#you are my captives and i shall sit you in front of a computer screen and make you read as you try to squeeze out of your restraints

[chronicowboy]

okay fuck it. taglist time!!!!!! ive been procrastinating doing this for yonks but here we are. so if you'd like to be tagged in my fics (+ maybe some original writing i might start posting but feel free to specify not that) please interact with this post! reblog/like/reply - whatever you're comfortable with <3

[miastideclock]

Stray Kids Reaction To Their Soft S/O Accidentally Cursing

Hi! May I please get a reaction of Stray kids reacting to their S/O being very shy and soft, but accidentally slips a swear word. Thx love your work! 💞

Word Count: 2157

The length of the bits are quite varying in size, so my apologies for that

Bang Chan

You were sat at a table outside your favorite café during lunch with your lovely boyfriend. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping, only making the early summer day all the better.

"Here is your bagel, as well as your iced latte. And a bagel and americano for you, sir." The waitress spoke as she gently set down your orders. It had been a while since it was just the two of you, so you appreciated him taking the day off for you. With the chaos of their latest comeback, and the fact that he lived with seven other boys- there weren't a lot of time for just the two of you.

"I'm so glad I took the day off to be with you." Chan grinned as he took a bite of his bagel. Being too captivated by his eyes and how much you absolutely adored him, you didn't notice that the waitress had placed your cup down much closer to you than you had imagined. And with that, you knocked your cup over, spilling it all over the table and yourself, drenching your outfit.

"Shit." You let slip as you reached for the napkins. You soon realized what you had said and immediately let your head snap towards your boyfriend. You had never been one to curse, but here you were.

"Please pretend you didn't hear that." You spoke sheepishly as Chan started laughing like a crazy man.

"You should have seen the look on your face when you realized- priceless!" He soon spoke, all while he grabbed more napkins form the dispenser, helping you clean up.

"We're never talking about this again." You spoke in a joking manner, Chan just continuing to chuckle.

Lee Know (Lee Minho)

"Good morning, beautiful." Your boyfriend spoke from next to you. Your entire body screamed for you to just go back to sleep, but you knew it would make Minho sad as you had a whole day planned out.

The night before you and your boyfriend had stayed up late, planning every single detail of your day of fun. You would go to the amusement park downtown, and you would get ice cream, and funnel cake and other park-foods. Then you would go to the movies, and then finish at a restaurant you had been dying to try out.

You pried your eyes open, only for the light to blind you, sending your arms flying to cover them. "Fuck." You muttered, barely audible to yourself. Your boyfriend however, caught it.

"Y/N? What did you say?" Minho's tone was obviously not upset, but he didn't seem to happy either. To him you had always been such a sweet and soft person, one he had never heard curse in the eleven months you had been dating.

You soon realized what you said and sat up in bed faster than lightning, obviously having opened your eyes fully by now. You looked at him, your eyes a bit wider than they usually would be. "That's not very like you." Minho responded in a completely normal tone, getting to his feet from where he was kneeling next to the bed.

"Sorry." You said sheepishly, fiddling with your hands as if you were a child being told off.

"Babe, don't worry. You can say and do whatever you want, I just wasn't expecting it." He chuckled and followed it up with something along the lines of you having to get out of bed to get ready.

"I'll be out in a minute!" You called after him before letting your head fall into your hands in embarrassment.

Changbin (Seo Changbin)

11:47pm

The soft wind from the open window brushed through your hair, but you didn't notice. You were too focused on the task you had in front of you. Your face was illuminated only by the laptop as the clock was soon to strike midnight.

You had worked so hard on a paper, but in the middle of the night, you realized you had forgotten to actually turn it in. Luckily, the deadline was at 12 a.m, but unluckily, your computer was not having it. No matter how much to pressed the upload button, it wouldn't budge.

11:51pm

You felt yourself becoming stressed as you knew that if you didn't turn it in on time, you would fail. You felt movement next to you as your boyfriend took a deep breath. "You okay, sweetie?" Changbin asked with a groggy voice as your fiddling and hard tapping had woken him up.

"Yeah, sorry it just that this bitch of a computer refuses to work." You muttered angrily, your eyes never leaving the screen as you refreshed and tried again. You were so upset with your paper that you didn't even notice that you spoke a word you would usually never use. Changbin wanted to comment on it, but decided to not since you were already so frustrated with the site that wouldn't load.

"Just send it to your professor via email, and tell him the site won't work. He'll see that the timestamp is within the deadline, and he'll have to accept it." Changbin spoke as he sat up to look at your screen. You decided he was right and did as you were told.

When you finally were done, you closed your laptop and placed it on the floor, laying down in the bed next to your boyfriend.

"You know," Changbin started with a whisper. "I've never heard you curse before."

You gave him a weird look and told him he never would either, since that's something you don't do. "No, you cursed just now." He commented again, but you refused to believe him.

"If I cursed, then what did I say and why don't I remember it?" You tried with a scoff. He soon repeated the sentence including the curse you had spoke earlier. You then realized that you had in fact let the word slip. You apologized with a smile, embarrassed as you admitted you we're wrong.

"Don't worry, honey. Let's just go to sleep."

Hyunjin (Hwang Hyunjin)

You ran with everything you had, making your way down the semi-steep hill, trying to escape the hell that followed you. You and your boyfriend had been on a picnic on a hill at your local park, having a good time before all hell broke loose. Two words. Tickle fight.

The grass under your bare feet felt nice, but you didn't have much time to think about it as the one thing on your mind was to escape Hyunjin. You heard the sprinting behind you come closer and closer, making your stomach flip as you knew he was about to catch you. But before he could reach you, an unexpected dip in the ground sent you flying.

You tumbled down the remainder of the hill, luckily there only being soft grass for you to land on. "Holy shit." You groaned as you sat up from the fall, your boyfriend soon by your side to check that everything was alright. As he inspected you of any damage, he let the word "Language." slip. He caught himself and your eyes met, both sets filled with a mix of shock and humor. His comment then made you both laugh.

You had never been one to curse as you were on the shyer side of the spectrum, but your fall had given you more than a valid reason to let the swear slip.

"Wouldn't think I'd hear those words from you. But let's get back to our picnic, shall we?" Hyunjin suggested and reached out his hand for you to grab, and hoisted you to your feet.

Han (Han Jisung)

The sound of rain gently tapping on the wide open window was soothing, and it went well with the smell of nature and the cool air waltzing in the window. 

It was Sunday afternoon, which meant you and Jisung were sitting in the office, doing each your thing. You were sat with a book, whilst your boyfriend sat staring at a sheet of paper displaying lyrics that were crossed out or circled, with arrows going from a to b in a chaotic manner. 

You did this every Sunday, well- not necessarily a book and lyrics, but something. You both did things that you enjoyed or wanted to do, but you did them together. It was your own way of making sure you always had time for each other. 

After a while, the cool air became too chilly for your sockless-feet, so you got up to close it. Without thinking, you got up, your book soon falling from your lap directly onto your pinky toe. 

“Fuuuck.” You dragged out the word you whispered. You soon realized what you said and placed your hand gently over your mouth, as if it would stop your from saying it- like it would change the past. 

You turned to look at your boyfriend, but he hadn’t seemed to notice. You let go of the breath you didn’t know you were holding as you saw he didn’t hear. You then picked up the book and placed on the coffee table, the proceeded to close the window. 

About a minute after your slip up, Jisung finally turned around. “Did you say something?” He questioned, making you shake your head no.  “I could have sworn I heard someone curse. Oh well, how’s it going with the main character?” He continued and walked over to the couch you sat in. 

You chuckled at yourself before informing him that they were closing in on the ending of the adventure.

Felix (Lee Felix)

You stared at the words on the paper, but they didn't seem to make sense to you. It was a recipe, you could tell that much- but not anything more than that. You turned to look at your boyfriend, but he looked just as clueless as you.

You finally had the place completely to yourself, which meant date night. You and Felix were planning on making this pastry-thing he had found on TikTok, but it turned out to be more complicated than anticipated.

"I can get the eggs, that much I can promise you I am capable of." You joked as you turned to get the eggs from the fridge. Felix chuckled at you as he kept staring at the recipe. You opened the fridge, but before you could even think about your next move, the carton tumbled out and onto the ground, sending six eggs flying, making a mess everywhere.

"Fucking hell." You mumbled as you glared at the mess by your feet. You let a sigh escape your lips, your head dropping in defeat. You had to admit that your evening didn't exactly go as you had planned. You wanted it to be cute, romantic and perfect in every way! Making food with your boyfriend, laughing and having a grand ol' time. Especially since it only happened once in a blue moon that you had the place entirely to yourself.

"Did I just hear you curse? You've been listening to me game too much!" Felix commented with humor in his tone as he approached you with a mop, ready to clean up your mess. You apologized profusely, but he was quick to stop you. "Don't apologize. What do you say we just order some takeout and watch a movie on the couch? Making your own food is overrated anyways."

His idea brought a smile to your lips as you nodded.

Seungmin (Kim Seungmin)

The breeze blew softly through your hair as you stood on the small balcony, looking at the passing cars on the street beneath you. There wasn't a lot of traffic as it was about twenty minutes past midnight, but you found yourself looking for a specific white van.

The boys had just finished tour, so your were waiting for them at their place, excited to see them- but mostly excited to see your boyfriend.

A big, black van soon rolled to a stop outside the main entrance, sending your stomach into flips. You ran back inside and out in the hallway, sprinting down the stairs as fast as you could. As you were making your way down the last few steps, you heard the door to the lobby open, Seungmin entering first. The sight of your boyfriend made you forget what you were doing, causing you to trip and tumble down the last three steps of the stairs.

"Fuck." You spat as you hit the ground, landing on your shoulder. You boyfriend soon rushed to your side, mumbling something about how you can't say that word, but it also sounded like he wanted himself to shut up.

