#instead of picking up the slack... she started acting out to try and regain my attention. it didn't work. i didn't have the energy to give | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

gabby294 · 3 years

Text

Saudade - Chapter 1.

||Prologue||

Summary: "Saudade" - A nostalgic longing for a person or thing that was loved once, but is now lost.

Helmut Zemo's life was forever changed when the Avengers picked his country as a personal playground to fight their own creations. He would never regain the pieces of his life where he was a husband and a father of two. But the existence of new Super Soldiers might just bring him closer to that life he once had than he ever thought was possible. Madripoor holds secrets that even Baron Zemo does not know about.

Word Count: 6.2k

Helmut led them deeper into the garage where his personal collection was stored. Flicking the lights on, he was met with a couple of rows of his favourite antique cars. Just like he left them years ago. It wasn't all of his collection, the remaining couple of dozen were hidden away in other parts of the world. He made a mental note to thank to whoever kept the place cleaned and the cars taken care of. From an initial glance, all of them were spotless, just how he liked them.

"So our first move is grand theft auto?" Sam asked, crossing his arms the moment the light came on.

"These are mine. Collected by the family over the generations." Helmut explained as he pulled open the lid of the trunk. Some of the cars dated back all the way to pre-WW2. He could still remember his father showing him the collection when he was a young man himself. It was a tradition of a sort, in their family. A tradition that he carried on with Nic and was planning to do with Carl once he was older. Years down the line, the same cars, amongst others, were going to be split and passed down equally between them. Now, they would forever be in his collection. He supposed the traditions along with the family name would end with him.

Helmut glanced down at the trunk of the 1946 Packard Clipper that was filled with weapons, knives, and ammunition. He scanned through them all, considering what to take. Some of it will be useful, especially the ones that he could conceal easily. Hearing the doors of other cars being opened, he tilted his head towards Sam and James but refrained from making a comment. Sam chuckled from somewhere behind Helmut, making him turn to him. Sam pulled back from the 1934 Packard Twelve Series 1106 that he was checking out.

"Hey Zemo," He called out, grinning at whatever he was holding in his hand. "Have been secretly a fan-boy all along and were pissed we didn't invite you to hang out?"

"May I?" Helmut asked as he extended his hand. He had a suspicion of what it was already but wanted to see it himself.

"You should keep it. Really brings out your good side." Sam bit out sarcastically and lightly threw it across the couple of feet that were between them.

Helmut caught it easily and opened his palm to see a scratched-up keychain of Iron-Man's helmet. It was light, made of cheap metal, with nearly reflective orange and red paint.

"Huh," he muttered lowly, turning it around a couple of times. The key chain was an old, cheap trinket. He couldn't even remember where Carl picked it up. Their city wasn't exactly in support of Iron man even before the Ultron mess so he doubted it was in Novi Grad. "It belonged to my son. My eldest stole it from him, she liked to do that when they were fighting. I imagine there was another fight over the fact that she lost it."

"Put it away before you lose it," Helmut told her the moment he noticed it dangling from her pocket. "What is it with you and stealing Carl's things?"

"I'm not going to lose it." Nic rolled her eyes and grabbed it. Throwing it to the holder inside the car door she turned to him. "See?"

"Hold up," Sam cut in, pulling Helmut's attention back to him. "You have kids?"

"Had, until your friends showed up. Why does this surprise you? I had a life outside of work." Helmut asked as he ran his thumb across the keychain before putting it into his pocket. It held no value or use, just a small sentimental trinket, he should throw it out.

"Don't get sassy with me, man. If you drop a bomb on us like this, I'm gonna have questions." Sam rolled his eyes, shutting the door harder than it was necessary. Rude.

"As we all do I imagine. Curiosity is wired into our genes after all-"

"Not the time." James interrupted their conversation.

"Right, as I was saying," Helmut cleared his throat and went over to the yellow 1934 SS1 Jaguar where he knew he stored his coat. It was a nice coat. Warm, great quality leather with soft fur around the neck. Ivana loved to steal it and drop it over her shoulders the moment he looked away even for a second. No matter how many times he offered to get her one as well, she would just roll her eyes at him and stick her arms inside it as if to prove the point that it was already hers. It was funny how much it would engulf her, he wouldn't be able to protest for too long even if it ended up in him freezing his ass off at times. He blinked. "I spent years hunting people HYDRA recruited to recreate the serum. Because once it's out there, someone can create an army of people… like the Avengers."

Helmut placed the coat on top of the car, making sure it wouldn't fall to the dirty ground. Trying to keep his expression neutral as a wave of bitterness washed over him, he bent down to retrieve a bag from the inside. Once the coat was removed, on the green leather of the car seat, his old, purple mask stared back at him. He paused, having forgotten that he threw it here the last time he drove the car.

Nic made a face as she lifted the mask up and took a look at it. He had stored it away in the compartment box but Nic made her way inside it to snoop around.

"You don't like it?" He raised his eyebrow, pulling out of the garage and into the traffic. He promised to bring her to the Zoo couple of days prior and they were meant to return back home the next day. So begrudgingly, he found a couple of hours in the day when he could bring her, even though they went there not even half a year ago for her thirteenth birthday.

"It's…um…very purple."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Why is it so purple?"

"I think you just don't appreciate fashion." He accused her teasingly.

"You call this fashion?" She shot back.

" I let you sit in the front of the car with me and this is what I get in return?" Helmut feigned the hurt in his voice. "Being bullied by my own daughter."

Nic snorted and pulled it over her head. She pulled down the sun visor to see how she looked before turning to him. He wasn't surprised in the least to see that it was way too big for her. The holes for the eyes and mouth were too low and covered her vision instead.

"You're going to be grounded if I find any makeup stains inside it." He threatened and moved his hand from the gearbox to pull the mask off her head. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why she was already putting it on her face. Throwing it behind him to the back, he ruffled her hair even more, causing her to cry out and swat his hand away.

Swallowing, Helmut reached for the mask. His hand lingered on the soft material for a moment. Clicking his tongue, he grasped it tighter and pushed it inside the bag. It will be useful if they ran into trouble and he needed to stay out of the public eye. Nothing else. They really needed to get a move on. The familiarity of the place was making all the memories that he had no time or energy for to come back.

"I ended the Winter Soldier program once before. I have no intention to leave my work unfinished." Helmut asserted, taking the coat and dropping it over his forearm. With the bag in hand, he walked back to the 1946 Packard Clipper.

"To do this, we'll have to scale a ladder of lowlifes." He explained as he filled up the bag with a couple of knives, handguns, and few boxes of rounds.

"Well, join the party. We've already started." Sam remarked from behind him. He was the jokester amongst them, Helmut thought but ignored his comment.

"First stop is a woman named Selby. Mid-level fence I still have a line on. From there, we climb." He added.

Once he was by the door, Helmut placed the bag on the floor and turned back to his 'team-mates'.

"Stay here." He ordered them, not particularly wanting them to go around and explore the rest of the building.

"Where are you going?" Sam demanded to know, ready to leap into a fight.

"To change, Sam," Helmut smirked and made a point to look down at his police uniform. "I would offer you to join, but I must say I was a married man and I don't break my vows."

"Just hurry up," Sam grunted disgusted at the image Helmut must have created in his brain.

Helmut did not hurry up. In fact, he took his sweet time in choosing his outfit. The upper level of the garage was converted into a somewhat livable space if it ever came to that. Ignoring the spare bedroom, he went straight to the room that acted as a walk-in wardrobe. After going through the options, he ended up settling on a pair of black slacks and a dark purple turtle neck that was loose enough to conceal the Kevlar bulletproof vest underneath.

"My, my." Ivana grinned, coming into their bathroom and leaning against the door frame while he was buttoning up his shirt. "Don't you look charming tonight?"

"Are you sure your opinion is not swayed by the fact that you got me the shirt?" Helmut raised his eyebrow as he watched her through the mirror.

"Of course not, Helmut," She rolled her eyes playfully, coming in further and wrapping her arms around his neck from behind. "But I gotta say, purple is your colour."

He hummed and tilted his head against her cheek as he finished the buttons, leaving the top two unbuttoned. She leaned in and placed her lips on his earlobe, nibbling it lightly.

"Brings out your eyes," She breathed into his ear, making him shiver.

"Honey," He grinned and turned around to wrap his arms around her and pull her closer until she was pressed firmly against his chest. He leaned in, pressing their lips together for the briefest moment. "If you keep this up, we won't leave this bathroom."

"Doesn't sound half bad to me," She quipped and grabbed his shirt to tug him back, deepening the kiss.

"Daddy!" Carl called out all the way from the bottom of the stairs, interrupting them. At the age of five, he possessed the power to scream down the house when he wanted something. "The TV stopped!"

"Duty calls," he half groaned out and stole another quick kiss, not wanting to leave just yet. "You nearly ready?"

"More ready than you."

Helmut blinked the memory away as he put the razor back in its place and looked at himself in the mirror. With a clean shaved face and back in his regular clothes, he looked half decent. Almost like he didn't spend years rotting away in a cell with nothing but books. Almost like he was presentable enough to go home. Except there was no one to greet him there now. Sighing, he grabbed his gloves from the sink counter and shut the light off on his way.

"Really? You couldn't have taken any longer?" James asked exasperated the moment he reappeared. To his surprise, they seemed to have listened and stayed where he ordered them to.

"I certainly could have, but unfortunately we have a plane to catch." Grabbing his bag and coat, he opened the door and threw them into the back.

"How you plan to get all this through the security? Not to mention that you're a runaway criminal?" Sam quizzed as he side-stepped quicker than usual to get to the front seat.

"I have my ways, you'll see," Helmut responded and pressed the button to open the garage door. Sitting down behind the wheel felt nice. He had to admit, he missed driving.

Once on the road, the car fell into silence for a few moments with the radio playing quietly, before Sam ruined it by opening his mouth.

"So what? You took your kids on your little killing sprees?"

"Killing sprees, as you call it, involve a great amount of waiting around. We went sightseeing, mostly. Sometimes shopping." Helmut entertained his idiotic question as he sped up, darting in between the traffic. He smiled smugly catching James' eye-roll in the back mirror.

From their expressions, Helmut gathered that both Sam and James did not expect him to bring them into a small airport forty minutes outside the city and waltz through it like he owned it. The workers that noticed them simply nodded their heads in greeting and minded their business.

"So all this time you've been rich?" Sam asked, surprise evident in his voice as the three of them made their way towards a private jet that was parked on the runway.

"I'm a Baron, Sam. My family was royalty until your friends destroyed my country." Helmut explained as they walked past the plane's wing.

Oeznik was waiting for them by the stairs. Helmut smiled, genuinely happy to see his most loyal friend. The man was in his life as long as he could remember and he was there by his side when Nic and Carl were born, watching them over while he was away. Helmut owed him a debt that he could never repay.

"Hello, Oeznik." Helmut greeted him in Russian the moment he was close enough to be heard over the engine. Oeznik was the one who sat him through hours of Russian lessons many years ago. It was only fair that he would greet him in it.

"Welcome, gentlemen." Oeznik greeted them back in Russian, causing Helmut to grin wider. While James knew Russian better than anyone, Helmut wasn't sure if Sam did.

"Old friend." Helmut embraced him and kissed both of his cheeks. It had been too long. Nodding to him, Helmut turned to James and Sam. Partly to get them on the plane, and partially because he couldn't look at the man for too long, not when he was looking at him with such adoration. Like he was truly happy to see him. It felt wrong. Undeserving. It made his skin crawl.

"Please." Helmut invited them in and boarded the plane. It was one of the smaller jet's that belonged to him; a six-seater with a small gallery. Perfect for quick travel.

While Sam and Bucky got comfortable in their seats, Helmut took a moment to go through the gallery in hopes of finding something that would pass the time between taking off and reaching the optimal altitude. He wasn't a fan of how rocky the first part of the journey tended to be. Helmut could already hear them going back and forth between each other. Finding a book, he pulled out a small red notebook from his coat's pocket. He nicked it, mostly out of curiosity, from James when he wasn't paying attention. He was sure it would also help to understand where the soldier's mind was at currently. After having his memory scrambled for decades, he was bound to be desperate to write down anything important, in fears of forgetting it. It was only logical.

Putting it in the middle of the book, he returned to the cabin and picked a seat near Sam, so that he could have a viewpoint advantage to watch James. He took a look at him for a moment before opening the book and feigning his interest in it. The former Winter soldier had no idea that he lost something. Perhaps James was trying to suppress anything that had to do with the Winter Soldier, including his heightened senses.

Once they were airborne, Oeznik returned with a glass of champagne for him. Helmut chuckled softly and reached out for it, crossing his legs as he leaned back into his chair.

"Apologies if that's a little warm, the fridge is out. But I will see if there is some good food in the galley."

"If it doesn't pass the smell test… give it to them," Helmut suggested in Sokovian, tilting his head towards them, to give just enough suspicion that he was saying something about them. It was fun, getting under their skin. Besides, it wasn't likely that they would tell a difference even if they took the offer of food which he doubted they would. Probably would believe that he was trying to poison them.

"It's good to have you back, sir." Oeznik chuckled with affection in his voice and returned back to the gallery. Helmut tilted his glass before taking a sip, hoping to wash away the heaviness in his stomach that formed. He could think of a couple of things that would be better than him to have back.

"You don't know what it's like to be locked in a cell. Oh. That's right. You do." He couldn't help but deliver the dig, even at the expense of setting their 'friendship' a step backward. He wanted to acknowledge Sam's time in the RAFT, of the time that he was a prisoner just like himself. That they had something in common, not just an enemy. Also to hint that he kept up with the news, that he knew of their actions and steps, even all the way from a prison cell.

"Why don't you tell us about where we're going?" For what it's worth, Helmut had to give a point to Sam for not falling for the most basic bait.

Helmut instead of answering picked up his book and flicked through the notebook, settling on a list. He paused for a second. He was familiar with the names on it. After spending over a year learning everything there was about James' time as the Winter Soldier, he had Black widow to thank for making his job easier, he understood the meaning behind them. What took him by surprise was to see his own name amongst them.

"I'm sorry. I was just fascinated by this." Helmut changed the subject, concentrating on one name that he didn't recognize. Nakajima was circled a couple of times, most likely the most important name on the list. However, he never came across of a Nakajima in James' files. "I don't know what to call it, but this part seems to be important. Who is Nakajima?"

James jumped from his seat and within a second, had the vibranium arm around his throat. The suddenness did catch him off guard, causing him to exhale sharply but he wasn't scared. The grip was tight, in a way that was meant to send a message, not to actually cause harm. Besides, why would you be scared of a thing you craved in the dead of night? Death wasn't something that could be used against him, not when he welcomed it years ago.

Helmut maintained eye contact, almost daring him to go further. To prove his point. That was what the serum did to people. Edged them towards extremes, and James Barnes was as extreme as one could get. A man-made killing machine.

"If you touch that again, I'll kill you." James declared, with a calmness in his voice that only people who had their hands dirty could muster. Touchy subject then. He yanked the notebook out of his hands and only then released his grip.

"I'm sorry," Helmut apologized, his voice sounding hoarser from the strain it just experienced. "I understand that list of names. People you've wronged as the Winter Soldier."'But why is my name important enough to you for you to write it down in your amends?' was left unasked.

"Don't push it." James bit out, becoming guarded once again, just like when he came to his cell. He reminded Helmut of a dog he used to see back home. Desperate for help, but too long on the streets to trust anyone.

"I've seen that book. It was Steve's when he came out of the ice." Sam noted with fondness in his voice. "I told him about Trouble Man. He wrote it in that book. Did you hear it? What'd you think?"

"I like '40s music, so…" James replied, clenching his jaw.

"You didn't like it?"

"I liked it."

"It is a masterpiece, James. Complete. Comprehensive. It captures the African-American experience." Helmut joined in the conversation.

"He's out of line, but he's right. It's great. Everybody loves Marvin Gaye."

"I like Marvin Gaye."

"Steve adored Marvin Gaye."

"You must have really looked up to Steve. But I realized something when I met him. The danger with people like him, America's Super Soldiers, is that we put them on pedestals."

"Watch your step, Zemo." Sam warned him but he ignored it.

"They become symbols. Icons. And then we start to forget about their flaws. From there, cities fly, innocent people die. Movements are formed, wars are fought. You remember that, right? As a young soldier sent to Germany to stop a mad icon. Do we want to live in a world full of people like the Red Skull? No. That is why we're going to Madripoor."

"What's up with Madripoor? You talk about it like it's Skull Island." Sam asked, glancing between him and James.

"It's an island nation in the Indonesian archipelago. It was a pirate sanctuary back in the 1800s." James was the one to answer him. That was a light way of putting it.

"It's kept its lawless ways. But we cannot exactly walk in as ourselves. James, you will have to become someone you claim is gone."'But we both know that's not quite true don't we?' Helmut left unsaid.

The flight from Germany to Madripoor took roughly fourteen hours. For the first couple of hours, they sat in relative silence. Helmut drowned himself into the book while James looked out the window and Sam had his AirPods in, drumming his fingers against the armrest to the beat of a song.

Helmut shifted in his seat, closing the book. Sighing, he placed it on the chair opposite of him and stood up needing to stretch his legs. The jet didn't have that much space to walk so he chose to cross the gallery to refill his glass. With the drink in hand, he wandered down into the cockpit where Oeznik and another pilot were sitting.

"Sir." The pilot greeted him in Russian the moment he noticed him leaning against the door frame.

"Excellent flying, Dabrowski." Helmut smiled, crossing his arms. "haven't felt any turbulence."

"Thank you sir."

The cockpit fell into silence, not that Helmut minded. He was too used to it to find it uncomfortable. He watched the clouds pass them by, sipping the champagne. Feeling eyes on him, he turned to Oeznik.

"Did they treat you alright, Helmut? Truly?" Oeznik asked, switching to Sokovian while looking at him with such adoration and worry that Helmut had to look away yet again. He cleared his throat and plastered a smile on his face. Even to himself it felt forced.

"Of course Oeznik, you worry too much." He chided him gently. The man always fussed about him. He always fretted over Ivana as well, concerned if she ate enough throughout the day. Never went a day without secretly giving Nic and Carl a piece of candy even if Carl never was able to keep it a secret.

"Well it has been my job for over forty years and you tend to find trouble around every corner." The older man chuckled fondly.

"Nonsense, I'm always on my best behavior. How have you been? I imagine you enjoyed the much-needed vacation days." Helmut changed the subject easily. He didn't want to linger on what once was.

"If I knew your drastic ways of making me take the vacation days off, I would have taken them sooner," Oeznik joked before his smile fell away. "Things have been quiet. It a strange thing to get used to. Even after all these years, I expect to hear Nic and Car, to just pop out around any corner that I turn. I make sure they always have fresh flowers, especially Ivana. She was hellbent on having fresh flowers around the house."

His voice broke, thick with emotion. Helmut had to bite down the inside of his cheek to keep himself composed. The metallic taste filled his mouth and as he ran his tongue over the spot, it sent a small jolt of pain.

It had been so long since he saw their graves. He only went there once, to watch their caskets be lowered into a deep hole. As if that somehow could have brought him some sort of closure, as if it would have granted him the ability to say goodbye. The thought of returning, of stepping a foot in that damned graveyard, of looking at three tombstones, side by side, washed him over with such coldness that even if he jumped into antarctic water he would have been warmer. Shame flooded him. What kind of a man did not visit his own family? What kind of a husband, a father, would let them rot alone.

"Thank you, Oeznik. I'll…" Helmut swallowed, trying to find the words that seemed determined to be stuck in his throat and left unsaid. "I'll make sure to pay them a visit. Later."

Helmut did what he did best; he lied. You told her they would be safe. Look how that turned out.

Made another useless promise, knowing full well he couldn't walk down that path, not without putting a bullet in himself and joining them.

Madripoor was just as vivid and bright as he remembered. The lights of the High Town shone from miles away. They stopped by Helmut's safe house, where James and Sam reluctantly changed into a set of clothes that wouldn't instantly attract attention to them. Especially for the roles that they would have to play if they wanted to get information. Unsurprisingly, it took longer to convince Sam to dress up than it did James.

"We have to fix this. I'm the only one who looks like a pimp." Sam groaned out, looking at his apparel for the tenth time in disgust.

"Only an American would assume a fashion-forward Black man looks like a pimp." Helmut sighed as he dug out his phone and split his attention between looking at the road in front of them and through the gallery to find a picture of Conrad Mack. "You look exactly like the man you're supposed to be playing. The sophisticated, charming African rake named Conrad Mack, aka the Smiling Tiger."

"He even has a bad nickname." Sam took a glance at the picture. "he does look like me, though."

Sam passed the phone back to him. The closer they walked to the city, the sharper the distinct stench became.

"You smell this?" Helmut asked keeping his attention upfront. A car was arranged to collect them at any moment now, but anything could happen between now and then. He rather not have surprises popping up at them in a place like this. Even he didn't know the city that well and he doubted many people would be willing to help out.

"Yeah, what is that? Acid?"

More like a combined mixture of the fumes from the buildings, production of drugs, all the imported animals and God knows what else. Helmut had no doubt that the water surrounding the city was toxic and could kill someone if they fell into it.

"Madripoor."

A bright beam of headlights flashed them as a car came to a stop a short distance away from them.

"No matter what happens, we have to stay in character. Our lives depend on it. There's no margin for error." Helmut explained calmly, barely moving his lips just in case the driver felt particularly nosy. They could trust no one.

"High Town's that way. Not a bad place if you wanna visit, but Low Town's the other way." He added, opening the passenger door.

"Let me guess. We don't have any friends in High Town." Sam said as he walked around the car.

Helmut gave him a smile and sat down in the front. The destination, Brass Monkey, was already agreed during the call so Helmut only needed to forward the payment before the car moved in the direction of Low Town.

It did not take long until several motorcycles surrounded their car. Someone already knew of their arrival before they even took a step inside Low Town. Helmut's money was on the Power Broker, which was not the best news for them. He watched Sam turn around and look behind him through the rear-view mirror.

Once the car stopped, Helmut nodded to the driver and exited the car. Wordlessly, he led James and Sam through the streets, passing armed guards, dealers, and hookers until they arrived at Brass Monkey.

"Here we are. Remember your roles no matter what happens." He reminded them again, giving a hard look to Sam. He knew once James got into the role of the Winter Soldier again, there would be very little that could affect him enough to give up their act. It was Sam who made him nervous. His seemingly constant need to check up and staring at James might be the thing that gets them caught. The last thing they needed was for the whole city-state to put a bounty on their head.

The inside was packed with all sorts of lowlifes.

"Ready to comply… Winter Soldier?" Helmut asked James in Russian, loud enough for people to hear and for whispering to begin. He needed the whispers to travel to the right people. Not only would it get them to Selby faster, but it would also buy him security. Winter Soldier's reputation around these parts was well known, not many would want to dive headfirst at them.

Helmut lead them to the bar and took a quick glance around. For the most part, there was no one that stood out or seemed out of place. He noticed that to their right a couple of feet away, two women stood together, but only one of them kept her eyes trained on them. It was the insistent staring that caught his attention. Unfortunately, he couldn't tell much about them, the taller one wore a hood and the one that was watching them had a mask that covered half of her face. The mask reminded him of what the Winter Soldier used to wear. The Bar's security perhaps. Or maybe an interested party.

"Hello, gentlemen. Wasn't expecting you, Smiling Tiger." The barman approached them, distracting him from the two women. He took a look at Sam but didn't appear to be suspicious over his appearance.

"His plans changed. We have business to do with Selby." Helmut answered instead. They had agreed that he would do all the talking and they would simply need to nod along and look pretty.

"The usual?"

There came their test. Seeing the barman take a cobra out of a glass container and drag a knife across it, Helmut sighed dramatically, expressing his feigned happiness at receiving Sam's 'favourite' drink. It was made out Gin, Triple Sec, Cobra heart, and finger lim.

"Smiling Tiger, your favorite." He emphasized with a smile on his face. Helmut had to admit, it was going to be fun.

The barman placed their drinks on the table.

"I love these," Sam spoke up and looked at him, holding the shot as far away as he could from himself.

"Cheers, Conrad." Helmut clinked their glasses and knocked back the shot. It burned his throat as it went down, the heart adding that extra kick of spice to the mix. It wouldn't be his first choice of drink, but it wasn't the worst that he tasted.

"Mmm. Mmm."

While Sam tried to force himself to drink the shot before it became too obvious, Helmut glanced to the corner of the table again. The woman with the hood was gone but the second one was interested in watching Sam with the drink. They definitely had an audience. Not so good.

Hearing someone approach from behind, Helmut turned in time to see the Power Broker's henchman coming up.

"I got word from on high. You ain't welcome here."

Helmut considered his words carefully. They needed to prove that James was under his control. These types of talks often needed a bargaining chip and what was better than a Winter Soldier?

"I have no business with the Power Broker, but if he insists, he can either come and talk to me…" he responded and gestured to James who was stiffly standing beside him.

"New haircut?"

"Or bring Selby for a chat."

After a glance at James, the henchman left them alone. Hopefully to get Selby. Licking his lips, Helmut turned back to the bar.

"A Power Broker? Really?" James muttered out lowly, unimpressed with the name. Not that Helmut could blame him, the name was a little bit cliché.

"Every kingdom needs its king. Let's just pray we stay under his radar." Helmut shrugged. The one time that he indirectly dealt with the Power Broker was back in '08, when the EKO Scorpion needed to obtain a particular nerve agent for one of their missions. Even back then, you did not want to get on the wrong side of the Power Broker. He didn't even want to imagine how big his empire was now.

"Do you know him?" Sam whispered, glancing around the bar.

"Only by reputation. In Madripoor he is the judge, jury, and executioner." Helmut elaborated and tilted his head to their watcher. "And has eyes and ears everywhere. She hasn't stopped watching us ever since we stepped a foot near the bar."

Sam's eyes widened ever so slightly in surprise and he glanced in her direction. Helmut didn't have much time to say anything else. More of the Power Broker's men were making their way towards them.

"Winter Soldier." Helmut looked at James dead in the eye. "Attack."

He ordered in Russian just as a hand gripped his shoulder. James did not hesitate, ripping the man's arm off him and bending it backward. Dragging him towards the centre of the room, he broke the man's arm in half and threw a punch in his face using the prosthetic arm, rendering the man useless on the floor.

Helmut smiled. He was right after all. No matter how much James denied, the Winter Soldier was right there, still inside him. The bystanders took out their phones, filming as the Winter Soldier single-handedly took out anyone that came at him.

Helmut stood back and apart from pushing a couple of them into Winter Soldier's path, he watched the scene unfold. James was lethal, just like he was all the way back when they first met and Helmut uttered the words of his programming. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the woman leaning her body over the counter as she said something to the barman who promptly left with a phone pressed to his ear.

"Didn't take much for him to fall back into form." Helmut chuckled, shrugging his shoulders at Sam who seemed a little bit pale. He barely paid any attention to Helmut, his eyes only watching James.

The Winter Soldier grabbed someone by the throat and lifted him in the air before throwing him over the counter. The sound of multiple guns cocking behind them made Helmut's heart skip a single beat. Glancing around, it seemed like every single person was arming themselves. Sam gripped James' forearm causing Helmut to hiss out:

"Stay in character or the whole bar turns on us."

The Flying Tiger certainly would not be touching James' without wishing a swift death sentence. James' not reacting to a threat, allowing a touch on himself would blow their cover to pieces. Sam let go.

"Well done, soldier." Helmut praised James, replacing Sam's hand on him with his own. He needed to take control of the situation and fast.

The barman returned and nodded to the woman.

"Selby will see you now. Follow me, gentlemen." She spoke out for the first time, rising from her seat. The honeyed voice twinged with a familiar accent ripped the breath right out of Helmut's lungs. Even muffled by the mask, it was distinguishable in all the ways that it couldn't have been possible. It halted him to the spot, unable so much as to inhale the air that his lungs started to scream for. He did not see James let go of the man or Sam cast him a confused look when he made no move to follow.

This was not possible.

I 'll try to update the fic once a week to keep somewhat consistent schedule :)

Please let me know what you think and I can't wait to bring you more content soon x

#tfatws #Zemo #helmut zemo #baron zemo #zemo fic #marvel #the falcon and the winter soldier #the falcon and the winter solider spoilers #fanfiction #zemo's family

31 notes · View notes

alittlewhump · 3 years

Text

Unbidden - Act 2, chapter 8

Masterlist | Previous | Next

Content warnings: None

Morgan followed the sound of voices through the archives. He'd taken a more familiar route this time, one that skirted closer to the markets than he'd liked. Blaise and Cain were discussing something, but Cain stopped mid-sentence when he spied Morgan.

"Morgan! It's good to see you again, friend, though I had not expected you so soon." Morgan allowed himself a small smile. He'd missed Cain and his stories, his easy friendliness.

Blaise spun around to face him. "What are you doing here? You-" She seemed to lose her train of thought briefly as her eyes lingered at the collar of his shirt. "You should be resting."

"I want to make up for the time I've lost," Morgan said, growing serious again. He didn't feel tired, exactly, and anyway there was no respite to be found in his shared room. "There are demons seeking the tomb of Tal Rasha as well. Time is of the essence. What is it you've found?"

He couldn't read Blaise's expression as he came around the table to look at the books laid out across it. It turned out that finding the tomb would only be half the problem. There was a specific artifact needed to open it, and it had been split into pieces. A staff, which Morgan recognized from a tour of the local museum, and an amulet, which Blaise had already managed to recover from the demons who had held it. But it was not as simple as just having the pieces; there was a strange device required to bind them together, and that was guarded in yet another tomb by magical traps set by an ancient order of mages known as the Horadrim. Cain was familiar with this order, luckily enough, and was certain that he would be able to use the device once they'd located it, and it looked like Blaise had already eliminated several options from a long list of possible locations for that tomb.

It was growing late in the day, though, and Blaise flatly refused to start a new expedition before the morning. "You might be fine," she groused, not sounding as though she believed that to be the case at all, "but I'm hungry and tired. I'm going back to the palace. You can come with me, if you want. You could probably use the rest."

Morgan didn't want to go back, not yet. He looked down at the map on the table in front of him. Most of the marked locations were far enough from the city to be troublesome, but within a reasonable distance of a waypoint. Potentially good ways to keep himself occupied, to make sure his skills hadn't suffered too badly from disuse. Unfortunately, he'd never accessed most of the waypoints. He would need help with that.

"I'll stay here for the night. I can catch up on research." He paused. Perhaps someone else could act as a guide, someone he wasn't already deeply indebted to. "Is there someone who could show me to these waypoints?"

"Yeah. Me. Tomorrow." No luck there, then. Blaise put one hand on her hip. "Are you really sure you want to stay here?"

"Yes." He'd fled his room for a reason. If he didn't have something useful to focus his attention on now, he was going to come apart at the seams. He just needed to occupy himself, and that was going to be much easier here.

"All right, fine. But I'm not going to take you anywhere tomorrow if you haven't gotten any rest."

Anger flared suddenly hot in Morgan's chest. She kept insisting he rest, as though he hadn't just lost - how much time exactly wasn't clear, but it was certainly at least a few days of precious time, while she apparently picked up the slack. Did she still think of him as a child, someone who needed to be taken care of? Just another responsibility to shoulder? He slammed his open hand down on the table, growling "I don't want-"

He caught himself there, squeezed his eyes shut. Took a deep breath. Control. She had every reason to see him as an inconvenience, and that wasn't important. How others perceived him was inconsequential, he reminded himself. The only thing that really mattered was the Balance. His most important task was to find and stop the demons intent on upsetting it, and he wasn't going to get any closer to that goal by antagonizing a person who could help him. What he needed was her cooperation, not her respect.

"I apologize for that outburst," he said, opening his eyes but keeping them deferentially cast down. "It was not called for. I have had my fill of sitting idle, but I will rest when I need to."

Blaise was silent for a moment. "That's... whatever. Fine. See you tomorrow." She left without further comment. Morgan smoothed down the paper he'd rumpled in his childish show of temper. Not counting the claw vipers, it had been a long while since the last time he'd let himself get agitated to the point of lashing out. He was still on edge, not feeling quite settled in his skin after all that had happened. How long was it going to take him to get back to normal? He would have to focus his meditation on regaining emotional control for a while. This type of behaviour was totally unacceptable.

Cain cleared his throat. "Shall we continue? I believe I have at least another half hour in me today." He smiled warmly and Morgan relaxed a little. He could count on the scholar to leave well enough alone, to focus on the task at hand as he so badly needed to do.

"Yes, please."

Cain dedicated the better part of the next hour to filling in details about the Horadrim and their role in imprisoning Baal. He had managed to put together a diagram of the runes he suspected would be holding the demon lord in place, which Morgan set aside carefully to memorize later. He also had a general idea of the area where the Horadric cube, the device required to reunite the staff, was located, and what manner of traps would be securing it. The trouble was that the desert landscape had shifted over the intervening years, so none of the nearby landmarks were there any more. It was in this general area that Blaise had been concentrating her efforts, having gotten clearance from her superiors to pursue the lead. She had made impressive progress. Hopefully she would still be willing to work with Morgan after he'd repaid her efforts with nothing but a short temper. She didn't tend to accept apologies well, though. He'd just have to work harder at making himself useful.

After Cain retired for the evening, Morgan settled into what felt like a reasonable pattern of alternating between study and meditation. He had to ease himself into it at first; the urge to focus all of his energy on the problem of finding the cube was very strong. But the longer he studied, the more he realized he did need to rest himself properly. Once he passed the initial hurdle of forcing himself to stop and meditate, it was actually a relief to do so. It was good to meditate with peaceful intent again. The familiar, uninterrupted mental exercises were calming in a way he'd sorely missed, and it felt like a luxury to be able to sit in a comfortable chair again. Of course, everything felt like a luxury, compared to... well. It was nice to have a fresh appreciation for the small things.

By the time the sun was coming up, Morgan was satisfied that his understanding was at least adequate. Blaise and Cain found him leaning over the table comparing two maps, trying to pick out notable landmarks from the older one that might still be recognizable in some way.

"Good morning," he greeted them, looking up from his comparison a few seconds later. Both appeared to be in reasonably good spirits.

"Morning. So, do you still want to go out today, or do you want to keep studying?" Blaise lingered at the threshold while Cain made his way around the large table.

"I'd like to join the search today. I've rested," Morgan added quickly at the expression that flickered across her face. "More than I expected. I can keep up."

"Right. Get your gear and some breakfast then, we should go before it gets too much hotter."

Morgan flinched as a hand came down on his own. He'd almost forgotten Cain's tendency towards this sort of casual contact. The old man patted his hand twice, smiling encouragingly.

"Do stay safe out there. Good luck."

"Thank you," Morgan said, sliding his hand away. "I'll meet you at the waypoint," he suggested as he headed past Blaise. She didn't agree or refuse, instead following him out of the archives wordlessly. She only broke her silence once they were outside.

"You know you don't have to do this," she said, uncharacteristically quiet. Morgan searched her face, but couldn't identify the expression on it.

"No, I do. I can't just stand by and do nothing as evil gathers its forces. As a follower of-" he caught himself, remembering they were out in public. "I am obligated to do everything in my power to ensure that Darkness does not triumph over the Light," he explained instead.

"After all you - I mean, don't you think you've done enough by now?" Her unreadable expression didn't budge. At least it wasn't anger, he decided. That was a positive.

"No. There is no 'enough' until the Balance is righted. And even then, there will always be more to do." It wasn't a single task to be completed, it was a duty that extended past the definition of 'lifelong' as most people knew it. Long after his body was dust, even long after his spirit faded, there would still be more to do. It just wouldn't be his to do any more. But since there was still life in him in this world, he had to keep working toward the larger goal.

Blaise seemed unsatisfied with his response, but they had reached the waypoint. "Well, I guess I'll scout ahead while you get yourself together. If I'm not here when you get back, just wait for me."

"Very well." He turned to head towards the palace. If he was fast enough, he could get equipped and still visit the marketplace before it got too busy. There was a vendor who sold nuts and cheeses, good nutrient-dense foods that would be suitable for eating while travelling. It would save time if he could avoid larger meals altogether.

Morgan was relieved to find his room empty when he reached it. It wasn't that he didn't want to see Jemali, exactly, but he wasn't looking forward to it either. Not before he managed to get a handle on his emotions. To dismiss the lingering ache of disappointment that he'd invited in by allowing himself to believe briefly, stupidly, that the kindness he'd received had been anything other than a transaction. Of course he knew better, but it had been a moment of weakness. Nothing to do for it but try to get stronger.

His equipment was still as he'd left it. Despite not wanting to keep Blaise waiting longer than necessary, he let himself fall into an easy rhythm of tightening and checking buckles, running his fingers along the edges of the straps to find any thinning or splitting spots. It was a pleasantly tactile exercise, and the familiarity was a comfort.

The small bag of trinkets had been placed back with the others. It was tempting to go through them, to satisfy his vague curiosity about the cost of Jemali's service, but he'd already spent more time than he intended here. It was time to move on to the marketplace, then the desert. Yes, it was good to have an itinerary again.

