#IS THAT SEAT TA[sniper takes me out] | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

fific7 · 3 years

Text

Fake or Fortune

For @omgrachwrites 1K Follower Celebration - congratulations!

AU: Fake Relationship

Billy Russo x Reader

A/N: This does not follow canon, it takes place in my Alternative S1 Punisher Universe, with Arrogant!Billy in attendance.

Warnings: 18+ NSFW due to sexual content, slightly questionable consent, some dom/sub interaction, oral and unprotected* sex between consenting adults. Swearing and drinking.

*Irl, please don’t go wild in the country without protection.

(My Photo Edit)

Karen put a large G&T down in front of you, accompanied by a sympathetic look. You picked it up and took a large sip, sighing as you put it back down again.

“I give up, Karen. No matter what I do, without fail I either pick the wrong guy or else think everything’s fine, and then boom - it isn’t.”

This was a commiseration drinking session, which Karen had suggested after she’d noticed you moping around the office. You both worked at the same big newspaper but in different departments, and became good friends after spending numerous lunchtimes together in the staff restaurant.

“What happened this time?” she asked, then winced as she realised maybe that wasn’t the most tactful way of putting things. “I mean, I thought you and David were getting on really well?” You took a larger gulp of your drink, “Well, that’s the thing - so did I. Until I got the “it’s not you, it’s me” talk on Saturday.” You’d been seeing this guy from your Digital News Content section for a few months, and you’d really thought everything had been on track.

Karen sighed, “Oh lord, not that old pile of bullshit.” You nodded, “Yeah, right. I tried to pin him down to exactly what the problem was, but I guess it was just me, when it all came down to it. In fact, I saw him chatting up a girl from Accounts yesterday so he’s already moved on to pastures new. That didn’t take long, did it? Or maybe he’d already moved on but didn’t have the balls to tell me.”

“Look, I’m meeting up with Frank on Friday night for a drink...” her cheeks pinked up, and you smiled at her obvious pleasure in that thought, “....so why don’t you come along? He mentioned one of his friends might tag along.” You held up a hand, “Oh no! No! I’m not being set up.” She shook her head, “It’s not a set-up, I swear. They’ve got a little....issue.... with Homeland and we’re going to talk about it.”

You knew she’d recently met this ex-Marine called Frank when - in her role as investigative reporter - she’d been digging into some big CIA scandal. When was there not a scandal about the CIA, you thought. You knew she’d met him several times over the past couple of weeks and had detected a more-than-just-business interest in him. “Oh, so.... strictly business, then?” you teased. She shifted in her seat, “Well, mainly.... we’ve also been talking about more personal stuff.” “Uh-huh,” you nodded, smirking, “Karen fancies Frank, Karen fancies Frank!” you sang, while she batted your arm and gave an embarrassed laugh.

“Oh shut up, you,” she said, “...are you coming along or not?”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

And that’s why you found yourself sitting in a neighbourhood bar with Karen on Friday night, feeling quite nervous for some reason. Probably because Karen was fidgeting like hell next to you, and you were picking up on her nervous energy. You smiled over at her, “So you really like this guy, huh?” “No!”she denied, then as you raised an eyebrow at her, “Well... okay, yes I do like him. He’s so sweet.” Her eyes widened as she spoke, catching sight of two approaching figures, “Oh! Here he comes.” A big bear of a man came up to your table, smiling broadly at Karen and then including you in the smile as he stopped beside you. “Hey, Karen,” he greeted her, and she beamed back at him. “Hey, Frank,” and then she introduced you to him. His friend, who’d been partially blocked from your sight by Frank’s bulk, moved out from behind him and said ‘Hi - I’m Billy Russo,’ and shook your hand as he did so. “Nice ta meet ya,” said Frank, also shaking your hand and sitting down in the booth next to Karen.

The man who’d just introduced himself as Billy slid in next to you, and you tried not to stare. He was hot. Like, really hot. Dressed in a smart suit and overcoat, he really didn’t look like an ex-Marine, but Karen had told you that both Frank and his friend were ex-service, and that the friend had opened up a security firm called Anvil when he left the Marines. His handsome face turned towards you, and two very dark eyes looked into yours, “So.... you’re a friend of Karen’s?” You nodded, “Yeah, we just worked together to start with but now we’re besties.” “You a reporter too?” “Nah, I’m a lowly sub-editor on the news desk.” A sudden thought occurred to you, “Oh... and just to reassure you, this isn’t a set-up... you and me, I mean.” He smirked, and you found yourself staring at his lush brushed-back hair and sculpted jaw with its light beard. “Would it have been a big problem if it had been?” he was saying to you, and you shook yourself out of your little trance.

“No, I guess not...” you replied, laughing nervously, “...but I just wanted to get it out there.” He looked you over appraisingly, “Well, I wouldn’t have been disappointed at all,” the smirk got bigger, “....so if you change your mind, just let me know.” This left you speechless but he was still looking at you, asking, “Whaddya want to drink? First round’s on me,” before turning his gaze to the others.

Several beers later, you were sitting listening to the other three talking about a lot of indecipherable nonsense (from your point of view), and you were beginning to get antsy. “Karen, I’m going to head off,” you said in a break in the conversation and she looked slightly guilty, “Oh sorry... we’ve been going on about this for ages.” You shrugged, “It’s fine, Karen, honestly. I’ll see you Monday, okay? Have a great weekend.” You turned to the guys, “You too, and thanks for the drinks,” and made to move out of the booth. But Billy didn’t move. “See you home?” he questioned you, and you saw small smiles on both Karen and Frank’s faces. “Yeah, okay,” you nodded, and then he moved, standing aside as you slid out of the booth. As you headed to the door through the crowd of people, you felt his arm snaking around your lower back. Oooh, very confident, you thought. You’d marked him out as a player as soon as you’d set eyes on him.

“Sorry about the boring shop talk,” he said as you both hit the street, “....me and Frankie’ve got some problems with Homeland right now.” “That doesn’t sound good,” you said as you found yourself being guided around the corner from the bar. “Oh, I was going to take the subway,” you protested, but he shook his head, “This time on a Friday night? Nah.” He pointed towards a rather flashy-looking car parked in the street, “Got the car with me so I’ll take you home. I only had one beer, case you didn’t notice.” “I didn’t,” you admitted, “I thought you were sinking beers like the rest of us.” He gave a low laugh, “I was a sniper in the service, so I like to be aware of my surroundings at all times.” A little frisson ran through you, this guy was quite dangerous, you could tell. As you reached the car, he held the passenger door open for you and you climbed in, trying to be as elegant as possible although you weren’t sure you quite achieved that.

As he started the engine and moved the car out into the flow of traffic, he asked, “So what made you come along tonight if it wasn’t a set-up?” “I was bored. I just split up with my boyfriend of a few months so...” you shrugged. You heard a chuckle, “His loss.” “I don’t think that’s what he thought,” you replied, with a self-deprecating laugh. “Well, it’s true,” said Billy, “...believe me. He must be mad to give you up.” “You silver-tongued charmer,” you said back to him, and again you heard his deep chuckle.

“Seriously, it’s my gain. Look, this might seem a bit of an odd request seein’ as how we’ve only just met...” he began, looking across at you as he pulled up outside your apartment block, “....but you’d be doin’ me a big favour. How ‘bout you come along to this charity event I gotta go to next week? As my ‘plus one’?” You hesitated, and he carried on, “No strings, I promise. Just come along as my girlfriend and be on my arm all night. Help me ward off the attentions of someone I’d rather avoid.” You scoffed, “Fake dating? Really?!”

Much to your surprise, you found yourself walking into your building a few minutes later having just agreed to go to this event with Billy. He’d looked pleased, thanking you for saying yes. And you’d also been on the receiving end of a surprise kiss from him. He’d suddenly leant in, slid his big hand around the back of your neck and pulled you in, his mouth finding yours as he did. The kiss had been short but very sexy and you were still tingling from the after-effects.

He’d laughed at your look of total surprise, and wished you sweet dreams. You’d better be careful, warned your internal guardian angel, he said ‘No Strings’.... remember? So don’t go getting all invested in this guy. He’s a player.... for sure.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy and you had swapped numbers, and the following morning you were pleasantly surprised to get a text asking if you could meet him later that day. Intrigued, you texted back saying you didn’t have any other plans but why did he need to meet up? He came back saying he’d had an idea to help out with the event next week, and said he could pick you up. Feeling like you could be making a big mistake, you agreed so he said he’d be at your place around two.

You made sure you dressed casually. Not having any idea where you were going, but sure it wouldn’t be a date as such, you just chose a shirt and jeans with some suede ankle boots. When Billy texted you to say he was parked outside, you left your apartment and locked up, feeling a spark of excitement run through you as you did. “This is not a date, this is not a date, this is not a date!” you chanted in your head as you went downstairs. Billy, you saw with relief, was also dressed casually in jeans, t-shirt, leather jacket and combat boots. He gave you a big grin as you got in the car, the luxurious leather aroma of the interior filling your nostrils. “What make of car is this?” you asked, being an “it’s a black one” kind of girl. He gave you what could only be described as a smug smile, “Rolls Royce Wraith, sweetheart,” he answered. “Oh, okay,” you said, “....expensive, I take it?” “Very.” “Surprised you park it on the street the way you do then,” you shrugged, and he burst out laughing. “Is it one of those so-called penis extensions?” you asked next, and Billy nearly choked he was laughing so hard.

“Firstly, I take it that means you aren’t particularly impressed,” he gasped, getting his breath back after his laughing fit, “...and secondly, no darlin’, it definitely isn’t one of those ‘penis extensions‘ as you put it. Got no need for one-a those.” You returned his smirk, “Really? Well, I don’t care what car a guy drives,” you said firmly, “...that’s got nothing to do with what he’s like.” He glanced across at you as he swung the car into one of the downtown underground car parks. “And what do you think I’m like?” You looked at his profile as he concentrated on parking the big car in a corner space, “Mmmm... I think you’ve had a hard upbringing and now you’re making up for it. Big time.”

Billy switched the engine off and turned to stare at you, the dark eyes drilling into yours with an intensity you hadn’t been expecting. “Wow,” said Billy, “....you sure you’re not one-a these psychoanalysts or somethin’?” “Definitely,” you replied. “Well, you sure sound like you’ve been analysing me, sweetheart,” he said. You didn’t know him well enough to gauge his mood, and he carried on, “I mean, you got all that from meetin’ me last night and just now?” You nodded, saying neutrally, “I’m just speculating of course... but the expensive suits, the car, and I bet a big flashy apartment too, it just says ‘I can afford this now and I’m gonna enjoy it’ to me.” You were relieved to hear a chuckle as you’d been worried you’d really offended him. “Spot on,” he said, “...yeah, you’re spot on. I think you’re maybe in the wrong business.” You decided to change the subject, “So... where are we going, Billy?” “You’ll see in a minute,” he grinned, “....c’mon, let’s go sweetheart.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Minutes later, you were standing outside one of the expensive and trendy boutiques in the area. Billy’s hand went under your elbow and he steered you inside. “Billy... what’s going on?” He nodded to one of the staff who started making her way over to the two of you. “Look, it was my bright idea to drag you along to this thing, so the least I can do is treat you to a new outfit.” You were shaking your head before he’d stopped speaking, “Oh no, no... I can’t let you do that!” He was nodding back at you - it must’ve looked quite comical to the store assistant, “Oh yes, you will - I insist.” He turned to the woman, “Please can you help my girlfriend pick out an outfit for a formal event?” And before you could say anything else, he’d wandered over to a seating area near the changing rooms and seated himself in a comfortable armchair. “I’ll be right here, sweets,” he said, beaming at you. Girlfriend indeed, you thought.

The store assistant looked expectantly at you and you nodded hesitantly at her, so she led you over to some rails filled with lots of beautiful dresses. “How nice of your boyfriend to buy you a whole new outfit,” she commented, beginning to slide the dresses back and forth along the rail looking for a selection for you, “He’s very charming,” she continued, admiringly. “Yes, isn’t he,” you said between gritted teeth. Truthfully, you were feeling as if you were out shopping with your sugar daddy. But you had to admit that your bank account would’ve been protesting loudly if you’d had to make the purchase yourself, and you definitely would’ve had to buy something new as nothing in your wardrobe was even remotely suitable for a formal event. And he was right, this was all his bright idea. So you’d just suck it up, you thought, however reluctantly.

Eventually the assistant had several dresses folded over her arm for you to try on, and you sailed past Billy to the changing rooms without as much as a glance at him. But you just knew he was staring at you as disappeared behind the curtain.

After twenty minutes of struggling in and out of the various dresses, you had to admit that the assistant had made some good choices. There were three that you really liked, and you finally chose a midnight blue silky sheath of mid-thigh length, an asymmetric one-shoulder-strap neckline and a swirl of sequins diagonally across it from neck to hem. It was tight-fitting but didn’t show off an excessive amount of skin - you didn’t want to have it all out there on show after all.

The assistant had also brought several pairs of shoes to you once you’d chosen your dress, and you picked out a pair of matching delicate strappy sandals. Pleased with your choices, you put your own clothes back on and went out to find Billy. He looked up from his phone as you exited the changing room, a disappointed look on his face, “What.... no catwalk show for your boyfriend?” You leant down and whispered, “Okay, you’re laying it on a bit thick, Russo,” to which he grinned, gently took hold of your chin and softly kissed you. “You’re welcome, sweetheart,” he smirked. Then a horrible thought occurred to you, “Billy!” you whispered forcefully. He looked a bit nervously at you, “What?” “There was no price tag on that dress or the shoes either!” He waved a hand at you, “Yeah? That’s okay, just leave it to me.” “No! That’s not on. I’m going to ask her what the price is.” He jumped up out of the armchair, “Nah, nah! Told ya, it was my idea you come along so just let me do this, okay?”

He set off without further delay to the cash desk, while you reluctantly waited in the seating area. Not particularly comfortable with the idea of him buying you an outfit, you decided that you’d offer to buy him dinner to kind of offset his no doubt hefty bill for the dress purchase. He came back over to you a few moments later carrying a large box in one of the boutique’s carrier bags which he handed to you with a grin. “She’d already boxed it before I could see it so it’s still gonna be a surprise when I see it on the night.” You smirked back, you were quite pleased about that. “Billy, let me buy you dinner as a thank you for the dress.” “Okay, I won’t say no to a free dinner,” he grinned, “...where d’ya wanna go?” You mentally reviewed your bank balance and named a mid-priced restaurant close by.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

After a pleasant couple of hours chatting over dinner, Billy drove you home. Debating how to end the night, you came up with what you felt was a decent plan. Not that you were trying to extend the evening of course. That would be just plain stupid as the ‘relationship’ was all a big fake. Remember? your brain asked you. “You know Billy, we haven’t prepared a back story yet, have we?” you said as he drew up outside your place. “A back story?” “Yeah. I mean, if this person you’re trying to avoid happens to ask us - together or separately - about our relationship, we need to be singing from the same songsheet, don’t we?” He looked thoughtful, “Uh yeah, you’ve got a point there.” “OK, well how about you come in for a glass of wine or a coffee and we can get that sorted now?” A devilish smirk appeared, “Plannin’ to ravish me, sweetheart?”

You felt your face heat up with a sudden blush, “No!! Purely to agree on the back story. But hey - we can just text about it if you’d prefer!” Embarrassed, you grabbed your bags, opened the car door and began to get out, but Billy grabbed your arm, “Hey, hey, sweetheart - I’m just kiddin’. Hold on an’ I’ll park up. We can walk up together.” You huffed slightly and closed the car door again, while Billy looked around for a parking space. Once parked, the two of you went up to your apartment and you unlocked the door, waving him inside and over to the sofa while you stashed the bags and headed to the kitchen area. “What would you like? Wine, beer or coffee?” “I’d better just have a coffee,” he said, “...don’t wanna get drunk and pass out in your apartment. Not a good look.” “I don’t see you as a ‘getting drunk’ kinda guy, Billy. You already told me you like to be aware of your surroundings.” He laughed, “You’re right, I don’t make a habit of gettin’ wasted.”

So you switched on your coffee machine and asked what kind of coffee he’d like, holding up a handful of different capsules. He strolled over to you, draping his leather jacket over the back of one of the high stools at your breakfast bar as he reached you. He leaned down slightly and looked at the selection you had in your hand, and you were suddenly very aware of the scent of his aftershave. “Whattya got there, then?” You took his hand and dumped them all in it, saying, “I’m just gonna fill up the water jug while you decide,” and moving swiftly away from him. You were finding it very difficult indeed to ignore the magnetic attraction he was exerting over you, but you really had to try harder as you were only going to end up getting hurt otherwise. He held out a capsule toward you, “Americano’s fine,” he said.

The two cups of coffee made a few moments later, you led him back over to the sofa and you both sat down at opposite ends. “Okayyyy,” said Billy, “....back story then?” You nodded, “Yeah. Nothing too fancy as the less details we have to remember the better.” “Good idea. We should probably add in some truth too. So.... we met through Karen & Frank?” “Yes, that’s a good start. Where did we meet and how long have we been seeing each other?” “Neighbourhood bar, and a coupla months?” “Okay, yeah. Actually is that about it? That was easier than I thought! Or...what else might they ask? Who is this person you’re avoiding - are they gonna be really nosy?” Billy snorted, “Oh yeah! Her name’s Caroline, a spoilt rich bitch. Her father owns a tech company and he supplies some of our equipment. She came along to one of the meetings recently and now she’s stalking me.” You grinned, “And that’s a problem for you? I would’ve thought you’d quite enjoy that, Billy.”

He grinned back, “Are you sayin’ I’m a player or somethin’?” “Well, aren’t you? I’m kinda getting that vibe.” Now he laughed out loud, “Maybe. But I like doin’ the chasing, sweetheart, not the other way round. If she ever got hold-a me, I’d never get outta her clutches.” “What - you wouldn’t? Not much of an ex-Marine then, are you?” He rolled his eyes, “Seriously, this woman’s so clingy she’d attach herself to me like a limpet mine. And I don’t like violence against women so I’d be in a difficult situation. Plus the main thing’s the business link with her daddy. His stuff’s good, I wouldn’t wanna have to replace him as a supplier. So you see, you’re doing me a solid here.” “When you say stalking you, do you mean literally?” “Well, like turning up at Anvil all the time to ‘check on the equipment’ and shit like that.” “So not outside the office then? I’m just thinking along the lines of her not seeing us around together before the event if she’s around you outside business hours. She might not buy it.” “As far as I know, only in office hours.”

“As far as you know? That’s not exactly reassuring if she’s as much of a stalker as you say she is.” He laughed, “No, I’m sure she’s not around apart from that.” “Okay, well is there anything else you can think of that she might ask?” He gave you a sly grin, “If we’ve slept together.” You got up and took your empty cup over to the kitchen sink, “Uh-huh.... well she can ask! We’ll just have to lie, won’t we?” You turned round only to find Billy invading your personal space again, and you moved back slightly in surprise. He followed, crowding you against the counter, dark eyes gazing into yours, “Uh... we don’t have to lie.” You leaned further back, your brain yelling ‘don’t give in to him!’ at you. “Billy... you suggested this whole thing and you also said ‘no strings’, remember? Well, if we did that... that would be strings, don’t you agree?” He reached round you and put his cup in the sink too, “Yeah, I guess so. Just thought we could make things look a little more.... authentic, y’know?” He turned and grabbed his jacket off the back of the stool, but then took you by surprise again by swooping in for a long kiss, pulling you against his body and his big hand sliding around the back of your neck. You pulled away, trying to catch your breath.

Those espresso-coloured eyes were gazing into yours, a lazy grin on his face. “Hey, you’ll need to get less jumpy when I do that else she’s definitely not gonna buy it.” He stood back from you, shrugging into his jacket, “Might need a bit more practice, sweetheart,” he smirked, “....so how about we meet up again tomorrow? We can learn a bit more about each other, as well as you getting more comfortable when I get physical with you,” and wiggled his eyebrows at you. Against your better judgement, you agreed and so he said he’d pick you up at four the next day.

