#yes i DID have to do loop's fucked up grin from the prologue!

[aeb-art]

made some sprite edits with loop in @ghostlightfic

there's also another one under the cut that i made yesterday but i did it on my phone and it saved all blurry lmao

i like the ones i made today a lot more, but this one might as well be included

[swifteforeverandalways]

Witch Hunters Chapter One

Notes: So this is the new fic I posted a prologue for a while ago. Little fun fact for this fic, the name of the town (Storybrooke) came from the TV show ‘Once Upon a Time’ but changed from Maine to Connecticut since the WWE headquarters are in Connecticut. 

Tag Squad: @riottstheory​ @thirst-n-bullshit​

From the outside; Storybrooke, Connecticut looked like a normal small town with normal small town people. However, the town was actually holding a deep secret: they were anything but normal. The town founder, a man named Vincent James McMahon, had ties to the supernatural world and had founded Storybrooke to help those who were more than just human. But as time passed, things changed and as mayors of the town changed, so did the town itself. The current mayor, Chris Jericho, stood in the middle of the town square. No one in the town particularly liked Mayor Jericho, but they put up with him since he was the mayor. 

“We have a witch in our midst, but now it is time for her to die,” Jericho said, motioning widely to the young woman kneeling in front of him.

“Fuck off, asshole,” the woman, who had dark brown hair in a pixie cut, spat at him. Jericho reached down, looping a length of rope tightly around her wrists. The woman glared up at him as Jericho yanked her over to a pyre of wood.

“Time to burn the witch,” he said as he tied the woman to the pyre. Jericho turned, picking up a lit torch when the barrel of a shotgun appeared in his face.

“Let her go, she’s not a witch,” the owner of the shotgun, a young woman with light strawberry blonde hair, said. Jericho turned to her.

“Who the hell are you?” he demanded. 

“Who I am is unimportant, all that is important to you is that she is not a witch,” the woman said. 

“I’ve told you, I was sent here by Outworld,” the pixie cut woman said. Jericho snorted at that.

“Yeah right, I doubt that. Outworld told me they were sending the princess, and you are obviously not her,” he said. 

“And as I’ve told you, she sent me in her place because of some family issues going on right now in Outworld,” the woman said. Jericho snorted and glanced at some of the guards, nodding them towards the blonde woman. As they approached her, another figure stepped out of the woods. This time it was a young man with dark blond hair holding a crossbow. 

“You better all step back now,” he said in a threatening voice. 

“Who the hell are you now?” Jericho asked, his tone exasperated. The young man turned to face him, aiming the crossbow right at him.

“Step away from my sister or else I swear, I will put an arrow through your skull,” he threatened. Jericho snorted, looking unimpressed. 

“I doubt that,” he said. The young man placed his finger on the trigger of the crossbow, “Try me.” Jericho looked at his men. 

“I would do what my brother says, because he ain’t jokin. He’ll put an arrow through your skull or your chest if you try anything to harm me. So you damn well better listen to him,” the blonde young woman said. Jericho looked at his men before jerking his head back, the men stepping away. The unknown young man walked to the young woman, both of them looking at the pixie cut girl.

“What’s your name?” The young woman asked.

“Kate. Kate Kane,” the pixie cut hair woman, Kate Kane, answered.

“I’m Austin Flynn, this is my brother, Austin Theory,” the blonde young woman, Austin F, said. 

“Your parents named you both Austin?” Kate joked. Austin F chuckled while Austin T cracked a small smile.

“Yes and no. Technically we’re step siblings, his mom married my dad, but we consider each other siblings not step siblings,” Austin F explained. 

“How do we know we can trust you two, we have never seen you two around at all,” Jericho interrupted. 

“Mayor Jericho is right, you claim this Kate woman is not a witch, but how do you know that for certain?” a townsman named Montel Vontavious Porter, but more commonly known as MVP, agreed. Austin T turned to him, swinging his crossbow so it rested on his shoulder.

“My sister and I know who is and is not a witch,” he answered cryptically. 

“Right, like that’s even a real thing,” MVP snorted. Austin F stepped up next to her brother, her stance tense.

“It is when your parents abandon you in the forest when you are thirteen and your brother is ten and the two of you are nearly killed by a witch,” Austin F shot back. 

‘Sis, relax. It’s okay,’ the mental ‘voice’ of Austin T rang through Austin F’s mind. The blonde young woman looked at her brother before sighing and taking a step back. 

“You two are the inspiration behind Hansel and Gretel?” A female voice asked. The crowd parted to reveal a young woman with silvery-pink hair, a dark haired young man standing next to her.

“Technically we are Hansel and Gretel, they just aren’t our real names,” Austin T said. The young woman nodded, “I’m Candice LeRae….This is my husband, Johnny Gargano.” 

“Why are you talking to them?” Jericho barked at Candice and Johnny. Johnny’s expression darkened and he stepped up to Jericho.

“Back off,” he said dangerously, hand twitching towards the sword on his hip. Jericho’s jaw tightened but he backed off of Candice, instead turning to glare at the two Austins. Austin T stepped forward in front of his sister, glaring right back.

“Jericho, back off,” a deep voice said. The crowd parted one more as three men walked into the area. All three men were dressed in suits, the one in the middle was dressed in a golden colored suit while the two on his sides were dressed in black suits. 

The man in the middle was taller than the other two, dark hair pulled back into a man bun while bearding covering his chin. His tan skin stood out against the golden suit, a smirk on his lips. It was obvious he was in charge of the others, and he was well built and muscular.

To his right stood another tan young man. He too had dark hair, shaved on the sides and styled up on top, along with bearding covering his chin and jaw. Though he was shorter than the first, he was still well built and somewhat burly. 

To the left of the man in the middle stood a man with shorter hair and a smile on his face. He was leaner than the other two, and his face was clean shaven. 

“Legado del Fantasma, I thought you were not going to be around today,” Jericho said. The leader ignored him and looked at the two Austins.

“I am Santos Escobar, these are mi hermanos (my brothers) Raul Mendoza (Santos motioned to the man at his right) and Joaquin Wilde (he motioned to the man at his left),” Santos said. 

“Who the hell are you guys exactly?” Austin T asked. 

“Santos, Raul, and Joaquin are part of a group called Legado del Fantasma, they are kind of like the protectors here,” Johnny explained. Santos turned to Kate, extending his hand to help her up. With a wary expression, Kate allowed him to help her up. Kate turned to Austin T and Austin F, looking at them.

“Why? Why did you help me?” she asked. 

“We don’t like witches, but we also don’t want non-witches to be accused of things they didn’t do,” Austin F replied with a shrug. 

“Thank you,” Kate said as a dark purple portal opened up behind her. Santos, Raul, and Joaquin stiffened as Kate turned around, a smile ghosting on her lips. From the portal emerged a young woman with black hair styled up in a bun, two blue colored chopsticks stuck in it. Her green eyes were startlingly bright, her skin pale and smooth. 

“Jade, wasn’t expecting to see you,” Kate said with a warm smile at the woman. Jade Okaia, Princess of Outworld, smiled at Kate.

“My mom told me to come find you, since I was getting a bit uh….angry at, well, you-know-who,” she said before turning to Jericho, “So you are the fucking mayor of this town?” 

“I am, and who the fuck are you?” Jericho spat back. Jade straightened up, her aura taking on a more regal tone.

“I am Jade Okaia, Princess of Outworld. And I demand to know why you are harassing my best friend and one of the members of our royal court,” she said. Jericho swallowed hard, realizing the mistake he had made.

“I….I didn’t….I didn’t know….” Jericho stuttered. Kate snorted at that.

“I told him that you sent me here, but the asshole didn’t listen,” she muttered. Jade glared at Jericho, who shrunk back slightly. 

“I was told the Princess of Outworld would be coming here, not that she was sending someone in her steed,” Jericho tried defending himself. 

“As I am sure Kate has mentioned, some family issues arose that I had to help with,” Jade narrowed her eyes at Jericho. 

“Is he always this much of an asshole?” Austin T muttered to Johnny, who laughed.

“Yeah, he is. At least he always has been ever since Candice and I arrived here,” he whispered back. 

“How long have you guys been here?” Austin F asked curiously. Candice and Johnny exchanged a look for a long moment.

“Couple of years,” Johnny said, “We’ve been traveling for a while though.” 

“I was asleep for a hundred years,” Candice explained, “Johnny woke me and we’ve been traveling ever since. Some fairies put a spell on my family and townspeople, though, and that kept them asleep while I was.”

“You’re Sleeping Beauty, aren’t you? The ‘Truth Behind Sleeping Beauty’?” Austin T asked. Candice nodded, “Yeah….I am. And Johnny’s my prince, he really is my prince.” Johnny smiled at his wife, kissing her cheek. 

“Jericho, you should show our new citizens the housing,” Santos interrupted the situation, staring down at the mayor. Jericho sighed, rolling his eyes. 

“Gargano, LeRae, show them our public housing,” he commanded. Johnny sheathed his sword, slipping his hand into Candice’s.

“Come on! We’ll show you where to go!” Candice said with a grin. She and Johnny led the two witch hunters off.

[flowercrown-bucky]

Dream A Little Dream Of Me

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Modern!Loki x Reader, Modern!Thor x Reader, Loki x Wanda

Series Warnings: Cheating, affairs, swearing, legal alcohol consumption, smut later on, mention of smoking

Summary: What do you do when you fall in love? Embark on a clandestine affair with their brother, of course.

Prologue | Chapter One | Chapter Two

Chapter Three - Regarding the events in the restaurant and everything that followed on the roof.

——

TAG LIST: OPEN (PLEASE COMMENT OR MESSAGE ME IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE ADDED!)

The apartment you shared with Thor was small, but you thought it was perfect. Nothing spectacular, a modest two-bed, bath-and-ensuite in Hackney, overlooking Clissord Park. If you leant out of the front window, you could see the vast green expanse, littered with trees, the manor house poking through the trees in the distance.

Your bedroom was light and airy, thanks to the enormous north-facing window, the space dominated by your bed. A chest of draws sat to its left, decorated with your memories, framed and immortalised. At the bottom of the bed sat a large floor length mirror, and it was this mirror you were currently staring into.

You fiddled with the slightly too tight straps of your dress, silently willing your boyfriend to hurry up and get out of the shower. Frigga had arranged a family dinner in a restaurant in the city, and by your count, you would already be ten minutes late when you eventually arrived. And Thor wasn't even out of the shower yet.

Your gaze turned to the photos strung up next to the mirror. Thor and his friends, you and your friends, Thor and you on a trip to Thailand earlier that year. You and your sister, you and Frigga, Thor and Loki with their mother, Thor and Loki as boys.

Thor, Loki and you in Italy.

You could barely bring yourself to look at it, shame clouding your vision as the memories of that night flooded your mind. That single moment of vulnerability had haunted you for the past few months.

"Why the long face?" Thor's soft voice filled your ears, his hand gently caressing your shoulder.

You turned to face him, his blue eyes staring straight into yours. He stood before you, half dressed in a dark pair of jeans. The muscles in his back rippled as he rifled through his side of the wardrobe, searching for a shirt to wear.

"Nothing." You replied, getting to your feet. "It was nothing."

Thor smiled, turning back to face you as he shrugged on a pale blue dress shirt, running a towel through his wet hair.

"I'm glad." He kissed your head softly. "I don't like seeing you unhappy."

"I'm fine, honestly." You looped your arms around his neck. "But we are going to be very, very late."

He looked down at the steak sat half eaten on his plate. Somehow it no longer looked appetising.

He glanced across at you. You, also, were pushing your risotto around your plate, seemingly struck by a sudden lack of appetite.

He watched you inquisitively, making polite conversation with his aunt, your lips delicately stained by the pinot you were steadily making your way through. You listened as Thor re-enacted a vaguely amusing anecdote regarding you and the blender. Oddly, he'd noticed that in his brother's stories, you were always the butt of the joke, always the supporting cast, and your smile never quite reached your eyes.

He wondered for a moment, if you'd smile on his arm.

"Hey, you okay?" He felt a hand on his forearm. The big green eyes of his girlfriend stared back into his own.

"Yeah." He murmured, smiling softly at her. "I'm just great."

She squeezed his hand reassuringly.

In the five months Loki had been dating Wanda, you had never met her before.

As you looked at her, you could not for the life of you understand why. With green eyes set into a creamy complexion, framed by long, dark hair, she didn't exactly conjure up the image of a bunny boiler, and the short conversation you'd had led you to believe she was a pleasant, sweet young woman.

She'd greeted you with a warm, friendly hug. Loki had not.

You'd awkwardly hugged, your lips barely brushing skin as you'd kissed each other's cheeks. Things had been fine between the two of you, more distant than before, but fine. The two of you would be fine.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?" Thor clinked his spoon against his wine glass. "Before we finish our meal, I'd like to make a toast to my beautiful girlfriend. To Y/N!"

The vivid flush of your cheeks brought a smile to Loki's face, but the short, sweet kiss you and Thor shared he could not bear to watch.

"You're sweet, you're clever, you're kind." Thor took your chin between his fingers, lifting your head. "You're funny, you're caring, and I'm so lucky to call you mine."

The scraping of his chair as he rose to his feet was the only noise to be heard in the now uncomfortably quiet room.

Panic rose in Loki's chest as his brother fumbled in his pocket, slowly dropping to the floor. He felt as if he might be sick.

Wether your heart or his was beating harder, it would be impossible to call.

"So, my beautiful girl," Thor smiled up at you. "Will you do me the honour of being mine forever and becoming my wife?"

The silence that settled over the room was unbearably uncomfortable. All of a sudden, every eye in the room was on you.

You bit back a gulp, words suddenly escaping you.

Loki was almost entirely certain he was going to be sick. He could almost feel his heart sitting in the back of his throat, his eyes stinging almost as if he was going to cry.

Oh god, he thought to himself. Please don't cry.

The bitten stubs of his nails dug into the soft flesh of his palms, anticipation building in his belly.

With one words, Loki's heart shattered into a thousand teeny, tiny pieces.

"Yes."

Often, when he was upset, Loki liked to watch over the city. It calmed him to watch the world go by beneath him.

His favourite place to watch the world go by was, of course, his balcony. A stressful day in the office, a day in the courtroom, would often end on his balcony. His tie would remain disregarded on the floor, his suit jacket on the arm of the sofa. Armed with a large Dillon's Rye, he would sit on the sole chair and light a cigarette. He was not a habitual smoker, so much so that he had never purchased an actual ashtray, opting instead to butt his cigarettes on the sole of his shoe and toss them into the plant pot he'd bought but never used for any other purpose, but he always had a box of Marlboro Lites hidden inside a saucepan. He'd quietly observe the world below him until his mood had subsided or he simply became too cold.

The bar in shoreditch, with its electric heaters and ivy shrouded columns, was not a bad substitute.

He leant down on his forearms, rubbing his face.

He shouldn't be bothered by you getting engaged.

He shouldn't be bothered by the idea of you giving love to another man.

He shouldn't be so bothered by the intimate, tender kiss you'd shared with his brother.

He had Wanda.

Wanda was beautiful, kind, sweet. Wanda made him forget.

But she wasn't you.

Every moment with you made him completely lose himself. With you, he felt out of body, out of mind.

And you would make his brother feel that way for the rest of your forever.

On the rooftop, out of the corner of your eye, you could see a tall, dark figure.

He'd been crisply cut in his expensive suit at dinner, but from where you could see him now, his dark jacket hung on the railing next to him, leaving him in a linen shirt with rolled up sleeves and a silk tie that looked to be coming undone, almost as if someone had tugged on it. A few glossy strands of hair had escaped from his ponytail, and fir a second, you were overcome by the urge to release it from the elastic and run your fingers through his dark tresses.

He started as you approached him, the heels of your shoes giving you away. You smiled, holding out the martini you'd brought for him.

"What do you know about the origin of love, Loki?" Your voice was soft, your gaze trained on the sky above you.

"You followed me." His voice cracked, his question hanging unspoken in the air. Why?

"It's been said that early humanity was like two men or two women squished together." You ignored his statement. "But that we grew too strong, so Zeus split all of mankind into two halves. Modern humans spend their lives looking for their once other halves, and the pain of being split has become familiar, and we've called it love. When we find them, we make love because we're trying to put ourselves back together."

He sat for a moment, pondering your story. What were you trying to say? Were you trying to tell him Thor was your other half? Or... Was he?

He thought about that moment of hesitation. Short, but still, you hesitated.

Were you looking for a way out?

"Why did you leave, Loki?" Your voice was soft.

"I felt queasy. Needed some air."  He replied, not able to bring himself to look at you. "Why did you follow me?"

"You looked queasy, like you needed some air." He could almost hear the smile in your voice, and could not help but crack a similar grin himself.

"I'm glad you're ok, Loki." You squeezed his hand gently, before turning to walk away.

His heart leapt. You were slipping through his fingers like sand. Could he let you go like that?

"Wait." A desperate plea left his lips, his arm reaching out to grab your wrist almost instinctively. You turned to look at him, confusion in your eyes.

His mind blanked. What was he doing? What should he say? Was he out of his fucking mind?

"Don'tmarryhim." The words came out of his mouth before he was aware of what he was saying, sort of rushing out of his mouth and bashing into each other.

"What?" You asked. Loki wasn’t entirely sure whether you were clear on what he said or why he said it.

Loki wasn’t entirely sure wether he himself was clear on what he said or why he said it.

“Don’t marry him.” He took a deep breath, regretting the words as they left his mouth.

A deeply uncomfortable silence settled over you both.

“Loki, what are you trying to say?” Eventually you broke the silence. He shifted his weight uncomfortably from foot to foot. What was he trying to say? He wasn’t sure.

“I’m, I’m, I just..” He gnawed at his bottom lip uncomfortably. “I’m not saying marry- I’m saying marry- not me, him, not...”

He paused for a moment.

“Nothing. I’m saying nothing.” He rubbed at his forehead, screwing up his face.

You looked at him for a moment, something in the darks of your eyes that he couldn’t quite recognise. A soft hand came up to his face, your knuckles gently stroking his cheekbone as you stepped closer to him.

A little over six months later, he would see this look in your eyes again. Two things would instantaneously occur as he did; the first would be the dawning realisation of exactly what the unspoken words of your expression were.

The second?

The crushing feeling that would accompany the realisation that he had recognised this expression too late.

“Loki,” You whispered, looking up into his eyes. “I’m going to go back inside, and we never speak of this again.”

It wouldn’t be the first time, (Or the last, but more on that later) but without a word, he let you go.

Chapter Four - La Vie En Rose

——

SERIES TAGS:

@jessiejunebug @sherlockfan4life @soapbox-moments @amour-delicate @milea

[nemesyis]

The Mansion - Part 1

Needs

@noonachronicles​

A/N People “ahem” should pay closer attention to what they post in their tags… *looks at noonachronicles* I use it as ammo

Warnings: PWP, fluff, vanilla, intense love making, public smoot, implied alcohol usage, voyeurism if you squint.

Prologue | Part 2

After a month of waiting, your official membership card for The Mansion had arrived.  Tomorrow was the first time you would be visiting as a full member, and able to take advantage of all the amenities membership had to offer.  

The past few weeks, you had participated in casual evening parties, getting to know the other members and applicants.  As it turned out, your new acquaintance Daesung was not only a member, but the doctor you had to visit for your STD testing.  That had officially severed any sexual attraction you had been harboring for him, especially when he had complimented you on your hygiene regimen.  Yup… friends ONLY.

Upon your arrival to The Mansion, you decided to head to the lounge… better known as the White Room.  Decked out in minimalist decor, it was pretty, although not your usual aesthetic. 

Daesung was sitting at the bar enjoying a martini and in deep conversation with a pretty blonde.  He noticed you and winked before turning his attention back to his companion.  

Taking your spot at the bar, you ordered a drink and turned to face the room.  Scanning the gathered group of people, some in groups, a few couples talking softly or making out, and the odd singleton such as yourself.  

Your attention was taken by a slender, well built man.  He noticed you looking and walked across the room to join you. The first thing you noticed about him was his long, slender hands.  You may have a hand kink now.  

“The name is Baekhyun, you are?”  he asked as he slid onto the stool next to you.  

“Y/N, nice to meet you”  you took a sip and forced your brain to center itself…  you were damned if you were going to make yourself look like a jittery mouse, way out of her depth.  

Baekhyun smiled and leaned in close, whispering in your ear “Relax, I won’t bite unless you want me too.”

Swallowing down your anxiety, you smiled whispered back “I hope you don’t bite too hard.”  He smiled and took your hand.  

Drawing you to your feet, he led you from the White Room.  Opening the door to another room, this one was decorated in shades of blue, soft white curtains hung from the ceiling, light music played from hidden speakers.  Soft moans and sounds of lovemaking came from one corner.  They only aided in spiking your arousal.  As Baekhyun led you to a corner, he sat you on a wide bed covered in soft blankets and furs.  He sat next to you, caressing your face.  “Can I kiss you?”

You answered by pressing your mouth to his.  He pressed back into your kiss, tongue seeking entrance to yours. Granting access, you tangled your tongue with his.  His hands fisted in your hair, lightly tugging at your roots.  Moaning into his mouth as he dragged your head backwards.  His mouth found your pulse point, grazing it with his teeth.  

“Y/N, please let me touch you” Baekhyun groaned, his pants becoming more uncomfortable with each passing moment.  “I can’t wait much longer.”  

You took his hands, leading one to your breast, the other to the zipper of your dress.  “Yes… please touch me.  Touch me however you want” you moaned breathlessly.  

Baekhyun drew your zipper down, baring your shoulders.  He pulled your dress down, exposing your lacy pink bra.  “How pretty, did you choose this with someone in mind?”  He grinned, before sucking bruises into your collarbone.  Arching into him as he lay you back on the soft blankets.  He sat up long enough to tug your dress off along with his shirt.  You kicked off your heels before sitting up and dragging him down to press his bare chest into yours.  

Baekhyun tugged at the delicate lace of your bra, baring your breasts to his attention.  Bringing his mouth to one of your nipples, sucking lightly as he settled between your thighs.  His arousal apparent as he ground against your lace covered core.  Your dampness seeped through the crotch of his pants as you bucked into him.   

“Please, I need something… anything…” you panted.  He grinned against your flesh, pushing his clothed erection against your core.  

Baekhyun slipped his free hand between your bodies and under your panties.  Rubbing light circles against your clit, making you squirm.  “So needy, what am I going to do with you?” he panted into your mouth as your moans became louder and more incessant.  His eyes grew wide as you managed to hook your big toe into a belt loop on his pants and attempted to push them down.  

“Give me more… please Baekhyun… I need to feel you” 

He obliged, sliding his fingers into your slick heat.  Long fingers curling as he scissored through your folds.  You gasped, as he brushed against your g-spot making you cry out.  He muffled the sound with his mouth, swallowing your cries of pleasure.  

You grabbed onto the waistband of his pants, and tugged them open, pulling out his cock.  He pulled back, kissing down your chest, nosing against your mound.  He gently pulled down your soaking panties before spreading your folds and teasing your clit with the tip of his tongue.  

Nearly coming off of the bed as a loud cry of pleasure tore itself from your throat.  He withdrew his fingers from your core, sucking your slick from them before curling his arms around your thighs, holding you down.  He devoured your pussy like a starved man, lapping up every drop as you came again and again on his tongue.  After the third orgasm wracked your body, oversensitivity finally set in, and you cried out for him to stop.  

Grinning up at you, your juices covering the lower half of his face.  “Had enough already?” he laughed, wiping his chin with your discarded panties.  He crawled back up your form, his cock looking red and neglected as it oozed precum on your thigh.  

“Do you want me to take care of you too?” you asked as you attempted to sit up.  He shook his head and gently pushed you back down.  Looking at him questioningly before he claimed your mouth once more.  Tasting yourself on his tongue igniting your arousal once more.  