#my writing #story: unbidden

11 notes · View notes

winryofresembool · 3 years

Text

Things We Lost in the Fire, ch 30

aka Caleo uni au

Fic summary: Calypso starts studying at a new university, but to her annoyance her new flatmate is a loud mouthed mechanic who also likes to sneak his dog in whenever. But as she learns to know him better, she realizes they might have more in common than what she first thought. Eventually, even the darkest secrets come out…

Chapter summary: At Waystation, pt 3/?

A/N: Chapter 30 already! This chapter was not an easy one to edit as I was insecure about a lot of things, but hey, it's out now and that's what matters, right? I am so aware things are progressing a bit slowly right now but I feel it's kind of 'necessary' to have a bit of down time before things start going down. (Not that I'm capable of writing actual drama.) Well, at least we'll find out a bit more about Leo's past in this chapter.

Without a further ado, please enjoy and let me know what you think (those comments really help me!!!)

Words: exactly 3000 apparently :O

Genre: romance & hurt/comfort

Warnings: none

previous chapter / AO3

...

After breakfast Leo asked Calypso if she would like him to give her a tour around Waystation. She agreed, but Leo couldn’t help but raise his eyebrow at his family members when Georgina asked if she could go with the flatmates and Leo’s mothers told her that they needed Georgie’s help in some Christmas chores.

“What?” Josephine asked innocently when she noticed Leo staring.

“I dunno, tía Jo. It just kinda seems like you don’t want Georgie to hang out with us,” he stated bluntly.

“That’s not accurate at all, Leo,” she denied. “I’d gladly let Georgina go with you but we really do need her help around here. Christmas isn’t coming if we all just slack off, right, Emmie?”

“I agree, dear. I haven’t even…” Emmie’s hesitance only deepened Leo’s suspicions. “...hmmm, taken care of our mistletoes yet.”

“Mistletoes?” Leo crossed his arms over his chest, briefly daring to wonder what would happen if he and Calypso were under one of those plants at the same time. He shook his head to dispel such an idea.

“Didn’t we agree that we don’t need stuff like that? You don’t even like Christmas!”

“I may agree that this holiday is way too commercial these days, but since Emmie has some mistletoes growing in her greenhouse anyway, I don’t see why we wouldn’t use them,” Jo commented. “It’s nice that Georgie gets to experience some of the old traditions even if we grownups don’t care about them.”

“Whatever,” Leo rolled his eyes, knowing he wouldn’t win that battle.

“Um, if you need extra hands,” Calypso joined the conversation, addressing Jo and Emmie, “I don’t have to go with Leo. I’d love to help too.”

Leo felt a twinge of disappointment because of Calypso’s suggestion. His insecure side yelled that maybe he had misread Calypso’s intentions all along.

“Oh, no, no!” Emmie denied immediately. “You are our guest; we want you to take it easy and enjoy your stay here. I bet Leo’s tour is a lot more fun than us peeling way too many potatoes and carrots for the casserole.”

“I wouldn’t mind peeling potatoes,” Calypso mumbled but Leo’s mothers pretended they didn’t even hear that. The flatmates simply had to accept that they wouldn’t have a chaperone - except maybe Festus - on their tour.

Once the two of them were outside, Leo’s thoughts went back to the time when he had first arrived at Waystation. Back then, he had been only 15, having just escaped from his latest foster home, which had been located far away in New Mexico. His foster family there had hidden their opinion on him very badly, giving him sly remarks about his looks and telling him to speak clearer English even though Leo’s English had always been fine, thanks to his real mother allowing him to learn both Spanish and English as a small kid. They had also made him do the hard work such as carrying heavy loads while the other foster kid of the family got the easy tasks. And when he had come home from school with bad grades, the foster parents had commented: “why do we even bother with you?”

At some point Leo had simply had enough, and by selling some of the few belongings he had he had managed to gather just enough money for one plane ticket and so he flew to Indianapolis without telling anything to his foster family.

After living on the streets and successfully dodging the authorities for a couple of weeks, the police finally found him and contacted the local social workers. Thankfully, after Leo put all his convincing skills to use, they agreed to not send him back to New Mexico, instead finding him a new foster family nearby. Leo hadn’t had high expectations because he had been in at least 6 different foster homes since his mother’s death and none of them had been a good match for him. Some had been abusive, some racist, some ignorant, some had had kids who were bullies, some had had alcohol issues… What had been common for them all was that none of them had treated him the way they should have.

That was why Leo had picked some bad habits too; he wanted to drown his feelings somehow and he ended up stealing small amounts of money from his foster family so he could buy alcohol from his older homeless ‘friends’. He had hated how it made him feel afterwards, but it had been the only way he had known how to deal with his issues. At some point he had even had suicidal thoughts because the guilt and trauma from his childhood got so bad he woke up covered in sweat after the same old fire filled nightmare almost every night. And going from foster home to foster home and feeling like none of those people cared what he really did with his life definitely didn’t help him regain his feeling of self worth. He had no future, no plans, no real friends or family and nowhere to go.

Luckily, during his worst phase in his last foster home someone from his homeless group mentioned having a relative in Indiana and that he was hoping to move there at some point in hopes of getting a new start for his life. That idea sparked something in Leo’s mind and when he started planning his big escape, Indianapolis was the first place that he thought of.

When he finally met Jo and Emmie, he was surprised. Seeing them spending time with their then 5-year-old adoptive daughter, he could tell that these women genuinely cared about the little girl and did everything for her wellbeing. Not only that, Jo was a mechanic just like Leo’s real mother and they had also other things in common. With some patience and showing that they cared, simply by making sure that Leo ate, rested and had something to do with his time other than dwelling on his sad past, they eventually won him over. And when Leo discovered thanks to Jo’s help that he himself had the skills to become a mechanic someday as well, he finally had a goal to reach and studying wasn’t quite as big a struggle for him anymore.

Soon, however, Leo became afraid that Jo and Emmie wouldn’t want to keep him around because he still had some bad days when he literally had to be dragged from his bed. He was also worried that maybe the women had heard what he had done in his past and were silently judging him. Instead, they surprised him by telling him that they wanted to officially adopt him much like Georgina because he was a part of their family now. As an added bonus they assigned him for therapy sessions, which really helped and the days when he didn’t want to do anything became less and less. Leo knew he was still a work in progress but this family had helped him so much and he had found his purpose, his home, at Waystation.

Calypso had naturally noticed Leo’s silence so eventually she asked:

“Are you OK? You’re being unusually quiet.”

“Oh, yeah, just dandy!” Leo exclaimed, trying to act more like his usual self. “I was just thinking about the times when I first moved in here.”

“Really? Do you want to tell me more about that?” Calypso asked curiously.

“I guess it won’t hurt.” Leo shrugged. “I don’t remember if I’ve told you that I was in a lot of foster homes before I got here. Well, my last foster parents were really shitty people and I was this close to… I dunno, doing something desperate. So I decided to just leave and ended up here in Indianapolis. I, um, was homeless for a bit but when the social workers got me into their hands they found me a new family, Jo and Emmie. At first they were supposed to only foster me for a time being but they ended up adopting me instead. I… haven’t told this to anyone, but they probably saved my life by doing that. The Leo from that time was far from the Super-Sized McSizzle that I am now,” he attempted to joke, but Calypso ignored that. Instead, she said:

“I’m sorry you had to go through that… but I’m glad you opened up about it to me.” Leo’s heart did an extra jump when he saw Calypso smiling at him supportingly. He would never get used to that. “And I’m glad Jo and Emmie adopted you.”

“Yeah, me too… When I first saw the place I was like, ‘wow, I wish I could stay here’. Obviously the people here are awesome - they are my family - but that wasn’t the only thing the 15-year-old me cared about. The cars and other machines Jo was fixing? So cool. I had only seen something like that at my childhood home and the nostalgia hit me like ‘boom’ right away.”

“I should have known it was the machines that convinced you to stay here,” Calypso teased, but Leo knew her already too well to get provoked by that.

“Nah. I mean, they’re neat and all, but Jo and Emmie did the actual convincing.”

“Okay, I believe you. So, was Jo’s garage what made you want to become a mechanical engineer?” Calypso asked.

“I guess the spark was always there but it took me a while to convince myself that I should try to pursue that goal. But when I started going to school again regularly – long story, don’t ask – I noticed that the sciences were easy for me, I was also decent enough at drawing – which of course helps with the blueprints and stuff – and Jo let me try fixing some of the simpler machines she had and turned out I wasn’t half bad. It was Jo and Emmie who kept pushing me to apply for the uni, though, because they believed in me more than I did. I’m thankful that they did it but… sometimes I still doubt...” Leo hadn’t talked about his insecurities even to his adoptive mothers so he felt that the fact that he was able to open up about it to Calypso was a big deal.

“I’ve seen you fix countless items,” Calypso said slowly. “I’ve noticed that you’re always… so different when you’re fiddling with your machines. More relaxed. Calmer. Surer of what you do. And your eyes sparkle and you hum some old school rock song while you work and I can just tell that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Leo had to avert his eyes from her because he was afraid he would do something stupid like cry if he looked at her too long in that moment. No matter how encouraging his family, friends and the therapist were… it was still hard to get used to the compliments. And if he was honest to himself, he probably valued Calypso’s opinion more than anyone else’s at that point.

“Wow… umm… I don’t know how to answer that…” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“A simple thank you would probably do,” Calypso replied. “But know that I mean what I say. Now, how about you show me that famous garage?”

Leo did as he was told. He introduced Calypso to all the tools and machinery they used to fix whatever item the customer happened to bring in. He had a feeling that Calypso probably didn’t have any idea what he was talking about half the time because he tended to get very technical with the terms when he got excited, but she still seemed content listening to him. At least she wasn’t telling him to stop, which was definitely a plus.

To Leo’s surprise, Calypso went to the table where he and Jo used to draw their blueprints and asked him if she could see how he did it because she hadn’t seen his blueprints before. He complied, taking a pencil and a piece of blank paper from the stack and looking at Calypso questioningly.

“What do you want me to draw, then? I may have some experience on this but even I need some ideas first…”

“You can draw whatever you like. How about Festus?” Calypso requested.

“Festus?” Leo tapped the pencil against his chin for a moment, considering Calypso’s request. “Hmm, as you wish, Sunshine.”

He started making fast, swift motions on the paper and it didn’t take him very long to finish the sketch. Sure, the lines were a bit rough, but Calypso told him she was very impressed by how accurately he remembered even the little details, such as a dark spot on Festus’ back, how the tail curved when he was happy, and how he was missing a tiny piece of the tip of his left ear.

Leo felt a bit embarrassed by the praise. “It just comes with me hanging out with him so much. Nothing more to it, really.” He looked at the sketch for a moment. “Hold on, I feel like this is missing something. Can you look towards that window for a moment?”

“What, why?” Calypso asked, but turned anyway.

“Just adding something real quick,” Leo replied and started sketching again. He wondered if it was the lighting of the room but he thought Calypso’s cheeks seemed a bit darker than usual and she kept looking at the floor shyly. When he realized that he’d probably feel the same way if she was drawing him, he himself got flustered and decided to try to finish the drawing as quickly as possible. Within minutes he had drawn her next to Festus, playing with him, wearing the same holiday sweater and jeans she currently was.

“Can I see?” Calypso asked.

“Uh, yeah, sure.” Leo gave the picture to her. “It’s not detailed or anything but I tried.”

Calypso kept staring at it for a moment. “Leo… this looks great! I mean, I don’t think I am that pretty but I am quite amazed that you managed to do this that fast!”

Leo wanted to say that there was no way the picture did her justice but he knew that would be a never ending debate so instead he told her: “It’s the experience, Sunshine. When you draw hundreds of blueprints you learn to be fast.”

Calypso turned her attention to the drawing again. “Can I get it?” she asked after a while.

“Why?”

“Because Festus looks cute, you weirdo. That’s a good enough reason, right?”

“Fine, you can have it. I’m not sure where I’d put it anyway.” Leo shrugged. He wasn’t sure why Calypso possibly hanging the picture on her wall made him feel a bit weird. In a good way, though.

Once the two of them left the garage, Leo pointed at a smaller building next to the ‘main’ one. A couple of pointy ears were peeking from the upstairs windows. “That’s where our foster animals live. I think the kid me wished on some level that I could have a pet but my mom could never afford one… but Jo and Emmie have been fostering rescue cats and dogs even before I got here. One of them was Festus’ mum; she was pregnant when she arrived here. When she had her puppies, I noticed that one of them was a bit of an outsider and we instantly formed a bond. Jo and Emmie allowed him to stay here even though he sure would have had adopters.”

“That was really sweet of them,” Calypso commented. “Can we see who’s in there right now?”

“Sure but we should probably let Emmie know about it because she’s pretty strict about who can go in. She may ask us to wear ‘bunny suits’; some of the animals may be sick and we don’t wanna spread the bugs around.”

“No problem, let’s go see her then.”

When Emmie heard what Leo and Calypso were about to do, she promised to stop her Christmas chores for a while so she could show them (mainly Calypso) around in the rescue house. Currently she was fostering two young puppies who had been found on the streets without their mother, a mother cat with her 4 kittens who were getting close to their adoption age, and an older cat with some kidney issues who seemed to however adore the little kittens.

Leo was watching Calypso’s reactions closely as Emmie was introducing her to the kittens. Soon one of the braver kittens climbed on the girl’s lap, giving her a tiny ‘meow’ and then started nuzzling against her sleeve.

“Aww, look Leo! He loves me,” Calypso exclaimed, smiling widely as the kitten started purring loudly on her lap while she pet him. ‘He’s not the only one,’ Leo thought in his mind. Aloud he asked: “Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I guess because I’ve never really handled cats so I didn’t know how they’d react to me…” Calypso noted more seriously. But then the happiness returned to her face. “You know, this one reminds me of you! He also has long, black hair like you and fierce eyes.”

“Fierce?” Leo raised his eyebrow. “That’s what you think of me?”

Calypso seemed to want to explain but with Emmie in the room she didn’t go to details. “Um, maybe? Hey, look! Another one is coming!”

This time a small ginger kitten was approaching her and Calypso extended her arm so the kitten could sniff her. The group kept making small talk about the cats in the room and continued snuggling them, but Leo’s eyes were on Calypso the whole time. He could see how happy she was about such a simple thing as kittens and it made him feel lighter, warmer again, even though he had just remembered some very bad times a few moments earlier. Maybe all of it had been meant to happen, he wondered briefly. After all, it led him here, to his family… and Calypso.

#caleo #leo valdez #calypso #heroes of olympus #percy jackson and the olympians #trials of apollo #my fics #caleo uni au

22 notes · View notes

ma-sulevin · 4 years

Photo

Things? Are happening?

Pairing: Sharky Boshaw/Female Deputy Rating: E Warnings: Canon-typical violence, but nothing particularly explicit I don’t think Word Count: 6269, chapter six of thirteen (probably).

Read it on AO3 instead and say nice things.

—

“I got a sneakin’ suspicion,” Sharky says as they walk into the main intersection of Fall’s End to find it absolutely abandoned, “that the peggies ain’t takin’ too kindly to our escapades.”

Mattie makes a little humming noise as she looks at someone’s empty dresser at the corner. “What gives you that idea, Shark?”

He clutches his shotgun a little tighter, keeps swiveling his head back and forth to see what’s waiting for them. With the way Boomer’s trotting happily between them, though, Mattie knows there aren’t any peggies nearby.

“Just a wild guess,” he mutters, and moves in a little closer.

The only building in Fall’s End that looks like it has people inside is the church, and that’s only because John’s really fucked it up. Mattie and Sharky stand on the other side of the street and stare at everything: the bliss flowers, the arch, the crows nailed to the siding, the literal red carpet that John’s rolled out for her.

“Yeah, that’s real creepy,” Sharky says. “Told you John wants to fuck you.”

Mattie elbows him instead of responding, but she has to admit the decorations make the church look a little… matrimonial.

Finally, she draws in a deep steadying breath. “Fortunately, he’s not on my to-fuck list,” she says, and then she forces out the rest of her thought before Sharky can ask who is on the list, because that’s not really something she’s ready to think about when facing a recaptured Fall’s End and a church full of hostages. “Stay out here, stay hidden, and if you see anything weird or hear anything weird, call for backup, okay?”

“Dep, I don’t--”

“I know you don’t want to wait, but I need you to be able to call for help.” She turns to him, tugs on his sleeve a little. “Can I count on you?”

He sighs, he fidgets, he looks away, and then finally he sighs again and makes eye contact. “You can count on me. Just… just be safe, okay?”

She winks at him with levity she doesn’t feel. “Always.”

They bump fists once before she squares her shoulders and passes under the arch to get to the church. She can hear low murmuring inside, but she’s still surprised when she pulls the door open and a peggie slams the butt of his rifle into her forehead.

---

It says something about how much Hope County has changed over the last few weeks that hunting a human man across the mountain doesn’t feel wrong. Instead, she’s painfully calm, laser-focused on finding John before he can regain consciousness and run back to Joseph.

She saw him jump out of his plane just before she jumped from hers. She saw Nick make one last strafing run, aiming bullets from Carmina toward his already limp body and his parachute. She doesn’t blame Nick for that, not after what happened in the church, not after all the bad blood between John and Nick specifically, and really it means her next step should be a little easier.

When she finally finds John, the front of her tank and the remains of her flannel stained with blood from her angry WRATH tattoo, he’s still stubbornly trying to get away even though his injuries are almost overwhelming him. His coat with the little planes is torn, covered in blood and mud and who knows what else, and the sight is enough to make her pause when he looks up at her.

“It isn’t too late,” he says, trying to charm her until the end. “You can still say Yes, save yourself, come with us into Eden’s Gate.”

He coughs, and it’s bloody. He wipes at his lips and slips in the mud, landing hard on his hip as his feet slide out from under him. He groans and doesn’t try to get up, just takes deep, rasping breaths.

She holsters her pistol and walks over to kneel at his side. He blinks at her, hands in his lap, and she sighs, her Wrath warring with pity at his obvious pain.

“It’s not too late for you ,” she says, finally, not really believing the words or thinking he’ll accept them, but she makes the offer anyway. “I can take you to town, get you medical care. You’ll be under arrest, but it’ll save your life.”

He laughs at her, a full laugh, and sprays blood into the air when it fades off into another wet cough. “You say you want to save my life, but you would damn it at the same time. What if Joseph is right? Did you ever stop to think about that? Everyone thinks he’s crazy, but he’s not.”

Okay. Well. She gave him a chance.

She loses patience, that little blossom of pity finally choked out by her blooming anger, and she reaches out to grab for his key anyway. He grabs her wrist once her fingers are around it, holding on with enough strength to bruise if she pulls away too hard.

They’re at a stalemate. She won’t let go of the key; he won’t let go of her.

“Look around you. This world is on the brink. You can feel it in your bones. Look at the headlines! Look who’s in charge!” He laughs again, coughs, then somehow tightens his grip even more. “You want this key because you think you’re saving people, but they are already safe. We had a plan .”

His breath catches in his throat, his eyebrows drawing together, and even this close and with him this hurt, she can’t tell how much is him being serious and how much is him acting to draw her in. She pulls him closer with the key and puts her free hand on his cheek without thinking about it, not sure what to do when he leans into the touch.

“You don’t understand. You don’t believe! You don’t care! ” He pushes her away with both hands, and she slips in the mud and falls to a seat next to him.

The cord holding the key around his neck breaks, and the only thing holding them together is his death grip on her wrist.

She bares her teeth to him, the instinctive warning sign of her anger that she doesn’t know how to stop.

He doesn’t care. He just takes another rattling breath, and this close she can see his eyes starting to lose their focus. He’s not quite looking at her anymore; he’s almost looking through her when he says, “May God have mercy on your soul.”

His hand on her wrist goes slack; his fingers slip away and he falls to the side, breathless, lifeless, empty before her as though he never had any life in him at all.

She pushes two fingers against his still-warm skin, expertly searching for a pulse.

She doesn’t find one.

He’s gone.

She could -- she should, according to the law and her training and the gut instinct that drove her to become an EMT and then a police officer -- perform CPR, radio for help, get his heart beating, save his life, make him answer for his crimes. Her eyes prick, burn with unshed tears that she refuses to let escape. She will not cry over this man.

He doesn’t deserve her tears. He doesn’t deserve her pity or her grief.

She has the key. She needs to get Joey.

Her hands are shaking when she pulls her radio to her mouth, her voice steady as she says, “You still up there, Nick? Have time for one more run with me? Over.”

It only takes a moment for his voice to come back. “ Just tell me where. Over. ”

---

Sneaking into John’s bunker is easier than sneaking out of it. She still gets horribly turned around and dies three times, all in different spots, and it’s not until she’s made it into the bowels of the bunker where someone (she assumes John) has corpses strung up and turned into gruesome sculptures like he watched one too many episodes of the Hannibal TV series and decided that was the kind of aesthetic he needed in his bunker that she finds what she’s looking for.

Joey Hudson, Hope County native, Mattie’s supervising officer and friend… already free, moving under her own power, and trying to gut Mattie with a knife probably liberated from the first peggie who got too close to her.

If she wasn’t afraid for her life, she’d be so proud.

They struggle, Mattie simply trying to keep the knife away from her skin, not even attempting to disarm Joey in case that made her lose it even more. How long has she been down here, killing peggies one at a time as they got too close? Running on adrenaline and nothing else, praying for John to come back so she could slit his throat?

Mattie manages to gasp out Joey’s name, one more time, and that seems like enough to pull her attention back to the present, to Rook’s ruined flannel, to her face , and the fight just wilts out of her.

“Rook? It’s you? Oh, God...” Joey sits back, already starting to shake, and Mattie follows her to take the knife away. “I didn’t think you’d come back,” she says, voice shaking, and just that is enough to make exhausted tears come to Mattie’s eyes.

“Oh, Jo…” Mattie reaches out, following her instinctual need to pull Joey into her arms, but Joey flinches away.

“Something started happening ,” she says instead, bracing her hands against the metal floor like she’s going to push herself to her feet. “All the, all the fucking peggies started scrambling around, all the doors started closing and locking us inside,” she gasps for breath, the terror flooding back to her like it’s still happening and she’s not on the verge of freedom. “I thought I was gonna be down here forever…”

She gasps again and a tear slips free despite her obvious effort to hold it in, and Mattie reaches out for her again, tears of sympathy and rage and guilt welling in her own eyes. Joey allows the contact for as long as it takes her to catch her breath, just a moment before she pulls away and uses Mattie’s shoulder to push herself up to a standing position.

Mattie follows, hands out to catch Joey in case she trips, but Joey shakes off that attention too.

“It’s all because of him ,” Joey says, voice trembling but this time in rage instead of fear. She points her knife at one of the portraits -- honest to God portraits -- of Joseph that dot the bunker, this one in the lap of a dead peggie. “That fucking, that fucking piece of shit !”

Mattie has to cover her mouth to stop from crying out when Joey picks the portrait up and slams it into the floor, shattering the glass with a grunt of effort. She can’t stop the tears that come from seeing her friend so hurt, can’t stop the flinch that shakes her whole body when Joey falls to her knees by the broken frame.

“He would come down here, and he would just stand there and watch.” Joey’s voice breaks, and she shakes her head a little as if to clear it as Mattie forces herself closer, hand dropping to her side and a deep discomfort radiating from her chest. She wants to gather Joey up in her arms, but that’s not what she needs right now.

She just needs Mattie to listen.

“We were begging for mercy,” she says, glancing up at Mattie as her voice breaks again -- not into tears this time, but into laughter, “and he would just fucking watch.”

She laughs until the laughter turns into a sob, and she shoves the portrait away. Mattie tries once more to comfort, putting her hand on Joey’s shoulder, and this time… it seems to finally work. Joey takes a steadying breath, pulling her emotions back in check with the same determination that makes her such a good deputy, and starts to push herself upright.

“The others… there were other people down here with me. We’re going to get them out.”

She’s so strong, so fierce, and Mattie remembers the woman she met on her first official day with the department, the woman who had teased her and made fun of Staci and offered to take the lead on Mattie’s training since Mattie should learn from a real cop.

Mattie finds herself nodding, because she can’t say no.

---

Mattie slips away from the party as soon as she can, a little buzzed, sore all over, the memory of how far gone Joey was rattling unpleasantly in the back of her skull. The music is loud, but the cold night air dulls it as the door to the Spread Eagle swings shut behind her. She exhales sharply and rests her beer bottle on the porch railing while she pats her pockets down for a cigarette.

“I got you, chica.”

Sharky appears at her side, grim faced, a fresh pack in his outstretched hand. She swipes it from him and leans against his side as she pulls the cellophane off and waits, trusting, for his lighter to appear in front of her. Tears fill her eyes when it does, and she blinks hard to send them away.

This is a time for celebration, not for tears.

“What number you up to now?” He holds her left wrist in one hand and pushes at her long sleeve with the other, trying to expose enough of her skin to see how many black marks now mar it.

She allows the touch even though she knows he has no chance of seeing enough, enjoying his warm, dry hands on her skin. She wants to sink into the touch, let it consume her, warm her all over so she can think about something other than the shit show that is Hope County. She takes a deep drag on her cigarette instead, then turns her head to the side to exhale two lungfuls of smoke and poison.

“An even forty.”

He stops pushing at her sleeve and just holds her instead, waiting until she looks up at him. He's already staring at her, eyes boring into her soul, and she falls silent and still under his gaze.

He sighs. He doesn't like whatever he sees. “C’mon, there's a fire over here’ll warm you up.” He turns but doesn't release her as he starts to move, dragging her through the cheery streets of Falls End. Everyone is out celebrating, and here she is letting Sharky boss her around because she can't bear the happiness for another second.

True to Sharky's word, there is a small (and actually fairly well contained) fire in the backyard of an empty house. There are two chairs facing the flames, a cooler between them. Her breath catches in her throat -- he planned this.

He set this up; he started the fire, he found and moved the chairs, he filled the cooler… He found a fresh pack of cigarettes because he knew she'd be out and would want one after everything, even though she's constantly complaining about her own bad habit.

He releases her wrist and sits in one of the chairs, and she floats along behind him and sits in the other. She can't feel the cold of the night air, just the warmth of the fire and the warmth of his gaze on her face.

“You do all this for me, Boshaw?”

He ducks his head as he's digging through the cooler, embarrassed, and doesn't quite meet her eyes when he hands her a beer. “I just thought you'd like some peace’n quiet. You're, uh, you're kind of my best friend. You're doing all this for all of us, and someone has to look out for you too.”

It's too much. It's too much. She can't handle this.

“You're still gonna be my friend after all this, right? It was kinda lonely without you.”

Okay. Okay. This is enough.

She puts her unopened beer on the ground and flicks her half-smoked cigarette into the fire. Sharky lifts his brows at her, but doesn't have time to say another word before she climbs into his lap and presses her lips to his.

He gasps and grabs for her waist as his lips part, and she matches his expression by opening her lips too. She sinks into him, into his warmth and gentle caresses, so at odds with how he faces every other situation. He slides his hands up her back, tickling her spine, until he can bury his fingers in her hair.

He pulls her away, just enough to break their kiss, and she rests her forehead against his. She rests her hands on his shoulders, fingers slowly curling into the soft material of his hoodie.

“You… uh, you feelin’ okay?” His voice is low and hoarse, and she shivers before she can repress the urge.

“Mhm…” She trails off and sits up, but she doesn’t let go of his hoodie. “I just… you’re so sweet, Sharky, and I…” She bites her lip, suddenly uncertain even though he’s still holding her just as tight as he was when she climbed in his lap. “I couldn’t not kiss you.”

He’s staring at her lips. “Oh. Uh. Yeah. Okay. Why, uh, why though?”

She licks her lips and he tightens his grip on her hair, just a bit, like he can't help it. “I wanted to.”

He blinks and looks back up at her eyes, and her breath catches in her throat when she sees the firelight dancing orange across his skin.

“You did?”

“Yeah. I mean, I do .” She releases his hoodie and slides her hands up to cup his jaw. Her fingers rasp through his days-old stubble and tilt his neck up just a little. “You're great, Sharky. You care about me so goddamn much, and I…” She barely stops herself from saying too much, from scaring him with how deep her affections are already running, how fast she’s fallen in love. “Can I kiss you more?”

He nods, fast, like he's not sure if she’s going to change her mind or not, and then she’s kissing him again and it feels so good she's not sure what to do with herself besides lean into it.

It’s everything she could have asked for, better than she ever expected it to be. His body is warm against hers, his kisses eager, his tongue almost delicate where it brushes against hers. She leans into him, settles more heavily into his lap, and he moves his hands down her back to her hips and back up, slow soothing motions that make her melt.

He's holding her like she's the most precious thing he's ever touched, even when she weaves her fingers through his hair and tugs. He moans, a quiet wounded noise into her mouth that she happily swallows, and then she pulls away just enough to slip her hands under his hoodie so she can touch his warm skin.

It feels right, being curled up around him, the heat of him against her front contrasting with the heat of the fire against her back. His goatee scratches her chin, his callouses tickle her waist as he mirrors her and slips his hands under her shirt. She moans into his mouth and he echoes her, a feedback loop of pleasure building between them until she has to tear her mouth free to catch her breath.

Sharky doesn’t let her go far, pulling her hips closer to his and moving his mouth across her jaw and down her neck. He catches her skin with his teeth, tugging with just the barest of pressure before moving on to the next spot, smiling against her when she squirms in his grip and lets out a too-loud moan.

He kisses back up to her ear, licks the spot just underneath it, tries to whisper without really lowering his voice at all, “You’re so fuckin’ hot. I’ve been thinkin’ about this for weeks.” He nips at her earlobe, tugs a little, groaning right back at her when she shivers.

“Really? Weeks?” The arms of the chair are pinching her knees, making her thighs hurt, but she moves her fingers up to tangle in his hair. She tugs, too hard, and his hips fruitlessly jerk up into hers when she pulls his face away so she can see him. Interesting. “We’ve only been hanging out for weeks .”

He shrugs and grins at her, smile lopsided and beautiful. There’s no embarrassment in his gaze. “I guess I just know what I like.” He tries to kiss her again, but she won’t let him move. He shivers and bites his lower lip, and she smiles.

She can work with that.

“And what do you like?”

He doesn’t hesitate, the truth slipping from his lips with ease. “You.”

She can’t stop herself from kissing him again, and she doesn’t want to. He wraps both his arms around her, holding her close as his tongue slides against hers, the kiss deep and wet and intimate. He holds her as tight as she’s holding him, gives as good as he gets, until she feels like she’s going to die if she doesn’t feel his skin against hers.

“Sharky, do you, mphm-- ” He kisses her again mid-sentence, cutting her off, and she laughs against his mouth, too delighted to remember anything else. “C’mon, baby. Where are you staying in town?”

He groans and nuzzles against her neck, unwilling at first to break away to answer her, but finally he sits back and takes a deep breath of the crisp night air. “There’s, uh, there’s some empty houses around the corner? I put our stuff in one of them.”

“Want to show me?”

He nods, then, and she pushes herself off of him, grunting when her legs unfold from under her weight. She picks up the cooler of beer and waits until he stands too, trying and failing to hide her smirk when he carefully shifts his weight from side to side and tucks one hand into the deep pocket of his jeans to adjust his erection.

She slips her hand into his free one before he can get embarrassed, chewing on the inside of her lip as she waits for him to lead her in the right direction. He does, but not before leaning down to grab one more kiss from her. He’s not so tall that she has to reach up on her tiptoes, but she does have to tilt her neck back to get the angle right; she’s suddenly sure, standing here in the middle of Fall’s End, that she should have started kissing him when they were still in the Henbane, back when he sat on the floor and held her hand while she cried in her sleep.

He pulls away when he remembers what he’s supposed to be doing, tightens his hold on her hand like he’s afraid she’s going to change her mind before they make it to the house he’s claimed on the edge of town. She vaguely remembers the family who used to live here, good people she hopes made it out of the county before everything went to shit, but she tries not to think about them as she leaves the cooler on their kitchen counter and lets Sharky pull her up a winding and narrow set of stairs to get to the upper floor.

The lights are already on like Sharky’s been here and left, and she has enough time to notice old sheets in the corner and fresh ones on the bed before Sharky pulls her close and tilts her face up to his with her jaw in his hand. She smiles up at him, slipping her free hand under his hoodie to press against the warmth of his stomach. He twitches under her touch, flexing a little, and her smile grows.

“Were you, uh, hoping for something here?” She’s teasing, she always teases, but he just glances over her shoulder at the bed before his cheeks flare red.

“No, uh, this was for you? I was gonna sleep down the hall. Just thought you deserved somethin’ nice after everything. You know -- a good fire, cold beer, clean sheets? A night of peace finally.”

Her breath catches in her throat and tears prick at her eyes again, just like they did when they were still outside, and she steps away before she can stop herself. She can’t handle this much affection right now; it threatens to overwhelm her, pull her good mood down into tears.

She pulls at the hem of his hoodie instead, pulling it up. “Take this off,” she says, voice rough, and he obeys without question.

By the time he’s dropping it on the floor, she’s out of her flannel and tank, standing before him in just a bra and jeans, but he stares back at her like she’s hung the moon. It makes her want to climb inside of him, to consume whatever’s making him look like that.

Instead, she shoves him backwards toward the bed, smiling when he drops on the mattress with a soft thump. She crawls over him, pushing him until he’s flat on his back with his hands on her bare waist and his mouth attached to her neck like he’s never going to let her go.

She doesn’t want him to.

She moans and arches into his touch, leaning her head back and vaguely hoping he doesn’t leave a hickey even though she doesn’t particularly care, not when his big hands are sliding down her hips and under the waist of her jeans. He’s warm against her, stoking her own fire hotter, and she reaches behind her to undo the clasp of her bra with just a flick of her wrist. She pulls it free and drops it off the side of the bed, but the movement only serves to catch Sharky’s attention.

He releases her neck -- and, yeah, she’s definitely going to have a mark there, but who does she have to look professional for these days? -- and hauls her up his body so he can kiss farther down her chest and take her right nipple in his mouth. The movement pulls at the fresh tattoo on her chest, the wounds that are just scabbed over and definitely going to scar into something ugly, but it’s like Sharky can’t even see it. She ignores the pain and closes her eyes, focusing on the good she can feel, the way he’s making her forget every fucking thing she��s been through since the helicopter crash.

He teases her with the same enthusiasm he uses for everything else, surprising a cry out of her that he eagerly returns against her skin. She threads her fingers into his hair and holds on tight enough to hurt him, holding his face against her chest like anything short of a gun to his head would make him pull away now.

He doesn’t pull away. If anything, he pushes closer, sitting up and switching from her left breast to her right, paying that nipple the same dedicated attention he had the first one. It’s overwhelming; she aches to have him inside of her, and when she settles her weight against the hardness she can feel still trapped in his jeans, he moans brokenly and moves to capture her lips with his.

This kiss is messy, rough. She bites at him and he bites at her in return, the sharp pricks of pain muddling her brain until she can’t think about anything else, but that’s just the way she wants it.

She yanks the ratty old tanktop he’s still wearing up, stretching it almost to the point of tearing, releasing it only when he finally leans back and pulls it fully off. She pushes him back down onto his back when she has room to move, scooting back to sit on his thighs so she can pry his belt open and try to shimmy his jeans down before he latches his teeth back into her skin.

He’s still wearing his boots, so he has to pull away to undress himself. Again, she takes advantage of this and shucks off her jeans and boots too, self conscious, just for a second, that she hasn’t had time to take care of her body the way she always has. She starts to blush, to cover herself, suddenly back in her head and keenly aware of how her first boyfriend had insisted she stay shaved if they were going to have sex, but Sharky…

Sharky’s eyes are dark and his cheeks are pink and his cock is standing proud and hard between his thighs. He’s hairy too, across his chest and a thin trail down his stomach that thickens at the base of his cock. He’s staring at her, one hand wrapping around himself, the other reaching out until she moves back into his space on the bed.

“Do you know how fuckin’ hot you are?” His voice is low, rough, and she shivers as his calloused fingers skim her waist. “I can’t believe you’re really here.” His hand moves steadily higher, cupping her breast as he adds, almost like he’s accidentally voicing a thought, “Is this a Bliss dream, or what?”

She answers by capturing his lips with hers, biting again, one hand steadying herself on his waist as the other wraps around his cock. He groans into her, both hands moving to cup her jaw, a heady kind of desperation in his clutching fingers.

He stops kissing her and just rests his forehead against hers as she pumps him, steady movements and a firm grip making him shudder and twitch against her.

“Please,” she rasps, “ please tell me you have a condom.”

It takes him a minute to answer, but his words are like music to her ears. “There are, uh, actually some in the bathroom. Guess they didn’t make the emergency packing list.”

Relief flows through her even as she traces the tips of her fingers over the tip of his cock, a teasing touch over silky skin and beading precome. He groans deep in his throat, holding her almost too tight against the teasing pleasure of her skin against his, and it takes him several full seconds to realize she’s trying to get him to move when she says, “Go get one, then.”

