#but for others its red. death glare. hes gonna make them regret upsetting him so much around you

[ratcandy]

Subcon Forest Analysis

Hi everyone I'm here to spill my aggressive overflowing thoughts on Subcon Forest and what it represents because it's been driving me insane since I finished the Sleepy Subcon time rift. Okay let's go. Obvious spoilers for AHIT ahead so proceed with caution.

This is also very, very long.

Disclaimer/warning: I will be discussing abusive/unhealthy relationships in this analysis. I mean. Vanessa. Come on. Also, there is a section on the nooses, and that delves, of course, into mentions of suicide. It will be sectioned off and easily skipped, but if you'd rather be safe and skip the entire post, that's completely understandable! Please stay safe. <3

Alright. Main point to be had here:

Subcon Forest is a giant extended metaphor for Snatcher's mind and character.

You all get to now listen to me spout nonsense about metaphors and symbolism because I'm a sucker for analysis and I'm given an opportunity to go ham. So perish.

The Ice

Let's start with the most obvious and most glaring thing in Subcon. The ice. It's everywhere. Not just outside Vanessa's manor, either; no, it's throughout the village, too. Shows up in the well and in random locations sprinkled about. When it comes to literal plot, we know that ice is just what lingers after Vanessa's wintery curse on Subcon. But going deeper and analyzing the meaning behind it?

Well, let's look at this from the perspective I've suggested. Subcon Forest being an extended metaphor for Snatcher's mind and character. A symbol for Vanessa then litters his mind, enough where it's certainly noticeable at first but blends in more easily once more of Subcon is unlocked to Hat Kid. This is clearly meant to be his lingering trauma, whether or not he wants to acknowledge it. Which he doesn't, as he never mentions it directly in his forest (that I can recall). Her influence plagues him, as to be expected with the traumatic experiences he went through with her. Breaking the ice is something Hat Kid must do in order to fulfill the wishes of the Fire Spirits (another subject I'll get into shortly), which, if self-indulgently playing with the found family idea, could mean that Hat Kid is helping him heal; if indirectly. Even if fulfilling the Fire Spirits' wish to die is... counterproductive, in that measure, which I'm now getting ahead of myself so hold on a sec!!

Vanessa. Ice. Everywhere. Traces of it all over his forest. That's the effects of an abusive relationship! Especially in a worst-case scenario where... yknow! One party in the relationship dies! So of course ice would be everywhere.

In and of itself, ice is a common symbol in literature and other forms of media. In this case, it's presented as an antagonistic force; emphasis is placed upon freezing and the harm that comes with it. The cold is unwelcoming, threatening, merciless. Snow can act as an insulating force, at least, but ice cannot. It can only make things colder.

A slight stretch: Seeing as this game deals a lot with time shenaniganry, I'm not sure if it'd be too out of left field to connect "freezing" with the theme of time. Yknow. Frozen in time. Both parties here, Snatcher and Vanessa, would be in this frozen state. One largely repressing it and never fully moving on, and the other doomed to her isolation ever since the event in question. They never moved past that moment after the Prince and florist's interaction.

The Fire Spirits (& the Portraits)

I'll put a slight warning here for suicidal ideation, if only because... it's the Fire Spirits we're talking about. It's not as grossly in-detail as the noose discussion will be, though, so make of that what you will.

To me, the Fire Spirits are a very interesting case. After all, they're fire. They're a direct contrast to the ice, thus being the only thing we're shown that could potentially melt it. The Fire Spirits, in my opinion, represent hope or a strength to continue. A strength to move on after troubles of the past.

...And that hope wants to die.

The Fire Spirits wish to burn out, to leave this mortal coil and abandon the forest to the cold. They make no effort to melt the ice, they simply dance, blissfully ignorant towards their surroundings. This being a metaphor for Snatcher's own hope for moving on is made all the more obvious by the fact he wants them gone. The first contract is to kill the Fire Spirits, to kill the hope. Perhaps he believes that sort of thing to be fruitless or naïve, so it only clutters his mind or has him foolishly optimistic at points. So, get rid of it. And the hope is happy to oblige.

(That, or their willingness to leave the forest to its own suffering and not aid in the ice's thaw angers him. Besides the whole "bark bark growl I can't get to parts of my forest because of them!!" which... also could represent a naïve hope clouding his judgement, not allowing him to see a bigger picture. But hope can't all be lost if one wants to move forward...)

A little side-tangent now on the portraits! And it's another slight stretch but the idea is in my head and I can't let it go. Portraits are another common symbol, usually being a physical representation of a memory or idea. For our purposes, let's say they're memories. I know in canon they appear to just hold souls captive or something but for now we're just Ignoring That(tm). The Fire Spirits have to burn the portraits to disappear. See where I'm going with this, maybe?

Instead of handling bad memories (or perhaps memories of the past in general) in any healthy manner, Snatcher chooses to forget/repress them, which just allows his hope to progressively die out.

I'm really hoping this is making sense because it makes a lot of sense to me but I might be insane rn

The Fact that this is a Forest

Forest symbolism breakdown! What's a forest usually mean in literature? "Traditionally, the forest has come to represent being lost, exploration and potential danger as well as mystery and 'other worldliness'." Okay. Yeah. Fair enough. That certainly works with the whole aesthetic we've got going on. Wood usually is life, growth and strength. But the trees of subcon are all dead. So what about that? It stands for death, big whoop, very spooky, we know Snatcher's dead and so are the children, yadda yadda wowie wowie. But. :) The trees in Subcon look a lot like trees that were scorched in a forest fire. Don't believe me?

(You could also argue they're just regular marsh/swamp trees bUT SSHHSUUHSH HANG ON HEAR ME OUT LOOK LOOK,)

What I believe to have happened was a controlled fire to rid the forest of the majority of its ice and snow. Likely done by Snatcher. It leaves behind a very desolate, depressing, barren scene... but. What else do dead/burnt trees symbolize? Rebirth. After all, controlled fires happen to make way for new trees to take the place of old ones. Some trees only drop seeds in fires/hot temperatures, so new ones take root and begin anew. Weird. It's almost like... I dunno. Snatcher was given some sorta second chance, given he's not just a corpse in Vanessa's cellar. So were the subconites. Another life given then by Snatcher. All connected I tell ya!!

Generally, aside from that, forests have many connotations. Mystery, isolation, claustrophobia; a place to dwell on regrets, or the past; to worry over one's future; to seek escape from or escape inside of... hmgmrnmm!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- T / W -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Nooses

The t/w is given at the top and another cut-off point will follow the bottom of this, for those that would like to skip. This will delve into talk of suicide and abusive tactics used by abusers. Please don't read if it will upset you or make you feel unsafe!!!

Personally, I cannot stand the nooses, but that's just due to my own triggers. Were there a way to hide those from the game or replace the damned talking ones with anything else. I would take it. In a heartbeat. But I can still appreciate the potential analysis to be had with them. So now i'm gonna talk about it despite how uncomfortable it will make me to do so. yEa

So, what about 'em? There are three types of nooses seen in Subcon. At least that I remember but I didn't really go looking for them. Empty ones, ones containing empty subconites, and the talking ones.

Nooses in general obviously can hint towards suicidal thoughts or behaviors of the characters that interact with them. If saying Subcon is Snatcher's mind, it could suggest that he suffered from some sort of suicidal thoughts in life (or currently, if second death is possible... or if he never truly died... or maybe he's trying to figure that out...which has given me... a separate idea...uh oh). But. And hear me out. Different perspective.

A talking noose. I hate them with a fiery passion that is unmatched. But think of the packed symbolism of a noose that talks. And think more about what it says. "I wouldn't mind being strapped around a cute neck like yours." "Be careful now, I don't want to see you meet a miserable end anywhere, but with me." Oddly, a lot of what the noose says seems almost... endearing? One could argue it's a way of luring someone to put it around their necks, which in and of itself is a whole lot to unpack when it comes to suicidal thoughts beckoning one forward; painting itself as something romantic, almost. But. Here's a wild idea, now. What if the nooses, at least the talking ones, are another symbol for Vanessa?

They're tinted blue, after all. While Vanessa's scheme is more red, one could argue two things: One, ice. Blue. Ice. yeah. Or two, the fact that Snatcher's scheme is more purple. Blue and red... make... purple. So, for all we know, Snatcher's current state was a compound effort between suicidal thoughts and Vanessa's treatment of him. Perhaps he even found a way to put himself out of his misery before freezing/starving to death. (I know he has dialogue that argues against that, but... are we certain Snatcher would be the kind to admit suicide over freezing to death?... I don't think so.)

At any rate, a common threat by those in "control" of an abusive relationship is that of killing themselves should the other person not do as they desire. It's a cruel form of emotional manipulation to get their way, worse off if the other party is an empathetic individual. As a person who has been the empathetic individual in relationships like this... I would know. I've been here, unfortunately So, it's not completely out of the question to say Vanessa could've used some tactic like that, even before the whole... cellar ordeal. Did she? I dunno. I'm tossing ideas around. But if she did, the threats of such would sit around in the Prince's mind easily. Even if she has a reputation of not going through with it. It doesn't matter. That shit sticks with you forever, that scare, the potential of it ever being true, is horrifying and it ruins you. I'm projecting, Squirtle.

Still. A noose cannot hang itself. It has to have a victim.

...yea.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- T / W PASSED -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Misc. Ideas

- The spiders: Aside from the usual things spiders can be chalked up to symbolizing - toxicity, alluring danger, just... general pain - I like the potential wordplay that can happen here. Yknow. A black widow. Say the Prince and Vanessa were married when one died. What would that leave Vanessa? A widow. ...She's red and black, too. Yknow. Like a black widow. HA wordplay is fun isn't it?

- Snatcher's tree: Love this place, love sitting in here. But not the point! The inside of Snatcher's tree is such a harsh juxtaposition to the rest of Subcon that it kinda throws ya off guard. After all, the dark, purples and blues then contrasted with the bright warm colors of the inside. Even the music switches over. The thorns outside aren't present indoors. Ohh yeah this is gonna be on the nose as hell but the Tree(tm) is 100% representing Snatcher's appearance/put-on personality vs. his truer nature. Spooky outside with thorns, foreboding, unwelcoming. Then the more comfortable interior. VULnerable. Have I even mentioned that the tree is HOLLOW I mean COME ON. The sturdiness of that tree? Nonexistent. He's not a sturdy guy at all no matter how he fronts

- Intrusions are unwelcome: Snatcher does not like the fact that Hat Kid sticks around in his forest. His personal space. His mind. In fact he tries desperately to get rid of her after their fight, not wanting her presence in his forest at all. He has no problem providing more contracts later on with the Death Wish thing, and he finds great entertainment in messing around with Hat Kid, so it's not just a weird sudden hatred he has for her; it's the fact that. After she's finished being useful, he no longer wants her around, lest she find some things she shouldn't find. Now he's just uncomfortable with her in his personal boundaries. Could just be a denial that she's helped him heal (breaking ice, stealing from Vanessa, being something interesting for his kids to interact with) or just not really wanting a child to get wrapped up in. All that. Most likely the former. Considering the amount of joke-hints he drops regarding his background during his Death Wish dialogue. I see you funny man, making jokes out of your trauma as a coping mechanism. Punts him

Annnd I think that's all I got, for now! I'll make an update post if I get any more sporadic ideas. If you read this whole thing, thank you!! and also!! Wow that was a lot!! Hell world. Please feel free to elaborate on any of my points or debate with me on em!! I'm always open to other ideas, just be aware that if I disagree I am not shy when it comes to debate hehehe, tho I won't be aggressive to any extent I prommy!!

Alrighty. goes to sleep goodnight

#clamtalk #VERY long ramble #a hat in time #snatcher #ahit snatcher #subcon forest #vanessa ahit #ahit #analysis #the prince ahit #goes crazy. goes insane #ask to tag #i'm frazzled I can't add more tags I'll do so later

[fairycore-gyu]

𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝒌𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚’𝒓𝒆 𝒋𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔

a/n: a lot of fluff and requested by anon! i hope you enjoy! (*~▽~)

bang chan

since chan is older i feel like he wouldn’t get jealous that easy and when he does get jealous, it would be minor. i feel like he would tell you or give you a hint somehow to let you know he’s jealous hehe.

you and chan went to a nearby café to grab coffees for everyone. since you liked your americano with cream *insert hyunjin dancing to his americano song* you went to the counter to put some in yourself. as you were pouring in the cream, a boy around your age asked if you came to this coffee shop often.

“i do actually! it’s where my boyfriend works so i come here quite often.” you said nicely.

“oh nice, where does he-“ he was interrupted when chan slide next to you grabbing your hand

“i actually work right up the block.” he said cutting in. after that the boy said to have a nice day and you both walked out.

“what was that?” you said. he looked at you in surprise

“he was flirting with you, what was i supposed to do!

“chan i don’t think he was and even if he was i would’ve told him about you.” you said linking your arms.

“you were jealous weren’t you!” you said surprised.

“i was not!!!” he laughed as he looked at you. you knew he was. chan can’t lie to save his life hehe

“you totally were” you mumbled under you breath.

minho 

i feel like minho would get jealous easy,,, and with his eyes, you’d know right away when he’s jealous ◑.◑. anyway minho’s the type to be clingy with you just to make sure your attention is on him hehe but he would also try and bottle his jealousy up. you and jisung get along really well and since,,, well,,, minsung your literally together all the time. 

you and jisung had been talking about going to this new amusement park across town for a while and today jisung had a day off so you decided to go.

you were looking in you closet picking out an outfit when minho came in your room and plopped on your bed. you turned your head smiling at him.

“whats up babe? you asked nonchalantly. he propped his head up in his hand.

“why are you going with him today? he asked quietly drawing on your comforter with his finger

“what do you mean?” you asked holding up a dress looking in the mirror.

“you even look like your about to go on a date.” he said. you went to go sit on the bed next to him. you gently pushed his hair out of his face with your finger smiling.

“babe, i do want to look nice,, and besides hyunjin’s coming with.” you said. his mood immediately changed and he tackled you into the bed in a hug, laughing.

“ok, good.”

changbin

dark boi,,, but like for real, when he’s jealous watch tf out. he would literally go full dark mode. he would be super quiet and again VERY touchy. but one look from changbin will make the person flirting with you flee for the hills,, literally. 

you and changbin went to pick up food for yourselves and because you eat there a lot you were familiar with the staff there. and one of them was especially fond of you. he would talk to you and occasionally make flirting comments but you weren’t sure if he was actually interested so you didn’t want to embarrass him so you never said anything. as changbin was grabbing napkins and drinks you ordered the food. but before you could say anything the boy asked innocently if you were free the next day. you were about to talk when changbin slide right next to you glaring at the boy across the counter. you knew if you didn’t speak up, changbin would’ve said something he would’ve later regretted. 

“actually, this is my boyfriend,” you said nodding at him. you felt his grip tighten on your waist when the boy looked him up and down. 

“oh my god, i’m so sorry!” he exclaimed embarrassed. he handed you your food and gave you the receipt. you smiled as you grabbed the food turning to leave. 

“i can’t believe he thought you were single, i mean i was right there! he said surprised.

“he was nice about it though,,, are you jealous!?!” you asked.

he huffed at you pulling you closer.

hyunjin 

this boy would 100% get super pouty and yes very clingy. he would want his attention on him whenever he’s with you hehe. he would be very similar to jisung. he would be touching you, hugging you, kissing you, anything.

jeongin would be telling you about something that happened to him that day and you would be so invested because of the way he was telling it that your focus was on jeongin. 

hyunjin had his arm draped across your waist while leaning his head on your shoulder. you started laughing because of jeongins impersonation.

he held you tighter while taking one of your hands and playing with your fingers. jeongin finished his story and you turned to look at hyunjin. 

“what are you doing?” you asked.

“what are you talking about, i just like your hands.” he said continuing to poke at your hand. 

you shook your head pulling hyunjin closer.

“how did you even notice, you were so invested in jeongin.” he said pouting his lips.

you laughed leaning down to press your lips against his. 

jisung

i definitely think that jisung would get jealous very easily. he would be very quiet and a little agitated when anyone would talk to him. when you’re with him he wants to be around you and he wants your attention on him no matter who’s around. if he’s extra jealous he will touch you, hug you, and kiss you as much as he can. 

you and jisung had joined rest of the boys in the dance practice room after grabbing coffee and hyunjin immediately called you over. you weren’t the best dancer but when it comes dancing with hyunjin you’ll do anything ssksksks what wouldn’t you do for the prince. you both danced together jokingly, while you laughed and sang obnoxiously.

but jisung on the other hand was not having it,, to say the least. you were imitating the choreo from red velvets psycho, laughing with hyunjin when jisung came over immediately giving you a back hug, wrapping his arms around your waist not letting you move. 

“yah, what are you doing? you said, turning your head. 

he responded by kissing your cheek and poking at your sides. you thought he would let go but you could barely move your arms when he squeezed you tighter. 

bottom line if jisung’s jealous you’re not moving,,,,,, ever ((((゜д゜)))

felix

when felix is jealous its really hard to tell. he will be extra clingy with you let’s just go ahead and say that 95% of skz will be touchy when jealous. also felix is already so clingy so when he’s jealous you can’t really tell the difference sjkjsksk.

i don’t think he would get upset at all but he needs to know you want his attention. since you and changbin are very close he knew a lot of stuff and he was like your big bro hehe. 

you were eating dinner with all of them and changbin noticed you weren’t eating that much, so he grabbed two pieces of tteokbokki and reached over to put them on your plate. felix saw, but he didn’t react right away. 

after you all we done eating you got up to grab your jacket but you couldn’t because before you could even stand felix had wrapped his arms around your waist. 

“felix, what are you doing?” you asked giggling as you looked at him. 

he didn’t answer but you stood up anyway with him stuck to you like glue with his hands still wrapped around your waist. he grabbed your jacket and help you put it on. no sooner did you put your arm through the sleeve when he grabbed you hand, holding it tightly. 

seungmin

i think seungmin would be different from the rest of the boys. he would be more standoffish. when he gets jealous it would be hard for him to conceal so he would try to distance himself until he didn’t feel like that anymore.

you and seungmin were in his dorm room talking on the bed when felix came in asking for you opinion on this new sauce he made. he held up the wooden spoon to your mouth guiding the sauce into your mouth. seungmin’s hand was on your thigh when you felt his hand twitch a little bit. 

“oh wow felix! this is really good. i think this is your best one yet!” you said surprised. felix grinned turning around to leave. you turned to seungmin continuing the conversation. before to could start, he got up off the bed.

“i’m gonna go sit out there for a while,” he said opening the door to leave.

“hey, i was talking! you said shocked. you got up to grab his hand as a way of asking what’s wrong. he sighed.

“it’s nothing, but he’s always asking for your opinion and nobody else’s, i mean jeongin is out there,, can’t he ask him?” he said looking at you.

“it’s because i gave him the recipe,” you said laughing. he let out a little laugh pulling you in for a hug. 

jeongin

our baby uwu. literally the thought of jeongin getting jealous is hard to even imagine cuz he would be young and in love sjksjks. but for jeongin, i think he would be a mix of seungmin. because i think he would like be more distant to hide his jealousy cuz we know he hides his feelings o(╥﹏╥)o.

you and jeongin were playing monopoly together at the dorm when seungmin came over watch. 

seungmin came behind draped his arms over your shoulders watching the game. you and seungmin were close friends so it wasn’t weird that he would do that,,, but jeongin wasn’t having it. 

“hyung, can i have some water?” he said looking at the game. seungmin looked at him.

“um, do your legs not work?” he asked with sarcasm.

jeongin looked him in the eye with a death glare and seungmin knew. seungmin left to go grab the water and once he left you smiled brightly.

“are you jealousssssss?” you asked leaning over to mess his hair. 

he made a face at you and got up to sit on his lap. he wrapped his arms around your waist and kissed your cheek, ignoring the question. can we all just accept the fact that jeongin would be the best bf in the world.

#lee felix imagines #bang chan imagines #lee minho imagines #lee know imagines #lee felix #bang chan #lee minho #hwang hyunjin imagines #hwang hyunjin #han imagines #han jisung #jisung imagines #stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #skz #stray kids #kim seungmin #seungmin imagines #jeongin imagines #yang jeongin #kpop imagines #seo changbin imagines #seo changbin #changbin imagines

[emerald-echeveria-plant]

Part 2 of the Au I made from earlier. I don't know what to call it:33

((Part 2 of ??))

Getting back the map

[Warning: Cursing, blood mention, cringey writing, and fighting]

//Baozhai slowly opens her eyes. She felt a little drowsy. Her head was spinning from the pain inflicted on her not too long ago. Baozhai was lying down in a hammock. She realized she was on the ship. In front of her was Octavia and Leonid.//

Octavia: Oh thank goodness, she's alive! I thought we lost you for a moment there..

Baozhai, groaning: uh.. what- whaat happened..? *Rubs the temples of her forehead*

Octavia: Don't you remember? Captain Haggis did a real number on your face a few hours ago.

Baozhai drowsy: I guess I remember that..

Octavia: Your nose was completely broken and you were struggling to breathe when we got you on board. Thankfully, I managed to fix it!

//Leonid interrupts by clearing his throat. He looked at the small cephalopid with a raised eyebrow.//

Octavia: Oh! How could I forget.. *nervously laughs* hehe, Leonid helped too by putting your nose back in place after I kinda messed up.. but uh at least you can breathe!

Baozhai: Octi. What's wrong with my nose?

Octavia, nervously: Well it's sorta.. um.. not bad I mean you look good! But uh-

Leonid, cutting her off: Yer nose is a little crooked.

Baozhai: WHAT?!

Octavia: It's honestly not that bad!

//Baozhai stands up from the hammock and walk towards a chest. She opens it then begins rummaging inside it. Baozhai manages to find a mirror. Her reflection showed her nose being crooked a bit to the left and the bottom of her nose being slanted upwards.//

Octavia, nervous: See I told you it wasn't that ba-

Baozhai, cutting her off: I'm going to strangle you to death if you don't SHUT UP!

Octavia:

Octavia: Honestly, you'd have a tough time considering I'm poisonous-

//Baozhai lunges at Octavia. Her hands already wrapping around she neck. Them, Archie came running downstairs to where the three other crewmates were.//

Archie: Captain says he needs everyone on deck now!

//Baozhai looked at Octavia. She pulls her hands away and wiped whatever poison off on her jacket.//

Baozhai: Guess you get to live another day. Ya' better make it count.

//Octavia nodded in response. Baozhai, Leonid, and Octavia walked upstairs on deck. The three of them noticed they were moving pretty fast. Captain Bonnet was steering the wheel of the ship. He had an furious expression on his face. Obviously it seemed that he was still upset about what happened a few hours ago. Meanwhile, Ironbeard was sharping his swords. Baozhai walked towards him.//

Baozhai: Hey Ironbeard, where are we going?

Ironbeard, looks at her: Captain Bonnet wants to get back his map that Haggis stole. He's pretty fired up so I wouldn't go bothering him if I were you.

Baozhai: So, he's finally getting revenge after all this time.. YES! FINALLY! I can't wait to bash some skulls in!

Ironbeard: Don't get your hopes up, we're only getting the map. Not slaughtering the entire crew.

Baozhai: Well, if I can't bash some skulls in... I'll just beat them so hard they'll go paralyzed >:)

Ironbeard: Alright, but while you do that make sure to get the map if you see it. That's the most important thing is getting the ma-

//Suddenly, the boat jolted. Both, Ironbeard and Baozhai fell of their feet. The two looked over to see another pirate ship next to the one they were one. On the other ship, stood Haggis and his first mate, Sao.//

Captain Haggis, teasingly: Bonnet, I didn't realize you held a grudge! I thought you were a "gentleman".

Captain Bonnet, furiously: GIVE ME BACK MY MAP OR I'LL TAKE YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE CREW DOWN TO DAVY JONES'S LOCKER!

Captain Haggis, smugly: How about I instead I keep the map and the rest of ye go find yourselves a merchant ship to steal from.

//A blast came out from one of the gunners of Bonnet's ship. It hit Haggis's ship, creating a hole in the lower decks. Haggis's eyes twitched with anger. How dare they put a mark on his ship! He unsheathed his sword and put it in the air.//

Captain Haggis: CHARGE!

//Both crews immediately lunged at each other. Jumping or swinging by a rope onto the other's ship. Baozhai aboarded Haggis ship. Sao was waiting for her and drew her sword.//

Sao: Well, if it isn't Baozhai.. you ready to take back what you said about me..?

Baozhai: Oh you mean when I called you Captain Haggis's little bitch? Oh course I take back what I said! I am so sorry... You're actually a one-eyed cunt.

Sao: Well at least my nose isn't fucked up!

Baozhai: >:000

//Sao immediately lunges herself towards Baozhai. The two women being to duke it out on the floor of the ship... Meanwhile, Bonnet was making his way towards Haggis.//

Captain Bonnet: You better give me back my map Haggis.. That treasure is mine for the taking!

Captain Haggis: Oh is it now? From what I recall whoever holds the map is entitled to the treasure and you don't have it!

Captain Bonnet: Oh I'm going to get back that map even if I have to lose a limb doing so!

Captain Haggis: Well, I'll assure you, you can have this map... OVER MY DEAD BODY!

//The two Captains clashed their swords together. Their faces mere inches from the other. They both had furious looks on their faces, with their eyes glaring at each other. With good reason too. One was angry that his map was taken and the other being pissed off that there was a hole in his ship. This was going to end very badly...//

Captain Haggis: I'm going to enjoy beating you to pulp for what you did to my ship..!

Captain Bonnet: Not if I beat you first!

//Bonnet headbutted Haggis in the face. Haggis fell backwards onto the ground below him. Bonnet got on top of him. He began searching the inner pockets of the other captain. Finally, he pulled out the map that was folded up tightly in one of his pockets. Haggis, seeing this, sliced Bonnet's hand with his sword. Bonnet yelped in pain, making him let go of the map. The map fell downwards where the rest of the crewmates were fighting. Fleance notices the map.//

Fleance, grabs it the moment he see it: Ah yes the map! I've got! I've got it! *Holds it up in the air*

//All the crewmates looked towards the pink robot. Almost immediately, Fleance realized his mistake. He shouldn't have brought attention to having the map...//

Fleance, nervously: um.. I'm screwed aren't I..?