Once he’d gone, you poured yourself a stiff brandy. You couldn’t deny you wanted to spend more time with him, much as you knew you were setting yourself up for a fall. Really... just what the hell did you think you were doing?

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy was thinking the very same thing to himself as he drove away. He was enjoying those kisses way too much. But he was the one who’d suggested this whole fake relationship thing, and definitely with ‘no strings’. Because that was the Russo Way.

He’d better get his head back on straight, and stop thinking about the gorgeous woman in the apartment back there as anything other than a way to ditch the very irritating Caroline.

He also got the distinct feeling she’d marked him out as a player and wouldn’t want to get involved with him anyhow. Well, he was a player and he couldn’t deny that. Wasn’t sure he could ever see himself as a one-woman man. Caroline was attractive enough and in the normal way of things, he’d’ve taken her out maybe a couple of times, fucked and then forgotten her. But her father and Billy’s business relationship complicated things somewhat.

So yeah, he’d make sure she saw him with a lovely woman on his arm at the gala, kiss (and maybe fuck if he got lucky) the lovely woman at the end of the night and move right along. Apart from anything else, the fact that she was Karen’s friend complicated things way beyond what he wanted to get involved in, because he couldn’t afford to upset either her or her friend, Frankie’d kill him if he did.

Definitely better stick with the Russo Way. It had never failed him before, had it?

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

The next day, Billy glided the car to a stop outside her apartment block at 4 o’clock as promised, dropping her a quick text to announce his arrival. Soon, he saw her figure walking out of the main door and making her way towards him.

Damn! Mmm, she was looking good. Little pink sundress, short denim jacket, bare legs and low wedge pink sandals. Yeah, really cute. Smart and funny too. And sexy, of course. Very sexy. Totally fuckable. Completely and utterly fuckable. Woah - stop that Russo! Right now!

All these thoughts ran through his head in the 10 seconds it took her to reach the car.

He leant over and pushed open the passenger door for her, “Hi sweetheart.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You’d noticed Billy’s eyes running over you as you went up to the car, and then spotted his tongue making a swift trip over his bottom lip as he greeted you. You got the feeling he was looking at you like you were a snack to be consumed. Determined to resist how attracted you felt to him, you hopped into the car and said Hi back. Billy’s big hand landed on your thigh as you fastened your seat belt, his long fingers sliding upwards. Batting them away, you continued clipping yourself in and he laughed, leaning across and pulling you to him, kissing you long and slow. Breaking apart, he said, “Remember we gotta practice, sweetheart,” grinning at you. “Mmmhuh,” you nodded, “I remember you saying that.” “Just relax! Get comfortable with me touchin’ and kissin’ you. We’re boyfriend and girlfriend after all.” “Mmmhuh,” you said again, and once more his hand found its way onto your thigh and began stroking, eventually inching upwards again.

This time, you decided to stay still, thinking that yes, you had better get comfortable with this if this whole stupid fake relationship thing was going to work. But when his hand parted your legs and one long slim finger swiftly made its way inside your panties and - without further warning - actually inside you, you jumped like a startled deer and squirmed away from him. “Billy!” you protested loudly, but he merely smirked victoriously at you and pushed a second finger inside you to join its cousin. You shoved at his resistant arm, “Stop it!” His mouth found yours and he began kissing you as his fingers moved steadily in and out of you then his thumb was on your clit, and he began massaging firmly. “Sssshhh, sweetheart, we’re just messin’ around,” you heard his low voice in your ear, “...this is high school stuff.” “But I didn’t say you could do this to me!” you snarled, trying to ignore how good he was making you feel, and you felt his fingers leave you. He sat back in his car seat, taking a tissue out of his jacket pocket and slowly wiping his fingers, looking across at you all the while with a contemplative look on his face.

“I’m sorry,” he said, but not sounding regretful at all, “I didn’t think you’d mind. Thought it’d loosen you up a bit like we said.” He smirked at you, “You can’t deny I got you wet, and I know you’re attracted to me. Thought you’d enjoy it.” Your mouth dropped open, “You arrogant fucker!” you exclaimed, “You know what, you can take your fake dating shit and shove it where the sun doesn’t fucking shine!” You jumped out of the car, slamming the door with an almighty bang behind you. Stomping back up to your apartment, you opened your front door and slammed it behind you too, angrily throwing your bag onto the sofa as you passed on your way to the kitchen. You took off your jacket and threw it onto a high stool, furious enough to take a bottle of gin out of the cupboard and grab a clean glass from the dishwasher. You were just taking a bottle of tonic water out of the fridge when there was a knock at your door.

Okay, well that was either your annoying across-the-hall neighbour... who complained about anything and everything... here to moan about the door-slamming, or else it was Billy. Whoever was on the other side of the door was going to be greeted by your frowning face, and you really didn’t give a shit which one it was. You dramatically swung open the door, and it was in fact Billy Russo who was confronted by your unhappy visage. He immediately held up his hands in a placatory gesture. “Look, I am really, truly, sorry. I ... can I come in and explain?” You turned on your heel and walked back to the kitchen, leaving him to close the door behind him and follow in your footsteps. “Want a drink?” He nodded, “I’d love a beer if you’ve got one, please.” You took a bottle of beer out of the fridge and handed it to him, then got a bottle top remover for him out of one of your drawers.

He popped off the cap then took a long swig, as he watched you prepare a G&T for yourself. You also took a big sip then leant back against the counter and regarded him with a steely gaze. “You said you wanted to explain.” He took another gulp of beer and began, “I.... look, I’m so sorry okay? I totally misread the situation.” Sipping your gin, you said, “I’ll say you did, Billy! I get the distinct impression you mistook me for one of the easy lays you no doubt pick up in bars. Is that how you treat your one-and-done’s, huh? Well, don’t try that shit with me, okay?” He looked over at you shamefaced and shrugged, “Uhhh...I ..uhh.. yeah, I guess I did.... look, I really am sorry, sweetheart. I can’t apologise enough, and I really didn’t mean to upset you.” You took another big hit of your gin, slightly - but only very slightly - mollified. “And as for your comment that I’m attracted to you...!!!” Momentarily you were speechless, unsure what you wanted to say or how to put it. Mainly because it was the truth, you acknowledged to yourself.

Before you could say anything, Billy held up his hands again, “I’m incredibly embarrassed about saying that. Really crass. And arrogant, as you said.” You noticed that his face had pinked up somewhat. “In fact just forget I said it,” he carried on. “Bit late for that now isn’t it! Did you say it because you’re used to women falling at your feet, Billy?”

He looked down at the beer bottle in his hand, waggling it back and forward before saying, “Yeah. If I’m honest, I don’t usually haveta try too hard.” His eyes met yours, “And if I’m bein’ even more honest, gotta admit I’m attracted to you. Like, really attracted. So, yeah - I was hoping for something more than just going to the charity event with you.”

You drew in a big breath. What? What did he just say to you? No. You mentally shook your head, and then realised you were actually shaking it. “Billy.... you’re a player, that much is blatantly obvious. Would you know what a relationship is if it came up and bit you on the ass? Something tells me you wouldn’t.” He had the grace to look guilty. You continued, “So here’s what we’ll do. If you still need me to come along to the gala, then I’ll do that. And then we’ll go back to being strangers. Okay?”

He twirled his beer bottle between his long fingers, and shrugged, “Okay, sweetheart. M’happy you’re still gonna help me out. But can’t we at least be friends afterwards? Reckon Karen ‘n Frank’re gonna be seeing a lot of each other so we’ll probably keep bumping into each other.” Your face softened into a smile, “Yeah, they like each other don’t they? You’re right, we probably will be spending some time together because of those two. Okay... friends, then.”

He smiled at you, approaching warily and sliding his hand round to the back of your head and up into your hair, pulling you closer. “M’gonna kiss you, s’that okay?” but being Billy, didn’t wait for your reply. His lips met yours in a gentler kiss than earlier, his fingers stroking the back of your neck. He moved his hips against yours, and you knew he’d done this so you’d feel his erection against your body. You moved sideways and pulled away from him, why did he have to make you breathless when you just wanted to be cool, calm and collected around him? He looked a bit crestfallen, but recovered swiftly and asked, “How about we order in some food and just spend some quality time together?” You sighed, “Okay, Billy, let’s do that. But no more groping or anything, okay?” He nodded, looking serious and miming a cross over his heart, “Promise.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You pushed the pizza box away from you, “God, I’m stuffed.” Billy picked up his beer bottle and drank, giving a small delicate burp as he did so, “Me too.” Reaching over, he picked up the remote and began flicking through Netflix, “Whaddya wanna watch next?” he asked. “Mmmm, you pick a movie. But not one about war.” He laughed, “Oh don’t worry, I never watch war films, had enough-a that in real life.” Lying back and letting out a deep breath, you said apologetically, “I bet you did. Sorry.” Shrugging, he also lay back, his head turning towards you, “S’okay. We can talk about it sometime if you like. And about my less-than-perfect childhood. And some of my more recent fuck-ups.” He gave a bitter laugh, “I’m a fuckin’ train wreck, sweetheart - you’ve made the right decision, best you don’t get involved with me.” His eyes looked big and a bit glossy, and before you could help yourself you’d laid your hand on his shoulder, “I’m sure you’re not that bad, Billy.” He turned away from you, looking at the TV before selecting a sci-fi fantasy movie, “Oh believe me, I am,” he said in a low voice.

You shifted a bit closer to him on the sofa, “Don’t be so down on yourself, Billy. You’ve achieved a lot of things... got your own company, fancy car, fine suits, lots of money, prestige.” He grinned at you, “But all that doesn’t matter to you, does it?” You shook your head, “No, but they’re still achievements to be proud of.” His head dropped and some locks of hair fell over his forehead. “Thank you,” he mumbled, and you watched as your hand went of its own accord to his face and stroked the errant hair back off his forehead. His head swivelled towards you, dark eyes gazing into yours; he took hold of your arms and drew you against his chest. “Can we snuggle?” he asked you, then wrapped his arms right around you, before lying down and swinging his long legs up onto the sofa, pulling you with him. You snorted out a laugh, “Snuggle? That doesn’t exactly fit with your ex-soldier or current playboy personas!” “Aw, c’mon sweetheart, gimme a break - I’m tryin’ to be a well-behaved boy here!” You snuggled into his chest a bit, “Okay, but remember - no wandering hands!” He held up both hands, “Not wandering - look!” before placing them chastely on your arm and shoulder.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Your eyes opened, and you groggily looked around you, disorientated. Hearing soft little snores from beneath you, you raised your head to look at Billy’s sleeping face. Oh. You’d both obviously dozed off in front of the TV, the Netflix menu now on the screen. Moving slowly, you started to try and stand up but two hands went round your arms in a vice-like grip. “Where you off to?” said Billy’s deep voice. “Just...ummm... just...” you stuttered, but suddenly you were underneath him, his weight pressing you down as his mouth found yours in a hungry kiss. You knew you should resist but damn, he was a good kisser! Feeling yourself dissolve into the kiss, one of your hands moved up to his bristly jawline.

His kisses became more passionate and he pushed himself against you even more, his arousal very evident. You tried to ignore them but your feelings of desire for him were becoming overwhelming, and your arms went round his neck almost unbidden. He was smiling against your lips, and you heard, “Wanna sleep with me? D’you wanna?” Your treacherous mouth said “Yes!” in a breathy whisper, and that was all Billy needed to hear.

He picked you up in his arms, whispering “Where’s your bedroom?” You nodded towards its general direction and he carried you across the apartment and into your room. Setting you down, his fingers were immediately at the zip of your dress, pulling it down, pushing the fabric down then further down until your dress was round your ankles, before whipping it fully off and dropping it onto the floor. You watched him as his eyes roamed all over your body, taking in your lacy lingerie and moving the straps of your bra off your shoulders. “Mmmmm, sweetheart - wow - even better than I imagined,” he said hoarsely, his hands going round your back and unclipping your bra. He stripped it off you and dropped it, both hands immediately cupping your breasts and massaging firmly, thumbs running over your nipples as they peaked. Moving you backwards until your head hit the pillows, you felt his fingers pulling the fabric of your panties aside and suddenly the head of his cock was at your core and pushing inside you. “No time for foreplay, sorry,” you heard and you gave a deep groan when he kept going, feeling his balls brushing your pussy as he fully sheathed himself. His head went back and he gasped, “Fuck!” before he began to thrust. He lifted your legs and draped them over his hips, encouraging you to cross your ankles on his back to pull him even closer.

His mouth was everywhere on you, kissing you deeply one minute before his mouth went to one of your nipples, teasing it with his tongue while his thumb and fingers toyed with the other, then his mouth and teeth were on your neck and shoulders while he set a ferocious pace. A constant stream of low groans were leaving your lips as he moved on you, and you could hear him gasping and muttering words above you, not all of which you could catch, but you did hear “Uhhh, been wantin’ to do this to ya since the minute we met” between thrusts. You ran your hands over his chest and up around his neck, threading your fingers through his lush hair, and you felt him shiver as you pulled on it gently. His thumb was on your clit now, rubbing at you relentlessly and your orgasm washed over you like a wave. His teeth were fastened onto your shoulder and he bit down as you felt his body tense as he came. He lowered himself gently onto you before rolling off, lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling as he got his breath back. “Wow,” he said quietly, before moving onto his side and gazing at you, running a finger gently along your jaw. “Yes, wow,” you replied, putting your hand on his bristly cheek.

“Well, if Caroline does ask if we’ve slept together, now we don’t have to lie,” smirked Billy. This instantly ruined the mood and you sat up, prior to wrapping one of the covers round you and getting out of bed. He looked a bit surprised, but you began moving away from the bed towards the bathroom. Returning a few moments later, you hesitated for a moment before climbing back into bed beside Billy, who was still lying there in all his naked glory. He immediately moved next you, his hands on your arm, “Did I say something wrong earlier? You were up and off like a ballistic missile.” You looked over at him, “A girl doesn’t exactly like to hear another one’s name getting mentioned just seconds after lovemaking.” A guilty look passed over his face, “Awww, shit!... I didn’t think, I’m really sorry... I was just so happy you slept with me, sweetheart.” He stroked your hair away from your face, “Forgive me? And my big clumsy mouth?” You huffed a bit but eventually nodded, not least due to the soft kisses he was peppering over your face and neck.

He breathed a sigh of relief, “I seem to spend all my time apologising to you,” he chuckled, “I’m really making a mess of this fake dating.” “Can’t argue with you there, Billy,” you agreed. “Look, I’m gonna try a lot harder, okay?” he said, running a finger along your arm. You sighed, “Okay... well here’s hoping it’ll be alright on the night.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

The rest of the week, you and Billy had traded phone calls and text messages but (to your secret disappointment) the two of you didn’t meet up. To your mind that could only mean that Billy, who’d admitted to you that he liked the thrill of the chase, had now already caught you so that was it as far as he was concerned. He’d said that his work had been crazy busy but you didn’t feel at all convinced by that.

Friday eventually rolled around, and you were glad you’d decided to take a half day off work to get ready. Karen had strolled up to your desk as you were packing up your stuff before leaving, and you recognised her ‘Serious Talk’ look on her face. She walked along to the elevator with you and followed you inside. “Y’know I hope you really enjoy your evening with Billy tonight, but....” she bit her lip before continuing, “...you know he’s a player, right?” She quickly put her hand on your arm as the elevator reached the ground floor, “I’m not trying to spoil your fun, honestly I’m not, but some of the things Frank’s let slip recently would make your toes curl. Billy’s totally ruthless when it comes to cutting women loose.” The elevator doors opened and you both walked out, with you saying, “Don’t worry Karen, I sussed that out the minute I saw him,” over your shoulder as you continued out into the main lobby. You stopped and turned to her, lowering your voice and continuing, “But I slept with him last weekend and just as expected, he’s avoided meeting up with me all during this week.” Her mouth tightened, and you knew you were in for a Page Lecture. “Gahhh! What were you thinking?! You’ve just reinforced his impression that he can pull any woman he wants and then disappear on her! I can’t believe you didn’t even wait for this gala thing tonight! You could at least have held off till then.”

“Yes, mom,” you sighed, then smiled at her. “But you know what Karen, he’s so hot I just couldn’t resist! And I knew exactly what his reaction would be, and he hasn’t disappointed. He’s been in touch obviously because we’ve got this thing tonight, but he’s been ‘too busy at work’ to meet up. I’m sure that in Russo-speak, that really means ‘too busy chasing tail’ but I’m cool with that. Like I said, it’s what I expected,” shrugging as you said this. “Hmmmm,” replied Karen, staring at you intensely as if trying to read your mind, “...well as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.” “I do,” you reassured her, hugging her before walking away with a nonchalant wave.

Out on the street you exhaled a big breath. If only you truly believed that.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Billy pulled up outside her apartment block and, as before, texted her to say he was there.

He was disappointed that he hadn’t been able to meet up with her during the week, and was also aware she probably thought he was avoiding her now they’d slept together. But he’d truly been up to his ears in it at work, and he wasn’t yet established enough in the security market to turn down job offers. So he’d taken on probably a few more than he should have done, and both he and Frank had had to weigh in on a couple of them to make sure they were handled correctly.

So apart from calls and texts, he’d had to miss out on seeing her. In fact, all he’d been thinking of the entire week was the prolonged session they’d indulged in last weekend. Once he’d apologised for mentioning Caroline’s name after they’d first made love, (really smart move Russo, he thought to himself) there had been a whole night of energetic and very enjoyable sex. Then a shared shower late the next morning after she’d woken him up with a surprise and very welcome blow job. God, the things she could do with her mouth! He squirmed in his seat, starting to get hard just thinking about it. He couldn’t wait for another one of those, that was for sure. Tonight after the gala if he was lucky!

He saw the main door to her apartment block open and she started walking towards the car. Wish I could get a better idea of how she looked in her dress, he thought. Oh well, I’ll just need to wait till we actually get to the place.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

You slid into Billy’s flashy car, tucking your feet in last in an effort to be elegant. He leaned over, grabbing the back of your neck and kissing you long and hard. You eventually shoved him away, exclaiming “Billy! My lipstick!” You peered at his face, “And you’re covered in it!”

He burst out laughing, “Well, hello sweetheart!”

You handed him a tissue whilst you began trying to repair the smudges around your lips. He dampened it on his tongue and then quickly rubbed the burgundy colour off his mouth. Once you’d fixed your face, you leant over towards him and his mouth headed to yours again but you pulled back. “I’m checking your shirt collar to make sure there’s none on there!” Chuckling, he started up the car, “I did wonder why you waited till you’d put your lipstick back on before kissin’ me again.” “You kissed me!” you protested. He just laughed and manoeuvred the car into the traffic stream.

His head then swung towards you, “If you say so, sweetheart! Hey, I’d say you look beautiful but I can’t get a proper look at you in the car. So wait a little while till we get there and then I can compliment you properly, okay?” You nodded, “Yeah, same. I can’t get a look at you either.” Another chuckle, “You can see as much of me as you want later tonight, sweetheart.” “You’re very sure of yourself, aren’t you?!” Billy’s hand stole onto your thigh and travelled higher. “Wearin’ panties?” You tolerated his wandering fingers, “Yes I am, Marine. Sorry to disappoint.” He shrugged, smirk firmly in place, “Fine by me. They’re not gonna stop me gettin’ to where I wanna be anyhow.” Somewhat surprisingly to you, his hand went back onto the steering wheel. “But I’m gonna wait till we’re alone later. See, sweetheart - I’ve learned my lesson!” “Glad to hear it!” you shot back at him, before looking out of the window at the passing streets.