"You okay, baby?" He asked as he helped you sit up, having squatted down himself. Even though the pain was excruciating, it all seemed to disappear when you looked him in the eye. You nodded and then launched yourself forward and slung your arms around him, attacking him in a hug,  sending you both to the floor for a second time.

"I'm amazing now that you're here. I've missed you." You mumbled into the crook of his neck. "I missed you too."

I.N (Yang Jeongin)

The place was quiet, all except the sound of Chan and your boyfriend, Jeongin, watching a movie on the couch next to you. You was originally watching it with them, but you ended up having a full grooming session with your cat. You had found tons of knots in his fur, so you had gotten your brush and scissors and gotten to work.

The sound of the movie pausing caught your attention, making you look up from the fur-coated project you had in your lap. "I'm just gonna make some tea, y'all want anything from the kitchen?" Chan asked as he stood up from his seat. Both you and your boyfriend shook your heads no.

While Chan was out, Jeongin decided to sit closer to you and ask about your progress, but before you could reply, you apparently pulled too hard on a knot, making your cat squirm- scratching you in the progress. "You bitch." You hissed at the pain, scolding your cat.

It was as if your life flashed by your eyes for a second, then you turned to Jeongin who sat there with a unimpressed look on his face. You gave him a sheepish look, almost as if you were begging for forgiveness.

Jeongin continued to look at him before he slowly started sitting up. "No, babe, please don't-" You started but were soon cut off.

"Hyung, Y/N said a bad word!"

He snitched.

I honestly have no clue what this is, but it deadass took me four days to write im-

i hope you enjoyed it???

I WAS ABOUT TO POST THIS THEN I REALIZED I FORGOT THE ENTIRETY OF JISUNG WHAT TEH FUCK IS WRONG WITH ME???

-bentley

[thewritingginger]

12. “Stop teasing me so much…” - Leviathan x Reader

No need to thank me anon,

But thank you for taking the time to make a request :3

I know, I know this is REALLY late 😅👉🏻👈🏻

But I didn't know what I wanted to do with this one fully till I realized that Levi’s Birthday was coming up so I kinda pulled from there. Sooo . . . I hope this is ok x3

Enjoy ~

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“Ungh, s-stop teasing me so much...” Levi says, flushed by the actions taking place before him.

Earlier that evening

The demon brothers were all gathered at the dining room table that had been set up for Leviathan’s birthday waiting for you to come out with the cake you had made with Beel.

You come out of the kitchen singing happy birthday, holding a rectangular cake decorated with purple icing scribing ‘Happy Birthday Levi’ and candles scattered across the top. You place the cake in front of Levi, kissing his cheek you sweetly say “Make a wish.” with a warm smile across your lips. closing his eyes for a second Levi than leans forward and blows out the candles. 

Once the cake had been cut Levi was given his gifts to open. Had opened a few small gifts the last one he opened nearly made his eyes fall out. It was a newly released game he had been wanting to get but had been proving difficult to get ahold of. It didn't really take long for Levi to want to wrap things up to go start his heavily awaited game. Once he got the go ahead he was gone in a flash. 

A couple hours later after the celebration, you had been helping to clean the kitchen from cooking and baking before setting off upstairs to give Leviathan his final birthday present. Before going to Levi’s room you pop by yours to get his gift ready.

You stand in front of your mirror to check out the little blue and white school girl uniform you put on. The fabric hugs your figure perfectly, accentuating the highs and lows of your curves. You styled your hair in loose curls pulled into two low pigtails to finish off the look. Knowing you can't just walk to Levi’s room like the you threw on your regular robe to mask the naughty outfit that lies beneath. 

Standing in front of Levi’s door you knock twice waiting for a response, alas nothing. Turning the door knob you see your boyfriend with his eyes glued to his computer screen, controller in hand playing the new game he got. This didn't surprise you much but you wanted to change his focus to you. “Hey baby.” your voice, an upbeat nonchalance. 

No response.

It was naive of you to assume that your presence would simply be enough to pull him from his game. So you sauntered over to him and dragged your palms down his chest, nuzzling your nose in his neck. Placing a soft kiss on his cheek Levi says, “What do you need?” “Well I wanted to come over to give you your last birthday gift.” You almost purr into his ear. Seeming unaffected by your suggestive tone, all he responds with is, “I’ll open it later, I’m trying to defeat all these guys so I can rescue and talk to the girl trapped in the dungeon so I can get the information for my quest.” 

Standing up straight and release a sigh out of frustration but not of defeat. You will get this annoying otaku to notice you. 

Walking around his room you stop by Henry’s tank. “Oh Henry, Levi-chan isn’t giving me any attention.” You pout leaning on the tank. Landing your gaze back onto your boyfriend you continue your loud pouting, hoping something will either get his attention or annoy him enough to yell at you. Either way will work for what you have in store.

“Henry, do you think Levi-chan will like my gift for him? Cause I think he might. If only just looked my way he would see that maybe, just maybe I can prove to him I’m better than those 2D girls he fawns over so much.” As the words leave your mouth into the air, a sultry tone begins to curl around each syllable. As your taunting words were meeting Leviathan’s ears he was getting more and more annoyed to the point where he paused his game and begins to speak as he turns to you, “Y/n I’m trying really hard to defeat this level and I know you are trying to distract me!” He pouts annoyed, landing him right where you want him to be. Putting on a mask of empathy as you take a few steps towards his seating form. “Oh Levi, I’m sorry. I know it’s your birthday and I know its selfish for me to say this but, I just really wanted to spend some time with you, alone.” A innocent smile paints your lips but your eyes. tell a different story. “I thought you wanted me to open a gift you got me.” He responds confused by your change in motive. “You’re right it is a gift but one that I wish to open for you.” You say as you begin to slowly pull the belt of your robe. “What do you mea~” The demon’s questioning words stops mid sentence as his eyes almost fall out of their sockets when he sees what you were hiding under your robe. 

Sitting there stunned, slack jawed, eyes not knowing where to land. You standing there proud of your work so far but your job is far from completion. Letting the discarded robe pool at your feet granting Leviathan more skin for his eyes to wonder. At a loss for words, his mouth slightly ajar you saunter over to stop a few paces in front of him, taking a little spin so he gets the whole picture. Resting your weight onto your left side and your hand placed on your hip you question, “Do you want to open your gift now or...” A devilish grin plays your lips as you take a few steps closer to him. Running your finger tips up his shoulder and neck to then delicately cup his face you continue your tempting, “Or do you still want to continue playing your game? Hmm?” Your lips pursed into a pout as you look down at him with your doll like orbs.  

“Uhhh, I can take a break.” He says in a trance. “Great.” you say with a toothy smile. “So tell me Levi-chan, do you like my outfit?” You ask innocently, brushing the front of your skirt a bit. “Y-yeah, y-you look really cute.” His words come out stuttered, you watch as a pink hue spreads across his cheeks. Enjoying his cute stunned expression is pleasing enough but you want see just how far you can push this little tsundere. 

Continuing your playful conversation you begin to untie the bow around your shirt collar, “Would you mind if I were to take off my tie?” Unable to give much of a respond, Levi just nods his head. You unbutton the top few buttons of your shirt as you step towards the sitting otaku, wrapping the silky fabric around the back of his neck you pull him closer to you. One hand holding both ends of the tie, the other resting on his desk. Leviathan swallows the saliva that had accumulated in his mouth, your sultry eyes burrowing into him. His, trading glances between your captivating gaze and your exposed breasts. 

“Tell me Levi-chan would you like me to undress myself further or shall I start stripping you of your clothes? Or...” Leaning in closer, you almost purr “Perhaps  you would like me to do both but, your the birthday boy so you get to make the decisions.” With a cocked eyebrow and a vixenish smirk you wait for his response. “Uhh, W-we can do both.” He responds, still grasping the situation unraveling before him.”Ok, then how about I start with my shirt.” With out break eye contact you slowly begin to unbutton your shirt completely. Once unfastened you shed the article of clothing aside to be forgotten. Revealing a white lace bralette that was underneath, Leviathan admires how your plump breasts sit perfectly in the fabric and your hardened nipples protrude out. 

You take in the way Levi absentmindedly licks his lips, how his hungry eyes dig into your form like a wolf stalking its prey, waiting for the opportunity to sink its teeth into its delicate flesh. Enjoying his gaze transfixed on your body you gently pull the zipper on the side of your skirt down loosening the garment. Grasping the band of the skirt you slowly turn around, glancing over your shoulder you smirk as you begin to fluidly bend over, pulling the skirt down with your fingers. You hear a low hum from behind you. Straightening back up you make your way over to your boyfriend’s relaxed form, seemingly enjoying the show you are putting on for him. Now in nothing more than a matching lacy white set of lingerie. “You enjoying yourself?” your question brings him back a bit, “Yes, keep going.” His encouraging words makes your stomach flutter with anticipation. “Whatever you say Levi-chan you’re the boss.” Your words jolt Leviathan’s man hood, sending sparks up and down his spine. 

Sinking to your knees you run your dainty hands up and down his clothed thighs, testing the waters of how famished he is for your touch. His muscles flex slightly beneath your palms, a prideful smirk cuts your lips. Rubbing His thighs you graze your hand across his growing friend. A small hiss emits from your lovers lips. Fingers begin to toy with the metal buckle around his waist, releasing the clasp you pull his belt out of the loops. Placing the belt beside you, you look back up at the hungry demon, “Can I take off your pants, Levi-chan?” Dragging every syllable of the pet name you are calling him is continuing to drive Levi up the wall. 