//All the crewmates rushed towards Fleance. The jumped on top of the tiny robot in an attempt to snatch the map away from him. All it managed to do was make the map end up somewhere else... Throughout the chaos, the map somehow landed near the cabin boy, Billy Bones. The salamander (even though he looks like a snapping turtle) tried to reach for the map. A gunshot that almost shot off his hand, prevented him from doing so.//

Islay: Yer not getting that there map now you son of- wait... Billy?!

Billy: Islay..?

Islay: Billy, I haven't seen you in years! Where the hell have you been???

Billy: Where have I been? What about you??! Ye disappeared and I never saw you again!

Islay: I was kicked off the old ship we were on for being "too aggressive" remember..?

Billy: oh yeah.. I told you if you kept up that attitude, it was gonna catch up to ye in a bad way.

Islay: WELL ITS NOT MY FAULT OTHERS TRY TO INVADE MY PRIVACY! Askin me all these questions on how I'm feeling after my father died.. pfft.. FEELINGS ARE FOR PUSSIES!

Archie, running by: YOINK! *Snatches the map and runs away*

Billy, angrily: oh and now you made me lose the map.. thanks a lot!

Islay: Dumbass, you still had a lot of time to grab the map but you chose to talk to me. How is that my fault again???!

//Leaving the two arguing, Archie tries running towards Bonnet's ship. Unfortunately, someone grabbed him by one of his legs. Archie fell to ground with the map in his hand.//

Erik, teasingly: Aww, is the little weasel trying to get back to his mommy's house?

Archie: Yeah, back to your mom's house so I can fuck her!

Erik, holds a blade up to Archie's neck and chuckles: Yer gonna regret saying that you little shit..

//Archie sweats nervously as the blade gets closer and closer to his neck.//

Erik: Hand over that there map and I'll think about not shaving off all yer fur.

Archie: Alright, fine..! Here take it..

//Archie hands over the map to Erik. Erik take the map from Archie.//

Erik: Good choice lad-

//Suddenly, the map was snatched away from Erik's hand.//

Erik: what the?!

//It was none other than Octavia, swinging in a rope with the map in hand. Octavia smiled and wave at the crowd as she swung by. Her crew cheered her on, seeing this as the end of the fight over the map. Ironbeard, who had Sao pinned to a wall, noticed something that Octavia hadn't.//

Ironbeard: OCTAVIA LOOK OUT!

Octavia: what-

//Octavia landed face first into the mast of the ship. A bunch of "ows" and "ohs" followed. The blue-ringed octopus, slowly slid down the mast before falling backwards. Octavia laid passed out on the floor. The map slowly landing next to her. Not wanting Haggis's crew to get to it first, Baozhai ran towards the map. Her hand grabbing the map... Yet, just as she grabbed the map, another hand intertwined with hers at that exact moment.//

Baozhai: Get your grubby paws off of our-

//Baozhai cuts herself off seeing the person before her. It felt as though the whole world around her slowed down. Before her, kneeled a man with long brown hair. He had six yellow eyes that were piercing into her soul. The stranger looked of an unknown alien species that she had never seen before. Baozhai's pupils dialted and a red tint covered her cheeks. Her heart raced a bit when seeing the mysterious yet handsome stranger before her.//

Baozhai: Wow.. you look.. incredible.. 🥺❤️

//Not listening to what she said, the stranger proceeded to punch her in the face. Baozhai got knocked back from the punch. She landed a few feet away from the map. With her nose, once again, bleeding. The stranger picked up the map and stood up.

Octavia slowly awaking from being knocked out. She sees the map being taken by one of the Haggis's crew... For what seemed like the 100th time. She quickly stood up.//

Octavia: oh no you don't!

//Octavia grabbed the other end of the map that the stranger was holding. He tried to pull the map away from the cephalopid but her grip was on it tight. The two began a sort of tug a war with each other over the map. Octavia pulling on one end and the stranger on the other.

As expected, the map broke into two. A loud gasp erupted from both sides. Octavia looked at one of the pieces she had in her hand then back at the stranger. They looked equally as shocked but that shocked was quickly overtaken by anger. Before she could day anything, their captain came out.//

Captain Bonnet: RETREAT! NOW!

//Bonnet's crew looked at him. Some in confusion but soon realized why. Bonnet looked pretty beat up and he was holding his arm. It was clear that he was bleeding. His crew listened and ran back to their ship. Ironbeard helped Bonnet back to the ship while fighting off any of Haggis's crew off. Leonid picked up any of the passed out crewmates and carried them back to the ship. They all managed to get back on board and quickly sailed off.//

Captain Bonnet, groans in pain: is... Is everyone on board..? Dr. Oshima, I'm gonna need... some of your assistance..

Leonid: Yes, Captain, everyone's on board.. *takes a careful look at the captain* Christ, what happened to you??

Captain Bonnet, stretches: let's just say... Haggis didn't like the fact that I didn't put a hole in his ship... And for taking back my map! Now, where is it?

Octavia, shows Bonnet the torn piece of the map: Um, here it is captain..

//Bonnet takes the torn piece of map from Octavia. He inspects it a bit.//

Captain Bonnet: hm, it seems that you managed to get the piece to leads us to the end us the trail Octavia...

Octavia: Is that good or bad..?

Captain Bonnet: Well, I can manage to get us a route to the treasure by using the location of the stars on the map. They look pretty distinct in comparison to any other stars I've seen... I'll try to.. cross reference this... With..my globe..

//Bonnet fell to his knees and groaned in agony. There was an open, bleeding wound near his ribs. Octavia taking notice of this, quickly helped Bonnet up.//

Octavia: come here captain, let's go get you fixed up..

Captain Bonnet: Thank ya lass.. your so kind.

//Octavia helped Bonnet to his cabin. Meanwhile, Baozhai who woke up a few minutes ago had her crossed arms propped up against the ledge of the deck. Archie saw her and immediately walked over.//

Archie: Baozhai?? What the hell happened back there!?

Islay: He's right, what did happen?? Ye had the map in yer grasp and ye didn't even take it back to the ship! Ye just froze up like a bloody status!

Baozhai: ...

Baozhai, whispers: you should've seen him.

Islay & Archie, confused: What?

Baozhai: I said, you should've seen him.. how his hand met with mine. How he looked at me and how I looked at him.. It was wonderful..! I wish I could do it all over again!

Archie: ...

Archie: You wanna get punched in the face again?

//Islay smacks the lad on the back of the head.//

Archie, rubbing the back of his head: OW! Jeez Louise I was just joking...

Islay: Baozhai yer clearly in love... Which is a horrible thing and I suggest ye stop doing it before ye get hurt.

Baozhai, giggles: But I feel so bubbly and warm! Like I'm light on my feet with every step I take, my cheeks are glowing for the first in forever, and there's butterflies flutteirng around in my stomach..! How can you stop someone from feeling that way..?

Islay: With a ton of aspirin and alcohol. Now let's get ye some before ya start singing a cheesey love song about how ye want to admit yer feelings to him but yer to scared to do it.

Archie: Jeez, how do you know all that stuff Islay?

Islay: Personal experience.

//Islay grabs Baozhai by her arm. She starts leading the love stricken mess to the hold of the ship. With Archie following along.

Meanwhile, on Haggis's ship, the captain was "reprimanding" two of his crewmates. Both of them were covered in bruises and bleeding from their noses.//

Captain Haggis: IDIOTS! FOOLS!

//Haggis punched one of them in the stomach with all his strength. The crewmate groaned in pain.//

Captain Haggis: While this idiot was busy making conversation! The other moron couldn't even get a map out of that slimy, octopus's hands!

//Haggis grabbed the long brown hair of the crewmate, showing him off for his failure. The other crewmates looked furious at them and ashamed for them.//

Captain Haggis, threateningly: Got any idea on how we'll get back the other piece of the map, lad?

???: No captain..

//In response, Haggis punched him in the face. They fell to the floor next to the other crewmate. He held his cheek as he looked up at Haggis.//

Captain Haggis: Anyone else have an idea on how we'll get back that map??

//There was complete silence. Nobody knew how either. Until, one of the beaten up crewmates spoke up.//

Billy, groaning in pain on the floor: it's not like.. we can just.. *coughs* follow em' there..

//Haggis raised an eyebrow. Then got an idea after the salamander said that. The captain grinned with an open opportunity at sight.//

Captain Haggis: Yes.. Yes, that's what we'll do!

//Haggis turns to the rest of his other crew.//

Captain Haggis: We'll stay close behind em' but too close for them to notice! Then when we arrive, we kill every last one of them and take the treasure!

//The crew cheered with agreement to the plan.//

Captain Haggis: So let's set sail and prepare to chop off some heads!

//The crewmates cheered in agreement one last time before going to their different posts. A few untied the sails while others prepared weapons like flintlock pistols and swords for use. This time, they were going to make sure their opposing crew wasn't going to get away. Haggis turned to the two crewmates still on the floor.//

Captain Haggis: You two better not screw up this time.. Because I'll have yer heads mounted on pikes if ye fool around again.. Am I clear, Flint?

Flint: Yes captain, I won't let you down again..

To be continued...

((Captain Haggis, Sao, and Erik belong to @chaossmith2

Captain Bonnet, Leonid, Islay, Fleance, Archie, Baozhai, and Octavia belong to me

Also brief mention of Davy Jones! *Wink* @aalbliii *wink* 😉))

#finally an introduction to Flint!. #oh what's this?? Baozhai is in love with him?? 😱😱😱 #and of course Islay and Billy arguing like an old married couple lol #oc insert #treasure planet #treasure planet au

[mattzerella-sticks]

Desperation, Baby! (coda to 15x19 “Inherit the Earth”, Dean & Lucifer, Dean/Cas, 2.3k, T)

ao3 link

Death took her sweet time parsing through Chuck's book, meaning Lucifer spent longer than he'd like surrounded by his former vessel, his brother, his son, and a man whose obvious longing made him want to vomit. Instead of returning with his prize, Chuck welcoming him back, he must waste his valuable time playing 'nice; with those he can't stand.

Not that it matters. They don't trust him, each member of this ragtag group of survivors watching Lucifer in shifts. Never leaving him alone.

It's Dean's turn now, and he's driving Lucifer up a wall by doing nothing at all save for broadcasting a never-ending supply of feeling. Can he cut the signal without showing his hand, or put Dean's heart to good use?

           It’s pathetic, truly. Lucifer huffs, deflating, sinking further into his seat. Weighed down by obscene amounts of longing that poured freely off Dean like a broken hydrant. Funneled into his awareness because its usual drain was cordoned forever. It flooded these now silent angelic air waves, Lucifer growing more annoyed with each, excruciating second. Until, finally, “Holy hell, can you please quit it?”

           Dean startles from where he stood, jaw tensing. Mouth flattening in a thin line as he glares, “What?”

           “Quit. It. Quitit!” He hisses, leaning forward. Stretches his arms across the table, reaching for Dean. Fingers twitching, Lucifer imagines Dean’s neck between them. “Seriously, you’re giving me a migraine with all your feelings.”

           “Good.” Dean surprises Lucifer with his response. No attempted denial, nor misdirection. His gaze unflinchingly pierced through Lucifer’s vessel, pride bolstering its blow. Lucifer cannot detect any shame that usually clings to his soul, none of that smell lingering. He’s grown since they’ve last seen each other. Stunning character development. “Deserve it, after that dick move you pulled earlier.”

           “You still upset about that?” Scoffing, Lucifer rises. Meanders across the room towards Dean, gaze never straying. Easy since it’s only them. “I thought my gift would have more than made up for that.” He grins, rocking on his heels. A breadth of space separates them now. “How else was I supposed to get in, anyway?” he continues, “Not like if I called as myself you’d’ve rolled out the welcome mat.”

           “But… Cas?” Lucifer savors the taste of his brother’s name, drenched in sadness. Ripped from Dean’s heart in a barely controlled sob.

           “Nasty habit,” he giggles, “Though the results speak for themselves. I mean – you know how easy it was smooth-talking little Sammy when I looked like his ol’ flame, Jess?” Dean doesn’t laugh, snarled lip suffocating Lucifer’s airy mirth. “You’re no fun.”

           “Sorry,” Dean growls, “why don’t you try later when the world’s not ending.”

           “It’s always ending. In one way or another.” Lucifer waves his hand and a chair drags itself over. He straddles it, gazing up at Dean. “If we waited for peace to enjoy life, there’d be no time. Better to… say what’s in your heart, even if it kills you.” He frowns, mockingly, “Or in Castiel’s case… did kill him.”

           Dean slams his fist against the wall. “You have no right –“

           “Timeout there,” Lucifer smirks, eyes glowing red. Reflection of Dean’s entire face, blood rapidly swelling his cheeks. “Don’t want to do anything you’ll regret…” He holds Dean there, frozen, waits until the other man seems calm. Dips his head, tries catching Dean’s gaze. “If I let you go, will you behave?” Dean remains silent, yet Lucifer hears him. Tunes into his frequency, actively sifting through his frenzied emotions. “Seriously,” he lets Dean go, hunter falling on his ass, “how are we supposed to work as a team if you’re not willing to cooperate?”

           “This… isn’t a team,” Dean spits, “you’re working… with the Empty.”

           “And the Empty’s trying to take Chuck out!” he argues, “So, enemy of my enemy is my friend or all that nonsense –“

           “Go to hell.”

           “I wish I could, but I’m kinda on a short leash.” Bored with Dean’s resistance, Lucifer threads his next few words with seriousness. “Listen, once Betty’s done with the book I’ll flit on out of here and one, two, three – humanity is saved from dear, ol’ dad! We can make this all painless if you’d just trust me, or we can keep doing what we’re doing. I, personally, am tired of this bullshit. Rather be napping back in the Empty, but no…”

           “You should be.”

           “Beg pardon?”

           Dean bares his teeth, roiling hatred knocking Lucifer back a few inches. “You should still be sleeping, back there,” he says, “if anyone were supposed to come back, it’d be Cas. Not… you…”

           “Ah, Castiel, yes…” Lucifer sighs, “that would make sense, wouldn’t it? Of course, he lacks my raw power and charm, but… yes, you’d trust anything that he said.” Hand on his throat, he affects his vocal cords. Mimicking the other angel’s gravelly tone again, “Dean, please go along with Lucifer’s wishes and help him –“

           “Enough!” Dean kicks at a chair leg, interrupting Lucifer. Tears threaten to pour, dangling from his lashes like morning dew. “If you really wanna play nice, you’d stop doing that.”

           “This is nice, buddy.” Lucifer pokes at Dean’s leg with the toe of his boot. “Why don’t you grow some thick skin, huh? Where’s the real Dean Winchester? That tough guy with endless bravado instead of this sad, sorry piece of shit that’s pining after some dead guy?”

           Dean turns, Adam’s apple bobbing. “That isn’t me. I… he never was.” An intimate confession whispered into ancient brickwork. Meaningful for a different crowd. Except Lucifer shows little care, sarcastic clapping shattering Dean’s moment.

           “Wow, Dean… really fantastic. Amazing!” He climbs off the chair, crouching closer. Tongue dragged over his lips, smile wide. “Your verbose diction astounds me… did you whip that together after my brother got dragged into super hell? Are you still workshopping it – okay if I give you a few notes?” Lucifer pinches Dean’s cheek, poking this rabid grizzly. “At least you’ve got that face. Clearly Cas didn’t fall for your emotional maturity, your observational prowess or timing…”

           He weakly bats Lucifer off him, “You don’t know anything…”

           “I think I know quite a lot,” Lucifer challenges him, “Between the both of us, only I managed to slip inside my tight-ass little brother. Probably why I knew all his little… perversions, although it was clear as day how he felt about you to everyone – well… almost everyone.” His hand settles on Dean’s chest, atop his heart. “Do you know amazing it was, when I slipped my blade through him? You were a buffet that night… fear, relief, hope… despair. I could’ve ended him in that other dimension, but I waited until he crossed back. Knew how much more painful it’d be.”

           “Monster,” Dean says, “Fucking psychopath.”

           “The old me, maybe.” Lucifer teleports, sitting on a nearby table. Legs absentmindedly pedaling, stirring confusion within Dean. “But I’ve been reborn on the right side, Dean. Nobler. I’ve got purpose.”

           “You’ve got a load of shit,” he accuses, standing on shaky legs, “that you’re trying to sell me. Us.”

           “Come on!” Lucifer groans, hands flying skyward, “Isn’t this supposed to be your eleventh hour? How can you be so stubborn? Here I come, with a Hail Mary, and you’re turning your nose up at me like some snob. Like you have better options waiting. All because you won’t work with the Empty –“

           “It’s not just that,” Dean corrects him, “I also don’t want to work with you.”

           He crosses his arms, pouting. “You’re gonna have to suck that up. So the Empty wouldn’t send your boytoy, do you blame them? For a broken, little thing he sure is popular. Who’s to say Cas’d come back once this all wraps up? At least the Empty trusts me.”

           “I guess something has to.”

           “You can, too, if you want.” Lucifer casts his reel wide, waiting. Eyebrows waggling like baited worms. “It’d be a hell lot easier than what you’re doing now. Come on…” he needles, “why is it so hard to believe in miracles?”

           “Please…” Dean says, hiding his face behind his knees. Arms circled around his legs, curled into a ball. “Stop talking.”

           He relents for the time being. Proud of what cracks in Dean’s armor he made. When Chuck sent him, he asked Lucifer to ruffle a few feathers. Mess with their heads, ensure this ragtag group of losers would stay down. Accept their fate, end this miserable experiment called humanity in sadness. “Don’t provoke them too much, though,” Chuck warned, fists curled along his jacket’s lapels, “Betrayals only work when the other side doesn’t expect them. Plot’s stretched thin as it is, bringing you back doesn’t really make sense –“

           “I love you too, dad.”

           “That’s why you need to lay it on thick,” he said, “steer them away from why, keep the action moving.”

           Lucifer stared down at his father, frowning. “Anything else you need?”

           “No,” Chuck clapped Lucifer’s shoulder, nodding. “Just be yourself.”

           Except none of them wanted him. Especially Dean. He wanted… Castiel.

           It’s a little off-script, but Lucifer bets Chuck will enjoy what he plans. Even if it’ll involve his least favorite character. Lucifer hops off the table, grace burning across his body. Razing this vessel’s form, stealing its characteristics and distinguishability. A tall mound of clay left that he molds into a new body. Darker hair, sturdier frame, and bluer eyes. “Dean,” he says, swallowing his laughter. “Dean…” He tries again, sounding exactly like him.

           Like Castiel.

           Dean tenses, “Cas?” Barely audible, Lucifer strained to hear his prayer. That hope, sweetness quickly bittering as Dean digests the scene. “No…” he sighs, mumbling into his legs. “Lucifer, thought I told you to quit it.”

           “Lucifer is gone, Dean,” he lies, kneeling. “I’m here… please, Dean, look at me.” Lucifer grabs at Dean’s head, thankful the other man lets him. Green finds masked-blue, their ‘reunion’ drawing a pained breath.

           “What?” Dean asks, a single tear slipping free. Trails along his cheek until it falls off his chin. “How – how is this happening?”

           “Because of you, Dean.” Lucifer’s hands shift, a thumb smearing that tearstain while he runs fingers through Dean’s hair. “You refused Lucifer’s help, even though what he said was true. The Empty saw and decided, if we were to truly end Chuck, the risk of sending me will be worth it.” Expression darkening, Lucifer leans into dramatics. Lips quivering as he recites his next line, “Though not without conditions, Dean – I… you know I can’t stay, right?”

           “You will,” he says, “Cas – we will… if this book really can end Chuck, and we take him out, what can the Empty do –“

           “Take you,” Lucifer cuts him off. “Take you… Sam, and Jack. I step even an inch out of line and we all get sucked into their being, with no hope of actually defeating my father.” He nearly breaks character, watching how the light in Dean’s eyes flickered before being snuffed. Lucifer regains composure, growling his next words. “You understand this, then? What it means?”

           Dean nods, snaking his hands across Lucifer’s wrists. “Means we don’t have long,” he barks, squeezing tight. “I have to set it right, right now.”

           “Dean –“

           “No, Cas,” Dean talks over him, guiding Lucifer’s hands off where they rested. Silences the disguised archangel by chaining him, making Lucifer a helpless victim. Awe real as he waits for Dean, cowed by longing powerful than his earlier annoyance. “I… I need to get through this because – well, the last time you didn’t let me get a word in edgewise and I, there was a lot left unsaid that I don’t want to stay that way. If we can’t have a future, then at least… at least we have here.” He laughs, choking on it. More tears dance their way down.

           “When you told me you loved me, I couldn’t believe it,” Dean confesses, “and then, when you told me why I – I was… I believed that less. I mean, you… you’ve listened to your heart more than I have. Even if a few of those times it was wrong, everything you did was for love. Knowing you was – that was my happiness. Having you, in whatever way you’d let me. Because there you were, this shining beacon, and for some reason you kept on letting me bask in your glow. I felt I… I didn’t deserve it. That I didn’t deserve you.”

           Dean brings Lucifer’s knuckles to his lips, pressing a light kiss along a patch of skin. The gesture disgusts him. “And you were right about how – I thought of myself so… so poorly, it kept me from saying and – and doing things I wish I’d done sooner. All my life I thought there were things I couldn’t have, rules I had to live by, and I never questioned them until you saved me from hell. Literal and figurative. Because of you, I wanted to be a better person. I wanted to be good. But I never believed I could. Then you tell me you loved me… because I was good. I already was the kind of person I thought seemed impossible. I couldn’t believe it. What’s stranger… I didn’t have to believe it, to know it’s true.” Dean smiles at him, Lucifer mirroring his gesture though it pained him. “I’m the person I always wished I could be, and even when you’re gone I’ll still be that person. I’ll miss you, Cas. Always. I’ll miss you, and I’ll love you. I’ll love you always.”

           It happens before Lucifer realizes. Distracted, nauseated by Dean’s powerful emotions, he missed how a hand snuck its way towards his neck. Pinched there, startling him. In that second, Dean forces Lucifer into an embrace. Lips crashing together, Lucifer stays frozen while Dean attacks his mouth. Mewling, whimpering.

           Disgusting.

           He pulls the curtains back, reverting to his previous form. Delights in how Dean senses the change, peeking with one eye as Castiel’s face vanishes. The other man violently hurls himself to the side, gaping at him. “Why Dean,” Lucifer grins, awkwardness heavy in his tone, “if I had known that’s how you felt about me…”

           Dean sobs, wiping at his lips. “How… what the –“

           “You really thought I was Cas, didn’t you?” Laughing, Lucifer towers over him. “I figured you’d catch on but… I underestimated you. And for that I’m sorry.” He devours these new emotions radiating from Dean, eagerly lapping them up. “I’m also sorry that you’ve convinced you deserve a happy ending,” he twists the knife further. Dean flinches, turning. Fleeing. Lucifer shouts at his retreating figure. “That’s not your story, Dean! Don’t ask for more, be happy with what you have!”

           Then, as he waits for his next babysitter, Lucifer’s eyes glow red. “Because soon enough… you won’t even have that.”

#supernatural #spn #spn15 #15x19 #15x19 coda #15x19 inherit the earth #dean winchester #lucifer #castiel #destiel #deancas #destiel fanfic #supernatural fanfic #deancas fanfic #spn fanfic

[hannahcoursey]

Fragments Part 3 Finale

Author: Hannahc56

Word Count: 2,440

Request: Hi hi hi, do you think you could do one where the reader loses her memory? Thank you - I can’t wait to see what you do with it!

PART ONE PART TWO

You blinked heavily a few times.

The insides of your head pounded hard, your hand finding its way to rest on your temple. Through squinted eyes, you peered around the dimly lit room. Weaponry of all sorts hung on carefully placed nails, scattered over the walls of the room. A dark flannel hung, draped over the back of the chair at the desk across the room. To your left was a dresser, different types of whiskies lining the top of it. And the smell. The smell of Dean Winchester. 

You shot up, the thin blanket falling from your lap as your feet landed on the cold bunker floors. Your heart beat rang in your ears, your fight or flight anxiety skyrocketing. How had you gotten here? You looked down and saw you were in old, worn out clothing that didn’t belong to you. Or did it? Before you could pull the pieces together, the door opened slowly in front of you. Sam eyed you up before throwing his hands up in surrender.

“Y/N, it’s okay, it’s me.” His expression pleading with you to calm down. You stood still, staring at him as he watched you carefully. Your mind was racing a million miles a minute, trying to haphazardly mash the broken timeline and your patchy memories together. You furrowed your brows and stared up at him, your glare hard.

“What the hell happened?” You questioned angrily, your voice suspicious and forewarning. The cafe. Amy, your waitress friend. All of these things flooding back that didn’t add up. Seeing Sam made your heart flutter, like as if you missed him with every part of your being, but why would you miss him? You lived with the Winchesters, you wouldn’t miss them. You blinked hard, anger filling your blood. “Why do I get the feeling that I’m missing something, hm?” You questioned, stepping forward, your blood boiling. “Did you wipe my slate clean?” You cocked your head to the side, your skin on fire, “Because something isn’t clicking here,” You motioned to your head. Sam hesitated, his chest heaved. “Sam?” You asked, your anger growing at the silence your questions were being met with.

“Y/N, just listen, he had a good reason for doing it, alri-” He started, but you weren’t having it.

“HE? Sam, you mean to tell me Dean wiped my slate clean?” Your voice rose as the pieces came together, “Are you kidding me, Sam?” Your eyes were wide and your hands balled up into fists, shaking with rage. As your voice rose, heavy footsteps stormed down the hallway. Before Sam could warn him, Dean’s tall frame filled the doorway. 

All you saw was red. 

“I am gonna friggin’ kill you, Winchester!” You growled as you lunged forward at him, your body colliding with his as you took him to the ground. He grabbed your fists and disarmed you as you tried to fight him, but with his strength, it was no use. Sam’s large hands wrapped around your shoulders as he dragged you off of his older brother, crossing your hands across your chest and picking you up off the ground so your feet dangled. You thrashed in his grip, but he hardly broke a sweat to keep you subdued. The anger dissipated into frustration, and it soon became tears slipping down your cheeks as you let yourself melt into Sam’s arm’s.