After arriving and parking at the venue, one of the big downtown hotels, you and Billy made your way upstairs to the function room. Leaving your coats at the cloakroom, Billy twirled you round in front of him, looking you over slowly from top to toe. “You look gorgeous,” he said admiringly, “really beautiful.” “Thank you. Not so bad yourself, Russo.” He was in one of his bespoke suits and was looking edible. He mock-bowed then leant down and kissed you on the lips, and you reminded yourself to act naturally when he did that. You both began walking towards the sound of music and chatter, his hand straying down onto the top of your ass as you went. Karen’s voice rang in your ears about how much of a player he was, and once again you fought the instinct to swat his hand away. If you could just do your duty and get through tonight, then you could put yourself deep into protective mode over this handsome devil.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Several gin & tonics later, you were returning from the ladies’ room and heading back to where you’d left your ‘boyfriend’ at the bar, wondering how much more of this tedious event you could stand, when you heard a high-pitched voice trilling, “Oh Billy! There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

Hahah! you thought, this must be the infamous Caroline! Well, at least this next part is going to inject some much-needed fun into the evening.

You could see a small brunette standing in front of Billy with her hands grasping his biceps and beginning to pull him towards her. He spotted you approaching over her shoulder and extricated himself from her clutches saying, “Caroline.... how nice to see you! Just in time for me to introduce you to my girlfriend...” “Girlfriend?!” She whirled round and met your eyes, her own narrowing as she looked you up and down in a flash. You continued walking towards the two of them, noting that she was pretty but was heavily made up; she really didn’t need to plaster it on like she had but - whatever, you thought. Billy moved past her to swiftly put his arm around your waist and draw you to him, introducing you at the same time. She nodded her head briefly at you, “Hi, I’m Caroline. A friend of Billy’s.” She emphasised the word ‘friend’. You beamed back a big smile at her, “Lovely to meet another of his friends,” you said, also emphasising the word. You felt Billy tense up a bit, but you thought that playing the jealous girlfriend might be a good way to go, especially when you noticed the little smirk on her face. You tugged on his arm, “C’mon Billy, you promised me a dance,” you said in a ‘little girl’ voice, which nearly made you heave quite frankly but you felt struck the right note.

Billy raised a hand vaguely towards Caroline as he said to you, “Yes I did, sweetheart. Let’s go. Bye, Caroline - good to see you,” and then gave you a long kiss as the two of you headed to the dance floor. Once Billy had you in his arms, you felt his lips next to your ear and he whispered, “So.... jealous girlfriend, huh?” You nodded, smiling up at him, “She’ll like the fact that I think she’s a threat. But as long as you keep up the PDA’s, I think she’ll buy it.” He immediately kissed you, the hand which had been on your waist surreptitiously sliding downwards at the same time. As you broke apart from the kiss, you caught sight of Caroline glaring at the two of you from a table near the edge of the dance floor. You ran your hand up onto Billy’s jaw before continuing to the back of his neck. You’d discovered during your night together that this was one of Billy’s weak spots, so you trailed your fingers over his skin and had him wrapped round your finger within seconds, just as had happened that other night. He pressed his body close against you, ensuring you felt how aroused he was. “When can we skip out of here?” he breathed to you, making you laugh. “I don’t know! It’s your event - when do you want to stay until?”

Before he could reply, you were aware of a figure next to you and a hand went onto Billy’s arm. “Mind if I cut in?” asked Caroline, giving you a nasty smirk. However it dropped off her face when Billy said hurriedly, “Sorry, Caroline - we’re just leaving,” and began leading you off the dance floor. “Oh, that’s such a shame,” you heard, and realised she was trailing after you and Billy as you left the dance floor. “I was so looking forward to hearing all about how you & Billy met.” You stole a quick glance at Billy before saying over your shoulder, “Through mutual friends.” Still following you both as you headed over to pick up your coats, she rattled out, “it’s just that I’m a bit surprised - it seems quite strange that Billy never mentioned a girlfriend before tonight.” Billy looked irritated but his face became blank as he turned slightly back towards her and replied, “Uh, I am right here y’know!.... well Caroline, we never spoke about our personal lives so it’s not that strange at all to be honest.” You’d reached the small counter by now and had handed over the tickets to the attendant, and while you’d hoped that Billy’s answer would have silenced her, Caroline continued, “So how long have you been dating?” You turned and stared at her, and found her already staring back at you, “Mmm, it’s about two months now, isn’t it Billy?” and moved your eyes to his. He glanced quickly behind him at her, “ Yes, sweetheart - a little over two months actually,” he turned back to you, smiling fondly, “and I gotta say, they’ve been two of the sweetest months of my life.” He leant down and kissed you full on the lips.

Caroline’s lip curled up at this and was still curling as you met her annoyed gaze once Billy’s lips left yours. “Well,” she began, but was then interrupted by a tall older man who came up to the three of you and placed a hand on Caroline’s shoulder. “Hello, Russo,” he said, shaking hands with Billy who greeted him with a “Hi, Mike,” as the older guy’s eyes wandered quizzically over to you. “And who’s this lovely young lady, then?” he asked but before either you or Billy could say anything, Caroline spat out, “His girlfriend, Daddy - imagine that!” However her father merely gave you a friendly grin while Billy introduced you. After a quick handshake, he commented that it was a real shame that you were both leaving before he could buy you a drink. But Billy said firmly, with a mischievous look at you, “Sorry, Mike.... we’re... uhhh... quite anxious to get home.” Mike laughed knowingly while you heard a loud ‘tut’ from his daughter. You smiled brightly at both of them, “Well.... lovely to meet you and hope you enjoy the rest of the evening. Bye!” Taking your coat from the attendant, Billy helped you into it before putting on his own and the two of you said final goodbyes to Mike and Caroline before making your escape.

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

“Thank god that’s over!” you breathed out a sigh of relief as you settled back into your seat, while Billy switched on the car’s powerful engine and it purred into life. “You didn’t enjoy it?” he grinned, “...even with such a charming boyfriend attending to your every need all evening?!” You laughed, “Sorry Billy, no I didn’t. I hated every second of it! But I think we accomplished the mission, don’t you?” Turning your head and watching his profile as he reversed the car out of the parking space, you asked, “D’you want me to get the dress dry-cleaned and you can take it back to the store? I mean I’ve only had it on for a few hours and I managed not to spill anything down it.” He glanced over at you, a strange look in his eyes. “No, I don’t want you to clean it and return it. It’s yours to keep. And yes, we did achieve our goal.” He started driving away from the hotel, and you realised it was the wrong direction for your place. You’d never been to his apartment but had a feeling that’s where you were heading.

“Where are you going, Billy? I just want dropped off at home so I can get out of all of this and relax.” He laughed, and for some reason you thought he sounded a bit pissed off. “Ahh no, that’s not happenin’, sweetheart,” he said, looking across at you, eyes gleaming with something but you weren’t sure exactly what. Determination? Desire? “We’re headin’ to mine. And yeah, you’re gonna be gettin’ out of those clothes, don’t worry.” “Look, Billy,” you said, feeling a bit uneasy for some reason, “...we’re done here, okay? We’ve already slept together, you got what you wanted so now you move on, correct? That’s your usual M.O. isn’t it? You made that obvious this week. Don’t worry, I got the message loud and clear. I’m not some clingy desperate woman that’s gonna keep chasing after you. I knew what the deal was with you the minute I set eyes on you. So.... just turn around and take me home.” You’d been staring at the road ahead but were aware of him shaking his head, “No.” You looked across at him, “No? What, you’re kidnapping me now?” “You can think of it that way if you like, sweetheart. I knew you’d think I was avoidin’ you this week, but I wasn’t. I’m not ready to let you get away just yet. We’re gonna go to mine, and you’re gonna spend the night on your back - and in various other positions - cos I need another night of sex with you.”

“And what if that’s not what I want? What if I don’t want to be used like a fuck toy before you disappear over the horizon? Doesn’t it matter to you what I want?” He chuckled, and you felt a little shiver of fear run through you, “Not right now, no. Because this is all I’ve been thinkin’ about the whole week. And because you’re sayin’ one thing, but you mean another.” “Really?! That’s what you think?” you scoffed, shaking your head, “You’re unbelievable, you know that? The level of arrogance....!” He pulled the car over into the inside lane and then turned into an underground car park. He killed the engine, and in the sudden silence you heard him say in a low voice, “Call it arrogance if you like. I call it knowing what I want and makin’ sure I get it.” He released his seat belt and got out of the car, coming round and opening your door before taking hold of your arm and pulling you out of it. He locked the car with a bleep of the remote on his keychain, then dragged you - firmly but not roughly - over to an elevator which he unlocked with a key before calling it down. Once it arrived, he hustled you inside and once the doors closed, his mouth was instantly on yours. He kissed you roughly, open-mouthed with teeth and lips and tongue all involved. His hands were undoing the buttons on your coat and then were inside it, immediately going to your breasts.

You struggled with him, trying to push him off but he continued kissing you, and you heard his voice telling you to just admit you wanted it. The awful thing was, you did want him and it annoyed the hell out of you. However his current attitude was also annoying the hell out of you so you continued to push at his muscled, toned body to get him off you. But you were no match for the ex-Marine and you heard a ‘ting’ and the elevator doors opening as Billy continued to kiss and grope you. He pushed you firmly out of the lift, keeping hold of your arm and propelling you towards a door - the only door, you noticed - and then into the apartment after he unlocked the door. He slammed it behind him then was on you in a flash, grabbing your bag and throwing it onto the sofa before stripping off your coat and dropping it on the floor. You were aware of being in a large open-plan space with floor-to-ceiling windows and trendy furniture, before you were scooped up as easily as if you were a throw cushion and carried into an equally large bedroom. He kicked the door shut behind him and dumped you rather unceremoniously on the bed, stripping his clothes off in a matter of seconds and letting them fall where they may. Then he was back on you, flipping you over and unzipping your dress in one quick motion. He stripped it down off your shoulders, turned you back over and pulled it off you. You looked up at him, finally finding your voice, “Billy! Stop it.” He shook his head, “Nah, not happenin’ sweetheart. We’re gonna have sex now.” You opened your mouth but nothing would come out. Why couldn’t you say anything else?

Because you do want it, said a sly voice in your head. And whilst the caveman routine might not be the most appealing of Billy’s wooing techniques, he’d excited you beyond belief and you could feel how damp your panties were. You’d told yourself before the evening started that you weren’t going to have sex with him that night, but at the same time had perversely hoped that it would in fact happen. You were absolutely furious with yourself but at the same time, totally conflicted and unable to ignore the desire you felt for him.

You felt his fingers fumbling a bit at your back and then your bra was dramatically whipped off and thrown across the room. His mouth and hands were immediately on your breasts, fingers massaging and toying with one nipple while he licked the other, his tongue roughly raking over its peak and surrounding skin before he started to suck and bite at it, enough to make you squeal but not hard enough to cause you real pain. Then he swapped and your other breast came in for the same treatment. You felt his fingers sliding down your body and pulling at your panties, after a few seconds he then sat up and stripped them off you. They also joined your bra across the other side of the room. He lowered himself onto you, hands parting your legs and you knew he was guiding himself inside you. His hard length pushed into you and you felt the stretch much more than you had the first time you’d had sex with him. Of course he was in a more of a rush this time, seemingly desperate to have sex with you, judging by the way he’d thrown you down, ripped your clothes off and immediately got between your legs.

He slid his hands under your knees and lifted your legs up until your ankles were on his shoulders, deeply thrusting into you as he did so, and you heard yourself give a loud groan. He gave a long, low groan himself as he picked up his pace, and you heard his whispered words next to your ear, “You like that, sweetheart? Feel good?” “Yes!!!!!” you gasped, hating yourself for admitting it but it was the absolute truth. He kissed you passionately, hands running up and down your legs and onto your body as he thrust hard into you, mouth moving to your neck and collarbone, nipping at your skin then licking where he’d lightly bitten you. You climaxed first, Billy’s thumb having found its favourite place on your clit, and you’d dug your nails into his shoulders before running your hands up into his hair and pulling it. Hearing his answering chuckle, his hips cannoned into yours a final few times before you felt him release into you, and he sank down heavily on top of you, panting and trying to get his breath back. He moved off you and laid on his back, seemingly exhausted by his over-eager exertions. His head tilted towards you, “I’m not finished with you yet, sweetheart. Need more.”

You propped yourself up on an elbow, “Just what the fuck is all this neanderthal stuff about, Billy?” He sighed and looked back up at the ceiling. “Remember you said I wouldn’t know what a relationship was if it bit me on the ass?” “Yeah?” “You’re right. I’ve never experienced a loving relationship in my life. I dunno what love is, really.” Then out it all spilled.... his abandonment as a very young kid, the group homes, the abuse, the stigma. How he’d signed up for the Marines as soon as he was old enough, got a business degree before shipping out, how Frank had his back almost from day one. The dark eyes eventually looked into yours, “So just confirmin’ - I’m officially shit at relationships.” You nodded thoughtfully, “Well... now I understand things a little bit better, Billy. You discard women after a very short time as a self-defence measure, because you have a fear of being abandoned again. Ditch them before they can ditch you, right? Because you still have self-esteem issues, deep down underneath that confident exterior. It’s hard to overcome years of being looked down upon and sidelined.” You reached out and ran your fingers through his small patch of chest hair. He flinched slightly so you withdrew your hand, but his own hand went out and he laid it on top of yours for a brief moment.

Then he sat up a bit and stretched, laughing as he did so, “Told you, you’re in the wrong job, sweetheart.” He leaned back onto the pillows, carefully looking away from you, “Guess I didn’t do a very good job of lettin’ you know I want you to stay around and be with me?” You sat up, pulling one of the sheets over you, “What?” you asked. He looked over at you again, “All of this,” his hand waved vaguely between you and him, “This is me tryna let you know I really like you. I honestly missed bein’ with you during the week. An’ I was really busy, me and Frank, all week - I wasn’t tryna avoid you, okay? All I could think about was the night we spent together, how I want that to be a regular thing. Spend time with you.”

You started chuckling to yourself before it bubbled up into real laughter. He’d been looking down and fidgeting with the covers but now his head swung up and his eyebrows pulled into a frown. You calmed down a little and reached out to him, softly stroking his shoulder, “Billy... I’m not really laughing at you. Well, I suppose I am but only because I’m really surprised. That’s not how guys usually let girls know they’re interested! - kidnapping them and telling them that they will have sex with them.” Billy grunted, “Yeah, I realise that. It’s what I’m tryna tell you, sweetheart. I’m shit at this kinda stuff.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Sunday lunchtime, you met up with Karen who was gagging to know what had happened on Friday night. You dutifully recounted everything, even Billy’s metamorphosis into caveman as you left the hotel. Karen’s expression got more and more incredulous and as you drew to a close with his admission of being completely crap at all things relationship-related, she finally said, “Fuck! That’s unbelievable. So how did you leave things? You kick him to the curb?”

You took a sip of your G&T, and smiled back at her, “He wants me to teach him what a real relationship is all about.”

“And you’re prepared to take a chance on him and show him, are you?” You nodded, “Yeah I guess I am, Karen. I know it sounds crazy, but he wants to try. And I’d like to try. So we went from fake to genuine as of Friday night.”

She chuckled, shaking her head and sipping her drink before saying, “Well, you’re a glutton for punishment, I’ll say that for you. And I wish you the best of luck trying to tame that bad boy.” She lifted her glass and you clinked yours against hers, “Thanks, Karen. I’m just gonna take it one day at a time. If it doesn’t work out...” you shrugged, “...at least I gave it a shot.” She put her hand over yours, “Do you think he’ll keep it in his pants? He’s used to putting it about all over town,” squeezing your hand, “...sorry to have to say that honey, but it’s true.” You nodded, “Yeah I know, and all I can say is he’s promised he won’t be doing that from now on. But if I get even a whiff of another woman’s perfume off him, I will be kicking him to the curb faster than he can say ‘it’s not what you think, sweetheart’, believe me! And I’ve told him that too, in no uncertain terms.” She nodded, “Well, you’ve given him fair warning so if he fucks up, that’s definitely on him.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Frank threw his head back, giving a great belly laugh which went on for a lot longer than Billy Russo thought it should do. After a few moments, Frank’s face had gone beet red and tears were squeezing out of the corners of his eyes. Billy folded his arms across his chest, sitting back in the diner booth and scowling at Frank, “Okay, okay, Frankie - enough already,” he grumbled as Frank continued to laugh. Eventually Frank calmed down enough to speak, “Russo! I don’t believe it, I really don’t. Does that girl know what she’s letting herself in for?! She must be missing a few rounds out of her ammo clip.” Billy pulled a face, “Look... I like her, okay? She’s gonna teach me what a proper relationship’s like. She’s willin’ to give me a chance, so cut me some slack over here, will ya?” Frank took a big pull at his beer, “Oh Russo, how the fuck ya gonna keep it in your pants?” (unknowingly parroting Karen’s very same comment to her friend). Billy shrugged, “Look...I will, I tell ya. I mean it, I only want her. The sex is....” he made a chef’s kiss hand gesture, “....and she doesn’t take any of my shit, either. I really like her, Frankie. I think I’m ready to...” “Settle down? Really, Bill - are you? Cos if you fuck this up, you’ve got Karen to deal with as well as your girl.”

Billy took a hit of his beer, “You think I don’t know that? And I’d get a ton of crap from you too, cos Karen’d be upset. You like her, dontcha?” Frank’s cheeks went a slight shade of pink, “Well, yeah. I guess I do.” Now it was Billy’s turn to laugh, “You guess you do? Frankie, you’re like a teenager with a major crush every time your phone rings! ‘Ooh, it’s Karen!’” he said, the last bit in a high-pitched voice. “I do not talk like that!” Frank growled at him, “And you better spend your energy learning how to treat a woman properly, rather than ripping the shit outta me, Russo!”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Your phone dinged and you picked it up, seeing a text notification from Billy on the screen. Turning your phone briefly towards Karen to show her this, you clicked on it and then smiled as you read it. Showing the message to her, she also smiled, “Wow, seems like he’s definitely trying!” You agreed, “I do believe he is!” Maybe this crazy relationship thing you and Billy had agreed to embark on did have a chance of working out after all. You definitely still had your misgivings - does a leopard (or panther) really change its spots? - but you were willing to give it a try as long as Billy stuck to his end of the bargain. No other women, no lying, spending a lot of quality time together... let’s just see how all that goes, you thought. Re-reading the text, it made you smile once more.

Billy’s text said simply, “I’m missing you, sweetheart. Come over to mine, I’ll cook you dinner.”

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

(My photo edit)

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

Tags: @blackbirddaredevil23 @galaxyjane @behindmyeyes-insidemyhead @ourloveisforthelovely @swthxrry

(Using D&D’s taglist, if you’d prefer to be removed, just let me know!)

»»————————————-———-　⚜　———————————-————-««

#ben barnes #billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo fanfiction #billy russo imagine

200 notes · View notes

specsforwoo · 2 years

Text

May the Best Win | Mafia!Huang Renjun

Okay, so, this is a collaboration between myself (@specsforwoo) and the author (@marshmellowmin) so please support us as we continue to release content related to the overall theme that you can find on my/their blog. Thank you!

Crackling came through the walkie-talkie resting on your hip, peering through a scope, the cacophonous noise messing with the rhythm of your breath. Ripping the device from its hostler you tried to remain calm as you conversed with watchman over the line.

“If you don’t shut the fuck up, this hit is going to go south and you are going to pay me double for having to clean up the mess you caused.” The other line went dead and somehow the shrilling noise persisted.

Finally, the jarring, piercing whistle was slowly driving you insane to the point that you shut off the machine all together.

Taking a few seconds to regain your composure, you leaned back down over the edge of the building, peering into the crowd below. Running large sweeps across the courtyard, you caught sight of the man you were sent for.

Inhale.

“One.”

Exhale.

“Two.”

Inhale.

A jolt ran through your arm and up into your shoulder, the pain only bearing the familiar feeling of another notch on your post. Screams raced through the air into your muffled ears.

Mission Accomplished.

“Just who the hell do you think you are?” You whipped your head around to locate the source of the cold voice. You found a boy, maybe a couple years younger than you, with dark hair and fair skin. He held a thin case-one similar to yours. A sniper case.

