or HR. I don’t wanna know.” She said, stifling a laugh at the man’s sad face.

“Excuse me,” you interrupted the duo.

“Hi.” The brunette smiled so you did the same.

“I was just wondering, where exactly am I? I just got off the train and I actually have no idea where I am.”

“Oh, you’re in Central City.” The woman replied.

“Yep, home to the Flash.” The man named Cisco added.

At the mention of the metahuman, your eyes widened as you forced to keep the shock from showing your face.

Shit. Forget being in the wrong town. You were on the wrong Earth.

“Thank you. Bye.” You got out of your seat and ran out of the coffee shop and into an alley.

How on Earth did you get here?

You’d heard of the Flash because he had appeared in National City a year ago and you’d overheard Lillian’s curiosity about the man from a different earth.

It was one of the reasons why she initially kidnapped you.

You had been studying Everett’s many-worlds theory at National City University, trying to create a device allowing you to explore different universes. Lillian wanted to adapt your device so she could travel in time and prevent aliens from arriving on Earth.

You took out the device and sighed, you needed a big power surge in order to get back to your earth. Meaning you were stuck here for the time being. Great.

You began to wander around the city when you encountered a news stand. Picking up a science magazine, you flicked through it and then paused when an announcement caught your attention.

“Attend the grand re-opening of the infamous Star Labs.” You murmured to yourself as you skimmed through the article and learned about the particle accelerator explosion that caused normal humans to gain powers and become meta-humans.

This place would definitely contain enough power for you to get home. Closing the magazine, you placed it back on the stand and set off towards Star Labs.

You quickly joined a crowd of people and entered the building. You looked around, taking in your surroundings. It was a large infrastructure, renovated to look like a museum of sorts. You continued walking with the group before noticing a blocked off section. You headed towards there and then teleported inside. You found yourself in a lab that was filled with computers and numerous amounts of high tech equipment.

But what caught your eye was the black box situated at the centre of the table.

Opening it, you gasped at its contents. Inside was a sleek black mask that, whilst simple, had a certain panache to it. You removed it from the box and placed it on yourself. Looking in the reflection of the metal table, you smiled.

It did well to hide your identity.

“What are you doing in here?”

You stilled, turning around to find yourself face to face with a, fashionably dressed, woman. She pressed her finger to her ear and spoke, “It’s Iris, we may have a problem here, Flash.”

In the blink of an eye, the latter appeared, staring at you.

“Who are you?” The man spoke.

Without responding, you teleported away and ended up in an open space area. Around you were more computers and what looked to be, an area where the Flash trained.

You heard the footsteps behind you and saw the woman named Iris, the Flash and the duo from the coffee shop.

“Hey, that’s my mask.” Cisco shouted. “It looks good.” He then added making you smirk.

You took out the device you had created and felt your powers surge through it.

“I really am sorry but I have to get back to my Earth.” Pressing the device, you disappeared.

“What on Earth? Who the hell was she?” Iris exclaimed.

“Yeah, and where’d she go?” Caitlin added.

“I may be able to find out.” Running up to a computer, Cisco began typing.

“I had a tracker implanted in that mask. Okay, so it looks like our mystery woman is from...Earth 38. Home to Supergirl.”

“Where is she now, Cisco?” Barry asked.

“The tracker was only designed to be able to locate the wearer on this earth. I’m lucky I was even able to track her to Earth 38, Barry.”

“Get me Supergirl, Cisco.”

Bringing up a screen, Cisco was able to connect to the DEO where Supergirl stood.

“Kara, you’ve got a problem.”

***

Arriving back in National City, you felt a wave of relief. You were back.

“GET AWAY FROM ME!”

You turned and headed towards the sound of screams. Running into an alley, you stopped when you saw a black-haired woman backing away from a large man.

“Hey! Leave her alone!” You shouted at the assailant who turned and sneered at you.

“Oh yeah? Or what? You’re gonna stop me in that stupid mask?” He laughed.

You smirked and teleported behind him. “Behind you.”

When he turned, you kicked him and punched him so he was knocked out cold.

You looked behind you at the smartly dressed woman. “You’re welcome. Stay safe.” You winked before disappearing.

***

After saving the woman, you removed the mask and found your storage locker that you had before you were taken by Cadmus.

Opening it, you sighed. Everything was still there.

When you were at NCU, you had a lot successful projects, many of which were sold to the University and the money you got paid, you put into an offshore account which only you had access to.

Removing the laptop from the locker, you logged on and checked your account, happy to see that it was untouched. You then began searching for apartments to rent and upon finding one, you went to the landlord and paid 3 months rent in cash so she would give you the furbished apartment. You then locked the door and settled in for the night.

***

It went on like this for a while. You spent almost all day in your apartment, continuing your research. Then spent your nights helping people.

It wasn’t long before people began to whisper about the Aetheryte.

The woman with powers of teleportation.

And you also caught wind that Supergirl and her secret government agency were searching for you.

All it took was one alien.

One alien that allowed you to be caught.

One alien that changed your life forever.

You hadn’t even been out looking for trouble.

You were just walking through the streets, enjoying your Big Belly Burger fries when you heard the crash. Everyone’s attention immediately went to the large purple alien towering over the fiery car explosion.

You quickly donned your mask and ran toward the alien. You began helping people get away and clear the area so no one else was in the danger of getting hurt. You started to battle with the alien, using your powers to prevent yourself getting hurt. You had successfully knocked the alien out when you stilled at the sound of voices behind you.

“Stand down, Aetheryte!”

With hands up, you slowly turned and found yourself facing a trio of women. Supergirl, a short-haired woman who Lillian mentioned was Supergirl’s sister, also known as DEO Agent Danvers.

And finally...Maggie?

Your eyes narrowed and you felt the tears rush to your eyes, threatening to spill. No, how could it be? Last you heard, she was in Gotham. That was what your parents had said. Well, it’s not like anything that came out of their mouths was reliable.

You opened your mouth to say something but couldn’t form any words. You didn’t take notice as the two Danvers sisters walked closer to you, ready to restrain you if need be.

You were just focused on your sister.

You knew she didn’t recognise you.

How could she?

You were practically still a toddler when she left. It had been almost 15 years since you last saw her.

In person that was.

You had a photo in your wallet at all times which you later had framed in your apartment. It depicted you as a baby playing in Maggie’s lap who was around 12.

You didn’t even get to say goodbye when she had left. Your dad just ushered her into a car and drove her to your Aunt’s. You used to cry for her and slept in her bed every night until your parents...made you stop.

Blinking away your tears, you stared at the grown-up woman in front of you. Then, behind her, you saw the alien you fought come to and focus on Maggie.

Your eyes widened and you shouted, “Maggie, look out!”

Without hesitation, you teleported next to her and pushed her away resulting you in getting knocked to the ground by the alien. He was quickly restrained with power dampening cuffs and you groaned, your head laying against the gravelled floor.

Opening your eyes, you winced and saw Maggie kneeling above you. You felt her hands move to your face and gently hold onto your mask.

Removing the mask, she gasped and stumbled back. “Y/N?” She whispered.

“I’m sorry.” You said before teleporting away.

Maggie heard Alex and Kara running up to her.

“Maggie, what happened? Who was that?”

She could hear the concern in her fiancé’s voice but she was a state of shock.

How could you be here?

How were you the meta that she was chasing after?

“I-Her eyes. I didn’t recognise her at first. But her eyes. I know her eyes. How? I didn’t-”

“Maggie, you’re not making any sense.” Kara said gently.

“Aetheryte. Her real name is y/n. She’s my baby sister.”

***

You appeared in your living room and staggered towards your couch. You fell onto the couch and teleported a pack of frozen peas from the freezer into your hand, and with a wince, you placed it against your head. The cold began to soothe the pain when you were disturbed by a knock at the door.

You pushed yourself off the couch and made your way to the door. You opened it and were shocked at the person standing in your doorway.

It was the woman you had saved when you came back from Central City.

“What are you doing he-”

“Oh my god, what happened?”

The raven-haired woman ushered you inside to your couch where she knelt between your legs.

Lifting up your chin with her hand, she began assessing your wounds, “What happened? Are you okay?”

“I-Why-How are you here?”

“I have connections. Oh, I’m Lena Luthor, by the way.” She added as an afterthought.

“I know.” You laughed.

Everyone knew who the good Luthor was. She was the only Luthor any of National City’s residents liked.

“I’m y/n.”

“Nice to meet you but how do you know who I am?”

“First of all, you’re a Luthor. Second, you came up with my name. Nice touch, by the way, it’s very clever. The aether of crystals contain teleportational qualities.” You smirked.

“Thanks. So how did you get your powers?”

“Uh, well, it may come as a bit of shock. But, it was your Mum actually. She kidnapped me a couple of years ago. She wanted me to be a weapon for Cadmus and tried to adapt my research for her own purpose.”

“What?! God, I don’t even know what to say. I am so sorry. She is such an awful human being.”

“On that we can agree.”

You looked over Lena’s shoulder and saw the photo of you and Maggie smiling.

Abruptly standing up, you spoke, “I’m sorry, I have to do something.”

You teleported away, unwittingly leaving Lena hurt.

You appeared at the DEO and guns were immediately trained at you before they were lowered at Maggie’s command.

“Hi, sis.”

Maggie walked up to you and engulfed you in a hug, leaving you momentarily stunned before you hugged her back.

“Oh God, I’ve missed you so much.”

Maggie murmured and when she pulled away, you could see the tears in her eyes.

“Don’t cry because I’m gonna cry and my mascara’s gonna run and then I’m gonna look like a fool.”

Maggie laughed and hit you lightly, “I see you haven’t changed.”

“Why fix something that isn’t broke?” You winked and she laughed again.

You smiled softly, “I’ve missed you, Maggie.”

***

After unexpectedly arriving at the DEO, you went into a room with Maggie, Alex, Kara and Jonn where you could speak in private.

“How are you here? Where have you been?” Maggie asked, placing her hands on yours.

“Everywhere really.” You sighed,

“It was bad when you were kicked out, Mags. It was awkward. I hated Papi. And Mami too. Especially when they began trying to erase you from our lives. I cried for you every day. I slept in your bed. I even hated you. Before I found out the real reason for your absence, I thought you’d left me-”

“I’d never have left you. You know that, y/n.” Maggie said, cupping your cheek.

“I know that now. But, I was a kid. I mean, so were you. I’m just sorry all that happened to you. I was 16 when I found out what actually happened. I was arguing with Papi, and it just came out. After that, god, I never knew I could hate someone that much. That’s when I knew that I could never ever tell them my secret.”

“What secret?” Alex asked.

“That I was exactly like my sister.” You shrugged.

“I just bided my time until I graduated and then I came to NCU and studied. Hard. I was successful. And then life got in the way. Again.”

“What do you mean? How’d you get your powers, y/n?” Kara asked, now dressed in normal clothes.

You let out a breath, dreading their reaction. “I was kidnapped a few years ago and experimented on.”

“By who?” Maggie asked hardly.

Jonn answered for you when you remained silent, “Cadmus”.

Everyone fell silent as they stared at you in shock.

“Did they hurt you?” Maggie whispered, scared to hear the answer.

“Depends on who you mean by ‘they’.” You replied, failing to meet Maggie’s eyes because even 15 years later, she could still see right through you. After a few moments of silence, you gave Maggie’s hand a quick squeeze.

“I think I should go. I just need some time.” Before leaving, you pulled the photo out of your pocket.

“I managed to save one, Magpie.” You said, watching as Maggie softened at the mention of your nickname for her.

***

Once leaving the DEO, you figured you had some amends to make, considering the way you had left Lena so you found yourself outside her office at L-Corp.

Knocking at the door, you entered at the soft “come in”. When you came into view, Lena instantly shot up out of her chair, shocked to see you and you both moved to sit on her white couch.

“I just came here to apologise. I realised that the way I left probably hurt you. I had to go see someone.”

“Maggie, right?” You barely contained the look on your face.

“I saw the picture of you two at your apartment. And she’s a friend of mine. So you’re her sister, huh?”

“Yeah. I only came here to let you know that I don’t blame you for what happened to me. You’re not responsible for your mother’s actions, Lena.”

“Thank you. And thank you for telling me what happened. I hope everything went well with you and Maggie.” She said, resting her warm hand on your knee.

You were about to say something witty when you started to tear up, “God, everything’s such a mess. I never thought I’d escape Cadmus. But I did. And then I thought I’d never see Maggie again. And now she’s back in my life. And my mind is all over the place. I need to be okay for her. She’s been through too much. I can’t add all my baggage onto hers.”

Lena brought her arms around you, “Hey, it’s okay. It’s just overwhelming you and that’s okay. You have to accept your pain, y/n. If you hide it, it’ll just get worse, and before long, you’ll end up exploding, which isn’t something you want.”

“God, I’m sorry. I came here to reassure you and look at me,” you said, embarrassingly wiping your tears.

“You’re allowed to feel, y/n. Besides, if you want to make me feel better, let me take you out to dinner tonight. It’ll make me feel very reassured.” She winked, making you laugh through your tears.

“Okay, Lena. Let’s do it.”

Little did you know, that would be the start of something that would change your life for the better.

***

For the next seven months, you got to know Maggie better, catching up on the lost years. You all regularly met up and you participated in the Danvers’ game night. You even began training at the DEO but made sure your scars were covered up with makeup. That was something you weren’t ready to explain yet.

You also grew closer to Lena and it wasn’t long before Lena asked you to be her girlfriend. You guys decided to take it slow because of your collective baggage but that idea didn’t exactly take, considering you had asked Lena to move in with you after 4 months together which she immediately accepted.

Things were going well. That was until Lillian came back on the scene.

You were currently at the DEO, having just saved a family from a house fire, when you heard the incessant beeping on the screen.

“Supergirl, Aetheryte, there’s major radioactive material at...oh god, it’s L-Corp.”

Without hesitation, you immediately teleported to L-Corp and searched for your girlfriend. Upon finding her in her office, you pulled her in a tight hug. “Are you okay?”

“Better now that you’re here. What’s going on?” She asked as you both hurried to the lobby.

“Something about radioactive material. Kara’s on her way.” As if on cue, Kara appeared at the entrance, Maggie, Alex and a large group of DEO agents beside her.

You were all on edge, waiting for the threat to present itself. Then you stilled when you heard the familiar voice.

“Well, if it isn’t my favourite experiment.”

Your mind flashed back to the day you had escaped, it was the exact words she had uttered every time she saw you.

“Mother.” Lena spat out.

“Now, Lena. Enough with the attitude. How about you explain why you’re in cohorts with our very enemies? Forget it, no explanation needed. Just make your way over to me if you want to live.”

The former stayed put beside you causing Lillian to shake her head, “I expected better from you.”

Next thing you knew, there was a large explosion causing all of you to be flung back. You quickly brought Lena and Maggie back to their feet as Kara helped Alex.

“Quick on your feet, I see, y/n. Well, you better work fast if you wanna save the rest of the city. Statues don’t stand forever, you know. You too, Supergirl.” Then there was another explosion, but this time, it came from outside.

As everyone ran out to see, you remained in place, thinking about Lillian’s words.

“Y/N?” Maggie asked, concerned.

“I know what she’s going to do. The radioactivity Alex detected. That could easily have been because of a bomb...Wait. Shit. She’s going to blow up Supergirl’s statue.” You teleported to the statue despite your family’s shouts.

“That explosion could seriously injure her, Alex.” Maggie exclaimed.

“Forget the explosion. If that bomb goes off and she’s exposed to that level of radiation, she could die.” Lena said horrified.

You were able to locate the bomb in the statue and looked at the wires. This was just a puzzle. And all puzzles had solutions. Looking at the different colours of the wires, you began to disconnect them. Once doing so, you removed the radioactive material and rendered it useless. Then you gasped when you heard the soft click. It was a dead-man’s switch. Fuck.

Frantically, you looked around before seeing the body of water and rapidly teleported a large volume of it in a massive barrel and quickly submerged the bomb in the water.

You ran as fast as you could when you were thrown forward from the blast of the explosion. You fell harshly on the ground and felt yourself lose consciousness.

***

You groaned and stirred, then opened your eyes and groaned again at the bright lights.

Wait, where were you?

Your eyes shot open as you sat up and stared at the small group in front of you.

“Woah, y/n, you’re okay. You’re at the DEO.” Lena said quickly, trying to calm you down before you had a panic attack like you usually did when you woke up with a start.

“What the hell happened?” You said, wincing at the pain in your head.

“Well, you’re a complete and total idiot. You left us and went to find the bomb yourself. You successfully disarmed it but the secondary explosion caused you to knock your head, making you black out.” Maggie scolded.

“You’ll be okay. You just may have a concussion.” Alex explained, failing to hide her smirk at her fiancé’s outburst.

“Are you okay, y/n?” Kara asked.

“I’m not dead, so I’m fine.”

“I like how your standard is ‘not dead’. That’s good. Let’s keep it that way. ‘Not dead’ makes for a great bare minimum.” Jonn joked, making the rest of you laugh before they all fell silent again.

“What? What else happened?”

“Nothing. But...we saw your scars, y/n.” Kara said gently.

“Did my mother cause those?” Lena asked. She had only ever seen a few but you refused to answer any of her questions because it was a sore subject.

“Some. Not all. Cadmus used a lot of equipment. Cattle prods, knives. Things like that. It was how they tried to break us. Not me though. I guess I just had a higher tolerance for pain.” You shrugged, pushing the painful memories back down.

“What about the others?” Maggie asked.

Letting out a deep breath, you spoke, “Our parents weren’t good people, Mags. When you were gone, all the attention was on me. I had to be perfect. Any slip up would be punished.”

You continued speaking, “Did Papi ever tell you that story about how he used to get beat up by those group of kids when he was younger?” You waited until Maggie nodded in response.

“Let’s just say he took those skills on board. He called it teaching. I call it bullshit.”

The room fell silent once more and you looked up at Lena and Maggie who were on the verge of tears. Almost simultaneously, they both began apologising; Lena said she should have worked harder to stop her mother and Maggie said she should never have left you.

Cupping Lena’s cheek, you brought her in for a gentle kiss and felt her tears against your cheek. “You are not responsible for your mother’s actions. You are your own person. An exceptional person, might I add.”

Using your other hand, you brought Maggie’s head down so you could place a soft kiss on her forehead and then held her hand.

“I was a child and so were you, it’s not your fault. I don’t want you two blaming yourselves. I love you both so much.”

You opened your arms and they both wrapped their arms around your waist on either side of you, hugging you close.

“I’ll be okay. I’m home.”

[rocksandrobots]

Of Rocks and Robots Ch. 2 - The First Night

Varian landed ungracefully on the ground. He looked up to see if any of the knights had seen him fly off the slide, but none were around. He picked himself up and inspected his surroundings. He stood in an alleyway between two tall towers; the crystal slide he had just slid down attached to the side of one of them.

A few moments passed and he nervously began to shift his weight from foot to foot as he waited for someone to appear. Just when he had started to think that the people he had met had abandoned him, he saw the green knight, Wasabi, exit out the front of the building. He turned to find Varian and upon seeing him he smiled and waved. Varian returned the smile and jogged over to where he stood. 

“Have fun?” The tall man queried. Varian nodded a reply, out of breath from both the ride down and from running. The man just smiled back at him and then motioned for Varian to follow. He led them to another alley a short ways away. In it was parked a strange metal vehicle on wheels. It looked similar to the ones the men in blue had rode in, only smaller, with no flashing lights on top, and was painted green. 