When her words sink in, he practically throws her off him and onto the mattress so he can scramble past her out into the hall. She laughs, delighted at his enthusiasm, and stretches out on the sheets with her head on the pillow. It smells of unfamiliar detergent, but it’s the cleanest thing she’s slept on in days.

She stretches out on the clean sheets, joints popping as she forces them to their limits, and then she relaxes with her hands above her head and her lower lip captured between her teeth. She can hear Sharky bumping around the bathroom, each of his movements too loud and enthusiastic to be confined indoors, and she smiles.

Under any other circumstances, she would have laughed at the idea of her and Charlemagne Boshaw spending any time together at all, much less sneaking away from a town celebration to have sex. Everything else just adds to the uniqueness she’s facing -- where would she be if she hadn’t tried to arrest Joseph in the church? Where would she be if she had stayed dead any of the times she should have stayed dead?

Sharky comes back before she can get stuck in that line of thought, snapping her back to the present moment with a wolf whistle and the shuffle of foil-wrapped condoms shuffling around in a half-empty box.

Her eyes open and she smiles at him, considering for half a second before she draws herself up on her knees to reach for him. He lets her direct him to sit against the headboard, lets her take the condoms from him, opens a package and rolls one on when she hands it to him while she leans in and bites at his neck.

She doesn’t wait one second longer than necessary before she moves over him, bracing her knees on either side of his hips and holding onto his shoulders to steady herself as she begins to lower herself down. He works with her, one hand on her waist, the other holding himself steady, and then… he’s inside of her, inching slowly deeper, stretching her and filling her and she really can’t remember what took her so long to kiss him.

“ Holy shit, Mat.” Sharky draws out the holy until he bottoms out, then the rest of his words come out of him in a rush. His fingertips dig into the flesh of her hips, holding her still. His eyes are squeezed shut, deepening the lines around them, and she brushes her fingertips over the lines until he relaxes.

He opens his eyes and meets her gaze, giving her a wide, dopey smile. Their lips meet again, gently, though she’s not sure which of them leaned forward first, then they rest their foreheads together with twin smiles.

“Good?” She clenches around him on purpose, just to make him moan when he starts to answer.

“Fuck. Yeah. Oh my God, yes.” His fingers tighten on her hips, urging her up just enough to catch her attention. “Shit. Can you, uh, can you just…”

He trails off as she starts to move, pushing herself up higher on her knees until he’s barely inside her still, then sliding back down at the same painfully slow pace as before. Sharky groans and tilts his head back against the headboard, flexing into her like he can’t help it but not doing anything to actually make her move faster. He just waits, desperate little wimpers leaving him with each slow movement of her hips.

She clutches the headboard with both hands, using it as leverage to help her move faster against him, her movements more sure. Each drag of his cock against her makes her ratchet higher, goosebumps breaking out on her skin even as sweat gathers on her scalp, behind her knees.

Sharky opens his eyes and stares up at her, that beautiful blue dark and hungry. He slides his hands up her side as she rides him, fingers seeking out her breasts once more. He squeezes as her long thrusts turn to hard twists of her hips, grinding her clit against his pelvis and sending sparks of pleasure up her spine.

She closes her eyes first this time, overwhelmed as his rough fingers press against her nipples with more gentleness than she would have expected when they first met. It’s too much and not enough all at once, and her rhythm stutters as she begins to come.

“Fuck, Sharky, I’m…” She trails off, grabbing for his head to bring his face against hers so she can kiss him, whining the rest of her cry into his mouth. He surges forward, tongue against hers and hands back on her hips to keep her moving against him even as she shakes and forgets everything except the feeling of him against her, inside her.

He breaks their kiss and presses his face to her throat instead, growling against her skin, goatee scratching over where the bruise he left behind is still darkening. She wraps her arms around his shoulders, clutching him tight, holding him against her as he shudders through his own orgasm.

He doesn’t let go of her and she doesn’t let go of him. They cling together as they catch their breath, then Sharky’s kissing up her neck and across her jaw to her lips.

She laughs against him, loose, happy. This is exactly what she needed, and she wants to tell him how much she appreciates him, how good he’s been to her, how much she needs him now.

What comes out of her mouth, still pressed against his, is, “I love you.”

Sharky laughs, a low rumble, and shakes his head. “What? Nah.”

She pulls back enough to grab his jaw, holding his face still to look in his eyes. His face is flushed, his hair mussed, his eyes bright, and this time it looks like he believes her when she repeats, “I love you. I’m in love with you.”

It takes another second, but his smile widens until it’s blinding. “Aw, hell, Mat. I love you too.”

He kisses her again, softer, reverent, and then she has to physically push him away to give herself enough freedom to climb off of him and go clean up. She hears his heavy footsteps pass by the door, then back again a minute later, and he’s stretched out in the bed with the lights off when she makes it back to him.

She climbs in next to him, shivering a little in the autumn chill, and he pulls her body flush against his. This is better than the times they’ve fallen asleep together before, because this time they’re resting skin to skin and she can feel his heartbeat quickening as she traces her fingers up and down his side. He also has his face pressed against her hair, a smile on his lips, and she thinks she hears him repeat I love you as she’s drifting off to sleep.

#sharky boshaw #sharky x deputy #far cry 5 #oc: mattie covington #my writing

18 notes · View notes

wardencommanderrodimiss · 5 years

Text

snake eyes

not the next Fae AU chapter update, but instead a short fic that is based on the best damn joke in this AU that I owe my life for

Maya has been gone for about ten minutes, which is about the point that Phoenix starts to worry - not, necessarily, for her sake, but rather the sake of everyone whose paths she may have crossed in that time. He feels less like a lawyer and more a sort of tour guide, sometimes, explaining cultural mores to a group that makes the stakes are much higher than their embarrassment or causing offense to others. (Culturally, the fae do not brush it off or forget it if someone offends them. Even Mia didn't. And culturally, there's a lot humans can do to offend the fae.)

So Phoenix is starting to worry and about to get up to make sure that there wasn't a catastrophe of magic at the front desk - he doesn't know what they wanted with Maya, the bellboy didn't say - when he spots Maya far down at the end of the hallway. The first thing he notices is that she is slumped halfway down the wall, barely holding herself upright at all; the second thing he notices is that her hair, at the ends, is dissipating into black smog. Pearl, next to him, clambering down from her chair because she too has seen Maya, still looks like an ordinary little girl, and Maya's skin is still brown, still human-appearing. It isn't a problem with Phoenix's eyes - it is a problem with Maya's glamour, and now he is worried.

Now he is worried for her.

Gumshoe is talking to one of the other detectives and Lotta seems to have run off elsewhere, so no one gives Phoenix a glance as he ushers Pearl ahead of him down the hall. Maya's skin is shifting colors when they reach her, patchy, like a few splotches of purple paint were spilled onto her skin, and her eyes are hellfire red but still with black irises. Phoenix helps her up by the elbow - her hand is clapped to the side of her neck, claws starting to protrude on two of her fingers. The other hand is pressed against her stomach. "Maya! What happened?"

Pearl flings herself into Maya's side like a little limpet, her eyes starting to burn red now too, and the hotel lights shining just a little strangely off of her skin. "He attacked me," Maya rasps. Her mouth doesn't fully close when she isn't speaking, her teeth too big for it, but some parts of her glamour still trying to hold themselves up. "Stabbed - with."

He looks about for somewhere to go, spots a bathroom sign down another corridor and helps Maya stumble along with him. This isn’t a good place to be, so close to the scene of a crime, so close to so many police, with Maya’s broken glamour, but there is a door for a single-stalled restroom next to the two gendered ones and Phoenix falls into it with Maya. When he lets go of her to lock the door, she nearly topples to the floor, nearly brings Pearl down with her. “Stabbed with what?" Phoenix asks, trying to pry her hand away from her neck, and her claws go from digging into her own skin to his, with a force just shy of drawing blood. The skin on the side of her neck is purple, and darkening to gray in the shape of a welt around a small puncture. A needle? "Who did, Maya?"

"Bellboy," she says. "A - thing. Needle thing. The - with - inside it."

"A syringe?" he asks.

Her claws on his arm loosen. "Thing!" she cries. He thinks that might be confirmation. "Drugs!"

One thing Phoenix never, ever wanted to know was what one of the fae acts like on drugs.

"Said - kidnapping."

"He told you he was kidnapping you?" That seems like a weird way to go about kidnapping someone, just telling them that. Maybe he thought the drugs would kick in sooner, or fully. He probably didn't know what Maya was. He probably thought the injection would knock her out, if she was human. "Did he say why?"

Maya releases his arm entirely and slumps down further toward the floor. "Why?" she repeats. "Why why?"

"Humans don't usually go around just kidnapping people, Maya," Phoenix says, feeling half like a tour guide again, and half like the voiceover on a nature documentary. "Not like you guys do."

"We don't!" Pearl says indignantly. Her eyes flash red entirely, and then they aren't, and she has a thumb, a claw, to her mouth. "Erm, not often. And only little babies. But rarely!"

For all he's been tangled up in, Phoenix has never met a changeling, and if he hasn't, then it probably is rare. "It's okay, Pearls," he says, even though really, that isn't, at all. "I'm just saying, it's a very, very bad thing among humans." Honestly, a bad thing for the fae to do, too, but he's going to leave that for another day. "So he tried to drug you, and the drug didn't take, and you got away - where did he go?" Maya's eyes are closed. Her face twists in disgust. Her mouth is stretching wider, slowly, across her cheeks, toward her jaw. "Maya? Where did he go, Maya?"

"Ate him."

Some days Phoenix wishes Mia had just let him fucking die. "You ate him?!"

Logically, he has known for a long time that she could. She told him as much, and she can't lie, even as much as Phoenix tried to assure himself (lie to himself) that she was exaggerating when she said she could unhinge her jaw like a snake and swallow a person. She had learned how to use the office computer just to look up videos of snakes for a visualization that Phoenix did not want.

"Yeah," she says. Her mouth drops open and her tongue lolls out. She looks a little sick.

"You can't just eat people, Maya!"

"Even when they want to hurt me?"

"You..."

It's self-defense, wasn't it? She didn't act unprovoked - and more than that, it wasn't like she answered a slight with an extreme. He tried to drug and kidnap her. He deserved something coming to him for that.

"Mr Nick!" Pearl smacks him hard on the leg with an open palm, which he is grateful for, because it means she has taken to heart his lesson about not swatting him with claws because he only has so many pairs of slacks to wear with his suit if she shreds one. "He hurt the Mystic! He deserves it!"

"If you say so, Nick," Maya says, grabbing onto his arm and hoisting herself up, still curled over herself a little, still supporting herself on the wall. She doesn't have to do what he said - there was no deal, no contract made, not at this moment. (He probably should figure out what he can afford to bargain away to seal this, though.) "He tasted real bad anyway."

"Wh - what?"

Snakes can regurgitate their meals, for several reasons, including if they ate something far too big to handle. (Maya called this weak, implying that she could handle eating absolutely anything. Maya spent several days researching snakes. The Twilight Realm doesn't have much in the way of wildlife, apparently.) Phoenix did not really ever need in his life to know that. What he certainly did not need to know is that Maya could do the same.

She opens her mouth like a fancy trashcan popping open with a foot pedal, the top of her head just moving in a way it shouldn't, back, to make room for her gaping black maw with its two rows of teeth, and she makes a horrible heaving noise. Phoenix closes his eyes when the wide circle of her mouth, its ring of teeth, starts expanding, and the second gagging sound is drowned out by a heavy thud. With the impact, the floor near Phoenix's feet vibrates.

He opens his eyes.

Before them, picking himself up from where he lays sprawled on the floor, is a man - the bellboy, Phoenix realizes, the uniform and the black gloves and the monocle and the scar down his face. It's a distinctive appearance but somehow if Phoenix had tried to bring it to mind a moment ago, he doesn't think he could have. (There is some sort of magic in forgettability, Maya said once, about the one prosecutor that Phoenix can't remember except that his hair was stupid.)

"You know," the man, the kidnapper, says, adjusting his monocle and slowly standing, dusting off his jacket, "Something I like to say is that people are often not what they appear to be, but you, madam" - he inclines his head to Maya like she didn't just vomit him back into existence entirely unharmed, and when Phoenix looks at her, she is still patchily somewhere between fae and human in appearance - "have informed me that perhaps I have become lax in how I take heed of my own words."

He has small, heavy-lidded eyes that Phoenix can't tell the color of, but with the Sight, there is nothing for Phoenix to see to signify that he has it - and that they look to this kidnapper any more than this half-human horror and an ordinary man and an ordinary little girl, all standing in a bathroom. What must he be thinking right now?

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a course of action I must reconsider, and" - he bows, this time, again to Maya - "may we never meet again."

By the time Phoenix processes exactly all of this - that Maya eating someone doesn't necessarily mean that she killed him, and that the kidnapper seems to have taken this remarkably in stride - and realizes that, Maya's wrath or no, that man is a kidnapper and there is hotel security that needs to be alerted to this situation - "Hey! Wait!" - he is long gone, and Phoenix is standing outside a restroom about a dozen yards from a crime scene.

A murder and an attempted kidnapping. What a night.

“Hey, Nick.” Maya is on the threshold, still leaning heavily on the wall, her hair still darkly wisping, but her skin has smoothed over and her eyes merely look bloodshot. “Pearly said there was a murder? Let’s check it out!”

“The Jammin’ Ninja was killed,” Phoenix says, unable to actually remember the names of the actors, “and the Nickel Samurai is under suspicion.”

“Then we have to do something!” Maya pushes herself up off the wall and stands triumphantly with her fists raised for about a second before stumbling forward and nearly knocking Phoenix off his feet. He staggers and winces as her claws dig into his arm in her attempts to regain stability. “You have to defend him, Nick!”

Is he seriously going to get badgered into defending another one of her favorite TV heroes? “I do?”

“Yes! I nearly died, Nick! Do it for me!”

“You did not nearly--”

“Nick! You’re a defense attorney! You have to! He’s a hero! The Nickel Samurai would never!”

He can feel his Nick the cultural translator persona clawing its way to the front of his skull again. “Maya - you do know that these TV shows are fiction, right?”

#i don't exactly know why the title of this is what it is but it felt right and i need to practice titling fics more #anyway i don't think anyone is averse to more nick'n'maya shenanigans in this au so here you go #fae au tag #fae au extras #<- that's my new tag for art and fic that isn't the main story but is more substantial than my worldbuilding shitposts #ace attorney bullshit tag #fic: the seelie of kurain

13 notes · View notes

miracleofunicorns · 6 years

Text

Wicked Colors

WARNING!!! THIS IS AN CANON x OC FIC, IF YOU DON’T MIND, PLS ENJOY MY FIC!!! ALSO... there’s a slur in here, but don’t worry, it’s for the sake of the story and the person who utters the slur gets their come-upins. Like, he’s there for you to say “wow, fuck that guy” ALSO!!! THIS FIC WILL HAVE A COMPANION PIECE BY @sanriff unless they already made it and I’m super slow. then it does have a companion piece lmao.... enjoy the story.

ALSO @sanriff is the co-author

Miracle didn't really understand a lot of what Riff said. But they did understand that their friend was hurting. Luckily, Blue was going to be coming over that night. Not actually inside of the manor, but to pick Miracle up to go out.

“Go put on your best dress!” Miracle insisted Riff as they pulled their tux on. It was a really nice tux. At least all of the girls in Beastie's brothel said so. Miracle had been afraid to pull it back on, but they were sure that Blue would be able to protect them from those wanting to tear it off of them.

At least that's what they thought until they saw Riff. She wore the most beautiful wine red dress Miracle had ever seen. It had a modest neckline, but it was sheer down the cleavage where it pretended to look like a sweetheart neckline. Allowing the patterns on the sheer fabric look like it was just floating on her skin. And with that, she wore what looked like silk gloves that ended at the elbow.

A whistle escaped Miracle's lips as they watched Riff come stand by them on the sidewalk.

“And I thought *I* would be fighting off suitors, you're definitely going to be the light of the party.”

"Ya don't look half bad yourself, stud," she teased as she stopped before them.

A blush formed on Miracle's cheeks. Not that Riff could see it, but it still made Miracle feel pretty flustered. They bashfully waved their hand at SeRiff, giggling as they did. “Oh yooouuu.” they smiled. Blue said that would be picking them up, but he was suspiciously late for a skeleton that could instantly teleport anywhere whenever he wanted. Miracle was starting to get worried until a limousine drove up next to the sidewalk. Blue opened popped out, grinning excitedly up at them where he peeked out from the limousine's door. "Ready for fun?!?!?"

Miracle was buzzing with excitement. This was going to be the first party they had gone to! With Blue!

“Sure!” Riff replied, seeming to be just as excited. This was going to be a fun night.

Blue giggled happily as he went back further into the limousine, allowing Miracle to help Riff into the limo before climbing in themself. "Blue, this is Riff; Riff, this is Blue!" Miracle introduced them to each other, happily sitting next to Riff. "I'm happy to meet another one of Mira's friends!” Blue grinned happily, “Most don't really like me heh.... I hope they told you that the party is in my manor?"

Miracle watched in relief as the two shook hands. After everything Miracle had done to the family, they were happy that at least Riff was accepting of Blue.

Riff shook her head as they released hands. “Mira didn't tell me much, actually.” she said, sounding honest, “But I'm okay with that. Is your manor like this one?”

Blue gave Miracle the eye. Yeah, Mira deserved that. But they merely shrugged.

They were both troublemakers, but Miracle exceeded him by far in that category. "Well, yes, in a way, it has its differences and my family has different decoration tastes, but yes it's practically the same." Blue replied. "You'll see for yourself." It didn't take long for them to reach the property. The skeletons had set up a sort of valet system too, so servants helped everyone out of the limo. They had a chauffeur, however. So as soon as they were out, the limo drove off. Yellow spotlights lit up the skeleton manor, dressing it in gold. Several people were entering the manor too. From politicians to other mob bosses, they were all waiting to get inside. But since Blue was accompanying Riff and Miracle, they didn't need to wait to check in. The party was already getting started with a band playing ritzy music and people dancing to it. Servers carried food and champagne everywhere. Especially where there were people just relaxing on the couches and talking.... and doing other things. It was basically a den of sin.

“This is amazing!” the awe in Riff's voice was unmistakable, “You live here?? With whom???”

Blue didn't answer, it was like he didn't want to be associated with whoever he lived with. Instead, he just grabbed Mira, keeping his arm around them before leading Riff to meet his brother.

"This is my Papy!" Blue introduced to them as he led them to a rather lazily dressed tall skeleton. While everyone wore tuxes or full suits, this Papyrus only wore a long sleeved shirt and an orange, silk vest with slacks. And even then he had rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. "Pappyyyyy!!! I told you to wear something nice!!!" Blue complained. "This is my nice clothes, all the others were dirty." Papyrus replied, then turned towards Riff as he left his brother to stew. "Heya, you can call me Honey." The tall skeleton smiled, holding his hand out to Riff while his other hand moved to take a drag from his cigarette.

He didn't have it long, however, as Riff promptly plucked the cigarette from his hand and stomped the smoke to the ground. It brought the attention of some of the other skeletons that were hanging around there. Even Boss Red, who promptly laughed. Along with some of the others.

“Riff. Pleasure to meet you, Honey.” she introduced, after she was done with smothering the life out of his cig.

Honey was just as surprised, but ignored the soft laughter his family gave. Though he gave his brother an exasperated look when Blue joined in the laughter. Instead he took Riff's hand that she offered in a firm shake.

"The pleasure's all mine, Riff." Honey smiled at her, his irritation gone. Not much seemed to bother him. "So, what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" Blue grabbed a platter of food and drinks right out a server's hand, allowing Miracle to grab a glass along with a snack from it. Blue soon offered the platter to Riff.

She thanked Blue and took a glass by the neck with her index and middle finger and thumb. "Mira asked me to come along." She turned back to Honey, her smile wavering minutely before regaining control. Miracle couldn't help but feel for her friend. "I was thinking overlong about someone that attacked me not too long ago, and they figured bringing me here would help keep my mind off things for a while.”

"Heh, well you're in a good place, no one is going to attack you here." Honey replied, taking.... not a drink from his glass. "Yeaah, Blue's the social butterfly, I'm happy with just keeping to the shadows if you know what I mean." Honey shrugged. "But my bro is here so it's okay." He added, watching Riff for a moment before he smirked. "Wanna get outta here?"

“Where did you have in mind?” Riff asked.

This was great! Riff and Honey were getting along. Miracle was sure that whatever was bothering Riff, she would forget by the end of that night. It also sounded like Miracle would have to make a set of four BFF friendships bracelets rather than just two. They were all practically friend-married at this point…. Was that a thing? Well if it wasn't, Miracle was going to make it a thing.

“Hey Mira?” Riff called, snapping Miracle out of their fantasy.

“I'm going to take a walk with Honey, we'll be back later.” Riff informed them as she looped her arm with Honey's. Miracle gave Riff a thumbs up as Honey escorted her away.

“See ya later then, Riff!!!” Miracle called back, shouting over the noise of the party.

Oh yeah.

They were totally friend-married already.

Blue dragged Miracle around the party, introducing them to several of Blue's friends. Which included many of the skeletons and some humans.

“So are you twoooo???” Dream had asked, motioning between Blue and Miracle.

“Are you guys… involved?” Ivory had asked.

“You're the strangest couple I've ever seen.” Chara said bluntly.

“We're friends!” Blue and Miracle insisted. It was exhausting as they tried to correct everyone, just to continue the conversation elsewhere. Which somehow kept circling around back to the two being a couple.

“Let's just go dance!” Miracle suggested, pulling Blue along. He laughed, following Miracle.

“Okay! Haha, slow down, you're gonna make me--”

“Blue!!” a deep, staticky voice called out. It made Blue stop in his tracks. Mira watched as Blue spun around, pushing Miracle behind himself as if he was trying to protect them from a beast. And he might as well have.

“What is the meaning of this?!” a dark skeleton demanded. Miracle had never seen him before. His eye lights were mismatched and wild looking. And blue stripes… or… strings? Dripped from his eyes and down his jaw. He was interesting to look at. And Miracle might have liked him… if he wasn't acting like such a jerk.

"Well, gee, Ebby! You gotta tell me before you accuse me of anything!" Blue grinned, his jaw clenched. "Don't play dumb." Ebony stopped right in front of Blue and glared down at him. "What the fuck is SeRiff Fontesca doing here??"

Blue was opening his mouth to answer, but the voice that came out wasn't his. "She's my friend!" Mira piped up, looking over to glare at Ebony.

Blue pushed them further behind himself. "Riff is apart of Bone Tibia Wild! Heh.... didn't... didn't you know?" Blue chuckled. "Golly, Ebby, you're making me look like quite the investigator!"

Ebony's mismatched eyes fell onto Miracle.

Miracle couldn't help but glare back, their chest puffing up.

“Is that so?” Ebony purred, his static making it sound more unsettling than cute. His fingers twitched, which just made Blue tense up more.

"Why'd a ragtag buncha wannabes let a freak like her in? Ya that desperate for people?"

That just set Miracle off. They pushed Blue's hand away to let themself get into Ebony's face. "Shut up!!! We're not a rag tag group!!! We're a family!!! And we're way more put together than your gang with you people stalking our members!!! During a TRUCE!!! Going against your boss' WORD!!!!!" Miracle yelled, poking a finger into Ebony's chest with every sentence they said. It was enough to make Blue sweat bullets as his eye lights disappeared. "M-Mira..." Ebony smirked as he stared into the eyelights behind the goggles unflinchingly.

"Family?" He laughed derisively in the cleaner's face.

"Really? You call that a family?" He laughed again like the monster thing had said a bad joke. Wiping at an imaginary tear from the edge of his socket, he turned a sneer back at the other. "

Ya think I care what the others do? Heh, if yous all were worth yer salt, then a little stalking shouldn't even be worth a batted eye. But that's to be expected from as weak of a so-called leader as Malenchka." He gave a nonchalant shrug. Then he looked over at Blue.

"And you. I thought I taught you better than to associate yourself with things like this." Now Ebony was pushing just to push. To see what he could get away with.

Miracle looked like they were about to pop in rage. But before they could say anything more, Blue grabbed Mira with blue magic and pushed them behind himself once again. "Not, here." Blue growled, his dark sockets glaring at Ebony. "If you want to mess with me, don't do it here." He added

"Hey, Ebs, how's the party for you? Hating everything as usual?" Honey called, suddenly back in the ballroom.

Had he teleported?

However he did it, didn't really matter. All that mattered was that Ebony didn't seem very happy to see Honey.

"Tch, you see the two yer brother brought with him? I thought he had standards." Turning, Ebony walked around Honey to leave.... And smacked right into Riff. "Nice to see you again, Ebony." Riff smiled sweetly, being as friendly as she could be. It surprised Miracle and it also made Riff a Saint in their eyes. No way would Miracle be able to treat an asshole with such kindness! Ebony was taken aback by not just her friendliness but that smile. She had caught him so off guard that his face showed his surprise and a little more for just a moment. Then the scowl was back right as he turned and left the four alone. Riff immediately went to Mira and Blue, worry written all over her face. "You guys okay? Did he hurt you?"

As soon as Ebony began to leave, Blue released Mira from the blue magi . They shoved Blue a little, not appreciating getting manhandled like that. During which, Honey kept his eyes on Ebony as the dark skeleton moved through the crowd. "No..." Blue sighed, relaxing as he took out a hankie and began wiping his face with it. "That guy's a big meanie!" Miracle huffed, crossing their arms in a huff. "He was talking shit about our family, I couldn't stand for that!"

"And that's all it was: talk." Riff pointed out and hugged her friend tight.

"Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us.”

“Then I'm gonna throw a book at him.” Miracle grumbled. Soon, however, they let out a sigh, returning the hug with a soft squeeze.

“Don't let what he said get to you, Mira." She pulled back and gave them the best smile they had ever seen.

"Fiiine, I won't indulge him anymore, I still don't like him." Miracle huffed,

"We know the truth. And we won't let him get in the way of our fun." Then she took both Mira and Blue by the hands and led them all to the dance floor.

"C'mon! Let's have some fun!" She let go of Miracle and Blue and commandeered Honey into a dance.

Miracle giggled as they not so much as danced, but bounced with Blue on the dancefloor. Blue soon spun Miracle into Honey. And the brothers were so synchronized that Honey had traded Riff to Blue.

Honey was rather… tall. Extremely so. But it didn't stop Honey from dancing with Miracle. He found the solution by lifting them up onto his feet, making the two dance in unison. The four of them danced and spun around together. It didn’t matter to Miracle if they knew how to dance or not, they just moved with the music. Thankfully, the skeletons seemed to be adept at the art of dance.

Miracle was mostly being silly regardless, making it up as they went. And after Miracle dipped Riff and spun her back to Honey one final time, they faced Blue once again. In unison, they jumped towards one another and

The music changed.

The previous song had ended and now the band was playing a sweetly slow tune. Other dancers left the floor, leaving couples to dance together to a soft ballad.

Miracle didn’t know what to do and it seemed like neither did Blue.

Eventually, Blue outstretched his arm to Miracle, offering his hand to them. It took a second but Miracle grasped his hand and allowed Blue, their dear friend, to pull them into an embrace meant for…. People not them.

What were they?

Miracle followed Blue’s lead, swaying with him as their racing SOULbeat began to slow along with the dance. They noticed that Riff had a new partner, Ebony, but didn’t think much about it. They just kept close to Blue. And wished they could smell Blue’s scent through their mask.

Blue and Miracle separated as the music slowly began to kick up, looking at each other with stars in their eyes.

“HEY FAIRIES, GET OFF THE DANCE FLOOR!!!!”

Like glass shattering, Miracle’s world came to a stand still. Their SOUL dropped to the floor as if blue magic had been casted onto it. They were pretty sure they heard laughter. Was the crowd laughing at THEM? What was wrong??? What did they do??? Miracle thought that after they had left the hospital, that after they had joined the family, everything would be normal! Were they not normal????

The room spun around Miracle, the crowd growing and nearing closer. They could barely hear Blue’s voice as their ears pounded, though they could see his lips move.

Miracle had to leave.

Now.

“Mira!!!” Blue shouted as Miracle ran off, the pushing through the crowd to just… get out. They didn’t know where they were going. They just needed to get out of there.

.......

“Yeah! You better run!!!” the asshole yelled as Blue was about to run after Miracle. But that stopped him in his tracks. His hands clenched into balls of fists. Blue couldn’t take this, not for making his friend upset.

Blue teleported behind the asshole, grabbing hard onto his shoulder.

“Hey FRIEND, why don’t we we go somewhere nice and QUIET to talk?” Blue gritted through his smile.

.......

Miracle slammed the door closed as they ran into the bathroom. The rushed to the sink, screaming out a cry that would be sure to be drowned out by the party’s noise.

“THERE’S IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!!!” Miracle screamed, “I’M NOT AN AMNESIAC, I’M NOT JOHN DOE, I’M A MIRACLE, I AM MIRACLE!!!!” they screamed out everything they had wanted to scream at the asshole. But they couldn’t not with that crowd… They didn’t know they were scared of crowds. Miracle had always had their friends to make them feel better.

This was a revelation they didn’t need nor wanted.

Miracle curled up onto the counter, staring into their reflection, but seeing nothing. Remembering nothing. “There is nothing wrong with me.” they whispered, less sure of themself now.

"I could have avoided this" "I could have gone in a dress" "I have dresses, lots of them... why didn't I go in that???" Miracle murmured to themself. They adjusted their goggles,letting the moisture escape before the ink could.

"Dress or tux, you're still an absolutely beautiful person anyone would be blind to not appreciate." She said softly and gave them a smile through the mirror, tears sparkling at the edges of her sockets. "Fuck that asshole. He can go choke on a big bag of hairy baby dicks for his ignorance."

Miracle looked at the reflection of Riff behind them. It made the cleaner whirl around and rush to grab onto Riff so they could hug her. Crying some more on her shoulder before nodding. "That would be mean on the hairy baby dicks." They sniffled, giggling a little. "Did that meanie make you cry too?" Miracle asked, pulling away so they could take off their goggles. All the crying was obstructing their vision. But even with their goggles off, their face was darkened by... something. Something shiny that moved every once in a while. It reached out a little, but as it was moving out of Mira's face, Mira snapped their goggles back on.

"No," she said honestly and wiped at her sockets. "Seeing you hurting hurts me. I don't ever wanna see you cry. You're too sweet to cry." She reached up and placed her hand on the side of their head, her thumb gently stroking the edge of the air filter on the side of their breathing mask. "I would've beaten that guy to a bloody pulp had Blue not teleported away with him. No one makes my Mira feel bad for being themselves and gets away with it." She gave him a wink and a conspirator's smirk. "I woulda thrown his body into the sludge pit of my shop. I'm sure the Creature of the Black Pit would've enjoyed the snack." She was joking about the creature and Miracle knew it. But they couldn’t help to wish it be true.

Miracle giggled, blushing as Riff fussed over them. "Aww, it would have been fun melting him, ehehehe." They replied, "Though letting something eat him would do the job too... ooo, you should let it eat him alive." Miracle giggled, they were kind of joking... but also kind of not. Miracle would not shed a tear over that man if they found him dead on the ground.

"Wait, Blue teleported him?"

"Yeah." Riff wrapped her arm around their waist and started to lead them out of the bathroom. She wasn't sure if they felt up to going back to the party, but the place was huge. They could walk around and talk away from the crowd. "He went over to the human, said about going somewhere quiet to talk, and teleported out."

"Oh... so he had fun..." Miracle murmured, they had hoped Blue would have ignored the human. Just until after the party. They flinched when their phone started going off. let's go in the garden, you'll find something waiting. Right there where you left it, lying upside down.... "Hello? Blue? Oh we're in... the left wing I think?" Miracle said, looking over at Riff. "Okay.... okay... love you too..." They pocketed their phone again. "Blue wants to meet us here, is that okay with you? Ebony is with him..." they asked Riff.

“Yeah that’s fine.” Riff replied, “Maybe there’s a study around here we can wait for them in?”

"Sounds good, it'd be quieter in there too." Miracle added. Enough for them to have a decent conversation. Miracle took Riff's hand, looking around for a study until, finally, they found an office. It was dark and the walls were a red and black striped pattern. It looked like Boss Red's office. Miracle immediately looked for a pen and paper to leave a thank you note for the party, then drew a picture of Boss Red, Miracle, Riff, Blue, and even Ebony all riding in a boat attached to an air balloon on the back of the paper.

A ping went off, alerting Miracle of a text. It was Blue, asking for a more specific location. Which Miracle happily gave. They couldn’t wait to give Blue a hug.

“Mira” Riff whispered quietly, grabbing Miracle’s attention. Riff’s hands were shaking as she handed them several pieces of paper. “Boss needs to see these.”

Several pieces of paper with Bone Tibia Wild’s name on it.

Several pieces of paper with everyone’s name on it.

The fuck?

“First they stalk my friends and now this???” Miracle grumbled quietly. These couldn’t believe this! There was even stuff about them! Wait a second… A lot of this… were things they had only told Blue…. Blue.

They quickly stuffed the papers down their turtleneck shirt. It was the safest place with all of the layers they were currently wearing.

Riff pushed a hand through her hair and looked around. "Vivi." The dragon appeared almost instantly.

"Go outside. Tell me what you see." Vivi nodded and disappeared. She shut her sockets and concentrated on the link between her and her familiar.

"Mira, we have to go. We have to get those papers back to Boss Malenchka. She has to know." Vivi looked carefully around the hall to show there was no one in sight. "We gotta go now before Ebony and Blue gets here." The urgency in her voice was calm and firm.

Unlocking the door, Riff snapped her fingers to make Vivi fly ahead and looked around just to be safe.

"C'mon!"

"Aw, I was hoping to give Blue a proper goodbye." Miracle replied in a huff, walking out with Riff at a brisk pace. Not a full out run, but fast enough to be in a hurry.

“STOP RIGHT THERE!!!” Ebony bellowed at them

“Mira, get outta here." Riff said under her breath. "Get those papers to the Boss."

When the looked like they wanted to protest, she smiled reassuringly at them. "I'll be fine. Those are more important than me." Then she pulled some random papers from the purse she had hanging on her shoulder and turned to grin at Ebony.

"Come get me tough guy." She taunted with a saucy smirk and took off running down a corridor that lead deeper into the mansion.

Miracle shot off in a run, trying to get away from that freak; Ebony.

They were so focused on getting away all Miracle heard a slap and Blue yelling;

"Do NOT use your strings on my friends!"

Miracle looked over their shoulder, worried over Riff. But all they saw was blue.

Blue strings that was, not Blue the skeleton.

But Blue the skeleton was in their vision as well. Miracle grunted as the just as surprised monster slammed into them, tangling them up further into the blue strings Ebony had casted at them. The said dark skeleton had run off after Riff. Leaving Blue and Miracle tied to each other in a rather awkward position.

"Well--" Miracle wheezed. "Dont." Blue pleaded. "This is a--" "Mira..." "stringy situation." "I'm disowning you."

Miracle couldn’t help but giggle at Blue’s expense. The skeleton just rolled his eyelights, unimpressed by his cleaner friend.

It was rather easy for him to break out of the strings, as if he had done it several times before. He merely puffed up and pushed his shoulders outward to break the strings, freeing them both. Sort of.

Blue kept himself leaning over Miracle, glaring down at the cleaner. Miracle had never seen their friend like this before.

“Why were you running?” Blue asked, his voice sounding as if he were hurt. It squeezed Miracle’s heart. Especially since they had to do what was good for Bone Tibia Wild. It wasn’t personal, it was just business…. Okay it was personal. Very personal.

“Ebony was screaming at me, what would you have done? Stand there?” Miracle huffed, folding their arms and turning their head away. Miracle was sweating bullets, hoping Blue would buy it. They weren’t a spy and didn’t make a good one either.

But Blue seemed to like the answer as he stood up, offering his hand to help Miracle up. Which Miracle gladly took-- Oh, wait, no…

He was still mad.

Blue squeezed Miracle’s hand, close enough to break.

“What were those papers Riff was holding?” Blue grounded out, his eyelights gone. Fuck he was livid.

“Nothing…” Miracle replied, fiddling with their mask. They couldn’t meet Blue’s eyes.

“Miracle…” Blue growled.

He was about to open his mouth, to ask another question from Miracle. A question they wouldn’t be able to answer. Fear ran through them, they weren’t sure if they would be able to answer the question no matter how they lied. There was no other way….

With their mask thrown across the hall, Miracle pressed close to Blue. Their mouths united in a form of a kiss. It wasn’t a great kiss as it was one made out of fear and lies. But it was a kiss.

And it was enough to freeze Blue for a good minute. Enough to let Miracle get away.

“Thanks for dancing with me, seeya Blue!!!” Miracle yelled, running off as they waved goodbye.

“Uh huh…” Blue murmured, still confused by everything. He watched Miracle disappear around the corner, his jaw hanging slightly. Blue didn’t know how long he stood there, but soon he noticed the mask on the floor. Slowly, he picked it up, studying its features. He remembered a time before the mask. Before when only bandages had covered Miracle’s face. Rotten, old bandages hidden behind several layers of scarves and coats.