“I don’t owe you an explanation. Now if you’ll be so kind as to get the fuck out of my way, I have places to be. Ta ta darling, nice meeting you,” You packed up your sniper and pushed the boy out of the way. Walking towards the elevator, the boy’s grating voice stopped you in your tracks.

“Next time, I swear to god I’ll kill you.”

You paused for a split second and chuckled lightly. This kid thought he could kill you-how hilarious. You continued down the stairs of the building and ran to the back alley you had entered from. Surely enough, your ride was still there, parked with the rear end facing the brick wall behind it. You loaded your equipment into the back and plopped yourself down in the front seat.

“Is it done?” Your driver, Joon, asked.

“Of course. I made an enemy this time though. I need some time off the field to avoid exposure,” You said, leaning your seat back and placing your feet on the dash of the car. Joon immediately swatted at your feet.

“Get your feet off my dash, nasty.” You chuckled and put your feet back on the floor. “So who’s this enemy?”

“To tell you the truth, Joon, I’m not sure. That’s why I need to stay out of the thick of things for a while. To lay low and find out just who this kid is. All I know is he’s a sniper too.” You sighed and leaned on the window. This kid really puzzled you. He looked much younger than you but spoke as if he was your equal. His Korean was good, but he still had a hint of an accent. But what accent? Who is this kid?

“Well Y/N, I don’t know what to tell ya. But Gong is definitely gonna want to hear about this,” Joon said, making you shiver. Gong was your supervisor, and he was extremely creepy. You were 90% sure he hid bodies of his childhood friends in his basement at one point. He is also a registered sex offender, so he can no longer do field work. You avoided him as much as you possibly could. But with information like this, you definitely had to tell him.

“Yeah I know. Do you think Hyeori will want to hear about this too?” Hyeori was your leader and she was ruthless. Even though she was ruthless, you trusted being alone with her more than being alone with Gong.

“About a possible new enemy? It’s worth hearing about,” Joon said, pulling into the garage. You sighed in relief.

“I’ll request a meeting then.” Since Hyeori was naturally very busy, you had to request her time to talk about things she deemed of importance. A new enemy would definitely cause trouble for the Mafia and give her more work, which made you hope she would take your request. Eventually, she did and you were in a meeting with her and Gong about the issue.

“So Y/N, tell me. How did this ‘new enemy’ come to be?” Hyeori asked, her regal voice ringing throughout the room.

“It was on my last job-the politician. Once I packed up this kid, who couldn’t be much older than 16, came up behind me with a sniper case in hand. We exchanged a few words and as I left, he threatened to kill me upon our next meeting,” You explained.

“What did the kid look like?” Gong asked, typing away on his computer.

“He had black hair with bages that fell just above his eyes, he wore a facemask and a black baseball cap along with a black outfit. He had fingerless gloves on-they were Harley Davidson motorcycle gloves. His voice had a hint of an accent, but I was not able to determine what kind.” As you described the boy, Gong took notes and Hyeori paid attention to every detail that came out of your mouth. You brought yourself back to that day on the rooftop-why was this kid even there?

“I believe I know who you’re talking about. His name is Huang Renjun. He’s S-NCT’s sniper. You are to avoid any hostility with him-I’m trying to reach an agreement with their leader Johnny. His power extends to China and he wants control of our Japanese ports. We are thinking of connecting a marriage between our mafias to allow us to work in China and his people to work in Japan. It’s a win win situation, Y/N. Do not screw it up,” Hyeori’s threat terrified you. The last person to ruin one of Hyeori’s plans is currently being manhunted.

“I understand, Hyeori. If I encounter him on another mission, what am I to to?” You asked. You needed a protocol to avoid ruining Hyeori’s plan by accident.

“Do not engage-let him have the job if you have not already completed it. If you have, simply leave the scene and let him fume about it. No need to fight. Understood?”

“Yes, Hyeori.”

“Alright. Meeting adjourned,” Hyeori got up from her seat, making you rise with her. You

let her and Gong exit before you, and you walked down to your room.

“Yo Y/N. How was the meeting?” Joon asked. He was laying on his bed tossing a tennis ball up and down. He looked like the epitome of laziness and boredom.

“It went fine. If I meet this kid again I am to not engage him and let him have the job. Hyeori’s orders,” You said, climbing up to your bunk. You grabbed your book from the shelf next to your bed and sat down facing the room with your back against the wall. You quite enjoyed reading-something that seemed to surprise everyone. You didn’t know why they were surprised-it’s not like killing people was the only aspect of your life. Jobs were usually few and far in between for you, so besides practicing your technique and accuracy, you had other hobbies as well. One of those hobbies was reading. You ended up reading so many books that you installed a shelf next to your bed so you could store them properly. You also enjoyed cooking-something that you shared with a few other members of your mafia. Your free time was often spent like this: practice from 8-11, make lunch from 11-12:30, read for an hour or so, practice from 2-4:30, make dinner 5-7, read from 7-9, repeat everything again the next day. It was routine, and you tried to stick with it as much as possible.

For the months after your initial encounter with Huang Renjun, you kept your routine. Practice, eat, read, practice, eat, read. Day in, day out. Until Hyeori called you down to her office-which was never good. If Hyeori decided she needed to see you, then there was something wrong. In all honesty, you were terrified of Hyeori. She was a powerhouse and in order to stay in her position, she’s had to prove multiple times that she’s not a soft little girl. That being said, many people have died by her hands and you did not want to become her next victim. Walking down the steps of the common room, you found yourself walking down the winding halls of K-251’s “corporate” offices. Eventually, you reached Hyeori’s office and knocked three times-as per her request. You heard a faint “Come in” from the otherside of the door and walked in. Once you walked in you were faced with Hyeori, Gong, an unfamiliar man, and Huang Renjun. Renjun seemed shocked to see you.

“You requested my presence, Hyeori?” You asked. Hyeori insisted that all the members be as polite as possible to her without using honorifics while you were at the base. The base was almost like home in a sense, and everyone here was to be considered equal.

“Yes, Y/N. This is Johnny, the leader of S-NCT, and of course you already know Renjun,” Hyeori introduced the two men sitting opposite of her. You bowed to them both.

“Hello, I am Y/L/N Y/N, nice to meet you both,” You said, waving at the two men in front of you. Hyeori motioned for you to sit next to her-obviously placing you as far away from Gong the Creep as possible. You sat down and noticed Renjun staring, but when you met his gaze, rather than looking away he made direct eye contact and continued staring.

“Well Hyeori, I do believe the meeting can finally begin now that everyone is here,” Johnny spoke, crossing his right leg over his left.

“Ah yes of course. I know Y/N knows the current state of things between S-NCT and K-251, but does Renjun know?” Hyeori asked, to which Johnny shook his head. “Well then, I’ll begin with a debriefing. For the past few months, Johnny and I have been working together to find a way for both our mafia’s to have holds in China and Japan. Recently, we came to the conclusion of uniting our mafias to allow for K-251 to have holds in China and for S-NCT to have holds in Japan. The basis of this unification, however, will be a marriage between one member of S-NCT and one member of K-251. Johnny chose his member, and I have chosen mine. So, Y/N and Renjun, you two will be united in marriage in 3 months time.” You nearly choked on your spit. Marriage? You barely turned 20 last month, now you’re getting married? You looked up and saw Renjun had a similar reaction, but was much more obvious about it.

“Marriage, Johnny? I’m not your sister you can’t just marry me off like that! I’m only 20, I have so much more time before marriage!” Renjun yelled. He had begun to pace the room and threw his hands in very angry gestures while he spoke.

“I’ve made my decision Renjun. You had already met Y/N and threatened to kill her-this is your punishment for nearly ruining my chances of creating this deal.” Damn thatt was harsh. You were considered a punishment now. Wonderful.

“As for you Y/N, you were the only logical choice. All of our other female members couldn’t hold a candle to your talent and skill,” Hyeori said, sipping her coffee. Gong snorted.

“Not to mention she’s the prettiest member too,” He said. That sent shivers down your spine. Gong was being extra creepy today.

“Yah! That’s my fiance you’re talking about! Shut it before I make you!” You looked up in shock at Renjun. In just a few short minutes he went from rejecting the whole idea of marrying you to calling you his fiance. You were in awe. Renjun noticed you staring and sighed. “What? I’m right aren’t I?” He said, sitting back down in front of Gong. You nodded slightly while Hyeori applauded. For what? You never knew but you assumed she was applauding herself this time.

“Wonderful! I knew this would turn out! Well, with everything set in place, I now adjourn this meeting! Y/N, Renjun, decide between the two of you how things will continue-also don’t forget about the wedding!” Hyeori said. You waited until she got up to stand up. Renjun however, took a beeline to the door. He’s so disrespectful to his leader, you didn’t understand how he got away with it.

“Yah, I’m not waiting all day. Hurry up or I’m leaving you behind,” Renjun half shouted from the hallway. You rolled your eyes and walked out of the room to meet your new fiance. You never really noticed how attractive he actually was. His black hair framed his face well and his facial expressions made you giggle a bit. Renjun raised an eyebrow at you. “What are you giggling at?” He said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“You.”

“What’s so funny about me?”

“Your face.”

“Well you’re stuck with this face so try to not laugh at it too much.”

“I don’t think that’ll be an issue.” You said. Renjun had a very similar sense of humor to you, which was very lucky. At least you won’t be stuck laughing at your own jokes for the rest of your life.

“So what are we going to do?” Renjun asked, walking beside you to the common room. You checked your watch, which read 11:28.

“Lunch? I make a mean grilled cheese sandwich,” You said, dropping your left hand to your side. Renjun nodded and you walked to the kitchen in silence. Once there, you immediately began working. You grabbed your supplies for grilled cheese and began working.

“Well, Y/N, we might as well get to know each other,” Renjun said, leaning on a counter to your right.

“What to you want to know?” You asked, never taking your eyes off the frying bread.

“What’s your favorite color?”

“All of them. It switches day to day. My turn, where are you from? Your accent doesn’t sound Korean,” You asked, flipping the sandwich.

“I’m from China. What's your favorite movie?”

“Definitely the Harry Potter series. What's your favorite food?”

“Hot pot. What’s your most prized possesion?” “My moms necklace. What’s your favorite place?”

“My room. Favorite animal?”

“Definitely a dolphin. Favorite color?” “Red. Siblings?” “None that I know of. When’s your birthday?”

“March 23. You?”

“July 16. Your sandwich is done.”

“Thanks,” Renjun took the plate from our hand and walked over to the table in the dining

room. You finished your sandwich and joined him at the table. Renjun put his phone down and smiled at you.

“This sandwich is really good Y/N. Thanks for making it,” Renjun said, taking another bite. You smiled.

“I love cooking so I have a bunch of recipe’s I’m waiting to try,” You said, taking a bite of your sandwich. Renjun looked at you in awe.

“Y/N I willingly find new recipes for you if it means I don’t have to cook. I will to literally anything else in the house but cook,” Renjun said, taking another bite of his nearly finished sandwich.

“I can vouch for that. Renjun hates cooking. He literally made a deal with one of our members to avoid having dinner duties ever,” Johnny said. You wondered when he got there and just how long he had been listening.

“Johnny why you gotta do me dirty like that? I’m perfectly capable of throwing myself under the bus thank you,” Renjun said, finishing his sandwich.

“Would you like another one?” You asked, making Renjun shake his head.

“I’m good for now. Just finish your sandwich so we can go somewhere,” Renjun said, leaning back in his chair and shaking his leg. You nodded and ate the last little bit of your sandwich and grabbed the plates.

“I’ll do the dishes, Y/N. You cooked, it’s the least I could do.” Renjun grabbed your shoulder and gently moved you out of the way. You were surpised-you always cooked and did the dishes. This was new.

“Seems you two are getting along well,” Johnny said, making you blush and turn your head. You couldn’t see Renjuns face, but with the way he physically tensed up, you guessed it was a similar shade of red. Johnny laughed. “Just remember to use protection, kiddos,” Johnny said, walking out of the room.

“Yah!” Renjun yelled, making Johnny laugh. You turned a deeper shade of red. Renjun finished washing the dishes and turned to you. “I-I’m sorry about Johnny. Sometimes he acts more like an embarrasing dad than a ruthless mafia leader,” Renjun apologized, his face an equally bright shade of red. You just nodded and kept your eyes on the floor. After standing awkwardly in the kitchen for what seemed like forever, you decided to break the silence.

“Wanna go to our shooting range?” You asked. It hadn’t been very long after eating, so you figured you could just start with simple handguns and stuff like that.

“Sure. Lead the way.” And with that, you two were on your way to the shooting range. It was a quiet walk, both of you still feeling awkward about Johnny’s earlier comment. Once there, you led Renjun to the small gun range that was meant for short distances.

“What’s this? I’m a sniper, Y/N. I’ll ace this,” Renjun said, grabbing a Colt from the rack. You grabbed one as well and checked to see if it was loaded-which it wasn't. You loaded the gun and stood by the firing stalls.

“Lets make it a competition then. See who’s got better aim. Best out of 6 wins,” You said, putting on the noise cancelling headphones and the goggles that your standing gun expert Jinyoo required-Renjun followed suit.

“You’re on Y/N.”

“May the best sniper win.”

16 notes · View notes

i-luv-sweets · 2 years

Text

|Not into you| Scout x reader

Sketching on your book you focused on trying to draw the bird in front of you. Trying your best not to move too much so that it wouldn’t fly away. “Yo Y/N! Wanna hang?!” A loud voice boomed out causing the bird to fly away. Sighing in annoyance you turned your head to Scout. “Woah dats a good sketch! When ya gonna finish?” He asked making you huff in agitation. “I was gonna finish it. But someone scared the bird.” You responded closing your book and walking away from the window. Scout awkwardly laughed and followed you down the base’s hall. “But do ya wanna hang? I got some soda and snacks up on da roof.” He spoke walking backwards in front of you. Shooting him a look, Jeremy shut up and let you walk into your room. Standing in front of your closed door the boston boy rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s a maybe, she said maybe.” He reassured himself and strode over to the roof proudly. Laying on your bed you groaned into your pillow. “He has to bother me with everything...” You muttered now reaching for your sketchbook. Opening it to the page with the bird you couldn’t help but frown. You were so close to finish it this time. It wasn’t like you hated Scout but he just got on your nerves. He got on everyone’s nerves honestly. Scout went to the roof and was surprised to find Sniper and Engie hanging out on the roof. “Ey, me and Y/N’s gonna hang up ‘ere!” He exclaimed walking up to the two mercenaries. Both men glanced at each other, Engie held a sympathetic look while Sniper couldn’t care less and stayed quiet. “Not ta be rude here partner. But Y/N isn’t exactly...friendly. To ya.” Sniper hummed with agreement. Jeremy gasped and shook his head. “Nah, Nah, ya see guys. She just puts up dis act. She digs me.” He explained with a broad smile. Engineer knowing he wouldn’t get through to the boy just started to leave. Sniper following after giving Scout a pat on the back. Thinking back to what his teammate said he started to sulk. Scout just really wants to love you. He tries to spend time with you, but he always ends up ruining something for you. A small bird song caught his attention when he was sinking into his thoughts. Scout’s eyes followed the flying bird near the base. Stretching your arms from a good night’s sleep you started cracking your joints. You did your usual morning routine before heading out to the kitchen to eat breakfast. It was Heavy’s turn to cook so you knew that it was going to be something edible. Upon entering the dining room, almost everyone was seated. Except Scout was nowhere to be seen. Sitting down you grabbed a sandvich on one of the plates. “So did ya go with Scout yesterday?” Engie asked curious if you actually did spend time with the young man. Shaking your head you took a bite out of the sandvich. “Nope, I wasn’t in the mood.” You explained thinking back to your unfinished sketch. The texan hummed and finished up his own breakfast before loud feet moving was heard. Most of the mercs hearing the sound made them audibly groan loudly. Scout usually ran inside, make fun of them, and then eat while boasting about himself. However it surprised everyone to see him slow down and walk inside with a cage. Not only that but he was covered in scrapes and cuts, his eyes showing him being tired. He walked up to you with a big dorky smile. “Ey Y/N, I caught ya dat bird you sketched. Since I stopped your sketching.” Looking into the small cage you saw the bird that you were drawing. For the next few seconds your eyes went to look between scout and the bird. Sighing you took the small cage and looked at the bostan man impressed. “Thanks Scout, for being thoughtful for once.” You spoke giving him a small ghost smile. Finishing up your breakfast you took the caged bird and headed over to Med Bay to take care of the probably traumatized bird first. Scout fist pumped the air in success. “You actually got sheila a bird?” Sniper asked completely flabbergasted. Jeremy nodded with a proud smile. “yeah without your dumb sniping skills too!” he boomed out before heading over to the couch to go to sleep. Engineer shook his head at the bostan. “Kid’s got moxie, ah’ll give him that.” Heavy walked out of the kitchen with more sandviches. “No, leetle man just dumb.” Medic looked at the small Eurasian Tree Sparrow. “vell it looks gut. Just be sure to take care of it. I got zome bird seed for jou to help.” He said handing you a small bag of bird seed. “Thanks Medic.” The german waved you off as Archimedes flew on his shoulder. “No problem mein fruend. I love taking care of small birds.” You nodded and walked to your room. Upon entering you placed the cage down and took out your sketch book. “Don’t worry lil buddy, i’ll let you go after i’m done.” You said giving your new feathered friend some bird seed. After finishing up your sketch you smiled softly. “Well what do you think? Did I make it as pretty as you are?” You asked showing the drawing to your bird. It chirped once it saw the picture and flapped it’s wings proudly. “Now that i’m done little fella. Time to let you go.” Walking out of your room you found Scout at the door already about to knock. “Hey Scout, just about to let this guy go. i finished up my sketch.” He smiled at you and moved to the side allowing you to move. “Dat’s great! Can I see?” You shook your head simply. “Still in da dust.” He muttered to himself as you opened a window and let the bird go. Closing the window Scout watched in awe as the bird flew around the glass before flying away. “Didn’t ya wanna keep it?” He asked as you closed up the cage. “I did, but it’s a wild bird. Doesn’t belong in a house.” You explained now turning to walk back to your room. “So, I was-...uh-I-umm....” The poor man struggled to talk since you rejected him plenty of times. Your brain was set in motion once you heard his struggling. “Wanna hang out? I’ll bring some snacks to the roof.” You offered with a nonchalant expression. Scout had an expression full of excitement when you said that. “Yeah!Yeah! I’ll go get da soda!” He declared running off to go get some soda. You just wanted to give him some slack. After all he did go through all the trouble to just get a single bird. You just hope you didn’t regret doing this. Heading up to the roof you had two bags of chips in your arms. Hearing some muttering you chuckled amused. “Scout if you’re going crazy, ima leave.” You jested to him as you sat on the roof and tossed him a chip bag. The morning sun hit the roof with a strong beam of heat. Luckily Scout brought very cold soda cans inside a cooler. “How did you even get that bird by the way?” You asked trying to make conversation. Jeremy had to be honest, this was a weird side to see for him. You usually ignored him and never started the conversation. So seeing you not glaring it him or speaking without any agitation made him feel slightly awkward. “Well all I had was demo’s empty beer box and a lot of patience for the bird to land.” He explained rubbing his hair nervously. “Based off my cuts and bruises, ya can guess I had too many tries.” You laughed lightly and hid your mouth with a fist. Scout softly smiled at you. “Well I haven’t heard you laugh before.” You looked at him and gently punched his shoulder. “Don’t get so sappy on me Scout. I just don’t laugh around you only.” Jeremy held a confident smile on his face. “Well i’ll be makin ya laugh more.” You rolled your eyes at him. “Mhm.” Scout shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his soda. “I’m serious I will.” You gave him a small smile. “You’re alright sometimes Scout.” (Part 2 comin soon)

15 notes · View notes

mowulf · 3 years

Text

You Gotta be Kitten Me

CH 2: It's only a flesh wound

A note on cat breeds, because I don’t feel like spending an absurd amount of time describing them. (Also only Spy would have any idea what the different breeds are because he’s fancy like that.) From largest to smallest:

Heavy - Blue maine coon. He’s the largest by weight and length and has the cat equivalent of resting bitch face.