The way your big eyes sparkle so innocently, as if you weren't asking to strip him. The way your cheeks flush and your lips draw every word into a coquettish  illustration. How you can be so pure, yet so filthy at the same time leaving Levi breathless and pining. In need of more of what you have to offer. Nodding his head, you begin to undo the button of his jeans pulling them down he lifts his butt to aid you in your pursuits. Detaching the denim from his ankles, you run your palms up your lovers ankles back to his thighs. Leisurely tilting your to the side you watch as you begin to palm his growing erection. 

A deep hum erupts from Levi’s chest, looking down at you toying with his most sensitive parts like what you’re doing is nothing. “Keep touching me.” His voice lower than usual, a bit breathless. Domineering words take kindly to your ears so you continue your ministrations of his desire. “You want me to touch you like this?” You ask as you put your hand under the waistband of his boxers and wrap your fingers around his member pulling it out, freeing it from its cloth prison. An almost guttural sigh escaped Levi’s throat as his head falls back a bit from the sudden contact. Slowly drawing your hand up and down his shaft you begin to pull a few more sighs of relief from him. “Y-yes, just like th-that.” Locking your eyes with his, you pull your hand away painting a line with your tongue up your palm, coating it in your saliva before you begin pumping his shaft once again. “Ahh, oh put it in your mouth, please.” His begging words are adorable, the way his eyes plead with you to do more. Considering it’s his birthday you’ll be nice this time, and without a response you lower your body down to be able to drag your tongue up his throbbing shaft.

His cock twitches at the sudden contact with the moist-hot muscle. Swirling your tongue around the head of his penis, licking up the drops of precum leaking out. The salty-sweet taste tickles your mouth. Levi’s big hands find themselves curling around your soft locks. Wrapping your lips around the head, steadily taking more in, Levi’s grip in your hair tightens a bit. A long drawn out moan leaves his lips, the sound is like music to your ears. Wanting to get more out of him, needing to hear his mewls of pleasure to fill your head you start to bob your head up and down his hardness. One hand rubbing the length your mouth couldn’t take, the other beginning to roam under Levi’s shirt.

Reading his stomach like braille, your digits gloss over his toned torso, the faint whisper of abs are felt beneath his skin. As you continue to explore his body with your free hand Levi peels his shirt off his body. Looking up through your lashes you catch the third borns piercing amber eyes, you take an achingly slow drag along his shaft once again as you simultaneously gently massage his balls, “Ungh, s-stop teasing me so much.” Levi says, flushed by the actions taking place before him.

“What do you mean, Levi-chan?” you ask ignorantly, as you continue to tease his cock by latching onto the side of his shaft and moving up and down. The frustrating feeling of being in your mouth but not fully, just partially, continues to eat away at him and his self control. “Guh, fuuuck Y/n.” His moans are getting increasingly louder and drawn out. Once you finally put his tip fully in your mouth something in Leviathan snaps. 

Once he feels the warmth of your glorious mouth envelop his head, his fingers coil around your strands tightly, his grip on your pigtails firm as he begins to guide your head on his shaft to the pace to satisfy the raging fire burning within him. Your hands planted on his thighs to steady yourself as Leviathan starts to use your head like a toy, his hips bucking up every so often. His set pace getting more more aggressive. You sense he is coming to the end of his rope, his cock twitching in your mouth, precum beginning to spill over your tongue. 

The room is filled with the sounds of moans, slurping, and gaging. Using your face like a flesh light, naughty sentiments fill your senses. “Fuck, take it all in. Your mouth feels so good wrapped around my cock. God damn it, your throat is gonna make me cum.” Tears start to fall from your eyes as the intensity of his thrusts begin to overwhelm you. Digging your nails into his thighs as you feel him sheath his cock into your throat. Hot and throbbing, feeling as if he could erupt at any moment Levi does a few shallow thrusts in your mouth before pulling out and cumming onto your face and chest. 

Sitting on your knees heaving, trying to catch your breath, you look at him with your tired glossy eyes, unable to speak just yet. Leviathan just looks at you and the worn state you’re in.

Watching the thick white fluid drip down your chin he smiles, the scene in front of him fills the demon with a territorial pride. Seeing his beautiful, sweet Y/n coated in his seed, marking her as his is an incomparable feeling.

Once you’ve caught your breath you capture some of the spunk on your chin and lick it off your fingers, “Hmmm” you hum in delight. “Happy Birthday Levi.” You smile playfully.  

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Phew... wow... idek what happened, idk if this is even good 😅

For the record this was written on no sleep 🥴

But I did it... so no slaps for me . . .  yay :)

I hope you enjoyed it, thats all I have to say lol 

💛 ~

Masterlist

WIPs

[darkmindsthinktwistedthoughts]

Devil’s Temptation pt6

Warnings: Mod styling warlords, Strong Language

Masterlist

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Chapter 6 – Broken Links

It was quiet in the penthouse when he returned and took the private elevator to the highest level. There was only one room lit and it didn’t surprise him that it was Nobunaga’s office. The man seriously never sleeps. Mitsuhide moved in silence until he reached the room he expected to be occupied only to discover it to be empty. Now where on earth?

Mitsuhide entered the room and walked over to the large desk. The computer monitor was still on and from the looks of the still hot cup of coffee near it, Nobunaga hadn’t long left. He decided to wait and took a seat on the large leather sofa. It wasn’t a particularly cold night but a fire had been lit in the hearth in the room and the crackling pops and fizzes of it managed to add warmth to the empty space. 

His eyes passed over the room, the ornate mix of antique oriental furniture and modern additions gave the room a feeling of historic value whilst also allowing for a contemporary twist that seamlessly allowed the addition of modern electronics and other things of convenience to be added through the place without them being an eyesore by comparison. It was still opulent and indulgent, it suited the owner very well.

His eyes settled on a large piece of artwork over the fire. Well, that is new. He wasn’t sure why but he rose from his chair to get a better look. Something about it was familiar, the way the paint was applied to the canvas, it was like he was witnessing colours applied with emotion, not a brush or knife. The dark cityscape with is shocks of neon colours gave it a vibrancy that felt chilling and oddly calming at the same time. It is rather well done, I wonder... It was when he noticed the only living shape on the canvas that he knew why he felt drawn to it. The half-shadowed familiar figure leaning on a wall, cigarette in hand, highlighted by the lights in the rain. It was her, she painted this. But why? What is it doing here?... [Name].

“I see you finally noticed.” A deep voice came from behind him coupled with the faint click of the drink’s cabinet being opened.

“Noticed?” Mitsuhide didn’t bother turning he was still lost in the waves of paint on the canvas. I had thought this before but she really was rather good.

“Yes, I bought that a while ago from a gallery. I had hoped it would be entertaining to see how you would react to it but every time you came here you never seemed to notice your surroundings and then you stopped coming to my office completely.” Nobunaga had poured two glasses of scotch and placed them on the small table by the sofa and armchair. Mitsuhide could feel that inner demon of his twisting, the rage and heat of it had not forgotten a single detail of past events. Of course, I didn’t notice, I was trying my best not to kill you after everything. And I stopped coming because it was the only path left open to me that I could take to prevent doing so.

“You bought it just to try to torment me?” Somehow Mitsuhide had managed to remove the negative emotion form his voice as he spoke. Knowing it was reactions his Boss wished to see he was damned if he was going to cave so easily and supply them.

“No. I bought it because I liked it. I put it there in the hopes of seeing a friend be honest for once about his own feelings.” Nobunaga’s straightforward words caught Mitsuhide slightly off guard.

“Feelings? Since when did you care about such a thing?” Schooling the muscles of his face to prevent them from breaking his perfect mask Mitsuhide finally turned around a serpentine smile gracing his lips. It was you who said you would remove her if you had too. It was you who sent me away. This was all because of “feelings”.

“You wound me. Contrary to popular belief and results of my actions in the past I do still care Mitsuhide.” Nobunaga stared steadily into Mitsuhide’s face. “Now I trust you have information for me? You weren’t here for the Press conference after all.”

“Dealing with the media was never my thing. But yes, I have some information that you should find a little entertaining.” In all the years they had known each other and trusted each other he knew the Nobunaga could see glimpses past his mask. Do I care that he can see past it? That he can see some of the thoughts I have? The darkness seeping through, tainting the air around me.

“Proceed.” Nobunaga motioned to the sofa inviting Mitsuhide to sit while he took his own place elegantly reposed in the leather armchair next to it.

“I followed something that caught my eye the other day.” Mitsuhide said as he took the offered seat and picked up the drink supplied. Nobunaga had a pattern at least when it came to Mitsuhide. Their meetings often took the path of discussions over drinks. It was familiar and comfortable… predictable.

“Oh?” Nobunaga’s eyes twinkled. I can tell what you are thinking and no it wasn’t a girl, and that joke is in poor taste I’d thank you not to voice it.

“I did some checking and discovered we have visitors. An old family from the northern border.” Mitsuhide removed the envelope he received from the police earlier and removed the papers from it to show Nobunaga.

“And what would they be doing in my city?” Nobunaga reached out and scanned through the information. He noted the official file numbers and origin of the intel but did not question how Mitsuhide had official police reports. One thing you learnt was too much information was dangerous.

“As far as I can tell they are gathering information on all of the inner circle of Azuchi Corp.” Mitsuhide watched as Nobunaga’s hand gave a small twitch. It was the only indication that anything was bothering him.

“You think they wish to attempt to negotiate a takeover?” Nobunaga level tone sounded almost robotic.

“That I cannot say. I don’t, however, think if we receive such a thing that it would be an offer from them as they only seem to be functioning in a supportive position.” Mitsuhide had already been calculating the possibilities of the what-ifs on his way back to HQ.

“Support? For who?” Nobunaga put down the papers and picked up his own glass, the ice cubes rattled inside it.

“The CEO of Esshu Industries, Takahiro Yasui. I think I told you before in a prior report but he is not the eldest son in his family. He will not inherit, and the family has long since announced that it shall pass to his brother.” Mitsuhide watched as the information sunk in. It was a common enough thing in cartel families. The youngest overlooked for the eldest, the firstborn given more benefit to succeed than those that followed after. If you want something sometimes you just have to reach out and grab it.