“Who do you think you are? What the hell is wrong with you?” Tears blurred your vision, as Dean stood up in front of you. You slowly stopped fighting Sam’s grip and hung your head. You sobbed as your feet met the ground again. Sam’s hands gently found their way to your shoulders and you felt him lean down and plant a small kiss on the top of your head. Just as quick as it had happened, it was over and he turned to leave Dean and you. Dean’s hands reached for you and you pushed them away.

“Don’t fucking touch me, okay?” You stared up at him, your eyes spilling with hot tears. He stepped back, his head towards the ground. You knew your words stung, but you felt violated; The man wiped your memory clean, he messed with your mind and body in a way that made you feel small and unimportant. “What makes you think you can do that to someone? To me? Who died and put you in charge, Dean?” You shoved him and he staggered back. He refused to meet your stare, the only noise in the echoing hallway was your heavy, angry breathing.

“You.” He whispered, his eyes cast down.

“What did you say?” You asked dominantly, “Come on, you let me go months without my memory and what, are you suddenly ashamed?” You egged him on. He said nothing. “Say something!” You yelled, begging for something to come out of his mouth, something to make sense of it all.

“You did, Y/N,” He took a deep breath that shook in his lungs, “You died.” He finished, his voice hardly above a whisper. Silence fell between the both of you and you shook your head. All of the choice words you had compiled to unleash on him melted away. 

“Dean, I-” You started, but he cut you off.

“What’s the last thing you remember, Y/N? Honestly think back and tell me what you remember.” He looked up at you, his eyes brimmed with fresh tears that threatened to fall. You stared back at him and tried to think back.

“I-I don’t know,” You swallowed hard and racked your mind, “I-I remember the vampires and then getting cut up real bad,” You squeezed your eyes shut, “But you patched it up and it was okay, right?” You questioned, desperately grasping to fill in the holes of your memory. Dean’s stare never wavered. “Right, Dean?” You pleaded, but he said nothing. And it said it all.

“No, Y/N,” He ran a hand over his face and took another breath, “We got you in the car and,” He paused and cleared his throat, “God, Y/N, you looked like a friggin’ ghost, you were bleeding so bad, you wouldn’t keep your eyes open anymore” He said a little quieter, “There was so much blood everywhere, so much of your blood everywhere,” He repeated, his voice shaking slightly, “I-I didn’t know what to do,” He stuttered, looking off as if he was still sitting with you across his lap, bleeding half to death, “You told me to not let you die. Alright? You looked me in the eyes and told me to make sure you didn’t die.” Tears slipped down his freckled face and he had to bit his lip to stop it from quivering, “You didn’t see what I saw, you don’t get to pretend to know what it’s like to look into your eyes and see nothing,” He raised his voice as he finished his sentence, “Because I did. You were gone.” He shrugged his shoulders in defeat, “And I promised you that you wouldn’t die. So, yes, when Cas was healing you, I told him to take out a few of the details so that this life wouldn’t get the best of you again, that I wouldn’t be the reason you were gone again, okay?” He stood straighter and stared you in the eyes as he stepped closer. “And I would make that same choice every damn time.” He finished, his voice weak. 

You were speechless. You searched his face and all you found was a man full of hurt and guilt, it clouded the green from his eyes. You reached up your hand and rested it on his cheek. He immediately leaned into it on contact as your thumb brushed away the endless tears that seeped past his eyes. 

“Dean,” You started, regretful of the anger you let get the better of you initially, “I’m sorry, I-” You began, but his lips on yours interrupted your apology. The passion, the hurt, the remorse and relief he got across to you in one kiss left you without words. His one hand snaked around your waist while the other one grabbed the back of your head, holding you flush against him. When you pulled away, he kept his eyes closed, sadness radiating from him.

“I’m sorry, Dean,” You whispered, your hands on either side of his face, “I shouldn’t have put that weight on you,” You shook your head and his hands cupped your cheeks. 

“Y/N, that’s my job. You, Sammy; that’s a part of the deal. You’re not dying on my watch. I’d rather you live a normal life, even if it means I don’t get to have you, as long as you’re alive.” He blinked hard and a few leftover tears slipped down his cheek and onto your hands that held his face. “But that look on your face when we saw you in that cafe,” His lips formed a tight line, “You had no idea who we were, who I was, you just looked terrified of us, like as if I was gonna hurt you,” He cleared his throat, almost shivering at the thought, “I would do anything to never see that look in your eye again.” He finished. You let your hands drop and pulled him in, hugging him tight. 

“You never will.” You reassured him, as you rubbed circles into his back. Sure, you had every right to be upset with him for taking your free will from you, but he had every reason to do it and all of them came from a good place, from a place that only wanted to keep you safe.You weren’t the only one that was struggling, the boys were going through it too and it was selfish of you to think you were the only one affected by the chain of events that had gone down. When you broke from your hug, his eyes were still red but considerably less teary and you took it as a good sign. Giving his hand one last squeeze, you turned around and walked down the echoing hallways to find the younger brother that you no doubtly needed to apologize to. 

When you walked through the library doors you saw him. He sat with his back hunched over, his head in his hands, staring at the grain of wood in the table he leaned on. A pain cracked through your chest.

“Sam,” You started and his head instantly whipped up in your direction, “C’mere.” You said, as you walked forward. His eyes searched yours, curious of what you were going to do, pleading with you to understand. Once you reached him, you could see that his eyes were glossy and filling with tears. You leaned down and wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders as he sat in the chair. His head fell to the crook of your neck and you could feel his hesitant breaths as a few singular tears slipped onto the collar of your shirt.

“We thought we lost you,” He said, his voice stiff from trying to hold back and suck it up, “I thought you were gone,” His hand on your back tightened, “God, you were so pale when we got you to the hospital, I’d never seen Dean’s hands shake like that, like when he was handing you over to the doctors,” His head shook in disbelief as you pulled away and looked at him. He quickly turned and rubbed at his eyes, before casting them down towards the tile floor.

“Sam, I’m sorry,” You found yourself feeling guilty at the outburst you’d had, “I didn’t even stop to think about the other end of this, it wasn’t just me.” You grabbed his hand and squeezed it before letting it go. He nodded.

“I’m just really glad you’re back and you’re you again.” He sniffled lightly and forced a smile, always trying to be the brave one. You returned his grin and nodded.

“Yeah, me too.” You patted him on the back and watched as he calmed himself down, brushing off the slight emotion he let peak through. The boys had been through so much when you were gone, it was time you made up for it. 

“Dean!” You yelled, your voice bouncing across the cold tile room. You glanced around, looking around the room. Everything was the same as you’d remembered and it made you feel more at home. You put on your biggest grin when Dean walked in, “Well, I don’t know about you, but I think this would be a great time for a movie night,” You nudged Sam’s shoulder, causing him to laugh. It echoed in the room and it filled your heart with a sense of home, reminding you that hearing Sam’s laugh was one of the things that brought you closer to remembering the boys. You looked at Dean who shrugged. “And I think I get to pick the movie tonight, I deserve it, alright?” You said, your voice dripping of sarcasm. Dean rolled his eyes.

“Please tell me it’s not another Adam Sandler movie.” He begged.

“Oh, you better bet your ass it’s another Adam Sandler movie, baby.” You laughed, throwing your head back. “Nothing like the Sandman, am I right?” You winked at Dean. Despite everything, he couldn’t help but smile watching you. 

“As long as you don’t try to beat the crap outta me again, I’m down,” Dean threw his hands up in surrender and headed for the couch. As you stood up to follow suit, Sam laughed behind you.

“Dean, you just got your ass kicked by Y/N, you’re never living this down,” He laughed, patting your shoulder with his calloused hand. You giggled at the thought.

“Yeah, I kinda did kick you on your ass, didn’t I?” You grinned to yourself.

You didn’t know what the future held, or how it would be to readjust to being home again with the boys, but you looked forward to every second of it. The three of you sat on the couch, Dean’s arm fell around your shoulders comfortably, while Sam kicked his feet up on the other side of you. You melted under the crook of Dean’s arm and looped your hands in between his and gave it a squeeze. You didn’t have much. But you had them. You silently promised yourself that you’d make sure to call Amy the first chance you got. But until then, in the presence of the people you loved, you kicked back and for the first time in six months, finally let yourself relax.

-----

Hope you liked it! Requests are always open, I’d love to do more!

#spn #supernatural #dean and sam #sam and dean #dean x reader #sam x reader #dean winchester x reader #sam winchester x reader #spn fanfic #spn fanfiction #jensen and jared #jared and jensen #j2 #supernatural fanficiton #dean dream imagines #dean x y/n #sam x y/n #jared padalecki #jensen ac #hannahc56 #dean fluff #sam fluff #deancas #destiel

[floette777]

Don't poke the Mama bear!

This is my first Hazbin hotel fanfic. Sorry if its too long, But I hope you enjoy it!😊

Character info:

Nickname: Nunya ( At first was use for being sarcastic to strangers asking for her name but starting to keep it), Mama(The kids) , Mama bear, sugar bear(Valentino) , Thicc mama(Valentino again and Angel just for fun) Thicc cheeks(Val STOP!)

Secret Real name: Lakisha

When/Cause of death: 1970-1997 blood loss and burns.

When Lakisha was a human and alive, She was a mother of 2 boys one is age 2 other is 8. She was happily married with her husband until she discover he cheated on her with a woman by seeing him in recorded video from her friend who sneakily spying on him showing he's with a woman kissing then he jokingly made fun about his wife for being too naive.

Angrily and heartbroken she decided to get a divorce and kick him out instead of forgiving him. But weeks later at night when the family is sleeping her ex-husband came back with his home-wreaking girlfriend to sneak in the house to murder her for insurance money and the kids for not wanting to pay child support.

After they done the job they started to burn the house to make it look like a fire related accident. While they busy making the fire unknowing to them Lakisha was still alive but barely struggle enough strength to stand.

She lost it when she saw her kids dead with blind rage she changed at her husband and the woman with a knife they left on the floor they use to kill the family and stab them brutally. She was too blinded by her own rage while stabbing them not knowing the fire rising around her causing the house roof to collapse on her and killed her.

After death Lakisha tragically separated from her kids and sent to hell for murder. Out of sadness , angry and confusion of seeing her arms turned to bear she wonders in hell thinking of her kids and why she deserves this harsh punishment.

Not long while walking around feeling lost in hell, Demons see her and starting to harassing her by still keeping some of her human appearance after death. Soon her rage builds greatly be the continuing harassment that cause her to snap to started slashes the demons with her claws then crush some of them by her hand with heavy objects she grab around her with physical strength.

Her intense blind rage cause her to have so much physical power that she end up knocked down building with her fist or punch a demon so hard make it to launch towards the building cause it to knock down. Powerful demons who try to defeat her get severely injured or kill by her claws.

Without her knowing news filming her carnage cause overlords to notices her. Most of them don't care about it while some are starting to take interest in her and keep a close eyes on her.

After there's no more demons come to attacking her, her rage fades and starting to get depress thinking of her kids that she'll never see again and wonders the streets. Not for long she took a job to be a meat cutter after a butcher see and amaze by her quick cutting skills slicing the flesh off the bone of a animal she hunts.

He want to know her name and she jokingly call herself Nunya but the butcher didn't notice it and starting to calling her that. She so mentally exhausted to care to correct him and just keep it as her nickname besides she's not comfortable to give her real name strangers especially demons. He call himself Butcher. (I know lazy am I right?) Who also don't like revival his real name.

She accepted his offer since It's useful for her to get easy money and food since she doesn't really enjoy killing even though she hates to admit that it is a good stress reducing at times.

He show and gave her apartment since the demon who lives there not too long ago left the area out of fear after seeing her wonders around the area then remembering facing her and in up with close to fatal wounds by her claws. She thanks Butcher and walk inside thinking of resting before work while having thoughts of her kids thinking if they doing well in heaven.

While working she been visit by other strong demons who wanted her to join them but she shrug it off and didn't care about getting more turf since she have already have a apartment roomie enough for her so she good for now and plus she enjoy her freedom to do whatever she want. Some will not take no for answer and try to force her to join.. Well, Let's just say they didn't come out in one piece.

She heard about overlords from Butcher while she working cutting meats warns her saying "You better be careful out there and not make your anger blinded you especially if you ran to a overlord."

She look at him confuse "Overlord?". Butcher nods "They're far more stronger then the other powerful demons you faces, It be suicide to go facing one of them, So be careful." She stare at him and nods, she doesn't care much about the warnings but keep a eye out.

Valentino was the first overlord she met and Boy she dislike him greatly. Nunya was walking around the city avoiding crowded places to not get attention to herself and cause unnecessary fights since she like her alone time while being free from work today. She fails at that.

Soon a red Limo slowly stop beside her but she pay no mind kept on walking. If its another demon try to fight her, It will regret it greatly once she get her hands on them for trying ruin her day off work.

She hear the glass window of the limo going down but didn't look back and kept walking. But she pause her walk after a voice of a man call out to her saying something that want to rip the throat of this person who saids it.

"Hey baby, Where your fine thick bear a** going." She slowly turn around ready to slash the face off whoever saids it. Then see a man sitting in the back of the limo wearing a something like a trash rich pimp she see in movies when she's alive, Giving her a flirtation smirk. While a woman who wearing things that doesn't look like clothes to her since it barely cover her body, sitting on his lap but got off after that red pimp moves her away while he got Nunya's attention.

"Don't call my that, If you want to lose your face." She say after fully turns around staring at him in the eyes with full of anger and annoyance.

He creepy smile with amuse of her anger. "Ooh feisty~ I like that in a woman." He lick his teeth while looking at her, She cringe at that. He continues " I been watching you baby and let's just say, I enjoy that spicy spirit when I saw you on video."

"What!? Video!? You telling me this city have security camera around her!? She turn her head to looks around at building her to see if she spots one. He ignore her question and continue. "I couldn't stop seeing you in action, ripping your enemies apart, slashing them till there nothing but pile of flesh and kicking them hard that makes your big booty jiggles."

She stare at him in horror and disgusted having her claw out ready to kill him. He unfazed by her and continues "You also still having your human appearance that's make you even more desirable. I want to part of my minions and don't worry I take great care of you. You'll be one my top assistant. So what do you say baby cakes."

She stare at with even more disgust. "GRRR, How about a great big more like a giant fat NO!! An take your creepy perverted behind self an your pimp wagon an SCRAM!!!" Then she fast walking away from him to get as far away as possible from him. Valentino was surprised at her out-burst then started to laugh by amusement. He yell out for her saying "My Offer is still in the table baby, I be waiting for you Thicc cheeks!"

She pause her fast mid walk then quickly turn to look at him glaring at him angrily. "Call me that again, I'll rip your balls out." Valentino look her up and down then say "Wow, I didn't even know you're that kinky thicc cheeks".

Nunya have enough of his perverted nicknames then make a bear roar then charged to crush him and the Limo he's in but it drove off before she got the chance. Valentino yell out saying "I see you soon thicc cheeks!" Nunya right eye twitching while watching the limo drove off and she hoping heavily to never see the perverted demon again.

Unknowning to her since she didn't buy a T.V yet. She was on the news again today showing her her yelling and threatening overload Valentino ready to fight him. "And there the video! Crazy right, The raging bear woman have to be one retarded demon to yelling at a overlord! Do she have a death wish!? I do hope so, It give me more action and bloodshed in the news if that happens!" While laughing.

Unlucky for Nunya, Because of that video that the news video showing her yelling at Val" A overloads who watches her on a news video is taking a even more interests in her smiling sinister while watching the video.

She return to work next day right after she step in the meat market, Butcher came toward her saying " Are you insane!?

She look at him confuse. "What are talking about?" Butcher wiping the sweat with his cloth and explain. "The news of you arguing at Overlord Valentino!" She look horrify at him. "You tell me that man a overlord?"

Butcher look at her and nod. "I couldn't blame you of being scare. Realized you just coming face 2 face with a overlord can be one of the most terrifying thing in hell but You luck he didn- but was stop by Nunya. "l wasn't scare about him being a Overlord, I'm more upset that I can't easily kill that pervert pimp the next time I see him!"

Soon she pause."Wait, I'M ON THE NEWS!?!?

A while after that mess with discover the perverted pimp is a overlord and her being on the news that she or butcher didn't know how able to film and put it on t.v so quickly.

She thankfully didn't met with any overlords especially Valentino yet for awhile knowing she might not be lucky next time if the a overlord not gonna take her refusing to join them and take her by force. She will fight to not be a toy to let them do what they want with her. She knows she can't beat a overlord but she will not back down even if it's kill her.

Years later she still thinking of her kids and sadden she will never see her kids and family again. She is still thankful her kids are in a safe place and not down here with her in this horrible place.

She still have the hatred of her ex-husband and that home-wreaker woman. She knows their somewhere in hell but not going to bother searching for them to kill them all over again since its a waste of her time and he kinda forgave them for murdering her, But she NEVER forgive them for taking her childrens life. If she see one of them, She make sure cut them in diced and feed them to hellhounds for murdering her kids.

While walking back to work to the meat market she then saw the scorpion child a cross the street begging for food then she see a demon harshly shoved the child to the ground while laughing. Out of shock and rage she quickly went over then grab the demon by lifting it by the head saying threatening "If I ever see you put your nasty hands or hurting a child again, I will rip you apart, NOW SCRAM!!!" She throw the demon into the sky far away and don't care where the demon landed.

Xosa look amazed seeing the demon who harm her throw up to in the sky then look back Nunya amaze but and look at her confusion. "W-why you help me? Mother say, i-it's normal for demon to be c-cruel and hitting me. It's part of life in hell." She saids while nervously look up at the bear demon waiting for a answer.

Nunya look at a little shock that the little girl's mother said to her being harm is normal but quickly changed her expression. "Just because I'm in hell doesn't means it's ok to harm childrens. Beside it's disgust me how they treated anybody who defenseless and desperately needed help". Xosa surprised by her answer and start to tear up by her kindness.

Nunya ask she come with her if she like so she can give her some meat to eat. Beside she hate to leave her here alone and defenseless with dangerous demon roaming around. Xosa nods and followed closely.

Unknowingly a demon in red smiling sinisterly at them with amusement from seeing the whole scene.

During there walk to the meat market, Xosa explain why she alone saying her mom abandoned her for a rich demon while saying she doesn't want a worthless child in the way of her becoming a wealthy woman. So she was toss her out of the car by her mom and drove off while hearing them laughing. She been struggling to survive and hide from dangerous demons for weeks until she couldn't bare being Hungry and start begging for food.

Nunya is angry and disgusted by Xosa's mother action then turn to sadness for Xosa being homeless and defenseless in this dangerous place. "Hey, I know you just met me but, do you want to be adopted by me? I promise I will take care of you and make sure no other demon harm you." Xosa surprised by that then started smile at her and nods happily "Really!? Yes please! You so nice to save me from that mean ol demon! Not many demons help another in need! You're also so strong! I want to be strong like you, I want to throw others who attack me with ease!".

Nunya smile looking down at the little girl talking fast while happily skipping next to her holding her hand then pause a bit and realize she haven't been smile or feel any kind of happiness for years during her first day in hell. She thinking back her kids when she alive with them, She really missed that feeling.

The Butcher didn't mind Xosa staying in the shop while she working as long she doesn't mess with his precious meats. Xosa soon wants to help around the shop because of boredom then Butcher let her help cleaning by wiping the glass and sweeping the floor to help out.

Days later Nunya standing in behind the meat stand waiting while the butcher take a restroom break. She watch Xosa drawing and coloring something on paper on the table then they both heard the front door open and see a strange demon in red with animal-like ears looks like a fox ears? No, not a fox since they don't have tiny antlers, maybe a deer she thinks. She see he's dressing something like her grandpappy use to wear back in the day when he was young. The red demon came in and walking towards her while smiling widely at her in a way that she doesn't feel right about and most weirded that she is hearing... Static noises?

The smiling red demon greeted her. "Hello dear! I just wonder if you see the Butcher. I want to speak to him!" She is surprise by his voice sound like a radio but calmly respond. " The butcher is taking a dump break, He be out the restroom soon."

The red demon make a disgust look while smiling. "Miss, You don't have to tell me the full details. You could just say he taking a quick break."

Nunya shrug but apologize about it. "My bad, let's start over. Hello welcome to the to meat market. Sorry the butcher you looking for is busy right now, He's taking da poo poo." The red demon face froze while smiling. She hears a little giggles then look behind the red demon to see Xosa covers her mouth trying to quiet her giggles. Nunya smiles then stop after hearing loud static around her then look back at the red demon and see his face change into a even more creepier look. But instead of showing fear she just raise her eyebrows while looking at him in the eyes unfazed with a are you serious look. She never met a demon get so work up over her say dump or poo before. Of all the nasty things she heard demons said in hell that tick him off? Really.

Before anything happen Xosa ran up happy between them showing her art she done "Mama look I draw and color you!" Nunya quickly forget about the intense stare down with the red demon. Look at the picture she draw and her heart melts. The red demon see her eyes sparkles in a pure motherly love that he never see for a very long time.

"Aww, Thank you sweety! That's the most beautiful drawing of me I ever saw!" Nunya say sweetly. Xosa smiles turns toward the red demon her art happily showing to him asking what he thinks.

Nunya almost forgot the about the mysterious red demon she quickly look at him seeing him looking down at the art Xosa showing with the same creepy smiling on his face with statics sound getting louder. Before she react.

The red demon stop his creepy look and praise Xosa " My , my ,What a amazing draw you did there my dear! You'll make a fine artist if you keep it up!" Xosa gleefully thanked him and ran back the table to draw more.

Nunya surprise about that since almost every demon they met be rudely ignore her or threatening Xosa. She will punch the demon threw a brick wall who even dare hurt Xosa.

She about to apologize for her rude behavior early but it went down heel after the smiley demon say in a more sinisterly way. "If the child didn't interrupt me, I will rip your tongue out by now.

Static started more loudly again with redness colors slowly forming around them.

Nunya silently look at him with wide eyes. The red demon stop his threatening looks and smiles satisfy thinking he scares her... Boy was he wrong.

Slowly Nunya face goes to shock to a raging look then quickly grab him by the waist with her one big bear hand and lift him up with ease.

She roaring shouting "HOW DARE YOU THREATENING ME!!! I WAS ABOUT TO APOLOGIZE FOR MY RUDE BEHAVIOR AND YOU SAY YOU WANT TO RIP MY TONGUE OUT!?!!? I GONNA SNAP YOUR WAIST LIKE A KIT KAT BAR!!!!"

Xosa quickly went behind the table scare knowing how her Mama is toward demons did anything to make her mad. Before anything happen the butcher calmly walk out the back room after done his business while the sametime hearing Nunya raging voice again after a demon goes to far too anger her.

But it's a good thing he did use the restroom, After seeing what Nunya grabbing in her bear hand while shouting at, his blood drains from his face when he see its the radio demon who looking at her stun while smiling. He would of sh**ing himself.

Butcher quickly rush to grab her shoulder to get her attention, before Nunya turns her head about to him to tell him what's going on. She see the Butcher face is pale and sweating with fear. She never see him this terrified before.

Butcher look her in the eyes try to stay calm but failing badly said "N-Nunya, P'p-put the r-radio demon down, Now." Nunya look at him confuse. "Radio demon?" She look back at the demon name radio demon seeing he didn't try to move a inch at her grip just starting at her like at smiling statue. That really creep her out.

Nunya look back at the butcher say " Why? I about to toss the smiling red lamp post out of- The Butcher interrupt her " Nunya! T-this isn't no regular demon, He a overlord but far more stronger." Nunya silently look back at radio demon who she still holding by the waist still didn't move just starting at her smiling with no change of expression.

Nunya look back at the butcher then say... "You mean this life size strawberry popsicle looking man is a overlord?" Before butcher say anything they both hear a finger snap then suddenly black tentacles came out of nowhere grabbing her arm that holds the radio demon and squeeze it painfully making her let go.

Nunya slash the tentacles that holds her but more came out of nowhere and grab her. Xosa was crying for her and the butcher bowing begging the radio demon to forgive them but he didn't pay attention to him but at Nunya seeing her keep slashing and ripping his tentacles that keep reappearing and tightening their grip on her. He amuse at her not backing down even though she losing this battle with the tentacles starting to tighten around her body making her make a pained expression.

Before he move his fingers more without flinching he feel a sudden pain cause him to pause for a bit after feeling he was jab by something sharp behind his leg. Instead of turning around body he just turn his whole head around see the little scorpion girl looking at him tearful angry eyes using the tip of her tail to stab him with poison but it barely did a thing but make his leg feel a little numb.

"L-Let go of Mama! You mean demon! Radio demon look at her amuse then his shadow grab her and lift her by the tail. Xosa scream out of surprise as the shadow lift her face 2 face with the radio demon in fear.

"You know it rude to interrupt a adult conversation."

Xosa start to cry in fear before the radio demon do anything he heard a bear like roar and see the bear demon Nunya struggling ripping the tentacles apart slowly pulling towards the radio demon while his tentacles try to pull her back. "LET HER GO YOU SMILING PIECE OF SH**"

The radio demon smile even more widely with amusement at her determination to get him with her claws but failed as the tentacles drag her back.

The radio demon smile and then say to her "You know, It was very rude of you to grab me without my permission, Dear." He then turn and was about to snap his fingers toward Xosa

For the first time in hell Nunya show fear at her face. "STOP!!!!"

The radio demon pause and look at her. Nunya look at him with a fearful look on her face. "Please.. Don't hurt Xosa. You can rip my arm my leg ANYTHING. Just don't hurt her."

Radio demon smile at her more darken. "How about another deal, Join me become mine servant."

Nunya flinch at that, She doesn't want to be tied down by some demon so they can do whatever they want with her but agree for Xosa sake.

"GRRRRrrrrrrrr......*sigh* Fine."

Radio demon smile widen at her then said. "Wow I didn't expect that be easy!"

Nunya pause for a bit... "Wait wha-"

Radio demon snap his fingers then tentacles quickly left down the floor then the shadow let go the Xosa by dropping her on a chair and everything went back to normal.

Nunya look around seeing everything fix like there wasn't any tentacles come out of the floor. She look to see the butcher alright he was breathing heavily with his eyes look like it about to pop out.

Alastor turns and smile at her with excitement " Bravo that was spectacular! I never expected a demon will willingly sacrifice there life for someone! What a wonderful performance!" They hear like audiences clapping out of nowhere.

Nunya was confuse and speechless. "What are you talking about?"