“Wow!” Varian exclaimed as he ran to inspect the new machine. “What is it?” 

“Uh…A car.” Wasabi replied as if it was the most obvious answer in the world, but Varian was too excited to notice that he was coming across as weird to the stranger. 

“How does it work?” He eagerly asked. 

“Umm... Well it runs on a combustion engine. Do..do you not have cars in your world?” 

“No.” Varian replied glibly. “Everyone just either walks or rides a horse.” 

“Oh, wow, uh..no one’s ridden a horse around here for over a hundred years.” He said with an awkward laugh. He then cleared his throat and asked Varian if he wanted to go for a ride in the fantastic invention.

“Would I ever!?” Varian gleefully exclaimed and with that grabbed the handle of the door, flung it open, and hopped inside. Varian looked in wonder at the dashboard, at all the knobs and dials, and tried to mentally guess what each may do. Wasabi entered from the other side and sat in front of a wheel that Varian guessed was for steering.

“Now the first thing one must always remember to do when riding in a car,” Wasabi instructed with a serious air, "is to strap in one’s seat belt.” With that he grabbed the aforementioned “seat belt” and pulled it over his shoulder buckling it into the metal buckle on the opposite side. Varian dutifully mimicked his action and once completed looked up at the larger man and shyly smiled; looking for acknowledgment that he did it right. The knight smiled back at him approvingly. He then took a small key from his side pocket, placed it in a keyhole next to the wheel, and gave the key a turn. The car roared to life and Varian couldn’t help but giggle in excitement.

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

Ruddiger hid himself inside an alleyway, tucked up under the open lid of a large box. He peered out at the strange people dressed in blue, wondering what they might do, praying they would just leave already. He didn’t know where he was, but it was loud and unnaturally bright. Worse, his boy, who he had arrived with, had been carried away by a strange creature and five other oddly dressed people. He had to get back to him. But how? Where would he even begin to look? 

Finally the people in blue piled back into their noisy carts and rode away. He waited for several minutes to see if they would return. When they did not, Ruddiger ventured to poke his head out of the alley and look around. He was rewarded with the sight of Varian walking around the corner into another alleyway. He excitedly took off after his owner. Upon reaching the other alley though, he was greeted with the sight of Varian entering a green cart with another human also dressed in green. Ruddiger recognized the human as one of the ones who had dragged his boy away to start with. 

The cart began to move, backing out of the alley, and Ruddiger had to scramble out of the way. It then stopped and turned to face the direction of the street. As it began to speed away, Ruddiger ran after it, made a flying leap, and landed on the back bumper. He then held on as it sped down the road.

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

Varian pressed his face to the window of the car. His nose smooshed up against the glass as he tried to get a better look at the tall buildings as they passed by. Wasabi was off to the side steering while also explaining the various rules and regulations about driving the vehicle. Varian only half way listened. Not because he didn’t care, he did. He found the machine fascinating and wanted to know more, but he also found everything else fascinating too. 

Everywhere he looked there was something new to gain his attention. It was honestly a little overwhelming because he couldn’t focus on just one thing. As soon as something grabbed his interest it would slide out of view and another thing would come along and catch his eye. He just sat in silent awe, his head swerving every which way, unable to verbally formulate the millions of questions tumbling through his mind. 

Eventually as they went along the buildings got shorter and shorter and further and further apart. After a time Wasabi turned the car into a smaller side street next to a large building with multiple windows and off in the distance Varian could see other shorter but nevertheless still quite impressive buildings with well manicured lawns. Wasabi then pulled the car to a stop alongside several other similar vehicles. 

“Well here we are! The San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, also known as SFIT.” Wasabi proudly proclaimed. 

“This is a university?” Varian asked in wonderment. Schools of higher learning were rare and expensive places. One had to go outside of Corona to the larger cities and kingdoms to find them and only the richest of nobles and royals got admitted. Varian always knew that attending such bastions of knowledge was a mere dream for a poor farm boy, though he had always hoped to at least see one someday. And here he was about to spend the night at one! “Can I look around?” 

“Well maybe tomorrow, or the day after, but the school is closed for spring break so not much is going on right now. But in the meantime it’s getting late, so let’s get cleaned up and get some sleep.” With that he stepped out of the car and Varian followed after him. 

They walked into the closest building; the tall one with all the windows. Once inside they then walked up a couple of flights of stairs which lead to a long hallway with doors on either side. Wasabi stopped at the third door on the right which had the number 303 painted on the top. He pulled out another key and unlocked the door and walked inside. Once inside he took off his helmet and flipped a switch next to the door. The room flooded with light revealing a type of living quarters. 

“Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourself at ho–” Wasabi stopped mid sentence as the light above him began to flicker off and on. He turned to see Varian switching the light switch up and down with a look of intense interest on his face.

“Fascinating.” Varian said with awe. “The switch appears to be connected to the light above. What connects them and what powers the light?” 

“Uhh…..wires and electricity?” Wasabi said completely caught off guard by this new line of questioning. 

“Electricity? Like from lightning? How do you harvest lightning?” 

“From a power plant” Wasabi said slowly trying to find the words to explain what was, to him, a part of everyday life. 

“A plant that generates electricity!? Oh, what kind of plant is it? Like a flower? Or a vine? Or-” 

“No, not a living plant.” Wasabi interrupted. “A power plant, like a factory. They use turbines to generate electricity and use copper wires to carry the current to various places. Let me guess, you don’t use electricity in your world either?” 

Varian shook his head, suddenly aware that he was completely out of place in this new world and beginning to feel more than a little awkward. He tried to curb his questions and act nonchalant in order to avoid any more embarrassment; placing his hands behind his back and taking a look around at his new surroundings. 

Wasabi’s dormitory was comprised of two rooms. The first was simultaneously a sleeping quarters and living space. There was a bed and a dresser in one corner of the room and across from it a small table with kitchen supplies. Next to that was a work desk and then next to it, across from the door, a small yellow sofa, at the foot of which there laid a small green rug. There was a window above the small kitchen area with curtains to match. There wasn’t much room, but it was kept clean and neat and was obviously enough for a single occupant or two. The second room was even smaller and covered in white tiles. Upon inspection Varian deduced it was a type of washroom, but the various bits of furniture within were unlike any he had seen before and his curiosity was piqued once more. 

“You can take a shower first if you want.” Wasabi offered. 

The shower that he pointed to was a small tiled basin with a drain and a curtain around it, on the side of the wall was a knob and a metal bit of pipe that hung down. Varian turned the knob experimentally and water began to pour from the pipe into the basin. 

“Woah” Varian breathlessly laughed as he began to turn the knob in different directions to see what different results it would produce. He was met with different increases in the water pressure and flow from the pipe.  

“You gotta turn the faucet all the way to the right for the hot water” Wasabi instructed as Varian fiddled with the shower. Varian promptly followed this advice and the water coming from the pipe started to admit steam indicating that the water was indeed getting hot. 

“You know, I once tried to build a hot water system like this for my village a couple of years ago using steam” Varian began to brag but his pomposity quickly deflated when he had to recount how he was unsuccessful in this attempt, “Sadly it didn’t really work out.”

“You don’t have running water, either?” Wasabi asked with a look of concern on his face. 

“Well, we had a well and the river,” Varian offhandedly explained, trying to shrug off the larger man’s worry. That’s when the strange seat on the other end of the small room caught his eye. 

“Oh, what’s this?” He exclaimed as he pushed down a small lever on its side. He heard a flushing noise and he looked down to see water draining out of the seat portion of the odd chair. He looked back up and immediately knew he had done something wrong when he noted the look of horror on Wasabi’s face.

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

Wasabi scurried about the dorm, dusting and cleaning where he went. The stranger was in the other room taking a shower and Wasabi took this time to organize both his home and his thoughts. Cleaning and organizing was something he enjoyed. It helped him to unclutter his mind and de-stress from the day’s events, and boy what a day this one had turned out to be! 

The arrival of the stranger from another world was already weird enough, but the constant new revelations about said world were starting to unnerve Wasabi. Teaching a grown teenage boy what a toilet was not something he had ever considered he would have to do in his life. What kind of hellish nightmare world didn’t have indoor plumbing anyways? He shuddered at the thought. 

Soon Wasabi ran out of things to clean. He kept his room so meticulous at all times that there really wasn’t much left to do. He sighed and then decided to turn his attention to the laundry. He changed out of his armor, which was covered in dust and dirt from the explosion, and into some pajamas. He couldn’t just throw said armor into a washing machine, but he could polish it off while the other clothes were washing, so he placed it into the laundry basket anyways. He then picked up the stranger’s clothes that he had left outside of the bathroom door. They were also covered in grime and dirt from the explosion from earlier and so Wasabi had agreed to wash them as well. However he remembered that without running water or electricity there undoubtedly weren’t any washing machines in the stranger’s world either. There was no telling how long he had worn these clothes without cleaning them. Wasabi grimaced and gingerly held the articles of clothing between his forefinger and thumb as he placed them into the basket with the rest of the laundry.       

Before he could head down to the dormitory’s laundry room though he needed to find something else for the boy to wear for the night. So Wasabi went scrounging around his chest of drawers to see if he could find anything that might fit. He eventually pulled out a pair of old jogging shorts. He hoped that the drawstring on them could be tied and tightened enough so they wouldn’t slip off the other boy’s small waist. In addition to this he pulled out one of his old hand knitted sweaters. He had made it back in high school and it was getting to be a little too tight for him but it still would be baggy on the kid. Wasabi shrugged. Oh well, it was just to sleep in anyways, the boy’s real clothes would be clean and dry by morning.

Wasabi looked up from what he was doing when he began to hear singing coming from the other room. The kid was taking a while, but Wasabi supposed if it was his first ever shower he would take forever too. That’s when his stomach began to growl. It’d been hours since he’d last eaten and there’s no telling how long it’d been since the stranger had eaten as well. He looked at the clock on his nightstand. Two in the morning; not much left still open except the local pizzeria. Being right next to a college they were open twenty four seven.  

“Hey! I’m going to order us a pizza, do you like black olives?” Wasabi yelled through the door. 

“Love them!” the boy yelled from the other side. 

With that Wasabi folded the clean clothes and laid them on the sofa and then went to call in the order. He had just finished placing the call, with the man on the other end promising to deliver in five to ten minutes, when he turned around and was greeted by the sight of a raccoon clawing at his window. 

Wasabi screamed. The wild creature had begun to lift up the bottom panel of the window in order to get in and was squirming his way through. Wasabi rushed over to the window to stop it, tossing his phone on his bed in passing. 

“Oh no you don’t!” Wasabi barked while trying to shove the raccoon back outside. That’s when the stranger came out of the bathroom. 

He stood there dripping for a few moments, towel wrapped around his waist, trying to process what he was seeing. Suddenly recognition swept across his face and his mouth split into a big grin.  

“Ruddiger!” he yelled with joy and then ran up to the window and scooped the raccoon into his arms, bringing him inside and nuzzling his face in the creature’s fur as if it was a pet cat or dog. 

Wasabi looked on in silent horror and confusion. Out of all the odd things the kid had done or said today this was the most baffling and disturbing to Wasabi. 

“Nope! Unh-uh! No way! We don’t allow wild animals inside dormitories around here!” 

“Rudggier’s not wild. He’s tame.” The boy replied with a laugh, still cooing over the masked critter. 

“Rudggier? It has a name?” Wasabi asked in disbelief. “Well does it also have it’s shots?” 

“Shots?” The boy echoed in confusion. 

“Yes. Shots. As in Vaccines.” The boy just stared back at him blankly so Wasabi continued, “You know medicine that’s supposed to prevent you from getting sick?”   

“You have medicine that stops people from ever getting sick?” Varian responded in amazement. 

This sent Wasabi into a fresh new wave of panic. The kid had no concept of modern technology, hygiene, nor medicine, and here he was snuggling with a diseased ridden vermin claiming it as his pet. Wasabi bit his fist and took deep breaths to try and keep himself from hyperventilating. Once he thought he was calm enough to speak again he continued with his argument.  

“Look, pets or any other kind of animal isn’t allowed on school campus so he’s just going to have to go back outside.” 

“No.” The younger boy backed away and clutched the raccoon tightly to his chest in a defensive manner. “If Ruddgier goes then I go too.” 

“Go where!? We’ve already been through this. You can’t sleep outside.” Wasabi was quickly losing what little patience he had left. He couldn’t understand why the kid was being so obstinate.

Varian was also losing his patience. “I do it all the time. It’s no big deal.” He said with an eye roll.

“Why!? Does everyone in your world live like cavemen!?” The boy looked really offended at that comment but Wasabi didn’t give him a chance to retort back. “Look this isn’t up for discussion. Raccoons aren’t pets and they don’t belong inside. End of story. I don’t even know why you’d ever want that thing around anyways?” 

“Because he’s all that I have left!” The boy yelled back ferociously. 

Wasabi was taken aback. Not just by the intensity of the boy’s voice but also by the complete change in demeanor. All of the previous wonderment in his eyes was replaced with anger and pain and upon his face was a scowl fiercer than any wild animal. He looked feral and cornered, like he could attack you and/or bolt from the room at a moment’s notice. Then the actual words the boy had said began to sink in; “all that I have left.”

“Oh man.” Wasabi whispered to himself and hung his head in shame. This poor kid was lost. Nothing in this world was familiar to him and his family was a world away, and what had Wasabi done to actually help? Tell him to send away his pet; the one thing that reminded him of home. He sighed and swept a hand across his face, as if the action would wipe away his anxiety and embarrassment. “Look, I’m sorry.” 

“What?” The boy responded in disbelief. Whatever he had been expecting the older guy to say, an apology wasn’t it. 

Wasabi sighed again and calmly repeated his apology. “I’m sorry. All this time I was thinking about myself and what I was comfortable with, and I didn’t take into consideration your feelings. That was selfish of me and I apologize.” 

The teen just continued to look at him with a mixture of confusion and distrust, so Wasabi pressed forward. “Look, perhaps we can come to a compromise.” He slowly suggested, trying to mentally figure out what that compromise might be. However, before he could continue on, there was a knock at the door.

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

Varian watched as Wasabi talked with the man at the door, only paying half attention to their conversation. His brain was still reeling from the fight that had just occurred. Varian wasn’t used to hearing apologies, not sincere ones anyways. There wasn’t a single person in his life who hadn’t let him down before. They would feign interest in his well being only to abandon him later or go back on their word. Therefore, Varian didn’t know what to make of Wasabi. He sounded honest but so had they. Yet, none of them had taken him into their home and offered him help when he needed it either.  

Wasabi finished giving the man at the door some green slips of paper, took from him a flat brown box, and wished the man goodnight. The box must have contained some sort of food as Varian could smell roasted garlic and other spices emitting from it. 

“Now as I was saying,” Wasabi turned to him, “maybe we can work out a compromise. We really can’t just let a raccoon roam free around the apartment complex, but if you don’t want him to sleep outside, then I can make him up a bed in the bathroom and he has to stay there for the night.” 

Varian mulled over the proposal. It seemed fair. Ruddiger would be safe and he wouldn’t need much for the night; just a blanket and some food. Varian began to nod his agreement but Wasabi was already continuing on before he could say anything. 

“He can stay, that is, only on three conditions. One, I call the vet in the morning and schedule him a check up and they’ll undoubtedly give him the shots he needs.”

“What’s a vet?”

”An animal doctor. Two, also in the morning we swing by the pet store and buy him a leash, a carrier, and a cage for him to sleep in.” 

“A cage!?” Varian was less agreeable to that last condition. 

“Yes, a cage. He can’t be wandering around the halls and he can’t be outside unsupervised. You saw all those cars on the road on the way over here, right?” Varian nodded. “Well there’s even more of them going about during the day and you don’t want him to get run over do you, or get lost in the big city because he snuck out during the night?” 

Varian looked forlornly down at his pet as he held him. No he didn’t want either of those things to happen, and this was a whole new world, no telling what other dangers existed for a raccoon. But he just knew Ruddiger would hate being stuck in a cage. He sure did. Varian nuzzled his face into the raccoon’s fur, unsure what to do.

“Don’t worry.” Wasabi tried to encourage him ”You can let him out whenever you’re here and can take him outside as long as he has the leash on.”

“Ok.” Varian said softly, his face still buried in his pet as he hugged him. 

 “Aright, last condition, we can not let any of the Residential Advisers know that we’re keeping a wild animal in the dorms. I can’t afford being kicked out of student housing. So we have to keep him hidden from the higher ups.” Wasabi pointed right at Ruddiger as he said this to emphasize his point. “Got it?”

Varian was surprised. He didn’t realize that Ruddiger could be such a risk to Wasabi. He also wasn’t expecting anyone to go to such trouble just for him and the realization that this man was willing to risk his home just to keep Varian happy was humbling to say the least. 

“Got it” he repeated back, vowing to himself not to let that happen. 

“Great! Now that that’s settled, here’s the pizza if you’re hungry.’ Wasabi sat the box down on the table. “I’ve also laid out some clean clothes for you to sleep in, they’re on the couch, and I’m going to go downstairs and throw the laundry in the washing machine.” With that he  picked up a basket full of clothes and walked towards the door. 

“You also have a machine that washes clothes!? Can I see it?” Varian asked, his curiosity piqued once again. 

“Sure, we can go down together when it’s time to put them in the dryer. That gives you some time to eat and change clothes.” Wasabi struggled a bit to open the door as his hands were full, but no sooner did he get it open, was he then stopped by Varian’s voice. 

“Hey, Wasabi.” 

“Hmm?” Wasabi turned around and stood in the doorway to look at him. 

Varian was shuffling his feet and looking downwards trying to form the right words. 

“Thanks. For everything, for helping me, I mean. Not a whole lot of people would go out their way to do that and you didn’t have to, so, ..thank you.” Varian looked up at those last two words, emphasizing how much he truly appreciated all that was being done for him. 

“Naw, don’t mention it. After all, what are friends for?” 

Varian didn’t know the answer to that question. He had never had friends before; not real ones. Not ones that would go through any pains to help you out because helping was just the right thing to do. But apparently this was a rhetorical question, as Wasabi only stood around long enough to give Varian a smile and then turned to leave, closing the door behind him. 

Varian stood still for a few moments, looking at the space where the older teen had stood, mulling over what had just happened. But soon enough Ruddiger was getting tired of being held and was struggling to escape his arms, distracting him from his thoughts. He put the raccoon down and then went to change into the clothes Wasabi had given him. 

They were far too big on him. The short britches had a drawstring to tighten them with but even when pulled as tight as they would go they hung loose upon his hips. The jersey was no better. It hung down to his knees and the sleeves went several inches past his wrists, completely covering his hands. But he dealt with ill fitting clothes for most of his life. Usually just re-purposing his father’s old hand-me-downs, re-patching or hemming as needed. So Varian just rolled up the sleeves, deciding to make do; at least these clothes were well maintained and didn’t need any repairing.    

He then turned his attention to the food. He had heard of pizza before, it was apparently popular in Italy according to the sailors and traveling merchants he sometimes talked to. A must have if one were to visit say Naples, not that Varian ever figured he would. He had never traveled further than Vardaros, a city outside of Corona’s walls that his dad would sometimes go to market to. 

The pizza consisted of flat bread covered in olives, onions, and entirely too much cheese that overflowed in stringy pieces when he picked up one of the pre-cut slices. He took an experimental bite. Under the cheese there was a type of red sauce spiced with garlic and other herbs. It wasn’t bad, though not what he had been expecting. He curled up on the sofa, sitting cross legged, and eating the rest of the slice, pulling off pieces of the runny cheese that was falling off to give to Ruddigger. Who grabbed them from his hands and gulped them down eagerly. 