“So, he does not have his own families support?” Nobunaga nodded.

“No, but that does not make him any less of a threat. The other family who is working with him seems to be treating him like a son. And we have already seen he is rather gifted in business.” Mitsuhide replied. In some way, he admired the new guy. The ability he had to carve out his own place in the world, however, he had managed to get there. There was no doubting that the man was intelligent enough to succeed.

“I shall admit he is gifted at stirring the pot and keeping my email busy. What do you predict will be his next step?” Nobunaga looked at Mitsuhide over the rim of his glass. What am I a bloody oracle? Do I somehow resemble a magic 8 ball?

“Honestly? I would imagine he would be moving exactly how you would. He is gathering information on us in order to locate a weak link and pressure it. From there it would be relatively easy to gather more personal and less easily accessible intel and either create cracks within the company or target the head of the beast directly.” Mitsuhide hid his frustration behind a rather bored tone as he laid out the most likely idea.

“You call me a beast?” Nobunaga snorted.

“Figure of speech. Although you know you have been dubbed far worse in the past.” Mitsuhide smirked.

“Hmm, true.” Nobunaga glanced over to the windows behind his desk, the vast view of the city at night and its unnatural illuminations. “Well, then I shall make the arrangements.”

“Arrangements? You have a plan?” Mitsuhide asked observing Nobunaga with a little more interest.

“In a manner of speaking. I intend to cut him off at the pass. I hate waiting in obscurity to see how someone plans to move against me. There is an event scheduled on the weekend, the holiday gala. He shall be there and that is where we are going too.” Nobunaga rose from his chair and moved to the invitations that were sitting in his inbox on his desk. Shuffling through them until he pulled out the one he desired.

“You wish for me to be your security guard again? I think Hideyoshi might have something to say about that.” Mitsuhide chuckled imagining the look of quiet horror that would undoubtedly play out on Hideyoshi’s face when he was informed.

“It is not his decision to make. Unlike him you will not hesitate to take action when required, he still has a small fault where he seeks permission before he acts, you don’t. You also have a faster wit than him and are less likely to be swayed towards a distraction.” Nobunaga continued to speak as he placed himself behind his desk once more, moving his now stone-cold coffee to one side and clicked on his mouse to reactive his monitor.

“So you plan to approach him and strike a deal?” Mitsuhide inclined his head.

“Yes from one businessman to another. It would benefit us both in the long term.” Nobunaga was lost now he was tapping out something on his keyboard and focused on the screen in front of him. Taking that as his cue that he was no longer required Mitsuhide drained his glass.

“Oh yes because nothing says join me quite like an already failed assassination attempt.” He muttered sarcastically as he left the office.

---

It had been a few days and they were starting to get really edgy with the whole being kept captive thing. The only benefit to being a captive by your own family was how they were treated. It would have been easy for their father to hold more of a grudge than he did, to punish them in a way befitting a disappointment and a traitor. However, this was apparently not going to be like that. If anything, the phrase “kill them with kindness”, seemed to be how this game was to be played.

There was a firm knock on the main door before the handle turned and a familiar figure entered. He was about five foot eight with unruly black hair. His light skin seemed even paler when you saw the contrast of the dark hair and smokey eyes. He had been at the office that day, he was not someone you forgot easily.

Memories are strange things. You can forget what you were planning on doing one minute only to be reminded of something long since forgotten in your past the next. The man before them was one of the long since forgotten memories, older but still the same. It was a memory they had tried to escape and run from. But they were not the child they once were. They were not grieving the loss of family members, they were grown up and whilst the man before them was intimidating they had seen much worse and lived to tell the tale.

It was with this knowledge that they found some steel in their backbone and controlled their nervous desire to jump up from their seat and bolt out the door.

“It’s so good to see you again.” He said with a predatory smile on his face.

“I wish I could agree. I would have thought you would have given up by now Yasui.” Their tone was cold as ice and they forced themselves to look at the visitor.

“Come now no need to be so formal we’ve known each other a long time.” He walked confidently over to a chair next to them and after unbuttoning one of his jacket buttons sat down.

“…Takahiro.” The name was almost a hiss as it was forced through clenched teeth.

“Much better.” He did not seem to care about the atmosphere. Instead, Takahiro continued to smile as if everything was perfectly genial. “Well now that we are much more comfortable.”

“Speak for yourself.”

– Chuckle –

“You have grown to be very entertaining.” The smoke in Takahiro’s eyes danced with interest as he observed the captive runaway.

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard that and I’m sure it won’t be the last time I remind someone that I am not something to be used for amusement.” The reply received was clipped.

“Indeed.” His words did no lose the amused tone as he continued unperturbed. “You seem to still be nervous.”

“Can you blame me? You know why I ran, you were there that night.” This was were their voice decided to crack. The exhaustion and frustrated cluster of emotion collided inside and as hard as they tried it still leaked out in their voice.

“Yes… It was a sad affair I must admit. The day you rejected everything the families had arranged.” Takahiro nodded solemnly.

“I had heard other arrangements were made. I was…”

“Hopeful that you had been set free?” He cut them off. Takahiro’s eyes were still dancing with amusement. Clearly, this was nothing more than a cat and mouse game for him. “Yes, I can see how it was easy to draw that conclusion. However, in your absence, another deal was struck and the promise of a union was passed to another.”

“What!?” Their blood turned to ice. They could feel the last vestiges of heat leave as the colour drained visibly from their face.

“Don’t shout. If you give me a few minutes I shall explain everything.” Takahiro’s tone shifted along with his body as he appeared to morph into the businessman they had read about in the press. “Afterall in light of recent information gathered, and your father being as he is. I believe this could benefit both of us.”

It was both infuriating and terrifying to have your life and future arranged for you. There was no doubt in their mind that attempting to run now was going to end badly. The feeling of being painted into a corner crept over them as they sat staring into the eyes of the man in front of them.

They knew their father was unwell, he had said as much at their last meeting. If I ran now… would I see him again? A wave of guilt broke on the wall around their heart. Feelings for a family they had tried to forget in order to survive and move on. Despite taking such actions they could not hide the fact that they still loved them. Business was just that… Business. And needs must when the devil drives.

“I’m Listening.”

---

[senseless-septic-shambles]

Miles To Go Before I Sleep - Chapter Six

Summary: Jackieboy Man has been missing for so long even he is losing hope of ever finding his way home. Henrik Schneeplestien is struggling to cope after the events that left Jack in a coma. Chase Brody is trying to piece his life together after it crumbled around him. Marvin is feeling separated from his family. Jameson Jackson is fighting his own demons. And Jack is sleeping through it all. Ev̡ęr͝ythi̸n͏g is go̡i͞ng̢ acc̕ord͏i̶ng ţo̕ ̡p͞la̡n͠.͞ ҉

Links: Under the ‘Miles to Go Before I Sleep’ heading on my page, or search the ‘#Miles to go before I sleep’ tag

Warnings: Nothing really. 

A/N: Alright!! I’ve got two more chapters written after this so far, and OH BOY it’s going to be a ride ;) Betas are @dinadinu @xtracheesy,@a-septic-writer-of-art and a new beta, @softgreysweaters . Dina also drew the banner.

Jameson had heard a lot about the one the others called Jackieboy Man. He had heard stories about the great hero, about how he saved people, about his power. But Jameson had never met Jackieboy Man - he had been taken captive long before the youngest ego arrived.

If he was being honest, he was a little apprehensive at the idea of someone else joining the family he had found himself in. It had taken him long enough to relax around Schneeplestein - even now he wasn’t fully comfortable around the doctor. The idea of someone else he didn’t know arriving didn’t appeal to him greatly. He tried to tell himself they were more excited about finding the children than Jackieboy Man, but the hope sparkling in both Schneeplestein and Marvin’s eyes told him it wasn’t just Peter and Emily they were eager to rescue.

But the way Chase’s face lit up when Marvin had told them he had a lead made JJ hesitate. He sat quietly, listening as Marvin told Chase and Schneeplestein about the spell he had used, uncertain.

“You actually know where they are?” Chase asked as Marvin finished talking. He was still standing, tea long forgotten, rolling his hat through his hands. “

“I know the general vicinity,” Marvin answered. He sat, accepting the mug that Schneeplestein pushed in his direction. “It shouldn’t take more than a few days to prepare a spell that will take us there. Some help with that might be appreciated though.”

It took JJ a second to realise Marvin had directed the last comment to him. He blinked, surprise flashing across his face.

“Me?” he asked, frowning deeply and gesturing to himself. “I will of course help in whatever way I can, but why me?”

“You’ve got a little magic yourself, right?” Marvin said. JJ blinked again, remembering how he had summoned small items before. He nodded slowly, still unsure why Marvin wanted him to help - still unsure if he wanted to help.

“But you’re sure you can do it?” Chase asked. His face was covered in worry and hope, he was leaning forward, almost on top of the table. “You can find my kids?”

“And Jackie?” Schneeplestein added, his fingers tight around his mug. “You can find him?”

“I think so,” Marvin said. He let out a long breath, looking around the table. “We won’t stop until we do.” He glanced at JJ, and the mute nodded despite himself. He would help, and maybe he would find that this Jackieboy Man wasn’t as bad as he was expecting. Besides, he wanted to know Emily and Peter were safe.

Soon, he was elbows deep in one of Marvin’s spell books, looking for what Marvin described as a simple transportation spell. Bookmarks through the bookmarked his progress, spells that were likely not what they wanted.

Marvin was sitting at his computer, watching the tracking spell as it continued to do its work. He had two spell books open in front of him and his elbows were holding open a scroll. He muttered to himself from time to time, whispering spells and incarnations.