He looked down at the fresh wave of wetness that spilled forth from your core, grinning.  “Can I fuck you?” he asked.  A look of near desperation on his handsome face.  You answered him by pressing your crotch against his, causing the head of his cock to nudge at your opening.  “I’ll take that as a yes” he panted breathlessly.  Kicking his pants the rest of the way off, he settled himself between your spread thighs.  Gripping his length as he rolled on a condom before guiding himself into you gently.  Mindful of how sensitive you were.  “Fuck Y/N, how can you still be so tight after all that I’ve done to you?” 

The feeling of being deliciously stretched open and full was amazing.  It nearly made you cum again.  “Oh fuck… Baekhyun… christ you feel so good…” you groaned as he fully seated himself within you.  “Please move.  I swear to god… please move!”  

He obliged, rocking his hips forward, causing cries of pleasure to emanate from both of you.  He pressed his face into your neck as you clung to him.  He continued to fuck into you at a slow pace.  His cock dragged against your folds, creating sparks of pleasure to dance along your nerves.  You felt so connected to him, almost unable to remember where you began and he ended.  Every time he plunged back into your warm heat, the head of his cock brushed your g-spot.  Increasing his pace, he kissed you passionately.  Muffling eachothers moans of pleasure as he caressed your face.  

Spreading your legs wider, bucking your hips to meet each thrust as you felt the coil in your belly begin to tighten.  When you came, you knew this one was going to be explosive.  This was exactly what you needed.  The past three years of your dry spell, hundreds of dollars spent on batteries and toys had lead to this point.  Your combined moans and groans had dissolved into heated panting as he pressed his forehead against yours.  His pubic bone rubbed your clit the same way his cock rubbed your g-spot.  

Baekhyun’s thrusts began to become erratic as he increased his speed.  Causing you both to begin the tumble into oblivion.  He let out a hoarse cry as he came.  The feeling of his pulsing cock making the tight coil in your belly snap, pushing you over the edge.  Mouth open in a wordless scream as your walls clamped down on his length.  Milking and pulsating around him as you coaxed every drop of cum from his heavy balls.  He filled the condom over and over.  He wished he could feel you without the thin barrier of latex, feel his seed coat your insides.  The intensity of your orgasm coaxed another from him, forcing his back to arch and the veins to stand out on his face and neck.

As you both rode out your highs, he kissed and caressed you tenderly.  Panting heavily he braced himself on trembling arms “Wow… I’ve never experienced something that intense with someone on the first time” he said hoarsely.  Gently extracating himself from your arms, his softened cock slipping from your warmth.  He rolled off of you and reached for a nearby, strategically placed bottle of water.  “Do you want one?” he offered as he held out another bottle to you.  

Taking the bottle from him, you sat up shakily.  “Do you always take care of first timers like that?” you laughed.  Reaching for your now ruined panties, you grimaced at the thought of having to put them back on.  Baekhyun took them from you and slipped them into his pocket as he slipped his pants back on.  

Raising your eyebrow at him, he smiled.  “Too keep as a reminder.”  His statement caused you to go crimson.  Self consciously putting your clothes back in order before sipping at your water.  Looking around the room, you noticed a man sitting by himself in the corner, he was tucking himself back into his loose black pants.  His pants had the tell tale signs of cum splattered across the front.  Embarrassment made you turn another three shades of red.  Baekhyun noticed and smiled.

“It’s not uncommon to be watched or do the watching around here.  He evidently enjoyed the show as much as I enjoyed taking part in it.”  He said, extending a hand to help you to your feet.  Turning you to do up the zipper of your dress.  “If you don’t want to be watched around here, make sure you let your partner know or find a private room.”

He kissed the top of your head and walked you towards the hall.  Looking over your shoulder, you saw the other man watching you, a look of hunger in his gaze.  The other man was extremely pretty.  Lush, puffy lips set in a pout.  The tip of his tongue poked through and licked along his lower lip before he broke his gaze and looked down at the floor.  A pretty flush pinked his cheeks.  You would have to remember his face… maybe he would be around next time.

[alwaysanotherrainbow]

The 77th Feedback Loop

Ships: pining remrom (Remus), pining thomceit (Deceit), platonic demus. The prior two are here as backstory/background information. Warnings: past/current eating disorder (Remus), past alcoholism (Deceit), discussion of the former two, extended discussion of recovery, ventfic, swearing, typical Remus violent statements

Remus and Deceit have always supported each other. Tonight is no different.

notes: This was meant to be a prologue for a fic, but once the plot changed, the context became much different. This has little relation to that fic anymore. Regular content is coming soon.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Remus rocked a crimson sash back and forth in his hands. He barely noticed when the soft fabric of a glove made contact with the back of his hand, but when the sash was tucked back into its drawer, his eyes slid open.

Deceit stood, cloaked in shadow and dappled half-light. The warm rays like sunshine spilled from the lamp on the table, but it wasn’t enough to conquer the darkness in the room. It was reflex to check the way that he walked over to the bed, but he didn’t sway at all, and when he spoke, it wasn’t with the strange warmth that seeped in when he was drinking.

“Thanks,” Remus said. “How long was I…?”

“A good three minutes. The door was open, so I hope it’s okay.”

“If the door’s open, you can come in, rattlesnake. Tough night for you, too?”

Deceit nodded. “The others are celebrating, which means alcohol, so I decided I wouldn’t stick around that scene.”

Remus groaned. “Damn it. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right,” he said. He couldn’t tell whether it was Liespeak or not. “How’s the book going?”

“Stopped working on it for tonight. Too much stuff in there.” He smiled and walked to sit next to him before stopping in his tracks. “Wait. Aren’t you meant to go to therapy with Emile today?”

He frowned. “Yes, but I cancelled.”

“Deceit!”

“Seriously, who on Earth wants to hear me ramble? that’s got to get old at some point.”

“The entire point is so that you can talk about whatever you want so that you can feel better!” Remus groaned. “You’re the self-care guy, silly. Why not take care of yourself?”

He shrugged.

Remus sighed and sat next to him. “Look, you had a close call today, so what? You didn’t. And even if you did, I wouldn’t be mad, just a bit sad, that’s all, because you deserve to feel better.”

Deceit nodded.

It was ridiculous to still be craving that night, right? When he was pleasantly drunk (before his tolerance built up, back when there could be enough), when Thomas was gazing at him as if he made and saved the world. Everything was perfect. It was such an indescribable high, calm coursing through him as it had never done so before. The warmth next to him could masquerade as Thomas in his baser thoughts, but—

There’s a person right next to you that needs you, Deceit. Don’t be so horrible.

Besides, he wasn’t ready to put himself through that again. If he slipped up, he might not get back up, and he’d have to start at the beginning because no way in hell was he staying there. Detox was horrible, but the idea of staying where he was before?

Yes, that was way worse.

That was why he had to take good care of himself, he reminded himself. If for no-one else, for Thomas.

Remus wrapped him into a hug, which he accepted gracefully as they leaned back onto the bed.

Looking over Remus’ shoulder, Deceit noticed a framed picture of Roman.

It was actually a pretty standard photograph. Did Remus see him the way that Deceit saw Thomas? Did features that most people call ‘plain’ suddenly appear as exquisite as if crafted by Pygmalion? Even holding him, Deceit could tell that the Duke was clearly lovesick.

“Do you ever worry,” started Deceit before freezing. “Nevermind, it’s not a very good question.”

“Ask away! It’s okay! Hey, a rhyme! I’m becoming Dr. Seuss!”

Deceit smiled, lightly tapping Remus on the head with a cylindrical pillow. “We’ve got ourselves a poet, have we?”

Remus shrieked with laughter. After they had tired themselves out with giggling, the question came back into play.

“Do you ever worry that you’re too far gone?” Deceit managed to say. “Like you’ve just fucked up your chance to get better, and you’re just gonna stay this way forever?”

Remus made a soft noise of agreement. “That doesn’t mean it’s true, though. Lots of people get better! The worry still fucks with me sometimes, but hey, if they can do it, no good reason why I can’t.”

“I know, I just feel like it’s a bit late for me to get better. I can’t forgive myself for taking this long with it..”

“Want an anecdote? I mean, I know our problems aren’t exactly alike, but—”

“No, anecdotes are fine.”

Remus shrugged. “Personally? I can’t worry about that. I just need to think ‘hey! I’m here, so best assume that means it’s not too late’. Besides,” and here he moved his hand to Deceit’s shoulder, “remember what you told me?”

“Glad to see we’re getting even more specific, Creativity.”

He stuck out his tongue. “I meant by the camellia gardens.”

“Which—? Oh. You mean… you mean that?”

Deceit remembered. He remembered the feel of Remus’ hand. He remembered the horrible things that he said about himself, and how he berated mind and body alike. Deceit had helped him clean up the wrappers, held his hands (without any gloves!), given him a handkerchief to wipe his tears away with, and said:

“I told you that ‘forgiving yourself is an important step to recovering from any unhealthy behavioral pattern’, and that ‘recovery is self-love’,” he said softly.

“There we go!” Remus smiled. “Not too shabby. No-one needs ol’ Logan to tell you that reaching out at all is super brave! Braver than fighting a horde of many-eyed three-legged alien dogs! With a crowbar..”

“You still remember when I said that?”

“Don’t think I could ever forget it, Deceit.”

“Janus is fine.”

Remus blinked.

Shit. He hadn’t told anyone that name before, right? He opened his mouth to try to say something, but the only thing he could think to do was turn away.

“Your name? Do you prefer it? I can forget about it if you want.”

“...I suppose I do prefer it, it’s just that I didn’t mean to tell you. You can call me by it if you like.” Please call me by it.

Remus smiled. “I’ll remember that! I’ll embroider that onto my soul!”

He laughed before freezing up. “Wait. What time is it?”

“It’s 15:83.”

He was used to translating times from Remus. “That’s 4:23 PM, right? I think I have enough time to reschedule the appointment.”

Remus’ grin only grew wider. “Self-care! Good for you, Janus.”

Janus got up and adjusted his cape. He slipped on his gloves (when had he taken them off?) and was almost out the door when Remus cleared his throat.

“Hey,” he said softly, “today’s been a bad one for me, too, and with everyone else celebrating… whatever it is they’re celebrating… it’s gonna be tough.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” The Duke sat up. He was gazing at the ground, swinging his legs off the edge of the bed. “I was wondering if maybe, just to keep each other on track, you could come over after your appointment? I can summon us some popcorn, you can have your soda, we can make a night of it?”

Deceit smiled. “I’d love that.”

[gumnut-logic]

We’ll Be Home For Christmas 3.1

Title: We’ll be home for Christmas

Day Three - If not for the courage of the fearless crew – Part 1 Prologue | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3

Author: Gumnut

23 - 27 Dec 2019

Fandom: Thunderbirds Are Go 2015/ Thunderbirds TOS

Rating: Teen

Summary: The boys can’t fly home for Christmas, so they have to find another way.

Word count: 3823

Spoilers & warnings: language and so, so much fluff. Science!Gordon. Artist!Virgil, Minor various ships, mostly background.

Timeline: Christmas Season 3, I have also kinda ignored the main storyline of Season 3. The boys needed a break, so I gave them one. Post season 3B, before Season 3C cos we haven’t seen it yet.

Author’s note: For @scattergraph. This is my 2019 TAG Secret Santa fic :D I hope you enjoy it.

Please note that I am not a scientist, only an artist with mad librarian skillz. I may have stretched a few facts in places here, for which I apologise, though I did research a hell of a lot to get this written (at one point I was only writing one or two lines before I had to research another fact…it was a very long process). I hope you enjoy it anyway. :D

Many thanks to @vegetacide and @scribbles97 for cheering me on and their wonderful support through this craziness. And to @onereyofstarlight for geeking out with me over the setting.

Disclaimer: Mine? You’ve got to be kidding. Money? Don’t have any, don’t bother.

-o-o-o-

 Day Three - If not for the courage of the fearless crew

 When Virgil woke late the next morning, the yacht was already in motion. He sighed as he crawled out of bed, body groaning the entire way.

Stumbling into the living area, he didn’t even have to look for the coffee. John simply met him halfway and handed him a mug.

He inhaled it. The hot beverage ran down his throat and within minutes his brain was beginning to boot.

A hand landed on John’s shoulder in honest gratitude. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Okay, so that grin was a little smug, but the coffee was worth it. That and it was a novelty to have John for breakfast at any time. He squeezed his brother’s shoulder, blaming not enough caffeine for the sudden soppy.

His brother frowned at him. “How are you feeling?”

Okay, that fixed the soppy. He rolled his eyes. “I’m fine.”

The frown turned into a smirk. “Sure. Would you like some eggs? I hid the last of the bacon from Alan, so there is some if you like.”

The soppy returned. You’d think he was on drugs or something. Must be the sea air. “Thanks, John.”

His brother peered at him a little more before ushering him to sit down and busying himself in the kitchenette. It wasn’t long before the tantalising smell of bacon sizzling wafted through the living area.

“Hey! I thought we were out of bacon!” Alan was not impressed as he strode in, game console in hand. “You lied to me!”

John snorted as he placed the plate full of bacon and eggs in front of Virgil along with a glass of orange juice. “So, you would have eaten Virgil’s share?” The arched eyebrow was challenging.

“Nooo.”

“Sure, Alan.” John turned around and walked back into the kitchen obviously not believing his brother.

Alan sat down across from Virgil. “I wouldn’t, honest, Virg.”

Perhaps his littlest brother’s brain was not connected to his hand because Virgil had to slap it away from his plate almost immediately. “Sure, Alan.”

The bacon was good and the eggs just right. Mouth full, “John, this is divine.”

The snort from the kitchenette was loud, but the only comment he received in reply.

Virgil slapped Alan’s hand away again and glared at him. “So, who’s winning the game.”

Alan was immediately distracted. “I was, but then John pulled a stunt with a rogue asteroid, which I’m not entirely sure was legal...” His voice rose specifically in the direction of the kitchenette.

“Game allowed it.”

“Yeah, well, I PM’d the developers and they knew nothing about it!”

“Gregory never remembers what he programs. The guy does it in his sleep half the time.”

“Hah! Grez is totally cool. He said you’re a stick in the mud.”

John wandered back into the room wiping his hands on a tea towel. “Gregory is also a card-carrying member of the Flat Earth society.”

A snort from Alan. “So?”

“The man has been to space, Al. He designs video games, set in space. Explain the logic behind that?”

“Denial? Imagination? A little too much college night life?”

John threw the towel back into the kitchen. “All of the above. So, yeah, game allows it, it’s legal.”

“Well, I’m gonna whip your ass in the void between galaxies. Gonna stoke my ship with engines only you can dream of.”

Taking a seat at the end of the table, John did not appear concerned in the slightest. “Hey, Virgil, would you like to assist me in developing a fictional intergalactic drive.”

An arched eyebrow as he munched on bacon and glanced between the two of them. “Hmmm, sure.”

“Hey! No fair. No engineering brothers allowed. If you get Virgil, I get Brains.”

John grinned. “Go for it. International Rescue could do with one of those.”

Virgil snorted. He loved Brains like a brother, but the man did not know the difference between reality and fiction. Postulate an idea such as this, give him a few hours and he’d have a working theory. Let him go, and he’d build it. The game would be forgotten the moment Alan mentioned the concept.

“You suck.”

“Just using the tools at hand, Alan.”

Virgil blinked. “You just called me a tool.”

John shrugged and opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a string of profanity from their captain up on the bridge. The boat suddenly accelerated, swerving to port, and Virgil had to grab the remains of his breakfast as it tried to slide off the table.

A frowning Scott strode through the room. A worried glance at Virgil and John, he took the most direct route towards the bridge and disappeared. Alan dropped his console onto the lounge and darted after him.

At higher speeds, the boat began to bounce off the wave peaks. Virgil decided that staying put was probably in his best interests and apparently John agreed as he reached out and gently grabbed Virgil’s arm.

“I’m okay.”

“Just making sure.”

He didn’t bother responding to that.

Wherever the boat was going, apparently it got there quickly because it wasn’t at full acceleration for long and it slowed quickly to a stop, her hull wallowing in the water at the sudden lack of forward momentum.

As Virgil pushed himself to his feet, he glared at the hand wrapped around his bicep. John didn’t let go.

“If you fall on your face on my watch, Scott will kill me.”

“I’m fine.”

His brother still didn’t let go. This was ridiculous.

But apparently smother was in the Tracy genetic code, because John held onto him the entire way up to the bridge. Only to find it locked down and empty.

All three brothers were out on the bow of the boat.

He could hear Gordon swearing from here. What the hell had his brother all riled up?

It took his slow way onto the bow - those steps still hurt, damn it - for him to find out.

“It’s caught in her mouth. Goddamnit!”

“Hey, hey, Gordon. We can help her. Tell us what we need to do.” Scott’s voice was tense. Virgil read it clearly as pissed, but needing to calm a brother and fix a problem before blowing a circuit.

What the hell had happened?

“Gordon?”

His fish brother shot distraught eyes in his direction. “We’ve got a humpback calf caught in a gill net. A fucking illegal gill net. Here. I’m gonna string the bastards up and Mel is gonna skin them alive!”

Gordon stormed past Virgil and John, heading towards the back of the boat, thumbing his comms. “Mel, you got your ears on?”

Virgil turned to look out across the surface of the ocean and sure enough a single dark buoy appeared just off to port about fifty metres away. To his horror there was a weak whale spout just as his eyes focussed on the spot.

Scott strode past and gently clasped his shoulder, his eyes bleak before following Gordon aft. Alan hurried after him.

A glance at John found his brother’s professional facade well in place. Gordon could be heard yelling over his comms from the other end of the boat.

The whale breached again.

Shit.

-o-o-o-

Scott followed his little brother as he stormed down the length of his yacht.

“Mel, what the hell do you mean this isn’t the first time.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Gordon, I’m as angry as you, but these assholes know what they are doing. I’ve had the coast guard out here sixteen times in the last year and they haven’t managed to catch one of them. We’ve lost turtles, sunfish, rays and earlier in the season a humpback died of its injuries. We can’t locate the nets. They don’t appear on our scanners.”

“Well, they appear on mine and I’m not putting up with this crap.”

“Any help is appreciated, Gordon. If I knew you’d be able to detect them, I would have called you in earlier. If you can give us the locations, it would be much appreciated.”

“I’ll get John on it immediately. In the meantime, we have an injured calf and a distressed mother to attend to.”

“Do you want me down there?”

His brother paused a moment and dragged in a calming breath. “I’ll do an assessment. If I need help, I’ll call Kayo to come get you.”

“Keep me in the loop, Thunderfish. Play it safe. Mamma Humpback is going to be anxious.” A pause. “Sorry your vacation has been interrupted.”

“Screw my vacation. We’re gonna get these bastards.” Scott didn’t think he had ever seen his brother so angry. It was understandable. “Speak to you soon. A Little Lightning out.”

Gordon immediately turned to Scott. “We have a situation.”

Scott let his head drop just a little in acknowledgment. “Yes, we do. This is yours, Thunderbird Four. Tell me what you need.”

-o-o-o-

With the power of TB5 they discovered an intricate network of netting just to the west of the Kermadecs, trailing intermittently down their full length. To regular sensors they were invisible, but to IR sensors they were a flicker. A flicker John was able to focus on and bring up a clear picture.

Gordon, now dressed in his IR uniform, swore a bluestreak at how many nets were actually out there. John put him through to WASP Command and Gordon gave a very colourful report to the regional commander, who just happened to be a former squad mate of his. Her response was more formal, but no less colourful.

With tight expressions, Gordon, Scott and Alan climbed into the inflatable dingy and rowed their way out to the beleaguered cetacean. Gordon used the effort to push his anger into the oars. He couldn’t afford to have his thoughts clouded by the bastards who had done this.

Sensors told him the calf had a net caught in its mouth and wrapped around its right pectoral fin. The fine mesh hung down its left side, dangling into the depths where it had caught on a snag. The chances of it catching right there were ridiculously small, the waters so deep between the islands. But the net was hundreds of metres long, weighted, and, even tangled, it reached down far enough to snag itself on a submerged pile of rock.

Hell, he was going to need Four to get down that deep to get the net out of the water.

If the calf had been snagged while diving, she wouldn’t have been able to surface to breathe and would have drowned.

Bastards!

Scott darted a glance at Gordon. The aquanaut held his gaze. His eldest brother was dressed in an IR wetsuit. It was startling to see him out of his familiar uniform. Gone was his flight baldric and in its place, yellow slashed across his blue, visibility more the priority underwater. The only concessions to his commander rank were his shoulder patches and twin silver-grey bands on that yellow baldric. Alan was dressed similarly, but where Scott sported silver, Alan sported red. Neither had their helmets on.

Gordon had only mentioned the suits to Scott when preparing for this venture because he had hoped to enjoy some recreational diving. Their suits were far above average equipment, so why not use the best to have a little fun?

Scott had rolled his eyes, but five wetsuits had been thrown into their luggage. They had supposed to be used for sharing his world with his brothers.

Gordon swore under his breath again and tugged at the oars angrily.

“We’ll fix this.” Scott’s voice was calm, ever the commander when on duty. And on duty they were.

When he got his hands on those assholes...

“A Little Lightning to Inflatable. Mother Humpback is on the move towards you.” John had been tracking her frantic circles around her calf.

Gordon dropped the oars and grabbed his scanner. Sure enough, the worried behemoth was angling in towards them. She posed a serious threat despite their benign intentions.

“Roger that, A Little Lightning.”

The inflatable stilled in the water, three pairs of eyes stared out across the surface.

“Be quiet. Here she comes.”

Not twenty metres away, the mother surfaced, her spout spraying them all with angry water. Her huge mass coasted just under the surface and beelined to her daughter.

Gordon’s heart lurched at the distressed groans she made as she nuzzled her trapped calf.

“I’m going in.” He shoved his helmet on.

Scott caught his arm. “Are you sure that is wise?”

He caught his brother’s worried eyes. “You are just going to have to trust me. I know what I am doing.”

A bitten lip, but Scott nodded once and let him go.

Gordon slipped quietly over the edge of the inflatable and into the water.

-o-o-o-

Virgil stood on the bridge of A Little Lightning and swallowed hard. It was frustrating to be caught unable to do anything, but in this kind of situation, it wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling.

Usually, though, he was hovering in Two far above the surface.

John stood beside him, a mission hologram projecting from his tablet, his hands playing the portable controls as smoothly as Virgil played his piano. Eos spoke up quietly, relaying reports from WASP as the organisation swooped in on the illegal fishing organisation somewhere off to the west. His brothers’ vitals danced in one corner, the readout from the sensors and the now deployed sensor buoy hung beside them.

Virgil could only watch.

“Gordon, approach with extreme care. The mother is emitting infrasound, beyond our hearing. She is very distressed.” John’s voice was sharp, but calm as the sensors traced the sound pattern in the air before him.

Whispered. “FAB, John. I can feel it. She may be calling for help. Silence on comms.”

And Virgil realised he could feel it, too. A rumble in his bones, a wail so deep it could only be felt, not heard.

He closed his eyes.

He felt her shift octaves, the sound pulsing, her thrum desperate. It vibrated at the edge of his sensory perception, slipping in and out, barely felt in his body tissues, his fingertips, the sensitive incisions in his gut.

“Virgil? You okay?”

John’s soft voice startled him, throwing him out of focus. “What?”

He received a copper frown for his efforts. “You’re pale.”

“I’m fine.”

Green eyes narrowed, but his brother didn’t comment further. He returned to his holograms, bringing up a satellite lifesign read of the area.