The Radio demon explains " l been watching you for a while for awhile dear and I got to say I was amuse by you since the first day you came to hell. I want you to join me but I realized you are one tough cookie with claws, I seen many other powerful demon try to make you join them including.. Valentino..

The radio demon say the perverted overlord's name with disgusted. Hey at least she not the only one who dislike him.

The radio demon continues "I notice you will fight to the death to not be tied down to be a servant to another demon for your freedom and I don't want that no no no no that be a tragic waste of entertainment if you die! So I wait patiently to find your weaknesses so I can have a chance to make you join me willingly."

Nunya left eye twitch trying not to snap while he continues.

"For years I was about to give up knowing nothing in hell will break you're ferocious spirit to join me but then that day you met the little scorpion girl."

The radio demon look at Xosa and Xosa look back confused. Nunya getting more angry with her claws scratching the flood trying so hard not slicing and dicing the red demon.

"After seeing you protect the poor little orphan child, I see your face starting to lighting up and you smile for the first time in years ever since you adopted little girl. And I must say you have such a sweet smile."

The radio demon take a look at Nunya face seeing her looking very angry ready to slash him in half.

"So I decided a great plan of using Xosa as a way to break you spirit to join me and well you know, It's works!"

The Butcher look at the radio demon with fear and exhaustion from his heart pounding fast. "So you wasn't going to kill us and destroying my market?"

The Radio demon start to laugh with the audience laugh with him "No, no, My good man, Your market have the bestest meat in hell. It be a terrible waste! Beside it was all a act! Except the part she grabbing my waist almost crushing me, Now that's a shocker!"

The Butcher sigh with relief then thanking the radio demon for not killing them and destroy the market.

Nunya... Is about to lose it.

Xoxa came and ask the radio demon " You're not going to hurt me?"

He smile at her " Oh course my dear, I wasn't gonna hurt you. Until you stab me behind my leg with your stinger, I was going to let my shadow and pop your little tail out.~

Xosa stare at him with wide eyes then run quickly toward her Mama hiding behind her glaring at him while Nunya growling at him for scaring Xosa.

The radio demon laugh "I was joking my dear.... Maybe."

The radio demon soon turns to the door. "Well, look like I over my stay my welcome today, I have a busy day to finish! I will dial you when I need your servants. Also Butcher , Make sure my order ready next time I come."

The Butcher nods feverishly.

Before the radio demon leave out the door he look back at Nunya. "You can call me Alastor and smile my dear, You never fully dress without one." He then walk out.

Butcher sigh closing his eyes " Thank goodness everything is fine again, Seriously Nunya you should be really careful next-

He open his eyes and see only Xosa looking where the door is. Horrify he look quickly at the door to see Nunya runs out the door.. His heart stop for that moment.

"Alastor!" He stop his walking and look over his shoulder to see Nunya running catching up then stop in front of him breathing heavily.

"Yes my dear?" Alastor turns while smiling. Nunya look at him with a look with no anger look in her eyes but looking nervously at him. Looks like she starting to respect him after seeing his power he thought.

Nunya then look at him in such a soft smile. He didn't lie about her having a sweet smile he like to see that more.

"I want to thank you properly for not destroying the market and not hurting Xosa. Butcher work very hard to making the best meat in hell and he been helping me ever since my during my first week here. I will feel awful if I be the cause of his business to be ruin.

Alastor smile widen " Of course my dear. You don't have to worry about that. Like I say before it's was all a act! He is my favorite meat seller you know!

Nunya nods smiling and continue " Also is it really true that you say my smile look sweet to you?" Nunya looking down the ground while blushing.

Alastor look at her speechless, It's so weird to see her like this since he use to her I'm gonna kill you look but he not surprised, He always have that charm to easily sweep girls of their feet. "Of course my dear your smile look very pretty on you!"

"Awww!" Nunya ran to him to give him a bear hug on his waist and Alastor frozen of her unexpected action with a sound of record screech. "Thank you~." She say sweetly.

Alastor try to move her bear arms off him. "My dear, Can I ask you to not hug me with my permission. Next time I won't be forgiven."

While he say that, He didn't see the pure fiercely rage on her face returns ready to snap.

"Oh don't worry, it won't happen again, Alastor~" Suddenly her bear arms tighten more on his waist. "Alastor?"

Alastor look down at her getting annoyed of her still hugging him. "Yes dear?"

"GO TO HEAVEN!!!!!!"

Before he react she quickly spins with him and use all her strength to throw Alastor up the air while he screaming in a inhuman scream (Is that what deer's scream sound like?) while a sound of static slowly fade with him and he disappear into the sky.

She yell at the sky where she throw him "THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT MEAT MARKET HOPE TO SEE YOU NEVER!!!!!"

She then walk by Butcher while he and the other bystanders look up the sky at shock where they last seen the radio demon.

" Let's get home Xosa. So I get ready to make dinner we having shepherd's pie tonight!"

Xosa jump happily " Yay can I help cook?!"

"Sure sweety , See ya tomorrow Butcher I'll bring you some pie as a apology for today. Well have a good nite." They both walk away.

Butcher didn't say anything but his eyes widen with face frozen looking at the direction of the sky where he last scene Alastor thrown. "This woman gonna get me kill."

Later that night after she and Xosa done cooking before they start fixing their plates she heard a a knock on the door. She look at Xosa as a signal to go hide just incase it's a unwelcoming visitor.

When she get closer to the door she hear... Radio Static. (Dang he came back that quick!?) she thought to her self. She expects him to confront her tomorrow when she work. Why he had to come in the middle of Shepherd's pie nite. She sigh and open the door seeing a Alastor with a even more sinister face with his eyes growing.

She notice he's all wet from head to toes with his deer ears lower on his head. Curious she asking him before he kills her.

"Before you rip my tongue, Can you tell me where my throw land you?"

Alastor smile widen but in a very I will rip your heart off and eat it in front of you look but decided to hold on a bit and tell her before punishing her GREATLY! "Well my dear~ When you rudely throw me up the sky tell me go to heaven and no I didn't make it to heaven."

Nunya is not surprised by that but still a little disappointed.

He continued "when I falling I land in a middle of a pool." Nunya look at him even more disappointed. "Well I don't see you to get that mad, At least you land somewhe-

Alastor raise his hand to stop her. "It's not just a pool... It's was Valentino's...

She about to speak again but stop again by his hand. " It's wasn't empty... He was there with many other demons and they-" Alastor look like he about to throw up. "Having a orgy..."

She look at him horrified. "Oh wow, I was hoping I throw you and you landed on sharp rocks but that 100x worst.

She shutters remembering her first encounter with Valentino. She really hope not see him again anytime soon. "Sorry about that, I not apologizing for throwing you you deserve that but sorry for landing you in one of the most horrific parts of hell" She cringe thinking about Val's pool party.

Alastor agree with a slow nod. "It still doesn't change that I will punish you greatly for that." he growls while static getting more louder.

Nunya sigh not surprised about that. "Ok before you rip something like my tongue out, Can we do this after we eat? I made Shepherd's pie."

Alastor pause "shepherd?" Alastor look at her with confusion.

"You never heard of one?" She ask him curiosity.

He stare at her and shake his head slowly as a no. Then she got a ideal. "Hey if you enjoy my Shepherd's pie will you won't rip my body apart?"

Alastor growls at her with statics sounds getting more loud while smiling ready snap his finger to summon his tentacles to rip her arm off but He then thinks a bit after smelling the food coming out of her home , He didn't taste any new food for awhile and he is pretty hungry from the mess she put him through. He still remember feeling those succubus try to grab at him while he try to escape at Val's abomination pool while Val laughing at him struggling to get away from those nude demons. He shuttered thinking about it. Plus ripping her arms off will cripple her losing his entertainment he was waiting for a long time.

"Fine dear, If the pie you made is good I won't rip anything from your body but if it's not good..." Radio Static slowly building to be louder "Say goodbye to one of your arm." Alastor say in a darkly radio voice.

Unfazed by his threat Nunya let him in then walk towards the kitchen. Xosa glare nervously at Alastor hiding behind the couch but come out when Mama call her. "Sweety, May you go get two big towel for me please?" Xosa nods but look at Alastor glaring at him with a I don't trust you look and left to get some.

Alastor look around the apartment couldn't help how cozy it looks and feel here inside like there not in hell.

He look see some drawings on the short living room table with crayons on top he could tell was Xosa with some drawing of herself pretending to be a some princess wearing a big pink dress while holding a sword with a coloring of red post to be blood on the tip of the blade. "Oh how cute." He thought while smiles sinisterly. He see some drawing with her with Nunya and a somewhat funny drawing of Butcher.

Nunya look at Alastor making show her isn't wonder of the house then see Xosa coming with towels. "Here Mama! I got clean ones!" She say proudly. Nunya smile at her " Thank you sweety." While motherly petting on Xosa head.

Alastor looks at them then sudden remember when his mother affection by petting his head. Alastor big smile almost loosen but quickly rise back seeing Nunya walking towards him then holding up a towel for him.

*Here, don't want you to keep tracking water on my floor. I also have to remember bleaching the floor later. Knowing where those water came from." She said while cringe thinking about of Val's pool.

Alastor look at the towel and grins. "No need my dear!" Nunya looks at him confuse before she say anything Alastor all of sudden shake his head making the water splash around her.

After he down she stare at him with in wide eyes didn't once move while hording the towel toward him. He then snap his finger and he incently dry like he wasn't wet moments ago.

Xosa who's lucky not close enough to get a drop on her look at her Alastor then at Mama in shock seeing wet droplets everywhere on her mama's face and apron.

Nunya right eye twitching looking at the smiling red dear demon trying hard not to choke him "Why didn't you do that before you walk in my apartment? " She say trying not to yell.

Alastor chuckles sinisterly. "Let just say it's part of your punishment, My dear.~" Nunya claws starting to come out but retreated back. Nunya sigh try to calm herself then turns around towards the kitchen while drying herself with the towel that was suppose to be for Alastor.

Alastor then went towards the table and sit and Xosa came also but then move her chair away from Alastor looking at him in distrust. Nunya then came with each plates with pie on it. She give the first plate to Xosa and lay it gently on the table in front of her.

"Here you go, Eat up sweety." Nunya say while smile a little at Xosa. "Yay, I will!" Xosa say happily then starts to eat. Nunya walk to Alastor to give him his plate but instead on putting it down gently she slap the plate on the table but not enough to make the food spill. "Eat." She say without looking at Alastor then went to get her a plate and sit next to Xosa.

Alastor look at the plate with surprise it doesn't look like pie but a lots of cheese for topping with potatoes , with some chop vegetables and ground beef. Nunya looks at him guesting what's he's thinking and sigh. "I know it seem weird at first but trust me it's not bad once you tasted it."

Alastor look at her with a untrusting look then she rolls her the say "Don't worry, I didn't put anything on your food. Beside I hate wasting good food." She then went back to eating. Alastor look at her smiling in a sinister smile. "Remember dear, If the food isn't good. Pop goes your arm.~"

Xosa stop her mid eating then quickly looking back and forth at Alastor and Mama while Nunya rolls her eyes unfazed by his threat continuing eating. Alastor scoop up some of the food on the fork then slowly put it in him mouth. To his surprised the food actually tastes pretty good. The taste like a warm homemade meals made with a mother's touch.

"My my, the food you make is actually taste good.~ Alastor say then take another bite. Xosa sigh with relief then smile at Alastor. "I know right!? Mama make the best food, I never taste anything this great before! I happy she's my Mama, I can eat many delicious food without being only in my birthday!" She happily say then went back to eating.

Alastor smile at the Xosa childlike behavior. "You right, I can tell by your expression she take great care of you. You a lucky orphan to meet her before your miserable fate." Xosa nods then continuing eating. Alastor notices the bear demon haven't say anything yet and look at her seeing Nunya looking away try to look angry while trying not to blush then mumbles a thank you.

After they done eating, Nunya starting to pick up the dishes but stop by Alastor. " Allow me.~" He say then snap his finger causing the dishes on the table disappear. Nunya look at Alastor annoyed about to tell him where the dishes is then suddenly hear noises then look back and see the dishes on the drying rack all clean and dry.

Nunya look at it surprised and look at Alastor. "Um,Thank you?" Alastor then smile widely "You're welcome dear, It's my thanks for giving me the nice meal. Xosa then came towards Alastor. "Wow, How you clean the dishes with a snap with your finger!? Can you teach me please!" Xosa looking at him with sparkling eyes and Alastor chuckles at her.

"Sorry my dear, A great magician doesn't give away his tricks.~" Xosa look at him with big begging eyes. "Oh pleeease, I promise I won't tell!" But she was stop by Nunya. "That's enough Xosa, Beside it's time for you to get ready for bed." Nunya say motherly and lightly push Xosa to walk away to get ready. Xosa sigh and nods. "Ok, Goodnight Alastor."

"Goodnight dear." Alastor said while both of them looking at Xosa walking down the small hallway towards the bathroom and went in. Nunya then look at him. "Thank you for being nice to Xosa, She have a hard time sleep when she stress, Especially she don't need to worry about me losing my arm....Right" She narrow her eyes look at Alastor.

Alastor smiles at her. "Don't worry dear, Your cook just save your arm." Nunya sigh in relief. She not may not be afraid of him but she don't the ideal of losing her arm.

"But that doesn't mean you not getting punish." Alastor say in a sinister tone. Nunya look at him annoyed like she not surprised by him saying that. "Grrr, You say I won't get punish if my food good!" Alastor smile at her widely "oh no no my dear, I mean I won't rip anything off your body. You still getting punish for throwing me."

Nunya growls at him Alastor continue "Don't worry I won't punish you now. I have to take time to think of a good punish for you, It may take a tomorrow maybe day or even weeks. For the mean time my dear servant..~" Alastor then walk towards her "Be afraid." Nunya raised her claws preparing to fight all of sudden Alastor disappear in front of her. She desperately looking around the room for him while she turns to look at the spot where she last saw him... She see red eyes looking at very close to hers with dials as pupils "Be very afraid." He say while loud radio static noises rumbles the apartment with redness around her then he disappear.

Nunya stand there silent starting where she last see Alastor. "Mama!?" Xosa yell out the bathroom in the tub "Is everything ok!? The whole bathroom shaking!" Nunya look at the bathroom door "I'm ok sweety it's just a little rumble" She say while her hands twitching. "Just continue finished your bath." Xosa then yell out a "Okay!"

Nunya glaring the spot Alastor is with eyes twitching . (So he think he can come to my life , threatening to hurt Xosa , trick me to become his servant and now try to scare me in my home after feeding him a good meal!?)

Then she smiles showing all her teeth in a very tick off look ("He wants entertainment, I GIVE HIM THE ENTERTAINMENT HE WANTS!!)

**BREAKING NEW**

"We're here live tell you the breaking news in hell! There's videos shown of Bear demon Nunya throwing the Radio demon!" Tom say then you can here audience gasping in the background then Katie respond "Crazy I'm I right!? I thought her she yelling at Valentino is the retarded thing now I think she have no brain at all in her fat head for she throwing one of the strongest overlords! Hahaha She is so dead!"

A Demon with a tv for a head stop whatever he doing looking at the television after hearing about the radio demon

"Right you are Katie! Here the recording video footage of Nunya throwing Alastor by the bystander who seen it all!"

The video starts showing Nunya talking to Alastor. "Oh this is crazy! I quickly pull out my phone after seeing the psycho bear woman calling out for the radio demon, This is crazy man!" The R.D(Means recording demon) said in the video then another voice in the video response to R.D "I know right!? Knowing her history it is scary what she might do, But it is more terrifying if she angers the radio demon this whole area be in chaos.

Then video show Nunya looking down blushing the video shakes a little. "W-wha, She blushing!? I never see her acting like this before, She acting like a school girl confessing her crush, I'm used to her looking angry this is more scary!" R.d say in a nervous tone then the Bystander respond "D*mn, Maybe the rumors of Alastor have the charm to woos ladies of their feet is true. If he can charm her anything possible!"

Then other bystander can be hear in the background of the video "Oh no, My Val×Nunya shipping club is in danger!"

"....Wait wha-" Before R.D about to turns the camera to see who saids that Nunya suddenly hugs Alastor's small waist with Alastor flinch at the contact but still keep a smiling face. "WHAT!?!?" R.d yell in disbelief. "She hugging the radio demon!? This is insane, Did she confess her lust for him and he accepts!?" The bystander say in shock. "Well looks like my shipping sinks in the bottom of a cold cruel sea ." Another bystander say in sadness.

Then they hear a loud "GO TO HEAVEN!!!!"

Then all of sudden the video show Nunya quickly lift Alastor off the ground then make a briefly fast spin with him in her arms then let him go causing him to went flying way up the sky with nonstop while making a inhuman scream with radio static sound slowing goes away the further he flown. Demon bystanders can be heard in the video gasping, shouting in disbelief , and saying we gonna die.

"Oh my Lucifer, D-did she just throw the radio demon?" R.d saying in high pitched voice." The video zooming at the red sky trying to see where Alastor thrown off to but he flew too far to been seen. "THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT MEAT MARKET HOPE TO SEE YOU NEVER!" Nunya was heard yelling without the video showing her since it too focus on the sky.

"Ight I'm gonna head out the area before the radio demon comes back rip us all apart." R.d say while the video quickly went down showing the ground while shaking rapidly from R.d running. "You right about that!" The bystander yell out in the background. Before the video ends another bystander can be hear "Yes, My ValxNunya shipping club is still floating!"

The tv demon look at television with eyes widen a little of the bear demon easily throwing the Radio demon then the news come back on with Katie "Such absolute madness am I right!? What I can't believe the Radio demon let that crazy woman hug him! Does he have a fat fetish as well!?" Katie laughs then Tom respond "Well I couldn't blame him, Did you see the video where somebody film her closely while she fighting demons? The fight causing her dress to lift up enough to show she had one thick a** under that dress!"

Katie stare at the camera smiling angrily then grab a pen using it to stab Tom under the desk causing him to fall over to the ground while screaming in pain without looking at him.

The Katie continue "In other news! We lucky have the video by another demon recording where the radio demon lands! Roll the clip! Stop screaming you little bit-" The video cuts to showing a pool party showing demons doing something that no parents want their child to see.

All of sudden a animalistic scream was heard out of nowhere then a big splash was heard causing some demons in the pool closeby scream in surprised. The video quickly turn to showing six succubus looking down the water at something then pop out is the radio demon with loud radio static smiling angrily while looking around to find someone then a radio screech was heard when he stop and face change to smiling horror when he realized he is surrounded by nude succubus.

The Succubus giggles while eyed him lustfully then all of them quickly grabbing him and the radio demon scream in horror. A laugh heard then the video turns to show in close by is Valentino lending in the head of the pool surrounded by nude demons. "Come on Al, Sit back and enjoy the rides!" He keep laughing then the video quickly turns to Alastor still screaming struggling with all of them trying to take his clothes off then he teleports away causing the succubus demons to groans in disappointment. "Aww, He was cute too" one of them say *Video ends*

The Tv demon laugh at the video of Alastor over reacting of see nude demons. Then he stop and thinking about that bear woman that cause this. (Maybe I should go meet this woman. Someone who brave enough to throw the radio demon is worth to meet.) He thinking while smirking.

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

Finally I done! Thank you for spending your time reading it! This is one of the toughest story I ever write plus with my internet goes down randomly causing me to start over many times!😭

But still I have fun writing it, I hope you enjoy it since it is kinda my first fanfic story writing. Also here another fanart of Alastor and my ocs I made! Please don't repose!. 🎶🦌💥🐻💢

#hazbin hotel #hazbin valentino #alastor #alastor x oc #hazbin hotel alastor #hazbin hotel fanfic #hazbin hotel fanart

[thecrimsonvalley]

RDR Secret Cupid - “Love isn’t real”

Happy valentine’s @jelloandclawsart! Here’s my fic for the @rdrsecretcupid2020 I was so delighted writing this fic because there is nothing that brings me more happiness than these two dorks trying to work out their feelings (+ fun camp interactions, I adore fun camp interactions.).  Please enjoy and have an awsome day!  ~~~

Hosea was angry. Arthur could recall that he had seen this generally mild mannered and well versed man a tad miffed before, even thumbing onto slightly upset but this was different. He was fuming to the degree in which even Susan kept her distance, instead choosing to rushing about pestering John with a heap of scoldings for trying to sneak into the food preserves once more. 

Sitting over by the camp fire, Arthur threw a little glance towards one of the men that had helped in much of his raising. Only Hosea's back was visible but it seemed he was absorbed in whatever task he had taken up, loud mutters and mumbles rising from him in irregular intervals. 

While scratching the back of his neck, Arthur rose to his feet, making sure to pour two mugs of coffee. In his mind he had been debating if he should even approach, perhaps it would be better to allow this storm to blow over on its own. It was the more sympathetic thoughts that had won. Hosea was clearly agitated out of his mind to the point where it seemed to bring him a good bit of dismay. How many times had the older man not been there for him when he had been in a similar state. It was just some overdue return of the same kindness. 

Taking a few steps closer he caught sight of Susan observing him. She had just about caught onto the collar of young John's shirt and was halfway through the gesture of tugging him over towards the washing bin. Their eyes did meet for a split second and Arthur thought he could detect that small warmth in them, the one that indicated to him of how thankful she was for him intervening.

As he got closer, he could finally make out a few words that were uttered on such a low and rumbling tone it almost drowned out towards the surface of the table over which Hosea remained hunched. Sentences such as “I'll show you, you bloody bastard” and “you complete moron” seemed to be just a few which were actually completely audible. Clearing his throat, Arthur took the last steps, raising the mugs as an almost timid gesture of peace. 

He watched as Hosea raised his glance, studying him for a few seconds before grunting out a “sit down”. Doing as he was told, Arthur curiously peeked at what the other man was so deeply entranced by. It did little to clear the situation. 

Spread out between Hosea's arms were several pencils, some of them of the fancy ink variety, along with papers in various shades of red and pink. The entire scene was nothing but peculiar. Whatever it was that was keeping his father figure so occupied, it was a job that the older man didn't take too lightly on. 

“You... doin' a little craft project there?” Arthur asked, trying to add his general sideways grin. 

The reception of his attempt at encouragement was lukewarm, Hosea just moving his hand out to grab the extra cup of coffee and down half of it in a matter of seconds. 

“It's a gift” the older man then answered as he started to rather furiously cut out delicate flower patterns out of an especially deep crimson red paper “a gift for this camp's greatest idiot!” 

A small moment of enlightenment finally came over Arthur as he could not suppress another smile, finding relief in the fact that Hosea was too upset to even notice it. A squabble. That was what got the most collected man of their small gang so up in arms. It hadn't really been a first and he was certain it wouldn't be the last but there were no stopping his own amusement at how a man Hosea's age could get so incredibly worked up because of something Dutch had said. 

Realizing that the word exchange had done little but fuel his mentor's anger further, Arthur cleared his throat, turning his mug between his fingers. Acting as a bringer of peace wasn't really something he had perfected, neither did he expect to ever have to but he knew for a fact that Susan wasn't going to step in between this. More than once she had been the one scolding the two older men for acting like a bunch of scorned teenage lovers. 

“You know Dutch” Arthur said with the best honey voice he could summon “he says more than he means, it's just his fancy words, Hosea.” 

“Oh I'll show him just where he can shove his fancy words!” 

With vigour, Hosea slammed the flowers down onto a small patch of glue, the card before him coming together little by little. Biting the inside of his cheek, Arthur was about to try his second attempt when his eyes settled onto the figure of Dutch, approaching them with the same casual and careless expression as always. In a small act of desperation, he tried to seek the man's gaze only to feel his guts twist in frustration as there only came a cheerful smile onto Dutch's lips. 

“What's this now? Still teaching him how to read?” 

As Dutch's hand made contact with Hosea's shoulder, Arthur could feel how he instinctively moved just a few inches back. He felt certain that he could almost feel Hosea emitting heat, his eyes looking so furious as he rose from his chair. The movement was so quick that the chair he had been seated onto fell over, causing Dutch, despite all his confidence, to take a quick step back. 

“Here!” Hosea hissed out as he shoved the card into Dutch's chest “you moron!” 

Before anyone in camp could get their bearings, Hosea had stormed off, still cursing as he disappeared out of their views. Arthur soon moved his eyes from looking after him and instead back towards Dutch who stood as if frozen, mouth gaping and hands meekly holding onto the card. 

“Well, you gonna open it or not?” Arthur said with a sigh as he rose to his feet. 

He wasn't even certain that Dutch had fully heard him but still obeyed. Finally able to take a gander at this marvellous craft project, Arthur first and foremost took note of what amount of time had been put into it. There were cut out flowers as well as delicately inked birds and hearts. In the middle of it it all, in a cursive handwriting that would have made the highest of noblemen jealous were the words “Love isn't real – Dutch van der Linde”.  

It was as if he could hear the cogs in Dutch's head turn. The older man looked down at the letter, then out into thin air, then back onto the letter: repeating the gesture a good couple of times. When something finally seemed to sink in, the only thing he uttered was a low curse. 

“You told him that?”

Arthur gave a disapproving look towards the man before him. He wasn't well versed in his mentor's love business but even he could figure out that this wasn't a sentiment that would give any romantic sparks.  

Swooping in by their side came Susan who nimbly tugged the card out of Dutch's hands. Reading the words she soon came to give just as much a judgemental look as Arthur himself had. Somewhere he was certain that, had John mastered his reading abilities, even the little half feral kid would have been disappointed. 

“Now listen here” came Dutch's defence “he took it out of context, I was just...” 

“You were just doing what you always do, using your honey words without thinking” Susan huffed. 

For a short moment, it seemed like the older man was about to derail into a speech of defence as if he had been a man in court but the realisation of more dire matters at hand seemed to catch up with him. 

“Yeah, I agree with Miss Grimshaw” Arthur said with a shrug of his shoulders “you really went and screwed yourself over there.” 

“Thank you for the vote of confidence son.” 

Dutch's eyes were staring intently straight ahead, towards the point where Hosea had disappeared. They seemed filled with a regret that made Arthur himself have a small bit of pity for his mentor. 

“Well don't just stand there!' Susan hissed “he's going to be unbearable to be around so you better figure something out to make this up to him.” 

“Like what?” Dutch muttered. 

“You'll come up with something Dutch, you're real good at doing that.” 