JJ yawned silently, rubbing his eyes and blinking. He wanted to sleep but didn't want to leave until Marvin was ready to finish. So he shuffled his paper loudly, wishing he could clear his throat to draw the magician's attention. Not being able to make a sound had many downsides.

But his paper rustling seemed to work. Marvin’s head jerked up and he rubbed his eyes, yawning. Something flickering on his screen caught his attention for a moment, then shook his head and turned to JJ.

“You should sleep, it's getting late,” he said. “I'll look through those spells and let you know if any of them will work in the morning.”

He held his hand out for the book and JJ gladly handed it over, standing from where he had been sitting against Marvin's bed. But as Marvin turned back to his desk he hesitated.

“What about you?” he asked. Marvin glanced up at him and shrugged.

“I'll keep looking.”

“You need sleep as well,” JJ continued.

“‘m fine, Jameson,” Marvin muttered, turning back to the screen. “Need to find them,” he said, almost to himself. “Need to, Schneep's already angry at me.”

JJ frowned, gently laying a hand on Marvin’s shoulder. He hesitated, wondering what the best thing to say was when Marvin looked up at him.

“You have already done so much. If Doctor Schneeplestein can't see that that's his problem. You've helped immensely.”

“Funny that they never seem to realise that,” Marvin said quietly.

“Well, that is their loss. I for one think you have performed marvellously and they would do well to understand that.” He squeezed Marvin's shoulder, unsure what else to do. “You should sleep.”

He wasn't sure if Marvin had seen his last message, but he stepped back, intending to turn in himself. Marvin turned, his eyes heavy behind his mask.

“Do you think I'm selfish?” he asked quietly.

JJ was a little taken aback at the question, pausing for a few moments to think of a reply. Unfortunately, Marvin seemed to think that was a yes and huffed, turning away.

“No,” JJ said quickly, grabbing his shoulder again. Marvin didn't answer, watching his slides closely. “You do your best to help - the others may not see that. It seems you help in other ways. In a way…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “In a way, Schneeplestein could be seen as the selfish one, because he does not understand you are helping in your own way.”

Marvin dropped his eyes, picking at his nails. He nodded slowly, seeming to think things through.

“They… They didn't thank me for finding Anti's position,” he said at last. JJ frowned.

“Well, that is quite uncalled for! While I have some misgivings about this whole endeavour, I am grateful for your dedication to finding them,” he responded.

Marvin smiled slightly, seeming to come back to himself. He stretched, yawning widely.

“Thanks, JJ,” he said. “And you're right - I really do need to turn in.” A yawn broke over his face and he grinned slightly. One he was back in control of his mouth, he continued speaking. “Meet me back here after breakfast and we'll have a crack at some of those spells, see if they work.”

“My pleasure!” JJ said. “Sleep tight, Marvin.”

He left Marvin's room, closing the door softly behind him and wondering if he had said the right thing.

The next few days passed painfully slow. They made slow progress - most of the spells they found weren’t acceptable for transporting an item across the room - let alone people across the world.

They kept trying, trying new spells, trying new books, searching, looking, hoping. But nothing - nothing for days. Failed spells, spells that worked, but were not as powerful as what they wanted. All the while, the children were under Anti’s control.

JJ was refilling their mugs, dipping a tea bag absently in a mug of hot water when the door opened behind him. He glanced up to see Schneeplestein enter, and his guard instantly went up.

It wasn’t that he disliked the doctor, it was just that something in him couldn’t trust the other ego. Schneeplestein’s accent put him on edge, and he was always on edge himself, as though expecting an attack. Chase had said that was because of what Anti had done to him when he had been a captive, but JJ wasn’t entirely sure that was the whole story.

In addition to that, though a much more selfish reason, Chase had started spending less time with JJ since Schneeplestein had returned. He knew he shouldn’t be upset about it, but he felt the loss of his friend’s attention keenly - perhaps more keenly than he should.

“Good evening, JJ,” Schneeplestein greeted, and JJ nodded pleasantly, the doctor’s accent sending chills up his spine. No matter how much he tried to tell himself Schneeplestein meant no harm he couldn’t believe it.

“Good evening yourself, good sir,” he said in response, pulling the tea bag out of the mug. Perhaps it would be a little weaker than he usually liked, but Marvin would be needing him again.

“How is the search progressing?” Scheenplestein asked, leaning against the bench as he waited for the kettle to boil. JJ didn’t point out that it was still warm from when he had boiled it only moments before.

“Slowly,” he answered, snatching the milk from the fridge. “I believe that Marvin is getting rather discouraged at our progress, but with luck, we shall find the small tikes soon enough.”

“And Jackie,” Schneeplestein muttered. JJ didn’t answer, stirring the milk into his tea and Marvin’s coffee perhaps a little too quickly.

The kettle clicked softly and Schneeplestein jumped, eyes darting towards the source of the sound. JJ gave a small start as well, taken aback by the sudden movement. Schneeplestein muttered something in German and JJ gritted his teeth, vague and distant memories resurfacing.

“I apologise if I startled you,” Schneeplestein said, clearly having noticed JJ’s surprise. JJ didn’t answer, placing the spoon in the sink and picking up both mugs, ready to leave. “Jameson, one moment - can I talk to you?”

JJ’s heart started beating quickly and he licked his lips, nodding slowly as he turned to face the doctor. He was gripping tightly onto the handles of the mug, telling himself that he had nothing to fear from Schneeplestein, but unable to fully believe it.

“Chase said you came from the past - is that why you’re hesitant to trust me? Were… you in a war?”

JJ didn’t answer, faint memories of his old life coming back to him. Memories he had tried to forget - nothing about his life before was good. War, dark trenches, guns blazing around him, screams of his comrades. Then the memory was gone, and he could barely remember what he had been thinking of.

“JJ?”

He shook his head, unsure of what he had been thinking about - bad memories. Bad memories he could barely remember. Everything was fuzzy…. before.

“I apologize,” he said, looking up at Schneeplestein. “But… I do believe you are correct. There is something in my past that I can’t fully remember and it’s making me… unsettled around you.” He let out a long breath, looking down at the mugs in his hands. Everything in him had screamed not to say that, but… he needed Schneeplestein to trust him. He needed to trust Schneeplestein.

“I understand unjustified fear,” Schneeplestein muttered. “And I understand that that would have taken a lot to tell me - so thank you, mien freund.”

JJ nodded, but he was still unsure if he had done the right thing in confiding in Schneeplestein. A large part of him wanted nothing to do with the doctor, wished he had never come back. But he didn’t say anything, just nodded.

“I should get back - Marvin will be in need of my aid,” he said, half as an excuse to get out of the kitchen, half-truth. Schneeplestein nodded, and JJ turned to leave. But as he did, Marvin appeared in the door himself, eyes flashing excitedly behind his mask.

“Jays, I may have found something! I need you, quick,” he said. JJ looked up, excitement filling him. He dropped both mugs on the table, hurrying after Marvin, vaguely away Schneeplestein was following them.

“Teleportation spell, hidden deep in an old scroll,” Marvin said as he hurried to his room. “Quite an ancient incarnation - so I’m a little nervous about doing it - there’s one bit that looks challenging.”

JJ didn’t answer, knowing it would be difficult to read his speech slide while moving. He came to a stop in Marvin's room as the magician grabbed a scroll, lifting it and rolling it open.

“Here, it’s a Latin chant, but I’m unsure about this bit.” He pointed to a small section and JJ squinted at it. A few words were visible on the old parchment.

“What does it say?” he asked, looking up at Marvin.

“Oh right, you can’t read Latin,” he said with a slight grin. “Uh, it says… ‘Once the chant is finished, the pendant must not be removed. Only three may pass through the portal’ or something.”

“Do you have a pendant?”

Marvin shook his head, biting his nails as he did.

“Partly what I’m worried about, I must admit.”

“And there will be more than three of you coming back,” Schneeplestein spoke up. JJ started at the sudden accent, glancing up at the doctor in the doorway. “That may not work.”

Marvin muttered under his breath, tossing the scroll away. He groaned, collapsing onto his bed and falling back, lying, staring up at the ceiling. Laying his hands over his face, he let out a long breath.

“I’m sorry, Henrik,” he said, his voice tense. “I - I’m trying. I just…” He trailed off, letting out a long huff.

“I am sure you are doing your best,” Schneeplestein said, somewhat shortly. JJ glanced up at him, frowning. “I… I know you are trying hard, maybe rest for the night.”

“I need to find them,” Marvin muttered.

“We will,” JJ said, unsure if Marvin could even see his speech slide. “Surely there is something in your many books.”

Marvin didn’t answer, so JJ assumed he hadn’t seen what he had said. He sighed, settling down in Marvin’s seat, turning to the pile of books and scrolls on either side of him.

“We will find them,” he said to Schneeplestein. No matter his reservations about bringing a new person home, he was determined to bring them home.

“Please do,” Schneeplestein said, leaving them be and shutting the door behind him. JJ let out a silent breath, staring at the scrolls in front of him. Now he wished he hadn’t left his tea in the kitchen.

It didn’t take him long to get into the rhythm, checking the scrolls carefully. He pulled his monocle out, using it to peer at the small words as he worked his way through the pile. The rhythmic ticking of his pocket watch told him time was passing, and soon Marvin’s soft snores joined it.

He didn’t stop, determined to do it. He wasn’t really sure why, wasn’t really sure if he wanted to even find them, but once he had started, he didn't like leaving things unfinished.

Something caught his attention and he frowned, squinting at the book before him. He angled the desk lamp, peering through his monocle at the words. It was a small note, next to a Latin poem of sorts.

“To traverse great lengths in little time - useful”

JJ glanced between the English note and the Latin words. He couldn’t make out anything more than the letters - had no idea what the words meant. Glancing over his shoulder at Marvin, fast asleep where he lay on his bed, he hesitated.