“We’re receiving a reply.” John frowned. “Another. Several. Locating sources. Eos, give me a narrow frequency band and pinpoint.” The AI didn’t answer but several dots appeared on the satellite view. John waved a hand and zoomed in on a cluster in the Southern Ocean. The view focussed and cleared and Virgil was again amazed at Brains’ skill as the surface of the ocean appeared and a pod of whales was defined. They were all travelling in a south-easterly direction.

Over two thousand kilometres from the mother and calf. John zoomed out again and scanned for a closer answer. He found one but it was still fifteen hundred kilometres distant. Far too far away to return to help the distraught mother.

But then another signal came in, this one only three hundred kilometres away to the south-east. John narrowed in on the location, only to find another mother and calf.

“Is that the mother and calf we encountered two days ago?” The subjects of his painting.

“More than likely. Gordon did say it was very late in the season. The humpback whales migrate from tropical waters north-west to south-east across the Kermadec Ridge on their way to feeding grounds near Antarctica during spring. That places the nets in the optimal position to do the most damage.”

Virgil stared at the kilometres of lines denoting the position of so many illegal fishing nets.”

“Do you think WASP will be able to stop this?” His voice came out parched and cold, an echo of the anger building inside.

“They will do their best. Gordon won’t rest, you know that. I’ve also asked Penny to investigate. This impinges on Tracy Industries’ ecological interests so I have contacted the board.” His lips thinned. “We will find those responsible.”

The lines taunted him. How many? How many lives had been taken moments before sanctuary?

“Virgil?”

The mother shifted octaves again and he found himself closing his eyes.

A hand landed on his arm. Soft. “Virgil?”

He startled. John’s turquoise eyes were frowning at him again.

“She’s terrified.”

“Gordon will free her calf.”

“She doesn’t know that.”

Her thrum was in his bones, vibrating his very soul.

And then the calf cried out.

-o-o-o-

Gordon had always felt small beside his brothers, but floating next to a leviathan of the open ocean there was no comparison.

The mother humpback was nuzzling her calf, a mixture of chirps and groans vibrated through the water accompanied by the modulating infrasound, screaming fear across the Pacific.

Knowledge of cetaceans scrolled through Gordon’s mind, but instinct was yelling at him.

Never get between a mother and her baby.

But the baby was in pain and her mother was unable to help her.

He could.

He edged closer, ever quiet, calm.

Mamma shifted in his direction, her great head swinging around and tossing him about in the resultant wake. Gordon caught himself and took the opportunity to slip in even closer.

C’mon, beautiful, I don’t mean you any harm. I’m here to help.

He reached out and touched the calf’s flank.

The calf shifted away, crying out and her mother propelled herself forward towards Gordon.

He darted backwards, holding up a hand. “Hey, hey, I’m here to help.” She couldn’t understand the words, but perhaps the intent?

A groan wrapped around him, followed by a click.

“Gordon!” Scott’s voice echoed about his helmet.

And into the water around him.

Shit.

He scrambled backwards as Mamma reacted. Surging forward she nudged him hard enough to force him to the surface. “Woah!” He got a brief glimpse of Scott gesticulating at him from the inflatable, obviously agitated and then everything was bubbles.

He lost orientation for a moment and just settled for swimming away from the chaos.

“Goddamnit, Gordon, answer me!”

“Shut up, Scott. I’ve got this! Silence on comms!”

He dove.

Deep.

He relied on his suit to keep his body pressure static as he propelled himself fifty metres straight down.

Sunlight flickered turquoise and disappeared into the depths.

Mamma didn’t follow.

Gordon hovered there a moment, looking up at the silhouettes of the two whales and the dingy far above. Mamma returned to nuzzling her calf, her pectoral fins churning the water into bubbles with the smallest movements.

Okay, Gords, you’ve got this. Gentle, calm and persistent.

He began his ascent.

-o-o-o-

Virgil tensed as his brother was thrown from the water only to disappear and dive down deep.

Gordon’s snarl across comms at Scott was acid.

The mother’s call shifted an octave to the point Virgil could almost hear the clear C, F, and G notes hanging in the air.

Three hundred kilometres away, the second mother and calf answered and turned around.

Virgil stared at the dots on John’s map as they slowly began moving towards them. It would take them a good chunk of the day and night to reach the distressed calf, but the other mother was answering the call.

John’s monitor sketched out the answer, far below human hearing and far too distant to be felt.

A complicated, pulsating aria of sound.

It wove around the mother’s distress call, each note dancing with its partner, an answer in form as well as content.

Staring at the readout, he found himself humming the notes, switching cadence, following the thread.

The rumble in his throat spoke counterpoint to the song in his bones. It completed. It felt...reassuring.

“Virgil?”

“What?!” He blinked. Shocked at his own outburst as John took a step back, Virgil drew in a shaky breath. “Sorry.”

John’s voice was quiet. “What is it?”

Virgil stared at his brother, then back at the sensor buoy’s holographic display showing Gordon swimming up the water column. “Can we transmit sound into the water?”

It was John’s turn to blink. “Of course.”

“At infrasound levels?”

John pulled up the buoy’s specs and Virgil knew the answer before his brother could vocalise it.

“Wait there.”

He had an idea.

-o-o-o-

The sight of the abrasions on the side of the calf’s mouth physically hurt Gordon. He swam up slowly beside the calf on the other side from its mother. He kept quiet but made sure the calf knew he was there.

It edged closer to its mother.

“Hey, beautiful. I’m not going to hurt you.”

She whined, her sonics vibrating through him.

Mamma growled in the way only a mamma whale could and, blowing spray up into the air, drew in breath and dove.

She slipped below her daughter and targeted Gordon.

Oh shit.

He flung himself to the left and down. He could manoeuvre easily around her, but...

...her tail swung and he was caught in a rush of wake, bubbles and the need to avoid the whacking she was trying to give him.

“Okay, I get the message. But Mom, you’re going to have to back off or your baby is going to die.” The calf could last only so long before exhaustion and predators put an end to her struggles.

Mamma swam around in a tight circle and for a moment one of her great eyes caught his, her intelligence and fear glaring at him through the turquoise light.

His external mic picked up a single note.

What?

The note shifted and became more of a wail, cut off and was silent.

Mamma whale was still staring at him.

Another note. Again it was modulated, but this time his brother’s voice accompanied it, Virgil’s raw baritone holding the note for a few seconds before shifting down his range to another note. His keyboard, for there was no doubt that Virgil had his keyboard with him, emitted a series of low moans.

Gordon shivered.

His brother was playing infrasonic, he could feel it, no doubt using the transmitter on the buoy.

Mamma was still staring at him.

He could give his brother all the points for effort, but there had yet to be a case where humans could communicate with whales. Many had tried. Most were ignored. The most success had been achieved with touch, which is what Gordon was attempting to do.

If he could get close enough without having his head handed to him.

Virgil shifted from single notes to a more complex weaving of sounds, combining his voice with the keyboard in a way he had never quite heard from his brother.

Mamma blinked.

Clicked three times.

And let off a wail of sound that tore at his heart.

Virgil answered.

-o-o-o-

End Day Three, Part One

Day Three, Part Two

[holdyourbreathuntilyouseelight]

The Bodyguard - Chapter 9

Summary: Magnus is a dancing popstar sensation whose popularity continues to climb. Alec, an ex-Secret Service agent, is hired on as a professional bodyguard in charge of Mr. Bane’s personal security by insistence of Magnus’ manager. Despite their initial differences, Magnus finds himself falling for Alec the more time they spend getting to know each other and relies on him for more than physical security as his safety gets threatened. Loosely based on the 1992 film The Bodyguard.

Rating: M+

Genre: AU, Everyone is Human AU, Celebrity!Magnus, Bodyguard!Alec, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Fluff, Friendship, Romance, Eventual Smut, Mutual Pining

Author: holdyourbreathuntilyouseelight

A/N: Sorry for the extreme delay, my lovelies! I wanted to make sure I had the rest of the fic set up and ready to go so I could post each quickly. I'll try to post one every day until it's done! (Try not to die of shock). One more chapter after this and then an epilogue. Thanks for sticking with me and this story!!

Click here to read on AO3.

Previous chapters on tumblr: Prologue // Chapter 1 // Chapter 2 // Chapter 3 // Chapter 4 // Chapter 5 // Chapter 6 // Chapter 7 // Chapter 8

* * * * *

Back at the hotel, Alec left Magnus at the front door as he did his usual sweep.

They hadn't spoken a word the entire walk back, and Alec felt like he was going to jump out of his skin. His cells were humming with energy, anxious for his body to finally act on what he had been denying it for months.

"All clear." Alec said quietly when he was finally done, and he peeked at Magnus' face to try to read where his head was.

Magnus nodded, licking his lips, and Alec couldn't hold back any longer.

He grabbed the front of Magnus' shirt to yank him forward and their lips crashed together.

Magnus kissed him back hungrily, twisting his fingers in Alec's hair as they stumbled into each other. Alec's mouth opened to him like butter, tongue gliding to meet his as they tangled together. The only sounds in the room were the short, hot breaths between them and the desperate pressing of lips.

Magnus immediately moved to rid Alec of his belt, tugging it out of the loops and the force causing their hips to press together even further. He didn't hesitate to rub up into his personal space so he could feel how aroused he was at where things were heading.

Alec's head was spinning. He knew he was breaking some major rules engaging in this with a client, but he didn't care. He always did the 'right' thing – he wanted to do what he wanted for once. And he very much wanted Magnus.

Magnus seemed to share the sentiment. He dug at the rest of Alec's clothes in a desperate attempt to get them out of the way. Alec returned the gesture, letting the articles fall whenever they managed to remove one, and they both nearly lost their balance on more than one occasion.

"You know, for a dancer, your balance needs some work." Alec teased as he held Magnus steady while he stepped out of his slacks.

Magnus rolled his eyes. "Being a dancer may involve poise, but it also means I am quite flexible. A fact you will soon be very grateful for." he promised before latching his mouth onto Alec's neck.

Alec let them fall back against the nearest wall, hand slipping into Magnus' hair as his head tipped to welcome more of Magnus' lips against his sensitive skin.

Magnus didn't seem to care that he was sucking bruises into very obvious spots that would be impossible to hide the next day. A part of Alec cared, but it was drowned out by the spike of arousal that hit him when Magnus finally stood naked before him and finished undressing Alec a moment later.

God, it had been a while, but Alec knew he had never been so eager to be with someone like this before.

Alec ran his hands down Magnus' bare chest, stroking the hard muscle below his belly button and trying not to flush at how close Magnus' hard cock was to his hand.

"Bedroom." Magnus demanded, leading him to a much softer surface to continue on.

Alec tried to keep the grin off his face as they near-toppled to the bed, fallen clothes tangling around their feet as they moved through the room.

Magnus was burying his laughs in Alec's chest as Alec tumbled on top of him.

"Hmm, you certainly are graceful yourself." Magnus teased.

Alec kissed him to shut him up, pressing his body down into his partner's so he could feel every line of him.

Magnus groaned at that, rutting his hips up against him. "God, I can't wait for you to get inside me."

Alec froze for a moment, stunned by the comment, and Magnus immediately tensed underneath him.

"I mean, not that we have to do that. Or that way. I didn't mean to assume—"

"No, no. It's not that." Alec told him, holding himself above Magus so he could look him in the eyes properly. "I just… That sounds amazing. Truly. I've just only ever… been on the receiving end."

Magnus smiled wickedly. "Oh, well then, if you think you're up for trying something new…."

Alec licked his lips, unable to help return the smile, and pink crossed his cheeks. "I am. God, I definitely am. I've always wanted to try it. My ex was sort of… well, he struggled with being gay, and I guess a part of him felt it was less gay to be on top, so I always bottomed."

Magnus sighed. "Internalized homophobia can certainly warp someone's thinking. Somehow, having sex with a man wasn't gay enough, but anyways…"

"Yes, yes, he was an idiot." Alec mused, dipping down to capture Magnus' mouth in his again, hands tracing the curves of his waist and hips. He was eager to get back to what they were doing.

He reached around to cup Magnus' ass, pulling so they could both get a little friction to release some of the building tension. He still was having trouble believing this was really happening, but his body certainly was going to ruin it all if he didn't take back some control.

Magnus slipped out from beneath him, Alec grumbling when he dodged his kiss, and he rummaged around in his nighttable drawer.

"You know, I've kept this in here at every hotel for the last dozen in the hopes this would happen. My hand was getting awful lonely being the sole user." Magnus teased as he dropped the bottle of lube next to them.

"Magnus. I'm trying to last here." Alec muttered, not able to ignore the flare of desire that sparked at the image of Magnus slickly stroking himself one room over from Alec during the tour.

Magnus simply grinned wickedly in response, shuffling in time with him as they got into a better position.

Alec poured an overly generous amount of lubricant on his fingers and held his breath as he let his damp fingers slip behind Magnus to touch him intimately.

Magnus' back arched as he finally made contact and he pulled his legs towards his chest to give Alec better access.

There was that flexibility he promised. Alec tried not to think about it as he began to breach him, nearly losing his mind with how quickly his body welcomed more.

Magnus was groaning, hips following his movement like he was chasing the burn, and Alec had to grip himself at the base to stem off his oncoming climax. Magnus looked utterly wrecked like this, sweat making his hair stick to his forehead, his skin flushed and slightly glistening, his lips red from their kissing and biting his lip to control his noises. God, Alec was absolutely enraptured with this man.

"Please, Alexander. I can't wait anymore. I need you."

Magnus' voice was just as wrecked, and Alec breathed heavily through his nose to suck back in some semblance of control.

Finally ready, he licked his lips, swallowing and moving forward to position himself. It was strange being on the other side of things, but he had imagined it so many times. He never would have predicted his first foray would be with Magnus Bane of all people, but no part of him was disappointed.

He near-gasped when the tip of him slipped inside and was immediately enveloped with tight, delicious heat. It was nothing like getting off with a tightened fist or even a well-trained mouth.

"Nngh, fuck."

"Mm, you feel so good. Keep going." Magnus encouraged, voice like honey and silk.

Alec was near-shaking in the effort to not finish things right then, but he managed to push his hips forward to have Magnus take more of him.

He started slow, wanting Magnus to get used to the intrusion, but Magnus was wrapping his legs around him before long.

"I won't break, Alec." he told him, stroking his cheek before pulling him into a soft kiss.

Alec deepened the kiss before pushing his pelvis forward. The appreciative moan from Magnus only spurred him on. He wanted to give him so much pleasure, wanted to utterly ruin him the way he was ruining Alec.

His thrusts picked up speed and power, his hands tugging Magnus' thighs to better position the pair of them, and Magnus cried out at one particularly deep hit. He knew he had finally located his prostate, the spot that no doubt made him see stars any time it was brushed.

Alec couldn't keep up with coordinated kissing while they were moving together so desperately, so he settled for placing his lips against his neck and breathing hotly against the skin there as he snapped his hips over and over again, ensuring he hit that spot dead-on every time.

Magnus was crying out beneath him, nails digging into Alec's back and raking across the tensed muscles there as he met his thrusts with all the power and eagerness one would expect.

"A-Alec. Alexander." he cried, hand slipping to his own neglected cock to stroke himself off in time with their lovemaking.

"Magnus." Alec breathed out, unable to stop his body this time as his pleasure crested and he stuttered his release inside Magnus.

Magnus followed not long after, trembling as he painted Alec's chest and stomach with his climax.

They stayed intertwined for a few minutes, just catching their breath and letting the aftershocks of pleasure settle into their bones.

Alec's arms felt like jelly as he maneuvered himself backwards and off the bed, ignoring the disappointment that crossed his skin from separating himself from Magnus.

He padded into the adjacent bathroom and came back with a warm washcloth to clean them both up.

Magnus hummed delightedly in response as Alec wiped between his legs to rid him of the remnants of Alec's release and residual lube.

Alec finally tossed the towel somewhere to their left and climbed up the bed to collapse into the pillows.

Magnus reached out for him and nestled into his side, head moving to rest on his chest.

Alec let his fingers play with his damp hair, stroking gentle patterns along his scalp.

"God, Alec. I fear for my ability to control myself now that I know sex with you is like that."

Alec couldn't help but glow with pride from the inside out. "Well we still have the last of the tour to get through and then the Grammys. Outside of public appearances, there's nothing to stop us from spending all of our time in our shared room."

Magnus chuckled. "Always the professional first, sexy boyfriend second."

"Hmm you'll get used to it." Alec teased, trying not to beam at the term boyfriend falling so casually from Magnus' mouth. He thought he had interpreted Magnus' feelings as more than just attraction and desire for sex, but it was nice to have it confirmed so quickly.

"I hope so." Magnus mumbled, nuzzling into him further as the beginnings of sleep began to steal his consciousness.

Alec settled down more comfortably and let the exhaustion take hold.

* * * * *

Waking in the morning, Magnus was warm and more comfortable than he could ever remember being. He had no desire to get up or move, so tempted to let the heavy tug of drowsiness allow him to slip back into sleep.

His limbs were tangled with Alec's, and, as he shifted to a more comfortable position, he felt Alec began to stir next to him.

"Good morning." Magnus murmured.

"Morning." Alec replied, voice still thick with sleep.

Magnus reached out to brush the wavy hair off of Alec's forehead.

The action caused Alec to smile softly at him, until his expression changed to mild panic. "Oh damn. I've got to go run training drills with the team."

Magnus shuffled backwards to put some space between them. "Oh."

Alec's face twisted into a pleased smirk. "I'm kidding. Just kidding. Did you really think I was going to go?"

"No, of course not." Magnus lied, scratching at his ear in a hopefully disarming gesture.

Alec chuckled, clearly not buying it, and Magnus tried not to get defensive on reflex.

"I'm not going anywhere." Alec promised, reaching out to intertwine their hands.

Magnus smiled at that. "Honestly, I expected you to have a freakout this morning about the whole crossing-the-professional-line thing and go running off."

Alec lay on his back, pulling Magnus into his side so he could rest his head on his chest. "Mmm. Maybe if you hadn't exhausted me so much."

"You better not be too tired. I plan on repeating last night this morning, and maybe even trying some new things too."

"Magnus, it's your final tour date tonight. Don't you want to conserve your energy to give it your all?"

"Hmm… nah. I'd much rather ravish you."

Alec laughed, pulling him up to kiss him and make good on Magnus' promise, morning breath be damned.

* * * * *

Alec sensed it as soon as he walked into the dark hotel room. He didn't know what it was that set him off – maybe a lingering scent of perfume – but the hairs on the back of his neck stood up instantly.

Magnus had finished his final tour date with a bang, and Alec was relieved when they had finally finished with the endless fans outside and had taken the limo back to the hotel.

If only they had been free of danger once away from the venue, but Alec knew now that they weren't that lucky. He put a hand out to halt Magnus' walking.

Magnus picked up on his tense posture. "Alexander…?"

Alec hushed him with a flick of his hand. He slipped his glock out of his thigh holster and pulled back the safety.

"Stay here." he murmured to Magnus, stalking forward into the room.

Should he call Luke or Andrew to take him to a safe place?

He supposed it was possible he was just being paranoid. His instincts were screaming at him that something was not right and he had always trusted his gut. He wasn't about to question it now.

Sure enough, when he cleared the main areas and pushed the door of the bedroom open, there was a figure sitting on the floor, only the moonlight illuminating their silhouette.

Still, depsite the darkness, Alec recognized her instantly.

"Iris." Alec said, not lowering his gun. She had no reason to be just sitting in the bedroom of a private hotel room that she shouldn't have a key for.

No reason except one.

"You and Magnus have been busy." she slurred, jutting a foot out to kick at the garbage can next to the bed.

Alec knew there were multiple used condoms in there. He tried not to let the bile exit his mouth at the idea that she snooped and came across such a thing. He was not ashamed of his and Magnus' sex life, however new, but he was a naturally private person and having someone see physical evidence of it was uncomfortable.

He watched her tip back a bottle of something dark amber into her mouth, and, based on the wrappings scattered next to her, he had a feeling she had gone through the whole thing in one sitting. There were only a few mouthfuls left and it was not a small bottle.

"Iris, what are you doing here?" Alec asked, keeping his eyes on her back leaning against the side of the bed while he silently texted Luke to get to their room immediately to remove Magnus.

Before he could press send, Iris responded.

"I wanted to know for sure. I see the way he looks at you. Has always looked at you. He's never looked at me that way. Never, in all our years of knowing each other. Hell, he never even looked at Camille like that. That wretch."

"Okay… So you're here to prove that Magnus and I are together? You've done that. So now what?"

Iris blew out a breath, leaning her head back against the bed. The new angle gave him a view of what was sitting next to her. He held his gun steadier, not wanting to give her the chance to use hers.

"Alex. Alec. Do you believe in karma?"

"I… what?"

She scoffed in annoyance, impressively irritated despite her level of intoxication. "Sometimes, irony is a bitch, and karma even more so. I've been so stupid. So, so stupid. How I ever thought my luck could turn around…"

"Iris, what are you talking about?"

He already knew. He just needed to hear her say it. He clicked record on his phone.

"It was me, Alec. The reason why you were hired."

"You placed a bomb disguised as a doll in Magnus' dressing room, which prompted Raphael to finally take the threatening letters seriously and hire a bodyguard?"

"No. I sent the letters."

"You sent the letters?"

It wasn't Alec who asked the question, and he whipped around to see Magnus standing behind him.

"Magnus. Leave. Now." Alec growled.

Magnus was stubborn as always. "No. Iris, you sent the letters? The ones that threatened to kill me? You… you claimed my death was imminent… that I had everything and you had nothing…"

"Well it's true!" Iris slurred in a shout, whirling around to glare daggers at Magnus. "You and I were supposed to have a band together, remember? Get famous and be successful as a team?"

"Iris, we were thirteen at the time!" Magnus shouted in exasperation, his incredulity overshadowing his fear.

"So? I never gave up on it. I never gave up on you. You always saw me for me, Magnus… and then a couple weeks with this brooding giant and you're head over heels? I've waited years! Hoping one day you would see the truth – that the only person right for you is me. What we could do together. You auditioned for that talent show years ago, but did you forget that quick that I did too? And while you got put straight through I only got half the votes and didn't pass even the initial audition. And then you hire me on as an assistant to your personal manager? What did you think I would do? Be grateful? You hired me as an underling to your underling! You have all of these connections and you didn't even think to try to make my dreams come true too?"

"There are so many things wrong with that I can't even being to unpack it, but Iris, I thought I was helping you. You had been unemployed for almost two years and had been abusing drugs and alcohol to cope. Giving you a structured schedule and accountability on being somewhere pulled you away from that life."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh the great Magnus, saving the day!"

"I was trying to be a friend to you, Iris!"

"Well I don't want to be your friend, Magnus!"

"So you threaten to kill me?"

That sobered her up instantly. "No… I… I only meant to scare you. Hoped you'd cancel the tour. Have it disappoint your fans and lower your fame. Hoped the photos of you in your home would make you want to move somewhere inconspicuous or hide away from the world until it forgot you. I never wanted to hurt you – just destroy your career."

"And in what reality would destroying everything I've worked for and built not hurt me?"

"Maybe it would make you remember who you were and where you came from! Remind you that these superficial people are not your real friends! They don't know you like I know you! They will never understand you like I will! You think Alec would even look twice at you if you were still an abused foster kid who graffitied the town?"

"Don't speak about Alec. You don't know him. But he knows me. More than you ever have or will."

Alec stepped in front of Magnus, not liking the wild look in Iris' eyes at that. He wasn't even sure Magnus noticed the gun next to her. Her hand had been gravitating towards it more during their argument, and he knew Magnus insulting her wasn't helping.

"If I mean so little to you then why am I even here? What's the point?" Iris shouted, hand grasping the gun next to her.

Alec shielded Magnus, raising his own to aim directly at Iris.

Instead of targeting Magnus, she pressed the gun to her temple.

"Iris, no!" Magnus shouted, horrified and trying to fight Alec's sturdy hold on him.