He didn’t feel same way back then as he did now. Before, Miracle had been a small, defenseless homeless person in need of a hot meal. But now? Blue’s eyelights narrowed into slits as a crooked smile formed on his skull.

Now, he understood what he felt.

#bone tibia wild #undertale #ocxcanon #canon x oc #mafiatale #mafiatale oc #undertale fanfic

19 notes · View notes

shsl-shipper-gamer-fangirl · 7 years

Photo

“We’ll steal your disbelieving heart!”

Part 3 of edit sets for witchsona AU

**Please DO NOT edit, use, or repost any of these! Thank you!

[UPDATED and COMPLETE character profiles (codenames, outfit, awakening scene, dialogues) under the cut!]

NEW NINE WITCHSONA

Atsuko "Akko" Kagari

Codename: Nova (short for supernova)

Arcana: Fool

Mask: Golden domino mask with star shaped holes for the eyes

Outfit: Think Shiny Chariot just more conservative and more red, golden gloves, shine bright girl!

Persona: Susanoo -> Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and of the universe [World arcana] (second awakening)

Skillset: Strong physical attacks and resistance but lower magical defense

Weapons: Shiny Rod (but Akko swings it like a bat) and slingshot gun

All-Out Attack Card: "A Dream Come True!" written with a colorful background and she says, "Wasn't that so much fun!"

Awakening Scene:

Akko: I won’t give up! Never! If I just reach out my hand, it’s sure to begin! Thrilling! And exciting! My very own story!

Susanoo: And if your story starts only to finish too early?

Akko: That won’t happen! I won’t let that happen! I’m sure that my story will be just as bright as Chariot’s! No, much MUCH brighter! I can already see it sparkling! And I won’t let it die so easily!

Susanoo: I’ll hold you to those words. Remember, even the brightest stars have to die eventually but when you have to, do so with a bang. I am thou, thou art I… This is the start of your story. Show them just how bright you are!

Akko: I will become the brightest! I’ve always dreamed of this moment ever since Chariot came into my life and now it’s finally happening. I’ll make this the most fun story anyone has ever heard of! Shine bright, Susanoo!

Quotes:

"That was too easy! Ha!"

"Look at me! I’m getting stronger again! Yay!"

"New skill get! I bet it’s strong!"

"Oooh, a treasure! Quick, let’s grab it!"

"Finally! A safe room! Haaaah, I’m so exhausted!"

"Exploring is always so exciting! It makes my heart skip a beat!"

"Me? Tired? Ha! You’ve got to be kidding!"

"Uuuuugh, this is getting annoying real fast."

"That’s it. I’m out. Don’t wanna do this anymore."

"Look! An enemy! Let’s beat it up!"

"Kyaaah! We’ve been spotted! Run! Run! RUN!"

"Eh? Is it just me or was that harder than it should have been."

"Small fry? Pssh! Let’s just skip to the boss already!"

"Ehhhh, don’t they look kind of strong? Maybe we should look the other way."

"There’s no turning back from this. Everyone, let’s give it our best shot!"

"Victory! Yay! As expected from our awesome team! Let’s go, girls!"

Baton Pass: "Nova shining through!"

Protect: "Watch out!"

Endure: "I’m not going to die… not until I meet Chariot!"

Summon Persona: "Shine bright, Susanoo!" or “Dazzle them, Susanoo!”

Follow Up: "Pick me! I want to help!"

Cover Fire: "Please, please let me get a shot!"

Harisen Recovery: "Stop acting all funny!"

Low on Health: "Hey, won’t somebody heal me already? I’m kind of dying here."

Healing someone: "Pain, pain, fly away!"

Getting Healed: "Uwaaah! That feels so much better! Thanks!"

Giving Buffs: "Let’s see you go all out!"

Physical Attacks: "Homerun!"

Attacking: "Prepare to get beaten!"

Attack misses: "Huh? That wasn’t supposed to go like that!"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "So annoying! Someone beat them already!"

Fainting: "What? Already? No… this can’t be. I can’t… my story should have been happy..."

Getting Resurrected: “Thanks! Now I’m gonna make sure that THEY die next!”

Status Ailment: "Uck, being sick sucks!"

Burn: "Hot! Hot! Hot! HOT! Throw me some ice! Anything cold!"

Freeze: "Too c-c-c-cold! Achoo! Euuugh, I want a kotatsu."

Shock: "YEOWCH! I’ve already learned my lesson to not put my fingers in a socket so why do I have to get shocked all over again?"

Forget: "Chariot who? I feel like she’s supposed to be someone important..."

Charm: "Well excuse me! Those shadows probably like Chariot more than you guys do anyways!"

Rage: "Fine! If that’s how it is then I’m not gonna hold back!"

Despair: "Will I ever find Chariot like this? Maybe she’s already gone forever..."

Hunger: "*stomach growls* I’m really craving for some Japanese food right now."

Dizzy: "Hold still! How can I hit you if you won’t hold still!"

Sleep: "Zzz… Chariot is the best... zzz..."

Silence: !!!!!

Mouse: "Squeak!!!!!"

Mementos chats:

“Cognitive world? I don’t really get it but it’s kind of like world inside a person’s heart, right? So if we keep going on like this then I’m sure I’ll be able to find Chariot someday!”

“If our clothes is a reflection or something of our heart then how come I didn’t get Chariot’s clothes? Do you think if I wish with my heart hard enough, I can get an outfit change?”

“What’s with all these lame skill names though? They sound like hard to memorize spells. I’m going to rename all of mine!”

“Not only am I a Phantom Witch but so are my friends! Isn’t this the best! This is so exciting!”

“I’m finally a Phantom Witch! After all those years of just dreaming and now I’m living it! Wait for me, world, I’ll definitely become a great Phantom Witch like Chariot!”

Akko: Isn’t this amazing? My mentor in magic is also my mentor for phantom witching!

Ursula: Yes, it is amazing. I just wish you showed more enthusiasm towards our magic classes in the real world.

Akko: My feet are killing me! Professor Crow, can I hitch a ride on one of your broombas?

Croix: You could but I don’t think Bird Mom would allow you to slack off.

Akko: Just what kind of dish is "Cavendish" anyways?

Diana: ...I can hear your stomach growling. Have you eaten at all before this?

Akko: I don't get this arcana thing. Why isn't Chariot's arcana Chariot? I mean it's already in her name!

Diana: Clearly you haven't been studying. Again. If you did then you would know that that's not how arcanas work.

Akko: What do you mean this isn’t how you’re supposed to use the Shiny Rod?

Diana: Exactly what that means. Honestly how did you get it into your possession?

Akko: Isn't it weird calling out your own name when you summon your persona?

Diana: I suppose it is but I've gotten used to it.

Akko: Why would you name yourself "My asthma"? You sick or something?

Lotte: It's not "my asthma", it's mi-

Sucy: No. Don't tell her. This is funny.

Akko: Why am I not surprised that Sucy is just as creepy even as a Phantom Witch?

Sucy: It's called consistency- something you lack.

Akko: Thank goodness we have Lotte with us, she's really good at talking us out of a fight!

Lotte: Well we wouldn't be fighting so much if you just tried talking first instead of running in head first.

Akko: Hey, you're not wearing your glasses. Can you even see anything?

Lotte: Oh, actually my glasses are incorporated in my mask. It's thoughtfully convenient.

Akko: Amanda's outfit is so cool! Not like in a Chariot way but still cool!

Amanda: Thanks. It just shows how cool my rebellious spirit is. Meanwhile your outfit is... very Akko.

Akko: Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!

Akko: Just how many snacks do you bring with you each time?

Jasminka: Enough for everyone... and more!

Akko: How come you guys get to ride your personas? Like Amanda can ride on hers and Constanze has a huge ship!

Amanda: You can't even ride a broom, how can you ride anything else?

Constanze (through Stanbot): Akko, basics!

Akko: Constanze has it easy, huh. We have to fight shadows while she just stands back and supervises.

Constanze: *pouts*

Constanze (through Stanbot): No cover fire for Akko!

Akko: Eh? Ehhhhhh? No way! J-Joke! That was just a joke! I was kidding!

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

Diana Cavendish

Codename: Empress

Arcana: Hierophant

Mask: Silver mask with intricate carvings reminiscent of crowns exuding a royal vibe

Outfit: Think Revolutionary Girl Utena just with a different color scheme, white and blue and gold, white gloves or blue to accent

Persona: Celtic goddess of healing Sirona -> Roman goddess Diana (second awakening)

Skillset: Strong heal and magic spells, high magic resistance but weak to physical and status ailments

Weapons: Rapier and Desert Eagle

All-Out Attack Card: "Battle Royal" written with a castle in the background and she says, "It was hardly a challenge."

Awakening Scene:

Diana: Is this truly my limit? A prodigy at the wand and yet in this moment, I am useless. No, I can’t let this end like this. Not as a sight so pathetic as this. I have been useless at the wand before then I worked towards regaining my worth, and I shall do the same now! I will not stand by as those before me suffer! If this is my limit then I shall just find a way to go beyond it!

Sirona: Splendid words, your highness. Your valor has not wavered a day. Helplessness is only a temporary situation, as you’ve excellently deduced. It is not permanent therefore it can be change. And more importantly, you can change. Now the question is, will you? Even if it means turning your back on the very customs and traditions that you uphold?

Diana: I will admit that forsaking tradition does not sit well with me… But these are different times, and surely there are outdated customs that need to be corrected. I won’t completely change them all but I am willing to change enough.

Sirona: And that is more than enough. Let us proceed with the pact. I am thou, thou art I… The strength to accept the old as well as to adapt to the new, is a skill you should hone. Will you rise above the challenge?

Diana: I shall do more than just conquer it. I swear upon my name that I shall surpass and master it! Dance, Sirona!

Quotes:

"I’d hardly call that a challenge. Let us move on."

"It would seem that I’ve gotten stronger. It’s not worth to brag."

"A new skill? Perhaps I could master it today."

"There is a treasure chest ahead of us, try to see the surroundings first unlike last time."

"A safe room. We should maximize our time spent here."

"It certainly is a different experience to explore here. I’m not quite sure how to feel about this."

"This is hardly tiring exercise, no need to concern over me."

"Hm, perhaps I may have underestimated the vastness of our excursion. Do not fret, I can still carry on."

"I apologize but this is my limit. I’ll try not to hold you back next time."

"There’s an enemy nearby. So? What is our course of action?"

"We've been spotted? Don’t let them ambush us!"

"The difference in power is palpable."

"Are you sure we can afford the time to dawdle on these weak shadows?"

"That shadow is of great adversary. We should exercise caution."

"Failure is not an option here. Only attack when you’re ready."

"Victory is ours. Well done, everyone."

Baton Pass: "Empress joining in!"

Protect: "No! Nova!"

Endure: "I will not fall here… Definitely not by the likes of you!"

Summon Persona: "Unsheath your blade, Sirona!"

Follow Up: "Would you like a hand?"

Cover Fire: "If you think you can’t handle it then I can."

Harisen Recovery: "Focus more next time!"

Low on Health: "Some assistance would be lovely."

Healing someone: "That should make you feel better."

Getting Healed: "Thank you, I appreciate the help."

Giving Buffs: "A boost for good measure."

Physical Attacks: "Fall by my blade!"

Attacking: "I will end this!"

Attack misses: "What? How could I have missed?"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "Someone, please finish this for me!"

Fainting: "Is this my limit? How pathetic I must be..."

Getting Resurrected: “Thank you. I will gladly return the favor later.”

Status Ailment: "Perhaps I should have trained my body’s fortitude more..."

Burn: "This is but a slight fever. I just need to cool off in a bit."

Freeze: "It’s quite c-cold. I don’t supposed anyone brought a sweater?"

Shock: "I can’t move! Someone get me an insulator to discharge this with!"

Forget: "Duty? Did I really have anything as cumbersome as that?"

Charm: "I have never set sight on anything as beautiful and so I shall protect them at all costs!"

Rage: "You pathetic scum! Feel the wrath of my sword!"

Despair: "What’s the point? There will always be someone better than me no matter how hard I try..."

Hunger: "Oh my, please pardon my stomach. It’s been a while since I last ate."

Dizzy: "Is it just me or is my blade softer than I remember?"

Sleep: "Zzz… No time to rest... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak!"

Mementos chats:

“So this is the world that Chariot has seen before us? I wonder what she thought of it...”

“The shadows take the most peculiar of forms and yet their names exist among our legends. Perhaps there is a connection not known to us, hmm.”

“I’m not quite used to wearing such… flattering clothes but they’re not impractical. I might actually consider doning something similar in the real world.”

“I’ve heard of The Phantom Witch Chariot but never did I think that she was doing something like this. And never did I think that I would be doing something similar today.”

“I must say, being a witch and a Phantom Witch is not quite the same but I will gladly take both responsibilities.”

Diana: Pardon me for my intrusiveness but I can’t help but notice how reiminiscent of Chariot’s moves your movements are. Were you two perhaps close in the past?

Ursula: Eh? Really? Ahaha… I guess you could say that I look up to her… Let’s leave it at that.

Diana: Normally electronics do not function here in the cognitive world and yet you somehow managed to bypass through that… with magic?

Croix: And don’t forget science. You’re looking at the future of magic, science!

Diana: Your outfits bears quite the uncanny resemblance with Chariot’s… *mumbles* How envious.

Akko: Huh? Did you say something, Empress?

Diana: I'm still uncomfortable with the use of firearms in battle.

Akko: At least you get to use an actual gun! Why the heck do I get a kid's toy instead?

Diana: Really now. I don’t know why you’re the leader when you’re the most reckless out of all of us.

Akko: I know right? Hey, wait! That wasn’t a compliment at all, was it?!

Diana: It's amazing how there are worlds like this all because someone believes it.

Akko: Chariot was right all along. A believing heart is magic. And it's our duty to make sure that magic is used for good!

Diana: So a diplomatic approach could work just as fine... Interesting, I wouldn't have learned that from Akko.

Lotte: Yes, well you know Akko. She has her own way of dealing with things.

Sucy: It's called brute force.

Akko: Hey! I can hear you guys over here!

Diana: Night Fall…? I don’t think I recognize that book you’re bringing with you. What is it about?

Lotte: You should have been prepared if you asked that question. Let me start from the first volume!

Diana: I don’t suppose you have something in your arsenal that could cure Nova’s airheadedness.

Sucy: I actually do. But using it on her would just take out all the fun so I don’t.

Diana: Why am I not surprised that you and Nova are teamed up?

Amanda: Watch it, your highness. You don’t want me start a revolt on your case, now do you?

Diana: I have never considered a Persona to manifest in such a creative manner. Wait, I don’t remember these… did you add these here?

Constanze: *nods her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Special modifications!

Diana: Excuse me but you wouldn’t happen to have biscuits with you, or would you? I’m a bit peckish and I didn’t bring anything with me.

Jasminka: It’s okay. I have all sorts of happy flavors with me!

-----

Lotte Yanson

Codename: Owl

Arcana: Temperance

Mask: Great grey owl-shaped mask but the eye holes are covered with prescription glasses

Outfit: Think traditional fantasy rpg mage but with grey feathery look, brown and a bit feathery gloves

Persona: Luonnotar, the Finnish "female spirit of nature"

Skillset: Strong buffs and support; her high affinity with spirits makes her handy to have when doing shadow negotiations particularly recruiting shadows

Weapons: Spear and harpoon gun

All-Out Attack Card: "Night Fall and Spirit Calls" written with spirits celebrating in the background and she says,"I lost my temper back there."

Awakening Scene:

Lotte: What should I do? My friends are in trouble and I can’t help them! No! I… I have to help them! It’s not a matter of whether I can or I can’t, I WILL! I will definitely help them! They’ve done so much for me and now it’s my turn to pay them back. Even if I can’t do it alone, with them by my side, I’m sure that I can do it now!

Luonnotar: It would seem that you have found your strength.

Lotte: I have. I know that I’m not the strongest and yet… when I’m with my friends, I feel strong. They give me strength. And with that strength, I want to protect them!

Luonnotar: Yes, cherish that feeling and protect it with all your heart. Let me provide you the necessary power. I am thou, thou art I… You are stronger than you think In acknowledging your own weakness, you have found true strength.

Lotte: I may be weak but I will get stronger. I will be strong enough for my friends! I call upon your name, please hear me, Luonnatar!

Quotes:

"Well that was a quick fight. Shall we get going?"

"Amazing! It feels so different when I level up, I feel stronger!"

"A new skill? I can’t wait to see what it is!"

"Treasure chest up ahead. Let’s scope the area first."

"Look, a safe room. We should use this to take a break for now."

"It feels like I’m in a book when we’re exploring worlds like this."

"I rested plenty beforehand so I’ve got a lot of energy with me. Let’s go?"

"Maybe I should pace myself. These places go farther than I thought."

"I don’t think I can keep up anymore. Sorry, I’m going to hang in the back for now."

"Enemy spotted. What do you think we should do?"

"They spotted us! Everyone, be careful!"

"The difference in strength is too obvious."

"There’s no need to go after those weak ones. We shouldn’t bully them so much."

"They’re too powerful! I know you want to fight but you should pick your battles."

"It feels like this is an important battle. Be sure that you’re fully prepared before facing it."

"We won! That was amazing, everyone!"

Baton Pass: "Owl swooping in!"

Protect: "Be careful!"

Endure: "Not yet… I still have much left in me."

Summon Persona: "Hear my calling, Luonnatar!"

Follow Up: "I think I can finish them off."

Cover Fire: "Would you like my help?"

Harisen Recovery: "Are you alright?"

Low on Health: "If you could, can someone please help me?"

Healing someone: "Please, hold on!"

Getting Healed: "Thank you so much!"

Giving Buffs: "This should help."

Physical Attacks: "I’ll take you down!"

Attacking: "Take this!"

Attack misses: "Sorry, I missed!"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "Please, finish them off for me!"

Fainting: "No… I don’t want to die… I… I’m sorry..."

Getting Resurrected: “Thank you. Let’s not do that again.”

Status Ailment: "I don’t feel so good..."

Burn: "It’s so hot! Oh geez, I’m sweating too much."

Freeze: "Brrr, c-cold! Not even our worst winters were this cold."

Shock: "Eep! Is this what touching livewire feels like?"

Forget: "For whose sake did I go through all these lengths for? Where are my friends?"

Charm: "Well they asked so nicely, it’s kind of hard for me to turn them down."

Rage: "You! I’ll make a net out of you with all the holes I’ll pierce through you!"

Despair: "It’s no use... In the end, I’m still as weak as I started..."

Hunger: "It’s silly but I’m suddenly craving for some homemade hapansilakka pies."

Dizzy: "Huh? I can’t seem to move my body right."

Sleep: "Zzz… Just one more chapter... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak~"

Mementos chats:

“This is the world inside a person’s heart… As I thought, I still prefer Night Fall’s interpretation in volume 321.”

“I wonder what my Palace would look like if I had one… I’m starting to wish I had one if only it looked like something plucked from Night Fall.”

“Thank goodness that my glasses is incorporated in my mask. I don’t I’ll be of much use if I can’t see anything.”

“The objects here don’t have any spirits in them but instead I can talk to the shadows instead. That’s an unexpected tradeoff.”

“I know this is more of Nova’s dream not mine but now that I’m a Phantom Witch, I’ll do my best!”

Lotte: I’m actually a bit relieved to have the supervision of an adult with us.

Ursula: That makes me happy to hear. Unfortunately, not everyone shares the same sentiment… *sigh*

Lotte: If Crane is Bird Mom then what does that make us though?

Croix: Well I’m Crow and you’re Owl. We’re obviously unrelated to Crane aka Bird Mom.

Lotte: Really, Nova. You should think things through before acting out!

Akko: But then I won’t get to do anything!

Lotte: I’ve heard rumors that you’re well-rounded with skills but I never imagined you’d be this good with a rapier. You’re like a character pulled out from a book!

Diana: This much is just the basics, it’s nothing noteworthy. I’ve been told that you are quite the avid reader, do I truly remind you of a certain character? Perhaps you could recommend me the book, I’d like to expand my library.

Lotte: I feel kind of silly in my outfit. I'm not used to wearing something so eye-catching.

Sucy: It feels the same for me. Well the mask is more pointed but as long as it serves its function, I could care less.

Lotte: I’ve done some research and it seems that your outfit is based on the plague doctors from a different continent long ago. Isn’t it kind of ironic that rather than heal sickness, you inflict them upon our enemies?

Sucy: I could care less. This outfit is pretty efficient in protecting me from my poisons and that’s the only thing that matters.

Lotte: You look like you’re just dancing when you fight. Light on your feet but heavy when you kick. You’re amazing, Rebel!

Amanda: Aww, thanks. Just for that, I’m gonna show you some of my best combos next time.

Lotte: Isn’t it tiring to have your persona always out? If you need to rest, don’t hesitate to ask us. A small break will do us more good than harm.

Constanze: *shakes her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Still good but thanks!

Lotte: You're so strong! I don't know anyone else who can lift such a large weapon so easily.

Jasminka: Thank you. I don't know anyone else who can talk to spirits though!

-----

Sucy Manbavaran

Codename: Miasma

Arcana: Devil

Mask: Plague doctor mask

Outfit: Dark cloak and robes, horns headband, black leather gloves

Persona: Maria Cacao or "Maria" for short, the goddess at Mt. Lantoy in Cebu, Philippines

Skillset: Strong at dealing status ailments and debuffing enemies; her intimidating aura helps in shadow negotiations particularly shaking down more money and rarer items off shadows

Weapons: Sickle and modified gas pistol

All-Out Attack Card: "Deadly Concoction" written in a cauldron with mushrooms in the background and she says, "Was that too strong for you?"

Awakening Scene:

Sucy: How annoying. Are all shadows this obnoxious? They talk too much, it’s a pain. It doesn’t really matter to me but… you’re in the way. I can’t let you have my teammates, I still have plans for future experiments with them. So shut up and get lost already.

Maria: As dishonest as ever. Would it hurt you to be frank with your feelings for once? Well as long as your heart is in the right place then it shouldn’t matter. After all, actions speak louder than words, don’t you think so?

Sucy: For someone who’s supposed to be a reflection of myself, you sure talk too much. Can’t we just skip to the part where you give me powers already?

Maria: Not a fan of introspection either. Very well then, let us make haste. I am thou, thou art I… Let us make the world eat their words. Talk is cheap but actions are of great consequences.

Sucy: I don’t know if I care about the world enough but sure, if you say so. Let’s see what you got, Maria!

Quotes:

"That finished too quickly. So? What are you standing there for?"

"Oh, I leveled up? What else do you want me to say?"

"Hm, a new skill? Ooh, this looks like it’ll be fun to use, kukuku."

"Treasure chest ahead. Ah, you have that greedy look in your eyes again."

"A safe room. You’re tired already? Lame."

"There’s not much for me to find when exploring here. Still beats doing nothing."

"I’ll join you for a while I guess. Got nothing else to do."

"Sure, I guess I can walk some more."

"This is too bothersome. I’m going home."

"There’s an enemy up ahead. Think first before you charge headfirst."

"They saw us? Why am I not surprised."

"Don’t tell me you didn’t feel that power difference."

"Wow, you must be pretty bored if you want to bully some weaklings."

"Looks like someone’s got a death wish if you want to fight them so badly."

"Remember, if we die here we die for good. So don’t go charging in like you want to die, got it?"

"Ah, we won. Well good for us I guess."

Baton Pass: "Miasma drifting in!"

Protect: "Watch yourself, idiot!"

Endure: "I’ve taken poisons worse than this."

Summon Persona: "Take them down, Maria!"

Follow Up: "Think you can finish them off on your own?"

Cover Fire: "Yeah, sure I’ll cover your back."

Harisen Recovery: "Stop daydreaming!"

Low on Health: "Huh, this is bad."

Healing someone: "Don’t just lie there, get up."

Getting Healed: "Thanks, I needed that."

Giving Buffs: "Make it count while it lasts."

*inflicting debuffs* "Let’s see how you’ll survive this, kukuku..."

Physical Attacks: "Should I slice your head off?"

Attacking: "I wouldn’t get up if I were you."

Attack misses: "Missed? Tch."

Couldn't finish off enemy: "So annoying. I’ll get you next time."

Fainting: "This is it, huh? Well can’t say I’m surprised… still, how frustrating..."

Getting Resurrected: “Thank you, being dead was a nice experience though.”

Status Ailment: "Tch, I got careless."

Burn: "It feels like summer back home. Too hot."

Freeze: "Achoo! Still not used to the cold."

Shock: "I’ll only move when this gets cured."

Forget: "What am I doing here? Are there any mushrooms around?"

Charm: "Eh, I got bored."

Rage: "You don’t want me mad."

Despair: "This is all just a waste of effort, let’s just go back home..."

Hunger: "The food here is too bland, blegh. I need real food."

Dizzy: "Huh, I keep missing for some reason."

Sleep: "Zzz… Kukuku... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak."

Mementos chats:

“I wonder what sorts of poisons are only found in the rotten hearts of people, kukuku...”

“An unlimited reserve of test subjects that I can actually accidentally kill? This whole Phantom Witch thing may be worth more than I thought.”

“Oh, this outfit is actually efficient in protecting myself from all sorts of poisons. Maybe I should consider making one in the real world.”

“If I went home and told them that I can summon our local deity then I wouldn’t hear the end of it.”

“Do whatever you want. Just don’t expect me to be as enthusiastic as you when it comes to being a Phantom Witch.”

Sucy: Still, for someone who just awakened recently, you sure do know a lot.

Ursula: Do I? I suppose I’m just more observant, ahaha...

Sucy: You look like you can handle things on your own. Are you sure you’re okay with babysitting us lot?

Croix: Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m learning much more while I’m with you. Besides, I’m just here to supervise. Bird Mom is the one doing the actual babysitting.

Sucy: Hey, Nova. Come over here so I can test out this new potion.

Akko: Don’t you already use them against the shadows here? What do you need me for?!

Sucy: The highly capable Empress taking orders from the incompetent fool Nova. Never thought I’d see the day.

Diana: Please don’t make this any more embarrassing than it already is.

Sucy: A great grey owl, huh? I thought you’d get at least a brighter color scheme given your personality.

Lotte: Oh, um, thank you? I thought you were going to say it was because of my hair color.

Sucy: That too.

Sucy: It’s annoying when the glasses fog up. I don’t know how you deal with this all the time.

Lotte: You get used to it… eventually, hehe.

Sucy: I’m surprised you’re letting the reckless Nova take the lead. I figured you’d fight over the position with her and then having it end up in Empress’ hands.

Amanda: Are you kidding me? Who else am I going to Rebel against if not the leader? Besides, I’d rather take Nova’s side than Empress’.

Sucy: Hey, can you modify my gun so that it shoots gas more accurately? Or maybe something that shoots more painfully?

Constanze (through Stanbot): Possible! I'll work on it soon!

Akko: Somehow, those two teaming up makes me feel uneasy...

Sucy: Hey, did you bring the game with you? I’m sitting this one out.

Constanze: *nods her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Let’s continue our last save!

Sucy: Don’t you have anything exotic to eat?

Jasminka: Say no more, I know you like frogs so I brought some!

-----

Amanda O'Neill

Codename: Rebel

Arcana: Chariot

Mask: White mask, maybe same as P5 Joker's but edgier

Outfit: Think P5 Joker and her hair is groomed like in the Holy Grail episode, red gloves

Persona: Eris, Greek goddess of chaos

Skillset: Strong physical, high agility, most likely to do follow-ups

Weapons: Bo staff and shoes that hurt as hell, and submachine gun

Notes: Amanda has the only solo-rideable persona. It takes form of either a revamped broom or a hoverbike. She's the only one who equips two melee weapons because of her acrobatic fighting style.

All-Out Attack Card: "Wrong side of the law" written with a heist background and she says, "That all you got?"

Awakening Scene:

Amanda: There ain’t no way in hell that I’m going to lose to a creep like you! I’m done playing by your rules! Watch me break all of them and then I’ll break you into pieces!

Eris: Not so fond of authority as always. It’s a trait of yours that I don’t dislike.

Amanda: Heh, I don’t really care if you like me or not. You’re here to give me power, right? Well what are you waiting for?

Eris: Ah, and always in a hurry, as swift as you are on a broom. Good, there won’t be a dull moment with you. I am thou, thou art I… Let us break free from the suffocating chains of order and become chaos incarnate!

Amanda: You don’t have to tell me what I’m already about. Rules just cramp my style. Let’s crash this party, Eris!

Quotes:

"That all you got? Man, what a letdown."

"Heh, I could get used to this levelling up thing."

"New skill? Let’s test this baby out!"

"Ooh, a treasure chest. Alright, I’m calling dibs!"

"A safe room? I guess a break couldn’t hurt."

"Man, look at us! Aren’t we hardworkers exploring through all this?"

"Don’t tell me you’re already tired? I’m just getting started."

"It’s getting kind of boring but sure, I’ll humor you."

"It was fun while it lasted. Hey, when are we going home already?"

"Enemy spotted. What do you say? Let’s sneak up on them!"

"They saw us? Oi! Don’t let them hit our backs too!"

"Heh, I actually worked up a sweat with that one."

"Leave the small fries, let’s hit the big ones instead."

"Woah, those are definitely not small fries. You sure you can handle them?"

"Hey, don’t let these jerks kill you. If you do then I’m going to kill you twice over."

"We won already? No sweat."

Baton Pass: "Rebel crashing in!"

Protect: "Dammit! Watch out will ya!"

Endure: "Heh, try harder."

Summon Persona: "Shake things up, Eris!"

Follow Up: "You know you need me."

Cover Fire: "Need some cover?"

Harisen Recovery: "Oi! Get yourself together!"

Low on Health: "Um, guys? Some healing would be nice!"

Healing someone: "You’re welcome."

Getting Healed: "Thanks, I needed that."

Giving Buffs: "Go wild out there!"

Physical Attacks: "Did that hurt?"

Attacking: "You’re good as dead!"

Attack misses: "What? Missed? Don’t screw with me!"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "These annoying pieces of..."

Fainting: "Dammit... Am I that weak? This isn’t how I was supposed to go!"

Getting Resurrected: “Thanks, I’m going to make sure they end up in hell for this.”

Status Ailment: "Tch, not this annoying crap again!"

Burn: "Damn it’s too hot! Sweating bullets over here!"

Freeze: "Achoo! Seriously?"

Shock: "You know what? I’m not even gonna try."

Forget: "Break rules? Why shouldn’t I follow the rules?"

Charm: "Hey, don’t hate me for siding with the stronger team just saying."

Rage: "You bastards! Let’s see you talk shit after I’m done with you!"

Despair: "Does it even make a difference? In the end, I’m still going to get locked up over some dumb rule no matter how much I fight against it..."

Hunger: "Anyone here got any snacks on them?"

Dizzy: "Dammit! Stop missing!"

Sleep: "Zzz… That sounds dangerous, I’m in... zzz..."

Silence: …!

Mouse: "Squeak!"

Mementos chats:

“Man, this place rocks! We can practically do whatever we want with no adults to nag us! Too bad we don’t have an audience to piss. Oh wait, those are what the shadows are for!”

“And I thought I was fast on a broom. My persona’s breaking the sound barrier!”

“Stealing treasure? Don’t mind if I do.”

“I’m more of a Phantom Thief than a Phantom Witch but sure you can call me either.”

“Not really into the whole Phantom Witch thing but hey, so long as I get to do all this crazy stuff then I’m not complaining.”

Amanda: Babysitters? What kind of killjoy joke is this? With the majority of us being students, I didn’t expect a teacher to join us. No offense teach. Just don’t do cramping on our style, ‘kay?

Ursula: I can understand why you would be disappointed but don’t mind me. In here, we’re comrades of equal authority. I won’t “cramp your style” so to speak.

Amanda: You enjoy riding those flat disks? How do you even go fast on those without falling off?

Croix: Well you’d be surprised at how fast these broombas can go. Definitely faster than the ordinary broom but not as secure. Hmm, perhaps I should add some straps for safety...

Amanda: Look, let’s be real here. The only reason why I’m following you as the leader is because I don’t want to be leader. You still suck at your job though.

Akko: Hey! It’s harder than it looks, okay! Let’s see you do better then!

Amanda: Pass, you’re already enough to make fun of.

Amanda: Hey, you know how we can pull of all sorts of crazy stuff in here? And yet we still haven’t seen Nova fly a broom.

Akko: Why do you have to remind me?

Amanda: Hm? So the Luna Nova's "princess" is a Phantom Witch too. Huh, never thought I'd see the day.

Diana: I would prefer if you call me by my codename Empress but if you prefer then perhaps instead of Rebel, I should call you the Luna Nova’s “delinquent”.

Amanda: You use a rapier? You know I'm pretty badass with one too.

Diana: Yes, I'm aware. I think everyone has already heard of your infamous Appleton incident.

Amanda: Good times.

Amanda: Owl, huh? Aren’t those birds kind of nocturnal? Never figured you were the type.

Lotte: I’m not. I don’t usually stay up late at all unless… I do end up pulling all nighters reading my favorite book… and my favorite book’s fanfics.

Amanda: So ever noticed how you’re all “dark and gloomy” and your persona’s all “bright and benevolent”? What’s up with that?

Sucy: It’s not that surprising. Where I’m from, it’s the most benevolent gods that judge the most cruel punishments, kukuku...

Amanda: Flying on a broom feels awesome but flying on a ship ain’t half bad either.

Constanze: *gives a thumbs up*

Constanze (through Stanbot): You’re welcome!

Amanda: Woah! Did you just literally tear through that bag of chips with your claws?

Jasminka: Isn’t it convenient?

-----

Jasminka Antonenko

Codename: Mishka (Russian Bear mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games)

Arcana: Strength

Mask: Polar bear mask

Outfit: Think Overwatch Mei but with a different color scheme, fur gloves with claws, could be white or light blue

Persona: Maslenitsa, Slavic goddess of harvest and witchcraft

Skillset: Good at party healing and dealing brutal AOE damage but the only catch is that she doesn't have a lot of SP so she uses a lot of items to replenish it. Most likely to give cover fire.

Weapons: Two-handed axe or hammer and bazooka

All-Out Attack Card: "Chow Down" written on a dining table filled with food as a background, and she says, "Seconds, please?"

Awakening Scene:

Jasminka: Fighting is bad but bullying is worse! Stop bullying my friends!

Maslenitsa: I must agree. Aren’t bullies the worst? Are you just going to let them do as they please and bully your friends? Stand by and do nothing?

Jasminka: No! I can’t just watch this. I have to do something! But to do that, I need to fight them on the same level. Will you lend me your power?

Maslenitsa: How can I lend something that’s already yours? Your answer has more than satisfied me. Let us begin. I am thou, thou art I… You who has been at the mercy of oppressors, do not let the same fate befall on your loved ones. Choose your battles, and win each one that you fight in.

Jasminka: I won’t let anyone else get bullied! I’m done being nice! Let’s make them regret what they’ve done, Maslenitsa!

Quotes:

"That went by fast. Let’s go?"

"I’m growing stronger again!"

"I learned a new skill, amazing!"

"There’s a treasure chest up ahead. I hope it’s food this time."

"We found a safe room. Who wants to join me for a snack break?"

"I make sure to bring lots of snacks enough to last every time we go exploring."

"It’s okay, I ate lots so I have lots of energy!"

"If I keep eating enough then I’ll be fine for the rest of the trip."

"Sorry, I ran out of food. I don’t think I can make it like this."

"I see an enemy. Should we pounce on them now?"

"They saw us! Oh no!"

"Did you notice the difference in strength?"

"No bullying. They’re too weak to bother with."

"They’re too strong. Do you really want to fight them?"

"I don’t want my meal to be the last supper. Let’s give it all we’ve got!"

"Victory! Let’s eat to celebrate!"

Baton Pass: "Mishka pouncing in!"

Protect: "Watch out!"

Endure: "Ouch, that hurt..."

Summon Persona: "Rip them up, Maslenitsa!"

Follow Up: "Need an extra punch?"

Cover Fire: "One shot is all I need."

Harisen Recovery: "Are you okay?"

Low on Health: "Um, I need a quick snack."

Healing someone: "Don’t push yourself."

Getting Healed: "That feels nice, thanks."

Giving Buffs: "Eat lots and get stronger!"

Physical Attacks: "Easy does it!"

Attacking: "One grand slam!"

Attack misses: "Oh no, I missed!"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "Hmm, I need to eat more."

Fainting: "This is bad… really bad… I don’t want this..."

Getting Resurrected: “Thank you, I’ll bring your favorite food next time!”

Status Ailment: "Oh, my body feels different. Nothing like a good meal to cure it!"

Burn: "It’s so hot! Ice cream would be nice."

Freeze: "Actually, it’s not that cold but some warm soup would be lovely."

Shock: "Ouch, this isn’t a happy flavor at all."

Forget: "What’s going on here? Where did all my food go?"