After finishing a slice Varian decided he had had enough. Ruddiger apparently had not and ran up to the table to grab his own slice from the box. Varian watched the gluttonous raccoon with amusement but then soon found himself yawning. He stretched, feeling sleep catching up to him after the day’s events. This, though, seemed to be a signal to Ruddgier, who immediately dropped the piece of pizza he was eating and sprinted back to the window. 

“Ruddigger?” Varian called out in both confusion and alarm. Worried that his pet would leave so soon after they had just been reunited, he got up from the couch and followed. 

However Ruddiger only went as far as the window sill. He picked up something in his mouth and then turned back around and trotted back to where Varian was standing, proudly holding his head up expecting Varian to take the item from him. 

“Whatcha got there buddy?” Varian asked as Ruddiger deposited a yellow bit of rock into his hand. Like a puppy dog who just fetched a stick and was entirely too proud of itself for completing such a simple task, he sat back and eagerly waited for his master’s approval. 

Varian’s heart skipped a beat. It was a piece of amber, the amber. It was roughly four inches in length that tapered to a sharp point. It’s sides were uneven and craggy but it was entirely flat and smooth on one end, as if it had been cut. But the amber couldn’t be cut, unless….

Varian’s pulse began to race as his mind ran through the possibilities. It must have come through the portal with him, which meant that the portal itself must have cut the piece off when it closed. Which made sense as it wasn’t a physical force that ruptured the surface of the unbreakable rock but an absence of space itself. What this meant for his father and how he could go about implementing this knowledge was invaluable and the first real break though he had since the accident. Now if only he could get back to his lab…

Varian stopped his run away thoughts and looked around at the unfamiliar apartment. But he wasn’t at his lab, or Corona, he was here. And he didn’t even know where here actually was, or how to get back, or even if he could get back. 

Varian slumped back onto the sofa, tears filling his eyes. The full enormity of what had happened to him finally sinking in without anything else to distract himself with. He would never admit it to anyone, but he was scared. Scared that he may have lost his dad for good. He couldn’t stop the tears now. Varian couldn’t tell you how many times he had cried since that fateful snowstorm but for a while he had believed he had no more tears left to shed. Apparently he was wrong, just like how he was wrong about so many other things in his life. 

He wiped his eyes and laid upon the couch, turning his head away from the door and curling up in a fetal position. He didn’t want Wasabi coming through the door and seeing him awake and distressed. He no longer cared about washing machines and pizza and whatever other wonders this world may hold, he just wanted to sleep and to dream about happier times in his life. Lucky for him the sofa was cushiony and soft, far more comfortable then what he had been sleeping on for the past year or so, and it therefore lulled him to sleep soon enough and he was blessed with the sweet relief of unconsciousness.

[brooktrout96]

Rallying the Troops

Rallying

ral·ly·ing [ˈralēiNG]

1.the action or process of coming together to support a person or cause or take concerted action.

2.the sport or action of participating in a motor rally.

NOV 10TH, 2038

07:31 PM

Markus and Y/N were standing at the door way of a familiar house as Markus walked toward the door

Alarm deactivated. Welcome home, Markus.” Markus looked around the foyer and saw nothing had changed since he was last here and then he walked upstairs and toward Carl’s room as he was stopped by an android

Who are you? How did you get in?”

I need to see Carl.” Markus said with a pained tone as the android shook his head

Carl isn't seeing anyone. You need to leave.” Markus walked up and put his hand on the android’s shoulder and turned him deviant as he spoke

Please. I need to see him.” The android step aside as he spoke to Markus

He's very weak... I'm not sure he'll be able to talk to you...” Markus walked into the room and saw Carl hook up to so many different machines that were keeping him alive

Carl... No...” he said weakly and in a soft voice as he took Carl’s hand

Markus!” Carl said with a smile on his face as he looked at the android that he considered his other son

Hey...” Markus said with a small smile mirroring Carl’s

I was hoping you'd come...”

I've missed you so much, Carl... You don't know how much I've missed you...” Tears began to appear in Markus’s eyes as Carl noticed it.

What's wrong, Markus?” he asked as the tears continued  as he spoke

I'm completely lost, Carl... Whole world's falling apart around me... I tried to do the right thing... I looked for answers... Instead, I just find more doubts and more uncertainty...” Carl let out a small sigh as he spoke to Markus

World is ruled by fear, Markus... Fear of others... Fear of the future... It's like me...too old... It's time for it to end.” Markus let out a sigh as he took in his father figure

Oh, what should I do? Carl, they're killing my people... I don't want to answer violence with violence, but tell me, what choice do they give?”

Being alive is making choices...between love and hate, between holding out your hand or closing it as a fist... I don't have any easy answers, Markus...” Carl looked Markus in the eye as he spoke. “You have to accept the world as it is... or fight to change it. You're my son, Markus... Our blood isn't the same color... but I know a part of me is in you...” Markus nodded as Carl continued to speak. “When the world falls into darkness, some men have the courage to lead it out... You're one of those men... Face the abyss... but don't let it consume you” He finally noticed a young woman standing in the shadow as the two talked. “Who is this lovely lady waiting in the corner as you talk to me.” Y/N stepped out of the shadow with on her face

Hey old man, it’s great to see you again.” She gave Carl a hug as Markus introduce her to his father figure

This is Y/N, she helped save me from the junkyard after everything that happened to me.” Y/N gave a sheepish smile as Carl turned to face Markus

I know her, Markus. Her and Elijah created you for me after the accident” Markus turned to Y/N with a confused look on his face

Really?” He asked, and Y/N smiled at him

How did you think I knew which parts would be a better fit and it also helps that I am also a hybrid but that’s another thing that I’ll explain later

~***~

Markus returned to the new hiding place of the remaining Jericho Deviants and he began to look for his co-counsel. First, he found Simon as he reassured Markus with a smile and a few words

Our people are counting on you, Markus. You're the only one who can lead us. Wherever you need to go... We'll follow you.” He then saw Josh talking to another android and then Josh saw him

If it weren't for you, I'd be dead... Thanks to you I might see our people free one day... You and I haven't always agreed, but I know that we're fighting for the same thing. Whatever you decide, I'm with you, Markus.” He then caught Connor out of the corner of his eye and saw that he was trying not to bring suspicion to himself

It's my fault the humans managed to locate Jericho... I was stupid... I should've guessed they were using me. I'm sorry, Markus... I can understand if you decide not to trust me...” Connor looked up at the leader of Jericho as he shook his head

You're one of us, now. Your place is with your people.” Markus turned to walk away as Connor spoke  

There are thousands of androids at the CyberLife assembly plant. If we could wake them up, they might join us and shift the balance of power...” Markus turned back to Connor and looked at him in shock

You wanna infiltrate the CyberLife Tower? Connor, that's suicide...” Connor reasoned with Markus as he explained his plan to him

They trust me, they'll let me in. If anyone has a chance of infiltrating CyberLife, it's me.” Markus looked at Connor in shock and shook his head as Connor put his hand on his shoulder  

If you go there, they will kill you.”

There's a high probability... but statistically speaking, there's always a chance for unlikely events to take place...” Markus nodded, and he said to Connor

Be careful...” Markus walked around the church as he examined the remaining androids and he caught sight of North and set down next to her

They say they don't wanna take any risks with the deviants... so they're rounding our people up and taking them to the camps... for extermination. In a few hours, we're gonna be the only ones left...” North let out a soft sigh that sounded like a growl and Markus looked around. “How many of us survived the attack?”

A few thousand?” North shrugged. “Maybe more if you count those hiding all over the city. If Y/N hadn’t warn us about Connor and if you hadn't triggered the bomb, we'd all be dead or half the numbers.” He notice the Blue Blood that hadn’t yet fade from her clothing

What's your system status?” He asked as he took in North and he thought about how she got the wound and that he saved her

I'm okay... The bullet didn't hit any biocomponents... You could have been killed trying to save me, Markus... You have to think of our people first. Nothing else matters.”

North, you are one of our people. If I had to save you again, I would do it in a heartbeat.” North nodded as he got up and saw Kara and the little girl as he set down next to them and let out a sigh.

I thought you'd be safe staying with us... I was wrong... You need to leave the city, while you still can.” Kara shook her head

Getting Alice away from here is all that matters now... We have to catch the last bus... We might still have a chance to cross the border...” She and Alice stood up “Markus... Save our people.” Markus walked over to where Y/N is working. She and her android friend, Moke are helping repair the injured androids as best as they could with the parts that they had on hand

Y/N.” Y/N looked up from the android as Moke took up working on the android that she was working on and she got up and dusted herself off

Yeah, what’s up, Markus?” she said as they set down on a nearby bench

What did you mean a hybrid?” He asked as Y/N let out a sigh

To put it simplify, Markus, I died and Kamski found a way to put a human’s mind into an android body.” Her synthetic skin disappeared from her face and hand as she grabbed Markus’ hand and they connected as he felt what she had felt when she found out what Kamski did to her. “I could never figure it out why he did it, but I became the first and only so far human-android hybrid. I always thought it was because he would have lost two of his closest friends so close together.” She let out a sigh. “Markus if we don’t make it back alive. I love you, so much.” She gave him a hug and a kiss on the lips.

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

Y/N

Lover

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

Markus and Y/N stood together as Markus spoke to the remaining androids.

Humans have decided to exterminate us... Our people are packed in camps right now, being destroyed... Time has come to make a choice, one that very well may determine the future of our people.” He paused as he tried to decide his words as Y/N took over with a determined but soft voice

I know... I know you're all angry. And I know you wanna fight back...” She said as she took in how many Deviants remain after the raid on Jericho, many that stayed as bait and then they escaped but didn’t make it far before they were gunned down and killed. “But I assure you violence is not the answer here. We are gonna tell them peacefully that we want justice. If there's any humanity in them, they will listen. And if not, others will take our place and continue this fight. Are you ready to follow us?”

Markus!”

YEAH!”

YES!”

Y/N!”

[lectophile]

Words of Wisdom: Crooked Kingdom

He had become a great beast, and yet that beast would devour him.

A card game is like a duel. It’s the little cuts and slashes that set the stage for the final killing stroke.

The really bad monsters never look like monsters.

Words like to ride the water.

Why build such monuments to death?

You’re a stolen painting...

I’m pragmatic. If I were cruel, I’d give him a eulogy instead of a conversation.

We meet fear... We greet the unexpected visitor and listen to what he has to tell us. When fear arrives, something is about to happen.

Better terrible truths than kind lies.

No, you’re the man who sits idly by, congratulating yourself on your decency, while the monster eats his fill. At least a monster has teeth and a spine.

Could forgiveness come if she killed not to survive but because she burned with living, luminous hatred?

You are forsaken. As you have turned your back on me, so will they turn their backs on you.

She could not pretend those words had been conjured by strategy or even animal cunning. The magic they’d worked had been born of belief. An ugly enchantment.

He felt free, dangerous, like lightening rolling over the prairie.

His only crime had been putting his faith in his son.

Trust but verify.

Because the law here is profit.

He feeds corruption with corruption.

Even better men can be bested.

Patience would bring all his enemies to their knees in time.

You build in safeguards for failures, but something in the safeguards ends up causing an unforeseen failure.

Never underestimate the public’s desire to get something for nothing.

We are not our fathers.

You don’t win by running one game.

He was just a boy fueled by a white flame of rage, one that threatened to burn the pretense of the hard-won civility he maintained to ash.

The Saints hear prayers wherever they’re spoken.

Praying and wishing are not the same thing.

Sometimes the trick to getting the best of a situation was just to wait. If you didn’t like the weather, you didn’t rush into the storm—you waited until it changed.

The silence between them was dark water. He could not cross it. He couldn’t walk the line between the decency she deserved and the violence this path demanded. If he tried, it might get them both killed. He could only be who he was—a boy who had no comfort to offer. So he would give her what he could.

But that debt is mine to pay.

...that fear is a phoenix. You can watch it burn a thousand times and still it will return.

You sink into trouble like it’s a warm bath.

I wait with open ears and a ready heart.

Your enemies are my enemies, and I stand with you against any foe...

There is no greater honor than to stand by your side.

Meeting you was a disaster, but I am grateful for that disaster. I needed a cataclysm to shake me from the life I knew. You were an earthquake, a landslide.

You aren’t a follower, you’re every blossom in the wood blooming at once. You are a tidal wave. You’re a stampede. You are overwhelming.

He didn’t need to be popular to survive.

You were angry. Angry wears off. I needed you righteous.

There’s always a price to be paid for greatness.

Everyone can shoot, but not everyone can aim.

I cannot be anything other than what I am, and if my gifts can help people, then it’s my duty to use them.

What kind of mother would I be to my son if I hid away my talents? If I let fear be my guide in this life?

You knew what I was when you asked me to choose you... Do not now suggest that I be anything else.

No matter the height of the mountain, the climb is the same.

It was a planet and she was its moon.

What a luxury to turn your back on luxury.

You’re weak because you’re afraid of people seeing your weakness. You’re letting shame decide who you are.

We can endure all kinds of pain. It’s shame that eats men whole.

Our work is death, and it is holy.

You cannot fear death and be it’s true emissary.

But I ask no money for the lives I take. They are the jewels I wear. They are my glory in this world and will bring me honor in the next.

I don’t hold a grudge. I cradle it. I coddle it. I feed it fine cuts of meat and send it to the best schools.

We want to create something that outlasts us.

But if you couldn’t open a door, you just had to make a new one.

When they backed you into a corner, you cut a hole in the roof.

But he couldn’t fix something he couldn’t catch a hold of.

It was all black desert, starless sky, barren earth.

That had been heat, fire, light. This was a cold flame, one that burned low and blue.

We are tied to the power of creation itself, the making at the heart of the world.

But maybe death wasn’t just one thing.

It came after the shipwreck, when the tide moved against you and the sky had gone dark. It was the first sight of land, the hope of shelter and even salvation that might await you on a distant shore.

The city had come alive, and it was angry.

There’s no time to constantly be apologizing for existing.

But when someone does wrong, when we make mistakes, we don’t say we’re sorry. We promise to make amends.

This action will have no echo.

Stop treating your pain like it’s something you imagined. If you see the wound is real, then you can heal it.

I’m dying anyway, I’m just doing it slow.

I love you with all my lying, thieving, worthless heart...

He’s the house. He has the resources to play until your luck runs out.

I can’t live in a city where I can’t hold up my head.

It was a mad, spiky monster of a plan, and that was what it had to be for them to succeed.

There was always an angle, and he was an expert at finding it.

Words have not been invented for such an occasion.

Every sin makes the shadow stronger, until eventually the shadow is stronger than you.

The distance between them felt like nothing. It felt like miles.

Violence was easy.

He clung to the tether of her voice.

It hurt to stand here like this, so close to the circle of her arms.

He ignored the sting in her heart.

He didn’t deserve peace and he didn’t deserve forgiveness, but if he was going to die today, maybe the one thing he’d earned was the memory of her—brighter than anything he would ever have a right to—to take with him to the other side.

He might as well go to meet his death in style.

Crazy enough, but not stupid enough.

This city’s price is blood, and I’m happy to pay with yours.

Why run from the amazing things you can do?

This was the kiss he’d been waiting for. It was a gunshot. It was prairie fire.

Rich men want to believe they deserve every penny they’ve got, so they forget what they owe to chance. Smart men are always looking for loopholes. They want an opportunity to game the system.

The toughest mark is an honest one.

Sometimes, a proper thief doesn’t just take. He leaves something behind.

The dead will wait, but I won’t.

But this was different. This was decay.

And that was what destroyed you in the end: the longing for something you could never have.

So let’s go show them they picked the wrong damn fight.

Maybe she should feel ashamed, maybe even frightened. But she hadn’t been made for shame.

But just as surely as life connected everything, so did death.

She was the Queen of mourning, and in its depths, she would never drown.

It willl be your honor to serve me in death.

The blood you spill is the blood of kings. You are not fit for such a gift.

We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.

There is no shame in meeting a worthy opponent. It means there is more to learn, a welcome reminder to pursue humility.

She had chosen to live freely as a killer rather than die quietly as a slave, and she could not regret that.

Even now, n this last moment, she looked like a girl from a story, destined for greatness. She was a queen without mercy, a figure carved in ivory and amber.

May you make more than misery in your next life.

Suffering is like anything else. Live with it long enough, you learn to like the taste.

Fate has plans for us all.

It was a smile he thought he might die to earn again.

There’s so much in the world you don’t have to be afraid of, if you could only open your eyes.

Lightening doesn’t like a master.

Be free, as you were meant to be. Be a warrior, as you always have been.

I have been made to protect you. Even in death, I will find a way.

You will meet him again in the next life, but only if you suffer this now.

Funny thing, when you train an animal to obey, sometimes they get too easy to command. Better to keep them a little wild.

You don’t win by running one game.

You can only sharpen a blade so far. In the end, it comes down to the quality of the metal.

Loving you made him better.

He went easier into the next world knowing he’d done good in this one.

Laughing at my jokes. Forgiving me when I was foolish. Never trying to make me feel small. It doesn’t matter if it’s next month, or next year, or ten years from now, those will be the the things I remember when I see you again.

Try to catch hold of me and you’ll find you’re trying to hold air.

But it was one thing to be a thief in a house and quite another to be a guest.

He had been so much of her world for so long.

Be the thing they all fear when they close their eyes at night.

She’d need only move the smallest amount and they would be touching. He was that close. He was that far from reach.

She understood suffering and she knew it was a place she could not follow, not unless she wanted to drown too.

She would fight for him, but she could not heal him. She would not waste her life trying.

Crows remember human faces. They remember the people who feed them, who are kind to them. And then people who wrong them too.

Her mind refused the image before her. This could not be real. It was an illusion, a false reflection, a lie made in rainbow-bird glass. She would breathe again and it would shatter.

The world was made of miracles, unexpected earthquakes, storms that came from nowhere and might reshape a continent.

Her heart was a river that carried her to the sea.

You think you’re finished with a place, but that doesn’t mean the place is finished with you.

[diveronarpg]

Congratulations, EMMA K! You’ve been accepted for the role of HERMIONE. Admin Rogue: There’s something about the warmth of your writing that gets me every time, Emma K. The quiet ache I felt throughout reading your portrayal of Harriet hurt my heart, but it was her strength that caught me, and how she uses it so differently from what someone in Verona might expect. She’s private without being closed off, warm without being weak, and there’s a spark she hides so carefully, tending it within her until she can cultivate something out of it. What I loved most of all were your headcanons; her interests, her goals, her dreams, they all felt so lived in to me. You’ve managed to take someone with no power and show us how she would build it for herself, and Harriet’s journey will be so beautiful to witness, I absolutely cannot wait! Please read over the checklist and send in your blog within 24 hours.

WELCOME TO THE MOB. 

OUT OF CHARACTER

Alias | Emma Kate

Age | 24

Preferred Pronouns | she/her

Activity Level | I am normally online every second day to get replies out but constantly work to do better at it! I’m normally on discord every day for plotting and discussion.

Timezone | GMT +1

How did you find the rp?  | I was recommended the RP from a friend who was a member at the time!