"Why do you even care?!" she screeched.

Before Magnus could respond, Luke was bursting into the room with Raj in tow, and Alec took that opportunity to back Magnus out of the room.

If Alec wasn't so busy near-tackling Magnus to get him out of harm's way, he would've been pretty impressed with his team for their disarming capabilities. They managed to get the gun away from a now-sobbing Iris and half-carried her out of the suite.

"I love you, Magnus! I've always loved you!"

Magnus looked stunned even as her cries grew further away.

Alec stepped into his line of vision to gently get his attention. "I have to help them take care of things. Will you be all right for a few minutes?"

Magnus seemed to deflate instantly as the reality of the situation finally sunk in.

"Magnus?" Alec prompted, eyebrows furrowing now at the lost look on his boyfriend's face.

"I… I'm just going to get in the shower. I'll be fine, Alexander. Go."

Alec didn't believe him, but he knew he had to handle things with Iris. He was head of security – he couldn't just bow out because he didn't want to leave Magnus' side when he seemed emotionally vulnerable.

He knew he didn't have a choice, so he let Magnus process things solo while he went to speak to the police.

* * * * *

He found Magnus sitting alone on the end of the bed after everything was handled, not even a light on in the room. It was clear he was still stuck in troubling thoughts if the expression on his face was anything to go by.

"Magnus?"

Magnus barely even blinked in response.

Alec lowered himself to sit down next to him. "Magnus, are you okay?"

"I can't believe it was Iris. I've known her longer than most, almost as long as Cat." he said hoarsely.

Alec simply rested a comforting hand on his knee, not wanting to crowd Magnus' space when he was still processing something of such magnitude.

"What's going to happen to her?"

Alec sighed. "Well, given her clear mental instability, she will be evaluated by a psychiatrist at the precinct. They'll be transferring her back to New York since that's where she normally lives. If I had to guess, I assume she'll be admitted instead of imprisoned."

"That's probably for the best. She…" he trailed off. "I just can't believe this."

"I know." Alec murmured, not really sure what other comfort he could offer.

"I know I can be flirty with just about anybody… but I purposely never was with her. I knew she had feelings for me. I had hoped they had ended in our youth or at least died down over the years but clearly I was naïve. I should have made things clearer, actually confronted her about them and let her know I didn't see her that way. My reluctance to endure an uncomfortable conversation led to… well, all of this." he said, gesturing around the room, which Alec understood to mean his hiring and the drama of the night.

"Magnus, you can't shoulder all of the blame. All that she said… it's her own mind twisting things to rationalize her actions. She needs psychiatric help and likely has for some time. And you could blame me for giving in to my feelings and getting involved with you, since that clearly set her off."

Magnus sighed, apparently getting his point. "I don't know what to do now. What happens next?"

"Well, we're transferring all the evidence to New York in the event Iris does need to go through a trial. I had it routed directly to Jace so he can keep us updated. They'll process it, prove the link to her if she won't admit to it."

"Perks of having a brother as a lead detective on the force." Magnus laid back on the bed, exhaling slowly. "This feels like someone else's life sometimes, but never more than it does today."

"How about we forget about it for a while? Watch some trashy TV and make fun of reality show contestants or something?"

Magnus smiled, climbing up the bed further and snuggling up to Alec when he laid next to him.

"Mm. I knew you were the man for me." he teased, kissing him softly before resting his head against Alec's chest and flipping the hotel TV on.

Alec held him close, glad to have the physical proof that Magnus was okay.

After all those months of fear, it was so strange to realize it was over. They were safe.

He should've known to listen to his gut when it was still tight with anticipation.

It wasn't over yet.

* * * * *

Continue to Chapter 10

[calucadu]

Missing - Chapter 2

Missing, a League of Legends Fanfic. Chapter 2.

Summary: When a yordle goes missing, all Hell breaks loose. Or maybe it’s the best thing that could’ve happened to him.

Characters: Rumble, Ziggs, Tristana, Teemo, Poppy, Heimerdinger, Vi, Caitlyn

Rating: Mature

Prologue // Previous chapter // Next chapter

Read on AO3

Read on fanfiction.net

Or read below the cut

Ziggs P.O.V.

 I wasn’t happy about my hunch being correct, but at least it was something. I had run to my room and came up with a quick sketch of the Institute and the buildings surrounding it. I tried to make it as simple and realistic as possible and when I had it done, I looked over it quickly, to check if anything was missing. Then I hurried to find Tristana, who was with Teemo. I hadn’t included him in my plans, but another brain on the job was actually a positive thing. I explained briefly what had happened and what we’d found and I showed them my map, explaining roughly where the security cameras were located. They listened intently and even asked a few questions.

“So, you’re saying” Teemo spoke after I’d finished “that if Tristy had left the Institute, she would’ve been spotted by the cameras here or here.”

“Yeah.”

“But you watched the footage and you found nothing.”

“But where is the mech, then? Where’s Rumble? How come they’ve disappeared?” Tristana asked, her brow furrowed as she inspected my drawings.

“I don’t know! That’s what we need to find out!” I nearly yelled, throwing my hands up into the air before they rested against my head.

“And the magic detectors, are they reliable?”

“They told me they were 100% trustworthy. Like, they can’t be wrong, all magic leaves traces and all magic can be detected.”

“Let’s look at it from a different point of view.” Teemo started, frowning. “Why don’t we treat it as if Rumble’s disappearance and Tristy’s disappearance are two different things?”

“But that’s impossible!” I whined, slamming my head against the table.

“Hear me out, Ziggs. Let’s focus on finding Rumble. So there are no security cameras in the living areas. What if he just took off from there?”

“No, I’m with Ziggs. There’s no way Tristy and Rumble’s disappearances are a coincidence. But this doesn’t add up. They didn’t teleport their way out, they didn’t leave using the main gates…”

We discussed it for a few minutes, feeling like it got us nowhere. So, I decided we should take a break. It was getting pretty late, and it had been a long time since I’d had anything to eat. With all the things going on, I’d ignored my grumbling tummy.

“I’m going to get some food. You want anything? We can’t come up with something on an empty stomach.” I said, getting up.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll look over your sketches while you’re gone.” Tristana said, shaking her head.

“I must say, these drawings are impressive, Ziggs.” Teemo whispered, a small smile on his lips. “Didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Yeah, he’s quite the artist.” The female yordle answered, grinning back at him.

“Thanks.” I muttered, my mind elsewhere. “Teemo? You want anything?”

“Eh? No, thanks. We had dinner a while ago.”

On my way to the canteen to see if they had any leftover food, I found Poppy and Heirmendinger talking, probably about Rumble. I asked them to join me and they followed me while she was explaining what had happened earlier.

I offered her some food, which she gladly took. She had skipped dinner with me to watch the footage, and then we’d just forgotten, too wrapped up in the recent events.

The two yordles went back with me and Poppy and I started eating while they went over what we already knew. They were silent before Heimerdinger spoke.

“The only explanation I can come up with” He said, his finger tracing over the drawings “is that Rumble tampered with the security cameras.”

“What?” I asked, incredulous.

“It’s literally the only thing that makes sense. No magic, he just vanishes? It’s scientifically impossible.”

“But he wouldn’t do that!”

“He would if he wants to get away! And to me it seems pretty clear that he does! Rumble’s good with this kind of thing. He could’ve forced the tape to loop or something while he escaped.”

We were all silent, letting that sink in.

“He’s pretty smart, Ziggs.” Poppy whispered, crestfallen. “If he’d wanted to leave, he’d make sure to make it impossible for us to track him down.”

“Did he know about the security cameras?” Teemo asked.

“They are pretty obvious to spot.” Tristana stated, pointing at one in the corner.

“I didn’t know that there were security cameras!” I lashed out at them, my fists hitting the table. “What makes you think he would know?”

“There’s one right there! Anyone could spot them! You’re just not very observant.” Poppy seemed pretty frustrated, but not as much as I was.

“And Rumble is?” I inquired, defensively. I knew him better than any of these yordles, and there they were, pretending that they did.

“He noticed when I got a new haircut.” Tristana whispered, looking down at her intertwined hands. No doubt she thought that Heimerdinger was right.

“That’s because he likes you.” I snapped back at her.

“Ziggs.” Poppy’s face had softened. She placed a hand on my shoulder and gazed into my eyes with what was probably a comforting look. “I know you’re only acting like this because you don’t want the truth to sink in, but I think you need to calm down.”

“You calm down when it’s your best friend that’s missing!” I snarled, getting up and brushing her off. “I’m leaving for Bandle. Where did I put my rucksack?”

I looked around me frantically until Heirmedinger cleared his throat, forcing me to look at him.

“Ziggs, don’t do this. Don’t put your career on the line for him.” He warned, his face stern.

“He’ll be back, Ziggs.” Teemo smiled, probably thinking that would make me calmer. “And with another mech or something. Maybe he just needs some alone time.”

“Just because you’re a loner doesn’t mean he fucking is.” I growled, taking him aback. His face showed surprise and then sadness and I clicked my tongue. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. It’s just… I don’t think this is like when he made Tristy. He warned me then. He was excited about it. He wanted to prove his point. This time he’s just vanished and we’ve got no lead and it’s really upsetting… and…”

I started sniffing and sobbing at that point. I let my body fall limp against the chair and I felt Tristana hold my hand and smile sweetly at me.

“It’s hard for us, too, Ziggs, but we’re here for you. Trust us. And trust him. He’s coming back. Please don’t leave.”

“What would you have me do?” I yelled, tears rolling down my cheeks, wetting my fur. I shut my eyes tightly, maybe to stop myself from crying any more.

“I’ll talk to the Tribunal.” Poppy whispered, sounding dead serious. “They’ll conduct an investigation if you’re that worried. But don’t risk your career. You’ll regret it if it really isn’t something important.”

Poppy came back with Vi and Caitlyn tailing behind. There had been the ones put on the case and had even came to hear us out, which was impressive, considering how late it was. I went over everything, while the others contributed by pointing out the stuff I’d accidentally left out.

“OMG, it’s so cute!” Vi squealed, a teasing smirk on her face. “Yordles conducting an investigation! Cupcake, I say we let them continue on their own, it’s just too adorable for us to interfere.”

Her partner shot her a look before she cleared her throat. “Just ignore her. We’ll do everything we can to solve this case.”

“Thank you very much, officers.” Poppy said, offering them a seat.

“I’m sorry, this might be a bit upsetting but I have to ask you some questions. Please answer truthfully and keep in mind that anything you omit will just hinder the investigation.”

“Of course.” The female yordle answered, eyeing me suspiciously.

“First of all, was Rumble acting strange before his disappearance?” Caitlyn asked, cocking her head to the left as she prepared to write down anything we might say.

“Yes!” Tristana hurried to answer. “He was very secretive! I mean, he’s always been a bit reserved but he was acting strange. He would hardly be with us, and when he did, he looked scruffy, wearing the clothes he’d worn the previous day and stuff like that.”

“He wasn’t eating properly.” Heirmendinger spoke carefully. I turned to look at him, surprised he’d picked up on that. I mean, I had, but because he was my best friend. Was whatever that had happened to him that obvious for everyone except for me? Was something wrong with Rumble that I hadn’t picked up on?

“Care to elaborate?” Caitlyn asked.

“He would hardly go to the canteen, and when he did, I barely saw him eat anything. I mean, I don’t know what it was like at his apartment, but…”

“He’s right, he wasn’t feeding himself properly.” I said. “Not even at his place. I didn’t notice, I…”

I stopped myself from sobbing when I saw the sad look the officers gave me, obviously struck by how much I cared for him.

“I’m sorry…” I sniffed, wiping my face with my paw.

“Don’t worry. We understand. Did anything happen to him for him to act this way?”

There was a silence I decided to break, thinking about what she’d said before.

“He’d been rejected.”

“What do you mean? Had some of his work been rejected or…?”

“I rejected his affections for me.” Tristana whispered, a lump in her throat. “I didn’t do it bluntly, and it was a long time ago, but Ziggs and I both think it had probably sunk in.”

“The last time I spoke to him it was about this. He’d realised she didn’t like him in the same way.”

“Anything else that was off about him?”

“He was never in his home when we went to see him.” Tristana stated.

“He claimed to be working on Tristy in his lab all the time. That’s pretty much all I can think of.” I whispered.

“I’m sorry, Ziggs.” Heirmedinger got up. “I really think Rumble’s run away. I’m not going to be of much help and it’s really late. If you need me to answer any questions, I’ll do so gladly, but that won’t change my opinion on what’s happened. Good luck on your investigation and I hope Rumble comes back soon, but I’m leaving.”

He nodded curtly at us before toddling off.

“It does seem like he wasn’t happy with his life.” Vi yawned, stretching. “I think he run away, too. Hey, Cupcake, mind if I hit the sack too?”

Caitlyn turned to her partner, a mixture of confusion and suspicion on her face.

“O…kay?”

“Night, yordles!” Vi had already turned around and was walking away as she said those words, waving back at us.

Caitlyn looked startled as she tried to get her head back on the current investigation.

“When did you last see him?”

While everyone there except me told her about the time he went to the canteen for breakfast and then not have anything to eat, I spoke about the time I’d gone to see him.

“I even invited him to come do something with me… but I was too stupid to realise something was up…”

“Ziggs.” Tristana put a paw on my shoulder, and I turned my head to look at her. “Don’t beat yourself up about this. None of us noticed.”

“Ziggs, I think you need to rest.” Poppy sighed, her face full of worry.

“It is late.” Caitlyn cocked her head and stared at me. “We will continue tomorrow. I have no more questions to ask.”

I wanted to whine, to complain about it, but they had all done more than enough so I just settled with burying my face in my paws and quieting an incoming sob.

“He’s taken it harder than I thought.” I heard Teemo whisper to the other yordles.

“You go on, I’ll take Ziggs to bed.” Tristana placed an arm over my shoulder and closed the gap between us, leaning in. One of her paws reached out to remove my hands from my face, and she looked into my eyes when I finally uncovered it. “Ziggs…”

“We will find Rumble.” Caitlyn spoke, and when I gazed at her, I found her standing up, a determined look on her face. “We will bring him home safe and sound. No, actually, you will. I am certain of it.”

“Yeah, Ziggs. Just you wait, he’ll be back.” Teemo smiled sweetly at me.

“Thanks everyone… for… for everything you’re doing for him… and for me.” I tried to smile but it was forced and hard, so I ended up giving up. “Good night.”

“Sleep well.” Poppy muttered as she walked away, looking back at me with worry.

Caitlyn bowed before heading out and Teemo snuck off before I noticed. Tristana and I were the only ones left in the room and I couldn’t hold in the tears anymore.

“Hey, hey, don’t cry!” She whispered, wiping the droplets away with her thumb.

“I can’t help it, I miss him so damn much!”

“Aw, Ziggs, everything will be okay.” She muttered, grabbing my head and rocking it gently against her chest, maybe to pacify my loud sobs. “We really should go to bed, though.”

“Yeah…” I sniffed, forcing myself away from her grip. I avoided her gaze as I got up and started walking out of the room. She followed close behind, not daring to break the silence and before I knew it, we had reached my apartment.

“Don’t cry.” She managed a smile. “It doesn’t suit you.”

“I know.” I croaked in between sobs.

We were eating our breakfast at the canteen when Caitlyn waved at me.

“Good morning, yordles.” She said when she was within earshot. “I’ve had specialists inspect the tapes and the footage. The security cameras haven’t been tampered with and the footage hasn’t been forced to loop or anything.”

“Okay…?” Teemo muttered, unsure of what to say. Tristana turned to me, a worried look on her face.

“What does this mean?” Poppy frowned, swallowing her cereal and lowering the spoon.

“What are you talking about?” Kennen asked, intrigued.

“Wait, wait.” I stammered. “So, we’re back to square one?”

“Seems like it.” Caitlyn whispered, a sympathetic look on her face as she stared at me.

“But then… what other option do we have…?” I mumbled, looking back down at my now soggy cereal that I didn’t really want to finish.

“Good morning.” Heimerdinger spoke as he put down the tray with his breakfast on the table. He watched the human and then cocked his head to look at me. “What’s going on?”

“The cameras haven’t been tampered with.” I sighed, pushing my food away and lowering my head.

“Oh.”

“So, ahm… what are we going to do now?” Tristana grabbed my hand as she spoke gently, looking into my eyes.

“Really, what’s going on? I don’t understand anything.” Kennen snapped, irritated after being ignored for so long. Poppy sighed and quickly informed the other of what had happened.

“Hmmm. What if he climbed out of a window or something?” He muttered after a small silence.

“Rumble? Climbing out of a window?” Heimerdinger nearly chocked on his breakfast. “Are you daft?”

“Or escaped through the roof?” Kennen was trying hard to come up with ideas, so I really couldn’t be angry with him.

“He couldn’t have done it with Tristy.” I mumbled, feeling a little disappointed.

“But she’s here… Oh, wait, never mind, you were talking about his mech.”

Caitlyn cleared her throat, maybe to make us focus back on her.

“I could ask them to look again, just to be sure.” She offered, but it was clear she thought it was hopeless.

I was about to reject her politely when the doors of the canteen opened with a bang and Vi came running in, a smirk on her face.

“Ziggs! Cupcake!” She screamed as she pushed her way to our table. She was panting by the time she got there but the smile was still on her features. “I’ve got a lead!”

[hookedonapirate]

Wild at Heart (Chapter 7/?)

Read: Prologue Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 Ch 4 Ch 5 Ch 6

Graphic Art credit to the lovely and wonderful @jell-obeans Thank you so much!

Summary: Born and raised by rich parents, Emma Nolan has always done what’s expected of her, from what clothes to wear to what school to attend, what career to pursue and even who to marry. After graduating from Harvard and going back home to Storybrooke, South Carolina, she agrees to marry Oz Walsh by the wishes of her parents. With a year of engagement behind her, she goes to Boston for business and has to fly back home to get to her wedding. What happens when she has a run-in at the airport with a dashing, blue-eyed thief who is apparently bound and determined to throw a wrench in all of her plans? Will she make it back to Storybrooke on time for her wedding or will she find her home along the way?

Rating: M

AO3 FFN

Emma’s jaw almost dropped to the floor, and her eyes were wide and glazed over in appreciation. Since she’d met Killian, she had already admitted to herself that he was gorgeous in simply a t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans or black leather pants, but at the moment, her brain was frazzled, unable to comprehend how breathtaking he looked dressed up in a suit. He was standing in front of the fitting room, wearing a black waistcoat, a shiny red, silk shirt, black trousers and shiny black dress shoes. If his outfit weren’t enough to be her undoing, the light amount of chest hair poking out because his shirt wasn’t appropriately buttoned, certainly would be.

Killian slanted his hips as he swung the suit jacket over his left shoulder, holding it there with his index finger and falling into a smug, yet sultry pose, like he was some sort of fucking supermodel or something.

He lifted one of his brows, pulling the corner of his lips into a cocky smirk, accentuating the apple of his pinked cheeks and making the skin by his eyes crinkle in the process. This man seemed to surprise her more and more during the time they’ve spent together. She did not have one doubt he was going to be the death of her. And she hated that. She hated it to her very core.

Damn bastard.

“So… judging by the fact that you seem to be drooling on the floor, I take it you like my ensemble, love?” he razzed, his grin never faltering, and God, those damn blue eyes were buzzing with heat and excitement, she just wanted to skip the salsa dancing and push him into the fucking fitting room to jump his bones.

“Well, judging by the fact that there is indeed not saliva dripping from my mouth, your analysis is not a fact, it’s an assessment,” she corrected him. “A rather invalid one, may I add,” Emma chided, rolling her eyes as she approached him casually, attempting to shake his words from her shoulders.

“My apologies, your honor. I didn’t realize I was in a courtroom.” Killian chuckled in obvious amusement, but the sound was abruptly halted when her hands were attracted to him like a magnet, and before she knew what she was doing, she was pressing over the material of his waistcoat, her fingers brushing over his collarbone.

Emma had to steady her breathing at the small contact. “Although, I have to admit, you do clean up well, Jones,” she complimented, managing to control the low pitch in her voice. Emma really needed to pull herself together - she was currently engaged and needed to constantly remind herself of that fact.

“Thank you, love. Was that so hard to admit?”

A sarcastic smile took over her lips, her eyes still scanning him over as she decided there was something missing. He was strikingly handsome, well , smoldering hot to be more precise - there was no mistaking that - but the outfit seemed to be incomplete. “Hmmm, the clothes are nice, but you need to something to complete the look.”

Killian flashed her an inquisitive glance, furrowing the patch skin between his eyebrows. “And what pray tell would you suggest, Nolan?”

Pursing her lips together in contemplation for a moment, her eyes lingered over his chest before realizing what was missing. She pressed the palm of her hands into his chest, not failing to notice the solid muscle underneath or the stutter of his heartbeat as she did so, her eyes drifting up to meet his. “A tie. Be right back, I’ll get you one.”

Peeling herself away before he could even muster a response, she inhaled a few shaky breaths as she went to fetch a tie for him, even though he would have to cover that sinful patch of chest hair with his shirt. Yes, a tie was definitely for the best

Emma perused the selection as he waited patiently, picking one that was to her liking. She brought it back to him and he watched curiously as she approached him and hung it around the back of his neck. Her breath hitched as she noticed the close proximity between them, his impossibly blue eyes piercing into hers.

“I don’t know how to tie these, love,” he spoke softly.

Emma grinned and buttoned his shirt the rest of the way before pulling up the collar of the shirt, her lips pressing together in concentration as she started mindlessly working on the dark fabric.

Killian playfully rolled his eyes as though he should have known that she knew how to tie these things. “I take it you’ve done this before?’

Emma nodded. “I tie my father’s all the time. Does that surprise you?”

“Not at all, actually. From what you’ve told me, I’ve gathered that you and your father are close, am I correct?”

“I would say so. I love both of my parents, but my father has always understood me more than my mother has.”

“It seems like that’s the case.”

“My mother, she just grew up in a really strict household. Her mom passed away when she was ten, and then her father died after he was remarried, so her stepmother raised her, and she didn’t have the greatest childhood. Her stepmother was a royal bitch, to put it lightly.”

“Ah, I see. And your father was the best thing that happened to her, then? Besides you, of course.”

“Exactly,” Emma replied, finishing the tie and pulling the knot snugly into place before letting go of the fabric and stepping back to assess the final product. She grinned at her success. “Perfect.”

They paid for Killian’s clothes and went to a different store to buy an outfit for herself, but she tried it on in the fitting room without stepping out to let him see it. She could tell he was disappointed, but as soon as they got back to the hotel, she went to the bathroom to change. She also curled her hair and pinned it into a side-bun before applying some dark eye shadow and shimmering, wing-styled liner. She dusted her cheeks in pink blush and coated her eyelashes in black mascara, her lips in a fiery red color that matched her outfit. Smacking her lips together, she studied herself in the mirror before taking a deep breath Her stomach was full of butterflies, and she didn’t know why. This was not a date after all.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, it was his turn to be awestruck. Emma was wearing a red dress to match his shirt. It was a long-sleeved, one-shoulder, backless made of tulle and lace, and had slim waistline, which she covered with a thick dress belt. The skirt was embellished with a twisting hemline and had a high slit on one side, while the other side draped down her right leg. To top it off, she was wearing black fishnet stockings and leather stilettos with six-inch heels and crisscross straps that tied around her ankles.

Killian’s reaction did not disappoint. His eyes popped out of his skull as he visibly roamed her body from top to bottom, then back up again. He was utterly speechless, shaking his head as though suffering from whiplash. He graced her with a smile that could set a woman’s heart on fire, which it certainly did to hers.

“You look…”

Emma flashed him a coy grin, tilting her head and batting her lashes flirtatiously. “I know.”

Killian chuckled and stepped up to her, offering his arm. “Ready to go, love?”