Arthur felt unable to repress a snigger at the comment. This granted him a death glare from the other man and a mutter of “Get the horses ready... and not a word”. 

~~~

The ride had not been as giving as Dutch had hoped. His original plan had only involved grabbing Arthur for some damned directions around the place but of course Susan had insisted on them bringing John too: something about how she would not be held responsible for her actions if she were left alone to take care of both the camp and a feral child. This had meant a lot of whining from the child once they were in town, mostly of why he was not allowed to devour the hand picked sweets. 

With their ride starting to come towards its end, he sighed. Had he not grown older and wiser? How badly had he formulated that speech to have Hosea all worked up like that. It was thoughts he kept tightly to himself, of course. Arthur already had enough snark material on his own, there were no need to feed them further.

Arriving back at the camp site, he made sure to tell Arthur to keep John away from his tent, though it seemed his words were taken with a pinch of salt as of now. Hurrying over towards the washing bin, Dutch knew that he would never get to live this down. He wasn't so sure yet if he deserved to live it down or not but that was a matter for another day. For now, all he could wrap his mind around was to fix this, no matter what it would take. 

Tugging his fingers through his hair, he made sure to at least glance at himself in the mirror before grasping the gifts, all quite cliché in nature yet the best he could muster with such a short notice. Taking off down the small trampled paths, he was struck by the thought that this was the first time that he had bought a bouquet of flowers for Hosea. Before that there had been hand picked things but nothing as extravagant as this. It had put a deep dent in his pocket and yet it felt worth it.

He decided to follow the stream. He had learnt one thing through their years together and that was that whenever Hosea was upset or needed a breather it seemed that water was where he would take off to. Moving slowly along the larger stream, Dutch tried to rehearse in his head. It needed to be a good apology this time, that he felt in his bones. 

Stepping into a light clearing, he soon caught sight of Hosea seated on a large rock right by the bank. It appeared that his companion had taken to throwing small twigs into the rushing waters and observing them being carried off. Clearing his throat a tad, he took notice of the other man turning his head barely an inch before turning it back towards the waters. 

“Can we speak?” 

“Oh you do that” came Hosea's answer, his tone dripping with as much anger as hurt “you're real good at that!” 

The line cut deep and Dutch allowed it to do so. A little nudge at the ego builds character. Those had been kinder words from this man whom he had such adoration for yet couldn't always wrap his head around. For most of his life, he was used to having a charismatic power over others but with Hosea it was the opposite. He was quite certain that the other man had no idea just how strong that hold was. 

“It wasn't a good line” Dutch answered as he slowly approached “real clumsy.” 

Hosea just huffed, throwing another stick into the waters. Dutch counted it a small victory that the stick had not been aimed at his face. Gently he put the basket down from his arm as he moved the last few inches between them. 

“I'm sorry, I truly am.” 

“You're good at being sorry...”

Another score was won for Hosea's side and Dutch felt he could do little more than nod in agreement. No matter how he tried, his position as leader of their strange little family of misfits meant many missteps along the road. 

Deciding to rather go out bold and brash than to stand about with his nerves in a bunch, he kneeled down by Hosea's side. Glancing at the other man's eyes he felt his heart pinch, seeing the faint traces of tears upon his cheeks. Softly he reached forward, happy to see his companion not tugging back from his fingers drying what remained of them. 

“I'm sorry” Dutch murmured “think you can forgive me for that?” 

“I don't know where you get those ideas from” Hosea answered on a sigh “you never think further than your own nose length.” 

Silence fell between them, only the sound of the stream keeping them company before the man by his side decided to speak up once more. 

“If love isn't real, then what are we?” 

Hosea's words came to feel like a bullet piercing his skin and without a moment of hesitation, Dutch rose to his feet, grasping the other man's face in his hands before pushing their lips together. Hearing a surprised yet muffled sound from Hosea, he tugged back, showering the other man's cheeks and forehead with kisses, ignoring the light laughter and half hearted beg to “Stop acting like a fool!”. 

“This is not love” Dutch murmured with his fingers gently cupping Hosea's chin “this is so much more, this can't be put into words, this is greater than any love song or poetry ever printed in the time of man.” 

He watched how Hosea's eyes seemed to widen in amazement, at first carrying that same glossy nature but then there came a loud laughter out of the man's lips. Within a few seconds he was engulfed in his companion's warm embrace and, seizing the opportunity, he held on tight, spinning him around in a half circle before letting him down once more. 

“What am I to do with you?” Hosea murmured, his fingers sliding along Dutch's cheek “how can I stay mad when you use your viper words like that?” 

“You think that I am persuasive now” Dutch said, making a sweeping gesture towards the basket “just you wait.” 

With pride he watched how the other man moved over towards it, uttering a “Dutch this is worth a fortune!” yet not protesting any of the gifts further than that. His mind seemed to finally come back from the thousand miles trail of thoughts it had been derailing off into. Hosea was smiling again and that was all that mattered. The coin would come but he would never find company quite as this ever gain, of that he felt certain. 

“Dutch?” 

“Yes love?” 

“Is there any particular reason why you've brought me an empty box of chocolates?” 

The question caught him completely off guard and, his mouth slightly open, he turned towards Hosea who stood there, gently waving the expensive heart shaped box about to show its content had been mercilessly ripped out. 

“John Marston!” Dutch shouted towards the camp's general direction, words that, despite their velocity were almost drowned out in the loud laughter of Hosea.    

~~~  *I wish to add that back in camp: John is desperately shoving chocolates into a surprised Arthur’s mouth in an attempt to hide the evidence*               

#Rdrsecretcupid2020 #fanfiction #rdr2 #Hosea Matthews #dutch van der linde #arthur morgan #John Marston #Susan Grimshaw #vandermatthews #dutch doesn't have a plan der linde #I adore these two I can't even #they are just.. I... I have so much feels right now! #also super fun to get to write casual interactions in camp it gives me life :D #I really hope you enjoy! #it was a delight to write it!

[bibliothesoph]

Neverland, A Parcel of Truths (part 9)

Simon wakes up alone. He can't stop grinning about last night and how he and Baz kissed for so long. How good it felt to kiss Baz. How good anything feels when Baz is there. He wonders, briefly, if he's a fool for falling for Baz so quickly. After all, he's really only known him a day, but he knows that there's more to it. He's known Baz for years, in a way. All those nights of stories and crying and fighting and Simon heard all of it. He knows that Baz likes to play to violin when he's upset or feeling emotional about something. That Baz has a little sister who he would go to the ends of the earth for. That Baz loves a story. That he wants to be saved.

Is Simon saving him? He certainly hopes so.

But now Baz isn't here and Simon is alone again. He hates being alone. Back in London, he was always so fucking alone. All of the time. It didn't matter if there were people around because it was the kind of loneliness that ate him away from the inside. The kind that filled him up until there was no room for anything else.  It nearly killed him. It was why he had to get away––why he spent all those nights in Hyde Park. If he was always going to feel alone, no matter what, he thought it would be better for him to just be alone.

But then Penny found him and he wasn't lonely anymore, even when she was there. She listened to him. She cared. She was there for him when the rest of the world turned its back on him.

So he gets up to find her. If he can't be with Baz now, at least he can be with Penny. She'll know what to do about Baz, he figures. He decides he won't tell her that they kissed (even though that violates their no secrets pact they made ages ago) but he'll see if she knows where Baz has gone off to. If she doesn't have a clue, which he feels is probably impossible, he can at least fill her in on all of the Humdrum nonsense from the day before. Maybe he'll tell her what Baz said, about them looking alike. She'll probably get a kick out of that.

He finds her upstairs. That's where her little apartment is. He still isn't entirely sure what moved her to leave the rest of the fairies behind and live with him, but he doesn't ask anymore. He tried, once, and she got all upset about it. Turned red, even. So he doesn't push her. If she wants to elaborate, he'll be there to listen.

"Hey, Pen," he says, entering the room.

She's making him tea, it seems. She never makes it for herself. She tried it once and the caffeine and sugar made her go mental for a few hours. She hasn't tried it since.

She smiles at him and flutters over, getting right up in his face. "Where were you yesterday?"

"Yesterday?" Simon asks, the word feeling foreign on his tongue. "There is no yesterday. Just what was and what is and what might be." It's a bit of a game they play––joking around about the concept of time in Neverland. It hurts his stomach if he thinks about time too much, and Penny knows this. That's why she plays along.

She glares at him.

Well, usually plays along.

He groans. "Come on, Pen. I was showing Baz around."

She huffs and rolls her eyes. The kettle whistles (Simon remembers bringing that kettle back. It caused a lot of drag) and Penny hurries over to the fire to move it. She's pretty strong for such a tiny thing.

"Fairies are like ants, Simon," she'd told him once when he asked how such a small creature could lift such heavy things. "We can carry things way over our body weight. Only, with fairies, it's because of magic, not science."

"How do the ants use the science?" he had asked. Because he was a moron.

"You got yourself into trouble again, didn't you?"

Simon takes a seat at the table and watches as Penny pours him a cup of tea. The tea cups, thankfully, were not brought from the mainland. Simon had found them on the shoreline one day, where all of the Lost Things are brought in by the tide. He isn't sure how it works, but he loves it. The magic of it. He's gotten quite a few things from that shore. He thinks he should return the items to their proper owners, but that could take years and the owners might not even be alive anymore. He feels bad, sometimes, for using things that people in London held dear, but if they really loved them, surely they wouldn't have lost them in the first place.

"Aren't I always getting myself into trouble? Anyway, it doesn't matter. Tribespeople held a big feast for me in the end."

Penny doesn't look impressed. "And where is your guest? Basilton?"

"He goes by Baz, actually," Simon says, blowing on his tea.

Penny just glares at him and sits on top of the wooden bowl of apples. "Did you return him to London?"

"No. I like having him here. He's gonna stay forever, yeah?"

Penny sighs and takes off her glasses. She flies over to Simon and uses the fabric of his boxers to clean the glass. "Simon," she says, sitting back down on an apple, pressing her glasses up against her nose, "you know that's not true."

He laughs at her. "'Course it is. He likes me and he likes it here. Why wouldn't he stay?"

"Because he has a family, Simon. He has a family and a life in London."

Simon hasn't really thought about this yet. He'd assumed that Baz would stay with him forever because he was the one who had decided to come. He'd packed a bag, for fuck's sake. "He said he wanted to be saved," Simon argues. "And I saved him by bringing him here. He doesn't want to grow up."

Penny just looks at him like he's pathetic. He certainly feels pathetic now, anyway. But then he remembers that Penny doesn't know the whole story. She doesn't know that Baz kissed him back, then kissed him again. She doesn't know how they feel about each other. How Baz likes Simon for the person he actually is and not just the story of his adventures.

"He'll stay," he says, getting up from the table. "You're just...you're just jealous of me spendin' time with him!"

He regrets the words as soon as they leave his mouth, but he can't stop the rest from spewing out.

"You're jealous that he's my friend and that he went on adventures with me yesterday! And you hate the fact that I love him and that he wants to stay here forever because then you won't have me all to yourself. You won't be...you won't be able to control me anymore when he stays!"

He wants to throw up. He wants to get on his knees and tell her that he's sorry, but it's too late, now. There's nothing he can do to take any of it back.

She stands up and brushes invisible crumbs off her dress. "I've never controlled you, Simon. I've protected you. Since the first moment I felt your pain, all I've done is bloody protect you!" She's turning red, now, and Simon is terrified but he also knows that he deserves it.

He hangs his head and lets her carry on. They'll be fine after this, he figures. She can yell at him and then they can laugh at this silly little game they're playing. But there are tears in her eyes and they turn to steam as soon as they hit her cheeks.

"But, you know what? If you're so sure that Basilton will stay forever, then what do you need me for? If he can protect you, what good am I?" She flies off into her apartment for a minute or two and returns with a big stack of papers bound together in string that Simon has never seen before. She drops it on the table and it lands with a thud. "So here you are, Simon. Here is every bloody thing I've protected you from."

With one last glare, she flies out of the room.

Simon doesn't move. He doesn't say anything. He just stares at the papers and lets the tears fall from his eyes. This feeling, guilt, is so strange for him. It's a feeling he hasn't felt as Simon Snow, only as Simon Salisbury. He doesn't remember it too well. He remembers feeling it for his mother because he was so convinced that he was the one that killed her. It's what is father always told him. It was why his father hated him with everything in him.

Guilt.

He rubs his arm under his running nose and sits down again. He wipes the tears off his face with the back of his hand and carefully unties the string around the papers.

The first paper is, he realizes after a moment, is his birth registration certificate. He's never seen it before, but the information is how he remembers it. He sets it aside and sees an old newspaper, one from a few years after he went to Neverland.

Murderer Found!

He skims over the page to see what importance this document has to him. When he sees it, his heart stops beating. His breath pauses. His knuckles turn to fists.

David Salisbury of London, formerly of Wales, was recently put on trial and later confessed to the murder of his wife, Lucy Salisbury in 1888. The case of her death has been a subject of interest to her mother, the great Lady Salisbury, for the past seventeen years. As such, the police are treating it as an act of Treason due to the nobility of the esteemed family. David is to be hanged and quartered for his––

Simon stops reading after that.

All this time, he thought that he had killed his mother. His father told him that he was the reason she was dead. It ate him alive, thinking that he had unknowingly killed his mother. It had torn him apart from the inside out for all his life. But knowing that his father, a murderer, was the one who killed her instead starts a fire in him that he doesn't like. It makes him angry. Angrier than he's ever been. It comes rushing into him, then, that Penny knew what Simon could become the whole time. That she loved him despite this information. It makes a certain sort of sense to him, then. It explains his hunger. His need for adrenaline. In a way, he supposes that he's a junkie in need of a fix, just like his father. He tries to reason with himself and say that it's okay because at least he uses his sword to help people, but now he doesn't know if that's true. He's slain werewolves. Pirates. All sorts of creatures.

He shoves the newspaper aside and looks at the next page. It's a calendar with everyday marked with an X except for one, which is circled.

January 21, 2020.

#simon snow #snowbaz #baz pitch #penny bunce #rainbow rowell #neverland #au #peter pan #carry on

[batbirdies]

NaNoWriMo 2019 Batfam fic Part 3

I realized I said I was gonna post snippets from my nano and I haven’t for a bit....

Part 3 of my Jason Todd Batfam fic where Jason agrees to dog sit Titus, there are some deep seated issues, unintended animal therapy, snarky text messages between robins and eventually some reconciliation between father and son. Takes place in a murky in between time sometime after Damian was resurrected.

Also I’m sorry guys, I don’t have an actual computer to work on, so I post these from the website on my ipad, so I can use the read more break, but I can’t figure out how to hyperlink on here so I’m not linking the previous installments....but if you search my blog for Jason Todd the first two aren’t far down the list....

Jason swallowed hard and took a breath, set his book down on the coffee table and got up to open the door before he could entertain the idea of pretending he wasn’t actually there and ignoring all attempts to contact him like their conversation the night before had never even happened. For prosperity's sake he did check the peephole before opening the door and nearly had a heart attack because it wasn’t just Bruce standing outside his door.

The demon brat was there too, leash in hand attached to the most massive dog Jason had ever seen. The kid was scowling like no other and the fish eye perspective made it look more comical than annoying. JAson was an idiot, of course the kid was gonna come along, it was his dog. That he was apparently protective enough of that he didn’t want just anyone watching him.

Bruce, next to him, looked enormous, with a blank expression that never failed to make Jason either irritated or nervous. This morning his stomach can’t seem to decide.

Damian glances at Bruce and his frown deepens and Jason realizes he’s been standing at the door for probably too long. “Here goes nothing.” He whispers to himself before stepping back and unlocking the deadbolt. He attempts to smile when he swings the door open but its still really freaking early and Jason’s not really prepared for the way his stomach swoops when he looks at Bruce.

He can’t get that damned card out of his head, can’t help wondering when Bruce wrote it, what he was doing. What he was thinking when he picked up the book and the movie and decided it was a good gift for Jason, whom he hadn’t had more than one pleasant conversation that wasn’t about vigilante business within the last 4 months. And before that….it might have been before he died, not counting any near death experiences where he got weirdly emotional and then regretted every word that came out of his mouth later.

“Hey.” He says lamely, stepping to the side at the expectant huff from Damian. They both walk in, Damian with an air of superiority that Jason’s not sure he knows how to turn off, and Bruce with an awkward sort of shuffle that almost catches him off guard. Jason realizes that without the fish eye lense making him look huge and out of proportion he looks tired.

There are bags under his eyes and a bruise on his cheek that Jason knows he would normally cover with makeup. His hair is mussed and he’s wearing track pants and tennis shoes with a cotton t-shirt and a zip up hoodie. He’s also carrying three enormous shopping bags that he sets on the floor just inside the door. When he straightens his eyes go to Damian before Jason and he realizes he’s staring at Bruce, and obviously so, and snaps his eyes to the kid too.

Damian is taking the dog in loop around the main space while inspecting everything with a sharp eye as Titus noses around his kitchen cabinets and past the glass door to the balcony.

“He better not pee on anything.”

Damian gives him a sharp look and scoffs. “Please, just because you lack proper house training does not mean all animals do.” Jason raises his eyebrows at the acid in the kids tone and nearly bites something nasty back before Bruce speaks up.

“Damian.” The kid stiffens and then slowly lowers his shoulders, staring down at the dog with a deeply unhappy expression and sharp twist to his mouth. Bruce takes a breath and Jason chances a glance over. He’s got his eyes closed, a wrinkled line between eyebrows, before it smooths out and he opens them again, eyes flicking to Jason where he stands, feeling weirdly out of place in his own apartment.

“He’s nervous.”

“I am not-“

“Damian.” They both stare hard at each other for an extended moment, Damian’s posture stretched tight. “Jason is doing you a favor. Act like it.”

“We could just bring him along-“

“We are not bringing a Great Dane to London. We’ve been over this.” And by the droning tone of his voice, they must have been, multiple times. The kid is wringing the leash in his hands and the dog is looking up at him, ears back and tail thumping the ground before he noses at Damian’s clenched fists. Damn this kid actually is nervous.

“He is not well.” He says as he lets the leash go with one hand and sets it gently on the Dane’s head, rubbing back and forth absently, like he doesn’t even realize what he’s doing.

“He has an ear infection Damian. It’s not serious. Jason can handle it.” Bruce’s voice is soft now, cajoling like he’s talking to a kid who’s actually Damian’s age and not some old man stuffed in the skin of a 12 year old. He sounds….gentle, and JAson has to turn away from him entirely to push down on the uncomfortable twist in his chest, busies himself straightening the blanket on the back of the couch that’s clearly already straight.

He remembers that voice, didn't realize Bruce still had it in him.

Damian turns his gaze to Jason finally, glare firmly in place along with a look of deep distrust.

Jason remembers working with the kid. Wearing that ridiculous costume with the fake feathers and he wonders how they made it out the other side of that with less trust than they started with. Damian had been more upset than Jason anticipated when he’d found out who he actually was.

It may have hurt Jason’s feelings, a tad, not that he would ever admit it. - research before posting

Another part of him feels kinda bad for lying to the kid for so long.

“Relax twerp. I’ll take good care of your dog.”

“Tt.” He glances around the apartment again with a look of distaste but the tension in his frame diminishes just a little. “Your apartment is smaller than I anticipated. Titus may require more than two walks a day if he is cooped up in here all the time.”

Jason stiffens, “Well sorry I don’t live in a fucking mansion.” There’s more heat in his voice than he was aiming for and he has to wrestle down anything else he might say before he looks just as defensive as he suddenly feels.

An awkward silence hangs in the air after his outburst, Damian staring at him with that stupid scowl. Bruce takes an awkward step closer to Jason and he has to resist the urge to step back.

“You apartment is fine Jay. Titus sleeps most of the day anyway.” Jason rolls his eyes, telling himself to get a grip.

“Whatever. What’s with the apocalyptic supply stash?” He juts his chin toward the pile of crap by his front door.

The question at least, sends Damian into motion, so he’s not staring around Jason’s apartment like he expects the place to collapse in on itself at any moment. He unhooks Titus’ leash from his collar and coils it up in a loop that he leaves sitting on Jason’s kitchen counter, and then he goes for the first bag.

When Jason says enormous bags, he means it. They are three times the size of regular grocery bags, he didn’t know you could even get bags that size. They all have a logo on the side he doesn’t recognize, something with paw prints, obviously some kind of pet store.

First he pulls out a massive dog bed, which Jason supposes makes sense. Best thing he’s got is the blanket on the back of his couch. The kid looks around while holding it, like he’s gauging the perfect place and finally sets it down next to the gargantuan TV.

Bruce sidles up on Jason’s left side while they both watch Damian unload the bags. Jason is uncomfortably aware of his presence but he doesn’t look over, doesn’t acknowledge him.

“Thank you for doing this.” Bruce says under his breath, while Damian drags a huge, unwieldy bag of dog food across his floor and props it against his kitchen counter. Jason only grunts in return, isn’t sure what to think of this whole thing still.

Next comes a stainless steel water dish and a matching one in porcelain for the food. Then a fresh container of tennis balls, two leashes, some kind of waterproof coat and then a red freaking dog sweater that Jason has to stifle a laugh at. “He really is just nervous.” This is even quieter than the thank you and Jason feels the need to look over. “The infection is minor, but before we took him into the vet he was acting strange, whining and tilting his head back and forth, standing with it at an angle that obviously didn’t look natural. He wouldn’t stay still, would only lie down for a minute at a time before he got up and paced the room. I think he was terrified it was some kind of brain tumor, that he was having complex seizures.”

Jason frowns, watching a white paper bag make its way to his kitchen counter with a prescription tag stapled to the outside. “He’s a good kid, just…” He waits for the word difficult to come out. Just like how people used to describe him, always angry, defensive, annoying. Interacting with the kid he can see why people couldn’t stand him when he was younger but he still gets Damian to a certain degree.

“He’s had a hard time.” Is what he says instead and Jason has to turn away again, decides finally to go introduce himself to the dog to ease the tangled mess in his stomach.

He’s so irritated, two days ago he would never have been this much of a mess over talking to Bruce, even in a casual setting, even in his own apartment. One stupid fucking hint of the man caring about him beyond what he contributes to fighting crime in the city and he’s bending over backwards looking for other signs. He hates his own stupid, dysfunctional brain.

He holds out a hand to Titus, takes a deep breath to let go of the tightness in his chest. Dogs and little kids, they can always tell when you’re upset and he doesn’t want to make him nervous.

Honestly, he’s huge. Like, Jason knew Great Danes were one of the largest breeds of dog but this particular one has to be even bigger than average. He sits on the corner of the living room carpet, watching Jason with alert but friendly eyes and easily sniffs at the hand, then shoves his nose into his palm and butts it up so his hands is resting on the top of his snout. Jason huffs out a laugh and crouches down.

“Like being petted huh?” He scratches behind his ears and is nearly bowled over immediately. Titus twists his head so far to the side Jason doesn’t quite follow with his hand and then shoves forward into Jason’s space, knocking him off balance with his insistence. Then a hand reaches for the collar and draws him back just enough to keep Jason mostly upright. Bruce is standing there, looking mildly amused as he looks at the dog.

“The drops the vet gave him make his ears itch, he can get a little pushy.”

“I can see that.” Jason mutters back. He kneels then, knees on the floor so he’s more stable and reaches out, ready for the sudden twist and shove. “You can let him go, I got it.”

Titus nearly lunges for him, shoves his whole face into Jason’s stomach, making him wheeze out a laugh. He rubs with significant force at his ears and the gargantuan dog goes boneless, flops down across his legs, whip like tail slapping loudly against the side of his coffee table. “Yeah, wow, you’re so big and tough huh? You must get people running for the hills killer.” Jason scratches down his neck and Titus makes a funny little grunting noise and then flops over sideways, belly exposed, head resting in his lap and yeah ok, Jason’s not a monster, he rubs his tummy. “Man you are heavy. Might need to put you on a diet.”

“Apparently, he is on one.” Jason glances up at Bruce, who’s still standing there, arms crossed over his chest, looking down at him with this odd little quirk to his mouth and if Jason had to guess he’d say he looks fond. And he doesn’t know what to do with that so he goes back to the dog, feeling his face flush in discomfort.

Damian clears his throat, pulling Jason’s attention back to him. He’s standing at the edge of his kitchen counter, hands clasped in front of him in a way that reminds Jason starkly of alfred of all people. He still doesn’t look happy, per say, but the anxiety leeching off the kid seems to have gone down and he’s staring at Jason intently.

“Yes. He is on a diet. He has gained weight since the weather started to turn.” With that, the kid launches into a spiel about the do’s and don’t’s of watching Titus. The list is significantly longer than Jason had anticipated, partially due to the ear infection but mostly just because the kid is a little pissant with way too many rules.

Jason takes it all with as much stoicism as he can muster until he pulls out a freaking muffler for the dog.

“What the heck is that?” Jason is still kneeling on the floor, dog laid out half in his lap, lazily wagging his tail and Damian is holding a thick square of black fabric in his hands that turns out to be a tube, it has drawstrings on the top and bottom to adjust the size of the loop.

“It is,” he makes a face here, obviously unhappy about what he’s about to say, “called a Head Muff. It goes over the neck and ears to keep them warm on walks.” He lays it down next to the prescription baggy and Jason has to hold back from a snort and instead looks back at Bruce out of the corner of his eye and finds him already looking down at Jason, expression completely blank and this time Jason chokes when he catches the twitch of Bruce’s lip. Somehow he manages to disguise it as a cough when he looks back but Damian looks suspicious none-the-less.

“I expect hourly update texts with photo’s.”

“Excuse me?”

“You have never owned a dog have you?” The question sounds weirdly accusatory and Jason feels the need to gently push Titus off his lap just so he can stand to his full height for this conversation.

“No, I haven’t but-”

“Then I will need proof that you are capable of the job.”

“Capable of the job? It’s dog sitting, not nuclear fission.”

“The very fact that you are not taking this seriously tells me it is necessary.”

“Well if you don’t fucking trust me then you can get somebody else to watch your damn dog.”

Damian had his arms crossed over his chest tightly, scowl intensifying with every breath. “Because you have shown yourself to be so trustworthy.” Jason clenched his hands into fists, feeling red creep up his neck.