He didn’t want to wake Marvin - he needed his sleep, he had barely slept at all for the past week - but he needed to know what the Latin said.

Chase had said the internet had answers to everything. Maybe it could help with this. He turned to the screen and the keyboard before him, trying to remember what Chase had said about using it.

Carefully, he reached out to the keyboard and hit a key. The screen turned on, sending light into the dim room. JJ blinked, rubbing his eye and squinting at the screen. It was open on a picture of Marvin on stage, dressed in his finest costume.

A browser - that was what Chase had said, right? He needed to… ‘goggle’ what he wanted. Frowning, he squinted close at the screen, trying to find a browser. An icon looked familiar and he pressed it with his finger. Nothing happened.

Letting out a huff, he leaned back in the seat, unsure of what to do. He could wake Chase - but a glance at his pocket watch told him it was about 3am. Maybe he should leave it till the morning.

But his attention was caught by the small black item, resting beside the keyboard. Chase had called that a ‘mouse’ right? He wasn’t sure how it looked like a small rodent, but everyone seemed to use that to control the computer.

Carefully, he laid his hand on it, watching as the small arrow on the screen moved as he shifted it. Fascinated, he moved the arrow around the screen for a while, watching as it danced across the screen.

Shaking his head after a long moment, he slowly directed the arrow to the icon he wanted to open and pressed down on the front of the mouse. To his excitement, the screen changed, white taking over and the letters “Google” sitting in the middle of the screen.

Carefully, he tapped out the Latin phrase, going slowly as he found each letter. Once done, he moved the mouse and pressed the result. To his excitement, blue words showed up, claiming they had translated it.

Eagerly, he clicked it, reading the translation.

This could work. Excitement filled him and he spun in the chair, somewhat startled at how easily it turned. Not caring for the time, he moved quickly to Marvin’s side, shaking him excitedly. Marvin grunted, turning over and JJ ground his teeth, annoyed that he couldn’t call his friend’s name.

He shook him again, and this time Marvin moaned, blinking his eyes open.

“J -wha -” he muttered.

“I found something! I believe it could work!” JJ said excitedly.

“Wha-?” Marvin muttered, squinting at the speech slide. He blinked as it registered, shooting upright. “Wait what?”

“I continued looking after you feel asleep and believe I have found something - I had to use the computer to find a translation but I think it will work.”

Marvin scrambled off the bed, almost tripping on a pile of books in his haste to reach the computer. He stared at it for a long while, then looked down at the page JJ had opened. Letting out a long breath, he turned, adjusting his mask, a slow grin covering his face.

“I think we did it, Jays,” he said. “Thank you.”

Tag list:

@watermelonsinmyattic  @cute-anxious-kitten @asunachinadoll @aesthetic-egos @iris-the-asparagus @plutoandpolaris @vity-dream @fangirlintrovert @viostormcaller @squishygamermama 

[burningblake]

Snowbarry fanfic

The Start of Something | Read on FF.net

Description:  "Cait?" he asks her quietly, having no idea what he's doing. "Do you ever think about it?" My take on how Barry finds out about the shapeshifter that kissed Caitlin and what follows from then on. One shot. Snowbarry. AU Season 1. 

Episode 119 - 'Who is Harrison Wells?'

The little crowd in his lab gradually thins; Cisco, Eddie and Joe all head for the exit, until it is only him and Caitlin in the room, standing with their backs at the sinister proof of Wells's false identity. Her gaze is on the broad window on the far wall, her lips parted in shock. He half-turns toward her and presses his lips together.

"Caitlin... I'm sorry. I know this is difficult for you to accept..."

"All these years I've trusted him", she whispers. "I can't believe he's been deceiving us all along". She shakes her head and squeezes her eyes shut. "I was so naive."

Barry shakes his head with force.

"No, you're not", he defends. Caitlin looks at him. Barry takes a step in her direction. She backs ever so slightly and he stops in hesitation, examining her. She's calmer than before, at the lab, but it's like a restrained terror, rather than a lack of it.

"We were all deceived", he continues in a softer, controlled tone. "You can't blame yourself. No one could have known. "

"You don't understand, Barry. Before... I didn't want to believe you. I was so certain about Wells's innocence, I was willing to visit him at his house and have a heart to heart conversation. Now I realize how idiotic that would have been."

"It's not idiotic to have faith in your friends. Your faith has helped me believe in myself countless of times, Cait. It's an amazing quality to have the courage to stand up for your value. It's not your fault that some people don't share them."

Caitlin smiles warmly, the light of the streets reflecting on her eyes. "Thank you, Barry. You really know how to make me feel better."

His eyes squeeze into a smiling expression. "Well, I might know you better than you think."

She chuckles softly and her angelic beauty captivates him for a moment. She's so... peaceful. He doesn't want to lift his eyes. After a while, he realizes he's staring, because Cait smiles awkwardly and looks away.

"Umm.. We should get going. Cisco will be waiting for us", he says, his fingers lightly brushing her elbow.

She doesn't flinch back this time, but he can feel her muscles tense. He drops his hand and catches her gaze. She gives him an awkward, guilty smile. This time, he's determined to figure out what her problem is. He blatantly searches her eyes.

"Every time I touched you today" he starts in a low voice, "you curled away. Is that because of the situation with Wells or have I done something wrong? Because if it is the latter, I need to know, Caitlin".

She meets his gaze, and wrinkles her nose. "I'm sorry". Her voice sounds clean and rational for once. "It's not something you did". She hesitates. "While you were unconscious, Bates... took your form, and thinking it was you, I told him about the serum. Anyway, I think he wanted to distract me from it, because he kind of tried to... seduce me". She spills the last words in a rush. She stares at him with eyes wide-open.

"He tried to- Oh". His gaze falls on her lips. He tries to pull it away, but it only results into an awkward flicker between her eyes and mouth. He wasn't expecting that answer. 

The silence stretches for a few seconds. He can't fathom the look in her eyes. They are hesitant and... guilty.

He strokes his cheek, wrinkling his nose. "You slapped me", he recalls.

"Sorry for that", she says, drawing her lips to the side.

He gives a hearty laugh and soon she joins in. His heart expands in his chest, stretching its muscles. It feels so oddly satisfying to share a laugh with her. He shakes his head, eyes growing serious.

"When I was fighting with him at the airport, he changed into you", he says in a sober voice. Caitlin's eyes round up in attention.

"I was confused at first", he continues. "I mean, I was almost certain he'd go for Iris. I was prepared for that. But when he changed into you instead, I was surprised. And completely disarmed. I thought he did it because, well, you're the most innocent-looking person I know."

Caitlin smiles.

"It was extremely difficult to fight you. I never thought he had assumed that you and me-I mean, not that I'd never consider you as someone I could - or wait, that actually sounded weird". He covers his face with his palm. Caitlin intervenes before he embarrasses himself further.

"It's okay, Barry", she smiles. "I know what you mean. And he wouldn't be the first to assume there's something between us. But we know that both our hearts are already taken".

He stares into her eyes for what seems like hours, until his gaze falls to her lips. Suddenly, he cannot help wondering what it would be like to taste them. The way she discarded the notion of a romantic relationship between them... It sounded as if she's considered it at some point. And hasn't he? Sunderly, she has opened a Pandora Box of possibilities he's been avoiding to consider. What if...

But then, she is right.

Their hearts are already taken. And now Ronnie's back.

Caitlin clears her throat and nods toward the entrance.

"Shall we?"

Barry tries to reset his mind. He waves his head. "Yeah", he breathes, before they head out.

##

Episode 120 - 'The Trap'

"He's in the time vault!" Cisco shouts. His voice is already a memory in Barry's mind, as he fills the lab with streaks of red and gold. The wall is drawn apart when he arrives. Wells's wheelchair is stranded at the middle of the room. He steps in carefully, inspecting the room for signs of the speedster. His gaze freezes as it passes over the colorful screen occupying the entire wall opposite him. He gawks in shock, his feet easing forward without his consent. Clips-private clips-of him and his friends play on a loop. Iris with Eddie in their bed, him and the rest of the guys gathered at his lab at the police station or Joe's house or S.T.A.R. Labs.

"It was all a set up. We thought we set a trap for him but he set a trap for us", he mumbles, his eyes skimming over the videos. He stops short and draws his gaze back, not sure he's seen right. Caitlin's hands are crashed on his chest, as he devours her lips. He frowns, but he cannot give it much thought because Wells has been watching them and that means he knows exactly where-

"Oh my God. Iris!" He speeds out of the vault.

##

He sits on the stretcher where he's had Caitlin check his health so many times in the past. His knees are tucked into his arms as he shakes back and forth nervously. There's a dim light in the lab, mainly from the computer screens and the machines in the room.

He's failed again. He keeps failing. Still, it's worse this time. Because he actually had a plan, he had a clear chance to vindicate his father. And not only did it fall flat, but it also cost him a friend. Eddie is kept God knows where. He doesn't know how many more times he'll have to lose before he hits the limit of desperation, but he feels like he's flirting dangerously with it.

"Hey, Barry, we'll find him, okay?" Cisco reassures him, sitting behind his computer. "Stop swinging back and forth like a psycho", he scolds him. Caitlin puts a hand on Cisco's shoulder, her gaze casted worriedly at his direction.

"Barry, we did everything we could. We couldn't have known that Wells was watching us", she tells him softly.

"That's just it, Caitlin!" He grips her eyes desperately. She flinches at his tone, but there isn't enough room in his soul to fill with guilt. He feels like his anger and disappointment has consumed him. "There's always something. Whenever I think I might be one step ahead, something happens out of my control that puts me two steps behind instead. I can never win. No matter how fast I run. It's not enough!"