She nodded and looped her arm through his. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

~*~

The club was dark, apart for the colorful strobe lights on the ceiling, and there was latino music seeping from the speakers as they arrived. They walked around with their arms linked together, scanning the place and getting a feel for the mood, watching the dancers warming up. They both approached the bar and ordered a drink, so that Killian would feel more relaxed. He drank a rum as she nursed a vodka and coke, and she couldn’t help notice one of the bar patrons staring her intently. She ignored him and gave her attention back to the handsome British man sitting next to her. Her fingers were a bit shaky, but it was not because she was afraid of embarrassing herself in front of the dance crowd, trying out salsa moves for the first time, like Killian was. No, this was a different kind of nervousness; one that she couldn’t quite explain.

When the song changed, Emma slipped from the bar stool and grabbed Killian’s hand, leading him to the dance floor. She turned to face him, catching him looking rather anxious, it was actually quite adorable. “Relax, just follow my lead and you’ll be fine,” she told him, flashing a reassuring smile.

He offered a small grin in return, nodding his head.

Emma showed him the basic salsa steps, instructing him to keep his knees bent. She did several turns with him before she took both of his hands in hers and placed them on her hips, allowing them to sway into rhythm with the beat. She could visibly see his expression change, his breath catching in his throat as her own breathing was becoming ragged. Placing her hands on his shoulders and massaging him to ease out the tension she knew he felt, Emma leaned in closer, whispering gentle words into his ear. “You have to relax.” She could tell that her breath tickled him, she could feel him shudder as she inhaled several deep breaths to steady her own nerves. Their chests were very close, almost touching, and Killian’s hands were still on her hips as she covered them with her own and started guiding him and allowing him to fall in sync with a rhythm that felt comfortable for both of them.

At first, they were focused on the dancing, both of them laughing when Killian fumbled over his own feet or spun Emma the wrong way, causing her to crash into him. Killian would easily shrug it off and continue dancing, and Emma could tell he was having fun. After awhile, he started to feel more relaxed as their feet and bodies were moving together in a fluid motion.

“See? You’re a natural,” Emma praised him as her palms ran over the silk fabric that covered his chest, continuing up to his broad shoulders before she rested her hands there.

He flashed her a tentative smile, and she could sense that he was not entirely convinced. “If you say so, love.”

As the night went on, Emma became more bold with him. Dancing with him felt so natural and enjoyable, she wanted to kick it up a notch. The music changed to something slow as she turned around in his arms and started slowly and seductively grinding her body against his hips. She heard a small groan over the music as Killian’s hands immediately crept to the sides of her frame, softly stroking her curves. She craned her head, allowing his lips to brush against her ear as they moved their bodies against one another.

Emma let her fingers slide through his hair, both of them easily getting lost in the music, and each other. Then his right hand moved lower and lower until he reached the slit her dress, his fingers working up her skirt and finding her black garter underneath it, his hand gripping and resting on her thigh. The tension between them was so thick, the warmth in her stomach was building, she didn’t know how much longer she could take.

“You’re not hiding any handcuffs under this dress, are you love?” he asked playfully, arching a curious brow.

Emma threw him a rascally grin. “How badly are you willing to find out?”

“You have no idea,” Killian groaned, continuing to grind himself into her; she could feel his hardness through their clothes. “Is this okay, love?” His voice was seductive and silky, sending shivers down her spine.

Emma nodded; her core was clenching as she bit her bottom lip. She didn’t know if she could hold back if she wanted to. And she wanted this man with everything she had. The staggering, speedy rhythm of her heartbeat, her flushed skin and shaky breathing all told her so, along with her soaked panties.

The realization itself made her spin around, pulling him flush against her body before grinding her hips over and over against his thigh, yearning some more friction. She curled her fingers around the back of his neck, and the other hand clutched onto his shoulder to steady herself as his mouth descended to her neck, assaulting her with soft kisses, his stubble prickling her skin. A strangled moan slipped past her lips as she lifted his leg, hooking it around the back of Killian’s thigh. He dipped her back and then brought her to him again, their eyes locked into a heated stare.

Emma slowly lowered her leg, grabbing onto his tie to bring his mouth closer to hers. Her brain was a cloud of lust, but her heart was feeling something even more. That alone scared her so much, it crippled her. She had a death grip on his tie as she gazed into his eyes, seeing that he was waiting for her to make the next move. She very much wanted to. But she couldn’t. Emma pulled herself out of the trance and disentangled herself from his hold.

“Emma? You alright?” he asked, his eyes full of genuine concern.

“I’m fine. I just have to use the ladies room.” Emma turned around and walked way, making her way to the restroom.

She took a few moments to piece herself back together. She was feeling a pull at her heart, but she couldn’t let herself fall. She needed to stay strong.

Emma drew in a long, deep breath, closing her eyes and allowing herself to relax. She would just go back to Killian and tell him she was ready to go home. It didn’t matter how, she just need to get back to Storybrooke. Emma reached for the handle, opening the door and leaving the restroom in such a haste, she crashed into someone in the corridor. As she felt a pair of hands clutching onto her arms to keep her from feeling, she looked up realizing it was the same man from the bar.

“My apologies,” he said, flashing a crooked smile.

“It’s okay,” Emma spoke quickly, escaping his hold.

“Leaving so fast?” he asked with a chuckle. He smelled of alcohol, making her cringe.

“Yeah, I have to get back to my fiance,” she lied, hoping he would get the picture.

“You mean that guy over on the dance floor who’s chatting up that Latina?”

Emma looked past the man, seeing that he was correct. Killian was conversing with some busty, dark complected broad, both of them smiling and seeming to enjoy the conversation. A pang of jealousy coiled up in her stomach, her hands balling into fists. She started to walk past the man, but he grabbed her arms. “Hey, listen, don’t you worry, I’ll show you a good time.” Before she could react, the man pressed her back against the wall, kissing her neck and trying to put his hands all over her.

“Get off of me!” she yelled, struggling against him. He wouldn’t listen and started getting more aggressive with her, so she kneed him directly into the groin, make him double over in pain as he held his crotch, but he didn’t back off. He became angrier and was about to hit her when there was a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and got punched in the face by a very angry-looking thief. Emma watched as the man tumbled to the floor before she promptly fled through the door of the club.

“Emma..” Killian called after her, hot on her heels as she escaped into the cool, night air.

“I can take care of myself!” Emma called as she started marching down the alley.

“Emma, wait! Where are you going?”

“Why is it any of your business? Why don’t you just go back inside and dance with the your latina girl?”

“Emma, we were just talking. She said that you were doing a fine job teaching me the salsa moves. I swear, love. I only have eyes for one woman.”

She spun around, glaring at him doubtfully, but she could see the wreckage in his eyes as he stared back at her. “Why would you want me anyway? I’m just a spoiled Princess?” she spat, trying to catch her breath.

“Emma… you and I both know that’s not true.”

“It doesn’t matter, I’m getting married to Walsh.”

“I’m bloody aware of that,” he snapped back, irritation laced in his words. “You remind me every two minutes.”

Emma swallowed thickly, seeing the hurt flashing in his eyes.

“Tell me something, love… why are you going through with this? We both know you don’t love him.”

Emma mocked him with a laugh. “You read my diary and suddenly you know my whole life story. Well, guess what? You don’t know shit about me!”

“I know enough,” he argued, clearly unwilling to back down. “And I don’t need a bloody diary to know that you’re not in love with him! You’re quite the open book, yourself. I also know that you’re not just marrying him to follow your parents’ wishes.”

She scoffed. “Oh really? So tell me, why am I marrying him then, mister perceptive?”

Killian stepped closer to her, his eyes never breaking their gaze. “You’re with him because he’s a safe choice. You know that he’ll never break your heart. You can’t break something that doesn’t exist, and you can’t mend something that’s not broken. That’s why you gave in so easily to your parents. It was the safer option. With him you can never get hurt.”

“And what makes you so sure?” she managed, her voice completely wrecked.

“Because, Emma… you and I have more in common than you think. You may have lived a sheltered life, but it’s not difficult to see that no one has really ever accepted you, other than your parents. That’s why you don’t want to disappoint them. They’re all you have. Without them, you have nothing, so anytime something good comes along, you shut it out completely. You put up your walls because it’s just safer that way. I know because I did the same thing.” Killian paused briefly, drawing in a deep breath before speaking more softly. “That is… until I met you.”

Emma was completely stunned in her spot. She didn’t really to know what to say to that. Her eyes were stinging with tears as Killian walked over to her, closing the distance between them.

She didn’t back away as he approached her.

“Emma, you don’t have to be afraid with me…”

A tear slipped down her cheek as she read the sincerity in his eyes.

“You don’t have to marry someone you don’t love… it’s okay to take what you really want,” Killian murmured, lifting a hand and brushing his thumb over her cheek to wipe away her tear. She wanted to believe him, she wanted to trust him, but instead she found herself backing away.

“Just take me back to the hotel, please,” she asked him quietly, her body trembling from the chilly air.

Killian nodded and offered his jacket to her, draping it over her shoulders.

Emma’s eyes were swollen with tears as they took a cab, both of them silent during the entire ride. She felt like a selfish asshole for thinking the way she did, knowing that she had loving parents and a warm home to go back to.

He had it so much worse than she did, and yet he had opened up his heart to her her over such a short period of time. He accepted her knowing that she was a wealthy snob who only seemed to care about herself. But he knew the truth. He was willing to look past her hard exterior, willing to see her for who she really was at her core.

Emma felt her heart constricting, watching Killian gaze out the window and give her the space she asked for. Her hand silently moved over to the spot between them, but he didn’t notice the movement, his facial features through the reflection of the window indicating that he was deep in his thoughts.

His hand was resting on his lap as she took it into her own, slipping her fingers in between his. Killian turned his head, but he didn’t glance at her, he only stared ahead as she saw his adam’s apple bob in his throat. There were no words, no yearning looks, just the feel of palm against palms, fingers squeezing, flexing and seeking comfort from the other.

The taxi stopped in front of the hotel and she reluctantly pulled away from Killian, both of them stepping out. They paid the driver and made their way inside the building, both were quiet, not breathing so much as a word as they took the elevator. There were a few people who left, getting off on their floor, and Emma and Killian were alone once again.

As the elevator ascended, his words were playing in her mind on a constant loop.

You don’t have to marry someone you don’t love… it’s okay to take what you really want.

And it wasn’t just that - everything he said back in the alley was true. Without her parents, she had no one who truly accepted her.

Emma didn’t really know what came over her, maybe it was his words that were taking hold, making her believe that she could really trust him as he said she could, or maybe it was knowing that they were indeed much similar than she had ever imagined since she met him, and in such a short period of time, he seemed to get her more than anyone else ever had. Either way, Emma was moving from her spot and grabbing Killian’s tie, pressing him into the wall, her lips crashing into his. It was a bruising kiss that made her skin tingle, both of them easily getting caught up in it. His hands were cupping her cheeks, lips moving passionately against hers as Emma’s fingers were carding through his hair. Their tongues were on fire, dancing and twisting around the other, eliciting little muffled moans. His body was warm, pressed against hers, and she realized that she wanted him more than she could really comprehend.

Breaking the kiss to catch her breath, Emma pressed her forehead against his, gasping for air.

“Emma…”

She hushed him by pressing her fingers to his swollen lips. “You were right… I don’t want to get married Killian… not now… and not to Walsh.”

Killian trapped her hand, kissing the finger that was still on his mouth. “Then, what do you want, love? What does your heart desire?”

She didn’t even need to ponder the question. “I want you. I’m not sure what that means yet, but I know that I want to find out…”

Killian graced her with a small smile. “That’s okay, Emma. Admitting what you want is the first step.”

She blushed, smiling back at him. “What’s the next step?”

“It’s whatever you want it to be,” he replied warmly, caressing her cheek.

She smirked at him mischievously. “And if I wanted to skip a few steps?”

Killian chuckled. “If you’re sure that’s what you want… then that’s okay, too.”

“I’ve never wanted anything more,” she admitted, breathlessly.

With that, her lips crashed into his again as the elevator doors opened. They never stopped kissing as he picked her up, allowing Emma to wrap her legs around his hips, and her arms around the back of his neck as he carried her out of the elevator and to their room.

Once the keycard unlocked the door, they busted through it before Killian kicked it shut, both of them devouring each other with a fire and passion she had never known before. They were knocking over lamps, bumping into picture frames and crashing into furniture in their wake, neither of them willing to stop. Killian pressed her into a wall and released her red, swollen lips, leaving her panting and breathless as he left a trail of hot kisses along her jaw, nipping and sucking the skin there as she leaned her head back. His lips reached her neck, his tongue hot and desperate on her skin as his hand slid under her dress, caressing her thigh as he pressed his erection into her clothed center. She moaned from the contact, arousal pooling in her belly, deciding she needed him now before she went crazy. Undoing his belt and unzipping his pants, she smashed his lips into his, eliciting a groan from his throat.

In a quick haste, Killian carried her over to the dresser, thrusting her into it a little too eagerly, and Emma yelped in pain because of the tattoo she had previously decided would be a brilliant idea.

“Sorry, love,” he apologized in a breathless slur, concern etched into his features.

“It’s okay,” Emma assured him before capturing her lips again, her fingers working quickly to loosen his tie, but as much as she tried to ignore it, her tattoo was throbbing in pain. Killian could sense this, and broke the kiss, pulling his lips away.

“Emma… I think we should clean your tattoo. We wouldn’t wanted it to get infected.”

Emma pouted, but she knew he was right. He released her from his hold, putting her down before he took her hand, leading her to the bathroom. Emma kneeled on the floor, hunching over the bathtub as Killian lifted her dress to expose the inked area, soothing it carefully with his fingers before cleaning it with some warm water and soap.

He left the bathroom so she could change, and she loosened her hair, letting it fall over her shoulders before undressing and slipping into her nightgown. She entered the bedroom being careful not to let the fabric make contact with the tattoo. Crawling into bed, she spread out over the mattress on her stomach, leaving her bare bottom uncovered to let it air dry, as she rested her head on the pillow.

After a while, Killian fetched some ointment, applying a shallow layer and rubbing it gently into her sensitive skin. She loved how kind and caring he was to her, his hands moving in a way that made her feel safe and loved. She got comfortable in bed, not wanting to move, still feeling a bit of a sting from the cream he used on her.

~*~

Killian sat up in bed, watching Emma sleep as she looked so peaceful and beautiful, breathing in a slow rhythm. His head was still dizzy from everything that had taken place that evening as he leaned over and dropped a delicate kiss to her temple. Very quietly and carefully, he got out of bed and headed to the bathroom to take a shower.

Removing his clothes, he stepped into the hot, soothing water as it cascaded over him. He ran his hands over his face, taking a deep breath, vision of emerald greens under his lids. He was so glad that she was able to confess to him what she really wanted. He was glad that she was calling off the wedding. He really didn’t want to tell her the truth. He didn’t want that to impact her decision. He wanted her to come to the conclusion on her own.

Killian sighed as he started washing himself, lathering the soap into his skin. He really couldn’t stay in the same room with Emma being half naked in bed, her bare bottom exposed. There was no way he would be able to sleep with her next to him like that. Killian grew hard again just thinking about her. Emma’s body was so gorgeous, her skin so soft and creamy, it took every ounce of control within him to be able to pull away when he’d caused her pain.

However, he was certainly feeling the consequences of his actions as his hand lowered to his rock-hard cock, his rough fingers wrapping around him and gently stroking the thick weight. A low groan escaped his lips as he pulled at the skin and started working his hand up and down, feeling every ridge of muscle underneath. Dipping his head back, he got lost in the sensation, he almost didn’t hear the movement of the curtain behind him.

“Killian…”

He was startled as he turned around, his eyes meeting vivid green ones. There was apology in her features, but also hunger and desire as she gazed back at him, the hint of a sly smirk curving her lips.

He drank her in with his eyes, taking in the delicate features over slim, naked body as she was sprayed with droplets of water from the shower. “Emma… what are you…?”

She peered down between them, licking her lips as he swallowed thickly, vaguely aware that he was still holding his cock in his hand. Stepping closer, her hands came up to clutch onto his shoulders, and he lost a breath as she whispered into his ear. “I’m taking what I want…”

His entire body shuddered and his cock twitched in excitement.

“Did you really think I could fall asleep after what happened? You obviously couldn’t.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to gather his wits. “Is this is a dream, love?” he asked, not believing she was actually there in front of him.

Emma’s grin grew wider as she grabbed both of his wrists and brought his hands to her breasts, letting him touch her exquisite gems, the pink nipples hardening underneath his palms. “Does this feel like a dream to you?”

Killian smirked as he worked his fingers into the luscious, decadent skin. “They certainly feel real to me… and also like heaven.”

She laughed lightly as her hand descended, wrapping her fingers around his stiff cock and pumping it gently. “What about this?”

He let out a guttural groan. “That also feels like heaven. Little minx.”

They were both touching and caressing each other, moans of pleasure filling the confines of the shower walls when he whispered in her ear. “Love, we should take this to the bed before I end up pressing you against the wall and hurting your tattoo again and risking an infection.”

Emma, however, didn’t relent. In fact, she smirked and got down on her knees in front of his throbbing cock. All coherent thoughts left his mind when Emma took him in her mouth, sucking lightly at his tip and licking his slit as the precome started oozing out of the velvety flesh. She was still pumping him in her hand when she started bobbing her head over him, devouring most of his length and completely blowing his mind .

“Oh, fuck..”

This definitely had to be a dream.  Killian groaned and buried his fingers in Emma’s golden locks, rutting his hips into her warm and welcoming mouth. When he looked down, he saw his cock disappear between her reddened lips, and he felt his arousal building, the overwhelming pleasure coursing through him, it was almost enough to make him come right then. Before he did, though, he gently took her hand from his cock and brought her up to him.

“Love, I want you so badly.”

Emma pouted, but she couldn’t deny that she wanted him too. He could see it in her eyes.

She wiped her mouth as he turned off the shower, grabbing a towel from the rack and drying them off before discarding it.

He grabbed her and kissed her fiercely, lifting her up while being careful not to touch her tattoo as she instinctively anchored her legs around his hips. He carried her in his arms, stepping over the tub before managing to make it to the bedroom without his legs buckling underneath him. With her body clutching onto him securely, he grabbed a condom from the drawer of the nightstand, where he had previously decided to stash them instead of his bag.

Their lips were still attached, tongues still delving and sweeping into the other’s mouth to taste one another as he effortlessly carried her over to the bed.

Turning them around, he sat on the edge of the mattress, letting her land on her knees and straddle his lap, her dripping, bare center kissing the tip of him. A rough growl escaped into her mouth as Emma ran her fingers through his chest hair and down his abs before taking his aching cock in her hand.

Ripping his lips from hers, he allowed her to tear open the wrapper and sheath his long length with the latex as his dark eyes were raking over her breasts, his fingers grazing her soft, delectable skin. They were the most beautiful things he had ever seen in his life, he still wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“So beautiful, Nolan,” he whispered in her ear, his voice completely shattered. Their eyes were locked as the anticipation finally became a reality. His member was still in her hand as she pressed his velvety tip to her slick wet folds and lowered her hips, slowly descending upon him. Killian quivered underneath her at the contact, stretching her tight walls until he was fully buried inside of her heat.

He was groaning softly, cupping the delicate weight of her breasts into his hands as she rolled her hips up and down, slowly riding his dick. He wrapped his hands around her small frame, sprinkling kisses down her chest, his tongue licking the skin as he made a trail through the valley of her breasts. Her hands went to the back of his head, fingers sifting through his thick, damp hair as he kissed each of her nipples, drawing out long, shattered moans from her pretty lips. She dipped her head back as he took the pink puckered bud into his mouth, softly sucking and worshiping her with his mouth as his hands were pressed into her hips, guiding her movements and pressing her onto him.

A string of curses and groans tumbled from their lips as he thrusted into his writhing goddess, her core throbbing tightly around him.

“Gods, Emma… fuck, you’re so tight.”

Emma grabbed his shoulders and arched her back as she lifted herself up and down, taking him all in before rising back to the tip. Her breasts were bouncing in front of him as they moved and he took the opportunity to bury his face there. She moaned and picked up the pace, riding him faster.

“Oh, God, Killian,” she breathed out, her walls collapsing around him and pulling him in deeper.

“Emma… I’m not going to last much longer. You feel so bloody incredible.” His fingers were deep into her skin, holding up her slim figure as moved inside of her, hitting the right spot with just right amount of force and consistency.

“Killian…”

Her soft cries became screams of blissful pleasure, sending waves of heat through his body as she came around him, causing his cock to pulse inside of her as he released his seed. They were moaning, their breathing shallow as their movements slowed, both of them trying to piece themselves back together.

With the condom discarded, they both collapsed into the bed, Emma’s head resting on his chest as he dropped soft kisses to her disheveled hair. They were sated and spent as they drifted off to sleep, and it wasn’t until Killian woke up the following morning with this naked, blonde beauty in his arms, when he finally realized last night was indeed not a dream.

@rouhn @iejimi @kmomof4 @katie-dub @ijenny16 @lovepurplepumpkins@jennjenn615 @piratesbooty63fan @galadriel26 @ladyciaramiggles @andiirivera @queen-of-dancing-stars @galadriel26 @juliakaze @nfbagelperson @hey-it-is-jess @mcakers @kobe116 @phoenixsxul @winterbaby89 @allie-jimenez123-blog @lindseythompsonxoxo @ultraluckycatnd @its-about-bloody-time-cs @acaptainswaneternity @fleurreads @love-with-you-i-have-everything

[thatbangtanhoeoverthere]

XXX (Jimin Fic) Part One

• Part One •

Genre: ANGST AF, dark, supernatural, smut (later on)

Series Rating: M

Chapter Rating: PG-13

AU?: demon!Jimin, supernatural!Jimin

Word Count: 2,683 

Warning: gore, explicit language, gangs, violence, a couple references to prostitution (in a vague way), and it. iS. INTENSE!! Viewer discretion advised. 

Summary: To make a deal with the devil is like selling your soul. In fact, that’s exactly what it is. Little did you know that the demon who held the deal, had bigger and better plans in store for you.

A/N: Here is Part One!! So excited for this one, despite how dark it gets heh y'all should know by now that I’m an odd human. Also the backstory is vague here, but will be revealed more and more in future chapters. I just wanted to try out a different style of writing and make it more mysterious. Anyway, hope you enjoy babes!! :))

[ Prologue ]

Walking along the riverfront, you intertwined your fingers with your fiancè’s, Jungkook, and rested your head on his shoulder, the warmth of his body fending off the crisp wind of early autumn. You couldn’t be happier, and neither could he as you both strolled along side by side in perfect harmony.

The two of you discussed the wedding; the colors, the invites, cakes, family. The works. The moment was memorable despite how simple it was. You were building your future together, one you were blessed to have after the hell you two had gone through to reach this point, side by side as you both walked along the Han River in mid-afternoon.

“Jungkook,” you muttered. The love of your life looked over to you and hummed. You gazed into his eyes before a soft, delicate smile spread across your lips.

“I love you so much.” His gentle lips perked into his signature bunny smile, the one you first fell in love with 7 years ago.

“I love you too, Y/N,” he whispered before gently pressing his lips against your temple. You couldn’t help but smile as the two of you continued walking, arm in arm.

You had never been so happy before in your life, and you promised you’d never take Jungkook’s presence and love for granted. You’d nearly lost him not 6 months before this moment, and you thanked your lucky stars every night for him and the love he unconditionally gave you. Ever since his release from the hospital, the two of you hardly ever left each other’s side, promising to stick together through thick and thin, no matter the consequences, as you both supported one another through the recovery process. You truly were a lucky girl.    