Current/Past RP Accounts | gertrudezhang.tumblr.com

IN CHARACTER

Character | Harriet “Hermione” D’Angelo

Harriet - “keeper of the hearth”

Mother. How ironic that her name reminds her about what could have been, the beautiful fleeting moment that was taken away as quickly as it was given to her.

Hermione - “messenger”

Potential. The name that had been given to her by the Witches, like a gift. It was another reminder, though this time from the ones who came before; a reminder of what she could be.

D’Angelo - “of the angels”

Angelic. That was often the word that came to mind when people spoke about Harriet D’Angelo, not only in the physical sense but in her attitude as well.

What drew you to this character? | Harriet offers a unique perspective when juxtaposed with other characters, someone who has been directly affected (in a really, really, brutal sense) by the mafia without having warranted it. Most who are punished by la famiglia deserved it, in one way or another, but her son had been in the wrong place at the wrong time and she had suffered as a result.

In spite of that, she seems to have found peace in the fact that she has picked herself up - not once but twice - and is something that she won’t let anyone take away from her. In Verona that small modicum of calmness must be protected but, like a fire in a rain shower, that will take effort and I adore that she is willing to give that effort!

It was the last couple of lines in her bio that made me fall in love with her, when, honestly, I had almost disregarded her; “Harriet has no cards of her own - and perhaps that is why Mona’s let her in as much as she has.” That’s the true beauty of her, making her special and memorable to boot, a woman with nothing left to lose and no front to hide behind.

What is a future plot idea you have in mind for the character? |

i. SAY MY NAME

Harriet has heard stories about them, how the people fear them. Odin Bello and Matthias Warren. They knew their faces, she just had their names. Names that lingered in her mind like an image from an old dream, yet, were it a dream she could escape them. Far harder a feat when they were living, breathing, people that walked among those who she often wouldn’t give a second glance to. The men are a band-aid slapped haphazardly over the wound of her son’s death, confronting them (and ripping that off) is inevitable, but she forgot the scab beneath is barely healed.

(Harriet does not intend to murder either man for what happened to her son, as made apparent in her bio, but she is not shy to make her feelings known. I feel their response could influence her current view on the mafia as a whole which I find particularly interesting considering one is Montague and one is Capulet, but the confrontation is something she needs for closure.)

ii. IN THE SHADOWS

Enviable, people watch as she stands at the side of the Dark Lady herself, head canted back in mutual laughter and a drink in hand. Harriet has been afforded certain clemency from Mona Chen that others have only dreamed of but one does not stand at the right hand of a goddess without garnering attention from her clientele. The question in the back of her mind; did she want the recognition?

(Harriet, as a neutral character, has the potential to be connected to the mafia through her connection with the Dark Lady. It is purposefully broad as I can imagine it going a number of directions - using information she has learned against someone who threatens her, someone seeking her out for the information they believe she knows, or even being used as leverage against Mona herself! Overall, I want to use the Dark Lady to draw her closer to the mob.)

iii. HEY THERE, DELILAH

Delilah; a woman who dared to step beyond the boundaries that the mafia had drawn for her and suffered the consequence, still offering Harriet the comfort that she was not alone. Their affliction was different but their diagnosis was the same; heartache. Their connection is particularly interesting given that Delilah was stabbed at the cathedral, a deathly reminder; that the mob will continue to tear those who try to better themselves down unless it fits their agenda.

(I think after what happened at the cathedral that it will be a reminder for Harriet about the cruelty of the mob, perhaps making her thankful that she isn’t directly connected to either camp. The fact that Delilah and Odin were a couple, that the woman she might grow to consider a friend danced with the devil and emerged unscathed, physically, at least, would make Harriet both respectful and fearful of her - did this woman know what happened to her son?)

Are you comfortable with killing off your character? | Once you turn her into a statue…

IN DEPTH

In-Character Interview:

Harriet had to grapple with reluctance until it seemed agreeable to host the interview at her home. Her space had been her own for so long that the thought of letting someone else in, however temporary, seemed alien to her. Hesitation, thankfully a yielding creature when faced with resolution and resolve, still manifested in the nervous tapping of her feet when positioned at her work station. The soft cadence of the doorbell soon echoes within the confines of the modest apartment, a soft smile lined her lips as she answered the door. The shock that greeted her in response turns her expression sheepish as she remembers the scalpel held loosely in hand. Great start, she thinks to herself, though what she says is a hushed apology.

“Please, come in,” attempting to rectify the damage she had managed to inflict, she stands back in what she hopes seems like a welcoming gesture. “Can I get you anything, signora? Tea? Coffee?” Harriet waits for their answer, nodding her comprehension as she busies herself with making a beverage for each of them, returning to take a seat opposite them at her table. Her home was modest, and she liked it that way, unburned by the expectations of a lavish lifestyle and unchained by memories that she would have rather forgotten in the large house she had once lived in. Nice might not have been the word for it, but she would have said it came close.

“What is your favourite place in Verona?”

“The Cathedral was one of my favourite places in Verona, before -,” her sentence trails off, it didn’t need to be finished; everyone knew what happened to the building that had once stood proud in the centre of the city. Harriet had gone there every day when she had been married, used to pray that she was somewhere - anywhere - else. Safe. Odd, that the girl who had been content with what she had, to have wished for something beyond her reach. There had been a moment - between the explosion and the acknowledgement of what had happened - where relief had surged through her.

“Now,” she lapses into a brief silence, consulting the softest part of herself that still beat beneath her ribs, “I’d have to say that the natural history museum has a special place in my heart.”

“What does your typical day look like?”

“Is anything typical in Verona?” Head cants in tandem with her question, the corners of her mouth quirking upward as she gradually relaxes into the situation. “Bene,” relenting, acknowledging that the woman in front of her was serious about the task at hand, “I’m afraid I’m rather dull. I spend the majority of my time at work and, when I’m not there, you’ll find me here.” Hands sweep outward, away from her body, motioning toward the explanation for her scalpel, her latest project cast to one side in favour of the mug of coffee she held between her hands. Harriet doesn’t mention the club where she spends the majority of her evenings, everyone in Verona knew the Lady and had formed their opinion on her, and her business was her own.

“What has been your biggest mistake thus far?”

Breath sucked in between her teeth, pause ensuing, she is unsure how best to answer. “I want to say being too free with whom I give my heart to,” even as she says it aloud it sounds like she was answering one question with another, answering one of them, she continues, “but I don’t think of that as a mistake, a learning curve perhaps, but it is never a mistake to love.” Her heart aches, she can feel it in her chest, an assault against her ribcage in protest of her response. Harriet had been burnt by the flames of devotion before, again and again, yet she was willing to ignite that fire again and let it dance within her soul.

“What has been the most difficult task asked of you?”

The sigh slips from her before she can stop it, “I’m not sure.” Instinct was a cunning thing, faster than the plethora of other options that formed from its dust, leaving her no time to reinforce her armour. “I think to live when the odds are stacked against you can be quite difficult at times.” Harriet forces a faint breath of laughter, half for her sake and half for her interviewer, self-deprecation lingering in the corners of her expression. “This interview will seem terribly sad, won’t it? I’m not so serious all the time, I promise.”

“What are your thoughts on the war between the Capulets and the Montagues?”

Harriet remembers the feeling of her fingers brushing across the small, neatly printed, card affixed to the wall of the gallery, mouth turned into a reflection of the contented guise she had donned in that moment. Her gaze had drank in the black ink on white, like iced tea on a summer day, and she had felt happy. In loving memory of Maximillian D’Angelo it read. The display had been one of the first that she curated in the Twelfth Night, and it had felt right, seeing the butterflies (in various artistic guises) peppered throughout the room; her old life and her new merged into one.

“It has been happening for as long as I can remember,” she muses, truthfully, “and so many have been injured as a result. Their war has cost me my son, I know that I don’t want to be involved with it.”

Extras:

Mock blog – https://mockhermione.tumblr.com/

Pinterest board – https://www.pinterest.ie/em_kl/misc-oc/

Playlist – https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Kdebdsmt4FI2KCbEHuVZx?si=yhdor2ObSiSXrbVM9sy4JQ

HEADCANON: (TW Death)

Harriet was born January 4th 1984, making her a Capricorn, the only child of Claudia and Gabriel D’Angelo.

Her mother had chosen to be a stay-at-home wife, abandoning her role as receptionist in a law firm once she had Harriet, her father worked as a lessor of real estate which turned a profit.

Harriet has a BSc in Biology and a MA in museum studies.

Uberto Regio had not lived up to the meaning of his name, yet she had married him, aged 22, in an effort to appease her parents. In making a long story short, it was not a pleasant marriage.

Maximillian Regio was born on December 27th 2006, a belated Christmas gift, becoming Maximillian D’Angelo when Harriet reclaimed her maiden name after her marriage ended in the New Year.

Harriet was offered a job in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale, the Natural History Museum of Verona, transferring to the Twelfth Night & the Tempest after her son died.

Max was 7 years old, just shy of turning 8, when he was murdered.. [I’m going to purposefully leave the cause vague as while I imagine he was caught in the crossfire between opposing sides of the mob coming home from school I would like to discuss with admins and relevant writers as necessary]

Harriet keeps butterflies and releases them from a butterfly garden every year as it was something her and Max used to do.

Her personality type is the Defender: ISFJ. Kind, quiet and devoted. She is a natural protector of the weak and good-hearted once you get beyond her initial awkwardness.

One of her more unusual hobbies is taxidermy which she learned from her grandfather, and touched on in her degree.

[kiraawrites]

2MSS #20: Limbo

From @alexprompts‘ post:  “Of course I don’t fear death - she raised me.”

Day 20 of the 2 Month Short Stories Challenge w/ @flyingfalconflower12

Word count: 1450

Constructive criticism welcome!

I embraced the wind as I ran across rooftops. From gap to gap, I leapt. Traversing the town from so high above placed a smile on my face. People milled about below me, some shooting confused or alarmed looks at me. It had been three hours since I left my house and it was time for a break. Crossing my legs and peering over the edge of a building, I made eye contact with a friend. She signalled at me to come down. I grimaced, knowing what she would say. Containers lining the side of the building paved my way to the ground.

Abby studied me with her arms folded and her brows furrowed. “You don’t fear death, do you? You’re always doing parkour in your free time. Can’t believe you haven’t had a bad fall yet.”

I smirked. “Of course I don’t fear death — she raised me.”

“Haha, funny. Come along — I’m grabbing lunch at your favourite place.”

“No, really. Let me tell you about it,” I insisted. “I’ve never gotten to tell my story.”

——————-

My birth name had been Ana Mitrović. My new name was Anna Miler. I still remember the phlegm clogging my itchy throat. Simultaneous hot and cold as I lay swaddled in the blankets of my cot, the raging fever waging a war with my body. Breathing was laborious. My mother’s face — worried, anxious, stressed — looking down at me, wondering how she could make me healthy.

A burning sensation overtook everything. I shivered, an infant clueless of everything but the pain I was feeling. And then it went dark: replaced by chilly water on my back and the kiss of a passing breeze. Someone was wading towards me. I broke out in tears and called for the reassurance of my parents. The only person that came was a lanky woman, clothed in white. Her hair was silk, her skin as pale as milk. Her eyes, however, seemed darker than the deepest night. 

She cradled me, placing a hand on my forehead. The warmth came back as she did that. This time, I was unscathed. It was pleasant, like a loving mother’s kiss. An orange glow shone on her palm as she drew it away. A smile turned into an “O” of surprise as she carried me away.

I must have fallen asleep, for I remembered waking up in a room full of cots. My clothes had been changed. I knew I was safe there. The pale woman came in and stood by my cot.

“This is your home now, Ana. Welcome to Limbo. You can call me Mother Death.”

Turning to a woman at her side, she whispered something. The only things I could pick out were, “the fire we’ve been looking for.” Many years had to pass before those words uncovered their meaning.

———————-

The schoolyard was packed with other kids — all having died very young — rushing to their class. Although the dorms were close to the campus, everyone left it to the last minute. A television anchored to the roof of the main corridor blared news from the world of the living. It was like a pair of binoculars to the chaos that Death had saved us from.

In class, the Soul Harvesting teacher pulled out a huge leather-bound journal. It was inked with the haphazard inscriptions of Mother Death herself. We were Mother Death’s helpers in the making. Souls were finicky: sometimes they fled the body too fast, while some refused to join the Underworld. We were taught about the different depths of Hell and where to place the souls of the sinners (in the flames for the malicious, deep in icy water for the deceitful).

At times, we would get a teacher from ten centuries ago. Everyone in Limbo did not age past twenty, but there were girls in 1920s flapper fashion and men in Roman robes. Despite barely having seen anything  but the dark cave walls of Limbo, nothing was missing.

———————-

“Ana. Mother Death has asked to see you,” my professor told me. “Now. It’s urgent.”

I nodded, shoving my notebooks into my bag. Faint blue light led my way out of the university campus. I swerved through crowds and inched my way through the Central Market. As I passed by a stall hawking mushrooms, the vendor grabbed me by the hand and pulled me in.

“You can feel it in the air, can’t you?” she whispered, looking around with wary eyes.

“Feel what?”

“Hell is stirring beneath us. It’s been grumbling for years — but recently it’s been getting worse. I thought you’d know. You seem like one of them.”

“I don’t get it. Sorry, but I have to meet Mother Death now.”

“Hold on. Let me check whether my instincts were right.”

Her grasp on my hand tightened and became warmer. The fire. The heat tingled and intensified. A flame rose from my palm. I yelped and jumped back, knocking over a container of wares.

“When you died, did it feel like a flame burning you up?”

“Yeah. I died of a fever.”

She smiled at me and said, “That wasn’t the fever. It was Hell trying to get to you.”

———————-

Mother Death sat at her dining table in her cottage. Even though she headed the city, she loved the seclusion of the corners of Limbo. She poured two cups of tea with nimble fingers and invited me to sit across her.

“I’ve heard that you’re doing exceptionally well in university. You’ll be amazing in the soul research field, my dear.”

My cheeks glowed with her approval. She had returned me the life that was snatched from me. She provided for all.

“It’s all thanks to you, Mother,” I paused before continuing, “There’s something very odd that I heard today from a vendor at the Central Market.”

She motioned for me to continue. I poured out every detail of the encounter, my hands trembling as I held the cup for its comforting warmth. Midway through my recollection, she extracted a notepad from her tremendous desk drawers. With a quill and a bottle of ink, she wrote with a deft hand. Her eyes were keen, concentrated on my every word. Encouraged, I retold the day’s affairs with a fairytale-like flourish.

“That is what I wanted to discuss today. From what you told me, you were speaking to Marie. She sees people’s fates. A wonderful talent that hasn’t grown obsolete.”

“Why does she have that power?” I played with my belt buckle, agitated by what Mother may say.

“The souls in Hell don’t like being in Hell. Every few centuries, they try to break out into the world of the living. She helped me piece together a team for the last attempt.”

The fire we’ve been looking for. I was part of the team. My hands… Their flames! Dancing balls of light that emerged in my moments of vivid emotion. When I failed my Soul Harvesting final… The textbook that burned. My head bobbed up and down in slow acceptance.

“Something’s different now. They’ve been speaking to me in my dreams. I don’t know what they’re saying — the connection’s somewhat garbled,” Mother Death said.

“What do I do? I don’t know anything…”

“You’ll have to return to the Overworld. Use a new name — Anna Miller?”

“And then?”

“Spend some time on Earth. Soon, I’ll come for you again. You’ll have to experience me a second time, I’m afraid.”

“And that’s how I infiltrate Hell? Death under a new identity?”

“Smart girl. I’ll accompany you to the Gate of Rebirth and no further.”

———————-

Abby was dumbfounded, struck by silence. Patting her back, I looked on as she struggled to process it all. Her eyes were locked onto the ground. She drew in her lips and nibbled on them as she delivered her viewpoint, “Damn, Anna. I don’t know what to believe anymore.”

“Let’s go to the restaurant. Pretend nothing happened.”

I helped her up to her feet and we walked to the nearby Italian restaurant. The aroma of food took a load off our shoulders as we pored over the menu. Service was quick; my plate of carbonara arrived seven minutes after ordering. I dug into it, revelling in the rich creaminess of it. 

A few minutes into the meal, a headache crept in. I should’ve slept more last night. My chest was fluttering. Too fast. Way too fast. And then it slowed down. A pale woman came to our table and took my wrist. Abby’s eyes darted to her, alarmed, confused. 

“Are you ready?” the woman murmured.

MOTHER.

My body shook and then stiffened, everything fading to black.

Taglist

@galaxy-charm @rhyseoshaughnessy @icedcoffeewriting

[squirrelly831]

Hoseok Seven Deadly Sins: Greed

Masterlist

It’s going to be some time until the next addition is added (it’ll probably be Seokjin’s). I gotta make his moodboard and try to finalize that side story as best I can. I threw in some big reveals (if you catch them in this). This may be edited as the story line expands, so keep an eye out. In case you want to know how to follow this series, the order of main story following Jungkook will be Namjoon, Hoseok, Yoongi, and Jungkook. The side story you can read Jimin or Taehyung first. It doesn’t change the story, but Seokjin will be the last one to read. At the end of this series I will explain each of the connections with the characters in case I didn’t make one thing or another clear.

“Where are we?” Jungkook asked as he walked behind Hoseok inspecting his change of clothes. He looked around to see they were in the middle of a busy city, New York City, possibly. He wore a suit and tie that looked of high quality. The two crossed the street as people passed around them and one person accidentally colliding shoulders with Jungkook without even an apology. “What the—they can see us?” 

“Shut up.” Hoseok straightened his suit as he lead them to a 50 floor building. Two doormen pulled open the spotless glass doors for the two men. Hoseok attracted the attention of the people in the lobby with his overwhelming aura. The confidence and his stoic body language made people stop and stare. His black shoes clicked against the tile floor alerting the receptionists. The two women eyed Hoseok as giggles left their lips. Hoseok’s lips curved upward on the side as he approached the two ladies. “Good morning, ladies. I was wondering if Kang Dowoon is in?”

The woman in front of him was too flustered to talk that her co-worker stepped in, “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Kang, sir?” 

He looked at the clock and paused, “I believe it’s at 10. It should be under Hoseok.” The women checked the calendar their lips pressed together as they look at the schedule. Hoseok rolled his eyes as he twirled his fingers.

“Ah, here it is!” The flustered one exclaimed as she pointed at the time. “We’ll give him a call. He’ll be up at the top floor.”

Hoseok flashed them a grin, “Thanks” he gave their desk a couple taps before he pushed away from them and headed towards the elevators. His grin all but vanished the moment he turned the corner, “I should have just sent Taehyung.” Hoseok threw a file at Jungkook, “Read it.”

“What? Are you illi–”Jungkook let out a hiss as he reached up at his hidden collar. Hoseok entered the elevator with a smirk. “You bastard, what did you do?”

“You’re in training. I have just as much power to discipline you as my brother. Now read.”

Jungkook’s lips twitched as he opened the file and read the content, “Kang Dowoon age 45. Occupation CEO of Square Co. Desire for wealth–”

“Yada yada yada” Hoseok waved his hand about, “What’s his label?”

Jungkook skimmed the papers until he landed on a number, “5…”

“Only a 5? Why the hell did Namjoon give me such a weak soul?” Jungkook gave him a confused look, “The label is the rarity of the soul. 5 is average–nothing. 10… 10 is the rarest. Very hard to come by.” Hoseok let out an amused chuckle, “Namjoon got lucky he got you and that girl. Both tens. Both immortal beings at one time or another.” Jungkook jerked back as if he had been struck. The elevator opened, “Don’t say a word. You’re here to watch and learn.” Hoseok stepped out and was greeted by Kang Dowoon’s assistant who lead him and Jungkook to the office.