“Damian.” Bruce’s deep voice cut across the room, quiet, but firm. He stepped around Jason, putting himself vaguely between them but not enough to be obvious. “You’re being unreasonable. Jason is perfectly capable of walking, watering, and feeding Titus, along with handling his ear drops.” He glanced over at Jason, eyes uncertain for a moment. “He always wanted a dog when he was younger, he’ll treat Titus well.”

Jason opened his mouth, ready to argue until that last sentence. Instead he blinks back at Bruce for a moment, feeling floored by the simple statement. He doesn’t have a response and quickly breaks eye contact, swinging them back to Damian whose mouth is twisted in a grimace before he finally heaves a sigh and uncrosses his arms.

“Fine.” 

#Jason Todd #Fanfiction #nanowrimo #Batfamily #Bruce Wayne #Damian Wayne

[journalxxx]

Entropy Balance (1)

"All right, I'm gonna have to ask you to stop doing that." Maxwell blinked, suddenly yanked out of his reverie. Wilson was side-eyeing him with that inane hostility that was usually spurred by Maxwell doing something he didn't trust. Except, this time Maxwell was sure he was doing absolutely nothing other than lying on his straw roll and waiting for sleep to catch up with him. He spread his arms in dismay. "What?" "Staring at me. It's annoying." Wilson turned away and resumed drying his hair, vigorously rubbing a rough cloth on his head. "As if there weren't already enough eyes in the darkness always watching." "I-" Maxwell stopped. He hadn't- he'd been staring, hadn't he? He bit back a string of imaginative curses, but the silence got Wilson's attention anyway. He peeked at Maxwell again, squinting to an almost comical degree. "You're still doing it."

"I'm looking at the fire!" He huffed, gesturing wildly. "The only thing worth looking at, since it's the only source of light. You're standing right beside the fire, I can't not see you. Do you think your feeble sanity can withstand such an atrocious ordeal or do I have to gouge my eyes out for you to feel more comfortable?" "You aren't looking at the fire, you're looking at me. What is it, the scars?" Wilson turned and spread his arms, fully showing his torso. "Fascinating, aren't they? I wonder whose fault it is that I have so many. Look, if you connect these five you get the Libra-" "Oh knock it off, for heaven's sake." Maxwell turned over with a grunt, granting Wilson his precious privacy and forcibly removing the distracting sight from his field of view. "You know, I would love to think you were contemplating and maybe regretting the lasting consequences of your trickery on my health and life, but I fear it would be optimistic to the point of idiocy." Maxwell gritted his teeth, glaring at the complete darkness and shutting his eyes forcefully, as if to scrape the very memory of the image from his retinae. "Goodnight, Higgsbury."

It was a sad truth of life, that no man was ever aware of how valuable a thing was until it was lost. It took Maxwell mere days of his newly-found freedom to remember exactly how overrated and taxing complete humanity was, with all its annoying mental and physical needs. The King of the Constant didn't need to eat or sleep, being sustained and maintained purely by dark forces flowing in the throne. It came at the hefty price of self-determination, freedom of movement, loss of a wide spectrum of emotions and unending, excruciating boredom, but it did have its perks compared to the vexing condition of the average survivor. Rediscovering hunger pains had been a mostly unpleasant experience, although life in the camp was organized enough to never let them get too hindering. Pain, in general, was something Maxwell tried to avoid like the plague, including the annoying soreness of tired muscles that came after a long day of gathering and scavenging. Luckily enough, Wilson and his own puppets were often more than capable of dealing with those tasks themselves, while Maxwell pretended to keep himself busy with lighter work around the base. One issue he truly wasn't expecting, however, was how deeply distracting close-quarter coexistence with Wilson could turn out to be, especially when it came to mundane chores like bathing and grooming. It was nothing new, in truth. Maxwell had spent months observing Wilson's antics from the throne, delighted and thoroughly entertained by his struggles and misadventures. He had seen him countless times in different states of undressing, and his mind hadn't dwelled on the fact even for a second. The King's thoughts and actions, after all, were nothing but an extension of the Shadows' will, whose interests reigned supreme and discreetly steered the hands and eyes of Their most valuable puppet in the desired direction. They harbored no interest for beauty or harmony, it would be against Their very nature. But Maxwell... well, he fancied himself a man of taste. Where elegance could be found, in all its possible manifestations, whether in the smart cut of a tailored suit, or in the cunning strategy of a game of chess, or in the red bloom adorning a lady's hair, or in the solid outline of a determined jaw, he would always take a moment to savour it. Wilson P. Higgsbury had no such qualities. The perpetual state of disarray of his hair and clothing was a testament to his lack of style, his self-proclaimed and questionable "science" was more of a pig-headed trial-and-error approach to any given problem rather than a rigorous method, his inexplicable naivety would net him a row of losses in both chess and poker. It wasn't by accident that Maxwell had observed him more carefully than any other survivor, oh no. It was just too amusing to see in how many different ways this ridiculous little man could fail. And yet, ultimately, this ridiculous little man did not fail. He died, oh he did, over and over again. Starved, frozen to death, mauled by the beasts, stomped by tree guardians, driven insane by his own nightmares, swallowed by the darkness, deadly injured by traps. Yet, he always came back, with a touch stone found by sheer luck, or a meticulously crafted amulet, or a creepy statue of flesh. No matter what Maxwell threw at him, this ridiculous little man kept moving forward, through sheer, blundering, inelegant stubborness, until he was facing his very captor in the throne room. And even after that, even after being seized by the dark powers as their new King, it had taken no more than a month for him to regain his freedom to do what he knew best: stumbling forward, with no clear plan or reason. It boggled the mind, and having been bested by such an individual did hurt the former King's pride to some extent, there was no point in denying that. But Maxwell wasn't so petty as to dismiss as completely insignificant what had proved to be a decisive trait of Wilson's character, a trait that had left its marks on his body as well. And once Maxwell's mind had been freed from the numbing grasp of the Shadows, he had found that his eyes naturally tended to...linger. Wilson wasn't an imposing man by any means, almost as thin as Maxwell and much shorter too. But months of hardships had shaped him into a curious specimen of a man, with its own rough but undeniable elegance. He was still very slim, his diet too austere to allow for any real muscle growth, but he was a far cry from the scrawny recluse Maxwell had dragged through the portal. The outline of his muscles under his skin was perfectly visible with each and every movement, every time he bent this or that way or lifted unsuspected weights with little effort. The very shape of his shoulders, the faint furrow along his spine, the small dip of his lower back could drive lesser men to tears, and Maxwell was sure that despite the many small nicks and scars, his skin would feel almost perfectly smooth to the- "What on earth is your problem?" Maxwell winced. Damn it, damn Wilson and himself and the damned Shadows that put them together. "If my presence bothers you so much, why don't you bathe in the eastern pond during the day instead of here at night?" "Because I'd rather not being attacked by frogs, eels, tentacles and whatever horrors you placed in this God-forsaken land, for example. A stupid white carrot followed and screamed at me for an hour while I went there to fill the buckets this afternoon." "How unfortunate. A screaming white carrot, you said?" "Yes, what the hell was it? I've never seen anything like that before. I had to shove it back into the ground to make it stop." "And where, exactly?" "Near the second... you're trying to distract me." Wilson glared at Maxwell, slapping the piece of cloth in the bucket with a small splash. "Look, I'm not an idiot-" "Debatable, but go on." "Maxwell." Wilson turned to face him fully, his expression suddenly very serious and his tone lower. "Do you really think I haven't noticed?" Ah, he had finally mustered the gall for a direct approach. This could likely take a very bad turn, but the temptation to meet Wilson's challenge head-on was too strong, consequences be damned. Maxwell closed the Codex, which he had been reading- been trying to read since the scientist had started his usual ablutions. He stood up and went to sit near the fire, on the same log as Wilson, so close that their arms almost touched. He took a long, slow drag on his cigar, savouring it, letting the smoky shadow permeate his lungs, and he looked, blatantly and leisurely. He looked at the untamable tangle of hair crowning Wilson's head, sticking every which way in a half-dried mess. He considered the sharp angle of his jaw, adorned with that rough stubble just at the right length to suit Maxwell's taste, seeing as he looked like a ridiculous prepubescent altar boy when clean-shaven, and like a veritable caveman when the beard grew bushier. He observed his chest, pleasantly proportionate and without an ounce of fat, peppered with roughly-healed scars that interrupted the even distribution of hair, just as abundant as on his face. His gaze dropped languidly lower, following its soft, dark trail until it disappeared under the hem of Wilson's trousers. Then he finally looked up, straight in the scientist's disconcerted eyes, and exhaled fully, lazily, coils of shadows lapping at Wilson's face. "Noticed what, if I may ask?" Wilson's reaction was priceless. He jumped on his feet as if he had been bitten by a snake, eyes fixed on Maxwell as his hand fumbled around blindly for his shirt. He hastily put it on, his face red and scrunched in upset. "Is there a single shred of morality in you that isn't irredeemably twisted?" "I'm afraid not." Old habits died hard, and poking at Wilson's flimsy mental balance was just as entertaining as ever, no matter the circumstances. Maxwell smiled amicably, supporting his chin on his fist. "I take that the notion distresses you." "You- you...!" Wilson's fists were clenched against his sides, his face a mask of sheer rage. He was a temperamental man, after all. As soon as he had learnt of Maxwell's betrayal, he had immediately flung himself at his shadow projection, uselessly trying tackle him to the ground. He had tried to attack him in the throne room, too, nearly getting himself incinerated along with his weapon by the protective spells. There had been nothing to protect Maxwell from his next outburst, when they had casually met in the Constant later on, and he could still remember the remarkable bruise Wilson's knuckles had left on his cheekbone for the following days. He wasn't looking forward to another scuffle, but he'd be damned before he let himself get intimidated by Wilson. "Cat got your tongue?" He kept smiling, unperturbed. "I hadn't figured you for such a prude, you know." "You- It's not- This is enough!" Wilson burst out, abruptly pacing in front of the fire, arms flailing about like a lunatic. "This is enough! There is only so much I can tolerate, and I'm already well past my limit." He fetched his backpack, emptied it, and started shoving random materials in it. Flint, logs, stones, a handful of carrots, some charcoal. He then threw it at Maxwell, who barely dodged the sharp stick that flew toward his forehead afterwards. "Here are some supplies and a torch. Take them and get out of my sight. You aren't welcome in this camp anymore." Maxwell blinked, then looked at the backpack. He blinked again, then looked again at Wilson. He seemed positively murderous, his words were as stern as they could be, and this was a very tense and delicate moment, but Maxwell just couldn't do it. He tried to remain serious and answer with equal poignancy, maybe even putting up some pretense of rightful disdain, but he just couldn't. He snorted and covered his face, but he couldn't hold back the roaring laughter that erupted from his belly and shook his whole body. "Really, pal? You're willing to cooperate and gloss over the fact that I trapped you here, unleashed hellish horrors upon you countless times, and ultimately confined you to the clutches of the throne in exchange for my own freedom, but this is the dealbreaker? The worst and most unforgivable sin, peeping at a man having a bath one foot away from me?" He snorted again and wiped a small tear from his eye, genuinely out of breath from the laughter. "How very anticlimactic." "It's not about this, trust me. This is just the last straw in the largest hay pile of history!" Wilson went on, glaring daggers at him. "You have no notion of decency or respect! I welcome you in my camp, I share my supplies, I deal with the heaviest tasks, I bear with your complete lack of remorse and your unsufferable jabs, and you don't even care! You keep acting as if you're doing me a favor by staying here! I genuinely can't tell if you actually think you'd have no trouble surviving on your own, or if you just enjoy torturing me in any conceivable way. Well, I am done with this. I am done with you. If you can't even bother to respect my privacy and insist on treating me like a- a plaything to satisfy your every sick whim, then I can't be bothered to care about your wellbeing. Grab your things and leave, Maxwell." That was genuinely impressive, he had to admit it. It wasn't like Maxwell had expected their shaky, reluctant alliance to last more than few months in the first place, but he hadn't foreseen such a peculiar conclusion. "I've gotta hand it to you, pal, you really-" "Shut up." Wilson cut him off abruptly. His eyes had grown tired, but steely. "I said enough. Get lost and don't show your face around here again." "...Very well." Apparently playtime was over. Maxwell dispelled the shadow cigar, stood up, shook off some dust from his suit and grabbed Wilson's generous handout. He graced his former partner with a single glance, waiving mockingly at him. "So long, Higgsbury." He lit his torch and ventured into the darkness.

Maxwell woke at dawn, having unfortunately fallen asleep facing exactly the direction of the rising sun. He wondered for a moment about the empty view of the wilderness, with the noticeable absence of the chests, assorted structures, organized bushes and scattered tools that adorned the camp, before remembering he did not have a camp anymore. He groaned, annoyed at the perspective of the whole lot of work his new situation would involve, and turned on his side to catch a few more minutes of sleep. He found himself looking at Wilson, idly sitting near the embers of his dying fire. They blinked at each other for a moment. "Say pal, I think you may have gotten lost. Your camp is further up north." Wilson sighed. He looked like he hadn't slept much, if at all. He tiredly rummaged in his backpack and pulled out a small envelope, putting it down near Maxwell's head. "I brought some breakfast." Maxwell sat up, but he didn't take the envelope. It wasn't very surprising that Wilson had found him, seeing as Maxwell hadn't felt like covering much ground in the darkness and he had set a small campfire relatively close to Wilson's base, but his presence was puzzling in itself. He eyed the other man quizzically. "The decision I made last night was... a bit rushed. I shouldn't have kicked you out like that, out of the blue. In the middle of the night, of all times. Especially since we haven't secured any touchstones or amulets since-" "I can't believe it. You actually came here to apologize." Maxwell groaned in dismay, covering his face with his hands. "And here I thought you had finally grown a pair." "Would you mind not being an absolute tool for one minute and letting me talk?" "Yes, I would. This is pitiful. You're pitiful. Can't you even hold a grudge for a whole night before giving in to whatever misguided sense of guilt led you here to bribe me back to the camp? With..." He picked up the envelope and peered into it. "Honey nuggets, apparently. How charming." "Shut up. I'm not here to apologize. I've had every reason to want to get rid of you since we met, and I still do." Wilson glared at him, wringing his hands in irritation. "But not like that. In my defense, I can say that I've been a bit stressed lately, and... maybe I wasn't exactly in my right mind yesterday." "Are you ever?" "Maxwell, shut up." Maxwell condescendingly bit a nugget. "It's- it's just that... ugh!" Wilson suddenly threw his hands to the sky and ruffled his own hair in frustration. "It makes literally no sense for us to even discuss this! Surviving together is the best option, it's undeniable! As a pair, we consume less resources, we forage more efficiently, we can defend ourselves better against any attacks, we rest more and more safely. Parting ways would give us no advantage whatsoever. Yet, somehow you make it seem like the most preferable option." He stopped, waiting for Maxwell's reply, but he kept casually nibbling at his meal. After a moment, Wilson continued. "So. Since it is clearly the most rational choice, I'm here to tell you to come back to the camp. Does this qualify as apologizing? No, because as far as I'm concerned, you'd deserve to be slain by your own hounds a hundred times over for everything you've put me through since you first spoke to me. Does that mean you can waltz back in your tent and keep treating me like a doormat all day? Also no, because I'm tired of you pretending that my help is irrelevant. You can't possibly be that stupid, and you have no regard for other people's life. If you were convinced you could easily survive on your own, you'd have left a long time ago. Probably after killing me and stealing my stuff." "My, someone's cranky today." Maxwell had finished his breakfast and had summoned his usual shadow cigar. Wilson eyed it with mild disgust, probably remembering the previous night, and Maxwell at least had the decency to blow the smoke well away from his face. He scratched his chin and considered Wilson's word for a minute. "...You do have a point about the benefits of working together. I guess I may have not been on my best behavior lately, but that can be easily remedied. Any more ground rules I should be aware of, sir?" "Yes. No more..." Wilson gestured awkwardly between them, pointing at his eyes, then at Maxwell's, then at his own again. It took Maxwell some considerable guesswork to understand that he was referring to the 'inappropriate' glances. "...That. No more of that. How could you even- do you have no shame at all?" "Oh, please. I still find ridiculous that this is what got you so worked up, on top of everything." "Really? I find ridiculous that you could be so casual about it. I'm sure most people would have had a much less diplomatic reaction than mine to such an appalling behavior."

"Yes, yes, the civilized world is fairly opinionated about such trivial matters, is it not? Good thing we're farther than humanly conceivable from civilization." Maxwell flashed a grin to the other man, who only hunched his back a little more and looked at the charred cinders even more dejectedly. Maxwell couldn't help but grow a bit more somber too. "...Does it really bother you that much?" "I- It's not..." Wilson shook his head. "Not really. Not as a matter of principle, at least. It's not really any of my business. It does bother me, however, if it means I'm constantly scrutinized like some- some tasty morsel, for heaven's sake!" It took all the restraint Maxwell could muster not to make a joke about that vivid choice of words. Meanwhile, Wilson's arms were again flailing about madly, as it was his habit when he grew invested in an argument. "Which I'm actually used to! Every single creature in this hellish place is always looking at me like it wants to devour me! Or slaughter me for fun. Except Chester. So I could deal with that, but no! Turns out you're even more depraved than the worst nightmarish-" "All right, all right, I get it, no more peeping!" Maxwell stopped Wilson's rant when he nearly got poked in the eye by a flying finger. He took one last drag from the cigar before letting it vanish in the faint breeze. "This wretched world offers so few pleasures and respites from the grating task of existence that I didn't even think it would be a problem if I let myself enjoy such a trifling one. But if this offends your pristine sense of decorum so deeply, I'll pass on it. Are you satisfied?" Wilson looked at Maxwell at length, apparently considering his words very seriously. Then he spoke slowly, as if unravelling a fundamental truth born from the deepest reaches of his mind. "You have the uncanny ability to sound always, unrepentantly offensive, no matter what you are actually saying." "I try my best." "Is that why your nose looks like it's been smashed a dozen times?" "Really? You are insulting my features now?" Maxwell scoffed, genuinely disappointed. "Are you willing to stoop that low?" "You said it. There are only so many ways one can entertain himself here." The sunrays had grown fierce, and it seemed it was going to be another torrid summer day. Wilson stood up and stretched with a pained groan. Maxwell wondered how long he'd been sitting at his campfire before he woke up. "Let's go. There's a lot of work to do."

Despite Wilson's poor expectations, there was a noticeable change in Maxwell's behavior. It was less of an actual improvement and more of an ongoing state of haughty sulking, but the complete disappearance of his usual jabs and unhelpful sarcasm on just about anything was honestly a breath of fresh air. Even though they often spent most of their days separately, with Wilson foraging and exploring and Maxwell crafting and cooking in the base, his malicious comments at the end of a hard day's work were more grating than Wilson cared to admit. Since their argument, however, communication between them had turned into a mere exchange of only the strictly necessary information applying the minimum amount of words possible, and Wilson didn't have a single problem with that. A true loner at heart, he'd much rather bask in a quiet atmosphere of mild hostility than constantly having to deflect open and pointless mockery. Maxwell had been surprisingly compliant about Wilson's request for privacy too. He had taken to retire in his tent as soon as Wilson fetched the buckets, or he busied himself with some other activity behind a conveniently placed chest or machine that hid them from each other's view. A small part of Wilson's mind kept reminding him that not seeing Maxwell didn't necessarily imply not being seen by Maxwell, but he'd just have to live with that. In truth, the most shocking aspect of the recent revelation about Maxwell's inclinations had been the man's sheer nerve. Wilson may not harbor any particular disgust or bias towards the likes of Maxwell, but the memory of his obscene display of interest and his blatant disregard of basic social decency still sparked a burning rage in his gut. There was only so much that decades of isolation could excuse, and Wilson was fairly sure that this wasn't part of it. Still, Maxwell's behavior had remained irreproachable since then, if noticeably distant. Since Wilson had been freed from the throne, the Constant had been remarkably peaceful as well. He had met Maxwell in a world of perennial summer with few hostile creatures and relatively rich lands, an unexpected and welcome change from the horrifying regions he had had to cross to reach the King. Days passed with uncharacteristic ease and an almost reassuring sense of routine, allowing them to gather their energies and resources as they looked for the next portal. Then, one day, the hounds reappeared. Wilson's pickaxe froze in midair as he was about to strike a promising gold vein, and the familiar weight of dread sank in his chest. He had hoped. Foolish as it may be, he had genuinely hoped the peace would last. The mysterious woman who had freed him from the throne was... well, she had seemed at least conflicted about her actions. She had seemed friendly, even cheerful at first... until she had electrocuted him for literally no reason, and that was definitely not reassuring, but Wilson had hoped it was just some blind (and probably deserved) vengeance towards whoever sat on the throne. He had truly hoped she could turn out a more merciful ruler than Maxwell, but a new hound incursion wasn't exactly a benevolent sign. The growls of the foul beasts echoed all around, still distant but unmistakable. He quickly gathered the scattered materials and hurried back towards the base, heart pounding with the increasing volume of the howls. By the time he got to the camp, Maxwell had already donned his armor and sword, and he was placing a bunch of tooth traps outside the wooden fence, flanked by two shadow duelists. He pointed a safe path to Wilson when he saw him. "Go that way. There's new armor and weapons in the bigger chest." Wilson nodded and run past him. In a couple of minutes they were both ready, fully armed, standing in the middle of the camp near the lit firepit. Wilson hated fighting in the base, as usually most of their equipment was damaged by the scuffle, but the sky was already red, and night would likely fall before they managed to defeat the pack. The wait was tense, as always. The guttural roars grew and grew, surrounding them from every direction, causing Wilson to turn over and over again, always expecting the first hound to appear right behind his back. Trenches and palisades were of little use; the beasts always seemed to spawn from darkness itself, regardless of terrain or physical barriers. He almost jumped when a hand grabbed his shoulder, in a way that felt all but reassuring. "Steady, Higgsbury. You've survived them plenty of times before." "Yes, when you were the one sending them after-" "Save that for later." The first trap snapped loudly, followed by a pained howl. Then the horde came. In few seconds the camp was a flurry of movement and noise, where black, fanged creatures rushed in one after another. Wilson fought almost without thinking, striking and dodging with learnt timing and experience, luring two or three hounds in a favorable spot before attacking them one by one. He caught a glimpse of the duelists holding their ground with equal skill, while Maxwell remained at the edge of the camp, somehow managing not to engage in direct fight, but readily finishing the wounded hounds that were trying to escape. It was a strange, long attack, Wilson noticed. The corpses of the hounds kept piling up on the ground, and Wilson couldn't help but think that if they had all attacked together in a single swarm, they could have easily overpowered both Maxwell and him. Instead, the beasts kept trickling in the camp slowly, as if someone was releasing them gradually. It was completely dark by the time the last wounded beast tried to run from Wilson's lance. He didn't even need to chase it as it limped slowly towards the darkness, until it fell heavily on the ground just at the edge of the circle of light granted by the firepit, wheezing loudly and pitifully. Maxwell approached it too, and they both stood before the agonizing beast for a moment. Under the dim light and the two men's wavering shadows, it almost looked like a normal boar, one of the many Wilson had seen his father hunt in his youth. He had never been quite fond of the sport. Maxwell knelt down, his free hand reaching out towards the animal. As soon as he did, the hound reared its ugly head with a roar and snapped at him, still trying to bite and shred and maul and kill even as it was bleeding to death. "How quickly they forget..." Maxwell sounded almost wistful, a somewhat unfitting note in his voice. It made some sort of perverted sense that the one thing capable of inspiring sympathy in him would be a creature just as ferocious and devious as its creator. "Do you think they could be domesticated?" "No." He stood up as one of the duelists moved forward. Its blade rose in the air and swiftly fell down with a sharp hiss. The whimpering immediately stopped. "I made sure of that." Wilson thought of himself as of a merciful man, but he did not feel pity for the creature's destiny. The hounds were no normal animals, they had no sense of self-preservation whatsoever. They either died or kept attacking, over and over again, retreating into the shadows only to reappear from a different spot few seconds later, ready to strike anew. They were self-destructing weapons through and through, and he had had to learn to treat them as such. "I think we can wait until tomorrow to collect their meat. We're going to be up all night if we start now." "Indeed. The camp also needs to be-" Maxwell stopped and looked around. "What is that?" A faint melody echoed in the air, seemingly from all directions. It was a simple, sweet tune, produced by pins or bells tingling in harmony. It reminded Wilson of a small music box he once gifted to one of his nieces. "The fire!" Maxwell suddenly shouted, pointing at the camp. Clearly visible despite the distance, a slithering claw of shadows was snaking towards the pit, black as ink and disturbingly real. They sprang towards it, but it was too late. Its fingers wrapped around the embers and squashed them in a puff of smoke, the whole area sinking in complete darkness. Almost immediately, Wilson tripped on something invisible, falling sideways and knocking down Maxwell in the process. "Goddammit! Do you have a torch?" "Yes, give me a-" A far too familiar sound rumbled around them. The Grue attacked even more quickly than usual, and Wilson could hear the telltale swoosh of Maxwell's puppets vanishing into nothingness. He cursed, rummaging desperately under his armor. He got the torch, but he couldn't find the flint to ignite it. He sensed Maxwell raising to his feet beside him. "Where are you going?" He hissed. "The torch! Hurry!" It was the only reply he got. Wilson's hand finally stumbled into a piece of flint, but he couldn't do much with just one. He kept searching as his heart drummed frantically in his chest, counting the seconds before the next attack, the one that would likely cost them their lives. "Cheap trick!" He heard Maxwell declare, for no discernible reason at all. If trying to communicate with the Grue was foolish, provoking it was positively suicidal. "Way beneath you, if I may speak freely." The darkness hummed and whispered threateningly as Wilson found the second flint. He muttered to himself feverishly as he stroke them together, blindly trying to direct the sparks to the tip of the torch. "Charlie...?" He almost didn't hear it. Maxwell's voice was completely different, his challenging bravado vanished in less than a second and replaced by some sort of stunned awe. Right then, the torch finally lit. Wilson had never seen the Grue. On multiple occasions, he had managed to light torches or firepits in the very nick on time, when he was almost sure the creature was literally within arm's reach and ready to strike. Yet, no matter how close he perceived it, when light appeared, it was gone without a trace. He had never caught even a glimpse of a limb, or the trace of a swift movement in the corner of his eye. It seemed to instantly stop existing as soon as it could be seen. This time, Wilson saw something. For a split second, the light revealed a thin, tall, dark silhouette, all sharp angles and pointy appendages. It had no features, no details, no depth. It looked like the drawing of a child on a piece of paper, some sort of bidimensional, disturbing scarecrow made entirely of black ink. In his enormous claw, it held Maxwell's chin, a look of sheer bewilderment etched on the man's features. Then Wilson blinked, and it was gone. He heard a sharp slash, and Maxwell let out a short scream, bringing a hand to his face. "Maxwell!" Wilson scrambled to his feet and approached him. There was blood trickling down his face, tainting the collar of his immaculate shirt with red stains. "Are you all right?" "Yes." Maxwell glanced around nervously. WIlson tried to get a good look at the wound, but Maxwell waved him away, still keeping his hand pressed against it. He seemed more preoccupied with staring at random points in the darkness, looking more disturbed than Wilson had ever seen him. "Did it attack you after I got the light out? Can it do that?" "Oh, that wasn't an attack." Maxwell finally removed his hand, and Wilson could see three long gashes, unnaturaly vertical and parallel, running straight from his temple to his jaw. His eye was undamaged, fortunately. Maxwell stared thoughtfully at his own hand, shrouded by shadows and turned into a claw that was not too dissimilar from the Grue's. The blood glinted eerily on the blackened palm. "She was just saying hello." It took Wilson a moment to process that. "...She?" Maxwell surveyed the area one last time. All was still and silent. "We should sleep. There won't be any more surprises for tonight." Wilson couldn't get another word out of him.