Jimin’s dark eyes narrowed as he watched the happy couple walk along the side of the river, laughing and smiling, arms and hands intertwined. His eyes watched the two of them from the park, well hidden beneath his hat and the thick jacket that hung over his shoulders, the collar shielding the lower half of his face. He wasn’t even the slightest bit cold, but attention really was not something he desired to receive sitting there in the middle of one of the coldest days of the season.

His eyes followed the wandering couple, grimacing in disgust at the two of them. It was like watching a cringy romantic drama. He would’ve gagged had his partner not been sitting beside him.

“So, that’s her, eh?” the nosy demon asked, jabbing his chin in the direction of the couple. Jimin looked to his partner who shuffled absent-mindedly through a bag of “snacks.” Jimin growled quietly before closing the bag and ripping it out of his partner’s hands.

“Firstly, be more aware of your surroundings before flaunting your dinner, Tae,” he hissed. “And second, yes, that’s her.” Jimin cinched the bag closed before dropping it by his feet so that Tae couldn’t reach it, gaze locking on the couple as they began wandering further along the path and almost out of sight. The demon fledgling whimpered a little.

“S-sorry, Jimin,” he apologized before Jimin stood abruptly, startling the fledgling.

“It’s fine, but let’s move. It’s getting late and you and I both know Yoongi hates tardiness. Besides, I’d like to get this done as quickly as possible.” Jimin picked up the bag before slugging it over his shoulder, already heading off with little regard to wait for Tae to catch up.

“Yah! Jimin, wait up!” he called, picking up his jacket and following after his superior.

The two of you shared fits of hysteria and laughter as Jungkook and yourself left the fancy restaurant that Jungkook insisted on taking you to. At first you’d protested, stating you two couldn’t afford the over-priced meal, but Jungkook assured it was alright, stating that he wanted to spoil his bride-to-be in celebration for your upcoming marriage.

“Jungkook, you sure know how to treat a lady,” you joked, giggling softly and looping your arm through his as the two of you began your journey home. Jungkook grinned and kissed your temple, careful not to spill your take-out as he leaned forward.

“The only lady I could ever spoil is you, Y/N,” he replied, chuckling when you blushed and playfully hit his arm.

“You flirt.” You giggled again before the two of you quieted down, the slight tapping of your shoes against the pavement being the only sound to reach your ears. The night was calm, the streets fairly empty considering how late it had gotten. It was nice, peaceful, just the two of you, and you couldn’t help but rest your head on Jungkook’s shoulder as you closed your eyes.

“Jagiya?” Jungkook’s hushed voice whispered, making you open your eyes.

“Hm? What is it?” you asked obliviously before noticing that you two had entered an alleyway and you spotted a small group of men approaching you. They didn’t look friendly and your heartbeat began to quicken in fear.

“J-Jungkook?” you whimpered before he quietly shushed you and slowly moved you behind him.

“Hey, you!” one of the men called as he and his friends advanced on the two of you. “It’s rather late isn’t it?” You could tell the man wasn’t concerned about the time of the night when you heard his friends chuckle around you. You began to shake as you hid behind Jungkook, who managed to remain calm in hopes of avoiding any conflict.

“It is. We were just heading back home,” he replied calmly. There was a brief moment of silence as you peeked over Jungkook’s shoulder only to spot the wicked grin that grew across the man’s face, followed by a deep menacing chuckle that sent a chill down your spine.

“Oh, are ya now? Well, isn’t that just lovely! Heading home to what? Fuck your little whore over there?” The man’s bloodshot eyes met yours, startling you as you yelped and looked away from him only to be met face to face with one of his goons right behind you.

“She is pretty,” he mused with a suggestive grin. You choked back a scream before you were spun around and Jungkook took your place, facing the goon that had snuck up behind you.

“Don’t you fucking touch her- Ahoo!” You jumped back when the goon suddenly punched Jungkook in the stomach, causing him to double over, dropping the box of take-out as its contents splattered over the asphalt.

“Jungkook!” you screamed, taking a step forward to help him until someone grabbed you by the arm and yanked you back into their body. The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke flooded your senses, making you dizzy for a moment before your recognized your captor as the man you had spoken to Jungkook first.

“Mm he was right. For a whore, you are pretty,” he cooed with a decaying grin. The image almost made you retch before Jungkook’s cries ripped your attention away from your captor. The goons had him surrounded and were kicking him and tossing him around, despite his efforts to fight back, throwing punches and knocking a few of them down so he could stand again.

“Jungkook!” you cried, gaining his attention as you caught a glimpse of his beaten and bruised face. “Jungkook get up!” you screamed. Jungkook stumbled to his feet, managing to throw another goon off of him while he took a second to stable himself against a parked car before meeting your gaze. The image of his beaten form brought tears to your eyes before you captured the glint of something metal out of the corner of your eye.

Almost as if the entire world had stopped spinning, you couldn’t even hear your own screams once Jungkook’s eyes widened, their gaze locked with yours as blood began to pool and flow over his lip. The image of his body falling limp to the ground was accompanied with your screams; screams that seemed to deafen even yourself.

“JUNGKOOK!”

Tears formed in your eyes as you thrashed to release yourself from your captor’s grip to run to your love, to somehow save him despite the fact that you knew he was already gone. His name ripped from your throat over and over as you kicked and screamed to be released, thrashing and throwing fists at your captor but he somehow managed to keep a grip on you.

“You monster! You fuck! I will fucking kill you! Let me go! Fuck you! Fuck you! Let me go!” you screamed, over and over like a broken record as you continued to fight against his hold on you.

“Shut the fuck up!” he growled, whirling a hand back before a hard crack echoed across the alleyway and you were thrown to the ground. Your entire body went limp against the cold asphalt and you sobbed to yourself, heart shattering, world crumbling around you. You cried, tears mixing with the crimson liquid that pooled around your hand. You caught glimpse of it, mouth agape as you realized what and whose it was before the tears began to fall again and you clutched your covered hand to your chest.

Everything went silent for once, except for your broken and shaking cries as you heard footsteps slowly approach you and your arm was grabbed once again, roughly forcing you to stand but your legs gave out on you and you went limp again.

“Get up.” The man’s voice was harsh and demanded of you to do what your body physically couldn’t. At this point, your eyes couldn’t even shed tears anymore, your throat rough from screaming and sobbing uncontrollably. Were you giving up? Was this your fate? After all you had sacrificed to bring him back, he was taken from you in the blink of an eye. What more was there to do?

“Kill me…”

“Hm? What was that?” the man asked, voice booming amongst the stillness of the night.

“Please… Kill me…” you begged, your voice hoarse and just barely above a whisper. “You killed him so easily, what’s stopping you from killing me too?” Your bold words caused the man to nearly choke on his own spit.

“Ah, well, believe it or not, we were told to keep you alive,” he answered bluntly as though this were an everyday occurrence. You kept your head hung low as you bite back the need to cry again. All this was planned…

“We were also told to hand you over as soon as the guy was outta the way.” Your head was suddenly lifted as you were forced to face your captor as he grinned, that stench of bitter alcohol and smoke clinging to his breath. “But I think we might just keep you to ourselves.”

“Are you breaking our deal?” a level voice questioned from the mouth of the alleyway. Both yours and your captor’s heads turned to face the source of the voice and what you saw nearly stopped your heart from beating altogether, the figure clad entirely in black.

“Eh? Ha! You never told us the girl was pretty,” your captor retorted, releasing your chin as he faced your worst possible nightmare. “Can you really blame us for wanting to keep her? We already killed the guy, consider the girl as payment.” The man smirked. The newcomer didn’t seem too impressed with his offer.

“You’re already getting paid, but I should’ve expected this to come from a bunch of ungrateful sewer rats like you.” The newcomer’s voice caused the blood running through your veins to run cold. This...This can’t be happening…

“Yah! Who you calling sewer rats you bratty fuck!” one of the goons growled as he advanced on him, a crowbar raised to land blow on him until he was forced to a halt as your visitor grabbed him by the collar and yanked him in. You barely had time to blink when the newcomer swiftly snapped his neck before everyone, his dark, haunting eyes locked with your captor’s as the body fell limp to the ground. Everyone took a step back.

“Give me the girl.” The visitor seethed between his teeth, those familiar, black eyes now smoldering like the embers of a wicked flame. Your captor frowned in distaste.

“Like hell we’d do that!” he spat at him. “Boys, kill this fuck.” Despite their hesitation, his goons surrounded the man cloaked completely in black. You wanted to warn them, to yell at them to run away while they still could, but your throat closed up the moment you opened your mouth, but at that point, it was already too late.

In a swirling fit of rage, the demon you knew all too well let out a deafening shriek as a cosmic wave of flame and black smoke engulfed the men that surrounded him the moment they got close, incinerating every last one of them in a matter of seconds. The alley was engulfed in a wave orange light and immense heat as the flames rose higher, forcing you to freeze in absolute horror as their screams rung in your ears. Your captor stepped back in horror, eyes wide from the destruction he had just witnessed before him before the flames and smoke dissipated and all that remained was the man in black. You almost forgot to breathe as you gawked at the man in front of you before your arm was grabbed and you were yanked to your feet and tugged into your captor’s body.

“What the fuck are you?!” he growled at the lone man. You barely had time to register what he was doing before you noticed the gun in his hand, barrel aimed directly at the last man standing. The man didn’t answer as he took a step forward, forcing your captor to take one back, dragging you with him.

“Let the girl go,” the newcomer ordered as he advanced on your captor, dark eyes swallowed completely in black and narrowed.

“Back off or I’ll kill you myself!” your captor growled, but he didn’t stop. He crossed the alley, one step at a time, closer and closer as your captor’s hand shook around the gun.

“I’m warning you, you freak! Stop!” Oh, but he didn’t. He continued to move forward, his eyes beginning to flicker again as he drew closer and closer before-

BANG!!

Your eyes widened, and once again the earth stopped spinning in that split second. He came to a halt, head thrown back before his body fell back against the asphalt. All that remained was silence. You had to hold back your screams, replacing them with a shaken and forced breath as you watched the man lay still. How could he-

“Let’s go!” your captor growled, gripping tightly around your arm and backing away from the body on the ground. You couldn’t even process words of protest, your eyes locked on the body that lay unmoving on the ground. How could this...have happened? How could he-

“Move!” He shoved you away from the scene and toward the back of the alley. Without protest, you did as you were told, but a million question whirled through your head it almost made you dizzy. How could this happen? If only you two had taken another route. If only you’d chosen another restaurant. If only you’d both stayed home, stayed away from this place, this damn alleyway. He would still be alive.

And your end of the deal wouldn’t have to be fulfilled.

“I would’ve made sure it would have, Y/N.”

Your eyes widened when his soft, silky voice whispered in your ear, followed by strangled gurgling before your captor suddenly released you and collapsed to the asphalt. The force around your arm vanished and was instead replaced with a gentle arm wrapping around your waist, pulling you flush against his body as he held you up. Your eyes stared back into his, lip quivering as tears stung at the back of your eyes, threatening to fall as the wave of emotions crashed over you all at once as you whispered his name.

“Jimin.”   

A/N: :D !!!!!! I will admit I think my blood pressure rose to dangerous levels writing this chapter. Whew I need a second to breathe. Are you in pain like I am?? :”)  Gonna start working on Part Two soon!! And don’t worry, if you’re confused, more will be revealed in chapter 2! Hope ya enjoyed it babes!! :) much love!

Masterlist

[writings-of-a-hufflepuff]

Man In Uniform {Part 5}

Fandom: Avengers/Marvel

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Warning: N/A

Writer: @imaginesofeveryfandom aka @thequeenofthehobbits

Summary/Request: James Barnes is the local neighbourhood cop known for saving cats from trees and walking people home at night. It just so happens that he lives in your apartment building, in the apartment across from yours.

Prologue X, Part 1 X, Part 2 X, Part 3 X, Part 4 X

It is a few weeks later when you finally get out of Bucky’s apartment for the first time, crutches nearly gone and a new sort of spring in your step at being able to go outside. It is not any easy few weeks, between going stir crazy, nightmares, and Bucky getting absolutely nowhere with your case everything seems so static and you feel like you’re stuck in a time loop with nowhere to go. Your frustration isn’t at Bucky, although you regret that you’d snapped at him a few times when he’d come back to the apartment early in the morning, having left you alone all day. You always felt bad after. He always told you not to worry when you apologised. That he understood. He was far too reasonable and it was becoming more and more frustrating.

It wasn’t exactly the fact that he was reasonable that was the problem, the real problem was that as Wanda had so lovingly put it you were starting to notice how attractive he was and being around him so often wasn’t helping. She wasn’t wrong, no matter how much you wanted to deny any attraction to James Barnes there was no real denying it. He was on first glance attractive, living with him for a few weeks taught you that he was much more than that.

He was kind and caring; he always woke up to help you if you had a nightmare, he always made sure you had company or food unless he was completely busy, he’d help distract you when your leg started to annoy you because of the cast. He was also incredibly funny and affectionate. You liked to say that the two of you had become friends over the last few weeks, although a very tentative friendship on your part. He wasn’t afraid of hugging you randomly or ruffling your hair or helping you walk with your crutches. It was inevitable that you’d find yourself staring at him a little longer than is appropriate.

It was just a little tiny crush, the type you get when you see that cute guy on the subway. It wasn’t anything else. Absolutely not. It’s not serious is anyway, not like that crush you had when you were 15 that went on for a year.

“I don’t know, Buck…they’re your friends and I don’t want to intrude.” Which is why it was totally not hard to deny Bucky Barnes anything when he was giving you the saddest puppy eyes on earth. He wanted you to come out to some cop bar with him, hang out with his friends…and suffice to say meeting a whole load of people scared you more than just a little bit.

“You need to get out more and going to a bar will do you some good…besides Wanda will be there” Since becoming friends with Wanda it seemed she came up in conversation a lot, the idea that if Wanda was there you could be coaxed settled in Bucky’s mind. You loved Wanda and it was a little reassuring that she was there, but she knew these people, Bucky’s people and you didn’t.  

“You do realise I’m just going to be a pain with my crutches, right?”

“I don’t care, I want you there.” It shouldn’t have caused a flutter in your stomach. It really shouldn’t have, except it did. It was hard to look at him for a moment because that shouldn’t have made you feel all warm and fuzzy…but it did.

“Fine, but you’re not allowed to abandon me!”

“Never, why would I do that, doll?” It had been the second week in when he started using random pet names, sometimes they weren’t used at all and other times they fell from his lips so regularly they might as well have been a new mantra of his. It didn’t help your predicament at all.  They spread an affection in your chest that made you feel uncomfortably emotional towards him. More so than a stupid word should ever do.

It was foolish to really think that maybe you’d get your way with Bucky. In truth you failed to deny him things, partly because he was your gracious host and a rather new friend. Partly because he was so bloody attractive.

So you still found yourself getting changed into more appropriate outside wear and struggling down the stairs seeing as the elevator was still broken, your crutches weren’t as cumbersome as they had been when you’d first been given them, but getting down stairs with them was still a slow and arduous process that was more effort than it was worth in your personal opinion.

“Are you sure you want me to come? It took me 10 minute to get down the stairs…” You followed after him as he held the front door to the apartment building open for you with a raised eyebrow and an amused smirk, “Yes, I want you to come, slow poke.”

“Shut up!” You laughed after him as he hailed a taxi obviously planning on drinking tonight, not that you blamed him. He’d been beating himself up lately about losing his lead on your case, the guy he’d thought done it turned out to be a dead end with an alibi so solid that there was video evidence. Suffice to say he’d been stressing out all week about your case and it made you feel guilty to know you caused him so much stress.

It’s rather comical for Bucky to watch you try to get into the taxi on your own without help, you apologising every step as your crutches bang into various parts of the car before you finally get yourself settled and he follows after you, almost instinctively checking you’re wearing your seatbelt. It doesn’t go unnoticed by you. Bucky is a protective person you’ve learnt and his job just means he has a natural penchant for ensuring you and anyone else were safe. That included seatbelt checking. It made you smile, you turned your head out the window to hide it, watching the buildings go by as the taxi drives to this bar. The cop bar. The bar filled with Bucky’s work friends. It was a terrifying prospect, but you knew you needed to get out of the apartment and you always liked seeing Wanda.

“You okay?” You were pulled out your thoughts, realising that Bucky was waiting for you to get out of the taxi…how long had you been in your own little world for? “Yeah!”

Watching you get out of the taxi was almost as comical as watching you get in, your attempts to shuffle across the seats, dragging your crutches with you. He took them from you and helped you out making sure you were stable before closing the door and handing the driver his fare. “You enjoy watching me try to get in and out of vehicles way too much.” You huffed as you walked beside him towards the bar. You couldn’t wait to be rid of these stupid crutches. They were the biggest pain in your backside.

“Maybe I just like watching you?”

“Ha ha, very funny.” You roll your eyes trying not to show how flustered the prospect actually made you. He was only joking, Bucky was always joking. It wasn’t anything more than that. You couldn’t let yourself think it was more than that…or else you might just go from having a tiny crush to something more substantial and potentially more life ruining.

The moment you stepped into the bar you felt that feeling of intimidation, all these strange people around you who greeted Bucky like they’d known him for years and then there was you.

“Hey.” A hand found your shoulder, he had to bend down to be exactly eye level with you, “It’s okay…trust me.” You did trust him, but you could still feel that nervous energy in your stomach as you tried to smile at him and followed him to a table filled with people. All of whom were drinking and laughing at something someone else had said.

“Hey, man!” You stood back as Bucky slapped the shoulder of a broad blonde man who he obviously knew well.

“Y/N, c’mere!” Everyone’s attention turned to you and you moved forward awkwardly on your crutches, Wanda caught your eyes smiling at you reassuringly. “This is Steve-“ He went on to introduce everyone to you.

A smiling dark skinned man called Sam who was apparently Bucky’s partner and who appeared to have a relationship with Bucky that mostly consisted of winding the other person up. A beautiful brunette who turned out to be their chief of police Margret Carter although she told you to call her Peggy. Natasha Romanoff, Darcy Lewis, Clint Barton, Vis, Tony Stark. Each member had a very distinct personality and despite the fact that you had originally been rather intimidated they were all friendly and having Wanda there as one of the few non-officers made it a little easier.

“So, Y/N, what’s it like living with this one?” Clint gestured to Bucky with a tilt of his head as he asked you.

“Meh…” You shrugged your shoulders with a teasing smile knowing that Bucky wouldn’t be able to let that slide. The more time you spent with these people the more comfortable you felt, you could feel that familiar humour coming out with each relaxing second.

“Meh? I watched Dirty Dancing for you!” You knew he wasn’t really angry, he was grinning at you as he said it and you thought back to that night. It had been a good night, the two of you ate pizza and watched classic movies.

“Barnes, did Swayze turn you on?”

“Fuck you, birdman.” You don’t know the origin of the nickname as Bucky shoves Sam’s shoulder, but it makes you snort lightly because it’s actually ridiculous as is their back and forth.

“You can’t blame him if he did, Swayze is a beautiful man! God, young me had such a crush!” You had adored Swayze as a young teen, especially in Dirty Dancing. The movie was far too sensual for its own good and Swayze rarely had a shirt on in the whole entire movie. There was also something attractive about the greaser look he sported. You wondered briefly what Bucky would look like with slicked back hair and a leather jacket…

“Young you? We watched it and all you did was talk about Swayze.” You roll your eyes at him, nudging his ribs with your elbow lightly from where you sat before taking a sip of your drink.

“Jealous, Barnes?”

“Ha Ha, Peg.”

The night dissolved into laughter and random anecdotes. You learnt that Sam was called birdman because one time he got attacked by a swan while trying to catch a thief who’d ran past a pond and that Bucky had followed after before having to stop because he’d been laughing too much. You learnt that Peggy and Steve were flirting around and everyone was waiting for something to happen and that Tony had a habit of setting things on fire at the station.

You noticed Bucky go quiet first, saw his eyes shift to something behind you and turned to see him look at a red haired woman by the door, her arm linked through a built, rough looking man’s. His uniform was half undone and he had a look on his face that was more intimidating than anything. He didn’t look friendly.

One by one each member of the table noticed and fell silent. You figured these two people had history with Bucky and not good history either. You put a hand to his shoulder and leant closer to him, “Are you okay?” It was quiet, but with everyone else remaining silent you were sure they could all hear you.

“I’m okay, don’t worry about it, doll” He whispered back to you, a hand rubbing up and down between your shoulders as if that would reassure you. But it didn’t.

It was unsettling to see him so quiet, so sad simply because two people walked into the room. Bucky was a generally happy person, someone who teased you and made you laugh even when you felt like shit or were going a tad stir crazy. To know that these two people had done something to make him so sad was unsettling and upsetting.

You tried not to speculate on why and how, but it wasn’t easy. Your thoughts that night as you laid in your bed were about what they could have possibly done to him and how long ago. What did these two people do to hurt him so much?

[fangbreaker]

Tales of Springfield: Denial

Prologue

Looking over the horizon, the only thing that could be seen was cloudy skies overhead and a huge forest underneath. Within this incredible forest silence reigned supreme, no matter where you walked. The trees that made the land their home were so thick and tall and their leaves so many, it created a darkness like none seen before, save a few small creaks of sunlight that managed to make it through.

Within the darkness was a lone figure walking through the forest at a slow and steady pace. Faint stops of swishing water could be heard as the figure lightly treaded through the water that covered the ground, the sound traveled for miles due to the silence.

As the figure made it’s way through the forest, it came under a beam of light that managed to shine, the figure came under the light, it was William. Something was amiss with William, the smile that William always carried upon his face was not that of the standard good nature. This smile hid a feeling of desolation within him, he continued walking, being reclaimed by the darkness just as fast as he left it. For a little while longer William persisted through the darkness until he saw a light shinning in the darkness ahead of him, which lead to the very middle of the forest. The middle of the forest was a huge clearing, a perfect circle with a deep lake. William started up his slow and steady space again, at the same time that William made his way to lake center another figure was running with all of it’s it’s might

“I have to stop this, not again, I have to stop this from happening again”

The figure saw the light leading to the lake center and rushed through screaming at the too of his lungs “STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP” The echo went for miles, booming with strength even as it died out. William turned around, saw the figure who was revealed them self to be William. “You came” his desolate smile became filled with a brief moment of happiness “You came, it is too late though” with his face returning back to the desolate grin, he took on final step and was dead center. William back at the entrance ran towards him as fast as his body would allow “LIKE HELL IT’S TOO LATE” “YOU CAN’T GIVE UP” William screamed. “You have to stop” declared the desolate William and with the slight turned of his head the roots of a tree tripped the frantic William. Falling into the dirt face first, frantic William’s face was riddled with cuts as well as some dirt and leaves. Wiping it off his face frantic William tried getting back up to run, he was stopped by a pain in his foot, caused by tripping on the thick branch. “Shit!!” He tried hopping on one foot yet the soiled was damp to the point that William sank a little and fell over again, he began running on all four bearing most of his body’s weight on the other three limbs. That is when another branch wrapped it self around William’s legs pulling him back, frantic William tried holding on to one of the tree roots, his hands riddled with damp soil caused his grip to slip. As frantic William was losing sight of desolate William he saw a sharp rock grabbed it and hacked away at the root, breaking through he ran as fast as he could with a limp. Dodging other roots, frantic William finally touched down on the lake. He kept running towards desolate William, when frantic started sinking into the water. “ The hell is this? Why do you give up so easily” as William sank more he remembered “Right!!! You can swim…. Idiot!!” He started swimming to desolate when he realized he wasn’t going anywhere, the water was moving opposite of William. “Come on!!!”