Charm: "Sorry but they promised me some good food!"

Rage: "You’re just a bunch of meanies! I’ll teach you how to be nice!"

Despair: "Do I even make a difference? Maybe it was all for naught..."

Hunger: "*stomach growls* Huh, am I not eating enough?"

Dizzy: "Swing and miss? That’s not right..."

Sleep: "Zzz… Omnomnom... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "SQUEAK."

Mementos chats:

“Isn’t it amazing how food can help so much more in the cognitive world? And it’s also extra tasty!”

“I wonder why the food found here always taste so much better than the ones bought in the real world, hmm.”

“My outfit is so nice and warm and comfy! And these claws are useful too for opening persistent wrappings!”

“It’s always snack time all the time!”

“Isn’t this so much fun? We all get to hang out as Phantom Witches here even when we already hang out together in the real world!”

Jasminka: Why do the tastiest ones always have the best stat boosts? I’ll feel guilty for eating them without a good reason.

Ursula: Now, remember. It’s alright to have snacks every now and then, just save the especially useful ones for last.

Jasminka: I want to bring some cold and hot snacks too but I don’t think I can maintain their temperatures for long.

Croix: Oh, don’t worry about that. Just tell me beforehand and I’ll get a mini fridge and microwave ready.

Jasminka: Hmm, I wonder what snack should I eat next?

Akko: Ooooh! Is that a new flavor? Let me have some, please!

Jasminka: I brought tea and cups. Would you like some?

Diana: That’s rather quite thoughtful of you. Please accept my deepest gratitude.

Jasminka: The next time that you ask for items from shadows, please ask for more food instead.

Lotte: I could try but how sure are we that their food is safe to eat?

Jasminka: Oh, shouldn’t you wash your hands or at least take off your gloves before you eat? They’ve been exposed to your poisons so I don’t think that’s safe.

Sucy: Don’t worry about me. I’ve already developed an immunity to most poisons.

Jasminka: Don’t move too much after eating or else you’ll get indigestion.

Amanda: Normally I don’t like being told what to do but you asked so nicely, Mishka.

Jasminka: That’s no good, Steam. You always forget to eat. You should take care of yourself more.

Constanze: *shakes her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): I’m okay! Thanks anyways!

-----

Constanze Amalie von Braunschbank Albrechtsberger

Codename: Steam aka the Navigator

Arcana: Magician

Mask: Same goggles she wears in the anime

Outfit: Steampunk armor, brown gloves, the kind you use for machinery work

Persona: Baduhenna, Germanic goddess associated with war

Skillset: "Wild Hunt" which is basically ship mode and the usual navigator skills, strong gun skills, offense support type

Notes: Her persona is/can transform into a ship (like the one in the anime). Her persona also doubles as the transport vehicle of the group. She even makes "modifications" on her persona (skill exclusive to her and Croix). Upon second awakening, it transforms into Grand Charion.

Weapons: Her modified guns like in the anime; her persona also has canons

All-Out Attack Card: "Modern Magic" written on a circuitboard background and Stanbot says, "Victory!"

Awakening Scene:

Constanze: *shakes her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Bad shadows! Go away! Constanze mad!

Baduhenna: The opponents before you need more than just that for persuasion. What do you say? Shall we blow them to smithereens?

Constanze: *nods fervently*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Blow them up! Blow them up!

Baduhenna: Ha! Aren’t you an excited captain! With that attitude, the only thing you need now is a ship. Here, I shall give you the steering wheel. I am thou, thou art I… You who possess the power to create, let your crafts take you to farther seas!

Constanze: *raises her fist*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Full speed ahead, Baduhenna!

Quotes: (in Stanbot voice)

"Fight too easy! Finished too fast!"

"Level up! Overall capacity increased!"

"New skill! Reconfiguring output!"

"Treasure chest spotted! Initiate investigation!"

"Safe room! Time for maintenance check!"

"Sailing through! Searching for loot!"

"Energy levels at maximum capacity!"

"Halfway through the energy tank! Be efficient!"

"Running low on energy! Permission to recharge!"

"Enemy identified! Plan for action!"

"Enemy spotted us! Retreat!"

"Identifying large power gap!"

"Enemy too weak! Don’t bully!"

"Enemy too strong! Don’t be stupid!"

"Important fight! Be prepared!"

"Victory! Yay! Yay!"

Entering a battle via Ambush: “Fire in the hole!”

Getting ambushed: “All hands on deck!”

Rush: “Steady as she goes!”

Encountering the Reaper: “Walk the plank!”

Attempting to escape from battle: “Hit the deck!”

Party manages to escape from battle: “Abandon ship!”

An enemy flees in a Palace: “Fish swam away!”

Recovering party’s HP: “Be more careful!”

Recovering party’s SP: “Recharge with this!”

Giving buffs: “Buffs away!”

Bestowing Concentrate and Charge to party: “Charging up!”

Treasure Map: “Map get!”

X Marks the Spot: “More treasure!”

Know the Ropes: “Weakness found!”

Loose Cannon: “First shot!”

Man Overboard: “Switch now!”

Panic Station: “No! You can’t die yet!”

When someone’s health is low: “Someone heal them!”

When someone is incapacitated: “Witch down! Witch down!”

When someone exploits a enemy weakness: “Good job! Critical hit!”

When someone’s weakness is exploited: “Oh no! This is bad!”

When someone misses: “Miss! Lame! Super lame!”

Performing 3 Baton Passes in succession: “Go! Go! Combo!”

Announcing All-Out Attack: “Now’s our chance! All-Out Attack!”

Status Ailment: "Oh no! Someone’s sick!"

Burn: "Get some ice over here!"

Freeze: "Blankets! Where are all the blankets!"

Shock: "Shock! They can’t move!"

Forget: "Amnesia! Please remember!"

Charm: "Stop batting for the other team!"

Rage: "Calm down! No need to get mad!"

Despair: "Don’t lose hope! You can do it!"

Hunger: "Feed them! Bring out all the food!"

Dizzy: "Too dizzy! Accuracy is all wrong!"

Sleep: "Get some sleep later not now!"

Silence: "Why won’t you say anything!"

Mouse: "Can’t do anything as a mouse! Send help stat!"

Mementos chats:

“Persona is a ship! Ship is object and therefore modifiable!”

“Outfit not practical! Maybe can be scrapped for parts!”

“Constanze wonders if possible to manufacture a persona!”

“Lots of unique parts in cognitive world! Constanze is enjoying free resources!”

“Constanze is a Phantom Witch! This is amazing!”

Constanze (through Stanbot): Detecting abnormal wavelengths! Two persona signatures coming from Crame! Suspicious!

Ursula: Eh? There must be some sort of mistake. I mean, isn’t there a one-is-to-one rule for persona and persona users?

Constanze (through Stanbot): Is that new? Can Constanze look?

Croix: Sure is. Go ahead and have fun, kid.

Constanze (through Stanbot): Nonsense Nova! Stop being a reckless leader! Or else I’ll kick you out of the ship!

Akko: You’re not really going to kick me out, are you? Hey, w-w-wait a minute! Where are you dragging me to?! Okay, I got it! I’ll be more careful already!!

Constanze (through Stanbot): Staaaaaaaaaare!

Diana: Hm? I beg your pardon but is there something you need from me?

Constanze (through Stanbot): Constanze don’t talk! Owl talks but she talks to shadows! Don’t understand how!

Lotte: I’m not really sure how either. Maybe it has something to do with my ability to talk to spirits in the real world?

Constanze (through Stanbot): Bored! Want to play a game!

Sucy: It can’t be helped. I guess I’ll be your player two.

Constanze (through Stanbot): New upgrades added! Now ship is faster!

Amanda: That’s our Steam! Always ahead in the research and development department.

Constanze (through Stanbot): No eating inside Baduhenna!

Jasminka: Oh, sorry I just couldn’t wait anymore.

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

Ursula Callistis

Codename(s): Chariot, Crane

*NOTE for Ursula, she will have two masks: she starts out with Chariot and later on dons Crane (since the curse suppresses her powers)

Codename: Chariot

Arcana: Sun

Mask: Golden masquerade mask

Outfit: Think Overwatch Mercy just more red than yellow and minus the halo, white gloves, very magician

Persona: Astraea (star-maiden or starry night in Greek) [or second option Alfrodull, literally

sun-chariot in Norse]

Skillset: Strong bless skills, weak to curse skills. Has buff skills too.

Weapons: Shiny Rod which transforms into Shiny Axe for melee and then transforms into Shiny Arc for long-ranged

All-Out Attack Card: "A believing heart is magic!" written in the sky among the stars and she says, "I believe in you!"

Awakening Scene:

Chariot: If this person doesn’t think magic is precious then all I have to do is show them properly!

Astraea: That’s right. That’s a good attitude to have.

Chariot: What? Who said that?

Astraea: Do not be alarmed, child. I am not the enemy. I have always been with you but only now do you hear my voice.

Chariot: Who… Who are you?.

Astraea: I am thou, thou art I… There is always new wonders hidden in magic and today you have found me. You who possess a believing heart, never lose sight of it again.

Chariot: If you’re really a part of me then let’s do this. Lend me your magic and fill the world with smiles. Shine bright, Astraea!

---

Codename: Crane

Arcana: Hanged

Mask: Red bird-shaped mask with pointed beak

Outfit: Simple white witch outfit with bird motif and red accents, red gloves matches with mask (and hinting at Chariot)

Persona: Hestia, Greek goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, the home, and the state

Skillset: Strong bless skills, weak to curse skills. Has some healing skills.

Weapons: Eskrima sticks and a crossbow

All-Out Attack Card: "Shoot for the stars!" written with the Fountain of Polaris in the background and she says, "I can shine at least this much!"

Awakening Scene:

Ursula: Never again… Never again will I let you touch her! I’ve already lost enough... Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you take her away!

Hestia: Have you found your resolve again?

Ursula: This voice? It’s… different?

Hestia: Just as you are also different. And yet this feels strangely familiar, does it not?

Ursula: Wait, does this mean... No, this is not the time to question this.

Hestia: You’ve changed. Just like how you changed five years ago. But this change… suits you more. I am thou, thou art I… Not all who wander are lost forever. You who have found your path again, please don’t forget to believe.

Ursula: I know that now. All this time I’ve been doubting myself… when all along I should’ve just believed like I used to. Akko believes in me. And I think, out there somewhere, Croix believes in me too. That’s why I have to wake up and start believing again. After all, a believing heart is my magic. That same magic will help me protect those who are important to me. Lend me your strength, Hestia!

Quotes:

"Thank goodness that was easy. But we shouldn't let our guard down."

"Did I level up? I can feel renewed strength within me."

"Oh my, a new skill. All these new spells are tricky but I'll manage."

"There's a treasure chest. I hope that it's not a trap."

"Oh thank goodness, a safe room. Everyone, please take a break and pace yourselves."

"Let's all be mindful when exploring, okay?"

"Don't worry about me, your teacher has more stamina than you think."

"I'm a bit worn but overall fine. If you want to, let's keep going."

"Oh my, it seems that I'm not as fit as I remember. I think I've reached my limit, sorry everyone."

"There's an enemy ahead. Please be careful."

"We've been spotted! Don't let it ambush us!"

"That was quite an unfair fight, don't you think so?"

"They're weak shadows and it's your call if we fight them or not."

"These shadows are stronger than usual so keep that in mind."

"Everyone, brace yourselves. This fight is not something we can afford to lose."

"We won! Good work, everyone! I've always believed in all of you!"

Baton Pass: "Crane soaring in!"

Protect: "Be careful, Nova!"

Endure: "No... I will not end here!"

Summon Persona: "Lend me your strength, Hestia!"

Follow Up: "Don't hesitate to ask for help."

Cover Fire: "I've got your back!"

Harisen Recovery: "Are you alright?"

Low on Health: "I've had worse... don't worry."

Healing someone: "Please hang on!"

Getting Healed: "Thank you, I needed that."

Giving Buffs: "You are stronger than this!"

Physical Attacks: "I hope you don't mind me being blunt!"

Attacking: "Take this!"

Attack misses: "I missed? My eyesight can't be that bad, is it?"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "I leave the rest to you!"

Fainting: "No... I failed again? I'm sorry, everyone."

Getting Resurrected: "Let's... not do that again. Thank you for getting me back."

Status Ailment: "My body has grown weaker than I thought."

Burn: "Oh my, I think I may have a slight fever."

Freeze: "C-C-Cold! I could use some hot cocoa."

Shock: "Ouch! It hurts to move!"

Forget: "Who is Crane? Where's Chariot?"

Charm: "It's rude to judge by appearances so maybe I'll give the shadows a chance."

Rage: "How dare you! I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Despair: "Why did I even come back? Am I even useful the way I am now?"

Hunger: "Hearing my stomach growl so loudly is just embarrassing."

Dizzy: "Huh? My body isn't moving like it should."

Sleep: "Zzz… Finally, a nap... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak!"

Mementos chats:

"Crane, huh? I wonder what happened to the Chariot inside of me."

"I still have yet to regain my full strength but I won't let that hold me back."

"Maybe I should bring Alcor with me next time. Oh, but he doesn't have a persona. Should I make him a mask then?"

"To think that I was given another chance to become a Phantom Witch again. I won't waste this chance, I promise."

"It truly is better doing this with company than fighting alone. I'm so happy that there are so many Phantom Witches with us now."

Ursula: What are the odds that our outfits are both bird-themed? This reminds me of the saying, "birds of the same feather flock together".

Croix: Except we're both literally different species of birds.

Ursula: No, we are not naming our group "Murder". We're not here to kill people.

Croix: I meant "murder" as in a group of crows but I like your definition better.

Croix: Don't you want to find out who would win in a birdfight, a crane or a crow?

Ursula: No. Let's not find out. Ever. Can't we just find out which bird has better manners?

Ursula: This is more exhausting than I remember.

Croix: It's okay, Crane. There's nothing to be ashamed of with age.

Ursula: That is! Hey! Aren’t you the older one between the two of us?

Croix: Ah but do you see me complaining about aging problems? Checkmate.

Croix: I thought I'd be fighting with Chariot but Crane isn't half bad.

Ursula: Is that genuine praise I hear coming from you, Crow? I wonder what you need from me this time.

Ursula: Did you just... kiss me?!

Croix: What? No. It's called a peck.

Ursula: If our power is a manifestation of our rebellious spirit and if that is supposedly unique to each individual, then I wonder why Nova and Chariot share the same weapon.

Akko: Hey, does that mean that I'm kind of like Chariot in spirit? Wouldn't that be awesome!

Ursula: I feel proud but also a bit embarrassed when a student of mine does better than me. I hope I'm not lacking as your professor.

Diana: You don't need to concern yourself with that. Regardless of your performance, we will always hold respect for you, both as a Phantom Witch and as our professor.

Ursula: It never occurred to me to try and talk to shadows. We don't have to fight every battle thanks to you.

Lotte: Well I don't really want to fight unless I have to. I'm glad that some shadows think so as well.

Ursula: Some of those poisons are dangerously lethal. I hope that you exercise caution when handling them back at the real world.

Sucy: Oh, don't worry. I never use the dangerous ones on Nova.

Ursula: Your persona is so convenient. Not having to walk all the time sure saves us a lot of energy.

Constanze: *gives her a thumbs up*

Constanze (through Stanbot): No problem!

Ursula: I've heard how you were good with a broom but those talks don't do you justice.

Amanda: Well have you heard of how much trouble I stir up?

Ursula: Your party heal saves lives every time. I just hope you don't overwork yourself.

Jasminka: It's okay. As long as I eat after, I will heal everyone as much as you need.

-----

Croix Meridies

Codename: Crow

Arcana: Moon

Mask: Black bird-shaped mask with curved beak

Outfit: Same as anime but maybe edgier and more black accents, black gloves or maybe red or white to contrast

Persona: Morrigan, Irish mythology of a crow goddess --> Branwen, Welsh goddess of love, means “blessed raven.” (second awakening)

Skillset: Strong nuclear and has curse skills, weak to psychokinesis. Has some buff skills.

Weapons: Gadgets linked to her smartphone and sniper rifle

All-Out Attack Card: "Sorcery Solution System" written on a smartphone interface background and she says, "Your magic is outdated."

Awakening Scene:

Croix: Finally! I’ve been waiting for you for years!

Morrigan: It is you who have kept me waiting, milady. And to call me through such unconventional methods, you are quite the interesting master.

Croix: Yeah well you didn’t exactly come when I called for you all these years, did you?

Morrigan: There are reasons why you could not meet me back then. But I know that these are of little importance to the present matters. Let us form the contract. I am thou, thou art I… You who are not bound by convention and the like, spread your wings even farther!

Croix: With you, I can finally reach places previously inaccessible to me. You shall be my wings to help me soar. I will soar high, higher than Chariot ever did! Take flight, Morrigan!

Quotes:

"Too easy. I haven't even stretched my wings yet."

"Power level is rising once again."

"Hm, a new skill? Heh, you learn something new each day."

"Treasure chest up ahead. I could use the extra funds."

"Good, a safe room. I want to analyze my findings so far so go on and take a break."

"Isn't this exciting? There's always something new to discover with every exploration!"

"Don't underestimate the stamina of a veteran."

"You girls walk ahead, I'll be riding my broomba."

"Tch, running out of charge so don't think I can go full power."

"Enemy spotted. Shall we ruffle their feathers?"

"We've been spotted? How could you let your guard down so easily!"

"The power gap is too significant to ignore."

"They're not even worth the magic expense, don't bother."

"The enemy's power level is off the charts, you sure you want to pick a fight with them?"

"We cannot afford to lose here. If we're going to fight then we must absolutely win."

"We won. Don't act all surprised, it's only natural that we'd win."

Baton Pass: "Crow flying in!"

Protect: "Dammit! Nova!"

Endure: "I can't die here... I won't die like this!"

Summon Persona: "Take flight, Morrigan!"

Follow Up: "Perhaps I could be of assistance."

Cover Fire: "I'm a good shot, trust me."

Harisen Recovery: "Get yourself together!"

Low on Health: "Tch. Don't look down on me."

Healing someone: "Don't die on us just yet."

Getting Healed: "I appreciate the help."

Giving Buffs: "Updating stats."

Physical Attacks: "This will only hurt... a lot."

Attacking: "Good night."

Attack misses: "What the? The accuracy stats are off!"

Couldn't finish off enemy: "They're more tenacious than I thought!"

Fainting: "Dammit... I was so close. Was my life truly this insignificant?"

Getting Resurrected: “Thanks, version 2.0 me will repay you later.”

Status Ailment: "To think that my body was this susceptible, urk!"

Burn: "Overheating over here! Someone turn on the AC!"

Freeze: "Brrr, it’s too c-cold! Is the thermostat broken again?"

Shock: "Years of playing with live wire and still my body can't get used to this."

Forget: "Why did I do all of this? What goal could have pushed me to get this far?"

Charm: "If I'm going to fight then I might as well fight for the winning team."

Rage: "You insolent garbage! I'll show you my talons!"

Despair: "Do I even make a difference? Maybe it was all for naught..."

Hunger: "Where's a cup of instant ramen when you need one?"

Dizzy: "The controls are going haywire!"

Sleep: "Zzz… Gotta recharge real quick... zzz..."

Silence: ...

Mouse: "Squeak!!"

Mementos chats:

"It's fascinating to theorize just how the cognitive world physically manifests. If we discover enough then the possibility of deliberately creating our own is out there!"

"What? Me? Cheating? You have your weapons and I have my convenient gadgets which do the work for me. All is fair."

"To think that my rebellious spirit would manifest into this outfit. I can't say I dislike it. After all, a crow is much more intelligent than it lets on."

"It took me years before I could return to this world but now that I have, I finally have become a Phantom Witch."

"I always knew that I'd be a Phantom Witch. I just never accounted for the possibility that I wouldn't be working alone... Heh, it's not so bad."

Ursula: So your codename is Crow and your persona looks like a crow... not to mention the fact that your real name sounds like...

Croix: You're just jealous because I have a theme.

Ursula: I think Crow is a good fit for you. They're known to be quite the smart animals that have good memory.

Croix: You know what else crows are good at? Murder.

Croix: It's such a shame that I can't bring back shadows to the real world.

Ursula: It sounds like you already tried. You wouldn't do something that dangerous for the sake of research, right? ...Right? Crow, answer me!

Croix: Instant ramen has never failed me. Even here in the cognitive world, this is the most convenient and most satisfying meal to eat to go.

Ursula: Cup noodles again? That's all you ever eat, that can't be healthy. Next time I'll bring better food choices for you.

Croix: Fun's over, kids. You all heard Bird Mom.

Ursula: Did you just call me Bird Mom??

Croix: If I fold you a thousand origami cranes then would you grant me a wish?

Ursula: You don't have to do that. I'll gladly help you in achieving your wish with all my power.

Croix: You truly are interesting, Nova. The way you wield the Shiny Rod is unlike Chariot's and yet it is just as effective. Who would have thought?

Akko: Really? Are you saying that I'm just as strong as Chariot? No way! Chariot's way better than me!

Croix: I've seen how you wield a wand but I've never seen you wield a rapier before. Excellent skills as expected.

Diana: I'll accept that praise but I still have much to learn.

Croix: Oh, is that a new upgrade? I see... increased efficiency. It looks like you did a pretty good job as always! Do you mind if I take a closer look?

Constanze: *shakes her head*

Constanze (through Stanbot): Constructive criticism please!

Croix: Well aren't you quite gifted? Two-type weapon fighting style and a rideable persona for added maneuverability. I can't say that I'm not jealous.

Amanda: Heh, you're just overselling it now, teach. But you're not wrong.

Croix: Maybe Crane was onto something. Instant ramen isn't as filling here as it is in the real world, not like I’d admit that to her face.

Jasminka: Would you like some of my snacks? I brought extra.

Croix: Amazing. Your innate power to summon spirits in the real world could manifest into the ability to negotiate with shadows over here. Tell me, what is it like?

Lotte: Well the shadows are surprisingly more like people, once they start talking that is. Sometimes they talk too much though.

Croix: Correct me if I'm mistaken but are you using different poisons each time?

Sucy: Shadows are convenient test subjects. Well I still use Nova sometimes.

Feel free to edit or add to this AU. Have fun!!

1K notes · View notes

thathanyouinuyasha · 7 years

Text

Steamy Air

Because everyone needs a good onsen smut every once in a while. ;)

Rated M (R-18) for smutty content! Enjoy!

Steam thickened the air, the sound of gently rippling water interrupted only by the crackle of fire on torches. A small water flow off of some rocks created the perfect ambiance for an otherwise tense situation, Kagome sitting with her arms across her body as she sat back against the warm rocks of the spring.

A rather peeved looking hanyou sat by the sliding private door of the onsen, his eyes averted to the side. He dare not turn to look at the girl dead on until her heavy sigh filled the air.

“Will you just come in and get it over with?” She asked him, Inu-Yasha turning towards her if only for a moment.

“Don’t wanna. I don’t get why your Mother couldn’t just take me back with her, I don’t wanna be here in the first place.”

“Well, I do want to be here and she had to go get Jii-chan’s medication. They’ll be back tomorrow morning so we might as well enjoy while we have the time away from Souta.” Kagome loved her little brother, but he did grate on her nerves every once in a while. It was that moment when Inu-Yasha realized that he’d love for the kid to be there if it would get him out of this awkward situation. Meanwhile, Kagome had had enough of it.

“You act like we’ve never seen each other naked before.” She muttered, and Inu-Yasha’s cheeks turned bright red.

“Not on purpose, wench!” He retorted, crossing his arms over the thin material of the robe he wore.

“So what’s the big deal?”

“Do you wanna see me naked that badly?” Inu-Yasha asked with an irritated tone, though that evaporated quickly when he noticed how red the tips of Kagome’s ears were getting. “Apparently you do.” He grinned wide enough for a fang to poke out.

“S-Shut up, I didn’t say that!”

“You didn’t not say it either.” He uncrossed his arms, placing his hands flat on the knees of his crisscrossed legs.

“In that case, you never said you didn’t want to see me naked either!”

“Yeah, I didn’t.” Kagome was already prepared with a retort, but his statement caught her off guard as she looked towards the hanyou whose expression had changed drastically from a few moments ago.

“You’re sure that brat of a brother of your’s won’t be back until tomorrow?”

“Positive. They have to wait for the pharmacy to order the prescription and they don’t open until morning.”

“Keh,” Inu-Yasha stood, his hands coming to rest on the ties of the robe that the onsen supplied, one end in each hand. Kagome looked up, seeing his muscular legs which were usually hidden under baggy hakama, her head getting fuzzy. She had a feeling it had nothing to do with the hot spring. Knowing that Kagome was watching his every move, Inu-Yasha tugged on the tie, the front of his robe falling open over his chest. The hard planes were exposed to Kagome’s curious blue eyes as they danced downwards towards the first set of abs visible. “Pick your jaw up before you drown.”

“Shut up!” Kagome yelled at him, pulling a chuckle from Inu-Yasha. Rather than wait anymore, he shrugged out of the robe, letting it fall to his feet as he looked over at Kagome. Her breath hitched in her throat as she gazed at him through the mist… It created such an amazing glow behind him that Inu-Yasha almost looked like a god. His tanned skin against the silver locks cascading down his back and chest was such a beautiful contrast, Kagome was sure she had a new favorite color combination.

Her stomach fluttered as he allowed for her eyes to scan downward, her irises tracing each line of his defined abdomen, watching as he breathed and the muscles contracted. Inu-Yasha did feel a bit uncomfortable with the usually talkative girl very silent, but he was still somewhat enjoying the attention as well. He crossed his arms over his bare chest and Kagome’s breath hitched as her eyes traveled lower… That damned fang of his poked out of his grin in response.

Broken out of her trance by the movement of the body she was currently inspecting, the hanyou took a step down into the hot water, walking in rather quickly. His arms uncrossed as he walked the shallow pool, glowering down at Kagome once he was in front of her. Her lips were open slightly as she looked up at him, her pale breasts visible just below the rippling surface of the water. That smirk never left his face, though a brow raised towards Kagome’s continued silence.

“Inu-Yasha…” She trailed off, trying to keep her gaze on the golden eyes that filled her with every feeling all at once.

“What?” He asked rather gruffly, though the response was nothing new. Silver locks floated on the surface of the water behind him, tickling the tops of Kagome’s arms. She smiled and looked down at the glistening clouds as they moved with each small wave, almost surprised when she saw a pair of hands coming her way.

“What’re you-”

“You got to gawk at me, my turn.” No sooner had he finished his response, those hands were at the small of her waist, hoisting her upwards to stand on her feet. The air was chilly out of the spring, and instantly Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and crossed her legs tightly.

“You can’t just do that!” She shrieked, locking her knees together as she yelled. Inu-Yasha didn’t seem to hear anything she’d just said despite the tweak of his left ear as he continued to look upwards. Kagome was standing on the rock she had been sitting on moments before, just her feet and ankles covered by the water. Her arms pushed her bosom upwards and gave the hanyou quite an eyeful before she started to clamber back down.

“Keh, humans are always cold.”

“Of course I’m cold! You yanked me out of a warm bath into freezing air!” Expecting to feel the smooth rock on her bottom, instead the miko felt the hands that were on her waist cupping her backside. “Inu-Yasha! You-”

“Can you shut up for a second?” He snapped at her, pushing her towards him by the grip he had on her ass. Kagome froze momentarily once she felt the hardening member between them, looking back up to Inu-Yasha’s reddening cheeks.

“I didn’t mean get in the hot springs this close, you pervert!”

“Guess you really can’t shut up.” Inu-Yasha nearly rolled his eyes, one of his hands moving upwards. Before Kagome could protest more, her chin was in between Inu-Yasha’s thumb and forefinger as he lifted her face to his lips.

She all but forgot how to exist in that moment, feeling Inu-Yasha’s lips over her own, moving and holding her in place. It took her a few seconds to even remember that you were supposed to close your eyes when a boy kissed you, and finally remembered the fact as she regained some kind of consciousness to kiss him back. Timidly, her arms circled around the back of his neck, clasping her hands under silky tresses as she felt him breathe a sigh of something akin to relief against her. Inu-Yasha’s other hand, still firmly in place under her bottom held her to him, feeling his hardness against her hip. Instead of pulling away repulsed, she gave a slight movement forward against him, his barely audible moan fueling the sudden heat in the pit of her stomach.

The image of him standing before her completely naked rushed back into her head, her knees nearly going weak as she realized that she was in fact kissing that man she’d been staring at. Not only was she kissing him, but he was kissing her rather fiercely, his teeth nipping at her bottom lip. Kagome didn’t even know Inu-Yasha knew how to do that, or if he was aware just the affect he was having on her.

Pulling back, Inu-Yasha rested his forehead against her’s, amber eyes boring into her own as they sat there, panting and trying regain their breath. In a moment, Inu-Yasha backed away, hoisting himself up onto the hot spring wall to try to regain his composure.

“I uh, sorry.” He muttered, keeping his legs close together to shield the rather obvious erection he had.

“It’s… Okay.” Kagome said breathlessly, watching as he breathed in the chilly air to relax himself. A small hint of disappointment filled her as she swam over to him, looking up at him from the water.

“What?”

“You don’t have to apologize. I don’t mind.” The statements took him off guard and his concentration faltered. Seeing the slight confusion, Kagome smiled warmly at him, taking her hands and pushing his knees apart.

“K-Kagome!” Inu-Yasha protested, pushing his legs back together and glaring at her. Had she not been so determined, she would have yelled at him, though she had other things in mind. Letting the tension in his thighs go slack, Inu-Yasha looked away as Kagome moved his legs apart once again. She swam up, watching how his member sat upwards and curved back to his stomach, thick and uncut. Gazing at his face, she noticed his averted gaze and smiled fondly, watching as a few beads of water traced their way down that glowing skin into the lines of his abdominal muscles, and pooled near where her hand now lay over his cock. Inu-Yasha swallowed thickly and never taking her eyes from his face, Kagome leaned forward to give the head just the lightest lick, watching as his head whipped around so fast he could have had whiplash.

Opening his mouth to protest, the hanyou stared down at the girl between his legs as she took a bit of him into her mouth, the sight twisting his stomach in a tight knot. This was… Not what he expected, though the sensations of her silky mouth moving over him left him with very little to complain about at that moment. As he breathed deeply, the beads of subjugation around his neck clinked together quietly, accompanying his soft noises.

Kagome’s eyes closed momentarily as she opened her mouth a bit more to take more of him in, finally an audible gasp being pulled from Inu-Yasha. Hearing his breathless tone gave Kagome a jolt through her body which settled heavily in her core, throbbing and just aching for some kind of relief. Rather than concentrating on that, she continued to move her tongue over the heated flesh in her mouth, hand moving up and down each time she would take him back into her mouth.

Inu-Yasha’s head fell back, his arms taut to support him, claws scratching at the ground. The sensations running through him were ones he didn’t think were possible, especially with just Kagome’s mouth. He had dreamt many times about her giving him this feeling with other parts, but this was almost too much for him to comprehend. It wasn’t until Kagome pulled his skin back and licked his head relentlessly that his chin fell back to his chest.

“Kagome…” He choked out, a deep groan following her name. Using that to push her along, Kagome hummed in response continuing to bob her head over him, tasting more of the silken skin under her tongue. She watched as his breathing quickened, those same irresistible muscles expanding and contracting in front of her. Her thighs pressed together to give her some kind of relief of her own ache, feeling as Inu-Yasha’s member gave a throb in her mouth, his lips parting to allow sounds that she would have never thought he’d so openly share.

It was when his hand clasped over her scalp that she began to quicken her movements into a solid rhythm, his hand pushing her down as his hips met her mouth. Looking up, she saw Inu-Yasha’s half lidded eyes gazing down at her, his cheeks reddened and his lips parted… And the pure lust that glazed over his entire expression. His was unbelievably beautiful, and the fact that his cock was in her mouth with him shoving it into her over and over was just too errotic for her to even comprehend.

Inu-Yasha was trying to exert the most restraint as he could, wanting to snap his hips into her mouth until he hit the back of her throat. Though, he’d never do that to Kagome, as much as he wanted to. Feeling a tightening in his sac, his fingers gripped the raven hair under them, his grunts becoming a bit more frantic as Kagome kept up her wicked pace.

Kagome forced her eyes to stay open, wanting to see every bit of pleasure that crossed Inu-Yasha’s face, and though his eyes were screwed shut, she saw quite a bit. It was when his hand tightened on her hair and gave a tug back that she knew he was about to cum, though she continued her movements despite his warning. Realizing that she wasn’t letting go, Inu-Yasha’s eyes snapped open to see the darkened blue hues in front of him, his head falling back again as he pushed his hips upwards one more time.

With a strangled call of her name, Kagome felt ribbons of warm liquid filling her mouth and throat, swallowing quickly while Inu-Yasha emptied himself. She hung on until the tension in his body ceased, letting his now limp cock fall from her abused lips. Kagome wiped her mouth on the back of her arm, washing it off in the water and smiled up at the recovering hanyou more sweetly than she knew.

“You okay?” She asked with a bit of humor in her tone and Inu-Yasha didn’t respond. His chest was still heaving and one of his outstretched arms had buckled so he was on his forearm trying to stay upwards. His eyes connected with her’s, that lust not subsiding even a bit from his eyes. “Inu-Yasha?”

“Get up here.” He demanded, pointing to where he sat. Kagome blinked a couple times, questioning, though following his instruction with little more thought. Inu-Yasha allowed himself to slip back into the warm water, keeping the aftershocks of his climax still fresh, this time parting Kagome’s legs. If she made him feel that good with just her mouth, she was in for it. He wasn’t sure exactly how, but he would make sure of it.

Kagome bit her reddened lip as Inu-Yasha pushed forward towards her aching core, pushing his nose to her as his tongue experimentally lapped at her. Her thighs tensed around him so he did it again, this time allowing the appendage to dip further into the source of the wetness between her legs. Making a bit of a mewl, Kagome brought a hand up to her chest, balling it and resting it just above her breasts, tightening it whenever Inu-Yasha did something particularly well.

He explored with his tongue, seeing what made Kagome’s toes curl and what didn’t, though nothing compared to when he licked from bottom to top, the girl crying out louder than she had intended. So that spot, huh? He concentrated his lapping on the top most part of her folds and Kagome cried out again, her own breath starting to come in short pants.

Flattening his tongue against the nub he had found, Inu-Yasha smirked against her, the scent of her arousal filling his nose. Kagome’s high pitched whines made him feel a sense of pride, alternating between hard and soft suckling. The girl could hardly form a coherent word, though her core still ached. Breathing in particularly sharply, Inu-Yasha looked up.

“C-Can you… Use your fingers too?” She asked breathlessly, and the hanyou faltered for a moment. The skin seemed so delicate, the thought of putting his claws anywhere near her scared him, though a hand rose from the water. Deciding to use his knuckle, Inu-Yasha pushed in gently, Kagome crying out again before nodding her head frantically. He could feel the thick liquid coating his hand and continued to push as far as he could without scraping his claws against her.

Much like Inu-Yasha, Kagome had dreamt of this as well, though her own fingers never felt quite as satisfying as this. It was when she threw her head back and began wishing that his hand was something else, the heat in her stomach flipped dangerously as she bucked up into his mouth.

“Inu-Inu-Yasha…” She breathed and the hanyou looked up once again. Kagome could see his smirk against her and while it would have normally irritated her, she merely let out another cry as that heat threatened to burst from within her. Inu-Yasha almost couldn’t keep up with Kagome’s bucking against him, but continued to assault the nub under his tongue as much as he could. His jaw was beginning to ache, but hearing Kagome’s calls coming in higher and higher pitches numbed that, just trying to get her to peak. It was when his name started coming out that he knew she was almost there and he let out a growl against her.

The sound and feeling of that sent Kagome hurtling over the edge, her throat burning from how loudly she had been yelling. Her head fell forward as she rode out her climax against Inu-Yasha’s face, his knuckle still teasing her soaking entrance. Once she gave one last huff of a breath, Inu-Yasha backed away from her, lewdly licking his hand of the mess she’d made with that arrogant look on his face.

“Shut… Up.” Kagome breathed, a hand coming to her head.

“You’re the one still talking.” Inu-Yasha shrugged, backing up to the rock Kagome had claimed as her own a short while before. Watching closely as Kagome slipped back into the water, she swam over to him again, kicking her legs forward and sitting in his lap. His expression was that of shock, though Kagome linking her arms around his neck again stopped that quickly.

“Then get me to stop.” Kagome urged him and Inu-Yasha chuckled.

#inukag #inuyasha kagome #inukag fanfic #inukag smut #happy friday

250 notes · View notes

snowwolf1118 · 7 years

Text

Humans Are Weird: Women’s Edition Part VII

We last left off with Jay’va and Co. meeting up with Vallion, Fatima, and the now not-missing Nero’ish. The group was chased down the hall by large, yet nimble space pirate goons and luckily suffered no injuries, probably because the goons shoot like Star Wars Stormtroopers. And luckily they aren’t bright enough to search the ventilation shafts no one is allowed to be in because of health reasons.