"I shouldn't be doing this." Maxwell muttered, dragging his feet behind Wilson and glaring at each and every surrounding tree as if it had personally offended him. "I'm wounded." "Don't be dramatic. You barely needed any stitches." "Which, by the way, were the most painful experience I've had since I got here. I thought you were supposed to be a doctor." "I am, but I stopped practicing pretty soon after I finished my studies. I was more interested in pursuing my own research." Wilson spotted a group of tall, sturdy-looking pines that would likely yield perfect boards. He walked up to them, gesturing to Maxwell to follow him. "Although I've had plenty of experience with self-medication in the last two years. Did you choose to kidnap me because you knew I had the necessary skills to survive?" "Don't flatter yourself too much. I chose you because you were gullible enough to believe me. End of the story." "Of course you did." Wilson examined the trees carefully, checking the bark for holes, fungi or insects. Several chests and machines had been damaged during the hound incursion of the previous night, and Wilson wasn't going to sleep soundly until all of his equipment was back in top shape. "I think five or six of these should give us enough materials for the repairs. Three trees each, all right?" "You're going to finish much earlier than me. In fact, you probably don't need me at all here." "I helped you clean and store the meat-"

"Which I didn't ask-"

"-because it was already half spoilt and you would have taken too long on your own, so it's only fair that you help me with the wood. And you said you weren't going to summon any puppets today, so..." "I'm running short on fuel and I'd rather save it for emergencies until I can find some more." "Really? And here I thought that your sense of humor was the only inexhaustible source of nightmare fuel in the whole Constant." "Speaking of which, please leave the scathing jabs to me. That was appalling." They started hacking away. Despite Wilson's initial despondency towards the ungodly amount of manual labor required to survive in the Constant, he had slowly grown to like the calm and repetitiveness of most manual tasks. When he wasn't too hard-pressed by severe lack of food or basic resources, he had found that foraging from an ordered field of berry bushes, turning a twisted, dying tree into a neat pile of perfectly serviceable logs, or sewing together a simple but efficient trap could often soothe his nerves better than a few roasted mushroom. It certainly beated ripping legs off spiders or fending off herds of horny beefalos. On the other hand, Maxwell seemed to nurture a strong distaste for any activity that required him to leave the camp. Wilson couldn't really blame him for that: it was obvious that his age and his relatively frail constitution didn't play to his advantage, even though Maxwell wasn't likely to ever admit it. In truth, Wilson didn't mind their current division of labor: Maxwell had proved to be a surprisingly apt artisan, especially in regards to small objects like traps or compasses. Wilson had found himself staring at the other man crafting this or that piece equipment more than once, admiring how nimble and precise his fingers were, very suited to precision work. He was a better cook than Wilson too, although that wasn't saying much: the scientist approached most of his culinary endeavors like his science, via methodic trials and errors spurred mostly by pure curiosity that often resulted in barely palatable wet goops. It turned out it took Maxwell exactly twice as much time as Wilson to fell a tree, his first victim hitting the ground just as Wilson started peeling the branches from his second. He could tell by the exaggerated movements Maxwell was making to swing the axe that he was going to get a mean backache by the end of the task. He innerly debated on whether he should offer his advice on the matter. The debate ended fairly quickly and unanimously. "I was wondering." Wilson addressed Maxwell casually as he was binding some sticks together in a fagot. "What happened exactly with the Grue last night?" Maxwell stopped, glaring at the scientist and resting his weight on the axe for a moment as he caught his breath. Wilson pressed on. "It didn't attack you, even though it took me a while to get the torch. Had I been alone, I'd have been slaughtered in all that time. Not to mention that you addressed it as a 'she' and-" "Oh excuse me, if I had known we got here to picnic and chat, I'd have brought a few sandwiches. Who knows what gave me the idea that we had work to do." Wilson groaned. "Come on, Maxwell. There's no need for you to hide anything, we're on the same boat. If anything, I should be the one worrying about whether or not I can trust you. And you aren't exactly making me less paranoid by skirting around the subject." "I don't see how that's my problem." Maxwell straightened up and lifted his axe again. "Do you want to get this wood before dusk or what?" Wilson sighed and decided to abandon the subject for the time being. They raised their axes and hit a new tree at the same time, the sharp snaps of metal on wood echoing around with perfect synchrony. Then they froze, as a thunderous roar resounded far too close for comfort. Horrified, they both looked towards the source of the noise. Above the greenery, they could spot one specific treetop wobbling slightly, while slow, rhythmic thumps made the ground shake beneath their feet. "...Oh no." Wilson looked at Maxwell, who was standing stock still and slack-jawed with his axe still raised. "Are you kidding me?" He burst out, gesticulating towards the humongous creature, the very personification of affronted bewilderment. "I leave the camp for one day and this happens? What in the everloving hell is this wrong with this goddamn-" "Do you have any pinecones?" Wilson stopped listening after the third swear, deeming Maxwell's questions mostly rhetorical. He frantically surveyed the area trying to spot the precious items, but he couldn't see any. "No! I've barely done anything-" Another bellow boomed in the air, slightly louder than the previous one. The treetop was getting dangerously close, so they did the only sensible thing they could do: they started running. They got outside the forest fairly quickly. From the clearing between the woods and the camp, they could see the Treeguard slowly making its way among the foliage, somehow leaving no damaged plants in its wake. "Thank God they're so slow." "You're welcome. You know, I think it's angry with you, specifically." Maxwell declared, suddenly calmer. "You can't possibly know that." "I certainly can, I made them." They exchanged a glance, and bolted in opposite directions. Once they had put some distance between them, they stopped and checked on their sluggish foe. After a moment, the guardian veered clearly towards Wilson's position. "Oh, come on!" Wilson's disappointed exclamation was met by a triumphant "Ha!" coming from the opposite side of the clearing. He glared at Maxwell, who immediately dashed towards the base. Unhelpful bastard. Wilson did the same, but Maxwell yelled at him. "Wait! Don't lead it here, you idiot! It'll destroy everything!" "I have no pinecones! I need the ones in the chest!" "I'll have a puppet bring them to you. I don't want to be anywhere near that thing." "What do I do in the meantime?" "I don't know! Outrun it! It isn't exactly fast." Wilson almost slapped his own face out of sheer frustration. Great, just great. Just the kind of afternoon he needed to recover from the stress of the attack, one spent shouting like an idiot to another idiot from the opposite side of a field and playing tag with a huge, angry, screaming tree. He spent the following five minutes jogging around like a complete fool without letting the Treeguard get too close, until finally Maxwell's puppet arrived, delivering a grand total of three pinecones and a shovel. "That's it? Is that all we've got?" He asked in dismay. The puppet shrugged, then pointed to the forest and made a wide gesture that Wilson interpreted as an explosion. Aaah, right, the forest. The latest heatwave had caused a fire, and they had had to regrow the whole forest from scratch. They had kept only three pinecones in case of emergency, which Wilson supposed was exactly the present case. The puppet gave him a thumbs up and scampered away. It was always surprising how much more sociable and cooperative Maxwell's shadows were compared to the original, especially considering their limited expressivity. Wilson actually missed their company when they didn't help with the foraging. All right, three attempts then. And within a reasonably short time, given that the sun was already descending below the horizon. Of course these things had to happen always at dusk. He quickly dug a tiny hole and got ready to place the pinecone in it as soon as he was within the monster's sight. The first attempt was a failure. Of course the first attempt had to be a failure, God forbid luck might favor him in time of need, for once. He resolved to let the Treeguard approach him a bit more before trying again. The second attempt was another miss. Of course the second attempt couldn't just work that easily, that would deny him the thrill of the last chance, the primal dread of being this close to impending, unavoidable doom, something that the forces inhabiting the Constant seemed keen on providing over and over again. Remaining cool and collected despite the tension and the frustration was absolutely imperative in such circumstances. "Come on, you short-sighted stump!" Wilson raged, stomping his foot and waving around the last remaining pinecone. "Do I have to sow a whole forest to make you happy?" The Treeguard didn't react in any noticeable way, other than continuing the slowest pursuit in the hystory of vaguely threatening strolls. Wilson scratched his head and cursed. It was almost dark, and he only had one pinecone. He really didn't feel like running around the whole night like a headless chicken hoping to accidentally trip on another pinecone, so he'd have to make the last one count. That meant getting very close, literally in the creature's piney face, and hope for the best. While the Treeguard approached him, he dug several holes to his left and right, ready to welcome the precious cluster of seeds, then he waited. He waited as the huge pine got close, very close, unadvisably close, definitely way too close. He stood in place when the horrendous creature bellowed from above and swung a giant branch at him. He sprang to the side and dodged it, barely. It crashed to the ground with an unimaginable rumble, but Wilson paid it no mind. The tree roared again, Maxwell was shouting too from somewhere not too far, but Wilson's attention was fully focussed on the closest hole. He crawled to it as the Treeguard slowly lifted his arm, he dropped the pinecone on the ground and swiftly covered it with a small mound of soil. "See? Done! I've-" He barely had time to raise his head, and all he could see was a huge flurry of greenery filling his entire field of view. The tremendous impact knocked him out instantly.

#don't starve #maxwil #maxwell #Wilson P. Higgsbury

[ask-beacons-finest]

“You,” A woman clad in white trembled before her team, nearly dropping the large scythe gripped within her hands, “You killed him...”

Two men stood beside the woman, watching as a shimmering red blade slowly hid away in its sheath. The wielder, a tall and strong looking black haired woman, glared down at a freshly made corpse, the body silently breaking apart and fading away into glowing dust as the life finally leaves the horrified eyes. Her burning red eyes showed no notion of regret or mercy as they turned their sights on her teammates, staring in particular at a seething blonde man. A deafening explosion could be heard from somewhere within the compound they occupied, and in seconds the room they stood in began to shake, rubble crumbling down around them

“It happens.”

“Our mission,” The blonde man finally speaks up, his bare fists clenched tight and shaking, as his body flares with a powerful aura, his deep lilac eyes intently glaring upon his uncaring partner, “Our mission, Raven, was to capture that man alive.”

“If I didn’t kill him,” Raven shouts back over the sound of a column��collapsing near them, smashing her foot down upon the body, causing a flurry of sparks of life to spread out and illuminate the crumbling room, an action that nearly makes the white-clad huntress wretch, “We’d all be dead! His intent was not to take prisoners.”

“Hey, hey,” the last of the group to speaks up steps between his two teammates, holding his hands up in an attempt to defuse the situation, “Raven was right, that guy was coming at us to kill. She did what she had to do, she saved the team, now let’s g-”

“Shut up Qrow,” the blonde pushed his way past the disheveled man and stepped right up to stand face to face with Raven, who glared up at him without fear as his eyes pierced down towards hers, both ignoring the world falling apart around them as they continued to battle with eyes alone, “And you. You killed him with such ease. He was a fellow Hunter. How could you?”

“Tai,” Qrow spoke up again, his hand reaching behind his shoulder and gripping hold of the hilt of his sword, “Let’s all just drop it.”

“You just watched your own sister kill a man,” Taiyang turned from Raven as he spoke, the immense aura flaring around him growing in intensity and size, “And you dare pull your weapon on me?”

“All of you,” the white hooded huntress spoke up again, despite the shakiness of her voice, it remained strong enough to grab the attention of all those before her, “We need to get out of here...this place is gonna come down and then we’ll all be gone.”

“Fine, Summer’s right,” Taiyang spoke in agreement yet stood still, retaining his glare down to Raven’s eyes as his aura slowly dies down, “Let’s go.”

The group stood quietly in the humble Patch home, none dared speak as they watched the scroll sitting on the table. The tension within the room weighed down on each and every one of them. Raven stood leaning against the counter, her arms crossed and eyes closed, seemingly as uncaring now as she was earlier. Qrow stood by the door, his eyes quickly switching between the silent scroll and his fellow teammates, trying desperately to judge their emotions as time drags on. Summer sat at the table, her head hung in shame as she hid within her hood, it was certainly not her team’s first failure, but it was the first that had ever resulted in a death. Taiyang, however, sat glaring at Raven, his eyes only lose track of her to glance at a small crib sitting in the corner of the room.

“Well,” Everyone’s attention suddenly shifts towards the scroll, as the voice on the other end finally speaks up after it’s long silence, “Forgive me for that. I had to start a fresh pot of coffee.”

The voice sounded almost jovial, setting Taiyang’s nerves on end as his eyes shoot back towards Raven, who has remained still.

“So there was a casualty was there? Shame, but these things do indeed happen. Miss Branwen was correct on that.”

“Oz-”

“Ah ah ah, Mr. Xiao Long,” the voice silenced Tai’s protest and continued on, “It is upsetting, I know. But death it ultimately a part of life. Oh, and Miss Rose?”

“Yes,” Summer didn’t bother even lifting her head, her voice was small and cowered before the possibility of what could come to her, Taiyang noticed Raven open a single eye and glare at her leader with the same animosity she held towards Tai himself earlier in the day.

“Don’t blame yourself my dear, this is entirely on Miss Branwen. Isn’t that right, Raven?”

Raven stood still for a moment, before shifting forward towards the scroll, her eyes set ablaze with such malice that even those in the room who picked up on it were surprised, “Of course. My fault.”

“Very well, I’d like you all to try and get some rest. Oh, and Tai, give my hellos and goodbyes to the little bundle of joy now living in your home. I assure you I will visit soon, but for now, Beacon needs me. In other news, I’m putting Team STRQ on a small suspension, think of it more as a vacation. Use it to relax. Reconnect with each other. Goodbye.”

The scroll beeped once and turned blank, the team sat perfectly still watching it as though they expected more. They watched on in fruitless anticipation as the screen turned black. The tension within the room however, remained.

“So. Care to defend yourself?”

“I killed him. I saved all of you.”

“You murdered a man,” Taiyang shouted, his fists slamming down onto the table as he jumped from his chair, causing Summer to nearly collapse off her chair in shock, Qrow lunging forward to catch her, Taiyang continued his verbal assault as he pointed an accusing finger to Raven, “And the way you did it. The way you killed a fellow Hunter...I’m thinking...I’m thinking you’ve done it before.”

“Tai,” Qrow hissed from his spot level with the table, his hands tightly gripping Summer’s arms, she could only watch on in fear as her team fell apart just as the compound did hours before, “I suggest you watch how you spe-”

“Maybe I have,” Raven responded, her arms still crossed tightly, a snarl on her face, “And if I hadn’t done it, no one else would have, and we’d all be dead. Is that what you want Taiyang? For our daughter to grow up with no parents at all?”

Taiyang stood there, his eyes scanning Raven’s face, his eyes growing sad as he comes to realize the truth.

“It was you...wasn’t it?”

“Tai,” Summer questioned, slowly pulling herself up to her seat with Qrow’s assistance, “Tai...what was her?”

“Tai,” Qrow sternly warned, “Don’t step into this.”

“Jerimyah Mire.”

“That Junior that went missing when we were freshmen,” Summer’s face grew more and more worrisome, “Tai what are you saying?”

“You killed him, didn’t you. I’ve seen that fighting style you used against our target today. It was his. He was the best swordsman in Beacon and-”

“He wasn’t the best,” Raven shouted, throwing her hand out, the faint murmur of a cry could be heard coming from the crib, “I was.”

“Raven,” Summer shook her head, her voice pleading, “Raven...Raven no...no no you can’t mean that.”

Raven stood strong against the counter, her eyes staring out past her team into space, she continues on dryly, “Killing Grimm is easy. When you come from a bandit tribe you learn how to kill Grimm the second you can swing a pointed stick. You learn or you die.”

“Raven,” Qrow narrows his eyes to his sister, speaking out a warning, “You know what Oz said about talking about this.” 

“I know his word means next to nothing,” Raven spat out her response, another faint cry sounding out from the crib, “And I know what I was sent here to do. What we were sent here to do, Qrow.”

Qrow shied away from Summer as both her and Taiyang jerk their heads towards him. Summer’s eyes watered, her heart snapping beneath her chest, she silently pleaded for Qrow to tell her something that could reassure her faith in the team, meanwhile, Taiyang’s eyes burned into Qrow's skin as they glared at him.

“And I learned I do it well.”

“Murder,” Taiyang spoke, his eyes not moving from the ashamed Qrow, “You two were sent her to learn how to kill?”

The cries from the crib began to become more frequent, and quickly grew into a full tantrum of tears and sobs, Taiyang broke his line of sight from the room to turn towards the crib, gently walking his way towards it. His face softened as he came into view of the small infant sobbing within, his hands slowly reaching down and takes hold of the baby, slowly lifting it up out of the crib and cradling it in his arms.

“Shhh, shhh, don’t worry my little fire dragon, daddy’s here,” Tai’s voice flowed smoothly, his eyes betraying his face as they well with sadness, “But mommy, she’s gone, left. Abandoned you, both of us.”

“Excuse me,” Raven stepped forward, her fists clenched in anger, “She’s just as much my daughter as yours, you can’t-”

Raven stopped in her tracks as Tai turned his head, giving off a look over his shoulder that sent a chill even down her spine. Both Qrow and Summer rose in anticipation of violence, but both were stopped as Raven lifted a hand. A flash of defeat quickly appearing on her face before being replaced by a stone wall of apathy.

“Fine,” Her voice came out dry, uncaring, though there was a hint of regret in her eyes that Tai wished he didn’t pick up on, “Consider this goodbye. To all of you.”

#rwby #team strq #summer rose #taiyang xiao long #raven branwen #qrow branwen

[adriana-florentina18]

Unexpected turn out

A/N: So this is like my first time ever posting here but I’d really like to share this fanfic written by me for a friend of mine. If you like it I could try taking requests but since I have an awful university timetable and it’s my last year too which means even more stress, possibly it could take a while. But I’m willing to do it nonetheless ^^ Enjoy reading.

Warnings:  Smut. Dirty talk. Police kink. Spanking. Oral. Handcuffing.

No. of words: 4 779 

"Shiiiiiit" Y/N yelled as she hurried to dress and leave for university. " I'm sure as hell I'll be late and that teacher will torture me, Jesus..."

Y/N was supposed to wake up at 6:30 in the morning but unfortunately for her, she overslept and now all she was left with was only 30 minutes till the start of the class and an insane traffic. "Why me.. Why for once can't happen all this to a classmate I hate? And get scolded too? No, it always gotta be me.." she sighed, accepting internally the death which was about to come.

On her way though Y/N found a lost wallet on the street, apparently no one noticing it and the one who dropped it nowhere to be found. "No Y/N, not your business, remember you have class with the most insupportable human being in the university and can't afford to upset her more unless there's due to happen World War III’’ she tried to convince herself but to no avail.’’ ...Why am I like this?" And so she turned around to go to the police station. A few turns around and some walking by feet and there she was, astonished by the long line. "Well fuck... Just great..." she mumbled to herself as she sat in line. Y/N patiently stood there and waited to move further but it seemed like the line wasn’t advancing at all.

A few more minutes later and patience running thinner than anything, Y/N thought: "They sure take a lot of their sweet time... Faster will ya?" The girl could barely take it anymore without stepping in front of everyone and start a fight with them.

But before that could happen some old police officer told her where to go, pointing to a faraway room at the end of the hallway. Y/N sighed defeated once again. Looking at the clock hung on the white wall she could see she’s run late about an hour already. "Marvellous... And I spent half of the night to write that shitty essay for her ass too when I could've watched something". Y/N lazily dragged her feet to the end of the hallway, regretting she wanted to do something good and instantly cursing the idiot who had dropped his wallet.

Finally arriving to the room where she was supposed to get, instructed by that elder officer, Y/N softly knocked on the door but no response. And so she cracked open the door to stare in shock at what was happening behind those closed doors.

Two young men were kissing, oblivious to the whole world as they kept pulling the other closer. The younger looking one was on the other male's lap, kissing him hungrily, fingers tangled in his hair and pulling rough making the brown-haired male moan. The man who was underneath lightly moved his hips, grinding against the other’s crotch while lifting his shirt above the waist. They kept making out and softly moaning, mostly the one on top.

Before the yonger looking one managed to sneak his hand under him to undo his partner’s belt, Y/N cleared her throat awkwardly as she startled the boys. Neither one of them knew what to say to make the situation less awkward than it was rapidly turning into or to shoo her away.  They just stared at her, a mixture of anger and shame and shyness written on their beautiful faces, but eventually, after what seemed the longest minutes of everyone's life, someone finally decided to break the ice. ‘’What are you staring at?!’’ someone snapped.

"Jungkook, I think you should get off me now..." the other mumbled. The male, by his name Jungkook, reluctantly sat up and glared at the girl who equally frowned hard at him, as the boy arranged his hair and clothes, the handcuffs kept on the pants' loop making a soft ring as his long fingers brushed against them. Soon, an evil grin took its place on the younger's lips.

"Take this and freaking let me go, I can't afford to lose any more time. And from what I've just witnessed you two clearly are in the middle of something", Y/N whined while throwing the wallet on the older's desk.

"Hyung..." Jungkook kept smirking as he quietly walked behind the girl.

"Drop the honorific this time, Kookie" the other replied, reciprocating the smirk. Returning his gaze to the girl, he licked his lips in a sensual way and spoke in a whisper, "You said to let you go? Sorry baby, can't do".

"Don't make me slap you" Y/N threatened but she got her hands handcuffed in no time. "What the fuck?!"

"Such dirty mouth, right Taehyung-ah?" Jungkook smirked. "I wonder for how long you stood there watching us making out" he taunted.

"Horny boy" Taehyung chuckled with that deep voice while undoing his necktie, letting it loose for now.

"Let go, perverts" Y/N growled at them as she was pushed on the couch in their office, only getting the two men to chuckle.

"I wonder how--" and Jungkook spread wide open her legs, "--how wet you are only by this. I know you girls have a fetish with the police and being handcuffed, then getting fucked senseless", he kept speaking in a low voice in Y/N's ear.

Y/N did her best to prevent herself from letting out a quiet moan since the ear was one of her sensitive spots. But the young police officer wasn't having any of it and so he suddenly licked her ear, then bit on the earlobe earning himself the moan he craved.

"What is that, honey? A moan?" Jungkook smirked as he roughly crashed his lips on Y/N's, very soon parting her lips and slipping inside her warm mouth his tongue. The boy was not sparing any moment, he deepened the kiss as much as he could, smirking wider when Y/N started moaning louder and pulling at the handcuffs. The taste of his mentholated breath and the skillfulness of his tongue soon got the girl lost, she was so caught up in his kiss that she missed the moment when Jungkook undid her belt and jeans and slipped his hand inside, barely touching her core. Pulling away he remarked, "So you really ARE turned on by this, dirty girl. What if I let you go right now, hm? Do you think you can walk with that arousal pooling there until you get home so you can help yourself?" Jungkook smirked in victory as he saw how easy Y/N got flustered.

"Jungkook, don't be mean... Too much to her", Taehyung chuckled again as he sat comfortably on the desk facing them, legs spread open and with a tent in his uniform's pants. He started to slowly palm himself at first through the material, biting his lower lip in a sexy and teasing way. "After you are done with Kookie, I want you on your knees in front of me and pleasure me babygirl. You have a dirty mouth and at first I wanted to clean it up for you, but I guess now I just want to get it much dirtier" he spoke, not even once faltering over the words, enjoying the cute redness which was spreading over Y/N's cheeks.

"So innocent right now that I almost want to go soft", Jungkook mumbled in her neck, lightly kissing, "But I'd rather have you the hardest way possible, screaming my name and having you coming all over me".

Y/N only blushed harder as Jungkook undressed her while biting and sucking on her neck, taking care to leave marks, Taehyung mumbling something along the line "I want to see more" as he continued to touch himself through the material of his pants. Now bare naked and with her hands held up high handcuffed, Taehyung and Jungkook could clearly see how the younger's foreplay affected her... and them too, considering the hard-ons in their pants.

"Jungkook-ah, put on a show for her and me, babyboy, let us see your bare perfect body" Taehyung joked while finally unbuttoning his white dress shirt and taking off his trousers.

"Hyung, I am not perf--"

"Shut it boy and do as you are fucking told", a not so patient and frustarted Y/N retorted.

It took Jungkook a moment to process before smirking in the most devilish way possible. "Wanna play like that, my dear babygirl? I don't mind at all, but it's you who's gonna get it hard" And in no time the black-haired man pushed Y/N onto her stomach and spanked her quite hard, eliciting a quite loud moan from her, surprising both males.

"Such a naughty girl" Jungkook commented as he licked his lips, biting on her lower back while another slap came in contact with her now slowly reddening skin. "I want you to scream so loud everyone could hear and know how good I am making you feel, darling"

"C-call me babygirl, sir..." Y/N quietly mumbled between moans, not even her believing how fast she actually gave in.