Desolate William having dealt with frantic William’s attempts to stop him took one last breath “Let it begin” An eruption of water burst causing a mist everywhere, once the mist cleared Frantic saw Desolate’s neck covered by the fangs of a black wolfish creature whose eyes were a blood red hue, seeing this Frantic went berserk in the water, trying to get back on the water surface images of the deaths of his family and friends started replaying in his head. Two more wolfish creatures burst through the water clamping their fangs in the base of William’s arms “PLEASE!! THERE’S ANOTHER WAY” from behind Desolate a wolfish creature emerged, hyperextending it’s jaw to grip Desolate’s torso “It has to happen” the soft spoken words echo and Frantic stopped “What?” “What do you mean? No it doesn’t!!!” “It has to has to happen” Desolate spoke once more. As he finished speaking, two more wolfish creatures grip the base of William’s thighs to his torso. Frantic tried to move his body, yet nothing happened, “Thank you”

Just as Desolate finished speaking, the wolves pressed their fangs, ripping Desolate apart. Frantic looked on in horror, eyes widened, tears streaming down his face, the black beast gorging on the piece of Desolate they claimed breaking down the bone, even fighting amongst each other for the remains. Once they were done they vanished instantly, they looked at Frantic before leaving and didn’t care for him.

Some time had passed, William finally back on the water’s surface was kneeled over, staring at his reflection. The memories of his family and friend’s death replayed again, over and over until all he saw was the blood covered still bodies of those he loved. Faster and faster the images played in a loop, heavier and more rapid did his breathing become, face turning red. On the final play through of his loved ones corpses, he saw Desolate’s face, tears streaming down his face along with blood seeping from his eyes and mouth. Desolate stretched out his arm despite the wolf creature clutching the base “Thank you” that phrase echoed through William’s mind looping over itself multiple times getting louder and until nothing. The loops stopped playing, William’s harsh breathing regulated. The only thing that could be heard was a faint ringing sound, William began to chuckle “heh heh heh…… heh heh he ha ha ha ha ha ha ha” Inhale* “HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA”

William went on for 30 more seconds laughing, once the laughter started dying down a heavy flow of tears started streaming down William’s face. He then started crying, memories of everyone dear to him replayed in his mind only to see their dead bodies again fresh in his mind, remembering how limp their bodies were when he held them after they died because he was unable to protect them. His crying got stronger and louder, and slowly converged into a horrendously inhuman howl. William’s pupils were gone, he was losing himself, he raised his fast into the air. Bringing his fist down to the water he woke up.

William was laying in fetal position when woke on his right side, covering his face with his left hand, he propped himself up “The same dream, huh? This time it was me” as William stretched, Hannibal snugged up against him “Hello hume, food please”

“Lets get you and me some food pal” William said with a smirk

Main Story

William sat on his couch already bored with the day, yet it was only 11:30 in the morning. “What a way to start the day, bored” it was a pretty bland week William was having. Anytime someone called for his help as the guardian of the area, it was minor stuff. Kittens in trees, hives located near areas with children, herding animals. William didn’t want anything bad to happen to anybody, that said he wouldn’t mind an unnecessarily aggressive beast to start fucking things up.

“What day is it?” William wondered looking at his phone seeing that it was Thursday, June 8th 11:36 am. “Thursday, yes the new manga’s out” William said with glee to find something to keep his attention, after spending 20 minutes reading the new releases William’s phone vibrated. His eyes widened with glee, he was being called by another guardian by the name of Rue to clear out an abandoned Transit workers subway work station located in Williamsburg

“Finally!! Some action, William got his supplies and was about to go. Before that, William left a message for Carrie and Kalis via text if they decided to come to the den, letting them know there’s food in the fridge, and that he would be back by 4:30 the latest. William used a little teleporting trinket Kalis and Carrie picked out for his birthday. He popped up in Williamsburg on Franklin ave, the site where he had to meet up with Rue was 3 miles right of him. William began jogging, as he jogged he counted 6 bodies within a span of 3 blocks, 2 churches next to each other and 2 schools across the street from each other.

A mile into the jog William saw more and more old construction stuff, a lot of it old. After 30 minutes he came up to the entrance to the of the transit station. Out of the corner of his eye William saw the sharpened edge of an Oathkeeper barely miss his right eye, jumping back William turned into his Livewire suits form William saw a young man in his late teens. “Who are you?” William asked clenching his lightning charged fist, the boy stood there in stance, stoic in the face The boy charged at William with great speed, William while not great with speed in his Frankenstein’s monster-ish form, used his power to his advantage smash the ground under him causing a great smoke cloud. That didn’t stop the youth from charging still, slicing through the smoke to see no one was there. Stepping forward he stopped himself before he fell into the hold dug, he went on guard quickly. Waiting for any sort of movement, that’s when parts of the ground were being punched through, causing the debris to fly in the air creating more dust and dealing bit of damage. The youth cutting through as much of the debris coming his way as he possibly could sustained damage to his legs, right arm and even face. The youth in an enraged fit charged up energy into the blade stabbing the blade into the ground, causing the area to fluctuate around him with the energy surging and destroying anything it reached. The area was quiet, the youth looked around for a while before finally lowering the dust covered blade, just as the blade pointed directly at the ground Livewire grabbed the youth’s leg launching him. The youth tumbled for a little while, Livewire emerged surging with electricity charging it all into his fist, before the youth could get on his feet Livewire hit the ground with all of his might once again, this time releasing an electrical wave. The eyes of the stoic faced youth were overcome with confusion, Livewire glared at the youth letting him know to give up on fighting. The youth dropped the blade and fell to his knees. “You lost James, that was a pitiful” a voice echoed, William looked around preparing some electricity “I’m not your enemy, I’m a friend” footsteps were heard coming from behind some old construction equipment. Who emerged from behind the equipment was a black man in his late 40s, piercing eyes and a greatsword with magically charged runes on them. “What’s the meaning of this?” William said reverting back to his normal form “Why did he attack me?” William was already in a bad mood almost having lost his eye, he wanted answers and wanted them yesterday. “Calm yourself guardian, I had my boy attack you to test your strength. See if you really worth the contact I sent you earlier” “Name’s Rue by the way, I’m the guardian needing help with this mission, this here’s my boy James. He’s apprenticing me to take over as guardian when the time comes, I don’t think that’s going to happen with that display I saw” William looked at James, whose head was lowered by the disapproving words from his father. “That display your son put forth was brimming with skill, the stoic face he had made it hard to tell wh-” “He was sluggish, didn’t want the victory hard enough” William could already tell this mission was going to be mentally draining, taking a deep breath he focused on the mission “What are we dealing with exactly? I want to be prepared” William proclaimed Rue looked at his boy “What are you waiting for, tell him” James walked up to William and started to explained “In this abandoned station there was reported to have been the dwelling of dark dust spirits” “Dark dust spirits?” William cocked his right eyebrow up questioning James, James humped back a bit “Y-yes” William looked at Rue “The message said beast. Dark dust spirits are not beast, they’re undead. Undead with a real grudge that distorted what they once were. We have to sanctify the remains , we can’t fight them” “Do not worry guardian” Rue spoke “My name is William, you could at least ask” “My apologies William, I will use my subjugation on them” William walked passed Rue on his way into the abandoned worker’s station. “Where are you going?” Rue asked “To perform the passing on ritual, I need someone handy with passing rituals. Do any of you know any?” William asked Slowly raising his hand James proclaimed “I do” Rue looked down upon his son “ And where did you learn those rituals? “F-from mom” James responded Rue scoffed at the answer “Figures that stupid light magic she was so fond of, she should’ve helped with enforcing your tutelage in subjugation” “She didn’t want me to be useless!” James reacted “What?!?!” Rue’s eyes widened “Enough” William voiced roared “We’re here to do our job, not bicker. James I’m going to need you upfront since you have the know how for the rituals” James agreed and followed after William through the entrance. “And what of me?” Rue asked “You’re still valuable for your mastery in subjugation. Places like this are home to beast” “Such a small role” Rue scoffed “Dude, seriously. Either help or go home, I could honestly kill the damn beast if I wanted to. I’d rather not, especially after the battle with James” William said completely done with the remarks The trio entered the subway station, the sound of faint water drilling could be heard, a mildewy smell was present yet not strong enough to bother them and the floor was littered with debris and police crossing tape. “There’s two tunnels, James and I will take the left. Rue you take the right, here’s chalk to write the seals used for the ritual” William explained “What happens if I find nothing?” Rue questioned William stamped a temporary calling seal on Rue’s arm “If you find nothing and need to regroup touch the seal, you’ll be brought to us immediately. Same for if we need help” Rue went down the right tumnel, James watched his father disappear into the tunnel. William walked past James nudging him in the process. “Lets get this done” William said as James followed after Walking down the left tunnel James was quietly staring at the ground as he walked “You know, you shouldn’t stare at the floor. Have to stay on guard” James looked up and caught up with William. “You can be at ease, your dad isn’t around for now.” James breathed easy “He’s not all bad, you know? He can be a little too tough at times, he just wants what’s beat for me” William smirked “Kid, that’s denial if I ever did see it. If your dad wants you to reach peak potential, he could show support in your growth. Tearing someone down, especially his own son is a real dick thing to do” “I didn’t even get a chance to properly introduce myself to you” “Name’s William” holding out his hand for a formal greeting James smirked “Name’s James” James met with for the handshake. Once They made contact, William noticed this dark aura hovering over James with piercing eyes looking down on James “Is something wrong William?” James asked William quickly reassured James all was well and they continued walking. Further down the tunnel William and James came across an abandoned train stop, William noticed there was a single figure standing in the middle enjoying garbage pail fire that was made. “Excuse me sir, are you by your lone some?” William asked the homeless “I’m never alone” said the Old man “We were called to deal with some dark dust spirits, you haven’t seen anything odd, have you?” James asked The homeless man sighed “Dark dust spirits, huh? Follow me” the old man said The boys agreed and followed behind the homeless “Those being you called Dark dust spirits are by no means dark, they simply couldn’t get past the pain they had inside. They shouldn’t be feared, they should be pitied” the old man explained “That may be sir, they still have to pass on. If they stay they mag cause the death of someone and only create more of their kind” William explained “I couldn’t agree with you more, I beg of you helped them pass on” the old man begged “We’d like to, we have to find their remains though” James stated “That’s easy” said the old man, they walked down the tunnel for miles until they came across snd underground subway oasis for homeless people. “What is this place?” William asked in amazement, James was rapidly looking from left to right, taking in all the sights he could. The three of the made it to the area of the oasis where the council for the management of the oasis reside “Who are these two Malachi?” A small woman asked “Gloria, these two are guardians. They’ve come to deal with the 3.” Malachi responded “Have they really?” Gloria said filled with hope “Thank goodness, we didn’t have the means to do it ourselves so we could only sit and watch as some of our own were forced to exist like that. “We’ll make sure they’ll pass asap” William reassured Gloria. Gloria walked Malachi, William and James two a smaller side tunnel where there was a seal placed. “I put this here, to keep the spirits at bay. Please, help them” Gloria began releasing the seal, just then James realized that there were prying eyes from behind the seal “You noticed too, huh?” Malachi asked “As soon as we stepped in front of the seal we were being watched” “Everytime someone passes the seal, the spirits enforce their aura, letting us know they’re still there wanting out” Gloria stated as she finished releasing the seal. Just then a shockwave of dark energy shot out at the along with powerful gravely moans “���Come…” three voices beckoned William and James rushed into the passage, the darkness was a lot more dense in this part of the tunnel. Mostly because of the spirits influence, the boys came across a passage that had three smaller tunnels in three separate directions. As William was about to take another step towards one of the doors a loud screeching roar was heard. James and William looked up, automatically making eye contacting with the spirits. Their form grotesque, a grayish-white mane protruding from the scalp of a head who face was majorly transformed, the eyes were an ice blue, the body was all red covered in black veins all over the body. The veins would pulsate, and the red skin gave off a slight glow. “We know why you’re hear, we want to pass on. That’s why we’ve been causing trouble, and now you’re here. We won’t go down easy though, our remains are within these three passages. Come and kill us” the middle spirit said William took the left path, James was going to follow William stopped him "Don’t think I can handle myself, huh?” James was stumbling over his words, William turned around smiling giving the thumbs up “Take the right path, beat and send the poor bastard on. We’ll get the last one together, how’s that?” James agreed “Will do” James went into the right path, it was a long straight corridor that descended downward into a big room. There he saw the remains of the dust spirit he was going to send on to the afterlife, it was a dirty skull yet the presence exhuming from it was nothing to trifle with. James focused on the task at hand, walking towards the skull when he was punched back to where he started. A cloud of dust particles came together and formed the spirit. “Soon, eternal rest” the spirit said eagerly “I will not fail” James said with more confidence, unsheathing his Oathkeeper used light magic to enchant his blade. Darkness engulfed the spirit’s fist, and he charged right at James. Punching James in his stomach, he endured slashing wildly at the spirit. The spirit dispersed and reappeared “You bore me, I’m going to kill you now” sharpening it’s claws to it’s peak the spirit, kicked off the ceiling charging at James slicing through his body. The spirit licked it’s claws of the blood from James, that was until the blood revealed itself to be light particles. The mutilated body of James was nothing more than a husk of light energy. *Molting Cicada* the real James appeared behind the spirit *U slash* slicing off the spirits arms and legs the spirit shrieked, then laughed “I can regrow my limbs, I’m a spirit.” The spirit tried using the dust particles in the are to craft new limbs, yet they failed “Oathkeeper drenched in light energy is especially because it halts the otherworldly healing process they possess” James sheathed his blade took a deep breath “I’m glad that’s over” he walked over to the spirit that laid defeated on the floor bowed to him and then proceeded to sanctify the remains. The spirits demon body was cleansing itself and breaking apart revealing the beast to be a man in his 20s “Thank you” and he faded