Part I >> Part II >> Part III >> Part IV >> Part V >> Part VI >> Part VII >> Part VIII >> Part IX >> Part X

“Huh?” Vallion was still confused.

Fatima sighed. “Cyborg in a spacesuit in space with space pirates. Space pirates have their own ships. Get it?”

It took a moment, but it finally clicked for Vallion. “Spacesuits keeps him alive in space and space pirates retrieve him because he’s cargo. Great Saolo, you’re a genius, Fatima!”

“I know I am,” she said, nudging them with her tiny form.

“Ah-hmm,” Nero’ish loudly cleared her throat and brought everyone’s attention onto her. “Hate to break up this happy realization party, but we’re still stuck here. The pirates have likely captured the rest of the crew.”

Fatima made a sour face at Nero’ish. “Weren’t you the one who was just squealing out about space pirates a moment ago?”

Nero’ish shrugged. “That was before learning Col. Matthews was sucked into space.”

Jay’va regained her composure, but continued to clutch onto the hope Fatima had given her. “We can make it out of this. We can rescue everyone.” Jay’va had to believe it. Hope was the most precious human concept she knew of. It kept her going whenever she felt like a failure, and now it would keep her going until she reunited with Cyborg.

“Okay,” Vallion said, once again gaining their collective attentions, “so what’s our plan, Col. Jay’va?”

Everyone fell silent as they considered Vallion’s words. Yes, what was their plan? Jay’va had only thought of rescuing Cyborg and the rest of their crewmates. She hadn’t thought further than that. “Well,” she said, stalling while her brain wracked up something, anything. “Let’s regroup with the engineers, before they send someone else out.”

“That’s a start,” Vallion affirmed before they were on their way.

During the last three hours, Murakami’s ship had been forcefully boarded and her crew attacked. By space pirates. Space. Pirates. She and Balogh had only been screwing with Vallion about space pirates for the sake of screwing around. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever expect her ship to be subjected to space pirates.

But here she was, sitting powerless in her captain’s chair with two armed goons on either side as her crew was rounded up like wild mustangs and shuffled off the ship through the makeshift interlink the pirates built between their ship and hers. It was an eyesore to see the interlink in the place of the monitor screens. Pirates really had no finesse. If they wanted to board the ship, they should have done so in the hangars. They could keep the ship’s crew in the large room and have access to the fighters. But these are pirates and apparently they’re too dumb to process such things, she sourly thought as she remembered how the pirates literally latched onto and welded into the Comm Tower.

And that wasn’t the least of her worries, aside from having her crew branded like cattle and force one-by-one onto the other ship. Murakami had to worry about her crew itself. The pirates couldn’t access the crew list due to the EMP shockwave that knocked out the ship’s computer systems. It wasn’t a particularly bright idea to do that, so she was left dealing with the aftermath. What was the aftermath? Well, the aftermath was the agonizing process of verbally confirming the identity, age, and specialty of each and every member of her crew to the pirates because she was the captain of the ship and she had every face and name memorized.

But they don’t care, she thought as she verbally confirmed the identity of yet another one of her crewmates. “Michael Raphael Bates, age 38 Earthen years, specialist in computer weapons technology and development,” she affirmed before they seared the brand onto his skin. She couldn’t get used to it, seeing her crewmates, her friends, be tortured. Their screams were seared into her memory like their brands were into their skin.

And yes, some of them, actually many of them, tried to hold in the pain, stubbornly refusing to give any satisfaction to the pirates. It made her proud to see their resilience. But it also drowned her in guilt. They wouldn’t have to behave so stubbornly if only she had acted faster, been more effective. The only thing she could do now was cooperate with the pirates, so they would not abuse her crew more.

And keep them from capturing everyone as well.

Bates makes one-ninety-six, but their still short and they don’t know it. Including me, that leaves only sixteen others here in the Comm Tower. I told them they were the last of the crew, she thought, but they don’t know about Vallion, the colonels and their crews, or about the engineering team. With any luck, they can hide out and contact A.F. HQ, she prayed as she again began confirming the identity of yet another crewmate, this time a young H’hishian cadet.

However, she didn’t have that sort of luck because the pirate mission leader’s Comm device came to life. <<“Snell, it’s Lux. We found a least two dozen more of the crew on the lower levels,”>> announced the voice, <<“and more could be hiding below.”>> Ah shit.

Snell turned to snarl at Murakami as they replied to their crewmate. She averted her gaze. “Is that so, Lux? At least two dozen, maybe more? Well, be sure to capture ‘em alive and unharmed then. We wouldn’t want ta damage any of our goods now, eh?”

<<“Aye, sir.”>> Lux signed out and left the Comm Tower in silence.

Ah-oh, Murakami steeled herself against whatever was going to happen next. And next was maniacal laughter from Snell. Ooooh, this isn’t good. Nope. Not good at all. Oh Kannon, please help me. She truly needed the help of the bodhisattva of compassion because Snell was now up close and breathing in her personal space bubble. “Oh God, your breath,” she nearly gagged.

“AAARGH!” Snell lashed out, backhanding her in the face and nearly ripping her out of her seat. “YOU PATHETIC APE! YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE A FOOL OUTTA ME?” They roared over her, digging their claws deep into her forearms. “HUH? YOU TOLD ME THIS ‘ERE WAS EVERYONE OF YER CREW, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU WERE LYIN’ TA ME, APE!” They punctuated their rant with another backslap.

“Fuck you,” she hissed before Hell broke loose.

The remaining members of her crew to roar to life, making one last stand against the pirates, trying to protect her. “LEAVE HER ALONE!” “YA BASSA, SHUT YE GEGGIE!” “PICK ON SOMEONE YER OWN SIZE, YA LEATHER-ASS!” “FIGHT ME, YA SORRY EXCUSE FOR A COOKILIAN!” “GET THE FUCK OFF ME, METALHEAD! LET ME AT ‘EM!!” She forced herself not to flinch as they were all beaten down by the pirate crew. She forced herself not to sob as she watched them all try to stand back up, still hissing and pissing at the pirates.

But she still kept her composure. Even with her crew still screaming epithets at Snell and with her eyes still watering from the backhand, Murakami kept her composure. “Mx. Snell, I need not make a fool of you when you do it so well yourself―” Another stinging backhand and another chorus of screams from her remaining crewmates. And then a sloppy punch to her face.

Crack.

Murakami felt warm blood gush down from her nose and stain her uniform. “Oh would you look at that. You got my uniform bloody,” she noted, receiving yet another round of abuse from Snell.

Snell was now fuming for sure. “YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY?! HUH?! YOU MISERABLE SOFT-SKINNED MEATBAG?! WELL, IT ISN’T AND THE REST OF YOUR CREW WILL SOON LEARN THAT ISN’T. NOW, TELL ME, WHO ARE THE REMAINING FLESH-BAGS!!!!”

Murakami chuckled. “If you were smart, which we all already know you aren’t, then you’d already know by now.” This time, instead of a fist or backhand, Murakami was ripped out of her chair and slammed against the control panels. Again.

And again.

She hadn’t realized her fell unconscious until she heard the shrill voices of her crew screaming her name and the pirates cursing over whether she was deceased or not. My everything aches, she thought, groaning as she tried to pick herself up. Note to self, never do that again without wearing a safety helmet.

“Well, well, you’re alive,” Snell sneered, a great deal calmer than she expect them to be.

Murakami coughed. “And you’re still as ugly as ever,” she shot back.

“WHY YOU―!” Snell sent a cheap kick to her ribcage. She wasn’t a medical doctor, but she was more than sure a few ribs cracked. “I’LL TEACH YOU SOME RESPECT!!!”

Murakami didn’t know where she was or how long she had blacked out, but what she was certain of was the aching of her body felt suspiciously numb. What happened? she faintly thought as she took in her surroundings. This looks like a med bay. But it wasn’t the one from the Moana. “Ow. Fuck,” she hissed, gripping her chest and simultaneously discovering her right hand was chained to the bed, as was her right foot.

“Don’t move around too much,” a disembodied voice advised, “or you’ll just give yourself more unnecessary pain.”

Ignoring the advice, Murakami sat up and searched for the source of the voice. When she did find it, she was soon left staring slack-jawed. “You, you’re a...” she said to the propagator H’hish sitting across the room from her.

“I’m the surgeon of this vessel, Master Krellion,” he explained as he stood up from his desk and turned off the holo-screen. “But you should be resting now, Lt. Gen. Murakami,” he drawled with a chilling smile.

Murakami shivered. It hadn’t taken her two seconds to realize, wherever she was, it wasn’t on an A.F. regulated vessel and that this wasn’t a typical H’hish. He didn’t look like most H’hish. He looked more like Vallion: Large as the average carrier H’hish. More muscular with more prominent dorsal plating. Sharper teeth...

“Where am I?” she demanded, ignoring the Krellion’s warning. “Where is my crew? What happened to them? Explain ―” she gasped as pain suddenly shot through her and contorted her body. It felt like a thousand knives stabbing through her chest and then some. “What the―?”

“Tsk, I told you to rest,” Krellion admonished her as he fidgeted with his holo-screen. “Now, lay back down and I’ll continue you pain medication. After that, we can have a civil conversation, no? I’ll even answer all of your questions.”

Murakami managed to glower at him through the pain. His condescendingness was ear-grating. “You can be an asshole in so many other ways, you know,” she hissed through her teeth as she lied back down, submitting to his will.

Krellion wiggled his ears, clearly enjoying his dominance over her. “I’m glad you understand, Lt. General,” he said as he pulled up his holo-screen. “Now, to answer your questions...

You are in the med bay of the Frek’jon, an old warship from the days of the Great Quvian Civil Wars. It is an impressive vessel and functions just as it had when first manufactured. Your crew is divided between the med bay and the holding cells.

“And don’t worry, your crew is safe. I already had those with minor injuries from your earlier skirmish treated and assigned to the holding cells with the rest of your crew. The fools hiding in the lower levels suffered more major injuries, so they are recovering in others rooms on the med bay level.

“What?” she uttered as he again fidgeted with his holo-screen and almost immediately, her pain transformed into a distant throb.

Krellion spared her a brief glance. “Well, I don’t suppose you know anything after Snell’s abuse. In the lower levels of your measly vessel, thirty-seven of members of your crew put up a last stand. It was impressive. They even managed to blow up a few of the Pollikons grunts. Yet it was all in vain.”

Murakami lied silent as she processed what she heard. She didn’t know what a Pollikon was, but she did know the name of every human and H’hish that had to be in the lower levels when this occurred. If what Krellion said was correct, then the pirates were still short one person. Who could it be? Who? Xavier? Eld? Who? With her mind racing, it was difficult to think. Take a deep breath, Noriko. Take a deep breath and slowly release it. She closed her eyes for a moment and calmed herself. When she opened them, she was almost serene. Almost. “Please elaborate. What did my crew exactly do?”

Krellion was silent for a moment as he contemplated answering her before having his “Ah-ha!” moment. “Instead of elaborating, why don’t I show you? I actually enjoyed watching this holo-feed.” As he spoke, he fidgeted with his holo-screen once again, but this time the holo-screen on display depicted the Comm Tower of the Voyager Moana.

Apprehensively, she watched as he projected the holo-screen across from her and pulled up a seat beside her. From their positions, they could watch the holo-feed he had mentioned. Reclining in his seat like a child watching a holo-film at the theatre for the first time, Krellion said, “Just sit back and watch.”

139 notes · View notes

humansareweirdsedition · 7 years

Text

Humans Are Weird: Women’s Edition Part VII

Part I >> Part II >> Part III >> Part IV >> Part V >> Part VI >> Part VII >> Part VIII >> Part IX >> Part X >> Part XI >> Part XII >> Part XIII >> Part XIV

“Huh?” Vallion was still confused.

Fatima sighed. “Cyborg in a spacesuit in space with space pirates. Space pirates have their own ships. Get it?”

It took a moment, but it finally clicked for Vallion. “Spacesuits keeps him alive in space and space pirates retrieve him because he’s cargo. Great Saolo, you’re a genius, Fatima!”

“I know I am,” she said, nudging them with her tiny form.

Fatima made a sour face at Nero’ish. “Weren’t you the one who was just squealing out about space pirates a moment ago?”

Nero’ish shrugged. “That was before learning Col. Matthews was sucked into space.”

“Okay,” Vallion said, once again gaining their collective attentions, “so what’s our plan, Col. Jay’va?”

“That’s a start,” Vallion affirmed before they were on their way.

And keep them from capturing everyone as well.

<<“Aye, sir.”>> Lux signed out and left the Comm Tower in silence.

“Fuck you,” she hissed before Hell broke loose.

Crack.

Murakami felt warm blood gush down from her nose and stain her uniform. “Oh would you look at that. You got my uniform bloody,” she noted, receiving yet another round of abuse from Snell.

And again.

“Well, well, you’re alive,” Snell sneered, a great deal calmer than she expect them to be.

Murakami coughed. “And you’re still as ugly as ever,” she shot back.

“WHY YOU―!” Snell sent a cheap kick to her ribcage. She wasn’t a medical doctor, but she was more than sure a few ribs cracked. “I’LL TEACH YOU SOME RESPECT!!!”

“Don’t move around too much,” a disembodied voice advised, “or you’ll just give yourself more unnecessary pain.”

Krellion wiggled his ears, clearly enjoying his dominance over her. “I’m glad you understand, Lt. General,” he said as he pulled up his holo-screen. “Now, to answer your questions...

“What?” she uttered as he again fidgeted with his holo-screen and almost immediately, her pain transformed into a distant throb.

#Humans are Weird: Women's Edition #Humans are Weird #HAWWE #HAW:WE #Space Orcs #Space Australians #Space Oddities #Aliens #Humans #Sci fi #Science Fiction #Humans are Space Australians #Humans are Space Orcs #Humans are Space Oddities #Original story #original characters #violence tw

68 notes · View notes

prolapsingintothemaelstrom · 7 years

Text

Study buddy (Smut)

I often imagine Sehun being the Flirt Master who can get any girl...

Pairing: Sehun x Reader

Genre: Smut

Word count: 5543 words

Warning: Rough sex, Public sex, Dirty-Dirty talk, Voyeurism

AU: College!AU

Study buddy

Four standard assumptions of perfectly competitive models – One. Economies of scale are… small relative… to the size of the… market. Two. Output… is homogenous. Three. Information… is… soft- and… fluffy. Four. I want to marry you… sweet, cuddly turtle-bunny-cushion. Something hits the elbow you’re leaning your head upon and you shoot up, slightly panicking. Shit. You had fallen asleep. It was only for a minute; you defend yourself in your mind. Nobody saw you, right?

You lift your hands to rub your eyes but stop yourself in the nick of time. You have almost forgotten that you are wearing black eyeliner and mascara. Thank God you remembered just in time – It would have been a catastrophe if you didn’t.

You look around, pinching your eyes a few times instead and examining the endless array of tables that is populated with college students and their college books, notebooks, markers and pencils. During the exam periods, it’s difficult to find a spot left empty. Outside the College library, there’s typically a line of students waiting to claim a seat, even at this unholy hour of nine pm.

You whine silently, staring at the thermos flask in front of you which you emptied about an hour ago. No more coffee. How are you going to survive another three hours of studying when you’re out of fuel? You shake your head, taking a deep inhale afterwards. Ah- you remember. What was that thing?

You look beside you, finding a bottle of water that is laying on the table. Where did that- You look at the other students on your table, all looking down at their books and concentrating diligently on the matter they’re studying. The water bottle has a piece of notebook paper slid underneath the plastic label, you notice. Curious, you pick it up and remove it smoothly from underneath. There’s a note on it.

Water works better to battle fatigue than coffee does. Two litres a day keeps your body hydrated and you’ll feel less tired. Fighting!

The note ends with a self-drawn wink emoticon. Who- You peer your eyes over the students at your table, now finding a- Omo. Hot guy at two ‘o clock smiling at me. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, perfect facial structure, charming smile. You quickly look down at the note again, trying to hide yourself from his piercing stare. Is it his note?

You glance up once more to the guy sitting two seats away from you at the opposite side of the table. He’s still smiling at you. Really handsome! The stranger shakes with his own water bottle, hinting that it was him who rolled it at you. He’s kind, too. You bow to thank him but he still doesn’t let his eyes leave you.

You contemplate for a minute whether to reply to his note. Would that be weird? You wonder. You grasp all your courage together to do so anyways, ripping a piece of paper of your note pad.

Thanks, although I doubt water will save me now. Do you happen to have an instant solution?

You crumple the paper up into a ball and roll the ball towards him. Scared to face him as he opens it, you try to focus on the study material in front of you again. Price takers believe or act as if they can sell or buy as much or as little as they want without affecting the price. In effect they act as if prices are independent of their behaviour. You feel a little tick on the side of your head, followed by the sound of a piece of paper dropping on the wooden table. The stranger has folded an airplane out his note, this time.

No. Sorry :(

You sigh slightly, reaching for the bottle of water and taking a few sips. Maybe because you’re too tired and distracted, you decide to reply to the stranger once more, throwing another crumpled up paper ball at him.

Thanks anyways. For the water and for waking me up. Fighting!

Fifteen minutes pass, you’ve advanced a bit in your studying and it seems to be going well. Occasionally, you steal a few glances at the guy who woke you up. You’re not sure if you’ve seen him on campus before. He’s definitely not from your department; you would know if that was the case.

You rest your head on your palm, your elbow leaning on the table. You start reading the next page, your eyes blinking more often than usual. A firm has market power if it finds it profitable to raise price above marginal cost. The ability of a firm… to profitably raise price above marginal cost… depends on the extent… to which consumers… can substitute… to other... handsome guy… at two ‘o clock…

You’re much faster than the first time to regain your composure, spotting the second water bottle that woke you up. Aish! This is so embarrassing. There’s another note slid underneath the label.

There is one way but you might not be up for it…

This wakes you up. If not just for your interest that’s reaching a peak, it’s for the guy you were dreaming about that’s still trying to help you. Excited, you pick up your pencil, scribbling a new message on it.

Really? Tell me! PS: Be careful, you’re going to run out of water bottles at this rate.

Instead of crumpling the paper up, you now slid it back under the label of the second water bottle, giving it a gentle push to roll it back at him. When you see it hits his arm, you quickly look down at your book again.

You expect another airplane, but alternatively you see the second water bottle rolling against your college book.

Don’t worry. Stole them from my study buddy next to me. He’s got no clue. Admirable concentration that guy has! Bet he doesn’t even need them. You look great today, despite being tired. Shame of those earrings though, they don’t compliment your beautiful eyes well.

You blink at his message a few times. Especially at the last part. Has he seen me before? You look down at what you’re wearing. Casual chic sapphire dress. Not any different from what you usually wear during summer. Then you think about your earrings. You can hardly remember which ones you’re wearing.

You hear your phone buzzing on the table. You hover your eyes over the display, discovering a new text message from your best friend who’s sitting five seats away from you.

IS THE OH SEHUN SMILING AT YOU? OMG LUCKY GIRL HE’S SO HAWT!!!!

Oh Sehun? You swear you’ve never heard of him before. Or maybe it does ring a bell somewhere in the back of your mind- you’re not entirely sure. Probably your friend has mentioned him to you before, once or twice. Also, what’s with the caps...

Why, who is he?

You hit send.

!!!! OH C’MON HE’S ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR STUDENTS FROM THE MUSIC AND THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT. ALL THE GIRLS WANT HIM. 2ND YEAR STUDENT OH SEHUN??????!!!!!

You nod at the text message, concluding he is one year older than you since you’re still a first year student. Before you even get the chance to type a reply, you get another text from her.

GO GET HIM!!!!!!!!!!

Is it just you, or is she overreacting, you wonder. She’s crazy. You put your phone away in your backpack that is standing next to your chair on the floor, not bothering to reply. So his name is Sehun, hmmm? You tick the wooden table with your nails.

Do my earrings really not suit me? You take them out and observe them up close, dangling them between your fingers. Silver coloured earrings with blue jewels, is it that bad? Maybe the wrong type of blue? You look back at the stranger at two ‘o clock, now identifiable as Sehun. He’s folding another piece of paper. You try to guess what he’s making, but it’s not until it reaches you with a swift throw, that you discover it to be a butterfly. On its wings, you find his new message.

I was right. You’re even prettier without them. What are you studying?

You’re not slacking off; you’re just being honest with yourself. You’re too tired to study and you’re too interested in Sehun to let go of him, so before you realize, you start an entire message exchange with him using crumpled paper balls, each time receiving a response with a new figure he folds; flowers, animals. Hottie seems skilled in origami.

Stealing water bottles from the guy next to you? Bad boy! Economics. You?

I’m elaborately studying how not to enjoy myself. Thank god you’re here. Economics? You must be a very smart girl. Your passion?

No way! I study economics because well… I’m good at it and that’s where the money is, my dad tells me.

So you’re not studying what you love? What would you study, should money not be a burden in your life later on? PS: What’s your name?

Dancing! I’d go to a dance school. PS: It’s (y/n). Yours is Sehun, right?

That’s interesting, (y/n). Cute name btw. Yes, I’m Sehun. Which dancing style? Also, pass me your eraser, I can’t find mine.

Street dance and contemporary dance. Sorry, I know it looks childish… But it’s a really great eraser!

How am I supposed to use this? It’s a Panda! It’s too cute to use! I need my own Panda eraser. It’s amazing.

What are you, a girl? Just use it! Start with its feet then. :D

I can’t believe you used his entire butt… If I’m a girl, are you a boy?

His butt is still white, ok? :’) Just shaped a little flat… Also, I’m definitely not a boy. If anything I am at least a man.

It’s not up to you to decide whether you’re a man or a boy, that’s up to the woman… ME!

Oh that’s rude!

Why, want to be the woman again, (y/n)? J

Yes! You be the boy-

Hey, hey, hey. Don’t label me yet. As a woman, you owe it to me to give me the opportunity to prove myself otherwise~

Now how would you do that, Mr. Oh?

That message has been left without reply by Sehun since ten minutes. Did I go overboard by challenging him… or is it because I used his family name? Maybe he doesn’t like me. You rub your temples with your index fingers, staring upwards to the delicate latticed skylight made out of heavy glass.

The college library is impressive. It has been designed as an atrium, with a large open space in the middle where tables occupy the whole of the centre. Surrounding the study room are columns of book stacks, levelling up four tiers that are closed in via balconies which rise to the skylight.

What are you so disappointed about, (y/n). You don’t even like this guy for real. You just think he’s physically attractive, you admit to yourself. That’s all. You roll your eyes, grunting silently. Another two hours before you allow yourself to give up on studying for the day.

You glance back at Sehun, peeping at what he’s doing. He’s texting. Probably found someone more interesting to talk to. You let your head fall onto your notebook, not even realising how hard the guy in front of you has been pitying you. He raises an eyebrow at you, then nudges you.

“You better go home. You need some sleep”, he says. You jerk your head up, shaking it strongly in protest.

“No, two more hours!” You murmur and empty the first water bottle Sehun gave you. The guy in front of you hisses, but you try to ignore him. Come on. You encourage yourself. That’s when you suddenly remember- Hey, didn’t Sehun know a way to keep me awake? You stretch your arms in the air quickly before ripping off one last piece of paper from your note pad.

Whatever it is that can solve my tiredness-problem, I’m up for it. I need it. Desperately!

There goes nothing, you think as you throw the crumpled paper ball at Sehun. You follow the ball with your eyes until it lands in between him and the table. For a moment you think he has to search underneath the table to find it, but as he picks it up, you realize that it was just resting on his crotch.

The second he reads your note, Sehun smirks at it. It leaves you somewhat confused, he had been ignoring you and now he seems happy to be hearing from you. What in the world? You scratch your head.

Unlike his previous answers, this one arrived exactly like yours, in a crumpled up paper ball. Before opening it up, you steal another glance at him. His eyes are fixed on you, barely blinking and accompanied with a grin. Unlike the first time you noticed him watch you, he seems more confident, more familiar, it is hard to point out for you how different it is exactly. You open the note, finding a rather unexpected answer.

Want to take a break? I think we both deserve one. Leave behind your stuff and FOLLOW ME. Maybe you don’t know this yet, but we’re allowed to leave our seats, you know? From the moment one of the librarians notices we’re gone, we have exactly twenty minutes before they think we’ve left and take away our stuff so they can give our seats to someone else. Let’s have a chat!

You hear Sehun stand up from his seat the moment you finish reading his message. For some reason, you’re excited. He seems a lot of fun to be around. You decide not to waste too much time and get up from your chair, witnessing Sehun has already reached the staircase. You run after him, more precisely you speed-walk after him, staying at a safe distance of several meters.

Your nerves are killing you and you’re not sure why. You recall your best friend telling you how all the girls want him and you feel your heart starting to beat faster; it has been a while since you’ve been alone with a stud like him. You’re curious about him. You’ve only had contact over sheets of paper but you would have no idea what he sounds like or how much his personality differs from his origami exchanges. You would compare it to finally getting to meet a guy you’ve been talking to over the internet.

You trace the fingers of your left hand over the rails of the balcony as you walk beside it, looking down at the study hall from the top floor and spotting your best friend who is making hand gestures from afar. You’re unable to decipher the weird hand movements she’s making, so you look forward at Sehun, who’s walking confidently with his hands stuffed in his front pockets.

Cute ass. Handsome back posture as well. It’s the first time you take the opportunity to observe thoroughly what he is wearing. Brown dress shoes, blue jeans with holes, white shirt. From the back, he certainly gives off the vibe of a man, you remember the conversation you had with him about being a boy or a man.

It seems almost random when Sehun takes a turn and disappears into one of the columns of book cases at his right. You realize you were too busy eyeing his magnificent bum for you to register which column he walked into, so you’re not all that surprised when you suddenly feel a hand grab your wrist and Sehun yanks you into one of the columns.

“Hey Panda-killer babe, it’s here”, Sehun whispers laughingly and loosens his grip on you slightly as he pulls you further into the column.

The columns aren’t very deep nor wide. Maximum two meters wide and ten meters deep, you estimate. Sehun lets go of you once he has gently dragged you to the middle and you trace your eyes over the titles on the books that are displayed.

“What section is this?” You ask, first attempting to figure it out for yourself. You’ve never been on the top floor of the library before. Books on economics are on the second tier.

“Our section”, Sehun replies. You turn around to face him, finding him leaning against the shelves at the end of the column, close to the wall. He beams his brightest smile at you and you comply, strolling to the end of the column and doing the same. It doesn’t really matter which section it is, you’re here to relax, you realize.

“Right”, you say and you go to stand against the shelves opposite to Sehun, your hands squished between the books and your butt as you lean against the shelves yourself. “I hear you’re in the music and theatre arts department?” you ask.

“Someone’s got resourceful friends”, Sehun laughs. “Tell me, what else do your sources say about me?” Usually you aren’t as straightforward, but because of the paper conversations you’ve had with him, you feel self-assured and comfortable around him to be honest with him.

“That you’re hawt and that all the girls want you”, you say fearless, cracking a smile. “That’s about it”. Despite knowing Sehun for an hour, you have faith that this answer will satisfy him. He looks like the type who knows what he’s worth. Overconfident, having a bit of an ego.

“Interesting sources you’ve got. So what about you? How do you perceive that observation from your friend, (y/n)?” You did not expect this answer, or better, this question. You stare in front of yourself, having to think twice before you realise what he’s asking exactly. Is he asking me whether I think he’s hot? Whether I want him?

Your brain freezes. Never before did you transform so fast from confident to shy by the words of a guy. Unconsciously, you bite your lower lip, tracing the lines of his salacious body and handsome features with your irises. Your heart beats faster again, this time accompanied by your body which starts to tremble nervously. Ooh fuck he’s so freaking hot, is the only sentence your mind can produce but you’re too scared to say it out loud. Even you realize that, in your mind, you’re sounding desperate for him.

“I’m guessing that means you agree”, Sehun says and pushes himself off the book case behind him. In a split second, you feel his hand cup your cheek and his lips crash onto yours. You’re a bit shocked at first, but soon you follow and close your eyes. His lips move slowly, brushing feather-light kisses on yours, allowing you to tune in on the kiss easily. So soft~ And he smells so good.

Sehun rests the fingertips of his free hand on your waist, caressing it soothingly whilst he deepens the kiss. As he tentatively traces your tongue with his, he lets go of his other hand on your cheek and gently draws a line from behind your ear, down your neck, over your soft spot to the middle of your breasts until his digit reaches the piece of sapphire blue fabric you’re wearing.

You don’t recall kisses to be that- fucking delicious. He tastes so goddamn…- You wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him closer and unbeknownst yourself, you increase the speed of the kiss, trying to conquer his tongue lustfully. You let your fingers glide through his hair, allowing the maximum of your senses to be absorbed by him fully; his fragrance, his touch, his kiss, the sound of your hungry kisses, everything. Everything is focused on him, him and you.

You hear Sehun fiddling in the bookshelves with the hand that just ran over your sweet spot. Perfectly in sync with the moment where he pulls out a book from the shelves, he pulls away from you and leans against the wall at the end of the column. You’re dumbfounded on how he brutally stopped the kiss, witnessing him opening the book somewhere in the middle, looking down at it and ignoring you, not uttering a single word.

You’re offended by his strange behaviour and want to lash out on him for playing you like this, but before you can collect the right words in your mind, you hear the sound of high heels clicking. You behold the balcony, discovering one of the female librarians pass by. Instantaneously, your anger disappears. He just has good ears. You wait until the librarian is a few columns further before you mock him about it.

“Scared to get caught?” you tease, seeing Sehun stuff the book into the shelves next to him instead of positioning it back into its original location.

“Less than you are”, he says and tugs you over to him so that he traps you in his arms, your back leaning against his chest. With his knuckles, he starts caressing your waist at both sides, repeating the up and down motion that tranquilizes you. “Aren’t you scared of what this bad- boy can do to you?” he whispers in your ear, his voice hoarse and raw. You realize he’s referring back to your own words earlier on, but coming from his mouth, you know he has assigned a different meaning to it. To magnify his statement, he nips at your earlobe once, followed by his lips that delight the back of your ear. “You asked me how I’d prove I’m a man”. You’re becoming enticingly ensnared by him, closing your eyes, hearing his every breath pass your ear.

He has successfully captivated your mind and thoughts with words and sexual advances for you to become so stimulated that you don’t answer him, so Sehun decides to work you up a little more. “For you, I can be both. A real man- and a bad, very bad boy”, he says. He initiates kisses behind your ear, puckering gentle ones on the same trail down your neck as before. Oh that feels so fucking good. His kisses are deliberately using a hint of saliva, making you quiver each time he moves on to the next spot, the cold air brushing over the wet, exposed skin making you throb.

You let your head fall back and rest on his shoulder, your breath hitching. When he arrives at your soft spot, you let out a low moan, encouraging him to gently tug on the same skin with his teeth, his tongue flicking over the flesh locked in his mouth. Ofttimes, you exhale deeply at the movements of his soft lips, wet tongue and hungry teeth mixed with his knuckles that keep fondling your waist at a steady rhythm. You feel your insides quiver, clamp, relax and then release, guiding the wetness to your folds. In harmony with your body’s reaction, you violently exhale Sehun’s name.

“Sshhhht”, Sehun whispers in your ear to remind you to be quiet and continues on. You’re both still in the library, after all; there are people down there. Temporary, he lets go of one hand on your waist to pull the zipper on the back of your dress downwards, but only slightly. He’s providing himself better access to your neck and shoulders, finding a second soft spot that makes you bite back a moan.

“We should go somewhere else”, you breathe, desiring more of him. For a second, you believe you can take the lead and turn around to kiss him intensely, but Sehun holds you in your place so you can’t move. Alternatively, he grinds his bulge against you as payback, making you lose control over your breathing. He’s extremely hard.

“Open your eyes”, Sehun orders you and you gasp for air when you do. Not only passer-by’s but also people on the other balcony, the one on the opposite side of the library, are able to see you, should one decide to search for a book there. You are experiencing a cocktail of feelings; arousal, desire, fear and anxiousness. He’s having your mind in the gutter.

“Feel that?”, Sehun asks, his digits now back on both sides of your waist, his index and middle finger slowly lifting your dress up. “It’s called adrenaline”, he whispers and kisses the most sensitive soft spot you have in your neck. “It keeps you awake-”, he says raw and traces his fingers upwards on your thighs. “and can last for hours”, Sehun glides one of his hands over your panties to the centre above your core. “There’s nothing-”, he sinks his hand into your panties without warning and dips two of his fingers between your folds, reaching your clit. “a good fuck can’t fix”, he groans in your ear.

Involuntarily, you release an audible moan and close your eyes again. Sehun uses his free hand to guide your jaw towards him so he can kiss you lustfully, his fingers now hunting for the right rhythm, pressure and movements that will drive you insane. He guides himself by the way he feels you tremble in his chest, how sloppy your kisses become and how the vibration of your breathing increases vigorously.

“Fuck baby, you’re so wet” Sehun murmurs. You crave Sehun so badly, you can’t believe you’re unable to subdue your thoughts and are acting with audacity. At this rate, you’re putting your hopes on him to keep an eye out for passer-by’s. You can’t focus on them anymore, you can only focus on Sehun. On you, in you; you need him. What has he done to you? You moan. “You’re so responsive, you’re driving me crazy” he whispers. “The filthy things you make me want to do to you”.

You let out a small cry when he slides his fingers into your core, his thumb taking over the clit work. He thrusts with them at a steady pace, but one that differs from the pace he’s holding over your clit. You arch your back, your head crushing harder into Sehun’s shoulder. You try to hold your moans to a minimum, but by now you’ve given up on trying to withhold from the heavy and unsteady breathing. It is simply impossible.

Sehun grinds his hardness against you once more and you can’t resist letting out a moan. “Sehun” You manage to alleviate it only a bit.

“Yes baby?” he whispers and he starts sucking a hickey on your neck. With his free hand, he now roams over one of your breasts, kneading eagerly. Despite the multitasking, Sehun doesn’t lose track of the rhythm he’s working on your core and clit. You’re growing closer to reach your high by the second, your breathing transitioning to low whines as the new standard. “You want to cum?”

You try to nod but your body is out of your control already, so you try to whine a silent yes in between. When Sehun catches your plea, he increases his speed and tries to deepen his finger-thrusts on you. A few thrusts in and you reach your high. You scar your lip, biting on it to withhold your moans but they partially still manage to escape through your teeth.

Sehun’s grip on you loosens and you turn around, claiming those hungry kisses you’ve been wanting to steal from him before. Maybe out of desire, maybe out of gratitude that you do so, probably both.

“Baby, your ass is perfect”, Sehun says as he lets his hands caress the rounds of your butt cheeks. He traces them down to move under your dress for the second time, this time locking two of his fingers at the sides of your panties, a finger at each side. Gently, he pushes downward until your panties find their own way to the floor of the book column.

You are getting impatient. For some reason you think Sehun’s slacking off and he needs to understand that you’ve only got twenty minutes to recharge, so you decide to use that time wisely. You start fiddling with his jeans, unhooking the button faster than even Sehun would expect you to be able to. He smirks at the eagerness and quickly helps you. If it wasn’t for him being in the library, he would get rid of his pants completely, but he has to make do with the pants hanging loose on his hips and his erection pulled out of his underwear.

Sehun can’t wait to quench your thirst for him and he lifts you by your thighs, fastening you onto his hips. He makes a one hundred and eighty degree turn, locking you in between him and the end of the column wall. He knows time is precious so he doesn’t even seek for your approval, he knows he has it, and lines himself up before thrusting into you hard. You bite on the same bruise on your lip to withhold your moans routinely.

“Fuck, you’re tight”, Sehun groans and starts to move his hips. You try to meet him with yours but that isn’t as easy as you’d expect, squished between both him and the wall. One of your arms rests over his shoulders whilst the other greedily fists his hair. You haven’t been able to take a glance at his length, but you can tell its thick by how you feel your core stretch for him.

With every thrust, your body adapts to him, allowing him to ease in and out more pleasurably each time. You try to control your breathing, focusing solely on that and one spot below where he leisurely torments you. You’re even too enthralled by all the sensations to realize you both let out a groan at the exact same time.

“Faster”, you plead and Sehun adheres to your request instantly. He thrust deeper, harder, faster and you soon find your mouth on Sehun’s shoulder, hoping to suppress your moans that way. Your entire body feels warm and you try to cling onto Sehun harder. The feeling of fulfilment is mind-boggling.

“You’re so much better. Than I imagined”, Sehun says between thrusts. “Fucking. Good”. “You feel so. Freaking. Good”, he repeats. Your body is wounding tight, craving release. Sehun notices this by how you’re trying everything you can to keep your moans in check so that they’re not too loud, but he’s facing the same problems himself so he forgets to encourage you to keep it down. “You’re. Such. A. good. Girl”.

“Sehun”, you cry silently. It’s another plea.

“I know baby. Hold on just a little longer”, he says and now solely hits all the right spots.