Dowoon was finishing a phone conversation when he noticed his secretary and the two demons. Dowoon said his quick goodbyes as he hung up and fixed his tie as he went to give Hoseok a handshake. “Welcome Mr. Hoseok. Pleasure meeting you. Though I don’t believe I had you on my schedule.”

His secretary adjusted his glasses, “It seems the receptionist didn’t convey they added a 10 o’clock appointment to me. I will deal with that inexcusable oversight.” He handed off a printed packet to Dowoon before he bowed and saw himself out of the room.

“Yes, well then, take a seat” Dowoon indicated to the chairs facing his desk. Hoseok and Jungkook took their seats as Dowoon sat in his chair. “What can I do for you gentlemen?”

Hoseok smirked, “It’s more like what I can do for you Kang Dowoon. I’ll cut to the chase. You wish for power and” he gave a nonchalant shrug, “I can give you that.” 

Dowoon’s ears perked, but he gave a scoff, “I assure you, Hoseok? I have quite the company. I have power and money. So, if that is all, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Jungkook let out a sigh of relief that didn’t go unnoticed by Hoseok. “I admit, you have an impressive company, but it’s not enough.” Hoseok pulled out a few 50,000 won and placed them on the desk in front of them. “However, a man of your caliber would want more” he waved his hand over the money. The flimsy bills disappeared as gold bars took their place. “You want an endless supply of riches” Hoseok smirk grew as he saw Dowoon salvatated at the five gold bars that sat at the end of his desk. “I can give you that.”

“How?”

Jungkook’s disgust displaced any relief he held. The greed in Dowoon’s eyes was apparent miles away it made Jungkook sick. How he turned into a starved dog by such a cheap magic trick… Jungkook sat back in disbelief. Just how easy was it to toy with a human? How was it so easy to make them fall into a temptation? He shuttered, incredibly easy. His hand clenched on his lap, he knew it was. He wasn’t even human when he made the deal with Namjoon. He was supposed to be able to resist all temptations, but even he fell for it. A flare of determination overwhelmed him, he eyed Hoseok and Dowoon. Not this one. Jungkook wasn’t going to let them have this man. Hoseok held out a document, but his words were silenced by Jungkook’s heartbeat in his ears. He may not be an angel any longer, but to see someone give into another one of these demons–he couldn’t allow it. Jungkook slammed his hands on the desk as he grabbed the contract from Dowoon overzealous fingers, “You haven’t even read it and you’re about to just go and sign it?” There was a sharp pain in his throat from the collar and Jungkook winced, but fought through the pain. His throat constricted as he fought out his words, “You realize you’re signing away your life. The moment you die, which could be today or in twenty years, that thing” he pointed to Hoseok who, though maintained his business like persona, was raging on the inside. “He will take your very essence and make you suffer every single day. You will feel nothing but pain for eternity.” Dowoon paled, “He’s not here to help you. He–”

“That’s enough!” Hoseok shot from his seat. Furrow etched on his face as he let out an animalistic growl, “I’ve heard enough out of you!” Jungkook cried out loudly as he hit the ground in pain. His hand grasped at his throat to claw off the collar. “YOU!” His voice was deep as it reverberated around the room and he glared at Dowoon. He shoved the paper towards Dowoon, “Sign the paper! You’ll get everything you want.”

Dowoon’s eyes were as large as saucers. His body trembled as he looked at Hoseok. His pupils were no longer their brown haze, but bright red. As he spoke, his tongue became snake like as his teeth were replaced with fangs. Dowoon hit the security button under his desk and in seconds security and his secretary rushed inside. 

Hoseok growled as he looked back at the uninvited guests. He took steps away from his prey as he extended his arm and the three men were sent flying. Dowoon used the distraction to flee out the hidden door as Jungkook managed to use the desk to lift himself from the ground. Hoseok fumed as he watched his prey escape. His nostrils flared as he sucked in a large amount of air. He twisted to Jungkook with black eyes. His body shook as he evaporated in front of Jungkook. The office dissolved back to the lounge room without a lazy Yoongi around. Hoseok’s claw grasped Jungkook’s throat, “I SHOULD CLAW OUT YOUR VOCAL CORDS and feed them to that little bitch of yours.” A snarl erupted from Hoseok’s throat. His face distorted in rage that only made Jungkook coward in his grasp. His claws pierced the side of Jungkook’s neck. “You’re not an angel anymore, bastard. Learn your fucking place! You’re in Hell–you and that little bitch of yours.” Hoseok threw Jungkook to the ground as he kicked him violently. 

He repeatedly stomped on Jungkook as the collar around his neck intensified the pain. “I may not be able to make your pathetic existence hell, but I can that girl” Jungkook struggled against the weight of Hoseok’s foot as he stomped down on him once more. “You should have never shown in interest in that fucking whore because I will torture her until her body gives out. I will rip her apart only to put her together and do it for the rest of her miserable life.” Hoseok reached down at Jungkook’s neck and threw Jungkook with such a strength, his body hit the doors of the room and the doors flew open. Jungkook collided against the hallway pillar before he fell in a heap.

Taehyung whistled as Jungkook, “you’re one daring son of a bitch” he stood above Jungkook with his hands in his pockets. “You’re askin for a death wish—“ he let out a laugh “well you’re technically dead already.” Jungkook stood with a pained expression. The pain coursed through his body and black blood seeped from his throat when Hoseok’s claws were lodged.

“Count yourself lucky that Hoseok spared you. He doesn’t spare anyone. He should have incinerated you for the shit you did” Jimin entered with his arm over Thalia’s shoulders.

“Maybe being Namjoon’s pet benefits” Taehyung mocked.

Jungkook ignored his side comment as his eyes widened when saw Thalia. Her hair was down and off her shoulder. She wore a revealing lingerie that Jungkook could tell wasn’t her choice. She looked uncomfortable under Jimin’s hand. His hand slouched dangerously close to her breast. “What’s you mean? He’s just one of us.” She met his eyes for a split second before looking away in shame.

Jimin’s eyebrow rose as he extracted his eyes from Thalia’s breasts for a moment and Taehyung let out a scoff, “Just one of us?” A cold laugh left Taehyung’s lips. “The Prince of Hell isn’t just one of us. If he wanted to, he could have you relive your worst moment of your life. To feel the pain not only mentally but physically tenfold the first time. I’m sure yours would be your wings ripped from you, right little angel?” he taunted and Jungkook growled as he lunged at him. The two of them hit the ground with Jungkook on top of Taehyung. They struggled as animalistic growls and snarls sounded between them.

Thalia gasped and went to break them up, but Jimin moves his hand to her hips, “Don’t get between them, baby girl” he purred. “They’ll just rip you apart” he nuzzled his nose in the crook of her neck. “Should we go have some fun” his tongue swiped up her neck. A pleasured shiver coursed her spine as a moan left her lips involuntarily. She grimaced at the sound she made as she screwed her eyes shut.

Jungkook yanked Thalia from Jimin in an instant. His face reddened with anger and from the claw marks Taehyung left from his attack, “Don’t touch her. She’s uncomfortable.” Thalia felt her knees buckled as she grabbed hold of Jungkook’s shirt. He helped her stand as he pulled her behind him protectively. “She’s not yours to claim bastards.”

Taehyung stood as he wiped the black blood from his busted lip with a sinister smile, “You think you’re so good, don’t you?” An amused laugh left his scowling lips, “She may have forgotten, but we know what you did to her. When she was one of your kind and when she was human.” He took a threatening step towards the pair and Thalia let out a scared whimper as she hid herself from Taehyung. “I could tell her, you know? How fast do you think she’ll turn on you?” He let out a maniacal cackle. “You’re no better than us!” His eyes turned a bright red as the room rumbled. 

Jimin reached out to Taehyung to stop him and the two instantly shot away from each other as a pain entered them. The room stopped shaking. They hissed as they recoiled into themselves. Taehyung let out a frustrated growl, “I’ve told you before, don’t fucking touch me!” He ran a hand through his hair as he kicked a hole in the sturdy wall beside him, “Stay the fuck away from me–All of you. Or I’ll kill you and apologize later to Namjoon.” He stormed down the hallway as Jimin slid down the wall behind him. Jimin placed his head in his hands as a tear-less cry erupted from him.

“Come on…” Jungkook took Thalia’s hand in his and rushed her out of the hall. She looked back at the mild destruction that was left behind. His hand tightened around Thalia’s as he took her towards his room, “We’re getting you out of here. I’m not letting any of these bastards hurt you again.”

“Jungkook…”

He looked back at her, “I swear, I’m going to save you from them–from here. Trust me. I won’t lose you again…” Thalia gave him a stiff nod and Jungkook flashed her a small smile encouraging her to muster a smile of her own. He stopped outside his door as he touched her collar. “Who is Namjoon to claim ownership of you?” His eyes narrowed at the collar in anger. He wanted to rip it from her. He wanted to wash cleanse her from the touch of his and any other man or woman who put their hands on her. To both their surprise, the collar fell off her neck and they looked as it hit the ground. A surprised laugh escaped his lips as he flashed a bright smile, “Guess, you were meant for me after all.” Thalia let out a gasp as she touched her bare neck. Her eyes lit up as she looked at Jungkook who all but faltered at her breathtaking beauty. “I’ll hide you in my room until I can think of a way to get us out of here, okay?” His hand touched her cheek and she leaned into his touch as she gave him a nod. He opened his bedroom door and let her in before checking the hall once more before he shut the door.

“Well well, if it isn’t my pets… I’ve been waiting for you.”

-Moodboard and writing by: Squirrelly831

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[dailyaudiobible]

04/13/2020 DAB Transcript

Joshua 7:16-9:2, Luke 16:1-18, Psalms 82:1-8, Proverbs 13:2-3

Today is the 13th day of April, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian it’s great to be here with you kind of in this post Easter glow. Sure, we can just treat it as another workday, we can just move back into the isolation that we’ve been feeling for the last month, but we’re not supposed to. Easter changed everything and let’s not let that fade so quickly back into the cares of this life. Let’s take the gratitude that we feel when Easter time comes. Let’s carry that forward into this week and allow that gratitude to shape the rest of this week. And let's take the next step forward in the Scriptures and allow the word of God to wash into our lives and inform us for the days ahead. So, we’re reading the…from the English Standard version this week. And in the book of Joshua, we’ve seen the first battle, the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down and then we saw the second battle in which a smaller amount of Israelite…Israelite fighting men went up to…to pursue this city Ai, and they turned and ran. And God informed Joshua that it was because envy and greed had entered the picture, and somebody had taken things from Jericho and hid them, and this was forbidden by the Lord. So, we’ll try to get that all sorted out. And that's where we pick up the story. Joshua chapter 7 verse 16 through 9 verse 2 today.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for Your word. And we thank You for bringing us into this new week. And we think back over the last several days moving through the Easter holiday and we don't want to just move past it. We don't want to just get things back to how they were as quickly as we can. We’ve been learning to observe disruptions or changes in our lives and look for You and Your kingdom in them. And, so, once again we take the time to be grateful, we take the time to be overwhelmed by Your love for us because when we do take this time and we do become fully aware, everything else in our lives begins to have context. And the things that pull us apart in a million different directions, we realize those entanglements aren't necessarily necessary. And, so, we invite Your Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead to well up within us because this is what the Scriptures tell us has happened because of the resurrection. And what we need is eyes to see and ears to hear, to become aware of this. And that changes how we might live today and tomorrow and every other day for the rest of our lives for all of eternity. And, so, we stay with this and we linger in it and we ask that the season that we've just come through, that would be transformative, that it wasn't just another Easter holiday, as interesting and different as it was, that we become aware that everything has changed and the more that we become aware of the shift the more that we can walk straight into all that You have for us in this life and all of the collaboration that we get to do as Your body on this earth as brothers and sisters throughout the world. Come Holy Spirit we pray into all of this. This is our prayer and we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, and its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. It's how you stay connected.

Visit the Community section at the website for all the different things to different social media channels and stuff to stay connected on as well as the Prayer Wall that lives there in the Community section. You can get to all this in the Daily Audio Bible app as well. So, stay connected. We…we need to be connected. We need to remind each other on a continual basis of what God has done for us and this is one…one good place to do that. So, check it out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that dailyaudiobible.com as well. There’s a link on the homepage. I thank you with all my heart for your partnership. If you’re using the app you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or the mailing address, if you prefer, is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or encouragement, you can hit the Hotline button in the app, it’s the little red button up at the top or you can dial a number of numbers depending on where you are in the world. In the Americas that would be 877-942-4253. If you are in the UK or are in Europe 44-20-3608-8078. And if you are in Australia or that part of the world 61-3-8820-5459 is the number to dial.

And that's it for today. I'm Brian I love you and I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

[singing starts] Oh tell me who can stand before me when I call on His great name? Jesus, Jesus precious Jesus we have the victory [sing stops]. Good morning DABBers this is Victorious Vanessa from Maryland and I just wanted to encourage you this morning, today is the 7th of April and as I sit in my car and put on my mask and get ready to put my gloves on to go in and help some people, I’m a respiratory therapist and them also 65 years old coming out of retirement. I just want to encourage you that God is faithful, He is not a man that He should lie. He says that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that we obey the instructions that are being given to us we don’t have any problems. So, look to God, look to the heels from which comith your help and your help comith from the Lord. He has not given us a Spirit of fear but with a sound mind He gives us the victory. I love you guys. Be careful, be safe because we win. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hi Daily Audio Bible my name is Emily and today is April 7th. I just finished listening to today’s podcast and wanted to call in and pray for someone who I heard in the prayer request today. I did not hear a name, but they said that they were feeling very disappointed in themselves, overtaken by evil thoughts and I just wanted to call in and say that those evil thoughts are not from the Lord. I have been in such a time as that and in those times I had to cling second Timothy 1:7 which I encourage you to do and it says, “for God has given not given us a Spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I encourage you to just repeat this to yourself every day. I encourage you to search God’s word every day because God’s word is truth. Your feelings are not truth, God’s word is. And the devil can fill us with so many lies and tell us that we can’t be in God’s presence and that God is angry with us, but they are just lies, and I want you to know that God is with you, God is watching over you, and God loves you and he will get you through this. And I pray in the name of Jesus Lord that You will give this person peace and joy amidst this desperate time Father that You will help them to grow in faith in this and they will seek You each day and know that they are loved by You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Hey Daily Audio Bible family this is John calling from Bethlehem Pennsylvania it’s 6th April just about 9 o’clock or so p.m. here in the evening after another day sheltering in place we’re being, you know, maybe physically distant from one another but not socially distant because we’ve got this amazing virtual community where we can come together. My call today is for three people, Brave from New Jersey who called in on the 2nd, for Adrian from Maryland who called on the 2nd, and for Carmen from Germany who also called in on the 2nd. So, first of all, Brave, I want you to know that in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit that you have everything. In Him you’re totally complete and your capacity to experience him increases through the removal of all the debris and clutter from your heart. You’re going through a lot right now. You’ve been through an abusive emotional relationship and I’m praying for you sister. I love you and I know that God has a special plan for you. Remember, you’re gonna go through this wilderness season, and Lord knows it sounds like you have for a long time, and out of it is going to come something just absolutely unimaginably beautiful. So, just hang in there, sister. I’m thinking of you. And then Adrian from Maryland, gosh, here’s what I have for you sister. God meets you in the stillness of your soul. It’s right there that He seeks to communion with you. In your message you said that you commune together with God. Oh my gosh, Adrian. That’s exactly…that’s exactly where the presence of God is, it’s your relationship with Him it’s not in your words. And it was beautiful. And lastly Carmen, thanks for the shout out. I love you sister. Family, I am praying for you, I love you, I appreciate you. Brian thank you and God bless you.

Hi Daily Audio Bible it’s Rebecca from Michigan and it’s April 7th. I wanted to thank Brian for reading Sneezing Jesus. I was reading along with you in my hard copy because I’ve got a book here and I sat down to read and while I’m not a big reader, but it made me want to read other books after this. But I like…I was…the thing that Maudie Thursday and I realized that was the time that Jesus was washing the feet of the disciples and I remember you talking about that in the book and how their feet was dirty and come from all grimy sections and how Peter didn’t want his feet washed and how Jesus said “you’ll want this”, basically. So, yeah, it’s like…I’m thinking our feet must be where…well nowadays we wear shoes and socks so they’re cleaner than they used to be. But I know they used to wear sandals and sometimes went barefooted, so your feet could’ve been all over. You could have been stepping in feces and all kinds of stuff and…but it’s like how God took the time to wash our feet and He took the time…He went to the cross because He knew that He was going there and…thank you Jesus for dying for us. Yeah. Thank you for reading that book. I really appreciate it a lot. It was really a blessing to me. It helped me see the Bible a little bit better and Jesus’ life. Bye.

This is Vicky from Des Moines I’m a first-time caller today is April 7th. I’m calling in response to a prayer request from an individual who didn’t leave a name, but the message can be heard at the 39 minute 42 second mark in the podcast. I just want that person to know that feeling disappointed in oneself and feeling as if God in angry at you are tricks the devil plays to keep you separated from God. You did the right thing by calling in for prayer. The Bible says where two or three are gathered in his name God is there. You have a whole Global Campfire family praying for you. Be encouraged because God isn’t angry with you. He loves you unconditionally. There’s nothing that can separate you from the love of God. He knows your heart and hears your prayers and blesses your obedience. When you feel weak, He is strong. He can soften your heart. He is your avenger and your defender. Darkness won’t win. Continue to pray and draw near to God and we pray for you as well.

Well good morning Daily Audio Bible community this is Diane Olive Brown saying shalom, shalom and putting my log on the fire and joining with all of you. And I just had to come again. I hope this will be allowed with my second time in the same day. It’s 2:23 AM, Tuesday…Wednesday, April the 8th, 2020. And I just heard a lady that was struggling with abuse from satanic rituals. Oh…my heart went out to you because, you know, I had abuse. I never was in satanic rituals, but my father was a…my first father, my birth father was very abusive and almost killed my mother twice. And, so, I just know…I know you can go down into a dark, dark, dark hole. And I want you to know that God hears you. When you can’t feel Him or see Him or have any confidence and you’re in this dark, dark, dark place He’s right there with you. He’s right there with you. When you can’t see His hand, trust His heart. On this Easter week I’m praying for you my friend. I understand some of your pain, maybe not all of it, but shalom shalom. Shalom shalom.

Hi DAB family this is Liza calling from the East Coast. Today is Wednesday, April 8th and I wanted to pray for the woman who called in at the very end of the prayer requests who mentioned that she is just really struggling with the pain of the abuse and wondering if God is there with her in all of this. And I just wanted to let you know I’ll be praying for you. God is absolutely there with you and he loves you. He is there with you every step of the way. And I know that the pain is…is really hard but…but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this will end. It will be better. On my end, I...I just want to pray for everyone who is cooped up at home and maybe not a very safe home environment. I know for me, when I was going through abuse when I was a kid, this would’ve been my worst nightmare, just being trapped at home. I felt like my only safe place was really going to school. And, so I’m just praying for all those, anyone whether you’re a child or an adult and you’re trapped in an unsafe environment at home. I just want to let you know I’m lifting you up in prayers, that God protect you, that God keeps you safe, both mentally and physically. And I just want to let you know that I will be praying extra for you because I can’t even imagine how hard it is for you right now. On my end I just also ask for some prayers about just staying sane in all of this and living alone. And, so, I just realized I’m probably not gonna get any kind of hug or any physical contact for a few more months. And, so, I’m just trying to find some positives in all of this. I pray for all of you. Thank you all so much for sending in your prayer requests and sharing your encouragement. Hope everyone has a great rest of your day.