Silence drops in the lab. Cisco and Caitlin both look like he just delivered them a punch. It's actually more than that. A mixture of pity and disappointment. It doesn't faze him. It only fuels his anger. It's like he's flipped over a well of bitterness and he can't stop until all the contents are out.

"Every metahuman we caught, every bad guy we put away, it was with Wells's help. Without him, we're nothing. We don't stand a chance. I know you want to believe that we're a team and that we can beat him together, but the truth is", he stands on his feet, "he created us".

He speeds away, chased by his demons and the expressions on his friends' faces. Now that all the bitterness is out, he's filled with nothing but a void in his chest. And he thinks it's funny, how emptiness weighs the most.

He runs and runs and runs. Far away from everything. Far from reality and sense. He needs to put it all back. To think.

After about half an hour of running to Star City and back, guilt finally catches up with him. He stops dead in his tracks and heads back to the lab.

Cisco's only there when he arrives. He doesn't turn his head to acknowledge his presence. He only jolts slightly in his seat. Barry hesitates at the entrance.

"Where's Caitlin?" he asks.

"I don't know, maybe you should go ask our creator", Cisco scoffs.

Barry sighs and walks to the front of him. "I'm sorry, Cisco".

He doesn't look up. Instead, he stares at his hands scraffing the surface of the desk.

"You know I didn't mean anything of that", Barry tries again.

Cisco snorts. "Certainly didn't look like it", he mutters.

Silence stretches between them. Barry is devoid of words. Cisco's right. He was completely unfair to them. No amount of anger is an excuse for him to treat his friends like that. Cisco finally huffs and rises from his seat to level his gaze. His eyes bare no hint of the bitterness that marked his voice just a minute ago. Instead, they're reaching out with understanding.

"It's okay, I know you didn't."

Barry nods with gratitude.

The emotion doesn't live long on Cisco's expression. His eyes spark. "Now instead of being an ass to your friends, go get some rest and come back tomorrow so we can start working on this as a team", he reprimands him. A smile flickers on Barry's face. He nods with compliance, happy to be back on normal terms with his friend.

"Thank you", he says earnestly.

"Yeah, yeah!" Cisco brushes him off with his hand. Barry's smile broadens as he heads to the entrance. Cisco's voice though stops him for one last time.

"Oh, and you need to apologize to Caitlin as well".

##

The night has wrapped around the city, replacing the hustle of the day with a stagnant quiet. He looks up at the tall apartment complex that rears before him and takes a deep breath to gather his courage.

He presses the bell and waits, tapping his foot nervously on the floor. The last time he's been here, he was carrying her drunk through the front door. The memory teases the corner of his mouth with a smile. The door buzzes open, bringing him back to reality. He quickly fixes his features, remembering his purpose here.

He flies up the building. She's waiting at the threshold when he arrives, leaning on the frame with hands folded across her chest. She doesn't look mad. But neither welcoming. Her expression is a mix of cold and mild disappointment. Or is she just tired? Should he have left it for the morning? Suddenly, he's standing all awkward there at her door, having no idea what to say or do.

"Uhh sorry I can come tomorrow if you're..." His voice trails off, waiting for her response.

She rolls her eyes. "It's okay, Barry, you can come in." She opens the door a little wider and steps aside.

He follows her awkwardly into the living room, passing his hand through his hair and fixing the hem of his shirt. He gets the chance to observe her as they walk. Her golden locks shower her shoulders and touch the skin around her neck. She's in her night clothes-not the cute pajamas he'd seen her in (well practically dressed in) the last time-these ones are a deep midnight blue and their texture looks pretty smooth with multiple folds.

They take seats on opposite sides, both leaning forward and crossing their hands over their knees. He realizes it's his queue to talk.

"Caitlin, I'm...I'm sorry. What I said to you was not fair."

"It is not me you should apologize to, Barry." Caitlin holds his gaze sharp, shaking her head. "It's yourself. All this time I've watched you surpass yourself again and again to help others, to bring justice. I've watched you face difficulties and grow from them. You-inspired me, Barry. You taught me how to be strong. And now for you to believe that all of this was the doing of a madman, that without him you're nothing? How does that honor you or anyone who's put their hopes and trust in you? How is it fair? "

Barry stares at her, feeling lost in her words, her eyes, her mouth. He nods.

"You're right," he says. He ties his gaze on the floor. "It's just that sometimes it feels like I'm never gonna win, that I'm never gonna be fast enough, that he's always going to be one step ahead." He shakes his head with devastation.

Caitlin hooks his gaze. "You've only lost when you've let yourself believe it."

He wants to let her words calm him, but his failure is too fresh to let him. Caitlin rises on her feet and comes to sit beside him. Her perfume enthralls him. He looks at her, befuddled by their sudden proximity.

"I've known loss and felt pain in my life," Caitlin started. "My father, then my fiancé. For a while, I felt that I would never be happy again, that life would always take from me. I chose to close my heart, to become cold to the world. That way I would never have to lose. But then I met you." She smiles and her eyes glimmer.

Barry's breath catches. Her beauty is mesmerizing. His cheeks burn a little. The thought comes uninvited. The shapeshifter. The fact that she kissed him, but not really him. His eyes fall momentarily to her lips. What is he doing? He scolds himself.

"...and you showed me how to laugh at life, how to turn my back at pain and stand up again. Because that's who you are, Barry. No matter how many tragedies and setbacks you meet in your life, you always keep hoping and make other people hope as well."

Her words melt his heart. There is dampness in his eyes.

"Thanks, Cait."

She tilts her head. "You're welcome."

He remembers that first month of knowing her. He'd found her a little intimidating back then, because her eyes were cold and she never responded to any fun. He recalls the first time he saw her smile, laugh with her heart. It had taken away all his senses, like a rock cracking to reveal a gem inside.

Suddenly he realizes the silence has grown and he's still looking at her. Caitlin wipes her palm on her thigh. He wonders if he's making her uncomfortable. Is she still affected by their kiss? That single question opens up a dangerous path in his mind. How did his kiss make her feel? Well, not his, but still. Is she feeling uncomfortable because she liked it or because it was awkward?

His frustration grows. Why is he having all those questions? Why is he suddenly curious about her? Is this some kind of a whim? Should he let it pass? Let the night dawn? Sleep on it?

But it doesn't feel like a whim. It feels like... He drinks her in, this time exploring her in detail. Her angelic curls are tucked on one side of her neck, her skin glows under the pale light in the living room, she's gnawing on her lips, her pupils drawn to the corners of her eyes. So he decides to no longer fight his feelings. He lets all the chaos in at once. And his eyes adjust to a different shade of her. The sensual, secretive woman full of secrets and hidden emotions. He realizes he's inhaled, but never exhaled.

His thoughts flash through his mind. When he falls into pace with reality, only seconds have passed. Quiet has consumed the walls of her apartment. The night is pitch black and soundless outside the window, like the space vacuum.

"Cait?" he asks her quietly, having no idea what he's doing.

Her head snaps and her lips part in bewilderment as she absorbs his face.

"Do you ever think about it?" he asks her, letting his gaze drop to her lips.

"Think about what..." her voice trails off as she reads his eyes.

He expects her to give him a sign, jump away from him or...lean in, but she just stands completely still. He looks up into her eyes. They're stretched out in surprise, wavering between his gaze and his mouth. That's all the confirmation he needs.

He leans in and softly takes her lower lip into his mouth. Her breath shudders, along with his. She has a keen taste, like the air after a storm. He can't cut himself away from her. He presses his mouth further into hers, letting his instincts take control. Her mouth opens under his and it takes all his restraint not to moan. His lips close over her warmth and moisture and her cool breath feathers his skin. Her light touch traces his arms upwards. He places his own hand at her waist and pulls them them both flush against each other, straightening up his body. The movement breaks the connection momentarily.

They stare into each other's eyes, Cait's hands on his shoulders, both out of breath. The second time he dives in and devours her lips with thirst, opening his mouth to let his tongue find hers. She ties her arms around his neck and presses herself closer, lifting herself a little off the couch. This almost drives him nuts. He grips her waist and pulls her onto his lap, her legs settling on either side of him. She burries her fingers into his hair and deepens the kiss with teeth and tongue. He feels as if a wild creature has woken within her. He's never seen this side of her, only glimpses.

He kisses her until he's lost every other sense, until midnight has turned to dawn and until kissing her is the only way he knows how to breathe.

They fall asleep on the couch, legs tangled and chests crushed.

"Barry, I don't regret it," says Caitlin the next morning. Her voice breaks the serenity and he turns his head to her, surprised to find her awake. Her head's on his arm and her beautiful, clever eyes are serious as they roam his face.

She must have sensed his tension. He inhales, stretching his limbs-which does interesting things to their bodies- and tosses around to face her.

"Neither do I," he says playfully.

She laughs and pushes him on the chest, which makes him laugh, too. The mood carries with him, until his soul feels light and soft like a feather.

"So what do we call this?" Cait asks.

He stares at her, still smiling, and thinking.

He's found happiness at an unlikely stage of his life. And he'd never expected to find it here. He was so blind. And now he realizes why.

Iris had been his only love since childhood. She wasn't his, but he was hers. And letting himself feel something for anyone else felt like betrayal. He cannot believe how much this single contract with himself had blinded him.

"Are you okay?" Cait asks, a shadow crossing her features.

He smiles, nodding. He reaches out with his thumb and rubs her cheek.

"Let's call it the start of something," he says and leans in to kiss her again.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts and comments! This is my first attempt to write something for the Flash fandom. Hope it is received well

[singledarkshade]

The Lost Ones

Part Five - Reunited

Alex smiled watching Gideon and Winn work together on upgrading the DEO’s security systems. It was nice to see their newest member so relaxed and happy.