Sniper - Savannah cat. He’s the tallest, but he’s lanky and not nearly as long as Heavy.

Demoman - You know those cats that are so black they’re basically walking black holes? Yeah, that’s him.

Spy - Tuxedo cat. Primarily black with white fingers, white chin, and a white triangle on this neck and chest. When he sits up straight he does, indeed, look like he’s wearing a tiny, furry suit.

Soldier - Siamese. He’s loud. He’s obnoxious. And he makes sure you know he’s there.

Scout - Egyptian Mau/DSH mix. Egyptian Maus are the fastest domestic cat breed, reaching up to 30 mph, and can leap absurdly high. While he’s got the build of a Mau, the DSH shows in his calico coat.

Pyro - Ruddy Abyssinian. They look vaguely burnt and, like Scout, are quite small. Yes, they wear a sock on their head. No, you won't be able to convince them to take it off.

-----

“Gentlemen, we have a situation,” Spy said as he looked around the room. The other cats stopped what they were doing and approached. No point delaying the conversation.

“Yeah, tell me about it,” Scout said as he trotted over to shove Spy. “How come y’all get ta be so much bigger ‘n’ me? ‘S not fair.”

“That is beside the point, Scout.”

“That is exactly the point!”

”Scout.” Spy planted a paw on Scout’s head and pushed him away. Sniper got the hint and gently but firmly shooed Scout to the opposite side of the forming circle.

Demoman took a seat next to the awkward pair while Sniper attempted to figure out a way to gently pin Scout without accidentally crushing him and casually curled his tail around his paws. “It’s not all that bad,” he said casually. “We’re smaller, so we’ll be harder to hit. Pro’ly faster, too.”

Spy folded his ears and sighed deeply. “Really? Really? That’s what we’re going with? ‘It’s not so bad.’ Are you listening to yourself?”

Sniper flicked his tail and snapped, “Yeah, mate, we heard him just fine. What’s your problem?”

“My problem is a distinct lack of thumbs. Or did you forget?” The group fell silent as everyone examined their hands. Once he was satisfied that enough time had passed, Spy continued, “We didn’t just lose a few inches. Sniper is, at best, as long as his rifle, I can’t even hold a knife let alone stab anyone, and I’m reasonably certain the intelligence is twice Scout’s size.” He straightened up and settled a glare around the group. “We’re useless at best. Hell, Medic and Engineer would likely have an easier time in the next mission if we all just stayed at base. Especially if they have Heavy.”

A heavy silence descended on the circle. After a few moments Soldier stood up and yelled, “That’s still no excuse to not fight! We have claws! We have teeth! We’ll just have to fight them the old fashioned way!” His tail lashed as he spoke and at the end he reared back and swiped at the air.

Sniper was quick to shut that down by yelling, “That’s assuming we can even get close to anyone!” He puffed up and growled, high and deep. “We’re too small. We might catch someone off guard the first time, but then everyone will know to look out for us. Alone we stand no chance. As a group, we’re too obvious!”

“‘Sides, we need to get their intelligence back to base. Mission doesn’t end until someone has someone else’s briefcase,” Scout snapped, ready to jump up only to be pressed back into the floor when Sniper stepped on him.

“Those are the words of a coward! There are no cowards here! Or do I need to remind you maggots of that?” Soldier took a step forward, legs stiff and tail lashing in anger.

Sniper lowered his head and curled his lips in a snarl. “If you think I’m going to just throw myself into enemy fire with no hope of walking away, you’re a fool.” Scout squeaked as Sniper stepped on him to approach Soldier. Scout wanted nothing to do with the fight that was about to break out. While Sniper had the upper hand in terms of size, Soldier more than made up for that in crazy.

On the sidelines, the other mercs chimed in trying to break up the fight before it began, but no one was willing to actually get close. Even human, Soldier was not a force to be reckoned with. Once Sniper was no longer standing on him, Scout joined the rest in the safe zone.

Sniper and Soldier approached each other stiffly until there was only a few inches between them. Soldier’s tail continued to lash dramatically while Sniper’s only twitched at the end. For a long minute the pair simply glared and growled.

Soldier made the first move. Sniper flinched back when Soldier lunged forward, allowing the smaller cat to latch onto his neck and shoulder, back legs tearing at whatever they could reach. Sniper shrieked, swatted a couple times at Soldier, before running toward the nearest wall and throwing himself Soldier-first into it. Yelling broke out from everywhere, a combination of cat howls and human shock.

The impact didn’t knock Soldier loose and only seemed to make him more aggressive. The cat twisted and sank his claws deeper into Sniper’s shoulder while pulling with his teeth until he felt something give. Sniper responded by slamming into the wall three more times in quick succession, finally stunning Soldier enough to make him start to lose grip. That was all Sniper needed to finally stick his foot under Soldier and rip the other cat off.

He stumbled back a couple steps before lunging forward with a yell, only to be slammed into the ground by Medic. One hand grabbed the scruff of his neck and the other a fistful of loose skin near his rump and hauled him back, spitting and screaming. Engineer scooped Soldier before he could launch back at Sniper.

The two spit curses and profanities at each other until Demoman leapt between them and bellowed “SHUT UP!” Silence. “Soldier,” he turned to face, “this is not cowardice or abandonment. Think of it as a tactical retreat until we can figure out how to get the upper hand back.”

“That’s true,” Spy said. “We’re at a disadvantage. We need to figure something out.”

“But-” Soldier flinched when Demoman trotted up and bopped him on the nose. “We can’t-” Another bop. “Would you-” Bopbopbop Demoman stopped and hopped away when Engineer waved him off.

Once he was sure that Soldier had shut up, he turned his attention to Sniper. “And you!” Sniper bristled but remained silent. “If yer gonna fight, take it outside. You know th’ rules.”

More silence. Everyone waited tensely until Sniper finally sighed and Soldier relaxed. A collective sigh was released and the tension finally drained from the room.

“I’m going to need the medigun,” Medic announced. “I’ll be right back.” With that he released Sniper and left the room.

Soldier wriggled out of Engineer’s grip and the man made another grab for him but stopped when he saw the cats regather into the circle. Scout made a couple laps of the malformed circle, chirping in distress until Sniper finally dragged himself into their original spot, at which point he tucked himself firmly into the larger cat’s side. He made a few more distressed chirps as he eyed the mauled fur and flesh but was silenced when Sniper lay a paw across his back.

“Establishing communication should be our top priority,” Spy said once the circle had been properly reformed. “We can’t do much if Medic and Engineer can’t understand us.”

The other cats nodded and made various sounds of agreement only to fall silent when a deep voice rumbled, “Da.” Everyone turned to see an absolutely massive maine coon staring down at them. Even Pyro did a double take before scooting to the side to make space. There was a moment of reshuffling before Heavy finally took a spot and lay down, careful to tuck his lugs beneath him. “Doktor is dangerous. Keep distance and avoid his room.” He paused for a second, then added, “Avoid medbay, too. Anywhere he keeps birds.”

The circle gave another chorus of agreement. If Heavy was giving the warning, then extra caution needed to be used. Right as Spy was about to resume the conversation, Medic reentered, paused, and said, “Heavy?” Heavy looked up, flicked his tail, and then pointedly looked away. Sniper looked between the two before deciding they needed space. “I’ll be back,” he muttered before pushing himself to his feet and limping over to Medic.

Spy coughed to draw everyone’s attention. “As I said before, we’ll need to establish some form of communication. Does anyone have any suggestions?”

“What about morse code?” Soldier asked.

Spy hummed. “Not a bad idea, assuming either of them know any. I know a little, but not nearly enough.”

“Do you know enough to get food?” Scout whined, stretching and rolling onto his back dramatically. “I’m dyin’ over here!”

“Scout-”

“No! Shut up!” He hopped onto his feet and puffed. “I didn’t eat supper on account of I wasn’t feelin’ good, and we ain’t had breakfast. I can smell bacon an’ I’m starving!”

“Mmph! Mr hnng trr,” Pyro chirped, also jumping up and circling in place. Spy smacked his face and groaned, knowing that there was no hope of getting the impromptu meeting back on track. Not with Scout and Pryo now feeding each other’s energy. Best to get them both fed before they worked each other into a frenzy.

“What’d I miss?” Sniper asked as he returned to the circle.

“Somethin’ somethin’ marsh code an’ Spy’s gonna get us food,” Scout announced before anyone else could speak. Pyro hopped over, muffled chattering displaying their excitement over the prospect of finally getting to eat something. The rest of the mercs were eagerly discussing breakfast as Demoman took the lead toward the cafeteria.

Medic and Engineer watched as the cats all began filing out of the room. As Heavy passed, Medic leaned down to try and grab Heavy, only to jerk back when the cat whipped around and snapped at him. Heavy gave an angry huffed before ambling after the rest.

“Well,” Engineer said slowly, “That was… interesting.” He stood up from his spot on the floor and stretched. “What do you recon they’re up to now?”

Medic ran a hand through his hair, sighed, and hefted the end of the medigun off the floor where he’d set it after treating Sniper. “Don’t know. Don’t care. Keep an eye on them. I’m going to call Miss Pauling.”

“Good luck with that.”

Engineer trailed after the small army of cats while Medic heaved another sigh and made his way back to the medical bay. The medigun was easily put away and he took a moment to pet Archimedes before he left in search of the base phone. If he was lucky, Pauling would be free enough to swing by the base. She could wrangle everyone under control and figure out what to do next. Or at least give him some pointers on how to take care of cats. Then he’d have to run to town and get cat food.

Fun.

#tf2 #Team Fortress 2 #tf2 scout #tf2 spy #tf2 medic #tf2 heavy #tf2 engineer #tf2 demoman #tf2 pyro #tf2 sniper #tf2 soldier #Hdfjksdjkl why are there so many characters to keep track of #I can barely handle 3 #let alone 9 #absolute chaos

22 notes · View notes

inkribbon796 · 3 years

Text

Luck of the Draw

Summary: Anti’s up to his old tricks, it’s up to the Septics to stop him.

A/N: Saint Paddy’s Day is my excuse to have all the Septics in one story. Enjoy.

KA-THUD!

Anti awoke to the sound of a lightning bolt ringing in his ears. He had just reformed after running into Dark. In his defense, if he’d known Dark was more red than blue he would have kept a 40-foot pole in-between them.

There was a thunderstorm out now. Something that both thrilled and unnerved him. Thrilled because he partially fed off of electricity since he was a glitch demon, but it also unnerved because he . . . he had . . . he was . . .

It was probably unimportant anyways. If it was important he would have remembered it.

He buried the uncomfortable churning in his soul by tracking down Henrik. He always felt better after pissing off Henrik.

By the time he found them there was a lull in the storm and Henrik was with the other Septics. All six of them were seated around an outside café table. A couple of them had sandwiches, but everyone had various types of coffee.

Anti was moving before he was even sure what he was going to do to piss off Henrik. But he saw that Henrik was right under the edge of the mental awning of the café. There was still some water.

Marvin got the warning that Anti was nearby right before Henrik got a bucket’s worth of water right on top of him.

There was a glitchy cackle and Anti was leaning over the edge. Henrik wiped the water out of his face, turning in absolute fury to Anti and starting to shout at him in a mix of English, but mostly German.

Chase and Marvin looked a bit worried and upset, mostly because they’d been also hit by the water, but J.J and Séan were just watching them with different levels of amusement. J.J in particular calmly sipping on his tea in his chair. Unlike Marvin who got some water on him, J.J was in a perfectly shielded spot, which Séan could only stare in suspicion at since J.J had been very eager to go for that seat first. Robbie was just looking between everyone, clearly looking for some social cue. Usually he was good at it, but today he’d been having some problems and the two drastically different reactions from his teammates were not helping.

Anti was just cackling, grinning at Henrik as he leaned on the edge of the awning.

Then . . . something struck him in the side of the head. It was a high caliber round but it struck Anti in the head and neck and if he’d been possessing a body the shot would have killed it. Since he wasn’t, his aura just devoured the bullet and Anti’s whole body glitched.

Immediately he froze and started looking around for the assailant. Someone had pissed on his fun and he wasn’t going to let that slide.

Eventually his eyes landed on a shooter standing in black and Anti recognized him instantly, “Brody, yer kid’s gettin’ a new face.”[1]

The glitch demon shot off towards the rooftop and Paddy, Chase’s eldest son, dropped his rifle for a handgun and once Anti was close enough shot him point-blank in the chest.

This round however wasn’t a bullet, it was an EMP dart that jolted through Anti’s body and he was out. The round wasn’t enough to discorporate the demon, only stun him.

Paddy looked inordinately pleased with himself and was about to stomp on the demon’s face when a dart hit him in the arm and he froze, confused. His arm was already feeling numb.

The confusion caught the young sniper off guard at exactly the wrong moment when gas was shot in his face and dropped him. A magical barrier drawn around Anti and shielding him from magical or human eyes.

Paddy woke up while he was being dangled off the edge of a building, Anti holding him by the collar of his shirt, magic keeping him from dropping . . . for now.

The young teen let out a farther undignified, terrified squeak.

“Yeh[2] awake?” Anti cackled. “Good. This’ll teach yah ta mess with me.”[3]

“Give him here Anti!” Marvin flew over, magic at his fingertips. Jackie zipping up behind the demon, J.J and Chase following behind the speedster. Robbie and Henrik who were at the foot of the building braced to catch Paddy or intercept Anti.

“Give me back my kid!” Chase ordered.

“He shot me in the face!” Anti spat.

“Why do yeh care? Yeh can’t get any fookin’ uglier.”[4] Marvin dared.

Anti hissed at Marvin.

Chase took a step closer and Anti threw Paddy over at the sharpshooter. “I fookin’ see him again, an’ he’s dead.”[5]

“Yah[2] okay?” Chase asked his son as Anti disappeared in a flash of pixels.

Paddy pushed himself away in anger, “I had him!”

“Why were yeh goin’ after him?” Chase demanded as Paddy collected his things and started putting them away. J.J was standing off to the side of the roof, close to the corner and just watched the group as everyone left the roof and Paddy stomped off to get away from Chase.

Back up at the roof the Septics had been on Anti was still lying where he’d been dropped. It didn’t take him long to get back up but by then the storm was rolling back into the area.

Anti was pissed, he was going to find that kid and take his fingers.

When he got up, there was someone on the roof with him. It was dark but Anti could still see and he was out for blood.

He moved forward and suddenly the other person was right in front of him and punched Anti in the face.

The glitch demon hissed at his assailant. The figure stood against him, rain falling off the sleek black suit, a silvery-brass spade symbol on the front.

Anti couldn’t detect a scent, he couldn’t see an aura, but something in him absolutely hated this individual. The glitch demon was letting out a low growl, accented by the lightning around them.

There was a stray bolt of lightning that crashed down dangerously close and when the blinding light cleared there were four almost identical people standing against Anti. The only difference between the suits was that a different card suit sat on their chests. Spade, Hearts, Diamond, and . . .

“Hello Anti,” Clubs greeted, the distorted voice covering up anything that could be used to identify the individual.

Anti summoned his knife, “I want fook all ta do with yeh so back off.”[6]

“No one needs to get hurt today,” Clubs reminded. He motioned to Spade. “My friend here is an expert on both tech and glitch demons. We could have killed you at any time.”

“I don’t like yeh[2] freaks,” Anti snarled. “An’ I don’t like bein’ told what ta do.”[7]

Spade pressed something on his arm panel and something in Anti’s form felt like it was being twisted. He screamed and his form started floating.

Clubs magically shuffled the deck, cards floating in the air until the whole deck disappeared to six cards. The aces of spade and diamond, the jacks of clubs and heart, and two jokers. Each had faces on them. Each face in order was Logan, J.J, Chase, and Ethan. With Marvin and Nate on the jokers. “All we need is for you to keep your eyes on them and tell us where they are. If you want to fight them or ignore them otherwise, we don’t care.”

“I think yah all should just go fook yerselves,”[8] Anti dared.

“You either assist us or this is the last conversation we have,” Spade threatened.

Anti let out another violent hiss, glitching even more than before in his anger.

“Now, now,” Diamond chuckled, the tone a little lighter than the other two, a slight grainy tone to the distortion. “There’s no need for threats.”

“You know there is,” Spade retorted. “He will answer to nothing else.”

“Why don’t yah go an’ fook a band ‘a needles, then?”[9] Anti flipped him off.

Spade took a step, his hands turning into long spikes. “You’re all bluster and no substance.”

“Spade,” Diamond warned.

“Yeah Spade,” Anti baited, “why don’t yah listen ta the bastard holdin’ yer leash?”[10]

That electrical jolt passed through Anti’s form, feeling like it was trying to rearrange his insides. Anti collapsed to the ground, trying to fight the screams and Spade walked over to slam one of his spikes into Anti’s shoulder, the pain ripping through the glitch’s soul, making him scream.

Right before the pain could discorporate Anti’s form, Spade backed off and it stopped, the aftershocks rippling through the glitch demon.

Something was thrown in front of Anti’s face and spade commented, “Well leave you some time to think on it.”

When Anti picked his head up the four figures were gone. The object was Henrik’s hospital ID and something in Anti absolutely boiled with fury.

Threatening him was one thing he couldn’t tolerate.

Threatening Henrik was another. Henrik had nothing to do with them.

He wasn’t sure what he was going to do to make them pay but he did know that it wasn’t going to be quick. Anti was going to make them bleed.

And he certainly wasn’t going to help them find anything.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Accessibility Translations

1. Brody, your kid’s getting a new face.

2. You

3. Good. This will teach you to mess with me.

4. Why do you care? You can’t get any fooking uglier.

5. I fucking see him again, and he’s dead.

6. I want fuck all to do with you so back off.

7. And I don’t like being told what to do

8. I think you all should just go fuck yourselves

9. Why don’t you go and fook a band of needles, then?

10. why don’t you listen to the bastard holding your leash?

19 notes · View notes

scrapnick · 4 years

Note

Scout 100% supports July but also has a horrible habit of letting his mouth just go off or just not thinking things through, leading to situations where the messaged arrow for July accidentally gets shot at Scout out of instinct and Scout takes the note to be read by Medic and now he has to quickly make up a lie as to why he has a note signed by sniper offering to play darts later that night.

He’s just there, twisting in his seat like “Oh uh t-that is DEFINITELY a veiled threat!! Play darts???? That’s code for.. for MURDER! Murder on ME doc!!”

“Zhere are hearts drawn on the note..?”

“THATS BECAUSE HES GONNA CUT IT OUTTA ME DOC, YOU GOTS TA DO SOMETHING, SAVE ME HERE!!”

#hes a surprisingly good liar #asks #anon #answered #tf2 #scout #july x sniper #medic

68 notes · View notes

ekleipsi · 3 years

Text

-- dancing with demons ;;

--- Another handful of months had slipped by without him even realizing. Time meant so little when you were immortal; trading your soul to stay eternally with the man you loved. Was there ever so romantic a notion? A roll of bright blue orbs met sockets. Neither of them had gotten jobs yet, simply...indulging in a long vacation on saved assets from the hound’s long life- it was nice, but avian had begun to get restless and complacent without doing anything. Any work.

--- Still, at least he’d recovered from his withdrawals without much fuss...though the trauma induced by the Gonchiye’s captivity had taken quite a bit longer. Taken quite a toll on their relationship as well; the bird had not allowed his wings free for quite some time...another ordeal, after having fallen from the mountain and nearly died when the instinct to survive did not kick in. Hound had saved him then, as he had saved him many times before.

--- When the trauma of wings had eventually been surpassed, then came the trauma of intimacy. Closeness. The months had been generous in Naoto being clingy towards the demon, but any sort of sexual advances had been rebuked with fear, the drive completely erased from the avian for further weeks. It was only until this last one that he’d begun to feel...entirely at ease. Comfortable. Safe. Perhaps that’s why he’d asked the hound for some time alone in the small and temporary apartment they inhabited. Attempts to cook dinner.