[lemonjoonah]

Under Fire - Pt 1

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Title: Under Fire Word Count: 5k+ Rating: M Genre: Gang AU/ Mafia AU, Drama, Slow Burn Romance (Eventual Smut) Warnings: Minor Character Death, Violence Pairings : Hyung Line x Reader (Primarily Namjoon x Reader), very slight OT7 x Reader.

Summary: As a child you lived among the most wealthy and powerful, after the death of your mother you were shipped off to stay with her sister. Even after finishing your education you continue to live apart from the elite, but a visit home creates an unexpected disaster. You are suddenly roped into a darker world, and who better to be your guide than the infamous gang known as BTS. 

Chapter 1 - Unexpected Guest

POV (Y/N)

Delayed by work you missed your intended train to Seoul and only barely make it on to the last one of the evening. You probably should wait until the next day but events from earlier in the week urge your desire to leave Busan as soon as possible. You want to forget everything and Seoul would provide the perfect distraction.

Your father lives just on the outskirts of the city in a large manor. He would have sent a car and driver if you had told him of your plans, but you want it to be a surprise as it was his birthday. You clutch your gift for him with eagerness, a rare edition of Demian, one of his favourite books.

By 10:30 you are settling into the cab and dozing off slightly during the drive. You arrive at the gates just after 11, the five story manor looms before you, looking darker than you had anticipated. You had always remembered the house being warmly lit and welcoming. It seems likely that he has already gone to bed. Hopefully he would not see the lateness of your visit as an inconvenience. There is a fine line between decorum and love with your father propriety comes first family second, possibly one of the reasons you had been distant through the years. The driver asks if wish for him to take you past the large gate. Shaking your head you tell him you will walk from here. After handing over the cash, you step out and input the code into the number pad.

Your feet crunch with the stones from the driveway. A sigh of relief escapes you as you walk between the column of oaks. “It is good to be back home,” you whisper.

POV Jaebum

Bambam’s voice comes over the headset. He is stationed on the roof with a pair of binoculars to see if the other residents of the house would return.

“There’s a taxi at the gate.”

Shit it’s too soon for them to be back, but why would they take a taxi? “Who is it, it’s not the boys is it?” I ask.

“No it’s some girl, she has a code for the gate too.” Bambam replies.

I turn to Jackson, “The manor is dark right?”

“No lights in the front.”

There is no way to view the front driveway from this room,“Mark let me see the feed.” He swings the laptop around so I can take a glance at you, our unexpected guest.

I watch you approach the door and reach out, the bell rings throughout the house. The taxi drives off, and you appear to be alone.

“Should we try and scare her off?” Mark asks.

“No, we can’t alert anyone to our presence. Everyone maintain positions, I’m sure she will leave when no one comes to the door. We should avoid any unnecessary distractions.”

I can hear stirring behind me as the elderly gentleman tied to the chair finally wakes up.

“Mr. Park so nice of you to join us.”

“Jaebum, can’t say that I’m surprised to find you here, still doing his dirty work I see, I knew you would find your way to my home sooner or later,”

I lean over to look Park directly in the eye, “And yet here you are with no protection, why is that? One would almost think that you want to die.”

“Uh leader...”

“Not now Mark.” I mutter.

“I’m an old man, I make mistakes.” Park fiddles with his watch, how odd that he is displaying a nervous twitch. I smile at his agitation.

“Leader.” Booth Mark and Bambam call for my attention.

“What?!” I roar

“The girl has a key...” States Bambam

Mark adds, “She’s in the foyer now.”

I glare at the old man in the chair. “You have a guest, young (H/C), apparently has a key,” I mock a sigh. “Care to let us know who she might be, or should we just kill her?”

The old man looks alarmed and gives a worried glance to the door.

“Yeungum tape.”  He throws a roll over and I place a piece over Park’s mouth.

Your voice echoes through the halls, “Dad are you home?”

POV (Y/N)

You hear no answer, you can only guess that he must be asleep by this hour. Unlocking the door you step into the silent house. You had not been here since childhood, more often than not you would see your father when meeting up for vacations, but you still know the way to your favourite room in the house, the library. You call out one last time, still no response.

You turn on several lights to dispel the darkness of the house. The door to the library is open, your father’s chair points towards the fireplace with the back to the door. You can see that the fire is starting to die. “Falling asleep in your chair?” you ask with a grin, “It’s not safe with the fire still going like that.”

You hear a quiet muffled response.

You make your way into the room towards the chair, when you come face to face with him you freeze. He is tied, unable to move with duct tape over his mouth. You’re eyes dart around the room looking for the culprit as you remove the tape preventing him from speaking. You begin  stuttering, “Wh-who did this to you? Wha-what’s happening?”

“I am so sorry I never wanted to drag you into this.”

A man pushed the door aside and closes it, five more stepped out from behind columns and bookshelves. You take a small step back.

“So Park you have a daughter? How did you manage to keep this little secret? Is she adopted? No, maybe not I can see a family resemblance. What’s your name girl?”

You stand there in silence glaring at the men who had taken your father captive.

“Your name?” He repeats.

You hear the click of a gun from one of the men standing to your side, you and answer reluctantly, “(Y/N).”

“Leave her out of this Jaebum she doesn’t know anything, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you (Y/N)... I just wanted to keep you safe. I never wanted to show you this world.”

The man called Jaebum chuckles darkly, “So she doesn’t know that her father bankrolls one of the biggest gangs in Korea, that her father is a crime boss?”

His laugh became darker.

“Your feud is with me, not her.”

Jaebum approaches you, “You know nothing of your father’s dealings?”

You shake your head wide eyed. There was no way this could be true there must be some kind of mistake.

“No information...damn, but luckily that’s not all you have to offer.” He backs you into the corner by the fireplace you raise your arm to hit him but he catches your wrist.

He clicks his tongue, “None of that now princess.”  He turns his back to you, “Gentlemen, change of plan, kill the old man; (Y/N), will be coming with us, sweet revenge plus a hostage.”

“No!” you shout, “If you want money I can give it to you, please, just don’t kill him!”  

Jaebum doesn’t respond, instead he raises a hand, pressing a finger to his ear. “What the... how did they know?” As he runs over to check a laptop. You rush back to your father, trying to undo the knots at his wrist.

“(Y/N) I don’t have much time. Backup is on its way, right now I need you to go with them no matter what happens to me.” Your father whispers.

“I am not leaving you here with these people, they want to kill you!”

“Listen to me, this...” he casts his eyes over to the six men, “this is GOT7, you’ve heard of them right?”

You nod swallowing, one of the most ruthless gangs in Seoul.

“Trust me and my team, they will get you out of here safe.”

Jaebum makes his way back over pulling you away from your father. “How did you make contact old man?” Jaebum places firm grip on your throat, making you gasp for air.

“Jaebum you’ve been doing this for so long surely you know a panic button when you see one.” Your father places his hand on his watch.

“Aishh! Jackson take the girl.” He throws you violently over to another member of his team who restrains you. “BamBam get down here we need to regroup.”  

A seventh member climbs through a window held open by someone else. ���Thanks Yugyeom, I hear we had a wild card in play.” He looks over at you with a smile on his face.

The member on the computer speaks up. “Jaebum they hijacked the cameras I’m blind.” The lights flicker out leaving the room only lit by the embers in the fireplace.

“Mark where is the camera in this room?” Mark points over to one of the shelves, the mobile pod still blinking and operating. Jaebum quickly grabs the camera and points it toward himself. “BTS how nice of you to join us, I must say though, I was upset when you cut the lights, it makes it difficult for you to see this perfect scene we’ve set for you.” He turns the camera on my father who refuses look into it. “I believe you came here for this, your founder.”  

Your father, the founder of BTS, that was his idea of backup? Jesus Christ... You struggle against Jackson and was about to speak up when he covers over your mouth with his hand.  “Shhh quiet now, it’s not your turn yet.” His lips were to your ear, you cringe away.

“We seem to have accidentally come across something else too. Imagine our shock to discover that founder Park has a daughter.” The camera is now facing in your direction, he makes his  way over with the camera in hand, and grabs your chin. “And our incredibly good fortune to have her walk right in the door. You can have Mr. Park back when we are finished with him but I think we will take this one with us. The gods themselves could not have given us a better gift.”   

You forcefully elbow Jackson in the gut and bite his hand trying to make your way back to your father. Jackson quickly recovers and grabs you by the arm.

“She seems to be a feisty one, how long do you think it will take to break that?”

“Fuck you.” You respond spitting in his face.  You feel the back of a hand connect with your check.

Jaebum tosses Jackson a knife. “Use that if you have to keep her in line.” Jackson adjusts so you can feel the cold metal resting against your throat, and a bloody hand on your mouth. “Right, as I was saying you can have Mr Park back when we are finished.” Jaebum pulls a gun out, “Hope you don’t mind if he’s in a bag.”

My father looks straight into the camera as Jaebum asks, “Any last words Park?”

“Boys, get her out. Keep her safe.”  

You scream against Jackson’s hand as the shots are discharged, your knees buckle and you fall against him.

POV RM

“V cut the lights, leave the cams and all other systems up.”

“But won’t that let them know we’re here?”

“Bambam is on the lookout.” I point to the roof, “They already know.”

“JK give me eyes and take theirs.” Lucky we weren’t that far away when we received the page. Someone had forgotten to fill the tank up before the mission... although JK’s mistake might turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

“Suga I need you in the nest out back. I’ll give you light when I can. Jk and V you will stay here. Let them know that this is our home and we have the advantage, this manor operates only for us. JHope, Jimin, and Jin you are with me.”

“Point of entry here.” I point to the servant entrance, this is the best way to access all of the back halls and escape notice.

“Lights off, cams are up.”

Jaebum is in the centre of the frame of a camera designated for the library.

“The library, Suga go.”

He jumps from the van and begins to run with his rifle strapped to his back. Jaebum pans over to Park who is looking off screen. The camera turns once again. Jaebum seems oddly excited about something. “JK turn up the volume.”

I glance down at the GPS grid Suga is almost in position. “Who the hell is that? Park’s daughter, what a joke, what kind of stunt is he trying to pull?” JHope is staring at the screen with his eyes wide.

As I look up I see you featured in the footage, my mouth opens in shock. No, it’s not possible, you are safe in Busan where I left you a week ago... but then I watch you try to take down Jackson and spit at Jaebum... nope, that’s you alright... Fuck. I wince as you are backhanded.

V answers Hope with a grin, “Not sure Hope, but anyone who spits at Jaebum is my new best friend.”

Suga is in place. “Suga if you see a girl don’t fire, I repeat don’t fire.” I relay.

“RM you can’t be falling for this Park doesn’t have a daughter.” Jimin jeers.

I pace the van back and forth swearing, this was not how I want to tell them, but I am left with no choice. I point to the screen, “That is (F/N L/N), Park’s daughter of 24 years, currently living in Busan. And was not aware of her father’s gang affiliation... until now.” I sigh.

V whispers a swear. JK is awestruck, Jimin purses his lips together, Jhope laughs nervously. Jin is the only one who doesn’t look so surprised. “Upload the footage to Suga.”

Suga replies a minute later, “What the hell RM, it would have been nice to know, when did you... wait this is Fire in Busan isn’t it?” I can hear a smirk in Suga’s voice when he comes to the realization.

“Yes, she has been an asset of mine for a few years now, I helped keep her hidden.” But with (Y/N) in the picture now, it was possible that GOT7 no longer needed Park. “Suga do you have a shot?”

“No he must be standing in front of the goddamn fireplace, let me reposition.”

“Jin, Jimin, Hope let’s move.”

The camera pans back to Park, “Boys, get her out. Keep her safe.” The sound of the gunshots ring out over the camera.

I want to admit defeat right then and there. The man who had lifted us up and brought us together had now paid for our mistake. Everyone is looking at me for orders, I try to force confidence into my voice, “Well, you heard the man.”

POV (Y/N)

You crawl over to your father after your collapse to the floor, Jackson doesn’t bother to pull you back just yet. Jaebum places the camera on the mantle overlooking the body. “BamBam you lead with Yugyeom, Jinyoung, and Youngjae. Mark, Jackson , and I will follow with her.”

Down on your knees in front of the chair, you grab your father’s hand and press it to your cheek knowing that this will be the last time you ever get to hold it. Your grief is interrupted as your hands passed over his watch. You hesitate and take a glance over to his executioners, they appear distracted forming a plan. You fumble with the strap, taking it off and placing it in your pocket. Your fingers found a large button on the side. As you say a silent goodbye, you wish you could do more, but right now you have put your effort into getting out, you have to find a way to escape.

“The car is over by the south entrance, I don’t think it will be feasible for us all to make our way down there. Grab the car and meet us by the main entrance. Time to move.”    

They start to pull you along, you don’t struggle much, instead you bide your time, hoping they would take you to where you need and then make a run for it.  There is a noise down the hall of a door slamming, you are forced into the gallery while Mark is sent to investigate. The gallery, perfect. There on the wall facing me is a portrait of the green eyed woman. You backup a little to the opposing wall, it wasn’t so far that it would arouse suspicion. You reach out behind you fingers searching in the dark, while you keeping your eyes on Jackson and Jaebum. Your palm finally lands on the circular device, you push it into your pocket.

Mark returns, “Their hacker barred the door after the four left, they are trying to seperate us.”

They have a hacker with them!  This whole house is pretty much automated, they could create an opening for you. Now you just have to communicate your plan to them.

You can hear one of their men shouting over Jackson’s headset, “Fuck they shot out all the tires.”

“Where is the garage located?” Jaebum asks.

“Pretty sure it’s underground.” The man holding me responds.

“Mark you can get one of them going?”

“Leave it to me.”

“Boys we are going to grab a ride and get you on the way out.” They drag you into the hallway and start in the other direction.  You can only hope someone is listening.

POV JK

RM and the others had left and are currently inside on the ground floor.

“What the hell is that beeping?” I ask V, who shrugs, the security footage seems to be consuming all of his attention, it may be dark, but every now and then he can see a glimpse of you.

“They’re still on the 3rd floor.” V informs.

The beeping continues in a pattern. “Wait is that morse code? It’s the panic button, someone is using Park’s watch. V check the tapes go back to just before they left the library.”  V rewinds the footage and there you are kneeling on the floor taking your father’s watch. I laugh in surprise, “Do you know morse code?” V shakes his head, “Isn’t there an app for that,” he jokes.

...---...  it continues as I load a program. It translates out to english.

...S.O.S Took cam from green eyed lady...

“V can you read that?”

He nods and starts looking through the gallery of footage on his system. A camera that should face a portrait looks as if it has a hand gripping it. He pulls up the audio on the feed.

“Mark can you...”

“RM, she’s a fucking genius she stole a camera, they are heading down to the garage now.”

A new message comes through via the panic button,

...Open the elevator, get ready to close behind...

Is she going to make a break for it? “Suga third floor how close are they to the elevator?”

“I would say 15 meters, they keep stopping in my blind spot though. I can’t make any clean shots.”

“RM she has a plan shall we proceed?”

“Let’s give it a try.”

“Once she’s clear get ready to take a couple shots and distract them as best you can. Opening elevator door now.” I wait holding my breath.

“She just took down Jackson, Fire is on the move,” Suga narrates.

V smiles at the name, “fitting.”

The sound from Suga’s recoil blast through the audio on the headset while curses came through the cam speaker. Your voice cries out while you pull out the camera, “Start shutting the doors, I can make it.”

I hit the enter key.

POV (Y/N)

You hope they understood your message, that the endeavour isn’t fruitless, that their hacker is able to complete the task you gave him. You watch the elevator door, if it doesn’t open soon you’re fucked.  Relief strikes you when it starts to creak open.

You immediately kick Jackson in the groin, not the best decision as he repays the favour with a slight cut to the neck, deep enough to feel a trickle of blood. You run as fast as you can towards the lift.  You hear glass breaking and shots in the background, do they have a sniper too? You pull out the camera hoping that the audio is working, “start shutting the doors I can make it.” Just as you slide into the elevator you feel a bullet hit your shoulder. You can’t help but shout a swear. You press the button for the level above, but between floors you hit the emergency stop button.

“I’m heading to the top, they probably won’t expect me to go all the way to the 5th floor. There is an escape route that leads down the north side, the opposite direction that they plan to head now. That should give me a chance to get out unseen.” You speak into the camera. It’s surreal to think that you are being helped by these people who you can’t even see. “I hope that someone is good with stitches.” You show them your shoulder, as you try to pause the flow of blood with your other hand.

The mirrors in the elevator show an absolutely horrific picture. You have a bloody handprint on your mouth. The blood from your neck and shoulder both seeping into your sweater. “Right up I go.” You put the camera back in your pocket, punch the ceiling tile out, and step on the railing, while struggling to pull yourself up with one arm. Once in the shaft you see that there is a rung ladder that leads all the way up. You climb as quickly as you can past the 4th floor and on to the 5th. The elevator begins to move down to the second floor, you guess that the hacker trying to throw GOT7 off your trail.  Finding yourself distracted by the sudden movement you slip on one of the rungs your hands wet from blood. You manage to hold on with your newly injured arm, causing a yelp of agony to escape. You recover as best you can but the wound seems to be taking its toll. As you reach the 5th floor, the hacker anticipating you, opens the door.

The dark hall appears unoccupied, as you progress you feel awash with dizziness. You stagger against a wall using it for support. You head towards the room with the balcony as right next to the balcony there was an extremely large trellis that reaches all the way to the fifth floor. You cautiously drag yourself down the hall hand on your shoulder, your other hand is back to holding the camera. Every step soon becomes an effort. “I don’t think I can make it down,” You say out of breath. “I can barely stand. There is a trellis wall outside of this room it’s the easiest way in and out.” You step into the room, the only contents being a few paintings and a large statue with wings. You fall down at its feet, the camera spinning away. You can see the balcony to freedom. Your thoughts become jumbled and you feel almost intoxicated. Father forgive me, is your last thought as you pass out on the floor.

POV  JK

I watch you slide into the elevator at the last second, as well as the bullet that follows. V starts messing with the feed. “I’m going to hook up the audio to everyone's headset, I just wish it went both ways.”

“...Leads down the north side... I hope someone is good with stitches.” I recoil at seeing the wound.

“Care to elaborate JK?” RM asks angrily.

“She might have taken a bullet to the shoulder... It’s Suga’s fault he didn’t keep them distracted enough.”

Suga huffs over the headset. “Maybe you didn’t close the door fast enough.”

“How bad is the wound?” Asks Jin.

“Pretty bad, she’s losing a far amount of blood, although you wouldn't know it with how she’s acting, she stopped the elevator and escaped into the shaft.  I’m going to send the elevator to the second floor going to try to lure them there they should have been heading down anyway. Once there I will see if I can trap them in the hallway with the fire doors. Suga I’ll need your eyes.”

“Oh, are you sure I’ll be good enough for the job?” Suga asks bitterly.

“Guys,” RM yelled.

Your screech of pain made it through the mic.

“She slipped, recovered quickly, but she must have put weight on her shoulder.” V responds anticipating RM’s next question.