She liked having Gideon as a roommate. The other woman was so sweet, enthusiastically curious, extremely smart and very protective of the people she counted as friends. She was also sometimes quite childlike in her innocence about the world. She hadn’t gained any more of her memories in the past three months but wasn’t letting that hold her back. She had become a fully fledged member of the DEO spending most of her time working with Winn who jokingly called her big sister.

Alex however knew as happy as she was Gideon still looked out for the mystery man she felt she was missing.

“Are you sure this will work?” Winn was demanding when Alex walked over to join them.

Gideon frowned at him, “Of course I am. It is also a good way to ensure that the important sections, including where you work, are protected against an attack.”

Winn looked up at Alex, “I don’t think I like her anymore.”

Alex winced when she saw hurt covering Gideon’s face, “He’s only teasing because you’re right and he knows it.”

“I am,” Winn wrapped his arm around Gideon hugging her.

Gideon blushed slightly, “I should have realised.”

“Are you two ready to go for lunch?” Alex asked, “Kara is going to meet us and you know she hates being kept waiting for food.”

Winn nodded shutting down his computer, “I think a break would be a good idea.”

“Great,” Alex caught Gideon’s arm before she could protest and pulled her out of her chair, “It’s a new restaurant for you to try.”

  Kara handed the bowl of ice cream to Gideon before she climbed onto the couch beside Alex, “So, what are we watching tonight?”

Alex smiled, “I thought we would introduce Gideon to the Wizard of Oz.”

“Yeah,” Kara grinned clapping slightly, “When I first came to Earth this was one of the first movies I saw. I love it. You will too.”

“I’m sure I shall,” Gideon said softly, closing her eyes blissfully when she licked the chocolate ice cream off her spoon.

This was their Friday night ritual since Gideon had moved in with Alex. Assuming nothing else was happening, Kara would join them for takeout and ice cream showing Gideon one of their favourite movies. This was to help her learn more about popular culture while Winn had her watching several shows on Netflix.

As the movie began Gideon listed her questions on the small tablet computer that sat at her side which she would ask at the end of the film. The lists became shorter and shorter with each passing week. Gideon had discovered a love for musicals; she thought there was something so joyful about people singing suddenly in a film. Alex was not too sure she agreed but Kara was more than happy to sit and watch them anytime.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked when she saw tears spring to Gideon’s eyes as they reached the end of the film.

“There’s no place like home,” Gideon whispered sadly, “I wish I remembered mine.”

Alex wrapped her arm around her friend while Kara moved to her other side to join the embrace, “You have us. I know it’s hard not knowing who you were but we’re here for you, Gideon.”

Relaxing into the hug Gideon smiled at her new found family.

                        *********************************************

  Gideon stared at herself in the mirror trying to understand why she still felt wrong. She knew this was how she looked, this was how she thought she should look but there was still something strange about her reflection.

Closing her eyes Gideon tried to picture the man she knew she was missing, trying to remember something about him, something that could possibly help find him. However there was nothing, the same as there had been for the past four months.

“Gideon,” Winn’s voice came through her radio, “Alex and her team are nearly at the compound.”

“I’m on my way,” she told him, pulling her hair back from her face before heading out the locker room to take her station.

Sliding into the seat beside Winn, Gideon linked with the computer so she could monitor Alex and her team. They were exploring another of the labs that belonged to the man who had held Gideon captive.

“We’re nearing the compound,” Alex’s voice came over the radio.

“We’ve got you,” Winn told her, “Gideon, are you able to connect with their computers?”

Gideon closed her eyes frowning, “No. It is a closed system.”

“Great,” Winn grimaced, “Alex, we’re only working with your helmet-cams at the moment.”

The sigh from Alex made Gideon wince annoyed with the situation but she remained silent. She kept a watch on the team, waiting for them to enter so they could give her access to the system. A yell from one of the team preceded gunfire and cries coming from the team.

“Alex?” Winn yelled, “What’s happening?”

“Minute,” she snapped back at him. Her camera showed the team looking around nervously before they were attacked by an alien, tall with a strange bone protrusion that looked like a sword coming from its arm.

“What the hell is that?” Winn demanded as he started checking the files to try to identify the alien they were facing.

“Gunfire is bouncing right off,” Alex snapped, “We’re going to have to retreat.”

Before anyone could say another word the creature stiffened, a knife was jammed into its side which was ripped upwards blood shooting out of the wound as it fell to the ground. A tall thin man stood behind it, grimly staring at them with the blood stained knife gripped tightly in his hand.

“Identify yourself,” Alex ordered.

Gideon stared stunned at the man on the screen whispering, “Captain?”

  Alex heard Gideon’s amazed voice but wasn’t able to ask because the man standing in front of her dropped the knife and pulled a gun out aiming directly at Alex. His face was bleak, blue eyes completely blank while he stared right through her. His right arm was obviously broken held against his chest by what appeared to be a belt and a bit of cloth, he was dressed in black denims, grey t-shirt and a brown leather jacket all covered in the blood of what Alex assumed was the creature.

“Put your weapon down,” Alex ordered the man.

He didn’t reply or move, his gun never wavering from her.

“I will not warn you again,” Alex stated sharply, “Put it down or we will be forced to fire.”

“Don’t hurt him,” Gideon’s voice came in her ear, “Let him hear my voice.”

Confusion filled her, “What?”

“Please, Alex,” Gideon begged, “I can talk him down. Let him hear my voice.”

Slowly, so not to spook the man into firing, Alex switched her radio so that Gideon’s voice would be broadcast.

“Captain Hunter,” Gideon called.

The man’s head tilted slightly, bemusement covering his face while he breathed, “Gideon?”

“I am here, Captain,” she replied.

“But you were gone,” he whispered, shaking his head, “I lost you.”

Alex heard Gideon’s deep intake of breath before she replied, “It is a long story, Captain but I promise you that I am here and that you are safe. Agent Danvers is not your enemy.”

“Gideon?” he breathed again, “Prove to me it’s really you because you were gone.”

There was a pause. Alex readied herself in case Gideon didn’t know how to prove to him she was real.

“Before leaving the cognitive intrusion,” Gideon said softly making him tilt his head again slightly, “I rather enjoyed it.”

He gasped, relief covering his face before he dropped the gun falling to his knees. Alex realised he was about to pass out. Running forward she caught him stunned that he had been hanging onto consciousness with nothing but sheer strength of will.

“Alex?” Gideon’s worried voice called.

“He’s just unconscious,” Alex soothed, “We’ll get him back to the DEO.”

                          *********************************************

  Gideon ran forward the moment the medical transport arrived back at the DEO, seeing her Captain carried on a stretcher unconscious but alive.

“We’re going to help him,” Alex assured while she walked with the stretcher, “Is there anything we should know?”

Gideon frowned for a moment, her memories had not fully returned but he was completely clear in her mind, “Do not sedate him. If you need him to be calm at any point then I will talk to him.”

Alex nodded, “I’ll call you in if we need you.”

“No,” Gideon told her, “Until he is in a more cognizant state I will only speak over a radio. Seeing me will confuse him.”

Alex opened her mouth to ask before deciding against it. She started after the patient to help stopping and turning back to Gideon.

“What’s his name?”

Gideon smiled proudly, “Captain Rip Hunter.”

  Winn took the seat at Gideon’s side, placing a mug of tea in front of her. Gideon spared a moment from watching the monitors showing her Captain being cared for by the medical team to give him a grateful smile.

“So this is who you’ve been looking for?” Winn asked.

Gideon nodded happily, “My Captain.”

“Which means?” Winn frowned in confusion.

“That is a long story and one I will tell once I know he is well,” Gideon promised. She continued to watch worried by how thin he was, by how sallow his skin was and she knew he had not been taking care of himself.

A crash from the room indicated Rip was awake and not taking well to being surrounded by strangers.

“Captain Hunter,” Gideon said over the radio, “Please calm yourself. You are safe here and the doctors are trying to help you.”

“Gideon?” he murmured confused.

Hating how anxious he sounded Gideon soothed, “I am here, Captain. I am watching over you.”

He let out a slow breath calming at her voice sliding into unconsciousness once more. Gideon felt tears prick at her eyes leaning into Winn when he wrapped an arm around her, “I hate hearing him this defeated. I never wished to hear it again.”

“He’s going to be fine,” Winn assured her.

At his assurance Gideon leaned into his comfort continuing to watch over her Captain.

  The sound of medical equipment surrounding him was the first thing he heard. His right arm felt heavy but not as sore as he remembered. Forcing open his eyes Rip smiled in relief seeing the woman standing at his side.

“Gideon,” he breathed happily, “I thought I’d lost you.”

She smiled at him, “You should know by now, Captain that I am always here.”

“This is weird,” Rip murmured, “I must be on some really good drugs because I was sure I was awake. But here you are, my Gideon.”

She gently threaded her fingers through his hair making him sigh softly.

“It’s the weirdest dream,” Rip continued, “Because I can feel my injured arm and I never have injuries in my dreams with you.”

“Captain,” Gideon said gently, “You need to wake yourself.”

Rip grimaced, “You’ll still be here when I do?”

“I will,” she promised.

It took him a moment as he couldn’t move his right arm properly. Sliding his left arm over to his right hand, Rip tapped two fingers on his left wrist three times to wake up the way he trained to do. Rip frowned when nothing changed; Gideon was still standing at his side watching over him. He repeated the wrist tap before he checked for his pulse. He knew if he was dreaming then he wouldn’t be able to feel it.

“I’m awake?” Rip asked confused.

Gideon nodded, “Yes, Captain.”

“You’re human?” the amazement in his voice made her smile slightly.

She nodded once more taking his hand in hers, “My memory is vague right now so I am not precisely sure how it happened but I am.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Rip tugged her to him, sliding his arm around her to pull her close in a tight hug, “You’re here. I didn’t lose you.”

Gideon held onto him cuddling close, “I’m here and we are together again.”