“Please!” you cry once more and a thrust later, you bite on his shoulder. An explosion erupts in you and your groan is still audible despite your efforts. Your walls clench around Sehun and he rides out your high, trying his best not to cry out himself from the perfect pain and pleasure combination you’re giving him. Your body is now being relentless with him, too.

“Ooh, (y/n), fuck!”, Sehun breathes heavily, riding out his own high. He pulls out afterwards, brushing his nose against your face that is still nuzzled into his shoulder. You jerk your head up to face him, his cheeks visibly flushed like you imagine yours to be.

“You did really well”, he compliments you, still holding you up between him and the wall. There’s a certain innocence in your eyes that tempts him to kiss you slowly and passionately. He knows he has been very dominant and rough with you. You might not be in love with him, nevertheless you welcome his kiss wholeheartedly. You agree that it’s a perfect way to end your small adventure.

You pull away slowly, flashing Sehun a smile, when suddenly, you let out a loud scream as you jump off Sehun. Your scream is so loud, that there’s no doubt the three hundred people in the study hall below hear it. At the end of the column, you see a dark, short-haired guy looking at you and Sehun.

Sehun turns around and witnesses the guy run away, then starts laughing.

“What, this isn’t funny”, You panic. “He saw us!”

“Don’t worry, that’s my friend Kyungsoo. He won’t tell anybody”, he assures you and caresses your arm to calm you down.

“You!” You give his chest a lazily push, slightly annoyed that he doesn’t mind as much as you do. You grab your panties, put them on quickly and then start making your way back to your table.

“Hey”, Sehun calls you before you reach the balcony. You turn around, giving him the attention he’s asking for. “I really enjoyed it”, he says softly. You smile. You’ve never dreamed of doing something like this before. You realize that some people might’ve caught you both, but you feel that for once, it was worth it.

“So did I”, you beam back.

“If you want, I’m in search for a new study buddy”, Sehun hints at you.

“Thought you had one? He has lots of water”, you point out.

“Yeah… well… I mean a study buddy for at home?” He tries again.

“I’ll think about it”, you smile and turn on your heel. One minute left. Four tiers down. This is going to be the sprint of a lifetime. Fighting!

#sehun scenario #sehun smut #exo smut #exo scenario #kpop smut #kpop scenario #sehun #oh sehun #exo sehun #exo scenarios #sehun fanfic #sehun fanfiction #oh sehun smut

3K notes · View notes

mattzerella-sticks · 7 years

Text

My Home (Coda to 12x15 “Between Heaven and Hell”)

Dean might have said he'd accept Sam's decision, didn't say he would like it. He needs some space, just so he can deal with the racing thoughts in his head. But when Cas drops the perfect distraction in his lap, how could he say no. But will this really distract him from his problems, or make him confront even more of them? (AO3)

Dean passes the Bunker for the fifth time, pulling in to the garage before driving off again. He can feel his phone vibrating against his thigh.

‘Sam…’

He presses harder on the gas pedal, the sound of gravel kicking up in the background. Dean turns the knob, Plant’s voice howling louder in the night. There’s a tic in his jaw, and his fingers start to cramp from the vice he has on Baby’s steering wheel.

The vibrating stops, and then it picks up again.

“Fuck-“

Dean’s violently jerks to the side of the road, parking haphazardly and tearing the key out of the ignition. He yanks his phone out of his pocket, not bothering to check before answering.

“What is it?” Dean snarls into the receiver.

“…Dean?”

Dean blinks, a lump forming in his throat and fingers going slack around his phone. He coughs, regaining his hold before it falls.

“Cas?” Dean asks, “Why are you calling?”

“Sam,” Cas answers, “Asked me to call you?” There’s confusion and concern woven into his question, and Dean can’t help the smile tugging at his lips.

“Of course,” Dean sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face.

“Are you alright?” Cas continues, “He sounded worried…”

“He’s just guilty,” Dean says, glaring out his side window and into the night. He lets his fingers play an erratic rhythm on the steering wheel.

“Guilty?” Cas asks, “For what?”

“Lying to me.”

“I thought you would have gotten used to that,” Cas tells him, deadpan and blunt. Dean can’t help the snort that escapes him.

“Me too,” Dean says, “I guess, after not doing it to each other for awhile…”

“Good things can’t last forever, I guess.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Dean smiles, “you’re still here, aren’t you?”

Cas doesn’t respond. Instead, Dean hears some rustling, and then the rushed, muffled conversation of Cas and someone else. Dean scrunches his brows together, trying to decipher what they are saying. He’s startled out of his long-distance eavesdropping by Cas speaking.

“I’m sorry, Dean,” Cas says, “Did you say something?”

“Nothing,” Dean blushes, “Not important. You… with someone right now?”

“Just a lead,” Cas tells him, voice warbling. Dean squints and pouts.

“Know where Kelly is?”

“No,” Cas sighs, “But I do know someone who might. An old contact of Dagon’s in Sterling-“

“Colorado?” Dean asks, “I mean, I could probably make it there by lunch if I ignore the speed limit and sleep, but who knows.”

“You’re coming?” Cas yelps, startling Dean, “I-I mean… Dean, there’s no need-“

“Look,” Dean cuts him off, “I need to cool off before I can face Sammy again. Maybe do some light leg work… and if there’s one place to relax it has to be Colorado.”

“I… don’t understand.”

“I’ll show ya, Cas,” Dean laughs, winking for no one to see, “trust me.”

There’s more rumbling on the other side of the line, and Dean can make out a few of the words. Not enough to tell whom it is, but just enough to send a slight warning up his spine. Cas is back on before it can grow.

“I would… I would like that, Dean.”

Dean smiles. No matter how weird Cas had been acting, the honesty in his last comment eases his doubts-for now.

‘No use worrying, anyway.’

“I’ll start driving-“

“Shouldn’t you pack?” Cas interrupts, “Sam said you left in such a rush-“

“Oh… yeah,” Dean sighs, “I’ll get right on that.”

“I’ll text you when I’m there,” Cas says, “Goodbye Dean.”

“Bye Cas.”

The line goes silent, and Dean breathes out a sad huff. He pulls up Sam’s name and shoots out a quick text.

Back whenever.

He tosses the phone into the passenger seat. Starting Baby back up, he drives out towards Sterling.

‘Good thing I forgot to unpack.’

“I don’t like this, Castiel.”

Kelvin glares at Cas from the opposite side of the booth, boring a hole through the menu he’s perusing. Cas acknowledges Kelvin with a look of his own: a raised brow and pursed lips.

“Your opinion is recognized,” Cas tells him, folding the menu, “but highly unnecessary.” He motions for the waitress over. “Two burgers, medium well. Deluxe. And what pie do you have?”

“Apple.”

“A slice of that, please. And beer.”

She takes it all down, and then leaves with the menus. Kelvin raises his own brow at Castiel’s order.

“Have you truly been living with the humans for that long, Castiel?”

“What? Oh, no,” Cas says, shaking his head, “Dean should be here any minute. Knowing him, the only thing he’ll have had were the candy bars he thinks Sam and I don’t know he’s hidden in his car.”

“That’s ridiculous-“

The bell chimes and Dean strolls in, looking for a familiar trench coat. He spots Cas and instantly lights up, waving. The closer he gets, the more the happiness falls from his face as it’s replaced with confusion.

He slides in too close to Cas and asks, “Who’s he?”

“Dean, this is Kelvin,” Cas says, mouth taught, “he’s an angel-“

“An angel?“ Dean looks at Cas, “Cas, are you sure? I mean, last time-“

“Dean, please,” Cas stops him, hand on his arm, “trust me. I’ll… explain later.”

Dean frowns, but the expression painted across Cas’s big blue eyes has him sighing in defeat. He turns to Kelvin, plasters on a big grin and extends a hand.

“Dean Winchester,” Kelvin greets, mouth curled downwards, “I’ve heard much about you.”

“And the only thing I know about you is that you share a name with a temperature,” Dean says sarcastically. Kelvin tries to respond when a deep rumble cuts him off. Dean sheepishly looks down.

“Sorry,” Dean smirks, patting his stomach, “chocolate can only last you so long.”

Cas shoots Kelvin a knowing look before turning to Dean. “Don’t worry,” he says, “I already ordered for you.”

The waitress takes her cue and drops the plate in front of Cas, sliding the bottle along the table.

“I’ll be back with your pie in a bit, sweetheart,” she winks, moving to another table.

Cas pushes the plate towards Dean. He’s looking at Cas with a soft smile.

“Pie?”

“Apple.”

“You’re the best,” Dean smiles, winking, “sweetheart.”

“Just start eating,” Cas laughs, knocking at Dean’s shoulder with his own. Dean takes his cue and starts shoveling it in to the amusement of Cas and the disgust of Kelvin.

Between bites of his second burger, he starts talking. “So,” he chews, “what’s with the lead?”

“Dagon has a network of associates,” Kelvin explains, “a sect of demons who serves her and only her. The Heavenly Host was able to track down the weakest of her sect at two possible locations.”

“Which are?”

“The first, Kelvin and I already checked before you got here,” Castiel says, “it was a warehouse just outside of town, we decided to check because we were coming in that way.”

“And the other?”

“Residential,” Kelvin explains, “in the suburbs. Probably blending in.”

“Probably,” Dean parrots, swallowing the last bite of burger. He’s almost done with the fries when the waitress brings the pie around. Dean thanks her, and smiles at the pastry.

“You really get me, Cas,” Dean says around the fork, moaning as the filling fills his mouth. Cas blushes and looks down. Kelvin squints.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Kelvin stands, “I need to make a phone call.” He doesn’t wait for either Cas or Dean to acknowledge him before walking out the door.

Dean turns to Cas, “So, now that the wet blanket’s gone, mind telling me why you brought him along in the first place?”

“Kelvin helped me find the demon,” Cas answers, thumbs tapping against each other nervously. He can’t look Dean in the eyes. “He’s back-up.”

“I’m back-up,” Dean says, putting a hand over Cas’s to stop his thumbs, “I’m also family.”

“Yes, you’re my family,” Cas nods, “But… so is he.”

“Cas, didn’t Heaven… disown you?”

“They-they did,” Cas coughs out, looking down, “but… with Kelly and her baby, the Host has put a lot into… perspective.”

“What does that mean?”

“They want me back,” Cas turns to him. “Want me to be a part of Heaven once more. Joshua-he’s leading Heaven and… we talked.”

A cold pit settles in Dean’s stomach. He feels like the seat has dropped out from under him and he’s falling.

“Huh.”

“Huh?” Cas blinks, “Is… is that all?”

“What? Sorry, Cas, s’just… a lot to take in,” Dean shakes his head, looking away, “So… Heaven’s finally realized they made a mistake letting you go?”

Cas smiles at him, “It would seem.”

“And you… you want to go back?”

“I do miss it, Dean,” Cas sighs, “Heaven was my home for the longest of time. The angels were my brothers and sisters, my… my family.”

“Right,” Dean takes another bite of his pie, the taste going stale so quickly.

Cas tilts his head at him, looking right through him with burning blue eyes. Dean can feel a tingle where Cas’s stare scorches him. He takes one more bite before he can’t take it anymore. He takes out his wallet and tosses a couple of bills onto the table.

“Come on,” Dean stands now, “Kelvin’s probably finished with his call or whatever.”

Castiel opens his mouth, words at the tip of his tongue, before he swallows them and nods. He gets up and follows Dean, but the hunter knows that Cas will want to speak with him later.

With them, it’s always later.

Nightfall comes sooner than expected. One by one, the lights in the cul-de-sac go out, until only the street lamps are left. Dean, from where he’s parked, sees Cas and Kelvin making their way back. He climbs out and joins them.

“So,” he asks, “what’d you find?”

“The house is warded,” Cas says, frowning, “we won’t be getting in.”

Dean gives him a crooked smile, “Looks like it’s a good thing I came after all.”

“Yes,” Kelvin agrees, “you do have your use after all.”

The smile falls from Dean’s face, turning to shoot the other angel a glare. Cas draws his attention back with a touch of his hand.

“Dean,” Cas starts, “you don’t have to go in-“

“Cas, it’s okay,” Dean says, grabbing Cas’s arm, “I’m not a B&E virgin.”

“Yes, but, this isn’t an ordinary demon.”

“Say what?”

“Dagon’s followers,” Cas explains, “are a cabal of trained elites and, while they enjoy their many vices, are stronger, faster, and capable than your ordinary demon. Even her weakest, Kroni.”

“Cas, I’m sure this won’t be any different than all the other demons we’ve faced,” Dean smiles, “although it’s nice to hear you worry about me.”

“I always worry.”

Dean blushes. He’s about to say something when Kelvin’s coughing interrupts the moment. The two turn.

“As touching as this is,” he frowns, “we have a mission.”

Cas steps back. “Of course.” He gives one final nod at Dean before he follows Kelvin into the shadows. Dean watches him leave before moving towards the house. He slinks up the steps, thankful for the dark cover of the overhead porch roof. Taking one final peek behind him for caution, he kneels down and pulls out his kit. It doesn’t take long before the door is open.

He slips in, careful not to make too large a sound. Dean pulls out his flashlight, searching the hallway. There’s a small photo hanging above a shoe rack, and Dean checks behind it. Like he expected, there’s a small sigil carved into the panel behind it.

‘This is going to be easy.’

Dean takes out his angel blade and slashes a little notch through the original carving. It lights for a second before fading back into the wood.

“One down,” Dean whispers, “whatever left to go.”

Dean continues working through the house. He goes slow and silent, conscious to not wake the demon sleeping upstairs. There were a few close calls: a dropped vase, a squeaky floorboard. Thankfully the demon is a heavy sleeper.

He’s in the kitchen, the last place to check on the first floor. There’s a little window above the sink, and Dean can just make out the familiar tan trench coat.

‘One more Dean,’ he thinks, ‘let’s wrap this up quick.’

He checks the cabinets, moving things out of the way, holding the flashlight with his teeth. Finding, nothing, Dean moves on, and repeats this a few more times.

‘Where the hell is this thing?’

Just when he checks the pantry, he hears the gun clicking at his back.

“Out of the closet.”

Dean puts his hands up, sliding the angel blade into his jacket sleeve. He turns around slowly, getting a look at the demon in front of him.

Kroni wears a middle-aged man, doughy, with balding hair and old-wire frame glasses.

“Don’t try anything funny,” Kroni whispers, jabbing Dean in the guy with the rifle, “I’ll pull the trigger faster than you can-“

Dean bats the rifle down, knocking it out of Kroni’s hands and away from them. He uses his other hand to throw a mean right hook, sending Kroni to the floor, glasses shattering underneath.

Kroni looks up at Dean just as he slides the angel blade back out. Kroni stares at it, then smiles, eyes shadowing over into darkness.

“Hunter,” Kroni hisses, “You picked the wrong demon to mess with.”

He launches forward with renewed strength, and Dean barely has time to dodge his attack. He ducks, steps to the side, but the kick to his ribs has him sprawling to the ground.

Kroni straddles him, reaching for the blade. Dean fights him for it, grappling against the demon’s strong grip with one of his own. Where Dean has both his hands on the hilt, Kroni has a loose hold on the blade, uncaring of the blood dripping down his palm. He smiles at Dean, teeth yellow and sharp. With his other hand, he starts to pummel Dean anywhere and everywhere he can.

By the fifth time he’s punched Dean in the head, it starts getting blurry. Dean figures he has a concussion from all the times his head was knocked into the concrete floor, but he doesn’t give up.

He starts wriggling, and soon enough breaks a foot free to kick Kroni off of him. Dean breathes, looking to the side. There, on the wood lining under the bottom cabinets, Dean can see the sigil. He turns over and crawls, pulling himself forward with shaky hands.

The angel blade is loosely held as he holds it forward.

“I don’t think so.”

Kroni stomps on his wrist, breaking it. Dean cries out in pain, dropping the weapon. Kroni snatches the blade, propping Dean up on the cabinets and smirking at him.

“You know,” Kroni starts, “I didn’t recognize you- at first. But now… Dean Winchester… wanna know what’s gonna happen next.”

Dean spits some blood at Kroni, only for the demon to slap him across the side of his face. He grabs Dean by his hear and drags him closer to his face.

“I’m gonna kill you-“

“Step away from him!”

Kroni startles, looking over his shoulder at where Castiel and Kelvin stand, their own angel blades drawn. He snarls, turning back to glare at Dean, then over at the sigil he carved years ago, only to find it scratched.

“Too slow, Kroni,” Dean laughs.

“I won’t ask again,” Castiel moves forward, blade gripped tight, “surrender and we promise to go easy on you.”

“Surrender this!”

Kroni shoves the blade into Dean’s side, startling a pained groan out of the hunter.

“No!”

Castiel moves forward, attacking Kroni. The demon turns and walks right into Castiel’s blade, sliding himself up until he’s face-to-face with the angel.

“You’ll never find Dagon,” he laughs, “Lucifer & his son will reign…” His eyes flash, bones electrifying before he slumps over dead. Castiel frowns, pushing Kroni off his blade before running to Dean’s side.

“Dean… Dean!”

Cas puts his hand over Dean’s, smearing Dean’s blood all over his palm. Dean looks at Cas with bleary eyes.

“S’okay, Cas,” Dean whispers, “just a flesh wound.”

Cas lets loose a watery chuckle before pushing Dean’s hand aside. Cas pulls the blade out of Dean before he covers the wound with his own hand. Cas’s eyes light up, the blue glowing faintly. He starts healing him, the broken flesh weaving back together under his care.

Dean stares at Cas’s eyes.

“…Pretty.”

“Rest easy, Dean,” Cas says, “you deserve it.”

Cas lets Dean slump onto his shoulder, having passed out from the pain. Castiel casts one last fond look at Dean before turning to Kelvin. The other angel glares angrily at him, standing over the dead demon.

“What?”

“We needed him, Castiel.”

Cas moves Dean to rest gingerly on the floor. He stands and shrugs, “He was one of many.”

“The one we knew where to find!” Kelvin shouts, “Do you know how long that took, too? How many of our brothers and sisters it took, out risking their lives, to find one address?”

“Their work would have been in vain,” Cas tells him, “He would never have cooperated-“

“And how do you know?” Kelvin growls, stalking into Cas’s personal space, “If it was just us-we could have taken him. If I had gotten my hands on him, he would have talked-“

“His eyes.”

“…What?”

“Kelvin, right before he died, I could see it in his eyes,” Cas explains, “There was nothing you or I or even the complete fury of the Heavenly Host could have done to tell us anything. Lucifer inspires… madness.”

“Oh, really,” Kelvin glares, crossing his arms, “are you sure?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean,” he chuckles darkly, “Are you sure you aren’t saying that to cover for your mistake?”

Cas squints back at him. “And what mistake do you believe I have made?”

“Bringing your human,” Kelvin spits out, “letting him come in here and mess things up-“

Kelvin is pressed against the counter in seconds, shirt collar balled in Cas’s fists. Cas’s eyes glow bright blue.

“Listen, Kelvin, since you are my brother I will only explain this once,” Cas starts, “Dean Winchester is no mistake. He’s my family, just as much as you are-“

“Is he?” Kelvin laughs, “Brother, it’s clear where we both stand to you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“How much can something grow in a blink of a second?” Kelvin asks, “How does a few years outshine millennia?”

“The fact that you’re even asking me,” Cas says, “means you wouldn’t understand if I explained.” Cas backs off, leaving Kelvin leaning against the counter. They stare at each other for a beat.

“So you choose him, then?”

“No.”

Kelvin startles.

“And before you get ahead of yourself,” Cas continues, “that doesn’t mean I’m choosing you either. In fact, I reject it.”

“What?”

“This notion of choosing,” Cas shrugs, “Why should I have to choose between my family if I don’t want to. I don’t want it to come to that-I never do. But that requires work on all sides.”

“Now what does that mean?”

Castiel moves to Dean’s side and hefts him up, letting him lean against his side, tugging his arm around his shoulder. Cas looks at Kelvin. “It means you can’t just tolerate the Winchesters. You need to accept them as you have done me.”

“Castiel-“

“I’m not demanding it, nor asking for it to happen overnight,” Cas continues, “I want to be a part of the Host once more, but I’m a package deal now. I’m as much a Winchester as I am angel.”

“…It shows.”

Cas’s mouth forms a tight line. “Now, go back to Joshua and report to him what happened here. But before you do that, sweep the house for any clues and dispose of Kroni.”

“How will I get back to-!“

He barely has time to catch the keys before they hit the floor.

“Call me when you get the next lead,” Cas says, moving towards the exit, “and don’t scratch her.”

Cas carries Dean out the back door, leaving Kelvin alone in the house. Kelvin frowns, and then crouches down next to the demon.

“He’s lucky we’re so concerned with Lucifer’s spawn,” he says to the body, “and that there’s no chance he’ll sire his own.”

Cas makes quick work of the walk to Baby. He gets the keys from Dean’s pocket and opens the passenger side first. He tucks Dean into the seat, each movement as slow and careful as possible. Cas straps him in before moving to the driver’s seat and climbing in.

“Hello, girl,” Cas whispers, caressing the wheel, “I hope you trust me like you do your owner.” He starts it, Baby purring sweetly for him. Cas smiles.

Ten minutes on the road, Dean starts stirring. He turns to his left and pops open a bleary eye.

“Cas?” Dean mumbles, “wha… you drivin’ Baby?”

“Yes, Dean.”

“…Okay.” He slips back into unconsciousness not soon after.

The next time Dean wakes up, it’s because of the sunlight streaming in through the window. He blinks awake, squinting against the brightness. He yawns, pulling himself up.

“Good, you’re awake.”

Dean startles, turning towards Cas. The angel is perched on a nearby chair, folding a newspaper and smiling at Dean.

“Cas?” Dean asks. Then, it hits him. He moves a hand towards his side, only to find unblemished skin. He looks down.

“I healed you,” Cas tells him, “not a lot, just the largest wound.”

Dean looks down at his bare chest, tattoo clear against his pale skin. He raises a brow, “Did your grace also undress me?”

Cas blushes, looking away. “Ah, no,” he confesses, “that would be me. I didn’t want to stain the sheets.

Dean smiles at him, pulling the covers and sitting. He looks around the room.

“Where’s the angel of temperature?”

“Kelvin is reporting back to Joshua,” Castiel says.

Dean nods. “So did Kroni say anything important?”

“No,” Castiel pouts, “Right after he stabbed you, he jumped onto my blade.”

“Well someone’s not a Chatty Cathy,” Dean snorts, “What did Kelvin have to say about it?”

“He… wasn’t happy.”

Dean frowns at Castiel’s answer, but thinks nothing of it.

“Well, anyway Cas, thanks for letting me tag along,” Dean shrugs, giving Cas his biggest grin. It manages to produce a smaller one on Cas’s face.

“Anytime, Dean,” Cas says.

“So,” Dean, glutton for punishment, starts, “when you gotta go back?”

“What?”

“To Heaven?” Dean continues, “I mean, now that I’m awake, I’m sure you’ve got more important things to handle then take care of me.”

Cas tilts his head in confusion. “Dean, taking care of you is something important.”

Dean blushes, looking away. He scratches his head, “Not to Heaven.”

“Probably not,” Cas confesses, “but it’s important to me.”

Dean’s face only gets redder. It spreads down his neck and making his shoulders look pink.

“Why you gotta do that, Cas?”

Cas smiles, “Do what?”

“You know,” Dean laughs, “You know what. And… you still do it, even though you gotta leave in the end.”

Instantly, Cas’s smile falls into a frown. “What?”

“It’s okay, really,” Dean turns to him, fixing him a bittersweet smile, “I understand how much Heaven means to you and-and I wouldn’t want to stand in the way between you and-“

“Dean,” Cas stops him, walking over to the bed and sitting next to him, “What are you talking about?”

“I mean,” Dean flushes, mumbling, “I assumed… now that you’re working with Heaven again… it’ll be back to the same old-same old.”

“Dean,” Cas sighs, shaking his heads, “too many things have happened for us to go back to before.”

“That’s the truth,” Dean sighs, “Angels falling… Darkness and God… Mom coming back, her ‘n’ Sammy hitching up with the British jerks-“

“What?”

Dean bites his cheek, pouting. He doesn’t look Cas in the eyes. He doesn’t need to.

“So that’s why you’re mad at Sam,” Castiel guesses, “Because he didn’t tell you about joining.”

Dean deflates, letting his shoulders sag. He leans into Cas, body going slack.

“He’s an adult,” Dean starts, “I keep saying that, over and over again. He can make his own choices, work with whoever he wants but…”

“But?”

“But he shouldn’t have dragged me along,�� Dean growls, “I told him how I felt about those jerks, and he made me do jobs for them. I felt… feel… used.”

“And, the worst part is,” Dean continues, “I know Sam was taking me along to show me how ‘great’ these guys were, how their network means we would never have to go without hunting y’know? Back to being sharp little knives, ready and waiting to be pointed at our next target-“

“Dean!”

“And I know I said I’d work with them,” Dean confesses, “Told Sam he might be right, about how better it would be to have an organization behind us, but I can’t help feel I sold a piece of my soul after that. Even though Sam promised me we’d bail whenever they proved their douche-dom, there’s a voice inside my head that won’t stop whispering about how they… won. And I hate it. I hate them. Hate how good their weapons and their network is because it only justifies their jerkiness. Hate how Mom and Sam took their side in the end and made me choose between family and peace of mind.”

Dean trails off after that, closing his eyes, focusing on his breathing and Cas’s smell. There’s a light pressure on his back, and he leans into it. Cas’s fingers dance across his spine, letting him know he’s there.

“Dean,” Cas whispers into Dean’s hair, “I wish we didn’t have to make such difficult decisions all the time.”

Dean chuckles. “So do I, Cas,” he mumbles, “Wish it was like this all the time.”

“Sam was only doing what he thought would convince you best,” Cas reasons, “knowing you’d shut down any conversation on the matter.”

“More than likely.”

“And I’m not saying he was right, making you work for them unknowingly,” Cas continues, “I know how awful it is to be pulled at the strings.”

“It sucks ass.”

“That it does.”

Cas continues trailing his fingers up and down Dean’s spine. Dean sighs, content to just sit there for the rest of the day with Cas. But he knows he can’t.

“I’m not mad at them… I still love them,” Dean finishes, looking up at Cas, “I just need… space.”

“After everything you’ve been through Dean, you need more than just ‘space’.”

“No rest for the wicked,” Dean winks at him, sitting at full height. Cas’s hands still before falling away. Dean follows them for a beat before he stops himself.

“So…”

“After Kelly,” Dean starts, broaching the subject, “what are you going to do?”

“Stay here with you,” Cas answers immediately, “Of course.”

Dean’s mouth drops open in surprise. His eyes are wide and glassy. He tries to say something, but the words choke, make it hard to breath. He clears his throat, and tears his gaze away from Cas’s honest one.

“You don’t…” Dean chuckles, “You could have Heaven… your home back.”

“Dean, you are my home.”

Dean whips his back around, drawn back into Cas’s orbit. The angel looks at Dean with a small smile. His eyes shine bright blue, not from his grace but from emotion.

“When you,” Dean says, “When you were in the barn… you said… I just-I never said it back.”

“Did you want to?”

“I always want to,” Dean says, “I’ve been wanting to for a long time.”

Their lips touch. Cas pulls Dean tighter into his embrace, pouring everything into their first kiss. Dean matches Cas with his own, gripping Cas’s hair for balance.

Cas pushes Dean down onto the bed, fingers dancing across Dean’s ribcage. Dean smiles, removing a hand to pull at Cas’s tie.

He pulls away, “What are you doing, Dean?”

“I feel awkward,” Dean answers, “the only one without a shirt? Thought I shouldn’t be alone.”

“You won’t,” Cas smiles, ripping the shirt apart, dropping it along with the suit jacket and trench coat, “Not while I’m here.” Dean’s eyes glaze over at the action, blood pooling down towards his crotch.

“Cas,” Dean growls, “if you don’t get back down here I’m-“

“Shush, Dean,” Cas smiles, kissing Dean once more. Dean licks at the seam of Cas’s lips, teasing for access.

Cas lets him in, savoring Dean’s taste. They stay like this for a while. Between kisses they hump against each other, building up speed and pressure.

After grinding against a certain spot on Cas’s thigh, Dean comes with a prayer on his lips. He sees wings. Cas doesn’t last long after that. Hearing Dean scream his name has Cas following, making a mess in his suit pants.

They pull apart, a scant few inches of space between them, breathing each other in.

“That was…”

“Yeah.”

Cas stars at Dean. Dean wants to look away, but cannot pull himself from the intensity of Cas’s gaze.

Cas smiles, “I love you, Dean Winchester.”

“I love you, too,” Dean says, kissing Cas one more time. Cas falls to the side, curling into Dean. Dean plays with the wild strands of Cas’s hair. They don’t talk, they just exist for a bit.

Soon enough, Cas breaks the silence.

“What do you want to do now?”

“Honestly,” Dean laughs, “I wouldn’t mind staying like this…”

“But?”

“I do have to eat,” Dean sits up, looking over at Cas, “And I was thinking…”

Cas props himself up on his fist. “What were you thinking, Dean?”

“We’re in Colorado,” Dean shrugs, “Might as well enjoy all of it.”

In the Brits’ temporary base, Sam focuses down on the map spread out on the table, watching as Davies draws the migration patterns of a few packs of werewolves for the assembled group. Mary watches with keen interest, while Sam has to ignore Ketch split his interest between the map and Mary.

“Sam, I was thinking you’d lead a squadron and flank them… here,” Davies points out on the map, “And I was hoping Dean could…”

“Even if I knew where he was, he wouldn’t.”

Davies sighs, “Of course.”

“God,” Ketch grumbles, “when is your brother going to suck it up and come back from his tantrum?”

“Hey,” Sam turns, defending Dean, “I said he agreed to help. He just… needs some time.”

“When I get upset, I just go on missions,” Ketch shrugs, “I’m sure we can toss some his way to do solo.”

“Dean doesn’t gut his feelings out of monsters, Ketch,” Mary says, glaring at the hunter.

Ketch looks away uncomfortable. “Could’ve fooled me,” he mutters.

Sam sighs, about to speak, when his phone flashes on the table. He looks down, blinking as Dean’s name pops up across his screen.

“Who is it?” Mary asks.

“It’s… Dean.”

“Did he finally get his panties untwisted?”

The ‘oof’ that follows has Mary smirking proudly at herself. Ketch winces, cradling his stomach.

Sam opens the message, and gapes. Mary looks at him in concern.

“Sam?” she asks, reaching for him across the table, “What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, no-nothing,” Sam says, shaking himself out of his stupor, “But… I don’t think Dean will be joining us for awhile.”

“Why do you say that?” Davies asks, frowning.

Sam shows them the photo Dean sent. Dean and Cas are under the covers of their motel bed, shirtless. Cas is turned onto one side, laughing, eyes crinkled at the sheer joy he’s expressing. Dean, however, is directly facing the camera. He’s laughing as well, green eyes bright with something Sam has never seen before.

Following the picture was a short message:

On hiatus.

“The angel?” Ketch scoffs, “He’s sleeping with the mon-“

Davies shoots Ketch a look, and the assassin halts his protests. He sits back quietly, arms folded. Davies tries to hide his disgust, but even through his neutral expression, his disbelief and anger at the situation is evident.

Mary takes the phone from Sam’s hands. She brings it close to her and squints. She looks up at Sam.

“…Why are their eyes red?”

#Supernatural #Spn #Spn12 #12x15 #Between Heaven and Hell #Coda #Spnfanfic #Destiel #Dean Winchester #Castiel #Destiel fanfic #DeanCas fanfic

132 notes · View notes

ellenembee · 7 years

Text

The Revelation of All Things - 44. In which a wolf struggles against taming

Read the full fic on AO3.

Read on Tumblr (desktop)

The horses were exhausted by the time they finally stopped for the night. They were only a half-day's ride out now, and Solas nearly growled with anticipation. These mages, these fiends who had taken his friend, they would pay for their insolence.

"It's going to be alright, Solas. We'll get there. We just need to let the horses rest for a few hours."

Solas gave her a tight smile. "I know, lethallan. It's just... hard to be easy when you know a friend is in danger."

She gave him a sympathetic smile as she removed the saddle and groomed her horse. Solas did the same. Then she began gathering sticks and twigs to start a fire.

"I could just cast a warming spell over us if you like."

Evana paused to look at him strangely. "You can do that while you sleep?"

"It's a spell I developed for sleeping in cold places when I'm exploring the Fade. Much like a ward, once cast, it will remain in effect for several hours. Long enough for us to get some sleep. The only problem is that the area of effect is... rather small. It would require us to sleep closely."

She looked down, and he could practically feel her discomfort. After a small pause, he started helping her pick up branches.

"Or, we could build a fire."

She gave him a sheepish smile. "Ma serannas, lethallin."

Solas merely tilted his head. He berated himself for feeling disappointed. It was ridiculous. But as the days and weeks marched on, his affection for her only seemed to grow - and all this despite the unmistakable fact that she had been claimed by their commander. He'd been surprised by her attraction to a shemlen, but he'd been more surprised that she'd acted on it. It wasn't his place to judge, though. Neither was it his place to keep her warm at night.

It didn't mean he didn't want to.

With the flick of her wrist, fire burst to life between her fingers, and she lit the branches they'd collected in a pile in the middle of the clearing. Soon a blazing fire fought back the dark chill of the night, and they threw out their bedrolls on opposite sides of the fire. The horses stood nearby, dining on withered grasses as far as out as their tethers would allow. Solas and Evana then walked around the perimeter setting wards so they wouldn't need to take watches.

They settled down, and Solas expected to fall asleep immediately. The crackle of the fire, however, kept him just on the edge of sleep. He opened his eyes to see her facing him, eyes closed in apparent slumber. Because they typically used tents when traveling as a group, Solas had never had an opportunity to study her features so closely. Now, however, with her slumbering face slack and open to him, he found himself memorizing her features. The smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks that had grown more pronounced since they'd spent more time outside. The soft, natural purse of her lips. The slight upturn of her thin nose.

He wasn't sad that she'd chosen another. Not really. Even if he'd given in to his early feelings and attempted to woo her, he wouldn't have been able to stay with her. His mission was too important. He must retrieve the orb from Corypheus, no matter the cost, and she offered him his best chance. That she also happened to turn his head around and muddle his brain was of no consequence. It merely revealed his weakness.

He forced his eyes to close and gradually slipped into the Fade.

Excitement built inside him as Solas realized he'd never traveled this part of the Fade before. Here in the Dales, there were many ancient memories of elves and wars and marches. Although he loved seeing the here and now, the "then" of every new location was a never ending well of new memories, secrets and explorations. The knowledge of his friend in danger, however, tempered the excitement.

Nevertheless, he stood on a pathway and let the memories slip past him, sifting through the ones he might want to step into. As he watched the ghosts of scenes change before him, a snippet of a faint but alluring tune caught his ear. Memories forgotten in favor this new mystery, he turned to follow a path behind him, and the voice grew louder - and more familiar - as he approached. He crested a hill and, as he'd expected, found Evana lying on a grassy river bank, singing an old elven tune to herself. The melody differed slightly from what he remembered, but her voice rang out confident and beautiful. She appeared to be in her traditional Dalish robes, and her silver hair spilled out behind her in a halo as she absently mangled a stalk of prairie grass in her fingers. She seemed unaware of his presence, and the secrets of the Dales slipped by him unnoticed as he focused on her completely.

Solas had observed her several times as they dreamed side-by-side during their travels, but he'd only interacted with her once shortly after they arrived at Skyhold. In the dream ruins of Haven, they'd spoken of his time watching over her after she had been spit out of a Fade rift but before she'd regained consciousness. Then she'd cornered him about a turn of phrase, a careless use of the word felt, and his world had shifted yet again, only for her to end by calling him a good friend - the first time she'd used the word in reference to him. Then he'd blurted out how much she threw him off, affected him, and essentially pushed her out of the dream to cover his lack of composure. He had not attempted to find her in the Fade since then.

Even now, he knew he should leave, but he always felt a little bolder in the Fade. He also trusted her forthrightness. If she didn't want to speak with him in her dream, she would tell him.

The sun hung high in the sky and became clearer as he walked more fully into her dreamscape. All at once, the sounds of summer surrounded him - the buzz of insects, the gurgle of the river and her voice now humming the tune instead of singing. She turned her eyes to him as he neared her, and a brief look of confusion passed over her face.

"It is me, lethallan," he assured her in a quiet voice. "I heard you singing and came to listen. You have a wonderful voice."

She blushed but remained lying in the grass. He took it as a sign of her comfort and relaxed a bit himself.

"I... I know," she replied. "I felt you, but..." After a moment, she shook her head and gestured to the space next to her. "Will you not sit with me?"

A slight shock of surprise rippled through him at her admission, but outwardly, he simply smiled and sat down next to her. "Certainly."

"You've never visited me in the Fade while we're traveling," she finally explained. "Wouldn't you rather be out there searching for more secrets?"

"I would, but..." Solas felt a strange need to be as honest with her as possible. He couldn't about everything, but in this one thing... "It feels wrong to enjoy the pleasures of discovering new memories and places when my friend is in distress."