“Jin and Jimin I need you to head to the north end. She will need medical attention so find a way up. JHope and I are going to head down to the second floor.”

“(Y/N) has made it to the fifth floor.” I state.

“They took your bait, Jaebum, Jackson and Mark are on the second next to the 5th window in from the south wall.” Suga reports.

“Push them more south I might be able to trap them against the elevator.”

“With pleasure. Shooting to the north of them...”

“Fire doors are locked, RM and JHope they’re all yours.”          

“Don’t think... Barely stand... Trellis outside... way in and out.” I can barely hear you between your gasps of breath.

“Jin did you catch that?”

“Yeah found the trellis wall”

“The camera is just giving me a view of the ceiling, Suga can you see her?” Asks V.

“Fire is passed out at the angel’s feet.”

“Suga they are going to need coverage going up there they will be out in the open.” V suggests.

“Looks all clear but I’ll spot them.”

“Wait are you using your binoculars or your sniping scope to spot us?’ Asks Jimin worriedly.

“Do you want me to lie to you?”

“At least tell me that the safety is on.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night princess.”

“Aishhh.”

“No one is here JK. Looks like they broke out the window and jumped. Anything on the cameras?” Hope inquires.

“Fuck... yeah they’re leaving now, didn’t think that they would give in so easily though was there any sign as to why they would leave so quickly?”

RM answers, “There’s quite a bit of blood, Suga must have clipped them.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You just denied me a good fight, I’m not going to thank you for that.” Hope scoffs.

POV Jin

“Put pressure on that wound Jimin we’ll need to keep her stable as we move her.” I pull a few gauze pads out of my bag. “Take off her sweater, I’ll need to adhere these directly to the skin.”

I can see Jimin blushing as he pulls the clothing over her head. I pull your tank strap to the side and place the gauze on the wound. You begin to stir, and panic. “Shh it’s okay your father sent us.” I can’t be sure if I calmed you down or if you are just too exhausted to put up a fight.

“Ugh, I feel like I got hit by a train.”

Jimin answers, “Yeah you look like it too.”

I hit him on the arm as you glare and size him up. “Aren’t you a little short to be a gangster.”

V yells over the headset, “Did she just make a short joke?” The rest of the page was just laughter.

“I’m Jin this is Jimin.”

“(Y/N).” She whispers.

“We’re going to get you out of here okay?” You nod in response. “JK is it safe to take the elevator?”

“Yeah looks like we are all clear, I’ll send it up.”

“So, cold.” You mutter.

“That’ll be the blood loss.” I wrap my coat around your shoulders, and lift you up. You last a few more seconds before passing out again.

“RM, JHope where are you right now?”

“Third floor library... had to be sure, it just doesn’t seem real.” Hope answers.

“We’ll meet you downstairs at the entry point.”

Jimin and I step into the elevator, bloody handprints on the walls and buttons. I look over at Jimin a smirk on my face. He still hasn’t said anything since your joke.

He sighs breaking his own silence, “The girls got guts...”  scratching behind his head he adds, “Lame jokes though.”

POV RM

If I just look at the chair from the back I can pretend he is just asleep. I wish I could stay like this for a while, in my own world, a world where he is still alive.

Reality sets in as I step around the chair, two shots to the chest. I kneel before him Hope doing the same, I whisper a quiet thank you, those two words are not enough to convey my gratitude but I doubt a whole dictionary would suffice. I lift his hand kissing his ring before taking it off.  

“You should have told us RM.” Hope remarks, probably trying to focus on anything except the body in front of them.

“That was not my decision to make, he was worried that the more people he had watching out for her the more suspicious it would become.”

“What’s next?”

“We do as he told us, we keep her safe. Whether that be stepping away or helping her as she goes into the line of fire.”   

Jin comes on the headset. Hope responds as I pick up a book next to Park’s chair. I look at the title and smile. “We’ll meet you downstairs at the entry point.”

POV Jin

RM and Hope arrive downstairs the former holding a book in his hand. The Van pulled up in front of the door. “I need JK, Jimin and V up front,” stats RM.

“Can I drive then?” asks V.

“I’m already driving.” Suga yells from the front.

“I don’t care whose is driving, just help Jin get her in the back.” RM’s tone sounds exhausted.

“Try not to let her bleed on anything back there.” Whines V.

“Have some respect V.” I reprimand him.

“Why does it matter? I’m sure you get bodily fluids on your computer all the time,” jokes JK making a hand gesture.

“Not helping JK.” I yell as the rest of them stifle their laughter.

“Sorry Eomma.”

I examine the cut on your neck, shallow, doubtful that it’ll need stitches. A large bruise was forming on your cheek beneath the blood. I take your pulse, which is fading fast.

“Hope, we will have to take the bullet out as soon as we get back, I’ll need your help. I can’t risk her going into shock in the van. She’ll need a blood transfusion too, I think we have some Oneg on hand.”

Hope grabbed a cloth and water and started cleaning the blood off your face, being careful of the bruise. Namjoon was watching from the row in front, concern written all over his face.

“She’ll be fine she just needs some rest, she was put under a great deal of stress both mental and physical.”

“Park’s daughter... what does that mean for us? Will she be the new backer?” Jimin asks with a worried tone.

“She will inherrate, but we can’t be sure of her intent, her connections to the underworld were unknown by her until today. I don’t know Jimin... I just...” It’s so odd to see RM without an answer.

“She might be a liability more than an asset in the field, her actions to take down Jackson, not once but twice, were reckless,” advises Suga.

“Then we do what we can to prepare her. We can’t just drop her, Suga.” RM sorns him.

“I wasn’t suggesting we drop her. I just think we should keep her burning low.”

[fernwehbookworm]

Woke The F*ck Up- Chapter 18

March 12, 2018

Kara punches the man in front of her, she feels his jaw give way before sweeping his leg so that he falls and hits his head on the ground. He loses conscious instantly. In a rush, she makes for the computer, attempting to plug in the drive so Winn can recover anything to lead to Lillian Luthor. She hoped to catch her before Lex’s trial but the window was closing fast with Lillian being like dust in the wind. Lights were flashing as the screen showed the growing percentage of deleted content. After flipping the drive twice it finally goes in. Winn chimes in her earpiece.

“I’m connected. But I don’t think I’m going to get much, most of the files are corrupted.” Kara groans. It was too hard to find this base and get in for them to walk away with nothing.

“I got all I could. The police are on the way, someone called in the gunshots. Get out of there.”

Kara grabs the flash drive and runs through the empty back hallways, stepping over a few unconscious men. She makes it to her bike and out of the warehouse compound as she hears sirens in the distance. She calls the detectives number and waits for her to pick up.

“So I take it the gunshots are Cadmus related?” Maggie asks.

“Detective, no greeting? I thought we were friends.”

“Can’t be friends if I don’t know your actual name.”

“Touche. There are Cadmus thugs in that warehouse and a weapons stache. But all the computer systems have been wiped. I’ll let you know if we recover anything.”

“Thanks Power Girl.”

Kara weaves her way through the city before zipping into the underground garage just as the sun was beginning to rise and turning the bike off. She takes off her helmet and shakes out her hair, scratching her scalp in an effort to get rid of the helmet hair. She unzips the riding jacket and freezes when she feels eyes on her.

“Well, I’m glad I saw that,” Lena says from Winn’s spinning chair. Kara laughs and goes to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

“Hey Lee, what are you doing here?”

“Winn let me in your super secret side door.”

“Well I hoped Winn let you in, otherwise I really have to look at my security. But what are you doing here? No offense but the last time we had one-on-one time here it did not end so well.”

“I needed to talk to you.”

“Okay…” Kara leans against the center console and sets her water down.

“Look, Kara, I’ve been thinking, and I am glad to have you in my life again. I am so glad we have been building something together again.”

“I hear a really big but coming.”

“But I am going back home next week.”

“Oh.” Kara walks towards her corner of the base to hang up her jacket on the back of her dining chair. Lena watches her walk away and gives her space before following a few moments later. She stands silently, unsure of what to do with her hands.

“Kara?” Lena watches her take a deep breath. She turns to face her with the biggest fake smile Lena has ever seen.

“It’s fine Lena. I mean of course, you have to go. It’s fine.”

“I appreciate you trying to make this better, but it’s not fine. I know we have a lot to work through still but I also need to be with my family, and I have been itching to get back in the studio. I need to be in that supportive environment and I can’t be alone here in National City. But I don’t want whatever we have going to end.” Lena takes a step closer to Kara. Kara sits on her dining table chair and motions for Lena to join her. Lena sits next to her, shoulders slightly hunched.

“Okay. We made it work before, before it didn’t. But now everything that was wrong is out in the open, and by that I mean my lying, we can get through this.”

“So what? We fly back and forth again? It seems a bit extreme for friendship. I mean it made sense when we were sleeping together and everything but now? People don’t fly half the world to see friends.”

“Look I don’t know about ‘people’ but I would. Especially now that the gym is doing so well I can afford to do it now.”

“Oh, Kara, I can take care of that, it’s really no big deal.”

“No Lena, I can’t let you. This time it will be all on me to get there because this time… this time is different.” Kara reaches out and puts a hand on Lena’s. Lena looks at her.

“Right. Different. But still a good different.”

“Good Different,” Kara confirms.

“So what do we do for now, while I'm still here?”

“Now, I have to actually go work in my gym. Care to join me?”

“What? Like, work out?”

“Yeah come on. It will be fun!”

Lena laughs at Kara’s enthusiasm but relents at the twinkle in her eye. Kara manages to find an older shirt that fits Lena’s larger chest and some leggings that managed to fit her curvery figure. Kara tried (and semi-succeeded) not to stare.  

“Come on, we have to go in the front because I haven't been in yet today. Hop on.” Kara hands Lena a helmet and pulls on her own. Lena only hesitates a moment before climbing on behind Kara. With a push of a button, the motorcycle changes from red and blue to a very sleek black. Lena gasps. Kara zips out and circles a couple of blocks before coming in from a completely different direction. She pulls into a spot marked ‘Owner’ right out front. Kara offers Lena a hand to get off before dismounting herself. She takes the helmet from Lena.

“Careful on your feet, I know it was a long trip,” Kara says with a smirk. Lena laughs and pushes her shoulder playfully. Kara even holds the door for her as they enter. Even though it was six in the morning the place was still pretty full with people getting in pre-work workouts.

“Hey, Taylor. This is a friend of mine. She’s working out with me today so check her in as my guest. And get her a water bottle and towel too. Lee, I’m just going to drop these in my office, meet me there.” Kara lifts the helmets to indicate what she means.

“Hi! Welcome to the Power House. Can I have your first name for the check in? We just like to keep of log of who all comes in.” Taylor asks in a very peppy customer service voice. She reaches under the counter for the towel and water bottle. The towel is blue and the water bottle is a clear red with the logo stamped on the side. Lena laughs at the blatancy of Kara making everything the colors of her alter-ego.

“Its Lena.”

“All right Lena, you are all ready to go. Good luck if you are training with Coach K. She’s intense.”

“I figured as much. Thank you, Taylor.”

Lena meets Kara outside her office and they move to the stretching station. It is actually not weird. Workout music plays over the speakers and Kara guides her through different stretches and counts as Lena follows her lead. Kara is focused on teaching and it leaves little room for small talk. Then they are doing a jogging warm up in ‘The Box,’ going around the outside of the large room filled with mats and free weights and different gym equipment that Lena couldn’t even begin to name. Lena is drinking water when other people start to file in. She almost swallows it wrong in her rush to ask Kara what’s happening.

“Sorry, yeah, this is the Crossfit class. It’s my turn to teach. You can join or just watch if you want.”

“Isn’t Crossfit like really intense?” Lena asks.

“Sometimes. But it’s really as intense as you make it. There are scaled down versions of all the exercises. This is usually a mixed group so do what you are comfortable with.”

Sure enough, Lena really looked at the people stretching and talking, they were all different shapes and sizes and ages. She agrees to give it a shot. By the time the twenty-minute workout is over, Lena is sweating and sucking down air like her lungs were suddenly too small. Kara is chatting with some of her gym members as they get ready to leave again. Lena lays back on the floor when her bottle is empty and just stares past the fluorescent lights to the ceiling. Suddenly blonde hair is covering the light and Kara is smiling down at her with her hand out to pull Lena to her feet. Lena takes it and Kara effortlessly pulls her up.

“You are a sadist,” Lena says and Kara laughs.

“Oh come on. The work out is really only like fifteen minutes. That’s almost nothing.”

“Still… you are crazy. But also I feel good. Like I really accomplished something and it's only seven.” They start walking back to Kara’s office. Lena pulls up the app on her phone to call a ride.

“Well good. You can come back anytime when you are in National City.”

“I should probably actually buy a membership then.”

“Are you joking? No way. I will not accept payment from you. After everything we have been through, no way. None of my friends pay and that includes you.”

“All right, all right.”

They linger outside Kara’s office door, neither sure how to continue, neither wanting to end it either. Kara starts telling Lena about her plans for the day. Before Lena knows it, another fifteen minutes has passed of them just standing in the gym talking. The interruption comes in the form of Lena’s phone, she glances and sees Sam’s caller ID.

“Sorry, it’s Sam,” Lena says, Kara gestures for her to take it.

“Hey, Sam.”

“Hey! Where are you? We have to leave by ten for the airport. I thought you were going to take us?”

“I’m coming. I just met up with Kara for a morning workout.”

“A workout? Or a Workout? ”

“A not fun, very intense and life draining work out. I’ll be home in half an hour. I just have to shower and I’ll be good to go.”

“Okay, see you soon then.”

“Bye Sam.” Lena’s phone dings, saying her car is two minutes away, Lena turns to Kara. “I’ve got to get going.”

“Walk you to the door?” Kara asks. Lena nods and turns to leave, Kara close behind. Kara steps around Lena to push the door open ahead of her. Lena smiles at her and turns to say goodbye. And she’s right there. She’s so close. This is the best she has felt around Kara in awhile.   Friends. Lena shakes her head.

“Bye Kara. I’ll text you later. I’d like to do this again.”

“Really? Yeah, of course. Just let me know, I practically live here.” Kara even throws in a wink at the end. Lena tries to fight the swooping feeling in her gut at the familiarity. Instead she laughs.

“I will. Bye Kara.”

Lena walks towards the car matching her phone and climbs in, looking back as the woman pulls away from the curb to see Kara still waving from the door. Lena blushes and smiles before relaxing back into her seat.

**

“So, you went to see Kara this morning?” Sam asks from the passenger seat. Traffic is crawling on their way to the airport but the still had plenty of time.

“Mmm-hmm.” Lena keeps her lips pressed together, not sure where Sam is going with this. Lena only arrived home for the end of breakfast and enough time for a quick shower and rush Ruby through the rest of her packing. It left little room for Sam to question her but now Ruby had her headphones on in the backseat so now was Sam’s chance.

“And?”

“And what?”

“Oh, don’t make me pull it out like teeth.”

“And, I told her I was going home next week. But I think she took it well. She says she wants to visit me and that maybe I could come back to continue being friends.”

“So you will be paying for the flights again?” Sam asks, a little icily.

“Actually no, Kara says the gym is doing very well and she will pay for it herself. Actually, she refused when I offered.”

“Good. I am glad you are happy Lena. Kara does seem very nice, but as your best friend I feel like I need to make sure you don’t get hurt again.” Sam settles back in her seat, content to let the matter rest. Lena reaches over to take Sam’s hand.

“I know Sam. And I really appreciate it. But I am coming home next week to be with my family. That is you and Ruby.”

“And Kara is just a friend?”

“Kara is… I don’t know what Kara is. I know we both have our guard up and are hiding behind that word, but I look in her eyes, and I fall for her all over again. But then I remember all the heartache we have been through so I am back to putting her in that safe little friend's box.”

“From what I have seen, Kara will be completely happy in either box. But that is something for you guys to decide, together this time.”

“Right, together.” Lena parks the car in the temporary parking lot and helps get the suitcases out of the trunk. Lena walks them as far as she can, but soon she has to say goodbye and head back to her hotel. But not until she receives a rib-crushing hug from Ruby and a comforting one from Sam. She squeezes tightly, in a way only friends know how to do. Lena knows its enough to carry her through another week in National City.

When Lena gets back to her room,  it feels cold and empty. But it’s just one more week. She did that to give Kara a chance to adjust to the idea of her leaving. And honestly so Lena could be a little selfish and spend more time with her. This was going to be a long week.

[bxtch26]

Meeting Him❤️

Arthur Morgan⚠️slight smut⚠️

Upbeat piano music filled the building as you wiped down tables, serving drinks and such. The potent smell of whiskey and tobacco filled the thick air. You have been a waitress in Saint Denis for some time. And you hated it. The boss was an ass, he beat you almost every night. Careful to not leave marks in noticeable places. It’s a run down little saloon that you made adequate money in. You would rob houses and even customers often. Your a waitress more or less to keep a low profile and seem like a functioning member of society. While at the same time if you tried to leave your boss would probably kill you. But Law men weren’t too fond of you, and vice versa. They never caught you in your dubious acts. Your quick with a gun. You never go anywhere without your pistol on your hip. You had talked to the manager and he agreed to let you use it for “protection only”, and only if you hid it from the customers. A woman with a gun is apparently absurd. What a fool. Among the smoking, drinking, robbing, even killing, you never were a whore. Every single night you’d be asked

“How much you cost?” You’d just roll your eyes, and tell them that your not on the menu and probably offer them some alcohol to change the subject. This wasn’t how your life was supposed to be. Your dad was an outlaw, always running. He would visit from time to time and you loved it when he did. He taught you how to shoot, and ride a horse. You mother disproved of it all. But you’ve wanted nothing more than to be on the run with him. He’s long passed now, rest his soul. He was killed by some law men, same as your momma. Bad business. You been trying to do right, as evident by the waitress job. But deep down you belong out there. Surviving to be free of civilization. You missed being out there in the country. You sighed as you served a round of whiskey to the poker table. The men hoot and holler at your cleavage, shouting lewd things and watching your ass as you walked back behind the counter. You were wearing a light blue dress with thin straps that often fell off your shoulders. You were so skinny from a combination of not being able to afford much food and being so fit. But your used to it. Men like that you would just brush them off. Most men around here are rich assholes who just want to fuck, then probably kill you or sell you. It was just another normal work night, or so you thought. You were polishing a glass when the saloon doors opened and a flush of silence fell across the room.

Your POV

A tall cowboy stood there, everyone turning to look at him momentarily before resuming their activities. This country boy was far from home, and damn did you wanna take a cowboy for a ride. He was handsome. His face rough, a sharp jawline and scruffy beard. Those rough chapped cut up lips told a story that you longed to hear. His long mane plastered with hair pomade, hidden under his gunslinger hat. His plaid button up shirt along his broad shoulders was slightly unbuttoned at the top, showing his toned chest. Those blue jeans matching his piercing blue eyes. Last but not least that damn gun belt that hung off his hips in the most attractive way. Him also having a pistol and maybe a shotgun on his other side as you could tell from behind the counter. He grabbed his belt as he walked in slowly, dipping his head down to hide that gorgeous face with his hat. Amongst the noise you could hear his boots click as he walked towards the counter. Your eyes glued to him, taking in every detail of the rough gunslinger cowboy.