--- Avian had chosen a meat stew- something he could allow to simmer to a long and slow cook so that it didn’t burn quite so quickly. After getting a good sear on the chunks of protein within the pot, he’d followed the recipe quite carefully in removing them and then adding a bit of vegetation. Everything managed to be just a hair overcooked, but not at all burnt at the very least and by the time he’d added the stock to it all to allow it to begin its slow process, the house smelled rather delicious.

--- Naturally he’d procured two bottle of wine- he’d even asked someone for help in picking something delicious and expensive and not cheap. Only when he’d received a text from his lover about finally returning home, did he pour a glass for the canine and check the food, giving it a stir. A shiver danced up his spine in anticipation, wanting to surprise the other- door creaked open and falcon was quick to leave the kitchen to greet him with a tight hug around the neck.

--- ‘ ...smells surprisingly good... ‘ teasing words left the hellhound’s mouth, a pout affixing to the bird’s lips as petulant huff slipped out.

--- ‘ I tried really hard not to burn it. ‘ he said, expression shifting into something deadpan as legs lifted from the ground to curl around the others waist, heels digging into lower back as he clung to husband. ‘ There’s wine... ‘ he said slowly, almost embarrassed as cheeks darkened at just how much thought he’d put into this evening, a hand lifting to card through his own tousled locks with a small huff.

--- Faint smirk tugged at the taller male’s lips, quirking them upwards until a fang nearly peeked through, one palm sliding down assassin’s spine to grope at his rear while the other lifted to brush a thumb along the apple of heated cheek. ‘ How very thoughtful. It’s not our anniversary...what’s the occasion, pretty boy? ‘ he hummed out, pushing gently at the bird’s jaw until head was tilted. Words were quickly mumbled as mouth found purchase against already darkened patch of skin, marred by love bites and a mark to signify their bond as mates. He didn’t hesitate to kiss tenderly over the spot several times before a rough bite had fangs sinking into skin.

--- Moan was quick to slip free, back arching inadvertently at the treatment while hips bucked against man’s abdomen as he shuddered out half a breath. ‘ No occasion. Just...wanted to surprise you... ‘ he snorted, trying to remain indifferent on the matter...though failing miserably. ‘ To thank you, really... ‘ he mumbled out, tone somewhat shy in a manner that had the hound pulling away with a curious and surprised blink over mismatched orbs.

--- ‘ Thank me for what? ‘

--- ‘ Isn’t...it obvious? For...for being patient with me. T-taking care of me. Shit like that...don’t make me say it, mutt, damn. ‘ he huffed out, angrily glancing away from lovers face with an aggressive and frustrated noise at just how humiliating it was to say things so...vulnerable. So soft. Still, he gave them voice for the sake of mate, still clutching tightly at him and grasped within palms.

--- A chuckle fell past the canine’s lips, catching the bird’s mouth with his own in a series of chaste but passionate kisses. ‘ I don’t ever need gratitude for minding my baby boy... ‘ he hummed, nosing at a cheek before bird was set upon ground once more. Nao was quick to pull coat form lovers shoulders, telling him to go into the living room and relax a little- wine had been set upon coffee table for hound to drink while he waited for dinner.

--- It didn’t take long for slender frame to bring the bowl of stew to the hound, settling next to him on the couch and tentatively pulling a fork of the delicious treat into his mouth. He waited with bated breath for the other to take a bite, nearly vibrating in anticipation and leaning just a bit too close to face as he waited- proximity caused Ignis to laugh openly, gently pinching at one of the birds cheeks until he was squirming and pushing at a hand.

--- ‘ It’s good, it’s good! Doesn’t even taste a little burnt. ‘ he smirked, pleased with the relieved way the falcons shoulders straightened, the bright expression on his features. The way he was all but vibrating in pleasure at the compliment, licking his lips before more ravenously digging into his own food after having waited for the assessment.

--- ‘ I watched it really carefully! And paid a lot of attention to the recipe... ‘ he explained, nodding and refilling hound’s wine glass the moment it begun to empty. Compliments had even been laid towards the quality of the wine, causing a small wriggle to pale avian’s hips until he was all but preening at the notion.

--- Ignis chuckled smoothly at just how delighted husband was over something so simple, taking another sip of the full bodied red wine. They ate in moderate silence, intermittently punctuated by the bird asking about how his day had gone, and hound in turn asking what he’d done to occupy himself in the down time between cooking. Conversation was idle and smooth and pleasant, finishing a bowl of the stew each before falcon got them both another one.

--- Before canine knew it, he’d drunk the entire bottle of wine and eaten half of his second bowl of stew before the avian was standing up from the couch and tilting his head, offering a hand to the taller. He stared at it in confusion for half a moment, before taking it and allowing falcon to pull him from seated position until they were both standing, Nao pressing a button on the remote until music had begun to softly play from speakers, dim and low and just perfect to set a comfortable mood.

--- He hated dancing, honestly. Truly disliked it, but he knew his husband enjoyed it...and since Ignis had been so giving and attentive, so patient. ‘ Would...you like to dance... ‘ he asked slowly, cautiously.

--- Hound’s expression twisted immediately from confusion and worry, going slack before simply melting into something fond and loving. It was soft, eyes creasing as rubies filled with love and tenderness at the slow, hesitant display, worried that he’d scare the bird off if he waited too long to answer. ‘ I would love nothing more, pretty bird... ‘ he nodded, fingers and palms catching into the falcon’s as the music grew into a slow and comfortable beat for movement around the living area.

--- Sniper’s cheeks darkened with a blush, delicately stepping atop his mate’s feet and allowing for the taller to lead the rhythm. ‘ You mean the world...to me, Ig... ‘ he said quietly, squeezing tanned palm lovingly before tipping azures up. ‘ I love you...more...than anything... ‘ another soft hum, standing up on his toes atop the others feet so that he could press a slow and loving kiss to warm lips, eyes closing as the hellhound clutching him close, one palm in his own while the other curled tight around his middle.

--- They swayed gently with the beat, steps a bit intimate and more elaborate than the standard 2am kitchen sways, pulled against chest. Kiss was reciprocated in kind, lazy and filled with emotion and gratitude of his own, his features content and pure in their adoration as he nosed at the bird’s cheek with a noise of approval. ‘ I love you too, geráki. Eísai ta astéria mou, i zoí mou. ‘ he said smoothly, sweetly, feeling husband press face into his chest. The night continued smoothly, the two simply dancing and indulging in one anothers company, exchanging laughs and kisses.

#hellguarded #tw long post #drabble #it's my wife's birthday so this was rly cute and sof and sweet to write #i can't art bby i'm sorry #but happy birthday #;o;#hold me when i’m here; right me when i’m wrong | nao & ignis |–;

2 notes · View notes

thornbolts · 4 years

Text

The Legend of the Cake

Prompt: An enchanting plot of forest or stream snow, tiny whispers cutting the silence.

Rem pulled back the bolt of her rifle, ejecting an unspent bullet out from the chamber. Weapon still working well despite the cold. Nothing gunking up the receiver or muzzle. She laid her weapon at her side, kicking her feet over the icy cliff overlooking the cold ocean below as trumpeting fanfare blared over the crowd's voices in the distance. Rem shook her head. A tournament? Seriously? The Argent Crusade's time was better spent killing as many Scourge as they could get their hands on. They should be storming the Citadel now.

The sniper looked up. Keeping an eye out for gargoyles was the first thing you learned when you're keeping watch in Icecrown. Hell, Rem even began to wish something would attack. Killing was her business, not mingling with the living nor participating in flashy competitions. She didn't know how long she sat there, staring far into the icy horizon.

"Remington, right?" a hesitant voice piped up from behind her.

Rem turned over her shoulder, looking over the young Human squire no older than sixteen. He held two stainless steel mess kit plates. There were better, more cheery people scattered around the tournament grounds. Why her?

"Yeah," Rem answered. "Yer talkin' ta her. Ya need somethin' shot?"

The squire shook his head, raising one of the tin plates toward her. It had a slice of chocolate cake on it, part of the cake baked by the Argent's cooks to celebrate the tournament's opening. It was the closest many of the homesick soldiers had to home, to civilian life.

The forsaken eyed over the cake slice, squinting at it then raising a skeptical eyebrow.

"May I come closer?" the squire asked.

Rem exhaled through her nostrils, motioning a lazy hand to the cold snow beside her. "Ain't gonna stop ya."

The young squire pushed past his hesitation, taking a seat beside the hardened forsaken. "Captain wanted me to ask if you wanted to join the others." He offered the steel mess kit plate forward. Frost was already starting to crystallize around the cake slice.

Rem held up a declining palm. "Save that fer someone that can taste it."

"The cooks say it's sweet enough that even the dead can taste." The squire insisted, plate extended toward the undead.

This kid was persistent if nothing else. Reluctantly, Rem took the plate and laid it in her lap. Sweet enough that even the dead can taste? Bold claim. She scraped her claw across the frosting, raising it to her eye. "Ya lose a bet or somethin'? Someone dare ya?"

"I volunteered," he gave the forsaken an honest smile.

Volunteered to approach the dead? This kid was either brave or naive. The forsaken nibbled on the frosting at her claw tip. But this kid wasn't lying. It... It tasted sweet, sweet enough for the dead to taste.

"What's yer name, boy?"

"Noah."

----

Rem's spurs crunched through the snow as she looked over that cliff, icy ocean waves crashing against the rocks below. She smiled, breathing it all in, letting the frigid air swirl through her lungs. The Northrend Campaign felt like an eternity ago.

Behind her, plates or armor clanked through the thick snow. Rem turned, her smile widening. In each of the knight's gauntlets, plates of chocolate cake.

His voice, deeper and muffled behind his metal visor, chuckled as he spoke:

"Remington, right?"

#my writing #remington thornbolt

2 notes · View notes

get-your-fics · 5 years

Text

Duality - Chapter Four

Summary: Your life as Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend was pretty simple, actually. Well, as simple as things can get in Gotham. But it gets a lot more complicated when you meet Jeremiah Valeska, Jerome’s twin brother.

Pairings: Bruce Wayne x reader, Jeremiah Valeska x reader, Jerome Valeska x reader

Series warnings: Violence, language, smut, rape/non-con, kidnapping, stalking, mentions of abuse

CHAPTER THREE

“Why are we waiting?” Jerome yelled into a mic while playing an electric guitar clumsily. His henchmen danced behind him. “Waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting! Someone’s gonna die!”

You fell behind Bruce, Lucius, and Jim as you made your way towards the stage. Jerome’s voice filled your ears, and you couldn’t bring yourself to look up at him. You kept your head down as you moved through the crowd, your gaze trained on Bruce’s shoes in front of you.

“You know him, don’t you?”

You nearly jumped out of your skin at the voice next to you. You lifted your head to see that Jeremiah had fallen in step beside you. “What are you talking about?” You stared at him with wide eyes.

He jutted his chin out at the man onstage. “Jerome. You know him.”

You furrowed your brow. “So do Bruce, and Jim, and Lucius. We all do.”

“But not like you do.” He shook his head. “I could tell by the way you looked at me back there. You knew him before he was all,” he gestured vaguely to Jerome, “this.”

“I met him at the circus once.” You shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

“Well, thank you for being here.” He shoved his hands in the pockets of his overcoat. “I know how hard this must be for you.”

“Please, you’re his brother. I barely know him.” But for some reason, the way Jeremiah was staring at you told you that he knew you were lying.

The guitar suddenly stopped, drawing your attention to the stage, and you looked up to see that Jerome had noticed Jim, Lucius, Bruce, and Jeremiah making their way towards him. “Well, look who decided to show up. We were starting to get nervous, especially the mayor here.” He jerked his thumb in the direction of the mayor strapped to a chair behind him, an odd-looking contraption around his neck. “My guest of honor. Please, take your seats on stage.”

Jim put a hand on Bruce's shoulder and gave him a look that said, it’s time to go. Bruce looked back at you. “Stay behind Jim and Lucius at all times, okay? And no matter what, don’t move.”

You nodded, grabbing his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. His hand slipped from yours as he started to march forward. As promised, you stood behind Jim and Lucius. Their gazes shifted to Jeremiah, who was standing frozen in place.

“Come on,” Jerome encouraged them. “Don’t be shy.”

Jeremiah looked at Jim expectantly. “It’s all right,” he murmured. Then, Jeremiah settled his gaze on you. You gave him a silent nod and flashed him a smile.

He returned it before facing forward. He sucked in a deep breath before walking towards the stage on shaky legs, putting one foot in front of the other. “We don’t have all day,” Jerome continued.

Your heart leapt in your chest as you watched Bruce and Jeremiah shove their way through the crowd. Jerome stared at them with a sinister grin on his face, and you couldn’t help but feel like they were walking straight into the jaws of an alligator. “It’s activated. Just let them get a little closer,” you heard Lucius whisper to Jim.

Jim lifted his walkie-talkie to his mouth. “On my command.”

With every step closer to Jerome they got, the more the sound of your heart hammering against your ribcage filled your ears. Jerome leaned in close to the mic and said, “Hi, brother.” His sickening smile grew even wider at the nervous expression on Jeremiah’s face.

They were about ten feet away when Lucius hissed at Jim, “Now!”

Jim clicked a button on his walkie-talkie and spoke into it, “Fire! All targets, fire!”

You squeezed your eyes shut and held your breath, waiting for the deafening sound of gunfire. Two shots rang out and echoed off of the brick walls. The crowd screamed, and you felt a hand latch onto your arm and pull you down. When you opened your eyes, you were ducking with the rest of the crowd, and Jim was next to you, holding onto you. But Jerome was still standing onstage unharmed. What caught your eye were the two places where snipers had been moments before, now splattered with blood.

“I had my guys take out the best vantage points last night.” Jerome clasped his hands behind his back. “So they’ve been watching your little SWAT team all day.”

The crowd slowly rose to their feet, and your eyes widened in alarm as realization washed over you. Oh, my God. There’s nothing stopping Jerome from harming them now.

“Now, Bruce, brother dear!” He beckoned them to him. “Get up onstage! It’s time to get this party really started, huh?”

Bruce and Jeremiah once again continued their journey towards the stage. “Stop!” you shouted at the top of your lungs, pushing through Jim and Lucius.

Everyone’s heads swiveled to look at you as you surged forward. “(Y/N), no!” Bruce hissed.

Jerome’s gaze landed on you. “(Y/N).” The expression on his face softened for a second before his menacing grin returned. “You brought me a present.” He tilted his head. “You know what? Because you were so generous as to bring her here, I am willing to trade. Billionaire boy Bruce Wayne and my dear brother,” his eyes were dark as he stared at you, “for her.”

Bruce’s thick brows furrowed. “What do you want with her?”

He rolled his eyes. “None of your business, Bruce.”

He stepped protectively in front of you. “Well, you can’t have her.”

“Really? I thought that was a fair trade.” He sighed. “Fine, guess I just have to make things easy for you. She comes up onstage right now or one of these people,” he pointed behind him at the people bound to chairs, “dies.”

You started forward when Bruce wrapped his fingers around your arm. He pulled you back to him. “(Y/N), I can’t let you do this.”

"I have to, Bruce. There are lives at stake.” You tugged on your arm, but his grip held firm.

“I promised I wouldn’t let you get hurt.” You could see his eyes start to water. “We’ll find some other way to stop him.”

“Hurry up, lovebirds,” Jerome said, drawing your attention to him. “I’m getting impatient.”

“I’m coming, Jerome.” You looked back at Bruce. “What was it you said earlier? ‘I can show the people of Gotham that standing up to terror is the only way to take its power away?’” He nodded sorrowfully, and you smiled at him. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”

“Tick, tock, tick, tock! I don’t have all day!” Jerome crowed. His vision narrowed in on you. “Come on, (Y/N). You know I don’t like to ask for things twice.”

You covered Bruce’s hand with yours and gave it a quick squeeze before moving away from him. You walked towards Jerome like you were walking towards your own grave until you reached the edge of the stage. He leaned down and extended a gloved hand to you. You didn’t like the pleased expression on his face. You hesitated for a second, staring up at his hand, before resting your palm on his.

“Good girl,” he praised, and his words of approval sent shivers down your spine. He helped you onto the stage and dragged you over to an empty chair. He pressed down on your shoulders until you were forced to sit down. “Now, stay still for me while I tie you up.” He winked. “But I know you will, won’t you?”

You shot daggers at him. You didn’t move as he secured your feet and hands to the chair, focusing on your boyfriend’s face in front of you. His eyes were glued to you; he didn’t take his gaze off of you for a second, not even to blink. You offered him a weak smile and blinked away the tears threatening to spill. You were shaking, but you didn’t want him to know that. You wanted him to think you were strong; you didn’t want to give him another reason to worry.

Jerome finished by placing a collar with bombs strapped to it around your neck. “Ta-da!” He took a step back and admired you like you were a piece of art. “You know, I have to say thank you, (Y/N).” He put his hands on his knees and leaned forward until your faces were an inch apart. “You just made this a lot more interesting.”

CHAPTER FIVE

#jeremiah valeska x reader #jeremiah valeska imagine #jeremiah valeska x you #jerome valeska x reader #jerome valeska x you #jerome valeska imagine #bruce wayne x reader #bruce wayne imagine #bruce wayne x you #gotham imagine #gotham fanfiction #gotham fanfic #gotham #jeremiah valeska #jerome velaska #bruce wayne

159 notes · View notes

kayr0ss · 6 years

Text

Appointments Chapter 2: She’s a Little Abrasive

[LWA, Diakko, Small Town AU, Fluff and Slow Romance, Pining™ lol]

Chapter 1 & Table of Contents [Links] AO3

She would have really liked her first, new, friend to be here for the occasion, but Lotte had class and Akko could understand. Besides, they were going to have brunch at a cafe the following morning—and Lotte was bringing a friend!

She was definitely going to master biking today. Any minute now! She could feel it in her bones.

…at least, in the ache of her bones.

A few days prior, Lotte had dutifully brought Akko downtown where shops lined the streets and market stalls set up camp in the few open lots. It was a wonderful experience; they made a girls’ night out of it. By the end of the evening, Akko was the proud owner of a brand-new bike.

Never mind that she didn’t actually know how to ride it. Yet.

‘Yet’ was very important, because whenever Atsuko Kagari put her mind on something, she did every damn thing she could to get it done. She had a new bike, a lot of free time—I probably need a job soon—and nothing to lose. She popped her knuckles, tongue-in-cheek while she gripped the leather coverings of the handle bar. Like a sniper, the brunette surveyed her surroundings. The park was in a state of relative peace, apart from the grade school football team practicing at the center field. She was in the designated bike lane which encircled the field, and the weather was dry and overcast. It was three in the afternoon on a Thursday, only a few locals had come out for their afternoon runs, so she was going to have to maximize the time she had the lane all to herself.

She remembered being seven, sitting cross-legged in front of their TV while she watched a famous triathlete finish the Samhain Cup in record time. The woman said something about believing in your heart—Akko couldn’t remember the exact words—but it was enough to get her going. She pushed the right pedal down, and with excitement in her chest she felt the bike roll forward. When the momentum was enough to keep her upright, she grinned, bringing her left foot to its respective pedal, pushing down on it with renewed confidence because she was going fast enough to feel the wind against her skin!

She was biking!

And then she was screaming.

“Shit!” was an understatement—she completely missed a rock and was unceremoniously tossed off of her bike. She hissed, feeling a sharp, stinging pain at the knee, blinking through the mess of brown hair that had flown forward and covered her face. She pushed herself up on her palms and could hear the bike’s rear wheel still spinning on its axle. At least it wasn’t broken?

“That—”

Akko saw a strong hand thrust in front of her face.

“—was a complete embarrassment.”

“I noticed.” Akko groaned, clasping the hand. She mumbled a small ‘thank-you’ while she was pulled up—her knee was bleeding pretty badly.