"You're not the one making orders here, doll. But you can keep calling me sir, I like it" Jungkook grinned again as he spanked harder this time Y/N's ass. "Turn around" he instructed, "so I can see that flawless and white skin before I get to bite you and mark you". But Y/N didn’t turn, slightly smirking at Jungkook. ‘’Very well then’’ , and so the boy forcefully turned her around, attacking almost instantly her chest.

Biting on her skin and sucking at the same time, his long fingers rubbing her core, Jungkook had Y/N in no time to his mercy. ‘’So wet already, so fucking needy…’’ he mumbled between bites, a cocky smirk present on his face. ‘’I bet you want by now to pull at my hair, kiss me and want me to fuck you, right babygirl?’’ Y/N only moaned at his touches, wanting more but not wanting to ask or beg him for more.

‘’Why so innocent now? You have a mouth and a dirty one too, let us hear you voice out all your needs then’’ Taehyung commented, feeling his own arousal staining the black material of his boxers. ‘’Or maybe you need something to encourage you to let go of those strained moans’’, and so Taehyung began moaning in his deep and husky voice, stroking himself harder on purpose. Y/N only stared at him with wide eyes and heart beating fast, taking in the view of the man who was pleasuring himself on the desk.’’…fuck’’ Y/N whispered but didn’t pass unheard by Jungkook as he moved to her nipple and sucked harsh, earning another loud moan from the girl underneath him.

Jungkook’s fingers slipped inside her now drenched and ruined panties, feeling the moisture that made it so easy for him to push his finger and curl it inside. ‘’Hyung, look how easy she took my finger inside her warmth and hear how wet she is’’ he spoke to Taehyung while cheekily grinning at the girl. ‘’Moan baby, tell me how good it feels’’ he whispered in her ear as the boy slipped another two fingers and moving very slow. Y/N gradually grew louder, barely able to think properly, even forgetting what was the main reason she came to the police or even cursing anymore the one who dropped his wallet. ‘’Tell me how fucking good I am making you feel just by my fingers’’ Jungkook growled in her ear. ‘’Or perhaps you need something else’’.

‘’Stop freaking teasing me, aah!, a-already, you bastard…’’

‘’Someone likes to be punished, I see. Well, it will be my pleasure to punish you sweetheart’’

Jungkook attached his lips on her chest again, sucking hard, making sure to leave a mark on her right breast too, while moving at a fast rate his long fingers inside her, getting them all drenched in her fluids. Y/N shifted impatiently and tugged at the handcuffs, desperately wating to pull at his hair and kiss him, but all she could do was moan loud his name and arch her back for more. ‘’More… More… Fuck it, Jungkook, do more, please!’’ she heard herself begging now, surprising Jungkook for a moment. But instead of getting more pleasure, the boy smiled innocently and pulled away from her. ‘’What the--?! Come back here!’’ Y/N yelled after him and as much as she wanted to look angry, her puppy eyes gave her needs away – she was so needy for him now and desperate to reach her climax but Jungkook decided to leave her like this. He only spared her a sweet smile and sat at the end of the couch, watching her desperately trying to close her legs and rub them together, wanting to ease the uncomfortable feeling now. ‘’Don’t do that, doll, I want to see you dripping for me and beg me to do more’’ he teased.

‘’Jungkook, who taught you all this?’’ Taehyung chuckled as he finally hopped off the desk and approached them. ‘’Too bad she is handcuffed, I wanted to feel her fingers wrapped around my length and moving up and down, touching all the right places until her warm and tempting mouth would kiss it slowly, teasing me only so she can get punished, wanting me to be rough too’’ he described without any shame, staring at her sudden red cheeks. ‘’Oooh, she’s shy, so adorable’’.

Y/N gulped, swallowing her pride and fully giving in, calling for them. ‘’Officers… please… Officer Jungkook…’’ she purred wanting to sound sexy but still needy. Both males stared with a blank face at each other, masking the slight shock from her calling them like that, but once again Jungkook was the one who smirked. ‘’It’s officer Jeon for you, babygirl’’ he purred as well in that melodious voice of his, ‘’and since you called me so nicely, maybe I can help you a little, what do you say?’’

If she could, Y/N would’ve kicked him for teasing her so much but since she was handcuffed and he held firmly her waist pinned to the couch, she didn’t even try. Y/N was so preoccupied with the way the black-haired man pulled over his head the shirt, revealing his muscular arms and abs, the erection in his trousers quite evident by now. Jungkook returned to licking and biting on her neck, barely touching her thighs with his fingers. ‘’Jungkook…’’ Y/N whined but in a split second got spanked hard. ‘’How did I tell you to call me, kitten?’’ he murmured in her ear. ‘’If you don’t call me like that, I will not do anything’’ he continued, chuckling only when she whined more and tried to grind against him. Curious thing, she actually succeeded in grinding right against his hard-on, taking Jungkook by surprise as he let out a small groan. ‘’You think this is funny?’’ he frowned at her with lust-filled eyes and out of nowhere grinding so hard that she let out a scream of his full name.

‘’Oh no, I will not have you come only by this, I have so much more planned for you’’ he smirked and soon went down on her, licking very fast while holding down even more firmer her hips as Y/N tried to move again. ‘’Kookie, what about me?’’ Taehyung whined childishly but his whine passed unheard as Jungkook was in between her legs and working hard on her, Y/N a moaning mess under him.

Jungkook’s tongue licked fast and merciless at first but soon turned very slow and sensual, going deeper each time. His fingers dug further into her skin as he tried to prevent her from moving too much, keeping his intense gaze on her face frowning in the most delicious way in his opinion. Seeing her being kissed by Taehyung too only made him more determined to get her to the breaking point and leave her hanging like that, but a much meaner idea crossed his mind: overstimulation. Jungkook made his mission to get her to release, growing harder by the fact she would come all over his tongue, running down his chin as he won’t slow down, building up her next orgasm. Bringing his two fingers too, pushing them so deep into her core, Jungkook heard a muffled scream from the girl as her body trembled in the most delightful way. ‘’Do you like it so much, babygirl? You love my tongue this much? Maybe I should put you out of your misery now’’

The man got back to his evil doings, enjoying to the fullest every spasm from the girl under him, as he had absolutely no mercy towards her. Licking fast, sucking on her clit harshly and fingers pushing and curling deep inside her, Y/N couldn’t help but moan so loud in Taehyung’s mouth as he kissed her so slow in contrast with how rough Jungkook was. When Taehyung felt her teeth biting hard on his lower lip and a strangled scream managed to pass through her gritted teeth, Jungkook’s got to taste her sweet juices, taking all of it like it was some drug for him. Her liquids ran down his chin and drenched fingers, but the boy didn’t mind one bit, in fact he wore a damn proud smirk on his glistening lips. And not even letting her suck in a very needed breath in her lungs, Jungkook had dived back to eat her out. For him her screams and moans were pure music.

‘’Kookie, I think you played enough, let me have some fun too’’ Taehyung whined again but in his voice could be heard something near a command, his hand fisting some of the boy’s black hair and slightly pulling at it, eliciting a deep moan from Jungkook. ‘’I want to taste her too, you know’’ he chuckled. ‘’Then go ahead, she’s so good that I can’t get enough and you might not get a single drop’’ Jungkook answered in a cocky manner, getting smacked in the shoulder by the older one.

Taehyung was different than the other, going slow from the beginning to the end, twice as sensual with his tongue’s movements than Jungkook’s; he wanted to take his time with Y/N but one long lick in between her soft, wet folds and Y/N was screaming again, fisting her hands as she tried not to orgasm again and so soon. Meanwhile Jungkook was back to sucking on her chest, massaging the other breast or playing with the erect nipple, stimulating her even more. A soft ‘’please’’ could be heard repeated over and over again as the boys won’t let her even breathe. ‘’Kitten, how about I let you taste yourself to see how sweet you are?’’ Jungkook teased as he purposely kept his wet fingers away from touching her body. ‘’Now be a good girl and open that pretty mouth for me’’ he continued while gently parting her lips with his thumb, then shoving his index and middle finger into her mouth. Y/N’s eyes widened in surprise for a second but soon gave in again as she began to suck his fingers and skillfully lick them clean. ‘’Fuck baby, you know how to work that mouth of yours and tempting tongue on my fingers, I wonder if you can work miracles on my dick too’’ Jungkook smirked biting his lower lip, the evil glint in his eyes even more present. Taehyung just continued to eat her out, taking care to push his tongue into her so deep she won’t forget too soon the feeling while pumping himself, the precum sliding on his fingers and member.

Y/N couldn’t hold back those moans, not that she wanted anymore, all she desired now was to get her release already. Opening her eyes and staring at Jungkook, she kept licking his fingers like they were a dessert really sweet, she simply couldn’t get enough. Moving her hands to hold his and pull it closer to take deeper those long fingers of Jungkook, the image got him and Taehyung more and more impatient. They wanted to fuck her senseless, have her begging for more and coat them with her orgasm, but they agreed through those looks spared between them that they’ll take turns. Even though Taehyung craved and ached to be sucked by Y/N, he let the younger one have this pleasure first. ‘’Sweetheart, sit up’’ he suddenly spoke, stare very intense and dominant.

‘’Hyung?’’ Jungkook asked as he pulled out his wet fingers from her mouth confused, Y/N meowing in need. ‘’I want her to ride my face while she gives you a blowjob, Kookie’’ Taehyung smirked at a once again blushing Y/N. ‘’And tell me your name so we know what to call you when we’ll be in immense pleasure’’ Jungkook whispered while biting her ear, helping Y/N to stand up and position her over Taehyung’s mouth. ‘’I feel so… mhhh…’’ Y/N got cut off as Taehyung once again started moving his tongue, sending her in a wave of pleasure. ‘’Move your hips, baby, grind against my tongue’’ the male underneath breathed on her heat.

‘’And your name now, gorgeous?’’ Jungkook purred again in her ear, licking it this time and sucking on the earlobe while guiding her still handcuffed hands to his erection. ‘’Pull my pants down, dear, and take me in’’ he smirked. Y/N obeyed, not putting on a fight anymore and unzipped his pants, pulling out of his boxers his erection. ‘’Like what you see?’’ Jungkook whispered over her lips as he grabbed her chin and pulled her in a long and rough kiss. ‘’Now suck me good, babygirl’’

Y/N stared a bit insecure in his eyes then at his member, gulped and mumbled her name before she hesitantly took the head already leaking with precum into her mouth. Jungkook immediately groaned at the intense feeling and how good it felt that he simply couldn’t hold back the movement of his hips, slightly thrusting into her mouth, making the girl choke on him. ‘’Fu-fuck… Oh my g—‘’ Jungkook moaned, ‘’How in god’s name does your mouth feel so good?’’  Y/N only blushed as she kept taking him in while Taehyung continued to lick at her core, touching all the right places just as Jungkook had done before. Moaning over his erect member and slightly grinding on the other’s tongue, both of them barely could resist the urge of fully jumping on her. ‘’Fuck baby, go… go deeper, let’s see if you can take all of me’’ Junkook groaned again, fisting one hand in her hair and pushing her more onto him until he felt the tip of his dick hit the back of her throat, making her choke again but not pulling away this time. ‘’You like it, Y/N? Do I taste good?’’ he taunted, still holding her hair away from her face. ‘’Look at me while you do all this, baby, let me see those beautiful eyes innocently staring at me while your mouth betrays you. You have no idea how fucking hot you look right now’’ Jungkook spoke, smirking at her when she obeyed. Her hands came into contact with his member when she pulled away, massaging him, the handcuffs making a soft ringing sound, but before Y/N could go back onto him Jungkook stopped her. ‘’ It’s hyung’s turn now, baby, spare some for him as well’’

‘’Geez, thanks for the consideration, greedy boy’’ mumbled Taehyung from still under Y/N thighs, biting and sucking on her inner left thigh before pulling himself completely away and standing up. Licking his lips, tracing his sinful tongue painfully slow over his wet lips too. ‘’He was right, you really taste sweet’’ Taehyung smirked, flipping over his hair with a hand, showing his forehead too with some beads of sweat. Sitting on the couch, legs spread open, he motioned for her with his index finger to approach him. ‘’Now be a good kitten and crawl over to me, I want you to lay at first your head on my lap, let me stroke your hair and then fist it in my hand and make you take in my dick. This problem won’t solve by itself so we need to find a solution. Too bad though Kookie wants to fuck you rough and I want to come in your mouth, it will be such a good feeling having you swallow all I will be giving you’’ Taehyung couldn’t help the dirty things that were rolling off his tongue, loving too much her reactions. ‘’I bet you are even more wet just by the thought and I can promise you I am even more turned on to have you at my mercy too’’.  

Y/N was like in a trance, the grey-colored hair man’s words slowly sinking in, making her bite her lip too. Although what it took her to crawl to Taehyung was a hard spank from Jungkook on her ass. ‘’Much better, babygirl’’ he mumbled.

Doing as Taehyung said, Y/N laid her head on his lap and let him pet her for a few seconds as Jungkook started nibbling on her back up to her neck, leaving hickeys in his way and red handprints on her ass cheeks. Alternating between low and quiet moans to loud and needy, she unconsciously started grinding against his erection pressed in between her legs, the tip barely grazing against her entrance, craving that feeling of having him inside her at last after all the teasing. ‘’Want me inside you?’’ Jungkook purred into her ear as the girl nodded impatient. ‘’Beg me.’’

Sucking in a deep breath, Y/N quietly said ‘’Please o-officer Jeon… Please, I can’t…’’ , and soon felt him roughly pushing in, making Y/N scream in both pain and relieve. Taehyung, just as he described, fisted some of her hair and pushed her opened mouth onto him, groaning loud and deep at the good feeling. ‘’My fucking god…More, do more…!’’ Taehyung thrusted upwards as he moaned loud at the intense pleasure while Jungkook wasn’t showing any mercy in his thrusts either. Hearing her moan and feeling her clench around his hard member was driving him insane, speeding up and slightly scratching on her back too. ‘’Take him deeper, babygirl, make him come undone then you following him. Can you do that for me like a good girl that you are?’’ Jungkook asked in a more deep voice now.

Obeying him, Y/N did as she was told, Taehyung’s grip on her hair tightening suddenly as his grunts and moans grew louder and louder till he couldn’t take it anymore, ejaculating into her warm mouth. Barely opening his eyes due to his intense orgasm, the male could see her swallowing, some of it sliding off the corner of her mouth. He pulled her in a kiss, licking that thin white line, then pushing his tongue passed her lips in order to deepen the kiss more.

Meanwhile Jungkook’s bare and toned chest was covered in sweat, his hair sticking to his forehead because of it and going hard and fast. ‘’I-I can’t… Shit!’’ he suddenly screamed and thrusted even more deep into her, making Y/N moan loud too and collapse onto Taehyung’s chest as they both came at the same time.

Panting hard all three of them, they stayed like that for a while, only Y/N saying a tired ‘’Oh my god…’’ but not finding in her to even lift a finger after Jungkook pulled away and uncuffed her. As much as she wanted to get dressed and leave, Y/N only hugged Taehyung sleepy, cuddling.

‘’Heeeey!! What about me?! I was the one who did all that to you, don’t I deserve cuddles too?’’ Jungkook acted all innocent now, like a little kid who craved attention, but the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth gave his cockiness away, feeling so proud of what he has done. ‘’By the way, I hope it will happen again, Y/N sweetie. Either in two or in three, but I’d so want it the next time to be just you and me’’ he winked, licking his lips sexy. ‘’Shut it, Kookie…’’ Y/N mumbled tired but with a small grin.

‘’Ooh, what is that?’’ Jungkook smirked. ‘’One round was not enough for you, baby?’’

‘’Kids…’’ Taehyung tried to reason with them but to no avail as Jungkook yelled in a competitive way and wearing the biggest smirk on his still sweaty face, ‘’Brace yourself, darling, you won’t be able to walk away from here to soon by your own feet!’’

‘’As if I can walk now…’’

‘’Smartass…’’ Jungkook pouted.

Taehyung only chuckled at them, adding too that he might take up the opportunity to have this kind of activity together.      

#smut #bts #bangtanboys #kimtaehyung #v #taehyung #jeonjungkook #jungkook #policekink

[sparkinsidewrites]

Shards of Us - Chapter Nine

Title: Shards of Us

Chapter: 9/9

Character/Pairing: Davey Havok/Adam Carson

Genre: Angst

Rating: Explicit

Summary:  Creating a balance between what was and what is strains the ever twisted relationship between Adam, Aubrey, and Davey. Sequel to The Devil Inside. Written with Havoksangel.

Authors Notes/Warnings:  Nothing in this piece ever happened. I claim no ownership nor do I make any sort of profit from this, other than pride and a sense of amusement.

NINE

Davey sighed and rolled his hips under Adam, kissing him roughly. This felt so nice. It had been forever since they'd made love, since they had the time to truly enjoy one another. Things had been so hectic. He scratched his nails lightly down his back and nipped at his lips. He loved this man so much it hurt and by the grace of God, they were still together after all the hurt that had circled them.

Adam sighed, nuzzling into Davey’s neck. The feel of his lover’s warm, hard body beneath his was incredible. Between work and the chaos their lives had become, the two barely had a chance to kiss let alone go much farther. "Davey," he murmured into his lover’s ear. He loved the way his lover’s name fell from his lips.

Davey kissed down Adam's neck and to his shoulder, biting him softly. Gently he wrapped his legs around him and moved his body slowly to push Adam deeper inside him. This was Heaven, it was perfect. This was what he had been waiting for. This was all he needed.

Hissing, Adam allowed his hands to grip Davey’s moving hips, keeping his rhythm steady. He didn’t want to rush this. It had been far too long since he’d had Davey like this. Far too long. This would last, he would make sure of it. Even if it drove both of them mad. "Slow," he whispered, "We have all night."

He nods and whimpers. "Its been so long, Baby." He didn’t want to wait. Not now, not when they were so close.

"Mmm," Adam mumbled in response, his eyes slipping shut. "Too long."

Davey scratched his nails down Adam's back and arched his body into his lover. He was so achingly close, he couldn’t see straight. He needed this. Needed Adam.

Sensing the change in his lover, Adam slowed his movement even more. He wanted to make Davey long for this. Make him want it with every fiber of his being. It didn’t matter that he could barely handle this himself. No. Waiting, wanting, made this all the sweeter. Even if it would piss his beautiful lover off.

Davey groaned. "Adam, please," he pleaded, bearing down. "God, I need to come." He couldn’t decide for the life of him why Adam felt the need to torture him.

Adam merely chuckled, "Soon."

Davey was just getting ready to protest when a tiny whimper from the bedroom across the hall filtered throughout the room. Davey shut his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. Oh God, it was over. Natalie was crying and he was going to stay hard and miserable. As much as he’d come to love the little girl, he’d never regretted her more than he did in that moment.

"Dammit," Adam mumbled under his breath, slowly and carefully pulling out of his obviously frustrated lover. He tensed, sensitive, pulling himself into a sitting position and fumbling blindly for his pajama bottoms. This little girl would be the death of him, that Adam was sure of.

Davey panted and licked his lips, trying his best not to scream. Natalie had a knack for crying just as they were about to finish. It never failed. He sat up and ran his hand through his hair. "Well, she has her mother's timing."

Adam cocked his eyebrow, "Davey..."

Davey looked down, regretting his outburst almost immediately. Aubrey was still a tense subject between them. "Sorry."

"She’s just a baby, she doesn’t know any better." Adam didn’t want this to start an argument between them, not when things had been going so well. "Please don’t be like this. Please."

Davey looked up at him. "Adam, you really need to relax. I am not faulting the baby. I was trying to make a joke because my dick seems to stay hard and painful when we keep her."

Adam sighed, "I’m sorry...I just..." His voice trailed off, "I’ll go make sure she’s alright." With a soft, but strained, smile, Adam tugged on his pants carefully and made his way to the adjacent bedroom. Natalie’s tiny face was red and Adam felt his heart sink slightly. He hated it when she cried. Hated knowing she wasn’t happy. Gently, he made his way to her crib, lifting the small girl into his arms.

"Hello angel. Daddy’s here, it’s okay. I’m here," he whispered, rocking her back and forth in his arms.

She rubbed her tiny head on his shoulder and gummed it. Her tiny face was stained with tears as she cried harder. Davey got out of bed and walked into the bedroom, placing a hand on the back of her head. "Is she alright?"

"I don’t know," Adam whispered, feeling helpless. Here she was, dependant on him completely and he hadn’t the first idea how to make it better. She wasn’t wet and he had fed her less than an hour before. He couldn’t fathom what was wrong.

Davey watched as she gummed Adam's shoulder and took her gently from his arms, cradling her. Carefully he put a finger in her mouth and felt her gums, feeling a little bump. "Ah, she's teething."

"How can you know just what to do when I don’t have the first idea?" Adam mumbled, watching Davey softly rock his daughter, letting her gum his pinkie. Davey seemed to be a natural, why couldn’t Adam have things come so easily to him?

Davey grinned at him. "Because you are scared you are going to break her." He bent down and kissed her forehead.

Adam shot his head up, staring at Davey.

"What?" Davey questioned, watching his lover curiously.

"I’m not scared I’m going to break her," Adam spoke in his own defense, though his tone was far less convincing than his words.

Davey raised an eyebrow and handed him back Natalie, leaving the room with a smirk. "Go for it, Daddy."

Adam glared after his lover before turning his attention back to the tiny girl once again in his arms. Her cries only grew louder and no amount of bouncing would silence them. Sighing, he looked at her once more, trying desperately to remember the things he’d read in the number of parenting books he’d acquired in the months leading up to and after Natalie’s birth. "Cold wash cloth," he mumbled to himself, proud that his frazzled brain had come up with something.

Bouncing her in his arms, Adam made his way into the bathroom, pausing that the linen closet for a fresh wash cloth. He cursed when he couldn’t find any. Now what was he going to do?

Davey walked in and dangled one off his finger. "We washed them today." A smirk spread across his angular face.

"Aren’t we cocky?" he murmured, taking the wash cloth from Davey’s fingers and reaching to turn on the cold water.

Davey looked at him. "Adam, are you mad at me?"

"What do you mean?" He busied himself, soaking the cloth and ringing it dry before placing the tip of it in Natalie’s mouth.

She busily chewed on it and looked up at him, whimpering a bit as she quieted. "I just wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me because of what happened earlier."

"I’m not mad...I’m just...I want this to work and sometimes I don’t know how it will. I feel like I’m fumbling around in the dark half the time. What kind of father am I? I can’t even take care of my own child?"

Davey kissed his shoulder then gently petted Natalie's head. He took a look in the mirror, grateful for what he was seeing, something he never though would happen. Aubrey was actually letting Adam and him share custody of her daughter. Letting them both be a part of her life. He kissed Adam’s shoulder a second time. "You are a fantastic father."

Adam closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of Davey’s lips against his bare skin. This was something he cherished, having the both of them in his life. "You’re biased."

"She loves you and you take care of her. No parent has the answers right away."

"You sure you’ve never done this before?" Adam asked with a smile. "You’re too much of a natural."

He grinned. "I helped raise my little brother and I watched my mother."

"So no secret kids stashed away somewhere?" He chuckle. Davey shook his head, "Just as well. Means more of you for me."

Davey licked his neck. "No, no secret children," he assured him, still rubbing Natalie's head. She was finally starting to drift back to sleep.

A shiver ran through Adam’s body. "You are the Devil, do you know that?"

Davey smirked over his shoulder, his dark eyes the only thing able to be seen in the mirror as Adam looked at him. "I know and you love it."

"Just wait until she calms, I’ll make you eat your words."

Davey smirked and pinched Adam's ass as he moved away. "She's calm."

Adam squeezed his eyes shut, his breathing rate increasing for a moment. Calming himself, he risked glance down at his daughter who was gnawing on the washcloth, her eyes closed. He almost didn’t want to risk moving her for fear of upsetting her once again. But the temptation Davey had laid before him was great. Raising his eyes, he sought Davey’s dark ones in the mirror.

"Put her to bed, Adam. She's asleep," he said with a smile.

"Eager aren’t we?" Adam joked with a smile, his eyes once again falling to the sleeping child in his arms. "You are going to be such a bad influence on her, I can tell."

Davey smirked. "Nah, I'm just gonna keep her daddy happy," he told him, licking his lips.

"Well then you’re a bad influence on me then. What are we going to do when she gets older. If she’s anything like her parents, she’ll be a quick one and I don’t fancy having my daughter walk in on us," Adam added with a smirk, motioning for Davey to lead the way from the bathroom.

Davey grinned and sashayed to the bedroom and leaned on the door frame. "Well," he began," I suppose we will just have to figure something out unless you want to stop having sex with me."

"That might be an option," Adam dead panned, mirth twinkling in his blue eyes at the shocked look on his lover’s face. He quietly made his way into Natalie’s darkened room, placing her gently back into her crib. She stirred just slightly before falling back to sleep. Adam found himself standing beside her, watching her tiny chest rise and fall as she breathed. She was beautiful, perfect.

Davey grinned and walked in behind Adam, watching his lover watch his sleeping daughter, and wrapped his arms around his waist. "She's exquisite."

Leaning back against his lover, Adam nodded, "Isn’t she?"

Davey slowly kissed up the side of his neck and sucked on his ear lobe. "Like her father."

Shivering, Adam leaned back into Davey’s warm body. "You’ll say anything to get into my pants, huh?" Not that he was complaining. Turning more fully, Adam leaned in to claim Davey’s lips with his own.

"Oh yeah. I'm a sweet talker and I know what I want," he said against his mouth.

Allowing his arms to wrap around Davey’s waist, Adam slowly backed them both out of the baby’s room and back into their own. "And what is that?"

Davey rocked his hips against Adam and kisses his neck. "Give me what you've got, Daddy," he said with a smirk.

With a soft laugh, Adam shook his head. "You think you can handle that?"

"I always can."

"So cocky," he teased, nipping at Davey’s neck, "I like that," he paused again, kissing down his lover’s chest, "Very much."

Slipping a hand down Adam's chest and into his pajama bottoms, he wrapped his hand around his cock and led him to the bed. "Show me."

A strangled groan fell from Adam’s lips."What do you want me to do?"

Davey licked the shell of his ear and breathed hotly against it. "Me."

Pushing him roughly back onto the bed, Adam smirked, "I plan on it."

#afislash #Advey #Shards of Us #co-written with havoksangel #AU #sparkinside writes