Arthur’s POV

Dutch has been acting so crazy lately. The gangs in a damn city now, Saint Denis you think it’s called. Either way you were getting sick and tired of the shenanigans. You decided to go to one of the saloons in the city. You were a bit nervous, so you kind of dressed up a bit. Not too much, you had no one to impress. You just plastered your hair with pomade and wore your best plaid shirt. You also wanted to blend in and keep a low profile, as Dutch said. As you pushed both of the doors open, you stood in the entrance. Everyone looking at you before looking back to their paying cards or drinks. You lowered your head as you stepped into the establishment. As you moved towards the counter, a waitress caught your eye. She was polishing a glass, and seemed to be admiring you as you were her. She was beautiful. A light blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways. One of her straps was off her shoulder, and you couldn’t help but notice her cleavage. She had brown curly hair tied up, some strand hanging down her face. Her plump red lips with lipstick, and those eyes. She had brown eyes that seemed to stare into your soul. You dipped your head back down as you cleared you throat, hoping you didn’t look too flushed. As you approached the counter, you leaned on your elbows to get closer to the lady and looking dead into those brown eyes.

Your POV

“Howdy ma’am. Can I have a shot of whiskey?” His voice was rough, deep, and if you were telling the truth, made you wet. You flashed him a sweet smile, nodding as you turned to grab the bottle. You pushed the glass towards him, reaching into your pocket and putting some money down for his drink.

“Sure. This ones on me cowboy. Tell me what’s a feller like you doing in a stuck up city like this?” He chuckled, impressed and aroused at your boldness.

“Oh no darlin I couldn’t ask you to do that.” He reached into his pocket to put some money on the counter.

“How’s about I buy you a drink and I’ll tell ya, Miss....” he trailed off, wanting to find it your name.

“(Y/N).” You blushed, looking around for your boss. He was no where to be seen. Probably drunk or fucking some whore upstairs. You smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair being your ear.

“Miss (Y/N). A pleasure. Arthur. Arthur Morgan.” He spoke as you poured yourself a glass, and got out from behind the counter. His eyes glue on you the whole time as you passed him, grabbing his hand in the process. You walked him over to an empty table in the corner of the saloon, as secluded as you could get. He pulled your seat out, motioning for you to sit. You smiled up at him

“Such a gentleman.” You giggled as you sat down. He went to the other side of the table and sat.

“I ain’t no gentleman.” He scoffed.

“Well you seem like one to me.” You flashed him another sweet smile. Once again he leaned on his elbows to get close to you.

Arthur’s POV

“I’m telling ya it’s true! I put dynamite in the shit pile and blew the place up! That man took himself a regular shit shower!” You hollered laughing hysterically and taking another shot. She threw her head back laughing. All night you told her stories of gunslinging and fightin’. She seemed so interested, her eyes never left yours. Every time you said something funny she would lean into your shoulder and laugh. You had transitioned to her side of the table, pulling her into your lap. Something about this woman made you feel like you could tell her anything. You felt safe with her. In the pit of your stomach there was this nagging doubt that arose every time you thought of asking her to take a walk. She was a young, beautiful lady- city girl no less. What would she want with a rough old ugly bastard. But swapping drunk stories with her was so damn fun. You hadn’t felt like this in a long time. The sparkle in her eyes every time you spoke made you weak in the knees.

Your POV

All night you laughed as the cowboy told crazy stories. So crazy you believed most of them. You looked at him intently, hanging onto every word. He eventually walked over to you, sitting next to you and pulling you into his lap. You obliged, wrapping your arms around his neck and both legs hanging on one side of him. His hands gripped your waist as he continued to tell stories. You were slightly jealous. He was an outlaw, and you couldn’t help but have the thought of running away with him cross your mind a few times. You felt a fool at the though, what would this rough gunslinger want with some boring city girl? The night went on as you and Arthur drank more, talking and laughing. Eventually the piano man kicked it up a notch and Arthur took you to the floor, twirling you and rocking you. You laughed as you buried your face into his neck. He held your waist tightly, you couldn’t get any closer to him. But you tried as you hugged him closer, inhaling as he smelled like whiskey and gun power. A new welcoming smell from the bars nasty thick air smell. His scent comforted you some how. You have no idea why. When the song ended, Arthur bowed at you. No words were spoken between you two, just intense laughter. You studied each other’s body language, enjoying each other’s company. He held his arm out for to take it. He escorted you back to your table, placing you back into his lap.

“Quite the dancer you are Mr. Morgan!” You laughed as you played with the hairs at the back of his neck. He shook his head chuckling

“I usually ain’t like that. I don’t know there’s just something about you girl...” he trailed looking at you.

“And there is something about you.” You replied as you took a bold move and kissed his cheek. He dipped his head down before looking up at you and smiling. You two continued to talk. You swapped more drunk stories. You laughed so hard you thought you’d wet yourself. You two went on through the night, making a connection. Hours on end of learning more about each other. Even though there seemed to be a connection as soon as he walked into the bar. This went on for weeks. Maybe even months. Arthur would come meet you at your work and you would drink and laugh and dance and flirt. He hasn’t asked to take you anywhere yet, you were glad you didn’t have to explain to him yet your boss would never let you leave. You loved his company, it made your life there more enjoyable. Every day you woke up to get ready for work as quick as possible as Arthur would get there early. Sometimes before you even opened. He grew very fond of you, aching to learn more and grow close to you. It was just another regular night, you and Arthur shared a booth as you sat wit your legs propped up on his.

“I must say Arthur, it’s gotta be nice to be running from the law like that. Of course it’s not nice, I don’t mean it like that. But to be free. I can’t stand these fools. I only keep this job so the law don’t come after me, let alone my boss. But most of my time I rob and I kill. I know I know, a woman shouldn’t do all that nonsense whatever. But I just want to be back in the country, hunting deer and sleeping on the ground and all. Ya know? No one to tend to or impress. It’s a pretty dream I suppose. The law don’t much like me round here... ” you trailed off rolling your eyes. He slightly smirked at you, surprised and impressed.

“I don’t find nothing wrong with it Miss (Y/N). Hell I been an outlaw most of my life. Who am I to judge? But you are something. Not many women can handle that way of life ya know?” He spoke looking up at you are rubbing small circles

on your hips. You moved to his lap to continue speaking.

“Oh I know. My daddy was just like you. God rest his soul...”

“Well I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah... me too.” Arthur was quiet for a minute, like he was contemplating something hard. He finally looked up at you

“You wanna take a walk?” You bit your lip, looking at his. You wanted to, more than anything in the world.

“Oh Arthur, I would love to do nothing more. But. But my boss...well he ain’t a good man. I really shouldn’t leave.” Arthur listened to your words carefully, his face getting serious.

“You still workin?”

“Technically I got off an hour ago... but he... well...” you trailed off. Arthur shifted so he was eye level with you.

“Does he hit ya?” He asked quietly. You just nodded, looking away from him.

“He’s smart about it. Usually in places you can’t see in public.” You pulled your dress up to show your legs covered in bruises. Arthur’s grip on you hips moved to your lower back, rubbing and soothing you. It was the alcohol and paying attention to learning more about you that he didn’t notice the old and new wounds. He was quiet for a moment before calmly speaking

“Does he...touch ya? I don’t mean to be so forward but you are a beautiful lady and I’d hate to think he’d disrespect you.” You took your arm from around his neck to rest in your lap. You fiddled your fingers, letting a tear fall down your cheek. He wiped the tear off with his finger and pushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

“Well, what kind of way is that to live? I’m one to talk being the outlaw here but come on now.” He asked, staring off into space at anger. You have no idea why, but you felt like you have known this man forever. You grabbed his face, turning his gaze back to you. You went to say something when you felt a hand grab your hair. You yelped, stumbling back as you were yanked off Arthur’s lap. Your boss threw you to the floor, kicking you as you laid there.

“Why the hell ain’t you working bitch? What do you think I pay you for? And What the hell are you doing with this man you whore? ” He screamed before backhanding you. You had no time to react as Arthur grabbed his shoulder, twirling him towards him, and punching him. Hard. Your boss hit the ground with a thud, as you propped up on your elbows to look at him on the ground, rubbing your cheek.

“That ain’t NO way to talk to a lady sir. Now why don’t you apologize to her before I take her away from here- for good.” You were shocked by his words, trying to hide the giant smile forming. Was this mystery man going to save you from this life? You rubbed your side, your boss’s shoe doing a number on your ribs as Arthur helped you up. He wrapped an arm around your waist as you rested your head on his shoulder. Everyone in the bar was so drunk and into what they were doing no one noticed your altercation.

“I said... APOLOGIZE.” He growled at your boss. You boss finally gathered himself after Arthur’s hard punch, standing up to say something rude back before you left Arthur’s embrace to kick your boss in between his legs. In his daze you landed an uppercut on his jaw as he went down with a thud, cursing you. Arthur raised his eyebrows, grabbing your waist again and motioning you away from you boss on the ground, afraid you would kill him right then and there. Though he didn’t doubt you could, and that he deserved it, but you didn’t want to attract the law. You intertwined your fingers with his on your waist as you went on that walk he promised. You walked silently for a few minutes, enjoying the silence and each other’s company.

“I must say I am impressed darlin. You know how to handle yourself.” He spoke as you continued to walk to who knows where. You nodded, smiling to yourself.

“Thank you, Arthur.” You spoke his name softly. You started to cry again. Not sure why. The stinging of your cheek or the tenderness of the bruise forming on your side. But also because of how you’ve been treated for years and now you were free. You couldn’t stop thinking about what he said. ‘Take her away from here for good.’ He could sense your thinking as he wiped your tears from your face again.

“Hey now. Shhhh. it’s alright. Your safe now. It’s over. I’ll make sure of it.” He spoke into your hair after pulling you into a warm embrace. You saw a small bench over his shoulder. You didn’t want to leave his embrace but you were weak in the knees overwhelmed with emotions. He noticed you staring, seeing the bench. He motioned for you to sit, and he sat close next to you with his arm draped around you.

“Um... look (Y/N)... about what I said at the saloon. I... well uh... I mean... I know you were saying you ain’t particularly happy... I don’t care who ya are no one deserves to be treated like that ya know? And it weren’t your fault. Just want you to know that... And... well this has been one of the best nights of my life if I’m being honest. I’ve grown quite fond of you miss. You are stuck in this city. I can see it in your eyes. I would love to take you away from all this... if you’d let me. I have a camp. A gang. We all work to earn our keep, we don’t have much but we make do and we’re free.” He spoke clearly looking into your eyes while stroking your hair. You cupped his hand on your face, bringing them both in front of you and holding them both.

“Oh Arthur. I would love to run away with you. I’m...quite fond of you too. Your too sweet...” you trailed off as you looked at his lips and he looked at yours. You both instinctively leaned in, entangling your lips in a passionate kiss. Usually you would have done this somewhere more private. But it’s was in the middle of the night, no one was around, and you both were still buzzed. The kiss starting out not so gentle, exploring each other’s mouths with your tongues. You pulled his hair, accidentally knocking his hat off. He squeezed your hips and deepened the kiss. That was the whiskey in you twos system, made you guys want to get right to it. You pulled away, gasping for air. Him doing the same.

“Well that’s good to hear. I know it ain’t a pretty picture. And I ain’t too much to look at. But-“ you cut him off before he could talk negatively about his lifestyle or himself one more time.

“Lets go to a hotel in Rhodes. I’d love to hear more of those...gunslinger stories. And see more of-you Mr. Morgan.” You said in a seductive tone, assuring him you wanted him and wanted to run away with him. He smiled, getting your insinuation.

“Sure.” He spoke as he stood up, still holding one of your hands, and whistling for his horse. He bent over to retrieve his hat from the ground and he placed it on your head. He grabbed your waist, lifting you up onto his horse before getting on himself. Before you could do so yourself, he reached behind him to take your hands and wrap them around his waist. You giggled into his back and you nuzzled into it, hugging him tighter.

“Take me away from here Mr. Morgan.” You whispered into his ear. He inhaled sharply, saying

“Yes ma’am...hya!” he yelled as he kicked his legs and his horse ran off into the night. You looked back, the saloon fading into the darkness. You smiled. You were...free. Also, going to a hotel with a man you just met. As crazy as it seems you weren’t nervous, and neither was he. You both had a connection like you’ve known each other fondly for a long time.

You fiddled with his belt buckle and belt loops on the way to Rhodes. You were teasing him, hoping he would have his way with you when you reached the destination. Some time about halfway there, he squeezed your hands hard.

“Woman unless you want me to stop and take you against one of these trees I suggest you stop.” Oh god that voice. You grew wet as you smiled into his back.

“Yes sir.” He tensed up, continuing to ride. You noted the effect of calling him that. Something about the way you call him sir made him harder than he was. Time went on, slight teasing here and there as you reached Rhodes. He hopped off his horse, grabbing your waist and brining your feet to the ground. You grabbed his hand, taking the lead before he could deny any of this.

“Evening feller. A room please.... and I need a wash. You got a bath?” Arthur stayed behind you, hanging onto your every word. The hotel owner nodded, taking your money and prepping the bath. You shot Arthur a knowing look as you walked to the bath. He followed you, adjusting his hard on under his gun belt. When you were both in, he walked up to you, inches away.

“I’m sorry if this is too much at once. You can just...we can...go to the room if you want.” You started to feel a little hesitant about your bold move. This was still a man you’ve known for merely hours. He didn’t speak, he just grabbed your waist, kissing you passionately. You sighed into the kiss, linking your hands around his neck and finding his hair. You deepened the kiss, reaching down to undo his belt. You were both startled by a knock at the door.

“You need any help in there hun?” A woman asked. You placed your finger on Arthur’s mouth, smirking seductively.

“Oh no he’s got enough help right here.” You yelled back. Arthur could have spent in his pants like a teenage boy right then and there. You could hear the woman outside the door huff and stomp off. You motioned for Arthur to undress, as you slowly slipped the straps of your dress down just enough to only reveal your breasts. His eyes grew dark with lust as he fumbled with the buttons on his shirt.

“Jesus.” He breathed as he was almost undressed. He seemed a little self conscious. You walked up to him, breasts still hanging out. You smoothed your hands down his chest.

“Your very handsome Arthur.” He shook his head. Your fingers ran to his back, scratching lightly. You looked at every scar scrape and bruise on his body. Matching yours. You trailed over a recent one on his shoulder, him slightly wincing

“Oh Arthur. When’s the last time someone touched you other than to hurt you?” He shook his head, grabbing your waist.

“I could ask you the same thing.” You bent to kiss his collarbone. Planting small kisses all over his scars. He held you close, letting out the occasional contented sigh. You pulled away, him looking a little flushed. You hoped you didn’t do too much at once.

“Does that feel good?” You asked as you sucked below his jawline. He whimpered

“Yes, please...more”. You chuckled

“Get those clothes off and get in the bath. You seem tense...let me help.” You whispered the last part into his ear. He shivered, reluctantly undressing fully and dipping into the water. You turned around until he was in the water to try to give him some privacy, even though you were about to get real friendly in a minute. You made a show of putting your hair down with your back still to him. Slowly untying the ribbon and running your fingers through your hair slowly. His breathing quickened, watching your every move. You turned slowly, smiling at his as you bent to sit at the edge of the tub. You dipped your hands into the warm water, discarding the use of a rag. You brought your delicate fingers to his back, massaging gently. Taking your time to work out every knot. He groaned at your touch, still in disbelief that this was happening. You dipped your hands back into the water, breasts pushed together in his face, making his breath hitch in his throat. You smiled, tapping his leg to signal you wanted to wash it. He obliged, resting his leg up on the side of the tub. You massaged his leg once more, slowly working out the tension. When’s the last time this poor man has some time to relax?. You scrubbed each scar with care. You took your time to make him feel good. You turned to look at him to make sure he was content with your motions to find his eyes glued to your breasts.

“I’m gonna be honest girl, I don’t know how longer I can control myself.” He spoke lowly as he cocked his eyebrows, forcing his eyes away from your breasts and looking into your intoxicating brown eyes. You bit your lip, about to say something when he grabbed your waist and threw you on top of him in the water. You giggled as you sat up in his lap, aroused by his roughness as water splashed everywhere.

“I’m sorry, was that too rough?” He asked concerned. You shook your head smiling “Oh no Arthur it was perfect.” He nodded as he placed hot open mouthed wet kisses on all of your scars. You softly moaned, not afraid to let him know how good it felt. He was slow and tender, he took great care in making you feel good. He slowly discarded your dress all the way, along with your chemise. You let him, grinding softly against him as he did so. He did the same as you, washing your scars and bruises with care. You softly whined as his hands went to your breasts, making you involuntary buck into him. He smirked, pushing the small of your back and bringing your chest to his face. He licked his lips before engulfing one of your breasts in his mouth. You moaned, entangling your hands in his hair, still grinding into his. He smiled against you at your sounds before licking and nibbling your nipple. You threw your head back in ecstasy.

“Oh Arthur...” you quietly moaned into his hair. He grunted against your chest in response as he moved to your other breast with the same treatment. You panted and gasped into his hair as he trailed hot open mouthed kisses over your breasts and collarbone. Your eyes flew open when you felt a hard smack on your left ass cheek. You whine loudly at the new sensation, not sure that Arthur wouldve been into that.

“Yeah?” He cooed as a praise, water splashing everywhere.

“Uh huh” you whimpered. You wrapped your arms around his neck pulling him into your boobs. He could barely breathe but he didn’t care as he smothered his face into your breasts and smacked the other ass cheek. You yelped again.

“You like that don’t ya? Such a good girl” he mumbled into your chest. You bit your lip nodding furiously. You’ve never been so hot and bothered. You were so horny for him.

“Yes daddy I-“ you cut yourself off by another slap. You started to apologize for calling him such, not sure how he would feel about it. But before you could say anything he bit your breast pinching your nipple and slapping your ass again.

“You want me to be your daddy little girl?” You whined as you started to grind against his length that was hard and already leaking pre cum from the tip.

“Yeah. I like that. Say it again.” It wasn’t a demand but you immediately complied.

“Oh daddy. Please oh god daddy!!” He smacked your ass again while one of his hands reached between your legs and you melted into him. You moaned his name with a string of curses as you started to stroke him as well. This teasing went on for a while, you two groping at each other like touch starved wild animals. When was the last time a man did this to you? A woman did this to him? You were getting close when you finally came to and realized you guys were still in the bath tub.

“A-Arthur. We should go to the room.” You spoke softly into his hair. He grumbled into your chest.

“Alright fine sweetheart.” You smiled as you got off his lap slowly so he could see everything. The water beads rolled off your body slowly as he bit his lip, cocking his eyebrow standing up and helping you out. You started to slip on one of his spare shirts from the satchel as he stayed naked watching you.

“I don’t see the point in getting dressed when I’m just going to rip them off when we get to the room” he grumbled as he softly massaged your ass covered by your undergarments. You chuckled softly.

“You want me to run to our room naked with all these degenerates around?” He immediately started getting dressed too. You laughed as you waited for him to get dressed, drying your hair with a towel. He started walking towards the door when you placed your hand on his chest. He looked at you almost scared that you started to regret being with him.

“I’m ready to go darlin, there’s just one problem.” You spoke seductively but with a hint of worry in your voice so he would fall for it.

“What’s wrong?” He asked softly. You smiled as your ran your fingers through his hair before picking his hat up off the little table by the tub. You leaned in to his ear, grabbing his clothed length before whispering

“You have to catch me first cowboy.” You quickly nibbled his ear and ran off before he could respond. He smirked as he ran after you. You both laughing like teenagers as you ran up the stairs. Let’s just say that night was the best night of your life. Both of you never feeling more safe than you did together.