“You need to have that cleaned,” the woman pointed out. “Then buy some knee pads. Or borrow some from the kids,” she pointed over her shoulder towards the football team.

Akko regarded her wound with a cringe. She bent downwards, trying to dust off the grime around it, but when she looked up to ask for her name, the lady had turned on her back and was walking towards the field. Akko shrugged, figuring she’d be hanging around the park often enough to see her again anyway.

But for now, she needed to see a doctor.

15:58

Or not. That’s going to have to wait. Skinning her knee wasn’t part of today’s schedule and she had Applied Physics by five-thirty. Soap and a bandage would do, and Akko cursed her luck while she walked her bike back to the apartment; she didn’t feel like sprinting across town again.

By five-fifteen, she was freshly showered and seated in class. Akko did a little dance because ‘small victories count!’

Applied Physics wasn’t as bad as it sounded. She thought it would be full of undergrads like Sociology was, but it seems this was the nightshift class—full of post-grads who needed units in science ‘for formality’s sake’ like her. There were only a few in attendance, and she had acquainted herself with a peculiar girl named ‘Sucy’. Akko had, in her usual fashion, declared them friends out of ‘Asian solidarity’, and honestly Sucy didn’t look like she cared so she took that as a yes.

—

It was a pleasant surprise when she discovered that the friend Lotte was bringing for brunch was Sucy from Physics.

“I can feel the beginnings of a solid friendship!” Akko grinned, starry-eyed while she looked between Lotte and Sucy.

“I thought I was through with this idiot last night,” Sucy drawled, to which Lotte only sighed.

“Sucy and I have known each other for a while,” Lotte supplied. “We’re roommates.”

“You guys live together?” Akko asked in wonder.

“Yeah,” Lotte smiled, “helps cut costs. Tuition is expensive, and I’m trying to finish my degree as quick as possible because I chose to study full-time.”

“I intern at the Chemistry department,” Sucy interjected.

Akko shot her new friend an expectant look, taking the opportunity to observe her appearance. She exuded an over-all ‘I honestly don’t give a fuck’ vibe, and her long, purple hair which mysteriously covered her eye added to the effect. It suited her.

“And?”

“That’s it,” Sucy punctuated. “I intern at the Chemistry department.”

Facts and interests were shared over a brunch of eggs and toast, and while it was mainly Akko and Lotte who did the talking, she eagerly learned more and more about Sucy Manbavaran and her talent in mixing things that either exploded, corroded any organic material it interacted with, or corroded the material before causing it to explode. Akko thought it was ‘really cool’ that she cultivated a mushroom colony underneath her bed, but apparently Lotte didn’t because ‘fungi’ and ‘potentially dangerous spores’.

The minutes ticked by and their drinks had gone cold. The cafe owner—a kind, soft spoken Russian woman—would occasionally join in; Akko learned that Lotte and Sucy were regulars and the owner seemed happy to welcome a new face to the neighborhood. Lotte had ordered and slice of cake (“They are to die for!”), and the group was sucked into a detailed report of Akko’s biking progress and subsequent accident.

“I can’t believe I let you buy a bike,” Lotte massaged her temples. “Let me see the wound?”

Akko pulled her skirt up, and Lotte winced.

“Akko!”

“I think I have something for that,” Sucy had fangs in her grin.

“Sucy—” Lotte hissed, “—no.”

Akko blinked, “but if it helps—”

“Nope!” Lotte set her palm on the table. “You’re going to see a doctor. It’s looks terrible! Why did you leave it untreated over night?”

“I… was late for class?”

When the door to her office swung open, Diana retracted her pen with a click, looking up from the patient file Barbara gave her with a practiced expression of professionalism. She would nod politely, greeting them a good morning before engaging in small ta—

Brown hair and… red eyes?

“Wait, you?”

Diana didn’t expect the reaction from herself, and apparently her very confused patient didn’t either. She stole a quick glance to the patient file.

Atsuko Kagari F | 24 | Blood type O+ | 161cm | 48kg

“Er—what?”

Her gaze flitted back towards the woman, and it dawned upon her that this was no way to behave herself at work. She cleared her throat and put a cool facade back on, internally scolding herself for the slip-up. “My apologies,” Diana stood to offer a handshake, “there was a woman at the crosswalk some days ago, I may have mistaken you for—”

“You’re the pretty blonde chick!”

Atsuko-Kagari-With-Red-Eyes-and-Blood-Type-O+ had a finger pointed towards Diana and a slack-jawed look of recognition.

“Excuse me?” Diana snapped.

Her patient visibly cringed. “Shit. Not going to repeat that—doesn’t mean I don’t mean it! It’s just my mouth spews out crap before I really think about it and—anyway—what I’m trying to say is I think I messed my knee up pretty bad.”

Diana crossed her arms, choosing not to react because this woman just made her cycle through three different emotions within fifteen seconds. The best defense was a statement of facts, “so you were the one who shoved me in the middle of the road.”

“Yeah,” the other woman grinned sheepishly, looking away while she scratched at the back of her head. “Sorry about that. Was late to class.”

“Interesting.” Diana raised an eyebrow, “and your knee?”

“Biking accident.”

She relented, choosing to let the circumstances of their first meeting slide in favor of the automaticity of a check-up. Barbara had taken care of the preliminaries—blood pressure, vital signs, and other pertinent information.

“Tell me what happened.”

She directed the brunette towards a nearby stool while she fetched a pair of rubber gloves and pulled the lamp closer. ‘Atsuko’ recounted yesterday’s events in a jumbled run-on sentence and Diana felt her exasperation grow because the brunette simply couldn’t stay still.

“Stop fidgeting.”

“But it tickles!”

To her frustration, Atsuko just kept squirming. Diana held the other woman’s knee steady with a gloved hand, brows knitting together in thought while she scrutinized the injury. The surrounding area was red and seemed a bit swollen. She gently put pressure around the abrasion—

“Ouch!”

“Tenderness and pain,” she mumbled. “It’s infected.” Early stages; no pus or liquid discharge.

“So what do I need to do?”

“First off—why did you let it get to this? You should have come in yesterday.”

“You aren’t the first to tell me,” Atsuko groaned, crossing her arms. “But I would have been late to class.”

“Again.”

“Would have been,” the brunette emphasized, shooting a challenging glare to her direction. “And I wasn’t, for the record.”

“Lovely. Will a pat on the back suffice?”

Atsuko frowned, her lip jutting out in a pout, “I don’t need your approval!”

“While this is true, I believe that running around town—constantly late for class—is no way for a college student in Luna Nova to behave.”

“I’m a graduate student,” the brunette huffed.

Diana raised an eyebrow. “Then even more so. You’re already at the professional level, Atsuko.”

“Akko.”

The physician tilted her head in inquiry.

“It’s my nickname.” ‘Akko’ rubbed at the sides of her head. “Calling me ‘Atsuko’ in that nagging voice of yours is reminding me of my mother and giving me headache.”

“Well, Atusko,” Diana said pointedly, “perhaps I should just include an aspirin in your prescription.”

She pulled out her pen in a sharp motion that signaled the end of their conversation and scribbled something onto a prescription pad. She tore off of the leaf of paper and held it out towards her patient, who had snatched it up and was now inspecting it with those big, curiously red eyes.

Those same red eyes which were now narrowed in thought. “I’m not even going to pretend to know what these are.”

Diana almost chuckled. Almost. “Fucidic acid—it’s a topical anti-bacterial. Apply it twice a day for a week after thorough washing, and then dress your wound according to the instructions I’ve written. If the wound begins to close and there’s still pain or swelling, you’ll have to come back and I might need to give you oral antibiotics.”

“Right,” her patient dutifully nodded.

“If there’s pus, or if it becomes watery you need to come back immediately. May I ask where you’re staying?”

“Why?”

The blonde rolled her eyes. “So I know which pharmacy to refer you to. The nearest is along Orion Street.”

“Oh—that’s on the way home!”

“Good. The attending pharmacist is a good friend—”

“Glad to know you actually have those,” she mumbled.

“—named Ms. England.” Diana punctuated, purposefully ignoring the jab.

“Her surname is seriously England?”

“Yes.”

It looked like she was trying her hardest not to snicker but— “we’re in England.”

It must have been her hundredth eyeroll, but Diana did it anyway.

“It’s like… if my surname was Japan,” she giggled.

“Anyway,” Diana interjected, “there will also be no biking until the abrasion heals”

“But—”

“No buts. The wound will open—you’ll just be susceptible to infection all over again.”

“Mou,” she pouted. It was rather disarming. “Fine.”

Diana heard the front door’s bell ring. Her two o’clock appointment was on the dot. Unlike ‘Akko’, she noted with a mixture of annoyance and… something.

“Well,” the brunette blurted out, spirits evidently dampened. “Thanks. I’ll just head out to the reception for my due.”

The blonde nodded, wordlessly allowing Atusko to collect her things.

“Atusko Kagari,” Diana muttered to herself once the woman in question was out of earshot. She leaned back into her leather office chair. “Akko.” What a peculiar woman. They were roughly the same age, with Diana being older by a little over a year, but there was a glaring difference in maturity. And an over-abundance in child-like glee. Which isn’t inherently a bad thing, she hummed. It was… rather refreshing. She deduced that her patient was likely new in town.

“You?!”

The sudden shouting jerked her up in her seat. She leaned forward to get a view through the opened office door and saw that new arrival’s usual scowl was a little deeper today. The lilac-haired woman had an accusatory finger pointed towards none other than Atsuko Kagari.

“You’re the crazy-ass woman who vaulted over my equipment a few days ago!”

“You were the weird-looking computer lady!” the brunette gasped. Then she squinted, rubbing at her chin in thought, “…though I swear I’ve seen you somewhere else before.”

“Did you just call me weird!?” the woman in glasses glowered.

“Holy shit,” Akko gaped.

“You two know each other?” Barbara, who was watching from behind the front desk, looked like she was about to burst a nerve from all the yelling.

“Aren’t you my Physics professor?!”

“If you attend the five-thirty on Thursdays, then yes.”

“How do you not recognize me?” Akko flailed her arms. “There were like, eight of us.”

“Because I don’t give a fuck,” the bespectacled woman grunted. “My job is to teach and give you tests, not hold hands and make friends.”

“But you’re supposed to be a mentor to look up to!” Akko whined, and Diana was amazed at how she didn’t seem to care that this woman was apparently her professor and that she already had two strikes against her before their second meeting in class.

“What are you?” the older woman scoffed. “In elementary school?”

“Why does everyone keep talking to me like a kid!” the brunette cried indignantly, slamming her payment onto the front desk without bothering with the receipt. She dramatically stomped out of the clinic, and the three other women could only watch in bewilderment.

“That girl is going to give me an aneurism,” Barbara blinked.

“Or a heart attack,” her latest patient agreed. The woman let herself into Diana’s office, lazily falling into the vacant chair with her arms crossed.

“Good afternoon, professor.” Diana picked up her stethoscope—this one was a pulmonary case. “Have you been considering your options for cardio exercise? Perhaps light jogging to build lung stamina?”

The woman shuddered, “can’t I just rely on my inhaler forever?”

Diana sighed, clicking at her pen before looking down to review the patient record. This time, it was a regular.

Dr. Croix Meridies F | 35 | Blood type AB- | 172cm | 57kg Instructor: Department of Engineering & Actuarial Sciences, LNU — Asthma & Misc. Pulmonary Complications

One difficult patient after another, she supposed.

Hey guys! I just need to clarify that I'm not a medical person so I really just tried to wing the technicalities of this! [Thank you Google and WebMD - but please don't self-medicate using Google or WebMD!!!!!!!!!!]

Thank you to everyone who commented on the first chapter! Your response to it really got me up and writing and smiling silly! Anyway I hope u enjoy ehehehe

@ tumblr ask people: I am so sorry for neglecting the ask requests pls 4give me I will get around to all them [like--6 or 7ish left?] sometime!

#Diakko #Dianakko #Diana Cavendish #Akko Kagari #Little Witch Academia #Fanfic #AU #College AU #LWA Diana #LWA Akko #Charoix #Chariox #LWA #yuri

60 notes · View notes

choco-glow · 3 years

Text

Dance With Me Pt. 5

The air raid siren was a hell of a wake-up call, and Tifa rolled out of bed wide-eyed, confused, and worried…and felt a lump in her throat when Cid did the same thing, growling under his breath. She shot him a glance and he jerked his head towards the rocket, throwing on jeans and a tee shirt heedless of her blushing company and shoving his feet into his boots, grabbing up the spear. He pulled her into a gentle kiss though, blue eyes worried.

“Shin-Ra.” He growled out before darting out the door, and Tifa ran to the bathroom, shucking off her night clothes and pulling on her clean gear, glad she’d thought to bring up her gauntlets and boots herself the night before. She was the second to hit the stairs, right behind Cid, with Cloud, Barret, Vincent, Yuffie, and a sleepy Aerith trailing behind. Red simply grabbed Cait Sith in his mouth and leapt down to the first floor, and Cloud led the charge towards the rocket out Cid’s back door. Tifa’s heart was pounding in her throat as they fought the crowds of tourists and techs, panicking as they fled whatever horrible things Shin-Ra had brought to bear on their wayward outpost.

Cid’s roar of anger was the first sign that all was not well, and Cloud wordlessly turned on his heel, running backwards now and reached out a hand to offer her a boost; she took his arm without a second thought, both of them the strongest aerial fighters, and he swept her up, turning and leaping for the launch center roof. He let her go at the midpoint of their arc; he landed hard, while she turned her fall into a blur of somersaults, eyes closed to the centrifugal forces and hit the roof feet first in a run. They’d practiced the move in Midgar dozens of times, both in private at the quarry and in their own battles with Shin-Ra, and when they hit the edge of the roof, Tifa bit back her scream of worry; Cid had said he could fight...

She hadn’t met Palmer yet, of the Shin-Ra heads; Cloud had, however, and he growled, blue eyes glowing even in the dawn light, pointing to the gun in Palmer’s hands. Below them, Cid was fending off a trio of the lower level Turks, swinging his spear in a whirlwind over his head before bringing it down before him, still spinning it as a shield to knock them back. Their electrostaves and batons were no match for the ancient weapon, and with a graceful twirl, Cid knocked out one, slammed the second into a dumpster, and stunned the third one with a well-placed blow to the stomach…

And then Palmer fired his weapon.

A burst of electrical energy, glowing yellow from a powerful Thundara materia, arced out of the weapon and caught Cid’s spear; too late, he tried to let go and let out a howl of agony as he shuddered and shook with the electrical shocks, dropping to his knees and falling back, clearly stunned. Tifa glanced at Cloud, her heart frozen, and he snarled, giving her the gesture she’d been hoping for.

They both leapt off the roof together, and Cloud swung the flat of the blade forward as he leapt a moment after her, catching Tifa’s boots and giving her the boost she needed to perform a full divekick, one of her more powerful moves that they’d already perfected on this journey. She slammed into Palmer, bouncing off the portly director as she sent him flying into the debris at the base of the rocket, and landed next to Cid, gauntlets up and glowing with her golden Chakra materia, while Cid shot her a weak grin and Palmer hissed, picking himself up with a shake. Tifa glared him down, and Cloud landed on Cid’s other side, growling as he helped the Captain up.

“What’s going on here, Captain?” He snapped out, his anger barely contained at Palmer, and Cid twirled his spear, wincing a little as he settled back into a fighting stance. Tifa watched him out of the corner of her eye, worry melting into relief; he was angry, and definitely hurting, but he was going to be okay. and she tried to calm the fluttery feeling in her stomach. Not right now, butterflies, we have a fight ahead of us.

“This lil’ fuck’s tryin’ ta steal my goddamn plane, is what’s goin’ on here.” Cid rasped out, and Palmer gave a hideous little giggle, gesturing widely with the large materia gun in his hand. It was definitely a new design, something Scarlet’s researchers had created, and Tifa resolved to try and get it off him; Vincent had his enormous Cerberus handgun, but the sniper needed better gear, and if they could use this against Shin-Ra…

“It’s too good for the likes of you, Windbag! You know you owe everything to the President! Especially the new President; Rufus Shinra wants results, and even when we got you the metals you needed to rebuild that airship…you couldn’t even manage to get it fully operation. Now…hand over the plane like a good little stooge and we’ll let you keep your rocket. Hell, we might just get you that fuel stipend you’ve been begging for!” He burst into high-pitched laughter, and Tifa bit her lip against swearing at him, glancing at Cid…and the agony in Cid’s eyes was enough to make her heart ache. He looked like a man torn between two worlds

Cid glanced up at his rocket, his dreams…then his glance fell on his plane, and Tifa could see that though the rocket was his lifelong dream…the Bronco was his freedom. Barret had tried to buy it off Cid the night before, and Cid had simply smiled and with the foulest words imaginable, told Barret exactly where to shove his offer. He wanted to do that to Palmer too, Tifa could read it in the set of his jaw, and for a long moment, she was afraid he’d choose one or the other…but his eyes darkened with rage, and he took up his fighting stance, spear at the ready.

“Fuck off, Palmer, you ain’t takin’ shit from me, or from this town. I’ll get that rocket up in th’ stars my own damn way, fuck you and fuck Shin-Ra. I’m done with you motherfuckers forever. Now get th’ fuck outta my town, ya cowardly yella bastard.” He snarled out, and Palmer’s giggles stopped, eyes narrowing over his florid nose.

“Wrong answer, Windbag.” He brought the gun up fast, too fast for Cloud to deflect it, but Tifa was there, Aerora and her gauntlets dispelling the flames of a powerful Fira casting, and glancing over her shoulder, she was shocked to see Cid…gone. No…not gone; airborne. Cid came screaming back down out of the sky not a moment later, spear slamming into the earth just after Palmer leapt back, squawking, and as two more Turks ran up to fight, Tifa leapt up to one of the support struts and slammed into one Turk with another divekick, Cloud a whirlwind of blades with the second, while Palmer was swearing and sputtering over his gun, working on a second spellcasting.

As Cid prepped to go airborne again, he let out a sharp whistle to her, holding out his hand, and Tifa bounced into his arm as she deflected the Turk’s baton, heart leaping as he wrapped his arm around her waist and leapt. For a moment, the world fell away and Cid’s lips were on her cheek, then on hers as she turned to face him. The kiss was searing, as bright as the sun, and he grinned a little when they pulled apart, nearly to the apex of his leap.

“Can I have this dance, darlin’?” She grinned back, laughter bubbling up out of her, and he spun her around, again and again, a flick of his boots controlling their descent now, her hair tossing out in a wide arc as they gauged the fall together. Cid’s hand held hers tight as they picked up speed, and they twirled together, the very winds themselves making music as they neared their landing. Cid angled the spear just so, and Tifa clutched the handle with him, bracing her boots next to his, and when they slammed into the ground, she executed a backwards somersault kick that took out the Turk in an instant, and the impact knocked Palmer into the roadway, the gun thrown far enough that he couldn’t reach.

The gun itself began to shake and rattle, and another electrical blast, this one larger than before, pulsed out of the now broken weapon and slammed into a large truck. The whole vehicle came alive with the excess energy, and fired up, picking up speed fast as it barreled down the road now. Cloud cut down the second Turk with a swear, and Tifa, heart pounding, grabbed Cid and pointed to the Bronco, screaming at Cloud.

“INTO THE PLANE!” For once, he didn’t question her, and the three of them piled into the tiny cab, Cid swearing as his hands flew over the controls, and they started rolling with a jolt, just in front of the truck’s path. Palmer went down with a squeal behind them, but Tifa didn’t care; she clung to Cid’s shoulders and squeezed herself in behind his seat, praying they’d make it out to sea, at least…and then they were airborne.