” I wonder how William is doing?“ James said as he rushed to the entrance of the dungeon he entered. William on the other hand had just finished passing the spirit on "didn’t mean to pin you to the ground, you gave me no choice though. Rest well” The spirit smirked “thank you” William emerged from the dungeon path he choose to see James waiting for him “You finished already? Damn good” James gave a thumbs up, the two stared at the last door and they went through and saw the last spirit standing “Just you left, I’m guessing you won’t go easy” William said. The spirit said nothing, it just released miasma from it’s claws. We’re going to need all of the help we can get, William touched the seal and brought Rue to the dungeon. “About damn time, is that the beast?” “Spirit” James corrected "and yes it is" Rue walked passed William and James, drawing his sword "Lets get this over with, being in this station is tiring" "Agreed" William responded All of a sudden, James charged at the spirit, Oathkeeper drenched in light magic. The spirit unimpressed blocked the frontal assault with it's arm "Brave yet fool hardy" the spirit's eyes widened "This boy's eyes, he's being subju- Rue attacked the spirit with his greatsword, the runes on his blade glowing "You would o that to your own boy, you're no guardian. You're a monster" the spirit said in disgust. "You know nothing, he will be strong" Rue said as he charged at this spirit. The spirit leaped back charging miasma in it's fist, charged at Rue. James was in route to attack the spirit stoic face on blade at the ready when the spirit kneed James, Rue tried to behead the spirit and the spirit ducked, uppercutting Rue with all of it's might sending Rue flying back. The spirit grabbed James by the head and roared at point blank range. James lost the stoic face "where am I?" The spirit responded "you are free" William sprinted behind the spirit "Let go of him!!!" Slashing his way through the shoulder of the spirit. "AAAAHHHHHHHH" the spirit turned it's head 180 degrees "I'm not your enemy boy" the spirit hissed, then exhuming an omni-directional miasma sent William flying. Rue and James struck the spirit from both sides, the spirit couldn't move because of the runes and light magic in both blades "Sanctify the remains already!!!!" Rue yelled, William back on his feet ran towards the Rib cage spewing aura wrote the seals and poured the water. The spirit's distorted body reverted back to the original human form to show a priestess. William walked over to the fading spirit, Rue and James sheathed the blades and walked back to the entrance of the lair " You coming William" Rue shouted "Yeah, just give me a second" William responded. The woman looked at William "Before you fade, what did you say?" William questioned the woman basically gone replied "The real enemy is among you, the enemy is- The spirit faded "Damn" William said clenching his fist. William ran to catch up with Rue and James, William nudged James "You were in the zone dude, that stoic zen form you go into is good. If you can master it" James chuckled "thanks" as William was laughing he saw those piercing eyes looking down on James fade. "You okay William, you look like you've seen a ghost" William snapped out of it "Sorry, I thought I did. Also, don't you think you should give James some praise. His hard work made the victory possible" "Him showing the level of skill required of a guardian isn't praiseworthy, it's required" James sulked his head. They arrived back in the subway oasis and then appeared before Malachi and Gloria "Are you successful?" Asked Gloria with hope in her eyes. William spread the good news and everyone was relieved. "Thank you gentlemen, your hard work has brought them peace. We thank you, here is what we could muster as payment" The trio was given a set of scrolls with magic in them "It's not much" "It's more then enough thank you" William replied. The trio parted ways with the subway civilization and exited the station, William got a message on his phone from Carrie. He looked at the time, it was 5:30 "Shit, I already know her and Kalis are going to let have it for keeping them waiting at the den" William played the voice message *Boi if you don't hurry up with this mission you're on, Kalis came to the den looking like a snack for you my nigga. Got the cake and you ain't even here to enjoy it, you slipping* Kalis could also be heard *Welp, never doing this again* *you're slipping William* Carrie and Kalis were both laughing *Hurry back doge* William pulled the teleporting trinket from his pocket "Hey James, nice job today dude. Lets hang out Tuesday" James agreed, William gave a thumbs up and left William appearing back at his den let out a huge sigh "No place like home" he opened the door and Hannibal jumped up like mad BAAAAAWWWWRRGGHHH!!!!! "Ha ha ha good boy" William pet Hannibal on the head and saw Carrie and Kalis "Hey Carrie, KAAAALLLIIIISSSSS!!!!" "Oh well I guess fuck me" Carrie said jokingly William and Kalis chuckled "How was your mission?" Kalis asked "Yeah, you were gone for basically the whole day" Carrie added "It was a little wild, teamed up with this guardian and his son to deal with spirits bound to an underground subway" William explained "how did that go?" Carrie asked "It was tiring, the guardian was a dick to his son and he didn't really have kind words for the magic he knew because it was the same magic the boy's mother " Oh geez" Carrie said "Yeah, and that's not even the weird part. While trying to send the last spirit on his way she told me that she was the real enemy, I asked her who was and she faded before I could here an answer" "Oh and when I shook the boy whose name is James by the way, I saw this aura like it was lurking over him there were eyes looking down on him in the aura" "What do you think it means?" Kalis asked "I think someone is controlling him" William said "I say it's the father" Carrie said bluntly "You think so?" Carrie placed her hand on William's shoulder and give him the "Carrie" look "William" she said with confidence. "Well I can't just attack him for no reason, I could be stripped of my guardian status" William explained "Well you better think of something" Carrie said "It's pretty fucking disgusting to do that to your own son" Kalis added "I agree" William added. "It's a good thing I'm hanging with him Tuesday, I can possible get some answers" William explained "Not to change the subject here, can we get some food?" Kalis asked "Deadass, William got us starving" Carrie added "What about the food that was in the fridge?" William asked "We ate that as soon as we got here at 2:30" "Oh, all right what do you guys want to eat?" William asked. Kalis went into her grub hub app and search for a restaurant. The trio agreed on Chinese, and William pulled his debit card out. "Put it back" Kalis demanded William slid the card back in his wallet as fast as he slid it out. After Kalis ordered Hannibal started whining "Want to head outside boy?" William asked Hannibal jumped around. "Why don't we all hang outside on the stoop, while he doges around in the yard?" Carrie suggested. William agreed, they all went to the front yard, Hannibal bolted out the door, running in circles on both patches of grass. "William, bring out some tea for us" Kalis asked "Good idea" William went to the fridge took out the tea brought it to the girls with two cups. He sat back down. The food came soon after, after a good feast William teleported them back their homes. Cleaning up the cups and forks used along with any dishes from the day he showered and then went to sleep. The same dream played through for him, and he awoke to a bright sunny day. "I have got to do something about this feeling" Fast forward to Tuesday William awoke, he felt pretty good, didn't have the dream "The start of a good say" William said to himself. He got dressed and headed to the ave, where he was meeting James. Teleporting to the ave he met James as he emerged from the train station "Hey dude" William said greeting James, James waving. "You ready?" William asked "Yeah" James replied. "Where are we going?" James asked "A place that guardians in Queens frequent" William explained, "I'm not a Queens guardian, or a guardian at all" James said "That's why you're with me" William explained "Oh" James understood. The whole say William and James walked around the area checked out the many different attractions, different trinkets and wards on display in shops. James was amazed by the different trinkets, they all had great effects, lots of different armors and weapons that coat a lot for normal people. For guardians, they were able to get a special deal thanks to their badge of status, it also helped the price if your rank amongst other guardians was in good standing. Luckily for William he was known as the little wolf, who was well respected. There was a particular set of armor that James saw that his eyes glowed for, the "Goddaman armor" a light weight armor that granted immunity to all poisons and majority of diseases that could be contracted in battle. The armor cost $700, money that James didn't have to spare. William showed his badge to the shop owner and pointed towards the "Goddaman armor". Thanks to William's badge, along with his rank amongst the Queens guardians the armor's price dropped down to $80. James' mouth was open during the whole interaction, William handed the Shopkeeper $80, the armor was boxed and William gave the armor to James. "Bu-...that......" James couldn't speak, "Hey we've been out all day, you hungry?" "Y-yeah" James managed to replied they went to get some teriyaki from the Sarku Japan place Once they were situated William looked at James as he began eating and saw the dark aura, it was still there. He even saw one of the eyes keeping lookout, James saw William staring "You okay there?" William snapped back to reality "yeah" beginning his feast William started talking again. "So why's your dad the way he is? William asked, James smirked "He can be tough and a little dick baggish, he does want the best for me though. That's why I'm always training" "What about school? That's important" William stated. "I'm in school, don't worry" James reassured "That's good" William responded getting more into his meal " Do you have a job?" William continued asking "Yeah, I work at a Petsmart" "Nice" William said "Eh, it's a bit tiring" James said "How come? Long hours?" William asked, "No, it's to pay for school" James said William's fork stopped moving "Don't you get fafsa?" William asked "No, my dad doesn't help me with that. He said I should've just went to devoting my full time to becoming a guardian." "The tax returns I get help, I still have to pit a lot of hours in and then the training I do with my dad while apprenticing him is pretty intense. I'm running myself ragged at times" James remarked "What does your mom have to say about this?" William asked " Haven't seen her for some years, her and dad split up when I was really young. She's the one thing I won't let him talk down about." James said gripping his plastic fork, small cracks started appearing on the fork. "What did they split up for if you don't mind me asking" William continued "They got into a bad argument about this thing Dad wanted to try with me, it was said to boost the natural ability. The drawback was a bad one though" James said trying to remember correctly. "How did you come up with that zen mode you went into at the station, you were pretty strong there" William inquired " That mode was something my dad created, he researched for hours that special mode referencing from the procedure he wanted to try the first time, with none of the drawback" Hearing that William saw the "Carrie" face along with Carrie's voice "William, I told you" Flashes to Carrie at work* Carrie raises her head , shifts her eyes "I told him" and she went back to work As William and James finished their food, they got their stuff and headed to the train station James waved goodbye "Hey James, wait, here. A teleportation trinket, this should save you some money and also make getting places a lot more easier" James eyes lit up "I thought only guardians could get these" "You're an apprentice, you have some benefits. Especially because you're apprenticing your father, who is somehow well respected" William remarked. Just then James remembered that he had a ward he wanted to give to William "I made this ward for you, a ward that you can use in forms that might not have resistance to poisons or diseases" William smiled "thanks dude" he went into his Null Void suit form and equipped the ward, by doing so a pattern covered the armored "I feel stronger" William remarked. William watched as James arrived home with the trinket and texted him that he was home safe, William then did the same texting James. It was 7pm when William got home, he entered the house and there was Carrie and Kalis in the living room. Kalis was playing Kingdom hearts 2.8 watching the Back cover movie "You started playing without me" William sulked "I'm sorry William, we hot bored waiting for you to get back. How was hanging with James" Kalis asked "I was right again, wasn't I?" Carrie said with a smirk. William smirked while looking at the floor "Yeah" Carrie burst out with a triumphant laugh "AAAAAAH YAGGA YOW" Kalis chimed in with a slight laugh too. Carrie finished her laugh "Seriously though, we have to do something before shit goes down" "I agree" William chimed in, Rue is draining this kid, it's nothing but training with this kid, he doesn't even help with James paying for school. He relies on his job and tax returns. "Geez" Carrie and Kalis said William continued he somehow thinks he dad is still a good guy" he's splitting himself up into too many directions trying to take care of everything and it's burning him out. "Kind of sounds like you William" Carrie stated "My dad doesn't do that kind of stuff" William defended "No, yet your mom isn't here, his mom's not there. You both are burned out from splitting yourselves up trying to take care of everything, the only difference is that you were able to come to terms with that and aren't in such a state of denial and your father doesn't control you while also down talk you" Carrie said "We need to find his mom, don't you have a form that can track life energies?" William thought and realized "Yeah, before the shaman left back to her home, she gave me some if her power and I got a shaman form" William concentrated and assumed the form of a shaman. William's form was composed of black clothing and he was holding a paintbrush that had jet black bristles, he was holding special papers. William placed the paper on the ground, he took the ward from his Null Void form and placed it on the paper, wrapped the ward in the paper and dipped the paint brush in the black that was William's clothing, writing Find James Mother as the sole command on the paper the ink on the paper turned into 8 arrows the arrow pointing left glowed. "I'll be back guy" William said as he transitioned from Shaman to Seraph form and took flight. William followed the arrows all the way to Forest Hills to a 2 apartment complex, he reverted back to his normal form and knocked on the door the arrow pointed to. The arrows disappeared, the door opened and a hand grabbed William pulling him in and launching him into the living room behind the couch. William got up to find a blade in his face "State your business" the woman demanded, William held up the ward and said "Your son" "How do you know of him? Has that bastard sent you after me to kill me?" The woman asked ready to fight "No, I'm here because I need your help saving James" William explained "My name is William, a guardian of Queens. I worked with your husband- "Ex" the woman declared "I couldn't stay there with him and my son, I would've taken the boy yet the judge ruled that without proof I couldn't get full custody. I had no choice, except to leave my boy, I felt horrible" " You aren't a bad person, you did what you could. Now you have a chance to finish what you started" William remarked "How do we do that? Oh and my name is Mona" "First I have to ask you about the procedure you and Rue argued about" William asked "The procedure was done with a ritual, it would awaken the latent strengthen within an individual in every way. It seemed to good to be true and it was, the test subjects all started becoming aggressive destroying anything in their path. They soon turned into beast that broke free causing one of the biggest tragedies ever" "the march of beast in 97" William chimed in, Mona nodded her head. "My husband Rue was a guardian and also someone who was lending a hand in the project with his mastery of subjugation magic, he was so hell bent on this projects success that he even tried to offer up little James at that point. I violently forbade it, the arguments got fierce, so I destroyed his notes on the project so he couldn't try it. Filing for divorce, I tried full custody yet you know how that went" Mona sighed" I want my boy safe with me." "I think he's created another procedure" William said, Mona's eyes widened "How?" "James told me he referenced the procedures strengths with none of the weakness, the thing is it turns him into a stoic soldier" William explained Mona became enraged "My poor boy has been turned into a guinea pig by his own father none the less" "Take me to him" Mona demanded, "I can't right now the law would be on their side if we attacked like this" "Don't you worry boy, I have a ace up my sleeve that I've been preparing. Meet me with your friends tomorrow" Mona said she gave him a hug, which caught William by surprise "Thank you" William returned home and told Kalis and Carrie the plan, they were all for it except "Work William, we have jobs. We can't just ditch" they both explained " I know that, that's why I have a friend who can help" William reassured. A figure came walking through the gate "He means me" a mage by the name of Mark said "impeccable timing as ever Mark" William said " Well I sensed you need my abilities. So who am I helping today?" "Us" Carrie and Kalis responded " Need you to clone them, temporary clones for the day." William explained "Easy" Mark replied holding out his hands "I need you two to put one of your hands on one of my hands, focus energy and we'll begin" Carrie and Kalis focused energy with one of their hands and Mark did the same, a few seconds later and they were done. Mark held two orbs in his hand one with a C and one with a K "I added that to make sure no mix ups happened, that should help. They are just like you, same aura, magic force and all. They can't take too much strain though, or they'll disappear." "Understood" Kalis and Carrie responded. "Thanks Mark, there's food in the kitchen if you want some" William said pointing to the kitchen Mark ran inside to the kitchen and made a sandwich then left "that's all I wanted" Marked walked until he faded away "Where do we go exactly tomorrow? Carrie asked "To Brooklyn, Williamsburg" William said "Now it's time to rest up" William teleported them back home William then went to sleep In the dream William saw Desolate him walking towards the beast. He pushed Desolate out of the way before they ate him, he ended in the grip of their teeth and just as he was about to get ripped to shreds he woke up Propping himself up, he rubbed his eyes "I guess that's a better outcome somehow." William said, jumping in the shower he was quick because he had to be there by 10 when it was 9:50. Kalis and Carrie were at his house by 9:55 and they left soon after. The area was desolate when the trio arrived "Where is Everybody?" Kalis asked "this must be what Mona had up her sleeves. Switching the real area of Williamsburg with a faux Williamsburg. Now we can fight full force" William said "Heeeeyyy" James waved as he came closer, he was wearing the "Goddaman armor" "Looking sharp James, that's the look of a future guardian" William said gassing James up "What might the guardians of Queens be doing in my territory?" Rue appeared "Rue!!! Give up" Mona shouted "Well I'll be, Mona. Just as beautiful as e- "Save me your honeyed words Rue" "Give up and come with me. To stand trial for using your own boy for experiments" "I'm going nowhere" Rue said simply, snapping his fingers 3 massive beast appeared all exhuming powerful aura. William's eyes widened "Those eyes" "That's right the best that came to be from the procedure, I subjugated them" Rue explained "Now fall to their power" The beast sprinted towards the group Mona sprang forth 5 mini metal cogs, charged to the max with light magic *Secret teachings: Dancing laser* two beat dodged leaving the last to take the full force of the attack, slicing him to pieces. Rue's eyes widened at what he witnessed "Fucking light magic, too bad you wasted that amalgam of Energy because I've jacked up the beast ability to heal" the cubes of flesh that the beast was cut into started coming together and just as the beast was almost fully healed it burst into flamed reducing the beast to ashes. "How??!?!" Rue said enraged that his hardwork was just destroyed easily "Dancing laser is a special light magic that shreds through anything, that's not all, if the target has healing properties the body of the individual breaks down even further thanks to an accelerated decomposition of the body" Mona explained "Maybe if you paid me mor attention that wouldn't have happened" the other two beast came for Mona, she tried using the residual energy in the cog for a shield yet it wasn't enough to stop the fist of the beast. James went to his mother who was falling from a building and caught her, placing her down gently he went to the beast with a light drenched Oathkeeper and sliced through the leg of the beast. William turned into his Livewire form and went for the second beast, Kalis joined him and Carrie helped James Mona healed herself and went for Rue. Rue tried using subjugation to stop her, to no avail did it work and she attack *100 light pillars* Mona created created one light pillar which multiplied into 99 more and launch them all at him. Rue focused energy into the blade causing the glyphs to glow, thrusting the blade into the ground caused an energy shield to block the pillars "I've learned a few more tricks" Rue said with pride "So have I" Mona said, with the snap of her fingers a light glyph appeared under Rue and exploded. "Give up Rue, you lost" As the battle between the beast waged on, Kalis used her Phoenix talons grabbing on to the beast burning it severely and launching him at Livewire. Livewire charged up all the electricity that he could *Gigabolt* black lightning surged down combing with Livewire's electricity and reduced the beast to nothing. James had cut through the last limb of the last beast and Carrie charged up her magic "You're life is nothing more than a run on sentence, that needs to be ereased" *The end* a black dot launched on to the beast that resembled the period, the dot instantly consumed the beast and shattered leaving no evidence the beast was there. James was amazed at the power of William's friends "Awesome" James shouted. William and Kalis caught up with James and Carrie "Lets go help mom, I can't believe Dad did this. All four of them ran towards whereMona and Rue were last seen fighting. Rue had been subdued by three rings of light. "The battle is over, I called the council to come for him" Heh heh heh he heh HA HA HA HA HA HA Rue laughed like he won the battle "Why are you laughing Rue? You're a failure, not just with this plan, as a guardian and a father." Mona dug into him with harsh words. "Save it Mona, my victory is here. BEGIN!!!" Rue enforced his subjugation and the dark aura began pouring from James. James began transforming into a combination of all three beast "Look at your boy Mona, isn't he beautiful?" "You monster!!! What have you done to him?" Mona roared holding a dagger composed of light magic to his neck. "With the new and improved procedure that makes James become a stoic soldier, I added some of the dna and aura of all three beast. He is perfect, he is Catoblopes" Catoblopes stood over all of them at 20 ft tall "Mona!! What is that monstrosity?" Erogn a council appointed guardian asked "Erogn, Rue turned my son into that,we have to save him" "I'll have the mages use their magic to stall him and then I'll extract as much beast DNA as I can" Erogn promised. Erogn saw the badge on William "Guardian, can you lend help?" "What do you need?" "Something to stall him" Erogn said William transformed in to Livewire charging up massive electricity *Thor's hammer* Black lightning touched down again and combined into a massive projectile William launched the attack at Catoblopes resulting in a huge flash followed by a cloud of dust. Erogn used his wind magic to blow the dust away revealing Willing on his knees panting heavily in his normal form, Catoblopes even with half of his body gone was healing and still trying to fight. "William, you have to get out of there" shouted Kalis and Carrie "I can't move, too tired" William muttered, Kalis and Carrie rushed to William and tried picking him up yet they couldn't move him. "Normally everyone can pick him up, now of all times he's heavy" Carrie said trying to pull him to safety Mona stood between the trio and Catoblopes, staring at him not blinking once. "James, come back to me, come back to your mom. This beast isn't you, just a disgusting romanticization your father concocted." James almost done fully healing his left leg crawled towards Mona "You left" "I was alone" "That's right, she left you boy. Saved her own skin, no good. Kill her" yelled Rue, Erogn slashed Rue's face with wind "Stay silent you disgrace" "I know I left you, I tried to come for you dear, I truly did. The judges wouldn't allow me to take you and if I tried to take you I would be jailed for a long time, especially with your father pleading to extend my sentence like I knew he would" "I have a chance now to spend time with you, please little one allow me to atone" James looked at his mother holding out her arms, waiting for his answer. It looked as if he was going to crush her, instead he pushed her closer to him and she hugged him. James decreased in size and regained his original shape fully healed. He held on to his mother tightly tears streaming down his face. "Where were you? I missed you" James cried "I'm here now, I'll never leave you again" Mona promised William got up surprisingly with a smile on his face "That's nice, I need to see my mom. It's been a long time" tears began streaming down William's face "You okay William" Carrie asked "Yeah, there's two things I need to do" William declared William walked up to Rue "What are you going to do? Punch me?" Rue provoked "No, I am" James said as his father to the floor "You're no linger the guardian, I will take your place" James declared "Really now? You're a monster, they will never accept you" Rue boasted Wind magic slashed Rue's face again giving him an X across the front of his face "He assisted in the attack against you, and he was able to bring himself back to human hood. With mastery over the beast form he would make a fine guardian. Better then you any day" Erogn explained Rue tried once more out of anger to use Subjugation. He was stopped by James who used a primal subjugation on his father "Give in, give up" Rue went with the police quietly, Erogn walked towards James. Bestowing him as the fill in guardian until his apprenticeship was over. "Who will he apprentice though?" William wondered "Who do you think?" Erogn pointing at William "Seriously? Well all right, guess you're my apprentice" William said non-chanlantly "Good, then it's settled" Erogn said "Good work guardians, future guardian" snapping his fingers the battle ground was gone. People were everywhere going on about their business. "Lets get back home I know William's tired" Kslis said looking back at William to see him K.O'd "Did he really fall asleep?" Carrie asked Mona walked up the the Carrie, Kalis and William "Thank you so much, I have my boy back" "You're very welcome" Kalis said "Don't worry about it" Carrie responded William gave a thumbs up and went K.O again A few weeks later James had completed his apprenticeship and was a full fledged guardian William stood at James' right as the guardian seeing him take on the oath. Erogn gave him an official badge and James stood before everyone Guardian James. Everyone stood in applause and his mom rushed to his side tears in her eyes, that she was able to see this joyous occasion. William looked at James and his mom, it reminded him of when he became a guardian. His mom sat in the first seat, with a beaming smile. "You okay doge" Carrie wondered "Yeah, I just miss my mom" William responded. "Why don't you go see her and me and Kalis come with you as support?" Carrie suggested "Really? You guys will come with me?" William asked in excitement "Sure" said Carrie and Kalis. "Great! We'll save up money and go" William said excitedly. Epilogue 3 weeks later Desolate William stood in the middle of the lake once again, the water erupted revealing the wolves who were eager to feast. Desolate held his arms out, eyes closed, ready to meet his fate, yet nothing happened. Desolate opened his eyes to find William standing in front of him blocking the wolves "BEGONE!!!!!" The wolves dispersed, never to return. William turned around and faced Desolate "That's over with" "But" Desolate tried getting a word in and William hugged him. "It's time we become whole again, become who we were supposed to be" as William continued to hug Desolate William continued reassuring Desolate "You're not a failure, you can and you will succeed. If you mess up once get back up and keep trying, don't forget. The most important thing" "What is it?" Desolate pondered "Smile" William said Before Desolate knew it everyone he thought he had lost was alive and well, they all came together and hugged him. Desolate's eyes began to glow "thank you for restoring my hope" Desolate said "No problem hope" William responded "Come on, lets go see mom" "I'd like that" Hopeful said William woke up, feeling more refreshed then he had in a long time, laid out his clothes for the day and took a shower. Emerging from the shower and getting dressed Carrie and Kalis entered the Hotel room "You ready doge?" Carrie asked William nodded with his goofy smile "You seem a lot happier than usual, are you excited to see your mom?" Kalis asked "Definitely" William said A cab was called and they gave the directions, the drive seemed long, William was too hyped to care and then they arrived at the house. Carrie and Kalis got out first, William got out and saw his mom standing at the door of the house. William walked first, Carrie and Kalis walked a few steps behind him. They got to the doorway and before Carrie could say hi William and his mom hugged Tears streamed down both of their faces, as it was a hug long overdue. "I missed you mom" "I missed you too baby" The end @rorycassie @she-got-the-jazz

[dothewrite]

Ringleaders - Prologue.

Here is the original ask for this prompt. Here is the announcement for this project!

Chapter One. Chapter Two.

‘HOW BLIND ARE YOU? HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY SEE? IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT SOMETHING OTHER THAN A POLITICIAN’S ARSE AND YOUR EMPTY POCKETS, GOOGLE US AT ‘YOUTH AGENDA’. WE’LL SHOW YOU WHAT IT’S LIKE PAST THE RABBIT HOLE.’

It’s quite a long catchphrase, but Kuroo knows that the very point is that they’re not trying to sell anything. Anyone who doesn’t take the time to read through the whole thing on the obscenely large billboard probably wouldn’t be what they were looking for, and all in all, he thinks it’s an effective message to those who’re searching for something new in their lives. Something different; something just like what’s past the figurative rabbit hole.

Of course, there isn’t a rabbit hole. There’s only the box that people like to wear about their heads, cover their ears and peer through the little cut-out slits in the cardboard and pretend that just because there’s built in elevator music in that helmet of theirs that everything’s fine.

He kicks a pebble to the side and watches it fall into the water beside him with an unceremonious plop. No skips, no fancy ripples, just a rock sinking to the bottom of the harbor because someone kicked it halfheartedly with their foot. It’s an almost philosophically stupid wonder how some people can expect to soar through the skies with just a simple nudge, too complacent to even throw their arm back to toss the stone.

“Oi, you there,” Kuroo swivels his head around at the voice, fingers still rubbing against each other in the warmth of his coat pockets. It’s a chilly day today, and it’s about to get a little warmer. “You that fucker who took out Franker last week?”

He shrugs. “Maybe. What do you want?”

The man, heavily built but not overly clumsy, Kuroo’s eyes focus on the jagged muscles bulging out from those biceps and at odd areas of his arms and torso- not training then, he decides, but street fighting in all the wrong positions. The man’s walking closer, each heavy step accentuated by a pair of flashy metal tipped boots, and Kuroo turns to face him properly, his back left for the water to guard.

“Want to make things even between the two o’ ye. You left him bleeding out in front of a hospital. Your skinny ass thinks you can flip us off like that and walk away scot free?”

“Apparently not,” Kuroo answers smoothly, a small grin on his face that looks more on the rough side of grim than actually entertained. The man doesn’t seem to notice however, his brows still surly and his words rough, so Kuroo continues. “I left him in front of a hospital, didn’t I? At least it wasn’t a dumpster. I could have charged for delivery.”

“You piece of shit-”

Kuroo dodges the wild, uncontrolled swing at his face with a sudden throw of his body to the left, and landing on one arm, he pushes himself up enough to level a harsh kick at the man’s abdomen. It throws the bulk of the man back with a harsh grunt, but the precise blow to the kidney doesn’t stop him. The large man lurches forward again, and Kuroo has to roll forwards over his head before he’s pummeled into the ground. Ignoring the way his palms whine underneath his weight and the bloodied marks from the harsh grain of the cement floor, he swings out a leg to knock the man’s feet from underneath him and when the hulking figure falls to the ground with a thundering smack, Kuroo pulls his right fist out from his pocket and aims at the crooked nose and the dilated eyes. He marks it, and punches, silver knuckleduster and all with the full momentum of his right side, and the man cries out in agony from underneath him, clutching at his face whilst trying to throw Kuroo off with wild twists of his pelvis. Kuroo finds it a little inconvenient, trying to reach a good angle to punch at while someone’s writhing underneath him, so with metal plated soles of his own, he grinds his heel into the man’s groin with a punctuated shove before standing up and pushing his foot against the thug’s windpipe. One more punch for good measure, just in case he starts to recover most of his vision.

The man’s face is almost caved in on itself, nose completely crushed and the sockets of his eyes bruised from the brutal force of bare, heavy metal, and Kuroo steps down a little harder on the man’s throat to let the effect truly bring itself out.

“Don’t bother us again, got it?” Kuroo’s chest is heaving from exertion when he delivers his message. The pumps of adrenaline that he feels gushing through his arteries light him on fire on the inside, and he ignores the fact that his fists are shaking in their hovering position.

“I-I dinnd-”

“Yes you did,” and there’s a crunch of bone- he hopes for the man’s sake that it’s his collarbone and not his actual throat. He can’t always control the precision of his feet, unfortunately, but he’s learned from experience that an inch or two off the mark doesn’t make too much of a difference. “I don’t give a fuck who hired you, but you stay away from our people, and we stay away from you. Buying them out won’t work, understand?”

If he could still breathe properly, the man would laugh. Instead it comes out as a bloody gurgle, a strained choke against the weight of a whole leg and Kuroo watches intently as the man’s fingers start to curl into fists. “Erryone w-wants money,” he grins manically at his captor, “if we dun buy ‘em out, sumbuddy else ‘ll.”

Kuroo steps off the man, who lets out a heaving groan once oxygen starts flowing into his brain again, and pushes his hands back into his pockets.

“They’ll try, yeah,” he snaps at the prone figure beneath him, the man who, like so many other people in this god-forsaken city, would sell their own face for some coin in their pockets, “but clearly, none of you have experienced it.”

The thug holds a bruised hand to his equally bruised face and eyes Kuroo venomously. Kuroo retaliates by nudging the prone body a little closer to the right with the tip of his shoe.

“Exprrenced wut?”

Kuroo is no longer looking at the man. There’s a large ship that’s sailing into the busy port at this time of day, on this day of the week, and he turns his head to watch it calmly as the large, private ship floats along the water with thousands of tonnes of private cargo.

“Something to believe in,” he answers. There’s no warning whatsoever when he lifts his foot up and with a long-suffering heave, he kicks the man into the murky water before he can attempt a response.

And the body sinks, with an unceremonious plop, just like a large pebble.

Kuroo’s hands are a little sticky with blood, even though some’s his and some isn’t. Just another jacket to wash out when he gets home, he supposes, and rubs his wrist against the fine fabric. Today’s work is just about done, with the last threads tied up and a man threatened within an inch of his life, he thinks he’s bought them another few months before someone tries again. Or rather, the truth is that it’s always the same someone. Just in the form of different paid groups, time and time again like a nursery rhyme on loop.

“You always were the best fighter,” another voice slides out from behind a large cargo box, but Kuroo relaxes at this one. This one, he recognizes. “Too bad making you take on these odd jobs is like pulling teeth.”

“They’re hard,” he groans, rolling his shoulders in a way that makes his coat pinch underneath his arms, “and you know I’m not the best fighter. I just think when I fight. You’ve got the strongest punch. ‘Falcon Punch!!!’” He tries to imitate with a terrible shounen voice. It doesn’t work, and his attempt at humour sounds dry as dust to his own ears.

Oikawa strides into full view, as he always does- to him there’s no point in doing his hair perfectly if he’s just going to be mysterious and slink around in the shadows. That’s Akaashi’s job. Just to make a point, he runs a smooth, pale hand through his artfully coiffed locks and levels Kuroo with a huffy stare. “Yes, if you give me a man who’s standing stock still then sure, I have the strongest punch. But if we’re counting it like that then clearly it’s Ushiwaka. He’s literally a walking combat machine. All fight and no soul.”

Kuroo laughs. “You’re still calling him that? He’s going to hate you a little more each time.”

“Pfft, he doesn’t hate me,” Oikawa waves it off, a sly smile starting to creep up onto his handsome face, “and who’s going to tell? You?”

“If I’m having a bad day, probably.” Oikawa smacks him on the arm for the comment and Kuroo laughs even harder.

“Y’know, that isn’t half as bad as I thought it’d be.”

“What, the billboard?”

“Yeah. It’s not exactly Jake from State Farm, but it delivers the message. All of it.” There’s a poignant pause before Oikawa sighs dramatically. “You’re good at this.”

“I’m saving this moment for my patronus. A compliment from Oikawa Tooru himself.”

“You’re never getting your acceptance letter, Kuroo, you should look in the mirror more often.”

“Alright then, and neither will you your alien contact. Two million light years and they end up talking to you?”

“Oookay, now it’s on-”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m turning it back off,” Kuroo grins maddeningly and pats Oikawa roughly on the back, sending him forward a few steps from the force of it. “Stick around and see who reads it, alright? I’m gonna head back first.”

His friend gives him a solid nod and Kuroo gives a parting one of his own. The whole shipyard they’d chosen for this operation is a wide stretch away from the nearest taxi stand, but it does give him some time to calm down so he doesn’t mind the ache of his calves as much. His hands are no longer shaking, but the grin slips off more and more with each step he takes away from his colleague. Deep breaths, in and out, a good, long stare at the grey, cumulonimbus-filled sky and he can feel the pumping of his heart slow and his mind clear itself from the irrational urge to break someone’s spine and enjoy it.

The blood on his hands is completely dry; uncomfortable, brittle flakes of iron stains his knuckles and Kuroo remembers why he hates these jobs so.

Once he sees someone’s face bleeding and broken, the hardest thing for him isn’t to win. It’s to stop.