"Then you'll stay and keep me company?"

Solas smiled again. It was always so easy to do around her.

"Of course. I do have some questions for you, if I may?"

She gave him a surprised look but then smiled. "I'll answer them as best I can. What would you like to know?"

He took a moment to glance around him. She had not really changed the geography of their location, only a true dreamer could do that - but she had made it still, more real. The sun felt warm on his face and the grass slightly damp as he leaned back on his palms.

"What were you like before the anchor? Has it affected you? Changed you in any way? Your mind, your morals, your... spirit?"

"I don't believe so, but - I'm not sure how I would know if it had."

"Ah. Yes. That is an excellent point."

"Why do you ask?"

Solas sighed almost imperceptibly. "You show a wisdom I have not seen since... since my deepest journeys into the ancient memories of the Fade. You are not what I expected."

Evana looked away from him, a slight tinge of pink forming on her cheeks. "I don't think of myself as different from anyone."

That frustrated him. Modesty did no one any good. Perhaps she truly didn't see it?

"Not in the form of your body, no. Most people are predictable, but you have shown subtlety in your actions. A wisdom that goes against everything I expected. If the Dalish could raise someone with a spirit like yours... have I misjudged them?"

Evana sighed. "I certainly don't hold the Dalish up as perfect. Most of the Dalish I know care more about impressing other hunters with a good shot or talking about how awful humans are. They care little for knowing the truth."

"But you would know the truth, even if it conflicted with what you had been raised to believe?"

"I don't know that I ever truly believed the things I was raised with - especially not after my first meeting with other clans at the Arlathvhen. When we come together, all we do is fight over whose version of the truth is ‘right.' How can we hold up our old ways when we don't try to reconcile these legends with real history? What do we have but glorified bedtime stories? That's why I tried to read as much from non-elven writers as possible, even though it eventually caused... trouble. My version - my understanding of elven history - is much different than that of my clan. And you have only added to that knowledge, lethallin. For all that you have shown me, I thank you."

It was a moment before he could respond. Her answers, her insight into the world, her practicality all clashed with what he'd come to know of modern elves. When he finally spoke, he couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.

"Perhaps that is it, then. I suppose it must be. Most people act with so little understanding of the world... but not you."

"So what does this mean to you?"

Thoughts roiled through his mind as warmth bloomed in his chest. It frustrated him that she could have this effect on him. Why did she have to be so intriguing? So unique? He wanted to kiss her as she lay there on the grass, but even at his bravest, here in the Fade, he wasn't so foolish as to think it would be welcomed. She had gone out of her way to demonstrate friendship. Nothing more, nothing less. He looked away from her eyes. Those familiar eyes. The eyes that reminded him of a time long past.

"It means that I will always respect you, Evana, no matter what may happen in the future."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her sit up slowly, a concerned look on her face. "Does... does this have anything to do with the secret you hold?"

Solas turned quickly to look at her, a sliver of panic running through him. But her calm demeanor told him he had nothing to fear.

"Yet another example of your discernment and wisdom. Yes, in a way, it does. Once our work is done, I must continue, alone, on my own journey. I cannot say more."

Her eyes bore into him, and for the first time in eons, Solas had a strong urge to confide his secrets in this uncommon elven spirit. It would be a mistake, but it was one he almost wished to make. With her by his side...

No. What I have to do must be done alone. Once they recovered the orb from Corypheus, he must take it and leave the Inquisition.

In another moment, her face had turned from concerned to accepting. "I understand. Each of us has a path. We may not choose it, but it is ours to walk, regardless. Mine is with the Inquisition until I'm no longer needed."

The urge to kiss her, especially now that she sat so close to him, grew stronger. He forced himself to look away from her and out across the river.

"Yes."

A long pause settled between them before she spoke again. Her voice was small and hesitant.

"I know you said you'd rather not right now, but maybe some other time, you could show me how you walk the Fade - how to find the memories?"

He felt the warmth in his chest grow. "I don't feel right walking and enjoying the Fade, but teaching you to safely engage with memories would not be a conflict. Come, lethallan."

He saw the familiar spark of excitement in her eye as she stood and looked up at him. That ardor for learning was one of the many things that endeared her to him. They spent the remainder of their dreaming hours wandering the Fade together. Solas showed her how he let go of the concrete to allow the memories to take shape around him. She had trouble with this at first, but at his coaxing and direction, she gradually began to point out slivers of memories. Solas then showed her how to focus on a memory so she could watch it play out before her or even step into the memory itself. For this first foray, he deliberately chose the benign memories. Perhaps if they traveled together again, he would let her go deeper into the memories. Deeper memories, however, carried more risk of running into demons, and he warned to not go too far on her own.

After many hours, Solas felt the tug of wakefulness. He turned to find that Evana had disappeared, so he closed his eyes and willed himself to wake. His eyes opened to see her staring at him over the dying fire, frost catching on the tips of her strangely dark lashes. A gleam in her eye and the slight smile on her face spoke her gratitude, and he warmed under her attention. But the smile faded as she sat up.

"Ma serannas, Solas. Once again, you have been my guide in learning more about our world."

"Any time, lethallan."

She tilted her head in acknowledgement, and then her face fell further into a look of concern as her eyes turned up into the darkened sky. A faint hint of light played at the eastern horizon.

"Dawn approaches," she murmured. "We should break camp."

Solas disarmed the wards as Evana mixed some heated water with dried porridge. To simplify, they both ate out of the same small bowl, taking turns tipping the bowl up for a bite. Then, they quickly saddled their horses and set out west.

They rode for several hours until the trees began to thin out and large rock formations jutted out of the ground. It was nearly midday when they finally reached the location Solas thought they would find his friend. As they approached, a purplish light shone over a small hill. He dismounted and began running. He crested the hill to find a giant pride demon bound in a small clearing.

"My friend!"

Evana gasped and turned to him. The sadness in her face mirrored his own.

"The mages turned your friend into a demon."

Solas could only growl out a, "yes."

"You said it was a spirit of wisdom, not a fighter."

He was beside himself. Although he knew he'd regret it later, he couldn't help his angry tone.

"A spirit becomes a demon when denied its original purpose."

Evana nodded in understanding. "So they summoned it for something opposed to its own nature, and it was corrupted. Fighting, maybe?"

As they spoke, a man in mage robes approached them. Solas could barely hold back his anger. If he were at his full power...

"Let us ask them!" he growled.

The mage spoke before Evana could. "Mages! You're not with the bandits? Do you have any lyrium potions? Most of us are exhausted. We've been fighting that demon..."

Solas thought his head might explode. "You summoned that demon! Except it was a spirit of wisdom at the time. You made it kill! You twisted it against its purpose."

"I- I understand how it might be confusing to someone who has not studied demons, but after you help us, I can-"

Solas seethed through his teeth. "We're not here to help you."

Evana held up a hand to the mage. "A word of advice? I'd hold off on explaining how demons work to my friend here."

The mage threw his hands up. "Listen to me! I was one of the foremost experts in the Kirkwall Circle-"

He'd had enough. "Shut. Up. You summoned it to protect you from the bandits."

Finally, the mage hung his head. "I- yes."

"You bound it to obedience, then commanded it to kill. That is when it turned." He turned to Evana, the realization dawning on him. "It's the summoning circle. If we break it, we break the binding. No orders to kill, no conflict with its nature, no demon."

The mage became panicked. "What? The binding is the only thing keeping the demon from killing us! Whatever it was before, it is a monster now."

Solas turned to Evana. "Inquisitor... Evana, please."

She placed her hand on his arm briefly, reassurance permeating her tone. "I've studied rituals like these. I should be able to disrupt the binding quickly."

Solas breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. We must hurry!"

But she was already off and running toward the demon as the mage ran in the opposite direction. Solas took a very brief moment to admire her courage and skill as they quickly destroyed the bindings holding the pride demon while dodging the giant's lightning attacks. As the final binding tower was destroyed, he watched as the demon dissolved into his familiar friend, wisdom. He crouched down before his friend, holding back tears as he spoke.

"Lethallin, ir abelas."

"I'm not sorry. I'm happy. I'm me again. Ma melava halani. Now you must endure. Guide me into death."

Solas had to look away. This isn't how it's supposed to be! Wisdom must endure, not die at the hands of bumbling fools! Finally, he looked back at his friend.

"Ma nuvenin."

He raised his hands and concentrated on guiding wisdom to the next stage, whatever that might be. The spirit's form gradually fell away in the wind until he was left staring at the river bank beyond. Wisdom was dead.

"Dareth shiral, ma falon."

He could feel Evana's presence behind him, but she said nothing. He was again overwhelmed by how much he'd come to trust and rely on her guidance. She held the wisdom in his life now. Finally, he rose from the ground and turned to her. Her eyes glistened with tears as she spoke.

"I heard what it said. It was right. You did help it."

Solas hung his head. "And now, I must endure."

She approached him and placed her hand on his arm. Her touch burned him, and yet he craved more. A deep longing to pull her into an embrace rolled through him. Her soft, kind words did nothing to alleviate the desire.

"Let me know if I can help."

"You already have, lethallan."

He gave her a wane smile, but as he looked over her shoulder, he suddenly saw the mages responsible for this mess, for killing his friend. Fury burst into a flame within him, but he kept his voice a low growl.

"All that remains now is them."

The mages approached now and the same man they'd spoken to before stepped forward. "Thank you. We would not have risked a summoning, but the roads are too dangerous to travel unprotected."

He'd barely finished speaking before something snapped inside Solas. These fools would pay. They could not be allowed to continue summoning innocent spirits! He stalked toward them threateningly.

"You! You tortured and killed my friend!"

The mage cowered before him and Solas reveled in the power. This was familiar. This was right. But the mage was speaking again. Why did it keep speaking?

"We didn't know it was just a spirit! The book said it could help us!"

Uncaring, Solas raised his staff and began an immolation spell. They would burn for this. Somewhere behind him, though, a soft voice cut through his rage.

"Solas..."

He froze, breath coming in short gasps. One more twist of his wrist and they would be gone... but he dropped his staff to his side instead. The spell fizzled with only a slight shimmer in the air indicating the power he could have unleashed on them. His voice, filled with every ounce of venom he could manage, spit out the only words he could think of.

"Never. Again. If I ever hear of you summoning spirits again, I will find you. And I will kill you."

The mages turned and ran, and part of Solas wanted to run after them, to strike them down. But her soft presence held him steady. The rage, however, had not been quenched. He couldn't even turn to face her.

"I need some time alone. I will meet you back at Skyhold."

And without another word, he mounted his horse and rode away from her. She could not help him now.

#revelation of all things #revelations #dragon age #dragon age inquisition #dragon age fanfic #dragon age fanfiction #my fanfiction #Solas #my Solas HC is that he has feelings for the Inquisitor regardless of whether the quizzy returns those feelings #solas is so angsty #all new faded for her #troat

2 notes · View notes

thatcrazyfanfictionwriter · 7 years

Text

Secret of the Sewers: Revelations

Leonardo slowly woke up, his entire body throbbing painfully. As he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find himself laying down on the ground in the living area of the lair. There were clean bandages around his various wounds, and an ice-pack resting on his forehead. As he laid there, his thoughts drifted back to the battle, and a gut wrenching fear suddenly coursed through his veins. He sat up violently, then immediately regretted it as both his head and his ribs screamed at him.

"Oww..." He moaned.

Hisako, who was currently bent over Raphael, turned towards Leo. Her face did not even attempt to hide the relief she felt upon seeing her brother awake.

"Leo..." She sighed, walking over to him and picking up the fallen ice pack. "Thank God you're okay."

"What happened?" he asked as Hisako eased him back onto the ground. "How did we get here?"

"I went and got Splinter." Hisako explained, putting the ice pack back on her brother’s head. "We dragged you all back here."

Leo turned his head slowly, happily noting Mikey and Donny in their own make-shift futons being tended to by Master Splinter. They turtles were all banged up and slowly coming to, but they were alive. Leo sighed, turning his head away. That's when he noticed a fourth unconscious form. Blinking in confusion, Leo tried to focus on the form, then his eyes went wide.

It was the creature from the tunnels, the very creature that had nearly killed him and his brothers. Suddenly wide awake, Leo struggled to his feet, instinctively grabbing his katanas, which were lying beside him. Hisako's eyes widened as she tried to get between her brother and the creature.

"What is THAT doing here?!" he demanded, attempting to push past her and draw his katanas at the same time.

Hisako maintained her ground, planting her feet and keeping both of her hands on his plastron.

“I brought him here too.” she hastily explained. “Please Leo, let me explain-”

“That thing tried to kill us Hisako!” Leo exclaimed, finally managing to get past her. “If it wakes up, who knows what it will do.”

Leo raised his katana, only for Hisako to once more stand in the way. Leo barely had time to stop his swing before he struck down his sister. They met each other’s eyes, Leo’s cold, hard gaze meeting her desperate, pleading one.

“Move.” Leo ordered.

“I won’t.” Hisako told him, not moving an inch. “Not until you calm down and listen to me.”

Leo gritted his teeth, his grip on his katana tight enough for the wood to creak. Before the situation could escalate further, Splinter’s paw came to rest on the blue turtle’s shoulder.

“My son, while I sympathize with your fears surrounding this creature, I believe it would be in your best interest to hear your sister out before make such a decision.” He remarked.

Leo looked back at his sensei, then at the beast, then finally back at Hisako. With a sigh, he lowered his sword, putting it back in its sheath.

“Alright Hisako, talk.” He told her curtly.

Hisako let out a visible sigh of relief, then looked back at the creature. Leo watched his sister, surprised to see a look of remembrance, as well as a strong sadness that seemed to penetrate deep.

“His name is Leatherhead.” she said softly, her eyes never leaving the creature. “He’s my friend, the first one I ever had. He’s the one who-”

Her breath hitched and her fists clenched, a sign Leo recognized all too well. She did that every time she tried to talk about her past.

“He saved my life.” she finally continued. “It’s thanks to him that you guys found me when you did… I thought he was dead… part of me hoped he was.”

“If he’s your friend, why did you hope he was dead?” Leo wondered.

Hisako looked at Leo with that same soul-crushing sadness.

“There are some fates worse than death.” she told him.

Leo looked at all the scars that practically covered Leatherhead’s body, then he looked at Hisako. Even after four years, her arms and wrists still bore the scars from the time before they found her.

“What I’m trying to say is this.” Hisako continued, pulling Leo’s thoughts back to the present. “He’s not a threat. Not anymore.”

From his futon, Donny let out a groan as he struggled to sit up, clutching an ice pack to the side of his head.

"I have a bump on my head the size of a grapefruit that proves otherwise." He mumbled. "He may not be a threat to you, but he sure as shell is one to us."

"He destroyed our weapons…" Mikey moaned, holding the broken bits of his Nunchucks. "He nearly killed us."

“He was being forced to do it.” Hisako explained. “That collar around his neck, it would have hurt him if he didn’t behave. It was newer then the ones I saw before, but if it’s anything like those, then you’d be willing to do anything to prevent the pain it could inflict.”

An uneasy silence filled the lair, then Raph spoke up.

“If what Hisako says is true, and Leatherhead here is just another victim, I say we hear him out.”

“Seriously Raph?” Donny questioned. “I figured you’d be the first turtle to suggest we lock him up somewhere.”

“You remember how Hisako was when she first came here.” Raph reminded his brother. “She was scared, didn’t know who to trust, and lashed out on pure instinct. This Leatherhead is probably just like her.”

“Only bigger, scarier, and with sharp teeth and claws that could tear us into tiny little bite-sized turtle chunks.” Mikey added.

Raph picked up his pillow and threw it at Mikey’s head since he was too far to smack the orange turtle.

“Look, all I’m sayin’ in the guy’s probably messed up in the head, and he needs help, not a poundin’.” Raph said as he crossed his arms. “So maybe we should talk.”

“Wow, that’s… rather mature of you Raph.” Leo complimented.

“Hey, if we were talkin about a Motorhead or one of those purple dragon deadbeats, I be all for beatin’ the snot outta them. But this guy’s a mutant like us, and one who’s probably been hurt enough.”

“Raphael is right.” Splinter agreed. “However, I feel it may be prudent to take precautions and chain him to one of the support beams.”

Hisako gulped a bit, but understood her Sensei’s reasoning. She knew what Leatherhead was capable of when he was threatened, and she also knew how he would most likely react when he came to.

“Hisako.” Splinter called, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Yes Sensei?” she replied.

“Once he awakens, he will no doubt be disoriented and confused. It may be best if you are the first face he sees.”

Hisako nodded.

“I couldn’t agree more sensei.”

With no more words to be said, Splinter got to work on restraining Leatherhead before the croc came to.

…

Leatherhead struggled to regain consciousness, his entire body battered and sore. The spot on his neck still tingled slightly from where Hisako had jabbed him.

As the memory of his long lost friend returned to him, his eyes snapped open and his initial fatigue left him.

“Oracle!” he shouted, attempting to rise to his feet.

His efforts to stand we cut off almost as quickly as they began. Several chains bisected his chest, keeping him pinned to a think concrete column. A few more were around his neck, not allowing him to bend it so he could bite through the chains. To make matters worse, he has chains binding his legs together at the ankles, as well as his arms behind the column. He was effectively immobilized, and it both terrified him and pissed him off.

Leatherhead’s eyes began to glow a bright red as he thrashed in his bindings, trying to find any slack or give in them so he could break free.

The sound of Leatherhead’s shout had already drawn the attention of the Hamato clan and they had been going to check on their guest/prisoner when he started fighting. While the turtles and Splinter maintained a safe distance from the wild mutant, Hisako dove right in, trying to calm him as best she could.

“Leatherhead!” she called over his furious protests. "Leatherhead, it's alright! Calm down!"

Her hand came up to try and grab his face, only for his jaws to sink into her hand with an audible crack. She nearly screamed, but quickly covered her mouth with her free hand, trying to keep herself calm so Leatherhead wouldn’t completely tear her hand off. The turtles acted quickly, Leo hitting a pressure point on Leatherhead’s jaw. This one didn’t knock him out, instead it just loosened the muscles in his jaw. Donny dislodged Hisako’s hand from Leatherheads jaw and quickly saw to it as Hisako kept trying to reach the mad mutant.

“Leatherhead, it’s me!” she cried. “It’s Oracle!”

That word seemed to do the trick. Leatherhead’s frantic attempts to break his bindings stopped. His eyes lost their angry glow as his snarling subsided. Hisako let out a sigh of relief, wiping tears from her eyes with her one free hand.

“Oracle…?” Leatherhead repeated, his eyes meeting hers.

“I’m here, big guy.” she told him softly, reaching out for him and gently caressing his face.

Raph instinctively moved to try and pull his sister’s hand away, seeing the blood soaked cloth Donny was using to try and save her other one. However, his efforts proved unnecessary, for rather than bite her hand again, Leatherhead nuzzled it, letting out a soft churr as he did.

“Sis your hands bleeding bad, and I’m pretty sure he snapped several of your metacarpals and phalanxes.” Donny interjected.

“Dude, we all heard that snapping noise.” Mikey reminded him. “Her hand is broken bad.”

Leatherhead heard this and his head came up.

“Sis…?” he repeated, confused.

“Short for sister.” Hisako explained as Donny continued his efforts to stop the bleeding. “These are my brothers. The one in blue is Leonardo, the red one is Raphael, the orange one is Michelangelo, and the one currently trying to save my hand is Donatello.”

Leatherheads gaze fell on Hisako’s injured hand and his face fell. His muscles went completely slack as tears came to his eyes.

“I… did it again… didn’t I?” he asked rhetorically, already knowing the answer.

Hisako went to caress him again, only for him to move his head away from her as best he could.

“No...” he told her, his voice broken. “I have… hurt you enough…”

“Leatherhead, don’t say that.” she chastised him softly. “You and I both know you never mean to hurt me. My hand will heal, just like all the other scars did.”

Leo leaned over to Don, whispering in his ear.

“Her hand will heal, right?” he hissed.

“I’ll need to set up a cast, as well as put several stitches in it, but yeah.” Donny replied. “Think you can grab the stuff I need?”

Leo disappeared in an instant, the distant sound of Donny’s lab door being thrown open echoing through the lair. With Leo handling that part of the situation, the rest of the family was able to deal with the emotionally distraught crocodile.

Splinter approached Leatherhead, sitting down in front of him and gently moving Hisako’s hand away. Leatherhead met his gaze, the croc’s eyes narrowing in confusion.

“I do not… remember you…” he said quietly.

“I am Splinter, Hisako’s father.” the rat introduced. “I have been watching over her these past four years.”

“You… saved her…” Leatherhead simplified, turning his gaze towards Hisako. “You… healed her…”

“We have done what we could for her.” Splinter replied. “Though from what little she has told us about you, you are the one who made it possible for us to do so.”

Leatherhead growled a bit, though it seemed to be directed more at himself then at Splinter. As he did this, Leo returned with Donny’s requested equipment. As the purple turtle sifted through the supplies to get started, Leo turned his attention to the croc. Leatherhead felt the turtle’s eyes on him and met his gaze.

“Staring at the monster...” Leatherhead grumbled.

Leo quickly held up his hands.

“No, no.” Leo insisted. “It’s just… we’ve never seen another mutant before.”

“Yeah, if we’re honest, we thought we were the only ones.” Donny added, grabbing the needle and thread he needed. “Sensei, hold her please?”

Splinter moved towards Hisako, easing her into his lap and wrapping his arms around her. Even his tail curled around her as Donny began stitching her hand. She winced visibly, but Donny kept a tight grip on her wrist.

“I had always had my suspicions that we were not the only mutants.” Splinter continued, hoping their discussion would distract both his daughter and Leatherhead. “Hisako’s reaction to us and your presence confirm this.”

Leatherhead growled slightly.

“There are… dozens of us…” he said, his fists clenching behind the column. “Innocent animals… taken from their homes… twisted… warped into monsters… Then, he breaks us… tortures us… until we beg for death…”

The croc looked at the turtles and Splinter, seeing them all visibly sickened by what they heard. Hisako was whimpering in Splinter’s grasp, though whether that was from physical or emotional pain was anyone’s guess.

“It is a fate… I would not wish… on anyone… that is why… I tried to… to…”

“To kill us.” Mikey finished, his voice quiet.

Leatherhead nodded, then shifted his hips as best he could. Mikey spotted something tucked into the waistband of his pants and grabbed it. Once he took a look, he was surprised to see it was a photograph of the four turtles.

“Dudes, check this out.” he called out as he held up the photo. “This is from that fight the other day.”

Leo snatched it, looking at the photo in confusion.

“Donny, I thought you scrubbed all the cameras in the area.” he remarked.

“I did.” Donny replied, finally finishing with the stitches and beginning with the bandages.

“The van...” Hisako whispered. “It was a setup...”

“Shell!” Raph swore.

“Raphael, calm yourself.” Splinter ordered.

“Sensei, don’t you know what this means?” Raph asked, getting to his feet. “The motorheads we’ve been dealing with are in cahoots with the whack job that hurt Hisako!”

The turtles were all stunned. Mikey let out a choked gasp, Donny stopped working, and Leo’s jaw just dropped. Splinter pulled Hisako closer as she whimpered.

“He… He knows where I am...” she cried softly, burying her face in Splinter’s shoulder.

“No.” Leatherhead said, shaking his head as best he could. “I told him… I killed you…”

Hisako looked up.

“What…?”

“After...” his voice caught, but he continued. “After what happened… I let myself… be caught again… He… punished me… badly…”

He shivered violently, and Hisako pulled herself from Splinter’s grasp. Donny scrambled to follow her, still trying to bandage her hand as Hisako threw her arm around him.

“You did that for me?” she choked.

“I thought… you were dead…” he told her, his eyes closed as he leaned into her. “I thought… I deserved it.”

“Nobody deserves that.” Hisako told him, not releasing her hug.

Splinter let out a gentle cough, drawing their attention.

"Leatherhead." he said softly. "Hisako has said very little about her time before we found her, and we have respected her desire to forget that part of her life. However, I fear that is a luxury we can no longer afford. We must know all we can about the place where you two escaped from."

Hisako visibly flinched, but didn’t say a word. Instead, she reluctantly released Leatherhead and returned to her father’s embrace. Donny finally finished bandaging Hisako’s hand, and took a spot not far from his father and sister. The other turtles were not far behind, gathering in front of the croc.

“My tale… is not a pleasant one.” Leatherhead warned.

“We’ve been dealing with nightmare inducing red images produced by Hisako’s psyche for the past four years.” Donny informed him. “Trust me, we have no illusions of what you’re about to tell us.”

“When you are ready, so are we.” Leo assured him.

Leatherhead gave a single nod, then began his tale.

…

Leatherhead's first memory of That Place is one of pain. Every fiber of his being felt as if it was on fire. It went on for what felt like hours before subsiding. Even before it faded, he knew something was different about him. He felt bigger, stronger, and smarter. At first, he was happy to discover what new changes awaited him, but after he opened his eyes, he realized the terrible truth.

The newly transformed crocodile was in a cage, much too small for his newly enlarged form, surrounded by men and women in white lab coats. Many of these strangers held pens and paper, recording even the slightest movement he made. Others were congratulating themselves on 'another successful transmutation.' Others were chuckling to themselves, looking at Leatherhead like a predator does injured prey.

However, one doctor stood out among them. He approached the bars of the cage without fear, an almost maniacal gleam in his eye. When he spoke, his voice was laced with pride, and something that can only be described as vindictive or cruel.

"My name is Doctor Baxter Stockman," he said in a smug and twisted tone. "I am the one who gave you new life."

Leatherhead looked at Stockman, every instinct in his new body telling him that this man was evil in every sense of the word.

"Now that we're acquainted with one another, I want you to understand something." He leaned in close until Leatherhead could smell what the man had for lunch on his breath. "You. Belong. To me. So I suggest you make yourself at home, if you want to stay alive."

Leatherhead snarled at him, attempting to swipe through the bars. Stockman just backed away, then nodded towards a pair of men in thick body armor. One of them produced a cattle prod, nearly electrocuting Leatherhead. His screams of pain seemed to amuse Dr. Stockman, as well as the other doctors. Once he stopped convulsing, Stockman chuckled.

"That was only a taste of what is to come should you continue to resist me." Stockman promised. "If you wish to avoid further punishment, you will accept your fate."

The doctors and armored men then left him alone, giving him one last poke with the cattle prod before leaving him in the dark. Panting heavily from the pain, Leatherhead knew that he would have to escape from That Place, but it would take time. He would need to wait for them to let their guard down if he was to escape with his life.

...

After months of torture and humiliation, Leatherhead's patience grew thin as his lust for freedom became exponential. He was forced to allow the doctors to conduct experiments on him. Some were mundane, like basic exercise. Others were more painful, like seeing how much pain he could withstand or how much punishment his armor-like skin could take. He lost count of how many times he nearly died in that lab. There were times where he hoped that they would go too far and end his suffering. However, Stockman was much too careful with him to allow him to die.

On the 'anniversary' of his creation, Leatherhead finally snapped. His bottled up hatred and swallowed pride came back to him in spades. He broke free of his restraints, tearing through the bars of his cage as if they were plastic. Stockman did not know this, but he had been holding himself back during the physical examinations. He had only revealed a fraction of his strength. Now, he intended to show him everything he had when he tore the man limb from limb.

He broke through the door of the lab they had kept him in, only to find himself staring at a hallway of labs similar to his own. Quite a few held the bodies of failed experiments. Others seemed to have been converted into some semblance of living quarters. Then there were cells that seemed to be welded shut, with withered creatures attached to machines that seemed to extract all that made them unique.

Leatherheads anger flared at these sites. These creatures had been like him, transformed into monsters against their will and forced to endure the same tortures he had.

His vision clouded as he tore through these different cells. On some impulsive and destructive instinct, he charged towards the cells, tearing the doors open as if they were nothing, and destroying the failed experiments inside. One by one the creatures were dismembered and torn apart until they didn't even resemble their original form. No more would innocent lives be subject to Stockman and his delusional science experiments.

The more Leatherhead brought Stockman's work to ruin however, the more the feral beast that had been dwelling inside him all this time took over his mind. That anger all but dissipated when he came to one more cell.

This cell did not hold some monstrous creature, nor did it contain a desecrated mutated corpse. Instead, there was a small child inside. A girl, no older than 12, strapped to a wheelchair. She was so frail, her limbs her like brittle twigs. Her hair had been cut away and electrodes were attached all across her head. Monitors along the wall recorded every heartbeat and brain wave coming from this poor child.

Leatherhead entered her cell, determined to end her suffering. As he pulled the doors to the lab open, the girl looked up at him. Her grey eyes seemed to pierce his soul, and as he got closer, he felt something slip through the cloud of anger. A child's voice, telling him everything was going to be alright.

He didn't know how, but he instinctively knew it was her. She was communicating telepathically.

She wasn't scared of him, even though she probably knew why he was there. In fact, she seemed almost apathetic, unable to feel anything. It was this lack of emotion that stayed Leatherhead's hand.

In the end, he could not go through with it. He couldn't kill this girl.

At that moment, an image entered his mind. It was that of a guard coming up behind him with a gun. Leatherhead instinctively spun around, his tail knocking the guard off his feet, and his claws making short work of him.

He turned back to the girl, and still, she did not seem afraid of him. Despite the fact that he had just murdered someone in front of her, she continued to remain unaffected. She simply spoke to him mentally, telling me to run, to get as far away from That Place as possible. So he did just that, but not before tearing through her restraints and taking her with him.

…

All four of the turtles were listening intently to Leatherhead's story. Mikey had nearly begun crying with Donny comforting him. Raph and Leo were both just sitting their dumbstruck. Hisako was understandably upset, clutching onto Splinter desperately. Splinter held his daughter close, even his tail wrapping around her protectively.

“For days… all we did… was run…” he continued. “I didn’t know… where to go… just that we… we weren’t going back…”

“I still don’t get why you took Hisako.” Raph commented. “Believe me, I’m glad you did, but why?”

“I… don’t know.” Leatherhead admitted. “I couldn’t… bring myself… to kill her… as I did… the others.”

“But you thought you did at one point.” Leo remembered.

Leatherhead’s entire body tensed. Hisako’s hands drifted to her stomach, caressing the deep scars that decorated it. Donny put two and two together, and felt a sudden tightness in his chest.

“When we found her… she was bleeding out in a dumpster.” he recalled, his voice low. “Did you… did you hurt her?”

Leatherhead looked down, his eyes closed.

“Yes...” he replied.

“It wasn’t his fault.” Hisako said quickly. “He can’t control himself when he gets angry.”

“Hey, kinda like Raph.” Mikey commented.

Raph went to hit him, but from the smug look on Mikey’s face, it would only prove the orange turtle right. Splinter held no such reservations, and his tail quickly whacked his son upside the head.

“This is a serious matter Michelangelo.” he chastised before turning back to Leatherhead. “Please, continue.”

Leatherhead nodded again as he began his story again.

…

Leatherhead peered through the lid of the trash can he was using as cover, searching for his pursuers. For now, it seemed as though he had lost them. With a sigh of relief, he pulled himself out of the trash can, then gently removed Oracle from it as well.

"Oracle… Safe…" he told his young companion.

Oracle weakly wrapped her arms around Leatherhead's neck, shivering from a combination of cold and fear.

"How long?" she asked, her weak voice barely loud enough for Leatherhead to hear. "Find us… Always find us..."

Leatherhead cradled his friend, trying to help her preserve warmth. As he held her, he felt her tears begin to run down her face.

“Why...?” she sobbed. “Why hunt us… what did we do…?”

He honestly could not answer her question, but wished he could. He held her for a moment, then caught the scent of their pursuers. They were returning.

"I heard something over here!" a voice called.

"Check it out!" another ordered.

Leatherhead snarled, his eyes glowing red as Oracle tensed in his grip.

"Run." She whispered.

"No." Leatherhead replied.

Before Oracle could question why, He placed her back in the dumpster, closing the lid.

"Won’t run..." he snarled. "Not anymore."

With one massive roar, Leatherhead charged towards the squad of men that were coming around the corner. He jumped on top of one, about to bite into him when the other three started opening fire on him. Enraged, Leatherhead swiped his tail at one, knocking him off his feet and to the ground. Before he could get up Leatherhead brought his tail down on him, crushing him into the pavement. He then threw his fist at another squad member, sending him hurtling into a wall. His head rebounded off the bricks with a painful thud, and he slid to the ground unconscious.

The third one Leatherhead grabbed using his mouth. After swinging him around for a bit, the unfortunate soldier screaming all the way, Leatherhead threw him aside like a piece of garbage where he bled out on the ground.

Thinking all his enemies were defeated, Leatherhead stopped for a moment to catch his breathe. Unbeknownst to him, the first man he tackled earlier got out a taser stick and struck Leatherhead with it. The shock made Leatherhead scream in pain as he swatted away the weapon. Slowly, Leatherhead approached the man who was slowly backing away, realizing just how poor of a choice he just made.

"P-please..." He begged. "I have a family… I beg you..."

"I begged too… You didn't care."

He lunged at the man, his terrified screams being cut short.

Throughout the fight, Oracle had been desperately trying to lift the lid of the trashcan. Unfortunately, she had no strength to call her own. Luckily for her, one of the men Leatherhead had tossed aside had knocked over the can, sending the unfortunate girl sliding out onto the alley. As she watched Leatherhead decimate the final man, she could feel her friend slowly slipping away, replaced with a monster made of pure rage.

"Leatherhead!" She cried, her voice cracking from her weakness.

Leatherhead turned to her, the red in his eyes not seeing his friend, but another enemy he had missed. Roaring again, he ran towards her on all fours and slashes at her with his claws. She lets out a scream of pain as she makes contact with the alley floor. Her blood mixes with the rain that began to fall. Luckily for her, it was these precious water droplets that pulled Leatherhead from his anger induced haze.

As his senses slowly returned to him, Leatherhead was horrified by what he had done. Oracle was covered in long gashes, blood covering her slim frame as laid curled in a protective ball on the ground. He stumbled back, looking down at his claws in horror.

"What… have I done…?"

…

“She… was so still…” he continued, tears pouring from his eyes. “Her blood… was all over me…”

“That’s awful dude.” Mikey whispered.

“I hated myself… I believed I had… had killed… my only friend.”

“No wonder you let whackjob city take you back.” Raph mused.

Leatherhead looked down at himself and sighed.

“A monster… like me… deserves… to suffer.”

“No.” Hisako insisted, placing a hand on his leg. “You’re not a monster.”

Leatherhead shifted in his chains, the sound of them clinking together ringing through the lair.

“Look at me...” He told her. “Look at… what I’ve done… to your family… to you…”

Hisako looked down at her bandaged hand, then over at her brothers.

“Guys… He’s not a monster… Please let me-”

Before she’d even finished her sentence, the turtles were already in motion. They all moved behind the pillar, unlocking the various chains keeping the croc bound. They fell away from him, much to his surprise.

“You’re… letting me go?” He asked, looking at his now freed wrists,

“You ain’t no monster, just like Hisako keeps tellin’ ya.” Raph told him. “You’re the victim, that’s it.”

“You only think you’re a monster because that’s how people have been treating you.” Mikey explained, releasing Leatherhead’s legs.

“Besides, a true monster wouldn’t feel remorse for his actions.” Donny rationalized. “You feel bad for what you’ve done, and you recognize when you’ve done something wrong.”

“And more then that, any being that’s willing to lay down their life for our sister is good in my book.” Leo concluded.

The other three turtles nodded and Splinter smiled. Leatherhead looked over at Hisako, who was smiling at him brightly. He had never seen her so happy.

"Thank you." He said with a smile of his own. It looked a bit weird with his razor sharp teeth, but the turtles got the true intent.

Hisako jumped up and hugged her old friend, her arms wrapped around his neck. He caught her and held her, and for a moment, they forgot about their past, the ever dangerous future, and the enemy currently hunting them all.

…

In Baxter Stockman's Lab, Hun stared at the screens that had been broadcasting the footage of the fight between Stockman's pet and the turtles. The screens were now black with the words NO SIGNAL flashing in red. Stockman had disappeared a while back, searching through the old archives. When he returned, he had a thick file in his hands.

"I didn't think it was possible... but if what I saw was right…"

Hun went to tell him about the end of the fight, but Stockman merely brushed him to the side, bringing up the recorded footage. He brought it up to where the girl appeared, then paused when it showed her face. He zoomed in, and he gasped.

"I knew it…"

He flipped open the file, sifting through the different papers until he came across what he wanted.

A photograph.

He held it up to the screen, comparing the faces. She was older and had filled out some, not to mention grew out her hair, but there was no denying it.

"Hun, my boy, today is a good day!"

Hun stared at the doctor, thinking he had gone insane.

"Perhaps I should tell you that your pet failed to destroy the turtles."

"To hell with that overgrown lummox and those shelled freaks." Stockman exclaimed. "What we have here is far more important."

He looked up at the screen and grinned evilly.

"Project Oracle is still alive."

0 notes