To say it was an experience was massively understating it; martial artist though Tifa was, she’d never actually flown anywhere, and as the rolling grasses faded into sandy beach, then bright blue sea, she stared below them, eyes huge. Cid let out a whoop as they cleared the tide, and Tifa closed her eyes, tucking her head into his shoulder, breathing easy now…

When Cloud snarled out a swear and something impacted the side of the Bronco. Cid was all rage all over again as he guided them into the sea, Tifa’s stomach dropping sickeningly at the fall. They landed hard, but not so badly that they were sunk; shakily, Tifa glanced over the side of the plane, and blinked as sturdy pontoons dropped from the body of the plane, the battered wheels spinning weakly in the clear waters.

“Well, fuck.” Cid muttered, taking out his battered pack of smokes and lighting one up.

“Highwind, please tell me we’re able to get back to the mainland.” Cloud growled, and Cid sighed, reaching his free hand up to stroke Tifa’s arm where it was still around his shoulders, giving her a soft squeeze that she returned, shaking all over still from the fear and the adrenaline.

“Hold yer horses, Strife. Yeah, we can get back ta th’ town, but my plane’s wrecked; she ain’t flyin’ nowhere now. She can float, but that’s about all. Lemme get th’ prop restarted.” He finished his cigarette in record time, and hauled himself out of the seat, turning to face Tifa. “Tifa, hon, can you hit the gas when I say? Not to th’ floor, just halfway.” He held out his hand to help her into the seat, and she gave a weak smile, nodding.

“Of course, this pedal here?”

“That’s the one, darlin’. Thank you.” His kiss was as warm as before, and Tifa melted into it, surprised that Cloud wasn’t glaring at him…in fact, glancing over her shoulder, she realized he was looking out to sea, giving them a little privacy. With care, she settled in the seat, foot on the gas, and Cid carefully laid down on the upper wing of the plane, one hand on the propeller. “Alrighty, Tifa, on the count of three. One…Two…Three!” He pulled hard on the prop, and she put her foot down just halfway, like he’d asked…and the little engine roared back to life. Cid rolled back over to the cab, and settled behind her, leaning over the back of the seat to help her learn how to steer the handle.

With his careful coaching, Tifa guided the Bronco back to the beach, where the rest of AVALANCHE was waiting, anxious and worried, and as they pulled up the sands, Cid showed her the switch that killed the engine, then leapt down and trudged through the wet sand to grab something off the side of the plane…that something was an honest to god anchor, which he hauled halfway up the beach and dropped, waving for Cloud and Tifa to follow. Tifa was first out of the plane, Cloud right behind her, and as she headed up the beach, it was Cid she looked to first, still so worried about the repercussions of his beloved plane being trashed…but he just gave her a smile, warm and sweet as he leaned on his spear…His next words might have been for Barret, but his eyes never left Tifa’s, and her heart sang.

“Well then, Wallace, looks like you jus’ got a new member o’ th’ team.”

#FFVII #FFVIIR #Final Fantasy VII #Final Fantasy VII Remake #Tifa Lockhart #Cid Highwind #Cifa #Tifa/Cid #Cloud Strife #palmer #materia gun #Tifa's bamf attacks #wanted to go more indepth with her fighting style #but I felt this was pretty accurate.

0 notes

nicos-rp-auwriting · 7 years

Text

I count the minutes but I don't know why {video journal of Jordan Henley - October 31st}

“Well here we are!” The camera takes a second to readjust its focus as Jordan moves away from it, their bright red hair clashing against painted blue skin. There are drawn on stitches stretching up from the corners of their mouth, and although it's rough, it also doesn't look half bad. There's a large smile on their face as they shift between practically bouncing in their seat and trying to settle for the camera. “It's Halloween! A few of us got a party later tonight, and it'll be good way to kick off the weekend. Plus, people've been talkin', and 'parently Evan's managed to get some booze, so there's that.” Their grin only grows wider, and the black stitches start to crack.

“So last week ya challenged me to talk about some stuff I loved, Doc. And since it's my favorite holiday, I figure it wouldn't be too dumb ta talk about spooky stuff.” There's a bit of a pause, and Jordan moves off camera for a second, returning with a large bag. “So, I dunno 'bout other people, but I figure everyone's gotta have some things they believe in even if it sounds dumb. Superstitions, ya know? Like... Like passin' by a black cat, or four leaf clovers, or breaking a mirror.” They rustle through the bag a bit, pulling out various objects and placing them on the desk. One by one, each is discussed. Jack-o-lanterns and apple pie, broken mirrors and witches hats, nothing even tangentially related to Halloween is safe. It's not until they get cut off by a yell from somewhere else in the house that they stop. Jordan's eyes go comically wide as they realize what time it is. “Alright Doc, I'll haveta pick this up tomorrow! Gotta jet to my party!”

–

“Raz, remind me again why we gotta do this?” Jordan aims down the sight of their gun, finger hovering just above the trigger. Normally this would be easy, but normally they weren't wearing a giant paper tiger head over their helmet. It wasn't the optimal situation, sure, but hey. At least they looked good. “Cayde says that he will be giving candy out to Guardians who kill enough Hive while wearing this particular mask. If you would prefer, Zavala is offering candy to anyone who is willing to form a strike team while wearing the Speaker mask.” There's a long pause as they consider that. Is it really heresy if the Speaker wasn't mad about it? The thought didn't last long. Jordan caught sight of other Guardians running around down below, and they realized if they wanted any chance of getting kills they would have to get into the thick of it. It wasn't like there was a shortage of Hive on the Moon. Besides, they thought they recognized the two who just ran by. A quick switch to a sniper and a closer look confirms what they already suspected.

“Hailing Io'Ilithe'canthi'tessa'ranaris'alum'eno'afi.” The name comes out smooth, and Jordan is proud for a moment. It had taken practice, but eventually they’d managed to say it in one breath without stuttering or tripping over parts. “I see you are also working on getting candy from Cayde.”

“As well as from Eva, yes.” It’s Athena who responds, and Jordan is a little grateful for that. They’re not quite sure what to make of the Awoken on the whole, yet - ever one they’ve met seems keen on making them turn as red as their hair. At least the Exo they’ve met have all been nice enough. Polite enough, Cayde notwithstanding. “Do you wish to join us?”

“The more the merrier, after all.” The Awoken’s response almost sounded off, and it gave Jordan pause. But the invitation had been extended, and they weren’t keen on doing this alone.

“Well, don’t mind if I do. Far more fun to celebrate with others. And maybe after this, I buy us all a round or two back in the City.”

#c: Jordan Henley #Video Journal of Jordan Henley #jordan henley #destiny fic #my destiny guardians #destiny guardians

1 note · View note

inkribbon796 · 3 years

Text

Like a House of Cards Ch. 6: A Family of Eggshells

Summary: There’s precious little time remaining, and the city is set to change forever.

Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

It had all happened so fast for them. One moment they were all enjoying their time on the ship, and then the Host had come in to whisk them away because one of the Suits was coming to attack them. Of course, he hadn’t said that to Dark, but as they were waiting in the hallway the person that came around the corner wasn’t a hitman in a dark suit. It was Chase Brody, without a mask,

“Look Average, get out of the way, one of the Suits is coming down here,” King called out.

“The Host’s brothers and sister are mistaken, that is Clubs,” the Host corrected.

“Nah, can’t be right, he doesn’t actually use real guns, an’ Clubs’s killed like, a lot ‘a people,”[1] Yancy argued.

Illinois moved to start placing magical barriers, because if the Host said that was a Suit, Illinois was going to believe him.

“Illinois,” Brody called out, “did the Host tell yeh[2] why I’m here? I bet he didn’t.”

“Illinois should not listen to Brody,” the Host ordered.

“Why, ‘cause[3] we’re on the same side?” Brody sounded pissed. “Cause yeh’ve been lyin’ to him fer weeks? ‘Cause yeh ne’er cared about Dark.”[4]

“Brody has spoken a bold-faced lie!” the Host shouted. “Brody wants to kill the Madman and the Host is trying to prevent it.”

“He can’t die,” Brody dismissed. “All I’m gonna do is shoot him once an’ let him just fook off. I don’t know why yeh put us through this shite when yeh could’a just left us alone.”[5]

Just then the dome was shaken by the first hit from Logan’s robot. The walls flicked in and out of existence for a second and in that brief moment, Brody slipped through the wall.

He raced through the dining area and pulled a gun on Wilford and pulled the trigger, the magical round strike exactly where the very angry sniper had meant to hit: the left temple. Wil’s magic counteracting most of the blow, a light bruise and some blood from gazed skin would be all he would suffer from this wound.

But the dome cracked one final time and Brody raced for Dark who was braced with magic to attack. The dome snapped back to a smaller size and trapped Dark and the Suit inside.

Illinois took a second to realize what had happened, and raced over. He spared a glance to Wil who was grumbling as he picked himself up and motioned for Illinois to go on. So Illinois raced to the barrier and threw as much magic and physical force at the dome but it held much stronger than when the dome was larger.

“No!” Illinois screamed, trying to force a way in. “Come on, open.”

“Here, let me,” Wil tried to pick himself up and try to break down the dome but it refused to give. “Fiesty little bugger, ain’tcha[6]?”

“There is little point when the Anomaly isn’t done yet,” the Host walked up. “Clubs isn’t going to kill or hurt the Entity. They’re in fact in the single most protected spot in the city, at the moment.”

“Yeah, but we need to get him out,” Illinois told the Host.

The Host frowned, “Of course the Host and his family do but they need enough aura and the Host will have to get Marvin and Nate to help with that. If he could find a couple of the Sides that would help.”

“That was Clubs, what does he actually want?” Illinois demanded. “Bullshit time is over.”

“Clubs . . . he . . . Brody,” the Host began, trying to find a way to calm Illinois without making the situation worse.

“Host, this isn’t the time to be cryptic,” Illinois demanded. “What does he want?”

“Clubs wants Dark to be safe and to have vengeance for the Entity’s sake in equal measure,” Host forced himself to say.

“Well then this seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding then,” Wil huffed out. “Maybe we could talk to him then.”

“Brody is not interested in talking anymore,” the Host said.

Wil shrugged, and pulled out a gun out of thin air, “Oh well, we tried.”

“What does he want with the Ol’[7] Man then?” Yancy asked, and he looked around and saw the beanstalk shooting up into the sky. “The fook[8] is that?”

“Not our concern right now,” Illinois dismissed. “What does he want with Dark?”

“The Host already told Illinois,” the Host tried to evade.

“You’re being vague,” Illinois grumbled. “What does Clubs want and why does he look like Bro Average?”

“Because it is him,” the Host answered quietly.

Illinois glared at the Host in suspicion before looking at the dome, “Why is he so interested in him then?”

“Because in fifteen minutes Illinois and his siblings will lose one father and the other will grow distant in grief, and the Host has been desperately trying to prevent it. After the Madman dies, Brody and the Entity will—”

Illinois stormed off, wanting to get away from the situation, mostly because his mind couldn’t wrap itself around what the Host had told him.

Eric followed him over, Bim close on his heels. The rest of their family followed much slower, at least trying to pretend to give Illinois some privacy of thought.

When Eric and Bim finally caught up to him, Illinois was sitting on a pile of rubble. Eric came to sit down next to him, looking nervous. “Want to talk?”

“I just,” Illinois faltered, taking a deep breath. “I never thought about the possibility of there being another man in his life. They’ve always been together.”

“Maybe the old man got sick of Dad, he’s such a fucking hardass,” Bim thought out loud.

The adventurer turned to glare at his adopted brother, getting back on his feet, “Maybe it had less to do with the fact that Dark somehow betrayed Wil, and more to do with the fact that your dad is a cheating bastard who fucks everything that moves.”

“My dad?” Bim huffed in a rage.

“Now boys, there’s no need to—” Wil tried to cut in, but he was promptly ignored as he was walking up.

“Yes, your dad,” Illinois spat back, starting to get angrier. “Because maybe that fucker’s wrong, or maybe the rest of you actually don’t care because I spent fifteen damn, fucking years reversing whatever shit you managed to do in your first five.”

“Ex-fucking-cuse you?” Bim spat, his eyes going wild with anger, aura curling around him. “I didn’t do anything.”

“He never wanted any of us calling him dad, after five years of spending time with you. I kinda get it.” Illinois accused. “You had to have done something!”

“Guys, stop it,” Yan begged.

“Come on, we’s shouldn’t be fightin’,”[9] Yancy pushed his way in-between them.

“Get out of the way, Yanc,” Illinois shouted, pulling his lucky coin out of his pocket.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be placing the blame on me, I was never good enough!” Bim argued back. “He had to replace me with you!”

“I shouldn’t have had to replace you if you were a better fucking person!” Illinois shouted.

“Fuck,” King was just watching, trying to stay quiet before his brothers turned on him.

“Enough!” The Host shouted, his aura yanking Bim and Illinois apart.

“Boys, boys,” Wil moved in. “There’s no need for this, your father and I love all of you the same.”

“Not true, Illinois is the favorite,” Bim spat.

“I’m not the favorite, you are,” Illinois spat back.

“The Host said STOP!” The Host demanded, concentrating. “Now if Bim and Illinois are done airing their family’s dirty laundry where anyone can hear, there’s precious time and the hunters are closing in.”

“Fuck,” Illinois growled and most of the group headed back to the dome while King and Host went to go and find Marvin and Nate to help pop the barrier.

Dark woke up slowly, like being roused from a deep sleep. Groaning, Dark looked around to see he was in a bedroom, in a bed that wasn’t his and a home that wasn’t the Manor. Quickly Dark got out of bed and found he was still in his white suit. Which he found he appreciated a lot more the more he thought about it.

When he got to the door he opened it easily with his aura. There was no lock or barrier of any kind. And there was the sharp smell of bacon coming down from the hallway.

The only other doors he found were off to the side of the bedroom he’d been in that lead to a full walk in closest that contained all types of suits and clothes. In the hallway that was a bedroom with a bunk bed and a mass of clothes and toys strewn about inside. There was a hallway closet, an immaculately kept office that Dark found that he wouldn’t have designed the placement and decorations of any better if he had tried, and a hallway bathroom.

Following the scent of home cooked breakfast and bacon, Dark saw Brody standing in the kitchen. The hitman turned around and smiled at the Entity.

“Finally awake?” Brody smiled. “Good, I was a little worried.”

He separated out food and coffee onto two spots of the table, seated for four. As Dark watched from a cautious distance.

“I figured yeh didn’t trust me enough ta eat anythin’ I made, but I made some fer yeh anyways,”[10] Brody offered. “I got yer[11] coffee, just the way yeh[2] like it.”

“You’re right,” Dark scoffed, looking around. “I’m not going to take or eat anything you give me.”

Chase gave a wry, amused chuckle, sipping on his coffee. “I figured.”

Dark looked at the three shoes by the door, one pair of adult sized boots, and two pairs of black and white child-sized shoes. They were such small shoes, judging by the size the children who wore them couldn’t be any older than three or four. A nostalgic pang hit Dark as he remembered when Bim had been that small. It had been an incredibly difficult time in his life, but he didn’t regret a second of it.

“What do you want?” Dark demanded.

“I already have what I want,” Brody smiled as he sat back in his chair. “Yer in here safe, an’ in about fifteen minutes the barrier will dissipate on its own an’ yeh’ll be free ta go. In fact, I’m not e’en keepin’ yeh here. Host just turned on the Anomaly an’ we’re stuck here until it pops again. So I figured we should kick back an’ relax until it does.”[12]

Dark shielded himself in his aura and looked around the place. It seemed like a cozy home. There was a box full of toys in the living room, more evidence that the children who lived here were on the young and small side. “Who’s house is this?”

“Legally my name’s on all the papers,” Brody told him. “I live here with my family. It’s a nice place, not too big, not too small. The boys love it.”

“Yes, I saw the toys,” Dark tried stalling for time as he spread what aura he could spare from shielding himself to investigate the place. The front door wouldn’t budge, it was like it was a painting on a wall rather than functional . . . as were the windows and the back door. “And the shoes.”

“Oh yeah,” Brody hummed, he was staring at Dark.

Which was weird because there was no malice in the state and he’d taken great pains to make himself as comfortable in the kitchen chair as possible, so if he struck then Dark would have more than enough time to counter.

“Just tell me what you actually want,” Dark huffed out, unused to such singular attention. “Is it information?”

“I just want ta[13] spend time with yeh[2],” Brody frowned, “an’ I already told yeh, I don’t want any money or anythin’ like that.”[14]

Then his smile came back, “Besides, there’s nothin’ about yeh that I don’t already know. I know about Marc an’ about the fact that he an’ his whole family stole e’erythin’ from yeh. I know about what a shitebag yer ex was. I e’en know that there’s this lovely spot behind yer ear that yeh—”[15]

“Enough,” Dark spat, a dark grey-purple blush spreading across his face. “I do not appreciate being made fun of. Why keep me here if you didn’t want something? Everyone wants something.”

Brody waved his hand in dismissal, “That right there is our problem, but soon it won’t be a problem. The barrier will collapse an’ yeh’ll be free ta go about yer day. An’ I’ll be here, waitin’ fer yeh if yeh need anythin’ from me.”[16]

The house seemed to shake as an incessant pounding attacked the door. The protective dome around them shaking. With a couple shakes, the coffee mug intended for Dark rattled and fell off the table, shattering on the floor in a mess of lukewarm coffee and broken ceramic.

“Fook,”[8] Chase grumbled and ran to the door to throw his weight and aura at it to try and keep it closed. “Fook[8] off, Host.”

The house flickered twice and the tentative magic snapped. Brody saw four sources of magic pointed right at him: Nate, Marvin, the Host, and Illinois.

Their combined magic knocked Brody to the side.

“Darky!” Wilford rushed over as Dark saw in the distance the hunters start to converge on their location, finally getting through the destroyed parts of the city.

The Guildmaster and Dark took one look at each other in the chaos of the commotion around them. She took as much magic as she could collect, having saved up as much strength and aid from the myriad of magical items and trinkets she had collected over the weeks and months while the Suits — Spade in particular — had attacked her hunters and fired it at Clubs first but as he was removed Dark was still in the path of destruction. Which wasn’t a trade off she was lamenting.

And then Wilford cut right in front of Dark, trying to see if he was okay.

In an act of panic, born from the months he’d been on edge with the Suits, Dark threw a portal in front of him and Wilford unwittingly stepped through it. The portal took him several feet to the right and the Entity was hit by the full might of the single strongest attack he had ever felt in the hundreds of years of the demon’s existence.

The strike cut through the aura that he tried to gather up to shield himself, it hit Damien first whose soul was in the front. Celine screamed inside their shared mind . . . and the body flickered briefly to the much smaller and weaker being that had once inhabited it before the combined force of the Entity had pushed them out.

Toppling backwards, Dark blacked out and fell to the ground. The body’s form flicking dangerously between all of their appearances as Dark’s souls were starting to crack and break at the seams.

And Dark’s souls weren’t the only ones screaming.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Accessibility Translations

1. Nah, can’t be right, he doesn’t actually use real guns, and Clubs has killed like, a lot of people,

2. you

3. because

4. Because you’ve been lying to him for weeks? Because you never cared about Dark.

5. All I’m going to do is shoot him once and let him just fuck off. I don’t know why you put us through this shit when you could have just left us alone.

6. aren’t you?

7. Old

8. fuck

9. Come on, we shouldn’t be fighting

10. I figured you didn’t trust me enough to eat anything I made, but I made some for you anyways

11. your

12. You’re in here safe, and in about fifteen minutes the barrier will dissipate on its own and you’ll be free to go. In fact, I’m not even keeping you here. Host just turned on the Anomaly and we’re stuck here until it pops again. So I figured we should kick back and relax until it does.

13. to

14. and I already told you, I don’t want any money or anything like that.

15. Besides, there’s nothing about you that I don’t already know. I know about Marc and about the fact that he and his whole family stole everything from you. I know about what a shitbag your ex was. I even know that there’s this lovely spot behind your ear that you—

16. That right there is our problem, but soon it won’t be a problem. The barrier will collapse and you will be free to go about your day. And I’ll be here, waiting for you if you need anything from me.

2 notes · View notes